Klance
Demon/Demon Hunter AU
Keith could remember when he met Lance. He was in the beginning stages of hunter training. He had found Lance in a clearing, and at first, Keith had thought he was just another kid his age. Maybe about six or seven.
Lance was crouched by the water's edge, poking at the wet dirt with a twig, tears streaking his tan cheeks. Keith had tucked away his knife and cautiously approached him.
"Hey. Are you okay?"
The boy looked up at him with large, sad blue eyes. His eyes widened - if possible - and stumbled back with a cry. "Hey- it's okay!" Keith yelped, raising his hands up. "I won't hurt you!"
"Y-you're a hunter!" They boy sobbed, pointing up at him. "You're one of them! You took my family!" He shouted, fat tears drenching his cheeks and dripping to the ground,
Keith blinked. "You know I'm a hunter? Why would a hunter take your family?"
The boy snarled. "I'm a water demon!" He squeaked, rubbing at his red eyes. "Hunters took them... There was blood... Lots of blood..." The boy curled into himself, sobbing loudly.
Keith's heart clenched. That must have been the hunt his brother and father went on that morning. Keith was taught that demons had no feelings, so seeing this demon break down made him angry towards his father. Keith slid him knife out of it's sheath and watched as the boy flinched. Keith then set the blade down and the demon's eyes widened. "I promise I won't hurt you, okay? My name is Keith. What's yours?"
He blinked owlishly. "Lance..." He whispered. Keith smiled and carefully moved closer. "You're a hunter..."
Keith nodded, then knelt in front of the boy. "And you're a demon." Lance blinked in wonder. "You could kill me just as easily as I could with my knife."
Lance then viciously shook his head. "No! Mamá said to not hurt anyone that didn't have something to defend themselves with!" Lance yelled, blue eyes desperate.
Keith smiled. "Then I won't hurt you, just like I promised." Lance stared up at Keith, then a small smile slowly curled his lips. Keith spotted his small, but sharp, canines. He looked back up to Lance's deep blue eyes.
"Okay."
And they've been close since. Keith knew not to tell his father or brother about Lance because they would try to hurt him. Keith didn't want that.
Shiro did become suspicious of Keith's absences, but he never asked because he'd always come back unharmed and happy.
Sure, Lance and Keith argued and would have petty competitions, but Keith loved the sparkle in Lance's eyes as they looked at one another. That sparkle seemed to get brighter and brighter each year they spent together.
One night, Shiro and his father sat him down.
"We notice you hesitate before you attack a demon." His father started with. Keith tried not to flinch.
