Keith didn’t know what he would have done if he didn’t have Lance, he would have been all alone. He still didn’t have any other friends, but he didn’t care about that. Lance was all he needed. All he would ever need. Those bullies from his first day still tried to pick on him whenever Lance wasn’t around, making snide remarks and laughing at him. But Lance would always return with an aggressive frown that always managed to make the three boys shrink away in fear. Keith loved that Lance had that kind of power. But what he loved most, was that Lance cared enough about him to protect him like that, to ensure that no harm ever came to him. It made him feel safe.

They were playing dragons and knights – Keith been the dragon and Lance been the ‘brave and courageous’ knight – in their secret base when Lance gasped and broke out of character. “You know what would be awesome?” He chuckled excitedly, “If we had a sleep over! You can come over, and mama could make us snacks and we could watch movies and play games all night! It would be so much fun!”

Keith hummed and nodded his head. “That does sound fun. But I don’t think my dad would be very happy.” He said regrettably, fiddling with his hair as he sat down. He hadn’t told Lance about his father yet, just told him that he was busy which is why Keith walked the few blocks to school instead of getting dropped off everyday.

“Oh come on Keith! I’m sure he won’t mind! It would be so much fun. Pleaseee? Please please please please plea-“

“Okay! Be quiet you annoying boy, I’ll ask him tonight.” He huffed in reply, causing Lance to giggle in victory.

That afternoon, once Keith had gotten home from school, he asked his father about the sleepover, wanting to ask before he had too much to drink. His father scoffed and looked at Keith in disgust. “You have friends?” He huffed in disbelief before shaking his head. “If it means I don’t have to look at your face then leave. But don’t you dare ask to be taken anywhere by me you selfish brat. You find your own way there and back, I don’t care how.” He had said before moving to the kitchen to find a beer.

Keith had thanked his father quietly before running upstairs and locking himself in his room so he couldn’t change his mind. His first sleepover with Lance. He squealed excitedly under his covers, rolling around as he played with his stuffed bear. He was so excited to tell Lance the next day at school.

--

It was Friday, the day that Keith would spend the night at his best friends house, and he was buzzing with excitement. He had packed an extra bag to bring to school with everything Lance had told him to take – his PJ’s, a spare changed of clothes, his toothbrush, teddy bear and even a small bag of cookies he had managed to steal from the kitchen. The day seemed to drag on, but once the bell had rung to signal the end of the day, Keith and Lance were the first ones out the classroom, waiting impatiently by the main gates for the younger boy’s mother to pick them up.

Keith was nervous to meet Lance’s family, scared that they wouldn’t like him and would take him home early. He was biting his lip, fiddling with his hair and spinning on his heels when he felt Lance reach out, grab his hand and squeeze it softly.

“I’m excited,” he said, awfully calm, causing Keith to smile brightly.

“Me too.” He chuckled, looking back down at his feet. 

“Lance, sweetie?” Keith looked up and watched as a tall lady, tan just like Lance with flowing brown hair approached them.

“Mamá!” Lance called and dropped Keith’s hand to run over and hug the woman tightly. “Mamá, this is Keith!” He said excitedly as he pulled back and dragged her over to where Keith was awaiting awkwardly.

“Hello Keith, it is wonderful too meet you! Lance has told me all about you.” She said as she kneeled down to Keith’s height, a bright smile on her face as she introduced herself. ‘Just like Lance’ he thought.

Keith nodded with a small ‘hello Mrs Rodríguez’ as he dug his feet nervously into the dirt, shuffling closer to Lance who was practically shaking in utter excitement.

"Oh you're just adorable!" She chuckled as she turned to Lance with a soft smile. "Me gusta el."

The blue-eyed boy shook his head with a small, embarrassed moan and grabbed Keith's small hand as well as his mothers before he pulled them both to where the car was parked. "Lets goooo!" He whined impatiently, "vamos Mama!" 

Keith didn’t know what they were saying, but he smiled anyway, letting himself be dragged along by his best friend.    

The ride there was interesting. Keith was sat in the back seat with Lance, showing him the stolen cookies as Lance spoke of how legendary the night was going to be. It wasn’t a long drive, and when they arrived, Keith met the rest of Lance’s family. His older sister, Isabelle, who was thirteen years old, his brother’s Jose and Luis who were fifteen and sixteen, as well as his father.

To say Keith was overwhelmed was an understatement. He watched as the family all hugged each other hello, and asked one another about how their days were. They introduced themselves to Keith so politely, acting so kind and compassionate, it made the young boys heart ache. They were such a…family. So loving and honest with one another, so close and caring. It was everything Keith wished he could have again.

He started shaking and felt that all familiar hand on his back, rubbing in small soothing circles. “Come on, my rooms upstairs.” Lance said, taking Keith’s hand and dragging him to the staircase.

Keith looked around the house in awe. It was so brightly lit and clean, no stains on the carpets, or molding windows. There was a picture on every wall. Family portraits, trips to the beach, birthday parties. Keith was jealous. He followed Lance upstairs and into the bedroom at the far end of the corridor. When he walked inside, he gasped.

There was a large bed in the corner of the room, with space sheets, blues, purples, pinks and blacks highlighting the room. There was a massive chest in the opposite corner, probably filled with toys, and a TV with movies and video games. But, what stunned Keith the most, was the ceiling. It was painted the colours of Lance’s sheet, replicating Space with stars and planets spanning the width of the room, it was incredible.

“Cool right?” Lance chuckled as he threw his bag down and moved over to the window, shutting his curtains. “You have to see the best part though!” He ran back to Keith and smiled before he shut the door and turned off the lights. Keith was confused for a split second before he looked back up and gasped.

The ceiling was completely lit up, small stars were twinkling, the planets seemed alive and cosmic dusk spun ever so slowly around the roof. “Wha-” Keith was speechless, mesmerized by the sight above him.

“My dad did it for me. It’s amazing isn’t it? Every night when I go to bed, I can just stare up at the stars! Sometimes, I dream that I’m actually up there, fighting evil aliens or something.” Lance chuckled looking over at Keith, smiling at the other boy’s amazed stare.

“It’s, beautiful,” Keith gasped, unable to draw his eyes away from the cosmic wonder as Lance reached over and grabbed his hand, something that was becoming a common occurrence between the two boys.

“Tonight, we can look up at the stars together.” Lance whispered, like it was a secret only the two of them were supposed to hear.

Keith finally detached his eyes from the sight on the ceiling and looked over at Lance, a large smile prominent on his face. “That sounds fun,” he whispered back with a small chuckle. He felt…nervous? His hand was slightly sweaty – though Lance either didn’t notice or just didn’t care – his heart was racing and his face was flushed. Probably just the heat getting to him, he thought as he and Lance continued to smile at one another, completely in their own world. 

That night at Lance’s was one of the best nights of Keith’s life. As promised, they watched movies in the fort that they had built in the living room, cushions and blankets everywhere.  They ate a delicious meal that Lance’s mother cooked for them – Keith couldn’t remember the last time he had had a proper meal like that – and snacked on cookies and sweets. They shared laughs, jokes and stories before Keith got too tired and suggested they finally went to bed.

They brushed their teeth after some nagging from Mrs Rodríguez before they moved back to Lance’s room. They changed into their PJ’s and crawled into bed when Lance’s mother walked in. She smiled at the two boys and walked over, bending down to press a kiss to Lance’s head before walking over to Keith and doing the same. Keith was shocked at the loving gesture, but leaned into the unfamiliar touch with ease.

“Goodnight boys, sleep well, don’t stay up too late.” She smiled as she walked over to the door and switched the lights off.

“Goodnight mama!”

“Goodnight Mrs Rodríguez.” Keith said politely, snuggling under the warm, soft duvet cover.

The door shut gently behind the two boys who shuffled closer together, their hands automatically finding one other under the sheets as they looked at one another.

“Thank you, for letting me stay here Lance. It’s been one of the best days ever.” Keith whispered into the dark room, smiling softly.

Lance smiled back and remained silent for a few moments, staring at Keith affectionately before he leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to the boy’s cheek. “Goodnight Keith,” he whispered before he turned away, dropping the other boy’s hand in the process.

Keith stared at the back of Lance’s head with wide eyes, unresponsive for a few moments before he bit his lip and nuzzled against the pillow. “Goodnight Lance,” he mumbled before he fell asleep, feeling safe, warm and wanted by his best friend’s side.

Maybe that right there was the turning point for Keith. That kiss. That small, insignificant peck on the cheek. Maybe that’s when Keith started to change, started to fall in love with the Cuban boy, or maybe it was before. Keith couldn’t pinpoint the exact time that his feelings began to change so drastically, but he knew that that moment, curled up by Lance’s side in the comfort of the boy’s room, changed something. For better or for worse, Keith wouldn’t discover that until much later down the track.