Yeah, it's been a while. Quick update on me. I've had a lot going on. Financial problems being a huge thing, and severe depression. I think the depression was caused by the former. I'm probably going to have to do some moving soon, and I'm not quite sure how that is going to mess with my life yet. I'll talk more about that at the end. But this is just a short epilogue more than anything.

On a side note, I discovered that my computer has been "correcting" for me the word Marmora. If I went back, I'd probably find the error in my other chapters. But it has been trying to suggest Marmora as Malmora, and I'm not entirely sure why. But now Marmora is in my computer as a legit word, so that should have fixed it. Here at the end of all things. So I'm sorry if anyone has noticed and it has bothered them. I don't even think Malmora is a word, computer!

Chapter 11

"I can't believe you're hiding me away like this!" Lance wailed as he slid forward over the arm of the couch, planting his face into the cushions. "You're ashamed of me!"

Keith didn't even look up from his sketching, his eyes just dulling as he listened to Lance. "We literally just got back from England, where we literally held hands at the comic convention. I even introduced you to other authors and people as my boyfriend." He rolled his eyes when Lance wailed again. "It's just a brief podcast. I'm not even leaving home to do it."

Keith was right, but that was not the point. The point was that perhaps Lance had been getting plenty of perks in the last six months of dating Keith, and he got a little dramatic when denied. Things had been different, but the same. Keith was still very much the same guy Lance had fell for, but less present than normal. He did have to drop out of college, which bummed Lance out. The good news was that Keith did still live in the same city, and had the same house. He had even invited Lance to move in with him in the fall, mostly to shut Lance up about not seeing each other enough. Not that Lance minded. A win was still a win.

Huffing, Lance slid up into a sitting position beside Keith and leaned his head on his boyfriend's shoulder. Keith glanced at him for a moment, but said nothing. He didn't mind anymore letting Lance look at his work. It was all Lance's fanboy self could ever dream of. Dating the author, getting to go places with him, and getting to see his work before anyone else. He even got a badge that let him go to Marmora Publishing whenever Keith had to stay late and work.

"Those aliens have weird shaped heads," Lance mumbled.

Keith gave him a dull look. "Well, I kind of need to make each alien race look a little different. So deal with it."

"Ouch." Lance smiled as he sat up straight. "Someone hasn't had their coffee."

Shaking his head, Keith said, "School can't start back fast enough, so you can be distracted with your own work."

Lance smirked and leaned into Keith, his hand trailing along his thigh. "I can always think of a good distraction."

"We already did this morning," Keith mumbled as he blew on the page, sparing Lance a brief glance. "Not to mention like two hours ago. I feel like we are both still a little sore, and I can't believe you're already ready to go again."

"What can I say? I'm like a machine," Lance said with a wink.

Keith rolled his eyes and went back to work. Lance smiled, but backed off. He did rest his legs over one of Keith's, while he worked with his sketchbook on the other knee. Their sex life was definitely not an issue. And it wasn't always Lance trying to initiate. Lance had the feeling that Keith having more free time left him bored sometimes, and there was always a fun way to cure boredom with Lance around. Especially with it being warm now and Lance was back to wearing booty shorts and loose sleeveless shirts.

The excess time Keith had was good for Lance as well. Visually anyways. Keith spent more time working out, and he exercised shirtless at home. Which Lance very much appreciated.

Reclining against the arm of the couch, Lance reached for the remote and turned on the TV. Being ready to go again was a bit of an exaggeration on his part, as he was still recovering from their England trip. That had been a lot of hotel sex. A lot.

"Have you called your mom yet?" Lance broke the silence.

"No," was the only response Keith gave.

"You know, you're going to have to call her eventually. I think waiting six months has been a little extreme."

Putting his work to the side, Keith got up with a huff. "I can certainly put it off." Lance's eyes followed Keith until he disappeared into the kitchen. It sounded like Keith was making popcorn, which Lance certainly would not object to. Even if Keith was trying to divert the subject. "It's not a huge deal."

Lance got up and walked into the kitchen. He walked over to where Keith was and leaned against the cabinet. Keith kept his attention on the microwave while it got their popcorn ready. "Why are you avoiding the issue? You found out she set aside the money she was collecting from your profits to buy you a house."

"She still left," Keith muttered, opening the microwave. "She walked out. I barely heard from her. Besides, it sounded like my dad had a hand in this as well."

"Maybe you should get the full story."

Shoving the bowl into Lance's hands, Keith narrowed his eyes. "If you're so concerned, why don't you talk to her? She can buy me all the houses she wants, it won't make up for her not being there when it counted."

Even though Keith didn't want to admit it, he did take Lance's advice. A week later. He just did not see how talking to his mother was going to fix anything. So, when he called her, she said she would be in town on business the next week and they could talk then over lunch. Lance asked to come and meet Keith's mother, but Keith had shut that down. It wasn't Lance. He did not really want his mother meeting Lance, like she didn't deserve to.

So they met up for lunch in the middle of the week, at a nice restaurant, and sat outside. He wasn't sure what he had expected from it all. Surprisingly, his mother had not shown up in military uniform. He felt like every memory he had over her past a certain age was all of her wearing her uniform.

After they had ordered, Keith fixed his mother with a stare. He sat back in his seat with his arms crossed. All she did was raise her eyebrow, like she was dealing with a child all over again. "You seem well," was all she said as she took a long drink from her water.

"I'm sure you're happy," Keith grumbled with a roll of his eyes. "You got what you wanted, I put a face to the author for all the world to see. Profits are up. Yay for you."

Like her son, Acxa rolled her eyes and sat her drink down. "Keith, I felt it was good for you to get the interaction with your readers. The people that fuel what you do. You wouldn't be able to live out this passion of yours without them, and they deserved to have their love of what you wrote validated by a person." The two of them stared each other down with a brief silence. "I know you aren't happy about having to give up that normal life you had, but you can't tell me that you aren't happy now that you can immerse yourself around your fans. As I hear it, you even started dating one."

"First of all," Keith hissed, "leave Lance out of this. It wasn't like that. We liked each other before he found out who I was." He hated that smirk his mother wore. "Secondly, I was just fine the way things were."

"And, yet, you made the decision to reveal yourself on your own. Or for this boy, as Kolivan tells it."

"Just tell me why you did it?"

"Did what?"

Keith frowned. "You know what I mean. The house. The money," he hissed. "Why did you do it? Trying to make up for something? No amount of money or nice things will make up for the fact that you were never there."

His mother's eyebrows furrowed as she stared across the table at him. "See, I knew that was why you always resented me. You never understood what was going on with your father and I, and I never wanted to tell you." She sighed and rubbed her temple. "Your father and I didn't work out. It was no fault of your own. I had my career in the military and we never saw each other. We both agreed that you would be better off staying with him." Even though Keith's face remained stern, his mother's softened. A softness that he had not seen on her before, at least not since he was a toddler. "I wanted you taken care of, Keith. But, at the same time, I needed to pursue my career. Your father and I... No, I realized that I wasn't really ready to settle down. But you were never a mistake and I didn't regret having you. I just... needed to go after my goals, like you have been going after yours."

"You never tried to stay in touch."

"To be fair, I got the strong impression that you didn't want me to. Right after the divorce, you wouldn't even speak to me. What was I supposed to do? I tried keeping in touch with you, but you didn't want to have anything to do with me." Acxa let out a heavy sigh. "It was never that I didn't love you, Keith. I just didn't think you needed me. Your father had you looked after, and then he remarried. To a good woman, who I know still looks after you. I was never concerned that you weren't taken care of. I knew you would be."

Something shattered inside of Keith, like invisible walls that came tumbling down. There was a tight squeeze in his gut. He felt guilty, but at the same time didn't want to admit to anything.

His mother continued, "Your father and I talked after you got picked up by Marmora. We agreed that I would take a portion of the money and set it aside over the years, and that when I felt you were ready, I would buy you a home. There is still more. Technically, enough for a second house. But, for now, I figured you were happy here in this city. Work is here... and your boyfriend is here." She took another sip of her drink, like she was waiting for Keith to talk, but he couldn't even look up at her. "Sweetheart, there was nothing that was said to me that I couldn't handle. I knew you were just lashing out. I was fine being the villain." Then there was a smile. "I even felt honored that you put me in your story, even if it was one of the villains."

"For the last time, I never-" Keith let out a sigh and snatched his drink up, brow furrowed. His mother smirked at him. "Whatever. You could have told me this already."

"Would you have believed me?"

Fair enough. Keith probably wouldn't have. Still, she had never tried. "So what is it you want now?" he asked.

His mother raised a brow and said, "You tell me. You're the one that asked me to talk."

"I don't... know." Keith slouched in his seat. He didn't like being without an answer when it came to his mother. He was used to their bickering and exchange of sharp words, not reason. His eyes snapped away from his mother. "I guess you can come around when you're in town... if you want. Not like I care, or anything."

But his mother smiled, not really believing what came out of Keith's mouth. "Of course."

Their food arrived after that and the two fell into a silence. Keith was aware that she kept looking at him, but it was hard for him to look back. There was definitely some guilt buried in there. Also some hope that maybe things could turn around for him and his mother. But he wasn't going to let himself get too close. At least not yet.

And it would be a while before she earned the right to meet Lance.

"Aren't you supposed to be studying?" Pidge asked, not even looking over the top of her textbook, from the couch.

Lance huffed and dropped his head onto his own textbook. He was currently splayed out on the floor, at Hunk and Pidge's apartment. They had sold the old place, since Lance had moved out to move in with Keith, and now Shay had moved in with Hunk. Although neither of those two were currently here, as it was their date night.

Groaning, Lance rolled onto his back. "He's been gone all week," he whined, throwing an arm over his face. Pidge grunted at him. "He could at least text."

"He's in China. I feel he deserves a little credit."

Lance really did enjoy dating Keith and loved what Keith did for a living, of course, but it was hard on the relationship thing. Not in a sense that Lance felt neglected, at least not by a normal sense. Lance just had a lot of affection to go around and Keith wasn't there to get it. And he wouldn't be back for another three days. After China, he was making a stop in Japan.

On the bright side, Keith did always bring Lance back cool souvenirs from wherever he went.

He did get to go with Keith from time to time, but not during when school was going on. His mother's orders. Keith had been nice enough to send him plenty of Snapchats from his trip, which had been pretty cool. It was just hard sometimes, sharing Keith with others that also admired him.

Luckily for Lance, Keith was going to be back at the perfect time. When he returned, it would be a year since they first met. It was so weird to think that a year had passed. Back then, Keith was just the hot, tense guy with a mullet. Now he was Lance's hot, tense boyfriend with a mullet.

They had spent a week with Lance's family on the Fourth of July. Lance wasn't sure he had ever been so stressed. He wasn't worried that his family wouldn't like Keith, it was more that he was afraid they would scare Keith away with all their questions. But that week had been amazing. Seeing Keith with his family had left such a warm filling in Lance. So much so that he didn't think he stopped smiling that whole week. If he hadn't known before, Lance definitely knew now that he made the right choice with Keith.

And, of course, his mother had insisted that Keith come back and spend Christmas with them.

Keith really didn't have a say in the matter, according to Lance's mom.

Lance's phone buzzed and he instantly snatched it up. It was a Snapchat from Keith. He grinned and opened it up. After several agonizing pictures sent, Lance had told Keith that he needed to extend the time on viewing photos. But now Lance was happy to see his boyfriend, currently standing on the Great Wall, arm outstretched behind him at the view. Lance pointed the screen to Pidge, who adjusted her glasses and peered at it.

"Too bad you couldn't go," she said. "That would be such a cool trip."

Lance laid on his back and sent Keith a text. "Maybe next time. I'm just ready for him to come home."

Pulling the key from the door, Keith was faced with a dark house. Weird, he thought to himself, he was pretty sure that Lance was going to be here. He did text his boyfriend when he landed. "I'm home," Keith called out into the dark house.

No response.

He checked his phone as he closed the door behind him, leaving his suitcase near the door. He would deal with it later. No texts from Lance, though. But something did catch his attention. Was... Was something burning? And was that music?

Slowly, Keith followed his ears and nose up the stairs and down the hall. As he neared his bedroom, he could see the flickering of candlelight from the cracked door. Keith pushed it open, fearing what he might find. Nothing horrific, just afraid of what Lance might have concocted in his head.

There, on the bed, under the covers and probably naked, was Lance with a rose in his mouth. "Africa" by Toto was playing. Keith fixed his boyfriend with a dull look as Lance wagged his eyebrows at him. He was too jetlagged for this.

"Lance," Keith began, but was cut off.

"I just thought you deserved something romantic on this the anniversary of our meeting."

Taking in a deep breath, Keith looked around at all the candles in the room. "You mean the time you insulted me and shoved your ass in my face while doing yoga?" he smirked. "How could I forget? Although, I much prefer the way you do yoga these days."

That was because Lance did not wear clothes when he did yoga at Keith's place, and it was always a welcome distraction for Keith. Probably not a favorite distraction for Thace or Kolivan, who had to deal with Keith turning in work late once or twice because of it.

Lance slid across the bed on his stomach, the covers falling away to confirm that he was indeed naked. "Did you miss me?"

"What kind of question is that?" Keith asked as he stripped himself of his own clothing. Lance let out a yelp as Keith jumped over him to land on the bed, then pulling their bodies together for a kiss. "China was amazing, but I did miss you."

Lance rolled them until Keith was on his back, and then straddled Keith's waist, trailing his fingers along Keith's bare chest. Keith placed his arms behind his head as he let Lance admire his body. He really had missed Lance.

"So," Keith continued, "I do have to get up early tomorrow morning."

Lance whined, "But it's a Saturday!"

"Interview. Sorry. You're welcome to come with me, though."

Sulking as he leaned down to kiss Keith's neck, Lance grunted. "Fine, but only if we can stop by for coffee first."

"Deal."

"So, Keith," the woman interviewing him for nerd/gaming Youtube channel asked him, " you've had quite the year. Ever since you revealed yourself, you've been quite busy. Your sales have gone up, and all the girls are crazy about you."

Keith cleared his throat as he sat in his chair, eyes briefly cutting over to Lance, who was busy filling up on the snacks laid out. "Uh, well, I do have someone."

"Of course." She gave a big smile to the camera with a wink. "I must say, I got a look at your boyfriend before we got started, and he's pretty hot."

That got Keith to smile and relax. He still was not entirely used to the whole interview thing, but there were the occasional ones that managed to say something to get him to calm down. "Thank you. We've been pretty happy. He found out when everyone else did, which did cause a shock for him, but we are doing pretty well now." Lance beamed over at him, mouth full of food. Keith arched a brow at him. "He has his moments, I guess."

"So what can we expect from you next? Your last season of issues just finished, and you had a lot going on. So where will you go from here?"

Keith could already hear Thace screaming at him inside his head to not reveal anything. "Well, like everyone else, you'll have to wait and see. We will be revealing a few things at the Voltron convention at the end of the year, but I'm afraid I can't really give anything away." She laughed and placed a hand on his arm. He never really liked the contact some interviewers gave him. "I'm working on a few things, a few possible directions." He laughed nervously. "I think that the next season might receive a big reaction. We will just have to see on what kind that is."

Understatement. Keith was still a little unsure if his upcoming storyboard was the right way to go. Ulaz had made a few suggestions and Keith was left uncertain. He had made the changes, though. However, he was still on edge for how the fans would receive the next season of issues.

"Well," the woman said, "I don't want to take up too much of your time. I just want to thank you for taking the time to chat with us."

"Thank you," Keith said with a practiced smile.

Then she turned to the camera with a smile and a lot of energetic motion. "Just us next week for another set of topics and another guest. Until next time!"

And they were done. Keith breathed a visible sigh of relief when it was over and he was able to stand up. He made a beeline for Lance after shaking the woman's hand again. Lance smiled and held out a doughnut. "Want some?" he asked.

Keith stared at it for a moment, but took a bite. "I feel like you were more interested in the food."

"I was listening. I heard all the great things you had to say about me."

"Ha ha."

Thace interjected their talking with a tap to Keith's shoulder. "Well, now that that's done, you are free for the day. You're ahead of schedule, so we don't have anything for you for the next few days." He eyed the both of him. "Just don't get too complacent with your time."

They both laughed as Thace walked off. While he had been in China, Keith had gotten a major jump start on his work. It was mainly so that he could have more time with Lance upon getting back.

When he turned to look at Lance again, Keith found his boyfriend giving him a wry look. "Do you know what I'm thinking?" Lance asked. "Since you have the whole day off, that is."

"Um-"

"Mario Kart," Lance finished. Keith chuckled as they held hands and walked towards the exit. "You still owe me a rematch after you cheated last year."

Keith scoffed, "I cheated? Please, you just can't accept that I kicked your ass."

"Whatever. This time, you're going down, Mr. Kogane. Loser does the dishes for the rest of the week!"

The sun greeted them as they came out into the still morning light. Keith just arched a brow at him before they kissed. "Well then," another kiss, "I hope you like doing dishes."

Lance did, in fact, end up doing the dishes. He was very salty the rest of the evening. He had almost gotten over that finish line, if it wasn't for that stupid blue shell!

The end! Like I said, a short epilogue. I'm afraid some of it might have felt overdone or rushed at the end, but I just have not had much energy at all for writing lately. But I wanted to see this finished before whatever happens with me happens. And I don't mean that to sound ominous. It's just that I'm having to give up my apartment and either move in with friends or back to my family. Finding a job where I live has been rough. I did find a part-time job, but not soon enough and definitely not enough money. So we will see what happens.

I do hope you enjoyed this fic. As I said previously, I will be writing more. I'm not sure when. Just whenever everything settles and I can settle on a new plot for my next fic. It will be another klance fic. I think I'm leaning towards a soulmark one, but I'm not sure just yet. There are several au ideas I'm looking at. So keep an eye out for that at some point. I'm not sure how long I'll be aiming to make it or the rating. Smut might be included. I don't know just yet. It'll depend on what I land on. And I'm going to put more time into the next one. You know, improve from where I was with this fic. But that's all for now. Again, thank you all for taking the time to read this fic and all the nice comments I've heard about it. I will hopefully be seeing you all soon with a new story.