Archive of Our Own ^beta

Keith slumped in his chair after setting the phone down. It wouldn’t be the first Christmas he’d be spending alone, but he’d been looking forward to sharing the holidays with his mother and perhaps even Kolivan.

As the universe would have it, however, the Coalition needed the two for the next few weeks. Krolia promised she would try to make it for at least Christmas eve and day, but the days before? Not a chance.

Resigned to his lonely fate, Keith checked the paladin group chat to see what everyone else had planned. They’d been talking about it, which was what prompted Keith to call his mom in the first place. Hunk, Pidge, and Lance were all going to spend the holidays at home with their families while Shiro was going to spend it with Curtis. Which left Keith to either crash his brother’s time (hell no), or spend it alone. Again.

‘Hey man, you went wuiet in chat

quiet*

what’s up?’

Oh. Lance was texting him.

‘Krolia and Kolivan are still needed by the Coalition for a month or so, so I guess I don’t have any plans for the holidays.’

‘Aw man I’m sorry to hear that

you’re more than welcome to come spend it with us!

seriously, my family’s gonna love you

I think’

Keith chuckled to himself.

‘I wouldn’t want to impose.’

‘you wouldn’t be!!

im inviting you

i don’t want you to spend december alone’

How was Keith ever going to say no to Lance? Just the idea of staying with him and his family, putting up a tree together, baking cookies, cuddling under blankets on the couch— he felt warm all over. It was an easy choice, really.

‘Okay.’

Keith was starting to regret this. Lance’s idea of the ‘Christmas Season’ was going out on the beach with his family. Which yes, family was very Christmas-y, but the beach?

He had his doubts.

He’d also never been to a beach before, so the new experience was a little overwhelming. Between the irritating sand, the ruckus that was the McClains, and Lance, it was hard to not just bolt right out of there.

His dilemma surprisingly had nothing to do with Lance being topless. He had long since grown used to the sight, having communal locker rooms back on the castleship, but his breath caught with every smile on Lance’s face.

Keith felt himself flush helplessly red every time he looked at Lance. His cheeks were wide with a grin, marks softly glowing with emotion, and laughter like an angel choir when his niece or nephew would splash him.

Okay maybe that was dramatic. Could you blame him? He’d been hopelessly crushing on the other for years now. Being an emotional wreck near the younger was natural at this point.

And now he got to watch him in his element. Lance really was a water and fire paladin with how good he looked here. Hair swept by the waves, skin kissed by the sun.

He looked beautiful.

Keith ended up staying on a towel in the sand. It was too chilly for him to be out in the water, and no one forced him to leave his sunbathing post.

Because sunbathing was definitely what he was doing. Bathing in the warmth of the sun. Not Lance. Mhmm.

“Hey man, having a good time up here?” Lance flopped down next to him on the wide towel, getting the spot he sat on damp. “You never went into the water.”

“I didn’t really want to.” Keith glanced Lance over, making a quick note of the scars on his chest. They’d been there since he first met Lance, but he had no clue what they were from.

“Mm, yeah, it gets cold as the sun goes down.” Lance chuckled and nudged Keith with his shoulder. “Was this okay? I figured you weren’t a big beach person but I know you like the sun, so…”

Keith nodded, smiling softly. “I did. Like it, that is. It’s nice out here.” He took a leap of faith and leaned on Lance’s shoulder. “I am pretty tired now though.”

Lance leaned his head on Keith’s with a soft laugh. “My family exhaust you?”

Keith shook his head with a hum. “No. Just sun drained.”

Lance abruptly got up and held his hand down to Keith. “Let’s get you on the couch for a nap then, yeah? I heard we’re doing a movie and hot chocolate once we’re all washed up.”

Keith took his hand with that same soft smile and pulled himself up. “You want me there for that too?”

“Uh, duh.” Lance ruffled Keith’s hair despite the latter’s loud squawk of a protest. “You’re a part of the family now. We all want you there.”

“Part of the family, huh?” Keith fixed his hair as he walked beside Lance, making their way back to the beach house.

“Of course! The niblings love you, Rachel and Roni enjoy chatting with you, Mamá adores you— and you’re my bo- best friend.” A slight red covered Lance’s cheeks. What had he been about to say? “Like I said. We want you there.”

Keith ducked his head, hiding the smile on his face. Christmas may not be with his biological family this year, but he was surrounded by those that love him.

Who knows? Maybe next year Krolia and he could spend Christmas at the McClains. He was family now.