Chapter Text
Keith wasn’t sure what he hated more; the bitter nip of the chilly morning air, or the bitter bite of knowing he had school this morning. To make his situation terrifying it was a school where he only knew one person. He assumed being the new kid was going to suck serious ass and he hated knowing he was going to be centre of attention because this town was so small you could feel your neighbour’s breath.
But at least he had someone like Shiro. Smart Shiro, cool Shiro who was a senior, captain of the football team and on the school council.
Keith sighed, he had accepted there was no way in living hell he would fit in. Not there, and probably not anywhere in that godforsaken school. Maybe even the whole town.
“Keith, you need to get up or I’ll leave you to walk.” Shiro threatened after calmly storming into his room at an evil time. Keith says calmly most of the time because Shiro was the kinda guy who was impossible not to respect. But sometimes (like now) he was the perfect picture of authority. Stern, but not angry. It was still piss worthy.
Keith groaned, rolling around underneath his comfortable duvet in response. He wanted to ask if maybe he could just skip school for the next two years but Shiro was taking lead, throwing the blankets off his body and spreading the curtains open.
Keith winced like he was being singed by the light.
“We leave in fifteen.” Shiro told him blatantly. “I’m serious Keith, we - you - are not going to be late on your first day.” There it was again, that firm authority in his tone that could make the most angsty of teens submit. Sadly, that included Keith, who now understood why Shiro got nominated and selected to be on the school council.
He grunted as he sat up, wiping the remaining sleep out of his heavy eyes. Keith looked up at Shiro and watched his expression soften as he sat on the edge of his bed. “Look, I understand you’re probably nervous-” Keith dropped his eyes to the wall, forcing his expression not change. “but we know this is going to be good for us. We finally get to spend time together, it’s been too long.” That caused Keith to smile and look back at Shiro.
“You’re right, it has been too long.” He admits. Shiro smiled in response and stood up.
“You still have time, come on. I promise Montgomery High isn’t a total shit hole.” Shiro said proudly. Keith smiled weakly at the supposed to be comforting words, despite that niggling feeling in his gut that resembled the flight in fight or flight. The truth was Montgomery High wouldn’t be so bad for someone like Shiro. He was cool, dependable and athletic. Keith was as socially awkward as they come and tended to find himself ending up alone. Don’t get it wrong, Keith liked being alone. It was feeling lonely that he despised. And he’s been feeling a lot of that lately.
He stood up and walked over to his wardrobe and flung the doors with both hands.
“Alright Keith,” he spoke to himself quietly as he searched for his leather jacket. “-lets get this shit over with…”
* * *
Lance wasn’t sure what he loved more, his outfit he picked out for the first day of school (which was a loose-fitting baby blue shirt with matching blue Adidas Superstars and heavily ripped white jeans), or the look on his boyfriend’s face at spotting him as he stepped inside the school gates.
Lotor approached him and casually swooped Lance off his feet which earned a loud squawk in surprise that turned into a fit of giggles. People surrounding them didn’t even flinch, maybe expect for the freshmen who probably weren’t used to this kind of behaviour.
“Morning beautiful.” Lotor grinned as he placed Lance back to the ground. He pressed a quick kiss to Lance’s lips which made the latter’s heart flutter. Like the rest of the school, Lance was used to these casual displays of affection from his boyfriend. Lotor never seem to care what they thought or saw. He swiped some hair out of Lance’s face. A simple sign of his adoration for the tanned boy.
“Good morning! Is Mr. Vice-Captain of the football team ready for a big season?” Lance joked, pulling at his football jacket playfully. A mostly black jacket with a lion on the heart. When Lance had found out his boyfriend was going to be the vice-captain of the football team he was blown away. Montgomery High had an amazing football team and so of course he was super proud. Lance was still beaming for his boyfriend, grinning ear to ear. Lotor grimaced.
“Yeah… I guess.” He said looking to his shuffle feet. There was an obvious turn in the atmosphere which made Lance tilt his head in confusion, then loosened his hold on Lotor’s jacket. Just as Lance opened his mouth so he could ask what was wrong Lotor has turned away. He paused, then looked back to his younger boyfriend. “How bout I see you later babe? I promised I’d meet up with my friends this morning.” Lotor said then smiled in amusement as he noticed the confusion on his boyfriend’s face. He moved down to place a soft kiss on Lance’s cheek. And just like that all Lance’s worries were cured, instead being replaced with a goofy smile and a warm buzz in his chest.
“Lunch?” Lance asked and Lotor gave him his signature lopsided smirk.
“Lunch.” Lotor reconfirmed and turned away, beginning to walk away towards his regular crowd. Lance sighed to himself slightly, then smiled as he remembered what today was. New school years were always fun for Lance. It was a way for him to catch up with his friends on a constant basis. Plus, there was always something so enticing about the concept of a ’fresh start’.
He went to continue to walk when he spotted his best friend, cooking extraordinaire, absolute cinnamon roll of purity and sweetness named Hunk from the corner of his eyes.
“Hunk! Buddy!” he shouted out, initially surprising his burly friend, making him jump. Lance made his way over, chuckling as Hunk frowned.
“You scared me!” he whined. Typical Hunk.
“You’re just a wuss.” Lance counterparts, giving his friend a pat on the back, “Come one, let’s get inside. I can’t wait to catch up with everyone!” he grinned, grabbing Hunk’s arm and yanking him inside, weaving his way around other students who greeted him with smiles and greetings. Lance had a reputation, and a good one at that. People liked to talk to him, to include him into their conversations and day. He just had a nice vibe, a friendly and approachable one. Of course, he could get on nerves, he was loud and at times obnoxious and people had told him so to his face and behind his back. Lance had never been the one to show that he cared. So, he put on a front to show he wasn’t fazed.
He grinned and gave a single wave in the direction of small group of girls who he recognised as regulars at the cafe he worked at. Lance wasn’t even a barista or tend to dirty tables. He was the entertainment. He sang on weeknights and Saturday for money, and for the love of it. He was Cuban, and music ran through his veins like children in his motherlands streets. Singing, dancing and playing any sort of instrument all came naturally to Lance, his household was always full of it. And at Voltron Cafe, people tended to appreciate his talent, along with a coffee or baked sweet.
“Lance! Can we -I don’t know- slow down? I’m trying to look for Pidge.” Hunk stammered, eyes narrowed and on the lookout. Lance raised a brow slyly, slowing down his step.
“In other words, you’re looking for Shay?” he asked, lips perking into a smirk. Hunk seemed shocked by the statement.
“What? No! Lance-” Hunk’s expression turned flustered as Lance leaned in closer, face turning devious. “No man, it’s not like that… ugh why would you say that?”
“Geez Romeo, don’t get so butt hurt!” Lance ignored murmuring under Hunk’s breath about how Lance himself would be the one to get butt hurt out of the two of them by continuing. “But seriously, when are you gonna go in for the kill?”
“Can you please not refer asking Shay on a date as ’going in for the kill’?” Hunk looked horrified, but Lance huffed a laugh. “But whatever, maybe I will Friday…” Lance’s face beamed in excitement, mouth opening for loud words of encouragement.
Friday was a back to school party that happened every year at the end of their first week back at Montgomery High. Usually one of the rich kids had it and practically everyone was invited. The main issue was these parties were out of freaking control. But you couldn’t miss it. The party was the gossip train for the entire year. Something went horrible wrong without a doubt. Affairs, trips the hospital, fights over girls and boys, even the year before Lance arrived the police were called. ’Montgomery Welcome Back High’ (yes it was a weed pun) was the most iconic event of the year, Lance was practically shaking with excitement.
Hunk pressed his hand to Lance’s face in a desperate attempt to mute his friend who had no sense of volume. “Maybe! Maybe is the key word here!” Lance was still grinning, even after Hunk strategically moved his hand slowly away from his face.
Friday was going be awesome.
* * *
Keith couldn’t wait for Friday. Friday meant he wouldn’t have to go to school for two days. At this very moment, being given a locker, his class list and thrown into a room full of complete strangers wasn’t all going that well with Keith. Two days locked in his room, hidden away from this small town and all its small-minded people sounded heavenly. Yet here he was, Monday morning, shoved in the front row in the spot nobody wanted to be in except for those prissy good-doers who always managed to irk Keith left right and centre. The worst part wasn’t being at directly in front of the teacher (who was a massive spit bomb) the worst thing was having the whole class behind him, a good opportunity for them all to take their pick on if they liked him or not. If he was cool or a loner. If he was a prude or a slut. Their staring and whispering was evident, and it caused an unsettling cloud form high in Keith’s chest, burning like lightning strikes.
Keith rested his head in his hand, arm propped up against the desk. What a shit show this place was. It had only been an hour and he wanted it to be over, he wanted to go and complain to Shiro and tell him what an actual hole this school was, this whole damn town.
He heard whispering to his left, something about ’leather’ which indicated they were talking about Keith’s clothes. He was wearing a leather jacket, which black jeans and a grey t-shirt with black combat boots. His hair was long, long enough to tickle his neck and to tie it into ponytail or to hide his pierced ears. They probably wondered if he rode a motorcycle (which he happened to have his license for) or if he was some sort of bad boy who broke the rules.
It was ridiculous because in reality he was rather the opposite. Keith was mostly mature, something he had been forced into from an early age because of his family situation. He was a kid who had to become an adult before learning how to be a kid in the first place.
Of course that had caused setbacks. It made him awkward, a guy who struggled with social conduct and found it hard to let go. Yet alongside those things he could be infuriatingly blunt. He wasn’t one to take shit, shit like whispering. His eyes shot to two girls, who instantly looked away blushing at being caught.
Keith dropped his eyes back to the front of the room, exhaling out of his nose. He couldn’t wait for this lesson to end. For this week. For this year. One year and he could go back to where he really belonged, and as far away from this town as possible.
* * *
During class Lance’s phone buzzed, subtly pulling it out of his back pocket he checked the message that had come through.
Lotor ❤
Hey babe, got called in for a football meeting at the start of lunch
Lance pouted. He started typing.
You
D:
He hid his phone in his pencil case, nicely tucked away from the teacher’s eyes. After a few minutes his phone vibrated again.
Lotor ❤
Don't sook. I’ll come get you afterwards. Where will you be?
Lance assumed he and his friends would be where they usually were. Either the cafeteria or the outside area seats. Lance went to start typing when he got another message come through.
Allura ♕
Are you free to practise at lunch?
Lance guessed that worked out well.
You
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!! for a lil bit tho cuz lotor and i are having lunch together
Lance went back to reply to Lotor.
You
Music room
Ping! He looked back to his phone.
Allura ♕
I shall see you then
Lance’s knee bounced up and down as he waited for Lotor’s reply. It came about fifteen minutes later.
Lotor ❤
ok
Lance rolled his eyes at the bluntness and short reply. He put his phone back away so he wouldn’t get distracted any further and forced himself to get back into the class discussion. His fingers drummed against his desk, mind half on the beat of a song that he and Allura were going to practice and the other half on the subject at hand. It didn’t take much to guess which one had captured Lance’s attention and heart.
* * *
“So, Hunk, looks like it’s just us for Lunch today?” Pidge said after she received a message from Lance and the others in their group chat. The chat consisted of Hunk, Lance, Allura, Shay, Shiro, Pidge’s brother Matt and herself (except Matt wasn’t in town at the moment). It mostly consisted of stupid memes and nonstop banter. Messages popped through constantly throughout day and night. She was just glad a certain person hadn’t been added to the chat. It was a safe place of laughter, sarcasm, blackmailing pictures and stories.
“Sounds about right…” Hunk said, taking a bite out of his sandwich thoughtfully. He waited until he swallowed until he spoke again. “Wanna go to the computer lab and continue building our robo-cats?” he asked and Pidge grinned wide like a Cheshire cat. Their ’robo-cats’ were a personal project Hunk, Pidge and Matt had dedicated themselves to for the past few months.
“Hunk, this is why you’re my favourite.”
“Even before Matt?”
“Especially before Matt.”
“… Sweet.”