HetaliaGirl-21 – Awesome! I'm really glad you think so!
Resa – OMG! You sure you're okay?! Please stay safe! I'm sorry that happened!
Guest – Thanks. yea Houston got it pretty bad but thankfully my area isn't too affect.
The Best Guesst – Don't worry, there will be plenty of whump. Also, I have actually been thinking about your idea, with his dad 'pimping' him out to earn his keep. I'm going to use that! He will be very primped, so get ready.
Chapter 6: Locked Away
A thick silence hung over the three friends in Biology on Monday. Pidge and Hunk were not really sure why there was such a thick silence but both had a feeling that the other knew. They both looked to the tan boy. Lance was twisting a pencil between his fingers and staring at something non-existent.
"Uh, Lance?" Hunk finally broke the silence. It was currently group work in class anyway so they were allowed to talk with their group members. The three friends were sitting with their desks facing each other in an improvised circle.
Lance dropped his pencil when he heard his name. "Oh, uh. Huh?" He bent down to grab his pencil off the ground. When he came back up he saw the other two staring at him. He sighed. "Sorry, guys. I'm just really worried about Keith."
"Oh~"
Lance looked up at Hunk's odd tone, an eyebrow raised.
"Is someone worried about his crush~?" Hunk had a teasing tone to his voice.
A knowing grin spread across Pidge's face. "Ohhh, so that's what's wrong here."
Hunk grinned and nodded to her, still looking at Lance, growing redder by the minute.
"That's sweet, Lance. Your crush misses one day of school and you are worried sick." Pidge lays a head on Hunks shoulder mockingly.
Hunk wraps his arms around Pidge in mock comfort. "I know, it's almost too cute to watch." Then they both broke into a fit of quiet giggles.
"N-n-no! W-wha- No! He-he's not my cru- NO!" Lance finally studdered out, then buried his face in his hands.
Lunch was fairly quiet and Lance wasn't paying much attention anyway. He walked to English with Pidge and Hunk but didn't really hear them talking about his alleged crush on Keith. They were given time at the end of English again to work on their project. Lance watched Hunk and Pidge get to work. His diary entry was already finished, along with his two quote analyses. Keith had the designs to letter, so all that's left is Keith's quotes. Lance decided to go ahead and do those for Keith so he didn't have to worry about them when he gets back.
Keith expressed his thanks for the meal as he rushed out of the door. Tears began to fall before he could stop them and fear began filling his body. He knew his father was always out on Sundays until 5:30 – 6:00, but he didn't want to take the chance. Running all the way home, he finally felt some relief when no car was in the driveway. As he rushed into the house, he checked the time: 5:23. Just barely made it. He dropped onto his bed, panting, trying to catch his breath. Not a minute later however, he hears the front door slam and the dreaded sound of his father yelling his name. Keith's eyes widened. His father must have already been coming down the road and saw him running in.
"-et your ass outta that damn room!"
Keith stiffened, knowing what was to come, but obeyed his father's words. He knew things would only be worse otherwise. He walks into the living room to see his father standing with his arms crossed over his chest.
"You know, you've been getting' a lotta nerve lately. Askin' to meet 'friends. Sneakin' out of the house." John's tone was malicious and heated. He jabs a finger to Keith's chest as the boy backs into a wall. "This ain't your house boy! You're place is to be here doin' your chores!" John's eyes widen just slightly as he straightens back up. Some semblance of a smirk could be seen on his face. That look sent a chill through Keith. "Well," John began again, his voice had an eerie fake kindness, "seeing as you haven' been earnin' your place around here with chores, it seems I'll just have to find somethin' else."
Keith shuddered at that. He could tell, by the sadistic glint in his father's eyes, that he already had something in mind for him.
Suddenly, John's face regained its harsh composure. "Until then," he continued, swinging a hand out and slapping Keith to the ground, "you need to learn your lesson here and now." John kicks him while he's down (in more ways than one) and Keith rolls, holding his stomach. Rough gasps escape Keith as he tries to regain his breath. John picks the boy up by the throat. "You know I hate that sound," he growls out.
Keith grabs at the hand wrapped around his throat, trying desperately to gain some air. He is dragged down the hallway and thrown into that closet. His head spins form the impact and barely hears what his father says as he closes and locks the door.
"Stay in here for another day! You don't deserve to see those 'friends' of yours!" John laughs as he walks away.
Keith tries to keep his eyes open but between the choking, kick to the stomach, and hitting his head on the wall, he found it very hard to stay awake. He soon falls over as his consciousness is consumed.
Even though it wasn't Wednesday, they all decided to go for burgers after school anyway. Shiro, Hunk, Pidge, and an unusually quiet Lance were all on their way to Burger Palace. Lance finally decides to speak and of course it is about Keith.
"So, uh, have any of you even heard anything about Keith's home life?" The others looked at him questioningly, waiting for him to explain. "Well, I mean, we've known him for a couple months now and he has hardly said anything about where he lives, his family, what he does at home. I don't even know if he has any siblings!" The three look at each other but Lance continues, quieter this time. "What- what do you all think about that?" He looked at the others, eyes wide and sincere.
Hunk and Pidge shrug, unsure of what to say. Shiro answers by mirroring the question. "Well… what do you think about it all, Lance?"
Lance looks down a bit as they all enter the doors. " 'm not sure," he mumbles. I'm not entirely ready to tell them my suspicions yet, Lance thinks inwardly. It's too early, and besides… I don't have any real proof just yet. By the time Lance looks back up, they are at the counter, ready to place orders.
"Can I get the veggie burger and a small drink?" Hunk smiles and pays the clerk.
"Veggie burger? Really?" Pidge gives him a sideways look before ordering. "I'll take the deluxe bacon cheeseburger basket with everything on it." She grins at Hunk before paying.
Shiro simply rolls his eyes at Pidge's expression. "I'll take the cheeseburger basket." After he pays he looks to Lance, who seems a bit distracted. He nudged him.
"Huh? Oh. Uh, I'll take the cheeseburger basket. No tomato and onion rings instead of fries." After he pays, they all sit down at a booth.
"Dude, you are so distracted today. What's up?" Hunk takes a seat across form Lance. Pidge next to him. Shiro drops down next to Lance across form Pidge.
"I dunno." Lance drags out the word. "I just feel worried that something is wrong with Keith."
"Lance, I'm sure he probably just isn't feeling good, so he stayed home to get some rest. Anyway, why did you want to know where he lives?" Shiro turned slightly to face Lance as he sipped his drink.
"Eh, it was nothing important. I just wanted to check up on him." Lance laid his chin on his arms.
When their orders were ready, Pidge and Hunk got up to get them. Shiro was quiet for a moment.
"Well…" Shiro hesitates a bit before continuing, "I, uh, might be able to get you his address." As he said that, the other two sat down with the food. They seemed to have heard what he said because they were all looking at him expectantly. Shiro clears his throat. "Everyone in ROTC has to fill out forms when they join; these include personal information such as their address. Being a student officer, I have access to those forms online."
Lance's eyes are widening with hope. "Can you-"
Shiro put a hand up. "I am not supposed to use my access for personal use." He sees Lance's face fall. "However… I – have been worried about Keith as well." He pulls out his phone and, in less than a minute, has Keith's address up on his screen.
"Yes! Thanks!" Lance quickly jots down the address, finishes his meal, then heads out of the restaurant.
Laughing and happy chatting filled the room as Keith and another young boy sat on his floor. John was at work and Keith promised a friend in his fifth grade class he could see his room. He snuck the boy in after his father had left. He kept a constant eye on the time so he could sneak the boy out before his father got back. Knowing he usually arrives about 5pm on weekdays, he was going to have his friend out of there by 4:30.
They had been playing a homemade board game (made from paper and markers) when he realized he hadn't checked the time in a while. It was 4:56. Keith shot up from the floor, urging his friend to hurry out his window. As soon as the window flew open, he saw that familiar old car pull into the drive. Keith freezes at the look on his father's face. His friend was already out the window and standing in the front yard.
Still frozen, Keith watch as his father chased his friend off before storming inside. He was thrown to the ground as soon as his father came into his room. He knew his father was lecturing him about sneaking a friend over, but all sounds just seemed so muffled. All he could feel at the moment was pain, pain in his stomach, across his face, in his shoulder form how he landed, and more pain just kept coming. Eventually it all stopped. When he finally came to enough to see where he was, it was no surprise to find himself back in the closet. Needless to say, that boy never spoke to him again.
In case you haven't noticed, I have added a rape/non-con warning to this fic. If it isn't something you want to read, you will be able to skip that part. If you would like to find this fic on AO3, you'll be able to see more tags about the upcoming rape scene. If you have questions/concerns pm me or review! Until next time,
NyteXade
