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The first petal comes as a surprise to Lance. He's in his room, and then from out of his throat comes a petal. A bloody petal. He knows exactly what is happening with him. He doesn't want to admit it. Never in a million years would he, even. So he doesn't.
He knows exactly who it's for, and why it's there. The one person that could fix everything isn't here anymore. They haven't been for weeks. He is upset about it, obviously.
He doesn't want to admit to himself that he is dying. He does anyway. He doesn't know how long he has, and he doesn't want to know. All he knows is that he can't tell anyone, and he needs to do everything he can for the team before he dies.
He knows there's a cure for it. God, he knows. He doesn't think that completely removing his compacity to love this person is the right decision. He doesn't ever want to lose this person either.
He does the sensible thing though. He smiles, and laughs, and hides it from everybody. Two months after his discovery he's coughing up more than petals. Now, he's coughing up stems too.
The team notices he's more out of breath. You okay, Lance? He just brushes them off with a quick, Yeah all good just tired.
He's in pain. It gets worse, a lot worse. One night there's blood everywhere. Literally everywhere, there's petals, and stems, and he knows his time is coming soon.
He's tired. Really tired, even if he sleeps for more than eight hours. His chest hurts bad, even after being in a healing pod after a mission goes wrong. He's been coughing up a lot more too. So yeah, he knows his time is coming.
He writes out some letters for each of them incase they find him dead in his room one morning.
Pidge,
Hey Pidgeon. I know what you'll say. You're probably going to call me an idiot for not saying anything. I have my reasons I swear. It's not like I want to die, per say. I couldn't live if I told you and we couldn't stop it. Anyways this letter probably won't find you, but if it does I'm sorry.
Hunk,
Hey buddy! This probably won't find you in like the best of states. That's okay. It's okay, this whole thing I mean. I should've told you, I know. I just couldn't bring myself to worry you guys. I don't think I'd be able to take it if you guys blamed yourselves for not being able to help me. I don't want to forget. I hope everything with Shay works out. When you have your wedding I'll be there. Love you buddy, tell Mamá everything you know I would.
Shiro,
You're like my hero, man. I mean you've helped me with a lot through this whole space thing. It wasn't really easy being thrown into a space war. I mean sure you were hard on us sometimes, but I knew that stemmed from worry. You're a great mentor, leader, I don't know everything really. Thought you should know that. Thanks for everything Shiro.
Allura,
Wow. Worst surprise ever huh? I know I flirt with you, but It's not because I like you romantically, sorry. It's just I know you need a distraction from all of this, what better way than making you reject me. I'm hilarious, I think. I hope. I believe in you.
Coran,
You're really sweet. I loved listening to your stories. You're like a really cool space uncle, y'know? I think you would have a wonderful time on earth. There's a lot of flowers, and stories there. If you make it there one day you should stop by my house in Cuba. I really loved the beaches there.
Keith,
I never told you how I felt. This seems like the only way to do it now. I'm sorry about everything. The rivalry thing, it was just a way for me to ignore my feelings for you. I wanted to be open with you, but I didn't know how to do that. Then we kind of got closer, dare I say we might have been friends. I never wanted to ruin whatever we were that's why I never said anything to you. Hopeless as they come apparently. Well anyway I never, ever wanted to forget my feelings. Never would. If I could do this whole thing again not being able to change a thing about us, I still wouldn't choose to get the surgery. I'm sorry.
A little bit of blood finds it's way onto each, and every letter. Lance would have laughed about it being a little piece of him if not for the sinking feeling in his chest. He didn't really want his friends to find him surrounded by blood about to die.
The universe has a way of mocking Lance, it seems. That's exactly what happens, almost.
They just finished a hard mission. Keith was there. He had come back. Lance didn't know for how long this time. He hoped for good. He was walking back to his lion. Limping really when he felt the familiar need to throw up.
He pulled off his helmet. He coughed into his hand. A flower. Blood seeped from between his fingers.
A full flower came out. He fell to his knees. Distantly he realized his teammates were calling to him, and running. His hand came away from his face. Several beautiful flowers came out, bloody, but beautiful.
He was aware of the growing panic of his team. When they finally reached him Lance just smiled at them. A warm, small smile. As if he wasn't surrounded by an alarming amount of blood, and flowers. He looked at Keith for a second longer than everyone else then he fell forwards.
For a second Lance wanted to forget everything. When he looked Into Keith's eyes he did. Sure he saw the fear, but he also saw the absolute beauty that was his eyes. The purple that drove him crazy. He loved it. He wouldn't forget, he promised himself that. Even when he was falling further into the darkness he wouldn't forget.
Lance was in the medbay laying on a bed. He was so still. A stillness to him that made him look out of place. It was unnerving. It was eveything Keith never, ever. Wanted to see.
Keith walked back to his room with his head held low. Lance was dying. He was dying, and told no one. If Keith could find out who Lance liked maybe, just maybe he could be saved.
When he got to his door he paused. He smelled blood. Lance's blood. It wasn't coming from inside his room. Keith opened the door to Lance's room.
He stepped in, noticed the letters on the desk with each of their names on it. Then he looked in the bathroom. There was so much blood. Too much, so many petals. Lance had been hiding this from everyone for a long time. Keith wanted to gag.
Keith took the letters before leaving. He gathered everyone to read theirs. He reasoned with them. He said, This could help us save him. He might give us a clue here. They agreed.
Pidge cried reading her letter. He mutter something about Lance being an idiot. Hunk was barely holding it together. Like he was afraid that if he cried it would all be real. Shiro held the letter close. It was like if he let go a piece of himself would too. Allura smiled. A devastated smile. The kind where if you stop for even a second the reality will hit you ten times harder. Coran cried, just like Pidge.
Keith immediately ran. He ran far away from all the others. They stared, but Keith thinks they understood. He had to get to Lance. When he did Lance was awake.
"Keith, hey!" Lance tried to be cheery with him. Keith couldn't take it anymore. He didn't care if Lance had blood in his mouth still. He needed Lance to live. He did the only thing he could think of.
He kissed Lance. When he pulled away he looked at Lance's face. He was surprised.
"You idiot! You should have said something!" Keith was on the verge of tears. "Wow, I expected to be called an Idiot by Pidge." Lance smiled at him. A disbelieving one. As if what Keith had just done was an act.
"I want you to know something. Now." Keith got really close to Lance again. "This isn't a fucking game. Your life? It's not. I'm not joking. I'm really fucking in love with you, so for just one second can you please stop trying to get yourself killed!?" Keith shouts he can't help it.
"What." A disbelieving laugh dares to leave Lance. "I. Am. In. Love. With. You." Keith spells it out for him. Plain, and simple. He thinks Lance finally believes him because all of a sudden Keith is being kissed.
Lance is happy right now in this moment. Keith pulled back from him, but he's staring at him as if he'd hung the moon. Maybe he had. Lance just stares right into those beautiful eyes that he'd never forget. He's happy that he didn't have to die.