Not Perfect - Part 3

Keith: *sniffles and pulls away from Lance’s chest*

Lance: *immediately focuses on Keith* Hey, man, how are you feeling?

Keith: *wipes his eyes* *his stomach growls*

Lance: *lightly chuckles* Don’t worry, Hunk will be back soon with food.

Hunk: *enters room with a big bowl of something yummy smelling*

Lance: Speak of the devil.

Hunk: Hey guys, sorry, I had to warm it up.

Lance: No worries.

Hunk: *gives the bowl to Lance* *stands there awkwardly for a moment* Well, I’ll just . . . uh . . . be on my way now.

Lance: *nods*

Hunk: *leaves the room*

Lance: You think you can stomach food?

Keith: *is looking down playing with his toes*

Lance: Keith? You wanna try eating something?

Keith: *looks at him* Hm?

Lance: Aren’t you hungry? *holds up bowl the of food*

Keith: *gives him a big smile* Okay

Lance: X_X *blushes madly*

Keith: *opens his mouth as if expecting food to go in there*

Lance: *hands shaking* *scoops up food and places the spoon in Keith’s mouth* *internally screaming*

Keith: *eats it giggling*

Lance: *smiling goofily* *gives Keith another spoonful*

Keith: *eats it*

Lance: *helps Keith eat the rest, then sets down the bowl* *face super red* *but a huge smile on his face* Feeling better now?

Keith: *cuddles up to him* mhmm

Lance: *gasps* *wraps arms around Keith* SO CUTE!!

Pidge *comes back in* Okay, if he’s done, eating I’d like to start some therapy.

Lance: *reluctantly lets go of Keith* Right, yeah. Did you want me to leave the room?

Pidge: Actually, we’ll be taking him somewhere.

Lance: Oh, okay. *gently picks Keith up*

Pidge: Come on *leads them down the halls of the castle*

Lance: *follows behind* *trying not to look down at Keith’s cute face*

Pidge: *leads to a very large empty room*

Lance: What are we doing in here?

Pidge: Set him down on the floor and then come with me.

Lance: *frowns* We’re leaving him alone?

Pidge: Don’t worry, we’re going to watch him.

Lance: *squeezes Keith* *mumbles* Okay . . . *sets Keith down*

Keith: …?

Pidge: Okay come on *leads him outside to a control room with a one way window where they can see Keith*

Lance: *follows behind* *throws a final smile Keith’s way*

Pidge: Okay now. This will be more of an experiment. This room will project life-like holograms based on his mind of things that he loves. That way we can figure out ways we can keep him calm whenever he has some kind of freak out spell.

Lance: *nods* *says nothing*

Pidge: *starts up the room*

* The room starts to put together a scene for Keith* *It turns into a sandy scene*

Keith: Hm…? *looks down and runs his hands through the sand*

Lance: Sand? Is it . . . the desert?

Pidge: I guess so. It must be where his home used to be.

Keith: Hee *plays in the sand*

Lance: *softened gaze* He looks so happy . . .

Pidge: I told you, it things that he loves. *writes in her notebook* Okay, let me try something else. *fiddles with the device as if to change it up*

*The scene changes to a sunny forest*

Keith: *for some reason doesn’t question what’s going on and looks around before standing up and exploring*

Lance: A forest? But I thought he liked the desert.

Pidge: He must like both. Maybe he just like nature and warm places. *writes in her notebook*

Lance: Makes sense. *taps his chin* I think I remember seeing some plants in his old shack back on earth. *looks depressed* Man, I didn’t realise he must be missing earth just as much as the rest of us. Just as much as me.

*There can be mewing heard*

Keith: Huh? *turns around and sees kittens on the ground* *gasps*

Lance: *gasps* He loves cats? *then realises his idiocy* I guess it fits; he and Red are probably the closest to each other besides me and Blue.

Keith: *sits down and picks up a kitten cuddling it* *giggles*

Pidge: Pffft, and the guy tries to act like a big toughy *writes*

Lance: *can’t stop staring at how cute the scene is before him* *eyes wide*

*after a few minutes a small child appears*

Keith: …*looks at him* *puts down the kitten and immediately pulls him into a hug*

Lance: . . . Who is that? Is that . . . a Galra?

Pidge: I….I have no idea….What is...this weird....

Lance: *sad expression* He looks so desperate. I wonder who that is . . . and what they mean to him.

Pidge: Me too…

*the scene changes and Keith is back in the empty room. The child changes into a hologram of Lance hugging him*

Lance: *surprised* *eyes as big as saucers* Wh . . . *tears well up* Do I really mean that much to him . . .?

Pidge: ….That is...That is so adorable. Holy crap. I had no idea he’s felt like this about you...I guess this means you’re his comforter.

Lance: *warm feeling in his chest* *smiles softly* . . . Yeah, I guess so . . .

Pidge: Okay. I think that’s all for now. *turns off the room and the hologram disappears*

Keith: …?!

Lance: *rushing back to Keith* Hey buddy.

Keith: *looks up at him* Lance

Lance: *bends down* *hugs Keith tightly*

Keith: *sighs in relief*

Pidge: Well...his mind seems to be in the right place right now. Perhaps he can walk around the castle and get some exercise.

Lance: *pulls back* Yeah, come on Keith, let’s walk around for a bit.

Keith: *stands up and looks at Lance*

Pidge: Keep a good eye on him *walks out*

Lance: *smiles* You know I will! They don’t call me ‘Sharpshooter’ for nothing! *takes Keith’s hand and leads him out* *follows Pidge*

Pidge: I’m going to study more. *goes to where his room is*

Keith: *just follows Lance* Where are we going?

Lance: *taps his chin* Well, I was thinking maybe take a stroll around the castle, and when you get too tired, we could go to the common room for a break.

Keith: Can I tell you a secret?

Lance: *stops* Yeah, sure, what’s up?

Keith: I have a crush...on Lance...please don’t tell him though, he’ll think I’m weird.

Lance: *brain disconnects* U-uh . . . what?

Keith: Yeah...he may be really annoying but...he’s really fun too...I can’t help it...he’s adorable.

Lance: *repeating Keith’s words in his mind over and over again* He’s adorable, he’s adorable, he’s adorable . . . I must be dreaming, this can’t be real. I know I’ve been crushing since the Garrison, but now I’ve really lost it. *pinches himself* NOPE NOT A DREAM. THIS IS IT. IT’S REALLY HAPPENING.

Keith: He can never know...He hates me.

Lance: *clears his throat* Nah, I’m pretty sure he doesn’t.

Keith: Yeah...he’s always saying things to me that make that clear. Pretty sure he hates my hair the most. I’ve thought about cutting it.

Lance: No! Don’t do that!

Keith: *jumps at that* Why?

Lance: Oh, uh. *coughs* Sorry. I didn’t mean to yell. But you shouldn’t cut your hair. Lance may say he hates it, but he really likes it. He thinks it makes you look . . . pretty.

Keith: *smiles and giggles* Nah. I’m not

Lance: Good. *begins to walk again* Don’t worry, I won’t tell him. You can do that on your own.

Keith: *screams out of nowhere*

Lance: *freezes* Whoa, Keith! What’s wrong?!

Keith: *runs away*

Lance: Keith! *runs after him* Keith, wait!

Keith: *runs towards the lion hanger*

Lance: *follows behind* *decides to just watch from a distance* He needs his space sometimes . . . right?

Keith: The Galra are gonna kill us! *gets into his lion*

Lance: Yeah, okay, no. *runs as fast as he can to catch up* Red, let me in!

Red: *looks at Lance before opening up*

Lance: *sighs in relief* Thank you! *runs inside*

Keith: *is in his seat ready to take off.* *hyperventilating*

Lance: Keith! Keith, hey, can you hear me? *lightly touches Keith’s shoulder*

Keith: GAH! *falls out of his onto the floor and gathers himself into the fetal position*

Lance: Keith! * kneels down next to him* K-Keith *lowers his voice* Hey, Keith, it’s okay. *puts a gentle hand on his arm* It’s okay, buddy, you’re safe here. There’s no Galra.

Keith: I am Galra… *sniff* I’m a freak….

Lance: No, Keith. You aren’t a freak. You’re Keith. Your heritage doesn’t make you who you are. You make you who you are. And you are the best half alien idiot I know. *smiles*

Keith: *freaks out for a minute before passing out again*

Lance: *sighs* *picks Keith up* *walks back out of Red*

Keith: *opens his eyes and looks up at Lance* Lance? Lance what’s going on??

Lance: It’s okay Keith. You’re fine.

Keith: Why do I keep ending up in different places?? And why are you carrying me??

Lance: *blushes* Oh, sorry. *puts him down*

Keith: *holds his arm, looking down* I’m really confused….Please...tell me what’s happening.

Lance: Well . . . *sighs* You’re kinda . . . having trouble with reality and fantasy.  But-but don’t worry! We’re working on it! And besides, that just means I-- *cuts himself off before he can say something embarrassing* So, yeah!

Keith: You...what?

Lance: *blushes deeply* Nothing . . .

Keith: *His eyes narrow* What? What are you not telling me Lance.

Lance: *blushes deeper* W-well . . .

Keith: *folds his arms* Well?

Lance: *gulps* *mumbles* I get to spend time with you . . .

Keith: What? I didn’t hear you.

Lance: *a bit louder* I get to spend more time with you this way . . .

Keith: ….Wait...you WANT to spend time with me and...not...shoot me?

Lance: What? No, I don’t want to shoot you. I . . . I . . .

Keith: *sigh* My gosh Lance, would you just talk?

Lance: *fake offended voice* I beg your pardon, I talk eloquent, thank you very much.

Keith: Heh…*shakes his head* *sigh* Same Lance….always

Lance: Wait, what? What do you mean?

Keith: Nothing. You’re just a goofball.

Lance: *flashes a flirty smile* well, you know me, Lance “Clearly the best at Everything” McClain.

Keith: *smiles slightly*

Lance: Whoa, you smiled! Of your own will!

Keith: *jumps at that and sort of blushes* What? Yeah. So what? I can smile.

Lance: *big grin* Well, I just find it amazing that I made you smile. And it looked like you weren’t even faking it.

Keith: *his smile disappears* ...Sometimes it’s hard to smile okay?

Lance: *mirth disappears* I get what you mean. *smiles tightly* Sorry, I just thought you looked really nice with a smile.

Keith: *blushes more and looks at him* Why are you acting so weird Lance.

Lance: *realizes his mistake* *wants to die in a hole* I’m not acting weird. You’re acting weird.

Keith: Yes you told about that. Thanks so much Lance…

Lance: *blushes* Well, no, I didn’t mean it like that . . .

Keith: Ugh, then what do you mean Lance??

Lance: Ugh, never mind! *sighs into his hands* I don’t know what I mean anymore. I don’t know!

Keith: …*sighs* Lance...I’m sorry for yelling...I’m just confused and scared…

Lance: *takes a deep breath and lets it out* No, it’s fine, I just . . . . I just don’t want to lose you . .

Keith: Wait….what?

Lance: What? *thinks back* Wait, what did I say?

Keith: *steps closer to him* You said you didn’t...want to lose me.

Lance: *brain malfunctions* I . . . did? I DID?! Oh my gosh . . . OH MY GOSH!!! WHY DID I SAY THAT! YOU WEREN’T SUPPOSED TO KNOW THAT!

Keith: Lance...calm down *puts a hand on his shoulder*

Lance: But I . . . told you . . . that . . . *eyes widen* *puts a shaking hand to his mouth* Oh my gosh . . .

Keith: Lance...I wouldn’t ever want to lose you either.

Lance: *breath catches* . . . really?

Keith: Well yeah...I...care about you.

Lance: *smiles hesitantly* I . . . care about you too.

Keith: Wait...you do?

Lance: *nods* Yeah . . . yeah I do.

Keith: *gets even closer to him looking in his eyes* I didn’t think you did...I thought you would like to see me roasted....

Lance: *blush softly* Well, I guess I did for a while, but . . . I kinda . . . started to admire you, look up to you, and eventually . . . l-like you.

Keith: *has a big blush on his face* I...admire you too…

Lance: Yeah . . . *doesn’t realise he’s getting closer*

Keith: …*just gets closer and closer* *his heart beat rising*

Lance: *leans down*

Keith: *stands on his toes*

Lance: *grins* Are you standing on your toes?

Keith: *groans* No...shut up...and kiss me…’

Lance: Gladly. *smashes their lips together*

Keith: *realizes what he just caused and goes wide eyed for a moment*

Lance: What? What’s wrong?

Keith: *doesn’t respond and just leaps onto his lips again wrapping his arms around his shoulders*

Lance: *surprised sound* *eyes flutter closed* *pulls Keith closer*

Keith: *tears start dripping down his cheeks*

Lance: Keith . . . ?

Keith: ...I...I love you

Lance: *smiles* I love you too.

Keith: You DO?

Lance: Yeah . . . I do. Ha ha, why else would I kiss you, mullet brain?

Keith: *smiles* Heh...idiot

Lance: *shrugs* So maybe I am. But I’m a cute idiot.

Keith: Yeah...you are *kisses him again*

Lance: *blushes and smiles into the kiss*

Coran: *finds them in the hallway* ...Um…

Lance: *holds up pointer finger* Five more minutes, Coran.

Coran: U-Uh...okay… *slowly walks away*

Keith: *watches Coran leave before looking back at Lance*

Lance: So . . . what now?

Keith: *touches his face* You have a nice face…

Lance: *blush* Yeah, I know. And your face is beautiful.

Keith: *feels his own face kind of squishing it* ...But I don't have a face...it's not there...I'm a walrus

Lance: *laughs* Sure, buddy. An adorably cute walrus.

Keith: uuuhhhh… *plonks his head against Lance’s chest* Barf…

Lance: You know you love me.

Keith: You know who bo wackadoodoo

Lance: *raises an eyebrow* Well, okay, walrus. Let’s get back to the others.

*suddenly the alarms of the castle go off*

Keith: *screams and falls to the ground*

Lance: *pales and drops to the floor* Keith! *wraps his arms protectively around Keith*

Coran: *over the speakers* The castle is under attack! Quickly Paladins!

Lance: Oh no, not now, not now! Keith?! Buddy, can you hear me? You okay?

Keith: *Is unconscious*

Coran: Quickly now! I think someone's trying to break into the castle!

Lance: *picks Keith up* I’ll just have to take you to your room for now. You okay with that?

Keith: *doesn't respond*