The two boys were slowly making their way through the apple orchards that were now bare due to winter's cold. Lance had gotten used to riding shortly after they had left and was actually enjoying himself. He had always wanted to ride and it was exciting he had his own horse now. Him and the King could ride together whenever they wanted.
"It seems so long ago. That we were dancing here." Keith said his own mind going back in time to the late summer day he had found Lance snoozing under and apple tree while Kaltenecker grazed. It seemed so long ago yet it had only been a few months. A lot has happened in those few months though but Keith was pleased with the outcome. Please he had Lance riding at his side now. Lance just nodded remembering the day as well.
"It does hm? The orchards are so sad bare like this. I can't wait for next summer. To smell the apples again." Lance said breathing in the air. It was cold, crisp, and refreshing but he preferred the sweet aroma of ripe apples over this any day.
They rode in silently just admiring the frosty branches and the frozen Earth beneath the horses hooves. They soon arrived at the edge of the orchard and Keith brought red to a halt.
"We should head back." He said with a small frown. He would much rather ride away deeper into the countryside but knew he had a busy day as King. Lance turned Kova around and threw a wink behind him as a challenge before urging Kova into a full gallop leaving the King behind.
"Hey!" He called gladly accepting, racing after the boy. They made it back to the castle in record time both boys panting from the excitement. Keith came over once he dismounted putting his leather gloved hands over Lance's red wind burned cheeks to hopefully warm them. Lance smiled and placed his own hands over Keith's.
"My hero." He said his face already warming under the King's touch. More so from the nerves than the actual touch, but warmth nonetheless. Keith grinned and left a soft kiss on his cold nose before taking Lance's hand and heading back inside.
"Thank goodness you've returned your Majesty! Everyone is in a fit about your dedlay!" Hunk cried out seeing Keith enter the castle. Shiro was right behind him along with msot of his council. Keith tried his best to keep a pleasant smile on his face for the holidays.
"Sorry. I just thought I would let Lance test out his gift." He said and Hunk just smiled in relief. He turned to Thomas who was waiting for a job.
"Boy! Put on the kettle. Make some tea to thaw out these men so they can go into town!" Thomas bowed and ran off to fetch some hot drinks. The council men grouped up and were talking in hushed voices among themselves. Shiro walked over and bowed quickly.
"Merry Christmas,Your Highness" He said but Keith just pulled him into a hug.
"Merry Christmas Shiro" He said and pulled away. Shiro had just returned from the coast, he had been keeping tabs on Zarkon that morning.
"Any news to report?" Keith asked as the three men made their way to one of the lounges for them to take a seat.
"None sir. No movement from any of Zarkon's fleet. I do not know what they are waiting for but I'm uneasy.." Shiro said taking a seat across from the King and Lance. Lance was laying back with a small yawn clearly exhausted from the morning's activities. Keith smiled fondly with slight amusement. The day had just begun, sadly for Lance. Keith felt in his gut something was bound to happen eventually. Why would they just be waiting a few miles off their shores? To scare them? To send a threat? Or were they actually planning on attacking?
"An Alfor? Has he sent word as to his alliance?" Keith asked. Shiro nodded and sat back getting comfortable.
"He has readied his men on their borders. He sent a few fleets as well. They are waiting for word to close in. They are ready when and if we need them." Keith chewed his lip in thought and Lance sat up quickly.
"Wait wait wait? Are we in like a war or something?" He asked finally actually paying attention to the conversation. Keith thought maybe he should have excused themselves from Lance's presence not having remembered the boy was unaware. Keith looked at Shiro for help and Lace looked between the two.
"Yes.." Shiro started but quickly added. "You should not worry though. We will not let them lay a foot on our soil." Shiro assured and Lance just looked skeptical.
"Why wouldn't you tell people?" He asked and it was Keith that answered.
"We do not want to scare people. The less the people know the better. Until the threat is larger we can keep it quiet. Plus, It's the holidays. No one wants war on their minds."
"But you guys have.. You've been having to worry about this the whole time?" Keith shrugged.
"It comes with the job." He sighed running a hand through his hair. "It's fine Lance. Don;t worry yourself. It'll be fine." Keith said resting a reassuring hand on Lance's knee. Thomas appeared with a tray of steaming cups for each of them.
"Thank you Thomas. Take the rest of the day off. Enjoy your Christmas." Keith ordered with a friendly smile. Thomas beamed and bowed quickly excusing himself before running off. Lance sipped his tea his own mind now worried about what was happening. He had no idea this was going on.
"Hurry and drink. We have a busy day ahead of us." Keith said sipping his own.
Not long after Keith was being hustled into the carriage while Lance was kissing his family goodbye. They decided to stay back and play around the castle.
"Be safe" Maria said leaving a kiss on his cheek. Lance waved a farewell before taking a seat next to Keith on a very plush bench in the carriage. Lance wiggled getting comfortable.
"Man. This is really quite comfortable." he remarked and Keith just shook his head slightly.
"You find joy in the smallest things don't you?'
"It's not a bad thing. " Lance said in his defense and Keith wrapped an arm around his waist pulling him closer as the carriage started moving. It was just the two of them in the carriage so Keith took advantage of their alone time. He nuzzled into Lance's neck leaving the lightest of kisses on his neck making him squirm.
"Are you warm enough?" Keith asked softly looking at the boy next to him before pulling his cloak around him tighter.
"I will be plenty warm if you keep kissing me like that." Lance mumbled his face reddening by the second. Keith just smirked and leaned back over.
"Well, I wouldn't want you cold now would I?" He said before resuming his gentle assault on Lance. "You smell so good." Keith mumbled against the soft skin of his throat working his way along every inch of exposed skin he could get his lips on. Keith blamed the holiday spirit for his sudden lust but Lance just looked too damn good today not to taste a little.
"K-keith" Lance sputtered feeling the hint of teeth. Keiht pulled away slightly looking up at him. "We shouldn't.." He said and Keith pouted a bit.
"And why not? It is a long ride to the town. What else would we do/" He asked not wanting to push Lance into anything but his whole body ached to just kiss the life out of this kid. Lance swallowed hard and looked around as if people could see. The windows of the carriage covered in a dark tapestry shutting out the world. Lance looked back over at Keith and the look of hunger in his eyes sent a shiver down his spine. Here he was, actually being wanted by someone, someone so good to him. He should feel lucky, should want to right? Then why was he so nervous?
"Lance. It's okay to be nervous.' Keith said siting back giving him some room.
"I know this is all new for you and that's okay. Just tell me if I ever make you uncomfortable." Keith said resting a hand on Lance's.
"I know..I just.. I want to. I just.. am scared?" He said chewing his lip nervously.
"Why?" Keith asked. "Scared I'll make you do something you don't want to?" Lance just shook his head and sighed.
"I don't know. Scared that this may just be some dream or something. Or that if I allow myself to really just..open up that one day you might decide you don't want some poor farm boy anymore and I don't know how well I could handle that. " Keith frowned a bit at that.
"Why would I think that? I've tried so hard to get you here. Does that not prove that I'm interested in more than a short term thing?" Lance looked over at Keith wishing he could just put into words what he was feeling.
"I'm scared of you leaving me like my father left my mother. They seemed so happy for so long and one night he just packed his things and left. It destroyed my mother. She wasn't the same after and I am terrified of breaking like she did. It's stupid I know.
" he groaned hiding his face in his hands. Why did he have to dampen the mood with his insecurities. Keith just scooted over wrapping both arms around him and resting his head against his.
"I'm sorry your father left Lance. I'm sorry it hurt you and your family but I can promise you, with every inch of my being, that I'm not like him and will not hurt you like him. I will do everything in my power to protect you from anything that could harm you. Every breath I breathe will go towards making sure you and your family are never hurt again. I can't tell why I feel this strongly. I know I've only known you for a short time, but ever since I met you at the market I've felt such a strong connection to you. Shiro told me that my mother was always talking about meeting the right one. That the world seems to be so..dull without them around. After meeting you, all I wanted to do was find you again. Being near you brings color to my life and joy and I know that's cheesy, God, I've turned into a romantic monster but damn it Lance I care so deeply about you and I would do anything to keep you here, with me, and happy. Now. Hush with your frowning and kiss me" He finished and Lance was shocked and just stared at him trying to process the monologue he had just given.
"Oh.." Was all he could say and Keith laughed a bit.
"I just poured my heart out and you say 'oh?'" He laughed a little harder and leaned over kissing Lance.
"You are strange Lance McClain" He mumbled and Lance leaned in kissing him back all his worries seeming to have disappeared. After that the carriage ride couldn't be long enough. Two cloaks were thrown onto the other side of the carriage and the temperature inside had raised to a cozy level as the two made use of their time.
Keith was above Lance exploring his collar bone with his mouth, his hands exploring the rest of him and Lance was just barely handling it. A few buttons later Keith was working his way down Lance's torso and each bump in the road made Lance yip in shock and they just laughed and continued.
"I can't believe I'm almost half naked in your carriage. What if someone sees?!" Lance gasped as Keith's tongue flicked out over one of his nipples. "Jesus Kith" he hissed earning a shit eating grin from the boy on top of him.
"Stop worrying so much. You're enjoying it aren't you? It's Christmas right? A day for joy." He said in his defense as his hands rested on the boys hips. Keith left one more kiss before starting to button Lance's shirt. Lance watched him a bit confused and when Keith sat up and wiggled off him Lance sat up too.
"Sorry. I should stop though. Before things get a little too out of hand." Keith smiled at the flushed boy across from him. Lance just nodded his mind still racing.
"No hurry and put your cloak on before the chill sets in." Keith said helping Lance back into his warm furs. Once both boys were a little more settled down Lance snuggled into Keith's side and they finished the ride with soft chatter, both now much more at ease and Keith had to admit, Lance looked good glowing like he was. A good make out session could do that to ya.