Shintai

Pairing: names are irrelevant
Disclaimer: you know, if I had that kind of money I wouldn’t have time for this…
Archive: Submit URL
Warnings: Yaoi, Lemon (sort of), TWT/PWP/OOC, vagueness…

A/N: Shintai: (n) ultimate truth; essence; the body; movement; course of action; advance or retreat, everything…


I'd like some feedback on this, if you please, I can tell you're reading dammit.





Shintai


Sere and ocher leaves whickered at the ends of their uncertain reins, set to trembling with the passage of a chilled midnight breeze. A gibbous moon rolled up over the horizon. An alchemy of golden radiance and its own leaden weight, the amber glow cast weak shadows among the trees and glinted copper from the wind-ruffled lake’s surface.

A hush descended, stillness reigned. The very air itself seemed to pause, as if taking an anticipatory breath. The expanse of heaven ground to a halt, the stars gleamed, frozen in their timeless dance. At that singular infinitive of time the universe stood in perfect balance and time itself ceased to have meaning.

Silence was broken as a groan and rumble of earth throbbed through the air, shaking the landscape, dull thunder roared as the ground was split asunder. Howls and gibbering cries rent the air and, with a deeper grinding of ancient gears, the crack gaped wider. Once again the debt would be paid, yin and yan, fate served.

There was a sudden hiss and boil of steam as the lakebed tore and sickly yellow clouds of sulfur seethed up to stain the purity of the atmosphere. The maw yawned redly, sending embered light to dance and leap across the plunging walls of the pit. It grew brighter even as the shrieks and howls grew louder and more rapacious.

A crack of lightning and roar of challenge answered from above, the skies themselves trembling as a sudden tear slashed across the heavens. A tattoo of thunder accompanied the clamor of trumpets, and beams of silvered light fanned through the darkness to illuminate the roiling clouds of brimstone. The darkness thinned to a sickly half-light, the air heavy and wet as it swirled and eddied; a misty canvas against which timeless drama relentlessly played out.

There was a hue and cry as legions of dark forms leapt into the air, leathery wings flexed and stirred the miasma of shadowy fog, sinuous sharp-tipped tails lashed with excitement. Long fangs gleamed yellow in the murky light, and pointed claws clenched in fists readied for battle.

The hosts from above descended to meet them, in a ruffle of white wings and glints of golden steel, their own war cries no less eager. Honed edges sliced through air in challenge, teeth and claws rattled and snapped in response. At some unseen signal the multitudes flew together.

All across the horizon the battalions clashed, hoarse shouts and hisses of pain sounded through the strained atmosphere as the fight was enjoined; strong pinions clashed and bruised. Dark knuckles slammed into fair-skinned flesh, and gilded blades were spattered with dark ichor. Light strove to push back the gloom, but was met and held by shadows.

Though both sides strained and struggled, held in an eternity of combat, neither held sway. As each fighter was dispatched in a flash of brimstone or flurry of feathers, yet another took its place. The forces of both sides scattered and dispersed over the battlefield, splitting into twos and threes as the fighting grew more intense and focused.

One dark form circled cautiously around his counterpart. Clad only in skin and feather and a brief drape of white, his opponent was still veiled in purity and goodness. He took in the broad sweep of downy white wings, golden spikes of hair, the play of powerful muscle beneath honey skin. Light gleamed a warning from the razored edge of steel. Something inexorable drew him closer.

The angel’s heart drummed with excitement as his adversary circled, turning and watching for his first opportunity to attack. He watched as bronzed skin tightened over sinewy muscle, flexing as dark pinions stretched. His eyes took in the glint of copper mail swathed around narrow hips and the lashing, black-furred tail that matched the upswept flame of hair. Keen talons tipped slender fingers and long canines flashed in the half-light; yet his blood felt a calling only it could hear.

Something close to pain stabbed through both as obsidian eyes met sea green. The sword dropped from slack fingers, the sounds of the continuing battle around them faded. Gazes were kept and held, wings beat slowly as the two moved toward one another in fascination.

The demon felt himself seared from within as the other’s gaze pierced his own, the purity of the heavens tore into him painfully. And still he crept closer, rapt with wonder now rather than the drive to maim and annihilate. He felt the power within the other, the power to destroy his kind.

He reached out with splayed fingers to just stroke the velvety tip of one wing, tears springing to his eyes as agony tore through his skin. There was a hiss of pain as the angel jerked in response to the light touch, his wings sweeping wide before coming down to enfold the dark one in a tortured embrace.
Warm fingertips brushed over an angled jaw; the angel’s own enthralled hands traced over twilight skin, cupping the slightly pointed chin and dipping his head to nuzzle at the heated throat. Suffering burned along each perception, and drew him deeper into the dance of senses.

Each brush of skin to fur to feather to skin brought searing anguish; low cries of torment tore from both throats as eager hands stroked over firm flesh, soon muffled as lips smoldered together, seeking forbidden taste.

Caresses increased, mewls of pain mixed with those of pleasure, wings stroked together as they spun little by little. One dusky leg wrapped around a gently curved hip, arms twined around strong necks, lips met in suffering kisses and tongues licked in fiery abandon.

Passion built, carved in agony and bliss. Claws scraped fine lines over muscled shoulders, and lashing black fur left welts across the winged back. Strong hands caressed blisters into sinfully soft skin, and steel of a different kind sheathed itself in molten fire to rival the forges of hell.

Limbs twined in heated devotion, muscles strove and strained together and at odds, incendiary friction tore howls and lamenting wails from throats already raw and husky. A soul-rending cry was met and united with a second. Light and darkness joined into one; essential symmetry reached and bonded.

With a darkling flash and subsonic clap the night closed over itself, and the gears of the depths once more went silent. Until another debt was due. The amber disk of the moon wheeled across the night as the stars capered in accompaniment.

A single crimson stained leaf leapt free of its tether and pinwheeled onto the placid lake’s surface. Held between the elements, it skated freely; dancing in perfect balance.