Kidge Winter Event

Kidge winter event

Day 5: Chimney

The light and sweet sound of the wood burning inside the fireplace was relaxing while outside a dizzying storm hit and crept across the desert, dragging sand and a few pebbles with it. The technological and newly installed gas fireplace heated the house beautifully, giving a romantic and new atmosphere to the house. “Climate change is a strange thing…”: Keith muttered under the warm white, red and green fur blanket: “Almost thirty years I've lived here and I've never seen the thermometer drop below freezing…” “Yeah…”: Pidge nodded, hugging and snuggling into him as much as possible, even though her bare feet were exposed: “Apparently years ago when we took Honerva's Robeast out of Earth's atmosphere, the explosion still made worse the entire climate problem that had already worsened with the Galra occupation…" “A big problem… will Garrison be able to get everything back to normal?”: he asked, with a hint of sarcasm in his tone. “It depends… Will Katie Holt be able to solve everything since Garrison is now entrusting everything to her?”: she replied. “Oh, right…”: He laughed: “You really need a break, Pidgey…” “Don't tell me about it…”: she sighed, looking at the ceiling and playing with the wedding ring on her finger. This was Keith's shack, they had simply renovated it with plaster, bricks and more modern things before they got married, although they never would have thought that a snowstorm would come strong enough to blow away the walls if they were still there only made of wood. In fact, they both needed a little more comfort, even if some of the furniture, the sofa and the old mattress were the same as before. “Let's do it like this…”: he spoke, looking into her eyes and caressing her lips: “This year for our anniversary I'll take you on a nice trip…” “In this weather?”: she giggled. “Well why not? I could pilot…": he pointed out and she started laughing. “And where would you like to go?”: Pidge looked at him. “Well, in Europe they say it's still hot…”: he said. "In December?" “The weather is very crazy this year…” “Yes, and where exactly did you want to go?”: She placed her hands on his chest, resting her chin on them in turn, listening to him with curiosity. “I don't know, maybe Paris…”: Keith shrugged. "Paris? Okay… Sounds romantic…”: she laughed. “Yeah… Imagine… Our first trip to the land border outside of American territory… Just you and me, and no one else…”: he smiled. They had been married for almost 3 years now, and had waited to have children: they were a busy young couple with a difficult career, and although their sexual activity was active and healthy they had never taken the risk too far. They were still young, plus Pidge's new Commander was very strict on her and on work, and Kolivan didn't give Keith much slack on missions either, so they had talked about it and decided to wait until they were both more available . “It seems so romantic…”: she nodded. “It's no coincidence that it's called the City of Love…”: he pointed out, causing her to giggle. “Okay… I can't wait to see the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, all of Paris!”: She exclaimed enthusiastically, but then she became serious again and looked at him: “But the best thing is that you will be with me…”

Kidge winter event

Day 3: Christmas gifts

Keith had lived in the desert his whole life, the only people he knew were his teachers or classmates before Shiro, so being welcomed and immersed in what they called Christmas cheer was strange to him. Living in the desert meant no snow, no Christmas tree, no presents after his father's death and very small, inexpensive things before that. That's why when Lance, after looking at the space calendar created by Pidge and Hunk, jumped on the spot noticing that we were close to Christmas, he certainly didn't waste time explaining everything to Coran and Allura. Both were very excited about the idea of celebrating an important Earth custom like that, in fact they immediately ran to the space mall to get some things.

“Okay guys! I want you with bags full of decorations and gifts!”: Lance had said, and in fact that's what Keith did. He had bought, well… stolen inexpensive items that he was sure would like, yet he felt ashamed when he saw others with two or three bags full of food, objects or decorations, when everything he had taken he had hidden in his large trouser pockets .

He watched the rest of the progress from afar, leaning against the wall or training. Sometimes he caught Hunk in the kitchen trying to create some space variation similar to Earth's Christmas desserts, other times he saw Pidge intent on genetically modifying some space plant in order to create a real Christmas tree, not to mention the fact that he often met in the corridors with Lance while he tried to hang something similar to mistletoe on the ceiling…

All of this was so damn strange to him and… he felt somehow left out. Sure, the paladins were his family now, even if in Lance's case he had preferred they weren't, but in that moment everything and everyone seemed so distant. Sometimes Shiro would give him a quick check-up to see if he was okay, but each time it happened less and less, perhaps Lance was dragging him into the Christmas cheer that everyone was used to. Everyone except him.

Many times Keith had wondered that if his father hadn't thrown himself into that fire many years earlier, perhaps he would be different than he is now, or perhaps not. After all, with or without his father, he had grown up alone in the desert.

When he arrived that day, for a moment he felt like a ghost. Everyone got up with joy and started the celebrations right from breakfast. He sat on the other side of the table silently eating the strange sticky substance while on the other side laughter and the sound of tearing paper filled his silence. He got up immediately afterwards and headed towards the training room. He discovered that fighting made him feel good in a certain way: he felt alive and relaxed, perhaps this also had to do with the symbol on his mother's knife. The Altean gladiator descended from the ceiling and began deftly swinging its spear as he made the bayard appear in his hand, ready to dodge, defend or strike.

They didn't stop even when the door to the training room opened and a figure entered and then sat down on the cold floor near the wall.

“What do you want, Pidge?”: Keith asked annoyed, giving the robot another blow with his sword.

“I'm just here to give you something, you ran away before I could…”: she replied, showing a small red package in her hands.

He didn't respond, continuing to fight and then stepping back to keep his distance and give himself a few seconds' break.

“I'm pretty busy right now…”: he growled, lunging forward at the robot.

“Don't worry, I can wait”: she replied with a shrug, watching the whole fight with interest.

Keith turned his gaze momentarily to look at her, and for a moment he wondered what was so interesting about a stupid fight. Well, obviously, Pidge was the green paladin, the most logical, curious and courageous: everything he saw, for her was a source of inspiration, a teaching and there was nothing that her sharp eyes couldn't perceive. That's why he was so attracted to her. Her decision-making ability, physical and mental strength, intelligence and tenacity made her an excellent companion in battle and a strong warrior.

When Keith finally brought the robot down with one last blow, he sat down next to her and she handed him the towel.

“Thank you”: he said, wiping his sweaty face.

“You're welcome”: she smiled, then handing him the gift when he had finished: “For you…”

“Oh… thank you…”: he took it carefully, delicately tearing the decorated red paper with which the gift had been carefully packaged.

“I also wanted to tell you that you are not the only one…”: she looked into his eyes for a moment. He raised an eyebrow.

"Lance organized everything...": Pidge continued: "In my family we celebrate a different Christmas than the American one with huge parties, decorations everywhere, mistletoe..."

“Oh, I see…”: he replied, focusing again on the package. When he removed the red paper, he slowly lifted the lid of the box and was surprised to see a knife carefully placed on a black pad. It was certainly made of a very precious and expensive metal and the hilt was made of leather and metal decorated with sumptuous floral embroidery.

“Wow…”: he admitted, taking it in his hand and checking the sharpness of the tip.

“I saw how fond you are of your knife, so I thought I'd give you another one…”: she said: “I know it's maybe not what you imagined, but you're always so introverted and it seemed difficult to find something suitable for you…”

"Are you joking? It's perfect!”: He smiled. One of those few sweet and rare smiles.

“I'm glad I made the right choice, it was quite difficult to steal it…”: she sighed: “That Unilu was so careful about everything!”

“I have something for you too, Pidge”: he laughed, taking a small USB stick out of his pocket and handing it to her. Her eyes lit up as soon as she saw it.

“But this is-?”: She exclaimed, stealing it from his hands: “I can't believe it! A USB stick! And it's a terrestrial model!!! Thanks Keith!”

She hugged him.

Name and Meanings???

Because I'm curious even if I have a lot to do but... bruh...

Katie: It's a variant of the name Catherine from the greek "kataròs" and means "pure" or "darting"

Keith: It's a english or scottish name from an ancient scottish family, it could either come from the Brythonic term "cet", “wood”, or from the Scottish word "gaoth", “wind”.

Lance: It's an english name from the germanic "Lanzo" which means "land"

Hunk: I searched but I didn't find anything. But I assume it means something strong like the "hunk".

Takashi: It's a japanese name that means 孝"filial piety", strong "noble" or 崇"reverence".

Allura: It's from the latin name "Aurora" and means "reddish", "luminous" and "shining".

Matt: It's a diminutive of the English name Matthew, variant of Matteo meaning "man of God" or "gift of God".

Sam: It's a diminutive from the english name Samuel, from the jewish "Shemu'el", and means " His name is God"

Colleen: It's an irish name from "Cailìn" and means "girl"

Veronica: It's from the Macedonian term "Pherenìke" and means "Victorious"

Rachel: It's from the jewish and means "little sheep"

Luis: It's a spanish name that means "illustrious warrior"

Marco: It's from the italic term "mar" and means "sacred to Mars", Mars was the ancient roman God of War.

Lisa: It's a famous jewish name from "Elisa" and meas "God is perfection"

Nadia: It's a diminutive from the russian name "Nadezda" and means "hope"

Silvio: It's from the latin term "silva" and means "inhabitant of the forest".

Ina: It's a variant of the name Catherine from the greek "kataròs" and means "pure" or "darting", like Katie.

James: It's from the jewish "Ya'agob" and means "which becomes the first"

Ryan: It's from a irish surname and means "little king"

Kidge winter event

Day 6: Mistletoe/Movies

Christmas didn't exist in Altea, so Coran was very surprised when Lance asked him if they could celebrate it with their families at the new Castle of Lions. Keith remembered how complicated it had been for all of them to explain each tradition to him, and since they came from different cultures, each paladin had different traditions for that joyous day. He remembered how Lance boasted about the gifts to give to everyone, while Hunk talked about the cooking competitions with his family, while Pidge explained the religious reason in which she had been rigorously educated by her parents. Of course, Keith also had traditions that had been passed down to him by his father, and which he had continued to do after his death. However, Coran liked the idea, so he immediately nodded and accepted the proposal. For a week, the castle was in total commotion as robots hung pine garlands, branches, and fairy lights throughout the castle. The ballroom had been decorated and illuminated, and in every corner one could find small or large Christmas trees, and for a moment, although he hated large parties, he thought it was a nice thing to get all together on a day that it was Allura's commemoration.

December 24th arrived quickly, and all the families and important friends of the paladins showed up at the Castle of the Lions elegant and smiling. The foods that Hunk had carefully cooked together with his and Romelle's group accompanied the buffet of appetizers full of laughter, smiles and harmony, and for a moment everything seemed perfect in Keith's eyes. At least until the Holt family arrived, late, but not without smiles and elegant clothes; and as soon as he saw Pidge in a gorgeous, elegant green dress… well… that was more than perfect for him. The dress was a simple green dress with thin straps, a skirt with layers of tulle that fell above the knee but reached the calf at the back, a V-neck and stockings that perfectly reflected the color of her pale and warm complexion . She smiled and sat at the table apologizing to everyone for being late, while he watched her move around the room. Hell, it took Hunk to lock his jaw shut! But only then did he realize that, damn, she was now twenty years old and no longer a little girl, but it had taken such an elegant, tight and feminine dress, that it had surely been Colleen's idea, to make it for her. note? Apparently yes, but apparently that stupid reaction of his made someone else understand something else, even if in fact it didn't take him long to understand it. His cheeks colored every time he looked at her from behind or in front, even though he didn't have this effect with the other girls, who were dressed more or less the same.

Lance had approached him while he was drinking a glass of champagne in the corner of the party a few minutes after eleven while everyone else was dancing, an evil smile on his face.

“How's it going?” He laughed, wrapping his arm around his shoulders.

“Good…”: Keith replied, shrugging and taking a sip of the yellow, gaseous liquid, hoping it would stop the slight blush on his cheeks, while he looked at her from across the room talking to Matt and Curtis.

“Pidge looks beautiful tonight, doesn't she?” Lance chuckled, hitting that sore point Keith had hoped he wouldn't mention, and in fact he almost choked on his champagne.

“W-What? Well, in short... It's the usual Pidge...": he stopped his embarrassment by wiping his mouth with a napkin.

“Do you really hope that I believe you? Poor naive person, we all saw that as soon as she entered on your face exploded little hearts ...": he sighed, shaking his head.

"Everyone?": he turned pale: "Even her?"

“I don't know, either she's the only one who hasn't noticed or she's too kind to pretend nothing happened”: he replied.

“AH”: Keith nodded: “So what should I do now…?”

“You definitely can't miss her, I mean, look at her! She is smart, strong, smart and beautiful! Once upon a time, I admit, I would have questioned the fact that she was cute but now, man...": he interrupted the sentence, but the other immediately understood where he was going. For Keith, beauty was a subjective thing, and after seeing different alien races in so many physical aspects they had made him believe that, rightly, beauty wasn't that important, but then why was he now so attracted to her in that way? Once, as paladins, he was amazed at her strength and speed, her ingenuity and her mentality, perhaps it was that attraction that returned to the surface after all that time that made him react that way?

“You can't escape from love…”: his father always repeated every time he placed a mistletoe leaf on the ceiling. He always said that he did it because his mother liked that tradition, and that therefore for him it was like a symbol of hope that she would return. This had always made baby Keith cry.

“I didn't mean that…”: he shook his head: “I mean… How… How do you conquer a woman?”

"Oh! Wow! I never imagined I would have to give this speech to lone wolf Keith Kogane!”: Lance laughed.

“Just answer!”: he whispered, embarrassed and with his face on fire. Lance simply pointed to a small archway at the end of the room, where there was some mistletoe tied with a red Christmas bow.

“Are you kidding!?”: Keith shook his head, feeling his cheeks as red as his former uniform.

"Why not?"

“Because that's in front of everyone, you idiot!”

“Oh, well, then what's another one in the corridor before the stairs and the bathroom, almost no one ever goes there!”: he explained.

“Okay!”: He grumbled, rubbing his cheeks to reduce the blush. He looked back across the room at Pidge, who was standing up and giving Matt the glass of water. From her lips and how she pointed to the door he could assume she was going to the bathroom, perfect.

“It's your time!”: Lance exclaimed, giving him a pat on the shoulder that almost made the champagne fall. He growled for a moment, then sighed and with slow steps headed towards the door. Once he crossed the threshold he could see a short corridor lit only by the classic blue neon lights of the castle and by a few light lights on the stairs to the left, which had a small mistletoe plant on the ceiling at the beginning. He was alone for the moment, although he could hear the water running from the bathroom not far away, so he decided to lean on the start of the stair railing without rushing and waiting for her. Pidge came out a short time later waving her hands at the ground as if to dry them and when she looked up she jumped slightly.

“Keith, you scared me!”: she laughed, approaching him and leaning on the pillar as well.

“It's been a while since we talked, alone and as friends I mean…”: he sighed, and thanked heaven that the alcohol was finally having its effect, making his tone much calmer and sedate and his cheeks less reddish.

“Yeah…”: she nodded: “I've been pretty busy with the Garrison…”

“I know…”: he replied, looking up once again towards the mistletoe. After all, it was he who told Coran to put a few leaves hanging here and there around the castle, after all it was his tradition, and each paladin had been pleased with an important piece of their culture: Lance had embellished the tree and the gift packages with colored shells, Hunk had shared much of the traditional food on the menu, Shiro had bought lights of all kinds and Pidge had managed to steal an old nativity scene from her mother.

“Anyway, I was surprised to hear that your Christmas and your traditions are different from everyone else's…”: Keith confessed, looking at her.

"What can I say? My parents are very religious and then the traditional Italian Christmas is much less complicated than the American one. There's no mistletoe, Christmas Eve parties, stockings hanging on the fireplace...": she sighed: "You only see all this in those horrible Christmas films..."

“Have you really never imagined a kiss under the mistletoe?”: he asked.

“A kiss under the mistletoe? We don't even use mistletoe...": she shook her head.

“Oh, well, it kind of sucks… I thought everyone did that…”: Keith admitted.

“But, now that you make me think about it, it would be nice…”: she thought, thinking out loud: “It seems romantic…”

“It is…”: he nodded.

“Have you ever tried this?”: Pidge asked.

“No, I've never had the opportunity, like you…”: he shook his head.

She sighed, looking at him and then moving her gaze to the green leaves above his head. She looked around the empty hallway as loud sounds of music and laughter could be heard from the front door. Sometimes you could even hear someone yelling about the Christmas countdown.

“What if this was an opportunity?” She finally found the courage to speak, and he raised an eyebrow at her.

"Really? Would you like it?”: he asked shocked.

“Well, yes, just to try, and then we can just forget everything…”: she shrugged, moving away from the column and opposing him.

“What does it tell you that I want to forget?”: He followed her example, approaching her and looking down at her; she had grown and stood tall, but he still towered over her.

“And what does it tell you that I don't want to forget either?”: she replied in the same way. They both smiled as they slowly approached, moving backwards slightly so they were completely under the mistletoe. Shouts could be heard from the main room, probably the countdown had started.

“5!”

Her arms wrapped around his neck, gently massaging his tense muscles and jaw, adjusting the collar of his red shirt. Likewise he grabbed her waist, pulling her as close as possible and studying her hips with his fingers through the delicate fabric of her green dress.

“4!”

His hands moved from her hips to her cheeks, stroking them gently and looking into her eyes. With a slow gesture he moved her glasses, moving them above her head, definitively freeing those golden and shining eyes of hers.

“3!”

She looked into his eyes, drowning in that work of art of purple colors and shades. Maybe that was the only way she could tell that part of him was Galra. She wet her lips slightly, and, even though she had never done it, she didn't feel scared or embarrassed. Maybe it was Christmas that gave such a magical atmosphere?

"2!"

They came closer, again and again, closer each time. His hands fell to her sides again, while her arms wrapped around his neck as she moved on tiptoe despite the small heels she wore, and he bent over.

“1!”

Their lips joined with heat and passion, carried away by each other's taste as they gave impetus to what they had desired and hoped for for years.

"Merry Christmas to all!"

Kidge winter event

Day 2: Chrismas tree/ Jacket

Pidge opened the dusty cardboard box, taking a cloth and dusting the small Christmas baubles and decorations. Not far from her, Keith was busy decorating the green, symbolic pine tree with adorable fairy lights. “Are you really sure? Green and red?”: he looked at her, and she responded with a simple amused look. “The question is why not? They are the colors of our original lions…": she shrugged her shoulders amused: "I mean, it's become a family tradition now!" She waved her wedding ring finger proudly and Keith couldn't feel happier in that moment. After spending the last eight years as engaged couples, he managed to take some courage out of her last year, finally putting that ring on her finger. “And your family traditions?”: He laughed at her, looking at her. “I'm a Kogane now, Kogane, the Holts are a thing of the past…”: she joked, blowing on a particularly dusty decoration. “I'm sorry to disappoint you but my father didn't have any Christmas traditions…”: he sighed, taking the small group of baubles that she had just finished dusting and decorating the tree. “Well… Traditions have to start from someone, right?”: she asked, with a tone as if it were more a reasoning said aloud or a question for herself. He chuckled as she hung some baubles, alternating red and green ones with some small branches or gold accents. After all, it was almost Christmas. “No no no! There are too many red ones!”: she shook her head, pointing at the entire tree with her index finger. “But I hung all the balls you gave me…”: Keith snorted. “Of course, because Kosmo broke the others last year…”: she replied, pointing to the space wolf who was calmly lying on the large white sofa looking at the thick snow. Theirs was a relatively large house: an open space with kitchen, living room and dining room with a wall covered in glass so they could see the bush that surrounded it not far from the Garrison, while upstairs there was a small study, a laboratory and two bedrooms. Furthermore, Keith had insisted on having a huge underground garage. “Never mind, it means we'll buy more…”: he shrugged his shoulders, whistling at Kosmo who raised his head. “Now?!”: she stood up, looking at him in surprise: “Would you like to go out for some Christmas decorations in a snowstorm?!” “Why not?”: he chuckled, while she rolled her eyes. “Because even though we are married, this house is registered in my name, which means that whoever is in here is under my power and control”: she crossed her arms over her chest: “Put simply, you are not going there” “I need more if you want me to stay…”: he chuckled, looking her up and down. “Okay!”: she blushed, snorting. “You have to pick me up to put the star on, I can't reach it…” He laughed at her seeing her like that. Every time she admitted something so embarrassing, especially if it involved her height, her cheeks would turn that red that always made him laugh. “Okay…”: he nodded, picking her up bridal style and carrying her back to the living room. He let go of her so she could reach for the large gold star, but when he took it back, Pidge let out a small cry of surprise as he placed her on his back over his shoulders. “Keith, you asshole!”: She swats her feet hitting his chest. "What's up? Do you like the view from up there?”: he teased her while she sighed. And then, she placed the star on the tree.

One of my family's traditions is to have the tree decorated every year with different colors or combinations. This year I proposed red and green as colours, but my mother didn't like it at all… Never mind, I'll try next year…

ヾ(≧▽≦*)oヾ(≧▽≦*)o

KIDGE WINTER EVENT

Sorry had a sinus infection and was feeling out of it so please enjoy the past 2 prompts and hopefully I can get todays out too!

Day 2 12/19 Christmas tree/jacket

Keith woke up with a start! His hand automatically reached for his blade, muscles readying, when the giggles and whispers registered. Relaxing his muscles, he reorientated himself. He let himself listen and enjoy this moment.

His oldest son, Drew, could be heard ordering his siblings around. Well, after hearing a high-pitched “No,” trying might be a better word. Drew’s little voice firmly directed them to brush their teeth and grab their cold-weather items like gloves and hats. Then there was his daughter Abbey, who could be heard singing her class’ Christmas carol and completely ignoring her older brother. And finally, with no sounds from his youngest Finn, who at 5 translated into him probably watching TV on the couch with his blankie firmly held in his arms.

He felt Katie start to stir and murmur, “Well, so much for sleeping in; we might as well get up and pick out our tree.”

Keith kissed her forehead and replied, “Stay here; I’ll get them rounded up and ready. I know you didn’t finish your projections until early this morning. I’ll even feed the gremlins too!”

Katie sighed, “This…this is why I keep you around.” Chuckling, he pinched her side and slid out of bed.

As he corralled the kids, got them fed and dressed, put on their favorite Disney Holiday movie, Mickey’s Twice Upon a Christmas, stopped a fight, and found a lost glove, he finally returned to wake Katie. As she started her process of getting ready, Keith himself got ready, as well as getting a saw and tie-downs. While putting the stuff in the car, he got a message from one of his former Blades operatives: some pictures from their most recent mission. He quickly shot off a quick reply and called out if everyone was ready to leave.

On the way to the tree farm, the car was filled with yelling, laughter, and teasing. Luckily, there was no puking. It seems Finn has finally grown out of his car sickness, which was great. Plus, a little arguing from the peanut gallery. Katie was already on her phone looking up places to eat near their destination, and somehow, Drew managed to hook up his music playlist to the car! He glanced at Katie, jokingly saying, “You know, this kid is going to be the death of me, right? I can’t handle two geniuses.”

To which she manically grinned, replying, “What about 4?”

Once they arrived at their destination, they promptly got stuck in the mud in the parking lot, which the kids thought was excellent. Keith was more annoyed that they didn’t plan for this, but out he went to try and push while Katie took control of the wheel when suddenly he had all three children next to him…in the mud. Keith groaned; the car was going to be filthy!

He could hear Katie swearing, talking about how they should have kept the test flooring in the van because they could have put it in front of the tires. Keith yelled, “There’s no room in there for that and Drew’s hockey bag!”

Finally, some workers from the farm came out and helped push. As they walked the tree farm, debating on the pros and cons of each tree and watching his kids run down the aisles of trees laughing and pushing, he grabbed Katie’s mittened hand. Pulling her to a stop, he tugged her close and said, “Babe, thank you.”

Katie blinked, “No thanks needed, bud. Hell, this is even better than what I had dreamed up. Our fucking family kicks ass!” She quickly moved to her tip toes and kissed him. Groans and applause followed, and he couldn’t think of a better way to spend a day.

Day 3 12/20 Christmas gift

He was an idiot. He didn’t do things like this. She was going to hate it. Fuck!

He couldn’t even blame anyone else. He’d been walking around with the damn thing in his pocket for months. Waiting for the perfect time, waiting for the right moment.

Unfortunately, he had no clue what that meant. It’s not like his parents were even married. And he knew better than anyone there is no sign from above that was going to come down and say, do it now. But he usually went with his gut so that was the plan. Wait for it to feel right.

He knew he wasn’t like Shiro who planned everything down to what scent of candle he lit. He heard Katie’s parents' story, where Katie’s mom actually got tired of waiting for Mr. Holt to pop the question. She did the deed, which he couldn’t imagine Katie doing. Then there was Hunk who planned an actual event just so he could pop the question. There were fireworks that Katie was in charge of, so he knew this was a big deal.

But none of those felt like them. He knew he wasn’t adept at planning missions much less a proposal. He also knew that Katie would not want to be the center of attention at a gala or bar. But conversely, he also felt like she deserved to be. He hated when she tried to blend in the background when she was all he could see.

All of these previous events led up to the current plan that was created when the guys met up at the bar to discuss Christmas plans a few nights ago. The teasing naturally started when Lance announced in all seriousness that he needed to propose on NYE for him to win the pot. Keith got defensive. If it was easy, he’d have done it already. Shiro then started poking all while strategically plying him with drinks. As the night went on, he got more and more honest with his fears and what he wanted. His team as usual developed a plan.

Which is why he was sitting through a Holt Christmas dinner sweating and feeling scared. Katie kept looking at him with concern and her parents kept glancing at hi like he was hung over. Great impression. Matt however, looked like he was about to start video recording at any time. Shit.

If you asked Keith later, he would not be able to recall one thing said at dinner. He couldn’t tell you what he wore, what he ate or even if he ate. In fact, the actual proposal was also a blur but luckily Matt was on pointe and recorded the whole proposal. Which he gleefully played every damn Christmas.

But Katie would say it was the best Christmas present until the birth of her son a few years ago. And that’s all that matters to Keith.