The House of Angels

Ballerina

Half an hour after, Moon was laying on the bed between Josh and Daniel. They each had an arm wrapped around her waist as she smoked a joint they kindly offered to help her relax.

It was weird how Daniel could go from cold to hot and viceversa so easily. Not that she complained, at least not in that moment.

"I really need to shower." She said blushing. She felt like she'd fallen inside the fryer. And, let's be honest, it wasn't exactly the best to smell like an oil mill while being surrounded by all that hotness.

"You can shower here, babe. No need to leave, I want to keep an eye on you." Josh said, lazily stroking her waist.

"But I don't have my stuff here. It's your room."

"I have spare towels for you and you can borrow one of my shirts and a pair of briefs." He smiled at her.

"Alright, thanks." She kissed his cheek.

~~~

While Moon was in the shower Daniel and Josh could drop their calm masks and unleash their anger.

"Ok, so we knew this was going to happen." Josh mutteŕed coldly, rolling the umpteenth joint under Daniel's troubled gaze.

"Either he's stupid or wants to die." Daniel snarled angrily. "I've been nice, Josh. I've been patient. I've followed your rules and you know it. As you said, we knew he was keeping an eye on her and we know he's going to make his move as soon as he gets the chance, and we both know he will, it is inevitable since we can't spend every f*****g minute with her. And then what?" He added, looking straight into his friend's concerned eyes. He was in 'no-bullshit-mode' and had no intention to back down this time.

"Maybe you're right... I don't know, Danny... It's all so f*****g messed up. What should we do?" Josh sighed, clearly exasperated.

Daniel just gave him a pointed look, his mouth shut, his arms crossed on his chest.

"Oh, no, bud. You're not going to see him twice in a week. The hypothesis terrifies me more than pineapple pizza. God knows how you'd react. No thanks." He quickly pointed out.

"Ok, Sherlock. What do you suggest, then? 'Cause I suppose you have a better idea, you wouldn't say s**t otherwise, right?" Daniel lifted a brow and looked at him with squinted, daring eyes, leaving Josh a little taken aback.

Right then, the bathroom's door opened and Moon appeared on the threshold.

Both of them stared at her in awe.

Her long, light brown hair, still slightly damp from the shower, fell mildly on her shoulders, her face was flushed because of the hot water and she was wearing only a white Josh's T-shirt that barely reached her hips, covered in grey boxers. Her long legs glistened from the steam coming out of the bathroom.

She wasn't even wearing a bra, since she didn't have a clean one inside Josh's room, and her n*****s were peaking out, drawing their attention.

"Come here, babygirl." Daniel said smiling. His tone was somehow deeper, huskier.

She obliged, smiling at them, even though their heated gazes had her body tingling with excitement and her brain was foggy and dazed because of the earlier breakdown and the mist of weed that invaded the room.

She reached the bed and slowly crawled back between them on her fours.

It had become hard to breath for Daniel. She looked like a sexy kitty crawling to him to purr and meow and lap and claw...

He had to bite his lip not to growl and drag her on top of him, to slide inside her and feel her warmth. Ok, definitely not a good idea to daydream about her like this, when all he was wearing was a pair of boxers and his little friend had come to say hello as soon as he'd seen her coming back in the room. He was going crazy because of that girl. The more he wanted to run from those totally new and foreign feelings, the more he couldn't stop worrying and thinking about her. The more she pushed him away, the more he found himself pulled back. He needed to get his s**t together.

It was clear they both had issues and a shady and painful past and as much as they wanted each other, for some reason they seemed to end up fighting everytime they were together.

It didn't help that he didn't know how to deal with those new emotions. Perhaps he blamed her a little for complicating his life and messing with his brain and... his heart. f**k.

On the other hand, Josh was looking at her with heart-shaped eyes. Cherishing her. Adoring her.

He wanted to wrap his arms around her and never let go. He wanted to protect her, to make her smile, to make her feel good. To kiss every inch of her body, to enjoy her warmth.

He'd do anything to keep Clay away and he knew Daniel felt the same.

"Hey guys... stop making me uncomfortable." She scoffed as they smiled and leaned closer to hold her like before.

"We did nothing wrong." Josh smirked, kissing her cheek. A low growl escaped Daniel's throat drawing Moon's attention... she turned to look at him and his hooded, lustful eyes promised nothing good. She felt a thrill running along her spine as she fought to keep her breath steady and her heart firm, despite the wetness soaking the thin fabric of the briefs she was wearing.

"You're looking at me like you're going to eat me whole." She giggled in an attempt to dampen the tension, as Josh kissed her temple and squeezed her side.

"Mh, sounds fun..." Daniel purred, getting closer and closer until his arousal was firmly pressed against her thigh and his lips were softly and sensually brushing her neck.

She couldn't understand what was happening but she didn't want it to stop. She had dated guys before, but they were just normal teen boys, cute at most. Nothing compared to those two godlike creatures who were kissing and nibbing and stroking and squeezing her. Why would they even look at her? She was pretty, but she couldn't compare with girls like Celine or Vera. So what were the odds? Maybe they were just trying to comfort her... well, at least Josh was. As for Daniel, judging by what she could feel pressed against her thigh, maybe he was trying to dry hump her. Lol.

She whimpered when his hand gripped the side of her face to turn her to look at him and before she could say anything his tongue darted out lo lick her bottom lip and Josh hissed a breath. She moaned despite herself.

"Daniel..." Josh said in a warning tone.

He was struggling to hide his arousal and not to jump on Moon and make her his.

Daniel wasn't helping at all.

"...sorry." Daniel blushed, looking away.

So annoying he couldn't help himself when she was so close.

Moon couldn't believe her eyes: Daniel St Vincent actually blushing in front of her.

"It's ok..." she smiled at him tenderly, grabbing his face to make him look at her.

He let out a shaky sigh and closed his eyes, nuzzling her neck and inhaling her sweet scent.

Why was he being so shy and acting like a twelve years old with his first crush? Yet she was being very sweet and that melted his heart.

He swore he'd make that asshole pay for what he'd done to her.

"Are you okay?" Josh asked softly, hugging her from behind. She loved how he always worried and took care of her.

"Yeah, a little tired." She let out a cute yawn.

"Then you should rest... don't worry, we'll take care of you." Daniel smiled, kissing her cheek. His voice quivered as his finger stroked the side of her head.

"Just don't let him come near me... please." She whispered pleadingly as her eyes closed and she fell into a restless sleep.

Josh and Daniel felt their hearts squeezing in their chests at those words. Josh let out a pained sigh as he looked at his friend's shattered face. He reached out and caressed his cheek tenderly as Daniel's hand landed on his and gripped it hard.

~~~

When Moon woke up, she found herself under the soft linen sheets of her own bed. She didn't know how she ended up in her room but she was still wearing Josh's clothes. They smelled of him and she inhaled deeply and sighed happily, finding solace in his spicy, familiar scent.

She thought about what had happened at the diner but she didn't feel overwhelmed like the night before. Yes, she was still scared but somehow Daniel and Josh had managed to make her feel a little better. She felt like she wasn't fighting this battle alone anymore, she didn't know why but those two guys she'd met just two weeks before wanted to be their friends, to take care of her and for the first time someone was by her side.

She was a little confused, though, about what had happened in Josh's bed. They were acting like they both wanted her and the situation had become a little awkward for her.

She yawned, stirred a little and looked at her phone, it was eight and she needed to be at work in an hour, so she hurried inside the shower before getting dressed and heading downstairs to grab something to eat before leaving.

When she reached the kitchen she spotted Mrs Solonov cleaning the counter, as Lucy, Carlos and Lawrence were seated at the table, eating milk and cereals, happily chatting with each other.

When Lucy noticed her presence she threw herself in her arms, squeaking in delight.

She was wearing a pale pink tutu and ballerina shoes. Her soft hair was tied in a perfect bun and her big doe eyes were sparkling with true, heartbreaking joy.

"Moony! Look at me! I'm a dancer!" She bounced happily in her arms. That reminded her of the conversation between Daniel and Sister Monica. Daniel was a good boy, after all.

"Oh, Lucy you're so beautiful!!! A real ballerina! Show me your moves!" Moon smiled encouragingly at the little girl as she danced gracefully to show her what a good dancer she was, making her proud.

"I'm starting my lessons today and I'm so excited!" She fanned herself dramatically, making everyone in the room smile.

"Alright little girl, eat your breakfast, you need to leave in half an hour." Mrs Solonov intervened, gently taking Lucy in her arms, before turning to Moon. "Sister Mary told me you had the morning shift so I thought to make you some breakfast. Josh will be down in a minute to drive you." Mrs Solonov said somberly but politely before shifting her attention back to Lucy. Moon thanked her with a grateful smile as Ant and Axl walked in the kitchen wearing their swimwears.

"Good morning sunshine!" Ant greeted loudly, spreading his arms in a theatrical way.

"Good morning everyone." Axl said politely, a genuine smile spreading on his boyish face.

"Good morning to you too." Moon smiled at them as Ant printed a smacking kiss on her cheek.

"Yo men!" Carlos and Lawrence said acting like grow-ups.

"Oh, and what do we have here? A little dancer?" Axl praised the little girl who was trying to draw their attention.

"I'm going to be the best dancer in the world!" She said proudly.

"Yeah, last week she wanted to play soccer..." Lawrence said tucking a spoonful of cereals inside his mouth.

"I can be both!!!" Lucy turned to face him, hands on her hips.

"Yeah, leave her alone, Lawrence!" Carlos said, hitting his friend's arm.

"For the last time, eat your breakfast and stop arguing. You're giving me a headache." Mrs Solonov sighed.

"Hey Moon. You working today?" Axl asked her, grabbing an apple.

"Yeah, morning shift." She sighed.

"Well, it's a shame. We're going to the lake for a swim." He said taking a seat near her.

"Yeah, maybe another time." She sighed.

Mrs Solonov had made scrambled eggs and crunchy bacon with a side of boiled potatoes and carrots, french toasts, fruit salad, fresh sqeezed juice and pancakes. It all smelled great and tasted even better and it was evident that it had been made with care.

So Mrs Solonov was stern and brusque but that didn't mean she didn't like them, it was simply her temperament. She just showed her affection and care in more practical ways and it was ok to Moon: she preferred actions to empty promises.

A few later Josh and Daniel walked inside the kitchen, freshly showered and neatly dressed.

Daniel was wearing a white T-shirt and black fitting trousers with black and white sneakers whereas Josh was sporting a pair of litght gray jeans and a black short sleeved shirt with black sneakers.

Daniel's raven hair fell around his flawless face and his jaw was slightly dusted by a five o'clock shadow. He was wearing steel earrings, bracelets and rings.

Josh had his braids neatly tied in a loose ponytail and he was wearing a lot of steel too.

They greeted everyone in the kitchen and moved to the counter to grab something to eat.

Daniel leaned close to Moon, a little hesitantly.

"How are you feeling?" He asked awkwardly.

Great. As always he started acting in that pathetic way when he was with her. The cheeky, charming, charismatic Daniel who could have every girl he wanted, the calculating, cold-hearted womanizer... unable to say anything clever in front of the one and only girl whose opinion he'd ever cared about in his whole life.