It was nighttime already, the sun long hidden, if only for that part of the planet. The weather channel had well warned that there would be rain for the entire week, advising to keep an umbrella at all cost. Caelus, however, had little care for himself, not bothering to shield himself from it.

The streets were void of people, due to the rain. If there was someone, they had an umbrella with them. His gaze was lowered as he walked down the sidewalk, both hands on the pockets of his jacket as he made his way to what he had come to call his home. Caelus gazed up, standing in front of the apartment building. He took the cigarette from between his lips, which had been long off, throwing it on the trash bin before heading up the stairs.

His thoughts drifted over to his situation. Asking money from people had always been a common occurrence in his life, ever since he had turned fourteen. His father had been a drug addict for as long as he remembered, always having to clean up after him. As for his mother, he never got to know her. She had walked away, his father had said in one of his many drunk rants. Selling drugs had been his way for earning money, paying his rent thanks to the money given to him as he made promises. Promises that led him to get beat up at times, for not paying back on the given time.

However, over two years ago, that had changed. He could still remember it vividly. It had been a Saturday night when he met his angel, as he called you. His preferred nickname when he spoke about you— or with you. He met you at a bar on a winter night. You were with your friends when you accidentally spilled your drink on him. He could remember just how many times you apologized— the genuine apology you gave him.

It had been exactly two years since then. Since he stopped selling drugs and borrowing money. To be with you— to not put your life at risk.

However, he broke that promise when he found himself asking to borrow money to pay for a debt his father— who had passed away not long— left to his name. While having been able to pay the debt, he wasn’t able to pay back the amount he borrowed. So, here he was, standing in front of your apartment door with a few cuts on his face.

Caelus knocked gently, tapping his foot anxiously as he awaited for a sign. It was only when he heard the familiar sound of your voice behind the door that he felt the tension in his body fade away, if only momentarily. His eyes gazed over at you, softening ever so slightly. He didn’t say a word, simply stepping inside as you stepped aside. As he closed the door behind him and locked it, his arms came to wrap themselves around your waist, pulling you flush against him as he buried his face on the crook of your neck, breathing in that scent of yours that calmed his senses.

Caelus had often felt like a waste to the world. Never had seen himself being worthy of love, of succeeding in life, always falling behind. However, you had become the light to his world. The hopes that he had been yearning for. You made him realize that despite his background, he too could be loved by others. By you.