Wings of Love (A Fallen Angel) [Arden AU#3]

Posts : 43 Join date : 2017-11-29

[[OOC: An AU where people have wings that somewhat correspond to their personality. Literally just that.]]

It was just at the crack of dawn, with the sun just beginning to rise, that Eden slipped out of bed. For a sixteen year old, it was somewhat uncommon to be up so early, but Eden was no typical boy. Despite his popularity he was a loner and much preferred his plants to ... everything else. In truth, he was only popular in high school because his parents were rich and he got a lot of pocket money. He spent most of it on his plants, of course, but what he didn't use for himself was spent on others -- drinks at parties, entrance tickets for the latest concerts and theme parks, and whatnot. He didn't enjoy any of it, not really, but he also knew he had an image to maintain; if he lost that his parents wouldn't be happy. He didn't see much of them to begin with, but when he did see them he wanted to make them proud -- he wanted them to love him. So, he went to the parties he was invited to and threw elaborate birthday celebrations (of which only once were his parents around to attend; they normally just gave him a budget) and bought expensive presents for people on their birthday (and sometimes not).

But now was the weekend and that meant time on his own. There were no invites he couldn't turn down and for the first time that week Eden felt like himself.

His two and a half feet long wings fluttered slightly as he washed up and changed. They were the smallest in school, but stunningly beautiful. Similar to that of a hummingbird, it was somewhat translucent and had yellow, purple, and green streaks. He himself never noticed how beautiful it was, but it was apt that he was attracted to plants, adapted to suit them and them him, much like the beak of a hummingbird was.

Breakfast was quick -- two pieces of toast and avocado -- before he left the kitchen and headed out to the greenhouse.

Posts : 22 Join date : 2017-11-22

The freezing night air struck down to the bone, slipping past the black feathers of Arthur's immense wings and chilling him further. The sun hadn't even risen, yet he had been out for over two hours already, searching. Two months ago, his younger brother, Mark, had gone missing—maybe he ran away, maybe he had been kidnapped, maybe he was dea—but Arthur hadn't had a good night's sleep since then, choosing to fly out and search, and his parents weren't doing any better.

He hadn't had a conversation with them about anything besides Mark and the search for almost two months now, and it had begun to affect his own feelings—but that was why he was flying out and searching so much, because maybe if he found Mark his parents could relax and everything could go back to normal and keeping him around would be... worth it. But he was there for Mark, he wasn't flying for himself.

It seemed colder almost, but Art's wings just felt heavier and heavier, and his eyes couldn't stay open, he was so far from a proper landing, so high... his wings stopped working. Cold air rushed past and slipped through his fingers and he couldn't get his wings to work and he was falling and—his back hit something that shattered beneath him and he fell further until hitting the ground, glass caught in his feathers and digging into his hands and legs and everywhere. He couldn't breathe. His whole body shivered, exhaustion mixing with anxiety and grief and he didn't know where he was and everything hurt.

Posts : 43 Join date : 2017-11-29

The sun was bright enough to provide direction and warmth and light, but by no means the hottest or brightest it could be, and Eden took in the fresh morning air as he walked to the greenhouses. Only servants and staff were awake, but this was specifically his time and nobody would interrupt him. Even George had his own tasks to complete before they met up later on.

As he opened the door, eyes down, he heard a crunch under his feet and frowned. Glass? He glanced up, then, and saw...

“F***,” he said, eyes widening. “F***,” he repeated. There was mixture of confusion and of fear, both for his plants (were they damaged? We’re they hurt?) and the boy who’d fallen through... “Shit.” Quickly,, almost on autopilot, Eden reached over to the button on the side of the door and pressed it, summoning a servant over. But he did not dare approach the male, did not dare do anything other than stare and hope he wasn’t dead.

Posts : 22 Join date : 2017-11-22

Arthur could taste the blood in his mouth—was it his? Pinpricks ran down his face and he was sure that slight burning sensation in his eye was from blood, but... where was he? With one eye open and the world seeming to double, all Art could make out were blurs of green and brown mixing on top of far off white, and something—someone?—off to the side a few feet away. A muddled sound reached his ears, but the words were lost between the shock and panic.

Arthur's vision had turned blurry mere seconds ago—pain? panic?—and he had no idea who the figure was, no idea where he was, and for a second the searing pain almost made him black out and forget the situation. He had crashed through glass into an unfamiliar place and the only thing he could focus on was the pain, clenching his jaw with a groan.

He began to move some, but the glass started to dig into his shoulder and he once again laid still, chest heaving with every shuddering breath and stinging pain running through his wings. Was he going to die there? How much was he bleeding? What were his parents doing at this time; would he see them again? Through the haze he felt colder liquid trailing down his cheeks, mixing with blood, falling to the ground.

Posts : 43 Join date : 2017-11-29

Two minutes passed — long and slow, with Eden all but holding his breath in a mixture of anticipation and fear — before there were footsteps in the distance and the head of a servant popped through the door. There was no hesitation on Eden’s part; this may have been a unique situation he hadn’t planned for — and honestly, who ever expects a boy to fall through the roof of your greenhouse — but it was obvious what needed to be done. Eden may have been a shy, socially awkward guy in school, but if there was one thing he knew, it was how to take care of the broken. Typically, it was plants, but how were people that much different than what he was used to? Surely not too much, he hoped.

“Tanner,” he said, keeping his tone low, and glancing towards the boy. “He fell through... might be hurt... get help and carry him to a guest room — two is free I think — and then call a doctor. Our doctor. Tell him... it’s an emergency. I’ll pay. Don’t tell my parents, okay?” It was interesting, how easily and freely he talked to the servants around his house; he never stuttered or anything with them, unlike when he talked to... anyone else, really.

He turned his attention back to the male, only now that someone else was there daring to step closer. There was blood, on his face and in his eyes and dripping from a corner of his mouth; and there was glass everywhere, crackling under Eden’s feet and in pots and on the leaves of plants; and there was a sense of uncertainty and dread hanging in the air, questions that Eden didn’t want to have to answer. Was the boy dying? Was he hurt beyond repair? What happened? Who was he?

A short while later, two more servants came in, and with a fluttering of their wings lifted the boy out of the mess of soil and blood and glass, carrying him carefully to the guest room. Eden didn’t follow, staying behind to survey the damage. “Tell me when the doctor arrives,” was all he told Tanner before he set to work. The servants would clear the glass, and make sure it was safe, but there were plants on the floor — knocked over when the boy with the massive wings fell, but also some crushed when he landed on them — that needed tending to.

Time passed, as time did, and Eden was only about halfway through the mess when Tanner popped his head in again to tell him that their doctor was now seeing the strange boy, and Eden dropped the trovel he was holding and dashed out to the house, up the stairs, and into the room.

Posts : 22 Join date : 2017-11-22

Arthur could barely register anything beyond the pain and confusion and panic, but he thought there was... someone speaking? Not to him, hopefully; he wouldn't understand them. Then something took ahold of his limbs and torso, but he couldn't struggle lest of cause more pain, and he was already so weak. He was lifted somewhere, finally let down on his side on something incredibly soft; it was so hard to keep his eyes open, and it was so soft, he could just...

————

Arthur slowly blinked his eyes back open, vision still blurry, but this time from sleep. The few hours were the most solid he had gotten in the past two months, but the circumstances were decidedly different. A small, silent yawn escaped him, followed by a slight wince from a twinge of pain on his cheek.

There was something on his face, and Art raised a slow hand to feel the stuck object—a bandage? Who would have put that on him? And, thinking about it, why was he in such a comfortable bed? He couldn't make out anyone in his line of sight, so he worked his hands underneath him and attempted to push.

It probably would have worked, if not for the stab of pain shooting through the base of his left wing, forcing out a gasp that morphed to a hiss in between clenched teeth. Had he done something to hurt his wing? How long would it take to heal? How long until he could get back to the search for Mark? Anxiety started to flow back into Arthur's mind at the train of thought, and all he could do was worry, pain forgotten.

Posts : 43 Join date : 2017-11-29

The boy was asleep by the time Eden got to the room, but he had prepared already, and the servant behind him pushed in the cart he’d requested. Eden set to work.

There was a lot of waiting in between, and Eden alternated between sitting beside the boy, waiting for him to wake up, reading, and adjusting the potted plants he’d placed along the wall. A couple hours had passed by now, and Eden had moved back to the plants.

”No, no. You should go over here,” he murmured, to himself, as he picked up one of the pots and shifted it to the side so it the light streaming in from the window. Sunflowers, he knew, were bright and cheerful. What could be better than that? Next to that he placed the pot of lavenders; they were healing plants, he’d been told, and those would help... right? And of course there were the fig leaves, just for aesthetic purposes, and he couldn’t forget the cacti (they were his favourite, and cheered him up, so surely it would help others feel better too, right?). The array of plants and whatnot lined the windowsill, a couple on the bedside table too, for the scents they would bring. (What was nicer than waking up to gardenia?)

There was a sudden shifting behind him, followed by a semi-muffled yawn, and Eden immediately put down the potted cactus he held and turned sharply. Stepping over to the side of the bed, he pressed the call button for the servant, and the wing specialist, before taking a seat next to the strange boy. “Hey,” he said softly, like he talked to his plants, except this was a person, and he was slightly more nervous. “You’re gonna be fine, a-alright? Just... uh, d-don’t move yet. There’s a-a wing specialist here to see you; he said he couldn’t uhm, d-do much while you’re a-asleep, cos he needs you to like, uhm, talk a-and tell him what’s going on a-and stuff... You... uhm. The d-doctor’s been in and h-he said you’re mostly fine, just uhm, a-a few cuts here a-and there... But your wing’s d-dislocated so, uhm, that’s gonna be the wing specialist’s job... He’s, uhm, on his way...”

He raised his hand to the back of his neck, rubbing at it self-consciously, cheeks flushing a little as the door opened and the servant came in, wing specialist on his heels.

Thank god, he thought to himself; he could let the doctor do his thing and not need to talk.

Posts : 22 Join date : 2017-11-22

Looking around the room, past sunflowers and other plants, Arthur's gaze finally landed another boy who seemed around his age, and had apparently noticed he was awake. He was too caught up in thoughts of how cute this stranger was—who had the right to look that handsome yet soft—to fully pay attention to what was being said, and a blush crossed Arthur's cheeks as he realized he had only caught “wing specialist” and that apparently he was fine.

Before he could say anything, someone he assumed was the wing specialist entered, nodding to the other boy then focusing a soft yet calculating gaze on Arthur. It was easy to tell he knew exactly what he was doing even if he seemed relaxed, as if he was trying to calm Arthur, too. But Arthur was just more uneasy—here was this stranger who could have only come to tell him bad news, with more strangers everywhere.

The doctor sat next to the bed, reaching to gently feel the base of Arthur's wing, and the boy was too caught off guard to protest, glancing helplessly at the younger stranger from earlier. "You really did a number on this, huh? Falling through the glass did probably ease your fall a little, though." The specialist stopped prodding as Arthur inhaled sharply, sitting back a little with narrowed eyes. "Which flower here is your favorite?" He gestured with his chin toward the plants along the wall, Arthur following along and answering on instinct.

"The sunflowers—wait wh—AH—"

The doctor had used the momentary distraction to pop Art's wing back in its socket, almost bringing tears to the boy's eyes from the sudden pain. He started giving instructions to Eden, "Keep him in bed for about a week, by then he should be fine to walk around and more than rested up; but no flying for at least two months if not three," he turned back to Arthur but was cut off.

"Wait, no, can't-can't fly—I-I have to, I need to look—" He took in a desperate gasp, looking around frantically as if for escape, "You don't understand I-I can't be grounded I—"

"No flying." The doctor looked at Eden, "if he tries to fly at all, do whatever you need to stop him. You're lucky it wasn't worse, but any strain on that wing and it will never be the same." He stood, “Let me know if anything flares up, and you should check with me to approve him for flying again. You know how to reach me,” a polite smile and he was out the door, leaving Arthur in slight pain, confusion, and panic.

It took a moment for him to get out any words, but all that came out was, “What happened?”

Posts : 43 Join date : 2017-11-29

Eden stood back, watching carefully and attentively. This wing specialist was the best around, highly recommended with a long waiting list for normal appointments. The Ming family were not normal by any means of the word, however, and were one of three families that could summon him on call. The pay and tips given were more than enough persuasion; besides, he was a family friend, and that always helped. Mr. Nordeman had treated him since he was a baby and his wings were too small and weak to carry him, and had to be bound to prevent him from using them. In fact, his entire ability to fly was due to the man standing over the stranger in bed.

Automatically, Eden glanced over at the sunflowers, knowing what was going to happen next; one of his servants had dislocated his wing and Mr. Nordeman had done the whole 'sudden question' trick. The last thing Eden wanted was to watch someone in pain; it made him feel helpless and he hated that. It was one of the reasons he preferred plants; he knew how to help them, knew what they each needed with just a glance or a touch.

Automatically, he crossed the room and touched a finger to the sunflower. It was a good decision to bring it. There was something about the bright yellow petals and the tall, looming stalk that brought comfort to the room, like a row of soldiers standing guard. They were still far from their full size, only about half-grown. A long way more to go, but they were healthy and beautiful, and Eden was proud of them for growing so well; he hadn't needed to do much for them, unlike the last batch.

And then Mr. Nordeman was approaching him and Eden turned back to listen, nodding with his words. "Can't you bind it?" he asked, quietly, ignoring the stranger for now. "Like you did me. Won't that... stop him?"

The male smiled. "He's not a baby, Eden. I can't bind anyone above ten against their will; it's illegal."

Eden nodded at the final instruction, biting his lower lip as he did. "Your payment is waiting with Tanner," he said, with only a slight smile. "Thank you for coming in on your off day." He watched as the older male left, then turned back to the male, stepping forward a little so he was closer, but still keeping distance.

The question made him pause, and he lifted a shoulder in a slight shrug. "I... d-don't... I was... Y-you fell. Uhm, i-into my g-greenhouse. You w-were passed out... I t-thought y-you h-had... t-that you were d-dead... Y-your wings... y-you... were so... so cold. T-the doctor said y-you'd b-been flying the whole... w-whole night? A-and they froze... and y-you f-fell. Into my greenhouse. Y-you missed the s-sunflowers. L-landed on the petunias b-but they're uh, robust a-and... f-fine. B-but y-you also hit a t-tray of cacti. I'm g-glad they didn't hurt y-you. T-there were s-some newly d-discovered t-toxic species I was t-trying to crossbreed, and if they had pricked you... But the toxic one didn't fall, only my schlumbergeras and those d-don't hurt..." He trailed off, realising that the stranger probably didn't care about his plants, and blushed a deep red, realising he hadn't even introduced himself. "I... I-I'm... E-Eden."