(Klangst)

Dedicated to nrubbs for being so enthusiastic about the mental torture of my son.

Lance sat with the rest of the paladins in a circle, wondering what the plan was. When Shiro told him to come to bonding time, he expected more team training.

"Paladins, Pidge had informed me of a game called 'Truth or Dare'. It sounds like the perfect bonding experience, as some of you," (cue Lance and Keith eye contact) "have not been getting along lately." Allura's voice boomed over the speaker.

"I'll go first." Pidge said. "Hunk, truth or dare?"

"Uh, truth."

"Who's your space crush?"

"Shay."

"Fair enough."

"Uh, Keith, truth or dare?"

"Dare." The red paladin smiled devilishly.

"Oh, I'm bad at these. Uh, I dare you... I dare you to pick dare from Pidge if she asks you." Hunk smiled triumphantly.

"Ugh, fine. Shiro, truth or dare?" Lance's heart sank a little as he realized he would be that last person asked. He didn't say anything, however, as he knew he'd get his turn next.

"Oh, dare." The black paladin smiled warmly.

"I dare you to tell the person you love the most that you hate them." Keith smiled.

"I hate you, Allura!" Shiro yelled. Keith rolled his eyes.

"That wasn't very dramatic."

"You didn't say it had to be," Shiro smirked. "Okay, Pidge. Truth or Dare?"

"Dare." Lance kept silent.

"I dare you to give Keith an awful dare." Pidge grinned.

"Easiest dare ever. Hey, Keith. Your dare, since we all know you're obligated to choose dare, is to spend and hour alone with Lance." Keith groaned.

"Please, anything but that!" He begged. Lance's heart fell and his stomach fluttered.

"Nope, you have to." Nobody asked Lance's opinion as they shoved the two in a painfully small closet, and he didn't offer it.

"Did you plan this?" Keith asked after four minutes.

"What?" Lance pressed his back up against the wall in a futile attempt to make room in the small space. "No."

"Okay."

Another twelve minutes went by in silence.

"So, I'm guessing you didn't-"

"No."

Lance realized it was a stupid question. He took a quick, deep breath and closed his eyes. Keith didn't notice, or didn't care.

Twenty three excruciatingly long minutes ticked by, leaving the pair with only twenty nine minutes.

Lance simultaneously prayed to and cursed every god he could think of.

Keith glared at the wall next to Lance, his gaze sometimes drifting to the Cuban boy's lips.

Lance squeezed his eyes shut as nasuea wracked his body.

Only twenty eight more minutes to go.

Lance tried to think of anything, anything other than the tiny, dark closet he found himself in. He could barely remember how he got in this situation.

Twenty seven minutes to go.

Keith glared at Lance, knowing he wouldn't see it. He hated that Lance was so... perfect. Everything seemed to work for him. Even in the dark, tiny closet, he seemed easygoing. Relaxed.

Twenty six minutes to go.

Lance was trying so hard not to puke on Keith. He couldn't focus on anything, spots danced at the edge of his vision...

Twenty five minutes to go.

Lance took a deep, shaky breath. He tried, he tried so hard, but he found himself reaching for the doorknob. Keith swatted his arm down.

"What do you think you're doing?" He snapped.

Twenty four minutes to go.

"Please, Keith, let me out..." Lance was trying so hard not to cry, not to throw up and not to have a visible panic attack...

Twenty three minutes to go.

"No, you know the rules. If you bail, I get dared again. You don't get to choose that for me." Lance lowered his arm.

Ten minutes passed in absolute silence. Lance was digging his nails into his wrist, some blood was already dripping on his shoes but he didn't care, he just needed to go, to get out, he couldn't get out....!

Twelve minutes to go.

Lance couldn't take it anymore. He could feel his stomach flipping in circles, his heart was pounding, his palms were sweaty...

He tried to breathe normally, but he couldn't. The walls were closing in on him, and he fell to the floor with his hands over his ears.

"Lance, what the fu-" Keith stopped as he noticed what Lance was doing.

"P-please, just l-l-let me out...." Lance hiccupped. Keith tried to open the door, but it was locked.

"I can't, I'm sorry. The door is locked." Keith sank down to the floor with Lance and he held the blue paladin in his arms. He felt a little awkward, but he knew he needed to help Lance. He had to. After all, it was kind of his fault that the Cuban boy was in this mess.

"K-k-keith... I don't..." Lance started choking on his panicked sobs, and he started clawing at the walls. "Please j-just let me out!" He sobbed, sweat and tears pouring down his face. Keith pulled Lance into a tight but comforting embrace​.

"Lance. Hey, Lance." Lance looked up at him in the darkness.

"Keith..." Lance's breathing slowed slightly, but he was still sobbing and hiccupping. "I-I don't want t-to stay here..."

"It's okay." Keith said. He knew it wasn't, but he thought that might've been the right thing to say. Suddenly the door swung open.

"Oh hey, lovebirds." Pidge grinned. Keith shot her a glare and she saw Lance. Her smile dropped.

"Lance, can you go join the others?" Keith asked gently. Lance nodded and stood up, but stumbled and fell to the floor just outside the closet. Keith picked him up and carried him to his room. He made sure to leave the lights partially on. Then he closed the door and turned to Pidge.

"Pidge, please never, ever lock the door on a dare like that. He was so scared that he made himself bleed." Keith scolded. Pidge lowered her head.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean for it to end up like this..."

"I know you didn't. Let's be done with the game," Keith ran a hand through his sweaty hair. "You tell the others that Lance had a panic attack and that the game is over for now. I'll get Lance to his own room."

Keith walked back into his room and nudged Lance lightly on the shoulder.

"Can I stay here?" Lance asked in a weak voice. Keith hesitated, then nodded.

"Yeah. I can take the floor."

"Don't leave me." Lance pleaded, turning towards Keith.

"Okay," Keith sighed. "But first we have to bandage your wrist."

And your heart.