A/N: Thanks for the feedback! ^-^ I hope you guys continue to enjoy it.
Keith leaned against the counter sketching another merman. Today had been slow. Usually weekends were busier because people went on dates and flowers were popular. But today was totally different. It was, in fact, so slow that Keith had finished all his homework and was working on another drawing. Since he arrived, he'd sold one bouquet. He hoped Pidge would show up soon so he'd have someone to talk to.
The bell signaling someone had walked through the door rang. It must be Pidge. Keith looked up. Who walked through the door was not Pidge, but a disheveled Lance McClain. He panted like he had been running. His hair was windblown, but that just made Keith want to mess with it even more. His eyes were a vibrant blue, and Keith wanted to take the color and only paint with that color. Lance took a step toward Keith and opened his mouth to speak.
"Excuse me!" Pidge came bursting through the door. They wove around Lance and marched right up to Keith. "Keith! You would not believe what I just heard." Pidge grinned devilishly. Keith glanced back to where Lance had been standing, but he was leaving. Something over took Keith. It was like he knew Lance was scared and in need of someone. Keith jumped over the counter and ran out the shop.
"Wait!" Keith called, but Lance was running away.
"Keith! Get back in the shop!" Keith walked back in with slumped shoulders. Maybe I can try talking to him at school.
"What the hell got into you?" Pidge stared at him with raised eyebrows.
"I don't know." Keith went back behind the counter. "It was like he was calling for help and I was supposed to reach out and save him."
"Ooookaaay." Pidge looked skeptically at him. "Anyways, as I was saying. I heard a funny story from Hunk today."
"Hunk?" Keith recognized the name, but he couldn't put a face to it.
"My best friend, other than you, who I've been trying to get you to hang out with."
"Oh, yeah." Keith sighed. Pidge was always trying to bring him along to all their gatherings with friends. Keith always refused. Usually he could say he was working this Friday, but he had this Friday off. Now what would he say? Hopefully Pidge just wouldn't invite him.
"Anyways," Pidge continued. "He said that he tried talking to someone after practice, but he accidentally scared them. He scared them so badly that they fell down the bleachers and right onto Lance McClain." Pidge tried not to laugh. "Then they ran away without their drawing pencils. Wonder who it was..."
Keith immediately looked in his bag for his pencil pouch. It was missing. Keith straightened and refused to look Pidge in the eye as they laughed. "It was you! I can't believe it."
"Pidge! Please don't tell people. If it gets spread around, it could get back to my family and then-"
"I know. Jeez, how long have I known you?" Pidge's smile softened. "Don't worry. I told Hunk to keep it quiet. Also, he has your pencil pouch. If you want it back, you have to come to movie night tomorrow night." Keith sighed and hung his head.
"Fiiiine." Pidge let out a 'whoop' and jumped up and down. Keith rolled his eyes at their childish behavior. Maybe it wouldn't be too bad.
...
Keith unlocked the door and drug his feet. He was not looking forward to this evening. Pidge said they'd send someone to pick him up at 5. It was now 4 and Keith just wanted to sleep. Keith unpacked his bags and sighed heavily. He hadn't seen Lance at all today. Although if he had, Keith wasn't sure he'd even have enough confidence to talk to him.
The door creaked open, signaling Shiro was home. Keith wandered into the kitchen and began peeling an orange. Shiro hadn't even noticed him. Keith cleared his throat, startling Shiro. He squealed high pitched like a girl and Keith laughed.
"Keith!" Shiro tossed his shoe at him. Keith dodged, barely since he was still laughing. "Wait, why aren't you at work?"
"I have the day off. Boss has a wedding to attend. Why aren't you in class? Don't you have one from 4-6?"
"It was canceled. So I'm going to be hanging out with Allura and some friends." At the mention of Allura, Shiro's cheeks tinted pink.
"Oh~ Allura~" Keith teased.
"Sh-shut up!" Shiro threw his other shoe at him. Keith tried dodging, but it hit his shoulder. Keith laughed again. He was glad to see his brother finally start to relax and focus on something else. "So what are you doing tonight?"
"Uh, Pidge talked me into hanging with them and some friends." Keith glanced at the clock. "My ride should be here soon."
"Glad to hear." Shiro smiled proudly. He was also happy to see Keith opening himself up to more people. They both were worried about being found out by their parents, but it had driven Keith into hiding even more than physically. A knock on the door sounded. Shiro turned and looked through the peephole. Keith tensed up until he saw Shiro reach for the knob. Keith threw away his orange peels.
"Hello, how may I help you?" Shiro's voice turned formal.
"I-I'm here to pick up someone for a hang out." Keith froze at the voice. Could it be?
"Who?"
"I don't know. My friend Pidge sent me here. She-I mean they said it was a surprise. Do I have the wrong address?" Keith turned the corner. There he was. Lance McClain. His shoulders were curling inward and he couldn't meet Shiro's eyes. Shiro was getting suspicious and protective.
"I don't think I believe you." Shiro leaned in and Lance took a step back.
"Shiro, wait!" Keith grabbed his arm. "This is Lance. Don't scare him. He's my ride." Shiro glared at him before saying,
"Keep your phone in hand."
"Don't be paranoid." Keith pushed past him and closed the door. He looked up at Lance's wide eyes. They were alone in the small stairwell. Lance was biting his lip and holding onto his right wrist. He was wearing a greenish gray jacket with a white hood and a blue tee underneath. His ripped jeans showed off his tan skin. A small tuft of hair stood up at the back of his head.
"He-hello-o." Keith stammered out, offering his hand. "Ke-keith Kolga-ane."
"Hello." Lance took his hand, and their hearts beat faster. "Lance McClain."