All Eyes On Me // KLANCE

NO ROOM FOR TWO

Keith Kogane and Lance McClain were well-known rivals. Both loved acting, but could never seem to learn to love, or even tolerate, one another. Keith was introverted and even somewhat shy, but his love for performing made all of his timidness disappear when standing on the stage, bright lights and audience applauding. On the other hand, Lance was extroverted- EXTREMELY extroverted. He seemed to be able to get along with almost everyone he met, on stage and off stage.. that is, unless you are a young male student attending the Galaxy Garrison, slightly short, with a first name of 'Keith' and a last name of 'Kogane.'

"You're always trying to one-up me! Just let me have this ONE role!" Lance shouted, not caring that he was invading the other's personal space.

"'One-up you'? How old are you, three? Not everything is about you!" Keith decided that this was it. This was the last straw. Today was Friday, which meant that by now, Lance had been accusing him of 'purposely trying to one-up him' every single day of the week. And Keith couldn't take it any longer.

The two fought daily, and would probably fight nightly, too, if they could. Keith always claimed to be tired of yelling at Lance, yet he still did so much of it everytime the two boys crossed paths. Their arguments only ever end once someone else has stepped in and ended the dispute, or when both are out of things to say. Lance always seemed to want the roles that Keith happened to be so close to getting, so naturally, the two rivals fought. After all, there's no room for two on their private (and very separate) stages.

****

Lance walked through the mall, hand in hand with his best friend, Allura. Every other day, if not every single day, the two would go shopping together and discuss or rant about whatever was on their minds. Lance seemed to be thinking about Keith every time he got the chance to speak, because his rival was the only thing he ever spoke about.

"I swear, 'Llura, he's doing it on purpose!" Lance exclaimed, looking at his friend who was telling him to lower his voice a bit, for the sake of the other customers. Allura, in a lower voice than the one Lance had used, simply asked, "He's doing.. what on purpose?"

Lance looked at Allura as if she had three heads. "He's trying to one-up me. I know it. He wants every role I want, and then he gets every role I want!" he complained, frantic hand gestures and all.

Allura seemed almost hesitant to speak again, until she eventually just said what had been on the tip of her tongue. "Why do you care about this boy so much?" When Lance didn't respond, she continued. "Lance, I love you, but why do you care so much about Kogane?" she laughed. Lance loved Allura's laugh, and her company, but he truly didn't know how to- or want to- respond to her this time.

Lance didn't care for Keith at all. Keith's existence was, according to Lance, 'inconvenient.' He figured that the reason why he cared so much about Keith was because he hated him so much, but that sounded really petty and childish out loud. "I just want.. I need.. I deserve.."

Allura stared at Lance expectantly. "I don't know, 'Llura," Lance finally said with a shrug. "I deserve recognition, I think, for my acting.." he posed dramatically, causing Allura to laugh. "..And I don't get much of that. Because Kogane's there, stealing my spotlight." Allura scoffed at this.

"Again, Lance, I love you and all, but- this boy has done absolutely nothing to hurt you." she laughed some more, her blue eyes sparkling with the happiness that spending time with her closest friend brought her. The two were inseparable, and actually looked like siblings more times than not; they had matching ocean eyes, matching tan skin, and even matching outfits occasionally. Lance shrugged Allura's statement off. "Maybe not physically.." he mumbled, examining a bomber jacket while Allura tried on a pair of combat boots.

****

Keith looked his older brother, Shiro, in the eyes with satisfaction. "I beat you!" he shouted proudly, dropping his controller as it was no longer important to him. "You blue-shelled me! I was so close!" Shiro gripped onto his own controller tightly. Meanwhile, Keith was still celebrating. He sprung from his chair, cheering, "I won Rainbow Road! Finally!"

Shiro and Keith loved having game nights, but owned no board games or typical "family" games. For them, playing Mario Kart all night was the ideal game for a night of fun. Yelling at each other over who was the better brother- Mario, Shiro's favorite, or Luigi, Keith's favorite.

As it turns out, Shiro had only put his gaming controller down to replace it with his phone. He immediately went to text the person that still remained a mystery to Keith. "You're always texting Mystery Girl. What's her name?" Keith tried to get a look at Shiro's screen, but Shiro pushed his younger brother away.

"You know, Keith, I could be texting a boy OR a girl," Shiro said. "So just say 'Mystery Person.' I doubt they'd like to be called a girl." he laughed, not removing his eyes from his screen. Keith sighed and sat back down in his chair beside his brother. "So it is a boy?" Keith pressed. Shiro shook his head, still laughing. But.. it wasn't a 'no.' Keith smirked at this. Shiro was hard to crack, but was also very easy to be convinced to gush about his partner or crush. Most of the time, even the smallest hints helped. Shiro's "I doubt they'd like to be called a girl" was enough for Keith. Of course, this didn't necessarily mean the person was a boy, but Keith knew Shiro as well as his own name. Now, all he had to do was find out which boy happened to be Mystery Boy. Or, according to Shiro.. 'Mystery Person.'