Hi all!! Here's the next part of Dreams of an Angel. Hope you all enjoy it!
I have to say, this is a SAD chapter for me. I don't know how I did it, but when I read it again... it is quite sad and I ended up feeling gloomy all afternoon. I hope I don't cause any of you to be depressed as well :P
Any comments or suggestions, well, you know how to contact me. My Yahoo ID is Goldenknightuk if you wish to send me an instant message. Sorry for any bad grammars boys and girl. C'mon! Nobody's perfect!! :)
NOTE TO ALL READERS: In order to balance my study time and writings, I decided to set a specific time for every update. For now on, I'll be updating Dreams of an Angel every Tuesday & Friday evening (Well, Irish time. I dunno about the time differences between my place and yours, guys and gals. You have to figure that out yourself :P Trust me, I sucked in figuring it out :)). But hey, if time permits me, I promise I'll update it at other times :)
Before the show, onwards to the boring part! Legal matters! Hehehe. You can press 'fast-forward' now.
Well, first of all, this story, as you will certainly find out soon, is TOTALLY fictional. So! If any of you truly believe in it... dude, I'm worried about you. Secondly! None of the guys in the Backstreet Boys are gay! (No matter how hard I wished it :P). But nobody say we couldn't dream it, heh heh. Thirdly, Warren Worthington is actually a character from Marvel Comics, X-men known as Angel or recently Archangel. Okay fine, I admit it. I'm bored and I am making a pathetic attempt to make life a lil' bit interesting. Its not like I'm gonna publish it or something. What else to talk about hmm? Oh, there may be some adult gay scenes in this story. Unlike my brother, I don't mind writing naughty stuff ;) so! If you're underage, naughty, naughty! I can only ask you to go away, but I cannot do anything else to stop you from reading on anyway. Hell! I've been sneaking into the internet to watch gay porns since I was 13! So, if your parents or whoever responsible for you catch you, don't say I didn't warned you. However, if you're homophobic... well maybe I can seduce you enough to turn you around heh heh. I do so love a challenge ;)
Anyway, enough talk. Any comments or boos or suggestion or whatever, just sent it to the same address as in NNTs, goldenknightuk@yahoo.co.uk . Yeah, we shared the same address. Don't ask. Long story.
Okay then! On to the show. Now, don't be shy now. If you got any comments or suggestions, just drop me a note. You do the request, and I'll do the show.
Andy
Part 41: 'Into the Storm (Part II)'
"Sit down, Nick. Everyone, sit down. You too... err... Warren." Robert said calmly despite the fact that he still tends to stare warily at Warren's true form. "Now, before you explain everything, Nick... and you too Warren, let me just assure you first that... that we do not discriminate people here in this household. Isn't that right, dear?"
"Yes." Jane nodded just as calmly, her voice showing only a small touch of breathlessness in it. She held Nick's hand reassuringly as she gazes into Nick's eyes. "Yes. You know what we're talking about right, dear?"
"Yeah." Nick nodded. "It just that... it just that... you see how... how the... the attitudes towards mutants out there and... and sometimes people says they have no problem with these things but then... when they finally confront it... W-w-what parents would like to have a fr... a mutant... as... as their s-son?"
"Whoa there, sonny! You stop right there." Robert sat up in his seat to glare at Nick. "Don't you ever think like that again. I... no, we love you no matter what you are, make no mistake about that."
"How could you say such a thing!" said Jane as she held Nick on the cheek with both hands. "Is that... is that why you were so scared to tell us just now? You think we're going to... hate you?"
That last bit came out as a half-whisper.
"Nobody is going to hate you, Nick." Said Robert firmly. "I certainly don't. Aaron? Angel?"
Aaron merely looks at Nick and Warren in silence before turning to face his dad.
"I... I need time to get used to this." He spoke slowly at last.
"What are you talking about?!" Jane stood up to defend his son. "He's still your brother!"
"He's a mutie now!!" Aaron cried out angrily and Nick shrank back against the feeling of anger and betrayal that emanates from his brother's mind. Warren stirs beside him tensely. "That mutie infected him!!"
"Aaron!" Angel cried out in disbelief.
"Enough!!" Robert said firmly from where he seat. "I told you I don't want to hear that from you again Aaron!!"
Everyone fell quiet immediately. Nick stare bleakly at the floor while Warren sat beside him, his face expressionless as he did his best to use the link to comfort Nick. How he wished he could hold his lover in his arm now. Nick's mind is filled with... resignation.
"Mutant is not a disease, Aaron." Warren spoke softly. "It's genetic. It's something that you're born with. So, no... I didn't 'infect' Nick in anyway."
"Shut up, mutie!!" Aaron snapped angrily.
"There's another thing I need to let you all know." Nick spoke again, bleakly, shutting his eyes tightly as he struggle to hold his mental barrier against the constant assault of the intense emotions in the room. He musters his strength and reaches out to hold Warren's hand tightly, trying hard not to tremble. "Warren and I are... together... We're... lovers..."
Silence...
"Oh great!!" Aaron threw his hands up as he shouted and all Hell broke loose once again. "This is just great!! You're a fuckin' mutie and a fag as well?? What's next? You're gonna kill us now?"
"AARON, THAT'S ENOUGH!!" Robert shouted angrily and everybody cringed as he stood.
Nick whimpered slightly as the anger crashes against his mental barrier, nearly shattering it to pieces. He cradles his head desperately as Warren tightened his grip on him, concentrating on the link to help him hold on to the barrier.
Robert strode to the door leading to his small office and turn to face Aaron.
"My office. Now. We need to talk."
Aaron stood up reluctantly and walked off. Warren watched in wary silence as they disappear into the office and closed the door. It wasn't long before they hear raised voices from within the room.
"Are you all right, dear?" Jane sat down beside Nick and grasped his hand gently.
Nick only nodded wearily with his eyes closed, still cradling his head desperately.
"What's wrong, dear?" Jane asked worriedly.
"It's all those anger." Warren answered softly as he rubbed Nick's back soothingly. "It... It nearly overwhelms his mind."
"What do you mean?" Jane asked worriedly. Angel walked over to them and sat on the floor, taking Nick's hand into her own worriedly.
"As he told you, he's an empath." Warren explained patiently. "He experiences other people emotions around him as if it were his own. However... an empath also tends to experience emotions... far deeper than anyone else. To everyone else... it's just... an emotion... nothing more. But to him... it's like a smashing wave coming from all side, suffocating him if it is too strong. So, with all those... outburst of anger... just now... or maybe the hate from Aaron's mind... it nearly overwhelmed him."
"Aaron doesn't hate me." Nick spoke suddenly. "There's no... hate in his mind. He's only... scared... and a little confuse... and yeah, angry... very, very angry... I don't blame him for that."
He opened his eyes to look at his mom tearfully.
"I'm sorry if I disappoint you, mom. 'N' you too Angel." He spoke again. "I can't help it if I'm a mutant. I just am. And I can't help it if I fall in love with Warren. You can't control love anymore that you can control being a mutant. I love Warren... and he loves me back... He took care of me. He was always there for me when I need someone beside me. He makes me feel safe. He makes me happy. If... if you disapprove of this... I..."
Nick's voice cracked at last as the thought of having to make a choice between his family and Warren came into his mind.
"Nick, honey, of course I'm not disappointed in you." Jean answered quickly and Nick could feel her sincerity crashing against his mental barrier. "I will never be disappointed in you."
Unable to hold back his sob, Nick pulled away from Warren and hugged his mom once again, sobbing softly.
"I just want you to be happy, okay?" Jane spoke softly. "And I will never, ever hate you. I don't care if you're a mutant, or gay, or black, or blue or white or whatever. You're my baby, and I love you. And don't worry about this mutant thing. It is your gift from God. You shouldn't hate yourself for it. You should be happy. In this house, we have nothing to hide. So I want you to be yourself from now on."
She pulls back to look at Nick and smiled, wiping the tears gently.
"I know I didn't react too well just now, but you have to admit, you did shocked everyone, even me. But I've always known you're special, honey. Call it a mother's instinct. And I've always known you have a bright future before you. I also know you have a good heart and that you will meet someone equally special one day and you will make that someone happy."
She reaches out and grasp Warren's hand gently, placing it on Nick's hand. Warren grasps his lover's hand gently and smiled as Nick's eyes met his.
"I never expected you to meet an angel, but I was right about you meeting someone equally special right?" Jane smiled, glancing at Warren as she did, studying the neatly folded wings steadily. "I can see why you like Warren. You've always been fascinated on angels ever since you were a little boy. Remember the time when your father took us all on that little trip to New Orleans long ago? We were in one of the old churches there and I still remember how awed your eyes were when you caught the sight of that huge statue of Archangel Raphael there. You said to me 'Wow, mom, look! An angel!!' After that, you've been obsessed with angels ever since."
Despite his tears, Nick smiled and grasped Warren's hand tighter.
"Your great-grandma used to say this to me before I go to sleep when I was a little girl: 'Dream of angels often enough, and one day, they will come down from Heaven and find you'. You've been dreaming of angels all your life. Now your angel has come down and found you. Can anyone wish for anymore blessings in his life?"
"I don't care who you are with, Nick, as long as you're happy." She continues on softly. "And don't you worry about Aaron. If your dad can't set him straight, I know I will. Now get up and wipe away your tears. You don't want to act like a baby in front of your man now, don't you?"
"And if you ever get tired of Warren, give him to me." Angel smiled before giggling softly. "Gawd, I've always thought you're straight, Nicky. But when you decided to switch team, you sure go for the rare and cute ones."
"See, Nick? I told you everything is gonna be alright." Warren smiled gently before turning to Jane "He's a bit... overwhelmed with emotions right now. But he's going to be alright."
"Are you... what do you call it... an empath as well?" said Jean.
"No. He's just a guy with wings." Nick smiled at last, looking up as he wiped his tears. "But... we... that is Warren and I shared a... bond, mom. A link that connects our minds together."
"A link?"
"On the first night after I realized I'm an empath, I... helped him with some... nightmare-related problems that he had." Said Nick. "I didn't really know what I was doing at the time. So while helping him, I accidentally forged a... a 'link' - an empathic link - that connect his mind to mine. Unfortunately, that 'link' is permanent. So, now we're stuck together. He feels what I feel and I feel what he feels."
"Sigh! Well, that's my son for you." Jane sighed as she remarked mildly, looking at Warren. "Once he got something new to play with, you can expect him to go right to the extreme."
"I think that's sooo romantic." Angel sighed dreamily.
"But we're jumping ahead of ourselves here." Said Jane. "Let's start from the beginning, shall we? How did you know you're a mutant and how come we never know about it? And how did you two meet?"
With that, Nick and Warren took turns to tell them everything from the time they met in LA, right up to the time Nick ended up in Westchester. They omitted the incident at the club though. No need to worry them more than they already are right now.
Nick even told them about the time when Warren took him flying to the mountains and that drew a fascinated squeals from Angel.
"Oh my God! You actually went flying in the sky? Oh Nicky, you're so lucky!! Why can't any of the guys I dated be as romantic as him!!" Angel complained as she held Nick's little gold medallion in her hands. "That's it. I'm taking the first mutant I come across in the future."
"Yes, and that's waaaaaaay in the future, I hope. When you're 40 maybe." Jane smiled at her.
"Mom!" Angel groaned as Nick laughed softly.
"What about the rest of your band?" asked Jane, looking at Nick again. "Do they know about this?"
Nick shook his head nervously.
"There's gonna be a problem with that." He answered.
"And what is that?" asked Jane.
"Howie despises mutants. With a vengeance." Nick replied.
"Uh-oh." Said Angel.
"If he tries to hurt you in anyway..." Jane began quietly but Nick stopped her.
"I'll deal with it mom." He said quickly. "Don't worry about it."
"I won't let anyone hurt him, ma'am. I promise." Said Warren.
Jane studied them steadily for a moment or two before nodding quietly.
"Nick, promise me you be careful when you're out there, will you?" she asked quietly. "You've seen the attitude the world out there have against mutants. You know what its like. Do try not to reveal too much about this unless you're absolutely sure it's safe to do so. I don't want you to get hurt."
Nick took her hands into his and gaze at her quietly.
"I promise."
"And remember, eventhough you have this power and all, that does not give you the right to use it on other people whenever you feel like it." Jane continues firmly. Even Warren nodded in full agreement. "This is a special gift you have here, honey, and I want you to promise that you use it responsibly."
"Geez, mom, you make it sounds like I just had my new driving license or something." Nick whined but Jane and Warren frowned at him. "Okay, okay, two against one. I lost. I promise, I'll use it responsibly."
"And promise me you won't get involve with all those mutant terrorists that I heard all the time on the news." Jane continues on.
"That's the last thing I wanna do, mom." Nick replies carefully. He cannot promise not getting involve with those mutants if they attack him, can he? Sabretooth's attack the other night is proof of that. Plus, he is already involved with the X-men! These people are bound to be involved with mutant terrorists every now and then. If they are involved, then so will he!
"You're avoiding the promise, Nick. I know you too well." Said Jane as she smiles before looking at Warren. "If you truly love my son, promise me you'll look after him all the time and prevent him from getting involve with any of those mutant terrorists incident. Promise me you two do all your STDs and HIV test regularly, and that you use condoms and practice safe sex. Promise me you won't ever hurt my son because if you do, by God, you better keep on flying because when I get my hands on you - and trust me, I will - I'll pluck out all your feathers and use it to make new pillows, right before I thrust you up like a turkey and serve you on a plate for dinner, mutant or not!"
Angel giggles uncontrollably at the side as Nick blushed uncontrollably.
"Mooom." Nick moans. "You're embarrassing me."
"I promise." Warren smiled as he put his hand on Nick's shoulder lovingly.
"Who else know about this?" asked Jane again.
"Lance knows. And Johnny. And apart from the others at Westchester, no one else know about this." Said Nick.
"And I know you're gonna tell Brian sooner or later. You two've been close since your first meeting. You never kept secrets from each other before in the past." Said Jane.
"Next weekend." Nick answered. "I'm going to his place on Saturday, next week."
Jane nodded quietly. They look up when the door open and Robert steps in.
"Where's Aaron?" said Jane as she looks at him steadily.
"He went out for a walk to calm himself down and do some thinking." Robert sighed as he sat. "It took some lecturing, but he's coming around, so don't worry. He was just... shocked and terrified. He'll be fine."
"Well as long as he apologize to Nick before they leave." Said Jane.
"It's okay, mom. I understand." Said Nick.
"No, it's not okay." Jane spoke firmly. "Those were hurtful things he spewed out just now and he is not getting away with it without an apology. I didn't raise any of my children to be like that and I won't tolerate it even for a second."
"Calm down, Jane. Now, Nick. You owe me a full explanation." Said Robert as he leans on his seat. "Spill it. From the beginning."
For the second time that night, Nick went through everything again from the beginning...
About two hours later...
('Destination Anywhere' by Jon Bon Jovi)
'Hey Babe, it's me parked outside your house... I know that he's asleep, so listen to me now... Darlin', I'm tired of living just in your dreams... I'm gettin' out... You know we both sold our souls... We're just growin' old, in this sleepy, dead-end town...'
'Destination Anywhere... Name the place and I'll be there... Pack a bag and we're out of here - let's run...'
Warren smiled as he blew the cigarette smoke slowly from his lungs, his eyes looking longingly at the stars above. He stood in the garden alone, with one hand snug comfortably in his pocket, while the other holding a newly lit cigarette. The song 'Destination Anywhere' by Bon Jovi plays again and again in his mind. He has always loved that particular song. It reflects a sense of freedom in his mind. It reminds him of how free he felt when he flies - free to go anywhere he wishes, free to pick any destination he wants...
'Baby, we both been running uphill for too long... We both settled for something, got nothing... And we both know it's wrong... Go on admit it we lived it, I'm leaving - Get your boots and come on... I got my coat and my keys, I need you next to me, then I'm gone...'
'Destination Anywhere... Name the place and I'll be there... Pack a bag and we're out of here - let's run... Destination Anywhere... Left or right, I don't care... Maybe we'll just disappear like the sun...'
He glances at Nick through the glass side door, still talking to his dad in the living room. His mom is clearing the dinner table with Angel, while Aaron is nowhere to be seen.
A wave of happiness and relief washed through him at that moment and he smiled as Nick continue talking to his dad happily. All traces of fear and panic is gone by now. Warren could detect nothing but pure happiness. Didn't he say Nick is gonna shine tonight?
'When there wheels spin, they can all eat our dust... As far as I'm concerned, this whole town's lost its nuts... We won't be here when they put us down... It's our big chance and I'm calling you now... They'll never let us go unless we try... I'm tired of living just to die... We're gettin' out of here, destination Anywhere...'
'Destination Anywhere... Name the place and I'll be there... Pack a bag and we're out of here - let's run... Destination Anywhere... Left or right, I don't care... Maybe we'll just disappear just like the sun...'
He couldn't hear what they were talking about, but Warren knew, from the pride in Nick's eyes and the love flowing from his mind as he answers all of his dad's questions, it is about him. He watched when they hugged each other...
A sudden feeling of envy and sadness engulfs him at that very moment and he quickly turn around, knowing Nick would feel it too and will turn around to check on him. He doesn't want Nick to catch him staring...
Unfurling his wings a little to let more of the gentle night breeze touches him, he slouched down lazily against a small garden bench, gazing at the stars and smoking his cigarette absently.
If there were one wish he could make in this cruel life, it'd be having his mom and dad here with him right now... having a family where he could turn to at his time of need. He stole a careful sidelong peek at the house again. Angel has by now joined Nick and his dad and even now is laughing as Nick tried to tickle her side. Sighing softly, he could only watch the scene enviously from afar.
Strange... come to think of it. You will never know how valuable your family is until they are taken away from you forever.
He looks up again at the stars, at the heavens... where his mom and dad are right now. Are they watching him right now? His mom never knew he is a mutant. She died when he was very young. How does she feel about him? Does she approve it?
What about him being in love with Nick? Another guy? Would they approve it?
He will never know...
His withdrew his hand from the pocket; drawing a small golden locket he always carried with him everywhere he goes. He snapped it open gently, and stare at the picture of his mom and dad within, worn out now from age.
He doesn't know how long he sat there, staring at the picture under the stars in mournful silence. Time always seem to stop everytime he gazes at those pictures. He never met his mother. She died in an accident, according to his dad. The picture of his mother shows a beautiful smiling lady with blue eyes and long, golden hair spilling alluringly over her shoulder. Dad always pointed out again and again that he took most of her looks.
Sighing softly once again, he ran his finger gently over the picture of his mother. Why did she have to die? Why did both of them have to die?
"Warren?"
Warren looks up in surprise and his teary gaze immediately fell on Nick who stood beside the bench, watching him quietly.
"Hi." Warren smiled, scrubbing the tears from his eyes quickly with his sleeve. "How are you doing, baby?"
Nick slowly sat beside him, never breaking his gaze on Warren's eyes. He looked down at last at the half-hidden pictures in his lover's hands.
"You miss them." He spoke softly.
Warren breath caught once as he barely prevented himself from breaking down into a sob.
"Very much." Warren whispers. He closed his hand but froze when Nick placed his own hand over it. He opened his hand again when Nick's fingers slowly slip past to pick up the locket.
"Your mom's beautiful." Nick spoke again as he gaze at the pictures. After a while he smiles. "She looks like you."
He looks up at Warren sadly after that and grasps his lover's hand gently, feeling the sorrow flowing through the link.
"I never knew her." Warren answers softly. "I wish I do."
"I'm sorry." Nick tightened his grasp.
"Don't be." Warren smiles sadly. "Scott, Jean, Bobby, and the rest are my family now."
"And me." Said Nick as he caresses Warren's hand gently.
A single tear dropped on Warren's lap before he could stop it. He compressed his lips tightly to prevent himself from breaking down. Looking up at the sky, he stares at the glittering heavens but his vision is already blurred by the gathered tears.
He stayed like that for a good while, struggling to control his sorrow. He knew Nick felt it through the link and he is somewhat relieved that Nick didn't say anything. Sometimes, it's best to leave things as they are.
"Not you, Nick." Warren whispers at last. "You're not family... you're more than that to me. You're my sun."
With his sight blurred with tears, he could only dimly feel Nick's grasp on his hand tightened in response.
Some moments later...
"Nick?"
Nick lowered his eyes from the night sky and smiled when he saw Angel standing nearby, looking at him curiously.
"What's up, li'l sis?"
She glided toward him lightly and sat next to him, looking at him curiously.
"Mom sent me to ask you and Warren to join her inside for coffee. Be grateful, big bro. I don't take the role of 'servant and messenger girl' that often except in a very special occasion." Angel huffed playfully, crossing her arms across her chest as she did.
Nick smiled and wrapped his arm around her, pulling her close.
"I'll be there in a minute."
"Where's your beauty?" Angel snickered softly, looking around the garden searchingly.
"Up there." Nick nodded upwards in the sky. "He needed to clear his head. He'll be down in a minute."
"Oh! He's beautiful!!!" Angel cried out as she saw Warren soaring high above them in the sky in the silvery moonlight, his wings spread wide as it stroke powerfully again and again.
"I know." Nick smiled proudly. "Can you see how free he is? How graceful he is?"
"Nick, you better make this work or I'll kick your ass... right before I keep him for myself." Angel half-growl, half-drool at the same time. Nick's body began to shake as he started laughing softly. "What's so funny?"
"It's your mind. So much lust and awe and frustration and even envy... gosh, sis, I almost expected you to be on all four, drooling and howling and gnashing your teeth..." Nick laughed harder.
"Hey! Get out of my head and mind your own business!" Angel cried out in frustration before laughing along with Nick.
"I've seen him naked." Nick whispers mischievously.
Angel screamed wide-eyed before clasping her hands on her mouth.
"Oh my God! Oh my God! He must be gorgeous underneath that clothes!! I can see him wrapping his arms around me, pulling me closer... Nick, you idiot!! See what you have done!!" She half-whimper, half-scream as she hits the laughing Nick on the shoulder with her hands. "If I have a mind-blowin' erotic dream tonight, buster, I'll blame you."
"Enjoy the dream, sis." Nick winked as he laughed. "He's really good with his lips and tongue you know."
"Eewww... Nick, that's sick!!" said Angel as she made a vomiting face.
"Alright, alright, I'll stop tormenting you. See how kind and generous I am?" Nick laughed on.
They laughed on for a while before falling silent gradually, watching Warren making a perfect somersault in the air.
"You're so lucky, Nick." Angel sighed dreamily. "I saw his eyes earlier. He really, really loves you."
"I know." Nick replied just as softly. "I feel it all the time."
He reaches out to touch Angel's temple with his finger and touch her mind empathically, using his mind like a bridge to let her feel Warren's mind.
"Do you feel it?" Nick smiled slightly as her eyes widened and she let out a gasp as she felt the warm raging love flowing ceaselessly.
"Is... Is that how it feels all the time?" Angel spoke softly. "It's soo... so... I don't think I can describe it... passionate? Warmth? I..."
Nick shrugged as he withdrew himself from his sister's mind, looking at her quietly as she sighed.
"I can't wait to fall in love." She smiled dreamily.
Nick smiled and pulled her into a hug once again.
"You will, sis." He murmured as he watched Warren flying happily in the sky. "You'll make someone very happy one day."
They stayed like that for a good while until Nick looks up suddenly when he felt another presence near them... a mind filled with... unease, discomfort and... guilt...
"Aaron?" he called out.
Angel sat up straight, startled, before she starts looking around wildly.
Nick looks around when he finally heard a slight rustle near the edge of the garden and Aaron walks out from the dim shadow quietly, watching him uneasily.
"If you think I'm gonna let you say those awful things again..." Angel began angrily but Nick silence her by hushing her softly.
"It's okay, sis. Calm down. Lemme talk to him." Said Nick before turning to face Aaron again. "Hey, li'l bro. Wanna have a seat and talk?"
Aaron fidgeted slightly in an uneasy silence before shaking his head.
"Mind if we take a walk?"
Nick looked at him quietly for a second before nodding.
"Tell mom and Warren I'll be back in a while, okay sis?" said Nick as he got up.
Settling his hands into his pocket comfortably, he strolls out of the garden and away from the house with Aaron.
Next Tuesday, Part 42: 'Shining like a Star'