Klance Oneshots-Don't Forget Me

20-Dance With Me

-Lance's POV-

"Keith! What the fuck is wrong with you?" I panic.

Keith huffs and sinks back into the brick wall and onto the wet grass "It was in self defense."

I kneel down next to Keith and take hold of his hands in mine "I get it, I do. I just don't like the fact that you got hurt."

Keith grins "Lance... That's how we work people I mean. See, we get hurt, but we do eventually heal, we then take a deep breath as the process just repeats, all over again. See, in love, you're bound to get hurt, it's silly to try and avoid it. So the best thing is to embrace that shit, and punch back."

I roll my eyes "Keith, your face is all bruised up."

Keith huffs "Further proving my point."

"Trust me, I support you in embracing life and it's bruised bits, I love that. My biggest concern is your well-being, including your safety."

He scoffs "I don't believe in safety."

I rub Keith's knuckles with my thumb "I just...well, I don't know I thought we could have-"

Keith finishes my sentence "a dance?" My eyes pool with guilt, knowing Keith can see it too "It's not our fault that those assholes picked on us, okay? And it's not your fault that we both got hurt."

"No, I didn't even get a hit."

"But you almost did, if I hadn't stepped in-"

"You didn't have to do that!"

Keith's voice softens "Lance, but in the end, I did. You can't expect me not to also value your safety, as well."

I bite my lip, feeling a bit dizzy "I guess you're right."

Keith frowns, clearly noticing my face. I don't know what my expression reads, I feel pretty warm-cheeked, my youngest is sour, and my veins are still thundering in guilt. "Hey, what's wrong?"

"It's selfish, really."

"Hey, I promise you it probably isn't."

My voice wavers "I...I don't know, I guess-you protected me, right? But, I'm supposed to protect you in return. I came out without a scratch, and you're all bruised up."

"Lance...hey no, look, I put myself into that. Besides-"

My eyes start to glaze over slightly "Keith! It was my fault that we got caught! And I didn't even get hurt!"

"Stop saying that."

"Saying what?"

"That you didn't get hurt."

"Look at me, do you see a scar, a-a bruise, scratch, anything?"

Keith catches me off guard "Yes. Yes, I fucking do."

My face weakens "what?"

"I can tell that this pained you more than it pained me. That hurt in your eyes is simply the reaction of getting hurt. Same thing with reserving a nasty uppercut, you could get a sore spot or a bruise. Except, that look in your eyes, that'll hurt more than all of my bruised together?"

"What? Are you crazy?"

"Sometimes, yes, I am, but no, not right now. Those words that those guys shouted in our ears, they'll hurt more than punches."

"But-"

"It takes around a week or two for a bruise to fully fade, but words can sting for years, as long as you let it. Words just take a bit longer to fade. They'll last as long as you want them too."