Fake Mistletoe | Plance

19 (Keith)

2ND LAST CHAPTER, LET'S GO! (see if you can spot where in this chapter i lost my will to live)

Despite the fact he was in pain whenever he moved (or so he melodramatically emphasised), Lance was hobbling around with support only the day after he was discharged from the med bay.

Over those two days leading up to New Year's Eve, the atmosphere in the Atlas was stagnant. The only significant occurrence was Veronica dragging Acxa around the ship, replacing the 'Merry Christmas!' banners with 'Happy New Year!' ones.

Shiro, however, seemed to have been having a suspiciously good time. He burst into the training deck, where I'd merely been enjoying my time alone.

"Keith!" I dropped my stance at Shiro's authoritative yell.

"What?"

"Watch your tone, young man. I only came to gush," Shiro announced, hands on his hips, a slightly dopey smile on his face. I hadn't seen him like this since... Adam.

"Shiro..?" I raised an eyebrow, eyes wide.

"Keith," Shiro grabbed my arm, his metallic fingers cooling my mangy, sweaty skin. "I.. Well," He paused, looking away almost sheepishly, "I've asked Curtis to date me. After the dance, I just.. had a revelation. Keith, life's constantly shat on me ever since I got diagnosed with the disease. And ever since Kerberos, I thought I'd never be able to live normally again. I think I'm progressing, Keith. I know that everything won't get better in a day, but... Baby steps, right?"

"Yeah, baby steps," I mumbled, almost in awe. Shiro had never seemed this happy. I silently thanked Curtis. Shiro's recovery was going to be a long, and no doubt painful process, so I was overjoyed that he'd helped, at least a bit. "I'm really, really happy for you, Shiro. You deserve this,"

Shiro's grip on my arm slackened, and he took a step back for a moment, grinning like a toddler who'd just told his mother his first joke. He then promptly wrapped his arms around me, knocking the air from my lungs.

"Thanks, Keith," I could hear the smile in his voice, and I meant what I'd said. He did deserve it.

*

New Year's Eve certainly brought out the festive sides of those who didn't show it at Christmas. Hunk had spent a couple of hours in the kitchens with Allura, doing his best to recreate a traditional Altean dish she'd said something about. He'd brought out the dish, and it almost brought tears to Romelle's eyes. Hunk grinned at her, his face gleaming with pride. She threw her arms around him, thanking him over and over again.

"Hey, Keith!" Pidge yelled from a table with Coran. "Come and play Monsters and Mana with us!"

"Monsters and... what?"

"Mana!" Lance exclaimed. "It's like Dungeons and Dragons - don't tell me you've never heard of it,"

I joined the table, mildly intrigued, scoffing at Lance. Of course I'd heard of Dungeons and Dragons. I'd just... never played it. Allura and Hunk followed behind me eagerly.

"You missed it last time we played," Allura squashed in beside me. "It's so much fun, you'll love it!"

"But how do you play?"

"Well, young paladin, that is exactly why Pidge called you over. You must be taught the ways of Monsters and Mana," Coran smirked, a new persona washing into his voice.

"Okay..?"

Coran introduced me to all the different classes of character, and maybe it was too predictable of me, but I picked a ranger type.

"Called it," Lance blurted smugly.

"Always the lone wolf, Keith," Pidge sniggered, knowing by now that I'd come out of my shell a bit more. It wasn't that I didn't still like to be alone, just that I accepted the fact that I did have friends, a family, and that I definitely wanted to be around them.

*

We spent the next few hours playing Monsters and Mana. In the end, we defeated whatever monsters Coran put in front of us and the game was wrapped up by half past eleven (according to Commander Holt's multi-time-zone watch.

"So, Keith," Allura sidled up to me. "Who're you going to kiss at midnight?"

"Wh- Allura, what?"

"Lance and Pidge explained the tradition to me. What about... James?" Allura grabbed my shoulder tightly.

"No! No," I shook my head wildly. "It... didn't instantly work out between us. I don't really feel ready for a romantic relationship, if I'm being totally honest. But trust Pidge and Lance to tell you about it," I sighed.

"Oh," Allura's face fell slightly. "Well, that's okay, too. You can do what you want with your life, and I respect you," She grinned.

"Thanks, Allura," I finally let her contagious smile overtake me.

"No problem, team leader," She pulled me into a hug and I felt her kiss my cheek softly. It definitely wasn't a romantic gesture (thank heavens), but it was nice to know she was there for me if I needed her there.