Operation: Time Out

~ Keith ~

In which they introduce Altean "mood music" to the mix, and Lance is an idiot

You felt like screaming.

You couldn’t believe they had locked you in the training deck, in the invisible maze, with Lance of all people. You had automatically dropped into a defensive stance when the walls had suddenly gone up. They were gone now, but your eyes scanned the room warily. You could still hear the subtle hum of electricity. They were definitely still up.

You could also hear a soft, strangled sound. You glanced sideways to find Lance standing there, legs spread wide and knees bent, arms held out with palms up and fingers curled. His eyes were wide and focused on the booth above you. His mouth hung open and a small, strangled whine escaped, long and continuous. All in all, he looked like a complete idiot. What else was new?

You sighed, relaxing and straightening back up. You crossed one arm over your chest and rested your other elbow on it, raising a hand to pinch the bridge of your nose. Squeezing your eyes shut, you bent your head and suppressed a groan of frustration. You wanted nothing more than to go to the door and try to force the damn thing open, but the invisible maze was keeping you in place. You had no desire to be shocked today.

“Pidge? Hunk?” Lance was suddenly shouting. You opened your eyes, staring at him without lifting your head. He was standing up straight again and had his hands cupped around his mouth. “REALLY FUNNY, GUYS! PIDGE! LET US OUT! HUNK? SHIRO? ALLURA? CORAN! ANYBODY?!”

You glanced up at the booth, but you could no longer see the figures that had stood there a moment before. You let your hand drop away from your face. “I don’t think they’re there.” You said flatly.

“Oh yeah? Well, what do you know?!” He said, rounding on you. His eyes were narrowed and his lips were pursed in a pout. You bristled instantly. You felt yourself tense and your frown deepen. Why was he always like this? How did he always manage to get a rise out of you? Why did you always rise to his goading? No one could get under your skin like Lance could. No one was as— as frustrating as Lance was.

You could see why your team had decided the two of you needed an intervention, but that didn’t mean you were happy about it. The two of you had been fine. You had been getting closer, bonding, actually talking like normal people. You actually liked being around him. Once he stopped being needlessly aggressive, you found that he had a certain charm to him. He was still an idiot, but you were starting to find it amusing. Maybe even oddly endearing. Like a puppy.

Then everything had changed. You weren’t even sure what it was. One day he was friendly, and the next he was back to picking fights. The change was so abrupt and without explanation. His attitude was worse than before, and you had no idea what his problem was. You had thought he was actually starting to like you.

Being in this close proximity to Lance put you on edge. The air was alive with energy that made your hair stand on end, and you weren’t sure it was entirely because of the invisible maze.

“I know they’re not there.” You said dryly, waving a hand at the booth. “They left, genius. They even said they were leaving.”

“And you believe them? They’re probably sitting up there watching us right now. I know you’re there, Hunk! Pidge!”

You had the sudden urge to strangle him. It was an urge you had a lot recently. “Do you see them up there?”

Lance turned away from you to glance up at the booth. His mouth twisted into a frown, and his brow furrowed. He sighed and slumped, looking entirely defeated for a moment before straightening. “Okay, okay, so let’s assume they actually left.” He leaned his weight to one hip and crossed one arm over his chest. His other elbow rested on it as his free hand rubbed his chin. “I guess we gotta come up with a plan to get out of here.”