*Y'all ready for this shit? I lot of stuff happens. This chapter is a clusterfuck. Three weeks go by in this one chapter. But that was necessary to wrap things up smoothly.

God this was so hard to write. It's so hard to let this story go. That's why I'm writing Respawn.

Thanks to TwentyOnePinetrees for the last chapter title "goners". I tagged the song "In The End" by Lincoln Park because I'm emo trash and it's the end :')

I love you guys for sticking with me this far.*

(4732 words)

Shiro woke up in a closet later that evening. His head was pounding. The last thing he remembered was being dragged into a van then getting the shit beat out of him.

Now he was tied to a chair and there was tape over his mouth. He tried to get out of his restraints, but even his ankles were tied to the chair so he couldn't kick the closet door open.

He was fucked.

And he knew it.

He looked through the crack between the two doors, able to see the room outside. It was a motel room, seemingly empty. But after a moment a boy with dark brown hair came inside, groaning and throwing his keys on one of the two beds.

Then he looked at the closet doors and opened them up, "Look who's awake," he chuckled, "I'm glad Cleo suggested we nab both Lance and you. We were going to go after just him. But he got away and Seamus got caught. It's okay though because I still have you."

Shiro actually felt relieved. Lance was safe. He knew this boy must be Carson, Keith's ex. Then Shiro felt nothing but anger. This was the boy who hurt Keith, manipulated him, abused him.

Shiro tried to get out of his restraints again but he was bound too tightly with zip ties.

Carson just laughed, "Struggle all you want, you're just going to hurt yourself. Though, I guess that doesn't matter because you're going to die here anyway."

Shiro glared at him.

Carson took the tape off of his mouth, "Got something to say."

"Go to hell. The police are going to find you and you're going to pay for what you did to Keith."

Carson put the tape back over his mouth, "I haven't done anything. Yet." He grabbed a bookend off the table next to the closet, "Time for you to go back to sleep, I have work to do." He hit Shiro over the head with it, knocking him out again before closing the closet doors.

︵‿︵‿୨♡୧‿︵‿︵

"I'm going to ask you one more time, boy. Where is your friend hiding?" Anderson clenched his fist

Seamus just laughed, "You're a fool if you think we're going to tell you anything. Carson will carry out what we started. It's not over."

Anderson stood, leaving the interrogation room, he looked at the officer by the door, "Put him back in the cell," He walked back over to his desk, "Williams!"

Adam rushed over, "Did you get anything out of him?"

Anderson sat down, "Nothing. Have you found anything on his phone?"

Adam nodded, "A little. He texted Cleo yesterday saying she'd meet her back at the motel. They never specified which one. I've already started checking with different motels in the area. Some have told me over the phone that Carson isn't staying there. Others told me to call back when I get a warrant, I've sent some squad cars out to those motels to see if the van is there. I know I should've waited for you before making that decision, but I figured time was of the essence."

Anderson nodded, "You made a good call. Is that all you found?"

Adam shook his head, "They were texting about who they were going to attack. Carson said he didn't want to hurt Keith yet. He wanted to start with Shiro and Lance. The others were never mentioned a single time in the text thread. I think they're safe, but Lance and Keith are still major targets."

"Well, we've increased security on their apartment. They should be safe as long as they stay inside."

︵‿︵‿୨♡୧‿︵‿︵

Keith paced in the living room. Lance was asleep in their room, he had gone to bed the moment they got home from the hospital three hours ago.

But Keith couldn't even sit still. Shiro was still missing. He wouldn't be able to calm down until he was found.

Lance walked into the living room, "Keith?" He had their big comforter wrapped around him, it dragging on the ground behind him.

Keith smiled at him, "Hey, baby. Are you feeling better?"

Lance shook his head as he sat down on the couch, "I just feel worse."

Keith frowned, sitting next to him, "What's wrong?" He pulled the blanket around Lance tighter, he could tell he was cold.

Lance shrugged, "I just... Before I was too tired to feel anxious, but now I'm not tired anymore."

"Oh, Lancey," Keith wrapped his arms around Lance and pulled him into his chest, "It's going to be okay, I promise. There are six officers outside right now, no one is going to hurt us."

Tears formed in Lance's eyes, "Lo sé.... But Shiro is still out there."

Keith kissed the top of his head, "I'm scared too. But they're going to find him. It's going to be okay."

Lance gripped on to Keith's arm with the hand that wasn't in a brace, "I can't stop thinking about what Carson might be doing to him..."

Keith rubbed his back, "How long have you been awake?" If he had been thinking, then he clearly hadn't just woken up.

"About an hour."

Keith sighed, "I should've gone to check on you..."

Lance buried his face into Keith's chest, "Just don't let me go."

"Never."

︵‿︵‿୨♡୧‿︵‿︵

"Sir, we have a lead!" Adam ran up to Anderson's desk.

Anderson looked up from his paperwork, "What is it?"

"We didn't find the van at any of the motels but we did catch it on traffic cams. It's heading towards Lance and Keith's apartment!"

Anderson stood up, "Let's get over there right away, tell their security the suspect could be showing up at any moment."

Adam nodded, pulling out his walkie talkie while following Anderson to his car.

︵‿︵‿୨♡୧‿︵‿︵

Carson parked across the street from the apartment complex. He could see at least three cop cars in the parking lot. He groaned, turning the engine off, "Fuck, should've known."

He got out of his car and pulled his hood up. He walked across the street and walked past the apartments, going up the hill behind the building. He crossed behind a tree, going behind the apartments. The back door to the building was unguarded. He rushed over to it, trying to open it.

Obviously, it was locked.

But that was no problem for Carson.

He broke into buildings as a hobby. He took his lock picking kit out of his pocket. He had that door open in less than a minute.

He slowly and quietly made his way up the steps. He got to the top floor but didn't go all the way up the stairs. He heard someone talking and listened in.

"Yes, sir, the boys are secure. I'm outside their door right now. No one has come up to the floor except their neighbor. No sign of Carson Carter."

Carson clenched his fist and went a bit further down the stairs, making sure he was completely out of view. He had to come up with a plan.

It took him a few minutes but he got one. He went back upstairs, this time walking all the way up casually. He walked up to one of the doors, before reaching into his pocket, "Fuck, I forgot my key."

The officer looked at him skeptically, "Sir, would you mind turning around."

Carson looked at him, "What's wrong, officer?"

"Take your hood down."

Carson pulled his hand out of his pocket, and with it a small pistol. He quickly pointed it at the officer, "Move and I'll shoot." He turned the safety off.

The officer had already been reaching for his own gun, but froze, "You don't want to do this kid. If you turn yourself in you'll only get charged with harassment and kidnapping. If you pull that trigger you're going to get charged with murder."

"I'm going back to prison either way, what's the difference?"

"The death penalty."

Carson chuckled, "They'd never sentence someone my age to death. Nice scare tactic though."

"If you shoot, this place will be flooded with cops in less than a minute."

Carson shrugged, "That's enough time for me to kick down that door and shoot those two idiots."

Then the cop reached for his gun.

And Carson pulled the trigger.

︵‿︵‿୨♡୧‿︵‿︵

tiny rewind. only a minute.

︵‿︵‿୨♡୧‿︵‿︵

Keith was still hugging Lance on the couch, rocking him gently as he cried softly.

Lance rubbed his wet eyes, "Do you hear that?"

"What?"

"Talking."

Keith listened closely, "I do hear it..." He let Lance go, "I'll be right back." He walked up to the door, looking through the peephole, seeing Carson out there pulling out a gun.

Keith's eyes widened, "Lance, go to our room."

Lance looked worried, "Who's out there?"

"Lance, just go!"

Lance knew Keith wouldn't yell at him if it wasn't serious, so he ran to the bedroom, leaving the blanket on the couch.

Keith pushed their armchair against the door, struggling to get it over there. Once it was in place, he ran back to the bedroom. As he closed and locked the door, he heard it. The gunshot.

Lance was already curled up in the corner but when the gun went off he let out a small scream and put his hands over his ears, starting to cry heavily and his breathing picked up.

Keith immediately recognized the signs of a panic attack and rushed over, kneeling next to him, "Lance, look at me. It's going to be okay." He put his hands on Lance's cheeks, "He can't get in. The door is locked and barricaded. He can't get in."

Lance nodded slightly, working on controlling his breathing. But then he heard Carson trying to force their front door open. He started sobbing and hyperventilating.

Keith pulled Lance into a hug, "He can't get in. He can't get in." He kept repeating those words, even though he wasn't completely sure if they were true.

︵‿︵‿୨♡୧‿︵‿︵

*tape recorder rewind sound*

︵‿︵‿୨♡୧‿︵‿︵

Anderson quickly pulled into the apartment's parking lot, Adam in the car with him. They both got out and walked up to the nearest officer, "Any sign of Carter?"

"No, sir. We-"

Then they heard the gunshot.

Everyone went running inside, Anderson leading the way. It didn't take them long to reach the top floor. They arrived to see the officer dead on the floor and Carson slamming his weight into the door. He had successfully broken the lock but he could only get the chair to move a tiny bit with each shove.

All of the officers pulled out their guns "Freeze! You're surrounded!"

Carson looked over at them and glared. He peaked in the door, realizing he would never be able to move that chair before they shot him.

He stepped away from the door, putting his hands in the air.

One of the officers rushed over, taking his gun before cuffing him. Anderson quickly went to the door, trying to push it open. Adam helped him. The two working together were able to force the door open. Once in, Anderson pushed the chair further out of the way, "Smart kids, barricading the door."

Adam nodded, "Lance! Keith!"

Keith was still hugging and trying to comfort Lance, "Adam?" He looked at the door, "We're in here!"

Anderson ran to their bedroom, trying to open the door, "Let us in, kid."

Keith tried to let Lance go, but Lance clung to him, still in the middle of the panic attack. Keith knew it was no use trying to get away from Lance while he was in this state. "Just kick the door down, Lance won't let me go." He didn't really care about anything but Lance at that moment. He put his hands over Lance's ears so the sound of the door being forced open wouldn't scare him more.

Anderson chuckled, "If you say so," Then he kicked the door in. He quickly made his way over to the two boys, "Is he hurt?" Adam stayed in the doorway.

Keith shook his head, "It's just another panic attack. He'll be okay," Keith looked at Lance, "Lance, look. It's Detective Anderson. We're safe."

Anderson nodded, "We've arrested Carson Carter. He can't hurt you."

Lance looked at him, slowly able to calm his breathing. But he still cried heavily.

Keith smiled at him, "That's it, there we go. You're okay." he ran a hand through Lance's hair.

One of the officers came in the door, "Sir, we found his van across the street. We found a key to a room at Crockett Motel on the dash."

Anderson looked back at them, "Williams, you two head over to the motel. Shirogane is probably there."

Adam nodded, smiling, "On it!" He ran out the door, the officer following.

Anderson looked back at Keith, "You focus on calming him down. Just stay here until I come back for you. There's a body in the hall and I don't want you boys to see that. You've been through enough."

Keith nodded, "It'll probably be a while before I can get him out of this corner anyway. This is the worst one he's had since we moved here. He's usually calmed down by now."

Anderson sighed, "I'll be back as soon as we've wrapped up the scene." He left the room.

Keith looked back at Lance, who was still sobbing and clinging to him, "It's okay, Lancey. We're okay..."

︵‿︵‿୨♡୧‿︵‿︵

When they parked in front of Crockett Motel, Adam immediately rushed up to the right room and unlocked the door, "Shiro! Are you here?!"

He heard a soft groan from the closet and rushed over, opening the doors. There Shiro was, tied to a chair and blood running down the side of his face.

Adam kneeled down a bit, taking the tape off Shiro's mouth, "Are you okay?"

"My head hurts." He was barely awake.

Adam turned to the officer, "Call for an ambulance."

The officer fumbled for his walkie talkie.

"Hurry!" Adam looked back at Shiro, "Just try to stay awake. Can you do that?"

Shiro nodded, "I think so."

Adam smiled at him before pulling out a pocket knife. He quickly cut the zip ties that held Shiro in place.

Shiro fell forward in the chair, Adam dropping the knife and catching him. He helped Shiro over to the bed, laying him down.

"You'll be okay. Just stay awake." Adam put one hand on Shiro's cheek, moving his head to get a better look at the wound on the side of his head before looking at the bruises that covered his body, "My god, what did they do to you?"

"I just remember getting the shit kicked outta me in the van."

Adam started to tear up, "This is all my fault... I should've stayed with you. I should've broken protocol and taken that call with you in the room. I'm such an idiot. Shiro, I'm so sorry."

Shiro smiled at him, putting his hand on Adam's, "I'm the idiot who went outside when you told me to stay put. It's not your fault."

"Just stay awake..."

Ambulance sirens could be heard in the distance.

Shiro couldn't stay awake.

︵‿︵‿୨♡୧‿︵‿︵

Lance always hated hospitals. But here he was in a hospital waiting room for the second time in a week. First for Pidge. Now for Shiro.

It wasn't just him sitting in the waiting room. Keith was there. Hunk. Matt and Pidge. Even Allura, who they hadn't seen much of in days.

And Adam.

Lance and Adam were the only ones awake. It was 4 am.

"It really wasn't your fault," Lance said.

Adam looked up at him, "I should've stayed with him yesterday. I failed him."

Lance moved Keith's arm off his shoulders and went over to sit next to Adam, "You saved him though. You haven't slept because being here for him was more important."

"You haven't slept either."

"Well, that's because I hate hospitals. I'll never be able to fall asleep in one," Lance paused, "I was in a hospital when I first found out my twin sister died, right after I woke up from a coma. That was also the day I had my first panic attack."

Adam looked at him sadly, "I'm sorry..."

Lance smiled at him, "This isn't about me. This about you and Shiro. You care about him. I don't see any other cops here. Anderson isn't here. But you are. Because he's more than another victim in one of your cases to you. He's so much more than that."

Adam blushed, knowing what Lance was hinting at, "I've known him for less than a week."

Lance shrugged, "When you know, you know. And I know. So does Keith. He saw the way you two looked at each other the day you met. It was significant enough that he told me about it."

"Each other?"

Lance nodded, "Oh yeah, he's into you too."

Adam looked down with a smile, "I thought he was dating Allura..."

"They broke up last week," Lance leaned forward to get a better look at Adam, "Just because he was dating a girl doesn't mean that he's straight. Me and Keith are the only ones who know Shiro is bi. And he'd probably kill me for telling you that."

Adam looked at him, "Why are you telling me then?"

"Because I want you to know you have a chance. More than a chance. Shoot your shot. Maybe give it some time before you do though. He just went through a breakup and he's still in the closet. Give him time. You'll have a chance to get to know him better while you wait for him to be ready."

Shiro's dad walked out, "Lance..."

Lance stood up, Adam too, "Mr. Shirogane."

"Please, just Kaito."

Lance nodded, "Is he okay?"

Kaito nodded, "He still hasn't woken up. But they did brain scans. There's no brain damage."

Adam let out a sigh of relief, "Oh thank god."

Kaito looked at him, "You're the deputy who was in charge of his protection, aren't you?"

Adam looked down, "Yes... I am... I take full responsibility for everything that happened."

Kaito walked up to him and put his hand on Adam's shoulder, "He came home and told me all about you the other night. I couldn't get him to talk about anything else no matter how many times I asked him how his first day at the academy went. And Detective Anderson has already spoken to me on your behalf, apologizing for what happened. He told me how you swore not to rest until my son was found." He smiled, "I hold no grudge against you."

Adam looked up at him, "I- Uh- Thank you..."

Kaito nodded at him before looking at Lance, "Tell the others he's going to be fine. They believe he'll wake soon."

Lance nodded, "I will."

Kaito smiled before turning to walk back to Shiro's room.

Lance looked at Adam, "There's more proof he likes you. He wouldn't shut up about you."

Adam looked down with a smile, "I'm glad his dad doesn't hate me."

Lance chuckled, "I said Shiro was in the closet, but I never said his dad doesn't know. He sort of figured it out on his own. It's sort of an unspoken thing between them. He knows Shiro has a crush on you, that's why he said that."

"Lance?" Keith sat up quickly when he woke up to see Lance wasn't in his arms anymore.

Lance smiled and sat down next to him again, "Relax, I was just over there."

Keith smiled and kissed him, "You scared me."

Lance laid his head on Keith's shoulder, "Kaito came out just a minute ago. Shiro's okay. They think he's going to wake up soon."

"That's amazing," Keith smiled as he wrapped his arms Lance, he looked up at Adam, "You're still here?"

"Yeah-"

"He's here because he has a crush on Shiro," Lance giggled.

Adam blushed and looked down.

Keith pinched Lance's cheek, "You butthead, don't just say things like that." Lance just laughed.

Adam smiled at them before sitting down, "You two look so happy with each other. It's cute."

Keith smiled, "We are happy."

Lance nodded, "And you guys will be too."

︵‿︵‿୨♡୧‿︵‿︵

Three hours passed before everyone else woke back up. They were all relieved when Lance told them the good news.

It was another hour before Kaito came back to the waiting room.

"He's awake now. You can all go back to see him. Two at a time."

First Keith and Lance went back. Then Matt and Pidge. Then Hunk and Allura. Last was Adam by himself.

Adam slowly walked into the hospital room, seeing Shiro laying in the bed hooked up to an IV with bandages wrapped around his head.

Shiro smiled at him, "Lance told me you stayed."

Adam walked over, "I couldn't leave until I knew you were okay."

"Didn't my dad tell you I was okay hours ago?"

"I wanted to see that with my own eyes."

"Why don't you sit down?"

Adam nodded, sitting down in one of the chairs by the bed, "How are you feeling?"

"Pretty good, but I think that's just because of the morphine." Shiro chuckled a bit.

Adam smiled, "I'm just glad you're okay. I don't think I would've been able to live with myself if you weren't."

Shiro sighed, reaching over to hold his hand, "It's not your fault."

"It was my job to watch over you, to protect you. But I left you alone."

"You left me in a very safe room. You were only one room away. You told me to stay put. But I didn't. I left. I went outside. That's on me."

Adam just looked down, "I shouldn't have left you alone."

"I should've listened to you."

Adam looked back at him, "Are we just going to keep going back and forth blaming ourselves until one of gives in?"

Shiro chuckled a bit, "Probably. Let's just agree to disagree on who's at fault. Stop placing blame and move on."

Adam smiled, "Okay, I think I can do that."

"You didn't have to stay waiting for me. But it means a lot to me that you did."

"I did have to, for my own sanity. I was so worried. You just passed out, I tried to shake you awake but nothing worked. It was pretty terrifying. I rode in the ambulance with you because I was freaking out so much." Adam looked down.

Shiro frowned, "Well, I'm okay now... They said I can go home in a couple of days. They want to keep me for observation," He squeezed Adam's hand, "You saved me. Don't forget that. You wouldn't rest until you knew I was okay. You saved me."

Adam smiled a bit, still looking down, "I guess I wasn't really thinking about that... I just feel like I failed you-"

"You didn't."

Adam looked back up, "I did though, it was my job to keep you safe."

"I thought we just agreed to disagree on this subject."

Adam sighed, "I just can't let it go," He looked at Shiro's bruises, "I could've taken that call in front of you and no one would have ever known."

"You followed protocol-"

"I left you alone."

"And you told me to stay in the bathroom, but I didn't listen. If I would've waited for you to get off the phone, we could've taken the trash out together. But I wasn't taking the situation seriously and thought going out alone would be fine."

Adam looked Shiro in the eye again, "Agree to disagree..."

"Agree to disagree."

︵‿︵‿୨♡୧‿︵‿︵

Two days passed before Shiro was able to go home. His father was keeping him on bed rest, even though he was fine enough to be up and about.

Another two days passed before their graduation ceremony. Kaito let Shiro go to that.

And three more days passed before. Lance was finally able to go back into the apartment without freaking out. He didn't feel safe there anymore. Keith had the locks fixed the day after the attack but Lance still refused to go inside. Until now. He was moving back in after staying with his parents for the past week.

Keith held Lance's hand as they walked up to their floor in the apartment building together, "It's okay, I promise. I fixed the lock and put extra locks on the door. It's safe here."

Lance was still hesitant. He had panic attacks while trying to go back home after the first few days. But now it was a bit easier. Especially with Keith holding his hand, "O-Okay..." There was still a bloodstain on the floor in the hall in front of their door, he squeezed his eyes shut when he saw it.

Keith immediately blocked Lance's view of it, "Lance, look at me. You're okay."

Lance opened his eyes, "Someone died right here with 5 other cops surrounding the place. How can it possibly be safe." His hands were shaking.

Keith held his hands to steady them, "Carson, Cleo, and Seamus are in jail. They can't get to us again. We're safe."

Lance bit his lip, "Okay..."

Keith smiled at him before pulling him to the door, unlocking it before opening it and bringing Lance inside. Once inside he locked the lock that was already there then locked the three other locks he had just had installed.

Keith held Lance's hand as they walked back to the bedroom. That door had been replaced completely, the wood had split when Anderson kicked it in. Keith set Lance's duffle bag in front of the closet before sitting on the bed with Lance, "Are you feeling okay?"

Lance nodded, fidgeting slightly, "Yeah... I think so..."

Keith kissed his cheek before pulling him into his chest, "We can sit here until you feel comfortable again."

Lance buried his face in Keith's shirt, whimpering slightly.

Keith just held him close, "Mi amor por ti es mayor que las estrellas."

︵‿︵‿୨♡୧‿︵‿︵

It had now been a week since the attack and the trial began. Keith, Lance, and Shiro all had to go on the stand to testify about what had happened.

Two more weeks passed and they were all sentenced to life in prison for attempted murder, Carson got a double life sentence for the murder he actually committed. Cleo and Seamus may get let out on probation one day, but Carson was never getting out. Ever.

June 12

4:59 pm

leggylance: the trial is over. they were all sentenced to life in prison

katiehatesyou: that's good!

leggylance: yeah. im just so glad we don't have to keep sitting in the same room as them almost every day.

katiehatesyou: i'm sorry i couldn't go to the last day of the trial with you

leggylance: don't worry about it! you had your science program shit today. that's more important. how did that go?

katiehatesyou: it went great today! i showed rover to my instructor and she thought it was awesome. rover can now help me with information retrieval so i showed her that

leggylance: you mean hacking?

katiehatesyou: she doesn't need to know that

leggylance: lol i'm just glad it's all going well for you

katiehatesyou: yeah it's pretty amazing. and i get to have lunch with dad every day from now on. i like being able to check on him. today was his first day back.

leggylance: i'm sure he'll be fine

katiehatesyou: i know. i just still like being able to check on him

leggylance: i get it

katiehatesyou: well i've gotta go. me and matt are going to the movies tonight

leggylance: im almost home anyway. tell matt i said hi and that i don't even have to see him to know that his jeans look gay today

katiehatesyou: will do

Lance put his phone away as Shiro pulled up outside their apartments.

Keith smiled at Shiro, "Thanks for driving us."

"No problem. Good luck with fixing your motorcycle."

Keith shrugged, "Just waiting on that spare part. Once it's in it'll be good as new." he got out of the car, helping Lance out too. The SUV was a bit off the ground and Lance had fallen out once, being as clumsy as he is.

Lance waved to Shiro once he was out of the car, "Bye."

Shiro waved back, "See you guys later." Once Keith closed the door, he drove off.

Keith walked into the building with Lance, "How are you feeling?"

Lance smiled at him, "Safe."

*It's over!  Oh my god I can't believe I finished it. It's been 6 months!!! Y'all don't believe how much work I put into this shit. Let me just show y'all something.

I made these notes a year and a half ago. Right after I finished Level Up. But I abandoned the story and didn't pick it up again until 6 months ago. Some things were changed in the final fic, like how far away Boulder is and where Shiro ended living (Started with Harris County, changed my mind to Trinity, then back to Harris County). Some things never even made it in at all, like Cyrin's sister and Romelle. I have calendars made out to December because I didn't know how long the story would stretch out over. But it's good I did that because Respawn will have a lot of time skips and probably stretch out that far. The calendar is 2017 because when I started Level Up it was July 2017. I used the calendar of that month, the story starts in July. The days in the story were the same as the day I wrote them on. And I updated daily. Each chapter was one day, like most of Game Over.

Respawn won't be that way. It will only cover important moments or things I just felt like including. So, in the beginning, it'll be normal but then you're gonna get hella time skips. It'll stretch over several months. I've already gotten a few chapters completed and I'm well into August.

Anyway, if you want to know more about Respawn then keep reading. There's a teaser after this like I did at the end of Level Up for Game Over.*