i had absolutely no time today so I'm just reusing a one-shot i posted last month OOPS
When the cry came, it came ear-splitting. It came world-shattering. And it came heartbreaking.
It sounded like pure pain funneled into a pair of lungs.
"Lance!"
Keith's voice was ragged, cutting through the echo of the team's battle. With one word, two syllables, his jagged voice tore everyone's attention away.
Gritting his teeth, he pushed himself onto his feet and slammed the butt of his blade into his opponent's chest. And then he took off without a second thought, diving to catch Lance's falling body. He managed to snake his arms underneath Lance in time. They both hit the ground with a thud.
Keith pushed their entwined bodies up.
"Lance," Keith said again, more desperate now as he looked over Lance's wounds. "Why would you do that?"
"What?" Lance tried, parting his dry lips. Blood spilled down his chin. "Take a hit for you?" His eyes fluttered closed. "Cause I love you, tough guy."
Keith put his hand against Lance's cheek, tapping his thumb under one brown eye. "Lance! Lance, stay with me!"
"Huh?"
"Lance!" Keith pulled him closer, one hand on his face and one hand cradling the back of his head. He carefully moved Lance into his lap, balancing him across his thighs.
He wiped away some of the blood forming at the corner of Lance's mouth. "Lance! I love you, too? Okay? Stay with me. Do you hear me?"
"I...I hear you." Lance's voice started to drift like it was being carried by the wind.
Keith saw the others rushing toward him in his peripheral vision but he didn't look up. "Open your eyes. Lance. Lance. Please open your eyes."
And he tried. He tried to open them but he groaned and they instantly fell shut again. His head lolled across Keith's lap.
Keith glanced at the gaping wound in Lance's torso. With every passing tick, more and more blood stained the canvas of his white and blue uniform. Keith momentarily whipped his head back. "Guys!" he screamed. Something broke every ounce of self control he always had. He dripped with panic now.
Lance's fingers touched his arm. He turned back, eyes flickering between Lance's face and his hand.
"Keith…"
"I'm right here," Keith said. He softened his voice for Lance. "It's gonna be okay. You hear me? Everything is gonna be okay."
"Yeah." Lance's breathing was heavy. "But...just in case-"
Keith's expression hardened and he held Lance a little tighter. "No. The others are coming. We're getting you out of here."
"Just in case, Keith-"
"No. Don't you dare say goodbye to me."
Lance licked his bloody lips. "-I love you. Thanks...for being the best boyfriend in the whole universe."
Keith brushed Lance's stray tears away. "I love you, too, Lance. So much, okay? But you're not going anywhere." He jerked his head towards the others again, careful not to move the lower half of his body and disturb Lance. "Guys! We can't wait for Coran and the castle! Somebody help me move him into my lion. Now!" He peered at the now unconscious body in his arms. "You're gonna be fine, Lance. ...Lance?!"
Keith sat with his elbows pressed to his knees, hands clasped out in front of him, forehead leaned against his knuckles.
He contemplated closing his eyes, tempted to fall asleep. And he almost did. But he forced himself to stay awake.
Good thing, too. When the pod opened, Keith was on his feet before Lance managed to tumble out.
Keith jumped, catching Lance as he tripped into his arms.
"Hey," he said softly. "It's okay. I gotcha."
Lance rubbed at his eyes. "Keith?"
"Hey."
"What…" Lance turned his head against the crook of Keith's arm. "What happened? Last thing I remember...I was saying goodbye to you."
Keith pushed a lock of Lance's hair out of his eyes, tucking it behind his ear. "Yeah."
"Guess you got me outta there fast enough, huh?"
"I almost didn't." Keith bit his lower lip. "I'm sorry you even had to-"
"No. Don't do that."
He furrowed a brow. "Do what?"
"That thing."
"What thing?"
"Your take-all-the-blame-thing," Lance said. He smiled and his eyes glimmered. Keith's heart melted. "It's adorable, but it's frustrating." He exhaled. "It's not your fault."
"Lance-"
"Hey." Lance reached a hand up and kissed the skin under Keith's eye with his thumb. "It's okay. I'm...alive. Thanks to you. I saved your life and you saved mine." He grinned. "Just hero stuff."
Holding his breath, Keith leaned into Lance's touch. "I love you."
Lance kissed him.
