halo 'n horns [klance au]

12. I Don't Dance

https://pm1.narvii.com/6569/9797e7be9d55445ec91fcac66782264287d71c2c_hq.jpg

Keith

The field took my breath away. Never before had I seen something so gorgeous- a rolling sea of orange and red blossoms, swaying in a feather-like breeze. As Lance and I walked through the hills of the field, people mingling around us, we didn't speak.

The singular, narrow path wound through the meadow of poppies, leading us through a trail of beauty as we stared in awe. In front of me, an ocean of flowers stretched out, contrasting the dome of blue that spread above us, puffy, perfect clouds floating lazily across the sky.

Lance seemed okay now, which was a relief. He was more powerful than he let on- I didn't want to go making an enemy, but there was something else too. It didn't feel right, him being mad at me. It was different than when Dad or the Twins or someone from the Blade was mad. Lance's anger was all-consuming and a total guilt-trip. I didn't like the feeling.

The whole field was filled with the smell of poppies, earthy and sweet. I thought of home and how this would never be possible down there. I had learned from Allura that poppies didn't like shade- that they needed bright light, so this... might be the last time I'd ever see such vibrant flowers. I smiled sadly.

Lance stopped, crouching to observe a cluster of pale poppies on the side of the trail. He looked up at me, squinting through the sun.

"Wanna fly?"

I frowned at him. "Not really."

Lance looked out over the field. "We could go all the way out there, and I'd stay low to the ground, if you wanted."

I looked to where he was gesturing. The middle of the field, out of the way from the trail, alone. I looked uneasily at Lance, and then at the people around us.

"Don't drop me," I submitted reluctantly, but to be honest, I wanted to go out there, lay in the field and breathe in the orange.

Lance's wings sprung from his shoulders as the air shimmered around us- the invisibility he cast, and he scooped me up into his arms, holding me to his chest as we launched into the air. I had to remind myself of his words last time we flew- "We may be invisible but I cannot make us mute, so please shut your quiznak before I drop you," and I swallowed my protests.

I was acutely aware of Lance's arms, one under my knees, his other around my shoulders. His skin was warm. I looked away, arms looped tightly around his neck.

Lance rose high in the air, the wind from his wings ruffling my hair, then swooped down, gaining speed so we could glide over the field- the poppies a blur of color as we flew over them.

Lance whooped with joy as we soared over the field. I laughed breathlessly, just a little bit terrified. We shot like a bullet over the meadow and, still holding onto Lance with one hand, I reached down and stretched my fingertips down to just barely touch the poppies.

And just like that, Lance was powering his wings up again, and we lifted off from the flowers. I felt giddiness taking hold in my mind and I lifted my face to the bright sky, taking in the warmth of the sun, the smell of poppies flooding my senses.

I didn't even mind Lance's strong arms around me.

...

"Here," Lance giggled, placing the flower crown on my head. We were sitting in the middle of the poppy field, clothes covered in pollen and orange petals, a little loopy from the intense fumes, but otherwise fine. I would have preferred to be alone, but maybe I should just stop wishing for that. I was stuck with Halohead.