Cherub.

13

He was going to tell him.

Angelo was going to tell Gemini what he truly was.

With his quick paced walking, Angelo maneuvered through the crowd—squeezing through the large groups of people. He was careful to not spill Gemini's coffee or drop his fresh, warm, jelly filled pastry. "Excuse me," He whispered, passing another stranger. "Excuse me." Again and again, never forgetting to be polite.

On his walk to Gemini's workplace, he took in his surroundings. The cherub couldn't believe that he taken such a liking to the mortal—he couldn't shake the warm feeling that he got whenever Gemini said his name or how his cheeks hurt in a delightful way at the memory of the man. Who knew an angel would end up in such an unlikely triad? I guess being fallen makes all the difference. Angelo condemned the thought, shaking his head to rid himself of such things. He was not yet a fallen!

He still had his purity and though his wings were wilting, they were there. Weighing heavy on the muscles of this poor mortal shell. Angelo shook his head again and decided to focus on the busy streets instead of what this human brain will wander off into next—he hated that. Mortals were such worrisome little things.

In just three blocks, he passed dogs, hot dog vendors, children with balloons and men with large briefcases. He took in the hundreds upon hundreds of strangers walking, working, sitting, alone, together in this container of life. City life. It both frightened and intrigued him. "Angelo." A voice said softly. It was merely a whisper but he heard it. The angel turned on his heels, surprised to see a woman had been following him. She was tall, dark haired and thin lipped—her features were monotone and her aura....it was different.

"Yes," He spoke low with confusion setting over his features. He obviously didn't know this woman.

"Cassiel." She extended her hand. Her arm was bruised, much like Angelo's. The cherub noticed, crinkling his nose at the familiarity of it all.

"What are you?" Cassiel didn't answer the question. Instead she sent the celestial a smile and shook his hand.

"We will talk soon." She simply said and turned towards the crowd. The brief encounter haunted him for the rest of his walk. That couldn't be the Cassiel he'd known before...when he was Home. Impossible. As he continued his journey to Gemini, he brushed off his curiosities and inhaled when he neared the man's apartment. "I'm different...I'm not from here. You may not comprehend but I fell. From heaven and now I'm here." Angelo whispered as he rehearsed his lines. "No, no. Stupid stupid." He slapped his head lightly.

Finally, he was in front of Gemini's door. The cherub was hesitant to knock as his mind raced with thoughts of the man—why did he feel so deeply for this mortal? And how did it happen so fast? He was willing to risk it all and confess his unearthly existence to a mortal. This would surely seal his faith and strip him of his wings and whatever else granted him access to Home again. Despite that, he still knocked.

It didn't take long for Gemini long to open the door. His eyes lit up at the sight of the cherub. "Angelo, come in." He smiled. Once the man didn't acknowledge his greeting, he raised an eyebrow before shutting the door. Angelo looked scared and anxious which made Gemini feel the same way. "Something wrong?"

"I have to tell you something." Angelo said quietly. Gemini paused. Before his mind could wonder, he spoke.

"I'm listening." He gestured to the kitchen where Angelo followed him. Gemini leaned against the counter and folded his arms, waiting for the celestial to speak. Angelo's hesitance only made him more anxious.

Angelo inhaled. This feeling was new—his stomach ached and sweat bubbles to the surface of his skin. Suddenly he felt hot. And scared. "I..." He choked up. His eyes watered as he attempted to vomit the words out of his mouth. They were stuck in his throat. "You may not believe me."

"Tell me." Gemini urged him to go on.

"I have to leave you," Angelo said instead of the rehearsed lines. His mind took over for him. "I have to go back Home."

"You told me you left home." Gemini stood up straight. "What happened? Why are you leaving?"

"The longer I stay, the longer I suffer." He murmured and turned his gaze away from Gemini's pained expression.

"What does that even mean?" The man questioned. "Is that your way of leaving me?"

"Never," Angelo rebutted. "You won't understand...you can't. Your brain, your eyes. You can't handle it."

"Angelo, what are you talking about?" Gemini's eyes suddenly watered at the sight of Angelo's forming tears. That feeling again—that ache in his chest as he watched an angel cry. "Tell me something. You can't just lay this on me and leave!" His feelings felt true. The love he felt seemed real; despite barely knowing the man, he was drawn to him in ways he couldn't even comprehend.

"I don't want to hurt you." Angelo cried. "I was never meant to be here. I'm fading. And I'm hurting. I have to go." The mention of his aches drew the pain back. His shoulders felt heavy again and the muscles on his back were tensed as his phantom wings stretched for the sky—his being was angry. Angry that he wasn't home. Angry that they weren't seen. His many faces ached behind this mortal's skins and bones.

Angelo felt it would be best to flee back home. This feeling for Gemini wasn't real—he just wanted to feel as mortals do. But it was all a lie. This flesh felt too deeply. Too deeply for an angel to understand. The longer he stayed, the longer he disobeyed his Father. He could never be human.

"Just fucking get out then!"

"What?" Angelo murmured. Disbelief set over his features at such harsh words.

"You're right. I want you gone, Angelo." The angel winced at such words, witnessing the coldness in the man's eyes. Why did this physically hurt? "I can't anymore—it's like I'm always in this state of confusion.  I'm never in my right mind when you're around and you clearly don't want me the way I want you." He argued. The aura of an angel could cloud one's mind. Angelo knew that.

"Gemini, that is not true," Angelo argued, suddenly feeling overwhelmed. He wanted to sit down. This intense emotion made him want to rip through the body's flesh—he burned with passion, feeling the bones tremble. He reached for the taller man's hand, causing him to back away and shoot a glare at Angelo. "You make me feel safe." The cherub stuttered.

"Safe? That's it?" Gemini laughed, throwing his hands up. The angel flinched. "Is it because I let you crash on my couch and occasionally cuddle with me? We don't kiss, we don't hug, we don't fuck—other times I can't even make out what it is that you're saying to me! Everything is a code with you."

"Why are you saying all these things?" Gemini watched as Angelo's lip quivered. He rolled his eyes.

"I don't know what you expect, Angelo, seriously. I don't get you."

"You can't understand, Gemini, you just can't." Angelo argued. He didn't understand. How could Gemini be saying all these things to him? Why did he suddenly feel this way? It felt as if there wasn't enough oxygen in the atmosphere. His chest felt constricted and unable to expand enough to fill his lungs. This feeling could be called heartache.

"Yeah, I never seem to understand."

"I wish I could tell you everything but you won't understand. Your brain–"

"Angelo, save it. I know you have a lot of shit on your plate, mentally but you're damaged goods and I don't have the time nor patience to take you on as a project." Angelo winced again—that insult felt like a jabbing sensation at his side.

Despite feeling every emotion from every direction, the only word short enough to come out of his mouth was, "Okay." Gemini looked away to avoid the pained expression on the angel's face.

As Angelo approached the front door, he trudged, feeling an ache like no other on his back. Home was calling again. He turned around, tears streaming down his face and for a moment, he smiled at Gemini. It was pained but genuine. "I've stayed this long for you, Gemini." And with that, he was out of the door.