As he entered his home, he decided against going to the upper floor. At the lower level, he usually stashed materials for future sculptures, as well as his completed works that hadn't been sold, his car, and other miscellanea. Now, most of it was empty. He'd shipped off or moved most of the items, either to galleries or material vendors. With the car in the shop, the entire area seemed as empty as Simon felt.
He sat down on the cool floor, all energy drained out of him. What the hell was he going to do now? He had three days to finish his task for the agency, but he couldn't care less about it. Luc and Dury followed him wherever he went, and he knew he needed to find a solution.
"It's easy, you know," Dury said. This time, Simon didn't even look up. He was beginning to get used to the young man's sudden appearances.
"Is it?" he asked. "I don't quite think so."
Dury laughed. "You have a phone in your pocket, do you not? You just have to press 1 and speed-dial Luc."
How did Dury know Simon still had Luc on speed-dial? Feeling lame and humiliated, he shot to his feet to face Dury. The younger man just stood there, a kind smile on his face, eyes warm and sad.
Realization struck Simon and he gaped at Dury."You love him too, don't you?"
"That doesn't matter," Dury answered. "He has to be with you."
Meeting Dury had Simon strangely off kilter, but for once, Simon understood. It seemed somewhat easier to make sense of Dury's actions, even if Simon still didn't know how Dury managed to do the things he did.
Dury's obvious sadness called out to Simon, and he found that he could no longer hold himself back. These new emotions confused the hell out of him, but for once, he'd go with the flow and see what happened. Fighting it didn't seem to show any result anyway. He took a step forward and wrapped his arms around Dury. The younger man tensed, but Simon held him tightly. "Shh. It's okay."
Dury gave him a startled look. "Simon…"
"It's okay," Simon repeated. "You can let go for a little while."
Dury buried his face in Simon's shirt, and his small body fit against Simon's. Tears soaked through the material, and a sense of protectiveness swelled inside Simon. In that moment, he could only think about making Dury's pain go away. "We'll work something out."
Dury looked up, and offered Simon a small smile. "Thanks. But really, I'm fine."
Simon was not convinced. He had no idea why he cared, but he did. And then their gazes met, and Simon felt himself fall into the green depths of Dury's eyes. Without really acknowledging his own actions, he lowered his head and pressed his mouth to Dury's.
Dury let out a sound of surprise, and tried to move away. His efforts to break free were weak and feeble at best, though, and in a few seconds, he surrendered and parted his lips. Slender arms wrapped around Simon's neck, and Simon deepened the kiss, Dury's taste so intoxicating it made his head spin.
He pushed Dury down gently, never separating their lips. His hands slipped under the tight material of the younger man's shirt. Dury's skin felt so soft to the touch, like hot silk, and Simon couldn't get enough.
The cold concrete was uncomfortable and Simon flipped them, allowing Dury to be on top. He couldn't stomach the idea of seeing bruises taint that flawless body. Gasping, Dury threw down his top and began to work on Simon's shirt. He pressed kisses to every inch of skin exposed, and Simon groaned as pleasure shot through him. God, he wanted Dury so badly. He ached to bury himself inside that sweet ass, to fill the younger man's body with his seed.
Dury sucked on his neck, rubbing against Simon in a frantic rhythm. He moved lower down, unbuttoning Simon's shirt all the way through. His tongue swept over Simon's chest, then down his abs, following the treasure trail that lead to his cock. Then, his hands went to unbuckle Simon's belt and lower his zipper. Simon arched against Dury as he felt the younger man's fist dig into his boxers and grip his shaft.
"Fuck… Dury. Touch me."
At his plea, Dury pushed off Simon's underwear altogether. Simon would have liked to do more, but Dury took control. The younger man moved his hand up and down Simon's shaft seemingly fascinated with the hard flesh. Simon saw Dury lick his lips and give him an uncertain look.
"Dury," Simon begged, "suck me. Please."
Simon's words must have cast aside Dury's doubts. He lowered his mouth over Simon's dick and his beautiful, full lips enclosed the engorged shaft.
At first, Dury's motions remained slightly hesitant, but he got over it quickly. His head bobbed up and down Simon's cock and Simon gasped, forcing himself to stay still. He could tell Dury was inexperienced and he didn't want to hurt or surprise the younger man. Alas, Dury also seemed a natural at this, and his enthusiasm more than made up for his lack of experience. In spite of his good intentions, Simon found himself thrusting inside Dury's mouth, fucking his lover's face.
Dury took him gladly, his moans sending sweet vibrations through Simon's dick. The sensations escalated until he could no longer contain himself. He tried to warn Dury, but his young lover just took him deeper. Their eyes met, and Simon exploded, pouring his seed down Dury's throat.
Dury sputtered, and a bit of Simon's essence trickled out of his mouth. Dury's lips looked beautifully swollen from taking Simon's cock. Still reeling from the orgasm, Simon reached for his lover, aching to give Dury the same pleasure, to make the other man his.
Their mouths met once again and Simon tasted himself on Dury's tongue. His trembling hand reached inside Dury's pants, palming his lover's hard dick. But as his hand touched Dury's erection, the young man recoiled as if he'd been struck.
"God, what am I doing? I'm sorry. So sorry. This was a mistake."
Simon's heart hurt at Dury's words. Sure, the situation looked very complicated, but Simon somehow knew that, with time and patience, they could make things work. "Dury," he tried, "don't say that."
Dury shook his head. "I have to go," he said, voice small and startled. "Please, call Luc."
Before Simon could say anything else, Dury simply vanished. Simon stared at the place where Dury had been and wondered if this had all been a peculiar dream. Finally, he decided there was only one way to figure things out.
Taking a deep breath, he retrieved his phone and pressed 1.
Chapter Seven
Luc agreed to meeting with Simon that very same day. He'd sounded a bit confused, but also decided, and Simon wondered how much Dury had told him. More importantly, he wondered what he himself would say. It all depended on what Luc felt and wanted.
Of common accord, they met at the same café. This time, Simon arrived later, and by the time he got there, Luc was already sitting at a hidden table, sipping from a cup.
"Hi," he greeted Simon.
"Hello," Simon answered as he swept his gaze over his former lover. Luc's eyes were shadowed, and he looked tired, but serene. He smiled, and Simon felt he'd gone back in time. Only he hadn't, as his heart and mind irritatingly provided. Dury was still there, between them.
He sat at the table and the waiter appeared to take his order. "How's the book going?" Simon asked, reluctant to begin the serious discussion at once.
"Good, good," Luc answered. "Dana seems to like it, and for once, I'm not struggling with writer's block."
"I'm happy to hear that," Simon replied. The waiter returned with Simon's espresso and Simon took a few moments to figure out how to breach the topic.
As usual, Luc didn't prod. He just waited, dark eyes scrutinizing Simon's face. For some reason, they gave Simon strength. This was still Luc, the man who knew him best. "I wanted to talk to you about Dury," he said.
Luc seemed surprised. "What about him?"
"We've been… ah… spending some time together for the past few days," he said. Luc's eyes flashed and Simon wondered how to explain things without making it sound like they were fucking behind Luc's back. "He insists that we should get back together, that we're meant to be."
"He told me that too," Luc replied neutrally. "I didn't know that he met with you as well,
though."
His voice took an accusing tone toward the end, and Simon knew he needed to tell Luc the truth. "Luc, I'll be honest. I'm in love with you. I have been for almost two years now. I never wanted to break up with you, just to push your hand into loving me back." Luc's eyes widened in obvious shock. "Please, let me finish," Simon said. "I can't sculpt anymore because you're not at my side. Someone asked me what I was willing to do to get you back. I'd do anything, Luc, anything. I want us to be together." He paused, and watched his former lover gulp in nervousness.
"I feel a 'but' coming in," Luc said.
Simon nodded. "But I care for Dury too. I don't know how it happened. Hell, I don't even know who Dury is, how he can do the things he does. I just…" He choked, the memory of Dury's tears overwhelming him.
"I know," Luc answered. "I feel the same."
Simon didn't think he'd heard that right. "What?"
"For the past months, I've wanted to crawl back to you, to beg you to take me back. But it didn't seem right, not with the way things ended." He paused, and Simon winced, knowing his former lover was remembering that night. On impulse, Simon had invited another man over, his anger and frustration besting his reason. Luc had heard the man's voice, and probably thought Simon cheated on him. In truth, Simon had kicked his guest out shortly after their call, too depressed to even think about sex. "Nothing happened that night. With the guy, I mean."
For a few seconds, Luc didn't say anything. He then reached for Simon's hand and squeezed it. "I hate this," he whispered. "We never used to be awkward together."
Simon let out a little laugh. "I guess talking about feelings does that to a person."
That actually drew a small smile out of Luc. "True. I'm very bad at that. Dury always says…" His smile faded and his grip on Simon's hand tightened. "I think I love him too. As for what he is, he's just… Dury."
Simon didn't understand, but Luc proceeded to clarify, "He came to me claiming to be my plot bunny, of all things. I didn't believe him at first, but stuff happened, unexplainable stuff. And now… now I don't know what to think anymore."
"Do you think he lied to you?"
"He's obviously been keeping things from me," Luc said darkly. "I know next to nothing about him. And yet…"
"Maybe we should be talking to him too," Simon suggested.
Luc nodded. "That sounds good." He hailed the waiter to bring them the check. As they retrieved their wallets to pay, a small boy approached the table.
"Excuse me, sir," the boy told Simon, "this is for you."
Simon gave the boy a confused look. He saw the child was offering him a sealed envelope. Luc eyed him curiously and Simon shrugged. "Who is it from?"
The child pointed across the street and both Luc and Simon looked in that direction. They saw Dury standing there, smiling, dressed in his little combat boots and ruffled skirt. Dury waved at them and blew them a kiss. Then a car passed, blocking Dury from sight. When Simon could see through the traffic again, Dury was gone. He turned toward the boy, only to realize the child had run away.
"The letter," Luc said hastily. "Read the letter."
With trembling hands, Simon gently opened the envelope.
Dear Simon and Luc,
If you're reading this, it means that my time with you has ended. I am happy to see that you've settled your differences. I'm sure that now, when you have each other back, you'll have no trouble with each of your gifts.
It's true that I've kept things from you, but it was for the best. I genuinely care for both of you, but I do not belong here. Please remember me fondly, because that is how I will remember you.
I don't know if we'll ever see each other again. I wish you many happy years together. Above all else, remember that you love each other and don't let anything or anyone stand in the way of that love.
With deep affection,
Dury
"He's gone," Simon said, feeling numb. "He left."
Luc shook his head furiously. "No. He can't have gone far. We can still reach him."
"You know as well as I do it's not so easy," Simon replied. He could see it now, so clearly. Dury wasn't of this world.
"We need help."
"Help?" Luc repeated. "Who would believe us? Who would even care?"
The words of Father Michael echoed in Simon's mind. "Come on. I have an idea."
Luc left a hundred dollar bill on the table and they rushed out. Since Luc didn't much like to drive and Simon's car was in service, they were forced to hail a cab. With luck, they found one with a fair amount of ease and hastily got in. Simon gave the driver the address to the church and the man started the car. As they went down the streets, Simon scanned the sidewalks for any sign of Dury. Predictably, they didn't find him.
Simon was beginning to question his own sanity. Was he really going to some random church, hoping a random priest would help him find his gay lover? That sounded unreasonable even to Simon himself. He half-wanted to tell the driver to stop the car, but something inside him kept him from doing so.
When they at last got to the church, Simon and Luc rushed out of the cab. The driver yelled after them, and only then did Simon remember he hadn't paid. Cursing, he took out his wallet and tossed a couple of bills at the disgruntled man.
The cab drove off, and Simon turned toward Luc. To his surprise, he found the other man staring at the church with a thoughtful look on his face. "This is where I met Dury," Luc said.
That could be coincidence, Simon thought, but it might mean something else as well. Without knowing why, Simon ran through the courtyard and into the beautiful building, Luc hot on his heels. As soon as they entered the church, though, both of them froze in their tracks. Father Michael stood in front of the altar, and kneeling at his feet was Dury.
"What the hell?"
Father Michael looked up at them and arched a brow. "Don't curse, Lucas. You're in the House of the Lord."
Simon nearly fainted when he realized the priest's eyes were shining with a bright light. "Who are you?" he asked. "What do you want with Dury?"
Father Michael smiled gently and, in that moment, Dury got up and turned toward them. Tears streamed down his cheeks, shining like crystals in the light that stemmed from his eyes. "He's my father."
Simon just stared, not understanding. Luc broke out of his shock faster and said, "Look, Dury, whatever the problem is, we can work something out. You don't have to go."
"I'm afraid that's not true, Lucas," Father Michael said. "Duriel's time on Earth is over. He must return to our home."
"Duriel?" Simon asked.
"That's me," Dury answered, wiping his eyes. "I'm sorry for lying. Please, be happy."
Simon couldn't accept that. He couldn't accept such an unfair goodbye. "No," he shouted. "We can't be happy, not without you."
He started running toward the altar, seeing the heartbreak in Dury's eyes, feeling it in his own soul. He heard Luc running behind him, pleading for Dury to stay. But then Father Michael shook his head. All of a sudden, Simon couldn't move a muscle. He tried to open his mouth and protest, but not even his vocal chords obeyed.
"I'm sorry," Dury said again.
Under Simon's stupefied gaze, Dury's body started to shine, hotter and brighter than anything Simon had ever seen. It almost seemed like a small sun had invaded the church, engulfing every inch of Dury, shining from inside out. Wings burst out from Dury's back, and then, Dury's skin started to dematerialize, his body vanishing in the otherworldly light. With a brief flash, the young man faded altogether, and Simon felt a press of phantom lips against his own before the church went silent and dark.
Part Three:
The Angel
Chapter Eight
As his spirit left the mortal plane of existence, Dury knew he'd be in trouble. He'd been tasked with bringing Simon and Luc together once more, and in a way, he'd succeeded. Unfortunately, he'd made the two humans love him in the process, and had fallen for them as well.
What a disaster. If D
ury had known things would turn out this way, he'd have stuck to being a Death Angel. But he hated being the harbinger of such sorrow. He knew the souls he'd taken were never unhappy, but the humans left behind didn't. Even if he acknowledged it as a normal part of mortal life, it still hurt.
Dury had been chosen for the task of Death Angel specifically because of his kindness and empathy. Some angels were warriors, dedicated to enforcing the rule of the Lord. As powerful as they were, they could not soothe a passing soul, not like Dury could. So Dury had agreed to it, and as much as it hurt him, he'd been proud to do this.
Then, his father had decided to give him a different task. He'd shown Simon Roth and Lucas Black to Dury, explaining that the two were soul mates and they needed to be taught how to see it. Dury had not understood why he'd been chosen for this mission. There were other, more experienced angels who dealt with matters of the heart. But Dury always obeyed his father. After all, above all else, the Archangel Michael was also his superior.
Only now, he'd fucked up royally. He didn't know if he'd ever be allowed to see Simon and Luc again. He'd torn apart two lives with his presence. By the time he'd realized it, it was too late. Now, Dury could only hope his father would be able to make the two humans forget they'd ever met him.
As his soul reached the heavens, Dury flew through the ethereal clouds, heading toward his home. There were a couple of angels who gave him curious looks, but they didn't stop him. His father's home loomed ahead, the little white turrets both familiar and frightening. He didn't want to go in there. He ached to go back, to return to Luc and Simon, to be with them like his humans so obviously wanted. His world no longer seemed like heaven, simply because the two men weren't here.
"What are you doing, Duriel?" a familiar voice asked from behind him, startling him.
Dury turned to see his mother gently land on the wispy path. She was beautiful, but fierce, and she often appeared to warriors in battle, encouraging them, giving them the strength to fight in the direst of circumstances. Dury had inherited her green eyes and blond hair, but little else. "Greetings, Mother."
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