"Only TRUE friends got your back when you're down. No matter the situation."

Chapter 10

Keith was being weird Lance noticed.

At first it wasn't very noticeable, small things like saying he was too busy training to take part in their weekly movie night. Or he was too tired to eat dinner with everyone else.

Lately though, he'd been refusing to train together like they usually do. He's been a little snarky with everyone, even Shiro who was just concerned about him. He seems agitated, like something's bothering him but he won't talk to anyone about it.

He keeps disappearing every once in a while only to return with something long sleeved.

Shiro tried talking to him but Keith just said it was nothing to worry about. Hunk and Pidge tried talking to him as well but he just walked out of the room. Allura and even Coran were ignored and Lance was downright avioded. If she came within a feet of him, Keith would bolt in the opposite direction.

She had a sinking suspicion what his problem was but she'd need to talk to Keith and ask him in person in order to make sure. The extra layers of clothes that he'd been wearing were another hint, but the real clicker was his scent.

Lance was good at many things, and one of those things included her high sense of smell. And lately, her friend has been giving off a familiar scent that she's encountered quite a few times. She hadn't been sure at first, when she first met him he had the scent of a human but there was another underlying layer hidden that she'd brushed off at the time.

Now though, the scent has gotten stronger and so familiar that she immediately understood Keith's sudden change in attitude.

Back in Cloyetera she remembered reading about hybrids and how the stronger side usually took over. Lance herself is a hybrid; half Amazon and half human. She got most of her Amazon qualities, with the exception of her height, so clearly her Amazon side was stronger.

Judging by Keith's strange behavior and the extra layers of clothes, his other side was winning.

Thinking back, Keith had said that his mother had walked out on him and his father. He doesn't remember much of her but according to his father, his mother was watching him from the stars. At first Lance thought that she had died, so does Keith in fact, but now…

Plus, there's that double edge dagger that his mother left behind for Keith and it all makes sense.

Keith…is half Galra.

The color was spreading Keith realized with dismay. Making sure he locked the bathroom door, Keith turned back to the mirror and grimaced as he turned his head upward to gaze at his neck. The blotch of purple was spreading, most of his arms were already purple and to be honest he was starting to freak out.

Ever since the fight at the Balmera planet where the scanner had not rejected him when he'd placed his hand on the scanner on the door and had the door open for him, Keith had been suspicious. Those doors were Galra tech, only a Galra or something Galra made like Shiro's robot arm could open those doors. And yet…they had opened for him. He hadn't mentioned it to the rest of his teammates at the time because they were in the middle of battle but Keith never forgot about it.

Then when they were fighting against Zarkon, he had told Keith that he fought like his Galra soldiers. Keith had been so angry at the time, it's why he'd ignored Shiro's orders and rushed straight at Zarkon.

Because it couldn't be true…right?

Wrong.

The purple splotches on his skin started to appear just a few weeks ago. At first, he'd brushed it off because it was just a little dark spot at the corner of his elbow. A few days after that another spot appeared on his hip, then his other arm. And now…the majority of his back and most of his stomach was purple, with the exception of a few splotches of white from his pale skin.

He'd tried to hide the splotches with extra layers of clothes but that wouldn't be much help anymore. Not to mention the other symptoms that he'd been feeling. He's been particularly jittery with all this pent up energy. He feels like he can go on a sparring match againts Zarkon himself.

He's hungry practically all the time but he makes sure to eat at night when the others are asleep so as not to arouse suspicion.

He's been spending more and more time on the training deck just to get rid of some of the tension that he's been feeling. His sense of smell has increased as well, something he'd rather do without honestly. Everyone on the team has a distinct smell to them that he's able to sniff them out individually. Although it has been useful in helping him avoid Lance.

The others had left him mostly alone with the exception of Shiro but Lance has been particularly persistent. Any other time, he would have gladly welcomed her presence. Heck, most of the time he yearned for her attention but ever since the purple splotches have started appearing, Keith had been avoiding the amazon.

She would try to read his mind and then she would know. It was hard enough keeping his emotions in check as to not make the mood bracelet give him away but that's taken some effort as well. Keith couldn't handle anyone knowing of his condition. He couldn't tell any of his teammates about what was happening because surely they would hate him. All of them had something against the Galra, Allura and Coran had their whole planet and its people destroyed by the Galra, Pidge's father and brother had been taken by the Galra and she was still looking for them, Shiro had been taken during a mission and had his arm modified with Galra tech after he'd lost his arm in the arena where they would make him fight for his survival, Lance had her home planet attacked again and again because the Amazons refused to side with Zarkon and his army, and Hunk…well he didn't know what the yellow paladin had against the Galra, but surely he must hate them after what his friends had been through thanks to them.

Keith sighed in frustration as he smashed the mirror in front of him to pieces. His hand was bleeding but he didn't seem to care. Nothing could hurt as bad as imagining what his friends reactions would be if he told them that he was Galra, or at least half Galra like he suspected he was.

They would hate him.

They were his family and he loved them all and that's exactly why he couldn't tell them the truth. They'd probably leave him just like everyone else in his life…

A sudden growl disrupted his thoughts and Keith couldn't help but grimace. He was hungry. Again. Thankfully, it was the middle of the night so he'd be able to get a quick snack without anyone noticing. Running a hand through his hair, Keith turned on the facet and let the water run through his injury; he'd have to bandage this soon.

After carefully picking up the broken glass and dumping into the trashcan, Keith put on his red and white jacket along with two more sweaters to cover the rest of the splotches on his arms and started making his way to the door when a sharp pain made his kness buckle.

What the hell?

Keith put a hand on his stomach and doubled over as his skin suddenly turned sweltering hot. What was happening? A prickling sensation on his hands made him turn his face in horror to see purple fur starting to appear at the edge of his palms. His nails seemed to grow until they resembled claws instead of normal human nails.

Keith shook his head slowly as he backed further into the room. No. This wasn't happening. He thought he had more time! A sob broke through and Keith clenched his eyes shut when a sudden bang on his door made him open his eyes wide.

"Keith! Open this door right now!"

Lance.

Lance was here.

He'd been so focused on himself that he hadn't smelled Lance making her way to his room.

"Keith!"

Keith looked around in fright. He couldn't let her see him like this, she'd hate him.

"I-I'm busy Lance!" he stammered out before clearing his throat, "It's the middle of the night, go back to sleep."

The banging on his door stopped and Keith almost heaved a sigh of relief before Lance sighed in annoyance from the other side and said in a firm voice, "I'm coming in Keith."

Keith ran to the door to try and block her but the door swished open and Keith stared at Lance in horror as she took him in.

Keith wanted to cry as he backed away, Lance had seen him.

Any minute now she was going to look at him in disgust and alert the others.

Despite himself, Keith felt a tear trickle down his cheek as he closed his eyes, scrunched up his shoulders, and waited for Lance to say something mean to him.

One could imagine his surprise when two arms suddenly enveloped him in a hug instead.

"You idiot," Lance muttered into his neck, "You should have come to me sooner."

Somehow, Keith found his voice, "You're not mad?" he whispered.

Lance shook her head as she tightened her hold on him, "Why would I be mad Keith? This is not your fault."

Keith wanted to desperately hug her back but he had to make sure, "You don't hate me? Even though I'm part Galra?"

Lance loosened her hold on him to stare him in the eye, "I could never hate you Keith. You're still you. So you're part Galra, big deal. You're still the same Keith who was fanboying over me telling him I was an Amazon; you're still my best friend. Nothing will ever change that Keith."

Keith felt himself tremble, was Lance serious? Could he believe in those words?

He must have been thinking pretty loudly because Lance gave him a fond smile as she brought her forehead to his and let her mind mingle with Keith's.

Keith took a startled breath as a comforting energy washed around him as Lance projected all her emotions to him.

Acceptance.

Fondness.

Protectiveness.

'Of course I do mullet. You're still my best friend. And nothing will ever change that.'

No longer having any doubt Keith brought his hands around Lance and hugged her tightly as he buried his face in her neck. And if a few tears slid down his cheeks and wet Lance's shirt, neither of them said a thing.

After a while, Lance pulled back and Keith almost whined before she brought a hand to his face and frowned. "You're burning up," she remarked.

Stepping out of the embrace completely, Lance lifted his hands up to examine the purple fur and claws hummed to herself.

"I know you're not much into doing your nails but jeez, trim these will you?"

Keith's mouth twitched at the joke and he felt himself relax.

"How are you feeling?"

Keith sighed, "A little hungry. A little hot. A tad embarrassed. The list goes on."

Lance's lips quirked in a smile as she nodded to herself before placing both hands on each side of his face. A moment later her hands glowed green and Keith felt the soothing energy wash over him; he no longer felt uncomfortably hot and the sharp pain ceased to something tolerable. The cut on his right arm closed and Lance wiped the blood with the edge of her shirt.

"When you came in," Keith began nervously as he licked his dry lips, "You made it sound as if you knew this was going to happen."

Lance nodded as she stepped back and took a seat on the floor; Keith followed her example and curiously watched as his friend leaned back on her hands and stared at him thoughtfully.

"When I first met you, you had the scent of a human but there was a hint of something else that I wasn't sure of until recently. Your smell started to change, and the whole extra layer of clothes wasn't helping your case either," Keith winced he'd forgotten about Lance's heightened senses, "I was trying to tell you but kept avoiding me," Keith winced again as Lance arched a brow at him in amusement, "I figured it'd be a matter of time. I was just falling asleep when your smell suddenly heightened drastically and I immediately rushed over. You forget that I'm half human and half amazon."

Keith couldn't help but grimace as shame washed over him, perhaps if he'd talked to Lance sooner all of this would have been easier to deal with.

Lance took a hold of his right arm and produced a nail cutter from the pocket of her shorts and started trimming the claws.

"Plus," Lance continued with a shrug as she continued with her work, "This happened to Diona as well." Keith looked up in surprise at that, "Notice how she has those blue splotches on her face?" At Keith's nod Lance continued, "She's half Amazon and half Cyan and one day her whole skin turned blue and she grew two extra arms and well you can imagine how freaked out she was."

Keith nodded slowly and suppressed a shudder; at least he hadn't grown any extra limbs…

"Anyway, most of the amazons are half something and sometimes the side that's stronger starts to take over and our appearance changes. When that happens, we would send a few women off planet to bring back suppressant pills. It keeps us from turning and that's how we dealt with it."

Keith looked up at her with a hint of hope, his eyes looking almost purple in the light, "Suppressant pills? Do you know where we can get some?"

HIs friend finished trimming his nails on his right arm and Keith silently handed her his left arm so she could do the same to that one as well.

Lance smiled and nodded. "We can usually get some at the swap moon or as I dub it 'The Space Mall'."

Keith looked down at the ground as he stared down at the purple furred hands in front of him, "Do you know if there's any near us?"

Keith couldn't see it but Lance grinned as she finished trimming the claws on his left arm before she got to her feet, "Yup, and we're going right now. Unless you want to wait?"

Keith immediately shot to his feet and gripped her arms, "No! I want to go now. I-I don't want the others to see me like this."

Lance stared at him quizzically, "Did you think we'd be mad? That we'd ask you to leave?"

Keith's body stiffened and he averted his eyes to the side, "They'd hate me," he whispered, "I didn't want to lose my new family."

Lance's eyes softened," Oh Keith, that would never happen. We all love you, we wouldn't hate you."

"Oh yeah? What about Allura?" he asked defiantly.

Lance rolled her eyes and huffed, "Allura…would not take it well sure, but with time I'm sure she'd loosen up. She needs to learn not to discriminate against a whole race for the actions of a few anyway. As for the others…I have absolutely no doubt that you being half Galra will make them see you any differently and if they do," Lance grinned and put both hands on her hips and even in her black shorts and blue tank top and wearing those ridiculous blue lion slippers she still managed to look fierce, "Then they'll answer to me."

Keith wanted to laugh but managed a snort instead.

Lance put a comforting hand on his shoulder and squeezed, "Its up to you if you ever want to tell the rest of the team. Either way, I'm on your side and I'll back you up. Just say the word."

"Thanks Lance," Keith said with a small smile, "I really appreciate it."

Lance sent him a peace sign and Keith rolled his eyes at her fondly, "No problem. Now let's go before the others wake up." She was halfway to the door when she remembered something and turned around to face him. "There's just one thing I want you to promise me though."

Keith blinked and scrunched his eyesbrows together, "What is it?" Lance was looking at him so seriously he felt that he should be prepared for anything.

"If you ever pop out some Galra ears I have first dibs to pet them." Keith's jaw dropped and Lance pointed a finger at him and pouted, "I'll be seriously pissed if you let someone else touch them before me. Heck, I'm pretty sure I'll cry."

Keith couldn't help it, he laughed. Lance crossed her arms over her chest and glared at him. The red paladin put his hands up in defense and wiped a tear from his eye, "I promise. You have first dibs."

Lance seemed to be appeased because she smiled and turned to the door once more.

Keith caught her arm and sent her an incredulous look, "You're going in that?" his voice did not squeak, he swears it.

Lance looked down at her clothes with a frown, "Yeah. What's wrong with it?"

Keith let out a strangled cry, as he looked her up and down, "Lance, those shorts are way too short. And…" his eyes widened as he hastily looked away with a tint of red on his cheeks as he croaked out the rest of his sentence, "Are you not wearing a bra?"

"Nope."

Keith wanted to cry. There was absolutely no way he was going to let her venture outside where there are plenty of people who can ogle her in her state.

The red paladin released a sigh and pinched his nose, "Lance go get changed right now."

Lance crossed her arms, "What? But why?"

"Now Lance."

"You're not my dad!"

"Lance," he said with a warning note in his voice.

Lance huffed and threw her hands in the air as she whined, "God, you never let me do anything. Fine! But you change too then, take those extra layers of clothes off, you look ridiculous."

Keith's lips twitched upwards and Lance grinned at him in return before he started to laugh. Looking satisfied and a little too proud of herself, Lance nodded to herself and left his room before declaring that she'd meet him at the hanger where she would prep a small cruiser for them.

Keith was still smiling when the door closed as he shook his head and started taking the two extra jackets off him. Thank god for Lance, he really was lucky to have her as a friend. If he ever lost her…Keith shook his head. No. That wasn't going to happen, he wasn't going to lose her. Or anyone else on the team for that matter.

He didn't like the idea of keeping something this huge a secret from the others but he wasn't ready to face them. Not yet. But maybe one day he will, and when that happened Lance would be at his side. She'd promised him.

Walking into his closet he pulled out a black t-shirt, some jeans and a red hoodie that had a hood before planting his feet on his white and black combat boots and exiting his room.

The castle lights were dimmed which was normal since this was a time for sleep. Normally he would have trouble walking around in the dark but for some reason everything looked crystal clear. Maybe it was a Galra trait. At least this could actually be useful in battle.

Keeping his footsteps as quiet as he could, Keith made his way to the hanger where a small light alerted him of Lance's presence.

As Keith neared the Amazon princess he released a sigh of relief at her attire. She's discarded her pajamas and put on some black jeans, a blue t-shirt, a black sweater and her signature black and white converse.

Keith caught a delicious scent and he felt his mouth water.

Noticing his presence Lance turned her attention to him and gave him a little wave.

Keith took another whiff and licked his mouth, "Please tell me that's for me."

"Of course," the amazon princess said, tossing a grin in his direction as she stepped inside the small cruiser. Her brown hair was done in a high ponytail making her blue eyes pop out and Keith had to stop himself from staring. "Although, I did take a few bites," she added sheepishly, Keith cast her a small glare, "It was good! You can't really blame me."

No he suppose he couldn't Keith thought with a sigh. He shrugged and took a seat next to her before strapping in. Lance pushed a plate of beef casserole to him before pushing a few buttons on the dashboard, making the shield close over them as Lance started the cruiser.

Keith settled back on his seat and began to eat as Lance opened the hanger doors and veered the ship out into space.

The swap moon looked like any ordinary mall on Earth that Keith was honestly a little disappointed with how normal it looked. It was a pretty large shopping mall; then again it was located on a moon so maybe that's why.

Thankfully, it was mostly empty though that was probably because of the late hour. Nevertheless, Keith put up his hoodie to cover most of his face. It was very bright and filled with many types of shops, it even came with some pop sounding music blaring over the speakers, it was clean and spacious and Keith didn't know where to begin looking. Lance walked over to where the directory was and after looking over the list, Keith didn't know the language so he was just shifting on his feet, his friend nodded and steered them in what he assumed was the right direction.

Along the way, Keith noticed different types of aliens try to get their attention; some of the things did look a bit interesting though. Keith had to drag Lance away from a stall selling face creams although she did yell at the shop owner that she would be back.

There were quite a lot of clothing stores around the area, a place that he assumed was a restaurant judging by the booths in front of it, a shop were they were selling different types of weapons…perhaps he'd check that out later.

A hand on his wrist snaped him out of his thoughts as Lance dragged them to a giant white shop that had the smell of disinfected so strong it made both paladins wrinkles their noses in distaste.

Along the shelves were bottles of vitamins, protein powders, and other stuff that he couldn't read since they were in another language. A green alien man waved them over from the counter with his four arms and both he and Lance make their way over to him.

Upon closer inspection, Keith noticed that the man had three eyes instead of two with a puff of black hair making him look young.

"Something I can help you with?" he asked, his voice surprisingly deep.

Lance stepped forward and put her arms over the counter as she gives the alien a charming smile that Keith was instantly jealous of.

"Yes there is actually. We're looking for some suppressants for my friend here, do you happen to have any?"

"Indeed we do," he said happily as he took out a tablet and pushed a few buttons, "Race?"

"Half Galra and half human," Keith answered as he shoved his hands in his pockets and took a step forward.

The alien, Kusunoki his nametag said, looked up at Keith with surprise before nodding to himself and typing a few things on the screen. "I see," he said as he rubbed his chin in thought, "That's new, I'm afraid I'll have to take you to the back to take a physical so I can make the appropriate pills for you."

Keith hesitated and pursed his lips as he exchanged glances with Lance, "Will that take long?"

"Ah, no more than half an hour as you say in your Earth terms." Kusunoki said with a chuckle "The physical will take about ten minutes but the making of the pills will take a little longer. Luckily for you, I have all the ingredients with me."

"If it's not too much trouble, would it be all right for you to give us a years worth of them?" Lance asked with a smile, "Just in case."

Kusunoki three eyes widened before looking over the two of them thoughtfully, "It's no problem," he said slowly and arched a doubtful look at them both, "But it'll be quite expensive, can you pay?"

Lance dug through her sweater before making an aha sound and produced a small pouch jingling with coins and placing them on the counter. "I assume this will be enough?"

Kusunoki's four arms reached for the pouch and hastily opened it before letting out a surprise shout, "My word…"

"And while you're at it," Lance continued with a fluttering of her lashes, "A few vitamins for Galra would be much appreciated."

Kusunoki looked at her in shock before a wide grin spread over his features and he bowed and chuckled, "Why yes of course. I'll even add some vitamins for yourself, no extra charge."

Lance put a hand to her chest and Keith grinned, "Oh aren't you a dear? You don't have to do that."

"Oh, no I insist milady," Kusunoki said with another bow and wink/winks? "Anything for a lovely lady such as yourself."

Lance gave the alien a wry smile, and changed her accent to something British, "You're too kind. That would be lovely."

Keith dug his elbow into Lance's stomach, "Enough already, jeez."

Lance laughed well naturedly before patting Keith on the head, which only made him scowl at her, "All right fine, you ruin all the fun. Well then," she glanced back at Kusunoki who was looking at them with a smile, "I'll be back in half an hour?"

Kusunoki nodded.

"Ok then," Lance turned to Keith and gave him a hug before whispering into his ear, "If you need me just call for me in your head, I'll come with guns blazing."

Keith snorted and laughed, "I'll be fine Lance, just try not to get into any trouble."

Lance had the audacity to look scandalized at the comment, "Me? Never. I'm practically an angel."

"Lance," Keith said with narrowed eyes.

Lance turned her back on him before waving goodbye at him, "Yes yes, I'll be good. Promise."

Lance was hungry. And bored. Maybe this place had a good restaurant around the area. One of the older Amazons who had been to a swap moon before had brought back some food with her last time and Lance had thought it was good at the time.

She didn't remember how it all looked like, but she remembered its scent. Perhaps if she was lucky, she could find it and buy two trays for both her and Keith to enjoy.

With an objective in mind, Lance let her nose guide her through out the mall and started walking.

It was on the sixth restaurant that she noticed a familiar scent and Lance made a beeline in the direction.

The Clean Chestplate Tavern was anything but clean- the floors were sticky, the furniture was a mixture of cheap tables and chairs, and the air smelled of grease.

Despite how it looked, it had quite a crowd so it must be doing something right. After waiting for a few minutes in line, Lance went up to the counter and ordered something called Bubbles and Spice that was really a fancy name for eggs, a piece of ham, tomatoes that were blue, and what she was pretty sure were sausages and potatoes although one was red and the other was pink.

Finding an empty table, Lance made her way over and dug in. Her eyes widened a second later, this…was not bad. The tomatoes were especially delicious. She immediately ordered two more to go.

All too soon, she had finished her food and was looking around the crowd when she noticed him. He was wearing a dark hood but she could still see the long limbs, the light lavender skin and the long silver hair cascading over his back with a single forelock hanging down his face, but more because he stood out amongst the rest of the crowd.

She had a feeling that he'd put on the hood as to not attract any attention but had gotten the opposite reaction. Aliens were openly staring at him but the man didn't seem to notice or maybe he just didn't care.

Three plates were already set out before him, empty save for the stranger looking items on the plate that she swore moved and some of the tomatoes.

Lance hadn't realized she'd been staring until his gaze shifted and collided with hers. His eyes were blue with yellow sclera around them, noticing her staring he arched a delicate silver brow at her and Lance grinned.

She got to her feet and pushed through the crowd before taking a seat at his table across from him.

"I don't remember inviting you to sit with me," he said in amusement.

"Oh you did, your eyes say a whole story," Lance said with a grin.

"Oh?" the main said in amusement. "And what did they say?"

"They said and I quote, 'Lance you have permission to come sit at my table and convince me to eat the food that I ordered because I obviously have no idea what I'm leaving behind' and I of course could not deny such a blatant call for help so here I am." She said with a grin.

The man at the table chuckled in amusement, his eyes twinkling in the light.

"Well?" Lance questioned him, her blue eyes moving from the man to the food on the table in front of him, "Aren't you going to finish it? The tomatoes are the best."

The man glanced at his plate before looking back Lance with a wry grin. "You're not going to leave me alone until I eat these tomatoes as you call them aren't you?"

"I will stay right here and document this wondrous event and be ready with an 'I told you so' when you find how delicious they are." Lance replied as she put her hands under her chin and beckoned to the plate, "Well, go on. I have my lines all ready, just waiting on you."

The man laughed and picked up a fork and making sure Lance was watching, stabbed one of the blue tomatoes and stuffed it in his mouth. His eyes widened and Lance grinned as the man finished swallowing and groaned at her expression. "Oh don't say it…"

Lance took a deep breath and whispered back to him, "I told you so."

The man groaned and Lance laughed as she pretended to show him a picture, "Don't worry, I took a picture so you never forget this wondrous event, you can even frame it."

The man snorted and flicked a strand of silver hair back when it fell into his face, "You shouldn't have really."

Lance put a hand to her chest and grinned, "I absolutely had to. Why, one could say it was my duty."

A lizard like alien with green scales and a yellow apron tied around his waist walked by the table before placing down Lance's orders in a bag before her and scurrying off.

A light touch in her mind informed her that Keith was ready to go and Lance got up with a sigh.

"Leaving so soon?" the man asked with a hint of disappointment in his voice.

"I'm afraid so, my companion is waiting for me. It was very nice to meet you Mr…"

"Lotor," the Galra replied smoothly, "Call me Lotor."

"I'm Leah but everyone just calls me Lance. It was nice meeting you Lotor, take care!" and with a last wave over shoulder Lance picked up her bag and exited the tavern and made her way to Keith, unaware of the lingering gaze watching her go.

When Lance made her way over to him, Keith was pleased to meet her back in his human form. Those pills that Kusunoki had made for him worked fast, the purple splotches were gone, the fur was also gone and he was pleased to know that his temperature had magnifically cooled down to his regular human temperature.

He was still very hungry though, but as long as his appearance didn't change again he was okay with that. The four-armed alien had given him six bottles, three that carried his suppressants while the other three carried vitamins for he and Lance at no extra charge.

Keith couldn't suppress a grin as Lance looked him up and down in satisfaction. "Well don't you look handsome?"

Keith was secretly pleased by the comment and tried to hide his embarrassment with a scoff but judging by his friends' giggles he wasn't fooling her.

"I brought us some more food," Lance said with a proud grin as she held a plastic bag with two trays.

Keith arched a brow at her, "More food? You're going to get fat."

Lance screeched and took a step back, "You take that back!"

Keith just grinned and began to walk away.

"Keith? Not funny, you're practically jinxing me here!"

Keith chuckled and let her trail after him.

It was almost six in the morning when the two made it to the castle. The ride back had been a bit crowded what with all the gifts that Lance insisted they get the team.

Why they needed a cow was a complete mystery to him though.

That Earth store they'd passed had practically shoved the creature at them and Lance had gotten attached immediately.

The cows name was Kaltenecker and it had a serious staring problem. It hadn't stopped looking at Keith for the duration of the ride back and the red paladin was seriously starting to get offended.

Lance released another yawn as she parked the white cruiser in its usual spot before turning the engine off. Seeing Lance yawn made him involuntary yawn as well, come to think of it they had left in the middle of the night, it was natural that they be sleepy.

Lance unbuckled her seat and turned to the side as she rummaged through the bags before finding the two trays of food and setting one on Keith's lap.

"If I'm getting fat, then so are you. Eat."

Keith snickered and Lance sent him a glare that had him quickly opening the tray and stuffing his mouth with whatever food she got him.

"It's good," he remarked as he took another bite.

"Oh I know, I have excellent taste after all," Keith couldn't see it but he could practically feel Lance's smug grinning beside him.

For a while they just sat there eating in companionable silence until Keith cleared his throat.

"Before we go back, I just wanted to thank you for what you did, I understand that you didn't have to but I'm glad you did. Thanks Lance, for having my back." He said with a smile.

Lance looked at him softly and Keith feelt his heart pick up, "Anytime Keith. I'll always have your back."

Keith quickly looked away in order to hide the blush on his cheeks because the look Lance was giving him was just too much for his heart. Unwillingly, Shiro and Pidge's words rang through his head.

'Just tell her you feel'

Maybe now is the right time…

"I'll always have your back to you know," Keith began as he awkwardly scratched his cheek. "No matter what, I'll support you and be there when you need help."

There isn't a response so Keith rushed on ahead.

"You're really important to me, more than you even realize and-" Keith's breath catched as Lance leaned on his shoulder. "I just wanted to tell you that I like you. Like really really like you."

Still no response.

Keith scratched his head in frustration and he closed his eyes tightly before practically yelling his next words, "In fact, I'm pretty sure I'm in love with you!"

When there was still no response from Lance, Keith opened his eyes slowly only to see Lance's sleeping face inches from his own.

Keith slumped in his seat and let out a sad sigh. Of course this would happen. He has the worst luck.

Still…

Looking at Lance sleeping isn't so bad though.

She's pretty cute when she sleeps.

Keith's face flushed as Lance pressed herself closer to him before letting out a little smile.

Keith's face softened and he placed a chaste kiss on her forehead before he could lose his nerve and he leaned his head ontop of Lance's before slouching a little lower on his seat to get a better position.

So his confession wasn't heard, fine then. Maybe the timing wasn't right after all, but as his eyes roam over Lance's sleeping face, all he could think was that he had plenty of time to try again.

Next time, he'll make sure Lance is awake.

But for now, he'll enjoy this little moment between the two of them and have himself a good sleep next to the girl he loves.

An Amber Pen: Lance is probably the more oblivious one among the two of them XD thanks for the review!

lilnightmare17: Thanks for the review :)

Guest: Oh yes Pidge and Shiro are good at comforting Keith lol. Hunk and Lance have a good bromance going on XD