#[[SMOL WHITE IS GOING TO THE GROUNDED CORNER WHERE HE BELONGS ]]

[notsodaily-smolkakyoin]

just turns all his knives into flowers, checkmate

[[ No more knives ]]

@crepcscolo

[therainroguefanfiction]

🎃 Frightful October Act XI, #31 ~ Happy Halloween! (Crossover)

📑 Table of Contents

Genre: Crack, Crossover, AU

Word Count: 1,328

Pairing: Reader, Various

World: Various

Author’s Note: It took me three days to render this god-forsaken gif and I realized after the fact that it’s not even the same gif that I originally used ._.) It’s complete trash but oh well. It’s three days of work!

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“Y/N, honey, you got a letter!”

Curious, you headed downstairs to the kitchen where your mom was working on dinner. Your brow furrowed at the white envelope sitting on the counter, your name written in a messy print on the front. There was no stamp or return address, and the back flap was easily opened, revealing a sheet of lined notebook paper. Had your mom forgotten to give you this? Or did this arrive just now? Who delivers mail after dark?

You pulled the letter out and began reading.

You frowned at the letter, feeling something stir in the back of your mind. It was extremely suspect, but you felt compelled to attend, almost as if you had no choice in the matter. You showed it to your mom, but she didn’t seem at all concerned about the legitimacy of the letter and simply told you to have a good time.

───── ⋆⋅🎃⋅⋆ ─────

Dressed in your costume of choice, you approached the abandoned mill, decorated to the nines. The baren earth leading up to the mill was covered by scattered tombstones and the occasional boney hand sticking out from the ground, fingers bent at odd angles. Ghosts hung from the neck on the bare branches of the trees surrounding the property. Plastic stickers of black cats, bats, owls, and candy had been stuck to the windows, and a metal plate had been bolted to the door. ‘Welcome’ was painted on the plate in a bleeding font, in shades of purple, orange, and black.

‘Should I knock?’ you wondered, hesitating at the door as your hand hovered in mid-air. The decision was made for you when the door slowly creaked open. Low Halloween music reached your ears as you stepped into the entryway. Loud voices and laughter floated from the left and you followed the sound into the front room, which had been converted into a living room. Several people, all wearing costumes, were scattered around the room, dancing or chatting with one another.

A long table was set up against the back wall, offering various drinks placed in ice and snacks on plastic plates, decorated like pumpkins and eyeballs. You grabbed a red solo cup and poured your favorite drink before munching on a cookie, observing the other guests as they interacted with each other.

“Oi, Tetsu! I told you not to scare me like that!”

“I’ve been standing here the whole time, Aomine-kun.”

“I can’t believe you dressed like a cartoon girl, Dean.”

“It’s anime and it’s art, Sammy.”

“You are unworthy of being in Beelze-sama’s presence, Pikachu.”

“Don’t hate me because I’m beautifully electric~”

“There’s so many sweets, look Jackal!”

“Please don’t eat yourself into a sugar coma, Marui.”

“Mada mada dane.”

“There’s no candy corn…”

“I hope the cheesecake eyeballs taste good, I tried hard not to mess them up…”

“Hyung, can we go back to the forest? It’s way too stuffy here.”

“Be patient, we’ll leave soon, Junhong.”

“It’s kinda boring. I shoulda brought my Ouija board.”

“Didn’t that go horribly wrong for you?”

“Pft, Luigi Board.”

“Hyung, you’re so embarrassing~!”

You smiled at the various groups of people as they mingled together, drinking and having fun. So many varying personality types… it was awesome to see everyone together. Maybe coming to the party wasn’t such a bad idea, after all.

The music started to fade before being replaced by a female voice coming from the speakers. “Hello, and welcome, everyone! Thank you so much for attending my 2019 Halloween Gathering, I do hope you’re all enjoying yourselves.”

Hilda stepped forward, her green eyes narrowed at the speaker mounted in the corner near the ceiling. “Show yourself, coward. How dare you kill off my beloved Y/N!”

Saitama huffed from behind her. “You made Y/N get kidnapped in my story!”

“You made my beautiful Y/N a murderer!” Denki whined, his bottom lip jutting out.

“Why didn’t I get a kissing scene with Y/N?” Killua pouted. “Even a peck on the cheek would’ve been fine.”

“Killua…” Gon sweatdropped. “Shouldn’t you be more concerned about the demon that attacked Y/N?”

“My chapter was great! No complaints here~” Marui grinned, folding his hands behind his head.

“But you ruined mine,” Ryoma glared at him. “I missed my kiss with Y/N because of you.”

Laughter filled the mill before the woman spoke again, amusement clear in her tone. “You all complain and yet you give no pause to think about your ‘beloved’ Y/N, who has been forced to live through so many events.”

As if one single unit, the entire room turned to stare at you and you gulped, stepping back until you hit the snack table. You sweatdropped. ‘Just how many lives has this chick given me?’

She laughed again, reading your mind. “More than you will ever know, my dear Y/N! You are quite precious to me, after all, for, without you, my tales simply could not be.”

“Glad I could help,” you muttered unhappily.

“Now, then. I’m sure all of you are quite curious as to why you have been gathered here. Well, I wish to extend my thanks to you all for being unwitting participants in this year’s festivities. It was a long and stressful ride to be sure, but worry not! I am proud of my accomplishments and shall rest well once this night comes to a close.”

“This has to be illegal, aru.” Yao frowned, folding his arms within his long sleeves.

She giggled. “But my dear, beautiful Chinese man, it’s only illegal if you get caught!”

A chill went down his spine and he paled.

Cory turned his head to stare directly at the camera, breaking the fourth wall. “Please don’t do this at home, kids.”

“This is stupid, I’m leaving.” 

The group watched as Nathan stalked to the front door, but the lock clicked before his hand could grab the doorknob. He tried to unlock it, tugging on the door with all of his strength, but it wouldn’t budge.

A streak of lightning split the dark sky, lighting up the mill with an ethereal light. The woman’s sudden laughter made the teen jump away from the door as if it had just shocked him.

“Come now, did you really think it would be so simple to leave?” Footsteps echoed throughout the mill, the stairs creaking. A heavyset woman descended the steps, dressed in a taco costume and wearing a Dr. Pepper hat atop her short hair.

Everyone sweatdropped at the ridiculous sight before them.

She smirked, stopping halfway down the stairs. “I’m afraid all of you belong to me now. We’re going to make such wonderful tales in the future!”

“This is definitely illegal,” Izuku cried, grabbing onto the closest person to him, which happened to be the smol bean, Near.

“There’s more than thirty of us versus just one of you!” Youngjae growled, baring his canine teeth in anger. “You can’t take all of us on!”

“But my dear wolf, I already have,” she grinned, holding her arms out to her sides. A pink and black mist, sparkling in the light, filled the air. Everyone quickly covered their noses, but it was already far too late for them. One by one, the guests dropped to the ground, unconscious.

You were the last one, sprawled out on the shag rug as you fought against the darkness trying to claim your mind.

The woman angled her body toward the top of the stairs before kneeling down. “My lord, I offer you forty-one ripe, new souls for your army.

You listened as the ceiling creaked under someone’s weight, footsteps approaching the top of the stairs. Your eyes widened in disbelief.

“Good job, gamer!” Pewdiepie smirked, his blue eyes scanning the group. “Send them over to Marzia for de-aging and then join us in my closet for some G-Fuel powder while we feast on dank memes!”

“Of course, m’lord!” her grin was the last thing you saw before darkness claimed you. “Welcome to the nine-year-old army, gamers!”

───── ⋆⋅🎃⋅⋆ ─────

[365daysofsasuhina]

[ 365 Days of SasuHina || Day Two Hundred Thirty-Eight: Rocks ] [ Uchiha Sasuke, Hyūga Hinata, Uchiha Mikoto ] [ SasuHina ] [ Verse: Best Years of Your Life ] [ AO3 Link ]

When Sasuke was very young, he enjoyed collecting rocks. At first, it was any kind of rock. It might catch his eye due to its shape, its color, how it caught the light...or just because it looked neat. Childhood wonder meant he wasn’t overly picky in his early days, picking up whatever stone happened to catch his fancy and stuffing it into his pocket.

Before long, he had quite the collection. He kept them, at first, in a little box his mother had made to throw away before he snagged it out of the garbage. But it was a bit small, and his treasures soon outgrew them. His mother then gave him an old tupperware container with a snapping lid, but even that was eventually not enough. When Mikoto gave him a plastic tote, she was sure that would be the end of it. As cute as she found the hobby, she could only indulge him so much.

With his space officially limited, Sasuke took to - every so often - sorting through his hoard and putting away what no longer sparked his interest into the big bed of rocks in the backyard where water would cascade off the roof when it rained. That way they were still near, but no longer taking up his special space.

Itachi would often help him, finding interesting stones here and there during his time in junior high. Sasuke too scoured the playground at school, the gravel by the bus stop...anywhere he could to spy something new and interesting to add to his collection.

And eventually, his little hobby was noticed by someone else.

“W...what are you doing…?”

Crouched at the edge of the gravel that filled the swingset grounds of the play area, Sasuke glances up at the inquisitive voice. “Huh?”

Mimicking his posture, a girl from his class rests hands on her knees. “Are you - a-are you looking for something?”

“Yeah!”

“Did, um...did you drop something i-in the rocks?”

“Oh, nuh-uh. M’looking for cool ones!”

“...cool ones?”

“Cool rocks! See?” Uncurling a hand, he shows the little collection he’s already gathered: a white rock peppered with black spots, a grey one with smoothed edges, and a green one with a hole in it. “Aren’t they cool?”

She tilts her head, examining them politely. “You found those...i-in there?”

“Uh huh! There’s lotsa cool ones if you look. Here…” Rooting around, he nibbles his lip in concentration. “...like this one!” Up he pulls a little stone. It’s really not anything out of the ordinary save for its vaguely purple color. “It looks like your coat!”

The girl perks up, cupping her hands as he makes to hand it to her. As noted, it’s almost the same shade as her jacket. “Whoa…!”

“I’ve got lots at home - I keep ‘em in a bin in my room! My brother finds some for me sometimes. He says some you can skip across water! I wanna try it next time we go to the lake. He’s gonna teach me!”

“Across the water…?”

“Yeah! He got one to bounce ten times once - my big brother can do anything!”

Blinking, she then gives a soft laugh. “I’d l-like to see that! I thought rocks just...sink?”

“Not when my big brother throws ‘em! He says you gotta find a good flat one, and you throw it just right. I tried once but it’s kinda hard to do…”

“I-I’m sure you’ll get it someday! Maybe you just need to...to practice!”

Grinning, Sasuke nods. “...your name’s Hinata, right?”

“Mhm.”

“I’m Sasuke! Wanna look for more rocks with me?”

“S-sure!”

Together, the little pair pass the rest of their recess in the bed of stones, carefully picking at ones that catch their eyes. While Sasuke’s are all unique and maybe strange, Hinata gravitates toward simple ones: round and smooth with solid, soft colors.

“Those are really pretty,” Sasuke praises as the bell tolls to return to class.

“Should I...keep them?”

“If you want to! Maybe you can make a collection, huh?”

“Maybe...my dad doesn’t like m-messes, though.”

“Can you put ‘em in a box?”

“I don’t have one…”

Sasuke’s lips purse in a thoughtful pout. “...here, give ‘em to me. I’ll find ya a box and bring it tomorrow, ‘kay?”

“You...you will?”

“Yeah! Maybe you can come to my house, and we can trade! I have lots!”

Something brightens in the girl. “O...okay!”

With that, Sasuke puts his rocks in one pocket, and Hinata’s in another as they run to make it back to class. A small spring finds its way into Sasuke’s step. He’s never had a friend with rocks before…! Already he thinks of getting to show her all the ones he likes best, and some he might be persuaded to give her. He’ll get her a good collection in no time!

Of course...by now...such memories have all but faded.

“Hey Mom, do you know where my old CD collection is?”

Looking to her son from the plant she’s pruning, Mikoto pauses, thinking. “Well...I suppose it’s probably in the old garage. Most of your old stuff should still be out there, dear. Need help looking?”

“Nah, that’s all right. I can do it. Thanks.”

“Going old school?” she can’t help but tease. “I think I still have a radio that plays discs somewhere…”

That earns a laugh. “That’s okay. The library’s looking for some donations of CDs. Thought I’d chip in mine since I don’t use ‘em anymore.”

“Oh, that’s wonderful! Maybe I can give them some old records I have…”

“Not sure they’re looking to go that far back.”

Mikoto gives him a look. “Hey now, I’m not that old!”

“Didn’t say you were, Mom,” he assures her with a wave, heading out. After their expansive remodel, the old detached garage is more like a storage shed with the new one under his old room. Who knows what other relics of his childhood are out here…

Opening up the creaking door, he coughs a bit at the dusty air. Waving it away, he squints and sighs at the rows and rows of boxes. He’ll be out here all day at this rate…

Still, his mother is a stickler for organization, so it’s not long before he finds the section devoted to his old belongings. Name plastered over several boxes and totes, he picks one at random to start sifting through. But rather than CDs, he finds toys. Quite a few of them: action figures, plushies, Hot Wheels cars…

Wait a minute. Perking slightly, he takes out a faded green dinosaur. “...mister Roary?” he mutters, batting off some dust. Jeez, he used to sleep with this thing...where he went, it went with him.

After a moment’s debate, he sticks the plush under an arm, resealing the box and opening another.

Twenty minutes pass with little luck. Pulling a small tote from a high shelf, he swears at the weight. Good grief, this thing is heavy! What did he put in here, rocks?

Resting it atop the old workbench with a grunt, he pries open the lid and finds...well, just that. Man...he totally forgot about these. He was such a weird kid, pocketing away any rock he could find. Most in here aren’t even anything special. Among them are minerals and crystals his mother bought for him now and again. A small sample of amethyst, some quartz, a sphere of sandstone...and there in a corner is a small box. Maybe some of his favorites…?

Taking it out, he untapes the lip and lifts the lid, brow furrowing slightly. That’s weird...they’re all just normal rocks. Sorting through, he finds nothing of note. What were…?

Putting the lid back down, he then notices faded marker along the top. Brushing at more dust and squinting, he tries to make out a name…

“Sasuke?”

“Huh?”

“Oh, wow...it’s dusty in here.” Behind him, another figure enters. “Did you find them?”

“No, not yet...I was just…”

And then it hits him.

Brightening, he spins around. “Hey, look!”

“Huh?”

“Remember this?”

Blinking, his companion stares for a moment at the little keepsake box. “I…?” Accepting it as he hands it over, there’s a long pause. “...wait…”

“Ringing a bell?”

“You still have these…?”

“Yeah! And all my old collection! I dunno why Dad kept them, it’s literally just rocks…”

Lifting the lid, pale eyes widen. “...oh my gosh…” Carefully, Hinata plucks a soft purple stone from the box. “...I do remember these…”

Sasuke can’t help a grin. “That was the day we actually became friends. And look at us now.”

Hinata gives a soft laugh. “Yeah...funny, isn’t it? It’s too bad you didn’t stick with it, hm? Maybe you could been a geologist or something.”

“Sadly, I’m not as excited by a bunch of rocks as I used to be,” he admits. “I’ll have to go through these another time, though. Some are actually kinda neat.”

A knowing smile pulls at her lips. “I’d like that.”

“Want me to put that back?”

...she hesitates. “...actually, can I...keep it?”

“Of course. It’s yours. I was just hanging onto it for you. For a lot longer than I intended.”

There’s another soft laugh. “Thanks.”

“Now...I need to find those CDs. Wanna help me look?”

“It’s why I came in.” For the moment, she sets the box atop the workbench, helping fetch another to find their treasure.

Well...another treasure.

“Wait...is that a dinosaur plushie?”

“Hey, I liked dinosaurs too.”

                                                       .oOo.

     This...is one of the most random prompts thus far, but hey! I made my daily goal word count and then some, so at least there's that xD      And it actually turned out pretty cute! Smol SasuHina is always fun to write. Add in a flash forward to them older, and that's a win in my book lol      Anyway, I'ma be busy tomorrow, so I best call it a night! Thanks for reading~

[bleusarcellewrites]

Courting Your Pants Off

Alright, so, this is my gift for my klance secret santa @beautiful-brilliant-muskox from @klance2017secretsanta aaaaaaaaaand well, it’s a Royal Au with Prince Keith and Baker Lance mixed with childhood friends Au, and yeh ok.

I hope you like it!! It’s pretty simple and most fluffy than anything, so, yeah! Hope you enjoy it :)

Ps. Read more under the cut or here in Ao3 

Disclaimer: Voltron doesn’t belong to me.

It’s not hide and seek, per se.

It’s more like “Let’s see how long it takes Shiro to drag his princey’s ass back to the Castle”.

Twenty-three minutes and seven seconds, Keith registers in his mind as his bodyguard drags him through town. A few villagers turn their head towards them and Keith waves at them sheepishly, a few of the older villagers shaking their head in amusement.

“Ah, caught yet again, I see, Prince Keith?” one of them says casually as the pair pass by, the old man taking out his hat and swiping the sweat from his forehead with his forearm. Keith shrugs back at him nonchalantly.

“Well, it’s not like it’s a record; he’s getting old.”

The villager barks a laugh and Keith’s lips twitch into a smile that is wiped when Shiro shoves him by the shoulder.

“I am hurt by these statements, young Prince.” Shiro mumbles but Keith can easily see the playful edge on his grin. Keith takes it he’s not getting into that much trouble for today’s sneak out.

It’s not a long walk back to the Castle, barely a total of fifteen minutes but damn, do they feel longer. It feels like a walk of shame. It’s not as if he sneaks out that regularly, maybe twice or thrice a week, or even that he’s forbidden to leave the castle’s ground. He’s twenty, of course he can come and go as he pleases, but it’s fun to sneak away under Shiro’s oh so watchful sight and even more so to avoid Professor Honerva’s lessons.

Scared of Professor Honerva and her science knowledge? Hardly, more like bored to death and back - though that thing she did with her eye last week did freak him out.

So, maybe he’s scared of her a little but no one needs to know that.

Besides, he also misses Professor Holt’s lessons from time to time. Sometimes, when the man goes on and on about pea recipes instead of, you know: space, stars and astrology in general.

See? Nothing personal.

Keith looks around him, looking for a way out of this. It’s not even midday, he can’t be back to the castle already! He didn’t even make it to the town’s bakery and he has to.

Keith purses his lips, eyes looking around for a way to escape Shiro’s watchful eye and then he catches it. He sees her from the corner of his eye, just in time as always, outside her own flower shop. Allura leans down to place some of her newest flowers on display, born from the new season and Keith would love to high five her right now.

He waits for the opportunity, whistling lowly under his breath innocently and it might not have been his best move because it makes Shiro to eye him suspiciously but then Keith sees Allura stand up and it’s show time.

“Shiro, look! It’s Allura!”

That sure got his attention.

Keith snorts, hand covering his mouth as Shiro visually stumbles on his own two feet at the words and his cheeks turn red, mouth open as he stares at the young woman across them. Allura blinks at the call of her name but she quickly beams as she catches their eye.

Keith waves quickly at Allura, who winks at him, acknowledging his plan, before she focuses on Shiro, smile bright and happy and Keith would love to stay and see Shiro stumble over his own words but he has somewhere to be.

Keith takes two steps back slowly from the pair, three steps just to be sure, before he nods to himself and takes off running to the opposite way of the Castle’s entrance.

He waves at a few villagers, some of them bowing as he passes and some other waving back happily. Keith grins, content that his people are in a good mood despite the cold upon them; usually he would make quick and shortstops in between places, talking with a few people and getting the newest gossip along with the village’s requests for the royal family for their businesses.

It’s Keith’s favorite way to find out instead of waiting for Duke Regris’s morning report. It gives him the opportunity to see the town for himself and hear the people’s voice. If he also gets extra time to be with his best friend by doing this, well, now that’s just a bonus.

But right now, he’s on a mission and he needs to do this today before he chickens out and loses his opportunity.

Keith makes it to the bakery in seven minutes, heart beating hard against his chest but he shakes it off as a result from all the running. He’s not a fool though, not really, he knows that’s a lie but he can pretend maybe for just a moment, to ease his nerves.

He opens the door and the familiar air of sweet and fresh bread makes him sigh contently, a fond smile growing on his lips as the smell takes him back to his childhood adventures with a certain baker boy.

“Well, well, well, his Royal Mulletness finally decided to come, huh?”

Talking about bakers.

Keith’s head turns to the right, eyes meeting a soft blue pair and Keith’s heart skips a beat at the sight. This time he allows himself to admit the truth for at least two seconds.

See? He’s no fool.

Lance smirks, eyes narrowed in a teasing manner as he leans down to place the fresh batch of pastries in his hands near the window display and Keith’s mouth waters as he recognizes them.

“Ah and I see that his Noble Baker’s Ass finally decided to make the Prince’s favorite pastry,” Keith shots back, arching a playful grin towards him, “Despite being told to do so weeks ago by said Prince.”

“It wasn’t even winter back then and they are made only during the season,” Lance groans in mock exasperation before he picks up one of the pastries and holds it high on the palm of his hand towards Keith, “But aren’t they worth it? Look at this precious smol white square, come on!”

Keith purses his lips for show, leaning closer to eye the blondie closer before he nods. “Ah, well, there’s only one way to find out, isn’t it? I mean, it’s my duty as a Prince to make sure my town’s bakery is keeping up with the quality.”

Keith almost breaks character at Lance’s flat expression before the brunet snorts and nods. “Please do, my oh so fair and graceful Prince.”

Keith doesn’t look amused at the title but he still nods back, reaching for the small square but before he can pick it up, Lance grabs it and shoves it on Keith’s mouth, his laughter ringing around the small bakery as Keith splutters in surprise.

“Lance, you ass!” Keith shouts, shoving the brunet back before he looks sadly down at the remains of the pastry on the floor, “You ruined my first taste of my winter blondie.”

“Poor poor Prince Keith.” Lance mocks playfully and raises his arms in surrender when Keith shoves him again, “Alright, alright, here, just don’t kill me.”

Keith huffs, mouth turned into a frown but it softens as the brunet picks up another blondie from the batch and drops it carefully on Keith’s hands. Keith eyes it almost suspiciously before he smiles and mumbles a small ‘thanks’.

The blondies are not even something that would catch someone’s eye at a simple view; small white square with a soft cape of creamy frosting on top with small drawn stars on one of the top corners, but they are special to Keith, ever since he was six years old and Lance introduced them to him.

Keith can still hear Lance’s shouting and rambling from back then, as he told him over and over again how they were his first creation he did by himself, with the supervision of his parents of course, and that he did them just for Keith.

After that, they became a must do every winter in the McClain’s Bakery, by the requests and pleads of the young prince and his best friend.

Keith takes a bite of the pastry and melts under the taste, eyes closed in pleasure as he chews. Being childhood friends with the town’s baker is not bizarre, if Keith has a say on it, especially when he gets these kinds of bonuses.

“Amazing, right?” Lance says, a small smug grin on his lips as he wiggles his eyebrows playfully before he laughs and the grin turns into a soft happy smile, eyes softening as they stare right at Keith and Keith might choke on his favorite pastry if Lance doesn’t look away the next two seconds.

Being in love with the town’s baker, though? Now, that’s tricky in Keith’s opinion.

‘Calm, calm yourself, man.’ Keith scolds himself in his head, eyes following Lance’s figure as the brunet heads towards the kitchen on the back of the store and Keith follows quietly, ‘You came here for a reason and a reason only, you can do this.’

The light weight on his jacket’s pocket suddenly feels a lot heavier.

“Where’s Hunk, by the way?” Keith asks, looking around the kitchen for said baker as he leans on the counter behind him.

“At breakfast with Shay,” Lance answers aimlessly, kneeling down in front of the oven across from Keith to watch the pastries inside before he nods pleased and stands up, looking back at his friend, “He told me that it won’t be long now for him to ask her to marry him! He already talked with the Balmera family and got their approval.”

“That’s awesome! About time too, how long has it been since their started their courtship?”

“Almost two years now, actually; it’s amazing to see how far they have come from it, right?” Lance says fondly before walking towards the prince and hopping over the counter next to him, “What about you, though?” he asks and Keith blinks.

“What about me?”

Lance shrugs, hands moving to make emphasis. “You know, what about you? Have anyone in mind for your future courtship? Isn’t your Uncle already asking you about it?”

Asking? More like poking at every second of the day. If it was up to Uncle Kolivan, he would have dragged Keith’s royal ass to the town’s bakery years ago just to get it over with.

“Uncle Kolivan just wants me to already get a consort to make my coronation process smoother,” Keith rolls his eyes but still chuckles, shaking his head in amusement, “He’s almost bouncing in excitement at the mere thought of finally stepping down from the throne.”

“He can’t wait to be a ‘just’ Prince again, huh?” Lance jokes and Keith snorts.

“I don’t know why, though? He’s done such a good job so far ruling the kingdom,” Keith says, eyebrows furrowed a little, “I don’t know what would have happened if he hadn’t been here when Mom and Dad…”

He trails off, memories of his parents sneaking their way into his mind and while they bring him a ghost feeling of warmth, they also come with a bitter taste. It’s almost as if he’s reliving the event inside his head, the hollow feeling he had felt back then when Thace announced the death of the Queen and her King Consort with a choked-up voice in the throne room.

He had been only ten years old, the very same age when kids usually go around saying they are too old to cry. Keith hadn’t given a damn about it as he cried that entire night and the ones that followed in his Uncle’s chest, scared and beyond sad but taking comfort in his Uncle’s arms and his quiet promises.

Now, ten years later and his Uncle had kept his word and had taken the role of ruling the entire kingdom, with the well-known condition of stepping down as soon as Keith turns to age to take his rightful place on the throne. One more year and Keith’s world would change for the second time in his life.

He just hopes he can hold on to Lance for when that moment comes.

“Hey now, don’t think like that.” Lance says softly, nudging him by the shoulder, “He was here and that’s what matters.”

Keith nods, offering a small thankful smile that Lance returns gently.

“That’s actually one of the reasons why I’m here.” Keith confesses quietly to avoid any nervous stutter, “To tell you, personally, that I’m ready to start a courtship.”

Lance’s breath visually hitches and Keith holds his breath, waiting for a reaction but Lance only stares wide eyed at him, mouth half open in surprise and confusion.

“You...you’re courting someone?” He whispers quietly, his Adam’s apple wobbling uneasy and Keith takes a deep breath.

“Not, not ‘someone’. Not any person out there, no.” Keith shakes his head and sneaks his hand into his pocket, twirling the silver ring in between his fingers nervously, “I’m courting my best friend, if he will have me.”

Lance gasps loudly, hands flying to his mouth and his eyes follow Keith’s frame as the Prince takes one of his tanned hands with his own free one and pulls him forward, making him hop off the counter to stand.

“You, uh, you going to court Shiro?” Lance stutters quietly, voice soft and wobbly, eyes falling to their intertwined hands and swallowing hard at the lovely contrast of their skin.

Keith snorts softly. “No, no, I’m not. I’m going to court my best friend, the very same one who I meet when I was five. The best friend who found me when I was lost in my own town after my very first escapade from the Castle and the same best friend that offered me a hand and held it tight until my parents came for me.”

“Keith,” Lance shudders, his free hand presses against his chest as he bites down his lower lip. Keith smiles softly back at him, tenderly rubbing small circles on Lance’s hand as he continues.

“My best friend who shared his cookies with me that day and taught me later on how to make sugar cookies for my mom. He who wasn’t afraid to treat me like a kid and more importantly, a human instead of a prince. He who pushed me to be and do better.”

Keith laughs wetly, shaking his head in amusement and excitement as Lance gives up the fight and lets his tears to fall down his cheeks quietly. “Hey, hey, don’t do that, you’re going to make me cry.”

“I’m sorry, I just, Keith, does this mean, I mean -” Lance babbles, sniffling loudly as he wipes his cheeks stubbornly and gasps softly when Keith does it for him, raising their intertwined hands up until his own is resting against Lance’s right cheek.

Lance hums and presses his own hand on top of Keith’s, thumb rubbing fondly against the pale skin.

“It means that I want the chance to court you; to prove to you that I can be someone worth of being by your side,” Keith confesses quietly, wetting his lips before he sighs softly and continues, “and if the universe is on our side, make you my Prince Consort in a near future where I rule the kingdom I love as I much as I love you.”

“You chose me?” Lance whispers in awe, voice choked up as he smiles wetly, “You really chose me?”

“In this life and in any other I may ever have again.” Keith replies without hesitation, eyes shining with promise and love.

That’s the any reassurance Lance needs.

“So, Lance McClain,” Keith takes a deep breath, hand rising from his pocket and presenting the small ring band in front of Lance, “By accepting this gift, you would’ve given me the chance to court you and hopefully, if the universe allows it, build a future together.”

His hand shakes the slightest, mouth opening and closing anxiously as he tries to get the rest of his words out but then Lance squeezes his hand, still on his cheek, and offers him a reassuring smile.

Keith swallows the lump in his throat before he tries again. “Do you accept this? Accept me?”

Lance sniffles softly, small giggles leaving his mouth in between as he shakes before he wipes some tears off his cheek and he looks directly at Keith. “Do you come with the mullet?”

Keith blinks before he laughs, entire frame shaking as he giggles and leans forward, holding on Lance to avoid falling on the ground.

“You ass, I’m confessing here!” Keith whines, punching Lance on the shoulder half-heartedly but Lance catches his wrist and pulls him even closer, pressing his forehead against Keith’s and nuzzling gently.

“Yes,” Lance whispers, smile growing by the second when Keith’s eyes widen, “Yes, yes, yes! Keith!”

Keith beams and quickly slips the ring into Lance’s finger, the simple silver band representing a promise between them that he hopes he can fulfill when the time comes.

“I can’t believe you confessed to me in my parents’ old kitchen.” Lance says, shaking his head when Keith shrugs nonchalantly.

“This is a good place as any?”

Lance snorts, a fond smile creeping up his lips right after. “I can’t really complain; that speech as really romantic and sweet. Did Shiro help you?”

Keith gasps in offense. “Excuse me but I can do my own speeches.” He pauses before, “And actually, it was Pidge. She’s good with words as well with technology when she’s not laughing her ass off at me and -”

“Keith, hey, buddy? That’s amazing and all but I’m really in love with you and my heart is about to exit this kitchen if you don’t kiss me right now.”

There’s a shudder, a small shiver running down his spine but Lance’s is patient despite this words. He’s quiet as he allows Keith a moment to process, beating heart threating to explode before Keith sighs softly, breathe gracing the brunet’s lips before he closes the gap.

Shyness it’s not a word he would link with Lance and yet it’s there as Lance waits, slowly and timidly moving against Keith’s lips. It’s warm and it fills them both with desire to explore and know more but hesitant to know how.

Sighing against the kiss, Keith throws himself into the unknown and catches Lance’s lower lip between his teeth, gently sucking before licking away any pain it could have brought.

That’s enough to ignite Lance’s spark. The kiss turns vivid and alive with emotion, every hidden desire inside them finally on the surface and leaving them shaky to the toes.

“Lance.” Keith breathes out, nose nuzzling against Lance’s briefly, his hand around the brunet’s waist tightening when a light shiver runs down his back.

Keith smiles, gently and softly as Lance pushes forward, chasing Keith’s lips for a second time, eyes closed and stuck on the sensation Keith left inside him. It squeezes the prince’s heart and he dives in a third time, lips pressed against Lance’s lips chastely before moving towards his cheek, nose, eyelid, every corner he can get reach.

Lance laughs quietly at each kiss, giggles getting cut off as Keith keeps dropping chaste kisses against his lips a few more times.

“You’re not going to regret this, I promise you.” Keith whispers against his mouth, sneaking one of his hand to hold Lance’s before bringing them up and dropping a kiss on top of Lance’s hand.

“Aren’t I supposed to woo you too?” Lance tilts his head, his bright big smile turning knowingly, “This is like tango, Mister, it takes two.”

Keith hums, his fingers never leaving Lance’s as he continues to play with them. “Yeah, that’s true and fair.”

Lance pats Keith’s cheek with his free hand, a small cocky grin on the corner of his mouth. “Oh, it is on; I’m going to woo your pants off, Princey.”

“I like where this is going already.”

“Oh my god, Keith.”

The snow it’s a surprise.

A pleasant one but still a surprise.

It gives a natural aesthetic to the windows around the ballroom as it piles up against them from the outside. The lighting of the room provides a warm atmosphere and the soft golden glow of the pillar making it cozier as the night goes on.

The Christmas tree on the far corner shines brightly with the ornaments on it, slowly growing on number as more and more children add their own creation to decorate the royal Christmas tree.

Kolivan eyes every detail of the decoration as he walks silently, nodding in approval every few seconds with a smile and sighs contently at the reason behind the especial and extravagant decoration the Castle’s staff decided to go with for their Annual Christmas Ball after their Prince announced the start of his courtship with Lance McClain.

The old royal finally makes a stop, picking one of the offered champagne glasses before he turns and faces the dancefloor. His gaze is mainly focused on the pair in the middle of it, dancing as if they were the only people on the room and oblivious to the happy murmuring around them.

Both Lance and Keith are smiling, big and wide as they twirl around the dance floor with Lance constantly dipping Keith at random moments, earning a surprised yelp and a playful shove every single time from Keith’s part.

Kolivan sighs, gaze turning fond as he watches them. Even a blind man could see the beaming smile in his nephew’s face but only Kolivan can see the way Keith's smile has a tilt on the corner of it, a resemble that made him look just like his late mother.

It’s a nice sight, seeing a part of his sister outside the paintings all over the castle and actually catching a glimpse of her in her own son. Keith smiles as bright as Mya had done so whenever she looked at her husband, Keith’s father, all those years ago.

Now Keith wears that very same smile as he watches his own lover laugh in his arms.