Klance ping pong AU: part 1
Part one of a new drabble series!
This was an idea by stormie2817 on Twitter, and the drabbles are taken from our discussions on headcanons.
Lance and Keith are rival team captains in a ping pong league, both entirely smitten with one another but have no idea what to do about it.
I’ll indicate with each part whose perspective the drabble is from. Hope you all enjoy!
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The cracking impact of ball on paddle echoes, and Lance knows by the fact he’s heard and not reacted yet that it is too late. He dives but the ball drops, score called and Lance groans, sending an annoyed grimace across the table before looking away.
He turns to grab water from the bench, sitting down for the timeout as he takes a sip, two of his teammate’s clapping him on the back as he does, offering smiles and commiserations. Lance glances up, checks the score again.
They’re tied. Once again, they are neck and neck.
He tips his head back, staring at the ceiling, slightly annoyed for missing that last shot. He should have parried, had known Kogane would pull that fast spin but…
Lance knows it’s pathetic. Knows it’s ridiculous to be so distracted by his rival team Captain’s arms of all things, but they are beautiful. And he’s wearing a vest, meaning there’s nothing in the way of Lance seeing every flex and pop as he drives forward with the paddle. It’s addicting, hypnotic and frustratingly distracting when he’s trying to beat the guy.
Lance pulls his head forward and his eyes instantly find Keith Kogane, biceps and all, who’s currently in a serious discussion with his coach, pushing his bangs out of his face as he speaks. Lance has no idea why he’s even tried to pull his hair up today. He spends most of the game pushing the excess strands out of his face, it’s really not long enough to tie back. But it is adorable, the tiny little excuse for a ponytail at the crown of his head…
Before his thoughts spiral any further in that particular direction, Lance slaps his checks. Hard. Two of his teammates nearest him jump at the sound, but otherwise don’t react. They’re used to this by now.
He needs to focus. The game has one more set, and they have to pull through and win. He cannot have another tie with Keith Kogane, he just can’t. They’ve been evenly matched for so long, it’s ridiculously. Something has to give.
And as to the other thoughts...well. They tease as rivals, but wouldn’t even really count as friends. There’s no chance of anything happening there, Lance knows it. He tried a few of his top ten lines on Keith last year when they both made Captain of their respective teams, but Keith seemed completely unaffected. So all he does is admire from afar. Occasionally stare. More often than not get distracted at inappropriate times.
The call sounds and Lance jumps to his feet. Now is not the time to wallow, not poised on the edge of a game. So he stands, stretches, popping his shoulders and raising his arms as he makes his way to the table. He closes his eyes against the burn of his shoulders, exhaling a soft contented sigh at the release.
When he opens them Keith is already in place, staring at him. Eyes fixed and focused, a strange far off stare that’s seeing without really seeing at all. Lance blinks, perplexed by the reaction, cocking his he to one side and lowering his arms, adjusting his shirt as he does.
All at once Keith visibly starts, flush spreading and stomps over to collect a ball, ready for his serve. Lance frowns at the weird reaction, but steadies himself. Inhales once, plants his feet and waits. When Keith returns, he’s back to the high intensity laser focus, eyes fire and fury, arms tensed and ready to go. Lance grins and shoots him a wink; he can’t help it, even after his pep talk a moment ago.
It may be wishful thinking, but he almost believes he sees Keith stumble at that. But then he’s raising his arm, paddle at the ready, and Lance’s mind goes back to the game.
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Read more of my Klance on Ao3
Read more of stomie2871′s Klance on Ao3
