Work Text:
Knock knock knock
Nailah’s ears twitched in annoyance as she looked up from her work toward the door. I thought I was finished with my meetings for the day. “Come in!”
The door creaked open. Nailah was immediately struck by a pair of familiar green eyes, which seemed to see directly into her soul.
“Hello, dearest.” Rafiel smiled softly as he entered the office. “I trust you have been taking care of yourself?”
Rafiel closed the door behind him, then turned to face Nailah again. His golden hair was pulled back in a loose ponytail, draping down to rest halfway down his back. His pearl white wings were folded delicately against his body, though he moved with such grace that sometimes Nailah forgot he couldn’t actually fly, at least not anymore.
Nailah scowled, accenting her frustration by baring her fangs slightly. “I would love to tell you I have been, but I haven’t had much time for anything today between all my regular work and all the meetings I’ve had.” She stood up and walked over to a pitcher of water she kept by the window. She poured herself a glass, then returned to her chair and sat down, motioning toward an empty chair across from her. “Would you like to have a seat?”
“I would very much like to, but I should be returning soon to the theater.” Rafiel said, a frown pulling at the corners of his lips.“We’re in our last week of rehearsals for our upcoming presentation of “The Legend of the Mercenary” and, as the director, it would not do for me to be tardy.”
Nailah sighed, then took a sip of her water and looked over the papers spread out on the desk. “Very well. How are rehearsals going? Do you have everyone whipped into shape for another award winning performance?”
Rafiel chortled. “Have I ever prepared for anything less than perfection?” He leaned forward, resting his arms on the back of the chair he had been offered. “You’ll be at opening night, won’t you?”
“Actually, I was going to talk to you about that tonight.” Nailah shifted some of the papers in front of her, avoiding eye contact with her loving husband. She couldn’t bear to see the disappointment in his eyes. ”I was planning to make the opening performance, but all the meetings lately have left me a mountain of paperwork that I need to get through.”
“That’s alright.” Rafiel said. “I know you’re busy. You can just come to another performance when you get the chance.”
“Of course, just like I have for the last several shows.” Nailah said too quickly, and harsher than she had intended. She took a deep breath, running one ornately tattooed hand through her shoulder-length hair - which lately had begun to look more gray than purple - and exhaled slowly and forced herself to look into Rafiel’s eyes. “I miss seeing you on stage on opening night in front of a full house. The way the lights used to make your hair glow, and your skin sparkle. The sound of your voice filling the performance hall. Life was easier then.”
Rafiel walked around to stand behind Nailah, and began to gently massage her shoulders. “Life may have been easier,” he whispered as he leaned down so far Nailah could smell his sweet breath. “But it was far less rewarding. I loved being on the stage, of course, but look at the work we’re doing here!”
Nailah gently covered one of Rafiel’s hands with her own. “You’re right. We do good work here. We’re giving people a future. I’m happy about the change we’re helping make happen.” She rested her head lightly against Rafiel’s shoulder behind her. “I just wish it was a little less paperwork. I’m not suited for sitting behind a desk all day.”
Rafiel kissed Nailah’s cheek. “I know, love. You’re doing wonderfully, though. And just think, in a few months we can take a vacation, maybe go see the Forest again. It’s been a while.”
“It has!” Nailah said, smiling for the first time that day. “And you’re right. I just need to push through a little longer. Then we can go see your Forest. Maybe I’ll even hunt some crows while I’m there.” The thought of chasing Naesala around the woods was enough to raise Nailah’s spirits.
“Do try not to kill him, though.” Rafiel laughed, not at all fooled by Nailah’s thinly veiled comment toward the king of Crows.
Nailah shrugged. “I won’t kill him if he doesn’t give me any more reason.”
Rafiel gently squeezed her shoulders. “Well, I’ll be sure to give my sister a warning to keep her husband in check while we visit. For now, though, I need to get going.” He pulled his hands away and began to walk toward the door.
“Rafiel.” Nailah said, staring at the floor, still holding onto her shoulder where her husband’s hands had been only seconds before.
“Yes?” Rafiel responded.
“Thank you. I needed this visit.” Nailah lifted her gaze, and flashed a genuine smile toward Rafiel. “I’ll see you at home tonight after your rehearsal.”
“Of course. I look forward to it.” As Rafiel closed the door behind himself, Nailah saw him mouth the words I love you.
“I love you, too, my darling angel.” Nailah muttered as she leaned back in her chair for a much needed break from her work.
Rafiel stretched his wings gingerly as he walked away from Nailah’s office. He twisted his arm behind him, placing his hand on the spot where his wings touched his smooth skin. Or rather, what should have been smooth skin. Through his thin, silk shirt, where there should have been a seamless transition from feather to flesh, Rafiel instead felt the rough ridges of scarred tissue, a permanent mark of his dark past.
Rafiel traced the scars that spread across his lower back like a spider’s web. They were the most distinct at the point where his wings met his skin, a result of the barbaric way his former tormentors had held him by his wings while they physically assaulted him. As he traced further down his back, the rough edges slowly smoothed out, until he could feel naught but the faintest bump when his hand rested on the small of his back.
As Rafiel stood, tracing his scars, he remembered what his life had been like before that day. He remembered flying with his brother and sister, feeling the wind rushing through his hair. He remembered how much it had hurt him, not only physically, to have his flight stripped from him. A surge of anger began to swell in his chest.
“Dr. Rafiel!” A student called from the end of the hallway. Her voice pulled Rafiel’s consciousness back from what could only be called a needlessly painful journey into memories better left in the past. The girl smiled as she jogged toward her professor. She had choppy, dark brown hair with white streaks scattered throughout. Her smile was so genuine, that Rafiel found himself reciprocating the gesture despite his previous train of thought.
“Ah, Noya. What can I help you with today?” Rafiel nodded politely, folding his wings completely behind his back once more.
“I was actually hoping to ask you something about the show, if that’s alright?” Noya folded her hands behind her back, and her ears pulled back slightly as she looked up at Rafiel. Despite being one of the most outgoing and well-liked students at the university, she was rather shy. She didn’t have to tell Rafiel how much she valued his opinion, her eyes betrayed that emotion.
“Hmmmm.” Rafiel looked at her, then began to walk past her. “Well, Noya, I am actually headed to the theater at this very moment to prepare for our final rehearsals before opening night.”
“Oh. O-of course.” Noya said, disappointment apparent in her voice.
Rafiel glanced over his shoulder at the young girl. “Why don’t you walk with me and we can discuss this question of yours?” He had to stifle a laugh as Noya looked up at him, her face morphing from sadness to shock, finally landing on excitement as she hurried to catch up to him.
“Well, you see, it’s just that I was looking over my notes on your last lecture. The one about this ‘Ike, leader of the Greil Mercenaries,’ and I noticed something. Your other lectures have felt really fact based and straightforward, but when you were telling us about Ike, it felt more like you were telling us a personal story. Which made me wonder…” Noya folded her hands behind her back, and she became very interested in watching her feet while she walked. “Did you actually meet this person?”
Rafiel was impressed. His involvement in the Continental War wasn’t something that he had kept secret, but it was also something he didn’t speak much about. For Noya to have figured out that not only was he involved, but that he had met the Hero who led the charge on the Goddess Ashera, well, Rafiel hadn’t expected that.
After a moment’s consideration, Rafiel smiled. “I did. He was a dear friend of my family. I am told he saved my sister’s life, and he pulled my brother back from the edge of despair. He was a good man.”
Noya looked up, her eyes shimmering with excitement. “Wow, really? Are all the stories true? Did he really defeat the Mad King Ashnard, and the Black Knight of Daein?”
“He did.” Rafiel laughed as Noya almost fell over in her excitement. “In fact, the show that we’ll be performing over the next several weeks covers even more of his life, starting back when he was nothing more than a simple mercenary. If you’re interested, I can save you a ticket.”
This time Noya did fall, but she quickly picked herself up. “Yes please! I wanna go! I wanna know more about him! Do you think I can meet him someday?”
Rafiel laughed. “I’m not sure. He’s off on his own right now, journeying to distant lands. Someday, though, maybe he’ll return, and if that happens I’ll do my best to arrange a meeting.”
Noya smiled at the idea of meeting such a great hero. “Thank you, Mr. Rafiel!”
“You’re quite welcome. Now, we have arrived at the theatre, which means I must say farewell. Be careful on your way home.”
Noya waved and ran off toward home. Rafiel watched her for a moment, then entered the theatre to prepare for tonight’s rehearsal.
“Nailah, I’m home!” Rafiel said as he entered their modest home.
Nailah poked her head out from the kitchen to greet him. “Hello, honey! You’re just in time, have you eaten?”
“Not yet.” Rafiel said. “I planned to make dinner for us when I got home, though something tells me I won’t need to do that.”
“Why don’t you come in and see for yourself?” Nailah smirked and beckoned him to follow.
Rafiel smiled and went to the kitchen. He was surprised to find that Nailah had prepared a full meal for them. There was grilled chicken, salad, eggs, and even freshly brewed tea. “Wow, you were busy today. What’s the occasion?”
Nailah wrapped her arms around Rafiel from behind, resting her head gently on his back. “I’ve missed you. I’ve been so busy with work lately, and you’ve had rehearsals. I just thought it would be nice to have a good meal together.”
Rafiel carefully turned around and placed one finger under Nailah’s chin, pulling her gaze up to meet his own. “Thank you. I’ve missed you as well.” He shifted his hand from under her chin so that he was cupping her cheek, while he draped his other arm over her shoulders and pulled her against him. “I know you’re working hard, but make sure you’re taking time to appreciate all that you’re accomplishing, and to take care of yourself.”
Nailah smiled up at her husband. “I am. Thank you for always reminding me to keep myself grounded.” She paused for a moment, looking into his eyes. Then, she jumped as she remembered something. “Oh, guess what?”
Rafiel looked at his wife’s excited face, and he had no idea what surprise she might have for him. “What is it?”
“Well, I rearranged some meetings, and asked my sub-dean to take care of some of the paperwork for me. Which means…” She paused, grinning up at Rafiel, her tail flicking excitedly behind her. “I can make it to opening night!”
Rafiel smiled. Nailah kept looking up, excitement evident in her bright green eyes. “That’s wonderful news! I can’t wait to show you all the work we’ve been putting into this.”
“I can’t wait to see it!” Nailah said.
Rafiel leaned down and pressed his lips against his wife’s. As he pulled away, he could feel her soft lips chasing his own, longing for even one more second. “Come, dear. We don’t want this lovely dinner that you prepared to go to waste, do we?”
Nailah blushed and cleared her throat. “O-of course! Yes. Dinner.” After a moment, she regained her composure, and looked back to Rafiel. “Welcome home.”