Roommates (Klance College AU)

29

Keith was exhausted after his class-filled Tuesday, yet he couldn't shake off the excitement for his meeting with Professor Alfor that would take place the following afternoon.

Keith made himself some Pizza Pockets for dinner in his and Lance's little shared Microwave. He picked up a small box of Pizza pockets to eat that night, as they didn't have a freezer they'd be able to keep them in.

The simplicity of the evening, marked by the hum of the microwave and the anticipation of a low-effort yet comforting meal, felt strangely grounding for Keith. It was a reminder of the ordinary moments that pieced together their day-to-day lives, a stark contrast to the flurry of changes and opportunities that had come his way recently.

As he waited for the Pizza Pockets to cook, Keith leaned against the wall, his mind wandering back to the upcoming meeting with Professor Alfor. He wondered about the specifics of the teaching assistant role and what projects he might get involved in. The possibility of engaging more deeply with psychology, a field he was passionate about, brought a sense of excitement he hadn't felt in a long time.

The microwave beeped, pulling Keith out of his thoughts. He carefully flipped his Pizza Pockets over, and put them back in. The warmth from the microwave mixed with the spicy, tangy aroma of the Pizza Pockets, filled the small dorm room, and offered a cozy, almost nostalgic comfort.

After the second beep of the microwave, Keith carefully took out the steaming Pizza Pockets, arranging them on a thick, paper plate. He sat down at their little desk between the two beds, taking a moment to appreciate the simple meal in front of him. It was a humble dinner, but in that moment, it was exactly what he needed.

A memory of him and his brother, Shiro sharing Pizza Pockets one late evening flashed into his mind. They were both sitting on the floor of Shiro's tiny apartment, surrounded by textbooks and notes. Shiro had been helping Keith study that whole day, and they finally decided on taking a break. Shiro had joked about how Pizza Pockets were the ultimate brain food, and they had laughed together, enjoying the simplicity of the moment. It was a fond memory, one that brought a smile to Keith's face as he took his first bite.

As Keith savored his meal, the door opened and Lance walked in, looking tired but happy. He spotted Keith eating and grinned. "Pizza Pockets, eh?" he said as he dropped his bag on the floor.

Keith pushed the box towards Lance. "We need to get these all eaten up," he said.

"Count me in," Lance said enthusiastically, as he popped some in the microwave.

Lance joined Keith at the desk, both of them eating in comfortable silence. Between bites, he started telling Keith about his day, animatedly describing his adventures from his photography class, to the unexpected opportunity he had to assist in the campus art gallery. Lance's eyes sparkled with excitement as he recounted how he helped curate a small exhibit, choosing which photographs would go where, and even contributing a piece of his own.

"The gallery director was so impressed," Lance continued, his voice full of pride. "She said my perspective was fresh and invited me to join more projects in the future. Can you believe it?"

Keith smiled, genuinely happy for Lance. "That's amazing, man."

The conversation shifted to Keith's meeting with Professor Alfor, and he shared his hopes and slight anxieties about what the role might entail. Lance listened intently, nodding along, and offering his usual mix of humorous encouragement and genuine support.

"There's still some more Pizza Pockets," Keith said. "Help yourself."

"Don't mind if I do," Lance said as he began to heat up some more. "By the way," he started as he checked if his Pizza Pockets were fully cooked with his fingers. "Wanna hangout tomorrow after your meeting with the professor?" he asked. "We could go on a walk... or grab some food?"

"Sure," Keith said.

"I think I have an idea," Lance said.

"And what would that be?"

Lance chuckled as he brought his now finished Pizza Pockets over to the desk. "It's a surprise," he said with a smile.

Keith narrowed his eyes at the darker toned male. "Okay..." he said with exaggerated suspicion in his voice.

Lance went to bite down on his Pizza Pocket, but it was too hot and burned his tongue. He exclaimed in pain, quickly dropping the Pizza Pocket back on his plate. "Ow! Fuck!" He gasped while fanning at his mouth.

Keith chuckled at Lance's reaction, shaking his head slightly. "Careful," he warned.

"Yeah, thanks," Lance said sarcastically.

Lance quickly ran over into the bathroom, turning on the sink faucet. He put his face under the sink, letting the water pour into his mouth.

Keith followed Lance to the doorway of the bathroom, leaning against the frame. He crossed his arms as a smirk slowly curled onto his face. "You know, for a photographer, you really don't have much patience," he teased, watching Lance drink from the sink with a grimace.

Lance shot him a glare, water still dripping from his chin. "Yeah, well, my art doesn't usually bite back," he retorted.

Keith laughed, stepping back as Lance shut off the faucet. "Moron," he teased affectionately, tossing a towel at Lance.

Lance caught it with a quick reflex, drying off his face. "Says the guy who wants to study the human mind but can't even figure out his roommate's obvious cues for needing space."

Keith raised an eyebrow, an amused grin playing on his lips. "Is that so? And here I thought I was being pretty considerate."

"Oh, you are," Lance said, walking back into the room, his tone softening. "Most of the time. Just not when it comes to recognizing when I need a moment to cool down—literally and figuratively."

Keith chuckled, recognizing the playful banter for what it was—a comfortable and familiar part of their friendship. "Duly noted. I'll add 'mind reader' to my list of skills to acquire."

"Good luck with that," Lance said, settling back at the desk. He picked up another Pizza Pocket, this time blowing on it cautiously before taking a small, tentative bite. He hummed in satisfaction, as it had already cooled down to the perfect temperature.

Keith grinned, enjoying the playful exchange with Lance. As they continued to eat, Keith felt a warmth in his chest, grateful for moments like these.