Damaged Beyond Repair

A Meaningful Talk

Being in the healing pod had been weird. It had not been his first time in one, and certainly not the last, but it had definitely been the longest.

Waking up had been agonizing, his muscles ached from lack of use, his eyes felt like they were sewn shut, and he had one hell of a headache (honestly describing me every morning when I wake up LMAO).

Lance slowly pushed on the glass door when he was finally awake enough to do so, allowing his eyes to adjust to the dim room around him. He recognized it as the med-bay from the countless times he had been in there helping Coran clean up (and even getting stuck in one of the pods once, yikes). Everything looked the same as usual, besides the open pod he had just stepped out of.

Only once his eyes had finally adjusted did he make out the quiet figure at his feet practically radiaiting emo vibes (HAHHAHA im sorry i had to!! back to the immersion).

"Keith?" Lance called out, cringing at how hoarse his voice sounded due to lack of use.

The boy slowly turned around, his mouth agape, eyes shining with... was that relief? Was Keith Kogane, his moody, hot-headed rival relieved to see him alive? Or was that just shock?

Lance had to admit, he was pretty shocked he was alive too.

After what seemed like hours of silent staring Lance finally let out a small laugh. "Keith, I know I'm absolutely stunning and gorgeous but wouldn't it be easier to just take a picture? I hear they last longer."

Keith's tired eyes widened a little more before he finally came to his senses and abruptly grabbed Lance's right arm and roughly pulled him down to pull him into a big bear hug. He didn't even try to hold back his tears.

Lance gaped at the sudden change before wrapping his arms around the other boy as well, feeling Keith bury his face into the crook of his neck.

"Never ever scare me like that again! You could've died!"

Lance let out a dry laugh at this. "Honestly, there were times I wished I had died..."

He realized his mistake in saying that as he felt Keith try and pull away, probably to scold him, but before he could Lance had tangled his hand into the fabric of Keith's shirt, shifting them so his face was now pressed against Keith's chest. He hadn't realized how much he'd missed human interaction, getting to hug someone, even Keith of all people, made his eyes fill up with tears.

'Damn it Lance. You promised yourself no more crying.' Oddly enough this thought only made him cry harder and he squeezed his eyes shut, burying himself deeper into the red paladins chest.

Keith was still for a moment before he eagerly wrapped his arms around Lance once again, not minding how his shirt was beginning to get wet from the younger boys tears.

After a few minutes of silently petting Lance's (now slightly longer) hair, he tried to pull away again to no avail.

"Lance." Keith huffed. "Look at me."

Lance reluctantly brought his face up to meet Keith's, although he avoided his eyes and left his fingers desperately curled around his shirt. 'This is real. I'm safe. I'm not alone anymore.'

Keith's fingers hooked around Lance's chin to make him meet his eyes, instantly regretting it when he saw the un-shed tears brimming in them. He held his gaze however, roaming his face to look for any remaining injuries.

"I never want to hear you say you want to die again, in any variation." Keith said sternly, surprised at how demanding his tone sounded.

Lance rolled his eyes. "This is coming from the queen of the emo's, I'm sorry for I have stolen your crown."