I tugged at my suit uncomfortably. Blue, of course it had to be blue. Don't get me wrong, Blue is a fantastic color; but a dark blue suit? This is a fashion disaster.

Okay, it's not all bad. An azure blue suit is manageable. If it were a baby blue, I don't even think I could pull it off. I would much prefer a darker blue, definitely navy. I realized my rant over different colors of blues and drew my attention back to my reflection in the mirror.

I pawed at my hair one last time before walking back into my room. It was Allura's (terrible) idea that we wear outfit colors that match our lions. Of course Shiro supported it, but he has it easy! He can just wear a regular back suit with a white undershirt!

I fumbled with my black tie and checked that my white undershirt was tucked in nicely. I slid open the door and walked out feeling a little more confident in the look. Maybe I was just overthinking the suit color.

I caught sight of the others and smiled. Hunk was wearing a yellow suit with a white undershirt and both a black tie and belt. He left behind his usual bandana.

Pidge was stunning. She wore a dark green dress. The collar met her shoulder following 60's fashion. It fit snuggly to her waist with a black belt, and the skirt hung loosely down to her knees.

Shiro did had done exactly as Lance expected. A black suit, with a black tie, and a white undershirt.

Allura wore a dress like Pidge. The top was purple and lined with white. It hugged her to her waist and the skirt of it was white flowing down to her ankles. She was gorgeous and she knew it.

Keith caught my eye and I let out a squeak. I covered it by clearing my throat, but Hunk caught it of course. He wiggled his eyebrows and lightly bumped me with his elbow a few times. I turned my nose up embarrassed.

Keith looked hot. He wore a darker red suit with a black undershirt. He wasn't wearing a tie and left the very top button open. He had a black belt and black shoes to match. But that wasn't it, his hair was pulled back into a low ponytail.

Coran had volunteered to watch after the castle but claimed he would hold his own party with the mice.

The inhabitants of planet Hieere (known as Heirans), had put together a celebration for recovering their galaxy as well as the surrounding ten.

Pidge smiled devilishly as we all huddled into the pod. "I'm soooo going to eat all their appetizers."

Allura face palmed and regretfully launched the small pod to land on the planet below.

When we exited, we were awestruck by the setting. It was outdoors and flowers surrounded the cobblestone platform. Lanterns kept the place lit up graciously as the suns were setting. Lights were strung above the dance floor where a mass could be seen. Tables were thoughtfully organized with an array of mysterious foods which had Pidge and Hunk drooling.

We gave each other nervous glances and I shrugged branching off.

Roughly a half an hour had passed and I was already bored. Nothing interesting was happening. Pidge and Hunk had eaten some of the food but then decided it would be way more fun to dance like weirdos and shrug it off as 'Earth customs' to get away with it.

Shiro and Keith stood by each other and chatted holding drinks. They rarely talked to the other guests.

I made small talk with many people but nothing stuck. After my fifth failed conversation, I had given up and decided to look at the flowers.

And that's where I remain. I caress my finger underneath a purple flower lifting the plant to meet my gaze.

"Hey." A short girl with brunette hair and freckles smiled.

"Oh, hi." I returned the gesture.

"You're the blue paladin, right?" She asked.

"Yeah, Lance. And your name is...?" I asked holding out my hand.

"Angi." She shook my hand firmly.

We chatted for a moment or so before her smile faded and she turned serious.

"I wanted to ask you something." Angi pursed her lips. I nodded for her to ask away. "The red paladin..., Keith? I was thinking of talking to him or maybe trying to get him to dance-..."

"No!" I spoke quickly surprising myself.

"Oh, uh, why?" She asked a little surprised by my sudden burst.

"He's taken." I blurted. I should stop before I really screw things up somehow.

"By who?" Angi asked curiously.

"Me." What am I thinking. Oh no. But maybe...

I glanced around the room. Lots of pretty girls, many of which who are interested in Keith. I could keep them away like this. I realized how terrible the idea was, but that was all the more reason to do it.

"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry. That's embarrassing." Angi giggled.

"It's fine." I laughed. "We have similar taste."

"How long have you two been together?" She asked.

"Little over a year." I smiled. "I honestly don't know what I'd do without him." That last part was the most truthful thing I've said all night.

"That's wonderful!" Angi exclaimed. "I admire your relationship, I wish I could have what you two have."

I felt a ping of hurt in my chest. 'What we have'. To have a crush on someone who likely hates you. What if Keith liked this girl? What if they would have hit it off and had a happy ending? What if she got that relationship she admired?

But it never happened.

Because I meddled and lied.

I like Keith a lot. A lot. It still doesn't give me the right to tamper with his love life.

"You will. Just give it time." I smiled warmly.

Keith looked in our direction and I waved at him. Angi grinned and waved at him too. Keith wore a slightly surprised expression but it faded into a half smile and he returned the gesture.

The night continued on. Angi had returned to her group of friends and I went back to making small talk and avoiding Keith.

Up until he Angi approached Keith. I felt my chest pound and stomach jump. I snuck up near them just in earshot but out of sight.

"-yeah, he was nice. You've got a real keeper!" Angi exclaimed.

I silently thanked God that Shiro had left Keith alone. My embarrassment was limited to two bodies. "Uh, yeah." He smiled politely but it was obvious he was confused. He took a small sip of his drink.

"Yeah, I could tell just by talking to him, how much he loves you."

Keith spit his drink out, coughing violently. "Wh-what?"

"I'm sorry, did I say something?" She panicked.

"Did you say-?" Keith began.

I quickly butt in and put my arm around Keith's shoulder. "Heyyy," I smiled nervously.

"Oh, hi Lance." Angi greeted still curious about Keith's odd reaction.

"I was actually just looking for you." I let go of Keith and pressed my hands together worriedly.

"Oh, uh, what do you need?" She asked.

I put my hands on her back pushing her away from the situation. "It's too loud in here, I can't hear." I said loudly. I pushed her out into the hallway. "So, you can't talk to Keith about our relationship because he's super shy! And well we were in this battle with a monster and he hit Keith with this laser and he lost his memory and we're slowly trying to help him regai-," I rambled.

"You aren't dating, are you?" Angi folded her arms shifting her weight onto one leg.

"No." I sighed.

"It's not good to lie, but... I guess I understand." She huffed. "While I don't condone your little lie web, I won't expose you."

"Thank yo-!"

"Don't thank me yet." She smirked, "You might want to run back out there. I told my friends, and my friends likely told everyone else. You might want to run."

My eyes widened as I booked it for the door. When I got back inside, Keith was talking to a few people. It looked like two girls and a guy. Keith's expression was not promising. His eyebrows knitted together, pink cheeks, and widened eyes.

My heart sunk in my chest when I made eye contact with him. I decided against talking to him and coming up with some outrageous lie to cover it all up. I walked up to Allura and tugged on her sleeve.

"Oh, Lonce!" She smiled, "Are you enjoying yourself?"

"Can we leave?" I spoke quietly.

She checked the time. "I suppose you're right, it's late. Coran may worry."

She called everyone to the pod and we began the quick, yet quiet and awkward trip back to the castle. I glanced from the ground to Keith who returned my gaze. He looked worried, nervous, and confused. I feel a victory; he's not angry.

When the pod finally landed and it was safe, we all quickly dispersed trying to escape the awkward feeling. As soon as my door had shut, I let out a sigh. I pulled my tie loose feeling defeated.

There was a knock at the door and my body tensed. "Who is it?"

"Keith." I heard the muffled voice of my 'boyfriend'.

I opened the door. Keith stood there with his arms folded. "Did you tell people at the party that we're dating?"

"No..." I flinched, "I only told one person. Word sorta spreads."

He sighed. "Can I come in?"

I nodded and stepped to the side. "Look, I already know what I did was wrong. I'm really sorry, I didn't mean to humiliate you."

"What? I just wanted to know why. I don't care about that stuff." He tilted his head to the side slightly.

"Oh." I took a nervous breath. "Well, I sorta got jealous because that girl was wanting to ask you to dance or whatever, so I told her that you were dating someone already, but then she asked who. I might have panicked and said me."

"Lance," he laughed, "if you wanted her to like you, you probably shouldn't have told her you're dating me."

"Huh? I didn't want her to like me." My eyes narrowed.

"Then why...?" He began.

I leaned forward and planted a kiss on his cheek. He froze and looked at me with wide eyes. "I like you a lot Keith."

"You should have started with that." He smiled kissing me.