Chapter 4: This is my idea of a match

Lance is scared.

Well, no, he's nervous. Just nervous.

They have about five dobashes before he has to head out there and marry Keith.

Sure this wedding has been known and planned for seven years now, but it still feels rushed. He doesn't know Keith. All he knows are his accomplishments and that he's absolutely gorgeous when he smiles and his laugh is probably enough to kill Lance but at the end of the day, when they are husbands, he's not going to know what to do with him.

Well, he knows what he could do with him, but he isn't so fuck off.

What do they talk about? GOD he hopes his first conversation as a married man isn't about the weather.

He would literally die.

This is why he's pacing in his waiting room with Hunk. His father, mother and sister were in there a few ticks ago but they headed out to begin the ceremony. It's just him and his best bud.

He very patient best bud.

"Lance, it will be ok." Hunk gives him a sympathetic smile, "I still don't get what you're worried about. Sure, you don't know each other all that well yet, but you have a lifetime to learn."

It sounds kind of romantic when Hunk says it.

God damnit, Hunk.

"Sure, ok. We get married and get to know each other...but what do I do when Keith realizes he got jipped?" Lance asks, his expression falling into a resigned frown, "What do I do when he realizes he could do better? He probably already knows he can do better. It's no secret around the galaxy that Keith is the 'superior prince'. I'm just the goofball."

He looks to his best friend as a feeling of helplessness comes over him, "What do I do when he ends up wanting out?"

Hunk stands there for a few ticks, his eyes growing larger with each one until they look about ready to pop out of his head. Then, to Lances surprise, the boy glares at him. "Lance are you insane!? We both know you have more going on than those stupid ambassadors and dignitaries think! Also, I'm sure you didn't notice because you were too busy doing the same thing, but when you idiots met Keith was practically drooling over you, dude!"

Lance let's out a small sound of surprise when Hunk pulls him into a crushing hug.

"I know you're scared, I understand, but dude...you've seen how Zarkon treats Keith, and that's while they are in public. There is no way he's going to regret getting away from that and there is no way he could ever find someone better than you." The larger teen whispers his last sentence as Lance feels tears beginning to prick at his eyes.

"C-cut it out, I can't have bloodshot eyes at my wedding ceremony." Lance tries to joke and Hunk lets out a small laugh before pulling away and patting him on his shoulders, his hands lingering there to squeeze them.

"Then stop thinking stupid shit and get your head out of your ass." Hunk teases, handing him a handkerchief. "Don't worry, all you have is some rosey cheeks. Like a blushing bride." He smirks and Lance playfully bumps elbows with him.

"Did Pidge stay with Keith...?" Lance asks, now that he's a little less stressed the absence of his favorite human is definitely noticed. "It's my wedding day and she chooses the new guy!?"

"Well, she does say new is always better."

"ABOUT TECHNOLOGY!" Lance shrieks and Hunk laughs.

"Poor Keith needed to have someone by his side. She probably would have left if anyone came to join him." He points out and Lance frowns.

It's true, even he doubts the emperor or his wife went to spend the last moments of his non-married life with him. He doesn't get it, such disinterested parents. His mother and sister practically dragged his father out by the ear to get him to go start the ceremony, and Lance isn't even going anywhere. Well, not really. Their castle is still within the palace walls, his father can come visit any time.

Sometimes when he thinks of Keith's family he remembers their fight, and what Keith said right before they started going at each other. He said Lance insulted Lotor by comparing him to Keith. Like Keith is looked down on by the family in such a way his mere existence is an insult.

But how?

He's Zarkon and Haggar's son, just like Lotor. While they were looking for clothes Keith said he's not Galra enough for his father, but Lotor is just as un-galra as him.

Well, except in appearance. Keith's appearance is odd for either Altean or Galra. His skin is a lighter purple, his body is small and the only thing fluffy on him is his ears.

Then again he doesn't think Zarkon has any fluffiness either.

Lance likes how Keith looks, honestly. He's different and beautiful.

Not that he'll ever tell him.

Probably. He does feel kinda bad for him, but he's not going out of his way.

Finally the bell rings, signaling their need to leave the room. Lance hooks his arm in Hunks, allowing his best friend to take him to the doors of the chapel down the hall, where he meets with his father who takes his son's arm.

He's already teary eyed.

They begin to walk down, followed by Hunk, when the next bell rings calling for Keith's arrival. He hears Pidge from the doorway whispering something like 'you were right' and as soon as he reaches the podium he looks over to see that Pidge is in fact walking him down the aisle.

The pure shock of that brings the room to an awkward silence until Lance finally tears his eyes from her and looks to the now tense Keith, letting out a small gasp that echoes in the quiet room. (oops)

He looks amazing. The outfit is perfect and of course Shay worked it up to be absolutely beautiful. His hair isn't anything fancy, just pulled back in a ponytail but with that his face looks sharper and Lance can't help himself from looking at his slender neck.

It sounds stupid but he seems more exposed like this and Lance actually kinda wants to take his hair down because it's a weird thought and he's making himself uncomfortable.

When Keith and Pidge reach the podium she whispers something in his ear, making him smile and relax a little before she leaves to stand...next to him?

Is she, like, his best man?

He shoots her a confused look and she grins, shrugging.

"What's-?"

"She's my groom's maid." Keith answers awkwardly and Lance barks out a laugh, looking between the two of them. Pidge has a shit eating grin on her face now and Keith is slightly flushed, messing with the cuffs on his coat. Well, Lance's coat.

"That's Hilarious. I love it." Lance beams at both of them and Keith relaxes a little as Pidge shoots them a thumbs up.

With that, the crowd seems to relax some as well, the ridiculousness of it all getting a chuckle from Lances family and a few others.

Finally the ceremony commences. The officiator is none other than Coran, the Altean royal advisor. He's basically Lance's uncle and demanded to officiate. Something he no doubt will also do when Allura marries someone.

Coran begins to recite the traditional words and Lance kinda zones out, looking at Keith from the corner of his eye, he looks uncomfortable and a small part of Lance takes joy out of it. He definitely cannot be the only one.

They exchange rings, Lance sliding a beautiful golden band with an intricate blue (the exact color his flame had been) design circling the entire thing. Keith looks at it in awe before guiltily sliding a plain golden band on Lances.

"I'll find something nicer." Keith whispers so only Lance can hear and the Altean looks at him surprised.

"You don't...have to..."

"No, I do. I really do." The galran boy mutters, his ears almost flat against his head. "You should have something nice." Before Lance can respond, Coran's voice goes louder.

"I now pronounce you husbands, Prince Lance and Prince Keith, you may now kiss."

Everything goes uncomfortably still again as they look to each other with mirrored expressions of fear.

It's time for the kiss but Lance doesn't move. He can't bring himself to. For one thing, he doesn't exactly know what he's supposed to do. Since the engagement he has of course been loyal to his fiance, whether he hates him or not, and it's not like they teach a class on this kind of thing.

For another thing, Keith looks just as scared, if not more. He can't just...kiss someone who is clearly not into it.

So they stand there for a long time, everyone silent, until he notices Keith's eyes finally leave his face and turn towards the guests. As one would expect, they land on Zarkon.

Lance sees it, too. The almost violent look Zarkon gives the boy and before Lance can react there's a pair of trembling hands cupping his face, yanking him down a bit harshly to smack their lips together.

It starts as a bump of noses and teeth, showing how scared Keith is, but Lance will be damned if his first kiss isn't actually good, so he takes over. Of course he doesn't know what he's doing either, but he's not scared shitless so obviously it's up to him to make this at least a tolerable memory.

Angling their heads better so their mouths can fit together more comfortably, his hands quickly fly up and trap Keith so he can't escape. He goes to bury one hand in that terrible mullet, until it bumps into the ponytail he momentarily forgot about and he has to settle for resting it on the back of his neck. Unsure of what to do with the other, he awkwardly rests it on Keith's hip for a second before he decides to just fuck it and wrap his arm around the nervous boy's waist, pulling him a little closer. Lance feels Keith's hands twitch against his face at the sudden embrace, but he doesn't move away.

He can hear applause, can tell what pidge is saying ("don't eat his face off, you just got him!") and hunk ("Pidge this is a royal wedding! Have some decorum!"), but he honestly doesn't care right now because more than hearing those around them he can feel Keith. He feels the moment Keith's hands stop trembling, when he moves his head to work with Lance's own movements and finally when his body relaxes a little into his touch.

It's...fine. Just fine.

If it wasn't Keith it would be better, obviously.

Still, he's pretty surprised. It's not how he expected kissing Keith would be at all.

(Well, it is a little like how he expected their wedding kiss to be when he was seven, but that secret dies with him.)

It might sound rude but Lance had expected (hoped) Keith to be more...well, gross. Except he's not. Fucking help Lance this boy isn't gross at all. His lips are soft with absolutely no dryness or cracks to them and since he's basically surrounded by the boy he has to admit he smells fucking good.

The galra are fighters, the Alteans are as well but they are also big on their appearances, while the former is very well known for not really worrying about such 'trifles' as they put it. They slack off on things like lip and skin care and if they just trained they aren't always in a hurry to shower the sweat off.

He was so worried when he saw Keith in the blade uniform. Everyone knows their training is crazy.

Thankfully he doesn't smell like sweat. He smells like some kind of soap, a little like Pidge from walking together down the aisle and sort of like ointment, no doubt from some training wound he can't see. Those aren't bad (except the pidge part, that's a little weird), but what gets him the most is what's under all of those surface smells. The smell of what he can only assume is just Keith, mixed with Lance's own scent from his clothes and he allows himself a second of pure indulgence and thinks how right now Keith smells like them.

Wow that's doing things to him it really shouldn't.

When Lance finally pulls away he stares at Keith, who looks dazed and confused and really good.

Shit.

No.

Lance takes a deep breath and let's go of Keith before turning to the crowd and smiling. They erupt in cheers and the band plays as Lance takes Keith's hand to lead him out of the chapel.

"Where are we going now?" Keith asks, looking behind them confused, "I have to ask my father something before he leaves."

"We're going to the reception. You know, food, music, dancing." Lance shoots him a smirk, "You do know how to dance, right?"

The horrified expression on his husband's face assures him that no, he does not in fact know how to dance. Which, of course he doesn't. Why would Zarkon have made it easier for Lance in any way?

Lance let's out a heavy sigh and looks to Keith, "Well I suppose as your husband it's my duty to teach you."

The galran Prince looks a little relieved at that, like he trusts Lance to take care of him. It does weird things to his heart.

"Sadly we don't have the month to prepare beforehand so I'm gonna have to teach you in front of everyone..." Lance points out and the dread comes back to Keith's face tenfold. "It will be okay. I won't let you embarrass yourself too much." He assures him and Keith looks unsure.

"We have to do the first dance, don't we? I'm gonna mess it up."

Lance shrugs and brings him to their table, "Don't worry so much. It's a party."

Keith frowns and looks around as everyone begins to join them, finding their tables and sitting. Lance can see his relief when Pidge comes to sit across from him. Seriously, what did the two do to bond so much in such a short time?

"Might I just say, I absolutely nailed being a groom's maid." She boasts and Lance laughs.

"You are the best groom's maid. Also, I'm pretty sure, the only groom's maid."

Keith nods, looking around again until his father comes inside and sits beside King Alfor at a table beside them. "I...will be right back." He mutters before taking a deep breath and getting up.

"Good luck!" Pidge calls before looking to Lance as Hunk and Shay join them. "Bet you wanna know what that's about."

Well, he didn't. Honestly. Didn't think it was a big deal, but that smirk on the young ambassadors face tells him it might be.

"Well, I mean, now I do." He groans, "So what's going on?"

"I told him about the castle we're all moving into, and told him there is an extra room for anyone he wants to bring with him. Apparently..." Pidge leans forward, making everyone do the same, "There's a man he wants to bring." She seems to notice the anger shoot up in Lance before even he does because almost immediately she places a hand on his, "It is just his tutor. We had a talk and trust me he isn't going to be cheating on you. The guy is sort of like...a pseudo brother to him, I guess. He's human, and also the reason Keith wears a mullet."

Lance can feel his eye twitching, but can't stop it. "Like hell I'm letting someone who endorses mullets live with me."

Pidge laughs a little and sits back, "Apparently he doubles as Keith's barber and is pretty shit at it."

Hunk looks at Lance, concerned. "If you're not comfortable with him coming I can speak with Keith."

The Prince rolls his eyes, "Please. Some human tutor who used to be a slave, I'm assuming," He looks to pidge who nods. "Is probably a gangly, odd looking fellow. What do I care? Besides, I'm bringing you two. If he has a friend he should bring him." Lance nods to himself, yes, it's only fair they both get to have someone they are comfortable with around.

"Um, Lance..." Keith calls, coming out of Fucking Nowhere to stand at his chair.

"Yeah?"

"I have received permission to bring my tutor with me...if that is alright."

Lance honestly feels a little relieved Keith asks, but also a little guilty because he was never going to ask for Pidge and Hunk. They were coming regardless.

"Of course, dude, I brought my friends, you should bring yours." He looks around curiously, "Where's the little guy at?"

"Um..." Keith gestures towards a man currently speaking to Allura and Lance gulps.

That dude is not little.

Or gangly.

And he is in no way shape or form odd looking.

Unless you find literal adonises odd looking.

Holy shit.

"His name is Shiro," Keith begins, eyeing Lance curiously, "He used to be a slave used for the battle tournaments. His title was the champion."

Lance can feel his left brow twitching, because of course Keith would bring a fucking adonis. He brought his best friend who is handsome but very much taken even though he technically isn't, and the tiny little gremlin Pidge who cleans her ear out and sniffs it, and what does Keith bring? A fucking adonis who can take down Galran warriors.

This. This is exactly why he doesn't like Keith.

"Yeah, sure, he can stay with us I guess." Lance shrugs, earning a smile from Keith who goes off to presumably tell the guy. He thinks about it for a tick before deciding he should go, too. It doesn't take him long to catch up to Keith and when he does the teen looks confused.

"You're coming?" He asks and Lance raises a brow.

"Should I not?"

"Well, no, you should, probably...I just didn't expect you to."

"Yes, well he's by my sister anyways and I wouldn't mind speaking to her." Lance says, because he's absolutely not intimidated by the Adonis and definitely not worried what this guy's relationship truly is with Keith.

Nope.

Not at all.

They arrive where Allura and Shiro are, receiving warm smiles from the two.

"Congratulations, your highnesses." Shiro bows and Keith rolls his eyes.

"You don't have to start doing that just because Lance is here."

"Oohhhh yes he does." Lance says, looking Shiro over, "It's the least he can do for sending me a husband with a mullet."

Shiro laughs, "Is it? If it is, it's easily the nicest looking mullet, don't you think?" He asks Lance, who frowns but nods.

"Not like the bar is high on that achievement."

"Um...so, Shiro..." Keith begins, looking at the ground nervously, "I was wondering if you would continue to serve me...here."

Lance stares the man down for his reaction. He looks surprised but undeniably happy. Not okay.

"I thought when you left your father wanted me to join the military." Shiro says and, ok, Lance can admittedly see someone being happy to work for Keith instead of joining the Galran military. Still, though.

"Well, um, it took some convincing..." Keith mutters, "King Alfor actually got him to say yes."

Lance turns towards the table his dad's at and shoots him a dirty look. That damn Traitor.

Shiro looks to Allura next to him with a fondness in his eyes that Lance is both relieved and very much not relieved to see. "It seems your father has saved me yet again."

Allura smiles back, a similar look in her own eyes and Oh Hell No. "He is a very good man."

Keith is single handedly ruining his FUCKING life right now, and the little shit doesn't even know it.

"Well, um...anyways..." The Galran Prince looks between them, clearly catching on to whatever atrocity is happening right now, "I guess I will see you...at home?"

Shiro smiles at him like one would a small child, "Of course." He looks over to Lance, "Please take care of him."

"Maybe try not to eat his face off in public, though." Allura teases and Shiro laughs as Lance and Keith go bright red.

"Th-that's not-! I wasn't-!" Lance stutters before Keith grabs his hand and awkwardly drags him away. "Hey! I was trying to defend my honor!" He huffs and Keith comes to a stop, looking at him with an amused smile.

"Is that what that was?"

"Shut up, I don't need your sass."

Keith goes silent for a moment before he looks over to their table, "I noticed a lack of bouquet throwing at the wedding. Or, well, bouquet having."

"Yeah, I sort of forgot it in my waiting room." Lance sighs. "I think I'm just gonna force them."

"Well, yeah, you Could straight up force them...or you could go about it a different way."

"Oh? Could it be? Did I actually marry a devious man?"

Keith rolls his eyes, "Absolutely."

"So, what do you have in mind?"

"You could, I don't know, let them go at their own pace?" He offers and Lance gives him a dirty look, "Ok, yeah, i figured that would be your reaction...so why not just...send them on a date without them knowing? Does Hunk still collect the crystals?"

Lance shrugs, " Sometimes."

"Have him go with Shay, instead of Coran." Keith offers like it's the most obvious thing ever.

Which it might be, because it seems pretty obvious now.

"Holy shit," Lance breathes, "Holy shit, YES!" He exclaims, grabbing Keith's face, "I'll have them go every time until they fucking grow up and date!"

"That's...great..." Keith smiles awkwardly.

"Make sure to leave some of him for the honeymoon!" Pidge yells from their table and Lance quickly let's go.

"Shut up you little gremlin!" He hisses and Pidge just cackles from her seat.

A/N: ...I'm running out of lyrics from the song that will be applicable. shit.