#lance and keith neck to neck more like lance and keith lips to lips

[mushed-kid]

having an arch nemesis is kinda gay tbh. what’s he arching? his back?

[autisticlancemcclain]

“The Exoxins are very…” Coran purses his lips, searching for the word. “Particular, let’s say.”

Hunk cocks his head. “In what way?”

“They’re quite fixated on personal appearances. They have been known to refuse alliances in the past when diplomats don’t meet their… aesthetic expectations.”

Before Keith can make a slightly mean joke about keeping Shiro on the castle, then (it’s been too long since he has been humbled), Lance snorts. Without bothering to look up from his doodling, half slumped over his station on the bridge, he says, “Well, we better send Keefers. Only way we’ll get a guaranteed alliance.”

“Okay, asshole, real funn — wait.” Keith blinks. That’s not the insult he thought it was. “Did you just — are you flirting with me?”

Lance flicks brown eyes up to meet his, eyebrows raised, amused smirk on his face. “Have been for a year now, thanks for noticing.”

Keith’s jaw drops. He feels a blush climbing up his neck like he’s a fuckin’ kettle, boiling from the bottom up, because what.

“What.”

“Keith.” The rampant redness on Keith’s face must give Lance pause, because he finally turns his whole attention towards him, straightening up from his seat and facing him head on. “I thought you were just ignoring me. You’re telling me your dumb ass has just been — what, completely oblivious to it?”

“I’m not obvious,” Keith argues, strained. He’s well aware of the snickering behind him and chooses to ignore it. “Usually your flirting is horrible and obnoxious and gets you rightfully punched, so excuse me for not noticing.” He waits a beat, and then tacks on, “Or tied to a tree.”

He’s gratified to see Lance’s smug demeanour crack at the mention of the Nyma incident.

“That was four years ago, dipstick. I was seventeen. It doesn’t take away from the fact that you are so thick headed that you are incapable of taking a hint. Did you think I kept finding reasons to be shirtless around you for fun?”

Keith sputters. He had noticed that Lance was shirtless around him an awful lot, but in his defence he was putting his braincells more towards memorizing a broad back and a glittering belly piercing rather than, like, puzzling out why the fuck Lance wasn’t wearing a shirt.

“I thought you were — hot, or something!”

Lance grins wolfishly. “You think I’m hot?”

“Go fuck yourself!”

“Is that what you want to see?”

Keith makes a hoarse screeching noise in the back of his throat. It is echoed behind him, by all of his friends, actually, but for entirely different reasons, and he hates them all and they are all written out of his will.

Lance slowly stands from his seat, soundlessly stalking over to where Keith stands, leaning against a wall. Keith considers braining himself against a hard surface so he does not half to deal with Lance stupid sexy leer and sparkling eyes et cetera.

“‘Cause if it is,” Lance murmurs, placing a hand next to Keith’s head and leaning in close, “all you had to do was ask, baby.”

“I am going to kill you with fire,” Keith croaks.

Lance chuckles. “Sure, caliente.” He kisses Keith’s cheek and saunters back to his chair. Keith considers asking his lions to help him change his bayard into an anvil and chucking it at Lance’s face. It does not help his situation.

“Well,” Coran says awkwardly, after what can only be several minutes of charged silence. “the good news is that if we send you both that alliance is as good as guaranteed.”

[sherale-writes]

"Do you even- even understand."

Keith watched as Lance's hands raised up, hovering shoulder level, almost cradling his own face. Blue eyes wide, shimmering with unshed tears.

"Out there-" Lance's voice choked, hands trembling. "Out there you-"

Even as he stood there, even as Keith watched Lance's body hunch forward, tears falling like stars from his eyes, he felt frozen in place. Never had he wanted Lance to cry, to feel such misery over his actions. Yet somehow, every time, when he chose to act first and think later, it always had an effect on Lance that made his stomach twist in guilt.

"You-!" Lance's voice shook, lips trembling apart, hands now shaking as those star drop tears raced down his cheeks like shooting stars.

Keith stepped forward, and when Lance did not step away or swipe at him, he took another, more still until his arms wrapped around the other's body, holding him as Lance trembled and cried in his arms.

"You bastard!" Lance sobbed, hands clutched to Keith's clothes. "I hate you!"

But the words weren't true, and he knew. Keith knew that in Lance's agony, he only said such things because he was growing tired of feeling scared for Keith, of feeling like every moment Keith was gone, it would be the last time Lance saw him.

"I love you..." Keith murmured, stroking a hand over Lance's hair, his neck and shoulder becoming wet. "I love you so much."

Lance's fingers twisted in Keith's clothes, a sob choking any words he had on his tongue. He just held on, and hoped, and prayed, that this time wouldn't be the last either.

[jiveyuncle]

"Lance," Keith sounds breathless. "Back when we found my lion - the glowing symbols. What did you say about it?"

Lance is still staring hard at where Keith's hand rests on the control panel's screen, face scrunched in disbelief. "That is was written in code?"

Keith shakes his head. "No, no, about the Galra not being able to find it because of something to do with quintessence."

Lance's brow furrows further as he tries to recall what all he said so long ago, then his eyes flick up to meet Keith's. "Um? They were directions - quintessence infused." His lips purse as he tries to list everything. "The inscriptions would only be revealed in the presence of an Altean."

Keith removes his hand from the panel and the stars wink out. He strides toward Lance, mind racing. "Lance," Keith exhales. "I saw similar symbols back on Earth. Back when Hunk, Shiro, Pidge and I found the Green Lion in the cave."

Lance's eyes are flicking rapid-fire between Keith's, "But I wasn't there with you that time."

Keith grips Lance by the arms, hands squeezing tight. "Then why did the cave still light up?"

Lance almost looks as if he's stopped breathing.

Keith shifts his hold from Lance's arms, to hold his face. "The whole time I've been amazed at how much a couple of aliens look like us humans," Keith presses his forehead to Lance's, "but maybe I should've been thinking about how much we look like you."

And Keith can see it - in Lance's face - the moment the full meaning of everything clicks, and then Keith's being crushed in a bone-breaking hug. A wet laugh finds its way into the crook of Keith's neck. "Allura and I weren't the only ones to survive."

Keith raises his arms to squeeze Lance back just as tightly and buries his nose in his hair. "I think we're gonna need another look at the cave back on Earth."

A little glimpse at the Humans-are-the-crossbreed-descendants-of-Alteans-that-fled storyline reveal. I tried to layer so many hints and foreshadowing throughout the fic, and the reveal was just so satisfying to write. Idk if it’s been done before (probably) as I joined this fandom wayyy late but this AU is clogging all my brain space. I’m feral. If you ask me, I will scream your ear off about how this fills a ton of plot holes in canon and strengthens some of the choices made by different characters. Actually, I’ll rant about it on the next post since it’ll be the last batch of artwork for the fic. I’m so excited to draw more stuff within the AU. I just have so many thoughtsssss about how everything connectsssss ahhh

Fic: Sure and Indelible on AO3:

[detroit-become-dyke]

for @klancekisszine's D/WTIYS <3

(I'm following from @thatsgoodweather)

Incredible art by @/_lucidverse_ on IG:

Keith and Lance lay on the indigo grass of the newly liberated planet, their elbows splayed behind their heads, resting gently against each other. Keith’s long hair filled the space between them, tickling the top of Lance’s head. The pair gazed up at the stars as they so often did together. Trying to find home.

“I think it’s that way,” Lance pointed just above the horizon behind him, his index finger fully obscuring Keith’s vision.

“What makes you think that?” Keith postured, playfully knocking Lance’s hand aside.

“I don’t know…” Lance trailed off. “I just…feel it.” Lance settled back down onto the grass and let his eyes wander, no longer fixed on the faraway Earth.

The two sat in silence for a while, simply enjoying each others’ company. “Hey, what do you think those stars look like?” Keith prompted, a lightness in his voice that Lance was noticing more and more often.

“What stars?” Lance asked without really looking. And then he saw them. The constellation filled the sky’s zenith, a broad expanse of galaxies and nebulas and stars and planets. And it looked…just like them. “Its–it’s us!” he exclaimed, sitting up straight, his head tilted straight back, the slender line of his neck flexing.

Keith sat up on one arm so he could better see his boyfriend. Eyes sparkling and smile wide, Lance lay back down on the grass, reaching one hand out to Keith as he did.

“You see that little curlicue?” Lance pointed. “That’s the tip of your bangs that never stays in place!” Keith followed the line from Lance’s finger and laughed.

“And that smattering of stars? Those are my freckles!” Lance continued.

“And our lips–our lips…” Lance quieted down, a smile still playing on his lips. “We’re kiiiissing.” Lance teased.

“As if we haven’t kissed a hundred times already.” Keith pointed out.

“Only a hundred?” Lance pouted.

Keith rolled his eyes.

“How about a hundred and one?” Lance proposed, sitting up again and pulling Keith with him.

“You’re insufferable,” Keith breathed, even as he leaned in close.

Their eyes closed the moment their lips brushed together, Lance’s arms coming up to rest on Keith’s broad shoulders. Keith’s own arms wrapped around Lance’s midsection, holding him tight–a promise to never let go. In the middle of that grassy indigo field, the two boys kissed with sweet passion. And in the middle of the constellation above–the very stars that echoed their kiss–in the middle was a supernova.

[gilyoungroach]

(screenshot because im dumb lols thank u smmm @soulreapin )

Keith hated missions on humid planets. Especially ones with environments similar to that of Earth's jungles. Sure, he lived in the desert for most of his life, but the desert air was light and dry on most days. Jungles on the other hand were sweaty and moist, the atmosphere weighing heavier than he could bear.

He extended his bayard towards a bush of foliage as he heard a loud groan behind him. It was obvious who it was as he was alone with the last person he'd ever want to be trapped in a moist forest doing physical labor along side.

"I'm dying over hereeee!" The paladin moaned as he dragged his feet through overgrown roots.

Keith snarled in his direction, "We have no choice Lance, just get over it." He felt the same way as the boy, the thick atmosphere really getting to him and pulling at his last strands of patience.

"Keith why can't we go back and play it off as if we came up short!"

"Because this is a mission. Now, help me cut through these damn bushes."

Keith turned back towards the plants that were oozing strange goo more and more with each swipe of his blade. He could pick up small mutterings from behind him--most likely Lance mocking him.

Shoving his arm under a large leaf, parting it to the side he took a step forward but paused when he heard Lance take in a large breath.

"Shiro said to keep our armor on." He reminded sternly, turning to look back at the blue paladin.

Lance groaned as he dropped his helmet to his side, arms resting on his hips. "Can't you give me a break? I'm suffocating in this thing!"

Keith furrowed his brows at how disobedient Lance was being. He could ruin the entire mission with how selfishly reckless he was acting. It wasn't like he was the only one dying. All of the paladins were parted throughout the alien jungle, searching for a strange mineral that the citizens swore was enchanted.

"That's too bad. Put it back on bef-" His scolding was interrupted by a loud yelp.

Lance clapped his gloved hand on the back of his neck as he dropped down to his knees, bayard falling to the floor as well.

"Lance! You idiot what's wrong!?" Keith moved away from the plant he was stabbing, kneeling to Lance's side. The boy had he head dropped down as he groaned.

"I- I don't...something bit.."

Keith resisted the urge to slap himself in the face in annoyance, overwhelmed by concern for the fallen paladin.

"Shiro! Lance was bit by something get over here!" He spoke into the coms, voice filled with worry.

It took a few moments before Shiro's voice buzzed back. "That child..I told you guys to keep your armor on! I'm on my way over with Pidge."

Keith grabbed Lance by his shoulders. "The others are coming. Does it hurt?" The boy didn't respond so he continued, "Lance!" He shook his body.

"Quit shaking me.." Lance looked up at his worried face. "I'm.."

Lance's eyes went from slack to splaying as wide as physically possible. There was a purple trace to his dark brown eyes. Keith waited for him to continue speaking but he just stared as if Keith's face was the only thing left in the world.

"Lance?" Keith spoke, "Are you there?"

Lance visibly gulped as he raised a hand to Keith's face. He wanted to shift away but something in his chest kept him grounded.

"Keith.."

"Lance?"

Lance leaned forward as he let out raspily, "I wanna kiss you." His eyes flitted down to Keith's lips.

Keith's eyebrows shot to his hairline, now painfully aware of their lack of proximity and Lance's burning palm on his cheek. The boy's proclamation left him speechless, and yet he didn't pull away, as if he had been waiting for this moment for his entire life.

He knew deep down he would have swapped spit with Lance at that moment, in the humid alien jungle. He would have thrown his helmet off completely disregarding the possible dangers; He would have done it if it wasn't for the sudden voices from the other paladins' interruption.

"Keith! Lance!" Shiro's voice rang from behind them, and Keith shoved the suddenly love stricken boy away with a careless amount of force.

"What's wrong with Lance?" Pidges question directed all of the paladins' gaze towards the boy who was sprawled out on the floor.

"I don't know.." Keith answered, the blush conquering his face hidden by his helmet.

Shiro squatted down by Lance, lifting him up by the shoulders. "Where was he bitten?" He asked, not looking away from Lance.

Lance on the other hand, was staring at Keith. Their eyes meeting the moment he sat up.

"Earth to Keith..." Pidge spoke, waving her hand in front of his face.

"Oh, he had his hand covering the left side of his neck."

Shiro nodded, investigating the bite. It was a glowing purple, a concerning color for a wound as it could be the sign of a strange alien venom. "We should get him to the castle. Maybe Coran knows what it is." He said as he lifted Lance up, arm over his shoulder.

Lance, ignoring Shiro's aid, threw himself towards Keith like a damsel in distress. All of the paladins had the same reaction--utter confusion.

"Okay, what the fuck?" Pidge spoke first as she watched Lance basically koala himself onto the brooding teen.

Keith sputtered out a response as he held Lance in his arms. "I don't know he's been acting like this since he got bit.." As if Lance acting like this wasn't enough, him acting like this in front of all of their friends.

After many unsuccessful attempts at prying Lance off of Keith, many of which almost ended in someone getting bit, they decided it was best to leave Lance draped over him.

They walked back in silence--well almost silence, because the entire treck back to the castle consisted in Lance whispering sweet nothings into his ear.

"You're skin is so pretty I wanna bite it.."

"Thanks." Keith coughed out.

"I wanna hold your hands, I love your hands they're so large and your fingers are so long..I wanna see them-"

"Lance." Keith sputtered, face growing hotter with each comment.

Pidge stared back at them in disgust and a twinge of the urge to puke everywhere. "What kind of bug even does this?"

--

"It's a love bug!' Coran spoke enthusiastically.

The paladins were sitting at a table waiting for Coran's deduction--most at least. Lance sat in Keith's lap, arms slung desperately over his shoulders. They had left their armor in their hangers, so Keith's red face was left mercilessly on show.

Shiro eyed him with pity, "How long until the effects wear off?"

"That my dear paladins, I cannot answer."

"Why not!?" Keith spat out, his heart rushing faster at the idea of Lance being in love with him for an unknown amount of time, even more so because he had found himself almost liking the new affection.

"Yea! Why not!?" Lance yelled as well, most likely not understanding at all but following whatever Keith had said.

Coran sighed, "The Love Bug changes from plantary system to planatary system, there's no rhyme or reason behind their attributes. We'll unfortunately have to wait."

"So we're waiting until bite to wears off or until Keith dies of embrassment?" Pidge joked, "My votes are on Keith's early demise."

She glanced at Hunk, waiting for him to join in on the lighthearted poking, but instead, his eyes were focused on the blue paladin that was struck by an alien's cupid arrow. His face was cringing painfully with each move Lance made on Keith, as if a guilt was punching him in the gut.

Lance reached a hand up to Keith's jaw, pushing it to face him. "Where are you looking? I'm over here handsome." He purred with a smirked.

Keith felt like puking, not because he was disgusted but because Lance's entire being, every gesture, every love struck smirk, every dilation of his pupil once Keith made eye contact with him, was causing his stomach to flip and flood with butterflies.

"Lance you-"

The love struck boy suddenly craned his face up, landing a huge smooch on Keith's chin, and then another on his cheek.

If smoke could physically burst from his ears, it would have with how much heat Keith's face was producing. His brain spun uselessly as he let Lance pepper more and more small kisses on his face and neck.

"Lance!" Shiro yelled, pushing up from his chair. Pidge started dying with laughter, and to her left, Hunk let out the loudest, stressfilled sigh a human could possibly produce.

--

Quarantine hadn't boded well. They had all mutually agreed to lock Lance in his room until the bug's venom left his system, but it resulted in him wailing for Keith as he pounded and clawed at his bedroom door. It would have been cruel to leave him alone any longer, and with Keith's consent, he was let free.

But Keith was gravely reconsidering the decision as the moment he was out, he latched onto his arm, whispering drunk words once again.

Keith retreated to the training area. He couldn't stand the other paladins watching Lance act like an idiot, especially when Keith was the victim of his idiocy.

"I want to touch you again, please." He begged from his spot on the training deck floor. Keith had forced him to sit down a few hours ago as he set up.

Keith almost got stabbed in the stomach, completely thrown off guard by Lance's pleas. "Lance you can't say that when I'm training. You can't say that ever!" He snarled as he sliced into the metallic abdomin of the training bot, it decomposed into a hologram as the castle announced the next stage.

"But I love you!"

The robots acended from the floor as Keith held his sword firmly, his grip tightening til his fingers turned white. "Lance. Shut up."

"I can't help the way I feel!"

'Yea, because of that damn poison,' he thought in response, charging at the attack simulation.

"Please I just wanna feel your lips on mine! I wanna hold your hand, and hug your waist until the end of time! I wanna-"

"Lance." Keith spoke with ragged breaths, his face covered with an embarrassing red, "Please, shut up."

The castles automated voice silenced Lance's light footsteps, Keith hadn't even realized Lance was walking towards him until he felt warm lips on the back of his neck, revealed by his tied up hair.

A strange concoction of mirth and anxiety shivered up his spine as he spun around to face Lance. "You- I- Stop doing that!" He cupped the back of his sweaty neck that was tingling from Lance's touch.

--

The night didn't go well either. Once again, putting Lance in his room caused a tantrum and destruction so alternatively, Keith let him spend the night it his room.

Another decision that he regretted as the monent he slipped into bed, Lance jumped in with him, arms circling his waist. "Lance, I told you to sleep on the floor."

"How can I sleep so far away from you? It physically wounds me to be apart when you're within my reach."

"..Whatever." He huffed out, shoving his blushing face into his pillow.

Lance pulled their bodies closer together, shoving his face into Keith's slightly damp hair. (He had also asked to take a shower together, but Keith fervently refused the offer) His arms enclosed him, hands teasing the hem of his shirt. Keith felt a scream bubble in his throat but he swallowed it down.

"Sweet dreams my samurai.." Lance spoke with a soft voice as he put his lips on his shoulder one final time before passing out.

Keith, on the other hand, remained awake the entire night, staring at his dark wall until his eyes unfocused. Consciously aware of every movement the boy behind him was making, every breath that hit his nape, every sleeping nuzzle into his hair.

How could he sleep when a man he apparently is criminally attracted to was glued to his back?

The morning came both too soon and took way too long to approach. Keith's eyes throbbed from the lack of sleep, but all the pain went numb when he heard a small grunt from behind him. Lance rose from the bed, rubbing his eyes.

"What..." He slowly grumbled out, his voice a thousand octives deeper from drowsiness. His hands slowly came down from rubbing his face as he eyes shot open, head craning painfully slowly to Keith. "I-"

Keith shoved him off the bed, face red as a tomato. He winced when he heard a loud thump as Lance made contact with the floor.

"Ugh....Keith! What the hell man!?"

He was obviously back to normal.

"Why am I-" He was about to ask but suddenly interrupted himself, "Oh my god..."

Keith watched his slow approach to realization from atop his bed. His face grew even redder as the boy came to remember his mistakes from the past day.

"Keith, oh my god..." Lance's face was matching pigment of blood rushing red, his hands coming up to cover his features. "Fuck oh my god I'm- I'm so sorry."

Keith didn't know how to react. Cry? Laugh? Punch him in the face? All of the above?

Lance stood to his feet as he started pacing around the small room. "Shit. Fuck. Jesus.."

If Shiro was in the room he would have told him to watch his language, but he wasn't. It was just Keith and Lance, alone, left to deal with the aftermath of a strange love potion.

"I don't know what came over me, I just saw you and felt all of my urges lose rationality, the need to hold you, kiss you, touch you, they just exploded! Fuck I didn't mean to, I know you wanted none of that I'm so sorry. You can punch me if you want, actually you don't even need to I'll just eject myself into space-"

"Lance. It's...It's okay." Keith interrupted his spiraling rant, "I didn't...I didn't even hate it...that much.." He admitted, hiding his face with his gloved hand.

"You- I-"

"I'm saying I like you idiot. If anyone should be sorry it's me. I- I took advantage of you when you couldn't even control yourself..." Keith replied, ashamed of his actions.

Lance walked towards him, caging him between his arms as he pointed a long finger back and forth between them. "You. Me. You-"

"I'm sorry.."

Lance laughed, eyes scarily wide open as he tugged on Keith's shirt, connecting their lips together, "I- Fuck I like you too.."

Keith let out a laugh in utter disbelief. "What?"

"I've liked you since I saw that shitty mullet at the Garrison." He laughed again, physically on cloud nine.

"Kiss me again, do it before I throw you." Keith grinned, and before he could continue Lance tackled him, lips crashing into eachother.

The End byebye

>3<

[girlboypersonthingy]

Let’s Dance!

Voltron (+Matt!) x reader that one super soft time that you danced together AND AND AND the song you danced to 🥹❤️‍🔥

Side note: I will always write the reader as gender neutral but some of the song lyrics use she/her pronouns so…sorry about that :,(

LANCE 💙

You had just finished training with Keith and Shiro and you were exhausted. Those boys pushed you hard because they know you can do it and they want to make sure you can always protect yourself. You sigh as you walk slowly through the halls, tilting your head side to side in an attempt to stretch your neck. As you turned the corner, you could hear music and hilariously bad singing (more like shouting) coming from the blue paladins room. A smile creeps up on your face as you approach the open door way, the music loud now. You stand in the door way, arms crossed as you watch the taller boy twirl around his room. He shouts out the lyrics, making dramatic faces and wild hand movements. As he turns, he notices you watching which yanks a stunned squeal from his mouth.

“Having fun?” You ask with a dorky grin, walking into his room. He exhales with relief, putting a hand to his chest. “Geez, (Y/N). I thought you were Keith.” That comment ripped a laugh from your mouth. “What? Can’t let big bad Keith see you dancing all pretty?” You reply as you approach him. “First of all, Keith is not big and bad. And secondly…you think I’m pretty?” His once normal smile turned into a mischievous grin, his eyes half-lidded as he wiggles his thin brows. You laugh again, this time it was more of a giggle. He always made you feel this way, all giddy and excited and blushing. “Of course. You’re gorgeous, Lance.”

His smile falters a bit, his heart beating faster now. “Really?” He speaks softer now and you’re barely able to hear him over the music. “Huh?” You shout before he just shakes his head and grabs you by the wrist. You smile like a lovesick goofball as he pulls you in and your chests meet, his arms quickly snaking around your waist. You stare up at him as you both laugh and sway to the music. Then you lean your head on his shoulder, wrap your arms around his torso tightly and close your eyes, your smile never fading.

Lance isn’t quite sure how to keep it together now. He can smell your shampoo and he can feel you breathing against him and oh my god was he in love with you. Suddenly, his hands begin to travel south, softly grazing over your butt and you pull back with wide eyes and an open mouth. “Excuse me! You better watch it, lover boy.” He quickly brings his hands back up to a more appropriate place on your back as a chuckle leaves his lips. “Sorry. Moment of weakness. You just have that effect on me, (Y/N).” You go back to leaning into his shoulder as you continue to sway with him.

KEITH ❤️

You turn off the shower and hear music coming from the room next to yours. As you wrap yourself in a towel, you listen and think the song sounds kind of familiar. The song comes to an end but then starts again. This makes you smile a bit as you dry off and quickly get dressed. You approach the door next to yours and knock. The song stops just before the door opens, Keith in the doorway.

“Hey.” “Hey yourself.” You fiddle with the hem of your shirt as you look at Keith then back into his room. He watches you and sighs softly. “I mean, if you wanna come in you can, but my room is a mess and-“ You don’t even let him finish and instead scurry in and plop down on his bed. He nods and turns to see you hogging up his entire bed. “Why’d you stop the song?” He shrugs, standing still. “Do you want me to play it? I thought you came in here to talk or something.” You nod, rolling over so that you were now on your stomach, your chin resting in your hands. “Yeah, I like that song and apparently you do too since you’ve had it on repeat for a while now.” This brings a small, shy smile to his lips before he forces it away. He goes to resume the music, leaning against his wall with crossed arms in typical Keith fashion.

You smile as you listen to the lyrics, wiggling your feet in the air to the beat. You look up and see Keith now mouthing the words and bobbing his head to the beat. Your smile was uncontrollable now, his cute gestures making you rise to your feet and close the distance between you. “You’re cute.” You blurt out before taking one of his gloved hands in yours. He tries to fight back a smile, his cheeks turning red. “No.” He responds bluntly as you gently pull him into a hug. He sighs, but it’s a comfortable, relaxed kind of sigh as he feels the warmth of your embrace.

His hands very slowly and carefully come up around your back, tightly squeezing you to his chest. You let out a soft “hmm” as he squeezes, making him think it was too hard. He goes to pull away but you keep him against you. Your arms quickly find their place around his neck and you hide your face there. As you breath nervously, it tickles his neck and causes him to gasp slightly. Now as you went to pull away to look up at him, he held you tightly in place, not wanting you to see his probably really dumb but also adorably shy and blushy face. He was so stiff, breathing shallow and quickly. He loved feeling you up against him like this but he didn’t know how to act.

Slowly, awkwardly you both begin swaying to the song. His hands stay glued to their spot on your upper back as yours gently begin to play with the hair covering his neck. He just can’t keep up the stubborn, quiet, bad boy act with you. At this point, he’s a smiling, blushing mess. He has always had a soft spot for you. You just make him feel safe and seen and validated. He continues to mouth the lyrics now that you are literally too close to even see his face…but you can feel his jaw moving ever so slightly. He’s too cute.

PIDGE 💚

You sat beside Pidge on the floor in their dumpster fire of a room. You didn’t mind though, they always made room for you to sit or lay comfortably with them. You had earbuds in that Pidge had actually made for you since you’d mentioned to them how much you like music. You were stoked when they gave them to you and now you always have music playing. Pidge was typing away on their laptop, the clicking noises and the music faintly coming from your ears were the only sounds in the room at the moment. Pidge smiled a bit as they realized you were listening to a playlist they had made for you.

They began softly humming along as they continued to code, fingers tapping quickly along the keyboard. You notice Pidge glance over at you so you pop an ear bud out to see if they were trying to talk to you. They weren’t talking but their humming made you gush with love for them. You’d never mentioned it but you thought their voice was so nice and soothing. You scoot yourself closer to the small paladin, gently pushing one of the ear buds in their ear before you lean your head on their shoulder. You’d think Pidge would be annoyed and shoo you away so they could focus, but instead they lean against you as their typing slows slightly.

You are humming together for a second before Pidge suddenly pushes their lap top away to turn and face you. They were kneeling on their knees now, admiring the way you watched them move towards you. You smile brightly at each other before they tackle you into a hug, making your laugh ring out. You put one hand back on the floor behind you to brace yourself and rest your other hand on their back, hugging them to your body tightly. Pidge continues to hum as they rub their hands up and down your back, their eyes closing. You take your hand from behind you and gently rub Pidge’s hair.

Suddenly, you’re up on your knees too, both of you holding onto the other as if this would be the last time you’d ever see or touch each other again. You began swaying back and forth to the song playing in your ears as Pidge continued to rub your back and you let your hands roam their short hair. “I’m surprised you pushed your work aside for me. That’s so unlike you.” You mumble into their shoulder. “You are just as important as everything else I have to do right now, (Y/N).” You feel your heart swell as you bite your lip at their sweet words. “Also, you’re sooooo freaking needy. I’m kinda used to it now.” You frown and lean back to look at them. “You’re a brat.” You pout and try to pull away, but they start laughing at your reaction and that makes you smile and melt back into their embrace once more.

SHIRO 🖤

You walk through the halls of the castle looking for your favorite person- Shiro. You checked the training deck only to find Keith and Lance training and totally not goofing off together. You checked the kitchen only to find Hunk and Pidge laughing and trying whatever new thing Hunk has cooked up. You pass Allura in the hall and ask her where Shiro may be. “Mmm did you check the observation deck? Every so often, he goes there to be alone and reflect.” Your face drops. “So…should I not go bug him then?” The princess smiles sweetly at you. “You should definitely go check on him.” You smile back at her and soon, you’re nearly running to where you knew he would be.

As you open the door, faint music hits your ears and you see Shiro sitting on the floor, in some sort of yoga position as he softly sings along to the song. “Hi.” You say just loud enough to be heard over the music, causing the man to turn and look at you. “(Y/N)! Hey. What’s up? Everything okay?” He starts to stand but you put your hands up. “Oh yeah! I’m fine…just…found myself missing you, I guess.” He gives you a lovely smile as he sits back on the ground, throwing his arms open for you. “Come here.” He begins to laugh softly as you full on sprint to him, throwing yourself into his arms and against his chiseled chest. A throaty “ugh” leaves his mouth as you hum with content at being wrapped up in his arms. “I’ll never get tired of you doing that.” He speaks clearly to you as you bury your face into his shirt and breath in his scent.

You’re straddling his lap now, your hands coming up under his arms and around his back. Often when you two hug, he lets his hands innocently roam your body. He’s not trying to cop a feel, he just likes to feel every curve of you. It lets him know you’re really real. So, he lets his hands wander down your back and onto your thighs and then up your arms. Soon, his hands rest on your face as he gently pulls you away from him, wanting to get a good look at you. His eyes look tired and he is barely smiling. “You okay?” You ask softly.

He doesn’t respond, instead he stands up, grabbing you by the waist as he lifts you up with him. He’s holding you like a parent holds their child who is too tired to walk on their own…but he was the tired one. “Shiro, put me down.” You order, but he ignores you, holds you tightly and begins to sway to the music. You can’t help but smile and hold onto him. As your legs wrap around his waist, your forehead soon meets his own. His eyes are closed, but yours stay open as you watch his lips move. He’s singing ever so softly, his voice smooth and deep as he rocks back and forth with you.

Soon enough, Shiro feels your legs start to slip off him and your hands loosen their grip on his shoulders. “(Y/N)?” He leans back to look at you and gasps as you nearly fall from his arms. You were dozing off to his sweet singing. He chuckles softly as you open your sleepy eyes. Finally, he begins walking to your room to lay you down for a nap. Maybe he’ll join you.

HUNK 💛

This was a very rare occasion where you found Hunk NOT in the kitchen and instead, he was helping Pidge clean up their room. He said it was good to clear the area in order to clear your head, as well. Pidge didn’t agree with that, but they appreciated the help anyway. Hunk put on some music as they got to work, sorting the trash from the old plates of food goo from the pieces of technology that Pidge needed still. You poke your head in, finding yourself bored and also intrigued by the music playing.

“Whoa, looks like the galra blew this room up.” You tease as Pidge lays on their bed, acting all exhausted and dramatic. “Right?! That’s what I said.” Hunk replies, making Pidge groan in protest. “It’s not that bad. I know where everything is and it’s MY room so why does it matter?” You saunter in slowly, watching as Hunk attempts to pry the younger paladin off their bed. “C’mon, Pidge. I swear you’ll feel so much better and clear headed once your room is clean.” “I’ll help, too.” You respond cheerily. “Good, you two deal with it then.” And now Pidge is checked out, their face deep in their computer screen.

Hunk sighs and looks to you, smiling a bit. You smile back and walk closer to him. “I like this song.” You speak before he nods in agreement and begins to do a silly little dance. Your smile only grows wider as you watch him, nodding along to the beat. “Okay, dancing Queen!” You joke as he holds his hand out to you. Your smile fades slowly and suddenly you can hear your heart beat over the music. Was he…trying to dance with you?

As you slowly rest your hand in his, he snaps his fingers to the beat and wiggles his hip. You nervously sway back and forth as he steps closer to you, holding both of your hands now. You weren’t great at dancing, but Hunk was such a good lead, you didn’t know he had such good rhythm. He pushes you away from him then pulls you back in then twirls you around, making you suddenly relax and start to smile again. Why were you so nervous? It’s not like he was necessarily a great dancer, but you didn’t want to look like a dork in front of him.

As you two laugh and sway together, Pidge just looks up at you and groans. “Ew. Can you guys not be all cute in front of me?” You throw your head back as you laugh at their comment and suddenly, you feel your feet slip out from under you. You accidentally stepped on an old plate covered in food goo and you went tumbling backwards. Almost like a cheesy romcom movie, Hunk lunges forward and saves you from the fall very gracefully, dipping you in his arms. You stare up at his shocked face, a blush growing on yours. His expression quickly softens as you reach up to rest a hand on his warm cheek. “My savior~”

ALLURA 💖

Occasionally, you liked to go to the training room late at night when everyone else was resting or doing other things. You like to be alone and focused, not worried about the others watching you or trying to give you advice. You also like to play your music and just vibe by yourself. Tonight was one of those occasions. You kept restarting level three of the training simulator, not wanting to push it too hard but wanting to keep your heart rate up. You hear the door behind you slide open with a whoosh and you are pleasantly surprised to see Princess Allura standing in the doorway, pink pajamas hanging off her tall body. Suddenly, you’re knocked on your butt by the training bot, causing you to groan in pain and Allura to giggle at you.

“Hey. Why are you up so late?” You stand and rub your butt as you walk towards her slowly. “I was just going to ask you the same question.” She replies with a forced smile. “I like training alone. I get nervous with everyone standing around watching me.” She nods and steps into the room. “But what will you do in the heat of battle when you’re surrounded by the enemy, (Y/N)?” You shrug and look away from her. “In the heat of the moment, I’m sure I’ll figure it out. Now, you answer my question.” You rest your hands on your hips as you raise a brow at her, watching her frown. “I’m just…worried. I can’t seem to fall asleep.” She reaches for your hand just as the song changes.

You give her hand a gently and reassuring squeeze before an “ooh!” leaves your mouth. “I love this song.” You tell her as you loosen your grip on her hand and rub your thumb over her knuckles. She couldn’t bring herself to look at you as tears formed in her eyes. She was so tough and strong and resilient, but she felt like she could really let her guard down around you. As you notice her lip quivering, you are quick to grab ahold of her other hand, pulling her closer to you. “Oh, Princess. Don’t cry.” Those words make her loose it, a soft yelp coming from her as she begins to full on cry in front of you.

You pause, unsure of what to do now. You’ve never seen her so distraught. “Come here.” You pull her up against you and hug her tight, rubbing soft circles on her back. Her arms hung at her sides, her wet face against your neck as her shoulders shook with each sob. You begin softly singing the words to her, meaning every word with all of your heart. Slowly, she seems to calm down with a sniffle and a sigh. “What can I do to make you happy again?” Your voice is at a whisper now, your hands reaching for her face. You want to pull her back and look at her.

“No. Just…hold me.” She keeps her face hidden in your neck as her arms come up around your waist. Her wish was your command. You hug her close again and continue to sing to her, gently swaying to the music. As you feel her relax and slump against you, her feet start moving along with yours. “Everything will be okay. I promise…I’ll always take care of you.” Sure, she was way stronger and smarter than you, but you’d do anything for her. Anything.

MATT 🧡

You and Matt were both scheduled to leave for an important mission tomorrow. Except…you weren’t going together. He was going one way, you were going another. You had been stressed and down about it all day, trying to bury yourself in your work and distract yourself with music as to not be consumed by sadness. Although you were gonna miss him endlessly, there were just more important things to focus on right now. But he could feel it, feel the worry and sorrow radiating off you.

“(Y/N).” He calls out, you don’t look at him. “Hey. Everything is gonna be fine. Before you know it, we’ll be together again.” Matt jumped slightly as you pushed yourself up from your chair fast and angry, making the chair fall back behind you. “I just don’t get why we can’t stick together! I just want to be with you always. I NEED to be with you or how will I know if you’re okay? H-how will I know what’s happened to you if you go missing?” After thinking about the words that just left your mouth, you turn away from him, tears threatening to fall down your cheeks. It would be silent now had you not started playing music. As much as you hate to admit it, if something ever did happen to him, you’d rather be there to witness it than to be left worried and confused and wondering what went wrong.

“Whoa, hey. Come on, now. I’m a big boy. I can handle myself.” Before you know it, he’s turning you to face him with a sort of sad smile on his face. “And so can you. We’re gonna be fine, honey.” He quickly wiped your teary eyes before just holding and examining your face. He was literally scanning your face, you could see his eyes shifting, his smile slowly fading. He just wanted to keep that image of your slightly sad but beautiful face in his head. He wanted to be able to metaphorically look back at that image in his head because…he was scared, too.

As he felt his eyes begin to sting and his throat start to close up, he pulled you you into a hug hard and fast. His shaky hands were holding your head to his shoulder, your arms tightly wrapped around his waist. You both cried for a moment and you began taking mental notes of this moment with him. You noticed the way he smelled kinda woodsy and musky, the way his breath sounded in your ear right now, the way his hands were freezing cold even through your clothes, the way he is still trying to pulling you in closer. As you both inhale and exhale together, your embrace loosens. His hands slowly fall down your body, eventually stopping on your lower back.

You start to sway to the music, your eyes closing as you lean into him more. After a moment, Matt starts to follow your movements and now you can’t help but smile a bit. There’s literally not enough room between you for you guys to be dancing, you’re both totally stepping on each others feet. You don’t mind, you wish you could be even closer. You wanted to crawl into his clothes and sink into his skin. You start to hum softly into his neck, enjoying this soft, sweet moment.

“Matt…” He pulls back to get a good look at you. “Promise you’ll come back to me?” His heart aches at your words, but he forces a smile and hugs your waist tightly before lifting you off you feet and spinning you around. Little goof doesn’t even set you down right away, he just looks up at you with hopefully eyes, melting at the way the light is glowing behind you.

“I promise.”

[sukoshininja]

Cornered

This wasn't how he thought he would die, torn apart and mauled to death, Lance reflected as he turned down an alleyway only to be faced with a dead end. 

"Fuck!" Keith yanked fistfuls of his shaggy mullet.

Lance reached out for him. If this was going to be his last moments, he might put his timidness aside and grab hold of Keith. There had been small moments, flickers, where he thought the future he wanted with him might be possible. Something about the corner of his lips when Keith smiled at him, the softness in his eyebrows. Lance never dared to make that push forward, afraid that his own feelings were influencing what he wanted to see. He couldn't stand to lose what relationship he did have with Keith. But none of that mattered now.

They were going to die. Together. Gruesomely.

"Keith," Lance gently captured Keith's wrists, easing them from his hair. "Keith, come on. Stop. It's alrigh--"

Keith shook him off, hands forming into combative fists at his waist as he turned his back to Lance. "No, it's not! Everything is messed up! Just, mmm--argh!" He kicked the wall angrily, most definitely breaking some toes.

The howling was growing louder. They didn't have much time.

Lance could feel tears forming, hot and ready to spill. This isn't how he wanted it either.

He had wanted to shoot his shot after graduation, when they would have normally parted ways. Sure, they could have kept in touch, being inseparable friends throughout college, but Lance knew they would get busy with their own lives. It couldn't last forever. Unless Keith felt the same. But Lance had been too frighted of the ways it could go wrong to find out.

But circumstances being what they were Lance realized he would never get that chance.

Keith's muscular back heaved under his black shirt from heavy breathing. Lance approached and hugged him from behind.

Keith did not react.

"I was gonna ask you out, you know," he whispered softly as he laid his head on Keith's shoulder. "And then, after a couple years, I was going to ask you to marry me."

Keith stiffened.

Lance didn't need an answer, he just needed Keith to know. It was enough.

"Fuck me!" Keith exclaimed, angrily, whirling around and slamming Lance into the wall. He pinned him there, one hand wrapped around his neck, his fingers squeezing tight as he growled, "Of course you had to fucking say something now!"

Lance gave him a sad smile. He actually told him.

Keith's snarl was only growing angrier as his eyes flashed dangerously. He slammed his other hand into the wall, next to Lance's head as he towered over him. "I should have known better than to let you get close to me. Fuck! This is what I get?"

It was, more or less, the reaction Lance had expected. He had never had much hope to begin with. But at least his feelings were heard. Lance was at peace with it.

"Fine! I will take what I can get while I can," Keith declared as he towered over him, his grip on his neck shifting.

Lance braced himself, but he did not look away. At least in his last moments, Keith's full attention would be on him.

But the strike did not land as he anticipated. It wasn't until Keith pulled away, blood dripping from his long canines that Lance realized what happened.

The guy had bit him! Right where his neck met his shoulder.

"Wha--" but Lance wasn't able to finish forming his question before Keith's mouth was on his, kissing and licking aggressively. As Lance's eyes slipped closed, he could taste the salty tang of his own blood as Keith's tongue pushed into him. Keith's kiss was like a fire, scorching, spreading, and deadly. Lance couldn't think, his mind going blank as Keith moaned into him.

"That," Keith purred, his voice deep and distorted, Lance's bottom lip between his teeth, "was for me."

He bit down, drawing more blood.

Lance was too breathless to notice.

Keith gently cupped his face, stroking his cheek with his clawed thumb, unexpectedly tender after that violent display. He was taller, way taller than he should have been. His proportions were off, changing as Lance watched. "If I asked you to close your eyes, would you?"

Lance looked into his glowing yellow eyes. He did not understand what was happening, but he was not going to miss a second of it. He shook his head.

Keith chuckled, sounding more like a rumbling lion than a boy. He pressed a kiss to Lance's forehead.

With that, Keith withdrew, turning his back to him and facing the on-coming creatures. "When you change your mind about...us, I want you to know I understand."

And then he became something that wasn't human at all.

my whumptober masterlist

[iybms]

Into the Shadows

painting + short fic

title: Into the Shadows rating: T pairing: keith/lance words: 712 tags: pov lance, bom keith, strong language ao3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/23520190

Lance is not unfamiliar with being pressed up against Keith.

It's happened in so many different contexts at this point now ― from being judo-style pinned during combat training to climbing up an elevator shaft back-to-back, half-naked ― that there's very little novelty in being pressed against him here, crouched in a dark corner of a Galra base.

Even if he wishes there were some novelty.  Some meaning, some comfort.  At the very least, maybe, a mutual understanding that there's some pleasantness about each other's arms, as a place to be.  That, even though they haven't addressed why it's pleasant and maybe don't want to yet, it is pleasant nonetheless.

There's a draw.  Something just a little bit magnetic between them that doesn't belong amidst Galra sentry gunfire and prowling footsteps.

The gunfire, in particular, is paused, as the sentries haven't spotted them in their small, dark corner, almost entirely hidden behind a large wall structure in their alcove.

Keith is on his knees with his blade in one hand, his back pressed to the wall, and Lance is tucked to Keith's front in a low crouch, his red bayard clutched at the ready between them in rifle form, the only dim source of light in the tiny space.

They are silent, nervous, and utterly alone.

Keith's free arm winds tighter around Lance's back, pulling him closer, more securely into the shadows as another wave of sentries passes by the hall in pursuit of their direction.  Keith blends into the darkness perfectly, with his dark hair and dark Blade of Marmora uniform.  Lance, by contrast, sticks out like a sore thumb ― bright, valiant, and shining with his paladin armor and glowing weaponry.

Once the sentries are sufficiently far away, Lance takes in a shaky breath, somewhere against Keith's neck.

"There weren't supposed to be this many, right?" He hisses out in the smallest breath he can manage.  "How the fuck are we supposed to get to the rendezvous point?  We can't even move.  We might as well just―"

Lance goes to do something, but before he can even decide what exactly, Keith's hand moves and Lance's heart stops.

And then suddenly, Lance's heart is beating frantically, because Keith's hand has moved up to Lance's hair, and it's weaved there, holding him close like a― like a lover.

"Lance."

Keith's voice is so close to his ear.  It's so soft, and so low, that Lance thinks he can feel Keith's lips.  But then, when Keith's lips actually do brush his skin, across the arch of his cheekbone, light and gentle, Lance thinks he's never felt anything ever in his life before this.  Nothing that has touched his skin until now has ever charged each nerve ending like a capacitor the way Keith's lips do.  Nothing has turned his whole body into an electrical hot wire the way Keith's trembling kiss does.

He doesn't dare move.  Doesn't breathe, doesn't blink, doesn't anything.  He's pretty sure the only thing moving in his body is his blood, which is all rushing to his face.  And he's pretty sure Keith can feel it, because his face is so hot now, he's on fire, and his face is still pressed right up against Keith's jaw.

And now that he's completely still, he can feel it at Keith's neck, pressed against the back of his hand:  Keith's heartbeat.

Wild, uneven.  Terrified.

"Please," Keith breathes, into Lance's skin.  "We have to be careful.  I don't want―" He bites off some doomed predicate that Lance will never know.  "We can wait, for the others to get to us.  If you don't have any other ideas."

Everything between them and around them is silent and still again for a long moment, while everything inside Lance pulses and flies and whirls like a hurricane.  He considers Keith's lips, Keith's arms.  He considers Keith's impulsiveness, his restraint, his desperation.  He considers Keith's arms again.  He wants, he wants, so much, to lean into them.  He does, sincerely, try to think of another plan.

Finally, after what feels like forever but before any more sentries have a chance to scout, Lance releases his bayard, and slips his gloved palm up the nape of Keith's neck.

Without the rifle between them, Keith pulls Lance further into the shadows.

[bluedemon1995]

“I want you and I know you want me too.” Enjoy!

Keith bites his lip, almost drawing blood, wanting desperately to butt in but knowing Katie would want to speak for herself. So, despite how much he wants to do so on her behalf, he keeps himself in check, somehow. Keeping his eyes on Katie, he’s taken by surprise when Lance stood abruptly, moving fast enough that he actually knocked his chair over.

“I don’t think so buddy, in fact, I know so. Go on, anda, sal de aquí. She does NOT”, at this point he slaps his hand on table and continues, “want you. I’m her bestest friend. I would know! And let me tell you, she doesn’t need some guy with a stick up his ass who thinks he knows everything!”

Keith froze, feeling vindicated by Lance’s take but also completely surprised at how strongly Lance rebuked Griffin. Why was his response so strong? Since when did Lance dislike Griffin? What was he missing? He eyes, tracked to Katie, as they always seem to do late, not wanting to miss Katie’s response? He bit his tongue a little more and managed not to say anything to Griffin even though he wanted more than anything for her to agree with Lance.

Not Griffin, please. Please. Heart pounding, he could feel his muscles tense. Like he was bracing for impact. Quiznack!

Katie sighed, replying firmly, “Lance, not your place!”

“What?! You’re not saying I’m wrong! You aren’t pining for him. He doesn’t make your race. Nor are you flushed and pining for just five more minutes of his time. In fact, James is always so full of himself, exactly what you hate. And I think you are-!“

“Lance!!! Stop, seriously.” She ran a hand through her longer hair, pulling slightly and then squaring her shoulders. Redirecting her gaze to James, she starts, “James, um, yeah, so, funny enough, I actually had no clue you were interested. I, well shit, I feel really unprepared for this. I honestly, don’t know what to say. But having this conversation at a full dinner table in the middle of the mess hall, well, this is probably not one of your better ideas.”

Griffin stands and takes a few steps closer to Katie, coming around the table to sheepishly state, “Yeah, I didn’t really think this through.” He grabs his neck and crouches down so he’s right next to her chair and I feel my fingers curl tightly in a fist.

Griffin continues, with no idea that I’m desperately trying not to act on the desire to punch him, repeatedly.

His eyes cut to me, then go back to Katie. He continues earnestly, “I’ve been feeling this way for a while and I, needed you to know how I’ve been feeling. I did NOT mean to put you in a tight spot or anything. I’m sorry. I’m usually way smarter than this, I swear. How about we table this for later? Maybe we can have a private dinner and maybe drinks?”

Keith blinks, when the fuck did his hand move to her chair? He didn’t think he could refrain from hitting him if he actually touched her.

Katie smiles and nods shyly. Shyly? What the hell? What does that mean? I look to Hunk and mouth, “What the heck?”

Hunk shrugs but doesn’t look too concerned. At this point, Katie’s alarm goes off and we all know it’s time for her to head back to the lab. Keith tries not to look too relieved. No actual date was set. Katie is rushing around throwing out her mess, with Lance practically in her pocket. What was he telling her now?

Keith waits for a few minutes, trying to formulate a plan. He shoves the rest of his burger in his mouth and stands, going to the conveyer belt for dishes on the opposite side of the room. He has to move. No time to lose, not now.

Suddenly he shoved back and pulled into an alcove. Straightening, he meets Griffin’s hard look in kind. They size each other up, and Keith resolves to not say a word. He doesn’t owe him anything now.

“Why couldn’t you just stay gone man. I had a plan. Isn’t there a ship that needs blowing up or some people that need saving?”

Keith looks up, “Look, I actually don’t have anything against you personally. Not anymore.”

Griffin smiles, relaxing at those words. Until Keith continues, “So you see, this actually has nothing to do with you. And if has everything to do with the woman I’m in love with. So, yeah there probably is a ship that needs blowing up or some people that need saving out there. But right now, I’m here on a purely selfish mission, to save myself.”

Luckily Cosmo appears so he continues, “So, hopefully that clears things up for you.”

He quickly moves with Cosmo at his side. He’s trying to think, but he can’t seem to focus. All he feels is panic. He’s too late. He’s missed his shot. He feels like he can’t breathe. He wants to scream and break things but fuck, he’s past temper tantrums. Making his way to his room on autopilot, he’s trying to think back and determine if Katie ever seemed like Griffin was something she was interested in.

Suddenly he stops at the hall where his room was to see Hunk, Lance and Shiro standing at his door. Hunk is looking at him, with pity? Damn, he was too late. He stops, right in the hall and staggers against the wall. Closing his eyes, he tries to pull himself together. But Shiro grabs him and pulls him into his room, “Hey, stop. Whatever you’re thinking just stop.”

Lance leans agains the now closed door. “Stop babying him Shiro. Look, I just put myself in the line of fire for you. It better be worth it, so tell me straight, are you back, and are you back for Pidge?”

Keith startles, he can feel himself start to deny but no, he’s done running. Done pretending that he was just a friend. Running only hurt him. He stands, looking Lance eye to eye. “Yeah. I’m back and Katie, well, I don’t know how she feels but, I, I love her.”

Keith braces for the questions, the threats.

Silence. Huh?

Hunk smiles and in two steps has him engulfed in a spine crushing hug. “Thank God! It’s about time buddy. Okay, what’s your plan? Should I make her favorite dishes?”

As he’s released, he looks at his other two friends, who are both smiling and looking relieved. Keith looks down and sees Cosmo, wagging his tail with a seemingly inquisitive look as well. Oh. Guess he was the only one surprised by his feelings.

Hours later, Keith is dressed in his best black jeans, black t-shirt, black boots and his current favorite leather jacket. He has an extra helmet and is sitting on his bike outside of the lab. After some well timed calls, he knows she should be heading out now and her car is currently in the shop. So while Matt was supposed to pick her up (and at his request in the far end of the parking lot) but hopefully she would be open to a ride.

He sees her wave to her interns and turn to the lot Matt was supposed to be in. He takes her in, knowing she was oblivious to what he saw. Her hair was haphazardly pulled back and she had on her leggings with a flannel and her worn in boots. But more than that, Keith could see the smirk that never failed to pull on his own emotions. He saw that even though it was late as hell, all of her interns were with her, not because she demanded but because they wanted to help her, see her genius at work, hell she was probably the only senior staff member who broke rules regularly. He knew for sure; her staff were the only ones in the Garrison who dressed down, wore jeans and tshirts with puns or whatever they wanted. Because she pushed. She fought. And damn if that wasn’t sexy as hell.

He took a breath, calling out, “Hey short stack.”

Keith saw her laugh, and even though he couldn’t actually hear it, he knew what it sounded like and damn, he wanted all of her. All her laughs. All her smirks. All. Of. Her.

She sauntered over, taking her time. “Dude. Did you just join the Blades because their uniform fit your aesthetic?”

Keith grinned. He liked the way her eyes moved up and down him. Score another one for Lance. He was going to rent a car and dress up but Lance said no. Instead, he pulled his hair back and dressed him like a kid. Obviously, he knew what hit Katie’s buttons.

He took a deep breath, “So I know Matt was going to pick you up, and he could still. But I was hoping you’d wanna take a ride with me.”

Katie stood, just beyond his reach. He wanted to haul her up to him, hold her and tell her how much he wanted her. Always. Even when he was oblivious to his own feelings, even when he was fighting them. But it had to be her choice. Always. But damn, he wanted her.

Katie slowly nodded, “Yeah, a ride sounds good. Let me go and get a jacket.”

Now he did reach out, grabbing her hand and slowly pulling her closer. When she was right in front of him, he shook his head. “No need.” Shrugging out of he jacket, he swings it around her shoulders, “Wear this. I’m good, I run hot anyways. So, you in?”

Keith’s hands reflexively tightened on the jacket pulling her infinitesimally closer. So close he could feel her body heat, smell her shampoo and see her bite her lip. “Yeah, I’m in Kogane.”

Keith grins, “Yay.”

Laughing, Katie pulls her arms though the sleeves and grabs the helmet on the seat. Keith moves to help her with the strap and quickly get on the bike, pulling his helmet on as well. Reviving the engine, he waits until her arms wrap around his middle and then takes off.

First, he drives, rather aimlessly until he finds himself on his way back to his shack. Or well the shack he used after Shiro disappeared. Stopping and stretching, he couldn’t help loving how she looked in his jacket, or how when she raised her arms, he could see the skin of her belly. He took an instinctive step forward.

He reached for her hand, “Katie, it’s time. Fuck Griffin and his shitty timing. I was doing this from the day I landed. I want you and I know you want me too. But I don’t just want your body. I want it all, your body, your mind, and your heart. I want it all.”

He knew he was intense. He knew he was possessive. He knew he had a laundry list of issues. But, if anyone could handle him, it was her. Always her.

[shatterinseconds]

New Year’s Eve

Klancemas ‘22 day 31

Lance glares at Keith all night. If Keith has taken notice, he has made no acknowledgement of how Lance tracks every movement he makes. Which isn’t difficult in a room with only six other people. Lance is just waiting for an opportunity to strike.

Ever since they had their makeshift holiday party a week ago, they also decided to have a New Year’s Eve celebration, which Coran and Allura were more than willing to participate in as well. They threw on a classic Altean movie with no subtitles for background noise, having no access to proper New Year’s Eve broadcasts—at one point, Lance did try to watch the movie and was immediately lost when the tentacle creature appeared out of nowhere. Eyes glazing over as he sat on the couch, the chatter around him indiscernible, he began to form his revenge plan.

Because Keith kissed him at that holiday party and Lance hasn’t been able to return the favor. All week he has caught Keith smirking at him when he knows Lance is looking, and it’s only fueled the fire more. Keith shouldn’t be able to get away scot free with kissing Lance under the mistletoe like that. And Lance will show him exactly what it felt like.

Now, as the timer Pidge set up starts to count down from sixty, Lance walks over to Keith, a purpose to every step. Keith converses with Shiro, none the wiser to his presence, but Shiro is. When he sees Lance approach, he sighs and subtly excuses himself much to Keith’s confusion.

That gets cleared up pretty quickly. “Hey, Mullet,” Lance growls when he is directly behind Keith. Keith spins around with wide eyes before he narrows them in skepticism. 

“What do you want?”

Three. 

“I’ve come to return the favor.” 

Two. 

“What fav—” Reaching for him, Lance doesn’t let Keith finish.

One.

At the stroke of midnight, Lance drags Keith into his arms and kisses him. He feels Keith breathe out a soft ‘oh’ across his lips before his hands find their way under Lance’s shirt, warm hands pressed against his bare skin, to draw him closer. Suddenly, Lance dips Keith, continuing to kiss the living daylights out of him, while Keith laughs, moving to pull Lance even closer until they’re flush which only causes them to tumble onto the couch. Lance breaks off the kiss, chuckling as well, as he buries his face into the crook of Keith’s neck and long hair, which tickles his nose. He is only partially aware that he straddles Keith and has an audience.

“Listen, we’re all happy for you morons, but this is not how I wanted to start my New Year,” Pidge mutters in annoyance, which only causes them to laugh harder. Keith’s lips are kiss-bitten, red and a little swollen. Streamers and confetti rain around them; Keith looks beautiful, hair wild against the couch cushions and mouth stretched wide in happiness. 

“Happy New Year, Keith,” Lance says.

Keith reaches up to draw him back. “Yeah, Happy New Year,” he replies as he kisses Lance again.

Lance’s plan is truly a success.

[adobedragon]

Pidge skated a tongue over Lance’s lower lip and muttered, “Is that coconut?

His breath hot against her mouth, he laughed softly. “Coconut lip balm. Like it?”

Her fingers wound around the hair at the nape of his neck and she pulled his mouth to hers. “Uh-huh.” They were on the little couch in the Atlas’ junior officers’ lounge, taking a small break from a long day of running through survey logs for this sector of the universe, searching for any trace of Honerva and her robeasts.

But two Paladins, in the throes of new love, left alone in a quiet corner of the Earth’s most advanced battleship, were like powerful magnets, unable to resist each other’s pull. She’d gone from sitting primly at his side, sipping coffee, to sitting on his lap and exploring the different ways that one could kiss someone. They were both wearing their Voltron Garrison uniforms, and she was finding that sitting on someone’s lap while wearing boots was light years from comfortable. This, however, was a small sacrifice in the service of science. Pidge, always the consummate researcher, was taking the study of Lance’s mouth very seriously.

“Oh, no,” said a voice behind them. “Get a room, you two. Or go make out in a Lion.”

Pidge squeaked in surprise and her teeth banged against Lance’s. Turning, she found Hunk standing in the lounge’s doorway, a coffee mug in hand and a surprisingly sour expression on the usually cheerful Paladin’s broad face.

“If I’m not stumbling over you two going at it, I’m tripping over Keith and Shiro.” His boots thumped on the floor as he went to the coffee machine and poured himself a hot cup of java. “It’s like Paladin mating season around here.”

“Somebody got up on the wrong side of the bed,” said Lance. “Go call Shay. That’ll make you less salty.”

Hunk’s face was structured for cheer and the gloom that lengthened his genial visage startled Pidge. Realizing she was still on Lance’s lap, not the best position to address a friend’s distress, she reseated herself on the couch beside him.

A little smile twitched her lips as Lance tugged at the bottom of his uniform’s shirt, covering his obvious arousal. A reminder that she needed to visit the Atlas’ infirmary for birth control. So far, they’d managed to restrain themselves from going that far, both hoping for a more romantic locale for their first time together, something other than a cramped bunk on the Atlas or a Lion’s cockpit.

Lance, ever the consummate romantic, had a plan. “My brother told me about a B&B in Matanzas, back home. The perfect romantic getaway.”

At the rate this war was going, she’d be eighty years old before it ended, though, so better to prepare in the event they lost control.

Lance’s arm looped around her shoulders and she snuggled against him, eyes on Hunk.

“What’s up, buddy?” asked Lance. “Trouble in paradise?”

“I just got off a vid-call with Shay,” Hunk said. “She says her grandmother is planning her…” Hunk reached to his head and fiddled with the ends of his yellowy-orange headband. “I can’t remember the word, but it’s a Balmeran coming-of-age ceremony. At the conclusion of this ceremony, she will be considered an official adult and able to be courted by eligible Balmeran males.”

“Well, there you go, pal,” said Lance. “That’s your opening. You can finally tell her how you feel and do some courting.”

Hunk’s face somehow lengthened even more. “Balmerans, guys. I’m not Balmeran.”

“That does present a problem,” agreed Pidge.

“No,” said Lance. “Love is love and you two are definitely into each other.”

Mouth set in a sad curve, Hunk stared at them with worry in his dark eyes. “But—”

“Nope,” Lance cut him off. “No ‘buts.’ Look at me. If I hadn’t made my move, it might have been James Griffin sitting here next to the prettiest girl genius in the universe.”

“What?” said Pidge. “James Griffin?”

“Yeah, him.” Lance shrugged. “He was always asking me, ‘Is Pidge seeing anyone?’”

“Get out!” Pidge smacked him on the leg. “How come you never told me?”

“Right. Like I’m going to tell you the competition is into you.” He pointed at her face. “And you don’t have to seem so thrilled to know this.”

Feeling mischievous, she smirked. “Well, he is cute and an MFE pilot.”

“I’m a Paladin of Voltron!” Lance’s voice squeaked at a frequency that probably made dogs howl. “That’s better than an MFE pilot. Tell her, Hunk. Tell her that’s better.”

Hunk held out his hands, palms out. “I, uh, this is getting messy. I need to bake something. Cooking therapy.” With that he sidled quickly out of the lounge.

Aside from the clomp of Hunk’s boot-heels on the floor, no sounds of nearby interrupting people could be heard, so Pidge turned and climbed back into Lance’s lap, only to find him staring sullenly at anything but her.

“What?” she said, setting her hands on his shoulders and giving him a firm shake.

“You were into James Griffin?”

She swept her gaze up and down the contours of his angular face, taking in every familiar detail, every line that made up his face, calculating, and coming to a strange conclusion, though she might be wrong. Her calculations regarding the human equation often were.

“You’re jealous of James Griffin.”

“‘Well, he is cute and an MFE pilot.’” Lance quoted, his voice pitched to match hers.

Her view of him shrank in her narrowed eyes. “Years,” she said, giving him a shove with both her hands. “For years I’ve watched you flirt with every girl who entered your radius.”

His mouth quirked in a nervous combination of frown and smile. “That was different. They were nobody. I didn’t know or respect them.”

He shrank to a thin band of brown skin and blue eyes as her gaze narrowed with more irritation. “You flirted with Allura. Endlessly. You went on a date with Allura.”

“I, erm.” He rubbed the back of his head. “I did. That date, Allura shooting down any romance between her and me, was one of the best things that ever happened to me.”

“Oh?” Really? Now? After months of showing real interest in her, calling her beautiful, now he was going to admit she was just a rebound, a second choice? Her heart lurched with disappointment.

“If I hadn’t gone on that date, I might not have acknowledged how I felt about you. If I hadn’t gone on that date, Allura wouldn’t have told me you loved me and I wouldn’t have had the courage to take a chance with a girl so out of my league.”

“She said what?”

Lance’s extremely mobile face moved from sweetly melancholic to entirely too smug. “She said you love me. That’s why you bought Allura a dress. Bartered a rare video game for it.”

“That was an awesome game.” Pidge sighed.

He reached to her face and gave her nose a little tweak. “When this is over, when we’re back on Earth, I’m going to find you a copy and we’re going to play it. Maybe at the B&B that Luis suggested.”

“I think,” said Pidge, running her fingers along his jawline from pointy chin to his ears, “we’ll be doing a lot more than playing video games.” And she got back to her comprehensive study of his lips.

~~~~~~~~

A quicky sequel to "Turn Over a New Leaf."

[autisticlancemcclain]

The door creaks open, and Keith is three-quarters asleep and his limbs are heavy. But he manages anyway to lift the corner of the blankets, inviting, and smiles as Lance rushes to curl up under them without bothering to take off anything more than his armour.

“W’lcm back,” Keith murmurs, tongue thick in his mouth and head heavy on the pillow. Despite the sleepiness pulling at his limbs he manages to wrap himself tightly around his Lance, arm under his neck and around his waist like he likes it, pulling him close to his chest and under his chin. He presses his nose to Lance’s hair and breathes deeply, relishing in the smell of flowers and sunshine, feeling it settle in his lungs sweeter than any air. “Missed you.”

“Good,” Lance responds, somehow energetic enough to be cheeky, and Keith manages an amused huff. “I’m glad you were miserable too.”

Keith traces mindless spirals on the taut skin of Lance’s belly, relishing in his tiny shiver. His shoulders relax. His eyes droop shut without his permission.

“Mm. Miserable is a big word. I was fine, actually.”

“Liar,” Lance whispers, breath puffing hot against Keith’s neck. The arm he has wrapped around Keith’s back tightens, and he presses a lingering, open-mouthed kiss to the hollow of Keith’s throat. Keith is too tired for it to go anywhere, but it’s — nice.

“Yeah.”

“You tired?”

“‘M barely awake, sweetheart.”

He can feel the curve of Lance’s grin. “Stayed up to see me, though.”

Keith’s own lips quirk up to match. “‘Course.”

Lance’s breathing starts to even, matching Keith’s, and Keith starts to drift, able finally for the first time in days to sleep with the weight of Lance pressed against his body and the feel of his heart beating chest-to-chest with his.

“Love you, Red.”

Keith breathes out, slowly, hands going slack, mind getting dark. The last thing he registers is Lance’s hair tickling his neck.

“Love you too, Bluebell.”

[awhoreintheory]

Mama, I'm home

The team stepped out of the cramped HUMVEE into an already swarming crowd. Loud chatter, the usual ‘we’re saved!’ from civilians, relieved but unsure looks from Garrison officers, curious and excited chatter from children. While Keith and Shiro talked with officials, introducing the Alteans, explaining, while also getting a rundown of the situation. Pidge had a heartfelt reunion with her family. 

Hunk, much like Lance, was picking through the crowd, searching. Hunk anxiously fiddled with his fingers, and Lance nervously biting his lip. He wasn’t entirely sure what to look for. His family could’ve changed in so many ways while he was gone! Hair-cuts, hair dye, scars, growth spurts, anything! Lance wasn’t there for any of it. 

Lance took a deep breath, calming himself. He was here now. 

Lance heard it before he saw it, definitely felt it before he saw it, too. 

“Lance...? Lance!” A body slammed into Lance full force, and he fought every honed instinct as a soldier not to throw them off. Because, this was, undoubtedly, Veronica. 

“Ronni..?” Lance whispered, voice cracking and wavering, and he gingerly wrapped an arm around her. Almost as if he were scared she’d disappear like in one too many of his dreams. 

“¡Leandro! ¡Oh, dios mío, hase vuelto! You’re back! You’re alive!” Veronica sobbed into his shoulder, the two of them slowly sinking to the ground with a soft ‘thump’. 

“Ronni― it’s you, it’s really, really you, I―” Lance buried his head in Veronica’s shoulder, a shaky sob escaping as it finally sank in. Veronica was here, in Lance’s arms. Lance was here, on Earth, in Veronica’s arms. 

“¿Mijo?” A shaky, worn voice hesitantly called out. 

“Mamá?” Lance called back, looking up. Not that it helped much, from all the tears blurring his vision. 

Lance had expected angry cursing and a crushing hug from his pistol of a mother, but all he got was soft gentle touching and big, disbelieving eyes. “Leandro? Es that you? Mi Lancito?” 

She gently caressed his face, fingers tracing his barely aged face but still noticeably different. A scar cut through his left eyebrow, had lost all his baby fat that clung to his face by now, and had grown quite a few inches. While Lance’s mom had only seemed to age. She had more wrinkles than Lance remembered, more gray in her hair, and her eyes seemed foggier than normal. She was getting on in life, and Lance hadn’t been here for it. Lance hadn’t been there for it. 

“It’s me, Mamá. I’m here.” Lance gently wrapped his hands around her wrists, leaning into her touch. 

More tears spilled from her eyes, and Lance was wrapped in a feather-light hug. So light he wasn’t even sure it was actually happening, his thick armor not really helping in the feeling department. Veronica had gone apparently to grab the rest of the McClain family, and soon enough Lance was surrounded. All his siblings were here, his siblings' spouses, and his niece and nephew. 

Lance’s Abuelo and Abuela didn’t make it, though. 

Abuelo died from a brain tumor a year after Lance disappeared, and his Abuela died after the Galra struck. Her body was just too old and frail, and it didn’t help she was stupidly self-sacrificial. It must be true how the apple really doesn’t fall far from the tree. 

“So you’re the blue paladin, Tío Lance?” Sylvio questioned, knocking on Lance’s chest-plate. 

“That’s so cool, Tío!” Nadia was excitedly bouncing around Lance, inspecting every inch of his armor and asking a million questions a minute. 

Lance laughed heartily, shaking his head. “No, actually! I’m the Red Paladin! That’s kinda more like the second command, by the way. A right hand man metaphorically and literally!” Lance grinned, pretending not to notice how his mother’s brow creased in concern and the shared looks between his siblings. His line of work was dangerous, and now that Earth had been invaded, everyone got a taste of just how true that really was. 

“That’s even cooler!” 

“Yeah!” 

Lance scratched his neck; a nervous tick he could never quite shake. “Do.. you guys want to meet my team? I know you probably want to catch up and stuff, but we’re gonna have to have a meeting with Commander Sanda and Mr. Holt n’ stuff, but they’re like my second family― not that I replaced you guys!― and like, Voltron and whatever― we save shit together.. Ohmyfuckinggod, we’re like a platoon of Jeasuses―” 

Lance’s ramble was interrupted by a familiar and less-than-painful pinch from his mother. “Lancito! No swearing!” and flipped like a switch and smiled gently at Lance. “We’d love to meet your team, Mijo.” Lance smiled softly back, rubbing his arm even though his armor no doubt blocked it. 

Turning, Lance made eye contact with Keith, who was watching the whole interaction with a soft smile. He smiled back, beckoning Keith over. Who better to introduce first than their fearless leader? Keith looked around, sporting an adorable confused face, pointing at himself and tilting his head. Asking a silent question of ‘me? you’re seriously introducing me to them first?’

Nodding, Lance waved him over again. A silent ‘yes, you doofus, come here’. Keith looked at Shiro, who smiled gently and gave him a nudge in that direction. Lance was too far away to hear, but he saw Shiro’s mouth move and Keith’s resulting smile. Keith slowly made his way over, looking for all the world bashful, expertly avoiding people even with his eyes glued to the ground. 

“Mamá, this is the Black Paladin and our fearless leader, Keith Kogane.” Lance grinned, grabbing Keith’s fidgety hands and dragging him forward the last couple steps. 

“Hi― um, hello? I’m Keith, the Black Paladin― oh, Lance just said that…” Keith flushed, scratching the back of his neck and looking everywhere but the people in front of him. Lance only felt weirdly endeared, seeing that Keith actually cared enough about Lance’s family to get embarrassed― this man never got embarrassed― and even attempted a good first impression! Did you see the amount of effort he put into saying hi? 

“Muchas gracias Mijo, for keeping mi baby safe.” Lance’s mother grasped Keith’s hands in her own, a few stray tears escaping her eyes as she thanked Keith profusely, her spanish and english mingling. 

“Of―of course! Lance had our backs just as often as we had his! He’s told us a lot about you, I’m― I’m honored to meet you!” Keith promptly flushed, he didn’t mean to say that much! But he did mean it, one hundred percent. Keith had only heard the highest praise about Lance’s family, and after only hearing about them all these years and not being able to meet them? Keith was, honest to King Alfor, flustered. 

Lance’s mother blinked in genuine surprise, as did most of Lance’s family. The Black Paladin, leader of Voltron, someone who was literally the universe's only hope, was honored to meet… them? 

There was a beat of silence, before Lance’s mother gently led Keith into a hug. Her squeeze was so feather light and maternal Keith could barely stop the wetness that gathered in his eyes, the warm and suffocating feeling that swarmed his stomach and wormed its way up to his lungs. This was everything Lance had described his mother’s hugs as, and at the same time, completely different. 

The small woman in his arms laughed wetly, rubbing Keith’s back as if he was the one who hadn’t seen his son in six years. Which wasn’t helping his already swelling emotions. 

“It’s our pleasure, mijo. Come, come! Bring the others!” 

Lance smiled to himself as Keith smiled excitedly, waving the others over enthusiastically. His heart swelled, seeing all of the people he loved the most in one all together. All alive. 

He’d make sure it stayed that way. 

Masterlist

[the-kittens-of-vol-tron]

Coffee Days; Chapter 2 

Chapter 1! 

Word Count: 4,222

-----

Keith readjusted the scarf around his neck, running his hands down his winter coat. He grabbed his red beanie, sliding it on his head before staring at himself again in the mirror. 

Shiro appeared behind him and he turned to face him. 

‘Nervous?’ 

‘I feel like throwing up. Do I look okay?’ 

‘No.’ 

If it wasn’t for the smile on his brother's face he may have thrown something at him.  ‘Be serious!’ 

 He could tell his brother was laughing.  ‘Okay, you do look nice. Where are you and Lance going?’ 

‘I’m not sure. He didn’t tell me what he had planned.’  Keith moved to grab his combat boots, sitting down on his bed. Pausing briefly to sign another thing at his brother.  ‘He told me to dress comfortably.’ 

‘You going to let him hit it on the first date?’

Keith ignored how his face felt,  ‘did you let Adam?’  And he slipped his shoes on, blocking whatever Shiro was saying. 

His phone screen lit up, a text from Lance and a notification from their ring doorbell. He felt his heartbeat in his throat,  ‘I’m going to puke,’  his sign was sloppy but in his defense; he had never felt this nervous before. 

Shiro nudged his foot with his own, getting his attention.  ‘Let me go greet him, take your time okay?’ 

Keith nodded, watching his brother leave the room. He took another deep breath, resting his head in his hands. It’s just a date, what’s the worst that could happen?

His brain was immediately filled with thoughts of tripping, getting food on his face, lettuce stuck in his teeth, what if Lance leaned in to kiss him and his breath smelled or their teeth clacked together or what if- he shook his head; stopping the thoughts from consuming him more. 

He had gone on a date with someone while he was in high school. But it was more because they were both deaf and she was the only one who would sign to him. Yet, after their first, very awkward kiss, he realized how much he didn’t like girls. 

He had never kissed a guy, and he was scared of dating one but he would crush that anxiety for Lance. He liked him too much to let this opportunity slide past him. 

He stood from his bed, making his way to his attached bathroom, and brushed his teeth for the third time. He fussed with his hair more, applied some body spray, and after a couple more checks on his outfit, he finally left his room.  

Lance was sitting on their kitchen bar stool, a cup of water in front of him. He was talking passionately about something, his hands waving in the way as his lips moved quickly. 

Shiro was nodding at whatever he was saying, a soft smile on his face. 

Keith walked into the room more, knocking on the wall slightly to bring attention to himself.  ‘Hi’ He waved at Lance, his heart rate picking up as Lance met his eyes. 

Lance waved at him, a grin on his face.  ‘You look nice.’ 

Keith thanked him quickly, walking closer to them, praying his face wasn’t as red as it felt. He looked at his brother who was smiling at him.  ‘You good to go?’ 

Keith nodded. 

‘Okay, Adam will be over tonight just so you know. I told Lance to have you home by midnight.’ 

Keith rolled his eyes,  ‘thanks, dad.’ 

Shiro laughed, using his hand to cover his mouth as he said something to Lance, who clearly laughed in response. He stood from his chair,  ‘ready to go?’ 

‘Yeah, bye Shiro!’  Keith heaped towards the door, Lance already holding it open for him. 

They walked side by side down to where Lance was parked, who yet again, held the door open for him. Keith slid into the seat, buckling in as Lance walked to the driver's side.  ‘So I did some research and is it true you can feel music?’  

Keith nodded,  ‘I can feel the vibration and thumping of the sound.’ 

‘Okay,’  Lance reached over to his speaker, changing the settings slightly.  ‘Do you like music?’ 

‘Yeah.’ 

‘What kind?” 

‘Metal, easier to feel.’ 

‘Makes sense,’  Lance scrolled through his phone, taking a moment to press an album. Keith immediately felt the car shake slightly and Lance grabbed his left hand gently to place it by the speaker. 

The material vibrated under his hand and there was a consistent thump appearing behind it. Keith felt a smile tug at his lips, did Lance even like this kind of music?

Lance began to drive, his head bobbing a bit to the music. Keith forced his eyes down towards where his hand was, trying to ignore how his skin still burned where Lance touched him. Maybe he shouldn’t kiss Lance, he might implode. 

He knew that it was a date, and he had a strong feeling that Lance wanted to kiss him too. They had been texting every day for over a week now, simply waiting for a day off to align; which ended up being a Friday night. 

Lance was flirty over text, sending hearts at the end of his messages, hearting Keith’s own messages, and sending him memes about having a crush. Keith knew he had it bad when Lance sent him a ‘just woke up’ selfie and he nearly had a heart attack. 

He wouldn’t mind waking up to that. 

Lance pulled into a parking spot on a side street, turning off his car.  ‘We’re here!’ He stepped out of his car, frowning when Keith got out of his car without his help. 

‘What?’ 

‘I’m trying to be a,’  Lance paused, clearly trying to remember a sign for a word. He eventually fingerspelled  ‘good date.'

‘I can open my own door,’ Keith playfully signed back. 

Lance rolled his eyes,  ‘can I at least hold your hand?’ 

Keith nodded eagerly and Lance grabbed his hand gently, intertwining their fingers. 

‘Okay, pretty boy lets' go!’  His sign was a bit awkward with one hand but Keith could interpret what he was saying. 

They walked along a huge brick building hand in hand, turning to the right at the end of the sidewalk. The building was a museum, according to the signs and Lance led them up the stairs toward the entrance. 

Lance took charge of speaking to the receptionist, he must have already bought the tickets since he showed his phone screen and the person smiled at him. She handed him a map of the location, pointing at a couple of things as she spoke. 

Lance nodded along, smiling at her when she was finished. Keith could tell her told her thank you and grabbed his hand once more, leading them into the museum. 

Lance dropped his hand, turning to face him,  ‘here we are! The Museum of Sensory!’ 

Keith looked around the main lobby. It was decently busy but every direction led to a new section that was labeled by huge letters at the top of the door. Music, Sight, Colors, Touch, the list went on. He mouthed the word wow. 

‘Where did you want to start?’  Lance held up the map so he could see all the areas. 

Keith scanned the paper,  ‘music?’

‘Okay! Let’s go!’  He grabbed his hand again and they made their way over to the music section.

The area was a smaller place with multiple speakers around with buttons agent to them. You could change the dials to speed up the song or increase the base. Each speaker had a small blurb of the history behind the genre or style.  

Lance helped explain what the style of music sounded like, going into great detail about the music Keith couldn’t really feel. Classical was soft, sometimes with only one or two instruments and no singing. Rock was faster pace, with multiple instruments, and singing most of the time. Pop was Lance’s favorite and he was on a tangent about his favorite bands and singers. 

Keith knew all the genres, he had done research on it years ago but Lance looked so happy to share the information with him that he didn’t mind. 

They moved on to Sight next, a room filled with vibrant colors and photos from all over the world. Some from the 1800s, the rainforest, monuments being built, and newer pictures of the ocean and space. 

The exhibit merged with Colors where people would use lasers, sand, computers, etc to mix colors together. Keith made the color brown each time, not on purpose, while Lance was able to mix some pastel colors and other vibrant colors. 

The Touch exhibit was Keith’s favorite. It had warm objects, cold, sand, clay, metal, almost everything a person can touch without hurting themselves. There was even a small section of fake animal fur, which Lance couldn’t believe that beavers felt like that. 

They spent almost three hours in the museum, taking their time in each exhibit, and signing back and forth. It was a bit clunk but Lance was doing his best. He switched over to finger spelling whenever he signed the wrong sign or forgot what the sign was.  ‘Are you hungry?’

‘I could eat.’

Lance smiled,  ‘great because I have a reservation for us, let’s go.’ 

They ended up walking to the restaurant, hand in hand again but walking so they were pressed together. Keith insisted it was because he was cold, which wasn’t too much of a lie, but he really liked being with Lance. 

Lance stopped outside a smaller restaurant, Keith looked up at the sign, the name seemed familiar. Like someone had told him about it before. 

‘Have you ever been here before?’

Keith shook his head. 

Lance gave him a wide smile, pulling Keith into the restaurant by his hand. They walked up to the greeter who grinned at them from behind their podium. 

‘Hello, how can I help you?’ 

Lance dropped Keith’s hand, shaking his own out briefly. Keith silently sent him some sympathy, he was signing a lot for someone that never had to before he met Keith.  ‘I have a reservation for two.’  

The worker smiled at them,  ‘name?’

Keith blinked, that worker was signing? He hoped he didn’t groan out loud in frustration, but even he knew he was dense sometimes. Everything clicked together as Lance spelled his name and they were escorted to a table. 

This was a restaurant that higher deaf and hard-of-hearing workers. Even hearing customers had to order by pointing, signing themselves, or writing their order down. Keith always wanted to check it out, but they were constantly booked up. 

Once they were settled Keith waved his hand toward Lance. Lance gave him a confused look mixed with slight anxiety.  ‘Is this okay?’ 

Keith nodded,  ‘how did you get a reservation? This place is always booked up.’ 

A small smile crept up on Lance’s face as he slowly deciphered what Keith was signing. Keith had never seen someone pick up on ASL so quickly. Yet, given Lance’s summer lessons and the fact he already knew English and Spanish; maybe he just had an easier time learning any languages. 

‘Coran knows the owner. He comes into the Café sometimes, I just asked him.’ 

Before Keith could respond a younger male stepped up to the table. He wore all black and in his apron were multiple pencils and notebooks.  ‘Evening folks, I’m Bandor, I’ll be your server tonight. What can I get you to drink?’ 

‘Water, please.’ 

The waiter nodded, bringing his attention to Keith.  ‘And you?’ 

‘Water, thanks.’ 

The waiter walked away and Lance opened his menu, his eyes scanning quickly. Keith did the same, taking a few deep breaths to calm himself. No one, outside of his family, had ever been this considerate of him. He had tried to go on dates with other men; key word is tried. 

One guy asked him if he could ‘not be deaf for their date,’ while someone else didn’t like the fact they would have to ‘text the entire’ date. He wanted to ‘connect’ on a personal level with no devices. But Keith didn’t like reading lips for a long amount of time and he didn’t want to force himself to talk. He didn’t know what his voice sounded like but he still didn’t like it. It was unnecessary when he knew how to sign and type. 

The last guy he tried to plan a date with was confused why Keith didn’t seem too thrilled at his suggestion of seeing a movie. Keith liked watching movies but it wasn’t a fun experience for him, he was usually given either a pair of glasses to wear that contained the closed caption or he had to hold something up to the screen. 

He’d much rather stay home and watch them by himself or with Shiro or Adam. 

He never actually met up with these men. He either unmatched them or just stopped responding. 

‘What are you getting?’

Keith glanced back down at the menu,  ‘I’m not sure. What are you getting?’

Lance smiled,  ‘the steak,’  his eyes scanned Keith’s face a couple of times.  ‘Get what you want, don’t worry about the price.’ 

Keith covered his face with his menu, and signed a quick  ‘okay.’  He definitely had it bad for Lance. 

Bandor came back around a couple of moments later,  ‘are you two ready to order?’

Lance placed his order first, stumbling a bit with some of the signs. Bandor helped him through it and then it was Keith's turn. He ordered something at a quick glance, he wasn’t picky and he wasn’t about to let Lance spend more money than he needed to. 

They signed back and forth for a bit, Lance telling him about his family more. Keith told him about what he was studying, and how he was able to get approved to live off campus since freshman year. They encountered a couple of issues with signing but overall the conversation flowed smoothly. 

Keith wouldn’t have minded if he had to finger-spell everything. Lance took time out of his life, his summer break, money, and how many hours to learn ASL. Keith would have been grateful if he only knew the basics.  

Their food arrived in a reasonable amount of time and every bite was delicious. Midway through their plates, an older man approached the table, reaching for Lance's hand. 

Keith tried to follow what the two men were saying but he was missing a couple of words here and there. The older man had a cochlear implant but he still signed slightly as he chatted. 

The older man turned to look at Keith.  ‘I’m sorry, my name is Kolivan. I’m the owner, you must be Keith.’ 

Keith shook the older man's hand,  ‘nice to meet you.’ 

He turned and said something to Lance who laughed in response. If Keith could hear one sound in the world it would be his laugh. 

Lance and Kolivan chatted for a bit longer before he bid them farewell and walked away.  ‘He seems nice.’ 

‘Yeah, he’s a good guy. Plus he leaves good tips whenever he comes in.’ 

They ended up not having a bill in the end, apparently, Kolivan waved the fee and even gave them a free dessert. Neither boy complained. 

Lance checked his phone as they stood outside the restaurant, the sun had already set.  ‘It’s almost 10 pm. Did you want to head home or we could,’  Lance stopped his hands. Keith wasn’t sure if it was the cold or if he was imagining it. Yet, he swore he saw Lance’s cheeks have a tint of red to them. 

‘We could what?’  Keith asked. 

Lance rubbed his hands together, his eyes not meeting the other boys.  ‘Walk around? The park is pretty at night.’  Lance looked at him,  ‘if you want of course. I can take you home right now.’ 

Keith smiled at him, ‘a walk sounds nice.’ 

Lance drove them to a nearby park, taking his hand as soon as they exited the car. They walked hand in hand, leaning against each other as they walked. They weren’t saying anything to each other, just enjoying each other’s presence. 

Lance stopped walking abruptly, causing Keith to nearly trip on his own feet. Keith was about to ask what was wrong but Lance was staring at his free hand, a single snowflake in his palm. 

Lance brought it closer to his face, squinting at it until melted into a tiny drop. 

Lance looked back up at the sky as more snowflakes began to fall. Keith tilted his head up, joining Lance as he watched the delicate powder slowly flutter down through the street lights. 

Keith eventually tugged at Lance’s arm, gaining the other boy's attention.  ‘You like the snow?’ 

Lance nodded,  ‘it doesn’t snow in Cuba and so when I see it, I’m still in awe about it.’ 

Keith never wanted to kiss someone so badly before, but he was never one to make the first move. 

Lance met his eyes, a soft smile on his face.  ‘Your eyes are really pretty.’ 

Keith felt another blush burn his skin and he averted his eyes, signing a small thank you. 

Lance tapped Keith’s shoulder and Keith forced himself to meet his eyes.  ‘I had a fun day today.’ 

‘I did too.’ 

Lance used his left hand to rub the back of his neck, a question clearly sitting on his tongue. He dropped his hand, and quickly signed his next thought.  ‘Would you want to do this again sometime?’ 

Keith grinned, shaking his head yes a couple of times. 

Lance released a sigh of relief,  ‘cool…yeah that would be cool.’  He looked down at his hands,  ‘can I ask you one more thing?’

Keith nodded, trying to calm his racing heartbeat. 

‘Would it be okay if I kissed you?’ 

Keith knew he released a chuckle, and as soon as he nodded yes Lance’s hands were on his face, gently bringing their lips together. 

To say Keith felt like he was on cloud nine was an understatement. His first kiss felt nothing like this. He felt like he was being consumed by Lance, which he would have gladly let happen. Lance’s lips were soft against his, and he applied the right amount of pressure. 

Keith allowed his hands to grip Lance’s jacket as the other boy held his face slightly tighter, moving his lips against his. They only pulled apart when their bodies demanded air, but they still stayed close to each other. 

Lance moved his right thumb in a circular motion on Keith’s cheek, looking at him like he was the only thing in the world. “Wow.” 

Keith knew what he said and he chuckled, not realizing Lance had been the only person he never cared about how he sounded around. 

Lance dropped his hands, stepping back slightly to sign,  ‘was that okay?’ 

Keith nodded,  ‘more than okay.’ 

‘Can I do it again?’ 

‘Yes please.’ 

They eventually headed back to Lance’s car, brushing off the small amount of snow that formed on them as they were standing there. Lance didn’t have any music playing, or at least none that Keith could feel but they kept their fingers intertwined the entire drive home. 

Lance placed his car in park,  ‘let me walk you to your door.’ 

Keith didn't object, he really didn’t want Lance to leave. They walked up to his door, hand in hand, and Keith took note of the lighting shining through the blinds. Shiro and Adam must be waiting for him. 

‘I had a really good time tonight.’ 

‘I did too,’  Keith wanted to pull him down for another kiss, but he fought the urge. He wasn’t sure he would be able to stop if he made the first move this time. 

‘I’ll text you when I get home.’ 

‘Ok.’ 

Lance tucked a strand of Keith’s hair back into his hat, leaning forward some. Keith closed his eyes, waiting for Lance's lips to press against his. It never happened. 

Lance’s hand pulled quickly away from Keith, and he opened his eyes slowly. The door was open, and Adam and Shiro stood there; a smug look on their faces. 

“Welcome home,” Shiro said and Keith rolled his eyes, Lance giving the two men an awkward smile. 

‘Thanks.’ 

Shiro smiled at him,  ‘did you two have fun?’  He was speaking as he signed, something he automatically did when other hearing people were around. 

‘Yes.’  Keith looked at Lance who was shaking his head yes. 

“I should probably head home before the roads get worse,” Lance tried to sign and talk at the same time but he fumbled a bit and let his hands freeze as he finished his sentence. 

“Oh nonsense Lance, stay for the night. Better than risking your life on slippery roads.” Adam spoke up, Keith was slightly unsure what he was saying. Thankfully Adam moved his hands as he spoke. 

“Oh no! It’s okay. I’ll take it slow.” 

Shiro and Adam shook their heads, borderline yanking Lance into the apartment, Keith following behind. Once Shiro and Adam made up their mind, it was over for the other person. 

By the time Keith had the door locked and his shoes off Lance was already seated on the couch, a glass of water in his hands. “Keith!” He waved at him, placing his cup on the coffee table in front of him.  ‘Tell your brother that I’m okay to drive home. It’s just some sleet.’ 

Keith looked at Shiro, he personally didn’t mind if Lance was here for the night.  ‘Shrio-’

‘No. I’m more concerned about other drivers on the road. You can be as safe as you want but you can’t control others.’ 

Keith let his hands fall. He had a point. He looked at Lance , ‘sorry.’ 

Lance chewed on his bottom lip briefly,  ‘okay, I’ll stay. But I’m taking the couch.’ 

Shiro and Adam were laughing,  ‘nonsense, I’m sure Keith wouldn’t mind if you shared a bed. Right, Keith?’ 

Both of the men stared at Keith and he knew he was red all the way up to his ears. His hands opened and closed a couple of times. He wasn’t opposed to sharing a bed with Lance, but he didn’t want Lance to feel uncomfortable or pressured. He put his hands down, and both of them held in a fist at his sides. 

Shiro looked as if he made a whistling noise, turning his head to say something to Adam who laughed. 

‘What did you say?!’ 

‘Nothing, just have never seen you tongue-tied.'

Keith rolled his eyes, turning his attention only to his date.  ‘You can share my bed if you want, or sleep on the couch. But Shiro and Adam wake super early and I’ve been told they’re not quite in the kitchen.’ 

Lance nodded, looking between the couch and the kitchen, no walls or door separated the two areas. Lance seemed to be weighing his options and then sheepishly signed  ‘I’ll sleep with you.’ 

Keith knew Shiro and Adam were making noises and he reached for Lance and yanked him toward his room. That was enough of those two for the night. Keith gave Lance an older T-shirt that was baggy on him but fit Lance perfectly. 

Lance slipped out of his pants after Keith said it was okay if he was just in his boxers. Keith mimicked the same clothing and they both crawled into his bed. Keith had a twin-size bed, but in his defense, he didn’t think he would be bringing a boy home anytime soon. 

‘Comfortable?’ 

Lance nodded, ‘did you want the light off?’ 

‘Not yet, I want to talk more…if that’s okay.’ 

‘Yeah.’  They talked for a bit, but eventually, their eyes began to drop some. They were snuggled close together, their faces somehow getting closer as the minutes ticked by. 

Lance laughed at something Keith signed and before Keith could stop himself his hand was pressed against Lance’s lower neck. Where his voice box was located. 

Keith yanked his hand away, quickly signing 'I’m sorry' over and over again. 

Lance tilted his head at him,  ‘what was that for?’ 

Keith forced himself to fingerspell  ‘vibration.’ Fighting the urge to roll off the bed and run away. 

Lance made a face of surprise, reaching for Keith’s hand and placing it against his skin again. “You can feel when I talk?”

Keith nodded, ‘and sing or laugh. I like people’s heartbeats too.’ 

Lance moved his arms to pull Keith closer to him. Keith’s ear ended up pressed against Lance’s upper chest. A soft, even heartbeat thumped slightly against Keith’s skin. Keith closed his eyes, letting himself focus on the sensation. 

After some time a low rumble made its way against Keith’s skin. It was inconsistent, some rumbles staying longer than others, some disappearing entirely before reappearing. Keith felt a smile form on his face, Lance was singing. Or humming. 

He had spent most of his childhood with his ear pressed against his dad as he sang him a bedtime song. Lance’s fingers combed through his raven locks, every touch Lance made was soft, but grounding. 

He felt safe. 

He pulled himself away, ‘Lance?’ 

Lance tilted his head slightly in curiosity. 

‘Can I kiss you?’

‘I thought you’d never ask.’  They both moved to close the distance.

-----

The song Lance was humming was "Until I found You" by Em Beihold and Stephen Sanchez <3

Thanks for reading!!! <3

[kseniyache]

Number 5 for Sheith!

I missed you!!!💖💖💖

Hi! Awww, thank you!

I wrote a piece for this request. But I should warn you that it's a painful one because of non-reciprocal feelings. And also this fic can be considered a continuation of another one of mine.

Keith clenches and unclenches his fists nerviosly. Once, twice. Inhale and exhale. A decisive step — and the words come out of him in a rehearsed phrase.

“Shiro, I want to talk to you.”

Shiro looks up at Keith, it takes him a moment to focus. Immediately a smile touches his lips, “Of course. What happened?”

Keith glances at Pidge and Lance, who are looking at something on the tablet.

“Not here.”

Shiro nods knowingly and gets up from his seat, although his eyebrows are slightly frowning.

They walk in silence — Shiro is slightly behind — and Keith uses this time to once again gather his courage. It’s Shiro, he’ll understand me. He said that I should open up.

Finally they reach his cabin, the door closes behind Shiro, and he stands in the middle of the room with his arms crossed. There was a worried expression on his face. But he is silent and waits for Keith to start talking.

“Shiro…” Oh, quiznak, how difficult it is! “Do you remember, we talked… a month ago?”

Shiro squints, remembering something.

“We talked about my feelings for someone,” Keith adds uncertainly, and a flash of understanding appears on Shiro’s face, he nods, encouraging Keith to continue.

Keith licks his lips. He’s standing just a few steps away from Shiro. Maybe he shouldn’t talk, maybe he just should kiss Shiro right away? The way he imagined hundreds of times in his dreams. How does it feel to kiss Shiro? Keith swallows and can’t help but look at Shiro’s lips. Just for a moment. One agonizing moment… Keith looks up and looks Shiro in the eye. Come on, tell him! It will be fair!

“I want… I wanted…” Keith forgot the prepared phrase. He feels his heart pounding wildly against his ribs, like a bird in a cage.

Shiro takes a step towards him, holds out his hand. He probably wants to help somehow, but Keith desperately waves his head and takes a breath, and then almost screams, “It’s you!”

Shiro froze. He frowns again—he doesn’t understand. But something in the expression of his eyes makes Keith act more decisively.

“It’s you, Shiro, you. The person I was talking about. It’s you. There has always been and always will be only you. Shiro…” Keith chokes with emotion. He said it, said it. The fear has suddenly disappeared, now Keith is ready to act. He feels euphoria, adrenaline is boiling in his blood. He comes close to Shiro, almost touching his body and throws his hands on Shiro’s shoulders, clasps Shiro’s neck with his palms and pulls him down. Keith’s lips open slightly, he is ready to touch them to Shiro’s lips. Eyes are closing. Keith is struggling to find a foothold, it seems to him that now he will just fall to the floor from an overabundance of emotions. Well, if Shiro falls with him… he won’t mind.

Keith touches Shiro’s lips quickly, passionately and completely clumsily. He feels resistance, because Shiro, frozen, does not help him. But Keith has been waiting for this moment for so long that he hardly notices anything. He reaches out to Shiro, presses his whole body against him, tries to open Shiro's lips so that he kisses him back, and at the moment when Keith is almost ready to believe in his happiness, Shiro suddenly pulls away. This is such a strong movement away that Keith does not immediately understand what is happening.

Shiro looks at him with all his eyes, his lips are parted, and he is breathing heavily, just like Keith, but…

Keith’s hands drop, he feels that he is flying into the abyss.

“Keith… I… Oh, quiznak!” Shiro runs his hand through his hair and keeps his eyes on Keith.

Keith immediately understands everything. He was wrong. Shiro doesn’t feel the same way about him. A wave of shame covers Keith. He was in a hurry. He made hasty conclusions. Why did he kiss Shiro at all? He could only speak, words were enough…

Keith turns away, feeling his face flush. Oh no, no, no… What had he done?

A warm hand rests on his shoulder and Shiro’s voice, slightly shaken, but so soft that it hurts his heart, says, “Keith, I'm sorry, I had no idea…”

Keith wants to throw his arm off his shoulder, wants to yell at Shiro and drive him away, or even better — to turn back time and make sure that this kiss never happened. But he froze, it seems even his heart stopped beating. It just died…

“I’m sorry, Keith,” Shiro continues. He tries to calm Keith down, but with every word the gap between them grows. “But I’m afraid I can’t respond to your feelings. For now, anyway,” he adds a little quieter after a pause.

“It’s all… right,” Keith replies in a barely audible voice.”You just said I had to explain myself…”

“Yes, but I didn’t think you were talking about me!” Keith hears the echoes of panic in Shiro’s voice and grins mirthlessly.

“Sorry, I didn’t want to disappoint you.”

“You don’t disappoint… ever, Keith.”

Something in Shiro’s voice, some kind of crack, makes Keith turn to him and look into his eyes again. Oh no, he didn’t want to hurt Shiro. He just wanted to ease his own pain a little.

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have kissed you.”

“It’s fine,” Shiro replies, opening his arms slightly, and Keith falls into the arms of his friend and mentor with relief. Stars, make sure that they remain friends despite this terrible incident. “And you forgive me… This is all too sudden. You’re the last person I’d want to hurt.”

“I know.” Soon Shiro leaves, and Keith lies down on the bed and looks at the ceiling. Waves of pain, then shame, then hope goes through him. Shiro didn’t say it would never happen. Keith smiles, touching her lips. Shiro said, “So far, anyway.” So — Keith turns on his side, curling up into a ball, — he still has a chance. He closes his eyes. “I’ll wait. Until his I can’t love you back yet turns into I already love you.”