lonered | (no subject)

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[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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[The statement, simple as it is, causes Lance to freeze in his spot. ...Damnit, he wasn't supposed to be this ridiculously obvious about it. This was exactly the kind of thing he was supposed to be avoiding!]

You've nothing to be concerned about, Pr--...Keith. I fully intend to enter this marriage.

Yeah, but that isn't what I said anyway.

[Intending to. Obeying. Those sorts of things, they're really different than wanting, right?

Keith hesitates, frowning and glancing to the side.]

It's fine. I wouldn't blame you for not wanting it.

[Keith knows what he is, little more than a nobody who happens to have connections enough to the emperor that someone had to figure out something to do with him.]

Look, it's...

[He trails off. It definitely would go against all he's had drilled into his head to just blab to his husband-to-be about how he loathes the idea of an arranged marriage. This is the one thing that he apparently can do for his planet, and if he screws it up, well. What would his father think? What would his people think? Lance is tired of feeling useless as it stands.

But the fact that his only use seems to be to be married off isn't exactly a huge confidence booster, either.]

It's not you. I mean, we just met, you haven't been a total brute and I don't think you are as far as I can tell. I just kind of got hit in the face with the whole arranged marriage thing pretty recently and I'm still getting my head around it.

[Trying to figure out a way to accept it, for everyone's sake.]

I guess... I guess I know how that feels.

[Keith mutters, and maybe just a bit of the defensiveness slips from his posture. If Lance is worried about blabbing, maybe he shouldn't be so much, since the honesty of it is putting Keith as close to "at ease" as he usually is around people he doesn't know.

Or, you know, people in general.]

...did you think I was going to be a total brute?

[That's... weirdly funny. Just because the best he can manage to get people to think about him at home is "quite a bit of rage for such a small container" so.]

No! I mean... I know Galra can tend to be, uh, rough around the edges, no offense. And part of me was fearing the worst when it came to this.

[He gives him a slightly awkward, sheepish smile.]

But you really don't seem like a bad person.

Depends who you ask.

[Keith admits. Most people would be happy to tell Lance how much trouble he is and how he's not worth any of it. But Keith has gotten used to that refrain by now. ...and even that sheepish smile on Lance's face, well... Keith thinks he'd like to see him smiling more.

A plan forms.]

You said you like flying, right?

[And flying is one of Keith's favorite things. So therefore.] Want to get out of here, for a while?

[He's a little surprised by the question, but a grin starts to form on Lance's face.]

Quiznak yes. What do you have in mind?

[Whoops, okay, a prince isn't supposed to curse, but.]

The ship I came in has a couple short range fighters in its hangar. We could borrow one.

[And by the grin on Lance's face, Keith has decided it was the right question to ask. ...more so by the curse. Cute. Altean cursewords are so mild and adorable apparently.

There's a beginning of a grin on Keith's face too as he snatches up Lance's hand and starts leading him back towards where his ship docked]

Ever flown a Galran fighter?

[Because if not, Keith will show him.]

[Oh, heck. Lance is already liking this guy already. He can't even bring himself to complain about the sudden hand holding as he follows along.]

No, but that'd better be an invitation to teach me.

What else would it be?

[Keith glances back at him. Come on, little prince, stay with the program here. But there's an excited light flaring in bright violet eyes. This... is so much better than wandering around with a stuffy boring royal nodding as facts about architecture or gardening.

He slows as they approach, voice low.]

Most of my... er... escorts are probably getting settled in. There'll be a sentry by the ship, so we'll just have to slip by it. We can just say I want to show you a star chart or something.

Sounds good to me. And I'm good at being stealthy! You have no idea how many times I've snuck out of the castle. It's basically an art.

[He tries to keep his voice low as well, though he definitely is excited.]

Oh? Then fine. We'll just sneak past him.

[Keith's grin widens into an expression he wears when there's about to be trouble... that he's making. So really, anyone who knows him would probably be feeling nervous right now.

Just a little stealing a ship and flying around with his betrothed without permission. Should be fine, right?]

Big words, little prince. Don't screw up.

[He stops just beyond his ship, ducking back behind the edge of the corridor and pointing.] There's the sentry.

Little prince...! I'll show you little.

[Hurumph. Oh yes, he's definitely intent on proving to him otherwise. How dare.

Lance takes a look at where the sentry is stationed before glancing at the surrounding area. This close to the hangars, there are plenty of exposed pipes, the architecture shifting away from traditional Altean ornateness and instead to pure functionality. One such pipe leads along the hallway, close to the ceiling but with enough space to still move along if one so desired. Narrow, but big enough surface-wise.]

How light on your feet are you?

[Keith looks pleased by the fact that Lance comes right back at him. Good. So. Maybe this Altean is more interesting than he expected when he first was informed of the betrothal.

That's a little exciting is what that is.

His eyebrows shoot up at the question.]

As light as I need to be. Why.

See that pipe?

[He points to the one in question.]

The way it attaches to the wall, you can climb up using the bracket thingies. Then we just have to make our way across the pipe, and hop down on the other side when the guard has his back turned.

...that's actually a pretty good plan.

[He doesn't mean to sound surprised. Or anything. But well, he's on board with this plan anyway, so that's good at least, right.

Keith nods to himself and glances from the pipe to Lance.]

After you.

[Lead the way, Lance.]

Follow the master's lead.

[Lance gives him a wink before walking to the pipe in question. He waits until the guard is far enough away before swiftly climbing it with the ease of someone who's totally used routes like this before. Once he's up on top of the pipe, he goes a little forward to give Keith room to climb up, and gives him a thumbs up.]

Is that who I'm following?

[...whoops that just slipped out. But Keith finds himself with his eyebrows lifting in surprise at that wink, even as he finds himself falling into step behind Lance, following along, nodding at the thumbs up.

He's making quick work of the climb, just behind Lance, far enough that he can maneuver, up onto the pipe. A quick nod at him.]

I'm good. Keep going.

[To be honest? It's rather refreshing to have someone snark at him like this. To not walk on eggshells because he's the prince, but to not taunt him and belittle him like certain other purple skinned princes who shall not be named. Yeah, this guy isn't so bad. It's short work to get across the pipe to the other side, and once again, Lance waits until the guard is far enough back down where they'd come from to leap silently behind the floor before ducking around a corner.]

[Keith continues following, close behind still. He's admittedly a little impressed with the stealth from this Altean prince. Not bad at all. There's a smile now on Keith's face as he drops down beside him, just as silent, catlike really.

It's not just the ears.

But yeah, this is going well. He's excited. Much more fun than he expected as they make their way around the corner and towards the ship. Nearly there.]

[He's definitely impressed. And honestly, absolutely pleased that this guy doesn't seem to give a damn about breaking the rules. Lance doesn't plan on curtailing his habit of sneaking out of the palace into town on a frequent basis after all.

The rest of that particular hangar is empty for now, there being no reason for anyone to actually be in there. He grins, spinning around in a sort of little victory dance.]

Tah dah! Good job. I would give you a gold star if I had one.

Not terrible yourself.

[Keith informs him, but there's a hint of a smile on his face, like he can't quite get rid of it. Anyone who knows him would likely be shocked to see it. But, he's actually having fun. And this Lance, this pretty Altean Prince, is a great deal more interesting than he expected.]

Come on. The more time we waste the more likely we are to get caught.

[Which would end their fun. Keith heads for the Galra fighter he plans on borrowing.]

Of course. Sneaky and quick.

[He follows Keith, unable to keep a smile off of his face. It's not like he's fallen in love at first sight, far from it, but this Galran? He's nothing like Lance was expecting. And that's the best thing that could have happened. If Lance is stuck being trapped in a political marriage, he'd rather it at least be with someone he could be friends with.

And Keith? Yeah. So far, they at least have this one thing in common, so that's far from bad.]

Not exactly how they described you when they talked about you.

[Noble, elegant, proper, cultured. The usual Altean litany of adjectives that all boiled down to Keith needed to behave and up his game, which Keith... had a lot of doubt about his being able to do.

But well. This Altean prince remains a surprise. A good surprise. Even KEith can admit that.

Once they're both on the fighter, Keith glances back at him, smirking.] I'll take us out. So hold on.

[Lance doesn't get much more warning than that before the fighter is suddenly humming to life and zipping straight out of the hangar, into the air, heading straight for the atmosphere and then off planet. Space is calling.]

Only good things, I hope?

[He hasn't been told much about Keith, in return. Just that he's a Galra lord, that he's strong and intelligent, that he'd be a good match for Lance. And Lance had expected something of an overeager to prove, controlling man, smirking at having a prince on his arm, but this is anything but.

Keith is anything but. And he loves it.

When they take off, Lance gives a loud cheer. It's been a while since he's been able to manage getting off surface, after all.]