The stained glass reflected the sunlight tenderly, Gilbert enjoyed walking under the colorful specks of light, observing his hands as the light touched them, the warmth feeling enveloping him in a calming hug.

The church was empty, he prefered it that way, it was more personal, more secretive. Surely the attendants didn't need to know about the worries he poured on his prayers, or the claims he had made to god.

Gilbert approached the candles slowly, holding his breath so they wouldn't be disturbed. He held his hands together, closing his eyes. First was the prayer, one wouldn't want to seem imposing to the lord, then some minutes of peaceful and respectful silence to let his animosity lower, to dispose of himself to speak with the right words.

He sighed, his thoughts, his words faltering at how to start, it was always like this, the prayers were easy, mechanical, but he longed for that special connection with god or anyone actually, that's why he came here every day, companionship, he wanted, no, he needed a friend, someone he could talk to without being judged and who was better than god, right?

He raised his stare, the marbled statues seemed to frown at him, the spear on the angel's hand pointing acussantively. Gilbert's smile quivered, how selfish could he be? Why would god listen to him if he was nothing but a prideful man? How could he dare to ask the lord for something when he himself was a sinner? It was stupid, it was futile because his prayers were worth noth-

A thunderous crash resounded on the church, the stained glass shattering, blue, red and yellow pieces of glass fell to the floor, forming a path into a feathered form on the ground.

Gilbert widened his eyes, what kind of gigant dove was that? the wings twitched and started to flap. One, two, three, four. Gilbert could count four wings moving rapidly, the creature stumbled against the row of chairs, making them fall.

He couldn't help but shriek at the sight of several eyes, some opened, other's closed, scattered around the creature's form, purple like amethysts staring at his soul.

A thunderous voice echoed in the church. "You shall not fear, for it is the lord, your god, who listens to you"

Gilbert shook, not believing what his eyes were showing him, he stepped back as the creature approached him, covering his face with his hands, cornered against a wall, he begged. "Please, leave me alone. I'm sorry, I won't ever ask god for anything again."

"I told you not to fear," there was a pause, the voice changed, lower, with a tender tone. "It's my bare presence too much for your human eyes?"

Gilbert nodded frantically, this was all a nightmare, he had probably fallen asleep in the church, another thing to add into his list of sins.

"I thought you humans admired the naked forms, there are plenty of sculptures like that." The creature hummed. "Is it more than two eyes an exaggeration?"

"More than two eyes are an abomination... or a spider." Gilbert said, lowering his hands, the creature emanated a bright hallo, he squinted his eyes.

"I thought you liked to stare into other eyes. Let's try again, look at me, I think I got it."

Gilbert complied, the being in front of him seemed strangely human, aside from the obvious wings, it's aspect was within a normal quantity of limbs and it's face held a serene expression, yet there was something off, the "person" in front of him had purple eyes that didn't blink and his smile was eerie. "Why is god punishing me like this?"

"Do you not like it?" the creature said, pouting and holding his hands together.

Gilbert arched an eyebrow, offering a quivering smile. "What are you? Why are you here with me?"

"I am an angel, wasn't it obvious?" An excited beam escaped the other, he rocked on his heels giggling. "I'm here to be your companion."

A nervous chuckle invaded Gilbert, this wasn't what he had asked for, not even close. The childlike awe in which the other being looked at him was… something he'll have to get used to. "Why were you sent? Do you have a name?"

"We do not own names, you humans have strange habits," he chuckled. "I usually look over children's prayers, I thought you were one with how you were playing with the sunlight, you were so eager for a friend that I thought I could give you a solution."

So this was his own fault, Gilbert sighed, he was being babysitted by an angel, just what he needed. "I'm not a child" he said, observing the white feathers on the angel's wigs, they looked so soft and fluffy. "Shall I call you angel, then?"

"Give me a name if you wish, otherwise I'll call you human too." he said, extending his wings. "You can touch them if you want but do not thug on the feathers."

Gilbert's face heated up, he shook his head. "Don't read my thoughts! It's mean."

The angel reached out his hand and carressed his check. "I didn't know you could change color!" he beamed, "I shall turn yellow then, that's a happy color, right?"

"No! we do not change color, yellow in the skin means you are sick, not happy, does god not teach you anything about us?"

"We know all about humans! Your thoughts, your feelings, your families and your worries. I know you are Gilbert, you have a little brother whom you love too much." The angel said, patting him on the head. "If yellow is sickness, what does pink mean?"

Gilbert hadn't noticed how tall the being in front of him was, he pried his hand away. "It's embarrassing, it's called blushing."

"Blushing! that's cute." The angel chuckled, enveloping him in a tight hug.

"What are you doing?" Gilbert grimaced, struggling in the strong hold. "Let me go."

"Friends engage in physical acts of affection, you seem to like it, you are blushing more."

"I'm not blushing!" Gilbert glanced to his sides, breaking free from the arms embracing him, he walked into the mess of broken glass, fallen candles and disorganized chairs. The angel trailed behind him, peering over his shoulder.

"Friends help each other to clean their mess." Gilbert sighed, kneeling to pick up the candles, flinching when a shard of glass cut slightly his finger.

"Friends help each other when they're hurt." The angel said, taking his hand, observing the drop of blood that trailed down his finger.

"What… what are you doing?" Gilbert felt his face burning when the angel placed his finger on his mouth, sucking on it. No, No, bad thoughts, don't think, stop.

"You are healed." The other beamed, freeing his hand and giving him a smile. "You are blushing again, are you sure it doesn't mean happiness?"

Gilbert nodded slowly, taking the candles from the floor and placing them on it's place again.

The angel mimicked him, stopping his movements and gazing at the marbled angel, tracing his fingers on the chiseled plate. "Ithuriel, what does that mean? "

Gilbert arched an eyebrow, taking the candles from the other's hands. "It's his name, Ithuriel, the... angel with a spear."

"I think I know who this is," The other hummed, giving a slight jump and moving his wings, he hovered close to the statue, overpowering it in size. "Give me a name, I want one too."

Gilbert falthered, what name could he possibly give to an angel? He glanced warily at the winged figures above him. "I.. I don't know."

"A name, one less complicated than this one, I do not like Ithuriel."

Gilbert fidgeted with his hands, dropping the last candle he was holding, he muttered. "Ivan."

The angel fell lightly to the ground, picking up the candle and handing it to him. As Gilbert reached his hand to take it, the angel's hands enveloped his.

"Say it again."

Gilbert's heart was hammering on his chest, his hand shaking in the enclosed warmth. The angel approached him again, closing the space between them, Gilbert could feel his whole body emanating warmth.

"Say it." the creature repeated.

In the short distance, Gilbert leaned his head against the other's neck and whispered. "Ivan"

His hand was freed, left aching for the warmth again. A pair of arms enveloped him and Gilbert sighed, returning the embrace.

As they moved apart, the angel planted a kiss on his forehead. "Ivan it is," he said, turning away and clapping.

The shards of glass on the floor moved away, reconstructing the window's mosaic, the chairs were set in place and the candles lit. The church looked as if nothing had happened. Ivan chuckled, taking Gilbert's hand. "Now, Gilbert. What shall we do? where shall we go?"