Faded

The male angel sighed in relief as he wrapped a fluffy towel around his waist. Beads of water stuck to the man's clean skin, waiting to evaporate off or be wiped away. He was thankful to the young woman- who was currently finding him clothes- who offered him to use her bathroom to clean himself off. It felt relaxing to feel the hot water run down his form, soothing his tense and achy muscles, as well as clean the dirt off his body and wings. After everything that the man has been through, he could finally catch a moment of peace.

Stepping out onto Mollie's cream coloured memory foam bath mat, he scooted forwards to face the steam covered mirror. The air within the bathroom was very humid, so much so that someone could probably collect enough to have a cup of water. Leaning forwards he reached out to wipe the steam away from the mirror, his exhausted complexion reflected right back at him. The angel ran his hand through his freshly washed hair. Though his exterior felt clean, what lied in the inside was a different story. His eyes fell to his chest.

He palmed his left pectoral muscle with care, gently palming the meaningful tattoo on his body. The tips of his fingers, he traced the contour lines of the lily that had bloomed onto his skin, feeling a light burning under his own touch. The angel's gaze saddened, seeing his soulmate's initials carved into one of the petals, and ultimately into his body. His heart began to ache, he clenched his eyes shut while hunched over the marble vanity. The man's hands drifted to the edge of the counter, gripping the ledge tightly. He chewed his lip, trying to hold his tears back.

It was fading- his soul mark was fading, threatening to disappear forever.

"SeokJin?" a knock on the door caused him to jump.

SeokJin clenched his jaw, causing the sharp bone to appear, as he cleared his eyes with the back of his hand. He peeked his head out into the hallway after opening the door. The angel met the gaze of Mollie, where she held up a bundle of clothes for him to take. A vivid, cherry blush coloured her cheeks as she caught a peek of the angel's well-sculpted body.
"T-These are mine, but they should fit..." she spoke, her voice trailing off with embarrassment. "They're really baggy on me..."
"Oh, thank you," SeokJin whispered, taking the clothes from her hands.
They momentarily touched, sending sparks up both of their arms.
"Do you want anything to eat?" she asked, fiddling with her fingers, trying not to glance at his water-soaked arms and chest.
"Yes please."

Mollie nodded, spinning on her heel and began on her way towards her small kitchen. She had an idea of what she wanted to make and what the angel wanted. The woman got lost in making French toast and coffee, completing the food within ten minutes, shortly after SeokJin walked out of the bathroom. Mollie looked at the angel as he ruffled his dry hair with his hand, all while sitting down at her kitchen table, looking at her with anticipating eyes. She noticed how the clothes she found for him fit well, with some space to spare. Mollie swiftly turned her head back to the stove, smiling lightly as she heard his stomach grumble.

The young woman gently placed a pink and white coffee down onto the table, filled with freshly brewed coffee. A large plate of French toast was also placed down, accompany the man's coffee. SeokJin gratefully took a sip from the mug, his eyes widening upon the taste.
"What did you put in this Mollie?" he asked, his tone soft.
"Two cream, three sugar," she answered. "Why? Did I make it wrong?"
SeokJin shook his head, momentarily closing his eyes. The familiar scent of the coffee graced his nose, his heart beating quickly.
"No, it's not wrong," he sighed happily. "It's just that... this is how I take my coffee, yet I didn't tell you what to put in it."
The two stared at each other momentarily, a very soothing and comfortable silence dancing around them. Mollie wasn't sure of how he got his coffee right on the first try, was it because she worked in a cafe? Mollie shook her head, that wasn't it at all. She just knew what was right, almost like second nature.

Mollie joined SeokJin at the table, reaching for a slice of French toast. She quietly munched on the food, taking quick glances towards the angel who had tucked his wings away into his back. If he went out into the streets like this, he would look like a normal human being, a handsome one at that. The young woman watched as a small grin appeared on his face, all while resting her chin on her hand. She was glad that he was feeling better now than last night.

"What will you do now SeokJin?" she couldn't help but ask, remembering his scorched wing.
In response to her question, he gently set his mug down onto the table, taking a few moments to think. He really couldn't go anywhere with the condition his wings were in. It would take a while for them to heal completely, the problem was, his own healing codes have no effect on his wings.
"Right now, my movement is limited by my damaged wing. I can't travel around as I please," SeokJin sighed, his gaze dropping to the breakfast table. "I came down here so that I could look for someone... someone that I lost a thousand years ago."

It was like her grandmother had mentioned- angels live for a very, very long time. Angels stop ageing at twenty-one, keeping their beautiful complexions forever, well if they pleased. Mollie wondered how old SeokJin was; he must have been alive for over a thousand years, based on what he said earlier. Mollie was captured by his soft voice, however, the sadness and regret were evident in his tone. He was unable to lift his head and look straight at her, as the mention of his loved one passed his lips. It had been such a long time since he felt compelled to speak about her. The young woman kept her hands folded on the table, remaining silent as he continued to speak. It was hard for her to feel all of the emotions his voice was drowning in, his body language accompanying suit.

"It's my fault that she fell from the sky," he whimpered. "I made the worst mistake of my entire life, and now I'm forced to live with it. I just want her back, I want to apologize until I can't speak anymore and never let her go again."

Mollie's gaze softened further, hearing the remorse in his voice. The look on his face spoke volumes about what he felt for her, whoever she was. She was the most important thing to him, and he made a mistake a lost her forever. Mollie had never seen someone so broken in her entire life. SeokJin was beating himself up for it and without mercy.