#batariel

- mori doesn't eat a lot and batariel has taken notice of this. so now when mori goes without eating for like a day batariel sits him down and eats with him. mori finds this only slightly annoying ( especially when he is deep into a case )

Mori's had night terrors since he was a kid. "You'll grow out of them! Don't worry, Mori." The Sisters at the orphanage used to assure him. They never stopped. At least once a month he woke up screaming. He never remembered the nightmares but he remembered the fear that he felt during and after them. He recalls so many sleepless nights, filled with reading and thinking. But the Sisters just told him to put it in God's hands. Each time he had a night terror he prayed for the rest of the night. He did this for years. God never answered.

The motel they were staying at was nearly vacant. But, the prices were alright and they didn't ask too many questions. Batariel grumbled about having to stay in the car while Mori went in and payed for a room, "I can just hide them for a second! It won't hurt them!" They argued.

"Even hiding them for a second can hurt them and I'd rather not take that chance. They'll be healed soon enough, I promise." Mori stated as he shut the door.

"I know how wings heal..." Batariel muttered under their breath when he was out of earshot.

Batariel could see Mori speaking with the motel's attendant for a few moments. He was handed a small set of keys and waved goodbye. Mori nodded to Batariel as he excited, Batariel took that as a sign that they could leave the cramped car.

They had to maneuver their wings from the backseat windows as a good few feet of them hung outside. They had nothing other than the clothes on their back. But they grabbed Mori's satchel before they left the car.

The room had two small, threadbare beds, a thick television, a microwave along with a small refrigerator, and a small bathroom. Mori headed straight for the bathroom, closing the door behind him. Oddly enough, Batariel didn't hear a lock click.

They hung Mori's satchel on a swivel chair that sat beside a small desk. They walked over and claimed the left bed, laying on their stomach and letting their wings stretch. They let out a pleased sigh as they finally stretched after so long.

Mori came out of the bathroom with his coat over his arm and his hair damp. He smiled when he saw his bag, "Thanks for brining it in." He lays his coat down and pauses for a second. "Oh shit- Do you want another shirt? That one's kind of... Well, bloody."

"Do you have another one?" Batariel looks up hopefully, wanting to be out of any reminder of that horrid place.

"Yeah, here," Mori opens his satchel and pulls out a small, black t-shirt. He tosses it to them, "You can cut holes in it for you wings too, it's all yours now." He finishes with a smile.

Batariel catches the shirt with a laugh, "Thanks. I appreciate it." They look at the shirt with a puzzled look, "Umm, do you have-" Mori pulls out a pocket knife and hands it to Batariel handle side.

"That's creepy, Mori." Batariel said with a smile.

"Oh, fuck off." Mori laughed out, "You need help putting it on?" He asked as Batariel stood and walked to the bathroom.

"I should be okay. I'll holler if I need you don't worry." They shut the door, not locking it.

Mori sat on the unclaimed bed and checked the beside drawer. He smiled to himself upon seeing the bible that every motel he'd ever been to held. He could see how it could bring some people hope and peace, but he never saw it for himself. He shut the drawer quietly and pulled off his boots, tucking the laces into them.

Batariel came out a few minutes later with their soiled shirt in hand. They took it and placed it inside the wastebasket. Mori understood that. While it may have helped to have an extra shirt, but the memories associated with it made it worse than it looked. Mori only hoped that one day he would be able to see Batariel for who they were before they were captured.

"Why are you doing all this for me? Is there something you want?" Batariel's voice startles Mori out of his thoughts. There's no hint of malice in their voice, simply curiosity.

Mori pauses for a moment, "A friend, if that's not too much to ask." He looks at Batariel.

Batariel laughs and says, "Ahh, sorry. That is too much to ask." They both laugh and Mori turns over on his stomach, not even bothering with the blankets. Batariel looks over a moment later, finding him already fast asleep.

Batariel was not tired yet, wanting to enjoy their first night of freedom in a long time, they flip through TV channels quietly. Humans never had anything playing that caught their eye this late at night, but it took away the dullness of reading the bible in the side drawer, or being left alone with their thoughts. Their wing was still patched up and healing so, they were stretched across the headboard. They had to be extra careful not to knock over anything, considering their humungous wing span.

Without warning, Mori began huffing his breath and turning abruptly. Batariel jerked their head over to him. Mori was sprawled on his stomach over half the bed, he jerked into a fetal position, the squeak of the springs filled the room.

Batariel sat up and went to the end of the bed, looking skeptically at Mori. There was a beat of silence before Mori just, screamed. Batariel stood up quickly moving to his side. He kept screaming and in their panic, Batariel knocked over a lamp with their wing.

Batariel cursed under their breath, "Mori! Hey Mori wake up!" They encouraged him, gently shaking his shoulders as Mori continued to thrash and yell, "Mori, it's just a dream! You're safe, wake up please!"

The shaking didn't seem to do anything, nor did the encouragement. Batariel realized they may just have to ride this out. They stood by Mori, soothing him and trying to help him all they could.

Minutes went by, the yelling and thrashing never ceased. When Mori startled awake, he screamed louder than he ever had before. He thrashed, nearly hitting Batariel had they not moved out of the way, and flew off the bed and hit the wall with a loud 'thump'.

"Jesus- Mori! You're safe, it's okay!" Batariel eased over to him as he slumped down the wall. Mori was shaking but his screaming had stopped, replaced by a panicked breathing.

"I-It's okay, Mori. No one's gonna hurt you here. You're safe." Batariel knelt down beside him, extending their palms but not touching Mori.

Mori's eyes were wide with fear and wet with tears. He sucked in a ragged breath and hung his head in his hands, "Shit..." He cursed, "I-I'm sorry. That hasn't happened in a couple months.

"Hey, hey, don't be sorry. You can't help that." Their voice was soft and comforting. Mori was silent as he cried.

Batariel shifted on their knees and Mori sniffed suddenly, wiping his eyes and nose on his hand.

"Well, I'm not gonna be able to go back to sleep." Mori laughs out, "Did I wake you?"

"Oh no." Batariel gestured to the TV, "Wanted to enjoy tonight a little longer."

Mori nods. Silence hung in the air until he asked, "Wanna play some cards?"

Batariel glanced up at him, "I don't know how to play."

"And?"

Batariel smiled, "Sure. I'd love to."

Batariel stood first, extending their hand towards Mori, who took it and pulled himself up.

"I'm gonna beat you though," They stated as they both sat at the desk, "So be prepared for that."

Mori laughed, "Thought you didn't know how to play?"

"And?"