Out of Heaven, Out of Hell_Part 2
Title: Out of Heaven, Out of Hell
Chapter: 2/?
Rating: PG-13 to NC-17, for this chapter, PG-13
Pairing: Tora x Saga
Genre: AU, supernatural, romance, drama, a bit of comic relief...
Warnings: nothing so far except foul language and adult themes.
Summary: What happens when angels and demons meet…
Comments: Alrighty, so here is chapter two of my little AU, I was extremely pleased with the super enthusiastic response from all of you :D Coming home to an inbox full of positive comments really makes my day so I really have to thank you all for the reviews and the dedicated readership, thank you thank you!!! You guys are the best, and I shall thank you with even more fic and tons of smut, and hopefully a decent archive sometime soon…When I find the time out of my busy fiction writing schedule XD. Thanks to all and without further ado, enjoy...
***
Saga was bothered.
He had managed to get the angel to at least reveal his name, but that was it. He had slept most of the day afterwards, only to burst into tears as soon as he woke up. Uncontrollable, deep sobs that shook his slender frame with pained, heaving breaths. He disliked feeling so helpless, but knew that there wasn't much he could do to soothe him. Being human was painful to start with, becoming one wasn't any easier. So he let him be, soothing him as much as he could with slow caresses and gentle words. He only left for work after making sure that the angel was asleep, hurrying to the bar rather than using his usual, leisurely walk.
At least Nao, the owner, was in a great mood, cheerfully setting up chairs and tables to their rightful spots before the doors opened. He was a good boss, kind, patient, with a no-nonsense tone that soothed the drunkest, most annoying patron in an instant. He noticed Saga's tired, weary face immediately, rushing over to him as Saga walked behind the bar, putting down his shoulder-bag on the hook.
"Are you alright Sagacchi? You look awful today…" Nao asked, nearly leaning over the bar in his concern.
Saga rolled his eyes.
"Gee thanks…" Saga replied on a sarcastic tone as he made a quick visual inventory of his fridge, making sure it was well stocked.
Nao snorted.
"You know thats not what I meant. Just that you look a little tired…"
"Yeah…well, I haven't slept very much last night to say the least…"
"The heat?"
Saga smirked.
"You could say that. I'll be fine, don't worry. I'm looking forward to some distraction, so I hope it gets packed tonight…"
Nao nodded his agreement.
"If its anything like yesterday, we should have a pretty busy night ahead of us. Have you seen Shou on your way in?"
"Nope. Pretty boy is working with me tonight?" Saga asked with a grin, pleased that he wouldn't be alone the entire night.
Not being alone meant cigarette breaks, and very delicious eye candy to keep him company. Shou was a sight for sore eyes: tall, gorgeously slender, hair the colour of toffee, huge, puppy eyes, a face to make girls sigh. And shy as hell, which made teasing him all the more delicious.
"That boy…always late. Excellent behind the bar, but damn, don't ask him to show on time…He is working with you if ever he shows up…"
"Its fine, send him to buy a case or two of cranberry juice, were almost out. As punishment, you know…"
Nao nodded with a smirk.
"Good idea. You know, you'd make a great co-owner…"
Saga chuckled, taking out the case of limes and the cutting board, setting up to do all his prep-work for the night.
"Only when it comes to finding suitable punishment, no more…"
***
The bar was packed. It was one of those nights when everyone was eager to party, the music loud and bass heavy, patrons ordering drinks after drinks. The two bartenders had plenty of work, mixing and pouring relentlessly. Saga was happy that it was Shou working with him, their dynamic behind the bar well established, never overstepping or bumping into each other, working like a well oiled piece of machinery. That, and Shou was looking especially delightful that night, with his white, deep v-neck tee, tight grey jeans and tousled hair, a silver pendant attracting the eye to his smooth collarbones. That and the glistening sheen of sweat on that smooth skin was appetizing to say the least.
"Crazy tonight ne?" Shou observed as he was pouring another round of tequila shots for a rambunctious crew sitting at the bar itself, Saga mixing drinks beside him.
"It is, but that's good ne? Look at the tip jar…"
The large jar was close to overflowing, and both winked at each other knowing that they probably had made a few times their salary on tips alone. That was always good. Shou served the shots, cheering with the patrons as they were dutifully downed, chuckling when one of the girls offered him one, downing it with a wince.
"That stuff is strong…goddamn!" he chuckled, gathering the empty glasses.
Saga smirked, leaning close to the taller boy, pressing the length of his slender body to his side.
"Another few and maybe I'll finally get you out of your clothes and in bed, with me…" he purred, teasingly, inflecting his voice just so.
He knew how to push the boy's buttons, never hesitating, enjoying this little game of cat and mouse. Shou flushed a deep crimson, giving him an evil look from underneath sweat damp bangs.
"Good lord…Should I start keeping a eye on my drink now…"
Saga chuckled, low in his throat, the sound so seductive it made Shou breathe a little harder despite him.
"Oh but wouldn't you love it…"
Shou sighed. He would love it, that was the worst of it.
"Shut up and get back to work, you perv…"
"As you wish…"
Saga was welcoming the distraction, knowing that it was to be short lived. The night was slowly coming to an end, and soon he would have to head back home, back to Tora. He hoped that the poor angel would be feeling a bit better when he got home, the hints of a headache budding behind his eyes. He cursed his mortal body and it's weakness, his thoughts drifting to the tall angel in his bed. He would have to learn about the limitations of his own mortal body as well, and Saga really wasn't all that eager to explain him all the specifics…
***
Tora was quiet when he got home, still in bed, but awake.
He hadn't moved since Saga had left, lying on his side, tangled in his long hair. He'd been thinking, about his fate, and how maybe Saga was right about the whole thing. He could try to fight it, let the ones that had triumphed from his punishment win, or he could accept his punishment, and try to find what little happiness he could on this earth. But how could he even begin to think of happiness when he had been robbed of his only purpose? When the being he loved with all his might had been taken away from him? How could he go on without him? The thought brought more tears to his eyes, only just when he had managed to keep his eyes dry for a few minutes. He groaned with frustration, wiping the tears from his eyes angrily. So far, that was his greatest source of annoyance with this new body. Those endless tears, it burned his eyes and throat, and he had no idea how to control them. They just poured down his face unbidden with every unpleasant thought. He wanted it to stop.
Saga sat on the edge of the bed, not bothering to turn on the lights as he shrugged out of his tight black vest and leather boots.
"How are you feeling?" he asked Tora as he undid his belt buckle.
"I don't know…these," he gestured to the silvery streaks on his cheeks, "how do I get it to stop?"
Saga sighed, patting his bare arm.
"The tears? You have to stop feeling sad. I don't want to discourage you, but I don't think you're done…"
"They're annoying, making my eyes hurt. And my mouth, it feels so dry…"
Saga chuckled this time, getting up to shrug out of his pants.
"Its because you're thirsty. Sit up."
Tora pushed himself to a sitting position reluctantly, wincing as strands of his hair got caught underneath his body. He looked exhausted, yet he was glowing with beauty. It made Saga wonder how irresistible he would look well rested and fed. He walked over to the kitchen and took out the water jug of the fridge, pouring his charge a glass, before walking back to the bedroom.
"Put your hands in front of your eyes, I'm gonna turn on the lights.
"Huh?"
"Just do as I say…"
The tall angel obeyed with childlike trust, making Saga smirk as he flipped on the light switch, pushing the dimmer down so that it wasn't so bright. He sat beside Tora on the bed, making the tall angel jump when he gently grabbed on to his wrist, pulling his hands down.
"Its okay, you can open your eyes."
Tora blinked a few times, his eyes adjusting to the light.
"Impressive…Its just like daylight."
Saga smirked. He had a lot of things to learn yet. Good thing he had a day off tomorrow. He grabbed on Tora's hand and wrapped his long, slender fingers around the cool glass.
"Here, drink."
"How?"
Saga gave him a puzzled glance.
"Angels don't drink? Or eat?"
Tora smiled, showing a small row of perfect teeth. It was breathtaking, nearly making Saga forget his question.
"You mean what humans do to feed their bodies? No, no we don't. The only thing we have in common is sleep, which we need. But our bodies don't require nourishment."
Well, that explained quite a few things.
"Well, this body does. Actually, I am sure you're feeling discomfort, right in this area…"
Saga pointed to his stomach, only to chuckle when Tora nodded vigorously, almost spilling his water.
"Yes! Indeed, how did you know?"
"You need some nourishment. Start with the water, I'll make you something to eat." Saga ordered, miming the gesture.
Tora experimentally brought the glass to his lips like Saga was demonstrating, shivering at the coolness against his lips, and mouthed the edge clumsily. He sipped too fast and sputtered, choking, making the tawny haired demon chuckle as he patted his back.
"Easy, easy…try again, slower."
He did, eyes widening as the liquid instantly soothed his dry throat. He drained the glass enthusiastically, smiling uncontrollably at the pleasure, looking over to Saga with an expecting look in his eyes.
"Is there more?"
Saga chuckled, grabbing the empty glass.
"Of course…How about I pour you another glass, and then you can take a shower."
"Huh? Shower?"
Saga rolled his eyes. This would be much harder than he had even begun to imagine, silently thanking Nao for the aspirin he had given him earlier. That and the energy drink he had downed on his way home.
The shower had scared him a little, but once he'd realized that it couldn't hurt him, he had been loathe to leave it, marvelling at the cool relief the water brought to his heated skin, cleaning the dried sweat off his skin, out of his hair. He sat at the kitchen table, obediently still, while Saga brushed the kinks out of his waist-length hair, cursing all the while. It was five in the morning, and he was exhausted, but he couldn't just leave the fallen angel to fend for his own.
"How about we cut that long hair? Its awfully long, and really not practical…"
Tora gave him a questioning look over his bare shoulder. He wore a pair of Saga's sweats, the garment just a touch too short on his tall frame, and nothing else, his perfect skin pearled with water. So goddamn beautiful, it was rather distracting.
"Will it hurt?"
"Not at all."
He shrugged.
"Do what you must then. I have to blend in no?"
"Well, waist length hair on a man is not exactly common. Not that you're gonna blend in with that beautiful face anyway, but you need all the help you can get…"
"Beautiful…I wish I was…I don't feel beautiful at all right now. This body, its so weak…"
"It only feels weak, you'll see. You're much stronger than you seem to be." Saga encouraged, going over to the drawer to get the scissors out.
"Saga, what…what have you done? To get cast out…"
Saga sighed, a little smile on his full lips as he came back to the table with the scissors, picking up a strand of raven black hair, snipping it away before he changed his mind. Such beautiful hair, it felt like a crime to cut it off.
"I showed compassion. Gave a mortal a second chance, disobeying orders…" Saga enumerated, chopping away at the silky locks, letting it fall to the floor in a shiny, ink black tangle, "I was a reaper. I was sent to collect a soul, but the girl was pregnant, and I couldn't…I couldn't just go and collect that innocent soul. I gave the mother a second chance."
Tora was quiet, weighing his own words. It was an admirable thing Saga had done, sacrificing himself for a mortal. Before he'd met him, he didn't even think that demons were capable of compassion.
"So they exiled you…Has she redeemed herself, the woman?"
Saga sighed, chopping another thick strand.
"I never had the heart to check. I've always been afraid to go and find out that it was a mistake…"
The question was burning Saga's tongue. He really wanted to know what Tora was doing down on earth, but didn't want to overstep his boundaries by asking flat out. What if the angel clammed up again? He seemed to be doing alright for the past hour, and he just didn't have the heart to ruin all his good work by pressing. But Tora beat him to it.
"I assume that you would want to know why I'm here?" Tora murmured, his spine stiffening.
"I…I only want to know if you want to tell me. But I wont force you, I mean, you can tell me when you're ready."
"No…I should get it out of the way. I…I should tell you who I am first..."
"Okay."
Tora chuckled, but there was no real joy behind the sound.
"I am Tora, first archangel of the third rank."
Saga dropped his scissors, backing off two steps in shock. Tora turned around in his chair, slowly, eyes downcast. Saga swallowed, slowly, his heart hammering in his chest.
"General of the angelic army…the right hand of God." Saga whispered, mouth dry as sand, "I…I asked myself, when I heard your name…but…I didn't, couldn't even imagine that you were him…"
"I was. Not anymore, not ever again. But I was…"
"I can't even…" he swallowed again, "you know that if I brought you to my master, I would be redeemed? Instantly…"
Tora's eyes flared amber light as he met Saga's bewildered gaze.
"Will you?"
Saga considered for half a second, but couldn't. He had become too human, knowing that if he went back to hell, he would still be considered less than a demon by his peers, no matter the feat that bringing Tora as an offering would represent. He nodded negatively.
"I have no desire to go back. I miss my mother, and my powers, but I learned to live here. I could never re-adapt to life in hell, start reaping again, being a mindless drone obeying orders. I just…I have no desire for it. At all. You're safe with me."
Tora nodded, sighing, hands coming up to his face to rub at his weary eyes before reaching down for the scissors, picking them up gingerly to offer them to Saga. The demon came close again, slowly, skittish, picking up the offered scissors to resume cutting Tora's hair, bewildered beyond belief.
"I was General, and enjoyed great favours. But I had a weakness. Angels are made you know? Not bred like demons. And we are made genderless, our looks defining with adulthood. God himself made the first of us, and then the first created the other angels. I was made, but only God could create perfection, and I was created with unavoidable flaws, like most of the archangels. But unlike the others, I disobeyed the one rule that was made to avoid those flaws surfacing: Love God, and God only. I…I fell in love. With one of my underlings, a captain in the army."
"I…I didn't know there were such rules…"
Tora chuckled again.
"There are. Lots of them, to ensure that we are pure of heart and mind, since our bodies cannot be sullied, only giving ourselves to our tasks. We fell in love, and I thought that with my rank, with my influence, we were safe. But how wrong I was…my position was a highly coveted one, and many were secretly plotting my downfall, only looking for an excuse to cause my demise. We saw each other in deserted halls and empty rooms, basking in our love, growing careless. An underling, eager for advancement, saw him slip in my quarters one night and reported us immediately. They barged in and found us…kissing…"
"Kissing? How is that shameful in any way…"
"Since angels don't have…hum…how can I say this? Our looks define, but we are still genderless, we have no…reproductive organs…so we don't consummate like humans and demons do, we can't…" Tora mumbled, clearly embarrassed, "so a kiss is…very intimate…and an enormous sin."
"What happened then…" Saga made himself ask, bending back to his task to keep his hands from fidgeting nervously.
"We were both stripped of our titles and faced judgement. He…" Tora's voice grew breathless, and broken, "Zaphiel, my lover, he was given a merciful judgement. Death. He was very young, still untried as a captain, and death was deemed a fair punishment. But I…one of the highest ranking angels, I deserved worse than death. I'd given in to sin, made my heart impure with love, I'd sullied an innocent underling…I was throwing dishonour and shame on all of my rank. They made an example out of me, and gave me the earthly punishment, the harshest of all. I'd have embraced death with open arms, but it was too easy a punishment." he murmured, tears flowing down his face again.
Saga was shocked, hands going still in the raven locks. He'd had no idea, not even a clue of how the hierarchy of angels even functioned, and even less of their justice system.
"So, they cast you out because of love? But…but how does that even make sense? The very word of God is love, how…I don't get it at all…"
Tora shrugged, wiping at his tears.
"What is alright for humans, well it isn't for angels. We are expected to dampen any mortal emotion from an early age. I've never…I've never cried, before this body. I couldn't…not even when they…they killed him…right in front of my eyes…" he choked on the last words, bursting out into tears, prompting Saga to just put down the scissors as he came around to face the now sobbing angel, dropping to his knees in front of him to enfold him in a tight embrace.
Tora clung to him desperately, skin against skin, hands clenching on his smooth back as he sobbed incoherently, his tall frame shaking with unleashed pain. So much pain, so intense Saga could taste it's bitterness on his tongue. He let his own hands roam that soft skin, fingers running through the freshly cut hair, as soothingly as he could.
"It hurts…it hurts so much…" Tora breathed, tears soaking Saga's bare shoulder.
"Its okay…let it all out…"
"I never…I never even…I didn't even get to say goodbye…they just…oh…"
Had the situation been less dramatic, Saga could've laughed at the sheer nonsense of the situation. A demon, comforting an angel from heaven's cruelty? That was definitely unheard of.
***
Saga was just finishing the touches on Tora's hair, admiring his handiwork maybe a touch more than was proper. He'd waited patiently for the angel to calm down, holding him, until the tears had stopped. They hadn't talked more about it, just letting the whole revelations sink in, Saga resuming his task in peaceful silence but for the snipping sound of the scissors through thick hair. He had cut it to a more suitable jaw-length, leaving some strands stylishly asymmetrical, angling gracefully across his brow. The long hair had been spectacular, but this stylish cut just made him flat out gorgeous, almost making Saga regret being any good at cutting hair…
"Okay," he simply said, tousling the locks softly one last time before stepping back, "all done."
Tora tilted his head left and right, smirking.
"Its so light…can I see?"
Saga grabbed on to his hand and pulled him off the chair, leading him to the full length mirror in the hallway. The tall angel leaned down a fraction, too tall for the mirror, laughing when he caught sight of his reflection.
"Its so different! Unbelievable…" he exclaimed, hands coming up to touch the silky locks, running his fingers through it with a smile, "It looks really good!"
Oh yeah, he looked good alright, a little too good even, half naked with that freshly tousled hair.
"I'm happy you like it…"
Tora turned to him, and before Saga could react, the tall angel grabbed him in a deep, warm hug that cut the breath right out of Saga's chest.
"Thank you. I know it's not much for all you've done, and I know I'm probably just a bother, but thank you, Saga, for…for caring for me like that."
Saga smiled, patting the taller male's back soothingly.
"Its alright…don't worry about it…let's eat something and go to bed, ne?"
"Okay."
Saga was exhausted out of his mind, so he didn't bother making anything too complicated, thinking that buttered pasta would do the job. He set Tora to cleaning up the strands of hair all over the floor, laughing like a madman when the angel gave a puzzled glance at the broom. The exhaustion was definitely getting to him. He sat down with a pleased sigh when the pasta was finally ready, setting a steaming plate in front of the tall angel, who just looked at the pasta with innocent curiosity. Saga picked up his fork and picked up a few strands of buttery spaghetti, patiently showing Tora how to proceed, laughing at the angel's endearingly clumsy attempts.
"Oh dear, you are just like a child aren't you? I really have to show you everything then…my my…"
Tora pouted, making the comparison to a child only more appropriate.
"I've never had to do any of this…I only read about it…"
"Well, you're gonna have to learn my dear. This body needs nourishment to survive."
"What a bother…" Tora sighed, picking up the fork again.
"Wait, I'll help you out this time…" Saga conceded, too tired to argue, presenting his own fork of tightly bundled pasta, "here, open your mouth…"
Tora gave him an annoyed look.
"I can learn."
"Yeah but not this morning, we both need sleep. Come on, open wide."
"This is so embarrassing…"
But he still obeyed, lips parting, letting Saga feed him. He chewed experimentally, his entire face brightening with wonder and pleasure, and he swallowed, incapable of keeping the blissful smile off his face.
"This is…unbelievable…so good…" he raved, looking at Saga with sheer excitement, making the demon burst out laughing.
"Its just buttered pasta…do you know what. Just eat with your hands, its not exactly proper, but its ok for now."
"I can?"
"Yes, yes, dig in."
Saga had the hardest time in the world to even eat his own food, too busy chuckling at the enthusiasm of the fallen angel, who was devouring the slippery pasta like a toddler would a piece of chocolate cake, smearing butter all over his face and hands.
"I guess you really were hungry…" Saga remarked as Tora was slurping the rest of his own pasta.
"This was, blissful. There are no other words…are you going to finish that?" Tora asked, pointing at Saga's half eaten plate.
Saga chuckled, pushing the plate over to him.
"You can have it."
"Really?"
"Go ahead…"
Once they had both finished, and Tora's hands and face cleaned of all the melted butter, Saga guided him to the bedroom for well deserved rest, falling flat on the soft bed with a blissful groan.
"I'm exhausted…"
Tora sat down beside him, with just a hint of hesitation.
"Is it okay if I lay with you…I mean…I've never really…slept with anyone..."
"Not even with your lover…"
"Just once…just for an hour…we fell asleep in the library on one of the couches."
Saga turned to him and smiled, patting the mattress beside him.
"Its okay, just lie down. Here people sleep with one another, even if they are not lovers…"
And did a good deal many more things in beds beside sleeping, but he wasn't any close to ready to start explaining the specifics of that just yet. Tora lay his tall body beside his own with a shy smile, pulling the thin white sheet over their half naked bodies, making himself comfortable as he lay on his side facing Saga. He observed the demon who had closed his eyes, already claimed by exhaustion, like he was really seeing him for the first time. Saga was beautiful, inside and out, and never would he have imagined ever thinking that about a demon. Never in a thousand years. But Saga was gorgeous, all pale skin and beguiling eyes, soft hair and full lips. And full of gentle kindness and patience. He let the steady breaths of the slender demon lull him to sated sleep, falling into blissful unconsciousness with a soft smile on his lips.
Things were looking up. With Saga by his side, his punishment already seemed a little less harsh.
***
Soooooo here is chapter two…I hope you guys are enjoying childlike Tora as much as I am, the idea of him being utterly innocent is so endearing…and sexy XD And for the hair, I'm kinda picturing him with the longish hair he had last summer…fucking yum...You guys want to know what happens next? Let me just say that Saga is nowhere done with the teaching XD Let me know how you guys liked it in the comments below :D Love ya'll xoxoxo