Chapter 4

Of course as soon as Corey laid his head on Matt's shoulder, he fainted into a deep recovering sleep from all the draining. The next time he got conscious and opened his eyes, he was in his human form and noticed how he even drooled a little in his deep sleep on the pale skin of the angel spawn.

It was getting dark outside and as he sat up, he moaned from the sudden move. He felt a knife cut through his brain, and made him so dizzy, he almost fell back onto the bed.

His angel warrior really got him good... Corey still felt very happy about that. And he hoped Matt would be okay too with the changes their matings trigger in him also.

But now... The demon needed strong painkillers and water. So he slowly stood up and tried to stumble as quiet as he could to the bathroom and there dropped on his hands and knees shaking and panting from weakness. Just a few minutes... He will be okay... He just needed a little time... He kept saying that to himself, not strong enough to sense how Matt woke up and watched him all along.

The whole scene only made the already sitting Matt's heart sink even more. He couldn't really get much sleep as his mind was running a mile a minute and was too energized from all the stolen powers and the demon blood. Probably those and the ongoing changes in his body gave him heat waves too. He managed to doze off maybe an hour later just to soon wake up from the faint shuffling of Corey.

Spending a year on the run made him a light sleeper so it was no wonder he woke up and the next moment he was right next to the weakened demon. Matt had no idea that someone like him could weaken such a powerful demon like this.

His conscience didn't let Matt not to try to help Corey. After all he was a half-angel, it was in his nature to help on the weak as much as he could. And this... this was his fault.

"Come on, let's make you sit down..." he helped Corey up and made him sit down on the closed toilet. Sensing what he needed, he went to Corey's stuff to go through it until he found the painkillers. Filling a glass with water, he walked over to the other naked man and gave them to him.

Matt waited until he took the pills and drank the water then put a hand on Corey's shoulder, the other onto his forehead, concentrating on calling forth his own healing powers. "You'll feel better in a minute. I'm sorry. It's my fault. I was too greedy and took more than I should've..." he said with a grim expression, clearly already beating himself up.

"No..." Corey said with a raspy voice and pulled away. "You need that energy… I will recover fast. Please... I gave it to you freely and don't waste it on me," he was still trembling hard and from feeling cold and weak. But looked at the angel deeply as he managed to speak with only a little chattering of his teeth.

"You are changing… You need all that to heal and change. It won't be always this way. And... I don't mind… You can't feel that? I’m... happy that I could give you my power and blood. If I get very bad, Paolo will appear. And he is not here yet. Don't blame yourself, please…" he said low and really tried all to convince Matt.

Yes, he drained him to the core, but it was Matt's rightful share. Maybe it was just too early for Matt to understand such things… He didn't know a lot about supernatural beings after all... But because of what he was and especially what he was to Matt, Corey couldn't help but feel rejected. "I'm sorry..." he whispered looking away and down with the bitter dark emptiness filling the space where he felt alive and that warm connection and love for Matt.

Matt's already slightly glowing hand dropped back to his side and he took a step back, pressing his lips together while listening to Corey. And he couldn't help himself but feel a bit rejected as well. Or was that Corey's feeling? He couldn't really tell anymore as everything got so complicated and messed up in him from all the changes.

"Yeah... I could feel you happy about it... until now. I'm sorry I ruined it for you, but..." Matt said low and wanted to try and convince Corey that he couldn't stay like this – especially right before a show – but then a warm golden light started surrounding the weak prince until it fully enveloped him, doing what Matt wanted to do. Just it was on a much stronger and larger scale. Of course it was Paolo projecting his healing powers from the other room.

Matt sighed relieved although his hands rolled into fists by his side, his own light dimming around his hand and in his eyes too. He could feel how warm and strong the other half-angel's light was even from where he was standing. What was he thinking? He could never heal Corey up like this. Or at least not in his current state...

"Well... it seems Paolo was needed after all. I go put on some clothes and bring you some food to get your strength back... Let me at least do that," he mumbled dropping his gaze too then turned around, feeling Corey already getting better so he knew he was going to be okay alone for a few minutes. "I'm sorry too," he added then walked out of the bathroom to busy himself with his task instead.

Corey just sighed defeated. He knew he have to let Matt discover and learn things on his own. Till that he also has time to get over his sensitive demon nature and the feeling of being not wanted…

Paolo's power slowly ebbed down and Corey really felt almost like before the mating. "Thank you, Goldie," he whispered thinking about how well the guardian really knows him. And still his being bonded with the other one… And humans think they have it bad with their lives... Angels and demons have a good few thousands of years to struggle. Even half-breeds. It's just ridiculous and overcomplicated.

He rather just washed his face and went out to get dressed and eat with Matt. Maybe the changes started already and the angel has questions…

Luckily Matt didn't bump into any of the boys and found the buffet quite easily. He put a few slices of grilled meat on a plate as well as some salad and mashed potatoes, hoping that Corey would like his choice of food for him. Not knowing for sure was just another proof that Matt practically didn't know anything about the demon or what he likes and dislikes. He had a lot to learn...

Putting together a similar plate just with less food for himself, he grabbed the tray and was soon back in their room, putting it down on the bed and looked at Corey. "I hope you like what I brought you... Demons love meat, right?" he asked maybe a bit shyly as he didn't know now how they were. Corey's walls were up again, mostly locking Matt out. Which shouldn't have bothered him but deep down it already did. But he rather just started eating, because Corey was right. He had to get stronger. He was still too weak. Maybe he'll always be like that.

"Yes. Thank you," Corey nodded and started to eat also. He kept peeking at the angel to see if he could find anything changing in him. "And thank you for trying to help me. But it's not needed. It's more important to me how you are feeling. You know that my blood and powers will awaken your powers, right?" Corey asked on a calm but rather emotionless voice. Looking at Matt for his response and maybe to search his feelings.

"And what if I wanted to help you and give something back for all that you gave me and did for me?" Matt stopped eating and looked up too to meet the brown eyes with his stubborn black ones. "Yes, I know your blood is changing me. I can feel it already. Though for now it only makes me even more confused and messed up on the inside.”

Truth be told, Matt hated that emotionless voice and closed up expression on Corey's handsome face. It looked so much different from when he was lying under him and begging for him so beautifully. It made Matt tense and even a bit pissed now. He could feel his own face closing up a bit from it too. He just... couldn't figure this guy out.

"But you cannot," Corey stated in the same cold factual tone and pressed his lips together for a few seconds. "That is the point. Look, I know you’ve been raised by humans and half-breeds and don't know anything about how beings like us work. I forgive you that. But the point is that I am giving you my whole being to help you become what you truly are, and help you have your true powers. It's clear you don't know nothing about me, or my family…" he rather just bit into some meat before he would lose his cool. The annoyed feelings he got from Matt only fueled his desperation, even if he said he was aware of the lack of knowledge of the angel breed.

The way Corey talked to him and as much as he could feel from the demon, made Matt's blood boil and he lost the little appetite he had for good.

"Forgive me that? How nice and noble of you..." he snorted. As if it was his fault that he didn't know his angel father and his mother died to be left to be raised by those half-breeds. "Of course you don't understand with Daddy Dearest and your siblings at your back. I wasn't born with a silver spoon in my mouth and had to learn how to survive with what I've got..." Matt said, quickly losing his cool as the air between them got charged and his whole body felt as if being on fire. But this time it wasn't fueled by lust.

"I believe I know enough of your asshole father and the rest of your family. We've been fighting your kind for a long time. Saw the horrors you could do. And despite all that I chose to save your fucking life and was ready to die for it. So yeah, maybe I know much less of the supernatural world but I didn't ask for any of this! I didn't ask for your noble sacrifice or for the bond. I'm still trying to fucking accept these things!" he raised his voice towards the end. "So don't talk to me in such a condescending way as if you were so much better!"

Corey sat and listened in silence, only one of his brows moved up and a dim red light lit his eyes. "So... You say all what your dear brothers taught you was that my family is to blame for all. All demons are equally evil. Very nice little angels. Grandpa should be proud of them…" he glimpsed up to the ceiling with a growl. "Even human children know my father was the brightest of angels. Among the very first ones to be created. To serve. Yes. To fucking obey and help make humans and others obey as well. We all were created to serve the big Father blindly, without questioning him. And my father had enough of that. He was the angel of light, knowledge and wisdom. He led the revolution against his own creator and rather joined Satan with many others than to serve for eternity and punish people for being curious. My mother was a cherub. A warrior angel. Also a fallen one... My father named me King, because beside the Dark Lord who represents freedom and true free will we became the princes.”

“You don't know anything about what you are. And how my own life is affected by the bond. You risked your life... Nice... I let myself be captured in the first place and your dear brothers almost killed me for only what I am. Full of love and kindness, right?" by then Corey outright huffed and gritted his teeth as he spoke. "It's not a 'noble sacrifice,' it is something I have to do. We are more similar than you dare to admit... And know really even less than nothing about how I was raised or how many of those lunatics tried to kill me even as a baby... All because of the precious teachings of such scum as your brothers... Now I have to perform…" he growled and stood up shutting the door behind him.

The sudden silence in the room was deafening for Matt after the door was banged shut. He cursed under his nose and tossed his barely touched plate on the tray next to Corey's half-empty one. Running his hands through his curly hair he took a few deep calming breaths.

Corey dropped a few nice little bombs on him and Matt knew there was truth in his words even if he was struggling to believe all. He's been taught things so differently and now didn't know what to believe. But maybe he should believe the demon. After all Matt could never feel a lie on him – though he wasn't even sure by then that he would be able to tell with such a creature, bond or not. And also Corey turned out to be so much different from what Matt expected... And most importantly... his angel brothers and sisters did turn on Matt... although he thought with a good reason. After all, he did betray them.

"Damn, this is giving me a headache..." he growled with his head between his hands, the previous sudden anger and rage slowly fading in him, leaving only sadness in Matt. Maybe Corey was right and he knew nothing or just very little about what was going on around him... Maybe he should've just let the others catch and kill him in the past.

With a bitter chuckle he shook his head. No, he's always been a survivor, a fighter. If he ever dies, he'll go out during a fight or battle, not like a coward...

For a minute he contemplated just getting up to leave everything behind and hit the road again, maybe go search for his chasers. But in the end he couldn't make himself to do it. Instead he headed downstairs to check on Corey from backstage. That stubborn feeling of worrying for the pissed demon still there in his chest.

***

By the time Matt arrived the band was already playing. The crowd loved the wild guitar riffs and even more wild roars and screams where the demon prince channeled his anger. Maybe he was still not strong enough, and by the worried looks that Paolo sent towards him, Corey was definitely not strong enough to give out such energy.

After a few songs it already showed how dizzy and unattainable the lead guitarist became. And to keep that in balance, Corey downed vodka shots between the tracks.

But he needed that because of all the frustration and anger about how he and his father were labeled and how easily some manipulated the views of humans, just showing some supernatural powers. What really angered him was the thought that maybe Matt would never understand how and why such creatures do things. And Corey’s life will be filled forever with the feeling of rejection from the one being who counted to him the most...

Needless to say, Matt's worried thoughts and feelings were only getting stronger as he was standing there in the dark, watching the band – especially Corey – on stage. He didn't dare to go too close, not wanting to anger the already pissed and unstable demon.

If someone said to him a few days ago that he would be worried about a Prince of Hell or any other of Corey's kind, Matt would've looked at them as if they were insane. Now... now he had to admit to himself that he cared more than he thought he would.

He was kept in the dark for so long and he could see and feel even with Corey's guards up how the buff man was hurting because of their fight. His black eyes were getting sadder with every song and vodka the demon downed. Matt ached to help and heal him as Corey looked more and more awful. But he couldn't. And he was trying to understand the demon prince's motives and overcome his own limited view.

Still, he was afraid to face him again in fear of messing things up even more.

By the end of the show Paolo was holding Corey up to support him while walking off stage. "I take him to the van with Joe. Please, help Brent pack away and we go at once. He let his powers be noticed. Don't want anyone tracking us down," the bassist told Matt as they passed him.

By then Corey was half-conscious from the lack of his energy and the amount of vodka he had consumed.

"He will be okay. Don't worry, honey…" Paolo added and nodded to the stage to help the half-demon so they all could leave as fast as possible.

Of course Matt was still just as much worried as before, but he simply nodded and took a long look at the barely conscious Corey. With a sigh he turned and looked for Brent to start packing up.

His thoughts were dark because he caused that. So he stayed mostly silent at first until their stuff was unplugged and he wasn't sure how to pack them away. "Where do I put Paolo's and Corey's pedals and gear?" he asked for the first time since he started packing.

The half-demon slid him a container. "There now. We are in a hurry," he said to Matt with a small smile and went back to bring the boxes to their trailer.

Coming back he sat by Matt to help him roll up the cables. "You know… You shouldn't blame yourself. I mean... I don't know what made him that pissed... And I am also just learning about these creatures and worlds... But as far as I know... he is a son of beings which were created to be angels. And even humans have to have a purpose. Angels are created to serve. And even if his family got merged with the dark light, I keep seeing in him that urge. To help and find his purpose and pair. And it's you, and it's messed up but everything is messed up. Every being have false impressions and beliefs at one point. I was born to a bunch of humans who would have something to hate…" Brent shrugged and chuckled.

"My father was probably a lower class demon who took the opportunity to be summoned and cross the border between the worlds. And those people did all that to support the story that all demons are evil and practically made me to torture and show around. Look... I think I don't make much sense… But all I want to say is... he is patient with us all, and he wants to help you. He is not evil. And old enough to know what he is doing," he nodded with a sigh. "Come on... Paolo will be with you and the king in the van and is driving. Get some rest too," he stood up and smiled reassuring at the half-angel.

Nodding, Matt packed the stuff in said container then helped with the cables too. Brent was right, they were in a hurry, yet Matt paused for a moment to look at the half-demon while he was speaking to him.

"We had a fight and I'm stupid and know nothing. Probably even less than you," Matt shrugged with a slight bitter taste in his mouth and continued with rolling up the last cables too to toss them into the container as well.

"You're probably right and I'm sorry about your past. I'm sure it was really hard on you. How come you stayed sane?" he glimpsed up at the drummer. "I'm not sure I would've been able to in your place, man. You're strong," he said with respect in his voice as he got up and locked a few boxes for their last turn for the van.

"Also... thanks for speaking your mind. I'll think about what you said..." he mumbled with a grateful look, feeling a tiny bit better as he picked up the last three heavy boxes. Being stronger than a human – especially after sucking so much away from Corey's powers – had its perks.

"I never knew anything else. Not until the king found me. Yes, he and his brothers ended that cult that enslaved their own children and took their free will and only told them lies about the world. I heard later that the angels and other humans told that story like... there was a good village with faith in the holy light and Lucifer's sons burned it to the ground... I guess there are many sides to one story and each tell their own. I only knew the cage and the rituals and all since I was born. Corey takes me all over the worlds. And keeps telling me that I am free to do what I want. But I want to play drums for him," Brent laughed a little as they packed the last box into the vehicles. "Guess I was born to be simple. And don't worry about the fight. He calms down and will fix it," he added and with a nod as a goodbye ran to meet up Joe in the trailer.

"Bye..." Matt murmured under his nose after getting rid of the boxes and walked toward the waiting van with a sigh. It was clear that Brent was similar to him in the way that he was living in a false world like apparently Matt has been ever since he was a kid and was found by those half-breeds... Like Brent, he thought that what he was living in was the normal and true way of things. Everything the guy told him only strengthened the point that Corey was indeed far from the terrifying picture that was painted for Matt about him and his siblings and father...

***

Silently he climbed into the passenger seat of the van and took a glimpse at the back. There he was. The buff man was in his true form again, snoring exhausted and dead to the world. They had to get somewhere safer. Especially now that Corey was in such a weak state. So Matt turned around in his seat to face the dark alley in front of him, signaling to Paolo that they could go. His mood didn't improve much though even after talking to Brent – whom Matt decided that he liked too. He was a nice dude. Maybe simple as he thought of himself, but definitely would do everything for Corey and these guys who have shown him how different life can be. Maybe that's another thing Matt should finally figure out how to accept.

Paolo stepped on the gas and they followed the other guys out from the town and onto the highway. The bald angel gave a few side glimpses toward Matt who was so lost in his thoughts. But it was a good half an hour until he finally had enough.

"Okay, let's hear it. What you two had a fight about? He can keep his cool very well. And he was losing it big time on stage," finally Paolo turned to the half-angel. "I'm worried about him. And to be honest about you too. I just try to see clear so I can help…" he said peeking back at the sleeping man who mumbled something in his sleep.

To Matt it sounded like something muttered on demon language, but he shook off the memories of how he used to get disgusted by that in the past or how hearing some creature curse at them on that language made a shiver run down on his spine every time. Now from Corey... it didn't bother Matt that much.

Realizing that Paolo was waiting for some kind of a reply, he steered his thoughts towards trying to come up with something to say.

"He stopped me from helping him before you did and we fought about me apparently knowing nothing about myself or him and his family. It seems he was right... And I said some awful things about his family..." he said quietly, sliding lower on the seat while crossing his arms across his chest. He didn't care if he looked like a sulking teenager. He just felt... tired and drained from all the changes and adjusting and worrying.

"I don't know if I can do this bond thing... Clearly you are much better at helping him and taking care of him. I just fuck up."

"I see…" Paolo let out a big sigh. "Look... no one can decide such bonds. You will learn, and he will learn also. Let me tell you a theory… Just think about two kinds of personalities.
Like... there is a royal mansion with a rich noble who keeps many servants and have strict rules for everything. All things have to be in order and everyone should obey him and know only what he tells without having any questions.”

“And there is like a hippie community... With a guru and his followers who live as they please and he encourages all to go and explore things and spread their experiences and be as they feel like. Two totally opposite leaders. Of course they despise the other’s way of living. And feuds start. That's how I think about heaven and hell.”

“And people like us in between have the real free will to choose. Corey and his family went from strict slavery to total freedom, but deep inside never could change what they were created for. Like you have the urge to help. It gives you a reason to exist. Makes you happy and whole. He is like that with you. Demons are born from darkness. He was born from fire. You don't know what you are, and his powers will help you change and get your own powers. And the bond only makes that feeling stronger in him. Just let him serve you. Okay?" Paolo laughed after his speech. "I can take care of him, yeah… But he doesn’t need me. He needs you. And you have no idea what I would give to have him want me like he wants you... Don't hurt yourself over it. Just... leave his family out of any future arguments, okay? By the way... you don't feel like… changing from his powers?"

"Nice metaphor..." Matt couldn't stop himself from chuckling a bit on it. "Spot on too..." he hummed, thinking about it. It actually helped him to see a bit clearer. "He actually... well, yeah... he was very happy about being able to serve me and feed me with that huge amount of energy... and his blood..." he confessed with a slight blush on his cheekbones. "I think now I start to understand that need in him. Brent told me the same... about staying angel deep down with such urges... I can also relate to that need. I just... used to feel that only towards humans and some of my brothers and sisters... Not a... mate. It's so new and... frankly, scary a bit. And I know I'll need him from now on if I don't want to die..." he sighed again, slightly shaking his head then looked at the handsome bald man next to him.

"And both you and Corey keep telling me 'what I am'... What am I? Or do I sense it correctly that you won't tell me even if I ask over and over?" he huffed, but there was no real fire behind it. He might as well just go with the flow.

"Oh he needs you even if he doesn't know it himself. And he... we'll need you even more if I stick around and give a try to this bond thing and letting him serve me like today. I just hope I can stop myself... stop this constant hunger in me to borrow his energies to survive. I'm okay now, but I can feel it shimmering in me deep down... Just like his black blood. I'm changing, alright. Just don't know into what... Everything is just... stirred up and jumbled inside me. Emotions and powers alike."

"Awwwwww... You said you'll need me… What else could a guardian angel want to hear?" Paolo giggled and patted Matt's knee next to him. "You will change into what you are. And nope. Not going to tell because the king said you have to learn about yourself on your own. And he always knows best. I think as you change more and your powers grow more, you won't suck him dry that much.... Or who knows... maybe you get a taste for it…" the bassist wiggled his brows with a dirty grin.

Matt smiled a bit from Paolo's jokes – which weren't really jokes. He could kinda sense as if he tried to cover up his real feelings about being needed. "You're probably right... I'm on a similar learning path like Brent, I guess..." he said, not minding the pat on his knee. Though he blushed a bit from the implied naughty stuff.

"You like that picture, admit it. Don't tell me you jerk off to imagining Corey and me," he half-joked, not being able to stop himself. Frankly, it was kinda easy to talk and fool around with Paolo.

"Oh honey of course not... I swear on my virginity," Paolo added with a fake shock and laughed. But the flirty atmosphere was interrupted by another wave of growls and mumbles as Corey tossed and turned. Even his wings moved like he would take off from the ground to fly away.

"You better wake him up gently... He rarely has nightmares but usually he fights for his life in them… And I don't want this van to burn down from his fire... Again…" Paolo looked back and it was clear he was not joking anymore.

"Fuck..." That's all Matt said and after nodding to Paolo, he was already climbing through the seat to the back to stop that from happening. First he didn't know what to do as he was sitting there on his heels then kicking his boots off, he crawled to the side of the disturbed demon.

Next chapter

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