They're Back

11

No one POV

The others stared after James in varying stages of shock. 

Everyone because they had no idea James felt that way. they hadn't thought he'd react like that, He was usually so level headed.

The paladins because James always seemed like an unbreakable solider and leader, even after being beaten up by him dad.

The MFES because someone they thought of as family had just told them that they didn't care about him and took advantage of him.

Shiro because his attempt at getting James to loosen up a bit had resulted in this.

Hunk, Allura and Pidge because the normally strong and level headed leader of the MFES was depressed, and had just confessed, once again, to loving Keith.

Ina and Rizavi because they never knew that James felt that way. They never realized that was what they did to him.

Veronica because the little boy she considered as family didn't feel the same, and thought they took advantage of him.

Kinkade because his best friend never told him about any of this. He had no idea James thought that. He really thought they did that to him? Did they do that?

Lance because James was now, once again, the center of Keith's attention, which lessened the chance that he'd pick him. And because he now knew that James was willing to give up on everything he ever could've/might've had with Keith if it meant that he'd be happy. Even if the person that he'd be happy with was Lance, not him.

Keith because once again, James had said he loved him. And he shared the same old tendencies that he did. And because he could understand what he was going through. He felt pressured to succeed and be the best the smart one, the voice of reason, the leader. Everyone expected him to be that. To be perfect. Everyone form his friends to his father expected him to be the natural born, perfect leader. The Garrison's new Golden Boy.

"I-I did not expect that." Pidge finally said, breaking the silence. "He-he really feels that way?" Veronica asked in a small voice. She cared for James and the other MFES as family, nd now she found out one of them didn't feel the same. And he was depressed and had cut "I-I had no idea." Rizavi stuttered out, leaning into Ina, and the two girls wrapped their arms around each other. "None of us did. None of us would've guessed. None of us would've asked." Kinkade muttered. "Keith cutting, I get. But James? James Griffin? Leader of the MFES and the Garrison's Golden Boy? With the perfect grades and can-do attitude? Who'd do anything for anyone? Who'd risk his life for a dog? It's unbelievable." Lance said, shaking his head. "You never would've thought. He hid it very well." Shiro added. "But what he said, just.... Wow. That, that was deep. And obviously painful." Hunk said. "He-he said we don't care. That no one does. That we USE him. That he has NO ONE. Does- doesn't he know he has us?" Veronica asked, tears welling in her eyes. Shiro sighed. "I guess not."  "Poor James. He always seemed so level headed and confident. I never would've thought he felt that way." Allura commented.

Keith still hadn't said anything, he just stared in the direction that James went. "Keith? Are you okay?" Lance asked. "I get it. Everything he said. I understand it." He turned to face the group. "Shiro knows what it's like. When you're the leader, there's a lot of pressure on you. To be strong, smart, courageous. And calm, level headed, able to keep your cool. And he didn't have someone to teach him how to do it. He had to figure it out all on his own. And he had to do it right, or else everyone at the Garrison might die. You guys, the people he cares about might die. The people he loves like family might DIE if he messes up. And not only you guys, but the entire planet. Before we got here, you guys were the only defenses Earth had. The lives and fates of billions of people rested on your shoulders. And if any of you messed up, all of them could die. He was protecting you from that worry. The stress. And look what it did to him. To James. My Jamie..." He trailed off. The others sat silently, soaking up what Keith had said. "He used to be so happy, so cheerful. Now he's sad. His eyes went from their vibrant purple to light gray, like he's haunted. He's worried, stressed, and scared." "What's he scared of?" Allura asked. "His feelings. His emotions, What could happen to the universe, the planet, YOU guys, if he messes up. Of his dad, and what he'll do to him. Of a family. Trust. Love. Lots of things Princess. He's afraid of lots of things." "How do you know?" Kinkade asked, and Keith shrugged. "I can tell. From what he said, and how he acted. I knew Jamie very well during my time at the Garrison. I thought something was wrong with him, I just couldn't figure out what. Now I know." He stood. "And now I'm going to go find him." Keith declared. "I'll go with you." Shiro said, but Keith shook his head. "No, I'll do it alone. Just trust me." And with that, he left in search of James.

"Wow. Drunk Keith is very smart and caring. Is this normal for him?" Ina asked, and Pidge and Hunk nodded. "Oh yeah, he does some of his best consoling and comforting when he's drunk, because then he doesn't think about what he's going to say or do, he just does it." Pidge answered. "Yeah. He also remembers almost everything that happens too, so he know show to respond to people and what to do when they get emotional." Hunk added. "I don't know." Lance said, rubbing the back of his neck. "With their history? This might not end well." "Ignore him. Trust us, Keith knows what he's doing. Well, his drunk persona does." Shiro said with a smile. "You know, for some strange reason, that doesn't comfort me." Rizavi muttered from her place in Ina's arms.