lt_safe_house | Beneath the Shadow of His Wing

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Beneath the Shadow of His Wing

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?"

((•))

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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.

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."

"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."

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...

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.

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.

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.

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.

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...

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..."

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.

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Beneath the Shadow of His Wing

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

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New thread? <3