Break Bad

Smooth Lies, Stuttering Truths: Final

January 1st, 9:05Am

Gravity seemed heavier than the last time Keith had walked down this hallway. His boots had been lighter, and his heart looser.
As the door approached, Keith's grip on Lance's hand got tighter.

Everything did. Somehow even the white washed walls, which were once soured by bitter memories, were no longer even in his view. Just that fucking door.

He shouldn't be nervous, not now. He shouldn't be afraid of what she'll say, not now. But he was. He was afraid she'd change her mind, afraid that somehow things would end worse than they had before.

"Keith, no."
Lance squeezed Keith's hand as they walked.

"What?"

"You know what."

Keith then realized his own grip was like a vice, and loosened it slightly.

"I can't help it."

"Yes you can. And you know that you can."

"Thanks. All better now, doctor."

Lance huffed out a breath.
"Now is not the time for you to get all closeted again."

"Ironic choice of words."

"Stop it."
Lance stopped, pulling Keith to turn and stop with him. Keith didn't wanna look at Lance, because he knew how that always ended.

"Keith, please let yourself have some hope. For me?"

"It hard now."

"I know. You know that I do."

Keith sighed.
"Sorry.... have they tried to contact you?"

"No. I don't know if I want them to anymore. But your mother is trying. So don't waste the chance."

Keith dropped his forehead on Lance's shoulder for a moment before looking at him.
"You're going in first."

"So long as you're right behind me."
Lance smiled.

"Always."
Keith smirked, before they both chuckled quietly. It was small. But echoed down the silent halls, and was enough to loosen the grip on Keith's heart slightly, for as long as that could last.

When Lance walked through the door, and around the corner. Keith hesitated, not sure what to expect, but expecting something. Anything. But he heard nothing. No words, no breaths, no heart monitor

Lance looked over to Keith with a concerning expression.
"Keith?"

Keith's hesitation was gone in an instant and he ran around the corner to look as his mother. Her arms were all bone, and vein. Her skin as pale as his, paler even. Her eyes closed, and body loose.

He ran up to her bed and squeezed her frigid hand.
"Mom!?"

Her eyes opened slowly, but immediately.
"Why are you yelling?"

"Wha- you.... you're heart monitor!"
Keith said breathlessly, trying to slow his heart rate.

She glanced at it for a moment.
"I unplugged the evil thing so I could actually sleep."

Keith let out a heavy breath.
"You scared the shit out of me."

She gave him the pitying gaze that only a mother could give in this position.
"Didn't mean to. Shiro said I could. Blame him."

Then her eyes drifted away from Keith, and were surprised to not see a stocky muscled figure, but the exact opposite. Shimmering eyes, and the body of a sprinter.
"Lance, it's nice to see you again."