Work Text:
Earth AU
9:47 a.m. - Saturday
Lance awoke. And immediatly regretted it.
“What time is it..?"
He groaned while stretching his muscles. He reached out towards his alarm clock that stood on the side table, a little to far away for his liking.
Lance's eyes grew wide and his heart sped up.
"Shit! I'm late!"
He practically threw himself out of bed, immediately tumbling back down after getting extremely lightheaded. Not sparing another second Lance sprinted towards the bathroom.
9:54 a.m.
Lance made his way down stairs after finally getting ready. But Just as he was about to put on his shoes he caught his mothers eyes.
"Ah! Lance, Mijo.” Mama McLain gave Lance one of those, “what took you so long?” Smirks before saying-
"Buenos días mi corazón. Finally awake I see. Thought you would sleep the whole day away.”
Lance chuckled, use to his Mamá’s sarcasm.
“Lo siento, Mamá. I was working on the Columbia essay all night.”
Lance’s mother gave him a soft smile before returning to cooking breakfast.
"Where are you off to in such a hurry? I could hear you panting from all the way down here.” She said, not taking her eyes off the hot tamales she had been cooking.
Lance cringed.
"Oh yeah..about that"
He hesitated, embarrassed.
"Keith and I made plans to meet up at the park at ten and i'm already late so…yeah”
Lance's mom looked at him before letting out a light laugh.
"Just like your father I see" She said, laughing to herself.
Incongruent mumbling could be heard from the other room. Ignoring it his mother said-
“Well hurry then, wouldn’t want to keep you."
Sliding on his right shoe, Lance jumped back up, gave his mother a quick peck on the cheek, then running towards the back door.
“Hasta luego, Mamá! Oh! And and tell Veronica I accidentally used her toothbrush!"
10:17 a.m
It was a rough 10 minute walk- or rather run, to where he and Kieth planned on meeting.
But despite being this late, Keith was no where to be found. All Lance saw was endless forest outlining the opening. But this forest was especially special. It was where him and Keith first held hands. But for the record- he and Keith kept track of the strangest things. They noted their first hand hold, first kiss, hug, and date in general. But they also kept track of the odd things like first jinx, first staring contest, first arm wrestle, the typical for a couple like Lance and Keith.
So you would think a place like an open field surrounded by trees would be a little weird for the chaotic duo, but there was a reason they loved this place. Because when the world became too much for the two of them, this place was their escape. Hardly anybody ever came by. And the clearing above where the trees just framed the opening, was perfect for stargazing, something they both enjoyed.
But back to the topic at hand-
Where the hell was Keith?
Lance has learned a few things after dating Keith for nearly three years and one of those things was that Keith Kogane was never late. And the one time he was it was by four freakin minutes. And he kept apologizing afterwards.
Checking the time once more, Lance confirmed that Keith was almost twenty minutes late. Lance couldn’t help the dread that started to pool in his stomach. He had always been a worry-wart though.
He let another three minutes go by before resorting to calling.
.
.
.
Calling: “Billy Ray Cyrus Wannabe 💕”
Ring
.
Ring
.
Ring
.
Rin-
“-ance?”
Deep breath, he’s okay.
”Lance, you okay?”
“Me? Oh yes, don’t worry about me bub. Are you okay though?”
“Yeah I’m sorry I know I’m late. There was an…an, issue. I’ll be there in a second I promise.”
”Alright, alright that’s good”
Lance wanted to further question Keith’s hesitation, but he knew better then to push Keith past his limits. Keith was a person who played by his laws, he knew his limitations. So if he was hesitating now, in front of Lance no less, it was better to let him talk about it himself.
“Aww, were you worried about me you worry-wart?”
Lance laughed. Keith knew him to well.
“Yeah yeah make fun of it, you know you love it”
”Of course baby, I love all of you. I’m turning the corner right now I’ll be there in a second.”
”Alright, be careful yeah?”
”Of course, you know I always am”
Lance rolled his eyes off screen.
”Sure bub, love you”
”Love you to mi vida”
call ended
Lance could have melted right there and then. Keith, the love of his life, the most stubborn individual in the galaxy, and the person he had been chasing for years, had called him is life. He called him “mi vida” his life. His darling. Dios- Lance was in love.
There was something about Keith speaking dearly to Lance in his mother tongue that made Lance want to straight up flatline.
”Lance!” The familiar voice snapped him out of his thoughts. He turned towards it, seeing Keith running his way.
His hair, flawless
His clothes, hot as hell
His face- god, his face
Had he always been this beautiful?
”Hey-“ He was cut off when arms with the gentlest intentions wrapped around him, catching him off guard.
Keith had hugged him? Was he dreaming? Keith’s literally never hugged him first, it wasn’t that Keith didn’t like hugs. Lance had learned that he actually loves them, he’s just scared to show affection first. Lance has helped him learn that Lance craves Keith’s affection and he doesn’t have to be afraid. But the last thing Lance wants to do is rush him.
“Hey…not that I’m against this but, you’re hugging me?” Lance felt Keith snuggled further into his neck, as if trying to escape from the world in Lance’s hold.
“What? Am I not allowed to hug my boyfriend?” Keith’s words were muffled and he gripped onto Lance’s shirt a little tighter.
”I mean- of course you are, but it’s rare you ever do it first” Lance regretted his words as soon as they left his mouth, his heart clenching when he felt Keith’s shoulders fall.
”Not- not that I don’t absolutely love it when you do, it’s just a rare occurrence, caught me off guard”
Keith stayed silent.
“Keith I’m sorry baby, you okay?”
His voice got weirdly high pitched towards the end, guilt clawing at him. But Keith didn’t pull away, his face still buried in Lance’s neck and his arms wrapped tightly around his waist.
Sigh
“Yeah I’m alright, just- m-missed you I guess…” Lance smiled, despite knowing there was more to it.
“I missed you too Mullet”
Keith let out a small chuckle.
Lance called it a win.
The two boys were cuddled up on the grass, staring at the sky. It was still early in the afternoon so the sky was crystal clear. I was almost mesmerizing. It had been at least an hour since either of them had spoken. The overall warmth of the day with an occasional soft breeze mixed with the comfort of each others hold caused the two boys to start to drift off.
It was now or never.
”Lance?” Keith felt the taller jump a bit at the sudden noise, but immediately he tightened his hold on Keith.
“Hm?” Keith chuckled at Lance’s tired voice.
“Can I…tell you something?” His voice betrayed him halfway through his sentence. He honestly didn’t know what he was afraid of in saying what he has to. But most of the fear melted away when Lance snuggled a bit closer to Keith, placed a soft kiss on his brow.
“Anything amor” Keith smiled, but it faded almost as soon as it came on. He took a deep breath before-
“I-“ Another kiss, now to his forehead.
.
.
.
”I got in”
Lance shot up, startling Keith. Once they were both sitting up again Keith looked at Lance. The boys eyes were blown wide and he had the biggest smile on his face.
“You did!?” Keith was immediately wrapped in Lance’s strong embrace, the air getting knocked out of him as they hit the ground.
“Keith that’s amazing! I’m so proud of you!” Lance shifted slightly, placing a kiss on Kieth’s cheek and then immediately snuggled back into his shoulder. Keith slowly returned the embrace, wishing he shared Lance’s excitement.
Lance on the other hand, had trouble not shaking Keith and practically bouncing up and down with excitement. Because por el amor de Dios! This whole process was a nightmare for the both of them. Keith had been talking about going to Berkeley ever since they met as freshman. As soon as their Junior year rolled around Keith worked tirelessly.
Lance had been there, and or witnessed every study session, extra help class, and service jobs, etc. As well as every sleepless night, anxiety attack, panic attack, pill neglect, food neglect etc. etc. etc! The point is! Keith went through hell and back, pushing himself so that one day he would get that letter that read,
Dear Keith Kogane,
Congratulations! We are delighted to offer you admission to the University of California, Berkeley…
And one can only imagine what it would be like to watch your s/o practically destroy themselves trying to accomplish their dreams. But with Lance, that was life. Sure, Lance was someone who would work super hard to achieve something he really wanted but Keith-
Ay, Dios mío, Keith.
He always managed to one up Lance when it came to ambition.
In Lance’s embrace was perhaps the safest Keith has, and will ever feel. It probably won’t come as a surprise but Lance McLain was an excellent hugger. And Keith, he was reserved. The only people he had ever really hugged on purpose was his father and Shiro. So when this beautiful human being with the most attractive accent and adorable freckles one day came into his life gave him a hug that rocked his world, Keith fell in love just a little bit more every time since.
So why now did it only make him want to crumble?
He sniffled which made Lance immediately freeze.
“Mi cielo?
Aaaaaaand, here come the water works.
Lance sat up, pulling Keith into his lap. He softened his grip once he heard a muffled sob. He looks into Keith’s tear filled eyes. His own heart clenching, seeing the smallers despair.
“Woah Woah Woah- ¿Qué te pasa, mi cielo? ¿Por qué lloras?“ Keith only broke down more, falling once again into Lance’s chest. This time, Lance gently embraced the boy, securing him in his arms, letting him know he was there and that he was safe.
”What’s wrong my love? Why are you crying?” Lance’s tried to keep his voice as gentle as possible
Keith couldn’t speak. His throat felt like it had completely closed up, not allowing air nor words to escape it.
So instead, he brought up a trembling hand to Lance’s cheek. He rubbed small circles into the soft skin before pulling closer, resting his forehead against Lance’s. He allowed himself to cry once more in his partners hold.
Lance couldn’t understand.
He brought his hands up to cup Keith’s face and wiped the tears from the broken eyes. Keith looked back into his eyes. It was safe to say that Lance wanted to cry for his boy.
“Keith, baby, breathe…it’s okay mi cielo, you’re okay, I’m here.” Keith bottom lip trembled, his lips pressed together. His eyes then returned back down to the grass. But his hold on Lance’s cheek, and his forehead against his never subsided.
”Baby?”
.
.
.
”Cariño, look at me…” Eventually, Keith lifted his head up, his eyes meeting Lance’s once again. Keith immediately shook his head, reaching out to Lance as if he were a stray kitten. Lance accepted the fact that Keith wasn’t ready to talk yet.
“C’mere bub” Meeting Keith halfway, the two boys cradled each other. Lance rocked them back and forth slowly, doing all he could to ease Keith’s panic for the time being.
“Lance?”
”hm?”
It had been a rough ten minutes of silence before Keith spoke up.
“I- I’m sorry” Lance started rubbing small circles onto his back.
“You have nothing to be sorry for cariño. It’s just- confusing…” Keith hummed, slowly sitting up. Lance copied him. Once they were both sitting up Lance reached out to hold Keith’s hand, silently asking him to explain.
“If I-I’m being honest, I really d-don’t know why I’m upset.” Now Lance was beyond confused.
"Its- It's just, I thought you were so excited to go to California. You've done nothing but exhaust yourself and study for- god knows how long to prepare for the exam and essay. Hell- just watching you was stressing me out.”
Keith chuckled, it was humorless really but Lance still cherished it.
"I know, I know and your absolutely right it's just-"
Deep Breath, he’s here.
“When I saw I got accepted I was- I can’t even describe it, it was like time stopped all together. Hell- when I told my mom she cried! She cried for me Lance! She never does that!”
Lance chuckled at Keith shock. He was right though, Krolia was the last person you’d expect to see crying.
“That’s part of why I was late this morning. I was so distracted I lost track of time. I’m sorry.”
Lance full on cackled.
“Keith, baby, the shock of being accepted into your dream college is much more important than being a little late to a fake anniversary we made up to get out one of Pidge’s study sessions.” That made Keith smile, he snuggled closer to Lance and Lance openly accepted the extra snuggles.
“I know, I know you’re right but the point is.” Okay how does he say this without sounding pathetic, needy, emotional, sad?
”After the shock settled down I started to realize that-“ There were suddenly soft hands gently brushing through his hair, he took another deep breath.
”The more I thought about the more I realized just how far California is from New York. We’d….we’d never be able to see each other.”
Lance hummed, his fingers still carding through Keith’s hair.
“And that’s another reason I was late. I know how excited you get for Columbia but for some reason I only now realized that once you get in- don’t say it- you will get in. I realized that I would have to spend months away from you and I-“
Keith felt himself start to choke up again.
”I don’t know if I’m ready for that”
He sobbed once again and Lance felt himself start to tear up.
dios, he loved this boy.
Neither of them spoke for a little while, unable to find the right words. They just say they’re, in each others embrace for the time being.
Lance was the first to speak up this time.
“Hey…do you remember that time during our junior year? When I had a panic attack in that grocery store?”
Keith looked up. Of course he remembered though. He was helping a friend of his move when he got the call from Lance. It honestly scared the shit out of him when he answered the phone only here the rapid and labored breathing of his boyfriend.
”Well if I remember correctly, you ran out the door, stayed on the phone with me, got pulled over for speeding, and still made it to me in less then fifteen minutes.”
Keith laughed
“Yeah well, Shiro did happen to be the one that pulled me over so I got out of that one.”
Lance laughed with him.
”Yeah you did get lucky on that part”
”But either way, i'd do it again. I'd do whatever it takes to be there for you when you need me."
As soon as those words left Keith’s mouth Lance hummed in victory. He propped both him and Keith up a bit so that he could put his hands on Keith’s cheek’s.
”That’s my point!” Keith looked into his lovers eyes, trying to make sense of his words.
”Look, what i'm saying is that- no matter how far apart we may be, we will always be there for each other!”
”It may not always be in person, but in the end, seeing your face and hearing your voice is all I need to keep going, amor.”
Keith looked at him with so much love it made Lance's heart melt. Keith had always known how to pull his heart strings.
Keith wrapped his arms around Lance’s neck once again, snuggling his face into Lance's neck.
"God. I love you so much you idiot.”
Lance smiled ear to ear, gripping onto the back of Keith’s shirt.
"I don't know wether to be offended or flattered." Keith lightly punched Lance side. And lance being his overdramatic self pulled them both to the ground on their sides in “pain”. Keith bursted out in laughter once they hit the ground. Keith laugh was like music to Lance’s ears.
"You’re a wonder Lance McLain." Keith said once their laughter died down.
”Yeah well you love this wonder Keith Kogane.”
Keith looked at him, “That I do”
Lance gave his lover a soft smile. Soon both boys found their eyes shifting towards the others lips. The air around them suddenly got dense, their lips cold.
“Lance…” His voice was suddenly horse, desperate.
”Keith…”
.
.
.
Warmth exploded throughout their body’s once their lips connected. No matter how many times they’ve kissed every time felt like the first. They both longed for the overwhelming feeling of love and affection that washed over their very souls every time they were this close to the person they loved most.
Lance found his hand drifted towards the back of Keith’s head, his fingers twisting in the mullet he loved hated so much.
The only reason they pulled away was because both their faces were practically turning blue. Had Keith not had an educational dream to chase they would have very well stopped all together in each others embrace.
When they finally pulled they were both breathing heavily, their foreheads against each others. Lance’s hand moving down towards the side of Keith’s neck.
”You are not- heavy breath- making it any easier to leave baby”
Lance’s heavy breathing ceased with a chuckle.
”Yeah well- your not making it easier to let you go”
Keith hummed moving his face back into its space on Lance’s neck. Lance leaned onto Keith’s shoulder, taking in his warmth.
Lance felt a small tear roll down his cheek.
Yeah, this was going to be harder then he thought.
“You should start taking your own words to heart love.” Keith’s voice was still a bit horse, Lance was gunna miss that voice. Lance loved that voice.
”I would not be here today had you not been by my side baby. Us meeting in freshman year was the best thing that ever happened to me. You make me so happy and every day is a little brighter when you’re mine. You were there when all that shit happened with James, you were there when Shiro was in the hospital, you were always there for me Lance!” At this point literal waterfalls we’re building up behind both their eyes.
”Lance you taught me that I could miss and could be missed! You taught me I could love and trust without consequence. I love you more than words can describe Lance and absolutely no distance near or far can break that bond! I see that now love.”
Lance almost laughed at how he was now the one being comforted even though Keith was practically bawling his eyes out before.
This was also perhaps, the most beautiful, emotional, and kindest things Kieth has ever said to him. He was bound to get more emotional. He honestly couldn’t find the right words so he said what he could.
A sentence that was practically second nature at this point.
”I love you…”
a laugh
”I love you to, Lance, so much.”
One look at the others eyes, and they both broke down once again.
Except this time-
they knew everything would be okay.
Because that was Lance and Keith…
Inseparable in every reality, universe, and beyond.