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Chapter 3

A noise forced him to stir. Uriel sat up, looking at the Nephil. He lay curled on the floor, arms--so pale now he could trace their route from his hand to arm until his shirt covered it--clutched around his stomach.

His face flooded with concern as he pulled the boy to him.

"What's wrong?"

"Hungry." Alex shivered as Uriel laughed, the deep rumble passing through his body like the softest peal of thunder.

"Silly, why didn't you say so?" He stood, pulling on his shirt, looking back at his friend. His clothing was wrinkled and stained. His hair stuck up at odd angles, altogether fluffed. "Come on." He took the boy's hand, sliding it up to his wrist as they entered the chapel that led to the exit.

"Uriel." They froze. Uriel turned coolly to the copycat that had come into the room. "Where're you going with that...?" It let the thought trail off, possibly because of the stern look the black winged Angel was sending him.

"Unforunately, it has inheirited the need for food and a washing," he stated. "Not that I need to explain myself to you." The last words held a tone of menace as the man pushed the teen through the doors.

Freedom! I'm outside! Alex bounced on the balls of his feet. If he could have kissed the ground, he would have. His grin nearly split his face. Uriel smiled warmly, twining their fingers as they started walking.

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"Slow down." Alex looked up from gorging himself on eggs and sausage. The man smiled at him blandly. "No one's going to take it away from you."

"Tell that to the waitress," he grumbled, shoving another link of meat into his mouth, chewing rapidly before downing his glass of orange juice in three. Uriel smirked, watching as butter was spread on a piece of toast, then as the piece vanished.

"Abyss stomach." He nibbled on his own bread. Brushed a strand of hair from his companion's face. He blinked slowly, eyes gleaming. Yearned to hold him, but restrained himself. Not here. Not now. He shuddered with the effort.

"Uri. Uri. Uri, Uri, Uri. Uri." He blinked away his daze as the fifteen-year-old began jabbing him with the corner of his last piece of toast. "Yeah, welcome back. Anywho, um, yeah, I kinda smell, so...can we find a college? Like, over there?" He jerked his thumb at the campus only a few blocks away. The man watched as he moved to a stand.

Standing himself, he threw his arm around the slim shoulders, pulling the other comfortably against his side.

The campus was a mass of bodies. Students jostling each other to get to class, teachers moving from room to room. The duo slowed, searching the commons for a map.

"Are you two new here?" Alex jumped, looking back at the speaker. Tall, but not overly, mostly jeans and a tight shirt. He had the vague impulse to steal her jean jacket. She smiled brilliantly at him. He twinged. Uriel gave the girl a snarl, drawing the Nephil down the nearest hall.

They passed down a few halls into the washroom, which stood adjacent to the showers. The boy flushed, glancing away from the Power.

"Could you...turn around?" An obliging nod, a turned back. He pulled his shirt over his head, bunding it up in his arms. Tugged off his shoes and socks. Glancing around, he quickly slid out of his pants and underwear, drawing a towel about his frame just as quickly as he threw his soiled clothes into a machine and switched it on. Placing his glasses on it, he headed for the shower.

He yelped as the water burst on frigidly, then heated. Fumbling around, praying that the shower was free of fungi and roaches, he grasped a shampoo bottle and lathered his hair. Rinsing it off, he began to feel around for a cake of soap.

"Aaah!" The scream escaped him before he could quash it.

"Shhh." Tan arms circled him. "It's only me." He shuddered, looking up at the man. He smiled, running his hands over the boy's back. The half-breed's face burnt crimson as he jerked his eyes up from their descending journey. Maybe it was natural for Uriel... He swallowed. He didn't want to think about that. About what it might mean to other people...

About how wretched his form was.

"No." He blinked confusedly, shifting his gaze to the half-burning, half-closed eyes. Uriel knelt, coming level with the other's face. "You're beautiful." He kissed him. "Gorgeous." He rested his head against the smaller chest, listening to the quickening rhythm of the half-human heart. "My love."

The Nephil swallowed, shivering so that a few loose feathers dislodged from his wings. Uriel smiled slowly, walking behind the boy. He pulled two feathers from his wings, pressing them into the smaller ones. They glowed softly, growing larger, tipping with black. The fifteen-year-old smiled, bending and taking up the feathers that had fallen to the floor of the shower. He moved behind the Angel, touching them to the ebony wings.

They took on a silver sheen, lightening.

Uriel smiled softly, drawing his friend into his lap, back against the wall, wings curled around them. His hand continued to travel over the smaller form, rubbing off the grime. Alex rested his head into his shoulder, closing his eyes.

Warmth flooded over him. It was warmer than the biggest bonfire, warmer than the sun. He half-wondered if this was what one felt when they were near God. This indescribable warmth, never being scorned, forever loved... He didn't want it to be impossible.

"I don't want this to end."

"Then I'll hold you forever."

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