As Keith sat on the edge of the gazebo, he noticed that he couldn't hear nor see Lance swimming about as he did before.
"Lance?" Keith asked as he looked around, his eyes trying to find him. "Lance?" Keith asked once more, his voice rising with his panic. "Lance?!" Keith called out as he rose to his feet, his voice echoing throughout the lake.
Without thinking, Keith jumped into the water. It wasn't when he was deeper in that he remembered he couldn't swim. With the water up to his neck, Keith started to panic as he couldn't stay afloat. Keith's head almost went under when he felt arms carry him back to the gazebo. Keith coughed the little water out of his lungs and clung on to who he now realized was Lance carrying him out of the lake.
"You scared me!" Keith exclaimed as he smacked Lance on his arm. "Where the hell were you!?" Lance jumped and shook his head softly, water splashing onto Keith.
"You can't swim?" Lance asked in surprise to which Keith shook his head.
"No!" Keith snapped back with a glare. "Did it look like I could?"
"You live on an island!" Lance exclaimed in confusion. "Shouldn't you know how to swim?"
"I may live on an island, but there's kind of a barrier around it," Keith said with a roll of his eyes. "And besides, my mother never cared enough to teach me how to swim."
"Yet, you still tried to save me," Lance said in amazement. "You put my safety over your own."
"Yeah, and all I get is soaking wet!" Keith said as he wrung out the bottom of his grey t-shirt.
"You can also have this cool rock I found," Lance said as he pulled a glowing stone out of his pocket and handed it to Keith. "Make a wish and toss it back in the lake," Lance said as Keith took out from his hands and tossed it back into the lake.
Keith rolled his eyes and stood up, water dripping from his clothes and hair. Lance climbed out of the lake and grabbed his jacket from where he placed it earlier. As Keith went to sit down by the picnic blanket, Lance placed the jacket around his shoulders and grabbed a towel to sit down on.
"Keith? I told you that I loved you," Lance said as he played with the ends of Keith's hair to grab his attention. "Do you love me?" Keith stared into Lance's blue eyes for a few silent moments before he turned his head away and stared at the lake with a frown on his face.
"I-" Keith started to say before he sighed softly. "I don't know what love feels like," Keith said softly, but Lance heard it.
"Maybe I can teach you," Lance said with a smile. Keith turned back to Lance and gave him a soft smile in return.
"Maybe."
Shortly after, they headed off back to the school. Lance explaining that he would have some of the servants come and take the food and stuff back for them.
The next day, the teens were back in Remedial class with Shay. Today she was wearing a pair of black dress pants, a light green blouse with loose sheer sleeves, and a black vest. She was also wearing black heels.
"I have a surprise for you all," Shay said gathering the teen's attention. "As you know, Sunday is Family Day here in Altea and because your parents can't be here, we've arranged something for you," Shay said with a smile. She headed over to the computer behind her and pressed a button on the keyboard. The computer flashed for a moment before Haggar's face popped up.
"Are we supposed to see something?" Haggar said as she studied the webcam in front of her. Beside her sat Ladnock, Trugg, and Sendak on the couch.
"Come see!" Shay called towards the teens who quickly headed over.
"All I see is a black screen," Haggar said in an annoyed tone of voice. On their end of the webcam, it was a black screen. "This is why I hate technology."
"Try pressing enter," Trugg said as she pressed keys on the keyboard. "Maybe the long bar?"
"Is there a remote for it? Ugh, this where I wish I had my magic," Hagagr said as she grew even more annoyed at the electronic device before her. A moment later and the villains could see Shay and their kids on the screen.
"There they are, Acxa, how's that Prince searching going?" Ladnock asked with a smile as she saw her daughter beside Keith.
"Oh please, Princes are overrated," Haggar said with a roll of her eyes.
"Who's the pinup beside you?" Sendak said as he saw Shay between Keith and Matt.
"This is Fairy Godmother Shay," Keith said with a forced smile.
"Ah, are we still using eggplants with our magic spells over there?" Haggar asked with a smirk on her face.
"I turned a pumpkin into a beautiful carriage," Shay said with a soft glare.
"Is it too much to give someone past midnight?" Haggar asked to which the trio beside her burst into laughter. "Most people like to party you know." This of course, just fueled Shay's anger. However, she decided to be the bigger person and instead stomped away off camera, giving the teens a chance to speak to their parents while she cooled down.
"Hi, Mom," Keith said with a smile.
"Keith! I m-miss you," Haggar said as she got slapped on the arm by Ladnock as she remembered that Shay was present.
"You four are never far from our thoughts," Trugg chimed in with a small wave to her son who waved back. "We know you're all doing great things over there."
"Exactly," Haggar said with a roll of her eyes. "How much longer before I can see you again, you know, face to face?"
"Um, well, there's the big Coronation coming up," Keith explained as he forced himself not to roll his eyes at his mother's practically bad acting. "So probably sometime after the celebration."
"When?"
"10 am on Friday."
"That long? Are you sure? I can't wait to see that w-" Haggar jumped as Ladnock elbowed her arm. "I just can't wait to see you again," Haggar said as she stopped herself from revealing her plan.
"Yeah, I can't wait to see you again," Keith said as he got the hidden message from his mother.
"Is that a dog Matthew? You know, their fur makes perfect earmuffs for the winter," Sendak said as he caught sight of Bae Bae in Matt's arms. "And he's a good size for a new pair."
"He's the perfect size for a pet," Matt snapped back. "You were wrong about dogs, I love him and he loves me," Matt said with a glare. "So drop it!"
"OHHH! Burn!" Trugg said with a laugh.
"Oh go sell a toaster and obsess over bayards that don't work!" Sendak snapped back with a glare.
"At least I didn't give my child a fear of dogs," Trugg said with an equally hated glare.
"At least I don't send my kid out to find bayards hoping to find one that works because of their disgusting taste for revenge!"
"Enough!"
Shay could see the teens were uncomfortable and shut the computer off with a sad smile.
"I'm so sorry," Shay said, guilt flooding her. "I didn't think they would-"
"Thanks for the treat," Rolo said softly with a smile. "It was thoughtful of you to do this for us."
"Of course," Shay replied as the teens went to gather their stuff. "I apologize again."
"Keith, what do you think our parents will do if we don't manage to pull this off?" Acxa asked as they headed into the hallway. "Your mom seemed pretty desperate and we all know what happens when she gets desperate."
"Well, they'll of course be disappointed in us," Keith said with a sigh. "But, probably also proud of us for trying our best."
"Really?" Matt asked in surprise.
"Yeah no, you saw the look my mother gave me," Keith said with a shake of his head. "If we don't pull this off, we're as good as goners."
"Yeah," Acxa said with a sigh as they headed to Rolo and Matt's dorm to plan their next move.
"Okay, we all know what this looks like. The wand will be up on the dais under the spell jar and we'll be coming up from the left here," Keith said as he unrolled the map. "I'll be up front here with Lance's parents and aunt and you guys will be up on the balcony," Keith said as he pointed out the spots on the map on the table. "Matt?"
"Right, I'll find the limo and then we can break the barrier and make our way back to the Isle," Matt said with a shake of his head. "Before they can even get to us, we'll have already gotten to the Isle."
"Acxa?"
"Yeah?"
"You're going to use this to knock out the limo driver," Keith said as he pulled out a clear vial with blue liquid inside. "Two sprays and he'll be out long enough for us to get away."
"Okay," Acxa said with a nod of her head. Matt and Rolo headed off to chill on their heads. As Acxa went to walk away, she took notice of a certain page in Keith's spellbook open. "Keith? Are you going to break the love spell on Lance?"
"Uh, yeah, for after everything goes down," Keith said with a forced smile as Acxa sat down beside him. "I just think it's a little too cruel to have Lance still in love with me when the villains invade Altea."
Keith sighed and walked out of the dorm room, spell book in hand. Rolo, Matt, and Acxa all were watching him leave in concern. But they all knew that once Keith made up his mind, it was hard to change it.
That night, no one slept well. Rolo stared at the trophy he and Matt had won together with the team, Mat lay on his bed and pulled Bae Bae close to him, Acxa pulled her test out of her night side table and stared at it.
Keith was in the kitchen, baking another spell, Though this time, it would be for a different reason.
"A million thoughts in my head
Should I let my heart keep listening?
I know it's time to say goodbye
So hard to let go"
A single tear ran down Keith's cheek as he could feel his heartbreaking. He did love Lance, but he knew it would be too cruel to have him still be in love with him when Haggar's plan came into action. Keith wiped his tears away and proceeded to bake the treat in the oven.
The next day, the school was out in the gardens celebrating Family Day. Everyone's parents were present for the celebration.
Lance was dressed in a pair of blue silk dress pants, a white blouse, and a silk blue blazer. His mother, Adam was dressed in light grey pants, a white blouse, and a simple dark yellow blazer. Shiro was dressed in black pants, a white blouse, and a light grey blouse. His aunt was dressed in a light blue dress with loose lace off the shoulder sleeves, a silver belt around her waist, and white heels. Her hair was tied in a high bun with purple earrings in her ears and a simple silver necklace around her neck.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we thank you for attending today," Lance said with a smile. "Please feel free to eat to your hearts content as we proudly present, your entertainment as we hope you'll-"
"Be our guest, be our guest
Put our service to the test
Tie your napkin 'round your neck, cherie
And we'll provide the rest (that's right)
Soup du jour (uh-huh), hot hors d'oeuvres (come on)
Why we only live to serve (whoo!)
Try the grey stuff, it's delicious (alright)
Don't believe me? Ask the dishes (ask the dishes)"
Behind Lance, a group of students including Rebecca, Romelle, Nyma, and Lotor sang and danced behind him. Lance turned to two girls and tossed the napkin he had on his arm to them, flashing one of his signature smiles to them.
"Yeah, they can sing, sing, sing, they can dance, dance, dance
After all, Miss, this is France (uh-huh)
And a dinner here is never, never second best (come on!)
Go on, unfold your menu
Go on, take a glance and then you'll (alright)
Be our guest (hey), be our guest (hey)
Be our guest, yeah
Yeah, come on, yeah
Be our guest, guest, yeah, yeah
At this point, Keith, Acxa, Rolo, and Matt appeared. Keith was wearing a pair of light grey pants, a lavender blouse, and a white blazer. Acxa was wearing a high collared black knee-length dress with a silver-studded belt, black heels, black hoop earrings with fringe, and a silver bracelet, she also had a black purse with her.
Matt was wearing a pair of black pants, a green shirt, and a black vest. Rolo was wearing a pair of dark red pants, a black blouse, and a black jacket.
"Beef ragout, cheese soufflé, hey
Pie and pudding en flambé, flambé
We'll prepare and serve with flair
A culinary cabaret (sounds so good)
You're alone, oh and you're scared, yeah
But the banquet's all prepared (it's all prepared)
No one's gloomy or complaining
While the flatware's entertaining (flatware's entertaining)
We tell jokes (jokes), I do tricks (tricks)
With my fellow candlesticks (fellow candlesticks)
And it's all in perfect taste, that you can bet (you can bet)
Come on and lift your glass
You've won your own
Free pass
To be our guest (If you're stressed)
(It's fine dining we suggest)
Be our guest, be our guest, Be our guest (yeah)"
As they passed the dessert table, Keith couldn't help but grab a strawberry. Acxa noticed and gave her friend a knowing smile. Keith shook her off and watched as the singing came to an end.
"(Yeah, come on)
Be our guest (Be our guest)
(Come on, come on)
Be our guest!"
The crowd cheered as the singing ended and Adam and Shiro walked up to Lance with a smile.
"You did an amazing job Lance!" Adam said as he gave his son a hug.
"Just here?" Shiro asked as the photographer wanted to take a picture for the newspaper of the trio.
"Ready?" the man asked as he held up the camera.
"Oh, by the way, I um, broke up with Nyma," Lance said to which his parents smiled. "And started dating someone else."
"Oh, well, I kind of knew it wasn't going to work out," Adam said as they got back into position for the picture. "She was too much of a pick me girl."
"So, who is the new girlfriend then?" Shiro asked.
"Well, boyfriend actually," Lance said to which his parents nodded. Lance had come out a bisexual to them 2 years ago and they of course accepted him. He was their son after all. "There he is," Lance said as he caught sight of Keith walking by with Acxa. "Keith!"
"Okay! On three," the photographer announced. "One! Two! Three!"
As Keith turned around, Adam and Shiro's jaws dropped. Just by the looks of him, they could tell who his mother was. Of course, they did this just as the photographer took their photo.
"I wanna introduce you to my parents," Lance said as Shiro and Adam shooed the photographer away.
"Okay," Keith said as Lance linked their arms together and turned to his parents.
"Mom, Dad, this is Keith," Lance said with a smile. "He's one of the kids from the Isle, and my boyfriend."
"Hi," Adam said with an uneasy smile.
"Hi," Keith replied, a nervous smile on his face.
"I was thinking maybe he can join us for lunch," Lance said as he rubbed Keith's arm to soothe his nervousness. "That way you can all get to know each other."
"Uh, of course," Shiro said with a smile. "Any friend of Lance's is wel-"
"Um, actually speaking of friends," Keith said as he pointed to where Acxa, Matt, and Rolo were standing. "I came with my friends."
"Oh well, why not invite them? You know what they say, "the more the merrier"!" Adam said with a forced laugh.
"Sure, I'll go grab them," Keith said as he turned to head off.
"Why don't we play some croquet before we break for lunch?" Shiro suggested, stopping Keith in his place.
"Croquet? Sure," Keith said with a small smile.
"Game on," Lance said with a smile.
"Game on," Shiro repeated with a similar smile.
"Have you ever played croquet before?" Lance asked as he and Keith walked towards the field.
"No," Keith said back with a shake of his head.
"Don't worry, you'll be fine."
Throughout the game, Keith was standing to the side. Lance's aunt Allura had reassured him that it was alright he didn't know how to play. She said that he was more than welcome to stand by and watch.
"Hello there," an elderly woman said as she walked up. She was dressed in a grey plaid skirt, a white sleeveless blouse, a white blouse with a belt, and white heels. She was also wearing a two-chain necklace and silver earrings. Her grey blonde hair was tied into a braided bun and her eyes smiled at Keith.
"Hello," Keith replied with a smile.
"Have we met?" the woman asked as she stepped to the other side of Keith. "I have the strangest feeling I've met you before,"
"No, I don't think so," Keith said with a shake of his head. "I'm new this year, a transfer student of sorts," Keith said to which the woman nodded in understanding.
"Ah," the woman said with a smile. "Well, welcome to Altea."
"Thank you," Keith said with a smile.
"Nana," Nyma said as she walked up and kissed the woman on the cheek. Nyma was dressed in a white sleeves blouse, a light blue skirt with a black flower design on the edge, a white jean vest with lace backing, and silver strappy sandals. She also wore silver teardrop earrings and a silver bracelet with a heart pendant.
"Nyma, it's good to see you again darling," the woman replied with a smile.
"Nana?" Keith asked as he caught sight of Nyma, his eyes widening.
"Malocoti's mother," Nyma said with a roll of her eyes. "Nana, it's not a good idea to talk to him," Nyma said with a glare towards the teen.
"Why? He seems like such a sweet boy," the woman asked as she turned to Keith and studied him in confusion before she caught sight of the slight yellow haze in his eyes.
"You!" she cried out, grabbing the attention of everyone around them. "How are you here? Did you go through a gender change?"
"Queen Luxia. There's no need to worry," Lance said as he walked up behind Keith. "This isn't Haggar, this is her son, Keith," Lance said as he wrapped an arm around Keith. "Remember? I wanted to give the children on the Isle a second chance?"
"A Chance? To what? Destroy our world?" Luxia asked glaring at Keith as Allura walked up to try and handle the situation. "Don't you all remember their spells?" Luxia asked turning to the crowd who just stood in silence. "Your mother is the reason that I missed 16 years of my daughter's life, I missed everything!" Luxia said with a glare towards Keith.
"I'm so so…" as Keith went to apologize, Lotor stepped in front of him with a glare.
"You've done enough damage!" Lotor said.
"Don't do this, Lotor," Lance said with a sigh.
"Do what? Treat them how they deserve? You really think they don't act like their parents," Lotor asked turning his attention back to Keith. "You stole Nyma's boyfriend," Lotor said as he pointed to Keith.
"Hey!" Lance said with a glare, he could feel himself getting angry. "That's enough!"
"And you, you enjoy hurting people," Lotor said towards Rolo. "And sweet Axca, you're nothing but a gold digger and a cheater."
"Mirror, mirror, in my hand, who's the biggest jerk in the land?" Acxa said as she pulled out her magic mirror and pointed it towards Lotor as his image popped up.
"Oh come on!" Lotor scoffed as he tossed the mirror out of Acxa's hand. "That thing doesn't work."
"Back off Lotor! You're out of line!" Rolo said as he pushed Lotor away. Acxa pulled out the vial Keith gave her last night and sprayed it into Lotor's face. The crowd crying out when Lotor fell to the ground.
"Come on, Keith," Acxa said as she grabbed Keith's hand and started to run away. Rolo and Matt following.
"Guys!" Lance called out as he saw the four leaving. "Wait!"
"I had a feeling something like this would happen," Shiro said with a sigh as Lotor slowly started to wake up. "Lotor made some good points."
"This isn't their fault!" Lance said with a soft glare to his father. "It's-"
"You're right," Shiro said as he grabbed Adam's hand. "It's no one's fault but yours."
"Mom?" Lance asked in a soft voice. Adam just shook his head softly and walked away with Shiro.
"Aunt Allura?" Lance asked turning to his aunt who just gave him a frown and shook her head softly.
"I can't help you out of this one Lance," Allura said softly before walking away after her brother and his husband,