Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Lance has always loved gossip.

As the youngest child in a family of seven, Lance has gotten really good at eavesdropping while pretending to be minding his own fucking business. And there is no better place to absorb the best gossip than the Garrison.

Six months ago, a year since Allura defeated Honerva and saved all realities, Lance finally caved to Shiro’s persuasion and formally accepted a job at the Garrison. His official title is Ambassador of Earth. In more formal settings, Lance is addressed as “your excellency”, which never fails to crack him up. He actually ranks above Shiro if he’s being technical, but he prefers not to think about it. In his mind, Shiro will always be his superior officer. 

The Garrison is great! It helps that he reports directly to Shiro, who was promoted to Admiral and is now in charge of the whole thing, so Lance doesn’t even have to deal with Iverson that often. Most of Lance’s job is researching alien cultures and customs to avoid committing some sort of intergalactic faux pas, so it goes without saying that Coran and Allura are frequent contacts of his as well. The records of alien civilizations that they managed to salvage from the castleship, many of which Lance himself wrote during their travels, are an invaluable resource when working with the leaders of other planets. It only takes one cultural misunderstanding to start a brand new war, after all.

Everyone has their own idea about how to best move forward, but New Altea and Earth have stepped forward to try to smooth the way for diplomatic relations across the galaxy.

That’s right - Lance works directly with the Kings, Queens, Presidents, and Supreme Leaders of planets far and wide, helping orchestrate relief efforts for alien civilizations affected by the war. Aside from loving his job and working with some of his best friends - Shiro's there, Hunk and Pidge’s office is right down the hall, and Allura, Coran, and Romelle visit at least once a month - he gets to hear all of the hot gossip that the galaxy has to offer.

He hears gossip on an interplanetary scale. Who the princess of Alpha Xendri-7 is crushing on this week (this week it is one of her handmaidens, last week it was the duke of some sector of her planet), which noblewoman the leader of Xendros was caught having an affair with (there were many), and the failed engagement of the queen of a planet that Lance literally cannot pronounce (it turns out she was in love with her fiance’s brother - juicy!)

So when he overhears several half-Galra stationed at the Garrison excitedly discussing the apparently incredible fuckability of someone called the Kralut Zin, he doesn’t think much of it. It’s just like the trashy reality TV shows that Lance watches with Shiro and Adam every Thursday. Fascinating, but ultimately a passing distraction. They will be focused on something else within a quintant.

But contrary to his expectations, he hears the phrase repeatedly over the course of several weeks. Over and over, whispered in hallways, referenced in locker rooms and conference rooms alike.

Before a group training exercise, a Galra footsoldier mentions seeing the Kralut Zin on a transmission and comments on the roundness of his ass.

After a diplomatic meeting, a member of the Blade of Marmora brags about a friend-of-a-friend who apparently slept with the Kralut Zin.

When passing two Galra in the hallway, he hears one of them comment, “The Kralut Zin looks soft; I bet he would be a fun fuck.”

And today on the training deck, one of the half-Galra makes a lewd comment to his sparring partner about wanting to bring the Kralut Zin to his knees.

The other Galra snorts. “As if you’d know how to pleasure the Kralut Zin.”

Lance sees the first Galra square up slightly. “And you would?”

“I would,” the other Galra says. “I would have him begging me to make him my mate!”

“Oh, please,” the other Galra drawls. “Have you even bedded an Omega before?”

“I’ve bedded tons of omegas,” the smaller one protests, in a manner that suggests that he definitely hasn’t.

“That may be so, but this isn’t just any omega. This is the Kralut Zin. The best of the best. What makes you think you’d be worthy of his attention?”

“I know how to please an Omega. The Kralut Zin is surely no different.”

The first Galra snickers. “Whatever you say. I hear he is going to be coming to this very base soon; why don’t you try it and see if he’s amenable to your advances?”

But as much as Lance would love to hear how this conversation ends, he just rolls his eyes and leaves the training deck. His curiosity about this Kralut Zin is definitely piqued, but he is meeting up with Shiro for one of his biweekly briefings in ten minutes, so he needs to get a move on.

Lance tries to do his own research over the next few weeks on what a Kralut Zin is, but he has nothing in his database about it. And given the blatantly sexual nature of every conversation where he is referenced, he is too embarrassed to ask Allura, Coran, or any of their Galran allies. But his curiosity continues to grow.

So when Lance hears a deep Galran voice murmuring about the Kralut Zin inside, of all places, a supply closet? He gets a bit nosy.

After a cursory glance down the hallway to make sure he's alone, he presses his ear against the door.

Moaning. He hears moaning. 

“So soft, Kralut Zin, so good to me; you're built for this, taking me so well…”

…Ah.

It's becoming abundantly clear that the Galran voice wasn't talking about the Kralut Zin, but talking to the Kralut Zin. 

Lance's curiosity overcomes the rational side of his brain, and he lifts one hand to delicately push at the door.

It cracks open.

At first, all he sees is the broad purple back of one of the room’s occupants. He is shirtless, muscles flexing under his slightly scaley skin, and his clawed hands grip the slender hips of the man in front of him, who Lance can't really see beyond a glimpse of his purple uniform pushed aside to reveal a sliver of pale skin. That must be the Kralut Zin. 

He's struggling to get a good look at the guy until the taller Galra bows his head with a low moan. Lance gets a look at the back of the guy’s head, and his heart stops. 

He'd recognize that mullet anywhere. 

It's Keith.

Keith's hair bounces with every thrust. Keith's head is thrown back with a low moan. Keith's big gorgeous eyes open as he pops his ass out further, encouraging the Galran man to thrust harder. Keith's head turns as he murmurs something to the Galra behind him, and his eyes meet Lance’s gaze and widen –

Shit.

Two things occur to Lance simultaneously.

One - Keith is hot when he's getting fucked.

And two - Keith is the Kralut Zin.

Chapter Text

As Lance speed walks away from the supply closet, he takes a moment to reflect on his life choices.

Sure, maybe it wasn’t the best idea to open the door on what was obviously a private moment between strangers. Or….who he thought were strangers. He obviously didn’t know it was Keith. He wouldn’t have opened the door if he had known it was Keith.

…Or would he? Lance doesn't even know how to even put into words the complicated feelings coursing through him. Keith looked… really into it. He'd never seen Keith look so relaxed, so comfortable in his own skin, and it was while he was being pounded into a wall in a supply closet?! What the fuck?! He can’t deny the pull in his gut as he remembers the blissed-out expression on Keith’s face as he turned around. Moaned. Whispered to the Galra behind him. Made eye contact with Lance.

…Aaaanad he’s got a boner.

Shit. He can never look Keith in the eye again, can he?

“Lance!”

Double shit.

Lance almost doesn’t turn around, almost doesn’t break his stride because he knows that voice, he knows Keith is following him, but he also knows Keith is faster than him and is stubborn as hell and will catch him if he tries to run.

He can do this, right? Recover his friendship with Keith? Hell, he and Allura are practically best friends now and they only broke up a year ago, so maybe with time everything will be fine?

Lance hears Keith calling to him again. “Lance!”

Time to face the awkwardness.

He stops, takes a deep breath, and turns around.

The first thing he sees is a flustered Keith, running down the hallway, still zipping up his Blade suit. He just catches a glimpse of pale skin on his waist and chest before he pulls the zipper up to his neck, and okay, not helping the situation in his pants right now.

Lance redirects his gaze to meet Keith’s eyes, and he admires the slight flush on Keith’s face before he recovers enough to speak. “Keith. Hey.”

Keith comes to a stop in front of him, sheepish expression on his face. “Lance, I… I’m really sorry about that.”

He shrugs, going for nonchalant but probably missing by a mile. “No worries, man.”

Keith steps closer and puts one hand on his shoulder. “No, really, I… I didn’t mean for you to see that.”

Lance feels flustered all over again, and he can practically feel his brain-to-mouth filter breaking. “What was he even doing to you?”

Keith blinks. “What was he -? Surely you understand how sex works?”

Lance feels himself flushing even deeper, because he does understand. Sort of. In an academic sense. “Of course, I just… you just seemed…”

Keith’s eyes search his own. “Seemed?”

“Really… into it?”

Lance wants to fling himself off a bridge.

Keith fixes him with a puzzled look. “I mean... yeah? I wouldn't have been doing it if I didn't like it?”

Lance doesn’t know what to do with this unashamed Keith. This version of Keith that apparently gets around, that all of his Galra buddies want. Lance has always known in the back of his mind that Keith is attractive, but it’s another thing to see that everyone else apparently agrees. Something dark is building in his gut and he doesn’t like it.

Lance shakes his head to clear his thoughts. “Right. Ah. I’m sorry to interrupt. I’ll let you get back to your man.”

Keith laughs, easy and carefree. “He's not my anything. It was just casual. Stress relief. He knows how it is; he won't be heartbroken or anything.”

Lance’s mouth opens before he can stop himself. “So it’s not anything serious with him? You don’t like… like him?”

He’s not sure why he asks. He’s not sure he wants to look too deeply into why he suddenly, desperately, needs to know that Keith doesn’t have feelings for that guy.

“Yeah, it’s just casual with him.” Keith rubs the back of his neck, that pretty flush returning to his face. “Casual sex is, uh… pretty common with the Galra.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah.”

An awkward silence ensues. Lance has never done well with awkward silences, so he breaks it with the first thought that comes to his mind. “Not gonna lie, this isn’t exactly how I saw our reunion playing out.”

Keith laughs, genuine and wide-mouthed, and Lance feels his heart fluttering. “It’s good to see you. It seems like we are going to be seeing a lot more of each other over the next few months.”

Lance’s heart inflates, filled with elation. “Really? You’re coming back to Earth?”

“For now.” Keith smiles at Lance’s victorious fist-pump. “The Blade is working on consolidating power amongst the Galra factions. It’s boring political bullshit, but we are stationing ourselves at the Garrison for the time being while we work out a few alliances.”

Lance feels a genuine smile sweep over him. “Everyone’s gonna be so happy to see you again, man. You gotta come say ‘hi’ to Hunk and Pidge, and the Alteans will be back next week, so you will get to see Allura, Coran, and Romelle then too! It’ll be just like old times!”

Keith’s smile becomes slightly strained. “How is Allura?”

Ahhh. Keith is trying to be a good friend, being gentle in how he is asking about Lance’s ex, but he really doesn’t need to be. He shoots him a reassuring smile. “Good! It’s been a bit since I’ve heard from her, but it sounds like things on New Altea are going well. I get reports from them frequently, and they come to visit once a month or so.”

A sly smile crosses Keith’s face. “Oh yeah, I did hear about that, your excellency. You’re a real actual diplomat now.”

Lance frowns. “Hey, I’ll have you know I’m actually really good at it -”

Keith cuts him off with a hand to his shoulder and a kind smile. “I know. I was joking; you don’t need to get defensive. You were always the best diplomat on the Castleship after Allura. It’s about time someone recognized that. You earned it.”

Lance is probably bright red by now, but he can’t bring himself to care. “Thanks, man. That means a lot coming from you.”

Keith’s kind smile softens even further and he opens his mouth to speak, but then Lance’s comm unit starts beeping. He pulls it out of his pocket. He frowns at the name on the screen.

Ah. This phone call is actually important. 

“I’d love to catch up, but I actually have to take this; this is the Emperor of Xuellia calling,” Lance explains.

Keith nods, clapping Lance on the shoulder. “We can catch up later. I’m not going anywhere for a while.”

“Where are you staying while you’re here?”

“The Garrison assigned me and my unit a block of apartments on the North side of campus. You should come by some time soon.”

“You got it,” he responds with a grin. He shoots Keith one last smile before he turns away and answers his comm.

“Emperor Zandril! I’m so glad to hear from you.”

—

Turning around and seeing Lance in the doorway of the supply closet was weird, especially considering it was Lance’s face Keith was picturing the entire time the Galra was fucking him.

Keith feels himself flush red at the memory. He’s not shy about sex - it’s not the first time he’s been fucked with an audience - but the abrupt way his two worlds collided had given him whiplash. It was all he could do to zip himself back up and run after Lance. It has been well over a year since he has seen anyone from the team, and, well… the team doesn’t exactly know about this side of him.

Lance seemed to take it pretty well though. He was a little awkward about it, but Keith supposes anyone would be under those circumstances. 

In spite of the awkwardness, it really was good to see Lance again. He can’t deny that he is excited to spend time with him over the next few months while he is stationed on Earth, even though it will hurt just as much as it will be a balm to his loneliness.

Because Keith is under no illusions about his chances with Lance.

Lance is taken.

Keith was trying to be a good friend and asked about Lance’s girlfriend, even though he wanted to do literally anything but that. Jealousy roils in his gut. He hates that he hates Allura. He doesn’t want to hate her, but he’s never been more jealous of another living being in his entire life. She has everything he wants.

So, he throws himself into his role as the Kralut Zin. Gets all the dick he wants. He even enjoys it most of the time. But he still feels lonely at the end of the day.

“He'll never be mine,” Keith laments aloud.

“You should just talk to him. You never know; the Princess might be amenable to sharing the Blue Paladin.”

Keith looks back to the Galra behind him, not pausing in his hip thrusts even during his little pep talk. Keith snorts. “Yeah right.”

“Don’t dismiss my words so easily. You are a very attractive candidate! Perhaps she wants to indulge herself in you just as much as she does the Blue Paladin.”

Keith laughs, then moans when the man behind him hits a good spot inside him. “I don’t think she sees me like that. More importantly, I don’t think Lance sees me like that.”

“You never know until you try,” the Galra encourages. “The worst he can do is say no!”

“Humans are different - ooooooh, right there - humans are different from the Galra about sex. It could ruin our friendship if I tried.”

“That seems very restrictive, but you understand human culture better than I do, so I will take your word for it.”

Keith’s fingers curl until his nails dig into the wall as the man behind him picks up the pace, and soon Keith is reaching down and jerking himself to completion. His cum splatters against the wall of the conference room. He feels the Galra pull out and warmth floods across his lower back.

Keith straightens up and turns around, holding his hand out to the Galra out of habit. The man takes it and rubs the side of his mouth against Keith's wrist affectionately - scent-marking him, a way of thanking Keith. It threw him for a loop the first time it happened, but now it's second nature.

With a respectful nod, the other man leaves, and Keith is left alone to ponder his life choices alone in the empty conference room.