When Angels Fall

Chapter 9

I wake up in the morning, and it takes me a moment to remember where I am. I stay in bed for a few minutes, going over the chaotic and strange events of yesterday, then sigh and get up. I pull my sweater on and run a few fingers through my hair in an attempt to tame it. The small black clock on the wall tells me it's about seven. I'm used to getting up at this time for my job.

Crap. I wonder if I'm even allowed to go to my job, or if that's a thing of the past.

I slip my boots on and head out into the hall, pausing at Kuzo's door. Should I knock? What if he's still asleep? What if he isn't?

I'm debating this and trying to decide what to do, when I hear what sounds like a soft whimper from inside. That's all it takes to make up my mind, and I slowly open the door.  It's dark inside, but I can just make out Kuzo's form in his bed.

"Kuzo?" I whisper, taking a step inside. There's no answer, so I know he's asleep. There's another sound, a soft groan. He must be dreaming.

I slip inside, leaving the door open behind me, and tiptoe over to Kuzo's bed. He is indeed asleep, his wings open and spread out across the bed. But he's frowning in his sleep, his fingers clenching in the sheets. Must be a nightmare.

"Kuzo, wake up," I say softly. When nothing happens, I reach out and nudge his shoulder. "Kuzo!"

His eyes snap open, and they're glowing such a bright blue that it hides the rest of his face. He blinks a few times, and the color dims to normal, before he realizes I'm leaning over him. "Paris?"

I take a partial step back as Kuzo reaches up and flicks his light on. "What're you doing in here?" he asks me worriedly, sitting up. His voice is thick with sleep.

"You were having a nightmare," I say quietly, watching him. "What was it?"

Kuzo sighs, scratching the back of his neck and not looking at me. "It doesn't matter, don't worry."

I frown. "It does matter," I insist, sitting beside him. "Tell me, please."

Kuzo finally looks up at me. It's hard to believe he's a powerful angel when he looks so torn.

"Uh..." he starts, taking a deep breath. I feel that he doesn't want to tell me, but I want him to. So he is.

"You were being attacked," Kuzo says. "Demons. And I couldn't stop them. I couldn't save you, there were too many."

I stay silent as I watch him. He looks like he's barely gotten any sleep.

"What time did you go to sleep?" I ask worriedly. He shrugs.

"Two or so."

I shake my head, scooting closer. "Well, I know you're not going to let demons get me," I say, giving him a small smile. "I trust you, and I know you can protect me."

Kuzo returns a tired smile, but it doesn't look like he completely believes me. I pat his arm and stand.

"Go back to sleep, I'll stay and make sure you don't have any more bad dreams."

Kuzo looks up at me in surprise. "Really?" he asks, seeming almost stunned. I nod, grabbing his desk chair and pulling it beside his bed, then sitting down.

"Really. You look like hell, and you need more sleep."

Kuzo looks at me for a moment, before sighing. "Alright," he mumbles, laying back down. I switch his light back off, then roll the chair forward a bit. Kuzo gives me a smile.

"Thank you," he says, already falling asleep again. I return the smile.

"You're welcome. I'll be here when you wake up."

Kuzo closes his eyes, and he's asleep in seconds, snoring softly. I timidly reach out and rest a hand atop his, feeling his soft skin beneath my fingers. I almost jump when he curls his fingers through mine, holding my hand. Good thing he's asleep, or he'd see how flushed my cheeks are.

I do manage to stay awake for a while, but I soon doze off as well, slumping with my head against the mattress. I'm unaware of anything until I feel someone gently shaking my shoulder. I slowly open my eyes and lift my head to see that Kuzo's awake once more, smiling at me.

"Hey," he says, chuckling as I yawn.

"Hi," I return, sitting upright and blushing slightly. "Sorry. I guess I fell asleep." Kuzo shakes his head, sitting up and stretching.

"It's alright," he says, tossing the covers back and swinging his feet onto the floor.

"How did you sleep this time?" I ask as he stands. The feathers in his wings are messed up, sticking out in all directions, and I watch as he traces his fingers through them, gently straightening the feathers.

"Pretty well, actually," he says, smiling. "Did you stay in here the whole time?"

I nod, feeling shy for no apparent reason. "Yeah. I said I would," I mumble, standing and stretching. I blush when I catch Kuzo looking at me, but he looks away just as quickly.

"Want some breakfast?" he asks, grabbing a jacket off the back of the chair and slipping it on. I nod, then chuckle.

"Technically, it'd be lunch," I point out, nodding to the clock. It's almost two. Kuzo winces.

"Alright then, lunch. Or...brunch." He shrugs, laughing, and I grin as we head downstairs. Kuzo leads me into the kitchen, and I take my time looking around. I didn't pay it much attention when I was helping Mara with supper. It's pretty large, with several ovens, three refrigerators, and miles of counter space.

"Want waffles?" Kuzo asks, digging through a drawer and grabbing a cookbook.

"Sure!" I nod, walking over to stand beside him as he rifles through the book. He smirks at me.

"You may have to help me. Last time I tried to make something, it didn't end so well," he admits, giving me a sheepish look. I laugh.

"What happened? Did the microwave explode?" I joke as I start finding ingredients from the cabinets. Kuzo laughs.

"Ah, no, I'm not that untalented. But I did get batter on the ceiling..."

I look up at the ceiling. It's a good twenty feet above us, and I turn to Kuzo with a stunned look. "How'd you manage that?!"

Kuzo looks at anything but me, then sighs and scratches his head. "I, uh...slipped on my wing..." he mumbles. I start laughing so hard I have to support myself against the counter. Kuzo glares at me.

"It's not that funny!" he exclaims as I'm trying to remember how to breathe.

"It's kinda is," I wheeze, wiping tears from my cheeks, before sighing. "Wow. I thought angels were supposed to be majestic." Kuzo rolls his eyes as he begins measuring everything into the bowl.

"I'll have you know I am very majestic," he huffs. I chuckle and ruffle his hair.