The Desired Flames Of Cooling

Chapter 1

NO ONE's POV

Camilla McClain puts her conversation on hold before shuffling over to the door with a bright smile on her face. She grins as she sees Keith. "Hello dear! How may we help you today?"

"Hi, Mrs. McClain! I'm here to see Lance?" He asks. He has his mullet up in a ponytail as he is wearing a simple red shirt and black skinny jeans and converse.

She smiles as she opens the door wider. "He should be finishing up Nadia's hair in the living room. Come in! Make yourself at home!"

Keith nods. "Thanks!" He smiles softly as he walks to the living room. He stops in the doorway "Hey Sharpshooter!" He greets.

Lance looks over to Keith with a rubber band in his mouth. Three more were tied in his hair and a headband held his bangs back. He flushed red before quickly tying on the last one and standing up quickly. "H-Hey Samurai! W-what are you doing here? Slacking from Humanitarian duties?"

"Nope. I'm on a vacation until further notice." He sighs. He is definitely hiding something but he won't tell that to Lance just yet.

Lance squints his eyes at Keith, knowing something might be off. However, Veronica bounces over with a smirk and wraps an arm around Keith. "SUP SHITBRAIN! How's life still beyond the stars?"

He stumbles a bit and grabs onto the wall to stay upright. He doesn't seem to have the same stability as he glares at her some. "First off, let go and second of all. I'm not a shitbrain." He states crossing his arms after getting his balance back.

Veronica's smirk deflates as she notices too that something seems off. "Sorry. But did you gain or lose weight? You look dead... Are you alright?" Lance raises an eyebrow as he stares into Keith's eyes.

Keith swallows a bit, uncomfortably. "Um..I've lost some weight. I mean from working out..." He lies smoothly. He looks at the two with a small smile. "I'm fine guys. I promise! I'm gonna just step out for a second..."

Lance nods before patting Keith's back with a wry smile. "Ok. Don't stay out too long. Sylvio's been waiting for you and the gift you owe him from your last trip!" He then walks back towards the house slowly before stopping and turning back to Keith. "Don't forget to stay cheerful. The war is over. Have fun for once, Mullet."

 "Alright. I have his gift with me luckily and yeah... I'm really trying Lance..." he explains as he nods. He waits a few minutes after watching lance go inside.

Veronica looks to Lance with a Cheshire like smirk. "Soooo... what's the scoop with Keith?" She asks right off the bat as she helps set the table. Lance sighs before waving his hand nonchalantly.

"Nothing much. Just an update that you wouldn't find interest in." He bites his lip while frowning from the thought of Keith crying again.

Keith stands there and takes deep breaths as he turns to walk back in. He steps in the door and smiles softly. "Hi..."

 "Keef!" Two small voices shout as Sylvio and Nadia rush over to hug Keith's legs. The boy looks up with puppy eyes, begging for his gift. While Nadia waits patiently.

Nadia noticed the prosthetic leg but doesn't think anything of it as she's too young to notice sensitive topics. Keith smiles and laughs softly. "Hey you two!" He greets as he grins. "Alright! You two. Can you let go so I can give you your gifts?" Sylvio nods and stands by Nadia with a grin as one of his front teeth was knocked out. Lance watches with care in his eyes as looks over Keith and kids. Keith smiles and walks towards the couch in the other room. He needs to sit down. Once he is situated, he motions them to come over as he has 2 small packages in his hand.

Sylvio's eyes brighten up as he bounces next to his sister who grins equally as excited, if not more. 

Lance snickers at the kids before realizing he's staring way too hard. Keith hands them the two brightly colored packages.

Nadia's contained a beautiful seashell necklace from a planet they gone to that had the mermaids. And Sylvio's had a super awesome geode from an ice planet they had been on.

Nadia beams before grabbing the necklace and rushing off to show Mrs.McClain while

Sylvio looks at it before licking it in disgust. "It tastes funny."

"Your not supposed to lick it!!" Keith states laughing a bit. "It's just a rare gem filled rock I found on an ice planet. " Keith smiles as he ruffles the boys hair.

He had come to know the McClain family well as he had met them when they returned to earth.

Sylvio frowns before petting the rock while whining. "I thought it was jellyyy~!" Before he ran off to compare his gift with Nadia's.

Mr.McClain smiled warmly as he sipped on a glass of warm apple cider.

Keith smiles up at him as he sees the older male walk into the room.

 "Hey Mr. McClain" He greets politely.

Mr.McClain smiles before nodding towards Keith. "Hello, my boy. How's the work cutting out for you?"

"Um..." he bites the inside of his lip. He quickly looks to Lance for help.

Lance smiles at his dad before hopping up and giving his signature smirk. "Keith's been really busy helping the Blades, Dad. Don't you think he's tired from getting his ass beat one too many times in space?"

Nailed it! He thinks a sweat drops down his forehead. Keith nods.

He was planning on telling them after the kids went to bed; to make it so he didn't scare them. He stands slowly and leans on the wall. He makes his way to the kitchen.

Lance walks over to the kitchen to check on his mother before she walked out while clapping with enthusiasm. "Time for dinner! Then bedtime!"

Keith sighs relieved as he goes and stands by the doorway. He doesn't know where everyone sits unless they don't even eat in the dining room...

Lance grins as he walks over to Keith and taps his shoulder. "We usually eat at the table, but today we're just gonna share stories while playing some board games in the living room. I m-mean if you want to. You don't have to stay if you'll feel uncomfortable! I know my family can be loud... And I'm ranting. I'll be quiet now!" He zips his lips as he waits for Keith's response.

With how accustomed he was to war life, Keith had the constant feeling that he has to be on edge and always on guard; thus the tension he carries on his shoulders and the burden he holds within.