Black Wings

Chapter 8

When I entered Michael and I's now shared room later than night, I found him in the expanded nest with his camera and a movie playing. He was stretched out, propped up by a pillow. I closed the door and laid down on top of him, just to annoy him. Disappointingly, it didn't bother him as much as I wanted. In fact, he didn't do anything but slide his arm underneath mine to use both hands to hold his camera. I rested my head on his shoulder and tilted my head back to see his face. His eyes, now a stormy grey in the soft light, flickered down at me for a second before returning to the camera.

"What are you watching?" I asked, glancing at the television mounted on the wall. "Oh, Harry Potter. The third one, my favorite."

"Rachel insisted I watch it."

"You don't seem to be watching it."

"Hmm?"

"You really enjoy that camera, don't you?"

"Yes. When we return home, I will be very happy to have these photos with me. I like Earth, more than I thought I would."

"There's a lot to love about Earth. Like their stories. Unlike us, humans have so much imagination and creativity. And their art, everything means something different to each different human. And music. Music is everything, it's life set to a tune."

"You sound like you really love music."

"I do."

Michael didn't reply. So, I started watching the movie while Michael continued on with his camera. When the movie was almost over and I had begun to fall asleep, Michael surprised me with a request.

"Take a picture with me."

"What?"

"If these pictures are of my time on earth, I'll need a picture of my partner and I."

"Alright." I said softly.

I shifted closer, struggling to keep my eyes open. Michael slipped his arm underneath mine to use both hands to hold his camera. I tried to look up, but the call of sleep was overwhelming, causing my head to be nestled underneath Michael's chin. When the camera clicked, I managed to smile softly, but my eyes were closed from sleep. The last thing I remember was Michael's soft laugh mixed with the Harry Potter theme song.

*****

"So Michael, why were your wings wrapped around yourself and Rina?" Rachel asked at breakfast.

I nearly choked on a bite of waffle and Michael almost dropped his coffee mug behind me.

"Excuse me?"

"Big white feathery wings forming a shell, a little hard to mistake. What's the big deal?"

"It's 'big deal'! A huge deal!"

I twisted around in my seat to glare at Michael, who was still in shock. I turned back around and putting my head on the table, groaning.

"I'm confused."

"It's something that should only be done between mates." Michael explained while I continued to groan. "It's a sign of possessiveness and want to protect. Angels usually only have attachments to their mates. I'm an exception because I have my brothers, but even then, that's not something you do. And considering I didn't mean to means it was instinctual. I had the instinctual desire to protect her, accidentally."

"I think I get it. You instinctively protected Rina like she was your mate, right?"

"Yes."

I picked my head up off the table and looked over my shoulder at Michael.