“Fuck, I don’t know. I didn’t get a good look at him, but I can tell he was good-looking with light brown skin and black hair.”
Azazel furrowed his brows. “How do you know they're together? They could just be friends.”
“From the little I saw, their body language screamed 'yeah, we fucking.''”
Azazel stepped away from Loki, feeling lost. There wasn’t much he could go on from Loki’s description. Not only that, he didn't remember Uriel having any friends when they were together; he never really spoke of one.
“Look, I’m saying this as your friend and brother.” Loki stepped closer to Azazel. “Stop chasing after the past. Fuck, stop looking for someone who doesn’t want to be found by you. It’s obvious he’s moved on, so it’s your turn. Find someone new and hopefully I can get along with them.”
He’d heard Loki say the same thing in different ways over the years, and true to the form of their friendship, Azazel had ignored the man, holding onto hope that one day he and Uriel would reunite. They would hash out the past and live happily ever after.
Azazel had never realized that his ego and imagination would get the best of him. Not once did he think Uriel would find another lover and move on, leaving him to stew in his heartbreak. Azazel didn’t second-guess if Loki was lying to him just so he could finally get over Uriel. Their friendship was based on more than trust; it was a brotherhood of the outcast whom most deemed unworthy of affection.
“Okay,” Azazel said, letting Loki know he finally heard him.
“Are you fucking kidding me!” Loki said in surprise. “Now you’re listening to me after all these years?” Loki scrubbed his face in frustration. “Shit, if I had known all it took for you to move on was telling you he had a lover, I would have lied to you long ago.”
“No, you wouldn’t have,” Azazel said.” No matter how much you hate him, it would hurt you to lie to me.”
Loki snorted, rolling his eyes. “Maybe you’re just too gullible.”
Azazel didn’t respond and stared at Loki, knowing how much he hated it.
“Fine, fine, don’t look at me like that. I really don’t like when you stare at me so intently; makes me feel like you’re my father and not my friend.” He sighed and straightened his jacket. “I really can’t lie to you. For years I’ve wondered if you’ve put a spell on me.”
Azazel scoffed. “Why waste my energy doing something like that?”
He smiled and started walking again. Azazel wasn’t stupid and would never reveal his secret about how he'd figured out Loki's tells when most couldn’t. He was certain not even the great Odin knew what to look out for, which brought an even bigger smile to his face. The truth was, Azazel had a special gift and could tell when others were lying to him. Most believed he was named the king of lies because he could weave false stories well, but the truth was, he could tell when god or man was lying to him.
“Come on, let’s go to my penthouse and get wasted on good liquor,” Azazel said nonchalantly. “Looks like I’m about to drown my past heartbreak in the bottom of many bottles, and I’d rather not be alone.”
Loki caught up to him, chuckling, and put a hand on his shoulder. “Now we’re talking. Hey, how about I pick your next lover?”
"Yeah, sure, whatever." Azazel nodded, hoping his mood would brighten, but instead he felt more alone and heartbroken. Maybe it was time to let go—or that was what he kept telling himself, hoping the words would sink in by the end of the night.
* * *
Uriel satdown on the couch, being careful not to spill his wine. Orion sat on the love seat in front of him. They’d met up and went out for a quick bite since Kristoph was spending the night at a friend’s house.
“You gotta be honest with me. Are you cool with Kris and this acting thing?” Orion asked.
Uriel had told Orion about Kristoph's recent interest in acting. As always, he was excited but had the same apprehension as Uriel did, but he promised to support Kristoph no matter what. Orion was also a bit disheartened when Uriel told him that Kristoph didn’t want him to go overboard like usual when he got his first acting job.
“No, but I’m the indulgent parent who allows their kid to run amuck around town and still finds him adorable. So if acting is his new thing, so be it.”
“It’s good that you know you’re a terrible parent,” Orion snorted, then took a sip of his wine. “You need to let go of your guilt.”
“I know,” Uriel sighed. “But it’s hard.”
“Maybe if you tell Azazel…”
“Not this shit again,” Uriel groaned.
“Yes, this shit again. What you did in the past doesn’t reflect on who you are now, and you and I both know that Kristoph needs his father.”
“No, he doesn’t,” Uriel snapped. “You and I are doing a great job raising him. Why can’t we keep it that way?”
“Uri,” Orion sighed. “Dude, I’m just as indulgent as you are. And as much as I love Kristoph, I’m not his father. One day I will need to leave and find my own mate and have a child. Are you going to be selfish and not let me go too?”
