Roommates (Klance College AU)

45

As Allura and Lance chatted, their conversation meandered through various topics, creating a comfortable atmosphere between them. Lance glanced at the time and sighed slightly. "I should probably head back," he said reluctantly.

Allura nodded. "This has been really nice. I'm glad we had this chance to connect."

Lance nodded, mirroring Allura, feeling reluctant for their time to end. "Me too. It's been... more than nice actually. It's been really great."

Allura smiled warmly in response and, after a pause, she seemed to make a decision. "Lance, could I get your number? I'd like to keep in touch."

Lance's face lit up at her words. "Yeah, of course," he said as he pulled his phone out from his back pocket.

"Thanks," Allura said. "I just didn't want to have to rely on mere chance to see you again." She chuckled lightheartedly and pulled her phone out as well.

"Ready?" Lance asked, to which Allura answered with a nod.

Lance slowly stated all ten digits as Allura typed them out in her phone. "Thanks," she said. "I just texted you."

Lance clicked on the text, "Hii :)" and added the number to his contacts. "How do you spell your name?" Lance asked.

Allura extended her arm out towards him. "Here," she said.

Lance cautiously handed the young woman his cellphone and watched as she typed into it before handing it back to him. He looked at the contact. "Allura <3". Lance smiled softly at it and shoved his phone back in his pocket. "Alright, cool," he said. "It was fun chatting with you, and I hope all goes well with your boyfriend."

"Thank you."

"I got the bill," Lance stated.

"Are you sure?" Allura asked, guilt evident in her voice.

"Of course, I really don't mind." He smiled brightly.

Allura gave him a grateful smile, touched by his generosity. "Thank you, Lance. That's very kind of you."

"Don't mention it," Lance said as he stood up. "I guess this is goodbye for now."

Allura stood as well, adjusting her coat. "Yes, for now," she agreed, offering him a hopeful smile.

Lance watched her leave, feeling a mixture of contentment and anticipation about their future interactions. With a final glance at the door through which Allura had disappeared, he turned and walked in the opposite direction, his steps light with the excitement of what might come.

Lance returned to Sanjay's shop, stepping back into the subdued atmosphere filled with rows of fabric and the soft hum of a sewing machine in the background. The excitement from his brief escape with Allura lingered, casting a glow over the mundane tasks that awaited him. He went back to organizing, his movements slower now, as his mind replayed their conversation, each laugh and serious moment etched into his memory.

As the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the hardwood floors of the shop, Lance's workday finally drew to a close. He tidied up his workspace, placing scissors and measuring tapes back in their rightful places, ensuring each bolt of fabric was neatly aligned on the shelves. With a nod from his boss, Lance made his leave and made his way back to his dorm.

As he entered his dorm building, he greeted a few acquaintances but made no stop for long conversations—as he just wanted to get home and rest as soon as he could. He walked into the room and sighed heavily as he closed the door behind him. "Hey," he greeted Keith before walking into the bathroom for a shower.

Lance turned on the water, letting it warm up as he undressed, then stepped under the soothing stream. As the warm water cascaded over him, washing away the weariness of the day, Lance's thoughts inevitably wandered away to Keith. He couldn't help it; there was always some sort of unspoken tension between the two of them when someone showered. Lance couldn't help but hope for Keith to come into the bathroom, as strange as that was.

The steam filled the small bathroom, condensing on the mirror and walls, shrouding Lance in a warm, foggy blanket. As he leaned against the cool tiles, letting the water drum on his shoulders, he listened for any movement outside the door, but all was quiet.

Lance began to focus on actually washing himself, then turned the water off. He dried himself with a towel before wrapping it around his waist. He wiped the mirror clear with his hand, catching a glimpse of his reflection and pausing for a moment to gather his thoughts. Despite his physical fatigue, there was a spark in his eyes—a hint of something new and exciting on the horizon.

Exiting the bathroom, he found Keith sitting at their shared desk, eyes fixed on his laptop screen. Lance hesitated, feeling the weight of that unspoken tension thick in the air again. He decided to break it.

"Keith, you got a minute?" Lance asked, his voice echoing slightly in the small room.

Keith looked up, his expression unreadable for a moment before softening. "Sure, what's up?"

Lance took a deep breath, his heart beating a tad faster. He sat on the edge of his bed, facing Keith. "Um... never mind," he said. "I forgot." A little white lie never hurt anyone, right?

Keith hummed thoughtfully and looked over at Lance, taking in his naked appearance, with a towel covering only his lower half. Lance felt heat rising under his gaze, but tried to act as if it didn't get to him.

Keith finally broke the silence, his voice low and thoughtful. "You sure?"

Lance fidgeted with the corner of the towel, weighing his words. "It's just... I can't stop thinking about... um..." He groaned loudly and dropped his face in his hands. "Forget it."

Keith closed his laptop and moved it aside, giving Lance his full attention. "What's up?"

Lance sighed. "The other night... I think we should talk about it."

Keith's eyes widened, but soon narrowed again. His eyebrows furrowed and he pressed his lips together tightly, opening them a few times as if he was going to speak, but nothing ever came out. He shifted awkwardly under my gaze. "What's there to talk about?" His voice sounded cold, something that scared Lance.

Lance could feel tears prickling in the corners of his eyes, but he dared not to blink and let them escape. "Nothing," Lance said quietly before he stood up to get dressed. "Forget I said anything."