partners | klance

Cold

"Alright, Lance, you can do this. You'll be fine," Lance said to his reflection in the mirror. He spent the last fifteen minutes there, wearing a face mask and now it was time for him to go back to his room.

He turned the lights in the bathroom off and went out into the hallway. He stood in front of his room's door for a moment before lightly knocking on it.

"Can I come in?"

He heard a small 'yeah' from the other side of the door. Slowly, he reached for the doorknob and pushed the doors open.

As soon as he saw Keith, he realized that his pep talk in the bathroom was worth nothing and that he can't do this. His heart can't handle it.

Keith was sitting on the bed with his legs crisscrossed, Lance's laptop in his lap. He was wearing the shirt and sweatpants Lance gave him to change into. The shirt was a bit too big for him and it exposed his collarbones. Lance thought he might die this night.

He looked up from the screen when he saw Lance. "I just finished the essay."

Lance grinned. "Great, then we can go to sleep." He turned the lights off before Keith could see the blush rising to his cheeks. The light from the laptop's screen illuminated Keith's face. He really was beautiful.

Lance wondered what would Keith do if he told him that, but he chooses not to find out. Now now, at least.

"You could've let me put this away first," Keith mumbled as he closed the screen.

"No worries," Lance walked up to the bed and took the laptop from Keith to put it on the desk that was on the other side of the room. Their hands brushed in the process and Lance had, for the second time this night, thought he might die. "I know my room like the back of my hand, even in the dar-"

His voice was cut off as he tripped on something on the floor, not even sure what it was. He heard Keith snort. "Oh, the irony."

"Whatever."

* * *

Keith and Lance were both in Lance's bed, each of them on one side of it. They had their backs turned to each other. Keith heard Lance shift.

"Keith?"

"Hm?"

"I'm cold."

"Lance, for the last time, just go to sleep."

"I can't if I'm freezing to death."

"How can you even be cold? It's so hot in your room."

"Oh? Is it now?" Keith couldn't see Lance's face, but he could hear the smirk in his voice. "Is it because I'm hot?"

"I'd do anything to make you shut up right now."

Lance wanted to ask Keith if he's flirting with him, just because it's fun to tease Keith, but instead-

"Cuddle with me."

He was met with silence.

"No."

"C'mon, Keith," Lance whined, dragging out the e in Keith's name. "You're like a walking furnace and not sharing your warmth with me is just selfish of you."

"Just let it go and go to sleep."

"No, I can't and I won't."

Keith's heart was hammering against his ribcage. "I'm just... not a cuddler."

"You're a liar, I'll tell you that."

"Am not."

"Prove it."

Keith huffed. "Fine. What do you want me to do?"

"Lay on your back." Keith complied. He felt Lance's fingers trail down his arm, all the way from his shoulder, down to his wrist. "Lift your head a bit."

Lance's voice was low, almost a whisper. Keith wasn't sure if he can handle this. He lifted his head and Lance put his arm under it. Keith's arms encircled Lance's waist and pulled him close.

Lance's head was on his chest and Keith hoped that he won't hear his loud heartbeat or comment on it if he does. Besides his heart racing, everything just felt so... natural.

Keith felt Lance's leg nudge his gently. He got the message and bend his other leg so Lance can slip his under it, intertwining their legs.

Which is exactly what Lance did. He let out a content sigh and nuzzled Keith's neck. "See? I told you you were a liar."

Keith's body felt like he was on fire. He felt Lance's breath on his neck and it sent pleasant shivers down his spine.

Keith's breathing was getting heavier. It's now or never. He's gotta tell him.

"Lance, I-I gotta tell you something. It's been eating me inside and I...," his voice was quiet and it cracked. Great. He's starting to panic a little.

Lance's response was a bit muffled because of how close his lips were to Keith's neck. Keith felt Lance's lips brush against his skin as he spoke. "Shh, don't ruin the moment."

Lance smiled and pressed a small, gentle kiss onto the skin of Keith's neck. Keith tightened his hold on Lance. He never wanted to let him go.

"Do you wanna, um, spend the weekend here...with me?"

Lance thought that Keith's silence was a sign of rejection, but in reality, Keith was a bit busy screaming internally that he didn't even notice that he didn't answer until Lance cleared his throat.

"I'd like that very much."

Keith leaned down and gave Lance a kiss on the forehead, just below his hairline.

After that, they both dozed off.