My life seems to have spiraled down to a bottomless pit, leaving me with nothing better to do than get Denny's at 2 in the morning alone, still in my Garrison uniform and having the worst mental breakdown of my existence.

The prolonged sip I took of my milk seemed to only mock me for trying to act like nothing was wrong- That I was just a young adult who couldn't sleep and decided to get some early breakfast. Nothing was normal about me and that was a fact.

At least I had Denny's to comfort me in these lonely hours.

This 24/7 pancake house had been a home away from home for many years with my family. Countless times we found ourselves stumbling in here like the dead during the unholy hours of the night, craving multi-layered pancakes and coffee that tended to be 50/50 at times in quality.

Denny's was a sort of safe haven to me. A lot of varying people show up here late at night, so I didn't have to worry about not fitting in.

"Can I get you anything else, sir?" the waitress asked, oddly peppy for it being this early. I shook my head no, but thanked her. Paying the bill, making sure to get out of there before she could really question what a Garrison student was doing out an about, especially past curfew, I scurried outside. I wandered around for a while till dawn eventually broke over the horizon.

No sleep, no shower, no chance in returning to my dorm. My day was starting off great and it wasn't even 8 A.M. yet. The cadets were buzzling, talking without a care in the world. I wished I could be like them and not worry about anything.

In fact, here came one of my biggest anxieties yet.

Keith was storming down the halls, uniform tidy and hair combed back nicely. It was such a contrast to his usually untidy mullet, but definitely not unwelcomed.

Shiro was trailing behind him, most likely having to be the one to wake Keith since I wasn't there to that for himself. Something about Keith was off today, like he was some beast on the prowl.

I soon realized by the way he was looking down the halls and behind students that he was looking for someone. And I'm positive that person is meant to be me.

I duck to the right, running down the hall. Making a break for my class, I slide next to Hunk with a little sigh. He turns to me, raising an eyebrow.

"You okay, man?"

I rub my eyes, nodding. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just a weird night," giving him a small smile, I tilt my head. "Do I smell?"

He leans over to take a whiff, "Nah, not really."

Relieved to hear that I smile, "Can I borrow a pencil and paper?"

"Where is all your stuff?" Hunk handed the requested supplies with a puzzled frown.

"At my dorm."

"You forget them?"

I purse my lips, "Kind off…" it was kind of hard to grab my stuff when your retina's are being engulfed by the essence known as Keith. "I didn't have time to go back and grab them either. Thanks." I lifted the pen with a salute towards him. He grins, shrugged.

Oddly happy when class started, I was grateful for something to distract my thoughts. I took Hunks spaceship designed pencil, which was the cutest thing ever, and started to write down some notes. Halfway through class, my mind wandered for a moment, thinking back to the night before. Back to Keith.

His wonderfully sculpted form, his hair still wet and dripping onto his shoulders. Bi thoughts, how you madden me~

Tapping the end of the pencil to my chin, I don't even realize how I sigh, sounding love struck. I shouldn't be, though… Keith was hot as hell, no one could deny that. His personality was the problem. He was sour, a jerk, and wanted nothing to do with anybody.

Which was a shame, if I was honest, because I think he could get along well with a lot of people if he merely gave them a chance.

This thought upset me through the rest of my classes. I think it was because we were both very similar that it bugged me so much. We both had little interactions with the people around us, and that was because we pushed others away. The difference was, I didn't have a choice about that. Keith did, and he still decided to keep a distance. That made me feel jealous of him, which in turned made me angry with him. He had everything I wanted but still tossed it aside.

I'm not saying the guy has to be a social butterfly, but it would make me feel a little better if he at least tried to put himself out there and make friends. It just felt like a waste to close himself off the way he does.

When the final bell rang, Hunk leaned over to me. "You sure you're okay, man?"

I nod my head, tired. "I'm okay. I should go get some lunch."

"Wanna borrow my notebook?" he holds it out to me. "I won't use it the rest of the day."

Definitely knowing I wouldn't remember my next classes without some notes, I take it gratefully. "Thanks." I get up and tuck the notebook under my arm. With a grin at Hunk I walked towards the door. Just as I gripped the door handle, the second door on the other side of the room swung open.

It hit the wall with a heavy bang, catching the attention of everyone in the room. I felt the blood drain from my face when I realized it was Keith. His eyes were narrowed, scanning the room.

"Where is Lance?" He took a few steps in before he spotted me. He lifted a finger. "Don't you dare move!" he commanded. Like anyone in their right mind would actually listen to him! I was booking it out of there the second the words left his lips. "Hey!" Keith was in hot pursuit after me.

Students ducked out of my way when I screamed in terror. Keith wasn't far behind, losing ground from the advantage of my longer legs. Taking a sharp left turn, I attempted to escape through the more abandoned hallways. Of course this felt like a bad idea by just how empty it was, leaving me in the open for Keith's eyes to lock to track my every move.

Knowing I need to get out of his line of sight, I ducked around another corner. I could hear his footsteps barreling after me, getting closer with each passing second. Taking a chance, I reached for the nearest locker. Since hardly any classes were down here, all the lockers were unlocked.

Tossing the door open, I stuffed myself into it, glad it was one of the more full body lockers. It gave me this severe sense of deja vu, except usually I was unwillingly being stuffed into one of these. Ah high school, good times.

Wait, what was I doing? I had no time to be recalling terrible childhood memories. I had a psycho on my tail!

Making sure to stay perfectly still, I covered my mouth to still my breathing. Keith came running by a moment later, his black hair flashing through the slight cuts into the locker door.

A few more steps and he stopped, as if he were confused he had lost me so easily. I could hear him panting, his voice heavy. It was kind of enticing to hear him so out of breath.

"Lance!" he called down the hall. As if he expected me to reply like some idiot, he clicked his teeth when he heard nothing. The seconds passed agonizingly slow, and for a moment I was worried Keith would be able to hear my heartbeat through the locker.

When he didn't, he turned and eventually sauntered back to the main hall, giving up the search for now. When I knew he was gone, I slouched back against the far wall of locker, exhaling. Did he seriously come to my class to look for me? I hadn't even realized he knew what classes I had!

Though if I think about it, it probably wasn't because Keith paid attention to me, but rather that all first years had to take the same courses. So he probably just recalled what he took the year before and went off of that to locate me.

Which was great, and if that wasn't enough, now the whole school knows that their star student is out for my blood! That didn't help me in trying to stay low. I was gonna be the talk of the school!

The only question though, was what exactly was Keith hunting me down for? Was it the fact that I barged into him dressing and he wants to beat me up for it? Or was it to question how my ears had pointed up the other night? As terrible as it sounded, for me that is, I hoped it was the first option.

I'm half tempted to just stay inside this locker forever. It could be my new dorm. It fit me well, and yeah I couldn't move around that much, but I could probably learn how to sleep standing up. This could be my life now. Lance the upright bat. I'll just change my skin color, change my wardrobe to black, and get those toy vampire teeth to fit the image.

No, that wouldn't do. As easy as it could be to just stay here forever, my Father's words echoed in my head. 'Never run from fear. Face it head on!"

Of course, that sounded a lot more encouraging as a child. I definitely didn't want to be Lance the bat. I was exhausted, and wanted to sleep in my actual bed. If this was just about Keith being pissed about seeing him nude, then I could take it. If it was about the other thing, well, I'll make something up. Tell him I don't know what he is talking about and say he is crazy.

That would work. Probably. Or I would die. I would probably die.

I let several hours pass before I even dared to return to my dorm room. With some serious mental discussion, I came to terms with the fact that today would be my last day in this world. My life was over, as far as I could tell.

Keith would either kill me or dissect me. Wait that is both technically just offing me, so no matter what happened, I was dead.

I wrote my Will on a napkin I took from the cafeteria. It felt rather classy and poetic despite the mustard stain on the corner. My clothes would go to my brother to grow into. My hair products would also go to my brother, including my facial cream. Honestly, most of my things were going to my brother, but I left my sister with my old music player.

It is probably the only thing she would take an interest in any way.

With a death march back to my dorm, I stood before the door for a long time. Taking a deep breath, I turned the door handle and braced myself. When I stepped inside, the reaper was already waiting for me.

Keith was there and turned towards me. He blinked once, then twice, each flutter of those long eyelashes doing horrible things to my heart.

"Get your crap out of my space," he kicked my shirt over the line. Going about his business, he ignored me. Wait, wasn't he mad?

"Um…" I cleared my throat. He doesn't even glance at me, ignoring me as he always did. I took this as a sign to enter, cautiously moving to my bed. I changed into my pajamas, brushed my teeth- it was just a normal night.

Perhaps I had overreacted? Even if he had somehow managed to see my ears point and make sense that they had done that, what would he have even done?

So death was something to be set for another day? Was I saved?

Keith made a move to his small desks pushed to the side of the wall. I watched him, noting how he reached for his binder. Then, he surprised me when he suddenly snagged his hand out to the door, locking it. He dropped his hand and turned to me, eyes steely.

"I have some questions about earlier, Lance." his plan is revealed. It was a trap! I was played!

Officially busted, he had cornered me, luring me in with a false sense of security. It was both brilliant and cruel.

"Q-Questions?" I ask him, my voice at an octave that was not helping me in the long run. "Oh you mean about walking in without knocking? That was my bad. I didn't see anything though! I mean, I saw a lot- you could say I saw literally everything, but you don't have to worry I won't bring it up. And you have a great body! I mean- not that I would know. You just seem like you do. Do you work out?"

"Lance, shut up." Keith grumbled, cutting off my babbling. I promptly closed my mouth, nodding. "I don't care about that. I'm talking about what happened with your ears."

"My ears?" I laugh nervously, "Nothing happened with them. Why would you ask that? That is a strange thing to ask." My stomach felt like it was lodged in my throat, stopping me from breathing.

"They changed." he continues, unwavering in his goal to uncover the truth. "They pointed outward."

I'm shaking my head, "That would be super weird. They didn't do that. Aren't you weird? Super weird. I'm going to go to bed now." I even knew my voice sounded like I was avoiding the topic. This only spurred Keith on more, stepping over the line and onto my side of the room. I began to panic as he got closer to my bed.

When he set his knee down on the mattress, crawling towards me, I scrambled backward. My back hit the wall, but Keith kept coming. Closer and closer, dangerously close in my personal space.

I could smell him. He had just recently taken a shower. The smell of the soap was so intense. Then there were his eyes~ They were almost purple, a deep violet color that had me spiraling.

"D-Dude, what are you doing?" I stammer.

I inhaled sharply when he leaned in, his hand slamming against the wall by the side of my head. My mind was working into overdrive. My own thoughts shot back a forth; Keith, my secret, Keith is super close, stay normal, Keith's muscles, don't change, he smells amazing, he'll think you're weird!

By reflex, my hands shot up to cover my secret, the stress of the situation making them creep forth. Keith leaped at the action, grabbing my wrists.

"Let me see!"

"No!" I shrieked. It was too late and my hands were forcefully ripped from my head and held outward. Keith was the first outside my family that night to bare witness to my change. My ears pointed, my hair changed silver, and the marks traced my body.

His mouth falls open, and he gasps, "What the….?!" whatever he had expected to see, this wasn't it. I suddenly felt terrified, wanting to cry, or bury myself under a rock to never be seen again.

"Please," I beg him, delirious with fear, "Please keep this a secret!"

"What even are you?" he questions me, his voice so soft that I almost didn't hear the question. Slowly he retracts his hands from my wrists and sits back on his heels. He takes in the sight, noting every detail. I expected disgust or repulsion but, he stared at me with nothing but curiosity and amazement.

I pant harshly, not sure how to answer,

"I-I don't know," I admit. Seeing an excited spark in his eyes, he leans forward to ask a few questions.

"Do you always do this? How do you do it? Does your hair always change colors like that?" his eyes fill with this childlike wonder and his cheeks flushed.

I was dumbfounded, not even sure where to begin. "K-Kind of?"

"But your ears change. Your hair too! What are these?" his finger graze the mark under my eye. I reel back, the touch making my cheeks flame.

"T….They are the only things that do that." I pause, "Wait no- I mean, I can change colors."

"You can change colors?!" he repeats, officially hooked. Keith had never taken such an interest in me before, and I would have felt embarrassed at the attention, if it didn't' feel more like I was just some strange creature to him than a person. He looked like he had just found the cryptid he had so desperately been searching his entire life for.

"Yes…." I nod.

"How many?!"

I shrug, nibbling my lower lip. "I-I dunno, I've never tried to figure that out." I honestly assumed I could turn into any color so long as I had the look of it clear in my mind.

"This- This is incredible!" Keith ran a hand through his hair. He scrambled backward to grab a journal he kept under his pillow. Flipping to a clean page he clicked open his pen and looked up at me, ready for… something.

To talk, I suppose. He wanted me to just explain to him every little weird thing about me. I admit to feeling lost, having expected so many different types of reactions to someone discovering my secret. So I told him whatever I could.

The following hours were filled with questions, asking about what I could do, how far my abilities went, and if there were others like me.

"Where did you come from?" It was drawing late into the night, and Keith showed no signs of stopping.

I already felt exhausted. I'm struggling through this interrogation. Two all-nighters were not good for my complexion. Aware of this, I push through, afraid that at any moment Keith could decide to go reveal to the entire Garrison what I am.

"I don't know," I tell him.

"You don't?"

"No, I don't. Is that everything you wanted to ask?" I grumbled, rubbing my eyes tiredly.

"What about your family? Can they all do this?"

"No."

"Then just you?"

"Just me." I nod.

"That's weird." He writes it down regardless. "Some strange genetic fluctuation during pregnancy…?" he mutters to himself. I stare at him, the scribbling of his pencil make anger boil in my stomach. "Did your Mom come into contact with any kind of radiation or something? Do drugs?"

"Geez, Keith. No, she didn't."

"Then how is this like this?" he looks at me, curious, but pushing it. "How did you end up like this?"

"I don't know," I say each word slowly, my teeth grinding together.

"There is no way you couldn't know! You are the one like this, aren't you?" he demands.

"That's like asking why you have black hair, Keith!" I raise my voice a little, "It's black because it just is. I'm like this because I just am."

"That doesn't make any sense." he shakes his head. "You have to be this way for a reason. I just want to know the reason for how you became like this!"

"I don't know!" I yell, my patience wearing thin and my ears popping out before I can stop them, "I don't know anything, Keith. I was just born this way. My parents found me on the side of the road with no family, no explanation- just questions. Questions and questions about who I am, why I'm here- why I was just left on the side of the road!? Who are my real parents?! Where are they now?! Did they mean to lose me? Did they…" I cut off when tears prick my eyes and turn away.

For the first time that night, Keith was at a loss for words. He lowers the journal in his hands "I…" he swallows. Eyes larger than I had ever seen them, they filled with emotion. He looked away for a moment. "You were adopted…? Your family isn't-" he motioned to the picture of them on my bedside table. I take it into my hands, and sigh. I hand it to him to look at and nod.

"I look a lot like them, right?" I say, my voice weak. "They said when they found me, I changed to look that way. Maybe to protect myself or something. I don't even know if this color-" I motion to my skin, "Hell, I might normally be purple or something and my body is just staying this color to protect itself like some animal. Or maybe I don't even have a normal color to be?" the thought hadn't crossed my mind till then. It was hard to even admit.

Keith's eyes meet mine. His gaze softens, and it hurts to look at. Hurts to see him somehow understand how I feel. Not that anyone could, not really. Not able to stare long, I glance at the clock. It's 5 Am. We were up all night talking about this crap, and it was way too late to go to bed. Classes started in two hours.

"Hey," Keith says. When I look at him he falters. It was strange, seeing Keith Kogane of all people struggle to find the right words. He settles with, "Do you want to get breakfast?"

Not expecting him to offer, I nod slowly, "Breakfast sounds great," The walk down to the cafeteria was suffocating and silent. I could feel Keith's eyes peek at me now and then. When we walked in, no one else was there.

The workers who made the food didn't even seem to be in yet. I sigh, falling back on my heels. "So much for that."

"Well don't give up just like that." Keith shakes his head. He leads me out of the cafeteria and right off of campus. We don't walk far before the familiar glow of Denny's comes into view. I look at Keith in surprise when he opens the door for me.

"You come here a lot…?"

His smile is small, but there, "When I need to think or be alone." We got a table for two and sat towards the back, away from the other early birds that had come there that morning.

We were painfully quiet, staring at everything but each other. I stab my food when it arrives, feeling less hungry now that we were here.

Keith seemed to be working up the nerve to say something and eventually met my gaze.

"Sorry if I stepped too far." his voice is too gentle, and I almost can't believe it's him.

Never expecting him to apologize, I swallow, "Oh…"

"I just got excited. This kind of thing, as you know, is what I obsess over." he sniffs, rubbing his nose, "I didn't know about your parents..." I don't say anything, so he continues, "I understand. I um… I lost my dad when I was young. I went from foster home to foster home for a long time till Shiro's family took me in. I never got to meet my Mom so…"

I wasn't sure if I should tell him I was sorry to hear that or just keep my mouth shut.

It was strange seeing the gentle and understanding side of him. He never talked about himself, and this felt like a very intimate kind of thing to tell someone. From what I could tell, especially with the way he brushed his thumb against his fingers. like he was self-comforting himself, Keith probably hasn't told anyone about this.

"Didn't mean to make you upset." he finished, voice gruff.

Twirling my fork, I lean back. Taking a second to think this over, I tell him, "It's okay." When he lifts his eyebrows, as if surprised I forgave him, I add, "My family are the only ones who know about my secret. It's kind of this big relief to finally tell someone about it, you know? I just wasn't expecting so many questions so fast. I still have no idea if you are even going to tell people."

He nods, "I'm no snitch. You don't have to worry about me telling anyone."

"Really?" I gasp.

"We all got our own shit going on. This is just your version of it." he lifts his gaze, smirking, "But you gotta answer my questions honestly,"

"You still got more? After Seven hours you still have more questions." I couldn't believe him. He nods, and I know he is serious. We ended up talking for a while longer, even as the pancake house started to fill up with for their normal breakfast times. We must have been there for a while.

"We should head back." Keith glanced at the time. Paying for the food himself, we walked back side by side, the chatter small between us, but it was at least something. Perhaps I wasn't exactly correct before.

Keith could be a jerk, but there was a sweet side to him under all of that.

"Keith?"

"Yeah?"

I smile, "Thanks."

Before he can reply, there is a loud voice booming ahead of us.

"Keith!" Turning, I was surprised to see Takashi Shirogane coming our way….THE TAKASHI SHIROGANE!? My eyes widened like saucers as he drew closer, my heart racing.

He approaches us when we get close to the classrooms, patting Keith on the back. His smile is bright and caring. "You ready for the Southern course today in the simulator? I heard you are first up to try it."

Keith nods, smiling, "It'll be a piece of cake."

Shiro laughs. It's sweet, like the kind of laugh that warmed the hearts of anyone who heard it. I felt my own heart melting, my anxiety washing away and covered with this security blanket. I felt like I was listening to my own Father laugh.

"Um…" Not meaning to speak up, I tensed when Shiro turned my way. His eyes trailed me up and down before he titled his head.

"Who's this?" Shiro inquired, motioning to me. I pale, swallowing thickly. Tongue tied, I struggle to answer.

Keith answered for me, "This is Lance, my roommate."

"Oh! Your roommate." he smiles.

"N-Nice to meet you! S-Sir! You- I-" the nervous laughter that bubbled from my chest was very unwelcomed. Shiro chuckled, taking my hand and giving it a good shake.

"Nice to meet you, Lance. You enjoying Garrison?"

I stammer, probably looking like a tomato, "Yes sir."

"Glad to hear that! Hope Keith here isn't causing you too much trouble." he ruffles Keith's hair. He grumbles, knocking his hand away and glancing at me.

"We're managing," I say, because that felt like the truth. I couldn't call us friends, even after what happened recently, but I think we were at least a little closer than we were before.

Shiro nods then does something I do not expect, especially from someone like him.

"Please take care of my brother," Shiro bows to me respectively. I tense, every eye in the area looking in my direction like I was some great spectacle. Takashi Shirogane was bowing to me after all.

Keith is groaning and pleading him to stop, "You are so embarrassing."

"It's called being respectful," Shiro corrects, standing straight. He gives me another assuring smile. "Well, I have to get going. I'll see you both around."

Keith waves casually and I attempt to do the same, or even give a charming smile back, but I end up just snorting and laughing awkwardly, wiggling my fingers at him. My grumpy roommate rolled his eyes in response.

"Can you not do that? You'd think you worshiped the guy or something."

Heck, I just might!

With a chuckle, I turn to look at Keith. I felt a little lighter, like this Garrison thing wasn't going to be as bad as I thought. "I should probably get going."

He nods, "Me too. See you later…?"

"Yeah." I smile. "I still have to answer your questions."

The smirk he gives makes my knees buckle, "Hell ya you do."

Stumbling away, running into a trash can, I laugh nervously. Keith watches me, looking confused but amused as I fuddle my way out of the conversation. "B-Byeeee." Drawing that out longer than necessary, I scrambled to my next class, once again without my school supplies. When I sit down, Hunk is grabbing my shoulders, looking worried.

"Did he do anything to you?"

Confused, I tilt my head, "Huh?"

"Keith!" Hunk says, turning me around to check for injuries. "He came screaming after you yesterday and I didn't see you the rest of the day to make sure you were okay." worry pooled in his eye. "Is he bullying you? Is he being mean?" he tightened his grip. It felt... protective. "If he is, you just say the word and I'll make him stop."

I gawk at this teddy bear, "You'll make him stop?"

He falters for a moment, "Well, I mean, I'll try. No, no, I will! I won't let him mess with my friend." he assured me.

Touched, I smile at him, patting his hands. "It's okay, buddy," I tell him. I felt so happy to have a friend looking out for me like this. "We talked and worked it out. There is nothing to worry about."

"You sure?"

I nod. "Yup! But uh-" I grin sheepishly, "I do need to borrow a pencil and paper again~"

"Again?" he snorts, handing me the supplies. "I think you need to glue your supplies to your back, Lance."

"I'll take that into consideration."

WHOOP~ What a ride~~~

I hope you all enjoyed this chapter! For those waiting for them to head into space, I'm sorry to say, they might not be doing that for a while. There is something they gotta do on Earth first before they find those Lions~

And that involves helping out a certain fella by the name, Matt Holt~ Who we will see in the next chapter~!

REVIEWS:

Azun26: Yes Keith! Notice Lance since you are technically Lance's senpai~ THANK YOU! It is super hard to find someone to write with ;-; Friend, if you are ever looking though, I'd love to attempt some writing time with you~

Guest: You are definitely right! I have so many things to update and so little time! But somehow I managed to update this one again? Whatever! Thank you so much for the review!

: Aww, thank you! Don't you worry friend! Pidge will start showing themselves A LOT more now~

Resa: So many things will be happening, I assure you~~

Adrianna Agray: I really do! I don't know why, but I just love to mess with Lance. I hardly mess with any of the other character, but MAN I sure do love to tease our poor blue paladin XD

HibinoMirai: Keith keith. What are we gonna do with that oblivious boy~ Thank you so much for liking and reviewing this story! It means the world to me!

Ewink18: Thank you! You are always so sweet Ewink. But oh boy, do not even get me started about season 4~ There is so much for me to say. I both loved and hated it. Not in a bad way though for the hate XD Hate cause I want more~~~! I wish we saw Keith more of course. I felt like we built his character up a lot in season 3 becoming the black paladin, just for him to not be there at all 0.0 Which was sad. But Allura was amazing! Coran doing weird space drugs is hilarious XD

And I'm still convinced Shiro is a sleeper agent clone dude... Or is the real Shiro, but still a sleeper agent that got brainwashed and doesn't even realize it. Like, I think he subconsciously does things to put the team in jeopardy, yet still acts completely as Shiro does, so the team doesn't even pick up on it. Like during the last episode when lance wanted to get off the planet, but Shiro held off cause he wanted to see what was up. Stuff like that. He fully and truly believe he is Shiro, so the others do too. Which is also why I think Black lets him pilot, but didn't at first. Knew he wasn't Shiro, but Black saw that it was still kind of Shiro deep down, so eventually let him in. Stuff like that.

That was long XD I'm sorry.

Melancholy's Sunshine: Man I really love you fanfiction name~ It just rolls off my tongue~ Melancholy's sunshine~ Anyway, you my friend, are very spot on in what happened~ XD