They can’t ever know, that’s something Lance has made sure he remembers. But with everything being so hard to control anymore he might have to turn to the one person he’s scared to become, but it’s all too protect his friends from the monster he really is, so this is the right decision. Right?
How the team reacts to their s/o losing a limb in a fight
☆PIDGE☆
-would rush you to a healing pod at least 20x more than needed until the pod rejects you
-starts working on a bionic replacement using Shiro's arm as a reference
-100% would feed you chicken noodle soup so you would get better
-would fall asleep at the feet of your pod or on the side of your bed
-would REFUSE to let you fight again!!
-fights you about this
-constantly updating the limb with 'better software' for you
☆HUNK☆
-the boy is banned from the healing pods
-makes you breakfast in bed all the time- even after your better
-makes sure your 100% comfortable 1000% of the time
-will try and make a bionic limb for you himself (he's super smart, remember? ;3) but enlists the help of pidge for a little bit of it.
-adds some personal touches to your limb (like if like to draw or write a lot the limb would have writing/drawing stuff if you really like reading, some of your fav books)
-tries to take your mind off your limb if he can by taking you to different planets in yellow
-tries to help you accept your limb
☆LANCE☆
-loses it
-poor boy has to be told that the healing pods won't work for you
-gets pretty depressed cos he thinks its all his fault
-brings u tea/coffee
-basically becomes a mom until you convince him you're fine
-still moms you
-works with pidge and hunk to get you help and food
-tries to work on the limb with pidge!
-paints the limb ur favorite color! Or your skin color so it's not so hard for you to get used to it
-when you feel insecure about it, he'll lend you his jacket to cover it up
-makes you his mom's 'special get-better-food' so you feel better
-hesitant to let you fight again
☆KEITH☆
-swears vengeance on whoever hurt you.
-gets pretty mad on the battlefield.
-like, his rage is now known across the universe.
-even the galara are a little afraid
-He's not even allowed in the room with the healing capsules.
-mothers you behind your back (makes sure you're ok by checking in with the others, leaves you breakfast in bed, or some food in front of your door)
-encourages you to fight again, but always stays close to you
-fights anyone who says anything bad about you
☆SHIRO☆
-super protective
-he sits in the room with the healing pods and kind of just, broods
-he looks collected, but he's really not
-replays the fight in his mind
-has trouble sleeping because of it
-follows you around like a lost puppy once your better
-tends to your every need
-super supportive!!
-if you want to fight, he'll teach you how to fight regardless of your injury
-encourages you to do whatever you want
-asks pidge to make you a limb like his
-she, of course, obliges.
-he teaches you how to walk/hold things with your new limb
Summary: Collage Au. Pidge is in her boring physics class when Keith and lance make it more interesting.
Enjoy~
---------
The class started like all the others. It was boring. Long. The clock on the wall would not tick-tick-tick fast enough and it was driving Pidge crazy. The professor (some guy the college had hired who thought the best way to teach kids was to lecture endlessly) kept pacing in front of a blank white board with markers in his hand. He was a disorganized man; evidenced by his unkempt black hair and the crumpled mess of a shirt he wore.
Pidge sighed, resting her head on her hand. She once again rested her gaze on her wristwatch. 10;08. She grunted. Only half an hour more of this mindless droning.
“How do we stay on the planet Earth? Anyone?”
No answer. The whole class was either bored out of their mind (Pidge couldn’t blame them) or dumb as a pair of rocks.
“Pidge?” The professor called.
Pidge made a show of sighing. “Gravity.”
“Correct! Now, if all of you can return your attention to the board and not to the phones in your hands…”
Pidge rolled her eyes and, because she was feeling extra rebellious today, pulled out her phone. She rested it on top of her notebook and started pursuing Tumblr in hopes that something would make this class period more bearable. Many wasted minutes later, a pop-up notification appeared on her screen. Matt sent her a snap. Pidge never pounced on a notification that fast.
A video of Matt’s professor started, much to Pidges delight. He was an old man with still-brown hair and the whips of a mustache. He stood hunched over and angry. He was arguing with a student about something, which was normal, but this teacher had such a thick accent it was insane. He was yelling seemingly random words. ‘Yee’ ‘go’ and several unrelated hand signs were just the icing on the odd word salad that came from his mouth. PIdge couldn’t help but snicker.
GreenIsACreativeColor: lolol so much more interesting than what’s happening here
Mattastic: I doubt it.
GreenIsACreativeColor: 5 bucks
Mattastic: Deal.
Pidge grunted and started recording. Get ready to hand over that good green stuff, Matt!
“And so, by this theory, we are all attracted to each other.”
On the bottom row, a boy dressed in blue turned to a dude in red. Pidge knew the two as Lance and Keith, two ‘rivals’ that did nothing but make asses of the other and provide the only good source of entertainment in the class.
“Guess that means I’m attracted to you, dude.” Lance winked. Without missing a beat Keith glared at him.
They can't ever know, that's something Lance has made sure he remembers. But with everything being so hard to control anymore he might have to turn to the one person he's scared to become, but it's all too protect his friends from the monster he really is, so this is the right decision. Right?
Fic on Ao3 link
He couldn’t do this any longer. It was starting to ache his body to keep it in control. This power wasn’t meant to be contained, it’s as ongoing as his heart. No matter how hard he may try he couldn’t stop his heart.
He didn’t have a place to release this grave power. All the rooms are always unlocked, everyone always wonders. He couldn’t take the chance, but he didn’t know how long he could contain it though. It was all a matter of time before the cat is out of the bag.
He couldn’t hide his shaking, headaches, how he was cold to the touch but always felt hot, and the way he was always thirsty, he was actually showing signs of hypothermia and dehydration. They didn’t start to notice when it was starting, but now he knew they all could tell. His team where all side eyeing him and ready to jump in at any moment if something happened. He, Lance, couldn’t understand why they haven’t said anything, but he doesn't look a gifted horse in the mouth.
That was after what he can assume has been three weeks, they finally asked the dreaded question. They finished training (Lance didn’t do so well) and were eating a oddly quiet dinner of weird space goo. When Lance got up to clean his plate up and grab more water, Shiro grabbed his arm.
“Wait,” he looked up to the taller man and set down his plate, “are you okay? And don’t you dare say you are. Oh god, you’re absolutely cold to the touch.” He brought his warm hand to his forehead to pull them away quickly wide-eyed. Shiro took in more of his features, tracing his silver eyes all over his trembling body. “Lance,” he said in his strong demanding voice.
Lance side averting his gaze to lock eyes with his best friend, Hunk, that had sad eyes, he looked like he wanted to talk but couldn’t. He couldn’t look at his troubled friend, so he then shifted his gaze only seeing his other teammates troubled faces. He kept opening his mouth then shutting it.
He took a deep breath, like ripping off a band-aid, he just said his pointless words, “It’s my problem so please don’t interfere. I just need some space, please.” He looked back to the scarred man, “Lance, we gave you space and you still aren’t better. It’s time for us to step in and help.” Lance sighed as he picked up the dirty dishes, he just wanted to clean up and get some water, not this. Anything but this.
He scoffed as he started to walk off, he could feel their disappointment burning into the back of his head. He walked out of the dining room as the automatic doors hissed shut. He dumped (threw) his plate into the futuristic dishwasher, moving to a cabinet grabbing a cup with shaking hands.
He took a deep breath through his dry mouth, turning around filling up his cup with water. He snuck back to his room taking sips all the way to his room, before he knew it was half empty when he got back to his room. He walked in, his door shutting behind him, wishing he could just lock it. Curse this ship's mechanics.
He chugged the rest of his glass slamming his cup down with a new determination. He walked over to his small bathroom attached to his bedroom, turning to face his mirror he sighed. “I guess this is my last resort,” he sighed, his dry mouth attempting to wet his lips.
He turned on the water preparing for the worse. He was going to attempt to contact his birth mother, honestly she didn't even deserve that title with all she has done, but she's helped him through stuff like this before. He looked down at the filling sink then glanced at the door, he had to be ready to shut down contact at any second if any of his team came.
He shut off the water then shoved his hands into the lucid liquid. He focused letting his problems go as different ice crystals formed off from his hands. He breathed a silent breaths as he let the temperature drop, but not too much, wouldn't want to alert the systems to an anomaly.
He looked down at the thin sheet of ice over the water, as he pulled his hands out proceeding to tap on the ice thinking of the person he wanted to talk to, just like how he was taught. A flickering glow appeared and he new she answered his call.
“H-hi, Mother. Ummm… long time no see?” he shied away from her view in the sink, as she smirked. “Yes, hello Lance,” she tilted her head, her smile faded, “why are you still hiding in that form? No one can see you.” The blue paladin stiffen, “I-I don't know, it's just comforting, I guess?” he mentally cursed himself for making it a question.
She scoffed at him, “I sent you away in cryosis for about 10,000 years to protect you from war, and yet you can't even appreciate your true form? How pathetic.” Ah, there's the woman Lance knew. “Why did you call me? I'm a busy women, blue paladin,” she scoffed at the name, as if it was poison and she needed to spit it out fast and in disgust.
He sighed, shifting into his birth form to please his biological mother hoping to get her to be more willing to help him. His ears elongated and his hair started to fade into a light white with stray blue strands making his hair appear a off whitish blue as well as his tan skin taking a slight purple hue but still retaining its original color. His body didn't stop changing, under his eyes appeared dark blue marks coming from the far corners of his eyes sweeping down to the center of his cheeks, and he grew taller about the height of Shiro but just a few hairs shorter as he felt markings, hidden under his clothes, form. He let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding, as unknown strain left his body and he felt more relaxed.
He looked up from the water containing his mother's image to the mirror, feeling his mother's smile burn into his newly formed skin. He honestly wasn't used to seeing himself like this, ‘huh,’ he thought as he touched his face markings, ‘I guess this is what I'm supposed to look like.’ Lance quickly redirected his focus back onto the lady in his sink.
“There’s my child,” she cooed, “but be quick, I have things to attend too.” she stated the last part in distaste. Lance sighed, might as well rip off the band-aid, again, “I need help controlling my powers. I have been withholding my powers in an attempt to hide it and I don't know how to keep it up.” He waited for the scolding, and just as he expected there it was.
“Why would you dream of withholding such a gift in! You should feel lucky and not ungrateful! You Little-” she stilled from her outburst, regaining her calm composure, “if you must know, this power that you hold cannot be held back. It will only pile up until the dam breaks, and when it breaks it will destroy everything in its path, Lance,” she warned him. “Lance, I can see that this is affecting you negatively. Keeping on this path will only hurt you and those around you.”
“I know, that's why I'm contacting you. Is there-” he took a deep breath and tried again, “Is there anyway I could let out my powers at a healthy rate or umm,” he waved his hand “something. Please, I'm begging you help me.” His mother had a devilish smirked, “and what would I get in return?” her voice was sly dripping malevolence.
He hesitated, knowing what his mother can do, she is the definition of evil in some cases. Did he really have a choice in the matter though? Probably not, it's either have a high risk of physically hurting his friends and himself or do whatever his mother wants and she’ll help him. Honestly, there's not even a second thought when hurting his friends are involved. “Anything you want, Mother.”
She smiled as her features were taking on a wicked glow, ‘Oh god. I’m going to regret this.’ the lone boy thought. “What do you wha-” he was cut off by a hasty knock and the sound of Shiro's voice, “are you okay, Lance? I hear you talking, are you with someone?” The boy in question panicked, glancing up at his reflection he shifted back as fast as he could.
He looked into the dreaded women's eye's, speaking in a hush voice, “Mother, I'm sorry, w-we’ll talk about it later. I promise.” She nodded her head as her smirk grew. With that he ended the call by breaking the ice, and destroying all the evidence he could of anything odd. “Lance? Are you alright? I'm coming in.” the black paladin entered the bedroom noticing it's emptiness then glanced at the bathroom, he approached it with caution.
As he was about to open it when the teenager he was looking for busted out, a painfully obvious fake grin plastering his face. “Whaddup Shiro?” His voice strong and filled with fake joy, his body was shaking as if he was wearing only shorts in a blizzard. Lance's body was tense as Shiro realized the breeze from the bathroom flowed out colder than normal, ‘weird, why would it be so cold’ he thought gazing into the seemingly normal bathroom.
“Lance, who were you talking to?” His voice was surprisingly soft for how stern it was. “Uh...I-I was just missing my mom?” Lance coughed, “I was just trying to think of what I'm going to tell her when I see her again,” Technically the first part wasn't a lie. Shiro looked down at the shorter boy with a skeptical gaze. “If you say so,” his words were slow and smooth like creamy peanut butter.
Sighing Shiro rubbed his brow, “I just want you to be honest with us. We’re a team, Lance. We won’t judge you.” Lance cast his gaze down in an abash state because of his half lies, “I just miss my family, Shiro.” The black paladin was trying his best to hide his frustration, “homesickness doesn’t make you ill, Lance. I want the truth, so I’ll ask one more time and you’re going to be honest with me. What’s going on, Lance?” The teenager in question looks up, blue eyes gazing into expecting silver ones.
He opens his mouth choking on his word that don’t seem to be coming out. The older man exhaled, “I’ll let you think of what you’re gonna tell us for later,” Shiro glanced back as he made his way to the door, a stern parental look on his face, “and you will tell us.” The doors hissed shut as he left, Lance let out a groan of relief. He’s safe, for now at least. He looked behind him into the highly advanced space bathroom, consumed by the deal he made.
He needed some sleep and a shower, but right now he doesn’t want to go back into the bathroom, so sleep it is. Lance turned off all the lights and lied down onto the plain bed, closing his eyes hoping to ignore the raging storm going on in his body. He wished this constant pulse was just his blood, unfortunately it was something far more perilous.
~
His eyes shot open as the lights flashed red and the alarms blaring. “This better not be a training exercise,” grumbled the unstable paladin. He slipped off his royal blue robe sliding on his armor. Deciding to skip his morning routine not wanting to draw anymore scrutiny looks towards him by being late.
Lance gasped and groaned at his aching body. He pushed through this unwanted feelings, forcing his trembling legs to run. If this was hard he didn’t want to raid a Galra ship right now or anytime soon. Unfortunately duty calls, and in this case “duty” is an unrelenting war.
Out of the blue paladins view there were other paladins additionally converging upon the deck to await commands. When he got there he was (once again) the last one to make it upon the deck. His fellow teammates eyes traced his quaking figure, as he tried to play it cool plastering on a tired smile.
Shiro seemed to be the first one (as always) ready for commands, “Princess, why are we here?” his strong display in his stature and voice. The white haired altean showed her superiority through her fiery gaze, and commanding voice, “we received a distress signal from the planet Hoth, a Ice planet who claims to be a base for rebel operations as one of the Blade’s have informed me. From the short message they sent out, the galra have found them, and we need to help them escape. They will be sheltered here till they find another base to hide out in.” Every soul in the room straightened not wanting to upset the ruler of a departed species.
Allura locked eyes with each paladin, finally her watchful eyes locked with the boy in blue. The warrior princesses’ exotic blue eyes Melted into the infinite sea that lies in the secretive boy’s own eyes. Instead of shying away Lance met her with a just a strong look despite his current situation.
Her decision was made, but her resolve was still left to her coursing thoughts. Reluctantly she had to let her concerns about Lance's condition go as that is not what matters right now. She couldn't fret over him like,what her humans would call, a hen mother (mother hen?).
Allura’s voice was commanding as she said her next words, “Report to your lions, we will be there in the next 90 tics.” The young warriors rushed off to their, as Slav would say, unnecessarily complicated transportation system to their designated hangers. A mouth full if you will.
“Entering the wormhole now, leave the hangers at my signal.” Lance took a trembling breath, as he felt hot in the cold air surrounding him. Blue comforts his worried thoughts. ‘He can do this! He will do this! Common Lance, just hold yourself together,’ the blue boy thought.
Taking a deep breath he awaited orders. As expected Shiro's intellectual voice broke through the silent static. “Since Black and Yellow are the biggest we have more room, so we will collect the rebels. Blue, Green, and Red distract and destroy as many galra as you can.”
Everyone signaled their agreements, preparing for Alluras signal. Lance readjust his grip on Blue’s controls, preparing for take off. The castle com system crackled to life through his helmet.
The angelic voice attached to the woman with a snowy nest upon her head appeared on their consoles, an orange carrot running around in the background flipping switches. “Paladins,” her authoritative voice commanded attention, “NOW!”
Lance grumbled as he walked down the hall, tired from his “light” training session with the team. He heard quick footsteps up behind him before he was assaulted by the castles residential gremling clinging to the back of his neck like a cape choking him out as he was forced to support her. “Hi, Loser!” she yelled as she wrestled to climb higher on Lance like he was a tree gripping onto his jacket heaving up as Lance tried to shake her. When he finally got her off he could swear his skin was blue from how tight Pidge gripped him.
“What do you want?” Lance huffed, frustrated and just wants to head to the dining room for dinner already. A not-so-sneaky smirk appeared on her face as she circled Lance like a shark as they started their journey to the others waiting for them. She hummed in thought as she crossed her arms behind her back facing forward, “I don’t know, maybe explain why you were giving Keith googly eyes in training today?” A new emotion graced her face and it was a cocky kind of confidence and a knowing smile only grew as she gained a skip in her short steps. The blue paladin sputtered nonsense denying that he would “look at such an ugly mullet head” as his face grew a dark crimson.
Pidge laughed at the reaction she got, enjoying every second of it. Moving again so she faced Lance, “what? Claiming something didn’t happened doesn’t mean it didn’t, just how you claim ‘Keith never cradled me in his arms’” she cackled as she did air quotes, ‘that evil witch’ Lance thought turning to face the ground in an attempt to hide his blush.
They finally made it to everyone else, glad that Hunk was the chef today and not Coran, both of them sharing the same thought and shivered. They sat down in their respective seats, Lance next to Keith (he claims it’s too keep an eye on his “rival”), and Pidge right across from them next to Hunk with Shiro on the other side. Allura at the end of the table, Coran next to her whispering to each other (‘probably about how amazing he is’ Lance preen himself).
Allura stood up when everyone was almost done with their meals looking on the table demanding attention. “Paladins, Coran and I have decided to force an exercise to help further your bonds as paladins. Keith, you are paired with Lance for Obvious reasons,” she scolded, sweeping her gaze to the rest of the paladins softening her eyes “Hunk, you are with Shiro. You two need to start to form a bond, which is absent due to your lack of interaction.” Coran just as she finished talking snuck up behind Lance and Keith snapping cuffs on them knowing they would never agree to the exercise. They yelped in surprise looking at the short chain of the cuffs (similar to the ones Nyma used on Lance but blue instead of yellow, he noted).
Coran smiled at Shiro and Hunk holding out the cuffs ignoring the commotion behind him letting Shiro and Hunk skeptically snapped the cuffs on. Pidge hesitated to ask, “what about me?” that earned her a pat on the head from Coran. “No need to worry number five! You are the only paladin who didn’t need this exercise! You bonded with all the paladins very well!” Coran beamed as Pidge gave the others a shit eating grin and mouthed ‘suck it’ to Lance and Keith, earning glares from them.
Allura coughed catching everyone’s attention, “Coran and I have these,” she held up a remote with two buttons, “which will turn off your hand cuffs so you can change in privacy along with your other private needs, and if we get attacked me and Coran can just turn them off in an instant.”
///
When everyone dispersed Pidge stuck too Hunk and Shiro, smirk full of mirth as she followed them, “Wanna make a bet?” That got Hunk to stop making Shiro be yanked back from the unexpected stop. Hunk turned around, “what kind of bet?” Pidge got closer catching Shiro’s attention now, “thirty gac into the pot each, the winner takes all,” Hunk sighed, “what kind of bet?” he repeated. Pidge spread her arms roping both Paladins down to her level and whispered “I bet that Lance and Keith being handcuffed will make Lance confess first for his ‘oh so love’ of Keiths ‘ugly’ Mullet.” Hunk laughed and grinned, “I bet Lance and Keith will chicken out and won’t confess,” Shiro decided to butt in a smirk on his face, “I bet Keith will be the one to confess first.”
With that they decided to stalk the blue and red paladin to see who pays up first. Basically this was the most boring thing they could do, because it seemed like Hunk was gonna win at this rate considering all they’ve done so far is argue with each other.
Keith tries to tug Lance to the training room while Lance retaliates wanting to go to the observation deck. They tug and fight, “we can’t even train! We’re chained together!” a big yank towards Lance. “No! We can still train! If anything this is a good opportunity to practice if this ever happens!” a yank towards Keith. “When would this ever happen!” his voice softens, “let’s just relax. I don’t want to fight with you right now. Can we just go to the observation deck,” he begged, “please.”
Keith reluctantly agreed crossing his arms but it looked funny because of Lance’s limp arm across his chest tugging towards their destination. Lances had long strides but Keith had a fast pace, so they kept up about the same speed. Unknown to them the group following them down in silence.
Suddenly a thought occurred to Pidge, “why don’t I hack the cameras? Less work then following them and risk getting caught.” They all agreed and hurriedly rushed back to Pidges “lions den” (Hanger) where her lab is. Pidge hacked in and it concerned Shiro and Hunk how fast she did it, like she's done it before. Something to talk about another time they thought.
They got in just in time too see both Lance and Keith walk into the deck.
///
Keith sighed as he glanced over to Lance who looked like a kid in a candy store gazing at the stars and his face soften at the look of wonder. He’s never seen Lance look like that before and if he were honest with himself (which he’s not) it was rather endearing to see. The bright blue looked like a crystal lake reflecting the stars in the night sky, ‘breathtaking,’ Keith thought, ‘what, NO! Keith snap out of it. You don’t even want to be here, remember. But Lance looks so cute. OH MY! Keith, snap out of it!’
Lance smiled not knowing Keith’s crisis he’s having at the moment, too absorbed in the space in front of him. His breath is taken away, he’s never seen so many stars at once, not even through their journey through space. ‘Must of hit the jackpot,’ Lance smiled only making Keith worse. Lance only glaced at Keith when he felt a tug at his hand seeing Keith cover his red face glancing away not noticing his gaze making Lance’s face turn red, ‘why is Keith blushing, oh no. He looks so cute flustered. Damit Lance, hold yourself together.’
Breaking the silence Lance opened his mouth, “why don’t we sit down?” Keith nodded saving himself the embarrassment of his voice cracking and betraying him. They sit down on the steps gazing into the beautifully terrifying swirls of red and blue stars and golden dust mixing between them with green swirls small but prominent with very little black space not covered by the universe they are supposed to save and protect. It really brings back perspective on how small they are, but yet so important for some reason they couldn’t really name. Yes. they pilot magic flying rainbow lions but really, they’re replaceable. Someone out there has to be able to do that too, so they just have to try their best and hope they’re good enough for the universe to not replace them.
Lance got out of his head space which he doesn’t remember how long he’s been in it, maybe an hour perhaps two, but his focus now is on the soft breathing boy next to him. Lance’s first instinct, being the good uncle he is, is to give Keith his jacket so he doesn’t get cold. It all happens so fast he only stopped himself when he realizes the cuffs are in the way, ‘darn,’ so he slides it back on. But Keith never looked so soft before, the light of the stars reflecting on his pale skin since they didn’t bother turning on the artificial light as they entered the deck.
Only then did Lance realized, he was alone in the room with Keith, no one would see them (if only Lance knew), no one comes down here. He leans close and plays with his hair just a little then that leads to him petting and brushing the dark hair with his hands. “I really do hate your mullet. I swear I do. But, how do you pull of the 80’s so well in this day and age? Really?” Lance tisked out loud not concerned of being heard.
Too bad he wasn’t worrying about waking Keith up with all the movement he was conducting with his hair. Lance froze when Keith stirred, too scared to pull his hand away even though he knows he should. Keith eyes flutter open locking with a stunned Lance. “What are you doing?” The red paladin croaked.
Lance decided he only had three options in that moment lie, tell a half truth, or just give up hiding and put all his cards on the table. “I hate your mullet,” Lance doesn’t waste a second as Keith looks offended and pulls away from Lance’s loose grip on his hair, “I hate that you look so good with such an ugly ass mullet,” Lance’s Cheeks flush as he admitted the truth, earning Keith’s turning redder shade than his jacket. “What?”
“Keith,” Lance says surprisingly soft deciding to just spill the beans, “I like you a lot and I know you probably don’t feel the same way but it’s been killing me not to tell you.” In the distance you can hear a resounding “whoop” from Pidge then a “time to pay up, suckers” followed by some soft groans causing it to ruin their moment as they glance back to the door. They both look back at each other, the soft light of the stars making the other look more beautiful as half their face is dusted with light bringing the blush out in their cheeks.
Surprising Lance, Keith grabs his hand and smiles, “surprisingly I like your annoying voice,” he smirks at how offended Lance gets as he gasps and brings a hand to his mouth in an over dramatic way. Keith continues, “also surprisingly I like who the voice is attached to.” They waste no time crashing together in a moment of tensions their lips meet and their hands hold grasping what they can, as they hear a whistle in the distance and choosing to ignore it.
As soon as they broke apart they stared at each other, Keith spoke first this time, awkward, “are we you know, umm…” he continues the sentence through unreadable hand movements dragging Lance’s limp hand around like a toy. Lance laughs even more awkward, “well, if you wanna be, umm...” he darts his eyes anywhere but Keith. Keith laughs not helping this unbearably uncomfortable tension, “okay, as long as I’m the boyfriend,” Keith surprisingly is the one to attempt to lighten the mood.
Lance squeaks and stutters flushing brighter, “NO!” he waves his finger in Keith’s face, “if anything I’m the boyfriend!” Lance pouts. The alarms go off forcing them out of their moment as red flashes and they glance at their intertwined hands as the chain disappears and the cuffs falling off with a clank. Keith is the first to stand up, “we can talk about this later right now we have work to do,” making eye contact with Lance he says, “last one there IS the girlfriend though!” and he bolts. Quickly followed by Lance as he calls, “unfair!” chasing after the red paladin to see who can change and make it to the control room first.