Chapter Text
There were many things that the two have gotten mixed up with each other on. What they were saying to each other through broken coms, the amount of bots they wanted to fight against with each other verses the actual amount that they ended up fighting, and vice versa. This time though, this misunderstanding was one that literally everyone but themselves could see. For years Lance has always claimed Keith to be his 'rival', and for the time they've been in space since finding the lions Keith has always thought that Lance just hated him for some reason. Of course, this whole curtain of a lie was torn down soon enough.
How so? Keith had just returned from a mission, a very risky and life threatening one, so of course all the paladins went up to him and said how relieved they were and happy that he came back safe when he returned. Lance though, Lance was quiet and distant. Later on though Keith woke up in the middle of the night, hearing just a growl from his stomach before getting up and going to get a little quick late night snack. There he found Lance though, and before he could even get a word out he turned around, Keith's eyes widening as he grew worried when seeing the frustrated look and tearful eyes on the Cubans face.
"You could have fucking died and all you say when you get back is 'I got the quintessence'?! We... I spent the whole two fucking days worrying about you! I tried calling and texting and doing whatever the hell I could to see if you were okay, but you didn't send back shit!" His tone wasn't harsh or furious, but instead full of pain and hurt, only able to look Keith in the eyes for a few more seconds after yelling out before looking down and beginning to let out quiet shaky sobs. "I... Lance... I thought you hated me..." Keith wasn't entirely sure what was rushing into him, sniffing and feeling tears beginning to rise to his eyes.
Instantly Lance's frustration died down into shock, eyes wide for a few moments before he softly looked at Keith, slowly taking steps towards him and wiping his eyes, "You... you thought I hated you?" Opening his mouth Keith tried to speak words, but only let out a choked heavy sob, beginning to tremble until feeling warm arms wrapping around his waist, gasping softly with wide eyes as he looked at the head of brown hair pressed against his shoulder. Then in a few moments Lance was lifting his head, cupping both of Keith's cheeks, and closing the gap between them. Before Keith could even properly react to the feeling of lips against his own Lance was pulling away from him, wearing a warm smile with the corners of his lips trembling with tears streaming down yet again, "I've always loved you, Keith. I couldn't hate you, even if I tried."