Memories in the Void

Chapter 1

Everything was fuzzy. Ears were ringing. Golden eyes staring straight back at him from afar. Leo just hoped that Lonnie was able to get back home safely. He hoped that she would take care of his family while he was away. He's had enough of Raphael's constant attacks and attempts to bring him back. It was almost pitiful. He was almost pleading with him, but Leo refused to listen. He doesn't understand why Raphael still tries even after everything he's lost. His attempts were getting worse, and Leo was only getting closer. Each attempt to touch him was only getting blocked or deflected. He could see how he was only firing with rage and chance. Leo used one of his miracles to pin down the enraged demon. The tyrant looked up at the small boy who overpowered him, cursing at him with every name in the book. Leo bent down to his level. Their eyes locked, both waiting for the other to make a move. Leo couldn't help but feel empathy for him even when he knows he shouldn't. The man pinned in front of him is the same man who's forced him to do terrible things, manipulated and lied to him too many times to count. He hates to think about the things he's done, but here he is, the vile man in his grasp. Even though his voice was small, he made himself clear. "I loved you.. But I moved on to someone who treats me better. I was never yours to use, but you can't understand that because you depended on me to do everything to get you the things you wanted." He held his cheek gently, "I could treat you the same way since you're like this, but I won't. I fucked up by trusting you could be good again. Now, we're both trapped here for who knows how long. Even so, I still won't do the things you did to me.." He got up, walking away as the grip on Raphael loosened. Leo felt his back hitting the ground harshly. Hands around his neck were tightening. Those same golden eyes were filled with anguish as he stared back unfazed. A booming voice echoed throughout the area, "You're the highest demon there is. The fucking king but I have you in my grasps because you went soft on me. You! Of all people! You gave up when you could've ended me and your suffering!" Those pale hands were pressing against his throat. Leo could feel something dripping from his mouth. His vision was slowly blurring. "Why?! Do you pity me that much?" Raphael yelled. The smaller boy gripped on his hands trying to squeeze out a noise, "I wanted to believe you could change." Change..? Raphael let go of the still boy. He has changed. They both have, but he didn't want to see it. They used to be close. They protected each other no matter what. Even after Raphael fell, Leo still protected him. Why couldn't he do the same? Why couldn't he stay the same that way neither of them fell? Jealousy and greed overpowered Raphael when they were younger. He was upset that his closest friend was better at everything. Jealousy isn't a good enough excuse of why he treats him like this. Maybe it was the feeling of being able to control the better one. He's been able to do it over again. Leo under him, unconscious from the forceful act. Raphael could take control again when he's like this. Make him stay forever. Make him come back to him. They could be together again, and they could be the strongest demons in all of the 7 rings of Hell.

--- TW: Nausea ---

When Leo came to, he was met with a blank slate of the place they were in. He was hoping to wake up somewhere else. Maybe home with the twins and Robin or on the couch next to Mid and Bubs. His head was hurting, so he stayed on the ground. He felt Raphael holding on to him. He felt uneasy with the sign of clinginess. He moved his arms and rolled away. He understands that they're alone here, but that doesn't mean he can do whatever he wants with him. He dusted his clothes off to figuratively get Raphael's touch off of him. He looked around the abyss. Nothing interesting in his view. He should've brought his glasses, but who was he to know what was gonna happen. Leo left Raphael on the ground to let him rest or scheme or whatever the snake is doing on the floor. He might as well walk around to see what else is in this place. It felt like hours when he was walking around. Nothing was here. Only the two fallen angels. Leo wasn't feeling too satisfied learning there's nothing else here. He felt uneasy knowing that it's just him and his abuser. He noticed when he was walking that the place came to a loop. He passed Raphael a couple times even when he went a different direction. His stomach churned with the thought of being isolated with the person he hates the most. No, this wasn't right. This wasn't uneasiness. This hurt. He bent over, clutching his stomach. Liquid hit the floor as tears rolled down his cheeks. He leaned on something for support. Feeling a pat on his shoulder, he knew what it was. He wasn't the best to handle nausea. Raphael was holding him up, but Leo figured he's only doing it to get something in return. He held him close to keep him from falling. At least, they were still able to perform some miracles. Raphael helped him clean up and ease down the nausea. It was almost funny. It was like his chance to be a better person by helping him. A chance to get close again. It brought him back to when they were little angels. He remembered how Leo would get like this before an event or when he was nervous around big groups. Leo pushed him away, not wanting to be near him anymore. He only felt more nauseous. There was a harsh grip on his arm as he was pulled back. He pulled his hand away forcefully. The two stared back at each other. Leo had this certain glare to him, but Raphael wasn't backing down easily. Leo walked off and kept his distance. Raphael lingering behind him. He broke the silence, "Why bother walking away? There's nothing here and there's nowhere to go in here." "I just don't want to be near your hideous face," Leo shot back. Raphael thought the insult was a bit childish. He laughed to himself a little, only making Leo ignore him more.