salivation | 001 - As it is

[Blood.

The smell was everywhere, but he knew that it was his own. He hadn't managed to land any hits on the creature he was fighting. Not yet Anyway. Even though it had a human face, he knew it for what it was-- a demon. It had distinctly masculine features with jet black, leathery wings sprouted from its back. The fangs that protruded from its upper lip threatened death to anyone who ventured too near. He had to kill this thing before he found an unassuming village to prey upon.

It was his duty.]

Die.

[He spat the word and bared his extended fangs towards the creature, and then he charged. Although he didn't often use his magic for fear of losing energy too fast, he was already at his limit. He had to take care of this swiftly. However, it seemed that the vile creature had similar plans, because as the two clashed, there was a flash, followed by a loud boom. He knew straight away that there had been a reaction from light and dark, opposite magics, touching, and he swore.

Gabriel was blasted backwards, and the enemy was sent off the side of a cliff. He knew that it was probably not dead, but he couldn't worry about that right now, because it was taking a little too long for him to hit the ground.

The smell of blood was sickening.]

* * *

[The park was scarcely populated, and rather quiet. Even the birds seemed to be avoiding the area. The sound of wind and cars rumbling by in the distance were the only sounds to be heard, but it was peaceful enough.

--That is, until the air shimmered and a young man appeared out of nowhere and fell hard to the ground. He was unconscious the moment that he appeared in the other world, and with snow-white hair and small wings sprawled out to match them, it was clear that he was...different.

His clothes, although torn, weren't too bad looking on him. He had a long dark coat with a simple dress shirt underneath. His pants were black and simple, and tucked into a pair of well-traveled boots. All of his clothes had flaps poorly sewn into them to allow his wings to be free.

He was also injured. He had many gashes on his arms, complete with blood and rips in his clothing, as well as a mildly serious looking wound on his side. There seemed to be no wounds on his face, and his fangs were already retracting from sight. One of his wings were also bleeding lightly, but not seriously. All in all, he didn't seem to be good shape.

However, he was an angel with cursed blood. Not that one would know this, but Gabriel the Bloody would surely live.]

[It couldn't have been more than ten minutes since Kaibus had laid eyes on the fallen, winged boy, but it was still ten minutes too many.

Upon arriving back he had carefully laid the unconscious boy over the blankets of his hastily made bed, careful to keep his wings flush. Kaibus finds it difficult to take his eyes off of him for more than one reason, but worry seems to triumph everything else, if the broken open first aid kit on his floor has any say in the matter. A failed attempt to find new clothes ended in a colourful, well-worn jacket draped over Gabriel's wings, and his shirt appears to have been pulled up and then down again quite hastily. Not that Kaibus is to blame, of course! He was entirely focused on the wound on Gabriel's side that's currently covered with a few strips of gauze and secured down with tape. The remaining gashes are instead covered with too-small band-aids, some of which have cotton balls affixed to them while the other bloody cotton balls litter the floor and Gabe's quickly tossed-off boots (only one of which is actually in the bedroom, since the other was abandoned long ago in the doorway).

When Gabriel opens his eyes he'll find a worried (and just slightly enthralled) Kaibus leaning over him, seated on the edge of his bed and propped up with one arm.]

[The moment that Gabriel wakes up, he knows that he's dangerously low on blood. It isn't that he's lost enough for him to die of blood-loss, but... He definitely lost too much. He knows that he's going to have to feed soon or risk temporary insanity. Even after two years of this, it still disgusts him, and he clenches his jaw as he opens his eyes.

The first thing that he sees is the face of a teenage boy leaning over him, and he's up in an instant. He backs away from the stranger and presses his back against the wall with his wings splayed out in a threatening manner.]

Who are you?

[Kaibus jolts up as Gabriel's eyes open, but he pauses mid-step and can't help but become distracted by their amethyst colour for a moment too long.]

Uh, hey there! Are you feeling alright?

[It isn't that he's ignoring the question. To be more precise, he's even more overcome by worry and wonder than he was before.]

[Gabriel doesn't avert his eyes for a second, not even to blink. He's completely on edge as he tries to assess the situation. This boy... He's human. And he can't even be of age yet. He doesn't sense any malicious intent, but the smell is all wrong. What's wrong with this place? It smells...wrong. It smells different than anything he's ever smelled.]

Where am I?

[He doesn't relax completely, but he allows his eyes to close briefly and open once more. He glances around before turning right back to him. The feathers on his wings are settling, at least...]

[With one hand at the back of his neck, Kaibus laughs a bit sheepishly and struggles to not stumble over his words. What is he expected to say, really? The situation is difficult to explain as it is.]

This place? It's my apartment! You kind of collapsed out of nowhere in the park so I brought you back here.

[....Or is that the right way to say it? He's a bit too preoccupied with Gabriel's wings to focus entirely on his words.]

I was worried! You remember who you are and stuff, right? [A pause.] You can call me Kaibus, by the way! Just Kaibus is fine.

[Gabriel takes a breath and searches the boy's gaze once more. It really doesn't seem like he's intending to hurt him, and...escaping would be very easy. Besides, he's...tired.]

Mm. [He finally settles and folds his wings against his back as he sits down.] I remember. [He closes his eyes and sighs.]

Are you the one that bandaged me?

[It would be difficult to call Kaibus insincere, especially since his eyes clearly reveal everything he's thinking.]

Yeah. I know I didn't do a very good job, but it's better than nothing! An A for effort, right?

[However, it's difficult for him to keep a smile on his face when Gabriel looks so tired, so he chooses to sit on the edge of his bed once again.]

So how are you feeling? You look pretty beat up. [And with a tilt of his head this time:] That can't be very comfortable.

[Gabriel looks down at his bandages and tilts his head. He's never seen such a horrible patch job. Really... Does he even know how gauze works?]

I'll fix it later.

[He glances up towards the teenager once more and squints.]

I'm fine.

[And he trains his eyes back down and crosses his legs, wincing slightly as he does so.]

You don't look fine to me at all! [Kaibus puts his hands on the mattress in front of Gabriel's knees and leans forward, expression firm.] We at least need to get you to a hospital!

Whatever happened was enough to knock you out, so you could be seriously hurt! What if you have a concussion or something gets infected?

[To this he shifts to put his hands on Gabriel's shoulders and pushes him back, using as little force as possible.]

I'm not a doctor, but even I know that sitting like that can open up your wounds again! You need stitches before you lose even more blood!

[With a hiss of displeasure, Gabriel shifts away from Kaibus and glowers. The sound of the blood pumping through his veins is...even louder and more enticing than it usually is. It must be from how wounded he is.]

No need. I'll be fine.

[He shifts a little bit, then lays down on his back, relaxing his body and making himself comfortable.]

Is this better?

So a hospital's out of the question, I guess.

[Kaibus stays silent for a few long moments before sitting up straight and slightly furrowing his eyebrows.]

Yeah, that should be fine. You don't have a fever so resting is all you can do right now. [He can't help but smile a bit.] So what's your name?

[He folds his wings carefully beside him so that he isn't crushing them and glances at Kaibus.]

You must be an idiot.

You're the one that said you didn't want to go! I'd make you if I could!

[Irritatedly.] It's not that.

[He pauses and scowls.]

Do you always bring strangers into your house like this?

[Though his eyebrows furrow indignantly, Kaibus' voice doesn't sound much more than mildly perplexed.]

You were in really bad shape. Would you have rather had me leave you there?

And what if I'm someone dangerous?

[His voice is mildly subdued here.]

Hey, I thought about it! [Not until Gabriel was already in his room, to be fair, but it's the truth!]

You may be, but I get the feeling that you won't hurt me. I'm pretty good about things like that.

[While speaking he shifts his legs in order to cross them. Of course, this is followed by him propping his elbows up on his knees and resting his chin in his hands.

You still never told me your name.

How could you possibly be so sure? Are you always this naive? I may be injured, but I could still easily overtake you.

[Yeah, he's just going to keep skirting around his name, here. He doesn't want to become friendly with this guy. That would only lead to trouble.]

Probably, but I don't think you will. Either way, I'm not going to ignore someone that's hurt! [And his eyebrows furrow again. Thanks, Gabe.]

Do you have a name or do you just not want to tell me yours?

[Gabriel glances down, unable to think of a way to respond to this. This boy...is just an idiot. Surely he must realize that Gabriel is dangerous. What kind of person would look at Gabriel, an angel covered in blood, and think that he was harmless? Why would he potentially risk his life like this? He can't even begin to understand.]

Why do you want to know?

Because I want to!

[Genius.]

The first thing you learn about someone is their name, right? At least give me something to call you!

[But then that links you to that person. Once you know someone's name, they become real. Their life becomes something. It becomes precious. Sharing two names between two people only creates a bond between them. A faint bond, but a bond nonetheless. Gabriel can't have something like that right now, not ever.]

...

[A soft sigh.]

It's Gabriel.

[If it isn't clear enough as his expression lights up, Kaibus leans forward in elation and beams all too brightly.]

Gabriel? That's a really great name! You didn't have to hide it from me!

It's nothing special.

[Gabriel will be turning onto his side and facing away from Kaibus now.]

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