After that, neither of them moved for a while. The hum of the Castle filled the silence, low and steady, almost soothing. Beyond the glass, stars stretched endlessly, brighter than Lance had ever noticed before.
Finally, Lance dropped back onto the floor with a sigh. "I swear, the universe is conspiring against us. Every time we try to chill, someone barges in."
Keith stayed standing, arms still crossed, but his voice was softer than usual. "Maybe we're just… not very good at hiding."
Lance tilted his head back to look at him. For once, Keith didn't look tense. The lines in his face eased under the starlight, his expression almost...peaceful.
Lance swallowed. "Well… no one's here now. Guess we finally won."
Keith gave a small huff, then sat down beside him. Their shoulders brushed, just barely, and Lance froze for half a second before forcing himself to act casual.
They sat in silence, but this time it wasn't awkward. It was… comfortable.
"You know," Lance said quietly, "I never really look at the stars like this. I mean, I'm always flying through them, but… I don't stop. Not really."
Keith turned his head, studying him. "Why not?"
Lance shrugged, eyes still on the glittering expanse outside. "I guess I was always too busy proving something. Too busy trying to be… I don't know. Important. Special."
The words surprised him. He hadn't meant to say that out loud. His chest felt tight, but he forced a crooked smile. "Wow, listen to me. Getting all deep. Bet you're loving this, huh?"
Keith didn't tease him. He didn't smirk or roll his eyes. He just… listened. And then, quietly, he said, "You don't have to prove anything, Lance."
Lance's throat tightened. He turned his head, meeting Keith's eyes. There was no judgment there, no sarcasm. Just honesty.
For a second, Lance forgot how to breathe.
He looked away quickly, covering with a laugh. "Careful, Kogane. If you keep saying nice things, people might think you actually like me."
Keith's lips curved into the smallest smile. "Maybe I do."
The words were soft. Almost too soft to hear.
But Lance did hear them. And his heart wouldn't stop racing.