He approaches, hands in pockets, irises of oceanic depths, buried beneath the ground-- he cannot look up. Heart is clouded and mind is polluted with sorrow, a lonely, rotting emptiness; it gnaws at his chest. He stands before Keith, as if in need of something, as if he has something to say, but for now he is still, a statue of ice, frozen, beautiful, melting with every second that passes & voice drips like the water off his flesh, "Do you think... I could have a hug..? It's just been awhile. "
HE IS STEEL & FIRE, aggression & rage; gentle things he is not, and that is where surprise seeps in from, request odd, unexpected, and for a second he merely stares, uncertain of what prompted such a query to be aimed at him, and not Hunk or Shiro or anyone else for that matter. A lingering stare, fixation ‘pon other’s visage and it is not as though he is adverse to it, but worry claws at inner organs, a sinking feeling in his gut ------ it is rare that Lance allows others to see anything but a cheerful facade, strength in laughter, foolishness, & it feels unsettling to see him now, watching fractures chip away at mask. ‘ It’s been a while ‘ he’s told and it isn’t a full story, the question of what’s truly wrong creeping unto tongue though he is quick to swallow it down ( not your business ----- let him tell you when he is ready ) and then --------- he steps forward.
❛ Yeah, sure. ❜ He’s not one for touch, physical affections ( any affections ) so foreign to him, yet he is not cruel, would not refuse such a pitiful plea & it is without reluctance that he slips arms neath’ Lance’s own, fingers to find back of jacket and form tight fists within the material. His cheek comes to rest ‘pon shoulder, eyes half lidded and he does not tense when gesture is returned, body pulled tight against that of his fellow paladin in close embrace. Different, abnormal, but not bad ----- Lance is warm, trembling in his arms ( he doesn’t comment; he knows Lance won’t bring it up ) and Keith only holds him tighter, soft sigh expelled.
❛ Hey. We will get to go home, Lance. It’s gonna be alright. ❜ Words are spoken with a softness unexpected from one such as him, making promises he can’t possibly keep, but that he would die trying for. Eyes close fully, deep breath taken in; he swears something wet drips down onto his shoulder & makes no comment on it.
