Celestial

Chapter four: Time

Thanksgiving 1999

Ryan tilted his head as Angelo sat a plate of food in front of him. He simply ignored it, going back to his puzzle. It was a dragon, 1,000 pieces.

"Ryan you have to eat." Angelo sighed.

"I don't require human food. It disgusts me."

"You'll like this."

"Why would I like dead animals?"

"Because... I don't know. Please eat it."

"You never eat animals."

"That's because I can't. I've told you this before." Angelo sighed, running his fingers through the man's hair. It was getting long. Too long.

"What is this?" Ryan murmured, trying to pick up bits of cranberry sauce. "It's not meat."

"You'll like that." Angelo smiled, grabbing a spoon. He carefully fed Ryan, chuckling softly. Ryan's eyes lit up, quickly taking the plate. He simply pushed the turkey off the plate, letting out small moans as he ate.

"More." Ryan demanded. "Now."

"Sorry sweetie. The only way you'll get more is if you come and meet the others."

"I do not wish to go out unless I can go home."

"And we're back to this." Angelo sighed. "Do you know why I'm the only one who comes in here?"

"You are going to save me."

"No. Because you're so strong that they're scared of you." Ryan grew confused at how low Angelo's voice got. "They don't want to get hurt. Now we can go outside but it'll still be enclosed and you have to come back understand?"

"I... Okay." Ryan nodded. "I can have more of that when I come back?"

"I promise."

Angelo gently grabbed Ryan's hand, lifting him to feet. Ryan slowly followed behind, tilting his head as he touched Angelo's back.

"There's something there."

"I'll show you outside." Angelo chuckled.

He carefully grabbed Ryan's hand, guiding him through the halls. Ryan yanked his hand from Angelo's at the sight of the outdoors. He smiled, pushing the doors open. He fell onto the fresh snow, rolling onto his back.

"It's night." He whispered.

"Your sleep schedule has been messed up for a couple weeks." Angelo chuckled. Ryan watched as the taller man shrugged his lab coat off. Ryan scrambled back a few feet as Angelo's stretched his wings. They were a dark grey, almost black.

"You're a bird!"

"I'm not a bird." Angelo chuckled, smiling. "I'm an angel. A fallen angel actually."

Ryan slowly stood up, gently running his hand over the top of one. "Soft." He whispered, frowning as he grabbed Angelo's wrist. "What's this?" He murmured as he touched the metal cuff.

"It keeps me safe." Angelo muttered as he jerked his hand away. "Don't touch it."

Ryan glared at him, sitting on the ground. The snow melted under him. He sniffled softly as he made a snowball.

"Don't pout Ryan. You don't look good when you pout."

"I don't care what I look like."

"Want to fly?"

"I don't have wings."

"With me silly. I'll hold you."

Ryan looked up at him, smiling. "Yes." He chuckled. Angelo carefully picked Ryan up, smiling as he smaller man wrapped his arms and legs around him.

"This might be a bit scary at first but trust me alright?"

"alright."

Ryan sniffled as he closed his eyes. He had never been in the air before, tightening his grip on Angelo. He eventually opened his eyes, gasping as he looked down. Ryan smiled at the sight of the trees under them, biting his lip.

"Do you see the lights? That's our home." Angelo whispered.

"Your home. I will leave."

"Maybe one day." Angelo whispered. "Let's meet the others alright?"

Ryan grumbled as they landed. He buried his face in the angel's neck, tensing at the sound of footsteps.

"This is the famous Ryan."

"Be nice. He's very scared right now. He hasn't been out in a year."

"I'll be nice. Tell Kuza to be nice." Ryan whined as a random man gripped his chin.

"What you doing?" Ryan mumbled.

"Want to look at you. I'm Josh."

"Josh?"

"Mhm. You're so cute. It surprises me how strong everyone claims you are when you're such a tiny thing."

Angelo quickly covered Ryan's ears, glaring at the shorter man. "Don't put ideas in his head. He acts like he's a thousand years old but he understands very little."

"Then we should use him."

"Use who?"

"Kuza go away! You're not allowed near him!" Angelo growled.

Ryan whined as he jerked away from Angelo. "Don't do that."

"He's cute."

Ryan tilted his head as he looked at the taller man. He yawned softly, frowning as the man stuck a finger in his mouth. Ryan quickly bit Kuza's finger, smirking as the man jerked back.

"Fucking bitch." Kuza grumbled. "What is he?"

"They don't know." Angelo muttered.

"He's a..."

"Don't say it. If they know we know then they'll hurt us till we tell. They can't know what he is. Not until Ryan is old enough?"

"When is that?"

"Five years." Josh whispered. "Tell them in five years. Ryan will be ready then."