Drummer Boy «Klance»

|Chapt.9|

As Lance watches Keith drum, his heart swells in his chest. It feels just like the first time.

How this boy manages to take his breath away every single time is beyond him. He is sitting at the bar, his vodka cranberry melting in his hand, and the warmth he is feeling in his chest has absolutely nothing to do with the portion of it that he drank.

Shiro is standing at the bar, sending a knowing smile at Lance, but Lance is too busy absorbing the image of Keith on stage to take any notice.

It has only been a month since Lance came to his senses and kissed Keith, and in those four short weeks he has felt more alive than he had for such a long time. He could feel his heart beating again. He saw beauty in his work again. His rut was officially over.

Keith is always ready with a sassy remark, always keeps him on his toes, makes his vision spin and his heart race. Keith is talented, and supportive, and beautiful, and every conversation they have heals a part of Lance that he didn't even know was broken.

It is terrifying. It is reckless. But it is so, so good.

When the song ends, the lights go out and Lance hops off his barstool, running in the general direction of the stage. Keith is already standing there, in his baggy black t-shirt and his dark jeans, drumsticks sticking out from his waistband. He shoots Lance a goofy grin as he approaches, eyes shining. "How'd I do?"

"You were so amazing." Lance says, and he leans over to catch Keith's lips with his own. Keith chuckles against his lips and wraps his arms around his neck to deepen the kiss. Shiro is suddenly standing behind them, and he clears his throat. They break apart to look at him.

"I'm going to close up early tonight." Shiro says, "Don't worry about cleaning up tonight, Keith. You guys can go."

Lance starts saying "Are you sure—?" but Keith just talks over him "Okay!" And then he is pulling Lance out into the cold air by his sleeve.

They start walking in the direction of Keith's apartment, hands brushing together. Lance looks down at Keith and Keith is already looking at him. "Wanna get sandwiches?" He says.

Lance laughs. "Dude, it's almost midnight. Let's just watch a movie or something."

"Oh okay, I totally have an idea for—"

"I'm not watching the Mars documentary, Keith."

"But there could be alien—"

"There are no aliens on Mars, Keith."

"You don't know that!"

"Neither do the people who made that documentary!" Lance exclaims.

"Mars is literally the coolest planet ever and you are a disgrace." Keith says, annoyed.

"Mmhm, totally, you're totally right. Very correct."

"Fuck off" Keith says, pushing his shoulder lightly, but he is smiling.

Lance chuckles and wraps Keith up in his arms. The shorter boy grumbles in protest and swats at him, but he just clings on tighter. After a while, Keith just gives in and returns the hug. Lance huffs a satisfied laugh.

The apartment is dark when they arrive. Lance shrugs off his jacket and flops down onto his familiar spot on the couch. Keith turns the light on, but instead of heading to the couch, he is running down the narrow hallway, to the small closet on the left where...where...

Lance shoots up from the couch, "You'd better not be getting that documentary Keith! I swear to god!"

He hears a loud, raspy laugh. "I'm doing no such thing!"