"My ass hurts," Michael said as he woke up. The statement was a half-groan, half-laugh.
Jeremy winced. "Sorry about that."
Michael shook his head. "Fuck, don't be sorry. I think I like it."
"You're such a kinky bitch," Jeremy chuckled.
"To be fair, your dick is kind of big." Michael smirked as he kissed the other man's blushing cheek.
He toyed Jeremy's hair in his fingers as Jeremy nestled his face in his neck.
"I told my mom and dad you were just a friend," Jeremy said. "They're never gonna let me hear the end of it now."
"Nah," Michael said. "I'll just tell them you were just too charming and gorgeous to resist and I worked tirelessly to win you over."
Jeremy giggled softly against his skin.
Michael dragged his fingers across his stomach idly. Jeremy's leg brushed against Michael's own as he ran his hand curiously over the word "hope" tattooed on his chest. Waking up naked next to Jeremy had to be one of the best feelings of his entire life.
"What now?" Jeremy asked. He sounded scared, almost fragile.
"I don't know," Michael said. He pressed his lips to his forehead and eased closer. "But you're kind of stuck with me for the rest of your life."
"You can't promise that. Things happen. I could still lose you." He sighed.
"I can't die, Jeremy," Michael said simply.
Jeremy's brows knitted together and he met his eyes.
"What do you mean?"
"Being sent down here was a lesson. I lost my wings and my place in heaven for a set period of time."
"How much time?" Jeremy asked eagerly.
He watched Michael's face as he spoke, as though he told him of wondrous things. And they were, he supposed. Taking the things he knew for granted would be shameful. All of this was new to Jeremy.
He sighed and forced himself to trust him. "For the rest of your life," he said.
"Wait," Jeremy said. He pulled away from Michael like he'd been scalded. "I'm part of your punishment?"
"No!" Michael blurted. Michael caressed Jeremy's jaw line and turned his face to look into his eyes. "You were never anything but a blessing, Jer. A privilege."
He kissed him gently and continued, "God is fair. She said I had to learn my lesson. But that taking you from me was more than I deserved."
"I don't know what to say," Jeremy said.
"Then don't say anything if you don't want to," said Michael, and kissed him again.
Jeremy leaned his body against his and reached forward to stroke his hair. Cool strips of sunlight streaked through the window and onto the bed.
"You were the one thing I got to keep," Michael whispered. "And you'll be with me up there too."
"You know," Jeremy hummed. "You were always there when I needed you. Even if you feel like you weren't."
"That means a lot," he said.
He took Jeremy's left arm in his hands and held it between them. He took in the sight of each faded pink line and ran his fingers across the scars. Both of them held tight to the sorrow in their eyes as Michael tenderly brushed his fingers across them and kissed his wrist.
Michael vividly remembered each instance that created those scars. He'd never be able to understand how a person as beautiful and kind as Jeremy could destroy himself so easily, without even thinking twice.
"I love you, Miah," he said. "More than you could know."
"I love you too. For everything."
"I'll always be here. I swear to you."
They leaned on each other that way for a long time.
"You really need a shower," Michael said. A strand of greasy, curly brown hair slid through his fingers.
Jeremy smirked. "You wanna come with me?"
"Hell yeah." Michael grinned.
Jeremy teasingly pinched Michael's bare ass as they both got out of bed. Michael turned his head, sticking his tongue out childishly towards Jeremy. A gentle laugh came from Jeremy. And with that, the two men exited from the bedroom.
