Chapter Three - Searching Hearts

That night when Keith got home, Adam was already working on dinner. He made teriyaki chicken with rice, and let him tell you, Adam makes amazing teriyaki chicken. He makes delicious homemade soy sauce with a touch of sugar and it's to die for. Keith thinks it only turned out bad once because he mistook salt for the sugar.

Anyways, they ate dinner, Keith let Kosmo out for one more quick walk and then retired to his room for the night. Shutting his door, Kosmo flopped down on Keith's bed and burrowed himself under the covers like he always did.

Keith let out a giggle and pet him, then plopped down in his desk chair. It was that time of night for Keith, finally having some alone to draw, be himself.

Shiro and Adam knew his skills and passion, so they always left him be when he starts to paint or sketch. Tonight, he felt like sketching, so he fished in his messy desk drawer for his pencil and sketchbook, and started when he found it.

Drawing had always been a calming nature for Keith. When he was little, he dreamed of going to a perfect art college and pursue it. He could draw for hours on end, and never get bored. Sure, he'd get small aches in his hands and such, but it never bothered him. He just kept drawing. When he first came out as trans, things were bad. His grandma and his grandpa -- may he Rest In Peace -- on his dad's side were the worst of it. They were a more... traditional. And homophobic. Very homophobic. They definitely had it out for Shiro when he came out as gay. They were even more furious for Keith that he was a trans man and gay. Let's just say, they weren't too happy. And things only got worse when his grandpa passed from a heart attack, and grandma had blamed it on Shiro and Keith from the "stress."

So, Keith just drew. He drew his emotions and feelings. Trying to pass time that part of his family was blaming him on a death. It always helped. And whenever Keith gets too stressed, he draws. Like right now. He's stressed, because his mother and father are in the hospital. That's why he's with Shiro. Because he couldn't save his parents from an accident and it's tearing him apart. He won't show it to others, only on paper.

When he moved in with Shiro and Adam a few weeks ago, he had started to draw in a notebook his father gave him before the accident. It was half way full now, small doodles here are there. It was his personal one, didn't let anyone see his sketches, not even Shiro. Only really Kosmo. Because Keith knows he won't tell anyone or show anyone. Keith finds himself telling Kosmo a lot of things. Probably because he's a dog and he won't tell his secrets. He always liked dogs better than cats, probably because they were so loyal. Keith was also allergic to cats. They're so... how does he put it? Strange? Clingy? Annoying? The purring was definitely annoying.

Keith sighed and dropped his head on the desk. He hears Kosmo shift on his bed, letting out a small huff. He's asleep, Keith thought. Keith pushed back on the wheels of his chair and scratched Kosmo's ears. Smiling to himself, he thought again, Yeah. Idefinitely like dogs better.

~~~

Lance hates school. Despises it. Though he's sure everyone hates it -- except for Hunk. Hunk is his bestest friend, has been since 4th grade, when Lance accidentally spilled his gourmet hotdog all over him in the cafeteria, different sauces splattered on his expensive uniform. Lance had apologized a million times for it, but Hunk always brushed him off, saying he was fine and it wasn't a big deal. Lance always admired him for that. He was so kind and bright and bubbly. Hunk's always been that way, just easy to talk to and hang with. That's one reason he loves him to death.

Another reason is because he's incredibly smart and helps him with homework, just like now.

"Lance," Hunk says slowly. "You wanna carry this, over here." He says pointing to the number. "Then put this here."

"Ok.. ok..." Lance trailed off, thinking. Then he groaned. "Why is math so hard."

"You're just making it hard." Hunk scowled.

"Ugh." Lance groaned again. "It makes no sense though."

"It would if you actually paid attention." Hunk stated.

"Point there." Lance mumbled, setting his head down on Hunk's desk. They had agreed to do homework at Hunk's house and then watch a movie, mostly because all of his siblings and his father were home. Kray McClain liked Hunk, he just didn't appreciate him in his house. Kray only allowed Allura in the house, and sometimes Hunk if he was in the mood.

Hunk's moms were always so sweet and welcoming to Lance, so he found himself there a lot. And Lance just like having his moms' food. Of course there was nothing wrong with his meals at home, it was just that Hunk's moms had a different type of cooking style than Millie and Alexis, the McClain's personal chefs. Sara and Ella were Hunk's parents, they looked just like him, only less bulky, hence where he got his nickname. Sara has the same olive skin as Hunk, with pretty hazel eyes and black hair. Ella has peach skin with dark brown eyes and chestnut hair. They always looked so perfect together and the way they cooked was astounding. Ella and Sara were even thinking of opening a cafe, the Garret Diner. Lance would want to go there for lunch every day when it opened.

"-ance?"

Hunk's voice snapped him back to reality. Lance hummed in response, looking up at Hunk.

"You ok? You zoned out for a few minutes." He asked, concern coating his tone.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just tired." Lance answered.

Hunk sighed. "Alright."

There was a knock at the door, then in came Sara, smiling. "Hey boys, some coffee cake is ready."

"Awww, yes. Thanks ma." Hunk said, already starting to drool.

"Thanks Mrs. Garret." Lance smiled back.

"Oh, Lance, just Sara is fine." Sara told him.

Lance nodded, and Sara took that as a signal to let them be, shutting the door behind her. Lance started packing up his school books, and setting them neatly in his school bag. "Alright," Lance said standing up. "Who's ready for delicious Coffee cake."

~~~

Hello! So sorry it's late, thing have been so very hectic and I never got the chance to finish Wednesday or yesterday. Have this update, and we finally get some of Keith's past and his artistic skills! Also Sara and Ella, Hunk's moms, are so cool.

Anyway, bye