A/N: Well, what have we here. It's an attempt at an AU, where at least one of our heroes has wings. It came to me as a result of a multitude of inspirations and I hope you enjoy.
Wings
'What man knows greater tragedy than the one watching those who move freely in the sky, while shackled to the ground?'
It was behind green eyes, that such a thought originated as they scanned the sky, in which elegant figures were hurrying every which way on their daily business.
The market place our watcher inhabited at that moment was grey from dirt and dust, the air filled with the same from passers-by incessantly disturbing the ground. No refreshing gust of wind reached through the high brown and grey buildings around to clear the air.
Such was the nature of life on the ground in the city for those without wings. It was a fate that most soon reconciled themselves with, for it was the fate of almost all, and even on solid ground, surrounded by towering man-made structures which served no other needs than to live and to work, a meaningful life was to be had in many ways.
Those who could fly were the few, the lucky, destined to hover over the poor earthbound creatures, watching from above.
It was for a very particular such fortunate person that our watcher was keeping his eye out, and when the familiar form and the glistening black hair came into sight, a soft smile graced manly features.
A tan hand went into the air, waving the subject of interest hello as large white wings catapulted the lithe form through the air towards their destination.
Soon the blue of those familiar eyes was visible, as clear and shining as the purest of sapphires and sooner still the other man landed softly on the ground, wings spread to slow the descent.
More dust was whirled about by the slight movement of wings tucking in. The watcher smiled content and inclined his head in a familiar greeting.
"Good morning Haru." said he, voice soft.
The other just nodded, not unkindly but seemingly not willing to converse at that moment.
Graceful fingers attentively removed a small package from the messenger bag, an object as typical of a winged courier as one could think of, and handed it to the taller man.
Larger, more calloused hands carefully took the object marked with the trade sign for 'handle with care, glass inside'. Another bright smile conquered the friendly face, filled with gratitude and fondness.
"I cannot thank you enough!", enthused the olive haired man, sincerity in his voice so overwhelming that the other turned his eyes to the ground.
"If your siblings are as pleased as you are, that will be more than sufficient", came the answer. No emotion was shown in the voice, but the most minute softening in posture and around the eyes betrayed a deeper care.
The pair spent a moment in silence, before the winged man with a soft sigh turned his sights toward the sky again.
"Makoto...", he started, voice soft, but whatever words should follow seemed to have flown before they could be caught.
"The call of duty, I am familiar." A smile that didn't quite reach green eyes would not leave the kind face until the winged man had swung himself up into the thick air again, the motion awakening a veritable storm of dust.
Those very eyes followed the shrinking form until it was but a speck in the distance. The smile was fading, expression becoming wistful before longing consumed first the heart and then the gleam in green eyes.
Turning on his heel and making his way towards home, it dawned on our faithful watcher that his tragedy really wasn't in having to watch those who had a freedom which he did not.
It was having to let the one he loved go where he could not follow.
A/N: Comments and Pms even if critical are more than welcome.