If you are interested in any art of fanart of this story you can see it is Smiles4Voltron on tumblr! I have a lot! :D
They hadn't seen Dravla or Tellru since the kidnapping. Ruru had been in school during that time so Lance and Keith were left alone.
Lance hadn't really felt up to traveling around and they spent a lot of their time within the apartment. The two paladins busied themselves with small games and conversations.
Lance had learned so much about Keith in this time. Each new topic was a new experience. He liked learning about what Keith's hobbies were. His dislikes and likes. Dreams or fears.
They avoided the topic of the hearing as much as possible.
No matter what the King decided, the two Coeihns were dead. Manslaughter, non-criminal or not, was still what happened.
A blast wound straight through the chest and heart, resulting in instant death. The other impaled two times in the chest and lower throat after multiple slash wounds throughout the body. Lance didn't even have to mention the Coeihn who ran off with one of his arms missing.
Being armless, it didn't take them long to locate the escaped attacker. The only issue was, when they found him, he was face down in a river right outside of the Kingdom walls. Whoever had hired them had assured no means of tracking him down.
Besides that, the attackers had been identified, but Lance didn't want to know their names. He had enough to recall them by with the heavy bruises that covered his neck.
During the night every breath made his throat ache, and he woke up at least 2 times thinking he was still there- still in that moment.
The grip of massive hands still lingered, scrapping his skin- taking his air.
He would scream. It pierced the night air till Keith would roll over and gather him in his arms.
He would cradle him, kiss him, and hush him gently. When Lance would grow still, he would brush over the bruises with the pads of his fingers. Gentle and slow all with more care that Lance realized Keith had.
"You're here," Keith whispers, "You're here with me,"
"I'm here," with a kiss to his fingers, Lance curls into him. He couldn't let go.
"Lance?" Keith inquired as he sat next to Lance at the table a few hours later. Drawn out of his thoughts, the Blue paladin tilts his head. It was painfully early, the sun barely creeping over the hills in the distance. They had been up for an hour already, neither able to sleep with their dreams haunting them.
"Yeah?"
Keith lifts something. During the night something has been placed under the door of their apartment.
A piece of parchment paper with writing on it.
"It is from Tellru," Keith announced. Lance inched closer, resting his head on Keith's shoulder.
"What does it say?"
"She says she is sorry she couldn't see us lately. Work has pilled up. However, since the hearing is later today, she will see us then. She said we don't have to dress up or anything for it, just dress as we always do." Keith announces with tone void of emotion, "Also, there isn't any progress with removing that blocking signal and she can't guarantee any assured date for when we can contact the team…" he paused, before sighing heavily, "It could take weeks,"
"A few weeks?' Lance frowns, "Like- how many?"
"It doesn't say for sure but she assumes perhaps a month before they can locate where the signal is coming from… And that doesn't even mention how long it might to actually get rid of it," They had already been there for almost a two months and they would be there for another one? "That is too long. We gotta get back to the team." Keith clicks his teeth, frustrated.
Lance pats his back. Despite how frustrated he also felt with this, he knew nothing would change from getting upset about it. So he says, "We've survived this long- what is a few more days going to do?"
"A lot could happen," Keith leans back a little, a hand moving up Lance's back to his neck. His fingers dance within the short strands of hair. "A lot has already happened," dark eyes flicked from Lance's gaze to his throat.
"Yeah. But not all bad things..." Lance lazily plays with Keith's bangs, eyeing him cautiously. With a flicker of warmth, they nuzzle into each other's side.
After a few quiet moments, Keith quietly agrees, "Not all bad things,"
"See," Lance kisses his cheek, then his jaw, then lower- right on that spot below Keith's ear, along his pulse.
The red paladin shivers, a strangled noise making it's way past his lips.
The two froze, eyes rapidly meeting the other. Half expecting Keith to leap up- having crossed some forbidden line- Lance fumbled to apologize.
Lance's words fell short when Keith moved his hair a little, revealing a long, slender, and very smooth neck.
Dumbstruck, he glanced up for answers. Keith couldn't seem to meet his eye, a heavy blush spreading along his ears.
"That… felt nice," he whispers hoarsely, his tone feverish.
Lance swallows audibly. His mind struggled to catch up, drinking in the heavenly sight of warm skin- waiting expectantly for his attention.
"Or um…" Keith had grown nervous with the heavy silence. Lowering his hand, he attempted to retreat, "N-Never mind…"
Lance snapped into action, grabbing his wrist. "Wait…" he leans in a little closer, enjoying how the other shivered in anticipation. "I want to…" With his own hand, he reached upward, delicately fisting a handful of raven hair, and pulled it away from the red paladin's neck.
He pressed his lips to the skin without wasting another second. Peppering the spot with small pecks he sucked dully when his lips trailed over Keith's slowly increasing pulse.
Keith tensed into him. Kneading his lower lip between his teeth, he breathed in cautiously, fearing his voice may just betray him if he tried to speak. The sensation was tingling, making goosebumps rise along his arms.
Lance playfully ran his hand over them, his tongue peeking out to curve along Keith's jaw. He tensed, gasping.
"Keith?" the husk in Lance's tone makes his heart tumble in his chest.
There is a long pause before a murmur of, "Y-Yes?"
"Is this too much?"
Lance could feel him shiver below his touch, "No. No, it is fine."
Humming in acceptance, he got back to work. There was something about a person's neck that was different from everything else, Lance concluded. While Keith's hands were normally soft, the softness of the skin along the neck was at a whole different level.
Blood pumped dutifully throughout the neck, leaving the area often warm to the touch. This alone gave an allusion to an indescribable smoothness that had Lance's head reeling.
He couldn't get enough of it.
"La…" Keith's voice cut off, replaced with a silent whimper as his fingers tightened along his back.
Lance wanted to more than just kisses. He wanted to mark Keith with hickey's- prominent and large, for the entire world to see. It was an urge he had never felt before, and was tempted to fulfill it.
Lance opened his mouth to fulfill the urge.
Then…
Keith sneezed.
Jolting his entire body, his eyes go wide, blinking rapidly. It was small, high pitched, and adorable
Lance felt a bubble of affection twirling in his gut and he buried his face into the crook of Keith's neck. "That was cute," he cooed, falling against him.
There is a smack to Lance's forehead, light but with intention, "Shut up…" he grumbled, flustered
Lance laughed. Tossing himself forward, he knocks them out of their chairs and into the ground below. Keith grunts, hits him, and then laughs.
A few hours later, and they are heading to the hearing with the King.
Lance can still feel the delicious heat of Keith's neck on his lips. Holy Quiznack did he want to do all of that again.
Neither of them spoke about it- but perhaps that was because they didn't need to speak about it. They both were well aware of what happened and if they had felt uncomfortable with it, they would have stopped it then and there. And neither of them did- so they kept doing it.
After Lance had been the first to take up the new act, he found the back of his neck was kissed at random points throughout the day. He shivered each and every time, never able to get used to the warm sensation.
Keith was definitely a big monkey see monkey do kind of guy when it came to the way they showed each other affection. Always unsure, tiptoeing around each action till Lance did it first.
It was cute, but also very dangerous.
Once Keith did finally see Lance do it, you could expect him to do it alot. Constant kisses, hugs, lingering touches- none of these were helping Lance's fluttering heart.
Hoping to leave these thoughts in the back of his mind for a while, he focused on the hearing.
It had gone exactly as Tellru explained to them. An explanation of the case, the stories of all the witnesses/victims, and an account of the damage. Similar to earth trials, the information was listed out for everyone to hear. However, instead of a jury or judge, it was the King's decision.
He ruled them innocent.
Not many seemed surprised by this, but Rashra, who had mingled his way into the crowd, called against this. He barked protests, stating that three Coeihns lay dead because of them- though the third one had nothing to do with them since it was still unknown who had thrown them into that river.
The King waved off Rashra's remarks, ("All who had seen the scene agreed that it was an act of self-defense to self-harm.")
Rashra spat something, pointing at Keith. Manson seemed to consider his words, much to Lance's dismay, and glanced at them, ("I will not deny that Keith's actions were brutal, but the lose and endangerment of an Equivalent has often driven many to lash out.") he says in and all to knowing tone, ("I've seen many act brutally and senselessly the last few weeks without any threat to them as well, Rashra,") he says pointedly. ("If it bothers you so, I shall have Dravla accompany Keith for a few days to assure this do not happen again.)
Tellru quietly translates his words to them, barely keeping eye contact with either of them long enough to figure out what she is thinking. It was very formal between them since the kidnapping.
It wasn't like they could blame here after what happened.
"What does he mean by accompanying?" Lance inquires.
"Dravla's duties will be put on hold so that he may shadow Keith outside of the apartment. You may not leave or go anywhere without him," she informs them swiftly. Keith glanced across the room to said Coeihn. He nods back, assuring that out of everything, this was the best outcome they could get.
Thus, it was over. Barely any strife, lasting only an hour, but Lance felt like he was dying the entire time. They had brought in pictures of the bodies, showing them to the crowd and king. Lance wanted to hurl at the seared burns that cover the Coeihns shirt and chest form his Bayard.
Turning his head to the left, he buried it into Keith's upper arm then quietly slipped their hands together. They squeezed once, inhaling in unison.
"Well, guess I'm now your shadow," Dravla approached them a little while later, smiling nonchalantly. Keith nods numbly.
"I hope you don't mind."
"I get to avoid work and hang out with you two for a couple days- it'll be like a vacation. A very three-wheeled based awkward vacation," he says. Lance can't help but chuckle. Dravla was just so open, the warmth in his eyes unfaltering. He didn't think differently of them….
Tellru was another story.
She hadn't looked Keith in the eyes since they had seen her, her head turned downward into her folder. He felt she was pretending to busy herself with work, but he wasn't going to point that out.
"Alright then, let's go-" Dravla was cut off when a large figure pushed past him, bumping roughly into Keith's shoulder. Stumbling, Keith shot a glare at the perpetrator. It was Rashra.
He glared threateningly over his shoulder, storming off into the sea of citizens.
Dravla shook his head as he left, "It's like looking at a spoiled child with him," Dravla attempts to lighten the mood, but Keith's anger is already festering. Lance had to squeeze his hand to remind him they were still in public, and he was still under heavy watch for his actions a few days before.
"Welp…." Dravla makes an awkward noise, "Let's go then," he pecks Tellru on the cheek. She nods quietly, and turns without so much of a goodbye. Her eyebrows were scrunched together in deep thought. Dravla stared after her, frowning with worry. "Um… So uh- what are you boys going to do today?" he inquired.
Lance shrugs, "I dunno…" honestly, he just wanted to go back to the apartment by this point. Maybe or maybe not snuggle with Keith? If he was up to it…
That wouldn't be too bad.
Like hell he was going to just going to ask him.
"Wanna get some lunch?" Dravla suggests.
"Sure," they agree.
The rest of the day was hell in a hand basket.
Kind of…
Lance didn't know how to describe it. It was hell for certain reasons, but also really wonderful? Did that make sense?
Let him explain. It started with Keith.
He was being weird. And weird in a sense that was… odd, but charming and hot?
It didn't even make sense in Lance's own mind but that was how it was. Keith was just super affectionate.
He would kiss Lance out of nowhere every few minutes. It was rough, almost all tongue. Not like they didn't normally kiss, but these were out of the blue. It was like Keith would see someone stare at Lance a second too long and spring into action.
Lance felt light headed by the time lunch ended, Keith's taste enveloping his senses. It was very unlike him, considering that it was usually the blue paladin that tended to initiate the kissing.
If that weren't enough to make his brain spin upside down, Keith wouldn't let anyone near him. His hand would rest on his Bayard whenever they passed by another Coeihn on the street, his other palm a constant presence on Lance's hip. It was holding him close and guiding him through town. Lance kind of liked it but… it was always there. Keith never let go of him, ever.
There was one instance where Dravla had reached towards Lance. Perhaps to give him a pat on the shoulder or ruffle his hair, like he always did, but Keith swatted his fingers away.
Surprised, Dravla stepped back and blinked, dumbstruck. Keith fumbled to apologize, just as shocked by his own reaction.
Dravla waved it off, but it wouldn't be the only time Keith would do this. Lance didn't know what to think. He assumed it was Keith being protective after what had happened- however they had nothing to fear from Dravla. He was their friend
But, of course, Keith didn't care if Ruru climbed up to Lance's shoulders and pounded her chest like donkey kong. He always went along with that.
Still, even then, it felt more along the lines of… Keith was allowing Lance to play with Ruru.
Like he was sharing him- like one would share a toy or possession with a friend or family member.
This was just a feeling, so Lance didn't bring it up in case he was just imagining it.
As the hours passed, he started to realize that maybe he wasn't imagining this.
Keith wouldn't let him go farther than 3 feet from him, constant reaching for Lance like a needy child.
When Lance allowed him to hold his hand or hug him, Keith grip was almost bruising. It was… possessive.
That was the right word for this, right? He never really tried to force his opinion on him, or tell him not to talk with someone, but he always lingered close by.
Lance had never had to deal with anything like this before. He couldn't decipher if this was possessiveness or Keith just being over protective.
The strangest part, was that as hard as it is, Lance admits to...liking Keith getting possessive,
But only in small ounces! When it was a constant presence it made him exhausted and a little frustrated that he couldn't just take a moment to himself and just breath.
With those torn thoughts, what exactly could he say? I know I scared the living daylights out of you a few days ago and you've had to constantly take care of me but can you not hug and kiss me all the time and treat me like an object in need of constant watch even though you have never physically said that you think of me as this and I might just be freaking out over nothing?
There is no way he could say this. Especially considering he liked the constant hugs, the sudden and rough kisses, the lingering looks….
It was complicated, even to himself.
Maybe he just needs to sleep on it? Sleep sounds like a good idea.
0000-00000
Keith was running, scrapping his heels along stone floors, shooting through alleyways.
He was tossed back a few days before- searching, calling for Lance. He couldn't find him. He couldn't find Ruru's trail of screws.
He couldn't-
A scream.
Like a snapping of a branch, Keith could hear his own heart breaking in two.
He rounded the corner.
The sword had been lifted, plunged into the delicate flesh of Lance's chest.
"No!"
With a turn of his head, the light already fading from his eyes, Lance reached for him weakly, "Why? Keith why didn't you… help me?" he whimpered softly, "You said you would protect me…"
Lance's body fell, the limpness of his form making the thump of the floor that much heavier.
No. No please.
NO NO NO!
He didn't make it
He failed
He lost him.
He lost lance
Lance!
0000-0000
Keith awoke with a start, shivering and gasping in the sheets. He didn't even take a second to register his surroundings before he turned, plopping himself up to reach for the man besides him.
He grasped Lance's slumbering hands to calm his shaking one. Watched his breathing to remember to do it himself. Kissed him to assure himself that he was alive and here
It didn't take long to pull him from his slumber, starting off the day with a frantic tongue teasing the blue paladin's mouth open.
With a gasp, Lance mewled below him, clinging to his arms for support.
His awareness was numb, eyes clouded with confusion if this was reality or a dream. Keith wanted to be part of both in Lance's life.
The light tapping at his arm gave Keith enough sense to pull away, allowing the other to breath. His hair was messy from sleep; cheeks flushed a brilliant shade of pink and eyes glazed with astonished wonder,
"Keith?" He whispered, baffled, "W-What was that?"
Keith wasn't sure how to explain his behavior. It wasn't like they hadn't made out before, but this felt different. They often shared control in those exchanges, teasing the other equally with their tongues and lips- but this had been all Keith
He didn't allow Lance that control, swooping in and taking the blue paladin's breath away before he could even fully wake up.
"I dunno…" he glances down at the other's lips. They are swollen because of him. "I don't know…" he leaned forward to nip at them. Lance curled into him, swallowing down a whine.
"W-Well…" Lance took a few weary breaths, "That definitely isn't a bad way to wake me up. You should do that more often,"
Keith pauses, exhilarated, "I should?"
He nods meekly, "Definitely wouldn't mind that,"
With a smile, Keith leaned back down. With a much more gentle approach, he tilted Lance's chin towards him and brought their lips together.
Suckling, nipping, swirling their tongues together the two openly groaned in the back of their throats. Pulling back, Keith eyed the slowly fading bruises along Lance's neck. They both infuriated and stabbed at his heart.
"Hey…" Lance whispers in the dark. "I'm okay,"
"Yeah…"
Lance watched curiously as Keith leaned down to the bruise, kissing it apologetically.
"Keith?" Lance inquired, inhaling sharply through his nose as his body comes alive under the other's touch.
One kiss. Two. A light nip to his Adam's apple...
Lance openly shivered when Keith's tongue circled his collarbone.
"H...hey," he stammers, his ears reddening.
Keith eyed them hungrily. Sititng up slightly, he moved closer, testing a small lick to Lance's ears. The gasp was enough to initiate some lights bites to the shell of one of them, teasingly running his tongue over the spot.
Startled, Lance jolted, hand snapping up to stop him. With wide eyes he says, "I never showed you that…" his face was burning
Keith appreciated the sight, "I just felt like doing it," he admits. Honestly, he felt like doing a lot of things to Lance: some of them not so innocent- Some more confusing than anything else. He had never done anything like this, and despite the anxious twirls in his gut, he wanted to go further.
It was a bizarre feeling that sometimes overwhelmed him
Not to mention, he really liked Lance's ears.
Moving Lance's hand away from hiding them, Keith bit down lightly the little ear once more.
Lance moaned, a sound Keith quickly grew to love.
Startled by his own reaction, Lance covered his mouth and gazed up at him. Entranced by that stare, giving the Cuban boy his own look of shock, Keith slowly backed off.
His heart was pounding, his body ringing with a sensation he couldn't fathom.
They were diving into very dangerous waters here.
"U-um… Lance cleared his throat and sat up."...I'm going to go make breakfast," he leaped off the bed and ducked towards the kitchen.
"I'm going to go take a bath," Keith agrees quickly. Without another word Keith scrambled to grab his clothes and shot out of the room. Lance's gaze lingered on the door. His cheeks flushed as he reached up to wipe the saliva from his ear.
In any other situation, he would have thought it was disgusting. So how come his legs were shaking so much?
Shivering, Lance rubbed at the goosebumps along his arms. Trying to focus on breakfast, he glances at the clock. Knowing Keith, he wouldn't take long in the bath- he never did. Undoubtedly he would be running back within the next 5 minutes, joining Lance for breakfast.
Lance preferred when they were alone. Keith acted like himself when there was no one around- when there was no chance anything bringing them harm.
He would relax, the tense look in his brow fading.
He preferred when Keith could just smile and laugh with him. No doubt, or worries- just them.
Suddenly feeling this urge to see the red paladin, Lance turned from the food.
Deciding he might as well meet Keith there, he went to grab his clothes. Collecting them, he sauntered over to the door and tugged on the handle.
It didn't budge
"What the-" Lance couldn't open it. Thinking he had just forgotten to unlock it, he turned the switch and tried again. It didn't work.
He pulled wildly on the door handle, huffing in frustration. "What the hell!?" he yelled. For a few minutes he tried, pounding his fist against it angrily. Why wouldn't it open? Had it been locked from the outside?
"Hey!" he called, wondering if anyone could hear him, "HEY!" A few minutes of yelling and there was a voice.
"Lance?" Keith sounds from the other side. The five minutes had passed, and he had returned.
"Keith! Oh, good. Listen I think I'm-" there is the sound of clattering on the other side. When the door opens, Lance's first objective is to check the door handle. Keith was lifting something form it.
Rope.
In some expert knot, someone had tied the door closed from the outside in, making it impossible for Lance to leave. It pissed him off.
"Who did that?" he demanded.
Keith's expression is blank, "I did,"
That caught him off guard, "You?" he questions, stepping back, "Why?"
Keith folds the rope between his fingers, glancing at Lance from the corner of his eye, "I knew you would try to answer the door if I wasn't here,"
"Of course I would have- you usually answer the door when someone knocks."
"And what if it had been a Coeihn here to assassinate you?" Keith frowns.
"Well, what if it had been Tellru? Or Dravla? Or just a common Coeihn- like the doctor that takes care of my eyes-" Lance only realized then that he never asked him his name. He should next time.
"Or it could have been someone trying to hurt you and you would have blindly opened it while I was gone and would have gotten taken away again or killed," Keith says. From his tone, Lance knew he wasn't going to get any sort of apology out of the paladin- but man that pissed him off!
Keith didn't even ask- he just did it!
"I can protect myself, Keith," Lance says. Keith scoffed at him, actually scoffed!
"It is just a precaution," he ended up saying in a gruff voice.
"Don't do it again," Lance commands him.
"Then don't open the door while I'm gone,"
"They could still break down the door or something Keith!" Lance bickers with him
Pissed for a decent hour, which Lance hadn't felt with the red paladin in weeks, Lance forgave Keith when he took his hand and kissed it. He was weak to little things like that.
And lately, Keith had been doing them more and more.
The worse thing about it, Keith didn't do it as a sense of apology, because he truly believed he did nothing wrong. He just did it to kiss Lance's wrist- to show him affection.
Honestly, just what the hell was going on in that head of his?
The next time it happened, Lance wasn't just going to let it slide. If he wanted it to stop, he has to say something.
"Ready to go?" Keith inquired at the door.
"Yeah," he paused when Keith opened the door and immediately slinked his hand around Lance's waist. Without a word they walked out into the hall, Lance awkwardly throwing his arm over Keith's shoulder to make the position seem normal.
If he wasn't so confused with everything, he might have been embarrassed with how tightly Keith was gripping his hip- but it was too strange.
It was actually kind of… upsetting?
Lance didn't understand- did Keith not trust him to take of himself? That was a stinging thought…
At least Dravla was waiting for them outside. When he saw them, he waved. When they waved back, something crossed over the Coeihn's gaze. Looking them both over thoughtfully, his stare lingered for a little too long, like he was pondering something serious.
Then, his eyes lower to Keith's arm around Lance's waist. He takes a moment to note that, and smiles, "Hey boys, you two look at adorable as ever. Attached by the hip, I see," he says it playfully
Lance glanced at the limb and then nodded slowly. Dravla had spoken in such a playful way, teasing them like he always did. Keith bought into, huffing at him, but Lance… he couldn't describe it.
There was something more to Dravla's words. Had he also began to notice how clingy Keith seemed to be getting lately?
"Tellru has something she wants to give you two," Dravla announces, motioning for them to follow. They step onto a Kever, head down to the lower districts, and meet up with Tellru on the platforms.
There was a clear sense of determination in her eyes unlike the previous days. "Hello," she greets them.
"Hey," they both say, grateful she seems to be talking to them again.
"I-" she stumbles with her words, nervous, "I brought you something." Like some sort of apology for ignoring them for so long, she handed them both a new set of clothes. "I noticed you didn't really wanna wear those jackets anymore…" they had been sliced, stained too heavily with blood for Lance to like looking at them. "So here…"
"New jackets," Lance gasps, holding it out in front of him. "Tellru… thank you," he steps towards a window to put it on, examining himself.
Keith was still gawking at his, too shocked. "Even… for me?" he asked her quietly. Tellru blinks once, then nods.
"I often make you two matching outfits. It wouldn't really match if I only made one,"
"Well yeah but…" he trails off, averting his gaze. He thought for sure she would never talk to him again. Knowing that she seemed to be moving past the initial shock was almost too much for him.
It-
He paused mid-thought, his gaze snapping in search of Lance. Making sure he wasn't wondering to far, he spotted him towards the window. Dravla was talking to him, pointing out little details to the jacket. Lance was fawning over it, loving the design. Tellru had put a lot of effort into these ones, most likely working on them for a long time.
He was fine though. Lance was fine. He would be better if he was over here, but Lance was fine…
"You listening, Keith?' Tellru inquired.
"Huh?" he says, surprised she was still talking. Had she said something?
"What did I just say?" She folds her arms.
"Um…?"
"You weren't listening."
"Oh…" Keith looks at his feet, "Sorry,"
Turning away, Tellru sighed. Something in her stance changes and she glanced at Keith with an almost challenging look in her eyes. With a little hum, she calls to Lance, "Lance! There is a sale going on down in the bakery, would you like to go with me?"
Perking up, Lance grinned, "Sure!" he ran over to her, hooking their arms together. Both of them notice the way Keith's eyes flare at the action, but he didn't say anything about it, so neither did they.
"Let's go,"
"Guys we'll stick back here and get Ruru," Dravla waves them off,
Keith is startled by his suggestion, "We should go with them,"
"They can do it by themselves. It isn't like they are buying the whole store and need help carrying anything back- you aren't planning on buying the store right?" he demands.
"No," Tellru tells him.
"Are you sure? Last time they had a sale you went nuts and bought 8 dozen cookies," he points a warning finger at her. She grins, waving it off.
"I won't-" she pauses, "I might a little."
"I'll keep her under control," Lance tells him.
"Hey," Keith cuts in, not appreciating being ignored, "Lance can't go,"
"Wha- yeah I can," Lance turns to him with a huff, "It isn't like I hurt my legs or anything. I can walk just fine."
"That isn't what I meant," Keith tells him.
"But what he says is true. Lance is fine. You are fine. You both can go different ways, and be fine," there is a little look in Dravla's eyes. Lance pondered if perhaps he was trying to give Lance a chance to have some space from Keith for a bit.
"I still want to go with,' Keith says, giving him a slight glare.
"Oh but we gotta go pick up Ruru from school," Dravla says innocently.
"Then we pick up Ruru and all go together," Keith folds his arms.
"Keith, it's okay," Lance pleads quietly. He glanced at him, then back at Dravla. "I'll be fine,"
"You don't know that,"
"It's just to the Bakery, Keith," Lance can already see the Kever approaching the station. When he turned to step towards it Keith grabbed his arm
"No,"
"No?" Lance repeated the word, numb and confused
"I don't want you leaving my side,"
Lance struggles to follow, then stammers, "It is only for a little bit,"
"A little bit is enough for anything to happen,"
"I'll be with Tellru,"
"That does guarantee you'll be safe!"
"Keith!" Lance scolds him, shocked he insinuated he was in some sort of danger with her. "She's our friend!"
Keith quickly says, "I know she is! That isn't what I meant. I just feel better when I can keep an eye on you,"
Dravla and Tellru stepped back as the two bickered, glancing at each other nervously.
"I don't need you to babysit me!" Lance yells.
"You aren't going, Lance!"
Lance slapped Keith's hand away when he reached for him, "Don't boss me around!" he seethed angrily. Startled for only a moment, Keith narrowed his eyes
"Lance," he speaks in a tone like he is about to scold a small child. It pisses Lance off.
"Don't 'Lance' me! I'm not some child, Keith! I am just as capable as you are and can take care of myself,"
Keith scoffs at him, again, "Have you even looked in the mirror lately? You definitely can't take care of yourself from what I can see,"
Lance almost slaps him, "Most of these injuries were to help you from becoming someone virgin prize you ungrateful jerk! And I'm going to remind you, that I won four of those five challenges by myself! BLIND!" tears were burning behind his eyes. He hated this. He hated fighting with Keith. He hated that Keith thought so little of his abilities.
"And the stab wound?!"
"There were three of them!" Lance hates that Keith is bringing that up.
"And there could be six or ten of them next time!"
He couldn't believe his ears, "What is wrong with you lately?!" he demanded, "I'm just going to the Bakery!"
"And I'm just saying I'm going with you!"
"You don't need to! I can do it by myself! I need some-" when Keith attempts to grab his arm he pushes him back, "I need some space! I'm going, you jerk!" Lance screamed. "Stop making me feel like I can't take care of myself!"
Keith doubles back, "What? I never said you couldn't!"
"You just did! What you just said! You make me feel that way, Keith! It's like I'm some porcelain doll to you! Well I don't need that, Keith! I don't want that! I don't need that! I don't need you!"
Keith went stiff, eyes growing wide. Lance had never seen Keith look so… hurt.
Biting his tongue, Lance stepped back. He hadn't meant it that way…
He just meant- he didn't need Keith to watch out for him all the time. Not that he didn't need him general.
"L…" Keith choked up a little. Lance couldn't bare to see the sight.
He turned and ran off the platform. The Kever had stopped a little bit into the argument and had just started moving to leave.
Before anyone could stop him, Lance leaped aboard.
"Lance!" Keith called for him, watching in dismay as the Beetle shot off into the distance, moving faster than he could keep up.
The whole platform was in silence, many Coeihns staring at him in dumbfounded confusion. When he glared at them, they quickly went back to their own business.
Giving Keith a few seconds, Dravla eventually whistled him, "Okay. Awkward."
Tellru nodded, "...And he just ran off by himself. I don't actually think he even knows how to get to the bakery,"
Dravla hummed, "Well…" he shrugs, "Might as well go pick up Ruru,"
Keith turned on them, "What? And just let Lance go?"
"Yeah," they nod.
"We-no! He could get into danger!"
"Or he could be just fine. It isn't like we can stop the Kever anyway," Tellru tells him. "He is a grown boy, he has his Bayard, and his sight is improving by the day. He'll do great,"
"He could still get hurt!" his voice felt raw. Keith was starting to feel heavy, Lance's words echoing in his mind like a fresh wound. Lance didn't need him…
Tellru folded her arms. With a calm and understanding look, she glanced at a bench, "Here, come here," she motions for him to sit down. With much convincing, he finally did, tapping his foot anxiously. He would prefer to go running after the Kever but he wouldn't be able to keep up with it. It would just be faster to wait for the next on and take that instead.
Meaning he would have to wait. He hated waiting.
"Listen… I'm sensing some stress from you," Tellru tells him.
"Some serious stalkerish stress," Dravla adds in. Tellru swats him away, motioning for him to shut up.
"You've been hovering around Lance for the last couple days," she points out. "Do you deny this?"
Opening his mouth, Keith takes a moment to think about it, and then shuts it. He shakes his head no.
"You are worried about him?"
"Yes."
"You want to protect him?"
"Of course I do!"
"Yet, you have been dragging him around like some pet?"
Keith was shocked she would even suggest that "No!" he yells at her, "I would never treat him like that!"
"But you are,"
"I'm not-"
"You never let him go far from you, don't let him talk to others. Dravla even informed me that you wouldn't even allow him close to Lance. Do you not trust us?"
"I trust you," he huffs quickly. "You are our friends-"
"I do not feel like a friend," Dravla says quickly, "All I've received from you is glares whenever I so much as look at Lance… It's-" he pauses, tapping Tellru's shoulder for the word.
"Possessive,"
Keith reels back, like they stung him, "No." he shakes his head, "I'm not being-"
"You are," they tell him sternly. He inhales sharply, words of protest at the tip of his tongue but refusing to come out.
"I'm just.." he swallows, "I'm keeping an eye on him," he insists.
"Which is fine, but you need to be able to let him go off on his own too. Do you think Lance is weak and incapable of watching over himself?"
"No…" Keith grips at his pants, "He is a paladin. He is very strong,"
"They way you've been manhandling him says otherwise," Dravla informs him. "And what you said earlier…"
"What I said…?" Keith was so caught up in the fight, he couldn't even remember half of the things he had yelled.
"He said he could take care of himself and you told him he couldn't," Dravla summarizes, "Ring a bell?"
Keith covers his mouth, feeling numb, "Did I…?"
"Yes."
"But he…" Keith hadn't thought he had been doing anything wrong. He was just trying to make sure Lance didn't get hurt. He just… "I just want to protect him," he whispers weakly. "I know he can take care of himself. He's… He's really strong!" he tells them desperately, "You should see how good his aim is. I can't even shot something a few feet in front of me but he- it's like he's a sniper! He's the team's sharp shooter…"
"Have you ever told him this?"
To Keith horror, he realized he hadn't, "No… I guess I never thought I had to. He is always so confident in himself. Or at least, he acts like he is."
"And maybe that is where one of the issues lie," Tellru pats his shoulder. "Sometimes, for your own confidence, you need to be able to handle things on your own."
Keith looks pale, "…He always gets hurt when he is on his own. Things always go after him…"
"And I get why you want to stay with him. But he is also is own person, and he will decide on things that you might not always agree to. No one, not even the closest equivalents, will always see eye to eye on everything," Tellru tells him gently. "… I understand."
"You do?"
"My equivalent is the 5th champion-" she reaches up to take Dravla's hand. Startled, he blinks at her, "He is thrown into the ring more often than I would ever like. Not to mention, he is Manny's right hand man. Whatever dangers the King sees, so does he." her voice drops, "When I can't see him, my mind jumps to the worse and I go through my entire day worrying… fearing that this is the day that I lose him forever,"
"Tellru…" he tightens his grip on her.
"And he feels the same, I'm sure," Tellru continues after a small peck to Dravla's knuckles, "It is a natural response"
"I don't quite get it," Keith admits.
"How you are feeling is normal. When you care about someone, you fear that you will lose them. But how you are right now- it is possessive Keith. Overprotective, and a little unhealthy."
Keith slouches a bit, a heavy grim pulling at his lips,
"Then what do I do?!" he demanded, "Something is always around- something is always trying to get to him!"
"I know," she says, "In truth, sometimes I feel that everyday is like a 50/50 chance that something terrible might happen." she says, "But if you go through your whole life fearing what might happen, you'll never be able to enjoy the moment. You'll simply push Lance away,"
Like she had just tossed a 100-pound boulder on him, he fell back, "I will?" he asked weakly, horrified.
"He's already ran off, desperate to get away from you," Dravla muttered more to himself than to Keith. Tellru elbowed him.
Still hearing the words, the damage was done, and hurt flashed in Keith's eyes, "I…" with a wounded look, he stares off into the distance, "I didn't know…"
"Know you do. When Lance returns, talk to him. Tell him how you feel, and I'm sure he will tell you how he feels. Find some middle ground where you both can feel happy,"
Gripping the bench, Keith nodded numbly, "O-Okay," he says numbly
"And don't worry too much. You two are Klance, you'll figure it out," Dravla giggles.
"Again with that weird name?" Keith sighs.
"It's like a boat name!" Tellru grins.
"…Boat?"
"Yeah, when you boat two people together," she tells him. "We do that with people in plays, or groups all the time."
"…" Keith slowly blinked then asked, "Do you mean ships? When you ship people together?"
"I think you mean boat," Dravla says.
Keith shakes his head, "No, ship,"
"Boat,"
"Ship,"
"Boat!"
"It's a ship!"
"What in the world is a ship?!"
"It's a boat!" Keith yells.
"Then why bother calling it a ship if it is also a boat!?"
Keith threw his hands up and yelled in frustration, "Forget it! Never mind!"
The two Coeihns started to laugh, patting his head. Lowering his head with they ruffled his hair, he glanced up at them sheepishly.
"So… you two aren't mad at me?" he inquires softly.
"Mad at you?" they echo.
"About… before. With those three Coeihns,"
They share a startled look and say, "No. We aren't made at you,"
"But… You wouldn't talk to me," Keith says to Tellru. Looking guilty, she glances away.
"I was just… confused." When Keith tilted his head, she says, "I hadn't expected you to get so violent that day. I mean, I'm not saying I haven't flashed to rage when someone threatens Dravla of Ruru- but you were different. I have only ever seen something fight that brutally once before…" Tellru admits.
Keith glanced at her, his face pale, but his mouth set, "Yeah?"
"A Galra," her eyes met his firmly. "When I looked at you that day, I smelled their scent."
Keith held her gaze the best he could, biting the inside of his cheek till it bleed, "…Oh,"
"I was confused because you do not look Galra, Keith. You even told me that you fight them… so why? Why did you smell like them that day?"
"I…" his voice cracked, "Because I-" he shut his mouth. Weighing the options, he considered every possibility to what he was about to admit. The chance of them losing the only true allies they held in this world was a terrifying thought.
He liked Tellru, Dravla and Ruru. They were growing to be like a family to him. He didn't want them to turn away from him for what he was. But… they deserved the truth, didn't they?"
"I'm… I'm Galra," he croaks. The Coeihns go stiff, eyes wide. "B-But only half. My Father was human, and though I never met her, I believe my Mother is Galra… I'm sorry," he bows his head.
"Half Galra," she repeats, "Who would have thought,"
"Are you.. Do you hate me?" he inquired, hands gripping his pants tightly, bunching the clothing in his palms.
She shakes her head, "No, just surprised,"
"It kind of makes sense, I suppose," Dravla folds his arm, "Can you turn purple? Galra are purple right? I've never actually seen one myself,"
"No, I can't turn purple."
They nod. After a few awkwardly quiet moments, Dravla claps his hands together, "Welp! We should go get Ruru," his carefree smiles returns and he helps Tellru off the bench, "Lets go, Keith!"
"Huh? Oh uh…" Shocked to realize that was all there was to that conversation, he stumbled after him. They smiled at him, the same warmth in there eyes as always. He was grateful.
For now, he would wait for Lance to come back.
He would talk to him properly and apologize.
LANCE
"….This was a dumb idea,"
It wasn't till Lance got a mile away from Keith that he noticed Tellru wasn't with him and he had no idea where he was going
Realizing this might have been a mistake; he sat down and buried his face into his hands.
If that wasn't the worse of it, he could still see Keith's face clear as day in his mind. The look of utter hurt…
He almost wished he was fully blind again, just so he wouldn't have to witness such a thing. Not saying his vision is 20/20, but he was starting to see more and more clearly each day.
In this case, that wasn't a good thing.
Groaning in despair, he heard a faint chuckle next to him. "Rough day?"
"Yeah," he nods to the stranger.
A few seconds pass.
"Hey wait," Lance straightened to face the cloaked man, dumbfounded at the English that came from their lips, "How do you-?"
A slight lift of the hood and bright green eyes twinkled at him, "Greeting, Lance,"
"Manson," Lance gasps quietly, "What are you doing here?"
"Harri wanted some of the fresh cupcakes from this little bakery across town. It's having a sale. I hate to ask the guards for something so trivial, and I was feeling a little cooped up in the castle, so I snuck out. Don't tell Dravla, but I do this often. I'm glad I ran into you,"
"Me too," Lance admits honestly.
"What are you doing about by yourself? It isn't often you aren't with your Equivalent."
At the mention of Keith, Lance visibly tensed, "Yeah well… we need some time apart," he says
"Ooh?"
Glancing at him, Lance takes a chance to say what is on his mind, "He was getting a little… to put it nicely, he was getting clingy."
"Clingy?"
"He never let me go anywhere without him. Always stood super close- says I can't take care of myself."
"I'm sure he is just worried and scared that something bad will happen to you,"
"That doesn't mean he can just…" Lance sighs, broken and lost, "He isn't the only one who is scared… I am too."
Manny slowly turned to him, eyes wide. Having not expected Lance to so openly admit that, he raises his eyebrow, "You are?"
"Of course I am," Lance threw his head back. His hand trailed to the bandages for the stab wound across his arm. "I'm scared of dying. Of losing him. Everyone feels that way. Everyone wants to find a way to control the situation and make it less frightening. But, like my mama always told me, it's inevitable,"
Manny's voice is quite when he asks, "What is?"
"Death. Pain. Loss. It is in our nature to hurt others and get hurt in return… even if we don't mean to. At least, that is what my Mama always told me." He shrugs a little, "So yes, I understand. I feel the same way about Keith… I don't want him to get hurt." He glances at Manson, "You feel that way about Harri, right?"
Going stiff, the King nods quietly, "I do…"
"See, everyone feels it," Lance says, "And sometimes…" he pauses, "Sometimes I just want to take Keith far away, where no one can see him and just keep him to myself," he laughs nervously, "Kind of silly, huh?"
Inhaling slowly, the King shakes his head, "No. I don't think it is,"
Lance hums a response. "You think?" he smiles, With a little chuckle he adds, "But- I can't do that. As much as I want to, I also want Keith to do what he wants. To have adventures, and meet as many people as he can. I want him to be able to live to the fullest and know there is danger out there, but not fear it because I try to constantly shield him from it. I want him to be able to stand tall in the face of it… Does that make sense?"
The King is staring at him, amazed, "I… Yes. It does." He says quietly.
"Thanks for listening, Manny," Lance got to his feet, "I feel a lot better now,"
There is a long, considerate pause, "And I thank you, Lance,"
"What for?"
Manny smiled to himself, glancing away, "I feel like I've learned something today…"
"Yeah?" he tilts his head curiously. "Hey- that Bakery you said you are going to. You said there was a sale?"
"Yup,"
"Oh sweet, I think we are going to the same place!"
"Convenient," The King praises. 'It should be to the right at this next stop,"
Lance ended up going cookie shopping with the King. It didn't really feel regal or anything. Just two dudes buying cookies and talking about which would be better.
It was fun.
Until they went back to the station they had left Keith and the others. They were actually standing there, waiting for them. Keith was slouched forward, expression unhappy and hands stuffed deep into his pockets. Ruru was there too, so they must have left to pick her up.
"Uh… hey," Lance says awkwardly when he steps off. "I brought you all cookies,"
"Cookies!" Ruru cheers, taking one.
Giving Tellru her own share, Dravla pats his head. "Well… I think you two have some chatting to do," he motions to Keith. "So you two head back,"
"Okay…"
Keith doesn't look him before he turns on his heels and starts walking down the road.
The walked back in silence, a good distance apart from each other. Lance hated himself.
For multiple reasons.
First, as much as he hated it, Keith had a point; Lance seemed to be doing a pretty shitty job at taking care of himself since they got here.
Second, he never meant to yell at Keith the way he did.
Third, despite all the talk of needing space… Lance wanted to hold Keith's hand right now. How frustrating was that?
When they got back to the apartment, he would apologize. He would make things right, sit Keith down, and tell him how he was feeling about all of this. Keith was.. well, he was Keith. Lance was positive he would understand.
If only things were that simple. When they finally got back to the apartment, Lance didn't know how to start. They had dinner in complete silence with zero eye contact. It was torture.
Lance was using to giving Keith the silent treatment when they were back with on the Castle, but not since they got here. Not an hour went by that Lance didn't say something to Keith. Or think about him…
"We should start heading to bed," Keith breaks the silence when the sun started to set.
"Oh uh… right…" he bit his tongue, "K-Keith?" He turns a little to show he heard him. "About today, I-I'm sorry… I didn't- I ran off and worried you…"
"It's fine," Keith says. His expression is one he often saw back at Garrison. A closed off look to keep to himself… "I… didn't want you to go off by yourself, but it's fine," Keith says. "I still don't want you to go off by yourself…"
Lance huffs heavily, "Yeah, I get that,"
"I don't feel comfortable when you do,"
"…" Lance folds his arms, glaring at the floor.
There is a pause, one long enough for Lance to look back at Keith. When he did, Keith met him with an indescribable look, "I want to protect you. You're… important to me,"
Lance's heart stalled in his chest, swelling more than his tiny heart could handle, "I…" he tongue felt thick against his teeth, "I want to protect you too, Keith,"
There is a small inhale. The moment was almost touching, and Lance thought that perhaps things would be okay between them, but then Keith said, "I don't need protecting,"
"What?" Lance asked sharply.
"I don't need you to protect me,"Lance almost punched him on the spot. "Excuse me?! So you can protect me, but I can't do the same for you?"
Lance almost punched him on the spot. "Excuse me?! So you can protect me, but I can't do the same for you?"Keith tensed, eyes wide with panic,
Keith tensed, eyes wide with panic, "Oh- wait no- that isn't what I-"
"Do you think I'm not strong enough to protect you? Or myself? Is that it? You scoffed at me this morning when I told you that. Am I that weak of a person to you?" Lance felt like crying. What the hell was this paladin? How could he make him feel so happy and so shitty all in a span of twenty seconds?
"No! No that isn't what I meant!"
"What did you mean then Keith?!" it was bad enough Lances always doubted his own abilities amongst the team- considering himself the weak link on every occasion. To know that Keith didn't even have that much faith in his skills hurt…
It hurt a lot.
"Fuck you, Kogane!" Lance screamed, his voice raw with hurt. "You can stay here! I'm going to Tellru and Dravla's you- You stupid mullet!" He whisked around, and stomped towards the door. A sound of rushing feet followed after him.
Then there's a hand grabbing his wrist and pulling him back before he can grab the handle. Lance fights him, refusing to fall into his actions. To let himself be swayed by his gentle voice and searing eyes.
"Let go!"
Keith grunts when Lance almost elbows him, and the two stumble across the room before they trip on the rug and fall along the bed. Momentary dazed, Lance almost screams when he realizes the red paladin is looming above him, just as startled.
Keith is looking at him and has his hands on either side of his head, flat against the sheets of Lance pinned form below him. The anger Lance felt seconds ago shifts into something different. Maybe because of the look Keith's giving him- It makes him feel like he's going to be eaten alive.
"L-Let me go," he whispers feebly.
"Not…" Keith swallows, attempting to calm himself down, "Not until you hear me out,"
"What more do I need to hear? You made it pretty clear how you felt…"
"That isn't what I meant!"
"You don't trust me!"
"Of course I trust you!"
"No you don't! You won't even let me go to the fucking bathroom by myself Keith! You're smothering me!" Lance reached out to grab a pillow, slamming it upward to Keith's face, "Why can't you believe in me!"
"I do!"
"Bull!"
Keith's hands scrambled at Lance's wrist, struggling to pull the pillow away, "I do trust you! Its everything else that I don't!"
His words caught Lance off guard and he froze.
With a muffled voice, Keith screamed, "I don't know what you are doing to me Lance! Everything was fine until we came here. We got injured, and yeah at times I got worried one of us would die, but it never terrified me this much before! I don't want you to protect me because- because that would put you at risk! I know you can do it- but there is always that chance you might die! I don't want to lose you! You might die for me and I can't stand that thought! Your life is ten times more important than mine! You almost died once and I'm not used to feeling like this… I'm not used to… to caring so much," his body went limp a little, his voice broken and exhausted. He seemed willing to hide himself in the pillow at this point. "For a long time, it's been only me. Then I had Shiro- but I never had to worry about him. Nothing tried to hurt or kill him- he was fine. A-And then… Then I thought he died and I lost myself. I felt like I didn't have a purpose for so long. When I met you and the team- it was different. And then we became paladins and our lives were threatened so much, but that was fine because it was all of us. All of us had to go through that. But when we came here it isn't my life that is on the line- it is yours."
"Keith-"
"I don't know what I should do, Lance. How should I feel about you? What is wrong and was it right? I've never felt like this before and it's driving me crazy! I want to protect you! I want nothing to hurt you or touch you- Sometimes I just want to lock you away where no one but me can see you, but that is wrong! It's wrong, right? It's weird and creepy for me to think that and I'm trying not to because I don't want to make you uncomfortable!" he babbled.
Lance held his breath, absorbing the fact that Keith felt the same way he was, "Keith wait-" Lance tried to cut in, hoping to makes sense of everything being thrown at his face. The red paladin wouldn't allow him- too enveloped in his rant.
"B-Because I trust you Lance! I trust you with everything! But I don't trust anyone with you!" his voice cracked, and Lance wondered if perhaps he was crying. Wanting to check, he moved the pillow.
He realized a second to late that it might have been a mistake because then Keith was kissing him. Desperate, rough, wet… yet soft? It was a whirlwind.
Keith kissed in a way that Lance wasn't used to. It made him feel special, wanted, needed.
When they pulled away, he sobbed for air, "Me too,"
"What?" Keith whispered frantically.
"I… I trust you, Keith. A-And I know you are just trying to get past this right now," he cups his face and forces their eyes to meet. It didn't take a genius to realize how much Keith has lost in his life.
His father passed away at a young age, he never knew his mother, no friends or other family. He even lost the only brother figure he had for a while and was suddenly thrown into a galactic war just to learn you aren't completely what you always thought yourself to be…
To Lance, the fact that Keith still managed to bless his life with a smile was extraordinary.
Of course Keith wouldn't know what to do. Lance, who was more well-rounded support wise didn't even know what to do.
He just knew that communication was important. You might not be able to come up with an answer but addressing the issue and knowing it is there is just as important. "I… God, I don't know what we are doing,"
Keith sniffs once and nods numbly, "I don't have a clue,"
"Me either- but that is okay because I want to figure it out with you. But… but Keith, the way we are going right now isn't right. You don't… own me, and lately, it feels like that is the way you've been treating me. Not- Not completely, but whenever we go out."
Keith sat up a little, brushing at the tear rolling down his face, "I'm sorry… I didn't mean to do that. Tellru talked to me too… I had no idea."
"I know," Lance tells him softly, "That is why I want to talk to you about it- maybe find something that makes both of us comfortable."
Keith is quiet for a long time, "You don't have to do that,"
Lance doesn't understand, "Huh?"
"You don't have to- I'll just do what you say. If you want me to back off, or if I get too clingy, I'll back off. Just tell me…"
Surprised he wasn't even attempting to make some sort of plea for his case or something, Lance opened and closed his mouth in shock, "I-"
"I know you aren't too comfortable around me, Lance,"
Lance sputters, "Excuse me? Who told you that?"Keith sits up, puzzled and struggling to make his way through this conversation,
Keith sits up, puzzled and struggling to make his way through this conversation, "Y… You did. At the station. You said- you don't need me, Lance."
Lance gasped, covering his mouth. "Oh! Oh no no! Wait no!" he grabs Keith's hands, "I didn't mean that! I mean- I did, but not in that way!" it was only now, after recalling Keith had been orphaned at a young age, that Keith might have had a lot of problems with not being needed. He was never actually adopted after his Father passed away- How often had he felt unwanted? Un-needed.
"I want you Keith!" Okay, back track, and sound a little less suggestive there, Lance, "I mean I- Not in that way! I need you in my life! I want you in my life! Not to say I wouldn't- I mean, you are hot and all…" Lance slapped himself, "Does this make any sense?" he demanded, flustered.
Keith blinked rapidly, his cheeks red, "I… I don't know."
Lance gulps a few calming breaths, "Look…I really do like you, Keith," he admits, "I… want you in my life, but I don't need you to babysit me. I don't need you to be some shield for me. I just… I need you- but as someone who stands next to me, as an equal. That is what I meant,"
"You mean that?"
"Yes,"
Keith reaches a hand up from the mattress, cupping the side of Lance's face. "Okay," he tells him. "I can do that…"
The smile he receives from Lance makes Keith's heart skip a beat, "You okay with that?"
Keith is mesmerized, nodding, "Y-Yeah."
"I'm glad,"
Keith wants to kiss him. He holds off when Lance begins to talk.
"So I don't mind the possessiveness that much. Just… not too much, is what I'm trying to say. Don't keep me locked in the room, let me go off on my own- but I like the kissing and whatever…."
"You do?".
His stare is too much and Lance glances away, "Course I do.." he mutters, "I-" when he lifts his head, Lance finds himself pulled towards Keith. Without so much of a second to gasp, he is tugged into a kiss. Opening his mouth, startled, their tongues collide in a maddening mess of saliva. Lance gets dizzy from it, pulling back and gasping.
"Keith…'
"I don't want to smother you- but I also want to smother you. I want to baby you and coddle you," Keith glances away, "I'm sorry,"
Lance shook his head, "N-No, no it is okay. I… I feel that way too,"
Keith snapped his gaze back, "You… You do?" he whispers
"It's a weird feeling…"
Keith nods in agreement, "I want to- I want to keep you to myself,"
Lance blushes a little and chuckle nervously, "I.. I feel the same. But we can't do that, Keith. We have to be willing to let the other go off. To talk and meet new people and learn things on our own." Sitting up a little, the two embrace. "We can't always be right next to each other… There will be times when things try to hurt us, and we can't always stop them."
Keith tightens his grip, biting his lower lip. He hated to admit it, but Lance was right.
"We can't avoid any bad thing that happen… we just have to try out best when they arrive," Lance kisses his temple, "We are paladin's of Voltron- fighting and getting hurt is part of the job description,"
Keith sighs sadly, "I know…"
"So, lets make a deal. If you feel worried about me, if you don't like what I am doing- tell me, and we'll work it out together. We'll talk it over," Lance says to him, "I can't promise I wont do something dangerous, just like how you can't always promise me that either- but we'll try. We'll trust in the other to always come out on top when dangerous things happen. I'll trust you- and I want you to trust me."
"I do…." Keith paused, considering something. Thinking it over, he says, "I trust you," Keith reached behind him. Lance hadn't expected him to pluck his traditional Galra blade from his belt. When he held it up to Lance, time froze.
"What?"
"Here,"
"…Huh? What?" Lance asked quietly.
"I'm proving to you that I trust you with everything." he placed it in his hands. Lance almost dropped it. "Hold on to this for me."
Keith didn't let anyone touch this. Lance had seen Shiro hold it once, with Keith hovering close by, taking it back within 30 seconds. The whole time he had looked anxious, eyes flickering back and forth between Volition's leader and his blade.
But now, Keith didn't even bat an eye. He seemed content with his choice, and even dared a smile.
Bumping his forehead to Lance, he sighs peacefully, "I trust only you with this,"
"A-Are you sure?" he asked nervously. "This is- this was given to your by your mother, Keith. It's the last thing you have of her,"
"I'm not giving it to you to own. Just to hold on to and watch over for me for a while," Keith assures him. "...But if you wanted it, I would give it to you,"
"Keith," He gasps, "I-I can't…"
"Then hold onto it. Just for a little while. Let me prove to you that I trust you," Keith kisses him. "Okay?"
Lance shivers, eyes flickering down then up again, "…O-Okay," he says shakily. "If you're sure,"
"I am,"
"Does that mean I can also borrow your belt?"
Keith raises an eyebrow, "Why do you need my belt?"
"Cause it's got that little holster for it," Lance tells him. "I don't have anything to carry this thing," he explains.
"Ooh…" Keith reaches for it. Taking it off, he holds it to Lance to take. Lance looks oddly smug.
"Eh, look at that. I already got you taking off your clothes for me," he snickered.
Almost falling off the bed, Keith screeched something and threw a pillow at his face. "Lance! We were having a moment!"
"What?" he cackled, "I had to take the chance!"
REPLIES TO REVIEW BECAUSE I ALWAYS FORGET TO DO THIS!:
Ellie: Thank you so much! It means so much to me that you enjoy this story so much! ;-;
Thefuckisabrotp: YOU STAYED UP THAT LATE? I HOPE YOU WEREN"T TOO TIRED THE NEXT MORNING! FOREVER IS A LONG TIME BUT I'LL TRY
Ashlielle: Oh my gosh thank you! Nobody hurts Ruru indeed! They shall die if they do! *takes cookie* Thank you ;-; I love cookies. I even mentioned cookies a lot in this chapter XD It is always worth it to write this, all you reviews are so nice to me! Thank you so much! Honestly, I'm always so pumped to post a new chapter, I never feel pressured at all :D
Guest : On his psychological damage? I guess I never really thought he would have any since he wasn't held as a prisoner prize for that long. Perhaps a day or two, and nothing really happened to him other then they threw a shirt on him and sat him up on the top to watch Lance fight. So I guess at the time I didn't really think any kind of mental damage would have lingered. He was just happy to have Lance back. But thank you so much for reading it! :D
Phoenix51: Thank you so much! Thank you for reading!
Ewink18: I"m so glad that you like this so much! I hope you liked this chapter too!