Roommates (Klance College AU)

8

The morning after his encounter with Maverick, Keith woke up to the unfamiliar surroundings of the dark skinned individual's apartment. The early rays of sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow on the room's cozy, lived-in atmosphere. For a moment, Keith laid still, letting the events of the previous night wash over him.

As he sat up, Keith noticed Maverick's side of the bed was empty. The sheets were cool to the touch, indicating he had been up for a while. Keith stretched, the muscles in his back and shoulders reminding him of the newness of last night's experiences. He felt a mix of emotions—excitement, apprehension, and a surprising sense of calm.

Getting out of bed, Keith found his way to the kitchen, following the aroma of fresh coffee. Maverick was there, leaning against the counter, a mug in hand. He looked up as Keith entered, his smile warm and inviting.

"Morning," Maverick greeted. "Coffee?"

Keith nodded, accepting the mug Maverick offered him. The warmth of the coffee felt comforting as he took a tentative sip. "Thanks," he murmured.

They stood in a comfortable silence for a few moments, the morning light casting long shadows on the floor. Keith couldn't help but replay the previous night in his mind, each moment a vivid memory that made his heart race. He was surprised at how natural it felt to be here, with Maverick, after such a short time.

Maverick broke the silence. "How are you feeling?" he asked gently, his gaze steady on Keith.

Keith hummed. "Honestly, a little sore."

Maverick chuckled, a soft, understanding sound that filled the small kitchen. "I hope it's a good kind of sore." he said, moving closer to Keith.

Keith couldn't help but smile back, feeling a blush creep up his cheeks. "Yeah, it is," he admitted, feeling more at ease with every passing second. The initial awkwardness of the morning after was quickly dissipating, replaced by a sense of camaraderie and an undeniable connection.

Maverick leaned against the counter again, sipping his coffee. "I'm glad you stayed," he said after a moment, his voice low. "I wasn't sure if you would."

Keith looked down at his mug, swirling the coffee around. "I'm glad I stayed too," he replied, looking up to meet Maverick's eyes. "Last night was... unexpected. But in the best way."

Maverick's smile deepened, and he set his mug down, closing the distance between them. He placed a gentle hand on Keith's shoulder, a simple gesture that sent a wave of warmth through Keith's body. "I hope we can have more unexpected moments like that," he said sincerely.

Keith felt his heart skip a beat, his own hopes mirroring Maverick's. "Me too," he whispered, feeling the space between them charged with a palpable tension, yet also a comforting intimacy. It was as if the world outside had faded away, leaving just the two of them in this quiet, sunlit kitchen.

Maverick took a step back, giving Keith space yet maintaining that intense connection. "Let's not rush this," he suggested, his voice tinged with both caution and desire. "We have all the time in the world to explore what this could be."

Keith nodded, feeling a wave of relief mixed with anticipation. "I'd like that," he agreed. "Getting to know you... it feels right."

Maverick's expression softened, the earnestness in his eyes reflecting his feelings. "Good," he said simply, but the weight of that single word carried a promise, a future that both of them were willing to explore.

They finished their coffee, talking about inconsequential things—favorite movies, music, the quirks of their daily routines. It was easy, natural, the kind of conversation that laid the groundwork for deeper connections. Keith found himself laughing more freely than he had in a long time, captivated by Maverick's stories and the animated way he told them.

After a while, Maverick suggested they go for a walk. The city was just waking up, the streets quiet and the air fresh. Walking side by side, they explored the neighborhood, with Maverick pointing out his favorite spots—a cozy bookstore, a vibrant mural tucked away in an alley, a café known for its decadent pastries.

The world around them slowly came to life, the early morning tranquility giving way to the hustle and bustle of daily life. Yet, in their shared bubble, Keith felt a sense of peace. It was as if they were on an island of calm in the midst of chaos.

As their walk drew to an end, Maverick turned to Keith, his expression contemplative. "I guess it's time to get you back home," he said, the reluctance clear in his voice. The thought of parting, even for a few hours, seemed to weigh on them both, casting a shadow over the morning's earlier lightness.

Keith felt a pang of disappointment but nodded in agreement. "Yeah, I should head back." The reality of their separate lives, outside the bubble they had created, was settling in. Yet, there was an unspoken promise in the air, a tacit understanding that this was just the beginning.

They walked back to The Rustic Retreat to get Keith's car. Maverick came along with Keith for the drive, and was going to walk himself back home. The drive back to Keith's dorm was filled with a comfortable silence as they got closer to the inevitable goodbye. Keith parked in the parking lot and turned the engine off. They sat there for a few moments more before stepping out. Keith locked the door, and the two began walking to the front doors.

As they reached the front of the dormitory building, Maverick stopped, turning to face Keith. "I had a really good time with you," he said, his voice sincere, his eyes locking onto Keith's.

"Me too," Keith replied, the words barely above a whisper. The intensity of the moment held him in place, a mix of emotions swirling within.

Maverick stepped forward, closing the gap between them. He reached out, his hand gently cupping Keith's cheek, and pulled him into a soft, lingering kiss.

As they parted, Keith could feel the reluctance in Maverick's touch, a mirror to his own hesitance to let go. "We'll see each other soon," Maverick assured, his voice a mix of hope and certainty.

Keith nodded, the lump in his throat making it difficult to speak. "Yeah, soon," he managed, his heart racing with a cocktail of emotions. With one last look, a silent vow passing between them, Keith turned and made his way into the dormitory building, the weight of their goodbye lingering in the air.

The familiar sights and sounds of the dorm brought Keith back to reality, the magic of the morning with Maverick slowly fading into the background.

As he opened the door, the contrast between his morning and the room he returned to was stark. Lance was there, as expected, sprawled on his bed with textbooks and notes scattered around him. He looked up, his expression one of mild surprise mixed with the usual disdain. "Look who decided to show up," Lance said, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Had a wild night?"

Keith felt a flush of irritation, but the residual warmth from his time with Maverick tempered his response. "Something like that," he replied, keeping his tone neutral. He moved to his side of the room, feeling Lance's eyes on him.

The air was thick with tension, a common occurrence between them, but Keith found himself less affected by it today. The experiences of the last 24 hours had shifted something within him, giving him a newfound sense of clarity and purpose.

Lance, sensing the change in Keith's demeanor, narrowed his eyes. "You're different," he accused, as if the change was a personal affront.

"Maybe," he conceded, sitting on the edge of his bed and facing Lance directly. "Isn't change supposed to be a good thing?"

Lance seemed taken aback by the openness in Keith's tone, his defensive posture easing slightly. "Depends on the change," he muttered, looking away.

Keith narrowed his eyes at the strange comment, but decided not to say anything more.