An Angel's Heart

Time for Truth

The next several days were some of the best of Pha's life. He had to attend classes during the days, but as soon as he was free, he went straight to Yo's room. Oddly, and to Pha's annoyance, Yo's room was constantly filled with people. Arthit and Kongpob never left. Korn and Knock were always in and out. Forth kept coming over and was often visited by Beam. Kit came with Beam and Ming followed Kit like a puppy. Even the new neighbors, Tharn and Type spent all their time in Yo's room instead of their own. The only one who didn't seem to be spending all his time in Yo's room was Pha himself, who had to go to classes. It was possibly the most aggravating thing Pha had ever had to deal with.

In reality, of course, Beam, Forth, Kit, and Ming also had to go to classes, but Pha didn't really care. His mind was ranting about all the problems in his love life and he couldn't be bothered with things like "logic" and "facts." Other than all the people that were constantly in attendance of the little angel, there was one splendid black cat that stepped gracefully about, like a queen, expecting all the other visitors to make way for her.

Despite all these disturbances, Pha and Yo managed to find a few stolen moments of desperate kissing and sweet words before they were interrupted and forced to entertain Yo's guests. Yo spent a lot of time making food or tea or any number of snacks and beverages and despite his efforts, at the end of the day, there were no leftovers to save for the next morning. Indeed, if Pha didn't rush back after his classes, he didn't even get one of Yo's delicious offerings. As the boyfriend of the cook, that irked him greatly.

Pha could never figure out why Yo was missing all of his classes, though he never saw Yo working on anything other than feeding the starving masses that visited him daily. The only time he left the room was to go to Moon and Star practices, and he even had stragglers like Korn, Knock, Forth, Beam, and Kit accompanying him to these. Of course, Forth, Ming, and Pha had to be there. Beam went to be with Forth. Kit went to be with Ming. And Pha would have found a way to shirk that duty if Yo hadn't been going anyway. But Knock and Korn? Pha couldn't imagine why they needed to be there. Talking to Yo, laughing with Yo, smiling at Yo, annoying the hell out of Pha!

Pha couldn't wait for the Moon and Star Competition to be over. This weekend, they'd have the competition and Pha would hand over his title to the new Campus Moon, freeing him of all those responsibilities and freeing Yo of the time spent at practice. Pha could only hope, with that out of the way, some of the more persistent pests in Yo's life (people who buzzed around the angel with admiring eyes and who Yo smiled at much too sweetly) would finally be a thing of the past.

On the last night before the competition, Pha and Yo found themselves nearly alone in Yo's room. Arthit and Kong had run off on some emergency. Forth and Beam were on a date (the news of which sent Pha into shock for nearly three minutes). Ming was doing last minute preparation for his talent and Kit was helping him. Tharn and Type had gone back to their own room. And, surprisingly, Knock and Korn were not around either. The only other occupant of the room was Mau, who was looking at Pha with no small amount of threatening. He'd already had the distinct displeasure of watching Mau jump onto the face of one of Yo's suitors and scratch the man, leaving deep cuts on both of his cheeks.

Of course, Pha couldn't blame Mau for that, she'd done exactly what she should. After all, Yo had declined the man's invitations for dinner more than once and had told the interloper that he was already taken. But even if that guy had had it coming, Pha certainly didn't want to find himself on the wrong end of those claws. He approached Yo cautiously, but his heart was singing. A little privacy was exactly what he needed.

Pha sat down on the couch with Yo, happy to have a place to sit next to Yo for once. He smiled, pulling Yo until the angel was leaning back on Pha's chest and Pha put his arms around his young love, "I've missed you."

"I see you everyday," Yo giggled, snuggling deeper into Pha's arms.

"Your room is usually full of people," Pha explained, though Yo didn't really need it. "I missed having time alone with you."

"I missed being alone with you, too," Yo admitted, making Pha smile.

"Are you prepared for the Moon and Star Competition?" Pha asked, feeling so relaxed now. He always felt amazing when he was with Yo, no matter the situation, but especially so when they could be alone and Yo was in his arms.

"I'm ready," Yo said, turning in Pha's arms to kiss lightly against his chest. There was nothing extraordinary in the kiss, just a pressing of lips against a shirt over his heart, but Pha responded with a tightening of his arms, pulling Yo closer.

"What are you doing for your talent?" Pha asked, his hands kneading gently along Yo's arms, turning him slightly so they were face to face.

"I'm singing," Yo answered, pulling one leg over Pha's and straddling the taller man. Faces close together, Pha swallowed hard, his heart pounding. Pha groaned, a little from desire, but also from frustration. If everyone heard Yo sing, he'd have even more people after him, he might even win the competition and become more popular, if such a thing was possible. There were already too many people after his love and Pha was having a hard time dealing with his jealousy.

"I love you, Pha," Yo said, as though he knew exactly what Pha needed to hear. Pha smiled, looking into the eyes of the man he loved and feeling his desire skyrocket. They both moved forward at the same time, a joining of more than lips and bodies. Pha felt his heart expand, fitting Yo inside as though he had always been meant to be there.

Yo sighed into Pha's mouth, a sound of longing and promise. Pha opened his eyes, watching Yo as they kissed. He couldn't bear to close them and miss out on even a small moment of seeing the face he loved so much. He broke away for a moment, "I love you, Yo. I need you in my life. Don't ever leave me, okay?"

"I'll never leave, I'll stay with you forever," Yo assured him and moved his mouth to Pha's neck. "I told you I would love only you throughout the eternities."

"That's all I ask, just you and me forever," Pha said, his heart pounding harder as Yo kissed the skin behind his ear.

The little angel, whose kisses and touches were bringing Pha closer and closer to what felt like heaven, had never been so happy. Though he still didn't know what was troubling his older brother, Yo was relaxed. He had completed his mission, he'd found a human to love. Someone who would protect his heart and love him forever.

As their kisses became more heated, the two men tried moving to the bed, but were interrupted with a vehement objection from Mau. Pha gave her a look of absolute contempt while Yo soothed her and fed her some of her favorite chicken that he'd managed to keep from the hordes of hungry visitors. Just as they were returning to their exploration of each other, Arthit returned.

"Time to go home, little boy," Arthit said rudely, practically pushing Pha out the door of his brother's room. He was tired and worried and had come home to find his little brother making out, which did nothing to improve his mood. Arthit had accepted that Yo had the right to choose his own love and to give his heart to the person he chose. But as an older brother, Arthit didn't have to like it and he definitely didn't want to watch.

Pha left reluctantly, with Yo promising to see him tomorrow. When he was finally out the door, Yo turned to the older angel, "Out with it. I can tell you're upset and now's the time to come clean. You need to tell me what's wrong or I'm going back to my classes and ignoring you until you give in. I don't want to live like this. Something is making you sad and anxious. You've been short tempered and you've been taking out your temper on every angel around you. It's time to stop, before Kong dumps you and looks for a kinder lover."

"That's not funny, Yo," Arthit said, still moody, but having to admit that Yo was right. He'd been in a bad mood and the angel that took the most abuse from him was Kong. He was lucky that Kong was so patient and forgiving.

"I know, he wouldn't really leave you, Kong loves you unconditionally," Yo said, hugging his brother to ease the sting of the words he'd said. "But it's still time to let go of this secret. It's already too much."

Arthit hugged his brother in return, grateful for the love and peace that filled the air when Yo was around. It eased his worry and reminded him of their Father's patience and support. God was always there, filling the Heavens with love, a flame of love that burned brightly in Seraphim, who shared God's love with the world.

"You'll want to sit down," Arthit said, giving in. "This is going to take some explaining."