It's A Journal || Klance

|| Returning...? ||

  Previously:

Some back story on how Lance noticed Keith on their first year at Garrison. Keith had beat up some bullies for trying to get at his two best friends, Pidge and Ace. Then, 3 years after the graduation and the defeat of the Galran Empire, Shiro announces that they will be returning to Earth.

~~~

  Everyone looks up in surprise. "Really?" Lance asks, emotion evident in his voice. He sounds like he's about to cry.

  They are back on the ship at this point. Allura is smiling like an idiot, Coran looks like a 5 year old boy, Pidge looks like she could die of happiness, Hunk is grinning ear to ear, as for Lance... Well, he is actually crying.

  Keith notices Lance stumble out of the room and into the hallway of bedrooms. Keith stealthily follows him. Lance finally makes it into his room.

  Keith peeks in, seeing the walls. They were littered with pictures of people who looked like Lance, but they were all smiling brightly. As Keith's heartstrings tugged, he walks inside.

  Lance stops looking at his hands to look up. "K-Keith? What are you doing in here...?" Lance asks, rubbing his nose.

  Adorable.... Keith thinks. "I just wanted to make sure you're okay." The black-haired boy says comfortingly. "As much as I hate you, you still matter. And so does your smile." Keith tries to make Lance feel better.

  Lance continues to stare at Keith. He got lost in the samurai's purple eyes. They look like the galaxy to him, but at the same time, the lilac that grew outside his garden. Lance could feel the morning dew resting on top of each petal, ever-so-slightly dripping off every 5 minutes.

  Keith, at that moment, realizes that he likes something else about Lance. His freckles. The Cuban's freckles look like chocolate chips on a cookie. Keith has a burning passion for chocolate.

  Keith places a hand on Lance's shoulder, snapping the boy out of his daze. "Stay safe." Just as Keith is about to leave, two warm arms wrap around his waist.

  "Thank you." Lance mutters into his jacket. Keith seems surprised by this action. His heartbeat starts to pound. His palms become sweaty and his cheeks become red. Out of instinct, he squirms.

  The Cuban boy pulls back. "Not used to hugs?" He smiles. Keith, still shook, shakes his head slowly. Lance chuckles. "I miss them. I miss my family. I'm sorry for being a burden Keith. My fault. You go back and talk with Pidge some more. I'll stay here." Lance smiles encouragingly. Keith ruffles Lance's hair before backing out of the room.

  Keith takes a seat next to Pidge. "How's the trip back to Earth coming along?" He asks. Pidge shrugs. "Could be better. Allura thinks it'll take weeks to get back while Shiro argues days. Like a married couple." She responds with a slight smile on her face. She slowly starts to smirk.

  "You engaged to Lance yet?" Pidge questions slyly. Keith goes slightly pink and smacks her arm. She bursts into laughter. Keith crosses his arms and turns away. "Pidge, you know I don't like him like that. Just because I'm gay doesn't mean I like every cute guy that I see." The golden brown haired girl rolls her eyes but still looks at Keith.

  "Sure you don't. You just called him cute, by the way." Keith tensed. "And I meant it," he tries to play it off. "Lance is cute. But that doesn't mean I'm drooling over him."

  Pidge sighs. "I was just messing with ya." She says, still smirking. She focuses back on her computer and the trip to Earth. Keith sighs. He looks at Coran and Shiro, seemingly having an intelligent conversation.

  Keith takes out his journal and begins to write. After about 10 minutes of writing, Keith has fallen asleep, notebook draped over his face.

***

  Keith wakes up due to a sudden clang of pots. The Korean boy examines his surroundings. He is in the living space, sleeping on the couch.

  He stands up carefully, looking at the clock. 2:00 am.

  Keith sneeks to the kitchen entrance, peering inside. Lance, looking deathly tired, was snatching food out of the fridge. Keith cocks an eyebrow. "Wha...?" He whispers. Taking refuge being the door, Keith watches as Lance creeps out of the kitchen and into a room stocked with escape pods.

  Keith follows him, as the Cuban clumsily makes more noise. He is definitly going to wake up Coran...

  Lance taps some controls. "2.. 5.. 4.. 8.. 2... And in." He mutters to himself. The electronic doors in front of them open wide, almost as if it wants to eat them. Keith's eyes make ovals. Lance was getting into an escape pod.

  Keith steps out from his hiding space, revealing himself. "Lance! What are you doing?!" He whisper yells. Lance panics. "Keith! What are you doing?!" He whisper yells back, yet a tad nervously. Keith grips his own hair. "Definitely not trying to sail away into an escape pod!"

  Lance huffs. "Technically, it's driving away, because--!" Keith had walked over and slapped a hand on Lance's mouth. "Shh!" Keith scolds. Lance grunts and licks his hand.

  The voice over activated. "Pod wil l launch in T minus 10 seconds. 10.. 9.. 8.." Keith grabs Lance's wrist in an attempt to tug him out. He's not fast enough. "3.. 2.. 1.. Launching." The doors shut behind them. The 2 boys gasp and glance at each other. All of a sudden, a force jerks them forward and they're flying to space.