#like yes babes please fuck up your chances with lance

[ruenii]

I love a Lance who hopelessly pines over Keith and after pining for him for so long he can just nap the feelings away because its basically just background noise already. Like yeah he could rile him up again but then he’d find another thing to love about Keith and he just doesn’t want to deal with it rn.

Then we have Keith who fumbles Lance so bad that every attempt at flirting or bonding comes off as an insult or somehow condescending which makes Lance’s pining wound ache and would make Keith want to chuck himself out into space.

[writethelifeyouwant]

Red

Summary: Y/N has been having an infuriating dry spell in the love department lately, thanks to lockdown, and her roommate Jensen is getting fed up with her attitude. So, he lets her in on a little secret…

Pairing: Danneel x Reader Rating: 18+ Tags: female masturbation, talk of male masturbation, phone sex, dirty talk, praise kink, light degradation, lockdown was hard on singletons but great for phone sex operators Word Count: 4.5k Created for: @anyfandomgoesbingo - Sex Hotline AU | @spnkinkbingo - Tribbing

A/N: Requested by @danneelsmain - hope this lived up to your expectations babe! I haven't written Danneel before but I really enjoyed writing this ❤️

“Yes... yes... yesyesyes–”

“Hey, Y/N!” Bang, bang, bang! “Hurry up in there will ya? I’m dyin’ here,” Jensen jiggled the doorknob to no avail, and Y/N was incredibly thankful she’d remembered to lock it this time.

I’m dying here, Y/N thought to herself, pulling the shower head from between her legs with a frustrated huff, the water swirling down the drain carrying the fading vestiges of her almost-orgasm with it. She had been so close. Bang! Bang! Bang!

“Just a minute!” she shouted, frustration tipping over into anger. The knob on the faucet was twisted to the ‘off’ position with unnecessary violence, and the shower curtain was attached at one less ring than it had been half an hour ago when it was yanked open to settle against the back wall of the tub.

Bang! Ban–

“Seriously, Jensen?!” Y/N barely had the towel secured around herself before she threw open the door, hastily ducking to avoid Jensen’s knock-in-progress.

“Thank fuck.” Jensen danced around Y/N and shoved the door shut, sending Y/N slipping across the tiles on her still-wet feet and locking her on the other side. The clearly audible hiss of Jensen relieving himself leaked through the door and Y/N growled in frustration, aiming a kick at the door before stomping down the hallway to her room.

He couldn’t have waited ten more seconds…

It had been bad enough that lockdown got them all stuck at home with no possibility of one night stands, or follow-up booty calls to keep her sex drive in check, but now Y/N was having an even bigger problem. She hadn’t been able to get herself over the finish line for at least two weeks, and she had no earthly idea as to why. Y/N was beginning to think that regular orgasms were part of the reason that she was usually nice to be around, because right now she felt like she was one bad joke away from stabbing somebody.

And that someone was likely to be Jensen.

Tucked up into the corner of the couch was Y/N’s standard position these days. She wasn’t sure what was playing on the TV, something as mindless as she felt right now.

“Budge up.” Jensen hit her feet and flopped back gracelessly on top of them without giving her the chance to move them.

“Ow, asshole!” A pillow whipped through the air and collided squarely with the side of Jensen’s face.

“What is your problem lately?”

“You, clearly,” Y/N snapped, pulling her knees into her chest defensively. Jensen raised a single eyebrow, giving her a pointed look. “No, it’s not you,” Y/N admitted, letting some of her aggression seep out of her frame with her words. “Sorry.”

“What’s up?”

“Nothing, it’s fine.”

There was a stiff silence between them, Jensen waiting for Y/N to break and answer his question and Y/N knowing that she didn’t want to talk about this with Jensen but not seeing a way out of the conversation. Jensen had an irritating habit of getting her to open up about things she never planned on telling people – like the fact that she was gay. And now he was about to hear far more about her sex life than she ever wanted to share with someone of the male species.

“I’m, um,” her cheeks were on fire as she glanced up to see Jensen looking back at her with concerned curiosity. “I’m… having a problem,” she finished lamely.

“Okay…”

“I can’t… Do you ever–” Y/N choked on the words every time they tried to bubble through. “So… um, it’s– it’s been a while.” She saw comprehension flash over Jensen’s freckled face a moment later.

“Oh.”

“Yeah.”

“You know PornHub has a whole section for lesbian shit, right?” Another pillow hits him in the face. “Okay, okay, ow,” Jensen rubs his jaw in exaggeration. “But seriously, it’s been a while for everyone. You just gotta take business into your own hands.”

“You don’t think I’ve been doing that?” Y/N hissed, unconsciously checking around them as if someone else was in their apartment who might overhear.

“Well then what’s the problem?”

“I haven’t like,” Y/N made a variety of nonsequitous hand motions that had no bearing on the word ‘orgasm’ but Jensen seemed to get the message.

“How long?” he cringed.

“Like, almost three weeks? And it’s not like I haven’t been trying like, everything, I just… can’t,” she shrugged helplessly. “Has this kind of thing ever happened to you? Is there something like, physically wrong with me?”

“No, no, I’m sure there’s nothing wrong with you,” Jensen rushed to reassure her, patting her leg awkwardly. “This kind of thing happens all the time.”

“So it’s happened to you too?” Hope shone from Y/N’s face that maybe she wasn’t doomed to a life empty of sexual pleasure.

“Well… no, not exactly.” Y/N’s shoulders drooped, hopes slashed.

“How are you staying so sane?” Y/N accused. “You used to be with a different girl every few days before all of this.”

“Hey! I was not,” Jensen was mock offended but Y/N could tell he was also a little proud. “And I’ve, uh… I’ve got my sources,” his eyes twinkled mischievously as he answered her question.

“Jensen Ross Ackles, have you been sneaking out behind my back!”

“No,” he rolled his eyes, “nothing like that.” Jensen pulled out his phone and started scrolling through the screen as Y/N watched.

“Jen, if you’re trying to show me porn, I’m good. Don’t need to see what you get off to,” Y/N shuddered at the thought. A text beeped on her phone a second later, Jensen’s name popping up on the screen.

“That’s my source,” he explains and she opens the message to see a 1-800 number, next to the word Red.

“Red?”

“Red.” Jensen confirmed with a wicked grin, nodding sagely.

Y/N could not believe she was about to do this. She looked down at the number on her phone screen, ready to dial as soon as she pressed the little green button. Jensen’s assurances echoed in her head. Best phone sex I’ve ever had… she actually gets off with you, she’s not just faking it… sounds so hot, and her body is killer in her profile pic. Admittedly, the picture he’d shown her had been really fucking sexy. A slender girl in small red panties and unfairly pretty breasts cradled in a satin bra covered in little hearts, dark red hair pinned up around her face in a vintage style.

Before she could talk herself out of it again, Y/N pressed dial and held the phone up to her ear. It rang a few times before connecting to an automated menu, and Y/N was secretly relieved she wouldn’t have to ask an operator if she could speak to ‘Red’.

Thank you for calling the Sugar Lips Hotline. Please enter your card details to continue.

Jensen had warned her about this part, so she had her card sitting out of her wallet on the desk in front of her.

If you know who you are trying to reach, please press one. If you would like to be assigned a random operator, please press two.

Y/N shakily pressed the number one, and then put the phone on speaker while she was at it.

If you would like to speak with Candy, press one, followed by the pound key. If you would like to speak with Kitty, press two, followed by the pound key. If you would like to speak with Lance…

Y/N wondered if she would still have the confidence to go through with this by the time the robotic voice mentioned ‘Red’.

If you would like to speak with Red, press thirteen, followed by the pound key.

The moment of truth. Y/N entered the number 13 and then pressed the pound key. The line began to ring again.

“Hi there,” a temptingly soft voice slipped through the receiver of the phone sitting on the desk in front of her.

“Hi-i,” Y/N’s voice was jarring in comparison, breaking on the first word she uttered.

“Oh, so I’ve got a pretty little girl on the line today, huh?” Y/N didn’t know how to answer so she didn’t, hands frozen in a death grip on the sleeves of her too big sweatshirt. “What’s your name, baby?”

“Y/N,” she whispered back, suddenly scared that Jensen would be able to hear every word being said in her room. Quickly digging into her pockets she pulled out her headphones and plugged them into her cell. Why hadn’t she done that earlier?

“That’s such a pretty name, baby,” the woman cooed, and now her voice was right against Y/N’s ears; it felt like she was in the room, whispering against her skin. “I’m Red.”

“That’s what I should call you?” Y/N managed to keep the tremor out of her words this time.

“Unless you want to call me something else? I can be whoever you want me to be baby girl. Mommy, ma’am, mistress…” Y/N’s heart thundered against her ribs. She realised that she had no idea what she wanted from this – she just knew she was desperate. “Or maybe you want to be in charge? I could be your baby, your good little girl.” Y/N wished she could see Red right now, watch what she looked like as she purred all these promises down the line, teasing and tempting.

“Is,” Y/N gulped, “is there anyone you want me to be?”

“Nuh-uh,” she tutted, and Y/N could imagine her shaking her head, red curls flying by her cheeks. “This is all about you Y/N. I’m here to make you feel good.”

Y/N felt a lick of heat curl in the base of her stomach, twisting itself around her intestines.

“Yeah, I could use that,” she laughed nervously, figuring she should be honest if she wanted this to work out well. And she really needed it to.

“Oh, have you been feeling a little pent up baby?” Red’s voice echoed in Y/N’s ears. The small vibrations coming out of her earbuds were enough to start sending a pulsing sensation down the side of her neck, worming its way under her skin and into her veins. Christ, it had been too long.

“You have no idea.”

“Well, I betcha we can fix that. Are you somewhere comfortable sweetie?”

“I could get on the bed?” Y/N offered, wondering why she hadn’t started there in the first place, rather than at her desk.

“That sounds like a great idea,” Red purred seductively. “Why don’t you stretch out on the bed, get yourself nice and cozy. Maybe prop a pillow up next to you and think about me snuggling you in real close. Wish I could be there to put my hands all over your body.”

Y/N was thankful she was already sitting on her bed by the time Red finished painting her little scene because if she’d been walking, she’s pretty sure her knees would have given out.

“Fuck, it’s been so long since I felt another girl’s hands on me.” She tried not to be embarrassed at how whimpery her voice had gone. If this went well it was about to get a whole lot worse anyways.

“I want to touch every inch of you,” Red breathed heavily. “Run my fingers through your hair, over your neck, down your back. Would I find a bra there to unhook, baby?”

“Yeah,” Y/N sighed, arching her shoulders and feeling the band scratch taught around her ribs, pushing her breast up towards her chin.

“Why don’t you take that off for me?”

“Okay,” Y/N felt her voice shake as much as her hands as she reached behind her back to unclasp her bra, breathing deeply when the pressure of the garment disappeared.

“Bet that felt good, didn’t it baby?” Red laughed knowingly.

“Yeah,” Y/N agreed, loosening up a little at the acknowledgement of a shared experience, something all girls could relate to. She pulled her arms through the straps beneath her sweatshirt and shimmying the discarded bra out the bottom before pushing her arms back through her sleeves. The peaks of her nipples tightened as they caught on the pills of fleece that now sat against her chest.

“What else are you wearing?”

Suddenly embarrassed she hadn’t thought to put on anything sexy in preparation for this call, Y/N didn’t manage more than an “um…” before Red laughed, a warm sound that melted into her like chocolate against your tongue.

“Why don’t I tell you what I’m wearing?”

“Yeah,” Y/N nodded before she remembered that Red couldn’t see her. “Bet it’s something really sexy,” she attempted to flirt, cringing at how awkward she sounded.

“Well that depends,” Red mused. “Do you like lace?”

“Yeah,” Y/N breathed. She loved seeing girls in lace lingerie; the way the delicate weave of the pattern offered small tastes of the skin it covered, the way you could feel someone’s warmth seeping through such a thin fabric so easily, the way it felt to have someone touch you or suck you through such a meagre sheet of modesty…

“What about stockings?” Red voice broke through Y/N’s train of thought, pulling her back to the vaguely out of body experience she was having.

“Love them,” Y/N answered quietly, trying to pitch her voice the way Red was, low and alluring.

“Well, that’s a shame,” she sighed dramatically. “Because I’m not wearing anything at all right now, sorry to disappoint.” Y/N couldn’t see her but she would bet anything Red was wearing a big pout right now. She wondered what her lips looked like. In her head she pictured soft and pillowy.

“You are such a tease,” Y/N laughed, hoping to disguise the pang of arousal that had shot through her a moment before.

“Yeah, but you like it, don’t you baby?”

“Yeah, I really do,” Y/N found herself admitting unconsciously.

“Are you gonna keep teasing me, or are you gonna get naked too baby girl?”

A throb of desire fluttered between Y/N’s legs, her pussy clenching, and when she squirmed back into her pillow a little she felt the lace fabric of her own panties sliding a little more between her thighs. Her arousal had started to soak out of her and into the material.

“You want me naked?” Y/N’s words scratched their way out of her throat, trying to pull her confidence along with them.

“Oh god, please baby,” Red moaned loudly, but it didn’t sound fake. It was like Jensen had told her, it sounded like she was really enjoying this, and like she was actually getting off on what was happening between them right now. “Want to feel your skin against mine.”

“I want that too, baby,” Y/N’s hasty breaths shook her words. She stripped out of her underwear and shoved her phone and headphones down the front of her sweatshirt so she could shimmy it over her head without disconnecting the earbuds. She didn’t want to miss anything.

“God, if I was there I would kiss all over you. Bet you taste amazing,” Red sighed, and Y/N could hear something shifting over the phone, like fabric moving around.

“Are you on your bed too?” Y/N asked.

“Yep, all spread out for you baby girl.”

“Are you touching yourself?” Y/N’s confidence was starting to build as she heard how much Red sounded like she’s into this, and she couldn’t deny she was turned on too. She felt wetter than she’d been in weeks, and when her fingers drifted down over her stomach its muscles twitched in anticipation of where she was about to touch.

“Where do you want me to touch?” Y/N let her eyes slide closed, and she could imagine Red batting her lashes as she asked - where do you want me to touch? - She pictured the girl she’d seen in the photo poised over her, legs straddling Y/N’s hips as Red ran her hands over her own body, fingers trailing over her throat, fondling her breasts, twisting around the pink flesh at the tips of each, lingering on the soft of her stomach before dipping lower.

“I want you to touch between your legs and tell me how wet you are,” Y/N said between deep breaths, trying to keep her voice even.

“I’m already so wet for you, baby,” Red gasped, and Y/N hoped it was a reaction to her fingers slipping inside her pussy.

“If you were here with me, what would you do right now?”

“I’d make you watch me fuck myself on my fingers.” Holy shit, Y/N couldn’t help the moan that bled through her lips, and she heard Red chuckle. “Yeah, you like the sound of that baby?”

“Mm-hmm,” Y/N whimpered, her own fingers finally making their way between her legs and sliding easily through the slick she found there.

“I’d straddle myself right over your face, so you could see my fingers fucking my pussy, feel me dripping on you.”

“Oh, fuck.”

“And then, when my fingers are nice and soaked, you’re gonna suck them clean like a good little girl, aren’t you sweetheart?” Red’s monologue was absolutely wrecking Y/N, she wanted everything the woman on the end of the line was describing so badly. “Want you to do it to yourself, since I can’t be there to do it for you. Can you get those fingers nice and wet for me baby?”

“Fuck, yeah, okay.” Y/N pushed two fingers inside her pussy, clenching around them wantonly. She must have let out some kind of noise because Red giggled again before she continued talking.

“That’s it, fuck yourself for me baby girl, until I can do it for you.” And fucking hell, the thought of Red actually with her, touching her, fucking her… “Your fingers nice and dirty now?”

“Mm-hmm,” Y/N squeaked, pressing against her g-spot to get herself even wetter.

“Good girl,” Red hummed. “Now suck them clean for me, Y/N. Want you to taste just how sweet you are. God, wish I could taste you too,” she moaned, her breath hitching.

Y/N obeyed Red’s instructions, sucking her fingers into her mouth and twirling her tongue around them, curling it across the dips and whorls of her fingertips. She groaned around the digits in her mouth, trying to make it audible that she was doing as she was told.

“Good girl,” Red cooed again, obviously hearing Y/N’s sucking. “Good filthy girl. You’re so dirty aren’t you baby, bet you’re dripping onto the sheets right now you’re so horny.”

“Oh my god,” Y/N felt her whole body clenching as she pushed her hand back between her legs, toying with her clit and sending fresh jolts of desire to her core. “Fuck, I’m touching myself again. Couldn’t help it, you’re so hot baby.”

“I want you to touch yourself sweetie. Want you to make yourself feel so good.”

“I want you to feel good too,” Y/N whimpered, maybe stupidly, but she remembered Jensen saying that Red got off with him and she wanted the same thing. She wanted to know that Red wanted her, that Red found her sexy. She didn’t want to be in this alone.

“Oh, I am feeling so good baby girl,” Red assured Y/N, her voice brimming with sincerity and whimpers to back it up. “Fucking myself so good, pretending it’s your fingers inside me.”

“Fuck, that’s so hot,” Y/N couldn’t come up with anything more eloquent than that. The more she played with herself the foggier her brain got.

“What are you imaging right now?”

“Thinking about you, you on top of me.”

“You want me on top, huh? Want me to hold you down a little, baby?”

“Mm, yeah,” Y/N sighed, slipping two fingers from her free hand down to her entrance and pushing them inside, keeping her other hand on her clit, rolling it between her fingers. “You could hold me down, grind yourself against me. Use me to get yourself off.” Y/N’s breathing was ragged now, and the fingers inside her pussy sought out her g-spot again, starting to focus their efforts a little more concertedly on the spongy bundle of nerves.

“Oh sweetie, that’s so hot, fuck,” Red moaned heavily, her breath catching on her curse. “I’d grind against you so good. Rub our pussies together, all slick and hot, grind my clit against yours nice and hard. Fuck, touch your clit for me baby.”

“I am,” Y/N gasped, drawing fast little circles over the nub between her legs. “Fuck, want all that so bad. Think you could come like that? Just from rubbing your pussy on me, getting me all wet and dirty?”

“Fuck yes, love rubbing my pussy on yours, love grinding our clits together. I could tease you so good. Go nice and slow, wonder how long you’d last before you start begging me to let you cum.”

“I’m close,” Y/N whimpered, surprised at how true it was. She hadn’t gotten so close to cumming this quickly in ages.

“Already baby? You naughty little girl,” Red groaned, and the sound of bed springs crackled through Y/N’s earbuds too. Y/N pictured Red arching off the bed, fucking her hips into her fingers. “You want to cum for me baby?”

“Fuck, yes, yes please,” Y/N begged, feeling the muscles in her thighs and stomach starting to constrict, heat singing through her veins.

“Not yet baby, keep fucking yourself.” Y/N let out a pathetic whine in protest. “You can do that for me, can’t you sweetie. Fuck yourself on those pretty little fingers for me?”

“Yeah, yeah I am.”

“Good girl, I’m so fucking close baby.”

“Fuck, please, want you to cum. Want you to cum with me.” Y/N’s eyes squeezed tight as small pinpricks of light started to burst in the darkness of her vision.

“Gonna cum for you, baby girl,” Red cried, voice high and tight. “Fuck, I’m gonna squirt, I can feel it. Gonna squirt all over your pussy, fucking soak you.”

“Oh my god,” Y/N felt like she might actually start crying, she needed to cum so badly. She was so so so close.

“Rub that little clitty, pretend it’s me rubbing up against you. All hot and wet,” her voice was breaking, her words short and breathless, and Y/N could tell Red was as close as she was. “Gonna cum all over you. Fuck, gonna squirt so hard bet I could actually cum inside you.”

“Holy fuck!” Y/N’s hips snapped into the air, searching for the imaginary body she wished was there. It was becoming hard to hear through the intense buzzing in her ears. Every nerve in her body was pulled taut, ready to snap.

“Cum for me Y/N, c’mon baby, you can do it, want you to cum for me like the good little girl you are baby, c’mon.”

Y/N was sobbing, wrist pistoning her fingers in and out of herself faster than she ever remembered being able to move, and she felt the walls of her pussy clamping down, trying to keep the pressure inside where it wanted it. And then she couldn’t take it anymore. Everything froze. She might have screamed, but to be honest she couldn’t be too sure, because she couldn’t hear anything except the white light that had flooded the dark space behind her eyelids.

Lockdown became much more bearable after that day. Though Y/N did have to try really hard to not think about the fact that she and Jensen were kind of fucking the same girl. In a way. It was weird. But if she ignored that part, then her ‘dates’ with Red were perfect. She was finally able to release all the tension, sexual and otherwise, that this whole mess had building up in her system constantly. And eventually, the world started to open back up and things started to get just a little bit easier.

Y/N wondered what she would do when lockdown was well and truly over. When the bars and clubs opened up again, would she and Jensen go out and try to hook up like they always had before? Would everything just go back to normal? Would she still want to call Red if she was getting actual sex with a real girl, and not just her hand or a bit of silicone? Yes. The answer was most definitely yes, Y/N had to admit to herself. Even though it was just phone sex, it was still some of the best sex she’d ever had.

Well, Red is a professional, she thought to herself wryly as she spooned some froth onto the top of the cappuccino she was making. The coffee shop she worked at had reopened last week, finally.

“Y/N! Can you jump on register while I take my break?” Michelle called from the end of the counter.

“Sure thing,” Y/N smiled and wiped her hands off on her apron, making her way behind the other baristas to the cash register. She briefly glanced at the line of people waiting to order – a couple of college kids carrying some scary looking textbooks, a portly man scratching his bald patch, a pretty girl with shiny hair and awesome winged liner. Y/N blushed as she caught the eye of the girl, and immediately looked back at her tablet, typing in her register code.

“Hi there, what can I get you?” Y/N’s customer service voice was alarmingly cheery, and the two college guys blinked, startled, clearly still unused to interacting with humans again – Y/N knew the feeling, cringing internally. She made a note to dial the pep back a little.

“Hey, what can I get you?” It was the pretty girl at the front of the line now.

“Um, I’ll have a caramel latte, please,” she answered with a bright smile, red lips stretching across shockingly white teeth.

“Size?” Y/N asked, tapping the order into her tablet.

“How big can you make it?” the girl giggled, and Y/N looked up, something tugging at the back of her mind.

“Um, large?” Y/N answered absentmindedly, trying to figure out what was bugging her so much. The girl just nodded, politely accepting the fact that Y/N had skated over her joke. “Can I get a name for the order?” She grabbed the large sized cup and uncapped the marker, hand poised over the white cardboard, ready to write.

“Oh, sure. It’s Danneel.”

“Danielle?” Y/N asked, her mind still wandering.

“No, Dan– you know what, it’s a weird name. Just go with Red.”

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[dammitadolfnomorecake]

Once Bitten, Twice Stupid prt 138 prt 1

138

Keith watched Lance sleeping. His shirt hiked up with his belly showing as he cuddled a pillow instead of Keith. Lance was an awkward mess of cuteness Keith could have watched forever if his bladder didn’t exist. Heading to the bathroom, he’d wished he could have peed faster, but peeing with a boner was an Olympic effort. Making himself a coffee, he made it more milk than coffee, sculling it down so he’d have caffeine in his system when Lance woke up. As he climbed back into bed, Lance was still sleeping soundly in the same position. Morning sun poured through the open balcony door, heat and humidity already smacking him in the face. Cuba was not Rome... nor was it Vatican City. The weather killer after months in Europe. Smiling to himself, he laid by his boyfriend, hand sliding over Lance’s bump. He loved the bump. But his love was tinged with the sadness of missing watching it grow.

Whimpering in his sleep, Lance’s body tensed, kicking out before he sucked in a breath. Keith cuddling around Lance, sliding his hand up his boyfriend chest as he kissed his shoulder

“I’m here. I’m here, babe. Breathe. It was a dream”

“Mami?”

Lance sounded so sleepy as he asked his for his mother. This wasn’t fair

“It’s Keith, babe. I’m here”

“Keith?”

“Yeah, babe. It was a nightmare. It was just a bad dream”

“Fuck...”

Pretty much.

Lance did an almost three point turn as he rolled over, pulling his shirt down to hide his belly away. One coffee wasn’t as good as two, but better than none. Brushing Lance’s fringe back, his boyfriend didn’t look like he’d slept as solid as he’d appeared to

“Wanna tell me?”

“I haven’t been sleeping well”

“I gathered that... you seemed really out of it”

“Haven’t been to sleep through the nights...”

“Yeah?”

Slowly Lance wrapped his arm around him, like he had to ease himself into the touch. Kissing his boyfriend’s forehead he wondered how many sleepless nights he’d had because of him

“I usually walk around the beach at night... it helps”

The night was cold. Lance shouldn’t be out at night. It couldn’t be good health wise or for the twins... but Lance had to do what he had to do to keep going

“What about during the day?”

“I nap if I can... drink, eat, throw up, wallow, think to much and sleep”

“You don’t go out during the day?”

“I did with Mami... but it’s hard to look like this”

“There’s nothing wrong with how you look”

Lance hummed. The last of his tension sliding away

“You’ve had coffee”

He’d humaned. It was an accomplishment... which he could have said if his brain wasn’t broke

“I had to pee”

“I didn’t think you’d be here when I woke up”

Ouch. That hurt more than it should have. He wasn’t about to “root and run”. He’d busted his arse to get back to Lance

“I’m sorry. But you’re stuck with me...”

“I don’t want you to be stuck”

“I’m not. I’m where I want to be”

“Still doesn’t feel real”

“I’m real”

“My dreams feel real too. Mami... Mami copped a few nightmares”

“Mami loved you. I’m sure she was just relieved she was there for you”

“I hate waking up and knowing she’s gone. I hate it...”

Keith hushed him. How was he supposed to explain everything to Lance when he was dealing with so much as it was

“I know. It’s not fair”

“She loved you so much... her son... she was so proud of Keith. So proud”

“I loved her too. She felt like the first mum I ever had”

Lance hiccuped, before Keith was shoved aside as Lance scrambled off the bed, running for the bathroom. Lance didn’t mean to hurt him, but damn he got him with his hand against his ribs.

Slowly Keith followed Lance into the bathroom, Lance throwing in the toilet, hand in his swell as he did. Keith had the impression morning sickness would have gone by now. Settling behind Lance, Keith placed his hand over his boyfriend’s. His fingers felt thinner, Lance felt thinner. His hips had widened a little, a little more curvy than he had been... but Keith only knew that because he knew Lance’s body so well. Gagging, Lance wasn’t having a fun time

“Let it out, babe”

“S-sorry...”

“Idiot. It’s fine”

“Ca... can... you call Coran? He usually...”

The sentence was lost to Lance vomiting. Coran usually wha... oh. Coran and Lance talked in the morning. Lance had someone there now, so he didn’t have to face the man on his own

“He can wait. Should I get you some water?”

Lance groaned at him. Keith guessed that meant he wasn’t feeling fond of any form of fluids...

“What about some blood?”

Catching his breath, Lance groaned at him again

“Just... go call Coran... please. I’ll be there soon... and no... water...”

This morning sickness thing was beyond a joke.

Keith headed into the kitchen, opening and booting up Lance’s laptop. He smiled as he found himself as the background, Kosmo making a pest of himself licking his cheek as Lance took the photo. Pin locked, he knew Lance too well as his birthday unlocked the laptop. It’d barely got past the loading screen before Coran was ringing. Was he so untrustworthy that he’d suspected he wouldn’t be able to get through to Lance? Accepting the call, the screen was filled with Coran’s teeth, the fae using the laptop to floss in, coughing and throwing the floss aside, Coran not fooling anyone as he pretended that never happened

“Keith, my boy! We were worried! We hadn’t heard from you!”

Whoops. Okay. Yeah. He’d promised that he’d call as soon as he knew what was happening with Lance

“Is that Keith?! Where is that arsehole!?”

Double whoops. He’d upset Pidge. Coran was bumped out the way by her

“Keith! You said you’d call! We’ve been going crazy!”

He was in for it now

“Hey, Pidge. Sorry. Lance and I were talking... uh, he’s here. He’s kind of okay...”

“Can we see him?! I want to see him!”

“Yes, well, excuse me... I did tell you I would be calling him”

Coran nudged his way back into view. Keith felt he’d probably been putting up with Pidge and Hunk freaking out all night now. He didn’t even know where his phone was...

“Guys. That’s enough. Lance is in the bathroom. I’m sorry I didn’t get a chance to call last night. We had some stuff to talk about”

Coran must have regretted his wheelie chair, moved out the way by Pidge again

“Is he okay? Can we see him?”

“He’s mostly okay. Look, we’ve only just got up. I can either show you him throwing up or I can call back later”

“Don’t you dare bring that laptop in here!”

Whelp. Okay

“What was that?”

“Lance. He doesn’t want you guys seeing him throw up”

“What’s vomit between friends?”

Coran rather forcibly butted Pidge back out the way, looking grouchy as he did

“Keith, how is he?”

“Throwing up. He’s... we’re gonna stay a few days. He really needs this right now”

“Okay, my boy. Make sure you keep him hydrated. Don’t forget his shots. Make sure he’s eating too... I tell him everyday...”

Keith started tuning Coran out. It was amazingly easy when you’d listened to nothing but Blade bullshit. No wonder Lance took the chance to have someone else listen to his nagging...

Pidge yelling as Coran held her back

“Tell him to show us proof of undead life! I want photos! Don’t you hold out on us, Keith Kogane! We wanna see Lance and we wanna see that bump! And we want to see Lance smiling or your lose you balls, buster!”

Oh lord. Well that was Coran’s problem to deal with. Better Coran than him and Lance. Maybe he could con Lance into taking a photo with him? Maybe play along... No. He couldn’t say he’d kidnapped Lance. That felt too raw still... ugh. Why was he happy about Pidge being demanding? And why was he so annoyed at Coran? Right. Nagging... he didn’t want to hear more nagging. He had Shiro to nag... fuck... he hadn’t called him. Whoops. Hopefully Matt did. On the other side of the screen Coran opened his mouth, Keith fearing more nagging

“Coran, I’ve got it. We’ve only just got up. I’ll call you later when Lance is up for it”

He’d hung up on Coran, closed the laptop, and made it back to Lance before he felt bad. Their friends cared and he’d cut things short

“Miss me?”

Lance sighed at him. Resting against the toilet with his arm between his head and the seat

“You hung up on Coran”

“Maybe?”

“I heard you”

“In my defence, I didn’t think about the fact he’d start nagging quite so soon”

Lance groaned at him, his boyfriend reaching his free hand out blindly, Keith taking it, not completely sure why or what to do with it

“What are you doing?”

“Just reminding myself you’re real. He’s been at me like that for weeks...”

No thanks. Coran should have known his nagging wouldn’t help

“You’ve got more patience than I do”

“It gets repetitive. If I don’t answer he calls all day until I do”

“I think he misses you”

“I think I honestly can’t take the nagging”

Maybe Coran’s plan was to nag Lance into returning home? He was going the right way to make Lance stay in Cuba forever. Sitting down behind his boyfriend, Keith coaxed Lance into leaning back against him. Lance looked wiped out... so maybe that meant it was really justified nagging?

“You good?”

“For now... sorry, I know how gross it is”

More concerning than gross

“You can’t help it. Do you want to do something today?”

“Sleep?”

Keith snorted, kissing Lance cheek

“Other than sleep?”

“There’s not that much to do...”

“I’ve never been to Cuba before”

Lance fell silent for a bit, Keith kind of hoping his boyfriend would suggest what he was hinting at, without really hinting. He needed to work on his hinting skills

“Do you want to see Cuba? I haven’t gone out much... since...”

Yep. He got there. This was why Lance was pretty much the smartest person he knew

“I’d like that. You can show me around. Tell me about what you and Mami did...”

“We mostly visited family... and did tourist stuff”

“Then show me around?”

Keith didn’t know the socially acceptable way to help his boyfriend through this, but if Lance was talking, he’d be able to understand what it was like for him and Mami as they waited. This was different from when he lost his dad. Lance had a life of loving memories with his Mami. Mami had lived a long and good life. She’d been happy. She’d thanked him so many times for loving Lance. So many times she’d said she was reassured that she was leaving Lance in safe hands.

Keith was sent to have his coffee while Lance showered. His boyfriend going white and rushing to the kitchen sink. Keith glad he’d managed another two cups before Lance threw up. He was most definitely awake now

“Babe?”

Lance groaned out

“Coffeeeeee”

“You want some?”

Lance throwing up again said “no”. Was it the smell? But he’d seemed okay last night?

“Should I air... I’m just going to air the room...”

Opening the doors to the balcony, Keith blinked at Rieva and Matt. Matt waving at him

“Hey, balcony buddy!”

Okay. So he knew Coran organised Matt and Rieva being there...

“What... the fuck?”

There was like a metre between balconies. Keith could literally climb over to them. What the hell was this

“Nice to see you, Keith. How was your night?”

Rieva was messing with him. Matt was messing with him. Coran was messing with him. What the hell?!

Keith backed away from the door, looking to Lance, then back to their friends

“Uh... I’m going to go back inside now”

Rieva waved at him

“Say hi to Lance for us, and tell him we miss him!”

Keith looked back to Lance who was now leaning against the kitchen counter, shaking. Okay. Closing the doors he pulled the blinds across... nope. Not dealing with that right now. With neighbours like that, he’d be going out in the streets to get five minutes of quiet time.

Moving back to his boyfriend, Lance sighed, expecting some kind of nagging. Scratching the back of his head, Keith nearly tripped as he cast a glance back at the balcony, feeling slightly violated

“I didn’t know they were right there”

“Try figuring out what to do with yourself when they want to talk”

“They missed you”

Lance shook his head, turning away from to organise his injection

“It’s not about missing me. I know people care and don’t want me to be alone, but no one asked if I was ready to see them again”

Keith bit down his comment about this being like after Sendak had taken Lance and Lance had barely been up to seeing anyone before Keith had to leave. Not having friends was lonely. Lance needed his friends

“That’s because we all missed you. Shiro and Curtis are coming home next week. They’re bringing Kosmo because I couldn’t bring him on the plane with me”

“They’re coming back?”

Keith wrinkled his brow. Why wouldn’t his brother be coming home? Rome was done. Done and both he and Shiro really liked Platt’s quietness. Being able to help but being able to be themselves, it was some kind of gift

“Yeah. Oh, I totally have to tell you Curtis has two horns now...”

“He has two?”

“And my mother decided she wants to date”

“She is hot”

Maybe mentioning Krolia was too soon? God. How was he going to tell his mother that Miriam passed away? He wasn’t okay with Miriam passing away. His mouth decided he needed to try and cover his “slip up”

“Yeah. I suppose. Anyway, when Shiro and Curtis come back I was thinking I could move to Garrison properly and we could live together and... we can decorate the nursery. I actually picked up a few things in Rome, but my stuff is coming with Shiro and Curtis because they’re coming back via private jet. Can’t put Curtis on a plane with two horns. He’s twice as horny as he was. But his feet don’t smell as bad any more and fuck, I left my shoes on the beach last night”

Lance let him talk himself out. How could he forget about his shoes? He liked those shoes. Rieva drew smiley faces on the heels and he’d thought Lance would get a laugh out of it. Someone out there scored a nice new pair of red converses. He really liked them... so much...

“Oh, babe. How many cups did you have this morning?”

Did the first cup of milk coffee count? He supposed it did as there was coffee in it...

“Three”

Lance wrinkled his nose. How could anyone wrinkle their nose at the life giving nectar that was coffee?!?

“Babe?”

“It’s nothing”

Right. He knew now that that meant the opposite

“You can tell me. I won’t get mad”

Lance sighed at him

“I know. Like logically. But... fine. Coffee seems to make me want to puke. The smell. Just thinking about drinking it makes me feel gross”

Keith gaped. How?! How could coffee make anyone sick!?

“See. I knew you weren’t going to be happy”

“It’s not that. I... why do you have coffee? If it’s making you feel sick...?”

“You. I got some because of you. It reminded me of you...”

Keith’s cheeks reddened. That was kind of really Lance...

“But, last night?”

“I was drinking blood. It didn’t bother me because... I was so... so fucking relieved to see you”

Lance’s voice wobbled. Keith sensing incoming tears and he pulled his boyfriend into a hug

“If you can’t handle coffee, then I’ll stop drinking it”

“No. No. An uncaffinated Keith is... no. I don’t want you to give up coffee. I just... yeah. The smell...”

He could maybe at least try to cut down on the coffee... his would hurt to even have those thoughts

“I don’t want you throwing up because I like coffee”

“And I need you to be you. Seriously. It’s been four months of nothing but people worrying about me. I heard Mami on the phone more than once, I’m pretty sure she was calling up Coran to ask what to do”

“Mami loved you. You were her pride and joy”

Lance let out a shaky breath

“I... I planned this thinking we’d make happy memories. Then you’d come and it’d be like a real family holiday before the twins came. I felt so much better when I saw her with her family. I couldn’t call you, but, like, she came alive again. She told me all about what it was like here before we went to America. Where dad taught Luis to surf. Where Veronica snuck out one night and papi had to come pick her up because she forgot how to get home again She only about 7. She told me how Marco used to pick his nose and wipe his boogas on the pews at church. Aunt Sarah caught him once and spanked his butt until he was screaming she was the she devil... it was like I could breathe again. I wasn’t in Platt and I wasn’t handling missing you very well, but I wasn’t in Platt putting everyone in danger. None of my family here hated me. They were so kind to me when Mami passed. It took Coran a bit to get things organised, then he came down and picked me and her up...”

Keith nodded as Lance spoke, Lance seemed to be more in his memories than in the hotel room with him

“She sounded happy”

“Yeah. I... told her I felt like... like it was coming and she told me she was okay. She slept next to me a lot... before you... she was the last person to kiss my stomach. I told her the twins couldn’t hear her, but she told me to shut up. Then she’d tell them all about their daddy Keith... When I started feeling down she’d... she just... she’s everything I want to be as a parent”

“She set the bar super high”

“Yeah. Oh... that reminds me, I have a present from her to you... and a gift for the twins... and some other things like that. I told her to wait until they were born but we went to these beach markets and she... she pretty much bossed me into giving her most of the money I had on me. Got herself the most ridiculous hat... then she found one of those badly translated shirts that said “Backdoor Gramma”... spelt “G-r-a-m-m-a” with this cartoon old woman in a bikini and fluffy bits. She laughed so hard at it that I thought she was going to collapse”

He and Mami talked two or three times while Lance had slept and Keith was being gored alive over his regret for not being. Mami hated that there were so many things on the screen she could accident press. She had some very unkind words for Sendak that would have made Lance blush, but most of all it was like a check in. When Lance had been too sick to talk on Christmas Day, Mami was there to tell him Lance was going to be okay. He felt okay about Lance being with Mami, because they loved each other so much and Lance really needed that love that only came from her. Mami had her pride and her sense of self was strong. She could be quite and reserved, but for the most part she lived as freely as she liked.

“I don’t think I want to imagine that”

Mami would have rocked it. Keith imagined her sneaking her chocolates with a bottle of vodka giving the double finger to Sendak if she could have. Chocolates and her abundant supply of love were the only two things she zero self control over. Lance nodded, sucking down a breath, tone slightly dejected before levelling then growing wobbly

“Probably safer... but, yeah. I... the family gave me a lot of things that she’d left behind when we moved. I tried to go to the nursing home, you know, to thank them, but Coran made me stay in for observation. Luis cleaned her room out and took her things. He had the nerve to lose it at me for paying for her funeral...”

[noussommeslessquelettes]

Oh fun! Things you said mini fic? 11 or 20?💕💕💕

MM OKAY SO! Ever since I first started writing kl fic I had this idea for a fake relationship AU. I never managed to complete the plot of it so it never got written, but I’ve always wanted to write one particular scene from it, and when I got this I jumped on the chance to write it!!!

Background on the fic: fake dating AU. Lance’s brother is getting married, and they’re out of town for a long weekend for the wedding. Hunk was invited, and with that Lance and him brought Keith and Pidge as their plus-ones.

When they get there, they find out that Keith and Lance’s exes were invited to the wedding too--what’s worse, they’re attending the wedding as a couple. Keith makes the executive decision that the both of them are going to fake date and be obnoxiously in love to make them jealous. Hijinks ensue, along with feelings, the latter of which are under the cut!

Send me a ship with one of these and I’ll write a mini fic

11. Things you said when you were drunk

Preview: Keith liked to think that the phrase had been better formed in his head, but what came out ended up being, “I thought vodka crans were a Sad Lance Drink.”

Lance huffed a humourless laugh. “Well, you’re lookin’ at a Sad Lance Lance, buddy.”

CW: drinking/drunkenness, (American) underage drinking, mentions of vomit

Keith had never imagined being a fake boyfriend to be more effort than being a real one had ever been. Then again, he’d been a bit foolish to assume that anything could be easy when it involved Lance McClain.

But because Lance’s family wasn’t privy to their little secret, it meant that when the wedding party lost the Nuisance of Honour, the immediate suggestion from Lance’s mother was that Keith, as Lance’s Real Boyfriend™, lead the charge on the search efforts. And come one A.M., it meant that Keith made the call to relieve the others of their duty, and to continue the search alone.

And yes, it might’ve been Keith’s decision to start this fake relationship in the first place. But it didn’t give Lance permission to go AWOL past midnight, on the night before the wedding, when the two of them had to wake up at fucking seven o’clock tomorrow. But the world didn’t trade in the currency of ‘should’s, and that’s why Keith was riding the elevator down to the front lobby at half-past one instead of sinking back into the plush sheets of the king-sized bed waiting for him 25, 26, now 27 floors above.

At this point, he was about ready to tell the concierge to phone the police about a missing person, then fuck off and go to bed. He indulged in the fantasy of shucking this mess off onto somebody else, as he stomped up towards the front desk—squinting his eyes to contend with the reflection of the chandelier against the counter’s polished brass. Turning his head askance as he passed the hotel bar—

Wait. He froze in his tracks. The bar.

It was so obvious he could’ve smacked himself—they’d checked the fucking pool in the first ten minutes of the search, and they didn’t think of the bar?!—but he focused what little energy he had left on diverting his path, moving close enough to peer past the glass into the darkened room, and locating the one patron perched alone on a barstool. He raised a glass in cheer towards the bartender, then knocked back a swig of the drink—far from his first, judging by how very nearly he toppled out of his seat.

“Fantastic,” Keith deadpanned under his breath as Lance managed to steady himself with a hand on the bartop, his laughter ringing out clear as a bell when Keith pushed through the glass door, shadows falling over him as he moved toward the counter. “Hey asshole,” he called out, holding his tongue past that to judge just how drunk Lance was, lest he waste a castigation on someone who’d not remember a word of it come morning.

Lance perked up at the appellation, spinning in the stool and hoisting his glass up once more. “Hey, babe! C’mere.” He set down the drink—thank god—and pat a hand on the stool next to him. “Join us—whatever y’order, ‘s on me.”

Keith bit down a groan—he’d been here all of five seconds, and already Lance’s behaviour was drawing looks from the other patrons, inscrutable in the dark, but undeniable all the same. He closed the distance between them, but refused the invitation, grabbing Lance’s elbow instead and giving a tug. “I’m not doing that—let’s go.”

“Wait, wait wait wait—” his other hand pumped a five-finger ‘stop’ that bumped against Keith’s chest. He laughed, then brought the hand up between them, curling his index finger to beckon Keith closer. When Keith didn’t oblige, he added a pull with the arm in Keith’s grip.

Keith sighed, leaning forward until their eyes matched, until the humidity of Lance’s vodka breath washed uncomfortably on his face. “What.”

“They didn’t card me,” he stage-whispered. He then failed to stifle a snort, and elbowed Keith away. “Guess that’s what ‘cha get with these bougie-ass places—don’t give a fuck as long as you’ve got the money to back it up!”

Keith folded his arms over his chest. “Please tell me you opened up a tab.”

Lance shrugged, reaching for his glass again. “Told ‘em to charge it to our room.”

He groaned—Sober Lance was definitely going to try and macgyver a way to pawn the bill off on Keith. But he supposed that was a problem for later, because in the moment Lance was tipping back the last of his current drink, slamming it down on the bartop with needless fervour, and waving the other hand to catch the bartender’s eye.

“Nope.” Keith reached out for his wrist and pulled the hand down. “You’ve had enough.” He looked up to the bartender, who cocked an eyebrow at him silently as Lance whined unintelligibly in his ear. “He’ll have a water.”

“Nooo…” Lance squirmed to get out of his grasp, only to reach back out for him as his ass slid off the stool. Keith caught him reflexively, arms wrapped around Lance’s waist, Lance with two hands fisted in the front of his shirt.

He brought his eyes up, nose brushing against Keith’s cheek with the act. Keith’s heart fluttered, a stammer building in his chest that ultimately turned into the word, “Okay.”

He hoisted Lance back up onto his perch. Once he was firmly seated, Keith crashed back onto the stool behind him—the one Lance had offered him initially—and eyed the bartender as they returned with a tall glass of water.

“And the vodka cran?” They asked.

“We’re good,” Keith dismissed immediately.

They moved on to the next customer with no further ado. It took Keith a split second to register what had been said, but when he did he turned to Lance, who now pointedly stared into the countertop, his smile fallen.

He liked to think that the phrase had been better formed in his head, but what came out ended up being, “I thought vodka crans were a Sad Lance Drink.”

Lance huffed a humourless laugh, reaching for the water. “Well, you’re lookin’ at a Sad Lance Lance, buddy.” His eyes slipped shut as he tipped back the glass, downing a third of it in one go.

Keith turned to rest an elbow on the table, his fingers drumming against the varnished wood. “So you came down here to drown your sorrows?”

Lance massaged his fingertips into his eyes. “What else ‘m I supposed to do?” He dropped the hand, looking straight ahead.

“Talk to someone? You usually love doing that.”

He made a sour face. “Don’t want to. I want to forget about it.”

Keith cocked an eyebrow. “And how’s that working out so far?”

“Honestly? Pretty good ‘til you showed up.”

Keith took it on the chin—it was no secret that their friendship wasn’t always on the best footing (that is, to anyone who wasn’t tricked into thinking they were in a relationship.) And while Lance usually wasn’t a belligerent drunk, he often got a little too truthful. Frankly, Keith had sort of suspected that Lance continued to harbour a little honest animosity towards him, despite the progress their relationship had undergone, and the unfortunate feelings Keith had developed in the process.

And he supposed he should accept responsibility for that, too. What kind of dumbass suggested to his crush that they pretend to date for the weekend of his brother’s wedding, just so they could make their respective exes jealous?

(The desperate kind, probably.)

“Well… then talk to me.” It was the best he could offer—because like hell he was leaving Lance drunk, depressed, and alone in a hotel bar. “I’m your boyfriend now, after all.”

“Fake boyfriend,” Lance amended pointedly.

Keith frowned—the whole weekend, they’d been calling each other their boyfriends tongue-in-cheek, even when they were alone. It was the first time Lance had expended the effort to correct him. “Is that what’s bothering you?”

“It’s—” He groaned, running his hands through his hair. “I’m way too drunk for this right now.”

“We’ve only got one more day,” he offered in consolation, “and we don’t have to do any couple shit if you don’t want to.”

“Mm-mm.” He dismissed it with a wave of his hand. “It’s not that.”

“Then what is it?” He asked. Lance shrugged, taking another long swig of water. Keith huffed. “Lance, let’s go up—”

“Y’know why we started this in the first place? Like—” He gestured between the two of them. “Us—”

“I know—”

“Dating.” His hand hung in the open air, forgotten as his eyes went unfocused, lost in thought. After a moment, Keith reached out for his wrist, lowering it back down to Lance’s lap.

“I got it. We did it ‘cause… well, to get back at our exes.”

Lance snapped his fingers, grinning. “Exactly! Look at you, smarty pants, ‘n here I thought Hunk and Pidge were supposed to be the geniuses.”

Keith rolled his eyes, nudging the water back towards him. “Focus up, Lance; what about it?”

Lance polished it off, pushing it away so he could rest his elbows on the tabletop. “Guess it leaves me as the only dumb one.”

“Not—” He groaned. “Don’t start with that shit. I mean—”

“I know what you mean,” he murmured, the brief smile slipping off his face. “I’m not that dumb, Keith. Look, we were trying to make Nyma ‘n Rolo jealous, but we failed. They’re still happy, and in love, and they think that we’re happy and in love.”

Keith nodded. “Okay..?”

“But I’m not happy.” His voice started to waver as his volume control went to the wayside. He pushed off the bar to face Keith, a desperate kind of sadness shimmering in the corners of his eyes. “We’re not in love.”

Keith took that on the chin too, though it was noticeably harder to bear. Lance is the drunk one right now, not you, he told himself. Don’t say anything that you’ll both regret. He swallowed whatever protest he’d had down, and nodded for Lance to continue.

“I want to be,” he spoke it softly, like a confession. “I want to be so bad.”

“It’s not enough to want it,” Keith admitted. He knew it all too well.

Lance sniffed, wiping at his eyes. “And it’s not enough to pretend. But it’s nice for a while, at least.” Keith offered a wry smile, and Lance’s gaze slipped to the floor again. “I don’t know, it’s hard. The two of them are, like… you can tell. It’s like they were made for each other. No one’s ever felt that way about me.”

Swallow it down. Keith reached out a hand, placing it on Lance’s knee and giving it a reassuring squeeze.

“I knew all along Nyma didn’t love me, even though I did.” He covered the back of Keith’s hand under his palm, holding it there.

“I’m sorry, Lance.” He’d had no idea that Lance had been so serious about Nyma. For his part, he’d never once believed he was in love with Rolo. “If I’d known, I wouldn’t have suggested—”

“It’s okay. It was stupid for me to pretend that it was real.” He sighed, threading their fingers together clumsily. “But it felt real, sometimes.”

“I know,” he lied. It felt like the right thing to say—and besides, what would Lance even care in his state?

“It felt real with you sometimes, too.”

Keith’s breath caught, his fingers twitching in Lance’s grasp. He’s drunk, he reminded himself. He’s drunk; he doesn’t know what he’s saying. He eased the tension in his body with a deep breath. “It’s not stupid, Lance. You… you care so much. You have so much love to give, and there’s nothing wrong with wanting to share it—and you do; you share it with your family, and with your friends. And I guess sometimes, you share it with the people who don’t appreciate it.”

“And it sucks.”

Keith nodded. “I know.” And this time, it was the truth. “But one day, you’re going to find someone who’s stupid in love with you too—someone who’s never going to let you think otherwise.”

Lance scoffed. “Right.”

“I mean it. You’re worth a love worth fighting for, Lance, and you’re going to find it. And when you do, you’ll be the boyfriend of the luckiest person in the world.”

Lance smiled softly. “You’re only saying that ‘cause I’m drunk.”

“Well, I wouldn’t need to convince you to come to bed if you were sober,” he admitted. “But I still mean it.”

“Thanks,” he breathed. “Y’know, whatever guy manages to finally lands you’s going to be one lucky bastard, too.”

Keith sighed. “We’ll see about that.”

“You’re a pretty awesome fake boyfriend, ‘n I bet you’re an even better real one.”

He slid off the stool, wrapping an arm around Lance’s waist. “Well regardless, I’m about to be one hell of a great friend, and drag your sorry ass back to our hotel room.”

Lance hummed contentedly, wrapping his arms around Keith’s shoulders and leaning into him. “I want a piggyback.”

“No chance.” He tugged Lance to his feet, bracing himself when his weight inevitably slouched into him.

“Stop, stop—hanggon,” he slurred, his head slumping. “Guh, dizzy…”

Keith stilled, tapping his foot impatiently. “Have you hurled yet?”

“Mm-mm.” Lance took a step forward, and Keith took the charge onward once more.

Keith rolled his eyes—Lance was so lucky his fake boyfriend happened to be real in love with him. Keith, on the other hand, would have the misfortune of needing to watch his crush hopefully not choke on his own vomit for the next six hours. “How many drinks did you have?”

“No clue, ‘m too gay to count.” He giggled, then whispered, “Don’t tell my mommy, Keith.”

“What, that you’re gay, that you’re drunk, or that you can’t do math?”

“None. Be like… the KGB.”

“Okay, Lance.” He pushed through the glass door with a toe, marching them through before it swung back on them.

“The Keith Gay… Butts.” He dissolved into a fit of giggles.

Keith’s not proud of the laugh he had to stifle, too. “Oh, you’re so lucky I don’t have the hands to dial Pidge right now.”

“What can I say, I’m a lucky guy! Who needs a real boyfriend, anyway? I’ve already got a fake one with a cute butt who takes care of me.”

Keith typed up their floor number on the touchscreen by the elevator door. “God, you’re going to be so hungover tomorrow.”

“D’you got Advil?” Keith shook his head. “We’ll go to Marco’s room—his wife’s usually got some.”

The elevator bell rang, doors opening up for them, and he pulled Lance in. “You think you can act sober enough to face your brother?”

“Pshh, oh yeah, I got this.”

He pushed off of Keith, staggering a bit but ultimately gaining his footing. Then the elevator lurched into motion and he stumbled. Keith was ready to catch him the moment he did, Lance steadying himself with hands on his shoulders. Once stable, they brought their eyes up as one, and dissolved into a short fit of laughter.

When it eased, Lance wrapped his arms around Keith’s neck, squeezing him close. “Sorry for being sloppy.”

Keith shook his head, returning the embrace. “Don’t be; you’ve held my hair back enough times to earn it.”

“Then thanks,” he said. “For being a good boyfriend.”

He twisted his fingers in the hem of Lance’s shirt. “Anytime.”

The elevator dinged, and the doors opened up.

[no-error]

How about some klance smut?

!This is pure smut!

If you dont like just ignore this :)

Space

(don't) hold my breath

Keith finds out a very important skill that Lance has: that he can hold his breath for a long time. He adds it to the list of reasons he’s pining after Lance—his right hand man, his teammate, his friend.

See also: sad desert boy falls hopelessly in love with self-proclaimed mermaid boy with a heart of gold. Watch these two oblivious idiots find their home in each other.

8,658 words   AO3

Lucky Habits

Lance has a habit of licking his lips before he takes particularly difficult shots with his blaster.

Keith has begun to notice said habit and it's slowly driving him mad.

Thankfully, Lance isn't as oblivious as he seems.

9,485 words   AO3

Hopelessly Devoted

“There he is,” Lance grinned, wide enough to break the kiss. He looked so damned satisfied, already. “There's my boy.”

4916 words  AO3

Take Me, I'm Yours

An unfortunate coincidence leads to Keith hiding in a closet, while Lance gets it on with an alien woman outside. It changes everything.

Keith can't erase the sight from his mind. He can't sleep, he can't fight. He can't control himself.

There is nothing he can do except swallow his pride and ask Lance for a favor.

He should have known he would have to beg for it.

6,732 words   AO3

Pix Or It Didn't Happen

Giving a whole new meaning to team bonding, Allura and Lance jointly plan a photography (read selfie) contest. Allura's contribution? Put the paladins in pairs for picture taking. Even before the teams were 'randomly' selected, Keith could have told you who he'd end up paired with. It goes about as well as could be expected.

14,690 words   AO3

Boys Will Be Boys    

There’s blood in his mouth, blood dripping from his nose, blood in his hair from where Keith fucking scratched him, blood boiling in his veins and clouding his vision with red. There’s too much blood for a friendly sparring session, that’s for sure.

This isn’t a friendly sparring session, not anymore.

6,736 words   AO3

I just wanna make love to you

Both Paladin and Blade stood in silence for almost a full minute, staring at each other with indiscernible expressions (or at least Lance thinks the latter is, can’t really tell with the identity protecting mask adorning their face.)

Before he can stop himself, he opens his mouth with a smirk curling at his lips.

“You come here often?” Lance asks, tilting his head coyly.

26,736 words   AO3

Research Purposes    

In retrospect, Lance knew he was overreacting. Thinking about it just a little too hard.  He just didn't consider Keith would ever be- Nah, actually, he wasn't that surprised... Did that mean Keith had totally been checking him out? Did he think he was hot? Would dudes be into him? What was it like to mess around with dudes? Was Keith experienced with that sort of thing? He just needed to know. For... science?

(In which Keith mentions something that reveals he's gay, Lance is excessively shocked, and everyone else already knew because it wasn't even a secret. In short, Lance is an oblivious idiot and finally accepts his bisexuality.)

10796 words   AO3

You Always Say the Stupidest Shit

"I know what your problem is," Lance interrupts, pointing a finger at him and smirking as though he's just personally discovered the deepest secret of the universe. God only knows why Keith stops talking then, but in hindsight, he wishes he'd have just gotten louder.

"You need to get laid," Lance announces.

13,370 words   AO3

The Royal Treatment    (Altean Lance/Galra Keith!)

“You’ve met me, congratulations,” Keith said shortly.

“Now go meet someone else.

”“Ouch,” he said. “And that’s not true; I don’t even know your name yet!”Keith wrinkled his nose. Maybe telling this irksome creature his title would scare him off. “I am Lord Kethyr, second son of Emperor Zarkon,” he retorted.

“Satisfied now?”

The Altean, unfortunately, was not deterred in the slightest by this. “Ooh, a royal? How exciting. I’m Lance.”

11,998 words   AO3

Modern

Don't Break Connection, Baby

(Series not completed 50,615 words 3 works)

Keith works part-time as a phone sex operator and receives a prank call from Lance. This does not go as planned for Lance. Thus begins the adventure of our dear sweet goofball continuing to call Keith to fuck with him (but not like fuck fuck with him...at least not yet). And y'know, eventually having legit conversations with him and getting attached and growing on Keith.

38,721 words   AO3

Will you sing to the Beat of my Heart?

(Musician!Keith Verse not completed 10,132 words 2 works)

Keith is a musician sometimes playing in the park Lance walks through every day. Lance falls in love—both with the music, and Keith. Keith, meanwhile, can't help but notice the cutie in the crowd. Both think there is no chance to get to know each other—but fate has a different plan.

8,833 words   AO3

Of Tinted Windows and Fancy Leather Seats

Drive Me Crazy Series not completed 9,345 words 2 works

"One last question, Keith. Do you want me to fuck you? If you say no, then I’ll leave you alone. You can also punch me if you want. But if you say yes, my car is here. Your pick, Mullet.”

5,964 words   AO3

Fuck Buddies With Benefits

“Hey babe,” the blue-eyed male in Keith’s doorway drawls, leaning his weight on one arm and smirking down at Keith from the irritating two-inch height difference between them. The guy likes taking advantage of it while he can, before Keith shoves him onto the bed and is the one looking down for once.

Keith rolls his eyes and steps aside to let Lance into his dorm room, locking the door behind them in case Shiro stops by to check on him. Shiro would likely not be impressed by Keith’s self-care methods if he found his baby cousin in bed with some guy he met at the bar, a blank document still waiting to be filled on his laptop screen.

19,183 words   AO3

The Patrulian Zone    

Lance logs in to Oriande, the dating app known for easy hook ups with no strings attached. Finding Keith, he gets exactly what he signed up for.

So how come suddenly, it doesn't feel like enough?

17,498 words   AO3

technologic

In which Lance sends Keith an accidental snapchat that somehow leads to them becoming sexting buddies.

5193 words   AO3

A/B/O

Want          (Want Series completed 83,799 words 4 works)

Lance makes the decision to sell himself for the sake of his family. The only problem is that no ones seems to want him. When Shiro buys Lance for his alpha little brother, the omega can't believe his luck.

But does Keith even want anything to do with his new gift or is Lance destined to be an unwanted omega forever?

24,695   AO3

In the heat of the moment

Lance runs out of suppressants and is outed as an Omega. Keith wants to be his alpha. So much angst, sugar sweetness, more angst, gotta have a baby, and all the lovins. Plus there's Shatt! What's not to love. Please don't get too wrapped up in timelines, dynamics, or the lack of season 4. This is fiction.

25,037 words   AO3

The Lion's Pride

When Pidge confesses to being a female alpha and not a male one, the team realizes that she's not the only one hiding something. They realize Lance isn't the alpha he's posing as but actually an omega.

As with Pidge, they want to give Lance the time he needs to come clean on his own. But the team agrees to do their best to make Lance feel comfortable, considering how highly valued omegas are in packs.

Two team/pack-members especially find this new realization fascinating. Keith and Shiro want Lance to be their own omega. But can they handle the secret Lance is hiding, the one that made him cover up his status to begin with...?

30,822 woords   AO3

Practically Strangers

(Practically Everything Series   not completed, 8,117 words 2 works)

Lance was, in all aspects, an omega. He had accepted this part of him long ago, even embraced it. Keith was, in all forms of the word, an alpha. He was also pretty much a stranger, but Lance was willing to ignore that fact in favor of, um, other things.

4,768 words AO3

Your Sex I Can Smell

Lance was in hell… or heaven depending on your outlook. But for him it was currently hell.  He’d not been expecting to go into heat, ever. Heat was an Omega thing and as far as he knew 99.9% of Omegas were chicks.

He thought he’d just be another Beta, he’d given up hopes of becoming an Alpha when he still hadn’t presented by seventeen. But to be this late… to be twenty one and only just developing it was… humiliating. And as an Omega at that. But he had a plan. He could just... disguise it. Hide his scent.

Which was great. Except now Keith was almost impossible to get near, to tease and banter and basically annoy just to get a rise out of him. Lance missed seeing his face, missed his scent. His schoolboy crush had developed into something strangely immature for a twenty one year old but potent nonetheless. But Keith wouldn't give him the time of day. At least, not until a project forced them to work together.

25,747 words   AO3

What Else Could a Virgin Omega Do?

Lance was standing where he never thought he'd be standing, in line at the front desk of the nearest Alpha Brothel.

13,831 words   AO3

Don't Forget Your Vitamins

(series not completed 13,221 words 2 works)

Lance is an omega. Keith is a beta. This was something Lance had made peace with and determined that there was no way they could ever work. No matter how much he would like it to. Saving the universe and all that didn’t leave a whole lot of time to pursue such a complicated relationship.

However, when Keith finally starts getting the food and nutrition his hybrid body needs he is finally revealed to be an alpha. As he struggles with his new presentation, Lance tries his best to be there for him and support him. But it's difficult when the guy you love is now totally capable of giving you the best sex of your life.

11,406 words   AO3

Fuck self control (but really, don't.)

Lance hadn't presented by the time they got into space, leaving him vulnerable. Everything is fine until Keith's rut, and then it isn't

8,003 words   AO3

Omegaverse Series

Suddenly all Keith can hear is Hunk’s voice yelling over the com.

“Keith! You have to get out of there. Now!”

Keith wants to ask what’s wrong, but then the smell hits him.

The sickly sweet, and unmistakable smell of an omega in heat.

He whips around and sees Lance, standing a few feet back, bracing himself against the wall. His face is flushed, and he’s breathing heavy.

“I … I don’t feel so good.”

22,606 words  3 works   AO3

kiss like it's poisonous series (not completed)

A collection of all my fics that belong to this omegaverse au. It's basically just Keith and Lance being idiots and dancing around each other for like a span of five years, and you will all get the pleasure of reading it.

43,504 words 3 works   AO3

You All Over My Skin, I'm Anxious    

The worst part of it though, was that Keith was an alpha. A stupid, hotheaded alpha that Lance couldn’t help but get in petty arguments with like they had been married for fifty years. Keith, with his stupid mullet and how stupidly good he was at hand to hand combat and how stupidly hot he sounded when training. Lance would have gotten on his knees for him in seconds if he only asked. But an alpha needed an omega, and Lance was just a stupid beta. 

5,898 words   AO3

[linkade]

When Kinkade and Lance start dating, K sometimes gets jealous/possessive. Not in a harmful way more like "L may not know you're flirting with him but I do and I'm here to remind you that he's MY boyfriend" way, with subtle actions. At one diplomatic event, an alien prince is being overly aggressive with his advances. Kinkade steps in to save his sharpshooter.

I hope this is at least a little bit of what you were asking for lol, I had a lot of fun writing this one! It’s a bit longer than I had originally intended but I still hope you guys like it!!

Also, my apologies if it isn’t as good as my usual stuff. School has me stressed out and it may hinder my writing capabilities.

Prompts: Still open!

Words: 1,020

Ryan thinks that Lance is perfect. Maybe he’s biased, maybe he’s not, but there’s simply no denying what he believes to be a fact. There’s not a thing about his boyfriend he’d change. So, there must be other’s who take a good long look at Lance and think the same thing. People would do it on Earth, so what made some backwater planet in the armpit of the universe any different?

Nothing. Nothing made it different, because some aliens are just as sleazy as humans. Ryan lays witness to this on one particularly bland diplomatic mission that both the MFE pilots and Voltron Paladins are forced to attend. Ryan isn’t a fan of these things in the first place, and would much rather be out on the field sniping shit next to his boyfriend. Not sitting at a table with nasty food watching Prince something-something give his man googly eyes.

But Ryan keeps his mouth shut, for the sake of not causing a scene and ruining this mission. He does, however, make sure to use excessive amounts of PDA (holding hands, pulling Lance close to him, kissing the top of his head), just to get the message clear. It doesn’t work. The prince has done nothing but ignore him the whole time. Luckily, verbal contact hasn’t been made between the two.

Currently, Allura and Veronica are the ones doing most of the talking, working out good trade routes and options between the planet and Earth. It’s going well, it really is. They’re making progress with the king. Everyone else is making small talk, including Lance, who’s debating on rather Vanilla or Chocolate ice cream is better with Keith. The Galran looks fondly exasperated at his friend, and that brings a small smile to Ryan’s face. He’s glad his boyfriend has friends that respect him.

However, Ryan’s semi-peaceful atmosphere is shattered when the Prince strolls over to their part of the table. “Hello, Red Paladin.” He cuts through Lance and Keith’s debate. Lance looks confused, Keith looks offended. And Ryan? Ryan is starting to get pissed already. Keith opens his mouth, but Shiro calls him over for something. Damn, what inconvenient timing. The Black Paladin leaves, whilst Lance hesitantly begins small talk with the Prince.

Ryan doesn’t want to say anything. He really doesn’t, because then he’d seem like the toxic boyfriend that doesn’t allow his partner to make friends. That’d be awful, and Lance deserved only the very best. So he sits beside his boyfriend and listens to the conversation intently, making sure the alien doesn’t cross the line. Which, to give him credit, he doesn’t, until he asks the question.

“So, Lance,” The fucker purrs. “Have you ever been intimate with a person?”

“I-what?” Lance falters, an embarrassed flush spreading across his face. Ryan sees red.

“Did you not understand? I was asking if you’ve ever pleasur-” Ryan stands, angrily. Everyone stops as they turn to look over at him, but by this point he really doesn’t give a shit.

“Can you please leave my boyfriend alone.” He says through gritted teeth. “Actually, kindly leave all of us alone, if you don’t mind.”

He looks taken aback. Lance looks mortified. “Babe,” His boyfriend hisses, “calm down!” But there’s not a fat chance that’ll be happening until either the prince leaves or Ryan and Lance take their leave for the night.

“Excuse me? ‘Boy’friend?”

“It means that he’s mine, and you can fuck off.” Ryan snaps. He doesn’t notice Lance stand up too, not until Lance is apologizing frantically to everyone and pulling the two of them out of the room, into an empty corridor. Ryan is fuming, but so is Lance.

“What is your problem?” He asks heatedly. Immediately, all of the anger dissipates from Ryan as quick as it came.

“I…he was flirting with you, and…” All of the words Ryan previously wanted to say are gone, he has no idea where to even begin, because he’s totally made an ass of himself in front of everyone due to his display of possessiveness. Perhaps an apology would be a good place to start? “I’m sorry.” He mumbles, looking down guiltily.

Lance huffs, and grabs the other’s face to make him look directly into his eyes. He’s not angry anymore. At least he doesn'’t look angry. It’s hard to tell with him sometimes. “Were you jealous?” There’s a playful edge to his voice, and a tilt to his lips, which means that Lance definitely isn’t angry with him anymore. Another great thing about Lance? Once he’s angry it’s easy to appease him.

“Yes, I was.” He admits with no hesitancy. Communication is key to a good relationship. His mom always said that, so he’s sticking to it. Lance tilts his head.

“Why?”

“Because, I don’t like it when other people think of you like that. Because you’re per- you’re you, and…” And I sort of feel inadequate when other people flirt with you, because maybe one day someone better will come along and you’ll realize you don’t need me anymore. “And I want to be the only one that flirts with you.” He finishes off weakly. Maybe he needs a little more practice in the communications department before going in that deep.

Lance sighs dramatically before pulling Ryan down into a kiss. It shocks him at first, but he quickly melts into it. Lance was his first kiss, and will hopefully be his last, too. When they pull away, Ryan is much more at ease than he was before, which seemed to be Lance’s goal.

“You know you’re the only one I have my eyes on, right?” Hums his loving, caring, boyfriend. Ryan nods, his face tomato red.

“Good.” Lance grins, interlacing both of their hands. “I kinda wanna go back to the ship now, if that’s alright with you?”

“Yeah, same.”

The moment they get back to their shared bedroom, the two of them lay cuddled up on the double bed. Ryan lays directly on top of Lance, listening to the sound of his reassuring heartbeat.

[statticscribbles]

Home Pt 10

Summary: Home Pt 10, Theo Putnam/Kurtz, Pop’s retirement brings about familiar faces, this marks the end of home!

Theo can’t believe it’s been seven years since he’d graduated. It was only six since he’d left Riverdale but he feels that’s unimportant compared to the graduation when everyone had passed and finally it felt like nothing bad would happen.

Of course that wasn’t true for him, Kurtz while he’d been content to stay in Riverdale for a year had pitched a fit about going back to Greendale, sadi he wanted nothing to do with a town bathed in blood magic or the literal devil wandering around, that he’d had enough of that with the Gargoyle King and while Theo had agreed he never wanted to admit it to Kurtz as he knew he’d gloat.

Kurtz surprisingly offers him an apartment that Theo didn’t know he had, much like the house they’d been staying at. Kurtz doesn’t say where exactly it is so when they drive out to a suburb of New York Theo’s shocked, more so to find most of his stuff has already been moved in.

”I have a headache.” Kurtz groans and Theo looks up from the TV he’d been flicking back and forth from.

“Well maybe stop grading papers?”

“No these idiots keep missing equations. I’d never..” Kurtz shoves the stack of papers away and Theo laughs.

“You also dealt drugs for years.”

“Yeah so I know my fucking chemistry, kids these days, decent human beings and drug free.”

“Mhmm that’s the reason you’re still grading their papers and not packing for Pop‘s retirement party trip.”

“I can packing like three minutes.”

“Can you?”

“Yes, we’re only going for two whole days and I just need my nice shirt and then some casual clothes.”

“Kurtz is this a knife?”

“Pocket knife, but yes.”

“Why?”

“It’s Riverdale Theo, I’m not risking anything.”

Kurtz is asleep in the passenger seat when they pull into Riverdale, Theo’s not sure if they have anywhere to stay, he hadn’t asked when Kurtz had assured him they had a place, but he realizes that he’ll have to wake him up, despite having only changed driving shifts an hour ago.

“Babe, where are we staying?”

“Our place, you still remember how to get there?”

“You still own that house?”

“Yeah? Why would you think I didn’t”

“You work as a teacher there’s no way you make enough to- Oh my god please tell me you’re not fucking taking a leaf from breaking bad.”

“Pff, no, there’s no way I’d make fucking crack with my school chemistry set, that’d get me in so much shit.”

”So you’re the new Chemistry teacher then Theo.” Betty grins her hand extended for him to shake.

“Oh, uh no, Kurtz is.” Betty’s smile falters for a second.

“Well at least with me being the shop teacher I don’t have to deal with him, since we’re on opposite ends of the school.”

“Oh? So who’s close to him?”

“Jughead, since he’s english, wait no, Veronica is closest, she’s two doors down.”

“Veronica’s a teacher?”

“Mhmm, Economics.”

“Why the hell is she, ah, Archie right?”

“Well yes, but, you really don’t know what’s going on here?” Betty frowns and Theo nods, Kurtz comes up behind him to nod as well.

“Hiram’s been running any chance at business into the ground, any chance at escaping too, so we’ve all had to take up teaching, or just hide in our houses, Archie had to kick a bunch of ghouls out of his house where they'd set up shop making drugs.”

“Mhm, really, I told those fucks too, anyways.” Kurtz laughs a little.

“It was a joke guys, I don’t deal with gangs anymore.” Kurtz holds his hands up.

“You don’t? Jesus, you’ve really let yourself go.” Lance is leaning against the door.

“What the fuck do you want.”

“Nothing christ just here to pick up my nephew.”

“Oh thank fuck I was gonna scream if you said kid.”

“Pff like I’d have kids, you on the other hand, I expected at least two somewhere, you hiding them in your car or some shit?”

“We haven’t talked about that.” Kurtz shrugs to Theo who nods back trying not to glare at Lance.

“Well y’all have fun teaching how to bury bodies and shit.”

“I teach Chemistry.”

“Oh good, you can actually teach my nephew the family business.” Lance laughs and Kurtz sighs.

“So, Pop’s party tonight?”

“Yeah, I know don’t worry we can go spend the next four hours getting ready.”

Theo’s laughing with Betty and Kurtz is at least a little relieved that Jughead and Toni are welcoming both of them to the section where the Serpents are all hanging out.

“Seems like everything is going well for once, I mean besides your dad trying to run the entire town into the ground.” Theo offers Veronica and she nods grimacing.

“Well it’s Riverdale there’s going to be something to ruin this.”

“At least we’re prepared for it this time.” Archie nods towards the group that are all standing around the cake, Kurtz flicking his pocket knife open to cut the cake, he looks up smirking at the Theo and Theo knows he’s going to get some comment about Kurtz having brought the knife. While they’re not sure what’s going to come next, Theo knows that there’s no one he’d rather be with to face it.

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[somegoodsheith]

Out of Breath (sheith fic)

Summary: AU. Keith and his friends go to the beach, despite Keith’s rather sour mood. However, he finds his mood turning to a sweeter direction, when he sets his eyes upon a very handsome lifeguard.

Ship: Shiro/Keith

Rating: M for swearing, just to be safe.

**

So here it is! The very first fic I’m publishing in my life as a never-publishing kind of writer (it’s still nerve-wrecking... :o ). 

I hope you guys’d like it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Likes and comments would be appreciated (pretty please)~ ♥ :>

The second I answer my phone, I regret it.

 It’s Sunday morning. I should have kept on sleeping. I should have ignored my phone completely or just hung up on whoever that is.

But no. I had to answer it.

And you know what’s even more irritating? Having Lance’s voice screaming into my ear at fucking nine on a fucking Sunday morning.

“Keith! Get up! We’re already outside in the car!” Lance’s voice is practically screeching through the phone. “Did you get your bag ready?! We gotta go! There’s a long ride before us.”

I curse under my breath. “Fine! Fine. I’m up. I’ll be there in five minutes.”

“You better be!” With that, Lance hangs up.

I groan loudly and finally get up to quickly brush my teeth and take the only few things I need in a simple bag.

A towel. Sunscreen. A bottle of water. First aid kit. My wallet. A book.

My phone - I put in the swimming trunks’ pocket. The headphones go around my neck, like I always put them.

I put my sunglasses on and lock my apartment behind me. Why the hell is it so bright today?

“Look who decided to finally show up!” Lance shouts at me once again after he rolls the window down. “Good morning, sleepy-face. Or should I say - sleepy hair. You look like a hurricane got you out of bed, man.”

“Seriously? Sleepy hair? That's the best you can do?”

“Shut up. Get in the car, bro, we wanna go.”

Hunk is sitting beside him, in the driver’s seat, waving at me with a friendly apologetic smile.

I hate them both at the moment.

I put my bag in the trunk and get in the backseat. The only good thing about this trip is that I have this entire space just for myself.

“Remind me again why I agreed to go with you to the fucking beach,” I huff. I make sure they both hear how annoyed I am.

“Because we’re your awesome friends who take you out to have fun instead of letting you stay in bed all day like a sociopath?” Lance smiles at me through the front mirror. “Besides, it's summer break now! And we all passed our tests! What better way there is to celebrate it than going to the beach, getting some tan done and getting all the hot babes?”

“I don’t get tanned. I get burnt,” I groan again. I completely ignore the “babes” part.

“Well, too bad, because I do get tanned!” Lance says cheekily. “It’s gonna be perfect for my skin.”

“Well, I don’t give a shit.”

“Okay, okay, guys,” Hunk chuckles nervously. “Can we go now? Keith, put your seatbelt please.”

I roll my eyes and buckle up.

With that, and another excited, annoying yelp from Lance, we start the ride. Lance makes sure to connect his phone to the car with the AUX cable, and put his music in full volume.

After a short while of driving, I pull the seat belt away and lie down in the backseat, with my feet against the window and my head on one of Hunk’s bags. I put my headphones on and put my own music loud enough to overcome any other noise, and close my eyes.

Now I can catch up with the sleep they made me miss.

*

I wake up to the feeling of my legs drop on the seat.

“Keith. Keith, wake up. We’re here.”

I realize that voice is much softer - it must be Hunk. He stands right in front of my feet, after pulling the door open, with the sun on his back and a smile on his face. I pout nonetheless.

 After stretching myself and yawning, I put my flip-flops back on my feet and pull myself up. Good thing I still have my sunglasses on, since Hunk decided to move just a moment ago and reveal the huge beam of sunlight right into my eyes.

I lazily get out of the car and stretch again. Hunk and Lance already take their bags out of the truck, and I wait for them to finish - Hunk brought way too much stuff - until I can finally take mine. I can see Lance in the corner of my eye and I only now notice his weird star shaped sunglasses and his Hawaiian flower necklace and I have a feeling he's up to something. It’s just turned eleven in the morning, and it’s a hot, hot summer day. If I was in a better mood, I might’ve enjoyed it. I’m not, so I pout even more.

“Oh, come on, Keith! Stop being such a pain in the butt. Live a little!” Lance puts his arm around my shoulders and I fight myself not to kick his stomach. “You’re already here. You might as well enjoy yourself.” I roll my eyes again and get his arm off of me.

“We'll see about that,” is all I say.

The three of us enter the beach together. Hunk and Lance continue to walk without a care, I stop and sigh with annoyance.

I like the beach, usually. No, actually - “like” isn't the right word. I appreciate it. I think it can be beautiful at times, and the quieter it is, the better.

That's not how the beach is today. It's filled with too many people, who have too many parasols, children and garbage. I can hear loud music and shouts in a farther part of the beach, and I immediately know exactly why Lance was so eager this morning, and why he looks so festive.

I find myself hesitating in going any further, but Hunk is putting his hand on my shoulder and flashes one of his it's gonna be okay smiles. “Sorry we didn't tell you that there's a party here, man. Lance was afraid you'd refuse to come.”

“Well. He wasn't wrong,” I sigh.

“But hey, c’mon, you don't have to go to that party, you know. I'm not going either. Pidge and her brother are here too, we can hang out with them. We can play cards and I brought a ball, and we can go for a swim too. What do you say?”

“And, most importantly - we can bury Lance in sand and make a mermaid outta him,” says a young, female voice on my other side - it's Pidge, who is walking towards us and waves. We wave back, and I can't help but smile, and while Hunk hugs her like he hasn’t seen her in years, I just wrap my free arm around her small shoulders and tap. She does the same.

 “Knowing Lance, he wouldn't say no to that,” Hunk chuckles. “What's up, Pidge? Are you here for long?”

“Nah, we got here about thirty minutes ago. We're lucky to have found somewhere to sit.” She says. “But hey, speaking of Lance - where is he?”

“He went on to find us a spot and probably watch some pretty girls on the way.” Hunk shrugs. Like on cue, Lance whistles at us and waves to make us follow him. Behind him we can see Matt, Pidge’s brother, and we already know the spot he “found” is most likely where the Holts are. None of us is surprised.

We all make our way together. I look at the hot sand burst on my feet, until I hear Matt talking to someone. I stop walking and look at them, just out of curiosity, and even though I have my sunglasses on, I move them down a bit.

“Hey, Shiro!” He calls, looking at the lifeguard’s high stand to our left. At first, I can’t clearly see the man he’s talking to since he sits in the shade, and everything else is too bright around him. Then, he gets up and comes into the light.

Suddenly, he’s the one that’s too bright for everything else.

“You’re on duty today, huh? What a shame! The bunch of us ‘re gonna have tons of fun and you’re stuck up there!”

That Shiro guy laughs cynically. “Well at least I’m getting paid for being here!” He calls back with a beautiful smile. “Tell Pidge and your folks I said hi!”

“Our parents aren't here today, but I'll text them! See ya later!” They finally wave at each other, and I can’t help but keep on watching the lifeguard for a few more seconds. He keeps on looking at our direction as well, and suddenly I realize he’s waving at me.

Damn. I must be staring.

I manage to wave back somehow, and practically run away. My face feels so hot and I know it’s not because of the sun. I curse myself for not bringing a hat today either, because now I can't hide how embarrassed I am.

Fuck. I hate me so much.

*

The day goes much better than I originally expected. I spend most of it with Hunk, Pidge and Matt, if it’s by swimming, building sand castles (and ruining them violently - that’s the best part), or just playing cards. After Lance comes back from the party he was in on the other side of the beach, I kick his ass in a quick volleyball match. His punishment is, of course, to become a sand mermaid. Pidge doesn’t miss the chance to take pictures of everyone and everything around, including me, despite my desperate attempts to avoid her camera.

When I get tired of being with the others, I sit underneath the Holts’ parasol and read the book I brought along with me. At some point Hunk sees me and asks me if I drank some water today, and I automatically say yes.

After a while, I see Matt sitting by the point where the water hits the sand. I think about it for a bit, and then I decide to go and join him. I'm thankful that Pidge, who was with him before, is walking to another direction - now I can talk to him privately.

“Hey…” I stutter. He looks up at me and smiles.

“Hey, Keith! If you're looking for Pidge, she went that other way to look for more seashells.”

“Oh, um… thanks, but I… I wasn't looking for her. I uh… I wanted to talk to you about something.”

“Oh?” He asks and blinks a few times. We don't talk too much in private usually, but we do get along. “Okay. Go ahead.”

I sit beside him and pull my knees to my chest. I can feel my heart beating so fast. Fuck. “Um… that… That lifeguard… You know him, right?”

“Who, Shiro? Yeah. We go to the same classes,” Matt smiles. It means he's going to the same college as us. That’s cool. “Why are you asking?”

“Ah - no - no reason. I just, um, saw you talking when we got here and ah… I was just wondering.” I want to punch myself because my cover sounds so weak.

Matt hums. His suggestive smile is both irritating and giving me hope.

My face can't get any redder as I think about what more I can ask. I can't even face Matt now. I just look down like an idiot and do my best not to just shout at him for that stupid smile. “What is he like?...” I finally ask again.

I can hear him hum in thought. “Mmm… Well, he's a really fun guy to be around. There's always stuff to talk about with him and he's always good for laughs. He's very smart, and really nice to others…” he pauses and I'm certain that he's looking right at me. “... and he's both perfectly single and into men.”

My heart skips a beat. I open my mouth, but not much comes out. “Oh. Th-that’s, uh… I mean…”

He laughs at me and taps my back. “Dude, don't be so nervous. I'm sure he's gonna like you, if you try to approach him.”

“R-really?” I whisper.

“Yeah, of course! I'm sure of it. I can even ask him for you, if you want. Or maybe - introduce you?”

“No! No. Don't introduce me. And don't… Don't ask him. I… I'll think about it.” I pause, and finally have the courage to look at Matt again. “Thanks.”

“Anytime.” He says. I can see Pidge coming back with her hands filled with seashells, and as much as I like those, I don't want this issue to be spread around. I get up, ask him to keep this talk between us, and after he agrees, I say bye and leave.

*

From time to time, I look at the Shiro’s stand, which isn’t too far away from us. When I get lucky, I can see his back when he stands and talks to people with his megaphone. I smile whenever I hear him, and then I feel stupid and curse myself for paying a stranger so much attention.

The luckiest I get to be today is when Hunk and I go to buy some ice cream. We pass the lifeguard right in front of his stand, and I almost automatically glance up to look at him. I watch his white bangs blow in the wind, and it's completely pale in comparison to the black undercut he has on the rest of his head; I watch his chest radiating in the sun, and his right arm that's made of metal - and though I know the story of why he has a prosthetic must be hard, I can't help but think how cool it looks on him. I swear I can see something on his nose - a scar maybe? - but his sunglasses are covering most of it. Hunk says something that I can't hear, because at that very moment, the lifeguard is smiling and I swear to God he looks directly at me.

I don't even notice that I smile too, and that my hand is half the way up for a small wave, when suddenly Hunk puts his hand on my shoulder. “Earth to Keith!” he says, and I jump and turn to him. “I know you're busy staring at your new crush, and even though I admit that's adorable ‘cause that never happens, we're still on an important mission here. I want my ice cream!”

“What? I - I don't have a crush!” I say a bit too loudly. I can see by the face that he's making that he doesn't believe me. I pout and cross my arms. “Are we getting ice cream or not?”

“Yes!” Hunk practically drags me away from our spot and on to the little kiosk behind the shopping center.

I still feel warm inside, thinking about what just happened.

*

I take a nap for a while in the warm side of Pidge and Matt’s parasol, where the sun hits just above me, and the shade is far behind. I do my best to sleep off the slight pain I feel in my head.

I don't dream about anything. It's better that way, I think.

*

I put the sunscreen on myself again when the afternoon turns into evening. We're here since the morning, but this entire day is actually pretty nice.

When the guys and I go again for a final swim, I go to Lance and poke him with my elbow. “Thanks for… making me come today.” I mumble. I don't look at him directly.

Even without watching, I know Lance's smile is bigger than ever. He's so proud of himself at the moment, his eyes must be screaming I told you so. “That's what friends are for, buddy! I knew you'd thank me in the end.”

“Don't overdo it,” I tell him. “You won't hear me saying it again.”

I do my best to ignore that hellish headache that attacks me.

The water is warm. Too warm for my taste, but I get used to it. The waves aren't peaceful either, but we all have our fun. We splash around and we swim and laugh. We barely notice that we're getting farther away from shore, but we can hear the lifeguard's voice echoing through his megaphone. “The ocean is not quiet. Please come out of the water. I repeat, the water is getting dangerous. Please come back to shore.”

I know I need to go back like the others do, but I see something in the corner of my eye. I turn and see a little girl, who doesn't look older than six, on a surfboard alone a bit further away from me.

Despite the high waves and the tiredness that makes my body hurt, I swim to her and get my hands on her surfboard. “Hey. What’re you doing here? Where‘re your parents?” I ask breathlessly.

 She looks at me with those big blue eyes of hers. I can see she does her best not to cry.

“Okay. C’mon. Let's get you to shore, okay? Then we'll look for your parents?”

She nods and I start to swim with her surfboard in front of me. I keep her above the waves as much as I can, but it's getting harder the more we go.

My breaths are too deep. I know it. I feel like puking, too, and my throat is so dry it's hard to swallow. I blink hard - my eyes feel so heavy.

Did I even drink today? I told Hunk I did, but now that I think about it -

I hear someone calling the girl's name - it looks like it's her dad. He takes her to him and thanks me, and us three try to swim back to the beach. But before we know it, the waves are getting stronger, enough to pull me away from that man and his daughter.

The man shouts to me, but I can't really hear what he says.

After that, they’re both gone.

All I hear now are the waves and my breaths - they turned to gasps by now. My head's killing me. I try my best to move, to do something, anything, but I'm too exhausted and distracted from the pain and dizziness and before I know it - the water that hits me takes me down. I somehow manage to swim up to the surface but I can barely draw my breath when another wave comes for me again, and again I'm under the water.

I can't reach the surface anymore.

I can't breathe.

I can't breathe.

Oh no. Nononononono - ! I don't wanna die I don't wanna die I don't wanna die I don't wanna die I don't want to die like this - I can't die like this, I can't, I can't, I CAN'T -

I  C A N ‘ T  B R E A - -

My lungs burn with salty water.

Suddenly, my entire body is going numb and heavy. My mouth is open, but I can't make a sound. I can't scream or move. I don't even know what's happening. It's like everything is so… So fucking calm. Like I'm dreaming. Like I'm frozen and my body won't listen to me. And I can somehow acknowledge that my head is lifting up, but I don't know why.

Why is everything so still?

A fragment of one last thought is going through my head:

 I didn't even get to talk to Sh -

Then suddenly, everything starts to fade away. Darkness is taking over me, and even the pain is drifting away. My eyes were squeezed shut because of the salty water, but now, I can feel them getting… Soft.

I don't even know when I started sinking, but I can't even think about it now. I can't think about anything…

I'm… I…

*

The first thing I can feel is something pressed to my mouth. It's… Warm. And it's giving me air.

Then I realize something soft is pinching my nose, and something cold is pressing under my chin.

The breeze is cold, but something is blocking some of it.

I try to think about what's going on but instead I find myself coughing. Water is spilling out of me and my lungs are burning. I try to open my eyes but I'm too tired, and everything is too damn bright.

The warmth on my nose and mouth is gone, and instead, something hard - I think it's made of plastic - is covering them now. It's giving me air, too.

I blink when a voice is talking. Then I notice there's a shadow above me. It's getting clearer a bit, and then more, and then I can see it.

It's Shiro’s face.

He's talking, and I can't really understand what he's saying at first.

“... Keith.”

Oh.

He holds one of his metal fingers in front of my face. “Follow my finger with your eyes, Keith.” His voice is finally clear enough for me to understand and do as he asks. It makes him smile, and I feel a bit proud of that.

He's looking up and talks to someone else, so I get the chance to look at the sky that he was blocking before. It's… Purple and red… Must be evening already. I move my fingers to feel the sand underneath me, but other than that, it's hard to move.

His hand is pressing the oxygen mask on my mouth and nose this entire time. It gives me a bit of comfort.

He leans above me again. His face is so close to mine, I think I’m gonna explode.

His eyes are so beautiful, though, and his scar is, too - it really is a scar, like I thought before.

“Keith. The ambulance is almost here. You must be very confused, but please don't panic. You're safe now.”

I don't understand what it is that I'm safe from because I can't really think properly… But I do know he says my name a lot, and that sounds so good in his voice. I focus on him, or at least I try. I can hear the others - Lance, Hunk and Pidge - somewhere near me, but I can't really turn to them or speak without feeling nauseous or too tired.

I hear a distant sound of sirens. Must be the ambulance Shiro was talking about… I want it to stop making so much noise. My head hurts. My body hurts. Shiro's prosthetic hand is on my mask, and he's so close to me, still speaking to me, but as much as I wanna listen to him all day… I wanna sleep…

Let me sleep… just for a minute...

*

When I wake up again, I'm lying on something so soft - a bed. I take a deep breath when I open my eyes, but it's hard to see - everything is too bright again. When I can finally open my eyes without feeling any pain, I realize I'm in a hospital. There are a few cables and small tubes connected to me, but the oxygen mask is gone.

I turn my head to see Hunk, Lance, Pidge and Matt sitting beside me.

Hunk notices first. “Hey! Guys, he's awake!” He calls, and everyone is looking at me. They get up and surround me, and I can't help but feel a bit embarrassed.

“Keith, man, how do you feel?” Lance asks, but his voice is too high and strong for me. Pidge notices and nudges him. “Ah. Sorry.” He says, softly this time. “How are you?”

“I'm… ah… A bit thirsty, actually.” I mumble. Matt is going out of the room after that. “Um… I don't really… remember what happened.” I confess.

“Dude. You don't remember? You almost died today!” Lance says loudly again, and I blink at him. “We were all swimming back but you weren't with us. Luckily the awesome lifeguard was there to help you.”

I blink slowly again, trying to think about what he just said, and suddenly it all comes back to me. “Wait. What about the girl?” I ask. “There was a girl on a surfboard with her dad, too… and the water was so strong that it separated us… Are they okay? Did you find them?”

They all look at me like I'm high.

“What are you talking about?” Pidge asks. Her brother comes back into the room with a glass of water and puts it beside me, and I look at him gratefully. “There was no one with us when we swam, and no one came to shore from your direction. It was just us.”

“And what do you mean, the water was strong? It was pretty chill,” Lance adds.

I look at them all confusedly. “B… But… it didn't feel… Chill. It felt like a storm.”

“Well, the one that saw you in time was the lifeguard,” Hunk says, and I can see he tries to hide a smile. I feel my heart jump because of that. “So maybe he can tell us what happened.”

At that moment, there's a knock on the door. I hope for a moment that it's gonna be Shiro and my heart beats so fast I'm sure I'm gonna have a heart attack - but it's just a nurse. I ignore everyone's stare at the heart monitor and thankfully they don't say anything. When she sees I'm awake, she comes to check me up and says she'll call a doctor. She tells the others to get out so the doctor can test me properly, and after they tell me they'll be out in some coffee shop until the doctor finishes, I’m left alone.

When the doctor comes, I ask him what exactly happened to me. “Well,” he says, “you suffered from a heat stroke and as a result, you almost drowned. Luckily for you, the lifeguard managed to notice you just in time. You were actually less than a minute away from irreversible brain damage.”

I gulp hard and look down - I can’t face this half-disappointed half-pitiful expression. “Is… Is that why I thought the water was storming?” My voice is so quiet I can barely hear myself, but I can’t talk more loudly than that. I just can’t. “I mean… my friends told me the water was totally fine and that there was no one there with us… even though I thought I saw someone, so…”

“A powerful enough heat stroke can cause hallucinations, yes. In your case, your heat stroke wasn’t the severest one there can be, but it was strong enough to cause such disorientation, weakness and lightheadedness to make you see or hear things that didn’t happen, or that you thought were one thing when they actually were something entirely different.” He continues with the examination and tells me what to do and what to avoid for the next few days. “I’ll come to check on you again later. Once I see the results, I’ll be able to determine when to release you. I believe it would be best for you to stay the night here for observation, but we’ll see what the tests will bring. In the meantime, have some rest, alright?”

I nod and thank him quietly before he leaves. I feel like such a moron - how did I let this all happen?

After a few moments, I hear a knock on the door. I can barely feel annoyed by the disturbance, when I hear a voice from the other side.

“Um… Keith? This is Shiro, the lifeguard from the beach… may I come in?”

I freeze. Sh… Shiro? Why is he here? Is he here for… For me?

He's calling my name again, and my chest fills up with butterflies.

“Ah - - yeah! Yes, you can come in.” I tell him, and I give everything I have for my voice to sound normal and not too emotional. When he opens the door and steps in, I can't help but stare.

He looks at me and smiles widely. I can't understand if it's from embarrassment or kindness or something else. “Um… Hi.” He mumbles. “I, ah… I have your bag.” He lifts it up with his prosthetic arm and shows it to me. “I found it on the beach. Your friends must have forgotten about it after you were evacuated.”

Typical.

 He brings me the bag and I nod gratefully. “I hope you don't mind that I looked inside,” he says, “I just checked who that belongs to at first… And then I wanted to make sure that everything important is in there.”

I can't help but think how sweet he is. He looks so embarrassed that he had to invade my privacy, so to speak, by looking through my stuff, when he was actually being so kind to make sure to return it properly.

“Thank you. Everything is here.” I smile. “And, of course, more importantly… Thank you for saving my life. Without you… I would've… Never made it.”

I swear to God his cheeks look redder than before.

“O-of course! You're welcome. I'm only glad I was able to help and that you're all better now.”

A small moment of silence is awkwardly falling between us. Despite that, I see that he doesn't hurry to go. I tell him to take a sit beside me, and he does.

I lick my lips and clutch my bag closer to my chest. “How… How did you notice? That - that I was drowning?”

He looks stunned for a moment. I have no idea why. “Well, it's - I'm trained to something like this, of course, and it was the end of my shift and I had to make sure everyone comes to shore before I -”

“Wait -” I interrupt, “that's what you said?”

“... What do you mean?”

“I mean… I know I heard you back then, but I was certain you said… That the water was dangerous and… that's why you wanted everyone to go back.”

He watches me for a moment and then, he smiles again. Such a kind, soft smile. I can't get enough of it. “It must be because of the heat stroke you suffered from.” He confirms what the doctor told me earlier. “I… I noticed when you went to swim, so… I knew where to look, I guess…”

Now it's my turn to look at him with wide eyes. He… Noticed me?

He chuckles and keeps on looking at me. “What?”

I feel my cheeks burn.

Fuck, fuck. I… I never felt like this before. My heart is racing, like… like…

The machine beside me beeps like crazy because of that, and I feel even more self-aware now. Shit. I'm caught right on the spot, aren't I?

He gets up and leans towards me. His expression is somehow a combination of shyness, worry and… Is that… A smile I see on his face again…?

He puts his hand on my cheek and looks right into my eyes. I notice that he uses his human hand, even though he's clearly right handed. “Keith,” he says so softly, I think I'm melting. Somehow, even though he's so close… I suddenly feel much more relaxed. “It's alright. You're safe now. You've got nothing to worry about.”

Licking my dry lips, I'm about to say something in return, but he opens his mouth again to speak. He takes his time, like he's thinking about what to say or how to say it. As I stare at his lips, I suddenly realize that when we were on the beach after he rescued me… he was the one who did the CPR on me. His lips were actually on mine for that. Just thinking about it makes my face go entirely red.

“Keith…” his voice is cutting through my thoughts, and I concentrate on him again. “I didn't come here only to bring you your bag back.”

I can't get my eyes off of him. Not for a single second. “Then… What is it?” I whisper.

His smile is getting bigger, and so is mine. “I like you.”

My breath is stopping in my throat for a moment. He… Likes me? “I… really?” I mumble.

“Yeah… I really do.”

“Even if we talked only for a few minutes?”

“Yeah.” He whispers. “And… I noticed how you looked at me today, and… I… I wanted to say that… I looked at you, too. When I had the chance.”

No one has ever told me anything like that before.

“I want to get to know you, Keith. If you'll let me… I'll be happy to.” He continues, and I know I smile as widely as my face lets me. I nod fiercely, and then I take his hand and hold it in mine. I mostly feel like crying.

“I… I'd love that.” I can barely say. “I like you, too.”

“Then…” He starts again, looking at our hands together. He squeezes my palm and then lets it go. I look at him curiously, and he looks back at me. “We should introduce ourselves properly. We didn't do that until now, so. We should do it right.”

I laugh like an idiot and nod again. “Alright. Go ahead then, stranger.”

“I'm Takashi Shirogane, but everyone calls me Shiro. It's nice to meet you.” He holds his hand out towards me, and without hesitation, I shake it.

“My name is Keith. Keith Kogane.” I tell him. Neither one of us is letting go, even when the handshake is over. “It's very nice to meet you,too… Takashi.”

*

We end up talking for hours, about everything, and about nothing. I feel like I've known him for years, even though we only met today.

Eventually he really does have to go, though, much to my disappointment. I don't even notice how late it is, at first, but when he shows me the hour on his phone’s screen, I sigh in defeat. He keeps on doing something on his phone and suddenly gives it to me. I look at the screen and feel my cheeks heat up again.

I smile when I put my number in his contact list.

“I'll call you tomorrow,” he promises, and I nod,  still smiling like a moron.

“I'll look forward to it,” I manage to say. I give him back his phone and our hands touch, and some part of me hopes he won't let go. When he does, I feel the warmth still tingling on my fingers for a second.

He says goodnight and finally, I'm alone in the room. I lean my head back against the pillow and try to settle the butterflies in my stomach by breathing deeply. It doesn't really work, but I don't care.

My phone vibrates in my bag. I take it out and see a text from Shiro - it hasn't even been two minutes since he left, and yet here he is, sending me an adorable message.

I don't regret going out of bed today anymore. 

[savetheblackpaladin]

I love your writing sooo much!!! Also you are nsfw writing royalty! May we have some nsfw Headcannons for Lance please?

‘

Y’all are so THIRSTY!!!!!!!! i’m crying this is making me laugh

You’re fine, friend! I’ve been in fandom so long that hardly anything makes me uncomfortable anymore. I’m just so glad you went back after you read my rules and sent in the second ask because I was like ‘Oh no, I have to tell this person no’ and I hate having to do that bc I aim to please. 

But Lance? 

Oh yes babes, that! I can do. 

As usual, NSFW below the cut and I think I actually have a fluffy dating Lance prompt somewhere in my inbox so there will only be like bedroom fluffies here  (¬‿¬)

Lance is definitely an intercourse virgin but he’s got experience with fingering and heavy petting. Basically whatever you can do in a cramped backseat of a car

only got head once and since it’s a little hard to go down on a girl in a car, he hasn’t done that. 

heavy fingering experience though with those long, long fingers

if he could have gotten away with actual sex at home he would have but he wasn’t going to take the chance of his mom finding out. Also his siblings would have totally cock-blocked him, as siblings do

LOVES MAKING OUT 

he’s got perfectly shaped and full lips and they’re so soft please just make out with him

eager to get his tongue in your mouth because oh my god does he love the feeling of your tongue against his

let him suck your bottom lip and gently tug on it with his teeth

definitely has one hand in your hair/back of your neck while his other is gently cusping your face

will happily kiss and bite your neck just to hear your sounds and to feel you squirm against him

really likes you underneath him. like he can feel your every move against him and he loves it

leaves hickies all the time because he just gets lost in your sounds. I hope you have long hair to cover those bad boys up

runs his hands all over you, sneaking under your shirt to trace your stomach and gently run his hands over your chest

absolutely grinds his body against yours, his hips slotting perfectly between yours 

Into body worship oh my god. will literally spend hours putting his hands and mouth everywhere and anywhere. there is no where on your body they haven’t been.

definitely a boob man and he thanks God every time he gets to see yours. 

has a favorite and lavishes it with his tongue and mouth while gently rubbing the other (he does switch, he can’t ‘let the girls get jealous, now.’)

likes to kiss up and down your body, just wherever his mouth takes him but he absolutely loves to turn your legs a bit to the side so he can kiss down the line of your hips and over your thighs to get to the super ticklish spot right between ass and thigh. 

will ghost over with barely a touch, leaving sweet butterfly kisses before latching on harshly and relishing in your quick intake of breath before moving on with more soft kisses

An eager boy who will try anything once!

Thoroughly enjoys oral, both giving and receiving

he takes a while to get down there bc he’s actually really patient with the foreplay but when he’s ready he’ll tease you some more. 

kisses through your underwear

light touches with his lips and nose but never really giving you the pressure you need

always gives one tentative lick god he loves the taste before delving in with extreme enthusiasm

sometimes you gotta pull him off because it’s too much too soon, like boi, calm down

please squeeze his head and pull his hair, give him that rough treatment. also he moans with every squeeze so that’s real nice

when going down on him he actually lasts a lot longer than you would think

but he babbles in broken spanish and english the entire time. it’s like flipping a switch.

will pull you off to stave off his orgasm because he wants to enjoy this as long as possible 

but will also push farther and farther into your mouth the closer he gets. and he’s got a pretty long dick so it’s his current life dream to get deep-throated

doesn’t say anything when he’s close. you’re only clue to his impending orgasm is the stillness of his hips and you have a split-second decision to make: mouth or hand?

he doesn’t care which you choose but his favorite place to cum, second to inside you, is your mouth.

won’t be offended if you spit his spunk out because of course he’s tasted it and it’s not the greatest but please kiss him after??? 

V O C A L

but not like super loud unless he’s really super pent up and just loses it

but he talks. A lot. And never really finishes a whole sentence

he’ll speak in english and occasionally spanish and it’s pretty much variations of 

...Oh my god...fuck, you feel so....aaahhh!!!

plea--oh! pleasepleasepleaseplea--nnnnnnnhhh!!

jus’ like thaaaahhhhhh!!! ohmgoooooddddddd!!!

and of course he tries to sneak in ‘Te amo’ under his breath without you noticing bc he pretty much falls immediately in love with you but doesn’t want to scare you away. 

but he’s not sneaky and of course you know basic spanish, but boy, it does things to you when he whispers it as he buries himself to the hilt

actually pretty quiet when he cums. Unless you’re on top, then he just can’t help it and lets out a long, satisfied moan before his hips stop moving and he just kind of turns to jelly

very nimble fingers and man oh man does he love getting three in there because you look so good stretched around them

thumb/mouth on your clit while he fingers you is A++++ 

Favorite position: on a desk honestly

he likes being able to stand (he’s got bony knees ok) and just plow into you with all his strength

desks or high beds are good for this because you just lay back with a leg over his shoulder while he holds the other and lets you enjoy the ride

Gives him a good view of your body, breasts, face, his cock sliding in and out of you, and he can easily lay himself on you to catch any skin he can with his mouth. 

he likes watching you lose it, because he’s doing this to you. He’s making you mewl and moan. He’s making you arch and those legs squeezing him are because he’s that fucking good.

he’s uh, got a thing about that

The close second: bending you over the bed. 

because he likes the feel of his chest moving against your back

also he can put a hand in your hair and hold you still while he slams mercilessly into you

he’s definitely both sub and dom 

please squeeze him with your thighs and pull his hair

he’s got a thing for thick thighs

god yes, scratch down his back (but don’t break his skin, he works hard to keep it flawless)

if you talk to him he will obey without question

likes positions over you because he controls the pleasure that way

a hand in your hair and the other somewhere else on your body to keep you still

gets off on being the only one to see you like this

but totally gets flustered and extremely turned on when you take control

the boy is an enigma ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

you can be rough with him but he’s not gonna be rough with you, just dominant

tried smacking your ass once while you were on top and immediately apologized

but once you smacked his and gave it a strong squeeze while he was on top and he immediately came. it was a shock to you both.

pretty high sex drive so minimum sex 3 times a week

loves quickies!!! 

and if they’re in semi-public places? mmmmyeah that’s Lance’s fucking jam!

they’re pretty much you face-first against a wall, bracing with your arms while Lance takes you from behind, his head over your shoulder so you can hear him real good

one hand is holding yours against the wall while the other is on your clit

pants are barely down

it’s a true quicky, like 5 minutes top

usually makes sure he has his jacket on so that no one sees anything if they walk in on you two

how does he start this, you ask? Easy! He’ll press you to a wall during a filthy kiss before spinning you around and kissing your neck as he works your pants down.

feel free to stop him at any time though. he’s just a horndog

it’s extremely easy to tease him since his eyes are pretty much glued to you the moment you enter a room you’re just so pretty and perfect

you can literally wear a dress and he’s thinking dirty thoughts and will have you tonight

if you actually try to tease him he’ll immediately respond and do his best to get you alone

but obviously he can’t just kick everyone out of the room so he usually just has to suffer and think of dying kittens or something to stop his erection

When he tries to tease you, he messes up and kind of ends up just being adorable. He’s not the best at it. But he has an ace up his sleeve!

when finger guns and flexing don’t work he’ll just walk up behind you, wrap his arms around your waist and whisper “Quiero cogerte” into your ear in his sexiest voice

then he walks away with a wink. Will spend the rest of the day giving you looks, winks, kisses from afar, and other adorable shit

but he’s like some sort of sex god when he comes to your room that night (or you’re just that turned on, because he’s not suave. at all.) and is in charge the whole time

If you end up not orgasming during a round he will absolutely make it up to you the first chance he gets. he’s gotta please his lady

Seducing you with music and candles? Yes, ma’am!

has sung to you at least a dozen times and has such a nice voice

will also sing you to sleep after particularly rough days

after sex he will bring you anything you need because he’s just so grateful for you, he feels compelled to treat you like a Queen

will clean you off himself with a nice warm rag

absolutely will get you food and water

do you need a blanket nest? because he’ll make you a blanket nest

no? just a blanket? well let him go get a clean one. you just stay there and rest.

need a massage after? he will gladly do that

seriously, let him baby you

[voltronbutheadcanons]

Mod Saffron, can you do some fluffy headcanons for Keith and/or Lance towards their S/O??

Ah, yes. Le fluff ^_^ ~Mod Saffron

Keith

After he trains, he will go for your room first. He needs to see you before anything else. Keith has a small adrenaline attack after overtraining and his first target of thoughts are directed towards you. He needs to make sure you are in one piece.

Keith will be the big/little spoon, but he would rather be the little spoon. He needs to feel a type of love that he hasn’t received for the majority of his life.

He will come up behind you in the mornings and sleepily hang on your shoulders as you cook. Tread lightly, he is half-asleep on you. He’ll slip, so walk carefully.

Give him those silent cuddles, where the only communication between you two is shoulder rubs and finger traces on skin. Often times, before you two hit the hay, he will talk about his day and ask you about yours in turn. Then, it’s just a comfortable silence in the air before you drift off to dream about each other damn so sentimental tf

Picnics in the woods are an occasional date between you two. He enjoys the nature its fucking canon and the settling atmosphere about it. He’ll bring small snacks and a few sandwiches packed by Mama Allura. 

You two have a secret thing where after you do something cool, he will place his palm up to yours and hold it there, weighing it and sizing your different fingers. Then, he’ll clasp your hand and bring it to his lips to kiss every one of your fingers.

Massages are a new thing that Keith has learned to appreciate from you. You will alternate turns with him and he will try to extend his time by “falling asleep”. He forgot that you can kick ass well and couldn’t sit for seven hours straight.

Lance

Kisses, kisses, kisses! If you’re dating Lance, you will receive at least 100 kisses a day, if not more. If Lance doesn’t fulfill his quota, you’re getting fucked that night.

You will sneak out to the castle’s swimming pool late at night with Lance and just swim around for a bit before sitting in each other’s arms and whispering conversations into each other’s faces. You two have no personal space whatsoever.

Breakfast in bed is a MUST. He’ll bring the most crumbiest shit to the bed and laugh at how you complain about ants (in space, right -_-). Lance will try to eat waffles off of your ass at times and when you fart on him, it makes up for all those crumbs in bed.

Lance can dance well. Like, really, REALLY well. He’ll blast up Despacito or Gasolina in his room and Lord help you if you walk in. His hips don’t lie sway and he’ll lowkey ask for a lap dance. You give it to him...all the time. This is why you refrain from walking into a music-filled room, Lance or no Lance. You ain ‘t taking chances.

Tacos. He knows how to make them. Don’t ask, he nearly died trying to steal his mother’s secret recipe.

He wants kids. Please give them to him/adopt some babes. It doesn’t have to be his goal (15) or the starter pack (2); he just wants to be a good father and crack realistic dad jokes

You will call each other ‘sexy’, ‘handsome’, ‘beautiful’, and ‘Mr./Mrs. Blue’. It’s disgusting and you two are the most annoying couple ever. 

Tickle wars always end in Lance getting pinned. Commence makeout session.

[cumonbucky]

Prompt List

Hello friends! In honor of me hitting 3k a couple of days ago, I’ve decided to do some drabbles! Below is a list of prompts that YOU can choose from! Once you’ve figured out what prompt/quote you want, come pop it in my ask!

The characters you can choose from are Bucky (40′s if you’d like), Lance, Seb (obvi), and Blaine (from Hot Tub Time Machine + I’ll try my very best!) (and maybe Jefferson, Chris Beck, TJ Hammond and Carter Baizen).

Oh! Also the “______” in some of the quotes are blanks meaning whichever character you choose, their name will go there. For example, if you choose #7 with Lance it would be: “Lance, no.” “Lance, YES.”

Alright, let’s get this show on the road!

1. “Please don’t leave me.”

2. “Grab my ass one more time and see what happens.”

3. “This is me. I am the eye of the storm and my heart is a little broken but if you want me, I’m yours.”

4. “You’re with him till the end of the line but what about me?”

5. “The more you weigh, the harder you are to kidnap. Stay Safe. Eat cake.”

6. “Y/N no.” + “Y/N yes.”

7. “______, no.” + “______, YES.”

8. “Are you eating again?”

9. “What are you doing?” + “Trying to use my telekinesis to bring the remote to me.”

10. “You dare insult me mortal?”

11. “What is life without a little risk?”

12. “I don’t think this was a good idea.” + “This was your idea.”

13. “I’m feeling as fresh as freshly baked toast.”

14. “The last time I was someone’s type, I was donating blood.”

15. “Women are always stealing my shirts.”

16. “You’re a flawless piece of shit.”

17. “You’re a babe.”

18. “Do you still like me?” + “We’re married.”

19. “You run your heart like a hotel - you’ve always got people checking in and checking out.”

20. “We’re falling apart.” + “Because you’re not trying!”

21. “I like you, you squid!”

22. “It frustrates me how much I love you and you don’t know. But, I like being frustrated. I don’t mind being frustrated if it’s because of you.”

23. “I know there are pretty girls at this school but none of them are as beautiful as you, darlin’.”

24. “I’m straight up lovable.”

25. “I thought you loved me, not him.”

26. “You’re hot when you’re jealous.”

27. “You like riding things? Ride me.”

28. “I didn’t understand a word you just said. I don’t speak French.” + “I wasn’t speaking French.”

29. “I’m not supposed to laugh, right?”

30. “I’m so tired of being lonely.”

31. “Eat me.”

32. “You’d like that, wouldn’t you?”

33. “Are you drunk?”

34. “You look just like my girlfriend!” + “Oh shit, you are my girlfriend.”

35. “You know I’m not gonna fall asleep until you make out with me.”

36. “My penis is bigger than yours.” + “You don’t have a penis.”

37. “Sometimes I wonder if you’re actually human.”

38. “Our relationship is canceled until further notice.”

39. “You’re so wrong.” + “So wrong, I’m right.”

40. “Who said you could be friends with my mom?” + “Your mom.”

41. “Why am I dating you.”

42. “This is pretty good.” + “That’s our baby’s food.”

43. “I’m forrealsies this time.” + “I can’t believe you just said forrealsies.”

44. “I know I say I love you but I love you.”

45. “Stop kissing me! You’re spreading your gross germs!”

46. “We really need to stop watching Criminal Minds at two in the morning.”

47. “I don’t get jealous.”

48. “Can I sit here?” + “You can sit on my face.”

49. “Why should I trust you?”

50. “Are you flirting with me?” + “Oh my god I’ve been flirting with you for the past two years.”

51. “You deserve better.”

52. “When were you gonna tell me that you’re pregnant?”

53. “If I had that face, I’d cry too.”

54. “So… about that blowjob.”

55. “How the hell did you end up in jail?” + “It’s a long story.”

56. “Do you ever look at yourself in the mirror and go ‘wow, I’m so beautiful’ because same.”

57. “Calm down all I did was break his nose.”

58. “Why are you so clingy?”

59. “I just wanna.. touch.. your boobs.”

60. “Touch me.”

61. “Don’t fucking try me, I’ll whip my Harry Potter wand out on you.”

62. “I just really love you, okay?”

63. “You better not be friend-zoning me.”

64. “All I’m asking is for you to love me back, is that so hard?”

65. “Did you just squeeze my ass?” + “Yeah, it was really firm.”

66. “You look good enough to eat.”

67. “Why don’t you like me?”

68. “Oh my god you cheated, didn’t you?”

69. “No don’t go in there!” + “Why is there a puppy in the closet?”

70. “I’m feeling really attacked right now.”

71. “You’re a big ball of happiness mixed with cute things and sprinkles.”

72. “Marry me.”

73.  “So this is it? You’re just leaving?”

74. “So between me and James Franco, who would you choose?” + “Don’t ask that, you’ll only get hurt.”

75. “You’re so goddamn beautiful.”

76. “Squids have eyes and a mouth and we have eyes and a mouth. We’re basically squids.”

77. “I love you and it hurts that you don’t love me back.”

78. “I love you so damn much and it scares me, okay?”

79. “Y/N, I have something to tell you…. I’m pregnant.” + “You’re a man, _____”

80. “I’ve never kissed anyone.” + “This is a problem.”

81. “I don’t know why I like you so much and it frustrates the hell out of me.”

82. “You’re gorgeous and captivating. Like I said, I want you.”

83. “I know I say I don’t want a relationship but you make me want to have one… with you.”

84. “I know you’ve given me your all and too, too many chances but please… give me one more chance.”

85. “So do you wanna like.. date me and stuff?”

86. “We should bang - shit, I mean hang.”

87. “You look happy and it’s killing me.”

88. “Say it again.” + “I love you.”

89. “I can’t believe you cheated.” + “It was just Mariokart.”

90. “Why wear underwear when you could wear none.”

91. “I think we got married last night.”

92. “I won’t bite… hard.”

93. “Do I make you horny baby? Do I? Do I make you randy?” + “Okay one, you need to stop watching Austin Powers and two, I am completely turned off now.”

94. “Do you really love her ______?”

95. “I can’t stop thinking about you.”

96. “Stop pushing me away and just let me love you!”

97. “Can I do your makeup?” + “Only if you make me look super hot.”

98. “Can we just cuddle until our bodies become one with the bed?”

99. “Oh my god ______ I’m so sorry I thought - I didn’t know you were doing… that.”

100. A quote of your choice.

Some of the quotes are from those of you who sent me one, others are from movies, I think tv shows, some just popped into my head and some are things my ex girlfriend told me :)

[dammitadolfnomorecake]

Once Bitten, Twice Stupid prt 123

123

Sleep was nice. Sleep was so damn nice that Lance enjoyed every moment of it that he could. Sure, it made for him being lousy company, but he was finally starting to feel rested. Coran was running tests, trying to determine how much blood he needed to get him up and active again, while resting at VOLTRON meant a break from the real world. He’d slept a lot. Friday was completely lost on him as he burrowed under the blankets and let himself sleep. Seeing he didn’t have to wake for blood every few hours, he only had morning sickness and the usual vomiting to deal with... Morning sickness could kiss his arse at this stage, Keith really good about letting him have some independence when it came to throwing up and cleaning up after he did. He felt less of a burden. Less of a burden to himself too. Pidge had come to visit, his gremlin pretty mad she was the last to find out he was pregnant. It’d been one hell of a conversation, anxiety setting in as soon as he’d explained in chat that he was staying at VOLTRON for a few days and that Coran wanted them all to stay there for Halloween. Keith stayed the Thursday night, working Friday night seeing it was Halloween eve and a lot of places were having pre-Halloween things on. His boyfriend coming in as dawn was breaking, crawling into bed and passing out until Lance found himself throwing up.

Needing to pick up Sam from work then drop him home and collect their gremlin, Shiro, Curtis, Matt and Rieva had left to go on a pre-movie night food run. Keith sitting by Lance’s beside as he double checked he had everything. His boyfriend shouldn’t look so cute, but every blade on his belt was handed with such care, including the hunting knife he’d given Keith for his birthday. He’d only brought it because it was both pretty and practical, and Keith was pretty practical. Hunk had ventured to the Chinese restaurant next to the bookshop in a search for prawn crackers. Lance wasn’t sure why he felt like something savoury, only that he was tired of eating the same thing, or Keith bringing him takeout as if he didn’t trust Coran to keep him fed. Hearing footsteps, he expected Hunk to be back with the prawn crackers, not a distressed looking Coran who was unnaturally pale

“Keith, can I have a word with you?”

Keith frowned, Lance right there with him

“What’s wrong? Has something happened?”

“I... yes, can we please step outside?”

It must be bad if Coran was asking to talk to Keith alone. Lance’s stomach dropped. Goosebumps erupted over his skin as he shivered

“Coran, whatever it is, spit it out”

“Yes, I...”

“Coran!”

Yelling at Coran, Keith kind of spoke for both of them. Sometimes in life Coran needed to spit things out. If he was going to come rushing in worried, he should have expected he’d be telling both of them what was happening

“There’s been an incident... at... the college where Sam Holt is employed... Rieva’s been shot. Shiro called it in”

Lance started scrambling out of bed. He couldn’t believe something like that would happen

“Where is she?!”

“Lance...”

“Where is she? How badly is she hurt? What happened?”

“We don’t know. Shiro called it in... It happened close to the college where Sam works”

Lance span around looking for his shoes. Why the fuck was he embracing being shoeless and foot free?! Keith asking as he rushed around the bed to grab him by the arm

“What are you doing?”

“I’m coming with you?”

“Babe...”

“Lance, Keith is right... You’re in no condition...”

Oh not this shit again. Rieva was bleeding, they were wasting time

“I’m fine. You’ve got a bleeding werewolf, a wolf with a hurt mate, and three humans. If Rieva’s hurt, you don’t stand a chance at getting close to her”

“Babe the last time Matt really wolfed out he ripped you to shreds. There’s no way you can go there, not when you’re pregnant!”

“Then how are going to get close?! You’re a human Keith! He could tear your throat out!”

“And Shiro would have fallen back to let Coran know!”

“Shiro could be hurt!”

Keith’s expression grew more panicked. Lance kind of kicking himself for adding to his boyfriend’s worry

“I have to come with you”

He might not stand a chance of getting close, but he could stop Keith from getting hurt. He expected Keith to get it, but his boyfriend shook his head as he let out a long breath

“No. You need to stay here”

“What?!”

Now he was kind of furious and not sure if he’d heard correctly

“You need to stay here. If Matt’s hurt Shiro... I don’t know what I’ll do, but if he hurts you... I can’t... I can’t bring you knowing you could lose our twins. Matt wouldn’t recover from that. None of them would... Coran is right. You need to stay here”

“You can’t be serious! They’re our friends!”

“And you’re my boyfriend! Okay! Just... I’m trained for this kind of thing in the field... what if there’s blood? What if something happens? What if...”

What if his blood got into an open wound... Not only was Keith panicked over their twins, he was panicked that if Shiro was hurt, he could turn... a werewolf had a much easier life than a vampire... It fucking hurt and it fucking sucked...

“Then take Coran. Coran can stop Matt. He’s done it before...”

Keith stared at him like he’d grown a second head

“What about you?”

He... he couldn’t go to them, but he could help get things organised on this end

“I’ll find Allura. Hunk will be back soon, and I need to call Pidge... When you see them, make sure you stay back, but tell Matt it’s both of you and you’re not going to harm him or Rieva. Matt will barely be able to control himself, and Rieva may lash out in pain depending on where she was shot... Curtis might not turn from a bite, not with the demon attached to his soul. He’s also stronger than Shiro. I’m not saying don’t help Curtis, but if they’re both hurt, prioritise first aid on Shiro, or Sam. Coran, you’ll also need to notify Kolivan and Krolia. This makes no sense. Pull the Blade members back, and put the werewolves on scent duty after Rieva and Matt have been removed... If Krolia can’t attend the scene, then Kolivan. No one else. Keith, call me once you know what’s going on. I’ll have Pidge come with Colleen, and Allura can coordinate the medical staff”

Lance wasn’t sure how he felt about sounding like the most level headed person in the room right about now when he was freaking the fuck out. Grabbing Keith, he pulled him in, kissing him hard and fast because he knew what Shiro meant to Keith. Shiro was Keith’s “Mami”. His rock and his family

“Babe...”

“Take Coran and go before I change my mind about staying”

Keith kissed him quickly, moving towards the door and out of his hold

“Stay safe. Find Allura and stick with her”

Lance nodded

“I will. Coran, you stay safe too. I want everyone coming back to me”

Coran nodded at him, the fae seemed to have pulled himself more together now they had a kind of plan

“We’ll let you know as soon as we do. Come on, number two... you’ll have to drive”

Keith made it to the door before jogging back to him, Lance pulled into a tight hug. He wasn’t sure if it was more his sake or his boyfriend’s but it was needed

“I’ll be back with everyone as soon as I can...”

“I know”

He’d kick Keith’s arse into hell and back again if he didn’t. His boyfriend kissing just in front of his ear before whispering

“That’s... you... you sounded really cool and mature. I love you”

“I love you, too. Now get going”

Lance’s bravado faded as Keith left with Coran. He felt woozy, but wouldn’t let that show. Rieva being shot was like everything Coran was afraid of happening, but it wasn’t even sun down. They should have been safe. Shaking his head, he had no time for this. He needed to find Allura and get her to help him boss people around. He might be well known here, but he wasn’t VOLTRON’s beloved princess. Everyone loved Allura, and she loved them, and she also had the advantage of not currently being a “patient”...

Skipping finding his shoes, Lance stumbled slightly in his hurry. The woozy feeling hadn’t left, tiredness causing the headache feeling behind his left eye. He felt drained from the panic, then angry at feeling drained when his friend was seriously hurt. He scared the crap out of Allura by pretty much slamming his hands on her office door, all but pounding until she answered, hair half up in rollers and she seemed to be getting ready to go out

“Lance?!”

“Rieva’s been shot. Coran’s gone with Keith to find out what’s going on. We need to get things ready here for when they come back”

Allura’s eyes widen, taking Lance by the hand, as she closed the door behind her

“Oh my! When did this happen?”

“We’re not sure. They were going to pick Pidge’s dad up from work. Shiro called it in. We don’t know if the others are okay or if they’re hurt too...”

Swaying slightly, Allura moved as if she thought he was about to fall. Releasing his hand and looping her arm around his waist

“Lance!”

“I’m okay... I’m okay. Adrenaline and all that. Coran’s relying on us to get things organised. I need to... fuck, I left my phone in the room. Right. Hunk is coming back, and Pidge needs to be called. Her and Colleen need to come in. Matt’s going to have trouble trouble holding back his instincts and we don’t know how badly Rieva is hurt”

“Okay. We’ll head to Coran’s office. I’ll get you to call Pidge from there...”

It made more sense to Lance to let Allura call the infirmary first. Pidge would be shaken, he’d need longer to calm her down and reassure her that everything was being done on scene

“No. You call down to the staff first. Put them on high alert. I told Keith I would stay with you, but I need to make sure Hunk is safe”

“Lance...”

“He’s next door. I asked him to get some crackers...”

Allura had popped by. She was annoyed to have been out of the loop. She’d known, but was waiting to be told, scolding him for making her wait so long. Lance may have kind of forgot to tell her about things... Working on the assumption that she knew and she hadn’t been... basically he didn’t want to be fussed over by her too. He felt bad for not talking to her, yet he also knew he’d put her in an awkward situation when she’d only recently got Lotor to behave himself

“Lance, take a breath. You’re shaking”

“I’m... I know. Kind of internally panicking big time here”

“Coran will handle the scene. Keith will be fine. I’m more concerned about you. You look deathly pale”

“You do remember I’m already dead”

Allure gave him an intentionally blank stare of disapproval, before it turned to a frown

“You call Pidge and I’ll check on Hunk”

“But...”

Hunk was his bestie. He had to see for himself that his sunshine cookie was okay

“I’ll have reception call down. Coran must have been flustered not to put preparations in order”

Lance was going to admit that he’d forgotten reception was a thing... In his defence, he’d take ten kilometres of sleep and a good dose of knowing his friends were okay before his mind settled back down

“I think we’re all too panicked to know which way is up”

“I feel that too. You have some very good friends. I’m certain no matter what that Rieva will be okay”

Did Allura have the same kind of sinking feeling like Sendak had made his move? It was that just him? Had she seen something? He’d never truly understand how being a fae worked

“Is that...?”

“No. It’s not like that. It’s faith and hope in our friends. Your energy is so low... I really must get you to Coran’s office and resting”

He’d sit and rest for a moment once he’d hugged Hunk, and once Pidge was safe. Thank god no one outside of those super close to him knew where his Mami was

“I’ll...”

“You’ll be sitting down and taking a moment. You’ll lock the door behind me, then let me back in when I return with Hunk. I don’t like how this feels”

“I don’t like how it feels either... I feel like Sendak’s finally ready to show himself and now we’re all running around like headless chickens”

“I was preparing for a night out with Lotor... This was the last thing on my mind”

“Should I ask how that’s going?”

“He infuriates me, then he charms me. Then he tells me that he’s sorry he can’t cross Sendak”

“But you like him?”

“I do, but that doesn’t mean I’m willing to accept him how he is. No. He either needs to man up, or leave. I’m quite tired of his generals too... it’s most hard to relax when you feel you are under observation”

Lance couldn’t help but snort with Kay

“Oh, just wait until your pregnant. Zero modest. Zero dignity. Everyone sees your butt and then you have to have an internal exam. Like, I don’t care how much Coran has seen, these are my bits and pieces and I’m not okay with showing the world”

Allura giggled at him, before sobering

“Oh, I’m sure it’s not that bad. I’m... I’m sorry I haven’t been by your side more. I may like Lotor, but I love you as a friend”

“We were going to have a movie night tonight. Not that that’s happening now, but I’d be nice if you came and waited with us. You’ll probably be able to explain things about werewolves that’ll help calm Pidge and that...”

“I don’t want to intrude”

“You won’t. If anything you’ll distract them from the the pregnant man in the room”

“If Coran doesn’t require my assistance, I’ll be there with you. I’m most upset that this has happened. No one has the right to injure a friend like this”

“I wanted to go... but Coran and Keith both said no”

“Is it selfish I’m glad they did? I feel much better with you here”

“I’m pregnant, not dying”

“I’m well aware that you’re both dead and pregnant. I mean, it’s awful to wait alone. I don’t feel so alone with you here to help me keep a level head”

Lance had no words for that. He was kind of happy that he had Allura too... and that she was safe. He hadn’t thought to think about her safety seeing they were at VOLTRON. Now he knew he wouldn’t feel settled until he saw everyone in one place. He didn’t even care if they crowded him as he threw his guts up, as long as they were together again... fuck...

“Allura, I made Keith promise to call me but I don’t have my phone. If I don’t pick up, then he’s going to worry”

Crap. He knew there was another reason he needed his phone

“Oh, dear! Alright. I’ll collect it once I’ve collected Hunk. It’s in your room, right?”

“Yeah. On the bedside table”

“Don’t worry, I’m sure they’re still driving, it won’t take very long at all”

“Thanks, Allura... It really is nice to have someone with you...”

“Any time”

*

Keith was shaking. He was shaking and Shiro wasn’t answering his phone. Slumped against his brother’s sedan, Rieva had a makeshift bandage around her leg made from her own shirt. She hadn’t wolfed out, but she wasn’t conscious either. The doors to Shiro’s car were open, the interior didn’t look touched... so where was his brother? Where was Matt? Matt wouldn’t leave Rieva. If something happened, they would have fallen back. Matt would have carried Rieva. He would have dragged her if he couldn’t carry her. He wouldn’t have left her behind.

He’d tried all their numbers. No one answering. Coran tending to Rieva as Keith jogged around the outside perimeter of the car park, but there was nothing. No big neon sign pointing to Shiro. No tiny clues either. Called back by Coran, he didn’t like this at all. If Shiro could see them, why hadn’t he approached? If Matt had wolfed out, why wasn’t there blood? Why wasn’t there something?

“Keith, we need to bring her in. The shot itself doesn’t appear too serious, through and through, but without examination I won’t know more until I’ve got her back”

“We can’t abandon the scene”

More like he couldn’t abandon the others. They needed the scene secure for evidence

“We’re not. While you were securing, I called Kolivan. He bypassed Allura’s order to return to Headquarters and is coming straight here. I’m sure the others fell back. Rieva herself probably asked them to”

“Matt would never leave her behind. She’s his mate”

“Until we know what’s going on, I need to prioritise Rieva. Once she’s awake, she’ll be able to give us information. I need you to come with me so I can focus on keeping her alive”

That’s not how the Blades worked. The scene and the mission came first and you made do until someone came or you were forced to leave. Keith felt almost callous that’d waste a moment longer arguing to stay at the scene when Rieva was bleeding. Swallowing hard, he didn’t like this. He didn’t like this feeling at all. Something had happened to the others and he knew it. But he had to trust in Shiro. If something had happened, Shiro would be able to keep a level head and figure things out. Placing his faith in his brother and their friends, he couldn’t get rid of the feeling like he was abandoning his brother as he nodded. Coran would know how to access the surveillance for the area, or Krolia. They might already be working on it back at VOLTRON

“Get her in the back. I’ll take photos of the scene and be there in a minute”

“I doubt we’ll find the bullet, but if you do, ignore the chains of evidence. I’ll take the heat, but for now we need to know if it was a normal bullet”

“Okay. Will you alright with her?”

“I’ve got her. You take your photos, but do it quickly, my boy”

When Coran moved Rieva, the car slumped on the rear passenger side. The hole in the tire evident now she was moved. Taking photos of absolutely everything, Keith felt self conscious of his scent tainting any potential scents James and the others would use to track down Shiro. Not caring about quality he took as many of the scene as he could before running back to the car. The training in him screaming at him not to leave the scene, but Rieva had to come first. He had no idea how he was going to tell Pidge, or what to say to say to Lance. Hell. He wasn’t even sure he’d had one continuous chain of thought since arriving on the scene. All the could do was work the evidence and hope Shiro had managed to get the others to safety.

[inevera13]

Mark My Words (Klance Soulmate AU) - Part One

Idk how this happened, i started writing this kind of accidentally BUT HERE, TAKE IT. I finished it instead of working on chapter 7 of Fate’s Predicament lol OOPS. I hope you enjoy it! There will probably be a second and final chapter btw :)

AO3 

Wattpad

In a world where people are born with marks showcasing the first words they’ll ever hear from their soulmate, some people have common and beautiful words or phrases; others…not so much. 

When Lance had come aboard the spaceship, he hadn’t even thought about what would happen to his soulmate.

But now that Hunk had voiced his own concerns, Lance became painfully aware of the mark on his leg. He was, like almost everyone, born with it, and it had grown along with him, stretching in tandem with his tanned skin, like a birth mark.

A faint “fuck you” imprinted in his inner leg.

He had been mercilessly teased for it. The fact that his soulmate’s first words to him would be “fuck you” made him both wanna laugh and cry.

The thing is…over the years, many people had said that to him. He knew he could get on people’s nerves, and, when he did, they sometimes gave him that less than articulated response. Especially his siblings. When in lack of a comeback just tell people to go fuck themselves, and all is right with the world.

So, as time went by, he kind of just tried to forget the words marking his body - and their importance.

Lance liked to live in the moment, and he believed that what was meant to be, would be.

But now…now he was in space - who knows how far away from Earth at this point - and had no idea of when he would come back, if he ever did.

He couldn’t help but think about it. What did his soulmate have tattooed in them? How did they feel about them? Were they looking for him? How were they doing? Were they drinking enough water? Had Lance already met them? If not, would he ever?

Not everyone ended up with their soulmates. Some people didn't even have soulmates, and they were okay with that. There were as many sad stories out there as there were happy ones. Some people simply found solace and love in someone else. Other people searched forever.

Maybe one of those two would be his case.

“Do you think we can be soulmates with aliens? They have marks too, right?” Hunk continued. “Maybe…maybe our soulmates are in the ship!” He gasped. “Lance! What if we’re soulmates?!”

Lance snorted. “Like you ever cussed someone out in your life.”

“Oh…right. And what if-”

“I don’t know, Hunk. What happens, happens. I think we’ll be fine.”

He didn’t think they’d be fine. Despite never having put too much thought into it, Lance would like to one day meet his soulmate. And all of this space thing just seemed to make it a lot harder.

He used to abuse the art of pick-up lines, which increased his chances of getting a “fuck you” as a response. If he did, he could feed on the hopes that, maybe, he had just met his soulmate.

Deep within him, he knew it didn’t make sense, since the person would probably recognize the line, but it still gave him that little bit of hope. Even if he always ended up disappointed.

It would be nice meeting his soulmate, but he had a gut feeling that he either already had or never would.

“I mean…my mark says ‘nor are you’. Isn’t that pretty weird? It’s so unusual! I wonder what they’re like…”

“Yeah…i wonder what mine is like, too…”

Keith entered the room, his attentive, violet eyes looking around.

“Oh, hey Mullet.” Lance greeted, smiling lazily.

Keith rolled his eyes. “Fuck you, Lance.”

“I know you wanna.” Lance winked. “Oh, come on, i was trying to be nice!” He laughed when Keith glared at him.

Lance couldn’t catch the other boy’s blush as he had already turned around. "You do a shit job at it."

“Keith!” He continued, drawing out the ‘i’. “Where are you going?”

“My room.”

“You’re always holed up in there now.” He muttered.

“I guess.”

“Stay with us a bit. Why would you go there to just be alone like always? You can do whatever it is you’re gonna do there, here.” He paused and then widened his eyes. “…You can do almost everything here. Please don’t take that too literally.”

“I’m not you!” He blurted out, childishly.

“What? I totally get it, man. I just don’t wanna watch it.” He smirked, looking contemplative. “Well…”

“I’m leaving now.” Keith said through gritted teeth.

“Come back soon, and call me if you need any help!” Lance laughed.

“Again, fuck you.”

“You keep saying that! But i’m not like you, Keith, i don’t have to always be at it.”

“Lance…” Keith whined, exasperatedly, with his face buried in his hands and not knowing why he was still standing there, taking the jabs without being able to answer back. He felt paralyzed.

“Maybe you’re my soulmate!” Lance suddenly announced, eyes widened.

“What?!” Keith now stood straight as a board - which was somehow ironic -, all of his blood had suddenly rushed to his face and he felt dangerously light headed.

The other boy started laughing hysterically while Hunk just stared at the whole scene, looking at them like they were bat-shit crazy. “I’m kidding! Relax! You looked like you were gonna die from lack of oxygen!”

Keith spluttered. “It’s just- you’re ridiculous!”

“You guys are dumb.” Hunk deadpanned.

Keith sighed and finally found the strength to leave the room.

“What’s his problem?” Lance mumbled.

★★★

After dinner, they all gathered in the common room talking, like they often did.

“Well,” Shiro began after Hunk brought up the soulmate topic. “My soulmate mark is…pretty generic.” He chuckled. “'Hello’. But…i think that when the person does come along…you realize it. That it’s the hello you’ve been waiting for.” He discreetly glanced at Allura, who looked distracted. “I guess not everyone’s the same, though.” He finished, quietly.

Lance snorted. “My true love’s first words to me are ‘fuck you’, so…”

“You deserved it…” Keith mumbled under his breath.

“What?”

“I said mine is worse.” He answered, louder.

“Oh, yeah!” Hunk exclaimed. “You never talked about yours.”

“It’s not something i enjoy talking about.” He mumbled. “I never really wanted to meet my soulmate, it’s not something that particularly interests me.”

Because he was scared.

“How could you say that?” Lance asked, sounding almost offended. “I’d love to meet mine. Even if they’re probably kind of an asshole.” He snorted.

Keith rolled his eyes and sagged against the couch. “Wow, Lance, i bet you’d be a great boyfriend.”

“You know it, babe.” He winked.

Hunk laughed. “You two are always flirting, jeesh.”

“We’re not-!”

“Yeah, yeah.” Hunk interrupted. “Anyway, what does your mark say, Keith?” He asked, excitedly.

“I’m not telling any of you. You’ll hold it over me forever.”

“But-!”

“Nope.”

“You suck.” Lance deadpanned.

“Yeah, i do.” Keith smirked for a second before he realized what he had just said, eyes widening. “Uh…”

The blue eyed boy started laughing hysterically. “I can’t believe you!”

Keith wanted to die.

“I bet it’s some emo crap.” Pidge murmured.

“What’s yours, Pidge?” Keith rushed to ask, trying to ignore Lance practically crying tears of joy by his side.

“Um…well, uh…i don’t think it matters. I’m also not very interested in all that soulmate stuff.” She blushed prettily.

“Pidge!” Lance whined, sobering up. “Come on! If it doesn’t matter, why can’t you tell us?”

“Because it doesn’t matter!” She crossed her arms over her chest.

“Pidge! Please!” Hunk pleaded, drawing out the vowels.

“Yeah, come on!” Allura joined in, smiling.

She groaned, unable to resist their pleading. “Fine! I’ll tell you. But if anyone ever mocks me, i will end them. I don’t care about Voltron. I will kill whoever dares laugh.” She said all this while looking straight at Lance, earning her a nervous chuckle from the boy.

“Go ahead!”

“Okay, well…” She cleared her throat. “My soulmate mark is on my back and it says…” She grumbled. “…It says 'oh no, you’re hot’.” Pidge begrudgingly admitted, sighing.

Lance gasped and quickly hid his face in a pillow, doing his best to remain serious after she glared at him fiercely.

“Does…does that mean-” He had to take a deep breath. “Does that mean your- your soulmate is a meme lover?”

“It might not have anything to do with memes!” She snapped.

“Hey, you should be happy!” Said Hunk. “Your future lover finds you attractive.”

She scoffed. “Yay.”

“Allura, what’s yours?” Shiro asked.

“Well…” She sighed. “My mark says 'hi’.” She laughed bitterly. “The Universe wasn’t very imaginative…”

“Do you think there’s any chance you’ve already met them…?”

“I’m not sure…I’ve never felt that strongly for anyone…I’ve never felt that 'a-ha!’ moment, you know? But…i guess it’s possible. Many people have told me 'hi’…maybe i should’ve been paying more attention.”

“Yeah, i get that....” He mumbled.

“Ah!” Coran sighed, upon entering the room. “I very much enjoy talking about soulmate marks! It’s so interesting! Sadly, my soulmate died along with Altea…” He smiled sadly, trying to hide how much it truly affected him. “But she was wonderful…my mark says 'I love your eyes’ and hers said 'wow’.” He laughed wholeheartedly. “She was lovely…”

They talked for a little while longer until Keith stood up.

“Well, i’m going to my room.”

“Yes, again. Go to your hole, then…” Lance said bitterly.

“Quit whining. If you miss me that much, join me.”

“With pleasure.” The boy grinned.

“Goodbye!” Keith said a little louder than necessary, bolting to safety.

When he was already out of the room, they could still hear him scream “You better not actually come, Lance!”.

★★★

It was a little past midnight when someone knocked on Keith’s door. He quickly got up and opened it, ready to jump into action.

A casual looking Lance stood on his doorway.

“Ugh, what do you want?” He asked, groggily, his brain rapidly going back to sleep now that he knew everything was fine.

“What does your soulmate mark say?” Lance asked rather seriously.

“I- what? Why do you care so much?”

“I need to know…for- for science.”

“Oh my God, you’re such a dork.”

“And you’re an annoying emo. What’s your mark say?”

Keith sighed. “Can we not have this conversation now?”

“Why do you have to keep it a secret?! It can’t be that bad. Are you just trying to keep your broody, mysterious image?”

“Sure, let’s go with that.”

“Keith! Why can’t you just tell me?!” Lance snapped, entering the room.

Keith closed the door and groaned. “And why do you have to know?!”

“Because i do!”

“Why?!”

“What if we’re soulmates?!” Lance screamed, before gulping, seemingly calming down. “What if we’re soulmates, Keith? I’ve been thinking about this subject a lot more lately, and…what if? You know?” He sighed, sitting on the unmade bed.

“I- uh. I don’t know.”

“I just don’t understand why you wouldn’t share it. Like…i know we’re probably not soulmates, since you hate my guts, but…i don’t know what i expected coming here. Can you just forget this ever happened? I need to go back to sleep, this is all just sleep deprivation.” He laughed tiredly.

Lance got up but Keith stopped him. “Wait.” He gulped. “Why would you think i hate you? You’re the one who seems to hate me.”

“Why would i hate you?!”

“Why would i?!”

“Well-” He sighed again. “I don’t know…”

“Exactly." Keith answered more softly. "Look...i know i don't really show it, but i- i kinda don’t dislike you, i guess." He grumbled, quickly facing away.

Lance tried to grin cockily at that, but he couldn’t hide his flustered state. “Psh, you love me!”

“Shut up, nerd.” Keith turned away, not wanting the other boy to see his terribly red stained skin.

“Well, i don't dislike you either, if we're being honest.” Lance grumbled. “And…i respect your decision to not talk about your mark. Sorry i came here and basically attacked you…i’m just not in a great place right now.”

“Thanks.” He gulped. “I- i get it. And it doesn’t mean i’ll never share my mark with you. All of you. I’m just not ready yet. But, uh, if you need to talk about it…”

“Thanks, i’ll be fine though. In any case, goodnight.” He turned to leave.

“Yeah, goodnight.”

After Lance left, Keith sighed and let himself fall on his bed, thinking about his mark and all that it implied.

He thought back to the moment he’d first met Lance at the Garrison. The annoying boy had strode over to him and stuck out a hand. “Nice mullet. Do you also ride a Chevy?”

Keith had immediately recognized the phrase as the mark he had on his thigh, but his instinct had still been deadpanning a well deserved “fuck you” to which Lance had scoffed before actually presenting himself and leaving after being rewarded with Keith’s silence, seeing as he was still too busy making sure his heart wouldn’t leap out of his mouth.

He sighed and closed his eyes. How funny that fate had brought them together like that. Despite being scared, the boy knew he should let Lance know one of these days. Maybe he’d actually recognize the line. But for now Keith preferred to deepen their friendship and get used to it. He needed more time to fully accept it.

He ran his hand on his left thigh, where he knew the small mark was, imagining a better future. One where he wasn’t so afraid.

Part 2 coming soon!

[dammitadolfnomorecake]

Once Bitten, Twice Stupid prt 91

91

Coran had gotten his hands on a stretch limousine to drop them off. One side of the back was dedicated to tech, where Shiro and Curtis would keep an eye on things, the other side the black leather bench seat that curved in an “L” shape. Holding the door open for them, Coran cast them a worried glance as Allura climbed in first, to help Keith get Lance inside. Almost falling in after the pair of them, Keith barely had his feet in before Shiro was swapping places with Coran was slamming the door shut closed behind him. Allura worked fast, freeing herself of her jacket, she’d wrapped it around Lance’s shoulders, cradling him against her.

No one spoke until Shiro had pulled away from the curb. Keith not sure what the fuck to do. Lance had freaked the fuck out when Sendak entered. Allura looked pale... and was that blood running from her nose? Keith felt out of his league. The man was fucking massive. He needed an adult... or to be the adult...

“Allura, let me take him. Your nose is bleeding”

Lance clung to Allura, face pressed against her chest as Allura rubbed his back... He didn’t blame Lance for seeking comfort, but he was clinging to the wrong person here. Kissing Lance’s hair like a mother would, Allura softly murmured as Keith tried not to snatch his boyfriend away from her

“Lance... you’re here and you’re safe. Keith’s here. He’s here. He’s safe. Keith, you should take him... but take your muzzle and collar off first”

Right. It was a bit hard to be comforting when your face was covered. Not that he blamed Lance. Lance was a far better master than Lotor had been. Feeling for the straps his fingers were clumsy as he undid the buckles and straps for the muzzle first, it felt good to have the muzzle off, though he wondered if Lance was up for keeping it. After the three of them had been dropped off, Coran had gone against the Blades wishes and picked up Shiro and Curtis as a back up measure, Krolia and Kolivan would be staked out somewhere close but Keith didn’t know where. Allura and Lance hadn’t been told in case something happened to the pair of them. Coran stroked Lance’s hair, Lance shying away from the touch. His boyfriend definitely didn’t like Sendak, but he hadn’t seemed to be driven into a heat by him. Yay for tiny wins.

Always the worrier, Coran whispered over Lance

“What happened?”

Keith coughed to clear his dry throat. The club had been a sticky muggy temperature and everything felt sweaty

“Sendak fucked things up. Have we got any water?”

“But you’re okay?”

Now was not the time for Coran to be fixating on him. He felt icky from being in the same room as Sendak, but he was the most okay out of the lot of them

“What part of this is okay? Lance is freaked out and Allura’s nose is bleeding. Coran, can you help Allura?”

It took Coran prying to get Lance off of Allura and into Keith’s arms. His boyfriend was trembling and his dress didn’t offer much protection from the air conditioning in the limo. Sliding his hand between him and Lance, he got his jacket undone, Lance immediately nosing into his chest as Keith tried to stretch the jacket around them as far it would go. Allura now dabbing at her bleeding nose, her colour pale beneath her makeup

“Are you okay?”

With a strained smile, Allura nodded

“I’ll be fine. I hardly thought Sendak would show himself there in person”

“Do you think that’s what Lotor wanted us to see? Sendak’s hideout?”

“I’m not sure. He certainly made an entrance. I don’t think I’ve ever met someone with such tainted quintessence”

Coran explaining

“Allura is sensitive to quintessence”

“I’m sorry... I think I need to rest”

Keith tried not freak out as Allura slumped sideways, eyes closing as her nose bled more. Forever prepared, Coran pulled out a handkerchief and pressed it to her nose

“She’ll be fine once she’s rested. How’s Lance?”

“Really cold... Is he... what do I do?”

Keith couldn’t ask if Lance was okay seeing he clearly wasn’t

“I believe he had an anxiety attack from Sendak’s overwhelming ego. We’re headed straight back to VOLTRON, where the Blades will review the footage and audio from tonight”

“Can I take him home after?”

“I think for tonight that’ll be best and we’ll hold a briefing tomorrow morning. You’ll be free to leave after we’ve collected your clothing. You can turn your bugs off now”

Great. He’d forgotten they’d be collecting trace off the three of them. And he’d forgotten the Blades would be seeing this part of the footage. Quick to turn his and Lance’s audio and video off, he wondered how much of a fool they’d think him. Hopefully it didn’t pick up how worked up Keith had gotten dancing with Lance. He knew his boyfriend wasn’t comfortable dressed the way he was, Keith wondered if it made him a pervert for hoping that red dress might make into their bedroom... probably no chance of that happening now. He might have been too enthused touching Lance’s body as they’d danced.

Gathering up their things, Keith carried Lance as his boyfriend was still pretty out of it. Coran carried Allura, sending Keith and Lance off to shower and change, collection bags already waiting in the communal showers. Sitting Lance down, Keith went about carefully underdressing him. Sudden moves had Lance flinching, whatever he was thinking couldn’t be good. When Lance was finally naked, his boyfriend started to struggle his way back to independence, tears rolling down his cheeks as he pushed Keith away to shower alone. Gathering Allura’s fallen jacket, something fell from her pocket. A small satchel of blue powder and a second satchel of red powder. Pulling his gloves back on, Keith knew he had to get this to Coran as soon as possible. He had no idea why Allura had the two powders, but the look of them didn’t give him a very good feeling. With the shower Lance was in turned on, Keith hated leaving Lance, yet wasn’t about to have potential evidence go missing on his watch.

From the showers it was a straight run to Coran’s office, past the gym and a couple of the conference rooms. Jogging his way down to Coran’s office, he stuffed the two satchels into his pocket when he caught sight of James, and his fellow companion Ryan. Keith had very little to do with Ryan. He wasn’t part of the werewolf gang. Ignoring them, he slipped past and into Coran’s office. Allura now sitting up on Coran’s examination bed

“Keith? Is it Lance?”

Needing an excuse to get Coran away from the Blades, Keith nodded

“Coran, can you come for a minute? He’s not doing well”

A look passed between Allura and Coran. A look Keith was on the outside of

“Oh dear, of course my boy. Allura, please rest until I come back. James, Ryan. If you could please wait in conference room two, I’ll pop in to see you on the way back”

James crossed his arms, the scowl on his face pathetic

“I believe we deserve priority. The video footage...”

“I will bring the footage back with me. For now I must check on Lance”

Keith waited until they were in the showers again with door closed before pulling his hand out his pocket, showing the powder to Coran

“What have you got there?”

“I don’t know. I know I’m supposed to turn this over to the Blades but these fell out of Allura’s jacket and I don’t trust them not have their own agenda. I know this puts you in a hard position...”

Coran shook his head

“Nonsense. I’m glad you trusted me enough to come to me. I’ll get this analysed in secret. Now, will you be alright with Lance?”

Keith looked to the closed shower door

“I’ll figure something out”

“If you need anything or anything at all happens, I’ll be right down the hall. If he’s up for it, pop in and see Allura. She’s quite worried about him”

“I’m not making any promises. Oh, his camera and bug are in the evidence bag... you better take mine too”

“Oh, yes. I don’t think our Blade visitors would be impressed if I were to forget”

When Coran had left, Keith stripped himself down and stuffed his clothes into the evidence back. Lance hadn’t wanted to see him, but Keith couldn’t not be there for him. The locks on the shower doors were pretty flimsy, he and Shiro didn’t usually bother with the showers in the main part of the communal, instead using the ones in the locker room off to side. In less than 10 seconds he had the door lock turned, before quietly slipping into the stall.

Sitting on the shower floor, Lance hand his hands on the back of his head, fingers interacted. His knees up, with his chin resting in the valley. Moving closer, Keith felt the water temperature, a tad too warm for his liking. Adjusting it a little, Keith then sat himself down in front of his boyfriend, legs either side of Lance. Placing his hand on his boyfriends arm, Lance raised his head, bottom lip quivering

“I’m so fucking sorry”

His boyfriend looked absolutely devastated and Keith didn’t know why

“Babe... hey, come here”

Climbing into his lap, Lance rested his legs over Keith’s, arms wrapping around him. Lance had probably cried his contact lenses out by now. From the spot on the floor, Keith couldn’t reach the soap holder, only able to start “washing” Lance down by rubbing his back. He much preferred Lance with his short hair and big blue eyes. Any fantasies he’d have of Lance in that red were nothing compared to having Lance in real life. Seeing Sendak had been rough on him, his boyfriend had even bowed his head at the elder vampire, no doubt upset over how he’d acted, but this felt like more. More of Lance’s history that he didn’t know, but he wanted to.

Keith didn’t know how long they sat on the shower floor, it didn’t feel that long before Shiro was in the showers too. Of course his brother wanted to check on them. Shiro had to know how shaken Lance was

“Keith?! Lance?!”

“We’re in here!”

Shiro let himself into the stall, Lance still hiding against Keith

“Are you two okay?”

Nope

“We will be. Can you pass down the soap?”

Shiro chuckled, reaching out and grabbing the soap down to pass to Keith, who kind of glared seeing his brother was looking at his naked lover

“I’ll wait outside. Don’t take too long”

Not “taking too long” was longer than intended. Lance was exhausted, at this stage it would have been better if he’d turned into a bat until he’d processed what he was going through. Getting him cleaned, Keith skimped on his own shower, mostly bubbly from a clingy Lance. Shiro waited for them outside the shower, passing Keith a towel to cover Lance with

“Do you want me to stay?”

“Nah, I’ll catch you up at home. Sorry, it was a long night”

“Alright. I’ll head home and get some coffee ready”

“Thanks... I’m sorry”

“It’s fine, kiddo. As long as you know I’m here for you both”

“I know. We need a little space right now”

Dismissing Shiro didn’t feel right. His brother just wanted to be there for them. As Keith sat Lance down, Lance immediately started crying again

“I’m sorry”

“Hey. No. It’s okay”

“It’s not... I panicked... and ruined the mission”

“Everyone panicked when Sendak walked in”

“Not... like me...”

“Babe. There’s no one like you. It’s okay”

“It’s not! I fucked up again!”

“You didn’t fuck up. None of us expected Sendak and none of us expected his ego. We’re okay and we got evidence”

“We did?”

“Yeah. I found some stuff in Allura’s pocket. It’s fine now. I’m more concerned about what’s in your head”

Lance sighed

“I... I can’t right now”

“Alright. Then how about we clean up and head back to the apartment?”

“I don’t think I’ll be good company”

“That’s exactly why you’re coming home with me”

“I... should head home”

“Babe, I’m not letting you head home after what happened. I want to be there for you”

“I might have nightmares”

“Then we’ll figure it out. I’m not going to judge you”

Lance looked at him sadly

“I don’t deserve you”

Keith leaned down to kiss Lance on the forehead

“I’m the one who doesn’t deserve you. Let’s head home and have cuddles with Kosmo”

*

Lance was still pretty out of it. They’d stopped in long enough to grab a bag of blood and for Allura to give Lance a big cuddle. The two of them communicating without words... Keith feeling on the outside but knew he wouldn’t for much longer. He just had to keep his temper and jealousy at bay.

Walking back to the apartment, Lance clung to him again. His boyfriend jumping at shadows, Keith sympathetic over that feeling. Heading up, Shiro’d left the door unlocked, Kosmo’s nails scraping on the floor as he rushed over to them. Bending down, his boyfriend finally stopped clinging to him in favour of cuddling Kosmo. Seeming lost, Keith took him by the arm and led him to sofa. As they settled down, Shiro brought over two cups of coffee

“It should be cool enough to drink. Lance, are you okay?”

Sitting in the coffee table, his brother reached out, placing his hand on Lance’s knee

“I’m sorry for being a bother”

“Nonsense. You don’t have to talk about it, but Keith and I are here to listen if you want to”

“Sorry... Sorry... it was... Sendak. I haven’t felt that scared... that completely and totally useless since I was turned”

Keith wouldn’t have guessed that was the reason. Sendak was scary... but Lance was strong

“Do you want to keep talking? You look pretty wiped out”

Lance sniffled, offering Shiro a toothy wobbly smile

“I... it’s a mess...”

Shiro smiled softly, squeezing Lance’s leg

“I hate to break it to you, but we’re all a mess here”

Lance seemed to perk up at the reminder they’d all been through shit

“Do you have something stronger than coffee?”

“I think I can find something”

Nursing a glass of blood and bourbon, Lance stared down at the contents rather than looking at him or Shiro. Keith had his arm around his boyfriend, Lance tucking his legs up on the sofa, which Shiro had covered with the throw blanket. Neither of them wanted to press Lance into talking, so it was a series of very long moments before Lance finally started

“I’m really sorry for being a burden. I’m sorry for messing up”

Keith kissed his boyfriend’s hair

“If we’d known Sendak was going to show, we would have found another way”

“His ego... It fucking scared me. I know the Blades want to apprehend him, but I don’t see how... He could... he could tear a wolf in half and it’d be nothing. His ego is so big I don’t know how he’s sane... and I... I bowed my head... like I was bowing before him. I felt so fucking small looking at him. I couldn’t... it was like everything disappeared when he walked in and that was left was the need to lower my head and submit to him. I... I’ve been keeping something from you”

Lance raised his gaze in guilt to look at Keith. Keith stomach dropping, Shiro saving him from finding words

“What do you mean?”

“I... I talked with Coran. That other day when we were shopping, Keith and I got seperate and I panicked. I thought... someone had noticed my scent and gone after him... and it scared me so fucking much that it could be my fault that something happened to him. Coran doesn’t have any real idea to fix my scent... tonight I was thinking how Sendak could kill you in the blink of an eye. How if he noticed me, I don’t think I could go against him... and it made me feel absolutely useless. Like I was a kid again, begging and screaming for Nyma and Rolo to let me go... I feel so dirty for being this thing. What good am I if I can’t protect the man I’m dating? I want to go out. I want to go on dates with Keith. I want to do what normal boyfriend’s do, but how can I if I can’t control my scent. I know Sendak had to smell me. I could smell me. I could smell him. He stand like blood. Fresh blood. It filled the air... and... I had to treat Keith so badly... I’m sorry. I’m sorry, babe. I don’t know what to do”

It wasn’t one thing Lance was scared of, it was a whole lot of things. No wonder his boyfriend felt so miserable, he still held so many fears. Keith hadn’t tried to take him on another date with Lance’s birthday being in a couple days now

“Babe...”

“I didn’t want to tell you Coran couldn’t fix me faster. I was a douche to him the other day over it”

“You’re not broken... You don’t have to hide this”

Because it hurt that Lance hadn’t told him I asked him to be there when he talked to Coran. His idiot crumpet taking too much on his shoulders

“I don’t want to endanger you guys”

“That’s our choice to make”

“But... I want... I want to go out with you. I want to take you places you can practice your photography. I thought you probably thought I was too dumb to understand the other day... like how I didn’t understand when you talked about your bike”

Keith groaned. He didn’t want Lance to feel stupid. Lance tried to go out his way to help Keith understand things he didn’t know

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I thought you were mad... and I didn’t want you to... to stop liking me because I couldn’t keep up”

Idiot. Lance was big dumb idiot

“I wasn’t mad... I was scared too, when you were suddenly gone... and I was thinking about Krolia”

“I didn’t want to make you talk about it if you weren’t ready”

Shiro sighed at the pair of them, his brother pinching he bridge of his nose

“You’re both as bad as each other. I’m glad you’re both okay, but for now, and I’m aware this is a selfish brother’s request, can you please try to avoid crowds. I don’t mind Keith spending the night at your house, or you staying the night... I’m not trying to be that person... I don’t want either of you harmed”

Keith raised an eyebrow. Shiro failed English so hard with all the stopping and starting he was doing

“You failed that one hard”

“Shut up. I’m trying to ask you both to be patient until the Blades know more”

“I should have gone home”

Keith shot Shiro a glare. Shiro shrugging because he hadn’t done anything wrong

“You’re exhausted, babe. Why don’t we go to bed?”

“I don’t want to sleep... I don’t want to have nightmares”

Shiro took Lance’s drink out his hands, Lance watching it taken away

“Keith’s right. You need rest. Don’t worry about nightmares. Keith and I have had some pretty epic ones. I won’t disturb you guys unless it sounds violent”

“I can... be pretty bad”

“Then Keith will have to take his knife out from under his pillow. Don’t let it worry you too much”

Lance sniffled, taking a moment to himself before rolling

“Thanks, Shiro... Can... Kosmo sleep with you tonight? I don’t want to hurt him”

“Babe, Shiro will never admit it, but he’s totally been won over by Kosmo’s charm. I have to show the photos of the pair of them snoring on the sofa”

“I don’t snore. I breathe heavily to remind you I’m around”

“Riiiiight. We’ll go breathe heavily in your own room... that sounded wrong. Don’t you dare say anything”

“I won’t breathe any heavier than you guys”

Keith scrunched his nose up. His brother was gross.

[dammitadolfnomorecake]

Caramel Skin Under A Purple Rain prt 54 full draft... yes, AO3 got it first

Cuddling Lance on the sofa, his husband had managed a few hours of fitful sleep. The storm outside had only gained in intensity, he’d jinxed things not long after settling Lance down in their bed, the storm had blown out the glass in one the cabin’s back windows. His husband had screamed, scratching at his arms as he dissolved into Spanish again. Keith was no expert on Spanish, nor did he need to be when Lance tried to escape up the bed begging Klearo to leave him alone. With the pain focused on his lower back, he’d come to the realisation that his husband was terrified that he’d be raped again. Whatever lingering arousal Keith had felt died on the spot. Lance hadn’t had a panic attack where he didn’t recognise him for so long that Keith initially made things worse as he tried to stop him from hurting himself further. Between the sex and mental exhaustion Lance passed out, hyperventilating from fear as he did and leaving Keith to reposition and remake their bed around him. Laying him down with his belly and head across his torso, all he could do then was wait for Lance to wake again. Curtis had come to explain the window incident, then Kosmo had teleported in, growling at his someday brother-in-law until he left. Now cuddled up on the sofa, Lance was quiet, barely saying anything more than Keith’s name or whimpering softly through each contraction. Across from the sat Shiro and Curtis, with Kosmo sprawled out in front of the extinguished fireplace. They’d lost TV reception, leaving them sitting in an uneasy silence with all eyes on Lance. Keith had no idea how to tell his husband that due to the storm it’d be next to impossible to leave, meaning if his labour continued at the rate it was, Lance would be giving birth here. With so much silence he was releasing that they hadn’t called Miriam to inform her that Lance was in labour. Shiro was relying on the internet to tell him how Lance’s labour was progressing, but that was hardly a medical professional, nor were there a lot of information on those of a male anatomy giving birth, let alone giving birth to twins in the middle of a storm while dealing with PTS and anxiety. Or a nice little online guide called “What to expect when your magical boyfriend goes into labour, and how to avoid being electrocuted on the off chance he loses control of his Altean magic”. Coran would have been the one to call in that circumstance... Both Shiro and Curtis seemed to be praying to be rescues, yet realistically, Keith felt they should be calling Lance’s obstetrician. Someone with actual knowledge on how to help his husband would be nice. Nicer than sitting here and foolishly waiting for a rescue that clearly wasn’t going to be in time. Clapping his hands, Shiro startled all of them. None more than Lance who tried to climb into his lap at the sound. Glaring at his brother, Shiro ducked his head sheepishly “Sorry. I didn’t think that one through. I was thinking getting up and doing something would be better than sitting here” Keith rolled his eyes. What were they going to do? There was nothing to do. For a man who preached “patience yields focus”, Shiro seemed to have wasted all his patience coming up with a whole lot of nothing “I don’t think Lance is up for doing anything right now” His husband really wasn’t. He’d slipped into the mindset that his actions would lead to punishment. Instead of seeing doing something as a way to distract from the monotony of waiting to be “rescued”, Lance was more likely to become paranoid to the point of a panic attack with his actions being watched “That’s why he needs a distraction. We could all use a distraction. Lance, buddy, do you think you can get up for me?” Lance whined softly, raising his head to search Keith’s face with his confused blue eyes “You don’t have to. Not if you’re not up to it. Don’t force yourself, babe” “Cuddles?” “You’re already having all the cuddles I can give you right now” Lance gave a small shake of his head, he opened his mouth then blushed softly as he closed it again. His expression falling as he found he couldn’t find the right words for what he wanted “Do you want to try standing with me holding you?” Sparking slightly, his husband’s lips turned up in the corners to form a pained smile. Keith wasn’t super at guessing games, but he was quietly proud of himself for figuring out the words Lance couldn’t find “Do you want me to hold you like before? Before your water broke?” Nodding, he was rewarded with more of a true smile. His heart missing a beat as if he hadn’t seen Lance smiling just for him before “Alright, baby. I’ll follow your lead. If it hurts too much, or the pressure is uncomfortable, you just let me know and we can sit down again. Anything you need” “... you...” Softly mumbling, Lance seemed surprised to hear his own voice. His husband probably thinking it, and expecting his thoughts to slip through unfiltered. Keith couldn’t help but nuzzle into his cheek, so fucking proud of the man he was lucky enough to call his husband. * Dancing to a silent song, Lance kept his face against Keith’s shoulder as the need to push started to flood his secondary instincts. They’d been swaying softly, with Shiro and Curtis keeping their distance as they did. To Keith this might not have been dancing, but Lance felt like the luckiest man in the world to have him by his side. He knew from the scratches on his arms that he’d blanked something out, that the way his head was racing but his tongue felt heavy. Words seemed to come to him as naturally as dragging a boulder back up a hill did, irritating his emotional state and leaving him feeling like a failure for not being able to articulate how messed up he felt. “Red” was the only possible way to describe it all, yet to tell Keith “red” ran the risk of confusing Keith or driving him away, when that was the last thing he wanted. He wanted to stay with his face buried in Keith’s scent forever. Everything was so quiznakking scary, but not Keith. Keith still smelt of bonfires and rich earth. There was panic, just as there was fear, in his husband’s scent, yet through it all Keith had shoved it aside to be what he needed right now, even when Lance didn’t know what that was. Feeling a second contraction roll through barely a few minutes after the last one, he clutched his belly. He couldn’t stop his labour. Squeezing his legs together and praying to God hadn’t slowed things down either. His body was telling him to push, but he was too fucking scared to. He couldn’t do this. He couldn’t do any of this. Whatever they’d been thinking, they’d been wrong. He wasn’t strong enough to be a father. He wasn’t strong enough to be strong like his Mami through labour. He wanted to go home. He wanted to be anywhere that wasn’t here at this moment in moment in time. The growing pressure of his son’s head was worse than he’d thought it would ever be. He could handle being shot, stabbed, drugged to the gills and any other number of things, but after close to 20 hours of what he now knew to be labour pains, he was exhausted with the worst still to come. They weren’t medical experts. They didn’t know what they were doing. All of this was as wrong as his body was. Nuzzling his hair, Keith kept the same calm tone that seemed to be frustratingly comforting. He hated seeing Keith panicked or crying, but a little bit of fear out of sympathy would have been nice “Breathe, Lance. Keep breathing for me, babe” “Ngh...” What kind of a noise was that? Why couldn’t he do the words? “You’re ok. You’re ok. You’re doing so good for me. Just focus on me...” “Pu-d-sh...” That was closer, even with the groan of pain in the middle he’d gotten the important letters out. Keith froze, then promptly grabbed him by the shoulder, scaring him as he shook him hard “Oh fuck!... I mean... ok... don’t push yet. Shiro! Shiro, it’s time! Shhh... ok... fuck... I’m sorry for yelling... don’t push...” Knowing he shouldn’t be scared of Shiro didn’t fix things. The moment Shiro came to Keith’s side, he instinctively drew away with a growl at the unwanted scent. Shiro wasn’t his husband. He didn’t want him close to him or the twins, nor was he ok with the man placing his hand on Keith. Baring his teeth his fingers tingled, the sensation cut off by another quizakking contraction “Lance, what do you mean you need to push? Do you feel it?” Nodding, he wanted the pressure between his legs to end “Are you sure?” Keith growled at Shiro, Lance momentarily pleased that he wasn’t the only one finding Shiro annoyingly dumb “He’s sure. Fuck. This is why I wanted you to call for help sooner. His mother doesn’t know. We don’t know what the fuck we’re doing. You didn’t call his obstetrician. You didn’t call anyone!” Shiro removed his hand from Keith’s shoulder, coughing into his balled fist “We lost comms...” “You did what?! And you didn’t think to tell us!?!” “Because it didn’t change anything!” “It changes everything! I could have... I could taken Kosmo... we could have...” Whimpering at Keith’s anger, his husband softened immediately “... fuck, I’m sorry. I know... Ok. Shit... fuck... I guess we’re doing this... don’t push yet... fuck I didn’t want to do this here” Keith threw a glare over his shoulder at Shiro. Stepping forward, Curtis was left to take control of things and proving he was the most adult of them all. “Now isn’t the time for this. We’re all panicked and we’re all scared, but for the sake of the twins and for the sake of Lance’s life we have to work together. Shiro, we need warm water and towels. We’ll need a knife to cut the cords, find the sharpest and cleanest. Keith, get him to your bed and get him settled down. Check how dilated he is. Lance, I know you don’t want us to see or touch you, but we need to help you right now. It’s very important you don’t push too soon. Do you understand me? Wait until Keith has examined you or you could do permanent damage to yourself and your boys” Lance’s heart gave a funny beat. He didn’t care what happened to him right now. Keith’s boys had to be ok. He couldn’t let his husband down there. Keith had given up so many things for him, had done so many things for him... Everything he had he’d left for his husband, but without their boys... Keith... He had to do everything for them and for his husband. Nodding, he let his husband rearrange them so he could support him through to their room, each step moving the solid mass pressing down, sending indecipherable sensations through his midsection then slowly up to his sludgy brain. The living area was too big, the space too open. So open that it felt like the walls were only expanding further away. There was too much space around him that he couldn’t monitor, not with the doors, the windows, the corridor and fireplace. He felt too exposed, and already knew he couldn’t give birth there... he needed their room. He needed the four solid walls with only two entry points. He needed his bed, their bed, their blankets smothered in Keith’s scent... Dios... Dios this was happening... he could feel their sons head... he could feel it... * Removing the previous blue and red blanket from their bed, Keith laid out the bathrobe that Lance had been wearing under his arse. His husband’s was trying to close his legs, one had attempting to cover his junk while his other covered his face as he cried softly. Naked from head to toe, his husband was beautiful amidst the small army of pillows and cushions propping up. Keith was hesitant to cover him, but they needed to calm him back down if they wanted the birth to go as smoothly as possible. With all their blankets and sheets already on their bed, the only thing he had to cover his husband with was a damp towel. It wasn’t like Lance needed to be naked, but in the movies the mother was always wearing a hospital gown that’d slipped down off her shoulder as she cried and cradled her baby. They didn’t have a hospital gown. They didn’t have the damn hospital that they needed. Below him, Lance clutched his stomach as he brought his legs up, Keith realising his husband was trying to push. Grabbing his hand, he squeezed firmly he shook his head “Babe, you can’t push yet. Not yet... I’m sorry... I’m sorry...” “Hurrrdts...” “I know. I know... Shiro‘ll be here soon” “Nuoooo... don’ let... thiuch” The slurring of Lance’s words were concerning. Lance was far too sleepy to make real words, but the slurring was giving him a horrible feeling he didn’t need right now. Kissing his already damp forehead, Lance continued to ignore him as he chased the feeling of needing to push, his whole body as tense as the grip on his hand “I’m here. I’m here, focus on me” “Feeld it...” “Ok. Ok, babe. On the next contraction, I need you to let it pass. I need to check between your legs” Lance moaned at his suggestion, shaking his head and squeezing his legs together harder “Shhh. Just me. Before the others come in. I need to make sure you’re ok, babe. Just me...” Lance let out pained moan, whatever was happening was happening soon, whether he liked it or not “Jusdt you” “Yeah, baby. You’re doing so good. I’m going to take a look now” Keith wished he hadn’t looked the moment he did. Fine fissures had started forming where his husband had begun trying to push. Blood and fluid dribbling down onto the robe below. His husband’s opening pulsing against the solid form causing the muscle to bulge slightly outward. Their son was definitely coming. Coming into the room behind him, Lance muffled a scream as he slammed his legs closed. Rubbing his hands up and down Lance’s inner thighs, his muscles jumped beneath his touch “How’s he progressing?” “Uh... he wants to push... I don’t know, Shiro...” Lance would only panic to know he was bleeding... was he supposed to be bleeding? Surely there was blood involved in birth... but movies didn’t show you that bit. There was always a nice scene above the blanket so you never had to see what happened down below “We’ve got towels and water. I’ll take over. You keep him calm” “He doesn’t want anyone looking between his legs” “Keith, that’s the least of his worries right now” Lance wasn’t thinking straight. Shiro had a much larger form than him. When Curtis bustled past his boyfriend, Lance started trying to escape up the bed again, the weather not helping as the thunder let out a deafening boom. Snarling, Keith’s eyes yellowed as his teeth grew sharp “Get out the way, you’re scaring him!” Placing the bowl of water down on edge of the bedside table, Curtis swept the contents down to the floor before pushing the bowl up and taking the pile of towels off his shoulder. With far too much calm, the man sat next to Lance, moving with deliberately careful actions. First placing a large thick towel over his knees, then the rest beside his hip “Lance, I know you’re scared. It’s Curtis. I’m going to take your hand now...” Lance let out a sob as Curtis did as he said he would. Interlacing their fingers, he continued to keep eye contact “Shiro, come take his other hand. Keith, how long has been this scared?” Keith didn’t want to upset Lance further, but neither man seemed to understand that touch wasn’t welcomed “He thinks Klearo’s going to drag him off to... to do that to him. He was begging not be touched. He barely allowed me between his legs, then you two hulking morons showed up and scared the fuck out of him all over again. He’s still recovering from his last panic attack... and he’s fucking bleeding. And I don’t know what to do except sit here between his legs because he doesn’t want anyone looking at him down there” Kneeling on the bed behind him, Shiro wrapped his arms around him “He’s going to be alright. He’s strong. He’s strong and he’s going to make it through this labour, and all this is going to fade away when you’re holding your sons for the first time. I know you want to respect him, but the best thing you can do for him is hold his hand and reassure him. Keep his attention on you, and help keep him calm” Keith hadn’t realised he’d started crying, overwhelmed by everything going wrong at the moment it needed to be going right. He felt sick to his stomach as well as elated to soon be meeting their boys... The real problem lay with him not being sure he could watch Lance go through this. Watching his husband hurt was to feel a thousand tiny needles digging into his heart, and this birth... he knew for a fact it’d hurt. Lance might not survive the current conditions... they’d come so far... it couldn’t end like this “I’m scared” The words were mumbled, his scent so full of fear he wasn’t sure how Shiro was stomaching the smell “I’m going to do absolutely everything I can for him. While I’m doing this, you need to hold his hand. Tell him how much you love him, keep him focused on something other than the pain. I need you to move for his sake” “What if he...” “He’s strong. You’re both strong. I’m so very proud of the both of you. No matter what happens that will never change” Lance let out a long whine, Curtis hissing as his hand was squeezed “Go to him” * Lance’s labour continued the way it had for another half an hour, each molecule of him demanding to push, the pressure between his legs continuing to grow. Nuzzling his forehead, Keith pressed kisses to the spot he nuzzled, encouraging him to let it all out, yet with Shiro between his legs, all Lance felt was embarrassment, though that was quickly passing with the need to push. Digging his heels into the blankets, his legs slipped again, leaving him unable to find purchase as he tried to bare down. They didn’t want him to push, but they had no idea how badly he needed to. He could feel their son. He could feel their baby laying low and pushing against his prostate leaving his limp dick dribbling cum from the over sensitivity. Why wouldn’t they let him push? Why didn’t they understand? He had to... he had to get him out... before he died from the pressure. Feeling another contraction tearing through his throbbing pelvis, he couldn’t not push. Screaming, he bore down with everything he had, feeling his son pushing against his tearing arse. Between his thighs Shiro rubbed up down the soft skin. He wanted to kick him the face for touching him, and would have if he hadn’t felt his son finally breaching his opening. Falling back against the pillows, he gasped for breath. That people could do this without drugs was some kind of miracle. Panting, he shook his head as something rough pushed near his lips, his glassy eyes seeing Curtis wiping at his face with the corner of a towel. He felt as if he’d missed something, and someone had drained out at least a dozen more pushes worth of energy. Concern is as written all over his friends expression, he wanted to reassure him, but when the next contraction hit, he found himself screaming again, all at once that build of initial pressure lessening, something thicker and wider straining between his legs as something gushed “The head is out! He’s... Lance, Lance catch your breath for me... it’s only going to get worse as the shoulders pass” Stroking his hair, Keith kissed him again “You’re doing so good for me, baby” Growling, he wasn’t happy. His words panted from pain. It was amazing how feeling like being torn in two could focus his mind and tongue enough to articulate exactly what he wanted to say “I... hope your goddamn dick falls off... Ughnghnnnnnnn!” Arching awkwardly sideways, whatever was trying to come out felt stuck... falling back, he already felt drained completely “That’s it, let it build up again” “Fucking build you up again... Fuuuuuuck!” He was definitely tearing, wetness had soaked his arse and up his back. He wanted his Mami “That’s it, Lance! I want you to push with everything you have on the next big contraction” No. He’d obviously been half-arsing it the whole time! Trying to push down, his foot slipped a sob escaping as he shook his head “Fuu-uh... I can’t... I can’t... I can’t...” He wanted to go home and try again at a later date... anything to stop the pain “Curtis, Keith, lift his legs. He can’t get a grip to push...” Grabbed and pulled slightly down the bed, Keith and Curtis pushed against his legs as he wailed, his son’s shoulders sliding millimetre by millimetre. He seemed to have been pushing even longer in this position. The pressure threatening to kill him turned to perhaps delirium as something was turned between his legs by Shiro’s wet hands, pushing without prompting, all he wanted to do was see his baby boy now... Lowering his legs, Lance peered up as Keith rubbed down his cramping calf. Everything below his waist felt like jelly. Painful jelly that’s been through a meat grinder “He’s here... oh god... he’s so slimy...” Of course he was slimy! He was covered in birth! Oh, babe... Oh... wow...” Choking on a sob, he then sniffled out “Give... give me... my baby... want my baby...” On his left Curtis moved, releasing his hand as Shiro leaned over him, supporting his son’s head. No wonder Keith was gushing. They’d made this whole little person “He’s here... oh, Lance... He’s beautiful. Congratulations, you two”” Laying the newborn on the towel on his chest, Lance nearly went cross eyed as he gazed his son. He was slimy, gross, wrinkly and covered in birth, but absolutely gorgeous. Letting out an unhappy cry, Lance started laughing as he whimpered, the sound twisted but he was so incredibly in awe of the warm little boy on his chest, his free left pointer finger in his son’s hand, tiny fingers too small to be real wrapped loosely around it. He was incredible. He’d never... He’d kill anyone who hurt his precious boy... Dios... he loved him with everything he had “My Laith... my little lion...” Kissing his hair, Curtis started to wipe his son’s face with the very edge of a damp towel. Between his legs Lance could still feel his body trying to push everything inside of him out. His heart was racing, his head and throat hurt, he felt kind of nauseated, and he couldn’t be prouder... Softly Keith asked “Laith?” He hadn’t told Keith the name he’d chosen. His husband tilting his head slightly as he summoned up his courage to reach out and rest his hand on their little boy’s back. His little lion. His brave little boy for which nothing wouldn’t be possible “Mmm, Laith... His name is Laith... my little lion. Is that ok?” Lance’s eyes stayed on their son, Keith’s hand seemed so large against their son. His hands were the hands of a man who’d fought for absolutely everything in his life. They could take a life in a matter of moments, yet Lance was certain he’d never been so gentle with his touch as he was now “Laith... It’s weird, but I like it. It’s better than Yorak... I can’t believe how small he is. Do we cut the cord? Have you cut the cord? I don’t know what to do” Shiro laughed at his little brother, Keith huffing without bite too proud of his new son “Well, Daddy Keith. I’ve tied it off, ready for when you are” “Let’s never call me “Daddy Keith” again... babe?” Giving Keith a tired smile, Lance nodded. He wanted to nap for a year after Laith, he hadn’t even pushed the other one out yet “Go on... You deserve it... I feel like I spent the last hour crushing your hand” Shiro wiped at his brow, Curtis had tied the cord off at some point, most probably when Lance’s attention was on Keith, or Laith, not that he had much attention left “You were pushing for the best part of an hour, I was afraid when his shoulder seemed to get stuck that we were in trouble. You did a good job, Lance. Keith, if you’d like to do the honours” Watching Keith cut the cord was something that Lance prayed he’d never forget, his husband hesitant as the blade sliced through, then swayed for a moment before looking impossibly prouder. With his contractions still continuing, his son was lifted off of him by Shiro, Lance whining at the action. He wanted his boy... he wanted to hold him close and never let him go, though he knew it’d be better to clean him before the birth dried to his delicate skin “Keith, why don’t you keep an eye on things while we clean Laith up. According to website it can take half an hour for his brother to be born” Lance wasn’t so sure about that. Not when he could feel their second son moving slowly downwards. Pulling himself together, his husband kissed his dry lips, his hand brushing back the hair stuck to Lance’s forehead “I’m so fucking proud of you... I love you. I love you so fucking much...” “Mmm... ‘ love you, too...” Laith’s brother didn’t get the message to wait. Clutching the sheets in agony as his son pushed against his torn and bleeding opening, Lance tasted blood as he pushed down “Shiro!” Yelling his brother’s name, Shiro looked to Keith from where he and Curtis were fussing over Laith “What’s wrong?” “I think... god... he’s bleeding so much... babe, babe stay with me...” Shaking his head, his eyes nearly rolled back as his son’s head slowly began to breach him. Curtis rushed to his side, taking his hand as Lance screamed through his contraction. Shiro strode to the side of the bed, half kneeling as he offered Keith his first born “Keith, take Laith” “No! No... no... please...” Objecting, he knew his husband was forced into a situation he didn’t want to be in, but he was scared not to have someone there. Scared his son wouldn’t be born properly if he wasn’t being watched. Cupping his chin, Curtis forced him to look up at him “Lance, keep breathing. Stay focused on me... when you feel that next big contraction, I want you to push” “Hurts...” “I know. I know, but you’ve done all the hard work. Just a little bit more...” “I’m sleepy...” The three of them shouted “no” at him at the same time, Curtis hushing him as he whimpered “You can sleep after this. I promise. I’ll buy you anything you want, you just need to be stronger a little longer” Lance was sure even if he passed out, his baby would still be born without him pushing... but he didn’t want to miss meeting him “It’s... so hard” “You’re doing so well... now, you’ve this. You can do this. I believe in you” * There was so much blood. Keith grateful that the storm outside left the night pitch black, the light in the room seemed swallowed by the shadows. Lance was torn, badly torn down his taint and in small fissures across his opening. The half-Galra felt sick from the levels of pain his husband must be in. That Lance had birthed Laith was incredible. His son was so much tinier than Korra had been when he’d met her. He didn’t know they came that small... Sucking in a breath, Lance sobbed as he bore down, Keith nearly fainting as he watched his son’s head slowly push Lance further open until his husband fell back against the blankets, the fear turning to excitement as he realised that their son was actually coming out of his husband... their son... their second son was nearly here... “That’s it, babe! One more big push for me...!” Huffing through his breathing, Lance gathered his strength, feet slipping slightly as he stretched further “That’s it, babe! That’s it! Come on, Lance!” Howling, their son’s head finally passed through Lance’s opening “His head‘s clear! Babe, babe, see...” Reaching over, he pulled Lance’s hand away from the blankets he was clutching, placing it down between Lance’s legs. His husband was fading fast, he needed to birth their son as soon as possible. Placing his fingers against their boy’s head, Lance’s tired eyes widened “My... baby...” Keith nodded quickly, he needed to sound encouraging. He needed to keep Lance awake and focused. He’d lost so much blood... beneath him looked like a crime scene “See, babe. You’ve got this. He’s nearly here” “My baby...” “Yeah, babe. Come on. I need you to push for me. You can do it, I know you can do it!” Lance grabbed his hand, Keith interlacing their fingers to their hands were palm to palm. Catching his breath, Lance pushed against his palm as Keith pushed back, his husband letting out a strangled cry as he pushed hard. Unlike his big brother, their son’s shoulders slid through in the one push. In his hurry Keith let go of Lance’s hand, taking their son into his hold as he slid forward, he hadn’t expected him to pretty much slide from his husband the way he did. Keith finding his hands filled with his son, an amazed cry escaping his lips, he wasn’t able to keep his eyes off him. Leaning over, Shiro wiped at the little boys face, breaking the spell. Exhausted, Lance was staring down at him with a wet face “He’s perfect...” “Lance still needs to deliver the placenta. Curtis, you take Laith, Keith, why don’t you introduce Lance to your second baby boy” “Cord?” Shiro snorted softly “Let your husband meet your son” With goopy hands, Keith crawled up this bed on his knees, placing their little boy on his husband’s chest. Lance looked beautiful. Sweaty, exhausted, bloody and so fucking beautiful. Kissing his husband’s lips, he didn’t know he could be this quiznakking happy. Preoccupied, Curtis laid a swaddled Laith against Lance’s side. Curtis taking up cleaning their boys face. Keith wasn’t sure what the deal with wiping his nose off was, but he’d done the same thing with Laith “Is he...?” Keith was instantly worried he’d done something wrong “He’s breathing. You need to clear the nose and mouth so he can” Ohhh. That made sense. Sighing at him, Lance licked his lips, voice raspy as he then asked “Name?” “Hunter. His name’s Hunter” “Hun... ter?” It was Keith’s turn to look flushed. He wasn’t great at names. He’d had so many ideas in his head, yet all of them were wrong... but “Hunter”... That was all Lance’s fault “Yeah, baby. You know... You’re our sharp shooter... and I’m “samurai”... now we’ve got our little lion cub... and Hunter... After all, I hunted you down and finally made you mine” Lance let out a sleepy kind of snort, his lover had to be more asleep than awake at that stage “Hunter... I like it... our little lion Laith and our little Hunter” “Yeah, babe. You did so good” Clearing his throat, Shiro interrupted them “Would you like to cut the second cord?” Lance said everything in the look he gave him, Keith nodding “We want you two to. They’re your God sons... You guys... are our family...” “Lance?” Lance nodded at Shiro. Keith settling down beside his husband, not caring about how weird his fingers felt now they were drying. None of that mattered to him in the slightest. His heart was pounding, his secondary instincts pushing their own pride into his mind, and despite not doing any actual work, Keith felt exhausted to his bones. As Shiro held Hunter, Curtis cut through the cord, both extremely proud uncles, while Keith was simply glad he couldn’t see what the cord was connected to. Sharing a moment, Curtis kissed Shiro’s cheek, instantly smitten by both baby boys. As Curtis took Hunter, Shiro grabbed the last two spare towels, immediately moving back between Lance’s legs. His husband immediately growing distressed as his shaking legs were spread further apart. Limply his husband tried to move his hand to Laith, but didn’t have the strength to. Kissing his hair, fear came waltzing back into heart, part of him thankful that Lance now seemed to out of it to question what was happening. “Shiro, how bad is it?” “He’s bleeding badly. I think he’s slipped into shock from the blood loss...” The feeling of elation Shiro and Curtis had to have felt as they cut the cord of their second God son had passed. Shiro tense as his hands continued to move between Lance’s legs “... Curtis, I need a clotting agent. Check the first aid kit, whatever you’ve got, bring it. See if you can reach the Garrison, tell them we have a life or death situation and need an urgent evac. We need to get this bleeding under control. Keith, make sure he doesn’t move. If he moves too much he’s going to bleed out from the tearing. We’re lucky he passed both the placentas, but that doesn’t mean that there isn’t a chance of tissue remaining. Give Hunter to Keith, I need that first aid kit” Snapping the last instruction at his boyfriend, Curtis did as directed, Hunter, like Laith, swaddled in a towel as he was placed in Keith’s lap, then he was gone from the room, running as he went. Hopelessness was kicking in. He’d seen how badly Lance had torn, and the sheer amount of blood had him woozy despite sitting. Slumped into his side, Lance was barely breathing. They had two perfect boys, but he couldn’t stop to enjoy that knowledge with Lance in such a dangerous condition. If his husband was to stop breathing... “Hey! Keep it together. He needs you to keep it together!” Keith jolted. He didn’t know what he was supposed to do... It showed in his watery eyes “Talk to him. Anything, try and keep him conscious” Shaking Lance’s shoulder, Lance groaned weakly at him. His husband deserved to rest, but Shiro said not to let him “I know, babe. I know, you did so good for me. I need you to stay awake, ok. I need you awake. Hunter and Laith need you to stay awake for them. Your baby boys. Think how proud Mami is going to be. They look like you. Like their daddy... I didn’t know how slimy they were going to be. You know, they don’t show that bit in the movie, when they’re all goopy. And they’re so tiny... they need their dad... we all need you...” Keith felt Lance trying to shift, not that he could, his husband weakly mumbling “... wanna... hold... my baby...” “They’re right here, Laith and Hunter are right here...” “My baby...” Laith was between the crook of Lance’s right arm and his chest, Hunter in his lap. Letting go of his husband, Keith moved their tiny boy up so Lance could see him. His husband smiling the tick he did “Baby...” “Hunter. He’s got your hair...” At least Keith thought he did. He was all wrinkly, but he had soft wispy hair with tiny little fingers. Their baby boy hadn’t opened his eyes yet, nor had he lodged a protest over being born like his big brother had “Hold him?” “We’ll hold him, together. Laith is sleeping by your side. He’s like his daddy, he’s grumpy when he’s sleepy” “‘m sleepy” “I know, babe. I know...” He’d been saying that a lot tonight. He didn’t know what else to say to reassure him other than agreeing “Where did you come up with Laith’s name? I haven’t heard it before” “Baby book...” “And here I thought I’d read that more than you” “Nooo...” “I’m back!” Curtis didn’t need the theatrics to announce his return. His hands full as he rushed over to Shiro, grabbing something he untangled it as he moved to the bed head “I found this in what Pidge and Coran left. Kosmo didn’t touch it, probably because it isn’t food. I didn’t think to check them before now” Keith could have kissed Coran right on the lips as Curtis set the IV line. Coran always fussed over Lance, considering his every possible need, their bond tighter than those of blood “Let me get this set up. I heard Shiro telling you to keep him conscious, I thought you should call your parents now that our comms are back up” Lance softy asked “Mami?” “Yeah, baby. We’re going to call Mami” “Want Mami...” “I know, sweetheart. You’ll see her as soon as the storm dies down” “Wanted her for weeks...” Fuck... if Lance had told him, Curtis could have picked her up. Keith knew he’d break the law for the pair of them, and there was enough space in front of the cabin to land a pod “Oh, baby... I know she’s wanted to see you too. She’s going to be so proud. Curtis is going to hold the comms so we can cuddled our boys, Little Hunter and Little Laith. You just have to stay awake for me a little longer” His husband whines at him softly, it really wasn’t fair that he wasn’t allowed to rest after the extraordinary effort birthing their boys had taken “I think I wet myself...” Lance mumbled sadly, Keith didn’t want to say he was pretty sure he had during labour too “That’s ok. We’ll get you all cleaned up while we’re talking to Mami” With an extra set of hands, Curtis moved Laith up onto Lance’s chest and placed his hand on their boys back. The cannula run into Lance’s hand rather than his elbow most probably so that he’d be able to cuddle this boys with the best of his current ability. Video calling Miriam, the Cuban woman was obviously in bed when her comms rang. Behind her Jorge was snoring soundly “Keith! What’s wrong?! It’s the middle of the night?” Smiling tiredly at Miriam, Keith could understand and sympathise over his mother-in-law’s worry “We have someone you need to meet” Curtis panned the comms down, Miriam letting out a soft gasp at the pair of them with their boys. From behind the comms Curtis supplied “Lance went into labour earlier today. We’re at the cabin, Shiro’s tending to him” “Oh, Mijos... oh, they’re so precious! Oh, Lance... Jorge, wake up! It’s Lance!” Keith let a soft laugh escape as Miriam elbows Jorge, Jorge letting out a loud snore before jolting “Who? What?” “Lance” The poor man had been sound asleep “Who?” “It’s your son, Lance! He’s given birth” Sitting up behind her, Jorge rubbed at his face, squinting at the screen. Keith hoped he was showing all right emotions and not making them worry any more than needed to be “What’s that?” “Your grandsons. Honestly, Lord give me strength. Keith, how is Lance? He looks exhausted” “He is. He wanted to see you. You’re... you’re the first person outside of the four of to see them... Um... This is Laith, and this one is Hunter... We couldn’t call earlier. The storm knocked our comms out... but... we’re taking care of Lance. Curtis set up an IV and Shiro is cleaning him up. Um... oh, Laith was born first... the Hunter, obviously, about...” Thankfully Shiro had some idea “Thirty five minutes by the time you delivered him. Sorry, Miriam, I’m taking care of Lance’s... uh...” “He’s cleaning Lance up still” Miriam’s eyes seemed to be more on the twins than Lance. Lance was smiling softly at his boys, a little cross eyed as he did “He gave birth at the cabin... How is that possible?” Keith didn’t want to scare her with the details “For a lack of a more decent term the same way he go pregnant” His mother-in-law winced, Jorge shifted uncomfortably when he must have figured out what that meant. The man looked ready to faint and he hadn’t even been there for birth “My poor sweet boy... Oh, my poor baby...” “‘m ok, Mami... wanted you to see them” “They’re beautiful, Mijo. How do you feel?” “Fucking sore” Miriam laughed, as did the three of them in the room. It was the loudest Lance had spoken since giving birth “I’m sure you are. Are they everything you thought they’d be?” “More... Mami... they’re so perfect” “They are, mijo. They are. Keith, how are you?” Why was she asking him that? “I’m fine?” “About your boys, my dear” Keith ducked his head. The twins. Right “They’re amazing... Lance was amazing... They, uh, don’t really show how squishy birth is...” Miriam covered her mouth as she laughed “No, they don’t. Have you tied and the cut the cords?” Keith beamed as his gaze landed on Laith. He needed more arms. He wanted to cuddle Lance, and their two boys all the same time “He cut Laith’s, then Shiro and I cut Hunter’s” “And Lance passed the placentas?” “He has! He’d badly torn... I’m just about to spray an antibiotic over the wounds, I’ve applied an anticoagulant, but he’s lost a lot of blood” Lance nearly jumped out his skin as Shiro sprayed between his legs, Keith cringing in sympathy, Miriam letting out a sympathetic hush as she fussed “I can only imagine. Oh, look at them, Jorge. Hunter and Laith... I need to write this down... Jorge, write this down. Our baby’s had his babies... No trouble with either of them?” Keith was mildly miffed that Miriam would insinuate that there was anything possibly wrong or troubling with their boys, scowling at the woman, he snuggled closer to his perfect little boys “Laith screamed after he was born. Hunter hasn’t...” Climbing out from between Lance’s legs, Shiro walked over to rinse his hands in the basin of water Curtis had brought in before the birth. Wrinkling his nose, his adoptive brother found the water dirtied “Keith, I think she wanted to know if there were any complications. There haven’t been, Miriam, not with the boys. We’ll be having Lance transferred to the Garrison’s infirmary centre once the storm lets up. Are you able to get lift over here, or should I send someone to pick you up?” “I’ll go, Taka. Once Lance is in their care, I’ll take a pod and pick Miriam up. Sorry, Miriam, Keith needs to tell Krolia now. I suppose I don’t need to ask you keep this a secret a little longer” “Gracious, Curtis. There’s no need to ask, my lips are sealed” Jorge chuckled, yeah... there was no way Miriam wouldn’t off this call then straight onto Marco, Veronica, Rachel and Luis “Mami... call Coran... wanna tell Coran to...” Miriam laughed, Lance hadn’t been supplying much to the conversation, but he was having his way no matter what he asked. His husband deserved it for giving his all “I’ll call him right away, sweetheart. Now you get you some rest. Oooooh! I can’t wait to meet them. Jorge, get up. We have to get ready...” Curtis hung up before Miriam finished bossing Jorge into action, Lance letting out a kind of breathy laugh before then yawning. Without the distraction of the call, Keith didn’t know what came next “Shiro, do you think we can get someone out today?” “Not tonight. Not until this storm lifts. I need a moment... I’ve done what I can. We don’t have anything overly suitable for the damage. What do you want to do with the after birth?” Wrinkling his nose, Keith didn’t want it... Did normal people not throw it out or burn it? Coming to his boyfriend’s side, Shiro sank into his offered embrace “We’ll wrap and freeze the placentas, that way Lance has the choice when he’s awake enough to be making choices. You’ve done everything you can for him, Taka... You did good tonight. Do you want me to come with you?” Shiro... fuck... he hadn’t thought of how this would affect his brother. He’d been so strong for it all, but he had to be scared for Lance. Exhausted over what had happened, and as emotionally drained as he was physically. That much blood had to bringing back all sorts of memories and emotions, that and his brother would feeling Lance’s pain, taking on the mantle of some burden he shouldn’t “You two go, I’m not going anywhere. Thank you... Thank you so much... I... we couldn’t have done this without you... I was scared out of my mind, but because of you... we have our beautiful boys” He wanted to throw his arms around his brother and never let him go. What Shiro had done for them. No, what Shiro and Curtis had done for the four of them, he had no words to express his gratitude. When Shiro opened his mouth, he was hushed by Curtis. Curtis got it. It wasn’t something that needed to be put into words. They all felt it, and now the worst had passed it was time to rest. If Shiro was leaving Lance’s side, it was finally safe for his husband to sleep, that didn’t mean his condition wouldn’t be closely monitored, nor that Lance or their twins would be neglected even for a tick. It was simply time to heal after the high risk situation that the birth had been. When Curtis and Shiro returned they both worked silently to clean everything up. The twins were removed from their holds so Keith could lift Lance while Curtis changed their the towel and sheets beneath him. The fact he was naked was nothing sexual to any of them. Lance was simply... simply a father who’d given birth. Their boys returned to him so both he and Shiro had free hands. Having taken a break and cleared their minds, Curtis took over the medical side of things once Lance was settled back down onto two folded bathrobes, and tucked safely up under his abuela’s red and blue blanket. Now knowing that they’d been left medical supplies, Curtis seemed at ease as he injected something into Lance’s IV line. Had his husband been awake, he would have objected. For his own sake he needed to remain calm, and dulled to the pain below his waist. Having forgot to call his mother, Keith pushed the responsibility onto Shiro. He didn’t feel up to talking to her, afraid he’d snap at her if she was to say the wrong thing by accident. Words weren’t his strength at the best of times, and though the birth of his boys might just the very best of times, it was best to play it safe. When Shiro got off the call, his brother sank down to sit next to him. His head dropping onto his shoulder, wet hair dripping down his shoulder and soaking into his shirt, at the two sleeping babes in his arms. He’d hoped to wash his hands, but that went out the window when his boys came back into his hold “You did good Keith” “Lance did good...” “No, I’m proud of you, kiddo. What’s it like being a father?” “I’m exhausted already?” Shiro kissed his shoulder as Curtis carefully settled himself down by Lance. The bed wasn’t made for the four of them, let alone the six “If they’re anything like their parents, there’ll be more than one sleepless night ahead for the both of you” “Don’t ruin it for me. They’re perfect” Tiny bowed lips. Tightly scrunched eyes. Thin almost non-existent hair. Chubby cheeks and puppy fat. It all came together to make something so incredibly precious that would some how grow to be a whole person of their own “They are. I never imagined you chose a name like “Hunter”” “Hunter” had been kicking around in the back of his mind. Naming his son was a huge deal. He didn’t want to pick the wrong name. He hadn’t been able to name Kosmo, despite the two years they’d spent together. To give something a name... He didn’t want to grow attach only to lose them. It hadn’t been his first choice. At first he’d wondered if he should name his baby boy “Yorak”, as his mother had wished to name him, but he wasn’t his mother. Naming their son after Shiro hadn’t felt right either. Shiro was Shiro. His son was free to be whoever he wanted to be. Then Lance had teased him, he’d called him “Samurai”. Naturally he wouldn’t name his son “Samurai” any more than he’d name him “Sharpshooter”, so when he'd tried to grasp the right name along those lines of familiar teasing, he’d been surprised that Hunter has stuck “I never imagined I would either. Lance wanted to meet our boys before we named them, then he went and blurted out “Laith”... He didn’t tell me. Did... is Hunter a good name?” “It’s a strong name. He’s strong like his daddies” “And Laith?” “There’s nothing wrong the names you both chose. We can take both you idiots out of space, but at the end of the day, you’re both idiots” Keith’s thin lips turned downwards at the edges “Does that mean we chose stupid names? I don’t want my son to have a stupid name” “Keith, you didn’t chose stupid names. You chose names that both had some level of nostalgic meaning for both of you. Coran may be slightly upset his name didn’t make the cut, but that’s between you guys and him. How could any one possibly be mad once they set eyes on your boys?” With everything that happened, Keith was too tired to pretend he could keep up. The half-Galra too full of pride over his sons to have an in-depth conversation. Perhaps Shiro sensed this “For now, we all need to get some rest. I’ll take first watch” “No. No, I want to watch him... I want to watch them... it feels so surreal as I’m waiting to wake up” “Remember that the first time you change a nappy. Wake me up in a couple of hours, or when the Garrison gets here. I know you want to protect them, but you’ll be no good to Lance if you don’t let yourself rest when you have the chance” Keith knew Shiro was right, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t going to let his brother sleep as long as possible. He was a father now, he had to step up and be everything that his small family needed, no matter how that may weigh on him. Smiling proudly at his sons, it finally felt like their family was going to be alright.

[dammitadolfnomorecake]

CSUAVS PRT 49 half

Veronica was standing guard in front of Kre'el's room, halting the progress of their mission to visit the woman with minimal fuss made. They'd darted though the palace, as if on a secret mission. With Krolia wanting to speak with him, his mother was likely to pop out of nowhere and spoil their plans. Doubling back, it was a slight trek to find a vent opening they could both reach. A mural decision that had been made with a roll of Lance's eyes and a groan on Keith's behalf at the sight of a grumpy looking Veronica. If he'd had his comms, he could have sent Acxa to distract her but they'd left their comms behind to prevent being interrupted. The half-Galra supposed he would have to apologise to Veronica at some point, but that point wasn't until she apologised to Lance for treating him simply as her little brother.

 Unhooking the vent cover, Keith dropped down first, nearly taking out the visitors chair as he lost his balance when his eyes met Kre'el's. This plan of theirs seeming somewhat stupider now they'd reached their end goal... and a whole lot stupider when Lance dropped the block of chocolate they'd brought with him down on his head. Mentally glaring at his husband, Keith leapt down off the chair to retrieve the chocolate as Lance lowered himself down, somehow ending up on his arse instead of standing. In her bed, Kre'el gave a coughing laugh. Lance looking to her with too much interest. Resisting the urge to growl, Keith the the chocolate at Lance, before stalking to lean against the back of the visitors chair, attempting to glare her into shutting up until Lance was ready to talk. Kre'el knew exactly what she was doing, using her left hand to lift her oxygen mask off to sit under her chin.

 "You came back?"

Nodding, Lance was tense

"I had to. We haven't finished talking"

"I see you brought Keith"

"He's staying"

"He's handsome... If I were three hundred years younger..."

Then what? That was plain creepy. Plus... she had nothing he was interested in

"He is right here. Lance had questions, and you're going to give him answers while no one is watch us"

Kre'el ignored him

"What do you want to know? I thought I explained before"

Lance took a breath as he started to fiddle with the chocolate wrapper

"I want to know about his men. Klearo's men. I want to know what they sent you. You said he was to observe and report to you... did he... did he film me?"

Kre'el moved her left hand towards Lance, leaving the mask down under her chin. She barely looked alive, let alone like the woman that had tried to kidnap them

"Lance, I'm not sure that will change anything... They're dead. Taken care of after Klearo abused the power we bestowed upon him... I couldn't let them do it again"

"So he did... Why? What happened to the film?"

Breaking off the chocolate, Lance's hands were shaking

"I erased files... after you agreed to help kill Klearo. The data he provided was next to useless. You're pain threshold was higher than expected, as was your healing time. The drugs processed through your system too fast to be effective, only serving to tell us that it wasn't a suitable form of sedation. Other than your marks and high quintessence, there was nothing particularly fascinating until we knew human males weren't biologically designed to carry young... Klearo... he got what he deserved. I never imagined he'd take things that far or that way simply because you bruised his ego"

Passing Kre'el a piece of chocolate, the Altean took it in confusion

"It's chocolate. It's good..."

"Why?"

"Why are you giving this to me? You should hate me, like your partner does"

"Honestly. I want to hate you. I want to shake you and yell at you, and throw you out the nearest airlock. I want to demand answers to all the questions I have... but when I look at you... I can't... I still see her... Those god awful coffees... Sitting at the bar while you complained about you boss... but I guess he was a friend after all. Kre'el, what happened to Helo? Did you... did you kill him? Did any of them survive?"

Gasping, Kre'el coughed as she shook her head

"That wasn't me. Not personally. It was... on behalf of Erathus, at the outpost. He was getting to close to our operation. Looking into the missing ships... Pollarck could only do so much in his position... I was told he was apprehended by your Earth friends. I never wanted him to die... I wish we could go back to those days, but it was always going to end like this..."

 How Lance could sit there nodding, Keith didn't know. Helo was a friend to both of them. Someone else who didn't need to die

"And his body?"

"Parts... the ones with low quintessence... they served so we could live"

Keith drew his brow in disgust. Lance was acting too calm. As if he was simply visiting a friend, not a mass murdering bitch. He was barely holding his tongue. His teeth hurting from how hard he was gritting them. Lance needed this and so far had kept his temper, but he didn't know if that was better or worse

"What do you mean?"

Placing the chocolate in her mouth, Kre'el sighed around the piece

"This is good"

Lance wasn't buying it, his voice firm

"Kre'el, what do you mean they served so you could live? They served the ship? Then why did they need to be in pieces?"

"Lift the blankets... I can't..."

 Lance went to move as Kre'el said, Keith stopping him by placing both hands on his shoulders and pushing him down. There was no way Kre'el have a weapon on her, but Keith wasn't chancing Lance's health

"I'll do it"

Stepping around the visitors chair, Keith was slightly rough as he pulled the blankets back to expose the hospital gown Kre'el was wearing, not sure what he was supposed to be seeing

"Break the tab on the side, and pull it back. We're all adults here"

There was no tab, just the string that tied at the back. Taking the thin fabric in his hands it snapped with ease. With her arm in the left sleeve, Keith gave up and tore the fabric, revealing a sunken stomach littered with thick scars. Eyeing it in revolt, Keith backed away, gathering Lance against him as his boyfriend said nothing

"Our bodies are breaking down... you saw my arm... we... wanted to live... We weren't the only ones trying to extend our lives..."

"That doesn't make any of this right. You fucking let them hurt him. You could have confessed to him. You could have come to us! You killed thousands of people... How many lives have you destroyed?! Where are the rest of you? You said something about a new home. Where?! How do we get there? How many of you are still there?"

"Keith, just... just stop. Please..."

Reaching out, Lance pulled the blankets back as Kre'el tried to help. She could freeze for all he cared

"She broke... they broke you. How can you just sit there? What happened to all your questions? What happened to you needing these answers?"

Lance shot him a glare, smoothing out the piece of blanket near Kre'el's hand. His voice was soft, and far too understanding

"Because they just wanted to live... We all want to live... Kre'el, is there another planet? Another home base now that the outpost and ship are gone?"

"Yes... a world... we tried to make our own. I don't know if any more will live... not without the ship..."

"How do we get there?"

"It's all on the ship... the... the pass code is "hope"... you... have an Altean... don't let them use the pods..."

With Kre'el running out of breath, Lance broke his hold completely to lift the mask back onto her face. Telling them to go back to the ship was a cop out, in his opinion. Kre'el could be stringing them along. Lance feared having been filmed, and she'd confirmed it.

 A few doboshes of awkward silence past as Kre'el regained control of her breathing. Lance was biting his lip as he stared at his former friend. It didn't look good for Kre'el. It was like death was in the air

"Lance, I think you should ask any other questions you have"

Looking up to him, Lance looked back to Kre'el. Just because Lance had accepted things, didn't mean Keith was ready to jump into the same boat. Someone had to stay objective... Which he definitely wasn't being... but wouldn't admit. Taking Kre'el's hand in his was the last straw for Keith. Walking over to the wall, he leaned back against it. If Lance was going to be an idiot, he could get himself out of whatever she did to him

"You don't have to talk... just nod or shake your head. Is everyone with that tattoo gone? From Klearo's crew?"

Kre'el nodded

"And there's more of you out there? That could be dying without the ship?"

Kre'el nodded again

"And if we unlock the ship, we'll be able to access the records? Including that data you took on Keith and I?"

Nodding again, Kre'el was letting one rattling breath after another

"And us... our friendship. You regretted what was done? But you were still desperate to survive?"

Pulling off her mask, Kre'el coughed

"I'm sorry... I wanted you dead... I wanted... if you had a child... I wanted... I wanted... why we had to die... why she had to die... didn't... want you to die... wanted to live"

 The machine monitoring Kre'el's heart started to beep louder, her hand grasping Lance's harder as she wheezed, trying to talk of her daughter to his boyfriend. Rising, Lance placed her hand on forehead

"Babe... should I get Veronica?"

"She's dying"

"So I should get Veronica?"

The beeping was getting louder, Veronica was sure to be in the room any tick as it was. As Kre'el started to flatline, Lance pointed to the door while keeping his eyes on Kre'el

"No... Let her go. If they come back in here, they're only going to revive her over and over until her body fails completely. If we do that, we're no better than they were. Let her rest... Que Dios te lleve a su abrazo amoroso y tenga piedad de tu alma. Que descanses en paz en los brazos de tu hija, en el paraíso que es el cielo... Sleep and when you wake, might your daughter be there to accept you with open arms"

"Babe?"

"It's ok. Kre'el, it's ok to let go. I forgive you..."

 As the door to Kre'el's room opened, Veronica glared at the pair of them

"What are you doing in here? Lance, step away from the prisoner"

"She's dead V. It's time to let her go"

"She holds important information"

"Her body is failing. Bringing her back is too cruel"

"I can't simply look the other way. Neither of you are supposed to be in here unsupervised"

"God. Put the rules aside. She was a mother and she wanted to save her people. Let her pass in peace. Let her rest"

"You don't have the authority to make that decision"

"As the person she hurt most here, I say I do"

"You're not..."

Pushing off the wall with his foot, Keith stood between Lance and Kre'el. Veronica might have a job to do,

"Call Shiro and ask him. He'll agree with Lance"

"Keith, you..."

Behind them, Kre'el continued to flatline, Veronica pushing Keith out the way, before stopping just shy of Lance

"She's gone already V. Let her rest with her daughter"

"She was valuable"

"She was a person. A really fucking misguided person. If Honerva could find rest and redemption, so can she"

"You can't make decisions like this"

"I make decisions like this all the time. I've lost team members and friends, V. If mami can accept what I do, so can you. You never would have had access to her at all, or to her ship without us. Now it's time she rests..."

 Placing down Kre'el's hand, Lance moved past Veronica, Keith moving to catch his boyfriend in his arms before he escape

"Babe?"

"I'm ok... Not ok, but... I knew it was coming"

"What do you need?"

"Can we go back to the Telula? I need my holopad..."

What did he need his holopad for? Kre'el has just died, and Keith's head was still full of questions. Shiro probably wouldn't be too happy that all they got was the code for the prison ship's systems was "hope". Pidge had probably already hacked it, or one of his other officers. They should have kept Kre'el in a pod longer. Even if they'd only taken her out the morning she was being transferred, it'd have given them more time for Lance to talk to her

"Babe, I think you're in shock"

"I want to write everything down before I forget it... We need to get to that planet to search for any survivors"

He should have seen the one coming from a mile away. There was no way Keith was agreeing to them checking it out, but a panic attack or an argument in front of Veronica wouldn't end well for Lance

"Ok. Let's get everything written down and talk to Shiro?"

"And Coran. Coran knows what "hope" is in Altean. It's probably not been the same word as "hope". Shit. Shiro's not going to be happy"

"Shiro said he was happy with what you got from her. We should get out of the way"

 With Kre'el flatlining and Veronica not yelling directions at medical staff, the staff filtering in to deal with her body were in no rush. Taking Lance out the the room, Lance looked back as Keith tugged him on

"What's going on?"

"I forgot the chocolate... do you think she liked it?"

For the second time that day, shock was starting to set in, Lance stopping again to stare back at Kre'el's room. Chocolate wasn't a priority, and Keith had given Lance's mother more than enough for the stockpile in his possession. Being Lance's mother, she'd wanted to pay for it all, but understood when Keith explained he wanted to pay as it was a personal gift and not just a want.

"Yeah. I'm sure she did"

"Maybe I should have given her more?"

"You saw how sick she was, babe. You made her happy for a few moments"

"Do you think she liked it?"

Wrapping his arm around Lance's waist, Keith kept guiding him away from the room. There was nothing that could done for Kre'el now

"Babe, you just asked me that"

"Oh... Oh. I want to go to the Telula..."

"That's where we're going"

"Ok. I hope she finds peace"

"I'm sure she will. What was it you said to her in Spanish?"

"Oh... um... just a prayer. I couldn't think of a bible verse that fitted for her... so I said a prayer. I think... I hope she's at peace with her daughter... What she must have gone through... Veronica's going to be pissed"

"That's her problem, not yours. You just lost a friend"

"I know... I feel like I should be crying, but I'm not"

"It hasn't sunk in yet"

"Yeah... maybe..."

Shoving his hands in his pocket, Lance didn't return the hold. His feet still heavy as slow, even once Kre'el's room had long disappeared behind them.

    *

By the time they reached the Telula, Lance was walking taller. The glint in his eyes not his soft boyfriend's but that of when Lance donned the mask of Leandro. Heading on board, Shiro was waiting for them in the cargo bay, the man poised to attack them with a hug, only to stop and raise an eyebrow at Lance's lack of tears. Giving a slight jerk of his head, Shiro silently asked him if Lance was alright. There was no way to silently reply to that. Keith wasn't even sure he had the words to vocalise a reply

"Lance?"

Blinking at Shiro, Lance then out a weary sigh

"She passed. I'm sorry. I couldn't let them bring her back again. Not after everything. Keith needs to talk to you. Do you know where Coran is?"

"The others are in the medbay. Pidge wanted in on the programs Coran was gifting Daehra with. I can go get him..."

"No. No, it's ok. Thanks. I'm just going to borrow him for bit. Keith, why don't you take Shiro down to your old room for some privacy, I'm going to head up to the bridge"

Keith wasn't sure what he was meant to talk to Shiro about. He was more worried for Lance. Even if he was seeking out Coran, Keith still wanted to be there for him... It stung... and the half-Galra would be lying if he didn't say he was confused as to what he was supposed to be feeling. The feelings of anger and disgust were morphing into something else... Maybe he did need to talk to Shiro? Was it in his scent? Is that what made Lance think it was better he talk to Coran instead of him?

"Ok, babe... I'm here if you need to talk"

"I know. Just gotta do this first"

That was a whole lot of nothing explained. Lance said he wanted to write things down... So how did Coran work into that? Still in search of something to hug, Shiro slung his arm over Keith's shoulder

"Take as long as you need. Keith can fill me in"

Lance's only reply was to give a nod before striding off ahead of them

"Is he ok?"

"I don't know, Shiro. I really don't know"

"Ok, kiddo. How about you and me go have this talk?"

  It looked to Keith like in his absence his room had been turned into a storage room for Lance. The bed was made, but was made with all of his spare blankets. The pile so thick that it was almost impossible to roll into a pile then on to the floor. He stupid instincts didn't want other people's scents on things, despite another's scent clearly being on their blankets. He didn't know the scent, it was soft like faded fabric softener. Something floral at a guess. Sitting on the edge of be bed, Shiro sat down next to him. His one armed hug moving from his shoulders to around his waist, having been broken to make space for them. Burying his face in his hands, Keith rubbed at his eyes, nudging softly Shiro prompted

"Veronica called ahead"

"I figured she would. She wanted to revive Kre'el when she flatlined. Lance wanted to let her pass"

"Did she talk? I didn't expect you two to head back to her so soon"

"I didn't either. But the first thing that idiot wanted was to finish talking to her"

"Did he get the answers he needed?"

 Keith let out a bitter laugh. That was the question of the varga. Did he?

"He said he forgave her"

"And you don't?"

"I don't know. It was easier to hate her before I knew everything else. She fucked him up so much. He was suicidal, throwing himself headfirst into all his missions because he didn't care if he died. He's been popping god only knows what, shooting up the yellow shit they got him addicted to. Picking fights with everyone. Hunting down dangerous criminals. He only escaped them the first time by killing everyone, then he went right back in there and did the same to Klearo... and now he finds out the sick fucks filmed the whole thing. Kre'el said she deleted it, and he believes her. He believes her because  he... he still sees his friend in her. I don't know what to do Shiro..."

 Shiro gathered him up against him as tears started to well in Keith's eyes

"It sounds like you've been there for Lance, but he hasn't really been there for you"

What no?

"What do you mean?"

"That was all about Lance, but how do you feel about Kre'el's death?"

"I don't know. I said I don't know. Why would you say that about Lance?"

"That came out wrong. You sound exhausted, and you've only just reunited. Neither of you have stopped since you came back together. Naps and sleeping don't count"

"It's... complicated. He's good to me. I promise..."

"Keith..."

"He is. He's there. He listens to me most of the... some of the time. It's been hard to get him through things, but it's also brought up a lot of things I haven't got through either... and he helps with that. I still have nightmares... and I understand things differently to how I did. I didn't understand how people could rely on something so much... like the drugs, but now I realise you were my drug. I was relying on you so heavily I went crazy when I lost your support. It wasn't healthy... I mean, if you went missing now, I'd hunt your arse down and kick you back to Curtis. But I understand why those kids couldn't just stop... and... When he went back, he asked me to come with him. For us. He wants to put this behind him for us... but now we've found out there's this whole other planet that might be filled with dead aliens... and I just know he's going to want to go"

"Did she give you coordinates?"

"No she said they were on the ship. The password is "hope" in Altean. She mentioned some other alien called Pollarck? I have no idea who he is... I don't think I can forgive her like Lance did..."

"You don't have to forgive her. You know what happened now"

"I don't know if I do. I feel like I still have questions, but I have no idea what they are. Lance said he had questions, and I don't know if he asked them all or gave up because she was so close to death"

"That's a talk you're going to have to with him"

"I know, but he's swapped into work mode now. He said he wanted to write everything down... I'm worried Shiro. They took a heap of personal data from us on that outpost. I'm worried that when the technicians are looking through the ship's data, they're going to find everything out. He was already scared that they had filmed him, then she went and confirmed it, only to say it was gone. But what if it's not? What if it's still on system? What if it gets out?"

"It won't get out. The ship is on lockdown. We have it under surveillance in case the rest of her network come for it"