When Nyx clicked on the kitchen light, she saw just how much blood covered Angel’s chest. Cassie seemed to be the only one to make it out with minimal damage to her clothing. Blood splatter stained splotches of her white tank top and the top of her chest, hands and cheeks. Other than Angel, Nyx also got the worst of it, she was almost as caked in it as he was.

Cassie stooped over the kitchen sink and scrubbed off the blood with dish soap anywhere she could reach.

"I'll bring you something to wear," said Angel, rubbing his eyes in exhaustion.

"No, it's ok," said Cassie. Her shirt was damp from the splashing water. "If it's ok with you guys, I think I might head home. It might be better if I get out of the way. Unless you need me here?"

"I got it," said Nyx. "Thanks Cass." She hugged her sister. Both girls sniffled and fought off their tears.

I don’t know what I would have done without you.

"You can both go if you want," Angel grumbled "Don't let me keep ya."

"I'm glad you're ok," said Cassie. Her eyes glimmered. The Kitchen's bright white light washed out her complexion. "I really thought you were -" she couldn't finish her sentence. Cass turned and hurried for the door. "Sorry, I'll -"

"Cass, wait," Angel said, stepping toward her.

"Yeah?"

"Thank you. You really had my back in there. I appreciate it."

"Yeah, well," she said, and smiled through budding tears. "Anytime. Call if you need me."

Cassie stepped out and shut the door. Angel braced himself against the wall to keep balance. A bloody hand print stained the wood. Without a word, he headed for the bathroom to get in the shower.

“I’ll get us some clothes,” said Nyx, already moving toward the stairs. She could hear the water running.

Angel didn’t reply, and she crept up the stairs to the bedroom. Her hands shook, gliding up the railing. When she got to the room, the shiny gloss on the guitars glistened under the dim light from the window. She flinched when she saw the red one was still missing, it must have been left in the shed after he spent the night.

That was almost the last night we ever spent together.

Despite herself, a sudden sob escaped and she pulled it in. She rummaged through his dresser for clean clothing, trying not to get blood on anything. Luckily, most of it had long since dried.

What on earth was he thinking fighting with his shoulder injury, let alone fighting someone like Aluminum Carl? Does a single thought or consideration ever run through his head? I stepped away for one second. One second! No. He did this and we’re left holding the bag, like always.

The image of the pale-blue light consuming Angel's broken body consumed her mind every time she closed her eyes, even to blink.

What will we even say to Alistair if anything at all?

She gathered the bundle of clothing into her arms and hurried down the stairs to the bathroom. Angel was still in the shower. She could see his silhouette behind the curtain as he leaned forward, bracing his forehead against the tile.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

"I brought us some clothes from upstairs," she said.

"I'm fine. You don't have to stay with me."

"You're not fine. No one is expecting you to be even slightly ok."

Nyx placed the clothes on the toilet lid and slid the curtain aside. The water turned red at his feet, swirling down the drain. He shivered despite the warmth and steam collecting in the small space. He couldn't stop shaking. She’d never say so, but was reminded of a frightened bird. So fragile.

He turned the water off. "Will you hand me a towel?"

She passed him one from the shelf. He scruffed at his hair with it before tying it off around his waist and stepped out, still dripping.

It twisted her heart to see Angel staring with such wide, blood-shot eyes. For the first time, she didn’t know what to say to him.

What can I say?

They’d certainly been angry with one another before, but there was never this sort of awkward tension.

"You ruined my shirt," he said, pointing at her blood soaked t-shirt.

"More like you ruined my shirt." Nyx smiled, grateful for his teasing for once.

She took off her clothes and stepped into the shower. Angel dropped his towel and followed her in. She shifted position to make room.

"What was the point of drying off in the first place?" she asked.

He shrugged and put a glob of shampoo in his hand, rubbing it through her wet hair.

Nyx caught his wrist. "Why did you fight Carl?"

Angel gently tugged free of her grip. "I didn't intend for that to happen. Not like that."

"What did you think was going to happen?"

"There was a ten thousand dollar prize. I couldn't help it. Carl had fought like, five people already, I figured I might have a shot or it'd at least be fun to try."

"Fun?" She scoffed. "What part of that was fun?"

"Most of it. Obviously I didn't think Carl was going to murder me. That part was less than ideal." He reached over and she let him work the shampoo lather out of her hair. Despite his attempts to remain stoic, she felt him shudder. "I didn't mean to scare you."

"This has to stop," she said. "I couldn't take it if anything happened to you. If you -"

If it wasn’t for that light… whatever the hell it is, you’d be dead, and for what? For some money? For fun?

Nyx tossed her arms around him. He stiffened, pressing his arms to his sides.

"What is it?" she asked.

"I don't want to hurt you. What if I -"

"Oh," she said and thought for a moment. "I don't think it works like that."

"How could we know?"

She put her hand on his cheek. He tensed, but didn't stop her, leaning into her touch instead. A crackle of energy was warm beyond his usual body heat. It was like grazing over the surface of a star. After the initial trepidation, it was an oddly soothing sensation. It still felt like him, but more. There was a firmness there - an unyielding softness.

Fear fled from him. He reached out to her. His hands wandered as though he were touching her for the first time. So gentle and curious. Goosebumps rose along her skin following the trails left in the wake of his finger tips. Nyx let him explore. Ticklish, she tried not to giggle even despite the frustration still roiling within her and decided to simply be amazed if only for a moment.

"See?" She leaned forward until their noses nearly touched. "You'd never hurt me."

Not physically, not in the way you’re scared of.

Angel pressed his back against the cool tile and she laced her arms around his shoulders. The warm water cascaded down her back. The beat of his heart drew her closer and she snuggled into him, clinging on with every ounce of will power she had. It felt too much like standing on the edge of a cliff. If only she were strong enough to fix them both in place.

At least he has wings. Falling is never an issue, but Alistair is right. If he falls, I'm going with him. Maybe I should learn to let go.

Goosebumps rose up on her arms at the contrast between the heat of their body, the water and the cold of the tile under their skin. Her lips brushed against his and he anticipated a kiss. Instead, she pressed her face to his chest, breaking into wracking sobs.