They stood draped in the tattered sheet from their bed.  No doubt their lover was chilled in the early morning air.  Or perhaps it was a mourning air which chilled the dawn so.  In any case, he would wake soon.  They had to be quick.  Turning back to look upon the pale face in the soft light, they fought back bitter tears. 

 

So it must end.

                                Yes.

                                                This is how it must be.  How it must end.

                                                                                                                                Yes.

                                                                                                                                                Don’t leave me alone.

                                                                                                                                                                                                Never.

 

Bare feet pattering against the stone floor, they walked through the deserted halls of the ruins.  They wandered into the courtyard.  He waited there for them, as did the rest of the choir.  The winged ones stood in their gold and silver glory.  Michael stepped forward, his flaming sword in hand.  With the other, he cradled their face, placing a soothing kiss on their forehead.  Drawing back, he asked, “Are you ready?”

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                It ends here.

 

Masa turned to look up at the balcony at which their lover stood the night before.  The stars were quickly fading into daylight.  They hid in shame of the sun.  He blinked back a tear as he turned back to face the Seraphim.

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         So it does.

 

*****

 

Gackt sat upright in bed with a cry.  Falling backwards, he arched up off of the mattress as his hands clawed savagely at his breast as if they were to tear his heart from within.  He screamed.  They’ve taken her…him…them away.  No!  Nononononono!  Not again!  Please…no…not again!  Not again…no…  Curling in on himself as the pain ebbed into nothingness, he sobbed.

 

******

 

Helel [1] stood before the mortals and bowed low as they stepped forward.  Her smile was sad.  So much pain for so little.  They suffer so much. She looked sidelong at Gackt who stood in a daze.  So much pain…  With a gesture, the Virtues surrounded the group.  Close your eyes and all will be well again.

 

Gackt let his eyes slip shut as a tear streaked down his cheek.

 

*****

 

Opening his tear-misted eyes, Gackt found him self sitting before a solitary candle.  It rested upon the coffee table.  Wax dripped in languid trails down its alabaster pilaster as the orange flame flickered in the stillness, dancing in the midst of his lover's exhalations. 

 

Lover?  Looking down Gackt found Masa head cradled in his lap.  Reaching down with shaking hands, he stroked the younger man's face.  The ivory skin was soft under his hand.  They returned you to me.  He ran his hands through the guitarist's raven locks , intrigued as the fibers cascaded between his fingertips.  The man muttered in his sleep and nuzzled closer to the other's warmth.

 

"Masa…"  The other's chocolate eyes fluttered open and gazed up at him under dark lashes.  "You’re back. "

 

Masa stretched and rolled over onto his back so he could look up at Gackt with ease.  “What are you talking about, Gaku?  I never left.  I’ve been…” he was interrupted with a yawn.  “I’ve been here the entire time.”  His brow furrowed as the candlelight fell upon the glittering tears on the other’s face.  Masa sat up and took his lover’s face in his hands.  “What’s wrong, Gaku?”

 

Reaching around the younger man’s hand, Gackt smiled and shook his head.  He wrapped his arms around the dark-haired youth and buried his face in his neck.  “Nothing.  Not anymore.  Take me to bed Masa.”

 

To such a pleasant request, the guitarist could hardly refuse.

 

 

 

 

[1] Helel = The Chief of the Virtues who are “vessels of deific principle” and “spirits of movement.”  This Choir of Angels is one of Deific Principle, which includes Mights, Empires, Virgins, Sefiroth, Aeons, Intelligences, Splendors, Lights, Sparks, Voices, the Lipika, the Hierarch, the Forces, the Exousia, and the Lords.  (Gnostic Witch Bible)