Superbia & Humilitas (Han Geng/Siwon)
Han Geng/Siwon, hell!au, PG-13 (dark themes), 1512 words
A/N: I'll be honest. I wrote this to get to the ninja!blohyuk, and after that, quality died. :( I... did my best.
The day that Choi Siwon died, he walked through Heaven's Gate with little fuss. There was no question of his eligibility for passing through those pearl white doors set with golden doorknobs as round and shiny bright as Christmas ornaments.
It was a fine day--everyday was a fine day, up until then.
The knobby rubble cuts into the soles of his sandals as Siwon remembers the bright Glory that nearly blinded his spirit's eyes as a request was made of him. His hesitance was foreseen, and he was given a day to consider. The archangels leading him out the sanctuary consulted with him.
"God knows you're the most sinless human to have ever died and graced our golden streets--aside from the obvious." God knows, but Siwon doesn't. "We need more like you around here, but He says that you have enough power to steer the souless heathens down south towards a taste of goodness," Yesung said, his face all stolidness and stoicism with a casual arm slung over Siwon's shoulder. "I imagine you could."
Donghae jumped, knocking Yesung out of the way, and threw his arms around Siwon's neck. "You'll be missed," he grinned. "But go and become a fisher of demons!"
Like men fishing for piranha, so angels fish for demons then. Siwon was sure Donghae meant well. (Donghae always means well, God said.)
Siwon really could just have answered, "No, God, I am going to stay here because sin makes me uncomfortable," but he felt that call to help the lost so strongly... Refusal was a futile endeavor.
He stands out with his white robe, in the middle of a pavilion next to a fountain spouting flames into a pond of molten lava. For a moment, he wonders if he should have exchanged his heavenly attire for a more appropriately hellion look. Siwon shakes his head, reminding himself that he should not blend in if he is to shine his light for these lost souls. His only problem is where to begin.
His stomach is already being unsettled by the stench of putrid immorality, no escape to be found. His chest pounds at the distance from his Father.
There is an underwhelming amount of folk about, Siwon thinks as he explores the area, holding his nose. A huddle communes beside a blackened house. Craps. (Greed.) Many have bloodshot eyes, bodies trembling most likely from lack of sleep. Drugs. (Idolatry.) Off to the side, he sees a woman making faces into a mirror, as if practicing for a camera. (Vanity.) Upon walking closer, he thinks it might be a man instead. (No one really knows what category that sin is under, but Siwon knows it must be a sin to look like that.)
Behind him/her, a man is spinning a knife in his hands, pacing around with wild eyes until he settles on Siwon's form. Siwon sees the quick flash of fear before hearing a hard growl, standing his ground when the knife is put to his throat.
"Kangin," a dark shadow walks up from out of nowhere to slip the knife from its owner's grasp. He has small red horns on his head.
Siwon thinks he's met this devil before, but he's met so many that he thinks he's imagining the familiarity of that perfect set of teeth accented by an impeccable dimple in his left cheek.
"Teukie-hyung," Kangin smirks, a deep timbre marking his words. (Lust, Siwon frowns.)
"You can't kill an ambassador from Heaven, Kangin," another voice calls out.
A tingle of peace warms his back and Siwon turns around. A taller man, blond and evenly tanned, tilts his head with a smile. Innocent, almost, if Siwon forgets where he is.
"Hello, you must be Choi Siwon," he greets, "We've been expecting you. I've been chosen as your guide during your stay here." He offers a hand. "My name is Han Geng."
Siwon takes it and a sense of comfort travels all about his body. "I was not aware that I would have a guide."
Han Geng's smile doesn't let. "God provides. Come. I'll show you to your rooms."
Along the way, Siwon is directed to all the sights. Down this alley is to the pits of rotting orgies. Walk a block past the bar to the murderous nymphs, and to the right, in the distance, Sodom and Gomorrah can be seen covered in smoke and sulfur. But don't let the dirt fool you, Han Geng smirks, it's home to the richest and most infamous demons in all of Hell. And despite what the rumors say, Mammon and Leviathan are great castle-mates. (Siwon refrains from admitting that he's never known them to be otherwise.)
It's a short and uneventful walk, if Siwon discards the memory of crossing the Bridge of Sheol as Han Geng informed him it was. Disintegrating flesh sliding off the bony hands of the lowest scum in all the underworld, the most wicked Dead, crying for salvation that Siwon could not give them. His innards squirm at the iniquity-drenched limbs and he prays for their peace.
Han Geng, of course, does not blink an eye, only turning to say, "We're here."
The curve of his lips is kind.
There are groans coming from across the black crusted path, from a broken down hovel with strangely well kept windows. From what Siwon can see, everything inside looks equally bright and neat. The outside is like a wilderness of broken furniture.
"Oh, your neighbors are the pair that's rumored to succeed Asmodeus," Han Geng says, seeing Siwon's grimace, "Don't worry about them though. They stop to clean up their mess once every two weeks, about."
The discomfort of sin so close is dulled by Han Geng's presence, and Siwon calls out to God, asking that these sinners' hearts are similar to their home.
"You'll be staying here," Han Geng creaks the door open. "It's not Heaven," he says, and Siwon's stomach falls at the lack of elaboration.
The small black cove of a house looks barren; a chill bites at Siwon's cheeks. When he walks inside, it's dank, and smells strangely like... money. Siwon can't remember the last time his nose caught such a worldly scent; Han Geng holds out his hand, and he takes it, letting himself be lead past the foyer and through the vestibule to an empty windowless chamber where the smell grows more pungent.
"Siwon," Han Geng calls out.
Siwon notices Han Geng's grip tighten on his fingers. Heady euphoria dissipates. (When had it appeared?)
He stays silent and Han Geng asks, "Do you know why you were sent here?"
"To light the way for under-dwellers," he replies, succinctly.
"You know we can't be saved."
"With God, all is possible."
"If it is His will," Han Geng smiles.
Shadows dance along the lines of his face, and while his expression remains soft, his eyes hemorrhage black.
"You were born into wealth, Siwon, but you rejected it." Black horns as long as two hands breadths stretch from his skull. "Your body is a temple for the Lord, pure and holy," and his fingers mold into claws. "So, what," Han Geng asks, pearl white fangs protruding from a still gentle mouth, "was it that made you human?"
Siwon's lips are set in a grim frown. "I don't understand," he says. (Manipulation... Deceit, Siwon's heart wrenches.)
"I mean," Han Geng says, just above a whisper. His stare is darkly warm, a memory of passion skimming his mind. "What is your temptation?"
"I--"
Siwon understands now. He just doesn't remember. He hasn't been dead for long, but he can't remember...
"Once," Han Geng's long, black-scaled fingers flex, "Once, I had known you to be perfection," he laments. Somber. Wistful...
Pensive.
"I had known you when you were... whole."
Heat collects along the fabric of Siwon's collar. His robe is heavy, the stench of wealth clinging like sweat to him; he sees vapors the color of blood.
"I knew you... Gabriel."
Light has no place to settle. A red haze filters Siwon's vision as Han Geng's nose becomes the snout of a dragon, and wings of black bone and fired skin unfold.
"Wha-What is going o--" he chokes and his thoughts are fading. Heaven has never felt so far.
"You made your choice, so many years ago," the demon dragon rumbles, rough claws circling Siwon's arm. "Your only sin was Despairing it. Siwon was made in your image, through your regret," he says. "You should have followed me. God is your eternal Father, but I am your eternal Keeper. This is your trial, brother."
Words die at his throat, drowning under the weight of iniquity. "Lie--" he manages to cough out.
"I am God-sent," the demon chuffs, "I cannot lie. There are no coincidences in life nor death, only what is orchestrated by our Father."
Siwon cannot deny this. He cannot deny this when his spirit is being crushed by the depravity of dead souls all around him. He falls to his hands and knees.
"My Keeper..." he pants to the black dirt tinged with fire, like the demon's wings.
A harsh silence is heard, like a soulless whisper.
Lucifer.
fin.
A/N: I'll be honest. I wrote this to get to the ninja!blohyuk, and after that, quality died. :( I... did my best.
The day that Choi Siwon died, he walked through Heaven's Gate with little fuss. There was no question of his eligibility for passing through those pearl white doors set with golden doorknobs as round and shiny bright as Christmas ornaments.
It was a fine day--everyday was a fine day, up until then.
The knobby rubble cuts into the soles of his sandals as Siwon remembers the bright Glory that nearly blinded his spirit's eyes as a request was made of him. His hesitance was foreseen, and he was given a day to consider. The archangels leading him out the sanctuary consulted with him.
"God knows you're the most sinless human to have ever died and graced our golden streets--aside from the obvious." God knows, but Siwon doesn't. "We need more like you around here, but He says that you have enough power to steer the souless heathens down south towards a taste of goodness," Yesung said, his face all stolidness and stoicism with a casual arm slung over Siwon's shoulder. "I imagine you could."
Donghae jumped, knocking Yesung out of the way, and threw his arms around Siwon's neck. "You'll be missed," he grinned. "But go and become a fisher of demons!"
Like men fishing for piranha, so angels fish for demons then. Siwon was sure Donghae meant well. (Donghae always means well, God said.)
Siwon really could just have answered, "No, God, I am going to stay here because sin makes me uncomfortable," but he felt that call to help the lost so strongly... Refusal was a futile endeavor.
He stands out with his white robe, in the middle of a pavilion next to a fountain spouting flames into a pond of molten lava. For a moment, he wonders if he should have exchanged his heavenly attire for a more appropriately hellion look. Siwon shakes his head, reminding himself that he should not blend in if he is to shine his light for these lost souls. His only problem is where to begin.
His stomach is already being unsettled by the stench of putrid immorality, no escape to be found. His chest pounds at the distance from his Father.
There is an underwhelming amount of folk about, Siwon thinks as he explores the area, holding his nose. A huddle communes beside a blackened house. Craps. (Greed.) Many have bloodshot eyes, bodies trembling most likely from lack of sleep. Drugs. (Idolatry.) Off to the side, he sees a woman making faces into a mirror, as if practicing for a camera. (Vanity.) Upon walking closer, he thinks it might be a man instead. (No one really knows what category that sin is under, but Siwon knows it must be a sin to look like that.)
Behind him/her, a man is spinning a knife in his hands, pacing around with wild eyes until he settles on Siwon's form. Siwon sees the quick flash of fear before hearing a hard growl, standing his ground when the knife is put to his throat.
"Kangin," a dark shadow walks up from out of nowhere to slip the knife from its owner's grasp. He has small red horns on his head.
Siwon thinks he's met this devil before, but he's met so many that he thinks he's imagining the familiarity of that perfect set of teeth accented by an impeccable dimple in his left cheek.
"Teukie-hyung," Kangin smirks, a deep timbre marking his words. (Lust, Siwon frowns.)
"You can't kill an ambassador from Heaven, Kangin," another voice calls out.
A tingle of peace warms his back and Siwon turns around. A taller man, blond and evenly tanned, tilts his head with a smile. Innocent, almost, if Siwon forgets where he is.
"Hello, you must be Choi Siwon," he greets, "We've been expecting you. I've been chosen as your guide during your stay here." He offers a hand. "My name is Han Geng."
Siwon takes it and a sense of comfort travels all about his body. "I was not aware that I would have a guide."
Han Geng's smile doesn't let. "God provides. Come. I'll show you to your rooms."
Along the way, Siwon is directed to all the sights. Down this alley is to the pits of rotting orgies. Walk a block past the bar to the murderous nymphs, and to the right, in the distance, Sodom and Gomorrah can be seen covered in smoke and sulfur. But don't let the dirt fool you, Han Geng smirks, it's home to the richest and most infamous demons in all of Hell. And despite what the rumors say, Mammon and Leviathan are great castle-mates. (Siwon refrains from admitting that he's never known them to be otherwise.)
It's a short and uneventful walk, if Siwon discards the memory of crossing the Bridge of Sheol as Han Geng informed him it was. Disintegrating flesh sliding off the bony hands of the lowest scum in all the underworld, the most wicked Dead, crying for salvation that Siwon could not give them. His innards squirm at the iniquity-drenched limbs and he prays for their peace.
Han Geng, of course, does not blink an eye, only turning to say, "We're here."
The curve of his lips is kind.
There are groans coming from across the black crusted path, from a broken down hovel with strangely well kept windows. From what Siwon can see, everything inside looks equally bright and neat. The outside is like a wilderness of broken furniture.
"Oh, your neighbors are the pair that's rumored to succeed Asmodeus," Han Geng says, seeing Siwon's grimace, "Don't worry about them though. They stop to clean up their mess once every two weeks, about."
The discomfort of sin so close is dulled by Han Geng's presence, and Siwon calls out to God, asking that these sinners' hearts are similar to their home.
"You'll be staying here," Han Geng creaks the door open. "It's not Heaven," he says, and Siwon's stomach falls at the lack of elaboration.
The small black cove of a house looks barren; a chill bites at Siwon's cheeks. When he walks inside, it's dank, and smells strangely like... money. Siwon can't remember the last time his nose caught such a worldly scent; Han Geng holds out his hand, and he takes it, letting himself be lead past the foyer and through the vestibule to an empty windowless chamber where the smell grows more pungent.
"Siwon," Han Geng calls out.
Siwon notices Han Geng's grip tighten on his fingers. Heady euphoria dissipates. (When had it appeared?)
He stays silent and Han Geng asks, "Do you know why you were sent here?"
"To light the way for under-dwellers," he replies, succinctly.
"You know we can't be saved."
"With God, all is possible."
"If it is His will," Han Geng smiles.
Shadows dance along the lines of his face, and while his expression remains soft, his eyes hemorrhage black.
"You were born into wealth, Siwon, but you rejected it." Black horns as long as two hands breadths stretch from his skull. "Your body is a temple for the Lord, pure and holy," and his fingers mold into claws. "So, what," Han Geng asks, pearl white fangs protruding from a still gentle mouth, "was it that made you human?"
Siwon's lips are set in a grim frown. "I don't understand," he says. (Manipulation... Deceit, Siwon's heart wrenches.)
"I mean," Han Geng says, just above a whisper. His stare is darkly warm, a memory of passion skimming his mind. "What is your temptation?"
"I--"
Siwon understands now. He just doesn't remember. He hasn't been dead for long, but he can't remember...
"Once," Han Geng's long, black-scaled fingers flex, "Once, I had known you to be perfection," he laments. Somber. Wistful...
Pensive.
"I had known you when you were... whole."
Heat collects along the fabric of Siwon's collar. His robe is heavy, the stench of wealth clinging like sweat to him; he sees vapors the color of blood.
"I knew you... Gabriel."
Light has no place to settle. A red haze filters Siwon's vision as Han Geng's nose becomes the snout of a dragon, and wings of black bone and fired skin unfold.
"Wha-What is going o--" he chokes and his thoughts are fading. Heaven has never felt so far.
"You made your choice, so many years ago," the demon dragon rumbles, rough claws circling Siwon's arm. "Your only sin was Despairing it. Siwon was made in your image, through your regret," he says. "You should have followed me. God is your eternal Father, but I am your eternal Keeper. This is your trial, brother."
Words die at his throat, drowning under the weight of iniquity. "Lie--" he manages to cough out.
"I am God-sent," the demon chuffs, "I cannot lie. There are no coincidences in life nor death, only what is orchestrated by our Father."
Siwon cannot deny this. He cannot deny this when his spirit is being crushed by the depravity of dead souls all around him. He falls to his hands and knees.
"My Keeper..." he pants to the black dirt tinged with fire, like the demon's wings.
A harsh silence is heard, like a soulless whisper.
Lucifer.
fin.