CHAPTER 4: Pins and Needles
The next morning, Keith wakes up because he's way too warm. His eyes blink open and he has a moment of peace before he realizes why he's too hot. Keith stays very still and examines the situation. He's basically pressed against Lance's chest, who has both his arms around Keith, which honestly looks not that comfortable but okay, and is still deeply asleep. Keith's head is tucked under Lance's chin and Keith doesn't know how they ended up like this when they started so far apart in the bed. Keith feels like maybe he should be panicking or possibly uncomfortable but all he feels is belonging.
He feels like home.
Lance chooses that moment to wake up.
"Holy quiznak my arm is so asleep that we might have to amputate it and quite frankly I'm not super pumped to know what Shiro would think about that."
Keith sighs as he sits up, trying to flatten his hair back down. Lance makes a noise at the pins and needles feeling that floods the arm that was trapped to the bed.
"Ow ow ow yep definitely amputation for sure, why were you crushing me anyway?" Lance says, sitting up and shaking his arm out.
Keith shrugs, blushing the tinniest bit. He would deny it if Lance called him out on it. "I don't know, it just happened."
Lance just nods, smirking. "Yeah, okay."
Keith chooses to let that one go. Shiro would be proud.
Keith wonders if he should even try to figure out what time it is or if it's easier to just assume it's time to get ready for the day. He settles for the latter. Keith slides out of the bed and stretches, popping his back. He stands next to the bed for a bit before he notices there's new clothes on the dresser. That means someone came into their room last night and brought them new clothes. And probably saw him and Lance cuddled up in the bed.
Great.
Keith takes his without a word and goes to bathe and change in the bathroom. When he comes out, Lance is sitting half on the bed with one of his legs dangling off the side, swinging it back and forth. He's reading one of the books off the table and Keith takes a moment to appreciate this softer more genuine side of Lance that he's sure Lance would deny exists if Keith wasn't witnessing it right now. Lance becomes aware that he's being watched and abruptly closes the book and puts it back on the table.
"Why are you standing there watching me like a creep? Man, you took forever in the bathroom, how is that possible when you come out looking mostly the same as when you went in?" Lance babbles on the way to take his turn in the bathroom. Keith watches him go, unable to help the small smile that works its way onto his face at Lance's endearing moment of embarrassment.
Out of all the things that Keith thought would make him admit to himself that he likes Lance in a completely non-platonic way, he didn't think it would be Lance being shy over being caught reading a book.
Oh man, I've got it bad. Keith waits for the panic to come with it, but finds there is none. He's not even surprised. He guesses that he's known for awhile now.
When Lance finishes in the bathroom, the two test their memory of the layout of the building and find their way back to the entrance. The citizens of this planet have no real plans to fight the Galra, just that they know they're coming, and this is probably what concerns Keith the most. As a result, the two have decided that they're going to start teaching those who wish to learn how to fight some basic hand to hand combat. It's not much but it's better than nothing.
They had informed Rhaegar last night of their plans and Rhaegar had said he would notify the others and invite them to learn. He had given them directions to the small building, well small in comparison to the castle, that they're currently standing in front of. Rhaegar had said it would be perfect for training in.
Keith and Lance walk in and find that there's only about ten or fifteen people waiting for them.
"This is it? Out of everyone?" Lance asks, taking the question right out of Keith's mouth.
"Our people are afraid of violence. They do not wish to fight the Galra and will do anything to avoid doing so." One of the women in the front speaks up. She has long pastel blue hair and has on an outfit reminiscent of Rhaegar's but with a top portion and some subdued jewelry layered over it.
"So they're just going to rely on the two of us to defend the entire planet?" Keith asks, annoyed.
"It would appear so," The woman replies back calmly, "in addition to this group."
Keith takes a minute to consider their options, steaming. He looks at Lance who looks more disappointed than angry. Keith takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly. He takes a step towards the group.
"Look, I know that the Galra are coming and that it's terrifying to fight them but the fact that you're here now shows that you're not willing to just lay down and let them take your home," Keith starts solemnly, "you've chosen to fight. We're going to do our best to teach you but you're going to have to have some patience. You're never going to be completely ready, so don't give up. Remember that patience yields focus." Keith ends his impromptu introduction-made-speech.
The little group takes a moment to take in the words before looking to the woman who spoke earlier.
"So, where do we start?"
Author's note:
Sorry this chapter's so short.
Next time: some training and some feelings and some drama. Oh my.