Hey guys. I finally had the time to write this one shot I've been dying to write. It's all about Klance and horses because I have a horrible obsession with horses lol.
Anyways, hope you enjoy!!
~~~
"Gallop!" Lance called, petting Storm's mane as she ran. She nickered and ran on. "Attagirl." He said. His grey and white paint horse was a beauty, with her amazingly blue eyes that match Lance's. Her eyes always reminded him of a storm, dark and mysterious, full of wonder, and sometimes even, magic. Hence how she got her name, Storm.
Keith ran next to him, smiling over Eclipse, his Thoroughbred black stallion, with a just a white nose, and his piercing amber eyes.
Their race was almost finished, and as they both ran, Eclipse had kept the lead, and Storm followed closely behind, right on his tail.
As they crossed the rope, entering the final lap, they were right next to each other. Lance could see the passion is Keith's eyes as he galloped with Eclipse. His hair blowing freely behind him in all his mullet glory, and his bullet of a horse. And people ask why Lance calls them Mullet and Bullet.
Keith and Eclipse crossed the rope first, Lance and Storm right behind them, and Allura, the stables director's daughter, shouted out "Keith and Eclipse win!" Kosmo, Keith's large husky -- and their barn dog -- howled, happy that his owner had won.
They both slowed their horses to trot and stopped. "Good race, Lance." Keith said as he looked over to Storm and Lance. "But you know that you guys can't out run Eclipse." He pointed out as he got off his horse, petting his mane.
"Pfft. Storm could easily out run Eclipse if she hadn't just got her new horseshoes. Right, girl?" Lance asked Storm. She nickered, approving. "Told you." Lance slid off Storm and pet her white mane. "My girl is just tired."
Keith huffed a chuckle, reining Eclipse and bringing him over to the stables. "Whatever you say Lance." And he disappeared.
Lance watched him leave, and then turned over to Storm. "You did amazing, girl. Someday we'll beat Keith." He said as he brushed his hand over her soft, short fur by her saddle, leaning his head on her snout. "Someday."
He stood there with her for what seemed for hours, feeling the wind in his hair and smelling the summer due.
Nothing else. Just him and his mare. Quiet and alone and-
"Lance! You guys were so close that time!" Hunk shouted as him and Pidge trotted on Pepper and Rover over to Lance and Storm.
"Gotta say, good job, dork. Even tho Keith still beat 'ya." Pidge said as they and Hunk approached him and Storm.
Moment officially ruined.
"Gee, thanks, Pidge." Lance mumbled.
"No problem." Pidge smiled cheekily.
Suddenly, Symphony, Allura's pretty white Mustang, neighed in horror from the stables. A shout from Shiro followed. "Symphony's loose!"
Allura whipped her head around toward the stables and hopped off her perch from the fence and raced over to where Symphony was rampaging to the back gate.
Lance got onto the Storm quickly and tapped her to move on and they stormed to Symphony. Ha. Stormed? Get it? Cuz Lance is riding Storm? Oh Lance cracks himself up.
Anyway, Symphony galloped over to the open gate, riders scrambling to close it. They did in time, thankfully, and Symphony slowed down into a trot and stopped, still shaken.
Allura raced over, her long, silver hair tied in a ponytail following her. "What happened?" She asked, eyes full of concern.
A few of the riders looked between each other, not knowing what had caused the, usually calm, Symphony. Shiro jogged over and Allura caught his eyes.
"Shiro what happened?" She questioned him.
Shiro huffed a sigh, shrugging his shoulders. He put his prostatic arm to his cheek and scratched it. "I honestly don't know, one minute she was fine while I was brushing her mane, and the next she took off when I tried to brush her lower belly."
Lance took a closer look at her belly, feeling it. He felt a bit of movement and his eyes widened, and let out a big gasp.
"What?" Allura said, peeking next to him, trying to see what was happening. Lance saw the glint in her eyes when she realized what Lance had gasped about. "Someone go get Keith!" She called, and Mazie, one of the riders, saluted and ran off toward the stables.
Keith was supposedly a stable boy -- and a very good medic (cough cough, someone else's words, not Lance's, cough) -- but they treated him more like a rider and a friend. Mostly because he was Shiro's younger brother and he was pretty cool. Sometimes. Not all the time.
Keith and Mazie ran over moments later, Kosmo right at their feet.
"What's wrong?" Keith asked, eyebrows tinted in confusion.
"Look for yourself, mullet boy." Lance stepped aside for him to take a look at Symphony. Allura did too, and even though she had a smile on her face, Lance could tell she was kind of terrified.
Keith grunted and got his med-kit out. He felt for her heart, and most likely heard it so he stepped away. Next he checked her muscles, legs, neck, back, but when he got to her stomach, he froze. Blinking, he gently pressed his thumb hard into her belly and she neighed, kicking her back feet. Some riders stepped back, careful not to get kicked in the face. Keith got to his feet, wrapped up his med-kit, and turned toward the waiting group. "She's pregnant." He announced.
Some riders murmured to each other, some shouted congrats to Allura, and some just stood there with wide eyes. Allura blinked and inhaled a breath. As she exhaled she ran up to Symphony and hugged her excitedly.
Keith backed up and stood next to Lance, scratching behind Kosmo's ears.
Lance leaned in to whisper in Keith's ear. "Nice work." A soft smile appeared on Keith's lips from the corner of Lance's gaze. Then he added, "But I already knew that."
Keith's smile turned to a scowl and he elbowed Lance in the ribs, receiving a sound of pain from Lance. "You're welcome." He said, then disappeared once more to the stable, Kosmo trailing behind him once more.
~~~
Lance always liked reading before going to bed. Especially the books that were soft, angsty, romantic, and sometimes, action-packed.
Simon vs.the Homo Sapiens Agenda is definitely his favorite though, most likely because he is struggling with his own gay problems. It didn't take long for Lance to realize his feeling for Keith, even though he may not ever admit them.
Keith was above Lance, despite being a "stable boy" when Lance first started training at Altea Fields Stables. Altea Fields was closet to home and a lot more cheaper then the Galran Barn. Just to rent a horse is too much money for Lance's family. And Altea Fields was much nicer.
The only nice thing about them was that the director's son, Lotor, had a crush on Allura, so Lotor was often sort of nice to them.
Alfor, Altea Fields' director, and Zarkon, the Galarn Barn's director, used to be friends, until all Zarkon cared about was money.
Anyway, Lance loved books and Altea Fields. So when Allura had offered him a new book, he was so excited. Especially because it was about horses and riding.
It was about a wild horse who was in the woods, riding free without a rider, until a small girl had got lost and found him. She had made the horse feel safe, until they were separated, and the horse died. Now, the horse roamed free as a ghost, trying to find his lost rider.
Ghost of the Wind it was called, and man did Lance enjoy it. On his way back to the stables to return it, Lance heard a loud whine of a horse. He clutched the book tight in his arms and found Symphony's stable door open and her not anywhere to be seen. He spun around, trying to find where she could've gone, then something caught his eye. A long, black van with a horse carrier. With a horse in it. A horse that sounds a lot like Symphony.
Lance's eyes widened when the van moved and he got a glimpse of the horse.
It was Symphony. And the horse thief was getting away.
Lance did the first thing that came to mind, he ran after it. He yelled for Allura, Coran -- Altea's co-director -- Alfor, anyone. "Symphony's getting stolen!" He yelled repeatedly.
Allura ran out of the ranch office, along with Coran and Alfor. Keith came out of Eclipse's stable and ran with Lance, trying to catch up.
Lance's heart was beating in his ears and he didn't know whether it was Keith being so close to him, or that his best friend's horse was getting stolen. Probably both.
They ran across the yard and when they reached the gate, the van was already gone and into the woods behind the barn.
Lance cried out No! and banged his fist on the fence, Keith drooping on it, trying to catch his breath. But it was too late.
She was gone.
Allura, Coran, and Alfor scurried over. "Where is she?" Allura asked, tears in her eyes, and rimmed with redness.
"She's gone." Lance croaked, his own eyes filling with tears.
Allura's eyes widened as she cupped her hands over her mouth, leaning against her dad for support. He hugged her close and stroked her hair, his face full of concern. "No." She muttered.
"I'm sorry, Allura." Lance cried as he turned to her. "I... should've been faster, and noticed quicker..." He felt guilt flooding into brain. It's your fault it repeated. You should've gotten there. You would have if not for your short, slow legs. His bottom lip trembled as he stared at Allura, waiting for a punishment. But she didn't give him one.
"It's not your fault, Lance." She said, leaning off of her father and embracing him in a big hug. "It wasn't any of our faults." Lance wrapped his free arm around her middle, other still clutching onto the book. His fingers relaxed a bit from his death grip on the book. He pressed his nose on her neck. "It's not your fault." She repeated.
Lance nodded and sniffled, pulling away. He wiped his eyes with his free hand. When Lance looked at Keith, he was staring at him with his head turned toward him, his face shook and confused. He obviously caught Lance looking, so he grunted and turned away. "What now?" Lance asked Alfor.
"Well," he started, turning between Keith and Lance. "I think it's time for a rescue mission."
~~~
When someone asks Lance to do something, he does it.
But when Alfor asked Lance to go on a 'rescue mission' with Keith to find Symphony, he didn't want to. Because this was Keith Kogane. His long-time rival in horse riding. His first crush. His first... everything.
Alex and Michael Height, some riders, helped him load his backpack and Keith's.
Alex and Mike were nice. They both had the same short, black hair with dark brown eyes. Mike had a splatter of freckles on his nose, so that's how you could tell them apart. And the fact that Alex is, well trans.
Anyway, the twins helped him and Keith pack and then they were off, only tents, sleeping bags, some food, some money, and them and their horses.
The first few hours went by quick, just calling out and sometimes stopping to rest and get drinks.
By the time night rolled around, they were all tired, so they found a clearing and rested.
Lance sighed. "Where could they have taken her?!We followed the road they went on, but nothing." He plopped down on the ground next to Storm and leaned against her, petting her muzzle. She let out a soft whine.
Storm and Symphony were actually sisters, different dads, but still. Lance and Allura had already been best friends by then, and Alfor bought Symphony as a birthday gift for 'Lura and gave Storm to Lance.
"'Lura's already so sad." He sighed.
Keith nodded, setting down the firewood they had just collected into a pile and using his match, he lit it. "Well, we're doing all we can. Right now, we need to sleep because it's dark, and the horses are tired and cold."
Lance shivered, wrapping himself in one of the blankets he brought and put the other on Storm.
"Hey, that's my blanket your using." Keith protested.
Before Lance could stop the words coming out of his mouth, he said, "We can share it."
Keith stared at him. Lance couldn't tell, but it looked like he was blushing. Even though Keith never blushes. Probably just the warmth of the fire. "What?" He asked, still staring at Lance.
"If you want it so bad, then we can just share it. It's big enough for the two of us." Lance said like it was an obvious answer. "And the horses can share the other one." He motioned for Storm to get up and go over to Eclipse, which she did. She laid down next to him as Lance set the blanket over the two of them. Then, he sat down next to Keith and covered himself, handing the other half to him. "Just take it."
Keith hesitantly wrapped the blanket around his middle, and leaned against the side of Eclipse.
Lance scooted closer and leaned against his friend's horse as well. Wait. Lance thought. Did I just call Keith my friend.. He felt himself stiffen, and Keith seemed to notice.
"You alright?" He asked, eyeing him.
Lance nodded, and set his head on Keith's shoulder.
"What are you-"
He was trying to protest again, but Lance didn't let him. "Shush. You're like, a walking furnace. And it's freezing." He snuggled closer as he heard Keith sigh and wrap his arm around Lance's middle.
They both fell asleep to the sound of crickets and their horses' soft snores.
~~~
Keith woke up before Lance. He found him passed out his shoulder, drooling, and he hated to admit it was somewhat cute.
He got up, brushed his hair with a hairbrush he had brought, and started another fire.
Lance had started to stir awake by then. After they finished eating a good breakfast of granola bars and sandwiches, they started traveling again.
A half an hour in, Lance was already bored and complaining. "Why didn't 'Lura let you bring Kosmo? He would've been a big help." He whined.
"Because Symphony is terrified of dogs, remember?" Keith sighed, then he added, "You of all people should know that."
Lance stammered a bit, then huffed. "I do know that. I just wish she wasn't because Kosmo can sniff her out easily."
"Whatever, Lance." Then silence followed for another ten minutes.
Lance broke it by rustling in his backpack. Next, Keith heard a soft tune and then it turned into a loud strum.
It scared both Eclipse and Keith. Storm just walked on, like it didn't bother her. He glanced over to Lance to find he had a guitar in his hands. "When did you bring that?" Keith questioned, scrunching his nose confusedly.
"Dude, I've had it. You didn't see Alex and I trying to stuff it into my bag?" He said, gesturing to his bag with an eye roll.
"No." He scrunched his nose again.
"Ugh, whatever man. Just let me play. I'm bored."
The rest of the day was Lance playing his guitar with surprisingly good skills, and singing songs while keeping an eye out for Symphony.
~~~
Time moved by fast. By the time it was Wednesday, they had already traveled all the way up north and were in another country, Canada. Going from Ohio all the way to Ontario.
Amazing what two horses can do in 5 days. But they very exhausted. So on Thursday, they took a day off to rest.
Keith and Lance found a horse friendly motel and stayed. Fortunately, room was cozy and comfortable. Unfortunately, there was only one bed. All of the two bed rooms were either taken or too expensive. Great. Lance didn't want to sleep next to Keith. Even if he was sort of cute, except for his mullet.
It rained all day, so they stayed inside the motel, talking, watching TV, planing where Symphony was, etc.
By nightfall, they were bored and tired, but didn't feel like sleeping. So they talked more.
The conversation flowed easily, until a horn blew outside. There were some yelling, then a knock at their motel door.
Lance got up to answer it, and the manager of the motel stood there with an umbrella, frown on his face.
"Were your horses in stable 4?" He asked.
Lance hesitated before answering him. "Yes, why?"
The manager stammered. "They were stolen.. we don't know when but, when our cleaners went to-" He had continued talking, but Lance didn't hear. All he heard was silence. Storm was gone too? And Eclipse. His prized possession was gone. Guilt flooded Lance's brain.
"-ance?" A voice called. Lance looked up to see that the manager was gone and Keith was standing in front of him. "Lance?" His eyes were glassy and Lance could tell his own were too. He felt a tear roll down his cheek but he wiped away the next that fell.
"Yeah?" He asked, still shaken. He means that literally. Lance can feel his knee buckling and head fuzzy.
"It's gonna be okay." Keith whispered.
Lance nodded dazedly. The next thing Keith did, Lance was caught off guard by. He wrapped him in a tight, reassuring hug.
He felt Keith's nose to his temple and a faint press of lips on his shoulder.
Lance embraced Keith back, pressing his nose onto the top of Keith's head and all his nose smelt was Keith, Keith, Keith.
That was what Lance had been wanting for forever. Keith.
Just Keith.
And Keith was what really mattered right now.
He felt Keith pull apart, so Lance followed, arms still wrapped around his middle. Soon, he felt Keith do something else unexpected, he kissed him.
Their lips slotted together perfectly, like a good rider on a good horse.
But as soon as it started, it ended.
Keith pulled away again, and stared at Lance. "I.. I'm sorry." He said, and backed up into the rain, his long, dark hair soon getting dripping wet from the downpour.
"Wait- Keith." Lance followed him out, closing the door.
Lance could tell by the sky, that it was around 10 PM, and all the lights were out, so no one was awake.
He saw tears streaming down Keith cheeks, and he smelled like rain now. He held out his hands and set them on his cheeks, thumbs wiping his tears. "Why did you pull apart?" He asked.
"I.." Keith stammered. His hair was so wet, it was sticking to his face and neck, and Lance thought it was adorable. "I thought you and Allura were... you know." He glanced away. "And Eclipse is gone and I.." Keith broke down crying.
Lance stared at him, rain dripping down his forehead. "What? Oh Keith..." He kissed Keith's cheek. "We're best friends. Have been since we were eight years old. I don't like her like that." He wiped the tears off his face, or rain. Then he added, "Plus, she's head over heels for Lotor." He chuckled. "But we'll find Eclipse. And Storm and Symphony."
Keith cracked a soft smile. "Really?" He muttered.
Lance nodded, and they kissed again.
Lance felt like he was in a movie, caressing his one true love in the pouring rain. They melted together, like they were one, until a thunder shook the ground and scared them. "Let's... go inside." Keith smiled.
The rest of the night were cuddles and comforting exchanges.
~~~
"Oh come on!" Lance complained after he got off the phone.
Keith looked over at him. "Couldn't because of the rain?" He asked.
Lance nodded, sighing while he ideally scratched his head. "Can't a guy just get one taxi. Just one." He got up from the desk chair of the motel room and strolled over to Keith, sitting on his crossed lap.
"Lance-" Keith started but he was cut off by a finger to his mouth. He pushed it out of the way. God, Lance was annoying but he sure was pretty. "Are we dating?" He asked.
Lance blinked and stared at him like the answer was obvious. "Yes, why would you think not?" He exclaimed.
Keith shrugged, kissing Lance's pretty face.
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.
Lance got up and answered it, Keith glancing over to see who it is. Over his shoulder, he could see the manager and him telling Lance something. Lance's eyes widened, and a big, beautiful smile appear on his pretty face. Lance turned and gestured for Lance to follow him out.
Getting up as well, Keith followed Lance and the manager out to find all three horses outside, and five men in all black in handcuffs.
"They.. found him?" Keith murmured to Lance. Lance nodded with his hands over his mouth, he started to sob as he approached his horse, Keith to his own.
Lance hugged Storm so tight, her legs were buckling and it looked like she was going to fall over.
Later, Keith phoned Allura to tell her they finally found Symphony, and were booking a train to come home to Altea Fields. Of course, Allura was so happy, Coran had to come over and calm her down.
They were finally going home.
~~~
Hey guys! I really hope you enjoyed this because this is literally the longest thing I've ever written, so it took some time.
If you want a small bonus, it'll hopefully be here soon, depending on how much time I have to do it. I've recently really gotten into the Percy Jackson series and reading has taken up a lot of my time (because I'm a massive bookworm.) I just want you to be patient with me so I can get done other things too.
Anyways, bye!
