It was a quiet stormy evening and Eileen was going to visit her best friend.
Eileen let herself in like usual, not bothering to knock. She didn't bother herself with pleasantries like taking off her jacket and shoes. As she entered she was met with the familiar smell of ink, coffee and old books. The smell so comforting yet it only made her stomach knot with anticipation.
Eileen started walking, making her way to Elena's studio with slight urgency, her chest squeezing with the same anticipation she always felt. She arrived before the unnecessarily large door, pausing and mentally steeling herself for the sight beyond. Eventually a minute passes, then two more, then ten.
With a soft sigh she opened the door, the old hinges creaking gently. She stood at the entrance of the room, taking in the sight she'd yearned for for so long. The sight of Elena, standing in front of a canvas, her small form seeming ethereal in the dim light, her dark skin beautifully illuminated in the light, her waist long curly hair with a dim white glow framing her soft features, her calm, misty eyes patient on the canvas.
Without turning, Elena speaks, her calm voice slightly echoing in the large room. "Evening, Eileen"
Eileen enters, walking slowly to Elena's side before responding. "Hey there." Elena finally puts the stencils down, turning to face Eileen with affection growing in her gaze. "You look beautiful. I see you still wear all black".
Eileen let out a soft chuckle, a grin growing on her lips. "You still wear all white, you're not one to speak.".
A tense silence then descended on them, staring at each other. It had been long since they'd seen each other.
"..." Elena finally broke the silence, her gaze slightly sad as she spoke. "How are things down there?"
Eileen smirked once more, speaking in a confident tone. "The usual, bustle. Bad guys beating on the worse guys, no power structure, you get the gist of it."
Elena hummed softly, tilting her head before speaking in happier tone than before, smiling warmly. "Your little brother just earned his first pair of wings." The information served as a pleasant surprise for Eileen, earning a small look of pride in her gaze.
"I'd expect no less." Eileen then leaned on one of many tables in the room before speaking in a more casual tone. "Speaking of family, your brother's still running mad through the place. Even earned himself a title." Eileen started smiling as she recounted, her sharp teeth showing.
"I see. He always did have a stubborn sense of justice" Elena laughed, the sound ringing through the space like a pleasant melody. Eventually a silence fell once more.
Both sighed, staring at each other as the space around started dissolving, the surroundings dripping like a wet painting as time was running thin. Elena broke the silence, her tone slightly sad as her true form started forming. "Are you sure you don't want to join me...?"
Eileen sighed and looked down, this was always one of the hardest parts. "You already know the answer to this. I won't be kneeling anytime soon." Eileen's response was clear, the same as it always had been. Elena nods, at some point she'd stopped begging Eileen to reconsider, accepting the somber truth.
Reality continued unfurling, both their real forms starting to form. At some point, Elena's glasses had disappeared, being replaced by a white veil that covered half her face, her clothes switched for a pure white dress that draped down loosely and covered her entire body except for her neck and hands. Eileen had fewer changes, her clothes remaining the same, a pair of black jeans with boots and a well kept leather jacket, only addition being a pair of horns that slowly grow from her forehead.
"Those suit you..." Elena said in a slightly sad tone and gave a small smile before stepping forward and closing the distance. Elena gently touched the the tip of Eileen's horns, now at their full length, staring like a curious child. "Yeah, they do, don't they?" Eileen responded with a smirk, letting Elena touch her without much resistance. Elena takes another small step, the distance between their bodies even closer. Elena tilted her head up at Eileen, assumedly looking up, Eileen sighed at the veil, covering the eyes she had so desperately missed, yet she knew removing it would hurt Elena.
"I missed you." Elena says in soft voice, tracing her hand down from Eileen's horns to her cheek. Eileen wraps her arms around Elena's waist in return, pulling her closer. "I wish we could be together again."
Reality unravels further, Elena's first pair of wings unfurl behind her, spanning wide behind her, larger than her body. "I love these things, they look good on you" Eileen smirks at the sight, reaching out and gently tracing a finger on the soft feathers. Eileen's own leathery tail appears, wrapping around Elena's waist. Elena's cheeks heat up as she feels it, sighing softly and looking down. "I still don't know how to feel about this thing..." Eileen chuckles in response, grinning widely at her reaction. "Aww, I thought you loved every part of me" Elena huffs lightly, resting her hands on Eileen's shoulders. "I do, trust me. I'm just not used to it"
Eileen let out a laugh, pulling Elena closer, their bodies pressing together. "You really are cute, Elena" Eileen's voice lowers, filled with affection and sincerity. Elena smiles warmly at the words, wrapping her own arms around Eileen's neck. "And you really are beautiful, Eileen. As beautiful as a storm and freshly fallen snow" Elena responded. "Wow, getting all poetic, aren't we?" Eileen grinned once more, her sharp teeth showing once more. "If they aren't willing to write poetry about you, do they really love you?" Elena responded, slowly leaning in. Eileen remained silent, taking in the words for a brief moment before leaning in as well. Their lips met passionately after so long, but almost immediately they were reminded of their circumstance. A searing pain shooting through both of them as they kissed.
Elena pulled back, covering her mouth as she felt the pain. Eileen frowned, gently caressing Elena's cheek. "Why...why does it have to be like this!?" Elena snaps, her voice cracking as tears start to flow down her cheeks, as she started sobbing. Eileen pulled her head into her chest, gently patting head as Elena sobbed. Eileen could feel the stinging pain of Elena's tears on her skin but she remained still, comforting Elena silently.
A second pair of wings unfurl behind Elena, signalling their limited time. "I swear I'll find a way... somehow..." Eileen speaks softly, caressing Elena's cheek with her thumb. Elena sniffles one last time, wiping her tears away with her sleeve. "I know you will, Eileen." Elena leans in once more, kissing Eileen deeply despite the pain. Eileen reciprocates, kissing her with equal passion as she cups her cheek.
Elena breaks the kiss, breathing heavier than before as she leans on Eileen completely now, both their lips slightly burnt from the kiss. Eileen chuckles softly at the sight before she starts kissing Elena's neck, leaving a dark burn mark with each peck. "I'm gonna miss you, Eileen..." Eileen gives one more kiss on Elena's neck before looking her in the eyes with tender affection. "Yeah... I will too"
The final pair of wings unfurl behind Elena, signalling the end of their time together. Reality snaps like a light switch, placing both in their respective places.
Eileen is met with the familiar sight of her small living space. The red sky outside reminding her of where she is, the familiar smell of ash and gunpowder filling every location without exception. She sighs in disappointment as the burns left from Elena start evaporating as does any trace of divinity does in hell, leaving her nothing to remember her by, nothing to hold onto. She stares out the window, before sighing and standing up. She grabs one of her handguns and metal bat before she leaves, the sound of chaos resounding as if the world itself was screaming.
Elena is met with the familiar cool breeze, nothing but open skies surrounding her as she stands on a cloud. She sniffles, her heart already aching at the thought of Eileen. She takes deep shaky breaths in attempt to calm herself, wrapping her wings around herself. She sighs, her breathing now stable. She gently touches her neck, feeling the marks evaporating as anything demonic does in heaven. She unfurls her wings from around her, wiping her cheeks before she sets herself on the cloud, hugging her knees as she sits.
They both then patiently wait, passing time until they can meet again.