“Say yes. Come out with me and have a few drinks.” 

“I guess I’ll go. Why the hell not?”

“That’s certainly a surprise, considering… everything.” She was taken aback by his confession. If the roles were reversed, she’d be glad that he was dead. It was just another way that he was better than her and deserved so much more than she could give.

“I don’t think it is. I never wanted you dead after what happened and that’s never changed.” He couldn’t quite grasp why she’d thought he would be glad about her death. He was the one who really liked her, even if she could never like him as much. 

“O-oh, um, you don’t have to forget it if you don’t want to. I, ah, just thought that since you weren’t sure what to say in response to me rambling about mug cakes, that you found it weird.”

“I mean, it sounds delicious but wouldn’t you burn your hand if you baked a cake inside a mug? Knowing me, I’d grab the handle right out of the oven without thinking about it. I didn’t really know what to say because I don’t understand why you’d want such a small cake. I didn’t find it weird though. Cake is never weird.” 

“What? I’m awake. See? I’m up. What is it? What’s going on?”

“Nothing at all. I was just bored and your door was wide open, so I walked inside to find you sleeping.”

“There’s a good chance you don’t know me, or maybe you do and I don’t remember because I just don’t care, but if a cop car happens to drive past, can you maybe possibly pretend to know me?“

“We’ve never met as far as I know, but I can pretend to know you right now if you want me to. There’s a problem though. I have no idea what your name is, gorgeous.” 

“I’m sorry…Ah, forget I ever said anything…”

“It’s hard for me to forget what pretty girls say to me, but I’ll try if you’d really like me to.”

“I’m sorry to disappoint you, Z. I seem to have a habit of doing that.” She hissed back, the nickname accidentally slipping out. She watched him stop in front of her with a wary gaze.

“Can’t say you actually disappointed me by not being dead.” He mumbled to her. It was true that she had disappointed him before, but Zadkiel should have known she would. Tim meant everything to her and he was too blind to see that before he had asked her out. 

“Probably for the best.” It was good that Z couldn’t see behind his mask, because then he might not look up to him as much as he did. Chuckling softly, he nodded. “Sounds perfect to me. Why don’t we start with a good prank, and then settle in for a movie and some pizza or something.”

“Yeah, probably a whole bunch of spells I don’t want to know about. Like summoning demons or maybe you just think about naked girls all the time.” He teased his older brother. “Great! We have a plan then. Who should our victim be? You know these people better than I do. The movie has to have really tacky magic so we can make fun of it the whole time, okay?”

Malaika moved to the side, giving him room to sit. At least there was someone here that she wasn’t worried about running into all of the time. They didn’t know each other well and that was a good thing. “Learning how to use my wings better. Fight better.” She shrugged lightly, running her fingers along her fathers to smooth them out. “You seem very excited to be here.”

Zadkiel sat down beside Mala as she moved to make room for him. She wasn’t exactly a person he expected to see in a place like this, but then again he hadn’t expected to ever see her again. “I’m not gonna lie, I don’t remember your name. I don’t usually run into my one-night stands again after we have sex. I’m Zadkiel though.” What are you supposed to when introducing yourself to a one-night stand again? Shake hands? Fist pump? He decided not to do anything. “Well, my brother came here a year ago and things just weren’t the same without him around. I’m more excited about seeing him than being at the school.” 

“Hey, you stay out of my head.” Quin knew he was joking. They had long since promised to never use their powers on one another unless absolutely necessary, so it didn’t worry him. “Sure, we can do that. What are you in the mood for? Food? Movie? Magical pranks?”

“I’m too scared to see what’s in your head.” Zadkiel chuckled, half seriously. He never quite knew what his older brother was thinking and he wasn’t sure he wanted to know. “How about food, a movie and magical pranks?” 

“No, I think I can get it.” He said, pulling harder at the string. “Oh..yep...got it.” Zadkiel laughed as confetti popped out of the tiny container and all over the floor.

Zadkiel followed Mala silently to her dorm and raised a brow as she spread her wings out. That was something he hadn’t noticed when they met. “Apparently learning how to control my magic better or some shit like that. What about you, angel?”

“Of course I remember.” Quin shook his head. “That doesn’t mean I know how in control of it you are.” Reaching out, he ruffled his brother’s hair. “A year apart means we got a lot of hanging out to do if we’re ever going to catch up.”

“Good, I wouldn’t want to have to show you.” Zakiel joked. “I’m pretty in control of it...I mean, I haven’t killed anyone as far as I know.” He swatted his older brother’s hand away. “It does. Why don’t we start right now?”

“I’ve been trying to open this confetti thingy that I found, but it’s not working.”

Stephanie stared at the familiar face for a few moments with her mouth agape. “Zadkiel?” She asked, incredulous. She took a step back as he moved nearer to her and crossed her arms. “It’s certainly been a while.”

“Believe it or not, but I’m sure you believe it since I’m not the one who’s supposed to be dead.” He replied, venom sticking to the each word. He stopped a few feet in front of her. “Sure has.” 

“Uhm… Say yes? And follow me to my dorm.” Mala stated like it was obvious.

“Yes,” he chuckled. “I’ll be right behind you.”

“Excuse me, but did you not see that babe that just walked by?” He whistled, turning his attention to his obviously annoyed younger brother. “Ah, don’t piss anyone off because most of ‘em have powers that could rip you to shreds in seconds.”

“I saw her, but I was more worried about figuring how not to get killed here.” He rolled his eyes as Quin whistled. “You do remember that I have mind control, right? Or has a year apart caused you to forget everything about me?”