A/N: Trigger Warning, Implied/Referenced Abuse. Lance's Parents are OOC
Keith didn't get the chance to speak to Lance privately after that one time in the interrogation room. They had his court hearing, in which Keith had to go and testify if Lance didn't admit to the crimes he committed. Out of all the duties that came with being a police officer, he hated court. He found it boring and a waste of time for him. He would have loved to be out on the field instead, but he understand that court was important. He was glad that he was supposed to dress in uniform instead of a tux. Keith owned a singular tux, and it didn't fit him well. The only perk with going to court was that Allura typically paid for some snacks for afterward.
Lance admitted to his crimes, apologizing to the family he hurt. They were out of the hospital and back to normal by the time court came around. That was better for Lance. Courts hate hospitalized victims. Lance pleaded guilty to all charges against him, his lawyer managing to lessen his sentence. He was charged with an assault and a breaking/entering. He was to do 3 months in jail, and then community service under strict supervision. Lance unfortunately would not be able to go back to his jobs when he comes out of jail. He will probably lose his apartment.
It was about a month into the sentence when Keith went and visited Lance. A lot had changed in the precinct and it was due to Lance. Keith felt that Lance should know. Through their short time together, Keith had started to feel something for Lance. He felt like Lance was a good guy in a difficult life situation. The days following the trial, Keith paced in his apartment, pondering many things. About himself, his identity, his life. The people he surrounded himself with. About Lance.
He wanted to help Lance and the first thing that came in mind was to provide him with a place to stay. Keith had never shared a place with someone, not a place in which he thought of as HIS. He wasn't sure how comfortable he felt having a criminal in his house. But then he considered Lance. While there were many, many criminals that were horrible people who did horrible things because they are horrible people, there were also those criminals who did their crimes due to the system in place. A system where people like Lance, and also Keith, were at a disadvantage due to something as simple as their skin color and ethnicity. Keith recalled the times he had a cop from another precinct think he was a thug at a crime, when he was actually a cop on a steak out for said crime. Keith knew Lance only stole because he couldn't afford living, even with two jobs. That did not justify his crimes, but Keith figured he would stop his criminal behavior if he had resources to live. Again, he was not thrilled with sharing his space with someone who was basically a stranger.
But was Lance a stranger? Keith thought about What Lance and him know about each other. Lance saw Keith at a vulnerable point during their first interaction. He showed kindness. Keith knew Lance had a difficult relationship with his family. He knew bigger spects of Lance but he didn't know smaller ones. What was his favorite ice cream? Was he a cat or a dog person? Has he ever seen Star Wars? Keith figured that he knew more about Lance than Lance knew about him. From Lance's perspective, a cop was offering him a place to stay after said cop arrested him. That would seem suspicious. Lance knew that Keith was gay, which was a huge thing for Keith. Other than than, Lance did not know much about the cop. It would be a leap of faith for both of them. Keith did not have many valuables for Lance to steal anyway.
Even with all this, Keith felt uncomfortable with letting Lance stay with him. The last time he had shared a living space was when he was at the academy for police training. He had a roommate, whom he did not date at any point. Although, in the apartment there were separate rooms. He didn't like the thought of someone observing his behavior. What would Lance do if Keith had an attack? Should Keith inform him beforehand? His roommate at the academy was decent at dealing with them, but he would try to take Keith out of the room during it. Or would tell Keith after it was over that he didn't get why Keith was having them. But Lance wasn't his academy roommate.
Keith came to a conclusion.
He had chickened out last time he was going to tell Shiro about him being gay. After sending the text, Keith immediately regretted it, and told Shiro that he sent for him because Keith wasn't feeling well and wanted an external opinion. Shiro said he looked redder than usual, but otherwise healthy.
Being a cop, Keith was able to go through the process of seeing prisoners easier than the common folk. He was put through to the picnic tables where the less dangerous prisoners could meet with people face-to-face.
Lance was surprised to see Keith when the guard brought him to the table. He was told that he had a visitor, non-family, who wanted to talk with him. Lance could not think of anyone who would want to see him, family or not. He was sure his family was going to disown him now that he was in the system. They had other children to worry about. Other children that could make them proud, surely forgetting and disowning one son wasn't going to be an issue. He had no friends solid enough that they would visit him. He didn't have a roommate. His siblings, who were all at their parents, wouldn't have a way to see him. So when he saw Keith sitting alone on the bench, it only made Lance even more confused. Why would Keith come see him? Did they have more questions and sent Keith since he was the officer who arrested him? Lance stayed quiet as he was shoved onto the other side of the picnic table, and stared at Keith until mullet cop decided to speak.
"Hey Lance," Keith said, sounding tired. Keith had bags under his eyes. He would not meet Lance's eyes, staring at his own hands.
"Hi," was all Lance could say.
"So um… I'm here for a few reasons." Keith said. Lance noticed he was holding a folder and Lance's heart sank. They were probably going to give him more jail time.
"Go on," Lance said suspiciously. Keith took a deep breath.
"I, uh, want to thank you."
Lance was NOT expecting that. Keith saw the change in expression on the Latino's face. Keith knew that Lance probably wasn't expecting any of this, but he didn't expect him to react so visually.
"For what?" Lance questioned.
"For inspiring me…" Keith trailed off. Lance gestured for Keith to keep talking and he did.
"I came out to Shiro two weeks after your sentencing."
Lance's jaw dropped. This was very unexpected. Did he really cause that big of a change inside of Keith? He perked up, placed his forearms on the table and clasped his hands, leaned forward towards Keith.
"Tell me more," he encouraged. Keith took a deep breath, a smile slipping onto his face.
"So Shiro invited me over for video games on night. Hunk and Pidge were invited too, but they both were busy and couldn't make it. We were sitting there and I was telling him a little bit about your dilemma and why you were into thievery. Shiro asked about where I knew you from, since you were saying that."Keith smirked at Lance, finally meeting his eyes. "Thanks for that by the way"
He continued.
"Anyway, so I told him you and I met, and that the reason we had met before was that I was getting over my ex-boyfriend." Keith paused, agonizingly for Lance.
"And?! What did he say?!" Keith chuckled and looked down at his lap, shaking his head in disbelief.
"He asked if I wanted to meet his fiance, Curtis."
Lance's laugh made everyone's heads turn. Keith chuckled along, in relief of the situation. Once Lance calmed down, he continued. He told Lance about how Shiro explained that he didn't know to inform Keith he was gay because he thought Keith knew. Shiro was apparently out at the precinct. No one gave him shit about it. Together they devised a scheme. Under Keith's consent, Shiro arranged a coming out party for Keith. He didn't tell anyone about it; the two boys went and put up decorations bright and early a week later. They got as much rainbows as they could. Curtis made a cake for them that was a cop uniform on the outside, and a rainbow on the inside. Curtis lived in a separate apartment, but they were in the process of moving into Shiro's place. Then when everyone showed up, Shiro got up on a chair, projecting that Keith had an announcement. Keith then dropped a banner from the ceiling that said "I'm gay". They all had cake. Allura congratulated him, saying he showed tremendous courage to come out at work, and asked if Keith was dating anyone. Hunk gave him a hug and said he would fight any homophobes alongside Shiro. Pidge commented on the cake, and said she could hook him up with some of her brother's friends. That was when Keith found out Pidge had an older brother.
When Keith was done his story, he waited for Lance to say something. Lance spent a minute digesting the information.
"And I am the reason you told them?" Lance asked.
"I thought about what you said and… you were right," Keith admitted. "I needed to come out in order to prove to myself I will be accepted. I know it's not the same for everyone, but that's how it was for me. I've been thinking about how I can, uh, thank you and... well.." Keith looked away from Lance, collecting himself. "When you get out of here, you mentioned not being able to go back to your apartment? Well, my apartment has a spare room. I used it for my dog and storage, but it can be transformed into a room for you. I can help you find work and your community service could be with the precinct."
Lance's face was indescribable. A mixture of surprise, gratitude, and happiness.
"Keith…" Lance breathed. "That would be great."
"My one condition is that you can't do illegal stuff." Keith stated. Lance chuckled.
"Yeah, because I am totally going to base a drug deal operation out of the cop's apartment." Lance sarcastically said. Keith didn't budge, he was serious. "I'm kidding."
Keith glanced at the clock on the wall and decided it was time to leave.
"I will come pick you up after your release, with the lease and everything set up."
The two boys stood up. Lance awkwardly embraced Keith in a hug, which the cop eventually relaxed into and reciprocated. When they pulled apart, Lance turned quickly and uttered a "Thank you" before fast walking back to the passageway between the visiting room and where the yard was. But he wasn't fast enough because Keith had seen the tears in his eyes and smile on his face.
The weeks after Keith's visit flew by. Keith went to work at the same time every day, did almost the same thing. Paperwork mostly. It seemed like every time he was getting close to finishing, he would be put on a new case or called to do something, adding on to the past reports.
Keith's favorite day was when he got to taser a guy he had caught trying to sexually assault someone. Keith had no problem punching him out and making sure the victim was okay. While he was doing the, no surprise, paperwork when he got a call. He didn't recognize the number that came in on his cell phone, but picked up anyway.
"Mr. Kogane?" an unrecognizable voice deadpanned on the other end. Keith corrected them on their pronunciation before allowing them to continue. "We have a prisoner being released and he says you are picking him up."
Keith swore at himself, he forgot that was today.
"Uh yeah, I'm on my way." Keith muttered as he started messily cleaning his work area. He shoved a pile of sheets into his desk drawer, knowing he was going to regret that later, found his keys and rushed to Allura's office. Allura answered right away, warmly inviting him in.
"Hey Keith," she sounded confused. "What's up?"
"I have to go pick someone up," Keith vaguely explained. Allura looked at the schedule and then at the time, then Keith.
"You did book the afternoon off, Keith."
"OH?" Keith did not recall doing that. "Cool… so I will see you tomorrow?"
Allura chuckled. "Yes, you work a half day tomorrow as well."
Keith thanks her and briskly left.
He made it to the holding center Lance was at in an appropriate amount of time. He was still in uniform when he entered the building which made entry easier. He flashed his badge and they let him through, although they seemed confused. He waited near the front desk, where they sign out the prisoners upon release. Keith wasn't sure what to expect, he had never really done this before. He knew what criminals looked like during court and crimes but he never got to see the aftermath of the institution.
Keith hadn't known Lance for long but he did immediately notice the changes. All subtle alone but put together were prominent. The way his eyes shifted, looking around the room for danger. His cheeks were hallower. His beautiful eyes that were once filled with mischief had been replaced by hyper-focused, sunken, and sparkless ones. He was curling in on himself, slouching. His hands were cuffed. As soon as the Cuban boy's eyes met Keith's from the other side of the desk, there was a change; he straightened his posture and a little life was put back into his face. He smiled faintly. The officer guiding Lance shoved the boy onto a bench, addressing the clerk at the desk. The clerk typed at his computer for a few seconds, leaned over to a microphone.
"Keith Kogane?" he said, his voice crackling in the overhead system. Keith stood up and approached. He signed some papers, showed he was who he claimed to be, and they gave Keith a box. Lance was then released from his shackles and was allowed to join Keith in the public area. Keith observed that the Cuban was now shaking. He was wearing the prison uniform still. Did he not have any clothes?
The two walked in silence out to the parking lot, Keith carrying the cardboard box with Lance's name on them. He put it down in the back, then went to his place in the driver's seat. Lance was still shaking. Keith grabbed a blanket he had in his car - he got cold sometimes, especially on steak-outs - and draped it around Lance's shoulders. Keith paused before starting the vehicle.
"What did you want to do?" Keith asked, but Lance just shrugged. Keith suggested a few things, like going to the apartment, shopping for clothes, getting a bite to eat. Lance mumbled an answer and Keith drove to the nearest burger joint. He went through the drive through, noticing the way Lance pulled the blanket to cover the uniform he was still in. It reminded Keith of what the implications of their outfits were; a cop and a prisoner driving together. As they waited to receive food, Keith took off his police gear, leaving on the slack pants and the blue button-up shirt. Lance questioned him, to which Keith responded by saying he didn't want the worker to feel inferior. The lady gave them a bright smile and their food; Keith left a tip like he always did. He drove off, deciding they should go to the apartment. Keith's apartment; Lance's place had apparently cleaned out by his family and Lance wasn't giving Keith any direction as to where they lived. Keith assumed the box had some of Lance's belongings. He didn't want to push Lance into telling him information; he was probably feeling a lot of emotions right now. Lance's eating noises, little moans of satisfaction, gave away all Keith needed to know about the food quality Lance had the past few months. Halfway to the apartment building, Keith swore at himself.
"Lance, are you allergic to or scared of dogs?" Keith asked.
"Nope. Love them." Lance managed to say through his full mouth. His eyebrows raised and he swallowed. "Do you have one?"
"Yep," Lance smiled. "His name is Cosmo-"
"Aww" Lance remarked.
"He is a rescue and loves people. Trained police dog." Keith informed Lance.
Lance finished his burger. He seemed to have a lifted mood now that he had food in him. He looked significantly better, energized.
"How big of a dog?"
Keith told Lance about Cosmo and his personality. Lance asked things about the apartment, to which Keith answered. Lance hinted at the fact he did not have many belongings. Keith told him they can spend the following week hashing out the details of their living together, and that he apparently booked to be in for only half days for the next few days. They arrived at the apartment complex; Keith offered his jacket to Lance to wear until they got inside. Lance gratefully accepted. Lance followed behind Keith, carrying the box. He was thankful that Keith lived on only the second floor.
Cosmo sat and wagged his tail near the entrance to the kitchen, looking curiously at Lance. Keith gave him a tour, the four legged creature following Lance and sniffing him the whole time. Lance set the box on the floor of his new room when they concluded the tour in there. Keith asked if he wanted some time to settle in, and Lance told him that he would appreciate it. The room was cleaned out of Cosmo's stuff and Keith had purged the room of his stuff prior to Lance's arrival. There was a blow up mattress with sheets Keith had. Lance entered the room and shut the door. Keith called that he would be in his own room if Lance needed anything.
Cosmo cuddled up to Keith while he read. He wasn't going to force conversation or invade Lance's personal space. He needed time to adjust. Keith remembered learning something in psychology class years ago about how people responded to change.
After what seemed like forever, there was a soft knock at the door. It had been definitely longer than what it would have taken to clean out whatever was in that box. Keith set his book down on the bedside table.
"Yes?"
"Since we are living together, there are a few things you should know." Lance looked nervous. His arms were crossed; he was still in his prison clothes and wouldn't meet Keith's eyes. Keith gestured for him to come sit on the bed, and Lance obliged. Lance slowly revealed something in his hand; a bottle of pills. Keith must have reacted because Lance immediately recoiled.
"They help me fall asleep." He quickly said. Keith nodded his head solemnly. He thought about telling Lance, but he couldn't bring himself to do it. He wasn't sure why.
"I'm usually pretty good at taking them, but sometimes I forget," Lance continued.
Keith nodded. "Anything I need to do?"
Lance thought about it. He asked Keith if he would mind him coming to him every night and Keith watching him take it, that way he can remember to take them and Keith knows he did. Lance told him that he has stopped his meds when he was not feeling mentally good, as a way of punishing and hurting himself. Keith simply nodded solemnly; he wasn't sure what to say. Lance nodded back and returned to the meds his room and came back.
"I have a resume ready… Any jobs you know of? Lance asked. "I have my computer so if you have wifi, I could also look at jobs."
Keith looked at the time. He told Lance he would start on supper, Lance could do whatever. Lance retired to his room.
They ate supper with nothing but the radio to fill the empty apartment. Keith finished his supper before Lance, and went to his room for the night. He set his alarm for work the next day, suddenly really exhausted. As soon as his head hit the pillow, despite being in his clothes and over the covers of his bed, Keith was asleep.
Lance felt like an alien in the apartment. He saw and heard Keith go into his room after finishing supper, and hadn't heard a peep from him since. Keith and him hadn't really talked about what was okay and not okay in regards to invading personal space. Lance didn't know if this was normal for Keith.
He knew how lucky and grateful he was for Keith. The cop seemed to be uncomfortable with the arrangement but said it was fine for Lance to stay there. They had decided that as long as Lance could pay for it through legal means, he could stay with Keith. But those were the only technical things they went over. Lance was going to sign the lease at the end of the month.
Lance decided to check out of Keith was awake. He could be upset for all Lance knew. He didn't know Keith well and the cop was good at masking emotions; the only time he wasn't that Lance knew of was when something deep inside of him was disrupted, was hurt. And it came bubbling out, just like it did when they first met.
The light in his room was still on and the door was slightly ajar. He slowly poked his head in, eyes closed. He called softly out the cop's name, opening one eye and then the other when he saw the sight before him. Keith was passed out on top of the covers, snoring lightly. Lance chuckled; today was a lot for Keith. Cosmo was asleep too, but he was on his own doggy bed in the living room. Lance crept into Keith's room. He slowly folded the sheets on the other size of the queen bed. Keith shifted from his stomach to his back as Lance was doing this but it did not get in the way of his work. Lance daintily and effortlessly picked Keith up into a bridal-style position. He tried to ignore the way Keith snuggled into his chest and how cute his little snores were. He laid Keith on the other side. He considered whether taking off his clothes would be a good or bad thing. It would be awkward if Keith woke up. If Lance puts the blankets on Keith, he might overheat. If he leaves them off, Keith still in his clothes, Keith might get cold. Lance tested Keith's level of sleep by saying his name at various levels; Keith didn't budge. Lance stared at his face, deciding that if Keith got cold, he would wake up naturally and then make a decision for himself.
Lance spent his evening looking for jobs. He figured that his illegal job Keith didn't know about would have to be either moved to a different location, or stopped all together. Lance had applied to a few places before supper, not expecting any of them. Jobs nowadays, Lance found, displayed whether they accept a person with certain criminal backgrounds and if they accept applicants in minority groups. Lance admired that. He was in debt for student loans, but he did have a degree. He hoped that those jobs accepted his criminal background.
Lance had just powered through a new cover letter and application when he heard the first one. He wasn't sure what it was, and the sound was quieter than the ones that followed. The second one was definitely a scream, but it wasn't until the third one that Lance knew what was going on. Cosmo beat Lance to Keith's room and was barking as Lance got in there. He was horrified.
Keith was shaking subtly, curled in on himself, his muscles tense, his shirt soaked through. Tears were streaming down his face. Lance put an arm out to try and touch Keith but recoiled sharply when he screamed again. Cosmo stopped barking; the dog grabbed Keith's pant leg and shook. Lance placed a hand firmly on Keith's arm.
"Keith?!" Lance firmly said, trying to rouse him. Keith's eyes smacked open and he tore away from Lance as he screamed. Lance boggled his brain to when they first met, what Lance had done to help. Keith was sitting on the other side of the bed, dazed and confused. His eyes focused on Lance, his breathing heavy. Keith had unbuttoned his own shirt and upon realizing Lance was looking at him, crossed the wet material over his chest. He had tears flowing down his face. Lance sat down on the bed where Keith had been. The sheets weren't noticeably wet. Lance stretched out his arms, inviting Keith in for a hug. He rested his back on the headboard, waiting for Keith to respond. Keith's breathing calmed down but he was blinking wildly.
"Hey man, it's okay if you need comfort. I'm okay with it."
Keith looked wildly over Lance, a thousand thoughts running through his head that Lance wish he knew. Was he coming off creepy? Comforting? He barely knew Keith. But he saw that he had something bothering him.
Keith huffed and sniffed but did not accept the embrace.
"I'm calm, now get the hell out," Keith grumbled. His eyes were on his shoes.
"Oh…" Lance hoped the hurt in his voice wasn't obvious. He hastily exited the room, hearing some sniffles. He went back to his new bedroom, a weird feeling in his stomach.
He cared for Keith. He knew that they hadn't known each other for long, and he sensed Keith putting up emotional walls when he was uncontrollably vulnerable. Lance knew he was really freaking lucky Keith took him into his home; to expect him to open up and expose his soul to Lance was something Lance shouldn't expect. A part of Lance was sad though.
When he thought about it more, he didn't really know Keith's past; Keith didn't know his. They were strangers who saw glimpses into vulnerable moments. Albeit, Lance into Keith more so than Keith into Lance. Keith was probably not too happy about Lance being a criminal on top of a stranger. Lance wanted to know more about Keith, mysterious cop Keith. What his childhood was like, what his job was like. Did he prefer orange juice with or without pulp? What was his favorite show? What was his greatest fear? These were questions he would have to wait for a relationship to develop before knowing the answer. Lance was comfortable springing into it right away but that didn't mean Keith was. He respected Keith's boundaries, but would let Keith know that he was there is he needed him. Tomorrow.
Lance had brought some toiletries and did his usual night routine. At one point Keith had interrupted to use the bathroom.
"Did you take your meds?" Keith asked; Lance almost couldn't understand him because his voice was low and he slurred hardcore. Lance swore and then ran to take them while Keith used the bathroom. He thanked Keith as he passed him in the hall, and reentered the bathroom to finish his routine.
Typically when he went to bed, it took him a while even with meds to sleep. But this was the first time in months that he had gone to sleep almost immediately.
Keith was gone when Lance woke up. Lance figured when he looked at the clock bedside his bed, and confirmed when he saw the note Keith left.
Went into work,
back after 1,
Let me know if there is anything you want to do.
Keith.
He left his phone number and work email. Lance emailed Keith asking if they could go to his parent's house to collect the rest of his things. Keith got back to him an hour later, and said they could. Lance sat and searched for more jobs. He did not expect much. He wasn't able to go to post-secondary because of wanting his younger siblings to have the money. They deserved it more than he did. He had to work in high school to help his parents pay for things. He lied to them when he got into crime, lied about his position in the two jobs he held previously. Now some of his siblings were in university and college; he had been sending a bit of money to his parents to help. Lance figured he could get an entry level job; there were programs for criminals to get work.
Lance was woken up by Cosmo barking. He looked around the room to see what time it was, and surely enough it was 1:15PM. He had fallen asleep on his bed while looking at jobs. Lance was stretching out his sore muscles - he hated sleeping in weird positions - when Keith knocked on the door.
"Ready to go?" He called. Lance called back that he needed a minute. When he opened the door, he was met with Keith dressed in his uniform.
"Uhhhh Keith?"
Keith looked up from his cellphone while also petting Cosmo.
"Yeah?"
Lance gestured to his outfit. Keith looked down at it, searching for something, then looked to Lance for meaning. Lance nearly facepalmed himself.
"I don't think my parents would like me showing up with a cop…" Lance slowly said, hoping Keith understood why.
"Right…" Keith awkwardly said before fast walking to get changed. When he emerged, he was in a nice red button up and beige khaki pants. Keith looked to Lance expectantly and then the pair headed out to the car without another word.
Lance had messaged his mom regarding to his visit, and her message gave no hints as to how she felt towards him. Lance hoped that they didn't hate him. He didn't want Keith to see that side of him yet.
Lance directed Keith to the neighborhood. Keith noted that while it was a nice one by the looks, he remembered it being an area of cheap homes. Keith drove into the driveway as directed. The house was in a cul-de-sac of the area, and this one in particular looked like shit. The paint was peeling, there were obvious patches in the roof, there were more places that needed patching. He saw tarp over a window.
"What did you want me to do?" Keith asked flatly.
"I have a few bags, do mind carrying some?" Lance requested sheepishly. Keith nodded and got out of the car. He let Lance lead him to the door. Keith was uncomfortable meeting Lance's parents like this, but he knew that Lance probably wasn't thrilled either.
The doorbell rang a few times before a Spanish woman in her 60's answered. Her tired expression lit up upon seeing Lance, but there was a hint of sadness in the expression. She called out in a language Keith did not know and then invited them into the house in English. Keith awkwardly followed Lance into the place he grew up, into his home. Keith tried to come off as neutrally as possible. There was a stampede of feet coming down the hallway and Lance was suddenly tackled by a herd of children, varying in age. It was when Lance was on the ground that Keith was addressed.
"Lance, who have you brought here? It better not be one of your, um… business transaction partners…." There was a hint of warning in her thickly accented voice. She looked Keith up and down, in search of something but Keith didn't know what.
"Lance, is that your boyfriiiiiiiiend?" One of the small humans on top of Lance teased. Keith shifted in his spot, took a deep breath.
"That's Keith, my new roommate."
Lance's mother's eyes raised at their relationship.
"What kind of work do you Keith? How did Lance find you?"
Keith looked at Lance for guidance, but he was still trying to break free of his siblings.
"Lance? Did you want to, um…" Keith swallowed. "Tell them?"
They didn't get the chance, as a man came around the corner. He did NOT look impressed or friendly.
"Lance!" he bellowed and stomped over to be beside Lance's mom. He stared Keith down and Keith met his gaze but at a lower intensity. He spoke Spanish after breaking the eye contact, and Lance and some family members all started to as well. Lance broke free during this conversation. The mood intensified as Lance and the man increased in ferocity. The woman got the kids to go do something and engaged in the fight. They trio switched between Spanish and English. Keith grasped the basic messages; the father did not want Lance in the house, didn't think he deserved his stuff back, and was threatening to call the police if he tries anything. His mother was defending him. Lance was shaking visibly but stood his ground. Eventually, with a huff, the father stormed out.
"Go grab your stuff quickly and say bye to your siblings. I will talk with him later about you visiting."
Lance thanked his mother and motioned for Keith to follow him.
Lance's room was not his. Half of the room was clean and packed up, four bags in total looking full. The rest of the room looked like a war zone. Lance ordered Keith to grab two bags and wait for him in the car. Keith did so. He grabbed what looked like the two heavier ones, and made his way back to his car. He sat and waited in the driver's seat. His phone buzzed.
Shiro: Hey, how's the moving going?
Keith: Good. Getting Lance's stuff. Did you find any volunteer opportunities yet?
Shiro had took on the responsibility of finding Lance a community service position so he could complete his sentence. Shiro felt bad for Lance and wanted to help; he understood Keith taking him in, even if it was a bit weird.
Shiro: I asked Allura and there is one at the precinct. Being someone's assistant. If not, there is garbage pickup.
Lance entered the car, throwing two bags in the back. He slammed into the passenger seat, sloppily put on the seatbelt, and looked down at his knees. Keith could see the tear streaks still fresh. Lance wa aiming his face away from Keith.
"Got everything?" Keith asked neutrally.
"Just. Drive." Lance said hoarsely. And Keith did.
He decided not to bring up the red handprint on the Latino's cheek.