Lured (Klance)

4: Friendships

Song Of The Chapter:
I Won't Hurt You - The West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band

"KEITH!"
It was Thursday morning, and Keith was woken up by the sound of pounding on his door.
"KEITH OPEN UP!"
Pidge. What was she doing here?
Keith groggily got up, blinking rapidly as he left his room and into the bright morning light of his living room.
"Coming!" He grumbled, sleepily walking toward the front door and opening it.
"Wha...?"
Pidge was standing at the door, her bull terrier Bae-Bae at her side.
"Jesus, Keith. How much sleep have you had?"
He shrugged. "Very little."
"You look terrible."
"Thank you." Keith yawned, before rubbing his eyes. "So uhhh... what are you doing here?"
"Well you're lucky for starters. When you didn't show up at normal time Allura decided to give you another day of break."
"Wait-" Keith blinked, then pulled out his phone and checked his phone.
11:30 AM.
He groaned. "It's 11?"
"Yeah," She laughed. "Jeez, you really needed that sleep."
"Yeah," Keith replied, putting a hand to his forehead. "I guess I did."
"Come on," she said, barging through into the room and straight to the kitchen.
"Go get ready. I'll make you some food."
"Shouldn't you be at the aquarium?"
"Nope. I'm off today, remember?"
Right. God.
Keith rubbed his temples. "Okay, yeah. I'll do that."
Pidge laughed at him.
"You sure you can manage?"
"Yeah, yeah."
Pidge grinned, before turning on the coffee maker and searched his cabinets and fridge for something worthy of making.

Keith came out of his room a few minutes later before sitting down at the counter on the high chairs.
"Thanks," He said gratefully as Pidge set down his coffee and an omelette.
"I didn't think that a toddler could cook."
Pidge shot him a glare but replied. "Maybe I can't. Maybe it's poisoned."
Keith, without breaking eye-contact, took a rather large bite of the omelette.
"Good."
She rolled her eyes, walking out of the kitchen.
"You're insane."
"Same goes for you."

Pidge was rummaging through the baskets and shelves near the door, finally finding Cosmo's leash.
"I was thinking we could take Bae-Bae and Cosmo to the beach. It's a really nice day out, anyways."
"Don't you have to work on trying to track Shiro down?"
"Keith, I was up nearly all night doing that. I've been working my ass off-- so has Hunk. I need a break. Hunk is working on it right now, but there still isn't much progress."
"Okay," Keith sighed. "Yeah. We can go to the beach. Why not."
"Great, let's go."
"Right now?"
"Now."

They left the condo, Keith locking the door behind them, before walking down the steps toward the beach, which was less than a quarter mile away.
Keith took a deep breath of the fresh air as a faint breeze came through, ruffling his clothes.
The sun was shining bright above them, warm against his skin. The clouds were lazily drifting by, and it honestly seemed like the most perfect day.
It was nice. Relaxing.
"You're right," Keith agreed with Pidge after a moment.
"Yeah, I'm always right, but what am I right about right now?"
"You said inside it was a nice day out," He clarified. "I agree."
"Oh. Yeah."
"The dogs seem to be enjoying it."
They were trotting in front, obviously happy.
"Mhm."
Keith smiled to himself.
"Thanks for doing this."
She gave him a puzzled look.
"Doing what?"
"Spending time with me. Trying to get me to socialize."
"Keith," she replied, voice softer than normal. "I didn't come here just because just felt bad for you or something. I came because you're my friend and I like spending time with you. It's been forever since we've done something like this."
Keith looked away, slightly guilty.
"Yeah. I suppose so."
She slugged him in the shoulder. "You need some time to relax. Stop worrying for once. We will get Shiro back, but it isn't helping anyone if you're too tired to function."
"Okay. Fair point."
She smiled at him.
"Good. You're learning something. Now that we assessed that, how about a race? Whoever reaches the beach first wins, loser buys ice cream for both of us."
"Deal."