One Word

Beep. Beep. Beep.

The alarm from the nightstand in between the two twin beds had sounded. Both twins groaned, Veronica reaching for the snooze button. After a few failed attempts, she finally got it, sitting up and reaching for her glasses. She glanced over at her twin who seemed to be trying to burrow himself further into his blankets.

"Lance..." she groaned, her morning voice straining her vocal chords. She only got a growl in response.

"Lance." She said more firmly. Still no response.

"Lance Alejandro Charles McClain, if you do not get your ass out of bed right now , I will personally beat you with a chanclas into hell and back!"

" Dios mío , alright!" the male exclaimed, kicking the covers off his body. He sent a glare towards his twin, starting to register that she hadn't made any attempt to leave to comfort of her mattress, but was instead scrolling on the shared and completely out-of-date phone. He threw a pillow hurtling towards her head, knocking the phone from her hands and her head a little backwards. She flipped him off, tossing the pillow onto the ground and searching for the device.

Lance rolled out of bed, heading to the closet and changed into a white muscle tee with save the turtles along the front, a pair of shorts, and white slip-on vans that were extremely dirty and ripped.

"You're wearing that on our first day?" he heard his sister call as he exited the bedroom and into the shared bathroom, which was currently occupied by a specific 14 year old moody teenager applying cheap eyeliner.

"Rachel, how many times do I have to tell you to apply it smoothly, not smudged," he said, stealing the pencil from her hand and grabbing her face. "I promise you, you'll look just as emo, but with a better line." He finished doing the basic shape on both eyes, instructing her to apply it along the waterlines, though it seemed as though she wasn't listening. Then he turned to the mirror, putting in his contacts, fixing his hair, and applying basic foundation over his freckles. He double-checked to make sure there were enough bracelets piled on his wrists before heading back into his room.

"My day," he said, snatching the phone from his twin's hand. He exited out of Instagram, the app his sister was using, and checked the messages on the phone he occupied for the day. The groupchat was blowing up with messages about where they were meeting up for the morning.

Katie [6:32]: The band hallway will be too crowded
Hunk [6:33]: not if we get there first
Katie [6:33]: we're not gonna get there first
Lance [6:33]: What's wrong with the cafeteria??
Katie [6:34]: My point EXACTLYYYYY
Hunk [6:35]: All the incoming freshman are gonna be there. Nobody wants to deal with them.
Lance [6:35]: We've got Katie, we'll blend right in
Katie [6:36]: Fuck you
Lance [6:36] <3 <3 <3

Lance made his way downstairs hearing the cries from baby Nadia. He looked upon the kitchen and dining room which was in complete and utter chaos, a normal weekday morning for the Sanchez-McClain household. Everyone was doing their own thing, paying little to no attention to the chaos around them. Lance, trying to help in any way possible, found his way to a fatigued woman and took the two year old from her arms.

"Please get her to stop crying," Aunt Maya pleaded, noticing her nephew's actions. "I haven't had a break since 4 am."

"Why are you watching her?" Lance asked, bouncing the baby up and down. Maya had seemed surprised that someone heard her speak. "It was Marco's turn last night."

"He had a late shift, didn't get home until one," she explained, exiting the room to what looked like the bathroom. He looked around before singing quietly to Nadia.

When the moon fell in love with the sun
All was golden in the sky
All was golden when the day met the night

Her reaction was almost instantaneous; she stopped bawling, her arms were lowered and rested upon his shoulders, her body relaxed into Lance's grip. This wasn't surprising, though, since Lance's voice could be described as golden drops from the sun, something pure and from above. He continued to sing the song to her while continuing his morning rounds which basically included making sure everyone else was prepared.

Through his morning rounds he heard bits and pieces of multiple statements. 'Make sure the kids have their lunches.' 'I can't pick up Sylvio today, I've got an extra shift.' 'Can you believe what our governor did yesterday?' 'My cereal is all mushy.' ' Maldita sea, everyone is being so loud.' There were so many people talking, and not a single comment was answered. The atmosphere was suffocating.

Finally, when Lance saw Veronica bouncing down the stairs, he grabbed his keys off the hook and gathered up Sylvio, Rachel, and Luis before trudging out the door. Veronica was carrying her and her brother's school bag as she hopped into the passenger side. Rachel was squished between Sylvio and Luis while Lance took the driver's seat. Sylvio was dropped off at the bus stop three miles away before the rest of them headed towards the high school.

By the time Lance had gotten to school, Katie and Hunk were already deep in conversation about a class they share this term. Apparently, they had taken Computer Programming III last year and were discussing what they might learn in Computer Programming IV. The pair didn't even notice Lance come up to them and sit next to Hunk.

"Hey gu--" Lance started, but was soon interrupted.

"I'm telling you, Hunk, they aren't going to add any circuitry building into the class. That's what the engineering class is for." Katie ranted on to her best friend.

"And I'm telling you that I heard the teachers talking during summer camp about combining the classes for a week or two to complete a large project," Hunk retaliated.

This wasn't the first time he'd been talked over. In fact, it has been an everyday thing at his house since everybody loves to talk. Lance usually got to contribute himself in conversations with his best friends, though. No matter how many times he was ignored, still, it hurt. It ached. It inflamed a pit of anxiety that could only be dissolved by reassurance. Something Lance constantly thought about was how wasn't needed, and seeing people have a meaningful and enjoyable conversation without him although he was there , it only fed the flame in his stomach. The discussion went on and on for about ten more minutes before the bell finally rang, signalling the five minute passing-period students had to get to class. It also signaled the first time Lance was noticed by his friends all morning.

"Lance?" Hunk questioned, finally spotting him after he slung his backpack on his shoulder.

"That's my name," the Cuban replied, scratching the back of his neck awkwardly. Before he knew it, a pair of arms wrapped around him, embracing him in a tight hug. The pit of anxiety that developed throughout the stressful morning seemed to dissipate in the hug from his best friend.

He didn't forget about you, Lance thought.

But Katie did.

Hunk mumbled a few words about needing to head to class, and Katie was nowhere to be seen. Lance made his way to his first period, Psychological Studies II, and his mind was racing with self-deprecating thoughts. He sat down along the edge of the classroom, next to the windows, and laid his backpack on said side of the desk. More and more students filed into the class, taking seats with their friends and at least one desk between them and Lance. There was about a total of 15 other classmates.

Nobody wants to sit with you. Why would they? You're pathetic. Weak. Lonely. You've always been like this. It's why no one likes you. Even one of your best friends is ignoring you. No--

"Can I sit here?" Lance heard. The Cuban looked up to see a boy with dark hair pointing to the desk in front of him. Lance nodded, and diverted his attention to his hands. The back of his left hand was raw and bleeding from the consistent scratching within the past few minutes. He looked back up to finally take in what he could of the boy sitting in front of him: ivory skin, black t-shirt, and--wait...is that a mullet, or is it just long hair?

"Hello class!" the teacher started, "My name is Mrs. McNamara. I'm your psychology teacher." She then went in detail about some facts about her life and about the courses within the class. "Since today is about introductions, and our first unit is about outer appearances and facades people put up, we are going to go around the class and say one word about a person. I'm going to hand each student a paper with the name of someone in the class. You're going to write your first impression of them. Don't worry, these will remain anonymous unless necessary. We'll introduce ourselves by name so you know who everyone is."

She started to pass out names to people face down on the desk as students stood up and told the class their name. Lance had received the name of a girl, Nyma to be exact. He remembered her as the girl with light blonde hair that matched her skin tone and bright blue eyes. He simply wrote beautiful, not giving too much thought to it. He gave the slip back to Mrs. McNamara and sat down back in his desk.

He took a long look around the room, taking in new faces as well as recognizing old ones. He knew a select few: Allura Reine, the daughter of the principal and a friend of Katie's, AKA the girl he's been chasing since sophomore year; Daniel Marco, somebody who used to pick on Lance freshman year; and a few others he remembered from previous classes.

A new slip of paper was placed face down on his desk. "Do not flip the paper over until I say so," Mrs. McNamara explained. "You can either share what you got or not. Depends on if you like it or not." She finished passing the slips to the correct owners, a roster underneath with student ID pictures to help her. The whole time, Lance's head was racing.

Calm down, Lance. Nobody in here knows you enough to understand how annoying you are. Nobody in here knows who you are at all, actually. Nobody at all knows who you are, actually. Nobody cares enough to find out.

"You can look at your word, now," his teacher instructed.

Lance flipped that paper over faster than anyone else. What he saw was not the word he was expecting.

There, scribbled in messy handwriting was the word that someone in his class thought described Lance the best:

INSECURE

Lance's pulse increased with every step he took, racing to get into the lunch line with Hunk and Katie.

Why do you think they'd want you to come join them? They ignored you all morning for a reason.

Before he could listen to his inner voice, his arm was being tugged into the long line of hungry, hormonal teenagers. He yelped in surprise and slight pain, then feeling tiny arms wrap around his waist extremely tight.

"I missed you so so much," Lance heard from the head buried deep into his chest. He relaxed into the hug from a certain technology geek, resting his arms around her neck and head.

"I missed you, too, Katie," the person in his grip tensed a little before relaxing again. The hug helped Lance more than he expected, being slightly touch-starved from the lack of attention over the long summer. The two split apart, Lance making sure to mess up the long brown hair resting on the girl's head.

Conversation passed between the three--Hunk being with Katie and Lance also--as the line slowly inched forward. Lance stumbled over his feet, overestimating his wiggle room and lost his balance trying to prevent himself from running into the person in front of him. The plan, however, failed, and Lance crashed into the guy standing ahead in the line, Hunk and Katie laughing their asses off.

Lance immediately got up from the awkward position, apologizing profusely and still managing to glare holes back at his friends. He helped the person up before finally seeing who it was.

"Hey, you're the guy from Psych, right?" Lance asked. The other nodded, pulling his hand back. Lance observed the boy in front of him, finally taking in his facial features. He had bangs covering the majority of his face, but from what the Cuban could see, he was absolutely gorgeous.

"I'm Lance, but you can call me yours," he stated with his iconic finger guns. The other quirked his eyebrow, a skeptical an slightly annoyed look taking over his face.

A large hand clapped the Cuban's shoulder, making him jump. "Ignore him, he's normally like this."

Ouch , Lance thought.

Hunk held out his hand for the new boy to shake. "I'm Hunk, this is P--Katie. And you are?"

"Keith." The other guy--Keith--shook the hand that was in front of him.

"You sitting with anyone, Keith?" Katie asked the raven-haired boy. He shook his head, sticking his hand back in his pocket. "Join us," the brunette stated, more of a demand than request.

Before the other could protest, the line started moving again and finally allowed the four to grab what they wanted to eat. Lance picked up a chocolate milk and checked out, not being questioned by anyone. The group sat down at an empty table toward the end of the cafeteria, Keith visibly uncomfortable. The two made eye contact, and Lance tried to send a reassuring smile so the other would feel less anxious.

Lance felt himself watching Keith throughout the lunch period--not in a creepy way. Lance just felt the need to be ready in case...in case Keith needed the reassuring glance again. Apparently, Keith was extremely uneasy, since he kept looking back at Lance, every time, without fail, a smirk or small smile appearing on the Korean's face. And every time, without fail, Lance's heart rate increased by that much.

The bell to signal the end of lunch rang. Keith stood up, grabbing his bag. "Bye, Hunk. Bye, Katie." He turned fully towards the Cuban boy. "Bye, Lance."

Ba-dum. Ba-dum. Ba-dum.

Why was his heart racing? Why did it feel like it was beating out of his chest? Why did Lance crave to hear Keith say his name again in such a sickeningly sweet tone?

Being able to hear his heartbeat so loud felt wrong to Lance, like he never felt it beating so fast for no reason.

What did Keith do to Lance?

All was golden when the day met the night

Katie: [11:58] Lance I added your boyfriend
Unknown Number: [11:59] Oh, Lance, i didn't know we were dating
Lance: [12:02] Oh i didn't teel you, honey??
Lance: [12:02] tell*
Katie: [12:04] ANYWAYYYSSSS I was thinking we could hang tonight??
Katie: [12:04] any teacher who assigned hw doesnt deserve to have it finished
Mullet: [12:05] Sure, where?
Hunk: [12:05] The bridge??
Lance: [12:06] YAAAASSSSS!! We haven't been there in like ages
Katie: [12:06] I second that
Mullet: [12:06] Where's the bridge?
Lance: [12:07] I'll take you after school, if youre ok with swinging by my house first
Mullet: [12:13] ok.

The rest of the day went by extremely slow, every minute lasting longer than an hour in anticipation for the fun day planned after school. Lance was literally bouncing in his seat by the time his last class ended. He rushed to his family meeting spot, quickly texting Keith to meet him there. Luis came to the truck, dragging a certain freshman behind him.

"Hey idiots!" Lance greeted. "How was your first day?"

"Miserable..." Rachel mumbled, shaking her brother's grip and ducking into the beaten-down truck. Luis followed suit, trying to snag the passenger seat.

"Nuh-uh," Lance stated, placing his hand over the edge of the door. "Reserved. In the back." The other groaned, backing off.

Veronica was next to appear, looking slightly flustered. She saw Lance's grip on the passenger door, rolled her eyes, and directed her path to the back seat. "Whoa whoa whoa, who's got you all blushy?"

"If I tell you, will you give me the passenger seat?"

"Nope. But--"

"Then, nope." She opened the back door. "Skooch over, asshat, I'm not sitting in the middle." The two bickered for a little longer before the other complied.

Finally, Keith came into view. He looked confused and a little disoriented, looking down at his phone to try and follow the direction Lance sent him. The half-Korean made eye contact with Lance who waved him over. He sped through the crowd and into the parking lot to where the other was standing.

"For you," Lance said, opening the passenger door for Keith. The latter slipped into the car and was startled by the three in the back who looked remarkably similar to Lance. They all reacted the boy in the front differently with their own unique greetings. Veronica waved, Luis nodded, and Rachel rolled her eyes. Lance climbed into the driver's seat, eyeing the interaction. "Veronica, Luis, and Rachel."

And they were out of the school parking lot without another word.

"Sup, bitches!" Lance greeted, walking toward the concrete structure. "Sorry, I didn't mean to offend you. Sup bitch and Hunk!" Keith trailed behind Lance awkwardly, carefully watching where he stepped as if he was going to be swallowed by the earth at any moment.

Katie yelled a 'fuck you' in response, getting certain supplies from her bag.

"Hey Keith!" Hunk greeted, gentle and sweet. Keith looked up from his shoes and waved back.

"So," Keith started, extenuating the 'o', "what do you guys do here?" He noticed specific things out of Katie's bag like glow-in-the-dark paint, towels, snacks, and random technology. "Isn't that dangerous to have close to the water?"

"I'm always careful," Katie replied, not looking up. "As for the rest of the stuff, you'll see."

Keith looked around the little sanctuary. It was a bridge for a busy road located above a creek. On every side, it had trees covering it from outside eyes. The bank was lined with sand on both edges that extended out about fifteen feet. The group was backed up against the concrete pillar, thick and extending to both tree lines. The pillar was decorated with different types of graffiti, no doubt done by the trio. There was an outlet in the concrete that was no doubt installed by Katie, since all the plugs she needed for her tech were there, no more no less.

The brunette laid out a towel below the outlet to lay her screens on. Hunk was already on his own, unpacking the snacks for the group to enjoy. Lance was taking off his socks and shoes before rolling off his shirt and jumping into the creek. The water seemed about a foot deep, but it extended down another few. This allowed Lance to dive down under without being hurt. The tan boy emerged from the water, slicking his hair back and moving toward the sand bed near the group. He didn't miss the gaze of the curious ravenette, so he shot a quick wink towards him.

The group talked and chatted for a few hours, Hunk wading in the water every so often, while Lance stayed there the entire time. Katie never even considered going in the water as her face was glued to the screen the entire time. Keith stayed on a towel near the water, occasionally snacking.

"Ok, it's almost sundown," Katie stated, removing herself from her computer.

"What's the verdict?" Lance asked, pulling himself out of the water.

"I vote yes!" the brunette screamed, taking off her shirt to find a sports bra underneath and running up to the bank.

"Me too!" Hunk yelled, joining the girl on the sand.

"You already know my vote," Lance spoke, sluggishly moving towards the other two. Keith looked overwhelmingly confused. Lance held his hand out to the boy in front of him. "Do you, Keith Kogane, with your bad fashion sense and all, take thee honor betrothed to you by the high council committee and join our team?"

Keith stared at the hand, then at the owner of the hand, looking him up and down--stopping at specific points-- before turning his gaze to the other two. He slowly looked back at Lance and grabbed his hand reluctantly, matching the smirk that appeared on the tan boy's face. Keith nodded, affirming his answer. Lance quickly yanked the boy to his feet and sent him tumbling towards the water, the finishing momentum coming from two other sets of hands. Keith made contact with the water, sending the liquid upwards and out in all directions. He was almost too shocked to hear three other splashes consecutively after his own.

Keith flailed around until he reached the surface, seeing the other three in the water and laughing their asses off. He floated onto his back and seeing glow-in-the-dark stars painted along the underside of the bridge. He could imagine Katie on Lance's shoulders who was on Hunk's so they could reach it. Maybe, he thought, Maybe this time will be different.

From there on, the group had a fourth member. A new person in the mornings and at lunch. A new person to partner up with in class. A new friend.

For Keith, he had three.

It had been a few days since school started, and Keith was having none of it. He was walking through the hallway to his locker after his previous class was dismissed and his off-period started, extremely fatigued by the week. Never in his high school career had he been in so many stressful classes, nor had he had so many friends to be around. Don't get too attached, Keith. You know how that goes.

Keith was about to turn to the corridor that held his locker when he heard the faint sound of arguing—no, harassing. He went toward the noise, seeing a kid from his first period holding one of the slips of paper from the other morning in a fist. He had two others behind him, standing over an unidentified teen.

“Fuck off, McClain, you really think I wouldn’t get a hold of your slip?” Keith heard the bully say.

“I d-didn’t think you were still going after me,” The kid on the floor, whom Keith couldn’t see from his angle, replied. The fear was evident in his voice.

“And I didn’t think anybody knew about your insecurities,” the harasser stated. “But someone obviously does. I warned you to not tell anyone about us.”

“I didn’t,” the male on the floor replied. “I don’t know anyone in that class who could write ‘insecure’ on my paper.” Keith froze in his place. Lance? Did I cause this?

“Oh sure, because you, the blabbermouth, the center of attention, the one complaining about everything, didn’t tell anyone about your problems,” the other man retorted. “You know, spilling your guts to everyone makes you a problem yourself.”

“I think you’re the one being the problem, dickhead.”

Keith stepped away from the wall, knowing his cover was blown once he said that.

“The fuck you say to me?” the other spat, taking a few steps toward the not-so-hidden Korean.

“You heard me,” Keith replied, stepping towards him. He looked at the boy on the floor, confirming it was, in fact, Lance. Except this wasn’t the Lance who hit on Keith Monday. This wasn’t the jokester who was laughing all throughout the lunches they shared. No, this was the same anxiety consumed, insecure boy that walked into AP Psych scratching his hands with eyes rimmed with tears.

Keith stepped past the asshole, holding his hand out for the Cuban on the ground to grab it. “C’mon, let’s get out of here.”

Lance hesitated before grabbing the pale hand in front of him and hoisted himself up, not letting the fingers slip from his grip. Ignoring the flutter in his chest, Keith led the other away from the corridor, eyeing the bully. What turned you into this?

Keith led Lance through the winding hallways until they got to the back parking lot. The school was deserted, as everyone was in their classes already. There were a few security guards in the halls, though none batted an eye at two seniors leaving the school.

"W-where are we going?" Lance asked when they made it outside.

"You said you didn't want to go to fourth period at lunch, right?" Keith questioned instead, still leading Lance by the hand.

"..yeah?" the latter reluctantly replied.

"And you said Veronica drove you today?"

"How are you remembering all of this?" Lance yanked Keith back, searching his face for an answer. "Where are we going, mullet?"

The Korean bit his lip and looked to the side before back at the boy in front of him. "Let's go on an adventure." Keith slipped his hand out of the other's grasp before walking back to the motorbike behind him, maintaining eye contact. He tossed Lance a helmet before straddling the machine.

Lance wasn't too sure on how he got here, holding on tightly to Keith motherfucking Kogane as they travel through the city streets instead of the hallways of their school. Because Lance had never done something like this before. He'd never been so nervous and so rebellious with someone so hot and--

Lance shook his head. Not now, gay thoughts.

It's not like Lance hasn't noticed Keith before. It's obvious the male is attractive. But it's not like Lance liked him. Plus, those were bad thoughts for two reasons: Keith was straight. Like, straight as a board. The first time Lance flirted with him (on natural instinct), he froze up, as if he was extremely uncomfortable. That only happens when you don't want a guy flirting with you.

The other reason was that Lance swore off guys until college. AKA, when he wasn't in a religious household. Lance was going to apply to colleges far away and come out right before he took off. That way, his family couldn't kick him out if he wasn't currently living in the house. Plus, the last time he made a move on a guy...

Before he knew it, Keith was pulling into a parking garage.

"I know a good coffee shop around here, I was thinking grabbing a cup and walking around." Keith got off the bike and turned around to face Lance, who was handing him back the borrowed helmet.

"That sounds awesome." Lance replied. The two walked along the streets for about a block or so before Keith pulled the other into a quaint little coffee shop called 'Voltron Cafe'. The owner recognized Keith immediately, asking about Shiro and Kosmo, whoever those were. Lance took the time to glance around the shop.

Three walls were covered in a light grey color with hanging light blue and primary color decorations along the wall. One wall was a dark purple-blue with white splatter paints to make it look like a galaxy. Over the galaxy was a robot that looked like it was made of mechanical cats. It held a long sword and had black wings on the back.

"Like it?" Keith asked, making the Cuban jump. Lance nodded once he regained his composure. "I painted that," the other said, handing Lance a cup.

"You painted that?" Lance questioned, mouth agape.

"Yeah," Keith shrugged, moving to a table along the wall.

"How? When? Why? Really?" Lance interrogated, following suit.

"Yeah, that was me," Keith dodged the other questions.

"That's amazing, Keith."

"Must be, if you're calling me my actual name."

"Ha ha, very funny..." Lance mumbled, taking a sip of the drink. "Oh my gooooood, this drink is delicious." The teen relaxed into his seat and looked across the table, already seeing a gaze on him. He raised an eyebrow at the Korean across from him.

"What happened earlier?" Keith questioned, concern etching into his face. Lance froze up, not knowing how to respond. He wasn't about to burden his new friend with all his problems so quickly, so easily. He didn't want to submit to the image Daniel held upon him.

"N-nothing," he replied a second to late, voice cracking. "Just a guy being a dick."

"Didn't seem like it," Keith said, "It was kind of like--like he knew you, Lance."

"I--He was in my class freshman year, that's where he knew me."

"But--"

"Keith, it's nothing. Drop it."

"La--"

"Drop. It." Lance said in resolution. "Keith, just don't get involved."

When the sun met the moon
she was drinking tea in her garden
under the green umbrella trees
in the middle of summer

“Ugh,” Lance sighed as he plopped down at the familiar lunch table.

“What’s up, buddy?” Hunk asked, not looking up from his phone. He gave a brief smile before typing away at the small device.

“I’m sorry, don’t let my crisis interfere with your girlfriend.”

“Just don’t let it interfere with my nuggets,” Katie replied, munching down on one.

“Wait—Shay is not my girlfriend,” Hunk chimed in a second too late.

“Sure, she isn’t,” Katie and Lance remarked at the same time. The two made eye contact and laughed.

Desperate to change the subject, Hunk questioned, “So, what’s your crisis about this time?”

“The usual.” Sounds of acknowledgement blanketed the table, the owners to the noise going back to their current tasks.

“What usual?” Keith inquired while sitting down next to Lance. He hadn’t been part of the group long enough to know how frequently the Cuban had this particular breakdown.

“Well, if you really want to know…”

“Not anymore,” the Korean snickered. Lance chose to ignore the remark.

“I don’t know how to come out to my family—my very conservative family.”

“Which I don’t understand,” Hunk interjected, “because they are some of the nicest people I have ever met. Seriously, your mom is the sweetest thing on Earth.”

“Impossible!” Lance screeched while slamming his hands on the table. “You exist!”

“I think his point is that they’d definitely accept you, and you don’t need to worry about it so much,” Katie stated, annoyance lacing her voice.

“Are you sure? Because from what I know, they’d—" The teenage boy suddenly perked up from his slouched position, never finishing his statement.

“Aaaaaaand, we lost him,” Katie declared.

“To what?” Keith questioned, poking at Lance’s face until he regained composure.

“My friend who doesn’t deserve this kind of treatment,” she grumbled.

“I,” Lance started, eyes not leaving the girl in question, “am deeply head over heels for the stunning Allura Reine, and she has yet to notice my immense amount of beauty I have achieved.”

“Oh.” If Lance didn’t know any better, he would say Keith was jealous. However, he did know better. He knew Keith didn’t like him like that, and he knew he never would. Why would it matter, anyway? he thought. You don’t like Keith like that, and you never will. Still, Lance couldn’t restrain himself.

“Oh?” What if Keith likes Allura? Maybe that’s why he sounded jealous. Oh, god. Keith could easily get Allura, probably without even trying as well. Why would she ever choose you, especially when she could have Keith. Or anyone, for that matter. You’re the--

“Yeah, oh. It’s kind of funny, actually.”

“And why is that, mullethead?”

“Out of all the people at this school, you fall for the one of the few lesbians here.”

“WHAT?!?”

Lance: [2:04] HEYYYY LOSERSSS!!
Katie: [2:04] says the loser
Hunk: [2:05] Hey Lance!!
Keith: [2:05] its 2am wtf do you want
Lance: [2:05] oo salty mullet
Lance: [2:05] is widddle samuwai tiweddd
Katie: [2:06] never type again
Lance: [2:07] ANYWAYYSSS
Lance: [2:07] you guys want to go to that party tmw?? then sleepover at my house
Lance: [2:07] or technically today??
Hunk: [2:08] Sure, I'll go!! Shay's going, right??
Lance: [2:08] Hunk you are so whipped
Katie: [2:09] sure, why not
Keith: [2:14] .....ok.....
Lance: [2:16] YESSSS!!! I'm so pumpeddd
Lance: [2:17] also, Ronnie is gonna come with us sooo yeah

The music was blaring throughout the house and down through the neighborhood. Lights from the living room moved around to the sound as bodies danced to the rhythm. Lance was already a bit tipsy, having downed two cups of an unidentified punch. He was moving from group to group trying to score a girl to have some fun with since all his friends were spread throughout the house.

Katie was in the game room, probably beating everyone at Mario Cart or something. Hunk was flirting with Shay in the corner of a quieter area, Veronica was off with her group of friends, and Keith...

Keith was in the kitchen watching Lance move from girl to girl and striking out every time.

Of course, Lance wasn't aware of the spectator. And of course, Keith didn't mean to stare at his friend the entire time. It just sort of...happened. It happened like a butterfly landing on that particular leaf, or a raindrop falling on that blade of grass.

Or eyes falling on that familiar face.

Keith took another swig of his drink and refilled it with one of the bottles that were labeled 'KEEP IN THE KITCHEN'. He glanced back at his friend who struck out again, only to make eye contact with him. And fuck, his eyes were so blue. As blue as a stormy sky over the lake on a summer day. As blue as a midnight atmosphere lit by a thousand stars. As blue as the deep ocean waves miles from shore rolling over one another. Through those eyes, you could see a million things, a million thoughts, a million possibilities.

Luckily Keith was leaning against the counter already, or else he would've fallen over because those damn blue eyes were piercing into his soul. He was so distracted on those eyes he almost didn't notice the smirk on the same face as it moved closer, and closer, and closer until--

"Hey."

"H-hi," Keith stuttered, and why am I stuttering? It's just Lance. Someone I've had countless conversations with. Your friend. Just friends. Nothing more.

"This party's a dud," Lance spoke while leaning against the counter and taking a sip of his drink.

"Is it actually? Or is it because you have no game?" Or is it because you don't use those eyes to your advantage? Lance scoffed at the response, actually scoffed.

"I have more game than you, Kogane." The boy rolled his eyes, taking another sip.

"Doubt it, but ok."

"Is that a challenge?" Another sip.

Keith fixed his posture a little. "What're you suggesting?"

"Whoever gets a girl's number first, wins." Another sip.

"Stop chugging that drink, or else you'll regret it in the morning." Keith looked back into those deep blue eyes and almost didn't finish his statement. "And who says I want a girl's number?" Those eyes widened, eyebrows raised. His head shook in disbelief.

"You're gay?" It sounded more of a statement than a question, as if he just needed the final confirmation.

"Flaming homosexual," Keith stated, amusement lacing his voice.

"But--when--I--"

"Yes?"

"Ok, first one to get a person's number," Lance started when he regained composure,"wins."

"Wins what?" Keith pushed himself off the counter and fully faced his challenger.

"That is to be discussed when I win," the other boy took a step towards Keith, looking deep into his eyes with those piercing blue irises. The only thing separating their chests were the half-empty red plastic cups filled with god-knows-what. Their breaths would be mingling if Keith could fucking remember how to breathe.

"You sound a little overconfident there, buddy," Keith retorted, and suddenly his free hand was pushing against Lance's chest and was pinning the boy with stunning eyes against the counter. He leaned close to his ear and whispered, "I have game, too, ya' know." He slid his hand down Lance's chest and hooked his finger in the other's belt loop, pulling his hips closer that way. "Do you still want to challenge me?" Keith quickly released the other, both extremely red in the face.

"You're on, mullet." And Lance fled the kitchen, leaving a very heart-wrenched boy behind to stare at something other than those eyes.

Lance was chatting up yet another girl when out of the corner of his eye, he spotted none other than Keith waving a napkin around with ten digits across the surface. He finished the conversation politely and slumped over to his sister who was walking out of the kitchen.

"What now?" Veronica complained.

"This party sucks," Lance grumbled. "I'm bored and horny and drunk and bored. Did I mention bored?"

"Then I think it's time to have a little fun," she singsonged, pulling out a bottle of whiskey she stole from the kitchen's selection that clearly had the label across the front stating where the alcohol should be kept.

"You didn't."

"I did." And she was off, grabbing familiar people and dragging them into a room. Lance did the same thing, making sure to grab his friends. Soon enough, they were sitting in something resembling a circle made up of 20 or so people with the bottle in the center.

"Rules are simple," Veronica explained. "Truth or dare, but if you don't answer-slash-do it, you have to drink. If you ask something actually harmful for the person, you have to drink. Got it?" Everyone nodded. The Cuban girl turned the bottle and it landed on Axca, a girl with a dyed-blue bob.

"Truth..." she mumbled before the question was even asked.

Veronica pondered for a moment before asking, "Do you like anyone in the circle?" The shot Axca took spoke for herself.

The game continued for a few rounds, the bottle never landing on Lance.

"I dare you to kiss Romelle!" Katie almost shouted after the bottle landed on Allura, not even letting her choose. Allura's silver hair contrasted with her dark skin, yet she looked as beautiful as ever. Beautiful and a little nervous, if Lance was being honest. She made her way over to to the blonde and gave her a short but sweet peck before blushing profusely and rushing back to her seat. She spun to bottle in the center only for it to land on Lance.

"Truth or dare?"

"Truth," Lance spoke reluctantly.

"What's your sexuality?" asked Alllura.

"Uhhh," Lance glanced quickly at Hunk for some reassurance, whom nodded as to say 'It's okay!! You know it will be!. Then he looked straight at Veronica, wondering how she'll react. What if she thinks you're vile? Disgusting? How horrible would it feel to be disowned by your own twin? "I'm Bi." It came out rushed and panicked, mostly to stop himself from thinking. The mask was off. The secret was out. And--oh, her face.

Her eyebrows were raised. Her mouth was slightly agape. You could see in full her chocolate-colored eyes. Lance could only assume her reaction was the shock before disappointment.

He looked down at the bottle and spun, not wanting to see a second more.

"Katie, truth or dare."

"Truth," she shrugged.

"What's your deepest secret?" Lance asked with the most concerning smirk applied. His mask was back on.

"Dare," she reflected.

"I dare you to answer the question." She took a shot. "Oh, c'mon, Katie, it can't be that bad."

She just kept on ignoring Lance's pestering, continuing the game.

It was about 2 in the morning, and everyone was drowsy and drunk except Veronica, who said she would sober up and drive after the game. The five were mindlessly chatting about. Currently, Lance was telling Keith a story about the group.

"--And Katie, she thought it was a good idea--"

"Hey Lance?" Katie interrupted.

"Yeah?" He asked, noticing his friend was on edge.

She took a deep breath before..."Can you--not refer to me as Katie anymore? Please?"

"What else should I call you?" Lance hesitantly questioned.

"Pidge."

"Pidge?"

"Yeah. Katie is my--my dead name."

"As in...you're a boy now?" It was ridiculously dark in the car, the moonlight streaming in was the only thing illuminating the vehicle. However, Lance could still see how Hunk reached a comforting arm towards Ka--Pidge. He could see Keith sit up in the backseat. Pidge took another deep breath.

"No. I'm nonbinary." It was so extremely difficult for them to say, but it was finally out.

"Oh." And that response didn't help.

"Oh?" they asked.

"Oh." Lance repeated. It was silent. You could here the hum of the car motor, the crushing of loose rocks under the tires, the breathing of every individual. That was it, no voices, no movement. Until a rustling noise came from the passenger seat.

"What are you doing?" Pidge questioned.

"I'm changing your contact name. To Pidge. How do you spell that?" He finally looked back at them again. They smiled. Truly, genuinely smiled. Tears were in their eyes as they spelled out the name. Keith followed suit, showing Pidge the work when he had finished.

"Thanks for telling us," Keith told them. "I'm really proud of you."

Hugs were exchanged in the back, along with tears.

"Honestly, I'm so happy you took it like this." Pidge started. "I was so freaked out for weeks thinking you wouldn't accept me or something."

"What? Why would you think that?" Lance replied.

"Well, I heard you say that you'd probably never date a non-binary, so I just assumed that you had a phobia or something."

"Again, what?"

"Right before summer started. You and Hunk were talking about your 'type'." Lance made an 'oooo' sound as he remembered the discussion.

"Oh, K-Pidge, I said that because I never thought I would meet one willing to date me. Not because I hate them."

"Oh my god that makes so much sense." They sighed in relief. "'Cause no one would date you, let gender aside."

"Hey!" Lance remarked as the others laughed. The truck pulled into the McClain driveway, and they all piled out and into the house.

4:37 AM the phone read.

It was 4:37 in the morning and Lance was on his back patio, looking out in the yard instead of sleeping.

It was 4:37 in the morning and Lance was wondering why Pidge took so long to tell him.

It was 4:37 in the morning and Lance felt like he was stuck in the same place he was two years ago.

"Hey," a voice greeted him from behind, soft and rigid. He came up to the same railing Lance was leaning on and laid his elbows against it.

"Hey," Lance replied, barely sparing him a glance.

"Damn, I thought'd I'd at least get the time of day." Keith joked, nudging the other with his shoulder.

"4:37 AM." The Cuban simply stated.

"Ok, are you a time wizard or something?"

"No, I've just--when I can't sleep, I usually count the minutes as they go by until I feel tired." He sighed, dropping his frame farther into the rail. "It's been a little since I started."

"Penny for your thoughts?" Keith questioned.

"Who the fuck says 'penny for your thoughts' anymore?"

"I do, now spill." Keith nudged him again.

"I...can't." Lance whispered. "You heard what Daniel said about me. I don't want to spill my problems out to anyone just because they exist."

"I'm not just anyone," the other replied. "And I'm asking you, so don't feel guilty."

"I'm not gonna just--burden you with my problems because you asked, Keith," Lance finally glanced at the Korean. "It doesn't work like that."

"It can if you want it to."

Beat.

"No--Keith, I-I can't do that to you."

"Lance," the Korean stated, "I'm here for you."

"You won't want to be if I tell you."

"That's not gonna happen--"

"Yes it will!" Lance screamed. "I know it will happen because it happened before, wi-with someone who was closer to me. So, yeah, it will."

Keith was quiet for a moment before speaking slowly, "Look, I won't fully understand until you tell me. But, Lance, whatever Daniel did to you won't be the same with me. You can only be disappointed if you never give another person a chance. I-I'm here, I won't leave you. I'm giving you a chance to have--to have hope again."

Beat.

"You promise what we say here never leaves this backyard?" Lance's eyes were wide, inquisitive, vulnerable. Keith decided right then and there those gorgeous eyes should never look like that again. "Keith, I swear, if Daniel finds out about this--"

"He won't." The ravenette declared. "I promise." It was a final statement that meant the world to Lance. "Just tell me why this Daniel guy is such an ass."

Beat.

"For some background knowledge, I've had anxiety since middle school. When it...takes me over, I guess, I get--I get into these depression spells. I can't control my mind, my motivation, my-- anything. The only thing I can do is pretend to be normal while I'm...slowly deteriorating." Lance took a deep breath. "I met Daniel freshman year, and he helped pull me out of one. He helped me with a lot of things, really. Like, he helped me figure out I was bi, and he was there for me whenever I needed it. But, one day he just ghosted me. For weeks, he ignored me. And then he started bullying me, acting like we never dated. Worst part was he shot at every insecurity I told him about--that I trusted him with. It obviously spiraled me into another depression spell. But this one was worse. I...I tried to kill myself. Towards the end of sophomore year."

"Lance, oh my god, I--"

"Save the pity, mullethead. I already got that from everyone who found out," Lance grumbled. "But yeah, that's happening again. The depression, not the suicide."

"I'm here for you," Keith all but whispered after a minute or so of silence. "Whenever you need me, I'm here for you. I'm not gonna split or pull the shit Daniel did."

"You promise this stays between us?" The brunet questioned.

"I promise."

Beat.

"Your turn, mullet. I know you're not the 'happy-go-lucky', cheery person all the time, but...you seem off recently."

Beat.

"Problem for a problem, Kogane. I promise it won't leave my lips."

Beat.

"Or not, I guess."

Beat.

"I'm still here for you, whenever."

Beat. Beat. Beat.

"I'll just...go back inside now." He pushed off the railing and reached for the handle on the sliding door.

"Lance, wait," Keith called out, grabbing the latter's wrist. "I--no one's ever heard this story besides Takashi. I'll tell you, you just...gotta be patient, I guess."

Beat.

"Ok, samurai, I'll just wait here until you're ready."

Beat.

"I'm not telling you tonight, if that's what you're waiting around for."

"Then why'd you keep me out here?" Lance inquired.

"I still like your company, McClain." Keith laughed.

"Oh."

Beat.

"How'd you get that one guy's number? At the party." The tan-skinned boy spoke up.

"Oh, he's in one of my classes. We have a project we're doing together and I just asked him for his number under those terms."

"What!" Lance exclaimed. "That's cheating, no fair."

"Nope. I won, suck it up." Keith stuck his tongue out and giggled. And god, that was a noise Lance wouldn't mind hearing again. "Now, in terms of my triumph--" Lance groaned. "--I get the winning prize. Any ideas as to what it could be?" He looked at Lance and all the Cuban could focus on was him and his close proximity like earlier in the night and fuck, I might like him.

"I-I could do something for you. Whatever you say, you name a time and place." Could you blame him for choosing that? It was the best thing he could think of, especially since majority of his thoughts were focused on his heart beating Ba-dun. Ba-dun. Ba-dun., similar to his brain's rhythmic, Kiss me. Kiss me. Kiss me.

Keith took a step,Closer. Closer. Closer. And suddenly there was no room between the two except the space of their breaths.

"Compelling, I'll need to think about it," Keith all but whispered. His arm reached up and trailed along his chest. It ran shivers down Lance's spine, sent blood pulsating throughout his body. His pulse was racing to the beat of his thoughts of I'm fucked. I'm fucked. I'm so fucked.

"Deja Vu, am I right?" Lance chuckled, trying to ease the tension. He looked directly into Keith's eyes and noticed they were almost purple in the moonlight. A violet so delicate and fragile like a flower. A balance of glints swirls like a galaxy trapped in the irises, a strong force of gravity bringing Lance Closer. Closer. Closer.And suddenly the beautiful eyes were gone. The body pressed against his was gone.

"Right." And Keith had reached the sliding doors. "Good night, Lance."

And he was gone.

When the moon found the sun,
He looked like he was barely hanging on
But her eyes saved his life
In the middle of summer

"I'm bisexual."

Lance was currently in the living room, standing in front of his family. He had finally decided to come out with the encouragement of his friends. Plus, Veronica already knew, so it was a matter of time before she told everyone else. This is the right thing to do. They will accept you, they love you. It's ok. Still, Lance couldn't look them in the eye. He was ashamed. He still had that small doubt of they won't love you. But, it was ok. Lance needed to keep telling himself that.

"What?" He heard someone murmur in disbelief.

It's ok.

"Lance, is this true?" Another person.

It's ok.

"This must be some joke, right?"

It's ok.

"There is no way my son is a fag."

It's not ok.

"What's wrong with you, Lance?" Usually the statement is comforting, someone noticing that something is not ok. Usually, it is given with a pat on the back and an open ear.

Not with a punch to the face.

"I swear," Daniel continued, "you're not even putting up a fight this time." Lance's head was slammed into the locker, causing him to drop to the ground in agonizing pain.

"No pleading?"

Kick to the ribs.

"No crying?"

Kick to the back.

"Where's that big, strong boyfriend of yours?"

Lance's hair was tugged up to face is harasser.

"You are really no fun, today."

Punch to the stomach.

"I'll see you tomorrow."

Head slammed against the wall. Daniel started walking away, turning back to whisper, "Stop spilling your insecurities to everyone, it's really fucking annoying."

Lance stayed slouched against the lockers for what felt like forever, nobody noticing nor caring when the bell rang for passing period.

"Lance, what about you?"

"Huh?" He wasn't paying attention to the conversation, focused on the chocolate milk in front of him.

"Have you applied to any colleges?" Pidge inquired.

"A few, haven't heard from any, though." Lance turned the small carton over and over in his hand, memorizing the pattern.

"Don't worry, you will," they told him, continuing the conversation without him.

Lance awoke to the blaring alarm, yet couldn't find the motivation to turn it off.

"Lance, c'mon, get up," Veronica mumbled before getting up and ready.

Fifteen minutes later, he slugged down the stairs. He made his way over to the crying baby, the only noise stirring from the house. He was about to pick up Nadia when his aunt stepped in.

"Hey Lance, you don't need to take care of her," she started, fatigue prominent in her voice. "I got it."

"You look ridiculously tired, though," Lance acknowledged. "It's fine, I can calm her down."

"No, you really don't have to do that." She reached for the toddler before her nephew could do anything.

"But I can help." He pleaded.

"But I don't want you to." The silence blanketed everyone once again.

You're being so selfish, Lance.

Slice.

You're not the only one with problems.

Slice.

You're disappointing everyone.

Slice.

There is absolutely no reason for you to live.

Slice. Slice. Slice.

"Lance?" Veronica sobbed.

Shit. Shit. Shit.

She was supposed to be out tonight. She was supposed to be gone. She wasn't supposed the be here when Lance was doing this behind the bathroom door.

He wrapped up his wrist as fast as he could and pulled a sweatshirt over him.

"Ronnie?" He stumbled into his room, searching around in the dark.

"Lance, I'm so sorry." Her face was streaked with tears, eyes red. She sounded so broken, so vulnerable. It left her twin dumbfounded beyond belief with the idea that she wasn't strong constantly. She reached out and hugged her brother as tight as she possibly could. "I'm so, so sorry."

He wrapped his arms around her just as tight and whispered, "What for?"

"I was so rude and not accepting and--"

"It's ok, Ronnie." He slowly started rubbing up and down her back to comfort her. "You did nothing wrong."

"Yes I did." She buried her face deep into his shoulder. "I did everything wrong, I--I messed everything up."

Lance pulled away from his sister to look her in the eyes. "What happened tonight?"

"I went on a date."

"And...?"

"It was with a girl."

"Oh."

"And I liked it."

"Oh."

"And she was perfect."

"Oh."

"And I realized I wanted to tell mom and dad and--and--I realized that must've been how you felt with Keith and I realized I was so out-of-line." She rambled and rambled about how sorry she was for too long before--

"You don't have to apologize, Ronnie." Lance wiped away a few of her tears. "Tell me about this girl."

"Lance..."

"Mhm?"

"I saw the bathroom..."

"Oh."

"Hey Lance, you doing ok?"

"Just peachy."

"Hey Lance..."

"Lance?"

"Don't worry about him, he's fine."

"He gets like this sometimes, don't worry."

"He's fine..."

"Lance?"

"Lance."

"Lance!"

Insecure.

It's all Lance was at this point.

The random person in class knew it. Daniel knew it. His family, his friends, that's all he was known as.

Insecure.

It was the one word running through his head, keeping him awake that night. It was the one word exercising his mind when he called Keith in a panic.

He didn't mean to call Keith, but what were his other options? A distant best friend whose social anxiety was enough for him to deal with. A friend who didn't trust him enough to come out. A twin who was already feeling too much pressure without the weight of his own problems.

His best option was the guy who promised he'd listen. The guy who wouldn't judge him for complaining. The guy who, if prompted to leave after this, it wouldn't hurt too much.

So, yeah. After weeks of lethargy and reservation, pain and silent suffering, loneliness and disappointment, he would reach out to the one person who promised to listen.

"Keith?" he called into the phone, sounding broken.

"Lance? Are you ok? God--I...what's up?" Keith was apprehensive, Lance could tell through the tone of voice.

"I--" It dawned upon him that he didn't know why he called him. He knew why he chose Keith, but what was he trying to say? Was he going to spill his guts again? Get another beating from Daniel? Ruin the night of his new friend because poor Lance was feeling bad? "Never mind. Sorry for bothering you. Good night." He was about to hang up when--

"Wait, Lance!" No, he wasn't apprehensive. Keith was terrified. "I--please don't hang up. This is the most I've heard you talk in a month. I miss you..."

"I'm so sorry," Lance sobbed. "I just...I--can we meet up?"

"At this hour?" Lance bit his lip. He really couldn't be alone right now.

"Please?"

It was extremely dark. The only light was coming from the crescent moon. There was a peculiar rustle of a bush from some animal in the distance, but nothing else. It was unusually humid due to the rainfall continuous in the week. If you looked hard enough, you could see the occasional carving in a tree stating 'love forever'.

The two boys were walking along the trail, silence acting as a safeguard for Lance. You could hear the pattern of their steps, Heel-toe. Heel-toe. Heel-toe. The more quiet, the less talking about feelings and problems. Lance would rather walk along the path in indifference than despair. Still, the silence was awkward since Keith was waiting for Lance to say something. He had been waiting for weeks for him to just be himself, to be the positive, cocky person, to be happy again.

God, what Keith would give to see Lance happy again.

He wanted to reach out and comfort him in any way he could. He wanted to hold him close and tell him that he mattered. He wanted something other than this cold and distant teenager.

"What happened?" Keith couldn't help himself.

There was another pause, and Keith wasn't sure he was going to answer until-- "I really can't tell you."

"Daniel's not here," the Korean replied. "He won't find out."

"But he did." Lance mumbled, keeping his eyes on the trail.

"What?"

"Daniel found out I told you. I don't know how, I just--he knew."

Silence, again. This time it was getting to Lance since he could feel the other boy begging for more information.

"I came out to my family," Lance sighed, "and it didn't go so well."

"Oh, Lance..."

"My dad is extremely unsupportive and my mom--although not very keen on the idea either--she's threatening to kick him out."

"I'm so sor--"

"No sympathy--remember, Kogane?"

"Yeah, I remember."

Silence. Silence. Silence.

Now he was dwelling on everything. Now he had the quiet to dwell on everything. It was like a wound reopened, everything rushing out. These past weeks he had been trying to just wrap it up, put all it's focus on containing everything. Now it's just--

"Oh god, you're crying." Oh. Lance hadn't even noticed. Keith took the other's face in his hands and wiped away the tears. "Oh god, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to make you cry--"

"It's ok," the Cuban mumbled, taking one of the hands in his own. "Can we just...talk for a little bit? About anything but this. Please?"

"Of course."

So he said, "Would it be alright
If we just sat and talked for a little while
If in exchange for your time
I gave you this smile?"

He was already smiling more, Keith could tell. He was already acting more positive and cocky. He was hanging out with his friends more. He was already talking again. Whether it was a facade or not, he seemed to be improving. Winter break was over, as well as the following week which meant teachers wouldn't go easy on them anymore.

"Lance!" Keith called out when he spotted the familiar brunet in the lunch line. The other boy promptly turned to see his friend and smiled a little while Keith caught up with him in the line.

"Ah, if it isn't the boyfriend?" a voice called out behind them, accounting for Lance's drop in smile. Keith whipped around to see the infamous Daniel with a smug look on his face.

"Screw off," Keith fired back. "And what do you mean 'boyfriend'?"

"You telling me you and McClain aren't fucking?" Daniel spat, taking a step closer to his opponent. Before Keith could do anything, Lance was pulling him back through the line to avoid any more conflict.

Keith huffed, "I could've taken him..."

"And taken us to the office." Lance reminded him. "Plus, it would only instigate the rumors about us."

"What rumors?" the Korean questioned.

"The rumors about...ya know..."

"No, I don't. That's why I'm asking." The two boys settled at their usual lunch table that was empty at the moment. The Cuban glanced around to see if anyone was listening in.

"The rumors about us dating," Lance all but whispered, blush overtaking his cheeks.

"People think we're dating?" Keith's face flushed as the thought crossed his mind. People actually think that? Would that be such a horrible thing?

"Yep," Pidge interrupted, sitting down in their seat. Hunk followed suit, leading his girlfriend Shay to sit next to him. She had been sitting with them since break.

"Wait, you two aren't dating?" Shay inquired when she picked up on the conversation.

"Shay, you are officially my favorite person here," Pidge mentioned, digging into their nuggets.

"No, we aren't," Lance clarified, extremely embarrassed.

"Aren't what?" Romelle asked while sitting down with her tray overflowing with various food items.

"We're talking about Lance and Keith dating."

"Ohhhh," Allura hummed and sat down next to her girlfriend. When did everyone start dating? Allura's old friends didn't like Romelle, so Pidge invited them to sit here. Of course, Keith was okay with the new additions to the table, but there were so many people now.

"We aren't dating." Lance kept defending his point, but he was becoming more impuissant as time followed.

"Seriously?" the cheerleader spoke in disbelief. Keith had decided to just shovel food into his mouth to avoid talking altogether.

"Uggggggggghhhhhh."

Keith: [3:43] Who has the phone today?
Lance: [3:46] This is Ronnie, want me to relay a message?
Keith: [3:46] Can't I just talk to Lance directly?
Lance: [3:47] No can do! I'm his twin, therefore I need to know everything about his life
Keith: [3:52] Fine.
Keith: [3:54] Can you ask him if the rumors were really that embarrassing?
Lance: [3:55] The rumors of you two dating?
Keith: [3:55] Yes.
Lance: [3:56] Why would taht be embarrassing??
Lance: [3:56] *GASP* IS YOUR RELATIONSHIP A SECRET??!!?!
Keith: [3:57] There is no relationship.

"LANCE!" Veronica screamed from her side of the room.

"What the fuck do you want?" He called back from his desk.

"Are you and Keith dating?" she interrogated. Lance fumbled with the current piece of paper in his hand in surprise. He turned back at the door to make sure it was closed before glancing at his obnoxious twin.

"No," he hissed, "and why are you so concerned about that so suddenly?"

"He wants to know if you want to go on a date."

"WHAT?" Lance rushed over to the device and snatched it from his sister's hands. "Mentira perra."

"No need for name-calling," Veronica huffed.

Lance: [4:02] Hey, this is Lance. Sorry about her. I was more embarrassed by the teasing than the rumors.
Lance: [4:03] Were they for you??
Keith: [4:05] No.

"You like him," Veronica singsonged, snagging the phone back.

"Fuck you," Lance retaliated and smacking her arm.

"Tell me about him!" she begged while following her brother around the room until he gave in.

"What about him?" he mumbled, trying to brush her off.

"Anything!" They were both now sitting on Lance's bed. Lance had his face buried in his pillow while Ronnie sat on the edge of the bed in anticipation. Ronnie always knew how to get Lance to crack.

"Well..." he started, turning over to face his twin, "he's really mysterious. And he's super kind, but, like, doesn't want anyone to know. He get's really defensive when he's afraid I'll get hurt or something. And-and he has this one smile that he does that kind of...it makes me feel like I'm on top of the world. Plus--what's with that grin?"

"You're so head-over-heels-in-love with this boy," she hummed, her smirk evident on her face.

"So what if I am?" he defended.

"Oh, nothing. It's just a great thing to have on video."

"Does my little brother have a friend?" Shiro questioned through the computer as if it was to most scandalous thing.

"I hate you," Keith murmured into his hands.

"You do! Tell me everything about him! How did he befriend the unsociable, aloof, emo Keith Kogane."

"Oh god..." he mumbled.

"How much has he told you about himself? How much have you told him?"

"Nothing..." the Korean buried his head further.

"Nothing?"

"How's Adam?" Keith deflected, hating the topic.

"As hot as ever," Shiro responded. "You're avoiding the question. Why--"

"Just leave it be..."

"But--"

"What do you want?" Keith practically screeched.

"I'm sorry," he sighed, "it's just...you haven't had a friend like this. You haven't had a friend period. I guess I just got excited."

"He's kind," Keith started, giving in to his brother's pleas. "It's not obvious unless you know him. And he can pretend to be really cocky sometimes, but he's not actually a complete douche. He loves his family, too. He cares so deeply for them and it shows every time he talks about them. Like, his entire face lights up and he gets so pure and--"

"OH MY GOD!" the male screamed through the screen. "You like him, don't you?"

"No I don't," Keith tried. "He's just a friend, you know. My only close one at that. That's the only way a feel about him, so don't."

"Sure, you don't like him." Shiro suddenly leaned close to his camera. "You know how to--"

"Yes, you told me when I came out...and when I got my first boyfriend..."

"Just making sure," the older brother stated. "You know--"

"If you give me the fucking talk again, I will hang up on you so fast."

The doorbell rang and Lance rushed to the door immediately for his impending guest. With a lot of help from Veronica, he now had a plan: Parents out on date night, kids out with friends, and Aunt Maya and Marco running errands. The grandparents were asleep, and Luis was boarded in his room playing video games. So yeah, he basically had alone time with Keith to confess his feelings and--

The plan completely fell out of his mind when he saw him.

It wasn't anything special; Keith was wearing a sweatshirt and sweatpants, bag slung over his shoulder, and his hair tied back. So, of course, Lance was absolutely swooning.

"Hey," he spoke, out of breath and completely lost in Keith's eyes.

"H-hey," Keith responded sheepishly.

"I--uh..."

"Dios, eres un desastre gay," Veronica said from the stairs.

"Make yourself at home while I beat my sister to death," Lance spoke, irritation unmistakable.

"Don't do that," Keith laughed, walking into the house and up to Lance's room.

"Hey," Keith called out. The two boys were currently on the couch watching another cheesy movie after hours of video games. He paused the screen and turned to the other boy, who's full attention was now on Keith.

"What's up?" Lance tentatively asked, sitting upright.

"Do you want to know about my past?"

He took in a breath. "If you're willing to share it." There was a beat of silence, as if Keith was building the courage to open up.

Keith looked down at his hands before looking at the screen."I am... I'm adopted. My mom abandoned me when I was young, and my dad--my dad died in a fire accident." Lance finally understood why he brought it up, the little kid in the movie lost his parents, too. "I met Takashi in one of my foster homes. I didn't get to stay there, but...he feels like the only family I've had since... since my dad." Quiet, and then-- "And no pity for me, either."

"You guys are really close, aren't you?" Lance questioned after stillness had blanketed the room.

"Yeah, we're as close as you and Veronica."

"Do you live with him now?"

"No, he's on the other side of the state," Keith spoke with venom, "and my current foster parents won't take me to see him since 'he's part of a past I should leave behind', like they know the shit I've been through."

"You can't go alone?" Lance questioned.

"No, they said if I can travel alone, I can live alone."

The Cuban took a deep breath and offered, "I can take you."

"Seriously?"

"Yeah, if you want, we can go during spring break." Keith tackled the other boy against the couch in a hug.

"God, you're so amazing, you know that?"

"Yeah of course," Lance joked. "Have you met me?" He rested his hands on the other boy's waist as Keith pulled himself off of Lance. Lance looked up at him and realized how close their faces were. Ba-dun. Ba-dun. Ba-dun. his heart sang. Keith's eyes flickered down to the Cuban's lips and started to lean down Closer. Closer. Closer., an--

"VERONICA!" Aunt Maya screeched from the garage door, "Come help with groceries!"

The two immediately split to opposite sides of the couch. What the hell was that?

"Do you need me to help, Maya?" Lance called from his seat, hoping to distract himself.

"No!" She yelled, carrying more bags than she could. "I mean--it's ok."

"Oh ok. Let's head upstairs, Keith."

"Leave the door open," she demanded with wide eyes. Lance nodded before dragging the other boy upstairs.

The four were talking at their spot under the bridge, unpacking bags of various items. Keith was laying out his towel when he noticed something on the concrete wall.

"Who are these people?" he questioned, examining the names written on the wall.

"Oh!" Pidge exclaimed. "Those are everyone allowed to come down here. They all signed their names. You still need to do it." The brunet dug around in their bag until they found a marker for Keith to use.

"Ok," he stated while signing the wall, "but who's 'Shiro'?"

"Takashi Shirogane, you know him?"

"He's my brother."

"What??" Lance screamed. "Your brother is the awesome, amazing, hot Takashi-motherfucking-Shirogane?"

"...yeah?" Keith glanced around at everyone. "How do you know him?"

"He served with my brother," Lance explained.

"No way. Remember that cafe we go to? The owner uses a good chunk of his earnings to donate to veterans."

The two kept talking about their newfound bond while Pidge and Hunk continued to unpack. "Do you think Lance likes Keith?" Pidge whispered to Hunk.

"No way." Hunk replied in disbelief, brushing off the statement. He glanced over at the two boys. Lance had just made a joke and Keith rolled back laughing out loud. Hunk studied Lance's reaction to Keith and-- "No. Way."

"Hey Keith?" Hunk started. He was currently laying next to the Korean boy and eating the pre-packed snacks. Pidge and Lance were wrestling in the water, completely enveloped in staying alive.

"Yeah?" Keith turned to the sweet boy to give him his full attention.

"What do you think about Lance?" Hunk glanced at his friend only to be met with bewilderment.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean--what do you feel when you look at him? Or, like, what are your opinions on him?" The Samoan boy kept on looking back at the wrestling friends to makes sure they were distracted. Pidge had just fully submerged the other under the water, holding him there for a few seconds.

"Well..." Keith started, "I guess he's pretty nice--"

"I'M GOING TO FUCKING KILL YOU PIDGE!" Lance interrupted from the water when he finally emerged.

"Scratch that," the Korean stated. "Lance is...Lance is my best friend. There's really no other way to describe it."

"Are you sure?" the sweetheart instigated.

"Hunk, I need you to be more clear."

"Is the only thing you feel towards Lance friendship?"

"Yeah, what else would I feel towards him?" Keith questioned.

"Never mind..." the other grumbled.

Lance and Keith were relaxing in an open patch alongside the trail after the stressful day of midterms, the first night of break. It was dark again, but the two had basically memorized the path by how often they use it. The night sky was brighter and more beautiful; more stars could be seen this far away from civilization. Lance was complaining about his Chemistry class again while Keith's mind began to wander.

These past few days, Keith had been...more observant. To say Hunk's comment tipped him off was an understatement. Keith, at first, thought nothing of it. He just assumed Hunk was making another confusing comment out of nowhere.

Until he noticed the next day how Lance was clinging to him whenever they were together.

It wasn't unusual for Lance to be so touchy. In fact, it was normal. Yet, this was the first time Keith payed attention to it.

"Is the only thing you feel towards Lance friendship?"

Later that night, Keith was studying for his AP Psychology midterm coming up when Lance called him up asking to come over for help. He ended up staying the night, sleeping in Keith's clothes and sharing a bed. Again, this wasn't out of the ordinary for their relationship. Keith had just noticed it, is all.

"Is the only thing you feel towards Lance friendship?"

The next morning, Keith drove Lance home on his motorbike and all he could think about was the close proximity of the other boy. Another part of their domestic behavior that stood out to Keith.

"Is the only thing you feel towards Lance friendship?"

Keith started noticing small things, from their endless texting conversations to their late night walks along this exact path.

"Is the only thing you feel towards Lance friendship?"

"Is the only thing you feel towards Lance friendship?"

"Is the only thing you feel towards Lance friendship?"

Keith furrowed his eyebrows. "I'm not sure..." he mumbled.

"Not sure about what?" Lance replied, forgetting about his story. Keith turned his gaze away from the stars to see something equally as beautiful and breathtaking. He got a glimpse of those eyes and was taken back to that night of the party when he felt something else than friendship. The night when Lance first opened up to him. The night where he wanted to kiss him. Twice. He looked down to those lips and back up to those eyes.

Ba-dun. Ba-dun. Ba-dun.

Closer. Closer. Closer.

Kiss me. Kiss me. Kiss me.

"I'm not sure if you want to ruin our friendship, too."

And suddenly those lips he looked at only moments before were on his. The kiss was hard, fast, yet sweet, caring. It wasn't perfect, not by a long shot. It was testing the waters. A trial run. Seeing if there were limits.

They pulled apart after a second--a poetically long yet miserably short second.

"I would ruin our friendship to do that again," Lance giggled, piercing into Keith's soul with his eyes. It was Keith who initiated the second kiss. He was diving head first into the pool of endless possibilities.

Again. Again. Again.

Closer. Closer. Closer.

More. More. More.

Keith swung his leg over Lance's waist and pinned the boy to the grass. He brushed his teeth against the boy's bottom lip before slotting his tongue in the open space left in the other's mouth, as if the space was made for this reason specifically. They moved together rhythmically, eagerly.

"Is the only thing you feel towards Lance friendship?"

Not by a long shot.

Keith knocked eagerly at the door, ready to bust it down if there wasn't any reply in five seconds. The door swung open and he launched himself at his older brother. Keith latched his arms around Shiro's waist never prepared to let go.

"Hello to you, too," Shiro chuckled, wrapping his arm around the monstrosity attached to his hips.

The road trip was stressful. They left early in the morning and arrived in the early afternoon with little to no breaks in between. It didn't help that the entire time Lance was blasting obnoxious pop music or incomprehensible Spanish songs. The Cuban took every opportunity he could to make innuendos or sly comments to Keith the entire trip.

After a full five minutes, he detached himself from his brother and stepped aside. "Shiro, this is--"

"Lance? Oh my god, I haven't seen you in forever!" Shiro pushed past to hug his old friend.

"--I completely forgot you guys knew each other..."

"Dinner was delicious, Adam," Keith commented. The two newcomers had gotten settled in after introductions. They were going to share the pull-out couch the couple had in the living room. They spent the entire meal catching up and sharing whatever they felt like sharing.

"Thank you," he replied, gathering the dishes from the table. Lance sprung into action by helping put away leftovers and cleaning the surfaces. The two brothers watched their counterparts work.

"You like him," Shiro singsonged when he noticed how Keith was staring.

"Sh-Shut up," the other shot back.

"But seriously, This is the most...unvoid of emotion I've ever seen you. He brings out an entirely different side of you."

"Fuck off," Keith groaned.

"Will you be ok sharing a bed with him?"

"It's not like I haven't before."

"But still--"

"Shut. Up."

Adam and Lance exited the kitchen when they finished their work.

"Well, it's time for me and this dustbag to retire upstairs." Adam stretched his arms and chuckled when Shiro mocked offense.

"Rude." Adam's husband commented. The Columbian dragged Shiro up the stairs with a good night.

The two teenagers had gotten ready for bed quickly and were snuggled under the makeshift duvet cover.

"Oh my god, I finally get to cuddle you," Lance groaned while over exaggerating a hug around Keith and tackling him into the thin mattress. Yeah, they decided to keep their relationship a secret for now. Especially since neither knew what the other wanted.

"Come on, it wasn't that bad." Keith relaxed into the others arms.

"But it was!" The Cuban buried his face into Keith's neck. "You don't understand how hard it was for me to not just grab you and kiss you all over the place."

"Really? Where would you have kissed me?"

"Right here," Lance placed a gentle kiss on his collarbone. "--and here," one on his chin. "--and here," on his cheek. "--and here," on his forehead. "--and here and here and here." Eyelid, eyelid, nose. "--and...here." a gentle peck on the lips. Lance started to pull away until Keith grabbed the front of Lance's shirt to bring him back.

"Hey--" Keith tugged the fabric between his fingers until the boy was back on his lips, kissing passionately. Lance loosened his grip until his hands were secured on Keith's waist, pulling him closer by the hips. Keith moaned into the other's mouth as a not-so-silent plea for more. Lance started moving down to his neck, kissing and sucking down. He had slowly slipped his hand from Keith's waist to under his shirt and--

"Oh my god."

Shiro was standing in the entrance of the living room with a cup of water ready to slip out of his hand. It took him a moment before he regained composure. "Oh my god, I am so sorry, please continue, sorry, I--"

"Are you fucking serious, Shiro?" Keith seethed. "Get out."

The ride back was a little more bearable since they had some leftover money for food stops and Keith was DJ for the ride. He was constantly playing with Lance this time, whether it was running his fingers through Lance's hair or rubbing his hand along his thigh. The Cuban was absolutely living for it.

They arrived home late, went to bed even later, and woke up too early for school the next day.

Lance wished more than anything that he could stay in spring break forever. He wished he could stay far away from his toxic household and away from toxic people. He wished he could've relaxed for eternity with Keith attached to his side, not in a school where the only thing attached to his side was a boot.

"Stop whimpering, or someone'll here you," Daniel threatened with another blow to the stomach. "Oh wait--someone already did. Your pathetic excuse for a boyfriend is still pretending to care about you, huh?"

"I don't know what you're talking about, but leave Keith out of this." Lance spat, facing his opponent.

"Why would I leave him out of it when he's the one who got you into this mess?"

"What do you mean?"

Daniel gripped Lance's hair and pulled his face up so he could make eye contact. "I mean that the boy you're so head-over-heels for is the one who called you insecure the first day of school. He made it so ridiculously obvious that you told him about me. Why else would he write such a brutally honest word on your slip?"

"No, that--that's impossible... Keith didn't even know me yet. We had maybe one interaction before--" Realization washed over the Cuban. "--oh."

"Yeah 'oh'." One more punch. "Now go cry to the real backstabber."

"Did you write the note?" Lance asked Keith while they were walking along the familiar trail. He had been waiting to ask his lover for way too long, holding all his concerns inside to eat him away bit by bit. It had consumed his thoughts and actions for days, leaving only guilt, abandonment, and anxiety. Keith had caught on to the more reserved demeanor Lance threw up and immediately started trying to cheer him up through their midnight walks and treating him to food.

"What note?" Keith questioned. He stopped in his tracks when he noticed his counterpart wasn't falling in step with him.

"The note in AP Psych. First day of school, first impressions, all that shit. Did you get mine?" Keith visibly faltered. He knew how this was going to play out. He knew what he wrote. He knew now how damaging that could've been for his mental health.

"Lance, I--"

"Don't go into this huge fucking explanation, Keith. I only need you to say one word."

"But--"

"One word. Yes or no?"

"...Yeah I did. But before you say anythi--"

"Why?" Lance was vulnerable, opening up again. He was showing Keith his heart and how damaged it truly was. He was pointing out the scar Keith brought upon him among the many that littered the tissue. He was letting down the mask he so carefully hid behind.

"I...I'm not sure. The first time I saw you, it was like the first time I saw anyone. You were so broken and I--I guess I wanted to show you that someone knew your life wasn't perfect and cared that you were so distraught."

Ba-dun. Ba-dun. Ba-dun.

Beat. Beat. Beat.

"Daniel knows." Lance spoke without looking Keith in the eye. He couldn't. "He's the one who told me. He also let me know that he only started harassing me again because he thought you already knew about him when you wrote the note."

"Daniel's been harassing you, again?" Keith murmured. "I thought--I thought it was only that one time. I--I'm..."

"Well, it wasn't that one time. Please don't tell me you didn't notice all the crude remarks in the halls or in class." Tears were dropping on the Cuban's shoes as he spoke.

"Lance, I'm so sorr--"

"Yeah, well, sorry doesn't cut it, Keith." Lance finally spared the other boy a glance. The once homey summer beaches trapped in those eyes were now frozen glaciers, unwelcoming and destructive. Another layer of protection Lance wore to hide his inner turmoil. "I trusted you. I finally trusted someone with my insecurities, with my doubts, my--my emotions. I truly trusted you with everything a-a-and it turns out you were against me from the start."

"Lance, I was never against you. I made a dumb mistake."

"Yeah, and I'm the one who paid for it."

Beat. Beat. Beat.

Keith noticed the open heart that was laid in front of him. He noticed the countless amount of scars that make the tissue jagged and almost unidentifiable. He noticed how many he must've caused by writing 'insecure' on that slip of paper. He noticed how much he entirely fucked up.

Farther. Farther. Farther.

Keith reached out to grab Lance's hand, but it was yanked away before he could reach it.

"Just take me home, Keith."

Gone. Gone. Gone.

Keith lived by a set of rules. They developed over the years as he learned the social taboos and problems with himself.

It was a familiar set of rules, guidelines he used to use all the time. It started after his father died when everyone called him a freak. He used them through a god-awful amount of foster homes and schools. He used them when Shiro was deployed. Funny how Keith hadn't even thought of them in months.

Keith knew he fucked up. He knew he hurt Lance. He knew what he did was awful. Don't love anyone.

He just didn't fully understand the extent until Lance didn't sit with him in AP Psych the rest of the week. He didn't fully understand until he couldn't find him at lunch anymore. He didn't fully understand until Veronica found him after school Friday and slapped him across the face as hard as she could. Don't show affection.

The whole week, he had been trying to reach out to Lance, whether it was texting him relentlessly or attempting to apologize in person. By Wednesday, he was officially blocked and avoided at all costs. Keith had avoided talking to other people in general. Block everybody out.

Hunk and Pidge had no idea what was going on; they had just noticed the boy missing from the lunch table. Hunk had tried to text him only to be met by the notification that the message hadn't gone through. Keep your problems to yourself.

The entire week Keith was met with glares from the McClains whenever they passed in the hallway. Rachel at one point spilled her water bottle on his textbook. It was funny, she looked more like Lance's twin than Veronica did--minus the age gap. Luis got his friends to glare as well. Veronica was...

Veronica was spitting countless insults in Spanish at his face.

"You know how stupid you are, Keith?" She hissed. "Do you know how ridiculously, astronomically stupid you are?"

"Yeah..." he mumbled.

Veronica didn't acknowledge his comment. "Do you know how much you hurt Lance? How much you're still hurting him? Do you understand how much he trusted you, only to find out that you lied him from the beginning? Did you even like him, or did you lie about that, too?"

"What? Veronica--"

"Do you know how much he loved you? How he was so close to-to taking his life again, an-an-and he only stayed because you were there?" Tears were streaming down her face as fast as the words were spilling from her mouth. "Now you're gone. You're not there for him anymore, so now what's going to happen? You're as bad as Daniel. No--you're worse than Daniel, because you knew what happened. You knew what happened and you still betrayed him."

"...I didn't mean to." Keith's voice broke at the last syllable. Don't show emotion.

"Didn't mean to?" She was fuming, rage shining past the tears in her eyes.

"I didn't...plan on letting him in." Don't show affection. "I didn't plan on opening up." Keep your problems to yourself. "I wasn't planning on him making me...happy." Don't show emotion. "I wasn't planning on being his friend." Block everyone out. "I wasn't planning on falling in--liking him." Don't love anyone. "I made a comment about someone I didn't even know and--and he just happened to become my best friend. Like...like..."

Like a butterfly landing on that particular leaf.

Like a raindrop falling on that blade of grass.

Like falling in love with that person.

"Listen, Keith," Veronica started. "I don't care what you were doing back then, all I care about is you fixing it. As much as I hate you right now, you were good to Lance when you were friends. So you better make it up to him, and quick."

"But...what if he doesn't want me?"

"You might not be what he wants, but you're what he needs."

"LANCE!" Veronica screamed. She came home from a late-night study session to see her twin brother on the roof, toeing the edge. "Lance do not move, I swear to god I-I-wait one second." She rushed up into her room and through the open window in a panic. She climbed onto the roof tiles and pushed herself up next to her brother. "What the fuck are you doing?"

He turned to his sister eyes rimmed with red. The look he gave her was almost pitiful, pained, as if he was sorry she had to see him like this. "Nothing with you watching." Veronica eyed him up and down, noticing the countless bracelets on his wrists freshly stained. Noticing the white piece of paper folded inside his pocket.

"Lance..."

"I'm sorry, go back inside." He was looking back over the edge.

"That fall won't kill you," she almost whispered.

"What?"

"Twenty-five feet won't kill you. It will hurt like hell, yeah, and cost thousands in medical bills, but it won't kill you."

"Huh." He chuckled.

"Come back inside with me," Veronica tried. "We'll talk it out, we'll cry, we'll--God, Lance, we'll do anything but harm ourselves. I just-you mean so much to me. So fucking much. Of course you do. I wish--I-I wish I showed it better. You're...you're the most important person to me. Please don't fucking jump off the building."

At first nothing. Not a turn of the head, not a sniffle or a breath. If Veronica didn't know better, she would've guessed he was dead already. Maybe he is, just inside a living body.

"Ok," he mumbled eventually. He climbed back down through the window followed by his twin.

They sat on Lance's bed waiting for the other to start. Lance kept fidgeting with the note now turning over in his hands.

"You should talk to Keith," Veronica spoke up while grabbing her brother's hands.

"Why?"

"Because you love him."

"I don't love him since he stopped loving me."

"That's not how that works and you know it." Lance glanced back at his sister with the same pain in his eyes. She shuffled around with her other hand until she pulled out their shared phone and pressed play.

"Well...he's really mysterious. And he's super kind, but, like, doesn't want anyone to know. He get's really defensive when he's afraid I'll get hurt or something. And-and he has this one smile that he does that kind of...it makes me feel like I'm on top of the world. Plus--what's with that grin?"

Lance looked down at the the device to see his blushing face and crossed arms on the exact same bed as they were on now.

"You're so head-over-heels-in-love with this boy," Veronica's voice came from the speaker.

"So what if I am?"

"So what if you are?" Veronica repeated.

"So what if I am?"

It had been a month since Keith last heard from Lance. It had been a month since he broke Lance's heart. It had been a month since he lost his best friend.

He had been freaking out, sticking to his rules to the extreme, lashing out at everyone and everything. He ignored all of Shiro's calls. He stopped focusing in class. All he could think about was how he royally screwed everyone around him.

"Keith..." the Korean heard behind him when he was walking out to his motorbike. He was fully ready to wing around and punch whoever dared to talk to him until--

It was Lance.

It was Lance.

Lance was there. Behind him. Scared out of his life because of the fist inches from his face. Lance was talking to Keith. Lance had approached him.

"Before you say anything, I am so so sorry." Keith started. "I was stupid and unsympathetic and didn't realize a word like that would hurt you because--well, because I hadn't even properly met you yet and--"

"Keith..." Lance interrupted. "I'm sorry, too."

"You shouldn't have anything to be sorry about, I fucked up so bad and--" he was sobbing, violently sobbing. For four weeks he had been holding in all his emotions only to break the dam now. "I miss you so ridiculously much. I get it if you never want to talk to me again, but please know that you were my best friend--still are. Lance, I--I was so unfair to you."

Lance grasped the other's hands in his. "I understand," he whispered. "I miss you so much, too."

"Remember the night of the party, when I won the bet?" The other boy nodded in acknowledgement. "My victory favor. I'm using it now. Please, please forgive me."

Lance chuckled, "You didn't need to use the favor to get me to forgive you." His arms were suddenly wrapped tight around the Korean boy as if he never wanted to let go. "It--It might be a little before I can trust you again, but I still want you in my life."

Lance loosened his grip enough to place a long, gentle kiss to Keith's lips. This kiss rivaled all their past kisses, once filled with passion and fire to now feel loving and welcoming. Keith didn't know a kiss could feel so good without haste and heat.

"I missed you."

"I missed you, too."

"Congratulations to the graduating class of 2019!" The announcer spoke into the microphone. Hundreds of decorated graduation caps were thrown into the air as the newly announced from below cheered.

Immediately after the chaos, Lance went searching for his boyfriend ten seats down.

"Hey samurai," he greeted, wrapping his arms around his neck. The two were going to be sent off to different colleges come August. Keith found one fifteen minutes from Shiro's house. Lance was going to NYU for his singing skills he pulled out of his pocket at the last second. Hunk got accepted into a culinary college in New York as well. Veronica was staying local at the state college nearby.

"Hey yourself," Keith replied, placing a small peck on the other's lips.

Daniel, after a stern "talking to" from Keith, backed off Lance and left him alone for the rest of the year.

"Finally free!" Lance heard his twin scream before running to her girlfriend.

The couple walked back to Keith's motorbike after tons of family photos and teary eyed hugs.

"I'm gonna miss you when you're in New York," Keith commented.

"I'm gonna miss you, too." Lance squeezed the other's hand. "Promise you'll stay faithful even when the thousands of hot college boys try to convince you not to?"

"Promise," Keith laughed, leaning into his boyfriend.

"You'd give up all those opportunities for me?"

"For you, I'd give the world."

All was golden in the sky
All was golden when the day met the night