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The Water Guardian (aka Cryptid Keith AU) Part 10
The irony of climbing, at least for Lance, is that it makes it hard to talk, and talking is his forte. Well, maybe that’s not the actual irony, which is for once in Lance’s life, he’s glad for a reason to stay silent.
The cliff is moderately challenging, it wouldn’t be so bad with ropes or at least chalk for his hands, but as it is, it’s taking a good deal of his concentration not to misstep, and to keep up with Keith. Gone is Keith’s hesitance and fear, replaced by something intense, something urgent, and Lance is doing his best not to fall too far behind.
If he’s being honest, he’d kind of hoped getting out a bit would help Keith shake off his nerves. The Keith he’s grown to know is far from timid. He’s brave, and smart, and kind, and.. FUCK! Lance’s hand slips with his concentration just as he’d shifted his weight and now he’s dangling by the other hand over 100 feet up.
“LANCE!” Keith yells from above him. “Lance! I’m coming!”
Lance grunts and uses the momentum of his swing to grab onto another handhold and stabilize himself.
“I’m okay.” He says through clenched teeth. “I…” he grunts again, louder, as he pulls himself up to the next foothold, “… I got this.”
He hears something move over the rocks above him, and then suddenly Keith is right next to him, eyes wide with fear. “Lance! Are you hurt?”
Lance scoffs. Here he is, winded and clutching the cliff face like a long lost lover, and this asshole doesn’t even have the grace to be out of breath. “I’m okay, hot shot. Don’t get your mullet in a twist.”
Keith makes a sour face at that, but doesn’t move from Lance’s side.
“I’m okay. I just need a sec, just to catch my breath.”
Keith nods and lets out a breath, purely from relief and not exertion Lance jealously notes. “Guess that makes me King of the Cliffs.”
The guffaw that takes over Lance is completely unfiltered. “Oh my god, this isn’t a competition!”
Keith sniffs thoughtfully, “I agree, you really haven’t been much competition.”
“I think I liked you better when you hid from me.” Lance laughs.
“Ah,” Keith says softly, still close, “I think that’s not true at all.”
Lance’s breath catches. This close Keith’s eyes are swirling galaxies of violet and flame, and he can’t imagine any creature, human or dragon, could have eyes more beautiful. Then those eyes turn to look up.
“I think we’re over halfway there. I could carry you…”
“YOU CANNOT!” Lance sputters. “I do not need to be carried, by you, or anyone, anywhere. I’m fine. I’m great. I can carry myself, thank you. Not.”
Keith blinks and chuckles. “Okay, okay, I’m sorry to suggest your majesty is anything but completely self-reliant.”
“Ah-HA! See! You acknowledge my victory!” Lance shouts, triumphant.
Keith slides away, giving Lance room to move. “Yeah, yeah, King of the Falls.”
“Your Majesty.” Lance corrects.
Keith shakes his head. “Does it offend his royal ego if I hang back and climb, so very painfully slowly, next to him?”
“His highness is offended by the wording of the offer, not the offer itself.” Lance sniffs, holding back a smile.
Keith sighs theatrically, “I’ll take what I can get.”
Lance doesn’t stop the smile as he resumes climbing, grateful to have Keith by his side for more reasons than he can spare the brainpower to think about.
Continued on:
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