Michael blinked, forcing his swollen eyes open. He coughed, his ribs aching from the motion. He attempted to sit up, but his stiff muscles failed him. He refused to give up; he could not let Ravenna see him like this, broken and defeated. Reaching above him, Michael grasped the headboard, and pulled himself upright, forcing himself to sit. He slowly moved his long legs to the edge of the bed, noticing that his ruined pants had been cut up the side, seeing a long stitched cut on his exposed thigh. He gently ran his fingertips along the carefully-sutured wound.
–Oh, I hope that was not Ravenna, I don't want her to have seen my shame. –
Michael's vision faded to black; he had sat up entirely too quickly after being unconscious for so long. He tightened his grasp on the headboard for support as the feeling slowly passed. He slowly lessened his grip on the bed, but the pain in his body did not diminish. Sitting upright had put pressure on the wounds on his back, and a moan of pain escaped his lips. –Lucifer was right, about everything.–
A slow creak caught Michael's attention, diverting him away from the constant ache in his body. He heard soft footsteps, and realized that someone was in the same building he was in. Panic rushed through his veins; he was worried the new arrival was Ravenna, and she would see him in such a fragile and shameful state. He wanted her to see him as strong, as someone who was able to protect her, someone who was able to love her. Not as someone who needed protecting, someone who was weak.
"Michael?" A feminine voice tinged with familiarity rang out, and Michael's shoulders dropped, shooting pain through his back. Ravenna was here. She was going to see him, weak and vulnerable. The constant-anxiety that had plagued him since his awakening was soon going to be realized; he was too unsteady to hide from the woman he loved.
Michael squeezed his eyes shut, trying to pretend he was not, in fact, present in the small room. He heard a loud gasp; Michael knew he had been found.
"Michael! You're awake!"
He heard footsteps rapidly approaching the bed where he sat, still lightly gripping the headboard. –I've missed her so badly; why am I avoiding her? If she cares about me too, she won't see my injuries as weakness, I'm being stupid!– Michael tried to reason with himself, but the small amount of pride he had left was making it difficult for him to face Ravenna.
A small, soft hand slipped into his free left hand, and his heart skipped a beat. –Open your eyes, she's obviously happy to see you, you stupid man.–
Michael slowly opened his bruised eyes, anxiety flooding his chest. He was so nervous about Ravenna's reaction to his injuries, to his Fall. He was worried that she would blame herself for the Fall; but his choices were his own.
"You're awake…I was so worried about you…are you okay? What did the Ruler do to you? Are you in pain? I've missed you so much, Michael! Do you remember anything?" The young woman's questions overlapped one another, flooding out of her mouth before she could stop them.
Michael didn't answer her questions, instead taking back his hand from hers, and placing it on the back of her neck. He pulled her closer, pressing his split lips against her soft ones. He felt her relax against his touch, and felt her tears fall against his bruised cheeks. Ravenna pulled away from his kiss, and wiped her tears with the back of her hand. She pressed her lips together, looking down at Michael's exposed and bruised knees.
"I'm so happy to see you, Michael. You need to tell me everything that happened to you so I can help. Wait here, I'll go brew some ginger tea to help with your pain while you tell me." Michael watched as Ravenna pulled an odd-shaped lump from a basket on the floor, and then she placed something into his hand. "Chew on this. It's willow bark, it will also help relieve the pain from your wounds while I make the tea."
Ravenna took the strange lump with her as she left the room, and Michael inspected the willow bark she had handed him.He arched his brow, turning the piece over in his fingers. –This is supposed to help me? Well, she is a healer, she would know better than I would. And she doesn't have a reason to want to hurt me further…– He placed the willow bark in his mouth, frowning at the bitter taste and unpleasant texture. Michael complied with Ravenna's instructions through the disagreeable process, knowing the woman he loved would only have him do something this unsavory for his own benefit.
Ravenna returned with a large leaf in her hand. "You can spit that out into this," she said, holding the leaf out for the angel, who was making a terrible face. Michael quickly took the leaf, happy for the reprieve from the bitter taste in his mouth. The healer took the leaf back from him, and he did not care where she was taking it, as long as he didn't have to taste such terrible things again. Michael waited until Ravenna left the room, and stuck his tongue out, making another face; he didn't want to appear ungrateful for her help, but he did wish her help tasted better.
An herbal scent began to reach Michael's nose, and his heart began to beat faster. –What terrible thing is she going to give me to eat or drink now? Is all human medicine terrible?– He did not notice that his grip on the headboard had become much stronger as he worried about the next thing Ravenna was going to give him.
The herbal scent grew stronger as Ravenna returned to the infirmary room with a tray. Michael noticed that she brought in a kettle and two cups. –Two cups? It can't be too awful, she intends to drink it herself…– Ravenna poured a golden-yellow tea into a cup before offering it to Michael, and then poured one for herself. "It's a bit of an acquired taste, I'm afraid, but I've come to enjoy it. Let me know if you would like sugar for your tea." She softly blew into her teacup, trying to cool the tea, and took a sip, closing her eyes happily. Michael mimicked her, taking a sip of the slightly-cooled tea, surprised that the tea was not as bitter as it smelled.
Ravenna put her teacup aside on the bedside table, and smoothed out her skirt. "So, what happened after Lucifer took me away?"