Tap. Tap. Tap.

The sounds of his boots against the tiles grew harsher as Cassiel’s patience wore thinner, and thinner, and ended.

“What’s taking them so long?” he groused, muscles clenching as he crossed his arms. The small amount of peace he’d gained from their visit to the kennels had evaporated.

Felonia shot him a sidelong glance, but remained silent, not bothering to provide what she thought was an obvious answer.

“I’m going to go find them,” he announced.

Fel didn’t try to stop him. What did stop him from making a horrible mistake, however, was a long, drawn-out moan. Louder than Azrael, who was still cursing out Siire, it bounced off the palace walls, echoed past the sentries lining the hall, and settled at the mortified demon’s feet.

Cassiel backtracked, an exceptionally sour look crossing his face. “...Let’s wait outside.”

They left hurriedly (followed by the longing gazes of Azrael’s guards, who definitely were not being paid enough for this).

Over the centuries, Mikael had never once been late. Today, though, the archangel was nowhere to be seen.

Felonia, Raphael, and even the lackadaisical Malek had already gathered for their upcoming mission, waiting for the final two members to join them.

“Perhaps someone should fetch them?”

Malek’s unspoken order was met with quiet detachment from the servant angel, who left the room, only to return within minutes.

Malek raised a brow. “Could you not find them?”

Raphael frowned, focusing on the edge of his senses. “But they’re in their room…”

There was a beat of silence that everyone understood but refused to engage with.

With a smirk, Malek dropped into a chair. “Well, let’s not disturb them.”

No one commented on their breathlessness or rumpled clothes when the pair arrived, hand in hand and smiling giddily. And none of them could hide their own smiles at the lightness that finally graced their friends’ shoulders – it was a long time coming.

Mikael awkwardly tried to avoid meeting his colleagues’ gazes as they patiently waited for the two females of their team. It shouldn’t have been hard - half of the remaining group was blind. But Malek was smirking provocatively, no doubt paying very close attention to what was happening at the foot of the hill. Just as Mikael was beginning to wonder if the immortal would bother to intervene if things became too heated, Malek spoke, amusement clear in his voice, “Come and join us, ladies.”

“We’re coming!”

Relieved to see them relatively in order (and thankful that he hadn’t been the one to interrupt them, from the scowl on Fel’s face) Mikael decided to let them go without reproach. And hope they could keep their hands to themselves on the flight back, at least.

Audrey was very dear to the Astreans, and it was out of respect to her that they withheld their more violent urges toward Malek, even though they could never really understand what the psychiatrist saw in the strange immortal. Most of the time they managed this well. Today was not one of those times.

Raphael, senses much keener than the others, had immediately sensed the unusual darkness gathering in Audrey’s room. He’d stood up quite abruptly, drawing the concern of the other immortals.

“Raphael? What is it?”

“Audrey.”

The one word reply made the other immortals focus their attention, too – all five were now honed in on the woman’s bedroom. Sensing the strange mesh of energies, they wasted no time in rushing toward it – but came to a screeching halt just meters away. Their faces twisted identically as groans of pleasure rang through the icy hallway.

“...Nope,” David announced. He figuratively and literally turned a one-eighty as he hightailed it out of there, the others close on his heels.

“May I accompany you?”

“That would be wonderful. Let’s go.”

And even though Layla promised a performance for one, the immortals still ended up on the topic of Raphael’s musical talent.

“Is there an instrument Raphael can’t play?” David asked.

Mikael allowed himself a small smile. “I don’t think so.”

Malek was the one to add, “Something tells me it won’t be the harp he plays…”

The clear innuendo didn’t faze their hosts, already used to such matters. It did make Cassiel reach for more glyft, especially when some sounds that definitely did not originate from a harp slipped from the curtained room. The alcohol was probably also responsible for his tongue loosening unusually when the couple returned not long later.

“Done playing?”

Audrey blushed deeply, making the demon flush in turn.

David’s cheerful voice broke the silence, “Oh, sit down, you lovebirds.”

Layla added, “I’m sure the music you two created was wonderful.”

Raphael wrapped his arms around Audrey’s waist, his white wings hiding her from prying eyes, and the immortals silently agreed to never let on how much of that music they had heard.

“I’d like to get some rest.”

Cassiel quickly jumped to his feet and offered Audrey his hand.

The couple’s less than subtle exit drew a quiet laugh from David. “I hope the rooms are soundproofed?”

Fel rolled her eyes, and the angels remained diplomatically silent, though Raphael’s ears turned a little red.

Moon smiled as slyly as his sister had moments before. “Oh, there’s no need to worry about that.”

Layla returned quickly, looking self-satisfied. Conversation diverted to other topics. And though not much time had passed, David suddenly said, “Should we check on them?”

Mischief sparked in his eyes as he imagined the other demon’s ire at being interrupted.

Layla smiled amiably. “It’s lovely that you care so much about your friends.”

Fel, who saw right through David’s bullshit, asked, “Are you sure you want to interrupt them?”

David grinned. “Of course not! That would fall to our lovely host.”

Layla willingly played along, promising to be right back.

“Someday, David, this is going to bite you in the ass.”

“Maybe in another timeline.”

I didn't expect this shorter comic could take a longer time to make. End of July to this early August is full of gatherings *sob*

Anyway, enjoy the comic!