Wings

Epilogue || I'll Hold It Against You

It had been a year since she first met Demos and life had, seemingly, gone back to normal. Except it hadn't, because she had her wings out. After she had been dropped off home by the crew, she had been left to her own devices- and had looked at her wings. Initially, she had wanted to sob- they were perfect. They were like how they were when she was young, with soft white feathers and a distinct newborn scent. Everyone at school had asked her if she had a baby, or if a relative who had a baby had visited her over her time off.

After stopping all the rumors, she had been asked about Melissa and almost had a heart attack. The woman had disappeared off the planet, no one knew where she was and her teenage son was now in care. Heart bleeding, she had to say she had no idea where she was because- truly- that was an honest answer. The lab had disappeared- like the building had never existed. It rankled, because she had spent five years in the facility and no-one was exposing it. Even the subjects had either disappeared or simply did not step forward and she wasn't going to be the first one to do it, she didn't want to end up in another lab.

No thank you.

And such, it was the weekend (again) and she had marking to do. It was dull work, but she powered through. After all, hadn't this been what she wanted? She stopped for a moment, put her pen down and walked to the kitchen to pour a drink. Initially she had wanted Demos out of her life, she'd wanted him gone. Not only was he a harbinger of the very people who had condemned her, she stopped pouring her drink and touched her bare neck, he also brought forth the very people who had almost killed her.

But, as expected, she missed him, his touches, his quips and his presence. And, if she was very honest with herself, his kisses. Sighing, she drank her drink and walked back to the couch but was stopped by a knock at the door. Swallowing, she bit her lip- excitement curling in her stomach as she opened the door.

"Hi." It was him, the same old Demos.

His beard was a little longer, as was his hair which flowed past his shoulders and curled around his face, and he looked a little ragged but she didn't seem to care as he stepped forward into her flat. Kicking off his boots, he stood in front of her in holy gray socks, black skinny jeans, a sleeveless gray shirt and a brown leather jacket. Sighing, she looked away. Always so attractive. Again, she met his eyes and smiled at his puzzled expression.

"Hello." Nodding at her, his whole body tense, he let out a small smile as they stood at the door- Cassidy rubbing at her arm as she watched his eyes flicker over her. Truly, she hadn't been expecting him and was dressed in an over sized yellow hoodie and raw hem gray shorts. Blushing, she made to walk into the kitchen- throwing over her shoulder:

"I'll get you a drink." His chuckle followed her and she felt her chest tighten pleasantly.

"Coffee please, Cassidy."

Later, they sat on her couch facing each other. In her yellow mug was hot chocolate, in his was coffee and it was pleasant. Warm. The sort of feeling two friends have after a long time of being together. Shifting, she placed her mug on the table and watched as he followed suit.

"Why are you here Demos?" Freezing, his eyes flashed to hers and softened.

"I came to see you." Snorting, she shook her head.

"That's obvious. Why?" Sighing, he threw an arm over his eyes and leant back on the couch before peeking under his arm, a warm smile coming to his face.

"I have a few...questions." Inhaling, Cassidy faced him with a small smile.

"Fire away."

"How long were you and..." Expression darkening, she watched as his fists clenched. "Ethan, together."