The sun was setting on a particularly creepy feeling field. The crops had long since been destroyed and matted down. Lance and Keith stood in the middle of it, looking for something.

"Are you sure it's here?" Lance asked, turning to look at his partner, "We've been here for ten minutes already."

"Yes, Lance." Keith grumbled, not even turning from his search.

"I swear I felt something go the other way."

"Lance!" Keith snapped, finally turning to face him, "You're not magical! You can't feel anything!"

The brunette huffed and crossed his arms. Keith never believed him, though this was the first time Lance had tried to tell him something like this.

Keith could see things normal humans couldn't. Monsters. Specifically ghouls, ghosts, and demons. The mullet head took it upon himself to go around and push these creatures back through their dimensional rifts.

Lance was a normal human. He couldn't see anything unusual. He only tagged along on Keith's escapades because he'd be damned if he'd let Keith die. But something had changed over the year of monster hunting.

Lance felt a tug on his mind, something telling him there was something somewhere else. He didn't know what this meant, but nothing was happening in this boring old field.

Lance turned to look in the direction he felt the tug and saw a large ploom of dark smoke rising into the sky.

"Uh, Keith?"

"What now?" Came Keith's irritated reply.

"Look." Lance pointed.

Keith turned, ready to tell him off again, but stopped. He watched the smoke for a few moments before looking at Lance.

Lance was watching the smoke too, "There's something there."

"Let's go." Keith grunted and started running for his motorcycle.

Lance followed swiftly, his long legs helping a lot. They climbed onto the bike and Keith took off, speeding down the vacant highway.

The fire was engulfing an old barn. The flames flicked against the twilight above. Darkness was settling on the land, but the fire was bright enough to see.

Against the flames was a dark silhouette. It was tall, taller than any human. Long horns protruded from its head, and a sharp pointed tail swung low against the burnt grass.

Keith stopped the bike and grabbed Lance before he could get off the bike. He looked into curious blue eyes and tightened his grip on his shoulders.

"Do not move from the bike." Keith said lowly, eyeing the creature watching the mess it had made, "This demon is more powerful then we've ever encountered."

Lance shuddered, "I know." He breathed. His gut was coiling anxiously, nervousness settling in his chest.

"If I tell you to run, you run. No back talking. You go." Keith continued.

"But-"

The older held a finger to his lips, "And most importantly," he smiled softly, vulnerable and bare, "Thank you for everything Lance."

Hearing those words gave another twist to Lance's gut. Keith patted his shoulder and got up, unsheathing his sword. Lance jumped forward, wrapping his arms around Keith's middle.

"Don't go!"

"Lance..."

"Don't go..."

"I have to."

The brunette didn't let go. Keith let out a quiet sigh and turned in his grip. He ran his hands through Lance's hair and made him look up at him.

There were tears in the younger's eyes. Keith was taken aback and embraced him.

"You know I have to do this."

"Mmhmm..." Lance agreed.

"I'll be okay, Lance." Keith said.

"You have to come back to me."

With no hesitation, Keith replied, "I will."

"Promise?"

Keith pulled back and smiled, holding out his pinky finger.

"Promise."

Lance took a shaky breath and nodded, "Okay."

Keith gave him one last lopsided grin, and then turned. He took out his sword again, and it ignited in red energy. He swung once into the air, the sword leaving a fading trail of crimson light.

With that, he charged forward to take the demon by surprise. It easily catches his sword and throws him to the ground. Keith got up and went to attack but the creature was already on him at a startling speed. He barely blocked a jab, long claws narrowly missing his face.

Lance watched from the motorbike on the road. His knuckles were white from how hard he was clutching on Keith's helmet. He prayed to any god to keep them safe.

Sometimes he thinks that gods don't listen to him.

The boy found himself standing up and walking towards the fight. Keith was already beginning to look tired and Lance couldn't see the demon.

His feet guided him toward the action, the heat of the fire getting warmer as he approached. He felt his overwhelming presence within him, telling him to go to Keith.

To protect Keith.

Keith was being pushed back, just managing to block attacks, but not being able to hit back. So far the monster hadn't taken any hits. Keith felt dread pooling in his stomach.

His sword was knocked from his hands, and that's when he knew he was screwed. He couldn't see where his weapon had gone because he was preoccupied with dodging blow after blow.

One punch got through his defenses and Keith was sent to the ground. He took a few seconds to gain his bearings, which was a mistake. Claws ran down his face, pain searing through his body. He let out a yell, writhing in pain.

The demon held up its claws to deal the final blow, three points aiming for his heart. Keith closed his eyes, knowing this was it.

He regretted many things in his life. How he treated people, what he didn't get to do. But most importantly, how he didn't confess his feelings to Lance.

Keith couldn't admit it out loud, but he found that he had fallen in love with the brunette's easy smile and willingness to help everyone. Christ, he'd taken to following Keith around on his dangerous escapades even though he knew he could get hurt.

"M'sorry Lance..."

Laying there in the dried grass, Keith waited for the painful stab that would end his life. But it never came. Opening one eye, then the other, he came to a horrifying visual.

Red is the first thing he sees. Red dripping from a white baseball shirt. Then the cough. The strangled exhale of red in loud coughs. There's so much red, it's spreading across fabric and dripping down caramel toned skin.

Then Keith sees blue. Bright cobalt blue eyes, and a cheeky grin.

"You should learn to keep your promises, Keith."

A shaky voice, rough from the scream that tore from his throat.

"LANCE!"

A grunt as the body was dropped onto the ground.

Blazing heat came next. But not from the smoldering barn, but from Keith's hands. Fire hot enough to melt anything. Flames strong enough to destroy demons.

"Lance! Hey!"

Keith cradled Lance in his arms, blood getting over his hands and shirt.

"Stay with me! Lance!"

There was no breath coming from the other's lips. His chest was still, body limp. His eyes still shimmered in the light of the dying fire, mocking the life that was just extinguished.

"NO!"

A shriek into the night.

A flash of red.

Then nothing.