I Have Friends In Both Places

Someone did, in fact, need to know that. That someone was Lele Bryant who showed up at Atlas’s door an hour before breakfast with incessant knocking and a screaming voice that would have woken the whole hall up had they not already been awake. After Atlas stumbled his way out of bed and let in the loud boy, he was met with question after question that he reluctantly had to answer.

Lele wanted to know everything. He wanted to know what they did, where they went, every little thing they said, if they had kissed or done more. Lele wanted every single little tiny detail from every single conversation, and Atlas wanted to just crawl under the covers and go back to bed in his unnaturally comfortable bed.

Atlas didn’t fully listen until Lele spoke a sentence that had him bolting upright and pulling on pants with a t-shirt, part of the back cut so his wings could fit through. The singed feathers were still ugly, but they were healing, and that’s what mattered. They had made considerable improvement over the time, and it made Atlas smile just a bit as he looked at them. The once beautiful color was now black in sections, a color that would never fade, he thought. Yet, he had grown used to them, and he loved them much more than he originally did. That was off topic, though. The sentence was simple. “Besides, Galen’s going to be here in thirty minutes since I’m bringing him to breakfast.”

“Why didn’t you tell me that sooner,” Atlas yelled after a few moments as he pulled his shoes onto his sock-clad feet.

Lele shrugged and floated to the roof. “I didn’t figure you’d forget.”

“Oh no, oh no, oh no, oh no,” Atlas mumbled over and over again. “What if he thinks I like hate him or something? What if he hates me? Oh no. I’ve ruined his life. I’m the worst friend ever.”

Lele stood up and walked around the ceiling, humming for a second. “But he doesn’t, so I don’t know why you’re worrying.”

’Oh, I don’t know.” Atlas sighed for a second before turning at the sound of a knock on the door.

Lele giggled and jumped back to the ground, doing a flip. “That’s my cue to leave and get my boy. See ya in twenty.” Then, he disappeared in a cloud of smoke.

Atlas stood still for a moment before a knock sounded on the door again. Atlas rushed over and threw it open to be met with a slight-smiled Alijah Hood. “Good morning, Atlas. Are you ready to eat?”

“Yeah, of course!” Atlas’s voice was cheery. “Let’s go.”

Alijah led the way like always, but as Atlas grew more confident in his steps, he found himself walking in step with the other, ready for anything. Alijah opened the doors to the dining room easily and held it open for Atlas who stepped in easily and took a seat at the end of the able across from Alijah’s seat unlike usual. He knew Lele would want to sit beside Galen, so he gave up his seat.

People around Atlas talked quietly, a few seemed to be discussing battle strategies, books scattered around them that talked about angels, their weaknesses, and their strengths. There were small maps of Heaven that pieced together a full picture. He guessed it was from fallen angels wanting to get revenge. Others were talking about what they did last night, their families, and one just excitedly talked about how he was ready for dinner because they were having tacos and pizza, strange compared to their normal extravagant meals.

Atlas watched as Alijah talked quietly to Nolan, a smile on his face as it was obvious the two were good friends. Atlas loved how Alijah’s face would light up when he was happy. He looked like a ray of sunshine in Atlas’s eyes.

Atlas sat at the table quietly for what felt like hours, just waiting to see Galen again. His heart was beating unnecessarily fast as he glanced from the door to Alijah again and again.

Then, the door open, and Galen stepped in, and Atlas immediately flew from his seat to his friend and engulfed him in a hug. Galen let out a grunt, but hugged Atlas back just as tightly. Atlas felt tears gather in his eyes at finally being back with his best friend, and Galen seemed to be shaken a bit. “You’re actually okay. Oh my god. Atlas, I was so scared, but then Lele told me you were okay, but I didn’t really believe him, and it’s been so weird without you, and oh my god. I missed you man.”

“I missed you, too. So much more than I thought.” Atlas’s voice cracked a bit. “I was scared they would find you. I was absolutely fucking terrified.”

Galen smiled and hugged Atlas tighter before letting go completely. “I’m fine, but when did you start cussing, mister?” Galen’s voice was the faux voice of an angry parent with the statement.

Atlas laughed and shrugged his shoulders. “Well, I’m surrounded by some pretty bad influences. I mean, just look at Lele.”

Lele let out an offended “hey” from where he had moved to stand beside Alijah. “I’m not that bad.”

Atlas and Lele fell into a fit of laughing. “Yeah. I missed you. Now let’s eat.”

The two stepped over to the table, and Atlas looked over to see Alijah with a small smile on his face as he watched the two of them. Atlas grinned as Alijah met his gaze and sat in his seat. The demon looked around before nodded. “Yeah, let’s eat.”

Immediately, everyone was grabbing stuff from the table, asking others to pass stuff they couldn’t reach, and having loud conversations. For a table of demons, everyone seemed to be pretty polite. The atmosphere gave off such a family vibe, and it was something Atlas was happy to be a part of.

As Atlas poured biscuit gravy onto his plate, he turned to Galen. The boy was happily eating a plate that was filled with potatoes and bacon, two of his favorite breakfast foods. “So, where did you go? What did you do?”

Galen tilted his head up and shrugged his shoulders before talking. “Uh, I went to that little place in the woods we built and put sigils all around it to block out any angels. I was alone for a good month or so when Lele showed up, explained who and what he was and that you were here, safe. Let me just say, staying alone for that long is so fucking annoying. I hate being alone since I’m so used to always having you around.”

The place in the woods he was talking about was a large wooden treehouse the two had built in the forrest that was basically a fully functioning house, electricity, plumbing, and everything. It was hidden amongst the trees, and all the pipes and wires were inside the trees around it. Atlas had made it for him in case anything had happened, and he had honestly forgot about it until that moment. In his mind, he gave himself a pat on the back for making it.

“I was so paranoid, every little crick or tick from the outside had me reaching for a weapon, but I made it out fine, and here I am. I guess you made it out pretty fine besides, well, your wings.” Galen’s eyes flitted to them, a quiet sadness taking over his face. “What did they even do to you?”

Atlas shuddered a bit and shook his head. “I’ll tell you later. For now, let’s just celebrate being together again. There’s a lot to unpack.”

Galen nodded and stuffed another piece of bacon in his mouth. “You got a point,” he mumbled through the bacon.

Atlas rolled his eyes and turned his attention back to Alijah who was glancing over to him every few seconds. Atlas raised an eyebrow and winked jokingly to which Alijah grinned at, laughing a bit.

Atlas then whipped his head to Galen as the boy started choking on his drink. “You didn’t tell me you had a boyfriend, you asshole,” he screeched making Atlas go bright red while the people around him burst into laughs while Alijah’s eyes widened.

“I- what- you- I-“ Atlas sputtered over his words before groaning and burying his face in his hands. “I’m not dating him, Galen,” he mumbled, trying to cover his embarrassment.

Galen looked over at an equally red-faced Alijah. “Not yet at least,” the boy responded.

The table broke out into a fit of laughter again, and Nolan let out a loud “I like him. Can we keep him?”