Archive of Our Own ^beta

When Keith said he was going to take a day off, he fucking meant a day off! A day! One day! 24 hours! 12 in the morning to 12 in the morning! But no! Lance had to go stir shit up.

Again.

Like, seriously! How hard is it? Keith was confident he'd told Lance as clear as wind; 'I'm taking the day off tomorrow. Don't cause trouble.' And what does the bastard do? Causes trouble! At this point, Keith was beginning to think Lance was doing this to spite him. Keith sighed and rubbed his temple. Next time time I take a day off, I'm going to Rome or India or fucking Snake Island or some shit just to take the damn day off!!! He stood up, about to go get ready, when the news report speaks up.

'-just in. He's not alone.'

Keith whipped his head towards the television fast enough to snap it. Of course, that would never happen.

'Oh my, it seems Blue Arrow is not alone and not on good terms with the newcomer either.'

Keith snatched up the remote and turned the volume up.

The reporter kept speaking in the background but all Keith could focus on was the newcomer and his boyfriend.

The live feed showed Blue Arrow firing multiple arrows and the newcomer nimbly avoiding with the grace and poise of a ballerina. With each shot, Blue Arrow took one step back and the new comer advanced slowly. Once at the edge, Blue Arrow did a clean backflip off the building and landed on the next one on his feet.

The feed cut to a helicopter transmission.

'Yes Tina, I'm here on the scene or rather, above it.' The male reporter spoke into his headset.

'It seems Blue Arrow and the newcomer are after each others throats. They-'

He kept speaking but Keith only looked at the scene. At the newcomer, who had white hair. Similar to Allura. It was long and went well past his waist. Who is this dude, Rapunzel? He kept advancing on Blue Arrow, a gymnastics routine on hand. On his waist was a sword but instead of using it, he materialized a glowing white ball of energy and shot it at Blue Arrow.

'It looks like this newcomer has abilities as well! Just like out villain, Blue Arrow here.'

'He's not a villain!' Keith wanted to scream. But they wouldn't hear him nor believe him.

'And just like our hero, Firestone. Speaking of, where is he?'

Keith bit his lip. He knew he should go out there but he couldn't seem to tear away from the screen.

'Well, I suppose we can count on our new hero to save the day!'

Keith hated this. He hated all the misunderstandings and the lies and the secrecy.

Of course the people of Altea would put their lives in the hands of this complete and total stranger than in the hands of a capable, responsible, absolutely adorable-uhh...powerful. Yes, powerful superhero who was wrongly perceived as a villain. He was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. It wasn't Blue's fault.

The newcomer seemed to be a quintessence wielder as well. On screen, he fired another ball of what Keith deduced to be pure quintessence, at Blue Arrow. Blue, who had little time to fire another arrow, raised his hands and created a transparent, blue rimmed shield in front of him.

Blue had imbuing magic. He could imbue magic, or rather quintessence, into inanimate objects like his arrows and give them properties. But recently he'd been taking lessons from Allura on how to use quintessence outside of imbuing. He couldn't do much, considering it was not his property but Keith swore he would kiss Allura full on the mouth for teaching him that spell. Lance wouldn't mind.

Keith himself was a wielder as well. What could he do?

He was fast.

Yep.

That was about it.

But he was also one of the most powerful wielders there. His speed allowed him to have some control over fire. Once, he left a trail of fire in his wake and he found out that he could do that at will now. But that was the only type of fire he could manipulate. Fire lit by other sources was as useless as a jellyfish to him. Thanks to Shiro, he also knew knew how to fight with blades. He always kept a blade in his shoe, as uncomfortable as it was.

Blue sidestepped another energy ball before spinning right into the newcomer’s grasp. Keith watched in horror as Blue Arr-fuck it- as Lance struggled against the new guy’s grip.

Uhh hello? The fuck are you still doing here?

Keith snapped out of his daze and ran into his room at top speed.

A blue blur rushed through the streets of Altea. He came to the foot of the ‘meetup building’ as he had dubbed it and stared up at the tall structure. He pulled out his phone and checked the time.

9:54. Ha! Take that, you speedy bastard! He smirked.

He reached for his quiver and pulled out an arrow with blue feathers. He closed his eyes and focused on the object. He felt his quintessence being channeled into the arrow and he exhaled, opening his eyes. The arrow glowed a faint blue and he smiled, pleased with himself.

He nocked the arrow and pointed it to the top of the building and felt a rope wrap itself around his arm. Now he was pleased. He had no doubt in his skills, especially his aim. It was one of the things he prided himself on.

But as he was about to let the arrow loose, he felt a change in the wind. It picked up and he faltered.

Crap. He thought a bit too late. A red blur sped past him and it stopped in front of him. He was wearing a red and black suit, a red, fire-like mask tied neatly around his head, his belt had a sword hooked on it and the most devious smirk in history was gracing his face.

Lance’s arms cried out in pain but he ignored them. Firestone’s smirk widened impossibly and he gave a mock two-fingered salute.

‘Fuck.’ Lance breathed. Red gave him a short laugh before, literally, speeding up the side of the building.

‘Hate you with a burning passion, you mullet wearing speeder!’ Lance called out before letting his arrow loose. He felt a tug on his arm and he left the ground.

‘Mullet wearing speeder?’

Lance rolled his eyes. ‘Oh come on! Give me a break!’

‘Lance, I’ve heard Shiro yell more insulting shit! Shiro!’ Keith laughed.

Lance walked over and punched his arm playfully. ‘Shut up.’

Keith laughter carried far and wide. The pair made their way to the edge of the building and sat down, legs dangling off the drop.

‘So, what happened?’

That was their thing. They never asked each other how their day went, they asked what happened.

Lance shrugged. ‘Pidge exploded the chem lab at Altea High and took one more step closer to being expelled, Hunk’s shop is getting a makeover and Matt is close to death. He says his job is killing him.’

Keith snorted. ‘Can’t say I’m surprised.’ He leaned back on balls of his hand. ‘I have no idea why he won’t just quit and take on that coding job at Altea High. That’s what he wants to do isn’t it?’

Lance nodded. ‘Trust me, Pidge has made it her god-given mission to slap some sense into her brother.’

‘I think she’s made it her god-given mission to just slap everyone, sense aside.’

Lance laughed, bright and bubbly. ‘What happened?’

Keith switched from the ball of his hands to his elbows. ‘Shiro successfully burned cereal today, Allura chipped a nail and took it out on Shiro, Adam almost fell asleep on me three times. I swear, that man needs a better sleep schedule. I mean, I literally stay up till ass o’clock in the morning and I still get better sleep than him!’ Keith rattled off as if prepared prior to this.

Lance was clutching his middle and wheezing. ‘Wait, wait, wait. Shiro burned cereal?’

Keith nodded, trying to stop his smile unsuccessfully.

‘How do you even-’

‘I know!’ Keith tossed his arms up.

The two held onto each other and laughed, pure and unfiltered.

‘Oh! I didn’t tell you!’ Lance remembered, turning towards Keith. ‘I’m learning how to use quintessence outside of my imbuing magic!’

Keith looked at Lance in disbelief. ‘R-really?’

Lance nodded with enthusiasm for days. ‘Yeah! Allura’s helping me!’

‘But why?’

‘Well, don’t get me wrong. I like my property as is but…’ Lance looked down. ‘Recently, I’ve been feeling pretty useless. Objects do my job for me. So,’ He looked at Keith with the brightest smile he’d ever seen. ‘I’m gonna learn how to wield raw quintessence!’

Keith gaped at the blue eyed boy before settling on a soft smile. ‘That’s amazing Lance!’

Lance beamed proudly. Keith turned back to the stunning view of Altea. Lights flickered on and off, the wind was nipping lightly at their faces. At least, what exposed skin they had on their faces at the moment.

Keith looked at his whitening knuckles and tightened his grip, praying Lance wouldn’t notice. He was sure his fingernails would leave marks on the building. His breath became fast and shallow. He needed to remove his mask. The one rule they had was to not remove their masks when they were out like this. Keith had enforced that rule. He closed his eyes and tried to control his breathing.Come on, Keith. Pull yourself together. You shouldn’t be like this! Deep breaths and tell him. Easier said than done.

A soft, gentle hand found it’s way onto Keith ever tightening hand. Keith looked at the two hands and followed it up to two striking blue eyes and Keith wanted to stare at all live long day.

Lance offered Keith a soft smile in reassurance. Normally, Lance wouldn’t push and ask what was wrong. He was the kind of person who would ask you about your problems and try to fix them but he was also the kind of person who knew what each individual needed. Be it a hug, a cuddle, a shoulder to cry on, a hot cup of cocoa or just…being there.

But, just this one time, Keith wanted Lance to ask.

Keith decided to damn it all to hell and reached up to the back of his head and began removing his red mask, ignoring Lance’s troubled cries. Once he had removed it, he tossed it to the side and it fluttered down onto the roof of the building gently. Keith turned to fully face Lance with nothing but determination in his violet eyes.

‘Keith?’ Lance asked.

Oh thank god! Keith reached over and grabbed the back of Lance's head. He found the knot that bound the blue mask to Lance’s face and quickly undid it. The mask landed next to Keith own and he was met with the same pair of amazingly gorgeous eyes that Lance owned. Right next to Keith’s heart.

‘Keith?’ Lance asked, nothing more than a whisper now.

Keith’s hands now rested on Lance’s face, gently cupping it. He parted his lips to say something when he decided words weren’t going to cut it.

Magical wouldn’t describe it. No words could. Lance’s hands flew off the building in sheer surprise and they hovered in mid air for a few seconds. He reciprocated it as soon as Keith pressed his lips against his own but his eyes stayed open. When his eyes finally fluttered shut, his hands went on autopilot and flew to the base of Keith’s neck and pulled him closer.

When they pulled apart, with great sadness, they did nothing but stare into each others eyes for a good 5 minutes. Keith counted the freckles dancing on Lance’s face while Lance tried to map the constellations in Keith’s eyes. Both failed and pulled each other in for a kiss at the same time. They pulled away quicker on account of the two of them laughing into the kiss. When Lance laughed, his head ducked down and his face scrunched up, successfully covering his blush. When Keith laughed, he threw his head back and his hand flew up to his face to hide his blush.

Lance scooted closer to Keith and nestled in his side. Keith’s hand instinctively went to Lance’s shoulder and he gave it a quick squeeze before rubbing it up and down. Lance sighed and relaxed completely, slumping against Keith.

Keith looked once more to the distance and smiled. Lance was there. He was his. Lance was his. And he was Lance’s.

Always.

‘Ah!’

‘Such a girl!’

Lance frowned at him. ‘You try being shot at with balls of pure quintessence and let’s see how you scream!’

Lotor smirked and did just that. Lance flipped off the building again. This guy was getting a bit too close for comfort.

Keith, for the love of God, where the fuck are you? You’re supposed to be like, the fastest person alive! Lance raised his hands and thwarted another ball with the shield.

As he pulled another arrow from his quiver he started thinking. Where have I seen this guy before? He sounds and looks familiar.

Did he go to Altea High? No, I would’ve remembered him.

One of Keith’s friends? Yeah right. As if.

Any ties to the Holts? No, Pidge is way to antisocial to even be near this asshole and Matt…no, just no.

What about Shiro? Old flame? No, he’d never been in a relationship before Adam.

Anything to Allura? They look pretty similar. Same white hair and build. Siblings? No, Allura said she was an only child. Cousins? Possible.

He hadn’t noticed Lotor had come closer until he was right under his nose. Lance gasped and would’ve stepped back is he wasn’t on the edge of the building. Lotor had a devious smirk on his lips. Lance’s eyes darted to the far right where he vaguely saw a helicopter hover. News channel. Great.

‘Wait, it looks like Blue Arrow is finally finished! He has nowhere left to run.’ He heard the reporter talk into the headset.

Good god, Altea! When are you guys gonna grow up?

He looked back at Lotor whose expression hadn’t changed but…was he even closer? Was that even possible?

Keith, my darling angel, my love, my soulmate, the light of my life, the salt of the earth, the apple of my eye, the yee to my haw. GET YOUR ASS OVER HERE NOW!!! Lance silently prayed to his partner.

He stared right into Lotor’s white-lavender eyes. They were narrowed with a murderous intent. They shifted to the helicopter and his smirk widened.

Crap, god please. What’s this bastard gonna do? Keith! Where are you?

His breathing grew quicker, rushed and forced. His bow hand shook violently and he started -ironically- quivering.

‘Let’s have some fun, shall we?’

No, no no no. Oh dear god.

It happened before Lance could even blink. Faster than he could think.

The kiss.

The mingled breath.

The shock.

How Lance’s mouth flew open in surprise.

How Lotor took advantage of that.

How Lotor’s tongue felt on his own.

How Lance wanted to jump off the building to his death if that meant getting away from this maniac.

How he never, never, kissed back.

How shocked the news reporter sounded.

How he could hear the city collectively gasp.

How Lance wanted nothing more than for this to be a nightmare and he’d wake up in Keith’s warm embrace.

How Lotor’s tongue was violently torn away from Lance’s mouth.

How the sound of fist meeting face rang throughout the atmosphere.

How absolutely furious Keith looked.

How dark his eyes were.

How Lance wanted the ground to crumble beneath his feet.

How Lotor laughed as if nothing had ever happened.

‘What’s this? Firestone is not siding with our new hero?’

How much Lance wanted to cry.

‘What will our hero do? He seems mad. Very mad.’

How Lance fell to his knees.

How frozen he felt.

How he also wanted nothing more than to send Lotor to the fiery pits of hell.

How ashamed of himself he felt.

How useless he felt.

Now, I’m the bad guy.

Again.

’Keith?’

Oh dear lord, how his voice trembled. Keith could just melt there. All he wanted to do was grab this boy and cuddle him till kingdom come. He wanted to sooth and protect him. To love and hold him. Hell, if a blood transfusion made Lance feel better, Keith wouldn’t hesitate!

He looked around at the sight of the scene. Soft patters filled the quiet room as blood dripped from above. Bodies lay mangled and strewn out on the carpeted floor. Lance’s quiver was empty, his hands red and sticky, his bow on the ground and covered with bloody hand prints. Each of the bodies had an arrow sticking out of them.

Keith looked at his partner, waiting for an explanation.

He didn’t get one. All he got was Lance falling to the floor, wailing.

‘Keith, I swear, I didn’t do it! Please! It was Lotor! He framed me! I didn’t do it!’ Lance was near hysterical now. Keith wasted no time rushing to his boyfriend’s side and holding him close.

‘Shh, it’s okay,’ He tried to calm Lance’s shaking frame, stroking his head. ‘I know you didn’t do it. Shh. It’s gonna be okay.’

He felt Lance shake his head against his chest.

‘It’s not gonna be okay. The reporters will be here any minute and they’ll see me.’

‘So we’ll get you away from here.’ Keith kept stroking Lance’s curls.

‘No use. My fingerprint is all of them. Lotor knocked me unconscious. I’m done for. They’re gonna kill me.’

Keith snapped and held Lance at eye level. ‘No. Not on my watch they’re not. They’re gonna have to catch me first.’

Lance gave him a small smile at his attempted humor.

‘Yeah, good luck with that.’

Keith chuckled. He looked directly into Lance’s glossy eyes and pulled him back in for another hug.

‘I-I was afraid I would lose you.’ Lance whispered. Keith almost didn’t hear.

‘You’re never gonna lose me, Lance. If you murder someone, I won’t turn you in. I’ll help you hide the body.’

Lance laughed weakly. Better that than nothing. Keith thought with a smile

The following day, it was all over the news. How Blue Arrow, the city’s hero had killed 20 people and was now a branded criminal, wanted for murder.

Lance scarcely showed his face in public as Blue Arrow after that. Only coming out when absolutely necessary. Which was close to never. People don’t really tend to call ‘villains’ to save the town from a nuclear explosion.

The company lost 20 people.

The city lost a hero.

Firestone lost a partner.

The name Blue Arrow lost it’s meaning.

And Lance would’ve lost hope too.

But he didn’t.

Because Keith didn’t lose a boyfriend.

Because Lance didn’t lose Keith.

Lance’s fists balled. He looked at his feet and tried to block the grunts and the sound of fire burning close by. He knew it was Keith and Lotor.

So, that’s where I know him from. Can’t believe I forgot that. That asshole ruined my life. He took it all. I almost lost Keith because of him.

A body was flung in Lance’s direction and Keith landed at his feet.

He groaned in pain and he rolled to his side.

That. Is. It.

Lance’s face contorted into a murderous one. He walked forward and stood between Keith and Lotor. He gritted his teeth and his fists tightened. He was sure he’d leave marks but that was the least of his worries.

He was practically seething at this point. Only one word floated in his head in red, bloody writing:

Lotor.

He felt energy flow into his hands but all he was focused on was the word. How in a day, he’d destroyed Lance’s life and made him lose everything. How in a day, he had made everything Lance had worked hard for crumble into nothing. How in a day, he had cost Lance his loved ones. Well, almost.

Lotor looked straight at Lance curiously.

You messed with the wrong pair, asshole.

He summoned every strand of energy he could muster and watched as a ball of blue light shot from Lance’s hand and made contact with Lotor’s ever present ass. How it had even gotten there Lance would never know.

Shocked with even himself, Lance stared at Lotor in awe. Tears he didn’t even notice streamed down his face in rivers. He heard Keith’s small gasp behind him but he didn’t dare look at him. He was still ashamed at himself for what had happened.

‘Got something to say, Loverboy?’ Lotor taunted. It took everything Lance had to not sucker punch him.

‘Two words, asshole.’ Lance’s now dark blue eyes looked straight into Lotor’s black heart.

‘Fuck off.’

Lotor seemed taken aback for a moment before returning to his original shit-eating grin.

‘Well, I’m not surprised you want more. I am pretty irresistible.’

Lance smirked. ‘Sorry, I don’t date assholes.’

‘Only people with a horrible sense of style?’ Lotor jabbed.

Lance dared to look back at Keith, who was currently gaping at his partner.

‘Yeah, but one thing’s for sure. He definitely has more style than you ever will.’

Lotor was dumbfound. His mouth flew open in disgust. He was about to say something when Lance cut him off.

‘I’d love to stay and chat but I was about to say something. What was it…oh right…this.’

A streak of blue energy hit Lotor’s feet. He yelped and jumped up in surprise.

‘If you even think about stepping foot in this town again, I will not hesitate to throw you into the nearest black hole. Got it?’ Lance said softly yet loud enough for Lotor to hear and threatening enough to make even Keith shrivel up.

Lotor’s eyes widened and he back away slowly. But before jumping off the building and out of Altea boundaries, he smiled deviously at the duo.

Once Lotor was out of sight, the entirety of what had just happened hit Lance at full speed.

His arms flew up to his mouth and he fruitlessly reached for something to lean on.

‘Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god, oh my god, oh my god…’ He muttered it over and over again as he fell into a squatting position. He cradled his head in his arms and his eyes blew open.

Keith, who at some point had gotten up, sped his way towards Lance. He felt a gust of wind where Keith now was.

‘Oh god, oh god, oh god, oh god, fuck…’ Keith’s arms wrapped around Lance’s shoulders and rubbed back and forth.

‘Shhh, it’s okay. Lance, it’s okay. It’s over. He’s gone. You’re okay.’ Keith soothed, not caring much that he had used Lance’s real name in public. But it was soft enough to be heard by Lance only.

Lance was getting some serious deja vu.

‘I’m so sorry.’ He whimpered.

Keith opened his mouth to say something when, once again, he decided to damn it all to hell.

He stood up, pulling Lance with him. Lance looked away from Keith and looked…prepared for something? Oh dear lord, did Lance think Keith was going to hit him?

Keith huffed and shook his head fondly at Lance. He looked at the black haired boy in confusion when Keith spoke up.

‘You’re such an idiot.’

This time, the camera caught it. The camera caught every little tiny detail. From Lance’s small sound of surprise to the way his arms wrapped around Keith’s waist to Keith gripping Lance’s neck tightly but gently.

‘Wait, the camera?’ Lance asked, pulling away.

Keith smiled smugly. ‘Yes, marvellous invention isn’t it? Did you know you can take pictures and videos with it? Capture all memories and make them timeless? You can take a video of your pet cat or your boyfriend.’

Lance placed one hand over Keith’s mouth and smiled. ‘Alright, alright. I get it.’

Keith’s eyes narrowed and Lance felt something wet on his palm. His eyes widened and he jumped back, yelping.

‘Gross! Keiiiiiiii-Red!’ Lance quickly amended. He mentally slapped himself for almost outing Keith to the public. The last thing the guy needed was attention right at his doorstep. He was getting plenty of that being the town superhero anyway.

He watched him laugh and he was taken back to the night they first kissed. That gorgeous, moonlit, fucking freezing night on top of the Altea Daily building. God, that seemed like a lifetime ago, not 2 years. It seemed like a lifetime ago Keith removed his mask in public, although no one saw. Shame, it would’ve been one hell of a story.

“Altea’s superhero turns out to be local teenager,” The headlines would’ve said.

At the time, he was a 19 year old ambitious writer with little to no hope which was soon renewed. Now, Keith was a 20 year-old writer, still with dreams and ambitions and now, for him, a purpose.

‘I’m gonna tell them.’ Keith snapped Lance out of his thoughts.

‘Huh?’

‘I’m gonna tell them about everything. 2017, Lotor, you, us, everything.’

Lance could do nothing but stare. ‘But…won’t that…what about…is that the…are you sure?’

Keith smiled and lifted Lance’s face. Violet eyes met aqua in an eternal staring contest in which both won and both lost.

‘Never been surer of anything else in my life.’

Lance laughed breathily.

‘Actually, no.’ Keith tilted his head in mock confusion. ‘I’ve been surer of one other thing.’

Lance’s interest was piqued.

‘I’m sure I love you.’

Lance’s face went slack and he was certain this was a dream. His eyes then widened and his mouth sprung open like a hinge that needed to be oiled.

Keith cupped Lance’s cheek with one hand and brought him to eye level.

Lance’s expression smoothly shifted into a soft smile.

‘I love you too.’

Keith entered Oriande Cafe wearing a…pastel pink sweater?

What?

And…holy god, were those shorts?

Lance did a double take before his brain short-circuited. Keith ‘Biker Dude’ Kogane was wearing a pastel pink sweater and shorts. What next?

Keith caught sight of Lance in the far booth and smiled. Lance smiled back, still dazed. Keith walked over and slid into the booth.

‘Hey!’

Lance was staring. Keith alternated looking between Lance and his own sweater, on which Lance’s piercing gaze was fixated on.

‘Laaaance?’ Keith drawled curiously.

‘Mm.’ Lance nodded, not seeming to hear Keith very well. ‘Huh? Oh! Hey!’ Lance straightened up and beamed at him.

‘Hey.’ Keith laughed. Lance blushed and ducked his head away.

‘Sorry, I just have to ask.’ He slammed his hands on the table. ‘What the hell are you wearing?’

‘Oh this?’ Keith flaunted, knowing it would make Lance’s stomach do somersaults. ‘Oh this is nothing. Just a little something I found in the back of the closet. Thought it would be nice.’

Keith winked and it took all he had for Lance to not faint right there. ‘Hoo boy.’ Lance panted.

‘Why? Too hot for you?’ Keith smirked. The bastard.

‘I mean…dammit Keith you sick psycho!’ Lance cursed out.

Keith laughed. ‘What did I do? All I did was wear a pink sweater.’

Lance stared at him, flabbergasted. ‘You existed! That's what you did! Also you probably made the temperature go up about 50 degrees, so there’s that!’

Keith was slapping the table at this point. If he looked close enough, Lance could make out still-forming tear drops in his eyes.

‘Arghhh this is not how our first date is supposed to go!’ Lance whined.

Keith’s giggles echoed slightly and Lance could do nothing but join in.

Keith reached over and took Lance’s hand. ‘Maybe not. But this is better.’

Lance’s blushed deepened about 10 tones. ‘You are an evil person, Kogane. You’re gonna be the death of me. The absolute death.’

Keith, who had no self consciousness nor shame at that time, hoisted his ass onto the table and crossed onto Lance’s side.

Lance sputtered. ‘Yo-you know that you could’ve just…walked h-here r-right?’

Keith smirked. ‘Yeah, but where’s the fun in that?’

Lance sighed. ‘Everything has to be so fast with you doesn’t it?’

Keith nodded solemnly.

Lance groaned. ‘I guess I should expect a wedding ring in early August?’

Keith rubbed his chin. ‘Try…late July.’

Lance looked away in embarrassment. ‘Keith I swear, if you propose to me on my birthday…’

‘You’ll what?’ Keith challenged playfully.

‘I’ll kiss you to death.’

‘Hmm.’ Keith hummed ruefully before taking Lance by the waist and pulling him closer. ‘Doesn’t seem like the worst way to go.’

Lance shoved his face away unsuccessfully as Keith snapped back to his original position. Lance sighed. ‘You ass.’

Keith had no time for a comeback as Lance quickly dove in.

It was short, sweet and chaste but it seemed like time itself came to a standstill in that second. Keith wished it had.

‘But I like you so I guess we can let it slide.’ Lance completed as he pulled away.

‘Oh thank god!’ Keith pulled him in yet again.

Keith then swore to himself and, silently, to Lance that no matter what would happen, he’d stay. It wasn’t going to be easy. Especially with the lives they lead, by no means will it be. But Keith would be damned before he gives up. No matter the reason, Keith would stay with Lance. Forever.

Today.

Tomorrow.

Always.