A New Kind of Love Ch.09

I'm really sorry it took so long but its here now. I will be posting my new story up soon so keep and eye out for that. I will also try and make the chapters longer in my new story. Enjoy :)

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"Wake up sunshines." a voice stirred Steve from his sleep.

"....eh....the fuck?" Steve grumbled. He felt something snuggle deeper into his arm. Then he remembered what had happened the night before. He smiled and looked at the small bundle curled under his arm. He looked at the long scar that covered his face and wished he could take that pain away from Stoph.

"Enough admiring your sleeping beauty. I have a present for you two." the voice interrupted Steve's thoughts again.

"Love....." Stoph moaned into his armpit. And his brow scrunched into a frown.

"No, I'm sorry but being an angel and all I can't really date. It's not you it's me." Michael smiled at the boy.

Stoph's brow scrunched tighter.

"Get up!" Michael shouted again.

"Jesus, what's made you so happy? Aren't you usually all calm and collected and all that bullshit." Steve mumbled and snuggled into Stoph's hair inhaling his scent.

"Yeah well I have a present for you and Stoph, Stoph mainly. But whatever you can be included too, now get UP!" Michael shouted and ripped the covers off the two. Both groaned and tried to snuggle into each other to keep warm.

"Of all the tortures of hell this is by far the worst." Stoph glared at the angel.

"Well someone got his sarcasm back." Michael laughed.

"Just cuz I'm crippled don't think I can't still beat your ass like I did back in the 1400's." Stoph growled.

"You didn't win that fight. You just killed a third of the population of Europe with a plague. Then I was forced to retreat. I said, FORCED. I would have won if not for Gabriel." Michael reasoned.

"Talking needs to stop now." Steve grumbled.

"Forced my ass. You were scared." Stoph laughed.

"Was not." Michael glared.

"Was too." Stoph laughed.

Steve sat up. "Babe, I love you. And I'm glad you're not crazy anymore. But shut up and go back to sleep." Steve growled. Stoph laughed and curled back up.

"OK." He sighed.

"Not OK." Michael shouted.

"Get up, get up, get up, get up!" Michael jumped on the bed wings flailing. Both men groaned more. 

" Alright alright. we're up." Steve sat up and Stoph followed.

"Good! Now I can tell you the good news!" Michael jumped once more before sitting on the bed. Steve rubbed the sleep from his eyes and waited.

"Stoph, we've all been talking upstairs. And due to your recent.....acts......we've all have seen fit to give you back your wings." Michael said. Suddenly calmer and formal. Stoph was awake at once.

"What?! That's never happened before....." Stoph muttered.

Steve waved a hand in the air. "Remember guys, not an all powerful super being here. Put it in plain English for me." 

"There's two ways to become a Demon, Steve. One is you're born one of Lucifer's children." Stoph began

The other is to have been created as an Angel and to have committed some crime of treason against the light and you fall from heaven. Losing your wings and falling into His world." Michael finished.

"So no Demon has ever gotten his wings back before?" Steve asked still not entirely understanding.

"It's more than just the wings themselves, Steve." Michael explained.

"If Stoph chooses to give up his dark magic. He will be endowed with his Light given powers again and be free from Lucifer's grasp. His soul will no longer belong to him." Michael said excitedly, Steve realized that was the first time he had heard the angel use the Devils name.

Steve glanced at Stoph to see how he was taking all of this. He expected to see happiness or surprise or something other than the heavy scowl he wore.

"What?" Steve asked.

"You're leaving out a key factor here, Michael." Stoph sighed. Steve looked toward Michael and his smile was gone as well.

"Yes.... I know...." Michael sighed. He turned toward Steve. "Angels are forbidden from being with a human. In any way shape or form. He would have to leave you." Michael explained. Worry creasing the smooth skin.

"Oh..." Steve said. He suddenly felt tired again. "Could you give us a minute, Michael?" Steve asked. The angel nodded and walked into the living room.

"Stoph... I love you and I always will. No matter what happens. I know what a big deal this is..... If this is what you want. Then you have to do this. And I'll support you." Steve said.

"I just got you back I can't lose you again." Stoph sighed, putting his head in his hands.

"You also can't give this up. Being free from Lucifer..being free from dark magic. Being free from-" 

"You." Stoph interrupted. "There were reasons I broke the rules in Heaven, Steve. They were stupid. Possessive. I could do nothing I wanted to do. I could hardly think for myself without some higher ranking angel smashing out my thoughts." Stoph scowled.

"Escaping from Lucifer would be amazing. And I would most likely take Michael up on his offer. If not for you. I know we were meant for each other. And I've been to hell and back to keep you, no pun intended." Stoph added. Steve smiled. 

Stoph's eyes were still filled with pain. But the light Steve had seen before was coming back already.

The two men hugged.

"Michael." Stoph called for his holy counterpart. 

"Have you decided?" Michael asked.

"Yes, I can't go. I can't leave Steve now that we finally found each other only last night." Stoph explained. Michael looked sad but he also looked like he understood. 

"I figured you would be the deal breaker." Michael smiled at Steve who held Stoph close. Steve smiled at the angel.

"I was told that if you refused this deal then I was to offer you another." Michael said, wings flexing in the small space.

Stoph looked surprised. "Which is?" 

"That you can stay here. With Steve. But I relinquish you of your Demonic capabilities. You will be human. Lucifer cannot touch you. Nor can we see each other again." Michael explained. 

"Sounds like a pretty damn good deal. Why didn't you offer me that one first?" Stoph laughed.

"I was kind of hoping you would want you wings back. I would like to stay friends." Michael admitted, cheeks turning red. Stoph laughed.

"Who would have ever thought after several lifetimes of fighting we would become...." Stoph searched for the word.

"Friends. I think we're friends." Michael smiled.

"I guess we are aren't we." Stoph smiled back.

"We owe you a lot Michael. You helped Stoph. Then helped me. Then rescued Stoph. Even restored his sanity. There's no way to ever repay you." Steve said.

"Yeah, well. I try." The angel joked.

"I suppose you're taking the second deal then?" Michael asked. Steve glanced at Stoph and nodded his approval. Stoph turned back to Michael.

"Yes, I think we are." Stoph said. Michael smiled.

"Alright. Well then I guess this is goodbye. You two better be good though. I'll be checking in on both of you." Michael smiled.

The boys smiled back. Michael's hands began to glow and then he was gone. Stoph swayed and fell back on the pillows.

" Hehe, whoa." he giggled. Steve thought he looked high.

"Feel any different?" Steve smiled.

" Feel......weak." Stoph scowled.

"You'll get over it." Steve laughed.

Stoph smiled back at Steve. His eyes still held a lot of sadness and fear. But light was creeping into them again.

"I love you." Steve sighed.

"And I love you." Stoph whispered back. Steve leaned in and Stoph and he shared a passionate kiss.

"I want you to take me." Stoph said. Steve looked back at him.

"Are you sure?" Steve asked.

"Yes, I'm human. So let's make it official." Stoph laughed, but his eyes showed nervousness. 

Steve pushed Stoph onto his back. He got between his legs and bent kissing him more. Their kisses grew more and more passionate, until Stoph was gasping for breath. Steve crept lower and planted a trail of kisses down Stoph's jaw until he reached his neck. Where he sucked heavily leaving his mark there for all to see.

He kissed down his chest careful to avoid a burn on his side. There he sucked his right nipple into his mouth and bit at it softly. 

Stoph let out sighs and moans of approval. 

Steve moved his hand to flick and twist the other hard peak. Steve licked a trail down his abs to his underwear, which he made quick work of removing. Stoph's cock sprung to life as Steve's warm breath bathed it. He let out a soft moan of need and Steve wrapped a hand around his aching erection.

He began pumping Stoph's dick slowly, teasing the smaller man. Stoph began whimpering and purring in delight.

Steve sucked the head into his mouth and swirled his tongue around it. He lapped at the slit where warm pre-cum dripped from. He loved the taste of Stoph as he sucked harder to get more of the juicy liquid.

He stopped pumping with his hand and Stoph moaned in protest. But Steve soon silenced his negative moans and replaced them with grunts of satisfaction when Steve slipped most of Stoph's dick into his warm waiting mouth.

Stoph thrusted his hips up trying to force more of his cock into Steve's mouth. But Steve held his hips down and lowered his mouth slowly onto the rock hard member. Stoph whimpered and more pre-cum dripped from his slit. 

When he had finally reached the bottom Steve began sucking Stoph's aching dick like his life depended on it. 

He wanted to make Stoph cum so the next part of their love making could be slow and sensual. Not frantic for release.

After a short time of sucking Stoph cried out his release and Steve's mouth was filled with his warm seed. 

Steve moaned as he swallowed it down and felt Stoph's dick twitch at the vibrations.

Steve removed his mouth and smiled up at Stoph who was flushed and beginning to sweat. He panted softly and it only made Steve want to fuck him more. 

Steve crawled up Stoph's body until he was eye to eye with the smaller boy. He kissed him and Stoph could taste his own flavor on his tongue. Steve reached a hand between his legs until he reached his smooth hole. He slowly circled his finger around the boy's secret entrance. Stoph moaned into Steve's mouth and threaded his fingers through Steve's hair. Steve stopped suddenly.

"Fuck." Steve grumbled.

"What?" Stoph looked up at him confused.

"I don't have any condoms I haven't been with anyone since you." Steve admitted blushing.

"I've never been with anyone." Stoph said blushing.

"And you have to be tested for your job frequently don't you?" Stoph asked.

"Yes, are you OK with this?" Steve asked. Stoph nodded his head and smiled. Steve reached over to the bedstand drawer and pulled out a small tube of KY. 

Stoph looked at him confused.

"For those lonely nights when I would think of you." Steve blushed harder. Stoph smiled and kissed him again. Steve squirted a bit of the jelly onto his finger before returning his hand to Stoph's hole. He slowly circled his finger over the tiny rosebud, warming the lube.

Stoph moaned and pushed back on his finger showing he wanted more. Steve used his other arm to push Stoph's knees up to his chest to give him more access. 

He slowly inserted the first finger into Stoph's warm channel. Stoph moaned and tried to hump back on Steve's digit. Steve took that as a good sign and began thrusting the finger in and out of Stoph's hole. 

"More, please." Stoph moaned. Steve inserted a second finger slowly into Stoph. He flinched as he felt a little more full before adjusting quickly and moaned loudly. Steve began to thrust his fingers in and out before he began to scissor them inside Stoph trying to loosen his hole.

"I'm ready. Please, please put it in me." Stoph begged. Steve's dick twitched at the words. Steve rose onto his knees and put his cock at Stoph's entrance. 

"Take a deep breath. It will hurt at first but it will feel really good soon." Steve kissed Stoph one more time before pushing his dickhead into the tight hole. Steve sighed at the tightness and wanted to ram into Stoph and take him roughly. But he also wanted to care for his lover and bring him pleasure too. Stoph hissed at the pain but adjusted quickly.

"More." Stoph panted. Steve pushed into his ass slowly. Soon his cock was all the way inside Stoph's warm channel. Steve moaned and held as still as he could waiting for Stoph to adjust. Stoph took a moment and tried to control his breathing which came in gasps. After a moment he began wiggling his butt back on Steve's dick.

"Please...." Stoph gasped, eyes closed. Steve began moving slowly pulling in and out of the glove-like tunnel.

"Oh god, babe you're so hot....so tight." Steve moaned. Soon he was thrusting in and out of Stoph bringing a grunt from the smaller man every time he bottomed out. Soon the only sounds in the room we're the grunts and groans of the two men and the sound of flesh hitting flesh. 

Steve began pounding Stoph's ass relentlessly. And Stoph willingly accepted the assault. Steve pulled out suddenly and turned Stoph over onto his stomach. He pulled him up on his hands and knees before sliding his cock back into his warm depths. He pumped in long deep strokes brushing against Stoph's prostate with every move of his dick. He had slowed his thrusts because he hadn't wanted to cum just yet. He wanted him and Stoph to climax at the same moment. He began purposely brushing Stoph's tiny button and Stoph responded. His dick leaked precum onto the sheets and Stoph moaned louder and grunted as Steve bottomed out inside him. 

"Stoph, I'm gonna come." Steve muttered between gasps. 

"Almost there." Stoph sighed, and pushed his ass back against Steve's thrusts.

He felt Stoph's channel clench around his dick as Stoph sprayed his release onto the sheets. 

"Ah, damn." Stoph sighed his release. The tightening channel and Stoph's curse brought Steve over the edge. With one final push inside Stoph's tunnel he bathed his insides with his hot seed. 

Stoph moaned at the feeling of being filled with Steve's release. Satisfied that he had pleased him. Stoph collapsed, already falling asleep. Steve followed him before rolling onto his side to keep from crushing the smaller man. Stoph rolled so he was facing Steve and snuggled into his chest. He could feel Steve's cooling cum slipping from his asshole and dripping down his leg. Steve kissed his sweat dampened brow before grunting as he stood from the bed. 

He returned to the room and quickly cleaned Stoph of all cum and sweat before wiping his own dick free of lube and cum. He threw the rag into the hamper before curling back into bed with Stoph.

"I love you." Steve said into his ear.

"I love you too, forever." Stoph sighed into Steve's chest. Content and satisfied. 

'Thank you, Michael. For everything.' Steve thought silently as sleep overcame him and his lover. An old chapter ending in their life, and a new one beginning.

A New Kind of Love Ch.08

I'm really sorry for the delay in recent chapters. Some weird stuff has been going on and I made a few mistakes. I'm not going to go into detail. But their here now so enjoy! Thanks again to my editor moonflower :)

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"Francis we just got a call come on." Steve found his partner at the counter of the coffee shop they had stopped at. His partner quickly put a lid on his drink and followed Steve out to the cruiser.

"So what's the call?" Francis asked as he sipped his coffee.

"I don't really know. Apparently some guy was dropped off in front of the hospital and it looked like he took a pretty massive beating, so they called us." Steve explained.

"Hmm. Is he conscious?" Francis asked.

"They say he is but he's kind of incoherent. Quoting bible verses or something." Steve answered.

"Weird." Francis laughed.

"Yeah."

10 minutes later they arrived at the hospital. 

"Good your here. He's in room 221." A nurse at the front desk said. Steve nodded his thanks and turned down the hall with Francis. They turned into the room to see a doctor standing over the form on the bed with a clipboard in hand. He scribbled something down and then looked at them.

"Ah, you're here. I was hoping you would be able to get something out of him. I don't think he even knows where he is. He just mutters and whispers things. Won't even make eye contact. He could have a mental disability we don't know." The doctor shrugged. 

"Steve why don't you try and talk to him I'll go talk to the doc 'bout what's going on with him." Francis stepped outside with the doctor. Steve walked over to the bed and looked down at the man lying in it.

He had a long scar running from his left temple down across his eye over his nose until it reached the right side of his jaw. It looked red and angry. Something about the man reminded Steve of someone. He shrugged it off and tried to question the man.

"Sir, my name is Officer Bernard. You can call me Steve though ok?" Steve told the younger man.

"Steve....Steve.....greater.....no one.....this.....lay down....life....his friends." The man mumbled. His eyes squeezed shut tight. He tossed his head back and forth.

"Can you tell me your name?" Steve asked.

"Name....what's.....in...name...that.....call a rose.....by other name...smell....just as.....s-sweet." The man whimpered.

Steve recognized the Romeo and Juliet quote.

"So not only bible verses huh?" Steve smiled.

"And now...you claim....not prepared...." the man muttered. Steve quickly recognized the line

"So much to do you cannot be spared..." Steve finished.

"Still...entreaties....death....not hear." The man whimpered into his pillow.

"That's 'Mephistopheles' by the trans-Siberian Orchestra....." Steve realized.

"Meph...Mephistopheles....Stoph...." The young man whispered. 

It hit Steve like a freight train.

"Oh my god....Stoph?" Steve gasped. Leaning in towards the younger man.

"Steve...." He whimpered without opening his eyes. He still didn't seem to be coherent. But he could still hear Steve had proved that.

"Holy shit." Steve rushed out of the room.

"Francis!" He leaned out of the door.

"What?" 

"It's Stoph!" Steve shouted. A couple of people turned to stare at him.

"What?" Francis repeated.

"The guy, It's Stoph!" Steve said again before rushing back into the room. He put a hand on Stoph's arm and the man flinched.

"Holy shit....it is isn't it. What the hell happened to him?" Francis asked.

"I don't know...." Steve trailed off looking into the face he still had dreams about.

"Look....Steve I still don't know what happened with you two. But I do know it destroyed you.... Everyone knew. One day you just came to school and you were like a zombie. You wouldn't eat or sleep. Your grades were slipping....and he never came back to school. 

You never wanted to talk about him, so we all figured it was something that happened between you two. Are you sure you can handle this call? We can call someone else in." Francis said looking at his partner.

"I'm fine I can handle it." Steve wouldn't move his gaze from the man's face.

"What did he do to you...." Steve whispered.

"What?" Francis asked.

"Nothing." Steve answered.

"Doc, what are you going to do with him?" Steve asked.

"Well, because of his behavior we will probably put him in the psych ward. No one has reported him missing. No one has claimed him.

"He has no family. I'm the closest thing he has. I'll take care of him." Steve glanced back down at the figure who seemed to be sleeping. He had large black circles under his eyes. It looked like he never got a chance to properly sleep.

"Steve you haven't even seen him in what? 10 years?" Francis said.

"So." Steve growled. Francis sighed and gave up.

"Alright well we need to keep him here for a couple days to make sure he's OK." the doctor said looking at Steve.

"After that I can take him home can't I?" Steve asked.

"I'm not sure. I'll look into it." The doctor said.

"Alright." Steve said still holding the thin frail hand in his. Stoph never looked like this. He was always strong, even arrogant sometimes. Never this weak and defenseless.

"Stoph please wake up." Steve whispered in his ear before kissing his temple.

"Steve we got another call we gotta go." Francis said. Steve looked up.

"I'll be back later." Steve whispered into Stoph's ear. He thought he felt the man squeeze his hand but he studied his face for a moment and saw nothing.

Steve turned and walked out of the hospital with Francis leading the way. All he wanted to do was go back and hug Stoph tight to his chest, to make sure no one would ever hurt him again.

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Steve had just finished a long day at work and planned on showering and then going back to the hospital to sit with Stoph. 

'Seeing him that way was just so weird.' Steve thought to himself.

"Yes, I thought the same thing." 

Steve jumped at the voice.

"God damn it!" Steve shouted. 

"Hey now." Michael scrunched his brow in disapproval.

"Sorry...." Steve muttered, blushing heavily.

"It's alright. Long time no see. So you saw Stoph." Michael nodded.

"Yeah, what's he doing here I thought he was, you know, damned to eternal suffering and all that jazz." Steve asked, guilt chewing at him.

"Yes well. I may have pulled a few strings upstairs." Michael nodded.

"It took you 10 years?" Steve raised an eyebrow.

"I worked as fast as I could, there were other things that needed doing. Saving a demon from hell wasn't exactly top priority." Michael laughed.

"I guess I can understand that. What happened to him, he's not really all there is he?" Steve asked worried about the answer.

"No, I'm afraid not. It seems he's lost his mind. Most of the time he doesn't even realize where he is or who the other people around him are. We rescued him about three months ago. Had to deal with some stuff before I could send him on down here to you. I've been working with him trying to get him to at least realize who he is and what's happened. But I haven't had much luck." Michael looked sad. "I wish I could have gotten to him sooner." 

"You did your best. Better late than never, yeah?" Steve tried to cheer the angel up.

"I suppose. I figure if anyone could bring him back to reality it would be you. I'll mess around in some people's heads and get it so that you can take him home." Michael said. 

"Are you allowed to do that?" Steve asked.

"No." Michael said. They both laughed.

"I have to go. Take good care of him." And then the angel was gone.

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A week later Steve was able to take Stoph home. He had a lot of vacation time saved up so he decided he would take a week off and spend it with Stoph, now that he had him back physically he wanted him back mentally as well.

"There you go, love." Steve said as he lay Stoph down in his bed. Stoph immediately turned on his side away from Steve and snuggled into Steve's pillow. Steve smiled as the younger man fell asleep.

"OK, you can sleep now. I'm going to go start dinner." Steve said before walking into the kitchen to make soup.

Steve walked back into the bedroom to see Stoph sitting on the edge of the bed staring at a wall.

"Babe? You OK?" Steve asked. Stoph let out a quiet grunt.

"Listen, Stoph. I'm not going to lie. I know it's my fault you were sent there. I feel horrible. I didn't forgive myself for the longest time. I just kept thinking about what was happening to you and that it was my fault. I do love you even though you're a Demon. I just wish I could have said that 10 years ago. Can you forgive me?" Steve asked. Tears silently falling from his eyes. Stoph didn't look at him. But after a moment he rested his head on Steve's shoulder. 

"You do know I'm here, don't you? I'll help you, babe. I promise." Steve whispered into Stoph's hair before planting a kiss there.

Steve spent the next 3 days caring for Stoph. But other than when he rested his head on Steve's shoulder the first day he was there, he made no signs the he even knew where he was. Steve made sure he cleaned and bandaged the many still open wounds Stoph had. Sometimes when he was cleaning one of the especially bad marks, tears would slip from Stoph's eyes but he gave no sign other than that that he was ever in pain.

Steve hated the faraway look that was plastered on Stoph's face. All he wanted was for Stoph to make eye contact and just say his name. He would give anything for that. After a couple days the stress began to wear him down.

"Come on, babe. Something. Anything! Just say my name or...or... Michael.... Francis....ANYONE!" Steve shouted at the small form on his bed staring at the wall.

"Lu....Lucifer....." Mephistopheles' voice shook at the name.

"Not what I was hoping for." Steve scowled.

"Babe, I love you. But you reek. You need a shower, come on." Steve said as he pulled Stoph off the bed. He lay limp in his arms. Steve attempted to drag him to the bathroom but Stoph was doing nothing to help. Steve began laughing.

" Can you at least TRY to help me here?" He smiled. He looked down at Stoph's face but saw nothing that hinted he even knew Steve was there. But Stoph picked up his feet and supported his own weight, though he swayed and shook.

Steve smiled down at the figure who was still looking at the wall.

"Even when you're insane you're beautiful." Steve muttered. Stoph's eyes shifted to Steve's and they made eye contact. Stoph held it for three seconds before shifting his eyes back to the wall. 

For those three seconds Steve could have sworn he had seen the same Stoph from ten years ago. With his arrogant blue eyes. But he also saw something under the arrogant sharp blue. Fear.

'Insanity.' Steve corrected himself. 'He's insane. He didn't make eye contact with you on purpose. He doesn't even know who you are.' Steve thought to himself. His smile faded and he walked into the bathroom and started the shower.

After they had both showered Steve sat on the bed with Stoph lying down on it staring at his wall. He pulled out the box that held all of his bandages to dress Stoph's wounds. Stoph eyed the box for a moment. Then turned back to his wall.

Steve began dressing the wounds and when he got to the large whip mark across Stoph's back, tears began to fall from the demon's eyes. 

Steve finished and pulled Stoph's head into his lap as he sat on the bed. He began singing softly to the boy. He sung the first few lines of 'Imagine' before Stoph sang the second verse in his softer, higher, voice. 

Steve looked down when Stoph began to sing. And saw he was no longer staring at the wall but at Steve's leg. Steve lifted him so he was sitting in his lap. He cupped his face with his hands and kissed the younger man.

"I never liked that song...." Stoph said. Voice shaking. Steve pulled back and stared at his face. The eyes were sad looking. Filled with fear and pain. But they were aware. And that was the most beautiful thing Steve had ever seen.

"My god..." Steve said and leaned down for a deeper kiss. The two men kissed passionately before Steve pulled back when he felt wetness on his face. Stoph was crying.

" I was so lost..." He cried into Steve's neck. He held him closer and whispered sweet endearments in his ear. 

" I know baby. But you're found now." Steve whispered, trying to soothe the other man. "How did you get back to me?" Steve asked.

"Michael. He sent me a bit of a wake-up call. Told me I had a wonderful man waiting for me and I had to get my ass back to him..... well....my head actually." Stoph gave a weak smile. Steve saw it was forced but it was comforting none the less.

"We owe him a lot." Steve said. And before he realized it he was crying as well. 

They sat quietly and held each other. 

"I heard you. All the times you were talking to me. I knew I had to get back to you but I didn't know how. I tried, I really did...." Stoph said until his sobs cut him off.

"Shh it's OK. I'm here now. And you're with me." Steve smiled through his tears and hugged Stoph tighter. Soon, both men were asleep.

A New Kind of Love Ch.07

Once again thanks to my fantastic editor, Couldnt do it without you!

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'What the hell just happened?' Steve thought to himself. A minute ago his boyfriend had turned into a demon and now he was alone. He looked around but nothing indicated either of the two men had been in the room. The smell of sulphur filled the room and Steve scrunched his nose at it. He stood from the couch and moved to the front door. He stepped out and looked up and down the street. He wasn't sure what he was looking for. He began walking and before he realized it, he was at the park a couple of blocks away from his school.

He sat down on a bench to catch his breath. It all happened so quickly he had no time to adjust. He didn't notice when the figure sat beside him.

"Hello." The boy sitting next to Steve said.

"Wha...uh...hi." Steve said hoping he would go away. He recognized the boy from his school. He mentioned him to Stoph.

' Not Stoph.' He corrected himself

"My name is Michael." The boy introduced himself.

"Steve." he replied. Still wanting the boy to leave.

"Yes I know. I know your friend, Stoph." Michael said staring at Steve's face.

"That's not his name...." Steve thought out loud.

"Ah, He told you." Michael said nodding his head and looking out at the field he and Mephistopheles had stared at while talking.

"What? You know?" Steve said coming out of his trance.

'Maybe this kid knows about Stoph.....Er..... Mephistopheles.' He corrected himself.

"Yes, we used to have the same boss." Michael said.

'Oh no. Another demon?' Steve put his head in his hands. Michael chuckled. A musical sound. 

"No, I work for a higher power." When Steve gave him a confused look he glanced at the sky and then back down at Steve.

"God? You're an angel." Realization struck Steve. "Michael." Steve nodded. "You guys with secret identities have a real sense of humor you know that." Steve shook his head.

"Well we have to have some fun, right?" Michael smiled. Steve shrugged.

"Can you tell me what the hell..sorry...just happened?" Steve asked. Wincing at the swear.

"It's alright. And yes I think I can let you in to what's going on." Michael smiled.

"Mephistopheles made a deal with The Devil. If he told you who he really was and what his job is, and you still loved him, then He would let you be together....but if not...." Michael trailed off.

"Then he goes to hell." Steve nodded.

"No, actually, YOU go to hell. What I don't understand is if you're not with Mephistopheles, then you must have said you didn't love him. But then why are you here?" Michael queried. Realization struck Steve.

"He traded places with me..." Steve gasped.

"Ah..... despite some bad decisions. Mephistopheles is a good man...demon...thing...." Michael said before shrugging it off.

"He...he protected me. But he had no right to bet my soul in the first place." Steve scowled.

"If it's any consolation it was tearing him apart trying to decide what to do. He wished he could take it back." Michael told Steve.

"He did?" Steve said, shocked.

"Yes, the day before he told you, we talked here. Mephistopheles and I are mortal enemies. He's the Demon lord of fear and death. I'm the archangel in charge of ridding the world of things that cause fear. But that day he begged for my help and advice. What he feels for you is real. I'm not surprised he took your place." Michael nodded.

Steve felt the hot tears pour down his face. Michael got a far off look in his eyes.

"I apologize. I must leave. I wish you the best though. Remember that Mephistopheles took your place so you could live. Don't waste his gift." Michael said before walking off. Steve sat for a moment crying silently at the mistake he had made. He did still love Stoph. 

After a moment he stood and headed home. His parents knew something was wrong. His teachers knew. His friends too. But he told no one of what had happened. Francis pestered him for weeks, asking about Stoph and what had happened. Steve shut him out. Over time Steve realized Michael was right, he couldn't waste his life grieving for a mistake. Soon people stopped asking and Steve moved on. 

But old wounds are opened easily....... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 10 years after Steve last saw Mephistopheles...

*

Steve arrived home after a long day of work. He stepped inside the house his parents had given him when they moved to Florida. He took off his police uniform and took a hot shower. Stepping out of the shower with a towel around his waist he lay down on the bed. The towel fell from his hips and he crawled under the covers naked. He reached for the remote to his stereo and turned on 'Mephistopheles' by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Following the same pattern he had followed since Mephistopheles gave his soul to save Steve, he listened to the music build and climax. He knew the story by heart now. It was the story of Mephistopheles and Faust. But Faust was replaced by Beethoven for this version of the story.

Beethoven sold his soul for amazing musical genius and when the time limit on his powers went up he was given the choice of destroying his life's work and no one would remember it, or going to hell. 

Steve wondered if Mephistopheles saw Beethoven in hell.

Steve sighed as the song finished and rolled over and fell asleep. He didn't dream.

Steve woke up at 6:00 am and hit the button on his alarm clock. 

'Who the hell invented alarm clocks anyways. Horrible way to wake up.' Steve thought. He rolled out of bed and quickly dressed in his officer's uniform.

He walked into the kitchen and made himself a cup of coffee. Sipping it as he finished getting ready he fed his fish (he wasn't home enough to care for a more social animal like a cat or dog).

He glanced at the picture that sat on the windowsill. It was a picture he had taken of himself and Stoph back in high School. Everyone always gave him odd looks when they saw the picture. It was of him and Stoph sitting on Stoph's bed. Steve's arm wrapped around Stoph's shoulder. But what Steve didn't know was that Demon didn't show up on film. The place where Stoph's slim body should have been looked like dead air. But Steve knew he was there. And it comforted him to look at the picture.

He realized he was running late and took off to the police department. 

"You're late." Francis said as Steve finally walked in.

"Yeah yeah I got distracted." Steve said.

"With what? No girlfriend, no boyfriend, no kids, even Michael isn't that interesting." Francis laughed referring to Steve's fish.

"I'll have you know Michael can be quite the chatter box during poker night." Steve said. "What are we doing today?" Steve said to his partner as he prepared himself for the day.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

"You have no say what happens to him, it was his own fault." Lucifer growled at Michael and Gabriel.

"I have orders from the big man upstairs." Michael said, wings shifting uneasily. He did not relish being downstairs. It smelled of sulphur and death.

"I don't care what He says. He has no right! He is here of his own free will." Lucifer roared.

"Then why don't we ask him." Gabriel stepped forward. 

Lucifer growled as the superior archangel stepped forward, snow white wings flexing, showing the muscle under the soft feathers.

"Fine." Lucifer scowled at the angel and waved a hand. Mephistopheles appeared at his feet, naked. Covered in burns and scars of all sorts, he whimpered quietly and shook on the floor. Michael swallowed loudly.

"Mephistopheles, it's Michael. You remember me, yes?" Michael tried to get the small quivering form's attention.

"Be sober.....adversary the devil.....roaring lion.....whom...devour....." Mephistopheles mumbled, words being lost or cut short due to his shaking.

"He's gone mad." Michael looked towards Gabriel for help.

"How are thou fallen from heaven......morning....cut down to the ground....weaken the nations......" Mephistopheles curled into a tighter ball. Not acknowledging any of them.

" Mephistopheles, please. You must pull yourself together, we wish to help you!" Gabriel stepped forward pushing Michael out of the way. 

He lay a gentle hand on Stoph's shoulder. Stoph winced and screamed.

"Black as it stood as night, fierce as....furies, hell, shook....dreadful dart...kingly crown.....Satan....Satan...now at hand." Mephistopheles slowly looked at Lucifer.

"He's quoting bible verses." Michael realized. Gabriel glanced at him.

Lucifer hissed at Mephistopheles and he quickly turned his eyes down.

"Accursed be he who plays with the devil." Mephistopheles whispered looking like the small pebbles on the ground were the most interesting thing in the world. He studied them closely.

"Mephistopheles, do you not remember? Stoph....Stoph!....do you remember Steve?" Michael asked.

At the mention of Steve's name Stoph froze. His mutterings stopped as did the shaking. 

"Steve...." His brow scrunched like he was trying to remember where he left his car keys.

"Let us not love with words or tongue....but....but..." Mephistopheles paused as if he couldn't remembered

"But with actions and truth." Gabriel finished. Mephistopheles glanced at him, he held his gaze for a moment, before it dropped back down to the pebbles and his shaking resumed.

"We are taking him." Michael reached for Mephistopheles.

"You have no right. He is my property I own him!" Lucifer stepped in front of the quivering mass that used to be a proud demon.

"No, you don't. You won him in a deal which you made on a human's soul. That's not allowed, the boy had not committed any major sins. Your deal is invalid, meaning your....winnings...are as well." Gabriel stepped up to Lucifer and spread his wings defiantly. 

"Step. Aside." He growled without shifting his gaze. He stood several inches shorter than Lucifer but his wings made up for that tenfold. 

Lucifer thought a moment. And with a scowl moved aside from Stoph.

Michael picked him up and cradled him to his chest. Mephistopheles made invisible swirls on Michael's chest armor before shaking, and burying his face in Michael's neck.

"Stay away from him and Steve." Gabriel said before he took off, followed close behind by Michael.