Room 1013

Sick

Keith heard the tapping of shoes on the hardwood, waking him from his slumber. He scanned the dark room, not finding Lance in the bed. He rolled his eyes and sighed, tossing the blankets off and walking to the door. "Babe," Keith scratched his head and yawned, "Are you seriously going ou-"

Lance leaned onto the couch with an unsteady arm. His chest screamed for breath as it heaved. Sweat rolled down the sides of his face as he looked up at him with neutral eyes.

Keith stopped in his tracks and stared down at him in confusion. "Lance?"

Lance lifted himself off the couch and held his arms out. "Hey there, baby." He wrapped him up in a hug. "Why are you up?" His voice was slurred and tired. "It's late."

Keith lightly pushed him away, "You woke me up." He cupped his cheek, "Did you just get home? What the fuck happened to you?"

Lance shook his head and waved him off, "It's nothing. I just got chased by some random dog."

Keith raised an eyebrow in suspicion, "Really?" He glanced at the window. "Where?"

Lance walked by him and tugged off his jacket, tossing it to the floor. "Just outside." He stumbled into the bathroom and turned the shower on. "It's nothing baby, just go back to bed."

Keith peeked into the doorway and stared at him with cautious movements. Something's not right. He looked over Lance's skin as he undressed. No cuts or bruises and he didn't smell like alcohol. Keith sighed and shook his head. He must be getting sick from not sleeping.

"Lance, hurry and get to bed." Keith fell back into the fluffy blankets. "You're gonna get sick."

"Nah I'm fine, baby."

Keith pushed himself up on his knees and looked back at the fluttering shower curtain. "Just get to bed soon. If you get sick, then it can be serious for me and we won't be able to sleep together for a while."

Lance clicked his teeth and slapped the wall, "I said I'm fine, Keith!"

Keith was tired and quite annoyed with his behavior. "And I said you're not!"

"Ugh!" Lance finished his quick shower and stepped out, yanking a towel off the rack. "I think I would be able to tell if something's wrong with me."

"Can you?" Keith gave him a judgmental look and jabbed a hand in his direction. "Look at yourself! You're exhausted! You need to sleep and to eat a proper meal-god knows you haven't had one in a long time."

"What are you? My mom?" Lance angrily fluffed his hair with the towel. "I'm supposed to be the one to care for you."

Keith adjusted his knees to face him and spoke with frustrated hands. "But you aren't even doing that!" He failed at trying to stop his eyes from tearing up. "You're never here! I never get to fall asleep with you or have breakfast with you because you stay out so late!"

"I'm not doing this right now." Lance used his foot to shut the door, cutting Keith off.

Keith stared at the door in disbelief. It took a moment to process what had just happened. When he pieced it together, he jumped off the bed. "Oh, you did not just do what I think you did!" He shoved the door back open and threw his hands up, "What the fuck?! You don't get to cut me off like that!"

Lance rinsed the toothpaste from his mouth and leaned against the sink. "You were being ridiculous."

"I'm being ridiculous?" Keith pointed at him. "You're being ridiculous! Why can't you just admit that you're pushing yourself too hard?!"

"Because I'm not!"

"Yes, you are!"

Lance shook his head and pushed past him to reach the closet. He slipped on a pair of sweatpants. "I told you. I'm just fine."

Keith jumped up on the bed and crossed his arms. "If you think you're so fine, then go sleep on the couch."

Lance scoffed and shook his head in disbelief. He rested one hand on his hip as the other rubbed his forehead. "Keith, we agreed that we wouldn't sleep separately."

Keith felt a tear drop onto his arm, "We already do."

Lance stared into his heartbroken eyes with a fiery gaze. They kept still and waited for one of them to make a move. Keith blinked away a few more tears and bit his lip to keep it from quivering.

Finally, Lance's face softened. He hung his head and sat down in front of him. "Baby, I'm sorry." His fingers fiddled with the stitching of the comforter. "I didn't mean to make you upset. I'm just tired." Lance locked eyes with him, "You're right. I'm exhausting myself, and I need to stop."

Keith swallowed hard and stared back unconvinced.

Lance let out a sigh and slowly leaned forward to put his head on Keith's shoulder, fighting against his resistance. "I'm sorry. You're right."

Keith took a deep, angered breath and averted his eyes. He wiped his cheeks with his sleeve. "Just get up here and go to sleep before I change my mind."

Lance carefully lifted his head and kissed Keith's cheek. "I'm sorry, baby."

"I know." Keith turned and pulled the blankets over them as they settled into the mattress. He turned away to face the wall, but didn't resist when Lance wrapped an arm around his waist.

Keith kept his eyes on the wall, "Hey Lance?"

"Hmm?" Lance's voice was tired and slurred.

Keith pushed back against his chest to gain more security. He closed his eyes and nuzzled into his arms. "Let's not fight when we're tired anymore. Deal?"

Lance kissed his shoulder then returned to the pillow, hugging Keith tighter. "Deal."