Most Formidable Opponent To The Most Formidable Ally

Yesterday

~ Lance's P.O.V

The cave was a lot warmer now that Keith and I finished setting up the small fire. Now it's time for a good night rest... if my fucking brain would let me. I've been trying to fall asleep for the past 25 minutes or so but it just ain't shutting down! Maybe a better position... I make my body turn to the left since I'm just facing forward but by doing so, I feel pain in my abdomen area. Damn this fucking wound.

"Tsk..."
"Lance, you awake?" Keith asks
"Unfortunately."
"This is why I told you not to help me out with the fire. Now you're feeling pain."
"I wasn't going to let you do that all by yourself. Team mates gotta help each other."
"Sigh."
"Plus my brain isn't letting me sleep."
"... mine either."
"You too, huh? We're on the same boat for once..."
"Why isn't your brain letting you sleep?" He unexpectedly asks
"... Home."
"..."
"You know, I could remember it like it was yesterday. Going home, greeting my parents, my younger siblings and eating the delicious meals my mom would make. Smiling with them, laughing with them, playing with them. I miss my home... my family."

To be honest, I'm not quite sure I'm telling Keith all of this. I just feel like letting it out will ease me and help my mind calm down. Other times, I want to stay away from Keith but this time, I want him here.

"I can see you cherish your family so much. You are grateful for what you have. Even though you are so far apart from your family, the bond between you guys is powerful and full of emotions. I feel like that helps you connect with them even though you're not communicating with them. You're in each other's hearts. Maybe it's not something big as seeing them in person but at least it's something that sort of lives in you." He says as he shifts from being on the side to the front now.

Again, I didn't think I would see the day when Keith would give me a beautiful speech. It really does open my eyes that we were just too rough on each other that we never took the time to understand each other and listen to each other to know more of each other. This is what we were lacking in our team ship.

Understanding one another.

"Keith, you probably don't realize this yourself but you really have a wonderful way of speaking and giving emotion to it. This is the first time I see it and hear it. You probably don't do it too often, but it really is amazing. Thank you. For hearing me out and making me feel extremely better. You're still a mullet head. But now I'm going to upgrade you, Golden mullet head."
"I never thought you would compliment me... in all honesty I never thought that we would have a serious conversation like this. And please, don't ever use that stupid name."
"Why not? Sounds cool. And I'm not that much of an ass."
"Hmph. You'll always be annoying... keep being you.." Keith whispers the last part
"What did you say?!"
"Nothing!"
"I'm pretty sure I heard something along the lines of-"
"Shettup! Go to sleep" he goes back to lying on the side.

Hahaha! This guy... he really is cool... ONLY A LITTLE THOUGH. I don't feel completely tired yet. To understand one another, you have to know about the other person too. Now that I think about it, I really don't know Keith that much. Just someone who dropped out and sees Shiro like an older brother.

I feel sort of angry towards myself for not trying to know who he really is and how he became who he is right now.

"Keith..."
"What?"
"... what about your home? Your family?"

Silence was the only noise for the first couple of seconds.

———————

~ Keith's P.O.V

I didn't expect to be questioned that. It's not something I'd like to share with people. Especially Lance... or so I thought. I don't know why I feel the need to open up to Lance. My mind is telling me that it's unnecessary, however my heart is telling me to let him in. What would it change if I tell him either way? It won't change the past... I don't want to be pitied but...

"You don't have to tell me-"
"... the only family I had back in earth was Shiro."
"..."
"I never met my mom until now as you know, and my dad passed away in my childhood."
"I'm sorry.."
"I remember it like yesterday as well, I was alone back then. I always told myself I didn't need anyone else, that I would be fine on my own. Until Shiro decided to know me... be with me. That was the first time I realized, that I was lonely. But got the feeling of light when someone was there by my side."
"That's why you were so determined to find Shiro..."
"He was my only family at that time after my father passed away. And now that we found him and that we are in space together... I don't miss earth like you do. Maybe somethings I would want to return to but not necessarily people."
"I see.. I'm sorry if I reminded you of the past."
"Don't sweat about it... nothing can be done."
"I agree... but it doesn't mean your future will be the same as your past. It is very unfortunate to lose someone precious... I know."

What does he mean by that?

"But your dad would be very happy to see that his son has made new friends and grew so much. You may look like a lonely wolf but you aren't anymore. You have Shiro, your mother, Hunk, Pidge, Allura, Coran... you have people who are willing to take care of you and love you as a friend... and as a family. You aren't alone Keith. I may be the person you dislike but just don't think that I don't care about you. You get on my nerves and all but... I wouldn't want you gone."

"Lance..."

"The past cant be undone, it makes us who we are. It is up to us to be dragged down by the past or to learn from the past and make a better day tomorrow.
It already changed... you were alone.. but now you have us."
"..."
"As master Uguay once said, yesterday was history, tomorrow is a mystery and today is a gift. That is why it's called the present."
"What are you 12?"
"Shettup. It's a useful saying."
"Can't help but agree to that... what if I lose all of you..."
"Like I said, don't let your past drag you down. As long as we are all together now, we have a chance to be together later. A mystery.
"... Thank you, Lance."
"The emo finally said the two easiest words for the first time in his years of living."
"S-s-shut up!"
"Anything for my friends, Keith."

He flips to my side while I flip to his side, he gives a heartwarming smile. This guy... I always thought his grins were annoying to death but... I want to see this smile again.

Yesterday, we were going to knock each other out. Today, we helped each other out, and tomorrow, maybe we will get along... or just knock each other out again. It's a mystery.

But I do know one thing for sure, I don't want him gone either.