Citrus. Klance AU

Chapter 17

Keith and I got so much closer. I helped him at the coffee shop whenever he had a shift (so every day really) and he said that that essentially paid off my rent and the money spent on all the things he had bought me. I rarely spent time away from him and I wasn't complaining about that. Compared to Lotor, his rules were completely different; almost polar opposites. He let me go out whenever I wanted, even on my own or with friends. He was going to purchase me a phone and let me talk to whoever I wanted with it. It was peculiar having all that control over my life but I found myself liking it.

I could sense my feelings for Keith growing substantially. I knew I liked him a little bit from the one night stand we had but I had repressed it. There were so many barriers and I thought I would never have the chance to confront him about the feelings. Then, one night, a few weeks after Lotor had kicked me out, we were sat down on Keith's bed, discussing said feelings.

He had just brought me in there and sat close to me with an arm wrapped around my lanky body. "There's something I need to tell you," He opened with and, naturally, it set my heart off beating a million miles an hour. Before I had enough time to worry any more, he continued to speak. "Ever since that one night stand... I- I've liked you a lot. I wanted to help you and I would look forward to seeing you come into the coffee shop every day. When you wouldn't text me, I was scared that you didn't like me and, honestly, I cared way too much."

"I care about and like you a lot too." I responded, unsure about what he was getting at. He let out a gentle sigh, rolling his eyes a little.

"What I'm trying to tell you, Lance, is," He turned and cupped my chin so that I was facing him. His hair had fallen over his eye and it took everything in me not to lean forward and brush it behind his ear. "I'm falling in love with you." Then he was leaning forward and pressing his lips against mine. I froze completely before pushing him backwards so we could separate.

"Uh... I- I should go." I got up onto my feet, turning to leave. All of a sudden, I felt breathless and like I was on the verge of puking.

"No, wait, Lance!" I stopped as a sign for Keith to continue. "I'm sorry. I- I thought that you might have liked me too. Did I read the signs wrong?"

"No," I let out a long, exasperated sigh. "I'm just not ready. I need time..."

"I'll wait forever if I need to."

I leant back down and brushed that stupid piece of hair out of his face. Keith's face was warm and bright red because of my touch. "You're so cheesy." My words came out more like a breath than speech.

"But you love it?"

"I do."

-

"Is it okay if I go out?" I questioned, lifting my head up to face Keith. He was staring at me with furrowed eyebrows and a look of confusion before he covered it up with a nod. "Do I need to be back at a certain time or something?"

"No, of course not. Do you want some money?"

"Some... what?" I cocked my head to the side and Keith smiled, reaching out to brush his hand against my own.

"Money, Lance. If you wanted to get a snack or coffee or something?"

"Oh... I don't want to cause any trouble."

"Don't worry about that," Keith shoved his hand into his pocket and pulled out some coins. He dropped them into my open palm, his hand lingering much longer than necessary. "Get whatever you want, alright? You deserve to treat yourself."

"Can- Can I borrow your gloves?"

"You don't need to ask. Just as long as you tell me."

"Okay." Keith rummaged around his coat pocket again before dropping a pair of black gloves into my hand. I slipped them on and thanked him quietly.