Angels and Demons ch3

And this kind of pain, only time takes away

That's why it's harder to let you go

And nothing I can do, without thinking of you

That's why it's harder to let you go

***

~One month later~

Cloud picked up a package of ground meat, inspecting the
price. With a small nod, he set it in his cart and pushed it
down the aisle. It had been weeks since Zack; so long that
Cloud had let the memory of the other raven-haired angel
fade into the backdrops of his mind. Noctis had taken up
many of his thoughts now… Cloud felt a flush color his
cheeks at the reminder of that day. Noctis had been
extremely rough with him, leaving several wounds and
bruises. He had been apologetic and guilty for a whole
week, insisting that Cloud stay in bed for several days
while he catered to his every whim. Then, when the sun set,
Noctis made sweet, gentle love to him and Cloud would fall
asleep in his arms. But Noctis changed a little; sometimes
he would rough-house with Cloud or shove him into a wall
for a quick, hot kiss before leaving.

The angel sighed and reached up to the top shelf for the
last bag of pasta, stretching his lean body to get it.

Zack grinned and grabbed it, handing it to the dirty
blonde, almost brunette man. "Fancy meeting you here." He
chuckled, leaning on the aisle leisurely. "How have you
been?" The raven smiled softly, sincerely curious.

Cloud snatched the bag away from him and scowled at the
comment. Ignoring him, he tossed the pasta into the cart
and wheeled it away from him. Cloud searched the shelves
for a can of spaghetti sauce. His body began yearning at the
sight of Zack, but his mind scolded him. After grabbing
the sauce, Cloud left the fallen angel behind. As Cloud
went to check out, his thoughts returned to Noctis and the
surprise he planned for him.

Zack followed, humming softly. "Why the silent treatment,
baby?" He got close to him from behind, hands slipping
around his waist slowly, hot breath warming Cloud's skin.
"I missed you."

Goosebumps popped up on his skin and he shivered. He
ignored him still and bagged his groceries, paling as he
walked out to his car and piled them in.

***

But if there's a pill to help me forget,

God knows I haven't found it yet

But I'm dying to, God I'm trying to

***

Zack waited until he was done putting them away before he
trapped him to his car, hands on the window on either side
of Cloud's face. "Why are you ignoring me?"

Cloud glared up at him, "Get off me." He growled through
clenched teeth. "I don't want to speak to you." He turned
his head away, hiding the blush covering his cheeks.

"Not until you answer me" He kept a distance, but still
close. "I want to know what I did wrong." His brows
furrowed lightly. "You can't say it's because of our last
meeting, because nothing happened." Zack looked into his
eyes, searching.

Cloud sighed. "You're not going to make this easy, are
you?" he murmured then waved the question away. "Please,
just go. I'm late and Noctis will be worried." Cloud
attempted to twist free, which only put his body closer to
Zack's. He sucked in his breath as their hips brushed and
his gaze snapped back to Zack's. "I'm not supposed to speak
to you." Cloud finally blurted out, unable to resist those
eyes.

Zack grinned wickedly and pressed against him. "But you
will, you always will." He chuckled and kissed down his
jaw slowly. "You can't help it." His breath washed over the
skin as he whispered the words.

Cloud's bones shook with desire once more but he pushed
himself backwards. "I can help it, thank you, and I will. Now if you'll excuse me," He turned around to reach the door handle, causing his back to press against Zack's
chest. He sucked in air and froze.

"Then why can't you help yourself around me?"  His breath
fanned across Cloud's neck as he pressed closer. "You know
that night you let Noctis' demon loose? It's because you
wanted me. And you know he'll never be a substantial replacement for me." He said matter-of-factly. "You try to forget about me, but I know you think about me at night, and I'm constantly there, in the back of your mind..." He nipped his neck.

Cloud leaned his head back a fraction, baring his neck. He
was right, of course. Cloud had never truly stopped
thinking about him. He wanted Zack badly; like an alcoholic
craved a beer or vodka. He sighed and moaned at the same
time, rolling his head to the side. "Zack," He breathed
out.

Zack chuckled and sucked on a spot softly before turning
him around, pressing against him completely. "Think about
this," He said, cupping his chin. "When you kiss me," He
kissed him, a sweet emotion flavoring it, "then him," He
frowned. "Whose kiss do you crave more?"

Cloud looked up at him with his blue-green eyes, pupils
blown large. His gaze dropped to Zack's lips, then back to
his eyes. Cloud leaned in and pressed his lips to Zack's,
very gently kissing him as fingers threaded through raven
hair. The sound of the keys dropping was like a splash of
cold water as Cloud pulled back and opened his eyes once
more. His lips trembled but his gaze was steady, "I crave
you. I crave you with an intensity I've never felt." He
blinked. "But," He started. "I love Noctis." Cloud's arms
slithered back to his sides as he bent and picked up his
keys. He stood and his lips quirked up in a sad smile. "You
would tire of me, Zack."

Zack sighed and stepped back. "Cloud, I-" He cut himself
off with a sigh. "Nevermind. Just be like the others then.
Shove me away and assume what you wish. There are things
about me you wouldn't understand. I'm not just after sex.
You... I thought you were different. I suppose I was
wrong." He said, looking vulnerable and almost as if he was
in pain. His intense gaze challenged Cloud to disagree.
"Just go back to your demon who's keeping secrets. The man
is a selfish, emotionless, hollow shell! Have you ever
noticed he has 'no heartbeat'?!" Zack grabbed the
younger's hand, placing over his heart as the muscle beat,
strong and sure. "Alive. I'm real. I can't say the same for
your demon." Zack let the other's hand drop with a defeated
sigh. "I'm leaving. Go have fun with your Noctis, Cloud
Strife. You can tell him I'm not going to bother you
anymore." He whispered.

Cloud watched him walk away with grief and heartache. He
longed to run to him and fling himself into Zack's arms.
The urge was so overwhelming, he reached out and grabbed
Zack's arm. His mouth opened and once more, the truth
spilled from his lips. "I want you, Zack." The words came
forth like a waterfall and he couldn't stop them. "You were
right. I wanted you, but I couldn't have you. When I think
of Noctis, well, it makes me feel guilty. He says he loves
me and he's breaking every rule to be with me, and he's
cared for me for two years, but I find myself drawn to you,
I'm horrified that I'm betraying him. Then there's this
whole deal of Angels and Demons..." he trailed off and
looked away, still holding his arm. "Noctis never treated
me like you do." Cloud murmured. "He always touched me
softly, like I was about to break. And then you and your
dreams come along... I wanted that. I craved it and drove
Noctis to give it to me." A light breeze ruffled his hair,
turning his hair to a lighter shade without either of them
noticing it. "But I wasn't satisfied..." He reluctantly
let go of him, his fingertips lingering on Zack's skin. Too
long it had been since he had felt another heartbeat. "I
don't deserve either of you. I'm just a bumbling, selfish
me..."

Zack looked at him. "But you still chose him." He
whispered sadly. "Just like all the others, you chose the
one who doesn't care. Just..." He sighed heavily. "Just
forget about me. Stop thinking about me completely...
Please just let me go." He said quietly.

Cloud backed away. "Right," his cheerful mood had
dissolved to dust and the color had drained from his face.
"Of course. Well," he met his gaze, eyes shuttered and
closed off to the world. "It was... pleasant to meet you."
He held out his hand. On the inside, his heart had stopped
beating and his gaze stung with unshed tears. After
shaking his hand, he climbed into his car and drove off,
not knowing he wouldn't make it home.

***

'Cause trying not to love you, only goes so far

Trying not to need you, is tearing me apart

Can't see the silver lining, from down here on the floor

And I just keep on trying, but I don't know what for

'Cause trying not to love you

Only makes me love you more


***

A silent house greeted Noctis as he came in from work. An
eerie silence that sent chills up spines, the kind that
hinted something was wrong, greeted him instead of the
blonde. The rooms were dark and still, unnervingly so,
without the warmth of the small blonde. Noctis frowned and
looked around. "Cloud?" He called, knowing the other
wasn't there. He groaned and dug out his phone, calling
Cloud. His frown deepened when the call went to voicemail.
He dialed another number, the person picking up on the
second ring.

"Hello?" The other male said, panting hard and grunting.

"You better not be with Cloud or I swear to any God or me,
whichever you believe in, that I will-" Zack cut him off.

"Don't get your panties in a bunch, I'm not. I haven't seen
him in like, an hour I think. We ran into each other at the
store and we talked, then he left. Is he not at home?" He
asked, concern slipping into his voice.

"No, or I wouldn't be calling you to see if he was there."
Noctis rolled his eyes. "Wait, if you're not with Cloud,
why does it sound like you're with someone?"

"I'm running. Calm down, fuck. Look, I'm sure Cloud will
show up soon, just wait." Zack said then hung up. Noctis
looked at his phone then sat on the couch with a sigh,
nothing left to do but wait.

***

So I sit here divided, just talking to myself

Was it something that I did?

Was there somebody else?

When a voice from behind me, that was fighting back tears

Sat right down beside me, and whispered right in my ear

Tonight I'm dying to tell you

***

The sun was sinking below the horizon when the sound of a
car reached Noctis' ears. Knocking sounded on the door.

Noctis stood and opened the door, expecting Cloud. When he
saw the man on his porch, he sighed. "What do you want?"
Noctis leaned against the doorway.

Vincent raised an eyebrow, long raven hair flowing in the
slight breeze. "I've brought back something that might
belong to you."

"What do you think is mine, why do you have it, and where
did you get it?" He practically commanded, voice regal and
demanding, not to be questioned or disobeyed.

Vincent smiled lightly and turned to the side. Behind him,
parked in the driveway, was Cloud's car. "I found this
perfectly fine car abandoned on the side of the freeway. A
license inside said this was the correct address." He held
out the drivers card, "'Cloud Strife' owns this? There are
groceries in the back. Meat spoils after a while, if he
didn't know." Vincent motioned to the car.

Noctis looked at the car and his face fell. He walked over
to it and inspected all around the vehicle. "No sign of
forced entry..." He mumbled to himself. "dammit all..."
He groaned and leaned against the car, looking down at the
card with his love's face on it, a sad look on his own.

"Is there anything I can do?" Vincent approached him and
leaned his tall frame against the tree across from him. He
regarded him coolly with eyes the color of the night. A red
band restrained his hair from tumbling down.

"Find the bastard that took him." He snapped, his eyes
flashing red. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath,
calming himself down. "Did you see anything around the
vehicle? Like black feathers?" He asked, hope laced into
his words.

"Unfortunately, no." He raised an eyebrow. "You suspect a
fallen? And who is this, 'Cloud'? Another mortal fling,
hmm?"

The older raven sighed. "No... I love this kid." He looked
at him. "And yes, I do suspect a fallen, but just one in
particular. Go talk to Zachary Fair." He looked down at the
card again, fingertips running over the picture of the
smiling blonde.

Vincent nodded but smiled dryly. "You and your men,
Noctis, I swear." He tipped his head in Noctis' direction.
"My King," He murmured and vanished.

***

That trying not to love you, only went so far

Trying not to need you, was tearing me apart

Now I see the silver lining, from what we're fighting for

And if we just keep on trying, we could be much more

'Cause trying not to love you

Only makes me love you more