Chapter 3: This Life and the Next

"Hey guys," Pidge said as Keith and Lance entered the Common Room. They had already gathered blankets and extra jackets. Now they were after snacks from the kitchen. "How's Shiro?"

"Er…He's awake, finally," Lance scratched the back of his neck nervously. He looked over at Keith who was looking at him with a similar expression, helplessness. In all their worries about their feelings for each other, they never stopped to think about Shiro's state and how the others would want to see him.

"The…er…doctor came and is looking him over, giving him some tests," Keith said as he shifted his weight from foot to foot. "We, um, decided to give him some space."

"What's all the blankets and stuff for?" Hunk asked as he walked over and tugged on a blanket. "Gonna make a fort in Shiro's room and make out?"

Hunk elbowed Pidge, and they started giggling. Lance and Keith looked at each other again and turned bright red.

"Ah…er, no," Lance's voice cracked as he walked over to the fridge. He opened it and shook his head, not knowing any of the food inside.

Hunk and Pidge looked at each other through narrowed eyes.

"Is everything okay, guys?" Hunk asked. "You seem nervous."

"We were going to watch the meteor shower that's supposed to happen," Keith said when Lance didn't elaborate. He flinched away from Pidge's bright hazel stare. "Do you two want to join us?"

"Sure!"

"Why not?"

Pidge and Hunk said in unison.

"Good, 'cause I have no idea what's in that refrigerator. I have no idea if that's even a fridge." Lance said as he closed the door on the device. "Hunk you can be in charge of snacks."

"Ah, thanks Lance," Hunk said as he elbowed the man gently to the side. "It is a fridge, by the way."

"Well, good. At least my judgment isn't too far off," Lance plopped himself on the couch as he let out a giant sigh.

"I'll go grab some blankets and equipment for us, while you are doing that, okay Hunk?"

"Thanks, Pidge,"

As Pidge raced out of the room, Keith sat down next to Lance. He hesitantly placed a hand on Lance's thigh.

"Is…are you okay? Are you mad that I invited them?"

"No, no of course not," Lance ran his hand down his face. "I'm just anxious about everything that's happened this evening. I've been thinking about my family a lot too."

Keith hummed his response. His family was here, in space, next to him and around him. After finally meeting his mother, he felt complete somehow. But losing Shiro, broke his heart and he wasn't sure he would be able to piece it back together again. Even his feelings for Lance didn't seal the cracks in his psyche.

"You know," Hunk started as he placed the last item from the fridge into the bag he was holding. "We should stop by and see Shiro on our way out of the City."

"Sure," Keith said. He pushed off the couch with his hand still on Lance's thigh. Hunk raised an eyebrow but said nothing. He had a feeling about Lance and Keith, but he didn't want to assume anything; pushing it would scare them off. "I'm curious about what the doctor has to say anyway."

"Are we ready?" Pidge said as she descended the stairs.

"Yeah, we're gonna stop by the hospital and see Shiro before we head out," Hunk said as Pidge handed him his stuff.

"Good, I'm excited to see him!"

"He's awake," Doctor Presscott said after the paladins found them at the nurse's station just down the hall from Shiro's room. "But I don't know for how long. At this point, sleep is his best bet for healing – both physically and mentally. I've replaced his IV, and I think in two days I will start him on physical therapy."

"Thank you, Doctor," Pidge said. "Is there anything we can do in the meantime?"

"Yeah, like help with physical therapy or something?" Hunk asked.

"Well, I'll see what the therapist says. But I think it's a good idea. He's been through a lot and having his team, his friends with him will help with whatever effects he's dealing with."

"Thanks, Doc!"

"Can we go see him now?" Pidge asked.

"Yes, please do," Doctor Presscott smiled as Hunk and Pidge skipped down to Shiro's room. Lance started that way too, but paused and turned when Keith didn't follow.

"Aren't you coming?"

"I…have some questions for the doctor," Keith said as he gestured to Lance. "You can go on."

Lance blinked and realized he had questions as well. He walked back to them.

"Can I listen in? I have questions too,"

Keith hadn't told anyone about his fight with Shiro. He had said to them that he found Shiro with his arm missing. He almost told Lance no but decided he could ask more questions later. Keith nodded at Lance and turned toward the Doctor.

"Is he…did he say anything about his memories?"

"I asked him what he remembers, but he says his memory is fuzzy," Presscott paused, trying to find the right words as they gestured with their hand. "He says the last thing he remembers is the fight with Zarkon and then he's floating."

"So, he doesn't remember anything about Lotor, or how he lost his arm?" Lance asked.

"If he does, he's not telling me, which is understandable. He's experiencing some PTSD, and his brain is suppressing those memories to keep him safe and help his body heal. When us Olkari experience any sort of trauma, I have found that it is best to let them sleep, let their bodies heal and let what you humans call the subconscious, heal as well. I know it's different for humans, but I know sleep is always good."

"Thank you, Doctor,"

"Of course, Keith, anytime," Presscott turned back to the nurse's station as Keith crossed his arms and stared down the hall. He was going to have to be honest with his friends at some point, just not right now.

Lance placed a hand on Keith's shoulder and brought him out of his reverie.

"What are you thinking about?"

"I'm just worried for Shiro, that's all," Keith tried to smile, but it came out crooked and sad.

"He's a strong man, Keith," Lance put his arm around him. "I'm worried about Shiro too. But until his memories come back, there's nothing we can do but be patient. He'll come around, and we'll be here for him."

Keith smiled genuinely this time and looked over at Lance.

"When did you get so wise?"

"You aren't the only one that's changed, Keith," Lance winked at the other as Keith shook his head and gave Lance a playful shove.

"Let's go before we miss the show," Keith said as he grabbed Lance's wrist and dragged him to Shiro's door.

"Thanks for inviting us," Pidge said three vargas later as she yawned. "It's been a while since all of us did anything fun together."

"True, we need to do stuff like this more often," Hunk said adjusting his blankets in his hands.

"Well, we were out saving the universe before," Keith said. "Now we are just some humans on their way to their home planet,"

"Wait, we are still Paladins," Lance cut in. "We still have to answer distress calls and such."

"I know," Keith nodded.

"Hunk and I are going to help Rynar set up the last of the Olkari defenses tomorrow if you guys want to join us?" Pidge asked.

Lance raised a brow. "Do you really want me hanging around while you guys do your technical stuff? You know what happens when I get bored."

"Well, you know where we will be if you need us for anything," Hunk said, chuckling, as Pidge held the door. "Thanks, Pidge."

"And if Shiro's condition changes," Pidge gave a small smile as Lance and Keith passed.

They watched Pidge and Hunk race each other to the top of the stairs as Lance and Keith took their time, lost in thought and in each other's company.

"So, um," Lance rested his hand on his doorknob as he gripped his blanket with the other. Keith was about to enter his room when Lance's voice stopped him. He stood in his doorway, his expression open and waiting. Lance continued: "Can we finish what we were talking about earlier?"

Keith opened his mouth to say something but shut it immediately. He threw his blanket in his room and walked over to Lance, taking his face gently in his hands and placing a soft kiss on Lance's plush lips. Lance drew in a loud breath through his nose, kicking the door open with his shoe, not wanting to give up the grip he had on Keith's arm. They giggled into each other's mouths when Lance tripped over his feet, trying to kick his shoes off.

They parted long enough for Lance to flip the light on and take his jacket off. Keith tore off his boots and threw his coat over where Lance's landed. Keith turned the bedside light on, and Lance turned the too bright overhead light off. Walking over to Keith, he smiled and captured the other's lips in a kiss that curled his toes. Keith groaned as he wrapped his hands around Lance's waist, his fingers weaving their way under Lance's shirt.

"Ah, your hands are cold," Lance's voice came out breathless against Keith's lips.

"Sorry," Keith's voice was barely a whisper before he moved his lips against Lance's and pressed his hands into Lance's back. Lance grunted, and Keith entered his mouth with his tongue, barely skimming the other's lips.

Somehow, Lance found himself on his back on his bed, Keith straddling his hips and kissing him like he was going to disappear. Lance wrapped his arms around Keith's waist, pushing his hands underneath his shirt. His fingers ran up and down Keith's spine, and Keith shivered and gasped against Lance's mouth. Lance kissed at Keith's jaw, taking special care over the scar. He pressed a kiss just below Keith's ear and Keith gritted his teeth and bucked his hips.

They both froze as they felt each other's excitement through their trousers.

"I-I want this…" Lance whispered into Keith's ear, as Keith bucked his hips again. "Ah…Keith…nngg…"

Lance took a couple of deep breaths to contain his rising passion.

"I want you too, Lance," Keith murmured before kissing Lance's ear. It was Lance's turn to move his hips as a small noise escaped his mouth. "But…I-I've never done anything like this before."

"Well, you're doing a heck of a job," Lance chuckled as he gently tugged on Keith's ear with his teeth.

Keith's body went still.

Lance straightened and pushed on Keith's chest, raising him so he could look him in the eye.

"You're not kidding, are you?" Lance asked, narrowing his eyes.

Keith shook his head.

"You've made out with someone before, right?"

"Shiro…Shiro and I kissed and tugged on each other's clothes, but I stopped him because I didn't feel comfortable," Keith sat back, sitting squarely on Lance's thighs as Lance propped himself on his elbows.

"But you've made out with girls too, right?"

Keith bit his lip and shook his head, averting his eyes.

"Oh," Lance's brain tried to wrap itself around this new fact.

Keith started to pull himself off Lance, but he held his thighs with a tight grip.

"Where are you going?" Lance asked his face full of disappointment.

"I…it looked like you wanted to stop."

"Heck no," Lance paused as he tilted his head to look Keith in the eyes. "Unless you want to stop?"

Keith let out the breath he was holding. "No, I don't want to stop."

"Well, if it helps, I've never made out with a guy before," he paused. "Unless you count the kid I kissed in the fifth level. He smacked me and ran away crying. I'm surprised he didn't ruin me for other kisses."

Keith smiled and let out a chuckle. "You didn't ask him for permission,"

Lance met Keith's large eyes. They were almost black with desire. He reached up and placed his hands on each side of Keith's face. "May I kiss you, Keith?"

A smile more significant than any that Lance had ever seen on Keith, lit his face so wholly, Lance had to steel himself for a moment before he ran his lips lightly over Keith's.

Keith held his breath in anticipation and snaked his hand around the back of Lance's neck and pulled him in. They devoured each other as if they were going to disappear.

...Why think separately
of this life and the next
when one is born from the last...
~Look at Love~
by Rumi