Vengeance

Vengeance, ch. 6 (M/M, mast)

by einhard

PLEASE NOTE: This story is fiction from beginning to end. The characters don't exist, and the stuff they do, never happened.

Leo and Radu: December 23d

Radu was watching Leo strangling Bishop Flanagan. Or burning him; it wasn't easy to tell which, because although Leo's hands were around the Bishop's throat, he (the Bishop) seemed to be burning as well. At the same time, he had an evil grin on his face...

Radu's eyes shot open. Oh, thank God! It was only a dream. He looked to Leo's side of the bed, only to find he wasn't there. What was happening? And why did he feel so heavy all of a sudden, like he weighed an extra 500 pounds or something? He tried to move, but couldn't. Then it was like the extra weight left him gradually. After a couple of minutes, he was free to move again. He jumped out of bed, pulled on his robe and went out to the living room.

Leo was sitting in a chair, fully dressed, with a strange, vacant look on his face. He glanced up at Radu, flashing a brief smile at him.

"He was here. Just now. Could you feel it?"

"Who?"

"Leonardo, the angel. He was giving me instructions."

"Are you all right, Leo?" Radu felt vaguely worried, like he knew he should be concerned for Leo's welfare, but couldn't really muster up the proper feelings.

"Yeah, I am. Just a little overwhelmed, that's all."

"Was it scary? I could feel it, you know. It was like I was super heavy or something and couldn't move."

"So, that's your secret fear, is it? A heavy load that paralyzes you?"

How could Leo know about Radu's childhood nightmares? This was beginning to freak him out. Or it should, but didn't.

"Yeah", he whispered, remembering. He'd had that nightmare lots of times since his father died. They had stopped eventually, only to return in full force after Rafe's death. He still had them every once in a while.

"For me, it was like I was all alone, searching for somebody and not finding them. And there was a wall, and on the other side were my mom and Rafe, searching for me and for each other. And none of us could see the others. And I knew I'd never find them, and they would never find me, even though the distance was short."

"What was it, Leo? I only felt it for a few seconds."

"It was a vision of Hell, Radu. Leonardo came to tell me I'd have to do it today. He also told me it would be my job to put the fear of Hell into Flanagan, and that I couldn't do that unless I had an understanding of it myself. So he gave me a vision of it. And I guess you felt it, too. I wonder why."

"I suppose I was just close by."

"Maybe, Radu, maybe you were just close by in the physical sense. Or maybe we've become close in other ways, too."

"You think so?"

"Well, think back to last night. The things we said. I pledged myself to you forever. And you did the same to me. You did, didn't you?"

Radu fell silent for a minute.

"Didn't you, Radu?" Leo's voice was tinged with fear.

"Yes, Leo. I was only thinking how weird it seemed. I mean, we only met the day before yesterday, and the next day we're...we're married, so to speak. It's strange."

"You're not having second thoughts, are you?"

"No. I guess the strangest thing of all is the certainty I feel. It's like there's no doubt now, and never can be. Like we're under some kind of protection or something."

Radu was quiet again, eyes turned to the floor. He eventually looked up to see a teary-eyed Leo smiling at him.

"What?"

"Are you sure you weren't listening to what Leonardo told me?"

"Of course I'm sure. Why?"

"Because that's what he said. Leonardo said you and I were "a match made in Heaven". Honest! He said that, so you needn't laugh."

"I wasn't, even if it is a bit funny. What else did he say?"

"That we would always desire to be with each other, as long as we only took the trouble to remember it."

"Oh, Leo, that's so beautiful!" Now Radu had tears in his eyes.

"Yes, it is. Pretty awesome, huh, dude?"

""Dude"? Aren't you a little old to talk like that?"

"Maybe I am. But if I'm gonna hitch up with the younger generation, I need to be able to talk their language."

"I'll give you "younger generation", Grandpa!" Radu reached out for Leo and easily pulled him into his own chair. Leo was sitting on Radu's lap.

"Hey, this is the wrong way around, isn't it?" Leo chuckled.

"I think it's the right way, oldtimer", whispered Radu as he kissed Leo's neck, rubbing his crotch at the same time.

"If you keep that up, another oldtimer will want to join in."

"Yeah? Would that be a bad thing?"

"I guess not."

Leo turned around, to sit face to face with Radu. He opened the robe, revealing the young athlete's hardening cock. Quickly getting out of the chair, he pulled off his jeans and underpants, then straddled his young lover once more. He manouvered himself so that their erections were caressing each other.

"They like this. See?"

"Yeah, they do. What should we do about it, Leo? Hmm?"

"Well, a little morning exercise is supposed to be good. How about I try something like this?"

Leo grabbed both cocks in his hand and started pulling gently on the shafts, leaving the exposed heads in peace for the moment.

"Oh, yes, Leo! That's so nice. Oh, be gentle. Oh, my sweet Leo."

"Sweet? Nobody called me that for the past 30 years."

"What's that?" asked Radu in a distant voice.

"I said, nobody called me "sweet" for the past 30 years."

"Ooooh, yeah, keep going, just like that! I'm gonna cum soon, Leo."

"Me too, my baby, me too."

For the next minute, nothing but heavy breathing could be heard, until two low growls began, only to be interrupted by high-pitched screams as orgasm overtook both of them at the same time.

"Oh, wow, Leo! I never thought jacking off could be that good."

"Didn't you? Then you probably never had the patience to learn it properly."

"Learn about jacking off? How many ways can there possibly be?"

"My, my. Little Radu does have a lot to learn, and big old Leo will just have to teach him." Leo kissed his lover playfully on the nose.

"Well, "big old Leo" certainly seems to have picked up one trick", answered Radu.

"What's that?"

"The trick of depositing all the mess on "little Radu" rather than on himself."

"Well, I'm dressed and showered, and you're not. Makes sense, doesn't it?"

"Smartass! Now, how about all that "sweet" and "baby"-stuff? Are we getting mushy or something?"

"No. At least, I don't think so. It's just that when I'm near you, the thoughts that are in my...you know, my heart, just come out. You know what I mean?"

"Now that you mention it, I do. Well, I guess I'll go shower. You want breakfast?"

"No. No, I don't think so."

"Oh. Yeah. Right. I guess you got a lot on your mind."

"I have. Or I had. I mean, my mind isn't as heavy now as it was."

"No wonder. It's probably all over me by now."

Leo laughed, a long, deep, liberating roar.

"You could be right, Mirkovic. Now go get that shower, and then come back here to wish me luck."

Radu jumped in the shower, adjusted the showerhead a foot up and got himself cleaned up in a hurry. When he came back to where Leo was sitting, deep in thought, his mind was made up.

"Well, old man Ghiberti, let's be off!"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean that I'm coming with you."

"But why? It's my mission. You don't have to."

"I know I don't. But it's probably the most important event in your life, and you are the most important person in mine, so I'm coming with you."

Leo smiled.

"I'm glad, Radu. I really am. But you're wrong, you know."

"I am? About what?"

"The most important event in my life was meeting you again."

"Ah, hmm, well", Radu said with a cough, fighting back tears. In the end, he just put his hands round Leo's shoulders and hugged him tight. Then, without a word, the men left.

Out on the street, Leo led the way, walking determinedly in the wintry sunshine. He knew just where he was going, he knew roughly what would happen once he got there, and now he also felt confident about what would happen afterwards. Not about what would happen to the bishop, but to himself. He hadn't really had much doubt about the strength of his new-found love, but the stuff that had taken place between them this morning, had confirmed his hopes and erased his fears. All the same, the hours to come were reserved for sterner stuff.

Radu, on his part, was in two minds. Was he just a big baby, happy to follow his older lover anywhere he led, or were they both grown men, sharing each other's lives on an equal footing? He didn't know, and he didn't care. Right now, Leo had to lead. He knew, after all. He was the chosen avenger. Later on...Well, the future holds what it holds. As long as he and Leo were together, what else mattered? Very little.

"This is it." Leo stopped outside a grand-looking house.

"What is?"

"The episcopal residence."

"Oh, yeah. So, what do we do?"

"We ring the bell."

Leo quickly ascended the outside stairs, followed by Radu. He pressed the doorbell, and they both could hear the ringing inside.

After a short wait, the door opened, and a tall, thin middle-aged woman gave them a supercilious look.

"Can I help you, gentlemen?"

"My name is Leonardo Ghiberti and this is Radu Mirkovic. We're here to see the bishop." Leo spoke with a quiet authority that surprised Radu. The woman seemed to sense it, too, because her look quickly changed from condescension to respect.

"I'm afraid the bishop is rather busy this morning, and I don't believe you have an appointment, do you?" This was said in an uncertain voice.

"No, but we would like to see him all the same."

As Radu watched Leo, he had a sense of something unreal. Somehow, his lover seemed to have grown. From facing the secretary or whatever she was at her own level, he appeared to be looking down at her from a great height.

"Well, I really don't know, gentlemen..." She looked at Leo again, then, almost pleadingly, at Radu, before looking down.

"Shall we step inside?" asked Leo.

"Er...I suppose so" answered the woman, seemingly muttering to herself.

They entered the house and waited for the secretary to close the door.

"I believe it's this way, unless I'm much mistaken", said Leo, pointing to the staircase.

"Err...Yes. Yes, it is."

"If you would lead the way?"

She composed herself with difficulty, and climbed the stairs before them. Radu, taking up the rear, once more experienced the illusion of a much bigger Leo, this time one that filled up all the width of the stairs; four feet or more.

The woman knocked on a door and poked her head in. A voice inside called out "Yes?", and she put her hand on the doorknob.

"Thank you, Madam. We'll manage on our own from now on." Leo dismissed her, and she hastily retreated back downstairs.

They entered the office. Radu couldn't help feeling a bit awestruck. This was almost like at his club, only more stylish. Nothing flashy, just old-world elegance. The red wallpaper, the heavy, dark furniture, knicknacks all over the place: Brass, silver and gold. The Roman Catholic church sure didn't treat it's bishops like paupers.

Flanagan rose, obviously annoyed at the interruption.

"I don't think I've had the pleasure..." he began.

"No, you haven't" said Leo. "You've met both of us before, but I doubt you remember it with much pleasure. Now sit down and listen!"

Leo, even though he was standing at least five feet away from the bishop, who was taller than himself, seemed to tower over him. Flanagan sat down.

"Last time I met you, I tried to beat you up. That was after you had orchestrated the suicide of my brother, Rafael Ghiberti, over 15 years ago. I'm sure you remember that."

Recognition dawned in Flanagan's eyes. Hurriedly looking from Leo to Radu, then back to Leo again, he reached for the telephone.

"I think you'll find the telephone out of order," Leo said, harshly. He sat down in one of the chairs facing the desk and motioned Radu to sit in the other one.

"Now I think we need some privacy, don't you?" he asked. He clapped his hands once, and Radu could hear the office door locking itself. Simultaneously, all the overhead lights went out, leaving only a lamp on the bishop's desk.

"What's the meaning of this?" Flanagan asked loudly, the fear obvious in his voice. "Are you here to threaten me? I'm warning you, that will not work."

"I think it will. And for your information, you will not be heard outside this room as long as we are here."

The cleric sank back in his chair, a look of bewilderment on his face.

"Now, we are indeed here to threaten you, but not to hurt you. Not physically, at any rate" Leo began.

"We're here on a mission from God. You may well look scornful, Flanagan. I always suspected you didn't really believe. I think you're only using the church as a base for your own perverted power games. Isn't that so?"

Radu saw a sudden darkness enveloping Leo, while a bright, merciless light shone on the bishop, who was breathing heavily, fear and anger struggling for control over him.

"You needn't answer. I know it is. But just to convince you: You sexually abused my brother from September 1985 up to his death in November. When Radu here tried to stop you, you threatened to kill both of them. You then informed my father that you had caught them having sex together, which was not true. Knowing my father, you assumed he would hit Rafe, and you hoped the boy would kill himself, which he did. You then declined any assistance to the family. You even refused to say a prayer for his soul. Am I right?"

Flanagan still said nothing, but the tension in his body and face was evident.

"Furthermore, in the years before and after this, you have sexually abused no less than eleven other boys, all under the age of fourteen. Three of these have later taken their own lives. Five are going through or have gone through extensive psychotherapy for the traumas inflicted on them by you. Several of these, along with the last three, have later become child-abusers themselves. I can give you names, if you need more convincing."

"What...What do you intend to do?" The question came out haltingly, in a very low voice.

"I intend to advise you of your alternatives, and then the rest will be up to you and your God. Do you know what these alternatives are?"

Flanagan shook his head.

"There are two of them.

The first is this: You confess your sins to these eleven boys, as well as the great number of others, children and adults, whom you have subjected to various forms of abuse. You make this confession to God. Then, you seek forgiveness. From God and from all of your victims and those others who have suffered as a consequence. You can choose to do this individually, in groups, or in public, with the help of the media. If you do this, you will live. You'll probably be out of a job, but you will live."

"And if I don't?" Anger had temporarily taken the upper hand, and this came out in a loud, defiant manner.

"If you don't..." Leo rose, putting his hands on the desk. His voice somehow filled the entire room.

"If you don't, you die and you go to Hell. Before morning. Do you know what Hell is like, Bishop Flanagan?"

The man behind the desk cringed back in his chair, lifting his hands over his head, as if to ward off a blow.

"You won't be able to protect yourself like that. Here is what Hell will be like for you."

The light surrounding the bishop grew stronger. Radu gasped. In the chair occupied by the big, burly middle-aged man he saw a boy of no more than twelve or thirteen.

"No! Please stop!" the boy cried, holding his hands over his head as if to protect himself. Then, in a gesture of resignation, he put his hands down and relaxed, still crying freely. Next, he cried out again.

"No, no, stop! It hurts! It hurts! Please stop!"

Finally, the boy was gone, leaving a young priest in his place. Radu recognized Flanagan now. The man's face was white, seemingly with rage.

"Enough!" said Leo, and instantly the light subsided a bit, and the bishop was back in the chair, panting as if he'd been running.

"So that's it? You were abused by your own father, and you came to see it as humiliation. And later, when anybody crossed you or displeased you, it was more humiliation. So you wanted to humiliate others, and you picked on those who were weaker. The Church must have provided a good platform for that."

Flanagan nodded.

"Well, rest assured that this will be your hell: Constant humiliation which you will be powerless to resist. And there'll be no getting even either. Never. Do you need more convincing?"

No response.

"DO YOU?" Leo shouted. Radu had to put his hands over his ears.

The dazed man could only shake his head.

"Very well. You know what to do. Take this envelope, and when you've finished, send your confession to the address written on it. And may your God go with you."

Leo rose and motioned for Radu to come with him. The lights came on again, the door unlocked itself, and in two minutes they were out on the street once more.

Leo seemed lost in a world of his own, and Radu didn't know what to do.

"What do we do now, Leo?"

There was no answer, so Radu repeated his question. Still nothing. He hailed a taxi and manouvered Leo into it, then gave his mom's address. He needed advice. As the vehicle moved through the city traffic, his bewilderment grew. Yet he couldn't feel any fear or despondency. He had no clue what would happen or what he should do, and still he felt strangely confident. Everything would be all right. Both their accounts with regard to Rafe would be settled, and he and Leo would be happy. But the next few days might prove strange.

Oh, well, they couldn't be much stranger than the events of the recent night and morning. One thing at at a time.

They reached the old, familiar neighborhood, paid the cabbie and left the car.

"Well, well, "big old" Leo. Time to get you established as part of the family."

Radu knocked on the door. He knew Leo and his mother would hit it off. He didn't know how it would happen, but he knew they would.

This story is copyrighted by me, einhard. (c) February 2001.

Any comments? You can mail me at: einhard@excite.com