Lance pretends to be asleep when Shiro walks into the room
[Also on ao3]
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Lance wasn't asleep. He was just resting his eyes but sprawled out on a comfortable sofa that was long enough to accommodate his lanky frame, an arm thrown over his eyes to protect against the glare of the lights, and the rest of his limbs thrown any way he pleased, Lance felt he could easily doze off.
It felt like a lazy Saturday afternoon, although what day it was was hard to pinpoint, the point stood that there was nothing to do and no urgent matter that required his attention, so he was free to lounge.
He stretched out on the sofa and shifted to find a new, more comfortable position. He settled down again pretty quickly and sighed.
Yes, there was nothing to do. He was growing bored. Not bored enough to get up and find something to do. If only some form of entertainment would come along and just fall into his lap.
The door hissed open, and Shiro walked in. Even though he kept his eyes closed, Lance could tell by the footsteps and the sigh it was Shiro.
He heard Shiro move closer and kept perfectly still, fighting off the smirk that threatened to take over. Perfect. It was childish and silly, but it was something to alleviate his boredom. As soon as Shiro was close enough, he would jump up and startle him! What kind of face would Shiro make? He couldn't wait to see.
Lance felt a blanket bring draped over him and large, gentle hands tucking it securely around him. He froze.
“You really should sleep in your bed if you need a nap,” Shiro chided softly, but he didn't try to wake Lance. When he was sure the blanket was secure, he moved to dim the lights.
Well, there was no way Lance could surprise Shiro now. Not after that. Feeling his cheeks heat up Lance nuzzled into the blanket hoping it would hide his blush.
Shiro returned and very carefully sat down on the small space left on the sofa, right by Lance's head. The top of his head just brushed against Shiro's thigh, enough to tickle. He both wanted to snuggle closer and get up and run away. He did neither and instead kept perfectly still.
The sofa moved just a little as Shiro shifted, making himself comfortable, and then Lance heard the rustle of papers. After a moment of still silence, Lance risked a peek.
Shiro was pouring over some important looking documents with a deep crease between his brows. Whatever he was reading caused his frown to deepen, and he tutted as he turned to the next page. Lance quickly closed his eyes again.
- - -
When Lance woke a short while later Shiro was still there, and the lights were still low, but now his head was on Shiro's lap, and Shiro's hand was buried in his hair as if he had just been running his fingers through it.
Blearily Lance looked up at Shiro. He was asleep, head bowed, and his chin was resting against his chest. The crease between his brows had smoothed out, and his lips were relaxed and almost smiling. He looked peaceful.
Lance was warm and comfortable; it would be so easy to go back to sleep. Why get up now? And besides, Shiro looked like he needed the rest. Moving carefully so as not to dislodge Shiro's hand Lance pressed his face into the other man's stomach.
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So this piece itself isn’t really shance and I’m hesitant to tag it as such because of that, but it is from my shance HTTYD AU and I GUARANTEE Shiro is off to the side making heart eyes at Lance because this is what he sees when he sees Lance for the first time in like 5 years (I really need to get a proper time line together for this AU because I am awful at remembering time lapses and ages that I had in mind for this).
Anyways, I was gonna do at least a sketch of how Shiro looks when he sees Lance and the babies, but, like, I just finished this up because I got unexpectedly busy so. Yeah. Will be something I do eventually, though.
Also the babies were originally going to be those generic looking dragons, but I love Nadders so much so they are Deadly Nadder babies instead!!
This was supposed to be a nice ‘get Shiro back’ homecoming and then I had to go make Lance and Kuro suffer. So langst and some one sided luro abound
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No one had believed him when Lance first raised his doubts about 'Shiro'. Lance didn't want to believe it either, and even the man himself was certain he was 'Shiro', it had taken several, almost failed missions, and a lot of pushing to open everyone's eyes, including 'Shiro's'.
He wasn't their enemy. Upon discovering the truth he'd been as shocked and upset as the rest of the team, and after working with him for some time, the team trusted him. They called him Kuro to avoid confusion because he was like a shadow of Shiro, his exact replica in almost every aspect.
But he wasn't Shiro, and they needed the real Shiro back. Although Kuro could fly the black lion, there was no telling what the Galra had done to him, when he might turn against them. Kuro had no idea what the Galra had planned letting him go to them, but he knew it could only mean trouble.
Kuro couldn't stay, at least not as the Black paladin, so he helped them track down Shiro. With his help they had the advantage, deep inside he held memories that flowed free after he discovered the truth of his birth. He held valuable information about the Galra, and Shiro's possible whereabouts, and although they knew it might be a trap, it was worth the risk.
It took raiding several Galra ship before they found the right one before they found Shiro.
Lance was paired with Kuro as they made their way through the ship, although the team trusted him to a degree no one else felt comfortable being alone with the false Shiro.
“Stop,” Kuro hissed. He grabbed Lance's arm and pulled him back into the shadows just as a patrol marched passed. They held their breath, but their presence went unnoticed.
“Thanks,” Lance smiled when they were gone. Kuro hadn't let go of his arm yet, his hand lingering on Lance until the Blue paladin moved away and continued down the corridor.
They found Shiro in a cell, chained up and barely conscious. Kuro used his Galra prosthetic to open the door, laughing dryly when it worked.
“You'd think they fix that by now.”
Lance ignored diving into the cell desperately without even taking a moment to check his surroundings.
“Shiro! Shiro, can you hear me?” Lance went straight to Shiro, his hands frantically trying to release the chains that bound him. They shook too much to do anything.
“La-ance...” Shiro groaned as he struggled to lift his head. Lance smiled and almost cried in relief.
“Yeah it's me, we're going to get you out of here.”
Shiro looked over Lance's shoulder to the figure behind him. His eyes narrowed in confusion, he blinked a few times trying to clear his vision, but it still looked the same. The man behind Lance looked exactly like him.
“Is that...me?”
“I'll explain later. First, we have to get you out.”
Kuro moved closer, slicing at the chains with his glowing prosthetic. It sure did come in handy. Lance caught Shiro, pulling the other man's arm over his shoulder to support him. Shiro slumped but had enough strength to stay on his feet with Lance's help. Enough strength to walk. Good.
Kuro step aside letting them leave the cell first. When they were safely back out in the corridor, he closed the door behind them, locking himself in the cell.
“Kuro? Kuro what happen?” Lance hissed turning back to the door.
“I'm going to stay here. I can buy you some time like this, it may take them days to notice the switch, and if I stay here, then I'm no threat to the team. You'll all be safe." He explained calmly.
“What? No Kuro you have to come with us, you're a part of the team,” Lance hissed. He looked like he wanted to kick the door down himself but he could do nothing with Shiro weighing him down. Kuro lifted a glowing fist and destroyed the control panel inside the cell. The door made a clattering, groaning noise, and a final click. Even the prosthetic wouldn't be able to open the door now.
“Go. You need him more than you need me.”
“Kuro...that's not...you can't stay here, who knows what they'll do to you,” Lance protested.
“I am the first, and to my knowledge, only successful copy. They are unlikely to kill me even when they discover the swap. I'll be fine.”
Lance sucked in a breath, choking on a sob.
“How can you be so calm? You can't-”
“Go,” Kuro commanded before he could finish, before he could waste any more time. There would be another patrol soon.
“You have to get him out of here. He needs a healing pod.” Kuro knew it was a low blow, but I was the only way he was going to make Lance leave.
Lance looked over at Shiro, his eyes softening. He looked like he was going to cry again. Closing his eyes tight he forced the tears back, and when he opened them again, they flashed with determination.
“We'll come back for you.” He promised.
He left with Shiro.
- - - -
The pod hissed open, and Shiro stepped out. He felt weak and would have fallen if not for Lance's waiting arms.
“Hey Shiro, welcome home,” he laughed. His eyes were watering, Shiro only saw them for a moment before Lance was hugging him tight, his head tucked into the crook of Shiro's neck. Shiro returned the embrace, holding on to Lance he tried not to put his whole weight on the other and held him close.
“I'm sorry, I'm sorry,” Lance muttered, he sniffed, his voice shook, and then Shiro felt the tears hit his shoulder. He squeezed tighter pulling Lance against him.
“It's ok,” he soothed running his fingers through Lance's hair.
The memories of his rescue were hazy. He remembered Lance coming into his cell, and he remembered the man who looked just like him. He remembered muffled conversation that he hadn't quite been able to make out but he'd heard the pain in Lance's voice. Shiro was able to put the pieces together.
Lance felt guilty for sacrificing someone to save another, even though it hadn't been his fault, even though Shiro was certain that the man had no hesitation in taking his place.
If, when placing his memories into the clone, the Galra had even left a fraction of what Lance meant to him, Shiro knew Kuro had no regrets and would do the same thing again in a heartbeat.
Just like the rest of my shance month drabbles, this is from my Shance HTTYD AU and this is when Lance first introduces Shiro to Blue.
“Just come a little closer,” Lance said, waving Shiro over, “I promise she won’t bite.”
Shiro slowly moved closer before Lance rolled his eyes and grabbed his boyfriend’s hand and pulling him forward. Shiro stumbled a bit, but quickly regained his footing and found himself face to face with a Night Fury... Lance’s Night Fury. He tentatively brought his hand up before the Night Fury let out a low rumble and bared her teeth. Her very sharp teeth.
“Blue!” Lance scolded the black dragon, who then ducked her head and at least attempted to look sorry. Lance’s face softened and he brought his hands up to rest under Blue’s head, slowly brushing his right hand along her neck. She leaned into the touch and closed her eyes.
Shiro shifted on his feet and was about to say something, but Lance spoke first.
“I was hurting for a long time, you know. After I left Arus,” Lance whispered, a solemn look overcoming his features, “I begged her to take me away and she did,” a small smile made it’s way onto Lances face as he moved his hand from Blue’s neck to behind her ear and started to scratch the spot, “She brought me here and I instantly fell in love with the place. All the dragons, they’re all so happy and care free, safe and sound with their families. They helped me heal and move on, all of them did.”
Still looking at Blue, Lance continued, his eyebrows drawing together, “It hurt when I left. Everyone was so angry at me for even suggesting that dragons were capable of the kindness I knew they were. When Blue saved my life, I knew that no creature that would save another from certain death could be as cruel as everyone believed them to be,” Lance’s expression was one of distress now, “But no one wanted to believe me. Not Hunk, not Pidge, Matt, Keith... not even you, Shiro,” Lance said as he turned to look Shiro straight in the eyes.
Shiro’s heart hurt at the expression Lance wore. Just as Shiro was about to speak, he was again cut off.
“I know you were grieving. You and Keith both, but I still hoped you would at least stand by me,” Lance was looking back at Blue now, turned away from Shiro, “I needed you, Shiro, but you just let everyone bad mouth me. You shut me out. I... I still don’t know if I can forgive you for that,” Lance let his eyes fall shut, letting his forehead rest against Blue’s, “But I have moved on,” Lance turned back to Shiro, “And I’m ready to try this again because I really missed you, Shiro.”
Shiro isn’t sure what kind of expression is on his face, but he is sure it looks like the pain-stricken one Lance wears. He takes one, two, three big steps towards Lance and wraps his arms around him and then they are both crying. Shiro crying for all the pain he has caused someone so close to his heart, crying because of how much he loves Lance, crying because he still can’t believe that Lance is alive and that thought makes his arms tighten around Lance and he never wants to let go.
After they are done crying, they both smile at one another and then they are laughing at nothing except how happy they are to see one another again and to have each other back.
“So,” Shiro finally speaks, “Why did you name a black Night Fury ‘Blue’?”
Lance turns to look back at Blue, who still sits off to the side.
“Well, girl, how do you feel about a demonstration?” Lance asks with a smirk. Blue jumps to her feet, her whole body wiggling with energy as she turns away from them, opens her mouth and then starts glowing. Right from her core, down her spine and at the crown of her head and then a brilliant bolt of energy is shot into the sky.
“Wow,” Shiro whispers in awe, looking at the spot in the sky where the bright blue lightning was shot.
“Yeah,” Lance smiles and wraps his arms around Shiro’s middle, leaning into the man he has missed so much.
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I’d like to thank @skylocked for giving me some suggestions for what to write for this prompt (and you can thank my own lack of self control for using all of them)
Domestic fluff and a love story told in socks
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It was late, and the train was quiet; peaceful compared to the usual hectic commuter trains. Shiro had to stay late at the office, which was not unusual, but this was the first time he's a caught the last train home.
He sat in the four-seater space, he needed the extra leg room, and a young man sat a seat up opposite, headphones on, his foot bouncing to the music. He’d been sitting there before Shiro and didn't seem to mind sharing the space on the mostly empty train, he smiled and given a small nod when Shiro asked if he could sit. Thankfully he hadn't taken his headphones off and tried to start a conversation after that.
Shiro settled his briefcase on his lap and took out some papers, his job for the day wasn't quite over. He pinched the bridge of his nose and squinted at the words, his tired eyes making everything fuzzy.
From the corner of his eye, he caught sight of the man's foot bouncing to the beat of his music. It was distracting.
Shiro lowered his papers and considered if he could reasonably get away with asking the man to stop. He wasn't noisy or disruptive, and he had been sitting there first… but his bouncing foot was so annoying.
Shiro watched it, growing steadily more hypnotised by the repetitive movement. The man's pant leg rode up, and Shiro could see his sock. It was a shark, its mouth opened around the leg of the sock, so it looked like it was eating the man's foot. As the man continued to bounce his leg, it looked like the shark was swimming through the air.
Shiro laughed. The man stopped bouncing his foot and looked at him. Shiro quickly returned to his papers, but it was too late. He’d been caught staring.
“You're not some weird foot fetish guy are you?” the man spoke cautiously, his foot resting on the floor with the other one ready to get up and leave if he had to.
“No! Your bouncing foot was distracting, and your sock looked funny!” Shiro said briskly.
“Oh good. I was worried you were going to try and cut my feet off next time we went through a tunnel or something,” the man laughed all signs of suspicion gone. He stood up and flopped down on the seat next to Shiro.
“I'm Lance. What's your name?” Lance asked. He smiled, and Shiro's heart fluttered. Lance was gorgeous, tall with long elegant limbs and golden bronze skin. His eyes were bright and mischievous. Shiro smiled and introduced himself.
“So you like cats?” Lance asked teasingly. Shiro blushed and shuffled his feet his feet to the side.
“Hey you were looking at my feet, it's only fair I saw yours. I like cats," Lance reassured him.
Shiro felt a little better about his decision to wear the cute white cat socks today. There was a cat face stitched into the leg of the sock and little triangles of white on the cuff for the cat's ears.
After only a few minutes of conversation, they'd exchanged numbers, and the journey was coming to an end.
They reached Lance's stop, and he got up to leave. “Call me,” he winked.
- - -
The first time they slept together in the same bed together, without the wild passion of sex, just the comforting presence of another person to fall asleep with, Shiro wore socks.
“Shiro, you forgot to take your socks off,” Lance complained. Tiredly he tried to shove his boyfriend away.
“No, I didn't, my feet get cold,” Shiro grumbled back. His arms coiled around Lance and pulled him close. He tried to loop his legs with the other man, but Lance moved his legs away.
“You wear socks to bed?” he asked incredulously.
“How else would I keep my feet warm?”
Lance looked pained. “But… it's weird" he whined wriggling in Shiro's arms.
“Why is it weird?” Shiro chuckled. He found Lance's disgust far too entertaining. His socked feet chased Lance's legs under the covers.
“You haven't worn socks any of the times I stayed over before, " Lance accused glaring at Shiro.
“Well all those other times I was exhausted after fucking you into the mat-” the rest of Shiro's words were muffled by Lance's hand.
“Pervert," he grumbled. Shiro wiggled his eyebrows at him.
Lance lowered his hand from Shiro's mouth and snuggled up to him.
“You know you're lucky I love you or else I would seriously have to reconsider this relationship.”
Shiro froze. So did Lance.
“Oh shit. No, I didn't mean to say that yet. Forget I said anything!” Lance rolled out of Shiro's arms and turned his back to the other man.
It took a few moments for Shiro to recover and for the words to sink in. He wrapped his arms around Lance's waist and spooned him.
Lance was tense. Afraid his impromptu confession had ruined everything. Shiro kissed the back of his neck and held him tight.
“I love you too.”
The next time Lance stayed over, he gave Shiro a soft, comfortable pair of slipper socks to wear to bed. Lance stayed over more after that.
- - - -
“Lance can you please explain why I found these odd socks behind the sofa?” Shiro asked with a tired sigh. Work was hectic, and Shiro was constantly exhausted, he didn't need his boyfriend/almost fiancé (if he ever caught five minutes to himself to actually ask Lance to marry him) leaving odd socks all around the house. It was frustrating never being able to find a matching pair.
“I don't know I didn't leave them there."
“You're the only other one who lives here.” Shiro dropped the handful of socks on the coffee table like a damning piece of evidence.
Lance stared at them unimpressed.
“Those aren't all mine.”
“But some of them are, and you're always stealing my socks,” Shiro retorted testily. He didn't mind Lance wearing his socks, but his exhaustion and the fact they hadn't had any quality time together for weeks was getting the better of him.
“You wear my socks too! How do I know you aren't the one just dumping your socks where ever you feel like it? You spend so long at work lately and always come back so late you probably don't even remember where you left all your socks!” Lance challenged his hands clenched into fists. He wasn't the only one feeling the strain of Shiro's job.
“I'm not that out of it,” Shiro defended though he no longer sounded so confident. It was a possibility, but after coming so far in the fight, he was too proud to back down.
“Shiro, last week you came back so late you took a shower in your clothes and then fell asleep in the bath. If I weren't such a light sleeper, you would have flooded the place.” Lance said flatly.
“I know that but-” Any argument Shiro had died on his lips as he caught sight of their cat, Blue, jumping off the coffee table with one of the socks in her mouth. His eyes followed her as she ran behind the sofa. When she reappeared again a moment later, there was no sign of the sock.
“Blue! It was you?!” Lance admonished. He scooped the cat up in his arms, nuzzled the top of her head and kissed her.
“You know kissing and cuddling her isn't really telling her off,” Shiro sighed, but he was no longer angry.
“I can't believe we almost had our first major fight over socks,” Shiro muttered stoking the cats head.
“Blue, you almost made your fathers have a big fight. You should be ashamed of yourself!” Lance coddled her and kissed her again. Blue meowed and nuzzled his cheek.
“I'm going to quit my job,” Shiro announced smiling as he saw Lance fuss over the cat. He didn't want to lose this; the job was not worth it. Lance stopped fussing Blue and looked up at Shiro wide eyes.
“You're going to quit?” Lance breathed.
“Yes. I need a job that doesn't require I work twenty-seven hours a day. Besides I've saved up enough, and I'll find a new job pretty quickly.” Shiro said confidently.
“Saved up for what?”
“You'll see,” Shiro kissed Lance's forehead.
- - -
“And so the Cat kept looking at the Shark, and the Shark noticed!” Lance said emphatically waving the shark sock puppet on his right hand around. He turned his hand to the left and right making the shark look around.
The cat sock, on his left hand, looked away, pretending it hadn't been staring.
Mirana giggled and pulled the blanket up to her chin.
“Now the Shark was a little creeped out that the Cat kept looking at its tail fin but the Shark was brave, and he thought the Cat was kinda cute.” He waved the shark through the air closer to the cat.
“'Are you planning to gobble up my tail?' The Shark asked boldly,“ he waved the shark again his fingers moving as he gave the shark words.
“The cat was startled ‘No I am not!’ he said smartly. ‘I just think your fin is very pretty’,” Lance waved the cat around now making it nod it's head as it spoke.
Mirana giggled again. “But Papi cats eat fish and sharks are fish,” she said sagely.
Lance gasped. “Not this cat!” he said bopping her nose with the cat. The girl laughed and rolled over in bed hiding her face in her pillow.
“Now where was I? Oh yes so the Shark sat by the Cat," he moved the shark again and held it next to the cat, “and the two talked all through the journey home," he moved their mouths animately imitating lively conversation.
“Papi?”
“Yes, dear?”
“How did the shark ride the train?”
“Well this shark is a special shark, he can swim through the air as well as water," Lance explained waving the shark through the air imitating swimming.
“Sharks can't swim through air.”
“Oh really? Then what is this one doing?” He moved the shark puppet through the air towards her and tickled her with it. Mirana shrieked in delight and tried to swat her father's hands away.
“Ok ok I'm sorry Mr shark,” she screamed.
From the doorway, they both heard a deep laugh.
“Papa!” Mirana stood on her bed and jumped up and down. Blue, their old cat who had been curled up on the end of the child's bed until then meowed indignantly, hoped off the bed and ambled slowly out the room. Shiro moved over to the bed and caught Mirana mid-jump, he swept her up into his arms and smothered her with kisses. She laughed loudly and tried to wriggled away.
“Now why aren't you in bed young lady?” He asked after he felt he'd given his daughter enough kisses.
“Papi was telling me a bedtime story,” Mirana said brightly.
“Oh really? Was it a good story?” he looked down at lance and smiled. Lance waved the sock puppets at him.
“It was fun but not really believable," she said critically. Lance gave an exaggerated gasp.
“I wanted to hear the story of how you met, but Papi told me a story about a cat and a shark instead.”
Shiro laughed and put her down and tucked her up in bed.
“Well maybe next time I'll tell you the story, but for now you need to sleep," he kissed her forehead and stepped away.
“Goodnight angel" Lance kissed her forehead too.
“Good night papa, goodnight Papi," she called after them, yawning. She closed her eyes and snuggled up in her blankets.
They left her room turning the lights off but leaving the space nightlight on; it shone a gentle pattern of stars around the room.
“So a shark and a cat huh?” Shiro asked when they were in their room. He held Lance's wrist looking at the handmade sock puppets.
“What else?” Lance asked with a grinned. He wiggled his fingers making the sock puppets mouths move.
“I did want to use the socks we were wearing when we first met, but they didn't really work.”
“I think you did a good job.” Shiro smiled. The shark was a deep navy blue with blue eyes. The cat was black, with a white tuft of fur on his head and a white line across its nose.
“It's your turn to tell the story next time. Maybe you can tell the story of the Cat and the Shark's wedding,” Lance said as he pulled the puppets off his hand and carefully handed them to Shiro.
“I think Mirana will like that,” Shiro chuckled. Their daughter would probably get tired of the silly sock puppet stories as she got older, but socks had paid an oddly important part in their lives, in bringing them together and keeping them together, it only felt right to tell her the story of their love through socks.
Posting this early since I wont have time to post later on today. I hope you al enjoy this installment
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“Shiro, you're supposed to be the mature big brother here. Can we please go?” Keith chided, trying, to no avail, to drag Shiro away from the shooting game. Even when he grabbed the other's arm and pulled putting all of his weight into it, Shiro didn't budge. Keith huffed and smacked his brother's shoulder.
“But...it's so cute,” Shiro whined staring up at the large plush toy that hung at the very front of the stall longingly. It was a lion, sat on its stomach, it's fur and fluffy mane a deep, shiny black.
“You do know it's probably a defect or something. It's just there to attract people,” Keith tried to reason. Who'd ever seen a black lion cuddly toy anyway? It was probably meant to be a panther, and someone had accidentally stuck a mane on it or something.
Shiro was not deterred, but his pout deepened. He was big, broad and muscular and looked like he could crush a car with his bare hands, and yet he now wore the expression of a kicked puppy.
“Look we tried, but we spent all our money,” Keith hit him with harsh reality. It was the kindest thing to do. Shiro flinched and hung his head, his shoulders hunched so low he looked half his normal size.
They'd both tried, more than once, but even Keith throwing the gun at the target hadn't netted them more than a pathetic consolation prize.
“One game please!” A man suddenly appeared beside them and slapped his money down on the counter. He was tall, tanned and gorgeous, with a playful smile that drew Shiro's attention. Keith rolled his eyes at the man's confidence and was not impressed.
Sensing eyes upon him the man turned to face them, shooting a brighter smile and a wink that said 'watch me'. Keith scoffed and turned away, but Shiro was captivated.
The stall holder took the man's money and handed him a gun with as much indifference as he'd treated Shiro and Keith. He seemed bored, positive that no one would be able to win the big prize.
The newcomer took the gun and settled the butt against his shoulder. He took careful aim each movement practised and precise. Shiro thought he almost looked like a professional, Keith thought he was showing off. The man held still for a moment so poised and deeply focused it was hard to tell if he was still breathing.
Then he pulled the trigger. The first shot hit it's target dead on, as did the second and every one after that. He hit everything he needed to get the grand prize.
Straightening up the man turned to them, resting the gun on his shoulder with a smug smirk.
“And that's how it's done!”
“Nice work sharpshooter,” Shiro grinned. He applauded the man.
The man flushed a little, a rosy glow to his cheeks he lowered his gaze bashfully. He turned back to the stall handing the gun back to swap it for the big black lion plush toy.
“Here,” he turned back to Shiro, holding the lion out to him. Shiro blinked, and even Keith turned back to them, curious and surprised at the stranger's generosity.
“The name's Lance, by the way, but sharpshooter has a nice ring to it.” He smirked.
Shiro's heart skipped a beat as he took the lion. He hugged it tight and buried his face into the fluffy mane. It was just as soft and cuddly as he'd thought.
“I'm Shiro, this is Keith,” Shiro said lifting his head from the lion's mane once he felt he'd recovered enough to meet Lance's eye again. Keith gave a sharp nod of acknowledgement but said nothing.
“I have to repay you somehow for this...” Shiro said, though as Keith reminded him earlier, they had no money and giving Lance the consolations prizes they'd won hardly seemed like a fair trade.
“How about we exchange numbers, and you promise to call me back?” Lance grinned.
Shiro was more than happy to agree to that, though he still felt he was getting the better half of the deal.
I’m so glad shance month is in January because I could write this silly self indulgent flower shop au for my birthday and not fell at all guilty. This one is also longer than most of the others, you can find it in the ao3 collection if you’d rather read there.
-
The first time Shiro went into Altea flower shop, he was so enamoured by the man serving him he'd walked out with a bouquet of a dozen roses and no recollection of buying them.
Luckily his mother loved roses and was overjoyed to receive them for her birthday.
The next time Shiro visited the flower shop he had no business being there. He did not need to buy any flowers, but he wanted to meet that man again, the one who was more beautiful than any of the flowers that bloomed in the shop.
Shiro had only one goal entering the shop; to learn the man's name.
“Good afternoon,” he greeted when Shiro walked into the shop, then his eyes lit up in recognition. “Oh! It's you, Shiro, right? Did your mother like the roses?”
Shiro’s heart flip-flopped in his chest and his stomach tied in knots. The man remembered him.
“What can I help you with today?” He asked with a brilliant smile. He rested his arms on the counter and leaned forward. The elegant curve of his back and arch of his neck as he looked up at Shiro like the delicate curve of a flower leaning towards the sun.
“I, uh,” Shiro was speechless. He needed an excuse.
“I need some flowers.”
The man laughed, his midnight blue eyes sparkling with mirth. “Well, you've come to the right place.”
Right, of course. Shiro blushed but kept his cool. He took a deep breath to steady himself and glances at the name badge pinned to the man's apron. Lance. Now he knew his name.
Shiro smiled.
“It's for a friend's birthday,” he clarified surprising himself with the ease with which he lied.
“Another birthday? Must be a busy month for you.”
“And an expensive one," Shiro chuckled. Lance laughed, his voice was like music.
“Do you know what flowers they like?” Lance asked.
Shiro paused for a moment, pretending to consider what this 'friend' might like. Of course, there was no friend and Shiro would be keeping the flowers for himself, so he may as well take the opportunity to learn a little something more about Lance.
He shook his head and smiled sheepishly. “No, not really. What's your favourite flowers,” he asked smoothly as if he were only looking for suggestions.
“Hmm,” Lance pondered the question. He glanced around at the display of flowers studying each in turn.
“Carnations,” he said his eyes finally landing on a brilliant display that took up almost the whole wall.
“They are very pretty,” Shiro nodded approvingly.
“And it just so happens to be the flower for January,” Lance exclaimed, a fact he knew not because he worked in a flower shop but because his best buddy’s birthday was in January.
Hunk was currently doing something weird with food and flowers that Lance didn't understand, but he seemed to be having fun, so Lance had to place a big order of carnations to create a bouquet worth of Hunk. Unfortunately, he'd overestimated just how many of the flowers he needed. Now the shop had too many, and it was his job to sell them all...or else.
Shiro and his naivety had come along at just the right time. He felt a small amount of guilt for tricking the man, but it wasn't as if he was forcing him to buy something he didn't want. He was simply making a suggestion, and Shiro wasn't looking for anything in particular, this way they would both benefit. No harm no foul.
Lance walked over to the display with a skip in his step and picked out one of the purple flowers delicately pinching the stem between long, slender fingers. He presented it to Shiro.
Shiro took the flower allowing himself the thrill of letting his fingers to ‘accidentally’ brush against Lance's.
“My friends favourite colour is purple, these are perfect. I'll take some,” Shiro accepted quickly, his fingertips tingling from there they'd touched Lance.
“Wonderful, I'll pick out the best ones just for you,” Lance said with a wink, and in that moment Shiro fell in love.
“Thank you.”
Lance wrapped the bouquet in bright paper and added a few extra decorative ribbons because he wasn't a complete jerk thank you very much.
“There, how's that?” Lance presented the bouquet to Shiro for his approval. Shiro was too captivated by Lance's eyes to pay much attention to the flowers, he accepted and paid for them without complaint.
- - - -
Shiro returned a few days later.
“Hello again. Don't tell me, another birthday?” Lance asked with a playful, cheeky smile that made Shiro's heart soar.
“No, not this time,” Shiro returned smoothly with a playful grin of his own. He'd had time to prepare during the past couple of days, and this time he had a plan, though he could quite prepare him for Lance's smile.
“My friends just announced their engagement.” It was another lie, but something believable. Lance would not suspect him.
Lance’s eyes brightened, and his smile softened with delight.
“That's wonderful. Congratulations to them.” He said it so sincerely that Shiro immediately felt guilty for lying to him, but there was no turning back.
“I don't suppose what you want this time?”
Shiro shrugged sheepishly. “Not really. I was hoping you could help me.”
“Well, there's always carnations. Both white and red ones represent love,” Lance laughed. He meant it as a joke, a reference to Shiro's previous purchase, although there was the small hope that he could get rid of a few more of the flowers.
“The carnations went down well as a birthday gift. I think they'd be lovely for an engagement present," Shiro said enthusiastically.
“We do have other flowers if you'd like to browse," Lance offered. He’d already forced one bouquet on Shiro; he didn't want to add another.
But Shiro had made up his mind. He shook his head. After all, he wasn't buying them for anyone else, they would decorate his apartment along with the purple ones he bought a few days ago, and they were Lance's favourite flower, so he wanted to buy them.
“Ok then.” Lance picked out the best of the white and red blooms adding a few sprigs of green bell and baby's breath (that he didn't charge for) to bulk up the bouquet and make it look more impressive.
He finished it off with lots of ribbons and a gold tag that said 'congratulations'.
“it's perfect,” Shiro said. He left the shop with a smile.
--
Over the next few days, that turned into a week and then two, Shiro visited the shop frequently. He had a different reason each time, and no matter which flowers Lance offered he always ended up buying carnations.
It was a relief in some ways for Lance. Shiro had bought a large chunk of the stock and Lance no longer had to worry about his job. But he couldn't help the stab of guilt he felt each time, the first time he'd practically tricked Shiro into buying them, and now they were all the man seemed to buy.
The flowers were reaching the end of their life now and no longer looked their best, though they would stay relatively fresh for another week.
He wondered if Shiro would keep coming in when they were all gone. Of course, when they ran out Lance would just order more, and there would always be some carnations in the shop, but there was something about this batch of flowers that tied him to Shiro, and Lance worried that he might just disappear along with the last of them. It was unusual to have such a frequent customer, and Lance doubted he would continue to buy flowers for every special occasion.
Lance had grown used to him. Shiro's visits were always nice, he was easy to talk to, easy on the eye and probably taken.
Lance sighed. Well, he hadn't bought flowers for a partner yet, but there was no way a man like that was single.
The bell above the door rang announcing the arrival of another customer. Lance straightened up and smiled to greet them, his grin growing brighter when he saw who it was.
“Good morning Shiro. What’ll it be today?”
The first thing Lance noticed was that Shiro looked nervous. His head was bowed, and he shuffled his feet and fidgeted, but his smile was as warm as ever.
“I need something...for someone special.”
Lance’s heart sank, but he put on his best professional smile to help Shiro.
“Someone special, eh?” He teased wiggling his eyebrows which made Shiro laugh.
“What's the occasion?” Lance asked, a touch more seriously.
“Well, actually, I plan to ask him out today,” Shiro admitted, jittering with nerves.
“Really? What a lucky guy. I'm sure it'll go well,” Lance said encouragingly his heart sinking even further. So close, yet so far.
Shiro relaxed somewhat. The fact Lance didn't respond with open disgust when he admitted he was asking a man on a date was a good sign that, at the very least, Lance would let him down gently. He felt a little braver.
“I hope that he at least gives me the chance to take him to dinner,” Shiro sighed a lovesick sigh. Lance wanted to scream, it was so unfair! How could anyone say no?
“You're a great guy Shiro. I don't see why anyone would refuse.”
“Well he might have someone already. I've only known him for a short time, so I don't know if he's single...”
“Well if he is taken and turns you down I'm free at six. We can grab a drink and drown your sorrows.”
It was a terrible idea to flirt with someone who was about to ask another person out, and an even worse idea to offer himself as a rebound, but Lance couldn't help himself. In the unlikely event that Shiro did get rejected at last Lance was giving himself a shot with the other man, even though, under such circumstances, it was more than likely to end badly.
A new light of determination flared in Shiro's eyes. “Is that a promise?” He teased feeling his confidence grow.
“Promise. I'll keep my schedule free for you, but in the meantime, I'm going to make you the most extravagant beautiful bouquet you have ever seen. These no way he'll say no,” Lance said as he rolled up his sleeves. While he wanted a chance with Shiro, he wasn't going to ruing the other man's chances with someone he clearly felt strongly for.
“So do you want? Roses?”
“Actually, his favourite flower is carnations...” Shiro said carefully gauging Lance's reaction. If he figured it out from that than all of Shiro's plans would be ruined, but Lance just laughed.
“Seriously? Carnations? It must be fate.”
Shiro hoped so.
The carnations display was a lot smaller now, and Shiro noticed a few new additions.
“Where did these blue ones come from?” He asked.
“Those are dyed. They're a bunch of leftover white flowers that will only last about another week, so I'm trying to give them a new lease of life. Hopefully, they'll sell before I have to throw them out.” Lance said wistfully. He seemed sad at the idea the flowers might get thrown out before they were sold.
“But we have some fresher red carnation here, they look a lot nicer.” Lance tried to draw Shiro's attention to the red flowers, but Shiro had made up his mind. He picked up one of the blue flowers and rolled the stem carefully between his fingers, spinning the flower slowly so he could study the brilliant dye effect from every angle.
“These blue ones are beautiful,” he held the flower up comparing it to Lance's eyes. It was perfect.
Lance's breath caught in his throat. He could almost believe Shiro was calling him beautiful, but that was just wishful thinking. “They're unique. Blue carnations don't happen naturally.”
“I'll take all of them,” Shiro said firmly.
“Are you sure? Don't you want something a little more romantic?”
“Would you be happy to receive these flowers?” Shiro asked surprising Lance.
“I would,” he answered honestly.
“Then they're perfect.”
So Lance gathered all of the blue carnations and wrapped them up in blue and white paper, securing the bouquet with silver and blue ribbon.
“Good luck.” He said as he passed the flowers to Shiro.
“Thank you,” Shiro left with the flowers cradled carefully in his arms as if they were the most precious gift of all. He paused once he was outside the shop, hovering in the doorway for a moment before he turned to the left and disappeared into the crowd.
Lance wondered when he might see Shiro again if things went well. He would probably come back to buy flowers for the guy, for Valentine's day and birthdays until they eventually got engaged and then married. Lance groaned and hit his head on the counter.
There was no sense in worrying about that now. Grumbling angrily to himself Lance straightened up and ran his fingers through his hair to smooth it down. He had a job to do!
The shop was quiet. There was no customers, and nothing that required his immediate attention. With a huff, he contented himself with staring out the window watching the people pass by.
Around five minutes later he saw Shiro walk passed the window, coming from the opposite direction he'd left as if he'd just taken a quick walk around the block.
Lance frowned when Shiro turned to the door and stepped back into the shop. Had he been rejected already?
No way.
“Shiro?"
He held the bouquet, hiding behind it, but lowered it at the sound of Lance's voice and smiled over the flowers nervously. He didn't look upset.
“Hi Lance, do you have a moment?”
Lance glanced around the empty shop and nodded.
“Would you like to go out for dinner with me tonight?” Shiro asked holding the flowers out to Lance.
Lance blinked dumbly at him. “What?”
“Well you see when I first saw you I was so….and then I kept coming back and.. you're so beautiful, and funny, and kind, and I don't want to make you feel uncomfortable so if I sound too much like a creepy stalker then just tell me to leave and I'll never bother you again, but it would make me the happiest and luckiest man alive if you would give me a chance, so please?” Shiro said in a breathless rush. He stretched out his arms further pushing the flowers towards Lance.
Lance took them without a word, unable to believe what he'd just heard.
“So the person you wanted to ask out..” He said when he finally recovered his words.
“...is you,” Shiro confirmed in a low whisper.
Lance began to laugh, bright bubbling laughter that flower like a babbling stream, he couldn't stop. He clutched the flowers to his chest and laughed harder.
“Sorry, sorry, this isn't a no, it's just-” Lance was cut off by his own giggles. He was happy, so happy, but he couldn't say yes. Not yet. First, he had to tell Shiro the truth.
“It's just carnations aren't even my favourite flower,” he admitted. He told Shiro all about his mistake with the order, how he'd persuaded Shiro to buy them that first time only because he needed to get rid of them, and how grateful he was Shiro had bought so many.
“I think you single handed my saved my job,” Lance chuckled. He'd gained control of himself now, but his eyes were still bright and wet with tears of laughter.
“I figured I owed you the truth. And if you still want to take me to dinner after all that then I agree, but on one condition. You have to let me pay.”
Shiro seemed to consider this for a moment.
“Are you still free at six?” he asked. Lance answered with an enthusiastic yes.
