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faequeen40 · 7 years

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Candlelight and Supernovas

Day 4: Earth

Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 5, Day 6, Day 7

The training room had its own kind of peace, especially when he managed to find it while the rest of the team was busy. Working out his frustration and unhappy memories was therapeutic for Shiro and he appreciated the moments that he was able to have to himself.

But sometimes it would bring up things better left forgotten. The worn handle of a blade in his hand. The faceless enemy before him. The screams of the crowd.

Champion.

Despite his best efforts, this was the afternoon that awaited him in the training room, its familiar peace deserting him for the other side of the coin.

He was edging dangerously close to panic attack territory and Shiro desperately didn’t want that. There was an air of celebration around the castle, the rest of the occupants carefully crafting their surprises for Lance’s birthday. The last thing he wanted to do was sour such an atmosphere. There was still so much left to work on.

Sadly, Shiro was drawing a blank on what to do.

He didn’t know Lance well at all. He knew that Lance had been a member of the Garrison, an aspiring pilot along with Hunk and Pidge. He also knew that Lance had a bit of a celebrity infatuation with him at one time, following his example to even join the Garrison.

It was humbling to say the least but it didn’t help him determine what he could possibly do to contribute. He’d asked around and everyone had seemed like they had some idea. Even Keith had come up with something for the Blue Paladin.

That just left Shiro.

He’d come to the training room to maybe center his thoughts and perhaps relax enough to examine what few facts he did know about Lance.

But it was no use. The training room was doing more to scramble his brain than aid him at the moment.

He focused on his situation, hoping that the fixation would keep his panic at bay, and for the most part it seemed to help. It drowned out the yells of the crowd and blurred the image of the arena.

Nothing would ever truly dull the feeling of a worn blade handle though. He’d live with that sensation forever.

He sat in the quiet, contemplation helping calm him but pushing him no closer to the answers that he sought. Maybe he had been remiss. He’d hardly spent any time at all trying to get to know Hunk and Lance. He’d known Pidge through her brother and he’d spent a long time mentoring Keith before the disaster that was Kerberos.

Shiro could treat this as a wakeup call of sorts. What kind of decisions could he truly make as a leader if he didn’t really know his team? Their strengths and their weaknesses were only a small part of their characters and as he sat, he realized that he didn’t really know his team that well at all.

Almost as if summoned by his inner turmoil, the Blue Paladin stuck his head in the training room doors, frowning when he saw Shiro sitting alone in the middle of the room. “Oh, uh, I see that this is taken. I can come back another time?”

Startled, Shiro looked up and blinked numbly at the Blue Paladin before shaking away his previous funk, a few ideas coming to mind. “No, its fine. I don’t mind sharing the space.”

Lance nodded slowly, padding into the brightly lit room, his bayard peeking out of his jacket pocket. “I was just going to practice shooting for a bit. It might get a bit loud.”

Shiro hummed at his words, moving to his feet as Lance pulled up the adjustable targets, the motions practiced and routine.

He’d hadn’t realized that Lance trained with his bayard enough to know how to set up the target system. It made him feel a bit guilty. There was so much he didn’t know.

“So what was up with you chilling in here, boss man? The rest of the castle a bit too much?” Lance asked, his tone light even as he set himself up in front of the targets, the ease with which he lined up his shots marvelously impressive.

He truly was a sharpshooter. As Shiro watched Lance take down target after target, he couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like if he could manage to get his hands on a sniper rifle.

It would probably be horribly impressive.

Maybe Allura would be able to help him track one down. She’d mentioned honing Lance’s skills to provide more cover and options to the team.

Lance turned to him at last, quirking an eyebrow and Shiro flushed, Lance’s question still hanging unanswered. “I was thinking.”

“The training deck is a bit of a strange place for that but I think I understand. Sometimes I let my mind wander when I’m shooting.” Lance admitted, lining up yet another perfect shot, “Its good practice but it can be kind of soothing too? That sounds weird when I say it out loud.”

“Honestly, I do the same thing. Sometimes I’ll come spar with the bots to clear my head. There are days when it works and then there are days…days when it only serves to raise memories I’d rather stayed forgotten.”

Lance gave him an understanding look, the empathy and lack of judgement in his gaze serving to put Shiro at ease, a calm that Shiro had always associated with the ocean washing over him.

“Anything crazy you were thinking about? Maybe talking it out would help. I know I’m a bit of a goof sometimes but I’m a good listener if you have anything you wanted to just vent about.” Lance offered, letting his bayard drop to his side and turning to face Shiro fully.

“I was thinking about you and Hunk.” Shiro sighed, crossing his arms over his chest if only to have something to do with his hands, “About how I don’t really know either of you that well at all.”

Frowning deeply, Lance reverted his weapon and shoved the object back into his pocket. “We haven’t been out in space that long, Shiro. And we were strangers when this whole thing started. It’s okay that you don’t know us fantastically well.” Lance shrugged, “I’m always willing to share if you want but you don’t have to worry about knowing us as well as you know Keith and Pidge. That kind of stuff will probably come with time.”

It was a little humbling to see how reasonable that Lance was being. Shiro had unfortunately fallen into the trap of seeing Lance as an irresponsible flirt, a member of the team who should be monitored closely and kept close to prevent mischief.

While that was certainly a part of Lance’s character, it clearly wasn’t the entirety and it left Shiro feeling slightly ashamed of himself.

“It worries me. How can I make informed decisions as your leader if I don’t understand you?”

Lance sighed and walked towards the edge of the room, ushering Shiro to follow him almost awkwardly. Almost as if he wasn’t sure how to act. Shiro knew that he was slightly intimidating to the others at certain points and it was off-putting to know that maybe Lance was uncomfortable around him.

Nevertheless, he followed after the Blue Paladin, taking a seat beside him as he sat against the wall. “Well, then shoot.” Lance grinned, “I’m ready for any question you wanna throw at me.”

Shiro opened his mouth and abruptly drew a blank. What should he ask? What would even make a difference? Where could he even start? There was so much he didn’t know. “This is harder than I thought it would be. I don’t even know what to ask.” He huffed out a laugh, seeing a slightly incredulous look on Lance’s face.

Maybe some of that hero worship had stuck around. Perhaps that’s what made it so awkward whenever they were left alone.

In that moment, Shiro was determined to knock over the pedestal Lance had given him and show him that he was just as approachable and prone to mistakes as the rest of them.

That would be his first step in really getting to know him.

After a moment, Lance barked out a laugh and let his head thunk against the wall. “We could always talk about things we miss from Earth?”

“A pretty emotional topic there, isn’t it?” Shiro asked wryly, a frown growing on his face when Lance only shrugged, “I miss the sky.”

Lance’s face lit up at Shiro’s admission and a thrill of triumph lit up Shiro’s chest.

Well, that seemed to work.

“I miss the color and how it shifted with the weather. I used to love storms. And snow. I miss the wind too.” Shiro sighed wistfully, “There really is no wind in space. Sometimes I just want to stand in the breeze.”

He looked over to see Lance nodding enthusiastically, his head resting on his knees from where he had curled up. “Aside from my family and Earth food, I miss the ocean. I miss swimming. I would kill to be able to swim in the ocean again. But yeah... Oceans in space are a bit hard to come by.”

“I thought Allura said there was a pool in the Castle?” Shiro frowned, the frustrated sigh Lance gave only serving to confuse him further.

“Somehow? It’s on the ceiling? And Keith and I have no idea how to get it to come down. We keep meaning to ask Allura but something always comes up.” Lance explained grumpily, “Plus, it’s just not the same. It would be great to swim again but I’d really like the whole package, you know? Sand, sun, and the wind off the ocean, the way everything just smells of salt. It’s one of the things I miss the most.”

The idea that flashed through Shiro’s head was almost enough to make him pump his fist in triumph and he had to try valiantly not break into a wide grin. There had to be a planet out there somewhere where the team could experience something like that.

Even if it wasn’t exactly on his birthday, if he could give that to Lance even as a promised vacation, it would make his day.

“That sounds great, Lance.” Shiro grinned, “And I can relate. The ocean is probably one of my favorite things from Earth too. I miss surfing.”

“You surfed?”

The incredulity in Lance’s voice was almost enough to make Shiro flush. “Not very well.” He said slowly, “I was learning before I left for Kerberos. Matt bet me that I couldn’t do it so I set out to prove him wrong.”

“I’m sensing a bit of a stubborn streak.” Lance teased, “And we all wonder where Keith gets it from.”

A laugh pulled itself from Shiro’s chest despite himself and he let the smile sit lightly on his face. He didn’t understand why he hadn’t tried this earlier. He’d missed out by letting the awkwardness between himself and Lance and Hunk grow.

He wouldn’t make that mistake again.

And now he had a plan. There was no way he could take Lance back to Earth.

It wasn’t safe. Not yet.

But he could do his best to bring him maybe a peace of home.

“While we’re here, would you like to spar?”

“You would squash me like a bug, Shiro.”

“Not if you were shooting at me.”

“Feeling pretty confident there, sir?”

“I don’t know, cadet. Think you can hold your own?”

“You’re on.”

Yeah, Shiro would go to the ends of the universe for his team. The least he could do would be to find a little bit of Earth.

It was for Lance’s birthday, after all.

#lancebdayweek #voltron #voltron legendary defender #lance mclain #takashi shirogane

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amaranthkick · 7 years

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By Your Side Again

For shance fluff week Past/Future

@shancefluffweek

Thanks to the lovely @zelshamada for beta reading and looking over this

Reincarnation au where dreams of small tender moments from a past life bring Shiro and Lance closer together.

The dreams started vague and simple. Shiro could only make out some sensations but could never see clear figures. They always lingered in his mind and did not fade away from memories like normal dreams.

[Shiro felt himself laying his head on top of someone’s lap with their hand gently combing through his hair. He let out a content sigh melting into the touch.

The person above him giggled softly then started humming. Shiro was not able to pin down who it sounded like, just that it sounded wonderfully soothing. Notes gracefully slide from one to the next reminiscent of the gentle rocking motion in a waltz. He could feel himself relaxing, tension draining from his stressed body as the small tune wrapped around him.]

Shiro woke up in a sleepy haze, his awareness coming in slowly. The warmth and calm from his dream stayed with him and settled nicely in his chest.

It has been so long since the last time he woke up feeling so well rested instead of suddenly jolting awake from another nightmare as a galra prisoner. It always felt awful to jerk awake in a cold sweat, with a struggle to calm his fast breathing and his heart beating quickly from fear.

So this change-of-pace dream was wholly welcomed. Shiro didn’t question it much so long as he got to rest peacefully.

That day Allura had given the team the day off to unwind themselves and catch up on any personal business they wanted to attend to. Shiro went about his day checking on the others.

Keith was talking to Kolivan probably to learn more about his galra heritage or tips on fighting with his luxite blade. Pidge was decoding more galra intel to try to get a lead on where her father might have been taken. Coran and Slav were having a heated debate on which parts of the castle needed upgrades. Allura actually had asked Hunk if he could recreate an Altean recipe as a surprise for Coran’s... um, Shiro couldn’t remember what the complicated term was but it seemed similar to a birthday. The food that resulted from that recipe was questionably disgusting but Allura was pleased with it. Hunk was understandably not, so he stayed in the kitchen to bake a cake to introduce a similar Earth culture tradition to the Alteans. Even if it didn’t take for them at least the humans would have something edible to eat.

Shiro entered the hallway to the paladin’s sleeping quarters in search of Lance, the only one he hasn’t seen so far that day. He walked towards Lance’s room to see if he was in there. Then he froze when he started to hear humming. It was shockingly very much the same as the one Shiro heard in his dream. Hopeful curiosity took over him and he sped up to find the source, his feet took him to one of the spare guest rooms near Lance’s room.

Shiro walked in to find Lance... weaving some colored strings together, maybe he was making some kind of bands? Lance turned to the doorway in surprise and yelped, not expecting anyone to find him just yet. He hastily threw his body over his mess of tools, an Altean tablet, and supplies in a terrible attempt to cover all that up.

“Hey there, Shiro! What’s up?” Lance tried from his position on the floor, head turned over his shoulder to look at the black paladin looking like he was just chillin’ in one of those ‘paint me like one your French girls’ poses.

The edges of Shiro’s lips twitched up in faint amusement. Even with Lance’s body draped that way, Shiro could still see what Lance was making from where he was standing. Now that he was focusing on them he saw that they seemed to be friendship bracelets.

Lance seemed to get the hint that he was exposed when Shiro didn’t answer and with a resigned sigh, he slowly got up into a sitting position. “Guess the cat is out of the bag, huh? Ehehe. Err... Please don’t tell anyone yet, they’re supposed to be a surprise.”

“Of course,” Shiro nodded, naturally he wouldn’t tell anyone if that was what Lance wanted.

“So… Did you need something, boss man?” Lance asked.

“I heard you humming a familiar tune. Where did you hear it from?” Shiro responded with his own question but was surprised at the reaction from the blue paladin.

Lance visibly flinched, his eyes going wide and a hearty blush dusting his cheeks. He turned his head and his eyes didn’t stay on one spot for long. He was obviously trying to think of a way to change the subject. The young man didn’t seem uncomfortable, just a bit embarrassed.

Shiro decided to have mercy on him and asked what he was doing instead gesturing at the colored friendship bracelets. They looked really well-made. He could tell Lance took the time to carefully craft each one. They had the prominent color associated with each team member and a strange symbol in white. The same symbols were displayed on the tablet most likely a reference.

The black one caught his eye, probably the one that was supposed to be his surprise gift. It’s symbol vaguely resembled the movement of the wind.

Lance knew what he was looking at and picked up the black bracelet and brought it closer to Shiro. “I’ve been working on these whenever I could. Coran told me that us paladins had cool titles and symbols associated with each one.” He pointed at the mark in the middle of the bracelet and grinned like he was spilling this amazing secret, “yours is the ‘guardian spirit of the sky.’ How cool is that?”

Lance helped tie it around Shiro’s wrist. Shiro was surprised by how much this simple gift touched him. He could feel all the hard work, love, and care Lance put into making them for his team.

“Thank you.” And he smiled as Lance preened then muttered a no problem as he continued working on his next friendship bracelet, a blue one. Shiro’s gray eyes softened and he had a fond smile as he watched Lance work with a look of utmost concentration while he resumed humming.

[Shiro saw someone maneuver his hands to form a cup like he would normally do if he needed to scoop some water with his bare hands. Then they guided it in his line of sight against an amazing starry night sky as shooting stars streaked across the breathtaking view. One of the stars looked like it fell right into his hands and the person with him quickly closed them.

“Hurry, make a wish!” a jovial voice, filled with laughter, echoed.]

The Castle of Lions was seriously damaged in a recent mission and was marooned on an overlooked planet. The galra were taken out and thankfully no one was badly injured. But the castle needed a few quintents to be at optimum levels again.

Of course, that meant everyone who wasn’t in charge of repairs, the paladins of Voltron and Allura, had some down time. Which left mainly Slav and some of the Blade who volunteered to assist him in charge of repairs. Although, Coran kept an eye out to make sure Slav didn’t mess with anything important or conduct any unwanted upgrades.

Lance and Hunk were enjoying the view of nights sky of a planet far from Earth, taking in the cool crisp air. Hunk had also managed to recreate marshmallows so there was that. Lance rushedly denied trying to keep all the sugary treats to themselves. He pointed to Plachu and Chulatt saying that he was sharing with them. They loved this strange new treat and told the other two space mice who alerted Allura and in turn she alerted the rest of the humans. So now they were all sitting comfortably just outside the castle eating marshmallows and enjoying the night for what it’s worth.

Hunk gasped as he pointed out the beginning of a wondrous meteor shower.

Shiro sat there stunned as he saw Lance redo what happened in his dream. It must have been a coincidence, it must have.

“Come on, guys! Catch a shooting star and you get to make a wish on it.”

The others were a bit confused, more familiar with being able to wish upon a shooting star if they saw one. But they humored their teammate and played along.

Except Allura who did not understand this silly Earth superstition. So Lance took it upon himself to explain it in the most dramatic way possible. Everyone was entertained so they didn’t interrupt or correct him. Shiro almost fell for the tall tale because Lance’s storytelling skills. The blue paladin was able to impress onto them that catching a shooting star was a rare, amazing feat. If you were lucky enough to capture a fast moving star then you definitely deserved to make a wish on it.

It was a subtle change, but Shiro could see everyone try a little harder to make a wish because of Lance. He couldn’t stop the amused smile gracing his lips, his heart warming at the sight of his team doing silly child-like things. It made the war they were in seem far away at least for now.

After all small miracles bring much-needed hope.

Lance went to sit near Shiro, threw him a grin, and tilted his toward the night sky and said, “Hurry, make a wish.” Shiro easily matched his grin, his chest as light as that morning right after he woke up from his most recent dream.

Shiro wished for more peaceful moments like this.

[Shiro couldn’t bring himself to be upset at the sudden downpour that had ruined his plans to spend the day with Lance. After all, because of that he learned that Lance found the sound of rain drops soothing and there was this peaceful, serene expression on his face when he was listening.

He could feel his heart pounding at the absolutely beautiful vision before him.

Lance turned to look at him and gave a half-smile, “I love the rain, but I’m sorry it ruined the plans you carefully thought out for us today.”

Shiro resolutely shook his head and tenderly held one side of Lance’s face in his left hand, “Even if the weather is good, even if the weather is bad, each day shines whenever I’m here with you.”

Lance lit up so radiantly that Shiro felt that he now knew where the sun hid during dreary days.]

Shiro woke up with a jolt though thankfully not as ragged as when he awakens from a nightmare. This was his first dream that showed an actual face of a person. The very person that made him feel safe, made each day a little brighter in his recent dreams. That person had Lance’s face and not just that, it felt like he was Lance, yet at the same time did not feel like him either. He felt his heart was fluttering… at the thought of Lance. No, no he couldn’t, could he? No, Lance wouldn’t be interested in someone like him. The thought of that seemed to crush his heart.

He shook his head unwilling to pursue that train of thought. He would cross that bridge if he ever got there.

The castle landed on this quaint almost Earth-like planet. Coran explained to them that this planet was a trading post that had survived the empire’s rule and not become a space mall. They were there to pick up supplies although Shiro was in charge of keeping Lance from spending too much on cool souvenirs as he put them.

Which was a bad idea. He couldn’t handle Lance’s puppy dog eyes whenever he would wistfully comment that the item would make a great gift for a family member like his sister or brother or his mom.

Lance, thankfully kept it to a minimum and kept him from getting in trouble with Coran or Allura.

They were waiting in one of the lounge rooms, it had a large window to let in natural light and where they could see the planet they were on. Allura reported in from one of the screens they were about to leave when Lance suddenly asked to stay.

Lance was staring out the window with a longing look, “It’s gonna rain. I can feel it. Please, let us stay on this planet for a few more dobashes.”

Allura was no doubt confused as Coran chimed in, “It’s a weather phenomenon that happens on their planet, princess. Water is supposed to fall from the sky instead of flaming rocks, can you believe that?”

The paladins were terrified at what kind of hell planet Altea was from their experiences ranging from attacking rosetta stones to upside down pools to flaming rocks regularly falling from the sky.

Shiro decided that it couldn’t hurt to stay just a bit longer. The rest of paladins understood how much home meant to Lance especially the mundane things everyone else took for granted such as the sunrise or sunset or rain.

Shiro managed to convince Allura to keep the castle docked on this planet, in return he would have to deal with any angry store owners who she might or might not have haggled with if they were to come back. Coran also confirmed that yes this planet has normal water rain and is safe for the blue paladin to play around in.

As soon as Lance spotted the first sign of rainfall, he practically flew through the hallways to the entrance on the ground level. Shiro was there at his heels chasing him down, trying to catch up to make sure he didn’t slip or fall and hurt himself outside. It was raining after all.

By the time Shiro makes it to the entrance as well he finds Lance standing still in the rain, steadily getting drenched. His arms were slightly extended to either side as he took in deep breaths. It looked as if he was trying to feel as many raindrops as he could with every fiber of his being. His eyes were closed, his mind picturing a cherished place far from there.

After a minute, Lance seemed to notice Shiro’s presence and turned to him. Shiro felt like someone punched all the air out of his lungs. Lance’s blue eyes were just brimming with gratitude. As he stood there gawking he almost missed the tiny whisper filled with adoration, “thank you…”

Shiro absolutely didn’t mind that he was getting soaked. The fluttering feeling from that morning was back. He was really glad that he was able to give Lance these few precious minutes in rain he missed so much. He could tell it meant the world to Lance. His heart was beating in contentment just from standing there by his side.

[Music and light chatter filled the air in the fancy fairytale-esque ballroom. Something seemed to draw in the attention of the crowd.

There, in the middle of the dance floor, effortlessly moving to the beat of the song, was Shiro and Lance alone dancing together.

They were positively beaming, gazing lovingly at each other as if they were the only ones in the world. Each step was in sync with the music and with each other. Everyone could feel the happiness that bounded off of them in waves. It was like magic, a complete joy to watch.

All the gleaming lights started to blur together as the dream began to fade. The song was still resonating.

~Even through the sands of time, my love will always grow and I won’t let go~]

Shiro chuckled, amused as Lance excitedly lead the way to the palace ballroom on a recently liberated planet. The king decided to host a grand party in their honor. Naturally, Lance cheered at the thought of a party or parade in their honor, always one for such celebrations.

Shiro was pretty sure he wasn’t disappointed, the ballroom was gorgeous like it was inspired by the older disney movies. It wasn’t like the one in his dream but a close second.

The musicians started the next song and Shiro gaped at them they played familiar opening notes. A restless energy buzzed through his bones. He turned to find Lance staring at him and the younger man quickly broke eye contact with a flush when he was caught.

The black paladin sighed, there were so many coincidences that pointed to Lance having the same dreams he was having. He might as well see if he did so he went over to Lance and offered his hand to him. “Care for one dance, I think they are playing our song.”

Lance eyes widened, his blush still present, then took Shiro’s hand in his and happily grins up at him.

Whether they were dazzling the other people in the room or made fools out of themselves trying to mimic a dance straight out of their dreams, Shiro didn't care. Instead of worrying about life or death missions in a severely long war, he was starting to let himself get swept away in the emotions Lance always seemed to cause. Stable contentment and rushing excitement in equal strides.

If his dreams held a deeper meaning, he wasn't in a rush to find it any time soon. Shiro’s face softened as he watched Lance enjoy himself. Shiro was satisfied that they pointed him to someone who made each day brighter just by basking in his presence, right here by his side.

---

The song i listened to when i thought of the dance part: Eternal Love- Micheal Learns to Rock

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xe5vDnJFTao

#shance #shancefluffweek #shancefluff2017 #voltron #writings

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fairylaughing · 7 years

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Klance Fluff Week: Petrichor Proposal

Rainy Day: Petrichor Proposal

Keith accidentally proposes and it’s raining.

Established Klance and like they've been doing this a couple of years so maybe not canon compliant but we don't know yet.

Warnings for swear word and cavity-inducting fluff.

Of course if they’d been wearing their Paladin armour this wouldn’t be nearly as big of a deal as it was.

But no, they were supposed to be undercover, so they wore plain space clothes, which weren’t very plain at all, but Coran assured them they were of the latest fashion (so about 10,000 years out of style). They weren’t that ugly to be honest, but they also weren’t terribly warm and the weather was beginning to change, heavy blue-grey clouds gathering overhead and a biting wind starting to work its way through Keith’s clothes.

Keith and Lance had finished what they needed to do, retrieving the weird looking rocks that were needed to be melted down and used as some obscure but also essential ship component. Hunk and Pidge were helping Coran with other repairs, and Allura and Shiro were doing leader things, so it was left to the two of them to get the rocks. Not that it was such a terrible chore to spend a day walking around with his boyfriend. The planet was oddly Earth like except for the oddly coloured flora, everything was hues of red and purple, a different kind of chloroplast Pidge explained excitedly, whatever that meant, but not green.

So far they hadn’t run into any other living being. True, Zarkon had a resource outpost here, but this planet was essentially a backwater so even if they met someone they could have taken care of it and still maintained their cover.

Whatever. Shiro’s orders. Keith huffed. He was bloody freezing.

Lance walked just ahead, guiding the hovering cart of glowing rocks they had gathered at his side, and maintaining a steady stream of idle chatter, “So then I asked Allura what Coran meant by quarglemuff and she went really red in the face and refused to answer. I think it’s maybe a dirty word, but like, dirtier than quiznak?”

“Mhmm,” Keith murmured, gathering his arms into his chest in an attempt to conserve body heat.

Quite suddenly Lance was interrupted as the sound of thunder boomed in the distance. They both startled but it was a familiar sound, comfortingly like Earth thunder and probably not an explosion.

“Was that thunder?” asked Lance.

“I think so,” Keith said, “The sky sure looks like it.”

A spattering sound surrounded them. At first it was just light plip-plops on the foliage, but then it became a full scale pattering of rain.

And then a monsoon downpour.

“Holy shit,” Lance swore, “It’s raining.”

“We should find shelter,” Keith said, “It looks dry under that big tree over there.”

“Just a minute,” Lance tilted his head up and shut his eyes, seeming to enjoy the wetness on his face, embracing it entirely with all of his being. “Rain!” he exclaimed excitedly, “I can’t believe it. I missed this so much.”

“Lance,” Keith began.

“I mean, maybe you don’t have much experience with rain, but I love it. It’s one of my favourite things. Splashing in puddles, how it makes everything green and shiny, oh and sound of it outside while I’m falling asleep,” he sighed, “I love rain.”

“Lance,” Keith tried again, “Shelter.”

“Right, right.”

Keith made his way for the tree alone, waiting for Lance there, even colder than before. His costume had consisted of something like cotton sweatpants and a knit sweater made of some sort of fur that was not nearly as warm as it looked. While before the wind had cut through the holes in it, now the rain was drenching it, making it heavy and wet against his skin. His hair clung to his face in dark, wet curls while he glared at Lance, willing him to notice and come over.

Lance’s costume was more appropriate, a long trench coat like jacket kept out the elements. He eventually wandered over to Keith, “Do you know what petrichor is?”

“No,” Keith shook his head miserably. He was beginning to shiver. “Is it Altean?”

“No, English. It’s the smell of the earth after a heavy rain following a dry spell. Have you ever smelled that?”

“I haven’t smelled your stupid petrichor Lance,” Keith snapped. He didn’t meant to.

“Yesh, no need to be so rude, what’s up with you?” Lance finally seemed to notice his state, “Oh.”

Keith was drenched. They both were, but Keith’s clothes were stuck with cold water to his body while Lance was damp but relatively dry. “You’re so wet!”

“Tends to happen when it rains.”

“You must be cold.”

“I’m fine.”

“You’re shivering.”

“I’m fine,” Keith gritted out between his clenched teeth.

“No no, take off that wet sweater and put on my jacket.”

“Lance…”

“I’m not cold at all, I run hot.”

Keith sighed, “Fine.”

Keith took off the sweater and dropped it into the cart with the rocks. Lance gently draped the jacket of his shoulders and Keith put his arms through the sleeves. It was warm from Lance’s body still and smelled faintly of him. He huddled into it. “Thank you.”

“Hey, no problem,” Lance gave him a winning grin, “When do you think it’ll let up?”

“I don’t know. If it doesn’t stop soon we can always call for a pickup.”

“That’s true,” Lance agreed, “Let’s sit down.”

They settled into the space at the base of the trunk of the tree, its bark was a deep purple and soft, smelling faintly like cedar but also liquorice, and leaned against it, close together.

“If you get sick because you gave me your jacket it’s not my fault,” Keith said.

“Me? Naw, never,” Lance said.

They sat and watched the rain continue to fall, the sound soothing and familiar.

“Keith?”

“Yeah?”

“I miss Earth.”

“Me too,” Keith said. He absently reached out and took Lance’s hand into his own. It was warm while he held it on his knee, squeezing it gently.

“I miss my books,” Keith said.

“I miss Earth food,” said Lance.

“Oh yeah,” Keith agreed, “Pizza.”

Lance’s stomach abruptly growled at the mere thought of it. He laughed, “Fuck, yes. Pizza.”

“I miss the sun. I mean, our sun. The ones here are similar but they’re all just… not quite right.”

“They are,” Lance agreed, “They’re always just a little too far away or a little too close.”

Keith’s shivering was beginning to die down.

“I miss my family,” Lance said miserably.

“Me too,” Keith agreed, bringing Lance closer to his body so he could cuddle him against his side.

“It’s not that I don’t like you guys,” Lance said, “You’re my best friends and I love you especially Keith.”

“I know,” Keith kissed Lance lightly on the cheek, not sure if the moisture there was rain or tears, “We’re not your family. I get it. Don’t worry about it”

“It’s not that…” Lance sniffled, “I just miss them.”

“I know you do,” Keith said, “I’m here for you.”

“Thanks.”

After a moment of silence Keith said, “Lance?”

“Yeah?”

He took a deep breath and then, looking Lance in the eye, asked, “How would you like to be my family?”

“Are you asking me to marry you?”

“I… shut up, it’s stupid. Never mind, I was just thinking that since we’re in space and don’t have family and with all that we’ve been through the past few years…”

“Yes Keith,” Lance laughed, “yes.”

Lance’s lips met Keith’s and he kissed passionately for several minutes.

Keith was warming up. The rain began to putter off and he sniffed the air, detecting a strange scent. “Is that?” he asked Lance.

Lance sniffed deeply, “Yep, that’s petrichor. Not exactly like Earth, but I think it varies with the minerals in the soil.”

It was beautiful, a mix of earth and spice and something else he couldn’t quite put a finger on. It was an Earth-like scent, even if he had no associations with it on Earth. Suddenly he knew why Lance was so thrilled by the rain, it was as if it had awoken everything in him, as if he was being born for the first time.

“I hope it rains on our wedding day,” Lance said.

Most people wished that it wouldn’t. Wasn’t there a line in a song about that? And a free ride when you’ve already paid? Ironic. It was ironic for Lance to say something like that, but he would. That was Lance. Keith grinned and kissed his fiancé. His fiancé.

They pulled back, Lance’s face working into a grimace, then he sneezed quite suddenly once, twice, three times.

How did it go again? In sickness and in health, ’til death do us part.

Well, that was already the case before. Only now they were officially family.

#klance #klance fluff #klancefluffweek2017 #petrichor #fanfic

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