#edgykeith

Shiro scratches the back of his head in confusion, “Well I’m sure if you talk to Allura she will take you shopping this weekend?”

Keith stops his rummaging to look at him, “But dinner is tonight and Lance is going to be here in,” he looks at the time on his phone, “half an hour!” He has now moved to the clothes on the floor.

Shiro’s eyes widen, “That’s today?”

Keith gives a quick nod.

“Oh.” Shiro says

That makes Keith look up, “What?”

“Well ummm.” Shiro sounds sheepish, “Kolivan just called.” Keith’s eyes widen in fear, Shiro continues, “He is going to be here in ten minutes.”

“WHAT!”

----

Ten minutes later Keith is down at the door to greet Kolivan. Both men nod at each other as a form of greeting but Kolivan really using it as a chance to inspect Keith, “You got new clothes.”

Keith looks down at what he is wearing, he finally decided on red and black checkered skinny jeans and a long loose fitting black t-shirt. He will probably add on a beanie and a pair of boots but he hasn’t gotten that far yet, “Allura took me shopping.”

Kolivan raises an eyebrow, “Did she now?”

Keith nods and lets Kolivan in. He is greeted by Shiro and Allura who shake his hand, “It’s good to see you again Kolivan.” Allura says.

“Likewise Allura.”

“So what brings you hear today?” Shiro asks

“ Oh well it has been about a month with Keith here so I wanted to check in to see how it was going.”

Allura responds, “It has been going great. Keith is a wonderful addition to this household.”

Kolivan's eyes widen in shock and turns to look at Keith who is leaning against the wall and look back at Kolivan in mock offense, “What?” Keith says to that look, “You act like I have never behaved before.”

“Oh no I know you can behave Keith but that isn’t something I have heard one on your foster parents say before. I am impressed.”

Keith gives a genuine teenage shrug, “I like it here.”

Kolivan’s eyes widen even more, “I have definetly never heard that before.”

Keith sticks his tongue out at Kolivan who actually laughs at Keith’s antics, “Well everything seems to be going well but I would still like a tour and to see Keith’s sleeping arrangements.”

It is at this moment Keith’s eyes widen remembering the messy state of his bedroom Shiro seems to remember as well which leads him to say, “Why don’t first I take you down to the gym in the basement Keith has used it once or twice and we think it is good for him. Allura can you make Kolivan a cup of coffee?”

Allura nods and Shiro takes Kolivan downstairs while Keith runs upstairs to try to make his bedroom a little more presentable. After putting all of his clothes back and cleaning up his painting area. He also adds his red beanie to his outfit but that isn’t important right now. After a few minutes he hears a knock at his bedroom door and Keith lets Kolivan in.

First the man inspects the room looking for the essentials, Bed, window, clothes, then he looks at the more fun stuff, like Keith’s painting area getting to see the current project Keith is working which he always does because it gives him a bit of an insight into Keith’s emotions, Keith always lets him because sometimes he hides things for Kolivan to find in there, he didn’t this time. Kolivan seems satisfied with the project and looks around the rest of the room, “Did you paint it?” Keith nods looking proudly around the room, “Yeah they let me paint it.”

“It is very nice Keith.”

Keith smiles, “Thanks.”

They both head back downstairs to join the other’s in the kitchen, “Well everything seems to be in order I guess I will-”

There is a knock at the door at that moment and Keith checks his phone to see a few missed texts from Lance.

Keith’s runs to the door and sees Lance standing there, “Hey I texted you but you didn’t answer and wow you look really cool.”

Keith smiles and looks at Lance. He looks very good. He is wearing light gray jeans and a soft blue shirt that really compliments his eyes he has on light blue converse to match, “You look nice.” Keith says back.

Lance blushes, “So are you ready to go?”

Keith nods yeah let me just grab my shoes and-” Keith is interrupted by Kolivan clearing his throat behind him. Keith turns to glare at him but that has not worked since Keith turned 13. Kolivan gives Keith the look.

Keith sighs, “Why don’t you come in Lance.”

Lance doesn’t really know what is happening so he walks in and is greated by Kolivan, “Who are you?” Kolivan asks.

Lance’s eyes widen as he looks up to meet Kolivan’s face, “Uh Lance?” Kolivan raises an eyebrow, “McClain, Lance McClain. Well actually Lance Sanchez-McClain if you want to get technical.”

Kolivan nods making Lance feel like he got an answer right on a test, “Can I ask who you are?”

“Yes you can.” Kolivan answers.

Lance waits a beat before realising he actually has to ask, “Oh who are you?”

“I am Kolivan Mamora, I am Keith’s-” He looks behind Lance to Keith who waves his hand granting permission, “I am Keith’s Social Worker.”

Lance’s eyes widen, “Oh cool so you have known Keith a long time?”

Kolivan nods, Lance continues, “Can you tell me what Keith was like as a child? And when he became so,” He turns to look at Keith who is currently tying up his Doc Martens, “edgy?”

Kolivan actually laughs at what Lance says, “Yes I can. Let’s see.” Keith groans as Kolivan opens up the folder he was holding, “When Keith was a kid his favorite animal was a hippo and his favorite color was blue.” Lance is smiling. He doesn’t think he has ever been this excited. “As for being ‘edgy’ I would say it started around age ten.”

“That is so great.” Lance responds.

Keith is glaring at Kolivan from behind Lance who again brushes him off, “Well we should get going.” Keith says.

Lance turns to leave but Kolivan says, “Where are you going?” Making both boys look at him, Keith wants to hide in his beanie.

Lance answers the question, “My house sir, Keith is invited to dinner.”

Kolivan looks past Lance to Keith, “You are going to a family dinner?”

Keith crosses his arms, “Why are you so surprised?”

“Well I can bring up the family dinner debacle of the William’s house-”

“NO!.” Keith cuts him off before he can continue, “Lance invited me and I said I would go alright? No big deal.”

Kolivan nods knowing it is definitely a big deal, “Well I won’t keep you boys any longer. Lance it was great to meet you.” Kolivan puts out his hand for Lance to shake.

Lance takes his hand. “You too sir.”

Keith grabs Lance’s hand and tries to rush them out the door, but he isn’t quick enough because Kolivan gets the chance to say, “Oh and Keith.” The boys stop in the doorway and Keith turns around to look at his social worker who is smiling, “Have fun.”

Keith smiles back at him and continues to rush Lance out to the door who quietly asking what the ‘William’s family dinner debacle’ was.”

Kolivan watches the door close behind them and says not really to anyone, “He is going to a family dinner.”

Shiro and Allura walk up next to him, “Yeah Lance is something special.”

After the game Lance hunts down his family and is attacked by hugs,

“Lance!” his little brother yells basically pouncing on him, “Did you see me? I was yelling as loud as I could!”

Lance smiles, “Yes Marco I heard you over everybody!”

Lance continues to say hi to all of his family members hugging them and thanking them for coming. He gets to his Mami and gives her a kiss on the cheek, “Mami what did you think?”

She smiles giving him a kiss on the cheek back, “You did so great Papito I am so proud of you.”

Lance lights up at the compliment feeling the warmness in his chest that he only gets with his Mami’s love.

She lowers her voice, “Mijo I finally met that new boy you have been talking about.”

Lance’s eyes widen, “You met Keith?”

She smiles, “Yes Katie introduced us. He seems like such a sweet boy. I see why you like him”

Lance groans and buries his face in his hands mumbling, “I am going to kill Pidge.”

Hunk chooses this time to walk up, “Ms. Sanchez!” Hunk runs to her picking her up.

Her smile widens “Carino como estas?”

Hunk puts her down, “I am doing well Ms. Sanchez it is so good to see you.”

“So good to hear. Anyways you two probably want to get going to your party.”

Lance kisses her on the cheek, “Thank you mami I will be back later tonight. Don’t try to stay up for me.”

She kisses him on the forehead, “No promises papito you know how I worry.”

Hunk and Lance waves goodbye to the family and head toward Lances car to go to the party.

—

When they arrive the party is in full swing. There is a bunch of people dancing to the music in the living room and drinks in the kitchen.

“I am going to go get a drink!” Lance yells to Hunk over the music. Hunk nods in response.

Lance gets to the kitchen and grabs some cheap beer from a cooler. He begins to sip on it knowing he will not finish it. He looks around at the people, the team is all mixed in some enjoying the keg and some are flirting with the cheerleaders who are showing different levels of interest. Lance is usually head flirt but he does not feel like it tonight.

Lance is so lost in thought he does not notice when Acxa and Ezor walk up.

Ezor taps him on the shoulder, “He is looking for you.”

Lance rolls his eyes, “Get lost.”

Axca glares, “Come on Lance when are you going to move past this.”

Lance matches her glare, “I have. So get lost.”

The girls huff and storm off. Lance puts down his drink and heads to the dance floor.

Lance loves to dance. He remembers as a child he would dance around the living with his Papi having the time of his life. This dancing isn’t the same as that but it is still really fun. Lance moves around the floor dancing with different people having the time of his life. He is so caught up in the moment he does not notice to two separate pairs of eyes on him. One is so enamored but his movements all he wants to do is join him but the other, the other is furious eyes. Eyes that want to pull him from that dance floor and tell him not to move like that.

Lance dances for a good twenty minutes before he decides he needs to get a drink. He heads back to the kitchen grabbing water this time. He heads out to the back yard to cool off not noticing he is being followed.

Lance is standing in the middle of the yard looking up at the stars when a voice speaks behind him, “McClain.”

Lance tenses but does not turn around, “Lotor.”

“That was a good game tonight.”

“Yeah.”

Lotor sighs and runs his hands through his hair, “Oh come on Lance when are you going to forgive me?”

Lance finally turns around, “I have forgiven you.”

Lotor moves closer, “So why can’t we go back to the way things were.”

Lance crosses his arms, “It’s not that simple.”

Lotor puts his hands on Lance’s waist but Lance moves out of his hold. Lotor glares, “Of course it is.”

Lance shakes his head, “No just because I have forgiven you does not mean I want to be with you again. It doesn’t work that way.”

Lance begins to walk away but Lotor grabs his wrist. It was a tight hold, “Come on Lance. I miss you.”

Lance pulls his hand away, “Well I don’t miss you.” He begins to walk away quickly but is stopped right by the door trapped between the wall and Lotors arms. Lotor towers over Lance, “I don’t accept that.”

Lance needs to get out of here. Everybody has left the backyard and it is just the two of them, “Lotor I want to go inside.”

Lotor glares, “Not until we talk this out.”

“There is nothing to talk out Lotor you went to far. I don’t want you back and I want to go inside now.”

The face Lotor makes Lance has only seen one other time. He steps closer and now Lance really does feel trapped, he can smell some alcohol of Lotor’s breath but he knows that is not the only reason he is acting this way.  

“Look I made a mistake okay. We lost the final game of the season and I was in a bad mood and you kept pestering me and I just-”

“Lance.”

Both boys turn to the new voice to see Keith glaring at Lotor. Lance uses this as a chance to get away from Lotor but he is grabbed roughly on the arm and pulled behind Lotor.

Lotor directs his anger toward Keith, “I told you to stay away.”

Keith shrugs, “Yeah and I’m sure you have heard by now but I am really bad a following rules. Now let him go.”

The hold tightens and Lance winces making Keith’s glare even harder. Lotor tries to match the glare, “I’m not afraid of you.”

Keith moves closer, his hands balled into fist, “You should be.”

“I can get you expelled.”

Keith scoffs, “Then I will be sure to make it worth it.”

Lance swears that Lotor and Keith glare at each other for a full two minutes without blinking when finally Lotor lets Lance who all but runs to Keith’s side.

Lotor points to Lance, “This is not over.” He glares and Keith one more time before storming off.

Keith watches him walk away and when he is out of sight immediately puts all of his attention on Lance. Any trace of glare completely gone, “Are you okay?”

Lance looks at his arm and sees a red mark from where Lotor held it, he nods.

Keith grabs Lance arm with a light touch and inspects it, “It is red but it does not look like it will bruise. You should be fine by Monday.”

Lance crosses his arms and looks at the ground. Keith knows that he is closing in on himself, “Hey.” Keith lower his head so he can look Lance in the eyes, “Do you want to get out of here?”

On Friday Keith is at the table before anybody else when Pidge shows up and sits down next to him, “You’ll never guess what I found.” They say excitedly.

“Hm?” Keith says while he bites into his pizza.

They pull out an old vcr tape from their bag, “A documentary on the Wendigo.”

Keith’s eyes bulge and he grabs the tape from their hands, “No way really? Where did you get it?”

Pidge shrugs, “Some guy on Ebay was selling it.”

“Pidge this is so awesome we have to watch it!”

“Watch what?” Lance asks and him and Hunk approach the table.

“New cryptid video.” Pidge response.

“Ugh.” Lance says, “Keith don’t tell me you like these cryptid things too.”

Keith can hear his heartbeat in his ears, “I find them interesting.” He says with a the cool he can muster.

Lance scoffs, “Yeah but-”

“They are creepy!” Hunk interjects.

Lance motions his hand toward Hunk, “Thank you Hunk.”

“Cryptids aren’t creepy!” Pidge exclaims.

“Uh huh,” Lance says, “and what cryptid video did you find?”

“The Wendigo.” Pidge shrugs.

“Uh huh,” Lance says again, “and what perse, is the Wendigo?”

“Oh the Wendigo is fascinating Lance, it is from Algonquian folklore and it is a man eating monster.” Pidge explains.

Hunk’s face has paled, and Lance nods, “Uh huh and you don’t find that, I don't know, absolutely terrifying?”

Pidge and Keith turn to face each other with confusion on their faces, “No.” They both say in unison.

“Unbelievable.” Lance says.

“Whatever Lance,” Pidge says, “Not everybody is obsessed with cheerleader movies like you.”

“Hey!,” Lance says offended, “The Bring It On movies are the greatest to ever exist and you are just hateful.”

Pidge rolls their eyes at that, “Whatever you watch your cheerleader movies and we will stick to cryptids, which are way less scary than cheerleaders.”

Hunk nods, “They have a point there.”

Lance huffs and sits back in his seat crossing his arms.

“So anyway,” Hunk says trying to change the subject, “Keith are you coming to the game tonight?”

“Huh?” Keith says looking up from trying not to stare at Lance, “Yeah maybe.”

“What you have to go!” Pidge says, “The games are so boring.”

“You make it sound so enticing.” Keith says deadpan.

“Don’t listen to them buddy.” Hunk says, “Plus afterwards the team gets together at Matt’s house.”

Lance sits up, “Yeah man those are the best.”

Pidge groans, “Ugh I forgot about Matt’s parties.”

Lance brushes them off, “Yeah whatever Pidge. Keith you gotta come to the party man.”

Keith hates parties, he has only been to a few but none have ended well. He wants to say no but then he looks at Lance and sees the excitement in his eyes and all that comes it is, “Yeah sure.”

Hunk claps and Lance whoops, “Sweet man you are going to love it.”

Keith hopes he is right.

----

Keith arrives at the stadium after the opening kickoff. He looks around for Pidge but does not see them, he pulls out his phone to text them when he is hit in the back of the head with popcorn. He turns to see Pidge standing, basically on top of people, waving their arms around. Keith rolls his eyes and walks over to join them.

“How is the game going?” Keith asks

Pidge shrugs, “Game just started so not much has happened yet.”

Keith nods, “Cool.”

Pidge and Keith sit there for a while watching the game, Keith sees Lance on the feild and his eyes follow him watching the way he moves. Lance is thrown the ball and begins running down the field at full speed, the crowd is roaring, Lance makes it to score a touchdown and the crowd cheers, but the loudest people in the crowd is a group of about ten people yelling “DALE PAPITO DALA! DALE PAPITO DALE!” Keith looks down at Lance and sees he has taken off his helmet and is smiling and waving to the people yelling.

“That is Lance’s family.” Pidge says.

Keith looks from Lance to his family, “They are so.. Big.”

Pidge laughs, “That isn’t even all of them, those are just the ones in America.”

Keith’s eyes widen, “And they all came to see Lance play?”

Pidge nods, “Yeah they come to every game, even the away ones.”

Lance’s family continues to yell as Lance plays, sometimes they chant other times they yell at Lance for doing something show-offy. Keith is so fascinated by them he does not even notice when it is half time until the team leaves the field and the band starts.

Pidge is pulling Keith’s arm, “Come on if I don’t say hi to Ms. Sanchez she will yell at me and that is something I am not doing again.”

Keith lets himself be pulled by Pidge to Lance's family, he takes a deep breath and tries to stand up as straight as he can muster.

Pidge lights up, “Ms. Sanchez!”

The women in question lights up, “Katie! Carino how are you?”

Keith looks at Pidge with confusion, Pidge eyes him telling him to be nice, “I am good Ms. Sanchez. Lance is doing great down there.”

“Si mijo worked all summer.”

“Oh no,” Keith thinks, “this is Lance’s mom, I am meeting Lance’s mom.”

Pidge smiled, “Oh I want you to meet Keith.”

Keith's eyes widen as this eccentric woman’s attention is now on him, “Hello Ms. Sanchez.” Keith says timidly.

“Oh darling boy don’t worry,” Ms. Sanchez smiles, “I have already heard such great things about you.”

“You have?” Keith asks confused.

“Yes, mijo told me about you.”

Keith's eyes widen, “Really?”

“Si.”

“Can you,” Keith clears his throat, “What did he say?”

Her eyes widen, “Oh I can’t tell you that, it would be against his privacy.”

Pidge erupts into laughter next to them, Ms. Sanchez looks at them, “What is it Katie?”

“Oh nothing Ms. Sanchez,” Pidge says wiping their eye, “I am just so glad you two met.”

Pidge hugs Ms. Sanchez good bye and she even hugs Keith, they walk back over to their seats and Keith looks at them, “You knew that would happen didn’t you?”

“Oh yeah.” Pidge nods.

“You know Lance is going to kill you right?”

Keith stops at his locker and notices that there is a  voice coming from the locker bay. When he tunes in on the voice he realises that they are not speaking English but most likely Spanish. He looks over to see that is is Lance talking on the phone. Keith is mesmerized but Lance once again. Even when talking on the phone Lance still uses his hands. He must be talking to a fluent Spanish speaker because he is talking so fast even if Keith knew Spanish he does not think he could figure out what Lance was saying. Keith wonders if Lance is talking to a family member, he probably has a big family and they all love and support each other and spend holidays together and have many stories.

Keith does not know how long he stands there watching Lance like some creep but it is long enough that Hunk can come up behind him and startle him, “Lance calls his mom after school to make sure she doesn’t need anything.”

Keith smiles, “Cool.”

Hunk chuckles, “Yeah he is.”

Keith does not know what to say, he wants to keep the conversation going to learn more about Lance, maybe just even make a friend out of Hunk, but he does not know what to say. Luckily Hunk does, “Lance and I have been friends since we were five. I came into our kindergarten class with cupcakes I made myself and he told me they were the best he ever had so now I am stuck with him forever.” Hunk chuckles at the memory.

Keith laughs a little too, he can imagine that happening, He looks at Hunk a smiles, “He seems like a really good guy.”

Hunk smiles his big warm smile that can make anyone feel loved, “Yeah he is.”

This is the moment that Lance hangs up with his mom on the phone and walk over, “Hunk buddy!” he runs over and hugs his friend.

Hunk braces for impact seeming to know a running hug was coming. Keith uses this opportunity to put his earbuds in and fade into the background. He hears Lance and Hunk talking about their classes and teachers this year but he tries to just listen to his music. He opens his locker and begins putting his books he does not need away when he feels a earbud being removed from his ear. Keith tenses at first but relaxes instantly when Lance speaks, “I said how about you?”

Keith instantly looks at him, “What?”

Lance chuckles, “I was telling Hunk about having to meet with our dear principal and I was wondering if you have had the honor of meeting him.”

Keith nods, “Yeah he wanted to meet with me before I started here.”

Lance tilts his head to the side, “Really? Why?”

Hunk elbows him muttering something about personal business. Lance glares at him, “What?”

Keith laughs and shrugs, “Just something principals do.”

Lance fans himself, “Ohhh so mysterious.”

Hunk groans and says something about getting to practice before walking down the hallway.

Keith looks at Lance, “You think I am mysterious?”

Lance guffs at him, “Are you kidding? Look at you!”

Keith crosses his arms and leans against his locker and raises an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”

Lance rolls his eyes, “You got the whole dark and mysterious thing going on with your black clothes and long hair covering your face! You are like the definition and hot mysterious guy!”

Keith's eyes widen, “You think I am hot?”

Lance’s face pales, “Well I uh I mean yeah kinda.”

Keith blushes but he hopes that Lance does not notice. He wants to compliment him back, tell him that he is the most beautiful person he has ever met. He goes to do that but all that comes out is, “Aren’t you going to be late for practice?”

Lance looks up at the clock behind Keith, “Shit.” he runs down the hall yelling a goodbye as he goes. Keith laughs and walks down to join him.

He gets to the stands and sees Pidge there on their computer doing what looks like really long math problems. He shrugs it off and sits next to them and pulls out his sketchbook. He starts off by drawing everybody on the field. He imagines them as lions working together about to fight. After a while though he zeroes in on one player in particular who has the number one on his back. This player is easily the fastest player out there.

Keith is drawing him running when Pidge looks over, You know that is Lance right?”

Keith groans, “Of course it is.”

Pidge laughs, “Yeah, he picked number one himself, says no matter what he will always be ‘numero uno’.”

Keith laughs at that, “Sounds about right. I take it he is the running back?”

Pidge nods, “Yeah. Hopefully though next year he will be the quarterback.”

“Really?” Keith asks.

Pidge nods, “Yeah it is between him and,”

Pidge stops and looks down and the field. The players seem to be taking a break right now and Lance is sitting on the bench and Lotor is looming over him, Keith can see how Lance’s demeanor changes from the stand and he hates it, “What’s the story?”

Pidge shakes their head, “It is not my story to tell. Just know that Lotor is not a good guy and Lance might tell you more one day if he thinks you should know.”

“No problem.” Keith assures.

Pidge smiles and goes back to what they were doing on the computer. Keith watches for a bit longer and Keith sees that Lance has moved over to sit with Hunk and Lotor is by himself watching.”

“Promise you won’t be like him.” A small voice says from his side.”