Lance didnβt even need to hear Hunkβs call. He knew as soon as the door opened that Keith was there, and subconsciously his lips cracked into a grin. He only heard the muffled sounds of everyone greeting him, and it didnβt take long for the brunet to bust it down the stairs. In doing so, he nearly fell flat on his face, but in a huff he stood at the bottom of the steps and facing Keith. Keith in all his glory. It was Keith, sure enough- smooth jawline, burned scar across his cheek, and holy crow that was some long hair. Really, really long hair. His fingers practically itched to run through it or make fun of it.
Lance was left in some sort of stupor for a moment, which he quickly shook out of and approached his former teammate with a blooming grin. βMullet! Look at that, my favorite team member.β He feigned approaching him, before dipping down to Kosmoβs height with a wry smirk pulling more amusedly on his lips. Lance loved to pet the space wolf, all the the hot dog breath and slobber he tried to get on his skin. He veered away from it and ended up standing up, ocean eyes clashing with violet shores. His heart almost caught in his throat. Okay, woah, thatβs a bit much. It was just Keith! Muscular, cooler, Keith. Rightβ¦
His hand collided with Keithβs back, sliding further to embrace his shoulders and then pull his chest towards his own, other hand wrapping where his arm rested. A firm hug, one he hadnβt experienced with Keith more than once before. He pulled away before he could think about it much more. βGlad you made it on time. And, I just so happened to finish up some presents.β He nudged Keith with his elbow in the side. Lance turned back to the rest of the group, clasping his hands together simply and gesturing to both the couch and the dining room. βFood ready yet? Or should we spend time talking about how we could all braid Keithβs hair?β His eyes slid back to the victim of his sentence, and he heard Pidge give a snort of amusement.
Hunk just grinned a little and nodded. βFoodβs all set out! We can catch up more over that?β He suggested, and Lance was already agreeing, glancing to Shiro.
βOh yeah, your favorite, Iβm sure.β Keith rolled violet hues, not even remotely surprised as Lance had pretended to approach him, only to approach the huge space wolf at his side instead. That was just typical Lance, and though it still annoyed him every so often, it was something that he had softened towards over time. Voltron as a whole had really softened him, made him realize he didnβt have to be so closed off, didnβt have to put up a wall to protect himself from getting hurt. They had his back, and he had theirs, and Keith was a lot more smiling and laughing with them now than he had been when he had first been stuck in space with a group of strangers.Β
What had shocked him more than Lanceβs typical response, though, was the actual, genuine hug of affection. He had been worried about Lance, since the loss of Allura. Of course, they had all felt it and all been impacted, but he knew Lance had taken in harder than the others due to his feelings. Keith had shoved his own feelings aside, being happy for his friend. He deserved to be happy, with someone that wasnβt emotionally compromised. Eyes widened a bit, arms frozen to his sides, before moving upwards and embracing Lance, squeezing him tightly against his muscled torso. As soon as they pulled back from each other, Keithβs eyes searched Lance - wanting to make sure the other was okay.Β
However, the mention of presents made him freeze. He wasβ¦.still not completely savvy with the gift thing, because he hadnβt grown up with much, and holidays were still a fairly new thing to him.Β βI didnβt get anyone presents. I should go and get some.β Keith seemed cool on the outside, but internally he was panicked, like he had messed up everything. He was sure that was why he felt Shiroβs human hand on his shoulder, giving a gentle squeeze.Β βIβm sure everyone agrees that the fact that you came is more than enough.β Leave it to Shiro to not only be the voice of reason, but to know Keith better than anyone else, and calming him even when he didnβt voice that he needed calming. He visibly softened, giving a small nod.Β
βIβm still so new to all this holiday stuff. Even in space with you guys, the war was still always on my mind and -Β β Thank fuck, for once, for Lance, coming in with the save in regards to his hair. Keith snorted at this, shooting Lance a look, before Shiro was guiding them all towards the kitchen. Curtis, of course, was there as well, and Keith smiled as he stood, embracing his best friendβs husband. They exchanged their words, Curtis explaining that he hadnβt wanted to intrude on them all catching up - not that Keith would consider it an intrusion, he was their best man after all. Grabbing a seat, Kosmo laid his huge head against Keithβs lap, the paladin laughing and ruffling his fur with a gloved hand.Β βHow about you go play outside, buddy?β Keith tilted his head, giving him a knowing look with violet eyes, and with a sharp cracking sound, the giant wolf had disappeared.Β