Caving (Original by Sketchy_girl)

Chapter 5

No one's P.O.V.

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Hunk let out a long sigh. He stood over the table laced with different kinds foods, all different colors and shapes, and looked about it. He looked tired, bags under his eyes and shoulders slouched over, but he refused to sleep. His anxiety was bubbling inside of him, refusing to let him rest. So, he did the only thing he knew would help calm him. Cooking. He tried to recreate certain dishes, especially the ones Lance favored, that he'd make back on Earth. They weren't exactly the same, but he worked with what he had. But, now he ran out of recipes, and room, and didn't know what to do with himself. 

Voltron was taking a break, since Lance was back they didn't really have a reason to be working around the clock. So, now they twiddle their thumbs, or do something that they think will be at least some sort of importance. Hunk had no idea what do with himself. He thought about visiting Lance, but he didn't want to wake Keith. So he stood before the table of warm food, and let his mind wander. 

The door to the dining room swished open causing Hunk to jump. He didn't think anyone was up. The last time he checked the time, it was about one in the morning. No one should be up. Hunk looked over to the new person standing in the doorway. It was Shiro. 

"Hunk?" Shiro whispered in a tired voice. It seemed he just woken up. His hair said that too. Dang he had a bad cause of bed head. Loose strands pointing every which way, his usually perfectly bouncy white group of hair looked flat and rough. That would've been a big no-no in Lance's book. "What are doing up in this hour?" Shiro walked in. His Galra arm was completely exposed counteracting his white tank top. Hunk could swear there was a soft purple glow emanating from it. 

"It's . . . I can't sleep." Hunk stared intensely at the plate of food in front of him. He gripped the head of the chair to stop his hand from shaking. 

"Hey, Lance is safe. There is nothing to worry about. He'll wake soon." Shiro said, placing a reassuring hand on Hunk's shoulder. Hunk didn't look up. Only keeping his glare on the stake like food. 

"I know, but I just want Lance back you know? I mean, I know he's back, but I know he's not really back. When we saw Lance on that video screen-" Hunk shook his head as the image entered his mind again- "I knew at that moment, something wasn't right. I knew when we got him back that he wouldn't be that same." Hunk paused a moment and looked up at Shiro, worry filling the Yellow Paladin's eyes. "I need him back, Shiro. I need my best friend back."

Shiro was taken back. He didn't know that Hunk was so distraught about everything. Well of course Hunk was upset, but Shiro had no idea the toll that all of this had put on the Yellow Paladin. Lance's disappearance had put a toll on everyone. Without him, they found themselves bickering more often. Without Lance, they found themselves ignoring basic needs. Without Lance, the whole team fell apart. Shiro just barely held them together with a strand. 

"Hunk, don't worry. I know things are going to be very different now, but things will work out."

"But, how do you know?" At this point, tears were forming in Hunk's eyes. "We all saw that video. There is just no way that Lance will be okay." Shiro took a deep breath before talking.

"You're right Hunk. Lance will not be 'okay' for a long while, but we need to stay strong just a little longer for him." Hunk couldn't find the energy inside of himself to talk any longer. He was so drained. Maybe all this cooking finally caught up to him. He shoulders sagged a little as if he could not hold the weight of his drooping eyelids. Shiro took notice. "Come on buddy," His tone a hushed whisper. "let's get you to bed." Hunk didn't resist. He let Shiro lead him out of dining room into the quiet halls. The halls that have been too quiet without Lance. And it tore Hunk piece by piece. Now, there was almost nothing left to tear.

Shiro didn't know what to say to the boy. He knew how these things work. He knows, first hand [I'm sorry], what torture does to someone. They never come out the same. Shiro didn't come out the same. And he knew that he didn't get the same treatment as Lance. There was still a lot left uncertain, yet Shiro didn't long to find out. He knew Lance would never be the same. Whether or not Lance will try to cover things up, was left unsaid. 

-*-

Lance had fallen back asleep shortly after waking up. Keith still felt heavy, stuck at Lance's beside. His hands longing to grip his boyfriend's once again. The anger he felt towards Lotor drained away. Everything drained away, as Lance's eyes fluttered closed once again. He didn't want to move. He only dared to breath. Even that, he did with caution. As if his breathing would break Lance. The way Lance looked at him though. Keith feared that Lance was beyond broken. 

He was caved.

Everything that he once was, no longer. Just crushed. Within a year, Lotor crushed everything Lance was that there was nothing left to hold everything up. And it all just caved. You could see it. Not right away. But you could see in his eyes, that he was byond broken. That everything was just gone. 

Something warm dropped from his eyes, falling down his cheeks. 

"Fuck." He breathed. 

"Fuck. Fuck. Fuck." At this point, his tears had turned into sobs. His dry mouth filling with sudden found slavia. His face as red as his eyes. He couldn't even the energy to say anything more, and mouthed the word 'Fuck' over and over. He shook his head as it made its slow descent onto Lance's bed. He sobbed, and sobbed, his body shuddering as his shoulders bounced up and down. His lungs yearned for a long deep breath, but all Keith could manage were quick breaths as he. Even after he could no longer produce anymore tears, he lay there letting out harsh breaths. He didn't know what else to do.

To be continued

Oh my lord! I haven't updated in forever!! I'm soooo sorry! I've had this chapter almost ready for a while now! I don't really know why I haven't updating and I'm so sorry! Well, I hoped you enjoyed either way. And I promise to have the next chapter up sooner!

(I'm just curious, but how old do you guys think I am? (Don't have to answer if you don't wish))