Strings Of Fate

Chapter 79: Getting back to normal?

 The bird's mellow songs gently brought Angel from his slumber. His eyes opened, vision adjusting to the room. The sunlight peaked through the blinds indicating it was early morning.

He nuzzled his face into the pillow under him. Inhaling its scent deeply. It smelled of his beloved. The man he desired to spend the rest of his life with.

Stretching his arms out over his head, Angel sighed contemptibly. Turning on his side he looked at the man sleeping beside him. Back turned to him as he breathed softly. For the man, Alastor was, his partner couldn't help but wonder just what he was dreaming of.

Sitting up with a groan, Angel smiled. Leaning over, "Ed~ wake up.." He cooed as he looked down at his partner. It was adorable how his face was pressed in his pillow. "Come on babe wake up~" He whispered, lightly tapping the man's shoulder.

He stirred.

A hand shot up to Angel's throat and he was thrown against the bedding. He gasped as he stared above him, the man towering over him.

Angel's heart lept into his ears as the hands around his throat tightened.

The skin on Alastor's face was rotten, decayed, and falling off. One of his eyes missing and teeth a dark blink. An inky substance poured out from his mouth and onto the bed. Drenching it in darkness.

"S-stop!" Angel wheezed. But the man above him only laughed.

The ink climbed up his legs, slowly engulfing his body.

Darkness submerged his vision. He could feel his heart in his chest. Beating against his rib cage. His blood felt ice cold and hands drenched in sweat. He sat up, his hands digging in the sheets in a poor attempt to grasp what was real. The room felt like it was spinning. Like he was spinning. But he wasn't. He was still.

Angel breathed heavily, his throat felt tight. Constricted as his eyes searched around the darkness. He attempted to move only to fall and hit a hard surface. It was cold, he pushed himself up against something. Pulling his knees to his chest, he closed his eyes. Burying his face in his knees to make it all go away.

His eyes were heavy and he felt his cheeks dampen.

A scream left him as something touched his shoulder. His hand flew only to be caught in a firm grip. "Let me go!"

"Anthony..it's me." The soothing voice carried to his ears.

He blinked away the wetness in his eyes, barely making out the outline of the man. Angel's voice trembled, a tremor wracking his body.

A click followed by the lamp being turned on provided some light. Now he was able to see the sheer concern and grogginess in those brown eyes. "Y-you're real...r-right?" He said through quivering lips. He was beginning to hyperventilate.

Alastor frowned. Brows knitting together as he took Angel's face in his hands with care. "I'm real Anthony." He told softly. "It's alright." His thumb wiped away a tear. "Come here." He soothed, bringing Angel into his arms.

His partner clung to his nightshirt, burying his face in his chest.

He cried against his partner's chest. Those nightmare's always felt so real. And he could never get used to them. But Angel had dealt with them especially alone during those months. And even before then. So to have Alastor here, holding him. Did help to some extent.

"It's okay now my love, I'm here." Alastor continued to soothe. Rubbing small circles into his partner's back as he uttered these renaissances. Gently he picked up the blonde and moved back onto the bed. Leaning against the headboard, he pulled Angel into his lap. As he continued to let out his tears.