FicWad

Izzy woke slowly the next day, feeling cold and alone. It took a moment for his eyes and mind to catch up. He was lying on Slash's dirty mattress but there was no Slash with him.

Was that all I was? A one night stand? Izzy felt like his heart was in his mouth.

He lay for a moment, curling his long fingers in front of his face, memories of the night before ingrained in his mind. A smile curled his lips as he remembered before being replaced by the horrible dread of waking up alone in a bed he didn't know.

"Izzy."

Izzy looked up to see Slash sitting in a window, knees drawn up, eyes like saucers.

"I thought they were supposed to go away," Slash's voice was low but it was far from calm.

"What are you talking about?" Izzy screwed up his face, frowning.

Slash didn't move from the window, just continued staring, rocking back and forth.

"You've still got your fuckin' wings!" Slash's voice rose a couple of octaves.

It was then that Izzy became aware of the weight at his back. Reaching behind himself, his fingers found the distinctive curve of feathers. Izzy felt light-headed and sick, his stomach threatening to climb up his throat. He shot up, the muscles quickly contracting to bring the wings around himself. They were there, as real and as solid as ever.

"Fuck, fuck, FUCK!" Izzy strode over to Slash and grabbed him by the shoulders, shaking him. "Why the fuck are they still here?"

He swung round and paced the room, the wings streaming behind him.

"What the FUCK am I going to do? I can't go out with these," Izzy's voice came in violent breaths. "I'll be killed or put on TV or taken for testing."

Frustrated, he reached round and grabbed at the wings, tearing at them, willing them to come off. He screamed, the noise loud in the tiny room.

"WHY ME? WHAT THE FUCK HAVE I DONE TO FUCKIN' DESERVE /THESE/?" Izzy tore his hands away from the wings, finely boned feathers trapped between his fingers.

Splaying his fingers, he watched as the feathers drifted to the floor, pooling at his feet like snow. He'd been a loner back in Indiana and now he'd been sentenced to the life of a loner in LA. He turned and looked at Slash. The guitarist sat in the window, arms wrapped around his legs, staring and rocking, trying to take in the sight before him. A tear slipped from Izzy's eye, sitting on his cheek.

"All I wanted was to do something with my life," his voice cracked slightly, fear choking him. "Make music, have some money, maybe some friends."

He ripped another feather out, the pain shooting along the wing, making him grimace. He held the feather up to Slash's face, the dingy sunlight catching the gentle gold colouring.

"But look," Izzy continued, "I've been sentenced to a life of never leaving this fuckin' room, never seeing outside again. Never flying again."

Slowly Izzy sank to the floor, the wings crumpling. Curling into a ball, he sobbed, scared and angry. He'd never cried, even as a child. He'd never had a reason to shed tears. But now they came, tears of fear for an unknown life.

A hand reached under his hair and brushed his cheek, wiping the tears away. The fingers were gentle, barely touching his skin as they moved down his cheek and to his chin. They curled and moved upwards, lifting his head. Through blurry eyes, Izzy could see Slash kneeling in front of him, the same concern as the night before filling his eyes.

"You can stay here for as long as you like," Slash's voice had calmed, the panic replaced by compassion. "You don't have to leave unless you want to."

Slash's hand moved from his face to his shoulder, wrapping around Izzy's neck and pulling him close. Sniffling, Izzy buried his face against Slash's neck, his own arms going around Slash's slender waist.

"I'm afraid, Slash." Izzy's fingers curled into the thin material of Slash's t-shirt, holding on.

"I know you are. I'm afraid too. I've never had an angel in my apartment before."

"Will I fly again, Slash?"

He felt Slash nod, curls of hair tickling his nose.

"Yes, you'll fly again." Slash's free hand came up to stroke Izzy's messy hair. "You're my angel now and I'll make sure you fly again."

####

Izzy sat in a window, watching the street below through the grimy glass. Normal people went about their normal, everyday lives. Izzy was cold but with no way to wear normal clothes any more, he'd wrapped the wings around him.

Slash had left for work with the promise that he'd swing past Izzy's apartment and pick his stuff up.

The traffic hypnotised him, stopping and starting like the questions that ran through his mind.

What about money? Can I work? No, I'll end up in the fuckin' circus. What about clothes? I can't walk around half naked. How long can I stay with Slash? Will he get bored and kick me out? I mean, there's only so much fun you can have with wings. And why are the FUCKIN' wings still here?!

In an attempt to dull the constant nagging his skull, Izzy dragged the battered guitar into the window with him. His fingers crawled up and down the fretboard, picking out the chords of his favourite songs. The familiar notes brought back memories of a more innocent time. A time before sex, drugs and wings.

As the door had clicked shut behind Slash, Izzy had felt an emptiness take over his body. With no Slash to pet and reassure him, he felt heavy and lonely. A new and alien feeling had begun to sweep through him. Izzy felt his heart skip every time he thought about Slash and a smile would twitch his lips. He wondered if this was this what love felt like.

####

The sun began to dip towards the horizon, turning the sky into a painting of reds and oranges. Slash had said he'd be back sometime before nine but with no clocks in the room, Izzy could only guess at the time.

A creak caused him to turn from the window. The door opened and Slash walked in, a box nestled in his arms. A kick and the door swung shut.

"The rest of your stuff's in the car." Slash set the box on the floor.

Izzy stared at him and there must have been something about his expression because Slash sighed, his shoulders slumping.

"Look, I know this place isn't much but you're welcome to stay for as long as you want."

Slash stepped over the mess to Izzy. He reached out a hand and ran a calloused thumb over Izzy's cheekbone, sending shivers down Izzy's spine.

"I like you Izzy." Slash's eyes and voice were soft. "I've never felt like this about anyone before." A smile cracked Slash's lips. "You're the only one night fuck I've ever fallen for."

Izzy pulled away, his eyes narrowing and lips pursing.

"So I was just a quick fuck then?" his voice was a growl. "But you let me stay the night."

"Well, it's only polite." Slash shrugged. "I couldn't sleep with those wings around me; I couldn't help but stare at you. So fuckin' beautiful." A smile and he laid a hand over his heart. "There was something happening in here. Feelings I'd never had before, butterflies in my stomach and all, ya know? I did fall asleep and when I woke up, you and your wings were still here." Slash leaned forward, hands sliding under Izzy's hair to cup his face. "That's never happened before. No-one's ever still been here when I've woken up. They've always fucked off in the night. But you were still here and I realised I wanted you here."

Slash leaned closer and Izzy closed his eyes. Soft lips brushed against his own, the tip of a tongue gently pushing forward. Izzy gave into the kiss, letting Slash's tongue sweep into his mouth. Slash's arms looped around his neck, pulling him close. Without a second thought, Izzy brought the wings up, shielding himself and Slash from the outside world. Izzy had to hand it to Slash; he was either a master of manipulation or the real deal. Izzy hoped that Slash was the latter.