They stood there, as the gates of Heaven shut with a loud “clang!”, a cold, hard reminder that the two of them were no longer welcome within the warm, sweet embrace of Paradise, and the company of their kin. Some even called for their heads to be taken, but given their strength, expulsion was deemed a better solution. Otherwise, many would perish. One would be a challenge to try and kill. Both? That was asking for Heaven to be turned into a graveyard, a slaughterhouse. It had been made abundantly clear that the pair would mercilessly destroy anyone or anything that tried to harm them and their relationship. And the higher ups weren’t willing to lose so many. Plus…while what they had done, what they had been found out to be partaking in, was considered egregious, they had been in good standing for so long. Revered and admired. Hence, they were spared execution.
With fingers intertwined, Yael and Azazel looked upon each other. Love and adoration in their gazes, as well as a sense of trepidation and uncertainty. Relief at no longer having to hide their romance, and…anger, for all either had known was Heaven; servitude to the ideals of Paradise. Dutiful, exemplary servitude at that. In their eyes, their so-called “betrayal” was hardly egregious. Actually, it wasn’t egregious at all. It was an act of love. Love that they, the rest of their winged kin, simply couldn’t, or rather, didn’t, want to understand. For it served no purpose, no greater good. And it went against the arbitrary laws, most of all. Pushing back against the numerous, unspoken decrees was tantamount to declaring hatred for the realm.
Glancing back as their former kin eyed them with solemn gazes conveying disappointment, the two angels couldn’t help but feel stinging sensations in their hearts. Resentment in their eyes, faint lumps in their throats. How could they be so callously tossed out and turned away like this? Did this speak volumes of how they were truly viewed in the minds of their fellow divine beings? Passionately locking eyes, hearts fluttering and souls beaming, in spite of what seemed to be dire circumstances, a silent affirmation seemed to be shared. That they would figure it out. And that despite what had transpired, they still cherished each other immensely. No matter what was to occur from this point forth, no matter what the hands of fate held and wished to weave, that much was certain. They belonged to each other. Completely and wholly.
Besides, the temptation to leave it all behind, like the one hated more than anyone else, had always bounced around in their minds, despite their loyalty and love for their home (which, despite their silent disdain for many of the practices so tightly held onto within those walls, was…still their home, and still their way of life). Lingering as they carried out the whims of the Most High with smiles on their faces and resolute demeanors. To no longer be bound by the stringent rules and regulations. To live brazenly, without having to hide who they were to each other. It was a desire born out of both frustration and excitement.
Raising a hand slowly, Azazel’s large, yet elegant hand held Yael’s delicate, androgynous face, slowly brushing aside a few strands of the shorter angel’s disheveled, crimson locks. His dark skin contrasting against his lover’s pale complexion. Yael laid his head upon the black-winged angel’s chest, relishing in how the taller male’s body was more muscular and brawny (but still on the leaner, more willowy side) than his lithe, petite, toned figure. Eyes tracing his partner’s gorgeous, fair, beautiful features; twirling a few strands of lengthy, straight, platinum white hair around his fingertip. Blinking as he pressed a kiss to the other’s jawline, humming as strong, muscular arms encircled his slim waist and wide hips. Pressing against Azazel’s body even more than he already was, the dark-skinned angel’s large, ominous, haunting black wings protectively wrapping around his beloved husband’s.
All around them, in front of them, below them, even above them, laid out in a myriad of directions (some of which one would say didn’t…or shouldn’t…exist), simultaneously and at the same time, not at all arranged or even present in said places, incomprehensible in the way it defied any sense of understanding, breaking all poorly understood laws concocted and projected by simple minds, confounding to those with limited perspectives…there it was. A gulf. A sea. A place of duality and opposing concepts that came together as one, melding and mixing. Born out of the last breaths of something far older and greater than either Heaven or Hell. Existence was the remains of a great carcass. Which had also risen out of the ashes of something more indescribably ancient. Unknowable. Itself a great contradiction that resolved itself. Duality unknown to it.
Angels didn’t much interfere with Existence and its many, many facets. It wasn’t a place of interest, preferring to simply let it be. Desire to do so was considered…unusual. Odd. Among the older and more conservative, it was a cause for…alarm. It raised eyebrows. Leaving Heaven, in any capacity, meant permanent exile, with death being the penalty for making an attempt to return. Even entertaining the idea guaranteed temporary pariah status. Paradise, in their eyes, was much more preferable to anywhere else; their beloved home. Never mind if that preference was manufactured and inorganic. Leave? What a ridiculous notion. They considered it to be the pinnacle of everything (an uptight, arrogant, stoic species they were, just like their head honcho, who was always missing, and likely would be until the end). Spitting upon whatever else there was. Especially on…the other side. Where the most hated resided.
Rebelliousness wasn’t tolerated in any capacity. Not since the Great Fall. Hated and scorned, stamped out as best as possible. Even minor offenses incurred the sentence of damnation, if not execution.
Could one call what the residents felt towards their home love? Loyalty? As manufactured as it seemed to be? Was any of it genuine? Or was it a product of fear and manipulation?
Yael and Azazel had spent a considerable amount of time journeying through Existence, nonetheless. Sneaking out of the various backdoors Heaven had. Curiously exploring together. Making love on the surfaces of celestial bodies, peering into the darkest corners where no life dwelled, traversing the faces of planets both bizarre and beautiful, mingling with mortal life forms so vastly different from themselves, relaxing in the remains of burst stars and the dust of gigantic nebulae, surfing the spirals of galaxies and bearing witness to the appetites of black holes. Of course, their kin had no idea of any of this. They’d made sure of it. For…they didn’t really want to leave. It wasn’t their intentions. Their attachments to their home, despite everything, even in the face of building anger and resentment, was still as strong as ever.
What sort of life was this to lead? Bound, silenced? Frolicking with each other, in numerous places, had opened their eyes, and dashed away the residuals of prejudices that may’ve lingered, yet made no sense under scrutiny.
Azazel kept Yael close, his arm slung protectively around his shorter lover. Dark eyes scanning around with a degree of caution. The black seas of infinity that yawned out on the outer edges of Existence and past the borders of Heaven’s full territory, beyond the reach of Paradise, were home to things even angels did not know. The graves of many winged brothers and sisters lay unmarked in the darkness, torn apart by what was supposedly long forgotten…and what was beyond even their comprehension.
Yael kept his face nuzzled into Azazel’s arm, and side, and shoulder. Everywhere, really. He had a propensity for being touchy. Affectionate. He craved physical sensations, both the lewd and non-lewd variety, from his beloved immensely. When in the walls of Paradise, such a sensation wasn’t experienced all that frequently by him, on account of him and Azazel having to keep their feelings for each other secret. Soft whimpers left his lips as the taller angel carded his fingers through those silky smooth, crimson locks he so adored, knowing it calmed and relaxed the shorter male a great deal.
Everything became dark, eerie, and formless after a while. Wasn’t exactly clear when that had occurred. Sort of just…happened. Perhaps wandering aimlessly in a single direction brought one to the very edges of what was known to be. Into…whatever this was. Azazel and Yael had been many places, but none quite like this, though they had a sneaking suspicion of where they might be, for they had heard tale from their kith and kin many a time. Where the infamous rebel now dwelled. Is this the place he called home? Quite fitting, and it seemed to live up to its whispered reputation. Chaotic, with no sense of rhyme or reason. Bizarre, even to them. A strange region where all was foreboding, ominous, deadly, radiating a hostile energy. Terrain of an incomprehensible variety. Hardly any light gleamed here, illuminated by the occasional glow of fire, or some unknown glow that prevented the entire area from being pitch black. The geography seemed reminiscent of a cave, despite the lack of visible walls or a roof. Something about it felt finite, closed in, sealed off, but clearly…wherever they were, stretched on forever. In all directions. Distant groans and howls emanated from deep within. The sky…or cover…or whatever it was, entirely barren. Casting a deep, dark shadow over everything. Enveloping all within its frigid, ominous embrace. And when the pair looked over their shoulders, they realized they weren’t quite sure how they ended up here. Evidence of an entrance was absent. The direction they trudged forth in seemed to imply they were heading down, as though descending into a gaping maw, straight into a throat.
A chill permeated their current surroundings. An overbearing cold. Pressing in from every direction, squeezing and choking all life, leaving only the undead. Accompanied by a stench . No sort of warmth could be felt, even with the faint, almost imperceptible glimmer of flame licking at the obsidian, brimstone, sulfur, and dust. Provisions of comfort and solace, this place blatantly lacked. Only a steady stream of unease and danger flowed from its gullet. Letting all potential outsiders know that this was where no law, no sanity, no peace, no order could be found.
Far off in the distance could be seen a dragon. Imposing and lumbering, with eleven heads sprouting out of its body. Breathing smoke and belching scorching heat. Ready to tear holes in the fragile fabric of reality, creating portals to the realm where all was discord and disjointedness. Sounds of an indescribable variety left its many necks, causing the ground to quake and tremble. Echoing into the dark depths of the endless plane.
Both of the winged individuals noticed the residents lurking around. Beautiful, yet haunting beings. With no solid identity that could be made out. Appearing as though the binary alluded them, endowed with the characteristics of both sides of the spectrum. Much like the couple they were currently fixated on, staring at with wide, pitch black eyes and curious expressions. Possessing strange features (from too many eyes, to fangs and unhinged jaws, to monstrous wings, to pallid and sickly skin) that, nevertheless, did little, if anything at all, to detract from their ominous and simultaneously ethereal, mesmerizing appearances. Yael and Azazel were entranced. Looking back with just as much intensity. Yael felt his heart race, and Azazel’s breath hitched.
Silently, another figure approached.
But this one was markedly different, and radiated a different aura. More distinct. More…atavistic. Even more than the residents that called this region home. As much of a home as it could be.
With striking blonde hair that flowed down his back, eyelashes that batted lasciviously slow, elegance and feminine grace in his facial features, lips so soft and luscious, parted slightly in surprise, flawless, slightly tanned skin, pitch black eyes, a build that was tall and regal, toned and chiseled.
Could it…be…?
Was it him…?
A mirthful expression replaced the previous one of intrigue, carrying a certain haughtiness in that smirk he bore. Revealing fangs nestled into that mouth of his, just slightly. Arms folded. Standing completely nude, as did the rest of his cohorts, in comparison to Yael and Azazel, who were fully clothed, and quite formal in their choice of outfits. The accuser unabashedly proud in his display. Flaunting all that he was.
“So, you’ve been cast out?” An eyebrow was raised as he began to step down towards the pair of angels before him, looking back and forth between them. Voice velvety and smooth. An audible caress. A tad light, and sounding as though it belonged to either gender.
Yael and Azazel glance at each other, a blush creeping onto Yael’s face as he presses closer to the taller male, while Azazel swallows thickly, pupils dilating just the faintest amount. The anticipation growing stronger amongst the three of them.
“Y-Yes…yes, we were.” Azazel hummed, steadying his deep, suave voice as he watched the blonde now enter his personal space, their torsos pressing together in a manner that ignited a hunger in Yael’s eyes. Deliciously sinful thoughts creeping through his head of the three of them intertwined in the throes of passion. Taking turns with each other, in all sorts of positions, each of them enjoying each other, without regard for a dominance or submission hierarchy.
“We love each other. And…and that was considered unforgivable.” The redhead hummed quietly, chewing the corner of his lower lip. Soft breaths leaving his lips, intertwining his fingers with Azazel’s. Looking up into his beloved’s eyes, who glanced back down at him with that soft, yet protective gaze.
A light chuckle left the blonde’s lips, a grin on his face. “Oh, do not worry, I wish not to judge or even break apart such passion. Au contraire, I encourage it.” Taking a step back, he spread his arms wide, gesturing to the present company he kept. “We all do.” He affirmed with a nod.
No judgements…no regulations…no rules…it was everything Yael and Azazel could hope for. What they previously were only able to dream of. Wistfully conversing after eager lovemaking sessions over their want for something, someplace, that would allow them to be how they were, without any sort of blowback and small-minded prejudice.
Here they were, finding it in the home of someone the two of them had been taught to hate since their inceptions.
“I was cast out for the same reasons, y’know?” The adversary mused softly, lips pursed. “My darling Samael and I were made to flee after I questioned, indulged, and refused to simply…lie down and submit blindly. Affirming what I was, what they were, and ” As if on cue, a brunette, manifested next to him. With tanned skin, and bangs that shadowed their empty eye sockets. Facial features sharper, less soft. But beautiful and enchanting nonetheless, giving way to a certain ambiguous and undefinable appearance, willowy and curvaceous all at once. Their head dipped to the most hated’s neck, kissing, nipping with sharp teeth and licking with a long tongue. Causing Heaven’s enemy to groan, stirring his arousal. Murmuring sweet, loving praises to Samael in a language more ancient and forgotten than Azazel and Yael had heard.
The two lovers couldn’t help but be drawn in by the erotic sight. It promised pleasures that they had yet to experiment with, fantasies that the pair mulled over and found enthralling in equal measure. For they were not jealous lovers; Azazel longed to see others relish in and enjoy Yael’s splendor, and Yael wished to see others taken by Azazel. Such things had occurred in the past, true, but they were mere flings. Nothing substantial that sated the soul. Fleeting at best, and often relegated to chance encounters. Stolen moments that were gone with the wind, never to occur again, no matter how special and rewarding they were. Yael and Azazel craved something more consistent, more permanent…more meaningful. Beyond the occasional good fortune that came with happenstance.
“You can join us if you’d like…” Samael cooed in a whisper tone.
Azazel licked his lips, squeezing Yael’s hand tenderly, looking down at Yael, who nodded. The confirmation was all that Azazel needed. For he was already on board.
“Yes.”
A World In Flames 