Chapter Text
Clear day was an absolute joke and Keith was done with it yesterday. Why the hell would shrieking creatures in a stupidly dark tunnel be entertaining? It was horrific. And Hunk should not be singing along. Keith’s grip tightened on the safety bar.
‘Hunk. We are getting off.’
‘Wha-!? Oh, come on Keith, lighten up! It’ll be running again any tick now.’
Keith couldn’t help the eye roll. Sure, it would get running. But what was lying around the corner? Probably even squeakier creepy figurines jumping out at them. Maybe, if he was lucky, they’d be holding pick-axes and he could impale himself on one.
A shudder rumbled through the seat and suddenly they were trudging along again.
‘See! What did I tell ya?’
Keith side eyed Hunk. That smile could almost be smug but coming from Hunk it was soft, sympathetic with a hint of happiness. At least he seemed to be enjoying neo-Disneyland with 60s rides straight out of the 90s when they were already old and decrepit. Keith let himself relax back into the chair, folding his arms instead of trying to bend metal with his bare hands. This would be fine. Five more minutes at most. And Hunk was having a good time swinging his arms about like an overzealous conductor. They’d laugh about this later.
Then the ride came to a juddering halt.
There was nothing left to dampen out the shrill voices of by-gone choir children ringing around the psychedelic railway to hell.
Fuck it. Keith ripped his Bayard out of his suit and sliced the bar clean in half. He didn’t need to stick around for this.
‘Coming?’ He yelled as he jumped over the railing and began climbing across the fake wooden hills.
Vowels spilled out of Hunk’s mouth behind him before there was a thud and Hunk was marching alongside him.
‘I mean there was really no need to break their equipment.’
‘It was already broken Hunk.’ Keith bit back in exasperation, ‘that’s what got us into this mess.’
Hunk hummed, unconvinced. Keith didn’t let him respond, slicing the curtain open still on a war path. This planet was just the worst. First of all, everyone was slacking off playing games instead of being on guard. Secondly, the aliens were all sarcastic little shits. And lastly, Lance had run off to find something sparkly for Allura. Like come on, none of them had forgotten they were going out. Quit reminding them. Damn him.
‘KEITH! Wait up!’
Keith let out a growl as Hunk hooked a hand around his arm, physically forcing him into a standstill.
‘Hey man, chill out. What’s got you so mad?’
‘I’m not mad.’
Hunk gave him a look, raising his eye brows. ‘You kinda are.’
‘Just drop it Hunk.’ Keith hissed. Hunk was too damn perceptive. And his brown eyes were so warm Keith knew he’d crack if they kept up with that gooey caring thing they had going on.
Hunk was about to speak when an arm slammed down across Keith’s shoulders, shoving him under a heavy body.
‘Hey guys!’
Oh god no.
‘Guess who won something sparkly for Allura!’
‘Oh, nice one Lance!’ Hunk cheered, slapping their hands together in a high-five that rocked through Keith. He grunted, rolling Lance’s arm off his shoulder.
‘Well done.’ He forced out, ‘what did you get?’
‘Ta-dah!’
Lance beamed as he presented a blue lion toy in front of them. Their lion. Keith’s stomach twisted uncomfortably, and he hated himself for it.
‘I mean I know it’s not sparkly in like the jewellery sense, but d’you think she’ll like it?’
‘Of course, she will dude!’ Hunk replied easily, smashing Lance’s doubts, ‘it’s your lion, how could she not!?’
Keith nodded along with him, ‘yeah, it’s really sweet.’
Because it was, and Keith wasn’t a liar. And he really did want Lance to be happy. It was just that, sometimes, it hurt a little that it couldn’t be with him.
Lance grinned at the two of them, blinding them with sparkling white teeth. ‘Okay! I’m gonna go see how Pidge is doing!’
And just as quickly as he’d arrived, Lance was galloping away, sweeping through the crowd with an ease Keith could only dream of achieving. Without him even realising, a sigh was trailing away from his lips. Warmth wrapped around his bicep and a firm squeeze finally tore Keith away from his trance.
Hunk was ducked in close, speaking quietly. ‘Is that what it is? You’re jealous of Lance?’
Keith recoiled. ‘No!’
Jealous of Lance was the exact opposite of his feelings.
‘Okay!’ Hunk yelped with equal volume, offering out placating hands, ‘just kinda seems like you get quiet every time he mentions Allura.’
‘Well you’re reading it wrong.’ Keith assured gruffly. Hunk was a little too close to the truth than what was comfortable. Keith turned to leave but Hunk’s grip tightened.
‘Then what is it?’
Hunk’s eyes locked onto his, unwavering. His determination to offer care was something Keith truly admired. But it was also his Achilles heel. Keith swallowed thickly, hoping to contain the truths begging to be set free from his throat. Hunk wasn’t having any of that.
‘Seriously man.’ He said softly, ‘you can talk to me.’
Keith shook his head. He couldn’t do this. He was pathetic. He didn’t need Hunk’s sympathy. He was perfectly fine with how things were.
Hunk leant in further, ‘are you in love with Allura?’
‘Jesus Hunk no!’ Keith yelped, throwing his head back in frustration ‘it’s not Allura!’
Hunk hesitated, and Keith could feel his eyes analysing his every muscle.
‘If it’s not her then…’ Hunk trailed off. Keith couldn’t fight the heat rising through his body like a volcano.
‘You like L-‘
Keith didn’t let him finish the sentence, smothering his lips with his palms. With Hunk’s voice trapped, Keith whipped his gaze around the vicinity. Aliens were trudging past, sparing the two scathing looks. Others were distracted with the many stalls surrounding them and more were surging in another direction. Thankfully, there were no familiar faces. Hunk tugged his hand away.
‘You like Lance,’ he whispered, sound barely above the wind.
Keith managed a nod. He wanted to cry. But also yell. And mostly he wanted to run away and hide back in his room on the Atlas for the rest of the night and never speak of this again. None of this was fair.
‘Keith I’m- I’m so sorry.’
The gooey eyes were back. Melted caramel swirling in chocolate pupils and Keith felt them down to the pit of his stomach. Hunk just cared so damn much. It physically hurt Keith to see his own pain mirrored on a face that deserved none of the sort.
‘Don’t be.’ Keith said, stepping back and losing the strength to hold his head up, ‘it’s fine.’
‘No, it’s not.’ Hunk cut in, holding Keith’s arms, ‘you don’t have to go through this alone. Talk to me.’
Hunk was amazing. Despite wanting to cry Keith couldn’t help but smile at his words. He worked so hard to make people happy – able to protect in a way Keith never could. He was a true asset to Voltron. A true friend. And Keith was almost pulled into his offer. Almost. Unfortunately, there was nothing he could do about this particular problem.
‘Thanks.’ Keith said sadly, ‘but I’d really just rather not think about it.’
And rather not pull anyone else into his web of misery.
‘Then come bake!’ Hunk countered quickly, ‘we could always do with the spare hands! Plus, I don’t like seeing you all sad and mopey. Let me cheer you up!’
Keith shook his head, unable to fight off a wider smile. Of course, Hunk had a backup plan. He was far too good for this world. And, well, Keith was never as strong as he made out to be.
‘Alright,’ Keith found himself saying, ‘but I’m not exactly known for my expertise in baking.’
‘Well that’s why I’ll be there!’
Keith felt his shoulders relax. Baking really would be a step up from moping around his room like a slug. Plus, Hunk was pretty strong. With his help, the burden already felt lighter.
‘Thanks Hunk.’ Keith said quietly, ‘you’re a good friend.’
Hunk glowed pink at the compliment, ‘well I try.’
They started walking again and Hunk knocked their shoulders together.
‘We’ll get through this.’ He assured, taking away the last of Keith’s anxieties, ‘you deserve to be happy too.’