"Do you have everything?" Shiro asked from the doorway. Keith shrugged idly. It seemed like Shiro already had everything they needed to bring put together in the bag that was in his hands. Nobody had been able to head home for Thanksgiving, especially with Christmas just a month away and airfare prices being what they were, so Coran invited all them over (actually, it had started with just Allura. Turns out the guy hated the idea of kids being disavowed and insisted they all join him.) to share a meal together. "Are you riding with me and Allura, or are you taking Red?" Keith shrugged again. "I'm going to need a real answer, Keith." Keith was waiting on his answer himself, and glanced down at his phone.

Keith: are you riding with pidge and hunk or do you want a little more excitement in your life

Lance still hadn't answered, and Keith was about ready to call it quits when the bubble that indicated someone typing popped up.

Lance: boy just having you in my life is excitement enough
Keith: oh very cute
Lance: thanks ;)

While Keith had somewhat gotten used to Lance's flirty comments through the course of a couple more dates, they still never failed to make his heart pound in his chest and his cheeks turn pink. The good thing about texting was that he could just play it off.

Keith: actually though do you wanna try riding red again or did i scar you for life last time?
Lance: i dunno
Lance: do you promise to keep me safe?
Keith: of course you idiot
Lance: then i think i can give it a go

Keith looked back up at Shiro, a blithe smile on his face. Shiro's expression shifted to one of understanding, also wearing a smile. "So, you'll be on Red, then."

"Yeah," Keith said, already starting out the door. Instead of taking the long way, as he was prone to do, he tried to get to Lance as quickly as possible.

It wasn't long before Keith was in the parking lot of Hunk and Lance's apartment complex, Hunk waving from his truck as he drove off already. Keith waved back at him, and then took a moment to check his phone before Lance came down.

"Hey babe," Lance said, not even realizing the effect this would have on Keith. Keith turned as red as his bike. Were they on to pet names already? The nature of the relationship hadn't even been established; were they still 'just dating' or were they boyfriends or what? Keith took a breath.

"Oh…hey, Lance," Keith muttered, unsure of how to respond to that.

"What were you looking at just now?"

"Hmm?"

"On your phone."

"Oh. I was looking up the most recent cryptid sightings."

Lance snickered. "I totally forgot you believe in cryptids."

Keith scowled, shoving his phone back into his pocket. "Shut up," Keith nudged Lance playfully with his shoulder. "Here, take the helmet." They both geared up and got onto the bike, and Lance was clinging to Keith just as much as he did the last time they rode together. Keith was kind of living for it, loving feeling Lance wrap around him for safety. Lance himself couldn't help but let out a small scream as they turned. Keith chuckled.

"Relax, I've got you," Keith shouted so Lance could hear him. "Try to have a little fun; it's exciting."

"Y-yeah," Lance managed to get out, pressing the side of his face (hindered by the helmet) into Keith's back. They turned again and Lance tightened his arms around Keith's waist, but he let a small cheer out.

"There ya go," Keith said, feeling himself smile. Lance's enthusiasm grew as they raced through the roads. It was only more encouragement for Keith, hearing Lance 'woo-hoo'ing behind him. They were both beaming at each other, laughing lightly when they got to Coran's house, and seeing Lance look so ecstatic as he took the helmet off made Keith want to kiss him more than he'd ever wanted to kiss Lance before. And despite that, he still couldn't make himself do it. He stood beside Red, frozen in place.

"Oh man, that was awesome! I'm actually really glad you made me try that aga—hey, you okay?" Lance moved towards Keith.

"Uh. Yeah. I'm fine, just… got in my own head for a second there."

"Yeah? Do you, uh, wanna talk about it?" Lance slung his arm around Keith, linking the two of them together. Keith shook his own thoughts away before smiling over at Lance.

"Nah, let's just go inside." Lance nodded at him, but their arms were still linked together when they went through the door.

"Oh, Lance, Keith!" Allura beamed at them. "I feel like I haven't seen you two in ages!" She hugged both of them in quick succession.

"Yeah, since, like, the Halloween party," Keith answered.

"Actually, Allura, I'd like to talk to you later, if you have the chance," Lance said. Allura looked at how he was standing next to Keith, and then gave Lance a knowing look. Ever since he'd met Allura, Lance felt like he could confide in her, and he did want to talk to her about his current situation with Keith. They'd been out three times and Keith had yet to let Lance kiss him. It was beginning to wear on Lance's confidence.

"Of course, Lance." Keith noticed how Lance seemed to brighten a bit after Allura said that, and then Lance spotted Pidge in the next room and nudged his way in, leaving Keith in the doorway.

"Hey, hey Pidge! Guess what!" The girl looked up from her phone as Lance called her attention. "Keith believes in cryptids!" Keith shot Allura a smile and then followed Lance into the other room as they spoke about him.

"Mothman is real!" Pidge blurted in response.

"Yes!" Keith shouted back. "Thank you, someone who gets it! Mothman is real and he's my boyfriend." Lance tried to frown, but couldn't help but to smile a bit.

"Wow, Keith… you really know how to hurt a guy." Keith couldn't help but crack a smile.

Keith's instinct was to ask, 'are we boyfriends?' But instead he pushed that instinct down, and tried to play it off. "Shut up," he said, chuckling a bit and nudging Lance with his shoulder. Coran looked up at both of them excitedly.

"Ah, you two made it! Glad ta see ya! Well, while the turkey's in the oven, why don't we start out with some board games!" Everyone was ushered towards the table, beginning a match of Clue. Keith couldn't help but notice how Shiro and Allura were resting their hands on each other's the whole time, how much those two were just plain perfect together, and the same went for Hunk and Shay, even though Shay wasn't there (her overprotective brother insisted on her going home for Thanksgiving). Keith mulled on these thoughts over dinner, until Shiro nudged him under the table. Keith looked across the table at the older man.

'You okay?' Shiro mouthed at Keith. Keith just sort of gave a small nod, but it was enough of a tell for Shiro to know a conversation needed to be had.

"Wow, Coran, I didn't know you could cook like this," Pidge remarked after everyone had finished eating.

"Oh, it was nothing, I just followed the recipes that Hunk sent me." She nodded; that made total sense. After another moment, Shiro nudged Keith underneath the table and nodded towards the backyard door. Keith nodded at him, and then excused himself before walking outside and plopping down on some of the patio furniture. Shiro wasn't far behind him.

"So, what's going on?" he asked, taking the seat next to Keith.

"I dunno, just…" Keith sighed, putting his head in his hands. It was out of nowhere, too. He'd felt like things were going well, but seeing actual functional couples made him feel all weird and displaced all over again. "Not living up to expectations, I guess."

"Whose expectations?" Keith knew why Shiro asked it the way he did. He wanted to know if he'd been putting undue pressure on Keith.

"Not yours. Don't worry. I guess… my own? I don't know, it seems like Lance and I should be… further along than we are. But both times he's tried to kiss me, I backed off. I think he took the hint since he hasn't pushed it since the first date. It's just like, I look at you and Allura, or Hunk and Shay, and y'all seem so… normalized in your relationship. I just… don't know if I can ever have that."

"It's 'normalized', one, because they're straight relationships, and the way society perceives us isn't constantly a worry—"

"Glad you're aware of your straight privilege. Sucks that things are still so… fucked up in that sense, in a world where we don't decide who we end up with." Keith's voice was morose. He didn't have to worry about disappointing anyone by turning out gay, but only because there wasn't anyone to disappoint.

"Yeah, well, gotta be aware of those things, I guess. And in terms of me and Allura, we've been together for like, four years. We've already dealt with each other's baggage. Just because we don't act like it now doesn't mean there were never problems. Allura's gone through some heavy shit; she's lost her home and her father and the closest thing she has to family is Coran, but soulmates are meant to be there for each other. To be a support system. She helps me with my problems, and I help her with hers. I think, if you talk to Lance about the worries you're having…"

"I can't, Shiro," Keith blurted angrily. He was letting his temper get the better of him. "I can't. I can't tell him that I'm a virgin, that I've never dated before, that I've never so much as kissed a guy and the closest thing I've had to a relationship was holding hands with a girl in the 5th grade."

"Why?"

"Okay, first of all don't sit there and try to psychoanalyze me. I'm not one of your CPS kids."

"I mean… you kind of are," Shiro answered. Keith just glared at him for a moment before continuing.

"Second of all, you know exactly why. And so do I. I know I keep everything close to me, because I didn't grow up with a support system or anyone to confide my secrets in. I know I need to let myself knock those walls down, but the real answer, Shiro? The real answer is that I'm afraid. And I hate being afraid! I hate that I want to do these things with him, that I have these feelings and don't know how to express them, and that I know he could help me with my issues but just CANNOT BRING MYSELF TO TELL HIM. Because he's going to judge me or think I'm an idiot, or… god, I don't know, I just… do you not think I know these things and that I am constantly infuriated with myself for it? Like, 'wow Keith just fucking talk about your feelings like a normal adult person' 'no, I can't, because I'm a giant gay COWARD'. There it is, all out on the line for you, Shiro. I cannot talk to my fucking soulmate because I'm scared." Keith was standing up, ranting, feeling his face heat up with a mix of embarrassment and anger and frustration, just staring at Shiro and taking heavy, fast breaths. Shiro took a deep breath and stood, putting a hand on Keith's shoulder, but Keith jolted away from him. "Please, just… don't touch me right now." He was bordering on hyperventilation, near an anxiety attack.

"Sorry," Shiro muttered, sitting back down. "Keith, sit. Look at me." For once, Keith was glad Shiro was handling him with kiddie gloves. He normally hated when Shiro did that Dad schtick, but when Keith got into this state, Shiro knew exactly what to do. Keith sat down as instructed, and looked straight at Shiro. "Can I take your hands?" Keith nodded as calmly as he could at him, breath still hitching a bit as Shiro grabbed his hands. "Keith, look at me. Deep breaths. In," Shiro inhaled through his nose, slowly, and Keith followed his lead. "And out. Again. In, and out." Keith was already beginning to feel himself calm down. "One more. In, and out. Good." Keith blinked up at Shiro. "Okay. Listen. I understand you need to take your time with these things, but… maybe just ease into things."

Keith nodded, slowly coming back into himself. "What do you think… a good first step would be?"

"Maybe, just establish what the relationship is. Or explain why you don't want to kiss him yet."

"I do want to kiss him, I just can't do it."

"Okay… well if he really cares about you, which I know for a fact he does, he'll understand and be patient." Keith took another long breath.

"Okay… okay… you're right. I just need… some time."

"Do you want me to give you another minute?" Shiro asked. Keith nodded, sinking in on himself again. Shiro gently patted him on the back and then sauntered back inside.

Keith left the table, and then a moment later, Shiro left the table, leaving Pidge, Hunk, and Lance just looking at each other befuddledly. Allura glanced at Coran, and then back to the others. "I think we should just give them a moment," she muttered.

"Of course!" Coran said. "Shall I fetch dessert?"

"Yes!"

"Yes!" Lance and Hunk answered simultaneously. Coran fetched the pie, and cut everyone a slice (pumpkin or pecan, depending on their preferences.) Once everyone was served, he stood up and clinked his glass.

"I think a toast is in order!"

"A toast sounds delightful," Allura smiled at him.

"If you would do the honors, then, Allura?"

"Oh, I… sure," Allura faltered. "I would like to toast to… ah, to good friends and good family. May we all remember to be thankful for those we have in our lives, and not forget those who are not here." Coran nodded subtly at her. He knew she was talking particularly about her father, and he shared the sentiment. Alfor had been a great friend of his. They all clinked their glasses together, and then Allura cleared her throat quickly, remembering what Lance had said to her when he and Keith walked in. "Oh, could I borrow Lance for a moment?" Nobody seemed to have much a response besides Lance looking up at her. The two took their pie into an adjacent room, but still private enough to not worry about the others being privy to their conversation. "So what was it you wanted to talk about?"

"Man, just like, things with Keith. They've just sort of…grinded to this halt. I don't know what's up with him. I can tell there's a lot going on in his head, but he sure fuck won't share it with me. I really want, like… a deeper relationship but he hasn't even let me kiss him yet. I don't even know if we're like, boyfriends or what. Thought you might have some insight, since you and Shiro are like… couple goals."

"Hmm. I think… well, it's hard to say. Keith seems more closed off about his emotions. Just give it time."

"Ugh… it's probably my fault, too."

"What makes you say that?"

"He doesn't know that I know that we're soulmates. We talked about it at the Halloween party, but I told him I didn't remember…"

"You did what? Well no wonder he's so gunshy about talking about feelings; he told you that you two are soulmates and…"

"I know, I screwed up and am beyond surprised he's dating me anyway… I…" Lance let out a sigh. "I got in my own head. I'm… not out to my family. I had a moment of weakness and I panicked, and as soon as I get home for the holidays I'm going to tell them, and then I'm going to come clean with Keith, I just… I don't know, I want him to want things to be more."

"I think he does, but… hmm. You have to be honest with yourself, and then be honest with others. I think in admitting your attraction to him, you've accomplished the first part. So now all you need is the second part."

"You make it sound easy. I'm so worried about… about letting people down. Worried about what Mama will think."

"Lance, I can't promise that everything will be okay at home, because I don't know. But if nothing else, you have found a family here. And I don't want you to question whether or not you belong here." Allura placed her hands gently on top of Lance's, and smiled at him.

"Thanks, Allura. I'm just… trying to sort everything out."

"The only way to do that is to talk to Keith."

"I know… I need more time."

"I think what you need right now is a hug." Lance nodded a bit, and Allura pulled him into a hug. "Shiro and I are always here for you, Lance." Lance nodded again into her shoulder, and after another moment, they returned to the kitchen table. Shiro had rejoined the group, but Keith was still sitting outside.

"Is he okay?" Lance asked.

"He just needed some air," Shiro answered. Lance furrowed his brow, tempted to agree with him. Instead, he shook his head for a moment.

"I'm going to go talk to him."

Keith looked up as the glass door as it slid open again. Expecting to see Shiro returning, he was surprised to find Lance there instead.

"Hey, man," Lance said, sitting across from Keith. "You alright?"

"Yeah, I just… dunno. Working through some stuff."

"Yeah, I feel that." Keith raised an eyebrow at him. Somehow that didn't really make him feel better. "Just…uh…know that I've got your back." Lance put an arm around Keith, resting his hand on Keith's thigh.

"Uh. Thanks," Keith muttered. "I got you, too." And he finally conceded to Lance's type of affection, and leaned into Lance's shoulder. Lance pressed his nose into Keith's hair, and he took a breath and took a risk and very gently kissed the top of his head. Keith's eyes widened, but he didn't jolt away, and Lance felt a light fluttering in his chest. Maybe, if they both worked their issues out, this would actually work.