Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 6

would help, right? Protect me?"
    "Yes, I did."
    Bran cleared his throat and looked away. "Umm… you're… uh... still gonna, right?"
    Samael's chest ached and his throat closed up. "I give you my word, Little Raven. I will not leave you. No matter what comes, we shall face it together."
    The smile Brandon gave him could have lit up the entire bedroom. This night was just full of gifts. Sam's heart felt as if it would burst.
    They lay there for a while longer, stroking each other's skin. There was nothing sexual about it, but it was wonderful in its own right. Samael's stomach broke the silence, growling out its discomfort at being empty for so long.
    Bran laughed. "I guess I should feed you. We need to keep up your strength."
    "It has been quite a while since our lunch, but I am enjoying this so much that I don't want to move."
    The man gave him a grin and then shifted, pulling on Sam's hand. "Come on. We can come back once we've had some dinner."
    They both pulled on some loose shorts– Sam's actually fit this time– and moved to the kitchen.
    ****
    Brandon pulled some sandwich fixings out of the fridge. There was no way he was in the mood to cook, and it was too late for any of the take-out places to be open. He did feel better. He could have sworn for a minute there that he was going to wake up in an insane asylum. He knew he probably looked like elephant dung; his guyliner running, forming raccoon eyes– which were probably red and puffy— face all blotchy. Not that he gave a flying fuck, and Sam didn't seem to either. It was probably a testament to how worried his angel was that he wasn't ragging on him; giving him some shit in return for their shopping trip.
    He hated crying, and avoided it at all cost, especially in front of other people. This time, though, it just happened, and he felt like a teapot whistle had blown and relieved some of the pressure. What the tears didn't handle, the sex took care of. Holy fuckoli, was that great!
    If he could just not be scared of what tomorrow would bring, he would feel like himself again. The promise Sammy had made helped a lot. He seemed like his word meant the world to him, and looked pleased to give it.
    At least one of them was pleased. Brandon was not happy with himself one bit. He was such a pussy and showed it tonight, blubbering like a girl. Ugh! It was pathetic. He knew he couldn't help himself, and it was his body's way of coping, but still. Then to be all 'protect me daddy' with Sam, but he wasn't stupid. He was the kid that got the swirlies, the one who got beat up and bullied; but even if he wasn't, these were demons. Hello. Fuck no, thank you very much.
    Sam watched him as he made the sandwiches— good old peanut butter and jelly on white, yum — but it didn't seem as if he was curious about the correct way to cut bread. "Will you stop, please?" Bran froze. What was Sammy not hungry anymore? "You were in shock. The body reacts to that differently for each person, but it is never pleasant. Stop chastising yourself for it."
    Bran blushed a deep red and hid his eyes with his bangs. Shit! Damn, stupid, over expressive face.
    Samael grabbed his chin to force his face up. "You pulled yourself out of it fairly quickly, that takes strength. Your body dealt with the issues and resolved them. That is nothing to be embarrassed about." His angel gave him a peck on the mouth. "Let us eat."
    What a freckin' cool guy! Bran had felt like shit, Sam told him it was okay and why, and let it go so as not to add to his embarrassment. Brandon didn't know what he'd done to deserve to meet Samael, but whatever it was, he had to thank his lucky stars.
    CHAPTER 8
    Sam followed Brandon to the small couch, smiling his success the whole way. He felt somewhat guilty being happy at the man's discomfort, but he was very pleased with himself all the same. He had been studying Bran, and was finally able to decipher the minute nuances of his features to predict what he was thinking. His first guess was correct. He did not like that Bran was embarrassed, but he understood it. If he had been the one to show weakness in front of another, he would be disappointed in himself as well. He let it go, but inside he was gloating a little.
    Samael sat beside his Little Raven and took the plate he was handed. "So, what is the name for this, Bran?" He pulled the slices of bread apart and sniffed. It smelled delicious.
    "Peanut butter and strawberry jelly." Bran smiled and took a big bite of his own