Chapter 2 - I Mustache You a Question

It was a relief to get out of the car and finally stretch his limbs, but the good-looking man with an incredible body who bounded out the open front door like a little kid, got Lance's heart pounding in a bad way. He knew this was Shiro, who Keith hadn't seen in at least six months. Shiro caught Keith up in a huge hug, which, in spite of his anxiety, put a smile on Lance's face. Lance himself hung back by Hunk and Shay once they also got out of the car.

His eyes flickered to the door again as two women came out of the house. One, a short girl with floofy hair and glasses ran up the walk and just as eagerly jumped on Keith for her own hug. That would be Pidge, Keith's best friend. The willowy white-blond woman who gracefully made her way down the porch steps and the walk nearly took his breath away. She was beautiful in a way Lance could appreciate. Allura appeared more reserved, but welcomed Keith as lovingly as Shiro.

It only took a few minutes for the three to get their fill of Keith's hugs before turning their attention to their guests. Lance fidgeted nervously, though he put on his most charming smile. One which never failed to win people over to him – at least initially. His eyes stayed steadily on Keith, however, as it grounded him. When Keith met his eyes with a loving and encouraging smile, he felt slightly better. He'd show Shiro and Pidge.

They finally let Keith go and Keith held his hand out to the side as a way to beckon Lance to him. He swallowed and approached the small group. Fuck, he hadn't realized Shiro would be this intimidating in person. Sure, he had seen pictures of the guy, but he towered over Lance's tall form. And his chest appeared a hundred times bigger around than Lance. Even if it were in his nature to be a cruel asshole, he knew he'd never ever hurt Keith simply from the fear Shiro inspired in him.

Shiro's expression was neutral. The phrase 'you're dating a child' echoed in Lance's head as he approached and he wanted to throw up. Shiro didn't appear embarrassed or contrite about it. His eyes simply stared Lance down as he joined the small group of Keith's loved ones.

Keith's hand in his did much to reassure him, however, and he felt a small squeeze of pressure. Yet, even he could feel the tension in Keith's body through his hand. "Guys, this is Lance McClain," Keith said without any preamble. "Lance? This is my brother, Shiro, his girlfriend Allura, and my best friend, Pidge."

"HI!" Lance nearly shouted, cursing silently as he broadcast his nervousness with his loud greeting. He winced when he heard Pidge snort. "Hi," he repeated, his tone a little more modulated. "It's nice to meet you." He felt deflated that his nerves got the best of him, making him present himself like an idiot.

"It's nice to meet you too, Lance," Allura said in a voice that was musical and foreign. He couldn't tell if it was a British accent or something from Australia or New Zealand – he wasn't good at differentiating them and Keith had never mentioned Allura wasn't from here. Or, maybe she was and had the accent from her parents? He knew when he was excited his Spanish accent slipped into his voice. He dropped Keith's hand in order to hold his out to shake hers, but she surprised him by giving him a hug. Not that he minded – it was a good sign in his mind – but it was unexpected.

Shiro, however, held out his hand for Lance and, once detangling himself from Allura's embrace, he shook it. "Welcome, Lance," he said, squeezing Lance's hand probably a little tighter than necessary. His tone, also, bordered on stern and did nothing to make Lance actually feel welcome.

"Give him a break, Shiro," Keith said, rolling his eyes. "Quit being an asshole." Keith pulled Lance's hand from Shiro's.

"So this is the famous Lance McClain," Pidge drawled, her arms crossed and frowning at Lance, obviously not wanting to shake hands.

"Pidge," Keith said in a warning tone.

"What? I've heard so much about you."

Lance was at a loss for words. He couldn't read her tone, which was not friendly in the least, but her eyes were sparkling behind her glasses and she looked amused. He looked at Keith and knew he probably look panicked. This wasn't going well at all and he saw his whole relationship crashing into the ground. Until Keith's eyes met his.

"Ugh, I don't know why I wanted him to meet you if you're just gonna be mean and intimidate him. I thought you were past this shit," Keith grumped.

Shiro put his arm around Keith's shoulder. "I'm playing the part of good big brother."

"You're playing the part of a dick is what you are." He beckoned to Hunk and Shay, who had stood back by the car watching the scene quietly, but with evident worry in their expressions. They approached together and Keith introduced everyone to them.

"So, Keith told me you built your own robot when you were twelve," Hunk said to Pidge excitedly. Lance knew Hunk had been looking forward to meeting Pidge, who could talk the same language as him. He also knew that Hunk was master of deflecting tension.

"Yeah. Keith said you were going for a PhD in Aerospace Engineering! That's so awesome! I'm in engineering at Garrison, but never thought about Aerospace. I definitely need to talk to you about it. I haven't committed to Altea, as of yet, but it's between there and Cal Tech."

"I'd love to see the robot you built," Hunk said.

"Sure, it's back at my parents' house. We can go there sometime this week. Actually, for some reason mom and dad want to meet this lame-o Keith dragged home," and Lance once again winced at her words, "so I'm sure you'll be over for dinner at some point. Matt's supposed to be home next weekend, for the party."

Though Hunk frowned slightly at Pidge's words, he nodded. "Sounds awesome. So how did you build it? How'd you get parts?"

Pidge and Hunk became lost in their conversation and moved away from the others to talk shop. Shay shook her head, "I think I've lost him for the next two weeks," she commented in what Lance knew was her mock-sad voice.

Allura smiled at her, "I hear, however, that congratulations are in order. Keith told us Hunk proposed recently!"

Shay blushed prettily, "He did! Thank you! It wasn't a complete surprise, but the way he did it was."

"I want to hear all about it!" Allura gushed. "Come on, I'll show you where you'll be sleeping and you can tell me."

The two young women walked toward the house, leaving Lance alone with Shiro, Keith, and his crushed ego. Pidge, apparently, already hated him, and he didn't know why. Sure, he was a little awkward, but wasn't it to be expected? She snap judged him because he was nervous? And Shiro wouldn't stop looking at him with that stern glare. This was going to the worst and longest two weeks ever.

"Party?" Keith asked.

"Sam and Colleen decided to throw a little party for Pidge's graduation," Shiro responded.

"Oh. I didn't know. I thought you guys had something back in May."

Shiro shook his head. "We knew you'd be home at some point, so they decided to wait. Since you wouldn't be able to make it back in May, what with your own schedule."

"I'm glad they waited."

"It's just a small thing. The Holt's and us. Pidge didn't want anything more." He turned his eyes to Lance, "So, Keith told me you're a grad student," Shiro stated and Lance wasn't sure if he was stating a fact or wanted Lance to expand on it.

"Uh, yeah. At Altea. For my doctorate." Lance could hear how cowed and flat his voice sounded.

"Marine Biology, right?"

"Yes, sir."

Shiro's eyebrow raised. Lance felt foolish, which was not something he liked to feel.

"You're impossible," Keith finally interjected. "Come on, Lance. Let's get our stuff. We can go in and put it in my room." He pulled Lance toward the car, activating the trunk release with the key fob. Lance stumbled after him, fighting to control the tears that stung at his eyes. Keith looked irritated as he muttered under his breath. He yanked his bag and Lance's out of the back, as well as Hunk and Shay's things. "We can take theirs in," he said, a little more calmly.

"Need help, Keith?" Shiro asked, his voice now more normal and kindly.

"We've got it," Keith said shortly and led Lance into the house, past Shiro, past Hunk and Pidge, who hadn't budged from the front walk and seemed lost in their discussion.

The house was close to what Lance expected. Keith had said it was stuck in the sixties because Shiro didn't have the heart to change the ancient orange shag carpeting, no matter how much Keith begged him. There were pictures on the walls Lance couldn't wait to look at, and somewhat modern looking furniture.

"Allura hasn't influenced Shiro yet?" Keith snorted as they passed through the living room. "I could have sworn once she moved in there'd be some better decorating choices happening here."

"At least there's not plastic on the furniture like my house," Lance said in an attempt at a joking tone, which didn't quite work. He saw Shay in the kitchen area talking with Allura, who was placing glasses on a tray. She gave him a sweet little smile, though she didn't stop telling Allura the story of Hunk's proposal.

Keith chose not to answer and instead led him down a narrow hall to the last bedroom on the right. "My room," he said and pushed the door open. Lance, in spite of his frame of mind, couldn't wait to see Keith's childhood room. There wasn't a bed, just a futon, as Lance knew Keith took all his furniture when he moved to Altea. There was an Alien "I Believe" poster on the wall, which didn't surprise Lance at all, and a bunch of band posters. Lance was captivated, however, by the large mural painted over two of the walls, which Keith had told him he had painted when he was a teenager. It was a gorgeous medieval scene of a castle and marching knights in a battle.

"I tried to make it "Lord of the Rings"-ish," Keith said, looking a little embarrassed about it, though Lance thought it actually looked good.

"It's awesome, baby!"

"Sorry about Shiro and Pidge. I thought once we were here they'd apologize or something. And not be assholes."

Lance turned away from the mural, which he had moved closer to to get a good look at it. "You don't have to apologize," he began. He didn't want to be critical of the closest people in Keith's life. This was awkward enough as it was. They hadn't talked to him, so how could they judge him like that? Just because he was dating Keith?

"I do," Keith insisted before Lance could say anything else.

"No, you don't." Lance knew his voice was firmer than usual at the way Keith's eyebrows raised.

"I've never seen him be a dick like this before," Keith said, frowning.

"How many boyfriends have you brought home to meet him?"

"You know the answer to that."

"Maybe he and Pidge think the idea of us is ridiculous."

"Lance…"

"I mean, yeah, we are moving really fast, aren't we? We became boyfriends two days after meeting, Keith."

"It doesn't excuse rudeness…"

"And I don't know about you, but I'm pretty serious about this whole thing. I think you are too. Maybe that's freaking Shiro out. I would freak out, I guess, if one of my siblings did the same thing. It's weird though, because none of my siblings freaked out about it when I told them, but I haven't brought you home yet."

"Lance!"

"Maybe they'll freak out when I bring you home, but I don't even know when that will be. Maybe we can do it for winter break? I know we talked about summer break next year, but it's kinda hot. Miami is nice at that time of year. I mean, winter break time. You know, not too hot, but it never gets cold there anyway, not like it can get here in the winter. Anyway, maybe my siblings don't even care whether or not I'm dating. Or care about anything. It's nice your brother cares so much about you that he just assumes I'm a bad person and hates me right off the bat."

He felt Keith grab his upper arms and shake him a little. "Lance!" Lance snapped his mouth shut and looked at Keith with wide eyes. He could see how concerned Keith was, but when he was nervous and his insecurities got out of hand, he tended to ramble. Hunk was familiar with this and knew how to snap him out of it, but he realized Keith hadn't seen this yet and now he felt twice as bad. Not only did Keith's brother hate him, but now Keith had seen how crazy he was.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I just…I just. I…"

"Sweetheart, don't say you're sorry. It's ok. Really, it's ok." Keith let go of him so he could wrap his arms around him, holding Lance as close as possible. "Take a few deep breaths, ok? Calm down for me? Here, breathe with me," he requested, taking a few slow breaths himself.

Lance did as he was told, his hands coming up to rest at Keith's waist. It helped. Keith handled him differently than Hunk, but the result was the same. "I'm sorry. I mean, I'm sorry I freaked out."

"It's ok," Keith said again, pulling back a little to look him in the eyes. He lifted his hand to rest against Lance's cheek. "What's in your head right now?"

Lance blinked. No one had ever asked him that, but then, Hunk and Shay usually knew, as they'd known him so long. "I'm scared," he admitted.

"What are you scared about?"

"I don't want you to leave me."

"I'm not going anywhere, Lance," Keith said firmly. "I'm all yours, ok? I need you to believe it. Nothing is going to change that. Not Shiro, not Pidge. Nothing. If they don't like you, and," he added when Lance winced, "I don't see it being a possibility, by the way. But even if they don't, you're stuck with me. I'm not giving up what we have for anything. You are the one who's made me the happiest I've ever been in my life."

He felt the sting of tears again, only happy ones this time. Lance knew it was ridiculous of him to worry, but he couldn't help it. He leaned in to kiss Keith, then pressed his forehead against his. "Thanks, Keith," he said softly. "I needed to hear that. I've never been happier my whole life either."

"I'll tell you as many times as you need to hear it. Shiro and Pidge will come around and will love you, I know they will."

It was on the tip of his tongue. He almost said it. How he hoped they would love him, as Keith said, because he loved Keith with all his heart. He wanted to say it, but held back because he didn't want to say it after a near panic attack. Instead, he nodded and said he hoped so.

"You ok to go back out there? Possibly rescue Shay and Hunk?"

Lance chuckled and nodded as he pulled back. "Thanks for calming me down."

"It's what I'm here for," Keith said, kissing him on the cheek. "Don't let anything ruffle you, ok? I'm here and we're going to have a great couple of weeks. I promise."

When they came out of the bedroom and went into the living room area, which opened up to the kitchen, they found Allura and Shay still in conversation at the breakfast bar. Shiro had joined them and Lance noticed Pidge and Hunk were in the living room looking at something on a laptop Pidge had perched on the coffee table. Hunk gave Lance a smile, though he was still listening to Pidge. He considered joining Hunk on the couch, but Keith had a hold of his hand and tugged him over to the other three.

"Are you still gonna be an asshole?" he asked Shiro.

Shiro looked embarrassed, especially since Allura broke off mid-sentence and shot her boyfriend a glare. "Shiro!"

Shiro shrugged, though he did look a little repentant. "Gotta play the part of protective dad, you know."

"That's not the way to do it, Shiro," she said. "Lance, honey, don't listen to him. He's a big softie, so don't be intimidated by him."

Lance glanced hesitantly at Shiro and then tried to smile at Allura. "I'll try."

Keith squeezed his hand again - he seemed to be doing that a lot. He must realize it gave Lance an anchor.

"Shay was telling us about Hunk's proposal," Allura said, easing the tension. "That must have been so fun."

"It was," Lance said, glad the focus was off him and now on his best friends. "Keith and I helped him set it up. It was so romantic."

"I'm looking forward to the escape room this week. Matt says the one near his place is pretty good!" Allura said.

"I call Pidge!" Keith said.

"Then we call Hunk," Allura said. "According to Shay, he's a genius too."

"He is!" Lance said, as he finally felt he could say something without sounding like an idiot. "Hunk is the smartest person I know."

"I don't know, sweetheart," Keith said. "You're pretty smart too."

Lance shrugged, looking down. "Oh, not really. Not like Hunk anyway."

"Stop putting yourself down, Lance," Shay said in a firm tone unusual for her. He caught her eyes and could interpret the look. 'Have some self-confidence!' she seemed to say with her expression.

"Sorry."

"How was the drive up?" Shiro asked Keith.

"Oh, not so bad. Lance offered to sing for us, but Hunk and Shay shot that idea down," Keith said.

"It was really for our own sanity," Shay said, ignoring Lance's look of betrayal he shot her.

"I have a great voice, Shay!"

"We established that, Lance," Shay said patiently. "It's your choice of material we took issue with."

With that, Shay explained to Allura and Shiro the road trip from Miami saga, which had the other woman laughing. Allura's laugh was delightful and exuberant. Shiro listened with a half-smile and Lance didn't know what to make of it. He still felt uneasy, in spite of Keith's assurances and the pressure of Keith's hand, and the sweet smiles of Shay. He caught Shiro staring at him thoughtfully a few times as Shay talked and he felt himself becoming more and more drawn inward.

He couldn't figure out what he had done. That was the worst of it all. Lance, in spite of his insecurity, thought he was a likable person. He was outgoing in many ways, friendly, and, he modestly thought, funny. Sure, he could be annoying and overbearing, especially when excited about something, but he didn't think he showed any of those negative traits in the three seconds it took for him to get out of Keith's car when they arrived. Were they really taking out Keith's silence on their relationship at the beginning out on Lance? Keith had apologized and explained, so it should be over. Keith didn't even keep it a secret for very long. There had to be something else.

Shiro started texting Matt, asking when a good night to come visit would be and told them Matt could easily get out of work early on Wednesday and would reserve them places at the escape room. Allura told them the Holts expected them all to come to their home at least a few nights. They were looking forward to meeting Lance, Hunk, and Shay as well. Allura assured Lance with a glare sent to her boyfriend, he was sure to meet a much nicer reception than he had at their home.

Lance tried to object as Shiro spluttered a little at Allura. His impression of Allura was overall positive. Not only what he had heard from Keith, but the young woman exuded kindness. In a way, she reminded Lance of Shay, so it was no wonder the two young women appeared to get along. They certainly gossiped with each other like two old friends and seeing that did much to ease Lance's heart.

He turned his head to watch Hunk in the living room, the dark haired head of his friend leaning close to the sandy haired head of Keith's best friend. Hunk looked so happy to be talking with Pidge. She, in turn, eagerly talked to Hunk and again, Lance felt supremely happy that more people in the world were getting to know the amazing awesomeness of the two people he loved.

The mention of dinner drew Lance's attention. Allura asked him if he wanted to go down to her uncle's restaurant. The same one Keith had pointed out on the way through town where he had worked. Lance hesitated, unsure if he should voice his opinion. He felt himself nod, however, as he smiled at Allura. She really was too kind.

"I'd like that," he replied, fully aware his tone of voice was nowhere near normal. "Keith said it's his favorite place."

"It wasn't when Keith worked there," Allura said with a laugh, which earned her a small, but playful glare, from Keith. "But it's good to know his opinion has changed."

"When did you get a minivan?" Keith asked once everyone had piled into the vehicle after a quick car shuffle. Keith, Lance, and Pidge wedged themselves into the middle seat; Hunk and Shay settled in the back. Shiro and Allura sat in the front, of course.

"It's Allura's," Shiro answered, his eyes on the backup camera now that he shifted into reverse – after he made sure everyone buckled up.

"I wanted one," Allura said, simply. "The seats in back fold down, so it's easy to haul stuff for the house and the garden."

"O. K." Keith said with a shrug. He reached over to take Lance's hand. Lance thought he must look nervous or something. Pidge sat with arms crossed, staring out the window. Lance tried to think of something to say to her, but nothing came to mind.

In fact, the whole mood of the van was tense. Shay and Allura, who had struck up an immediate friendship, were too far apart to carry on a conversation and neither Pidge nor Shiro apparently felt the need. He looked over his shoulder at Hunk and Shay, who gave him sympathetic looks.

"Have you lived here all your life, Pidge?" Shay asked.

"Not exactly," the girl answered, relaxing her posture a little. "But I was young when we moved in and I don't remember the other place."

"And your parents? What do they do? I know your brother works on the coast."

"They're professors at the university. Science. Dad teaches Physics and Mom teaches Biology."

"Keith said you were thinking of going to Altea?"

"I'd like to. Especially after talking to Hunk, I'm thinking what he's doing is interesting. I knew Altea offered Aerospace, but now I know it's a good program. My parents are pissed I haven't decided, but I want a semester off anyway to work on a project. I can start in January."

Lance, in spite of Pidge's hostility toward him, got excited at the idea. Keith would have his best friend in town, if Pidge were to go to Altea. Hunk would have someone to talk shop with when he wanted. Lance certainly couldn't. "That would be awesome if you went to Altea! It's a great university!" he said enthusiastically at Pidge. He hoped she would see he wasn't a threat. "Keith would love to have his best friend with him!"

She shot him a glare, which made him shrink inside himself. "I haven't decided, though," she said over her shoulder to Shay, completely ignoring anything Lance said. "I know Keith keeps saying Altea is a nice school, but it's good to know from Hunk that it's good too."

An uncomfortable silence settled in the van again, but thankfully, Shiro pulled up into a parking spot on the quaint little street in the middle of town. Instead of driving past, they now parked at the little restaurant Keith pointed out earlier that day.

"Looks like Uncle is here," Allura said as she unbuckled her seatbelt. She nodded at a rather loud colored orange Beetle parked a few spaces down.

"Nice car!" Lance said, waiting for Pidge to slide out of the van before he followed. The car was a lurid orange, and painted with colorful flowers.

"Uncle is a bit of a hippy. But he's the nicest man in the universe. Would do anything for you if he likes you."

She led the way into the restaurant, a cheerful place smelling of grease and cooked food. The bright yellow walls warmed the heart, as did the funky artwork hung around the restaurant. Allura explained the paintings were from the art students at Garrison University and her Uncle sold them for the students.

"I used to have a bunch of paintings hung up here," Keith mentioned, his hand gripping Lance's tightly.

"Did you sell any?"

"Oh yeah. They all sold."

"My boy was one of my most popular artiste's!" a loud, excited voice belted out from the door to the kitchen.

"Uncle Coran!" Allura said brightly. She smiled lovingly at her uncle, but Lance saw a slight tightening of her face.

"My dearest Allura!" the man said, coming toward them with his hands held out; he took both of Allura's in his. He bent at the waist and kissed them. "How nice to see you again!"

Allura's tinkle of a laugh echoed through the restaurant. "You saw me just yesterday, Uncle," she admonished him. "I brought you new people to meet," she said.

He straightened up, his eyes sparkling as he looked over Lance, Hunk, and Shay. Lance took a moment to take in the sight before him. He was tall, as tall as Shiro, and for an older man, he was fit and robust and looked like someone Lance wouldn't want to mess with. His scrutiny was thorough and intelligent, but it was his appearance that took Lance aback. He was dressed extravagantly in a suit, which didn't fit the aesthetic of the casual restaurant. The suit was a few shades brighter than navy, and he wore a waistcoat in a riot of colors.

It was his hair, though, that fascinated Lance. The hair on his head was bright orange, a shade which wasn't quite red. It was thick and wavy, brushed back from the man's forehead in a flamboyant wave and it didn't move. But it was the mustache that drew the most attention. A full and resplendent mustache that curled a little on the ends. The reason for it became obvious when the man lifted a hand and twirled the end as he stared openly at the new arrivals.

"What have we here?" he asked, his accented voice booming in the little restaurant.

"Uncle, I'd like to introduce Keith's boyfriend, Lance, and their friends, Hunk and Shay," Allura said, then turned to the three. "This is my Uncle Coran."

Coran bounced the few feet to them, both hands taking each of theirs in his and shaking enthusiastically. "It is a pleasure to meet you. All of you. Welcome to my little restaurant."

"It's a nice place," Shay said, politely through her teeth rattling from the handshake.

"My grandpappy's. Built long before this town became a mecca for tourists. I had to adapt, but that's what it takes to survive, eh?" He beamed at Allura. "And survive we did."

"Yes, Uncle."

With his hands grasping Lance's, he gave Keith a side eye. "So this is the boy who finally ensnared our elusive Keith, huh? Nice going, lad. I tried over and over to set him up with someone, but he was never interested in my choices."

"Th-thanks," Lance managed. "It's good to meet you."

"Good to meet you. Good to meet you. Oh, it's so exciting to meet you all. Please come in. Dinner's on me tonight."

Coran waved down all the protests from the whole group. He wouldn't hear it. His favorite niece ("I'm his only niece," Allura whispered) deserved a nice treat, as did her friends. And if his favorite former employee ("Keith, not Shiro!" Allura whispered with glee) could find the time to visit little old Coran and introduce him to his boyfriend and friends, then he deserved a treat too.

Coran, quite frankly, overwhelmed Lance. He was boisterous in a way he'd never seen in an older man. His effusive welcome, however, was bliss to him, who had received such a cold one from Shiro and Pidge.

Coran, on the other hand, treated him like royalty. It was a little embarrassing when Coran insisted he sit at the head of the table. He shrunk from it and insisted he wanted to sit next to Keith. Coran forced him into the chair, brightly saying that Keith could sit on his right, and with them angled toward each other, wasn't that better to gaze into Keith's eyes as they ate?

Lance didn't miss the snort from Pidge, or the set of Shiro's jaw as the rest sat, Lance in the seat at the head of the table – now face to face with Shiro at the other end. Coran distributed the menus, then disappeared, muttering something about a couple of bottles of wine.

"Looks good!" Hunk said, cheerfully as he perused the menu.

"What do you suggest, Keith?" Shay asked.

"Coran does amazing things with seafood," Keith said, which Allura echoed.

"He has a shrimp scampi to die for," Shiro mentioned. "That's what I'm thinking to get."

Lance looked up eagerly. "I love shrimp scampi!" he exclaimed, grinning at Shiro, who returned his look for a moment before looking back at his own menu. Lance deflated again.

Coran returned to the table, carrying two bottles of wine and plunked one in front of Lance and one in front of Shiro. "Did you all decide on what you want?" he asked, making a show of pulling a pad of paper and a pen out of nowhere, it seemed, to Lance. Lance had no clue where Coran would even carry a pad and pen.

To his embarrassment, Coran's concentration was on him, patiently waiting for his order. He put on his biggest grin, though he knew he probably looked sickly and nervous, and squeaked out, "Shrimp scampi."

"Excellent choice, lad, excellent choice!" Coran cried. "That's my best dish and I'll put the extra effort in for you!" He dutifully jotted down everyone else's order. Lance noted miserably that Shiro chose a steak instead of the scampi.

Keith had been strangely silent the entire time, other than what was required for politeness. Lance was grateful for the bubbly Allura, who kept the conversation running throughout their meal. Coran, also, seemed to latch on to the newcomers, particularly Lance. He pulled up a chair between Lance and Keith and proceeded to babble to Lance about anything and everything.

Lance wasn't his usual self, but he could feel himself warming up to this unique uncle. Coran seemed interested in Lance, Hunk, and Shay and asked so many questions and told them so many stories, that the group ended up hanging out in the restaurant for hours.

Lance refused to drink the wine Coran provided them. He knew he got even more silly when he drank, and he wasn't about to do anything to further annoy Shiro, so he held back. He saw Keith's frown every time he turned down a drink, but he wasn't about to risk it.

By the time they left, he and Coran were fast friends. Lance was labeled, "My Dear Boy!" by the man, because Lance loosened up enough to joke around with him, and apparently, Lance's sense of humor was right up Coran's alley. When Lance leaned over at one point, with a finger gun pointed at Coran, to say, "Uncle, I mustache you a question…" Coran lost it, laughing to the point of tears and hugging Lance tightly to him.

"Oh I like this one! My dear boy!"

"You seriously have the most regal mustache I've ever seen," Lance declared.

With that, he won Coran over for life.

"Looks like you got Coran won over!" Keith said as he shut the door to his bedroom. They had each done their nightly rituals to ready for bed, and Lance shortened his because he didn't want Shiro to think him too stuck on himself. Keith had pulled out the futon while he was in the bathroom. Together they made the bed with freshly washed sheets smelling of flowers.

"He's really nice," Lance agreed, giving Keith a small smile. He hesitated as Keith turned on the bedside lamp. "Are you sure I shouldn't sleep on the couch or something?"

Keith pressed his lips together and Lance winced. The last thing he wanted to do was piss Keith off too.

However, Keith's voice was nothing but loving and patient. "You can sleep in here, Lance. It's not like we're a couple of horny teens or something."

"Just horny adults," Lance tried to joke.

Keith chuckled. "Ok, I'll give you that." He sat on the edge of the futon and looked expectantly at Lance. "Come on, sweetheart," he said, holding out his hand.

Lance came to him and Keith took his hand and, somehow still holding it, shuffled to the other side of the bed pulling Lance with him. They positioned themselves as normal, spoon position with Keith in front of Lance. Lance kissed Keith on the back of his head, wrinkling his nose as Keith's hair tickled it. The futon wobbled unsteadily as they shifted themselves.

"I don't think it's safe to do anything even if we wanted to," Lance joked lightly.

Keith laughed, "No. I'd say Shiro bought this on purpose to make sure we behaved, but it was in the guest bedroom when I was younger."

"Maybe he wanted to protect your innocence when you lived here."

"Possibly." After a few moments, Keith intertwined his fingers with the fingers of the hand in front of him. "I'm sorry for my brother…" He squeezed his fingers together as Lance opened his mouth to protest. "And Pidge. I'm hoping they chill out, but if they don't, I'll have words with them."

"Keith…"

"I promised you a great visit to my home, Lance. I keep my promises."

Lance blinked a few times, holding his breath. His eyes stung and he didn't trust he wouldn't sob if he opened his mouth. He chose to nuzzle against Keith's hair, squeezing his waist and pulling him closer. A kiss to the back of Keith's neck settled him enough to reply. "I trust you," he whispered.

Keith turned slightly, craning his neck in order to give Lance a little kiss. "Night, sweetheart."

"Night, Keithy."