Keith was walking into the entrance of the hospital one hand holding an iced coffee, the other a big bouquet of blue orchids. Keith hoped Lance knew how hard it was to find orchids let alone blue ones. He hoped he loved them. Orchids were Lance's favorite so of course Keith had to track some down. This was their last day together and he deserved more than flowers but Keith didn't have anymore time. It broke his heart to leave especially with Lance still recovering but his father hadn't given him a choice. Keith hesitated hearing that Hunk and Pidge were already in his room and they were all laughing about something. It was so good to hear Lance's laugh again. He didn't seem right without a smile and that twinkle in his eye. Keith took a deep breath before pushing the door open and entering the room. The laughter died down seeing him but Lance grinned even wider.
"There you are! I was wondering if you'd show up!" He exasperated earning an eye roll from Keith.
"It's 9 am. Visiting hours only started an hour ago." He said with a small smile. "I got you these.." he said holding out the flowers. Lance's eyes widened and he practically squealed holding his hands out.
"Keith.. they're beautiful1 How did you even find these?" He said twisting the flowers admiring them. Keith sat the coffee down on his bedside table before pulling up a chair next to Pidge.
"I knew some people." he shrugged not wanting Lance to feel bad with how much effort it took, he deserved it. Lance couldn't stop smiling as he twirled them in his hands. Keith was rummaging through a plastic bag he had been carrying and pulled out a vase. He went to the bathroom and filled it up bringing it back and placing it on the table. Lance handed off the flowers so Keith could put them in their new vase. Lance noticed the ice coffee and groaned a thank you as he swooped it up and sucking half of it down instantly. Keith snorted a bit at his enthusiasm but sat down again. Pidge and Hunk had been chatting quietly amongst themselves but stood shortly after Keith had sat down.
"We are going to go grab some breakfast, want anything?" Hunk asked directing the question at both Lance and Keith.
"No thank you." Keith said and Lance chewed his lip thinking.
"Can I get some more of those tapioca puddings? " He asked and with a thumbs up Pidge and Hunk were gone leaving the two boys alone. Lance swirled his straw in the ice as he stayed quiet nt knowing what to say. He didn't want Keith to leave but knew Keith was going to.
"How are you feeling today?" Keith asked breaking the silence. He hated seeing how sad Lance got so suddenly.
"I'm okay.. Just tried of laying in bed." Lance offered a small smile before playing in the ice again. "You excited to go back home?" He asked. Keith noticed a different tone in his voice but couldn't make out what it was.
"Not really. I hate that I have to leave so soon." He answered, it was true. No point in lying at this point. Lance sat his coffee down and shifted so he could look at Keith better.
"I'm okay. I'll be fine." He smiled again this one a little more convincing. "We have each other's numbers, we can Skype. It'll be like you never left." Keith smiled and reached out to take one of Lance's hands.
"I know. I just.. I don't want to be gone in case-" Lance cut him off.
"He's not coming back Keith." Keith sighed running his free hand through his hair.
"I..I wasn't there last time and this happened. I hate that I'm leaving you vulnerable again." Lance looked at him for a few seconds before letting go of his hand. Lance scooted over to the far side of the bed and patted the now empty half.
"Come here. Lay with me." He said and Keith was shocked. He stood up and kicked off his shoes before gently laying beside the boy careful not to tug on any wires. The two laid on their sides facing each other Lance's cheeks slowly pinking up.
"You know it wasn't your fault, you can not keep blaming yourself." Lance said his voice barely above a whisper. Keith closed his eyes the images of what he had walked into that day forever staining his conscious.
"I thought you were dead.. I really really did Lance. I..couldn't move. Or breath. Or.. you were just..laying there." Keith barely got out before his throat tightened. His eyes stung but he willed his tears to go away. No way was he letting Lance be stronger than him. He opened his eyes feeling fingers brush his cheeks. Lance wiped away the few tears that had escaped with a small smile.
"I'm not though. I'm here and I'm okay" Lance took Keith's hand and lightly placed it over his own chest. Keith felt his strong heartbeat from beneath the thin hospital gown and could feel his mind easing. The two just laid in silence staring at each other as if one of them would disappear if they blinked. It had been such a short trip but he knew the first day he had seen Lance that he would become something in his life, he just wished it had been under different circumstances. He never meant to let lance in so much knowing he would be leaving but Lance just wiggled his way in. Hunk and Pidge came back but stopped seeing they were obviously having a moment. The two stepped away and waited outside letting them be alone. Keith wasn't sure how long it ad been but he heard a light tap on the door. Both boys looked over as a nurse walked in with an apologetic smile.
"Sorry to bother, it's time for your charts." Keith sat up and scooted off the bed giving Lance room to get comfortable again. Lance wiggled into a sitting position his body stiff but most of the pain had left by this point. The nurse went around checking the monitors as well as the IVs making sure they hadn't been bumped.
"Everything looks good, how are you feeling? Have you eaten yet?" She asked while filling out a chart quickly.
Pidge stuck her head in holding up pudding cups.
"Breakfast is right here!" She smiled and the other two walked in. Pidge tossed Lance his three pudding cups before siting in her chair again. Hunk took his spot and started nibbling on his muffin quietly. Keith watched Lance's face light up as he peeled back the lid of the pudding.
"Thanks guys." He murmured before scooping the pudding into his mouth. "I'm feeling just as well as I did t 5ams check up." He smiled as he took another bite. The nurse smiled and sat a small paper cup of pills down before saying her farewells and exiting. Keith glanced over and was happy to see the amount of pills was down by half. That was good news, it meant he was getting better. The friends ate their breakfast chatting away but Keith was in his head not hearing most of their conversations.
"Heyy? Keith? Buddy?" Lance's voice snapped him out of his daze and he looked up seeing three sets of confused eyes on him.
"Hey.. Sorry." Keith shifted in his seat nervously under their gazes.
"I was just asking if you wanted to come with us on our walk?" Lance asked motioning to a wheelchair the nurse had brought in. Keith must have really been out of it not to have noticed.
"Yeah.. Sounds good." Lance grinned and was obviously excited to get out of the bed. Hunk came over and carefully lifted Lance from the bed. Pidge was in charge of his mobile Ivs. Lance grumbled something about being able to walk on his own but Hunk ignored him before gently placing him in the wheelchair but not before Keith got a peek at his alien boxers he was sporting under his gown. How Lance of him.
"I'll push." Keith offered and stood up. The other two didn't mind and Hunk grabbed the door letting Keith wheel out Lance Pidge close behind.
"Can we go on the garden walk again?" Lance asked looking back at Hunk who shrugged.
"Sure! " Keith had no idea where the garden was but he let Hunk lead the way. Keith had expected a real garden outside but they came to a glass hallway that overlooked a huge garden behind the hospital. They weren't allowed outside yet but Lance seemed content with just staring at it from above. It was a pretty sight and there was a fountain and everything. The four gazed out the large window watching the birds go on about their morning and the squirrels sneaking around. Lance seemed to be in his head his arm propped up on the arm of the chair his chin resting on his knuckles. The rest of their day consisted of hospital adventures down random hallways, pictures, and embarrassing stories. Keith glanced at his phone and felt his heart grow heavy seeing it was already almost seven. Visiting hours were almost over and then he would have to leave and probably never see Lance again. They helped Lance settle back in before Pidge and Hunk gave Keith a warm farewell embrace. Hunk was in tears saying he would miss him so much. Keith just smiled and patted his back telling him it was gong to be okay. After the two said goodbyes they headed out again leaving Keith alone with Lance.
'Can you help me stand up?" Lance asked already swinging his legs over the bed. Keith was at his side in a second.
"What? No, you need to rest-" but a sharp look from the tan boy stopped him.
'Help me stand so I can hug you goodbye properly." He said and Keith could hear the slight waver in his voice and knew he was about to choke up too. Keith gripped Lance gently as he helped raise the boy to his feet. They stared at each other for a second before Lance wrapped his arms around Keith and rested his head on his shoulder burying his face in his neck. Keith returned the hug and they stood there silently enjoying each other's warmth. Keith closed his eyes feeling Lance's soft breaths on his neck. He could stay like this all day in Lance's arms. It felt like an eternity before Lance pulled away his eyes shiny with tears.
"You gotta text me okay? Like, I'll die of boredom if you don't" He said his voice light trying to brighten the mood. Keith smiled a bit ad nodded.
"I'll annoy you with how much I text, promise." They embraced one more time this time shorter and more definite. Keith helped Lance back into bed before turning to leave. He opened the door but Lance's call stopped him.
"Thank you, Keith" Keith turned around and stuck a hand up in farewell and let the door shut behind him closing the chapter of what had been one of the best and worst times of his life.
