(Sorry for my long hiatus. College and work full time has been taxing and free time is a thing of the past! I'll do my best to keep these coming regularly. )

Wednesday, two days before he had to go back home. Keith couldn't shake the dread he felt having to leave with Lance like this. He was carrying a tray of iced coffees towards Lance's room. He saw Pidge and Hunk waving goodbyes on their way out.

"Oh! Hey Keith! That for us?" Hunk asked eyeing the drink carrier with 4 coffees.

"Yeah, Here." Keith smiled holding out the drinks for them to grab theirs. They thanked him excited for the caffeine and said their farewells leaving him alone in the hallway outside of Lance's room. Keith took a deep breath knowing today would be just as awkward and heart breaking as all the others. Lance was scared to be around him and it hurt him deeply that Lance saw him as a threat. He gathered his courage and entered his room after knocking softly. Lance was sitting upright almost back to his normal glow. He broke out into a smile seeing Keith.

'Hey, Man I'm glad you came today. I was worried you wouldn't come back." Keith was a little shocked at Lance's enthusiasm but a smile broke out onto his face his heart swelling with a warmth and relief. Lance didn't hate him anymore. Keith came over and sat down handing the boy a coffee. Lance cried out in joy as he sucked down the iced drink. Keith couldn't contain a small laugh at his reaction. Lance hadn't had coffee since he was in the hospital and it shows. Lance sighed happily and smiled over at Keith his eyes twinkling.

"Feeling better today?" Keith asked unable to stop smiling seeing him look so much better. Lance only nodded through is drink as he let out happy sounds as he sipped his drink.

"I feel better. My therapist gave some trial pills and they're magic. Like, I feel so...light. Like I'm not..scared anymore. It's weird." Lance laughed a bit with a shrug.

"I'm so happy for you. You shouldn't have lived in fear for so long." Keith sipped his own coffee and they sat in a comfortable silence. Lance swirled his straw in his ice chewing his lip.

"I pressed charges." He said his voice soft and Keith looked up surprised. "This morning, I had so many mixed emotions about it. I felt like I was betraying him by giving his name. Dr. Smythe is incredible. He has definitely opened my eyes and I'm so grateful to him. But also to you." Lance looked over at Keith his face serious now. "You literally saved my life Keith." Keith reddened a bit but shook his head slightly the image of Lance's broken naked body on his living room floor flooded into his mind.

"It's my fault you're here. I left you knowing a crazy ex was still out there. " Lance sighed and sat is almost empty cup down and turned to face Keith wincing slightly in the process.

"Lance-" Lance cut him off.

"Keith. If you ever say that again, or even think about blaming yourself I will literally.." he trailed off realizing a death threat even as a joke would be too soon. "I would..uh.. be mad." He finished lamely earning a laugh from Keith. Lance narrowed his eyes a bit and he slightly pouted at being laughed at. Keith pulled his chair up closer before taking one of Lance's hands in his own. Lance didn't seem to mind as he tightened his grip . Keith traced his long slender fingers before leaning down and laying the lightest of kisses on a bruise that was spreading over the top of his hand.

"All better." He said softly sitting up again. Lance had a wide grin and pointed to his arm at another bruise. Keith rolled his eyes but leaned over planting a soft kiss on that one as well.

"And here?" Lance asked tilting his head revealing the worst of them. His whole neck was purple with welts and cuts. Keith felt a pang in his heart and knew no matter how many kisses he put it wouldn't be better. He leaned forward leaving a light trail of kisses over his neck. He pulled back only slightly looking at Lance who was pointing to the corner of his mouth at a small bruise that spread across his lips.

"One more?" He asked wiggling his eyebrows a bit. Keith snorted but leaned in he stopped centimeters away hesitating knowing what has happened to him. He wanted to let Lance have control. Lane leaned forward the rest of the way brushing their lips together with feathery lightness. Keith felt the familiar shock run down his spine like the first time they had kissed in the laser tag arena. Something about his kisses lit him up inside. Lance pulled away is cheeks flushed with a blush but a small smile playing on his lips.

"I feel much better. Thank you." He whispered his voice a little raspy. Keith sat back his own face red and he could feel the tips of his ears burning. "I thought I would reward my knight in shining armor." He said a little louder his voice more confident. Keith rubbed circles gently into Lances palm his heart playing tug of war knowing tomorrow was the last time he'd ever see Lance.

"Lance..I. I don't know if I can leave." it was true. Keith's feelings were so strong towards Lance it would kill him flying half way across the country.

"What? Of course you can. You have a life back home. Trust me, you want to go home. Get away from this." He said motioning around him referring to the situation. Keith just shook his head rubbing his forehead with a sigh. Keith looked up to reply but Lance had closed his eyes his brow furrowed a bit.

"Lance, are you okay?" he asked a little worried. Lance held a hand up reassuringly.

"Yeah yeah, Coran said the pills may make me nauseous while I was getting used to them." Keith coked his head.

"Coran?" Lance opened his eyes and smiled a it.

"Oh right, sorry, My therapist. He's great. He has the best mustache in the entire universe. He's definitely an oddball though." Keith smiled at that and looked over seeing a nurse come in.

"Visiting hours are over. I'm sorry." She said rolling in a cart to get Lance ready for another night. Keith sighed but squeezed Lance's hand once more before standing up.

"I'll see you tomorrow?" Lance asked his voice hopeful. Keith smiled a bit and nodded.

"Of course. Have a good night Lance." He acknowledged the nurse on his way out and his legs felt heavier the further he got away from Lance's room. Man this was going to suck.