Destiny

Liam groaned and rolled over, throwing an arm over his eyes to shield them from the light pouring through the open curtains.

*Note to self. Make sure you close the curtains before seducing Raph…speaking of whom… *

Turning over, Liam surveyed the tousled haired beauty sprawled across the bed beside him. Totally oblivious to the sun disturbing his lover, Raphael was blissfully snoring away. A smile tugged at the corners of Liam’s mouth, Raph was just so cute like this…

The smile disappeared and a look of concentration took it’s place as Liam felt something strange; a fluttering, in his stomach.

*It can’t be…*

Although Liam was over four months along now, this was the first time he’d felt movement. Despite the fact that he knew he was pregnant in his head, it had never really registered to him. Now, with tiny flutters shifting across his abdomen, the whole situation was somehow more real.

Liam shivered with excitement. He looked over at the angel sleeping next to him, wanting to tell him of the event, but he hesitated to ruin such a perfect sight.

Finally he leaned over and whispered in the slumbering blond’s ear.

"Uh, Raph? They're moving." He gently kissed Raph's neck.

Raph groaned slightly, lifted the blanket over his head and mumbled "Five more minutes..." before he jumped, yelling "They're moving?! Lemme see! Lemme see!!"

Raph jumped up and down before feeling Liam's stomach with a huge grin on his face. Raph scrambled out of bed, oblivious to his lack of clothing. It was a pleasant sight.

"We have to celebrate! Which means I will treat you and the little ones to a picnic! ...Right, now where's the closest park?"

"Lake Ella's not far from here, but first you'll have to put some clothes on." Liam told him stifling a laugh.


Liam relaxed with his shoes off on the shore of Lake Ella. Raph was occupying himself setting up the blanket, eager to "build a bigger sandcastle than anyone's ever built before, ever!" Liam watched him with amusement. This was the first time the hyperactive blond had been to the beach in three years. Needless to say, he was excited.

Liam had worn his baggiest t-shirt and thrown a loose button-up shirt on over top of it just to be safe. Although most people would assume the bulge in his middle was a beer belly. If they looked at how well muscled his upper torso and arms were, and how hard his supposedly soft belly was…it wouldn’t be pretty. Despite the fact that he couldn’t go swimming, Liam found himself enjoying the breeze coming in off the lake; as well as the sight of Raph’s slender scantily clad body.

*Man! I went from being the world’s biggest prude to a pervert in only a month!*

He felt the twins shift again and had the sudden urge to pee.

“Raph I’m going to the bathroom okay?”

“Okay!”

The bathrooms were quite far from the beach area and were surrounded by large trees. It took Liam a while to find them. When he was done and walking back towards the beach he heard a groaning coming from behind some bushes.

Turning, Liam carefully approached the bushes and peered behind them. There, on the ground was a red-haired man, retching. He was very pale and his long crimson locks were dirty and tangled. He looked very ill.

“You gonna live?” asked Liam, holding out his hand to the stranger. The man groaned and attempted to stand up before nearly falling over. Liam grabbed him quickly and was surprised by how light he was. Pulling one of the stranger’s arms over his shoulder and helping him out of the bushes, Liam helped the man over to his car.

“Stay here.” Liam commanded, “I’m gonna get some help.”

When Liam returned with Raph the strange man had managed to crawl a small distance away from the car. He was retching on the ground under a tree. When Raph saw him he went still, his face ashen. Liam ran over to the man and helped him up. Then he noticed Raph’s expression.

“Raph? What’s wrong?” asked Liam.

“He…get away from him Liam! He’s one of Talison’s henchmen!” shouted Raph.

Liam sucked in his breath; the man in his arms weakly raised his head.

“Not…anymore, human” he rasped, “I was…banished.”

Raph gasped, “but…why?”

The man went into another bout of retching. Liam struggled to hold on to him. “Raph! Can’t this wait? He’s really sick…try healing him first.”

Raph shook his head, “It won’t work. I can’t heal this. Banishment is effectively a death sentence. Demons don’t survive long in the real world; it drains their energy until they have none left.”

“Then let’s take him to Maya.” Liam persisted, “She got rid of that demon amulet. If anyone can help him, she can.”

“All right,” sighed Raph, “let’s go.”

Liam helped Raph and the strange man into the back seat of his car and got in the front to drive to Maya’s.

They were almost there when the redhead groaned and lifted his head from Raph’s lap.

“Why are you helping me?” he mumbled.

Raph chuckled, “You know. I asked the same thing when Liam picked me up.”

“What’d he say?” Asked the man, panting as he struggled to sit up.

Raph pulled the man back down to his lap, “Don’t try to move. I’m doing my best to stop the energy leak but if you move like that it’ll get worse.”

“Sorry.” the man muttered.

“Liam said that he helped me because it looked like I needed helping; so I guess that’s why we’re helping you.” replied Raph. “Although I think he might also want some answers about Talison…you know…what he’s planning and stuff…”

“I’ll tell him as much as I can, but…” the redhead moaned.

“Take it easy! We’re here. Just relax while Liam gets Maya.” Raph glanced worriedly at Liam as he rushed inside the magic shop.


When they had gotten the man into the magic shop and after a brief explanation to Maya about what was going on, she set to work scouring one of her magic books to find a solution.

“So what’s your name?” murmured Raph as the man sagged against him, “I mean, I’ve seen you around Talison and in the prisons as a guard, but I don’t remember your name.”

The redhead coughed, “It’s Adamantium Yil Zaldros. But you may call me Adam, if you like.”

“Here we are!” Maya exclaimed, “The demons feed on the darkness in their world, without it they slowly starve to death. So, if I could create something that could sustain them in this world...”

After much internal debate and referencing of several large books Maya finally pulled out a jar of powder, a metal plate with runes inscribed on its surface, and several dried herbs. After arranging the things on the counter she pulled out a glass container on a string, and gestured for Adam to come over beside her.

“Now, for this spell to work properly I’m going ta need ye in yer natural form”

Adam gulped and closed his eyes. Suddenly huge black-feathered wings burst from his back ripping the jacket and shirt he was wearing. His ears elongated, and as he cried out in pain Raph could see fangs in his mouth. He collapsed onto the floor whimpering in pain.

Maya reached over and gently tugged a feather from the wings and then knelt and picked up his hand. Pulling a carved knife from her boot she pricked his finger and let three drops of blood spatter on the plate. Then she placed the feather and the herbs on the plate and sprinkled the powder over it while muttering an incantation. The little pile of objects went up in flames and when they were nothing more than a pile of ashes; Maya carefully poured them into the little glass container using a funnel.

She again knelt beside the moaning creature on the floor and carefully tied the string around his neck. He immediately relaxed and his features slowly reverted to his human appearance. Then, exhausted, he fell asleep.