Accidental Intentions

42 • Friends

"So your first kiss was your cousin?"

"NO!"

Pidge raised a skeptical eyebrow.

"Well technically second cousin, but, like, we didn't know. Our parents had a falling out years before and hadn't spoken in forever, so I didn't even know we were related. Anyway, we went to the same school, but then years later when we had this huge family reunion thing and--"

Pidge raised a hand. "No, no that's alright. I don't need to know. Really don't want to."

"It's true though," Hunk volunteered.

Pidge made a face before asking, "What are you gonna do now?"

"Huh?"

The Green Paladin gave an exasperated sigh. "Keith. His lips. On yours. At his initiation. What. Are. You. Going. To. Do. Now."

Lance felt his face go red as he subconsciously covered his mouth with his hand. "I don't know," he admitted.

"What's so difficult?" Hunk asked. "You like him, he likes you."

Lance massaged his temples as he looked at the ground and said quietly, "I'm...not sure he gives a shit about me."

"Please tell me you're kidding," Pidge implored.

"No, cuz," he clenched his fists and blew out his cheeks. "This isn't the first time it happened."

"What happened?" Pidge asked, a dip of concern in her tone.

"Kissing. Him and me," Lance's voice was small.

"Wait, wait, wait. Back up," Hunk pressed while Pidge's eyes grew huge.

"But, like, it's always, like, I don't know," Lance shrugged his shoulders and for some reason increasingly close to tears, "really angry, I guess."

"That's..."

"Not healthy," Pidge finished for Hunk.

"No kidding," Lance sniffed as he crouched down. "Oh, God, why do I like him so much?"

"Awe, buddy don't cry," Hunk swooped down and buried him in a bear hug. Lance loved Hunk's hugs. They were long, and maybe a bit too much pressure to be comfortable, but that was Hunk's way of showing he cared and he was there.

"While you're being a blithering mess, I'm gonna see if I can spy on Keith and Shiro," Pidge dipped out.

"She's really sweet, in her own sorta way," Lance choked out after a while. Gently, he pushed Hunk away.

"Some of us would beg to differ," Hunk muttered as he began repairing the door. "so...Keith?"

"About that—"

"You could have told me, you know," Lance could tell he was trying not to sound upset. "You know I don't judge. Well, that's a lie, I judge a little. But not for something like this. Not when it matters."

"I know, buddy, I just...I don't think I was ready to admit it. Not even to myself. Pidge kinda forced me to see the light."

"Thank goodness she did. You've been obsessed with that guy since he bested you in the simulator that first day."

Lanced turned red as he thought back to year one at the Garrison. He remembered the first time he saw Keith. He thought his attitude was arrogant snd when he called him out on it, Keith put him in his place and never looked his way again. "I am sorry. If I was more self aware, you would have been the first person I told."

Hunk gave his a warm smile.

Pidge reappeared.

"So you'll never guess what I overheard."