"There"

His focus was on the lake and Vivian. She sighed and stood up to give him space, and sat down next to Lance.

"So what's up with Keith?"

"I'm pretty sure that in one of his foster homes he almost drowned but I don't know the details because he doesn't like to talk about it"

"He almost- is that why he mostly just sits on the dock?"

She slowly nodded, wrapping her arm around her leg. His hand shook as he looked out over the water. The bandaged hand came and held it still. He flinched when the wound made contact and looked down. His fingers flexed and he looked over at Axca and Lance. She had a solemn look on her face while talking to Lance, he looked like he might cry. There was no doubt that she was talking about it.

He started shaking more and hid in his wall. Tears stung his eyes and he jumped when someone touched him. He raised his head to see Vivian in Lance's hoodie. The hood fell over her hair and covered some of her eyes but Keith could see fresh tears falling down her chin.

"What's wrong?"

Her tears fell more freely but she walked to his side and sat down. She leaned her head against him.

__

Kosmo was getting worried. Keith hadn't come home last night. Shiro was getting worried too. Kosmo was spending all his time next to the door and Keith's phone was alone on his bed. Kosmo was having a nap at the foot of the door when his ears perked up. His head rose and looked over the room. 

He made his way to the tree and looked up. He barked and sat down, waiting. When Keith didn't climb down Kosmo stood up again and walked off. He sat outside a house that smelled like Keith. Rachel opened the door and the only thing around was a dog. It whined when she opened the door and tilted it's head.

"Hey are you lost?"

A dog's head popped in between her legs and Kosmos ears perked up. Rocki bounded towards Kosmo but he sat still, looking past Rachel.

"Are you waiting for someone? I'm afraid I'm the only one home"

Kosmo whined and stood up. He walked off and Rocki came running back to Rachel.

He was at another building now but he sat on the footpath, looking between the building and the hill. It's smelled like Keith more down the hill so he ran down. Kosmo saw Keith on the grass and bounded over to him. He sat in front of Keith with his tail wagging, but Keith wasn't moving so he nudged his hand and whined. Keith felt something wet on his hand and raised his head.

"Kosmo?"

Kosmo jumped up to lick his face and Keith chuckled. He pushed him so Kosmo stepped back. Kosmo sneezed because of the grass he'd stirred up and Keith laughed. He heard Vivian giggle and turned with a smile on his face. Kosmo flopped down on Keith lap and licked Vivian's cheek. She shrieked and scooted away. The hood fell off her head showing her tear streaks. Keith sighed and held his hand out.

"It's okay"

She looked up at him.

"But it's so big"

"He won't hurt you"

Kosmo flicked his ears and stared at her. She stepped forward and placed her hand on Kosmo head and ran it down his neck. She chucked and looked up at Keith again.

"He's so soft"

He smiled. Her smile melted into a frown and Keith's smile wavered.

"Why do you always make sure I'm alright when you're hurting too?"

"I don't.."

"You were crying as well as me when you asked what's wrong. And you were the one who got stuck under the water when helping me but then asked if I was okay"

"Look. Were you struggling? Did you need help?"

She slowly nodded.

"Well then I had to help. Simple as that"

"But it's not simple! What if you had died or both of us"

"I would rather have died helping than not knowing if you were okay or not"

Axca placed a hand on both their shoulders. They both jumped and looked over.

"I think we've had enough lake for one day, should we head back?"

Vivian grabbed Axca's wrist with both of her hands.

"He's like this with you too, isn't he?"

"Like what?"

"Making sure you're alright before even thinking about himself"

She shifted her gaze to Keith and he frowned aat the ground.

"Yeah.."

"So then what if he almost died helping you?"

"What's all this talk about death for? You're both alive so there's no problems"

She leaned over her shoulder.

"Everyone pack up! We're going back!"

A chorus of groans filled the air but everyone started heading back to shore to collect their stuff and dry off. Vivian reluctantly left to get her stuff back at the dock. Axca had taken a couple steps back and Keith stood up. He wrapped his arms around her neck and dropped his head onto her shoulder, then mumbled into her neck.

"Sorry for causing so much trouble today"

She hugged him back

"This sounds like a goodbye"

"It is. If all this didn't happen I might have been able to stay longer and Lance is primarily here to make sure I get back to Shiro's house because I've already been gone about 2 days."

"You're not even gonna tell Razz?"

"Saying goodbye to everyone would take too long, just tell her I'm going back to Shiro's."

"What about Vivian?"

"She's gonna be fine. She'll have everyone back at the orphanage. Just don't be gone by the time I get back"

"Don't take so long to come back this time"

"Maybe"

He gave her one last squeeze before stepping back out of her embrace.

He started up the hill and Lance went to follow but she caught his arm.

She nodded at Keith.

"No matter what he says, he can't be fine after almost drowning again and almost losing Vivian. Help him get better, okay?"

She gave Lance a small smile. He returned a smile and hurried up the hill. Vivian came back jogging but slowed to a walk when she saw Keith no longer there.

"Where's Keith."

"He's going home"

She teared up and scrambled up the hill. In her desperate attempt she slipped multiple times. When she finally got to the top he was no where to be found.

__

Silence may have been the only barrier between them but it was a strong one. Lance went to touch Keith's shoulder but he dodged it.

"What's up"

"I'm fine"

Lance scoffed

"That's not what I asked"

Keith glared at the footpath

"Nothing wrong."

"Like hell nothings wrong"

"Why do you always ask questions if you have an answer already."

"Why do you always lie?"

Lance saw Keith's back tense up as he was walking.

"Axca said that she didn't want to lose another family before bolting after you two, is that the same for you?"

"... Yeah"

"Is that why you went to save her while ignoring your needs"

"Someone had to help"

"I agree, and she's safe, so then why are you feeling all shitty now?"

Keith froze and Lance stopped before they collided again.

"Rhetorical question, you're feeling guilty"

Keith stayed silent and glared at the ground, Lance stepped around him and faced him.

"You're the one who suggested going to the lake in the first place and people got hurt because of it"

"She's gonna get nightmares because of this"

Lance tilted his head

"And you won't"

Keith clutched onto his elbows and frowned

"How do you know so much about me"

"You might not like it"

Keith brought his eyes up to glare at Lance. He sighed

"Okay, fine. You're actually pretty easy to read but I also asked around if anything you did or said seemed off, for example saying taken or zoning out at the lake"

Keith's grip got tighter and his eyes burned. Lance reached over and ran his fingers down Keith's cheek. Keith jolted at the touch but stayed put.

"What's going on in your head?"

He shifted his gaze away and shrugged.

"Tell me something true"

"I hate being around people"

"How come?"

"I don't like all their stares or snickers"

"What if they don't say anything?"

"I would rather they throw all the insults they know at me so that I know what they're thinking."

"People might not only be giving you insults"

"Sure seems like it"

"Maybe if you just listen-"

He stepped away from Lance

"Aren't I meant to be going back to Shiro's"

"Well yes but-"

"Then I should go."

__

Shiro heard the door close and ran to see who it was. He smiled.

"Keith, you're back"

Keith started up the stairs

"Are you okay"

He ran up the last steps and into his room.

He woke up gasping for breath. He shot up and pushed his hair back. He felt his fast heartbeat and choked back a sob. His fingers dug into his palm and tears blurred his vision. He slid off his bed and made his way to the light switch. Everything flooded with light. He winced and shut his eyes, slowly peaking them open after a couple moments. He made his way back over to the bed and sat down. His fingers clasped around his notebook and pencil. They laid there on his lap, glaring back up at him. He traced his finger over the letters etched into the leather and sighed.

He didn't know when he started drawing but he saw the lake on the page and dropped his pencil. The lead made dots on the page as it bounced away. Keith watched the pencil roll across the floor until it stopped, hitting his desk. His eyes fell back to his book and his throat tightened. He ripped the page out and turned it over. Keith stood to pick up the pencil and scribbled something on the paper. He left it on his bed for Shiro to find and left the room. 

Lance woke up and noticed that the red string had changed direction.

"Why are you out so late?"

He stretched and got out of bed. He put on a jacket and left. Lance followed the string all the way to the tree. Keith was slumped against the trunk with his sketchbook open on his lap. To Lance the drawing looked like the start of a forest scene. He sighed and sat down. Keith eyebrows pinched together and his hands were in the pockets of Lance's jacket.

"What did you this time..?"

Keith stirred, peaking his eyes open. He gave a soft smile and shut his eyes again.

"You can't just leave it alone, can you?"

"Why are you here?"

"Had a nightmare, went to clear my head and fell asleep"

"Does Shiro know"

"Mmm"

His head rested against the tree again and slumped to the side.

"Keith"

"Still awake"

"You can't sleep here"

Keith frowned

"Come on, stand up"

"But it's comfy"

"And cold. Come on"

He scoffed and rolled his eyes. He leaned against the trunk again. Lance sighed. His head fell onto Lance's shoulder and Lance wrapped his arm around him.

It was only a brief moment, but he saw the lights of the fire and felt its heat against his skin. He sucked in a breath and snapped open his eyes. Keith was staring down at Lance's phone light with his arm surrounding him. He sat up and exhaled a shakey breath.

"Sorry, did I wake... Another nightmare?"

Keith dropped his head on his arm and sighed.

"It would be closer to say memory. But yes."

His hands shook so he clenched them tight but loosened his left hand when fingers dug into flesh. He glared into his arm.

"I can feel you watching me"

"And?"

"And your concern is emitting off of you like a plague."

Lance chuckled and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"That a bad thing?"

"Concern makes people do stupid things"

"What would be classified as stupid"

"Finding someone in the middle of the night because they were in a different place"

"Ouch"

Keith huffed.

"What's up"

"Nothing"

"You can't just say nothing all the time and expect me to believe you"

The familiar buzz returned along with his pounding heartbeat. He sucked in a breath and stood up.

"Keith?"

"I need to go find something to hit."

"What.?"

Keith started walking forward but Lance grabbed his wrist.

"No."

His head turned over his shoulder to glare at the hand keeping him from moving. He ripped his arm away.

"I'm trying to deal with this but you aren't helping. I need to do this and you're far too warm"

"Too warm?? What does that have to do with anything?"

Keith scoffed and turned his head back

"You. Don't. Know. Me."

He dragged each word out and walked off.

__

"Hey, have you seen Keith?"

"Shiro? Is there something wrong?"

"He's missing but left a note that said to come here"

The door chimed as it opened and the pair turned to look.

"Lance?"

Lance sighed

"Great. I presume you're looking for Keith too"

"Yeah"

"Well that means he didn't go back to your place "

"He's not here either, sorry"

Axca walked into the room and made her way over the Razz.

"What's going on?"

"Keith is missing"

"Why do you know that?"

"I saw him last night, he was struggling with nightmares"

Axca sighed.

"I can go find him"

"I'll come too"

"No if he saw you last night it could make it worse. Both of you stay here, I can handle this and I'll bring him back here"

"He left me a note"

He held out the flimsy piece of paper for her to take. She skimmed over it and flipped it over.

"Where did you see him?"

"Near the graveyard"

She nodded

"Okay"

__

She nearly stumbled over his shoes and looked up to see him wedged between a rock and a tree which he probably did on purpose. She sighed and walked over to him. She tried to shake him awake but quickly gave up as his clothes were soaked and it felt gross.

"Keith"

He mumbled something she couldn't understand and it went back to silence. She sat down and her eyes dropped to his hand. Dried blood ran down from his knuckles, there were splatters in the grass and the rock had some fresh scars. She flickered her gaze back up to his face and scowled. She flicked him in the forehead and his frown got deeper but that was his only response. Axca slapped his cheek which shocked him awake, ready to attack. Once he recognised her, he dropped his hands.

"Why are you here"

Her answer was a slow blink and unfocused eyes.

"You have two places you can go. You don't need to sleep outside"

His eyes moved passed her shoulder and his hand clenched. Her hand covered his eyes.

"You're fine"

"Feels like a fucking hangover"

"You probably didn't sleep much, Lance said you were having nightmares"

"How do you know that?"

"Is it your dad again?"

"... I keep seeing the fire"

"Is that why you were outside?"

"No the first one was the lake. I woke up because I couldn't breathe"

"And then by the graveyard?"

"That was the fire. Lance was way too warm"

"Right"

His mouth twitched

"There's something else bothering you, isn't there?"

"Mmm"

"What's up"

He sighed

"There's another Lotor."

"Seriously?!"

"He's not as bad... But still"

She moved her hand away from his face. It took him a second to blink back the brightness

"What"

"Not as bad means nothing. If you're still getting bullied then we need to stop it."

His frown deepened

"We?"

"First we are going to get you back up the hill, and then you need to find a better way of dealing with this because this isn't okay."

"What do you mean?"

"What if one of the kids saw you like this. What would you do then?"

He scowled

"Exactly. So stop moping around already and help me"

His eyes flicked over her shoulder and she spun around.

"Hey! I thought I told you to stay at the orphanage."

"Sorry, but I thought you could use some help"

"How did you even know where to look anyway?"

Keith twitched and he smiled