saints and soldiers » klance

39: Waiting pt. II

Bring back the days we had before tomorrow
Relapse and then collapse into yourself once more
Waiting for this life to change seems like it's taking me forever
And I can't hold on
This life is breaking into the day

(Lance)

The gentle murmuring sound of different conversations- his sisters, Matt and Shiro, Pidge and Hunk- was soothing, but Lance couldn't quell his nerves.

It had been a huge risk, sneaking Keith out as they had. Allura would definitely notice and yell at them- but it was more than that. They really couldn't be sure how Keith would react to being out, seeing new things and new people, being exposed to a big, loud, busy city. He had been fine so far, handled everything really well, but they couldn't be sure that it would last. Keith was working on getting better, but he was still sick, and anything could trigger him, even little things that none of them could anticipate.

He had walked out a few minutes ago, and he had seemed okay- relaxed, and smiling a little. Lance knew he was having fun, that he was happy to be here- and he was glad, too. He really loved getting to hang out with Keith, and he worried about him; it couldn't have been fun, cooped up in that narrow building all the time, rotating between the dining hall and his bedroom and never seeing anything else or going anywhere. But at the same time... that was probably safe, for Keith. Familiar, and comforting. He'd been trapped with that horrible man for years, abused and enslaved and god only knows what else. Maybe it seemed nice, to have a familiar, constant place that was a home, not a house of horrors. Maybe it was good to see the same people- people that were struggling, like him, and healing, like him, and people that were kind and wanted to help him. Lance didn't really know. Even though he felt like he had gotten to know Keith so much better recently, he still usually felt like he didn't know him well enough at all. They hadn't talked much about his past- which Lance completely understood- and for the last few weeks, Keith hadn't talked too much at all- which Lance also understood, even if it was frustrating. He wanted Keith to take his time and do whatever he needed to do- he just wanted him to get better.

Still, it would be nice... It would be nice if they could talk more. Lance really, really looked forward to when they could.

He glanced at the clock and frowned. Keith had been gone almost ten minutes. He'd never specified an amount of time, and he was probably fine- just wandering around looking at stuff, or enjoying the fresh air. But still...

Lance looked around the room again. Everyone was occupied, talking to each other or snacking on leftover food, smiling. They wouldn't miss him if he just went out for a minute. Just to make sure. Keith wouldn't mind if Lance just came out for a second to check on him. It'd be fine.

He slipped out the door quietly, shutting it with a small clicking sound. The hallway was quiet, sunlight pouring in from the windows but not too much noise. It was kind of peaceful, actually- as much as an apartment complex hallway could be, anyway.

He glanced up and down the corridor and didn't see Keith anywhere. Stepping lightly so as not to disturb the quiet, he turned toward the stairs. Maybe Keith had gone all the way down and outside, to look around maybe, or just to breathe-

His thoughts all stopped dead in their tracks as he reached the top of the stairs and looked down at the landing.

Slumped against the wall. Pale. Hardly breathing. Unconscious. Keith.

"Oh no..."

***

(Keith)

Someone was yelling at him- fuck, he'd forgotten the dishes in the study, or- wait, no, it was... maybe he forgot to switch the laundry into the dryer? No, he'd...