Cherub.

7

Angelo's nervous eyes frantically searched for something to set his gaze upon. He finally focused on the brick walls surrounding him, mentally counting the thousands of cracks as the sound of the shower came to a halt. "Be out in a minute!" Gemini called, his voice muffled. The cherub nodded then remembered his sudden action couldn't be seen.

The ache in his shoulder blades caused the angel to slump over—it felt like his wings were spread, tugging towards the sky, as if heaven were calling for their return.

The wings weighed on muscles that weren't built to carry them—straining and tensing, never relaxing as they hid from mortal eyes. The fall of falls had taken its toll on Angelo, causing the soft spoken cherub to wonder if he'd made the right choice after all. But alas, it was no turning back, no matter how optimistic his brother had been—Angelo knew he would soon be deemed a fallen. The constant pain from the fall was a nagging feeling, causing him to wonder if this sudden unpleasant feeling was eternal.

He secretly missed the orders—he didn't have to think once, being that the decision was already made for him. Now, he had free will. It had almost been overwhelming for the poor cherub—so many options, so many choices and all were up to him. He still didn't understand mortality and the way of life on Earth but he vowed to learn.

"I know you didn't bring any clothes so," Gemini spoke softly, walking towards Angelo. He held a folded pair of sweats, a thin t-shirt and a pair of orange socks. Gemini knew Angelo didn't have much clothes—each time he'd seen the man, he wore the same thing. Each article of clothing began to become more and more stained. He was concerned but didn't want to make a fuss of it, opting for disguising his pity as kindness. He didn't know what had gotten into him lately. He'd kissed the man! And now he was asking the man whom he barely knew to stay in his home. This was not like Gemini. It was as if he was possessed and nearly forced to dish out acts of kindness to this man—this man whom he knew nothing about.

"Thank you," His friend said, taking the clothing into his hands. They shared a short stare then a smile.

"Angelo," Gemini began, watching the cherub stand up. "Do you have a phone?" Curiosity made him ask such a question—he hoped he hadn't offended the man.

"Oh no," He laughed. "I don't know how to work those things." He said truthfully. Angelo may have studied Earth and mortals for quite a time but never the art of using a payphone or playing 'Candy Crush' on a smartphone. After all, who would he call? He watched as Gemini's expression softened, and as his forehead wrinkled with worry.

"Well where do you live?" Gemini hesitantly questioned, eyes resting on the man.

"I don't have a home," He smiled. Gemini thought it was absurd that he didn't have a home and even more absurd that he was smiling about it. "Well, I did but not anymore." Sadness washed over Angelo's caramel features, his almond shaped eyes now focusing on the hardwood floor beneath his feet.

Gemini felt pity for him—his mouth forming into a sympathetic frown. Empathy used to be out of reach for the man. Now he had cried at the sight of another person crying and felt a puddle of sadness within him after watching the same person get visibly upset. "Well, let me show you how to work the shower." He forced a smile at the blood stained cherub before him.

After Gemini had left him, the cherub stood confused as he watched the water run. He hesitantly stuck one foot into the shower, jumping as the steaming water came in contact with his leg. "Oh," He sighed of relief, now slowly stepping inside. When he'd been fully in, the water stung as it came in contact with the healing bruises over the angel—he sighed. Grabbing the bar of soap in one hand and a cloth in the other, he stared for a moment in confusion.