Chapter 13: Slow

Angel’s POV

Angel stared up at the sunlight streaming through holes in the metal roof. In one day she felt her whole life change and she woke up realizing this was her first sleep ever without a nightmare. She had a home, other nekos, protectors, and a purpose. She wasn’t sure exactly what Castiel was to her yet, but she had him too. Everything with him was instant and easy yesterday, like they had always bantered, worked, and danced together.

Eager to see him again she ate in the cafeteria quickly and practically ran to the Yard gate. She felt some small guilt at not seeing Dai to recap him on her new job and how it would benefit the city, but she was somehow sure he already knew based on the number of nekos that were constantly in the bar yesterday.

She jogged on bare feet the short distance to the bar and entered to both Castiel and Gabriel by the bartop. Gabriel had the payment box under his arm, the navy blue t-shirt he was wearing looked a size too big. A hint of white bandage was peeking above the collar from his chest wound. His chin and face scruff was developing into a brown beard and goatee. Angel bounced to his side. “Oh my God, how are you?”

“Hi darlin’! Yeah I’m gettin’ there. Still no full range of motion, but it’s nice to be flyin’ again.” Angel frowned slightly at the memory. She did almost get him killed on her first day in the city. “It’s good to see you kitty. Although I gotta say that this hairbrained idea Castiel has roped you into isn’t good for my blood pressure.” He smirked with a raised eyebrow towards Castiel.

“It’ll work. You should see her in action Gabe. Bravely talking to vampires and demons like she’s done it her whole life. She even had a full conversation with Miss Frostwych.” Castiel smiled warmly at Angel.

“No kidding!? Atta girl!” Gabe smiled to her too, looking like a proud papa. “Well I’ll definitely have to come by another day. As it is, I ain’t fit for fightin’ yet, so I need to skedaddle with this back to the Church.” He patted the box under his arm and made for the door. Outside he jokingly saluted to the window, and unfurled huge white wings as he took to the sky.

Angel turned to face Castiel, an arm’s length away from him. She felt a hot blush stain her cheeks as she took in his light blue collared shirt with an extra button undone at the top. “Hi.”

“Hi.” He glanced at the door of the still empty bar, then closed the distance between them to slide a hand through her hair and end with cupping her small face in his hand. He brushed her hot cheek with his thumb and reiterated a whispered “Hi.”

Every part of her body reacted to his touch. It actually wanted him to touch her everywhere, a concept alien to someone who had known only sexually exploit. It felt wrong to want him as intensely as she did, plus he said it himself that she made him less of an almighty angel. What happened to angels when they sinned, she wondered? She leaned heavily into his hand and slid unconscious fingers up the path of his shirt buttons until fingertips rested against his visible skin. “Is this.. Dangerous? Us?” She asked softly, staring at where her hand landed.

“Mmhmm, very.” He stroked her cheek again then dropped his hand, but didn’t move from her while her fingers explored his chest. “If others find out you’re my weakness, they could use you as leverage. Plus lust is a foothold to the other sins, and Angel? I would do anything to keep you safe.” He ran a hand along her outstretched arm to encircle her wrist and hold it in place on him. She could feel his heartbeat pounding under the skin and his breathing uneven. His voice dropped to a whisper. “I need.. I need to take this slow, love. My feelings for you have come on fast and I need keep a handle on my divinity, else I’ll slip and find myself with horns.”

Angel flew eyes to his face, trying to draw back the hand he kept firmly against him. “You’d become a demon?!” He simply nodded.

She felt anger at herself and finally pulled her hand free. Selfish girl! She was playing with fire and things she didn’t know, just to explore her new freedom and feelings. She hugged herself and stared at a retreating Castiel, slightly hurt from her withdrawl. She knew she couldn’t give him up yet, but she now understood that she had to protect him too. “Yes sir, slow, of course.” She nibbled her bottom lip and wondered how to shift the energy descending on the room. “Would it help if I called you Mr. FeatherBrain in public then?”

Castiel laughed at the unexpected question and dragged his hand down his face with a groan. “Ughh, this is going to be a long day isn’t it?”

The day went slow until late afternoon. A mix of all factions were served, except for any wolves again. Castiel spent much of his time in corner conversations with other angels, and she was pleased to expand her role to actually pouring drinks too. As she filled a tray with old empties from behind the couch, she turned in time to see a 7 foot demon duck in through the doorway. Red eyes found her immediately and she held her breath as an unnerving horned mountain stepped toward her.

“Angel dear, it’s nice to meet you.”