Chapter Text
Michael was covered in crumbs by the time they made it back to Paul’s room, and Keith was struggling not to laugh as Lance picked and brushed Butterfinger parts off of him. He finally broke when Lance ate them, for god’s sake.
He opened the door for the two, and they walked into the crowded room. Keith was still a little red, and the day went amazingly after that. The whole family came, and when Rosa got back she started planning for a big family dinner to celebrate. The joked and laughed, and Keith slowly, slowly got used to it.
To being in a family.
The house was full of kids, teens and adults, all somehow related to Lance in a way. Keith helped with the babies and kids and got side hugs from whoever, and he was almost never alone. Paul came home the day before they left and he was nearly swamped. Keith helped rescue him from the family and he didn’t miss the fond smile he got in thanks. The kids thought he and Lance were the most interesting thing, and they only got one mean glare from a family member. The person left that night anyways and Keith was surprised it took that long for someone to act annoyed or rude around them.
He sat out, nursing a cup of tea for a small headache he had gotten from one of the kids shrieking at him when Camilla came out to sit. She fed her baby as they sat in quiet, watching the stars.
“Are you alright?” She asked after a few minutes, and Keith looked over.
“Yea.” He said, smiling down into his steaming cup. “Yea, I think I am.” Camilla smiled at him, and then looked up at the stars.
“Did you ever wonder how the world could ever be so big?” She asked, and then looked again at Keith.
“All the time.” He answered, glancing up into the abyss.
“It’s a miracle we’re here.” She said, and Keith grinned.
“I’m glad we are.” He said. They shared a smile, then the baby started crying, Lance came out to find Keith and a kid ran by, shrieking about a giant moth or something. The house was warm as he entered and Keith kissed Lance then, alone in the front hall for a split second.
When they left, Keith had eaten so much he’d gained, like, thirty pounds. The only reason they had to go was Shiro needed his car back.
The ride back was easier than Keith had anticipated. Lance and he joked, mostly about Lance’s crazy family. Red and Blue were exhausted from the week and slept most the time home, curled in their laps. They returned Shiro’s car and were invited inside, which they gladly accepted. Allura read Keith’s tarot for him, leaving them both in laughter and smiles. Keith gratefully accepted her offer to teach him and somehow, Pidge and Hunk and Shay got invited over too. They all played games and talked until late that night, and found out Shiro could cook as well.
Pidge went home first, exhausted. Hunk and Shay followed, and finally, Lance and Keith left.
Hand in hand, they made their way down the street, giggling quietly and carrying their bags. Cars rushed by and store signs lit up their faces. Keith laughed really hard once, and when he recovered he found Lance staring at him, a dumb smile across his face.
They stopped to grab rootbeer floats at a 24 hour cafe, and made it to Lance’s apartment, carrying two sleepy cats and made their way into bed, kissing and helping get each other’s clothes off. They hadn’t any time for just the two of them since the cottage.
Something sank in as he lay with Lance at night, warm and cozy and easy. He watched Lance’s fingers as he played with them, Lance already asleep, hair wet from the shower they had to clean up after they got home. Keith watched him breathe, and it was quiet except for the sounds of the city around them.
He didn’t think he might be in love with Lance. He was certain.
He was still certain a year and a half later when Lance’s present for him was a small silver ring, runes etched on the inside.