Well my friends we have reached the end. I actually wanted to get his out before season 8 aired but I failed lol

Now VLD has officially finished and whether the final season was everything you wanted or not I think we can all be grateful for the character it gave us and the millions of fan produced work it inspired.

So even though VLD has ended and you're about to read the final chapter of this fic I'm certainly not finished (I still have that demon fic cooking) I merely bid you a see you soon and I hope you've enjoyed this story as much as I enjoyed writing it.

A brave face.

That was all Lance could offer; everyone he spoke to received laughter full of false notes, tight smiles and half-hearted responses. Dry were his eyes; since the day in the park not a single tear had fallen and not once had his heart ached like he thought it would. Hunk and Pidge had their doubts, they thought they were words Lance had said simply to ease their worries but in fact it was nothing short from the truth. Even in the dead of night, alone in his too big a bed, he felt nothing.

Numb was all he was.

"Hunk" Lance sighed for what felt like the thousandth time "Please, just drop it."

"But, Lance I'm-"

"Stop." Lance snapped, "Don't you dare." though his voice was angry Hunk heard how it wavered and his argument was lost on his tongue.

"Don't you dare apologise for Nohea" Lance all but growled. Hunk stared at his friend, watched the sorrow swim in his eyes before nodding slowly.

Silence enveloped the pair; Hunk tore his eyes away from Lance's sunken face and looked back down at the sad arrangement he had been working on. They kept themselves occupied; the empty shop providing no distractions. The sound of the bell was a welcomed one for Hunk; who hastily put his things and looked up at the customer with the biggest smile he could will himself to give.

"Hiya Mr Hunk!" the happiest little voice chirped from behind a massive woollen scarf and matching hat.

"Hello there, Nathan" Hunk greeted with a chuckle as the small boy waddled up to the desk; Hunk's eyes flickered to the window and noticed it was barely even snowing certainly not cold enough for the large puffy jacket and thick trousers that inhibited the poor boys' movements greatly.

Nathan placed a large Tupperware on top of Hunk's work space before pulling the purple scarf away from his face and tugging the hat off his head.

"My mum sent me to give you all a Christmas gift. She said sorry it's late and um…" Nathans face screwed up as he tried to remember his mother's words, "And she knows they won't match your cooking, but she hopes you like them"

"Thank you, Nathan!" Hunk opened the box to find a large array of sugar cookies some iced to perfection and others that had a more child like quality to them; he picked up the orange Santa Claus and took a bite.

"These are wonderful! Tell your mum thank you so much," Nathan beamed up at the older man and Hunk smiled brightly back before picking up the tub and turning to Lance. "Lance you have to try one of these!"

"No thank you, I'm not overly hungry" Lance mumbled, barely glancing in their direction, "Hi Nathan"

"Hello, Mr Lance," Nathan replied politely. Hunk resisted the urge to sigh and simply held the tub closer to Lance.

"Come one man, try one." Lance looked up and met Hunks slightly pleading eyes, "Nathan's mum made them for us as a Christmas present"

Lance's eyes flickered briefly to the boy in question before he reached over and without looking grabbed the first cookie his hand fell upon. "Alright. Thank your mum for us okay Nathan?"

The little boy nodded; his brow furrowed slightly as he watched Lance take a small bit off the point of the star before placing it down at the far corner of his desk next to a cold mug of tea. Nathan turned back to look at Hunk and saw the worried look he gave to his friend before he faced the boy and gave another smile.

"Is there anything else I get for you Nathan?" Hunk asked with false cheerfulness. Nathan paused for a minute to think before grinning brightly up the man.

"Yes please!" He said, bouncing lightly on the balls of his feet, "Could I get a rose?"

"Of course!" Hunk said, walking around from his desk and leading them both to the display of roses.

"Is it for your mother?" Hunk asked; already reaching out to grab a deep red rose but stopped when the young boy shook his head fiercely.

"I want to get it for a friend," Nathan said shyly, wringing his hands together, "He's sad and mum says my roses always make her happy, so I thought I could get him one too!"

Hunk had to resist the urge to coo and the sweet and caring boy and instead grinned widely, "That's a wonderful idea! Do you know what colour he would like?"

Nathan turned to look at all the coloured roses on display in front; his eyes scanned quickly over the flowers and he frowned in concentration.

"His favourite colour is blue, but you don't have blue roses…" Nathan trailed off with an upset pout.

"Sorry Nathan, but how about you get him a yellow rose instead?" Hunk suggested "It means friendship and I can tie a blue ribbon around it too, how does that sound?"

"That's perfect Mr Hunk! Thank you!"

Lance watched the entire exchange from his work space with a tired smile on his lips. He watched as Hunk took the rose and delicately wrapped a blue bow around the stem while chatting away with the now excited little boy. He watched as Hunk refused the payment Nathan offered saying it was on him and he hoped his friend felt better soon and liked his rose.

He watched in confusion as Nathan thanked Hunk profusely before turning and making his way towards Lance. Lance got up from his seat and knelt before the boy simply expecting a good bye from his young friend; instead a yellow rose was held out before him.

"It's okay to be sad" Nathan said with a small smile as Lance stared in shock, "Mum says sadness is not bad, but I hope this flower can make you a little happy"

Speechless, Lance took the rose from Nathan and stared at it in awe. He looked up from the rose to the small smiling face before him and pulled the boy into a tight hug; his eyes finally shedding the tear it had held in since that fateful day.

"Thank you."

"You should go home Keith."

"Jesus!" Keith shrieked, jumping in his chair at the sound of the voice. He looked up from his desk to see Coran sitting on his red leather sofa, a small floral teacup in his hand, and a soft expression on his face.

"How long have you been there?" Keith gasped, clutching his chest as his heart beat returned to normal. He could have sworn his office was empty when he arrived this morning, but he couldn't for the life of him remember his door ever opening again.

"Go home Keith." Coran said, his voice ringing with finality as he stood up from the sofa. Keith shrank back at the words that reached his ears.

"Are you firing me?" Keith asked, his voice small but resigned. Coran simply sighed and walked up to the desk.

"My boy, you are too good of a worker for that" Coran put a hand on his shoulder and Keith looked up to meet his sad eyes, "But not like this"

"You need to go home and give yourself time to grieve." Keith cocked his head in confusion,

"Grieve?" Keith asked cautiously, "But there have been no passing's."

"The death of a relationship can often hurt just as bad" Coran answered softly, removing his hand from Keith's shoulder.

"How did you- "Keith began in surprise but stopped and sighed when Coran gave him a pointed look, "Did she tell you why?"

"My boy, I could get told 1000 different stories but only you can tell me the truth" Coran smiled softly as Keith sighed once again.

"It was because of the baby" Keith said reluctantly, Coran just nodded waiting for him to continue.

"When I lost my parents, I couldn't bring myself to be around families. I never went to any of my friends houses and did everything I could to avoid their parents" Keith stared down at his hands as he spoke, but he noted that Coran had gone back to sit on the sofa as he listened.

"It reminded me of what I lost…what I can never get back and it hurt. It hurt so much." Keith paused taking in a big breath

"So, I avoided families; as best as I could. I smiled politely at parents in the park before rushing past, I always declined the opportunity to do tours on family days at the museum and things were fine."

"Even when you and Allura join it was fine it was like having close friends; I guess mentally I made a point of not compartmentalising you both into a family box. And Lance! When he waltzed into my life, he elevated it and he was so much more than what could be labelled under 'family' he was my love." Keith's voice softened and fond, yet sad smile graced his lips.

"But then Nohea's due date came closer and he undeniably screamed family" He squeezed his fist tighter to stop it from shaking; he felt absolutely awful and guilty about the thoughts and words he was spilling yet he couldn't stop talking it felt like a weight off his shoulders and the relief was causing him to reveal more than he ever had intended.

"And then Lance got really excited and buying baby clothes and I started freaking out about whether or not I would be able to handle it if Lance wanted to start a family with me. Then Allura and Shiro got engaged and she suddenly push her way into the family compartment and then…and then the baby was born…and…"

A tear rolled down his cheek and dropped onto his hand; he scrubbed his eyes furiously and sighed frustrated that he was feeling sorry for himself and guilty about the whole situation.

"I couldn't handle it. So many things happening one after the other reminding me of what I could never have and so I did what I do best. I pushed them away and ran."

Keith started as a hand came down on his shoulder; he hadn't realised Coran had moved closer to him. He tentatively looked up at the older man expecting to meet judgement but instead he was confronted with an understanding smile and kind eyes. A sobbed ripped its way through Keith's mouth as he registered the unexpected response and without any conscious thought, he leant forward to rest him head against Coran's chest.

Keith made no move to hug the man; his arms stayed limp by his side, but he made no attempt to apologise either. He just sobbed into Coran's shirt and let himself feel all the emotions he had trapped in his heart for years. Coran said nothing, for which Keith was grateful, he simply ran a hand soothingly through his hair; dislodging it from its pony tail.

Keith made no attempt to fix it, instead he allowed himself the moment to just be. Once his sobs had quietened down to the occasional sniffle Coran gently pushed Keith's shoulders away from him and lifted his chin, so Keith met his eyes.

"I understand how it feels to be reminded of something you lost" Coran said softly, dropping his hands from Keith's face.

"I lost my family too Keith and I felt just like you, like it was something I could never get back." Keith wiped his eyes as he listened to Coran speak; his soul felt lighter just with the knowledge that he wasn't the only one who had felt the way he felt. No matter how guilty or selfish he thought he was it was a relief to know he wasn't the only one who struggled with those thoughts.

"I learnt something very important Keith; something I wish I had learnt years before I did. Now, I can't go back and tell my younger self, but I can tell you and hopefully save you the hardships I had to go through to learn it."

"A family lost can never be replaced." Coran began softly; Keith averted his gaze and looked sadly down at his lap. "But a family chosen is just as precious."

"When your father married Shiro's mum she didn't replace your mum, but she became just as important." Keith looked up wide eyed as he took in Coran's words "Though Shiro is not of the same blood he has become exactly like a brother to you."

"Do you love Lance, Keith?" Coran asked.

"Yes" Keith croaked softly, "More than anything"

"Have you come to love the friends he calls family?" Keith nodded slowly.

"And Allura?"

"Yes, and you" Keith added, Coran smiled softly.

"Then you have the opportunity Keith, to not have them remind you of your lost and not to replace them either. Rather they could be just like Shiro and his mum and enhance what you've always wished for and what you truly deserve."

"But what if I lose them too?" Keith murmured, his voice barely above a whisper but he knew Coran would catch his words.

"That is a risk you will have to take" Keith's shoulders slumped.

"But –" Coran continued causing Keith to perk up slightly. "I have never seen you let anyone into your life quite like you let in Lance and his friends."

Coran placed his hand on Keith's shoulder and smile brightly, "My boy, someone as special as that, is worth the risk."

Coran gently squeezed his shoulder and without saying another word he left Keith's office leaving him to his thoughts. Keith sat in the silence churning Coran's words in his mind; it felt easier for him to remember all the things he lost so much so that he'd forgotten all the things he had and could gain. He was always so scared and so convinced he didn't deserve what he wanted, that it would all get taken just like before but maybe, just maybe…

"He's worth the risk" Keith jumped up from his chair, grabbed his jacket and ran out of the room.

It had been a few days since lance was last in his shop. He had so little will to even roll out of bed in the mornings that he had handed the reigns fully to his friends, walked out the shop and locked himself in his flat. The now wilted yellow rose, complete with bow, sat in a small vase in the middle of his empty table acted as reminder that he could be sad; that he was allowed to feel the anger and sorrow and frustration that welled up inside him that he had suppressed for too long.

However now he felt too overwhelmed, all his emotions were battling for dominance and he didn't know how to deal with them. He felt cheated; the love of his life left him in anger with no closure and only a vague understanding of why. He just wanted to understand; he kind of got the gist of it but Keith had kept so much from him he couldn't truly know.

Could he have fixed it? Would it have made a difference if he knew Keith's thought process or would he have just been fighting a losing battle? Would he have been better off if he had never tried to find Keith?

No, he knew that wasn't true.

But how could Keith be so fucking selfish?! Leaving him heart broken and confused! Angry and regretful of the words he spoke that day! Why couldn't Keith have just told him?! Why didn't he just stay instead of running away like a coward!

Lance sighed, his breath fogging up the glass of the bay window he had his head pressed against. He shouldn't think that way. His anger was justified yes, but his accusation wasn't fair. Keith ran because he was scared but he still loved him, Lance knew that, but the knowledge that they still loved each other didn't alleviate any of the pain it just made it cut deeper.

He wished they could start over; do things right this time, but no matter how much it sucked to admit there was nothing Lance could do. Keith had ended it because of an issue he was having trouble with, so only Keith could come to the solution and fix things. Lance just had to wait for him.

But was it worth waiting for him?

A soft knock interrupted his thoughts, but he merely turned his head to face the door and made no move to get up and open it. The second set of knocking was slightly more insistent. With a heavy sigh Lance lifted himself up of the window seat in his living room, the blanket slid off his legs and he let his socked feet pull him towards the door.

He opened it slowly and cautiously but wasn't all to surprised to see Pidge and Hunk on the other side. Their expressions however caused him to raise an eyebrow in suspicion; they both wore hopeful smiles and looked to be hiding something behind them. His suspicions were confirmed when Hunk moved to pull a large bouquet from behind his back and handed it to Lance.

He recognised the flowers instantly; the mix of Hyacinth and white tulips among others screamed apology bouquet but there were some other unconventional flowers place with in too like red roses, white lilies and even his favourite flower; bluebells. The flowers he recognised yes, but the arrangement was all wrong; the coloured flowers weren't evenly spread throughout, the green accent plants were too heavy in some areas and too sparse in others. Some of the stalks had been bent, the blue wrapping paper was crinkled and even the bow was lopsided. This was clearly not a bouquet made by his friends.

"He came and spoke to us" Hunk said, answering the confused look on Lance's face as he searched for the tag on the bouquets.

"Came to apologise actually" Pidge added quietly with a slight surprise in her voice.

"Then asked for the best flowers to express what he couldn't put into words" Hunk smiled softly.

Lance stared, bewildered at his friends before looking down at the small note with a simple message neatly scrawled across:

Could we start over?

Instantly he shoved his feet into the trainers left by the door and grabbed his jacket off the hook and without a word he slammed the door behind him and began running down the corridor, bouquet in hand. Hunk and Pidge watched him go before glancing at each other and smiling brightly.

Lance just kept running, his feet taking him where he needed to go, his speed caused petals to fly from his bouquet, but he didn't care he just knew he couldn't stop. He had no idea what he was going to do. Scream in anger? Maybe. Break down in tears? Probably. All he knew was he had to find him, he had to talk to him, he just had to see him one more time.

He burst through the door of the café and just as he expected he saw raven hair in the far corner. Keith looked up at the loud entrance and was on his feet in an instant.

"Lance." He breathed. The made in question walked down the steps and made his way towards Keith. Keith held his breath as he took in the man before him; he was breathing heavier, slightly out of breath, there was a light sheen across his skin and the bouquet he made was being clutched tightly in a fist.

"Lance, I'm –" Lance cut him off with a kiss. The arm with the bouquet came up and rested on one shoulder while the other gently caressed Keith's cheek.

Keith was stunned for a second before his hands flew up to Lance's waist and he deepened the kiss. They let all their emotions speak through their kiss; Lance kissed fiercely in his anger and Keith responded with soft sweet kisses of apologies. Lance felt hot tears drip and pool in his hand but whether they were his of Keith's he didn't know.

After a while they broke apart, but instead of pulling away Lance pulled Keith closer into a tight embrace and bent down to whisper into Keith's ear.

"Yes. Yes, we can"

Fin.

I want to thank everyone who's supported me through this long journey (It's been over a year wtf) I honestly couldn't have made it with all your comments encouraging me and expressing your love for something that I honestly thought was garbage at some points.

I see you and I love you and it sucks that there isn't a great reply system on this site but I appreciate them all and if you want to keep in touch you can find me on tumblr at teawiththehatter-posts or even send me Dms straight through here!

I am still collecting for the animation I want to do for this final chapter if you want to help out go on the ko-fi site search teawiththehatter and consider buying me a coffee :)

Thank you once again and next time I post on this fic it'll be with a little preview of my next story

Ciao xx