Archive of Our Own ^beta

The shrill ear piercing screech of the thin girl, that Lance mistook for a scarecrow, caused him to squeal out of terror. Reaching his hands out he clutched onto Hunks arm, his friend shaking just as much as him.
"You guys are such babies."
Pidge commented, waving at the actress who pouted before pulling herself back onto her post.
Lances expression mirrored that of the actress as he sighed dramatically, pulling Hunk to follow after their shorter friend.
"No you're just no fun! What's the point of coming to an amusement park during Halloween if you're not gonna let yourself be scared!"
"Because, I just don't see the appeal! What's the point in paying money to purposely,"
Pidge turned to face the other two as they spoke, walking backwards, as they made sure to really enunciate the word "purposely",
"scare yourself! I truly don't get it!"
Before Lance could speak, and defend the festival they each paid sixty dollars for, Hunk was pulling himself from his buddies iron grip and rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly,
"I have to agree with Pidge on this one buddy, I really don't get what's so fun about paying to scare yourself."
Lance crossed his arms, pouting dramatically, like the theater kid he was, and stopped in the middle of the path to stomp his boot at his friends.
"I understand Hunk not enjoying this but Pidge what the hell! You love horror movies!"
Pidge pushed the bridge of their glasses up their nose shaking their head,
"That's different, Lance. With horror movies you can see the complexities that go into their creation such as the cinematography, script writing, metaphors, even the gore in slashers have certain aspects to them that can be analyzed depending on scenario and director! Furthermore-"
"All I'm hearing is you dissing the work haunted house actors put in."
Lance grimaced, as Pidge threw their hands up,
"Of course I'm not! I'm just calling them lazy! Like for example this maze we're in right now! At this rate I guarantee we'll make it out of this thing in two minutes-"
The sound of large stalks of corn snapping behind Lance, paired with the looks of terror that engulfed both Pidge and Hunks face, and the sound of a revving chainsaw was enough for Lance to bolt down the path screaming without even turning around. As Lance ran down the path, the sound of laughter following him, he internally regretted wearing heeled cowboy boots. He had to admit they were extremely cute, but they hurt like hell to run in.
It was his idea for he and his friends to come to Fright Fest in costume. He remembers very clearly facetiming his friends just days before asking them if they'd picked out their costumes yet. There was a long moment of silence, as they stared at him over the phone like he'd grown two heads, and Lance knew at that moment that, no, they hadn't picked out their costumes, and that they weren't even planning on picking out costumes at all. However, before they could protest, before they could hit him with the,
"We're gonna be walking arounddd!!"
"Ohhh I don't have enough time to get a proper costumee!!"
"Lance, we're absolutely fucking not getting costumes."
He showed them his costume that he was so so proud of. A cow pattern printed cowboy hat, the rim adorned with glittery white fur, a black ribbon choker tied around his neck, a blue flannel, tucked into high waisted black jeans, and black heeled cowboy boots garnished with rhinestones and glitter. Three buttons of his flannel were undone, showing off a chest adorned in body glitter, and it was the type of outfit that would have the farm men in his midwestern state shaking their head with disapproval at him. However, Hunk and Pidge weren't old farm men. They're Lances best friends and there's no way in hell they could say no to Lances cute face. Especially when his face is so happy and sparkling in his glittery and glossy makeup. So they sucked it up Hunk showing up with the ears and tails from Pidges brothers Legoshi cosplay, claiming to be a werewolf, and Pidge showing up with some black eyeshadow smeared around their eyes and a blanket over their head claiming to be some half assed ghost. (It should be noted they weren't even allowed to wear the sheet inside the festival since only actors are allowed to cover their faces; leaving Pidge to look like some kind of fucked up raccoon.)
Lances running finally came to a slow halt, realizing that the sound of a chainsaw wielding masked murderer was no longer filling his ears. Taking his cowboy hat off, he ran his hand through his hair, fanning himself with his hat. Truly, he hadn't even broken a sweat he was just, once again, being dramatic. Turning around Lance took in his surroundings and was hit with the realization that Hunk and Pidge were no longer behind him. At first he laughed, expecting them to come running down the path soon, but after a few seconds went by the realization set in that they weren't coming.
"Oh crap.."
Lance wheezed out, holding his hat against his chest,
"Oh hell, oh damn, oh fuck.."
Lance nervously spat out a string of curses, walking down the maze path on shaking and nervous legs. He seemed to forget that this was a maze, and with the way he and his friends were blindly running back there it's no surprise they'd get split up. It was eerily silent as he scrapped his boots against the dirt ground the pit in his gut weighing him down to the point where it felt as though even his feet were too heavy to lift off the ground. Snapping his head towards any sound Lance felt like a deer walking through hunting territory. Thirty seconds went by, the hairs on his arms standing on edge, and for a moment Lance felt like he was in some sort of horror movie. The clock continued ticking before a minute went by, then thirty more seconds, and finally once the clock hit the two minute mark the boy remembered what he was really doing and couldn't help but laugh.
"Are you kidding,"
He cackled to himself, even snorting a bit, his fear completely being washed away.
"Oh my god this is just some Halloween attraction! It's available to middle schoolers,"
Lance scoffed, placing his cowboy hat back on his head,
"Plus it's been forever since I've seen anybody, I'm probably almost at the exit by now! Maybe Pidge was right? Maybe these guys are just lazy-"
In that moment, after the words left his lips, Lance was sure there was a God. A God laughing down at him, mocking him, for his inconsiderate and stupid words. From the corn field in front of him, standing at no less than 6'4" was an extremely muscular man. Holding a hatchet in hands that could crush his skull and staring at him with pitch black eyes. His face was covered in what looked to be cuts, held together with dirty stitches that were popping open, and a black liquid spilled past his lips as he grinned down at the shivering boy. The scream Lance let out was blood curdling, rivalling many of the actresses who were preforming at Fright Fest, as Lance turned gripping onto Hunks arm and burying his face in his chest. At that moment Lance couldn't help but start to laugh a bit, his heart beating out of his chest, because he DID call these actors lazy and that scare was his karma. As Lance continued to laugh he gripped onto Hunks arm tighter slapping his chest,
"Oh my god, did you see that Hunk? I screamed like a little girl!"
Lance smiled, gently wiping tears from his eyes, as not to ruin his makeup, as he continued snorting from laughter. After a few seconds with no response from Hunk, the realization hit Lance like a stack of bricks. Squeezing the person he was holdings arm once more he realized that, while still muscular, the person he was holding was far far less muscular than Hunk. His suspicions were only confirmed when he heard a shaking voice behind him say,
"L-Lance...buddy...what are you doing..."
Slowly lifting his head up Lance turned to stare at his two best friends with wide eyes. Both of them were gawking at Lance who felt like his heart was going to stop at any moment.
"Hunk..."
Lance wheezed out,
"I'm not holding you right now am I.."
Pidge stared at him with wild eyes throwing their hands up in the air,
"What,"
They squawked with disbelief,
"Of course you're not?! Lance we're right here!"
Slowly turning around, Lance looked up at the person he was holding onto. Coming face to face with a boy not much taller than him. The boy had a worn bag over his head, with jagged holes torn into it for eyes, and a messy slit torn into a smile for the mouth; messy stitches at the edges much like the man before. A messy mop of black hair fell out the back of the mask, over the mans shoulders, as he stood stiff and clad in a black hoodie. The boy cocked his head at Lance causing the shorter boy to squeak and jump nearly five feet in the air. Without thinking apologies started falling from his lips, instead of the screams of terror one would expect,
"I'm so sorry, I thought you were one of my friends! I know you aren't supposed to touch the actors that's so so rude, I'm so so SO sorry oh my god! I don't even know how I thought you were him that was so dumb of me, he's so muscular,"
Lance slapped a hand over his mouth, his face flushing a bright color despite his dark skin tone,
"I mean I'm not saying you're not muscular! You're really muscular! You work out don't you? Oh my god I'm so sorry I'm rambling oh my god oh my god.."
The boy wheezed out the end, turning away from the actor to take off his hat and fan his face.
"Lance, buddy,"
Hunk decided to take pity on his poor friend,
"Let's just figure out a way to get out of his maze."
"Please."
Lance wheezed out.
"We still don't know the way out."
Pidge whined, as Lance groaned wishing the ground would swallow him whole. From behind him the fright actor cleared his throat tapping the panicking boys shoulder. Lance stiffened, slowly turning to face him with a still burning face. The boy leaned down, just barely, leaning next to Lances ear as he pointed past him,
"Ya'll're gonna go straight for a bit, and then come across a path that goes left n' right. There's a hidden path just a bit past the right path. Take that one and ya'll'll end up at the exit within a minute. It's a secret path."
The boy spoke with a thick southern accent, that wasn't too uncommon around here despite the fact they lived in the midwest. Lance turned to the boy staring astounded at the actor. His face lit up, he was practically sparkling, and it wasn't just the body glitter causing him to do so, as he thanked the scare actor profusely. Turning with excitement towards his friends he quickly relayed the information to them, being dragged off before he had the chance to turn around and get another look at his helper.

Keith stalked off into the field, walking a few feet, before pulling himself up onto the tracker all the workers road to get themselves through the maze faster. As Keith sat on one of the hay bales placed in the back of the tracker, Shiro came over punching his shoulder with a chuckle. Keith glared over at his cousin, thankful that his mask covered his entire face or else he'd be mocking him for the fact he was bright red,
"Wasn't that your little school crush,"
He sung, throwing his fake hatchet over his shoulder,
"Laaannncee!"
Keith slapped his cousins chest, Shiro only laughing even though Keith was intending for that hit to hurt somewhat. Damn him and his military work outs.
He couldn't believe it. He truly couldn't believe it. This had to be some sort of dream. Keith and Shiro were a pair when it came to work at Fright Fest. Shiro would scare guests with his large hulking figure alone, and Keith would come up behind guests and finish them off with his intimidating nature and general "I hate everyone" attitude. He wasn't expecting more than to cause a few middle schoolers to piss their pants and run home crying to their moms. However, when Lance gripped onto him, looking so very beautiful in that cowboy costume, shaking with both fear and laughter, Keith nearly short circuited. God and when Lance looked at him, literally glowing and sparkling with all that makeup on his face, it took everything in him to stay standing.

Keith has been going to school with Lance since their middle school days. In sixth and seventh grade they had this weird one sided rivalry going on. It's because Keith was the only girl who could keep up with Lance during physical education. During eighth grade and the beginning of freshman year Keith left for a while to stay with his cousin Shiro. When he came back, seven inches taller and much more muscular, Lance didn't recognize, or acknowledge, Keith, but man oh man did Keith recognize and acknowledge Lance. Thus lead to Keith's three year long pining that has just gotten worse and worse day by day.

After a few minutes the tracker came to a screeching halt at the exit of the maze and Keith was made acutely aware of the fact he was supposed to be working. Jumping out of the back of the tracker he moved quickly through the field, bursting out the corn, unintentionally scaring some sobbing middle school girls who went running.
"Whoops.."
Keith mumbled, sulking up to his coworkers who stood leaning against a run down wooden fence. As he got closer he could hear a few voices, one of them was incredibly familiar and sent butterflies through his stomach. Moving a bit faster he stood next to his coworkers, leaning far against the fence, and was met with the sight of his lovely cowboy exiting the maze with his friends.
"See! I told you he was trust worthy!"
Lance smiled, as his friends shook their heads at him with playful smiles,
"Only you could make someone whos job is to scare you want to protect you."
Pidge sighed as Lance squawked at them,
"What is that supposed to mean?!"
He gaped at them,
"Loverboy Lance!"
His friends called over their shoulders as they walked away, the trio laughing at the way the other two spoke in unison.
"Yeah yeah, whatever-"
Keith's eyes widened under his mask for a moment, as he saw Lance glance over at him and his coworkers for a second. Doing a quick double take before he jogged over, making sure not to get too close.
"Heeyyy, sack head boy! Thank you for the help!"
Lance batted his long eyelashes with a smile, blowing a quick kiss to Keith, who was sure he was going to die at any second. He wasn't used to getting all this attention, especially from Lance, and it pained him a bit that it was happening when Lance had no idea who he was.
"I can see why you like him,"
Shiro smiled, from his spot next to Keith, which caused the boy to grimace from his cousins teasing,
"He's pretty cute. You're lucky you have a boy like that at your school."
"He goes to your school?"
One of Keith's coworkers raved, causing the rest to look over at Keith with excitement as well,
"Ya think ya could set me up with him?"
"Nah nah, set him up with me. I'll treat him right."
Keith's face flushed as he realized just how many people were pining after Lance, much like him, and it caused a strange over protective feeling to build up inside of him.
"Nah. Absolutely not. In yer fuckin' dreams."
Keith dismissed them immediately causing all of them to groan,
"Ah dude, come on don't be stingy."
"They make a good point Keith, I mean, you two aren't dating after all."
Said Shiro, forever the thorn in Keith's side. The declaration that Keith and Lance weren't actually involved really got his coworkers excited, already placing bets on who could get Lances number first.
"Now hold on-"
Keith began, only to be cut off by Shiro,
"Listen Keith, if you wanna be with him so bad, you're just gonna have to compete just like everyone else."
His coworkers seemed to get riled up by that aspect, shoving Keith's shoulder like the rowdy teenage boys they were. As the very irritated boy turned to glare at his cousin, he was met with the site of the older mans relaxed smile, and he realized that this was all Shiro's elaborate plan to finally get him and his crush together. That bastard.

Sparks flew at Lance as he jumped back into Hunks arms, his larger friend immediately wrapping his arms around his small friends shoulders, as Lance squealed and giggled excitedly.
"I've always loved this part!"
Lance clapped happily, another man dressed as a distressed and tattered cowboy slid on metal lids sending sparks the groups way. Lance screeched again his terror light hearted as the group continued on the path way. As the trio continued onwards down the path, more and more undead cowboys came out from somewhere off the path to scare them with more sparks. As the group nearly made it off the path a cowboy wearing dark makeup in a tattered trench coat slid up next to Lance swiping the cowboy hat right off his head. Gasping he brought his hands up to his hair, turning to face the smug looking cowboy,
"Look for this darlin'"
Lance smiled,
"Yes, I think that belongs to me, thank you very much."
He began reaching for his hat as he spoke, only to have the actor hold the hat out of his reach, causing him to puff out his cheeks and stomp his foot playfully.
"Awh, don't be like that darlin'."
The actor teased, as Lance turned his back on the taller man, biting his lip to hide his smile. The flirtatious actor leaned over Lances shoulder, continuing to hold his hat out of his reach,
"Listen, I just think you're prettier than bluebonnet, and it'd make me oh so happy if you gave me the pleasure of taking you on a date."
Turning around swiftly Lance plucked the large black hat right off the actors head, placing it on top of his own, with fluttering eyelashes. The hat was a bit too big for him, falling a bit in his face, which only served to make the actor all that more smitten.
"I'll tell you what partner'"
Lance spoke with an exaggerated southern accent that would of been offensive if anyone else did, but only served to be endearing, because it came from Lance,
"If you can win me one of the big prizes from one of the game booths I'll consider it."
Lance crossed his arms as he spoke, incredibly amused by the whole scene playing out. The cowboy smiled victoriously, deciding he was up to the challenge, as he threw his arm over the pretty boys shoulders.
Keith watched the whole ordeal that went down with utter disbelief, not even noticing that he was standing with several of the other workers.
"That bastard I didn't know he was gonna go for him on the clock."
One of the cowboys with a bandana wrapped around half of their face spoke, causing Keith's head to snap over to them,
"You have to be pullin' my chain! Ya'll're goin' for him too?"
Keith groaned, as the other workers looked at him with raised eyebrows and amused expressions,
"Duh? The boy came here dressed as the cutest cowboy in the west! Why wouldn't we?"
One of the workers swooned, a lot of the others nodding in agreement,
"That's not what I meant,"
The dark haired boy grumbled in annoyance,
"How did you guys even know about him?"
He asked as a few "ohhh"'s made their way through the group.
"Word travels fast."
They all said in unison and Keith found himself getting real irritated at the fact all his coworkers seemed to be attracted to the boy he's been crushing on since forever.
"Why're you even here?"
One of his coworkers asked, looking him up and down with accusatory eyes, after which another one of his coworkers snapped, pointing a finger at the teen,
"Boy, ain't you supposed to be in the fuckin' haunted maze attraction?"
Three other workers giggled and many others began to mumble in agreement. Keith, however, wasn't listening to their taunting, watching Lance and the other cowboy intently.
"That's why."
Was all Keith said before making his way towards them.

Lance couldn't help but laugh at the embarrassing display in front of him. They hadn't been there long. Five minutes at most, but the poor cowboy had already spent twenty-five dollars on this carnival game. The game was quite simple, much like duck hunt, there were little wooden figures of zombies moving between two rows, and the player had to shoot them with what Lance could only assume were tiny metal balls.

Despite being dressed as a cowboy, the tall man trying to swoon Lance had managed to miss every single zombie. The worker behind the counter looking at him with a mixture of pity and amusement.
"Just give it up Kevin-"
"Sht- Just. Mind your business Tiara."
The cowboy, now known as Kevin, quietly hissed back, in a voice that no longer was dripping with that southern accent, as he began fishing another five dollars out of his pocket. Before he could even get the money out of his pocket, Kevin was beat to the punch, as Keith slid five dollars onto the table. Pidge, Lance, and Hunks giggling subsided as they stared at Keith with wide eyes; trying to figure out what he was feeling through his body language since they couldn't see the boys face. Tiara handed Keith one of the rifles, a long plastic tube connecting it to under the table, as the boy pointed the rifle at one of the cut outs. Kevin scoffed, which only served to irritate Keith even more, and upon noticing this Tiara moved even more off to the side. Then as Keith pulled the trigger he immediately hit one of the wooden zombies. Then he hit another. Then another. Within no more than thirty seconds Keith managed to knock down all twenty of the wooden figures, sirens on top of the display going off signaling his victory.
"You gotta be shitting me."
Kevin groaned, as Lance jumped up and down clapping his hands together in excitement, Hunk stared astounded, and Pidge narrowed their eyes at Keith; the thought crossing their mind that the boy seemed incredibly familiar.
"Well,"
Tiara spoke, hiding the amused smile on her face behind her box braids,
"Which prize do you want?"
Keith was silent for a moment, internally panicking as he tried to decide which one Lance would like. He turned to look at the adorable cowboy for a moment, who was looking at him with so much adoration in his eyes Keith thought he might faint right then and there. Clearing his throat as he quickly turned away, Keith's eyes scanned the large prizes once more.
"That one."
He mumbled, deepening his voice on reflex, as he pointed at a large stuffed animal of a blue and purple squid with a giant eye that had a bright red iris. Tiara nodded, grabbing a long rob from behind the counter to retrieve the plush. Pulling it down from the shelf, she passed it over the counter, rubbing Kevin's back as she moved back behind her counter. Kevin only grimaced pulling away from the very amused Tiaras touch. Keith turned, handing the stuffed animal to Lance, who's eyes sparkled as much as his eyeshadow.
"Is this really for me?"
He sung looking up at the boy in the sack mask through thick dark eyelashes. Keith felt his heart warming, his shoulders sagging like he was some love sick puppy, ready to trot after Lance where ever he went.
"Yes...of course.."
Mumbled Keith, shoving his hands into his pockets,
"Well aren't you such a charmer! Thank you sack head boy! Meet me after the fest, yeah?"
Lance smiled, rocking back and fourth on his boots, his friends seeming very, lovingly, annoyed by him lagging behind.
"...Okay.."
Keith responded, forever a man of few words. However, that was enough for Lance as he nodded, giving Keith a little wink, before running off with his friends. Laughter and giggles could be heard as he and his two friends ran off. Keith watched the trio saunter off with amusement, only for his amusement to be replaced with irritation that mirrored Kevin's, who was scowling behind him,
"Keith you lucky bastard."
"That's what you get for fakin' a southern accent."
"Oh fuck off, Keith."

"Do you have to flirt with every single actor you come across?"
"They start flirting with me first Pidge, you're literally both witnesses to that!"
Lance threw one of his hands in the air, holding his squid plush on his hip like it was some sort of child. Pidge rolled their eyes at Lance, from where they rested on Hunks back, and Hunk couldn't help but shake his head at his tiny judgemental friend.
"Sounds like somebodyyy is just jealous they didn't get a squid,"
Lance sung as Pidge grimaced at their taller friend,
"What should I name it? I'm thinking Violet orrr Sack Head Boy Jr."
"I like Violet."
Hunk smiled, gently lowering his little friend off his back and onto the ground.

The friends had been out for around two hours now, and the sun had long set over the horizon bringing the chilly breeze of the night. They stood at the front of the line for some ride called "Frights Manor". It was new, installed over the summer, and Lance and his friends had been lucky enough to get in line during the time where it happened to not be too crowded. The line didn't move too slow but it did grow extremely fast, and at this point the ride operator couldn't even see the end of the line. Not that she was really looking, due to the fact she stood occupied in a conversation with a certain down in a sack head mask.
"While that truly is a riveting tale Keith, shouldn't you be at the haunted maze attraction."
"Everyone keeps sayin' that as if they're gonna die over there without me."
Keith groaned leaning against a wooden beam, as he watched Acxa stop a group of kids and point to the cardboard cut out of a headless butler, holding a silver plater, a few tick marks and numbers leading up to the bottom of the plater.
"Beat it pipsqueaks, you're not fooling anyone."
Acxa hissed, as the kids cursed and stormed off and out of line.
"You're so mean."
Keith teased, as Acxa turned to gawk at him,
"You're my older brother! I learned from you tormentin' me!"
She grumbled, turning back around to wave people in towards the actual ride.
"Oh yeah. Forgot about that."
Keith hummed, half heartedly bumping Acxa with his shoulder. He had to agree with his sister there; he was a bit of an asshole when he was younger. Which is why he was partially relieved that Lance didn't remember him when he came back. He's not sure his gay heart could handle Lance holding any sort of grudge towards him. Speaking of Lance he remembered he had a mission, and he should probably go find the pretty boy before another one of his coworkers tried to sweep him off his feet.
"Next!"
Acxa called, as a familiar voice hit Keith's ears,
"Finallyyy!"
"Pidge, be nice!"
Shoving his hood over his head, Keith stepped off to the side, hiding in the shadows, as he watched his sister narrow her eyes at Lance and Hunks shorter friend.
"You juuusttt about make it."
Acxa smiled teasingly, as Pidge gasped offended,
"Wow! Rude!"
Pidge moped, sticking their tongue out at Acxa, which caused Lance to laugh at his friends tomfoolery. His laugh alone had Keith nearly clutching his heart to stop it from pounding in his chest. It was honestly unfair how every aspect of this boy managed to get Keith going in one way or another.

As the trio stepped up to the ride, ready to be seated by a different teenager running the rides, they all steadily came to the realization that it was only two people per ride. One of the carts steadily came to a holt a second coming soon afterwards, gently knocking against the back of the first.
"Well, this is a problem."
Lance sighed, as the underpaid worker stared at them with impatience. Lance glanced behind him, noticing that the others in line behind them were just as impatient as the worker.
"Uhh, how about you two ride with each other, and I'll ride alone?"
Lance offered, waving off the worried expression that already began to plague Hunks face.
"Are you sure buddy?"
"Yeah totally!"
He lied through a relaxed smile. Truly he really really didn't want to ride alone, a bit nervous since the ride was new and he didn't know what to expect, but he knew that Hunk was way more easily scared than him and he would definitely need someone like Pidge to keep him groaned. Plus if Lance was really that scared, he could just bury his face in Violet until the ride was over.
"Seriously, go! I'll be right behind you guys!"
Lance smiled at Hunk, as Pidge already began to climb inside the tiny cart. Hunk gave him one last glance over, before he joined Pidge in the cart. The worker pressed a button, the door in front of the pair sliding open, before he pushed the two inside the dark tunnel, giving the doors a moment to shut again. Looking over to Lance, the lanky boy shifted a bit nervously, before walking over to the cart, taking the hand the worker offered to help him step down into the cart. Placing Violet into his lap, the worker looked over his shoulder to say something he couldn't quite comprehend to his coworker, before he looked back at Lance with a slight smile. Lance politely smiled back for a moment, before a loud screech sounded from behind the wooden doors, causing Lance to squeak and hide his face in his stuffed animal. Ok. Maybe this was a bad idea after all. However, before he could even consider getting off, he felt a rush of air hit his face as the wooden doors pulled open and his cart began to move. Clenching his eyes shut Lance squeezed the plush in his arms, feeling the light slowly disappear behind his eyelids, and right before everything fully went dark he felt something or someone enter his cart. His eyes shot open as he let out what was a mixture between a squeak and shriek, moving till his back was pushed against the side of the cart. It took a moment for his eyes to adjust to the darkness, but once they did, his face lit up with relief and excitement,
"Sack head boy! No way, at this point it's almost like you're stalking me-"
Lance teased, before jumping nearly six feet in the air as a loud and deep scream sounded behind, causing him to turn around backing up till his back was pushed against the other teenagers chest. For the first time since he entered the ride Lance took in the decorations and was honestly impressed. At the moment they were riding a track through what looked to be a cemetery that lead to a run down looking Victorian house. The sky above was grey and cloudy and the sound of thunder and rain filled their ears. Dark and spindly looking trees burst from the wallpaper and the gravestones housed empty graves with zombies clawing from the graves and jumping out at them.
"Woooaahh.."
Lance marveled, grabbing at Keith's arm once more without thinking,
"This is so cool! They've really out done themselves!"
He smiled and giggled, turning to look at his companion once more, who stayed as stoic as ever. However, inside Keith was losing his mind at the fact that he was in such close proximity to Lance. The Lance. The Lance he's had a crush on for years. The Lance who he's been trying to work up the courage to talk to since the beginning of the school year. God if he knew it was this easy he would of done it sooner.
As the ride continued onwards through the rickety old doors of the mansion, they entered an old, creepy, looking haunted house. It was classic looking, however, the full works. The large chandelier, the paintings with eyes that followed you, the shadows in the corner, it was cliche, but really enjoyable.
"Isn't this amazing?"
Lance laughed, turning to look at Keith, who was already staring back at him, not paying much attention to the ride. He was silent for a few moments, his brain not registering that Lance wasn't just staring back at him with those pretty blue eyes, but that he had asked him a question as well. When his brain finally caught up, Keith snapped his head forward, quickly surveying the ride, as if he hadn't been on his fair share of test rides on this thing with Acxa, before he turned back to look at, an amused looking, Lance.
"Yeah,"
Keith responded, quickly, forgetting to strain his voice into a deeper tone,
"They did a good job."
Keith continued sheepishly, as Lance stared at him with wide eyes.
"Oh wow,"
Lance mused, leaning in a bit closer to the other boy,
"Your voice sounds way different than it did earlier!? How old are you?"
He continued, cocking his head as he asked the question, not really thinking of the fact that might come off a bit creepy. The thought also crossed the back of his mind that the sack headed boy sounded a bit familiar, but he didn't think too much about it.
"I'm seventeen."
Keith answered, his heart hammering in his chest. This was the longest conversation he's held with Lance in years. Lance's eyes widened as he pouted a bit,
"What! I'm eighteen, and way more scared of this than you,"
He whined, burying his face into Keith's shoulder, who chuckled at Lances embarrassment.
"To be fair I juust turned eighteen in July."
Lance mumbled, mostly to himself, as Keith smiled under his mask; extremely endeared by Lances pouting. The smaller boy perked up once more leaning closer into the others personal space,
"Wait! That means you're a senior like me! What school do you go to?"
He asked, as Keith internally began to panic. He really didn't want Lance to find out who he was yet, he was having so much more luck as this masked character as opposed to his real self. Plus what if he when he told Lance who he really was Lance remembered their rivalry from middle school, and it returned full force. Keith honestly wasn't sure if he was emotionally stable enough for that to happen.
Before Keith could even begin to get an excuse out, another actress came out of nowhere, dressed as the ghost of a Victorian woman. Black tears ran from her eyes and rows of disgusting fanged teeth peeked from her mouth, as she screeched at the pair; Lance screeched back out of fear, much to the amusement of both Keith and his coworker, as he practically jumped in the others lap.
"Nope. Nope. Nope. Nah. No. Absolutely not."
Lance mumbled, smashing his face into Keith's chest as the other boy laughed. As they continued onward, Keith tossing a wave over his shoulder at his coworker, Keith wrapped his arm around the terrified Lance rubbing circles on his back.
"I'll tell you what school I go to at the end of the night,"
Keith stated, reaching outside of the ride to pluck one of the tiny white flowers from the decorations on display,
"Only if you give me your number in return."
Keith continued on nervously, as Lance tilted his head up to look at the other boy with curious eyes. Sliding the fake flower behind Lances ear, Keith offered the pretty boy a smile that he knew he couldn't see under the mask. There was a pause, causing Keith's heart to hammer in his chest, before Lance smiled at him, taking off his cowboy hat once more and placing it on Keith's head.
"Sure thing, cowboy, it'd be my pleasure."
Lance laughed, the sound filling his ears like a symphony, and Keith realized just how smitten he was for this boy in his lap.

The night went on with Keith joining the trio on various rides, forgetting that he was supposed to be here working in the first place. Not that his coworkers really seemed to mind, as a lot of them found Keith and Lance prancing around together to be adorable. Finally after about another hour and a half, when the park was starting to settle down, an unspoken decision settled over the group to start heading for the exit. The night coming to a close. Lance had his arm wrapped around Keith's as he conversated with his two friends, and Keith hated how natural this felt for him. He hated that he wished he could do this more often.
"Wait!"
Lance gasped, pausing his footsteps, as he began to pull Keith away from his friends,
"I wanna take pictures with you in the photo booth, sack head!"
Lance smiled, still having not learned Keith's real name. However, Keith couldn't find it in him to care, as Lance fished five dollars from the back pocket of his tight jeans, pushing Keith into the photo booth. Keith sat inside for a moment, listening to the sound of the booth sucking up Lance's five dollar bill. Then the curtain pulled back, as Lance crowded into the photo booth, placing his cowboy hat on Keith's head once more. Looking at the screen his eyes scanned the words for a moment, pressing the bright purple "READY?!" button. Placing both his hands on each side of Keith's face Lance faced the camera, that had begun to count down from ten, giving a beautiful blinding smile. His smile was so pretty that Keith was sure the camera itself would stop counting and break down in tears from having such a beauty direct that smile at it. While lost in thought, the camera flashed, taking the first picture. Deciding not to waste Lances money, Keith urged his brain to keep up with that was going on, as the camera began to count down again. Taking the boys cowboy hat off his head, Keith placed it back on Lance, as Lance pouted at him for a moment. Then a glint of mischief crosses Lances eyes, as he leans over placing a kiss on Keith's masked cheek. Keith feels a rush of adrenaline start to pump through his veins, as the camera flashes once more. His heart beating fast, as all logical throws itself out the window. Placing his hands on Lances, gorgeous, face, he pulled the boy closer, kissing him through his mask. Lance squeaks in surprise, his free hand flying to his hat which is starting to slip off his head. After a moment the camera flashes again, and it feels like time begins to slow down as Keith realizes what he's done. He kissed Lance. He doesn't even know if Lance wanted to kiss him.
"I'm so sorry-"
He whispers breathlessly, his voice muffled under his mask, however, he hears his own become louder as his mask his lifted from his lips.
"Can I kiss you?"
Lance asked, the camera now counting down from five. Keith surges forward, his dry and cracked lips coming into contact with Lances soft and glossed lips. Heat surges up Keith's spine, the reality that he's kissing Lance feeling more like a dream than reality. Keith didn't want this to be a dream, however, as he wrapped his arms around Lance's waist, pulling him closer. Lance wrapped his arms around Keith's shoulders, running his fingers through the hair leaking from the back of Keith's mask. As his hands dug into Keith's hair, his nails running against his scalp, Keith's mask slipped off his face falling somewhere on the floor, but Keith and Lance couldn't find it in themselves to care; as the camera flashed and took the final photo.
"Collect your photos outside!"
A cheery voice from the screen of the booth spoke, pulling the boys back to reality. As they pulled away, they took in each others appearances. Keith noticing how Lance's lips were a bit swollen from the kiss, a mixture of gloss and saliva shiny on his lips, his long lashes brushing against his cheeks as his eyes narrowed and fluttered. Keith mentally took a picture of Lance's disheveled state, wishing he could see the boy like this more often. Lance took in the other boys appearance. His eyes lingering on his dark eyes that seemed to have an unnatural violet tint, his thick eyebrows that were extremely relaxed on his strong brow, his lip piercing that he would occasionally run his tongue over, his fingers tangled in his thick black hair that fell over his shoulders into a mullet..wait-a mullet?
Lances eyes shot open as he pushed the boy back, grabbing him by the collar of his hoodie, so he could keep him steady and really take in his appearance.
"Oh my god-"
Lance gasped, staring at Keith with wide wild eyes, Keith staring at him with such as wild eyes back,
"Keith?!"
Lance gaped, as a look of panic flashed across Keith's face, before a look of confusion came soon after,
"Wait-"
Keith began,
"You know who I am?"
Keith asked in disbelief, as Lance raised his eyebrow at the boy,
"Of course I do, mullet! I've had a crush on you since middle school! You're in, like, four of my classes, I've been trying to figure out how to confess to you!"
Lance laughed, now in just as much disbelief as Keith.
"You're not.."
Keith spoke, his head spinning as he tried to process the fact that Lance, Lance McClain, liked him back,
"You're not disappointed I'm the one behind the mask..?"
Keith asked, staring at Lance with eyes full of longing. Lance melted, placing his soft hands against Keith's face,
"I wouldn't want it to be anyone else but you."
He confessed, kissing Keith once more, who happily kissed the other boy back.