All Angel, No Wings

All Angel, No Wings (Ch. 8)

Chapter Eight

            “Love is nothing without pain, and that’s the sacrifice.” – Ephraim Jacobs Moore

            The walk to school was hot, and especially to Sammy who was wearing black jeans and a blue hoodie, with a white tank top underneath. At least he prepared for the warmth.

            No sooner than they had left the house had Nathan grabbed onto Sammy’s thin hand and beamed at him. Sammy smiled back shyly, because the truth of the matter was, he was afraid. He had never felt an attraction to anyone before Nathan, but he was sure he liked girls. It was weird how things worked themselves out.

            Nathan glanced at Sammy’s concentrated face, “Sheesh, you just met me, and you’re already planning the wedding?”

            He gulped, “No, just thinking.”

            “About what?”

            “You.”

            “This can’t be a good sign.” Nathan joked, then saw that Sammy was serious. “Okay, I see I’m going to have to play therapist now. What are you thinking about me for?”

            “I’m just thinking about how I’m attracted to you.” Sammy said without thinking, then his eyes grew wide with realization.

            Nathan scoffed in disbelief, “What did you just say?”

            “Nothing.” He looked down at his feet as they walked and let his hand go slack in Nathan’s. Nathan smiled to himself; with him being a demon and all, he had heard very well what Sammy had said. And it made him smile and blush like mad, but why? He gave up on asking himself that question and acted without analyzing.

            “Hey, Sammy?” Nathan stopped him by pulling on Sammy’s slacked hand, still interlocked with his. Sammy looked at Nathan through his hair, hiding the embarrassment he bore. “I think I owe you one of these.” And with that, Nathan hugged Sammy close to him, breathing the young boy’s scent. After a momental pause of bewilderment, Nathan felt Sammy’s arms encircle him as well. He hugged Sammy tight, not wanting to let go, and Sammy did the same.

            His body yearned for more, but Nathan couldn’t let that happen. He couldn’t destroy Sammy’s innocence…yet. Soon he’d have to, as he got weak in the knees when he was even around Sammy, let alone hugging him. But his warm body felt nice against his. Nathan felt serene, not feeling the need to kill like he did last night.

            Guilt washed through him. Sammy didn’t know he had run away from him to kill. Kill a girl, in fact. She didn’t do anything to deserve it, and Sammy should know. Nathan thought he should tell him…

            Wait, was he crazy? He certainly felt like it, too wrapped up in his own thoughts to care about how hard he was grasping the boy in his arms. He couldn’t tell Sammy; it was forbidden by the laws he lived by. Especially because Sammy was human, and demons frowned upon that specific race. Humans weren’t meant to be anything but food.

            “Uh, Nathan?” Nathan was snapped back from his thoughts at the sound of Sammy’s voice. “You’re crushing me.”

            He let go all too quick, fearing he had hurt the boy. Sammy fell to the ground with a thud. “Shit, sorry.”

            A wince, “Calm it with the cuss words.” Sammy demanded almost scarily. He shook his head as if snapping out of hypnosis, then rose to his feet and dusted himself off. Nathan shuddered at the sound of Sammy’s voice not a minute before, but Sammy just beamed and held out his hand. “To school?” He offered, and Nathan shakily took his friend’s hand.