Warning: This story has some darker themes.
Matthew wakes to the sound of wind. He smiles and inhales the fresh air of the sky. He lets out a noise when he sits up. The cloud kingdom is in front of him. Tall peaks of the main castle tower over everything in sight. Matthew shimmies to ruffle the wind through his feathers. He flaps his snow white wings twice to lift him to his feet. He spreads them out wide to stretch them and smiles to himself. The winds of Heaven rush over him. He wishes on his clothes, a simple pair of blue jeans and a white t-shirt.
He's been an angel for 78 years now. He's had the chance to move up from his low ranked position many times, but he refuses. The higher up he goes, the less he gets to see people. He likes flying down to the living world and visiting the humans that still live. It makes him so happy to see them smile. His job is simple, visit the children in a specifically assigned hospital, and lift their spirits. He loves them all. He tells stories and tales of the wonders of life, he reassures the ones who will not live that all will be alright. He promises everyone to look after them and their family.
"Ah! Good morning Matthew!" The children's angel looks up to the smiling face of his superior. He's happy for Feliciano really. He loves making children smile, and truly deserves the managerial position of the children aged humans. Feliciano's wings are fluffy and white as well, a trait all children's angels have. They are like that to mimic pillows and stuffed animals. It's a comforting gesture for the kids. Feliciano has a small light blue circle pin attached to his robes. It designates his position.
"Morning Feliciano," Matthew greets back. His superior is sitting on a cloud, kicking his legs back and forth. His smile is bright as always.
"Lili is having her operation today right?" Feliciano folds his hands to his chest in worry. Matthew nods. He glances to the ground. He can make out the outline of the hospital, but just barely.
"I'm going to go see her now, bye," Matthew waves to his boss. Feliciano calls out good luck to him. Matthew spreads his wings and jumps. He floats down to the roof of the children's hospital he's been assigned. He's been working with this crowd of kids for five years. He thinks of the room he wishes to visit. With a light ting, he's standing in the middle of the room. There's a girl on the bed, asleep. Her hair is to her shoulders, sprayed out on her pillow like a halo. There's a purple ribbon tied into her blonde locks. Matthew steps forward, folding his wings in.
Lili is a quiet girl. She likes to listen to loud music and play with flowers. She's a perfectly normal eight year old, except for the bit of cancer living in her pancreas. Her parents caught it early, thankfully. Her surgery took place this morning while Matthew slept. He doesn't need to sleep, not as much as he likes to. Angels need an hour or two to get their energy refreshed, but it's not necessary. He scolds himself mildly for not being awake to oversee. Blood isn't his favorite thing though. So he hopes him not being there is alright. If it's not, he will surely hear about it.
He sits on the edge of her bed. He picks up her chart and reads through it. Her surgery went through exceptionally well. Matthew breathes a sigh of relief. He picks up a book on the side table. She's farther along now. He flips back a few chapters and begins to read. His voice isn't loud enough to wake her. He could speak up if he wanted to, but she really does need her sleep. He's getting to the climax of the chapter when the door opens. He thinks himself invisible, and the human entering doesn't see him. He moves out of the way for Lili's brother to take his spot.
Vash is a stern faced little boy, but he means well. He's got a basket of flowers in one hand. When Lili wakes, she will make flower crowns and make her brother wear them. Vash will with no protest. Matthew smiles to himself from the corner of the room. He steps up into the air to float above the siblings. He places his index and pointer finger to his lips. He kisses them and then places his fingers to Lili's head. She takes a deep breath in her sleep. Matthew taps back to the ground. He sits on the counter and watches them. Vash holds Lili's hand until she wakes. She does soon, a smile gracing her features at the sight of her brother. It warms Matthew up.
He runs cold when he hears scratching. He looks around the room quickly. Scratching happens again, the short spurts like tapping on keyboard. Matthew glances a Lili she's staring at the ceiling with a puzzled look on her face. She can hear it too, Vash shows no sign of hearing the noise. Matthew makes himself visible to her. He places a finger to his lips when she spots him. She smiles shyly to him. Matthew exits the room with a soft ting. He spins around in the hallway, his blood rushing. The scratching put him on edge.
He steps down the hall as quietly as possible, peeking into rooms with open doors. Kids are reading or listening to music. Some are sleeping while others are talking to their roommates. Matthew stops short just before Elizabeta's door. She's laughing at something, but she doesn't have a roommate. Matthew takes a deep breath and steps into the doorway. Elizabeta is giggling, unharmed, by the demon sitting criss cross in the air in front of her bed. Matthew blinks in shock. The demon has large wings and blinding white hair. He's cackling at something.
"Oh hey you wanna see something really funny?" The demon sits up straighter, a for sure mischievous tone in his voice. Elizabeta nods quickly. He orders her to read her book, and act like nothing is wrong. He touches to the ground and makes a pair of scissors with his fingers like he's playing a game. He puts his hand to the cords of the heart rate monitor and makes to snip it. The machine flat lines. Matthew gasps, covering his mouth with his hands. The demon snaps his eyes to him. Matthew is flattened by the bright red eyes. They scare him.
The demon blinks at him once, then a devilish smirk crosses his face, and he vanishes. Matthew is stuck to the ground. He barely manages to move and make himself unseen by the time the doctors come around the corner. He presses himself against the wall. He watches the doctors fluster over Elizabeta, reading her book and telling them she's fine. She's trying hard to hide her giggles behind her book. The doctors replace her machine and wires with whispers of careless kids. Matthew remains hidden from sight.
He leaves the room and makes his rounds around the hospital trying to forget what he just saw. He reads a book or two to the babies and spends some time talking to the coma patients. He stays till nightfall. Once Elizabeta is asleep, he steps forward. He checks her charts and then her. He waves a hand over her, searching for marks of the demon. Nothing. He breathes a sigh of relief. He kisses his fingers and places it to her forehead. She smiles in her sleep.
He soars his way up to his cloud bed. He paces across it for a few minutes. He knows he should inform someone of the demon he saw. He bites his lip. It's been a while since he's seen Elizabeta smile like that. The demon can't be all that bad if he made her laugh. Right? Sure he may have scared the bejeezus out of some doctors, and ruined a heart rate monitor, but he didn't really hurt anybody. Right? Matthew sighs and flops down onto his stomach. He buries his head into the clouds.
The rising sun wakes him the next week. He stops first in Lili's room. She has her music in and flowers on her lap. Vash is not there. Matthew makes himself known and Lili is excited to see him. She tells about how Vash brought her flowers, unaware that Matthew saw him come. He asks her about her surgery and how she's feeling. She scrunches up her little girl nose. She doesn't like talking about the hospital things, it makes her sad. So Matthew talks about different things. He reads her book to her as she widdles the flowers together.
A scratching noise almost makes Matthew freeze. He forces himself to finish the chapter as slowly as he can. He places a finger kiss to Lili's forehead, making her giggle. He closes her door with a soft click. He gulps. The hallways are mostly silent. Some kids are laughing, others coughing. Doctors stomp on the tile to their destinations. He peeks into a few rooms, though he has an idea of where the demon is. Sometimes, he hates being right.
The demon is standing in front of Elizabeta's bed with his hands in his pockets. He's wearing the same thing as when Matthew saw him the first time, a typical black shirt, but the back is ripped to pieces so his large wings are free. His jeans are black. There are dark red horns on the side of his head curling out forward, the points resting next to his eyes. He's smirking down at her as she talks about cutting her hair short. Matthew gathers his courage in the doorway. He knocks on the door softly to get their attention. The demon looks sharply at him now tense in his posture. Elizabeta smiles once she recognizes him.
"Matthew!" She exclaims. Matthew smiles to her and steps into the room. The demon doesn't move, but tenses more. He keeps his confidence even though every inch of him wants to run and tell the other angels.
"Hello Eliza," He says to her. He holds out a hand and she takes it, giving it a quick squeeze, then releasing it. Matthew glances to the demon, takes a chance, and smiles at him. The demon doesn't react. Matthew takes a step away from Elizabeta's bed, to face the demon fully. He opens his mouth to speak but the words are cut off. Matthew has only a second to take a breath of air before its forced out of him. He's slammed to the ground, his head smacking hard to the tile. He forces himself to remain still and calm. The demon's hand is pressing into his throat and his nails are digging into his skin. His wings are spread wide behind him. Matthew is caught in the bloodlust look of those red eyes now mere inches from him. There's a sinister smile on the demon's face. Matthew can barely make out Eliza pleading out 'stop'. He gulps hard, air becoming scarce.
"Gilbert please stop," Eliza cries out. Tears are coming down her cheeks. The demon jerks back suddenly. He backs to the window, thudding against it. Matthew takes a quick breath of air. He sits up, breathing heavily. The demon glances between the two of them, then vanishes in a puff of black soot. Matthew places his hands to his neck and breathes slowly, working some healing magic into it to remove possible bruising. He stumbles to his feet. Elizabeta is angrily wiping away tears, a pout on her face. Matthew sits at the edge of her bed.
"I'm sorry. Gilbert's not usually like that." She mutters out. She rubs at her face. For a 12 year old, she's got an impressive glare. Matthew smiles gently.
"It's alright, I'm fine." Matthew reassures her. She folds her arms over her chest with a mighty humph. Matthew giggles. Elizabeta had been beaten by her father for wanting to be a boy. Her mother had called the cops and the situation has been diffused, but Eliza still needs to recover from her broken ribs. Matthew places a hand on her head to ruffle her hair.
"Really, it's okay. I'm more worried about you," He scooches a bit closer to the girl. Elizabeta turns her bright eyes to him and shakes her head. Matthew raises an eyebrow at that.
"Gilbert would never hurt me," She informs him. She's full of conviction. Matthew twists up his face in confusion, asking her to explain. She takes a deep breath.
"One night I woke up crying. And he appeared, at first I thought I was going to die, but he just sat and talked with me." Elizaveta pulls her legs up and holds them to her. She sniffs once more. Matthew nods his head along to her story. It's so odd for a demon to do nice things. Elizabeta seems to believe that this demon means her no harm at least, which is what Matthew really wanted to hear. He's in charge of looking after the kids in the hospital, if anything happens to them, it'll kill Matthew. The demon had scared him in more ways than one, but hearing he wouldn't harm the kids, is a big relief.
He leaves Elizabeta and think about another boy in the hospital. With a soft ting he arrives just inside Mathias's door. He smiles wide to the messy haired ten year old on the bed.
"Mattie!" The kid cheers, throwing his arms up in the air. Matthew laughs and puts his arms in the air as well.
"How you doing champ?" Matthew asks, making his way to sit on the edge of the bed. He's careful to avoid the sling holding up Mathias's leg. The boy had been riding his bike, and accidentally rode it off a small cliff. He's lucky he only broke his leg.
"I'm doing great! Mum brought me this thing!" He twists as best he can to lean over the edge of the bed. He pulls up a magazine with a surfer on the cover.
"It's full of places that are great for adventures and stuff!" Mathias shows Matthew the magazine, pointing out his favorite pictures and articles. He reads a few for Matthew, going off about how cool it would be to visit those places and explore and make his way in the wild.
"Just make sure you don't break anything while you're out there," Matthew teases. Mathias sticks his tongue out at the angel, talking about how he's going to be the greatest adventurer in the world. Matthew laughs and entertains his plans, telling the boy how he's going to be great when he grows up. The kids of the hospital recognize him as an angel. Many children's angels let the kids seen them in their natural form. They have no reason to lie to the kids, and they can handle it better than some adults do. They are more mature than they are given credit for. Matthew thinks it's wrong to lie to the kids about who he is. He could pretend to be a doctor, but he's not. He doesn't want to lie.
When Mathias tuckers himself out with talking about adventures, Matthew places a finger kiss to his forehead. Mathias pushes him weakly away with a smile. Matthew sticks his tongue out now at the child, causing him to giggle. There's a scratching noise and Matthew goes cold. Mathias looks around.
"What was that?" He turns to Matthew with his eyes open wide in fear. Matthew looks around as well.
"I'm sure it was nothing," He says softly. Mathis gives him a skeptical look, but cuddles into his covers to sleep. Matthew exits his room, closing the door with a soft click. He takes a deep breath and looks down the hall. The demon is there, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. Matthew makes a conscious effort to be calm. He turns from the door and walks down the hallway, every step feeling heavier with every inch he gets closer to the demon.
"Hello," he greets politely as he passes. The demon sneers at him, eyes no longer burning. He continues to walk, forcing himself to not hold his breath. He walks down the hallway, peeking into rooms to see if children are sleeping. If their blankets are messed up, he creeps in to fix it. He places finger kisses to their foreheads. He closes the door to another room and turns coming face to face with the demon. He inhales sharply, surprised by the sudden encounter. He nearly scolds the demon for scaring him like that.
The demon steps forward. Matthew steps back. The demon pauses, then steps forward again, backing Matthew to the wall. Matthew focuses on breathing. The demon can't hurt him much. It'll be painful, but he will recover. He takes another chance, probably a stupid one, and smiles gently at the demon.
"Hello," He says again quietly. The demon glares at him skeptically. He tilts his head one way, then the other, and back again. Matthew keeps his eyes on him. His fear is lessening, surprisingly. The demon has yet to hurt the kids, and yet to hurt him. Hurt him a lot at least. The demon steps back letting him go. Matthew nods his head in thanks and walks on. He can hear the steps of the demon with him. He doesn't let it bother him. He continues on his routine. Near the end of his round, the demon is walking next to him instead. Matthew has his wings folded in tight to avoid bumping the other. He glances at the demon, who is already looking at him. Matthew sucks in air and walks straight on. He hits the last room and enters.
He fixes up the blanket and refills the boy's water cup. He can feel the demon watching him from the doorway. He places a finger kiss to the boys head. He faces the demon now. He looks highly unamused. Matthew gives him a quick shy smile, and leaves. He's flying up to the sky, and back to heaven. He sits on his cloud and tears out his hair. He feels dumb. He should be telling someone, anyone, about the demon in his hospital.
He stares into the stars. Gingerly, he touches his neck. The demon acted so differently at the end of the day. He attacked Matthew early, nearly forcing his body into a coma like state. The he just.. Watched. It unnerves Matthew a little. He's a little worried that he's not scared of the demon, even after the choking fiasco. He's extremely worried about his own sanity for not telling anyone. He knows he should mention it. It's wrong to keep it hidden. The demon hasn't hurt the kids though. He is thankful the demon hasn't, but he's curious as to why.
"Good evening Matthew," He's pulled out of his thoughts by the sweet voice. He swivels around on his cloud to face Katyusha. She sits on a cloud near him and smiles. She's got short silver hair and the fluffiest wings. Her pin is light blue in the shape of an x. She's the manager of the adolescent humans, 19 and younger.
"Hello dear Kat, how are you?" He says. She giggles and swings her legs back and forth. There's a clipboard on her lap.
"I'm doing well Matthew, just a little routine check up," She wiggles her clipboard near her face. Matthew sits up straighter to give her his full attention. She asks simple things, how he likes his job, if he wants to move up, things like that. Matthew makes her laugh as he answers. Katyusha has one of the lightest bell like laughs he's ever heard. She's motherly and kind. Matthew really doesn't want to lie to her.
"Anything of interest to report from your hospital?" She makes a few last scribbles on her papers. Matthew does his best to not react. He 'hmms' in thinking.
"Nope," he informs her. So much for not lying. He won't get in trouble for it. Not yet at least. She bids him goodnight and flies off. Matthew takes a deep breath. He wraps himself in his wings. He really should tell someone about the demon. He just wants to know more first.
Matthew is in the nursery tonight. He hasn't seen the demon in a few days. He doesn't mind. It gives him time to relax and be natural with the children without having to worry about demons running amuck. He is curious to where he went. He will not deny that. Why is the demon messing around a children's hospital? What purpose does he have? Matthew has already freaked out over the idea the demon is waiting for the right time. He's worried if he doesn't say something soon, the children could be in trouble. He wants to talk to the demon, maybe get an answer before he says anything. If he does say anything.
"But the Rabbit said no no no, that is too much. If you give me all of that, I will be someone's lunch." Matthew reads from the book with different voices to entertain the babies in the room. They can't do much, being stuck in cradles like they are. Most of the babies in the room are going to be put up for adoption, their parents unable to support them. Some of them are recovering from diseases when they were born. Matthew loves them all the same.
He reads with gusto, walking around the room. His wings are up, spreading down Heaven's dust to the babies. The dust disappears as soon as it touches them, but they giggles and try to grab it all the same. There's one baby near the back that is particularly kicky. She's groaning and making a fuss. Matthew walks his way over, still reading from the book. Once he's standing next to the cradle he reaches in a hand to place it on her stomach. He rubs small circles on her belly to get her to settle down. He smiles down at her. She gives him a gummy smile back and a high happy squeal.
He's halfway through the story now. The rabbit is taking too many carrots back home at the mouse's request. There's a fox creeping up on him. Matthew still has his hand in the girl's cradle. She's got his thumb in her hand holding it tight. He flips the page. Scratching starts. Matthew pauses in his story, glancing up at the ceiling. The babies do not notice his stop. He reads on, making his voice a little louder for the fox, the babies also get louder, letting out happy noises. Matthew giggles. He finishes the story with a flourish, raising his arms up and spinning in a circle, raining dust on the kids. They let out happy yells.
Matthew picks up another book. This one is a song story. He hums a soft melody at first to get into the feel of the story. He likes this one. It's his favorite of the babies collection. He keeps his hand in the girl's cradle as he begins the story. He sings softly, seeing as sleepy time is soon. He flips a page. The scratching sounds again. Closer this time. Matthew looks to one side. He doesn't know how the demon will deal with the babies. He's scared for them. He looks to the other side and nearly jumps out of his skin.
The demon is sitting criss cross on the floor at his feet. His elbows are resting on his knees and his chin is in his hands. Matthew blinks down at him. The demon tilts his head to the side. His eyes narrow. Matthew takes a deep breath and returns to his book. He sings softly on. The babies are slowly making less noise, getting tired. Matthew is soon able to remove his hand from the girl's cradle, as she's nearly asleep. He's halfway through the book now. The demon stands. Matthew does his best to keep his voice even and unafraid. The demon circles around him like a predator. Matthew can feel him lean close, way in his personal space. He does not move. He continues singing his book.
The demon steps around the cradle Matthew is standing at to be across from him. He stares down the angel. Matthew glances up to him once. The demon looks unamused by him, his eyes not as fiery. The demon raises a hand and drags two fingers through the air. A trail of silver smoke follows after. The demon grabs the middle of the smoke trail and it materializes into a flute. Matthew's voice wavers when the demon begins to play along with him. It's low and matches Matthew perfectly. He continues on. It's hard though, with the mesmerizing way the demon plays. He completes the song without a hitch.
He looks up to the demon from his book. He looks serene and calm with his eyes closed. The demon pulls his flute away from his lips. He locks eyes with Matthew. They stare at each other. The babies are all asleep around them. Matthew can feel the corners of his lips twitch up. He smiles softly at the demon. The demon leans his head back to look curiously at him. Then he leans forward, his eyes wide studying him. Matthew just keeps smiling. For a split second, the demon smirks. He vanishes is a puff of soot.
Matthew places his hands on his knees and takes a deep breath. That's the closest he feels he's been to the demon. He could feel his breath on his neck when he circled around him. He could feel the judgment. He closes his eyes. The flute sounded amazing. The demon played it beautifully. It calmed the children down faster than he thought possible. He places a finger kiss to the girl who fussed earlier. With a sigh he exits the nursery. He makes his rounds about the hospital, avoiding doctors and refilling water glasses. He's very conflicted.
He paces back up on his cloud. He wants to know more about the demon. More than he cares to admit. He can't though. He's done so much taboo already. He should have told about the demon in the hospital weeks ago. He should have told the demon to go away and leave the children alone. He should not have done a duet with the demon to get the kids to sleep. It's not right. It's not an angel's way. He could get in so much trouble. He could get reassigned to paperwork. No more seeing the kids. He groans aloud.
He doesn't know much about demons. He is still a very young angel by some standards. He can't really ask anyone either without raising suspicion. He knows very little about them. Some demons specialize in certain things, like sex or mischief. He bites his lip. What kind of demon is the one at the hospital? Matthew has seen other demons before in passing glances. Their wings are smaller, thinner, than the one at the hospital. What did that mean? Matthew thinks back to Elizabeta. She said the demon's name is Gilbert. Who is he? Why does Matthew want to know? Why is he so curious?
He buries himself in his wings. The fluffy feathers tickle his nose. His heart is pounding. He will deny that the demon is attractive, different from anything he's ever seen. He can't be feeling this. Angels are not supposed to feel romance. It is against the rules. Angel's jobs are to protect and promote the health and happiness of the living humans to get them to heaven. They are selfless and caring. It's how they are meant to be. Matthew peaks past his feathers to the stars.
He doesn't want to lose his job. He likes being with the kids. He knows he's in trouble. By caring about the demon, Matthew is allowing him onto his turf and his job. He needs to let someone know. He can't continue letting this go on. Matthew tries to clear his head to sleep.
"I'll see you later Lili," Matthew says with a wave. Lili puts the last of her clothes in her little bag. Vash reappears in the doorway.
"Ready to go?" Vash chokes out. Matthew has seen this boy break down over his sister. He's not good with expressing himself. Not yet maybe, but he tries for her. That's what really matters. Lili nods her head. She glances at Matthew one last time. Despite Vash not being able to see him, Lili come close and places a kiss on Matthew's head. Vash gives her an odd look but she giggles her way out of it. Matthew waves as she exits the room. Her cancer is gone and cleared up nicely. She can finally leave.
Matthew sits in the empty room for a moment. This isn't the first time a child has left him. The kids grow and leave and get treated. He's sat by the side of many who haven't been able to make it. He had been the one to guide them Heaven too. Usually children's souls are sent to reincarnation immediately. They do not have much life to relive and it's easier to get them out in the world. Parents in Heaven are sad about it, but they understand. Matthew has never heard of a child going to Hell. At least, not the ones he works with.
He closes Lili's old door with a soft click. He leans up against it, curling his wings around his body. He sends her good thoughts. She should live a long happy life. With Vash protecting her every step of the way, she will be a good person no doubt. Matthew is excited to see her in Heaven. She may not remember him, as angels become less seen as the human grows, but it's a nice future to look forward to.
He hums to himself as he heads down the hallway. Doctors are rushing about and he easily steps out of their way. He's making his way to a new patient. A young boy has been admitted just a few days ago in a coma. He slid in the middle of a soccer game, getting a mouthful of dirt. With already bad asthma, the boy went into shock. They had to repair his lung and now he's in a mild coma. Should be awake within a month, but it's still a heartache to the parents. Matthew is going to read to him, to give him something to listen to.
The sound of a flute stops his senses. He follows the noise down the hallway towards the nursery. He stops outside the door. He can barely make out the demon through the window. He knows this is a bad idea. The door handle is glaring at him. He gulps. The sound of the flute is still going on. It's sweet like a lazy Sunday morning. He shouldn't be doing this. He shouldn't be losing his mind over this sound, over this demon. He takes a deep breath. He will blame it on wanting to check on the children, he heard a strange noise and went to check it out. That's all.
Matthew turns the handle. The demon has his eyes closed, with his flute to his lips. Matthew shuts the door behind him by leaning on it. He doesn't take his eyes of the demon. The bat winged man is floating in the air, his back to the wall. His legs are extended in front of him crossed at the ankles. Matthew gives in. He closes his eyes and lets the sound come over him. The babies in the room are giggling and making bubbly noises. It's such a happy sound. Matthew has a hard time believing the one playing is from Hell.
When he can feel the song coming to the end, Matthew opens his eyes. He watches the demon play the last notes of his song. He drops the flute from his lips and glances to Matthew. The angel steps forward, a soft smile on his face. The demon blinks down at him. Matthew pauses a few steps away. The air is quiet between them. The demon chokes out a short laugh, takes a deep breath, and blows into the flute. Matthew covers his ears to the shrill noise echoing inside the tiny room. It's high pitched like nails on a chalkboard, only longer lasting and louder. When the sound stops, Matthew glares up at the smirking demon. He snickers shortly, disappearing when the cries start.
Matthew lets out a pained groan. He spreads his wings up high. Sprinkling heavenly dust down on the babies. He tucks them in and swaddles them in blankets. He coos at them, trying to get them to calm down. He still has the sound echoing in his own head. He's nearly pleading with the kids to stop crying. He wipes away their tears, shushing them as best he can. There are too many kids for him to pick up each one and rock them back to silence. He takes a deep breath, spreading his wings as wide as he can at the front of the room. He begins to sing gently, but loud.
There are dust specks flowing from his wings, sprinkling over the kids and distracting them from the screech of earlier. His voice is washing over them, similar to the sound coming from the flute before that demon went and ruined it. It takes 20 minutes for Matthew to sing his heart out and get the kids calm once again. He takes a deep breath once he finishes his seventh song. The kids are kicking up their legs and happy. He leans against the wall, angry. He knew he should have stopped that demon before. He hurt the kids, their ears can't handle that kind of pressure. He blows his hair out of his face in a puff.
He's still miffed as he exits the nursery, shutting the door with a click behind him. The demon is leaning up against the wall outside with his arms crossed over his chest. Matthew gives him an annoyed glance. He holds his head high and walks passed the demon without giving him a second look. Rotten creature. He can hear the demon walking behind him. He doesn't pay him any attention. The demon can go back to Hell for all he cares. He can't let the demon in the hospital any longer. He needs to tell someone.
The demon is now walking beside him. Matthew doesn't bother to pull in his wings. They brush against the demon's for a second. He inhales sharply and takes longer strides. He doesn't want to deal with the demon now. However, it seems the demon wants to mess with him. The demon is next to him again, and with a blink of his eyes, right in front of Matthew's way. The angel stops with a huff. He's giving the demon an unimpressed look. His stunt with his flute had not been amusing.
The demon tilts his head to the side. His face is blank. Matthew moves to step around him. The demon steps back in his way. Matthew narrows his eyes. He moves the other way to get around the demon once more. Again, the demon steps into his way. Matthew lets out an exasperated breath.
"Really?" Matthew crosses his arms over his chest. He is not in the mood for games. He and the demon stare at each other. All at once, the demon is smirking down at him and cackling. His face is bright with delight and his red eyes are now warm with fire.
"You handled that better than I thought you would," The demon praises, winking at him. Matthew raises an eyebrow, still unimpressed. The demon takes a step out of his space, folding his wings nicely behind him.
"I'm Gilbert," Matthew is a bit caught off guard by the professional introduction. The demon is smirking at him with his hand outstretched. Matthew judges him for a moment, then takes his hand in a quick two bob handshake.
"Matthew," He says. The demon's smirk widens then his expression drops suddenly into a grimace.
"Aw fuck," He says, then vanishes in a puff of soot. Matthew blinks into the empty space in front of him. He shakes his head. No. He is still mad about the demon hurting the youngest ones. He will tell Feliciano or Katyusha about it as soon as he can. He runs a hand through his hair. He pauses outside Elizabeta's door. He gulps. This is such a bad idea.
"Hello Eliza," He greets upon entering her room. She smiles brightly at him, putting her book down. Matthew takes a seat on the edge of her bed.
"Hey Mattie, I didn't think you'd visit me today." She gives him a puzzled look. Matthew masks his own confusion with a easy laugh.
"I wasn't planning on it, but I was wondering if you could help me," He informs her. She brightens up at the offer, sitting up straighter in her bed. She nods her head lightly telling him to go on.
"The de- Gilbert. Did he ever say anything about what he does?" Matthew hides his gulp. He shouldn't be asking about the demon world. He's not supposed to know about them and prying where he shouldn't be. He's curious though. He wants to know. Elizabeta scrunches up her little girl face in concentration.
"He said he just likes to have fun. Likes to mess with people. Pranks I think." She shrugs her shoulders. Matthew brings a hand to his mouth in thought. From what he knows, that makes Gilbert is a mischief demon, specializing in screwing with people's day and making them mad. A very typical demon task. Matthew bites his lip. Gilbert's wings are big though. That kind of position doesn't make sense.
"Thank you Eliza," He says and stands. She sniffs, rubbing a hand under her nose.
"Hey Mattie?" He stops near the door, turning halfway to face her. She twists her fingers together.
"I talked to my mom and.. could you call me Daniel from now on?" Matthew blinks at her. Her eyes are wide and scared. It clicks in Matthew's head. He smiles gently at him.
"Of course. I'll see you tomorrow Daniel," The young boy breathes a breath of relief, a wide smile making it's way across his face. Matthew exits the room and nearly jumps out of his skin at Gilbert sitting on the floor outside. He sighs deeply. Gilbert glances up at him. He flaps his wings once to lift him to his feet.
"You know," He says stepping into Matthew's bubble. He smirks down at the angel.
"If you want to know more about me, you could just ask." He leans dangerously close, almost nose to nose with Matthew. The angel blinks wide eyed at him and steps away. He counts to ten in his head. He bites the inside of his lip. This is his chance to know more when he's been denied all the knowledge he wanted. This is such a bad idea, and he's not going to let it pass.
"Okay," He says, nodding his head. Gilbert raises his eyebrows at that, showing off his pointed teeth. Matthew swivels around and walks down the hallway, Gilbert right beside him.
"And in return, I will answer any questions you have as well," It's only fair. Matthew glances at him, a smile now breaking onto his face. Gilbert snickers, waving his hand for Matthew to ask his questions.
"Well, I'm mostly curious to what you do. What.. Kind? Of demon are you?" He keeps his eyes on Gilbert. It's only polite to look at the speaker. He's not just watching the demon's face for his enjoyment of Matthew's ignorance. Gilbert chuckles.
"My original demonic position was as Eli- Daniel said. I was a Bad Day Sprite by nickname, the best of them all," Matthew smiles at the proud tone of the demon. Gilbert is smirking like the world belongs to him. Matthew hums.
"You said was." His face twists up in confusion. If possible, Gilbert's smirk widens. He has a malicious glint in his eyes. He runs his tongue over his pointed teeth for Matthew to see.
"I did. My position now is more.. Awesome." He snickers. Matthew represses the shudder down his spine. He gulps, looking at Gilbert from the corner of his eye. The demon catches his stare and flashes in front of him, startling Matthew, once again. The demon leans in dangerously close to him.
"Matthew do you know what the highest position in Hell is?" Gilbert's eyes are bright with anticipation. Matthew gives him an odd look. The highest position in Hell? He's heard few rumors about the vicious King of Hell. No one has told him otherwise there is any spot above King. But why does that matter? Matthew's eyes widen. He clenches his jaw tight and tries hard not to gulp. Gilbert's laughter starts low and sinister, it grows into a loud cackle. He vanishes once more before Matthew's eyes.
The angel is frozen to the spot. He allows himself to panic now. King. Did Gilbert really mean to imply he's the King? Of Hell? Matthew kneels to the ground with his hands in his hair. He focuses on breathing. No way. No way is he getting mixed up with the worst of the worst. He can't do it. He can't do this. He should have told someone from the beginning like he thought he should. He shouldn't have been so stupid. He can't do this. He shakes his head hard, plasters a smile on his face. Fake it till you make it. He clears his head of thoughts of the demon. He has a job to do. He has kids to look after.
When it comes close to the end of his rounds around the hospital, Gilbert appears before him with a smirk. He follows Matthew around for the last few rooms. When Matthew is done with checking on the kids, Gilbert takes his hand and guides him up to the roof. Matthew holds his breath, baffled by the gentleness in Gilbert's hold. His frazzled thoughts from before completely forgotten. On the roof, Gilbert sits him down and makes himself comfortable across from him. Matthew chooses his words cautiously, asking questions he's been wanting to know.
It becomes routine. Every time Matthew goes down to the hospital, Gilbert finds him at the end of his shift. He makes scratches to alert Matthew of his presence, and the angel finds a stopping to point to his day. Gilbert takes him to the roof and answers all his questions. They talk for days.
Matthew asks about demon positions. He knows of Heaven's but what do demons do? Gilbert lounges on his stomach, kicking his feet back and forth in the air behind him. He's leaning his chin on his hand. Matthew is sitting criss cross next to him. Gilbert tells him there are plenty of positions in Hell, just as much as the ones in Heaven. There are lackey and low level positions like cleaning tools and running papers between the higher up jobs. Their jobs are broken up into fractions though it is very unorganized at the moment. Gilbert can't be bothered to really keep it together. Matthew holds back scolding him from his job. There are positions Matthew never even heard of. Fear tacticians in charge of mental torture and minor demons who greet humans to Hell. Nightmare workers who counteract the Angels of Sweet Dreams. Guides who take humans from room to room and even on to reincarnation. He didn't know damned souls could be reborn. So many things Heaven is hiding.
Matthew asks about torture rooms. Gilbert is a little reluctant, but he does tell Matthew about them. He sits leaning back on his hands with Matthew right beside him. He talks about the sublevels of rooms within the larger sections. The mental torture section has fear and solitary confinement as well as new ghosting rooms in construction. Matthew hides his uneasiness at the joy Gilbert gets out of describing that the ghost rooms will make you see all the ones you love leaving you in the worst way possible. He talks highly of their physical torture rooms. Standard painful processes as well as sexual displeasure. A new addition just a few decades ago. He cackles at the pain the rapists and molesters are put through, getting the same treatment back they once put others through. Matthew has a hard time seeing how hurting people fixes anything, but it is Hell Gilbert talks about. It's bound to be horrible.
Matthew asks about wings. Gilbert is more than willing to show off. He stands with pride, showing off his wings and throwing coy glances over his shoulder to Matthew on the floor. Matthew tells him to stop, but the meaning is lost in his giggles. Gilbert lets him touch his wings. He tells of the difference between Fallen Angel wings and regular sent to Hell demon wings. Gilbert's wings are thicker and stronger. More durable to the trials of Hell. Heaven made him strong, and Hell made him stronger. He and Matthew laugh to themselves as they compare size. Matthew's wings are nearly dwarfed by Gilbert's. Matthew lets him run his fingers through some of the feathers. The demon nearly tackles him to the ground, wanting to take a nap on his wings. Matthew is tempted to let him.
Matthew asks about Gilbert's life before Hell. The demon grits his teeth and keeps his answer curt at first, but with some gentle coaxing and soft hand squeezes, Gilbert opens up. He had been a children's angel just like Matthew. He never quite got over wanting to make them smile, which is why he is here now. The higher up angels had a problem with the way he helped the kids though. Smile and talk to them, keep them safe. All the things Matthew is good at. Gilbert didn't like that. The kids go stir crazy. He took them for joy rides in wheelchairs down the hall. He opened windows and snuck animals inside. In the end the higher ups called him too reckless to deal with human lives. They wanted to put him in a new job, but Gilbert refused. In his refusal, he fell. He doesn't tell much about the falling, only that it is a deep scratching all over. Matthew asks why he didn't want to be in Heaven. Gilbert counters by asking him why he wants to know about Hell. Matthew stays silent, and Gilbert holds his hand.
When Gilbert asks him about his life before Heaven, Matthew briefly recalls being a doctor of sort. Or maybe a teacher. He can't quite remember, though he's sure he worked with children at some point. Gilbert wiggles closer to him so their arms are touching. Matthew finds he doesn't mind, which is probably really bad. He asks about Gilbert's old job, which the demon is more than happy to recount tales of how he ruined someone's day. Matthew finds himself giggling at some of the stories, but only the ones where the person really deserved it. Gilbert likes to call it Karma. Matthew likes to call it mean.
Later in the month, Matthew decides to make an extra long trip to the coma patient with asthma. He thinks himself into the room of the boy. He has sandy blonde hair, no more than seven. He looks at the chart in the front of the bed. The doctors managed to remove most of the dust particles from his lungs, though one seems to be badly injured due to being weak already. His vital signs are holding well. Matthew sadly puts the chart back into place. He sits on the edge of the boy's bed.
"Hello Peter," Matthew pushes some of the hair out of the boy's closed eyes. He's been in a coma for about four weeks now. Matthew waves his hands in front of him, a white mist appearing between them.
"This one is one of my favorites," He smiles at the boy. He pulls a book out of the mist, opening to the first page. He's read to Peter before, but tonight he's going the extra mile.
"It's about a boy with magic, he goes to a school to learn how to use his abilities," Matthew settles himself, pulling his legs up and crossing them beneath him. He places a wing over Peter like a blanket. He dives right into the words, changing his voice to capture the feel. Peter doesn't stir, but Matthew gets excited when the heart rate monitor speeds when he gets to exciting parts. He reads for hours. Later in the night he hears scratching. He's in the middle of an exciting chapter, there is not a good breaking point for another few pages. He scolds himself for even thinking of going to Gilbert. He continues with reading. It's a page later when he hears more scratching. He keeps reading on at the same pace. Peter is more important.
"Goodnight Peter," Matthew smiles down at him. He kisses his fingers and places them on Peter's forehead. There's another angry scratching, longer, harder. Matthew suppresses his urge to yell out 'alright already, I'm coming' like Gilbert is some sort of bad tempered child. He closes the door quietly. He spins around slowly. Gilbert is leaning against the wall with his nails digging into his arms. He's glaring at Matthew. The angel raises an eyebrow. Gilbert really is a bad tempered child. The demon pushes off the wall, coming right towards Matthew. He lets his fear show, as much as he doesn't want to. He backs up immediately. Gilbert seems excited by this stepping even closer.
The demon leans down, putting has face horribly close to Matthew's. The angel breathes slowly. All at once he's reminded that he should have told someone about Gilbert months ago. He's not supposed to be here in this position. This demon shouldn't be here. The King of Hell should not be here. Matthew is in so much trouble.
"I do not like, to be kept waiting." Gilbert snarls in his ear. Matthew holds his breath. He can feel the anger radiating off the demon. Matthew doesn't know where the courage comes from, but he lifts his head just a hint higher.
"Maybe," He whispers. Gilbert lets out a low growl. Matthew can not do this.
"You should get used to it." He bites his tongue. Oh no. The demon stops. Gilbert pulls back agonizingly slow almost dragging his lips across Matthew's cheek. Matthew is sure that if he hadn't died already, he would be well on his way. He can see Gilbert's eyes now, burning. He can almost feel the demon shaking in anger. Before he can think there's a hand around his throat lifting him off the ground. He brings his hands to his neck, trying to meekly pry the fingers away. Gilbert glare holds hard. Matthew is scared.
"No one. Speaks to me that way." Gilbert raises his wings high, shrouding Matthew in darkness. He inhales as best he can. He lets out a strangled noise. Gilbert yanks him forward. They are nose to nose and Matthew can only see red.
"I am the King." Gilbert tone is deadly, low, commanding. Matthew is dropped to the ground. He inhales hard. Air is a welcome pleasantry. He holds his neck. He scrambles to his knees, folding his wings tight to him. He's pushed back against the wall again, Gilbert is in his face one more. His wings are encasing Matthew. With one last ditch effort Matthew pulls at Gilbert's hand. The King of Hell grips him tighter. Gilbert leans close again, pushing his lips dangerously close to his. Matthew doesn't know what would happen if Gilbert would actually kiss him, but he's deathly afraid to find out. He's more scared, because he thinks Gilbert knows that.
"Gilbert," He wheezes out. Coughs start to wrack his body. He's twitching now trying to get enough air. He forces his eyes open, stinging with tears, to lock them on the demon.
"Please," He chokes out. Air rushes back into his body. He clunks his head back against the wall and holds his head. He gulps down oxygen. Gilbert is flattened against the wall opposite him, his own eyes wide with something akin to terror. With a quick step away he vanishes. Matthew curls in on himself. He folds his wings tight around him, and cries.
He's so stupid. How could he let this demon stay here as long as he had? Why did he have to be curious? The higher angels always told him he does not need to know about the underground world. He did not need to dip his toes into forbidden waters. He for sure did not need to push the King, of all demons, into an angry fit. He holds himself tighter. This is so wrong. He feels so wrong. If Heaven had only told him about this in the first place. He wouldn't have been curious if they just told him. He wipes away his tears. He needs to get back home.
The flight back to his cloud is painful. His body is aching from the lack of air given to it. He flops onto his cloud, devoid of energy. He taps his fingers to his throat. He musters up some magic to soothe the bruises that are probably forming. He needs to tell someone.
"Mattie you okay?" He peeks out into the open to see Feliciano hanging by his arms from his cloud. Matthew sniffs once and nods. The other angel doesn't believe him in the slightest. Matthew accepts his fate as Feliciano curls up next to him on the cloud. Matthew cries a few more tears, letting Feliciano wipe them away.
"One.. One of the patients. Said they saw a demon," He whispers. Feliciano covers his mouth with his hands to hide his squeal. Matthew shushes him.
"She.. He said he saw it before he came to the hospital, but to be sure I checked the perimeter twice." The manager angel relaxes just the slightest. Matthew knows the most important thing is the kids are safe.
"He said the demon's name was Gilbert," Matthew gulps. This could be dangerous. Right he is. Feliciano sits up immediately.
"Oh no that is bad, very bad," The angel mutters to himself mostly. Matthew places a hand on his arm. Feliciano bites his lip.
"Mattie, he's a very powerful demon, if a child saw him that means they are danger of being taken." Feliciano whispers to him. Matthew blinks.
"What do you mean taken?" He asks, though a little too loudly as his boss hushes him. Feliciano leans in close to keep their conversation a secret.
"Years ago the Demon King stole an Angel of Music from Heaven, keeping him locked up. It hasn't been very long since Roderich returned to Heaven. He doesn't leave anymore." Feliciano glances around him, like Gilbert might pop up take him down to Hell. Matthew reassures his boss that everything is fine and the demon hasn't showed up, kicking himself mentally for lying. He shouldn't be keeping this to himself. Not at all. What Feliciano said is stuck in his mind. How could an angel be taken to Hell? Why did Gilbert want them. Matthew can barely get any sleep with the questions burning into his mind.
"Do you think I could ever learn to fly a plane?" Mathias asks, wiggling his toy jet back and forth. Matthew giggles.
"I think you could do anything you want," he says matter-a-factly. Mathias grins at the idea. He's been interested in planes of late and the idea of flying. Matthew tells him a little bit about the sensation. How the wind races past and you feel weightless. No matter how much Mathias begs and pleads, Matthew will not promise to take him for a ride. He can't risk the reckless boy getting another broken limb.
"See ya Mattie," Mathias waves to him as he makes his way to the door. Matthew waves back. He's going to go check on Peter, then stop by Daniel's room. He decided to take another easy day. He starts to make his way down the hallway when a black figure catches his eyes. Matthew creeps closer. He can make out Gilbert, sitting against the wall with his legs pulled close. Matthew comes to a stop in front of him. His curiosity is peaking again. Why is Gilbert here? What possible reason did he have? The King of Hell glances up at him like a kicked puppy. Matthew schools his face into a blank expression.
He almost groans at himself. This is so stupid. Matthew takes a deep breath and releases it. He drops to the ground next to the demon and sits beside him. He extends his legs and rests his head against the wall. He swears he can feel relief coming from Gilbert. He rolls his eyes at the thought. Demons can't feel. They don't know anything but pain and suffering.
"I used to be good you know," That catches Matthew by no surprise. Gilbert is resting his chin on his knees. Matthew does his best to not look.
"I used to do the same damn thing you're doing. Visiting children and making them happy." Matthew stays silent. It explains why he hasn't hurt any of them and why he wanted to make Daniel laugh.
"Fell nearly 500 years ago." Matthew finally turns to the demon at his side. Gilbert's expression hasn't changed.
"Worked my ass off, spent decades in torture and years in training. Beat the old King bad about 300 years ago." Gilbert sniffs hard and clunks his head back to the wall. Matthew has already given in to the demon by listening, he lets himself stare at Gilbert's eyes, no longer lightened with fire.
"I'm mean. It's easy." He says. Matthew takes a deep breath and makes a conscious effort to not touch his neck. Gilbert lets his head roll to face Matthew now. Matthew bites his tongue. The demon almost looks sad.
"Did you really steal an angel?" Matthew doesn't know why he asks, but he does want to know. Suppose that's the reason. Gilbert smirks for a second.
"I did. Tempted to steal you too," Matthew holds his breath at the confession. Gilbert is staring him down like prey. He pushes off the ground.
"Nope," Matthew says simply, walking off down the hall. He's got a book to read. He can hear Gilbert trailing after him.
"What?"
"No, if I go anywhere it will because I want to." Matthew says with a curt nod of his head. He will do what he pleases without force. Gilbert is in front of him in a flash. Matthew raises his eyebrows completely unimpressed. This demon has had him gasping for air. Popping in out of nowhere is no longer scary. Gilbert shakes his head lightly.
"You can't do that," Gilbert commands. Matthew scoffs with a smirk. He can do whatever he wants thank you very much. He moves around the demon heading in his original direction.
"Matthew I'm serious you can't go with me willingly." Gilbert grabs his wrist forcing him to a stop. Matthew turns sharply on him.
"I can do whatever I want." He uses his warning tone that is reserved for misbehaving children. Gilbert blinks at him and scowls. He tightens his grip around Matthew's wrist. The angel refuses to yield. Upon realizing this, Gilbert disappears. Matthew nods his head once in accomplishment. He reads another chapter to Peter, the boy showing more signs of life than he has all week. He walks over to Daniel's room. The young boy is taking some puberty blockers now to keep his body from going through the female changes.
"Gilbert just tell him," His voice is heard in the hallway.
"I can't do that. I can't do that to him. I can't put him through that." Matthew holds his breath at Gilbert's voice.
"I'm sure he'll understand. Mattie is-"
"I know," Gilbert's tone is harsh. Matthew debates barging in to defuse the situation.
"I know," Gilbert repeats, this time dejected. Matthew can hear the sound of him leaving and enters the room with a smile like he hadn't heard a thing. Daniel speaks of how his ribs have healed and that his mom is working on getting them a new place they can afford with his father locked up. Daniel doesn't mind. It'll be better that way.
"Hey Mattie?" The young boy asks innocently. Matthew smiles at him. His hair is shorter now, getting a haircut in the last few days to suit his new image.
"Do you like Gilbert?" Matthew almost laughs at the sweet question. Daniel puffs up, catching Matthew's near break out. He crosses his arms.
"I don't think it matters too much if I like him or not," Matthew says with a shrug. It really doesn't matter. He can't do a thing about it anyway. Daniel's face falls.
"Of course it does! He likes you!" Matthew's smile becomes strained. Daniel is glaring at him in a mighty child way, demanding to be believed in. Matthew smiles to the floor. He stands up abruptly.
"Daniel I think it best we do not talk about this subject anymore," He doesn't look to the young boy when he protests. He has somewhere he needs to be. Matthew flies his way to Heaven as quick as he can. He needs to speak with Roderich.
He follows the sound of violins. There's an open cottage styled building close to the castle. Matthew lands in front of it. He can see inside, seeing as there is no front wall. The angel inside has a violin under his chin and a solemn expression on his face. The tune is sad and dark. Matthew waits patiently for his song to end. Roderich is a High Angel of Music, looking after those with dreams and stage fright in the teenage area. Or, he used to. He doesn't leave Heaven unless he really needs to. Matthew can understand why. His wings have specks of silver in them.
"What do I owe this pleasure?" Roderich speaks before Matthew can get the chance. Roderich faces him, his sleek wings glistening in the sunlight. Matthew takes a deep breath.
"I need to ask you a very personal question." He gazes sadly at the older angel. Roderich tenses. Matthew thinks the musician will turn him away with an angry yell. Roderich nods his head mechanically, waving Matthew in and sprouting cloud walls around them. Matthew sinks to the floor.
"I have a guess as to what you are going to ask, but please, do enlighten me as to why you are here." Roderich keeps his back to Matthew as he puts his instrument away. Matthew bites the inside of his lip in thought. How is he supposed to phrase this? Roderich's case turns into a cloud particle. He puts the smaller fluff into a glass container amongst many others.
"I believe, I have met Gilbert," Matthew stumbles out the words. Roderich sighs and drops to the ground across from Matthew. The angel rubs at the side of his face.
"He is.." Roderich trails off, trying to find the words. Matthew can't find them either.
"He said stealing me, would keep me safe from all of Hell. If I was stolen, I wouldn't have to be tortured." Roderich closes his eyes tight at the memory. Matthew has no idea how long Roderich spent in Hell under Gilbert's rule. Heaven doesn't tell them anything.
"In a way he kept me safe, but I missed my home. I escaped back. Hell is a monstrous place young angel." Matthew gulps when Roderich turns his brown eyes to him. This pains Roderich. He doesn't want anyone else to go through what he did.
"He is beautiful though," The confession makes Matthew tense. He agrees. Roderich cracks a smile.
"He's commanding and collected and fun. We played such gorgeous duets together." Roderich gives out a harsh laugh. Matthew smiles for him. He could only imagine what it would sound like to hear the King of Hell and the Angel of Music play together. It probably sounded like a once in a lifetime chance.
"Young angel, if you see him again, run," Matthew gulps at the advice. He's done far from that. He leaves Roderich to his thoughts. He let the demon stay and now he has to deal with the consequences. He finds Katyusha easily enough. He tells her he can't go back to the hospital for a week. He makes something up about almost being caught by doctors. He's told to get some rest and a break. An angel in training will be sent in his place for a hands on experience with the humans. Matthew doesn't mind. His kids will be fine.
During his week away, Matthew is lost in his own mind. Nothing can distract him from the King of Hell. Gilbert is violent and evil in his own way. He is also sweet and fun. Matthew wants to get to know him more, but he knows that can't happen. If Gilbert is smart he is staying far away from the hospital now. The newbie will not hesitate to tell of his presence there. Matthew really doesn't want to invoke the wrath of Natalia. He's seen the High Angel of Demonic Affairs mad before. He does not want to see her fighting the King of Hell. It would not end well.
He's come to the conclusion however, that he is quite taken with the demon. Maybe Roderich felt the same before Gilbert took the angel against his will to the underground. But Matthew is not Roderich. He's thought about it until his mind has been turned to mush. Gilbert liking him is bad. The King of Hell is having emotions for him, and he doesn't know how to handle them. He can't handle them no matter how he feels himself. He can't give up his life in Heaven for some demon who might just be giving him sweet eyes. That would be stupid. Gilbert will drop his feelings in a month of not seeing him.
He waits patiently everyday for the screams of a demon from below. None come. Matthew is back to his job now. He makes quick work through the hospital, saying hello to the kids all welcoming him back. Daniel is happy to see him before he leaves in the upcoming week. Mathias is going through some physical therapy. Peter has woken up.
"Hello Peter," Matthew says from his spot in the doorway. Peter looks up from his book, the one Matthew had read to him. The boy glances around the room.
"Me?" Matthew giggles and steps forward. The boy folds his book on his lap.
"Who else would I be talking to?" Matthew smiles. The boy scrunches up his face. He rubs at his nose.
"I knew that." He grumbles. Matthew stops his laughter.
"Why do you have wings?" Peter asks harshly, sitting up in bed to get a closer. Matthew spreads his wings out to give the boy a better look.
"I'm an angel. I've been reading to you while you were in a coma." He informs the boy. Peter gives him an odd look of disapproval. Then his face lights up.
"That was you?" Peter exclaims, bouncing in his spot. Matthew calms him down and tells him how it's his job to watch over the kids and keep them safe. Peter tells him about the other angel he met in passing. Matthew shrugs at the his stand in. Peter goes of about how he's going to be the best of the best of everything when he's older Matthew cheers him on. It gets dark around them. They talked well into the night getting to know little bit about each other.
"Hey Matthew," Peter starts. Matthew stops in the doorway. Peter puts on a brave face.
"Now that you're here will the scratching go away?" Matthew's blood runs cold. He keeps his smile on his face and nods. He hopes that's not a lie. Peter gives a triumphant hump going back to his book. Matthew thinks of the nursery, a soft ting floating out when he get there. He think's to Daniel's door, then Mathias's, then Lili's old room. Each jump giving a ting to alert his position. He waits. He stands perfectly still for ten minutes. He hears scratching. He jumps to a new place and the scratching follows. He's playing a dangerous game of cat and mouse with the King of Hell. For a moment, he can hear Gilbert cackling in the mist. He makes one last jump to the roof.
He waits, glancing about for the demon to show. It doesn't take long for Gilbert to emerge from the shadows towards him. Matthew doesn't move. He lowers his wings to the ground. An act of submission. Gilbert copies his motion, lowering his own wings as low as they can go. They stand a foot away from each other.
"Peter tells me you're scaring them at night," Matthew breaks the silence. Gilbert scoffs, a smirk on his face now.
"It was just a mild bit of scratching, searching for you," The King shrugs nonchalantly. Matthew rolls his eyes. Leave it to the most mischievous of them all to make the situation sound more pleasant than it is. Matthew sighs. He glares down at his hand when he feels Gilbert clamp a hand around his wrist. Suddenly he's being pulled. Gilbert is stomping over to the edge of the building. Matthew makes a panic decision. He opens his wings and flaps backwards once to get Gilbert's attention. The King stops.
"What are you doing?" Matthew questions. Gilbert glances to him, then the edge of the ledge, and back.
"Taking you." Is what he gets in response. Matthew pulls away from the hand around him though it's not much use.
"I told you I won't go anywhere unless I want to." He stands his ground. Gilbert curls his lip up in annoyance. He stands in front of Matthew now, glaring down at him.
"You can't want to go with me," Gilbert warns him. Matthew rolls his eyes in defiance. Gilbert's face twists up into more anger. He grips Matthew's arms tight now, making bruises. Matthew refuses to wince.
"You can't willing want me," Gilbert forces out through grit teeth. Matthew jerks away from the nails digging into his arms. Gilbert hangs his head so Matthew can't see his face.
"Please hate me," Matthew doesn't know what to focus on. The pain of his arms from the hold on them, the submissive posture Gilbert is showing, or the absolutely miserable tone in his voice. Matthew forces himself not to struggle. Gilbert is shaking.
"Hate me. Hate me with everything you have. Please." Matthew never thought the King of Hell would beg him to do anything. To hate him of all things.
"I could never," Matthew whispers. Gilbert lets out a sob. He chokes it back immediately. Matthew raises his arms the best he can. Gilbert's grip is weaker now. He raises the King of Hell's face to he can see those red eyes crying. It looks like sunset. Matthew wants to hold him tight and never let go.
"Please Matthew," Gilbert begs once more. "Please hate me so I can have you. So I don't have to put you through Hell." Matthew gulps. He can't hate Gilbert. It's not in his nature. Some of the angels can hate, or they can fear. Matthew has moved passed that. He smiles gently at Gilbert. The King shuts his eyes tight, his face twisting up in pain. Matthew leans on his tiptoes, placing the softest kiss he can mange on the King's lips, then detangles himself from his hands. Gilbert lets him go.
"I will never hate you," Matthew tells him. Gilbert starts to shake, though Matthew is sure it is not from crying. He starts to fly away. Once he's out of range Gilbert drops to his knees and screams, power pulsing from his being. All at once, Matthew's worst nightmare comes true. He can see the power go out in the hospital. All those kids on life support. Gilbert is still on the roof, crouched down with his hands in his hair and his wings spread high. The windows are breaking. Matthew panics.
He puts his fists together side by side. He pulls them away from each other, a silver horn materializing between them. He takes it and blows as hard as he can. The angels that he works with are first to appear over the clouds in waves. Some other's appearing after. Matthew can hear them gasping and crying out. He dives with them towards the building. They zoom out, trying to get the building up and running again. Few angels rush towards life support rooms, pumping the machines with their own energy to keep the children alive. Matthew is dodging doctors running about as he flies through the halls. He bursts into a surgery and pulses their machines back to life. They finish as quickly as they can with bust equipment.
Matthew watches over them until he's sure they will be fine. He drops to the ground in exhaustion. He picks himself up and runs out of the room. He finds Peter next. He holds the young child close, consoling him and letting him know everything will be alright. He blames himself for this. He could have stopped it. He could have prevented it. But no. He let his feelings run away with him. He let a demon get under his skin and ruin him. Peter is crying into his shoulder. Matthew holds him tight. He glances up and spots Gilbert at the end of the hallway in the middle of the wreckage. No one notices him. No one except Matthew.
He watches as Gilbert makes a show of looking around at the carnage he's created. He's not smiling. For a moment Matthew thinks he might be able to hate the King for doing this to innocent lives and children that he himself looked after as well. He knows he can't. He will never be able to hate. Gilbert spins and catches his eye. Just as quick he vanishes. Matthew goes back to cooing Peter back into a calm state. It takes the whole night to get the hospital cleaned up and the kids calm. Four children died.
Matthew is dragged by his arms up to the castle. He knows why. His hospital means this is somehow his fault. Which it is. His trial will be in front of the High Angel of Demonic Affairs, the High Archangel, and the Angel of Judgment. Matthew doesn't know who he should be more afraid of. He's roughly shoved into the court like room. In the middle is a slightly raised platform he goes to stand on. There are three chairs and a desk in front of him, each occupied by the three High Angels. To his right is Katyusha and Feliciano, his bosses, sitting side by side, holding on for dear life to each other.
"State your name and position," The High Archangel calls out. Matthew always did appreciate his no nonsense tone. Now he wonders why.
"Matthew Williams, lower level Angel of Children." He says clearly. The High Archangel scribbles something down and so does the Angel of Judgment. The Angel of Demonic Affairs does nothing but glare at the wall behind him.
"The recent events at your hospital are linked back to demon interference." Natalia spits out. Matthew winces. Her voice is cold and sharp. He knows very well what caused the incident. Ludwig gives her a warning shush.
"Matthew we need you to tell us exactly what happened leading up to the disturbance." Ludwig regards him gently like a frightened animal. Matthew closes his eyes to think. What can he do?
"A demon came too close into the vicinity of the hospital. I told him to leave but he kicked me off. He ruined the power and I blew the horn." It's not a totally lie. Most of that did happen. Ludwig sighs and faces Gupta. The Angel of Judgment, with black feathers on one side and white on the other, doesn't change his facial expression. Matthew feels numb.
"Confinement until he is ready to confess," Gupta stands and sweeps out of the room. Natalia wastes no time in following, not wanting to spend another minute in that room with nothing getting done. Matthew is dragged once again. He's dropped in a stone room. He's heard of angels who go to this place. It's punishment for them. The next worst thing is Hell. Matthew has trouble seeing if going to Hell really would be the worst thing now.
He paces everyday. He's going stir crazy. Without his regular cloud to sleep on and no space to roam, he's cooped up and has barely enough room to stretch his wings. The worst part is the pleas. He can hear Daniel and Mathias and Peter in his head. They beg for him and plead for him to come back. He can hear them crying because of the scratching. It's keeping the babies up at night. Gilbert is searching for him, but he won't find him. A new angel will take over his hospital, and Gilbert will leave for good. It's what's best for both of them.
Matthew cries too. Gilbert wanted him to be with him. That makes him happier than it should. Angels should not fall in love. They have jobs to do. They don't have time for love and feelings. Matthew feels like dying again. What is so wrong about falling in love. Gilbert is everything he never had as a human and was never supposed to experience as an angel. Gilbert wanted him as well. So he cries. And paces. And goes crazy wanting to see the kids.
He gets some visitors. Feliciano and Katyusha mostly. They tell him what the kids are doing and the one who is going to be in charge of the hospital next. Mathias's leg has healed and now he's out. Peter and Daniel have made good friends. Matthew finds little solace in their reports. One of his most surprising visitors is a manager in training for the growing part of childhood. An angel by the name of Alfred comes to talk to him and keep him company. Matthew is only mildly surprised when Alfred confesses his crush. He's majorly surprised when Alfred yells at him when Matthew rejects his affections. Angels are not supposed to love he says. He knows that's not why. Matthew's affections already belong to another, whether Matthew likes it or not. Gilbert has ruined him.
When the High Archangel comes to see him six months since his original sentence date. Matthew pleads on his hands and knees to visit the hospital and see the kids one last time to say goodbye. He knows he won't ever seen them again in this Heavenly way. Ludwig grimaces, but complies.
"You have one hour." Matthew zips past him, diving straight down. He lands with a church bell sized ring in Peter's room. The boy is going through physical therapy to make sure his lung can handle outside air at all. Mathias is there as well, with a broken arm this time after he tried to fly. They both stare at Matthew with wide eyes.
"Mattie!" They both cheer, jumping off the bed and into his arms. Matthew starts to cry. He's not supposed to play favorites, but he's already broken so many rules. He finds no harm in breaking a few more. He holds them both tight. Mathias takes off down the hall to find Daniel. The boy is staying to make sure his puberty blockers are working properly. When they both return Daniel tackles him as well. He's holding them all and crying into their hair. He's only sad because he will not see any of them in Heaven.
They tell him all about the scratching. It kept them up for months on end. Nightmares reigned supreme. The Angels of Sweet Dreams couldn't keep up with the fear spread throughout the hospital. Matthew knows it's Gilbert. He doesn't have time to find him. He doesn't want to. He's so mad at the demon for hurting these kids. Matthew stays with the three until he can feel himself lifting off the ground. He says tearful goodbyes and evades making any promises to see the children later. He doesn't think he will be able to. He thanks Ludwig with tears in his eyes.
It's a year since his original confinement date. The children he cared for have moved on. Matthew has come to terms with himself. He can't stay in Heaven knowing what he does. He can't stay knowing how he feels. Even if his love for Gilbert ends, it will not change the fact it happened. Matthew can't be free in the clouds anymore. The laws of Heaven do not hold him. He's leaning up against the wall with his legs pulled close when Gupta beckons him out into the open. Matthew follows dutifully. He stands just outside his cage. Natalia and Ludwig are there as well.
"Matthew," Gupta speaks. His voice is doubled toned, one higher pitched and one lower. Matthew holds his head high. He has a feeling Gupta knows what's coming.
"Is there something wrong Matthew?" Gupta asks, tilting his head to the side. Matthew gulps, choking back the word everything. Maybe Hell is a rotten awful place, and maybe demons are the scum that roam the earth, but it opened his eyes. He sighs and gives Gupta a sad smile.
"I don't think I can be here," Matthew says softly. Gupta hangs his head. The other angels gasp. A few of them start crying. Matthew starts to laugh, then the ground is ripped from him. Air is hard to come by when you're free falling through the sky. Matthew can see his home and his cloud and his once upon a time friends slipping away from him and out of view. He can't help it, he starts to laugh. He holds his sides until they hurt. Then the pain starts making his body lurch. He screams as he goes through pain exactly as Gilbert described. His fluffy feathers rip out one by one with blinding force. He can feel his wings melding and changing. He huffs for a breath of air that never comes.
He hits the ground hard and keeps sinking. His body is burning now, the rocks scratching at him and making him bleed over the dirt below. He shrieks out and arches his back as a pain ingrains itself in the back of his skull. It races up and he can feel his head breaking. He scratches at his skin trying to relieve the pain of the horns growing out of his head. His teeth sharpens into points and when he bites his lip it bleeds. A tail juts out of his lower half, wrapping itself around his leg. Matthew's body is at it's limit. The earth falls away and for a second Matthew thinks the pain is over, then he hits solid ground with a thud, and remains motionless.
The air around him is musty. There is no sky. There is only endless brown and dirt above him. He can barely breathe. He does not move. He doesn't know if he can. He tries to gulp. His wings are digging into his back. He can hear steps heading his way. They get closer and closer. It sounds like a stampede. There are shouts and yells. He can make out the word 'fallen' being shouted over and over again. Matthew tries to breathe. It's hard. Demons enter his field of vision. Human looking creatures, nothing like Heaven told him they were. They have short black horns, barely larger than an inch tall on their heads and bat like wings on their backs. Matthew doesn't believe it for a moment. He is in hell.
"Get out of my way. Let me THROUGH!" A voice cuts over the noise and the demons in his vision scatter. Matthew can hear silence around him now. He closes his eyes weakly. He can't hold on for much longer. He hears someone drop to the ground next to him.
"No," He's lifted off the ground and onto something much softer. Arms move around his chest to hold him tight.
"No no no," Matthew feels someone place their head against his. He can feel them shaking. For a wild second, he thinks it's raining.
"NO," Matthew doesn't even mind the scream in his ear. The ground shakes beneath him. He can recognize Gilbert's voice and all the agony with it. Matthew let's unconsciousness take over.
Art By: ルゥコ＠
member ID:55970