From the Heart of a Villain (MxM)

Chapter 5 - Under the Night Sky

The Empire State Building was one of Samael's favourite lookout points in the city, but he wasn't sure how to get to the observation deck. Not as a human, anyway. He favoured scaling the building himself to rest on the highest ledge, but it might have raised suspicion if he just appeared out of thin air on the deck. As he approached the entrance to the building, he felt the familiar presence of Brett. It was tranquil and inviting, just like the first time they met.

        It didn't take long for him to find his way to the customer service desk inside the lobby where a young woman was seated. She was pretty, and her energy seemed tired but not unenthusiastic. Her hair was done up in a neat bun, and she wore a red blouse with the nametag Victoria pinned over her right shoulder. Samael remembered that name from a conversation between Brett and his father. He wondered if she was a close friend of Brett's, perhaps it would be useful to get to know her, too, if that was the case.

        "Oh yes, he said a friend might stop by. Go on up, Brett's on the main deck." She said as she handed him a ticket with a barcode on it to access the elevator.

        He followed her directions to the elevator and began his ascent. Brett's energy became more apparent the closer he got, a phenomenon Samael hadn't noticed before, probably because he'd never been so drawn to anyone before.

        The ride up felt like ages, and it wasn't just because the elevator speakers welcomed him repeatedly in various languages. He wanted to be near Brett. He wanted to see him, hear him and feel him again. 

        With a ding, the doors opened and Samael exited into another lobby where there was a group of people waiting to get onto the elevator. He brushed past them and found a doorway that lead onto the deck. The view after sunset was beautiful, especially since the sky was clear that night. One could see over the entire city. Every street and avenue illuminated and the buildings and bridges sparkled over the horizon. Samael, however, paid no attention to the scene. He walked around the building, following Brett's energy like a dog on the hunt.

        He found him leaning over his sketchbook which was held down on the ledge by a stone over each corner. Sensing him so close, Samael felt a bizarre twist in his gut as though there were worms moving about inside. Was it even possible for a djinni to host parasites? He was nervous and excited at the same time, a new feeling he didn't know whether to love or hate. 

        Brett was irritatingly appealing that night, unlike any man he'd laid eyes on. His hair was perfectly styled despite the wind and he wore a jean jacket over a hooded sweater and dark blue jeans that hugged his body well, his fingernails were also painted the same deep blue as his eyes which made him even more tempting. Samael was going to have a hard time holding back his thoughts.

        "Hello, Brett" His name rolled off Samael's tongue smoothly. It felt so good that he wanted to say it again and again.

        "Hey there, I'm glad you made it." Brett said as he came in for a hug. Samael welcomed the contact that he'd been craving since that night Brett slept in his arms.

        "So, what have you been up to?" Samael asked as the two released their grip, though he wished Brett would stay there.

        "Nothing much. Just some lectures today and lunch with my brother. It was a good, dull Monday."

        "Right on, I'm glad your day was pleasant."

        "Thanks, what's new with you?"

        "Well, I got myself one of these bad boys." Samael held up his new iPhone.

        "Yeah, you know I thought you were joking when you said you didn't own a cellphone." Brett laughed, "I honestly didn't expect you to contact me." He looked up at Samael with stunning blue eyes that nearly knocked him off his feet. It was in that moment that Samael knew he would do anything for this man.