[ lance stares at the back of keith's head for a good, long moment, trying to psyche himself up. it's really not a big deal, in the grand scheme of things. the tamest in both their cards, and not even something lance himself hadn't unwittingly done with hunk himself before, back during long nights of studying at the garrison.
it's fine. it's fine. ]
Alrighty, uh. Here I come...
[ in retrospect, probably not the best thing to be saying in this situation, but. he's a little too focused, in the moment, on scooting closer until he has aligned his body with keith's as best as possible. he's... still not exactly touching the other man, save for the one arm that slings over his side. they've agreed to do this, but he still feels kind of weird getting too close, like he's taking liberties or something. ]
( no, it's... really not the best phrasing in this situation, but it's also kind of expected? in a way? because this is really awkward and there's not much to be done to diffuse the situation until they manage to get used to touching each other in a more intimate sort of way.
and, really, this is the most innocent of ways.
keith tries to be relaxed, but he's not. his entire body is tense as he waits for lance to tuck right on in against him... but that doesn't really happen. he can feel him there, hovering sort of, and his arm is there so they're sort of touching. but, this feels... not great? this can't be right. so, keith huffs a sigh and backs up so they're completely flush up against one another. he's pretty sure they have to do more than just lance's arm slung over him for it to count for anything. )
Pretty sure we have to actually touch for it to work, Lance.
[ no, no he was not. but the deed has been done, so to speak, and so there's nothing more he can do than just settle into it as best as he can. carefully, he shifts just so he's fitting up a little better, so the curve of their spines and their legs align. it's — weird — but he'd been expecting that. though it's less weird because of how it feels, and more weird because of why they have to do this. lance wouldn't consider himself particularly touch-starved, but the desire to be close to someone is something he's always had... so it's a shame that now that he finally has it after so long, it's because they have to do it, and not because they want to.
ah well.
carefully, he shifts his arm around so that it rests a little more comfortable around keith. his hand winds up idly and loosely wrapping around the wrist of one of keith's hands, while he keeps his other arm tucked under his head and he blinks sleepily at the dark tufts of keith's hair. the more he wills himself to relax, the heavier his body seems to feel. he thinks he could actually fall asleep like this. ]
( yeah, okay. sure he was. but, keith would agree that yes, this is really weird. although... keith's thinking it for kind of different reasons. because at least for keith, and not that he'd ever say this about himself, but he is more or less touch-starved. it's never been something easy for him to do, and for a long time shiro was the only one who would constantly reach out to him. but, he'd like to think that at least he and lance were heading in that direction? unless he was imagining the whole thing, but he's pretty sure their friendship was getting stronger — floating in space fight notwithstanding.
keith just stares out into the dark room at the opposite wall, seeing but not really seeing anything as he gets used to the weight of lance's arm around him and the press of his body behind him. maybe the weirdest thing of all is that even though this is awkward, is that it doesn't feel so strange to do this. not to keith, anyway. he doesn't mind it. )
Yeah. ( his tone is low, not a whisper or anything, but definitely something to not disturbe the stillness of the moment. ) I'm okay. What about you?
[ if keith had stayed, if lance had reached out to him sooner... who knows. maybe this wouldn't be so awkward. maybe this would be something else entirely.
but there's not a lot that speculating can do now, not when they can't ever really take back or change what's happened. right now all they have is their present, this, each other.
and honestly...? it's not as bad as lance thought it would be. there are worse people he could be stuck here with... and he'd meant every word he'd said earlier that nice. ]
Not doing too bad...
[ he shifts just a little, propping his chin on top of keith's head. saves him from staring into the darkness of the other's hair, and looking instead at the same wall keith likely is. something about it is... soothing. grounding.
( no, they can't change the things that have happened, no matter how many times keith kind of wishes he could go back and change a bunch of things throughout his life. all they can do is just pull their socks up and move forward.
keith inhales a deep breath and as he exhales it, he closes his eyes. he's tired in that way where it's down to his bones, but he knows he's not going to sleep for a while. much in the way that his mind is blank, but still he's thinking about too much. he shifts his hands a little to tuck closer beneath his chin which only draws lance's hand closer to his chest. )
Yeah.
( helpful, really. but, he kind of doesn't know what to say. should they talk about something? would that make it even weirder? unintentionally he shifts a little against him. )
[ maybe it's not really the kind of situation where you talk. admittedly, those kind of situations are the worst for lance, because silence has never been his best friend. if his mouth isn't running to try and fill it, then his mind will, and while neither tend to get him anywhere good, the former is at least a little less depressing.
which is why it's weird when keith's the one to continue the conversation. it's not even anything really substantial. it's small talk in its plainest form, and lance wonders if this is keith's way of reassuring him, or if he too can't seem to handle the silence.
either way, lance is grateful for it. he'll grab at any opportunity to keep his mind off of gloomy thoughts. ]
Man, that'd be nice. I could go for a new pair of jeans... Heck, even a new hoodie. Something real thick and comfy, you know?
[ he sighs a little, wistful, feeling some tension leave his shoulders. he hunkers down a little more, curling just a little better around the other male. idly, his thumb starts to rub circles along the back of keith's hand. even now, he can't really keep still. ]
( on the other side of things, keith's always been one for silence. he prefers it, always has and likely always will. there's something calming about it for him. he doesn't look too deeply into it or anything, especially because in doing that it'll just show him a life's montage of how utterly lonely it's been for him and the last thing keith is prone to is self-reflection.
unfortunately, in spite of how i would like for the conversation to go, keith doesn't have the proclivities to understand that kind of THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID type jokes, even though that's what the situation warrants. alas, poor yurak.
instead, he focuses on the feel of lance's thumb rubbing over his skin and sighs softly. and with that exhale comes keith finally — completely — relaxing against the bed. his eyes fall closed and at first he just hums in response, thinking about it but also not really thinking about it at all. then; )
[ with how closely they're wrapped up in each other, lance can feel the exact moment keith finally loosens up. that, in turn, has him relaxing even further. now he lets his own eyes close, tucks his face into keith's hair a little more. he's that much closer to falling asleep, but not yet, not yet. ]
Nah, don't settle. If we're dreaming, we might as well dream big, right?
( it should probably be a little strange to him for this kind of thing to happen, that he's so relaxed with lance. but, that's probably natural, isn't it? to be relaxed with your friends that this kind of touching is okay. maybe it's keith who's the weird one, unable to really know how to properly have friends.
but, he's trying. at least he's more used to it now and not freaking out and making this any weirder than it already is. )
But that's all I really wear. How would I dream bigger than that?
[ it's fine.. they've held hands before, even ~ cradled each other in their arms ~ right? sure, this isn't a life and death situation like all the other ones have been, but isn't that just the natural progression of their friendship?
then again, lance has always been naturally very touchy with his friends anyway, so maybe he's the opposite extreme here... ]
Think like... like luxury. Nice, fluffy robes. Wool socks that don't stay wet! Oh oh — pajamas! Man, I miss the set from the Castleship... I don't know what kind of fabric Alteans had, but it was definitely top-knotch.
( idk have they? according to lance, he doesn't remember 😒 so how's he supposed to know what they have or haven't done, huh?
this is just definitely different for keith.
but....
he doesn't hate it. )
I don't wear that kind of stuff, though. ( keith yawns and sort of nuzzles down a little and inadvertantly does so against their hands. ) What even are robes for?
Well, now's as good a time as any to try something new, right?
[ he... he means more in the sense that they seem to have the time, but in retrospect it definitely sounds like he could be implying something else... talking about something else. a-hem. moving on. ]
And robes are like... pre-clothes. They're when you wanna wear stuff, but you don't wanna go to the hassle of putting on real clothes. They're for, like, "I just wanna lounge around but also probably not get walked in on naked by the pizza guy" moods.
( luckily for lance, keith doesn't take it the way lance begins to think about. he's fine with maintaining a healthy dose of ignorance, thank you.
keith laughs softly, his breath fanning warm over lance's fingers. he makes a little sleepy sound before he can finally get himself together to respond. )
Dunno why you wouldn't just put clothes on in that case. But, you wore one over pajamas. On the castle. Just seems like a hassle.
( that has keith laying there for a few moments, unblinking, as he stares into the darkness. jibblies? what does that even mean? thankfully, just before keith opens his mouth to ask, he gets it.
( gross. don't do that. he even took the time to wash his hair this morning...! but, anyway. keith winds up just laughing softly to himself at lance's over the top reaction. they cuddling right now, with talks of doing the Doâ„¢ at some point. is it really that shocking to talk about whether or not underwear is being worn under pajamas? )
I dunno. It still seems kinda weird to me, wearing robes, I mean. I think I'll just stick to what I know.
[ stop... it's easy to separate those thoughts when he can focus on one instead of the other. but now he's embarrassed, and he winds up burying his face into that fluffy hair to hide the heat on his cheeks. hmph. ]
I'm gonna find you a robe, Keith Kogane. I'm gonna make you fall in love with it, too, you'll see.
( what's he hiding them for? it's not like keith can see it. not only that but it's dark in here, so even if they were facing each other he couldn't see it. so silly. besides, isn't it way more embarrassing to be burying his face in keith's hair??? )
I really doubt that. But, I also doubt that's going to stop you from trying.
[ lance's laugh is a few short puffs of warm air against keith's hair. without thinking, he hugs the other man a little tighter, drawing their bodies even closer together. he's starting to feel the pull of slumber start to drag him down... even with the suits regulating their temperature, there's a nice warmth here that he has to admit he's missed. ]
( again all keith does is respond with a sleepy sort of sound that he heard him but he's more than content to just stay in that twilight of sleep before handing himself over completely. and when he does, which is awfully quick, keith sleeps the best he's slept in ages. it'll be something he thinks about the next day at some point, but obviously not while he's sleeping.
he doesn't move much during the night, just winds up pressed absolutely firm against lance's body with no space for air, let alone jesus. his mind wakes up first, but in that hazy way where he knows he's going to be awake awake soon so he can start his day. his eyes don't feel like opening yet because he wants to still just doze for a little while longer. he makes a soft noise as he shifts his hips just a little, his mind sort of supplying a dream that he's sitting on the couch in the shack back in the desert and that one spring that would always poke him in the butt before he'd just move to the other side. )
[ lance dreams that night. it's a complete contrast to their first evening there, where things had been so tense (despite the... physical pay-off he partook in, by himself) that his sleep had been restless. but this time around he'd slept so soundly that his mind actually found the time to wander. he dreams about nothing of import, and nothing in particular, just flashing images of their time on the castleship, some planets they've previously visited and, funnily enough, the cardboard voltron he and the others had performed in for the coalition. but flashing images were all they were, flipping through his mind's eye like pages of a book. by the time morning comes, he's feel so well rested that he's hesitate to drag himself out of that sleep, instead trying to burrow further and further into it as soon as he begins to notice the claws of consciousness try to hook themselves in.
his body is warm, and wonderfully rested to the point his limbs feel heavy. that "spring" poking keith in the ass is, unfortunately, a result of his body's full night of rest, blood rushing where it is sometimes wont to in the morning. a healthy reaction for a healthy body and mind.
sadly, he is not conscious enough to make much sense of it, and instead chases the little bit of friction he's offered. a low, muffled groan escapes him, buried where his face is pressed firmly into the back of keith's neck, and he rocks his hips forward in a purely instinctive motion, seeking to press himself further into that pressure. ]
( maybe it might be easier if that was a spring poking him, but it isn't and it won't be easy once they're both fully awake. at the very least, keith understands about bodies and their reactions so he won't think much of it.
or, rather, that would've been how he would've reacted before all this.
but, as soon as that groan filters through his brain, his eyes snap open and reality comes rushing in without hesitation or care. suddenly he knows what's poking him and heat floods through his body from head to toe. he's stricken immobile for a few moments, unsure what he should do, when lance rocks against him like that. he bites his bottom lip trying to decide if he should try and slip out of this hold quietly or wake lance up.
waking him up is probably the right choice.
he keeps hold of lance's hand (he won't think of the implications of what that means that they held on to each other all night) and brushes his thumb over his skin and quietly, sleepily speaks up, )
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
it's fine. it's fine. ]
Alrighty, uh. Here I come...
[ in retrospect, probably not the best thing to be saying in this situation, but. he's a little too focused, in the moment, on scooting closer until he has aligned his body with keith's as best as possible. he's... still not exactly touching the other man, save for the one arm that slings over his side. they've agreed to do this, but he still feels kind of weird getting too close, like he's taking liberties or something. ]
no subject
and, really, this is the most innocent of ways.
keith tries to be relaxed, but he's not. his entire body is tense as he waits for lance to tuck right on in against him... but that doesn't really happen. he can feel him there, hovering sort of, and his arm is there so they're sort of touching. but, this feels... not great? this can't be right. so, keith huffs a sigh and backs up so they're completely flush up against one another. he's pretty sure they have to do more than just lance's arm slung over him for it to count for anything. )
Pretty sure we have to actually touch for it to work, Lance.
no subject
[ no, no he was not. but the deed has been done, so to speak, and so there's nothing more he can do than just settle into it as best as he can. carefully, he shifts just so he's fitting up a little better, so the curve of their spines and their legs align. it's — weird — but he'd been expecting that. though it's less weird because of how it feels, and more weird because of why they have to do this. lance wouldn't consider himself particularly touch-starved, but the desire to be close to someone is something he's always had... so it's a shame that now that he finally has it after so long, it's because they have to do it, and not because they want to.
ah well.
carefully, he shifts his arm around so that it rests a little more comfortable around keith. his hand winds up idly and loosely wrapping around the wrist of one of keith's hands, while he keeps his other arm tucked under his head and he blinks sleepily at the dark tufts of keith's hair. the more he wills himself to relax, the heavier his body seems to feel. he thinks he could actually fall asleep like this. ]
...How're you doing? This okay?
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keith just stares out into the dark room at the opposite wall, seeing but not really seeing anything as he gets used to the weight of lance's arm around him and the press of his body behind him. maybe the weirdest thing of all is that even though this is awkward, is that it doesn't feel so strange to do this. not to keith, anyway. he doesn't mind it. )
Yeah. ( his tone is low, not a whisper or anything, but definitely something to not disturbe the stillness of the moment. ) I'm okay. What about you?
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but there's not a lot that speculating can do now, not when they can't ever really take back or change what's happened. right now all they have is their present, this, each other.
and honestly...? it's not as bad as lance thought it would be. there are worse people he could be stuck here with... and he'd meant every word he'd said earlier that nice. ]
Not doing too bad...
[ he shifts just a little, propping his chin on top of keith's head. saves him from staring into the darkness of the other's hair, and looking instead at the same wall keith likely is. something about it is... soothing. grounding.
makes a man want to be a little more honest. ]
Actually? It's kind of nice.
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keith inhales a deep breath and as he exhales it, he closes his eyes. he's tired in that way where it's down to his bones, but he knows he's not going to sleep for a while. much in the way that his mind is blank, but still he's thinking about too much. he shifts his hands a little to tuck closer beneath his chin which only draws lance's hand closer to his chest. )
Yeah.
( helpful, really. but, he kind of doesn't know what to say. should they talk about something? would that make it even weirder? unintentionally he shifts a little against him. )
I hope we get some new clothes out of this.
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which is why it's weird when keith's the one to continue the conversation. it's not even anything really substantial. it's small talk in its plainest form, and lance wonders if this is keith's way of reassuring him, or if he too can't seem to handle the silence.
either way, lance is grateful for it. he'll grab at any opportunity to keep his mind off of gloomy thoughts. ]
Man, that'd be nice. I could go for a new pair of jeans... Heck, even a new hoodie. Something real thick and comfy, you know?
[ he sighs a little, wistful, feeling some tension leave his shoulders. he hunkers down a little more, curling just a little better around the other male. idly, his thumb starts to rub circles along the back of keith's hand. even now, he can't really keep still. ]
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unfortunately, in spite of how i would like for the conversation to go, keith doesn't have the proclivities to understand that kind of THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID type jokes, even though that's what the situation warrants. alas, poor yurak.
instead, he focuses on the feel of lance's thumb rubbing over his skin and sighs softly. and with that exhale comes keith finally — completely — relaxing against the bed. his eyes fall closed and at first he just hums in response, thinking about it but also not really thinking about it at all. then; )
I'd settle for a t-shirt and jeans at this point.
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Nah, don't settle. If we're dreaming, we might as well dream big, right?
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but, he's trying. at least he's more used to it now and not freaking out and making this any weirder than it already is. )
But that's all I really wear. How would I dream bigger than that?
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then again, lance has always been naturally very touchy with his friends anyway, so maybe he's the opposite extreme here... ]
Think like... like luxury. Nice, fluffy robes. Wool socks that don't stay wet! Oh oh — pajamas! Man, I miss the set from the Castleship... I don't know what kind of fabric Alteans had, but it was definitely top-knotch.
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this is just definitely different for keith.
but....
he doesn't hate it. )
I don't wear that kind of stuff, though. ( keith yawns and sort of nuzzles down a little and inadvertantly does so against their hands. ) What even are robes for?
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Well, now's as good a time as any to try something new, right?
[ he... he means more in the sense that they seem to have the time, but in retrospect it definitely sounds like he could be implying something else... talking about something else. a-hem. moving on. ]
And robes are like... pre-clothes. They're when you wanna wear stuff, but you don't wanna go to the hassle of putting on real clothes. They're for, like, "I just wanna lounge around but also probably not get walked in on naked by the pizza guy" moods.
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keith laughs softly, his breath fanning warm over lance's fingers. he makes a little sleepy sound before he can finally get himself together to respond. )
Dunno why you wouldn't just put clothes on in that case. But, you wore one over pajamas. On the castle. Just seems like a hassle.
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Yeah, but that was because you guys were also there. I can't just be walking around with my jibblies loose.
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kind of. )
Do you not wear underwear or something?
( sorry )
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sorry. ]
O-Of course I do...!
[ ... ]
Just. You know... if you're lounging around, enjoying a nice robe... Sometimes you don't have to.
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I dunno. It still seems kinda weird to me, wearing robes, I mean. I think I'll just stick to what I know.
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I'm gonna find you a robe, Keith Kogane. I'm gonna make you fall in love with it, too, you'll see.
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I really doubt that. But, I also doubt that's going to stop you from trying.
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[ lance's laugh is a few short puffs of warm air against keith's hair. without thinking, he hugs the other man a little tighter, drawing their bodies even closer together. he's starting to feel the pull of slumber start to drag him down... even with the suits regulating their temperature, there's a nice warmth here that he has to admit he's missed. ]
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he doesn't move much during the night, just winds up pressed absolutely firm against lance's body with no space for air, let alone jesus. his mind wakes up first, but in that hazy way where he knows he's going to be awake awake soon so he can start his day. his eyes don't feel like opening yet because he wants to still just doze for a little while longer. he makes a soft noise as he shifts his hips just a little, his mind sort of supplying a dream that he's sitting on the couch in the shack back in the desert and that one spring that would always poke him in the butt before he'd just move to the other side. )
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his body is warm, and wonderfully rested to the point his limbs feel heavy. that "spring" poking keith in the ass is, unfortunately, a result of his body's full night of rest, blood rushing where it is sometimes wont to in the morning. a healthy reaction for a healthy body and mind.
sadly, he is not conscious enough to make much sense of it, and instead chases the little bit of friction he's offered. a low, muffled groan escapes him, buried where his face is pressed firmly into the back of keith's neck, and he rocks his hips forward in a purely instinctive motion, seeking to press himself further into that pressure. ]
no subject
or, rather, that would've been how he would've reacted before all this.
but, as soon as that groan filters through his brain, his eyes snap open and reality comes rushing in without hesitation or care. suddenly he knows what's poking him and heat floods through his body from head to toe. he's stricken immobile for a few moments, unsure what he should do, when lance rocks against him like that. he bites his bottom lip trying to decide if he should try and slip out of this hold quietly or wake lance up.
waking him up is probably the right choice.
he keeps hold of lance's hand (he won't think of the implications of what that means that they held on to each other all night) and brushes his thumb over his skin and quietly, sleepily speaks up, )
Lance... Lance wake up.