Ashen wings

Chapter 3 - Allure

"I think I'll build a cabin."

Uriel visibly relaxed, relieved that the angel did not speak of other things he feared. Soon, his sharp eyes lost their dread, and filled up with confusion and curiosity. Little by little, he had been easing up around them, and was becoming more talkative, even if still shy.

"A cabin?" He tilted his head at Alexis, puzzled. "Why would you want a cabin? You've always said that you had enough with that cave."

Alexis laughed, somewhat awkwardly. He made sure to not move too much, because even if Ayako was listening in interest, she would still scold him if he interrupted the treatment.

"Well, why not? Think about it!" He carefully lifted a hand, not moving too much, and then pointed at the side of the cliff. "It would be better than a cave. Sure, it would be a lot of work to build it from the ground, and I would have to cut a lot of trees, but it would be worth it. Picture it, there, at the side of the clearing, big enough to have at least three rooms, with a small porch, and maybe windows. I miss windows, and real walls. Now that it's obvious that you two won't leave, I think it would be a clever thing to do! Before, it would have attracted unwanted attention: a cabin, in the middle of nowhere. But that does not matter now, because who would dare stalk me if I have two bodyguards? Ayako is human, and more susceptible to cold, so she could use a room, knowing that she won't stop roaming around me. And you, Uriel, you are too stubborn to leave me alone, or to suggest that we go back to your manor; so I better make a good living here!"

Ayako lowered her hands again. Alexis was tempted of scolding her for stopping, but listened as she asked curiously.

"Wait, he has a manor?"

Uriel shied instantly. He seemed to get smaller when both angel and human looked sideways at him; it did not help that Alexis snickered and commented so mockingly.

"Not any manor, a huge one, big enough to house a whole town. He just doesn't like to mention it. That's where he kept me in a cell once, as he likes to confess; but obviously, said jail was only a locked room with no windows..."

Uriel scoffed and pretended they were not speaking of his home.

"Does not matter what it was, you're not going back to that place. So, indeed, build that cabin for all I care. Won't use it either, so make only room for her."

Ayako raised an eyebrow at Uriel, not getting why he had to be so stubborn about being too close to his angel.

"What's up with you and rooms? You want to make sure he's alright, yet you refuse to share space?"

Uriel did not answer; he only kept staring at the fire. Alexis rolled his eyes, and sat upright, as if to drop the matter entirely.

"Oh, you just don't get it, Aya. You see, he's really just a fairy. He loves to live in the forest; he wears fancy clothes, and loves to be good-looking. Let's not forget all the shyness and well mannerisms! He can fool you into believing he's a demon, but not me. All those little spells I've seen him throw as well... Next, he will begin to sparkle, and grow tiny wings!"

Uriel hit the ground with his tail in annoyance, and then scowled at his angel. He grabbed one of his fingers with each following sentence.

"One, fairies don't exist outside children's books. Two, if I were one, you would not be here."

Alexis just kept joking, willingly ignoring that Uriel was not finding it funny.

"Oh, who knows? Maybe there aren't any fairies around, because we angels killed them all. Or maybe, I'm not an angel after all, and you're bound with a freak of nature. You and I, we can't say we are normal..."

Ayako was listening to their bickering, and was quick to get into it, noting how Uriel was glaring at Alexis, non-maliciously.

"Or maybe, other demons and angels are just messed up, and you're the exception." She smiled at them both, with a small nervous smile. "I'm still wrapping my mind around the fact that you are not tearing each other apart! How did you end up coming to this truce anyway?"

Both demon and angel became somewhat nervous under her stare. Alexis coughed, while Uriel began to scratch one of his horns.

"Because as I said before, I'm weird, Aya. His puzzlement made him halt his claws. You are as baffled of my behavior as he was. Ask yourself why you don't want to hunt me, and you got his answer. He can say that not all demons are bloodthirsty, but I can't say angels won't fight at first sight."

Uriel suddenly dropped his shyness, just to interrupt them both. He was frowning, clearly uncomfortable. He had this conversation before, and he did not want to repeat it for long.

"Where is your axe, Alexis?"

Alexis blinked up at Uriel, because the demon had stood up and was now looking around intently.

"My axe? It's inside the cave. Why do you-?"

Uriel was not wasting time; he interrupted his angel again, without anger, desperate to end the previous conversation. He began to walk away towards the cliff, with fast steps, never looking back.

"That cabin won't build itself. Might as well get to work; the sooner you have a roof over your head, the better."

Alexis and Ayako exchanged glances. Uriel had already gotten into the cave and had grabbed the axe, and was now heading to a small patch of trees to get lumber. Alexis ended up shrugging and sighing, knowing that Uriel was done chatting for the day.

"...Do me a favor and finish checking my scars, Aya. Knowing him, he might chop the entire forest if I don't supervise him."

Ayako was not looking away from the trees, baffled. One tree had already fallen, and she could see the obvious shadow of a strong-minded demon, who was raising the axe again.

"And I thought you were obstinate. I guess I won't stop being surprised."

"You haven't seen anything yet..."

He closed his eyes, and was thankful that she just hurried with it. By the time her hands moved away from his scars, the clearing had been made bigger, cleared of surrounding trees. By night, there were too many logs by the cave, which he wondered if he would give use at all. Worst of all, Uriel refused to say word until morning, all too focused on his next self-assigned responsibility.