Yeah so this is basically following Lemon Boy by cavetown. If you do not know this song, this is me trying my best to pull you out from the rock you live under.

Enjoy some super cheesy Klance

"If Mr. Anderson gives us another packet, I'm actually dropping out." Samantha complained.

"Have you heard? Someone saw Mr. Anderson shopping at the mall. You'll never guess what that old geezer was getting." Laura leaned back on her hands. She was sitting on top of the desk with her feet on the chair.

"What?!" Samantha was grinning now.

"Lingerie." Laura said quietly.

"Oh my gosh! Lance, did you hear that?" Samantha slapped his arm playfully.

"Oh come on... Mr. Anderson isn't that bad. And I hardly believe that's true." Lance tapped his pencil against his thigh.

"Oh lighten up, he gives too much homework, I know you're thinking it too." Laura rolled her eyes.

"Ladies, Lance doesn't want to hear about your girly gossip." Brock walked up to the bunch and sat on his desk lazily. He wore a red letterman's jacket that Lance suspected he never left the house without.

"Sup Broccoli." Lance smiled doing their signature handshake.

The bell rang and just as quickly, Mr. Anderson walked into the classroom. He was a short stubby man but sweet overall. He had kind eyes and a warm face. "Alright, take your seats, the bell has rung."

Lance immediately stood and went to his assigned seat, almost too quickly. He sat next to Keith, swinging his bag to the floor.

Keith was mostly quiet, Lance had only recalled the boy speaking on very few occasions. He was handsome though, Lance wondered if he even had many friends.

"How are your papers on the scarlet letter coming along?" Mr. Anderson smiled. Groans sounded from much of the class.

Laura turned around in her seat and made a gagging gesture to Lance who just smiled.

"Alright, I'm gonna teach you all how to get an A on everything." The teacher rubbed his hands together preparing to lecture.

"Does it involve committing adultery in a 17th century Puritan town?" Keith muttered quietly to himself.

Lance unexpectedly let out a light snort and then a chortle. He quickly cupped a hand over his mouth to suppress it. The corner of Keith's mouth turned up, he hadn't expected Lance to find that funny.

The teacher turned around and gave a disapproving look to Lance, but he returned to the board. Lance's friends all glanced back at him to give him questioning looks.

The lecture was slow and boring, and barely provided anything worth note taking. "Alright, that's enough lecture for the day." Mr. Anderson slid on his glasses and pulled out a stack of papers. "I'm going to hand back your test results over the scarlet letter. It's obvious most of you never actually read it like you were supposed to."

He walked back and forth between each row handing the students their papers face down. As soon as Lance got his, he carefully lifted the edge to see the grade so no one else could. Except, Keith caught a glimpse of the A. Keith himself also got an A.

"Psst, Lance! What'd you get?" Laura turned around in her seat.

"Totally bombed it." Lance laughed. "Barely even read the thing."

"Same." She held up her test showing the big F.

"I must be the smart one of the group." Samantha held up her paper, proudly flaunting her C.

"Whatever, D's get degrees." Brock held up his test showing the D.

"It's actually C's get degrees. But whatever helps you sleep at night." Lance nervously tapped his pencil.

Lance's friends all turned back around.

"What about you?" Lance asked quietly to Keith.

Keith silently held up his paper. "Same as you."

Lance rubbed the back of his neck. "I was just lucky."

"Riiight." Keith nodded.

Lance awkwardly turned his attention back to the teacher and pursed his lips.

"Alright, I want you all to parter up with someone. I'm going to pass out an essay and you will together--meaning equal participation from both of you--write a rhetorical analysis." He glanced at the class over his glasses.

Quickly the teacher handed out the papers and released them into the chaos of finding a partner.

"Lance want to be partners?" Samantha asked with a grin.

"Sorry, I already agreed to be partners with Keith." Lance gave a half smile. She sighed and found some other person.

"You did, did you?" Keith raised an eyebrow.

"Please be my parter." Lance begged. "I know they're me friends but I can't be left to do the assignment by myself again."

"I guess I'll have mercy." Keith leaned back in his chair and began reading the handout. "We're analyzing an essay on gender equality. Not bad."

Lance smiled, this assignment was going to fly by working with him.

They started off by targeting techniques the author used in the writing and highlighting examples in the text.

"I'll take the intro if you take the conclusion." Keith offered.

"Deal. I hate writing introductions." Lance happily writing his half as Keith did his.

The bell rang and Lance sighed, "Looks like we'll have to finish outside of class."

"Here," Keith wrote his number on a sticky note, "I'm free tonight if you are."

"Yeah, that works." Lance took the note a little eager. "Do you drive?"

"No." Keith slid his binder into his backpack.

"I could just drive us." Lance offered.

"Sounds good," Keith pulled his backpack over his shoulder. "See you later." He smiled.

Lance found he was grinning a little wider than he meant. "See ya," he waved.

"Sucks that you got stuck with him. You need to learn how to say no." Laura leaned on Lances desk watching him finish packing his stuff.

"Sometimes you're too nice for your own good." Samantha chuckled.

"He's actually really great, I think you guys would like him." Lance pulled his bag on.

They giggled. "What are you doing tonight?" Laura asked.

"I'm actually finishing up the analysis with Keith." Lance started to walk with the other three.

"Shit Lance, it's a Friday night. Just say you got busy and let him finish it." Brock nudged him.

"What? Why?" Lance looked at them with a frown.

"Welll... Brock has a friend-" Samantha started.

"-Who's a freshman in college!" Laura intervened.

"And he's throwing a party. It's supposed to be amazing!" Samantha finished.

"No, even if I do cancel with Keith, I have other commitments. I told my mom I'd help her make a cake for my sibling's birthday tomorrow." Lance lied.

"Uggh, fine. You used to be way more fun." Laura frowned branching off to her class.

"Yeah, you need to loosen up a little." Samantha rolled her eyes and pushed his shoulder.

Lance chuckled. "You make me sound like a stick in the mud."

"Yeah, yeah," Samantha left waving him off with a smile.

"So?" Brock started, "When are you gonna tap that?"

"What? Tap who?" Lance grimaced.

"Samantha dude. She was flirting with you." Brock frowned. "I'm disappointed, thought I brought you up better than that man."

"I don't know, I still have the weekend." Lance laughed doing his handshake with Brock and they parted ways.

Lance rubbed his eyes. Now he had to find some kind of excuse to avoid Samantha for the weekend. Brock assumed he wasn't a virgin and Lance never corrected him. Not to mention, he had no interest in Samantha.

Lance pulled out his phone and put Keiths number in. His stomach did a small flip.

Lance: Hey, it's Lance, wanna meet by the east entrance after school?

Lance went to class and during the lesson he felt his phone vibrate. He tried to ignore it, the text could wait.

He stood up and grabbed the bathroom pass. Lance walked into the hall and pulled out his phone.

Keith: Yeah
Keith: I might be few minutes late, we're doing a lab and cleanup usually goes past the bell.

Lance: Kk, see you in a few!

Lance stared at his screen. He picked apart the messages. Maybe he shouldn't have added the exclamation point.

He started heading back to class. No, the exclamation point adds a bit of flavor.

He sat down. But it's so obnoxious.

No, the punctuation makes the text less bland. Otherwise it would sound like he was unhappy.

But, it's also-

Ding!

The bell finally rang and Lance jumped up from his seat. He sped walked to the East entrance and waited nervously.

A few moments later, Keith could be seen walking down the hall.

Lance stood up a little straighter and ran a hand through his hair. "Hey."

"Hey." Keith gave a small half smile.

"That didn't take you long at all." Lance began to walk next to him as they exited the building.

"Surprisingly, I managed to finish early." Keith followed Lance.

"You were just excited to do homework with me, obviously." Lance joked unlocking his Jeep.

"Don't flatter yourself." Keith grinned. They threw their backpacks in the backseat and climbed in.

Lance started his Jeep and soft jazz began to play. Lance quickly switched it off at lightning speed.

"What was that?" Keith questioned.

"What?" Lance put the vehicle in reverse.

"Are you trying to hide your music choice from me?" Keith raised an eyebrow.

Lance sighed, "It's lame, you won't like it."

Keith reached out and turned it back on. The music poured out of the speakers once again.

Keith closed his eyes and listened carefully.

Lance was staring at him, slightly in awe.

"Hmm, Jazz?" Keith suddenly opened his eyes and turned to look at Lance.

Lance went to speak but found nothing came out.

Honk!

Lance suddenly jumped and began to back out. "Oops." Someone had honked their horn after waiting for Lance to back out.

Keith chuckled glancing out the window. They got in the large line to leave the parking lot. "So, where should we set up?" Lance asked.

"Hm, your house?" Keith suggested.

They pulled into Lance's driveway and climbed out.

"I'm not saying cats isn't a good play, but the movie was terrifying." Keith grabbed his bag and shut the door.

"I second that." Lance laughed grabbing his bag and unlocking the front door.

They walked inside and Lance closed the door behind them. Keith made note that the house smelled like vanilla and lavender.

"Hurry, before my siblings find out your here." Lance laughed going up the stairs. Keith quickly followed him to the bedroom. Lance closed the door behind them. "They won't leave you alone if they find out you're here."

Keith smiled and set down his bag. Lance plopped onto his bed sitting horizontally with his back against the wall. Keith sat next to him and they pulled out their work.

It dawned on Keith how many people at Voltron High would kill to even step foot in Lance's room let alone sit on his bed. Keith--as out of the loop he typically is with high school drama--was not oblivious to the high interest girls have with the tall boy. Yet, all it took was a a partner assignment, and now here he was, sitting on Lance McClain's bed, listening to jazz.

Not even twenty minutes later, the assignment was finished. However, neither of the two boys showed any intention of stopping the night there.

They continued to sit and talk about anything and everything. They had absolutely no filter as they jumped from one topic to the next.

"Laaaance! Mom says you have to set the table!" Lance's younger sister called up the stairs.

Both boys looked at each other. Lance stood up and stretched. "Wanna have dinner with us?"

"No, that's okay, your family wasn't really expecting me-" Keith started to decline.

"Oh come on, there's so many of us you'll blend right in anyway." Lance rolled his eyes and pushed him out into the hallway.

"O-okay," Keith smiled, he really didn't have much of a choice.

"Hey mama." Lance kissed his mother's cheek as he walked into the kitchen. "Do you mind if Keith joins us?"

"Oh of course not! Sit down!" She smiled welcomingly. "Finally, I was beginning to worry Lance didn't have any friends. I've never seen any." She playfully poked at Lance's side.

Keith smiled and did as he was told. He sat down and immediately was flooded with children. "What's your name?" A young boy asked.

"Your hair is long." Observed a small girl.

"Do you go to school with Lance?" Another small boy bombarded.

"I'm Keith. It is. And yes." Keith chuckled answering all their questions.

Lance smiled watching Keith interact with his siblings, nieces, and nephews. He set down plates along the large table. Even some fold up chairs had been added in addition to the many already there. Lance disappeared for a bit and reappeared with another fold up chair.

Mindie, Lance's niece, was now sitting on Keith's lap playing with his hair. "Oh my gosh." Lance laughed covering his mouth trying to contain it.

"What?" Keith looked up chuckling.

Lance sat across from Keith, having finished setting the table. He rested his chin on his palm as he watched Keith entertain the three kids.

His mom walked out from the kitchen and set a few bowls and plates of food on the table. "You're father made your favorite! Garlic knots and pasta! Can you let everyone know dinner is ready?"

"Yes! Thank you!" Lance jumped up. "La cena está lista!" He called up the stairs.

Keith had taken up to Spanish 2, and he was able to get the general idea of what he said.

Out walked a taller gentleman wearing a cooking apron who Keith assumes is Lance's father. So that's where he gets his height, he thought. The man wasn't Latino but Lance's mother was.

"Hi, I'm Lances dad, you can call me John." He held out his hand.

Keith took it firmly and shook it. "Nice to meet you, I'm Keith."

"Good handshake!" He exclaimed. "You need to teach Lance that. You go to shake his hand and it's like a limp noodle."

Keith laughed, "We'll work on that."

"Good." He smiled a very dad like smile and pulled off his apron.

People of all ages began flooding the kitchen and Lance quickly stole a spot next to Keith. Lance began pointing at people introducing them. There were a lot of names to memorize.

Everyone finally settled in their seats. They all reached out holding hands with the person sitting next to them, Lance and his younger niece Mindie held Keith's hands. They all said prayer before digging in.

Keith was surprised at how quickly the family welcomed him, as if they'd known him for years.

They were all talking loudly and telling stories and remising. Keith laughed at every single one. If there was anything the McClain family was good at, it was telling a story.

"So Keith, you're in the same grade as Lance right?" Lance's mom, Martha, asked.

"Yeah, we have English together." Keith said taking a bite of the pasta. It was heavenly good.

"Mind if I ask your last name?" She asked.

"Kogane."

"Hm, I don't recognize it. What do your parents do for a living?" She asked taking a sip of water.

Keith looked down at his plate and shifted uncomfortably. "My...- they passed away."

His mother suddenly put down her glass and looked at him. "Oh." Her eyes seemed to tear up. "How may I ask?"

"Um, my mother died during childbirth and my father was a firefighter. He died on the job when I was eight."

"I'm so sorry." She pursed her lips and dabbed at the corners of her eyes with a napkin. "They'd be proud of you, you are a very fine young man."

Lance was staring at him a little shocked but there was pity in his eyes. It made Keith uncomfortable. He wanted to lighten the mood again. The table was dead silent as all eyes were on him.

"You can thank my brother for that then. He and Adam raised me." Keith smiled.

"Adam?" She asked. Keith could feel the mood already beginning to lighten.

"My brothers husband. They both teach science at the university." Keith felt himself tense a little, he didn't know if these people were homophobic or not.

"That's wonderful! Jordan, do you know them?" She turned to Lances brother. "He's a student there." She explained.

"Yeah, Mr. Takashi is one of my professors! He's amazing!" Jordan was smiling from ear to ear.

Just like that, the conversation had taken off again.

"Hey Keith, maybe we could have dinner again and we could invite Adam and Shiro." John, Lance's father, offered.

Keith glanced at Lance who was smiling. "That would be amazing," he felt his heart swell in his chest.

"Here, let me take that." Lance grabbed Keith's plate from him as he walked into the kitchen.

"I can help you." Keith followed him to the sink.

"You're a guest." Lance scolded him while scrubbing the plate.

Keith pulled open the dishwasher and took the plate from him setting it in. "See? Teamwork."

Lance chuckled, "You're so stubborn."

When they left the kitchen they went back to Lances room so Keith could grab his things. They got in Lances Jeep and he began to take him home.

"You know, my family really liked you." Lance said as they pulled out of the driveway. "Like, really liked you."

Keith felt like that was some sort of accomplishment. "Can I ask you something, if you promise not to take offense?"

"Okay... sure," Lance smiled nervously.

"Why are you friends with... well your friends?" Keith nervously asked. Jazz smoothly rolled through the air, without it, it would be silent.

"I don't... what do you mean?" Lance's hands gripped a little tighter on the steering wheel.

"Well, first of all, you lie to them about the kind of person you are. You aren't anything like them in fact." Keith said matter of factly.

Lance looked at him, his face sour.

"Which is a good thing." Keith quickly tried to correct whatever misunderstanding Lance pulled from his statement. "They... well you..." Keith sighed.

"'Well I' what?" Lance frowned.

Keith bit his cheek. "You're not yourself around them. Around them...- the person you were at your house just there, that was you. That felt more like you than I've seen. But when you're around them, it's like I can feel you holding your breath."

"Is this because of the test grade?" Lance asked. He was missing what Keith was saying, mostly on purpose.

"It's more than that. You care about your future and your family. Don't you ever get tired of being around people who don't? People who tell you what brands to buy, what clothes to wear, what to laugh at, how to fix your hair, all of it." Keith is looking at him now. "I'm not stupid. I sit next to you for forty minutes, five days a week, and I feel like I've managed to piece you together, but what I can't figure out, is why you don't walk away from all of it."

Lance sucked in a breath. "Going into high school, I didn't have any friends all of freshman year. Sophomore year, they sort of took me under their wing in a way. Even though they told me what to do, wear, and say... at least I was part of something. At least I wasn't eating alone at lunch or sitting in the back of classrooms wondering if anyone even knows my name." Lance stopped at a stoplight. The sun was going down and his skin seemed to glow. "I never left because... I don't want to go back to that."

Keith watched as Lance's knuckles were white holding onto the wheel.

"I am sick of pretending." Lance finally admitted.

Keith smiled his charming half smile that made Lance speechless. "At least you don't have to pretend around me." Keith leaned forward and turned up the music. He rested back against the seat and closed his eyes letting the sound envelop him.

Lance stared in wonder. He'd never met anyone like Keith.

"Hey Lance?" Keith opened his eyes and turned his head to look at him, catching his stare.

"Uh, yeah?" Lance responded, but still in a daze.

"The light's green." Keith smirked.

Lance's head snapped forward and he realized Keith was right. He silently thanked the lord no one was behind him as he pressed the gas.

Lance pulled into an apartment complex as directed by Keith. He parked and let Keith out, watching as he grabbed his bag and waved goodbye.

Lance didn't put his car in reverse until he watched the door shut and Keith was out of sight.

That night, Lance laid in bed. He couldn't fall asleep, even as he stared up at the ceiling in the darkness.

Ding!

Lance reached over and picked up his phone, wincing at the sudden brightness.

Keith: I told Shiro that your brother Jordan is one of his students. He wants you to tell him he better be studying since he obviously didn't last test.

Lance felt himself let out a few laughs. And his thumbs pecked at his phone.

Lance: Sure thing, can't say I'm surprised. Tell Shiro the McClain family apologizes on behalf of Jordan. He have no idea why he is the way he is.

And just like that, a whole new conversation began. Lance wasn't sure what time he fell sleep, just that it was an ungodly hour.

When he sat up in his bed, he quickly pulled out his phone to see the last message was from Keith. He quickly sent a message and was delighted at the quick response.

All weekend they spent texting back and forth, and when Monday came, Lance actually found himself excited to go to school. He sat in his first period bouncing his leg nervously. He waved and smiled and pleased everyone, but it was like everyone was on the other side of his bubble.

Finally the bell rang and he was practically running to English. When he rushed through the door, he saw Keith. Keith, who was already sitting quietly with one earbud in tapping his pencil. He looked up and smiled when he locked onto Lance's gaze.

"Hey," Lance slid off his bag and sat next to Keith.

"Hey," Keith grabbed his other earbud. "listen to this. I've been obsessed with this song ever since I heard it yesterday in your car."

Lance put it in his ear. "Take Five."

Keith tapped his fingers to the melody and Lance watched in awe of just how quickly Keith had him speechless.

"Lance, what're you doing?" Laura asked sitting on his desk and dragging him down from cloud nine.

"I was just listening to...- Keith was showing me a song." Lance glanced to the boy beside him.

She grabbed the earbud and slipped it in her ear. "Ew, it's that jazz crap again." She dropped it on the desk.

"Also, Samantha texted me last night. Why have you been ghosting her?" Laura frowned and leaned back on her hands. "You didn't respond to my snap either."

"Sorry, I got busy with my sibling's birthday. I told you it was going to be a handful." Lance smiled apologetically. He saw Keith smile to himself as he pulled out his book.

"Whatever." Laura sighed and left to sit at her own desk.

"You were too busy to text huh?" Keith spoke quietly his face behind his book.

"Hah. Hah." Lance rolled his eyes. "What are you reading?"

Keith marked it and held it out to Lance. "It's called Carry On."

"What's it about?"

"It's a lot like Harry Potter. Magic and all." Keith explained.

Lance pulled out his phone and typed the title into his notes. "If you like it, it has to be good."

Samantha and Brock both walked into the classroom and Lance immediately adverted his attention, hoping not to make eye contact. Keith looked at him smugly.

"Oh can it. Are they walking over here?" Lance mumbled.

"Hmm... no." Keith glanced at the two teens.

"Great, I'm probably gonna hear it after class." Lance complained.

"Unless..." Keith started.

"Unless what?" Lance was now intrigued.

"Unless you conveniently had to use the bathroom right before the bell rings?" Keith gave a sly smirk.

"That would be convenient, wouldn't it?" Lance smiled.

"I'll get your backpack."

"Deal." Lance turned to the teacher who was now starting his lesson. He collected the papers and the two boys turned theirs in, proud of their work.

When the clock read a minute before class ended, Lance silently grabbed the bathroom pass and left. Moments later the bell rang.

Lance had already packed up everything, making it easy. Keith pulled a bag on each shoulder and turned to leave. "What are you doing with Lance's bag?" The three teens stopped him.

"He had to use the bathroom, he asked if I could grab it for him just before he left." Keith made up an excuse.

"We can take it for him." Samantha held out her hand expectantly.

"No, that's okay. I don't mind taking it to him." Keith took a step back gripping the strap tighter.

"We're all going to lunch anyway. We sit next to him." She urged her hand again.

"I don't think so, Lance asked me. It'll over complicate things." Keith then quickly turned around and sped walked out. He left no window of opportunity for them to respond.

Keith then slipped into the boys bathroom and saw Lance leaning against the wall. "Yes!" He hauled it over his shoulder. "Now I just gotta take this back." He lifted the hall pass, letting it dangle from his finger.

"I had some trouble getting past your friends with your backpack." Keith said as they left the bathroom.

"Ugh, really? Sorry." Lance frowned.

"It's okay, but they said they sit by you at lunch. So as much as you try to avoid confrontation, it's still coming." Keith gave him a knowingly smug look.

Lance pouted but suddenly perked up at an idea. "You should sit with us!"

Keith was mildly surprised at the sudden offer. "I don't think that's a good id-..." he began.

"Come on, please? I'm sure they'd love you if they just talked to you." Lance pleaded.

Keith knew he was going to hate it and that it could very well end up being the worst lunch in history, but he agreed. "Okay."

"Sweet! I promise, it'll be fine. They aren't as mean as they seem." Lance grinned as he walked backward into the classroom, not breaking eye contact.

Keith chuckled when Lance nearly tripped. Lance nervously laughed it off and disappeared into the room.

A moment or two passed and Lance popped his head out. "Psst, come here. Mr. Anderson wants to talk to us."

Keith had a moment of panic. Why would the teacher want to talk to them?

Lance seemed to be just as clueless as they stood in front of the teachers desk. "Boys, it's convenient you're here. I was just reading your analysis, and I have to say, it's probably the best work I've seen from both of you. And that says a lot." Mr. Anderson grinned.

Smiles spread across the teen's faces. They had not expected that.

"I can really see the blend of both your writing and your tones mesh together exquisitely. You gave me exactly what I asked for and more."

Lance glanced at him excitedly and Keith thanked the teacher.

"No, I should be thanking you. Anyway, enjoy your lunch. I'm glad I got to tell you boys." He dismissed them.

"I can't believe that just happened." Keith laughed as soon as the door shut behind them.

"I think we just got an A." Lance fist bumped Keith. They walked to the cafeteria and got their lunch and much to Keith's dismay, they sat down next to Lance's group. The three usual teens were there, but a few more Keith didn't know the names of were there too.

"Hey, mind if Keith joins us?" Lance looked at his friends for approval.

"I... guess." Laura looked at him confused.

"So Lance, what did you do this weekend?" Samantha asked leaning on her hand.

"Mostly homework and helping with my sibling's party." He said taking a bite of his pizza.

"Yeah, you must have been busy. You never even responded to my snap..." Samantha frowned and poked at him.

"Sorry," he apologized, "my mom would've crucified me if she saw me on my phone during a family event."

Keith quietly took a bite of his own pizza.

"Laaaannnceee..." Laura whined, "we told you you shouldn't wear blue. It washes you out."

"And I still don't understand that." Lance laughed.

"You never listen." Samantha sighed, "Brock listens. Don't you Brock?"

Brock looked up quizzically. "What?"

"Lance wore blue even though it washes him out." Samantha tattled.

"Geez Lance, how dare you." He said, but when neither of the girls were looking, he mouthed 'they're crazy'.

Lance laughed and looked to Keith who was visibly uncomfortable. "Your hair is down today." He observed.

"Yeah," Keith touched it, "I've been pulling it back a lot."

"I like it pulled back. It looks all cool." Lance casually said taking another bite of his food. "But down is nice too."

"Have you thought of cutting it?" Laura asked.

Keith opened his mouth to respond but Lance turned to him wide eyed. "Please don't cut it!" He begged.

Keith chuckled, "It's just hair Lance."

"'It's just hair Lance'" Lance mimicked. "I like your hair. It looks all soft and fluffy." A pink rose to both boy's cheeks.

"Speaking of which. Lance your hair needs a new style." Samantha cut in as she stood up to dump her tray.

When she was out of earshot, Brock moved into her seat. "So? Did you two do it? She won't tell me anything." He asked.

Keith immediately felt his stomach do a flop and he set down his pizza suddenly no longer hungry.

"No, I told you I got busy." Lance nudged him.

"No way were you that busy." Brock frowned. "Unless?"

"Unless what?" Lance raised an eyebrow blandly.

"Unless you got a chick. Who is she?" A smile spread across the jock's face.

"What? I-I don't! I'm not!" Lance suddenly panicked.

"You look nervous, like you have something to hide." Brock teased.

"There is no other chick." Lance defended.

"What does she look like?" Brock prodded.

Keith felt an anger churning in his stomach. Brock's obsession with Lance getting laid annoyed him.

"There really isn't!" Lance rolled his eyes.

"Fine." Brock frowned. "What about you?" He leaned over to look at Keith.

Keith looked up surprised and glanced to Lance hoping he'd save him from having to answer. Except, Lance looked just as, if not, more curious to the answer. "No, there's no one."

"That's surprising." Laura mumbled.

Lance looked up quickly and Keith was actually scared of him for a brief moment. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"I mean--and take no offense to this--you're not exactly the most social. Kind of like Lance when we first became friends with him. You just need a little help along is all." She smiled.

Samantha returned. "What are we talking about?"

"Keith. What's your type anyway?" Laura asked the clueless boy.

"My type?" Keith looked confused.

"Yeah! You know, the type of person you're interested in." Samantha explained.

"Oh." He shifted nervously. "I guess, having the same or at least similar interests. Being willing to try new things that the other person likes. Umm..."

"No, no!" Samantha laughed. "Like physically."

"Lance always just responds with 'I don't have a type, I don't see why it matters anyway.'' Laura teased.

"And I still don't!" Lance interjected.

"Yeah but you also haven't had a girlfriend in years. So you're not one to talk." Laura turned up her nose.

"Are you kidding!" Samantha laughed. "You haven't had a girlfriend like ever!"

"That's not true!" Lance argued.

"Third grade doesn't count Lance." Laura frowned.

"Okay, then yeah, I've never had a girlfriend." Lance admitted a little annoyed.

"It's probably your hair." Samantha brought up the issue again. "It makes you look like a dope." She rolled her eyes.

"And it couldn't hurt to update your wardrobe." Laura added.

"You should try out for lacrosse. Girls dig guys in lacrosse." Brock added.

Keith slammed down his fork. "Maybe he's not interested in just getting into the closest person's pants. Sorry Lance, I tried." Keith stood up. "Feel free to join me."

Lance's eyes were blown wide at Keith's outburst. Keith was grabbing his things and Lance had a moment of panic. "Keith, wait, they don't mean it. They're just teasing-" He stood up.

Keith hauled his bag over his shoulder and began walking away.

"I'm gonna be right back." Lance said to his friends before going after Keith. "Keith wait."

They were out of the cafeteria now and the hall was empty. Keith turned around, "Lance you look fine in blue."

Lance laughed, "What?"

"You look fine in blue. And there's nothing wrong with your hair." Keith's arms were folded and he was looking to the side avoiding eye contact.

Lance stared at him admiringly. The boy was quiet but blunt and it made him smile. "Keith, I wish I met you before them."

Keith looked up meeting Lance's stare. "Me too." Suddenly he seemed to get an idea. "Follow me."

Lance did as he was told as they walked back to the cafeteria. Keith sat down at a table with two other people. Lance recognized them however he couldn't remember their names.

"Hey, we were just wondering where you were." The ginger haired girl looked up. Her short hair, round glasses, and dark green sweater made for an interesting fashion sense but she pulled it off.

"Yeah, also I brought macaroons." The other spoke. He was taller and heavyset but looked incredibly sweet as he held out a container of the colorful cookies.

"You've got to be kidding me, those things are amazing!" Keith lit up taking one. "Lance you have to try."

Lance smiled awkwardly at the group.

"Oh, right," Keith got some sense, "this is Lance." He then gestured to the ginger girl, "That's Pidge and the chef is Hunk."

Hunk extended the container out further urging Lance to take one. "Thank you," He took a cookie. When he bit into it, his eyes lit up.

Lance was immediately accepted into the group. They asked him question after question and Keith just smiled as he watch Lance answer them all.

When lunch was over Lance walked with Keith since their classes were somewhat close. Lance was still talking excitedly about Pidge and Hunk. Keith chuckled, happy with how ecstatic he was.

Lance was rambling and then out popped a question. "Are you free again tonight?" He paused waiting for Keith's answer.

"Uh, yeah," Keith answered mindlessly, "I mean, I have homework, but yeah."

Lance smiled widely, "Okay, I'll see you in a few hours." He waved walking away to his class. It wasn't until then that Keith realized he was already in front of his class.

Some time later, the bell finally rung and Keith found himself rushing to get to the East entrance. When he got there, he saw Lance smiling at him.

They happily got in Lance's Jeep and headed to his house. Just like the first time, he pushed him up towards his room out of fear of his siblings.

Lance was laughing as he shut his door and Keith sat on his bed exhaustedly.

They sat on his bed and worked on homework for roughly a half an hour before they gave up and called it quits for the time being. They watched The Office for a bit before Lance's mom called them down for dinner.

Of course Keith joined again, he actually fell in love with the McClain family and was excited to see them again.

Keith found himself disappointed when the time came to go home. He enjoyed the company of the McClain's. Most especially Lance. He's possibly one of the only people that could make him laugh as hard as he does.

When Lance pulled into the parking lot of the apartment complex, he shifted the car into park. "Um..., I-uh, thank you."

"For what?" Keith laughed unbuckling his death belt.

"For introducing me to Hunk and Pidge. And being an actual friend to me." Lance rubbed the back of his neck.

Keith smiled but mentally groaned at the friend zone. "Sorry for snapping at your friends."

"They honestly deserved it." Lance chuckled. "See you tomorrow?"

"See you tomorrow." Keith flashed one last smile before getting out of the car. Lance watched Keith to make sure he made it inside okay before pulling out of the parking lot.

The next morning, Lance woke up feeling especially good about the day. He had new friends to count on and of course there was a Keith. He felt especially giddy to see him. He spent a little extra time on his appearance today, and he actually left a little earlier than usual for school.

When he walked through the doors of the school, he felt amazing, like he could take on anything. But suddenly, the feeling dampened when he noticed quite a number of eyes on him. People seeming to be whispering about him. Lance picked up his pace and strutted to the lockers and immediately froze. His heart sunk and breath caught in his throat. This could not be happening.

Papers were everywhere, taped to everything. He grabbed one and read it. It was his last year's junior photo with the words "Lance McClain is gay".

His hands were shaking now. He grabbed another with the same photo but instead it said "Lance sucks dick".

Lance rushed to his locker and written in sharpie were an array of doodles and obscenities. He felt his phone buzz in his pocket but he couldn't be bothered to check it. He attempted to rub the sharpie off with the sleeve of his jacket but when it didn't work, he only rubbed at it more vigorously.

This was a nightmare and he couldn't seem to get himself to wake up. He gave up on the locker and desperately tried to collect every paper in sight. People were staring and laughing and whispering and it was driving him insane.

"Lance!" Keith caught sight of him.

"Not now Keith." Lance dumped a stack of the fliers in the trash and continued grabbing at more.

"Are you okay? I couldn't-" Keith started.

"I said not now Keith!" Lance snapped shoving past him. He sped out of the building to his car and slammed his door shut behind him. His head thumped against the steering wheel as he tried to catch his breath. He couldn't fully wrap his head around this. What should he do? Should he try to clean it all? What was the point? Everyone had seen them already.

He turned the keys in the ignition and drove home. He powered off his phone without looking at any messages and went straight to his room. Everyone was at either school or work so the house was thankfully empty.

When his mom came home she knocked on his door.

"Come in." He mumbled.

She opened the door, "Lance, I got a voicemail from your school saying you didn't show up to any of your classes."

"I felt really sick and left as soon as I got there."

"Okay, I'll excuse you. Do you want anything? Soup?" She asked.

"No, thank you." Lance flashed a small smile. "Love you."

"Love you too. Let me know if you need anything." She blew him a kiss and shut his door.

The next day, Lance pretended to still not feel well and stayed home.

He moped around listening to podcasts and jazz all while cleaning his room to distract himself. He was so stressed he was cleaning.

He heard a knock at the door and went downstairs. When he opened it, he saw a very nervous looking Keith.

"Hi, I-ee uh, I just came to check on you. You haven't responded to any of my calls or texts." Keith said softly.

School did get out a few minutes ago, Keith probably came straight from there. "Yeah... I've been keeping my phone powered off. It's probably for the best right now."

Keith pursed his lips, "Are you coming back to school tomorrow?"

"I haven't decided," Lance looked down wrapping his arms around himself.

"No one is going to mess with you." Keith shoved his hands in his pockets.

"I know you're trying to make me feel better but I think we both know that's not true." Lance gave a weak half smile.

"No, really. It's taken care of." Keith assured.

Lance rolled his eyes. "Wanna come inside?"

Keith nodded and Lance moved aside letting him in. He shut the door and ran a hand through his hair.

Keith pulled a hand from his pocket to take off his backpack and quickly returned it to his pocket. However, Lance caught sight of the bruised knuckles.

"Shit Keith! What did you do to your hand?" Lance suddenly jumped and urged his hand from his pocket.

"Uh... well..." Lance dragged him to the kitchen and pulled a bag of peas from the freezer. He wrapped it in a thin towel and put it on his hand. Keith pulled out his other hand to keep the makeshift ice pack in place and Keith caught sight of the other just as bruised hand.

"Keith!" Lance looked up quickly. "I want answers."

"I've sort of been busy tracking down who did it. It kind of called for violence. I found the culprit though! It was Brock. We sort of got into a fight." Keith explained a little embarrassed. "Pidge and Hunk both helped me clean up all the papers and we even got the sharpie off your locker."

Lance stared at him in shock for a few beats before pulling him into a tight hug. "Thank you."

Keith was caught of guard but hugged back.

"Can I ask you something though?" Lance looked up. Keith nodded. "Did you win?"

Keith laughed. "Yes,"

"Good." Lance smiled. "But don't do that again. You're lucky it's only your hands that are messed up. You could also get in serious trouble."

Keith rolled his eyes, "Will you come to school tomorrow? Everyone is angry at Brock for what he did, no one is going to mess with you. I promise."

"Yeah, I'll come back." Lance smiled.

Keith seemed to light up and Lance placed a kiss on his cheek.

"Thank you, Keith."

Woah this started to get really long for a one shot, so sorry for the abrupt and very rushed ending XD