An ambulance screeched to a stop and the paramedics quickly wheeled a motionless, bloodied figure on a stretcher into the hospital to the waiting nurses. The figure was quickly moved into a room where multiple surgeons were waiting, within half an hour the light that said ‘Surgery in progress’ blinked off and the surgeons exited covered head to toe in blood.
Meanwhile, in a different part of the huge city, a well-dressed man in a stylish suit was holding a conference with some of the worst criminals of the world when his phone buzzed.
“Please pardon me.'' The man smiled and when he did so his abnormally sharp canines were on full view to the participants of the meeting, all the participants shivered, knowing full well that all of their nefarious achievements meant nothing to the man in front of them for he was the worst criminal of all time. Women, children, nothing mattered to him, he spared no one and killed when he wanted to.
“What is it Two?” the suited man asked, deadly calm
The man’s subordinate responded “Caden’s severely injured. He was taken to the hospital and he wasn’t breathing when they took him out of the ambulance.”
The man’s blue eyes widened and the smirk that he usually had on his face fell, and his expression changed to one of anger.
“Get out,” he said with deadly calm to the criminals in the room, who all quickly made their exit, some flying out the windows with feathered and scaled wings, some teleporting to some unknown location and some simply walking out the door of the conference room.
Once everyone had left did the man snarl into the phone “Which hospital?”
“Willows Garden Hospital.” the subordinate named Two replied
“Who harmed him. Who dare harm him.” the man’s blue eyes flashed red in anger
“Theo.” the subordinate replied
A loud crash sounded on the man’s side and Two flinched slightly at the loud noise.
The boss is really pissed this time.
When the man spoke into the phone again his voice was deadly calm.
“You did good Two. Take some time off and spend it with your family.”
“Thank you, sir.” Two promptly hung up the phone and sighed “Let’s hope he won’t destroy half the city.”
The blue-eyed man slipped his phone into his pocket and stared at the mess that was previously his conference room but now looked like a murder scene. He snapped his fingers and appeared outside Willows Garden Hospital, walking in and completely ignoring the nurses who were shouting at him that he couldn’t search for patients until he signed in.
I do what I want to do, and go where I want to go.
The man stopped in front of a room that was labeled ‘Patient 508’. Right as he was about to enter one of the nurses caught up to him.
“Sir! You have to sign in first! This patient isn’t allowed visitors yet.”
The blue-eyed man was not in the mood for hospital games. He turned to the nurse and stared at her with his cold and lifeless blue eyes.
“Want to repeat yourself?” he asked in a low voice and the nurse shivered, something was telling her that this man was someone not to be messed with, she quickly shook her head and the rapid sound of heels clicking went further down the hall
The blue-eyed man placed his hand against the door to the room and opened it softly, stepping in with one black, shiny, oxford after another. The man didn’t look up until he had shut the door behind him and was standing by the bed of the prone figure.
The man’s gaze slowly climbed upwards towards the face of the prone figure. The face of the man that was lying on the bed was clean and cleared of blood but there was a blood-stained bandage wrapped around the man’s eyes. The man on the bed was pale and there was a steady beeping of the heart monitor and the quiet dripping of the IV that was connected to the prone man’s arm. The suited man reached a hand out, the hand that killed countless people, tortured them in front of their family members, the hand that held all sorts of weapons, the hand that never showed mercy and gently brushed the prone man’s almost platinum hair softly.
“Caden.” the man said softly “How did you fall into Theo’s trap, you can’t die yet. I won’t let you.”
The blue-eyed man grasped the prone man’s hand in his own before he turned and stared at one corner of the room. “Come out,” he said, blue eyes never wavering
The lights flickered and a black mist spilled out of the corner, a figure dressed in a black cloak and black robes appeared, holding a large scythe that brushed the ceiling of the hospital room.
“Xander, it’s been a while.” the figure said, as a sudden chill leaked into the room
“Death. A pleasure to see you again.” the man said stepping towards the black figure and stretching a hand out to meet Death’s skeletal hand
After a firm shake, both figures let go and the suited man looked at Death right where its eyes should have been.
“You’re angry.” Death said
“Yes. Although I would’ve been much angrier if one of your reapers in training tried taking Caden’s life.”
Death chuckled “Don’t worry. That’s the reason I came. To watch over him.” Death motioned towards the blonde on the hospital bed
“You have my gratitude.” the man replied
Death nodded and vanished, taking the black mist and chill away with the disappearance. The suited man with slicked back, midnight black hair, that was so black it looked almost blue walked over and picked up the chart that was hanging off the end of Caden’s bed, glancing it over.
“Blindness, shattered ribs, punctured lungs.” the man’s eyes flashed red again before he walked over to Caden’s side again
“For a celestial angel you really got yourself beat up.” the man’s eyes glowed a bright blue as he scanned the other man’s body, everything was healing up slowly due to the man’s regenerative powers but once the glowing blue eyes reached Caden’s eyes they stopped glowing
“His eyes.” the man’s eyes flashed red once more before he walked calmly out of the room and down the halls of the hospital, exiting it and staring up at the night sky.
“You’re a cruel cruel man, God.”
The man put his hands in his suit pockets and walked off into the night.
The next morning the man named Xander walked into a large skyscraper and nodded his greetings to the employees that all worked in said building. He entered the elevator and pressed the top floor. Within seconds he was stepping out of the elevator and sitting down at his desk. When Xander looked up again it was because a female had entered his office and her pungent perfume was permeating through the air. The woman was dressed in a short pencil skirt and a fancy white blouse. Her blonde hair was nowhere near the shimmering blonde that was Caden’s hair. Seeing nothing that intrigued him, Xander went back to writing an email that was to be sent to the criminals that were previously attending a conference in the now destroyed conference room.
The woman seated herself in a chair that was opposing Xander’s desk. After sitting down she began checking her nails and glancing up at Xander coyly, but Xander was focused on his email and didn’t even spare her a glance. The woman folded and unfolded her legs, hoping to gain Xander’s attention. He continued working and only looked up when a well built, bespeckled man entered his office, his long black hair was tied neatly with a red ribbon and his black three-piece suit made him look elegant and refined.
“Alpha.” Xander greeted the man who nodded his greetings
“He’s been moved to a better hospital.” the man named Alpha handed Xander a folder, and Xander quickly skimmed it’s contents and nodded
“Good job. Make sure there’s full security. If even a single dust mote floats through without knowledge your underlings will suffer.”
“Very well.” Alpha turned to go but turned back “By the way, you should get lunch.”
Xander nodded “I will.”
Alpha smiled gently and left. Both men had completely ignored the woman wearing heavy makeup and skimpy clothing.
Xander sighed knowing that the woman wouldn’t leave until he allowed her to tell him what she wanted from him. Xander finished writing the email and sent it before he turned his attention to the woman.
“What do you want?” he asked her, leaning back in his seat and propping his feet on the corner of his desk
“I want your company.” the woman stated
Xander didn’t even cock an eyebrow “Why?” he asked her looking at his watch impatiently
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
“Because I can run it better than you are right now.” the woman smirked and Xander gazed at her coldly
“If that’s all then leave. I have lunch to eat.” Xander motioned towards the door and the woman frowned before smiling wickedly
“If you don’t give me your company I can just tear it down and rebuild it.” the woman waved a USB in front of Xander
“By all means, try to take down my company.” Xander stood up “Now if you’ll excuse me, I have better things to do with my time.” He straightened his three-piece suit and exited the office, the door shutting behind him with a click, leaving the previously confident woman seething with anger
Xander stopped by Alpha’s office and entered after knocking “The woman wants to take my company by tearing it down and rebuilding it, probably with some fake blackmail that she has created. Make sure no one will take her blackmail or anything she tries to put online will get no views.”
Alpha nodded “Alright.” he quickly pulled out his phone and sent a message to a group chat “Done.” he responded and Xander nodded his approval
“Lunch?” Xander questioned and Alpha grinned, pushing his glasses up
“Sure,” he said getting up and joining Xander
Thus two of the most dangerous men in the entire world walked into a Subway dressed in three-piece suits.
“Do you want to eat inside or outside?” Xander asked Alpha who glanced outside into the bright sun and shuddered
“Are you trying to turn me into a baked meat pie?” he questioned lightheartedly
Xander chuckled “Inside it is.” he walked over to the counter “Two Black Forest Ham sandwiches, extra pickles, and extra onions.” Xander said to the guy behind the counter who was momentarily stunned by Xander’s clothes but he quickly recovered
“Coming right up.”
Xander paid with cash and sat down at one of the tables, opposite Alpha.
“What’s Theo’s plan?” Xander asked Alpha
The long-haired male took his glasses off and began cleaning them “We don’t know his motive. He hasn’t revealed anything based on the analysis of his actions. Although we do have information.”
Just as Alpha said that the food arrived and both men dug into their food with gusto, quickly finishing it. Alpha left a tip in the tip jar for the employee and both men left.
“The information says that Theo was experimenting with soul replacement and swapping souls. One of the supposed ingredients for the main mixture that allows souls swapping to occur is the eyes of a celestial angel.”
Alpha spoke quietly and quickly so as to not draw any more attention to themselves. Seeing as they were two attractive men in three-piece suits walking down the street instead of using a vehicle.
Xander was turning over the new information that Alpha had given him.
“It’s possible but it requires the actual eyes. When I scanned him his eyes were there, just heavily injured.” Xander replied
Alpha looked at his boss and closest friend with worry.
“When was the last time you rested properly?” He asked concern etched across his face at how pale his blue-eyed friend was
“Before the exploding sewers and acid steam.”
Alpha’s eyes widened and his green eyes sparkled in the sun but his face was dark with anger. He smacked Xander’s muscled arm a couple of times before shoving him along.
“You’re going home, and getting rest. Right now.”
“I’ve gone half a year without much sleep, I can still continue,” Xander argued
“Yes, until you drop dead. Rest. Now.”
Alpha dragged Xander to his office and closed the door behind them.
“I’ll allow the middle ground. You sleep in my office and I’ll let you continue working after.” Alpha said
Xander sighed, scrubbing his face. “Fine.”
Alpha had a satisfied look on his face as Xander opened a door that was behind Alpha’s desk and entered the dimly lit room that had a nightstand, a small lamp, a small closet, and a bed.
Xander closed the door behind him and stripped down to his boxers before slipping into the bed, pulling the gray covers over him. When he woke up it was because his stomach was growling with hunger. He got up and rifled through Alpha’s closet, taking a dark red suit out and putting it on before leaving the back room.
“Xander! You’re up.” Alpha greeted the blue-eyed man who was looking slightly better than before
“How did I sleep for three days?” Xander asked Alpha who avoided making eye contact with him
“I might’ve...used some aromas on you…” Alpha trailed off
Xander sighed “They definitely worked, thank you Alpha.”
Alpha let out a quiet sigh of relief. “While you were resting I took care of your work, feel free to take some time off.”
Alpha handed Xander a folder with the updated information on the company and Xander nodded his approval.
“How’s Caden?”
Alpha shook his head “No sign of waking up. The doctors say it’ll be soon, and his eyesight will return...eventually.”
Xander nodded, handing the folder back to Alpha.
“I’m going to go check on him.”
Alpha nodded and let Xander go.
“I hope he won’t do anything reckless.”
When the tall black-haired man entered Caden’s room and saw the blonde laying on a hospital bed he wasn’t able to control his anger and his eyes flashed red momentarily. Xander brought up a chair and sat next to Caden’s bed, his head in his hands.
“Shit.” He muttered quietly “Just what am I going to do?”
Just then Caden’s fingers twitched and a raspy groan escaped his dry lips. Xander sprung up and leaned in close to Caden.
“Where…? The hospital…?” Caden’s usually melodic and calming voice was raspy from lack of hydration.
“Yes, you were badly injured.” Xander changed his voice a little by speaking lower and Caden nearly jumped out of his skin
“Jesus you scared me!” He said coughing a little
“I’m sorry.” Xander apologized and shuffled closer to Caden, purposely making more noise than necessary
“It’s alright...so about the bandages…” the blonde motioned towards his face and Xander gave a grim smile that Caden couldn’t see
“Right.”
Xander wrapped Caden’s hands around the cup of water he had poured and Caden brought it to his lips, drinking slowly.
“I’ll take them off.”
Xander reached up and gently unwrapped the bandages. Once they fell away did Xander see the change that had occurred to the celestial angel’s eyes. The once life-filled eyes that were a golden color, like that of honey were now dull and brown, a film covering them and their previous beauty.
Xander was barely able to hold back his anger and took the opportunity to place the cup that Caden was drinking from onto a side table.
Caden waved a hand in front of his face and frowned.
“I knew my eyes were injured but, this is just ridiculous.” The angel muttered but Xander’s sharp ears were able to hear him clearly
“I’m honestly shocked at your recovery.” Xander decided that pretending to be a normal human was the best option “I mean you came in with punctured lungs and completely shattered ribs.”
Xander watched Caden’s reaction carefully. Caden quickly put a smile on his face. “It’s truly a miracle. By the way my name’s Caden, I apologize for the late introductions.” the angel stuck his hand out and squinted in the general direction where Xander was, only able to make out a gray figure.
A cool hand grasped his warm one and shook it gently, almost as if the owner of the cool hand didn’t want to harm Caden.
“No worries. I’m Alexander but everyone calls me Zan.” Xander took Caden’s hand gently and shook it before letting go
“Well, Zan it’s a pleasure to meet you.” Caden half-smiled at the gray figure
“It's a pleasure to meet you too. I should probably mention that I’m the doctor that’s going to be caring for you.” Xander lied as he gently helped Caden adjust into a more comfortable position
“Well Doctor Zan, I apologize ahead of time for the inconvenience.”
“No worries.” Xander made sure Caden was comfortable before he turned to prepare Caden’s clothes for leaving the hospital
“So how long will it be until I’m discharged?” Caden asked
“When you’re comfortable to stand. I’m guessing the sooner we leave the better you’ll feel.” Xander said and Caden laughed
“You know me well doc. I’m actually pretty ready to leave right now.”
Caden swung his legs off the bed and stood up slowly so as to not scare off the human doctor.
What surprised Caden the most was that Zan didn’t treat him as if he was utterly helpless and completely blind. He treated Caden like a typical person.
“Your clothes are at the edge of the bed, sweater on top, and loose jeans on the bottom.”
Xander allowed Caden to dress himself and walked over only when Caden had finished changing.
“The hospital hall lights are dim so if you don’t mind I’ll lead you out.”
This was partially true, but the other reason was, Xander needed to make sure that no one saw him taking Caden out or else his cover would be completely blown to smithereens. Xander couldn’t use any magic because Caden would be able to tell so he had to be extraordinarily careful that no one would blow his cover. Xander grabbed Caden’s hand gently and opened the door to the hospital room, leading Caden out.
Thus the two men, one dressed in a blood-red suit and one dressed in a black sweater and ripped blue jeans left the hospital holding hands. Thankfully Alpha had driven Xander’s Escalade to the hospital when he texted that Caden was awake so it wouldn’t be as suspicious that a doctor was driving a Bugatti Chiron.
Both men got in and Xander started the Escalade.
“Would you like to listen to music?” Xander offered and Caden turned, looking at him with a dead stare that wasn’t on purpose, Xander clenched the steering wheel tighter and focused back on the road
“I’d rather get to know the person that’s going to take care of me until my eyesight improves.” Caden smiled
“Alright, ask away,” Xander replied
“How old are you?”
Centuries-old “I’m twenty-eight, and you?”
“Thirty one.” Caden said smoothly
“Oh I’m sorry, you probably don’t like getting taken care of by a younger person, and a less experienced doctor at that,” Xander said
“No, no, it’s quite alright, the older doctors probably wouldn’t treat me as well as you are.”
Xander smiled slightly “Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me, what I’m saying is true. You treat me as if I am not utterly useless and I appreciate that.” Caden went silent for a while before asking another question “If you could travel anywhere, where would you want to go first?”
I’ve already been all over the world “Berlin.”
“Berlin is wonderful, I’ve been there many times. I’d love to go back there soon.”
“What do you do for a living?” Xander asked just as he pulled up to a mansion that was at the edge of a forest
“I’m a fashion designer and part-time photographer.”
“Is your clothing line...Archangel?” Xander asked knowing full well that the suit he was wearing was from Caden’s clothing line
“Yes it is, why did you-”
“Oh shit! I’m a major fan of your clothing.” Xander helped Caden unlock his front door as they both went inside
“It’s always nice to meet a fan.” Caden flashed a bright smile
“I suppose it is.” Xander chuckled “By the way, your fridge doesn’t really have anything fresh in it...if you don’t mind, I can restock it for you.”
“That would be great, thanks so much.” Caden located one of the couches in the cozy interior of the mansion and leaned back, relaxing
Xander turned the TV on and exited the mansion, walking back to the Escalade and calling Alpha.
“Jesus Christ, Xander you finally called me back.” Alpha picked up on the first ring “I’ve been calling you ever since dropping off the car.”
“I couldn’t answer, you know how angel hearing is,” Xander said checking behind him, just in case
“I’m well aware, anyways that’s not what I was calling about, remember that woman that wanted to take down the company by destroying our reputation? Well, she submitted multiple items to one of the news companies who sent it to us. I’ll send it to you, I gotta run, I have some business to take care of.”
“Thanks. Bye.” Xander hung up and tapped open the text from Alpha which were a bunch of photos of the two of them walking and even a video.
The text underneath mentioned that the blue-eyed man was definitely gay and was dating the green-eyed man who worked at his company which was a violation of rules mentioning that fraternizing wasn’t allowed at work.
“What kind of bullshit? She expects to injure my reputation with this?” Xander shook his head before popping the trunk and taking a few bags of groceries out
While Xander was outside talking to Alpha on the phone Caden was using magic to repair his eyes, slowly but surely his vision started clearing up. Previously he was only able to see gray figures and everything outside a few feet in front of him was completely dark. Now Caden was able to items in color and at a distance but objects were still really fuzzy.
Xander entered the mansion carrying bags of groceries and Caden squinted and was able to make out a blob of red which was Xander’s suit, and a splotch of black which was his hair. Caden quickly sat up and walked over to Xander, grabbing a few bags and helping him place them on the kitchen counter.
Xander noticed that Caden had easily sidestepped a corner of the coffee table and knew that he had used magic to heal his eyes when he went out. Which meant Xander didn’t have long until Caden figured out that his ‘doctor’ was actually someone he hated and tried to kill not too long ago.
“You really are a fan of my suits.” Caden joked lightheartedly
Xander dropped the eggs in shock, before rushing over to Caden, grabbing his face between his hands and peering into his eyes.
“This really is a miracle!” Xander shouted with excitement “Your eyes are truly improving at an amazing rate!”
Caden was taken aback at the sudden physical contact but enjoyed the cool hands on his face. He smiled “It truly is a miracle, perhaps in another day or so I’ll be able to see clearly.”
“This is great news.” the blue-eyed man said turning to pick the eggs back up, the enthusiasm in his voice didn’t match his current facial expression which was dark and sadness could be seen in his eyes
“The other great news is, my fridge is fully stocked.” Caden looked at his refrigerator and examined its contents, pleased that there was milk, eggs, some veggies, and meat
“I’m glad that you’re more pleased about the fridge than your eyesight recovering.”
Caden felt his ears turn red and he turned and smacked Xander lightly on the arm.
“Ouch, help, I’m being attacked by my patient,” Xander said in fake pain
“Oh shush Zan. The neighbors will think I’m actually attacking you.” Caden said
“Uh-huh” Xander said dubiously, suddenly he glanced towards the front door just as the doorbell rang