A Harsh Wind [END]

Michael frowned, shock washing over him as he realised that William has somehow fallen with him, even though he wasn't supposed to.

That's why I told you to leave your clothes up there! Michael thought, not worried, but frowning, as he felt William, pulling them both down. Hang on, I'll get us both out of here.

Turning on his back, Michael took William onto his chest, and started pushing with his legs against the current that was trying to pull them sideways, and into the open sea. The closer they got the shore, the closer swimming got as the waves pushed them forward. However, this was dangerous as well, as one wrong move could get them crashing against the stony shore, the waves breaking them in pieces. That was why Michael was really careful as he judged the strength of the wave that shall push them forward yet again, just close enough for him to catch the line of the shore with his fingers, but not close enough to kill them. He made them wait for several minutes by swimming in the other direction until the perfect wave came, pushing them forward, and allowing him to pull them both up, and out of water.

Just a little more. he said, and focused, making his wings grow without taking the jewelry off, as he didn't want to lose it now. He then climbed for a few more steps more before pushing himself into the air again, only this time, the wind pulled them up, and into safety.

Let me look at that. he said once they were sitting by the fire. What happened? You weren't supposed to fall with me, not until I taught you what to do... he said worriedly as he wiped aways the blood from the William's face.

No need to thank me., he said, pushing his own wet hair back, and taking a closer look at William's wound. If anything, you should be giving me a bashing, though... It was partly your own fault. Seeing that the wound stopped bleeding, he took the boy's overall appearance, making a quick decision. But it was also partly mine, so... You're getting out of that wet clothes right now and you're taking my shirt even if I have to put it on you. So, start stripping. Adding a few more branches to the right places, Michael made the fire even bigger. He won't let William get sick, not if he can help it.

Next time we will be more careful. he thought, warming up his own body, ready to transfer that heat to William as soon as the boy got out of the wet clothes. What did I say about your shirt? he asked, frowning slightly. Gone with it. Now. he warned, before turning around again, all of this reminding him of the last time he went cliff jumping before this. He had been alone, in college, the week he began to feel sleepy full of exams he just couldn't miss. So he didn't. He missed on sleep instead. At first it was horrible. He had to fight sleep at every step of the way, otherwise he would just crash there. Then it suddenly got better. He felt normal, like everything was fine. He had thought he had just pushed through it. Maybe he'll sleep for two weeks next time and everything would be fine... Yeah, right.

He went cliff jumping as a kind of celebration with himself. He didn't have anyone else to call. He didn't need to call anyone else. Or so he had thought. After getting out of the water, the much same way he got out of it now, he had started trembling, at first like William, then ten times worse. The cold he usually never felt suddenly started biting into him even though it was middle of the summer, and his eyesight became foggy, and shaky. He passed out a minute later.

He was sick for a week. Horribly, horribly sick and lucky that some students who were trying to find a good spot to make out finde him on time. So, when he had said to William that he wasn't exaggerating when talking to his teacher, he really meant that.

Don't worry, you will be fine, William. he added, knowing that the boy was probably really scared now, feeling miserably. He could see it in the way his shoulders hang. I won't let anything happen to you., he said, and he had meant it. But I'm glad you still thought it was fun.

OOC

Knox, feel free for Bill to feel any and all from that flashback, of course

Michael turned around to face him, still crouching so their eyes were on the same level.

I don't feel cold., he said, reading Bill's body as the boy would read his mind, looking for what he was afraid of. I don't feel cold, and I do not need sleep. I do not eat, and I most definitely, do not get sick. Not unless something like that happens again, and considering I just got out of my Sleep, there is no way for me to tire myself to the point of breaking. So, don't worry about me, and just take the damn shirt before you catch something, for unlike me, you do feel the cold. Taking the shirt in his hands, Michael thrusted it forward towards William.

And if you feel self-conscious, I don't care, I will close my eyes or something, but you do need to change, now And with that last order, Michael looked William in the eyes and stared hoping to will him into it. Come on now. And remind me to wait for summer next time.

That's better. Michael sighed, happy that William was now at least half-dry. Now, let's get you a bit more warmer before me attempt a flight home, yeah? He sat beside William, hugging him by the shoulder and bringing him closer to himself. Once the boy was leaning into him, he started rubbing his arms and back in order to get warmth into them faster.

Stretch your legs closer to the fire. he said as he did that, his eyes looking at sky, assessing how much time they had before dark. They will dry faster that way.

By the looks of it, they had at least an hour until sundown, so they wouldn't have to leave as soon as the had thought. He informed William of that fact, as well as that it seemed that the wind was letting down.

How's your lip? he asked, as he couldn't really see William's face from this angle.

((I can't believe Michael is actually acting like a grown up o.o))

I'll put something on it then, when we get back. he decided, looking down on William's profile. How about your nose? Michael was never the one to regret his decisions or feel guilty about something that he could have done better, but that doesn't mean he wasn't worried that William got hurt. He didn't mean for it to happen, he just wanted the boy out of his shell, and unfortunately, breaking that (over)protective shell you have always lived under meant that you would be getting hurt here and there. It just wasn't supposed to be a broken nose on his first day out. They were going to work their way up to that.

Still, if his body language was anything to go by, William wasn't sorry that he came either, and that made Michael just a little bit content. Naturally, the boy was scared, but he worked his way out of that soon enough. He petted William's head, feeling warm and fuzzy inside and hoping he could feel it, before he said: You don't need to thank me, William. It's only natural.