Roses Have Thorns // Klance Hanahaki AU

Aconitum

"Lance! You've got to get over here!"

"Where did you think I was going, Keith?!"

"We don't have time for this!"

Lance let out an exasperated sigh and continued his dash down the long, winding hallway of the ship, jumping over the roots and budding flowers pouring from every nook and cranny. The lights above flickered weakly, casting an eery glow through the darkly coloured halls each time it reappeared. Frankly, it made Lance feel uncomfortable and maybe, just maybe, ever so slightly frightened. 

To be honest, the more Keith and himself stuck around the castle together and the more Keith talked to him like that, Lance found it harder to withstand against him. Of course he'd talk back, he had a pride to defend! But inside, there was always a pit that would form whenever it happened. It was dark, abysmal and made Lance feel miserable in every way. How could he even care what Keith thinks of him. 

...But on the other hand, there were always times where Keith would be kind and laugh at Lance's jokes, or tell him that how he shot that one guy was pretty cool. He would act selflessly and fight for the universe. It could set any heart to flames in a matter of ticks. But of course not as in a gay way or anything, of course not! Lance was most definitely straight. Girls! So much hotter in every single way. Lance couldn't even dream about dating a guy, especially Keith! That hormonal, emo teen.

 A static washed through his helmet before Coran's voice cut through saving him from his own personal dilemma.

"Lance!" He exclaimed, "You and Keith have to find a way to get the core up and running again! Pidge and Hunk are taking care of the hostages and Shiro should catch up with you soon."

"Got it!" Lance replied, pulling out his bayard as he approached a door, the growth becoming denser the more he closed in on it. The door was already swung open wide (presumably by Keith) and he could hear lasers firing maniacally across the room, a wide sphere shaped place with an dysfunctional core that glowed dimly, flowers and steams rooted around it stopping it's function.

Lance didn't hesitate to jump in, leaping over the rail in front of him and landing down to the floor, finding it hard to maintain his balance because of the roots beneath his feet. He brought his bayard up, firing a bright blue beam of light towards a Galra, successfully shooting it down from the back as it fell limp on the floor. 

A mop of dark hair whipped around to face him, neon blue shield in hand and a large red sword in the other while he fended off a galra soldier. Lance wasn't exactly sure if he could see right from this far away but he thought he saw his red clad friend flash him a smile. Not one of those teethy, childish, my-eyes-are-closed-for-no-particular-reason smiles. It was more like a smirk, but not in a tauting way or anything. It was genuine but quick and-

Oh god, Lance was reading too much into a smile he wasn't even sure he saw.

He swallowed his feelings and progressed forwards, taking down soldiers as quick as possible so that Keith didn't steal his prey. When Lance was finally within arms reach of the other male, it became more of a collaborative work. Keith knocking soldiers backwards with his shield for Lance to shoot them before they hand the chance to turn around or Lance being a distraction for Keith to sneak up behind and pierce them with his sword from behind.

 Within a short amount of time, they had taken down the troop attacking the core, leaving a heap of limp Galra soldiers on the ground, the flowers and roots already beginning to engulf them.

Both boys allowed their bayards to return to it's simpler form, tucking it away on their hip. Keith was already on the move to find a way to shut down the flora crowding the room while Lance hoped for a chance to talk a bit. Keith didn't seem exactly up for it. Lance however, was willing to push his luck a little further .