Disclaimer: Everything belongs to World Events Productions. Only the idea is mine. The lyrics to the song Haunting Me belong to Stabbing Westward.
Lance leans against one of the wall length windows in the observation tower of the Castle of Lions, eyes staring blankly out into the darkness. His hands clench unconsciously into fists at his sides and his breathing increases almost to the point of hyperventilation. He pounds one fist hard against the window in frustration, the thick glass reflecting his face, twisted in anguish. He draws a deep, choking breath, forcefully suppressing the sobs and tears just beneath the surface, and slides down the glass to the cold stone floor.
Everywhere I go I see your face
Every sound I hear is the sound of your voice
Why are you haunting me?
Why can't I let you go?
Voices filter in from the hallway, Keith, Sven, and Allura, laughing softly. Their words are indistinct murmuring sounds overlaying the oppressive silence of the tower. Lance flinches visibly. He turns away from the window slightly, eyes training towards the door as his body tenses. One hand rests flat against the glass; the other rubs his eyes. As the voices move towards the room, a trick of the hallway accoustics suddenly separates the words into perfect clarity.
"So, what was that outburst after practice about?" Allura's question makes Lance flinch a second time.
"Who knows?" Keith answers, his words curiously tight and controlled. "Lance is just like that sometimes. I'm sure it's nothing."
Sven's voice, calm and quiet as always, floats on the air. "Don't worry, princess. We'll work it out." The three move on, and the voices once again fade to indistinguishable murmurs.
Lance shakes his head violently and sags against the glass, turning to rest his forehead against the cool, smooth surface. "You're right, Keith. It's nothing," he whispers to himself. "It's everything. It's you. How are you doing this to me?"
So everything about me is a lie
At least it seems that way
When I look in your eyes now
The truth scares the shit out of me
Whoever said love is real and love is blood
Has never felt the way that I feel
Keith pauses at the door to the observation tower, eyes searching the darkness through the crack.
"Keith? Are you all right?" Allura stops beside him, eyes questioning.
Keith forces himself to smile lightly at her. "I'm fine. Will you excuse me?"
Allura frowns slightly and nods. Keith slips through the observation room door, face tightening in annoyance at the calm understanding in Sven's eyes. The annoyance fades to uncertainty as his eyes adjust to the dimness and focus on the figure slumped against the glass of the far window.
"Lance?" His soft query seems to slice through the silence with almost physical force. He watches Lance for a reaction, but the other man remains still, his hair obscuring his face. Keith half turns back towards the door, radiating indecision, before turning back and rapidly crossing the room. He drops to the floor at Lance's side and moves a hand to touch his shoulder. Lance sits up, keeping his face lowered. Keith snatches his hand back.
"What do you want?"
Keith bites his lip, but doesn't answer.
Lance turns to face him. As their eyes meet, they both freeze. A nearly visible spark seems to pass between them. Keith, reacting to the pain and fear in Lance's eyes, slowly brushes his cheek with a finger. Lance gasps and jumps away from the touch, fingers rising to his cheek as if the contact was somehow painful. Keith stares at his fingers, eyes wide with shock. His eyes slide closed and he leans back against the glass next to Lance, his face twisted with pain. Lance watches him, fingers still resting on his cheek.
What does it matter?
What's done is done and I should
Get on with my life
Why are you haunting me?
Keith finally shakes his head and opens his eyes. He moves to stand up, then pauses uncertainly as his gaze swings back to Lance. Lance meets his eyes again briefly, then physically rips himself away and stands with his back to Keith.
"Lance?" Keith repeats his earlier question, a note of desperation creeping into his voice.
Lance takes a deep breath, steeling his resolve, and walks towards the door.
Keith watches him go, eyes wide with panic.
Well I don't know what it is
But I can't seem to make myself forget
Was it something that you said
Or is it all the guilt inside my head?
Why are you haunting me?
Lance stops in front of the door, his entire body vibrating with tension. He closes his eyes, then opens them and reaches for the handle. A touch on his back stops him. He turns to look at Keith, eyes narrowed in suspicion.
Keith takes a deep breath. "I don't understand either, Lance."
Lance's resolve breaks. He leans against the door, eyes defeated. His voice emerges as a rough whisper. "Why are you doing this to me?"
Keith takes a step closer. "I'm not doing anything."
Lance looks into Keith's face, noticing for the first time the misery that mirrors his own. Keith nods as Lance's eyes widen with understanding.
Lance stares, unable to tear his eyes away. "But I'm not…you can't…no, this isn't happening."
"But it is." Keith takes a deep breath. His eyes close, a single tear escaping to coarse down his cheeks. His voice drops down to a whisper. "It hurts too much to not be real."
Lance reaches out uncertainly, catching the tear on his fingertip. Keith tenses at the contact, but doesn't pull away. His face tight with resolve, he reaches up and takes Lance's hand in his own. A strangled sound escapes from Lance's throat. Keith pulls him closer, arms encircling his waist. Lance draws a deep shuddering breath, resting his face against Keith's neck and pulling him closer.
Why are you haunting me?