Okay, this was tough to write. I definitely like nice-Shiro as opposed to this Shiro. That said, Shiro's responses are OOC on purpose. He is suffering from Complex PTSD with symptoms of psychosis and is also mentally regressing a bit. He is not right in his victim-blaming (kinda), he's just not doing so good himself. Veronica isn't right either but emotions don't look at right or wrong.

7. To Protect the Ones I Love

Seeing Keith's stuttering phrase that he had barely managed to get out and seeing what little Shiro could of the blurred background, it was enough for him to decipher that it was an ambulance. The hands were switched though and there was suddenly a female paramedic on the line.

"Hello, sir, are you a family member of Lance McLain's?" The paramedic asked kindly.

"Somewhat," Shiro replied, glancing over at Curtis and Veronica, both of whom were looking at him in concern. "Is everything ok?"

"He's been violently raped and stabbed," The paramedic replied gently. "His boyfriend is with us right now and we asked him to inform a family member as it is protocol. However, he may need someone else as well, he's shaking quite badly."

"What hospital are you taking Lance to?" Shiro asked, keeping his tone professional but he saw red. How could anyone hurt Lance? How could anyone hurt Keith to the point of making him regress so much that he couldn't even get the words out? He had to force himself not to react, not where Curtis and Veronica could see him. His fiancée saw through everything although Veronica would probably agree with his assessment. He wrote down the name of the hospital. "I'll be right there and so will his sister and cousin. Thank you." He hung up the phone.

"Shiro," Curtis was the first one to speak. "Are you alright? You look pale." He reached out to take Shiro's hand, but he pulled away. He was not in the mood for any touching. He felt a twinge of guilt but pushed it down, ignoring the look on Curtis's face.

"Lance was raped pretty violently and stabbed as well," Shiro said, focusing his gaze on the address that he had written down because he didn't want to see the looks on the faces of those whom he had failed.

"What?!" Veronica snapped. "He was acting a bit strange…was someone harassing him? Keith should have tried harder to protect him." Her voice shook and Shiro looked up, seeing her clench her fists. He should understand – she found out something terrible and given how close Keith and Lance, it was natural for her to feel that way. But…he did not care.

"Shut up," Shiro said, voice cold as he turned away from the both of them. "Keith isn't a mind reader. If Lance won't open up to him – he can't help him."

"Are you blaming my brother for being raped?" Veronica said fiercely.

"You blamed Keith first," Shiro returned just as icily. Veronica was about to reply but Curtis cut through them.

"Okay, guys!" Curtis said rather loudly. "This isn't helping. Veronica, Shiro is right, it isn't Keith's fault but Shiro, it isn't Lance's fault either. This is a bad situation but fighting amongst ourselves isn't going to help. Why don't we go to the hospital? I'll drive."

Shiro handed the address back to Curtis but did not even acknowledge Veronica who also turned away from him. There was a time when he didn't need to rely on people like the police or paramedics to protect the happiness of those he loved.

'You chose to leave that life behind' Haggar's voice taunted him inside his own mind. 'But you can still embrace it. You're still the Champion, Shiro. The more you hold back, the more you fail at protecting your little brother'

"Shiro?" Curtis's voice snapped him out of his thoughts. "Are you coming?"

Shiro locked eyes with Curtis's. He was like a light – an almost blinding light that filled him with warmth and seeing him for a moment made the childish notion reappear that everything would be alright but he squashed it down. No, that was naivety. If he wanted to protect Keith from the world, he would become the Champion again. He nodded to Curtis, moving to join him and Veronica in the car, but his mind was whirling. He needed a name for the person who had harmed Lance and caused Keith this emotional anguish. The rest could be taken care of later.