Keith tried and failed to rub the tiredness out of his eyes. Typically his long nights with Lance didn't affect him as much, but Keith could count how many hours of sleep he had gotten on his hand.

He was lucky Lance chose a Monday night to force him to watch most of the Harry Potter movies. Tuesday was especially not busy, but that was a double-edged sword for Keith. On one hand, he didn't have many people relying on him, on the other, there wasn't enough business to keep him awake.

There were very few children on his side of the beach, most parents were working, most grandparents were sleeping. Lance's side, on the other hand, had quite a few small gangs of teenagers at the beach without parent supervision.

Keith glanced over in Lance's direction, his eyes were constantly scanning the teenage groups, his arms were crossed and his sunglasses were on. Keith bit the corner of his lip, he couldn't deny Lance fit the attractive Lifeguard trope perfectly.

Over the past few days since their trip around the town, Lance's flirting had only gotten stronger and Keith's guard had nearly crumbled. Lance's head tilted Keith's way, he flashed him a flirty smile and winked. Keith's heart constricted and he turned his head away, his cheeks growing a deep red.

He let out breaths and tried focusing on the potential for any of the toddlers in the water in front of him drowning. He also tried to keep in mind his motivation for the day. Lance had promised he had a treat for him during their lunch break.

"Could you put sunscreen on my friends back?" Keith heard a higher pitched giggly voice ask. He turned his head and watched as two teenage girls held a bottle of sunscreen up towards Lance. One had her blond hair in a french braid, she was also in a tightly fitted blue one-piece bathing suit. The other had darker skin, thick curly hair, and the bathing suit equivalent of a thong.

Lance looked down at them and lifted his sunglasses. Keith felt his stomach twisting already as he imagined Lance accepting and massaging one of the girls with sunscreen. "Sorry I'm on duty, maybe one of your other friends can help you."

The darker skinned girl pouted and looked at her blonde friend, then back at Lance. "But being on duty never stopped you before. And it's a Tuesday, I doubt anyone would be dumb enough to drown today,"

Lance looked a bit thoughtful, he took off his sunglasses off completely. "Okay I'll come clean, I'm kind of seeing someone. So...I want to avoid anything that could make him jealous." He gave them a sincere smile.

The two girls dropped their pouts and looked at each other. Annoyance in their eyes, the blonde shot Lance a pissed look and lowered her sunscreen arm. "Whatever fag," She said casually, she turned around and began walking off. The darker skinned one pushed her curls to the side and followed after her.

Keith's eyes widened and he immediately felt bad for Lance. Lance rolled his eyes and leaned back in his chair. He slipped the sunglasses back on. In a sudden movement, he turned his head to look at Keith, catching him staring.

"Hey, when Hunk comes to take our position I have a treat for you!" He called over to Keith, every enthusiasm in his voice from before. It was like the comment had never been thrown at him.

"A treat?" Keith cocked his head and leaned over the edge of his chair.

"Technically two, but I think you'll get one before the other." Lance wiggled his eyebrows which made Keith's heart jump.

"Um, okay..." Keith wasn't sure what he was supposed to emote so he gave him an awkward smile. Lance laughed and pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Keith, I promise it's nothing weird. Don't look so scared." That made Keith genuinely smile, he shrugged.

"Sorry, last time you said you had a surprise for me. A crab pinched your groin and you screamed like a small child." Keith chuckled slightly at the memory. Lance scoffed and made sure his glasses were secured to his face.

"I thought we agreed never to speak of it."

"I never agreed, you just said you wanted us to never speak of it. There's a difference."

"Wow, being sassy with me? On this beach? I can't believe this," Lance shook his head and crossed his arms, but he never turned away from Keith.

"Sorry," Keith laughed a bit, "wait, no I'm not." He stuck out his tongue, which made Lance's pout turn into a smile.

"Well, maybe now I won't give you your present."

"A second ago, it was a treat. Now it's a present?" Keith raised an eyebrow.

"Well I'm hoping you will feel worse if I call it a present," Lance paused. "Do you feel worse?" Lance asked hopefully.

Keith pretended to think for a moment, he ignored how cute Lance looked at the moment. "Not really, but I'd still love the treat if you're offering it."

Lance huffed, "Fine, but only because I can't use your present."

Keith smirked and began to say something when there was a cry coming from behind Lance. Keith frowned and looked behind Lance's head. There was a younger teenager floundering her arms wildly as a particularly harsh wave carried her farther out to sea.

Lance turned tilted his head and his eyes widened, he put a whistle to his lips and blew hard. He grabbed the lifesaver attached to the chair and jumped off the chair. He began sprinting for the water coast, he dove into the water when the water reached his ankle.

Keith climbed down from the chair and approached the coast. His heart was beating wildly, he hadn't been part of an actual save yes. "Clear a path!" He yelled at the teenagers watching dumbly the girl. A few tried to go towards the girl, Keith ran into the water. "Hey! Stop, don't go near her just don't get in his way!"

The girls head began to duck under more often than it was up. Lance had been quickly swimming towards the girl, he finally stopped behind her. He avoided her wildly flinging arms and put the lifesaver near her. Keith squinted but couldn't see much of the specifics of what Lance was doing.

After a few minutes, Lance came swimming back, dragging the girl with her. He was being steady but as fast as he could, but still looked worried. Keith frowned and tried to get a good look at the girl. She still seemed conscious but was coughing.

Keith ran backward so that he was on the beach again. As Lance got to shallower water he picked the young girl up and jogged her the rest of the way to the beach. Lance set her down on the beach, and Keith knelt down next to her.

"She won't need CPR," Lance mumbled as he patted her back, the girl hunched over trying to cough out all the water in her lungs. Her thick knotted brown hair creating a curtain for her face. "Get her a towel Keith," Lance said firmly.

Keith shot up realizing he was being useless. He ran to one of the vacant chairs and pulled down one of the lifeguard towels. Keith jogged over to the girl and wrapped it around her shoulders. She mumbled what sounded like a thank you.

Lance was close to her rubbing her back and mumbling comforting things. A man, closer to Lance and Keith's age, ran towards them.

"Cassie! Are you okay? Shit, that wave really took you away." He crouched on the other side of the girl and joined Lance in rubbing her back. The girl pushed back her hair and bit back a sob. She moved away from Lance and leaned against the older teenager. She held onto him as he continued patting her house.

"Thank you so much for saving my sister, she's not the strongest swimmer."

"It's no problem, that wave was oddly strong. I guess high tide is coming at a weird time today." Lance brought his hand to his side, with Cassie no longer needing his help.

The brother smiled, a small dimple resting on the side of his cheek. He looked between Lance and Keith. "Thank you so much, my name is Kyle." He extended the hand not holding onto Cassie towards Lance.

"The names Lance," Lance shook Kyle's hand, Kyle turned to Keith and extended his hand toward him.

Keith was surprised to receive acknowledgment but took Kyle's hand. He gave him a quick handshake and let go. "My name is Keith," He added after a brief moment of silence.

"Well thank you, Keith,"

"Oh, I really didn't do anything. Lance deserves all the recognition. I just put a towel on her shoulder." Keith explained.

"Well, I couldn't have chosen a cuter person to save my little sister." Kyle gave Keith a flirty smile, none of the previous fear on his face. Keith blushed and opened his mouth, not sure how to respond.

"Hey man, maybe you should get your sister home. She still looks really shaken up." Lanc cut in, he moved over so that he was kneeling especially close to Keith. Kyle looked at the both of them and nodded slowly.

"Uh...yeah, thanks again." He stood up carrying his sister in his arms and walking off.

"Some guys have no timing," Lance grumbled as Kyle walked farther away.

"You had some pretty nice timing saving that girl," Keith mumbled, he felt like Lance deserved every compliment for his actions.

"We are not some guys, now let's go on that lunch break soon." Lance stood up and pulled Keith up with him. Lance looked to the left of them and smiled, Keith turned his head trying to find where Lance was looking. His eyes landed on Hunk in his yellow shorts and white lifeguard T-shirt. He had a med kit in one hand, and a sandwich in another.

"Hunks here, but shouldn't we tell him what happened?" Keith asked, Lance had taken his hand and was slowly dragging him away from the spot they had been.

"We can do that tomorrow if I tell him we'll have a campfire tonight."

"I thought you liked campfires," Keith said, he looked behind him and made brief eye contact with Hunk. Hunk took a bite of his sandwich and waved, not making any more effort to disturb them.

"I do, but I told you I have a very special treat for you. It will most likely be an all-day affair. So we're going to change into different clothes, then take a short motorcycle ride." Lance had picked up his pace, close to jogging Keith back to their home.

"What if I don't agree to this?" Keith asked, his breath hitching as Lance squeezed their hands tighter.

"Then I'll just throw you over my shoulder and take you anyway," Lance said he was laughing but Keith could tell he wasn't lying.

"Fine! But it better be a good treat!" Keith hid a smile and began running faster, now he was the one running ahead of Lance.

"Hey!" Lance protested and tried running faster than Keith but was unsuccessful. Keith nearly laughed at his adorable frustrated face.

When they reached their staircase Keith raced Lance up the steps beating him again. He was panting slightly harder than Lance was but they were both smiling.

"That was awful." Lance held his chest with his left hand and opened the door with his right.

"At least you're dry." Keith countered, he stepped through the doors and into their small beach house. Lance looked down at his damp clothes, he felt his now dry arm and shrugged.

"I guess you're right. I hope you don't mind me not taking a shower, I think it'll be pointless when you find out what I have planned." Lance entered the house and closed the door behind.

"Why does the treat include you becoming wet?"

Lance ran his fingers through his hair a couple times before finally speaking. "Let's call it a date okay?"

Keith's eyes widened, he was silent. Taken aback for a moment. "A date?"

"Yeah a date, you wanted normal right? Well, dates are normal, now I'm going to get dressed." He flashed Keith a smile and headed inside his room.

Keith was left in a state of shock. The word date flung around in his mind for awhile before it finally landed. Dates were for people who were considering dating. A blush blossomed across Keith's face. He wondered if Lance wanted to date him, the thought sent a tingle through his chest. Keith smiled and went to his room, quickly changing into different shorts, and a random blue shirt. He made sure to leave his sunglasses on the bed and picked up a red-rimmed one which he thought looked cool.

He stepped out of his room and waited by the front door area for Lance who still hadn't finished. He rolled his eyes and took out his phone to roam the internet. His phone began buzzing aggressively, Keith sighed and opened the caller app. The name on the ID made him feel wrong in most of the ways possible. He reluctantly answered it and put it to his ear.

"Hello, son,"

"Father, it is nice to hear your voice." Keith lied, he leaned against the door, he needed all the support he could get us.

"I suppose that's a lie seeing as you don't call. But it doesn't matter. I hear that you have gotten into that seaside college you applied for." Keith's eyes widened and his sick feeling turned to joy.

"Really? I didn't think I would."

"Oh? You didn't even care enough to check? What are you a drug addict already?"

Keith frowned, his adoptive father always finding a way to bring him back down from any emotional high. "No, I've just been working a lot. I hadn't checked my mail yet but thank you for telling me."

"Hm, work yes. Have you been seeing any men?"

"I don't think that's any of your business, but no. I haven't." He could see Lance come from the hallway out of the corner of his eye.

"Oh, so you've chosen to remain abstinent because you were toyed with? Is that it?"

"No, I'm not staying abstinent. I'm just...I...why did you call me? Just to remind me of him? Or was there an actual reason."

"Don't speak to me like that." Keith's father hissed. Keith flinched and closed his eyes not saying anything. "I'm just calling to check in. Make sure you're not wasting our money for you to go party, and hookup other homosexuals. I especially don't want to waste money on another court case,"

"I don't go to parties, I told you I've just been working. There will be no more court cases, I can promise you that." He whispered, he didn't care if he was audible through the phone or not.

"Good, now if I hear about you getting into any trouble not only will I disown you. Which is pretty easy when you're the father of an orphan, and I will cut your funds dry. Do I make myself clear?" He said lowly.

Keith nodded then remembered the man wasn't in the same room as him. "Yes sir," He mumbled, the line cut out without his adoptive father ever say goodbye. Keith moved his face away from the phone and let out an uneasy breath. He knew that the man had just called him to antagonize him further.

"Whoever was on the phone, just know I'm ready to kick their asses." Keith finally got a good look at Lance. He was wearing a blue shirt, with cargo pants and a drawstring back on his shoulder.

"Doesn't matter, it's just my male legal guardian." Keith moved his eyes down so he didn't have to look at Lance.

"That's a fancy way of saying asshole dad." Lance put an arm on Keith's shoulder.

"It doesn't matter, he's just keeping tabs on me. Making sure I'm not having any fun, and remember that I'm responsible for a person's death." Keith resisted just leaning into Lance and crying.

"Uh uh, no. No way am I letting some asshole all the way across the country make you feel like shit right now." He pulled Keith closer to his chest and hugged him with both his arms.

Keith closed his eyes and melted into Lance's embrace. He managed to fight off tears but his shoulders shook slightly. Lance hugged him tighter, he pressed a kiss to the top of Keith's forehead.

"You're amazing okay? He's a huge douche bag, meaning that all of his opinions about you are null and void. Okay?"

Keith wasn't sure where the logic came from, but he nodded regardless. "I guess so," He didn't feel one hundred percent convinced.

"No, there isn't any I guess so. You're never going to listen to that ass again. We're going to go on a date, and we'll have so much fun it won't even be funny. Then one day when you're comfortable, you'll tell him about all the good times you've had. And he'll just have to deal with it. Okay?" Lance looked at Keith hopefully, his arms still wrapped around him. Keith looked up, meeting Lance's eye and nodded.

Lance shot him a wide smile and slowly loosened his hold on Keith. He kept one arm around Keith's shoulder. "Come on, you'll be smiling by the end of our ride I guarantee." Lance reached over to a hook and grabbed his motorcycle keys. He slipped them into his back pocket and lead him out.

Keith didn't say anything as they walked to the beach employee parking lot. He tried focusing on the footprints the two of them left in the sand. Something about the imprints set his mind at ease, slowly he felt like he could breathe normally again.

"Here we are, my beautiful girl." Lance stopped next to a regular looking bike. It was decently sized, though it looked more like a scooter than anything. There was a crude painting of a blue lion on the side of it, it looked like something a 5-year-old would do.

"Do you have siblings?" Keith asked.

"Yeah, I have 3 of them. Why do you ask?"

"I just think it was kinda nice you'd let them paint on your bike."

Lance looked at the bike then at Keith. "I did that."

Keith's eyebrows went up and he held back laughter. "Oh." He was smiling a bit, he couldn't help it. "Are you an aspiring artist or something?"

Lance put a hand on his hip. "And if I am?"

"Nothing, you just have...a ways to go." Keith snorted and covered his mouth. A part of him felt bad but there was too much to laugh about. It was really just a blue blob with ears and a lions mane.

"Ugh, I'll remember this." Lance climbed on the bike and put his keys inside. "Come on get on the back, I don't have seatbelts so just hold my waist."

Keith got behind Lance and slowly sat down on the seat behind him, he hesitated his hands not yet touching Lance's waist.

"Oh come on," Lance took Keith's hands and put them on his waist. "Just pretend it's a cheesy romance movie." He took the helmet hanging on the handlebars and passed them to Keith.

"I don't need them," Keith said, Lance kept his hand hovering about Keith's head.

"Come on, I'm more experienced and you're not. So where the helmet, I don't need you dead yet." Keith looked up for a moment and sighed. He grabbed the helmet and put it over his head.

"What is the yet for?"

Lance brought up his kickstand and revved the engine of the bike bringing it to life. "Well I want you to die of happiness one day, but until then you have to stay alive." Lance tucked his legs on the sides of the bike and drove out of the parking lot and into the street.

Keith chose not to comment on Lance's illogical idea of death, instead, he looked around them. As often as they have taken walks around the town there always seemed like there was something new to see. Lance drove slowly, with the lack of traffic there was no one waiting behind him.

The full scent of the ocean breeze hit them and it set Keith completely at ease. For him, it was different smelling the ocean when he was right near it than when he was driving by and the salty breeze hit him.

When they got to the main shopping area with all the small shops Lance didn't slow down. At every turn, Keith was expecting Lance to slow down and park beside by the curve but he didn't stop.

As they drove longer Keith's grip on Lance's back relaxed more, and so did his body. He let his chest touch Lance's back, he even scooted forward in more contact with him. Lance was so warm, and the strum of Lance's heartbeat made his own heart pattern a little louder.

"Almost there!" Lance yelled against the wind. Keith didn't yell back, he just squeezed around Lance's waist. He looked to the side of them as the small stores turned into long stretches of sand. At a certain spot in seemingly the middle of a beach, Lance slowed down his bike. He leaned to the side stopping it completely.

As the bike stopped Keith took his cue and climbed off the bike. Lance followed suit and held it by the handles. "A little more walking." Keith nodded and followed Lance as he parked the bike near a wide tree in a patch of grass.

Keith looked at the beach more it was filled with patches of both dirt and sand. When he looked back at Lance, his hands were gestured towards Keith. "Can I hold your hand?" He asked.

Keith blinked, it was such a simple request but it made his heart pick up speed again. He nodded and took Lance's hand, it was warm and larger than his. Keith couldn't help think how well they fit together. Lance began walking again, and Keith followed silently. Their arms sometimes brushing together.

They beach dipped down a bit to a small area with a mysterious looking cave and a few other things in a bundle towards the center. Keith looked at Lance expecting an answer. Lance's face was splitting at the seams with an excited smile.

"Surprise, this is it." Lance stopped near the bundle and took his hand away from Keith's. He gestured with both hands, whatever it was had been covered by beach towels. Keith did recognize a basket next to it.

"Towels?" Keith cocked his head.

Lance looked then chuckled, "No no," He squatted next to the bundle and dramatically tore off the towels. Keith's eyes became the size of saucers.

Underneath was a slim red surfboard with a tail at the bottom. It had several interesting designs with paws where his feet would go. It was smaller than the other one he had been using, much more fit for his size.

Keith silently walked to the other side of it, he knelt down and dragged his hand across its surface. He looked at Lance then back down at the board. At the very bottom of the tail was a slight inscription. One that matched the name of the surfboard store they had gone to.

"But...how? I didn't give him my information."

Lance seemed especially pleased and dramatically cleared his throat. "Well, after the spill you left the clipboard on the ground. Thankfully it was recovered and I was called because you didn't leave your number. It also so happened that I had a few extra hundred dollars in my pocket, so I paid for it. I knew you wouldn't,"

"How...did you know that?" Keith's cheeks burned brightly.

"Well, we all know that this job alone might not pay for all of college. And you mentioned that you have been just storing everything your family gives you for emergency funds. So I decided that you needed a little treat."

"Lance this isn't little..." He whispered still mesmerized.

"Big little, same difference. But think of this way, I was tired of seeing you try and control a Hunk sized board."

"I'll pay you back," Keith said immediately.

"Do it and I'll throw the money in the ocean. I'm serious Keith, this is for you from me, okay?"

"I can't believe you bought this for me...." Keith was having such a hard time wrapping his mind around it, he almost forgot to thank him. He looked up at Lance and moved closer. "Thank you so much." He timidly wrapped his arms around Lance.

He felt arms on his back as Lance returned it. "I'll admit it wasn't entirely me, I did ask for a couple hundred from Allurah."

"Allurah?" Keith moved so he could still look at Lance.

"Yeah, she was happy to help though. But I paid for the majority, I hope this makes you more comfortable here. With us," Lance paused then looked serious. "And don't think about this as some sort of bribery either. Don't feel like you have to be my friend."

"I won't and I just sort of assumed we already were friends." Keith blushed and let Lance go, he knelt back.

"I mean of course we are, but just wanted to make sure. Maybe I should have shown you this later...I had a question for you. Nevermind, forget it." Lance shook his head and reached for the picnic basket.

Keith wanted to know the question but didn't want to pry. He touched his board again and looked towards the cave.

"Do you come here often?" He asked.

Lance looked where he was looking and nodded. "All the time, when we were all younger this was our secret spot. We swam without lifeguards, changed in that cave, found buries treasure, it was a great time."

"Buries treasure?" Keith asked.

"Well, Pidge found a gold tooth with her metal detector. That was the highlight of our finds." He shrugged and opened the basket up and set down a blanket. "I brought my surfboard too, it's in the cave. I was thinking we could have some surfing lessons while we're here."

"Okay, I don't care about these pants anyway." Keith shrugged, he watched Lance take out fork knives, whipped cream, and syrup.

"I brought swimming trunks, don't worry. Your sugar daddy has got it covered." Lance laughed.

Keith's cheeks turned a bright red and he groaned. "Please never call yourself that again."

Lance began laughing harder, he winked suggestively at Keith. "Your sugar daddy has brought you waffles by the sea," Lance said again. He pulled out a wrapped plate of waffles. They weren't warm but they still looked delicious.

"Lance!" Keith groaned he tried throwing a pebble at him but missed. Lance laughed harder and took little bowls filled with strawberries and blueberries.

"Fine fine, I'll stop for now." He gave Keith strawberries and himself blueberries. He poured syrup over the waffles and handed Keith a fork. "We can eat off of the same plate if you don't mind."

"Doesn't matter to me." Keith shrugged, the waffles had been conventionally cut into fourths. He looked at Lance before stabbing a waffle. "Um, what was your question?"

Lance looked a bit caught off guard, he suddenly found a lot of interest in his strawberry bowl. "Uh it was dumb, I was just." He sighed. "I really like sleeping with you, you're great in bed and everything. And it's normal sleeping with you right?"

Keith blushed and nodded slowly, he wasn't sure where Lance was going.

"Well our talk got to me, and I want more normal. I want...you know how we stay up late and watch movies and cuddle?" Again Keith nodded. "Well I want more of that, I actually want it all the time."

"Staying up late?" Keith asked unsurely.

Lance shook his head, "No! Well...yes. But I also want the cuddling, and the casual touches, and the hugs, and kissing you just because you're so damn cute. Or feeling comfortable pushing your hair to the side, or just telling people the reason why I don't want to rub sunscreen on their back is because I have a totally adorable boyfriend." Lance said all in one breath, he took a deep breath.

"Boyfriend?"

"I want to be exclusive Keith. And not just sort of exclusive, all the way exclusive. I want to know that you won't cuddle people the same way you cuddle me. But I feel like because I bought you something expensive you feel pressure to be with me."

Keith blinked taking in everything. It made sense now, his heart rate, his feelings towards Lance, and it certainly helped that Lance was bubbly, kind, and incredibly handsome. He bit his lip and made eye contact with Lance. "I'd like that."

"Wait, you'd like what?"

"To be exclusive, and your boyfriend. And all the other romantic shit you just said. The board didn't sway me I promise."

Like a switch, Lance's eyes lit up and his face broke into the most genuine smile. He leaned over and took Keith's hands holding them tightly. "I'll be the best fucking boyfriend on this whole fucking Earth. Try and find a better boyfriend than me, hint you won't."

Keith smiled at him, his happiness was contagious. "I'll give you a month, then maybe I'll go hunting for a better one." He teased and feeling a lightness in his chest.

"Can I feed you waffle slices, or are we not there yet?" Lance asked hopefully.

"Um, I can handle the whole eating thing. But maybe next time..." He didn't want to crush Lance's bubble, but he didn't trust him with syrup. Especially around his face.

"Fine, but I'll be waiting." Lance let go of one of Keith's hand and picked up a strawberry. "Can we have one celebratory, 'yay we're dating now' kiss?" Lance asked the cute look in his eye made it impossible to say no.

"Hm, fine our first kiss as boyfriends right?" Keith let himself smile. He leaned closer towards Lance. Lance mumbled a 'hell yeah' and pressed their lips together.

Keith's lips couldn't help but smile into the kiss, Lance tasted like hope, strawberries, and salt. He touched Lance's face and deepened the kiss. There were so many things he could be worried about, things about himself that he didn't like and that Lance might not like. But he couldn't help but feel safe, so close to Lance with the waves of the ocean edging closer to them. He didn't exactly feel normal, but he felt okay.