Bloody Dawn - MCD AU [REWRITE PENDING]

Nine - Keeping Secrets is Harder Than You Think

The moon was just barely setting. Aphmau got up. She looked around the camp that Katelyn and Emmalyn agreed to set up. Both of her friends were dead asleep.

Aphmau swiftly made her way through the forest to Aaron's camp. Careful to stay behind the treeline, she called out.

"Aaron?"

"Yes?" Aaron was already awake, leaning against the very tree that Aphmau was hiding behind. Aphmau jumped back a little, then sat down, leaning against the same tree as Aaron.

"I was wondering if you're from here." Aphmau said.

"I travel a lot. Wouldn't be able to say exactly where I'm from, or where I might be going. Where are you from?"

Aphmau smiled. "Nowhere you've ever been." She replied guardedly.

"Oh really?" Aaron asked. "Describe it. I could probably guess where you're from."

"Well..." Aphmau began, "It's really big, and we don't get many foreigners. You could almost say it's like it's own realm. There are a lot of rules, and everyone does their absolute best to respect and follow those rules."

"That narrows it down... slightly." Aaron said. "Is it ruled by a group of people, or is there a royal family?"

"Both, actually." Aphmau giggled. "Everyone in the castle works together to look after their kingdom."

"Can you describe the castle?" Aaron asked.

"Of course I can!" Aphmau said. "It's big, and has a lot of rooms. It's warm on the coldest days, has a small network of secret passages, and a great view of the kingdom. But other than the view, it's not much different from the rest of the kingdom."

"Do you... live in the castle?" Aaron asked.

"How else would I describe it if I didn't? Of course I do!" Aphmau snapped, revealing more than she should have.

"And you are... ?" Aaron asked, deliberately pushing Aphmau's buttons now.

"I am the-wait a minute... HEY!" Aphmau said.

"The... ?" Aaron asked, now genuinely curious.

"It doesn't matter." Aphmau said crossly.

"Are you of the... Royal family?" Aaron asked.

"... no... maybe... Can we talk about something else?"

"I'm gonna take that as a yes." Aaron said. Aphmau growled. "Okay. We can change the subject. What's your name?" Aaron said quickly.

"... Fine, I guess it's unavoidable. It's... it's... Aphmau."

"Interesting name. I guess you're not from any kingdom I've been to." Aaron concluded.

"Of course not! No mortal can travel to the Aether-" Aphmau quickly cut herself off, but it had already been said. The genie was out of the bottle. The can of worms was already opened. The cat was out of the bag.

"Did you... just say... Aether..." Aaron asked, shell-shocked by how naturally the word left Aphmau's mouth... almost as if she was telling the truth... or just deluding herself.

"No." Aphmau squeaked. Her wings began to tremble. She grabbed them, holding them up against her back to stop the trembling.

Aaron's mind was reeling. His thoughts raced through the things Aphmau had said, what she did, the way she acted and-like the final nail in a coffin-the feather that fell when she bat his hand away. He felt crazy just saying it, but he said it anyway.

"Aphmau... are you... from the Aether... are you... an... angel... ?"

"N-no..." Aphmau said, all of her spunk, joy, confidence and color just drained right out of her. She was shaking. She wrapped her wings around herself. Looking down at her shaking hands, Aphmau began to cry.

"Aphmau... are you okay?" Aaron asked standing up and staring down at his shaking hands.

Aphmau shook her head, forgetting for one moment that he couldn't see her. She spread her wings, stood up, and prepped for take off.

"Aphmau? I'm sorry if I found out your secret. I... I..." Aaron said, only adding to the drama.

Aphmau stopped. She turned around, and took a step forwards, letting Aaron see her face.

Aaron was stunned. Never had he laid eyes on a girl like Aphmau. She took another step forwards and flared her wings, letting them catch the light from the sun, which was just rising above the treetops. Aaron stumbled back. An angel! Aaron used to think angels were just myths, legends.

Normally, Aaron would've grabbed Aphmau's wings to confirm their authenticity, but looking at the tears streaming down Aphmau's face... maybe not. Besides, he still had the feather that had fallen the day before.

Aphmau looked at him, a question on her lips, waiting to be asked. Aaron understood and nodded. Aphmau nodded back and flew off, a few fallen tears sparkling in the sunlight.

The whole way back to where Katelyn and Emmalyn slept, Aphmau debated her feelings. She didn't understand how she truly felt about Aaron...

If only they had more time to talk.

When Aphmau landed, signs of crying written all over her face, she looked up to see Katelyn and Emmalyn glaring at her, evil anime fore in their eyes.

Aphmau was in for a rougher landing than she thought.