( okay. well. the eye contact is something and he's thankful for it, and maybe he isn't expecting a smile back anyway because keith has never been a smiley kind of person. so. consider him reassured that he isn't about to be in the way of anything, even if there's a niggling little thought in the back of his mind trying to convince him there's still something wrong. even if keith is being very. keith about this whole thing and that shouldn't trip him up like it does.

jeez, lance, get your crap together. everything is fine. ( it is not. ) you're fine. ( you're kind of fine. ) keith is fine. ( keith is … )

he sighs to himself and doesn't mean to, still put off by the things he's trying to parse out because he won't be able to leave them alone until he gets to the bottom of whatever it is that seems to be putting him off in the first place. he's no detective, and keith is very good at keeping himself closed-off if he wants to be.

it just feels like. since he'd stepped foot in this place, they've fallen back ( several seasons ) several steps they'd taken together and it's almost like something has been left behind. or has managed to progress without him. whatever. this is way too much introspection based on speculation.

he listens to that explanation, would probably be taking notes if he had a way to ( no, no he wouldn't, we all know this, and besides his arms are full of lumps of coal ) and ends up nodding, because you know what? it all sounds pretty par for the course given his track record for ending up in places that are neither safe nor warm. ) Got it. Not going anywhere without the bayard. ( that's simple enough, at least. )

Do they ever like, come into the city? ( meaning solely the monsters that are native, but: ) What is with this place and monsters? Why can't the door let in puppies?

( … lance. )