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“We’re here everyone!” Coran announced excitedly.
After all it was a very exciting day. Shortly after saving a planet from certain damnation by the Galra, the paladins stumbled upon a small vegetated planet.
With little pleading, because she too needed a break, they all convinced Allura to take a pit stop on this planet for a day or so. Lance was particularly ecstatic because it was the closest to earth a planet had ever been; lush fields of grass and sparkling lakes of crystal water. Even the normally fowl mooded Keith seemed to be in good spirits.
The minute they debarked Lance practically threw himself into the soft grass field they landed in. The castle was positioned in the middle of a large meadow between two frosted mountains. Poppy like flowers speckled the grass plains for miles along with various other sweet smelling flowers.
Immediately, Pidge began taking samples with Hunk, the latter seeing if they were edible, whereas the rest of them seemed content in sitting amongst the “birds” and wallowing in the satisfaction of solid, Galra free, ground.
Hours passed by in the blink of an eye, no one could seem to want to depart.
Shiro and Coran were passed out on the large picnic blanket from lunch. Near, the silent Allura occupied herself by watching two small critters play with the mice. Pidge and Hunk sat together under a large weathered tree, softly discussing their finds and struggling to contain their excitement. Strangely, as Keith observed, Lance was also managing to keep quiet. Quickly finishing up his sketch of the poppy like flower, Keith hopped up and made his way to Lance.
Keith had never really had a hobby till he decided to spend a year in a desert shack. There he discovered his love of art, it started with a need to document his “findings” but later evolved to a peaceful pastime and wonderful way to remember his surroundings.
At the space mall he was able to purchase a full sized sketch pad and some pencils, finally allowing him to return to the joy he had abandoned. Just today Keith filled six pages with sketches of flora, fauna and a certain paladin.
“Whatcha up to?” Keith questioned as he peered over Lance’s shoulder. Lance was hunched in a sort of crouch, rocking on his two feet, when Keith spoke into his ear it nearly sent him cascading backwards.
“Dude! Give me some warning before you decide to just…. Just scare me like that!” Lance huffed but there was clearly no anger in it, how could he be upset in such an amazing place.
Keith just smirked as he planted himself firmly next to Lance and watched him as he worked. Lance was skillfully weaving flowers and vine into an elegant crown.
Red roses, yellow daisies, at least they looked the part, along with countless other flowers knit tightly together. So this is what Lance had been doing , Keith thought. No wonder he was so silent.
The way Lance wove was an art in itself and art takes concentration, Keith of all people would know. He carefully opened his sketchbook to a new page and began to draw Lance’s hands working on the crown.
Too bad I don’t have any paint or colored pencils, this red would show up wonderfully.
Lance’s first crown consisted mainly of warm hues, reds and yellows, but tucked in there were small blue blossoms delicately bringing the crown together. His second one though consisted mainly of cool hues, violets and blues, yet once again Keith admired how he added a hint of vibrant orange to create a cohesive piece. Side by side the two crowns could easily please royalty, each complimenting the other while also standing extravagantly beautiful on its own.
Finishing the last bit of shading on Lance’s hands, Keith didn’t notice a weight added to his head.
“Lance why do you look pink all of a sudden?” He had a fuchsia hue covering his tan cheeks, spreading all the way to his ears and the back of his neck. And he was staring straight at Keith.
“Wha- I do not! I have no idea what you’re talking about.” The blue paladin wasn’t thinking at all about how good the other looked in the flower crown. His raven locks framed his face gracefully and with the crown he looked just like a prince. So this is what they mean when you can hear your heartbeat. He was still staring when he caught those violet irises slanted in a questioning look. Shit.
With that he commandeered Keith’s sketch pad and proceeded to look through his work.
Normally, the raven haired boy would have been flustered and grabbed it right back but then he noticed the flower crown that adorned Lance’s head. It looked like he took his personality and wove it into a crown that fit him perfectly.
The wind whipped up the sweet fragrance of the blossoms while also ruffling Lance’s hair, but in a good way . All they needed was a photographer and it would be a damn photoshoot up in here. Wait where was the-
That’s when Keith felt he went bright red, the other crown sat gently amongst his midnight black locks. And of course it matched him perfectly which both flustered and flattered Keith, leaving him in an awkward state of shock.
“Um thanks-” Keith managed to stutter as he returned his gaze to the blue paladin who had paused. Of course everyone was in the sketchbook at some point, yet no one but Lance completely took up an entire page, which Keith hoped Lance wouldn’t notice.
“Oh. Don’t mind those.” Keith made a grab for the notebook but Lance’s cursed long arms prevented him from achieving his goal. As if it was at all possible for Keith to go redder than his lion, here he was doing just that.
“They’re…. They’re…..just practice-”
“Keith.” the blue paladin deadpanned and looked straight into the piercing eyes of his nervous teammate.
“They’re amazing.” he said as a smile erupted across his face. Keith practically beamed after hearing this. No one had ever really outwardly acknowledged his art, not that he had given them much of a chance though.
“I didn’t even know you drew! Ok well, I saw you with the sketch pad but I wasn’t really sure what that was about. But these….these Keith, these are amazing!” Hearing it twice still didn’t offset the disbelief the red paladin was feeling, all he could do was stare at Lance’s face, his expression twisted into one of awe and joy while looking at the sketches.
I could sit here all day .
So that's what they did, talking about random things and arguing like always, but there was no bite to it and the argument always ended in laughter.
Lance enjoyed moments like this, when Keith wasn’t brooding or angry at him, the raven haired boy actually allowed himself to laugh. His laughter would consume him, his face contorted into a beautiful smile and his gestures genuine. Lance felt lucky to see Keith this way and liked to think he was the only one who could.
Eventually, as the day came to a close, both Lance and Keith were silent as they enjoyed the view. The vibrant yellow star that acted as the sun was setting in the north, which was pretty odd but no one seemed to mind, it wasn't earth after all.
Cleo always loved sunsets. Lance remembered the way his sister's smile would make her mouth crinkle. Or how his brother teased her about her hair but would always compliment her where it counted. His mother would smile fondly at these occurrences and bask in the love her family shared.
A shadow of sadness fell over Lance's face as he continued to watch the light disappear behind the frosty mountains. Keith noticed this change, since for the past couple minutes he had committed himself to watching the blue paladin; he was seated comfortably amongst the grass, one hand supporting him and his legs out in front.
Lance looked in a word, peaceful, which reminded Keith of his nights at the shack, of his home. Yet that feeling disappeared when Lance suddenly brought his knees to his chest and softly wept into them. This broke Keith. The raven haired boy sat shocked for a moment before carefully scooting closer and hugging Lance. This was brand new territory for both of them, after a minute of petrified fear, Lance softened and hugged the other paladin back.
“Thank you” Lance managed to say into Keith's crop jacket before removing himself to sit criss-cross. He still looked sad but just less so, still it made Keith ache to see him this way. Great I just wept in front of Keith. He must think I am pathetic.
“Hey what's wrong?” Keith questioned.
“Oh it's stupid...nothing important…” Lance muttered and stared off into the distance.
“Hey no. Look at me.” the red paladin took the other’s face in his hands and stared into those blue eyes.
“Whatever it is, isn’t stupid. Your feelings are valid Lance. So come on what's the issue.” Lance searched the red paladin’s face before looking away and giving in.
“I'm homesick….. this planet looks so much like earth that I was enjoying it but….it's not the same. No sea, no family….” tears began to stream down his face again and Keith knew he had to say something as he carefully wiped Lance’s tears with his thumb.
“Hey, hey, hey, it's ok. I get homesick too sometimes. Here I have something to cheer you up.” Lance perked up and watched as Keith opened his sketchbook.
“you… didn't make it this far.” Keith managed as he shoved his sketchbook towards the blue paladin.
Earth. It was earth.
All of the valleys and ravines around Keith’s shack. All of the soft layers of a campfire. Sunsets. Real sunsets in vivid orange pencil. A vanilla milkshake so realistic Lance could practically taste it. So many drawings, an entire section dedicated to the all the things Keith felt made earth, earth.
The blue eyed paladin reveled in these delicate reminders of earth.
An ancient oak sitting quietly in a field of grass.
The blue paladin did a double take, this was by far the most detailed sketch in the entire book, taking up an entire page alone. Somehow the raven haired boy had managed to shade in watercolor, this in itself amazed Lance because Lance knew a first grader could paint better than him. Keith made each detailed green leaf appear to capture the soft sunlight that shone through the reaching branches. This painting must have taken ages, but that didn’t seem to matter, it must be special . His thoughts were confirmed when he looked up at the red paladin.
Keith’s face splayed more emotions than Lance had ever seen from him, all in one moment. His features were soft and tender looking at the painting.
This in itself made the blue paladin nearly choke on his own breaths. He had never seen this emotion so fiercely from the red paladin, caring, caring was one way to put it. Yet, under it all, was a heavy layer of helplessness and despair. A small blue petal floated down Keith’s cheek mimicking a tear.
This boy needs a hug. Lance’s joints locked in fear, they had just hugged minutes before and he wasn’t sure how much touching Keith could manage, he had crossed more boundaries in five minutes than in several months, nor did he know how much more his heart could take.
“That’s my mother’s tree.”
Oh.
“I was eight at the time and having a particularly rough day on a school field trip…. My old teacher Ms. Apartai took me aside under that tree and asked what was wrong…. No one had ever been that concerned, she asked a simple question but her face said it all…. I broke down and told her I missed the mother I never knew. She said ‘Keith, darling, you may have never known her, but every mother leaves a bit of herself in her baby. That’s how you know she will always be with you.’ Ms. Apartai was old and died shortly after but….. I've never forgotten and will never forget.”
By this time Lance was silently weeping. Keith wore a hurt expression as he looked towards the mountains. Only realizing as he turned back to the blue paladin how much he divulged and quickly looked frighteningly uncomfortable.
I’m such an ass! Missing my family when Keith doesn’t even have one! This thought only made Lance cry harder till he was practically balling.
Fuck it.
Lance threw himself at Keith, enveloping him into a hug. Once again it started out stiff, but this time it only took mere moments for each of them to soften and truly embrace.
From then on, whenever either of them would feel lonely or homesick they would seek out each other and bask in the memories and easy conversation. Content with having the other right beside them the galaxy wasn’t so bad after all. They still missed earth and everything there but no longer felt homesick because they had made a home in each other.