"I saw this lizard the other day. It was purple and it had black spots. It was hanging around with a tomato frog"

"Tomato frogs don't exist"

"Oh you're right, it was probably a cenatur. And the lizard would have been a dragon. They were going on a quest together."

"Mmm"

"They were searching for.. The Legendary Giraffe. Its a very big legend. But its a secret to most humans. So I don't know if you've heard of it"

"Giraffes aren't real"

"Ah but you're wrong. I've seen one with my own eyes. That's where society has failed you. No one told you giraffes were real. I know all the people in power know about giraffes, but they don't think to tell anyone else because it's such common knowledge and who wouldn't know that?"

"What happened to the tomato frog?"

"Ooh you've been failed twice now. Tomato frogs aren't real. I told you, that was a cenatur. People often mistake them for tomato frogs because some of them are small. This particular one was miniature and it was angry all the time so it had a red face."

He gave a quiet chuckle.

"So this dragon and cenatur were searching for The Legendary Giraffe together but they didn't know how big it would be or what one looked one. They had both been told stories of course. The dragon had been told that is was quite a small creature and that it had a lumpy body. The cenatur had been told it was a massive creature and that it was orange."

He paused

"You can imagine this caused a lot of turmoil because the dragon was looking for something small and the cenatur was looking for something big. There were many things on their path with lumpy bodys and that were orange. They were asking everyone one they saw if they knew where The Legendary Giraffe was but no one knew. This old guy claimed he had it in his basement so they followed him down and he revealed The Legendary Giraffe. Neither of the travellers were good at separating colours and knowing which colours they were. So they paid the guy and left with the Legendary Giraffe, but, what they didn't know was that the legendary giraffe was actually Red!"

He stepped back and pushed the cat into his face. She started licking his tears. He laughed and rubbed his eyes.

"The Legendary Giraffe has a magical ability"

"Oh yeah, what is it?"

"Thou shall not cry. You see, if someone is crying The Legendary Giraffe sucks the tears right out of their eyes until they have no more."

He smiled and picked her up. He cradled her in his arms and playing with her paws.

"Did you plan that?"

"No. And I did actually see a tomato frog"

"What?"

"They're real Keith! They look like tomatoes with legs"

"Is that the actual name??"

"Yeah, it's really funny"

"When did you pick her up?"

"When I paused, after I said about the stories. She was coming along the couch so I picked her up and put her on my head"

He laughed and it melted to a small smile on his face. He ran his hand over her face and stilled. He shot him a look.

"Can't believe you called my cat lumpy"

He laughed and wiggled her paw around.

"She kinda is"

He sighed and set her down on the couch. She jumped up to his shoulder.

"I think I'm getting worse"

He traced his hand through Keith's hair.

"How so"

"Let's assume the headache is the glass type. I didn't have a nightmare last night but I've got the nightmare pain. I woke up and expected to see. I can't remember the last time I ate, but I'm not hungry. I never usually eat much around the nightmares anyway. I don't know anymore if I haven't been going to school because I just don't want to or because I'm sick of getting called names when Red is around, or because of nightmares and I actually can't. I feel like I'm just something to look after. And I don't want to see dad but I can't stop thinking about him and it just.. Hurts."

"You've got a lot to deal with. It's understandable if you're overwhelmed. If it gets to a point where you don't think you can handle it or it gets dangerous, you should go back to the hospital"

He frowned and closed his eyes.

"Yeah"

"You need to eat something"

He turned his face away. He rubbed his thumb against his cheek

"You do"

"I know."

He sighed

"It's just hard to. And nothing seems like it'd stay down"

James frowned

"We should go find something"

"Probably"

He chuckled

"Oh. But I'm pretty sure the kitchen is occupied right now"

"What? Why?"

He huffed and glanced back at him.

"Axca and Allura are talking in there as far as I know."

"Okay.."

He blew out a breath and shook his head.

"They kissed last night"

"Oh. Shit. Really?"

He laughed

"Yeah I walked in on them"

He scoffed

"At least you get revenge now"

"I left and heard Axca through the door. She thinks I'm gonna tease her forever and she's absolutely right"

He laughed

"I think you were more affected than me with her teasing. I also think she hates you more because of it. You should have the revenge"

"What makes you think she hates me more than you"

"Yesterday. She said that since she had to walk in and see it you can handle some murder. Ages ago she said to me that I can handle her teasing"

"Ohh man. I don't know how to tell you this but, her teasing is way worse"

"Yeah you're probably right. Especially since I live with her"

He hummed

"What will it take for her to want a truce"

He laughed

"A lot"

"Suppose we just have to push her past her limit then"

He huffed

"In any case.."

He poked a finger into his face

"You need food. And I'm broke so we can't buy some"

"Kitchen it is then"

She spun around when she heard footsteps and her face immediately fell.

"Course you fucking told James"

Allura chuckled.

"Told me what?"

Her eyebrows furrowed and her eyes flicked between them. He grinned and she scoffed.

"Fucker."

"What's the verdict?"

Allura smiled and hooked her arm over her shoulders. She glanced at her

"I don't know if you've met yet. This is my girlfriend"

She rested her head on her fist. Keith chuckled and walked up to Axca.

"Nice to met you"

He stuck out his hand. She glared at him and turned away.

"Asshole"

He switched it to a middle finger and stuck out his tongue.

"You must be new round here. I'm James"

"Allura"

They shook hands

"Say, what's a guy gotta do to get a girlfriend?"

"You're cute. But you're not my type"

Axca raised an eyebrow at them.

"Oh yeah? How so?"

"Well, for starters you got a dick"

"Oh. Bummer."

She held up a finger

"But. That is exactly what makes you Keith's type"

He choked and Axca snickered.

"I mean you're right, but come on.."

"Who's Keith?"

She pointed at him and James turned around. He gasped.

"He's beautiful!"

He raised his eyebrows. He folded his arms over his chest. James walked around and hugged him.

"What would it take for you to go on a date with me?"

He scoffed

"You're dumped. I already have a boyfriend"

He gasped again and he rolled his eyes.

"My, my. I didn't realise we were already dating! What luck must be bestowed upon me if by chance we would end up together"

He groaned and turned away.

He glanced at Axca and stepped away from Keith.

"I wasn't aware we were in the presence of a princess. Deepest apologies My Lady"

He bowed and kissed her hand.

"Mhm"

He blinked and stepped back

"Is everything alright? Is there anything I might be able to do for you to make it better?"

She frowned and Keith shrugged.

"He's gonna keep going until you say something"

"You're the one that started this."

"My mistake."

James turned around with hand over his heart.

"You wound me"

"How unfortunate"

"I've got it."

He spun back towards her

"Yes? My Lady"

"Kiss me"

James stilled. Keith shot her a look and she smiled back. Keith caught Allura's eye and she shrugged.

"Alas I cannot. I would not want to stain your pretty face. Even touching it would do some serious damage"

"Aw. Bummer"

"Yeah that's enough. What the hell??"

She laughed. James dropped her hand and she spun around on the stool.

"What just happened"

"It's a running joke that James is in love with Axca. Can't remember if she 'likes him back'. Kinda something you just ignore"

"Unless you can't.."

He glanced away

"Yeah"

"Can't believe I have to compete with a dick"

He scoffed

"Is that all I am to you?"

"Well, not much brain in there right?"

He pouted.

She kicked his arm

"Sorry Keith"

He hummed and glared at the wall. James tapped his finger and Keith linked them.

"I wouldn't kiss her"

"Yeah, well. You both get into character. I had no clue.."

He rubbed his cheek and he glanced at him.

"Sorry. But hey, shocked me too"

"That was way worse than usual"

"Yeah. Sorry"

He scoffed

"You're a dick."

He kissed his forehead and Keith sighed.

"So why'd you guys come in here?"

"Keith's hungry"

He frowned

"No"

He clicked his tongue

"Right, well. He hasn't eaten"

Axca raised her eyebrows at him. He turned his face away

"Dummy"

"Jerk"

"So what do you feel like eating"

He frowned and James pushed it into a smile. His eyebrows furrowed and he turned away. James moved in front of him and poked a finger to his head.

"Stop.."

He chuckled. Allura slid off the stool and offered her hand to Axca. She took it and jumped off.

"We'll leave you guys to it"

"Were they always that flirty with each other?"

She hummed

"Pretty much. But I'm pretty sure it's gotten worse the longer the years have gone on"

"What's that running joke that he's in love with you?"

"Most of the time it's as 'characters' but a couple have been as ourselves. Can't remember how long ago it started but it was way back, when they were just friends. I think James used to joke around a lot about how attractive he was. He was trying to get a response out of Keith but he was staying silent. I said he was in the top half of attractive males and that was a massive ego boost. It just got worse from there. I joined in or went along with it sometimes because Keith reacted and it was funny"

She huffed

"Oh yeah. If I had siblings I'd do the same thing"

"You don't have any?"

"You've just got one"

"He should at least be counted for 5"

"That much of a nuisance huh?"

She hummed

"Lance?"

His fingers froze and the shoelaces dropped. He glanced up then dropped his eyes.

"Hey"

"Are you leaving?"

He sighed

"Ma wants me back home"

"You weren't gonna tell anyone?"

"You guys all seemed busy. I didn't want to interrupt"

"We weren't that busy"

His eyes flicked up and he furrowed his eyebrows at their hands. He looked at Allura. She tilted her head and smiled. He opened his mouth and shut it.

"It's no big deal if you need to tell us you're leaving. We're your friends"

"..I know"

"Most of us don't mind getting interrupted anyway"

He turned his head to the side.

"..You weren't even gonna tell Keith?"

He shut his eyes

"Yeah well, he was with James"

She sighed

"He still is with James but you should tell him you're leaving"

"I don't want to impose.. Its.."

She scoffed and stepped forward, offering her hand. His eyes flicked to it and he furrowed his eyebrows.

"He's your boyfriend. They've had fifteen years to bond and hang out. Get as much time as you can. They are fine being apart for hours if something else is going on. And they can get bored of each other sometimes. Keith isn't just James' boyfriend. He's yours too. You're allowed to spend time with him"

He rubbed his thumb against his knuckle.

"Isn't that like.. They're already hanging out.."

She rolled her eyes.

"Oh please. James can share him. He's gonna have to deal with it"

He chuckled and shook his head. He took her hand and she pulled him up.

"Ah- my shoes?"

"You worry too much. It's fine."

"Okay, okay. Just let me finish tying them"

He crouched down and she laughed. His hands slowed.

"I saw your hickey"

She choked and pushed her finger below his ear.

"It's not like yours is hidden either"

He covered it with his hand

"Ah- Shit."

He shut his eyes

"Lance, if you need to you can use make up to cover it. So your family doesn't see?"

"It's fine. There'd be more important things going on anyway. I doubt anyone would notice"

Allura crouched down next to him and threw her arm over his shoulder.

"You're amazing. You're the best. You're the expert coffee man."

He chuckled

"You're scrawny and easy to pick on. You're exciting and funny and a try-hard. You're one of my top best friends"

He pushed her face away and his face warmed.

"Stop.."

"You deserve to be happy and I don't know how anyone is capable of ignoring you. You make the sun come up on rainy days and you hold a lot of that sun in your smile. You are so resilient and strong and flamboyant"

He laughed and covered his eyes with a hand.

"Anyone would be lucky to have you around"

"Okay that's enough. I'm good now"

She hummed and ruffled his hair. He pushed her away. She whispered into his ear.

"And now we can bond over our similar minds are when it comes to how hot the Koganes are"

He snorted into his fist

"So are you two dating then? Or did you just kiss?"

Allura glanced at her and raised an eyebrow. Axca rubbed a hand behind her neck and turned away red-faced.

"Yeah. We're dating"

He smirked and stood up.

"Well, you can have her. She's quite a handful"

"Uh huh. Well I'm sure to find that out soon, aren't I?"

He chuckled. Axca held out her hand and he looked at it.

"So you can't run away"

He scoffed but took her hand anyway. She pulled him through the house and into the kitchen.

He ransacked the cupboards and Keith scoffed at him.

"Are you looking for something in particular?"

"Yep. Ah there they are"

He spun around and tossed him a small packet of M&Ms. He stared at it then back at him.

"Where did you get this? Narnia??"

He laughed

"Yeah I've got little dwarfs that gather me supplies. I'm a hoarding dragon to them."

He hummed and smiled

"Nadia's able to sniff out wherever I put my candy in the house. Since this is like my second home, I can hide them away from her here"

"And you don't think I'm gonna eat them all now that I know?"

"Ah but you don't know where the stash is. Or how many there are"

He scoffed

"Now eat that while I find something else for us to eat"

He rested an arm against the bench and his chin dropped on top of it. He balanced the packet between his fingers and fiddled with it.

"You're not eating it?"

He glanced at him and shrugged

"I thought for sure you'd eat that. Now I've gone and exposed my secret stash for nothing"

He giggled then sighed

"I'm just.. Its not going to.. I don't want it"

He grabbed his shoulder

"You don't want chocolate? Who are you. What have you done with my Keith?"

He batted his hand away

"Your Keith?"

He chuckled and rubbed his cheek.

"What you eat doesn't have to fill you up. You just need to eat something."

"It's not gonna be all that helpful if I end up chucking it up"

He hummed and turned back to the cupboards.

"You might as well see what happens though. You never know, you might like what I make so much you grow an extra head."