Room 1013

The Promise

Keith was scared for a moment when he woke up, but he felt Lance's arms around him and immediately calmed down. This happened nearly every morning; it was a feeling he hadn't experienced in a long time. Lance's warm, musky skin was right behind him. He fell asleep with it there and it stayed. He stayed.

Lance's lungs filled as he stirred and hugged Keith to his chest. He blinked the sleep from his eyes and cuddled into his hair, "Hey baby. Good morning."

Keith's spirits lifted and a smile tugged at his lips. "Good morning."

"Ugh," Lance nuzzled into the pillow, "I'm still tired."

Keith turned around in his hold and kissed his nose, "Then just stay in bed. I'll make breakfast today."

Lance's eyes half-opened, "But I do that."

"Exactly," Keith gave him a kiss and crawled out of bed. The cool air hit his bare legs, causing him to wrap Lance's sweater tighter around his body. When he reached the door, he took one last look back at the sleepy Lance. He was sprawled out in the middle, leaving his arm where Keith once was.

Keith's cheeks warmed as he smiled and stepped out into the kitchen. He yawned and happily ruffled his hair as he started the coffee. After it was done, he brought a cup back to Lance and lied in his lap as he drank it. Then, he had to get ready for school. Lance gave him a long kiss before heading out.

The past couple weeks had been spent in bliss. They were together all the time; they started learning to dance; Lance was home every night, and his withdrawals had since died down. Everything was finally okay. They were getting back to the life they always wanted to live.

Keith switched over the laundry and put the clothes away. Housework was something he had come to enjoy now that he had gained motivation. Lance even taught him how to cook a few meals. It wasn't exactly what Keith had envisioned, but it was pretty damn close. Once the laundry was taken care of, Keith tended to the floors, sweeping and vacuuming where it was needed. Then after lunch, it was time to dust the guest rooms. Even though no one stayed in them, he still had to keep the house clean to avoid getting sick.

Keith flipped open the curtains to let the sunlight in. It was a beautiful, cool day-as "winter" as Texas could get. He ran his fingers through his hair and turned to the end tables. He carefully moved the clock and lamp to wipe underneath them. As he went to dust the handles of the drawers, one caught his eye. On the brass of it was a smudge of black. Keith sat on his knees and inspected the drawer itself. It was the bottom one-ever so slightly titled. As if it had been shut sideways.

Keith wanted to open it, but he stopped. His shaky hand couldn't gather the strength it needed to open it. He didn't want to know.

But he had to, even if he didn't wish it. So, he conjured all the strength he didn't have and gripped the handle. With one smooth motion, he yanked the drawer open. He hesitantly opened the eyes he didn't realize he shut and looked inside.

It was empty.

Keith released the breath he was holding and pushed it closed, finding it to be tilted the same way. It must have been a defect or something. Keith stood up and wiped off the smudge. Out of instinct, he opened the top drawer. He didn't know why he did. Maybe to satisfy some subconscious curiosity. Maybe to prove what he already knew was true, but couldn't accept.

Inside the top drawer, tucked in a corner, were three decent-sized bags. Each one held a different shade and size of crystals. Next to them was a syringe filled with liquid.

Keith fell to his knees. I'm so stupid. I should've known. He struck his fists on the floor, "I should've known!"

Keith took a moment to attempt to calm his burning lungs, but to no avail. He didn't know how long he stayed there; but when he heard the door open and Lance's voice call out to him, a shot of adrenaline pierced his heart.

Well, Keith stood and snatched one of the bags out of the drawer, clenching it in his fist. I made a promise.