Cracked But Not Broken

Chapter Five: Tears

My thin fingers run through my still damp hair when I hear a knock on my door. I sigh, this is not what I need right now.

"Lance, ya in there?" Keith's voice is quiet, but I know my ears aren't acting up.

"Yup." I say, my voice sounding tired and slightly aggravated as I open my door.

"It's been a while since we've talked, and I was wondering how you were doing?" He asks quietly as he walks into the room.

"Keith, it's been four days." I sigh, flopping down onto my bed. My gaze drifting toward the small stars on the ceiling. I can hear my heartbeat in my forehead.

"I know, I know but I've been..." Keith trails off, his arms wrapping around his waist.

"You've been what." I say with a slight snap in my voice, my headache getting the better of me. I prop myself up on my elbows so I can see Keith and his expression breaks my heart a little.

He looks as if someone just killed a puppy in front of him. His violet eyes are wide and glassy, his mouth is slightly agape.

"I've been worried okay." His voice breaks. "I just want to know how you're doing. Do you know how it felt to see you like that. Our lighthearted Lance locked to a chair in a dark room. A boy who used to be so full of life turned to skin and bones. To see your beautiful blue eyes so lifeless. I was scared, so scared that I was too late. That I-I lost you." He raises a hand to cover his mouth, muffling a sob.

Oh my god, I'm making Keith 'I don't have a soul' Kogane cry. You really screwed this one up Lance. I jump into action, quickly coming to Keith's aid. I set one hand on his should and cup his cheek with my other, wiping the tears away with my thumb.

"Hey, it's okay. I'm okay. I'm sorry I was being short with you, my ears started acting up while I was in the shower and I got a killer headache. It made the water sound like gunfire. But I promise you I'm okay." I give a reassuring smile.

"But you're not okay. How could you be okay? You were tortured for months, there's no way someone could be anywhere close to okay." The tears keep coming as I wrap my arms around him.

"I thought you were dead." He whispers, burying his nose in the crook of my neck. "And that sight alone almost killed me."

Other than his shaky breathing, the room is silent. And it stays that way until I know he's fully calmed down. His breathing has steadied and there are no more tears. I never want to see those tears again.

Keith kept himself latched onto me as I guide the both of us to my bed. I slowly ease him down onto my chest, only then I notice what he's wearing.

"So you're the infamous jacket thief." I chuckle quietly when his head flies up, his eyes meeting my gaze.

"Heh...I guess I was just used to it." I smirk as the heat rushes to his cheeks.

"What's that supposed to mean?" I ask running my fingers through his hair.

"When you were gone I may or may not of taken a liking to your jacket. It kind of...grounded me." His voice got quieter the more he spoke.

"Well I," Smiling, I pull the hood up over his head. "think it suits you."

"Good," He folds his hands underneath his chin, "because I'm not planning on giving it back any time soon."

I wrap my arms around his waist, resting them on the small of his back. As my eyes flutter shut, I feel fingers threading through my hair. "I'm so happy you're back."

~

Knock knock

I can feel a warm weight on my chest, and my eyes refuse to open.

"Dinner! Lance c'mon, Hunk made something...new." Pidge's voice falls short. "Oh, if you're still sleeping later I'm coming back for blackmail."

688 words. It's heere. It's queer. And we're getting some fluff. I'm thinking about next chapter being the climax. So the story's almost finished. Sorry for the crappy plot and shit writing. Until next time, Zoe signing off.