Deadly Kiss.

"The Elder Wand, The Invisibilty Cloak, and The Resurrection Stone." Albus recited for the nth time in the last month, and Gellert nodded approvingly. They sat in the lawn of the little Godric's Hollow cottage, late afternoon sun beaming down.

"If we acquire all three, then we will become the Masters of Death. Which, supposedly, means we will be immortal. We cannot die." Gellert leaned closer, and Albus' breath hitched slightly. "Don't you think that could be a valuable asset?"

Albus' cheeks coloured slightly. "Of course. I don't disagree with you, Gellert. But if my memory serves correctly… The Elder Wand must be won from the previous owner. Correct?"

"Correct."

"And if there are two of us…" Albus hesitated. This question had been weighing on his mind for a while — since they'd first come up with this whole Master of Death business. But he had shoved it away, far, far away, soothing himself with the thought that Gellert would never trick him. Gellert loved him.

Probably. He hadn't really said anything yet.

But the question still had to be asked. "…Then which one of us gets the wand?"

To his disappointment, Gellert hesitated, those usually bright icy blue eyes darkening slightly as though mildly annoyed before they returned to their usual sparkling mischief. "Whoever wins it."

Albus chewed on his lip, looking down at his lap. And Gellert seemed to sense his discomfort, for he shifted closer, placing a gentle hand on Albus' shoulder.

"Albus."

Albus looked up, meeting those infuriating eyes that seemed to have a magical hold over him.

"If you win the wand, you know I won't fight you for it. I can't harm you. We have a pact, remember?" Gellert reached under his shirt and produced a small phial filled with dark red liquid. "We can't fight eachother. Ever."

Albus forced a small smile, though it didn't reach his eyes, and nodded. "Right."

However, Gellert seemed to see that he was still uneasy, for he leaned closer still and pressed his lips to Albus' temple. The action was so sudden, so unexpected, that Albus' brain completely shut down.

"Wha— People might see!" He sputtered, looking around in case someone was watching. Gellert, however, just smirked.

"So what?"

He leaned in again, but this time Albus was prepared, and he leaned back to dodge, though he was suppressing a smile. "Gellert. We're outside. Don't get ahead of yourself."

Gellert sighed dramatically, settling back down on the bench, and Albus felt a sudden burst of courage, perhaps fueled by Gellert's pout.

"Gellert?"

"Yes?"

"I love you."

For a moment, the blond simply stared at him in shock. Such a long moment, in fact, that Albus was about to take it back, probably apologise for saying anything at all. But then Gellert smiled ever so slightly, and Albus felt his shoulders relax.

"I love you too."

*******

Gellert felt his heart melt just a little bit as Albus looked at him with those hesitant eyes. Initially, he thought of leaving the confession to hang in the air, unreturned. Yet, the words slipped before he could stop them.

"I love you too."

He saw the moment Albus relaxed, the moment all the doubts left his mind as he returned Gellert's smile.

And for a moment, everything was perfect.

Then Albus' nonsensical excuse for a brother stormed out of the cottage, coming to a stop in front of both of them. His face was contorted with anger, his hands resting on his hips as he addressed Albus.

"Forgotten about us, have you?"

Albus let out a longsuffering sigh, as though he dealt with this every day. "I simply stepped out for a moment—"

"A moment!" Aberforth exploded, his face beginning to go red. "Every day, you 'step out for a moment' — conveniently when Ariana wakes up — only to sit with your beau and what, plot world domination together?"

"Now, Aberforth—" Albus began, rising to his feet, and Gellert rose with him. But Aberforth wasn't done.

"Every single day, I feed her and talk to her and care for her with all the love in my heart. I try to fill Mother's shoes, to make sure she doesn't lose control and snap. Not to mention household chores and making up stories to tell the bloody neighbours about how she isn't crazy, she's simply ill. I spend all day, every day inside with her, working my backside off, and what are you doing? You're out here, falling for this nutcase and his far-fetched plots simply because you crave his affection. You neglect Ariana and the duties you've been given, for a fleeting summer and a dream of forcing Muggles into subservience. You cannot travel the world with Ariana, and you'd best give it up now. You know she's too weak to tag along with you and your grand plans."

Gellert had to resist the urge to toss the idiotic boy over the fence, taking a deep breath and speaking in a quiet, sharp tone.

"Don't you understand? Your sister won't have to be hidden once we've changed the world. The wizards won't be in hiding, and the Muggles will know their place. Wizards will reign supreme, and a stupid little boy like you won't stop it."

Aberforth drew his wand just as the sister, Ariana, poked her head out of the door.

"Expelliarmus!"

Gellert dodged easily, and he saw red.

"Crucio!"

Aberforth collapsed, writhing in pain. Ariana gasped, taking a few steps closer. And that was when Albus stepped in, drawing his wand and disarming Gellert with a flick of his wrist.

"What on earth are you doing?" He snapped, moving to help his brother to his feet. Aberforth refused and stood up himself.

Gellert sneered, summoning his wand back into his hand and pointing it between them.

He didn't bother to reply.

And finally, it was Aberforth who began the fight again.

Gellert wasn't too sure who he was hitting. He knew the harmful curses couldn't hit Albus because of the pact. He could hear Ariana crying and screaming, but all he could see was bright lights, and all he could feel was the firm wood of his wand in his hand.

A curse, he wasn't sure from whom, went astray and hit Ariana directly in the chest.

The world seemed to slow as she fell, her body hitting the grass with a thud.

Aberforth, Albus, and Gellert all stared at her, not quite registering.

Gellert recovered first and fled. The last thing that he saw was Albus' face, filled with grief and guilt.