As a forewarning, this story, like many of my bible fics, is still in pieces part, and certain things need re-working. EX: Azezel isn't a virtue, he's a cherub, and I need to figure out how that works in the story. Anyhow, it's still not bad, though not as good as my others.

Azezel always had trouble speaking to Jalael, despite the fact that Jalael was most likely his closest friend… He particularly had trouble starting, and with saying the things that he meant to say… Somehow, he always ended up rambling about nothing… He'd been trying to say the same thing to Jalael since the younger angel's creation, but could never get to it… And he, a Virtue, unable to speak to a mere Angel!

Of course, Azezel was hardly the talkative type, and speaking of the problems which plagued him so he had no rest was hardly an easy task… It didn't help that Azezel had been destined to watch over the group that exemplified his very sin… God had made him, and yet, he was so sinful! It wreaked havoc on his soul, made him wild to distraction…

It was Jalael, the outspoken, who broke the silence as they lounged on chairs of purple clouds to watch God's great miracle, the sunset. "Azezel? Have I done something wrong?"

Azezel jolted, revived from his musings, and sat up, curled safely in the fetal position. Jalael propped himself up on his elbows, examining his friend with concern in his brilliant, sapphire eyes. The lakes and oceans were faded compared to the richness of Jalael's open, modest eyes.

Jalael was truly worried. Azezel had always seemed… odd around him, but lately, as it came closer and closer to the time of the creation of the first man, Azezel had become increasingly strange… Jalael did not know what he could have done, but he prayed his friend would open up to him…

"Of course not, Jalael. You're perfect," Azezel replied, sounding almost stormy. It was as if he in some way begrudged Jalael.

Jalael felt as if the words should sting, and he sat up as well, unable to relax. "What do you mean by that, Azezel?" he asked, shifting around to look more closely at Azezel. The Virtue's face was clouded.

"Only that… Jalael, I-! I… I need to tell you something," Azezel looked up suddenly, catching Jalael's eyes sharply in his own, poignant emerald ones. Those narrow, deep eyes were full of trouble, despair, even. Jalael always thought Azezel's eyes piercing and sad, now the depth of emotion they revealed was almost terrifying. Jalael was instantly attentive, as Azezel continued, his tone nearly broken.

"Please, please don't interrupt me… And you can't speak of this to anyone… I am ashamed!" Azezel moaned, a hand going to hide his face. His pale, inflamed cheeks showed through despite this weak effort. "I… Have you seen the humans – I have had visions of those for whom I shall be Virtue. They are sinful, and filthy! They are so far from God! Sodomizers, sinners! I am the Virtue of the Homosexuals!" Azezel shook with the pain of revealing the truths he hid, but this truth was nothing: it was known by all. After all, all ranks were known openly but a few, and those each presided over.

Still, Jalael, at first, thought this was all. He moved to put a hand on Azezel's shoulder, murmuring, "That's not your fault."

Azezel shook his head violently. "No, that's not… Don't interrupt, please, Jalael!" he begged.

Jalael nodded silently, rubbing Azezel's shoulder comfortingly. Azezel wiped at his streaming eyes, choking back another sob. "Jalael… It's… I've seen them, and they're vile… but I love them – but not as I should love them! I don't love them as a Virtue trying to lead them to righteousness: I love them as they do each other! Jalael, I don't understand why I was made so… So unclean!" Azezel mourned.

Jalael looked at his friend in shock, and Azezel shuddered when he looked to Jalael for support. Still, he couldn't stop the words from leaving him, now that he'd started. "I am so filthy; thoughts of them won't leave me alone and… Jalael, it's… it's worse, I think… I, that is… From the moment God made you, I have wanted you so badly! I've longed for you, lusted!" Azezel looked away fiercely, fearing Jalael's, pure, innocent, clean Jalael's, judgment. The hand at his shoulder no longer stroked comfortingly, but lay still.

There was silence for several moments, broken only by Azezel's roughly drawn breaths. Suddenly, Jalael stood, pulling Azezel to his feet. "Come with me. We'll go to God. Surely He will help you."

"It's no use," Azezel lamented. "I've pleaded with Him many times, and prayed, but all He will tell me is that it is a part of His plan, and He made no mistake, and I will understand in time… But how can a Virtue be sinful!" Azezel cried, holding Jalael fiercely.

Jalael did not know what to do, and, for once, he did not know what to say. "Azezel, I… do you really… I mean… for me?" Jalael's voice was small, and soft.

Azezel looked down at Jalael, for now that they both stood, Azezel stood nearly a foot taller than his short friend. "So much more than that…" Azezel told Jalael weakly. "But… that too. Please, don't hate me! I'll understand if you want nothing to do with me in such a way, even if you wanted nothing to do with me at all, but… it'll break my heart, though, Jalael, if you hate me for this…" Azezel's words were barely above a breath.

"I don't hate you, Azezel. I don't think I have any hate in me. I'll help you, if I can."

Azezel smiled softly, and then broke down, embracing Jalael firmly, overflowing with gratitude and hope. Jalael was perfect; he could cleanse Azezel's wicked and wanton soul.

Jalael held Azezel back, stroking the soft, downy part of his wings, as he pondered a solution. Azezel was certainly handsome, but Jalael had never thought of him in such a manner; moreover, to do so would be… wrong. Though God's laws had not yet been written on Earth, they had been scribed long ago by the Authorities. And if Azezel had truly already supplicated God, and been denied… What more could be done for him? Jalael did not know; he knew only that he would try to help with all of his resources, all of his time, all of his heart.

SsSsS

Time was an uncertain thing in Heaven, but much seemed to have passed, yet Jalael and Azezel had done nothing to rid Azezel of the feelings Azezel despised in himself. The Virtue had been rapidly descending into despair and self-loathing, growing tormented at the very sight of his pure, beloved Jalael. What's more, Jalael was beginning to find himself more and more drawn to Azezel, now that he knew Azezel longed for him… The strange look in Azezel's eyes now had a name, and a meaning, and Jalael found he couldn't stand leaving Azezel wanting when he knew a way to fix that look.

And it was because of all of this that, one morning, as God drew up the sun and angels blared trumpets announcing the act, Azezel and Jalael lay in the front of a secluded cavern, watching the brilliant show, and when Jalael realized Azezel's eyes had left the sun and focused on himself…

Because of their failures, and because Jalael hated to see Azezel so tormented, and because Azezel was sweet and attractive, Jalael eased over, letting their arms criss-cross and press faintly against each other. Azezel's eyes were terrifyingly intense in their weakness, but Azezel looked away, unable to stand looking into those wide, innocent blue eyes. He felt guilty and vile.

Jalael reached up with his other hand, gently taking Azezel's chin and turning the Virtue back to him. Azezel complied, after a moment's hesitation. "Please," he whispered softly, afraid, of what, he wasn't sure. Azezel didn't even know what he was asking for, only that he asked it…

Jalael closed his eyes softly, and that was Azezel's saving grace. He loved and loathed those eyes, looking into them was like trying to stare down a Seraphim – Azezel's eyes simply couldn't last it. His own eyes closed gratefully as he leaned forward slightly and pressed his lips to Jalael's. The innocent angel was warm and soft and tasted wonderful, like fresh mint leaves, but the essence of such a thing, not the mere physicality.

Azezel drew back after a moment of simple, wonderful contact, his own hand rising to stroke Jalael's cheek as his eyes opened slowly to admire his Jalael. Jalael seemed to understand, and let his eyes stay closed, letting Azezel caress him silently. He wouldn't allow sodomy, but this… This brought Azezel some small comfort, and it was not a hard thing or a large thing… surely this would be all right: this was mercy. God was mercy and love and forgiveness… This was not wrong. It could not be wrong.

Jalael's breathing grew soft; Azezel's forced. Azezel tore his hand away, stood and walked a few feet away to lean against the cave wall. When Jalael opened his eyes, Azezel was crying. "Azezel, are you all right?" Jalael asked, worried, as he scrambled to his feet and went to Azezel's side, resting a hand on the Virtue's shoulder once more.

Azezel shook very slightly – it was only visible in the tips of the feathers of the wings, and could just barely be felt. "Jalael… Thank you so much, for everything you've done for me… But it's just… It's not enough! And I know it's costing you to give as much as you have! I don't want to take advantage of your generosity… I'd hate myself more if I did! I just – it's just –" Azezel choked on his words. "I can never have what I want, no matter what I do. And I appreciate what you're doing, but knowing as I do we can allow little more, if that, it's just… Just this, only this, is a tease… I should be satisfied but I'm just- not!" Azezel left suddenly.

Jalael thought to go after him, but slowly decided not to… There was nothing he could do, and he knew Azezel could barely stand to see him, knowing there could be nothing more between them.