The drive home was full of chatter between the two boys. Somehow the kiss opened them both up and allowed the two to talk about their lives and dreams. Keith enjoyed listening to Lance talk, hearing the passion in his voice for dance and how he was planning his future already. Keith wasn't as fortunate to know his future. Keith had planned on going to school for aeronautics but after a messy break up he gave up on school and his dreams and decided to instead fill the void with alcohol and sex. Lance listened nodding every so often, he was please to see Keith be so honest and open about his past. Maybe this could really go somewhere. Lance would be good for Keith. The drive felt much shorter with good conversation and they soon were parked in Lance's driveway. They sat quietly not wanting to leave but not knowing what to say. Lance decided it was time for him to head into the house but before exiting the car he leaned over giving Keith a soft kiss on the cheek.
"Thanks for tonight." He said softly before pulling away and getting out of the car. He waved a goodbye before going into his house. Keith sat there with a small blush rising to his face. Dammit. He was actually starting to like this kid. He pulled himself out of his thoughts and proceeded to go home. His mind was a buzz after that night and he couldn't shake the feeling of Lance's lips, and the way he smelled, and the way his eyes twinkled watching the lanterns on the ocean. Dammit.
Lance could only lay in bed wide awake that night. He glanced to his side at the glowing red digits on the alarm clock. 1:34 am. Lance groaned and sat up rubbing his eyes. He couldn't sleep so he decided to see if Keith was struggling to sleep too. He shot the boy a quick text and waited anxiously for a reply.
'Can't sleep ether, huh?' A reply lit up Lance's phone. He scooped up the phone quickly and started typing a response. Before he could press send a phone call came through. Keith was calling him? He answered it on the second ring.
"Keith?" He answered hoping everything was okay. The phone was silent for a second before you could hear the other boy sigh a bit.
"I just thought we could talk more.. " Keith said glad they weren't face to face to reveal how red he was. Why was he so nervous about just talking to him? Lance broke out into a smile and flopped onto his back. The two boys got comfy and continued conversing through the early hours of the morning.
"We should probably go to sleep.." Keith said realizing it was almost 6 in the morning. Lance gasped realizing he was supposed to be waking up in an hour. They said goodbye and hung up the phone. Both boys just stared at their screens after the call ended. Lance buried himself in bed to get some sleep. Rehearsals would be a little later today he decided sleep being more important.
Lance would have slept all day if his phone wasn't vibrating off the hook. Hunk was texting nonstop about the date. If they had spent the night together or if it went terrible. Lance groaned into his pillow before reaching a lazy arm out to grab the phone off the nightstand. It was already noon. So much for rehearsal. Lance shot a reply back to the nosy Hunk.
'It went great. Hoping for a #2' Instead of shutting the boy up, the replies were flooding in with emojis and some dirty words. Lance even caught a glimpse of an...eggplant emoji? He decided to leave it alone for now. Let Hunk wonder... He zombie walked into the kitchen and started his coffee pot. He slipped his blue robe on and slipped his feet into his blue lion slippers before going out to his mailbox. He grabbed the few envelopes inside. He was flipping though them out of habit. Bills, bills, bills, wait... He stopped walking and just stared at the envelope in his hand. It was handwritten in fancy cursive and was embossed with a gold foil sticker in the cover. It read 'School of American Ballet.' His heart stopped and he felt a little weak and wobbly. The letter was early. 2 weeks early. Did that mean it's bad news? Good news? He felt sick and ran inside and sank onto his couch. He threw the bills aside and just held the fancy envelope in his trembling hands. He had to open it. He couldn't, what if it was bad news? He had to call Allura, no Keith, no Allura, Dammit. Who should he call? He picked up his phone his hands shaking more violently then before. He dialed Keith praying he would answer.. Keith answered on the first ring.
"Hey Sleeping Beauty. I thought you'd never call." He said half jokingly having woke up just before himself. Lance opened his mouth but no words came out.
"The letter, Ballet. New York. Here.' Lance managed his voice high and squeaky. You could hear a rustling on Keith's end.
"I'll be there in five minutes" The boy said before hanging up. Lance sat his phone down and didn't move an inch, even when the coffee beeped done. He was too scared to breath as if it would change the few words determining his future inside the folded paper case. Keith let himself inside and stopped into the doorway of the living room. He was kind of shocked to see Lance pale and quaking. He assumed this would be an exciting time? Keith sat down gently next to the boy.
"Ready to open it?" He asked softly and Lance just shook his head quickly. Keith smiled a little at his reaction. "Well how can you hear the good news if you're too scared to open it?" He tried resting a hand on Lance's knee. He was never good at this stuff but hopefully it would help ease Lance a little.
"I don't think it's good news. "Lance said his voice barely above a whisper. "It's too early."
"That just means they want you that much they knew sooner. Lance. Open the damn letter." Keith said nudging Lance a bit. Lance took a couple deep breaths before starting on the corner of the envelope. He stopped before he got half done.
"I can't! " He said standing up and started pacing. Keith watched somewhat amused and sat back watching.
"Okay. So let's talk about what happens. If you get in, dreams come true, you move across the country and it's great. If you don't get in, you have another year to get better and then you apply again. Lance, it'll work out either way." Lance stopped pacing and looked at Keith with a small appreciative smile.
"I know.. I just might die if I have to wait another year" He said . Keith understood the feeling and stood up to join him.
"Want me to open it?" He offered. Lance shook his head slightly and licked his lips nervously.
"No, I need to" He said and started opening the envelope again. He started pacing as he unfolded the letter. He stopped with his back to Keith as he read the finely printed words on the paper. Keith was preparing himself for whatever Lance would do next. He was getting as anxious as Lance. What would that mean for the two of them if Lance gets accepted? They had started getting so close and it'll just end? He shook away the selfish thoughts knowing this was all Lance had wanted. He looked up in shock hearing a small sob coming from the boy in front of him. His heart sank a bit for him and wished he could change it. Lance turned around wiping his eyes unable to stop smiling.
"I got accepted. " he said between sobs. Keith was shocked even more seeing they were happy cries. Lance started laughing uncontrollably all the stress he had felt earlier turning into hysteria. "Keith! I got in for auditions!" He said his voice just below a scream. Keith broke out into a grin and was barely able to catch Lance as he flew excitedly into his arms. The force knocked the two back and the tumbled to the ground in a heap of laughter. Keith just hugged the boy who was latched on for dear life. Keith didn't mind laying on the floor with the boy resting on top. For once he wasn't thinking of ripping his clothes off. It was nice. They laid there and he let Lance cry into his shoulder for a few minutes before Lance composed himself and they resumed their seats on the couch. Lance was visibly shaking in excitement as he dialed up Allura. Keith took this time to head into the kitchen to prepare them both a cup of coffee. It took a few moments to find everything he needed but made his way around the kitchen. Keith could hear the excited shrieks from Lance and even the excited shrieks of the girl on the phone. He couldn't help but feel so happy for him as they were both just so excited. Keith only wished he had something like that. Once the two cups were full of the steaming liquid he headed back into the living room. Allura was babbling and Lance was gladly listening to her. Keith sat Lance's cup down on the table in front of him before sitting down with his own. Lance gratefully sipped his coffee as he put Allura on speakerphone so he could drink his saving grace. Keith rubbed Lance's back feeling the boy relax under his hand. Lance couldn't be happier. He had Keith and Allura here when he heard the best news of his life so far. Nothing could make it more perfect.
After the tearful events of that morning Lance and Keith ended up in a shopping mall on the beach that afternoon. Lane was shopping for luggage for his trip to New York. Keith watched him go through the different suitcases before he decided on a blue and black one. The auditions started next month in New York so Lance would have to travel there to compete for his spot. There were 130 people auditioning but they were only accepting 10. It sounded impossible but Keith had every ounce of faith that Lance will make it. The first day of auditions were a test to see who made it to day 2 of auditions. Only 30 people would make it to the second day of auditions. It was a ruthless couple of days as they danced for their lives. Keith was impressed at how rough this form of dance really was. Lance had wandered farther down the aisle and was waving Keith over. Keith strolled over curiously to why Lance was calling him over.
"Look! They have matching ones in red!" Lance said showing off the suitcase Keith raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Do you need two suitcases?" He questioned. Two seemed to be a lot for one boy.
"No no silly. For you!" Lance said pulling it off the shelf. Keith's heart skipped a beat. Lance expected him to come? He hadn't even thought of it.. Lance stopped seeing Keith's face. "Or not...?"
"No no. I'm.. so glad." Keith said grinning winning a smile from Lance. "I didn't think I'd be invited." he said admiring the pretty red suitcase.
"I wouldn't want anyone else there." Lance said rolling his suitcase down the aisle. Keith followed happily. He was excited about the news and couldn't help but like this boy way more. The two went about picking up everything they would need for their little trip. Lance couldn't wait to tell his family back home. He had to wait until that evening to call with Time Zones and all. They'll be so proud of him. His heart ached a bit missing them more then ever. Keith glanced over at Lance, he looked deep in thought with a hint of sadness in his eyes. Keith slipped his hand into Lance's as they walked with their new goodies. Lance smiled over at him before they loaded the car with stuff. They hopped into the car before deciding to grab lunch somewhere on the beach. The weather was perfect that day, a soft breeze to cool down the hot summer day. Keith opened his sunroof letting the wind flow through his small car. Lance laughed as his hair was waving crazily everywhere. Keith couldn't help but laugh as his hair whooshed around as well. He s kept stealing glances over at the pretty boy in his passenger seat. The wind in his hair and the sun against his tan skin was almost angelic. A small voice groaned inside his head at how sappy this thoughts have gotten. He ignored it liking how he felt with lance.