Forbidden Touch

I was too awestruck to speak. He was right. That is exactly how we would imagine death and there he was, looking as human as possible. Something about his heated argument made me even more curious about him. He was a different being and at the same time, an attractive young man shrouded in mystery.

We eventually reached our destination, a little coffee shop at a small corner stood before us. We walked past a couple of people before we went inside. I ordered two caramel macchiatos.

"Two?" The cashier looked at me, not even paying attention to the male next to me. Actually, now that I think of it, nobody did. It was as if he was completely invisible, which was quite difficult while wearing black leather pants, to be honest. I nodded anyway.

We got our orders and went out, the smell of coffee already numbing all my anxiety. I glance at Rey, handing him his coffee.

"I- uh... do not drink coffee." He shrugged, his gaze fixed on the number of people going in and out of the shop.

"Oh..." I looked at him, "Why didn't you tell me? I could've suggested a place to eat." I hated how disappointed I sounded. I had hoped to see him, in his dark attire and darker features, drink a caramel macchiato.

"That's the thing. You see, I do not require food or drink."

"Of course, you don't," I said mostly to myself, I felt extremely stupid. I just wanted to jump off a building.

"It's okay," he reached for me, stopping his hand midway, he looked unsure of himself. I glanced at his hand, his nails were a very dark burgundy color, almost black, and then looked at him, there was a hint of hesitation in his silver orbs. I raised a black brow, my face painted with curiosity.

He dropped his hand, his arms falling to his side. After what felt like an eternity, he finally spoke, "You should head back home, it's getting late." It was not.

I looked around, scanning the rather busy street. Several cars passed by us, and their front blinding lights illuminated the dark figure facing me. For just a brief moment, I got to study his face; light dewy skin, a straight sharp nose, a razor-sharp jawline. He was perfect. However, there was something hidden in his eyes, a burning sadness lurking behind those bright, moonlit eyes.

"Alright," I took another sip from my drink, "I really enjoyed spending time with you, Rey." I felt my face turning red with heat. His eyes gleamed, a hint of surprise coloring his features. I had called him by his first name, or what I thought was his first name. A low, chuckle rumbled in his chest, "I enjoyed spending time with you too." His face softened and he flashed me a smile, I almost fainted.

Walking back home was much more comfortable, we both talked about different things, my art was the primary topic.

"Where did you learn to paint like that?" He asked me, "I have never met someone who so masterfully captures the emotions of the human soul in their art."

"Come on, you're just being nice, I am not that great." I was flattered, nonetheless.

"In all my years, I have never met any artist who paints with the real color of the human soul." I stilled, my curiosity peeking,

"What is the true color of the human soul?" Was what I should have asked,

"How old are you?" That was what came out of my mouth. He turned his head to the side, facing me, "several centuries older than what you think, and I'm just the youngest of my brothers."

Somehow I kept forgetting that he was non-human. That he was, in fact, an angel, an angel of death.

"Then, what are you doing here, in the human world?"

"I'm here to do my job."

"Collecting souls?" I almost choked, I had a bitter taste in my mouth.

"Is that what you think?" The corner of his lips lifted to the side, he was teasing me.

I opened my mouth, about to say something, but suddenly stilled, his arm was in front of me, stopping me from going any further. He was silent, I did not know if he was even breathing.

"Someone's coming." He murmured, alerting me before his arms pushed me behind him, completely shielding me from whoever was to come.

My head peeked to the side, I glanced up at him, his features were sharp, his jaw clenched, and his lips pressed in a tight line. I haven't seen him like this before. I was about to ask about who he thought was coming until I suddenly heard a piercing sound in the dark sky. I looked up only to find a figure looming up, I gasped. There was someone up there, a set of dark wings moved up and down in a slow, tentative rhythm. The person moved closer, I had to shield my eyes with my arm, the air from their wings moving was blowing directly at my face.

The said person then slowed down, their feet finally touching the ground and their wings stood gracefully around their figure. I reopened my eyes and studied the stranger, he was a man, with golden locks, falling gracefully to the nape of his neck, and defined features... he looked heavenly handsome, though not as gorgeous as the young man concealing me.

"Of course, it's you, Dagan." I heard Rey speak, pushing me further against his back.

"His majesty sent me." I heard the man say, he sounded extremely irritated, "He wants to know if you have finished the task at hand." he tilted his head, and rich golden strands fell against his eyes, and he looked at me. I squeaked, burying my face between Rey's shoulder blades, his muscles felt strong against my touch. I was too close to him, the smell of amber filled the air.

"It seemed you got a little sidetracked, your highness." I could feel the smirking in this man's voice.

"I'm in no need of a lecture, Dagan, not from him and certainly not from you." Rey spoke, he sounded so firm. His voice was even deeper than what I was used to. The air was still and thick with challenge and rising power. I felt like I certainly did not belong there.

I heard footsteps and looked over Rey's body again, the man had begun to walk towards us, the sound of boot's chains clanking. "I am not here to lecture you, A-"

"Stop. Stay right where you are." Rey angrily ordered. If I thought his voice was gruff before, I was wrong. I could just feel the frown on his face.

"Is that an order?" I heard the man ask, annoyed mockery dripping from every word he uttered.

"It is not. You go back where you came from, tell father that I'll be home soon. That everything is going well. Now that is an order."

The blonde man was silent for a moment then he finally spoke.

"As you wish." With that, he spread his dark wings and soared into the night sky.

I began to breathe again, the air around me actually felt lighter. Rey also seemed to relax, he turned around. "Sorry about that." He said, his silver eyes pouring into mine with such passion that could easily set me on fire.

"No, it's fine." I shook my head, "Just who was that? He sounds like a great guy." I snorted

He sounds like a complete asshole." He said and it was the first time since our strange encounter that I heard him say anything like that, he sounded at ease. I smiled at that.

"He's a close friend from back home, we grew up together, we even had the same dream. That was until..." He looked away, "It is getting late. You should head back home." Now that I look around, I realize that it was, in fact, late.

It was not long before he walked me home and, in all honesty, I was glad I got home safe. I did not know where Rey went to, where he stayed, and if he even had a place on earth. It seemed highly unlikely. I lied in bed, staring at the ceiling, the thing which I lately found myself doing frequently, before sleep took over me.

My eyes fluttered open, the golden sunlight of early morning slipped through the sheer curtains. I took a deep breath, a small yawn escaped me. I remembered how I felt against Rey's back. I felt so small, so protected, a feeling that I lacked my whole life, being safe.

I recalled how sculpted and strong his muscles felt beneath my touch, how his voice vibrated through his body, and how tall and powerful he felt against me. I felt a smile creep to my face and a deep blush to my cheeks. I pressed my eyes shut, a burning sensation ran all over my veins and down to my now aching...ladybits.

I bit my lips, my hand tentatively found its way down there, I closed my eyes, and a small satisfied sound esceped my lips.

"Well this looks fun."

My eyes widened in horror.