The next morning, Lance strutted into the dining hall like nothing had happened the night before. He even whistled, just to sell the performance.
Pidge immediately ruined it."So… how was your bonding session with Keith?"
Lance choked on his space juice. "Wha-...who- what are you even—?" He glanced across the table to see Keith, already sitting there, spoon frozen halfway to his mouth, eyes wide with silent betrayal.
Hunk leaned forward with an apologetic smile. "Shiro may have… mentioned it."
"Of course he did," Keith muttered under his breath, cheeks already pink.
Lance groaned, dropping into his seat. "Unbelievable. The man saves the galaxy and still finds time to ruin my reputation."
Pidge smirked. "Oh, don't worry. We'll make sure everyone knows Keith laughs at your dumb jokes now."
Keith set his spoon down with a heavy sigh. Lance could practically feel his misery radiating across the table, and for once, he didn't blame him.
Lance stood up, walked over to Keith while scowling. He grabbed Keith's arm and dragged him away from the table. "Wha-" Keith managed.
"Okay," Lance said, lowering his voice. "We need to get out of here."
Keith frowned. "What?"
"You heard me," Lance whispered urgently. "If we stay, we're doomed. They'll never let this go."
Keith hesitated, glancing too Pidge and Hunk, who were already exchanging smug looks, still at the table. He exhaled through his nose. "…Fine. What's your plan?"
A grin spread across Lance's face. "Glad you asked."
Five minutes later, two very suspicious paladins were tiptoeing down the Castle's hallways.
Keith walked fast, trying to look casual, but Lance jogged to keep up, whispering like a bad spy movie. "Operation Great Escape is a success so far. Next objective: find a hiding place before Pidge tracks us with her creepy computer skills."
Keith groaned. "You're not naming it that."
"Too late, already did." Lance shot him a finger gun. "Code names are essential for stealth."
"This isn't stealth," Keith muttered.
"It is if you believe."
Keith rolled his eyes, but, Lance noticed, he didn't speed up or storm off. If anything, there was a faint twitch at the corner of his mouth, like he was fighting a smile.
They ended up in one of the Castle's observation decks, where the stars stretched endlessly outside the glass. Empty. Quiet. Safe.
Keith leaned against the railing, arms crossed, finally relaxing. "You're ridiculous."
"Ridiculously clever," Lance corrected, plopping down on the floor with a grin. "We escaped, didn't we?"
Keith shook his head, but his shoulders eased, and he actually let out a short laugh.
Lance beamed. Mission accomplished.
The observation deck was quiet, just the soft hum of the Castle and the stars glittering outside. Lance stretched out on the floor, arms folded behind his head, feeling smug.
"See? Perfect hiding spot," he said. "No Pidge, no Hunk, no Shiro with his Dad Look of Doom. Just us and the—"
The door slid open with a hiss.
Both boys froze.
"Allura," Keith muttered under his breath.
Sure enough, the princess stepped inside, her graceful stride carrying her straight toward them. She stopped a few feet away, arms folded, her expression sharp and suspicious.
"And what," she asked, "are the two of you doing out here? Alone."
Lance shot up into a sitting position. "Alone? Ha! No, no, no, you've got it all wrong, Princess. We're just, uh- uh-" He flailed his hands helplessly, searching for words. "Star-watching! Yes! Very professional paladin activity."
Keith pinched the bridge of his nose. "You're making it worse."
Allura raised a brow. "Star-watching?"
"Yes!" Lance scrambled to his feet, puffing out his chest. "Vital for morale. Builds character. Strengthens our cosmic… connection?" His voice cracked halfway through.
Allura's gaze flicked between them—Lance still trying to look confident, Keith visibly wishing the floor would swallow him whole. Slowly, her stern expression softened into something dangerously close to amusement.
"I see," she said at last, her lips twitching. "Well, I'll leave you two to your… bonding."
And just like that, she turned and glided out, the door sliding shut behind her.
The silence that followed was deafening.
Lance groaned and buried his face in his hands. "Oh, come on! Why does everyone keep calling it bonding?!"
Keith crossed his arms, ears burning red. "Because you keep making it obvious."
Lance peeked at him through his fingers, indignant. "Me? You laugh one time and suddenly I'm the problem?"
Keith looked away, but Lance caught it. The tiniest smile tugging at his lips.
And just like that, Lance felt the sting of embarrassment fade, replaced with a warmth he couldn't explain.