Spica, Alpha Virginis

Descent

   The Lab ran to the window suddenly, catching Leo's attention. He walked over while throwing on a shirt, casually glancing at the building across. He carefully preened the balcony open, the rain no longer pouring down, giving him access to see a young girl dangling her feet on the rooftop. He wasn't sure if it was the sun reappearing from behind the clouds or if she was just glowing, but Leo swore she was dazzling. It had been years since he'd... felt. Sure, he'd felt companionship and loyalty for his fellow rebels, but that could never compare to what blossomed deep within his chest at this very moment.

   Fearing he'd spoken too soon, Leo watched the in absolute horror as the girl threw herself off the building. He wanted to scream, to gasp, to call out to her, to run over, to have done something... but all he managed was to shut his eyes and clench his teeth, A roaring sound made his eyes snap open, jaw dropping in utter shock as the girl sprouted wings. Two long, gleaming white wings held her body suspended in the air, her pale gown fluttering in the breeze. She almost seemed to be searching for something as she scanned the land.

   Finding his voice, Leo called her over, waving to help catch her attention. It worked, and she flew over, giving him a once-over as he realized he had yet to put on pants, making him flush beet red. He ran inside to get dressed as she descended upon the balcony rail, wings far behind her, Lucy's head in her lap as she casually pet the lovable Lab.

"My sincerest apologies, I got caught in the rain and... look, it's been a very long time since I've even seen anyone in town," Leo answered honestly, clearing his throat. A faint blush resided on the otherwise stoic man's attractive features, causing the girl to suppress a chuckle.

"What's a guy like you doing around these parts still? I thought the humans all fled after..." she trailed off, remembering too late it best not to bring that up.

"Most of us did, some stayed behind to fight," Leo offered through clenched teeth. She motioned him closer, and so he curiously stepped forward, stopping just in front of her crossed legs as Lucy moved out of the way. The angel traced his raised eyebrow, then across his nose, before resting her hand on his jaw, cupping his cheek.

"I was sent to find any survivors," the angel admitted, "I was banished for not taking my duties seriously, but at least they let me keep my wings." She smiled sheepishly, somehow finding a positive outlook despite her situation. Leo felt strange around her, like her presence was calming somehow, so he decided to trust the fallen angel. What did he really have to lose at this point?

"My name is Leo," he stuck his hand out to shake, immediately regretting it when she moved her hand away from his face.

"Is it really?" she teased, "Beth, call me Beth. That's what they used to, anyway," she shrugged. Leo snorted, biting his lip in hesitation, chewing on it softly.

"Fine, my birth name is Taekwoon. But I just..."

"It brings back painful memories, doesn't it?" He nodded slowly, the sadness emanating from him only proving her theory. Beth hopped off the railing, stopping to give Lucy a quick scratch behind the ears, promptly making her way past Leo into the apartment. He watched, mesmerized, rubbing the bottom half of his face with a broad palm and long, slender fingers.

"Nice place you got here." Beth took featherlight steps across the room, tips of her wings dragging across the wooden flooring. Still in a daze, Leo found himself unable to move, except for his eyes, the only part of his body not in stupor. "Did you suddenly forget how to speak?" Beth teased Leo, making him look away and curse under his breath. The crimson staining his porcelain features only gave away his embarrassment.

"I found this place one night while travelling in search of supplies. You're free to stay if you need somewhere to crash, there's a spare sofa." Leo walked over to the armoire for his towel pile, pulling one out and walking back over to Beth. "Do you need another one to dry off your... wings?" Saying it aloud made him finally come to terms with the fact he wasn't hallucinating, there really stood an angel amidst his living quarters.

   Considering his town was destroyed by demons, an angel at his doorstep should not have phased him one bit, becoming relatively immune to the supernatural over the years. It was her ethereal existence that had him playing the fool. She was absolutely gorgeous in his eyes, and anyone to tell him otherwise was obviously wrong. Leo remained floored by her presence, taking in her stunning features, all while trying not to look creepy for staring, feeling truly blessed in this moment. Both literally and figuratively, the girl was glowing.

   She spoke, pulling him from his daydream. "You wouldn't happen to have any spare clothing for ladies, would you?" Leo shook his head with a sigh, as if in thought. Curiously, she reached out, tiptoeing, and just barely reached the hairs of his bangs with her fingers. His form towered over hers, though he was sure she could easily do the same to him should she chose to fly.

"Do you touch every guy you meet like this?" Leo joked.

"No!" she blushed, mortified at being called out for her tactless action, which he found irresistibly adorable. "I've just... never been so close to a human before, up close like this. I've only ever watched over from afar. I-I'm sorry—"

"Don't sweat it," Leo muttered shyly, mentally cursing his voice for betraying the feigned chic he was aiming for. She giggled, sending his heart into a hammering overdrive, and it only worsened when she tugged at his shirt, all doe eyes and pursed lips. "Beth—"

"Do you have another one of these? My dress is tattered beyond repair, those dead trees and this horrible dust across town ruined it," she grimaced. "However, one of your shirts could do, for now." Beth nodded absentmindedly, agreeing to her own suggestion, it seemed.

   With all the restraint left in him, after imagining her in one of his shirts, Leo practically fled to his room, leaving the poor angel in utter confusion. Beth sat on the couch, covering poor Lucy with a dry towel, as a makeshift blanket. Leo reappeared, emerging from his room with clothing in tow, handing her a shirt too large for her frame, which she accepted gratefully.

"Are you alright? You seem...strange?" Beth asked as she went to reach for the hem of her dress, making Leo panic.

"Clearly, things work very differently in our worlds. For starters, please refrain from undressing while I am still in the room."

"But we always used to undress openly. We were taught our bodies were a beautiful gift and should be appreciated. Do humans really not like being naked, Taekwoon?" Upon hearing his birth name, all panic fled Leo's face, an emotionless blank canvas left in its place. Beth didn't catch onto her mistake, standing in silence as she watched his walk away, slamming the door to his room. Calling it a night, Leo settled down on some bedding that lay on the floor, the closest he'd had to a bed in quite some time.