Cuddle Buddy

Battle of the Kisses

Lance and Keith decided to have a date at the pa- No, Lance. Stop, not a date. Just two friends hanging out, Lance corrected himself.

Lance and Keith decided to hang out at the park. They sat on the bench and just relaxed, enjoying the nice weather they were lucky enough to receive. Across from them sat a happy couple, in the middle of kissing each other on the lips.

Lance couldn't help but longingly imagine it was him and Keith instead. That they were holding hands and looking at one another with so much love and dare he think, kiss.

No, Lance. Stop. You can't think this way, Keith is your friend.

He gulped a tight knot down his throat. He felt a sharp pain in his chest where his heart would be.

That's all they will ever be. Friends. Of course. Keith is only doing this out of pity. He felt bad for Lance. Why else would he be doing this? It's not like he liked Lance back, or anything.

Lance's eyes prickled with tears. Why did this realization hurt so much?

A soft squeeze was felt on his hand. He looked down to see Keith's hand holding his own. When did that happen?

"Are you okay, Lance?" Keith asked softly with genuine worry that made Lance feel like he was melting.

Lance sniffled as he felt a tear go down his cheek. He wiped it away quickly. "Yeah, I'm fine." His throat felt tight as if he were being choked by a persistent invisible force. "Must be allergies."

"But you're not allergic to anything," Keith responded, his eyebrows furrowing.

"That is true." He sighed, struggling to continue speaking. "Do you maybe want to head back to the dorm?"

Keith opened his mouth to say something but then closed it. He choose to nod instead. He got up, still holding Lance's hand as he waited for him to do the same. They walked back. The knot slowly undoing itself in his throat.

Back in the dorm, Keith plopped down on the bed and patted the spot next to him. "Come on, sit down and talk about your feelings."

Lance snorted. "Keith, I'm fine. Besides, you are the worst at talking about your feelings. Aren't you the one who wouldn't talk to Shiro for months after he came back from the army just because he didn't tell you?"