Memories in the Void

Chapter 2

"Come on, Lele!" a small voice said. "We're going to play with the others!" A small boy flew over to a nearby cloud. His hair as red as the brightest apple, eyes as golden as a fire's ember. His angelic wings were painted a slight pale rose, fluttering as he waited for his friend to come out. He saw a small head pop out from under the cloud fluff. A small child with snow white hair and eyes of rubies. They rubbed their eyes, still tired from their nap. Raphael landed on their cloud, rushing them to hurry and wake up. Lele swatted him away as they put on their sandals. Once they finished, they grasped onto his hand. Their baby blue wings sprouted from their toga. The grip on Raphael's hand tightened as a signal to go. The smaller child didn't talk much, but he was determined to get them to say something this time. They both jumped off the cloud, holding on tight to each other before letting their wings spread wide. The sound of children playing and laughing rang throughout the room. It was like a giant theatre room. Leo and Raphael rewatching their memories play out. Leo felt the constant glances from the red haired man. They used to be so happy together. They thought about how fast the night changes. Leo still blamed Raphael for falling.. but he also blames the angelic system in place. He didn't have a choice but to fall too. It was common to be isolated from the rest if your partner fell. He was basically forced to go insane from staying in the small room with nothing to do and no one to talk to. Being in this vast void wasn't very much help either. Raphael doesn't understand what it was like for him. He fell right away and ended up in hell with the right resources. Leo was put in isolation because of his fall and waited for weeks. When he fell, there wasn't much around. He was left vulnerable to an unknown world. Beelzebub was the first one to find him and help him out. He was grateful to meet them, and he's glad he could still have them as his closest friend. The surrounding room began playing the memory. Raphael stared in astonishment. A certain guilt tugged at his heart. The things he did crossed the line multiple times. Leo looked away from the memories that played out. They may be his, but he doesn't want to relive them. He covered his ears to block out the crying and the yelling. Raphael felt weird seeing Leo like this. He's seen him vulnerable before, but this was different. Maybe because he was only watching the fear through someone else's eyes. Maybe he could change for the better. It doesn't excuse everything he's done, but he shouldn't have to keep terrorizing Leo like this. Calmer memories were playing now. Leo was trying to think of his family and his friends. Visions of him and Robin played throughout the room. Raphael saw how happy they were, and how much they cared for each other. He grew jealous because he wanted that life with Leo. He wanted to be the one to propose to him. The one to hold him at the altar. The one who took him on dates. It caught him off guard when there were children playing. They looked like Leo and the man he hated with every cell in his body. Raphael changed his attitude again, sternly asking Leo about the kids. He couldn't believe that he would even think of bearing mortal children. Leo shot back that it was his choice, and Raphael didn't have a say in what he chooses to do. "We're not together. I don't see why you're upset I had children with someone else. I love him a lot and there's nothing you can do to keep me away from him," Leo argued stiffly. "You were mine to love, dear-" Leo caught him off. "I was never yours. I'm not your possession. I'm not your toy. Never was." Raphael didn't like it when he stood up for himself. He liked being the one in control. He can't control him as much like he used to. Leo learned how to overcome most of his fears. Leo refuses to fall back into that miserable life of pain and suffering.

--- TW: Implied FTM Pregnancy ---

He doesn't know if the stress of being stuck in here was getting to him, but he was getting dizzier by the second. The feeling is familiar, but he thought the cause would be improbable. The two have been here for who knows how long. It felt like days. Weeks. They would only talk for a little before things got too heated. Replay certain memories to keep themselves busy. Leo was asleep longer than he was awake. Something about escaping to a dream world was better than staying in this void with his enemy. Without Mid's help, his nightmares were starting to come back slowly. Raphael often heard him mumbling his sleep, things he's said to him before. He couldn't help but wonder if they were replaying thoughts or specialized night terrors. The amber eyed man would have him lean against him for comfort. How do you get comfort from someone like him? He would always move away before Leo woke up. Leo would constantly wake up nauseous and yearning for having something to eat. It was odd because he rarely was ever hungry seeing how angels and demons don't really need to eat. He had some time to think to himself about the symptoms. Maybe there is a chance that he is. He wasn't on any kind of medication, and he hasn't been able to take his hormones either. Maybe it was by chance again like the twins. He tried to remember when was the last time but none of the dates add up to his symptoms. He thought maybe he forgot about one time or he probably has the dates mixed up. He brushed it off. He should be worrying about how he was gonna care for the child and how he would be able to in a place like this. Keeping it away from Raphael is his main issue. He wouldn't trust any of his children around that vile man. He should make himself clear about the situation.

[A/n: Please don't bash me about ftm pregnancy. If you don't like that idea, then you're free to stop reading this story. This is a side story about Leo's kid, Billie, and how she came to be. To be clear, Raphael is Leo's ex from ages ago. Leo is married to Robin who isn't mentioned very much in this story. Leo and Raphael are stuck in between realms because of a fight that occured between them. Raphael threatened his family, so Leo took precautions to keep away, getting himself trapped as well. Originally, they both were going to be "missing" from the surface and other realms for around 7 years, but I feel like I should shorten it. 4 or 5 years is enough time for the three of them]