Chapter 23: Just wing it

Bailey stood before the two, her hand on her gun. Eyes narrowed at the men, Abel put his hands up with a smile.

"Hey, I know this looks bad, but uh," He looked to Chamuel who was staring with horror in his gaze back.

"We're...uh," His arms fell in defeat, Donnie shouted at them through the earbuds. He could hear Israfil pleading with Baal to stay where he was.

"Put it down," She snarled, pulling the gun from its post on her hip. Snapping the safety off she held it up towards them,

"Mave,"

"Yeah," He whispered, backing up a few steps.

"Now just put the painting down, and put your hands up," she snarled

"Hold on," Chamuel whispered

"What?" Abel shot the man a look of shock and confusion.

Before the angel could reply Chamuel turned on his heels with the painting under one arm. With a quick motion he grabbed Abel's hand and threw himself into the large, glass wall. His grace ran from the top of his head all the way down as his skull collided with the strong glass causing the entire wall to explode. Abel screamed in surprise as the glass rained down around him. Feeling his feet move with the angel until the ground vanished under them.

He felt a bullet wiz past him, nearly meeting his forehead. Abel held onto Chamuel's hand as fear flooded his veins as he dangled above the ground below, Chamuel held him up with ease as his wings exploded from his back. Blood showered Abel as the wings tore apart the angel's skin.

Bailey watched in horror as the two men turned, flying through the dark, deep glass. The glass was bullet proof, the amount of strength the other would have to have to break it would be extraordinary. She shot at the two but she had been so distracted she missed completely, her mouth fell open as the bright, brilliant wings exploded from the man. Tears ran down her cheeks as she saw the angel, stumbling back she half expected him to come back but he was gone. She sat in the broken glass for a few heartbeats before leaping to her feet. She raced for the door, she didn't think she'd catch them but she had to try.

Abel took in panicked breaths as he stared at the ground, his vision blurred. Clinging to the angel's arm as he slowly floated downward to the ground below. Chamuel groaned inwardly as blood raced down his back, he forced the wings out too quickly causing the skin to rip apart in the most uncomfortable and painful way he'd ever experienced. Abel also felt the sharp pains of the glass that had fallen on him, he didn't have time to think about it as his feet landed on the ground. He nearly collapsed into the concrete but forced himself to stay upright, sucking in air quickly.

"Don't ever fuck--"

"Guys!" Baal shouted, racing towards them. Chamuel took rapid pained breaths, wheezing heavily, Abel realized how pale his friend looked. Catching him before he stumbled forward, dropping the large painting in its case to the floor.

"I'm fine," He whispered,

"No you aint," Baal growled, grabbing the picture from the ground.

"Come on, let's get to the cars," He said, holding the picture up over his head with both arms. Chamuel leaned on Abel as the two followed slowly after Baal. They made it to the parking lot at a snail's speed, Donnie raced over with Israfil on his heels. Holding Abel's baseball bat in one hand, he had been carving symbols into it while Donnie shouted into the headphones.

"Are you guys okay?" Donnie asked, helping Abel hold Chamuel up. Chamuel groaned, blood raced down his nose and mouth falling to the floor.

"Negative," Abel said

"He's gotta sleep, War's going to destroy that body if we don't get him to sleep," Baal grunted, placing the caged photo on the floor. Chamuel went to his knees, vomiting up more blood as his wings dug back into his skin causing pain to crawl through his body.

"What the fuck," a voice shouted out

The group froze, looking up at Bailey.

"You!" She snarled at Baal, storming up with her gun pointed at him.

"I don't have time for this," He growled at her, grabbing the gun. She shot but nothing came out, she watched in horror as the gun sizzled and popped under his hand before the top melted down.

"What the fuck" she shouted, dropping the now destroyed hand gun.

"Guys, I'm good, I'm good," Chamuel groaned out as his wings vanished. A few pink feathers dotting the floor, Bailey looked to the painting and made a move towards it but Baal stepped in front of it. His eyes flashing from blue to yellow,

"I don't wanna hurt you," He said, hands up.

"You're a fucking demon, aren't you?" She snapped, "Are you here to finish the job? Huh? Your buddies killed my kids and that's not enough, you have to stalk me, get me fired?"

Baal let out a sigh as he tugged off the black hoodie that helped keep him hidden in the darkness of the night and wrapped it around Chamuel. Attempting to tie it around the other to stop the blood that oozed from his back. The angel groaned in agony, war started to kick back up.

"Yes ma'am, I'm a demon," Baal finally grunted out, "But I don't got time for this. I gotta get my friend here some help,"

She opened her jaw and closed it, looking back to the painting rather than to Chamuel.

"Is he..."

"An angel? You bet your ass," Abel said, sitting on the concrete Chamuel had his head in Abel's lap. Curled up in a ball against the man, sucking in air as he attempted to keep War from coming back out. The creature inside him felt threatened by the security guard, determined to keep Abel safe at all cost.

Abel shushed the man, racing his fingers through his hair. Bailey watched them with a puzzled look, she glanced down at the painting.

"We just want the painting, Bailey,"

She looked up at Baal who held both hands up as if to show he was being submissive towards the other.

"The painting?" She looked at it again, turning to look at Chamuel and back.

"Why do...is it... him?" She asked, gesturing to the angel in the picture.

Baal nodded slowly, "I know this must all seem crazy to you. But this painting might be the only clue we have to saving the world."

"From what?" She asked, tilting her head to the side. Silently wondering if the police were going to come or just dismiss the alarm as an accident since she turned it off so quickly.

"Demons," Israfil said, still holding the bat, "Devils, creatures, monsters, whatever we have to fight to stop the darkness."

There was a pause, she looked at the boys again. Abel hummed, what Bailey could make out, Smoke on the water at the shaking angel whose eyes went from blue to white as if the monster inside him was attempting to split him open to keep fighting.

"You're safe, I'm safe, I got you," he kept whispering between hums to the blonde.

"I know them," She said, looking to Baal then to Israfil, "They're...this is all real?"

"Mhm,"

"So..I wasn't crazy? It was a demon," She looked up at the dark skies, angry looking clouds had started to roll in covering the moon, she felt a weight fall off her shoulders as she looked back at Baal. Putting a hand on her hip,

"And...this picture is gonna save...everyone?"

Baal and Israfil looked towards each other before shrugging, "We think it might," Israfil admitted.

She bit her lip, shook her head and grabbed the bat in Israfils hand. He looked shocked as she held it above her head and brought it down on the picture hidden behind the strong glass. The sharp nails exploded into the frame, sending glass shattering around them.

"Well, that's one way to get into it," Donnie said sheepishly, Baal looked shocked as she dropped the bat and yanked the picture from it's golden frame.

"Now what?" She asked, handing it over to the demon.

The sudden sound of sirens blasted around the ground, Bailey and Baal looked at each other in shock.

"Trust me, I didn't call them," Bailey said,

"Shit," Abel growled, "come on Chammy, you gotta get ahold of yourself." He whispered, brushing the man's hair from his face. The angel glanced up at Abel than to Bailey who seemed to tune into what the angel was thinking.

"I'm on your side," she said, dropping the bat and holding her hands up. "Well," she shot a glare at Baal than turned her gaze back to Chamuel, "I'm on your side,"

Chamuel groaned, curling into himself as fire blasted through his gut. Attempting to settle himself down, the sirens were getting closer.

"We gotta move," Donnie said,

"Don't have time for this, Chamuel," Baal said, feeling prickles of panic in his skin as he moved to the two. Shoving the painting into Israfil's arms and scooping the angel up.

Chamuel roared in anger but went limp in the demons arms as war faded from his system. Baal made for the Impala, yanking the passenger door open. It squeaked in protest as the demon placed his friend into the leather seat. Blood continued to flow down his nose, but his eyes returned to their usual blue as he looked towards the other with a grateful nod.

Abel made for the driver's seat, throwing open the door and sliding in. The car roared to life, Baal watched as the machine moved in a circle before making for the exit.

"Baal! Come on!" Donnie shouted,

Baal hesitated before turning and swiftly making for the van. Bailey hopped into the back, sitting on the floor. Israfil leapt into the passenger seat beside Donnie who was typing something into his laptop.

Baal hoisted himself into the car, his eyes moving to the flashing red and blue lights.

"What about--"

"Your bikes gonna be fine," Donnie said back before the demon could finish his sentence.

"We need to go what are you doing?" Bailey barked out,

"Erasing the film!" Donnie yapped back.

"Bailey, go get them to leave," Israfil said with wide eyes.

"Uh, no way. They'll see a broken wall, stolen painting, that Im Hispanic and shoot first, ask questions later,"

Donnie laughed, "I feel you," he said with a grin, the camera on the screens started to turn to static as he punched in a few more codes.

"Someone has to do something," Baal said quickly before everyone's eyes turned to Israfil.

"Oh no, I'm not going to distract them!"

"Would you do it for an issy snack?" Donnie asked, "the snack of not being arrested?"

"Why me!" The angel gasped, eyes wide.

"You're white, cute, and if things go sideways I'm sure the guys at the jail will be extra nice to you," Bailey replied.

Israfil bit his lip, dropping the bat and snagging his guitar. He leapt from the car, closing the sliding door to the back shut and racing towards the front of the building. He didn't know what he could do but he had to think of something, blood and glass scattered the ground under his feet as he watched a handful of cop cars pulling up.

He sat down, pulled the guitar around him and threw his hat to the ground as if begging for money. The police pulled up with guns drawn, started to play the guitar loudly causing the cops to slowly lower their weapons.

"Got it!" Donnie shouted,

Bailey had taken a position behind him, watching the numbers being punched in rapidly. "Damn, that's cool," she whispered. Baal practically danced in his seat as he waited for the man to finish,

"Let's go!" He hissed out, Donnie pulled the wires from his laptop letting them dangle out of the car. He didn't have time to deal with it anymore, backing up and turning to leave.

"What about Israfil?"

"Cops suck here, he'll be fine." Bailey replied.

"He's an angel, he'll be fine," Baal said with panic in his voice, "just go"

Donnie glanced at the two before peeling out of the parking lot with a loud screech.

Israfil held his hands up as a man stepped away from the group of cops that started to surround the scene. Taking pictures, taping it off. The man held a badge up, he was short, even more than Abel, with choppy hair that had been pushed to the side. His FBI badge shone in the harsh red and blues that flashed from the cars surrounding them.

Israfil heard the screech of the van causing him to relax,

"I'm special agent Theo, my partner, Dagmar, is over there," he nodded to a woman who was chatting with a few officers. Her long, curly hair tied back, tawny skin covered by a nice suit.

"Can you tell me what happened?"

Special agent? Israfil thoughts why did they bring these guys in for a break in?

"Erm, nope! Not at all, I was just playing my guitar. Hoping for a few bucks," he said awkwardly, he hated lying. The agent looked from his guitar to the broken wall, down to the bloody mess on the ground before moving his gaze back to Israfil.

"You didn't see anything?"

"No! Too busy...trying to...get those dollars, yaknow how it is?"

The agent now looked down right, then left before glancing right.

"So, let me get this right," Theo said, pulling out a pen and notepad. "You decided to sit in front of a closed museum, in the middle of the night, on a deserted sidewalk, and play your guitar for money?"

Israfil nodded slowly, feeling his face turn red.

"I uh, don't make a lot," he said sheepishly.

Theo stared at him deadpanned for a few heartbeats before writing something down, Israfil shuffled uncomfortably.

"What did you say your name was?" Theo asked, brown eyes falling to the man's feet and back to his face, jotting more notes on the paper.

"I didn't," he chuckled awkwardly, "it's I--" he stopped, "Iggy Pop," he blurted out. The agent stopped writing, blinking up at the other for a few heartbeats.

"Okay Mr. Pop," he said, "I think I'm going to need to ask you some questions down at the station."

Theo turned, signalling to his partner who nodded at him. The agent brought his attention back to Israfil and froze, the angel had vanished completely. Glancing down he went to his knees, picking up a single, long, yellow feather between his fingers.

"What the hell," he whispered.

***

Abel's hands shook as he gripped the leather wheel, having just barely made it out without being caught. He glanced at Chamuel who leaned against the window, his head pressed to the cold glass.

"Chamuel, you alive?"

Chan let out a small grunt in response, his eyes shut tight, his knuckles white as he dug his fingers into the leather. The pain that flashed through his head and rolled down his back caused the angel to breath into his nose deeply.

"Abel!" Israfil shouted from the backseat, appearing in a small flash of light causing the hunter to scream in surprise. He swerved the car, The vehicle beside him laying on their horn.

"Yeah fuck you too," Abel shouted, righting the car.

"Dammit Israfil, you almost gave me a heart attack!" Abel huffed, the angel ignored him leaning forward.

"Abel, they had the FBI there,"

"The FBI? For a break in?"

Israfil nodded, sitting back and picking at his nails anxiously.

"Why the FBI?" Abel murmured, "if Bailey didn't sound the alarm to the cops than maybe...someone else did?"

"I think people are noticing us a little too much," the angel whispered. Abel found himself deep in thought as he drove.

Israfil had fallen silent, an unsettling feeling in the hunters gut as they drove down the freeway, into a few neighborhoods and finally coming to Norma's home. Abel quickly punched in the code and gunned up towards the house.

Parking sloppily in the small garage, leaping out and going to Chamuel's side. He and Israfil worked together to carry the angel into the house, Abel practically kicking the door off its hinges as he entered.

"Cain!" He shouted, bringing Chamuel to the ground to prevent the man from bleeding more.

Cain leapt up from his spot on the couch, he had been sitting near the door waiting for them with his laptop open. Looking at his mother on the screen, "I'll call you back," he said quickly. Slamming the thin notebook closed, he made his way to the three.

"Holy hell," he breathed, practically shoving Abel aside as he leaned down to Chamuel who was sucking in air heavily, his face white as a sheet.

"You're in shock," Cain said, helping the man stand up and tugging him to the carpeted floor.

"Lay down," he ordered, Chamuel did as he was told. Laying on his stomach with a groan, "what happened, Angel?" He murmured to the blonde, grabbing his bag that he had packed up for his stay in the home.

Cain yanked the hoodie off the man's frame, slowly peeling the angels shirt off. The fabric let out an audible sucking noise as the doctor pulled it off and tossed it to the side. He raced his hand lightly against the tattered skin, plucking a feather from the open wound.

"What happened?" He asked again, this time looking to Abel. Worry in his voice as he unzipped his bag and started to pull out a few things he'd need.

"He busted through a glass wall," Abel breathed,

Cain eyed the man, "you both need stitches," he said, Abel blinked in surprise. Placing a hand on his cheek and pulling it away, pain flashed through his features. He had a large shard of glass sticking from his cheek but the adrenaline had numbed him.

"What's going on?" Sam asked, marching out of the living room only to turn on his heels and go back in, he returned only seconds later with a large glass bottle of vodka.

"Perfect," Cain said as the older hunter handed it over.

Abel watched in horror as the doctor got to work, the man pulled a pair of bright blue gloves over his hands.

"Alright Chamuel," he said, digging into his bag and pulling out a small box. Laying it down he opened it, a few syringes and needles laid inside. Pulling out another box of vials he punched the end of his shot into the vile, letting the clear liquid seep into the syringe.

"This is going to hurt like a bitch, but this should numb you up a little," he whispered, pushing the shot into the man's back causing the angel to hiss. He picked the vodka up, tossing the top to the floor and pouring it over the man's open wounds. Chamuel let out a screech of agony as hot fire filled through his body, Cain placed the bottle in front of the angel and started to clean what he could. He didn't usually use Vodka, but he hadn't been prepared for this big of a wound.

"So you broke through..." he whispered, a flash of understanding covering his features "wait, the walls at the museum?"

He turned to Abel and Israfil who watched helplessly, Sam going to work on pulling glass from the hunters face with a pair of tweezers.

"Yeah, the place was covered in them,"

Abel said, wincing at the pain.

Cain blinked down at the angel who shuddered as his wounds were being cleaned, "you're one powerful being, aren't you, Angel?" He whispered, Abel winced as he heard Cain call the man angel again as if it were a pet name.

The doctor pulled out what he needed to stitch up the blonde. Racing fingers through the man's hair in a comforting manner, the numbing shot seemed to be taking effect as the angel grabbed the half full bottle of vodka and took a few quick swigs.

"Chamuel!" Donnie shouted, pushing into the room.

"Shut up!" Cain snapped, "I'm working!"

Donnie immediately went silent, Mishka hopped down from the steps with Norma as Baal and Bailey came in.

"Oh damn that looks bad," Bailey gasped out, Cain shot her a glare before he recognized her.

"Oh! We have a new team member?" Norma asked with a bright grin, placing her hand over her chest and leaning against Baal.

"Go team Born Again!" She cheered, walking past everyone and towards the kitchen.

"I bet everyones hungry!" She said, ignoring the mess of blood and alcohol on the floor as well as the bloodied Chamuel.

"Team Born again?" Bailey raised an eyebrow at Donnie who grinned.

"We have our own hashtag!"

"And clothing!" Israfil added with Glee.

"Shut up!" Cain snapped again, Bailey narrowed her amber eyes at the doctor.

"Oh god, what are you doing here?" She hissed, "first a demon now a dumb ass,"

"I am trying to work, take your shitty attitude outside,"

Cain and Bailey glared at each other, Baal looked between the two with an uncomfortable glance towards Sam.

"Why is she here?" He whispered to Baal who shrugged, Sam let out a sigh.

"If you guys aren't going to do anything useful than leave," Cain growled, "he's already in shock, I don't want him to pass out now leave!"

Donnie lightly pushed Israfil who looked too stunned by the others' angry tone to do anything.

"Come on, Bailey, well show you around," Donnie murmured, attempting to keep his voice low. She glared at Cain before following behind the two men, Baal and Sam fell in step beside each other, turning to go up the stairs. Whispering to one another, Cain snorted before turning attention back to his injured friend.

Mishka dropped down beside Abel,

"Put his legs up," Cain ordered her as he continued rolling the surgical needle through the man's broken skin. Tossing shards of glass into a small trash can that was seated beside a coffee table.

"Stay awake," he slapped Chamuel's face lightly, "I know it hurts, I know you're exhausted, but I don't want to call an ambulance."

Abel watched helplessly, he felt Mishka raise a hand to brush his hair back. He flinched at first, causing Mishka to look a bit started, but the hunter leaned into the touch after, "it's alright, he's gonna be okay," Mishka soothed.

Chamuel took another few sips of the alcohol, reaching a hand towards Abel with a groan. Abel took the hand without hesitation, letting the man squeeze him with every move of the needle.

"It's okay, Chamuel I got you," Abel whispered, eyes wide with fear.

"I know," Cham grunted out,

"Talk to me, Goose," Abel whispered.

Chamuel smiled at Abel, "I'm not going anywhere, if a wall kills me Uriel will be pissed"

Abel smiled despite the pain from the glass rolling through his skin, taking a few swigs of the vodka as well. He could feel it already buzzing in the back of his mind.

Cain attempted to keep himself from glaring at his brother as he finished up, using a few different bottles of liquid to mop up the rest of the blood on the others back. Racing a soft towel over the wound before sitting back nearly an hour later,

"Take him to bed, Cham sleep on your stomach. Drink water." He said, the gloves on his hands coated in bright red blood as he snapped them off his skin. Sending a soft shower of the red liquid into the air.

"What about my face?"

"He's a doctor, not a plastic surgeon," Chamuel grunted out, shakenly sitting up. The pain was still there but he felt as if he could move even just a bit. Lacing his fingers with Abel's, causing butterflies to roll through his chest.

"Whoa, look who woke up on the wrong side of the floor," Abel said with a small smile,

"Mishka! Can you come in here!" Norma shouted from the kitchen, she hesitated. Glancing at Abel

"It's chill, I'm fine." He said, she nodded and got up. Patting Cain on the back as she went,

"Thank you," she murmured, he gave her a smile as she slipped past him and into the other room.

Cain grabbed Abel's face roughly, yanking him forward causing the hunter to gasp in surprise. Pain flared through his body as Cain inspected the shower of cuts on the man's cheeks and forehead,

"Actually," he said, letting the other go, causing Abel to grunt, rubbing his cheeks with a glare.

"Your face looks fine, just clean the bigger cut. Won't need stitches," he said with a shrug, turning to his bag and packing his stuff into it.

"I'm not cleaning this," he said over his shoulder as Abel helped Chamuel to his feet.

"I'll clean it, don't worry. Thanks Cain," he said as Chamuel leaned against him. His eyes already closed as he slumped slightly but remained on his feet.

"You don't deserve him," Cain hissed at Abel under his breath causing the hunter to pause.

"What?"

The two stared at each other for a few silently seconds until Chamuel lifted his head.

"Abel?" Chamuel whispered, looking at his friend with half lidded eyes, he hadn't heard Cain. Abel looked from Chamuel to Cain, deciding not to push it as he helped his friend up the stairs. Feeling a hole in his heart from the others words, you don't deserve him. He didn't deserve Chamuel, in fact, half of him wished this all happened to someone else.

***

Abel stared at Arphaxat who stood with his arms crossed over his chest, an annoyed look on his features.

"What?"

He sighed loudly, running his fingers through his hair.

"Nothing, I guess," he said finally.

"You guess?" Abel arched an eyebrow at the other. Tilting his head lightly to the side.

"Don't worry about it," he said flatly.

"Arph, I don't want to deal with this passive aggressive shit," Abel snapped, "I'm tired."

He winced as the thorny crown dug into his skin, ripping it from his head and throwing it on the floor.

"You gotta make these things better," he growled, rubbing his forehead and glaring at the blood before bringing a foot down on the crown causing it to crack under his foot as anger flashed in his gaze.

Arphaxat put a hand over his heart, looking shocked and hurt.

"Okay, I do all this stuff for you and you throw your crown on the floor? Might as well step on my heart too, you're so dramatic,"

Abel let out a sharp breath of frustration, "I just wanna sleep,"

"Fine," Arphaxat snapped, glaring at him, "don't care about how I feel. Maybe you should have stayed a girl if you were gonna be so dramatic"

Abel let out a sigh, "come on, man!"

"Wake up, asshole."

Abel's eyes flew open, he was staring at the ceiling of the guest bedroom that he and Chamuel shared. Glancing over to his friend, the man was muttering, shuttering in his sleep. His argument with the demon stuck to his mind, feeling a knot in his gut at the others parting words. On top of that Abel felt as if he hadn't slept for days as he rolled to his side, Chamuel let out a soft whimper cause Abel to press a hand on the man's shoulder and shake him lightly.

"Cham, wake up, man. You're having a nightmare,"

Chamuel gasped softly, blinking away the glow in his eyes before turning to look at Abel.

"Abel? What...happened?" He murmured, feeling the alcohol he had downed swaying through his veins.

"Do you not remember? How are you feeling?"

"I remember coming back to Normas, I remember...Cain talking to me, I remember pain and you...holding..." he trailed off, studying the other's face.

"I feel buzzed, but I still feel like a truck hit me," he finally said, Abel gave him a small smile.

"I'm buzzed too," he murmured, the strong taste of the vodka still on his tongue.

"Are you okay?" Chamuel murmured, Abel looked into the others blue gaze feeling a shutter race through him. Chamuel turned so he was more on his side than stomach, "Abel, what's wrong?" His voice is soft, loving.

"I guess, I thought you were gonna die," he said with an awkward chuckle, "yaknow, than I'd have to save the world by myself,"

Chamuel reached a hand forward, grabbing the other's arm and tugging him. Abel shuffled closer at the other touch, Chamuel wrapped his arms around the other and brought him to his chest.

"I...knew I wasn't going to die," he murmured, "but I was afraid, that war would win, and...I'd never see you again,"

Abel held the other being careful not to touch his back. He felt tears running down his cheeks,

"Cham?"

"Hm?"

Abel pulled away slightly, looking up at the other.

"I know, I look like hell," Cham whispered, Abel smiled lightly "you do, but...man, be honest okay?"

Chamuel nodded lightly, pressing his forehead to Abel's causing a warmth and comfort to burn through his bones.

"Do...you think Faith made a mistake picking me?" Abel's voice hardly a whisper, Chamuel blinked a few times in surprise. "Yaknow. I ain't...Jesus, I'm not some big, macho tough guy...I'm...hardly a man,"

"Abel, I think you were the perfect choice." He said, refusing to break eye contact with the man. No hesitation in his voice as he spoke, admiration and something else Abel couldn't place sparked in the deep blues of the blondes gaze.

Abel felt a lightning flash between them, Chamuel pressed his nose to the hunters causing the man to lean up towards the angel. He found himself breathing heavily now at the speed his heart rammed against his rib cage. The distance closing between them, he could nearly taste the others lips.

Suddenly a sharp, deep, throbbing pain exploded over the man's chest causing him to gasp in agony, throwing his head back as pain rocketed through his system. It was so though someone had stabbed a knife deep into his head that raced down to his chest.

"Abel?" Chamuel said with shock, Abel scooted away from the comfort of the man as the pain turned his veins to fire. He gasped for air, shaking violently.

"Abel, what's wrong! What happened," Chamuel leapt up, despite the pain that exploded in his back he placed a hand on the other's shoulder. Looking him over, Abel squeezed his eyes shut. He knew what the pain was.

"I'm sorry," he growled, "I'm just buzzed, make it stop." He growled.

"What? What are you talking about?" Chamuel whispered.

Arphaxat glared daggers at the two from we're he sat by the bed. His body hidden from view as he sipped his tea, Abel could hear the sound of the sipping. The irritating noise Arphaxat always made whenever he drank anything,

"Please," Abel begged, "I'm sorry please"

"Why are you apologizing? I need to get Cain," Chamuel hopped off the bed. Arphaxat smiled wide, nodding to Abel even though the hunter couldn't see him.

"No no," Abel whispered, feeling the pain falling away from his skin. Draining out of him slowly, "it...was just a...stomach ache..." he whispered. Okay, I probably deserved that. Abel thought to himself as Cham rubbed his back lightly.

"Erm...are you sure i--?"

"Yeah," he turned away from Chamuel, "I gotta sleep, Cham. Im...drunk,"

Chamuel hesitated before laying back down, wondering if he should push it as he stared at the man's back. The exhaustion in his body told him otherwise but his chest felt empty.

"Good night," he whispered, wishing he could pull the other back to him.

'Why shouldn't I just tell him?' Chamuel thought as sleep rolled in waves over him 'Wars already hooked on him, so what do I have to lose?'

The darkness of sleep dragged the angel down into it's cold depths yet again.

***

Arphaxat held the large beer in his hand, glaring at the counter top in the small bar he settled in. People chatting all around him, moving, laughing. It was almost sickening to hear everyone's joy, taking a small sip of the golden liquid.

"Hooooo!" Obizuth shouted as she yanked the bar stool next to him out and sat down. He looked up at her with a grin, she held her beer up with a wink. Knocking it against the others cup,

"Thanks for comin'!" Arphaxat said with a confident grin on his features.

"Hey, I'll go anywhere that has some beer," Obizuth snorted, downing the alcohol in a few quick gulps.

"So what's up?" She asked, waving the man behind the bar top over with a grin. Her long red hair tied back in a messy bun, blue eyes glowing with excitement.

"I need your expertise," Arphaxat replied smoothly, leaning against the wood.

"Alright, shoot," she said, giving him a finger gun as the bartender dropped another beer in front of her.

"I'm having trouble with Abel," he said with a shrug. Obizuth tilted her head at him, making a loud, audible snort.

"You're having trouble?" She laughed, he frowned at her.

"The demon of manipulation can't make the world's smallest Messiah fall in love with him?"

"I should have asked for someone elses help," Arphaxat scoffed,

"No no, you asked me! I'm going to help but I'm going to fucking laugh," she snorted again, shaking her head.

"He almost kissed Chamuel, again," Arphaxat gripped the drink in his hands tight, turning his knuckles white.

"Oh my God," She giggled, "you like him!"

He shot her an evil look, "I like his soul!" The demon hissed.

"Look, homie," she giggled again, "I don't care if you like the guy, just get the soul. The less he knows about the Chamulet the better, without that soul he won't be able to use it's power. So you gotta hurry before some schmuck with a degree in Chamulet comes along and teaches him everything. That always seems to happen,"

She tossed her head back, downing the rest of her drink. Arphaxat watched her with disgust,

"Wow you're so hot," he said sarcastically. She ignored this, tilting her head in the air and grinning wide.

"Did you know you can make fake texts?" She asked, arching an eyebrow. The demon perked up,

"I'm listening," he said, his grip calming.

"I'll tell you more, if you admit you like Abel more than a little play thing," she winked at him, the glass in his hand shattered causing everyone to look towards them in the bar.

Arphaxat blinked in surprise, shaking his hand out.

"Sorry everyone," he laughed, "dropped it!"

The people around them muttered to one another before going back to what they had been doing,

"Smooth," she hiccuped, "anyways, that was answer enough for me." The bartender dropped two more drinks for them. Using a small brush to get rid of the glass, mopping the liquid on the counter up with a towel.

"What if you made Chamuel seem...I don't know, a little Abel-phobic?"

Arphaxat tilted his head at her words, running them through his mind before his smile stretched out his stubble covered cheeks.

"You are a genius," he said, holding up his glass. She grinned, tapping the glasses together.

"I know it, maybe, just maybe, we can push a little romance between Cham and Cain too?"

Arphaxat laughed, sipping the Brew.

"Obizuth, I think this is the start of a beautiful friendship,"