Archive of Our Own

Lance was having… a dilemma, to say the least. A dilemma that has left his heart racing and his palms sweating. And though he would never admit it… this dilemma has him blushing . Big time.

And surprisingly, even to Lance, this dilemma is not Allura. At first, he thought it was. His heart would get all fluttery whenever they would form Voltron, and he was almost nervous to be around the rest of the team, just because he’d find himself tripping over his words. Which, by the way, is so not like him.

But he learnt his dilemma was not Allura after he missed a shot when Keith talked into his comm while he was aiming. He didn’t just miss the shot.. He dropped his bayard . Full on, hands flying off the thing, stumbling to catch it. That was the moment he realized his dilemma was not the princess he had thought he had been crushing on since they got into space, but that his dilemma was… Keith Kogane. Fucking Keith . A… a guy.

And that’s how Lance ended up outside Shiro’s room that evening, wringing his hands anxiously. It wasn’t a secret that Shiro was gay, not by a long shot. Anyone could see it by the way he gazes at an image of who must be his boyfriend when he thinks no one is looking. And what with Shiro being the only gay guy in the castle… Well, Lance doesn’t have a lot of options when it comes to getting advice on his dilemma. 

He breathes in, then out. Then he raises his hand to knock on the door.

Shiro opens it before he even has the chance to knock. He almost walks head first into Lance, but he stops himself just in time.

“...Lance? Can I help you?” He asks, shifting slightly to step back and look at Lance. 

The boy in question bites his lip, which is already out of character for him. He can see Shiro’s concerned gaze on him, waiting for his answer. 

Lance takes a deep breath. “I need to talk to you,” He blurts out, practically shoving Shiro back into his room. Which he then realizes is rude, since Shiro is… basically their captain. And.. well.. the head of voltron. So he backpedals. “If you have the time, obviously,” he adds, laughing nervously. He’s started tapping his fingers against his thigh anxiously.

Shiro, seemingly sensing Lance’s strange behaviour, smiles gently. “Of course, Lance. Come in,” He says, motioning for him to sit on the end of his bed. Shiro himself takes a seat in the desk chair opposite him. Lance can’t help but vaguely think this looks like a setup from one of those therapy rooms he’s seen on TV. 

Lance takes a seat, clearing his throat. They sit in silence for a minute, Shiro patiently waiting for Lance to open up. Lance leans back slightly, bracing his hands on his knees.

“So you’re gay, right?” He blurts out, not looking at Shiro.

The other man looks… bewildered at that. Then, slightly amused. He’s guessed what's going on already. “Yes, Lance. I’m gay. Why do you ask?” he replies, trying to keep the amusement out of his tone. 

Lance chews his lip. “But like.. How did you know? Was it like, you were born and you knew you were gay, or was it like… a zing kind of moment?” His words come out in a jumble, as he fidgets even more. 

Shiro laughs slightly at that. “Well it's… hard to tell,, really,” He starts, laughing again at Lance’s exasperated expression. “I guess I always knew. Though it's less I knew I was gay, and more I just… never found myself liking women like that. Though it’s different for everyone,” he finishes, resting his prosthetic arm on the table. “Why do you ask, Lance?” he prompts.

Lance freezes up at that. Then the fidgeting resumes harder than before. “Well, if… hypothetically , someone had liked girls his whole life, but hypothetically , now he thinks he might like a guy… what would that mean?” He asks, his voice growing more and more anxious. Like admitting this out loud is solidifying some truth. 

Shiro smiles, shifting his chair closer. “Well, hypothetically, I’d say that person probably likes both genders. Bisexual,” He says, tilting his head. 

Lance looks up at him, his eyes wide. “That's… that’s a thing? Liking both?” He asks, bewildered. Shiro laughs. “Lance, you can like whoever you want. You are the hypothetical person, right?” he says, his voice kind but filled with amusement. 

Lance flushes red at that, looking away. He does nod though. “Yeah… was I that obvious? … actually don’t answer that,” He mumbles. Though he is smiling slightly, his nerves fading away slightly. Though a little intimidating, Shiro is so comforting to talk to. He never judges anyone. 

“And I’m assuming this ‘guy crush’ is Keit-” Shiro gets cut off by a beet red Lance letting out a choked sound. “NO…” he shouts. “No.. I do not like Keith. I hate Keith.” Lance finishes quickly, his eyes wide as he refuses to look Shiro in the eye. 

Shiro chuckles at that. “Well. I can assure you don’t have to worry about this not Keith rejecting you. Trust me…” He trails off, like he’s had to have this exact conversation with someone else before. And Lance short circuits at this, launching into a long winded explanation of how he does not like Keith Kogane. Shiro sighs to himself. He knows he’s just gotten himself into a mess.