*Just got the notification reminding me today is update day and got SO excited. I finished this chapter weeks ago. But I'm still working on 9, oof. Anyway. Thanks to Noloua for the last chapter title, "a siren drowned". I tagged "This Bird Has Flown" because my friend has been trying to get me to make an AMV to it with our OCs.*

(3321 words)

Once they all gathered in Allura's basement, all eyes were on Keith.

Keith was looking down, "You already heard a lot of it from Lance..."

Shiro frowned, "I want to hear it from you."

Allura sighed, "Just start where you want."

Keith ran his hands down his face, refusing to look up, "I was already drinking when I moved to Linden. I got moved to so many different homes because I was what they called a discipline case, I was always getting in trouble. Getting caught with alcohol under my bed, getting into fights, sneaking out, ditching school, the list goes on. When I got to Linden, I met Carter at a party. I was already drunk and we ended up hooking up in a bedroom, afterward he lit a joint and asked if I wanted to hit it with him. I said yes, but I didn't know it was laced with cocaine. It was one hell of a high. I felt like I was at the top of the world. He asked me if I wanted to go to this hang out with him and his friends. I went. It was an abandoned building. Apparently, they had a hobby of breaking into old buildings and getting high. After about a week me and Carson started dating. We didn't put a label on it but it was clear to everyone that we were together. I was pretty much always drunk or high, even at school. I was bringing vodka in water bottles, doing lines in the bathroom. I even came to school on acid once. That's why I didn't realize what we were doing to Cyrin and Millie was wrong. They were two kids that were in choir and marching band, I don't know why they hated them so much, why they took every chance they found to torture them. But I took part in that torture. Carter practically had me brainwashed because I was too intoxicated to think for myself. Whenever I would start to question if we were going too far with the bullying, Carter would get me to start drinking or smoking something before sweet-talking me and telling me it was just everyone joking around, that we were all having fun. It worked. He was able to manipulate me into thinking it was fine every time by getting me fucked up as he filled my head with lies. And it only got worse from there," Keith rubbed his eyes, having started to tear up a bit, "It got so much worse..." his voice cracked.

Lance sat closer to him and pulled him into a hug, "Take your time..."

Keith hugged Lance back, taking a few deep breaths before letting go and just leaning against him, "I started to realize what Carson was doing to me. So I got sober for one night. I was at Seamus's, going through withdraw. He told me that was what Carson did, he would date the most vulnerable people he could find and manipulate them. He got off on it, having control over someone like that. So I tried to get sober so I could think for myself again. But I was hooked. I ended up doing acid the next afternoon. Carson came over while I was tripping. I tried to confront him, but he told me Seamus was a liar. He said we should have a drink and talk it over. My dumbass fell for it. I let him get me crossfaded like he always did when he was going to manipulate me."

"What is crossfaded?" Allura asked.

"It's when you take drugs and do alcohol at the same time and they mix together in a bad way. When you get crossfaded you can barely think straight and you get sick. That's why Carson would get me like that. He would act all nice and rub my back when I threw up. And he would slip the lies in there with all the nice things. I believed all of it. And he kept me under his control like that for two months. I never realized how horrible the things we were saying to Cyrin and Millie were. It wasn't until Seamus and Carson started to beat Cyrin up. The first few times they got me to hold Millie back from helping him. But I slowly started to realize it was wrong. So I started to ditch school so I wouldn't be around when they beat up Cyrin. I tried to get myself sober. The night Carson came to see why I hadn't been coming to school I had had a couple of drinks, and so had he. I called him out again, and this time I wasn't going to let him trick me into drinking more or getting high. So he couldn't get me crossfaded and his manipulation didn't work. But I was a bit drunk. We got into a fight over everything we had been doing to Cyrin and Millie. I threw an empty whiskey bottle at him but missed. Then he tried to hit me, but I dodged it. That's when my foster mom came home. She knew about all the bad stuff I was doing but she didn't care, she was only in it for the check the government gave her to take care of me. But she hated Carson, so she kicked him out. I continued to ditch school as much as I could, when I did go to school I avoided Carson and the others at all costs. And then one day we got called out of class for an assembly. They announced that Cyrin had killed himself. After the assembly, I heard people saying he had overdosed on a mixture of every medication in his house. He didn't want there to be the slightest chance of him surviving, he took like fifty pills."

"That's horrible..." Pidge mumbled.

Keith nodded, "I went to Millie after the assembly and apologized, I was a tiny bit drunk so my words were slurring and it was hard to speak. I told her there was no excuse for what I did, I also told her how Carson had been manipulating me. And she hugged me. She's the most forgiving person I've ever met. She cried and I kept hugging her. I knew comforting her wouldn't make up for all the hell we put her through but I figured it was a good start. It turns out she had started cutting herself because of the bullying. We just completely destroyed both of them. The next day the police came to school to question me, Cleo, Carson, and Seamus. They started with Carson and ended with me. Cyrin's parents were there. To start I told them I was a little high and that I was trying to get clean. They thanked me for my honesty. Then I admitted to everything we did to Millie and Cyrin. Then I told them how Carson kept me under his control and how I got out when I finally saw how bad it was getting. I was the only one who told the truth, the others denied everything. In the end, Cyrin's parents sued Cleo, Carson, and Seamus for causing his death. They also sued the school for not doing enough to prevent it. They didn't include me. But the school did expel me and I got moved to a group home for addicts. That's where I got clean. I haven't gone near drugs or alcohol since."

"Those three are the ones harassing you now, aren't they?" Shiro asked.

Keith nodded, "Yes. They're pissed they got sent to Juvy and I only got expelled. They say I'm to blame too and now it's my time to pay the price."

"Pay the price? What does that mean?" Lance asked.

Keith shrugged, "It was just on a card I found in my locker before lunch today. The card was in a bag full of pills... They broke into my locker and left it."

"Why didn't you say anything," Lance asked, "We need to tell Detective Anderson. You could be in danger."

"I didn't want you guys to find out what I did. I knew if I told you some of it I would have to tell you all of it," Keith put his face in his hands.

Pidge frowned, "Keith, what happened wasn't your fault. You were being manipulated, controlled, and abused. You didn't know what you were doing. If you knew, you would have never taken part in it. We all know you're a good person. If Millie could forgive you, then you should forgive yourself."

Keith kept his face hidden behind his hands, "It doesn't matter if I knew or not. I helped torture a boy to the point he took his own life. I did that, knowingly or not. I did it."

Lance wrapped his arms around Keith and pulled him close, "What you did in the past doesn't matter to me, all that matters is who you are now. Now, you are one of the kindest people I know. The kind of person who would go to the end of the Earth to prevent someone from committing suicide... Even if that meant keeping secrets and telling the occasional lie..."

Keith uncovered his face to see everyone nodding in agreement.

"It's a fact that you aren't yourself when you're intoxicated, that it pulls out the worst in people. You weren't yourself," Hunk said, "And on top of the intoxication, Carson was controlling you. You didn't kill Cyrin. It wasn't your fault."

Keith bit his lip, trying to keep himself from crying, "I know I was being controlled, I know it wasn't my fault. But I still did horrible things that cost Cyrin his life, and I have to carry that with me for the rest of my life."

Lance kissed Keith's cheek, "You don't have to carry it alone. You always support me, let me support you for a change."

Keith smiled at him, "I don't deserve you," he looked at the others, "Any of you."

Shiro reached over to hold his hand, "You may not see your worth, but we do."

Lance nodded, "You deserve the world."

Keith hugged Lance close, hiding his face in Lance's shirt, "I love you."

Lance smiled, rubbing his back, "I love you too."

︵‿︵‿୨♡୧‿︵‿︵

Once home, Keith and Lance cuddled in bed together, holding each other close.

Keith pulled Lance closer, "I was so scared you'd hate me after you found out..."

Lance kissed him softly, "I could never hate you. Never. Besides, what happened wasn't your fault. Don't forget that."

Keith nodded, "I know..."

"And tomorrow we're going to the police station to tell Anderson," Lance said, "Who knows what those three have planned. We could all be in danger."

Keith frowned, "I'm sorry I got you pulled into all this."

Lance leaned up on his elbow and looked Keith in the eye, "Whatever we do, we do together. If you're having to go through this, I'm damn sure staying by your side."

Keith rubbed Lance's arm, "I don't want you to have to go through this again."

"I don't care about me right now. I care about you and making sure you don't end up in the same situation I was. I had to go through all that alone and in the end, I was nearly murdered. I'm not letting that happen to you."

Keith sighed, "It's not like that this time. This time we know who is doing it, all of you know about it, and I'm positive they don't want to kill me. They just want to watch me suffer. That's why they tagged you all to that article. They were trying to turn you against me."

Lance frowned, "The only reason we all know about it is because of the article. You would have never told us if we hadn't read the article and figured most of it out ourselves. You were keeping it secret just like I was and look where that got me."

"Let's just stop talking about it for now, it's getting you all upset," Keith reached up and caressed Lance's cheek, "Just lay back down, we'll talk to Anderson about it all tomorrow."

"You're the reason I'm upset, cabeza estupida," Lance flicked Keith's forehead.

Keith chuckled and pulled Lance down to lay on his chest, "Just lay with me."

Lance looked up at him with a smirk, "I know something more fun we can do in this bed."

Keith raised an eyebrow, "Oh really?"

Lance nodded, sitting up again, "Way more fun."

Keith grabbed Lance and made him lay down again, but this time he got on top of him, "I'm up for a little fun"

Lance smiled, pulling Keith into a passionate kiss.

Keith chuckled into the kiss, pulling the blanket over them.

︵‿︵‿୨♡୧‿︵‿︵

The next day, Keith woke up quite a bit before Lance. But Keith stayed in bed, holding Lance close. He stayed like that until Lance finally woke up.

Lance nuzzled into Keith's chest before his eyes fluttered open and he looked at him, "Were you watching me sleep?"

Keith chuckled, "Maybe. I had a beautiful view."

Lance smiled and leaned up to kiss him, "You dork."

Keith booped Lance's nose, "You adorable ray of sunshine."

Lance sat up with a smile, "I'm hungry."

Keith sat up too, wrapping his arms around Lance's waist, "It's my turn to cook, what do you want?"

Lance thought for a moment, "I don't know... Surprise me."

Keith kissed Lance's shoulder, "Why don't you stay here. We'll have breakfast in bed."

Lance turned to smile at him, "Sounds perfect."

Keith kissed him again before getting out of bed and leaving the room.

Lance grabbed his phone before laying back down, opening up a chat with Pidge.

10:09 am

leggylance: hey

katiehatesyou: what's up?

leggylance: keith is making me breakfast in bed

katiehatesyou: you're just waking up?

leggylance: you are in no place to judge me on sleep shedules

katiehatesyou: fair enough

leggylance: me and keith were up late last night ;)

katiehatesyou: i don't want to know

leggylance: don't be so prudish. like you and hunk never did it

katiehatesyou: we didn't actually

leggylance: wait seriously??

katiehatesyou: yeah, i would've told you if I lost my virginity. i was the first person you called when you did it with Zack for the first time

leggylance: we don't speak of him anymore. why didn't you guys never do it? you've been together longer than me and keith and we've done it loads of times

katiehatesyou: okay we only got together a week before you guys. but idk why we didn't. there were times we almost did but it just felt wrong. i just wasn't into it. don't get me wrong, it's not that i wasn't into him. i just wasn't into the concept of sex. i'm still not. i don't get why people find it so appealing

leggylance: because it feels fucking amazing lmao

katiehatesyou: idk it just isn't for me

leggylance: maybe you're asexual

katiehatesyou: i don't have any problems in relationships, it's just sex that i hit a wall with

leggylance: you can be heteroromantic and asexual. or whateverromantic. capable of romantic relationships, just not sexual ones

katiehatesyou: idk maybe. why are you so good with sexual awakenings? you were so good at helping Hunk figure out he's pan and Allura figure out she's bi

leggylance: idk. oh btw i've been texting matt. he is 100% homo. but he doesn't want your parents to know yet. oh and he's a total bottom

katiehatesyou: you are a sexual orientation guru

leggylance: lol i gtg keith just came back with breakfast

katiehatesyou: okay, i'm in class anyway

leggylance: haha sucks to be a junior :P

katiehatesyou: suck my dick

Lance set his phone as Keith sat on the bed with two plates of eggs and bacon, "I put maple syrup on your eggs, you weirdo."

Lance laughed as he took his plate, "It's really good! You should try it this time."

"I'm never trying that atrocity," Keith joked.

Lance shrugged and took a bite of his syrup-soaked scrambled eggs, "Your loss."

They ate in silence after that, neither speaking until Keith took Lance's plate and stood up.

"So we're going to see Anderson today?" Lance asked.

Keith sighed, "Yes... As much as I hate to, I did promise you."

Lance stood up from the bed, "Your life could be in danger, we have to tell the police before we end up in the Anna situation all over again."

"So you've said. I get it," Keith walked out of the room, towards the kitchen, Lance following, "We'll go right after I take a shower."

Lance nodded, "Okay, get going then," he turned around and went back to the bedroom.

Keith sighed and put their plates in the dishwasher before getting in the shower.

︵‿︵‿୨♡୧‿︵‿︵

Lance and Keith walked into the police station together, but before they could get to Anderson's desk Keith got a text

mortemsirenis: i sure hope you aren't planning on telling them about us

Lance looked over Keith's shoulder to read the text, "Don't let them intimidate you. All the people you care about already know what happened, they can't sabotage your life like they tried before. And the police can protect you from any physical threats."

Keith nodded, "Right, you're right," he took a deep breath and started to walk again.

Lance held his hand as they made their way.

Anderson looked up from his files, "Ah, you're here. What's up, boys?"

They both sat down, "Um, we know who has been harassing me," Keith said.

"I assume that means there's been more contact?"

Keith nodded, "They started texting me, and tagged all my friends in an article on twitter."

"What article," Anderson asked.

Lance handed Anderson his phone, "This one."

Anderson skimmed over the article, "What does this have to do with you?"

Keith hesitated, "I'm the fourth, unnamed kid. And those other three are the ones harassing me. They're upset they got sent to Juvy and I only got expelled. They say Cyrin's death was my fault too and I have to pay the price."

"So it has escalated to threats..." Anderson sighed and started typing something into his computer, "I'm putting a bolo out on these three, it's safe to assume they're in the area."

Lance nodded, "They sent Keith a text as we were walking in, they knew we were here."

"They've been watching me," Keith said, "They hacked into the school's system and got my class schedule and locker number. They broke into my locker and left a bag of pills with a card, I panicked and threw it away."

Anderson nodded, "Well, they've been very careful about DNA evidence so far so I doubt there was any on that bag either. But since they made these accounts to text you and send that tweet, we may be able to track down an IP address. I'll have Williams look into that when he gets back," He wrote down the username so Adam would be able to search it later.

"We're afraid they might try to harm Keith physically," Lance said, "They tried to sabotage his relationships with that tweet, but it didn't work. Who knows what they'll try next."

"Well, we can have someone tail him for his protection." Anderson said, "You won't even notice they're there, and neither will these three."

Keith nodded, "Okay, but what if they try to hurt my friends? When Anna was harassing Lance she threatened the rest of us to make him suffer. What if they do the same thing?"

"Then we'll have protective detail on all of them," Anderson put all their names in his computer to request protective detail, "Is there anything else?"

Keith shook his head, "No, that's all."

"Alright, then let me introduce you to the officers who will be doing protective detail for each of you," Anderson stood up and the two followed.

After being introduced to the officers, they went left and went out to eat lunch. Both feeling way safer than before.

*They think they're safe, but are they? ;)*