Chapter Text
Keith is perched upon Black with his wolf Kosmo, letting his mind wander as he revels in the warm rays of the sun and the splash of orange it painted the land with. His eyes trace the curves of sandy dunes that stretched far into the horizon.
He didn't really miss a lot of things about Earth; there was nothing worth remembering or going back to if he had no home or family to greet. But, to him, sunsets are an exception. It reminded him of his dad, and vague memories of being cradled close to his chest as a child. It reminded him of hoverbiking with Shiro across sandy barrens. It reminded him of his cozy shack in the desert, lonely but comfortable.
He always found that watching the sun set gave him a sense of security. Like he was home and safe and content.
He'd watch the sight for hours until there was no trace of light in the sky, and the sun was replaced by the moon and stars, warmth replaced by the empty cold. He'll miss this part of Earth. He wishes to bring it with him, but here is where it belongs.
Just where does he fit in?
It's been what seemed like hours of solemn silence until he heard soft footsteps approaching behind him. He couldn't be bothered to look because he already knows who it is. He'd know those footsteps, and that voice, anywhere.
"Man, you can be a really hard guy to find when you wanna be."
Keith glances at Lance. "Hey, Lance— whoa!" He does a double take and he gulps down the laugh threatening to spill from his throat. Lance is, for some reason, sporting a multitude of kitchen supplies and a sausage link around his neck.
Keith may not understand fashion as well as Lance does, but... is this what people call trendy nowadays?
"What are you wearing?"
Lance's ‘accessories’ clattered noisily as he sat down beside Keith. "Coran made it for me for my date with Allura."
Oh.
"A date with Allura. Wow. Well done, Lance."
Keith's voice was strained. He hopes Lance didn't notice.
He tries to ignore the tug at his heart, he tries to calm the storm in his chest. But he finds it difficult when Lance is right there. Hand barely touching his.
Lance chuckles weakly, removing the huge pot on his head. "Thanks, but it could be our last. I can't keep these Altean customs straight."
Keith wants to stay quiet. He tends to say stupid things when he's around Lance
But, when does he ever manage to shut up when it's with him?
"Listen, if she's going out with you, it's because she likes you. The annoying, stupid Earth version of you."
Lance laughs and Keith feels himself relax. He loves hearing him laugh, seeing him smile, especially if it's because of him. He wanted nothing more than to keep it there.
"You watching the sunset?" Keith still has his eyes on Lance.
"Yeah. Might be a while before we see it again."
"Man, I'm really gonna miss this place." A hopeful smile graces Lance's lips. It's so beautiful, Keith wanted to puke.
"I can't wait for me and Veronica to go back to our family, to tell them about the many adventures we've done. To see the excited looks of my niece and nephew as they jump back into my arms for a big bear hug. I can't wait for them to meet you." Keith's heart jumps to his throat.
"And oh, God, I can't wait for them to meet Allura." And there it is. His heart drops back down. Plops down right into his stomach. "I hope they'll like her as much as I like her."
Keith wills away every ounce of bitterness in his bones. He's happy for Lance. He's happy.
"I'm pretty sure they won't hate a gorgeous alien princess when they see one." Keith smiles. "She's lucky, to be with someone as amazing as you."
Lance's eyes widens. "You... really think that?"
Uh oh. He started it, he couldn't stop now.
"Of course, I think that. Why would you ever think I didn't?"
Keith's frustration and confusion mingled inside his chest upon seeing Lance frown. Did he say something wrong? Did he totally butcher this moment? He should just throw himself off this cliff now, shouldn't he.
"I- I just thought that, you know.. You always seemed to hate me."
Hate you? How could I ever hate you?
"I mean, not hate but, like you've just been tolerating me all this time."
Keith shakes his head vehemently. "Lance, no. That's totally wrong."
Lance looks at him, and his eyes are filled with hurt, and Keith wants nothing more than to take it away from him. "You said once, I would be the last person you'd ever want to spend eternity with. Can you explain that to me? Can you explain why you had to hurt me like that?"
Without thinking about it, Keith places two firm hands on Lance's shoulders, trapping him in his gaze. He wants Lance to listen to his words and never forget. He wants them to be engrained into his mind forever.
Lance deserves to know the truth.
"I didn't mean it. Every single word I said was bullshit. I want to take it all back so you wouldn't have to remember it and think that I hate you.
"I never hated you. I look back at every yesterday thinking about how much fun you are to be around, and I look forward to every tomorrow knowing you'd be in it." You're what gives my life meaning, Lance, he wants to say, but he bites his tongue
"The truth is, I trust you with my life. You're the only right-hand I could ever have, because you're the best pilot, warrior, and sharpshooter I've ever met. I don't doubt that Black would choose you to pilot her if I ever die."
"Don't say that!" Lance grips Keith's hand with haste, like his life depended on it. "You're not gonna die— no one will. We're gonna get out of this war together, and we're gonna do it with the only person worthy enough to pilot Black. You, Keith."
Keith feels the corner of his eyes sting with tears. "And I can't do it without Lance." My Lance. "The Lance that's the paladin of the Red Lion. The Lance that's always got my back..."
Keith thinks he's never looked at anyone the way he's looking at Lance right now. He couldn't put it into words.
He looked at him with fervor and such intensity that it could cut through a bark of wood. But at the same time, with gentle and tender love that carried through his everything.
"And the Lance who knows exactly who he is and what he's got to offer."
Keith isn't given the time to blink before he was pulled into an embrace. An embrace he wanted to be in forever as the universe combusts around them, because nothing else mattered but the man in his arms.
Then, a foreign rush overcomes him. It feels warm and inviting, like sunsets. It feels like all the burdens he's carried in his chest for so long has finally lifted and flown away. It feels like...
He can love.
He can love Lance as much as he wants to, but it won't hurt like it used to.
He can yearn for Lance as long as he wants to, but he won't hate Allura for it.
He can be happy and let go.
And maybe when the right time comes, he can finally come out and say, "I love you, Lance Mcclain" without feeling fear or hatred or selfishness or jealousy.
For the first time, he feels content to be in the background.