Summary:
It's the morning after and then some. Honestly, what'd they expect would happen?
Notes:
I had no one beta read this so I hope it's alright to read. -sweats- Enjoy!
Chapter 2: Key to a truth and lies.
Lies. He was a fucking liar and he couldn't believe he said that. He realized it was Pidge after the third shot, right around when Lance had given her a drink. He recognized that half-smirk-half grin she made every time she found something amusing. Of course, Lance would never figure out that the dressed up girl who was at the table was friggin Pidge.
But then, his mouth had to go and spout out a lie that he realized it was Pidge when they were making out. Why he lied, he had no idea. Granted, he wasn't entirely himself, but to let his hormones, that he thought was no longer so strong since he wasn't a teenager anymore, do whatever it wanted was troublesome.
It honestly didn't help that she was turned gorgeous, as if by some kind of magic. He really had to hand it to Allura to make such an astounding transformation. So much so that he had apparently brought her to his apartment (even though, he clearly knew who she was) without any idea of what the hell happened last night. Fantastic. And now, he couldn't get the images out of his head of what he wanted to do with the still very pretty Pidge that sat next to him. He blamed the lack of recent company, time for himself, and the way she literally changed his mind in one night. Especially when he could still see all the love bites he had left on her neck and inwardly cursed at how arousing he found that to be. Stupid hormones.
Pidge fiddled with the hem of her dress. "So… You honestly don't remember anything?"
Keith shook his head, his right arm resting on the neat pile of pillows that sat to the right of him. His hand stroked his chin, "I swear I don't, Pidge. I wouldn't just lie to you about something… that… may or may not have happened."
She could feel her neck creeping with shame and embarrassment. If nothing had happened, it was good, right? And yet, the sinking feeling sat heavily in her stomach. Did that mean he wouldn't have done what he did with her? Was she not a fitting match for Keith? Something about that caused angry heat to curl in her chest, resisting the urge to snap out in her assumption since this moment was important. Her hands gripped her dress.
"Would you have?" She still found herself asking and she cursed herself for the need to have her questions answered. (It's the inner logic in her; it had to be.)
It was as if the room had its air sucked out. He didn't answer right away as she hoped he would since it would have made this easier for her, but instead, he had to go and make this more complicated than it needed to be.
He wanted to say that he wanted to. He wanted to say that he had never thought of her that way until last night and he wanted to say that after seeing her last night, he wanted nothing more than to take her somewhere else instead of the nightclub with how beautiful she looked. He thought she deserved more than being in a nightclub, where the lights would hide all of Allura's hard work at making her so dazzling.
Instead, he responded with, "I… Pidge, you're my friend. I can't take advantage of you like that."
Pidge wanted to throw something. She couldn't handle the humiliation of what could have and what's more, she couldn't believe his immediate default of deflecting instead of answering with his honest opinion. He went safe, he went expected, and he went and friend zoned her. Especially since she clearly remembered him kissing her back last night.
"Oh good, I wouldn't have done it with you either." She didn't sound relieved, no, in fact, she sounded irritated and she let it show. She stood up and headed to the door.
"Pidge—"
"No, Keith, you've made your stance quite clear." One foot in her shoe and the next followed quickly after. She reached for the doorknob only for it to slam shut the moment she opened it. Flashing eyes shot to him, cursing him and his stupid tallness. "What, Keith?" she snapped.
"Look, that didn't come out right. Come on, Pidge, you have to understand… we're friends and—"
"What, that I'm not hot enough for you?"
For fuck's sake, she was and he hated that she was pissing him off. He resisted the urge to run his hands through his hair in frustration. "Jeezus, I'm not answering your question and you know why I can't answer that, Pidge." He wouldn't realize the severity of that thought until months from now.
The small girl couldn't tell if he was ridiculing her or mocking her. With Keith, she could never tell. Though there was a small part of her that knew she was being completely unreasonable compared to her usual self, where she had prided herself on using logic first and foremost over the confusing aspects of what emotions usually did to one's thinking process. Still, it didn't ease her mind any of the anger she felt that it was likely that he didn't think that highly of her. She knew why he couldn't answer because they were friends, and crossing that boundary line that every friendship had was always a dangerous line to cross. But whether it had been the idea of friends with benefits or even a relationship had gone down the drain.
"Keith, I will ask again," she seethed, no longer caring if she was being unreasonable or not. "I asked you would you have had sex with me whether or not we're friends. I want to know what you truly think. Even if we weren't both hammered, would you have? Do you find me attractive enough to do so?" A part of it was some indignation that she asked, another was that she had come here thinking it would happen. After all, she kissed him last night.
He clenched his jaw. He didn't answer for a good minute, his own gaze meeting hers. She didn't see him clench his hands. "No, Pidge, I wouldn't have."
That was an answer as good as she'll get. She turned to face the door, trying to pull it open, but still found it tightly closed by the press of his hand against it. "Let me leave."
"Pidge." His voice was low, dangerously low, and she could feel his mounting anger grow. But so was hers. "We need to talk about this instead of arguing."
Stubbornness was a trait that they both shared, both steadfast and determined to go their way that it made it almost impossible to change their minds once they've set it. One of them had to give, but whoever one it was needed to be persuaded first. (Or burned…)
Pidge snapped her head to him and then her eyes slowly cast downward, "We're friends, Keith, I get that." She did. Honestly, she liked the fact that Keith was doing the right thing and was staying his ground on keeping their boundaries set when they were both just friends. She had no feelings for him and it was highly likely that he didn't either. But what she wanted right now wasn't the friendship that they both had cultivated, no, but rather the hope and possibility that it could be something if they wanted to. If she wanted to. And she didn't know until just now what she wanted was that possibility that she could be seen in Keith's eyes as someone more than just a friend. That she, the outcast girl genius Katie Holt, could become something with the popular handsome aspiring pilot and astronaut, Keith Kogane. That even a small, awkward, and work focused girl could get the guy if she wanted to. However, it was made evident that no matter how close she would be someone, especially by someone like Keith, there was no chance for her. Maybe if she was as pretty as Allura… but as quickly as the thought surfaced, it sank nanoseconds later.
The fire in her to argue died and she sighed. "So just let me leave because don't worry, I won't be telling anyone that I stayed the night here." Being rejected without realizing she wanted something like a relationship was enough of a personal discovery for one day.
Keith didn't speak for a moment, her deflation in the argument bothering him more than he had expected it to. He knew the reasons why they weren't going to tell their friends, but… was it really necessary when they were friends and he had been merely looking out for her?
"Are we okay then?" he asked, his voice softening that she wished he was mean, that she wished he wouldn't be so shockingly kind at the last second.
She sighed again. Releasing the door handle, she turned to face him with her one hand grasping her other arm's elbow. Eyes lifted to meet his. "Yeah, we're okay. Sorry for springing a question like that on you." She managed a smile.
He rubbed the back of his neck, looking briefly away, "It's okay." He didn't blame her. After all, it was a defining question that would have changed their entire relationship.
Pidge felt her phone vibrating. "Okay, I should go. I think my brother is calling me again for the twentieth time since this morning."
He gave a nod. "Right." Pulling his arm away from the door, he then asked, "Oh, do you need a ride home? I don't know how well you know this area."
A blink. Oh, right, she's never been to his apartment before so the area would be a little weird. And then asking anyone to come get her would only bring more questions that she wasn't sure if she wanted to answer without revisiting the previous conversation. "Yeah, sure."
"Gimme a minute to get ready and I'll drive you home." He started to head off toward his bedroom before turning back to her, "Don't go anywhere." And then disappeared into his bedroom.
Pidge chuckled, surprised by his immaturity at worrying that she would leave after accepting a ride. She pulled out her phone and leaned against the door to answer the many worried texts and phone calls. But, she sent one specifically to Allura, asking to meet up with her at their usual coffee place before they head home. Thinking on it, she wasn't sure if she was going to tell her about what had happened last night. She bit her lower lip. If she told Allura, she'd most likely tell Shiro and then Shiro would tell Matt. It would begin the hellfire of questions and concern that had no basis. But the only problem with this was that Allura was her best friend. No, she'll tell her. Otherwise, she wasn't sure how she would understand her feelings without talking it aloud.
She lifted her phone, pressing the edge of it to her forehead and closed her eyes. "It'll be okay," she murmured. Somewhere inside of her, she realized she now had to deal with the heartache she didn't expect. After all, she had been flat out rejected before they even began.
By the minute that Keith was ready, she was herself again. What she failed to notice was his lingering and regret filled expression that flickered across his visage.
"Pidge!"
Her gaze lifted from the coffee she held to the worried expression of Allura that came to give her a hug outside of their coffee shop. She barely even had the chance to stand up when her arms wrapped themselves around her.
"Oh, I've been so worried, Pidge! Where have you been?" she asked upon pulling apart. "Why are you here? How did you get here? Are you alright?"
"I'm okay, Allura, don't worry." She held out the other cup that was filled with tea. "Here, take this and let's go home. I'll tell you all about it."
Her best friend gave her a long look before taking the offered beverage. Soon, they were home and Pidge had washed up, cleaned off all of that makeup and was now dressed in her favorite sweater and shorts. She stared at the garment and accessories that rested on her bed, remembering that she had a flower hairclip in her hair before. Did she lose it somewhere? Unable to recall where it had fallen, she decided to forget about it and dropped her clothes into the hamper, where it will be washed and then stored in her closet for all eternity, never to be worn again.
After taking some medicine that had finally kicked away a pounding headache, she was nursing a cup of water that she needed to rehydrate herself. They sat in their living room on their couch with the television on as background noise. She called Matt once she was home, letting him know she was home safe and had crashed at home after getting a ride. When the lie came out, she winced, unable to believe she had to lie to her brother for the first time simply because she didn't want him to be disappointed in her. She was already regretting not telling him the truth and she could already feel the guilt eating away at her chest.
"Now spill."
Distracted hazel eyes lifted to Allura, who sat across from her in the armchair and determined eyes to get information from her one way or another. Pidge sighed, leaning forward to adjust herself with her drink and her knees lifted to her chest. "Where do you want me to start?"
"Okay, let's start off first where did you go last night after we separated?" Allura crossed her arms.
"Well, after you and Shiro left for the dance floor, it was just me and Keith left. He asked me to dance and I said yes." Taking a few sips of water, she watched over the lip of the cup Allura's eyes widening.
"I'm sorry, but you did what?"
"I said yes to dancing with Keith, as terrible as my dancing is," another sip. "It wasn't too bad." She shrugged and couldn't stop the blush creeping up her neck at the remembrance of his arms around her waist.
Allura frowned instead of squealing like Pidge thought she would have. Looking thoughtful while bearing concern, "But you could've joined me and Shiro at any time."
Pidge snorted with the roll of her eyes, "And what, get between you two? I think not."
This time, she watched her friend blush, appearing quite flustered. "I-I-I will have you know that there is nothing happening between Shiro and me!"
"Uh huh." Not believing in a single word she said, Pidge took another few sips of her drink.
She curled up on the armchair, crossing her arms with a huff, "In any case, what happened after that?"
Eyes were cast down to the cup, knowing full well what an earful she was going to get, but instead, she started off with, "You promise you won't tell anyone, Allura?"
Her brow lifted, apprehensive, but nodded, "Of course; I shan't tell a soul." She readjusted to lean forward. "What happened, Pidge? Where did you go? You didn't answer any of our calls."
Except Keith's, she thought, wondering idly what was the conversation she had with him that the phone call lasted a good ten minutes and twenty-three seconds according to the phone log.
"I don't remember… at least, I remember bits of it, but I don't remember most of it. I just know I woke up in Keith's apartment." Her voice was soft, reflecting over the exchange in words she had with the other. Rejected before she even realized that she had a fascination and admiration for him that she wished would have had the chance to grow and be nurtured into something perhaps more.
It was possible with the somber tone that it was why Allura didn't rain hell like she thought she would. Instead, her voice only grew more worried. "Oh, Pidge… Does… Does Keith remember anything? And why do I get the feeling that there's more to this..." She didn't sound mad at Keith and Pidge noted to ask her why she wasn't later.
She tugged up the top of her sweater, hiding her neck with her hair further from view so Allura wouldn't see the many love bites he left to remember him by. "He doesn't either. I guess he was just as gone as I was last night. I don't know how we got to his apartment safely without destroying anything, but we were safe." Silently, Pidge vowed that she'd never drink that much again. Her eyes lifted to Allura, her face set in determination, "Allura, you promise you won't tell anyone about this, right? You promise?"
Allura nodded, moving from her seat to sitting beside her. "Yes, I promise, Pidge." She took her hand and squeezed.
She set down her cup on the coffee table and stared blankly at it. Resting her chin on her knees, she began with a deep breath. "Well, this morning when I was trying to sneak out, Keith caught me leaving. We said that we wouldn't tell anyone what happened last night because it sounded like the right thing to do at the time, even though we don't remember anything. We guessed that nothing happened since I was still in my clothes and he was dressed in his own. And I wasn't sore or anything so… I don't think that happened either." Come to think of it, he was dressed in his own sleeping wear. Was he soberer than he let on? Did he remember more than he was letting on? No… they were being honest with one another.
She hoped.
"But…?" Allura gently prodded.
"I asked him if he would have done… you know, that thing, with me. I mean, Keith was being nice and said the right thing in that situation, but… I don't know. I think I realized in that instant when he flat out said that he wouldn't have done that sort of thing with me, regardless whether we were friends or not, that he never saw me more than just a friend. I'm… I was rejected without realizing I liked him, Allura."
Allura was quiet for a long time until she finally squeezed her hand again. At that moment, Allura had respect for Keith to try and keep their friendship. But she knew that he had also established a wall that would not be broken down ever again by Pidge. It made any possibility of a relationship ever forming disappear. "I'm sorry, Pidge. He sees you as a friend and that's better than nothing at all. He really respects you to try and maintain that friendship."
Pidge gave a small nod. Better than nothing, maybe, and she wondered if that was true at all. "But at that moment when I asked, I wanted him to honestly tell me if I ever had a chance. I guess I never had any."
"Oh, Pidge." She released her hand to hug the smaller, pulling her to her chest.
Feeling enveloped by the embrace of someone who now knew her feelings and her thoughts, albeit however small they were for a certain guy, finally made her cry. She cried for what felt to be a very long time.
The rest of the day passed quickly, under a movie marathon that Allura suggested and she decided to come clean with her feelings for Shiro, something she had been "hiding" for a long time now.
"You know, you're really obvious so I already knew," Pidge had said with a smirk after their second movie and on the way of putting in a third. Allura wasn't obvious, but there were the little things that changed her behavior in the time she had met Shiro. She didn't point it out simply because she wanted to see how long the feelings would remain. Only, it seemed to grow stronger with each week that passed. "It's cute though."
Allura couldn't find words to speak when she decided to throw a pillow instead. This started a small fight where they both ended up on the couch in a fit of giggles, only to watch the next movie that Pidge had inserted into the game console. Thanks to Allura's constant companionship, Pidge began the slow healing process of moving on. Just before they were going to bed, when she was alone once more did she look at the group picture that sat on her desk. Lifting it from its place, she smiled fondly at the memory that came flooding in then.
It was at an amusement park and they had decided to go on one of the rides that had ended up making them drenched. Thankfully, it had been a hot day so cooling off with the splash of water had been refreshing. The picture was taken just after the ride so they looked wet, but giddy on emotions. Allura suggested the picture and asked someone nearby to take the picture for them. They were huddled together, wet and cold and she stood in the middle with Allura crouched beside her. Shiro stood off behind her with Keith under his arm with matching laughing grins. Hunk and Lance had the similar pose, only Hunk still looked like he was a little sick, trying to bear it for the picture and Lance laughing at something that Hunk had said.
Her eyes fell on Keith, one of his rare smiles immortalized in the picture on her desk and she cursed her heart from leaping at the thought of how she had one of his rare smiles in her room. Of how she got to know Keith and how kind he actually was in spite of his all too serious expressions. Idly, the question of if she truly did love Keith was one she would never get to answer. After all, it was simply just a crush she didn't even know she had.
He had kissed her back last night. It was her first, clumsy when she remembered her teeth near slammed into his that he had to ease her into it. His hand had cupped her cheek, long fingers tangling in her hair and grazing her neck. It had tasted of alcohol… sweet… and with the heat, she didn't know she had wanted. He was gentle at first, teaching her before he only began to consume what she offered without restraint.
With a sigh and the shake of her head, she set the picture down and decided that there would be nothing more to think about. Keith had set the lines and maybe, there was nothing more than she liked best than to have Keith as just a friend.
Several weeks pass and Pidge discovered that by throwing herself into her work, she'd easily forget the heartbreak. It was easy enough considering how time-consuming her assignments were. She had been working on trying to figure out how to rework the programming a robot to do several explicit commands that were targeted toward one of the most difficult things in the human body: the hand. So consumed by the project, she had begun to ease out of the affection she held. In doing so, she often missed that whenever she walked by some parts of the campus, he'd be there, stopping in his tracks and watch her.
She had missed that his gaze always followed her without meaning to, whether he or she realized that he did it was unlikely.
"Allura, I'm so tired, that I think when I'm done with this, I'm going to sleep for forever."
It's been officially six weeks or so since she had officially seen Keith or anyone else for that matter. Well, alright, everyone else aside from Allura and her brother — both of whom she saw on a near regular basis — had seen them frequently enough, but it was never enough time for her to really just talk to only Keith. Which was good since it meant she didn't have time to dwell on something that she wanted to put behind her. Now, she was sore with no idea why, was overworked, and more short-tempered than she ever remembered herself being. It was amazing Allura still put up with her.
"I can see that… but you've hit a roadblock, haven't you?" She scribbled something into her notebook before rapidly typing away at the laptop to her left. Blue eyes turned to Pidge, lifting a brow, "Your project isn't due for another few weeks and I'd like to say that you've done more than you need to, Pidge. In fact, I'd say that you've long since have taken it to the extra—"
Pidge uttered a loud groan and rested her head on her arms on the table, interrupting Allura mid-sentence. Allura sighed, resting her chin in the palm of her hand and her elbow on the surface to face her smaller friend.
"You need to go home and sleep since you've finished everything. You know next week is when your club meetings pick up again so you should enjoy this time to yourself before it gets even busier." Allura poked her friend on the cheek. "No longer wearing those faux glasses of yours?"
Rubbing her face as she straightened in her seat, "Maybe I should. I think I'll head home to my parents this weekend. Matt said he's heading down to visit for the holiday weekend though." Pidge made a face. "And the frame cracked."
"Yes, perhaps you should go with him." Allura lifted a brow and said nothing, knowing full well she'd get a new frame in no time.
"Uh huh," Pidge lifted a brow, smirking. "What about you? You're gonna stay in hopes of seeing—"
"Pidge!" She slapped her friend's mouth shut quickly. "C-Can you please?!"
She pulled away from the guarding hands and snickered. "Don't worry, Allura, he isn't even here. But, when are you going to ask him out? Like, really ask him out? You've been seeing him and hoping for the relationship to go to the next level since you met him."
Allura slammed the laptop shut with a stern and raised a brow, "Pidge, I appreciate you and I really care for you, but you already know how he is. I can't just ask him to go out with me, just like that."
It was Pidge's turn to lift a brow, "Oh? Really?"
Allura squinted. "Don't you dare do anything, Pidge. We're doing just fine without your help, alright?" Putting away her belongings, she slung the bag over her shoulder and said, "Pidge, I'm being serious. Please, I beg of you, don't do anything."
Pidge lifted her hands up in surrender. "Alright, I won't." She crossed her arms and leaned back into her seat. "So then you'd better let me know when it's official, okay?"
The older smiled, relaxing, "Of course; you'll be the first to know. Now, I've got to go, but take care and I'll see you tonight."
With a nod and a wave, Pidge watched her best friend depart. Left alone, she made another groan, leaning her head back on the headrest with a sigh. Maybe she should just head back to the apartment and sleep off her exhaustion. Maybe that'll get her brain running again and think of another way to tackle the problem. Slinging her own small bag over her shoulder, she headed off toward the parking lot where her bike was locked to the bike rack.
However, upon her approach, she spotted someone garbed in a conspicuous black cutting off the chain of her bike. What the—?!
"Hey, get away from my bike!" she shouted and took off into a run. Today was seriously not her day! The thief was still having trouble getting the chain off that when she was close enough, she threw her bag with startling accuracy at the thief's face and managed to knock him over enough to stumble. However, it was in that instance that he had just snapped off the chain and was already riding away. "Stop him! Someone stop him!" Anyone! She needed that bike!
The thief was riding down the parking lot passed a bunch of other bikes and motorbikes where there was a single person standing nearby. The motorcyclist took off his sporty white and red motorcycle helmet and threw it right into the back of the thief's head. The thief was blindsided to stop, enough time for the other to yank the bike from underneath the thief. They fell to the ground, disgruntled and angered, that when they rose to standing, they looked ready to fight. It was enough time for the rescuer to pick up his fallen helmet and set the bike down.
Finally distracted, Pidge knelt down to pick up her belongings as quickly as she could, glancing every so often up at what was happening. When she finally grabbed her tablet, she slid it into the bag and took off into a run again toward the confrontation. Only, when she got close enough, she saw that it was Keith versus the thief. Why didn't she immediately recognize his white and red leather jacket? "Keith! He stole my bike! Stop him!"
Just wait until she got close enough; she was going to kick that thief's ass.
Keith glanced to Pidge, their eyes connected briefly before he gave a nod and returned his gaze to the adversary in front of him. The thief decided to pick a fight and when they lunged, Keith sidestepped and did another sidestep when they tried to punch again. Come to the third attempt, he swung his leg to kick the thief to the ground in one swift and powerful movement. Taking his stance with his hands up toward his face and his legs spread out, he was prepared for anything that came next and in one more lunge, Keith disabled him with a jarring left swing of his helmet to smack right into the back of the thief's head. He righted himself when Pidge was finally close enough to speak normally.
"Th-Thanks, Keith!" she huffed. "Are you okay? He didn't hurt you or anything?"
"No, I'm okay, but we should call campus security," Keith suggested after giving her a nod in greeting.
"Oh, right! Gimme a second." She pulled out her cellphone and dialed. While she was talking on the phone, Keith's gaze remained on her form, thinking how long it had been since he had seen her. Ever since their conversation in the apartment, he had been playing their conversation on repeat without understanding why. He hadn't seen her in weeks outside of the group gatherings and she looked even lovelier than he had remembered.
Her hair was tied up on the side of her head, wearing a v-neck pastel green t-shirt with a black hoodie wrapped around her hips and black leggings with a green stripe going down the side that split to reveal a pattern down the calves of leaves and scattered pink petals. A worn brown leather bag was slung across her frame and a black pair of Converses. It was as if someone was reminding him of how slender she truly looked wearing such form-fitting clothes. He winced, remembering flashes of skin under dim lighting when his eyes lingered on her neck and curled hair teasing the lines of her shoulders and collarbone...
While on the phone, Pidge quickly rehashed the information and details of the event to the campus security, them already saying that they're sending someone over. Within minutes, campus security showed up on a bike and another came just seconds behind him. After conversing and questioning the both of them of the trouble, they scolded them for taking the matters into their own hands and warned them of the dangers of tackling such things by themselves. Still, preaching aside, they had their information should they need to be further questioned.
Picking up the ruins of her bike chain with a swift tug and the shake of her head, she wheeled out the bike with Keith walking beside her. "Thanks again. I guess I was lucky that you were walking by when the thief ran by you."
She heard a chuckle and looked over, "Yeah, another few seconds and I wouldn't have been able to hit him." A small smile tugged at his lips and Pidge had to say with relief that her heart didn't stutter like she thought it would. No, instead, it betrayed her with an ache and she resisted the urge to grasp at her shirt in front of where it hurt. She didn't know which was worse: the fact she still had feelings for him or the fact that she was still nursing a broken heart.
"Is there anything I can do for you in return? You know, for helping me get my bike back." Pidge was wondering in that moment, what in the fresh hell was she doing.
He blinked, returning her gaze, "You don't have to Pidge. I know you're busy with that project of yours."
"Oh, no, it's okay. I've hit a block so it's been frustrating me for the last two and a half days. Allura said I should take a breather and maybe it'll hit me while I'm trying to relax." Part of the way through her explaining, she was glaring at the bike's handlebars and was trying her best not to take her frustrations out on Keith. "Because I know if I program the…" she began to unwittingly ramble, spewing problems that would and should have a variety of solutions. Her hand lifted to her chin in the process, her brows furrowed and concentrated on the problem that consumed her thoughts.
Keith chuckled, Pidge unaware of the amusement twinkling on his eye. It was always amazing to see her ramble about the project she was always so passionate in. Looking up ahead, he placed a hand on her shoulder with a firm grip, stopping her from walking forward across the crosswalk and finally, stirring her from her thoughts. "Careful Pidge, that habit of yours will get you in trouble someday."
She groaned, shaking her head in disbelief. "Oh, sorry Keith. I didn't mean to go off like that."
He gave a light shrug while she sighed. Her eyes flitted from the corner of her eyes to note that he was dressed in black slim jeans, gray fabric belt with a silver buckle, v-neck black t-shirt and his red and white leather jacket and fingerless gloves. Did he truly not wear anything else? But she had to admit, he looked… good, in spite of the simplistic style of dress. And then she couldn't help but remember that night where he wore that dress shirt and vest and just how handsome he looked. He had been clean cut compared to the scuff and slight wear he appeared to look presently.
"Where are you heading?" he asked after a moment.
The light in front switched from the red hand to the white figure giving the okay to cross. Focusing on walking, she blinked blearily and thought of how some sleep would be good. "Probably back home. I haven't slept properly for the last few days…" Pidge knew it was probably more than that and that it was at least a week, at best. But for the last couple of days, she felt more exhausted and not well since… since Matt had come down with a cold and had passed it to her. And that was years ago.
Keith lifted a brow. "Then do you need a ride? I know your apartment is kind of far for a tired person to ride a bike back home."
Oh, riding back would be… She felt tired just thinking about it. Running a hand down her face with a small sigh, she considered all the cross streets and side streets she'd have to ride through before getting home. The probability of her not being aware enough to be hit by a car sounded extremely high. Now on the other side of the street, she alternatively recalled that Keith's apartment was somewhere near here, a lot closer than hers and Allura's. (Knowing Allura, she would have invited Shiro for food and privacy.) She paused where she stood, looking at her surroundings that she walked through so many times before. It was strange to consider that she was now walking this path with Keith instead of Allura as was usual. But did she dare ask? It should be fine though since they were friends… right? Against better judgment, she decided to ask anyway.
"Keith? Is it possible I just chill at your apartment? I mean, maybe some peace and quiet will help me out." The idea of even heading back to the apartment when it's highly likely that Shiro would be coming for a visit was something she would rather not deal with right now.
Surprised, he looked taken aback but took it in stride. He crossed his arms but arched a brow. "Sure, but I have class all day today so I can't be much company for you."
"It's okay; I'll just make myself at home." And nap, she added silently to herself. But her chest ached at the thought of going back to the place where she had her confrontation with Keith, where she was rejected, and where it was the very being of who Keith was; his home. Did she want to become closer to him?
He pulled out his phone and typed quickly. Pidge's phone vibrated moments later, only for her to see one text message that had his address. She shot back a look, mimicking his earlier expression. "How do I get in?"
Putting away his phone, he pulled out from his other pocket his keys. There were two silver keys that matched attached to a keychain of a sword and a few other things she can't see. He unhooked the second and dropped it into her outreached hand. "Make yourself comfortable and lock up after yourself. If you need to leave when you're done, just give me the key later."
Pidge eyed the key warily but decided she was too tired to care about her options. Keith's place was close and she would rather crash somewhere safe than risk the lives of other people. Hitching a ride with someone when she had her bike to take care of was more hassle than she was willing to deal with. Her temper and frustration levels were at an all time high so she had no idea how she would act with other people. It was bearable, for now, with Keith. Her fingers closed around the key, pulling it close and gave a small smile, "Thanks, Keith."
He gave another easy shrug, his brow still arched, "That's what friends are for. And besides, I rather you safe or I'll never hear the end of it from either Shiro or Matt or hell, even Allura." Pidge tried to hide the amusement, but watching him wince at the thought of facing the wrath of her "guardians" was something apparently to be feared and quite funny. So the great Keith Kogane, popular and the fearless boy of Altea University, feared her brother, his adoptive older brother, and Allura. It was quite something.
A lidded smirk appeared without her being able to stop it, "Oh? Afraid Keith?" Pidge taunted.
Keith sighed and gave a pointed look, eyes narrowing minutely while a corner of his lips curled with the quick cross of his arms. "No, I'm just concerned that I'd get my head chewed off."
"Sure, uh huh," Pidge resisted the urge to roll her eyes and instead, the smirk grew wider. For added effect, her hand with the key touched to her chin, leaning forward. He took a step back. "It looks like Keith is a good kid after all." She withdrew back to her bike, feeling a yawn coming on.
"Just go. I'll see you later." He ruffled her hair and began to walk back to the campus.
His nonchalant attitude made her want to do something immature as was indicative of the ruffling of her hair, making her feel like he was treating her like a kid. "I'm going to raid your fridge!" she shouted when he was far enough as a retort. Keith just returned a wave without looking back but didn't say anything as she watched him stick his hands into his pocket.
Only when he disappeared from view, Pidge finally glanced at the key sitting on her palm. Just as the wind picked up, there was a part of her that illogically thought that this key would be the figurative key to a future she wasn't sure if she wanted yet.
About fifteen minutes later after precariously finding a place to hide her bike on his apartment's balcony without tracking it inside the apartment, she stood in the living room with her hands on her messenger bag strap. She wanted to sleep. She really wanted to sleep, but sleeping in his bed (again) was out of the question. Closing her eyes, there was a recollection of when she was staying over here a few months ago, he had been sleeping on a pillow with a grey blanket. Padding silently across the plush carpeted floor, she peered into his bedroom. On his desk was a pile of papers and textbooks with neon bright paper sticking out sitting next to a closed matted black laptop. Next to his desk was another bookshelf, filled with reference material for school and more notebooks and binders. (He was surprisingly neat.) There were more textbooks just piled up next to the desk with the same various brightly colored papers protruded from its bindings.
With a sigh, she glanced at the bed and stole one of the pillows to plop on the couch. Skimming through each closet for that familiar grey blanket, she eventually found it stored in a bag in the hall to the bathroom, taking it out and setting it on the couch. Putting her bag down on the couch, she contemplated on changing her clothes and dug through her bag for the spare t-shirt. Still clean from pulling it out of the closet a few mornings ago, she headed to the bathroom to wash up. (It wasn't like she came prepared to sleep at his apartment… she just always carried it with her.) Finished and fresh, she relished the feeling of clean clothes and crawled to the couch under the blankets. Pulling the pillow close near a cuddle, she burrowed herself into the blankets and only had the lingering thought of how it smelled like him before she fell asleep in moments.
Many hours later after several classes, Keith finally headed home. It was when he was about to slide his key into the apartment lock that he realized that Pidge was inside, his missing spare key serving as a reminder. He had forgotten all about her. Without putting the key in, he turned off and headed out to get some food. It was about twenty minutes later did he return, unlocked the door to find his apartment dark instead of lit like he thought it would be, and flicked on the light to see a small head of light brown hair snuggling deeper into the blankets they had wrapped around themselves on his couch.
Did she just sleep when she came in when he gave her his key nearly six hours ago? He could see a small pile of clothes by her bag and felt heat flash across his skin at the thought that he quickly threw out the window before it could coherently form. After dropping off his bag in his room and food on the counter in his kitchen, he changed out of his clothes for a more comfortable pair of pants and proceeded to crouch by the couch where her head was.
"Pidge," he called out quietly. She didn't move. "Pidge." This time, he gently shook where he could see her shoulder.
She stirred, turning in her place to blink slowly awake. Her hair had curled around her face and he had to resist the urge to touch her by rubbing the back of his neck. "Hmm?" She looked tired still, all things considered.
"It's ten, Pidge," he stated.
Groggily, she recalled coming over to sleep and then… "Oh, yeah… is it?" she mumbled, burying her yawn underneath the blankets.
He sighed, but he looked concerned. "Have you eaten at all today, Pidge?"
She knew she could sleep more, but she could not deny that she hadn't eaten all day. "No," she said with the small shake of her head and a modest smile appeared.
"Want to eat?"
She gave a nod.
"Okay, wait here."
Pidge gave another nod. Her eyes followed him rising from his spot to the kitchen, pulling out food from the bag he had been carrying. Sitting up with the blanket still wrapped around her, she grunted when she stretched from sleeping in one position too long. Hazel eyes continued to follow him to the small table in front of the couch where he set down a bowl of steaming noodles with what looked to be chicken and vegetables sprinkled in. Next, he set down a smaller cup where it held what looked to be the broth and then her cup of water.
Keith sat down next to her by moving the blanket with his own similar bowl with a red spicy fragrance. He grabbed the remote from underneath the table to turn on the television and changed the channel to the news. "I brought dinner. It's a noodle shop that just opened down the street from the school campus. I went with their classic; safe since I don't know what's your preferred meal."
Truthfully, Pidge wasn't picky, but the fact he was so thoughtful in selecting what kind of meal to eat was… touching. "No, it looks good Keith, thanks." She adjusted the blankets so it would cover her legs while the blanket dropped from her shoulders to her waist. Tugging a hair tie from her wrist, she pulled her long hair into a ponytail.
He gave another one of those small smiles and handed her the chopsticks. After pouring the broth, they both settled on watching a movie that Keith had in his collection. It was an animation marvel that tugged at the heartstrings of an older robot and a sleek modern one. When they were done, Keith was kind enough to clean up and returned moments later to settle down on the couch. Tugging her hair free from the ponytail, she rested comfortably against the pillow next to her. She felt better now that there was food in her system and fell asleep near an hour later.
When she woke up the next morning, she found her phone charged on the nightstand next to her and sleeping in Keith's bed.