chapter 1
Keith was at the mall getting a gift for his kinda-a-father's birthday. He didn't like the mall. Too loud and too many people.
He liked to people watch though. Most girls had leggings and a cropped tank top on while drinking starbucks. Most boys had on jeans and a t-shirt. One guy though, was wearing sweatpants and a hoodie.
It was the middle of summer which was a little weird, but maybe he thought the mall was closed. He looked scared though. He was with what looked like a football player.
When Keith walked by the two the man in the hoodie looked at him. He was definitely scared. Keith decided to wait a little and then follow them.
They walked into Macy's and towards the man section. "C'mon Lance. You'll look nice in this. Just try it on." The man - Lance - grabbed the outfit and walked to the dressing room. When he saw Keith his eyes went wide and he looked away.
When the other passed by Keith hid then grabbed an outfit himself to "try on". Keith remembered what Lance's shoes looked like so he looked at all the shoes under the stalls.
The man seemed to be waiting outside away from the dressing room.
Keith got into the stall next to Lance and knocked on the side. "Dude you alright? You seem terrified."
"I can't be talking to you..."
"Why not? I'm not gonna hurt you."
"But he will..." Lance mumbled the last part. Keith was able to hear it, and unfortunately he understood. "You're gonna come with me. Put your regular clothes on and we'll get out of here."
"It won't work. He'll know."
"Just do it. I'm gonna get you out of here ok. Crawl under the stall into mine."
Lance crawled under. He was back in the clothes Keith first saw him in. He was scared. "You'll be ok." Keith grabbed the stuff he brought into the dressing room with him. He didn't know what to do so he originally grabbed a disguise.
"Put these on. And keep your head down or look at me the whole time. He won't recognize you like that."
Lance nodded and put on the outfit. The two walked out. Keith didn't want to touch him and freak him out even more. "Lance? Babe is that you?" The man stood up and walked towards the two. "Follow my lead. I'm gonna wrap my arm around you...don't tense up he'll know."
Keith wrapped an arm around him and started talking. "I'm glad you came with me, darling." Lance looked at Keith. Keith smiled and whispered. "Put your head on my shoulder. It'll make it look real." Lance hesitated but did what he was told.
Keith guessed the man walked away 'cause he didn't hear him anymore. "You're gonna stay at my house and you're going to tell me what's wrong. If it's bad you're living with me." Lance nodded and looked forward.
Shiro picked up Keith. Keith didn't get his gift yet because his priorities were elsewhere. Lance got into the back and stayed quiet. "Do you want me to sit the front or back here?"
"...Can you stay here?" Keith finally heard his voice. Although it was small it was still nice. Keith nodded and climbed in. He noticed Lance looked tired and was dozing off so he leaned over. "You can lay your head on me of you're tired ya know. I won't hurt you." Keith leaned back and talked to Shiro.
Lance eventually fell asleep on Keith with his head in his lap. He looked peaceful in his sleep. Not as scared.
When they got home Keith woke Lance up. Lance still looked a little tired. Keith dragged him to his room so Shiro wouldn't give in his 2 cents.
"Alright so what's going? Who was he?"
Lance stayed silent. "Dude you need to talk to me. I need to know if I need to call the police." Again nothing.
Keith sighed and looked up. He looked back at Lance. "Brother?" Lance shook his head. That's good. "Friend? Boyfriend?" Lance nodded and looked away.
"Alright now I need to tell me what he does too you. Can you do that?" Lance just shrugged. "Can you write it down?" Another shrug.
"I can tell your tired. How about we eat something then go to bed. You can borrow my clothes. I'll sleep on the couch." Lance nodded and they walked out.
Keith put a plate in front of Lance and smiled. He walked over to Shiro. "He's gonna stay here tonight. I don't know what's wrong he won't talk. The man was his boyfriend. I think he hurts him. I'm gonna sleep out here tonight. I'll tell you more tomorrow."
Keith walked back to Lance. He hadn't even touched the food. "What's wrong?" "Not hungry." Keith nodded and stood up. "Let's get changed then."
The two walked to Keith's room. Keith grabbed a t-shirt and some sweatpants. "Here. If you get cold come get me and I'll grab you a hoodie." Lance nodded and walked into the bathroom to change.
He walked out of the bathroom and Keith was done changing. "If he hurts you, you're staying with me. Ok? You don't deserve that." Keith looked at Lance's stomach. The shirt was ginormous on him.
Lance was taller and looked to like he would be stronger, but he was tiny. Like he hasn't eaten in years. "I'll be on the couch watching TV. You're welcome to
join if you want, but I'm sure it's all a little confusing right now." Lance nodded and Keith left.
After about 30 minutes Lance walked out and sat next to Keith. "Hey." Lance didn't say anything. He just watched the TV. Keith laid down since he was falling asleep. "Do you wanna lay down? There's room and I know you're tired."
Lance thought about it and eventually laid down next to Keith. The couch was barely big enough. Keith had to wrap and arm under Lance just to get comfortable which practically moved Lance on top of him.
Lance fell asleep. Keith was able to tell because his breaths evened out and he relaxed. Keith fell asleep a little later. He stayed up to make sure Lance would be ok.
The next morning Keith woke up first then Lance. Shiro had breakfast already made and placed a plate on the table next to the two. Lance sat up and so did Keith.
"You need to eat. You didn't last night."
Lance looked down. "Not mad. Just eat." Lance grabbed the pancakes and took 3 bites. He put it back down and looked at Keith. Keith raised an eyebrow and sighed.
"Did he do that? Make you not eat?" Lance nodded and leaned on Keith's shoulder. "Are you ready to talk about it?" Lance nodded very hesitantly.
Keith moved to face Lance and look him in the eyes. "Tell me everything."
"His name is Lotor. He uh...he is almost 28. I started dating him 4 years ago. He doesn't let me eat unless I earn it and he hits and yells at me. He makes me do things and if I don't I get in trouble. I can't leave his side and I'm not allowed to sleep without him."
Keith had a look of pity on his face. "I am so sorry. Is that why you came out here? Because of the sleeping thing?" Lance nodded and looked at his hands.
"Well none of those apply with me. You're allowed to eat whenever. You're allowed to be alone when you want and you do not need to sleep with me. And you are allowed to talk to me."
Lance looked up and leaned into Keith's shoulder. "You're living with me, ok? I'm getting an apartment soon and you can come with me." Lance nodded an leaned closer into Keith.
That's how the day went. Lance would cling to Keith on the couch while watching Big Bang Theory, and Keith would pet Lance's hair while looking for 2 bedroom apartments. Then they fell
asleep.