Chapter 9: Just A Dream

Keith smiled happily, sitting under the cover of a large tree, listening to the sounds of life around him. His desert shack was next to the tree, sitting empty and lifeless.

Rain pattered the ground around him, occasional drips from the tree branches above him landing on him. He closed his eyes, breathing deeply, the smell of rain filling his nose.

It was a rare memory. Rain didn't come often to the desert, he'd only seen it once or twice. So he sat there, in the middle of it all, his eyes closed.

The distant roll of thunder made him smile, hearing it echo off the nearby mountains.

"Mind if I join?" A voice asked, sitting next to the Red Paladin anyway.

Keith opened his eyes and looked, his eyes looking into those ocean blue irises he'd grown to adore. "Lance?" He asked softly, hopefully.

Lance beamed when Keith said his name, his attention focused on the Red Paladin. "You look different... a-a good different!" He stuttered, reaching out to touch Keith's soft ears.

Keith leaned his head into Lance's touch, feeling his heart thump happily. "Where have you guys been? I can't remember where we are, we change places so often..."

"We're on our way." Lance whispered, standing up and brushing the sand off his pants. He offered his hand out, smiling down at Keith. "Care to dance?"

"Dance?" Keith asked skeptically, standing up and taking Lance's hand. He was pulled close to the Cuban's chest, feeling an arm wrap around his waist.

"Just to pass the time. My ma would dance with us in the rain back home." He whispered, smiling when Keith rested his chin on his shoulder.

They swayed slowly, occasionally picking up their feet to turn, Keith knowing nothing of dancing. Lance hummed softly, soothing Keith's worries.

"Take me back with you." Keith whispered, smiling. "You can teach me how to dance..."

Lance sighed softly, stopping, still holding onto Keith. "Give us hints. We can't find you."

"How are you here? Isn't this real...?" Keith whispered, pulling away to look up into Lance's face.

"This... this is a dream. But I'm not made up. I'm really Lance. I guess we, we're able to communicate?" He separated their bodies, pausing. "You have to go soon. Please don't give up on us, Keith. We're trying. I'm trying."

"Wait, Lance-"

Lance's form grew fuzzy, until everything went black.

———

"Kitten? Wake up." A soothing voice whispered, a warm hand rubbing Keith's cheek.

Keith sat up quickly, his eyes wide, looking around the room. He soaked in the familiar details, letting out a heavy sigh. Still with the prince.

"Are you okay? You were crying and whimpering." Lotor sat up as well, rubbing Keith's back. "Another nightmare?"

No. Keith thought, turning his head away. This is the nightmare.

"Tell me about it." Lotor whispered in Keith's ear, tracing his fingers down Keith's spine.

"It was raining, in my dream. It was nice and calming, and I was just sitting there. Then Lance showed up, and he sat and talked with me..." Keith trailed off, his eyes widening. He pressed his hand over his mouth, not wanting to share any more.

"Tell me more." Lotor ordered, keeping a patient tone.

"We danced in the rain. He told me they're still trying to find me. He told me not to give up. We were able to communicate through the dream..."

"And what did you say?" Lotor asked, his eyes narrowed.

"Nothing... it all faded away." Keith sighed, pulling away from Lotor's hands and getting out of bed.

"I don't want you talking to him anymore, Kitten." Lotor pouted, looking up at Keith. "I thought we had something, but as soon as that problematic boy shows up, you pull away again."

Keith wrapped his arms around himself, trying to keep himself from saying anything harmful.

"I'm sorry." Was all he could mumble.