Everyday was the same as the ones before, 8 am to 9pm, visiting hours. Keith sat beside his bed every minute of every of those hours only leaving for restroom breaks and to eat. He would sleep there if he wasn't kicked out every night. Allura stopped by after class as much as she could. The whole academy was distraught over what happened and the city held a candlelit vigil. Not only for Lance but the other six lives that were lost to the hate. The police made an official statement letting the public know soon after Keith's scene that night. Keith didn't know what day it was anymore as they melted together, Lance was looking better everyday, the swelling in his face going down. His casts were reduced to a leg and arm cast making him less mummy-like. He was healing well but he still wasn't awake. The doctors had come in with some brochures on assisted living homes. Keith was mad that they were kicking him out so soon after his accident.
"It's been a month and a half. If the patients state doesn't change in 2 months we move them to a more long term facility." A nurse said setting down the brochures.
"Long term? That means you think he'll never wake up." Keith was taken aback not realizing it had been so long. He looked over at Lance and knew he would wake up, he just looked like he was sleeping now. So peaceful, his skin lacked it's usual glow but he knew Lance was still in there. He just had to be patient. The nurses left Keith to read over the pamphlets and he just threw them away. He couldn't stick Lance in a hoe to rot. If he gave up on Lance he had no reason to think Lance would keep going. He had to stay strong so Lance could too.
"Keith please, let me take you out. You need real food." Allura said over the phone as she was leaving the academy. Sure she hated the fact Lance was still there but she had to move on with her life, Lance would have wanted it that way. "You can't just put your life on hold like this. He would want you to go on."
"I know.. I just.. I feel if I leave he'll wake up alone and I don't want him to be alone. I want him to know I'm here." Keith was gently rubbing circles into the backs on his hands feeling the warmth in them. It was weird seeing him breath yet be so still.
"I'll bring you some food then okay? At least eat some real food." She said before hanging up.
"So you can wake up any second now Lance. Whenever you're ready of course but you know.. we're ready for you to come back. If you are just sleeping longer to punish me. Consider me punished." He smiled a bit kissing his hand somehow still able to smell the hint of coconut on Lance's skin. As stupid as it sounded his smell comforted him and helped keep him going.
Keith had dozed off only to be startled awake at a knock on the door. He turned to see Allura come in with a bag off take out.
"Hey, sorry. I didn't mean to startle you, I brought food." She smiled holding up the bag of delicious smelling food. His stomach growled acing from the crap they called food being the only thing he's consumed in awhile.
"Only rule is, you have to go to the cafeteria and eat where normal people eat." She said and got a glare from him. He took one more look at Lance before standing. He leaned over and brushed some of his soft brown hair and kissed his forehead.
"I'll be right back. I promise" He whispered before taking the bag from Allura and leaving the room.
I'll be here. Ha. Get it? Cause I can't move. Never mind.
Allura sat down and took his hand making sure Keith was gone before starting her normal gossip. She wanted to keep Lance in the loop for when he came back.
"So, Today in class, Sarah totally called out Jenn for sleeping with Robert in like high school so it started all this drama and it was crazy."
Oh no she didn't!
"I couldn't believe it. I swear these girls don't realize that we are there to learn ballet not everyone's sex life. Oh and Lotor made another playlist for you. He calls it 'Music Therapy' and at this point, it may actually work. But instead of bringing you out of your slumber with great music it'll force you to wake up and turn off the horrid noise" She said with a small laugh. It was so hard not being able to talk to him anymore. She hadn't been this Lance-less for years.
"All done." Keith said coming back in his stomach full and happy.
"Good, I had to head out anyways. Love you Lance" She said giving his arm a light squeeze.
Love you too.
She said a farewell to Keith as he resumed his seat in the chair. He sat back and pulled out the book from the top of the bed table. He had been reading to Lance more to keep himself from going mad.
"This is my favorite chapter if you wanted to know. Kind of silly but it's when Clyde realizes he loves Lucas and it's just so well written. I'm glad you can't hear me say all this crap" Keith laughed at his own hopelessness.
Jokes on you boo.
The sensation came on suddenly, every feeling of every heartbeat, every ache and pain, every itch came back full force causing Lance to let out a small gasp. Keith jumped from his chair at the noise the boy made and immediately pushed the call button repeatedly. Nurses ran in and surrounded the boy checking his monitors and wires before checking his pupils.
"We have Pupilary response. " One said and Keith's heart stopped in pure joy but also fear. Lance's eyes flew open as he looked around his heart rate increasing.
"Lance, honey calm down you're okay." A nurse said getting his attention. Lance went to respond but couldn't open his jaw and he suddenly felt like he couldn't breath.
"Lance your jaw is wired shut, you can't talk right now but you need to calm down." Keith shoved beside a nurse taking Lance's hand
"Hey Lance" He said and Lance's eyes met his but no recognition dawned in them. "Lance hey, it's me." Lance squeezed his eyes shut the bright white light searing into his head and his head started pounding before he fell into darkness again.
"What happened? Is he okay?" Keith said as the nurses guided him away.
"Listen, he's been out for almost 2 months, over stimulation is normal after waking up." She reassured him.
"But..he didn't recognize me. He didn't know who I was." Keith said his voice cracking his heart hurting. What if Lance woke up with no memories of Keith? He had to call Allura, Lance woke up. He actually woke up and looked at Keith. With those beautiful blue eyes he had missed so much.