Title: Hippie Juice

 

Keith sat cross-legged on the pool table with the balls scattered all about on the green velvet surface. He poured himself another glass of Moaner Aurisan whiskey, somehow managing to not spill a single drop.

 

"Hey!  Don't drink all of it!"  Sven's voiced slurred from where he sat on the couch, holding his almost empty glass.  Somewhere in his mind, he knew he was drunk.  He just never dreamed that Aurisan whiskey was so potent!  He only had three glasses of it!

 

"If you want it, come and get." Keith said, grinning as he held up the bottle and shaked it back and forth slightly to taunt Sven. "And crank up some tunes while you're at it."

 

"Yeah, yeah, yeah."  Sven mumbled as he got up on his feet, nearly falling back into the couch in the process.  When Keith asked him to try some new whiskey with him, he didn't think they would get this wasted!  And since Keith was sitting on the pool table, Sven didn't think Keith realized it would happen either!  Oh well.  It wasn't very often that they got to let loose like this.  Everyone needed to once in a while.  Sven paused as he studied the CD player.  How did this thing work again?  "What do ya want to hear?"

 

"Um…how about's that 80's mix CD? It's a good one." Keith said. "And do we got any munchies?"

 

"80's?  Hmmm..."  Sven blinked a few times to make the titles stop dancing around.  "I think I found one.  Don't know about munchies though?  That a band?"

 

"No silly willy. Munchies is chips, popcorn all that good stuff. JUNK FOOD!" Keith said.

 

Sven shook his head for a moment.  Didn't help.  "Oh.  Well, you're the one who brought us in here.  That was your job."

 

"No." Keith said, shaking his head and almost falling over in the process. "I brought the booze, you bring the food."

 

"You didn't tell me that."  Sven snorted as he weaved around invisible objects until he got to the pool table.  "How was I to know?"

 

"Because that's what we did last time ya big dork." Keith snorted.

 

"Huh?"  Sven tilted his head and stared at Keith.  "When did you dye your hair purple?"

 

"Purple? Why purple? I don't want to dye my hair purple. I think blue...or bright red would be cooler." Keith smirked. "Or maybe both…. Or maybe add red, blue, yellow, and green stripes with the black I got and be all five."

 

Sven shook his head again.  "Um...what are we talking about again?"

 

"That you're dying your hair blue." Keith grinned.

 

"But I don't want to dye my hair."  Sven whined pathetically.  "I like it the way it is!"

 

"It's toooooo short." Keith said. "My hair is perfect." He added, flipping the long black locks of hair with his hand.

 

Sven nearly spit out his drink!  "Perfect?  It looks like an old beaten up mop!  Why don't ya ever brush it?"

 

Keith stuck his tongue out at Sven as he sat bouncing to the beat of the music. "Let's dance." He said, jumping off the table. He set his drink down and pulled Sven's glass away from him. Then he pulled Sven away from the table and started to dance with him.

 

Well, if you could call it dancing.  It looked more like two drunks trying to keep standing in an earthquake!  Or at least that is what Pidge and Lance thought when they walked in.  At least they were keeping with the music.  "Um..." Pidge coughed, trying to get the men's attention.  "What are you two doing?"

 

"Dancing." Keith said, as though that should be obvious to the so-called boy genius.

 

"I'm not familiar with that dance move."  Lance chuckled as he walked over to the pool table and picked up the bottle.  "Oh dear.  This would explain it."

 

Pidge sighed when he saw the whiskey bottle.  "Don't tell me.  Let me guess.  That is the batch that the brewers kinda over did it."

 

Lance smirked.  "Yup!  They are going to have major headaches in the morning!"

 

"Not me. I never get hung over no matter how much I drink." Keith grinned. "Now go bother someone else."

 

"Take it easy there, buddy."  Lance put the bottle down and held up his hands.  "Glad to hear that you won't be sick in the morning."

 

"Maybe, but Sven sure will!"  Pidge rubbed his eyes.  "And he is such a baby when he is sick."

 

"Am not." Sven complained.

 

"Are too." Keith said in a sing-song tone.

 

"Am not!" Sven said.

 

"Are too, are too are too."

 

"Am not, not, not."

 

"Are too, are too, are too D2." Keith said and started laughing.

 

Lance blinked.  "Um...how old are they again?"

 

Keith looked at Lance. "Come here and ask that."

 

"Sure."  Lance laughed as he walked over to the captain.  Sven had stumbled off and fell, fortunately on the couch.  Lance shook his head before looking at Keith.  "Okay, how old are you?"

 

Smirking, Keith tackled Lance to the floor and started tickling him.

 

"HEY!"  Lance yelled, trying to get away from those torturing fingers.  He didn't think anyone knew how ticklish he was!  Even over his own laughter, Lance could still hear Sven and Pidge laughing their heads off!  Oh, they were going to get theirs!  Finally after what seemed like an eternity, Lance managed to grab Keith's wrists.  "Stop...stop it." He gasped out.  "You...you trying to...kill me?"

 

Keith grinned. "Actually I have other things in mind besides killing you."

 

"Oh really?"  Lance laughed, holding tightly to Keith's wrists to keep him from tickling him again.  "Keep tickling me and you will definitely kill me.  How much did you drink anyway?"

 

"Only about…four, yeah I think it was four." Keith said.

 

Lance's eyes widened.  "Only four!  Just one sip of that stuff is enough to send you to drunk land.  How many did Sven have?" 

 

"Enough."  Pidge laughed.  "He can't count his own fingers!"

 

"He had…umm…I think it was three…yeah three…less then me 'cause I had the bottle." Keith grinned.

 

"So both of you have no fear right now.  This could be scary."  Lance shook his head and somehow managed to sit up. 

 

"I'm not that bad." Sven said as he waved his hand in front of his face, slapping himself in the process.

 

"Nope.  You're worse."  Pidge shook his head in amusement.  "Seems Keith's physical skills are not as impaired, though not sure about his mental skills.  He sounds already gone too."

 

"ARE NOT!" Keith complained, starting to struggle to get his hands free. "I won't tickle you no more, just let my hands go."

 

"Alright, alright!"  Lance laughed as he released Keith's hands.  "No need to get all hissy about it.  Pidge is just teasing you."

 

Keith jumped to his feet and pulled Lance up. "Let's dance."

 

Lance shook his head in disbelief.  That alcohol really loosened Keith up.  Probably good since Keith had been stressed lately.  "Sure.  Why not.  Might be interesting."

 

Keith placed one hand on Lance's hip and took Lance's hand in his other before dancing the tango with Lance.

 

Well, Keith danced the tango...Lance had no clue what he was doing!  Pidge was in hysterics, so he didn't see Sven sneak off the couch and refill his glass again.  Lance was too busy trying not to trip over his own feet!  "Um...I don't know how to do the tango, Keith."

 

"But it's a fun dance." Keith said. He noticed Sven drinking another glass of whiskey. "I want one too…pour me one too." Keith said, letting go of Lance and running over to the pool table.

 

Lance sighed in relief.  Any longer and he would've fell.  Keith really didn't need another one, but Lance wasn't going to try and stop him.  Despite popular opinion, Lance wasn't that suicidal or reckless!  Besides, Pidge was trying to get Sven to lay off the stuff so let him deal with Keith.

 

Keith grabbed the bottle away from Sven, who was trying to hold it away from Pidge, and poured himself another drink.  Then he set the bottle down and sauntered back over to Lance.

 

Lance laughed as he watched Sven make faces at Pidge.  It was so hilarious!  What he wouldn't give for a camera!  He shook his head at Keith.  "How come you're not falling over your feet yet?"

 

"'Cause I always got good co-or-din-ation." Keith having to slowly think each syllable of the word to say it.

 

"But no mouth coordination."  Lance laughed.  "What are we going to do with you?"

 

"I got some ideas of what you can do with me." Keith grinned.

 

Lance grinned, shaking his head.  He just couldn't get over how relaxed his captain was.  They have known each other for awhile, but Lance could not remember when he ever saw the man relaxed.  "And what would those ideas be?  Bring Allura in here?"

 

Keith crinkled his nose and shook his head. "Girls are yucky. They got cooties, don'tcha ya know?"

 

"Um...yeah.  Guess I forgot."  Lance blinked in shock.  People say that alcohol removes all inhibitions, but he wasn't expecting that!  Did that mean Keith really wasn't interested in Allura?  This was getting confusing.

 

"You want to dance more? We don't got to do the tango…we can do a simple dance for you…what's simple hmmmm…the chicken dance." Keith said.

 

"Tell you what.  You get Sven and Pidge out here to dance, and I'll do the chicken dance."  Lance smirked.  This could be fun!

 

"I don't want to dance with them. I wanna dance with you." Keith said.

 

Lance grinned.  "You are dancing with me.  Just that dance kinda requires more people."

 

"You just don't want to dance with me." Keith pouted.

 

"You know, you're cute when you pout."  Lance chuckled before turning when he heard a 'thump' behind him.  Sven had fallen to his knees and was crawling around on the floor searching for something.

 

"Um, Sven..." Pidge moved to stand next to him.  "What are you looking for?"

 

"My contact." Sven mumbled as he continued to crawl around.

 

Lance burst out laughing.  "You don't wear contacts Sven!"

 

"I'll help you look." Keith ran over and got down, also looking around for the non-existent contact. "What color is it?"

 

"Blue." Sven said.

 

"But that's your normal eye color." Keith said.

 

"No." Sven said.

 

"What color are your eyes normally?" Keith asked, tilting his head.

 

"Blue."

 

"Oh, okay." Keith said.

 

Lance was wiping the tears from his eyes, he was laughing so hard.  Pidge was trying hard not to laugh.  "Maybe we should put them to bed before this gets too strange."  Pidge chuckled.  "Or they start searching for a little pink elephant."

 

"A pink elephant? There's no such thing. Everyone knows elephants are yellow." Keith said.

 

"Yup.  I think they need to go to bed."  Lance laughed as he walked over and helped Keith to his feet.  "I wonder if there was a drug in that whiskey too."

 

"You gonna take me to bed?" Keith wrapped his arms around Lance and pressed himself closer to Lance. He stuck his tongue out at Sven. "Lance is gonna take me to bed… Lance is gonna take me to bed and he's not gonna take you…."

 

This was kinda nice.  Lance quickly shook that thought out of his mind.  "Yup.  I'm going to take you to bed.  Do you think you can handle Sven, Pidge?"

 

"I'll just tuck him in on the couch." Pidge said.

 

"I don't want to be a couch." Sven complained.

 

"You won't be a couch you'll be on the couch." Pidge sighed.

 

"You have to be a couch." Keith laughed at Sven who was still sulking.

 

"Don't wanna." Sven pouted.

 

"You gotta, Pidge said so." Keith laughed.

 

"No I didn't. I never said he was a couch." Pidge said, rubbing his eyes.

 

"Oh dear gods!"  Lance rolled his eyes, trying to keep from laughing again.  "Sven, do you think you can go to your room?  Pidge is going to tuck you in."

 

"I don't want to go to my room. You can't make me." Sven said firmly...or at least tired to say firmly.  It came out more slurred than firm.

 

"I can.  I out...what's the word…higher…rank...yeah I out rank you. So go to your room." Keith said.

 

"No." Sven pouted.

 

"Yes." Keith said, a little firmer this time.

 

"No. No. NO!" Sven yelled.

 

"Yes. Yes. Yes."  Keith said, crossing his arms over his chest. "Go to bed. Go directly to bed. Do not pass Go. Do not collect two hundred doll-hairs."

 

Pidge sighed.  "Please Sven.  Do it for me?  Keith is going to bed too."

 

"Don't wanna. I want a another drink." Sven whined.

 

"Me too, me too, me too! I want another drink too." Keith said.

 

"What the hell is in that stuff?"  Lance asked, quickly wrapping an arm around Keith's waist to hold him still.  "Marijuana?"

 

Pidge looked at the label and paled. "Umm...actually…it does have Arus's version of it in here."

 

Lance sighed, having to wrap both arms around his squirming captain's waist.  "Well that explains everything!  So what now?"

 

"I'm not sure." Pidge said. "I can't believe that none of us knew what was in this stuff. Or for that matter that it's even in the castle."

 

"Well, I guess all we can do is get them to bed and let them sleep it off."  Lance sighed.  It was going to be easier said than done.  "Time for bed everyone!  Before Nanny comes in here with her rolling pin!"

 

"Don't want to." Sven pouted even more.

 

"Me neither. I don't want to go to bed everyone it'd be too crowded." Keith whined.

 

Pidge chuckled.  "Then what would you two like to do?  That doesn't mean another drink."

 

"I WANT TO ROCK AND ROLL ALL NIGHT AND PARTY EVERYDAY!" Keith sang loudly.

 

"Ouch!" Lance winced, wanting to cover his ears but even more afraid to let go.  "Not so loud there, buddy.  You're worse than a three-year-old!  How old are you again?"

 

"I am two years younger then Sven. One year younger then you. And two…three…two.. three…how many years older then you am I again, Pidge?"

 

"About two." Pidge said before sighing as Sven started to crawl on the floor again.  "Why are you on the floor this time, Sven?"

 

"I can't find how old I am."  Sven mumbled.

 

Lance blinked.  "Um...don't want to know!  And I thought I was a year younger than Keith."

 

"Nope. You are older by a year…almost a year…ten months and eleven days." Keith giggled. "You're looking too low for your age Svenster. Ya gotta look higher or you'll never find it."

 

Pidge sighed.  "Sven...I think you'll find your age in your bedroom.  Wanta look?"

 

"Nope.  I know I didn't leave it there." Sven mumbled, never taking his eyes from the floor.

 

"Check in your boot. People hide stuff in boots allllllllllll the time." Keith laughed. "Or maybe it's sewn into your underwear. "

 

"NO!  There are some things that I don't want to see!"  Lance snapped when Sven started to undo his pants.  Pidge quickly stopped him as he whispered into Sven's ear.  "Save that for later, okay."

 

Sven nodded eagerly and did his pants up again.

 

"Wanta checked my age?" Keith asked Lance. "Then you can see that you are the older one."

 

"Um...I think I'll take your word for it."  Lance blushed slightly.  "Right now, it is time for bed."

 

Keith shook his head. "I don't want to go to bed."

 

Lance sighed before swiftly picking Keith up into his arms.  "Well, buddy it is time for bed whether you like it or not.  I'd advice you not to argue with me."

 

"Nope! I do not want to go to bed" Keith struggled to get away from Lance, twisting so much he ended up landing hard on his ass on the floor.

 

Laughing at the shocked look on Keith's face, Lance squatted down next to him.  "Your own fault.  Well, what do you want to do?"

 

"Go skinny dipping!"

 

Sven quickly nodded his head.  Pidge was busy shaking his head.  "NO!  It is freezing outside!"

 

"So?" Keith asked. He jumped to his feet and pounced onto Sven. Sven clumsily caught him but ended up stumbling backwards and falling onto the couch. "Sven and I can swim alone then."

 

Lance groaned.  "The last thing we need is a sick captain and second-in-command.  How about doing something else?"

 

"PARTY!" Keith yelled. "PARTY! PARTY! PARTY!" Sven chanted along with Keith.

 

"That won't work either guys."  Pidge sighed.  "Remember, people who work here have a curfew."

 

"So just the four of us can party. Even though Sven forgot the munchies stuff." Keith said.

 

"Didn't forget." Sven said.

 

"Then where is it?" Keith asked.

 

"Didn't bring any." Sven said.

 

"Cause you forgot." Keith said.

 

"No, I didn't forget." Sven said.

 

"I guess it wouldn't hurt."  Lance sighed as he glanced at Pidge.  "Though it would have to stay in this room only."

 

Pidge shook his head in defeat.  "Okay.  But if anyone tries to leave this room besides going to bed, then the party is over.  Understand?"

 

"Yup!" Keith nodded.

 

Hunk stepped into the room. "What is going on in here?"

 

"AH!" Keith yelled and pointed at Hunk, scrambling up from his seat on Sven on the couch in the process. "A YELLOW ELEPHANT!  RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!"

 

Somehow, Lance managed to grab Keith's waist again though he was laughing his head off!  "Take it easy!  It's just Hunk, remember?"

 

Hunk was speechless!  Pidge was in hysterics!  "Um..." Hunk blinked as he tried to figure out what was going on.  "I think I missed something."

 

"A TALKING ELEPHANT!" Keith screamed.

 

"See elephants are not pink." Sven said smuggly.

 

Lance grunted as he struggled to get a squirming Keith to settle down.  "It's not an elephant!  It's Hunk!  Our mechanic remember?"

 

"They're drunk!"  Pidge managed to explain between bursts of laughter.  "From Arusian whiskey."

 

"Um…. And how much did they have to drink?" Hunk asked.

 

"If he is a mech…fix it guy, maybe he can fix it." Keith said.

 

"Obviously, they have had enough!"  Lance snorted, literally having to throw Keith onto the couch.  "And I don't think anyone wants to know what you need fixed, Keith."

 

Keith sighed and curled up on the couch almost sitting on Sven's knee. "Nope. Nobody never ever does."

 

"Well, maybe when you're sober."  Lance chuckled as he sat down next to his friend.  "Right now, you're not making any sense."

 

"I make sense." Keith pouted. "This party is boring.  I want to do something else now."

 

"Party?"  Hunk was still clueless.

 

Pidge shrugged.  "Don't ask me.  I still haven't figured out this party either."

 

Lance just laughed.  "Well, what do you want to do?  We just can't leave this room, remember."

 

"Don't care no more." Keith said.

 

"That doesn't help much, Keith."  Lance sighed.  It figured that his captain would be a moody drunk.  "What do you want to do, Sven?"

 

"Hmmm…have sex." Sven said brightly.

 

Keith shook his head. "Not that drunk yet. Give me a couple more then we can do that."

 

Lance's eyes widened while Pidge was turning bright red.  "Um...not here guys.  Save that for your bedrooms."  Lance coughed.

 

"Strip twister?" Sven suggested.

 

"Drink." Keith added.

 

Hunk chuckled, shaking his head.  "Since they are already drunk, I don't see the harm in them having some more."

 

"Alright."  Lance sighed in defeat.  "Just don't give me any.  I'm highly allergic to alcohol."

 

Hunk stepped over with the bottle and handed it to Keith who accepted it greedily, taking a long drink from the bottle.

 

"I want some too." Sven whined.

 

Keith shook his head and held the bottle against himself. "All mine. I brought it so I get it. You should've brought the junk food then I'd share."

 

"Well, if you can't beat them, join them."  Pidge shrugged as he walked toward the door.  "I'll go get some more."

 

Keith uncurled himself from next to Sven and snuggled up next to Lance. "You sure you don't want none? I'd share with you."

 

Lance chuckled as he shook his head.  Keith was such a cute drunk.  "That's very kind of you, but I'll pass.  Just one drink can put me in the hospital for a week!  I'd rather not do that again."

 

"Oh. Okay." Keith said. "I'll drink your share then so you don't get sick."

 

"You do that."  Lance grinned.  "Though you'll be the one sick in the morning."

 

"Nope. I don't get sick." Keith grinned. "This party is boring we need dancing…but Lance can't dance…so games, we need to play some games."

 

"Games?  What kind?  I love games."  Pidge said as he walked into the room with some bottles and a bag of chips, pretzels, and popcorn.  He quickly set everything out on a table before handing Lance a six pack of soda.  "I remembered."  Pidge grinned.

 

"Thanks pal." Lance smiled as he opened a can.  "What games did you have in mind, Keith?"

 

"Ummm…" Keith thought about the question.

 

"Strip…anything." Sven suggested, a huge smile on his face.

 

Pidge whapped Sven on the head before plopping down beside him on the couch.  "I told you save it for later."  Pidge snorted before taking a sip of his drink.

 

"Umm…what's a fun game to play…party game…umm…twister….Um...Who wins dares…no what that's s game show…something dare is a party game. " Keith said.

 

Hunk blinked while mixing his own drink.  "Um, come again?  I have no clue what you just said."

 

"You know the party game with dare ya to do…and people dare each other." Keith said. "Or there is twister."

 

"Twister is only fun when you're naked." Sven pouted.

 

"I'm gamed for Twister."  Hunk laughed.  "Or play against someone in pool."

 

"I'll play." Keith jumped to his feet and handed Lance the empty bottle. "Guard that for me."

 

"Um...sure."  Lance chuckled as he held the empty bottle.  "I'm sure someone will try and take it."

 

Keith nodded and dashed over to the table. Watching Hunk set up the balls that he had scattered earlier, he tapped the larger man on the shoulder. "Do you really fix things?"

 

Hunk chuckled.  "I try.  What do you need fixed?"

 

Keith leaned in closer to whisper the answer to Hunk. "Me and Lance."

 

"Oh?"  Hunk's eyes widened.  He quickly glanced over his shoulder.  If Lance heard anything, he didn't show it as he talked to Pidge and Sven.  "How so?"  He whispered back to Keith.

 

"'Cause I want to be with him. Need you to fix us up." Keith whispered.

 

Hunk smirked.  This could be fun!  "What would you like me to do?"

 

"Fix it." Keith said. "You said you fix things, so fix it."

 

"Hmmm..." Hunk frowned slightly.  "I can try, but why don't you ask him yourself?  I think he likes you too."

 

Keith shook his head. "He'd laugh."

 

"Oh?  Okay."  Hunk chuckled as he lined up his shot to break.  "So you want me to set you two up on a date then?"

 

Keith thought about it. "Would that fix it?"

 

"It just might.  If not right away, then very soon."  Hunk bit back a laugh. 

 

"Why not right away?" Keith asked.

 

"These things are not so simple, Keith."  Hunk replied, easily scattering the balls with his shot.  A striped ball landed in a pocket.  "For one thing, I know Lance won't take advantage of you while you're drunk."

 

"It's not advantage." Keith said, watching the balls roll around on the table. "I want him to take me."

 

Hunk nearly choked!  "Um...well, he may think it is since you've had so much to drink."

 

"Oh. So it can't be fixed?" Keith asked sadly.

 

"I didn't say that.  It just may take some time."  Hunk grinned as he watched Keith try and line his shot.  "I have an idea on how to get it started.  You gamed?"

 

Keith took a shot scattering balls everywhere but not getting a single one in any of the holes.  "I'm gamed."

 

"Then just play along." Hunk smirked before glancing back at the couch.  Lance was blushing and staring wide-eyed as Sven and Pidge were making out.  "Hey Lance." Hunk coughed, getting his blushing friend's attention.  "How about joining us since those two are busy?  I think Keith may need some help in his current condition."

 

"Sure." Lance pulled himself away from the growing in heat scene and walked over to the pool table.  "What's up?"

 

"I need help." Keith said, looking at the balls on the table. "The balls won't go in the holes."

 

Lance laughed, moving to stand next to Keith.  "Okay.  Who's what and who's turn?"

 

"Mine.  And stripped."  Hunk chuckled as he lined up his shot.  He managed to get two in before finally missing.  "Your turn."

 

"Alright, Keith."  Lance smiled as he stood behind his friend.  "What shot do you want to try?"

 

"Umm…the red ball by the side hole." Keith said.

 

"Okay.  Now line up your cue."  Lance grinned as he wrapped his arms around Keith to help him steady his pole.  "That's it...now just apply a little pressure..."

 

Keith pressed himself back against Lance slightly, relaxing in the arms that held him.

 

Lance blushed, completely missing Hunk's smirk.  Must be the alcohol.  That had to be the reason.  Keith would never normally do this.  "Um...that's it.  Shoot whenever you're ready."

 

Instead of taking the shot, Keith let go of the pool stick and turned around to face Lance. He slid his hands around Lance's waist and tucked his hands into the back pockets of the man's jeans. Before Lance could even utter a word, Keith kissed him on the lips.

 

Lance gasped, allowing Keith to slide his tongue inside.  Moaning at the wonderful sensation, Lance closed his eyes and moved his arms around his captain's waist.  Then the taste of alcohol shocked his senses, yanking him out of the dream.  He quickly pulled back, gasping though he didn't let go of Keith's waist.  "Um...Keith?"

 

"Yes, Lance?" Keith asked, leaning into Lance's warm embrace.

 

"Uh..." Lance could see Hunk smirking from the corner of his eye.  "Um...why did you do that?"

 

"Umm…." Keith said nervously, his hands moving to drop down by his sides.  "Now it's too broke to fix." He said quietly. He would've moved away but he was trapped between Lance and the pool table.

 

"What's too broke to fix?"  Lance smiled, refusing to let go of Keith's waist.  It may be just the alcohol talking, but he wasn't going to let Keith slip away that easily.  "You can talk to me."

 

Keith shook his head, not looking at Lance. "You'll laugh."

 

"I promise I won't laugh."  Lance smiled slightly.  He knew he was going to have a heartbreak once Keith sobered up, but may as well enjoy it while it lasted.  "If it is about the kiss, I really liked it."

 

Keith raised his head and looked at Lance. "You did? Why'd you stop then?"

 

"Because I wanted to know why you did it."  Lance said, dimly noticing Hunk help a very drunk Sven and getting drunk Pidge out of the room.

 

"To fix us. Hunk said he'd help because he can fix things." Keith said.

 

"So that is what he was doing."  Lance wanted to kick himself for not noticing the oldest trick in the book.  Leave it to Hunk. "Why did you want him to fix us?"

 

"He fixes things so I thought he could fix us…make us be together." Keith said.

 

"Oh."  Lance smiled brightly.  "Well, I think he did that...at least for tonight."

 

"Oh…only tonight?" Keith asked quietly.

 

Lance nodded.  "It all depends on how you feel in the morning as to how long it will last.  You may change your mind when you come to your senses."

 

Keith shook his head. "Felt it before so I'll feel it after."

 

"We'll see." Lance smiled slightly.  "Do you want to keep trying to play pool?"

 

Keith shook his head. "I want to play with you."

 

"Um...I don't go that fast." Lance sighed at the disappointed look on Keith's face.  "How about we sit on the couch and watch a movie?"

 

Keith thought about the offer. "Can I at least sit with you?"

 

"Of course!"  Lance laughed as he led Keith over to the couch.  Once Keith was seated, Lance walked to the TV and flipped through the DVDs.  "What do you want to watch?"

 

"Whatever you want to watch is okay with me." Keith said.

 

"That really doesn't help me, Keith." Lance sighed.  Finally, he just picked a classic, Disney's 'Fantasia'.  He always found the music very relaxing and the animation really good.  Once he got it playing, he cut off all the lights.  Lance plopped down next to Keith and wrapped a blanket around both of them.  "How's that?"

 

Keith curled up next to Lance, wrapping one arm over Lance's waist in order to pull himself even closer. He rested his head against the inside of Lance's shoulder. "Can I hold you and you hold me?" He asked in a whisper.

 

Lance smiled.  Keith could be really cute when his guard was down.  "Sure."  He gently wrapped his arms around the drunk, pulling him even closer.  Then Lance lightly kissed his friend's forehead.  "That better?"

 

Keith smiled. "Much better…very much so better. I'm glad it could be fixed."

 

"Me too." Lance whispered, tenderly rubbing his hand down Keith's back.  It didn't take long before Keith fell into a drunken sleep, a smile on his face.  Lance sighed and tried to focus on the movie, hoping it would distract him from the feelings rushing through him.  No such luck.  Damn, was it going to hurt when Keith came to his senses in the morning!  Lance held Keith tighter and rested his head on Keith's.  It was going to be a long night!

************************************************************************

Keith slept soundly, never moving away from Lance the entire night.  Though with morning came the effects of all he had drank the night before. He moaned slightly as along with consciousness came pain. He curled up tighter when it dawned on him that he was curling up to another body. Keith stopped moving, but never opened his eyes as he tried to figure out who the warm body next to him was. Whoever it was was too small to be Sven, which was his first guess. Reluctantly Keith slowly cracked open his eyes.

 

To say that Keith was shocked to see Lance was the one holding him would've been a major understatement.  Keith's head was resting on Lance's shoulder, the other man's arms still wrapped around him.  Lance was sound asleep, his head resting against the couch. 

 

Keith blinked his eyes a couple times, positive that would make the scene before him change.  But it did nothing to change the fact that he was cuddled up against Lance. 'It has to be a dream. Yup, that's it.  I'm dreaming.' Keith decided and he curled back up against Lance and closed his eyes.

 

Several more minutes passed before Lance finally stirred.  He really didn't want to wake up from his pleasant dream...that is until he realized that it wasn't a dream this time.  Lance stared down at the man in his arms, smiling slightly as he remembered the events from last night.  It was definitely a night to remember, though now it was time for reality.  Not really sure how to wake Keith, Lance just gently rubbed Keith's back and hoping that it didn't make the guy sick and throw up!

 

"Don't wanna get up yet." Keith mumbled.

 

Lance chuckled softly.  "Alright. I'm sure that you are starting to feel the effects of that hangover."

 

Keith slowly opened his eyes for the second time that morning. He lifted his head off Lance's shoulder and looked at the other man. He blinked a couple times, still determined that blinking could change what he saw.  Then deciding no amount of blinking would change the fact he was there with Lance, he tried to think of something to say. "So…um…good morning Lance."

 

"Good morning."  Lance smiled warmly, though inside he was hurting.  Didn't seem like Keith remembered much of last night or at least thought it was a dream.  "How are you feeling?"

 

"Um…hung over." Keith groaned. "How are you feeling?  Wait stupid question, you don't drink so of course you feel fine."

 

"I thought you said you never got hung over no matter how much you drank."  Lance laughed softly.  "But then again, you probably never mixed alcohol with a type of marijuana before either."

 

"Um…yeah I guess not. At least I'm not paying homage to the porcelain bowl." Keith said. "Just feeling a little fuzzy."

 

"At least you aren't seeing yellow elephants either."

 

"Yellow elephants? I think I had more then just a little too much to drink." Keith sighed, leaning his head back against the couch.

 

"You and Sven both.  Both of you thought Hunk was a yellow elephant.  I'm sure Sven is really feeling it now.  Pidge too, though he didn't drink the same stuff you two did."  Lance said as he placed his hand on Keith's forehead.  "You don't look too good, but at least you don't have a fever.  You slept so soundly that I was starting to worry that maybe you were allergic to whatever that stuff was."

 

Keith smiled, touched by Lance's concern. "I don't remember much about last night. I'm still trying to piece together some non-sensible images…I didn't do anything too…overly stupid, did I?"

 

"Not really.  Though I'll admit it was strange seeing you relaxed for a change.  You should do it more often."  Lance smiled, rapidly losing his nerve to mention what Keith had said to him.  It might be better to wait until after Keith was feeling better...if ever.  The last thing Lance ever wanted was to embarrass his best friend...even if he really wanted to know the truth.

 

Keith chuckled. "No way…at least not again for a long time. I doubt Hunk liked being called a yellow elephant. At least waking up with you I know I didn't do something as stupid as to go to bed with Sven."

 

"Nope, I think that was Pidge."  Lance laughed.  "Though I hope Hunk didn't get caught in between them.  Last I saw him, he was helping those two out the door."

 

"Oh…I don't know if I want to know the outcome to that one." Keith laughed then moaned. "You know something, I think I should have some coffee to drink to try to get over this hangover fog."

 

"Might be a good idea."  Lance reluctantly let go of Keith to stand up, though he quickly grabbed a hold of Keith when he stood up and swayed.  "Easy there, skipper."

 

"Okay, so I admit I am a little hung over." Keith said as he leaned against Lance.

 

"Gee, only a little."  Lance snorted good-naturedly as he slowly helped Keith to the door.  "I guess that is a start."

 

Keith stopped and looked at Lance. "Something seems…off about you this morning. Are you upset about something I did last night? I know you're not pissed at me or I would've woken up alone…but are you upset about something?"

 

"Not at all."  Lance somehow managed to force a believable smile.  He wasn't upset at Keith, just himself for getting his hopes too high.  "I just slept wrong.  Kinda stiff."

 

"No…it's something else. I know how you act when you slept wrong and are kinda stiff…you are more irritable then." Keith grinned. "I'll figure out eventually what's bothering you."

 

Lance laughed.  "Maybe.  But I'm just tired.  Nothing that some sleep in a nice bed won't cure."

 

"Let's see…what do I remember about last night…." Keith said as he started walking once again. "Arguing about ages…at least I think it was age. Hmm…dancing…did I step on your feet? Is that it?"

 

"Nope.  Not even close."  Lance chuckled as he helped Keith toward the kitchen.  "And you'll never guess since nothing is wrong.  Maybe I should bet some money on this.  I would actually win for once."

 

"There is something wrong and I will figure it out once I can actually put two and two together and get an answer other then ten." Keith laughed.

 

"Damn.  I thought that was what two and two equaled."  Lance laughed as they finally walked into the kitchen.  After helping Keith into his chair, Lance walked over to the coffeepot.  "How do you like it?"

 

"Milk and sugar." Keith said as he watched Lance. "You're not even going to give me a hint, are you?"

 

Lance shook his head as he poured the coffee.  "I would if there was something wrong.  I'm just tired.  You'd be off too if you woke up from a pleasant dream too soon."

 

Keith frowned. "That's almost every morning though."

 

"For you or me?"  Lance grinned, handing Keith a cup before sitting close by with his own cup.

 

Keith held the cup in both hands and brought it up to his lips, not answering Lance's question.

 

Lance chuckled as he shook his head.  "Stop worrying about me.  I told you, I'm fine.  You're the one with the hangover, not me!"

 

"Something is wrong, I can feel it." Keith said. He set the cup down, chewing on his bottom lip for a moment. "I'm just not sure why you aren't telling me. I'm trying to figure out what I did that was so bad but you won't even say it."

 

"Keith...please."  Lance sighed, putting his cup down and taking his friend's hands in his own.  "I'm telling the truth.  You did absolutely nothing wrong.  I'm not mad or upset at you at all.  Please believe me on this."

 

"Something is wrong." Keith said. "What did I do, go and do something stupid like saying I love you?" Keith's eyes looked panicked for a second. He grabbed the coffee cup again, quickly hiding his face the best he could behind the large mug.

 

Lance smiled slightly.  "I said it before and I'll say it again.  You did nothing wrong!  Yes something is wrong, but it is a personal problem that I have to deal with on my own.  If need be, I'll tell you about it.  But right now, you have more important things to worry about."  Lance chuckled softly.  "Like how you are going to deal with that pounding head of yours."

 

Keith set the mug down. "Maybe a long sleep will make things look better." He stood up. "A very long sleep." He mumbled.

 

"It'll probably help.  But I'm telling the truth."  Lance sighed, putting his own cup down.  "I'll cover for you so you can get some sleep."

 

"Yeah…whatever." Keith said.

 

Lance flinched.  That hurt!  It hurt almost as much as Keith not remembering anything about what he said.  Sighing he stood up and took the cups to the sink.  "You did and said nothing wrong considering the amount of alcohol you had.  Now go get some sleep before you pass out again."

 

Keith nodded weakly and walked out the door. Though he didn't head to his room, instead he wandered along the cold and empty hallways. He stopped before one of the many windows and sat on the stone windowsill.  He pulled his knees up to his chest, wrapping his arms loosely around his legs as he stared at the falling rain.

 

"Morning."  Keith jumped slightly, turning his head to see Hunk walking up to him.  "What are you doing up?  Figured you would still be passed out like Pidge and Sven."

 

"I've been wondering that myself." Keith said, turning back to look out at the rain.

 

Hunk plopped himself down next to his captain on the windowsill.  "So...what's eating you?  Besides a hangover."

 

"Other then the fact that I don't think Lance likes me very much this morning…."

 

"The day Lance stops liking you is the day I kiss Allura and like it!"  Hunk snorted.  "Why do you think that?"

 

"He refuses to tell me what is wrong…I think I know what it is because when I suggested it…he totally ignored what I said, and it wasn't exactly anything that can be ignored."

 

"Oh."  Hunk frowned slightly.  Those two were pathetic!  "Well, tell me what you remember.  I was there too.  Or have you forgotten the yellow elephant?"

 

"Lance mentioned something about that." Keith said. "There isn't much to talk about. Lance insists that nothing is wrong, even though I know there is. When I…accidentally made a certain suggestion he acted like I never said it. So I think that is the problem and Lance is just too nice to say anything."

 

Hunk sighed.  "So you don't really remember anything.  That complicates matters.  What did you suggest?"

 

"I remember a few things. Vague little snippets. Though now I am not sure what happened was just a dream." Keith said.

 

"Hmm...do you remember what you wanted me to do?"

 

Keith shook his head, trailing a finger along the window following a droplet of water. "As I said I really only remember some vague little snippets of last night."

 

"Do you want me to tell you?  Or would you prefer to try and remember for yourself?"

 

"Doesn't matter too much." Keith said. He seemed more interested in the droplets of rain that ran along the windowpane then what Hunk had to say.

 

Hunk frowned slightly.  "You asked me if I fixed things.  Perhaps I can fix this crazy misunderstanding between you two."

 

Keith shook his head. "This isn't something that can be fixed…it can but I haven't decided yet if I want to fix it that way."

 

"Okay.  If you want to talk, I'll be in the mechanics bay."  Hunk sighed as he stood up.  "But I've known Lance much longer than you have.  I almost understand how he thinks...not completely since that's impossible.  And though I'm not sure what happened after I left, I have a pretty good idea."  He smiled reassuringly at Keith.  "You mean a lot to Lance.  He would never hate you."

 

"Hate may have been too strong of a word." Keith said. He rested his head against the cool glass, his warm breath steaming up the glass. "Maybe mild dislike is better."

 

Hunk chuckled as he squeezed Keith's shoulder.  "Not even that.  You may annoy the crap out of him sometimes, but never that."

 

"Safe to say that he doesn't feel the same way of me that I feel of him." Keith sighed.

 

"Wrong again."  Hunk shook his head in disbelief.  Were those two really that blind?  And for how long?  "I can say no more without breaking the promise between us, but I will say this...he cares far more for you than you will ever truly know, no matter how you chose to handle this situation."

 

"Thanks for the attempt at making me feeling better." Keith said quietly.

 

Hunk shrugged.  "It's the truth.  If I were a betting man, I would say his feelings far surpass your own.  You know where to find me if you'd like to talk."

 

"I don't feel much like talking." Keith mumbled.

 

"I know.  But if you do..." Hunk smiled, patting Keith's back before walking down the hallway.

 

Keith sat in the window for a while longer before continuing down the hallway. He shivered at the coldness and wrapped his arms around himself in a futile attempt to find warmth. The cold emptiness of the hallways seemed to mock him, provoking the Voltron captain to move faster down their lengths. Keith was paying little attention to where he was going, suddenly finding himself walking down the same hall as Lance. Before he could change his direction Lance saw him, so he gave up thoughts of escaping and walked over to the other Voltron pilot.

 

"Hey there."  Lance smiled as Keith walked up.  "You feeling better?"

 

"Basically." Keith said, staring at a spot on the floor.

 

"Are you sure?"  Lance asked, cupping Keith's chin so that they were eye to eye.  He was in a better frame of mind than before.  It still hurt that Keith forgot all that he said, but it wasn't his fault and it didn't mean he didn't mean those words from last night.  Though judging from Keith's face, now was not the time to talk about it.  "I still don't feel a fever." Lance mumbled as he touched Keith's forehead again.  "How's your stomach?"

 

"My stomach is fine. So is my head. The only problem left is in a place that can never be fixed." Keith said.

 

Lance frowned.  "What are you talking about?  Do you need a doctor?"

 

"I don't need a doctor." Keith said. He diverted his eyes away from Lance's. "I think I figured the problem out. Since you never commented on…one of the things I said. Obviously my admitting that I love you was not a dream, everything after that I believe I am safe to assume was a dream. I am sorry that I said it and upset you. Whatever you want done to fix the problem I will do it…"

 

"Whoa, whoa.  Slow down."  Lance smiled.  "What are you talking about?  First off, I meant it when I said I wasn't upset with you.  I just didn't want to talk about last night until you were feeling better.  I don't want to make you uncomfortable when you already feel like shit.  Secondly, what do you think was a dream?"

 

He still refused to look Lance in the eyes. "The kiss."

 

"That was real."  Lance smiled as he cupped Keith's chin again, his heart lightened that maybe Keith remembered more than he thought.  "You don't have to apologize for that.  I liked it.  And it's not very often someone gets the jump on me like that, sober or drunk!"

 

"Umm…am I asleep right now?" Keith blinked. "I thought you just said it was real and you liked it."

 

Lance chuckled softly.  "I never knew there was an echo in this hallway."

 

"If it was real and you liked it…why is there a problem?"

 

"Good question."  Lance shrugged helplessly.  "When you didn't remember, I thought it was just the alcohol and plant that were talking.  I didn't want to talk about it right then.  And I didn't want to upset or embarrass you if it were the drinks talking."

 

"The faint lingering feel of your lips upon mine lingers like a beautiful dream. Though the drink may be the only reason I had courage enough to kiss you and not allow the fear of the worst possible outcome to prevent me from doing so." Keith smiled slightly.

 

Lance smiled even brighter as he brushed some of that soft black hair behind Keith's ear.  "I wish you had gotten drunk sooner.  I've been wanting to kiss you for a very, very long time."

 

Keith looked into Lance's eyes. "Really? If I had only known that I would've kissed you long ago. I have dreamed of kissing you so many times…that is why I thought the kisses we shared were nothing more then another dream."

 

"OH FOR PETE'S SAKE!"  Lance and Keith jumped as Hunk's voice yelled from down the hallway.  "KISS ALREADY SO I CAN GO FIX SOMETHING ELSE!"

 

Keith wrapped his arms around Lance, smiling brightly as Lance's arms wrapped around him. The embrace chased away the chill and filled the emptiness in his soul. "I love you, Lance. More than there are words to express the depth of my love."

 

"I love you too.  More than you will ever know."  Lance whispered before dropping his head on Keith's shoulder.  He chuckled softly.  "I was wondering why Hunk asked to meet me in this hallway.  I fell for another one of the oldest tricks in the book...again!"

 

Keith smiled. He glanced in the direction where Hunk had been standing, seeing that the mechanic had disappeared once again. "We can thank him later." Keith gently took Lance's chin into his hand and raised Lance's head. Slowly he closed the distance between their lips, kissing Lance lightly but with a fiery passion and a love that was from the very depths of one's heart and soul. After a moment he pulled back from the kiss and smiled lovingly at Lance. "Perhaps it is you who will never know the depth of my love for you… though I like to have forever to show you."

 

"I seriously doubt it."  Lance grinned as he pulled Keith even closer to him.  "But I'm up to the challenge."  Then he slide one hand through Keith's hair, pulling him back down for another kiss.

 

The kiss was filled with so much fire and passion, promising for so much more, that neither man noticed a large figure slowly slipped out of the shadows and down the hall.  Hunk shook his head, chuckling to himself.  "Not bad if I do say so myself.  I wonder what else needs to be fixed."  Whistling an old love tune, Hunk quickly walked away, leaving the two new lovers in peace.

 

owari ^_~