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They weren’t unpacked. Not all the way at least. The kitchen and bathrooms were done and put away, but they hadn't even started the living room and bedroom. It was getting dark, and Shiro and Keith really didn’t feel like dealing with cardboard anymore today. They got everything out of the truck and into their new apartment, and that seemed like good enough progress for one day.
They didn't have much in the way of food yet, but they had some take out left over from lunch and a couple beers. The dining room wasn't set up either, so they sat out on their balcony to eat. The sun was setting over the ocean and the last of the beach bums were starting to pack it up and head out. Words weren’t necessary, so the couple sat quietly on the floor to eat and drink their beers.
---
Keith is comfortable in the warm May air, and is almost asleep when the sound of another sliding door startles him, followed by the slightly unpleasant sound of a just barely out of tune guitar. The owner curses and sets to tuning the instrument. Shiro doesn't really seem to mind, and keeps reading whatever article on his phone. Keith, however, is curious. He hears a bottle open, followed by strumming, and determines it’s from the balcony above them. The song isn't anything he recognizes, but it's pleasant and piques his interest. He eyes the railing and the ledge above.
He could cross that.
And he does. Keith stands, setting his half empty beer on the ground and ignoring Shiro's questions. Without much effort, he wraps his fingers over the ledge of the other balcony and does a chin up.
"Keith! What the hell are you-" Shiro starts.
"Nice playing," Keith cuts him off, speaking to the stranger on the balcony above.
"HOLY JESUS MARY JOSEPH, WHAT THE FUCK!" The guy with the guitar jumps, the music stopping comically. "Holy shit, what the hell are you doing?" He leans his guitar against the corner wall and comes to look over his railing. "Oh shit, you're the new tenants?" Shiro is still yelling at Keith when he notices the guy looking down.
"Keith, get the fuck down here and stop scaring the neighbors!” Shiro grabs at Keith’s waist and arms, attempting to drag his boyfriend back down. “Oh, hi, sorry about him, he's nosy,” he continues, directing his attention above.
"You can't tell me you didn’t wanna know what song he was playing, Shiro!" Finally, Keith relents and slides back onto their own balcony. "And I wasn't gonna fall, I'm not weak." The guy above them snorts.
"La Llorona. It's a mexican folk song. The name’s Lance. We could keep talking like this, or you could come up and say hi? I have beer, and my cat likes making friends," Lance says, and when Keith starts trying to climb again, he shouts, "Use the stairs! Diós mio, are you trying to give me a heart attack?" Keith shrugs.
It only takes the couple a few minutes to get upstairs to Lance’s place. As he said, Lance's cat is eager to greet them.
"This is Camilla, the lady of the house. She's a spoiled brat and she knows it." The calico lady sniffs at Keith and Shiro’s legs before rubbing against them and meowing, looking pointedly at Lance. Shiro chuckles, and crouches to give her some scritches.
"She's adorable. Anyway, I'm Shiro, and this spider monkey is my boyfriend, Keith. We moved in today." Keith rolls his eyes, gently kicking Shiro in the leg, making Lance snort.
"Well, welcome, I've got booze, if you want some." Lance leads them into his kitchen and dining room, taking a few drinks from the fridge and handing them to his guests. Lance uses a bottle opener and hands it to Shiro, but Keith opens his with this jacket sleeve shielding his hand. Lance is both impressed and disgusted. Camilla jumps up to sit on the table, and Lance sighs. "Spoiled, you are a spoiled cat Camie."
"Shiro isn't much better with my dog, Kosmo. He always gives him any leftover bacon or sausage." Shiro makes a face and waves one arm around.
"He's a good boy Keith, he deserves the bacon!"
"He's gonna get fat!" Keith counters, and Lance grins, amused.
"All dogs are good dogs and deserve bacon, I'm with Shiro here." Keith makes a noise of betrayal and pouts.
"He's gonna get fat and it's gonna be your fault, Shiro."
"You take him with you on your morning runs, I'm sure he'll be okay."
The three fall into easy conversation about pets and jobs. Shiro had gotten a job at Nasa, prompting their move to Florida, and Keith had found a gig as a personal trainer at a gym in town. Lance works full time at the bakery across the street. On paper he was the cashier, but really he just helped out wherever Hunk, his best friend and the bakery’s owner, needed him. And if he didn’t need help, Lance entertained himself by playing his guitar for the customers. He gushes about Hunk’s baking and encourages the two to stop by the bakery sometime, even sweetening the deal by promising to make them coffee or tea.
---
Over the next few weeks, Shiro and Keith make a habit of stopping at the bakery for breakfast before work. Most of the time, Lance is behind the counter, but every so often he’s in the corner playing his guitar. Regardless, he always greets them with a broad smile and gives them a wave when they leave.
On a Saturday in the middle of June, the couple finds themselves sitting on their balcony and watching the beachgoers. They know Lance is down there somewhere, he’d asked them to feed Camilla tonight and in the morning because he’s staying with Hunk and isn't sure when he’ll be home. They find themselves talking about Lance, about his bright and beautiful smile, his loud and charming laugh, his incredible guitar playing. Keith talks about how well Kosmo and Camilla get along, and how Kosmo really likes Lance.
“Kosmo always looks at the stairs up to Lance’s floor, he always wants to visit, and I have to be like ‘no, we're going on a run, not to bother the pretty neighbor.’” Keith idly pets Kosmo’s head from where the large Husky mix has sat himself between his humans’ chairs, demanding attention. Shiro chuckles, also reaching to give Kosmo the pets he desires.
“Pretty, huh?” Shiro says, and Keith stutters. “You’re right though, he is really pretty.”
“He’s fuckin’ goregeous, literally who gave him the right to have such a pretty face and the best ass I’ve seen in this state? If I meet them I'm gonna thank them. They blessed us.” Keith pauses, thinks about the things he just said, and looks down at his lap. “Oh.” Shiro laughs, almost spilling his tea.
“Did you seriously just figure out that you're crushing on Lance?”
“Shut up!”
“You aren’t subtle, and I've known you for years, Keith.”
“You couldn’t tell when I had a crush on you.” Keith crosses his arms across his chest and Shiro shoves his shoulder.
“That’s different, I was busy with school and taking care of Grandma,” Shiro rolls his eyes. “Anyway, you definitely aren’t alone in the whole crush thing. Do you think he’d be down to join us? I don't know about you, but two boyfriends to cuddle is better than one.” Shiro shrugs.
“Is he even into guys?”
“I saw a Bisexual flag in his apartment. It was in the hall when I went to pick up Kosmo the other day.”
“Good to know.” Keith rubs Kosmo’s ear. “I say we invite him to bring Camilla down for a pet playdate, and if he rejects us he can just leave and go home.”
“Sounds like a good plan to me. You're off work Wednesday, right?” Shiro asks, and Keith hums in affirmation. “Good, invite him after he gets off work. I can call in sick.”
And that's exactly what they do. They spend Wednesday morning cleaning, partially for Lance, partially because they needed to anyway. They make lunch, and cuddle on the couch until afternoon, when Keith sends Lance a text:
> Keith: when do u get off work? Kosmo misses his friend
> Lance: 5, pet playdate?
> Keith: ya, see u then
It's 5:30 when Lance appears at their door, Camilla perched on his shoulder. She jumps down to paw Kosmo awake when Shiro opens the door.
“Hey, how was work?” Shiro steps aside to let Lance in, and Lance takes his place in the armchair.
“Same as normal, except Hunk tickle attacked me with flour covered hands, so I took longer to get here cause I had to change.” He runs his fingers through his hair. “I probably still have flour in my hair from it, asshole.” There’s no bite to it, and Lance is grinning, which makes Keith and Shiro grin. “Oh! And he gave me this!” He fishes a laser pointer from his shirt pocket. “He found out I didn’t have one for Camie, and he said that was illegal, so he got me one.” He flicks the light on, points it at the floor, and both Camilla and Kosmo stop to stare at it. Lance wiggles it, and the pets’ eyes follow the dot. Camilla lowers herself into a crouch, pupils blown wide. Kosmo jumps on the light, pawing at it and whining, and Camilla seems to roll her eyes as she bumps him out of the way to paw at it herself. Lance grins wider, moving the light and watching the pets follow it. Keith snorts when Kosmo hits his head on the coffee table, and Shiro makes a noise.
“Lance, don’t terrorize them with it.” Lance looks at Shiro, and flicks the light to land on Shiro's chest. The pets launch, and Lance and Keith barely hear Shiro say “Oh no” before he's covered in fur. The light is gone now, but Kosmo keeps licking Shiro’s face and Camilla is curling up behind his head and pawing at his hair. Lance and Keith are no help, the pair just laughing as Shiro tries to push Kosmo off of him. “Keith!” he yells, “Get your-ACK!-get your dog! Kosmo down!”
“No, keep licking him Kosmo! Good boy!” Lance tacks on through his laughter. Kosmo’s tail wags and he turns to Lance. “Oh dios mio- KOSMO!” And then the Husky mix is on Lance with a single bound. He succumbs to the dog without much of a fight, and when Kosmo deems him sufficiently licked, the pup jumps down to lay at Lance’s feet. And Lance, Lance is a mess. He’s sunk into the chair, his hair is sticking up in weird angles and his face is shiny with dog slobber. Keith doubles over, waving Kosmo over and scratching his ears and head.
“G-good boy Kosmo, oh my god, Lance, holy shit!” Lance raises a simple middle finger, and once Shiro finishes wiping his face with his shirt sleeve, he looks at Lance and laughs himself.
“You deserve that,” he says. “I'll get you a towel.” Shiro grabs himself and Lance a towel each from the kitchen. He hands it to the pouting boy, who straightens himself back up and cleans his face, fixes his hair, and throws the towel at the still chuckling Keith.
“Kosmo probably just cleaned like, half the flour from my hair,” Lance says as he slides the laser pointer back into his shirt pocket. Camilla paces along the back of the couch, waiting for someone to invite her into their lap. Shiro pspsps’s until Camilla flops into his lap, eager for belly rubs. The three sit in silence for a while, Kosmo switching from Keith to Lance and Lance to Keith for pets until Shiro speaks up again.
“Actually, there’s another reason we wanted you to come over, Lance.” The boy in question lifts his head from Kosmo’s. “Keith and I have been talking a lot, and we really like you-” Keith rolls his eyes and cuts in himself.
“Don’t be a coward, Shiro. We wanna date you.”
“What?” Lance seems taken aback.
“We wanna date you, Lance. You know, take you to the beach, or stay in and cuddle with you, that cheesy stuff.” Keith says.
“I- yeah. What Keith said. We really like you, Lance.” Shiro adds.
“Yes.” Lance doesn’t hesitate. Keith and Shiro look at each other, and Lance blushes. “I mean, I like you both too. Who wouldn’t, honestly? Camie has never gotten along this well with a dog, not even my cousin’s.” He stands to flop onto the couch in between Keith and Shiro. “So... if you two will have me, I’d be glad to start the cheesy cuddling shit here and now.”
And they do. Keith attaches himself to Lance’s left arm, and Shiro pulls him close by his right, looping his arm around them both. Lance finds himself relaxing, even as Kosmo lays himself across Keith and Lance’s laps. Shiro leans his head against Lance's, and Keith smooshes his face into Lance’s shoulder. It only takes 10 minutes for Lance to fall asleep, tired from work, and warm in between his two new boyfriends.
---
June fades into July until it's the weekend before Lance’s birthday. They’re all at the beach as their friends-only party (as Lance’s Family has a monopoly on his actual birthday) Lance is off playing volleyball with Hunk and some strangers while Shiro and Keith lounge under a beach umbrella. Shiro is nearly asleep, and Keith is staring off into the ocean. Lance doesn’t hesitate to sit himself between them once the game is over, leaning his head on Shiro’s shoulder. Shiro wakes with a start, looping his arm around Lance instinctively.
“Hey, how’d the game go?” He asks through a yawn.
“We kicked their asses, obviously. Hunk and I are the kings of pairs volleyball on this beach,” he grins as he catches his breath. Lance grabs at Keith’s hand. “Hey Keeeithy~” Keith hums. “Can you get us ice creeeam~? Pleeease?”
“Why can't you get it? You were just up.” Keith looks at Lance accusingly.
“I was defending my title. I'm tired, babe.” Lance gives Keith his best puppy eyes, and Keith crumbles.
“Fine. I can’t say no to you, you’re spoiled just like your cat.” Lance smiles wide. “If I get burnt while in line I'm blaming you.”
“You’ll be okay. If you do I’ll lotion you down. Chocolate please.”
“I want chocolate too.” Shiro adds. Keith nods as he heads for the ice cream stand. He’s thankful the line isn’t long, and it only takes him about 10 minutes to return with 3 cones, two chocolate and one strawberry. The boys chime their thanks, and Keith takes his place on the blanket again.
Once they all finish their cones, Keith scoots to lay against Lance’s chest, and Lance against Shiro’s. Shiro falls back asleep, and Lance plays with Keith's hair and watches a group of kids play in the waves. They lay like that for an hour or so, until the sun starts to set and other people start to leave. When the sun is far enough gone, Lance moves to wake his snoozing boyfriends.
“C’mon, wakey wakey. Y'all can sleep when we get home.” Lance says, and Shiro grumbles, slowly sitting up.
“M’ wasn’t asleep,” he yawns, finally sitting upright. Keith doesn’t say anything coherent when he wakes up, just grunts and gives Lance a dirty look.
“Sure Shiro, whatever you say. Help me pack up.” Keith and Shiro corral their belongings into their bag, and Lance shakes out and folds their blanket. The three don their flip flops and silently walk back to the car. The drive is short, but it's easier than walking. It's only 20 minutes before they’re back to Keith and Shiro’s apartment. They take turns in the shower, Shiro first, then Keith, then Lance. Soon enough, they’re all tucked in bed, Kosmo and Camilla already curled up and asleep at the foot of the bed.
“I had a lot of fun today. Thanks, guys.” Lance says quietly. Keith hums, turning to snuggle closer to Lance’s right side.
“Can’t say no to you, baby,” he mumbles, rubbing his cheek against Lance’s shoulder. Lance turns his head to steal a kiss. Shiro pets Lance's hair.
“He’s right,” he guides Lance into a warm kiss. “Anything for our Lance.” Lance hums, snuggling in for the night.
“I love you two. Maybe it’s a little soon, but I don't care. You guys are great.” Keith holds him tighter, and Shiro kisses Lance’s head.
“We love you too, Lance.” Shiro says, and Keith adds a soft “Love you” from his place against Lance’s shoulder before he fully falls asleep. Lance yawns, content. Shiro keeps going. “Goodnight, babes.” Lance mumbles a “night night” before he’s asleep too. Shiro follows soon after.
The next morning, Lance wakes first, but doesn’t dare move. Instead, he lays there, in the middle of Shiro and Keith, and thinks. He thinks about how great this summer has been. He thinks about how glad he is that he chose to go on his balcony and play guitar that day, how glad he is that Keith’s a spider monkey and tried to climb up.
He thinks “Yeah, this is easily the best summer ever.”