RISE

4 - The Morning After

Aaron woke up feeling refreshed, encased in a cocoon of warmth. He stirred slightly, turning around into a solid chest. It wasn't an uncommon occurrence for Aaron, and for a moment, he thought he was in Brazil with Eduardo, but the man currently wrapped around him was much larger and smelled less like sweat and coffee and more like earth and smoke. He started slightly when he remembered that he was, in fact, with his new husband, the prince of all demons, Elvorix.

Blinking away the bleariness in his eyes, Aaron looked around and found that it wasn't only Elvorix's arms wrapped around him, but his wings, as well. Elvorix seemed to be asleep, breathing slowly next to him, and Aaron considered his situation. It was infinitely better than what he had been fearing - better, even, than the best-case scenarios he had been hoping for. He could tell Elvorix was anxious to take their relationship to a more carnal level, and Aaron was becoming more and more comfortable with the idea, but he still wanted to be cautious, and wondered if he could stall a little longer.

So far, he knew very little about Elvorix's personality, except that he was impatient and impulsive, but capable of self-control. He was also a lot more animated than most of the people Aaron knew, wearing his emotions on his sleeves (or on his wings: his feathers tended to fluff up or contract in reaction to his mood). Aaron hoped this meant that Elvorix would be honest and transparent, and he wouldn't have to walk on eggshells trying to guess what he was thinking and feeling.

It could be good, he decided, but there was no sense worrying until he knew more about his situation. Aaron was comfortable, and not quite ready to get up yet, so he spent a few moments admiring Elvorix's form. The silk robe was still on, barely, leaving the chest open and falling over his shoulders, and Aaron saw a few scars and the edges of what may be a tattoo over his ribs. His face was handsome, too. He had sharp cheekbones and a narrow but pronounced jaw, his nose was straight, and he had cupid's bow lips. His long, black eyelashes rested against his cheeks, and his equally dark eyebrows were thick and well-groomed.

Aaron knew his own features were attractive - guaranteed by the original deal - but he felt insecure when comparing himself to Elvorix. Aaron had always been tall, and wasn't used to being the shorter one in the relationship, and the glowing tan of his skin that he was usually proud of, earned from his mother's Latino roots, suddenly seemed too bright next to Elvorix's purple-hued gray. He became hyperaware of his flaws: his hair was too thick and made his head sweat, many of his partners commented on the natural scent in a complimentary way but it embarrassed him nonetheless, and he knew that his nose turned up at the end in a boyish way. His jade green irises had a few specks of brown. His ears stuck outward instead of lying flat against the sides of his head. His hands were disproportionately large, "strong", his father called them, but he envied his mother's long, elegant fingers.

On top of all of that, the terrifying horns, wings, and tails of the demons had originally reminded Aaron of the nightmares he'd been plagued with since his early childhood and kept Aaron feeling like he was surrounded by monsters, but he now thought them to be beautiful and unique. He felt plain by comparison. Aaron was able to bring his hand up to run over the feathers of the wing wrapped around him, and sighed pleasantly at their softness.

The feathers twitched gently under him and Elvorix tightened his grip. "Hmm, last night you were too tired and now you're feeling me up before I'm even awake?" he complained in a teasing tone.

Aaron flushed with embarrassment, stilling his hand and tried to quickly think of a way to either quell his panic and give in or stall further. He was saved from this dilemma by a timid knock at the door.

Elvorix growled in annoyance and unfurled his wings from around Aaron, who realized he had been sleeping on top of one of them and worried if that had hurt Elvorix, but Elvorix didn't seem concerned, even as he slid out from under him. "ENTER!" he barked at the doorway.