Neither boy spoke for the first few minutes. Keith turned and locked the door not allowing anyone to interrupt them.

"Who did that to you? Did he do that?" Keith asked coming up to the boy. Lance averted his gaze feeling hot and tingly at being caught. Keith reached out for his shirt but Lance stepped back out of habit. Keith ignored it and pulled up his shirt eyeing the injuries. He brushed his fingers over the long raised red welts.

"How can you let him do this to you?" Keith asked unable to comprehend how Lance could let this happen. Lance pulled his shirt down and turned away unable to see Keith's expressions anymore.

"Those are old.." He started but Keith interrupted him before he could finish.

"Lance, I'm not stupid. You're clearly in pain just from the way you walked in here." Keith grabbed some paper towels and soaked them in cold water. "Come here" Keith said his tone more assertive then he meant bur he was glad when Lance came over and lifted his shirt revealing his torn up back. Keith gently pressed the cold towels to his skin getting a small whimper out of Lance. Keith continued working, re soaking the towels every so often. Lance had to admit it helped the burning pain.

"Thank you" Lance said but Keith just shook his head slightly his stomach rolling after what Lance has gone through.

"Don't. I'm just as mad at you as I am him." Keith said throwing away the soiled towels after finishing. Lance pulled his shirt down before facing Keith. "You know what he does to you yet you stay. Why?"

"He's not a bad guy.. He just has a bad temper some days.." Lance said rubbing his arm nervously. It was true,Shiro had his good days. Yeah he was usually drunk during those days but it was good nonetheless. Lance clung to those and ignored the bad days even though it was bad 99% of the time.

"It doesn't matter Lance. It doesn't matter what you do, no one should ever lay a hand on you, especially to this degree. Your back is shredded. I can't imagine the pain of just wearing a shirt! You can't let this happen anymore." Keith ran a hand through his hair frustrated at Lance's stubbornness.

"That's the thing though. Once you hit rock bottom all you can do is go up. Things will get better." Lance assured having told himself that for months now.

"This, is not rock bottom. This is just the start. Rock bottom is when he sends you to the hospital or worse, you end up fucking dead Lance. That is rock bottom. And I am not allowing that to happen. I'm not letting you see him again and if he tries to contact you I am getting the cops involved." Lance's face dropped at that.

"No, no no Keith you can't. You really can't." Keith shook his head not caring anymore. "I love him1 It'll be fine!"

"You're scared of him! There is a huge difference!" Keith just wanted to grab him and hug him and show him he deserved so much more but Lance was being stupid so he had the bigger urge to lap some sense into him. "Please, you have to realize he is toxic. I know you're scared but if we just stick together it'll be fine. Don't you want that?" Keith watched the boy in front of him wipe at his eyes trying to contain his tears.

"I.. I" Lance was lost for words his heart tearing into pieces. He hated Shiro for what he has done to him but he hasn't loved someone so much even if things have gotten bad. Keith pulled Lance into a hug careful to avoid the hurt areas, which was hard. Lance melted into a puddle of tears burying his face in Keith's shoulder.

They stayed in the bathroom for almost an hour before finally unlocking the door and walking out. They had agreed Lance would come stay with Keith that night while they sorted everything.

"I have to go and grab my things but I will meet you once I am finished." Keith didn't like it and wanted to go with but Lance denied it.

"Shiro is out at work, I will be in and out and he won't know." Lance said as they got in the car. Keith dropped him off at the same corner he had picked him up at that morning.

"I will see you soon Lance. " Keith said watching him go.

Keith returned to his hotel room and started making room for Lance's things. He started throwing sheets on the couch making a bed deciding to give Lance the king in the bedroom. He sat down on the chair and waited by his phone for a call from Lance for a ride.

Lance snuck into the house sighing in relief seeing Shiro was probably still sleeping of his hangover from the night before. Lance went into the kitchen and started making some coffee. He looked out the window while it brewed lost in thought. He wanted to go to Keith and accept his help but he knew he couldn't leave Shiro. There was no way. The sun crossed the sky and now was setting. Lance had missed several calls from Keith and was finally brave enough to call him.

"Thank god Lance! Are you okay? Are you ready?" Keith asked relieved to hear his voice.

"Keith.. I can't leave." He said before hanging up.