Saying goodbye is never easy.

Or: when Keith leaves for the blade

xXx

"Why…" Lance's trailed off as he answered his own question before he'd asked it; his eyes landing on Keith's purple blade suite in his arms, his boots in the other.

"Don't tell me…" Again, he didn't even need to finish his words before Keith was nodding sadly, his heart aching as Lance's expression sunk, eyebrows slanting, lips pouting slightly, eyes cast down at the ground; he looked like a kicked puppy, Keith bit his lip.

"It's only six months…" Keith was going to finish the sentence with 'it's not that long' but even that felt wrong, because six months was half a year. Lance was looking at him now, face scrunched up, "Could be longer than that. Then what? You come back for two weeks, maybe three, and then you're gone again?" Lance stepped forward this time, sighing.

"The blade needs me Lance." It sounded like such a selfless statement, and it was. His heart only ached more as Lance gave him a look that said 'but, I need you.'

His caught his lip between his teeth again as the back of his throat burned; tears clouded his vision. "I'm sorry Lance, I'm so sorry." Then Lance was stepping forward again, arms reaching out and Keith flinched away from the touch, hurting both the paladins in response. But Keith couldn't give in; no matter how much it hurt.

"At least let me touch you." It was something so innocent, something so sad, but something so desperate. Keith sighed sadly, the first tear threatening to fall from his eyes, "No, it'll only make it worse." His voice came out far too raspy and broken, Lance simply blinked at him, his own tears building in his eyes, wrapping his own arms around himself as he stepped back, letting his bangs cover his eyes so he didn't need to see Lance's face.

"I don't care, stop being so stubborn for once in your life." Lance practically pulled Keith towards him, wrapping his arms around him. Keith complied, hugging back just as tightly as he seeped into Lance's warmth, letting a shaky laugh leave him. He buried his face in Lance's neck, finally letting out a wea sob. He wasn't even aware that he was crying until he felt Lance crying too, a shaky "Just let me have this" Escaped from his mouth as he continued to hold Keith close.

Lance wouldn't dare let go; to have his crush run away to join another team- out on dangerous missions against the Galra, basically digging his own grave for him…not many Blade soldiers returned…god damn it Keith, always trying to be the hero.

"Lance." He sobbed, "I don't have time, I have to go." Although they both knew had Keith had his way he'd never ever let go. Ever.

"I know." His heart ached as he finally let the shorter male go, hating the way his arms obeyed Keith's wishes, how much he wished they wouldn't. How much he wished someone would be able to stop Keith from going; someone could knock some crazy sense into him that he didn't have to do this.

God, Keith had never loved before, but he was sure this is what he was feeling now. The past few months had been a dream with Lance; one too good to be true.

"I love you." The words slipped so effortlessly past his lips, so perfectly. He figured they'd feel foreign to him; never had a family, or a lover, no brothers or sisters…but it felt so right, so he said it again. "I love you, Lance."

"I love you too," Lance whispered, the words paining him. "So much." He reached forward with one hand, probably crossing the line by now, but he didn't care; thankfully neither did Keith. He held Keith's face gently as he leaned in to press his lips against Keith's.

It was just like their first kiss, soft and gentle, sweet, and caring. So, so fragile. As if Lance was worried he'd break him, and how much he did break him as they broke apart, giving him that broken sad pout. Keith leaned in and hugged him once more, trying to stand on the tips of his toes so their foreheads touched. He shook as he cried, his legs threatening to collapse beneath him.

"I have to go." The words ring a silence through them, making the air thick, suddenly too hard to breath or speak. Lance couldn't had been happier when they'd gotten together a few months ago, the blade wasn't even a thought in their minds back then, they were just lovesick stupid teenagers.

He pressed a painfully soft kiss to Lance's lips before he feet trembled and he couldn't hold himself up anymore, falling back onto the soles of his feet. "I promise I'll see you again. I promise."

"I know you will, you're smart; you'll find a way." He finally let Keith go completely, heart breaking in half as he watched his soulmate walk away, still wiping his tears.

Leaving Lance in the dark.

xXx

I'm sorry :D