The day arrived quicker than he anticipated. It was a beautiful day. The sky was clear of its lighter red plumes, and the sun shone in the middle of the horizon. He woke up early, out of both habit, and the occasion. He sat on a chair, staring at the beautiful sight he had grown to overlook.

This could be the very last day he saw it.

So many things, he thought the same of. Turning away from the sunset, he walked past the sleeping spider and cat to get to the bathroom mirror. He stared at himself for a long time, watching his own features. He was breathing. His eyes were open. He looked the same as ever. But, everything held a different kind of weight. The finality of it all was so heavy.

When he walked back, Angel had awakened, sitting against the headboard of the hotel's bed. He looked at Alastor for a second, then gave a shaky exhale, looking at the opposite corner of the room. He was obviously uncomfortable.

Alastor stood still for a while, looking at the white back wall of the room, before leaning onto the support behind him, folding his arms. It was at this point that he finally met eyes with Angel. For a moment, he felt a strong pull on his heart. The more he stared, slowly, the pain numbed out. Then he felt normal again. There was an unspoken tension, continuing to rise as the silence stood by.

A long few minutes passes, and there is rustling. Angel flips the blanket over to the side and stands up, approaching Alastor. This was much like the other day outside the hotel, but in inverse. His hands taking the one against the wall's, he looked more closely, and cautiously. His lips moved, as he didn't know what to do now. What was he even trying to do? There was only one thing for certain; something had to be done.

He blinked once to look away, and only with that, everything seemed to take an even more somber tone. His head turning just slightly, he could still see the other demon in the corners of his sight. But, soft fingers gave his cheek a soothing touch, guiding him to look back. He was greeted by an equally soft smile, but the eyes behind it were unmistakable.

Angel read them so well now.

He was lured in closer, and closer. Soon he wasn't even being pulled at all. Both of their eyes closed as they shared a kiss; one that foretold of each other's deepest emotions. Desperation, sorrow, desire, and fear. Angel pushed in harder, and Alastor gladly indulged him. Lips intimately mended, hands roamed, and hearts raced. As one took a breath, the other would wait, returning to that scared, needy glare. Anything to savor this feeling of attachment. Then, another flurry of emotions, each kiss, breath, and moan taken in to its fullest.

"I... can't lose you..." Angel had been scared to disrupt the dance they were in, but was immediately relieved to feel Alastor rub the back of his neck.

"You'll never lose me."

The words hurt to say, and evidently, it hurt Angel too, as he held tighter.

"Never..."

"If you guarantee the safety of my friends, then I'll gladly give you my life."

Alastor spoke confidently, but he was scared. He didn't have any doubt that this was what he wanted, but a second death... he hadn't considered the thought seriously.

"If this is a trick, all of them will die. And you'll live to see each of them personally."

"No games. I... understand that my time has ended."

"You'll enter the hotel alone. No funny business, or these two fine women are gone."

The call ended there. Casting the phone out into the river before him, he turned back to his companions, Angel puffing fumes into the air from a cigar, and Husk waiting in the driver's seat, looking straight ahead.

Alastor went into the backseat, and Angel flicked the poison away, getting into the passenger they drove away from the motel, he stared outside the window, watching everything fade by. Consciously, he was clinging to it all. But, he knew what he was doing was right. If he told himself days ago that he'd be sacrificing himself, he would've laughed.

"...where's the meeting spot?"

"I'll give you the directions as we go.

The drive was quiet, save for Alastor's simple, concise directions.

"We're here." Husk was quiet as he parked right in front of their destination.

"Wait... what the hell is this?"

Angel's eyes widened, and he finally looked back for the first time during the ride. That wasn't Alastor. This was a shadow.

Before he even processed it, he was back at the hotel. The sign was trashed, and the rest of the building looked worse for wear. Not surprising, since they hadn't left without a fight. Dark cars surrounded the area, parked neatly, and the front doors were wide open. No one seemed to be there, but it was obviously a trap. Seeing through his shadow's eyes, he could see Angel cry and grip his collar. He sighed, grimacing.

"I knew you two would never agree. Please, don't hate me..."

"Al', you can't do this!" Angel begged, grabbing the mimic by its shoulders.

Alastor looked into his eyes, seeing the tears threaten to flow. For a fleeting moment, he felt as if he wanted to go back. To be selfish, and just hold Angel right there and then. Maybe running everyday of his life would be worth it. He could avenge Charlie and Vaggie once his strength fully returned, even. But in the end, he shook his head, as much as his heart pleaded. It would only hurt all of them even more.

Snapping, his shadow carried out its owner's will. But for just a second, it reached out, touching Angel's cheek. Then vanished.