✔ || Save Me [[SEQUEL to DISTRACT ME]]

Chapter 9

{A/N: Double update today because I'm really excited for the chapter after this one and I want to post it tomorrow.}

Taehyung crouched, lifting his wings high above his head, and then sprung into the air, propelling himself skyward. Raphael was already waiting for him in the clouds, his massive wings beating lazily, and didn't say a word when Taehyung came level with him. Instead, he simply turned and set off, Taehyung pumping his own wings fiercely to keep pace. He had always been fast - though unfortunately not as fast as Eden - but Raphael seemed to be on a mission today. Taehyung let his eyes slip shut, relishing in the sensation of the wind filtering between his primaries, gusting beneath his secondaries, and tickling his down. He released an excited whoop, stretching out his wings to coast along the wind. He giggled as he sliced through fluffy chunks of cloud, leaving a trail in his wake. Raphael continued to face forward, ignoring the younger behind him.

If there was one thing Taehyung loved more than anything, it was flying. For one thing, he was built for it, his body created specifically to be in the sky. Cold air whistled through his lungs, filling his blood with elation. He never wanted to land.

He tilted his body and pinned his wings against himself, diving downward before quickly unfurling them again, catching himself with a breathless laugh and pumping strongly to return to Raphael's side. The archangel glanced at him and shouted over the wind, "What are you doing?"

"Playing!" Taehyung giggled.

Raphael turned away again, "We are almost there, little one, stay close."

Taehyung obeyed, falling into line with Raphael. The elder's wingtip brushed Taehyung's, making him gasp softly. His heart palpitated before resuming its intense pace, pumping life through his body as he flew. Heat coursed through his wings, expanding all the way to their tips, from their work.

All too soon, their flight was over, and Raphael was tipping his primaries downward to bring him closer to the landing pad that appeared through the clouds. Taehyung squinted at the unfamiliar building. It was a tall watchtower with only one landing strip, signaling that this was not a public place. Taehyung bit his lip, realizing that this was Raphael's personal observatory.

Raphael landed lightly, followed by Taehyung who had to jog a few steps to release the last burst of his momentum. They shook out their wings, cooling them, and Taehyung rolled his shoulders before folding his wings against his back, running a hand through his wild hair. A rogue gust of wind blew his billowy shirt up, exposing a sliver of his stomach, and Raphael smirked dominantly at it. Taehyung blushed and shuffled after the elder. He asked, "What are we doing here?"

Raphael didn't answer right away, and in the six years that Taehyung had trained under him, he knew better than to press. Instead, he fell silent as he followed the elder, opting to observe his surroundings. They turned the corner after emerging into the central part of the tower, coming to a spiraling staircase. Taehyung marched after Raphael, marveling at the stone bricks that shined with veins of gold holding each piece together. He trailed his fingertips over the wall, smiling. Gold. A perfect material for the archangel.

"Taehyung," Raphael barked, and the younger scrambled after him.

The boy ventured to the edge of the staircase, leaning over to squint at the ground level. It seemed to go on forever, until even the sunlight filtering in from outside couldn't pierce the abyss. Catching Taehyung's curiosity, Raphael explained curtly, "That goes down to Purgatory. Never travel lower than the landing pad, little one."

Taehyung nodded obediently before promptly losing his footing. He stumbled over the edge, flailing his wings. But the space in the watchtower was too tight to completely unfurl their expanse, and they slammed into the walls. Taehyung hissed in a sharp breath of pain, but managed to grab a stair and haul himself up. Raphael waited, watching the younger struggle silently. Taehyung folded his wings, wincing, and jogged after the archangel. "Sorry."

"Come," Raphael said, turning away.

Taehyung squirmed, worried that he'd disappointed the archangel. "Sir?"

"Raphael," the archangel corrected. "Do not call me 'sir' unless we are in public or in bed."

Taehyung's steps faltered again. "W-what?"

"Hurry up," Raphael ordered, and though he was immensely confused, Taehyung obeyed.

The staircase opened to a study with walls covered floor to ceiling in bookshelves, a massive desk facing the entrance, and Taehyung immediately grinned. Raphael turned to judge his reaction and hummed in approval before showing him his back again, crossing to the desk. Taehyung waited close to the stairs, unsure and oddly nervous. Raphael picked up a book from his desk and browsed through it quietly. Taehyung hesitantly stepped forward, not quite sure what he was supposed to do, when Raphael suddenly spoke, his back still to Taehyung and his attention on his book.

"How long have I mentored you, little one?"

"A-as long as I've been alive," Taehyung breathed.

Raphael shot him a warning look, "Years, Taehyung. How many years?"

"Six?"

"Is that a question or an answer?"

"Six, sir - uh, I mean, Raphael."

Raphael tsked his tongue and rolled his head up, slowly setting down his book. "Stop using interjections. That's a human trait. You are above humans." 

Taehyung paused, "O-oh -"

"Hmm," Raphael picked his book back up and Taehyung breathed a quiet sigh of relief. "So, we've been together for six years. Do you think your training has concluded satisfactorily?"

Sadness withered Taehyung's heart. "Concluded?"

"That is what I said."

"I - I have learned and mastered guardian magic," Taehyung admitted. "So, yes, I suppose so."

"Would you like to continue your training?"

Taehyung bit his lip, confusion lacing his eyebrows together. "What else is there for me to learn?"

"Plenty," Raphael said, finally turning to face the boy. Taehyung's heart stuttered at the predatory gleam in his eyes. "Have you ever heard of Hedonism, little one?"

"N-no, Raphael."

"What about pederasty?"

"No?"

"I see," Raphael set his book down, pursing his lips. "Hedonism, little one, is the philosophy that everyone deserves to do whatever they must to achieve complete pleasure."

Taehyung wetted his lips, "And pederasty?"

"Pederasty, little one, was the ancient Greek's manifestation of that idea."

"What was it?" Taehyung breathed, not trusting himself to speak at full volume. Raphael's voice had turned low and husky.

"A man would find himself a boy, usually a teenager, to...teach."

Taehyung grinned, "Oh! We do that!"

Raphael eyed him hungrily, "Not quite, little one."

"What do you mean?" Taehyung asked, tilting his head to the side innocently. And to think, he was starting to get nervous!

Raphael crossed to him and Taehyung titled up his head to see his face. And then the elder's hand was over his cheek, evoking a soft gasp from the younger. Raphael smiled, "He would teach the boy about physical pleasures."

Taehyung wasn't entirely sure what he meant by that, but he trusted Raphael.