Hello and greetings to anyone reading this.
Let me say first, YES this has Shatt. Before you close the tab, I wrote this before Shiro was confirmed Gay with Adam. I wrote this chapter and I already have about five more chapters this length written. However, doing art and writing takes a while and I don't work linearly. So the other chapters happen later in the fic and won't be surfacing for a chapter or two.
Next, I want to say that they are all aged up as follows.
Keith: Almost 21 but still 20
Lance: 20
Hunk: 20
Pidge: 18
Shiro: 27
Matt: 26-27
Allura: 22
Coran: Late forties early fifties.
Third: This is a lighthearted fun fic, but it does deal with serious issues. This chapter is pretty fluffy/funny besides a couple slight internalized homophobia thoughts Matt has, but they are towards himself and Pidge helps him. However, there are later chapters that get pretty dark and if you've read any of my other work then... yeah. You know I do both fluff and angst.
A lot of stuff is similar to canon. Aka: Alfor died. Krolia is Keith's mom. Etc. But things have been changed for this AU. Also, Adam will not be appearing because I didn't know he existed and I've already written a pretty funny Shatt chapter. Either way, it isn't that long and the characters are pretty cute.
Finally, and then you can start reading :) : I do not play D&D but my friends do and I help them often and they helped me write this fic. So I'm hoping I got everything right but please comment if something is off. I also do not Fence but it seemed like something Keith would do. Same thing as the D&D, if you fence and I got something wrong, please leave a nice comment and I'll fix it.
This is T 100% for language and some trigger warnings later (But I'll warn you guys if you stick with me). There will be no sex or smut or anything like that. At most, some allusions to dirtier thoughts.
Also... there was art for this but I can't get it to work in here. If you want to see, go to Archive Of Our Own.
(Though if someone knows how to add art or links or something a review with an explanation would be very appreciated.)
Enjoy!
Keith~
"Why am I even here?" Keith deadpanned as Shiro dragged his arm while they marched through the school hallway.
"It will be good for you to socialize," Shiro told him as he had a million times before.
"I don't want to join your geek group, though," Keith said. He knew he was being childish but he really didn't want to meet the eccentric people that Shiro always hung around. He had watched the ends of some of Shiro's games and it seemed… weird.
"One time," Shiro promised as they stopped in front of the door that led to Keith's doom.
"Shiro…" Keith tried one more time, "We are in college."
"And you look up conspiracies all day," Shiro said making that 'You know I have a point here' face.
"At least I know they're real."
"No," Shiro shook his head. "They are really not."
"Mothman will hear about this," Keith whispered under his breath.
Shiro sighed and opened the door to lead Keith into the way too dark room. Keith blinked his eyes, waiting for them to adjust to the dimness only to have a cloth bag thrown over his head. "HEY!" he cried indignantly as he was shoved towards… something. Through the bag he could see small spots of orangish light but he couldn't see anything else.
"Do you, Keith Kogane, swear to join our valiant quest in order to secure the grand crystal Zelphor from the witch Ytrmir before she can use it to wipe out the elves? Do you swear to always—"
"At least for today," Keith heard Shiro's voice interject.
"Yes," the other voice continued. Keith was 85% sure it was Matt trying (and failing) to talk in a deep, gravelly, ominous voice. "To always, for today, protect your fellow comrades, even at the expense of your own life? Do you swear to abide by the rules of Dungeons and Dragons and to work with your fellowship to complete our quest and to not sabotage us?"
"Can you take this bag off of my head?" Keith asked.
The bag was removed swiftly and Keith's eyes adjusted to see Matt wearing a hooded robe while holding a book, illuminated by candles casting a dim light behind him. "Very dramatic," Keith commented. He had met with Matt quite a few times when he and Shiro hung out together. From what Keith knew, they were both geeky and weird and had been friends for a while.
"Answer the affirmation to the swears, dumbass," Pidge, always the sarcastic one, commented. They were also wearing a hooded robe and holding a large candle.
"Fine, sure, yes. I agree," Keith sighed just wishing that he could get through the next… what was it… four hours? Ugh.
"Come on," Hunk said (also robed and holding a candle). "Put some more enthusiasm into it!" Keith had only met the big guy a handful of times but as far as he could tell Hunk was good natured and sweet and was one of those people who was warm and welcoming most of the time.
"Whoo," Keith said in the most monotone voice he could manage.
"Ah, that's good enough," Shiro said, resting a hand on his shoulder. "He finally agreed to come so that's good enough."
"Yeah, after you made a deal with him and it was either this or blackmail photos," Lance said with a smirk. "Personally, I was hoping for the second one." Keith huffed and rolled his eyes. He had only seen Lance a couple of times, like Hunk. From what he knew, Lance was egotistical, talkative, and arrogant. Oh, and annoying. Very annoying. He was wearing his robe with the hood down, probably so his 'elegantly styled', short, mousy hair stayed perfect. His eyes, normally the color of a field of bluebonnets, shone like fire against a twilight sky because of his candle.
"We'll see how he does," Allura said skeptically. Keith was always, always surprised that Allura was apart of the D&D group but she seemed pretty loyal to them despite being popular and well-known around campus. From what Keith knew, she was stubborn but usually pretty kind and a good student.
"I love fresh new victims!" Coran said marching over to Keith and Shiro. "Let's get started."
Keith remembered that Coran was the sponsor for their group. He was always a little odd but most students enjoyed him as a history teacher because of his eccentricities. Coran was always most notable for his 'gorgeous' mustache that he took so much pride in. Keith could very easily imagine him being good at creating the mythical worlds in D&D.
"What music am I putting on?" Pidge shouted from across the room.
"Celtic music!" Hunk shouted in response.
Everyone started to sit around a circular table that was decorated with papers, figurines, and dice. Keith immediately took a seat next to Shiro hoping that he would help him if— no, when he was clueless. Matt was sitting next to Shiro, then came Coran, Allura, Pidge, Hunk, and finally Lance. Who was sitting next to Keith. Great.
"So… what the hell am I doing?" Keith asked Shiro.
"Okay, so first you need to make your character," Shiro said.
"I think you should be a druid," Pidge suggested.
"What's… that?" Keith asked.
"You get to be a magicky person who reigns ultimate control over the environment," Pidge told him.
"Um. Okay. That does sound kind of cool."
"You need to have a race too," Matt told him.
"I think you should be an Elf," Lance suggested slyly. "You know, with the pointy ears?"
"Well," Keith said, "I don't want to do anything Lance suggests."
"Then be the opposite," Allura said. "Be a dwarf."
Keith sighed, "Alright. I'll be a drew…"
"Druid," Pidge supplied.
"A druid dwarf."
"Sounds good," Shiro said. "Now we have to roll for your stats."
It took what felt like forever but finally Keith had rolled for all of his stats and was ready to start.
"Fantastic!" Coran said. "Now I just have to find a way to incorporate you into the story. Right now the group is going through the fortress looking for a special key that will get them into the crypt they are trying to get to."
"Coran!" Lance shorted, "I know how to incorporate him."
Lance stood and walked over to Coran and whispered into his ear. Keith watched as a mischievous light entered Coran's eyes. "That sounds wonderful!" he said.
Lance sat back down and gave Keith a lopsided grin as they began to continue in their game.
Keith watched and listened with apprehension as the team traveled through the fortress, bantering and joking with each other the whole way. He learned that Pidge, being a barbarian, was their muscle. Hunk, as a cleric, healed the group. Allura was their archer, attacking from far away. Shiro was more of the leader and would plan strategies and then would fight with mostly melee attacks. Lance, for some reason, was a bard though he kept trying to sneak through the area and save people with flashy poisons, though they usually failed. Matt was the one who was the real thief. He continually would pick locks and stab enemies in the back. He was also pretty good at saving the rest of the team, especially Shiro.
Keith kept waiting to be put into the game but it never happened. He wasn't exactly complaining, though. Finally, the group had reached the end of the fortress and retrieved the diamond key to be able to get into the crypt when Coran said, "There is one remaining door that is locked with a master lock, but you can hear faint rusting sounds from beyond the door."
"We need to pick the lock," Lance said.
"But it's a master lock," Pidge said, "You'd have to get a crazy high roll to be able to unlock that."
"I can do it," Matt said. "I'm feeling lucky."
"There's probably a monster beyond that door though," Shiro said.
"No, guys," Lance said, winking at Coran and Keith, "You want to open this door."
"I'm rolling for it," Matt declared.
A moment later Matt called, "Yes! I got it. The door's opened!"
"And now, may I present…" Lance said gesturing to Coran.
"You open the door to find a mostly empty room with a couple of empty dressers and a bed. Upon first appearance you think it is empty but then you notice a rustling behind the bed."
"Behind the bed!" Lance shouted with a laugh.
"You walk behind the bed and see someone there."
"I think I know what's happening," Pidge said slyly.
"Behind the bed you see a fair maiden who is short, probably a dwarf, but she has long hair that is cut shorter in the front to form a mullet. She is wearing a pink and red dress with a black lace shawl and she is glaring up at the group."
"My, what a fair princess!" Lance said in a mock accent.
"It isn't until she speaks," Coran continued, "That you hear… a deeper voice. Everyone takes a closer look and realizes that the dwarf princess is actually… KEITH!"
There was an uproar at the table. Keith could do nothing but stare and blink in silence, too stunned for words. Pidge, Lance, Coran, and Matt were gauffawing with laughter. Hunk was wiping his eyes like he was crying. Allura was snickering into her hand, and Shiro looked like he was about ready to burst into laughter but was trying to hold it in for Keith.
"Brilliant," Lance was saying. "Absolutely brilliant." He stared directly at Keith as he held out his hand, "My fair lady, may I help you get to your feet?"
"Not on your life," Keith said crossing his arms over his chest.
"But Milady, your beauty can't be ruined by—"
"By what?" Keith countered, "Standing myself?"
Lance pretended to bow low, "I will always be by your side milady. I vouch to protect you forever and to always provide assistance when you need it."
"Wonderful!" Keith told him. "Now I have a slave to wait on me hand and foot!"
"That's… not—" Lance tried.
"Nope," Keith said. "You said you would provide assistance whenever I needed it. That means that you have vouched to be my slave."
Lance had turned ghost white and the look of stupid shock on his face startled Keith into laughter.
"Okay okay," Coran said, quieting everyone, "So Keith, the dwarven princess stands up and you find that he is holding a knife towards everyone."
"I'm going to use persuasion," Lance said. "I'm going to woo her."
"Do not 'woo' me," Keith muttered.
"Too late!" Lance said, "Coran, I got a 16 roll!"
"Great! You want to take the dialogue for this one Lance?" Coran asked.
"It would be my pleasure," Lance said with a cocky grin on his face. He turned to Keith. "My fair lady Keith, it would be my absolute pleasure if you would accompany us on our valiant quest. I promise that I will protect thee, milady, and that thy beauty shall remain as stunning as the sun shining through the clouds with its magnificent rays of light."
Keith was ready to barf. How could he be so cheesy? And why did it kind of make Keith's stomach twist. The way Lance's very blue eyes shone in the overhead and candle light and the way he smiled slyly like he had a secret that only Keith knew made Keith want to… punch him.
Keith turned towards Coran, "May I choose to stab him in the gut?"
"No," Coran said. "He rolled high enough that his wooing works on you and you join the team."
"Dear lord. Do I have to?" Keith asked. "Couldn't I… hide in a pit or something?"
"Nope," Matt said. "You said you would protect your team."
"You swore to," Shiro added.
"Yep, you have to join us," Allura said.
"Ugh." Keith grumbled. "Fine. I'll join."
"You could say it with more dramatics," Pidge told him.
"No thank you," Keith replied, already ready for the remaining two and a half hours to be over.
"Pidge is right," Shiro told Keith. "You should try having more fun with this."
Keith had rolled his eyes and scoffed at the idea but as the hours passed, he found himself having more fun. Not that he would admit that.
But, when they had first entered the crypt and Coran had started to get low to the table, using a flashlight to cast dramatic lighting over his face as he used a deep voice to describe the crypt, everyone had started laughing.
During one of their fights, Keith had looked at his skill sets and he had found a spell of sorts to grow vines and incapacitate his victim. That sounded cool so he did it but the way Coran described the vines made them sound like thin flower-covered stems instead of the hulking mass of thorny plant Keith had been imagining.
Lance had started to call him flower-princess Keith for the next while. Keith had retorted that he could sing his victims to sleep with a lullaby as his strongest attack.
Thankfully, Lance had shut up for a few minutes after that.
They kept plunging deeper into the crypt and Keith found himself more and more lost in the story and having more fun. Shiro was able to stop explaining everything to him every two seconds once Keith started to get a hang of the game.
He learned that Pidge liked to mess with the whole group. Matt tended to work closely with Shiro whenever he could. Lance was obnoxious but he was the best in towns because of his persuasion and sometimes he could get past guards pretty well. Shiro tended to lead the group and Allura was their backup fire. Hunk was their healer and now Keith could be their offensive magic.
"We need to get more information," Shiro said as they entered the town Arus. "We should head to the local tavern."
At the end of the crypt, they had gotten an Emerald Key that looked like the diamond one that lead to the crypt and Shiro wanted to ask around about it.
"Yeah, we could share a couple of drinks together," Matt said from the side.
"Well, we should really work on getting information about where we can take this key to," Shiro said.
"But after that…" Matt said.
Shiro smiled, "Maybe."
Keith didn't understand why Matt wanted to get fantasy drinks but if the team had to act drunk then he could get on board with that. It would be funny. Besides, who doesn't like to get drunk in a fantasy game?
"You walk into the nearest tavern and see no one of any interest," Coran told them. "There are a couple of rough swords for hire along the edge and a stray cat running around some of the tables, but otherwise the tavern is empty except for the man behind the counter."
"Can I pet the cat?" Lance asked.
"No…" Coran replied. "It's a cat. You have no need to—"
"But I want to."
"Let him pet the cat," Hunk chimed in. "Otherwise he'll be lamenting that he wasn't able to pet the cat for the rest of the game."
"It is literally just a stray cat," Keith commented. "It could have diseases or something."
Lance huffed at him. "But it's a cat!" He rolled and then declared that he was walking over and petting the cat. "And now the cat is my friend."
"The cat is not your friend," Coran said.
"But the cat is my friend. His name is Kaltenecker and he is my friend," Lance said defiantly.
"The cat's name is now Kaltenecker," Pidge cemented. "Awesome."
"There is no point in you befriending a cat," Keith told Lance.
"Kaltenecker is not just any cat. Kaltenecker is my friend. Kaltenecker will save our lives one day."
"Alright," Keith said, rolling his eyes. "Whatever you say."
"Can we go talk to the man behind the counter now?" Shiro asked.
"I think maybe we should check out those swords-for-hire," Allura suggested. "They could be assasins or bounty hunters, and could possibly assist us in our quest."
"Or they could just be swords-for-hire," Coran said. "I'm with Shiro. Let's go talk to the man behind the counter."
"Can I buy two drinks first?" Matt asked.
"Why only two?" Pidge asked, smirking.
"Because I don't have enough money for everyone on the team and I wanted to make Shiro act drunk."
"That's fair," Keith said. "I want to see Shiro acting drunk as well." He knew that his brother had literally zero tolerance for alcohol. Keith swore that the smell of it got him drunk. Matt, on the other hand, was better at holding his own against the stuff.
Plus, Shiro had told him that they had made the alcohol in their game very potent so one drink could do a lot.
"Please don't," Shiro said.
"Guys," Lance said, reaching into his bag. "I have two glasses of water in here." He gave one to Matt and one to Shiro. "Drink up!"
Matt smiled at Shiro and Shiro glared at everyone. "I'm not acting drunk."
"Please!" Pidge asked. "It's really funny! At least be tipsy!"
"Could you at least see how fast you can chug the water?" Lance asked.
"I'm not getting out of this one am I?" Shiro sighed.
"Nope," Matt grabbed his own drink and held it out to Shiro. "Cheers!" They clinked their glasses together and Matt shouted "Bottoms up!" before beginning to chug his water.
"I would be so against this if that was anything other than water," Hunk said.
"Shiro would too," Keith agreed as he watched his brother take large gulps of water.
They finished at almost the exact same second and slammed their glasses down on the table with a thump. Shiro set his down slightly before Matt, but Keith could've sworn that Matt had finished drinking before Shiro. They both started coughing and pounding their chests to get the liquid down properly.
"That was great," Lance laughed as he grabbed the glasses back.
"Matt, make Shiro do stuff like that all of the time," Allura requested.
"Yes please," Pidge agreed as they stuffed their phone back into their bag. "I need more blackmail videos."
"Can we now go and talk to the man at the counter," Shiro asked a little out of breath. His voice still had a light tone though, so Keith knew he was having fun.
Everyone agreed and they sat at the counter.
"A stunningly handsome man with long orange hair and a brilliant mustache answered you at the counter. He had well defined—"
"Coran!" Pidge yelled, "We don't CARE. Get on with the story."
They didn't sound as annoyed as they did amused.
"Fine," Coran huffed. "The gorgeous man asks you, 'What can I do you folks for today?"'
"Lance," Shiro said, "Do you want to take this one?"
"It would be my pleasure!" he said with a swooping bow. Keith still couldn't understand why he was so theatrical about the game.
"So, Mr. Bartender," Lance said as he leaned on the table, looked at Coran, and played with his dice with one of his fingers. "We were wondering where we could get… information about where a special key might lead us."
Coran leaned forward on the table, glancing around suspiciously. "What kind of… information are you looking for?"
"We acquired a key that we want to know where it leads to."
"It'll cost you for that kind of information," Coran said, raising an eyebrow.
Lance calmly picked up the dice, tossed them in the air and then let them fall onto the table. From Keith's point of view, it didn't look like Lance even glance at his roll but he must have.
"I think you and I both know that it is best if you tell me this information."
Coran glared at Lance as though he were a real tavern-keeper about to be robbed of a good piece of information.
"Three hundred silver pieces," Coran said at last.
"How about I give you this instead?" Lance suggested cooly as he pretended to pull the miniscule object he had in his inventory from his pocket and place it on the table. He showed the group that it was a moonstone gem.
"Alright," Coran submitted, snatching the pretend gem off of the table. "Let me see this key."
Lance glanced behind him as though he were looking at those swords-for-hire that were behind him in the tavern. Then he pulled his cloak a little to open a pouch and pull out an emerald key. "Where might this lead us to?"
Coran held out his hand.
"No, you cannot hold it," Lance told him defiantly.
"Fine," Coran said. "That particular little key leads you to the Emerald Catacombs in the Kral Zera section of the world."
"Mark it on our map," Lance demanded with a tone that implies suggesting the idea.
"Fine," Coran mumbled again.
"And don't even try to think about any funny business," Matt growled as he pretended to show the swords and daggers strapped to his belt.
Coran widened his eyes in pretend fear and then handed the map to Lance. "Here you go. The place is marked to as close as I remember the location being."
Lance grinned at him and gave a quick two finger salute, "Thank you. It was a pleasure doing business with ya." He turned towards Shiro. "Dad, are you proud of me?"
Shiro rolled his eyes as he inhaled deeply through his nose. "That moonstone was worth 50 gold pieces but... sure."
"Son?" Pidge asked in offering to get Shiro to play along.
He glared at them. "Fine," he muttered. "Yes, son. I am proud of you."
Lance beamed. "Aw, thanks Dad! That's all I ever wanted!"
"As adorable as this Father-son bonding is," Allura snickered, "It is six o'clock. We should probably wrap it up."
"No, wait," Coran said. "You didn't let me say my line!"
Allura sighed. "Pretend I said nothing. Go ahead Coran."
Coran smiled, "And scene. Well, I think that's enough for today. Everyone is doing great so far. Keith my boy, how are you feeling. Are you liking D&D? Yay or nay? You think you have what it takes to come back and continue?"
Keith didn't know if he wanted to return. He hadn't thought he would. He had figured that he would hate it but it was actually a lot of fun. Still… he didn't know that he wanted to commit to anything. At least not yet. "Eh, I'll think about it. It wasn't too bad. The only part that I have to complain about is Lance."
Lance grinned, wrapping his arm around Keith's shoulder. "Oh, you just don't like that I am so spectacularly amazing."
Keith snorted, "Yeah. Amazingly annoying."
"Alright," Pidge said. "I'm going to leave before this gets into a full blown argument. Matt you want to give Shiro a hug and then go?"
Matt rolled his eyes and turned away from the group, walking towards the door without looking at Shiro. "Yeah, let's go Pidge." Keith wasn't sure that Shiro had noticed.
"I'm going to head out too," Allura said.
"Lance?" Hunk asked.
"Yeah, okay," Lance said. "Let's go."
Everyone said their goodbyes and headed their separate ways home.
On the way back, Shiro kept trying to talk to talk to Keith and ask him if he was interested in joining or talk to him about what he enjoyed. Keith either shut him down or answered with short and abrupt responses. As soon as they got home, Keith headed off to go do homework and study, but would likely procrastinate on both.
~~~...
Shiro~
"Come on, Shiro!" Pidge was saying, "You have to talk to him."
"Yeah," Matt agreed. "Keith was a lot of fun to play with. I mean so are you… and everyone else. Keith would just be fun to add to the group dynamic."
Shiro's friends/ D&D group at lunch had been trying to convince him to convince Keith to come back to D&D. They all wanted him to join, Shiro just wasn't sure that pushing Keith would help any.
"You know he wants to see more of my awesome bard skills," Lance joked.
"I really, really doubt that…" Hunk said.
"I don't want to force him into playing," Shiro said, "If he doesn't want to."
"I think he wants to, though," Allura commented around the straw of her coffee cup.
"Fine," Shiro said. "I suppose that I could talk to him just after his fencing practice this afternoon."
Lance choked on the water he was drinking. "Fencing?"
Shiro sighed. "Yes, as Keith put it, he gets to stab things."
"Mullet fences," Lance whispered dreamily.
"That is amazing," Pidge added.
"Is he any good?" Matt asked Shiro, his eyes staring into Shiro's intently. Shiro could never really look away from Matt. His eyes just had so much wonder and curiosity in them.
"Yeah," Shiro shrugged. "When he wants to be. He gets pretty aggressive and ignores defense so sometimes it works really well and sometimes it fails him."
"What's his rating?" Hunk asked.
"National level," Shiro replied.
"Niiice," Pidge commented.
"Can we all just show up to one of his matches?" Lance asked. "And… not tell him And just shout really loudly?"
"Please yes," Pidge smirked, nodding at Lance.
"No guarantees on that one," Shiro replied, "But I will talk to him today."
~~~...
Shiro wandered out to where Keith practiced his fencing and waited by the side fence until Keith noticed him. Under the netted masks and all-white uniforms, Shiro couldn't tell which one of the group was Keith.
Finally, he noticed Keith after watching a match between a tiny fencer who was quick and defensive and a fighter who was definitely aggressive and fast enough to be Keith. When the match was over, Shiro shouted to get Keith's attention. Keith turned and then walked over towards Shiro, taking his helmet off in the process. He shook his hair to get it to puff back out to its normal clumps and tangles.
"Hey, Shiro." Keith leaned his back against the fence and took a drink of the water bottle Shiro held out to him. "What do you want?"
"I am your brother," Shiro ventured. "Can't I just show up because I want to see how you're doing?"
"What do you want, Shiro?" Keith inquired again, not even bothering to look at him.
Shiro sighed inwardly. He wondered how this conversation was going to go. To him, it had seemed like Keith had had fun at the D&D meeting but… Keith was also stubborn and obnoxious when he was conned into doing something, even if he liked that something.
"I wanted to know how you liked Yesterday." Shiro questioned tentatively.
Keith shrugged nonchalantly. "I've done worse things with an afternoon."
"Fair enough," Shiro said, falling quiet.
He remained standing next to Keith without saying a word while Keith continued to drink water.
Finally, Shiro decided he couldn't take it. He was horrible at subtleties so he would just come outright and say it. "Keith," he said earnestly.
"Yeah?" Keith asked.
"My friends and I really enjoyed having you be apart of our D&D group. We would really like it if you would come back and join." There. He had laid everything out. Now he just needed to see how Keith would respond.
"Shiro… I just don't know." Keith traced the hard netting of his mask, avoiding Shiro's eyes.
"Did you have fun yesterday?" Shiro asked, leaning against the fence, towards Keith with his hands clasped.
"Sure, yeah, I guess?" Keith said doubtfully.
"Then why don't you join us and play?" Shiro suggested. "If you had fun then I see no reason to not—"
"It's more complicated than that," Keith muttered.
"In what ways?" Shiro inquired.
"I don't know your friend group. I'm the 'new' one. I'm the joke that people can make fun of. And I don't really know that I want to commit myself to some geek game with my brother and his friends." Keith shrugged like it was no big deal but Shiro could see the tension in his shoulders as he held his breath.
Suddenly, an idea popped into Shiro's head. "You know Allura right? Well she's one of the most popular people on this whole campus. She has a popular boyfriend," Shiro couldn't help his voice souring at the idea of Lotor, "and yet she still plays with us. She is loyal and fiercely protective of our group and she loves playing.
"Matt and I are both grad students and we still meet to play every chance we get. Pidge is always busy with their tech projects but they love D&D. Hunk could be spending time with his girlfriend, Shay, but he hangs out with us. And Shay is more than supportive of that, she just doesn't really understand the game well enough to play, though we tried to get her to join once. Coran has always loved the game and he helped to be our sponsor when he learned that Pidge, Matt, and I played."
"And what about Lance?" Keith joked.
"I'm not entirely sure," Shiro laughed. "He probably has something that he could be working on."
Keith rolled his eyes, "Yeah, like a three hour beauty routine."
"Probably," Shiro smiled, "But my point is," his voice dropped and he placed his hand reassuringly on Keith's shoulder, "That all of us would prefer to play D&D over just doing our own thing. We are a family. And we want to adopt you."
Keith snorted with laughter. "You already did adopt me."
"True, but that was more of my aunt's decision than my own. But I did persuade her."
"So will joining D&D give me that awkward 'where do I sit' feeling for the next several months—"
Shiro interjected, "Did you have that this time?"
"I suppose not…" Keith replied, his tone still skeptical.
"Then why don't you come for another week?" Shiro suggested. "I really think that this could be really good for you. You need to get out and talk to people more." He poked Keith's side getting a squawk of protest from him. "You need to use those people skills that are so ever lacking."
"Ha. Ha" Keith deadpanned.
"I'm serious!" Shiro cried through his grin.
"Sure," Keith replied sarcastically. "I'll say that my social skills are lacking when you admit that Mothman is real."
Shiro rolled his eyes. "This is what I mean. You look up conspiracies all day. You need to do something else with your life."
Keith paused. "I'm not giving up on my mothman, because he is the love of my life and I would definitely marry him, but... I'll think about it. That's it, though. I'm not agreeing yet."
Shiro nodded. "Okay, I'll take it."
"I gotta get back to practice," Keith said, handing the water back to Shiro.
"Okay," he smiled. "Stab them all."
Keith turned around as he jogged away, his helmet under his arm, and he saluted Shiro with two fingers and a sly grin.
Shiro stayed to watch Keith get reprimanded by their coach, Kolivan. He stayed to watch Keith's next match where he was aggressive and quick enough and good enough at dodging to completely dominate over his opponent. Shiro swore that Keith could jump backwards five feet in the air.
Keith always denied that he was all that good, despite the fact that he was quickly becoming one of Kolivan's prized team members.
Shiro was glad that Keith had something he could be passionate about that could get some of his nervous energy out, too. He never really did anything with his days so Shiro wanted him to find as many hobbies and passions as he could before it was too late and he didn't know what to do with his life.
That was mostly the reason why Shiro wanted Keith to join D&D so badly.
~~~...
Hunk~
"I just want to show the Mullethead how good I can be at fighting," Lance persisted. "I mean, I only was able to show him a sliver of my skills."
"Yes, Lance," Hunk sighed. "We've already been over this." Hunk didn't bother Looking at Lance. He was too busy taking notes as his teacher, Krolia, pointed at the projector screen to explain to them their lesson on World War I and how it affected the world afterwards.
"I know!" Lance lamented, flopping backwards in his chair. His voice managed to sound whiney even in a whisper. "But… Hunk. I didn't get good fighting numbers. All of my rolls were complete shit! I need to prove to him that I can do better and how can I do that if he never shows up again?"
"Just talk to him," Hunk said tiredly. It was Friday. Lance had been talking about Keith joining their D&D group for the last two days. At least it was Friday. Tomorrow, he could go to his moms' place and meet with Shay and eat yummy food and… everything would be amazing.
"I can't 'just talk to him,'" Lance said like it was the most obvious fact in the world. "He and I are trying to do better than the other. I have to show that I can do better than him. Which makes us rivals. And rivals don't 'just talk to' each other."
"Lance… D&D is a game where you work together. We don't want to have to clean up the damage if you two battle. That takes too much effort for a rivalry you just made up. Does Keith even know about this 'rivalry'?"
"You don't just go up to your nemesis and say 'Are you my nemesis?'" Lance replied coolly. "You have to wait until the tension grows and BOOM. Then you are arch enemies."
"Shh," Hunk hissed. Krolia had looked their way. "And besides," he told Lance in as quiet of a whisper as he could manage, "I don't think that's how nemesi work." It sounds more like how couples work. But Hunk decided not to share that thought. He didn't want the whole room exploding from Lance's outburst.
"Nemesi?" Lance asked. "Is that the plural of nemesis?"
"Yes, Lance," Hunk sighed again. He glanced up at the screen right as Krolia changed it. Shoot! Hunk chastised himself for letting Lance distract him into forgetting to copy the notes down.
Of course, Lance hadn't been copying anything the entire time. He usually didn't. He usually snuck into Hunk's room while he slept and took pictures of Hunk's notes, no matter how many different places he hid them.
"I just think it would be a good idea for Mullet to join our group and learn to fear the great and magnificent Lancelot." Lance pressed his hand to his chest and turned his head so he was getting the most overhead light to shine on his 'perfect' face. "Princess Keith's gonna need a lot of saving after all."
Hunk snorted. He imagined Keith in that pink dress Coran had described being held in Lance's arms while he wrapped his own around Lance's neck. Wouldn't that be a sight?
Though… with Keith being shorter than Lance… Lance could probably pick him up. But Keith sure wouldn't be looking at him like he had created the moon and stars. He would be glaring like Lance had stolen his favorite knife and was holding it hostage.
And then Hunk imagined them riding off into the sunset together. But instead of Keith, the princess, sitting side saddle, Lance did and Keith steered the horse.
That would be great.
"Don't you think Hunk?" Lance asked.
"Hm?" Hunk said being drawn from his fantasy dreams, "Oh, yes. Saving. Probably. But he might also need to save you y'know. Plus, you are sort of his slave."
Lance's expression soured. "I did not agree to that."
"What was it you had said? 'I shall wait on you hand and foot milady'?" Hunk snorted. "Just admit that you talked yourself into slavery."
"Never," Lance asserted. "I shall vanquish all mighty beasts before he ever can."
"What a great protector you are!" Hunk cried with false enthusiasm.
"I— No— wait! That's not what I mean!" Lance spluttered.
"But as a slave isn't that what you are supposed to do?" Hunk asked innocently.
"No… I'm supposed to best him in battles. Not do them for him…" Lance tried.
"Dude," Hunk smirked, "there is literally no way out of this where you win this argument."
Lance huffed and sank back down into his chair. There were a few glorious seconds of silence where Hunk was able to take notes in peace before Lance started talking again. "I still want him back on the team though. We have to finish our quest through the land of Voltron at least."
"Yes, yes," Hunk said dismissively. "I agree. We'll have to see what happens. Shiro said that he was iffy on it so we'll just have to wait."
"What if you talked to him?" Lance asked.
"It wouldn't do much good," Hunk shrugged, "He barely knows me. It would be better if Shiro or Matt were to talk to him. Or maybe Pidge. Pidge can be pretty convincing."
"Oooh!" Lance sat up eagerly. "You're right! I'll work on recruiting them to go and recruit Keith!"
"Alright, sure," Hunk said, jotting down the final pages of notes as neatly as he could.
"Yay!" Lance said, his voice rising in volume, "I can finally show Keith how spectacular I am!"
"McClain," Krolia said, turning to Lance at his risen voice. Hunk tried to look as inconspicuous as he could. Krolia marched over until she was two desks away from Lance's. "Do you have something you would like to share with the whole class?"
"Um," Lance said as he turned towards Krolia, an easy grin on his face and cocky lift to his eyebrow. "Not particularly."
Hunk glanced at Krolia. She had her arms crossed across her chest, a purple blouse and black slacks on and her pointing stick pointing downwards from her hand. Hunk noticed that her raven black hair was cut in a form like Keith's mullet. It sort of struck Hunk how similar she looked to Keith. Maybe it was just the mullet and the similar grumpy expression on their faces.
"Fine," Krolia relented. "Just… pay attention. I know you don't know anything about what I've been teaching today so I expect to be seeing you in my morning tutorials tomorrow."
Lance glared at the back of her head. "Alright Krolia. I will be there."
"Good," She said, her tone brightening. "Now, for the finale of our lesson..."
"So… You'll help me ask Pidge, right?" Lance hissed to Hunk.
Hunk sighed inwardly. "Alright. Sure. Now don't get in trouble."
"Yes!" Lance said in hushed celebration, pumping his fists in the air excitedly.
~~~...
Pidge~
"Why was I talked into this?" Pidge muttered to themself. "I hate stuff like this. I'm horrible at talking to people."
"You're not that bad," Matt reassured them. "Believe me. You've persuaded me to do many things that I never would have done normally."
Pidge laughed, "That's because you are so easy to manipulate sometimes though, oh brother of mine."
Matt rolled his eyes and Pidge decided that they needed to manipulate and tease him just a little.
"So…" Pidge said as suspiciously as they could manage. "How are you and Shiro doing?"
Matt smacked his hand to his face and slid it down while he moaned "Pidgggee..." Though, that probably wasn't the smartest idea since he was the one driving.
"What?" Pidge asked sweetly. "I was just asking how you and your… friend are."
Pidge watched as Matt rolled his eyes. "I know that you are implying more. You have zero subtlety abilities."
"Who says I was being subtle?" Pidge asked, raising an eyebrow.
Matt just sighed. "Do you have the blackmail ready?"
"What blackmail?" Pidge asked, feigning innocence. It was so fun for them to play around with Matt.
"Look, Pidge," Matt said, a smile twisting on his lips, "I know you. You wouldn't come to persuade Keith without blackmail."
Pidge pondered the pros and cons of telling their brother about the pictures they had stored in their green jacket's pockets. "I might tell you… if you tell me about Shiro." They raised their eyebrows and stared at Matt with their head tilted towards him.
"I would be happy to just talk to Keith. I don't think we need any blackmail."
"But…" Pidge said tauntingly, "Don't you want to see these pictures too?"
Matt pulled into the parking lot and put the car in park. He sat in silence, his arms folded across his chest. Pidge watched him carefully, waiting to see how he would break.
"Fine," Matt muttered, not looking at Pidge. "We haven't talked since D&D."
"Speaking of which… how was that drinking game?"
Matt folded his arms on the steering wheel and flopped his head on them, muffling his voice. "I was hoping I could get him to act drunk and then I could act drunk and maybe I would be courageous enough to sit in his lap or something."
"I would have videoed that," Pidge replied thoughtfully.
"Pidge… this is serious," Matt whined as he turned his head, still on his arms, to face Pidge, "I am getting worse at being subtle! He's going to notice that I like him at some point. And… and I can't do that! I mean… other people have relationships and it's fine but what would the group think? What would Shiro think?"
All of the teasing inside of Pidge was pushed to a corner so that they could be there for their brother. "Matt," they said placing a hand on his shoulder, "You two are wonderful friends and Shiro is the nicest person in the world. He wouldn't be mad at you."
"But… it's wrong," Matt mumbled.
"What is?" Pidge said tartly crossing their arms over their chest. "That my brother, Matt, is wonderfully in love with his best friend and wishes he could spend the rest of his life with him? I see no problem."
"A:" Matt raised his hand to tally his arguments, "he's my friend and friends are supposed to remain friends. B: Why would he ever like me? I'm weird and awkward. C: I'm a guy."
Pidge smirked, patting their brother on the back, "Thank you for coming out as being male."
Matt rolled his eyes. "You know what I mean."
"I do…" Pidge conceded, "but, again, there is nothing wrong. Now, I've tortured you enough. Do you want to see the pictures?"
Matt nodded sitting up and leaning over to Pidge. Pidge pulled out their phone and opened up the photos section and scrolled through the folders until they found Keith's blackmail folder. They opened it and found the picture they were looking for.
In the picture, Keith was sleeping with his computer pushed off to the side, still open, his head was hanging off the bed, and he was hugging a large poster-board that was cut in the shape of mothman and had his picture pasted onto it.
"Aw! Look at that peaceful look on his face!" Matt gushed.
"I know, right? Isn't it just amazing?" Pidge commented. "I can't wait to show him."
"Let's go. You've got some blackmailing to do." Matt unbuckled and got out of the car, locking it after Pidge exited.
Pidge didn't even wait for Matt to catch up to them before they were hopping into the school. It was later at night but Shiro had told them that Keith liked to stay late on Fridays at the library to study… and look up random conspiracies on the computer.
Pidge was so excited that they had decided to go and talk to Shiro because he had the best tips! And he also sent Pidge a plethora of blackmail photos. That alone made him a good person in Pidge's book.
Pidge rushed inside the school, opening the door with a bang and entering the hallway. Without waiting for their brother, Pidge dashed around corners and turns in the hallway until they came upon the library.
Once inside, Pidge found the place to be virtually deserted except for Keith and a couple of other students studying while the two librarians put books away. Pidge was unsettled by the silence. They really hated silence. The library needed music or something.
Pidge marched over to where Keith was sitting and was amazed that he didn't look up to notice them there. He looked so focused on his computer that Pidge became fascinated by watching his eyes dart across the page.
"Wow, Keith," Pidge commented as they walked behind him and rested an arm on his head. "You're actually studying in a library."
And then Pidge glanced at his computer. And the books next to it.
They were all conspiracy theories.
Why am I not surprised? Pidge wondered.
"Hey," Keith said defensively, shaking his head to knock Pidge's arm off. It didn't work. "I know I should be working but math homework is boring."
"All homework is boring."
"True," Keith commented, bookmarking the tab he was on and closing his computer. "So, what brings you here?"
Pidge smiled mischievously. "You'll see," they said as they yanked Keith's arm up and started to pull him.
"Wait! Let me get my computer," Keith protested. Pidge let him, reluctantly.
After they exited the library, Keith leaned up against the wall, his arms crossed over his chest. "Alright, what is it?"
Pidge grinned and started pacing in front of him. They saw their brother Matt out of the corner of their eye as Matt was sitting on a bench nearby, ready to be the support team if Pidge needed it.
"Well, I was recruited to… work on you."
Keith coked an eyebrow in apprehension. "That's not suspicious at all," he said dryly.
"Well, I may have gotten some help to try… persuading you."
"To do what?"
"I think you know what we want," Pidge said silkily.
"No? No, I don't," Keith said, annoyance creeping into his voice.
"Three words. D&D."
"Does that even count as three words?" Keith inquired. "I feel like that's two letters and a symbol."
"Whatever," Pidge muttered. "You know what I mean. No one cares about all the technicalities."
Keith shrugged. "Okay. What about D&D did you want to talk to me about?"
"We want you to join," Pidge said authoritatively. "It's as simple as that. But, before you argue," they could just see the way that Keith was opening his mouth to argue joining. "I want you to know that I enlisted Shiro's help?"
"Wha—" Keith started.
"Nope, Shiro helped me to find some pictures of my favorite thing in the world: Blackmail." Pidge expected Keith to gasp dramatically. He didn't. They needed to get Matt over here so that they could have an entourage.
"Matt! I need support!"
"Coming," he said marching over.
"Hi, Matt," Keith said. "Do you know what the fuck is happening?"
"Yes. Pidge is blackmailing you," Matt said.
"Ah," Keith commented.
"So…" Pidge said, trying to sound like an executioner interrogating to find a reason for the crimes. "Our conditions are that you join our D&D group, have fun, or else we will show…" Pidge swiped their phone as they talked pulling up the picture, "THIS."
Pidge turned the phone around to show Keith.
He tilted his head. "It's sideways."
"Ugh," Pidge sighed. "Why does shit like this always ruin my plans?"
"Boo," Matt, the not-so-supportive support, said.
Pidge shook their phone until it turned to the proper direction. "I meant to show you… THIS."
Pidge watched carefully as Keith looked at the picture. He didn't make any kind of expression. Really? Really? Nothing?! What the fuck is wrong with you Keith?
"Okay," Keith said shrugging. "I told you, Mothman is my soulmate."
"Dude…" Matt said.
"What?" Keith asked. "Shiro has that picture up in his room. I'm surprised you haven't seen it before, Matt."
Matt flushed pink. It was hilarious.
"Anyway, I got over the embarrassment of that photo a long time ago," Keith said, shrugging.
Pidge was aghast. How could anyone get over the embarrassment of a photo like that? Then an idea came into their head. Pidge had seen the way that Keith had been competing with Lance…
"Are you sure you want Lance to see this picture?" they asked slyly.
Keith's eyes narrowed. It did bother him.
"I wouldn't care."
"Wonderful! Then I'll show him on Monday over lunch."
Matt snorted. Pidge could still blackmail him. Hmm.
"Okay," Keith said, still trying to sound nonchalant, but Pidge could hear the strain in his voice. It was time to implement plan B.
"Cool. Well, I mean I do have to show everyone because they were the ones who hired me. Lance especially wanted you to join."
Keith's eyes widened. "What? Why? He shouldn't care."
"From what I heard," Matt supplied, "he wanted to kick your ass in the most epic way possible."
"Really?" Keith said skeptically. "From what I saw, there was no way he could have beaten my magical vines."
Pidge snorted. "Keith, buddy, if you were to ever make internet vines, most of them would be about you throwing knives at a random object. Or they would show your devotion to Mothman. No one would watch them."
"Hey, hey, hey!" Keith cried indignantly. "You don't know that. Maybe people would watch that. People watch other people doing strange stuff all of the time. You know that one vine where—"
"Yes, probably," Pidge waved him off, "But right now, I don't care. You need to listen to my demands."
"You can't force me to listen. You hold nothing over me. And you're not denying that I would beat Lance in a fight," Keith smirked.
Pidge sighed, "That's because you probably would beat him. In D&D and in real life. In D&D, he's a fucking bard. Bards can't do anything. In real life you fence. And he… does whatever Lance does in his free time. I don't know and I don't want to. You could ask Hunk because he probably knows, being Lance's best friend. I legit respect Hunk. That man puts up with so much. I, for one, don't keep tabs on Lance because I'm assuming that whatever he does is weird and would scar me. I'm too innocent for that—"
Matt burst out a snort of laughter. "Pidge, you are not innocent."
Pidge swatted at Matt while still looking at Keith. "Anyway! Yes, fine, you would probably win in a fight. The only thing that Lance could do is persuade you—"
"What?" Keith said monotonically.
"To do as he says," Pidge finished. "Hey, I'm just stating the facts and complimenting you. And you are getting me off topic. Let's get down to business."
Matt smiled, "To defeat the Huns."
Pidge glanced at Matt, "Not now. Right now I want to convince Keith to join D&D."
"Pidge," Keith sighed, rubbing his eyes. "I already agreed to come back. I just wasn't telling you guys because… reasons."
Pidge nodded sagely. "Okay…"
"Sweet!" Matt said holding his hand for a high five that Keith returned.
"Can I still show the picture at Monday's lunch?"
"No," Keith said.
"But… what if I want to more than you don't want me to?" Pidge inquired.
"That makes no sense," Keith told them. "And my answer is still no."
"What if we make a new deal?" Matt said, looking at Pidge. He bent down to whisper in their ear. Pidge started nodding. They loved this idea.
"What are you two whispering about?" Keith asked.
Matt smiled. "We have a new deal. You join us for lunch on Monday and we won't show this photo or the other three Shiro sent Pidge. In fact, Pidge will delete the pictures from their phone. If you don't show up, then we will retaliate and show everyone the pictures. Along with any more that Shiro might have on his phone."
Keith's expression soured. He was probably thinking of all of the blackmail Shiro had stored on his phone and how he was dying to delete the pictures from Shiro's phone.
"Ugh," Keith sighed. "Fine. I don't want Lance making fun of me for the next century. Where do you guys sit?"
~~~...
Keith~
Keith left the building with his satchel slung over his shoulder and walked towards where he parked his motorcycle. Shiro had gotten him his motorcycle when he turned 18 and it had been the best present ever. Well, really Shiro had gotten a rundown, used motorcycle and he and Keith had worked together to fix it up and paint it a bright shiny red color.
Keith put his bag into the storage compartment and then put on his helmet and started driving home. He loved the way the wind rustled his jacket as he sped along the road not needing to stop because of the lack of people on the road.
He wouldn't let his mind think of anything as he drove. He wouldn't let his mind think of Lance or Pidge or anyone else. He only allowed himself to feel the rush of the wind and the calming flash of the lights as he sped past.
Before he knew it, Keith was pulling into the apartment complex he and Shiro lived in. It felt like he was stuck in a slow moving void as he took off his helmet and locked his bike in and walked up the stairs until he came to the apartment door.
He couldn't help but sigh as he stuck his key in the lock (Shiro got paranoid and locked the door even when they were home). He walked in to see Shiro studying in the big chair he usually sat in in the living room area. He was reading a book but it was a hardcover that Shiro had removed the paper sleeve to, so Keith couldn't tell what book he was reading.
"Hi, Keith!" Shiro greeted warmly. Keith thought he looked too smart with his reading glasses on. It was weird. He set his book on the side table and stood up to walk over to where Keith was.
"Hey, Shiro," Keith replied, heading to the kitchen to make a snack. He poured himself a bowl of cereal followed by pouring milk into it.
"How did your library time go?" Shiro asked. "Wait. Did you grab real milk?"
Keith glared at Shiro, "Yes. Yes it is. Screw you I'm drinking it all." He took a big bite just to accentuate his point, setting his bowl on the kitchen counter and leaning onto it next to Shiro. "And second, don't play innocent. You know full well what happened tonight."
Shiro tilted his head, his glasses glinting in the dim lighting like a freaking anime character. "Keith… you're lactose intol—"
"Yes and you gave blackmail to Pidge!" Keith said. "Did you plan to ruin my life?"
"You said that those photos don't bother you," Shiro replied.
"It no longer bothers me that they are up in your room but that—" his glasses were too distracting. Keith couldn't look at them any more. He reached up and snatched his brother's glasses off of his face.
Shiro didn't react. He must have gotten used to Keith taking his glasses from him.
"You aren't supposed to wear these when you aren't reading," Keith told Shiro. "Remember?"
Shiro sighed, "Yeah, I know. But maybe I just want to imitate you rebelling. Like you drinking real milk."
"Fuck off," Keith muttered, draining his milk in two gulps.
Shiro just shook his head and took his reading glasses, placing them on a shelf nearby.
"Still," Keith said, pushing Shiro back to the previous conversation, "Why did you give Pidge those photos as blackmail?"
Shiro shrugged. "They asked. Apparently Lance and Hunk were asking them to blackmail you and Pidge wanted some photos to use. It made sense. We all want you to join our D&D group and Pidge is the best at persuading."
"Blackmailing," Keith corrected. "There is no persuading. Pidge only works in the dark arts."
"True," Shiro nodded. He paused as though considering his words. "So… are you going to join us? I really think—"
"Yes, Shiro," Keith said as he dropped his bowl into the sink. "I had already decided that I would join. I just wasn't telling you guys because…"
"Because you weren't sure that everyone really wanted you to join?" Shiro suggested.
"Well… yeah. I just figured everyone was being nice to me." Keith didn't look at Shiro. He didn't have to. Shiro knew first hand how… out of place Keith felt he was.
"Keith," Shiro placed his left hand on Keith's shoulder. Keith felt the slight chill and smooth surface of Shiro's prosthetic through his jacket, but it didn't bother him. Not anymore. "If this group accepted me, then they will no doubt want you to join them as well."
Keith held still for a moment longer, letting the pressure of Shiro's hand comfort him before he shrugged his brother off and said "I'm going to my room."
"Okay," Shiro replied.
Keith walked down the hallway before remembering that he had one more thing to talk to Shiro about. "Oh, and Shiro? I was blackmailed into eating lunch with you guys on monday so can you show me where everyone sits?"
Shiro grinned, "Of course. I can't wait to see how that goes." His tone had a slightly malicious edge.
"How what goes?" Keith asked, suddenly suspicious of what Shiro knew about the table.
"Oh, nothing," Shiro dismissed, waving his arm for Keith to go to his room. "You'll find out on Monday."
"But—" Keith tried.
"I know you want to know but I'm not telling you. I don't want my head mounted on Pidge's wall."
Keith couldn't help but laugh softly. He knew that his brother wasn't going to give up the information so Keith shook his head and went into his room.
The door closed behind him with a soft thump; Keith set down his school bag next to the foot of his bed.
He really didn't feel like doing homework. He was too wound up from Pidge and all of their blackmail.
And he was too worried about joining Shiro's D&D group. Wasn't there something about little brother's not encroaching on their older brother's friend groups? What if they were just being nice to Keith as a favor to Shiro or something. Keith didn't want to be just another person that they had to drag along.
A part of him wanted to believe that they sincerely wanted him to come back and play more with them, but the other part of him was worried and doubtful.
And… even though it was partially from Shiro, Keith didn't like that they were blackmailing him. No matter the reason Keith didn't like depending on other people's kindness. He wished that they would just trust him and ask him to join instead of conning him into it.
Though, that was the only way Shiro had managed to get Keith to try out one game of D&D, so Keith supposed it was a proven method.
Maybe lunch wouldn't be too bad. Maybe everyone genuinely did want to see him and talk to him. Maybe they would be happy to have him join their group.
And maybe whatever ritual Shiro had been talking about, wouldn't actually be that bad?
Or… maybe Lance had something diabolically horrible that Keith would have to endure like having to act like a princess for the entirety of Lunch.
Keith could just imagine Lance acting like a knight and trying to do chivalrous things for Keith all through the duration of Lunch, and maybe even after it, while Pidge filmed the whole thing and Matt tried to be a peasant or a slave for someone like Shiro.
On second thought, maybe something like that wouldn't be so bad.
Oh, shit. Keith thought to himself. Did I really just think that spending time with Lance wouldn't be so bad? Ugh.
~~~...
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(Please go to AO3 if you want to see the art. Same name for the fic.)
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