It was the first time I'd ever seen Ariel's bedroom door closed.

"Go away!" came the answer when I knocked.

"Ari, please?" I begged, "We need to talk."

"Fine," He opened the door. His auburn hair was knotted, and his eyes bloodshot.

I felt tears claw at the back of my eyes. I had never seen this side of Ariel. To me, he had always been the powerful archangel who could protect me from everything. As my direct superior in heaven, I had always relied on him more than any other angel, Seraphim or otherwise. Now, with the way he looked at me, I couldn't be certain he was even willing to protect me.

"What do you want?"

"Well," I fought the tears, "You just seemed really upset."

"Really," He scowled, "And what brought you to that conclusion?"

"Ari, please." I felt the tears break, "I don't know what I've done to make you so angry with me, but I don't want this to be our relationship."

Ariel's expression softened a fraction, and he buried his face in his hands, "I'm not angry." He whispered. I was stunned when his hands from his eyes, and they were rimmed red with salt water.

"Then why?" I sobbed.

"I'm sorry," The angel sighed, "It's been difficult these past few days."

"You think I don't know that!" I crossed my arms, "I had that- that thing inside me. Me, not you!"

He stared at me for a moment, mouth parted in a stunned O, "You're right, Flora." He looked down. "Maybe we all just need sleep. You might not believe this, but I haven't slept since we got you home on Saturday."

"I didn't know."

"You couldn't have," His mouth curved into a tentative smile, "Why don't we get some sleep, and talk again in the morning?"

I nodded, "alright. I need some sleep, anyways."

Ariel stood from his bed, and wrapped his long arms tightly around me, "Good night, Flora."


"Hey," Cassiel poked his head into my room, "How much grief did he give you?"

I shrugged, "Not as much as I gave him."

"Good job." He chuckled, "He needed that."

"Well, at least he's not pouting anymore."

"Alright, just get some rest." The angel reached over to ruffle my hair, "I'll see you in the morning."

"I certainly hope so." I muttered to my empty room.


"When you said you'd see me in the morning, I didn't think you meant that you would be waking me up at seven o'clock!" I complained.

"Stop whining." Cassiel had turned on the light, and opened my curtains, "I've already been up for an hour."

"What's wrong with you?" I groaned and pulled the covers over my head.

"Come on, Flora." He laughed, "We have to get to school early today."

"My wings still hurt."

"I know." The angel pulled my school uniform from the closet, "We'll need to bind them in order to keep them from getting damaged."


Hey guys!

I wasn't going to say anything on this chapter, but in light of recent events (FF breaking), I want to let you know that there's a reason I didn't update on Saturday like I wanted to.

Oh well, I hope you're enjoying what you have so far and I this whole 'no servers' thing won't become weekly.

Thanks for stopping by!

KByohorn