Cherub.

1

Gemini had a pinched expression growing on his face as he stood with rigid posture. "Ughhh," A low groan escaped his mouth as he leaned against the wall for support. The man was suffering from Labrynthitis, a terrible ear infection and vertigo caused by the infection.

His requests for a sick day had been denied, forcing the him to ditch his bike and Uber to work instead. Gemini had also taken a large amount of medication to help this crippling ear infection. And all because his boss was low on staff. "Fucking dick." Gemini spoke lowly so only he would catch the insult.

"Gemini!" He heard the familiar voice of Mr.Rayes. With a moan of agony, he stood up straight, and forced a smile as the stubby man quickly walked in his direction.

"Sir?" He replied, his voice honeyed and wobbly.

"I need you to move a piece of art work," He stated, glancing down at the clipboard in his hand. Gemini's expression scrunched in disbelief.

"Excuse me? Mr.Rayes, I'm sick." He said, louder than needed. He was shushed by the shorter man.

Gemini's job was at a small museum a few blocks from his apartment—the now 20 year old had been employed at the museum since his junior year in high school. Gemini was beginning to despise his job but he'd remind himself that his job was a 'once in a lifetime' chance. After winning a writing contest, he'd been gifted the opportunity to 'volunteer' at the museum for $20 per hour—the pay only going up with each year he'd been employed. If it hadn't been for the money, the young man wouldn't have hesitated to shove his size nine Nike Cortez up Mr.Reyes' behind.

"Isa has a sprained ankle," Mr.Rayes said sternly, reminding him of the other employees on duty. "Sully is an old woman!" He went on, making Gemini's blood boil with each word spoken. "You'on make an old woman climb a ladder? Where's your decency?"

"What about Paige?" The man's voice now gravelly. "Nothing's wrong with her." He explained, arms folded over his chest and eyes narrowing at the man standing below him. With every shallow breath he took, he felt even worse than before.

"Paige is..." The older man licked his thin, chapped lips in a way that had made the younger man physically cringe. "She's doing something for me." He chuckled, thinking things that made Gemini thankful that he hadn't been born a mind reader—he'd hate to vomit on his boss. "Ladder's in the closet. Painting's in my office. Now come, let me show where they want it."

Angrily, Gemini stomped up the ladder, the heavy painting slightly blocking his vision. "I swear to fuck–" The ladder shook, causing him to take a sharp breath. "If I fall, I'm suing the shit out of this fucker." He said through gritted teeth as he stomped further up the seemingly endless ladder.

Just before he could hang the expensive piece, Gemini felt as if a bevy of birds and bats flailed their wings in his stomach, bouncing between ribs and his spine in a swelling frenzy of excitement—in an attempt to hunch over, he lost his balance.

Gemini tumbled, snatching at the painting in an attempt to save it, but instead the painting crashed onto the beige carpeting—Gemini soon following in suit. His cry had gotten caught in his throat as he fell backwards, assuming he'd instantly die. "I–" He was caught. Or someone cushioned his fall rather. The other person groaned in pain as the man quickly scrambled to his feet. "I'm so sorry!" He said, pulling the other man to his feet. Gemini and his dignity temporarily parted company to the scarcely concealed laughter belonging to the man he had fallen on. His head turned in confusion. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," His silvery voice was soft and calming to the nervous man standing in front of him. Gemini's eyes seemed to be locked on the man's downturned eyes in awe–something felt strange about him. It was something drawing him to this man in a manner which he could not describe. Gemini noticed that the man's cheeks were chiseled like a finely carved Michelangelo statue, his nose was perfectly symmetrical and his lips were full—the kind that ended in a cute little smirk at the corners. The rays of sun coming from the window they were by had given his caramel colored skin an almost godlike glow. Gemini's words were caught in his throat; he could only stare. "Are you okay?" The mystery man asked the flushed man who seemed to be in a daze.

The man took the time to note Gemini's features. He was tall and thin, with free form locs growing from his head and heavy, solemn brows that were offset by a boyish look. A pair of eyes that were hazel—as if autumn's touch had averted into his eyes, leaving a tinge of golden dusts and grasses' fresh new green that gleamed behind circle framed glasses that seemed to be slipping down his long nose. "Gemini!" A voice interrupted the staring contest, causing the blonde man to avert his gaze elsewhere quickly—the thumping in his head and queasy feeling immediately coming back. The stranger's eyes too averted to the angry man storming over. His pale face reddened with rage. "That painting was $300,000, you ass!" He shouted, his large finger pointing at the piece of art that held a broken frame and a large rip right from the middle, as well as shards of glass surrounding it. "The artist loaned it to us!"

"I told you I was sick!" The voice was half way between a whisper and a shout, deep, rumbling like an earthquake beneath them. Although Gemini had worked at the gallery, he hadn't a clue about what was and was not expensive—though despite his obvious anger, he felt bad.

"Gemini," The man's large fingers were now rubbing his throbbing temple. Gemini stood awkwardly, his gaze slightly averting to the stranger who still stood—the man tried his best to not foam at the mouth like a rabid animal whenever he caught the gaze of the beautiful man. "Just go home, alright? I'm sending you home already. Don't bother cleaning up anything, don't move the ladder; just go home." He turned on his heels and let out what sounded like a roar of annoyance.

"That's what I wanted anyway." Gemini said under his breath as Mr.Rayes walked back into his office but not before loudly slamming the door, causing a few onlookers to flinch. He then turned to the nameless man, an uncomfortable smile forming on his face. "I'm sorry about...falling on you." He said, his eyes curiously lingering on the few bruises on his arm—the bruises were purple and blue, painful looking. Gemini felt himself hold back a shudder at the thought of how he got those bruises on his poor body.

"It's fine. I'm glad I could help," After noticing the confusion on Gemini's face, he added, "Help you not injure yourself." He informed with a chuckle. Gemini eyed him again—it was the same way he did when he'd first laid eyes on the man, looking as if he were in a trance. The strange man turned his head in awe, and squinted his chocolate colored irises at the awkward Gemini before him.

"I'm Gemini." He finally whispered, snatching his gaze away once more. His hand was thrusted forward, a goofy grin on his face—whatever illness he had felt long gone. The unknown man took his hand into his own, giving it a slight shake before pulling away at the sound of Gemini wincing. His grip had been too tight.

"My name is Angelo." His voice was melodious and sweet sounding—tuneful-like.

a/n:
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