Temptation in Heaven

The Middle Tier of Heaven was a place of lush green meadows filled with every flower imaginable. The vibrant flora was generously fed by azure streams and sparkling lakes. Every crystal stream was stirred by a bubbling waterfall. Every tree swayed with a full embrace of leaves that never died. The fruit that grew here was plump and so lusciously ripe that they glistened with their juices beneath the neverending light. It was a glorious place: the waiting area before admittance to the High Tier of Heaven. It was also the home of Heaven's Army and the magnificent Angel who commanded it.

Anifiel was the Creator's most glorious Angel. His hair was spun of gold, catching every light in Heaven and reflecting it like a crown of golden jewels. He had eyes that were the exact same shade as the grasses of the Middle Tier -- a clear, vibrant green. Anifiel's face was strong and majestic, squared for strength and sharp jawed and proud. He had a body as befitted the Commander of Heaven's Army -- strong of limb, broad of chest, with smooth, honey-colored skin. Men and Angels alike looked up to him and admired him.

Yes, Anifiel was the pride of Heaven, the Creator's first Angel and long considered to be the Creator's favorite. For such an Angel, the Creator bestowed upon Anifiel a gift, a companion. He was called the consort of the Commander of Heaven's Army. His name was --

"FINNIANNNNN!"

The lands of Heaven trembled.

"If you do not heed me I shall clip your wings!"

The cry bellowed across the verdant fields, setting birds to flight and startling the denizens of the Middle Tier who had been engaged in what they always did in Heaven: relaxing.

"Uh, oh," Ryan muttered, cringing as the shout, as powerful as a war cry, resounded once again. "Anifiel's pissed."

The brown-eyed, blue eyed human winced as he listened to Anifiel continue to scream. "FINNIAN!"

"The boy has some lungs," he marveled. He was glad he wasn't the one being called.

Not that he ever would be. Angels as magnificent and important as Anifiel never bothered themselves with the humans who were awaiting ascension to the Upper Tier. In a way, Ryan was glad. He knew he wasn't worthy of Anifiel's attention just yet.

When he was alive, Ryan had been the assistant manager of a woman's clothing store. Talk about Hell on Earth. To say he was pleased with where he'd ended up was an understatement. He pretty much figured he'd end up in some minor circle of Hell where women's shoes were continually on sale.

But here he was, one of the selected humans who had made the transition from the admitting gates of the Lower Tier to the waiting area in the Middle. His task now was to find enlightenment. To have an epiphany. Or as he liked to put it, "To make everything click". Once that occurred -- and no one could predict when it would -- an Angel from the Upper Tier would appear to carry him up to his final destination.

Cool.

For now, though, he had to resign himself to lazing about in a setting straight from a romance movie. Things were tough.

"Finnian!"

Ryan cringed again and glanced about uneasily. He and his two human friends, Eric and Samantha, had chosen a spot beside one of the countless lakes that sparkled throughout the Middle Tier. Like his two companions, he was dressed in a pale colored tunic that covered his slim body from neck to toe. Nudity wasn't forbidden here, nor discouraged. Ryan figured the tunics were for those, like himself, who were still shy at the idea of streaking through Heaven. It still shocked him to see other humans walk around bare-assed without a care in the world. Maybe one day he would feel comfortable enough with his body to join them. Feeling shame in Heaven didn't seem right and he wanted to overcome it.

His two friends, Eric and Samantha, had been brother and sister on Earth. They told him they used to run an auto detailing service. Samantha would wash cars in her bikini while Eric detailed the interiors. Ryan had thought it a strange profession for siblings, but hey, he had to believe them. They were in Heaven, weren't they? You really couldn't get in here by lying a lot.

The twins both looked to the sky. Their flaxen colored hair glinted brightly beneath the light of Heaven, their pale green eyes turned upward expectantly. Eric wore a tunic shorter than Ryan's. Samantha's wore only the bottom as a type of skirt. Ryan often suspected if Samantha's ample breasts were meant to be a test. He was thankful he was immune. All three humans had been the same age when they'd died, a young twenty-six.

"Someone's being naughty," Eric said loudly as he grinned.

Ryan didn't need to ask who. He felt the great rush of air against the back of his neck. His heartbeat spiked and his skin tingled in reaction to the unmistakable presence of an Angel hovering behind him.

"Anifiel's calling for you," Ryan said, not turning around. "He sounds pretty upset."

The wind tickled his bare skin and the grasses flattened as great wings beat against the air. There weren't any shadows in Heaven to let Ryan know that the Angel had moved overhead, but the shift in wind gave the newcomer away. The wind abruptly ceased. Like a thrown fish, a white robed body flopped gracelessly onto the grass between the humans. Ryan laughed and rolled his eyes.

"You're really ruining my perceptions of Angels, Finn. You're supposed to be graceful."

Finnian, consort of Anifiel, gift for the Commander of Heaven's Army, grinned as he tilted his head on the grass to look upside down at Ryan.

"Maybe I'm the one who's the proper Angel and all the others are humans in disguise," he suggested, teeth flashing impishly.

Ryan felt himself smiling idiotically as he looked down at the sprawled Angel. Anifiel might be Heaven's most glorious Angel, but Finnian was Heaven's most beautiful. It wasn't Ryan's own opinion; the Creator had made Finnian that way with great deliberateness. A beautiful gift for the Creator's favorite.

But although the Creator had made Finnian beautiful, Ryan highly doubted that this Angel was supposed to have turned out so . . . unruly. Finnian was a bit of a handful. Ryan suspected that on more than one occasion, Anifiel wanted to curse the Creator for the gift he'd been given. That is, if an Angel could curse.

Large blue eyes that were the exact color of Heaven's skies blinked innocently at him from within a porcelain, heart-shaped face. Ryan's heart beat faster as he looked at Finnian. He didn't feel guilty for his reaction. Finnian's beauty was supposed to make others fall in love with him. That was why'd he'd been created. There was enough of human experience left in Ryan to feel slightly uncomfortable with that.

"Why are you brooding?" Finnian teased. He blinked again, thick reddish-brown lashes fluttering over those Heavenly blue eyes. Puppy dog eyes, Ryan thought absently. The Angel pursed his lips into a moue of displeasure. "Don't be moody, Ryan. I will make you happy if you need me to."

So saying, Finnian rolled across the grass, his great wings tucked in between his shoulder blades until he had rolled right up against the three humans. Finnian had been given a different outfit than the other denizens of Heaven. He wore a shortened version of their own tunic, cutting high up the thighs to bare the Angel's cream-colored legs. The top of Finnian's tunic was also cut away to show the slender curves of his shoulders and arms. It was proper attire for a consort, and not even as revealing as those who went around nude. Yet something about the cut of the tunic was sneakily seductive. In a land of purity, Ryan thought it a strangely alluring choice.

Finnian obviously didn't mind what he bared because he carelessly draped his naked, milky legs across both Eric and Samantha's laps and dropped his head happily into Ryan's.

Ryan looked down into the cheerful face, fighting down the lust and fascination that Finnian always inspired in him.

"You have no shame, do you?"

Finnian closed his eyes, smiling. He reached for Ryan's hand and placed it in his vibrant red hair. "I am made for pleasure. Being the focus of desire is what I was created for."

Ryan hesitantly stroked his fingers through the long ruby red hair. It was as soft as down. "You were created for Anifiel, not for a bunch of mangy humans."

Finnian shrugged. "Perhaps I prefer mangy humans. They are infinitely more interesting than Angels. Treat me better, too."

Ryan wondered at the unexpected statement.

"We'll treat you better than anyone, Finn," Eric spoke up, winking at Ryan across the supine Angel. "Just relax and let us pamper you."

Ryan watched in growing annoyance as his friends eagerly took advantage of the rare gift given to them. Both Samantha and Eric eagerly stroked Finnian's calves, admiring the perfection of this Angel who had been created to provide pleasure. Ryan was shocked as Samantha boldly ran her hand up the inside of Finnian's thigh. She hesitated at the hem for a second, then slid her hand up beneath the edge of his garment.

"Samantha!" Ryan blurted, horrified.

Finnian smiled lazily, eyes still closed. Noting the lack of protest from the ruby-haired Angel, Samantha gave a grin of her own and continued her explorations. Ryan nearly jumped when Finnian suddenly gave a soft moan. The Angel's legs parted a little more as Samantha's hand delved higher. A red tint crept across Finnian's cheekbones.

Samantha grinned wider. "Like that?" she teased huskily.

Finnian shifted restlessly on the grass, his lips parted.

"I think he does, Sis," Eric purred, hungrily watching Finnian's reactions.

Ryan swallowed thickly when his cock swelled beneath his tunic. He stared at the moving lump of Samantha's hand, wondering what it was doing and thinking he had a pretty good idea. You slut! Ryan thought at her. The thought was quickly followed by, I wonder what he feels like.

On the other side of Finnian, Eric had decided to match his sister's boldness. The young blonde slid down the grass to Finnian's delicate feet. Watching the Angel's face, Eric carefully began to suck on the red-head's toes. Finnian gasped, his heels digging into the grass. Slender fingers curved into the soil.

This is so not right, Ryan thought, nervously. We're not supposed to molest Angels!

He looked down at Finnian's passion-flushed face and Ryan nearly creamed his robes. Okay, he knew what was going on. Finnian was a wet dream and even better, he was a willing one. A shameless one. But why would Angels feel shame anyway? Finnian was created for pleasure, he was simply fulfilling his purpose.

It still felt wrong.

"Touch me," Finnian said in a low whisper. Blue eyes gazed up at Ryan, challenging and coaxing him. Ryan groaned. No fair. He was only human. Or, used to be. He couldn't resist the pull as Finnian placed Ryan's fingers against the Angel's face. "Touch me, Ryan."

"Just-just a little," Ryan stammered. Who was he kidding?

He lightly caressed Finnian's skin, marveling at its peach skin softness. The small sigh of pleasure the act elicited made Ryan want to hear more. He traced Finnian's high cheekbones inward, ghosting over the pert nose, smiling as Finnian twitched it as if the touch tickled. Ryan ran the edge of his fingernail carefully along the fan of lashes, separating each one and imagining that they chimed as each lash sprang back. And then he did what he'd longed to do. He carefully rubbed the tip of his finger across the Angel's open lips, testing the rosy lushness.

Finnian moaned softly at the caress, so Ryan did it again, his cock growing harder as he traced the sensitive outer curve of the Angel's lips. They parted unexpectedly, a tongue flicking out to curl around his finger. Ryan gasped, his erection poking the back of Finnian's head. Blue eyes opened and looked up at him knowingly.

Ryan jerked his hand away, ashamed of himself even though nothing on Finnian's smiling face suggested that the Angel was upset at his touch.

Maybe that was the problem.

"FINNIAN!"

The booming voice made all three humans jerk back in alarm, tossing Finnian flat onto his face on the grass. The red-haired Angel lifted his head and spit out a stalk of grass. "Oh, hello, Anifiel."

The golden-haired Commander of Heaven's Army hovered in the air, scowling down at the four. Ryan cowed beneath the look. It must be the look Anifiel used on Demons. Poor Demons. Ryan quickly looked away to Finnian. Big mistake. Finnian's short garment had ridden up, baring the bottom curve of his buttocks. Ryan had to bite his tongue to stop himself from staring at the shadowed crease.

"You are my lover," Anifiel declared, glaring at Finnian. "You were not created to share your body with the entirety of Heaven."

Finnian tugged down his robe and rose up onto his knees. "The humans on Earth think that the purpose of Angels is to provide them with happiness. Perhaps that was what I was doing."

"Your purpose is to please me and nothing else," Anifiel told him. And though Ryan he was in Heaven and was supposed to be working towards goodness, he entertained a few unkind thoughts for the golden Angel. "You were created to be my lover, Finnian. That is your only purpose."

A light flashed in Finnian's eyes, too quick for Ryan to identify. Finnian shrugged, a carefree grin brightening his face. "Well, I had better get to it then, hadn't I? You said you'd been calling." He stood, his slender body pausing in a pose that accentuated his delicate lines. "You wanted me for a reason, my handsome Commander?"

Anifiel's irritation gave way to a grudging smile. Ryan wondered how many times Finnian had been able to deflect Anifiel's ire this way. Probably all the time.

"I desire your presence," Anifiel said in his deep baritone as he dropped lightly to the grass. The sound of the magnificent Angel's voice made Ryan's skin break out in goosebumps. He prayed the golden-haired Angel wouldn't notice.

"You miss me," Finnian said softly as he stepped closer to the other Angel. He wasn't coy or teasing. Finnian was merely stating a fact and seemed pleased by it.

Anifiel's handsome face softened, his green gaze sweeping over his consort covetously. "I do."

An intimacy existed between the two Angels that was undeniable and deliberate. Finnian had been created to be Annifiel's consort, after all, so their attraction was by design. But it still embarrassed Ryan to witness the Angels' affection for each other. He knew he shouldn't feel ashamed. This was love of the highest degree. He should feel honored to see true love in action. But a part of him was still uncomfortable and he didn't understand why.

He watched with veiled eyes as Finnian stepped up to the Commander and laid a pale hand upon the honey-colored skin of Anifiel's cheek. "I promised Ryan I would fly him over the pools. Let me fulfill my obligation to him, and then I will fulfill mine to you."

Ryan had forgotten about that, and now wished he hadn't asked it of the red-haired Angel. "Finnian, it's alright. You can go --"

Turquoise eyes turned to him slowly, full of mirth. "No backing out now. You were very excited when you asked me for the flight. I know you want it."

The last words made Ryan blush for no reason at all. He turned an even brighter red when Anifiel looked down at him, too. Something about the glorious golden Angel made Ryan very, very nervous. To his relief, the Commander disregarded him swiftly, returning his attention to Finnian.

"Very well. Please make haste. I do miss you." And in front of the three humans, Anifiel tilted Finnian's chin up and pressed his lips chastely to his consort's.

It was a non-sexual kiss like that of friends, but Ryan smothered a gasp at the intense feelings that swelled between the two Angels. It radiated outwards from them like heat from a suddenly stoked furnace. Ryan was flooded with a love so pure it made his heart ache. He felt his eyes well with tears and he had to rapidly blink them back. Just as quickly, a wave of pleasure swamped him. It was like receiving the best backrub of his life while eating chocolate and having sex. The endorphin rush left him panting and he was grateful to see he wasn't the only one affected as Eric and Samantha fell back onto the grass, moaning softly.

When the kiss ended, so did the wash of feelings and Ryan nearly sobbed at the loss. He ached. He yearned for the union these two Angels shared. Is this what awaited him in the Upper Tier? His eyes stroked longingly over Finnian and Anifiel. Or was this something only they shared? If so, he would be forever jealous of them.

He managed to get himself back under control so that he no longer looked like a kid who'd had his porn magazine yanked away from him right when he was about to climax. By then, Anifiel was gone and Eric and Samantha were waving them off as Finnian lifted him into his arms and brought Ryan airborne. The loss became just a memory.

Ryan closed his eyes, still unused to flight in the arms of an Angel. He knew logically that he wouldn't fall. Plus, there was the small fact that he was already dead. Nevertheless, it was a little unnerving to know that the slender bands of Finnian's arms were the only thing keeping him in the air.

"Anifiel bothers you."

It was not an accusation on Finnian's part, merely an observation.

Ryan shrugged as much as his position would allow. "He's an intimidating Angel. He's the Creator's favorite and the Commander of the Armies -- the guy's got a lot going for him." He tilted his head to look up at Finnian's profile. "Plus he's got you."

Ryan liked how Finnian smiled. He enjoyed making the Angel happy.

"Anifiel loves me because he has no choice," Finnian said. Ryan knew he must have imagined the hint of sharpness in the Angel's voice. "Our glorious Angel has been shackled to me whether he likes it or not. Our attraction has been carefully constructed."

"He loves you nonetheless," Ryan stated. And he believed it wholeheartedly. One could not help but love Finnian. But again, he felt that pinprick of wrongness about the situation. Ryan had had his share of manipulating girlfriends. Creating Finnian to be irresistible felt like manipulation to him, though of course he'd never say it. What the hell did he know? He used to spend an hour every day wiping deodorant stains from women's dresses, for crying out loud.

Ryan lowered his head and watched the verdant grasses of the Middle Tier rush past them. He wiggled one arm free of Finnian's hold so he could wave back at the humans and Angels who lounged carelessly around the pools of azure water.

"Can I ask you something?" he said as he watched the beautiful lands whiz past.

Finnian dipped his left wing, sending them into a slow, easy bank. "Of course."

Ryan bit his lip, debating whether he should risk it. Then he reminded himself that this was Finnian. The Angel would never be mad at him.

"When the Creator made you, were you given a choice about your gender?"

Blue eyes touched him briefly. "Yes. I chose this form."

Ryan shook his head in confusion. "Why? Why not be a woman? That's more natural, isn't it? You and Anifiel can't really --" he blushed, "-- well, I guess you can, but I didn't think homosexuality was allowed among Angels."

"Love is love," Finnian stated patiently. It was as simple and true as that, Ryan realized. The arguments he'd engaged in on Earth seemed pointless up here in Heaven. "Besides, Angels do not love each other with their bodies in a sexual way. Possessing the reproductive organs of a man or woman does not matter in Heaven. Sexual activity is not required for pleasure."

"Then why a man, Finnian?"

They flew through a swath of clouds, the coolness making Ryan shiver.

"I wanted to be Anifiel's equal in some way."

The words were so soft Ryan nearly missed them. If he didn't know better, he would have thought they sounded ashamed. He looked up at Finnian and he noticed with dismay at the look of wistfulness on the red-haired Angel's face.

"I understood my place. I was honored to be the gift of the Creator. But I wished to be less a gift than a partner," Finnian continued quietly. "I aspired for more."

"But you are his partner!" Ryan insisted, greatly disturbed by this beautiful Angel's unexpected insecurity. "Anifiel doesn't want anyone else by his side."

"In love perhaps. But in war? Am I allowed to pick up a spear and join the War against the Demons?" Finnian's mouth twisted in the first look of discontent that Ryan had ever seen on an Angel. "Am I given minutes to speak in the great forum as Anifiel does?" Finnian looked down at Ryan, his blue eyes suddenly not so peaceful, suddenly glowing with passion. "Or am I the prize to be waiting at the end of Anifiel's travails?"

Ryan swallowed uncertainly. "You are the inspiration he uses to fight the Demons," he whispered. "You are the one he fights to come back to. Your love gives him the strength to do what he must, Finnian. You must believe that."

"And no one else could do that in my stead?"

Ryan gulped beneath the piercing blue eyes. He felt naked, exposed. He didn't know what Finnian would see in his own eyes, but he feared that it might be too much regardless.

Then Finnian smiled, and it was like the sun bursting over the mountains. Or the beautiful glow over the waters of the Caribbean. The tight muscles in Ryan's neck melted in pleasure.

"It is alright, Ryan, to feel the way you do. I do not mind."

Ryan smiled in relief. Except the problem was, he didn't know what Finnian was talking about.

~~~~~

Finnian dropped Ryan off with the humans and flew swiftly to the pavilion that was Anifiel's and his private abode. The golden-haired Angel rose to his feet as soon as he saw Finnian approaching, a wide smile on his handsome face.

Finnian felt guilty for the thoughts he had held and the words he had spoken while flying Ryan. He knew he had nothing to complain about. He was cherished by the most important Angel of Heaven. He wanted for nothing.

It was no small relief that at the sight of Anifiel, Finnian knew nothing save the need to be reunited with his lover. All thoughts ceased the moment he was embraced by Anifiel's strong, golden arms. Finnian tilted his head back to meet the other Angel's sparkling emerald gaze and he basked in the love that blazed forth. Anifiel was unable to love or even think about another while Finnian existed in Heaven. The great Commander might possess the strength to smote a hundred Demons, but in this he was as weak as a babe. He was as helpless as Finnian to fight the feelings between them.

"Anifiel . . . Anifiel . . . my beloved." Finnian's whispers wrapped around them like a silken blanket, binding them tighter and tighter together. When their lips met, it was the clashing of two stars. Any who looked on them would have been blinded.

Finnian moaned sweetly as strong fingers carded through his hair. "You steal my breath," Anifiel whispered, gently rubbing their cheeks together. "You fulfill my every passion. You meet my every need. No being will ever be loved as I love you, my Finnian."

A tear spilled from Finnian's eye as he gazed up at his lover. Anifiel's words were true. An Angel could not lie in Heaven. Anifiel loved him above all others.

But like a single feather floating through a clear sky, Finnian was distracted by doubt. Would Anifiel feel the same if their bond hadn't been forged by the Creator? If they were both human and free to choose, would they still choose each other?

He touched Anifiel's mouth, tracing the sensual slopes. "Would you like to make love the way the humans do?" he asked softly, but hopefully. "Ryan has told me of the physical pleasures they enjoy. I would like to try it with you."

Anifiel smiled down at him. "Curious consort. But we are Angels, are we not? Not humans. Leave them to their play. It is not our way."

Anifiel hugged him again and Finnian was left gasping at the pleasure that poured through him, clean and pure as crystal waters, making him forget his request. It was the most perfect love there was, and yet Finnian couldn't help wondering if there was more.

~~~~~

Anifiel, Commander of Heaven's Army, Heaven's most glorious Angel and the favorite of the Creator was in love with his own voice.

"He really talks a lot, doesn't he?" Finnian mused aloud.

Beside him, Ryan choked on the wine he was drinking. "Finn, would you keep it down?" Ryan wiped at his mouth, looking around the crowded assembly nervously. "You're going to get us in trouble."

"We're in Heaven, what sort of trouble do you think we'll get in?" Finnian asked archly. "I don't think anyone will decide it is worth the effort to send us all the way to the Beneath now that we are all the way up here. Do you?"

"Maybe not you, but they'd have no problem dropping me over the side," Ryan mumbled.

Finnian studied his friend. "That's right. I keep forgetting that you are human. You can go anywhere you like." He grinned slightly. "Or don't like, as the case may be."

Finnian turned away to study the crowd, ignoring his friend's considering look. They sat overlooking a crowd of at least a thousand Angels and humans who had gathered to hear the great Anifiel discuss his plans for the Army.

Finnian had heard the speech enough times to consider using the word 'eternity'. Anifiel had practiced it to Finnian over and over and over and over and -- well, let's just say several times.

"Just look at him," he complained, but without much heat.

Beside him, Ryan sipped absently at his wine, eyes glued to Anifiel. "It's kinda hard not to, you know?"

Finnian smirked at the human's reaction and turned to watch his lover gesturing grandly. The sight of Anifiel made something in Finnian's heart somersault. His breath caught and his vision narrowed until all he could concentrate on was his lover. Finnian closed his eyes, breaking a spell he knew was not imagined.

"Definitely talks a lot," he murmured, bringing himself back under control. A mild irritation flittered across his brain. His lack of will where Anifiel was concerned was beginning to frustrate Finnian.

"When you were on Earth, did you have many lovers?" he asked Ryan.

He could sense the human's unease with the question, so Finnian kept his eyes moving over the assembled crowd.

"I, well, I didn't have much luck in that department," he heard Ryan mumble. "I was kinda shy and . . . stuff."

Finnian quirked an eyebrow as he turned back to his friend. "Stuff?"

A blush broke over Ryan's face, which Finnian found adorable. The brown-haired human was very attractive. Cute, as he'd heard the humans say. His dark hair fell in soft ringlets around his face and his eyes were a pretty blue, more violet than Finnian's turquoise orbs.

"I had a lot of trouble dealing with my sexuality," Ryan admitted, his face brighter than ever. "My parents were pretty old-fashioned and they didn't like - " he took a deep breath, "-- they didn't like homosexuals. Especially if their only son was one."

Finnian studied him curiously. "You desired other men."

Ryan looked miserable. "It wasn't something I wanted, believe me. I dated girls through high school and college, hoping if I found the right one that I'd be saved from myself." He chuckled, but not happily. "What a waste. All it took was one glance at a guy in the showers next to me and months of dating girls went down the toilet."

The humans' beliefs on sexuality had always struck Finnian as odd. So much angst and misery over something that should have been wonderful.

"Did you take on a male lover?" he pressed, hiding a smile as Ryan blushed anew.

"I fooled around with a guy once. We jerked each other off, but that was it."

Finnian cocked his head. "Jerked each other off?"

Ryan looked around anxiously. "Maybe I shouldn't be telling you this stuff, Finn. I don't think Anifiel wants you to know or talk about any of this. It's kinda, well, it's not what Angels should think about."

But the reminder of what Anifiel would want only irritated Finnian. "If I want to know about 'jerking off' then I want to know it," he declared. "Anifiel is not my keeper."

Ryan nodded in support, but Finnian had to look away. They both knew that Finnian ultimately answered to Anifiel, no matter what he might pretend. For a fleeting second, Finnian imagined what it might be like if he were human . . .

To distract himself from the thought, he concentrated on the scene below. Finnian thought his lover could do with less mighty, impressive bellowing and more winks and suggestive smiles . . . that's how Finnian always won others over.

"Anifiel is giving me a headache," Finnian complained, dropping his head onto his folded arms. He and Ryan lay sprawled on the grassy hill above the speaking circle where Anifiel currently held court. Anifiel's majestic voice rattled Finnian's brain with every adjective. "Can't we go?" he whined.

"No, we can't." Ryan shook his head at Finnian, but was obviously relieved at the change of topic. "C'mon, Finn. You're Anifiel's consort. Do you have any idea how bad it would look if you walked out while he was speaking?"

"I'd intended to fly out, actually."

"Even worse!" Ryan exclaimed. "Everyone would feel you leave."

Finnian experimentally flexed his large white wings. A practiced flutter sent a soft ripple of air over both of them, stiring Finnian's chin-length red hair. "Hardly noticable," he declared.

Ryan snorted. "Right. Go ahead, Finn: leave. Just don't come crawling to me when Anifiel deafens your ears with his screaming."

Finnian sighed. There were, he decided, a lot of disadvantages to being the consort of the Commander of Heaven's Army. Finnian was at Anifiel's constant beck and call. While Finnian loved the Commander with every ounce of his being, the unnatural tie between them was beginning to chafe. While the humans and most Angels considered Finnian to be enviable -- he was, after all, the Angel created as a gift for the Creator's most beloved Angel -- Finn considered the honor to be a dubious one.

Actually, he considered it to be a major pain in the neck. Finn grinned. He'd borrowed that phrase from the humans.

Speaking of which. . .

"Are we going down to the Lower Tier?" he asked, blithely changing the subject.

Ryan eyed him suspiciously. "You know you're not supposed to go down there. If Anifiel finds out you leave the Middle Tier, he might go so far as to paddle you in public."

Finnian yawned. "He would not dare. He would not stand the thought of anyone seeing my bare bottom but him."

Ryan sprayed more wine across the grass. "I didn't say he'd do it on your bare -- your bare --" Ryan turned away, blushing madly.

"No, but you thought it," Finnian teased with a wink.

"You are definitely not a model Angel."

Finnian grinned. "I do not need to be model, just lovable. I am not supposed to be anything else, remember?"

Ryan looked sad. "Finn . . ."

Finnian sat up and wrapped one of his wings around the human's shoulders. "Come on, Ryan. You know you want to. We haven't been down to the Lower Tier in ages."

"I thought you're an Angel? You're beginning to sound very much like a Demon. Tempation is supposed to be bad, remember?"

Finnian smirked. "So is having to sit here and listen to Anifiel babble like this. Come on. He'll never miss us."

Anifiel would absolutely miss Finnian. He would notice right away that his consort was no longer in the assembly, especially when every head turned to watch Finnian fly away with Ryan tucked safely in his arms. But Finnian didn't feel like caring right now. Let Anifiel have his fun being the important Angel that Heaven needed him to be. Finnian wasn't that Angel. He knew he didn't need to be anything but beautiful.

~~~~~

Ryan sat cross-legged on a cloud. He was sitting on a cloud. He always got a kick out of that.

"What is that they're doing there?" Finnian asked. The red-haired Angel was lying on his stomach beside Ryan, looking through the cloud to Earth below.

Ryan had long since given up trying to figure out how they were able to sit on a cloud while still seeing through it. He chalked it up to another mystery of Heaven. He followed Finnian's pointing finger.

"Ah, that guy in the chair is getting a tattoo. See that big guy with the gun-like thing in his hand?" Ryan had described guns to Finnian and knew that the Angel understood the reference. "That gun-thing has a bunch of needles in it. He dips the needles in ink and then those needles stab beneath the skin and plant the ink there."

"Decoration for the skin," Finnian murmured in awe. "Why does the guy in the chair have that expression? Does it hurt?"

Ryan smiled, amused how his Angel friend fell into human lingo whenever they descended to the Lower Tier. "Yeah, it hurts. But I've never gotten one myself so I can't tell you how bad it is."

"What are those silver things on his chest?"

Ryan squinted his eyes. They were probably millions or trillions of miles from Earth -- who knew? -- but the distance seemed like only a few hundred feet. Another mystery.

"Those are, er, nipple rings."

Turquoise eyes fixed on Ryan's face. "What are they for?"

"Just more decoration. They make some people look sexy, I guess." Damn. He could feel his face heating up again.

Finnian had a sly smile on his face. "Do you have a nipple ring?"

Ryan sighed. He couldn't really lie to an Angel. "Yes, I have one. It was mostly a silent protest against my parents," he tried to justify. When Finnian continued to grin, Ryan gave in. "Okay, yeah, and I thought it might look hot on me."

Finnian scrambled upright, completely oblivious of what his robe did, or did not, conceal. "Let me see it, Ryan. I want to see what you humans think is sexy."

"Well, it kinda involves the person . . ." Ryan mumbled, looking wistfully at the Middle Tier. "Maybe we should go back now."

"Not until I see your nipple ring." Finnian leaned forward, pale hands reaching for the opening of Ryan's robe.

Embarrassed, Ryan quickly batted his hands away. "I'll do it." Feeling extremely self-conscious, Ryan pulled down the shoulders of his robe, revealing his bare chest and the silver ring that pierced his left nipple.

Finnian's eyes went round, his lips pursing into an 'o'. "So pretty," he murmured, reaching forward before Ryan could stop him. Finnian flicked his finger against the ring, looking up startled when Ryan sucked in his breath. "Does that hurt?"

Ryan laughed ruefully. "Try the opposite. That's another reason humans get pierced -- it makes you hypersensitive."

"Really?" A pale finger flicked the ring again and Ryan had to bite his lip as the sensation went straight to his groin.

"Finn, don't."

"It makes you feel good, doesn't it?" Finnian asked coyly.

Ryan's face was on fire. "Yes and no. Right now, it's mostly no."

Finnian sat back on his heels, eyes latched onto the ring.

Ryan decided he did not like the calculating look on Finnian's face. "Look, Finn --"

"I want one of those."

Ryan blinked. "You can't. You'd have to go to Earth. And well, besides the fact that you're Finnian, only Guardian Angels can walk the Earth, right?"

"I think it's time I went down to Earth," Finnian announced, standing up. "I've been watching the humans forever. I want to taste their ice cream. I want to listen to their techno music. I want to slide down a slide and get a raspberry burn on my bottom!"

Ryan, who'd stood up to avoid the temptation of looking up Finnian's robes, broke into laughter. "Finn, you just can't do that. You have to stay here. Besides, nothing's better than Heaven. Trust me on that. There are a lot of bad things on Earth. Bad people. It can be pretty rough and I wouldn't want you to see it."

The red-haired Angel turned to him with the first annoyance Ryan had ever seen on those beautiful features. "Are you my keeper now, too?"

Ryan had never felt more terrible. Finnian was his best friend. "Of course not, Finn. I'm sorry. Do what you want. I'm only looking out for you. I don't want you to get hurt for something silly like ice cream." He glanced down at his still bared chest. "Or a nipple ring."

Finnian studied him for several moments, his face unreadable. At last he sighed. "I'm sorry, Ryan. I did not mean to be cross with you. I have everything I need in Heaven. I don't know why I am so curious about Earth."

"It's natural, Finn. You're one of the True Angels. You were never a human, so you don't know what Earth is like." Ryan hesitantly laid a hand on the Angel's shoulder, suppressing a shiver of pleasure at the feel of that petal-soft skin. "But an Angel like you should stay up here, where it's safe and good. I wouldn't want you to be tainted."

"Such a good friend," Finnian said with a smile. "I'm lucky to have you."

Ryan beamed.

It was on that high that Ryan found himself once again deposited in the pleasure lands of the Middle Tier. Finnian had flown off to do whatever it was that consorts did. Ryan lay on his back with the eternal sun beating warmly upon his face. The grasses waved gently in the breeze, tickling his ankles.

He fell asleep, dreaming of Finnian dressed as a goth boy and dancing in one of Ryan's favorite clubs. He awoke to the blaze of horns and the bellow of a voice he knew well.

"FINNIAN!!!"

Gasping, Ryan shot upright. The wind was aswirl around him and it took his sleep-fogged brain a moment to realize it wasn't a natural wind. Anifiel hovered above him, the handsome Angel's face contorted into such distress that Ryan scampered backwards on hands and feet in fear.

"Where is Finnian?" Anifiel demanded, his great wings pounding the air above Ryan. "Where is my consort!"

Ryan moaned at the great voice that rattled his bones and set his blood screaming through his veins. Anifiel scared him. Anifiel transfixed him.

"I-I don't know where he is!" Ryan cried out. "Honestly!"

But the moment he said the words, Ryan knew.

"Finnian is no longer in Heaven," Anifiel told him, and the great Angel's voice shook with emotion.

Ryan shook his head, fearing the next words; knowing what they'd be.

"My beloved has gone to Earth." Anifiel pointed an accusing finger at the human. "Because you tempted him with it!"

Ryan closed his eyes and huddled against the grass, not bothering to deny anything while that great rage and loss roiled in Anifiel's green eyes. He whimpered when strong arms picked him off the ground as if he weighed nothing.

"Are you going to drop me to the Beneath?" he asked in a small voice as they rushed through the air more quickly than Finnian had ever flown. The Angels and humans below them looked up at their swift passage in confusion and worry. Ryan knew if he fell right now he might not die again, but he would experience extraordinary pain.

Anifiel's deep voice rumbled right beside Ryan's ear. "You are going to help me get my beloved back, or you will indeed be dropped with the Demons." A band of iron tightened around Ryan's chest as Anifiel crushed him. "You have corrupted Finnian, and now you will set things right."

With Anifiel's threat echoing in his mind and the Middle Tier rushing madly beneath them, Ryan closed his eyes and did what any self-respecting human would do in his position. He fainted.

The End
To be continued in "A Match Made in Hell"