In the beginning
It was the first day, and a nice one at that. The weather had stayed sunny all afternoon, and the new flowers bloomed with enchanting enthusiasm. Though, something was starting at the top of the gate, not far from the canopy.
A small flash of blinding light came from the fluffy white clouds hovering in the sky, which were beat down by equally fluffy wings. The wing's host, decorated with specs of gold and well-groomed fire, cautiously floated down. They were eyeing their landing spot on the wall with an uncertain expression.
There was an unexpected gust of wind, and they were swept off path. "Wooah- wooooah- ooooh no." They realized in that split second, that they were tilted down, no longer propelling their wings.
They were falling quickly and trying to use their wings to angle them into a softer crash.
They ended up getting stuck in a Tree, in fact. Several of The Tree's apples had fallen out onto the ground.
Eve's attention was caught and she glanced up from the daisy she was admiring to spot an awkward cluster of appendages and fabric dangling from a branch.
"Err... Hello! Can you fetch a large stick? Or perhaps toss up a vine? I seem to be... stuck."
Up on the wall a violet moth fluttered, watching the situation and snickering. Could moths snicker? They must, because that's what this one was doing.
Eve sat up quickly and hurried over to a large oak ridden with ivy. She pulled hard at one loose end and let down an entire strand of ivy.
She dragged it back over to the person in distress and held it up with both hands. She tilted her head and awaited approval.
"Huh? Oh- Yeah, yeah. That one'll do jus fine."
The redhead reached their arms out and gripped the long vine being tossed at them. Eve tugged with all her might, until the person fell out of The Tree and landed with a heavy thunk.
The stood up very clumsy and groaned in pain.
"I think I pulled somethin'. Argh."
They rolled their shoulders back and pointed their wings far behind their back.
When they stopped they noticed the fruits on the ground near their feet.
The swiftly picked one up and shined it against their sleeve, then offered it to their helper.
"Here. For the assistance."
Eve grabbed the apple and took a large bite. Her mouth was filled with sweet tangy nectar. She could taste the redness of it.
She dropped the apple on the ground and stared ahead at them wide eyed, aware of what she had done.
Raphael, the name of the angel, was also hit with the realization.
Eve sprinted away before Raphael had a chance to apologize.
Soon, they too fled and fluttered their way up to the top of the wall as fast as they could, talking to themselves.
"Oh no, oh no, oh no, oh no, oh no. Argh, you just HAD to do that, didn't you?"
They landed softly upon the stone of the wall and and tapped their foot. Their brow wrinkled heavily.
The moth upon the wall grew flustered and moved towards the angel a bit. No, not like this. The moth-or whatever appeared to be one-unfolded into a larger shape.
The demon, now clearly so, was named Azirel. His eyes were purple with little white specks throughout.
His hair was fluffy and gray with white shimmering stripes through it.
Azirel approached Raphael with great comfort. He slung and arm around their shoulder. The angel flinched a bit, but didn't turn their head.
"Hello, dear. It's been a while seen we last saw each other. I- Ive really missed you."
Raphael's face lit up. He recognized that voice- of course he did. He embraced the demon as tightly as he could.
"Az! I... not nearly as much as I missed you. I haven't seen you since you went to defend my nebulae."
Raphael looked over his love, much different since they were last together.
"I see it didn't go well."
Raphael stopped smiling. They paused and looked off into the distance. Worry accumulated in the lines of their forehead.
Azirel stepped a bit always from the angel, facing them with their hands in his.
"Dear, it wasn't your fault. I chose. I chose to defend you. We're here now, and there's no one who can tell us no."
Raphael smiled weakly and chuckled a bit.
A deep rumble shook the sky, and turned the clouds a murky grey.
The enteties turned to the horizon and gazed off into the sea of darkness.
The first raindrops pattered against their faces.
Instinctually, they raised their wings over each other. The comfort of shelter shook off all of their worries.
The angel and demon leaned into each other's shoulders, and in that moment, Azirel could have sworn he saw a bolt of lighting touch down into the vague shape of a heart.