Citrus. Klance AU

Chapter 15

       

Keith handed me a folded up hoodie and a pair of jeans. "I'll put your clothes in the wash today but you're going to need to wear something of mine. I assume we're about the same size but... we'll see. You know where the bathroom is so don't be scared to have a shower. The temperature's kind of iffy but, if you're quick, I'm sure it will be fine." He explained as I nodded along.

His hoodie ended up being a bit too small on me but I didn't say anything. I was grateful he had given me a change of clothes at all. His jeans were simultaneously too loose and too small, with the waist being too big and the bottom of the jeans riding up my legs a little.

-

"I have to go to work. Are you okay to stay here?" Keith said as he grabbed his coat and pulled it over his shoulders. I nodded and watched whilst he slipped his hands into his gloves.

"Am I allowed to go out?" I asked, my voice timid. Keith looked taken aback at the question, his mouth opening and closing a couple of seconds before actual words came out.

"I don't have a spare key. I've been meaning to get one for a while so I suppose not... but you could come to work with me if you wanted?"

"Yes, please. As long as I won't be an inconvenience."

"You won't be. Our shop's quiet anyway so you might make it a bit more lively."

That was how I ended up behind the counter in the Lion Coffee shop that I had visited regularly for a while. It was peculiar seeing the shop from the other side of the counter but I had Keith by my side so it was okay. When we had arrived, he gave me a blue shirt with a lion embroidered into the chest, saying it belonged to an old employee but was mine now. Keith had me taking orders whilst he prepared and served the drinks. The day passed rather fast whilst I was occupied with the work.

When the bell rang again, I didn't think much of it. I only realised who it was once they were right in front of me. Hunk. He was red in the face, as if he had had a long day and was coming to the coffee shop for a drink to help him wind down. "Can I have a capricornus's chocolate milkshake please?" He asked, only then looking up. "Lance?"

I smiled rather bashfully, waving my hand a little bit. "Uh.. that'll be £2.10." My words came out as more of a question than a command but Hunk didn't seem to be listening anyway. He had broken out into a wide smile, his eyes shining as he stared at me.

"I'm so glad you're okay. It's been so long, man." He eventually did drop the coins into my palm and I counted them before putting them into the cash register.

"Yeah, sorry," I turned to Keith, poking his shoulder. "One chocolate milkshake."

"Coming right up!" Keith grinned and turned around to the machines.

"How are things? Are you and Lotor still together?" Hunk appeared genuinely concerned which I considered odd. If Lotor was right in saying he didn't care, then how come he looked so worried? How come he bothered to ask how I was?

"Uh... no."

"I'm sorry. Are you... okay?"

"Sort of. It's been hard but Keith has been really good to me. I'm staying with him at the moment." Hunk nodded, thanking Keith as he handed over the milkshake. He took a long sip through the straw before speaking again.

"If you don't mind me asking, what happened with Lotor? I thought you two were... close?" He seemed like he was being cautious with his word choice but I couldn't understand why. I was the person who was constantly skating on thin ice, wary of how my words affected others. I wasn't going to get angry at Hunk.

"He kicked me out because he found out I had been texting Keith..."

"...Texting him?"

"Yeah?"

"Right..." Hunk avoided my gaze, fiddling with the straw in his drink. "Do you want to meet up sometime? Maybe with Pidge too?" I blinked rapidly, not at all expecting the question. I turned to Keith, who was just staring into space, and tugged at the bottom of his sleeve to get his attention. He turned to face me, smiling softly.

"Is it okay if I go out with Hunk sometime?" My voice was incredibly shaky. Whenever I had asked Lotor if I could go out with somebody, he reacted badly.

I was expecting Keith to turn me down and maybe even yell at me in front of Hunk but, instead, he sounded extremely surprised as he said, "Of course. You don't need to ask."

"Thank you." I could have sworn I saw Hunk and Keith exchange a sad, sympathetic look but I wasn't sure why. I assumed I had imagined it.

-

I sat down opposite Hunk and Pidge, my hands wrapped around a mug of hot chocolate. We were sat inside Keith's shop a couple of days after I had first seen Hunk again. Keith had made a note of their numbers after the first encounter so that we could get in contact to meet up sometime. "I missed you so much, Lance." Pidge said, their voice so calm and gentle. "I was worried we'd never get you back."

"I don't understand. I never really went anywhere." I furrowed my eyebrows as they exchanged an unreadable look.

"You haven't talked to us in months."

"Well... I'm here now and everything's good." I held up a thumbs up towards my two friends. "I'm staying with Keith and he's really nice. He lets me go out and stuff."

"I'm sure he is. Look, Lance," Hunk leaned over and placed a hand on top of mine. His was much warmer than mine and slightly darker. "We don't know what Lotor said about us but whatever it was, it isn't true. We both love you so much and we could never hate you. He just tried to... poison you with those thoughts, alright? You are loved by so many people."

I glanced into my hot chocolate, taking a sip to postpone my response. I had to keep a straight face as it burnt my tongue. "He wasn't wrong. I trust and love Lotor a lot. He was right about it all." Hunk let out a gentle sigh and exchanged another one of those looks. I desperately tried to read their expressions but it was impossible.

"You've missed a lot really. I've got a girlfriend and Pidge's brother came home from university. My girlfriend's name is Shay and I'm sure she'll be so happy to meet you. We all have a lot in common really."

"That's awesome. I hope you're happy."

"We really hope you're happy too, Lance." Hunk's smile looked forced. He leaned forward and shut his eyes for a moment, as if taking in the moment. "You know we are always going to be here for you if you need to talk."