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The angel on the ground sits up. He’s actually quite tall now that he’s not huddled into a ball. He doesn’t look that reassured either, since his pupils are wide against thin, brown irises. He can’t truly believe she’s a demon, right?
After another step forward, Hayliel crouches down so that she’s at eye level with our new buddy. The closer she gets, though, the more distance he tries to put between them.
“Dude, I’m not a demon. And even if I were, I’d rather inhale a week-old taco-Tuesday fart than put my mouth anywhere near that guy. Doesn’t mean I won’t use their fear and bullshit to my advantage. Are you alright?”
Raphael and I can’t help but laugh because, damn, she’s not wrong. Not exactly sure I’d go that far, but still.
The angel tries to hold back his own chuckle, but finally gives in and lets one loose, taking her outstretched hand.
“Nothing that won’t heal. Thanks for scaring them away. You’re great at the whole hungry-demon thing.” It’s barely noticeable beneath the pale glow of the night sky, but I’m pretty sure he’s blushing.
“Even you could be scary, uh…”
“Gagiel. My name is Gagiel.”
Raphael laughs, but quickly covers it with a cough. “Allergies,” he says when the three of us look at him.
Allergies my fucking ass. That’s only something mortals have to deal with, not us. Instead of saying anything, though, Hayliel goes back to her conversation.
“Right. Even you could be scary, Gagiel, but they need to believe it. For me, that’s easy. More than half the school believes I’ve actually spawned from some demon overlord. Here”—she quickly taps what I assume is her number into his slate—”If they bother you again, come find me.”
He stares at her almost reverently, like she’s a long-lost deity instead of the vicious beast people pretend she is. “Thank you. I-I will.”
Hayliel nods, stepping back. “Which house are you in?”
Before Gagiel can respond, I chime in. “He’s at Knowledge house with me.”
Her determined gaze flashes to mine. “Think you could make sure he gets back to his room safely? I don’t trust Cadriel and his squad of dildos not to cause more shit.”
I nod, which earns me a big smile from Hayliel that warms my insides. She’s like a firefly, lighting up the darkness.
Turning to Gagiel, she says, “This is my friend Theo. I trust him with my life, and he’ll get you home safely.”
“Thank you again, Hayliel. I’m sorry everyone misjudges you.”
We part ways, and as Gagiel and I take flight, I hear Raphael offer to help clean up our mess at the bonfire and fly her home.
“She’s really nice,” he says when we’re halfway back.
“She is. Deserves far more credit than she gets.”
“Well, she has every ounce of my respect. No one’s ever stood in harm’s way to help me before. If she had been here last year, maybe there wouldn’t have been so many dropouts.”
We hover above Knowledge house as I take in his words. “Wait. You’re a second year?”
“Yeah … the rest of my friends applied for virtual learning after some senior wouldn’t leave us alone. I bet if they knew someone like her was here, they’d come back.”
What’s with these angels who can’t just leave others alone? How messed up of a childhood did you have to have in order to treat others so poorly? It baffles me. And for those angels to have been bullied so much that they physically fucking left blows my fucking mind. The audacity of bullies, I swear.
“She’s pretty incredible, and I know she means what she told you. She’s got your back, and I do too. Take my number as well, just in case. Think you can get back to your room alright?”
“Yes. Thanks for everything. I won’t forget it.”
“No worries, man.”
I watch as he flies off toward the back of the house, far happier than he’d been when we first saw him.
There’s something about Hayliel that just makes everyone feel better. She’s kind and forgiving, and downright protective. Regardless of how much she’s bullied, it doesn’t stop her from putting herself in the firing line to protect someone else.
