"Hey there darling"

He could tell she said that with a smile and could only just understand what she said under her heavy accent. He paused, trying to recognise the voice.

"I'm sorry, do I know you?"

A laugh bubbled from her throat.

"No darling, I'm usually in the back"

He slowly nodded and turned back to the window.

"So do you need something?"

"I think I recognise you from somewhere"

"Mmm"

A moment of silence passed before her fingers clicked.

"Marmora primary school. You swam at the nationals. That's you right?"

His eyes flicked over to her and his mouth hung slightly open. He cleared his throat.

"Uh yeah, but that was ages ago"

"Do you still swim?"

"I don't know yet"

The whole blindness thing made a difficult variable when trying to swim, but he didn't want to admit that. She nodded

"Okay"

"Did you compete or were you watching?"

"Oh I was a competitor but I didn't make it as far as you did."

"So why do you work at a cafe now?"

"I've always loved the smell of coffee, plus I always end up finding some interesting characters here and there"

"Am I one of those characters?"

The bright laugh bubbled up again.

"Of course darling. Not everyone comes in with a cat on their shoulder."

"Oh"

He exhaled

"Yeah I guess that's true"

"You've also just finished your fifth long black coffee for the day, and it's not even midday. You don't think you need sleep?"

"I would say it's hard to sleep when you've got an idea spewing, don't you?"

"So then, what's your idea?"

Keith stiffened

"I don't really know, but it's kind of like a project of mine"

"Just trying to peice everything together?"

"Yeah, exactly"

He felt the hairs pickle on his neck and he swallowed a lump in his throat. His hand moved up to try to calm everything but the electric feeling just moved to his arm.

"Do you know that coffee isn't good for anxiety? Especially so many in such a short amount of time"

He huffed and covered his head with his arms. He lowered his head to the table.

"I'm that obvious?"

"I just find it easy to read people. So what's bothering you darling?"

"I just-"

He paused and sighed

"Something happened recently and now everything is different. On top of that school is starting up again and everythings quite overwhelming"

"What school do you go to?"

"Galaxy Garrison"

"Oh hey! Lance is starting there this term. His old school got shut down so that is the closest one"

Keith cocked his head

"Lance?"

Someone cleared their throat near by and Keith turned his head.

"Allura, you're not on break. Can you go back to work?"

"Lance darling, there's no one else here even though its 12. Can't I just enjoy chatting to someone since you refuse to talk to me?"

"Last I checked there was still dishes that need cleaning"

She sighed and stood up

"See ya Keith"

"How do you.."

He followed the sound of her clicking heels with his eyes. Lance huffed and smiled. He gave a small wave before turning away with a slight frown on his face.

He got to the counter and looked up at Allura's scoff.

"What."

"Oh poor Lance, sad because someone didn't acknowledge him"

He scowled and shoved her laughing face away.

"Go bother someone else"

"You just kicked me away from the only other person to bother"

He rolled his eyes

"But hey, I wouldn't let it get to your head."

"What do you mean"

"Pff, you are an overthinker. That's like, your entire reputation. He's fine, and he didn't ignore you"

He quirked his eyebrow

"Really? Sure seemed like it"

"Not everyone is going to be responsive to everything"

"Huh? What does that mean?"

She grinned and spun around

"Back to work I go!"

"Allura! Seriously? Now?"

She laughed

"Hey! Don't get pissy at me just because I actually listened to you for once"

He scoffed as she left through the swinging  door.

He walked around to the 'staff part' of the counter and rested his elbows on the counter. His eyes wondered around the cafe, taking in the scenes from the windows before falling back onto the guy. The cat on his shoulder rubbed its head onto his cheek as its tail swished around on his back. The black nest of hair rested on his shoulders. His silver earrings reflected the sun around the room, shining rainbows along the walls. A black earring pierced through the top of his ear and carried on like a miny spear. Keith felt eyes staring holes in his head and he spun around, trying to find who it was. It took him a moment but he groaned and pushed his palm against his face.

"I'm an idiot."

He saw him spin around and Lance flicked his eyes away. He looked up to see Keith's eyes not really focus on anything. He dragged his hand down his face and mumbled something to himself before turning back around.

He choked and his face burned. Allura came up behind him, took one look at his face and smirked. She poked a finger into his cheek.

"You're a disaster"

He inhaled a sharp breath and looked over.

"I'm just- I'm gonna take a breather"

He ran away through the door to the back. She sighed and walked over to him.

"Hey, back again"

"Hey"

"What's your sexuality?"

"I- What?"

"Do you have a preference for gender and if so, what is it"

"I mean, I don't like girls if that's what you mean"

She laughed

"No no darling, you've got the wrong idea. I'm lesbian"

"So then why'd you ask"

"I just like playing matchmaker"

"Oh, right"

"Okay, well, what I'm really asking is do you like guys"

"I guess.. Who are you trying to hook me up with?"

"I'm mainly the messenger, hey, do you mind if I tell other people?"

"I'd rather you didn't. I don't know how they might react and I don't need anymore homophobia in my life"

"Okay, but what if I know they're safe?"

"Like part of the community?"

"Yeah, or allies"

He shrugged

"Dunno"

The door dinged an arrival of a person and she flicked her eyes over to the door.

"Is it difficult getting around with something different about your eyes?"

His eyes shot over to her and he inhaled a breath.

"Oh good, Axca said I would find you here"

He slid down next to Keith.

"I thought I would run the-"

Keith's hand moved in front of his face and shut him off.

"What did you say?"

James opened his mouth but looked across the table and shut it.

"You used to be able to see right? That's why you're so confident about walking around right, or at least to places you've been before"

"You're able to tell?"

"Well before, you missed your cup, but you also only go to this table. I assume that you weren't good at eye contact when you could see, but you still turn to look when people talk. Your eyes just turn in the direction of the voice you heard, so you mainly look at people's mouths."

James leaned over to Keith and mumbled

"She knows a lot"

Keith frowned and elbowed him in the ribs. James sucked in a breath.

"You used to do swimming but when I asked you if you were still doing it you said you didn't know. Is that because you're not confident in the water unless you can see where you're going?"

A wave of goosebumps ran across his arms and the hairs on his neck prickled.

"You're psychic"

"You used to swim?"

"Primary school"

"You're obviously not afraid of needles. You've got so many piercings and that tattoo is very you"

Keith moved his fingers up to trace his tattoo on his jaw and neck.

"Did you draw it, you know, before you went blind"

He blinked a couple times and nodded.

"Yeah I loved drawing, so did- so does my mum. Tattoos were really fun to draw so I designed a lot. Those who were brave enough came to me for requests and then actually got them, my sister and friends mostly but word spread so I started an Instagram and got requests all the time and then photos of the tattoo on their skin."

"Is it still running"

"I mean, its still there. I didn't delete it but I don't go on it anymore."

"So then when was the last time you drew something?"

"Couple weeks, I had art block before I went blind and couldn't draw anything for a week and a bit before going blind, but now I can't draw at all even if I want to"

"So then what else are you doing that cause your hands to go raw."

His eyes flicked down and he rubbed his palm.

The door chimed again and she looked up.

"Looks like I have to go back to work"

She drummed the table with her palms

"It was nice talking to you"

Keith's eyes flicked over with the sound of her boots walking away before turning to the window.

"That was weird, wasn't it?"

"She did say she was good at reading people, but it was a bit freaky. Like she was inside my head"

"Maybe you're just easy to read"

He raised an eyebrow and turned towards him

"You think so?"

"At least in some aspects, but if I just met you I wouldn't be able to tell all of that straight away"

"What parts could you tell"

"You drew your tattoo, you don't like eye contact but like to be polite when people are talking to you so you look over anyways, you're not afraid of needles. But seriously, I had no idea you used to swim, how did she get that?"

"She was a competitor in the nationals competition I was in"

He grabbed Keith's shoulders

"You got to nationals!?"

"Yes. Is that surprising?"

"Why the hell did you stop?"

"I went to high-school, and hey. You know the rest"

He relaxed his grip on his shoulders and sat back.

"Right, sorry"

He turned his head over the seat and froze.

"What were you going to tell me when you walked in?"

Slience.

He frowned and poked him

"James? Earth to James"

He sucked in a breath

"Lotor's here"

"He's what?!"

He whipped his head around and focused on the conversation happening elsewhere in the shop. He recognised his voice and sucked in a shaky breath.

"I want to go"

"I know but if we leave now, we'll have to pass him"

Keith's hands trembled even though they were clenched.

"Hey"

James placed his hand on his shoulder. Keith's eyes flicked over

"We'll go as soon as he sits down alright"

Keith's mouth was dry so all he managed was a nod.

He moved from the counter, coffee in hand. He saw the two people on a table near by and smiled. He made his way over and sat down.

"Hey, how have you guys been?"

Keith choked and covered his mouth with his hand. James frowned and pressed his foot against Keith's.

"We're good"

"I do hope you two are making better choices"

"And by that you mean?"

"That you two aren't in that disgusting lifestyle anymore."

James scoffed

"I just think that the world would be a lot safer if your kind didn't exist. Those thoughts are dangerously contagious, you know"

"Stop treating us like we're a different species. We're not dealing with this bullshit"

Both James and Keith stood up but Allura had made it behind them and had a hand on each of their shoulders. She pushed them back down into the seat and glared at Lotor.

"Oh look. Another one."

Keith winced. To try and calm his nerves he played around with his lip piercing with his tongue.

"My dear Allura. I thought I could help you."

"Get out."

"What? I haven't done anything wrong"

"Actually you have. This cafe is a safe space for anyone. Race, gender, sexuality. The only thing we don't tolerate is harassment. So. Get out."

"I'm just telling these two that they could live happier lives if they gave up that lifestyle"

"Leave. Or I'll call the cops"

He rolled his eyes and sighed.

"Alright, alright. Calm down there snowflake."

He stood up

"I'm going, so put away the murder eyes"

He walked to the front of the shop and Lance had just come out of the back. Lotor smiled and dipped his head in Lance's direction before pushing the door open in a way that made him look like a dramatic villian. Lance's eyes fell onto Allura's, as her gaze followed him out. Only after he left did she release a sigh of relief. Her eyes flicked up to Lance's before pulling away and looking back at Keith.

"Just wondering, are you two.."

"No, I mean, not anymore. We're just better suited as friends"

She nodded

"How did you know him?"

"When we first started dating, that's when he starting saying the world would be better off without our 'kind'. He used to be friends with Keith and he got most of the heat. He mainly just ignored me even before we dated."

Allura's eyes flicked to Keith's trembling back. His head was on the table and was encased by his arms. Red lay across his arm and kept rubbing her face into his. Allura placed a hand on his back and rubbed it. Lance came up to the table.

"Who was that guy?"

"A dick"

"A dick."

James and Allura glanced at each other

"How do you know him"

"He goes to my school. Harasses so many people. He actually tried to get me to date him. Thought it might 'convert' me."

"Yikes"

Keith's arm moved to give his phone to James. He picked it up and his arm folded back into his cage. Lance's eyes fell to Keith and he frowned. James placed a hand on his arm

"I'll be back soon"

Allura turned to him and he walked away.

"Where are you going?"

He held up Keith's phone

"Just making a call"

Lance walked up to Keith and crouched down next to him.

"Hey, can you hear me?"

He saw a slight nod.

"Can you hear static?"

Nod

"Is your sight shaky or blurry?"

He took a while but finally shook his head

"How about your breathing? Can you breathe in and out?"

"Little bit"

"Does it feel like there's a pit in your stomach?"

Nod

"Do you want to go outside?"

"I'm fine"

"Really"

"Yes really. I'm fine. I just have to wait here for Axca."

"Axca? Who's Axca? How do you know they're coming"

He sunk his head further down into his arm barricade.

"Why do you know all the things that come with anxiety."

"I've got siblings and a niece and nephew. It's a common thing in my family and I'm usually the one calming people down"

"Mm"

"What do you normally do to deal with it"

"Why do you ask."

"Everyone deals with it differently, I want to know how to help you"

"Thanks but I'm fine. I don't need your help. I can deal with this on my own"

"Then why do you need to wait for Axca?"

"Hey."

Lance turned around

"He said he was fine, back off, or you might make things worse from asking so many questions"

"James"

He huffed and stepped back. Lance's eyes flicked next to James and noted the girl with a frown plastered on her face.

"Keith"

His head turned in response.

"I'm gonna take you home, 'kay?"

"Mm"

She grabbed his hand and pulled him up, then lead him out the door. Red padded behind them.

"Sorry if this caused any trouble"

"No, no, not at all. Lotor's the only one at fault so all the blame rests on him."

Once they were both in the car and the doors were shut, Axca turned to Keith.

"You alright?"

He shrugged and his head leaned against the window.

"Lotor"

"Yeah, James told me"

"Just drive."

A moment of silence passed between them before Axca turned the key and the motor purred.

"Hey, I do kinda agree with mum"

The car rolled forward and slowed at a red light

"What?"

"You should have a walking stick"

He groaned and turned away.

"But you don't need it for walking. You can use it to wack people"

He chuckled

The car pulled up and crunched on the gravel driveway.

"The drums are free, made sure of it"

"Thanks"