A/N: For the HP Potions Comp (Elixir to Induce Euphoria...oh, the irony) and If You Dare (78. To the End).
Warning: Character death.

I.

"Dean," Seamus groans, resisting the urge to cover his ears, "will you knock it off?"

The other boy stops himself mid verse, lips twisting into a frown. "I was singing, Shay," he says, his tone a cross between irritation and confusion.

Eyes rolling, Seamus sighs, patting his boyfriend's cheek affectionately. "Look, mate, you're a brilliant artist, all right? But your singing is..."

"Equally brilliant?"

Seamus snorts before growing serious. His features form a torn mask as he searches for a delicate way of putting things. "It's...well, it's not very good."

"Rubbish!"

"That works, too," Seamus agrees before ducking out of the way before Dean can smack him. "Oi!"

II.

Seamus sits on Dean's empty bed, hands smoothing over the sheets.

Dean's bed. Even if he's on the run, even if he won't be coming back to Hogwarts, it's still his.

Seamus lays down, eyes closing, wishing he could feel Dean's arms around him. Hell, he even wishes he could hear Dean's ghastly, out of key wailing.

Maybe he's more of an artist than a singer, but Dean's voice has always been warm, familiar. Merlin knows it would be a greater comfort than the silence that's only broken by Neville's snoring.

Turning fitfully on his side, Seamus hums the tune of some annoying, popular Muggle song Dean had forced him to listen to a few summers back. It isn't Dean's voice, but, with closed eyes, Seamus can almost pretend.

III.

Seamus throws his arms around Dean, not caring that people are watching. "Don't you ever leave me again," he says, pulling Dean closer and holding on tightly, so afraid to let go and lose him again.

"Didn't have much of a choice," Dean mutters grimly, shaky fingers caressing his lover's bruised and swollen face. "Shay, I-"

But Seamus doesn't want a tearful reunion of deep, heartfelt exchanges. He's shed enough tears already, and he wants this to be a happy moment.

"When this is all over, you can howl and shriek all you want. I won't say a word. Promise."

With a roll of his eyes, Dean pulls away, wearing an amused grin. "I sing. I don't howl."

Seamus gives him a quick kiss. "Whatever helps you sleep at night, mate."

IV.

He's hit and bleeding out. In the chaos of the battle, no one can do a damn thing to help him, and Seamus doesn't know enough about reversing dark magic to save himself. His body grows cold and light. It won't be long before he's just another name on the list of the fallen.

"Shay!"

Dean cradles him against his chest, fingers pushing through sandy hair. "Don't you dare, Shay," he pleads frantically. "Don't you dare leave me."

Seamus gives a shaky smile. Dean is there. In the midst of all the noise and confusion, he's there, and his touch will be the last thing that Seamus feels. "Don't have much of a choice," he says, coughing violently, blood trickling down his chin.

"C'mon, Shay. You can't. You promised I could howl all I want," the other boy insists in desperation.

"Sing," Seamus corrects in a rasp. "You sing."

"Takes dying for you to admit that I was right," Dean laughs, though tears fall, landing on Seamus' cheeks. "You're so Irish."

"Sing to me," Seamus whispers. "Sing me to sleep, Dean."

"I can't."

Seamus closes his eyes, body shuddering. He doesn't want the war to be the last thing he hears. "Please..."

Still caressing Seamus' hair, Dean gives a weak nod. "Lullaby, and goodnight," he sings in his sharp, breaking voice. "Go to sleep, sweet Seamus. Lullaby, and goodnight-"

There's a content smile on Seamus' lips as he exhales his final breath.