Ablackwing

I drove straight to my home after dropping my friends to their homes. It was 10:40 and my home was still ten minutes away. My parents trusted me so much that they never set a curfew for me but I had set my own limit at 10:30. If I hadn't taken an additional twenty minutes by dropping my friends to their home, I'd have reached home writhing my curfew time.

Just then I wondered how I was supposed to give Black his shirt. To be honest, I had never given a guy anything in my life. I was too inexperienced.

My first thought was to reprimand him when I saw him shirtless next time by throwing the shirt at his face. But I wasn't going to do that because I was a nice person and there was always a probability that he comes at me with revenge. What if I asked him food one day and he throws it at my face? I wouldn't want that. That was a very dangerous option of gifting someone. Though he most probably wouldn't seek revenge but it is better safe than sorry.

My second plan was however more sane than first. I thought of using my sneaking skills to get behind him in the balcony when he might be feeling cold and wrap the arms of the sweater around his neck.

My third plan was to wrap it in a wrapping paper and properly give it to him as a gift. But it was just an ordinary sweater, not something worth wrapping.

My last plan was to put the sweater somewhere where he was likely to notice it, like where he hangs his coat or perhaps under his coat. But it still was unlikely he would pick it up wherever I keep it because I never have seen him wander around the home looking at stuff and using them for himself. He might not even notice if it was right in front of his eyes.

Before I had time to make some more plans, I had already reached home. Too bad I couldn't reach a satisfactory course of action. I didn't like deciding spontaneously when something happens. Being prepared is always the safest. But this time I couldn't prepare even if I tried.

The lights of the hallway were turned off. Normally, when I'd return from college, the hallway lights would be turned on and I'd find him cooking different dishes in the kitchen, just like how a good housewife should. I could only see lights coming out from the living room.

When I entered the room, I saw Black sitting outside on the platform leading to the garden. His back was against that glass door and I could see him wearing his coat. His head was down. I threw my bag on the couch in a bid to make some noise and catch his attention but he didn't hear anything.

Black didn't notice me when I opened the other door. His legs were half folded. His head was resting on his right hand and his left hand was resting on the platform. His eyes were closed but he didn't seem like he was sleeping. He was awake but just lost somewhere in his own world. He appeared to be sad but he wasn't crying. His look was more like a baby who was frightened by the monsters under his bed. Yes, he appeared frightened. But what can the strongest angel be afraid of?

"Black," I called him. He didn't respond to me.

"Black!" I called him again, my voice much louder than before. He shook, waking up from his trance.

"Hi... Welcome back." Black spoke as if nothing was wrong with him. And this calmness actually told me that something was definitely wrong.

"What are you doing there?" I asked him while offering him my hand. Black accepted my help and pulled on me to get up.

"Nothing." He lied. Well, he didn't actually lie but that statement was too empty. He was obviously being all sad while all alone.

I didn't know what was our relation but at the very least, Black was my friend. A friend is more than just a word. In friendship you are there for each other, I'm high and low, in happiness and sorrow. You share your problem even if there is no escaping it. You don't get shy or afraid of asking a friend for a helping hand.

He wears his heart on his face. I knew he wouldn't tell me anything at all. I'd have listened to him quietly if he talked to me. Now he doesn't tell me his worries, I'd wait for him patiently to open up to me. And I would then try my best to do whatever I can and prevent anything that was bugging him.

"You're such a liar," I complained.

He showed me a fake smile as if he was expecting that. There's a word in Japanese for people like him- Baka.

"What?" He asked and I realized that the word had accidentally slipped off my mouth.

"Nothing." I grabbed his hand and pulled him inside. He doesn't tell me anything. So why should I?

"Care for dinner?" Black asked when we were inside. At the food corner, I completely forgot that Black prepares food for me at home. I should have given him a head up that I will be eating out. It was all the fault of my friends. I took a note that I have to delay their meeting with my Black for this.

"I'm full. I ate with my friends."

"Oh." He replied with just an oh. Not even slight anger in his eyes. He was supposed to be mad at me, perhaps not even making food for me for the next few days. This angel was just something else. An idiot of a supreme level.

"I'm sorry. I really forgot." I still apologized to him.

"It's ok angel. I'll just keep it for later." he sweetly replied.

"Did you eat?"

"I don't feel like eating." He spoke but he must be hungry. I was sure. But I think he was just sad, sad enough to forget his appetite.

"I can eat a little." I thought he didn't like to eat alone so I could only hope to offer myself as a companion.

"You don't have to do that for me. I'll eat a little before sleeping." Black read my mind again, magically without using his power. But couldn't he read my mind that I wanted him to say yes? He was so close to me but at that moment, I felt that I didn't know him at all. He felt as if he was so far away, among the stars and his worries would never reach me.

"I'll be going to my room then."

'Stop me... Talk to me...' my heart screamed as I walked away from him. But he didn't hear my inner words. I didn't know if I should still thank him for not invading my privacy.

He started walking towards the kitchen, slowly. I sighed at my powerlessness. I could see he was hurt but I couldn't do a thing. Just then I saw my bag lying on the couch and picked it up. I remembered I had to give him his new sweater.

"Black," I called out for him.

"Yeah." He turned back.

All I had to do was hand him his sweater. The task was simple enough. But why did it felt so hard? I couldn't just do it. My heart raced and I felt sweat forming on my forehead. I felt shy thinking about stuff that I shouldn't.

"I'll be waiting for you." Black slept with on the other side of my queen sized bed with pillows between us ever since Lilith visited us. I don't know how it started but it felt so natural. I invited him to bed on my own accord this time in case he decides to sleep in the other room.

Black smiled and this time, his smile was genuine. I think he thought that I wouldn't mind cuddling him again. But I was happy that I could at least appease his sadness a little. My heart felt too heavy when I looked at him drowned in sadness.

"Um. Thanks."

"You should smile more often. You look more pretty that way." I teased him as I swaggered forward without looking back. If I did look back, I'd only be showing my face that had become red from embarrassment. Flirting was really not my cup of tea.