Crimson: Book 2 of "Red: A Keith x Reader Love Story"

Chapter 7

Dedicated to @xAbiluux

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Lunch is awkward. You can feel Keith's eyes on you the entire time. You do your best to ignore them. You talk about quantum physics with Pidge during lunch, Hunk chiming in to share his expertise. Rhoe sits next to you, and he can feel the stiffness in your body. He puts his hand on your knee under the table to calm you down. His finger traces along your leg.

'You okay?'

'It's nothing.' You write back, pretending to laugh as Lance tells a joke. 'I'll tell you later.'

'Okay,' His hand pulls back and your leg feels cold without its heat.

Several of the other Blade soldiers stop in to grab food. Ulaz grabs a sandwich to go, giving you a small but cautious smile.

After lunch, you volunteer to clean up. You start picking up all the dishes and dumping in the bucket of soapy hot water in the sink.

"I'll stay too," Keith stands, his eyes meeting yours.

You look away. "You don't have to,"

"I want to," He brushes past you, several plates in his hands.

Rhoe is looking intently at you and you silently beg him to stay with your eyes.

"Well, I'm not going to let you two have all the fun," Rhoe grins widely, throwing an arm around Keith's shoulders. "I'll help out too,"

"Great." Keith forces a smile.

"Thank you," You murmur to Rhoe as he rolls up his sleeves and plunges his hands into the water. His shoulder presses lightly against yours.

"Of course," He says lowly. "But you're telling me everything after."

"Deal," You straighten up as Keith plops more dishes down. "Thanks," Your voice is monotonous.

"Mm," He takes a wet bowl from you and starts drying it with a towel.

Together, the three of you make quick work of the many lunch dishes. After, you quickly leave the kitchen, Rhoe hot on your tail.

"So? What happened?"

You glance over your shoulder to make sure Keith isn't behind you. "We kissed."

"You did WHAT?"

"Shhhh!" You hiss as some soldiers walking down the hall look questioningly at the two of you.

"Sorry, sorry." Rhoe bows his head a little so his mouth is next to your ear. "Did you start it or did he?"

"Both?" You scratch your head. "It was him first. We were talking and he was next to me and then he cupped my cheek and started leaning in."

Rhoe makes a small noise in the back of his throat. "And then?"

"And then," You nod your head at several fighters who salute you. "And then, I pulled back and said I couldn't, even though I really wanted to. He stood up, hurt, and as he was leaving he asked if I got stuck here if I'd be happy with him. And then I just kinda grabbed his collar and kissed him?"

"Was it like a small one or like a full-blown-passionate-almost-make-out one?"

"A full-blown-passionate-almost-make out one."

Rhoe whistles.

"Yeah. And then I pushed him away and said I couldn't because he isn't my-my husband." Your voice goes soft at the end. You stop in the middle of the deserted hall. Rhoe stops too and turns to face you.