Of Angels and Demons

Chapter 9:

It was late afternoon when Eddie had found another decent hotel to settle in a few towns over.
Richie gratefully made his way to the bed, groaning as he sat down.
Eddie sighed, giving him a look of sympathy.
This angel really did overdo himself this time.
"Well. If you're going to look at my injuries. I'd like if you would do so, I'd like to sleep." Richie muttered.
Eddie shook his head out of his thoughts.
Right.
He moved until he stood before Richie. "So, where do you hurt?"
Richie looked at him for a long few minutes and Eddie knew he was trying to hold any of those signs in.
Finally, he sighed, "Just my back."
"Where your wings are?" Eddie asked.
Richie hesitated for a few more seconds before nodding.
Eddie felt a rush of nerves run through his body, a quick flash of what happened the other night when he mentioned that area.
He sighed, "Alright, let's take a look, as long as you promise not to try and kill me again."
Their stare lingered in silence for a long time.
Richie finally nodded before pulling his shirt over his body.
Eddie was relieved to see that all the past scars had healed completely.
Slowly, Richie turned to the side, giving Eddie access to his back.
His breath caught in his throat.
What was once two slit lines on his shoulder blades, was slightly wider, and blood had been trailing down his back, most of it dried now.
"Holy fuck, Rich." His voice came out as a croak.
"What?" Richie asked, looking over his shoulder as much as he could.
"Your... shoulders, where your wings are... You've torn your scars open and then some. Did you not feel the blood down your back?" Eddie breathed out, his fingers ghosting down his back, just barely making contact.
"Maybe, but I didn't really think much of it." Richie said.
A mix of emotions ran through Eddie, finally landing on anger.
"Fuck." He growled before heading into the bathroom.
Richie had remained quiet behind him.
He wet a few rags with warm water and grabbed a couple left over gauze patches.
He felt his stomach churn at the image of where he'd be putting those patches.
Shaking away the thought he marched back out, returning to a confused Richie's side.
He sat down next to him, still having access to his back.
Eddie sighed, "Okay. I'm going to clean off the blood, then I need to put these patches on over the scars. I know you don't like to be touched there, but... Can you trust me?"
Richie was silent for a long time.
Eddie was prepared for Richie to refuse, he wouldn't be happy, but he didn't want to put his own life on the line again.
"Yes." His voice broke through his thoughts.
Eddies breath caught in his throat.
Yes?
"Just do what you need to do." Richie continued.
Eddie was frozen in place for a while, and before he knew it, a small smile broke across his face.
He took a deep breath, picking up one of the rags, "Okay. First I'm just going to clean off the blood on your back. I won't touch the scars."
Even though he had Richie's permission, he still felt the need to make sure Richie knew what he was going to do at all times, in case he wanted to back out.
A short nod.
Eddie carefully applied the rag on the middle of his back.
He tensed, but didn't complain.
Eddie let out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding, as he cautiously wiped away the blood down his back.
Once again, he had to try not to get too distracted.
The tan skin that was revealed as the blood was cleared. Smooth but bulky.
After a few minutes of making sure he'd cleaned all the blood off, he focused onto the patches, tearing the covers off.
He hesitated.
"I'm going to put this patch on your left shoulder, directly over the scar. I'll need to put slight pressure on it to make sure it's secure..." Eddie explained again. "Is that okay?"
Richie inhaled deeply, before nodding.
Eddie let out a shaky breath, "Okay. If it hurts, let me know-"
"Just do it." Richie spoke up.
Eddie nodded, before carefully placing the patch over the left scar, he made sure to have it in the correct place first try before carefully applying pressure to make sure it was secure.
Richie let out a hiss when Eddie's hand got a little too close to the scar.
"I'm sorry!" Eddie immediately drew back, nearly flinching, expecting him to lash out again.
"It's fine. Keep going." Richie ground out.
Eddie hesitated for a few seconds before cautiously closing the distance again, carefully running his fingers around the edge of the patch, making sure it was attached.
He took a deep breath as he drew back.
"One down. One to go."
Richie copied his sigh, nodding.
"You Okay?" Eddie asked.
"I'll manage. Just, get the last one on so I can rest." Richie said.
Eddie nodded, before going to work at opening the second patch.
He made quick work of the second one, before standing, grabbing the wrapping and rags. "All done."
Richie looking over his shoulder as if he was trying to see the patches on his back.
"Thank you." Richie sighed.
"You're welcome." Eddie smiled, "Now you get your rest. We both need it."