Lala Norisu – Because his father is a cruel man who blames Keith for his wife's death.

The Best Guesst – Yes! I love whump! And… yea, Lance won't be too happy when he does find out.

Guest – Thanks! I'm glad you are enjoying the story!


Chapter 7: Confirmed


Lance finally arrives at the Kogane house. As he pauses to catch his breath (I don't know how Keith can take that distance every day to school!) he takes in the look of the house. It's definitely an older house. The paint is chipping off some of the trimming on the outside. The yard is mowed but other than that, not very well kept. There is nothing outside other than a car; no chairs, flowerpots, nothing. Finally, when he feels like he can speak again, he knocks on the door (the doorbell had been disconnected it seems).

A tall, older man answered the door. His clothes had stains and his hair was a mess. His hand was rubbing the scruff on his chin as he looked down at Lance. "What? Who are you? Why you here?"

Lance was taken by surprise at the man's rude voice and composure. "Oh, well I – I'm a friend of Keith's from school. He uh, wasn't there today so I just wanted to che-"

Lance was interrupted by a harsh laugh form the man. "So, the boy actually does have a friend! Ha! And I thought he was just makin' shit up!"

Lance's expression was a mixture of shock and anger.

"Wait here boy." The man turned back inside before Lance could really react.


Blinking away the drowsiness, it takes Keith a minute to remember he was still in the closet. By this point he wasn't sure how long he'd been in there. As he slowly got up, he pushed himself into his little corner, bringing his knees up. He stayed that way, with his face buried, for who knows how long. If felt like several hours, probably all day. He knew he definitely missed school today.

A knock at the front door knocked Keith out of his stupor. He heard his father answer. After that, the next thing he heard was his father's harsh laugh, something about him actually having a friend. Keith's eyes widened. Oh no.

He hears the front door close and approaching footsteps. He looks up when the door opens. His father automatically grabs him by the upper arm and drags him out of the closet. His fingers digging severely into his arm. Keith holds in a whimper.

"Alright, boy. Get rid of him." John shoves him to the front door.


Lance waits outside, hoping the man went in to get Keith. He hears shuffling before the man says something Lance can just barely make out. "-boy. Get rid of him." That doesn't help Lance's anger any. When the door opens, he jumps a bit but relaxes in relief when he sees it's Keith. That relief is short lived, however when he really sees Keith. His eyes are on the ground, refusing to look up. One of his hands is rubbing the other arm where it looks like there may be bruises forming. He looks almost afraid to speak.

"H-hey Keith, ho-" He sees Keith flinch away when he reaches a hand towards him. Lance drops his hand down. "Uh, how are you doing?"

"Y-you've got to go."

Lance blinked. "Keith?"

"P-please."

When Keith finally looked up, Lance's heart almost shattered. His eyes were pleading and tearful. Around them were puffy and red. The look in his wide eyes was so fearful, Lance couldn't even find his voice for a minute. "I-I- wha-" his voice cracked. Get rid of him. Those words shook him. He cleared his throat. "Alright. I'll, uh, see you tomorrow?"

Keith's nod was so small, anyone could have missed it. Not Lance, though. No. He was paying attention to every single minute detail of this precious boy in front of him. With confirmation from Keith that he will be at school the next day, Lance turned and left, sparing one final glance back as Keith closed the door. Just as he was walking off, he could hear that same voice saying something else. He paused to listen.

"-eed friends! Don't let me see him around here again!"

Lance growled.


The next day went by so slowly. Keith didn't say a word to him all day. He avoided everyone's gaze, didn't sit with them at lunch, and wouldn't answer any questions. The only time he said anything to anyone was when he thanked lance for finishing their English project. It had been such a small, simple thank you, but Lance could hear more from it. Keith was sincerely grateful. He hadn't been able to do his quotes and he needed the good grade. He was so relieved to find out Lance had finished it for him.

Other than that one grateful exchange. It was almost as if Keith wasn't even there. But Lance knew otherwise. Keith was hard for Lance to forget. And now… now he knew that his suspicions are confirmed. He still didn't know the extent of the situation, or how long it has been happening, but he knows. He knows now that Keith is being abused by his father.


Keith hated cutting off his friends like that. But after what happened on Monday, he thought it better to push them away now, especially Lance. Better to do it now before they found out something they shouldn't. Honestly, he was surprised Lance hadn't already given up on being his friend. Usually, once someone found out how rude and mean his father was, his 'friends' tended to stop talking to him after that. So, he was grateful to Lance for not doing that, but Lance didn't need to worry about him. Lance deserves to be happy and worry free just like when they first met. Now, he always seems to be concerned over Keith. Not that that is a bad thing, but Keith knows he doesn't deserve his worry and concern.

So, after what happened, he avoided his friends. Because of that, this had been the longest week of his life. He wants so desperately to talk to his friends again, to hang out at lunch laughing and talking about anything and everything.

He just… doesn't deserve friends like them.

Keith was brought form his thoughts as he turned down a hall of the school. The last period had already ended so the halls were pretty empty. That is, except for the four people he saw down the hall from him. They had yet to notice he was there. There were three larger guys surrounding someone smaller, who was backed against the lockers. It took Keith a minute to realize it was Pidge. He stood frozen for a second until he saw the middle guy grab her by the waist and pull her into him. She was lashing out with her hands. Keith saw red. He rushed forward and landed a punch to the middle guy's face. Pidge fell out of his grip. As soon as he hit the ground, the other two jumped at Keith. Keith was knocked into lockers before he fell to the ground. The guys continued attacking him, Pidge screaming at them and pounding on their backs, until a teacher came down the hall. The three guys took off running as the teacher rushed to Keith.

Keith stood up slowly, brushing off the teacher's help. He turned to Pidge, panting. "A-are you o-okay?"

Pidge looked taken aback by Keith's complete disregard for his own injuries. "Keith! I'm fine but you need help!"

"She's right, Keith," the teacher began, "You need to get to the nurse, I'll worry about those boys."

Pidge had already explained what happened to the teacher, that Keith was just protecting her. When had she explained all this?

Keith shook his head. "I'll be fine. I've got to get home." With that, he headed down the hall and outside, ignoring the calls from Pidge and the teacher.


Needless to say, his father was pissed when he found out Keith had gotten into a fight. He tried to explain that it was for a friend but his father wouldn't hear anything he said. He was grabbed by the hair and told to stay in his room.

"And don't let me hear about you fightin' again! For any reason! Who those kids choose to beat on is their business!" John slammed his bedroom door shut.


Well, Lance finally knows… not the full extent, but he knows. Also, don't hesitate to relay any ideas you may have. I'm always up for new ideas. Even if they are for the Violet Transformation sequel. I'm currently planning that out so ideas are always helpful. A bit of a mix of fluff and angst next chapter! Until next chapter,

NyteXade