Fake Fan Fiction ❯ Temptation's Desire ❯ Redemption ( Chapter 3 )

FAKE

 

Temptation's Desire

 

by Lady Dragonphire

 

Summary: Can a forbidden love so strong between an angel and a demon be allowed to exist, or must they sacrifice everything they have with each other to attain salvation? DeexRyo.

 

Disclaimer: FAKE and its characters are the property of Sanami Matoh.

 

A/N: Thanks so much to everyone for reading my story. Enjoy the final chapter!

 

Warning: ANGST, Tragedy, Violence, a hint of Lime

 

Background Notes:

When an angel or a demon dies, their soul is separated from their body and goes to its final resting place.

 

 

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Chapter 3. Redemption

 

Pale sunbeams crested over the horizon, casting their faint warmth upon the two sleeping bodies that lay entwined together under the first light of dawn. Dee lay on his back with his dark gray wings spread out beneath him, his arm wrapped around Ryo's shoulders as he held him gently. Ryo's light gray wings were spread out across his back and he rested his head upon the demon's gently rising and falling chest, his honey-blond hair spilling across the firm planes of olive toned skin and his arm draped languidly around Dee's waist. Stirring slightly, Ryo clutched onto Dee tighter as a gentle breeze caressed his fair cheek, breathing in deeply as the air enticed his senses with the dewy morning scent of spring mixed with the deliciously masculine tang of Dee.

 

A slight shifting of movement roused Dee from his peaceful slumber as he felt a sleek warm body press closer against him. The gentle angel wrapped within his arms emanated a soothing aura of comfort and belonging as Ryo unconsciously moved his head up to nuzzle against Dee's neck, sighing softly in contentment.

 

Dee smiled and blinked open his deep green eyes, lovingly brushing strands of Ryo's honey blond hair away from his seraphic visage as he rolled Ryo's body onto the soft grass and positioned himself on top of him. Gently cradling the angel's face in his hands, he kissed Ryo reverently on his soft lips, bestowing his unspoken love upon him as he stroked Ryo's smooth cheeks up and down with his thumbs and kissed him again, a light lingering pressure against supple flesh.

 

Dee was rewarded with a beautiful shy smile as Ryo's dark expressive eyes slowly opened. A rosy blush burned upon his porcelain cheeks at awakening to focus on the handsome demon's sultry eyes that seemed to burn into the deepest recesses of his soul. The angel ran his fingertips encouragingly up and down Dee's firm body in light caresses, reveling in the presence of his soulmate and protector who was now a part of him forever.

 

Dee's sparkling emerald eyes glowed with desire as he gazed at the beauty lying underneath him. He brushed his lips against Ryo's in another tender kiss, savoring the one he loved as he lightly nibbled and sucked on the angel's lower lip, temptingly sliding his tongue against the pliant flesh as he traced the entrance to Ryo's luscious mouth. Ryo moaned softly, responding eagerly as he moved his mouth against Dee's and parted his lips in a silent invitation for Dee to deepen the kiss. Dee thrust his searing tongue into Ryo's mouth, consuming him with the power of his desire. He brushed his powerful, slick tongue against the angel's, momentarily twining them together as he explored and delved deeper within the confines of Ryo's deliciously hot mouth, seeming to set their bodies on fire as Ryo shivered in delight. It was minutes before Dee finished lavishing Ryo with deep, heated kisses, the end of one kiss melting into the beginning of another. When Dee finally pulled back and looked into Ryo's gorgeous dark eyes, Ryo was left panting, whimpering in pleasure, and desperately wanting more.

 

Dee was such an amazing kisser, and Ryo felt that he could never get enough of the affections that he craved now that he'd had a full taste of what Dee had to offer. Dee smiled down at him, wanting to cool their desires before he ended up ravishing the beautiful honey blond angel here and now and pounding into his gloriously tight body without restraint, claiming him as his own. Instead, he contented himself with gently stroking Ryo's sides and gazing into his beautiful obsidian eyes, their endless depths entrancing him with a glimpse into the angel's pure soul. ”Mmmm, Dee,” Ryo murmured softly, leaning into the gentle caress as Dee laced his hand into honey blond strands and lovingly ran his fingers through Ryo's silky hair. He loved it when Dee touched him.

 

“Ryo, I can never get enough of you,” Dee whispered, his smile reflected in his sparkling emerald eyes as he leaned down to kiss Ryo's luscious mouth again. “I love you so much. I'll love you forever,” he spoke against the angel's soft lips as he turned onto his side to lay next to the honey blond.

 

“Forever and always,” Ryo echoed with a smile as he sat up slowly and stretched, spreading his light gray wings to their fullest as he sensually arched his back. He got to his feet, focusing his beautiful dark eyes on

Dee as he shyly offered a hand to help Dee up. Dee grasped Ryo's hand as Ryo pulled him to his feet, admiring the shadow of his sleekly muscular body outlined in the dusky light.

 

Dee and Ryo walked quietly over to the stream, hand in hand, their fingers interlocking as they found strength from each other. Ryo shivered slightly as he stepped into the cool water, wading deeper until the stream caressed the planes of his flat stomach. Dee ventured in and stood beside him, the water enveloping his taller frame up to his hips. Ryo leaned against Dee's strong body as his fingertips skimmed the surface of the water, creating swirling patterns of languid ripples as the dawning sun now shone down upon the angel and the demon.

 

Dee cupped his broad hands and scooped up some water, pouring it over Ryo's smooth ivory chest, now completely healed of the bruising lovebites that Dee had given him the night before. Ryo's muscles quivered from the chilling sensations as rivulets of water traced the contours of his sleek body, and he shuddered in pleasure as Dee's hands caressed his sensitized flesh. Dee continued to gently wash him with more water as his emerald eyes reveled in the glistening tone that Ryo's body shone with.

 

Ryo shyly gathered a handful of water and rubbed it into Dee's broad olive-toned chest, sighing softly at the feeling of the hot skin beneath his touch as he massaged the muscular flesh until it gleamed. He continued to drench Dee's skin with handfuls of water and wash him, sliding his hands over the planes of Dee's flat stomach and bringing them up to caress his muscular shoulders.

 

Dee and Ryo basked in the loving touches from one another as they continued to bathe each other in the crystal clear stream, beaded droplets of water glistening enticingly on their skin like small iridescent prisms of light as the sun warmed their bodies. Suddenly, Ryo slipped on a stone underfoot and fell towards the water, Dee's steadying grip preventing him from being plunged underwater as he caught the beautiful angel. Ryo took a few deep breaths to calm his pounding heart as he gazed into the water, narrowing his obsidian eyes in confusion as the surface of the water settled.

 

Ryo's dark eyes flew open in shock as a stunning realization dawned on him. He clutched onto Dee's arm with one hand and pointed at their reflections in the water with an outstretched finger. “Dee, what do you see?” Ryo asked in a trembling voice no more than a whisper.

 

“I see the most beautiful angel in all of Elysium and the luckiest demon alive,” Dee said sincerely, although he was unsettled at the underlying panic present in Ryo's voice.

 

“No, look closer,” Ryo urged, his eyes never leaving their reflections in the water. “Our wings… oh, Dee, what will happen to us?” Ryo broke off sadly, covering his eyes to shield them from the tears that he knew were inevitable from his discovery as he clutched onto Dee tighter. He couldn't bear to lose Dee, not now.

 

Dee bent closer to the water as he held Ryo in a comforting grip. Scrutinizing their reflections, his emerald depths widened as he perceived that Ryo's wings had turned a light smoky gray color, while his own were a deep charcoal gray. This undeniable evidence of their love was revealed in the colors of their wings that had blended together when their bodies had become one. The events of the night before were emblazoned on their very souls, the ultimate expression of love that would inevitably come with a price.

 

“No regrets?” Dee asked hesitantly, the handsome demon needing to know for his own peace of mind that he had not taken advantage of the gentle angel in the heat of passion last night.

 

“No regrets,” Ryo affirmed confidently, his shining obsidian eyes reassuring Dee with their calming gaze. “I will never regret loving you. As long as you are here with me, we can face anything together, Dee. I vowed that I would give up anything, as long as we can be together, and I have - no, we have,” he amended sadly as he tenderly stroked the part of Dee's wing that he had healed only days before, the velvety soft feathers that had so lovingly enfolded him in their embrace now tarnished as his were.

 

“Ryo,” Dee breathed as he closed his eyes and leaned into the gentle touch from the shy angel. Ryo placed a soft kiss upon Dee's lips, causing emerald eyes to open slightly in surprise before Dee recovered and parted his lips, feeling Ryo's heated breath against his sensitized skin. Ryo hesitantly extended his satiny tongue and slipped it into the heated cavern, slowly exploring every contour of the raven-haired demon's searing mouth as he languidly wrapped his tongue around Dee's, enticing it into a passionate embrace. Ryo continued to caress his mouth from within, tracing his tongue gently against each new surface that he encountered as he reveled in bliss. Dee moaned in delight into Ryo's sensual kiss, feeling the heat radiating from Ryo's flushed cheeks as the gentle angel tenderly broke the euphoric kiss and looked up at Dee, his dark eyes soft and sultry.

 

“I love you so much, Dee,” Ryo whispered as they walked out of the stream, Dee's hand resting possessively on Ryo's hip as they sat down side by side upon the soft grass, extending their long legs in front of them. Ryo leaned his body against Dee, his honey blond hair tickling against Dee's sensitive throat as a gentle breeze caressed their skin that glowed with a soft radiance. They basked in the sunlight as they dried off, Dee unconsciously spreading his wings over Ryo to protectively shield his paler skin from the intensity of the morning rays. From the moment they had joined their bodies, Dee and Ryo were inseparable in body and spirit, and both wouldn't have it any other way.

 

“I love you, Ryo. I'll love you forever,” Dee whispered as he reached over and handed Ryo his garment and silver sash that had been discarded the night before. He slipped into his black leather pants and secured them as Ryo wrapped the white fabric around himself and tied his sash around his sleek waist. Dee grasped Ryo's hands and pulled him close, pressing their sun-kissed bare chests together as they lay on their sides. “We belong to each other. You're mine to love and protect,” the raven-haired demon murmured huskily as he claimed Ryo's mouth in a fierce kiss, causing Ryo to whimper softly in pleasure from the intensity as Dee deepened the kiss, insistently pressing against Ryo's lips and plunging his tongue into Ryo's mouth as he devoured all that the angel had to offer and rolled him underneath him, pressing his lithe body firmly against Ryo's heated, flushed skin. This was paradise.

 

A soft flapping of wings alerted the forbidden lovers to the presence of two angels descending into the clearing, sparkling white wings mirroring the gleaming swords sheathed at their sides. Their shoulder-length hair the color of spun sunshine and brilliant sapphire eyes offset their stern expressions, and they fiercely drew their swords as they approached the pair. One was dressed in a long, flowing cream-colored robe secured with a gold sash, while the other wore an intricately designed vest of armor over his white garment, a gold armband on his muscular upper arm glinting in the sunlight. “We've come for the fallen angel,” the taller of the two spoke in a solemn voice, the armored warrior angel standing imposingly at his side as if waiting for the command to take Ryo by any means necessary.

 

Before Ryo could even move or speak, Dee stood and spread his wings defensively, shielding Ryo from their view as his body began to glow with a fiery red aura, his flashing emerald eyes glittering with anger as he clenched his fists. “You'll have to go through me first. I will never let you take him. He's done nothing wrong,” Dee growled resolutely.

 

Seeing that there would surely be bloodshed from the impending battle and knowing that Dee was weaponless and outnumbered, the demure honey blond angel rushed forward. “No, please, don't hurt him,” Ryo pleaded as he knelt before the superior angels in supplication, bowing low as he spread his tarnished wings. “Do what you will with me, but let Dee go.”

 

“Ah, Ryo. Your distinctive dark eyes that set you apart from the other divine angels now match your darkened wings. Rise and embrace the destiny that you have chosen,” the robed angel intoned. He extended a hand to help Ryo to his feet, Dee bristling possessively from where he stood helplessly, his powerful muscles flexing. The warrior angel held the sharp blade of his sword against Dee's throat, preventing him from helping Ryo in any way.

 

The taller angel quickly appraised Dee and then glared down at Ryo in disdain. “You dared to think that such a vile beast such as this was worthy of immortality?” the angel spat bitterly, as if the very words he uttered plagued his mouth with a taste of venom.

 

“Please… I love him,” Ryo whispered, his lower lip trembling as his beautiful dark eyes filled with tears. “His body contains the other half of my soul. How can you ask me to deny what I feel for him?”

 

“Impossible! Who ever heard of such blasphemy!” the angel challenged, indignant.

 

“But, you don't understand. He saved my life!” Ryo pleaded desperately.

 

“That's only because he wanted to obtain your gift of immortality,” the angel said haughtily. “Demons care nothing of what happens to those they ravage, whether they be angel or human. It is only about satisfying their disgusting carnal need for pleasure, nothing more.”

 

“No, it's not like that. Dee's not like that,” Ryo tried again. He turned his shimmering eyes toward Dee in an imploring plea for help.

 

“Ryo healed me while asking for nothing in return. Protecting him was the least that I could do for such kindness,” Dee said softly, meeting the steely blue gaze of the angel with his flashing emerald eyes.

 

“And did that thank you also include fucking him?” the blonde angel accused Dee. Dee's mouth fell open in shock and anger. How dare the angel try to cheapen what had happened between them in his prejudice and ignorance! What they had done was special, a mutual expression of their love for one another expressed physically.

 

“He made love to me. I willingly gave myself to him, as he did to me,” Ryo said sincerely in reply, seeing that Dee was at a loss for words at the angel's blatant allegation.

 

The tall angel pondered Ryo's explanation for a moment before replying, “You have fallen under his spell. Don't worry. The beguiling enchanter will no longer be able to seduce and tarnish angels. We will see to that.” Giving a slight nod to the angel who held the sword at Dee's throat, he grasped Ryo by the wrist in a painful grip.

 

The warrior angel swiftly kicked Dee in the back of his legs, causing his knees to buckle and give out, forcing the demon to collapse before the angel in submission. Although Dee knew that he had the definite physical advantage, he dared not try to overpower the angel before him lest the avenging angels hurt his gentle Ryo. Dee fiercely glowered up at them, a glowing red flame surrounding his body as the armored angel tied his hands behind his back with a thick rope and kept the cool steel of the sword pressed against his sensitive throat.

 

“Dee!” Ryo cried out in anguish as he broke free from the robed angel's hold, rushing towards Dee and kneeling by his side. Ryo clutched onto Dee's strong shoulders as he pulled him close until he was pressing against him, cheek to cheek. A fire burned behind the dark depths of his eyes as he glared up at the two angels angrily. “How could you do this to him? Let him go. Your quarrel is with me.”

 

Ryo reverently brushed strands of Dee's raven hair away from his deep green eyes and placed a chaste kiss to his forehead, his lips brushing against Dee in a feathery light caress as he whispered, “I will be called to judgment. It is inevitable. Dee, listen to me. You have to go. They will kill you,” Ryo pleaded desperately as he surreptitiously reached behind Dee in the guise of a hug and untied the thick rope that bound his wrists.

 

“Ryo, I'm not leaving you. We vowed to be together, no matter what. I love you, and not even the forces of Elysium or Hades can drive us apart,” Dee vowed, fiercely impassioned and resolutely determined to protect his beautiful Ryo from an unjust fate.

 

“I'm so sorry, Dee. I love you,” Ryo murmured before the shadows of both angels forebodingly loomed over them, forcing him to disentangle himself from the comfort of Dee's body.

 

“The forbidden fruit always tastes the sweetest, but every temptation comes with a price. Ryo, you are hereby banished from the realm of Elysium forever. Never again will you behold its glories, delight in its ethereal beauty, or set foot upon the place you once called home. Your gray wings will forever be a sign of your transgression for all to see, tarnished with the indelible mark of sin that has tainted your body,” the robed angel said without emotion, unyielding in his final declaration of judgment upon the trembling Ryo.

 

Ryo's body quivered as he clutched his arms around himself and sank to his knees, his vision blurring with unshed tears as he lowered his dark eyes to the ground. Yes, he had known the fate that would befall him if he was to make love to Dee, but he could not believe that the other angels refused to recognize the sanctity of the love he felt in his heart for Dee, a love that was pure and true despite what they had been taught to believe. How could he convince the angels that they belonged together? Ryo would surely die of a broken heart if he was to be eternally separated from Dee. Angels could not live without their soulmates once they had consummated their love with them.

 

Even a love this pure would inevitably be shunned, forever unacknowledged by the ignorance of other angels and demons, not willing to understand or believe the extent of its power. Dee and Ryo had been willing to accept any sacrifice to be together. Now they could not ever return to their respective realms that they called home. Dee refused to abandon Ryo at all costs, and he knew that the menacing realm of Hades was no place for a gentle and innocent angel to seek refuge.

 

Dee's steely voice broke the tangible silence that enshrouded the clearing and his eyes blazed with a fierce emerald fire as he fixed the imposing angel with a challenging glare, speaking in Ryo's defense. “What has he ever done to you that you can condemn him so coldly? Ryo has only ever shown kindness and compassion to all who he has encountered. How do you expect him to survive on Earth without something awful happening to him? Although he is strong in his own right, Ryo is no match for humans or demons, especially in any healing state of vulnerability. You bastards! You know this, and still you stand firm in your resolve to banish him,” Dee seethed, his body blazing with a garnet fire.

 

The angel coolly observed Dee for a moment before speaking with finality, his sapphire eyes bereft of compassion. “There is a lot of fire burning within the depths of your black soul. Someone must quench it before it destroys other angels in its insatiable quest for destruction of all that is good and pure. You only desired his immortality, nothing more. Ha! You dared to think that you could obtain it by tempting him with your seductive lies? The immortality that he bestowed upon you is nothing more than a clever illusion, a guise of the heart betrayed by an innocent's folly.”

 

Dee glared maliciously at Ryo's captor before softening his features, two shining emeralds narrowing in doubt as he shifted his inquiring gaze to Ryo. Had the ritual that Ryo performed upon him been nothing more than a cleverly disguised deception, an event beyond even the gentle angel's powers to control? But it had all felt so real. Dee could not believe that their sacrifice to be together was for nothing. Blood would be shed before this day was over. The executioner angel would make sure of that. Their transgression would not go unpunished. His heart could only hope that he would be able to protect his innocently sweet Ryo from the brunt of the bitter aftermath that was sure to precede the angels' departure from the peaceful clearing.

 

Ryo closed his eyes and lowered his head sadly. This could not be happening. “No! I gave my gift of immortality to him last night,” Ryo protested to the angel. “It doesn't matter that Dee is a demon and I am an angel. We are bound together for all eternity.”

 

“Let's test that theory, shall we?” the robed angel replied forebodingly, his smile twisted upwards in a sardonic leer as if waiting for this very opening to set into motion his heinous punishment upon the fallen angel and his beloved demon.

 

Wrenching a struggling Ryo away from Dee's side, the angel roughly subdued him, causing bruises to form where he held him in a steely grip. Ryo fought to no avail as the stronger angel threw him facedown on the ground, pressing his knee painfully into the small of Ryo's back and pinning him helplessly beneath him, threading his fingers through strands of his honey blond hair in a parody of a lover's caress before he tightened his grip painfully and forced Ryo to look straight ahead.

 

Ryo's eyes locked onto Dee's steady emerald gaze. He was met with a look of strength and acceptance for the undeserved fate that they now shared. Ryo gasped in horror as the blade of the warrior angel's sword bit into Dee's throat, drawing forth a slow trickle of ruby liquid that coated the metal with a trail of Dee's blood. Dee held back a cry of pain as he found comfort and strength within the honey blond's kind eyes, focusing on his beautiful Ryo. They could get through anything together as long as they had each other. A look of hope flickered deep within the dark depths as Ryo gave Dee a brave smile, as if conveying his healing touch to Dee's wound in his sympathetic gaze.

 

“The greatest punishment of all is to be without the one your heart yearns for,” the robed angel continued to speak to Ryo. “You will forever suffer on Earth and bear the burden of your sins alone. The farce of immortality will be revealed in the blood that spills from his body and you will be cursed to live a mortal life, trying to atone for your ultimate transgression. It is the inescapable destiny that you chose the moment you decided to become one with him. Now, watch as the one you love dies before your very eyes!”

 

He nodded to the warrior angel standing next to Dee, who swiftly raised his sword and forcefully plunged it deep into the demon's chest, piercing the skin to drive unerringly into Dee's heart before the demon even had time to react. Dee gasped as immense pain shot through every fiber of his being, his freed hands clutching at the sword in a fierce attempt to pull it out of his body, but the strong angel would not yield. A stream of blood trickled from the corner of his mouth as his eyes locked onto Ryo's, wanting the angel's loving face to be the last thing he saw before he died. Ryo saw his brave look of determination as Dee whispered his last words with steely resolve, determined to impart the depths of his love to Ryo, “I'll always watch over you, Ryo. I love you so much. I'll be with you, forever.” Dee hung his head as the life escaped from his body with a last shuddering breath before closing his emerald eyes and collapsing, drained of his life's force, the red aura surrounding his body extinguished at that very instant.

 

“DEE!” Ryo's eyes widened in despair and he fought with all his strength to get free from his merciless captor. “Let me go!” he yelled. The robed angel holding Ryo finally relented the crushing pressure upon his subdued body when he noticed that the demon was no longer breathing. Ryo hurriedly got to his feet, running over to Dee and cradling his face in his hands. “NOOOOOOOO!” Ryo yelled as he held Dee close to him, glittering tears streaming down his porcelain face in anguish as his body began to glow with a powerful white light. “Dee, don't leave me!” he pleaded desperately as his wings extended and his body began to pulse with healing energy. Ryo collapsed beside Dee's prone body and held the wounded demon, his breathing increasing as he wrapped his arms around Dee and flooded his motionless body with a tingling sensation of vitality, pouring the very essence of his soul into Dee as he buried his face into the crook of Dee's neck, unable to feel even a faint pulse.

 

“Dee, please, open your eyes,” Ryo begged, his glistening tears drenching Dee's lifeless body as he shuddered and kept pushing his angelic body to its limits, determined to heal Dee at the price of his own life if necessary. The light surrounding him glowed brighter, flickered, and then abruptly dimmed. Ryo's body trembled in protest as all of his spiritual energy drained from him, a wave of dizziness consuming him as he desperately fought to hang on to consciousness.

 

The steady flow of blood gushing from the demon's wound bathed Ryo's hands, chest, and stomach, the beautiful angel wracked with grief and desperation as he put pressure on Dee's chest. “I-I can't stop it. The wound is too deep. There's so much blood,” Ryo sobbed, crying out in anguish as he concentrated on focusing his remaining life energy over the source of the wound. His body shook uncontrollably from the pain and his aura glowed faintly as he continued to pour forth his life's essence into Dee, finally reaching his limits.

 

Ryo weakly stroked Dee's face, murmuring, “I'm so sorry. I'll love you, Dee… forever,” before he collapsed on top of Dee, unconscious and hovering on the brink of death himself from the ordeal that he had put his body through. A faint white light that threatened to diminish at any moment was all that remained of Ryo's frail life force.

 

The angels stood by impassively, knowing that they had made the right decision in administering this particular punishment to the forbidden lovers. “Pity. Even the accursed demon has forsaken the fallen angel in his time of need. How tragic,” the robed angel said contemptuously as he delivered a swift kick to Ryo's prone body, smiling as the soft ethereal light surrounding Ryo flickered and finally died out.

 

“Should we break his wings?” the warrior angel inquired, adhering to the proper procedure in treating those angels who were exiled. He wiped his sword against the soft gray feathers, leaving a trail of Dee's blood behind as the blade once again gleamed in the sunlight.

 

“I don't believe that's necessary,” the taller angel replied. “Ryo will never even be able to walk again, let alone fly. The fallen angel will perish shortly as it is. His soul will be judged accordingly in the afterlife. That is punishment enough.”

 

The angels sheathed their swords, satisfied with their work as they spread their glistening white wings, silently departing from the peaceful clearing.

___________________________________________

 

Dee stirred slightly as he felt the familiar warmth of sunlight on his face and perceived a faint tickling sensation from strands of his raven hair brushing softly against his cheek. The demon had been adrift in a sea of unfathomable darkness after he had lost consciousness, a numbing coldness that surrounded his body replacing the pain and agony he had felt when the warrior angel had mercilessly driven the sword into his heart.

 

Dee breathed deeply and blinked open his heavy-lidded eyes as he groggily raised a hand to shield the gleaming emeralds from the afternoon sun. When even this measure was not enough, the demon closed his eyes in an attempt to shut out the sudden brightness until they could adjust to the light. A sense of comforting warmth pulsed throughout his body that caused the pain of his injuries to gradually diminish. Dee felt further strengthened and renewed both physically and spiritually with each passing moment, although a dull sensation of pain still throbbed throughout his body.

 

A multitude of questions bombarded his mind. Where was he? How had he managed to survive through the angels' trial by fire? Most importantly, what had happened to Ryo? Dee focused on his steady breathing in an attempt to clear his head as he became further aware of the capabilities that his physical body possessed. He wondered if he was even strong enough to walk without his body betraying him. Well, there was only one way to find out.

 

As Dee shifted his prone body, he felt a significant pressure on his chest and was immediately aware of the presence of a body lying on top of him. Dee's eyes flew open as the events of the fateful encounter earlier that day came back to him in a rush of emotions. He dared to look down at the body of the fallen angel in his arms. What had the angels done to his Ryo?!

 

“Ryo, Ryo, wake up!” Dee begged, his voice rising in alarm as the angel's body continued to lay motionless despite the stimulation of Dee's touch and voice. He grasped Ryo by his shoulders, ignoring the twinges of pain coursing throughout his weakened body, and rolled him over so that the honey blond was lying on his side on the soft grass. The raven-haired demon gasped as he observed that Ryo was covered in blood. He ran his hands gently over Ryo's body, frantically searching for the source of the wound that had robbed the angel of his life's blood. To his puzzlement, Dee could not find any wounds on Ryo's body, save for a few bruises around his arms and wrists.

 

“Ryo, please,” Dee pleaded frantically, his deep emerald eyes brimming with tears as Ryo still did not move. After all that had happened, after all they had sacrificed, had it all been for nothing? Dee hugged Ryo's limp body close to him, but he could not feel a heartbeat within the gentle angel's chest as Ryo's cheek rested against his shoulder. A faint warmth emanating from the body in Dee's arms indicated that Ryo had not been bereft of his life force for very long.

 

Dee sadly laid Ryo down upon the ground in a state of disbelief and shock, making sure that the angel's beautiful wings were spread out underneath him. How could the other angels be so cruel as to deliberately harm the gentle being that now lay before him? The ebony-haired demon removed Ryo's sash from around his waist and walked over to the stream, wetting it in the clear water and wringing it out before cleansing Ryo's lifeless body from the blood that marred his beautiful features. The motions were mechanical, Dee's deep emerald eyes dull and emotionless as he retied Ryo's sash around his waist after it had dried. The honey blond angel's body lay bathed by the sun, a vision of serene perfection. A fierce anger welled up inside of Dee, quickly replaced by a gnawing sense of guilt that deepened in intensity as he reflected over his heartfelt promises to Ryo.

 

I'll always protect you…

I love you so much, Ryo…

I'm yours, now and forever…

 

“Oh Ryo, what have I done?” Dee murmured, wracked by guilt that he had failed Ryo at the moment when the beautiful angel had needed him most. He absentmindedly brushed away the silent tears that had fallen down his cheeks, assuaged by grief and sadness. “How could I have let this happen to you? If I hadn't seduced you and made you my own, you never would have met such an untimely death. I'm so sorry. I've failed to protect you. My actions have caused you to pay the ultimate price, having to atone for your transgression with your life. I'd give anything to have you back, if only to hold you and look into your beautiful eyes once more before we were parted.”

 

But what exactly had happened? Dee's analytical mind assessed the situation as he was finally able to take in the details around him. His rational side replaced the feelings of helpless shock that had encompassed his thoughts moments ago. If it was not Ryo's blood that had covered the angel's body, then it could only be… his own.

 

Looking at his reflection in the stream, Dee's suspicions were confirmed as he noticed the crimson blood that covered his arms, face, and chest. He quickly washed it away, revealing a scar on his chest over his heart that was tender to the touch. “Ryo…” he whispered, tracing the mark. It had become all too clear what had happened. Ryo had expended himself while trying to save Dee. The compassionate angel had poured all of his healing energy into trying to heal the demon's mortal wound with no thought for his own life.

 

A blazing garnet fire ignited around Dee's body as his eyes flashed with anger, each word that he spoke carefully measured out as he clenched his fists, his dulled nails digging into his palms. “Ryo, I will avenge you. Those cowards will pay dearly for what they've done.”

 

His deep emerald eyes softened as he gently stroked Ryo's face in tender caresses that revealed the depths of his love for his soulmate. Dee took out the pure white feather that Ryo had given him on the day that they had first met. Laying a reverent kiss to Ryo's pale lips as he placed the feather on Ryo's chest underneath his clasped hands, Dee whispered, “You'll always be pure in my heart. I'll never forget you, Ryo. I'll love you forever.” With one last loving glance at the beautiful angel, Dee walked towards the forest, intent to look for a headstone worthy of signifying Ryo's final resting place.

 

The pure white feather shone with a soft glow as it caressed Ryo's delicate body in a loving warmth. Waves of comfort flowed into Ryo, gently replenishing his frail life force and causing his body to be illuminated with a bright white light.

 

The flash of radiant light that shone behind him caused Dee to slowly turn around. His emerald eyes widened incredulously as he ran to Ryo's side and knelt down next to him, cradling Ryo's upper body in his arms. His beautiful angel was murmuring softly as he stirred and moved his head from side to side, as if in a daze. Dee held onto him tighter, hoping against hope that Ryo was indeed alive.

 

Ryo blinked open his beautiful dark eyes, his initial confusion turning into an expression of love and then relief as he looked up into Dee's handsome features. Glistening tears were streaming down the demon's face as he held Ryo tighter against his chest. “D-Dee?” Ryo asked hesitantly, before wrapping his arms around Dee's sinewy body in disbelief and shock.

 

“Ryo,” Dee breathed, the angelic body within his arms pulsing with vitality as he could feel Ryo's life energy strengthening. Ryo's skin had taken on a creamy tone instead of the pallid hue that had previously adorned his exquisite features and a genuine smile broke out across his attractive face that mirrored Dee's own. His Ryo had returned to him.

 

“I thought I'd lost you, Dee. How can this be?” Ryo murmured in bewilderment as he snuggled against the comfort of Dee's warm flesh and reverently brushed the falling tears away from the demon's eyes.

 

“Ryo, I thought I'd lost you too. I don't understand what happened. I thought that the angels were going to kill me. I wonder why they allowed us to live,” Dee mused retrospectively.

 

“No, they had every intention of killing us… unless,” Ryo's dark eyes opened wide in disbelief as he tightened his grip on Dee's shoulders. “Dee - we're immortal. Legend has it that when an angel finds his soulmate and consummates his love, he and the being that is his other half become immortal. Although it is forbidden by both of our races, the love that we have for each other is pure and true. We've passed the ultimate test. Now we can be together forever.”

 

“So, wait. Since the executioner angels think that we're dead, does this mean that they won't be back to offer any further threat?” Dee asked, a brilliant smile spreading across his handsome face.

 

“Yes,” Ryo whispered shyly. “Their job is done here. They despise the realm of Earth anyway. But, where will we go?”

 

“Earth is our home now,” Dee said with finality, running his fingers through strands of Ryo's silky hair. “Ryo, I will never leave you again. I promise to always protect you and remain by your side.”

 

“Dee, I love you so much,” Ryo whispered as Dee lowered him onto the ground, covering his supple body with his own as the demon gently lay down next to him.

 

“I'll love you forever Ryo, my beautiful fallen angel,” Dee smiled as he leaned down to press his sultry lips against Ryo's, tempting him with his forbidden offering.

 

“Yes Dee, fallen for you and only you… forever,” Ryo whispered as Dee claimed his supple parted lips in a heated kiss.

 

As Dee ravished Ryo's sweet yielding mouth and brought him to new heights of euphoria with his passionate kisses, the waning sunlight bathed the two forbidden lovers in a soft glow as it dipped below the horizon. The last thing the sun witnessed before its departure was the beautiful white and red auras surrounding Dee and Ryo's sleek bodies seem to merge into one as they fell asleep wrapped within each other's arms. The last light of day revealed the two pairs of wings that were no longer gray, but a beautiful shimmering silver.

 

 

~End~

 

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