When It's Midnight I'll Run

Chapter 2

"Why don't we go somewhere less crowded?" Keith suggested after a while of dancing.

The prince had to admit, the longer he was around Lance the more he wanted the boy all to himself. He felt too many eyes on him and Lance; he felt a possessive feeling overtaking him.

Lance didn't seem to mind being stared at however. In fact, he looked thrilled, like he was meant to be in the spotlight.

Keith knew that the Altean was beautiful, and most certainly not his. But right now, he didn't care. He just wanted to have Lance near him, without all the staring. He pulled on Lance's waist, bringing him ever so closer to himself.

"You aren't going to kill me, are you?" Lance joked, a small blush appearing on his cheeks.

Keith didn't dignify him with an answer. He quickly moved away and started dragging Lance by the hand. They weaved through the groups of clustered aliens and finally broke free of the ballroom. They stood in the great hall alone, except for a few servants rushing around to prepare the after feast.

The prince stopped to consider where he would take the Altean. Then, he got a terribly cheesy idea. He led him through the hall towards the staircase leading up to the living quarters of the castle. He pushed open the door to his own bedroom.

The room was naturally large, with a king sized bed and expensive furniture all over. Keith honestly thought it was too much for just him, but his father had insisted.

"Is this your bedroom...?" Lance asked, looking around in awe.

"Yeah. This is the one place that no one will disturb me." Keith replied.

His hand was still laced with Lance's, and he didn't ever want to let go. The tanned boy moved about the room, looking out the window at the view below.

"You want to go on the balcony?" Keith asked, motioning to the glass double-doors leading outside.

Lance nodded eagerly with a pleasant smile and Keith led him towards the door.

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The night air was refreshing as the two boys stepped out of the prince's bedroom. Lance watched Keith walk up to the railing, his eyes narrowing slightly.

'He makes it so easy to kill him. Does he not know how many times I could've killed him in the past hour alone?' Lance thought to himself, 'Then again, why haven't I killed him yet? That's my mission...'

"The view is nice from up here." Keith spoke softly, the wind flowing through inky locks of hair and flapping purple ears.

"Um yeah." Lance replied dumbly, he walked up to the railing and leaned onto it, staring at the darkening scenery outside.

As he moved slightly, he felt the weight of the dagger he had strapped to his leg. He swallowed thickly, knowing he should do what he came here to do.

"Do you believe in true love?" Keith asked after a moment, staring at Lance.

The boy blinked, taking a moment to process the question. His expression fell.

"I don't have that choice."

It was then that Lance McClain knew; he was in love with Prince Keith of the Galra. His mind screamed at him, cursing himself and his feelings, but his heart swelled at the thought of being near the prince.

"What does that mean?" The Galra asked.

The Altean took a moment to let his eyes wander the porcelain pale face in front of him before replying.

"I can't be with the one I love." He replied. It wasn't exactly a lie, just not the whole truth.

He saw Keith's expression become firm, "You're in love?" He asked slowly.

Lance looked away from the scrutinizing gaze of the prince, in favour of staring out at the twilight.

"Yeah." He admitted, "Yeah I am. And it's totally unfair." He sighed.

Keith watched him closely, "Well, I am in love too." He said quietly.

Lance felt his chest tighten, his head turning to look at Keith once again. But the boy had turned away to look in on his own bedroom.

'Now. Do it now.' Lance thought, a shaky hand reaching down for his dagger. Silently, he pulled out the small blade, watching Keith closely.

He took a step closer to Keith, knife shaking in his trembling hands. Lance steeled himself, but he couldn't move. The dagger fell from his hands, clattering to the ground loudly. Keith jumped and turned to find the source of the noise.

"Wha--" his breath stopped as he spotted the weapon, "You..." He looked back up at Lance desperately.

Lance couldn't meet his eyes, his legs started to feel like goo.

"I'm sorry... so sorry..." the Altean sobbed.

Before Keith could react, Lance bolted from the balcony. He sprinted through the halls and back through the ballroom. He ran blindly away from the castle and into the night.

"Lance!" Keith shouted after him.

The two boys ran in the darkness, following the cobblestone path away from the castle.

"Lance stop!" The prince tried again.

Lance wouldn't stop or slow down. Tears dripped furiously from his eyes, leaking down tan cheeks. He tripped abruptly, falling towards the dirt.

Keith ran up to the fallen boy, grabbing his arm so he couldn't run again. Lance tried to pull away desperately, but Keith was much stronger than he was.

"Lance just stop and listen to me! I'm not mad!" Keith growled out.

Lance stopped, silent tears rolling down his dirt covered cheeks.

Keith searched his face with violet eyes, offering a small smile.

"I not mad. I just-I need to know what's going on Lance." He said seriously.

Blue eyes wandered over the prince's kind expression. Lance felt his heart beating rapidly in his chest.

"I...I..." He gulped, his voice shaky, "I was... I'm..."

"It's okay. Take your time." Keith soothed.

Lance nodded, wiping his eyes with his free hand, "I'm so sorry..." He mumbled, "I was supposed to kill you..."