i think I forgot to update. But it's summer, get a life. Or don't I dont have one anyway.
As soon as the band had left the airport, the familiar pickup truck pulled up in the airport parking lot. Lance wasted no time running over and climbing in, the other three climbing much slower. But they all had one thing in common; they were all dreading the event that they all expected later in the day.
Carlos quiet regarded the paladins, a faint yet masked smile splayed across his lips. But it only took a glance in Lance's direction for his mask to shatter and be replaced by a desperately lost expression. Carlos silently began the drive towards their next destination. The air was so thick inside the car, not even a knife could cut it. Lance's hands trembled endlessly and his teeth sank into his lips to prevent himself from busting into tears. He took deep, ragged breathes in s failing attempt to calm himself and prevent an upcoming panic attack.
Keith could only keep his gaze low, being unfortunate enough to sit in the middle of the back. He could peer over the front seat to look as Lance's collapsed self but he didn't want to look. Looking at Lance was the exact same as torturing himself. So he looked down to his fingers which fidgeted nervously in his lap as he impatiently waited to pull up at the dreaded place.
Lance's eyes warily lifted as the truck continued past the usual turning point for the hospital. Before he could make a comment, before he could hope it was some terrible practical joke just to get him come, Carlos spoke in a monotonous tone, "There's a night nurse at home. So Benji can... pass at home."
All of Lance's remaining hope slipped down the drain, his dull eyes once again casting down as his eyelids fluttered shut. He could taste the metallic flavor of his own blood pool in his mouth but his sorrow overpowered and practically hummed the physical pain. All he did was clench his eyes shut and will himself to not let any tears spill.
As the truck pulled up to the aged detached house, Lance wasted no time climbing out and rushing towards him home. The land was quiet, even the dog who usually bounded out to greet Lance when he visited seemed to be taking a moment of silence. Lance rushed inside, sprinting through the house and straight up the stairs. He followed a soft and repetitive beeping sound, one that which each beep make Lance's heart sink lower, and lower, and lower, and lower.
Lance was hesitant to open the door, but as he heard approaching footsteps behind him he slowly twisted the knob and edged the door open. The door was only slightly ajar but it was all Lance needed to peek inside and take a look at his little brother. Broken. If there was one word to describe the air, his little brother, Lance's heart and the whole scenario it could only be broken.
Lance stepped inside causing everyone's gazes to turn from the twig-like boy in bed to the more meaty boy who could only stare in disbelief. Benji's pale lips curled up in the slightest at the sight of his older brother. His empty eyes glistened and his whole body seemed to sag in relief. Lance shuffled closer to Benji, who's smile never wavered. Lance, however, couldn't bring himself to smile. All he could do was walk over and kneel by Benji's beside, avoiding the monitor and bedstand that held various bottles of medication that Lance decided to ignore.
The other paladins stepped inside, their own lips pulled hopelessly into small smiles as they approached Benji. Nobody had the courage to speak but thankfully Hunk forced his own words out.
"Long time no see, eh buddy?"
Benji's eyes cast up to Hunk and with a deep breath he spoke. "Yeah. How've... you been?" Benji took a moment to breath between words causing worry to bubble in Lance's stomach.
"All good," Pidge cut in with a sad smile. "We've been to lots of places. Though here is the best spot, I have to admit." Benji smiles as the other paladins agree softly.
"We couldn't wait to see you again." Keith smiled, stepping forward to ruffle Benji's hair as soft as humanly possible. Benji noticed Keith's feather-like touch as by his expression he was thankful for that.
"We'll wait outside for a while." Rosa spoke up. The others took this as a sign to leave. Each family member rushed over to plant a kiss on Benji's head and whisper a few words. Words that would seem like regular goodbye's at a family gathering but in this certain situation it meant infinitely more than a simple "see you later".
Pidge smiled as she took a seat at the end of Benji's bed. "To be honest, you've always been ,y favorite McClain brother."
Lance scoffed and spoke in a fake hurt tone, "Hey!"
Benji let out a weak puff of laughter that only resulted in a wince of pain. Pidge cringed but quickly masked her regret as Hunk spoke up.
"I loved baking with you. Still to this day nobody has ever made a better batch of cupcakes than you. Including myself!" Hunk spoke, his tone seeming truthful. Keith would have liked to taste one of those cupcakes.
Keith felt as if it were his turn to speak but nothing really came to mind. "Well, thanks. You really showed me how to feed chickens."
Benji let out another huff of laughter before speaking weakly. "I'll assume... that has a... deeper meaning."
Keith chuckled with a shrug. "Maybe one day we'll figure it out."
"One day we will..." Benji agreed. The room was once again left in silence before Keith took it upon himself to state the obvious. "I think Lance and Benji should have some time to themselves."
Hunk and Pidge nodded silently, both standing up and edging towards the door.
"See ya Benji. Some day I'll share my secret coffee cake recipe with you." Hunk winked as he exited.
"And I'll show you some awesome facts and theories I found online earlier today!" Pidge gave Benji a short thumbs up before slipping out.
"I'll show you my knife collected I guess." Keith spoke, his own lips splaying a soft smile.
And with that the bedroom door shut. As Lance was about to speak, Hunk's muffled voice could be heard outside. "Aww, Pidge don't cry. If you cry, I- oh wait, too late, I'm crying!"
Lance and Benji looked to each other before bursting into a fit of laughter together. Benji's laughter was shorted and wheezy so Lance made sure to cut his laughter short. The air was thick but Benji rushed to clear the tensity of the situation.
"How are you and Keith? You know, papa has been talking to us... he says he really wants to meet him."
Lance smiles. "We're doing well. But boys can be a handful, don't get a boyfriend." Lance nudged Benji slightly earning a small grin. "And I'm sure you've been keeping the house safe."
Benji nodded. "The safest it can be." Benji sighs, his eyes trailing down to his hands. Only then did Lance notice how the sickly slim fingers trembled. Lance took a breath, lacing his own trembling fingers through his little brother's. Benji's eyes lifted to meet Lance's and it seemed as if his whole barrier collapsed at Lance's soft words.
"It's okay to be scared. You don't have to hide it."
With those few words, Benji's eyes lost their glimmer and his lips dropped into a deep frown. His eyes flooded with endless tears and his lips quivered as soft cried slipped out. He hunched forwards making Lance quickly jump up to comfort him.
"I don't want to die Lance..." Benji whined. "I'm not ready..."
Lance smiled, this time his lips curled sincerely as he spoke soothingly. He let Benji rest his forehead against his shoulder, running his fingers along the back of his little brother's neck.
"Nobody's ever truly ready for anything. You're not ready to go on a roller coaster until they're on it. I'm never ready to do a show but all I can do is prepare myself." Lance kissed Benji's head that held desperate clumps of hair that barely clung to his scalp. "Just remember the nice times Ben, the nice time's we had when we visited Cuba, when we got the animals, when Matteo and Val were born... just the nice times."
Benji's quivering body slowly calmed. "Lance... thank you."
Lance smiled softly, laying Benji back down but never unlacing their fingers. "My pleasure Benjamin."
Benji rolled his eyes. "Don't say my full name!" He wheezed, his thin lips curling into a smile briefly before falling.
Lance couldn't help but hum to Benji, a song they used to slow dance or pretend to ballet dance to when they were kids. One that he practically used as the anthem for him and Keith but always brought hope and tranquility to him. Hey, it was sang by none other than the King of rock himself, Elvis Presley! Benji smiled as Lance hummed the tune, his melodic voice soothing Benji beyond words.
Lance's heart began to beat more rapidly as the monitor began to slow. Lance glanced over to the monitor in panic, his mind racing and his palms trembling.
Not now! there's still so much to say!
"Lance..." Benji slurred.
Lance's eyes flicked to Benji, trying to mask the urgency but failing miserably.
"Benji..." Lance trailed.
"I'm..." Benji's eyes fluttered shut.
"Ben..." Lance whimpered, leaning forward as the monitor continued to slow.
"I'm... t... tired." Benji spoke lower than a whisper.
Lance's lips which once drew deeply in a frown twisted up, he reminded himself to think of the nice times with Benji as he leaned forward, planting a feather light kiss on his little brother's forehead.
"Well, rest Benji. I'll be here, don't be afraid."
Lance squeezed Benji's hand softly, soothing Benji to flutter his eye shut completely. Lance's reassuring grip allowed him to slump in his spot as his breath slowed and continued to slow as the monitor also slowed and continue to slow until... It stopped. The monitor ran silent and Benji's breath seized. The monitor then began a sickening noise, a long beep that made Lance's very blood run cold. Lance's limbs fell limp as he shifted to lay beside his little brother's lifeless body. Their fingers were still laced together, Lance's heated skin contrasting yet mixing with Benji's icy touch.
The family rushed in but Lance's couldn't move in all of the commotion. All he could do was lay close to Benji, running his thumb over the cool knuckles of his little brother's hand.
Benji was gone. But h was there to say goodbye.
Woooowwww the angst.
Well this chapter is in memory of someone... my social life.
No, I'm joking, it's barely alive. But really love your family. You never realize how much you love someone until you loose them.
Wow that was cheesy, but true. Like love at first sight. As soon as I saw Voltron I was in love.
-Patty '3'