The Boy in the Rain//Klance

45. Lance

Keith had been obviously surprised when I told him I wanted to move out. Honestly I was too, I didn't really know the reason for seeing Danny. The voice just kept telling me to say it, I eventually did. I watched him bite his lip and look down. He gave up.

He didn't want me with him.

I swallow down my hurt and replace it with a smile. I look at Danny, "You wanted to talk?" I ask. My brother nods. I look between him and Keith, trying to signal that I need to speak privately with Danny. Keith, who is still staring at his lap, hasn't gotten the memo. Danny exhales loudly, "Keith? Do you think you could play with Nina for a minute?" I see Keith look up quickly and he avoids my eyes. I'd be lying if I said that didnt hurt.

This was bound to happen anyway. Once Keith is gone, you can cut off the others too; Pidge, Hunk, Allura, Lotor, Shiro and everyone else from school.

I smile as Keith walks away from the table, but it's pained. Danny exhales loudly again, "Lance, do you really want to move in with me?" He asks and I'm pushing down the pain of Keith not wanting me to stay. I am, to say the least, disappointed. I nod, "I really do. We haven't talked in a while." Danny looks remorseful and angry, "Let's stop avoiding the subject. Steve is back isn't he?" Danny has always been able to read a situation, he gets right to the point. My brother has also never called our dad "Dad". I wish I could call him by his name, Dad is just imprinted in my brain when I see him. Unfortunately.

"Yeah, he's back." I say with pain etched in my chest. My brother nods gravely, "That's what I thought." He eyes me, "How are you?" I shrug, "I'm getting through."

Liar.

I clench my first and bite my lip subconsciously. I didn't notice but I could tell Danny did, "Lance, you've got to tell me the truth." I don't know what the truth it anymore. I know that my life is fucking terrible, but that's pretty much it.

You also know that that fucking terrible life is going to end soon too.

Then the voice does something it's never done before. It giggles.

It fucking giggles.

If it's so bad Lancey Lance lets just end it now!

I shake my head, that's not what I'm going to do.

I'll be here until you're ready to do it.

I try to focus on Danny's face. What did he say? Did he ask me something? Should I reply? My dad. We're talking about our dad. Dad, the man of my nightmares. I loved him and obeyed his every rule but all he gave in return were bruises and scars.

I have one scar, that has stayed all my life. Unfortunately I don't think it will ever go away. The scar stretches from my right shoulder blade to my left hip bone, on my back of course. The scar is from one night when Dad found one of Danny's knives. He had gotten mad because he thought Danny would use it against him. So he beat Danny's legs with Veronica's baseball bat until Danny crumbled to the ground.

My dad pulled my and ripped off my shirt. Then dug the knife into my back, he moved across my back for what felt like forever.

The pain was like nothing I'd ever felt before, it's even worse than the cuts that litter my arms. I screamed out in pain but also in concern for my brother, who lie sobbing and gaping in horror at what was happenening. We both promised to protect each other, but in the end all we had both received was pain.

Daddy should cut a little deeper, maybe he would hit your heart.

"STOP IT!" I scream, I already want to cry. I stand up from the table and put my hands over my ears. I don't want to hear him anymore. I don't want to see anyone, I shut my eyes tightly.

Just thinking about that night made my back ache. No one except my family and Hunk knows about the long scar on my back, and Hunk thinks it was because I was in a car accident.

Danny is on me in a matter of milliseconds. He's holding my shoulders and humming calming mantras, "Shhh.....It's Okay....You're okay.....Shhh....." Danny comforted me and I just let myself hiccup in sobs. I let my hands drop. I keep my eyes shut tightly. A hand grabs one of mine. Who? Danny's hands are both on my shoulders. A new voice soothes me, "I'm here." I know that voice better than I know the one in my head.

My breathing calms. My eyes open and I smile at the calming figure holding my hands.

"Lance mijo, I'm here." My Abuelita soothes me and brushes hair out of my face, she then wipes tears away with her thumb. "Mijo, cry if you want. You've been so strong. Just cry." I bring my bottom lip up, trying to hold on. My lip quivers. Then I let out a choked sob, "Abuelita- You have-" Multiple catches in my breath sound as the sobs come out even louder, "You have no idea." I say, the best I can. I formed at least a bit of a sentence.

My Abuelita nods and rubs my cheek with her thumb some more. Her old and warm chocolate brown eyes remind me of my Mama's. I wish she were here too. Instead of stuck playing housewife for my Dad.

Danny let go of me and guides me to the couch. I sit on the soft cushions, Danny sits next to me and reassuringly smiles, Abuelita sits on the recliner next to the couch.

We all sit in silence, except for my occasional hiccup or cough.

Then a bedroom door opens, "Nina says she's hungry I was wondering if I could make- Oh." Keith says loudly as he steps out of Nina's small room with her in his arms. His eyes meet mine and he seems to realize everything after a moment. He lets Nina down who scampers off back into the room. He then rushes over to me.

"Lance? What's wrong? Are you okay? Who do I need to fight-" I cut him off and just stand up from the couch. I hold up my hand to silence him. I laugh humorlessly, "You know you are the worst at comforting people. You're making me panicky with your rambling." I say, half teasing him and half telling the truth. His rambling did make me panicky. Keith pouts and I hate him. I absolutely hate him.

I pull him into me and wrap my arms around his torso. I breathe in his scent and try to take a mental picture of this, let me never forget. Keith's arms hesitantly land on my back and bring me a little closer. However I don't know how much closer we can get without it looking very weird to my family.

Speaking of family, who's watching this all unfold from the comfy couch, my phone buzzes with the only personalized ringtone I have. It's the gravity falls intro theme. Veronica is calling me, my twin. My best friend.

Hi! How is everyone? I hope you're all doing well. Thank you as always for reading and I hope you enjoyed. The story may or may not be coming to an end. I will miss it, but hopefully something else with fill that void *wink wink* *sequel sequel*

Well anyway have a good day/night and thank you so much!!!