Miles Away | Klance AU

23.

Keith hadn't been himself ever since Krolia's stroke. He never wanted to hang out at Pidge's, and he'd usually mope around. About a week later, Lance eventually had enough and decided Keith needed a couple of drinks and just numb all the pain for a while. The same week, Krolia was more active than ever. She would wake up and smile at her son, opening her mouth but never saying anything. She would start a sentence, but never finish it, but now she's a lot more active.

"Keith, I'm so glad you are visiting!" Krolia says, her lips curling up. She looks different from what Keith remembers. Her black hair grew and it's now reaches her shoulders and she has dark bags under her once golden eyes.

"Yeah...," Keith says, his voice is quieter and he smiles for his mom.

"Where's Lance?" Krolia asks, slowly turning her head to look around.

"Oh, um, he went back to my house to take care of my new dog. Cosmo," Keith explains.

Krolia continues to smile and she holds her son's hand before furrowing her eyebrows and touching a spot on Keith's neck.

"Keith? What's this?" Krolia asks, her lips lowering.

Keith's eyes widen and he feels a blush, quickly throwing on a jacket.

"Oh... uh that's nothing.." Keith lies, laughing awkwardly.

"Keith Kogane! Is that a hickey?" Krolia asks in a motherly tone and crosses her arms.

Keith sighs awkwardly and looks down at his feet. "Maybe," Keith says.

"From who?" Krolia asks.

"Um... Lance, but listen mom, we were drunk. I was down, Lance wanted to cheer me up and we were drinking and I didn't even realize it was there until this morning!"

Krolia suddenly smirks and laughs through her nose.

"Lance, huh. I like him, he's very handsome."

Keith's blush returns and he drops his head in his hands.

"Moooom... that's so awkward..." Keith groans.

"Also, what happened with your foot?"

"We went skating, someone ran into me, and I twisted my foot," Keith summarizes.

"You should be more careful," Krolia says in a serious tone.

     "Yeah..."

     "...I um.. wanted to apologize for pressuring you. You don't want to stay home and I should respect that," Krolia says, her face turning sorrowful.

     Keith leans in and carefully hugs her.

     "It's okay mom... I would like to go back home more often honestly," Keith says.

"R...really?"

"Yeah."

Krolia's smile returns and she kisses her son's cheek.

"I'm pretty tired Keith, you should probably go," Krolia says, a yawn following after.

     Keith nods, taking his crutches, and slowly making his way towards the door. He abruptly stops at the doorway and turns to his mom.

     "Love you Mom."

    "I love you too."

   

———

     "I'm not saying sorry for getting you completely wasted last night!" Lance says, smirking.

     "You left a hickey! A hickey!" Keith yells, throwing his arms up.

     "We are boyfriends! I think it's not a big deal!" Lance responds, wrapping his arm around Keith's shoulders.

     Keith rolls his eyes and Lance kisses Keith's cheek.

     "How's Krolia?"

     "Oh, she doing a lot better. She's definitely better with sentences!"

     "That's really good!"

     "Definitely."

     "I just want to let you know that if you need me for anything, I'll be here. You can always talk to me. You haven't really been yourself lately," Lance says, his voice is low and soft. He looks at Keith reassuringly.

    "Thanks, Lance."

     "Hey Keith,"

     "Yeah?"

     "I love you."

     "Um..."

     Keith stands there awkwardly. He freezes up and he just shrugs. He doesn't understand why it's so difficult to respond to Lance. He feels Lance's arm drop and he's met face to face with Lance.

     Lance looks pissed. His nose is somewhat scrunched up, his cheeks look a little puffy, and his eyes are narrowed.

    "Really Keith? I don't get it!" Lance exclaims, breaking the awkward silence.

     "Lance... I just..," Keith starts, but he can't find the right words.

    "It's like... you're leading me on! Every time I've told you I loved you, you just ignore me! I don't understand!"

     Lance crosses his arms and his face is turning a shade of red. Keith swears he could see steam coming from Lance's ears.

    "I'm just... not... ready..." Keith says, his voice shaking.

     "...Why did you agree to be my boyfriend if you can't even say you love me? Like... you just keep distancing yourself from and it's always like we are miles away! You're in a whole different place from me! Excuse me Keith, I'm not going to be around you as a shoulder to cry on or... or just so you could feel better about yourself..," Lance complains.

     Keith feels his heart beating hard... it feels like it will hop out of his chest, destroying his ribcage on its way out. He feels his hands being drenched by sweat and everything going warm.

    "I get that you're going through a lot, but you need time for your boyfriend too. You need time to show your boyfriend that you," Lance emphasizes you and pokes Keith's chest," that you love him. You aren't doing that for me... I can't be miles away with you... I don't want a relationship that feels long distance. I'm sorry Keith."

Lance turns around and storms off, leaving Keith completely lost.

     Keith feels a new feeling rising up. It's burning. It makes him clench his fists and narrow his eyes.

Keith feels anger.

    "Hey Lance!" Keith yells.

    Lance turns around, still furious.

    "Maybe you're right... Maybe I don't love you!"

    Lance stands there, his eyebrows lower and his body softens.

    "Fuck you Keith," Lance says in a broken voice and running off.

    Keith feels the anger completely leave and it's replaced by guilt and he needs to vanish. He needs to get the guilt off of his chest. He uses his crutches, getting in his car and driving off.