[When they briefly lock eyes, Keith nervously bites the inside of his lip. It doesn't have to be a mistake, no. It's almost like the sentiments been ripped right out of his own head for him to listen to in Lance's soft voice and it's hard not to be coaxed into nodding in agreement.
It's an oversimplification though, isn't it? Lance is... was (?) ... always so much more interested in girls and though it's obvious that this was never as black and white as Keith had always thought it was based purely on the fact that Lance is being so tender right now instead of running off screaming, it still trips him up for a moment.
But that's nothing more than a distraction and Keith knows that. If he keeps the questions focused on Lance, it means he doesn't have to question what's going on with himself. Because some things just hurt when you think about them for too long. The way things had presumably ended forever between him and Natalie because he got caught up in a different universe. The reminder that even his time with the paladins in Hadriel is all subject to the whims of some capricious gods and a door they can't control.
How do you willingly open yourself up to being vulnerable under these situations? Has he not fucking learned anything? Keith looks away for a moment, unable to answer immediately.
Everything comes to an end. The only person you can rely on is yourself. These were things he'd learned so many years ago. Things he had to unlearn during his time with the paladins. Things he'd readopted somewhere between realities and something his friends at Cartesio had made him unlearn yet again.
Feeling connected to other people, knowing exactly who he is and being embraced for who he is by the people around him -- all of that is worth fighting for. It's worth every bruise and every graze. Keith knew that, even if he hadn't exactly been the best at showing it or applying it to his life here.
Maybe if he's being entirely honest with Lance, part of him feels sick opening up, taking a chance. But he does know that it won't deter him from trying to be that close again.]
I don't want it to be. [There's a ghost of a smile behind those words. His voice is quiet as he leans in closer until the very tips of their noses brush.] I.. maybe this isn't the right time. Maybe we should talk about it later when we've cleared out heads more, but...
[Moving forward, Keith closes the tiny gap between their lips to leave a chaste kiss.]
no subject
It's an oversimplification though, isn't it? Lance is... was (?) ... always so much more interested in girls and though it's obvious that this was never as black and white as Keith had always thought it was based purely on the fact that Lance is being so tender right now instead of running off screaming, it still trips him up for a moment.
But that's nothing more than a distraction and Keith knows that. If he keeps the questions focused on Lance, it means he doesn't have to question what's going on with himself. Because some things just hurt when you think about them for too long. The way things had presumably ended forever between him and Natalie because he got caught up in a different universe. The reminder that even his time with the paladins in Hadriel is all subject to the whims of some capricious gods and a door they can't control.
How do you willingly open yourself up to being vulnerable under these situations? Has he not fucking learned anything? Keith looks away for a moment, unable to answer immediately.
Everything comes to an end. The only person you can rely on is yourself. These were things he'd learned so many years ago. Things he had to unlearn during his time with the paladins. Things he'd readopted somewhere between realities and something his friends at Cartesio had made him unlearn yet again.
Feeling connected to other people, knowing exactly who he is and being embraced for who he is by the people around him -- all of that is worth fighting for. It's worth every bruise and every graze. Keith knew that, even if he hadn't exactly been the best at showing it or applying it to his life here.
Maybe if he's being entirely honest with Lance, part of him feels sick opening up, taking a chance. But he does know that it won't deter him from trying to be that close again.]
I don't want it to be. [There's a ghost of a smile behind those words. His voice is quiet as he leans in closer until the very tips of their noses brush.] I.. maybe this isn't the right time. Maybe we should talk about it later when we've cleared out heads more, but...
[Moving forward, Keith closes the tiny gap between their lips to leave a chaste kiss.]