“They’re very good,” Simon agreed from where he was sitting, chatting with Zach.
“Why would I waste my time on fictional magic when I can wield my own?” Kensington demanded.
“And yet you not only got theFantasiareference, but you knew the exact year of its release,”Drew pointed out.
Clearly at the end of his patience, Kensington pointed at the brush. “However you want to describe your magical ability in the privacy of your own brain is your prerogative, Mr Phillips, but for now, using one of the spells I have taught you,try and lift the brush.”
Grumbling under his breath about Kensington’s complete lack of humour, Drew stared at the small brush. He found his centre and felt the power sparking beneath his diaphragm, and he caressed it with his thoughts, dipping inside the well of power. Although it wasn’t necessary at all, he pointed to the brush and whispered, “Surge sursus.”
To his amazement, the brush lifted easily into the air and Drew let out awhoopof excitement. Even Kensington looked pleased, and he nodded in encouragement. Arms slid around his waist from behind as Zach hugged him, then said against his ear, “Well done. I’ll be sure to reward you later.”
Kensington rolled his eyes. “I really didn’t need to hear that. Now, if you don’t mind, stop distracting him. Mr Phillips has a long way to go yet.”
Grinning, Drew pressed a quick kiss to Zach’s cheek and then turned back to the items on the table. “Which one next?”
“The baby’s shoe,” Kensington instructed, and Drew concentrated.
The week had been so very busy that despite sleeping in the same bed each night, Drew and Zach had done nothing more than share the odd kiss since his training had begun. It was now the weekend once more and Kensington had given Drew the evening off after a successful day of study and practice. Dead on his feet, Drew shuffled into the apartment and allowed Zach to guide him directly to the bed where he collapsed and fell immediately into a deep slumber. He didn’t know how long he’d napped, but when he woke he was alone in the bed and there was a delicious aroma drifting from the small kitchen. He rolled out of bed, rubbing a hand through his sleep-tousled hair, and wandered through to the kitchen. Zach was standing at the stove, stirring a pot with one hand, while the other was turning the pages of a novel. “Smells good,” he mumbled and then yawned widely.Zach twisted to flash him a smile before turning back to check the pot. “You’ve had a long week. I figured a home-cooked meal would do you good.”Drew slumped onto one of the chairs, and rubbed the rest of the sleep from his eyes. “Your week has been just as long as mine,” he protested.“Hardly,” Zach retorted. “I spent the days curled up asleep in your bag in my cat form, and then I lazed about, chatting to Simon and watching you and Kensington in the evenings. It’s not exactly been what I’d call strenuous.”Drew shrugged. “Yes, but you still didn’t have to go to any trouble just for me. Besides, I didn’t know you could cook.”Zach tapped the wooden spoon against the side of the pot and turned down the heat then came over and stood behind Drew. He pressed a kiss to the top of his head and then began to massage his shoulders. “Iwantedto do something nice for you; I didn’t think Ihadto. And yes, I cook . . . not often, but I’m pretty good at it.”Drew’s head dropped forward as strong fingers dug into muscles he didn’t even realise had been tight. “Of courseyou’re good at this. You’re good ateverything,”he said.Zach laughed and then leaned over him and kissed his cheek. “Why don’t you go and have a shower,” he whispered against Drew’s ear. “Then, after dinner, I can show you a few other things I’m good at.”Drew let out a little moan. “That sounds awesome.”Zach chuckled and stepped away to allow him up. “Go on, then. Dinner will be done in about ten minutes.”Drew headed for the bathroom, almost tripping on a discarded pair of jeans but finding his feet in time. He’d become more and more attuned to the change in pressure surrounding him when magic was being performed thanks to his training, and he’d felt it several times over the past week when his clumsiness had sent him tripping over his feet, or spilling his coffee, or knocking something over. Warmth bloomed in his chest as he realised Zach had been watching over him, sending small tendrils of magic his way to prevent little accidents. No one besides his aunt had ever seemed to care so much about him. Even Todd, his best friend all throughout high school, had laughed at him when he’d been a klutz, teasing him for being so accident prone. It suddenly struck him that he’d only exchanged a couple of texts with Todd since Zach arrived and he started to feel guilty. They usually texted each other several times a day on average, just checking in, sharing memes, or simply sending a quip or in-joke to make the other laugh. Had he been such a shitty friend, getting so caught up in the sexy “demon’ he’d accidentally summoned, that he’d not had time for his best friend? But wasn’t keeping in touch a two-way street? He’d not texted Todd much, but Todd hadn’t been texting him either. They weren’t that far from each other—Todd lived in Parksville and was studying his Bachelor of Anthropology at the Parksville-Quallicum Centre, which was only a forty-minute bus ride from Nanaimo—but it was only natural they weren’t as close as they had been when they saw each other every single day during high school. When Todd came to visit or Drew went to see him, their friendship felt just as strong as ever, so Drew decided he wouldn’t feel guilty about not sending a message every day, and he wouldn’t get bent out of shape if Todddidn’t either. This was part and parcel of being an adult, and he could accept that. With that out of the way, he put the worry from his mind and got back to what he was doing.Stripping out of his clothes, Drew turned the water on and waited for it to heat up. He caught sight of his reflection in the mirror and raised a hand to his ribs, letting it dance across his chest. The hollows between his ribs weren’t as deep, and his stomach wasn’t anywhere near as concave as it had been even a week prior. Seven days of eating three meals a day, plus snacks, was putting meat back on his bones, and that was yet another thing he had to be grateful to Zach for. He’d made such a positive impact on Drew’s life already that even if he hadn’t been told about Zach’s past, there was no way Drew would ever have considered him evil. Zach may harbour some regrets about the things he’d been made to do in the past, but he was a good person. Sure, he may technically be an angel masquerading as a demon, but at his core he was inherentlygood.Drew didn’t linger in the shower, eager to have some quality time with Zach. The past week had been so hectic that although they were still bound by the ten-foot magical tether, they hadn’t actuallyspentmuch time together. He missed chatting with Zach, exchanging quips, and catching the little hints Zach dropped about what life had been like in Hell for an ex-angel. He was desperate to learn more, but also desperate to explore their physical relationship even more. He’d had just a taste, and he was more than just hungry for Zach—Drew wanted todevourhim.The table was set, and dinner was dished up—a creamy chicken dish that had Drew’s mouth watering. Zach was pouring two glasses of wine and he held one out for Drew to take. Drew accepted the glass but immediately set it on the table so he could pull Zach to him, tilting his head up and seeking out Zach’s mouth with his own. The kiss was sweet and lingering, holding such a promise of what was still to come that Drew felt a little dizzy from it. Anticipation built within him but he was happy to savour it, to let it build, to enjoy each excruciating moment. He knew it would simply make what was to come later even better. So he pulled away with a smile, took his seat,and prepared to simply enjoy the meal Zach had prepared.The food was delicious, and Drew was sure he made some rather inappropriate sounds as he ate, but the darkening of Zach’s eyes told him he didn’t mind one little bit. They spoke of inconsequential things, having entire conversations in movie quotes and pop culture references, and they laughed deeply and often. Once they’d finished eating, Zach waved off Drew’s offer to do the dishes, and they settled on the bed with a bowl of popcorn and a movie on the TV. Zach encouraged Drew to sit in the V of his legs and he restarted the massage he’d begun earlier. Drew sighed happily and relaxed even more.Once the massage was finished, Drew stayed where he was and just leaned back to be cradled against Zach’s chest. His eyes were on the TV but his fingers danced idly over Zach’s legs, just as Zach’s hands traced patterns over Drew’s stomach. One of his fingers brushed under the hem of Drew’s shirt, and the touch of bare skin on bare skin made him shiver. It was easier to be bold when he couldn’t see Zach, so Drew sat forward enough so he could pull his shirt off over his head and discard it on the floor next to the bed. He heard Zach huff in amusement, and before he settled back down there was a ruffle of movement and soon Zach’s shirt was joining his own on the floor. If the touch of a finger against his bare skin had been shiver inducing, the feeling of his back pressed against Zach’s chest was electrifying. Large warm hands ghosted over his stomach and chest, the pads of Zach’s thumbs swirling around his nipples, teasing them to small hard peaks. Drew’s mouth fell open a little in pleasure—he’d never played with his nipples before and hadn’t known they could be so sensitive. Goosebumps covered his skin and he suddenlyneededto be kissing Zach. He pulled from the embrace and flipped himself over onto his knees, manoeuvring until he was straddling Zach’s lap. He linked his hands around the demon’s neck—angel, get it right, he’s actually anangel—and leaned forward, capturing Zach’s lips with his own. Zach’s hands dropped to Drew’s hips, his fingers cradling the sharp protrusions of bone, the warmth of them spreading right through Drew. He opened hismouth a little wider, hoping to encourage Zach’s tongue inside, and he soon responded, licking his way into Drew’s mouth.“Fuck, sweetness,” Zach almost gasped, pulling away from Drew’s lips and peppering his face with light butterfly kisses. “You’re so perfect, so fucking perfect.” As he spoke, one of his hands moved to the front and began tugging at the strings of the sweats Drew had put on after his shower, and it wasn’t long before Zach had freed Drew’s cock. He didn’t touch it, however, and Drew’s head dropped down to Zach’s shoulder until he could see him working at the zipper of his own pants. It took a little more manoeuvring before he was able to pull his own cock out, but then he was wrapping his large hand around both of them and Drew lost the ability to think.Zach’s cock was steel and silk and wetness and the feeling of it rubbing against Drew’s own was indescribable. He’d never felt anything like it before, but he hoped like hell it would be something he’d get to experience many more times in the future. “Zach,” Drew moaned, so close already.“I know, I know,” Zach murmured, kissing his way across Drew’s cheek until he was nosing at his ear, taking the lobe between his teeth and tugging on it gently. His hand continued to stroke them, spreading the precum that was leaking between them over both of their lengths.Drew rocked his hips, thrusting into Zach’s fist, and he could feel the tension in his muscles as his climax began to build. When he tipped over the edge he cried out, flinging his head backward, unable to watch, only feel.“Fuck, Drew, that’s it, sweetness, that’s it,” Zach crooned, and a moment later Drew felt warmth wash over his still-spurting cock as Zach came as well. Then Drew’s legs turned to jelly, and he clutched at Zach’s shoulders, unable to keep himself upright any longer. Zach chuckled and in one graceful movement he rolled them so Drew was on his back, and then he was off the bed and heading into the bathroom. He returned a short while later with a warm washcloth and wiped Drew’s stomach and softening cock gently, removing most of the mess. He then tossed the cloth back in the direction of the bathroom, turned off the DVD they’d been completely ignoring, and climbed intobed, pulling Drew into his arms.“That was amazing,” Drew uttered, feeling completely blissed out.“Yes, it was,” Zach agreed. Drew yawned widely, his jaw cracking. “Mmm, tired,” he mumbled.“You’ve had a pretty big week,” Zach said. “Get some sleep.”“’Kay,” Drew said. “Oh, just a sec.” He opened his eyes and concentrated hard for a long moment and the light flicked off. He grinned. “Nailed it.”Zach laughed. “That’s my boy. Now sleep.”“Sweet dreams, Zach.”“I’m sleeping with you in my arms, Drew,of courseI’m going to have sweet dreams,” Zach told him, and Drew fell asleep between one breath and the next, a smile on his face.
On the Sabbath, They Rested
“Will you tell me about your aunt?”
Drew looked up from the snow globe he was examining to find Zach watching him intently. “What do you want to know?” he asked, putting the globe down and moving over to the next shelf in the display. Kensington had given him the whole of Sunday off, so after spending the morning doing some coursework, they’d decided to go for a wander about town and do some sightseeing. They’d ended up down by the waterfront and were killing time while they waited for the ferry over to Protection Island by browsing a souvenir shop.
“Whatever you want to tell me,” Zach said, ignoring the trinkets around them, Drew his only focus. “I know she took over raising you when your parents died, but you haven’t said much else about her.”
Drew smiled fondly. “Harriett is amazing. She never wanted kids of her own, she thinks she’s terrible with them, but she did alright by me. She’s a very no-nonsense woman, but she’s such a nice person. I mean, she canbe sarcastic and hilarious but she’s . . . kind. She’ll drop everything to help anyone who needs it.” He picked up a beanie and fiddled with the tag as he spoke. “She always told me she was never trying to replace my mom, but I hardly remember my mother. I remember her making me cinnamon buns, and I remember her staying up all night once when I was really sick with a fever. I remember little things like that, but I can’t remember what her voice sounded like or what sort of clothes she liked to wear. I have photos of her and my dad, but I don’t think I could pick them out of a police lineup, if that makes sense. So whether she meant to be or not, Aunt Harriettismy mom. She raised me, she gave up so much for me, and she loves me exactly as I am. I don’t think my mom would mind that I see Harriett in her shoes now because she’s done such an amazing job.”
“What was your childhood like?” Zach prompted.
Drew shrugged. “I dunno, normal I guess? I don’t really remember too much about my life before. I was just young, and I guess the trauma of losing my parents doesn’t help. I can’t even imagine how hard it was for Harriett. She’d just gotten back on her feet after getting out of a horrible relationship with some absolute asshole. He’d pretty much taken everything from her and left her with nothing. So here she is, slowly scraping her life back together, and she gets lumped with some kid she never wanted.”
Zach frowned. “Did she ever say that to you?”
Shaking his head, Drew put the beanie down and moved on. “God, no. She came to Edmonton as soon as the social worker called to advise her of the accident, even though she couldn’t afford the expense of a trip across the country. My parents didn’t have much either, but what they did have paid for us to move my stuff over to Victoria and to buy the basics. Harriett didn’t have much of a social life, but what she had now played second fiddle to taking care of me and picking up extra shifts at the hospital. Her wage barely covered her own living expenses, let alone another mouth to feed, but she never complained, never made me feel guilty.”
“She does sound lovely,” Zach said, wrapping an arm around Drew’s waist as they left the store and started along the boardwalk toward the small ferry dock.
“She is. I honestly never realised how tough things were for us until I was much older. She hid it from me so well.”
“How so?”
“God, there are so many ways. Okay, so take Christmas for example. We didn’t have much at all and she could never afford to buy me huge gifts or anything, but she always made the occasion really special. Leading up to Christmas, we’d walk around the neighbourhood and look at all the lights, and we’d stay up late with mugs of hot chocolate and watch Christmas movies. We’d go to the dollar store and buy cheap decorations for the apartment, and if I was lucky, they’d have some discounted baking supplies and we’d make simple cookies. My gifts were normally homemade, like knitted scarves and beanies and gloves, or she’d make me a scavenger hunt and I’d have to find clues around the neighbourhood. They’d lead me back to the apartment where she’d hidden a toy she’d managed to save up for, and then we’d have lunch together. Christmas lunch was always really fancy, and I think that was because food pantries always get nicer donations during the holidays. There were always some treats, and I looked forward to it every year.”
They joined the line for the ferry, squeezing into the floating waiting room and snagging the last two seats on the wooden benches inside. A man came around selling tickets, and Zach waved off Drew’s offer to pay for them.
“Tell me more,” Zach urged as they watched the tiny boat which would take them across to the island approach.
Drew thought for a moment, then said, “A couple of times, we didn’t have enough money to pay the hydro bill, so we didn’t have power for a few days. I never actually realised, because Harriett would tell me we were going to be doing ‘living-room camping.’ We’d make atent out of all the blankets—essentially a blanket fort—and she’d string up these battery-operated fairy lights, and I had a Transformers flashlight I’d gotten for my birthday that I loved using. We’d play card games and make shadow puppets on the walls, and tell ghost stories. I was always so excited when we got to do living-room camping that I never questioned it. It was just too much fun.”
“If I ever get the pleasure of meeting your aunt,” Zach said, as the small boat bumped against the dock and the crew got it ready for the people coming from the island to depart. “I am going to lavish her with gifts and all the things she could ever need or desire. She deserves so much and more for being such a wonderful support to you.”
Smiling, Drew squeezed his hand. “And I’d let you do that because she does deserve it. She deserves all the good things.”
The tiny ferry emptied and those in the little waiting room were allowed to board. Being a warm summer’s day and a Sunday to boot, the ferry was absolutely packed, and Drew and Zach squeezed into a space on the narrow bench seat. Zach lifted his arm and held Drew close, ostensibly to make more room for the couple who tried to fit in next to them without climbing right onto their laps, but mostly, Drew suspected, because he simply enjoyed being affectionate. He was constantly touching Drew, whether it be casual touches as he spoke, a guiding hand to the small of the back as they walked, or cuddling up close as they watched a movie before bed. Drew knew Zach was attracted to him, but the majority of his touches weren’t sexual in nature. They were casual, performed without conscious thought, just simple acts of affection.
It made Drew feel all warm and fuzzy on the inside.
