03-26-2019, 10:43 PM
Ophanim
He lands somewhat gracefully, wobbling as he comes skidding to a halt with his gold and white wings splayed out to keep his balance. The spring rains have grounded him for now but he gives his head a little shake, sending droplets flying from his mess of a forelock. His laughter spills from his lips like a bubbling spring. The angel boy blinks the rain from his eyelashes so his golden eyes can scan Loess with the faintest hint of a smile still lounging across his face. Slowly, his wings fold over his sides and the numerous glowing eyes hide themselves within the feathers once more.
Ophanim would like to believe that his disappearance was simply owed to his irresponsible youth. He’d like to smile and lie but there is something in the pit of his stomach that knows he’s made a mistake. Or two. Or five. He can’t really remember at this point but autumn had been a blur of trying to scratch an itch that never seemed to be alleviated. One of them had eyes shaped just like Starsin’s while another touched his neck as she did. Like he was something holy, some sliver of salvation to cling to while the world continued to rock from side to side. They each offered up a little piece of themselves that felt like home, like his lover, and he immersed himself gladly.
But the blinding mornings after painted his mistakes a sickly yellow. Gone was the needful stare or the bell-laughter. They were just strangers with a hunger like him. Each of them had used one another and then parted, perhaps never to see each other again.
His heart guides him home to her despite his crimes, though, as it aches to anchor at the shoreline of her promises. The golden boy waits patiently as he idly paws at the fresh mud. He knows Starsin will realize he’s here one way or another. A little trail of blood trickles from his nose but he doesn’t seem to mind as it drips off his lip and into the puddle beneath him. His symptoms have been light, with minimal coughing and only some aching in his joints after flying or running too far.