Fake Mistletoe | Plance

8, Continued (Lance)

It was at that moment I decided that I loved Matt Holt. Suspended above Pidge and I was a sprig of fake mistletoe; more notably a cutting Pidge and I had stuck there. I wasn't the type to get flustered or anything in a situation like this, especially when the other person involved was someone I was unsure of my feelings for. Sure, we were best friends, but I didn't know if Pidge wanted to be something more. Neither was I.

I smirked at Pidge with a knowing look while she had quite possibly the most horrified and cheated expression I'd ever seen her bear.

"It's rule of law, right?"

"I object." Pidge glowered.

"Come on, just a peck?" I tilted my head to meet her eyes.

"Never say 'peck' again and I'll consider it."

"You have my word," I promised earnestly. Pidge bowed her head in submission before inhaling sharply and facing me.

"Fine, okay," She conceded. I studied her as her dappled face softened, her glasses reflecting the glint of the lights strung around the doorway, gemlike amber eyes relaxing as she looked up to me.

I leant down, my lips meeting hers lightly as my eyes closed. Pidge was slightly on tiptoes, and I gripped her wrist gently. She didn't flinch away. Her lips were chapped on my smooth ones, pushing as though she was frantically trying to find something. Somewhere inside me, something came undone. Before I knew it, however, she'd pulled away and was wiping her mouth rigorously with her arm. I heard Matt's whoop and snickered slightly.

"Lance, I am so done with you," Pidge shook her head, but a smile had materialised across her features. "Come on, let's just go." She flipped the bird at Matt, to which he only gave a sickly-sweet simpering grin. Pidge grabbed my arm and dragged me away down the corridor. "Can I talk to you? Seriously. I'm having a problem and I don't know what to do,"

"Sure you can," Albeit mildly confused, I followed her. We walked into an empty side room, and she seated herself on one of the chairs. I took a seat across from her and watched as she seemed at a loss for words. She opened her mouth and closed it multiple times as if she was trying to catch flies.

"I know that this sounds... dumb," Pidge began, then sighed. "But I guess I've kind of figured it out. Right now... all joking is aside. I've been working through some feelings. And, well," she met my eyes. "I... I think that I... feel for you. Wait, no, I have feelings for you," she paused. I stared, not entirely surprised. Pidge inhaled sharply, before continuing. "I mean, I know we've been friends for years and like, saved each others' lives countless times and I don't want that to be ruined, because I care about you, Lance, so much. But I can't keep everything bottled up.

"I mean, you probably would never reciprocate my feelings because I'm not attractive or funny or anything, and honestly probably just an embarrassment to you. I mean, you, with me? Who could love this, right? I mean, sure I'm smart, and to be honest, I never even cared about being in a relationship, but then you came along and all I want is to matter to you, it seems. As soon as we'd recovered Matt and Dad, everything changed. I seemed almost directionless personally, but then you were there, all the time and you were in my head half the time. And I'm fully aware that you like- or at least liked Allura, and you might need time to move on, but-"

"Shush, you're fine. Relax," I reached my hand out to her, indicating for her to take it. She complied, and I drew her up to stand. "Come here," I hugged her and felt she was quaking slightly. "It's okay, I don't mind. I need a little time to think about my own feelings, I guess, but it's alright. I'm not mad or anything." She tightened her embrace about my body, her head buried into my chest. Her shaking ceased, but her comforting hold did not. It was in that moment I did something I decidedly didn't regret. I leaned my head down and gently kissed the top of her head. "Come on. Let's go to bed."

It seemed Pidge was already half-asleep because as she walked alongside me, her heels dragged and her posture was slouched. Normally she'd walk around with purpose, directly, straight-backed and alert. This was definitely sleepy - or at least drained - Pidge.

"Lance, I'm not tired. I have stuff to do anyway. I'll get my laptop, but I'm staying up." I gave her a 'seriously?' look.

"You really should get some sleep. It's not healthy to stay up all night. And besides, it's almost-" I checked my watch. "It is Christmas Eve. You'll be tired all day."

"Fine," she conceded. "I'll walk you?" Pidge yawned widely.

"Wh- Okay," I grinned. We ambled drowsily towards the hallway in which the bedrooms were located and parted ways.