---Thorn's POV---

Ever had that odd feeling waking up, where you're unaware of your surroundings? Not awake but not asleep, floating on an uneven balance in between. That's how I felt at the moment; my mind too clouded and heavy to understand the concept of time and space, all it understood that I was, and that's it.

My own breathing sounded abnormally loud in my ears, the soft fabric that glided over my back sent an array of goosebumps over my skin. A sharp inhale made me aware of the soap that had been used to wash the sheets, a pleasant smell that soothed the mind.

Still...Even with all these new yet old sensations, my back was killing me. It felt as if a weight was pressing me down in the bed, centered between my shoulder blades.

I tried to roll my shoulders to alleviate the pain and tension, freezing as I heard the air swoosh around the room, a ticklish sensation moving around my shoulders. Groaning, I forced myself up on my elbows, half tempted to face-plant back into the soft pillows.

Taking a few steading breaths, I chanced a look over my shoulder, only to freeze in shock. A set of ink black and massive wings shuffled slightly, as if responding to my distress. The feathers gleamed in the dimmed light, a few of the softer down feathers fluttered around the room.

Oddly enough, small wisps and tendrils of darkness seemed to follow the feathers, making it seem as if the wings and feathers were alive...and breathing. My eyes flitted to one of the smaller feathers that had fallen to the bed before I gently picked it up.

Warmth still bloomed from the feather, the shadows caressing my fingers with a hint of curiosity before it seeped back into the feather. The wings on my back were made of the same strange matter, as if the shadows in the room were being sucked into the feathers.

It was slightly disturbing though, to know I had wings and I could actually feel them on my back, yet they seemed to move on their own command. I could feel them flex the slightest bit as I breathed, creating a slightly uneasy feeling of imbalance.

Slowly, I pushed myself up on trembling knees, the added weight of the wings not helping me at all. Just when I found my balance, my wings shivered and flapped once, creating a wave of air to circle through the room and push me face first into the bed.

"God damnit." I grumbled, my voice muffled into the pillows before I tried a different approach. This time I tossed my legs over the edge of the bed, sighing as my wings stretched out, as if attempting to push me down once again.

"Can I just get a break for once?" 

My words seemed to have some sort of effect on the wings, as they seemed to hesitate before slowly furling back together. I rubbed my face tiredly, wondering where the hell everyone was. Last I remembered, we were on Earth, where I had used my powers.

Yet, everything was blurry and seemed distant, as if I had watched it from a different perspective or only heard of the events that took place. Yet, I knew I had resurrected a child back to life, and condemned the people responsible for its death.

Shaking my head, I vaguely remembered the angels but couldn't recall what happened after I saved the child.

I think... I blacked out? 

Footsteps resounded through the hallway, pausing at my door before it creaked open. As I looked up, I sent a tired smile towards Bidziil as he hesitated in the doorway. Within seconds he was holding me in his arms, being mindful of my wings.

They seemed to react to his presence too; they shivered wildly, arching out and around as if returning his embrace. My cheeks flushed bright while Bidziil smiled warmly, a teasing glint in his eyes.

"Excited to see me, my love?"

I punched his shoulder, grumbling slightly while my wings counteracted me by tightening around the both of us. "I can't control these things." Bidzill's smile changed, became warmer as he reached out to gently caress the feathers.

"I'm glad. You don't need to hide your reactions from me, Thorn." His fingers brushed over the feathers, barely touching them at all as he gazed at them with reverence. I shivered, closing my eyes while biting on my lip.

"I'm not hurting you, am I?"

"No..." I let out a shuddering breath as his finger trailed over the joints with delicate care, curling around my back as his other hand curled over my hips. "They're just...really sensitive." At that, he let out a chuckle that made my wings flex slightly.

"I'd appreciate it if you didn't seduce my son in front of me, Precursor." My eyes widened, cheeks burning warmly as I felt my wings stiffen and hide myself from view. Dad chuckled behind me, along with Bidziil though they paused to make awed sounds when the shadows seeped out of the feathers, cloaking me from view.

"Remarkable! I've never seen this before..." Stepping forwards, Dad reached out a hand, only touching my feathers after I gave my verbal consent. His fingers searched through the shadows, seemingly coming up empty until he managed to lift up my wing.

Even then, the feathers almost seemed to slip from his grasp, as if he was trying to hold shadows in his hands. They seemed to liquefy in the palm of his hand, shivering and searching for a way out until eventually, they calmed down.

"Interesting... It seems that his wings act like they're made of actual darkness. I wonder how they'd respond when its night?" Dad mumbled to himself while I slowly managed to relax. Still, I felt exhausted and leaned against Bidziil, allowing him to carry some of my weight.

I yelped, blushing as Bidziil had swung me into his arms so he could carry me through the house. My wings fluttered underneath me, the feather tips grazing the floor before Bidziil sat down with me in his lap.

"What happened? After I passed out?"

Bidziil frowned, sighing deeply while glancing at my father. "The angels allowed us to leave peacefully, though I have a feeling that not all the angels will listen to them. Some might still try to get to you, so our security has been amplified until everyone settles down."

I nodded, leaning back against his chest, only to wince and vault up when one of the sensitive feathers bent. Bidziil frowned, not understanding why I had flinched but father did and smiled. "They'll be sensitive for a few days, but you should be able to withdraw your wings soon enough."

A slight hint of fear bit at my chest, the thought of those massive wings going in my back, wasn't all that pleasant. I didn't look forwards to another dose of pain I couldn't escape from.

---Bidziil's POV---

I couldn't keep my eyes off of Thorn, especially his wings. Though he still looked pale and extremely tired, he looked gorgeous at the same time. It was as if he was suddenly illuminated, casting a spell on me without his knowing.

His wings twitched and moved on their own, the feathers bristling slightly as the shadows flitted around and through them. It was as if the wings were wired directly to Thorn's emotions, reacting on everything that was happening around him.

And I didn't forget the fact that his wings had pulled me closer to his body, wanting the contact between us. In fact, the feathers of his wings were tickling me with each breath he took, as if they had a mind of their own and were gently caressing me.

It made me feel warm, wanted and cherished and if Thorn's father wasn't around, I'd probably have ravished my man on the spot. As it was, I had a hard time trying not to react as those feathers rubbed underneath my throat, trailed my chest and flicked against my nipples.

Meanwhile, I could feel Jason's eyes on me, burning as he talked to his son and brought him up to date with what happened. A smirk curled at his lip when I shivered, understanding gleaming in his eyes before he looked back at his son.

Some angels might still be persistent and go after Thorn but I had an inkling that word would spread out quick. Their God wasn't one to act and lash out without thinking and would most likely resent the actions on his loyal followers, but up until then, I'd rather be cautious.

Already messengers had been going and arriving, Angels who had been sent by God himself.  Though I didn't know how to take the interest, I could tell that they were watching and waiting carefully but for what, I couldn't say.

They eyed Jason with disdain though, as he had broken one of their sacred rules. I scoffed, rolling my eyes. I didn't understand those that held on so strongly to their religion, eager to point fingers at people who 'broke' the rules but when it came to themselves, they were rather lax with the rules.

Jason caught my look and shrugged slightly. "God had always been a little vain, which is made clear in his first rule of those Commandments. He's a good man but everyone has their flaws."

Huh...good to know that even divine beings still had their own little flaws. I grinned as I instantly realized that the Angels disliked Jason because he simply spoke the truth. They wouldn't like that their Father was being called vain, especially not when one of his rules was to not use His name without reverence.

The distant sound of wings beating made me look up and scowl. Thorn's wings fluttered, spreading out as he took a step forwards, his dark eyes narrowing on the approaching angels. I sighed and prepared myself for the encounter, as more and more seemed to appear out of nowhere.

Wonder what they wanted this time?