Roommates (Klance College AU)

33

As they left The Hidden Note, stepping back into the cool night air, Keith turned to Lance, words of thanks on the tip of his tongue. But before he could speak, Lance looked at him, his expression serious yet gentle.

"Keith," he said. "I hope you're having fun tonight."

Keith paused, taken aback by the sincerity in Lance's voice. "Of course, I am," he replied, his voice firm. "Tonight has been... incredible, Lance. Really."

Lance's expression softened, a relieved smile spreading across his face. "Good, because I wanted to make it special," he said.

"I appreciate it, Lance. More than you know."

"So," Lance said. "Where do you wanna eat?"

Keith scoffed. "Lance, you've done more than enough today."

Lance waved off Keith's concern with a dismissive hand. "No way, the night's not over yet. We've got to cap it off with something delicious. My treat."

"The whole night has been 'your treat,'" Keith said, feeling guilty.

Lance chuckled, his eyes sparkling under the moonlit sky. "Keith, when have I ever done things by halves? Come on, it's not about me doing something for you; it's about us having a great time together."

Keith, still feeling a twinge of guilt but unable to resist Lance's infectious enthusiasm, finally gave in with a resigned sigh. "Alright, how do you feel about sushi?" he asked.

Lance's eyes lit up at the mention of sushi, his enthusiasm palpable. "Sushi sounds perfect," he exclaimed. "I know just the place. It's not too far from here."

As they walked side by side, the energy between them was undeniable. The cool night air carried their laughter and light banter, making the moment feel timeless. Eventually, they arrived at a quaint sushi restaurant, its warm and inviting glow a sharp contrast to the cool darkness of the night.

The interior was cozy, with a friendly atmosphere that immediately put them at ease. They were greeted with smiles and seated at a prime spot where they could view the chefs at work. The menu was extensive, offering everything from classic rolls to more inventive creations.

Keith watched as Lance ordered for them both, with a confidence and familiarity that suggested he was a regular. The food arrived quickly, each dish a work of art, both in presentation and taste.

As they ate, Keith found himself relaxing, the earlier guilt fading away. The sushi was exquisite, and Lance's company only enhanced the experience. They talked and laughed, the conversation flowing effortlessly.

Lance looked across the table at Keith, his expression thoughtful. "You know," he began, "Nights like these make me realize how much I actually value you."

Keith's chopsticks paused midway to his mouth, a piece of sushi dangling precariously as he processed Lance's words. His heart did a peculiar little jump, warmth spreading through him. He set the sushi back down, his gaze locking with Lance's.

"There's something about sharing moments like this with you," Lance added, his voice softer than he intended, "That makes everything else seem insignificant. It's... it's refreshing, Keith."

Keith's smile was gentle, his eyes reflecting a depth of emotion that Lance rarely saw. Keith examined Lance's expression in awe, taking in every detail, from the earnestness in his eyes to the slight quiver of emotion in his voice. His cheeks were flushed red, and Keith couldn't help but feel a flutter in his heart at the sight. "Lance," he began, his own voice catching slightly, "I... I really appreciate that."

Keith reached across the table, his hand hesitantly hovering before gently landing on Lance's. The action was simple, yet it carried the weight of unspoken words and feelings that had been simmering beneath the surface of their friendship. "You have no idea how much tonight means to me," Keith continued, his voice steady but imbued with emotion. "Being here with you, it's more than I could've asked for."

Lance's eyes widened slightly at the contact, a mix of surprise and delight flickering across his features. He turned his hand under Keith's, their fingers intertwining with ease. "Keith, I..." Lance started, but he trailed off, his usual eloquence failing him. Instead, he squeezed Keith's hand, his smile speaking volumes.

As they finally made their way back to their dorm, the streets quiet and the city bathed in the soft glow of the streetlights, they walked close, their hands still clasped together. The earlier buzz of the city had died down, and it felt like they were in their own world, a bubble where time and the bustling noise of daily life couldn't reach them.

Their conversation had dwindled down to comfortable silences, punctuated by occasional laughter and shared looks that seemed to communicate more than words ever could.

When they finally stopped in front of the dormitory, Lance let his hand fall away from Keith's, though the reluctance was clear in the lingering touch. He turned to face Keith, the moon casting a soft glow over his features, making him look ethereal.

"This night," Lance started, his voice low and earnest, "Has been something I'll remember for a long, long time."

"Dude," Keith said. "Are you flirting with me?"

Lance's face broke into a wide, mischievous grin. "Maybe I am," he teased, his eyes shining with amusement. "Is it working?"

Keith cocked his eyebrow, unsure of how serious Lance was really being. Lance, noticing Keith's expression, let out a loud, forced laugh, the sound echoing in the quiet night. "I'm just joking."

Keith narrowed his eyes at Lance, his previous suspicions about the other having feelings for him only getting stronger. "You're impossible, Lance," he said, shaking his head affectionately.

Lance grinned, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Hey, you love it," he teased, nudging Keith playfully with his elbow.

"Yeah, yeah," Keith replied, rolling his eyes with a fond smile. "Let's just get inside."

As they stepped through the entrance of the dormitory, the warm, dim light of the hallway enveloped them. They walked down the corridor in a comfortable silence, each step echoing softly on the polished floor.

When they reached the door to their shared dorm room, Lance paused, turning to face Keith. The playful spark in his eyes had dimmed, replaced by a more contemplative, serious gaze. "Keith," he began, his tone sobering, "I know I joke around a lot, but... tonight was really important to me. I meant every word."

Keith met Lance's gaze, the depth of sincerity in Lance's eyes catching him off guard. "Lance, I..." he started, the words catching in his throat. He swallowed, trying to find the right words. "Tonight was... incredible. Honestly. I can't thank you enough."

For a moment, they just stood there, the weight of their words hanging between them. Then, Lance stepped forward, closing the distance, and wrapped Keith in a tight hug. Keith hesitated only a moment before returning the embrace, his arms encircling Lance awkwardly, not expecting to receive a hug.

When they finally pulled apart, the smile that Lance gave Keith was one of the most genuine and heartfelt ones he had ever seen from him.

Lance, finally breaking the silence that had been wrapping around them like a blanket for a few moments, chuckled. "Well, I guess we better get some sleep," he said.

Keith nodded, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Yeah, probably."

They entered their dorm, the familiarity of the messy space welcoming them. As they settled into their respective beds, the room was filled with a comfortable silence, the kind that only comes with a deep, unspoken understanding. The events of the night replayed in Keith's mind, each moment a vivid memory that sparked a warmth in his chest. He glanced over at Lance, who seemed lost in thought as well, staring at the ceiling with a soft smile on his face.

After a moment, Lance turned his head to meet Keith's gaze. Neither of them said anything, simply sharing the silence, letting the unspoken words between them fill the room.

"Goodnight, Keith," Lance whispered.

"Goodnight," Keith replied in the same tone.