"Keith, if this is how I die, I leave you with this final thought. You suck." "Ok, firstly, screw you. Secondly, you're just asking Pidge out on a date. Stop being so melodramatic."
It confounded Keith how a ‘guys’ night out’ turned into a whole group of them sitting around Lance’s living room, playing truth or dare. It was supremely juvenile, and, though he wasn’t about to let anyone know, much more fun than going bar hopping. He wasn’t much for getting mindlessly drunk anyway.
He’d spent most of the night sitting nearer the shadows, artfully avoiding attention being drawn to him. This had worked out splendidly for several turns, and he was able to figure out that Dare would work a heck of a lot better than Truth for him. Shiro, Matt, James, and Kinkade, had been coerced to spill some really embarrassing secrets, some that shocked even Keith. Hunk’s truths had been boring, the man was a saint. A salty saint, but a saint nonetheless. Lance had avoided getting picked as well, but, Keith reckoned, all his embarrassing stories everyone knew about. He was definitely not the best at reigning in the mind-link the five of them still had.
Keith had zoned out while Shiro had been completing his most current dare, to call Slav and ask him how his day was. Quiznaking Matt was to blame for that one. Hunk had been next. Shiro dared him to point out his most favorite person in the room which turned into some sort of affirmation hour, where Hunk couldn’t decide, and instead told everyone why they were great. As far as Keith was concerned, Lance did seem to be Hunk’s favorite, but only because Pidge wasn’t around.
“Keith, truth or dare.”
Quiznak. He’d let his guard down, and now he was paying for it.
“Dare.”
“Buy me a large pizza.”
That was fast. This must have been something he was thinking about for a while.
“We already had pizza.”
“Yeah, but not ham, pineapple, mushroom, greenpepper, pizza.”
Everyone groaned. “Hunk, dude, whyyyyyy?”
Shiro exclaimed, “Nicely played.”
Keith shrugged, pulled up the app, and ordered Hunk’s pizza. “It’s on it’s way.” Then he slid back into the shadows.
“Thanks.” Hunk had a huge smile on his face. That made it worth it. “It’s your turn bro. Pick someone.”
Oh, Keith had forgotten about this part. Who should he pick? Who would give the group the most satisfaction through being embarrassed? He looked at each guy, his mind sizing up the potential for fun. Everything was a mission in his life, even this.
There was Lance, chilling in a folding chair, texting someone, only half paying attention to the goings on. He found his mark.
“Lance” He waited. It took a few seconds for it to register on Lance’s face.
Once they made eye contact Keith asked “Truth or Dare?”
It didn’t take long for Lance to decide, “Dare. I’m not spilling my secrets to any of you.”
“Like we don’t already all know everything Dude.” Kinkade laughed while James patted him on the back.
“He’s not wrong, man. You’re an open book.” Hunk softened his words with a side hug for one of his besties.
Keith had thought about generic dares earlier, like ‘steal Iverson’s rover’ or ‘call my mom and pretend you’re a knife salesman’, but none of those seemed right for Lance. He knew in an instant though.
“Ask Pidge out on a date.”
The room went completely quiet, various looks of shock or anger clouded the faces around him.
Then everyone spoke.
“Not cool dude.”
“What about her feelings?”
“I don’t think this is wise.”
“Hey! My sister isn’t a dare!”
“Yes. This is brilliant.”
And finally,
“WHAT THE CHEESE!? You can’t dare that kind of thing. I want a new dare.”
Keith was confused. He’d seen the way Lance had been acting around Pidge for over a year now. And he was positive she was who Lance had been texting all night. He thought Lance would jump at the chance.
Hunk spoke up, “No. This could work.” He turned to Lance, “You like Pidge, and you’ve been avoiding asking her out for months. Now you have to.” He nodded enthusiastically.
“First of all, how did you know I like Pidge!? Secondly, she’ll kill me. I cannot do this.”
Matt’s mouth hung open. “You like my sister?” He looked stunned and a little amused.
“You ‘like like’ Katie?” James had leaned forward in his seat. Kinkade laughed harder and slapped his back. “Bummer for you dude.” James elbowed him.
Keith could be patient, but this mission had kicked off and was in danger stalling quickly. “Nevermind any of that.” He narrowed his eyes at Lance, firing his next words like a pistol in a duel. “I double dog dare you.”
Lance’s shoulders slumped, but he pulled out his phone to dial. "Keith, if this is how I die, I leave you with this final thought. You suck."
"Ok, firstly, screw you. Secondly, you're just asking Pidge out on a date. Stop being so melodramatic."
Everyone watched with anticipation. Lance rolled his eyes and turned his back to them.
“Hey Pidge… Nothing much… Yeah, everyone’s still here. It’s a slumber party now… I mean, if you want to…. Um… So… Just, what I’m about to say isn’t because of a dare or anything…. I mean, it is, but...It isn’t, you know?....Uh-huh…. WILL YOU GO ON A DATE WITH ME!? “