Darkness.

That's all I could see. Yet somehow I felt so warm. No fear, no danger. It was soothing, like I had a place to rest. The pain was gone and I just felt, warm. So very warm. I don't know how long I floated there. I remember seeing a light, I was drawn toward it.

I woke up on the floor. The room was so bright it hurt my eyes. I groaned, slowly getting up and looking around. Everything was so clean and pure. Where was I? I knew this couldn't be hell. My back felt heavier. I was suddenly aware of three pairs of eyes watching me. One I recognized, the other two I had never seen before. The big man out of the two strangers nodded to me. What was that supposed to mean? I stood up looking around and felt something sway behind me. I looked over my shoulder and yelped. Wings? When the hell did those get there?...oh...that must have been what hurt. I get it now.

The smaller stranger approached me. "I know this must be confusing. But you have been purified. You're sins have been stripped away and you start anew. You have been purified in the most powerful way. Love." I turned to Ven, "You mean this whole time I was your mission?" Ven just shrugged, "I knew I had to purify a demon, I just didn't know how. They never tell you. All you're told is that when the time comes, it will happen." What kind of place were they running here? I turned back to get more answers.

"So how come I was able to corrupt him?"

"Corruption is most unfortunately easier than purification. Souls naturally give in to temptation. Ventus, you're a good example of that."

Ven hung his head, "Sorry, Mickey." Why did Ven seem so sad? Now we could be together. Yeah he kinda screwed up in the process but that was my fault. I hope he doesn't get punished. Do angels get punished? The Mickey's voice pulled me out of my thoughts.

"No need. You have repented. Now Terra, normally we send purified angels to work amongst the ranks..."

Ah, I would be sent off. I see now.

"...However, given your rare situation. I have decided to assign you training with Angeal here and you two to live with them. You could learn quite a bit." I could see Vens eyes light up. "Really?" he asked. Mickey nodded, "You have lots of work to do. You are dismissed."

I walked out of there with Ven and Angeal, still a bit in shock. I made it to heaven. With a little help of course but I actually made it. I couldn't help but smile. Well smile is an understatement. I was grinning like an idiot. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Ven staring at me. Silently, I wrapped an arm around his waist and pulled him close. It suddenly hit me who I had been talking to. I looked down at Ven and ask, "Mickey...was he...?"

Ven just nodded. Damn, I talked to the big man himself.

When we got to the house an angel with red eyes and long black haired greeted us. Ven informed me that his name was Vincent. For an angel he was pretty mean looking, "Let me guess Angeal...more to take in?"

Angeal lifted his arms in defense, " Mickey's orders." Vincent sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose, "He's going to kill me all over again one of these days. Why teenagers?" Angeal walked over and placed hands on the raven haired's shoulders. "I think you'll be interested to know that this one was purified the same way you were." this made the smaller man raise a brow. "Really? I though we were one of the few." Angeal nodded and smiled. What were they talking about? "Um...I'm confused here."

Vincent chuckled, "You were purified by love, correct? Its the most powerful form and love between a demon and an angel is taboo to begin with. So when the it is strong, it can take over the evil and wash away the sins. Angeal purified me that way in the Gray Lands. I'm guessing this is the reason Mickey assigned you to us."

"You were demon? I knew it!" Ven blurted out next to me. After realizing what he said he turned a few shades of red, embarrassed. It was cute. Vincent chuckled once more, "Its the eyes, I know. But I had them when I was alive." Ven nodded meekly, "You're wings are so bright though..."

The raven haired man smiled, "Lets say I payed it forward a good amount of times. Lets get you two fed and comfortable. Like Squall and Cloud I suppose you will want to share a room. You can take the empty one up the stairs, last door on the left." I decided not to argue and led Ven to our new room. It was a decent size with a nice bed. Definitely better than what I had in hell. Ven looked around and smiled, "Its nice. No chains."

The comment made me frown and guilt overwhelmed me. I had to make up for a lot of abuse. The fact that he was still here amazed me. I sat on the bed and sighed, "Ven...are you really sure you want to be with me? After all the abuse I put you through? The pain, the humiliation. I'm not sure I can forgive myself for that."

The blonde I had come to know and love didn't say anything. He just took my hands in his and nuzzled them. I watched him, unable to read his expression. A small smile formed on his lips. "The first thing you should know about being an angel is to learn to forgive. Even if it is yourself. I love you Terra. My scars will fade and my memory with get fuzzy. But my love for you will always be there."

I don't know what I did on earth to deserve this, but whatever it was, I'm thankful it happened. I pulled him into my arms and just held him. The warm feeling inside returned and I hoped that it would never leave.

~A few days later~

"So you see an animal that is hurt. The injury can potentially kill the animal. What do you do?"

"Umm...Put it out of its misery?"

Angeal sighed and rolled up a newspaper. I flinched knowing what was coming. He smacked me on the nose with it. "No! You heal the animal! You have healing powers now. Don't forget that."

I groaned and rubbed my nose. It was starting to get sore. "Alright next question. A demon approaches you in the Gray Lands. What do you do?"

"Throw holy water and run like hell."

His grip tightened on the newspaper. I held my hands up in defense, "Wait! Let me explain!" Angeal paused and motioned for me to go on.

"Demons are ruthless. If they can't sweet talk you, they'll just kidnap your ass." he smacked me anyway, "Language! But you're explanation deems your answer worthy. I think we're done for the day." he said as he rubbed his temple. I went back into the house and straight up to my room. Ven was on the bed reading what looked like a letter. When I entered he looked up and smiled. Oh how I loved that smile. "Hey, how was training?"

"Painful" I replied, rubbing my nose again. He chuckled making me huff a bit, "Don't laugh at me, Angeal is brutal." He laughed again, "Why do you think he's a commander in the army whenever we get into wars with hell?"

I grumbled. Well that explained a lot. I plopped on the bed and leaned against my little blonde. "Whatcha reading?"

"A letter from Aqua."

I raised a brow, truly curious, "Oh?"

"She says she's sorry for what happened and wants to get together. I've already told her I am not going without you."

"Ven you don't have to..."

"No. You're part of my afterlife. She has to accept that."

I sighed, wishing he wouldn't do this. But now that I think about it I would do the same. I leaned over and kissed him gently. He returned it and somewhere along the way it got heated. His small hands roamed my chest as his lips parted, granting me entrance. I pushed him back on the bed, my own hands wandering the small body below me. I hesitated a bit, not sure if he was ready to do this. All doubt was removed when I felt him unbuttoning my shirt. While he was busy undressing me I leaned down and kissed every part of his neck, drawing out moans from him. My fingers made quick work of his shirt.

I attacked each bit of bare skin with my lips as it became exposed to me. I wanted to make him moan more. The noises he made drove me wild. I hadn't even noticed that he had taken my shirt off and had my pants halfway down. I kicked them off and removed his with a swift motion. We lay there, kissing, touching, and teasing. I found it hard to think or focus. I was trying to keep myself. from just bending in half and taking him. These were urges I knew I would have to suppress.

Ven pushed me gently onto my back. I let him, wanting him to have control. His soft pinks lips trailed down my chest and stomach to the edge of my boxers. I inhaled sharply, waiting for his next move. Ven frowned at them as if they were in his way. He pulled the offending piece of clothing down, making me gasp as the cool air hit my arousal.

I watched him as he dipped down and I felt his warm mouth engulf my length. My eyes slid shut with a moan. I felt his tongue encircle the tip as he suckled lightly, driving me insane. My hand made it way to his head, petting the soft hair gently. Praise had always encouraged him. I moaned more as he took me further in. "Ven..." I groaned as I stroked his hair. This made him flick his tongue faster and suck harder. He drove me so close to the edge before pulling away. Fuck the kid was good at that.

He lay down on his back. Something he had done many times while I owned him. Its how he showed me he was ready. He was presenting himself to me. The thought along is enough to push me overboard. I leaned over him and kissed his lips, tasting myself and the sweetness that was him. I pulled his boxers down and spread his legs.

Planting more kisses on his lip, I positioned myself and slid in. He let out a sharp breath and tightened around me. I stroked his hair and kissed him as if if trying to take any pain away. After a few seconds he nodded and I started to move. He was so tight, it was agonizingly good. After a few thrusts he was moaning again, burying his face in the crook of my neck. His moans grew louder and louder as I went faster. He whimpered, frustrated with my pace. "Terra...harder...please!"

I was happy to oblige. I pulled out, nearly all the way and slammed back in. He let out a loud cry which I muffled with a kiss. I angled, know exactly where his sweet spot was and rammed into the bundle of nerves, engulfing his screams of pleasure. He was moaning my name over and over, clawing at my back. I was gone, overcome by lust I kept snapping my hips forward, hitting that spot each time. I wanted to make him mine and I wanted to give myself over to him. He was writing under me in sheer pleasure. Moans spilled from his lips and filled the room only encouraging me to go faster "Terra!... Ahh!... I'm... close!" he whimpered.

I gave it to him with all the strength I had until his back arched, he screamed out my name and exploded over our chests. I was sent over the edge as I cried out his name and coated his insides, filling him up.

We were panting, desperately trying to catch our breath. I collapsed beside him and pulled him close, peppering his face with kisses. I murmured "I love you" in between each kiss. He snuggled as close as possible to me before passing out from exhaustion.

Aqua finally agreed to meet with Ven while I tagged along. It took her a very long while to trust me but when she relaxed we turned out to be really good friends. The three of us would sit around the Gray Lands, laugh and joke around. I always remained protective of Ven but not as an owner. I was protective as a lover should be and I it would always be that way. He was the most precious thing I had in the afterlife and I would rather go back to Hell as a Tortured than lose him. Despite all the darkness that was in me, Ven was my light. He saved my soul and I would forever be in his debt. I would spend eternity replaying him with my body, my protection, and most of all, my love. Its all I had to offer but he seemed very content with that. As long as he wanted me, I would always be his.

~Fin