The Beginning
The young Cuban expertly snuck to the familiar dark room. Checking behind him before slipping in and locking the automatic door behind him. Lance had been in this room every day for over a year, his boyfriend of eight months lived here with his best friend Matthew Holt. They'd been sneaking in and out of the heavily guarded rooms for over a year now, finding the thrill of their secret friendship turned romance exciting, even in the beginning when they would just meet up to talk about anything and everything. Their relationship had been forbidden by the company they both worked for -a small Military owned company, that went out to discover planets, moons, stars, and other masses in their solar system-. Both young men had quickly fallen for each other and were now inseparable.
Looking around the larger room he noticed that half the room lay empty, it was not something he was used to seeing, the bed was made and clothes had been picked up off the floor, signalling the man's roommate was home with his family for the evening. A smile curled on the young man's thin lips, his cerulean blue eyes sparkling mischievously. “‘Kashi!” He called, trying to keep his voice low in case someone heard him. Turning his head toward the always meticulously, organized side belonging to his boyfriend he couldn't keep the soft smile off his face looking at the elder sprawled across his bed fully dressed in the standardized orange jumpsuit. Small snores escaped his full pink lips, his black hair laying across his face creating a shadow over his thick black eyebrows that perfectly accentuated his intelligent, granite gray, almond shaped eyes. His large frame took up most of the single bed, wide shoulders and thick arms laying down at his sides, while his long thick legs weren't completely on the bed, he hadn't even gotten around to taking his black combat boots off. His large stature and intimidating demeanor the opposite of the stereotypical Japanese blood he possessed.
Shaking his head the young man moved silently towards the sleeping figure, What am I going to do with you? he thought fondly. Skillfully untying and slipping the boots off his boyfriends feet, Lance lifted each leg, swinging them gently onto the bed. Rolling him onto his back the Cuban quickly unzipped the orange jumpsuit and went to take his arms out.
“If you wanted me naked so bad you could've just asked.” A deep gruff voice sounded next to his ear, startling the quiet man out of his thoughts and causing a small squeak to escape his thin lips.
Trying to hide the blush on his smooth tan cheeks the Cuban stood up straight crossing his thin arms over his chest. “I was trying to be nice. You didn't have to scare me!” He whined, his eyes widening as he finally looked into those infinite gray eyes. “How long were you awake for?”
A low chuckle reverberated around the room, “I woke up to you unzipping my suit, not that I’m complaining.” Slowly sitting up, he looked over the younger's attire. “Lance, why aren't you wearing your jumpsuit, if Iverson catches you-”
“I'll blame you.” He said with a shrug. “Honestly 'Kashi, you'd think I would be the one afraid of breaking the rules.” Raising a thin dark brown eyebrow, his signature smirk pulling at the right side of his face.
“This is serious, one more strike and they'll demote you to cargo pilot. Is that what you want?” The Japanese man asked, concern pulling his lips into a deep frown.
Sighing Lance retreated against the wall. His smile wiped into an emotionless mask, one he wore often around the other trainees. “I think I'll head back, my roommate might be wondering where I've gone off to.” Turning back to the door he pressed the button to unlock it but a hand on his waist stopped him from opening the door.
“You know I'm only acting like this because I care right? I don't want you to get sent home.” Takashi couldn't hide the grimace as he remembered what Lance had endured at home. The middle child of 9 he was often neglected, left without food and affection from his family as they tried to survive with the little money they had. When he'd arrived at the company the poor boy was smaller than everyone else due to malnourishment and often picked on for his unique blue eyes. “I just got you, don't make me lose you.” He whispered, pulling the shorter into his arms and inhaling the familiar coconut scent of his homemade shampoo.
Relaxing into the hold Lance shivered at the thought of going home. He hated that place. He loved his family, but they were often too busy with themselves to help him out. They had been so proud of Lance, the small, quiet, poor boy from Cuba, when he was accepted into the Academy for his flying skills. He’d been given a scholarship so as to not completely sink his family. Imagining the devastation on his parents' faces when he came home after being kicked out he couldn't help the guilt for acting like an entitled child. What am I doing walking around in my street clothes, I’ve been lacking in my studies, and wasting time on a relationship when I could be improving my flying? How could my family be proud of me, all I do is screw up. He thought, pulling away from the older male's strong arms, curling into himself trying to make himself smaller.
“Hey, hey, it's okay. I'm sorry I was so harsh, I just don't want to lose you. Please don't do this.” Takashi pleaded, wrapping his arms tightly around the younger's lean waist. "I'm just worried about you. I would fight Iverson for you. You know that." Lance couldn't help but sink into the warmth the larger body provided, his insecurities seeming to become smaller in his boyfriend's presence. It was the only place he could truly act like himself. Pressing closer together the younger leaned up, connecting their lips, trying to show just how much he appreciated the man with him.
The kiss quickly became heated, Lance and Takashi fighting for dominance their passion and love shining through. Lance's thin, skilled, nimble fingers sneaking into Takashi's thick black hair, giving a playful tug to the ends and earning a growl in return. Growing almost frantic to feel his boyfriend's familiar body against his, Lance pulled him closer, jumping into his capable arms as his back was pressed into the wall aiding with his weight. The Cuban male felt familiar warm hands roaming his sides, trying to find the bottom of his shirt without parting from his lips. Succeeding in his task Takashi let his hands explore the younger's lithe torso, tracing the plans of his scarred flesh, never once pulling away from the passionate kisses. Pressing the younger into the wall a little harder.
Heavy footsteps pulled the two apart, realizing they could be caught they quickly separated heading toward the desk at the foot of the bed. The older standing behind the Cuban explaining some concept they were both quite good in. The sound of the door sliding open and an unfriendly gruff voice sounded from their left, “HEY!” he barked. Looking up from the random book the younger had opened he looked at Iverson, the Academy's principal/disciplinarian. He was a tall, thick, African American man, with a patch of black hair on his chin, thick black eyebrows covered his dark beady eyes. He’d lost his left eye in a freak explosion years earlier and never wore the patch he was supposed to, just let people see the scars. He was wearing his uniform of gray and black, with accents of gold on his hat, and three stripes on his shoulders, there was a bronze clip over his heart that showed his ‘rank’ in the Academy.
“What are you doing here Perez?” His deep growl came out, distaste and suspicion clear in his tone. Causing both males to stand at attention, immediately saluting the man.
“I was helping him study for his test on Friday, sir.” Takashi answered saving the younger from Iverson's glare.
“How long have you been here?” He demanded.
Looking down at his wrist watch, Lance's blue eyes widened. “Four hours, sir.” He replied, shock coming through as his eyes found the elders.
Letting out a deep sigh Iverson looked between the two. It was clear he wasn't comfortable leaving his favorite pupil with his most problematic one. The Cuban male was a known troublemaker, refusing to wear his uniform stating the orange color clashed with his eyes, his need to mask his insecurities with jokes and attempts to flirt with anyone got on everyone's nerves, he was often in the office for slipping out after curfew, claiming to be heading into town to ‘find a girl to hit up for the night’, or daydreaming while in class, drawing all over his notes instead of listening. “Head back to your room son, that's enough studying for the night.” He commanded, looking to the older of the two, “Come to my office once he leaves we have a few things to discuss.” He added looking to the Japanese man. Receiving affirmatives from both men he left the room, still suspiciously eyeing the smaller of the two.
“What do you think he wants to talk to you about?” Lance asked, turning to the taller. Only to receive a shrug in response. “I didn't want to leave, I had our whole evening planned.” He whined, turning those enchanting blue eyes back onto his boyfriend.
Letting out a soft chuckle, his granite eyes crinkling at the edges, “Why don’t you spend the night then?” he asked. Mischief clear in his tone. Unable to contain his joy he jumped up crashing his body into to the older’s, whose arms wrapped around the younger instinctively. “I’ll take that as a yes.” He said with a chuckle, pulling apart enough to look into his boyfriend’s clear eyes, losing himself in the beauty before him.
Whining, the younger pushed at Takashi's arms, “Go! The sooner you leave the sooner you can come back!” he urged. Wanting to get his surprise for the elder ready.
~
It had been a week since that night and the younger couldn’t help but feel something happened, and his boyfriend was keeping whatever it was from him. Whenever he brought it up, the subject would be changed or Max would step in and interrupt them. It was starting to get on his nerves, the only way he knew how to deal with it was to throw himself back into his studies.
Spending more time with his roommate a Polynesian his own age, he was a friendly and kind-hearted man a couple months younger than himself, named Hansuke, however he preferred to be called Hunk. The two quickly becoming best friends Lance finding his presence comforting allowing himself to open up with someone new. He confided in the man about his fears of being kicked out and how much he truly missed speaking his native tongue. Hunk offered to help him and even began to learn Spanish just so that they could speak with each other. The younger would also sneak into the kitchen and practice making dishes from Cuba hoping to raise his new friend’s spirits, and if he noticed the boy sneak out, he wouldn't ask. They were good for each other, Lance's mischief was ebbed by Hunk's level-headedness; while Hunk's anxieties were listened to and discussed with Lorenzo.
They were sitting in their room studying for the upcoming Engineering test when a knock was heard at the door. Lance scoffed, his face hardening as he stood up and walked to the door, as if he knew who it was, Hunk stood to join his friend in opening the door. “What can I do for you, sir?” The thin male asked, his tone dripping with forced sincerity. Hunk leaned around his roommate's lithe body to see who it could be, standing straight immediately once he recognized it was none other than the Captain Takashi Shirogane. Looking at his new friend, Hunk couldn’t figure out how they could possibly know each other.
“I came to talk to you.” The elder said, his tone pleading and strained. “Lance, please.” His granite eyes were locked on the Cuban, as if he were afraid to look away.
This caught Hunk off guard, he’d never imagined the man would know Lance’s name, let alone want to talk to him. Staring at the two in front of him, he couldn’t help but wish he had some popcorn to munch on while he tried to puzzle it out.
“Unfortunately, sir, it’s almost curfew. I would hate to be caught out of my room after hours.” Lance answered, his eyes feigning innocence. Hunk couldn’t keep in his chortle, Lance’s need to defy rules was almost legendary, it had gotten him in plenty of trouble, everyone knew that. “If you’ll excuse us, we are trying to study for the exam we have coming up.” He said curtly, reaching for the door, only to be stopped by the man’s hand resting on his shoulder. Lance’s whole body tensed, Hunk could tell he was trying to keep himself from doing something, he just didn’t know what that something could be.
“Come.” That simple word seemed to shock the Cuban into action, his body lurching forward to follow the elder out of the room.
Hunk stayed up, waiting for his friend to return, only to fall asleep an hour before their alarm would go off. Looking to the other’s bed he found it empty, no evidence he had been there in the first place. Growing worried for his friend, the Polynesian male got up and started to prepare for the day, assuming he would see the other in class for their test. He was even more surprised to find the cause of his worry already there, his hair messy, clothes hanging off him awkwardly as if they were too large for him, his face was down turned, staring at his desk with unblinking eyes. When the young Samoan patted his shoulder, he couldn’t hold in the concern he had, noticing the other’s red rimmed eyes and tear stained cheeks. He seemed to age overnight, dark circles that could be mistaken as bruises had formed, his skin was an odd grayish color such an unattractive contrast to his normally healthy caramel tan skin, the frown set on his face something Hunk had never seen his companion with before, if he didn’t know any better it looked as if the other were heartbroken.
Forcing a smile, the Cuban tried to sound enthusiastic as he looked up. “Hey, buddy! Sorry about last night, that talk ended up being an all night deal.”
“Are you okay?” The Samoan asked, as the teacher came in, carrying a stack of papers. He never received an answer as the teacher started handing out the tests and giving out instructions. Quickly forgetting his friends distress in the hopes of passing his test.
After class Lance was the first to leave, heading to who knows where. He didn’t turn up in the canteen for dinner, nor did he show up to the room that night. It was the weekend and Hunk knew he had an act for sneaking out, however this time it didn’t feel right. Usually he would try to convince him to join, only for the other to decline and come up with an excuse to keep himself from having to watch the older flirt all night while he stood in a corner somewhere going over the manuals for the simulator they would start practice on soon.
~
Two weeks passed with this trend, Lance only ever going to class and quickly slipping out afterwards. He wouldn’t be seen for the remainder of the day, he hadn't been to the mess hall, hadn't been to their room, wasn't seen anywhere on campus. It was starting to worry his roommate until he finally cornered the Cuban. “What is going on with you?” He accused.
Staring at his only friend with an obviously forced smile, "Hunk, buddy, I don't know what you're talking abo-" He was cut off by the loud speaker crackling overhead.
“All cadets and recruits to the auditorium.” Iverson’s voice boomed throughout the hall. Lance took this as an opportunity to wrap his long, lean arm around Hunk’s broad shoulders and guide him towards the auditorium going off about what he thought the sudden call was about. The younger didn’t buy it, the older's voice had become noticeably more shaky, his smile coming across sad and his eyes filled with longing. They piled in the auditorium with the rest, searching for a seat, Lance insisted they sit in front, claiming it would get them ‘closer to the ladies’.
~
The assembly started off as any normal one had, Iverson making everyone recite the code of conduct and rules forcing everyone to sit through his usual lecture on the value of studying and test scores. That's when Hunk noticed just how tense and overly stiff Lance had become. It was clear he knew something, what it could be however, the Samoan had no idea.
"Finally, I want to inform you of the latest assignment given to Captain Shirogane and his Lieutenant Matthew Holt along with Senior Research Officer Samuel Holt. They will be exploring the latest development in our solar system. These brave men will be traveling to Kerberos, they will be leaving in less than 24 hours. The estimated time for this trip is 189 days, I want everyone to congratulate and show full support for these men, if I hear rumors like with the Paha mission there will be consequences." His dark eyes trailed to Lance, only to find the boy's face void of any emotion. Blue eyes staring straight ahead unseeing, this made the man even more suspicious of the young Cuban. "Dismissed." He called, eyes locked on Lance's stiff frame. As if a switch was flipped the blues eyes filled with so many different emotions before settling on a look of utter sadness. The young cadet seemed frozen in place, the larger boy next to him trying in vain to get his attention. Iverson just added this troubling behavior to the list of off things he'd noticed about the boy recently. He was pulled away from his staring by his secretary reminding him off the press conference.
~
Lance felt like the air had been sucked out of his lungs, he was staring straight ahead with the announcement rambling around his mind, that was otherwise blank. It seemed his boyfriend had been lying to him, it wasn't a base transfer, but a full blown mission instead. He'd lied straight to my face. Looked me in the eyes and lied. What else has he been keeping from me? Does he even feel the same way about me? Has this all been a lie? How does he-
"-nce! Lance!" Hunk's deep and urgent whispers pulled him from his mind, looking into the rich honey eyes of his friend, he couldn't even bring himself to force a smile. "Are you okay? The assembly ended 15 minutes ago, everyone's gone." He motioned to the room around them, it was true not a soul was left in the large auditorium, besides the two.
Shaking his head, he shrugged. "I'm tired." He admitted his voice coming across as small and vulnerable, his usually impressive posture gone, the boy in front of him looked nothing like the confident, intelligent, sly, cocky, flirt that had quickly become Hunk's first and only friend at the academy.
"Let's go back to our room, yeah?" The boy responded. His brows furrowed with a deep frown pulling at his usually chipper face.
