In Sickness, Health, and Full moons

Chapter Twelve [Tanner]

Tanner discovered, very quickly, that he didn't have as many questions as he'd expected. He supposed that the tiny details didn't matter. At least, not right now.

"How old are you?"

"You sure you want to know?"

"Maybe not. Are you older than me? Older than you told me you are?"

"Oh yeah, definitely. Still want a number?"

"Nope. That's good enough."

They took time between questions, slipping in and out of small talk and silence. Her list of skills were vast and terrifying. Healing, light, knowledge, speed, strength, memory manipulation. A magnificent being, and she was all his. At least, he hoped she still was. He did have one question, though, that was itching at the back of his mind.

Tanner cleared his throat and watched her face as he asked, "Why do you walk the earth? What happened to angels in heaven?"

Azrael flinched and grimaced. Her lips parted to answer.

"Nevermind." There were some answers he didn't need. Maybe he'd get them one day, but not when giving them made her recoil like she'd been slapped. "It's not important."

"No!" She looked frantic at first, then reeled it back. "No, it is important. I want you to know." No more secrets, Tanner remembered. It seemed she did too. "My brother, in heaven, lost faith in me and tried to kill me. I got the upper hand and killed him first. I was cast out of heaven for it," she said factually, then in a voice so small he almost missed it, "they cut off my wings." Her thumb shot backwards, where the wings would have been, where... the scars. Two thick ropes of scar tissue ran along her shoulder blades. He'd asked what they were from once, soon after they'd started sleeping together. She told him it was personal and that was that. He never asked again but he didn't need to, he had the answer now.

"I'm sorry, Az."

She only shrugged, like she wanted to say 'it's okay', but they both damn well knew that would be another lie. The tension in the room reappeared. Not between them, which was a pleasant surprise, just a thickness in the air that said he'd grilled her enough. She had opened herself to the limit and any more pushing may put her in a position of vulnerability that neither of them wanted to enter into.

"Well," Tanner sighed, "that's enough questions for one day." He figured he'd think of more later, and hoped she was still around to answer them when he did. He watched Azrael shift uncomfortably beneath the sheets before she pulled them tighter around her shoulders. Quickly, he realized that though he may be the one shirtless while she was wrapped like the cutest little burrito, she was the one exposed. "Unless you had questions for me."

Azrael perked up and tilted her head ever so slightly.

"Anything you want to know. I'll tell you the full, ugly truth." He smiled at her, hoping that using her own words would tell her just how open he was willing to be. Willing to share all the uncomfortable details she needed, all that she had shared.

"In your card you said you were born this way?"

Tanner nodded. His dad's bloodline offered the bittersweet werewolf gene. The questions carried on, and he answered each one. Yes he had full control when he was a wolf, no he hadn't shifted outside of full moons in a long time but easily could and missed doing it, the shift hurt like hell but he was used to it, let's not talk about belly rubs yes that means I like them please stop laughing.

Light danced in her eyes as her giggles died down. They sighed together. She schooled her features, her face reflecting the serious tone once again. "Do you have a pack?"