Ghost (Klance)

Chapter 4

When neither Lance nor Keith came to dinner that night, Shiro started to get a bit concerned. He entered the living room, his brow furrowed, and noticed Pidge lying upside down on the couch, reading a book, Hunk skimming through a magazine next to her. He cleared his throat slightly to get their attention, and both regarded him over the top of their selected reading.

"What's up, Shiro?" Pidge inquired, recognizing the look on his face. The leader came to a stop in front of them, crossing his arms loosely.

"Do you guys know where Keith and Lance are? It's been almost four hours since Lance said he was going to talk to him," he worried. Knowing those two, they'd probably broken out in a fight about ten seconds into the conversation, and were lying in some hallway bleeding to death... Shiro's stomach clenched slightly, sincerely hoping that wasn't the case.

"Oh, Keith's trapped in a room because Lance is holding him hostage," Pidge replied nonchalantly, turning back to her book. Shiro's face paled slightly.

"Excuse me?" Hunk shot Pidge a look before smiling apologetically up at the Black Paladin.

"She's being dramatic. Keith locked himself in his room because he doesn't want to talk, so Lance is sitting by the door, waiting for him to come out," Hunk offered more helpfully. Pidge shrugged.

"Basically the same thing," she muttered with a small smirk to herself. Shiro rubbed the bridge of his nose, sighing.

"I swear, those two are going to be the death of me..." he grumbled before setting off down the hall, waving a thanks to the two paladins in the living room.

When the leader came into sight of Keith's room, he smirked slightly, crossing his arms over his chest with a soft laugh. Unceremoniously slouched against the wall, the Blue Paladin was still in uniform, fast asleep. His head was lolled to the side, his cheek resting against his own shoulder. Shiro crouched down beside him, lips twitching in amusement. Reaching out a hand, he shook the sleeping paladin slightly, trying to rouse him.

"Pst, Lance," he whispered. The teen stirred, frowning, eyes still closed. He curled away from Shiro, using his hands as a pillow against the wall.

"Go 'way..." he grumbled, only half awake. Shiro rolled his eyes, shaking him again.

"Lance," he repeated, this time a little more forcefully, "wake up!"

"Just five more minutes, dad..." the brunette insisted sleepily. The Black Paladin groaned, leaning  back onto his heels, lips pursed. He considered his options, then smirked as an idea flickered into existence within his mind.

"Huh," he started, "I didn't know Keith could fly the Blue Lion."

"That's cool..." Lance droned under his breath. Shiro's smirk grew as he counted the seconds.

1...2...

"Wait, what?!"

"And he's up!"

Shiro let out a laugh as Lance scrambled back into a sitting position, having slid off the wall in his sudden panic. The Blue Paladin glared, punching him in the arm. He yelped, shaking out his hand, cursing slightly under his breath.

"Stupid metal arm," he brooded before inevitably laughing as well. Shiro stood up, holding out a hand to help the teen do the same. Lance accepted the hand, both pulling and being pulled to his feet. He ran a hand through his hair once or twice to get it to fall back into place, brushing himself off.

"So, Casanova, what're you doing sleeping outside Keith's room?" Shiro inquired with a pointed look, a teasing glint in his eyes. Lance stretched, yawning to hide the embarrassment that flushed to his face.