Us Again (Jaith)

Chapter Four: What Happened to Us?

"my heart's already breaking, baby, go on, twist the knife" (Love You Goodbye, One Direction)

TRIGGER WARNING: This chapter includes character mention/implied use of alcohol (Note: its only at the very end of the chapter)

Keith slept in today. First time he'd done that in years. But he wouldn't call it a restful night no matter how long it was. For his head swirled with memories of James Griffin following his conversation, or rather, confession to Pidge, Lance, and Hunk the night before. He tossed and turned as if it would help to dispel the thoughts from his head but it didn't. Also by "slept in" it was more like "stayed in his bed until noon, staring at the ceiling, thinking a little too much about his ex boyfriend". This was just another reason why Keith couldn't stand being around him. It was like the heartbreak he felt all that time ago had flooded back. He was back in square one. Needless to say Keith was dreading his evening sorting archives with Griffin even more now. He dragged and shuffled his feet all the way to hangar 3, where the team would be departing from for their mission, the mission he should be on but wasn't. Keith neared where the paladins had gathered, overhearing Lance telling a story.

"And he was like 'nooo wayyy' and then I said. . . - Woah, you look horrible", Lance cut himself off upon seeing Keith.

"Woah. Where did that come from? Don't you think that's a little mean to say so out of pocket?!?", Hunk asked confused.

"I- What? No Hunk," Lance mentally facepalmed as he took Hunk by the shoulders and spun him around, making him face Keith.

"Huh? Oh. . . Oh! Keith! You alright man? You don't look too hot?", Hunk inquired.

"Gee thanks. Didn't sleep well last night. I'm fine," Keith replied, voice still hoarse from lack of use.

"I call bullshit on the 'I'm fine' and I know you just LOVE IT when we pry but we're not going to," Pidge assured sarcastically.

"I appreciate it. Hey, you guys kick ass out there alright?" Keith hollered as he went to leave but he was cut off by Shiro who stepped closer to him. The other paladins took that as a signal to give the two some space.

"I know you're probably beating yourself up over the mission yesterday still Keith you-" Shiro started, trying to be comforting.

"This isn't about that," Keith interrupted.

"I- it's not? . . . Well. You imply that it is about something though," Shiro pointed out.

"I- I just- I don't know," Keith stuttered.

"You know you can tell me anything right? I'm always here for you, always have been, always will be,"

"Yeah. Yeah I know"

"Then why aren't you telling me? I can tell when somethings wrong, Keith. I can tell there's more to it than a bad night's sleep. And given how long I've known you I think I have the right to pry in this situation"

"I- I just- I couldn't-" Keith tripped over his words. He sighed, giving up, "Look, I don't have the capacity for this and you need to get going. Can we please just talk later? Please?"

Shiro pondered for a moment, his eyes tracing worryingly around Keith's obviously exhausted face, "Yeah. . . Yeah ok."

As the paladins prepped for take off, Keith left hangar 3, once again dragging his feet all the way to the bottom floor. Where the archives were. When Keith entered the main room he was not surprised to find James already in there. He has always been the type to arrive early, or right on time to events or plans.