Stories of Love

Raphael X Simon

"Fledgling! if you can shut up for one minute and stop complaining, then we could all be happier."

Raphael was already in a bad mood, what with the surge in rogue vampires, that he finally snapped. Letting all his built up anger out on Simon.
He and Lilly were discussing a new course of action pertaining to keeping the clan safe from rouges. Making the mistake of moving out of the crammed office and into the lobby, thinking that everyone would be asleep by now. Though, they didn't take into account a certain day walker that had just walked through the grand doors. Which ensured into a lengthy conversation about how difficult it was to watch Max, Magnus's and Alec's newest addition.
Raphael is a patient man, had to be in order to maintain his air of authority, but he couldn't handle the talkative teen no longer than a couple minutes until he snapped.

At the outburst, Simon clamped his mouth shut, his eyes wide as he backed away from the seething clan leader. Lilly watching on, sensing the tense atmosphere, but was to afraid to really do anything. Simon, not realizing what had caused his sire to snap at him, habitually swallowed. Holding in the tears that threatened to come out as he bowed his head in shame. Throwing a soft 'sorry' over his shoulder as he dejectedly walked out the room. As soon as he was out of view, he ran with his newly practiced speed, only then allowing the quiet trickle of tears to fall down his supple cheeks.

What did I do this time? Raphs been so busy lately that I hardly ever see him, and the one time I do. He doesn't want to see me.

He placed his tear soaked face onto the comforter, curling his legs to press tightly against his chest. Thankful that he got Raphs approval for a lock on his door a year ago.
A year ago, he became an official member of the clan, after the whole Camille thing, after he killed her for betraying the only family he had left, but no one believes that he was the one who did it. Not that he minds.
People always underestimated him.
Clary was gone, always off gallivanting with Jace. Izzy was always off with Milorn when she wasn't fighting off demons for the clave. Luke was always busy with the pack and so, that left Alec and Magnus who were living their lives to the fullest. He became good friends with Magnus, and by extension, Alec and little Max. However, they lived separate lives, and he wouldn't intrude.
So, he was alone, even if the clan said otherwise. Once an outcast always and outcast.
He thought Raphael was different, always helping him, always encouraging him, just being there for him. Having him snap and bare his fangs in disdain towards him hurt more than anything he's experienced since getting thrown into this crazy world. It only made matters worse that he started to have a crush on said vampire that just basically told him that everyone would be happier if he would leave.
And so, he laid there until the sun was high, when he was sure that no one would look for him. Slipping out of the window as he roughly wiped the bloody tears from his face. Just walking with no destination in mind.

Anxiety was not fun.
Having a heavy hold on me as I called magnus in a desperate attempt. One ring.....two rings....three rings...voice mail.
Shit.
My heavy breathing turned into full fledged hyperventilation as I fell to my knees. Just now realizing that I was at the cemetery, the place where mundane Simon Lewis died along with his family, his friends. They all abandoned him eventually, and pretty soon even Raphael would too. Finally realizing that he was broken, unfixable.
He gripped his chest hard as he felt the tears flood his vision again in red. It felt like a ton of bricked were weighing him down, like the universe was trying to crush his miserable existence.
He tried to stand on wobbly legs, needed to get somewhere quiet, needing to calm down before the panic took over , before anyone's else saw how weak he really was.
It's at this point he noticed the suns steadily retreating form, signifying he's been out nearly the whole day. His body felt heavy with sleep as he slowly trudged along towards the hotel. Climbing up the tree and pushing back open the window to slip in, but what he saw caused him to freeze.
Sitting right on the Star Wars comforter was none other than Raphael Santiago, wiping his head over as Simon plopped back in, his arms giving out due to surprise. Falling in a heap of limbs as his body instinctively moved into a fetal position, his emotions taking the wheel, not being able to keep the strong front he always used as a shield in front of others.

My tears stained the carpet red as I shook, turning away from the older male in a small attempt to save face.
"Oh baby....It's alright Corazon. Lo siento Simon."
I shied away from his hand, not on purpose but having sensory overload at the moment as my emotions spiraled. Though, he didn't falter, in fact, he seemed to know that's what was happening, silently sitting on the ground next to me. Offering what little comfort he could as he waited for me to come down from my high.

After a while though, I calmed down, sitting up from the floor as I looked around, surprised that Raph was still in the room. It must have been a good hour or two since.
I could tell without a glance that my cloths were ruffled, feeling the material of my jeans were twisted and my t-shirt got the most of it. Letting out a sigh as I walked over to sit on the bed as I knew I couldn't get out of this conversation. My face was to the ground as I felt the place beside me sink down with the others weight. A silence filled the room as we sat, my stomach clenching as the all to familiar feeling of starvation set in.
"I shouldn't have said that baby, i'm truly sorry"
"S' ok"
I rubbed my eyes as I continued to look to the ground, not upset anymore about that really, more embarrassed about him seeing me at my lowest. Something that I've even hide from my mom and sister that had transferred over to his new undead life.
But maybe it was about time to tell someone, and who better than the one that has been there for him, who never judged him.
"Raph......c-can we talk?"
This time, he didn't flinch from the hand that comfortably sat on his thigh.
"Of course Simon, you can always talk to me."
That's how it started, telling him all the feelings I've kept bottled inside, all my fears and anxieties. About how certain things would bring back painful memories from the past, causing the majority of his panic attacks. His separation anxiety that became known when his father left him at a young age.
Raphael listened in rapt attention, nodding along as he let him spill his heart out. After an hour of letting it all out, he's never felt lighter, like a huge boulder had been lifted off his shoulders.
"Simon, I-I had no idea."
I looked up for the first time since I started, taking in his sullen form as I met his sympathetic eyes, giving him a small, hesitant smile.
"Your the first one I've told....I couldn't even tell Clary." I cut off with a half hearted chuckle, gravitating closer to Raph as his hand made it's way around my waist, pulling me into a side hug. "It's....difficult....having to pretend everything's ok."
"I know baby, I know, but you don't have to pretend around us anymore. We won't think any less of you."
I closed my eyes as I leaned into his touch, his hand gently carding through my chestnut hair, making all my worries seem so small, so insignificant.
I was here, safe, surrounded by my family. I pulled away from the male, suddenly becoming bold as I leaned in, closing the distance as I placed a small peck on his cheek. Cuddling back into his side as I became embarrassed, hiding my face in his side.
"Thanks Raph, and I'm sorry if sometimes I talk to much, I....I don't mean to."
"I know fledgling, and I really don't mind it, I think it's cute. I was just under a lot of stress is all."
At that he cupped my chin, lifting my wide eyed face to his as he gave me a soft smile, one that made the stars dim in comparison. Bending down slowly, giving me the chance to turn away, but I just meet him half way. Pressing my lips to his heavenly ones.
It was a soft kiss, lasting meer seconds, but it was filled with emotions. The things we both couldn't put into words for so long, a long overdue reunion.
Afterwards, we both pulled away, instinctively panting as we resting our foreheads together. Our cool breaths mingling together as we basked in the feeling. Eventually though, I found my words as I cleared my throat.
"C-Can we maybe, do that a-again?"
"Dios, baby, your to cute for your own good." Raphael said as he chuckled.
I opened my mouth to say something back, but was pleasantly cut off as his lips found mine again, his tongue using my open mouth to slip in, running along my exposed fangs and along the roof of my mouth.
It's then I knew, I didn't have to hide anymore, that as long as Raph and the clan were with me, I could finally live again.