{Shifts down onto the bed, thankful for your care with my back, and presses in close to you} I just need to feel your arms around me while we sleep.

{Smiles and lifts a hand to your cheek} I feel the same about you. {Presses my lips to yours in a tender kiss} Can we rest now, please? I wish to lay with you and try to heal my back.

{Shakes my head and carefully turns in your arms, my hands lifting to your cheeks} You did not fail to protect me. This was not your fight to begin with. {Presses my forehead to yours} I will heal and then I can get my wings back, when I am ready. Please… stop blaming yourself.

~ into your hair} Azrael… you must know how I feel about you? I would give my life for you.

{When you sit me down and move behind me, I shift gingerly as my shirt is removed, heaving an unsteady sigh at your question} They were going to take your wings… I could not allow that… {Reaches behind me, the action causing a mild ache to radiate through my shoulder blades, and slips my fingers ~

~ a soft sigh escapes and I try to stand with Azrael as Shiki opens a portal for us} Thank you, Shiki. For everything. I am forever in your debt… {Turning to Azrael, I point to the portal and leans heavily against his side} Take me home…

{When Azrael approaches, my eyes close, allowing myself to relax in against him, a soft smile tugging at my lips} Az… you do? Really? {My eyes open and looks up at Shiki as he speaks, watching him collect my wings. I was in awe of his presence and the kindness he displayed. Looking at my wings, ~

~ finally succumbing to the trauma of tearing out my own wings}

~ I turn towards Azrael, barely listening as Shiki addresses my attacker, focused solely on getting to him} Az… {My back was screaming at me to stop, but I try to stand anyway, registering briefly that Shiki had told Jiwoo that I was under his protection now, before collapsing again, my body ~

{My face tilts towards Shiki’s at his touch, listening intently. I had heard stories of his time in heaven and the carnage he had caused since his descent, but I did not fear him. I remain silent as he stops the bleeding of my wounds, relieving some of my pain. When he turns his attention to Jiwoo,~

~ Shiki, a mix of pain and exhaustion making my voice weak} … because I love him…

~ {Looks to Azrael in his frozen state, the darkness of death cloaking him, but it’s not what I see. I see the man who could have killed me, but chose to educate me instead. The man who showed me kindness when I had questions and the man who gave me a home when I had none. Dragging my gaze back to~

~ Pain was radiating through my body, now that I was still and I almost don’t realise it when Shiki releases me from his hold. Looking up at his question, a small confused frown creases my brow} Why? Because it is the right thing to do… Because he is not who the angels want… and… Because… ~

{Everything was a blur of noise and pain as I watch Azrael retaliate. I should have known he would not leave me behind. The thought should have warmed my heart, but all I could think about was losing Azrael to the angels. And then I’m frozen in place by a voice that was distantly familiar. Shiki ~

~ one wing towards Jiwoo, knocking him off his feet and into the nearest wall, the other flung out towards the angels surrounding Azrael, knocking many of them clear} Azrael….! Get out of here!

~ down as hard as I can, using every ounce of strength I possessed to tear my wings free from my back. I had to do it quickly, use the shock of my actions to make them hesitate long enough for Azrael to free himself. With a wild scream, I pull my wings free and swing around in a wide arc, tossing ~