Hiding Behind a Mask

Chapter 35- The Family's Here

Lance looks at Keith with wide eyes, he was trying so hard not to cry. He couldn't believe that all of that was true, and it happened to one person. No wonder Keith didn't want to get close to anyone, he was afraid of losing them.

"Keith... I'm so sorry."

"Why? You didn't do anything..."

"You didn't either!"

"I left my Eomma, I made the roof weak and caused my Appa to fall. I distracted my Mom and killed both her and my Dad. And Shiro protected me causing him to lose his arm. That was all my fault."

"Keith." Lance got closer. "None of that was your fault."

"Yes it was. All of it, every single one! They all died because of me! I practically killed them!" He yells, burying his face in his hands. Lance forced his hands away and made Keith look up at him.

"None of that was your fault." He said calmly. "Okay?" Keith didn't say anything, he just stared at Lance.

"Everyone I knew and cared about got hurt or... died." Keith said quietly.

"You haven't lost me yet, right?"

"No... but I will..." Keith said. "That's why I was so afraid of becoming your friend. I thought something bad was going to happen... then your Dad showed up." He looks down. "You got hurt because I came down and showed myself."

"That man was nuts." Lance said. "You weren't at fault either."

"What was odd was... you stayed my friend. You stayed with me." Keith smiles slightly. "That made me so happy... but... then something changed."

"I began to value you over everyone else. I wanted to be with you, but you pushed me away... and all I felt was anger and sadness. I couldn't stand losing the one person who gave me a chance. The one who made me feel... special." Keith said. Lance felt his face go hot.

He had no idea he made Keith feel that way, but in some ways it was true. Lance spoiled Keith with attention. Always being there for him, taking him in when he needed to escape. Took him out with their friends, hell his family practically took him in.

The two stayed silent for a while.

"I'm gonna go now, I think my family's worried." He said. Keith reached for him. Lance looks over. "You... you need something?"

Keith puts his hand down and looks down. Still avoiding eye contact he held his arms out for a hug. Lance chuckles but gave in and hugged Keith. Keith forced Lance to fall back with him, Lance was resting on Keith's chest face flushed red. He was glad Keith couldn't see him.

"If you stay with me you're gonna die."

"I won't." Lance said. "No one is gonna die..."

"You can't say none of that was my fault."

"None of it was Keith."

"You don't know anything Lance." Keith started petting Lance and stared at the ceiling. "All of it. It's all my fault."

"You know." Lance curled into Keith. "When Rebecca died, a certain someone told me that it wasn't my fault... even though I told them it was." Keith inhaled deeply, his eyes widened. "I'll say what he said to me. Please don't do this to yourself, it isn't your fault."

"Lance-"

"And he helped me get better, helped me cope with the loss. Hopefully... I can do the same for him." Lance closed his eyes and fell asleep still curled against Keith.