lonered | (no subject)

[for

the_tailor]

[It's... it's been a while. That's really the only thought Keith can safely consider as the mission begins. The Blade and Voltron collaborate, of course, but they've been running in different parts of the galaxy, trying to maximize what resources they have. So it's been quite a while since he's seen the others, since he's been back to the Castle or even closer than a brief video call across the lightyears.

He's had a lot of time to think, really, a lot of time to himself to ruminate on thoughts that he tries his very best to bat away. Thoughts that are wrapped up in emotions and feelings that Keith doesn't really know how to untangle at all. Not surprising. It's never really been his strong suit. As intense as his emotions can be, as volatile, they tend to get the better of him rather than he of them. It's the same old story.

And maybe that's why, he realizes, he always reacted so strongly to Lance. It was too much, too complicated, to try to unravel the varying feelings the other boy drew out in him -- exasperation and confusion, sure, but something warmer and softer, in those rare and precious moments when they were drowning in their own manufactured tension. After some time apart he's finally realized where that tension comes from, on his side.

Which makes things way too complicated. Because how the hell is he supposed to deal with having feelings for Lance, falling for Lance, when Lance... well. When he's watched Lance literally flirt his way through the universe girl by girl. But here's Keith and his stupid traitor heart feeling this way anyway.

He's torn, therefore, when it's him and Lance sent off in the Red Lion on this particular joint mission. Part of him has missed the other so much it's a relief to see him again. Part of him is so twisted up that he doesn't know which way to go. So he focuses on the mission. He's quieter than usual, even. Focus. Keep to their orders, keep to what needs to be done. It's fine.

Until the whole thing goes south. They spring an old and unexpected trap -- a mine that emitted some sort of pulse that knocked most of Red's systems straight out. The landing hadn't been pretty, but Lance had managed to set it down in a way that didn't kill them at least. The planet, the outpost, is supposed to be abandoned, at least. Less good is how chilly is it, and with Red disabled, well, it's getting chillier and chillier. At least they've got the beacon working. Eventually help will come, but it could be a while. And in the meantime... they're alone.

Together.

Keith has gone for silence, because he doesn't know where to begin.]

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You're still an idiot.

[And Keith couldn't be happier actually. He has no desire to do anything that takes him out of Lance's arms right now. The world can wait for a while. They've waited long enough for this.]

But I love you.

You're an even bigger idiot, but I love you more. Bed time.

[He's already in his usual blue paladin pajamas, which he'd made sure to take along with him. Lance grasps Keith's hand, tugging him right over to the bed, fully intent on clinging as hard as he can.]

Don't know if I wanna let you out of my sight ever again.

Ever?

[Keith echoes, a faint smile flickering over his features. Actually, that doesn't sound terrible. But he knows full well the lives they lead won't be that kind. The war is far from over, even if everything has changed for all of them again.

So he lets himself be pulled to the bed, nowhere else he'd rather be right now.]

[Pulling Keith into the bed and close up against him, Lance lets himself relax further. He places little kisses on his cheek, especially along the line of his scar.]

We have so much to catch up on.

Yeah. We really do.

[So much. Keith is entirely too happy to settle in close, tuck himself right up against Lance, winding his arm around him and exhaling a sigh that sounds downright relieved. It really has been too long.]

My mom wants to meet you. Like actually meet you not just quick introductions like before.

Really? I'd love to actually properly meet her, too. She seems really cool... And a lot like you, too.

[He hums, a thought occurring to him.]

Have you told her? About us?

[That comment draws a smile out of Keith. His mom is pretty cool. He thinks so. But oh. Right. So. That question.]

Of course I did. I told her about all the people important to me.

[An awkward pause though as he tries to figure out how to phrase this next bit.] But uh... even if I hadn't. Where we were, the quantum abyss, there were these flashes of energy that threw us back and forth along each other's timeline. I saw a lot of visions of her past. And she saw a lot of mine.

[Understand, Lance? His mom definitely saw things he really could have lived with her never seeing. Ever.]

Huh, wow. That is mega convenient for you two catching up after so many years. Who needs an ice breaker between people when you've got that?

[That last part, though.... There's a long pause before Lance's eyes widen.]

Please tell me that your mom didn't see me naked.

Yeah, it sort of gave us a sink or swim course in knowing each other,

[And considering how talented Keith is at talking through his feelings (not... he's not talented at it. at all) it's actually something of a blessing. The added time they had to get to know one another helped too. Not just their relationship. But helped Keith, helped mend some of the deeper wounds he'd always lived with

But yeah. There were a couple downside.

Keith isn't lifting his head. Just gonna hide it right here against Lance's neck don't look at him.]

And then some, yeah.

[The quantum abyss giveth and the quantum abyss taketh away.]

And then some???

[Oh boy. His face definitely flushes red, and he groans, wanting to just bury it in his hands. Though he can't really with Keith right against his neck like this (which is a-okay as a position against him).]

Noooooo... There's so much stuff that I didn't want anyone but you to know about me...

[Look, he doesn't want to get kinkshamed by his future mom in law.]

Yeah. Well. Not exactly the highlight of my camping trip with mom either.

[Like. At all. The awkwardness had known no bounds. But once it had passed he got to talk about Lance and that was kind of nice. But still.

He really could have done without that memory sharing scene.]

W-well, other than that! I'm looking forward to meeting her. Avoiding a shovel talk, getting her blessing, all that.

[He kisses the top of Keith's head.]

She'll love you. I'm sure she will.

[Because Keith told her all about him. And okay some of the stories were about how much of a brat the other paladin could be, but even those were told with affection.]

I'm looking forward to you meeting too. I mean... she's my family. You know? And... so are you.

Yeah...?

[There's something warm and fuzzy that fills him at hearing that. He immediately envelops Keith into a tight hug. There's something extra special about this. Yes, Team Voltron is family, and yes, they're dating.. But at the same time, this feels like it's so much more special.]

You're family to me too, Keith. Family that I'm never letting go.

[Hugging is fine by Keith. More than fine. It's been way too long and he needs the security of that embrace more than he is good at admitting. To himself. To anyone. And what Lance says eases something in him too, a knot he didn't know had wound up tangled and tied in these years away.

He shuts his eyes and leans into him.]

Thank you.

[Having Keith's warmth in bed with him again is nothing short of blissful. He's missed this so much, missed him so much. Ever since Keith had left for the Blade, a part of Lance had just been missing as well. A hole had been left in him. And finally, he's gotten to fill it again.]

I love you.

[There's a soft, relieved little sigh at those words, and Kieth scoots himself all the closer, arms tightening their hold around Lance before he murmurs back,]

I love you too.

[It really has been too long. But now at least he has no plans on going anywhere out of Lance's reach for a while. So long as the universe stops throwing curveballs at them.]