Michael sat alone on a secluded patch of Heaven’s soft, pillowy clouds, the pastel-hued sky stretching endlessly above him. With his hands gently clasped together, he rested his eyes, whispering a silent prayer to ease his heart. He’d been carrying so much lately—the grief of forbidden love, the ache of duty, and the silent, simmering hope that the pain would fade with time. He let his shoulders relax, drawing in the stillness around him, allowing himself a rare moment to simply be.

The quiet was soothing, broken only by the distant sounds of soft angelic choirs and the gentle rustling of his wings as they folded against his back. The colors of Heaven’s dawn—a delicate palette of pinks, blues, and yellows—were breathtaking, and he found himself captivated by their beauty, almost forgetting his worries, if only for a moment.

But then, a soft sound—a barely-there shuffle—pricked his awareness, breaking through his meditative calm. His pink colored eyes flew open, his gaze scanning the clouds until they settled on a shadowy figure just a few steps behind him.

Michael’s breath hitched. It was him—the demon he’d sworn to forget.

— “You…”

Michael’s voice was barely more than a whisper, his eyes wide with surprise and a flicker of something he couldn’t quite name.

— “What are you doing here? You know you’re not supposed to…”

Michael felt his heart race, his mind torn between joy and panic.

— “Y-You shouldn’t have come,”

he stammered, his gaze darting around to ensure they were truly alone.

— “If anyone sees you here, if the Watcher…”

He trailed off, swallowing the fear in his throat.

— “You have to leave, now.”