"Now do you regret going into the freezing water during winter?" Keith asks besides me.

"No. I saw a fish." My teeth chatter and I wrap his jacket closer to me. "And I got my sand."

I hold the full jar up triumphantly but quickly set it down because of the cold. The sun is already setting down in front of us-what we've been waiting for. Besides me, Keith gives off warmth like a radiator. Who would have known he was so warm?

"I'll try to get Shiro to get you sand. He's in a small village in Asia right now and should be back in three weeks."

"What! Really? Can I meet him?" I feel him nod.

"Yeah, he really wants to meet you too."

I turn around and look at his face. It's red. And it's not because of the sun's dying light.

"You talk to him about me?"

"I-umm. Yeah. Of course I do. Why wouldn't I?" He says defensively.

"That's cute."

"What is?"

I curl myself into a ball and lean against him once more.

"You getting all defensive. It's adorable."

"I'm not adorable. I'm scary. You should see people get out of my way in the hallways. I inspire fear."

"You're adorable."

"I never knew my mother. And my father died when was eleven. I guess besides my adoptive moms, the only real family I had since then was Shiro. Before the military, he used to work at my dad's auto shop; that's how I met him. He tried taking me under his wing after my dad's death but the courts decided that he was too young. But ever since then, he's looked out for me."

The sun has already set but we decided to stay a little longer. Now that I've dried, the night is actually quite warm considering it's still officially winter. I shift closer to him as we look at the stars and wait for him to continue.

"I wanted to do what he does." He says suddenly. "I mean, he helps other people besides Pidge's family. I tried to get into the academy he had to get to to do what he does but they found out I wasn't over sixteen and kicked me out."

"Wait, you infiltrated an academy?" I look at him and he smiles wryly.

"I had everything planned out but in the end the thing that got me was a loyal customer. It turned out that my dad used to routinely fix up a lieutenant's car and he remembered me from before. Small world."

"What happened?"

"I moved back with my moms and started school here." He pauses for a second. "In a way, I suppose it was a good thing, though."

"Why?" I ask.

"I would never have found this place. Or met Pidge. Hell, even fighting Lance is something I'm grateful for."

"Really?"

"Without all of that, I would have never met you."

"Here we are." I tell him as he walks me to the front door. "Home sweet home."

I see Lance's shadow peeking out from the front window and manage to restrain the urge to flip him off.

"Do you want to hang out Sunday?" He blurts out.

"Yes! Well, um, I have to ask my mom, but that's a yes from me." That's a yes from me? "Um, that was really cringy. Ignore that."

Keith laughs and shakes his head.

"No, it's actually kinda cute."

"It is?"

"Yes." There is a moment- a split second- where I think we're going to kiss but the door swings open and my mom steps out smiling.

"This must be Keith, nice to meet you. I'm Martha."

I feel a mix between disappointment and relief. Keith looks panicked for a second at the sight of my mom but then schools his expression and smiles.

"It's nice to meet you too, ma'm."

He shakes her hand and she beams even more at him.

"Please, come in have dinner with us,

"I'm sorry." He says apologetically. "My moms are expecting me, we have a family dinner every Friday. But thank you."

My mom nods approvingly; her weak spot has always been family and in that instant, I know that Keith has already won her over.

"Very well, it has been a pleasure meeting you. I suppose this is that part where I warn you what happens if you hurt my daughter."

"Mom!" She waves me off.

"But I'm pretty sure a young man such as you already knows. Aw, come here."

She envelops him in a hug and I try not to laugh at his confused face. Out of the three of us, mom is the most affectionate one- a trait that she always complains we lack.

"Have a good dinner, Keith. It was nice meeting you."

With that, she walks back inside but doesn't close the door. It's clear to us that she's giving us time to say goodbye but to be quick about it.

"It was nice today-" He begins to say but behind me, Lance interrupts.

"Please stop, my ears."

"Lance!" I glare at his form that's watching T.V. in the living room. He shrugs and I turn my attention back at Keith.

"Yeah, it really was. Thank you, by the way."

"Yeah, of course."

I smile at the jar of sand, suddenly unable to meet his eyes. The awkward moment continues. Say something, Lizzy.

"Okay, I'll ask my mom about Sunday. See you later." With that, I snap my fingers and finger gun. "Bye."

I quickly close the door.

"So, how was the date?" Lance asks me curiously.

"I just finger-gunned my way out." I whisper in horror.

Without waiting to see his reaction, I bolt out the front door. Keith is already walking back to his bike.

"Keith!" He turns around and I run up before I lose my courage. "Today was great. The greatest day I've had in a long time. Actually, being with you is the greatest day every day. And um," I rise to my toes and kiss his cheek. "Yeah. That."

He stands frozen there as I step back. His face begins to redden as he absorbs what just happened.

"Yeah. That." He repeats slowly.

"I'll see you later. Goodbye, Keith."

I run back into the house before I can mess up another moment.