The warmth of a fireplace… it was something that was so common; so simple, so easy to have. And yet, the moments in which he had rested by one had always been engraved in his mind. Early in his life, he felt happy near one, loved and embraced. After, he felt empty, cold, no flames able to fill the void in his heart.

He never would have thought he would feel warmth again, yet there he was.

Angus stared at the flames, even if his mind could only focus on what was around him. Like those fair wings had been able to, the figures around him made him feel emotions that few angels felt.

There was another one that felt the same ache, and the same release.

“How did you find us?”

His nephew was seated on the ground, never looking away from him. His amber eyes could not stop glancing at his worn out clothes, his tired wings… his contented expression. The disbelief was still there, even if he had been a while in their home already.

“Searching, persisting, lad. How else?” Angus could feel Uriel’s eyes on him, as surprised as Alexis’ were. The demon had been silent since they all sat in the living room, incapable of expressing his relief, which he knew was there as well. “I have looked down that abyss so many times, I’ve seen this place before… and it still was a pain to find. You could have not chosen a more secluded place to live, could you?”

Uriel sighed, but on the other hand, Alexis let out a tired laugh. His angel could still not let go of the fact that he had Angus at reach, that he was hearing his sarcastic grumbles like if nothing had happened.

“If you have seen this place before…” Alexis shook his head, recalling how he had been torn inside for months, believing him to be dead. “Where were you?”

Angus crossed his arms and let out a huff; as he tried to remember where he appeared, Uriel tensed, the next words ominous.

“As I crossed that blackness, next time I woke, I was near a sharp coastline. I’d say northwest from these parts.”

His violet eyes narrowed, and Ayako did not miss how he seemed to look away. However, the human mistook his uneasiness for simple apprehension, shyness for the stern angel. Ariel and Aurora knew better however, they prodded carefully.

“You appeared far then. Very far.”

Angus nodded to Ariel’s affirmation; his older eyes finally caught onto how even his nephew had seemed to frown with those words too. Ayako was the only one oblivious to what it meant.

Alexis had lost his wings near a sharp coastline. And as he fell into the blackness, his only thought had been of shielding him. In all those years of separation, his worst regret had always been not having done anything to prevent his loss.

“Yes, that darn void could have not chosen a worse landing point, so far away from here. A pain in the-“

“Indeed, horrible. Its deliverance is senseless, simply arbitrary. Surely.”

Alexis shot Uriel a glance, for he had dared say something at last. As all fell into a tense silence… Angus could not avoid but feel pity. Sympathy, for someone he had loathed, resented; all knew, all but her. Her blue eyes held the same concern as the others, but they would never guess the many secrets that they kept from her. Even now they were secretive, in a moment that had been heartfelt, full of rejoicing for his sudden arrival.

In her eyes, the void had been truly uncaring. But it wasn’t. And she could not know it, ever.

And that was why his nephew kept asking, both with that pressure and with real wonder.

“It’s been months, Angus.” Alexis inched closer on the ground, leaning to meet his thoughtful eyes. “Did you find any-“

“No hunters, demons or anything I could not manage.” The relief was instant in his amber eyes; the admission took a weight away from his shoulders. Even though his clothes were worn out and his wings messy, he really had not had to fight for his life in his way here. “I roamed blindly for some time, yes. I’ve come across some silly humans, but all were too stupid to do anything to me.”

Ariel and Aurora exchanged a look, then they asked, cringing at the memory of their own encounters.

“Did they chase you?”

“Did you hide before they could see you?”

How he hated to see the distrust for their mother’s race. This world was as messed up in his opinion.

“No, I would never flee from trouble. No chasing, no hiding. I am not going to cower from some dirty humans.” Ayako shot him a glance then, but he ignored it with a proud smirk. “If they had dared raise a hand on me, I would have smitten them with my hammer.”

Uriel had spotted the weapon as soon as he set eyes on the angel again, as he dared to leave his dark room in the basement, after contemplating the scent for some moments. He commented next, with a matter of fact tone.

“But you did not strike any, even if you would have as soon as they showed a trace of recognition of what you are. You have hidden something.”

“Agh, yes. Maybe I hid in a sense, you lout.” Angus smiled with a small gruff laugh; next, Aurora huffed, as she received a strong pat on her back over her wings. “This lassie here gave me a few ideas. Granted, I could not comb and tie my feathers like her and call it a day, but if angels can be fooled so can be humans, much more easily.”

“A hunchback.” Ariel eyed him up and down, unbelieving that he had spent so much time bending those limbs in a convincing way. “They really were fooled by that?”

As if to prove a point, Angus stood and grabbed the long folds of his brown robes. In two seconds, he cracked his wings like he would his neck and pressured them forcefully against his back, only to then lean, letting them bulge on his shoulders under the robes.

“Now, is it convincing or not?!” He glared at Ayako next, snarling with pride. “Well? Can it fool the eye of the mighty hunter?!”

Ayako sighed and stared at him with narrowed eyes. As much as he yelled at her, there was some sort of familiar care in his glare.

“A real hampered old grumpy man. Yes, picture-perfect.” No angel would ever think of bending their wings like that, in such degrading manner. But this man was Alexis’ uncle, and neither fit the mold of their kind’s standards. “How many towns did you roam like that?”

“Lost count! There were many in my search, haven’t ever studied the layout of this world. I know for a fact that I roamed north first. Found some small towns near the borders of a city called, agh, Fairnen?”

“Feiren.” Too many humans, too many eyes. “Please don’t tell me-“

“No, lad, I wasn’t stupid enough to get into a darn city! Just the towns bordering its western lands. I sought taverns, not markets. Taverns are where one can hear stuff.” He let his wings unfold, and for the first time, his eyes seemed to show real tiredness, fondness of the fact that he was finally here. “I did find the beer and mead well crafted. But every time I would ask for a place like this and I came out of those taverns empty handed, I would feel my heart sink. The drinks at the next stop in my search would not make me feel any better. I drank so much that I did not have to worry about being served some nasty meat stew. My looks and steps really seemed to make people throw coin at me, like a beggar.”

Alexis felt a sting of pain in his heart, just with the thought that he had to go through that. He whispered, finding again the guilt he had always felt since Angus shielded him near the abyss.

“I’m sorry, Angus.” All eyes set on him, as he clenched his teeth and apologized, believing to have cursed his uncle. “I am truly sorry. I have brought you so much misfortune, trouble. If I had not done all that I’ve done, you would have never had to-“

“I would still be in that place, surrounded by assholes that don’t love you as much as I do. To hell with them, all of them! Now, I have you at hand, again, this time maybe even safer, not mistreated under my useless watch!”

Alexis watched silently as Angus walked some steps away, only to get a hold of Ayako and Uriel, who gasped or yelped as he glared them down.

“These two, as much as I would want to yell their ears off, they’ve done me a great service. Not only once. Fools, but your fools.”

Ariel and Aurora did not need to stand and go free them from his grasp, because Angus let go gently after those words. Ayako and Uriel shivered, because as he released their collars, his wings seemed to intentionally brush their shoulders as he stepped back. A touch that was intentional, not accidental.

They knew very well that an angel rarely ever let their wings brush others. That was his thanks, heartfelt, even if concealed.

However, as much as his angelic heart felt gratitude that all were safe and sound, there was one that resided more in his thoughts.

“I have no regrets. This is the best he could have.” He looked back at Alexis for a second, and then whispered with a tone that hinted care, for all of them. “Still, as glad as I am that he has you near… I would be grateful to have him for some minutes after my journey. Alone.”

It took very little for all to reach a silent agreement. Alexis watched as Uriel and Ayako exchanged a look and glanced at him next; they only needed to see his amber eyes to agree in an instant. As well, he felt Aurora’s claw on his hand, giving him a gentle squish before her wings moved away from him. He was able to say nothing as her daughter and Ariel walked away with a faint knowing smile, looking into Angus’ eyes fondly as they passed him.

In seconds, he found himself alone with the angel that had been the first to understand him for who he was. Even the big shadow that had been lurking in the outer corridor moved away, following their steps away from the living room.

And then, even if he was alone with someone that had nothing but care for him, part of him felt cornered. His uncle was advancing again towards the fireplace, where he was sitting cross-legged. And as he joined him there slowly, he felt inadequate, insufficient for all he thought Angus deserved.

“Uncle, I-“

“Shh.” Alexis fell silent, for Angus brushed the tip of one of his wings over his mouth, knowing he had been ready to voice more of his apologies. “I said no regrets.”

“It is not-“ Angus frowned sadly, as he saw tears fall again from those amber eyes; ones of intense respite. His voice quivered as he admitted. “I was so scared of them killing you. That they did something worse to you than what they tried to do to me. I thought I would never see you again, and somehow, it was far worse than the day I first woke in this world. Back then, it hurt to lose you. But now, now I could not take it, knowing it was not a demon what could tear us apart. You shielded us both, and I did not know if you were dead because of it.”

The sight of him stepping into his home had torn him, because relief could also hurt. He never thought he would see a sight so similar to the times in which he was younger, when he would enter their small forge and find him hiding, only to give him kind words that others would not give him. His presence had always made him feel safe, in more than one way.

“I’m here.” Alexis contained another sob, a pained smile growing on his face as Angus whispered firmly. “And you are not going to lose me again. I assure you.”

Angus huffed a little when Alexis hugged him tightly. He did not protest as his hands grasped his wings, nor when he let his head rest down on his shoulder. He just returned the hold, letting his feathers lay where his had been once.

“I know that- I know you resent Uriel and… her. B-but, we can give you a big room; m-maybe even build you your own place nearby. I really can’t believe you are here, with us.”

The older angel let out a sigh, capable of feeling both their apprehension. But there was hope there in his nephew. That was why he spoke carefully, while using a hand to make him look back into his eyes.

“I’ll stay for some time, Alexis.”

The younger angel froze, tears falling as he processed his words.

“What do you-“

“I’ll stay, for a while. Perhaps for some days, maybe a month. But I will set off.”

“W-wait, what-“ Alexis shook his head, not understanding his firm knowing look. “P-please, don’t- Uriel and Ayako would never give you any trouble. Lykaios is not-! No, you can’t just-“

“I can, nephew.” Alexis shut up, because he used an assuring tone. There was a smile there. “I said, that you will never loose me again. And I meant it. Even if I walk out that gate, I will step through them again, someday, sometimes. Hear me, before you fear, before you listen to the whispers.”

He tried to. He tried to push away the thought of him hating Uriel and Ayako enough to refuse being here by him. As much as his mind screamed, he listened. And then Angus explained his reasons, aspirations, and intentions.

“You will never again be threatened, Alexis. You and I, we have walked this world now, unhindered. You, by their side; I, with my cunning ways. No humans or demons can harm us, I wouldn’t let them, and they wouldn’t ever allow them to. Not again. The roads, you have seen them. Like when you would fly over towers and sneak into temples, you have rediscovered your taste for venture. You lost that, but now you can have it back, at their side. No matter how far I could go, you could reach me.”

“I know more now of this land, yes. But where are you-?“

“I need you to tell me… where that darn fortress is.”

A pause; narrowed amber eyes. The remembrance of that place was hurtful.

“Why?”

“Multiple reasons. If I understood your whispers well in that cell, you had to walk to the extreme of the continent, isolated lands, where barely anyone roams. An ideal place for someone who wants to hide. Second, I am an angel; and as an angel, even if hate their guts, I need to remember my homeland sometimes. Not everything was rotten there; your mother, for example. And third…”

“Again.” Angus let out a silent laugh, because Alexis accused him, not really angry, but frustrated. “You want to push everything away to shield me. You want to go near that portal to ensure no one uncovers it.”

“Mainly, yes. With that bastard dead, they may forget it’s there. Priests rarely speak of lost battles. I want to make sure they don’t think of getting near it, ever, as it could inspire them. That big cat treasures your human too much to keep getting there to keep watch alone.”

“It is too far, it is-“

“In a place you can visit. You’ve been there.”

Alexis took a breath and then snarled. He glared at the fire by them, his shoulders shaking with impotence. He wanted him near, close, forever; all he wanted was for his uncle to get to know his daughter better, slowly let go of the resent he held for his demon.

Angus wanted that too. And he would.

“Alexis, look at us please.” At first, he did not understand those words, but soon he did, as Angus opened his wings and pointed at him. There was no trace of lie in his words. “Time can’t hurt us. From now on, you are going to enjoy a long life, in which you can cherish all that you hold dear. Many years, a whole human lifetime at the very least. We angels don’t usually value each day, or year; but you will now, we both will. We are in a world that truly grants the chance to appreciate this fleeting existence.”

Any day, at any moment, they could seek each other, with limitless chances to do so again.

And in that knowledge, that realization, the young angel found himself whispering, finally feeling some trace of certainty in the future, after having lived more than a century without hopes and visions.

“North. Past a valley.”

Somehow, even if he had thought the words would make him feel like if he had let out a curse, he did not hurt while saying it.

Angus gave him an appreciative look, close to him, both seated by the fireplace.

“Now… is there any big room near the ones of the girls?”

Alexis smiled, closing his eyes to not let more tears escape.

——————-

Life did indeed hold many things for him; it had not ended abruptly under a sword. Not even the remembrance of claws on his skin, or daggers, or deadly sparks could drown what he felt in the following years.

Angus had been true to his word. He did stay for some time, maybe even longer than he had promised. Soon, it felt like he had always been there; he did not know how to feel every time he saw him act like the grandfatherly figure he was sure she would never have. He gave Aurora advice in flight, and her smile was as bright as ever. As well, he taught Ariel things that Uriel’s books never would have. Even while near Uriel and Ayako he would show care, aiding them in tasks they had not expected. It would have been so easy to shun them, walk away every time they crossed paths in a corridor or chamber; but he didn’t.

When he left, one day, he did so in a way that had not felt possible before. Uriel did not know how to act as the angel pulled him aside, for the first time whispering gently.

“See you all soon, demon.”

The word demon had not been spoken with disdain or resent, but with familiarity. And as he stepped down the steps of their home, none of them felt it was a goodbye, there was no finality.

The wait, until he would see him again, was bearable. Thanks to the moments in which his uncle had been with them, their manor had lost its gloominess. Somehow, it felt like a home again; there was a sense of normalcy, even when nothing had been normal not long ago.

He found himself inside his old forge again, able to craft like if nothing had happened; and the others seemed to find solace as well. As he hammered on his anvil like Angus had taught him, he could hear the echoes outside. His demon had reached for his old books again, to read them under the comforting shade of a tree. He could hear hurried steps around the walls, two young devils chasing each other while laughing. A hunter, practicing with her repaired crossbow, looking down on all the pelts she brought to warm their nights. And lastly, somewhere in the forests, silence; there was a calm silence, two red eyes closed with peace, no watch needed.

There was no dread, no fear or guilt. For all he loved was safe. Sometimes, the nightmares would still come, indeed; but he always found himself by them, their eyes all ever attentive and caring. Wings, claws, hands, all would pull him close and let him feel their hold. For once, he was glad to be himself.

And for once, there was no hate around him. Soon, he found himself standing by their gates, backpack in hand. This time, however, not only with two but with four. His amber eyes glanced sideways, at them, and their smiles were reassuring. Her hold on his hand was firm, as hopeful as him.

Unlike the first time he ventured, all stayed together. Only one stayed behind, to ensure all would be okay in their home. For they would be okay in the roads, all ever safe. As he walked north again, no human dared throw rocks or frown upon his demons. Not in his presence and hers. He guided their steps, letting them cross streets that once he had not allowed them to see. Ayako, Uriel and him glared down any humans who dared frown upon their daughters as they admired the sight of the towns and city.

The valley was torn, flooded; the dam stood broken. And still, the sight felt welcoming. They crossed a tunnel unhindered, an old man unable to comprehend their joyful steps.

They reached a snowy town. Young blue eyes were surprised as humans showed something they had never seen: recognition and acceptance. As they stepped next to a tavern, they saw two figures call out to their parents. A man that could have been a bear neared them, looming over the tall demon; yet there was only a loud laugh, a strong friendly slam of hand on his shoulders. A woman of pearly hair greeted their mother with familiarity, voicing her wonder for the two.

They halted there for a day, to speak with those two humans before set forth again. As they talked, they soon found themselves speaking of the fortress, and how they had breached past the demons, now all dead. Eventually, they spoke of a strange man, who had forced them out of the fortress. Not aggressively, but with enough sternness to prevent them from hoarding all the books they had been taking. They could still venture into it, but under his weird supervision. Everard assured that man had dared him to a match for the right to rule over that place… and so it was decided he would rule when Everard lost.

Angus had settled there, as he had foretold. The strong humans found his sudden appearance strange, but none dared question him when he had beaten who could very well be their leader. Cecilia had managed to take some books, but had to promise to return them; the angel had become a keeper.

Alexis looked past the forest ahead, now much more cut, nothing able to provide resistance to the lumberjacks. Ahead, his uncle waited.

Only the people of this village roamed. But they all knew that with time, word would travel. In this first visit, there were no pilgrims, but in the following years, there would be. All would seek the knowledge of the books Angus now kept.

In their first return, all halted by the tunnels. All cast a glance to the tomb that rested by them. Aurora was the one to kneel there, staring at it intently, pondering. It was only when he took her claw and helped her to her feet that she looked away with a sad frown.

The fortress still held some remnants of the fire that had crept in it. However, someone had seemed to take care of it. As Alexis stepped in the chambers where Zelophehad had spoken to him, he saw another figure there, as attentive to the books.

That attention was broken. The concealed angel blinked and turned when he heard someone dash into a run. Before he could react, he huffed, two arms latching around him and his hidden wings. Slowly, he returned Alexis’ hold, unable to see his face in the hug. But he could see the ones of his family.

That hold was the first, and not the last. At least once a year, he would run to him, find him past rows and rows of bookshelves, like if he could sense his presence. It was like if he had turned into a demon, as he had wished once. And that hold was always returned.

At first, they made sure to travel all together. But soon, they understood that they could part in pairs or in trios, as sometimes some of them wished to roam and see Angus for different reasons. Sometimes, Alexis would travel with Uriel, other times, with Ayako and the girls; very frequently with only Aurora.

Each time, Angus would greet them with the same gruff care, saying hello, and never goodbye as they parted. And each time, he would notice the pass of time. Always, his nephew would show the same angelic youth, but the girls… he saw them grow. No longer teens, each year they grew into young women. Angels and demons halted their growth in an age similar to human adulthood. It would take centuries for age to show in them.

And every time he saw that hunter… he could notice too. All of them were oblivious to it; perhaps willfully, only capable of seeing the happiness and joy. But he could see it.

Perhaps deep inside, those amber eyes did too.

————–

“Go, go!”

With just that call, the two shadows at her sides rushed forward. Fast, precise, like her daggers had been once; they dashed into the distance. One did from above, the other at ground.

With a proud smile, she watched her daughters chase, quick as lightning. She let her crossbow down, its shot already having fulfilled its purpose.

Ariel and Aurora went deeper into the forest, pursuing the big stag she had shot. It was still proud, strong as it bolted away, even with a pierced leg. But the blood poured behind it, and her daughters would find it, no matter how fast it ran.

Ayako panted, trying to keep their pace. For years, this was a weekly routine. The meat of animals sustained them, only needing the help of a garden to keep another one fed.

The more time passed, the more her daughters surpassed her skill. She had seen them change, turn into what she had once been: determined, firm women, sharp eyes and sly minds.

Soon, she was left behind. For months, she had been struggling to keep her usual pace in their hunts. Still, she kept running, wanting to aid them in taking down the stag.

Ahead, Ariel and Aurora panted, smiling, lost in the chase. One moved like a panther, like her father would, while the other cut the air with huge sharp wings. Two sharp blue eyes narrowed, focused, as she saw the stag take a sharp turn ahead. It jumped over some rocks, taking cover past some trees.

And that made her miss, her own shot missing where her mother had struck.

“Crap!”

Aurora snarled, lowering her bow and flying forward once more. As always, she took it with her in every single venture; it had been reformed, reassembled. The carvings glinted once more on its detailed wood, its metal now longer for her bigger claw to hold.

She had to be the one to wound the stag, as Ariel was unarmed, only at their side to help carry the kill back home.

“Where has it gone?!”

“East, Ariel!”

With just that call, Ariel turned, jumping as well over the rocks. Aurora’s higher ground was always the lead, while Ayako always provided the attack of surprise.

In seconds, both sisters moved onto higher terrain, cutting ground. The stag was ahead, trying to climb some slopes.

And in those seconds, Aurora landed on the branch of a tree. Again, she tensed her bow, and took aim. The stag tripped downwards slightly, making it easy to shoot at… But she did not release her arrow.

Both demons froze, as another sound echoed to them. Ariel stopped prowling, and Aurora lowered her bow. The big stag finally jumped up the slopes, getting out of sight. And they did not chase. They just looked back, their determined glares turning into worried frowns.

Ayako panted, staring wide eyed at the ground. Her breaths were not only pained, but frustrated. When she had tried to move past the rocks that were between her and her daughters, she had slipped. She did not find her usual agility in herself. She missed a step, and rolled down, instead of sliding like she would have done any other day.

Before she could stand and keep running, the chase was over. She snarled, seeing their shadows move over her, the stag completely forgotten.

“Mom are you-“

“Yes!” She stood quickly, brushing the blood on her palms against her cowl. She pointed ahead, limping a little as she beckoned them to keep running. “Come on, we are going to lose it, it will-!”

Her arm was grabbed. With snarl, she looked over her shoulder. Many curses echoed in her mind as she saw Ariel hold onto her, keeping her from chasing. Aurora was looking at her with the same disapproval, her bow lowered completely in her claw.

“We still have food. We can track it another day.”

“No, I am fine. We can-“

“You are not.”

When Ariel cut her words, she felt anger. But not for them.

The demons did not dare say anything more when the hunter let out a tired exasperated growl. But their stance was firm.

Ayako stopped pulling. Her blue eyes fixed ahead, through the forest. She wanted to keep running, but her breaths were too laboured.

She was simply… older.

———————

“You have to stop.”

“I’m not made of glass.”

“You are not. My dear, you are not.” She halted at last. Her hands clasped tightly her crossbow as he pulled her closer, gently. Uriel made her meet his worried eyes, as he beckoned her to stay in the living room. “You are strong; the very same fierce soul that I’ve always loved.”

Ayako rarely cried. But she wanted to now. He did not miss how she looked at her own hands. If there had been a mirror, she would have raised her gaze to it.

Uriel’s violet eyes were fixed on her features, her eyes. The love for her was omnipresent, but the painful truth was there. His claw moved to her cheek, some wrinkles present where there had only been softness before.

Not too old, not too young. But time made all humans pay.

“Let them hunt, Ayako.”

“I’ve always hunted. It is my life.”

“Your life does not need to be one of struggle. You are hurting yourself out there.”

“I’m only slower, I can still-“

“No.” She froze, because he had kneeled. In an instant, his expression had twisted. Some years had passed since the early signs of her exhaustion, and he had noticed them all. In the last hunt, she had seen her limp back through the gates, evident pain in her old wound; which he let her suffer near a black void. “Ayako, you don’t need to prove anything to me, us. You could… but you shouldn’t.”

Slowly, all ever slowly, her hand released her weapon. She stood there, incapable of meeting his violet eyes, which still looked up to hers in love.

Carefully, she raised a hand too, onto his face. She finally met his gaze, a grimace all she could give him. Every day, she could see change, in herself. And him…

“You look so young, Uriel.”

The words hurt. But they were true.

His tan skin was still smooth, his features sharp; his violet eyes full of knowledge, yet still so clear. His body never tired, did not ache. His smile was all ever-beautiful, his hair lacking any single grey streak.

All she was becoming, he would not be. She would not see him age like she did. The truth was simple, had always been. There had never been any presumption that time would not flow past them.

And still, it pained them.

“Maybe…” She smiled sadly, as he took her in his arms and twirled her in them, holding her with one of his charming smirks. “Maybe we can have a walk under the moonlight. No running after anything in the forests, just you, I, and the skies.”

“That… would be nice.”

She surrendered as he leaned to kiss her, a tear escaping her.

—————

Happiness was around them for many years. A whole human lifetime.

Angus had not lied in that.

Still, seemingly lengthy at first, each passing second made it feel all the shorter.

Easy to ignore at first, each month more obvious. One year, simple looks; the next, real impending facts.

First, her ability to hunt: nothing serious, strength and agility was something all middle-aged humans lost, perhaps faintly. Soon, however, more serious evidence: her once beautiful auburn hair lost its color, her blue eyes showed much more tiredness, just for being awake. Simple things became complex, at a slow rate that felt all too fast.

In joy, they had always bickered. They had maybe even used to compete in swatting matches, resorting to harmless shoves or pushes, trying to steal each other’s food or tools. And now… those ticks of theirs had faded. He would wish to yell at her, and he would stop instantly, as he dwelled on the sight of her walking staff. He found himself walking on eggshells, when he had not doubted to get even with her in the past.

Her expressions as well, even if still sly and cunning, they were now softer. No longer would she dare use her trembling hands to help with his scars. She had surrendered that to Uriel, and he knew that she feared hurting him, her sight now less sharp.

And she… acted like it was nothing.

Years ago, she had been bothered by it. She had kept trying to prove her strength.

But she gave up.

He did not know if all humans did, if all of them acknowledged their changes, but he hated it. She no longer would try to argue with Uriel about the chores he would steal from her. She would still roam with her girls, but at a slower pace, of which they were very aware of.

All knew. And all were resigned to it. Even Lykaios, in his coldness, seemed to know. He was omnipresent at her side, but calm.

The calmness, it was haunting. No one ever acknowledged it. They just acted accordingly. They would help her walk, or do stuff, all ever smiling, kind. They would talk like they had always had done, capable of joking. They accepted humanity’s weakness and frailty.

All did… all but him.

Chains, that was what he felt. They were ripping him, right through his heart; they had been there all ever since he met her eyes in that clearing. They were getting rusty… and soon would break.

He wanted them to last, keep him chained to the happiness he had come to cherish.

His amber eyes glinted in the dark, awake past midnight. Each day, he had become more nocturnal. His expression was firm, yet wary. His steps ventured once more out of his room, his hand clasping tightly what he had been keeping hidden for a month.

The angel halted in the kitchen. Gone were the embers in the ovens, gone the smells of the tender supper. Vacant, hours ago filled with laughter. Their presence still echoed in his heart. Her soft laugh was louder in his mind… and their love for it torturous.

With that knowledge, he raised his wrist and hand. Not even a hiss escaped him as he moved his carving knife across his arm; deep enough to draw blood, but not enough to be evident if he hid it under his sleeve. No one had called him out on it yet, even if they could smell blood clearly, because he made sure to excuse it with smaller cuts while he carved mindlessly.

Once he saw his angelic blood pour out from his skin, he moved his arm again. With no doubt in his gaze, he let it loom over a flask that he had opened at the counter. Usually closed tight, in order to preserve a medicinal infusion she used to drink.

His amber eyes stared intently as his droplets of blood poured inside, the green tonality of the medicine helping hide the redness added to it. The scent of herbs helped hide the new ingredient, much more powerful and potent than any substance in this world.

That, he knew for a fact.

With a deep breath, he retracted his arm and closed the lid once more. Quickly, he reached for a cloth, intending to do like other days, clean the wound and move away back into his room.

Sadly, he wouldn’t. As his hand gripped a napkin, he heard an echo. He tensed, his frown intensifying. In the darkness, there was someone with him. That someone was at the door, but present enough for him to know he was not alone anymore.

Her voice echoed in, softly.

“I’ve noticed, Alex.”

He stared at the wall, refusing to turn and meet her gaze. He answered, with a monotone tone.

“When?”

“Yesterday.”

That meant she had at least been fooled for a month.

He stayed still, unable to move as her steps echoed closer. In such stillness, his arm kept bleeding, multiple drops falling on the floor at his feet. He commented plainly again, seemingly unbothered by the red flow.

“You’ve been sleeping better.”

“I have.”

“And your bones hurt less.”

“Perhaps.”

No. Not perhaps. Without doubt.

Alexis finally turned. His expression was grim, as he looked down into her blue eyes. His emotions were clear to her, like a stream of water. He confessed, as there was no more chance of hiding.

“I had to.”

She leaned her head, sending the flask a contemplative glance. Her next whisper was regretful, but not accusing.

“No. You didn’t have to.” She met his eyes, intently. A snarl escaped him, as he took in all her features, so contrasting with the memory of their first meeting in a secluded forest. He felt as cornered now as he was in that makeshift nest, even if she did not hold any weapons. Her stare was as inquisitive, as curious; her care all the same. “I’ve told you many times… your blood is not for barter.”

“This is nothing, Aya. Nothing. I could bleed much more, and I gladly would.” His voice had grown louder, but it was still whispered. “It is a fair trade.”

“A unilateral trade, I hope you realize.”

“Yes, it had to be one-sided. I had to hide it; because you won’t bother to accept the value of it.”

“There is no value, only delay.”

“A delay is… still something. I know my blood can keep hurt at bay, anything that could harm you.”

He had done this before. The fact hurt, as he now had to remember how he had fed Abiel his blood long ago, when no one would look. The rabbit lived much more than any other would have, for all the illnesses that would have befallen him were denied.

But both knew that time and age were not illnesses.

“Alexis…” He shivered, because she had grabbed the cloth he had left forgotten. He clenched his teeth as she brushed it against his arm, gently, as caringly as she whispered. “The hurt of using you is far greater than any ache I may feel.”

“B-but I can’t just let you-“

“You will have to.”

His shoulders trembled when she let out the truth. No matter what he did, she would someday die. All knew.

“I don’t… want you to.”

“Me neither.” She smiled. A smile he knew, one she had always used in the past, playful and sweet. “Your fall was a beautiful gift, all I ever needed; it has allowed me to have you two, have them. I wish I could halt time and hold you forever.”

But it was not possible.

His blood would only act as a shield, keeping ailments away. Colds, aches, pain. Maybe it would give her temporal strength, but it would not give her something that was not there already in her. When her heart would grow weak and her strength faltered, nothing in him would be able to take its place.

It hurts.

He was in more pain than her. Her acceptance, their future pain, it was already seeping into his own heart and mind. He feared a threat once more, one he could see coming, but not truly shield her against.

He wanted to shield them all. Stall for time. Time they had cherished.

She knew. And so she leaned again, letting him ground himself in the moment.

“It will be fine.”

It won’t.

He returned her embrace, both their foreheads touching as they fell silent. He began to shake, tremble, a sobbed growl escaping him. His hands sunk around her clothes, as he gripped what he feared to lose.

All he wanted was to take her place, as he did not want to see their pain.