This is a collaborative fic between @cookiesupplier, @faceless-mirror & @comforting-madness
About the Authors: Meet Cookie, Pastel & Kimiya
Also X-Posted to Ao3 if you'd like to read there!
Divider by @samspenandsword
MasterList Cast of Characters
Pairings: Multi-Pairings, Everybody x Everybody.
Bands Included: Motionless In White, Bad Omens, Bring Me The Horizon, Ice Nine Kills, Sleep Token (to be added as characters join, no spoilers)
Triggerlist: transphobia, homophobia, abuse, SA, dubcon, religious trauma, past suicide attempts, mental health issues, grief, death, violence, kidnapping, suicidal ideation, torture, racism/speciesism, (To be added to)
Christopher, Justin, and Ryan are members of the Gargoyle Order, soldiers fighting in the angels war against the demonic supernatural evils of the world to protect human kind. Through the years they lost comrades and now just the three of them remain in their little town. They have long since been abandoned by the angel that had been sworn to keep them safe and protect them during the day while they were trapped in stone.
Now, Ricky and Vinny are moving into their church to renovate and live in the space due to Ricky always found it as home as a child, stirring up old and new feelings, along with the past, posing the challenge of navigating this new chapter in their lives.
Can they navigate this path successfully and break free of the prisons that is their lives of both stone and flesh, or will they all be trapped forever in a world that could prove to be a constant misery?
Chapters: smut**, other trigger warnings^^, combination *^
Thank you for letting me stay with you. I’m sorry I hurt you, I completely understand why you’re upset with me. I’ve realized it now. We’re humans, we make mistakes. I’m not coming from a place of hurt right now, I’m being kind because while you and I hurt each other, I’m choosing to be civil. I did love you, but you choosing to act this way out of spite isn’t what I want from someone who I want to marry. I wish you well on your future, and I hope we can be friends again one day. If you want those Sleep Token tickets, I’ll give them to you. I don’t want to go anymore.
-Kal
I appreciate you reaching out. I would still very much like to get the sleep token tickets for my birthday, please msg @cookiesupplier or @comforting-madness to get in contact about them.
Perhaps this step back, will allow us to clear our minds and give us the clarity to work on ourselves, so we can have a better friendship in the future.
- Mirrors
Okay, so due to some real world issues for a couple of us, we are taking a bit of a breather just to take a beat. We want to be at our best and keep the story going. Please bear with us, and we hope to be back when we are ready to start the story posting again, you will be sure to know!
There is a lot going on in the world, so please, look after yourselves, mentally and physically! Health is important.
This is a collaborative fic between @cookiesupplier, @faceless-mirror & @comforting-madness
Dividers by @samspenandsword @cafekitsune @saradika-graphics
Authors Note: After some emotionally triggering moments between mates, Ricky and Justin talk of past concerning the former handler... Leading to intimate moments. Smut ahead.
Pairings: Multi-Pairings, Everybody x Everybody.
Bands Included: Motionless In White, Bad Omens, Bring Me The Horizon, Ice Nine Kills, Sleep Token (to be added as characters join, no spoilers)
Triggerlist: transphobia, homophobia, abuse, SA, dubcon, religious trauma, past suicide attempts, mental health issues, grief, death, violence, kidnapping, suicidal ideation, torture, racism/speciesism, (To be added to)
Christopher, Justin, and Ryan are members of the Gargoyle Order, soldiers fighting in the angels war against the demonic supernatural evils of the world to protect human kind. Through the years they lost comrades and now just the three of them remain in their little town.
Now, Ricky and Vinny are moving into their church, stirring up old and new feelings, along with the past, posing the challenge of navigating this new chapter in their lives.
Can they all navigate this path successfully and break free of the prisons that is their lives of both stone and flesh, or will they all be trapped forever in a world that could prove to be a constant misery?
(please comment/like/reblog/message to be added to taglist)
Chapter Forty Four
Justin felt intensely guilty when he thought about the fact that the others were picking up the slack when it came to patrols. He hadn’t gone out nearly as much as he knew he should since he had discovered Ricky was pregnant with the twins. Part of him was waiting for Chris, or Ryan to approach him, give him a talking to about that, perhaps not like Jerahmiel used to, but remind him they all worked together… they never did. Then he remembered how others had been now, when their mates would be partners in the breeding program. It did not matter that the young that were to be born were biologically were not their own, the children were their mates.
Until now, Justin wasn’t aware if any gargoyle was actually looking forward to their mate carrying their child, it would have been forbidden by the edicts. It wasn’t how the breeding program worked. He knew Ryan and Gwynn could have gotten around it, but he’d not been alive, never gotten to meet Gwynn, didn’t know why they had never… he didn’t dare ask either of the pair now.
Despite his guilt, and waiting for the other foot to drop with a lecture that had yet to come, he couldn’t bring himself to be far from Ricky at the Church. It wasn’t even the added threat of Jerahmiel over their heads, that only made matters worse…
He had been spending his mornings working on preparing the nursery alongside Chris, who had joined him after the lunch rush, getting it ready for the twins. They’d finished painting it, which was curious considering they didn’t know whether they were having boys, girls, and knowing their nature, could be either should they choose. Now, settling on colors, it was rainbows all over one of the walls, but in colorful splotches, not the typical arches, splotches only… Justin looked a bit of a mess, and he hoped Ricky wasn’t going to bite his head off… All he knew was whenever they mentioned rainbows, one of the babies went crazy and not in a good way, but they both loved the idea of a colorful nursery… so… he’d done this. Hopefully, when Ricky got home, he’d like it.
Ricky got home, waddling into the apartment with a smile, carrying multiple bags. “Hey, baby boy, I got something for you.” He called warmly as he pulled out the leather journal he had selected for Justin with the nice lock on the cover. After dispensing the gifts, he knew he needed to lay down. Hopefully, with Justin for a bit.
The thought of cuddling with him felt heavenly, and he beamed, holding the boxes with the chain and the one with the ring in his other hand.
Justin smiled as Ricky came in, cleaning his hands with a cloth, the room was still mostly empty, the furniture hadn’t been brought in as they were still painting the room. Sure it had all been put together, and was ready, it all had been sorted, Justin was excited… the room was ready to be put together almost. They were getting so close… It was both exciting, and scary. “You didn’t need to get me anything. Did you have a good time with Ryan?”
Chris looked up from the containers of paint he was sealing, thankfully the runes they’d used had allowed the paint on the walls to dry quickly, or Ricky walking in here, would have just bombarded him with fumes. None of them would have allowed that. It had been frustrating, watching all the workers around the Church, coming, and going, through the time they’d been tearing their home apart as Chris had once seen it, everything going so slow, when it was so different for them. They were used to having to do things on their own, and making sure they could live in different ways. Chris still hoped when Vinny and he had their own children, she didn’t have a problem with him making their cribs himself, just putting them together hadn’t been the same.
Ricky giggled and hugged Justin, “I know but… just think of it as silly… but… this is the big part,” he whispered and opened the box, showing him the ring. “And yes, I did have fun. This is a chain for you to put it on when you're on patrols.” he explained, offering him the other box. “I also got things for the others too but…”
Justin was curious what this big thing that Ricky had actually gotten was. Sure, it wasn’t really his thing today, they had been going out to some big book store thing, Justin had just known Ricky had been looking forward to going out, so he was happy he had enjoyed himself. What was more, it had given him time to work with Chris in the continued adjustments to the apartment, including painting the nursery. They had expanded the nursery much like they had the alcoves all through the upper levels of the Church, not that the humans had ever been able to get to them before the gargoyles had allowed Ricky and Vinny into their lives. Now the apartment was more than twice the size it had been before, and the nursery was a whole new room for the babies.
Looking down to the box, with the ring, the chain, for when he was on patrols? Then Ricky was offering him the other box, and Justin looked towards him confused, “I’m, I don’t understand, I thought you went out for books, these, these are rings? What, what are these for?”
Chris looking over from across the room as he reached for one of the discarded clothes that they’d been using to clean up, he finished wiping his hands and said nothing. He saw the ring boxes, and smiling, oh, that was an interesting development, though, if he were to get a set for Vinny, he’d be partial to an actual ceremony, and he didn’t know how they could. It wasn’t like he had any legal documents for the humans, who would marry them… would it matter… then again, to them, it was only for god's benefit, not the humans.
Ricky smiled, “I wanted to give you a reminder of what you’re fighting for. Our babies… our future and for humanity.” He breathed softly. “I got books too.” He admitted, “There was a store next to the bookstore.” He mused, slipping the ring onto his finger.
He moved and pulled out the journals, tossing a large, thick one to Chris, knowing he would see the lock and keys.
Chris looked over at Ricky and wondered what he was doing, did he, he could have bought Justin anything as a memento, to be a reminder. Anything at all. He went with rings. Such a symbolic gesture in human society, culture, and when Justin realized what Ricky wasn’t telling him… By the angel… “Justin, rings are a mating symbol in human culture, Ricky is giving you a mating symbol, and he is just too chicken shit to tell you.” Justin had had his head messed with enough, Chris was not going to stand by and let Ricky beat around the bush. Symbol of what he was fighting for his ass… they were mates, if Ricky wanted to say husbands, than admit it.
As it was, when Ricky was just tossing him the journal, Chris caught it, seeing the lock, the keys, he huffed a little… “I’ve learned my lesson about keeping secrets, they are dangerous and hurt those I love, why would I need a book only to lock it?”
Justin blinked at the rings, first hearing Ricky, smiling slowly hearing about the idea of them being a reminder of what they were fighting for. Of their babies, why he would need a ring for that he didn’t know. He could feel them always, they were a part of him, in his very soul. Seeing the way Ricky slipped the ring onto his finger, it looked so good, but as he reached for the other ring box, that was when Chris spoke, and Justin looked over to his commander… What? Why wouldn’t Ricky just tell him they were for mating? Was it so bad for him to know… sure he wasn’t human… was it bad he wasn’t human, was there something that he should be doing because he wasn’t human… He felt stupid because he didn’t already know what the rings were supposed to mean… it was like… like… him all over again.
Swallowing, he opened the ring box slowly, trying not to shake as he looked at the ring… “It, it looks good.”
Ricky realized his mistake… trying to make it more casual than wedding rings- well that went out the window. And the look of defeat on Justin’s face, guilt ate at him. “I didn't… I wanted them to be more casual. I'm sorry I didn't…” he slumped before focusing on the journal. “...I wanted you to have a safe place to write your thoughts without anyone prying… I got one for everyone. I…” he sighed, swallowing.
Nothing was casual about mating though, not for Justin, and looking down at the ring in the box, it was beautiful, he just didn’t understand, he was confused now. Ricky had said this was the big part, but then said he wanted it to be casual? That didn’t make much sense at all to him. He did, however, understand Ricky’s desire for them to have something between them. Something to remind them. “Daddy, there, is nothing casual about these, nothing, the meaning behind them, our babies, fighting for the future of mankind? It means the world, they mean the world.”
Chris looked down at the book, he wasn’t sure how he felt about Ricky editing the information for Justin still, trying to make things easier for the gargoyle benefitted who? Nothing was casual about anything that was happening in their lives, and pretending that they weren’t going to be parents… They didn’t have to get married, they didn’t have to have a wedding, but he should have been honest about the rings. Humans were so strange about relationships sometimes, then again they didn’t have mates.
Now, the journal… “My thoughts? Who would want to pry-” Chris cut himself off swallowing, oh, he knew off the top of his head people who would want to pry into other’s thoughts, but he doubted they’d need a book to do it… Usually, the only reason he’d ever written anything down was for patrols, and briefings if needed, but not usually. “I’ll consider it, not sure if it would have much purpose for my thoughts.”
Ricky looked up at Justin, he hadn't wanted Justin to think they had to be married… but why didn't the thought of being married… not scare him? Ricky used to be terrified of the concept… but when thinking of being married to Justin wasn't terrifying. It excited him.
Ricky didn't know whom to talk to about this- this was… so much more, and his heart ached. He wasn't used to wanting to keep someone so close as he did Justin. He wanted him. But part of him was still so scared.
Maybe It was memories of how his father had treated marriage. Maybe since he now looked more like his father… what if he turned out to be like him…
But he looked at Chris, smiling softly, “use it for writing down all of gargoyle history. Maybe that’s a place to start?” He offered, trying not to let his voice shake, both from anxiety and the fact he had upset his mate, What if he hated him now?
Gargoyle History? Whoever would want to hear about such, horrifying atrocities… Angels had created them for such… Gwynn might be a shining beacon of an angel, but so few of others could be said of those that had created them, and it would bleed through of anything that he write of his kind's past. He would detest putting down that kind of sentiment, of what they had bred them for, how they had made them to be, instilled in them, onto paper… “I'm not sure, I, I could…” Chris sighed… “I’ll consider it, though… Thank you, Ricky. I should go, I’m going to check on Vinny.” Holding his book close, he slipped out the door, leaving the mates together.
Justin wasn’t thinking about marriage, marriage wasn’t a concept for him, at least not in the modern sense. Now, if they went back to the ages when it was more than legality. When it was about the Church, and not about assets, and divorce, and signing your names to paper. Too many people threw their ties away now, and it was horrifying just how easy it was to destroy their binds, and Justin couldn’t destroy his mating with Ricky, he never would.
What he was thinking about now, was the added stress his mate seemed to be under… “Ricky? You, why did you want to get us rings… really?”
Justin spoke.
And the nephilim looked up at him. So many similarities between that young child who looked up at him as if he were the most beautiful thing in the world among the tatters of their home life. Except the fear. The fear wasn’t of the father waiting at home. It was fear of becoming him. Ricky hadn’t realized he had started crying when he opened his mouth to try to answer. “I-” one letter and his voice cracked sharply, and he shook like a leaf.
No. Don’t look at me. I look like him. Stop.
Ricky stumbled back, and he looked at the cribs and ran to the bathroom, shutting the door, breaking down in tears. Don’t look at me, don’t look at me- I look like him, how can you not hate me?
The gargoyle’s suspicions that Ricky not telling him about the ring’s being a mating symbol might not have been as much an issue as Chris had thought, and more… something else. Justin had a horrible feeling something else was going on here and if he was honest, he had been growing worried about his mate over the weeks as they went by. Ricky had been doing so well; however, he had hoped, hoped that everything was going so well… He had been in such high spirits with Ryan when he left this morning that Justin had counted his blessings…
This afternoon, didn’t look to be going so well.
As soon as the smaller man, well, smaller in the sense that he was shorter, Justin was not saying a damn thing to his size otherwise… he was beautiful and carrying their children… Well on his way to full term, well on his way, it wouldn’t be long now. He was not saying anything… Rushing after him to the bathroom door… he paused outside…
“Ricky, Rick, it’s okay, I’m right here, I’m not going anywhere, I love the rings, I do, I just… you can talk to me, about anything, you know that, right?”
Ricky was leaning in front of the mirror on the sink, knuckles white as he panted looking into the sink. He sobbed softly and looked up at himself, feeling sick all over again. He heard Justin and he sniffled, “Justin… I look like him! How can you even stand looking at me? I…” He choked for a moment on his tongue and moved, fumbling before pulling out scissors, looking in the mirror had become so difficult. Maybe this would help-
Snip. Snip.
Snipsnipsnipsnipsnip.
It was shorter. Much shorter… maybe this would be easier. Dark and short hair. That… that was enough… maybe not… He trembled and couldn’t stop seeing his dad in the mirror. You’re not good enough, girl. He could hear his father in his head like a worm hatching.
“You’re going to die, what are you trying for?”
Ricky could swear he could hear his father’s voice… Or was it his own? He didn’t know-
”You’re going to die, and you’re so fucking desperate to be remembered despite how forgettable you are-”
No…no. No! Justin wouldn’t forget him!
There was the sound of something breaking and Ricky felt… something. Pain in his hands and… warmth… rolling down his arms… but he was blinded by tears as he stumbled back, curling up in the bathtub sobbing.
Maybe he was just like his dad… violent and horrible in every way.
Hearing Ricky from inside the bathroom, at first, it was clear he was talking to him, the way he was asking about looking like him, and Justin caught his breath. No, Justin didn’t care. He’d accepted that his mate was related to Jerahmiel, and the angel that Justin remembered and saw in his mind was not the one that had walked in here and tormented them. The one that he remembered was the blonde, twisted and cruel one… Gwynn was closer to him, and yet, Gwynn was nothing like Jerahmiel, they were kind. Not that Justin had gotten much time with them thus far.
“Da- Rick, Ricky, I love you, I don’t care what you look like.”
Then Justin heard the sound of metal, a click, snip, what was that… What was Ricky doing in there? “Ricky, Ricky, are you okay?”
That was when he heard his voice… change, as he kept talking… wait… what… what was he saying?
“Ricky? Ricky, what is going on? Is someone else in there…” Turning his head, listening for heartbeats, no, no, there were no extra heartbeats, just Ricky’s, the babies, though the babies were going absolutely crazy, and Justin, oh Justin was worried with the sobbing, the stumbling. Fuck… was he smelling blood…
“Rick!”
The wood of the door was no match for the protective gargoyle as he smashed it open with the force of his shoulder, and he made for his mate curled up in the tub at the sight of him… “What, what are you doing?!”
Ricky sobbed hugging his knees, “I… I just didn't want to look like him-” he sobbed out after a moment, trembling. His hair was shorter, and he looked as if he was going insane on his own. “Baby, I'm sorry. I'm sorry.” He whispered, hugging himself and breathing hard.
He was coming out of his turmoil, seeing Justin, and he hesitantly reached for him, ignoring the shattered mirror on the floor.
Justin didn’t even blink at the sharp shards of mirror glass on the floor as he kneeled next to the tub by his mate. Lifting him up with ease, fingers brushing tears away from his cheeks, it was terrifying seeing his very pregnant mate in such a state, curled up. His knees folded up against him, as high as they could go against his rounded belly. The way he reached for him from being wrapped around his legs, Justin could see the bruised, bleeding knuckles where Ricky had punched the mirror… The mirror was nothing, nothing that couldn’t be replaced.
“Come here, I got you, I’ve got you.”
Just picking Ricky up out of the tub, away from the broken glass on the floor, Justin rose to his feet and walked him out of the bathroom and to their room.
Ricky leaned on him crying, “I'm sorry…” he whispered, still shaking like a leaf against him, swallowing tightly as he held onto him, “I'm sorry…” his voice was shaking bloody hands clinging to Justin. “I don't wanna die. I don't wanna die. I don't want you to forget me- I don't want-”
His sobs started up again, that look of hurt in Justin's eyes. It killed him. It killed him, and then the fact he knew Jerahmiel had made him feel-
He had done it without meaning to.
The fact he looked like him.
Nothing was okay.
It killed Justin to hear Ricky talking like this as he sat on in their big rocking chair holding him. They’d moved it in here until the nursery was completed. As much as Chris had tried to insist they could make most of the furniture like this themselves; Justin was sure the elder gargoyle was still going to try to convince Vinny for their babies, Ricky had fallen in love with this chair. Justin had made sure they’d gotten it for him.
Holding Ricky, and just rocking them both in the chair, reaching up to brush his now short hair back, short, dark hair…
“You are not going to die, I won’t let you, we won’t let you… we’ve been preparing, we have so many plans… He isn’t going to get anywhere near you, you know that… We didn’t know he was coming before, we know now. The wards are Archangel strength thanks to Noah, we’ll know the moment he or that hell beast even gets close… and Daddy… Daddy… Me… Me, forget you? Never… Never!”
He looked up at Justin, blue eyes tinged red as he cuddled closer, hanging onto his words tightly as he was his shirt, “Baby…” he whispered, moving to hide into him. He was relaxing, “I'm scared I'll turn into him.” He whispered, “I hate looking like him. I don't want the blond either, though.”
“I thought I looked different enough…” He whispered and hid into his chest, He was happy for the large chair. Who knew it would end up getting so much use… maybe it would just stay in their room. Or they would get a second one. His wings shifted under his shirt, trying to wrap around himself, trying to be as small as he could.
Justin just kept rocking him in his arms as he held him, he wasn’t worried about the chair, or worried about where it was going to go, certainly not the color of his mate's hair… “Oh, Ricky…” Justin brushed his finger through Ricky’s shorter hair gently, carefully, tenderly. “Nothing about how you look, makes you like him, nothing.”
Taking in a deep breath, “you know who reminds me of Jerahmiel when I look at them? Gwynn. They are nothing like him, either. The way they look, that is the Jerahmiel that affected me, you are not him, anymore than they are Ricky.” Brushing his hair back, Justin leaned forward and pressed a kiss to Ricky’s temple.
He made a soft sweet noise pressing into him and sniffled softly grabbing at him more gently nuzzling him. “... I'm sorry…” he whispered again, hiding into his chest. His body slowly released the tension that was keeping him wound up.
“No, Daddy, it's okay, there is nothing to be sorry for, nothing.” Justin just held him. He knew everything about this was so hard. He remembered how Ricky had grown up, he knew the pain, the torment his father could inflict, even mentally, with nothing but words… just simple words… Justin knew… Possibly better than anyone in their troupe. The angel had never raised his hand to him to even punish him, he’d used words and allowed Justin to punish himself, Chris and Ryan over the years had allowed him to see that in turn.
Ricky nodded slowly, “Can…” he stopped himself. He didn't want Justin to think he saw him as… a novelty. As much as he wanted to be wrapped in his wings and just feel smaller than he already did… he wanted that comfort of being safe… Justin, whether in human form or not, was his safety. His guardian. He just had never realized it before. But he cuddled him more, melting into his embrace, letting his thoughts and fears drift…
Large hands ran down the smaller man’s sides, curving around him, even as Justin could feel the way Ricky’s wings had wrapped around himself under his clothes… Justin wished he could bring his wings out, but with the chair, the room, his wings were too big, and it would only destroy half the new furniture in here, he knew that wouldn’t work. “Can, what, talk to me, I’m here, anything you need?”
“I want to be wrapped up in you. I don’t want to think.” he whispered, muffled by Justin’s chest softly, “I don’t want to think…” he whispered softer voice shaking slightly. Pressing closer, encouraged by his mate’s gentle touches. His body wanted nothing more than to hide and collapse. A nap. A nap. Much, much, much needed. Fuck, going for a walk right now. He wanted a nap with his mate. “ ‘m sorry…” he mumbled again.
Justin’s arms wrapped him just a little tighter around him as he felt Ricky shake with his words, sighing softly, “Then don’t think, you don’t need to, I’ve got you, I’ve always got you.” Rocking him in his chair, humming softly hoping to lull him and get him to rest, he needed it, he needed all he could get. “Shhh, shhh, it’s okay, it’s alright Daddy, I’m here, I’m here, I’m not going anywhere… I love you…”
Ricky sighed softly, sore red puffy eyes fighting for a moment, but as Justin's arms held him tighter… he couldn't resist. His eyes fell shut and steadily fell asleep, crashing into dreamland still clinging to his mate. He ducked his head closer, cooing like the doves and pigeons that once kept the gargoyle company during the day.
Feeling him drift off in his arms, the way he leaned against him, not only the way his breathing evened, but his heart calmed, and the babies soothed once more… Justin sighed. All of this, it was such, it was all so overwhelming, and that was for him, so he couldn’t even say what it was for Ricky. The gargoyle sat there for a few more moments, rocking his nephilim mate, soothing him, until he was well and truly sure he was asleep, before he risked moving him. Lifting his smaller body up in his arms, and carrying him over to their bed, so he could rest them down. He didn’t let him go, no, no he let Ricky stay curled around him as Justin laid with him.
Ricky wiggled adjusting himself in his sleep moving impossibly closer with a soft coo and hid his face more sighing out sweetly as his grip slowly relaxed as exhaustion was banished, and he sighed sweetly and oh so contently.
It was later when the nephilim stirred and blue eyes blinked open, sighing sweetly, breathing in the scent of his mate and hugged him gently, nuzzling his neck and shoulder for a moment, almost aggressive. “Mmmm, Justin…?” he whispered softly, looking up at him with a soft smile of delight.
Justin hadn’t slept, not deeply. His rest had been light, holding his mate carefully as he protectively circled Ricky in his arms and held him, until the other man was stirring and drawing Justin so easily from his dozing sleep. The smile was perfectly heartwarming the moment he saw it on his face, and had the gargoyle returning it without a second thought, “Hey, feel better?”
Ricky nodded tiredly, “I do.” he whispered, nuzzling his shoulder, rubbing his hands over his mate slowly. “Mine…” he murmured, tucking his head into his mate more, his tiny wings fluttering and stretched big as they could be. The noise of small feathers against his shirt made him jolt as a feather tickled his back.
“Ah! Itchy…!”
The gargoyle chuckled, the way his mate rubbed his hands over him, and then he saw the way Ricky’s shirt was moving behind his back in ripple. Hearing his murmuring of the itchiness just had him ducking his head to Ricky's shoulder… “Your shirts aren’t that mindful of those wings.”
Ricky whined softly, “there's feathers that are itchy…” he whispered, hiding his face. “I don't know what to do about my wings, sometimes They just… pop out.” His eyes fluttered softly, looking up at him with wide eyes.
Justin paused, he didn’t actually know much about angel wings, how different they were from gargoyle wings. He knew how to teach gargoyles to control their wings involved flying; however, he knew that likely was never going to be a possibility for Ricky, so he wasn’t sure how this was going to go. “How about, to start, we free them to give them a bit more room to move so they stop irritating your skin as much right now?”
Ricky whined but nodded, “Okay… but you need to take off my shirt.” he teased softly, petting his face gently as close as he could with the babies between them, his belly proudly peeking from under the shirt playfully.
Not the only one that whined then, he knew he would have to take off his shirt, that was the intention, but to do so, Justin also knew he’d have to move. Kissing him quickly, just a peck on Ricky’s lips, Justin shifted back slightly, his hands curving over his mate's firm swollen belly, smiling before carefully bringing his shirt up. He did his best, so his wings weren’t pulled, feathers were different from gargoyles wings, he knew that much.
Ricky sat up enough and moaned, his wings spread and whined some thin sheaths covering some new feathers and sighed, looking up at Justin with a soft smile. “Thanks…” he whispered, his face framed by the short black locks now, and he leaned in, face pressed to Justin’s chest lightly and lovingly.
Discarding Ricky’s shirt to the side, Justin was curious about the differences with some of his feathers as they were revealed, he wasn’t sure what that meant. Maybe they should ask Gwynn, but Justin didn’t know… Shifting, he reached for his phone that he’d left on the bedside table, “some of your feathers are looking different, I might text Ryan and see if Gwynn can come and have a look later. That might be why they are itchy.”
Ricky nodded and sat back, belly on display, smiling softly, “Sounds like a plan. It might be a good plan… but…” he smiled, “Did you know the babies can hear now? Clearly. They should be able to hear clearly…” he whispered, putting a hand on his round belly, smiling at him. “After you text… do you want a moment to talk to them?” he asked softly, feeling much calmer and better than previously.
Justin quickly texted Ryan the moment Ricky agreed, hoping that Gwynn would know what was going on with Ricky’s rings. Now though, wait, he knew the babies could hear in the womb, but they could by now? Oh! Justin grinned so brightly as he set his phone aside, he could wait to see if Gwynn could help, shifting down, he wiggled down the bed until his head was closer to Ricky’s belly. “Yes, oh yes… We still haven’t thought of any names… you hear that, we have no idea what to call you, I know, I know, your Dad and I have been slack, but don’t worry, we’ll figure it out, I promise.”
Pausing though, Justin’s hand rubbed on Ricky’s belly, as he talked to the babies thought he looked up to Ricky. “Is it wrong I would like to meet them first? We don’t, we can’t even know if they are boys, girls… they might not even know themselves.” Gargoyles could change after all if they chose, for all they knew, maybe so could tribrids… Who knows if Noah could change, they had never even asked him!
One of the babies wiggled happily, a little foot or hand pressing towards Justin’s voice curiously. “I don’t mind waiting one bit, meet them first… It’s fitting…” he sighed softly, smiling, seeing the other baby stretch too, unable to keep his smile from growing as he watched his belly move.
As the babies moved so exuberantly in Ricky’s belly, the nephilim laughed quietly, “They very much love their daddy.” He breathed out sweetly, “Look at that.” Ricky whispered, savoring the feeling of his mate’s hands on his belly.
Justin’s large hand continued to rub over Ricky’s curved belly as he felt the twins move, chuckling low at their intensity. Leaning in to press his cheek alongside his palm to his skin, still gauze longingly up to Ricky, “Both their daddies.”
Ricky smiled and stroked his fingers through his hair slowly and tenderly, eyes fluttering softly. “Justin…” he breathed softly, eyes tender as he looked him over lovingly.
Justin just laid there, looking up at Ricky, happy to have that moment, listening to the heartbeats of both their babies, his mate. Chuckling after a moment, “Your dad is getting mushy kids, watch out.”
Ricky laughed, “I can't help it. I just… hope I get to enjoy our family.” he murmured some of the dark thoughts peeking in for a moment like a nightmare during the day.
When Justin’s hand rubbed at his belly again, he frowned at the soft murmur, not sure at all what Ricky was meaning, why wouldn’t he get to enjoy their family… Of course, then he thought of what he’d said about chubby toes and baby giggles, and he smiled just a little ruefully, “Don’t worry, we’ll get at least some chubby toes, and baby giggles, I promise.”
Ricky smiled, trying not to laugh, “I was meaning… I hope I make it through the birth…. I've read so many stories.” he admitted. “It scared me when I was young… I suppose it still does. I'm going to have two battles in one day…my father and labor…”
Justin took in a deep breath, sitting up from leaning over Ricky, shifting closer to him to lift him up and place him back onto his lap as he settled against the pillows. “Okay, here is why that is the last thing you need to worry about. Gwynn has helped many gargoyles give birth to babies. Chris, Ryan, even I, have had a hand in the birth of gargoyle babies. I don’t know about Shade and Riyah’s experiences, but in our troupe, we never had the luxury of hospitals, or doctors, we looked after ourselves, we trained ourselves. In everything.”
Brushing the nephilim’s hair back gently with a sigh, “that isn’t even counting the fact that the vampires have both mentioned they have medical experience as well. No matter what time of night or day you go into labor, someone will be with you that will know exactly what to do. How to look after you.”
Ricky smiled softly and hugged him, settled on his lap, knowing that… it helped. A lot more than his mate knew… “Promise you’ll be there for the second twin… if you can.” He breathed. “I want you there.”
While he didn’t know what was going to happen, if Justin had his way, he was going to be there for the birth of both of their babies, both of them. “I will be there for both of them if I can, I will do everything remotely possible to be by your side.”
Ricky smiled softly, leaning into him more, “I need you. And I want you beside me.” He admitted, “I don't want to give birth without you right there… I love you.” He breathed softly.
Justin wrapped his arm tightly around Ricky, he wanted to be able to promise he’d be there no matter what, he wanted to so badly, but knowing that Jerahmiel’s potential arrival was an unknown entity. All he could do was promise that he would do his do everything possible to be there. “I love you too, all three of you.”
“I love you, Justin.” he whispered, cuddling more into him, feeling much calmer and settled, face pressed to his shoulder. “I love you…”
Ryan had gotten the text from Justin, Ricky’s feathers were weird? That could mean anything, he didn’t elaborate on that at all, Gwynn was supposed to be resting… Sighing, he was tempted to wait, tempted to just tell Justin that he could wait for another day, however, from things that had been said, he knew that Ricky had yet to come to Gwynn for anything angel related. Noah, yes, surprisingly enough considering how that first meeting between the young tribrid had gone, and how aggressively anti-angel he had, and sometimes Ryan wasn’t so sure he didn’t seem to still feel. Maybe that was Ryan, he hated angels, most angels, very few escaped that feeling these days, very few.
In the last few days, he’d been staying in the alcove, the more time Gwynn had to heal, the better, and Ryan could sacrifice his time on his gaming unit if he had to. Now, now however, he moved towards where they were resting. “Gwynn, Gwynn, Justin texted me mentioning Ricky might want to talk to you about something happening about his wings?”
Gwynn lifted their head yawning, “Hmm…? Ricky…? Oh!” they said, getting up quickly, leaning on their cane, “Lead the way.” they mused, smiling at him with a warm bubbly look in their eyes, excitement on their face, gentle and loving as ever. “Did… you have a good time out with Ricky, by the way?”
Nodding at the question, Ryan thought back to the day to the book store the day before, well, that morning to those that lived by the day. Gargoyles lived to all hours, and it was well into the night, and Ryan had taken some downtime since his trip out. All in all, he felt it had gone quite well, the box with the rings, however, was down in the rectory, out of the way. “I think it went well, productive. Picked up some interesting books, both educational and just for fun.” Already he had been trying to read through the book on how he could try to help Gwynn. Walking with them towards the door, slower, as quick as Gwynn was moving, glad they were healing, he didn’t want to rush too fast.
Gwynn smiled and gently held his arm lightly, “I’m happy to hear that. My next goal will be getting electricity in here for you… in case you ever want to move back up here with me… permanently. I don’t want to rush you… I just miss our home.” they murmured, “It’s always felt… safe and comforting to be in…. It’s only complete with you here.”
Ryan had read enough of the book to know it was important to make his partner feel secure on their healing journey, which was part of the reason he had been spending so much time in the alcove. He’d barely been down in the rectory in a while now for a reason after all, the thought of moving up here permanently. Glancing to Gwynn… He… Ryan’s heart clenched hearing that, safe… He still thought they deserved better than him, so much better… after what he had done to them… how he had just… “Maybe, we could bring my things up from the rectory, and see how we go?”
Gwynn’s eyes widened and the smile that covered their face, the joy and excitement in their eyes- it was infectious and hopeful. “I would love that… so much, my darling.” They whispered and leaned up, kissing his shoulder lightly as they leaned on him as they made their way down the stairs. “I… would very much love that.”
As Ryan felt them kiss at his shoulder, he swallowed, heavily, tilting his head to the side, just enough to hide the way his eyes waters, if only for a moment as they walk along the path down the stairs. He said nothing as they made their way down to the apartment that they were all renovating not only for both couples, but for the arrival of the twin's birth, and the hope of more children. The gargoyle had himself together, by the time they reached the door to the apartment, letting them both in.
The angel was quiet the rest of the way and smiled, seeing the now familiar apartment, “Ryan?” They asked softly, “I'm happy you're in my life.” They murmured, hearing a soft giggle from Ricky in the next room. “I just want you to know that.”
He didn’t know how they could be, after how he treated them, after how he’d forgotten them? How could anyone just forgive someone who had forgotten the entire face when they claimed to love them for over a thousand years? Let alone when they came back, everything he’d done while they were gone… Still, taking in a shaky breath, Ryan reached for Gwynn’s hand gently and, just, squeezed their fingers lightly. Words were stuck in his throat, he knew he wouldn’t survive without Gwynn, they were everything to him, but he didn’t, he didn’t know how to say it, not anymore, not yet. “Let’s check in on Ricky and Justin.”
The angel smiled understanding without words and leaned up to kiss his cheek softly, “Sounds like a good idea,” they whispered to him before walking ahead, knocking on the bedroom door before opening it when Ricky answered.
Seeing the nephilim snuggled into his mate, little wings spread out. “Oh dear- you're molting. It happens. Nothing to fret over.” The elder chuckled, moving closer, “Do you mind if I show you how to fix it? Or Ryan can if you're more comfortable with his help.” They offered.
Ricky looked between them quietly for a moment. “Um… I don't… know.” He answered honestly. “Uh…”
Gwynn smiled in understanding. “Ryan? Do you remember how to preen?” He asked, looking at his own mate tenderly.
Justin looked up from his arms wrapped around Ricky, he’d known the moment Ryan and Gwynn had entered the apartment, however not wanting to move Ricky after his confession, he waited until they came to them. When the door opened, he looked over at Ricky’s wings, and immediately, Gwynn, knew exactly what they were looking at. Molting? Justin glanced towards Ryan when he was mentioned.
Ryan had seen it too, though, Ricky was in desperate need of preening, though, the state of Ricky’s feathers were a little different from the manner of which Gwynn’s could get when theirs were in need of preening. It made him curious as to why. Though, when he realized they were asking him, “Oh, yeah, I remember… its, been awhile, I ah,” glancing at Gwynn, there was a fondness there, as if he could forget. Preening was always something so, personal between them, especially because Gwynn’s wings could be so, sensitive at times. It was something he could gladly say he had never done for Jerahmiel. “Gwynn, why, do some of Ricky’s feathers look… different?”
“He's losing his baby feathers. His adult feathers are coming in.” They explained gently and smoothed their hair back, tying it up, “So the feathers underneath, the soft downy level… are pushing through and let's fix it for you.” Gwynn said softly as Ricky nodded, showing them his small wings.
“Okay. I'm ready, I think.”
Ryan hummed, that was interesting, it also had implications when it came to Noah’s wings. The man was four hundred years old, what-the-hell kind of feather had he shown Gwynn, they certainly didn’t look downy, they looked adult… had he just skipped the awkward grown out stage? Or was that boy, when he was finally able to bring those suckers out, about to go through one interesting, massive molting phase… damn… he was not going to know what hit him. “Usually preening is rather intimate, I’ve only ever done it for Gwynn before, Justin, come around here, watch, you’ll want to help him in future.”
They didn’t always preen just because of molting, sometimes, it just felt nice, and it was a perfect feeling of self-care for their wings.
Ricky got off Justin's lap to let him see and spread his little wings for them, blushing softly. “It won't hurt?”
Gwynn's cheeks turned pink. “No. Quite the opposite. If you need some more privacy, I can leave. I don't want to overstep.” They assured gently, an understanding smile on their lips.
Ryan shifted closer to the mated pair as he sat down, but not yet reaching for Ricky’s wings when Gwynn asked about needing privacy. He might be helping with the preening here, but he wasn’t about the answer for Ricky. It was his body, his privacy, what’s more, he’d never been through this before, Ryan didn’t even know how he was going to react to this… Now, he could guess from how much Gwynn enjoyed their wings preened, but everyone enjoyed things differently. It was like, pain, there were times… there were times that he needed it now, and he was sure other people wouldn’t understand, but he wasn’t going to talk about that. Everyone was different.
Ricky blushing, he shivered gently, “um… if you could leave if I moan… I'd appreciate that- I get overexcited easy-” he whispered.
“Of course.” They assured, biting back the comment about his father being similar… They needed to talk to the gargoyles later about who Jerahmiel had loved… They needed to know. But they didn't want to broach that right now.
As Ricky had shifted from him, Justin had adjusted his position on the bed to make it more comfortable for Ricky to sit between both Ryan and himself, but also so he could see what Ryan was doing. Glancing towards Gwynn, he smiled, thankful that they had come down so willingly to help, “Thank you for this, Gwynn.” Even if Ryan was the one that was offering to show him how to help Ricky, Gwynn had been asked.
Ryan took in a breath, saying nothing to the mention of the possibility of moaning. “Justin, now, one way to is running your fingers through his feathers, gently, but move with the line of his feathers, not against, that will tug them out harshly… You only want the ones that are ready to come out naturally.” As he spoke, Ryan was showing the other just as he explained, practically stroking along Ricky’s wings, along his back.
Ricky’s breath hitched for a moment, trembling lightly for a moment- Gwynn couldn’t help but smile, nodding to Ryan, already making a line for the door. They knew it wouldn’t be long before Ricky was keening for the pair. Silent permission to help however they could. They opened the door with less than a creak- and shut with a barely audible thump to anyone other than the gargoyles.
The nephilim, just as the door shut- let out a tender moan at the strokes of his fingers. His head fell back, letting his now short hair be on display to Ryan clearly, and his wings flexed gently.
As much as Ryan hoped that Gwynn wouldn’t leave, he knew with Ricky’s request, that the odds that he wouldn’t moan soon, was unlikely, so seeing them even prepare, left a twinge. Then, the angel was slipping out the door, without more than a word, Ryan watched them go, that smile, Ryan nodded back to them, sighing as the door thumped softly behind them. Turning his attention back to Ricky just as his head tilted back, the newly short hair made him wonder what brought about the change, he couldn’t say he hated it. Now, however, was not the time to ask, as Ricky moaned.
“Justin, come closer, here, join me in stroking his feathers.” Ryan gently had Ricky facing Justin, only to reach for the other gargoyle’s hands and placed them into Ricky’s wings and stroked them through the soft feathers. “See how some of his downy baby feathers are naturally coming out., and his adult feathers are adjusting in place?” Ryan’s fingers scratched gently down Ricky’s back as he guided Justin’s hands.
Justin leaned into Ricky’s front, his wings were tantalizing to him too, and to hear him moan just from the way Ryan had run his fingers through them, oh it was delicious. It reminded him of the night they’d been together, with Ricky riding him, hands brushing through his wings, it had been glorious… His feathers were so soft, feeling them now, he could tell the difference between his feathers. The adult feathers, while they were just as soft, they were pristine, defined, larger, even if you could tell his wings were still small.
“Justin- Ry-Ryan- oh fuck-” Ricky whimpered, rolling his hips slowly, groaning softly. Glancing to check that Gwynn was gone before folding quickly rolling his hips without thinking, hiding his face. “Oh fuck-”
Outside, all Gwynn could do was listen.
The way Ricky was positioned between them, Ryan could feel all too well from behind him the way the nephilim’s hips were rolling, they were so close together on the bed. “Keep going, and help him, Justin.” Ryan was happy to continue preening his feathers, pressing a kiss to Ricky’s shoulder as he ran his fingers through his wings again.
Justin glanced over Ricky’s shoulder to Ryan as he felt Ricky rock against him again, moaning as he stroked through Ricky’s wings to the side at the edges to the tips of them. “We’ve got you, Daddy.” As his hands came down to the small of Ricky’s back, he let his hands slip around to the front of his pants and start to undo them.
Ricky gasped and moaned, hips rocking smoothly against his hips slowly, and he shivered. “Justin- Ry…Ryan…” he whispered, his wings fluffing up eagerly displaying themselves for him as his jaw went slack. “Oh fuck-” he breathed, grinding into Justin's hand helplessly for a moment. Even at the faintest touch, and his wings twitched eagerly as he trembled.
With Ricky’s belly so prominent, Justin was so careful helping him get his pants off, most of his clothes were relaxed lately anyway. Dressing for comfort was more important now than trying to pull on his jeans, much to Ricky’s frustrations. There had been a morning that had not gone down well, despite Justin trying to help.
Ryan watched as Justin stripped next, stroking through Ricky’s wing’s again as he sat behind him, “He looks, so good doesn’t he, Rick? You are lucky.” Scratching slowly down his spine to gently detach more of the downy feathers as they came away.
He gasped softly as his eyes fluttered as his wings spread to their biggest as he shivered, “Yes-” he moaned, helping Justin with his pants as much as he could, trembling softly. “Ryan- Jus-” he whispered before kissing Justin’s shoulder, burying himself into him as Ryan preened him, feeling so vulnerable in the moment. As his lips parted into a soft expression looking up at Justin.
Sliding back to sit back against the pillows as Ryan was continuing to preen him, watching them both, enjoying the blissed-out expression on his mate’s face as he reached to gently pull Ricky onto his lap. Ryan shuffling closer along with the shift as they position shifted, “You want to ride me Daddy? Feel stuffed so full…”
He nodded eagerly, eyes wide, “Please?” He paused and looked up at Ryan, “Can… can I?” he asked softly for permission, licking his lips, “Please…” he whispered gently, eyes glassy and full of desire and want. Longing and confusion. He had dropped into a much more submissive headspace.
Ryan felt a twinge seeing the way Ricky submitted to him, brushing his fingers down his back, in the thick of his feather, seeing the glaze of his eyes, the pure desire, the lust… the adoration… Ryan was in a haze for a moment as his mind flickered back to a different being with their perfect pale skin, crystal perfect eyes… pale hair… he swallowed… breathing in deeply. Ricky is who was before him, and it would do him a disservice to not be here right then, he would find Gwynn after. Detangling a hand from his feathers, and reaching up and around to brush fingers along Ricky’s jaw, “go on Justin… fill him up, stuff him so full the babies won’t stop kicking.”
Justin knew better than to question whether it was safe for the babies. While he knew neither Ryan nor he had ever chosen to breed before, Ryan had avoided it, and Jerahmiel had never picked Justin for the breeding program, claimed he was scared, too weak to be worthy. Still, being around the others, he knew the physical limits, fucking, even this close to birth, was not dangerous, despite Ryan talking like that.
His fingers grasping Ricky’s hips, “Hold on to me. That’s it.” Lifting him enough, Justin slid him onto his cock slowly, filling him, inch by inch, knowing he’d feel it just as much as he’d feel the way Ryan’s fingers were brushing through his feather’s again.
Ricky moaned softly, wrapping around Justin and cuddled into him as he was filled, eyes fluttering as his lips parted, settling against him, just rocking his hips slowly back and forth. Steady with him, and feeling Ryan’s fingers, he couldn't help but melt faster, feeling heavenly.
Most of the downy feathers had fallen away now, but Ryan was just letting his fingers gently continue to massage through Ricky’s wings, knowing just how it felt for him, and remembering himself. Leaning into the smaller man’s back, the gargoyle couldn’t help thinking of Gwynn outside the door though, even if he was trying to be here, in the present, as he pressed his cheek to the back of Rick's shoulder.
Justin thrust up into his mate, long, slow, not wanting to rush the moment. He just wanted to let him feel the connection, not only the press of his cock, but the stroke of his wings. Leaning in, he brought his lips to Ricky’s to kiss him softly.
Ricky moaned softly, melting into him with a shiver, lips parted slightly and trembled, “Justin- Ryan- oh fuck- oh fuck-” he gasped, feeling Justin press perfectly into him, feeling him as his heat settled between the gargoyles easily.
Outside the angel was listening though, hearing Ryan’s name caught between moans… They couldn't help but miss their mate touching, holding, caressing them, making their heartache.
Ryan’s fingers stroked along Ricky’s wings, all that were left were the adult wings, none of the downy baby feathers were left. Even he had learned something today when it came to angel wings, he hadn’t been aware, then, many angels from heaven in Ryan’s era, were not born, but created. Pure angels were not encouraged to breed, and half angels, such as Ricky, were considered an abomination to the nature of heaven. At least, that was what the gargoyles were taught to believe. No longer did any of them have to follow those ways, so much had changed.
Hearing Ricky moan, gasping out their names, Ryan moaned out low, thinking about feathers under his fingers. Looking down at his hands as he brushed through them, just straightening them out under his touch. Shifting against Ricky’s back as he thought of Gwynn, wishing they were here, he could be touching them too… As much as he struggled every day to believe he deserved to, he wanted to, he wanted to deserve the love they were giving him.
Justin panted against Ricky’s lips, before they had mated he had been so jealous of Ricky’s connection with Ryan, knowing how much Ryan always drew in angels. At least, that was how Justin saw it, and it was painful to him the thought that Ricky would favor Ryan over him, seeing the way Ricky would look at Ryan. How Ryan could give him something Justin never could… Now, though, the love that ran through him seeing his mate so happy, what else would he ever want for him? “That’s it, Daddy, that’s it.” Justin rolled his hips with Ricky’s, it was a gentle movement, but keeping the momentum going, and him full, the sensation so intoxicating as he continued to fuck up into his mate.
The nephilim cried out, cumming hard without hesitation, holding onto Justin tightly as his moans were drawn out desperately, head falling back as he submitted so eagerly to him, jaw slack and eyes rolled back happily.
Gwynn waited on the sofa, hearing the sweet noises of the nephilim and desire for their own mate grew. They wanted Ryan. But… They needed to be patient.
As Ryan slowly finished stroking Ricky’s wings, watching as he trembled in the gargoyle’s arms, he could tell all the signs of how Justin chased his own release after him, moaning out as he came undone… “That’s it, good boys.”
His fingers smoothed Ricky’s wings over and settled them down after a moment. “Justin, make sure to go help your mate to get cleaned up, he’s going to need plenty of rest I think.” Climbing off the bed now, leaving the pair be as he let himself out of the bedroom, adjusting his clothes slightly as he did from his own situation.
Ricky moaned a soft thank-you, settling into Justin’s arms, whining softly.
Gwynn stood as the door opened, “Ryan…? Can we talk? Please.” They offered gently as they reached for his hand, tangling their long slender fingers with his calloused ones, a timid storm behind their soft blue eyes.
Taking in a breath as Gwynn asked to talk, asking that, could not end well, now could it… Didn’t mortals have this thing about asking someone to talk in a relationship? Not to mention, that look in their eyes, he could see that tempest in them… Shit. Still, this was Gwynn, and he couldn’t deny them. “Of course, but not here.” When their hand took his, he led them out of the apartment.
This is a collaborative fic between @cookiesupplier, @faceless-mirror & @comforting-madness
Dividers by @samspenandsword @cafekitsune @saradika-graphics
Authors Note: Some of the boys are starting their journeys to try and heal their traumas in different ways. trigger warnings for past sexual trauma mentions
Pairings: Multi-Pairings, Everybody x Everybody.
Bands Included: Motionless In White, Bad Omens, Bring Me The Horizon, Ice Nine Kills, Sleep Token (to be added as characters join, no spoilers)
Triggerlist: transphobia, homophobia, abuse, SA, dubcon, religious trauma, past suicide attempts, mental health issues, grief, death, violence, kidnapping, suicidal ideation, torture, racism/speciesism, (To be added to)
Christopher, Justin, and Ryan are members of the Gargoyle Order, soldiers fighting in the angels war against the demonic supernatural evils of the world to protect human kind. Through the years they lost comrades and now just the three of them remain in their little town.
Now, Ricky and Vinny are moving into their church, stirring up old and new feelings, along with the past, posing the challenge of navigating this new chapter in their lives.
Can they all navigate this path successfully and break free of the prisons that is their lives of both stone and flesh, or will they all be trapped forever in a world that could prove to be a constant misery?
(please comment/like/reblog/message to be added to taglist)
Chapter Forty Three
Ricky led the way to the car, sighing softly, “Okay. Book store. Afterwards, do you wanna go for a walk in the park to enjoy the fresh air. We both haven't had much time to slow down and breathe lately-” he commented softly, tying His long hair back over his spine. He had been refusing to look in the mirror lately. His hair bothered him. But he didn't want to bring that up. Today was about Ryan.
Ryan, Ryan, felt like he had been doing nothing but picking up the slack lately. Between Chris spending extra time with Vinny after she was blessed, while he knew that was, well, he wouldn’t say they had cooled off, but oh he hoped they had a little. Damn, those two were intense. Then again, most mated couples were when they got into breeding mode… Though, most mated couples didn’t have to breed quite the way that Chris was having to with Vinny being human. He knew the different, the same circumstance would have happened had he actively started to breed with- Ryan stopped that thought there. He was sure they were enjoying it, though He knew he would have. Then there were Justin and Ricky, Justin was so protective, spending so much of his time with Ricky, that was to be expected.
Riyah and Shade had been helping him keep up with patrols when the other two were occupied, not that he was letting them off the hook entirely, and Gwynn was also involved. However, with their healing, Ryan insisted they continued to spend more time resting now they had more people to help when they could.
Following Ricky out now, back to that damn car, at least it was just the two of them this time… “Really, is there no other forms of transportations for you mortals? How far is this book store?”
“Not too horribly far… but far enough that me walking there would end up with you carrying me home.” Ricky snorted softly, buckling in and turned on the car humming. “Which I don't know if Justin would appreciate much.” He mused with a smile at Ryan, blue eyes sparkling.
Yet, Ricky was suggesting a walk after their time at the book store, of course, not that Ryan could really argue with it. A moment of some peace and quiet would be welcome right about now. Climbing into the car, Ryan sighed and reached for the belt next to him, strapping himself into his seat. “Alright, ready to go.”
Ricky pulled out driving and playing some music softly as they drove. It was a fifteen-minute drive, long enough. “Is it okay if I ask how it's going with Gwynn?” Ricky asked after a moment, glancing at the gargoyle tenderly. “I know it's been a lot and time to chat has been sparse. I care about you.”
When they were driving for a bit, Ryan was not surprised about the fact they were driving, not one bit, he would have flown had he known the store was this far away. Now, he could have walked, easily, but letting Ricky walk it not once but twice in his state… not a chance. “It’s been fine.” He didn’t really know how to elaborate more about how it was going with Gwynn, they hadn’t talked a lot more since after the night of the clock tower… even finding out everything with Noah… Gwynn had been so wrapped up in helping the young one, Ryan hadn’t wanted to distract them. He hadn’t wanted to get in their way. Then there was their anxiousness in helping Honesty, he could see it, how worried they were about resocializing them, so, he let them be. He just did what he needed to do, continued with his patrols, and focused on his duties, everything he was supposed to… despite how much he wanted to say… fuck it. Every day, it just became more and more tempting.
“You know, maybe you should talk to Gwynn, Noah has been working with them, with his angel stuff, they could help you too, before the babies are born.” Glancing out the window… talking about anything about caring and shit… it was bad enough they were doing this self-help thing… he was trying, wasn’t he?
Ricky sighed, and nodded, “I could… I'm… not going to hide it from you, but… I'm kinda scared to talk with them. They remind me of my dad when I was younger. With the blond hair…” he murmured, pulling into a parking spot and sighed, resting his head on the wheel. “I know they aren't but… that fear is there… ya know?”
The gargoyle snorted, “and Noah swings between hating that he’s part angel, and being curious, that boy, he has been through the wringer not knowing what he is.” Ryan felt bad for him, the kid might have had his family, but he’d still been alone in so many ways. He was sure they’d tried, but, it couldn’t have been easy.
Ryan paused, glancing over at Ricky as he drove, considering whether he should say something, Gwynn trusted him with so much, but it wasn’t a secret, was it? Besides, unless Ricky learned to control his ability, this could be dangerous for them all, him especially… “Gwynn was once friends with your father, when they were in heaven, before the war, before… everything. They worked together, he was learning from Gwynn while they were the handler for our troupe. Jerahmiel was supposed to be training to become a handler for a new troupe, not ours… none of us expected…”
Knowing now that Jerahmiel was the one that attacked Gwynn, Ryan’s hands pulled into fists over his knees as he sat in his passenger seat. Taking in deep breaths, it was taking all his control not to transform and wreck the car while in mid-transport… He would not harm Ricky. “They were friends once, you, you see them and feel pain, I, assure you, they… understand.”
Ricky looked at him, shaking slightly, “What happened to my dad…? He must have been kind at one point. He was … maybe…” he whispered as he parked the car calmly. “It hurts… I thought I was past this… I… will you be there when I talk to Gwynn…? Please.”
Ricky wanted to believe his dad at one point was kind… that something or someone had broken him. He had craved his father's love when he was young… Now it was a bitter reminder.
Ryan closed his eyes, he knew exactly what would… what would explain the pain that had broken Ricky’s father, it was the kind of pain that would break anyone. “He was in love once. He was in love with another angel, and the war tore them apart. The other angel, they fell, they were condemned, and everyone was afraid that he had… marked Jerahmiel… looking at him now, I don’t know if it was true, or if it was grief that did this to him.”
Ricky hesitated, thinking for a moment. “I… didn’t know. I… I just assumed he…” he looked at his hands. “He… the angel he loved… he fell…?” He asked, looking up at Ryan, blue eyes wide with confusion, finally getting some clarity on his father and upbringing. Answers he had desperately needed.
Sighing, the gargoyle wasn’t sure… “Yes, I haven’t heard what happened to him after that, I don’t know who he was, just what Gwynn told me, they fought in the war, Jerahmiel was, he wasn’t capable. His angel, he was banished for defending Jerahmiel, protecting him…” Shaking his head, it had been all been before any gargoyles existed, and it had been horrifying the stories that Gwynn had told him.
The nephilim swallowed, nodding slowly. “I don't understand… but… I… I think I get it a little more… Thank you, Ryan… for telling me. I needed to know…” Ricky whispered softly.
“Grief is sadly a powerful thing, I know that first hand, it can change you.” Ryan certainly wasn’t the same person he had once been, and he wasn’t sure he was, could be the person that Gwynn needed. He wished he could be, they deserved someone so much, more worthy than him. “Your father isn’t the only person it has changed.”
The smaller nodded slowly, “… It's changed you too, huh?” He asked softly, unbuckling himself. Thinking about it. “How are you handling Gwynn being back. I can imagine there's a lot there. You don't have to tell me… but. I wanted to acknowledge it.”
After a moment, Ryan clicked the buckle of his seatbelt. “Yea, it's been a lot of time.” Time and grief, the worst offenders, he supposed. Now though he sighed as Ricky started in on Gwynn being back, how he was doing, it wasn’t just him though, Ryan was worried about how they were doing. Swallowing, he thought back on the night, the night they’d talked about heaven, what they’d want him to do if they came back for them. Ryan knew it would destroy him if he… “I’m not worried about how I’m handling Gwynn being back- I-” That he was sure everyone else was doing more than enough worrying over…
“I’m worried about how Gwynn is handling it.”
They were spending too much time looking after everyone else, and barely looking after themself.
The halfling looked at Ryan before sighing softly. “Let's get them a self-help book too. Maybe something will help them adjust… Something to help them work through their trauma.” He whispered gently, squeezing his arm lightly. He stopped for a moment. “Do… you know their ring size?” He asked after a moment, spying a jewellery store next door.
Ryan had just been about to reach for the handle of his door, so he could climb out of the car, more than happy to get out of the small space that was this car when he heard Ricky’s question. Glancing over to him, “Their ring size, why?” That was the point that he followed the other’s view to the other store, and tilted his head, jewellery?
Ricky smiled sheepishly, “I was thinking what if… you had some jewellery that connects you both and reminds you that each other is on each other's side? I was… planning on getting some for me and Justin… but… I think having that reminder of the connection would be nice. Maybe it would ground them more.” He offered getting out calmly.
Following him out of the car slowly, Ryan closed the door of the car as he looked over to the jewellery store and regarded it for a moment. His hands on top of the car as he thought about what the nephilim was suggesting. “It would depend on the jewellery I suppose… the way Justin and I transform to fight sometimes, anything we wear that is fitting to our bodies…” Perhaps a ring would change with him, but the thought that it wouldn’t… If that happened, Ryan couldn’t help but feel it would be another nail in the coffin of their bond.
“Well, I'm sure that maybe… Maybe, Noah or I or even Gwynn could bless them so they never break and perhaps even adjust. Or wear them on chains. At least something. I think it might help more than you realise…” The smaller admitted softly. “Let's start with books, and you can think about it.”
A chain might work, but Ryan was just so hesitant to make a move that could be evidence of, something so significant. He still didn’t think he deserved Gwynn, or any form of their forgiveness, shiny jewellery, wouldn’t it just be a band-aid on a gaping wound? “Alright, let's go see what might be of use to a bunch of immortal weirdos suffering from mental trauma.” Some of it centuries worth piling on.
Ricky led him inside, the walls lined with books and shelves littered about holding several different tomes. Perhaps this would end up a peaceful sanctuary. It once was for Ricky when he was young. Maybe he needed it once more… He led the way to the self-help section, looking things over before picking up a book for himself. What to expect when you're expecting. “Okay… so… there's trauma… abuse… self-esteem…” He rambled, looking everything over calmly.
Going into different stores wasn’t really anything that was allowed. Gargoyles patrolled the streets, they didn’t interact with the mortals, that wasn’t their purpose. It was their job to protect them, fight the demons and other creatures through the world. So coming into the store, to see the rows and rows of books, it was a sight to behold. Ryan had learned to read using the religious texts and the books left behind in the Church, as frustrating as it could be at times not to have access to any other beyond those. Glancing over to Ricky as he picked up a book about babies, smirking, he wasn’t so sure that would help him, the information would be timed a little different, certainly. Still, it might feel better to at least try to be prepared.
Sighing, when the younger started mentioning the other reasons they were here, Ryan was glancing over to the section he suspected they’d find more of the books they wanted… “I think they might be over there.” Whether they’d help, that was another matter entirely… Ryan was sceptical, they were just books, and he had seen how religious words could affect mortals.
Ricky smiled softly. “We can look at this section and the other sections too… there's a lot to see here…” He admitted warmly, picking up a book on grieving loved ones. He himself would need it soon enough, he was sure. He may not have been close to his father… but he knew…it would be either him or Jerahmiel. One of them wouldn't make it out. He touched the glossy cover gently, eyes watering.
“Ryan… thank you.”
When he saw Ricky picking up the book on grieving, it was something they could have all used at one point or another. Something that they’d been reminded of painfully with the reality of what the angels had done to both their troupe, and his brothers. Ricky’s words, however, stopped Ryan cold, realizing something already was in mind… “Rick… you are doing well, you are going to be fine.”
“I may not like my dad… but I still love him. Either way… this isn't going to end pretty…” He mentioned softly, eyes stinging. “I understand him a bit better but… I think I'll be needing this book.” Ricky whispered, looking at him with tender eyes, heart hurting for something that had yet to come.
He gently headbutted his shoulder and gave him a smile.
Ryan had never really known his parents, it was the fate of so many gargoyles, especially in the early generations of the breeding programs. They were born so early that they were moved around before they got much chance to bond with their parents. Ryan only got any chance to connect with his brother due to his eventual relationship with Gwynn allowing him to travel with them, and meeting with Nightshade more than he should ever have been allowed. He had nothing to compare this feeling of Ricky’s to, not liking someone but still loving them, he didn’t understand it, however what he could do, was support Ricky just the same.
“Well, we know his tactics, and his intent, perhaps, he won't get that far this time.” Not to mention, there was no way in Heaven or Hell, they were going to be leaving the Church or Ricky unprotected, they never did. Chris had refused to leave the Church unprotected since the very attack on Chenza, and now knowing the cause, it made it all the more poignant. “We can hope it won’t come to that.” Unfortunately, if it didn’t, it would mean he was still out there to attack them, a painful truth.
“I… it has to… I know it does. We both know it.” Ricky said, “Don't deny it.” He said softer, “But it’ll be okay.” He said softly, “It hurts, but… We have to protect the kids.” He said softly, thinking about it. “I'll be okay eventually. But… The kids come first.”
Sighing, Ryan picked up a book himself, of course, he wasn’t about to let him lie to him, it was funny, how lying this time about that bastard of an angel's death was affecting him less too. “They do, but that isn’t to say you don’t have to let me lie to you sometimes.” No matter how uncomfortable it was for him. Smirking a little. “Now,” he sighed, “does it matter so much of these books about sexual trauma seemed to be focused on women?”
He smiled, “Not really… but there are some more for male and queer people over here if you would be more comfortable with those. This one… might be a good fit.” He said offering a plain-looking book except the title, Transgender Sexual Violence; a Self Help Guide to Healing and Understanding. “It has a companion book to it too.” He offered.
Of course, that area was distinctly quite smaller than this area, however, it was good to see that there was a section at all. Now, as Ricky handed the book to him, Ryan accepted it, and he flicked through some of the pages, nodding, he’d take it, it was probably as good as he was going to get to understand. Not that there was a lot that mortals could understand. In the section, he also picked up another book or two, including the book for partners of those that had gone through trauma… he picked that one up too. Glancing over to Ricky, “have you found any more baby books?”
“This was the best book on the internet for pregnancy… at least it should help some… and I got some milestone books for the babies. And a book on abuse for me and Justin to go through…. Did you wanna look at novels?” He offered, figuring having something more light-hearted would be nice. The nephilim wanted to get some children's’ books anyway… And pick up some new books for himself.
Nodding at the mention of the internet claiming it was the best book on pregnancy, Ryan at least knew what the internet was, he was playing Ricky video games after all. “As long as you realize half that information, you should take, carefully, and always come to the rest of us with questions as well after consulting the book. At least Justin, he actually knows quite a bit about babies, he might not have been through the breeding program before, but he’s helped raise others.”
Now when Ricky mentioned novels, Ryan paused, “Novels, novels on what?”
“Oh, I know, but this was like… number one for just what to expect for my body. It's like a guide to pregnancy and what's going on.” Ricky explained, flipping it open, “Like right now… I'd say I'm probably closest to four or five months right now… and this is the chapter for four to five months!” He rambled, showing him, “It also gives tips for relieving discomfort and help to build birthing plans…” he whispered almost sadly. He wouldn't get to enjoy making a birthing plan…
“Um… all sorts. All kinds. They’re organised by genre.” He explained, pointing out the labels above. “I'm partial to fantasy romance-” he explained sheepishly. Hopefully, Justin never found his stash. Knowing Justin, he might be too excited about positions… “But they have mysteries and horror… everything.”
Glancing at the page of the book Ricky was showing him, of course, while Ricky wasn’t actually in terms of time, anywhere close to four or five months literally, he supposed gargoyles versus mortal terms, he was. Ryan had never known the length of a mortal pregnancy or been around one. Fantasy romance, Ryan raised an eyebrow, Ricky was literally pregnant and fucking a monster of the night. He could not say he was surprised... smirking a little while tilting his head at the horror, now that, that he might want to look at. After playing some of the games Ricky had, slaughtering those angels on the screen… “You know, you might be on to something, let's have a look have some of those mysteries… and… horror, did you say?”
~~
After the bookstore where they had definitely purchased a few dozen books. Now entering the jewellery store, it was clear to see that most of the pieces were made in house and unique in some way. There was an old man working in the back as a young lady greeted them warmly.
Ryan stood in the jewellery store, he wasn’t convinced, but figured that Ricky getting something for Justin, it was more than a good idea. Their bond was solid, it was perfect… It was the kind of bond that should be celebrated. Ricky mentioned this as a reminder, that they were there for each other, but Ryan was terrified of this just being one more thing that could destroy them, one more thing that could rip them apart. Enough of the world had done that. He’d done that. “What did you have in mind for Justin?” Then as his voice turned low, “keep in mind in his beast form, his hand becomes almost twice the size…”
Ricky was about to answer- then Ryan went and said that, and he whined softly, “I was… thinking a wood ring. That would be easier to bless, I think.” He admitted to looking at the wood rings curiously, all of them polished and embedded with stones. “What do you think?” He asked, picking up one with moss agate in it.
Raising an eyebrow at the mention of wood being easier to bless, “I don’t know, we have to deal with adding angel runes to human weapons after we lost the gargoyle forge and couldn’t make our own weapons.” His word low to make sure the mortals couldn’t hear what he was saying. “Not to mention, Tadashi, Noah’s father, was the one that made my hammer, the things he made it do without a blessing, imagine what Noah could bless?”
He smiled and nodded. “But I want him at night to be reminded of the daylight he protects. Not just for me but our kids too…” He murmured, settling on a ring. “This one…” he whispered, holding a gold ring with wood and a green gem band of bright greens with flecks of gold and pinks. “This one is it.” He said, tracing over it thoughtfully, seeing the grey stone band.
He held it up to Ryan to show him. “What do you think?”
Ryan reached for the ring, it was beautiful, and he could see it, what Ricky was wanting to convey to his mate… it made him envious that he couldn’t manage the same kind of notion himself. For all the wonder he once had with Gwynn, how could he bring them anything more than pain now knowing what they had been forced to go through… How could they look forward to anything of a future when there was always the promise he would have to kill them one day?
Handing the ring back to the nephilim, “He’ll love it, now we find something for you, and a chain, just for the chance the blessing doesn’t work quite so well, and we can go.”
“Good try. Try and look for Gwynn too.” Ricky said softly, “Just look. You don't have to buy them anything, but jewellery shopping is always a good time to reflect on what you love about a person… and what you want to see or remind them of.” As the nephilim explained, they were looking over some of the slimmer bands, thinking of what he wanted to be reminded of. Of family… and unity… he smiled, spying some rings with plants preserved- it was perfect. Touching it gently. “Traditionally, the other partner would pick it out. But he's already a bit over thinking everything with the babies as bad as I am.”
Ryan just stared at Ricky when he pushed him to look for Gwynn… he did not understand. Then again, he didn’t know, Ryan wasn’t inclined to talk about it, was it his place? The way he said he didn’t have to buy them anything, but shop, as if it were that simple. Shopping, reflecting on what you love about a person, how… how? Lord these two and their babies… Ryan, didn’t need to be reminded of the loss, the… the… but he couldn’t bring himself to tell the other man to stop, to not. It didn’t feel right. He was excited for him, he was, no matter how painful he was starting to realize it was too, with Gwynn being home.
As Ricky was jabbering on, the gargoyles sight eventually fell on a set of rings, tungsten, the dark rings on the outside with the gold metal in the inner, before the middle was crystal, he wasn’t sure what… It shimmered. It shimmered through, and it reminded him of Gwynn and how, how they made him feel… or at least…
Swallowing, Ryan shook his head as he looked away from the rings, it wasn’t going to happen anyway, knowing what could happen one day, tainted everything. “What have you found?”
“This one-” he said, holding up the ring and grinned sweetly. Showing the design. “What do you think?” He breathed, admiring how it wove together.
Looking over the piece, the way the tiny plant pieces were preserved in the ring, it was a perfect companion ring for the wooden bands in the ring that Ricky had chosen for Justin. “It’s perfect, it even suits the one you picked for Justin.”
“Did you see anything?” Ricky asked, looking up at him with soft eyes, hoping he saw something at the very least. He brushed his black hair back, hopeful.
As Ricky brushed his hair back, Ryan’s eyes brayed him for the slightest of moments as he glanced towards the tray where the ring set sat and then back to the nephilim quickly. “No.” Rolling his shoulders in discomfort… not just at the lie but at everything, thinking about the night Gwynn had talked to him about heaven… what they wanted should… he’d promised, and he… he was struggling so much. “Let's just go pay for yours.”
“Okay.” He said gently and reached over, lightly squeezing his hand for a moment before heading to the register. Today was a first step for Ryan. That's what mattered. A step.
It didn't take too long to get the set packaged, and he smiled at the box before heading for the door with a skip in his step, humming softly. He was going to make tonight special with the gifts. He wanted something just him and Justin without commotion. Like their date night.
Thing was, as Ricky headed out the door with a skip in his step, Ryan’s were much slower, watching the other man carefully. Thinking about the books in his bag, he was considering one in particular, the one on partners who have been through trauma… Will it be enough? Will something in those pages be able to help him through his mate asking him to kill them? He thought Jerahmiel would be the worst he could endure, but it wasn’t, was it, no, it was always Gwynn. How much he loved Gwynn.
“Fuck.” Ryan walked back into the store… He was going to buy the rings… Whether he would be able to gift one to Gwynn, or even wear one himself… he was going to buy them.
Ricky looked over his shoulder, surprised. He didn't say a word, though, watching as Ryan picked up two rings. Baby steps. But hey, two had been made. He walked back in and smiled encouragingly. He wouldn't pry unless Ryan wanted to show him. This was personal.
By the time he’d finished, Ryan quickly slipped the ring's box into the book bag safely and looked at Rick. He’d intended to just join him outside again without saying a word, but he’d followed him back inside… “What?”
Ricky shook his head. “I'm just happy you found something special.” He said, holding the door open for Ryan.
The gargoyle just rolled his eyes before he walked through the door and held it open, so Ricky could follow him back through. “Just a ring set, nothing special.” Not like he’d picked one of each, the way Rick had done. He’d gone for a matching pair.
Heading back to the car, Ricky put his bags in the back and stretched, “there's a pond nearby if we want a short walk around it? Maybe read a bit?”
Ryan was thoughtful, he knew Ricky wanted to go for that walk, it wasn’t the first time he’d mentioned it. In the question of reading, though, he had a feeling that Ricky was thinking of the more recreational books they had purchased today. That wasn’t the one Ryan wanted to look into, though… He didn’t even want to look into the books that Rick had bought him out here for, for his own trauma. No, he wanted to look at the one book that he hoped would help him understand how to help Gwynn to some degree. “Perhaps returning home would be fine, that way you could seek Noah, or Gwynn, about the blessing for Justin’s Ring?”
Ricky nodded in understanding and slipped into the driver's seat. “Fair. I'll make Justin take me on a walk.” He chuckled, leaning back as he closed his eyes for a moment, enjoying sitting down.
Of course, Ryan sat in the passenger side, after arranging the rest of the bags in the back seat, he might not be as tall as his brother, or Justin, or even Chris, but there was no way they’d fit with his legs. Glancing over at Ricky, just the way he was leaning back, resting for the moment, he felt like he’d made the right choice in going home. Even if the other man wanted to still go for that walk with his mate. “Okay, sounds good.”
As soon as Ryan was in, Ricky was driving again and heading back. “Thanks for coming out with me today.” He said softly. “I needed this a lot…” he admitted softly, leaning his head back slightly, eyes still trained on the road with a soft hum in the back of his throat comfortable as he drove.
Ryan just watched Ricky as they drove back, he supposed they both did. At least now he had some hope that he could help Gwynn, and above all, he needed that, after what they had asked him, he needed that more than heeded the books for himself. Hope.
~~
Noah was curled up with Riyah in his bed, he was just laying against him… The day had been a strange one indeed, and training had been the least confusing part about it, despite it leading to an influx of pain. His corset was thankfully helping his back quite effectively, along with Riyah helping him relax. There was also the almost panic attack he’d had as Gwynn left…
Zombies. Paris catacombs, filled with zombies, worse than here. Holy- how did zombies even exist…
“Do I even want to know how zombies exist, Riy?” After a very long sense of calm, Noah finally asked… maybe it would freak him out again, but he felt like he needed to know; otherwise it was going to plague him.
Riyah was silent, lying with Noah pressed against him. He didn't dare move as his fingers were tangled in the tribrid's hair, idly playing with his dark locks and he nuzzles Noah. Today was… eventful to say the least, and he didn't really want to talk. Riyah would rather just lay here in the comfort of Noah’s warmth and the feel of the taller's body against his.
Now, the mention of zombies was a topic he didn't think would ever come around, but they did, and he could tell that it really freaked Noah out. The gargoyle had done his best to bring him out of it before it began. The thought of the undead existing can be scary to those unaware or not a fan of it.
When hearing Noah question him about it, he only hummed in response and then carefully pulled the younger closer to himself. “Do you really want to know? Because I don't mind telling you if you want…”
Noah sighed softly when Riyah asked him if he really wanted to know. His answer would immediately be complicated because no, no he didn’t really want to know, but he felt like he had to… Taking in a deep breath, “Want to, no, need to? Yes. If I don’t know how they exist, it's going to drive me insane. So hit me with it.”
“Zombies.” Riyah starts, “They exist when humans are buried outside of consecrated grounds— basically out of holy grounds like graveyards. It takes about a hundred years, but it also depends on the person and how they died, for how fast their soul and body turns.” The gargoyle looks Noah over to gauge the other's reaction to this bit of information, and pursed his lips.
“So… anyone buried like, not in a Church ground, or, at least, cremated… cremating someone and tossing their asses out to sea, that negates it right? They can’t reconstitute and come back, right?” Just getting the rules right here, Noah wanted to be certain, absolutely sure as to what he was hearing.
The gargoyle only nods, finding it slightly amusing, but he can understand. Riyah wasn’t really fond of learning about the existence of zombies when he was young, and here he was telling Noah about them and how they came to be. “Cremation negates it, yes,” he said softly, “Also, no. You do not turn into a zombie via a bite. Infection? Yes, because it's just a bite, but as long as you clean it and take care of it, you'll be fine.
Just a bite, that at least was good to know. Just a bite. However, hearing about the fact the zombies could still exist out in the world at any time, even hundreds of years… Killers, wars, countless people didn’t make it to graveyards, and Noah knew it, he’d seen it over the centuries himself.
No, no, he didn’t want to think about it right now. There were other things to consider, though.
“So, what is going on with Vinny, and Gwynn… are you okay Riyah?” Noah had noticed how he was acting around both his sister and the angel, and he wanted to make sure everything was okay.
Waiting for Noah to ask more, he continued to play with the tribrid's hair and began to make a small braid. But as soon as he was asked about his sister and Gwynn, his hands stilled before frowning slightly. “I'm okay,” he answered softly while avoiding eye contact, and went back to braiding the younger's hair. “Nothing's going on…” Was there something wrong…? Riyah isn't even sure what the taller was asking.
“Why?”
Noah, despite being taller, it was more comfortable laying over Riyah like this, his head laying on his chest, just resting. He could tell his question had caught the gargoyle off guard, and surprised him. Feeling him play with his hair was nice, calming, but… “I know something seems to be bothering you with them though, and I’m worried about you, is it, is it because you thought they died… or because your sister did die?” His voice soft as he asked, “She seems worried about you too, you know.”
Knowing just how much Noah likes laying on him despite being the taller one and Riyah not caring, he just focused on the weight of the younger's head over his chest. The questions had the gargoyle say nothing quite yet, trying to process them afterwards, and went to begin another braid in Noah’s hair. “I…” he began while his brow was furrowed, “Nothing's bothering me… no. I'll be okay…” Lies. He was trying to get out of answering by lying, even though he knows that Noah will catch the lies.
He felt bad for worrying Noah, and hearing that he's worried about him made Riyah feel worse.
But then the questions about Gwynn and Chenza, how he thought they died… that his sister did die. That had him faltering once again, and he pursed his lips. Now he said that she's worried about him? Why would she be worried about him? “Well…she doesn't… she doesn't have to,” he grumbled.
Oh, he knew, Noah knew that Riyah was just trying to differ him. He knew, though, he knew just saying he was okay, he wasn’t all truth, not with the way he saw him looking at the two of them. “That's the thing about those we love, Uwriyah, have to or not, she’s going to… and she’s not the only one.”
Noah lifted his chin to rest on the gargoyle's chest, looking up at him. “Talk to me.” He paused for a second… “I- you lost them, I know, but you got them back, didn’t you?” Noah didn’t, even if every so often he could pretend, when he dreamed… for some anyway.
With Noah looking up at him now, Riyah was still silent, but he couldn't help the small noise that left him at the sound of his name from the younger. Hearing that his sister isn't the only one to worry about him, and he stares at the tribrid.
Yes, he lost them, and he's not even sure of the fact that he got them back. It's so difficult to discern that they're both very real and there. He's been without them for centuries, alone with Shade and even his friend was struggling too. “I…” Talk to him… Noah wants him to talk. But what was it that he wanted to hear?
“I… I just…it's hard, Seb…” he whispered while looking away, “I still don't believe they're real…that they're hallucinations… I've spoken to Chenza many times after her death or…or just hearing her talk to me. Comforting me. And Gwynn? I don’t know how to feel about them, Noah—” Riyah’s voice had wavered some as he had spoken and went quiet while fighting the need to cry. “Gwynn may have been mine and Shade’s handler in the past, but it doesn't stop the pain of losing them. And to see them too? With my sister? I don’t know how to process…”
Noah was silent, quiet for a long moment… “I have people I talk to as well, people I’ve lost, it’s not a bad thing Riy… I had… Well, you’ve met both my adopted brother’s, you know them already. Folio, Sam… easy.” Sam liked to travel, not to mention he was almost as old as Jolly and Nick. Noah continued. “But, I had a twin, of course… gargoyles… his name was Ezekiel, mom called him Zeke… he died when we were babies. I dream about him, I still talk to him, I know that's weird, but I do…” Swallowing, half waiting for Riyah to tell him that it was insane, his brother had been a baby, he’d made up a whole person in his head. “Then there was my uncle. My mum, she had a brother, I think I heard her talking to him on the phone when I was little, like once.” The tribrid smiled sadly, “I don’t even remember meeting him in person, just grew up dreaming about him, he is so ridiculous sometimes, Uncle Spencer. Still, in my dreams, he is always there, willing to listen, hear about my life, give me advice if I needed it.”
Noah shook his head, “My point is, just because you talked to them, even after they died, doesn’t change anything. It doesn’t change that they are here, now.” After he stopped talking, Noah mentally begged. Please, please don’t make him feel insane Riyah, please.
Listening to Noah, the gargoyle had gone and started another braid. Now when he was told that he was speaking to his brother, Riyah was still silent, and he hums softly while finishing up the third braid. But it was strange to hear about his brother, Ezekiel, but not about his mother—
Wait…what? Wait a minute.
Spencer? Uncle Spencer? The same Spencer that he himself knew… Well shit.
Riyah just pursed his lips but said nothing and just sighed. But when he felt Noah shake his head, he just rested a hand gently over the taller's back and sighed. To him, Riyah didn’t think it was crazy, but it did raise some questions about his abilities. Yet, he just shrugged slightly. “It may not, but I just… it's hard, Noah…”
“I know, I know it is, but please, please don’t shut them out.” Noah implored Riyah, “I don’t want you to hurt yourself, I don’t know them, I know you. You are the one who matters the world to me, and sure, your sister might be my grandfather's mate, but, you give me the word okay… we’ll bust this joint. Just… please, just… give them a chance first?”
Riyah just stared at Noah after the younger asked him to give Gwynn and his sister a chance, frowning slightly. “I don't know…” he whispered as he looked away, setting his jaw. Don't shut them out… don't hurt himself. Shutting things out sometimes helped him not get hurt… Yet here's Noah telling him that he means the most to him, and Riyah just shifts a bit closer to the younger as much as he could without hurting him.
“When I first saw them, I wanted to run… Noah. Run. To at least try and hide from them, just like I did at the clock tower when Chenza tried speaking to me. Deny, deny, push away because she ‘isn't real’,” he whispered, “I want to be close, but I can't tell if she's really there even after physically touching her. My head's been fucked since her death… as for Gwynn… It wasn’t as often as my hallucinations of Chenza, but—” Riyah pursed his lips as he cut himself off and shook his head. “I'll try… just like I'll try for Folio in helping socialize his mate…”
Busy busy busy. Keeping myself busy.
Nodding, Noah was thankful he was willing to try, “Please, but no matter what, I’m here, okay, no matter what happens. I know it's scary, I know.” Oh, he wouldn’t lie, if his mother walked in right now, he would be sceptical, along with overjoyed, but also after everything else that had happened… He would be waiting for the other foot to drop, and clinging to his family for support.
He was more than willing to be Riyah’s support.
“It’s scary, but I’m here, Folio is here, Nick, Jolly, Shade, we’re all here, and regardless of what happens, we’ll support you however you need us to.”
He made a soft noise when Noah said that he'd be there for him, but he just rested his head over the younger's. Scary… scared. So, so scared. Wary and stressed. Unsure. Riyah didn't know what to say to Noah, so he just held the tribrid, but once he heard the younger listing the others’ names, the gargoyle went to comb his fingers through Noah’s hair.
The older's main issue was Folio, only because it's still fresh in his mind. Riyah can't help but still think he won't. He has Atsuko to worry about… he doesn't need to worry about him. Why should he? Even after Noah said that it's something others do when they care about someone… he can't help but question it still. Now, Jolly and Nick, on the other hand, have Shade. Yes, he has them too, even Noah, but he can't help but feel like an outsider still. Like when he was meeting the group for the first time as he was looking for his vampiric friend. The odd one out…
Always the odd one. Even in his and Shade's troupe—
“Okay,” Riyah said with a sigh.
Noah just sighed, Riyah didn’t need to say it, he didn’t, he was such a liar. Those two, they were just as bad as each other, years it took them to bring them into their family. It was a good thing Noah was stubborn… He wasn’t about to give up on Riyah. “Okay.”
Resting his head back down, after all the training, Noah was still so tired, “Are you going to be upset if I fall back asleep?” Smiling softly, he’d let him up if he wanted, he wasn’t about to just trap him, he wasn’t cruel.
“Now why would I be upset about that,” Riyah asked softly and lightly caressed Noah’s cheek, “You rest, Seb. I'll be here when you wake up.” He has nothing else to do right now, and he just wants the comfort as well as cuddles from Noah.
Sighing, Noah rested against the gargoyle with a sigh, humming as he let himself drift off back to sleep.
~~
Noah’s Dreamscape
Zeke swirled around the room, this was a new space, he’d never been in here before, this was so different to the apartment that Noah had slept in for years now. Bounding around the space, he smiled as he looked around, it was interesting, it had been so long since they’d moved, it made him wonder why his brother’s family had finally chosen to move now… Immortals for you, they didn’t really need to move much, now, did they? Zeke knew he was dead, four hundred years of talking to his brother like this, it was hard not to figure out, okay?
Giggling as he saw said brother on his bed, at least he was assuming it was Noah’s bed because, there he was, Noah. Zeke could tell he must have had a hard day, it was late, and he was wearing his corset… Climbing on the mattress, the tall lanky… what was he like this? Oooo a spirit. He settled on the bed with his brother. Chuckling a little as he spied the braids in his brother's hair…
“What are you laughing at?” Sleepy words slipped from Noah, even though Zeke could see that his eyes didn’t actually open but moved behind his lids…
“You Munchin, with your pretty, pretty hair… you’ve been hanging out with Riyah doing your hair again, haven’t you? Playing hairdresser. Look at those pretty braids.” Teasing his brother again with a nudge of his shoulder and a chuckle. That damn nickname, all because Noah was a good foot or so shorter than his brother… for whatever reason, neither of them knew why. Zeke had just kept growing.
That had Noah opening his eyes then, making fun of his hair, he liked Riyah braiding his hair, thank you. Every time, Zeke made fun of his braids, every time, but hey, he nudged him right back. “Please, it's better than you and those prissy curls, thank you very much…” Huffing slightly, only for his brother to laugh at him boisterously, curls that were currently a bold blood orange in color.
Shifting onto his side, in his dreamscape his back was never a pain, not even remotely, so no matter how intensely he had trained, Noah was in no stress, his body had no strain as he regarded Zeke. “Where did those curls even come from, I have straight as fuck hair, I know mom’s hair was straight as anything… I’ve finally met granddad, his is pretty straight, so I can guess dad’s hair was pretty straight too, so…”
“Wait, wait-” Zeke pushed himself to sit up, and crossing his legs in front of him quickly, “You’ve met granddad?! What’s he like?”
Noah smiled, “Really, nice, so is his mate, she loves making me food, so much food, the angelfood is the best though.”
Oh, Zeke couldn’t help but moan, he loved when Noah told him about the food, please, please the food, and Noah couldn’t help but smile, that was Zeke for you, so easily distracted. He loved his brother… all his brothers, with everything he was… even if Zeke was dead… and had strange curly hair that he couldn’t explain.
This is a collaborative fic between @cookiesupplier, @faceless-mirror & @comforting-madness
Dividers by @samspenandsword @cafekitsune @saradika-graphics
Authors Note: Post training, Noah and Atsuko spend some time in the cafe, and Vinny hires a new barista...
Pairings: Multi-Pairings, Everybody x Everybody.
Bands Included: Motionless In White, Bad Omens, Bring Me The Horizon, Ice Nine Kills, Sleep Token (to be added as characters join, no spoilers)
Triggerlist: transphobia, homophobia, abuse, SA, dubcon, religious trauma, past suicide attempts, mental health issues, grief, death, violence, kidnapping, suicidal ideation, torture, racism/speciesism, (To be added to)
Christopher, Justin, and Ryan are members of the Gargoyle Order, soldiers fighting in the angels war against the demonic supernatural evils of the world to protect human kind. Through the years they lost comrades and now just the three of them remain in their little town.
Now, Ricky and Vinny are moving into their church, stirring up old and new feelings, along with the past, posing the challenge of navigating this new chapter in their lives.
Can they all navigate this path successfully and break free of the prisons that is their lives of both stone and flesh, or will they all be trapped forever in a world that could prove to be a constant misery?
(please comment/like/reblog/message to be added to taglist)
Chapter Forty Two
Vinny had spent almost all morning interviewing and had finally landed on whom to hire for the position of manager. A few others had been hired as baristas… but Ivy had stood out as a manager. He was organized, and they came dressed as if it was the start of a shift. A soft beige sweater wrapped around their frame and blue eyes peeked out from slicked back red hair, a warm smile on their lips… before Chris, it would have made Vinny swoon. But she smiled and carried on the interview, and he offered to help her through a rush as they interviewed. It was lovely.
So, ultimately, Vinny gave them the full tour and smiled warmly at them, welcoming them into the café warmly.
“I'm honored. I can start now if you like? We can fill forms out later- lets get everyone settled.” Ivy said urgently, noticing the growing crowd.
Despite not really wanting to be around his sister yet, Uwriyah went down to the café anyway. He heard how noisy the café was getting as he came down to poke his head into said space, just taking in the surrounding area. Huh. Those two baristas were new… Did Vinny get new hires? His curiosity got the best of him and as soon as he stepped fully into the café, his curiosity became confusion as soon as he saw that familiar mop of red hair.
Riyah furrowed his brow some but glanced around for a moment, he pursed his lips and went to sit down. Why the hell is Ivy here and when did they get here?
While Vinny was conducting interviews, Chris was doing his best to help out in the café, not that he was still perfect at using the coffee machine, aside from the most basic of drinks. He could offer the likes of a black coffee, or a flat white, but anything else, and they were barking up the wrong tree, maybe a cappuccino if they were really lucky. Even then, no, the fancy drinks, they had to wait for Chenza. Seeing the smile on the regulars faces when he apologized and offered them one of the new experimental oatmeal breakfast cookies to try while they waited if they would like. Smiling over to his mate and the new manager she had chosen; glad she had found someone.
Folio raced down towards the café, he knew soon enough Noah and Atsuko would be coming back to the church, and he was excited to see his mate… Yes, he was also curious to see how his brother’s first training session had gone. When he saw Riyah there, he grinned, and immediately joined him at his table, glancing over to see him looking up to the counter, “He’s cute, are you planning to say hello?”
Ivy had taken over the drinks, quick on his feet, catching Riyah's eye and shooting him a smile that said ‘say anything I dare you’ with an added silent threat. But hummed happily, helping to get the line down.
Vinny was taking orders fast, and he was keeping up. That's all she cared for.
Atsuko and Noah wandered in. Seeing the large crowd, Atsuko bristled and dropped His head, ready to head back outside. Surely, he wasn't allowed around so many humans….
Riyah just glared at Ivy at the silent threat before glancing over to see Folio approach his table in excitement and set his jaw. When asked about how he'd go about saying hello to Ivy, he assumed he was talking about them, and just shook his head. “Not going to,” he answered while resting his chin in his hand and watching the crowd being served one by one. “Too busy to talk to, so I'm not going to bother.”
It wasn’t long before the hairs on the back of his neck had risen when he saw Atsuko, but his attention was fully on Noah when the tribrid arrived with him. He didn’t want to be around when Folio and Atsuko were together… Reaching up to mess with his hair, Riyah was silent as he sat there.
Be good. Be good… just because they're mates doesn't mean he cares less…
It still sucks that he feels this way… jealous. Why be jealous when the wolf wasn't his anyways? A sigh left him as he bounced his leg, resting his head on the table.
Chris stepped aside for Chenza and Ivy to get to work with the orders, just helping where he could. He moved away from behind the counter and started cleaning up some empty tables around the café, making note of Noah and Atsuko entering. Smiling, wondering how his grandson’s first session in training had gone, but didn’t ask, time would tell how he progressed.
Noah entered the space with Atsuko, he didn’t want to be here, all he truly wanted was to grab some food and disappear upstairs, but he had a horrible feeling if he disappeared, so would Atsuko. Folio, however, seemed insistent on them coming here for lunch, so, here they were. Seeing his brother at one of the tables, he made his way over, to the table Folio and Riyah were sitting at, even though his back was starting to feel like the fire in his veins was exploding like a supernova through him. As much as he was starting to get hungry again, sitting down came first, “Hey, looks like we got here just in time for the lunch rush, lucky us.”
Atsuko glanced up but kept getting distracted by noises and he backed up. “I… can eat later. I should… go back outside. Noah. Rest as long as you like…” he said quickly, pulling away, shaking lightly, stepping back.
Vinny looked over, seeing Riyah tense, and could feel her brother's torn emotions from across the hall. She wanted to check on him, but it wasn't an option right now… no matter how badly she wished to go to him.
As if Riyah could sense his sister's gaze, he groaned softly and sat up with a grimace. Being around a lot of people and noise was beginning to overstimulate him, but he just grits his teeth for a moment, glancing towards Vinny while he began to fidget with his hands. But once again, his attention was on Noah as soon as he heard the tribrid speak, but didn't acknowledge Atsuko. He knew the gargoyle was there, but he has mixed feelings about him. One was because of what had happened at the clock tower and two was because of how he's feeling about Folio and him being mates.
While there was nothing wrong with that, Riyah never liked change, and this was a big one, along with the other past instances where change has happened for him as well as Shade.
“You two made it just in time for the rush, yeah,” Riyah quipped in response to Noah's observation and smiled a little, even if it was a little forced. Now that he heard Atsuko, he looked his way with a slight frown before shaking his head. “No,” he said gently, “You sit down here with Folio, Noah and I. Eat lunch with us? Please…?”
He said that he'd help… and he will. To the best of his ability.
Noah was about to say if he had to be here than Atsuko should be here, he was in pain, he tried not to, but he got snippy when he was in pain… It was usually the times when he got bad enough that he would isolate himself and just lay down and just shut down. At least he was able to keep to himself today.
However, Folio was right there, and he was moving to reach over to take Atsuko’s arm, “Yes, come on, stay. Stay, have lunch with us. You can eat right here… just sit at the table, it’ll be okay. Just with us, no one else.” Smiling to Riyah, thankful that he was helping as well, Atsuko wouldn’t have to talk to anyone else, just them.
Atsuko hesitated but nodded, slowly easing to sit down curled in a corner huddled to Niko, but watching the humans closely, as if afraid to even be around them at the moment. He looked at Noah, and offered him some painkillers. They were the old kind… the ones the gargoyles made themselves.
Vinny came over after a minute setting down food for the table, “Eat up, Noah. You must've worked up an appetite.”
As soon as Atsuko had eased into the seat beside Folio, Riyah resisted the urge to just leave. Only to move away from the table so that he didn’t have to be within the same space, to be close to him. But that wasn’t going to be fair— not to him or Folio. Especially not to the wolf after he had told him that he'd help. The gargoyle watched as Atsuko gave Noah some painkillers and glanced at the tribrid, just knowing he was in pain. But once his sister arrived at the table, he just stared at her for a moment and then looked away.
Why did he choose to come down? First it was Ivy, now it's Atsuko… but all of what he's feeling is really his fault, and he knows it. Riyah just doesn't know how to sort through them right at this moment because if it's not one thing, it's another. And he hated it so fucking much.
Nonetheless, he stared at the food in silence but didn't reach for anything since he wasn't feeling all that hungry.
Noah swallowed accepting the painkillers, while they weren’t the same as the ones he usually took, he, he didn’t know how to point out to Atsuko, nothing he’d ever taken had ever helped him before. Well, sure, he typically takes aspirin for his headaches, but, it barely touched it. Maybe that rune Shade had used had helped on the surface, but the fire was always underneath. Really, all he just wanted was to just lay down, and he knew he couldn’t because one glance at Atsuko, and he could tell he wanted to run with how he was pulling into the corner.
“Thanks Atsuko.” Smiling to him after he tossed the painkillers back, maybe he’d be proved wrong, perhaps it would be like the angel food. At the same time, painkillers, were always a careful topic. Now, as Vinny set the food on the table, he paused, not sure how it was going to go, he was starving, but was he going to be able to keep it down when he had to move? “So, Vinny, later, I was thinking about talking to you, and Gwynn, later, about maybe, getting some chickens? For us to, um… Bless?” He kept his voice hushed at the end, so the humans wouldn’t overhear… but if he didn’t say it now, he needed something else to focus on apart from the pain.
As Atsuko cuddled into Niko’s side, the werewolf pressed into his mate’s side, glancing between Riyah, his brother, and then back to Atsuko. “Did you have a good morning?”
Atsuko jumped slightly after Folio spoke, looking at him, black eyes dilated and wild for a moment. “I… yes. I did.” He whispered, ever alert and almost not noticing the food as he kept an eye on everyone and everything.
Vinny blinked a few times and smiled, “that would be perfect. I can start looking at coops and different breeds of chickens-” she offered warmly as she set a smoothie down for Riyah.
The café was loud for the semi feral, making his body tremble lightly.
When Vinny had set the smoothie down, Riyah stared at it for a moment before turning his nose up at it. He didn't want it, knowing that's his sister's way of trying to get him to have something in his stomach as some form of sustenance. But what did get his attention was the mention of Gwynn and the topic of chicken and blessings… as much as the gargoyle didn't want to be around the mated pair and his sister; he knew he'd have to get over it eventually.
The fidgeting with his hands paused for a moment as he glanced at Noah. “Maybe we could go do that,” Riyah suggests softly, “Want me to take some food with us, and then you go lay down..?” He didn't want to offer a rune… not yet. Maybe later if Noah’s not feeling any better. All he knew is that he was ignoring the way the other two were pressed against one another, and it made him sigh.
“But first, I'm curious as to how training went…”
Noah was studying Uwriyah for a moment before he stiffly reached for the smoothie on the table before them and silently pushing it into the gargoyle's hands. “Okay.” His voice quiet as he fought back a cringe at the movement, swallowing the taste of the painkillers in his throat. Glancing over at his brother and Atsuko, he wasn’t sure what was going on with Atsuko, why he was so skittish all of a sudden. However, he just did not think he could stay any longer, he couldn’t handle this. “Okay, we’ll go upstairs… I’ll, ah, rest, and maybe see if we can find Gwynn.” If they ran into them, they’d talk, but right now, Noah was ready to curl into a ball.
Training, training… “Training was great, unlike my brother, I don’t do things the hard way. It was, however, my first session, so, I probably have a long way to go.” Reaching for a plate on the table, he picked it up with some of the food for himself, “Thank you for this, Vinny.”
Vinny's heart tugged, seeing him refuse, but she looked down, accepting the refusal at first before noticing just how tense Atsuko was… was this too much for the gargoyle?
The draconic being trembled lightly. “Noah… I think training will be done for today. You did a lot.” he said, dismissing him softly.
Knowing that Noah was watching him, Riyah allowed the tribrid to put the smoothie in his hands and he just glanced towards the younger male. It wasn’t until he saw how sad Vinny had gotten at his refusal, and he set his jaw. At some point before, he would feel guilty for hurting her feelings, but now? He doesn't know. It was frustrating even, and Riyah was so… conflicted. A part of him wants to apologize to her, but there's still that voice telling him that she's still not real. That it's not his sister, and he grimaced at that thought.
Grip tight on the cup now, it was the gargoyle’s turn to study Noah. He saw the way he cringed and said nothing, watching as the tribrid spoke while glancing towards Folio and Atsuko. With how skittish the other gargoyle was being, he was on edge now and lightly drummed his fingers on the cup he held. Riyah can tell why Atsuko was being skittish and the need to protect was rising.
But once Noah had agreed to go upstairs and that they’d speak to Gwynn if they ran onto the angel, Riyah just nodded. He couldn’t help but laugh softly at Noah’s words as soon as he answered his question about training, and gently placed a hand over the tribrid's before moving to stand. “Of course, it'll take some time to get into it.” Glancing to the smoothie and then to Vinny, he just nods his head to her in silent thanks before waving to the other two as he gets ready to head upstairs.
Niko held onto Atsuko tightly, just wanting to soothe him, calm him as best he could. He knew that this couldn’t be easy, though, he couldn’t fathom what might be going through his head. A part of him wondered, though, and might be tempted to ask if he didn’t think that it might trigger something in his mate. What he knew had happened in the catacombs was bad enough, and he would rather not push the other gargoyles if they didn’t already know. “Bat, if you like, since Noah and Riyah are going upstairs, we could take some food outside for a walk, get some fresh air?” He had some time inside, with the humans, it was a start, right? Baby steps? Glancing to Riyah, hopefully, was he wrong, cutting it short, with how badly he was trembling?
Noah glanced towards his brother as he loaded the plate of food to take upstairs slowly. Frowning, something was up, and he couldn’t quite put his finger on it, Atsuko was definitely different, though, he was quite thankful that he was giving him the afternoon. Noah wasn’t sure he could handle more than a morning training, not any time soon anyway, it was going to take him time before he really put more muscle into his training. At least he could practice with his tai chi in his own time… When his body didn’t feel like it was about to kill him.
“Thanks Atsuko, Riyah, are you ready?” Picking up his plate, he went to stand from the table, carefully, not wanting to alert anyone to how bad he really was.
Atsuko's thoughts were racing, but he listened to Niko, nodding slowly as he gritted his teeth. There was too much movement… far too much…
Vinny was on her way back to help with more orders. It was unusually busy today… she could feel the apprehension from the gargoyle radiating violently.
Riyah felt bad for suddenly leaving the two, his gaze falling on Niko, and he made a ‘I'm sorry’ gesture with a small frown on his face. What was he supposed to do? He was just one individual who cared for both of them, and he wanted to make sure Noah was okay too… When the wolf had suggested going outside, he nodded in agreement. “I think that's a good idea, Niko… go and take him outside. It is a little… stuffy here. My nerves are shot. Also, in and out Atsuko– deep breaths… okay? You'll be out of here soon.”
When Noah asked if he was ready, he nodded slowly before motioning for the taller to go ahead. “Lead the way,” Riyah whispered and held onto the smoothie while ignoring the chill it's leaving in his hand. “Right behind you, Seb…” Moving closer to the tribrid he whispered so that only he could hear him.
“I know you're hurting… Do you need your corset or do you want to just lay down?”
Smiling to Riyah, the werewolf was glad for the gesture, he understood this wasn’t easy for him, he was struggling, but he was thankful that he had stayed a little longer, he had tried. At least he was going to help Noah, Noah looked like he needed it too. His arm around Atsuko now, nodding, “Yes, hear that, deep breaths Bat, I’ll grab us the food, don’t you worry about that, you just keep breathing.” Folio nabbed the rest of the food from the table that Noah hadn’t and started steering Atsuko carefully out of the café… away from the humans…
Noah glanced back to where Folio and Atsuko were going, then Vinny back to the counter where she was going back to work with his grandfather and the new baristas… before turning back to Riyah… The question of his corset, laying down, while important, could wait, “Is everything okay Riyah?” With his sister, with Atsuko? Was Noah missing something here? “Are you okay?”
Atsuko nodded, breathing slowly while exiting the café. Swallowing down his anxiety, he curled up in the courtyard, fighting his mind for the moment. The voices were so loud. Unbearable.
As Folio parrots his instructions to Atsuko, Riyah takes a deep breath and sighs while staring at the smoothie in his grasp still. Did he want it? Not really, but he knew he needed to get something in his stomach… but Uwriyah was stubborn. Looking up to Noah, once he was asked if he was okay and he hummed softly.
“I'm fine,” he answered softly, “Don't worry about me. Yeah? Let's get you taken care of, okay?” In all honesty, Riyah had no idea how he was feeling. It was overwhelming for him, the busy café, being around Folio and Atsuko… his sister. Ivy. He should apologize to Vinny, maybe he should— just… he doesn't know how. Now with the mated pair, it's a mixture of wanting to protect Folio but also separate himself from the wolf… only because of how weary he is of Atsuko and the fear…
“I'll be fine…”
Noah glanced from Folio leading Atsuko away, to Riyah as he assured him that he was fine, that he didn’t have to worry about him. Unfortunately, in his experience, when someone has to tell him that they didn’t have to worry about them, he wasn’t so sure that was true… and he was going to continue to worry… at least a little. Noah sighed softly, but knowing Riyah, and how stubborn he was, he wasn’t going to get anywhere with him, not right now anyway. “Alright, well, if, if you could help me with my corset when we get upstairs, that would be great.”
Halfway up the stairs, Gwynn was following Ryan and Ricky, heading towards the café for lunch, when they ran into Noah and Riyah. Gwynn frowned, shooing the pregnant nephilim and stoic gargoyle down the stairs, “Noah… Riyah… are you okay? How can I help?” They asked urgently, sensing the pain.
As much as Riyah wouldn't mind stopping to see Gwynn, he really, really didn't. He's not once properly spoken to the angel, and he's not sure if he ever will because, just as with his sister; he cannot for the life of him decipher whether they were real or not. They were obviously there but, nonetheless, here he was with Noah as the tribrid was being spoken to. Watching Ricky and Ryan descend the stairs for a bit before turning his attention to the angel once he heard his name, setting his jaw.
“We wanted to talk to you about something,” Riyah uttered softly while moving a little closer to Noah. He was partially hidden behind the taller male, sighing softly. “And we're fine…we were about to just go upstairs. Noah had his first training session today…”
Noah got that feeling again, as Uwriyah was pressed so close to him right them, he didn’t overly mind, it was a comfort in his state. A comfort when his body needed the support, but he did worry about the other man. Swallowing when the explanation was given about the training session, it was the truth, a half-truth, his pain was constant, it was just worse now so that was probably what Gwynn was getting at that moment. “Atsuko gave me some painkillers, I am just waiting for them to kick in, I did hope to talk to you though, I mentioned to Vinny, something I talked to Atsuko about the other day, an idea to help with the blessed food.”
Gwynn nodded, “Okay. Let's get you laying down and then we'll talk about it. I'll get some ice packs too.” They assured, heading back up the stairs. “First things first… you need to get weight off your body.” They said more to themself. They were limping still but using the cane less at least, and they helped open doors on the way up.
Being close to Noah always brought some form of comfort for Riyah, and he grimaced at the discomfort of being around Gwynn. Maybe running into them wasn't a good idea for the gargoyle, and he kept silent as the angel spoke. Glancing to the tribrid for a moment, Riyah just shifted a bit where he stood and went up the stairs while fighting with himself about whether or not that Gwynn was real.
Were they? He hasn't physically touched them… or spoken to them, not yet anyways, not like how he did with Vinny, and he still thinks she may be a hallucination. Riyah lightly and carefully headbutts Noah on the shoulder, lightly grabbing at the taller's shirt.
Noah’s arm, the one that wasn’t holding his plate of food that Vinny had graciously made him, was already around Riyah, and he, as awkward as it was with him trying to hide behind him somewhat… Pulled him in closer. The way he held his shirt, had him just holding him a little tighter, despite the screaming of his body as he did. Ice sounded perfect, so did his corset, nodding as he agreed with Gwynn, “That sounds wonderful, thank you.”
Up the stairs they go. He tried to pull the gargoyle with him, though his body wasn’t quite behaving the way he wanted it to right then, but Noah was going to make do. It wasn’t that far to get to the alcove. Once they did, Noah let them in, more than half of their stuff had been moved in, but a lot hadn’t quite been unpacked yet, it was a process. “Sorry for the mess, we’re working on it, but Nick and Jolly have set up a light tight room, so it’s safe for them.” And Shade, of course. It was the first thing they did, for safety. None of them were going to stay here long term without it.
Gwynn hummed softly, “It’s okay, having everything in order right away would be awkward… but let me get that ice.” They said, moving quickly, ignoring the pang of discomfort at Uwriyah hiding from them. It hurt a bit… but they understood. They sighed softly, grabbing the ice and bringing it back.
“Let me know where would feel best for the ice.”
Being pulled up the stairs after moving around the taller, not wanting to add to the strain that Noah’s body was going through, Riyah was still close to the tribrid. The gargoyle felt the way the younger's arm was wrapped tight around him told the older that Noah is aware that there is something wrong with him, something he really didn’t want to try and think about. Once they were up in the alcove, the gargoyle had pulled away from the tribrid as soon as Gwynn left the room.
Riyah was quiet, moving to grab one of Noah’s corsets and tugging on the taller's shirt. “I'm going to lift your shirt up,” he whispered, “Hold it for me as I put your corset on?” Riyah then went to put it on Noah after lifting his shirt up and sighs softly, making sure it was on enough to support the tribrid's back.
When Gwynn came back, Riyah helped Noah fix his shirt and sat him down carefully. He then glanced to the angel before moving out of the way, but still remained close to Noah, setting his jaw while he sat in silence.
Noah usually tried to avoid his corsets, they felt frustrating, and constrictive… but they were also supportive and helped with the pressure on his back as he grew. He’d been wearing them from back when he’d been passing Jolly in height, when his family had realized, that this too tall, too skinny kid, that couldn’t put on muscle to aid his growth… was still growing. He had needed the extra support for his body as he had literally couldn’t handle how fast and tall he was growing… it would seem, now they knew why. A lot of answers were coming, at least the angel food was starting to help, but the weight he was putting on, wasn’t yet muscle mass, which, he needed to work on, he supposed that was part of the problem today.
Holding his shirt up, however, once Riyah told him to, without a single complaint, that was a big tell how much pain he was in. He didn’t blink about having to deal with the corset, not even having to lay down in it soon. Noah wouldn’t care if he chose a modern designed corset with the straps, or an old laced corset, feeling him tighten the corset, he sighed at the strain it took off his back at the pull… Yes, it was after the pain increased for a moment at first, but it was worth it to ease. “Thank you, Riyah.” His shirt pulled back down, and sitting down at the side of his bed… glancing up towards Gwynn, where would be good for the ice… Glancing at the ice, they held before pausing, not sure that the question was going to go down well… “Can I eat it?” His body hurt yes, but aside from his back, his worse pain was the fire that raged through him… cold, cold was bliss. He never knew how to explain that the raging fire was… all of him. Yes, right this moment, he had physical pain, but, it went beyond that, the stem of the fire was far worse.
Gwynn smiled and put the ice in a bowl and offered it to him. “Of course, all yours.” They said softly, making sure it wouldn't tip over. “So what's this idea?” they asked softly, sitting down nearby, brushing back their long hair over their shoulders, gently smiling up at him. “I'll see if I can get a cooling blanket for you too. I saw them advertised…”
Riyah gently placed a hand over Noah’s shoulder in response to the tribrid's gratitude, and gave a small squeeze after. He finally, finally, took a sip of his smoothie and then felt his stomach protest from it. He then continued to drink until it was finished and set the cup down with a soft huff. A chuckle then left him when he heard the request from Noah, wanting to eat the ice instead of it being placed on him, and Riyah just lightly rubbed the tribrid's back.
The gargoyle always knew that Noah would fight everyone when it came to his corsets. Yet when he's silent is when it becomes concerning because it just lets Riyah or Shade know just how much pain he's in if he's not complaining about having to wear one. Both gargoyles learned that with the time they've been with Noah and the rest of the little family. Nonetheless, he's glad either way that Noah is now wrapped in a corset to help him.
As Gwynn had sat down, Riyah kept to himself as he rested his head on Noah’s shoulder and was unsure if he should answer. Hell, unsure if he would even want to answer for Noah. So the gargoyle just sat there, quietly fidgeting with his own shirt as he avoided any eye contact with the angel.
Not like it mattered if he's spoken to or not, right?
Noah was glad that Riyah was finally drinking the smoothie, even if it was a little too obvious that he didn’t really want to, but at least he was. Just as he was thankful that Gwynn wasn’t questioning that he wanted to eat the ice instead of using it as a pack. Explaining to people that so much of his pain stemmed from how he always felt like he was on fire, like his blood was so many degrees higher… Folio used to laugh he should have been a werewolf, and Noah would chuckle with him… wishing that were true. If it were true, maybe it wouldn’t hurt so much. Then the full moon would actually help him. The ice wouldn’t, not really, it was just a placebo. The angel food, it at least helped him feel full, and in those moments, eased the fire just the tiniest of specs. There were times Noah did wonder if the pain was in his mind, but it wasn’t, it couldn’t be…
He let the ice melt on his tongue, and instantly the temperature difference was soothing as Riyah leaned against him and Gwynn questioned him, right. “Well, I was talking to Atsuko, and I mentioned it to Vinny, but we were talking about the options for blessed food, and when hunting came up, I felt awkward. The idea of an animal blessed, solely to die, it feels cruel… Then the idea of blessing chickens came up. To produce eggs? I will need them, you, Ricky, the babies? Besides, you can’t say having a chicken coup won’t be something worthwhile when we have all seen how fast Justin will eat through his cheesy eggs.”
Nodding slowly, Gwynn hummed, “We can do that. I know that Justin wouldn't be opposed. We can do that, but we'll need to have you bless them. Are you okay with that?” they asked, looking up at him, before looking at Riyah.
Their heart was aching, They wanted to reach out and cuddle Riyah. Tell him they missed him- that they were happy to see him. But he avoided Gwynn… so they would offer space.
Riyah made no move to pull away from Noah, only moving a little closer the more anxious he got. The gargoyle had enough trouble with his sister, and here he was again with the angel. The only thing keeping him calm was the tribrid's presence and the heat that is constantly radiating off him. His voice too, Riyah has always liked his voice…
Why can't he be left alone…? Just for now… He already has so much on his mind, he doesn't need to try to figure out whether or not Gwynn was real or not, too—
Noah smiled slightly at the agreement that they could do that, his arm around Riyah curving a little bit closer around him as he felt the smaller man lean into him more. It didn’t matter why, just that he did, after yesterday, and the thought that he might pull away some day, he was… anxious, so that look in Gwynn’s expression, he understood. Noah almost didn’t catch the caveat that the angel sent his way, he would be blessing the chickens, alone? Right, while Gwynn had helped him with Vinny, he supposed this was something he was suggesting, and he was the one who needed them the most, not to mention the babies. The babies needed them, they would need them. No one could expect a baby to eat fish all the time…
Even just having the animals around… Noah thought that would bring even more life to the Church. “I, yes, yes, I’ll be okay with that. I um, why me?”
Gwynn nodded warmly, “Only archangels can bless a lasting change in animals.” They explained, sitting down and leaned back comfortably. Their long silver blond hair spilled down, dragging some over the floor.
Well, that was strange, any angel being able to bless humans but only arch angels blessing animals… Though, he supposed, in a sense, he wouldn’t be blessing a physical change this time. No, this time he would be blessing an animal's entire being, their very soul, that would be something else entirely. At least, that was how he was imagining it, when it came to what happened when he actually blessed a chicken, then he’d find out. “Well, I’m sure we can arrange for the building of a coop, work something out to look after them.”
Holding Riyah close as Gwynn relaxed back on Noah’s bed, “Are you alright, Gwynn? How is your healing progressing?” They seemed to be walking a little better at least.
“Of course.” Gwynn murmured softly as they looked the tribrid over fondly, almost surprised by the question. “I… am doing much better. My leg doesn’t hurt as much, no more burning sensations like after the hellhound bite… so that’s improving… I think… the damage from heaven will take a little longer but… I’m getting there.”
Despite his silence, Riyah tensed slightly at the mention of a hellhound bite. Those fucking bites suck and even then, he wouldn't even wish it on his worse enemy… much. Maybe. It really depends on all honesty. Without a word, he grabs Noah’s hand lightly and squeezed it some, but still said nothing.
How the hell, and why, was a hellhound here…?
Noah looked from Gwynn and towards Riyah when he felt him grab his hand, oh, he knew, he got that too… Hellhound… If werewolves and vampires needed charms to walk into the Church how the hell had a hellhound gotten in here to bite Gwynn, please tell him they hadn’t been attacked out and about? Sure, they’d meet him outside of the Church, had they been looking for the likes of him? If they’d been looking for him… Fuck.
Squeezing Riyah’s hand back signalling that he understood as he looked back to Gwynn, “The hellhound, was it here, in the Church? How did that happen? We’ve handled those before, but thankfully I’ve never been bitten by one.” Noah didn’t know if he would have survived it if he had been bitten.
The angel paused, looking at the pair in surprise and smiled sadly, “It… was massive. It came into the church with Jerahmiel… massive. Biggest I have ever seen. It….” they paused before moving the loose fabric of their pants to show them where the bone had been snapped in half. “… I was trying to keep Ryan safe while already struggling to stay standing. It was a stupid option, but it was the only one I could do. Chris was immobile… and… I had to do something.”
It was hard to not react to actually knowing Jerahmiel. How could Riyah not make it obvious that he knew him without tipping Noah off, the observant bastard. But he supposed now that he knew why there was a hellhound in the church– oh, that was bad… when he felt Noah squeeze his hand back, he sighed softly before hiding his face against the tribrid.
That fucking asshole… I don't like him. Never did…
Noah was focused on Gwynn, swallowing, and everything they were saying about the hellhound and what it had done to them. When they lifted the leg of their pants and showed them their leg, Noah sighed, he wished he’d been here to help. Though, as much as he knew his blood had proven to be quite adept at assisting the vampire healing, he had no idea if he had any skill to help another angel. Not to mention hearing his grandfather had been immobilized… “Who is this, Jerahmiel?” So far, he’d learned about the arch angel attacks, at least one known as Gabriel, was he another one? If he were, why would he use a hellhound… unless this was a demon?
They paused, taking a moment… “He was the troupe's leader before he abandoned their post, and he's the main reason Ryan and Atsuko were corrupted.” They said softly, “He is also Ricky's father… and my former friend from Heaven…”
Noah’s eyes narrowed as he considered what Gwynn was saying, he wasn’t sure quite how gargoyle troupes worked, but he could image an angel coming down and stomping all over the gargoyle’s leader. He did know his grandfather was the commander, and the idea of an angel, even Gwynn friend, Ricky’s father… sorry Ricky… hearing Ryan was corrupted made sense… “Wait, Atsuko is corrupted?”
“Y… yes. He killed all the zombies in the catacombs, considering he was down there for four hundred years alone. He likely had to for his own survival.” Gwynn explained calmly, “We were hoping that having you with him and having lunch in the café would help a bit… sadly, from what I can tell, it was a busy day.”
The youngest in the room didn’t hear one little bit about the café, or how busy it was, when it came to what the angel had hoped for Atsuko… all he had heard was… zombies. Zombies. Noah’s head snapped around to stare wide eye’d directly at Riyah, did he know there were zombies down in the catacombs… Staring at the gargoyle, he was almost visibly shaking…
“Zombies…”
Uwriyah just leaned away slightly as soon as Noah had snapped his attention to him, and he bit the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing at his reaction. The gargoyle just nods in response to the way he was looking at him, raising a brow. “Zombies,” Riyah repeats, “I'm aware of them but ask the others about it.” He then rubs his thumb over Noah’s hand, wrapping his arms around the taller carefully, and rests his head on him again.
“Ask your grandfather about them,” he murmured.
They nodded, “Well any case… they aren’t down there anymore. We may need to… think about Notre Dame’s catacombs… the Paris Catacombs…” they whispered, remembering that Notre Dame was now vacant… “But that’s for later…”
Notre Dame… that was a name he hasn't heard in centuries… He sat up to look between the two, sighing softly. It was still a mystery as to what actually happened to the cathedral, since it's gone silent. All he knew was there was life and then nothing–
“We still don't know what happened to Notre-Dame, either…” Riyah whispered.
“Notre Dame?” Noah looked between the gargoyle and the angel that he was discussing between, “There were actually gargoyles at Notre Dame?” So the infamous gargoyle statue at the top wasn’t just a… joke? He didn’t even want to think about the zombies that were in the catacombs under the city… oh god…
“Yes. It was the main center for the order and the largest population, hence why the catacombs were so extensive. They held most of Europe’s dead and undead.” Gwynn explained calmly, “I wish we still had their leader here with us.”
Riyah had nothing else to say on the matter, save for nodding when hearing that the angel had wished the gargoyle that resides at Notre Dame were still with them. Also, the thought that the catacombs are so extensive beneath the cathedral, housing so many dead and undead throughout Europe, had the gargoyle sigh and lightly squeeze Noah’s hand.
He can tell that the tribrid was a mix of emotions at the information, and he just nuzzled the younger.
Holy shit… most of Europe’s dead and undead… Noah wondered where the line was between dead and undead, frankly he was almost afraid to ask… The thought of the mass undead under Notre Dame, he just, he didn’t want to think about it. He squeezed Riyah’s hand back slightly, in comfort, as the other nuzzled him, thankful for his presence. “Yeah, that would be a good gargoyle to have around, I’m sure, to… deal with… all of that.” So, Noah wouldn’t have to think about any of it. Not at all.
I feel like it got confusing because of who is related to who and what they are, so many people i feel like got added at once and it became overwhelming to keep up with at once.
When it comes to relations, in this story some of the characters, are one big family... found family along with their new found/returned biological relations. I am sorry you find this confusing, but it can be a blessing to so many in the world that we wanted to show this representation to those that lose family to tragedy.
Also, as for the influx of character, admittedly, there are parts of the story that are and will get chaotic. Hopefully re-reads will help you sort out details!
If not, I'm sorry this might not be your cup of tea, but we appreciate your input.
~~ Cookie
How does Chris feel now that there are more gargoyles than he thought? Feelings about the vampires and werewolves? Gwynn?
Chris is overjoyed to know thats others have survived, there are so few of them in exisitance. Even if there are only a handful of them still, that was more than there were before. To see Atsuko, Shade, Riyah again, it is a blessing.
Vampires and werewolves? That is going to take some getting used to for him. They however came alongside his grandson, and he would never send them away, they are a blessing in his eyes that they love Noah so much and are his family. He reminds himself of that every day.
Gwynn… oh, OH, Gwynn, how he feels about Gwynn, is very, interesting. Chris won't lie, there has always been an attraction there, but Gwynn is an angel and as one of the original created gargoyles, he personally always saw angels as beings beyond him. He has a respect for Gwynn that goes beyond anything else… and it was hard for him to step beyond that to make a move himself.
I was genuinely enjoying POFAS and then *so* many other people got added into the mix and I’m kind of disappointed as it got a bit boring for me and tbh, confusing.
Thank you for taking the time to read our story! We're sorry it got confusing for you. Sometimes even as writers we get confused as well but rereading always helps. I hope you can come back to the story and enjoy it better when the first book is fully out.
However, as the books develop, we are adding more and more people to the mix, and if that's not for you that is totally fair and valid! Can you elaborate more on what exactly about it is confusing for you, that way we can possibly make it more clear for other readers as well?
So it's been a while since we asked! What are your thoughts on Prisons of Flesh and Stone so far? What are your predictions? Which characters do you love? Which relationships scratch your brain? We want and need to know for curiosity purposes- where do you think the story is headed?
Please let us know! Whether it be by reblogs or by inbox!
