For The Love Of An Angel

DAMIAN

Lying on my side, I stared at Christian's sleeping form shadowed in the darkness of the bedroom. He was lying facing me, his handsome face relaxed in his sleep, the occasional sigh escaping his plump lips. I ran a hand through his soft dark hair and he snuggled into the pillow a little more, his palms pressed flat against my stomach.

He was beautiful. Had been since the first day I'd met him. And he just seemed to get better as he grew older. I could imagine him ageing like a fine wine ... one that I could spend the rest of my life savouring.

So, why had I imagined Angel on his knees in front of me earlier, instead of Christian?

Pressing a kiss to Christian's forehead, I sighed. Maybe my mind was aware that Angel was sleeping right next door, and that was why I thought of his face. But that didn't seem to explain my accelerated heart rate, or the fact that Angel's face had risen up in my mind several times throughout the day, even before Christian had called.

Maybe I was stressed ... more stressed than I'd realised. Maybe having Christian here, his warm body, his familiar scent, would help bring some calm into my life. I'd already asked him to stay over tonight, was looking forward to indulging in him a little more before he left to meet his father tomorrow morning.

Should I ask him to stay longer?

Wrapping an arm around his waist, I pulled Christian closer, tucking his head under my chin. He snuggled into my chest, another sigh escaping his lips. He would stay if I asked him. He always did.

Closing my eyes, my mind seemed to automatically wander to Angel.

Earlier this evening, I'd thought I'd dreamt his voice, just like I'd imagined him hitting his knees in front of me. But after I'd shook off the thought and turned over, sleep pulling me under once more, I'd heard him again, his voice had been getting louder, more distressed, sounding like he was on the verge of panicking.

Afraid he would wake Christian, I'd gotten out of bed and rushed to his bedroom, opening the door to find him frozen in the middle of the room, tears streaking his face, panic and fear in his eyes.

What the hell had he been dreaming about that left him so distraught? What the fuck had happened to him on the streets to have caused his dreams to be so scary?

Brushing another kiss on Christian's head, I stroked a hand down his bare back. Christian didn't know that Angel was here. I'd been so relieved to see Christian, so desperate to get back some form of normal life, that I hadn't found a good time to bring the subject up. And it wasn't as though we'd spent much of this evening talking, anyway.

My eyes fluttered closed as sleep beckoned. My body ached pleasantly, the way it always did while in Christian's company. My heart was beating steadily and I drew Christian closer, smiling as he sighed again.

A creak.

Holding my breath, I strained my ears. The soft close of the door in the hallway barely made it to my ears, followed by another creak as quiet footsteps tiptoed along the hall.

Angel.

Carefully untangling my body from Christian's warm arms, I kissed his brow, then tucked the covers under his chin, before I left the bed and stepped quietly across the room. Opening the door, I blinked a couple of times against the light of the hallway, then watched Angel turn the corner at the end of the hall and disappear down the stairs.

Holding my breath, I stepped out into the hallway, closing the door softly behind me, then walked across the floor, following Angel down the stairs.

The heat from the radiators teased my chest and bare toes. Stopping at the kitchen door, I opened it a little, watching as Angel opened the fridge. His back to the door, Angel emptied some of the food containers into the scruffy bag in his hand.