Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

They were singing. Of course they were. They rarely do anything but. Nevertheless, a small part of him missed it. He fiddled with the gleaming silver and blue pistol in his hands, remembering.

When he was rejected by his family, he thought things couldn't get worse. And then he died. Waking up in the shining white room was, at the time, the best thing that ever happened to him. A second chance. A chance to be accepted. A few years passed, he made some friends. Which were only things you were allowed to have. You have no possessions, no memories, nothing to yourself. Everything was done for the good of the community. For the good of the people. Only selfless acts were done. Overtime, he got tired of it. When he learned he was going to stay there for all of eternity, he freaked. He flew to the mortal plane and stayed there for a while. Patrols and search parties were sent after him but they never could find him.

Until the day he picked up the gun.

If angels were real, then so were demons.

An alley. Flash of white. Black shadows. The sound of a blade cutting through the air. Sharp teeth. Tattered wings.

And then a gunshot. From him. It went straight through the shadow monsters. Luckily it also missed whoever was being attacked. As soon as the shot was fired, a wave of sliver and blue washed over the gun. Turning it into the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen. The shadows turned towards him.

As they fanned out, he caught sight of the one being attacked and Lord Almighty, he was beautiful. Granted, bruised and dirty but beautiful nonetheless. He corrected himself, the gun was beautiful yes. But he was jaw drop gorgeous. He had hair the same color of the shadows, dark and inky. His clothes were torn, hanging off his body, barely keeping it together. He had a belt around his waist and the knife sheath attached to it. Oh, so the knife sound he'd heard earlier was from him. He had fair skin peppered with red, bloody patches all over him. He had eyes like amethysts, shining in the night. Narrowed and determined with absolutely no hint of defeat in them. And...wings. He had wings. Those were the wings he saw earlier. They had a mix of black, grey and white feathers, unlike his own which were pure white. He raised the gun and fired another shot with pinpoint accuracy. The bullet found it's mark as it lodged itself in the head of one of the monsters. Everyone, angels and demons alike, stayed where they were, shocked.

The wounded angel looked at him. The white angel still had his gun-hand raised. The wounded angel had to snap him out of it before they were both dragged to hell. He grabbed the knife next to him and, mustering all the strength he could, threw it at one of the shadows. It went straight through it as it always did. Well, unless he was holding it. If he was, then the knife would've harmed the shadow. But it didn't. It clattered onto the pavement loud enough to snap the white angel out of his daze. The wounded angel slumped against the brick wall, drained. But not before he saw sapphire eyes catch him and nodded at him with a small smile.

The white angel turned to face the rest of the shadows. With a smirk dancing on his lips, he charged. Silver streaks flew threw the air, each of them catching a shadow. He never missed. He flew a few feet off the ground and caught more shadows from higher ground. One of the shadows bite his arm. Hard. He let out a scream but kept going. Kept going until there was only one shadow left. Snarling at him, claws ready. The white angel was tired. But he couldn't stop. Not now. Not when there was only one shadow left. But he was oh, so tired. With a heart beating at the pace of 1000bpm, heavy breath, a wound that needed immediate attention on his arm and an aching body, he raised his gun. Only to have it drop back down. He collapsed to his knees. Using his hands to keep himself up, he looked at the shadow.

'Bring it, asshole.' When was the last time he swore? He couldn't remember swearing at all during his time in heaven. Mostly because he couldn't remember anything before that. But man, did it feel good!

The shadow snarled and charged.

Then it stopped.

The angel's eyes widened in surprise. He saw a sliver tip protrude from the shadow's stomach. With a thwick it was pulled back and the shadow disappeared, revealing the wounded angel, knife in hand. He looked better. Still wounded but color and strength-wise, he looked much better. They locked eyes with each other. Then, the wounded angel smiled. Small but a smile nonetheless. The white angel smiled back. Shifting his weight to one hand, he brought one hand to his chest.

'Lance.'

The wounded angel mimicked him, bringing one hand to his own chest.

'Keith.' He brought his hand down. 'Thank you.'

Lance nodded. 'Don't mention it.'

Keith opened his mouth to protest. But not before Lance interrupted.

'No, seriously. Don't. I don't wanna remember this for the rest of my afterlife.'

Keith stared at him. He rolled his eyes and let out a small laugh. Lance beamed. It was going to be okay.

He thought too soon.

A blinding white light cut the joy short. The flutter of wings, white regal clothes and a halo over their foreheads like Lance's. Keith had one too but it was dirty and cracked. Keith immediately dropped to a battle stance. But he was soon overpowered. The last thing Lance saw was Keith struggling against the other angels.

'Keith...'

Darkness.

Chapter Text

'Lance Valdez, do you know why you are here?'

Lance shook his head. The judge looked past him. Lance followed his gaze. Two more angels with another angel in between them came forward. He had a bag over his head so Lance had no idea who it was but oh, how he wanted to. Turning back to the judge, he saw him nod at the angels. Lance turned back to the angel with the bag so fast that whiplash was not far away. One of the angels who he recognized as James Griffin (How in the actual hell did he end up here? He was like the re-reincarnation of the devil!) removed the bag to reveal...

'Keith!' Lance struggled against his bonds, trying to get to Keith. He looked better yet worse. His wounds were cleaned, almost completely gone and he had some color in his face. But he was still pale and had dark bags under his eyes as if he'd been sleep-deprived. He had his head hung low. He was unconscious. He was dressed in the same white robes Lance was and that was suffocating Keith. Lance could see it. He looked better but he also looked... lifeless. Drained. Empty.

Keith snapped his head up, bringing Lance out of his thoughts. He looked around in surprise. When he recognized where he was, he growled. He was clearly not happy to be here.Clearly.

On Lance's left, there was a table with their weapons. Lance's sliver and blue gun along with Keith's purple hilted knife. He looked back at the judge.

'Now, do you know why you're here?' The judge asked smugly. The very sound wanted to make Lance growl. But he kept his cool. Though he was positive it wouldn't stay that way for long.

'No.' He said through gritted teeth.

The judge narrowed his eyes. 'Very well, for the benefit of one of the guilty: Lance Valdez you are here before the Lord himself, even though He is not with us today, to testify.'

Lance gaped. 'WHAT??'

The judge kept going, paying no heed to Lance. 'You are accused of the following: Fleeing from the kingdom of God without notifying anybody, aiding and abetting a known criminal, have a possession of your own, that possession being a dangerous weapon and using it.'

'Okay one, it was to protect Keith! And two, known criminal? Are you talking about Keith?' Lance no less than screamed in the judge's face.

'DO NOT SPEAK HIS NAME!' The judge boomed. 'And yes Lance. I am talking about The Fallen.'

Lance sneaked a look at Keith. He was still scowling at the judge.

'By the word of God, I am to execute the both of you. But I give you a choice Lance Valdez.'

Lance's expression remained unchanged.

'I will either send both of you back to the mortal plane as angels. People won't see you, hear you nor feel you. You will cease to exist on that plane yet you will still live forever. Or, you could stay here.'

That's the choice? Lance opened his mouth. He was interrupted.

'If you kill The Fallen.'

Lance's mouth sprung open like a door hinge. He felt the shackles on his hands, legs and wings release. He rubbed his wrists which were raw and red. Another angel who he knew as Nyma (Again, how did she even make it up here?) held his gun to him. Lance interchanged between looking at Nyma and the gun.

He took the gun.

The angels parted like the Red Sea and made a path for Lance leading him to Keith. He walked towards him. His steps were light and soundless yet quick. The two angels holding Keith pushed him down and brought him to his knees. Keith let out a small cry in pain as his knees hit the marble floor, hard. He slowly looked at Lance. His eyes big and shining, his skin flawless save for the nasty cut in his cheek that Lance swore wasn't there earlier. The angels must have done this to him. Keith's lips were tight and thin. His hair which was tied up in a ponytail flowed with the breeze that entered the room. Not even Lance knew where the wind came from. A couple of strands freed themselves from the ponytail and framed his face quite nicely. Yet, as observing all of this, Lance kept a stone cold expression plastered on his face. It hurt.

He raised the sliver and blue pistol and held the barrel to Keith's forehead. The angel closed his eyes, lowered his head and exhaled. Lance tightened his lips and put a fraction of pressure on the trigger. Not enough to shoot but if he added the slightest bit of pressure, it would go off. He mimicked Keith and exhaled. He knew what he had to do.

He dropped the gun.

Keith had his eyes fixed on it, in shock. He hadn't taken the shot? Why? Didn't Lance want his life here?

Lance turned towards the judge with his head held high.

'I've made my choice.' He announces.

The judge frowns but nods all the same.

'Any last words Lance Valdez?'

Lance thought about it. If there was one thing Lance knew how to do, it was go out with a big finish. He smiled, cheeky and devious yet with poison in it. He stole a side glance at Keith and smirked. Keith couldn't help but smile back. He was in awe of the angel with the gun in front of him. In awe of his bravery, his compassion. Lance turned back to the judge but he was addressing the entire room.

'Espero que ardas en el infierno!'

The entire room gasped. One of the benefits of being an angel was the ability to understand almost all languages. But you couldn't speak them unless you were taught the language during your time as one of the Living. So yeah, everyone heard and everyone understood what Lance said. But only Keith smiled.

Chapter Text

They were singing. Of course they were. The cold breeze nips at his caramel skin. He brings an arm up to where he'd been bitten all those months ago. Of course, when he was taken to The Court they had cleaned him up. But he still remembered where it used to be. He closes his eyes and inhales. He let his thoughts roam wild. Looking back at the whole 'judge incident' he thinks to himself, I'm free. Did they really think I'd give up this so I can sing Hallelujahs every morning for the rest of eternity? Looking back at the incident he thinks,

Worth it.

He chuckles and lets his feet dangle off the edge of the building. It's been 6 months and he had not seen Keith since the 'incident'. Keith would send out a signal asking for help, help Lance defeat the shadows and then take off before Lance could get a good look at his face. Jerk. But Lance loved the chase so he played along, He tried to get a good glimpse at Keith and Keith, who by the time had caught onto what Lance was doing, would try his best to avoid Lance unless he needed serious backup. And that only made Lance fall in love with Keith even more.

He opens his eyes and sees the all too familiar flash of white and black in the distance. That's his cue. He tucks the gun in his belt, pulls himself to his feet and stands on the edge of the 70 foot drop. He glanced down with an eager smile.

He bites his lips and falls.

He's freefalling through time and space. He turns sideways and upside down as he let the wind do what it wanted with his body. But not for long. He feels his wings unfurl. God, the sensation of feeling your wings unfurl was like no other. It was freeing, liberating and felt oh, so good! He feels his descent slow as he floats on air. No time to waste. He uses his legs to propel himself forward at the same time giving him a boost in speed. He makes it to the alley from which he saw the flash in record time and whips his gun out. Those damn shadows would not give up! He hears familiar thwicks and swooshs as he sets him self down and joins the battle.

'Hey guys!' He says with a low, seductive voice that immediately grabs the shadows attention.

A smirk dances on his face once more as he charged.

It was a simple one today. 2-against-4. Honestly, Keith could've taken all 4 of them and come out unscathed. Why had he called Lance?

The black haired angel saw him fly in and he looked like... well, an angel. A small, white glow around him, his chocolate brown hair slightly covered by his halo which was now, like Keith's, cracked and blackening. He was wearing a grey cloth that covered his shoulders, chest and slightly resembled a scarf. His sapphire eyes shone like blue moons, playful and determined. He was going to have fun. As soon as he saw him, Keith got an immediate energy boost. But it didn't make him forget their little 'game' if he could call it that. Keith was wearing his usual clothes. Black leggings, long-sleeved shirt and a coat that only covered half his upper body so he easily blended in with the darkness. He should've worn the longer coat. It was cold today. Lance lands and fires two shots straight into the head of one of the shadows at the same time Keith gets a window of opportunity and takes it with no hesitation as he stabs another shadow. He wasn't going to tell Lance but there were actually 8 shadows. Keith had defeated half already. Mostly just to spite Lance.

Even though neither of them would admit it, over the past 6 months, they had made a pretty good team. True, their styles and weapons couldn't be more different from each other but somehow they made it work. Neither of them knew how but they didn't question it. It was their teamwork that kept them unharmed so far right? Shadows were the only things in all planes that could harm angels. But Lance and Keith defeated- no, destroyed every single shadow that dared take on either of them. Keith thrusts his knife again, this time he misses. But thanks to quick reflexes he avoids the shadow's attack.

Keith had gotten his knife back courtesy of Lance Valdez. That smooth bitch had gone and stolen both their weapons back from Heaven. Keith was a mixture of baffled, surprised and relieved when Lance had literally swooped in one day and dropped his purple hilted knife right next to his feet!

As the shadow falls to the ground and disappears, Keith sees Lance struggling against the last one. Why does Lance always get the last one? Keith shakes his head and decides to test their teamwork. He pushes off the wall and breaks into a run. Knife ready, he comes up behind the shadow unnoticed. He stabs it from behind and jumps. As he goes higher, he drags the knife along the back of the shadow and produces an ungodly screech from the shadow. But they weren't done yet. Keith neatly backflips over the shadow's head and smirks.

Lance knew what Keith was doing.That bastard! Lance smirks and waits for Keith to finish his part. They had only ever done this once a while back but Lance remembered it. Clear as rain. As Keith flips, Lance raises his gun and, trusting himself not to shoot Keith, he fires two more shots straight into the shadow's head. Keith lands on his feet and the shadow disappears. Keith turns toward Lance. Lance shows signs of mock disbelief.

'Do I even know you now?' He says playfully.

Keith rolls his eyes and tucks the knife into his sheath. 'See, this is why I don't stick around.'

Gotcha! 'Then why did you stay this time? I haven't seen your pretty face in 6 months.'

Keith's expression shows the slightest hint of surprise before it resumes it's cocky-ness.

'Pretty huh?' He raises an eyebrow.

Lance's face turns bright red. Well shit Valdez. Nice going. 'Well, yeah. I mean, at this point any face is pretty but in your case, I haven't seen you in 6 months Kogane! Give me a break!'

Then, Keith laughs. He actually laughs. Lance was willing to testify (again) before God himself that Keith was laughing. And it was beautiful. Lance had absolutely no choice but join in. As it died down, Keith looks straight into Lance's eyes with a smile still lingering on his face.

'I missed you too.'

Lance does an internal double take. Keith missed him? Sound the alarm! Alert the world! Lance should mark the day on his nonexistent calendar and celebrate it annually!

'You...you did?'

Keith rolls his eyes yet again. 'Of course I did. You're the only other angel here.'

Oh. That's why. Lance couldn't help but feel a bit let-down. But hey! At least he was still friends with Keith. Wait. Was he?

'Keith, are we friends?' Lance asks.

Keith looks at Lance with a soft smile. 'I think we used to be.'

Lance's heart drops straight to hell. Did Keith want to end their 'friendship'? What did Lance do? Why was Keith being so nice about it? What in the name of hell is going on?

But Keith wasn't finished. He takes nimble steps towards Lance. Lance instinctively takes a step back. Seeing this, Keith smiles making Lance all the more confused. He furrows his eyebrows as the black-haired angel inches closer and closer. Keith is literally right under his nose.

Ay Dios mio! He's even more beautiful up close! Lance notices that Keith is actually shorter than him. Not extremely but about half an inch shorter.

'But I...I wanna...' Keith falters. Lance brings a hand up to Keith's face and caresses it gently.

Keith looks at him. At his gorgeous sapphire eyes, at the constellation of freckles that cover the bridge of his nose and cheeks. Oh Lord. I know you probably hate us but frankly I don't give a damn about it. I just wanna thank you for creating Lance Valdez. Guess you got one thing right.

And then, Keith moves.

Lance saw it coming. But all the preparation in the world wouldn't be enough to prepare him for Keith's lips on his. They were soft and sweet. Oh wow. Fireworks explode inside both of them. Lance's hand, which was already on Keith's cheek, unfurls and cups the smaller angel's cheek. This was heaven. Keith brings his hands up and wraps themselves around Lance's neck, pulling him closer.

As they pull away, both feel full. Complete. To each other, they were the piece of the puzzle they couldn't find until now. The other half. Their partner, their soulmate. Their world.

They never let go of each other.

Both wings rolled up into themselves and their clothes changed. Soon, Lance was sporting a light blue sweater, grey pants and sneakers while Keith wore a black t-shirt and his coat changed color. It turned red. Which matched his black boots with red highlights.

Hands still intertwined, they walked out of the alley and onto the street.

Together.

...With My Heart On The Trigger

They say before you start a war
You better know what you're fighting for
Well baby, you are all that I adore
If love is what you need, a soldier I will be