Emo Is As Emo Does (Keith x Reader)

[20] Endearment

You all had to leave the lazy river early. Why? Well, because you wouldn't stop stabbing people's floaties with a fork. Keith found it hilarious, Shiro on the other hand. . . However, there was still a little bit of daylight left. You all spent the rest of the time chilling out in an open pool.

Suddenly, you heard someone call you out. "Hey!" You peered over your shoulder to see. . .the lifeguard pointing you out. "You might as well be the lifeguard because I drowned in your beauty."

"What the actual—" you mumbled to yourself. Was this seriously happening?

He blew a kiss and winked at you—how unprofessional. Before you could counter his lame pickup-line, someone else beat you to it.

"Yeah, someone out there may need a lifeguard one day. But do you know what you're gonna need?" Keith quizzed, walking up to him. "An ambulance."

"Who are you? Her boyfriend—or just some wannabe?"

Keith crossed his arms. "You might wannabe shutting your mouth."

You were witnessing the scene. Some other people started to notice too, especially Pidge and Hunk. You only arose from the water, deciding to go to another pool. There was screaming off in the distance from the pervy guy, it made you curious to what was going down.

After a while of relaxation, dark clouds stirred in the sky. A thunderstorm must have been brewing. You being you, you still stayed in the pool to see what would happen. That's when the others ran up.

"A storm is coming, get out of the water. It's dangerous," Shiro warned.

"No, I wanna see what will happen," you argued.

"Stop being difficult. Get out."

"Naw."

After quarreling about it, Lance and Hunk were sent into the pool to retrieve you. But the storm only worsened.

"This seems—not smart," Lance brought up. During the time they were trying to make their way toward you, lightning struck the pool—causing the three of you to rocket into the air. Wow. The thrill of being electrocuted really sparked a feeling of rush.

And conveniently, you landed in Keith's arms. He composed himself so he wouldn't drop you. Honestly, for once in your life—you felt safe, as much as you were ashamed to admit. Keith carefully placed you back on the ground.

"Thanks. . ." you mumbled. He held the back of his neck in embarrassment. The others only watched.

That's when Lance and Hunk plopped onto the pavement, singed from the electricity. Smoke puffed up from their hair. You all laughed, but thankfully they were okay. Because logic.

Finally, it was time to leave the park. You all changed into your casualwear and headed back to the entrance. During this time, something unexpected happened. . .

Your hand accidentally brushed against Keith's. That itself, made you both stiffen up. After a few seconds of dodging eye contact, Keith sucked up his courage and probably made one of the boldest decisions ever.

He slid his hand into yours, bracing for upcoming rejection. But instead, you emotionally malfunctioned. You stopped in your tracks. He didn't dare face you; his head was shyly bowed. You looked at your now interlinked hands with. . .a feeling of fear, honestly. It scared you to not have a comeback. It scared you to care about someone else. It scared you to be. . .loved honestly. Even if it wasn't romantically.

Closing your eyes, you tightened your grip. After some time, it felt less awkward. Keith finally turned in your direction. All those memories were starting to pop up again—from when your dad left, to the day you left.

"A lot has happened," Keith stated, ending the silence. You only listened. "At first I thought you were just this annoying distraction—someone I'd never actually care about."

Gee thanks, jerk.

"But. . .I was wrong."

You lifted your head up in interest, opening your eyes. He was there, standing ever so uncomfortably.

"At least, I think I was—I don't know. All I know is. . .I've grown. . .more—protective? Of you, of course."

Your heart dropped to what seemed the core of the planet. Sure, you might have had a few "crushes" on guys before, but that was mainly from the reverie of someone rescuing from your vile family. But now that you had your own life with nothing holding you back, it was different.

Despite it all, you liked Keith. Everything you two have been through together—from training, getting lost in a forest, those witty remarks you two exchanged, him buying you that pearl necklace, and blossoming jealousy—it all led to this moment. Heck, it was making you sappy.

However, you genuinely smiled at him. Which was something rare for him to make you do.

"Please, save your breath. You'll probably need it to blow up your next date." You weren't even saying it to be rude, you were quoting one of the first things you said to him for nostalgia's sake. This made him playfully roll his eyes.

"Then do you have plans tomorrow?" he asked, going along with it.

With a grin, you answered, "Yes."