*Warning for abuse/abusive relationships*

If this triggers you please take caution when reading this story.
Feel free to message if you need more info.


Chapter 1

Unpacking the last box Lance finally exhaled. Dusting off his hands he fit the last of the dishes into his new cupboard and arranged them so they were centered. The cutlery, pots, plates and cups were already unpacked and in the drawers, but Lance still had yet to find his favourite blue mug. He really hoped it hadn't gotten lost in the move.

"Hey Lance," Hunk said carrying up another box in his hands. He had to use his foot to open the door, dropping the box impractically for the moment. "You forgot this in my car."

Rushing over Lance took the box from his best friend's hands and set it down on his new circular dining room table. He used his new house key to rip open the tape on the box. As he opened the it he spotted his blue mug at the top wrapped in paper. "Yes, I'm so glad I didn't lose this." Lance grabbed it out of the box and it brought it over to the kitchen.

Hunk crossed his arms and sighed. "Seriously dude, a mug, that's what you were in a hurry for."

"This mug is made of porcelain Hunk, and it happens to make my fruit teas ever the more delicious than normal average mugs." Lance set the cup in the cupboard. It had a nice shine to it, a blue decoration of flowers along the side, and a minty smell to bat.

Grabbing a few of the other things out of the box Hunk started helping Lance unpack his last box—for real this time. As Hunk went through it, he found a shaded jewelry box. Hunk looked it over, the beads moving from one end of the glass container to the other. "Hey Lance, isn't this Allura's?" Hunk held up the jewelry.

Heading over Lance grabbed the article from Hunk. He looked it over. "Oh yeah, I guess it is." Lance sighed and put it back in the cardboard.

"I was unpacking that," Hunk said, going to unload it again.

Lance stopped his hand. "I actually just remembered what this box is, it's all Allura's stuff, I was going to give it back to her."

"Even the mug? Dude your favourite mug is your ex-girlfriends."

Lance crossed his arms. "No, of course not—it was a gift, and I forgot it was even hers, and. . ." Lance trailed off. He closed the flaps on the cardboard.

"Dude you broke up six months ago," Hunk said. "Aren't you over it?"

Lance pulled back a chair to the table, the wood to it rickety. "I am over it Hunk, I mean we said we'd try being more then friends, and to me that was special but to her it was awkward. I just wish, it hadn't been."

Hunk sighed; grabbing the box by its bottom he stuck it under the table. "Well when we all hang out it's not awkward." Hunk smiled—the sweet smile only his best friend could give. "To be honest I think you are over her, it's just you have this last box, and well until you unpack it, you can't fully move on."

Lance played with the side of his jacket sleeve. He'd really liked Allura, she'd been a senior when he'd been a junior in high school, and they'd both been on student council together, and had both gone on and went to the same post-secondary. And Lance had fallen hard.

Allura had gone back and forth and dated guy after guy, and when Lance was finally courageous—and drunk—enough to say it, he'd finally asked her out. And they'd dated, for four months in college, before Allura had crushed his soul saying she couldn't see Lance more than a friend. The girl he'd been pinning after for years didn't feel the same way. And now they'd gone back to square one, Lance, Hunk and their friend Pidge all hung out, along with Allura their friend Shiro.

They'd all gone to the same college together, and they'd all gone to the same high school. And even though Allura had graduated, they all got together at least once a month, to play video games, to go out for dinner, study—or really anything. And it wasn't awkward for Lance, not in the least, it's just he really wished Allura had seen him in a different light.

Lance banged his hands on the table. "You know what Hunk you're right; I do next to get over her."

Reaching under the table Lance grabbed his box of Allura's things. Pulling it up he went over to the window. "I need to say goodbye too forever thinking we could have a relationship," Lance said as he opened the latch on the window. Out of pure spontaneous action Lance dumped the box out the window, letting the objects from his past with Allura fall down the side of his building.

"Lance just wait—" but it was too late, Lance had already let the contents of the box slip out. And with it a heavy book on literature that Allura had gotten him as a Christmas present. The sound of a large grunt at the ground floor of his building was the last thing Lance expected. Lance looked down and saw a man with raven hair pulled back into a small pony tail rubbing at his head right where Lance presumed his book on literature had fallen.

"Uh oh," Lance said, as the stranger looked up and made eye contact with Lance. He looked mildly annoyed if Lance was to put it, very, very lightly. "Ah I'm sorry, just wait a second," Lance shouted downward.

The stranger had been sitting on his motorbike, his helmet in his hands instead of on his head. Down by his feet was all of the stuff Lance had just dropped out the window.

Pulling back Lance ran for the door. "Lance, what did you do," Hunk said, following after him.

"I may have just let all my stuff fall on the guy standing under my window outside," Lance admitted.

He felt so stupid, he really should have checked before dropping all his stuff. And even though he was on the second floor, that didn't mean falling objects wouldn't hurt. Gosh Lance might have really messed up. And on his first day moving in, he really should've been more careful.

Coming down the stairs into the front entrance and mail area, the stranger had already come inside; a couple trinkets were in his hand. Up close he looked even more annoyed then Lance was going to give him credit for upstairs.

"You dropped these," the stranger said, and instead of handing them back he dropped them on the floor of their entrance. The heavy impact of the book falling was what really made Lance flinch.

Now that they were both on the ground level Lance felt a slight recognition come into place. The mullet the boy was wearing really being his obvious Que. But where had he seen this guy before.

"We are so sorry," Hunk said apologizing for Lance. Even though clearly he had no fault in it. "Lance was trying to get over his ex-girlfriend, and I said he had to unpack the box, but he literally just dumped it outside, and I mean you were standing there, and obviously he didn't look, and he didn't mean to hit anyone, particularly you."

"Hunk," Lance said.

"Really it was an accident, don't call the land-lord on Lance, or like make a report, he just got this apartment and finally moved out of his parents place, so please give him a break."

"Hunk!" Lance said again with more force.

Hunk stopped and looked back, Lance had his arms crossed. "You're not even letting me get the chance to apologize."

"Oh sorry Lance," Hunk said scratching at his orange headband.

"Lance huh," the stranger said, except the voice had recognition, like he knew who Lance was. "So you're my new neighbour."

And that's when Lance finally recognized the guy, the whole reason he'd even gotten his apartment was because of Shiro recommending the place, mentioning how his younger's brother's neighbour had moved out and the building had an opening.

"You're Keith," Lance said, still no apology on his lips.

Keith rolled his eyes. "And I guess you're my brother's friends, typical."

"Wait, you're Shiro's little brother." Hunk said, he looked Keith over a bit more. "I'm surprised we haven't met before, it's nice to meet you."

Hunk stuck out his hand, but Keith didn't shake it, instead he stared. "Except we have met before, twice actually," Keith said.

Hunk pulled his hand back, an awkward silence following.

Lance snorted, "yeah how could he possibly forget the loner from our high school. Better yet how did I not realize it was you—you always beat me in physics class for the best mark, and math now that I think about it." Keith seemed irritated at Lance, but he wasn't done. This guy got on his nerves. "You even got that stupid math and science award, but never showed up to the ceremony. You know that award was really supposed to be mine, I worked hard for it. And you just go ahead and don't even show up for the graduating ceremony to go receive the stupid award. You could have at least showed up."

Mullet's hands gripped together and Keith stepped on one of Lance's trinkets. A crack followed. "Well sorry," Keith said, the sarcasm high in his voice. "Now if you excuse me, I have to go get an icepack for my injury. Wonder who's fault that was." Keith stepped past the two of them, stomping up the stairs with a large force. Lance still had his arms crossed, his eyes glaring in Keith's direction.

"What a jerk, I can't believe that guy," Lance said throwing up his arm. "Ah people like him."

Hunk frowned. "Hey Lance, I hate to break it to you, but uh you did give him quite the nasty bruise on his forehead."

Lance frowned. "What are you talking about," Lance said, rather dully.

"The book, you dropped it on him, and he has a bruise bright smack right here." Hunk pointed to the side of his head.

Seemed Lance had been too busy fuming to even notice. Now Lance felt a little bad.

"Yeah well, whatever it's not like I meant to do it."

"You didn't even apologize Lance," Hunk said tapping his fingers together. He looked like he wanted to say something else.

"And?" Lance had to say to get it out his best friend.

Sighing Hunk stopped tapping his fingers. He instead bent down to pick up all the trinkets Keith had brought inside from what Lance had dumped. "And the reason Keith probably missed the closing ceremony was because of Shiro's accident. Don't you remember, we heard about it at the Grad party."

Colour drained from Lance's face as he realized his wrong. "Oh, oh right."

How could he have been even stupider than earlier, now he really felt like a jerk.

The day they'd graduated Lance had the valedictorian speech, and afterwards they'd all headed to the community centre for the large grad party their high school was putting on. Only Pidge had found Lance in the crowd dancing with his date only to pull him and Hunk away to let them know what had happened. Shiro had gotten into a car accident that morning, and had just received surgery to amputate his arm. They weren't allowed to visit him for a few days, but Lance and Hunk hadn't felt much like partying after that so they'd all waited in the hospital visiting centre for news of his wake-up. When they received no news Allura had driven them all home.

Keith was family; he was allowed to see him before them. Keith had been there; probably more worried then all of them. He wasn't at the graduation because his brother had just gotten in a car accident.

"Gosh, I'm such a jerk," Lance said as he gave a big sigh. "I need to go apologize."

Hunk nodded, handing back the book that had fallen out of the box. Hunk held the other trinkets. "I'll give these back to Allura saying you found them in the move, but keep the book if it really was a gift." Hunk foot played with the ground. "And please do apologize Lance, you tend to get caught in the moment and forget yourself."

Lance flipped his hand up and down with his wrist. "Yeah, yeah—whatever Hunk, I'll go apologize." Lance walked backwards up the stairs. "Drive home safe Hunk, and you better be at my welcoming party tomorrow night."

Hunk nodded, leaving through the front glass door. It locked automatically behind him.

Going up the one level back to his apartment Lance stopped at his door. His building was only three levels, and each level had two suites, so not knowing which was Keith's apartment wasn't an excuse. Lance gave a long hard sigh, and with the literature book still in hand he knocked on Keith's door.

No answer at first, so Lance knocked again, this time the sound of footsteps following through. When Keith unlocked the door, and opened it to find Lance his face dropped in recognition. "What, come to drop another book on me?"

Lance gave a shallow sigh, "no I came to apologize." Lance said looking down at the book. He pushed it Keith's way. "Think of this as an apology gift."

Keith let out a slight laugh, muffled by his closed mouth. "Seriously you want to give me the very book you dropped on my foot."

Lance twisted his head a little confused, "your foot, I thought I dropped the book on your forehead."

Keith's face turned red slightly as he reached for the bruise near the side of his brow. Lance wondered how he could have possibly missed the bruise earlier. It was slightly covered by his dark hair, but under it he could see the purple and ugly green yellow to it. Even as Keith reached there was a small brown bruise near the side of his wrist. It seemed his objects falling had done more damage than he'd previously thought. Now Lance felt real bad.

"Oh right, yeah my foot and forehead," Keith mumbled his voice a quiet tone. He took the literature book from Lance and stared down at the printing. "It's Hemingway," Keith remarked staring at the cover.

"I don't know how much you know about literature, but it's yours think of it as the full apology." Uncrossing his arms Lance let out another sigh. "Not just for the injury, but also for. . .well saying you should have been at the grad ceremony. You had a really, well really, valid reason for not being there. I'm sorry I forgot."

Keith sighed through his nose, and puts the book on the table near his front door. "It's okay; it's just a stressful time for me to remember is all." Keith looked down at his watch, his eyes lighting up a little. "Anyway I should probably let you finish unpacking." Going to shut the door, Lance put his foot near the stub, stopping him.

"Hey wait just a second, you can't think the book is my only apology, why don't you come over for tea later, I have an array of fruit teas, and—"

"Keith?" Lance turned, a beautiful haired stranger standing by the stairway. He had long white hair, and a figure that Lance instantly found attractive. He almost felt himself drooling from the sight. He was beautiful.

Coughing Keith opened the door fully; his jerk persona seemed to evaporate as Keith stood tall by the door. "Lotor, hi, uh how was work?" his voice was almost stuttery, nervous, Keith too saw the beauty Lance was seeing. Well he figured anyway.

"Who's this?" Lotor asked coming forward. Keys were in his hand, which made Lance realize he too lived here, maybe the floor above them?

Keith coughed again, moving another inch back from Lance. "This is Lance; ah he just moved in next door, he was introducing himself was all."

The surprise behind Lotor's eyes changed. "Oh, Lance is it," he said, coming forward. He stuck out his hand. "Well welcome to the building, I'm Lotor."

Lance stuck out his own hand, shaking it. Lotor had quite the grip and Lance felt a little intimidated by it, but wow was his skin soft.

"Nice to meet you neighbour," Lance said. The two met eyes and Lance couldn't help but feel consumed by them, the way Lotor looked at him was almost predatory, like he was a lion marking his territory. But that was probably Lance's imagination.

Lotor moved back, his hand finding its way around Keith's shoulder. Keith seemed to try and squirm away from the grip but Lotor pulled him in closer. "I guess you already met Keith then, I'm his boyfriend."

If Lance had been drinking water he would've spat it out there. "Boyfriend wow, it's nice knowing I'll be living next to a couple." Lance found himself rubbing his hand together. "I mean couples bake way better cookies than single people."

What was he saying, and why was he so shocked. That an average guy like Keith could land such a pretty looking boyfriend. It shouldn't be that much of a surprise, it's just Lance always saw Keith as such a loner; he never even thought he could score a guy as beautiful as Lotor.

Then again, Keith was pretty fine looking himself. His shoulders were broader since high school, and even though Lance swore he was taller than Keith they now looked to be the same height. Plus Keith was pretty smart. Oh no, Lotor was looking at him, was he checking Keith out, right in front of Lotor. And yep, Lotor had really noticed that, the glare was the dead giveaway.

Lance let out an awkward cough, "anyway, I better get back to unpacking, you two have a nice night." Lance turned to leave, but stopped and turned back before he did. "And of course my invitation for tea still stands. I mean I am right next door."

Backing up Lance found his way back into his own apartment, locking it behind him as soon as he got inside. Lance fell back against the door, his face all the more red.

"Oh gosh, what an introduction to my neighbours," Lance said, fitting his face against his hands.


The next chapter will be a little brutal, but I hope I've intrigued you with the first bit.