Beneath the Shadow of His Wing

[halosphere.livejournal.com]

Date: May 12th, around ten PM
Place: First Raphael's room, then Michael's
Status: Private (Michael, Raphael and Rose)
Summary Raphael, terrified of Belial, sneaks off to Michael's room


Beneath the Shadow of His Wing

Raphael clutched tightly at his pillow, pressing himself further against the wall, terror surging through him. He could feel Belial down the hallway and was morbidly afraid that he would come while he slept and reduce him to angel goo.

He could hear Fella's soft chewing and see the large golden owl eyes of Pudge shining in the darkness.

Whoooo? the owl purred, rustling its wings.

He couldn't take this anymore.

Scooping up his now-confused bunny and taking the owl from its perch to sit atop his shoulder he quietly opened his door and, shooting a glance at Belial's door, he shimmied across as quickly as possible and dashed up the stairs two at a time.

Standing before Michael's door he hesitated a moment, the owl making irritated purring noises and the bunny restlessly trying to wriggle free and get back to its carrot. It was very difficult for him to ask for help, feeling as if he were a burden or a drain on resources ans energy. Should he really impose on his brother? He and Gabriel had done so much for him, how could he ask-

He stiffened, another surge of fear roaring through him.

It was a mouse, skittering by quickly as soon as it sensed the owl.

Swallowing hard he turned back to the door, knowing perfectly well he must appear as a poor abandoned puppy on the doorstep.

He knocked quietly, in case Michael was asleep.

"Michael? It... It's me... Can we stay with you tonight?"


((•))

Comments

[angelofawesome.livejournal.com]

Michael opened up the door and gave Raphael his best pointed sigh. "THERE you are," he said sternly, grabbing the younger angel and pulling him inside. "Geez, I TOLD you to come hide with me and instead you flew off. C'mon, you, let's get some snuggling in."

Then he noticed the bunny and the owl. "Oh come on, not you too. Either of these two evil like that demon of Gabriel's?"

[halosphere.livejournal.com]

"Of course not!" Raphael pouted a little before setting his bunny down. He cupped the owl in his hands. "This is Pudge. The bunny is Fella. And I have a Lemur named Little Guy, but he's in the Andes Mountains." Looking up at him he felt a pang of guilt. "I'm really sorry about... before. I was just so terrified." As if he wasn't trembling before the Warrior like a scared child.

[angelofawesome.livejournal.com]

Michael yawned. "'sall good, Raph. C'mon in. Bunnies can sleep on the bed, but the owl might wanna find a different spot because I think I kick at night and the last thing I wanna do is break your owl. And I really need a hug and a nap so if you want to stay here overnight expect snuggles."

[halosphere.livejournal.com]

Well. Raphael wasn't the best hugger in all of Creation for nothing.

He set Pudge by the window and, scooping up his bunny he leaped onto the bed and began rearranging the pillows and blankets into a snuggly nest.

[angelofawesome.livejournal.com]

Michael dived into bed, curling up with Raphael.

"'llo bunny," he said, petting the bunny on the ears. "Fella? Really? That's not a creative name, Raph."

[halosphere.livejournal.com]

"Well pet names rarely are," he said. He snuggled into him, feeling his brother's strong aura against his own weak one. It was comforting and his mind drifted to Gabriel holding him close when he was too weak to move. He was silent for a moment. I'm scared... Can he feel it? Can he sense my fear? My paralyzing terror? Does he know I'm... I'm...

"I'm hungry," he piped up. "Can we have something to eat first?" He flashed him his best Baby Bambi Eyes Look. "Pleeeeeeeeeeeease?"

[angelofawesome.livejournal.com]

Michael yawned. "Still," he mumbled, "Fella's pretty borin'. 'n' I'm t' tired t' get hungry, but if y' want to eat g'head. I got food around."

And he did. There wasn't a lot in the ways of personal accouterments in the room, but it did have horded food from the kitchen.

[halosphere.livejournal.com]

He bit his lip. He couldn't take his brother's food! Oh well, it wasn't as if he was unused to going to bed hungry. It was good to be reminded of the people starving in other countries. Letting out a sigh that almost was a wimper he poked Michael in the shoulder like a small child pestering their parents.

"I'm scared Michael..." There was no missing the fear evident in his voice. "I'm just... Didn't I used to be an Archangel?"

[angelofawesome.livejournal.com]

Michael sighed and nuzzled Raphael, draping his wing over his sibling. "Y' are. Father's jus' teachin' y' to rely on others f' once instead of tryin' t' go it alone, that's all. I'm not gonna let anythin' hurt you, promise."

[halosphere.livejournal.com]

Wings...

Raphael was always comforted by wings. The sounds the feathers made rustling in movement... The smell of Heaven... The way they seem to shine of their own light...

He snuggled closer, planting a good-night kiss on his brother's forhead. He thought about what Michael had said. Had he really been that... "Am I that shut away from people, Michael?" But he spoke it so softly he knew Michael couldn't hear. He had always put others first, had always cared for others. But he somehow couldn't wrap his mind around the concept of others caring about him.

He let a smile tug on his lips. He was safe here. Michael and Gabriel would keep him safe... But how could he ask so much of them? He'd figure out something, somehow, to show his gratitude.

[angelofawesome.livejournal.com]

Wow. Raphael really was the greatest hugger in creation.

Michael yawned again and fell asleep.

[halosphere.livejournal.com]

It was past midnight and something rustling caught Raphael's ears. Panicked, he shot up, drawing the cursed blade he had hidden. His wings snapped up defensively and his expression was one of pure terror.

"Michaaaaaael!"

[angelofawesome.livejournal.com]

Michael was shocked at two things:

1) the scream of terror; and
2) the unexpected cursed blade.

He, startled, grabbed Raphael and rolled out of bed, pushing the other angel into the corner and crouching in front of him defensively.

Only then did he notice that the most dangerous thing in the room was the blade Raphael was holding.

"Um," he said.

[halosphere.livejournal.com]

Pudge stared large golden eyes at the two angels. The owl rustled its feathers again and hopped onto the bed again. Some creatures made such a big deal about such small matters!

Raphael looked sheepish as his gaze shifted to his older brother. "Erm... Sorry... I forgot Pudge was nocturnal." Which was saying a lot about how terrified he had been when the Patron Angel of Science and Knowledge forgot that an owl was active at night. He sheathed his blade back in its place at his hip. Then his nose wiggled as the scent of something...

Chocolatey...

Caught his senses. "I call dibs on Oreos!" he squeed, leaping over the Warrior and practically diving for the dresser that he just knew contained the delicious treat.

[angelofawesome.livejournal.com]

Michael stared after Raphael despondently. First he woke him up over an owl that he himself brought into the room, and now he was raiding his secret stash.

The things we do for our siblings.

"Okay," he wibbled, crawling back into bed. "I'm goin' back t' bed anyway."

entering thread with Rhaeii's explicit permission

[roseheerkens.livejournal.com]

Rose had already knocked on Raphael's door three times already and the angel had never answered. As he didn't answer that last knock either she pondered what to do. She held the feathers she'd picked up from the lawn today in her left hand and she just wanted to give them back. She really didn't think it a good idea to leave them in her room or carry them around with her. If that Belial decided he wanted those feathers she wouldn't stand a chance against him, he felt much too strong for her to defeat. So the feathers weren't safe with her.

But whom should she ask. Could she bother Gabriel again? Would he know where to find Raphael so she could ask him what to do and if he was alright?

Michael. He's the alpha angel, he has to know what the members of his pack are doing and where they are.

Alright, the angels didn't seem to behave exactly like a pack, but he had been dominant towards that other angel, Aziraphale. And maybe, if he didn't know where she could find Raphael, he could at least take care of the feathers. As alpha angel he should be a match for the demon, shouldn't he?

So Rose went to Michael's room - she had to check the documents at the reception for the number - and knocked. It wasn't a loud knock as she realized it was past midnight and she didn't want to wake anyone up but her ears picked up movement from inside the room so she didn't think she'd wake Michael up.

[halosphere.livejournal.com]

Raphael was just about to discover the joys of Ginger Snaps when he heard the knock on the door. He looked over at Michael and felt guilty for keeping him up so late. "Stay in bed," I'll get the door." He set down the bag of cookies (which Pudge promptly took over) and headed to answer the door.

sorry for the slow response ^^;

[angelofawesome.livejournal.com]

Michael shook his head, dragging himself out of bed and answering the door.

Oh, it was that naked chick. She probably wouldn't mind him just in his boxers, then.

"'lo," he said, fighting to keep his eyes open.

No prob *hearts*

[halosphere.livejournal.com]

Raphael peered around the door and smiled happily. "Oh! That's Rose! She's my friend!"

Hey, she's clothed at the moment! ;)

[roseheerkens.livejournal.com]

Rose eyes wandered once up and down again Michael's body. For someone who'd miracled clothes on her after saving her from a one-storey drop he seemed very unconcerned about his own half-nakedness.

"Good evening, Mi-" she started to say when Raphael came into view. She broke into a relieved grin, squeezed through the door without touching Michael and gave Raphael a fierce hug, burying her nose in his chest and inhaling deeply. Scents always told her more than what she could see. And he didn't smell of fear at the moment. Good.

"Here you are. I've been looking for you all day. I guess I was worried. And I wanted to give back these."

She let go of Raphael and showed him the feathers.

[halosphere.livejournal.com]

Raphael purred loudly and wrapped his arms around his friend.

When she showed him the feathers, his eyes went wide in shock. They were shed recently... he realized, softly touching the barbs. And Rose had... He looked up at her and smiled his trademark gentle smile, feeling touched that she had gone through the trouble of collecting them to keep him safe.

"... Father's jus' teachin' y' to rely on others f' once instead of tryin' t' go it alone, that's all. I'm not gonna let anythin' hurt you, promise."

Gabriel is holding him, anchoring him to the world as another flashback roars through him...

His brothers are force-feeding him, his own hands trembling, but he can sesnse how they care...

Joe and Duncan and Rose and Atlan... Helping a complete stranger that arrived at the dead of night...

He was quiet for a moment, considering all this, when he heard a commotion on the bed.

Fella had back himself into the corner, every bit of fur standing on end and eyes wide with terror. "Oh dear, he must have sensed something outside the window," he said calmly, knowing full well that what the animal had sensed was a werewolf, but there was no way he was going to betray Rose and her secret, not even to Michael.

He scooped up the bunny, patting it behind the ears and chuckling at his older brother. "Go back to bed, Warrior. Honestly, all this time I was convinced you slept in full armor and snuggled your sword like a teddy bear."

[angelofawesome.livejournal.com]

"I never had to sleep before," Michael whined, eyes closing on their own accord. "It's nothing that's easy to get... used t'. 'n' anyway, why y' keep callin' me Warrior, Raph'l? Not a good nickname."

[roseheerkens.livejournal.com]

Rose pitied the bunny for a moment. She'd have loved to tell it that it was safe from her as it was her friend's pet, but the bunny wouldn't understand her. So she just made sure she didn't come too close to Raphael who was holding the bunny now.

Raphael calling Michael 'warrior' made her tense for a second. She mustn't forget that Michael was powerful and a warrior, she had to be careful. Just because a healer had been very accepting didn't mean the warrior would be as well. She needed to always be aware of that.

Keeping one eye on Michael she turned back to Raphael.

"I see you got your bunny back."

It wasn't her place after all to tell Michael to go to bed before he fell asleep where he stood...

[halosphere.livejournal.com]

Raphael chuckled fondly at his older sibling, freeing an arm to gently lead him back to bed. He saw the pale scars and felt a pang of guilt. His brother was recovering from injuries and he had...

No. Stop that... He wanted to help...

He pulled the blanket over his shoulders and kissed his forehead. "Thank you, brother," he whispered. Oh how he loved his brothers. Were the roles reversed, he knew he would have bathed, force-fed and rocked them to sleep. No questions asked.

Raphael turned back to Rose, bunny still in hand. Motioning for her to follow he moved to slip out the door and quietly closed it behind them. 

[roseheerkens.livejournal.com]

Rose felt her heart hurting when she watched Raphael tuck Michael into bed. She wanted to cuddle with her own brother, with her twin! She wanted her pack back!

When Raphael left, she followed him out the door, smiling. It wasn't Raphael's fault that she felt sad.

"I'm sorry I frightened your bunny" she murmured.

[halosphere.livejournal.com]

Raphael smiled kindly at her. Freeing a hand he took the feathers she had collected for him, to keep him safe, because she knew... and carefully placed the bunny in her arms.

Fella stiffened, then slowly relaxed. If the red-haired winged man put him here, then she must be safe. He would not put him in danger. The creature melted against Rose, enjoying the warmth.

"He just hadn't had a chance to meet you properly yet," he grinned. He felt Rose's sadness and his heart ached for her. It could be any number of reasons, but he didn't dare ask while they were standing out in the hallway where anyone could overhear. So instead, he lifted a wing and curled it around her shoulder.

[roseheerkens.livejournal.com]

Rose wanted to protest when Raphael put the bunny in her arms, expecting the terrified little thing to scratch her again. But the smell of fear lessened with every second and soon she had a very relaxed and content bunny in her arms. Well, that's a first...

"I suppose he just has good sense. Being someone's pet - in this case my friend's pet - is the only reason he needn't fear me..."

She didn't want Raphael to think less of her but she also didn't want to pretend. For her, a bunny normally meant prey. A tasty meal. She just respected the fact that certain animals belonged to others and weren't to be harmed.

Rose rubbed her cheak against the red wing curled around her and petted the bunny's fur a bit.

[halosphere.livejournal.com]

Raphael smiled gently. He knew exactly what a bunny would be to her, but he also trusted her and now, so did Fella. He held the shed feathers in his hands, turning them over. He had been so terrified he actually molted. What if Belial had gotten ahold of one? At full-power, Raphael could hold his own, though he wasn't stupid... He knew even at that a demon using his feather could be dangerous, even lethal. Now... with no powers and no presence, he was less than that of a Guardian Angel. Belial's anger could hurt him severely.

But Rose knew that, didn't she? Maybe not those specifics, but still... she...

"Thank you, Rose," he said, gratitude evident on his expression and his tone. "For this, for your friendship... For... for looking out for me..."

"Father's just teaching you..."

"Raphael, what happened to you?"

"We will force-feed you if necessary..."

"Nothing is goin' to hurt you... Promise..."

"Gabriel said it could be dangerous if someone got ahold of your feathers..."

"Try not to end up injured like that again, okay?"

There is blood and there is darkness... Rain soaking through to his skin as he teeters on the edge of discorporation... Caring hands hold him up... Carry him to safety...

He is safe here... He... has friends here...

[roseheerkens.livejournal.com]

Rose gave Raphael a one-armed hug, careful not to crush Fella between them. Looking up at him she whispered although her senses told her nobody else was near.

"I should be the one thanking you, Raphael. It is... unusual to make friends outside the pack. I mean, it's dangerous to let others know about us. And normally the pack is enough.

But you knew and you still healed me and you still kept my secret and you still like me. It's me who should be grateful."

She leaned her cheek against his chest for a moment before she continued.

"This Belial guy... he chose a room on the first floor. Would you like to get another room to be farther away from him? I mean, I like having you just next door but you never got to chose a room we just put you in the first one available when you arrived..."

New thread? <3

[halosphere.livejournal.com]

Raphael seriously considered this offer. It would be nice to be on a floor away from the demon, to no longer feel the infernal energy leaking through his walls. No doubt the Crown sensed his fear. Still... "I'll stay where I am," he told her, giving a gentle smile. He jerked a thumb towards the door. "Besides, I have a feeling no matter what floor I'm on Michael and Gabriel will make sure I stay safe." He didn't add that it would be easier for Rose to come by if she needed to if he was on the first floor. A big white dog might attract attention if it was climbing up the stairs, whereas his location at the bottom would be far lass conspicuous.

"I think you have a new friend in Fella," Raphael chuckled, noting how relaxed the bunny appeared in her arms.

'first floor' is one flight of stairs up. The one at the bottom is the ground floor ;)

[roseheerkens.livejournal.com]

"Yes, Gabriel seemed very protective of you. I don't know Michael that well. He caught me once as I jumped out the window though."

The last sentence was just a murmur, but better she told Raphael now than to wait for Michael asking him why he was friends with the crazy girl who jumped out windows at night.

"I like your Fella much better like this. Last time someone dropped him into my arms he scratched and kicked with all his strength to get away from me..."

Oops! Well Raphy was pretty incoherent at the time XD

[halosphere.livejournal.com]

Raphael gave a gentle nod, green eyes full of understanding. He knew how difficult it must be for her to be here instead of with her pack. He knew what it must be like to be forced to hide who she truly was. Raphael let his wing curl a bit more around her, wishing so much he could help her somehow.

"I found him in an alley," he told her. "Poor thing just looked so miserable and wet, I couldn't help but take him in. I'm thankful h survived the long walk over here. And so am I," he added quietly, smiling gratefully at her. Joe's words still rang through his mind, one of the humans who had saved him that fateful night. A total stranger, soaked and bleeding. "I've been very selfish lately." It was more of a statement than a confession, gently stroking his pet. "I wish I could do something to show everyone how grateful I am."

[roseheerkens.livejournal.com]

Rose snuggled a bit closer to Raphael, enjoying the feeling of being enveloped by the soft wing.

"I'm sure, Fella is grateful that you picked him up and took him with you."

She looked up into Raphael's green eyes, smiling.

"It wasn't selfish to help me, Raphael. It wasn't selfish to keep my secret and offer me protection. It wasn't selfish to keep Fella with you and keep him safe. And at least I am just glad that you are here and that you are well and that you are my friend..."

[halosphere.livejournal.com]

Raphael felt as if he was going to melt at those kind words. He couldn't help but pull her into an embrace, taking care not to crush her or the bunny in her arms (despite his weakened prsence he was still quite strong physically). "I'm glad you're my friend, too Rose," he rasped quietly, meaning evey word.

[roseheerkens.livejournal.com]

Rose enjoyed the embrace and rubbed her face against Raphaels chest before she made to hand Fella back to him.

"It's quite late and I think we should both go to bed before your alpha can scold me for keeping you up late, hm?"

She was still smiling and she would have loved to stay with Raphael for a while longer but she had to work the next morning and he surely needed some rest as well.

[halosphere.livejournal.com]

Raphael gave a nod. She was right, they both needed to get some sleep.

Embracing her tightly one last time he pulled away and slipped back into Michael's room. He set his bunny down at the foot of the bed and made sure Pudge had a place to perch for the night. Folding his wings against his back he crawled into bed and beneath the covers. For a moment he just lay there, then he rolled over and pulled Michael into a snuggle, planting an affectionate kiss on his brother's forehead. Oh how he loved his brothers... His family...

He fell asleep with a content smile, lightly stroking the Warrior's blonde curls and remembering how much he had been helped since his arrival. He wished he could heal whatever was happening to Gabriel and Michael; it was like a painful open tear that just seemed to hurt them. Maybe someday... Someday soon... The Warrior and the Messenger will be able to help each other in the same way they had helped him.

Pudge ruffled in the window, twin golden moons watching against the night.

Alright, with this post I'm out of the thread ;)

[roseheerkens.livejournal.com]

Rose waited until Raphael was back in the room and had closed the door before she went back to her own room to go to sleep. It had been a long, long day...

Re: Alright, with this post I'm out of the thread ;)

[angelofawesome.livejournal.com]

Michael, asleep but really liking the head rubs, curled up around Raphael.

Hopefully Michael wouldn't kick Raphael in his sleep, but hey, that was Raphael's problem now, not his. Everyone has to make sacrifices here.

This'll be Raphy's last post in this thread unless you want to continue it :3

[halosphere.livejournal.com]

Sometime, a few hours before dawn, Raphael rustled in bed and grabbed his battered Composition Book and pen beneath his pillow. For a moment, he just watched his older brother sleep and thought about the many times he had healed him when he was bloodied and beaten to within an inch of his life. Michael would often insist he did not need help and Raphael remembered that deep longing to help. To heal...

He let out a sigh. I'm just as stubborn, if not worse...

Am I really still an angel?

He let his beautiful wings curl around him as he began to write, one hand still gently stroking the blonde curls on the pillow beside him.