The Golden Child (Tommyinnit with SBI)

Chapter 7- Forbidden

Tommy POV

The following day, Tommy woke up earlier than usual. Jumping out of bed and starting his usual routine, his eyes caught his reflection in the mirror. He couldn't help but gasp at the sight of his wings. Several feathers looked to have been plucked, leaving nasty bald spots all over. Had he really been in the human realm for that long? He ran a hand throughout his wings, gently feeling each irritated spot. Over the night new feathers had begun to peek out, but they couldn't replenish all in one night. 

Ignoring the panic, he shrugged. The humans wouldn't see, so why did it matter? Because it hurts! A little voice scowled at him. It was true. With every flap his wings ached, feeling as though he were carrying two weights on each wing. Maybe flying wasn't a good idea today. He'd worry about this later. Glancing out his window, he rushed out the door.

 Still lost in thought, he immediately crashed into another angel.

"Ouch!" the figure exclaimed, bouncing backwards. "What's got you so excited?"

"I'm so- Rowan?" his eyes widened as he recognized the young angel. "What are you doing here?" Hesitating, he reached out his hand. 

Rowan immediately took it, smiling gratefully. "I was hoping to catch you before you disappeared for the day." She studied him, her eyebrows raised. "I didn't expect you to be heading out this early. The sun's not even out yet."

"Never too early to start granting wishes, right?" he chuckled dryly, hating every word. To anyone else he could have gotten by, maybe even his mother on a good day. But not Rowan. After spending every moment of her day trying to force Tommy into his responsibilities, she was sure to notice the suspicious change.

But it wasn't his gleeful tone that made the girl's eyes narrow. "What in the goddess' name did you do to your wings?" Immediately she was checking his feathers, worry edged into her frame. "Not that you were ever good at upkeeping those feathers, but they look awful!"

Shivering slightly from the breeze, he sighed, "I guess I spent too long in the human realm yesterday." There was no point in lying. She would have discovered the truth with or without his help.

Her eyes widened, looking like they could pop out of her head. "You spent too long in the human realm? Last week I couldn't get you within 100 feet of humans! What changed?" He said nothing, struggling to find the right thing to say. He wasn't doing anything wrong of course. But spending too long in the human realm would always be considered suspicious. She pulled back, her foot tapping the cloud. "Tommy." There was that look again. A mix of concern and annoyance. A look that was just daring him to lie to her face.

"I made a promise, that's all," he gulped, already feeling the sweat beginning to drip. "And come on, there's still time for a curse or two."

"You're serious?" Her prying eyes paused. "Be honest Tommy."

"I finally found someone I could help, I mean truly help." Tommy smiled, thinking back to Wilbur's music. "He needed some inspiration and I figured I could help. I've never seen such a dramatic human in all my years. Each note has to be perfect, each lyric completing his idea. I didn't think humans could work so hard on something so simple." There was a smile on his face. Subtle but pure. "And it's not just him. His entire family is like that. Whether it be hobbies like fencing or gardening, or even just looking after each other. They work so hard." 

Rowan chuckled, "So I was right?"

He snapped out of it in an instant. "No."

"Humans are worth helping." She nudged him, "Admit it."

"One family of good humans does not equal the whole world." 

She sighed, taking this as a win. But it didn't last very long. Another glance at his wings and the worry came back. "You're not... becoming connected to them, are you?"

His heart began to beat faster. "What? No!" Even just the slight suspicion of such a crime would send him hurtling towards earth. Angels couldn't fall in love or play favorites, that was the law.

Rowan frowned, "You could have fooled me." She nodded towards the bald spots in his wings. "Good luck trying to fool your mother." He looked away, knowing she was right. One glance at him and he was done for. "If you're not careful it'll turn you human."

Tommy sighed, becoming more conscious of the ache. "I know." But the thought of never seeing them again tore him apart. There was something inside him that just connected to them. "Have you ever felt connected to a human?" he whispered the last word.

She quickly shook her head before frowning. "No I... Angels are forbidden to make connections with humans," she stammered. His eyes narrowed in confusion.

"Ro-"

"Weren't you going somewhere?" Rowan interrupted, quickly looking around. "Anyways, I have to get going. I just wanted to check to make sure you were okay, especially after not seeing you for a week." He opened his mouth to retort, but she cut in again, "Bye Tommy!" And then she was gone, her wings lifting her from the obligation of answering.

Tommy stood there for a moment, puzzled. It was normal for him to hide something, it was even normal for him to attempt to lie his way out of conversations. But not for Rowan. She was always working to be the perfect representation of an angel, trying to embody the values the goddess believed in. So, what was she hiding?

The night sky began to bleed into golden rays of red and orange, indicating the passing time. He would have to worry about this later. Prepping his wings for a moment, he paused at the sudden ache. Right, no flying for the day. With a huff, he took off down the path to the lower parts of the kingdom. Retracing his steps to the humans, his heart began to beat faster.

Not only would he be helping Wilbur with the last bits of his song, but he also got to help Kristin. Just the thought of seeing her grateful smile was enough to push him to run even faster.

He was so lost in his own thoughts, he didn't feel the burning glares of another.

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Hope you liked it!

Thank for you for 206 reads!! :)

Hope you have a wonderful day!

-Snowy