A few days passed and Keith finally had a day to himself. He waltzed into the living room in his sweats, ready to laze about. Then a flash of blue caught his eye. He looked over to it, lips falling into a frown. He had yet to toss the number Pidge had left him.

Snatching it up off the table he fell back onto the couch, gaze locked on the numbers. He held the sticky note above his head, studying it. After a few moments he huffed, pulling his phone out. He entered the number into his contacts and hesitated as his finger hovered over the call button.

He doesn't know how long he stared at the screen but it turned off and he sighed, tossing it on one of the cushions. He stood up, walking over to the stove to make breakfast. Eggs were simple and he was careful not to burn himself after the last stove incident a week ago. When he sat down to eat, his eyes were drawn to where his phone sat, attention brought back to what he should do. He stared at it as he chewed before heaving a groan.

He really needed to get over it. Either call the guy or don't. He shouldn't be stressing over it. And yet he spent most of the day trying to call or at least text the Latino. Needless to say all his attempts failed. He was trying to convince himself to do something when the call came.

His screen changed to show the face of one of his friends, or really more old high school buddies. He watched it ring, the old My Chemical Romance song filling the empty apartment. With a sigh he answered it, finger dragging across the screen before he pressed the device to his ear.

"Hello?"

"Hey! You actually answered me this time! Haven't heard from you for a while, Kogane."

Keith rolled his eyes.

"I've been busy, Regris. You know, actually working."

"Sure man. Whatever you say. You busy tonight?"

Keith thought about it. He really wasn't and he didn't have a morning shift. He sighed, resigning to his fate.

"No, not really, why?"

"Me and some of the other guys were planning to get together. Y'know, for old times sake."

He looked at the clock. "Text me the time and place and I'll meet you guys there."

He heard the man chuckle. "Right. And you better come or you're going to regret it. See you later, Kogane."

The line cut before the raven could even reply. He sighed, putting the phone back down. A few minutes later the device buzzed. He checked it and looked over the details the other male sent him. His lips pulled into a frown. They were going to a bar. Of fucking course it was a bar, why wouldn't it be?

He raked his fingers through raven locks and stared at it. Fuck it, he'd go, he just wouldn't drink. He couldn't. Not after he swore he'd never drink the toxic shit again. He shook his head and stood. Might as well shower.

~

Keith straightened the ends of his jacket one more time, the black leather a familiar comfort. He stood in front of Dimenticare, arching a brow. Fancy club then. He caught sight of one of his old friends and stepped inside, volume going from soft to loud. Obnoxious bass pulsed through the area while people laughed and howled in drunken delight. He sidestepped a bumbling blonde idiot who looked a little queasy. He was not getting puked on tonight.

"Hey! There he is!"

A hand clapped his shoulder and he tilted his head to meet the easygoing smile on Antok's face, the tall male leading him to where the rest of the others sat. They all cheered and Keith glanced at the empty shot glasses that surrounded the group. Ilun sent a wicked grin his way and he took the seat next to Vrek, not liking the look. The girl laughed.

"What's wrong, Kitty, scared?"

He rolled his eyes, a smirk on his face as he gave her an amused "In your dreams, Il."

Regris waved a waiter over, motioning to the group. "We need another round, last one just arrived."

Keith stopped him. "Not for me, I'm not drinking."

The waiter nodded and headed off while the group's gazes focused on him. Most of them were frowning. Regris looked suspicious. "The hell man, why not?"

Antok grabbed his shoulder, trying to get him to lay off but Regris wasn't having it and shook the bigger man off.

"No, what's your problem?"

Keith sighed. He was wondering why he came. He was serious as he looked at the group, eyes hard. "I swore I wouldn't drink after Lance and I broke up."

Understanding looks crossed their features before varying levels of concern and pity crossed their faces. He hated those looks and was thankful when the waiter returned with their drinks. He asked Keith if he wanted anything and he settled for Coke. Ilun dragged him into a conversation about school while the other three placed bets on who could outdrink the others.

The male easily fell into the atmosphere and it reminded him of old times, when things were easy and they were all happy. Turns out, Ilun and Vrek were engaged which he happily congratulated them on. Reg and Tok were roommates, had been since Regris was working full time and had been kicked out of the house and Antok started college. The big guy went to the same place as Ilun and they had one of their classes together so the quartet had kept in touch pretty well.

They each took turns talking to him while the others drank and sometimes they'd all pitch in to tell stories about their new lives. They wanted to know what he had been doing but he insisted it wasn't much, saying he had school and work. No boyfriend either. He had one or two after Lance but those relationships hadn't lasted long. A few months was all.

Regris took his turn to sit by Keith, the other four playing musical chairs whenever one of them stopped for a break so they weren't drunk but didn't lose their buzz. The dark haired man threw an arm around his shoulder, the muscle shirt he was wearing showing off his biceps and the large scar running along arm he had around Keith. It happened when they went camping together senior year, the idiot getting stuck by one of the marshmallow sticks while they pretended to fence with hot pokers.

Lance had stayed with him as they waited to hear the news, staying back at the camp to watch over their shit. Regris shook him and he caught him winking at a girl before turning to Keith.

"See any cute dudes out there man? I mean I'd totally go home with you if I wasn't leaning towards girls right now." He wiggled his brows and Keith scoffed, shoving him off playfully.

"As if I'd ever want you, Reg." He finished his glass and stood. "I gotta take a piss, I'll be back."

Keith left for a moment and when he returned he found a new glass waiting for him and he once again had Vrek by him. Regris had gone back to drinking and the raven raised a brow as he saw the amount of filled shot glasses on the table though they were quickly disappearing. Vrek shrugged, sandy locks swaying a little.

"Dunno, man. Regris wanted them. Said they were gonna do a contest."

Keith took his seat and sipped at his soda, being dragged back into a conversation with the blond. The conversation was easy and as it went on he felt himself relax and he didn't keep as good an eye on his drink as he should have. His soda tasted a bit weird after a bit but he shrugged it off, not thinking much about it until after some time a familiar feeling of euphoria flowed through him. He suddenly jerked his head to stare at Regris, feeling eyes on him. The man was staring at him with a faint smirk and lifted his most recent shot in the raven's direction. Fucker had put alcohol in his drink knowing he was a lightweight.

"What's wrong?" Ilun inquired and Keith growled lightly as he felt dizzy. Shit, he was gonna lose himself if he didn't have anything else. Panic started to settle in so when a waiter passed by with a tall glass of water he snatched it and downed it quickly. He cringed as he felt the burn and paled a little as he pulled away. That hadn't been water.

"Keith?"

"That was vodka."

Ilun gave him a concerned look. "Keith why would you do that?"

"Regris put something in my drink. I thought it was water."

She had a dark look and he didn't like it. "J-just give me a minute… I sh-should be fine…"

He looked for Regris but with the room spinning it was hard. And the more he looked the funnier the room became. Why was it spinning like that? He giggled and was confused when Ilun sent him a concerned look. Why was she so upset?

Regris was there and he frowned. He was mad at him. Why was he mad at him? Right, he gave him alcohol. He looked around, thirsty and picked up a shot despite Ilun's protests. He needed a drink. He downed it quickly and suddenly he had a face full of Vrek. He giggled.

"You're close, Rek."

"Keith, where's your phone? We can't drive and you need to go home."

Home? Why? The room was so colorful and cool and they wanted him to leave? Whatever. He fumbled for his phone and stared at the blurry light before hitting the screen. He batted away the chocolate arm that reached his phone, pouting at Ilun as she tried for it again. No, this was his phone!

"Hello? Lance McClain speaking."

Keith snorted. "Helloooo?"

There was a pause and then hesitantly, "Keith?"

"You come get meee? Rek says I need home and they can't drive. Did you guys lose your cars, I bet you lost your cars or maybe your keys?" He asked them and didn't know why Regris was laughing his ass off but Antok looked ready to hit him.

"Keith, you sound drunk. Where are you?"

"Hey!" He pouted as Antok took the phone. He whined until it was returned to him and then they wouldn't let him drink anymore and then when they wanted him to drink again he refused. He was mad at them. And then he was gazing into gorgeous blue eyes and he could only stare.