Chapter Text
Keith grunted as he was shoved into his locker. Again. The third time now. In a fucking day. Those assholes were really rough with him this time, shoving him a few times and destroying his books. He let out a sigh which echoed throughout the small locker.
Looks like he's going to use the 'dog ate my homework' excuse again to his teachers. He could almost feel his shoulders meeting each other from the tight space. He squirmed, trying to free his leg so he could kick his locker door open. Yet again for the nth time that day, he failed.
Suddenly, his locker door creaked open and he had to squint his eyes to adjust to the lighting. A handsome face looked at him worriedly for the third time that day. His flawless caramel skin, cute nose and soft lips can be seen clearly from outside his locker. Though, the navy ocean eyes staring at him with furrowed brows pulled the teen back to reality from staring too long.
"Seriously, Keith? I've seen you three times in your locker today. You really have to stand up for yourself." A strong calloused hand grabbed his right arm before pulling him out of the evil tight void.
"Jeez, how am I supposed to explain to Shiro? 'Oh Keith got bullied again, I'm sorry?' He's gonna think I'm a bad friend! Or an irresponsible adult! A twenty-nine year old teacher who can't even keep his younger bro's friend alive in this school and I-"
"I'm fine, Lance. You don't have to worry about me." Keith cut him off while adjusting his glasses. He looked back at his locker, trying to get his books which he dropped from being stuck in there. The man frowned as he placed a comforting hand on the boy's shoulder.
"Keith, whatever the problems are, I'll always be there to help you." He murmured. "Just like old times, when I babysat you." He grinned, his eyes glinting with mischief.
The teenager looked back at his teacher and gave a small smile, a show of reassurance to the teacher. Keith was still amazed at how young Lance looked. He could fool anyone and say he's eighteen. But if anyone looked closely, the slight wrinkles around his eyes made his feature stand out even more than any of the models in those fashion cover magazines. Lance had aged handsomely after all.
Out of nowhere, Lance smacked the back of Keith's head, almost sending his glasses flying.
"Ow, the fuck was that for?!" The teen cursed, pushing his glasses back on his nose again.
"That's for not addressing me as Mr McClain. I am your teacher after all." The teacher smirked while ruffling the boy's hair, earning a string of curses from the boy.
"I'll be expecting you in my class after this, Mr Kogane." The teacher skipped away as the bell rang, indicating classes were continued.
The spectacled boy tied his hair back (the way he was used to) and quickly grabbed his books to get to his next class. Physics. Guess who's teaching that subject.
Yup, it's Lance.
Here's the thing. Keith has known Lance since, well, since forever . Lance was his brother's best friend. The Cuban used to babysit Keith in his younger days while Shiro had to study for his astrophysics. Not that Lance wasn't studying, he just had more free time to take care of the rebellious child Keith than Shiro and Adam had. At that time, Lance was studying to become a physics teacher. The black haired boy smiled at a memory where he used to collect kitchen knives and hid it under his bed when he was a kid. Lance freaked out when he found a box full of blades and other forms of potentially dangerous weapons under child Keith's bed. It wasn't that bad than the time he stole someone's motorcycle.
Child him was certainly a handful. How did Lance ever have the patience for him? It was one of the biggest mysteries to Keith which makes him fall even harder for the teacher.
That's right, you heard him. He's in love with Lance. His old babysitter and his teacher. Shocking? No . The teenager worked hard in his studies and he even became the teacher's (probably) favourite student in his grade for physics. Heck, he always scored the highest for physics. Not that it was unusual. Keith knows he is one of the top students in his school. Just the fact that his grades for physics were always higher than his other subjects. One of the reasons could be because Lance is a really good physics teacher or because he taught that subject.
The teenager didn't even realize the small bounces on his feet as he walked to his physics class, heart beating excitedly to be in his teacher's class.
. . . . . . . . . .
As the bell rang, indicating the end of school for that day, Keith looked at his classmates around him as they shoved their books in their bags and walked out of class. He watched as slowly the students left the class, leaving him alone with his teacher.
Okay, take a deep breath, Kogane. Do it normally.
The teenager shrugged his shoulders and pulled down his red hoodie to look at least presentable in front of his teacher. He pushed back his round glasses and grabbed his backpack. He walked slowly towards the teacher's desk, taking deep breaths while also taking his time to admire the view of the man's behind as he erased the whiteboard. How could his ass still look so fine behind those slacks? The teenager shook his head from the thought. That could be another mystery he could solve another day. Some day.
Keith knocked on the wood of the desk, catching the teacher's attention. The man looked back and grinned, seeing the familiar face of his student. Lance cleaned the last small equation on the whiteboard and placed the duster on the table. He cleaned his palms against his slacks and brought his attention to his student.
"What's up, Keith?" He chirped while watching the boy in front of him fidget with the hem of his red hoodie. Come on, Keith. Don't be so awkward. The teenager's thoughts reminded him and wow, if only he had the confidence of that of his own mind.
The ponytail boy slowly brought his eyes up to look into the man's navy blue eyes and straightened up his body. His height was only an inch taller than his teacher which was something he takes pride for. He should probably thank Adam for feeding him during his puberty to gain that much height.
"I was wondering, if you would like to have dinner with me? Not me only but with S-Shiro and Adam, of course. To, umm, thank you for saving my ass today." He stuttered and looked back down on the floor. Suddenly the floor looked interesting and he could feel his shoulders slouching back from his stammering mess. Great job, Kogane. You were like a vibrating phone.
A light chuckle was heard and Keith swift his head up. His neck started to turn red from the embarrassing mess he had a minute ago.
"Sorry kiddo. I have a dinner date with a friend of mine. Maybe tomorrow? Oh, say hi for me to Shiro and Adam though." The teacher smiled before pinching the pale boy's cheek and packing his things in his black bag rushingly.
It took awhile for the boy's brain to progress again when all in his head was replaying the word dinner date . Lance is going to have a dinner date. With a friend. A 'friend' . Keith was old enough to comprehend that dinner date probably meant meeting with a 'friend' for a romantic date. Or even worse, reuniting with a 'friend' of his to spark their old love again. The teenage boy didn't even realize he was alone in the room and his teacher had left.
Keith ran out of his classroom and started to catch up to his teacher who was checking his phone while speed walking. Damn, his long legs...
"Wait, a dinner date? With who?" Keith huffed and weirdly he felt like punching his brain for giving him confidence at the wrong time.
"Oh, just an old friend of mine from my university." Lance replied, not taking his eyes away from his phone. He felt his heartbeat quicken at the thought of Lance having a date with this unknown friend from university. His head can't help but to think of the worst possible situations. What if Lance suddenly liked this 'friend' and then got married and lived happily while Keith wallows in his one sided, unreciprocated sad love for the teacher without confessing to him?
Alright, he probably needs more information about the teacher's 'friend' before thinking about the unlikely situations in the future.
Keith scoffed and grabbed the man's arm, pulling his sight away from his phone and brought his attention to him. His eyes behind glasses bore into the teacher's as the man looked confused and surprised by the sudden action.
"What's his name?" Keith spoke, almost a growl while seeing the man in front of him blink a few times before taking a step back from the teenager's stern gaze.
"H-Hey, what's up with you? He's just a friend and you don't know him." Lance mumbled while pulling his hand away from the tight grip.
"So it's a male friend? I want his name and any background information about him." The teenager stated while trapping the man between his body and the lockers.
"Jeez, you sound like an overprotective boyfriend. You're starting to act weird Keithy." Lance murmured while placing his hand against the boy's chest to push him away. Keith gripped the teacher's hands before he slowly relaxed his grip. The teenager swallowed nervously before bringing his face close to the tensed teacher. His face was close to his teacher's that he could feel the shaky, warm breath exhaled from Lance, tickling his skin.
"I just need to know about him, he might be dangerous." Keith swallowed. "I don't want this asshat to…." love you , "to treat you like dirt and leave you crying."
A warm hand touched his cheek and a snort was heard from the man in front of him.
"I'll be fine, Keith. I'm not as fragile as you think ya' know. Well, if it is to make you feel happy, his name is Ryan Kinkade. He used to be in the same major as me but after graduating and earning his degree, he then pursued his dream in directing movies. So after six years, I am finally meeting him for dinner. Happy now?" Lance smiled and patted the teenager's head as if he was a small boy before freeing himself from the space.
Keith's thoughts started to churn like a moving gear, trying to figure out the Kinkade guy.
"I can give you a lift home if you still want to 'keep me safe'!" The teacher called out. That was enough for Keith to pull himself back to reality and catch up to his favourite teacher. A lift back home in a moving vehicle, together alone?
Yeah, the Kinkade guy was the least of his worries. Only for now.
. . . . . . . . . . . .
Keith poked his sausages lightly with his fork, feeling gloomy and unfocused. He just couldn't stand thinking that Lance is out there with somebody who might actually have a chance with him. He sighed exasperatedly and stabbed the sausage in frustration. He could feel Shiro and Adam watching him worriedly from the corner of his eyes.
"Should we talk to him?" He heard Shiro whispers.
"Well, I think it's just school work. Leave the kid be." Adam replied nonchalantly.
"What if he got bullied again?"
"Takashi, he took martial arts classes, he's fine. He's just too nice to beat up bullies."
"Ugh, this conversation isn't going anywhere. I'm going to talk to him and you're going to help me with my research Adam." Shiro huffed to which Adam chuckled and replied with an 'alright'.
"Hey, buddy. You okay?" Keith brought his attention to his brother. His glasses were perched on his nose crookedly and it had some stains. It was probably from the dinner he was making just an hour ago.
Keith sighed and pushed his plate away. He crossed his arms and tried his best to not pout like a child who lost its toy. He knew he couldn't avoid talking to Shiro about his love problem. Or any problem whatsoever. His brother had this ability to make him feel comfortable while looking him in the eyes which practically says, 'I love you no matter what.' Well, at least he should share his matter right? He always shared everything with Shiro. This is just one of many.
"It's Lance. He's having a dinner date with a friend of his." Keith stated while adjusting his glasses with his knuckles. He waited for the white haired man's reply. Except, there were none. Silence fell between them, saved for the soft sound of the air conditioner behind him. The teenager waited for his brother's response with furrowed brows.
"...Sooo?" Shiro asked while cocking his head in confusion. Keith's face quickly became red and he clicked his tongue in irritation. He can't do this. He can't tell Shiro, he wouldn't understand. Damn it, abort mission, abort!
The flustered teenager pushed his chair and abruptly stood up. "I'll be in my room. Thank you for dinner." He mumbled while running up to his room.
Shiro and Adam looked at each other as they tried to understand what had happened.
Keith slammed his door and paced around his room. Fuck, he couldn't sit still. He needed to calm down. Nobody needs to know. Nobody cannot know about his infatuation with his teacher. It's wrong, but he already fell head over heels for him. What was he supposed to do? Confess and go on with his life? Try very hard to forget his feelings? Get another person to fall in love with? That's impossible. He's been in love with Lance ever since he could remember. Forgetting his long love for the teacher is like forgetting his childhood. His whole childhood was with Lance.
He could feel his head spiralling from all the thinking he did. Heck, if he was writing his thoughts, it could fill up four whole whiteboards. All of it, because of Lance. He needed something to stop his thoughts. He needed something to calm down.
He needed to get out and get a drink.
The teenager stopped his pacing and ran to his closet. He picked out a red shirt with a leather jacket and a pair of boots. He changed his clothes and pulled down his rubber band to let his long hair down. He looked at the mirror. The alter-ego he created a few months back, the behaviour and the look was clear in his mind that it had become a routine for him every time he went out at night. He placed his glasses and put on his contact lenses. He straightened his back, to look older and more confident. He looked at his reflection and took a few calming breaths.
A few drinks would be good to stop thinking about Lance for the time being.
He grabbed his wallet and motor keys before heading out, confidence oozing from him like a lion ready to pounce.
. . . . . . . . . . .
Keith walked into the usual bar he always visits when he needed to get away. It was also one of the few bars where he would have make-out sessions with random strangers he just met. Was it wrong? Yes, very. But he would enjoy the feeling of his head getting foggy as if floating in a mental abyss, as pleasure coursed through his body when he's with a stranger. He walked over to a bar stool and ordered a strong drink from the bartender. The bartender, a polite large Samoan man nodded and smiled as he saw his regular customer.
"Haven't seen you in a while, Akira." The large man happily stated. Keith chuckled and slicked back his hair, trying to avoid getting his hair stuck to his forehead from the sweltering temperature in the usually cooling bar.
"Hey, Hunk." He waved dismissively to the man. "Well, I come here to get away from complicated issues. The usual stuff." Keith stated while Hunk slid a drink on a coaster in front of him.
"Hopefully not a bad one like last time." Hunk added and got to another customer.
Keith shrugged and downed his drink quickly, enjoying the burn in his throat. It did wonders to his well-functioned brain to malfunction. He could feel his ears getting red and his confidence rising somehow. Maybe he could get someone to blow him in the bathroom this time?
As Keith tongued the inside of his cheeks, feeling his head starting to throb from the alcohol in his body. He didn't notice the whining man sitting right beside him, trying hard to not fall off the wooden stool.
"Hunk, my man! Give me more of those drink magic you do!" His drunken voice slurred. Keith chuckled at how the man beside him couldn't even hold his liquor. The man didn't seem to be a usual customer in the bar. Maybe he could get him to blow him?
"Lance, I think you've had enough. Why don't you drink this water first while I finish my shift?" Keith's ear perked when he heard that name. Lance? Lance is here? Beside him? In his regular bar where he's currently drinking his problems away? Who is also the cause of his problems?
"No Hunky-Punk! Come back! Don't leave me here alone!" Lance wailed while sniffling. Keith peeked at the man beside him while fidgeting with the rim of his empty glass. His teacher had his arms crossed on the table while he placed his chin on them. His eyes were cloudy as if in a daze and his cheeks were red, probably from the alcohol in his blood. He could see the teacher had some powder on his face and something glossy on his lips. He was wearing a blue button up shirt tucked in some high-waisted slacks. All in all, Lance Charles McClain looked fucking attractive.
"What're you staring at, hot stud?" Lance slurred. The teenager didn't even realize he was staring at the man for a long time to get his attention. Relax, Keith. Be Akira, the confident man that everyone wants to fuck , he reminded himself while playing with his empty glass.
"Honestly, your cute ass." 'Akira' responded while averting his eyes to the man's behind.
The drunk teacher narrowed his eyes for a moment and pursed his lips. Did he already fuck it up?
"Aww, you're so charming, stranger!" Lance brought his head up and Keith could see his eyes gleaming with interest towards him. "I'm Lance. May I know yours or do you prefer being called a handsome devil?" the Latino flirted.
Keith couldn't believe it. Lance was flirting with him . Never in his life would the teacher ever chat with him other than family or school matters. Much less any compliment on his physique that didn't sound like a joke or family affection.
He let out a snort and chuckled, bringing his hand out. "I'm Akira. You can call me a handsome devil anytime, angel." Lance brought his hand to shake while smiling gleefully as Keith lightly kissed the smooth caramel hands. When in the fuck had he have the guts to even do that?
"Ooh, smooth talk. I like you. Better than that asshole over there." Lance grumbled while pointing his thumb to a handsome young African American male sitting alone just a few tables away from them. He looked to be the same age as Lance. Could he be that Kinkade guy?
Keith wanted to press on it further and continue his conversation with his teacher. Keith's thumb rubbed on the man's smooth hand, hoping that it made the man comfortable in talking to him.
"Is that your boyfriend?" Keith mumbled while trying his best to not sound jealous in front of the Cuban.
The teacher smacked his lips a few times. "Used to be. Now he's engaged, to a lady named Nadia or somethin'." Keith's brows raised in confusion. Used to be? Now engaged? Keith couldn't help but to hide a smile at the notion.
"Like come on! We've been together for a long time and he promised me he'll come back to me after his big success on the big screen! Now he comes and sees me, gives me a stupid wedding card and asks me to come to his stupid wedding? How many levels of fucked up is that?!" Lance exclaimed, hitting his head against the table. Well, at least that Kinkade guy is out of the picture , Keith thought as he could hear more sniffles from the man. His mouth dropped slightly when he saw a teardrop trickled down the drunk man's red cheek.
Fuck, Lance was heartbroken. How much love did he have for that man? Even if Lance and that bastard being back together is out of the question, seeing his teacher like this isn't a good deal for him.
Without thinking, he pulled the sobbing man to his chest. He cradled Lance and softly stroked his brown hair.
The sound of people talking to one another, random wooden creaks from the floorboard and glasses clinking against another fell muted in the teenager's ear. All he could hear was soft sniffles and the calming heartbeat of the man in his arms. All he wanted to do was to bundle the man up in blankets and stuff him in his pocket. Lance was too precious. Too precious even for him. He doesn't deserve to get dumped, even by that Kinkade asshole.
Keith's eyes opened when he suddenly felt the teacher shift his head up to meet with his. Soft lips suddenly pressed against his, moving desperately, chasing for some sort of answer from the raven haired teenager. Lance was kissing him.
Lance was kissing him. He initiated it. It feels like a dream he knew would never come true.
The teacher's mouth pushed against his, encouraging the teenager to kiss back. Keith pulled the man on his lap and pulled the man closer. They both moved their lips against one another, hungry and lustful as if it were their last.
Keith felt hands around his neck pulling him closer into the kiss. Soft pants could be heard from both men before they reconnected their lips and tasted each other. The teenager carefully placed his palms against the man's slack-covered cheeks to hold the man comfortably, afraid he would disappear from his hold.
Lance licked the dazed teenager's bottom lip and placed his right palm on his pale ones.
"Don't be afraid, handsome. You can play with my ass." The man whispered before capturing Keith's lips back. The teenager felt a wave of arousal pumping through his veins as his hands palmed the supple cheeks. Fuck, they were soft and plump. Lance's ass is his kink indeed. Mystery solved.
Lance moaned in the kiss as the boy explored the man's ass with his hands. Keith could feel the teacher rubbing himself on top of his growing tent. The raven haired teenager brought his hand up to the man's neck and tongued the man's mouth earning a whine from him.
A hand suddenly pushed against his chest roughly, breaking their shared wet kiss. Keith pulled back and marveled at how stunning and sexy his teacher looked. His lips were now red and wet, his cheeks were still in a ruby shade from being drunk but maybe some from embarrassment or arousal. Cute , Keith thought. His navy eyes were avoiding his dark ones, wait, was Lance regretting what they had done? Did he realize that Keith was Akira? Even without the glasses and letting his hair go wild, he was sure no one would even recognize him or figure out that he was the nerdy red sweater, normal Keith Kogane. Nobody knew the subtle nerdy slouched weak looking Keith Kogane was the confident attractive man Akira West. Lance can't know that he was-
"I'm sorry, Akira. This...this is wrong."
Oh .
Of course Lance would stop. Lance was too nice to even do it with a stranger.
"Thank you for comforting me but I'm not in the mood for a one night stand. One mistake is enough." The man smiled sadly and placed a comforting hand against the pale boy's cheek. He got off from his lap and Keith already missed the warmth of his crush just a few sweet moments ago.
"Well, I think I'm sober enough to annoy Hunk. See you, mullet." The Cuban pecked the boy's cheek and was about to walk off when the boy grabbed his wrist.
"W-What if.." Come on Keith, spill it out. Don't stutter like an idiot!
"What if it's not a one night stand?" Keith asked while gulping in fear of rejection from the Latino.
"Wow, what, a blowjob? A quickie back at the restroom? Another make out session? Seriously man, find another guy or gal to fuck around with cuz-"
"I meant a date." Keith blurted. He could feel sweat trickling down his body underneath his shirt. He should've ditched his jacket before he even came in to have a drink. Man, they should really fix the air conditioner in here, he grumbled in his head.
He looked as his teacher's navy eyes widened. His lips were trembling and his hand relaxed in his grip. Keith didn't even realize that he was still holding onto the teacher's small wrist. Keith looked into the man's dark ocean eyes and suddenly felt brave.
"I mean it. I would like to get to know you. You're really pretty and you're sassy and beautiful and really sexy and funny and-"
"Dude, chill. Jeez, you sound like you met your soulmate or somethin'." Lance's eyes averted towards something else but his face was now red. His long calloused hands were now softly holding onto Keith's as if telling him, 'I'm not leaving yet. Not leaving you.'
"You could be. So, yes to the date?" Keith could feel his heartbeat pounding throughout his body. His thoughts suddenly came back haunting his brain with questions and situations where Lance either rejected him horribly or riding his dick in a cheap hotel. Well, he didn't like one bit that his thoughts were back.
"Meet me in front of Garrison High School tomorrow at two. We'll see what we can do tomorrow, mullet." The man mumbled and pulled his hand softly. He then walked away and left the black haired teenager in a daze.
Lance thought Keith couldn't see it but he saw the teacher smiling in secret before walking away.
That meant that Lance wanted to get to know him. Lance is interested in him. After all this time, he finally got to have a date with Lance. Keith grinned and gripped his knees like a kid who just got a Christmas present.
Keith looked at the end of the bar where Lance was walking with Hunk. He knew well that Hunk was a close friend to Lance. But the sudden realization fell on him when he saw Lance chatting excitedly with Hunk, his lips read a name, A-KI-RA.
Like being poured ice cold water on his body, Keith realized that Lance, the man he just sucked faces with a few minutes ago, was interested in Akira.
Not Keith. And meeting with Lance at his school right after his lessons might be a problem for the teenager.
If he had to get his man as another person, well, he had to live a double life as Akira and Keith.
Would he really take that risk?
Yes.