Little Steps Forward (Voltron Klance)

Chapter 1

Keith

The plane ride was long, and the car ride to campus felt even longer. Shiro had been nice enough to come with me to help me move into the dorms, though he would have to go back home to Adam later on. Even still, I appreciated the company he gave me.

Once we got to the dorms, I took a good look around. The dorm room was set up with a small living area, and two doors that held private rooms with only a bed, shelving unit, and a desk. Walking in, I saw they also had a somewhat large closet with plenty of room for all the clothes anyone could want. It only took a few hours to get the room set up how I wanted it. We made idle conversation about the classes I was taking as he worked to fold clothes and put them away, when we heard the door open again. Shiro had been adamant about keeping the door open while we worked so we could meet when he arrived, and as I expected Shiro went to go meet my roommate first. He's always been protective of me since he took over my care.

I watched as Shiro talked to the newcomer. He was taller, maybe a little taller than Shiro too, with somewhat olive tanned skin, sporting oddly silky-looking brunette hair too. I had them tuned out as I finished putting the clothes away, walking over to them now.

"Ah, and this here is Keith. He's going to be your roommate." Shiro says brightly, smiling and he motioned over to me. A mix of disappointment and embarrassment crossed the taller boy's face as he gave a nervous chuckle.

"And here I was hoping I would be rooming with my hero. It's nice to meet you, Keith. I'm Lance." He held out his hand for me to shake, though I couldn't bring myself to take the gesture.

Something panged in me as I put my focus on Shiro only now, tuning the new body out once again. "Are you going to be leaving soon since we're done?" A faint sound was hurt was given by Lance, but it didn't matter too much to me right now.

Shiro seemed to be put a little off guard by that question, a knowing, almost sad look crossing his eyes. "I can stay longer if you want me to. My flight back isn't until tomorrow afternoon, so I can stay around until nighttime. Need a hotel anyways, too." His voice carried care and sincerity only. It made the pressure in my chest ease, though only for a second as another settled on my shoulders. Somehow, knowing he would be staying longer both helped and made the pressure I felt even worse.

"If you're staying, I gotta introduce you to my friends!" Lance chirped in loud enough I couldn't tune him out anymore. Something about him seemed so bright and happy, it made me feel off. I couldn't place it, though.

Shiro gave a small chuckle and nodded at the suggestion. "Sure. Hey, we can help you get your room set up, too, since we're here."

The two went on for a while. I went to go check out the bathroom, seeing what all I had to deal with.

Lance

Shiro watched Keith leave us alone. It kind of stung to just be ignored by my new roommate already, I haven't even done anything yet to make him mad. At least I hope not. It was really stressing to know I already started out on the wrong foot with someone I would spend an entire year around.

Shiro gave a somewhat heavy sigh, catching my attention again. "Sorry about Keith. He's not really a people-type person. And he avoids getting too close to people."

He seemed tired and stressed out about it, making me a bit worried too. "How close is he to you, then?"

His eyebrows raised and he looked to meet my eyes. A look I couldn't describe crossed his face, making it scrunch up a bit. "I would hope pretty close. He claims we're brothers when he talks about me now, anyways." He gave a smile, deep and genuine, to try and cheer me up. "I wouldn't worry about him too much. He's been like this since he was a kid."

Somehow that didn't ease my worries, and clearly Shiro felt the same. But, for now, I can work with just a little distance.