It took four days for Keith to receive a text message from Hunk. Keith had just thought Lance had changed his mind until his phone buzzed in his pocket. Shiro looked over as Keith scrambled quickly to read it.

"Who's that?" He asked setting his fork down on his dinner plate. Keith mumbled an apology for interrupting dinner but this was more important.

'Hey. Hunk here. Is this Keith?'

Keith typed back quickly his heart starting to race in his chest.

'Yes. How's Lance?'

Keith held his breath and waited for a reply. A minute passed, then another, and another. Keith sighed and replaced his phone in his pocket before continuing to eat his pasta. He noticed Shiro still eyeing him suspiciously.

"Just a friend Shiro." Keith said hoping to get him off his back. Shiro couldn't know Keith was risking so much to stay in contact with Lance but he had to. That boy deserved so much better and Keith had a chance to make that happen. The two finished their meal in silence and to Keith's disappointment Hunk did not reply that evening.

The next morning was the same as the few before. Keith hid in his small apartment pacing back and forth trying to kill time and to burn off some of his pent up energy. It has been hard for him not to just track down Lotor and kick his face in, that would solve it all right? Shiro's voice popped into his mind saying how violence never solves anything blah blah blah. Keith didn't mind the violence though. His fists itched to connect with something hard. Keith decided to go on a run to clear his head.

About an hour later Keith was back and gulping water his mind at ease for the first time in days. Either his mind was full of hatred and anger or it was full of thoughts of Lance, some more innocent than others. His attraction to Lance may have been what started this all but now that he sees how much Lance has been struggling and getting to know him just the tiniest bit, it's more than that. He wants to really help him now, not just for his benefit. Sure as soon as Lotor was out of the picture Keith may try to wiggle his way deeper into Lance's life but that was far from now. Keith glanced around realizing he hadn't seen his phone since before his run. He hunted it down and grabbed it up from the end table in the living room. He pressed the home button bringing the screen to life to show three unread messages. Two from Shiro and one from Hunk.

'He's fine. Going home today to finish recovery.'

It was short but a wave of relief washed over Keith. Every time Hunk hesitated he feared Lotor had caught on.

'Great! When can I see him?' Keith replied and sank onto the couch holding his phone between his hands staring at the screen. To his surprise Hunk messaged back almost immediately.

'Lotor is leaving town on business. Lance is out of work so Lotor is leaving to do some other fucked shit I'm sure. You can come tonight if you want. Help me convince Lance it's too soon to get up and start dancing again. This kid can't sit still.'

Keith smiled a bit at that. Of course he couldn't. Keith shot back a quick messaging saying he would be there and smiled even bigger once Hunk sent him an address. Keith jumped up his pulse racing once again as he took a quick shower and readied himself for his visit.

"Come on Hunk! It's been like..five whole days. Can I at least walk myself to the bathroom?" Lance asked throwing a dramatic hand over his forehead. Hunk rolled his eyes and pushed his wheelchair over to the edge of the bed.

"No can do. Doctor said you can't put weight on your leg for another few days. Not my fault." Lance sighed and let himself be hauled off the bed and sat gently in the chair.

"Thanks." He said getting comfy as Hunk wheeled him to the restroom. Hunk was his best friend but even with that it was a bit awkward needing some help to pee.

Lance knew Hunk and Keith had been in contact. He also knew that Keith was on his way over. He hadn't spoken to him since opening up about his tragic life story and he was nervous. Especially since his dumb ass let out that Lotor was into darker things. Keith would want to pry and end up getting hurt. Or dead. Lotor knew people and even Lance had heard some people that Lotor wasn't fond of had gone missing. It's risky business and Lance had accepted he was doomed but he couldn't help but have a small burning flame of hope buried inside. Hope that it could end and that Lance could get his life back.

"Lance. You ready? Keith just pulled in." Hunk popped his head in after knocking softly to get his attention. Lance brushed off the sheets smoothing them out before clasping his hands tightly with a small smile trying to mask his nerves.

"Yep!" Hunk disappeared and the doorbell was heard. He really is here. Lance gasped a bit to himself. His house! He hadn't had time to clean it for his company! What if there's.. crumbs! Or dust. Lance had to lay back in fear of a heart attack. Lance took pride in keeping his apartment spotless. Not that he ever had company or even lived their most of the time but it was the only thing that was truly his. Lance perked up hearing two pairs of footsteps approaching. He straightened up quickly fixing his hair for the tenth time. Hunk reappeared in the doorway and he walked in followed by Keith.

Keith had bee so surprised to be given an address to the cute little apartment tucked away in a nice neighborhood. He expected Lotor's place to be more..pimpish? Keith had rang the doorbell almost turning and running away his nerves were so high but Hunk opened the door with a large smile and a warm greeting. Too late now. Hunk lead Keith through the house and Keith couldn't help but see how empty it seemed as they made their way to what he assumed would be his bedroom. Keith had to do a double take seeing a larger room with the door opened slightly. Wooden floors, full length walls of mirrors and a pole. Right in the middle. He practiced at home. A blush slowly crept up Keith's neck as he tried to will it away. Of course he did. People don't just get as good as he is without practice. Hunk stopped and walked into the last room of the hallway and Keith entered seeing Lance. He looked better. His neck brace gone but a small cast remained on his leg. His skin was glowing again which made Keith smile a bit, he wasn't in pain. Keith still couldn't fathom Lotor withholding pain killers like he had. That was just cruel.

"Keith! Buddy! My man!" Lance greeted with a small wave. He seemed just as awkward and nervous as Keith felt.

"Hey...Glad to see you're doing better." Keith said with a smile. Lance shrugged a bit.

"It's hard not to heal quickly when I'm not allowed to move." He said giving a long pointed look at Hunk who just shrugged innocently.

"I'm going to go finish my scones. Let me know if you to need anything" Hunk excused himself leaving the two alone, once again. Keith looked around as he made his way over to the side of Lance's bed.

"Sooo." He drawled sitting down in a small plush armchair. " Nice place." He said, the walls in here just as barren of decor and personality.

"Thanks! I haven't been here in months actually. Lotor didn't want me at his place while he's away so he kicked me out. I don't mind though. I missed my own place." Lance said picking at a loose thread on his sheet. Now it made sense. This wasn't where Lotor lived.

"I see" Keith said more to himself. He glanced at Lance before averting his gaze.

"How are you feeling? Other than you know, the obvious." Keith asked gently. He wanted to know if Lance had thought anymore about his proposal.

"Well.. I have thought about what you said a bit. As great as it sounds I just think it's too risky for what it's worth."

"You don't think you're worth it?" Keith asked looking up at him now. Lance looked up and met his hard stare with his own. Keith could tell Lance was scared, just Keith being here right now put them both in danger.

"I don't think so. " Lance said with a small shrug.

"Well I think so." Keith said sitting back. The two boys sat in silence before Lance laid back with a loud dramatic sigh.

"Oh Mullet. I am so bored. I thought you came to keep me entertained?"

To Keith's dismay keeping Lance entertained was much harder than he had thought. He was quite crappily attempting to play Just Dance as Lance and Hunk howled in laughter. They had moved the party to the living room and Lance was a burrito of blankets watching Keith make an absolute fool of himself as the boy happily munched on fresh scones courtesy of Hunk. Seeing Lance smile and laugh so much made it worth it. Who knows how long it had been since he's had fun. Keith had to stop because he swore his lungs were going to burst.

"Give me a second." He huffed as he crashed onto the sofa. Lance threw off the blankets and attempted to stand but Hunk grabbed him.

"Damn it Hunk it's my turn!" He whined but Hunk didn't relent and covered him back up.

"The sooner you rest the sooner you can get up again' Keith said taking a sip of water. Lance crossed his arms with a small pout that was way too cute Keith had to admit.

The three boys played games and chatted the rest of the night and Keith noticed how late it had gotten once Lance had started dozing off as him and Hunk were finishing their card game. Lance ended up being a terrible card player and was out after the first hand.

"I should get going..." Keith said placing the cards into their box. "Need help getting him to bed?" Keith asked motioning to the softly snoring ball that was Lance.

"No. I got him." Hunk said with a smile. Hunk walked Keith to the front door before opening it for him.

"Thank you Hunk. For letting me come over. I'm glad to see he's feeling better." Hunk smiled a bit leaning against the door.

"Nah man. Thank you. It was good to see Lance smile again. It's been rough for him. I'm sad I wasn't able to help him but I'm glad you came along. I really think you can." Keith smiled before saying his goodbyes and he headed out. Hunk waved once more before going back inside.

Keith was home and laying in bed staring into the darkness willing himself to be tired. After the evening with Lance is mind was racing. Well, honestly his mind kept going back to the room with the mirrors and just imagining Lance making use of the addition inside. Keith wanted a pole right in his room, private shows whenever he liked. As much as he hated Lotor he was a but envious of how much Lance he got. Then again, he had no idea how much Lance gave willingly. He sighed and rolled over grabbing his phone unable to fight it anymore. He pulled up YouTube on his phone and typed in one word.

Sharpshooter.

Lot's of guns. No Lance. He revised his search to say Sharpshooter Dancer and Keith sat up quickly seeing not only several videos but Lance's channel. Full of even more. He clicked on his channel immediately and could already feel himself stirring. Damn it. He was such a puddle for this kid. He clicked on the one with the most views and just from the beginning of the song Keith was already a fan. The video started the light in the room glowing a dim golden light and in the middle was Lance, looking like some mythical creature clad in sheer gold fabric draping over his legs. Gold chains tied around his waist and around each perfect leg, twinkling softly as he circled with pole dragging soft fingers across it's smooth surface. The music was tribal, not at all like he had been expecting. The way he combined dance styles was incredible. His hips moving to the music as he wrapped himself around the metal bar his hips sending the metal around him into a rhythmic jingle. His skin glowed and glittered in the lights. He was a golden god and Keith was unable to drag his eyes away as the camera panned to the best angles showing exactly how good he looked stretching and bending. A small gold chain weaved around his chest hooked to a belly button ring Keith had never noticed. Hot. His fingers covered in golden sparkling jewelry even his hair seemed to shine as he spun easily. That was one of 56 videos just like this. 56 videos later, 3 jack off sessions, and a sunrise later Keith was finally able to sleep. Until Shiro called him a few moment after his eyes shut inviting him to brunch. Damn it.