Golden wings

Chapter 21 - Follow

"I really don't think-"

"Shhh!"

Uriel kept quiet and stood awkwardly, because Ayako gave him a look that very well said: "Don't argue or I will take measures". His tail moved side to side, full of nervousness and shyness. He was not daring to let go of the bag she had thrown into his hold. He had to hold that bag, without question, if he wanted her to not throw a fit.

A few days had gone by since the demon and angel had come to terms, to Ayako's glee and both their relief. There was no more fear of being near. They had spent many days discussing their absurd situation. But with time, it became clear what problem they had to deal with now. Uriel still felt that ache, like Ayako had said and he finally admitted. He could not avoid staying at this clearing, and he was still nervous about it. Alexis as well; he felt slightly guilty for the fact that Uriel hurt, even if he was not to blame. Ayako's crazy mind eventually grew bored. She kept coming for those feathers, only to find them both moping about it, every time, even if they got along. They were being forced to stick together, no matter what they thought or wanted. Alexis always scolded Uriel when he tried to keep a painful distance from him. Both stayed near this cave reluctantly, for a lot of days.

Here they were now. Ayako had grabbed all the feathers the angel had dropped through the week, and instead of taking them to the village, she stuffed them into a bag. Then, she told Uriel to hold it, firmly. Said demon now sighed, while Ayako turned around to look at Alexis, who was leaning lazily against the wall of the cliff. She spoke up cheerfully, determined.

"Ok, Alex. Go!"

The blond looked up and gave her a grumpy look, with his arms crossed.

"Don't speak to me like you would to Lykaios..."

"I said go! Or I will stop bringing seafood and supplies!"

Ayako huffed in exasperation, because Uriel commented quietly and shyly.

"Actually, the other day I swam in the lake, and I managed to grab some shells from the bottom. It would not be necessary for you to bring-"

"You two better cooperate already! Or I will take away my cauldron! Let's see if you can stand only having roasted meals again!"

Both angel and demon jolted and grew quiet. Uriel feared losing a way in which to entertain himself, and Alexis had grown too fond of Uriel's recipes.

The hunter nodded with content, because Alexis moved away from the wall. He shook his wings grumpily, and then raised them slowly at his sides. Uriel was unable to not be amazed of how much they could outstretch. No matter how many times he saw it, those wings were mesmerizing each time they opened fully. He watched in amazement how Alexis jumped and batted his wings down strongly, how he took flight easily. His wings did not stop moving once he lifted his feet off the ground. Ayako was not as entranced as Uriel, even if those golden glints were outstanding; she had seen multiple angels fly.

In a matter of seconds, Alexis bounced and landed onto the top of the waterfall. He did so with a little slip, because he was not the best of fliers, to be honest. Once he regained his balance, he glanced down, moved his hands up at his sides and gave them a questioning stare from above.

Ayako waved a hand in front of Uriel's eyes and called him.

"Uri? Are you there?"

Uriel blinked and shook his head, out of his trance.

"Oh, sorry!"

He focused; he tried to do as Ayako had planned. She waited with high hopes while Uriel brushed his chest with the point of his tail, to not drop the bag.