Room 1013

Go To Sleep

"Where is he?" Lance arrived late in the night. He would never have come that late, but he regarded this as a special case. Krolia nodded and pointed up the dim stairs. Lance gave her a hug, "You doing okay?"

She hugged back, "I'll be okay." She pulled away and gave him a smile, "I'm more worried about him."

"How long ago has he been reacting to meds?" Lance led her to the living room so she could sit down.

Krolia sat on the white couch and put her face in her hands, "This hasn't happened in six years."

"Six?" Lance crossed his arms and sighed. He turned his body toward the doorway, "I'm gonna go see him."

"Of course," she stood and motioned toward the stairs, "second door on the left." She placed a hand on his shoulder, "Stay as long as you like."

Lance followed her directions and stopped in front of his door. A stream of faint light spilled from the bottom slit. He lifted a fist to knock, but decided against it. This was his best friend. He needed Lance right now. He placed his hand on the doorknob and quietly opened the door.

Keith's room was cozy. He had a light grey carpet and white walls. His desk sat in front of the door along the side wall. Various notebooks and colorful glitter pens spilled over the side. A dresser sat on the right side of it. The small bed was placed in the upper right corner. Keith lied on top of his blankets, clutching a decorative white pillow to his chest. His bare feet rested on a fluffy grey blanket that unfolded over the edge. Lance was surprised at how normal his room was-unlike his expensive house.

Lance sighed and turned to silently close the door. He left his shoes next to the desk and tossed his coat on top of them. Keith didn't acknowledge his presence. His eyes were fixated on the wall across from him as he lied on his left side. Strands of his hair were sprawled across the side of his face and drooped over his neck. Lance slowly walked over to Keith and lied down on his right side to face him. He stared for a minute before speaking in a low and calm voice. "Hey there~."

Keith's eyes finally filled with a faint sign of life. He pulled the pillow down to uncover his face. "What are you doing here?" He gasped, "Am I dreaming?"

Lance chuckled and brought an arm up to rest his head on his bicep, "I hope not, because that would mean that I'm this tired for nothing."

A smile lit up Keith's face as tears filled his eyes, "Lance!" He closed them tightly and let out a sharp breath, "It's not- I'm not-!"

Lance shushed him and inched closer, "Hey, hey. Don't do that." He kept his voice low and sweet. "Don't cry. You'll make me feel bad."

Keith stuffed his face into the pillow and shook it, "Don't look!"

Lance lifted a hand and gently wrapped it around Keith's wrist, "Keith." He tugged on it a little, "Keith, look at me."

His hands released the pillow, letting Lance take it from his grasp. He kept his face down and arms stiff.

Lance grabbed his hands, "Keith, when's the last time you slept?" He released a wrist to pull Keith's chin up and inspect his face, "You have bags under your eyes."

Keith's face froze at the touch. His breath became shaky. "I don't know."

Lance sighed and jumped up from the bed. He pulled the grey blanket out from under his feet and flipped it open to place it on Keith. Then he walked over to the desk and turned off the lamp. Keith watched him intently, leaning on his arm. Lance returned to him and tugged the blanket over himself. He fluffed Keith's pillow, "Go to sleep. You're exhausted."

Keith slowly placed his head down on the pillow, keeping his eyes locked on Lance's. He focused on every feature, "You're staying?"

Lance chuckled, "Of course. No leaving tonight." He shifted his position, "I'll be here when you wake up."

Keith's face softened. A smile it up the constellations on his cheeks and brought a sparkle to his crystal violet irises. His tears looked like liquid mercury reflecting nonexistent light. They created a somber halo around his head. The entire universe painted his skin and weaved through his obsidian hair. He was perfect even when he was crying.

Lance let out a nervous chuckle and lowered his gaze. Keith's weak arms wrapped around his chest, "Thank you."

Lance smiled and let him lie on his bicep, bringing the other hand up to run his fingers through Keith's hair. "Yeah, no problem. I guess this is payback for leaving you back then."

Keith's chest tapped against Lance's as he laughed, "Shut up." His giggles gradually died down with his breathing as he finally found rest.