[One-shot] Took my place

[tsuchi8562]

Title: Took my place
Author: tsuchi8562
Beta:syunikiss1990
Pairing: Sakuraiba, Sakumoto (friendship)
Rating: NC-17
Summary: Sometimes giving up everything for the one you love is the best choice you could do... Sometimes...
A/N: I didn't plan to write it but.... It happened. And it's for my precious co-writer syunikiss1990 just because she's awesome xD Based on "City of angels".

"Nee, Mister... Where are you taking me?" The boy's voice was somehow sweeter than before. A pair of brown, shiny eyes looked at him with fear. It was normal, the kid didn't know him and now was taken to unknown place, far away from his parents and older sister.

"To a place where you won't feel pain anymore. Trust me, Satoshi." The man smiled and took a small hand. The boy still was hesitating, but he slowly nodded and slowly walked with the man, looking around. They passed by some people who didn't seem to notice them in silence. The child probably was scared more and more, because he cuddled close to the man's leg and shivered. Funny, he didn't know that souls can tremble like that.

"Mister... My mummy will be worried... I... I should go back..." The kid stopped, but still held the strong hand.

"Stop calling me mister... My name is Sho." He smiled and knelt in front of the boy. "Your mummy knows that you are going with me. Don't worry."

"But I can't go without Takumi! Nee-chan will throw him away! I can't go..." Sho didn't know that a soul can have such strength and oppose so hard from going to the other side. As an angel he saw many situations but it was his first time to guide a child's soul over the border. Before he managed to react in any way, the small boy dashed away in the direction they came from. Sho ran after him and soon they found themselves in an ER room, where people were desperately trying to save Satoshi's life.

"Last dose of adrenaline?"

"Three minutes ago. Aiba-sensei, this takes too long, don't you think it's enough...?"

"I'll save him! Just you watch, I won't give up that easy!" A tall doctor was reanimating his small patient and the angel could see the sweat drops on his forehead. "Charge to two hundred! Clear!" The boy's body arched and all staff was looking at the monitor with hope that the flat line will jump. When nothing like that happened the doctor cursed and kept pressing small chest, screaming from helplessness. One nurse tried to pull him away, saying that he is abusing the child. Sho was like hypnotized, staring at the persistent man with admiration. The soul he was supposed to take vanished somewhere.

"Aiba-sensei, enough..."

"Just one more minute... Please kid, live!" When the man's action didn't give any results, he moved away, looking at the big clock just above the entrance.

"Time of death, 2:16 PM." His gaze went lower and the angel could swear Aiba was looking straight at him even though it was impossible.

"Sensei! Sensei, look!" A nurse pulled the doctor's sleeve and pointed on the monitor, where the line showed weak heartbeat. The man called Aiba focused on his small patient and Sho could practically see the radiant aura around him.

"Who's the real angel?" He whispered and felt a gentle pat on his shoulder.

"You lost a soul? Maybe it's better, he was just a kid." Sho's friend, Jun, smiled and looked at the boy. "Come on, let's go back." He pulled the latter and in a split of second they were on the roof. Sho was still astonished and amazed by the doctor's determination and somehow he wanted to stay and watch him longer.

"Something's wrong?" Jun's question brought him back from dreamland.

"No, not at all. Let's go back."

___

How many times did he make sure he will take the souls from this hospital to the other side? How long was he staring at and watching the doctor he believed had miraculous hands? Something in the man's eyes caught Sho's attention and now all he wanted was to talk to him. However this was impossible; angels are invisible for people. There is a way that a mortal can see an angel, but Sho decided it is not a good idea. That's why he decided to only observe the man as often as he can. With passing time Aiba became more and more interesting and the idea of talking to him was more and more tempting. The Highest One of course forbade any contacts with people, saying it will bring really serious consequences and only this kept Sho from trying. One time, when Aiba had a night shift, the angel came to his room and saw that the doctor is looking through the open window at the starry sky. His face was decorated with smile and Sho couldn't help but come closer. The medical suddenly turned around and looked straight in the angel's eyes, even though it was certain he doesn't see a thing. Sho reached out his hand and wanted to touch the doctor's face, but he stopped his fingers millimeters from Aiba's cheek. He was so close, so warm and beautiful that Sho desired to embrace the latter and stay like this forever. Without thinking he leaned and placed a feather-like kiss on those full lips.

"What are you doing?!" Jun yelled and before Sho managed to turn his head and look at his friend, both angels found themselves on the roof.

"Why did you come here, Jun?" The angel tried to change the subject knowing well his friend will scold him and he will be right. As he thought, the trick didn’t work.

“Don’t tell me that you have some feelings to that man!” Jun was mad and it was quite surprising, because he was known from his stoic attitude. “You know it’s forbidden! If the Highest One will find out… and he will, he knows and sees everything! Please, pull yourself together!”

“What are you talking about? Me? Feelings for a mere human? Please, what…”

“Don’t lie to me or yourself! I saw you, your trips to this hospital. You practically monopolized it! If not for that man then why?”

“Simple coincidence! I…” Sho lost all words he wanted to say and started to think if his friend is really right. He indeed was feeling different when he is near the doctor and he definitely can consider it as love. Or something very similar.

“Sho, snap out of this!” Jun came closer and shook the latter. “You know it’s forbidden and that it may cause serious troubles not only for you… Angels can’t be in love with humans!”

“You’re right, angels can’t…” Sho smiled mysteriously and looked at his friend. The other slowly shook his head and moved few step back.

“You can’t be serious! You want to become a human for… for him?! You’re insane, that’s crazy! Sho, please, think before…” Jun couldn’t finish the sentence because the scary and yet somehow sweet piano sound invaded their ears. This melody didn’t bode well and both of them knew that this was a summon to come in front of The Highest One’s throne. It always meant only troubles; nobody was praised by The Lord before. In a split of a second both angels were in quite big, gold hall. On the end of the spacious chamber a man with gold hair was sitting and looking at his subordinates without a word. Two angels came closer to the throne and knelt, waiting for any word that will come out from the sacred mouth. For the longer moment silence filled the air when suddenly The Highest One spoke with his quite annoying voice.

“So you are in love with a human.” It was more like a statement than anything else. The blond man stood up and came closer to Sho and looked at him. “You are aware that it’s forbidden?”

“I am aware of that Sire.” The angel didn’t say anything more. If he did, he would have to lie and this is the thing he couldn’t do. Besides, The Highest One knows everything anyway so there is no use in that.

“And you still… No, please don’t tell me how it’s stronger than you and you can’t help it… Understand it’s not forbidden because I feel like it.” The Highest One came closer and looked straight in the latter’s eyes. Sho could clearly see the other’s child face with quite thin lips and a beauty spot on his chin. “It will cause a disturbance and nobody knows how it can end if an angel gets involved with any kind of relationship with human. I don’t know it and I am supposed to be omniscient!” The blond man’s voice echoed in the room and he coughed gently getting back to his chair. Neither of angels new what to say, so they were just standing there in silence, waiting for the unknown. The Highest One could burst in anger or just dismiss them, but nothing like that happened. After a longer while the blond man just waved his hand, showing them he wanted them to leave. Nothing more was said and Sho started to think what that could mean. There was no threatening or warning that if he meets Aiba again some punishment awaits him. However that didn’t mean anything. The Highest One just wasn’t used to say the obvious.

“There is only one solution, Jun… I have to become a human again…”

“You…You can’t be serious! You can’t, Sho!”

“Why? Jun, have you ever been in love? I mean really in love, so much that you would give up everything just to be with that person?”

“Well… I wasn’t. But even though I don’t understand your feelings I still think you shouldn’t do it. No, you can’t do it!”

“Jun I have already decided… I’ll do it tomorrow. Will you help me?” He received only silence as a reply.

___

"Are you sure about this?" Jun asked, worried. "You don't have to, there is still a solution..."

"Yes, not seeing him at all. I can't do this. Please, understand me Jun. I love him and I want to be with him. He feels the same. The only way to be able to be with him is to resign from my wings."

"Sho, you will become a human. You will feel pain, you will bleed and feel hunger. There are so many things you will suffer from and I can't allow it! I won't see you ever again..." The shorter angel pleaded; he had never done this before, so that has to mean he was really upset.

"I will also feel love, taste of food, relief when the pain will go away. And I won't be alone. Jun, I'll miss you too, you are my only friend here. But I want to try. I need him. More than you can imagine.”

“Sho, are you really sure you want this?”

“More than anything.” Sho stated so firmly that the latter didn’t have any other choice but believe him. Jun closed the distance between them and embraced his friend tight, not letting him see his tears.

“I’ll miss you, you stupid idiot…”

“I’ll miss you too Jun. Take care and… promise me that when my time comes you will be the one who will take my soul.”

“I… I promise…” The angel moved away and looked at his friend for the last time. “Sho, please be happy… Show me he was worth it.”

“I will. Goodbye Jun…” Sho smiled and stood on the edge of Aiba’s hospital’s roof. Without turning to look at the other angel he slowly leaned forward, letting the gravity do most of the work. Before he could even notice he was falling he was seeing pictures in front of his eyes like in slow motion. He saw the perfectly blue sky and few white clouds. Somewhere in the azure a bird spread his wings and flew high. Or maybe it wasn’t a bird but his friend?

It was too late for anything. His back hit the ground with huge force and he felt it… It was his first time when he was experiencing pain. It was blissful and simultaneously terrible. Sho couldn’t move, his back hurt him and he was thinking he was in hell but no more thought could invade his mind because he saw the beloved face, looking at him with worry written all over it. He couldn’t catch any words that were coming from the kissable lips because soon he was surrounded by darkness.

“No broken bones? How is that possible, he fell from the roof!” Somebody’s shrill voice broke the silence. The former angel winced and wanted to move, but all he could feel was the pain. Maybe Jun was right? Maybe I should have stayed up there, as an angel?

“It’s a miracle. Now, come on, let him rest. I’ll check his blood pressure and will be right in the conference room.” That voice… Sho would recognize it everywhere; he heard it so many times before it was deeply curved in his memory.

“S-sensei…” The wounded man could only whisper while he slowly open his eyes and looked for the man he wanted to see the most.

“I see you are awake. How are you feeling?” The doctor smiled and looked in the latter’s eyes to check if his pupils are even.

“I… I don’t know…” Sho closed his eyes again and tried to sit up, but strong hands stopped him.

“No, don’t move. We still don’t know if you have some serious injuries in your body.” Aiba looked at his patient and bit his lower lip. “Tell me, how come an angel can have wounds?”

„What?!” The former angel opened his eyes and looked at the latter with his mouth wide open. “How…”

“I saw you often, with other patients… The ones that died… At first I thought that you are the devil, but then when I saw you with some child who was afraid… Then I thought that no evil spirit can calm a kid like that…”

“Y-you saw me? How’s that possible, no human is able to see me! I mean… was able…” Sho looked down, blushing a bit. He couldn’t say that he became a human because he was in love with the doctor. It wasn’t sure that Aiba feels the same way, even though something deep inside the former angel was whispering that the love is mutual.

“I did see you… I know you were watching me…” The doctor smiled and sat on the edge of the bed. Sho didn’t know what to say or do, so he just leaned back and looked at the latter in silence. How can he possibly say that he loves him? That he gave up his previous life just for him? For heaven’s sake, it was their first conversation!

“I’ll let you rest now, I have other patients I have to go to. But I’ll be back in the evening, I still have few questions. Sleep.” Aiba smiled and left the room almost soundlessly. Sho looked at the closed door for a while and then decided to sleep. He was dreaming about his wings. He was flying with Jun, laughing and racing with him like they used to do when they just started their new job. Nobody could see them and sometimes they were setting some small challenges, for example: who will fly closer to the building or lower to the ground. This time they also had a bet who will handle without spreading his wings longer while falling from Tokyo Tower. It was quite risky because as they were invisible, the damages in the ground weren’t. Sho of course didn’t want to show his doubts afraid that Jun will accuse him of being chicken and not an angel so he agreed. They flew on the top of the Tower and stood there for a while. Then, suddenly Jun pushed his friend and Sho started to fall. His wings didn’t want to spread and he saw the feathers flying in all directions.

“You don’t deserve to be an angel anymore! You betrayed us! Now you will feel the real pain, till the day you die again!” Somebody’s voice echoed in his ears and he saw terrifying pair of brown eyes he recognized as The Highest One’s. Sho opened his eyes and gasped, seeing the hospital room he was in. The injured man was covered with sweat and shivered, trying to calm down his racing heart.

“Are you okay?” Aiba looked at him, worried and touched his forehead. “You don’t seem to have a fever…”

“I’m fine, it’s just a… nightmare…” The former angel smiled weakly and leaned against the pillows again. The awkward silence that fell between them was creepy and Sho started to talk about some old fairy tale he heard somewhere just to kill the awful muteness. The doctor laughed softly and sat closer to his patient and listened carefully for a longer while until he just couldn’t take it anymore, feeling how his curiosity wins.

“Why didn’t you kiss me back then?” That simple question made Sho stop talking in the middle of the sentence and look at the latter.

“Kiss?”

“Yes. I was in the doctors’ room and you came… I saw you and when you were about to kiss me, you disappeared… I just want to know why…”

“Sensei, I…”

“My name is Aiba Masaki. No need to talk to me so officially… And what’s your name?”

“Sho…”

“Just Sho? We need to think you some last name… Let me think…” Aiba pouted and looked around but nothing seemed to come across his mind. “Do you like any name?”

“No… I never thought about it, but you are right. People have to have a full name… Maybe… Sakurai?” Sho looked through the window and smiled. “I like cherry blossoms…”

“Sakurai it is then. Now, Sakurai-san, can you please answer my question?”

“I wanted but… It’s forbidden for angels to have any kind of contact with a human. They say it can cause some big tragedy or…” The wounded man sighed.

“That’s why you are not an angel anymore?” Masaki’s mind was sharp, as expected from a doctor. Soon he will figure out that the angel did it because he fell in love with him.

“Yes, this is one of the reasons…” Sho smiled and looked down, afraid that the doctor will read everything from his face. Meanwhile Aiba probably decided to stop going deeper and he quickly changed the subject.

“Your tests results are fine, probably they will keep you for two more days and let you out… Do you have a place to stay?” When the former angel shook his head, the latter sighed. “You can stay with me then. My apartment is not that big, but it should be enough for both of us. I have to go now, but I’ll be here tomorrow. Take some rest, you’ll need it.” Masaki bowed and stood up, heading towards the door when Sho stopped him.

“Sensei! I mean… Aiba-san…”

“’Masaki’ is fine…”

“Masaki… Can you… stay a bit longer?” The sounded man whispered and as if he told something inappropriate he quickly looked down. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t ask you for that, you have more important things to do…”

“It’s true, I have other patients and I must go back to work. But you are wrong… It’s not more important. Now excuse me.” Aiba smiled again and left the room, quietly shutting the door behind him. Sakurai was alone, looking around the room. He wasn’t sleepy at all, so he decided to stand up and take a walk. Sho’s bones weren’t broken and he was feeling good, so he went out of his room and wandered a bit around the hall. Funny how places change but at the same time they remain just the way people remembered it. The same thing happened with the hospital; the former angel knew by heart the way from ER to the roof, he walked through it many times before.

The hardest thing to get used to was being visible for the rest of the world. Meeting people’s eyes was awkward and Sho involuntarily tried to move away, which wasn’t that impossible because of the walls. Even though everybody should be in their rooms few patients decided to go around the hospital, just like Sho. Feeling physically painful gaze of humans he decided to go to the roof and take a few deep breaths of fresh night air. The sky was pitch black; clouds covered every sparkling star and the only source of light were few lamps in the parks surrounding the building and three or four small bulbs above the emergency door. The air didn’t move, not even a night breeze combed his hair. The former angel loved this place, because it reminded him the times when he fell in love with the doctor. His heart started to flutter and he couldn’t help but smile, pressing his hand to his chest.

“Call it funny but I knew I will find you here…” The beloved voice pierced the silence and Sho slowly turned around to look in those beautiful brown eyes he fell for.

“You were looking for me?”

“Yes… Because I still have few questions… Like… What are your reasons for becoming a human?”

“Is it that important?” Sho laughed nervously and moved his gaze to the sky, trying to see at least one star.

“It is for me.” Masaki came closer and made the latter look at him. “Because I truly regret you didn’t kiss me then…” The doctor’s hand landed on Sakurai’s cheek and after a while he moved away just as if he made a mistake. The former angel grabbed the latter’s hand and pulled him closer. Without thinking twice he joined their lips in sweet and innocent kiss. It was more a wet peck than anything else, but as it occurred later it was just the beginning. Aiba smiled and wrapped his arms around Sho’s waist not letting him go away.

“You didn’t kiss anyone before, right?” The doctor whispered and before the man in his embrace could answer in any way he slowly pulled Sakurai closer and kissed him, this time properly. The former angel sighed when he felt warm and wet tongue trying invading his mouth and with loud gasp he parted his lips, tasting something that was far more flavorful than the hospital’s food he had not so long ago. With passing time the kiss became more passionate and when soft moan left Sho’s throat Masaki moved away. Neither of them said a word, they were just standing like that, without moving, hugging each other. Suddenly a gentle wind hit their faces and Sakurai shivered a bit; he was still wearing only his hospital gown. At the same time Aiba’s beeper sounded and they both went back inside the building. The doctor rushed to the ER and Sho slowly walked towards his room, remembering the kiss. Before he managed to fall asleep he touched his lips gently.

___

It was heaven. Lying in bed, having a warm sleeping body pressed to him when the world outside was still dark. Sho couldn't sleep, overwhelmed by the feeling and simply wanting to absorb every nanosecond of his time with Masaki. It was only half of week since he got out of hospital and stayed at the doctor's place. Probably because Aiba wanted to spend some more time with Sakurai, they left loud Tokyo and stayed in a small cabin close to Mount Fuji for the weekend. Sho was amazed how beautiful everything looks like from the ground, still having in mind the images when he was flying around the area. Everything was new and the former angel was astonished by every single detail. Aiba promised to show him how life can be beautiful and awful at the same time. The doctor just wanted to show his new friend the reality he was living in.

"Penny for your thoughts..." Masaki's voice tickled Sakurai's ear.

"Did I wake you up?"

"Yes and no. I am just not used to somebody's presence so close to me. I forgot how good it is..."

"Welcome to my world..." Sho whispered and smiled. In a way they were similar, even when they were so different at the same time. Sakurai got lost in thoughts but quickly was brought back by Aiba's hand on his chest.

"Want me to show you something really nice?"

"W-what are you doing?" Sakurai gasped when the doctor's skilled fingers gently rubbed his nipples. Warm impulses went through his body and he had to moan.

"Relax... I'll show you a new way of being close to the one you love. Real close..." Masaki leaned and whispered against the latter's lips. "Become one..." Before Sho could react in any other way than moaning, Aiba kissed him softly, slowly heating the caresses. The former angel's body started to react in a way that made the world outside spin around. Sakurai opened his eyes and gently pushed Masaki, who was sitting on his lap, away just to look at his face a bit thoughtfully.

"Something's wrong?"

"No... I just wanted you to know something before... Before we'll become one. I love you. I loved you before and it was the reason why I gave away my wings. I... I love you..." Sho whispered the last sentence as if he was afraid to spoil the moment. The latter smiled and pulled Sakurai's chin up.

"I love you too. A lot." Without wasting much more time Aiba joined their lips again and his hands wandered around Sho's chest, circling the nipples and heading lower, stopping just above the edge of black boxer shorts. The former angel was a bit confused because his body seemed to remember the moves from the time before he received his wings. Though at the same time he felt even shyer than any virgin before the wedding night. But the thing he wanted to do at the moment was to be close with the man who was caressing his skin. He kissed the doctor again, slowly rolling on the bed, having Masaki underneath him now.

"Let me..." Sakurai whispered again and soon both of men were naked and sweaty bodies were rubbing against each other, sending pleasurable chills down their spines. The air became hot and filled with Aiba's moans when Sho started to lick the doctor's fully awaken member. Teasingly the former angel's tongue danced around the head and just before he opened his mouth to swallow the desired flesh Masaki patted his shoulder with something chilly, which occurred to be a bottle with lube. Suddenly Sakurai's body remembered the right movements and he took the bottle, poured the cold gel on his fingers and pressed them between Aiba's butt-cheeks. At the same time he let Masaki's member in his mouth, sucking with juicy sounds. Sho pushed his finger inside, stretching his lover before the act. Meanwhile the doctor moved his thigh, rubbing the latter's hard member.

"Sho... I'm ready... Please..." Aiba gasped and pulled Sakurai impatiently. The latter moved away and after covering his erection with the lube he slowly pushed in, feeling the clenching walls around him. Only this move could make him cross the edge so Sho froze with his closed eyes, breathing slowly and tried to cool off. Masaki pecked the latter's lips gently and smiled, wriggling on the bed gently to show him that he can move. Sakurai nodded and thrusted unhurriedly once, setting a slow but hard pace at first. With passing seconds, when the hot body stated to writhe underneath him he speeded up, finding the bulge of nerves quite quickly. When Aiba moaned and tensed his muscles it was a sign that the former angel can be rougher. Sho found his lover's hand and squeezed it and his other palm entwined Masaki's already leaking member. His wrist set a rhythm fitting their hip movements and when he felt Aiba's hot semen on his fingers and muscles clenching tighter around him he crossed the edge as well. For a longer while neither of them moved, enjoying the closeness as long as they could, soon falling in shallow sleep, sweetly tired.

Sho opened his eyes, still half asleep when he felt coldness on the right side.

"Masaki?" He said with hoarse voice and looked around, squinting because of the sunlight falling right on his face.

"Shhh, sleep. I'm going to buy something for breakfast... Have any wishes?"

"Yeah... Stay with me... I don't need food..." Sakurai pulled the latter back on the bed and cuddled close.

"Not convinced..." Aiba giggled when a loud growling sound came from his lover's stomach. "I'll be back in a while. Rest some more." The doctor pecked Sakurai's lips and left the hut, getting on his bike and headed towards the small shop on the other side of the forest.

___

Cold. Not only because Masaki was still away but from some unknown reason Sho was shivering. He looked at the clock and frowned, Masaki should have come back already.

Sho... Come... Somebody's whisper made the former angel's heart froze. He knew that voice; he knew it so well that the fact that he heard it only could mean one thing. It was so terrifying that without any delay he ran out of house, wearing only some sweatpants he managed to pull up when he was still somewhere between dream and reality. He just put on sneakers on bare feet and dashed wherever his legs were taking him. Sakurai was running like a madman until he saw a familiar silhouette in long black coat.

"Jun? What are you… Oh no... Masaki! No! Please no!" The former angel plead and pushed his friend, uncovering the horrifying view. The man he loved was lying next to the damaged bike, with his eyes half open, shivering in convulsions. He was still alive but the huge hole in his head was an augury of close end. Sakurai knelt and wanted to touch his beloved man but at the same time he was afraid to do it. He didn't want to hurt him even more.

"I'll give you two minutes, no more..." Jun patted his friend's shoulder and disappeared but even though he was invisible, the former angel could feel his presence. That however wasn't important anymore. Because Sakurai was sure that there is no hope, he moved closer and gently picked the doctor's head up and placed it on his knees.

"Sho... I..."

"Shhh, don't talk... I know... I love you... Remember it on the other side, okay?" Sakurai tried not to cry but tears welled up in his eyes and ran down his cheeks.

"I'm sorry... I won't teach you... life... I won't show you... I'm sorry..." Aiba started to cry as well, what made his body shake even more. "I love... Sho... I see a light... I..." The injured man's eyes became empty and Sho knew that Jun took his soul already.

A loud scream filled the air and a desperate and despaired man was protecting his dead boyfriend from the wind and rain...

***

50 years later

Light. Warm and somehow familiar. Two silhouettes coming closer. The man knew them as well. He turned around and saw doctors, shaking their heads. What was going on? Is he dead?

"Sho?" The same sweet voice he had curved in his heart echoed. "You want to go back?" The man shook his head and looked at two angels in front of him.

"No, Masaki... I don't."

"Then let's go..." A steady hand grabbed Sakurai's one. "Let's go my love."