"You called him a fopdoodle?! What does that even mean?!" Keith asked unable to hide the laughter in his voice. The evening had continued with little drama the remainder of the evening. Keith and Lance were seated alone in the courtyard away from the loud event inside. Keith had wanted to explain everything himself.

"I don't know! It was the first thing that came to mind!" Lance argued in his defense which just made Keith laugh harder. Lance crossed his arms but was unable to resist a small smile of his own.

"He was scary. It just came out." He said and Keith stopped laughing and frowned a bit.

"Did he hurt you?" His voice more serious than it's been all evening. Lance looked over and shook his head quickly.

"Oh! NO! My pride maybe but he didn't hurt me. Just said some things that made me want to pummel him but I surely would have lost." Lance smiled a bit trying to urge the King into a happier mood but he seemed upset suddenly.

"I'm so sorry Lance. I have brought this upon you for my own selfish reason. You don't deserve to be a target of hate like this." Keith looked at his hands feeling guilty over the ordeal. He was already putting Lance in danger and they had barely begun a relationship. How would he ever be accepted as Keith's partner?

"Keith. It's okay. I think when people fear the unknown they choose to instead distance themselves and dislike it instead of learning and acknowledging it. This, us, two men being intimate, is totally new to so many people and they are scared I think. Scared of change. Scared of their beliefs being questioned, of walls being torn down. I think the change will do good because change is good. People are just scared. They like routine and predictability." Keith only stared at the boy next to him in slight amazement.

"You are wise beyond your years McClain." He huffed a bit but had to admit. It seemed accurate enough.

"It is scary. Trying to change something that had been so..strict. But, you want to be intimate?"Keith asked glancing over with narrowed eyes and a smirk.

Lance reddened and started sputtering immediately.

"W-what?! Absolutely not! Well! No! Maybe!? I don't know!" He rambled his words spilling out quicker than his mind could process them. He just ended up muffling his words with his hands. Keith reddened a bit but looked up at the sky with a soft sigh. Lance peeked through his fingers nervously seeing Keith's gaze away from him . He took a deep breath and let his hands fall in his lap.

"I.. too am scared of this change. I grew up believing there was a right and a wrong way to love. My father was very strict in his beliefs so I was raised with such a narrow view so this.. is strange. It feels wrong though I want it to feel right. I think it will take time but I think I could learn to care for you. The way you want me to." Keith looked over with a small encouraging smile before turning to face Lance, taking both his hand in his own.

"I know. I had it easy I guess. I kind of always knew where I stood, Shiro and I were raised together and seeing his relationship blossom with Adam just showed me there could be love outside of women. They've never interested me. They are quite...emotional? I've grown up admiring Shiro and his strength and wanted to be just like him when I was older. He's practically an idol to me." Keith said softly.

"But now you're King. You can do whatever you will. " The two boys stared at each other in silence. Lance licked his lips nervously and Keith wanted nothing more than to feel them again. They were so soft and so cautious he just wanted to take them over. As much as he wanted to it was getting very late.

Lance seemed to pick up the hesitation and leaned over leaving a light kiss on his cheek.

"We should take our leave. The journey home is quite long." Lance said. Keith lead the other boy back in and Lance broke off to round up his family. Keith ordered for the carriage to be pulled up front ad await it's passengers. Once all five McClains were together they made their way outside and loaded up one by one, each child exhausted and yawning. Keith watched them with a smile making sure to say farewell to each. He helped Maria into the cart leaving a small kiss on her hand with a goodbye. Last was Lance who was hanging back slightly digging his toe in the soft dirt.

"Time to leave." Keith said walking over. Lance nodded a bit nervously twisting a button on his jacket.

"You looked stunning tonight. The color suits you. You look nice cleaned up." Keith smiled fixing his collar.

"Hey! My overalls are far more comfortable than this. I have never worn so many layers in my life." Lance grinned.

"Good thing for you then, you look good in everything. Or nothing too I'm sure." Keith said his eyes traveling down Lance's lean slender frame. Lance shoved Keith gently with a gasp.

"Keith!" He shrieked his cheeks burning. Keith laughed but apologized quickly. Lance shook his head in disbelief before heading towards the carriage.

"Thank you though. I cannot thank you enough for the kindness you've shown my family. It truly does mean everything to me. We will return the clothes in pristine condition I swear." Lance said turning to look over at the King. Keith shook his head holding up a hand

"No need. They're a gift. To show my thanks for accepting my invitation. Now, off you go. I want to make sure you get home at some reasonable hour." Keith leaned over letting their lips brush in a soft kiss of farewell. Lance leaned in a bit completing the kiss before stepping into the carriage. Keith watched as the door shut and the horses were urged forward and the carriage was on it's way. Keith watched until it disappeared beyond the gates before returning inside.

The next few days Keith felt light as a feather. After the happenings during the ball he was happier than he had been in a long time. Lance was open and walling to giving them a chance even though he had such doubt before. It was now time for his next council meeting and it was the only thing dampening his mood. Kolivan surely knew as well and would not let Keith have this happiness. Kolivan would be a problem surely. Keith slowed his walk seeing Shiro hurrying forward his smile brighter than anything

"Your Highness!" He bowed gleefully practically skipping the rest of the distance between them. Keith had a raised eyebrow expecting to hear Shiro had fallen upon a small fortune for the way he was acting.

"Good morning Shiro. I see you are feeling well?" Keith asked his voice light with amusement. Shiro only grinned even more and nodded.

"It is indeed Your Majesty. A wonderful morning in fact." They walked to the meeting room together and Keith could only assume Adam was to blame for Shiro's exuberance this morning. Gross. He thought but was glad to see his older brother so happy. He couldn't wait to be that happy with Lance by his side.

Keith walked in to see his full councilman already seated and ready to begin. They stood and greeted their King before they were told to sit as Keith seated himself.

"Good morning gentlemen. I sure hope we have some topics that will actually peak my interest today?" Keith said leaning heavily on the arm of the chair grabbing his goblet and allowing it to be filled by the boy to his right holding a pitcher of wine. He sipped it waiting for his councilman to start the boring updates of whatever they talked about.

"Your Highness, we hope you are well." Hunk started. "We have no new update on the coastline. Zarkon's forces have not moved further or closer to our borders. I have yet to hear back from Lubos in terms of an acceptance or denial to his proposal so we are unsure of what is to come. The men are ready to protect and die protecting you and this Kingdom so fear not." Keith nodded swirling his cup and it's contents.

"Very well. Do keep me updated. I would rather not lose any lives if possible. " The Cardinal nodded and the next an spoke up.

"Your Majesty, I have heard rumors of a sickness breaking out among the townspeople. There has been a few reported deaths that is to be believed caused by said sickness. We encourage you to stay inside and if you see anyone with signs of sickness to stay clear of them." Keith sat up his stomach already filled with worry.

"How many people have died?" He asked and the other man frowned a bit.

"Five I believe but hundreds have fallen ill. We are hoping it stays out of court for everyone's sake." Keith chewed his lip a wave of dread hitting him. All he could think about was Lance and his family, praying they had been untouched by the sickness that was spreading.

"Keep me updated on that as well. I want as few lives lost as possible. Send as many physicians as possible to try and aid my people." Keith said and the man nodded. Kolivan's stare was burning into Keith's turned head before he finally tuned making eye contact with the man. His eyes narrowed but he did not speak.

"Is that everything gentlemen?" Keith asked directing his question more towards the angry man before him.

There were a few muttered 'no's and Keith excused his council itching to get on Red and ride off to check on his beloved. Keith stood and made his way out the door quickly before Kolivan could speak to him. He had more important things to worry about. Shiro was falling in step quickly his voice low but serious.

"Where are you going?" He asked knowing fully well where Keith was headed.

"I need to check on them. Make sure they are well." Keith replied glaring over at Shiro just daring him to try and stop him. Keith was stopped as Shiro stepped in front of him.

"I ca not allow that. King or not, You will surely catch whatever this is and we can not afford to lose our King." Shiro said moving to stop Keith as he tried to snake by.

"Shiro! What if he gets sick?! I need to bring them here, make sure they're safe!" Shiro just shook his head.

"Keith. I worry just as much as you but they've been exposed, it is far too late to bring them here. I wills send our best physician to them to make sure they are okay but I can not allow you to leave this castle." Shiro said his tone finalizing their conversation. Keith sighed running a nervous hand through his hair.

"I just worry so much." He said and Shiro rested a light hand on his shoulder.

"he will be fine. "

The days drug on and Keith's joy had seeped away after the news of the outbreak. Hundreds have died of this sickness so far and Keith was confined to his chambers. He laid on his chaise wishing he could leave and do something other than read, draw, and eat. He was being eaten alive by worry not having heard back from the physician they had sent to Lance's home. Only Shiro was allowed to visit to limit the interactions between Keith and others. Two people have fallen ill in the court and the fear spread quickly and it was a mess of hysteria in the halls of the castle. People screaming about the plague and how they were all doomed. It did not help Keith's mind. He could only pray his hardest to whatever was out there for Lance and his family to be safe. Keith was pulled from his thoughts hearing a light tap on his door. Keith sat up and invited Shiro to enter. Shiro walked in and his normally bright happy face as grim and it sent a jab of dread through Keith's heart.

"Shiro. What's wrong?" He asked standing up. Shiro walked into the room and motioned for Keith to sit down. Keith sat down feeling nauseous but let Shiro speak.

"I got word from your physician.. I am afraid Lance's sister had fallen ill with the sickness. She had been fighting for days but.. Sophia passed away this morning. It also seems Luis ha fallen ill as well and it may be too late for the others as well." Shiro spoke softly and could only watch as Keith's expression morphed into pure horror. Keith covered his mouth his eyes already tinging. Keith knew how close Lance was with his family and he must be so devastated. Keith could only cry in Shiro's arms and cursed himself for not leaving that day and saving them. He could have saved her.

"Is it a plague?" Keith asked Shiro once he was composed. Keith was on his third glass of ale his stomach finally settling.

'I believe so. Some form of it. Bodies are being burned by the hundreds yet it is spreading so quickly. Lance and his remaining siblings who haven't shown signs yet have been moved to a cottage by the river in hopes of isolating Luis. Lance refused to leave his side but we got him away and hopefully to safety." Keith's heart felt so empty and heavy just imagining what they must be going through. To lose a child and soon another. He couldn't imagine

"I could have saved them. I should have."

"No. You would have just become sick yourself. There was nothing anyone could do." Shiro assured him but in Keith's heart he knew there could have been a way. He could have invited them to stay in court after the ball. They would have been safe.

Keith could not sleep that night. Every time his eyes closed he could see Lance's body wrapped in cloth and being piled up ready to be burned. Keith was sick all night his stomach heaving and rolling at the thought. Shiro was worried at first he too had grown sick but stayed by his side trying to calm him. Neither knew this was just the beginning.