Don't Ask About My Demons

Lance's Note

Miles away, a lone escape pod drifted in the void of space. Keith looked this way and that but was met with the same nothingness in all directions. He was alone once again. He let out a sigh of relief and released his hands from their death grip on the controls. He didn't have to wonder who was hunting him down. It just didn't make sense. What was it about him that was so enthralling to this Hagne person? If she wanted someone who could pilot the Black lion, she might as well have asked Shiro. It would have saved him a lot of trouble in the long run.

Keith set the spacecraft to autopilot before he rose to his feet and stretched. He yawned and rubbed his eyes, all the while wondering how long he had been drifting in space and when he would actually find a place to land.

A low growl sounded from Keith's stomach. He ducked his head as he walked the short distance to the back. It was at times like these when Keith was made hyper aware of his claustrophobia. He didn't mind small spaces for a short time, but prolonged periods in such a small space was enough to make him go insane. He tried not to think about it as he shuffled through the ship's rations.

"Let's see... more nutrition bars and some sort of..." he wrinkled his nose in disgust. "...brown mush. Quiznak! I would have actually taken the green goo over this... um... whatever this is." He ran a hand through matted hair as his eyes drifted to the bag that Lance hastily packed for him before he left. Keith reached out and dragged it toward himself to look at the contents.
He smiled. It was obvious that Lance pinched some of the food from Hunk's supply. The bag was filled almost to the brim with tins of cookies, jerky, crackers, and, of course, many tins of green food goo. It was enough to get him through another couple weeks if need be. However, at this point, Keith's logic was blinded by his hunger for real food. He cracked open the first tin without caring to look at the contents before digging his hands into the green food goo and scarfing it down. When he was finished, he moved on to the next container and practically swallowed each morsel of jerky whole. By the time he got to the third tin, he realized that he should probably be pacing himself before ditching that idea and unceremoniously downing all of the contents within.

He paused to grab a swig of water then pushed the rest of the tins aside because he vaguely remembered that using up one's rations was not the best plan. Besides, after his quick meal, he felt his hunger leaving him almost instantly. Curiosity pushed him to search through the rest of the contents.

"Okay, Lance. Let's see what else you packed for me." He pulled out a thin blanket, some spare clothes, and a small bag of toiletries. It was then that something red caught his eye and he went to take the last two objects out of the bag. He cocked his head when his hands wrapped around a pair of red lion slippers. "Lance, why?" He laughed quietly to himself. It was one of the sweetest things anyone had ever done for him, but he wouldn't admit it out loud.

He was made aware of the note from the first time he received the slippers. His fingers slid over the lump in his pocket before he reached in to retrieve it. The note was crumpled and worn from the many times that he had read and reread it. However, the words were as clear as day, written in Lance's neat, slanted handwriting.

Hey Keith,
I'm starting to lose hope of ever seeing you again. From the moment they took you, I went after you. I thought it was because we're a team and we're supposed to look out for each other but I don't think it's the same for you. I tried so hard to deny it. I really did. I hope you don't hate me for it. I mean, I'm not telling you that you have to feel the same way, I just hope you don't hate me when you find out. I mean, maybe you do. I wouldn't blame you. But I don't think I could go on without letting you know. I don't know what I'd do if I lost you, Keith. I don't know if I'll ever see you again but, if I do, I want to tell you how I really feel. Problem is that I'd probably be too afraid to tell you in person. So I'll write it to you before I lose my courage. Keith Kogane, you might just be one of the most stubborn and infuriating people I've ever met. You take everything so seriously and go through life with a cynical eye. I don't care if you hate me because I could never hate you. I love you. All of you. Your hair, your eyes, your face, your hands. I love your scowl and the way your head tilts ever so slightly when I tell a joke that you don't get. I love your determination and your voice when you say my name. I know you're not perfect and neither am I. But maybe we could be not perfect... together. I love you Keith, forever and always.

P.S.  I remembered our bonding moment. I kinda woke up from the coma halfway through and... well... I thought it would be best to pretend I wasn't being cradled by the most beautiful boy I've ever seen. It sure was difficult trying to pretend to stay unconscious, let me tell you.

Keith cracked a smile and slipped the note back into his pocket. "I'll see you again, Lance." He vowed. "One day."