Chapter Text

Keith died with his hair tie on his wrist.

Yeah, take some time to let that sink in.

Of all the things, a hair tie.

But in Keith’s defense, he didn’t know he was going to die.

But anyway, since he died with his hair tie, he could still tie his hair up even when he was a ghost and roaming the city of Altea without a care in the world.

That is, until Lance crashed into his life.

Literally.

It had been a quiet morning. What was it? Monday? Wednesday? Was another day added to a calendar? Keith didn’t know. And he sure as hell didn’t care. You tend not to care when you’ve been dead for 30 years. Altea was not a big city, not as big as Oriande, the city next-door, and everyone knew everyone else.

‘Hey watch where you’re going! Tourist.’ He heard someone scoff. He felt his lips curl up into a smirk at the irony. Tourists were 90% of people in Altea. He shoved his hands into his pockets and walked towards the bend.

He had absolutely no warning when he collided with something and fell flat on his ass.

A yelp he knew wasn’t his indicated that he had collided with another person.

Wait.

Collided?

PERSON?!

Any pain he felt vanished in an instant as he looked to see who or what he crashed into.

And he was beautiful.

Light brown, sunkissed skin that glowed even though the sun was clearly taking the day off. Chocolate colored curls that were somehow still perfect despite crashing into someone on the sidewalk. He cradled his head in his arms but when he brought his hand back down, they revealed the most beautiful eyes Keith had ever seen, while alive and dead. Bluer than the sky and sea combined, they seemed to hold the universe in them.

‘𝕳𝖔𝖑𝖞 𝖘𝖍𝖎𝖙.’ Keith didn’t have the power to stop himself from speaking in Ancient Galran.

‘Y-you can see me?’ Oh right, Keith had been so caught up by the guy he’d forgotten that he had touched him. Was he a necromancer or something? Did those even exist?

‘I- yeah. But I should be the one asking that.’ Keith was still starstruck.

‘Huh? You mean…’ The boy’s eyes widened. ‘Holy quiznak! You’re like me!’

‘Like...you? You mean…’

‘Dead.’ They both said at the same time.

Keith watched as the boy’s face brightened, impossibly, and he laughed. ‘Oh my god! I- I thought I was the only one! That something was wrong with me or something! I’m Lance!’

The boy was speaking so fast Keith almost missed his name. ‘Oh, I- uhh. I’m Keith.’

Lance smiled. ‘Nice to meet you!’ He brushed some of his curls out of his face and Keith couldn’t help but smile back.

‘You gonna get up or sit there on your ass all day?’

God, what was up with Keith today? It was like he was disconnected from everything! Well, he was but not in that way.

Keith stuttered and was about to get up when Lance extended his hand. Keith stared at his hand like it was going to eat him. He hadn’t touched anything in 30 years. Hesitantly, he reached out and took his hand.

His senses overflooded and he did a wonderful job of hiding it.

‘Isn’t there anyone else?’ Lance asked.

Keith shook his head. ‘No one that I’ve-’ Lance touched Keith’s hair gingerly. ‘-seen. What are you doing?’

Lance looked at him with a cocky grin. He let go of his hair and suddenly the hair tie wasn’t looking so bad.

‘What? I’ve been paired up by the universe with a mullet straight out of the 80s.’

‘I am from the 80s?’

Lance looked at Keith the same way Keith looked at Lance’s hand.

He looked at the sky, thinking. Like he was making a math sum.

‘You’ve been dead for over 30 years?!’ Ah, so it was a math sum.

‘Yeah?’ Keith crossed his arms.

Lance’s mouth practically hit the pavement. ‘Oh no, it’s cool. That’s cool, you’re cool, it’s cool.’

Keith smirked. ‘It’s cool that I died or that I died over 30 years ago?’

Lance paled. ‘No! I didn’t mean it like that! I just… no that’s not what- oh my god.’

Keith’s insides hurt from pushing down a well needed laugh. It only took one little snicker for the laugh to come tumbling out like the contents of a packed closet.

Soon, he was laughing, doubling over with tears in his eyes. Contrary to popular belief, ghosts did cry and did feel cold and hot and weird from time to time. It was basically as if they were humans except no one could see, hear or feel them.

When he reopened his eyes, Lance was staring at him with his mouth open.

Keith cleared his throat. ‘I’m just messing with you.’

Lance shook his head, seeming to come out of a daze.

‘Yeah yeah, i- i knew that.’

‘So you’ve been dead for 30 years and haven’t seen any other ghosts? What were you doing?’ Lance screamed.

Keith flinched and gave him a look. ‘It’s… complicated.’

Lance sighed before smiling. ‘I was wondering when you’d say that.’

Keith shook his head fondly and fiddled with the hair tie on his wrist, debating whether to wear it or not.

‘You have a nice laugh.’

That caught him off-guard. Keith looked up at the… taller boy? Was he taller? Keith straightened up slightly. Lance looked just as shocked as Keith felt. He felt a warmth in his cheeks and saw Lance had a deep red patch on his face as well. Keith looked closer and saw freckles. Jesus Christ, save some for the rest of us won’t you?

‘Th-thanks.’ Keith looked away once he noticed he was staring.

‘You really do though. It’s c- nice.’

Keith gulped, feeling another blush coming on. He said nothing, scared he’ll blurt something that he’ll later regret.

‘You too.’ Like that.

‘𝕺𝖍 𝕲𝔬𝖉 𝖜𝖍𝖞 𝖉𝖎𝖉 𝕴 𝖘𝖆𝖞 𝖙𝖍𝖆𝖙?’ This time he knew he was speaking Ancient Galran when he slapped his hand over his face, which given the fact he was wearing his gloves, hurt like a b-

‘Thanks.’

Keith peaked out from between his fingers and saw Lance smiling like the sun. Sun got nothing on that smile. Keith smiled back as he brought his hand back down.

‘Hey, can- can I stick with you? I don’t know anyone and I’m scared to be alone.’

‘How long were you alone?’

‘A week.’ Lance said apologetically.

Keith felt his eyebrows shoot up. Not in surprise but in admiration. This kid who died a week ago survived on his own this long?

‘Woah.’

‘And besides, you have a mullet. Of course I wanna stick with you.’ Lance smirked.

Keith ended up tying his hair anyway.

And they ended up sticking together.

Chapter Text

The stars were gone.

No, not like that. They were just covered by clouds but damn, the sky looked so empty.

The alley was dark but Keith didn’t mind. The lack of stars irked him though. He frowned up at the sky as if the stars would magically appear.

Hold up.

Keith’s eyes widened and he felt his lips curl up. He lied back down and raised a hand up to the heavens.

He focused all his energy on his hand and closed his eyes, calming himself. He felt his fingers heat up ever so slightly and he smiled, eyes still closed. Ready, and-

‘Keith?’

Keith’s eyes shot open and the warmth from his hands vanished in a heartbeat. He turned his head to see Lance standing right next to him. ‘What are you doing?’

Keith sighed. ‘Nothing. Don’t worry about it.’

He heard Lance hum and take a seat next to him. Keith looked at him curiously.

‘What are you doing?’

Lance lied on his back. ‘What does it look like?’

Keith rolled his eyes. ‘Why do you think I'm asking you?’

‘Fair point. Not my fault your ass doesn’t understand anything.’ Lance laughed when Keith punched him in the arm.

‘I’m gonna stay here with you.’ Keith looked at Lance, who looked back at him with a soft, pleading smile.

‘Can I?’ Lance asked.

Keith couldn’t believe it. It had been a little less than a week since he saw Lance and now he wanted to stay with Keith? All his instincts told him to say no and leave it at that.

‘Sure.’

Good thing his instincts are shit.

Lance brightened up and Keith momentarily forgot all about the stars and focused on the light Lance was emitting.

‘Really?’

Keith sighed and shook his head fondly. ‘Don’t make me change my mind.’

Lance chuckled and looked up at the star-less sky.

Keith looked up as well, watching the faint grey wisps of cloud pass them by.

‘I wonder where the stars are.’

Lance’s whisper sounded like a foghorn in the silence.

Keith looked at the blue eyed boy. It was dark, only dimly lit by the odd streetlight or two. And yet, he looked beautiful. His eyes were wide and curious like a child’s and his lips were slightly parted.

Keith took a deep breath and looked back at the sky. He raised his hand and focused his energy into his hand and exhaled, eyes open this time. The warmth returned to his hand and he felt Lance’s eyes on him. He relaxed himself and calmed down. Somehow, with Lance next to him, he felt more calmer, centered.

He watched as small balls of light came out of his hand and floated in place. When enough came out, he flicked his hand to the left and in one swift motion, the balls scattered like marbles. They didn’t stray too far, floating where they landed, creating their own little sky.

He turned towards Lance, who was staring at the balls with open lips and, somehow, wider eyes.

‘Keith.’ He breathed.

Keith held his breath and waited for the comments about him being a witch.

They never came.

All Lance ever did was stare at the floating balls of light that surrounded him. And Keith basked in his beauty.

He reached out with one hand and Keith smiled. For what?

No idea.

Lance touched one of the balls and pulled it closer. With a small smile, he started playing with it like a cat with a ball of yarn. He turned it between his fingers and let it float for a while.

‘It’s blue.’

Keith tilted his head as best as he could in that position but the reaction was all the same. Blue? His Magiec was red, not blue.

Lance took the ball back into his hands and showed it to Keith.

It was blue.

Of course, all Magiec was white but the rim of Magiec was always the color of the user. Keith was red, not blue.

Lance, however…

Lance wasn’t a witch. That much Keith knew. Witches had a particular aura to them and Lance didn’t have it.

‘I think you’re the one doing it.’

Lance looked at Keith in shock. ‘Me? But I’m not… whatever you are. I don’t have whatever you have!’

Keith nodded. ‘That may be so but, my Magiec is red, not blue. Look.’ He pointed to the rest of the floating balls. They were indeed red rimmed.

Lance looked back at the ball of light in his hand. ‘But I’m not.’

Keith reached over and touched the Magiec ball in his hand. ‘Well, you don’t really have to be a witch for this. This is pretty basic stuff.’

‘So you’re a witch, huh?’

Keith nodded, avoiding eye contact. ‘Yeah, I am’

‘That’s really cool.’ Lance whispered. Keith looked at him with a small smile.

‘You think so?’

Lance nodded. ‘Of course!’

Keith chuckled, his gaze landing on the blue Magiec ball in… their hands. Keith quickly let go of Lance’s hand, which he wasn’t aware he was holding in the first place and cleared his throat. Lance seemed to be a bit red but that was probably the Magiec balls.

He let go of the ball and it floated back up into the sky Keith had made.

Keith made the balls move ever so slightly and the two spent the night looking for and making their own constellations.

They laughed about the crazy ones Lance came up with and gave each other small smiles

They didn’t even notice when the sky cleared up and the stars, the real ones, returned.

As the night got deeper, they forgot about the stars, real and fake, entirely and simply enjoyed the presence of one another as they told stories and laughed.

Unknowing to the other, they fell asleep in each other’s arms.

Chapter Text

Keith woke up to screams.

No, not the type where it sounded like someone getting tortured or killed but it was more yelling.

His eyes widened and he shot up like a rocket. Seeing a sleeping Lance next to him, he kicked him awake.

‘Ow! Fucking hell, Keith! What did you do that for?’

‘Get up.’ Keith was sure he looked criminally insane.

‘What? Why?’ Lance rubbed his eyes in an attempt to rub the sleepiness away.

‘They’re here!’

‘Who?’

Keith rolled his eyes and picked Lance up by his elbow. Ignoring the protests coming from the taller boy, he brought him to the pavement, the sunlight streaming in unfiltered. Keith squinted his eyes and looked away from the direction of the sun.

‘Keith?’

‘Yeah?’

‘Gonna tell me what’s going on?’

‘No.’

‘Thanks.’

‘Anytime buddy.’

He felt Lance stiffen against his grip. Keith turned to see if anything was wrong. All he could see was Lance and his blinding smirk which meant Keith had done something wrong and Lance was living for it.

Keith sighed. ‘What did I do this time?’

Lance smiled coyly. ‘You called me ‘buddy’.’

Keith felt his cheeks heat up and he looked away. ‘I slipped.’

‘Mhm, sure.’

Keith was about to snap back with another comment when something caught his eye.

A group of men, dressed in black leather jackets like Keith were walking down the middle of the road like they owned it. Keith gritted his teeth and tightened his grip.

On Lance.

‘Uhh… Keith? You’re- you’re kinda… holding on too- Ow!’

Keith looked at Lance, confused at first but upon seeing his hand digging into Lance’s elbow, he quickly let go, his face heating up once again.

‘Keith seriously, what’s going on? Who are these guys?’

‘Don’t you live here?’

‘Well, yeah?’

Keith sighed in exasperation. ‘Look, Lance. You gotta give me something to work with here.’

‘I mean, I came here when I was like 5 and I've always seen these guys around but everyone always seemed so scared so I never asked and I just stayed away.’

‘Huh, turns out you are smarter than you look.’

‘Hey!’

‘These guys are the Galra.’

‘You say that like that would explain everything.’

Keith looked at the ground. ‘They’re witch hunters.’

‘W-what?’

Keith snapped his head towards the boy and shushed him.

‘Keith, we’re literally ghosts, they can’t see shit!’

‘Yes they can!’

Lance took a step back. ‘What?’

‘They can see us, Lance. They can’t touch us or feel us but they can hear and see us so shut up!’

When he turned around, Lance was as pale as could be. ‘Is that… bad?’

‘For you? No. For me? It shouldn’t be but it is.’

‘Why?’

‘Cause witches aren’t supposed to turn into ghosts at death.’

‘But, what about you?’

‘That’s the point, Lance. These guys are the reason I'm dead.’

‘Murderers?’

Keith was about to answer when the group of men stopped abruptly. Keith quickly pushed Lance back into the alley.

Thankfully, Lance didn’t scream. Keith sighed in relief and watched as the men turned their heads to look at him. It would’ve been creepy if they didn’t do this every time they came to Altea. He heard someone else scream, in fear this time, but no one even batted an eye.

Keith narrowed his eyes and bared his teeth, like he always did whenever they came. They usually growled and left at that point.

But, of course, not this time.

They parted in the middle to reveal their leader, Sendak. Keith had a… let’s say personal vendetta against him in particular.

‘Oh shit.’ Keith breathed.

‘What? What’s ‘oh shit’? Bad ‘oh shit’?’ He heard Lance whisper at his feet.

‘When is there ever a good ‘oh shit’?’

‘Good point.’

‘Shut up.’ Keith said through gritted teeth, eyes on Sendak as he walked closer and closer.

‘You know what? No!’

Fuck, fuck, fuuuuuck. Please Lance, I am begging you to stay quiet. I'll tell you everything! Just SHUT UP!

‘All you’ve been the entire time I've known you is really vague about stuff! So now, I demand the right to know!’ Lance stood up and stood there, out in the open.

Keith slapped his face and dragged it down his face.

‘So you caught a stray, have you Kogane?’

Sendak's voice was dark and deep and cold.

‘Sendak.’

‘What? Who’s this jerk?’

Keith momentarily forgot Lance was even there. Sendak laughed and all Keith wanted to do was punch him right in the mouth… if only his fist wouldn’t pass through his face.

‘I like this kid.’ He reached out and grabbed Lance by the arm. Keith gaped as Sendak pulled Lance by his arm off the ground. Lance was yelling and thrashing like a fish out of water.

‘Let me go you purple faced jerk!’

What?

Keith looked at Lance in confusion. ‘Purple what?’

Lance forgot about thrashing and yelling and dangled there, giving Keith a look. ‘What? It’s the truth! His stupid purple face is great for a punching bag!’ That last one was directed at Sendak through bared teeth.

‘Purple?’

Sendak smirked. ‘So, another witch.’

‘WHAT?!’ Both Lance and Keith yelled.

The three of them stayed in silence, all surprised at the other.

Wait, if Sendak can touch Lance, that must mean…

Keith snapped out of his train of thought first and threw a fist at Sendak's face. Pain rang through his arm as he bit down on his tongue. Lance dropped to the ground hard and looked at Keith, scared out of his mind.

‘Run!’

‘Where?’

‘Come on!’ Keith grabbed Lance’s hand and pulled him back into the alley.

The two ran for their nonexistent lives, Keith’s grip on Lance unwavered for even a second. After running for a minute or two, Keith was positive they weren’t following them anymore but he couldn’t bring himself to care. He laughed and ran faster. He looked back at Lance and was blessed with the image of the taller boy’s shining, smiling face. Keith smiled at him and held onto his hand tighter.

When they finally did stop, they were in front of a mansion.

‘Come on in, i’ll tell you everything.’

Lance was skeptical. ‘Everything?’

Keith nodded. ‘Everything.’

‘Okay, first question,’ Keith rolled his eyes, let go of Lance’s arm (No he did not blush at all) and crossed his own. ‘Who’s house is this?’

Keith looked back at the mansion. When he looked at Lance again, he was wearing the cokiest grin he had ever worn.

‘Mine.’

Chapter Text

‘Say what?’

Keith didn’t even bother holding back his smirk this time. Why should he? This was his house and he was proud of it.

‘What? It’s my house?’

Lance gaped at the mansion. ‘Y-you lived here?’

Keith nodded.

‘Wait, that man. He called you ‘Kogane’. Kogane as in ‘Keith Kogane’ the prodigy who died? Kogane the son of the richest family in the state? That Kogane?’

‘Well, unless you know any other Koganes in the area then yeah. That’s me.’

Lance looked at Keith as if he had just announced that he wasn’t dead and this was all a dream.

‘Holy shit.’ He breathed.

Keith laughed and opened the door.

‘Woah, what?’ Lance asked, flabbergasted at the sight of Keith opening the door.

Keith paused, the door half open.

‘Come on in, let me explain.’

‘I think the first thing you should know is how I died.’

‘Keith, you don’t need to.’ Lance touched Keith’s hand. Shivers ran down Keith’s spine as he tried his best to fight the rising blush.

‘I will. I want to.’ He looked into Lance’s beautiful blue eyes.

Lance nodded and let go of Keith’s hand.

‘I was- am 18 when I died. My mom was also a witch but my dad was human. That’s the reason we were a bit… unwanted in society. Because of me. No one wants a half-breed bastard. I’d been training with my mom for about 6 months on basic Magiec. That’s when the Galra arrived.’

Keith looked at his hands and didn’t look back up.

‘They’re a group of witch hunters and roam the area. They’re not that big in numbers or bright but they got the job done. There are quite a few ways to kill a witch but they’re favourite is burning them at the stake. Those witch trials up in Salem? They were real. They were actually witches. The descendants are called Salem Witches. Obviously.’

‘Are you a Salem Witch?’

Keith nodded. ‘Salem Witches have this thing called Magiec.’

‘Magic?’

‘No, they say it like this. ‘Magiec’.’

‘Magiec.’

Keith nodded. ‘It’s kind of like a special skill. Light, earth, fire, wind and the likes.’

‘What’s your Magiec?’

‘I don’t have one.’ Keith looked at Lance. ‘That’s the thing Lance, i’m a bit of a…odd case let’s say. My mom’s a Galra.’

Lance’s eyes went wide. ‘But I thought you said you were a Salem witch and you said your dad was a human. So, how does that work?’

‘Mom was a half breed too. Part Salem, part Galra. So technically, I'm not part Salem, I'm about a quarter part Salem.’

Lance laughed at that and Keith smiled.

‘What about your scars?’ Lance pointed to Keith’s face and arms. ‘Did you get them when you died?’

Keith nodded, looking at the scar on his wrist. Honestly, he had forgotten that it was even there. ‘The Galra were after my mom because she was a spy for them for a while and they found out. She escaped but we were in hiding. Altea’s not the best place for witches so no one expects witches to actually live here.’

‘Why?’

‘This was a popular place for witches to be burned at the stake, outside of Salem.’

Lance’s face dropped and he looked away. ‘I- uhh. Yikes.’

Keith snorted. ‘Yeah, but after my mom started living here, other witches started living here too. Unfortunately, that meant the Galra would come here too.’

‘They come every month on witch raids. They take away 2 people, never to be seen again. I had a friend, she was the only known survivor.’

‘Is she still alive?’

Keith shrugged. ‘I don’t know. Maybe.’

Lance nodded in understanding. ‘What happened next?’

‘Eager to hear about how I died?’ Keith teased.

Lance’s eyes widened and he was quick to apologize. ‘Oh god no! I didn’t-’

He stopped at the sound of Keith laughing. ‘I’m just messing with you!’

Keith watched as Lance turned ten different shades of red before settling on a deep crimson.

‘They were after my mom and I happened to be at home with my dad when the Galra decided to bomb the place. Mom wasn’t.’

‘Oh shit.’ Keith smiled humorlessly.

‘Yeah. It was a shitshow. Especially considering the fact that witches don’t turn into ghosts.’

‘Why?’

‘That’s just the way it is, Lance.’

‘Well then, I have another question’ Lance straightened himself. ‘Why the hell did that man call me a witch?’

Keith furrowed his eyebrows. Good question. Why did Sendak call Lance a witch? He has no aura? And Lance could see the Galra’s true colors?

‘Lance, did you ever-’

‘Keith, I'm gonna stop you right there. I did not do anything weird or anything. I can guarantee you I'm not a witch.’

‘But you did see the purple, didn’t you?’

Lance paused and pursed his lips. ‘I have a feeling I shouldn't be able to.’

Keith nodded. ‘Only supernaturals see it.’

‘S-so you’re saying I’m supernatural?’

Keith shook his head. ‘No, I know for a fact that you’re not supernatural.’

‘How?’

Keith adjusted his position. ‘Every supernatural has this… distinct kind of aura around them. Humans don’t.’

Just as the words left his mouth, a faint blue aura outlined Lance. Keith gasped involuntarily and fell back.

‘Keith? What is it? Are we in danger?’ Lance’s face re-entered his vision. He quickly righted himself and gave Lance a once over.

‘Uhh… Keith?’

‘Hmm?’

‘What are you doing?’

‘You’re blue.’

‘I’m what?’

Keith rolled his eyes. ‘Blue. You’re blue.’

He heard Lance sigh. ‘Look buddy, you gotta give me more to work with here. What do you mean I’m blue? I’m sad?’

‘No Lance, I mean you’re blue. You have a blue aura.’

‘I what? But you just said that-’

‘I know.’

‘So does that mean-’

‘I don’t know.’ Keith was still looking at Lance, not believing his eyes.

That was the truth.

And that scared Keith.

Chapter Text

Ghosts couldn’t dream. Everyone knew that. They don’t dream.

Then why, pray tell, was Keith dreaming?

It was a sort of plain. Dim purple lights illuminated the seemingly endless expanse or earth. Or at least, he thought it was earth. He hoped it was earth.

He crouched down and felt the ground beneath him. It was hard and crumbly, like dirt. He frowned. He wasn’t on Earth anymore, that much was certain. The question was if he wasn’t on earth, where in all heavens was he?

He stood up, dusted his hands down his shirt and started walking.

Walking.

Walking.

Walking.

He’d lost count of how long he’d been walking but he knew that if this was a dream, he must’ve woken up by now. He tried calling out for anyone. Any sign of life. But with no avail. He’d been walking for a while but he didn’t feel tired, his legs didn’t hurt and his breathing was normal and steady. He was alone, lost and scared. Lords in heaven, this was getting a bit… scary? Keith stopped in his tracks and looked around.

Nothing. Emptiness for miles. The vast void of nothingness expanded for miles on end. A sudden breeze filled the air and Keith felt his hair and jacket move. He didn’t question where the wind came from because when you’re a witch, overtime you learn to just trust the universe.

This very well could be the first time Keith ever trusted the universe.

And it was for the wind.

Keith sighed and kept walking.

There was no way he was still asleep. Keith refused to believe it. He’d been walking for at least a day by now! And the effects of walking about aimlessly for a day were starting to hit him. He was hungry, thirsty, tired and oddly sleepy.

He groaned into the abyss, praying that someone would hear him. At this point, he didn’t even care if a Galra found him if it meant getting out of this wretched place.

He stopped, vision blurry and doubt filling his gut. He was beginning to think this wasn’t a dream.

The world started spinning and he struggled to keep up and he fell to his knees. One hand clutching his stomach, his body threatened to throw up but either it couldn't or Keith wouldn’t let it. He was so hungry. A voice in his head told him to stay awake. He tried to listen and get back on his feet.

He failed.

With an earth shaking thud, he fell to the ground but his eyes wouldn’t close despite him being unbelievably sleepy. Even Keith wanted to sleep but now it was like his body wouldn’t let him. He would’ve laughed at the irony if he wasn’t in such pain. Oh heavens help him. He groaned and writhed in agony in the void. This empty plain. Where he was alone. Lost. Scared.

And when he finally screamed, no one heard him.

When he stopped screaming, he slept.

Finally.

He slept. But he didn’t wake up.

Chapter Text

The next wave hit him like a rock to the head. The wind was strong as his hair and jacket flapped yet again. The world went white and he was back in the void.

He groaned. The first wave was just… bad. There really was no other word to describe it. It was plain old bad. He’d seen the moment when he had died all those years ago. And this wave was going to be no better.

Or so he thought.

The scene created itself before him. He was inside his house and younger. Maybe around 7 or 8 years old. 8 year old Keith was waiting by the door with a playful shine in his eyes that present Keith envied. The door opened and his mother stepped into the house.

‘Mom!’ 8 year old Keith launched himself at his mother as she spun him around, laughing. Present Keith felt his heart clench at the sight. Krolia set her son down and the two of them sat on the ground.

‘Hey! I have someone for you to meet.’ She said in an excited voice. 8 year old Keith looked at her with wide eyes.

‘Really? Who?’

As if on cue, a meow sounded from behind her

Present Keith heard a chuckle come from his own mouth as he remembered this moment.

Krolia laughed and picked up a black cat from behind her. Present Keith snorted at the cliché. Way to live up to the legend, mom.

8 year old Keith gasped. ‘Oh my gosh! Mom! He’s so cute!’

‘She.’

Keith looked at his mom. ‘She?’

Krolia nodded. ‘She. This is Tola.’

Keith beamed at his mother and returned his attention to the black cat currently purring on Keith’s leg. He scratched her head and she took an immediate liking to the 8 year old. He laughed.

‘She’s so cute! I love her!’

‘I’m glad you think so, baby. You see, Tola’s gonna be there to take care of you when I'm not around.’

Keith picked up the feline and frowned at his mother. ‘Not around? Are you going somewhere?’

Krolia’s expression softened. ‘Not at all! It’s just,’ She pulled both Keith and the cat closer to her. ‘You know i’m not always home and your dad can’t look after you all day since he’s busy too. So my familiar will be there to take care of you, okay?’

Keith looked at the ground hesitantly, one hand still absent mindedly petting the cat. He finally nodded. ‘Okay.’

Krolia hugged her son. ‘Thanks, baby.’

‘So does this mean Tola’s my familiar as well?

Krolia blinked before laughing. ‘No, Keith. Tola’s not your familiar but I'm sure you’ll find yours soon.

Present Keith laughed under his breath, remembering his own familiar.

‘Yeah?’ 8 year old Keith’s eyes grew wide. Krolia ruffled her son’s head.

‘Yeah.’

The image began deteriorating. Krolia and 8 year old Keith turned to ash and they blew away. Keith didn’t even notice there were tears in his eyes. He quickly wiped them away with the back of his hand.

The world went white.

He opened his eyes to face a dim, violet sky. He raised his head, looked around and saw the vast, empty expense of the plain. He groaned and his head fell back to the ground.

He stared up to the open sky. He didn’t question its existence. Why should he? It’s just the sky.

‘Keith.’

Keith felt his organs stop and his eyes widen.

No way.

He more or less jumped to his feet and came face to face with…

‘Dad?’

Chapter Text

Keith was a witch. This was something people knew. He wasn’t just a witch. He was a half breed witch. The best of both worlds. He;d seen things people had only had nightmares about. Everything about him was potentially deadly, down to his glare. Keith had seen deaths, been killed, somehow found himself attached to a certain blue eyed ghost’s hip and he’s still sane.

Right up till now.

He’d been the voice of reason even when he was alive. Ironic, isn’t it? You’d think the guy in leather jacket, fingerless gloves and looked like he’d be part of a biker gang would be more into bloody knuckles and busted lips. But no, Keith only fought when he absolutely had to. He was calm, cool and collected. He was the voice of reason. He’d kept it together even when he felt like glass. He didn’t even cry when his father died. He mourned but not a tear was shed. And he hated himself for that. He was his father! The person he’d loved even today! He felt like a thread. Everyday the thread was pulled a little further. Pulling, pulling, pulling.

Until finally today, at the sight of his father, his warm smile, his kind eyes, his brave soul.

Today, the glass shattered and the thread snapped.

He never thought he would ever feel his father’s touch ever again. But he laughed mockingly at himself in his head as he broke in his father’s arms.

‘Hey buddy. Shh, shh it’s okay.’ Keith barely made his father’s voice out between his own sobs. He didn’t say anything. He didn’t do anything. He just cried. He’d been holding everything in for so long. Longer than he should’ve. It was time to let them out. He let go of the past, he cut the strings, he said his farewells to his demons and he cried.

He never even noticed how empty he really was until he let go of everything. He was empty inside and nothing could help him.

‘That’s not true and you know it.’ His father’s voice was a cool gust of wind on a day when the sun would decide to burn the earth. Keith didn’t say anything, he didn’t question how his father knew. He just cried. Whenever he felt the tear trails on his face begin to dry, a fresh wave would pour out.

When he finally did speak, ‘I’m sorry.’ It was more of a choke. But it was sincere and genuine. His father pulled Keith to eye level.

‘What for?’

Keith’s tears were far from over but he kept the remaining tears at bay. ‘I’m the reason you’re dead. I’m the reason Mom’s sad. I’m the reason-’

‘Hey, hey, hey. Did she say that?’

Keith shook his head. ‘Then stop assuming it’s your fault when it’s not.’

Keith lifted his head and looked his father in the eye.

‘Hey,’ He cupped Keith’s face and brought him to eye level. ‘No matter what, your mom and I will always love you. Okay?’

Keith’s vision blurred with tears. ‘I don’t know what to do. Dad, I'm scared. They almost got us. I don’t know what I’d do if anything happened to him.’

Keith partially didn’t believe what was coming out of his mouth but at the same time, he knew it was fruitless to ignore it any longer. He did care about Lance and what happened to him.

His father pulled him back into a hug. ‘I know you do. And I also know you’ll do what’s right. Life starts giving you shit? Kick it in the ass.’

Keith chuckled. ‘I will, dad.’

Suddenly, from a distance, Keith saw the world turning white. He broke away from the hug to try and get a closer look at what it was.

‘Ah, looks like time’s up.’

Keith whipped his head towards his father. ‘What?’

His father stood up, smirking. ‘You didn’t think this was real, did you?’

Keith opened his mouth to say that yes, he thought this was very real. But instead what came out was an uncertain and hesitant, ‘No.’

His father shook his head good naturedly. Ruffling his son’s head, he started walking away.

‘Will I see you again?’

Keith’s father stopped in his tracks. ‘I don’t know, kiddo. I really don’t.’

Keith pursed his lips and watched as the white came closer.

‘And Keith?’

Keith looked straight into his father’s eyes. Those sad, melancholy eyes accompanied by a soft smile.

‘Say hi to your mom for me.’

Keith smiled back.

The world went white.

He slept.

And then, he woke up.

‘Keith? Keith. Keith! Keith, for the love of god, wake up!’

Keith did just that. He gasped and sat up straight.

Lance fell back with a start. ‘Welcome back to that land of the living Kogane.’

Keith blinked and whipped his head left and right. ‘Wha- where? What?’

‘Dude, you okay? You look like you’ve seen a…’ Lance stopped himself and smacked his forehead. ‘Pretend you didn’t hear that. Please.’

Keith stared blankly at the boy. He was barely keeping it together.

‘Ghost?’

Lance groaned in embarrassment. ‘Kill me now.’ He slapped a hand over his mouth. ‘Oh my god.’

Keith lost it.

Tears clouded his vision and he let loose. Mirth spilling out of every crack and crevice of the boy. In mere moments, he was hearing another laugh. Without looking, he knew it was Lance. He dared take a look at the blue eyed boy and Keith melted.

He was just as beautiful as the day they met. Blue eyes squeezed tight and face scrunched up. It was absolutely adorable. He was on his back, entire body jerking as he laughed. Lips were open, those pink, soft, kissable lips-

Oh.

Oh.

Keith didn’t know if Cupid existed because at this point, hell, anything can happen. But if Cupid was real, they’d be having a field day with Keith.

And you know what?

Fuck it.

Keith smiled and held up his middle finger to the universe.

The wind was soft and calm. Gentle like a mother holding her baby and cool, not cold. Krolia was crouched in front of her husband’s and son’s grave. She didn’t cry. She had cried all she could for them. She still saw Keith every now and then but that was it. And she didn’t mind. She was content with the knowledge that her son was getting a second chance. Of sorts.

Krolia chuckled. If Keith was here right now, he’d be screaming at her for putting that on his gravestone. And she would retaliate telling him that it was what he wanted.

‘When I was 5!’ He’d say.

And she’d laugh.

Cliché, yes. But Owen always liked clichés. She smiled at her husband's stone and laid the bloomsworth flowers on both graves. Beautiful purple flowers that smelled like happiness. That’s what Keith used to say. It was a different scent for everyone. Krolia never smelled anything for reasons unknown. Owen, being a human, physically couldn’t. When Krolia gave a bloomsworth to Keith and asked him what he smelled, he took a deep whiff.

‘Happy!’

Krolia and Owen crossed their eyebrows and exchanged glances.

’Happy? What do you mean, kiddo?’ Owen had asked.

Keith had shrugged. ‘It just smells happy. I don’t know. It’s sweet and calming. So, happy!’

Krolia gave the 5 year old a soft look before scooping him up into her arms. ‘Happiness, huh?’

Keith giggled, baring his teeth and exposing where there was an empty gap where his front tooth had fallen just yesterday. He clutched the bloomsworth tightly. ‘Uh huh!’

Owen and Krolia looked at each other and hugged their son. Both making a silent promise to each other and to Keith to never let go.

For the first time in 30 years, Krolia felt the ghost of a tear in the corner of her eyes. She let out a breath and quickly wiped them away.

‘Miss you guys more everyday.’ She whispered before kissing the tips of her hand and placing her hand on her husband’s stone. She did the same to her son’s stone.

‘Love you both.’

She looked as radiant as always. Being a witch had its perks. She stood up and pulled out her phone. Just because she was a witch doesn’t mean she needs to live in the Dark Ages. She checked the time: 9:39 am on a sunny Saturday morning. She sighed and nodded at the stones, bidding her farewells to her family.

She turned around and froze mid step.

He was there. In his red shirt, black jacket, combat boots and ponytail. He was smiling. It was sad but happy. She smiled back.

It took a few minutes for him to say something. And when he did, she cried.

‘Dad says hi.’

Chapter Text

He never thought that they’d find them so soon.

Lance punched a Galra in the face, sending them reeling backwards. He smiled, proud of himself. He turned back to Keith just in time to see him slice a Galra in the chest with his sword. Lance felt his knees threaten to give up because holy shit, Keith looked good. He snapped himself out of it and kicked a Galra, biting down the pain that shot up his foot as it collided with steel like skin.

Keith took down Galra after Galra and Lance kept staring and staring.

‘Lance! Head in the game!’ He yelled.

Lance was close to slapping himself for spacing out, now of all times.

He ducked, narrowly avoiding what could have been a particularly nasty blow to the money maker. He swept his foot, tripping the Galra and bringing the man crashing down. Lance smirked as he decked another Galra.

By the eighth Galra, his arms began to hurt and he kept tripping over his own feet. Keith came up to him looking bloody, busted and outright gorgeous. Lance was surprised when he found out ghosts can get hurt.

‘But only by other supernatural beings,’ Keith had explained. ‘They can hurt us but that’s about it. You know, considering the fact that we’re already…’

Lance rubbed his knuckles which were severely bruised but there was no blood. Keith’s face, on the other hand, had tons to spare. His eyebrow was cut, his lip was busted, there was a small scar below his eye and a smile on his face.

He was loving this.

The smile however, quickly faded when he saw the remaining Galra a few feet away from them.

‘We’re not making a dent in these guys.’ He noted. Lance nodded and readied himself for another fight before remembering something.

‘Hey, aren’t you a witch?’

Keith gave him a funny look. ‘Yeah?’

‘You’re a witch! Do you see where I'm going?’

It took Keith a few moments to actually understand what Lance was trying to say. ‘Lance, I told you. I never had any training! I don’t know anything!’

Lance, upon seeing the Galra getting closer, grew desperate. ‘Come on! There must be something you can do besides the light show you did the other day!’

Keith looked at Lance pitifully. He bit his lower lip and looked around. His head snapped back to Lance with wide yet questioning eyes. ‘There… there might be something i can do.’

Lance looked back to the Galra. ‘Well, whatever you’re gonna do-’

‘Do it fast, I know.’ Keith held the sword out in front of Lance who squawked in shock.

‘Wait, what? I thought you said only witches can use this thing!’ Keith looked hesitant for a moment.

‘Well, I thought maybe since…’ He trailed off. He shook his head. ‘Yeah, but you can still use the blade in dagger form.’

Lance hesitated for a second before taking the sword and readying himself. ‘Alright, what’s the pla- Keith? What are you doing?’

He looked at his friend who was currently crouched on the ground with his fingertips on the hard floor. His eyes were closed and his hair blew in the wind. Lance took one more look at the fast approaching Galra hoard and took a deep breath.

He felt something near his feet and yelped. All around Keith, the ground began to bubble and boil and ripple like water. He took a step back and watched as the Galra hoards screeched to a halt, eyes wide and worried.

Keith’s eyes snapped open. They were white. They glowed. They were eerily beautiful and hauntingly elegant. He was honestly a bit afraid. He watched in awe as Keith stood up and, in one fluid motion, brough the entire pavement with him. He fell back down and the pavement as well, creating a wave. He watched as one by one, Galra soldiers were flung up into the air and fell back to the earth.

‘But…what about real people?’

‘Nothing happens to them. The Galra are in our plane of existence.’ Keith spoke monotonously, eyes fixed on the wave.

The wave died down and the pavement… was beyond repair, yet somehow still intact. Keith stood up again and smirked, eyes still glowing white.

Who. Gave. Him. The. Right. To. Look. So. Hot?

Lance didn’t even try to stop his thoughts. He just stared at the raven haired boy and awe, terror and budding love.

Suddenly, Keith growled and stood in a defensive position. Lance whipped his head towards what Keith growled at.

Sendak.

Lance felt his eyes narrow and he held the sword at the ready.

Keith collected white energy in front of his heart and it took Lance all he had to not look at it. He did see it when it was shot out. A beacon of pure white energy shot out from the energy collected in front of Keith’s heart straight at Sendak.

Lance smirked. Bye-bye, motherf-

Sendak smiled and… caught it.

Lance felt his smirk drop and saw Keith’s face fall. They stared as Sendak’s smile somehow got more murderous as he grabbed it with both hands.

‘Uhh Keith?’ Lance felt his chest tighten. Something was going to happen.

The question was: What?

A quick dark purple streak cut through Keith’s energy, hitting Keith in his chest. He cried out in pain.

Lance felt frozen. He stared at Sendak, dumbfounded. He watched, helplessly as more purple tendrils shot out and hit Keith’s chest. Lance could tell that he was trying his best not to show signs of weakness but damn it, every man has a breaking point.

And Keith was at his.

One more tendril and Keith’s knees gave out. At that, Lance unfroze and caught Keith without the slightest hesitation. Both of them collapsed.

One more tendril and Keith started turning purple. Purple webs marked him. His arms, his chest and one that stretched from below his eye to his jaw.

One more tendril and Keith began to cry. Despite his eyes glowing white, his tears were clear and normal. His eyes were closed and his chest shook as he sobbed.

One more tendril and Keith started to shout. He yelled and screamed, pain no doubt running through his body. Keith’s cries were hell raising. Lance winced at each one.

One more tendril and Lance had enough. He gently kept Keith on the ground, eyes closed and body convulsing in pain. It hurt Lance to watch but he knew this was the only way to make it stop.

One more tendril and Lance was running. Sword in hand and murder in his eyes, he charged for Sendak.

One more tendril and this time, it was coming for Lance. He sliced through it, gasping when it actually worked. He inched closer to Sendak and raised his sword to finish him off.

One more tendril and it missed again, giving Lance a window of opportunity to slice Sendak in his face. When Sendak look at Lance, his eye was sliced shut

One more tendril and this time, it hit its target. Lance flew backwards, slamming into the wall. He groaned as he slid to the ground, the sword releasing itself from his limp grip.

One more tendril and Keith’s voice rose a few octaves in pain. Lance tried to get up but his body gave up on him when he needed it the most.

I’m sorry, Keith. I’m so sorry!

Ghosts couldn’t die. But this felt like a fate worse than death.

He closed his eyes, waiting for either Keith’s final scream or his own demise.

It never came

Lance opened his eyes and watched as Sendak fell to the ground, blood collecting on his stomach. The tendrils disappeared and so did the white energy.

A woman, middle aged, young looking, hair that curled where it met her shoulders, eyes like Keith’s (his real ones of course, not the white ones) and a blade like Keith’s. Her eyes met Lance’s.

It was hard but he tore his gaze away from hers and crawled towards Keith.

Keith hurt.

He was electric to the touch and Lance’s palms burned.

He didn’t give a singular, flying fuck.

‘Hey, hey Keith. Come on buddy.’ He was still purple and in pain. The woman knelt down next to him. Lance didn’t know her but for some reason, he trusted her.

‘Please. I don’t- I don’t know what to do.’ He begged. She looked at him sympathetically.

‘He’s tainted, it affected him more. Oh my lords, this is all my fault.’

Keith stopped for a second and straightened up and looked at Lance. ‘I’m sorry.’

It was a whisper but to Lance it was a bell.

‘No no no! It’s not your fault! Keith!’ He yelled as Keith fell onto his shoulder. He was shaking like a leaf. Lance didn’t mind nor did he care about the damp spot forming on his shoulder. Lance knew Keith was still conscious but he kind of wished he weren’t. He was in too much pain.

Not knowing what to do, he did his best to comfort Keith.

‘It hurts, Lance. Please. It hurts.’ Keith mumbled. Lance nodded.

‘I know cariño, I know. But you’re doing so well! I’m here, we’re here. You’re gonna be okay.’ He runned Keith’s back, trying his best. The woman did the same, shushing Keith and trying to calm him. Lance smiled at her, thankful for her presence. She returned it.

And then his hands glowed.

He stopped rubbing and froze as a blue aura surrounded his hands and Keith gasped. He stopped shaking and started breathing fast, like the air was being sucked out of him. Lance didn’t believe his eyes when he saw the purple webs disappear as blue Magiec balls filled the air. The woman took her hands away and watched, mouth slightly open.

It came suddenly but it didn’t go away as such. It took it’s time and faded slowly.

When Lance looked back at Keith, his eyes were back to normal. Were they always this beautiful? They’re purple, my god! And the webs on his face were gone save for the remnants of the big one on his cheek. Lance felt his face heat up as he blinked at the raven haired boy.

Keith smiled before crashing back into Lance’s chest. And this time, he slept.

Lance and the woman looked at each other. She was smiling in awe.

‘You did it.’

Lance stared at her. ‘What? But I’m not- I’m not a witch!’

She stood up and extended her arm. ‘Bring him, I'll tell you all of it.’

He looked at her arm quizzically before taking Keith into his arms and standing up.

‘Who are you?’

She smiled.

‘I’m his mother.’

Chapter Text

Lance paced when upset.

And right now, judging by the dent in the floor, he was really, really upset. Of course he was, Keith was hurt.

Krolia herself bit her nails when she was upset and right now, her nails were basically nonexistent.

They were in the mansion, Keith was sleeping on his bed upstairs and Krolia was pretty sure Lance was going to go insane if he didn’t wake up soon.

‘Hey,’ She called out to him. ‘Lance, right?’

He nodded. She smiled. ‘It’s gonna be okay. He’ll wake up.’

Lance sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. ‘It’s not that.’

‘Then what is it?’ She asked, genuinely concerned.

He sat down next to her. ‘It’s just… I don't know how.’

She tilted her head. ‘How what?’

‘How he got better.’

She looked at him and smiled, soft and knowing. ‘I do.’

‘Please, tell me! I’ll- I’ll do anything just… please.’

She blinked before laughing. ‘You don’t have to do anything. I’ll tell you anyway.’

Lance smiled at her. He looked to the stairs, maybe to see if Keith would magically get better and come flying down the stairs. Krolia didn’t blame him. They were ghosts and she was a witch so at this point, she expected nothing less.

‘You probably already know this but Keith’s a half breed.’

‘Yeah, half witch and half human, right?’

Krolia nodded. ‘Something you don’t know is that half-breeds are extremely powerful. As in he has the potential to level the city. Maybe more.’

Lance was gaping. Krolia refused to look him in the eye. She wrung her hands and fiddled with the single ring on her middle finger.

‘But… Keith wouldn’t do that.’ Lance sounded unsure of himself and Krolia hated that. She knew how much her son cared for the blue eyed ghost. They depended on each other and they trusted each other. If that trust was lost, they could fade.

‘No, he wouldn’t. But another thing is that half-breeds’ magic is mostly stronger in emotion. Extreme sadness, anger or even sometimes happiness. Now, while happiness won’t bring out any destructiveness, that’s not the only emotion in a body.’

Lance nodded. ‘So you’re saying, if Keith gets pissed off enough, he can potentially destroy everything.’

Krolia nodded sagely. ‘You and I both know he would never do that on purpose.’

‘But, what about you?’

Krolia arched an eyebrow and looked at him. Not his eyes though, she wasn’t ready yet. ‘What about me?’

‘Keith told me you were a half breed as well. Can you destroy a city as well?’

Krolia gripped onto the sofa and laughed nervously. ‘I did.’

Lance practically squeaked. ‘What?!’

Krolia smirked. ‘You didn’t really think Hiroshima was a nuclear bomb, did you?’

Lance’s face went slack. ‘Holy Jesus.’

‘That’s where I found Keith’s brother.’

‘Wha- Found?’

‘He was adopted.’

‘Is he a witch too?’

Krolia twisted her mouth. ‘Something like that.’

Thankfully, Lance didn’t press any further. ‘That's why you never trained him?’

Krolia was surprised by his intuitiveness. ‘Yes, actually.’

‘Then how come you were trained?’

‘I was forced to. I’m half Galra, remember? I was raised to fight and kill.’

‘Is Keith’s brother still alive?’

Krolia nodded. ‘He’s uptown with his husband.’

Lance touched her hand. She flinched before finally, looking him in the eye. ‘What did I do to him?’

She sighed. ‘You purified his Magiec.’

‘I did what now?’

She let go of Lance’s hand. ‘Keith’s a half breed so his Magiec is…tainted. It’s not pure. That’s what makes him so powerful. Most half-breeds don’t have them but some of them have purifiers.’

‘What?’

‘Purifiers are sort of like the balm for the Magiec. They calm down the Magiec and sometimes even erase the taint, even if it is for a few hours.’

Lance looked at her disbelievingly. ‘You mean, I…’

‘You did that.’

He looked at his hands. ‘Are purifiers… witches?’

Krolia looked at him sympathetically. Poor boy was scared, concerned and worried. It wasn’t a surprise though. It’s obviously been a rough few weeks for him. ‘No, they’re a different kind of supernatural being. They’re really rare too.’

He just hummed and started biting his lip.

‘Can I tell you something interesting?’ She tried in an attempt to cheer him up.

‘Yeah?’

‘Keith’s Magiec isn’t red.’

He looked at her. ‘What? But… I saw it.’

She smiled. ‘Tainted.’

‘You mean it gets tainted… literally?’

She chuckled. ‘Yeah, his Magiec is actually blue.’

His eyes went wide and his face flushed red. She smirked.

‘Mom?’

Both heads whipped towards the sleepy, groggy voice from the stairs.

Keith was standing there, rubbing one eye, jacket off, hair disheveled. He looked-

‘Cute.’

Krolia looked at Lance and arched an eyebrow, smirking in a way only she could. His face was bright red and his eyes were as wide as saucers.

‘What?’ Keith asked, clearly still sleepy.

‘N-nothing!’

Krolia bit her lip to refrain from laughing.

She barely had time to blink before Keith was on top of Lance… hugging him?

Was Keith hugging Lance?

It looked like Lance thought the same thing as well. He was frozen stiff and staring off into space. Hug him back!

Thankfully, he did.

Krolia watched as the two launched into conversation. Lance told him all that Krolia told him and she couldn’t stop the small smile.

Suddenly a thud sounded from the top floor. She immediately stood defensively and glared at the stairs.

The two boys also turned towards the stairs.

Keith pulled out his blade and started towards the stairs when Lance stopped him.

‘Why don’t I?’

Krolia was expecting a protest but was shocked when Keith nodded and even gave the blade to Lance.

The three of them started up the stairs with Lance in the front, Krolia in the back and Keith in the middle, all of them on high alert and eyes everywhere.

It wasn’t until Keith fell down the stairs that Krolia actually laughed.

Most familiars were cats or owls or some sort of mystical, magical creature which everyone respected and feared.

It was hard to respect a dog-wolf mix.

Kosmo materialized out of thin air right on top of Keith. Krolia yelped and moved to the side as her son barreled down the stairs with a 100 pound dog. Lance spun around, knife at the ready and Krolia smirked. She lowered his hand with a reassuring smile and he blushed sheepishly.

‘Kosmo! Hey! No, stop! Kos!’ Keith tried in between his laughs. It was hard to stay mad at the dog.

‘Keith?’ Lance looked at Keith questioningly, asking for an explanation in his eyes.

He understood and gently shoved Kosmo off of him. ‘Lance, this is Kosmo.’

Kosmo perked up at the mention of Lance’s name and Krolia almost burst out laughing. The dog gave the blue eyed boy a once over before barking in approval.

He bounded over to Lance and jumped on the boy. Both of them toppled over as Lance laughed and Kosmo licked his face.

‘He’s my familiar.’

Krolia cleared her throat. ‘Well, if you both are okay, I'll be leaving.’

‘What? Why?’ Keith walked closer to her and reached out his hand. He hesitated when he remembered… he couldn’t do that anymore. She smiled at him sadly.

‘Okay.’ He whispered, as shy as a 4 year old during his first time at a playground. She looked back at Lance who was playing with the dog.

‘It’ll be alright.’ She winked. She actually winked. He blushed.

‘It’ll- What? What’s gonna- ahem. I don’t know what you’re-’ He stammered as Krolia laughed.

‘I’m your mother, Keith. Dead or not, I know what’s in your head.’ He rolled his eyes playfully. She smiled.

‘I wish I could hug you.’ She smiled softly. His expression fell and he bit his lip.

‘I miss you.’

‘I miss you too baby.’

‘You’re gonna come and visit right?’

‘Of course!’

She was already at the door. All three pairs of eyes were on her.

‘I’ll see you guys later then.’

But as she closed the door, she saw the two ghosts looking at each other. They reminded her of how she used to look at her husband.

And when she closed the door, she thought only one thing:

They’re perfect.

Chapter Text

A soft breeze blew through his hair. The sun was setting and the sky lit up. Funny, how when the cause of light went away, that was when the sky lit up. He stared at the sky, smiling when he caught the stray star popping out ahead of schedule.

He was on the rooftop of his house. The wind died down and picked up again and he sighed. He was at peace.

‘Keith!’

Scratch that.

His eyes, which he didn’t even know were closed, blew open and he sat up straight. Although it was more like a rocket taking off. He looked around, looking for the course of the yell. Of course, he knew it was Lance.

‘Hey! Over here?’ His eyes locked onto the blue eyed boy. He was on the street, waving his hands around like a madman. A couple walked through him but he didn’t seem to mind, Keith snorted, quickly bringing a hand up to cover his mouth.

‘Hmm? I hear a voice but I don't see anything.’ He feigned confusion and looked around, deliberately passing Lance. He snuck a look out of the corner of his eye just in time to see Lance pout.

Oh fuck, that’s cute.

‘Keithhhhhhhh.’ He droned, mouth drooping.

Keith laughed and tapped the space next to him. Lance smiled back and walked to the porch, eyebrows knitted in thinking.

‘You can just-’ He was effectively cut off by Lance jumping onto the roof. He hung from the edge and threw himself up. Was this kid a gymnast in a past life?

He stood on the roof, using his arms for balance. He slowly got closer to Keith and plopped himself down next to him.

Keith didn’t even know his mouth was hanging open until Lance manually closed it. He felt his face heat up and he looked at his shoes. ‘I’m guessing you were a gymnast?’

Lance blinked at him before bursting out in laughter. ‘What? Me? A gymnast? Holy shit!’ He managed to get in between fits of laughter that only made Keith burn up.

‘Keith, I can assure you that I wasn't a gymnast!’

Keith looked at him. ‘Then…?’

Lance wiped a tear from his eye (He’s got tears?! Oh that jerk!) and smiled at Keith. ‘I’ll be honest, I didn't even think that would work! I just assumed I had nothing to lose since you know.’

Keith’s mouth formed an ‘o’ and he nodded in understanding. Lance smiled and fell onto Keith’s shoulder with a sigh.

‘This is nice.’

Keith felt his eyes widen and his body go stiff. He knew Lance felt him too because he straightened back up.

‘Oh shi, I'm so sorry! I should’ve asked! I should’ve said something.’ His eyes were blown wide and his face was an adorable shade of pink. Keith chuckled and took Lance gently by the neck, pulling him down and keeping him on his lap.

He leaned back on his hands and sighed, feeling Lance relax in his lap.

Keith didn’t even notice when he fell asleep but somehow he did. He opened his eyes with a bit more force than he thought necessary. He looked up at the star littered sky. He groaned softly and started getting up. He froze when he felt something heavy on his lap. He looked down to see one very much asleep Lance on his lap, hair a mess, snoring softly. Keith held back a laugh. Who allowed him to be so cute? He smiled and moved a piece of Lance’s hair back.

He took in the sleeping boy’s features. His constellation of freckles, his soft hair, his long eyelashes that sort of tickled Keith’s thighs but he didn’t mind much. His button nose, his caramel colored skin and his overall adorable-ness.

‘Keith?’ HIs voice was rough with sleep.

‘Morning, sleeping beauty.’

‘Morning.’ Lance mumbled before nuzzling back into Keith’s lap before shooting up.

‘Morning?!’ He looked around in confusion and Keith was trying his level best to not laugh.

Lance’s face flushed red and he looked away. ‘Ha-ha, laugh it up. Very funny.’

He crossed his arms and pouted and, by god, if that didn’t make Keith want to kiss him right there.

It took both of them a few minutes to realise.

‘Keith? I don’t know why but there’s something up. Something out of place.’

Keith blinked before giving Lance a once over. ‘Umm… Lance?’

‘Yeah?’

‘You’re a few inches off the roof.’

‘I’m what now?’

Keith rolled his eyes and stood up. ‘You’re flying.’

He watched as Lance looked down and saw that yes, he was in fact, flying.

‘Keith? Did you know we could do this?’

Keith chuckled as he too felt himself lift off the roof. ‘Yeah, Lance. How do you think I got up here?’

Lance’s head snapped up and opened his mouth to say something when he saw Keith floating. ‘O-oh!’

Keith chuckled and, with all the courage he had, took Lance’s hand in his own, guiding the boy up.

‘Kei-Keith? What are you doing?’

‘Come on, you big baby. Shut up and trust me.’ Keith took his other hand out of his pocket and took Lance’s other hand.

He smiled softly and took Lance to the stars. Up- up- up until the world below was nothing but dots. He heard Lance gasp softly and at that moment, that was all that mattered.

Suddenly, somehow, Lance lost balance and toppled to the side. Keith knew that he wouldn’t get hurt but his instincts took over at that moment. He hooked his arms under Lance’s armpits.

‘Woah there. You okay?’ Keith asked, feeling his face heat up like a wildfire.

‘Uh huh.’ Lance confirmed. ‘I’m f-fine.’

Keith helped him straighten back up and cleared his throat. ‘So, what do you think?’

Lance smiled shyly at him. ‘I really don’t have any words. It’s-’

‘Yeah, I know.’ Keith smiled back.

The two made their way back to the roof. They didn’t even notice that they’re hands were still intertwined.

Nor they didn’t even notice that they fell asleep in each other's arms for the second time that day.

Nor did they care.

Chapter Text

We Are A Good Team

Sendak’s arm came clean off.

In all honesty, Keith was a bit more than terrified at that moment. The Galra’s scream vibrated Keith’s very bones and Pidge got visibly startled, staring at the Galra like he was insane.

Keith dared to look behind Sendak to see Lance, half dead, bruises all over his face, bayard fully formed, sitting upright with his eyes half closed.

He looked like he’d been through hell and back.

And Keith lost it.

His bayard formed in his hand and he ran at Sendak while he was in pain and vulnerable.

‘Keith, no!’ He ignored his brother’s voice and charged at the large Galra.

He swiped at him but Sendak narrowly avoided his blade. Keith growled and struck again, this time catching him in the chest. With the adrenaline coursing through his body, he swung his fist and punched the Galra in the face. Sendak roared in anger before pulling out his weapon and firing a shot at Keith.

Pain flared through his body as he was flung through the air, landing on the ground with a thud. With a groan, he tried to get up. He caught sight of Lance losing consciousness and falling onto the barrier.

Keith felt his breath leave him when Sendak kicked him in his gut. With a yell, he rolled to the side and clutched his stomach. When he looked back up, Pidge was on the floor and Shiro wasn’t too far away from Lance.

Lance.

Keith gathered what energy he had left and launched himself at the Galra while his back was still turned. It wasn’t until he was on his back that he realised he dropped his bayard. Nice going, Keith.

He cursed himself under his breath but tried his best to choke the Galra regardless.

And considering the fact that he was once again thrown to the other side of the room and that Sendak escaped, Keith failed. He failed miserably.

He was considering lying there for the rest of eternity so he could catch a damn breath when he heard Lance stir. All drowsiness vanished from his body and he looked at the Cuban who looked bloody, busted, bruised and beautiful. Keith shook his head to snap himself out of it and ran toward Lance as he saw Pidge help his brother up. He shot Pidge a grateful smile and returned his attention to Lance.

‘Lance, you okay?’ He crouched down and extended a hand. Lance took it without hesitation and accepted Keith’s help to straighten up.

‘Yeah.’ He sighed, dead tired no doubt. But then he turned to Keith with the softest look Keith had ever seen on him. A small smile gracing his lips, a small scar on his lips that would heal by tomorrow, lovely blue eyes and a number of bruises all over him.

‘We did it.’ Keith sucked in a breath at Lance’s sweet-as-honey voice. ‘We are a good team.’

And Keith couldn’t hold himself back any longer.

He was still holding Lance’s hand, so he used that to his advantage. With a sharp bark of laughter in relief, he tugged on the boy’s hand and pressed their lips together.

The response was practically instantaneous. At first, Keith could sense Lance was stiff with surprise and at first it was a simple, innocent press of lips. But then, he felt soft, gloved hands cup his jaw and Keith opened his mouth and closed his eyes. Lance tasted like blood and metal and granted, this wasn’t how Keith wanted their first kiss (if it would ever happen) to go but right now, this was perfect. Lance returned the kiss with a passion and Keith swore fireworks went off in his chest.

The two pulled away, the remnants of Lance’s taste still strong on Keith’s tongue. When he looked back at Lance, he was wearing a smile that, if Keith wasn’t already on his knees, brought him down onto them. God, he was so gone for this boy.

Keith helped Lance up, catching the boy when he started losing consciousness again but this time, he didn’t panic. He knew Lance would be okay. ‘Come on, Sharpshooter. Let’s get you to a pod.’

‘’Don't wanna.’ The boy drawled. Keith chuckled and picked him up bridal style. He pressed a soft kiss on Lance’s forehead. Lance sighed and nuzzled himself in the crook of Keith’s arms.

Keith smiled as the blue eyed boy started falling asleep.

‘Got me right in the heart, didn’t you Sharpshooter?’

Chapter Text

Keith didn’t hear him coming but he knew he was there anyway.

‘You’re getting good at that.’

He heard Lance chuckle. ‘You’re getting predictable.’

‘Oh woe is me!’ Keith put his hand on his forehead in an over dramatic gesture. Lance laughed and took a seat next to him.

Tonight was particularly chilly, the cold wind nipping at exposed skin.

‘Not wearing your gloves tonight? It’s freezing.’

Keith looked at his hands which were cream colored instead of their usual leathery black, not even noticing that their shield was missing. ‘O-oh. I didn’t even notice.’

Lance tilted his head. ‘They’re inside right? Want me to get 'em for you?’

Keith smiled to himself and shook his head. ‘Nah. I’m good.’

He was caught between looking at his scars and not looking at them at all. That’s not why he wore gloves, though. He didn’t even get the scars until he died. The gloves were for intimidation.

He dropped his hands and looked at towering buildings and blinding lights. Cities came to life at night. True, daytimes were all hustle and bustle but, night? That’s when the real party started.

‘Keith, I can hear your thoughts.’ Lance chuckled.

Keith blinked in shock and shook his head. ‘Sorry, just… a lot on my mind I guess.’ Like your eyes, your smile, your voice, your lips, your hair, your… everything. Just… you.

‘Oh yeah? Like what?’

‘Like how you fought with a sword.’

‘I did what now? Keith, that was ages ago!’

‘I know.’ Keith whispered, looking down.

He heard Lance sigh a sigh for the ages. ‘Keith, you have gotta start giving me stuff to work with here!’ He didn’t sound annoyed really. Just, playful.

Keith chuckled. ‘When I gave you the blade the other day. It never shrank.’

When he looked back at Lance, his jaw was practically on the floor. ‘It- it didn’t-’

Keith sighed with a smile and propped himself on his arms. ‘Eh, it’s fine. Like you said, it was ages ago. Nothing to worry about.’

‘Wha-! Nothing to worry about? Keith? What in God's name are you-! Are you crazy?’ Lance screamed. It was at those moments Keith was thankful no one else could hear them.

‘It’s because you’re a purifier. I think.’

‘You think?!’

‘Hey, I know as much as you do.’ Keith shrugged. Lance groaned.

‘You’re a real piece of a- work, Kogane.’

Keith laughed, bright and bubbly. ‘I could say the same about you!’

When he looked back at Lance, this time, he was smiling.

‘Keith?’

‘Hmm?’

‘Can I ask you something?’

‘Sure.’

‘Do you regret anything?’

Keith turned his head towards Lance. He looked like a god in the moonlight. His eyes shone, his skin was -somehow by some strange miracle- highlighted by the moonbeams and the stars reflected in his eyes.

Fuck, Keith needs to kiss this boy or he might spontaneously combust.

Keith gulped and quickly looked away from Lance.

‘Keith?’

‘Y-yeah?’

‘Are… you gonna answer?’

Fuck, what was the question?

‘I- uhhh.’ Why couldn’t he speak?

‘Is there something you need? You feeling okay? Can ghosts even get sick? Keith? Talk to me buddy! Are you dying? Wait, no. Are you having a stroke? How many fingers can you see? Keith, answer me dammit! Keith!’

Keith couldn’t take it anymore.

He grabbed Lance’s shirt, bunching it up -and possibly crumpling it under the pressure- and pulled him in.

To say the least, Lance’s squawk was… something.

Keith could try all he wanted, as many times as he wanted but he would fail to describe how it felt. It felt like heaven and hell, longing, sadness, joy, like good and bad, like right and wrong but most of all: like love.

Lance tasted like all his dreams and his nightmares. He was in reach yet Keith couldn’t touch him. He was right there but Keith couldn’t run to him. He had his arms wide open but Keith couldn’t hug him. Lance.

Lance.

Lance.

They pulled away, Lance’s eyes fluttering open.

‘Holy… shit.’ He whispered. Keith’s brain proceeded to short circuit.

‘I- I’m sorry! I really should’ve asked you! What was I thinking? You’re right, I think I had a stroke. Oh shit, i’m so sorry La-’

He was very effectively cut off with a soft press of lips against his own, Not like the first time. This time it was short, chaste. A simple press of lips. He blinked at Lance.

‘Oh.’

Oh.

Lance giggled softly. ‘Yeah. Me too.’ He got closer.

‘Keith?’

‘Hmm?’ Their lips were practically touching now.

‘Thanks.’

Keith’s hands flew up to Lance’s neck and Lance took Keith by the waist. It was powerful, addictive, passionate, and love.

Mostly love.

Only love.

And as the stars shone brighter, Keith smiled.

They were going to be okay.

Magiec balls, both blue and red, floated around them as they, once more, fell asleep in each other's arms.