Hello again! Thanks for reading my new story:) my hope is to give you long chapters, and make them my very best work. I apologize if I am slow to update, but I want to make this my best. Comment any spelling or grammar errors, or just anything you want to say<3

Enjoy
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What the hell did he just get himself into. Lance invited a stranger onto a two week (at least) road trip that his entire family would be involved in. He hadn't even talked to his mother. who would probably whoop his ass for spontaneously deciding to up the cost by an entire human. He was forcing Pidge and Hunk to also involve themselves with Keith, and maybe he was a total lunatic?? What if Keith was a crazy psychopath murderer? He had just put everyone into a bad situation. Including himself.

Keith dozed back to sleep eventually, which Lance was grateful for... but he also dreaded it. Because (A) it meant he had to talk to Keith's foster parents as if he really were one of Keith's best friends. Which was very complicated considering he knew almost nothing about him. And (B) because Lance was now the only person in the room fighting for Keith's well-being, and his argument was against strangers. Things were getting pretty uncomfortable. Lance talked about logistics of the trip with them, as well as what steps they would take to keep Keith's mental health in a good place. It was important to Lance to figure that part out.

After about 40 minutes of Keith dozing and Lance doing everything he could to plan out the next few weeks for a stranger, he finally walked Brett and Laura out the door. He shut it, and leaned his back against the frame. That actually didn't go as badly as it could've, all things considered. Lance got to talk a lot about his family, which always put him in a good mood. And something in his gut told him this was right. He knew he had to remove Keith from those toxic people, at least for a while. And the thought of helping him made Lance happy. He really didn't know why he was persevering so much to help a stranger, but something about it felt good. Also, Brett and Laura were not poorly pampered. In fact, they were very well off. They offered to pay for a lot of the trip, and cover everything that Keith would be doing. As well as gas for the group (which would be pricey considering the long journey) and they even mentioned sending him with extra money for the McClains because of "all their troubles". Lance just didn't know what to think of these people. Whenever he thought something would go well it went poorly, and whenever he thought it would go poorly it went well.

Lance stood their for a while. The back of his head against the cool hospital door, and his thoughts on the vacation and the next few weeks. Then, he was suddenly shoved off the door and into the wall, the door catching up with him and hitting his back.

    He turned around to see who had rammed him into the wall, and saw a white tuft of hair. immediately Lance got excited. He would finally be able to talk to someone he enjoyed.

But then he realized...

        This was the one person he hadn't thought about at all. He would be tearing Keith away from him, after this traumatic and Lance didn't even think twice about it! How was Lance supposed to explain this?! His thoughts were racing. His heart was pounding. He could NOT stand Shiro's disappointed dad look!

      Shiro immediately walked towards Keith's bedside, and didn't even notice Lance, who was crushed like a bug in the corner. Lance waltzed over slowly, and Shiro glanced up at him.

"I talked to Laura and Brett for a while..." Lance barely squeaked it out. He could tell Shiro was in a bad place... why wouldn't he be?

"Yeah, so did I. We bumped into each other in the hall. They seemed happy with whatever conversation went on in here... told me to talk to you for the... details." Shiro seemed... almost cautious about what was happening. Choosing his words carefully... and clearly nervous to hear what Lance has come up with.

     "Ok look Shiro... I- I sort of..." Lance stuttered and shifted his weight between his feet. "I-uh- I had a plan... you'll probably think it's stupid... but-uh"

"Just spit it out Lance"

     Lance sighed. Here goes nothing.

"Iinvitdedyourbrotherwhoivebarelyeventalkedtoonaroadtipacrossthecountrywithmywholefamilyandiknowitseemsdumbbutitgetshimawayfromthoseawfulpeopleandireallywanttohelp"

       Lance had a talent for speaking fast enough to get out of awkward situations... and he often did it when in trouble with his Mom. However Shiro had a talent for listening. Lance inhaled deeply and waited for Shiro to start... yelling or something.

     "You... invited Keith to go across the country with you and your entire family? And Laura and Brett agreed?" Shiro had an eyebrow raised and his lips parted.

    "Well yeah... and I'm really sorry Shiro. I'm not trying to step on your toes because I know you probably want to be with Keith and -ah- I'm really sorry I just thou-"

      "It sounds like a great idea Lance!" 

What?

What?

"What?"

Did Shiro really just say that Lance had a good idea? And was it really... this idea specifically? He couldn't believe this.

"Lance, of course I want to be with Keith during this time. But with work, and everything happening, I couldn't be there 24/7... which means Laura and Brett would have to be. And I think that will only make Keith feel worse. So... as long as Keith has agreed to this, I think it's a great idea. That kid loves traveling more than he will admit."

Oh shit.

Lance was the biggest idiot on the planet. This was getting ridiculous. He invited a stranger to join him on a 2 week adventure... and then... didn't make sure that said stranger wanted to come. But... this part wasn't really his fault right? Keith had fallen asleep quickly after Lance said the idea. So... really this was more on him. Totally.

     "Lance?"

   Lances thoughts kept racing. From what he had heard of Keith, he was somewhat moody... and didn't love new people. He kept to himself often and was incredibly talented. He was the "lone wolf" type, and would leave people behind if need be. But, he wouldn't leave the people he truly loved behind. Ever.

But... Lance wasn't one of those people. And the more Lance thought about Keith as an actual person rather than a part of his plan... he realized he might not even want to come.

"Lance!"

      Shiro's voice snapped Lance out of his thoughts and his eyes met the bigger man's.

"You did get Keith's consent for this right lance?"

      Lance looked to the ground, which was a clear giveaway that he was guilty. And of course, Shiro knew.

"Oh my god"

-

A few hours later Keith woke up. He rubbed his eyes, and stretched his arms. Disoriented for a moment before realizing he was here. In this god awful place.

He moaned and sat up slightly in his cold while bed. There were chairs on either side of him, where Brett, Laura, and... Lance had been right before Keith dozed off. However in place of the 3, were to jackets thrown across the chairs. One, Keith immediately recognized as Shiro's. Which left the other to most likely be Lances.

Keith turned the small classic hospital TV on with a remote found on his nightstand. He channel surfed for a good 15 minutes before hearing a soft knock at the door and footsteps.

"Hey Keith"

      The tall brunette brought his hand to the back of his neck as he said the words. Shiro always talked about Lance. He adored him. So, Keith knew more about Lance then he should. Which... made things complicated. Keith was already awkward and since he didn't know how much he should know, he didn't know how much he could say.

      Keith knew about the extra shifts Shiro took just to be with Lance. Keith knew about the long sleepless nights when he would get texts from Shiro. Texts about Lance, texts about his chemo therapy, texts about how he was getting better... and sometimes how he was getting worse. Keith heard secondhand everything shiro was allowed to share. It wasn't just Lances medical problems Shiro shared either... Keith also knew all about Lance and who actually was. That was one of the reasons Shiro was such a good nurse, a patient was never just their medical difficulties, they were always seen as human. And Lance, was one of the most impressive.

Lance did amazing paintings. Of everything. He even gave Shiro one once, which meant it was immediately brought to Keith so he could see as well. Keith knew Lance had a big Cuban family, and a bright smile. He heard about his selflessness, and how ready he was to be friends with new people constantly. Keith heard about Lances charming personality, and "lady killer" persona. Keith knew he played guitar, and according to Shiro, he was extremely good. He also could sing. And dance. Apparently, this boy could do it all. And Keith had been hearing about it since Shiro started being his nurse nearly 3 years ago. When him and Lance were both 14.

    Keith would always ask about Lance. And Shiro didn't mind telling. That's why when Lance was the one suddenly behind him holding his head earlier today as he hurled into a toilet... he wasn't uncomfortable. Keith didn't really like being touched, but he felt like he had known this boy for years. And... technically he had. But... this wasn't the first impression he had in mind.

"Do you mind if I sit?"

Keith shook his head.

"I-uh brought you some macaroni and cheese"

     Keith's eyes lit up immediately. This food was like magic to him. When he was little, his mom would give it to him when he fell, or made a mistake. After she passed away, Shiro brought it to him on occasion as an excuse to spend time together, and never failed to bring it when he was down.

"Did Shiro tell you to?"

     Keith's tone was sharp. He wasn't sure why. He was never sure why. He prayed Lance wouldn't notice.

He did.

He watched as his blue eyes turned away and warm demeanor cooled off.

Damnit.

"Uh- no I just figured... everybody likes Mac'n cheese right?"

     The warmth was back. And along with it was an outstretched hand holding a small bowl, along with a juice box and a small chocolate chip cookie.

"Thank you"

     Keith tried his best to give a small, genuinely grateful smile, and again prayed Lance would notice. He did.

~

    They ate in silence for about a half hour. Keith noticed Lance constantly fixed his hair, played with his fingers, or fidgeted with his legs.

    So, of course, Keith being the dangerously blunt guy he is,

"Are you nervous about something?"

     He immediately wanted to facepalm. Nice one. Start drilling the cute guy who has done nothing but help you and then imply he seems uncomfortable. Now he probably is uncomfortable.

    "Uh- sorry" Lance stopped to laugh slightly has he shifted in his seat towards Keith "can I ask you something?"

     Keith's mind immediately went into overdrive. Uh oh. Uhoh. Uhohuhohuhoh. What if he made things weird? What if Lance wanted to leave?

    Lance was clearly unfazed by Keith's inner-outburst, because he just kept going. "So... I do this thing sometimes where I get an idea and just try to go for it even when the details aren't worked out and even when the people around me might not be on board. And... I was talking to Laura and Brett earlier and I sort of mentioned the vacation thing-"

     Keith had forgotten about that! He would get to get away from Laura and Brett! He would actually be able to hangout with someone his age, and go out of this hot, busy, state. Then, his hopes were burst like a little bubble.

"And I didn't mean to drag you along"

     What? What? Lance didn't mean to drag Keith along? As if he were some wet, dead rat the cat brought in! What the hell did he mean? Keith could feel his temper raising at lightning speeds.

Keith was seething. He spoke through his teeth "what?"

"You know, I didn't want to force you to come along if you didn't want too. I realized I need to actually ask you. I'm really sorry I didn't before..."

Oh. So Keith's temper got the best of him yet again. Lance meant drag as in force not the gross wet rat thing.

    "But everything is worked out, if you do want to come! I talked to Laura and Brett for an hour or two after you fell asleep and they're cool with it. And-uh I called my mom, Shiro is actually on the phone with her now - they love each other you know - and.. yeah everything is set if you do want to come but of course you don't have too and that's ok too I just-"

"I would love to come along Lance".

    Lance was rambling, and Keith figured he should probably show he isn't just an angsty hot topic lover incapable of happiness. So, he tried to seem excited.

And Keith was excited.