I know that this is kind of out of character (on Iggy mostly), but I liked how this turned out. Anyways, there's an explanation to why later on the story. It's really short, but I just wanted it to be simple, and a moment just out of nowhere. This would be happening just after the third book, and the alternate ending would be that they decided to stay for a little longer at Ella & Dr. Martinez's house. Just a week or so. Enjoy (:

EPOV

"You know, it's easy to forget that you're blind."

Iggy and I were alone in the family room. The rest of Max's friends –or flock, is what she called them– and her had gone to fly. Flying. It was so impressive to watch them take off into the sky, their magnificent wings flapping in unison. They all looked so at peace when they flew. I wish I could do it.

Anyways, back to Iggy. I secretly hoped the reason he had stayed behind was because of me. I know it was a lot to hope for, especially since we had just met, but I liked him.

A lot.

He was handsome, and brave, he could cook (really well!), and he just really didn't seem to be blind. Once he got used to a place, it was like he could see it. He knew exactly where everything was.

He heard where my voice came from, so he turned his face in my direction. "I can't forget," he said, frowning.

I sighed.

It must really be hard for him, not seeing things, having to depend on others most of the time. He seemed to sense I was sad for him.

"Don't be sad. It's just me being moody. I live with it," he said, shrugging.

I smiled, and then remembered he couldn't see.

"I know," I said, trying to transmit the smile in my voice as best as I could. It seemed to work, because he smiled too.

Before I knew it, he scooted on the floor to sit next to me. He could hear the scratching of my pencil, probably.

"What are you doing?" he asked curiously.

"I need you to stay still."

"Why?"

"I'm drawing you," I commented simply.

I smiled more, and then continued to work. It was actually pretty good. I had to draw something impressive for my art class, and here he was. Perfect. I finished drawing his face, and then turned the page of my sketch pad. I wanted to draw all of him.

"Iggy…" I started, hesitating. I saw him shiver. What was that about?

"Yeah?"

"Can I… draw your wings?" I asked him, feeling unsure. Maybe he would feel insulted. I think he caught on, because he smiled, and said, "Sure." I laughed a little in relief, and he followed suit.

I knew it would be uncomfortable to unfurl his wings here, so I grabbed his hand and led him outside. I knew he didn't need the help; I just wanted to.

IPOV

I followed closely behind as Ella pulled me along the halls of her house. I didn't really need the help; I was already used to this place since Max agreed we should stay here for a while. But I really liked the feeling of her hand in mine, so I wasn't about to tell her to let go.

I could tell we were outside because I felt the sun heat my bare skin. It felt good to soak up some vitamin D after staying indoors all morning with Ella. I could tell Max was suspicious when I told her I'd rather stay here, but I blew her off. I wasn't about to tell anyone that I was a little more than interested in Max's half-sister. Fang already knew; he had figured it out. I had asked him if I was being too obvious, worrying like a sissy, but he just said it was because he knew me too well.

Ella stopped then, and I felt her let go of my hand. She sat on the grass, lightly brushing the leg of my pants as she did so. I let another involuntary chill escape. How did this girl do this to me? I couldn't even see her, but I knew she was pretty. Of course, I wasn't about to ask her if I could touch her face to know what she was like, so I just left it to gut feeling.

"Do you want me to stay standing up?" I asked her.

"I'd rather you just lie on the floor, looking casual."

"Okay."

I decided to play it cocky and take off my shirt before spreading my wings. I heard her gasp of amazement, and even though I didn't know if it was because of my body or because of my wings, I was pleased to see that I impressed her, if only a little. I heard the scratch of her pencil and knew she had started.

I usually wasn't this serious. I was a funny, take it easy kind of guy. But with Ella, I was different. Like I had multiple personality disorder. I could be serious, I could be funny, and I could be kind… I don't know. It was weird, feeling this way for someone I met only a few days ago.

EPOV

I couldn't hide my gasp when Iggy took his shirt off. Right now, as I stared, observing his body, I was still stunned. By his wings, yeah, but also his body. He was toned, skinny but toned, from chest to hipbone, which was where his jeans clung loosely. I couldn't believe I was drawing him. My teacher would surely believe he was just a figment of my imagination, an angel. I sometimes thought of him as that. Unless she had seen a picture of him in the reports.

I frowned, and stopped drawing. He took notice. Nothing escaped his faultless hearing.

"What's wrong? Am I too good to be drawn?" he said, joking.

I chuckled. "Don't be silly. I just… maybe this isn't a good idea?"

"Why not?"

"What if my teacher or any of the students recognize you? Wouldn't you be in trouble then?"

"Don't worry, Ella. It's not as if we're going to be here for long. They won't think we're here, anyways. They'll probably just think you drew me off of a picture or something."

I was worried about how he said they wouldn't be here for long. Did he not like it here? I would worry about that later.

"With you posing for me? I don't think so," I said, smiling.

"I'm a pretty good model, aren't I?" he said smugly.

"You sure are," I agreed with a sigh, not really thinking, then my eyes widened. Had I just said that out loud?

I saw his brows shoot up in amusement. God, could he tell how obsessed I was by him?

"Why do you say that?" he asked.

"I mean, well…" I struggled for words. "You're a natural," I finally said.

"Thanks," he said smugly.

"Don't let it get to your head."

He chuckled and I went back to drawing.

IPOV

Hearing Ella admit I was a good model was almost too good to be true. It meant she had to find me at least a little attractive. Hopefully a lot, but I was ok with a little, too. I let her draw me in silence. It wasn't uncomfortable; I could tell she was at ease, and so was I. It felt good to be able to carry on a silence with someone without it being awkward, which was usually the case. But with Ella, it just felt intimate. Like, we were comfortable with each other no matter what.

"I'm done," she announced, sounding satisfied with myself.

"May I?" I reached out for the paper.

She placed it in my hand after a second. Maybe after hesitating to see what I would do.

I traced my well-trained fingers on the paper, feeling where the tip of the pencil had touched it and where it hadn't. In the end, it was almost like I could see the picture.

Almost.

EPOV

Watching Iggy "see" was one of the most amazing things ever. He knew what he was doing, tracing the lines I made with my pencil with ease. He smiled when he had covered the whole paper; apparently he liked it.

He moved closer to me, his face directed towards the paper. Then he looked up, doubtful.

"What is it?" I asked.

"I was wondering…"

There was a long pause in which I wanted to bite my nails because of the anxiety. He was wondering…?

"Yes?" I urged him to go on.

"Whether… this would be uncomfortable for you."

He reached out towards my face, and my heart stopped beating. His thumb slowly traced the line of my cheekbone.

"This way… I can…" he struggled for words.

"See."

"Yeah, sort of."

I held my breath as his thumb grazed slowly back and forth my cheekbone. His face was extremely close, too, so I closed my eyes to concentrate. I realized this was how he must always feel. Surrounded by darkness.

"So, can I?" he asked again, taking his finger off of my face.

I opened my eyes and reached out for his hand. I grabbed it and placed it back on my face.

"Please, do."

He smiled a little, and went back to gently caressing my features. His hand slid up to my forehead, and I was secretly grateful that I currently had no pimples. Then he moved it slowly down my nose, so soft it was barely a whisper. After that it tickled my lips, and I got this tingling sensation that I couldn't explain. That hand moved to one cheek, and his other hand moved to the other. He was closer than I thought was possible without anything touching but his hands on my face.

"You're beautiful," Iggy whispered so silently I almost thought I imagined it.

And then, he pressed his lips to mine.