Catch the Wind (Open)

[Malachai Roen]

Kai was finding himself at Hammel more often these days.  Between the occasional yoga class he taught there, finding more volunteers for his thesis research, and now looking into applying for a researcher position once he was graduated and done with his final papers, the staff there was getting to know him pretty well.  Well, a lot of them knew him from his Hammel days anyway - after all, it had only been about four years ago that he'd graduated - but there were plenty of new faces, too.  It was always interesting seeing who was working there, and if he knew any of the younger ones as peers or classmates years ago.

At the moment, he was enjoying his decision to meander around campus, glad for the warm day and the gentle breeze rustling his hair.  Kai eventually made it to the pond, a place where he'd spent a good number of days studying or chatting with his friends, even brought the occasional girl.  It made him quite nostalgic.

It also made him do something he didn't often do.  Since his ability was rather obvious when shown, Kai typically kept them in except for sometimes at home when he was by himself... Or with Zach, but that was another matter.  But here, being surrounded by people with abilities, he felt more comfortable letting his wings out.  Kai shrugged off his shirt and concentrated, wincing as he felt the feathered appendages protrude out from his back and spread, soon stretching out to their full (and very large) span.  They were so black that they seemed almost purple in the sunlight.  He gave a laugh and flapped them a couple times, feeling almost like a kid again.  The urge to fly was hard to resist.

[Caelum Mitchellson]

It was a fairly un-eventful day and Caelum had had his fill of terrorizing his friends, so he decided that a trip to Hammel was well overdue. After all it was summer, and what kid didn't like to get pelted with a water balloon on a hot day? So, the plan was formed. He would grab a bag of his finest balloons fill them up with water and be on his way. However, as he was heading out his room he spotted a big jar of neon pink glitter. It was reserved for Jayson, but putting a little in a few of the balloons wouldn't be a huge lose. 

With his arsenal tucked delicately into a draw string bag, Caelum made the short flight to Hammel. Gently he landed on the roof and smirked. "Now...we wait." He spoke over dramatically to the air. The guy did have a habit of talking even when no one was around. Luckily he didn't have to wait long as some of the students piled out. Of course he would try to not hit the ones with cellphones and ipods and such, cause that was just rude. Prankster? Yes. Mean? Never. With a few balloons in hand, he dove off the roof, pelting the first few he came across. 

There was a tiny bit of panic at first, but then the kids started laughing, some of them running inside to get water guns or their own balloons. So, Caelum flew a little higher, just so his wings wouldn't get wet; because he would faceplant into the ground if they did. As he rose, he saw a familiar figure in the distance by the pond. The young man smirked and grabbed his last balloon, one that was a mix of water and glitter. Probably more of the latter. 

As he swooped near the pond his assumption was verified, the person was indeed Malachai. Kai as he liked to be called. There was no way Caelum could resist such a perfect target, he never could when they were in Hammel together. "Yo! Kai, upsey daisy!" He shouted down, and dropped his ammo right towards Kai's head. 

[Malachai Roen]

Kai was oblivious to the oncoming 'threat'. He vaguely heard what seemed like a bit of a water fight going on closed to the main buildings, which made him smile fondly, thinking back to the days when he'd been a kid here too, enjoying the campus and meeting people while wandering around. He missed those days sometimes.

He was lost in these thoughts when a shadow passed over the ground beside him. Thinking it was just a large bird, Kai didn't pay attention to the figure that had created the shadow until he heard... "Huh?" he blinked, looking up just in time to see the incoming 'bomb'. He yelped and only managed to duck his head before the balloon struck - soaking his hair and face and wings with water (and glitter, but Kai didn't know that yet). He sputtered and gasped, staring with disbelief, before shooting a glare up at the person who dared to ruin his appearance!

"What the fu-" The angry complaint died in his throat as he recognized the guy who'd thrown the balloon. "... Caelum?" he asked incredulously. Kai wiped some water from his face and finally laughed, a short bark that showed he was still a little shocked by the unexpected soaking. "You dick! You know how long I spend grooming myself every morning!" he called up at him with amusement. He couldn't be mad at the guy.

It was then, though, that he noticed the glitter sprinkling his body. ".... Oh my God, you did not," he gasped. "You're gonna pay for this!" With a powerful flap of his wings, Kai took to the air, planning on chasing the man down until he had him pinned so he could rub some of the pink shit allll over Caelum, too. He was still laughing, though.

[Caelum Mitchellson]

This was a thing of beauty. In his mind Caelum saw the balloon dropping in slow motion, Kai looking up then ducking his head. Bull's eye! The ammo hit it's target with the intended impact. Water and glitter spilling all over the man beneath him and he couldn't help himself but to laugh. It was a whole hearted laugh that proved he meant no malice behind his little joke, even though he paused a moment when Kai yelled up at him. "Sorry dude! That perfectly coifed mane of yours was just begging for it." Caelum beamed down like the ray of sunshine he always was.

His grin widened as Kai discovered all the sparkling pink specks on his body and the man with the moth wings started laughing even harder. Until he heard the flap of wings. Caelum's eyes popped open and he gasped in mock horror as he turned and flapped his wings. He knew there was no way he could out fly Kai, the other's wings were a lot sturdier than his own. Even now, with each extra flap, he felt himself getting tired. It would not be long before he needed to land. "Hey man come on! You know I'm as fast as you!" He playfully begged as he started moving closer to the ground.

In this thinking, Caelum thought he could at least lose the other in the trees. Every once in awhile he would glance back over his shoulder and smirk. Proud of himself for such a perfectly timed and placed trick. Flying lower still, he could almost touch the ground with his bare feet as he swung through a couple of trees. Taking another glance back proved to be a mistake as his foot made contact with just enough of a rock to send him faceplanting into the ground. It didn't hurt, he wasn't flying fast enough to do any serious damage. For a moment, he just laid there; laughing to himself. Slowly he turned over, tucking his wings against his back before he did, and even though he was still laughing and almost out of breath he tried to get to his feet before Kai caught up to him.

[Malachai Roen]

Ughhh! Didn't Caelum know how long Kai spent every morning getting his hair, face, clothing, everything perfect? He woke up early just so he made sure he had enough time to get everything done! And now look, he was ruined! His hair dripped and plastered against his temples, with that horrible pink glitter tainting his skin and showing obviously in his dark hair. "You're the worst!" he shouted up at Caelum with one eye shut tight. "You owe me two gallons of shampoo to get all of this out!"

And Kai's shampoo was hella expensive. Who would have thought otherwise?

He wasn't going to cut the man any slack in their chase. Nope, Kai was powering through the air, using his broad, well-developed back muscles to quickly make ground (er, air?) on Caelum. "That's what you get for making me look like an idiot!" he called after him, giving a loud, mocking laugh. "You'll be begging for mercy before I'm done with you!" Of course he was saying all of this playfully. He wasn't that mad, only slightly miffed at the fact that he'd probably be finding pink glitter in ever nook and cranny for the next few weeks. He'd have to make sure Zach didn't see it.

The trees did prove some difficulty for the large-winged man. He dodged and weaved as much as he could, but it slowed him down quite a bit, and if Caelum hadn't tripped and gone sprawling on the ground, Kai might not have caught up. "I've got you!" he cackled as he swooped down on the other man, carefully (so as not to hurt Caelum's wings) pinning him back onto the ground so he couldn't escape. "This is your punishment!" With a threatening growl, Kai flipped him over and... Promptly wrapped him into a big, tight hug, rubbing his hair and everything against Caelum to try to get as much glitter on him as possible. "There! How does that feel?" he snickered as he pulled away and stood up, shaking out his wings before he tucked them against his bare back again. "Now we both look ridiculous." Kai chuckled and offered a hand down to pull Caelum to his feet. "Idiot."

[Caelum Mitchellson]

At first, Caelum heard Kai's voice, it was still a little ways away, but getting closer. Taking a chance he glanced over his shoulder and smiled. He saw Kai coming, the other flyer was very quick and Caelum braced himself for impact. "This is not what I was expecting." The brown haired man thought to himself as he felt the other land on top of him. He was so careful not to touch his wings as well, which Caelum was more than happy with. However, he was suddenly flipped over and pinned. Laughing he tried to blurt something out. "I'm sorry, okay? I'll buy you more shampoo." The moth was begging already, still smile though.

A different feeling came over him suddenly, a hot and warm feeling mixed with water and pink glitter. Kai was rubbing their bodies together. "Wait, what's going on here?" Was the only thought that formed any kind of coherentness in his head. Well that and the thought there was suddenly a very handsome man all over him. All he could externally manage to do was giggle like a moronic school girl. Why? He had no clue, this odd feeling was new to him. Not entirely, but different that was for sure.

Caelum was still laughing when Kai offered his hand and he stood up, his tank top wet and covered in sparkling pink, as was a lot of his skin. "Feels great dude, I love the color pink!" This was true, it was his favorite color and his cheeks pretty much matched it. "Um, I will pay for your shampoo though I promise!" Now he tilted his head and watch the other, his own wings spread and he groaned. "Ah man, their wet now...."

[Malachai Roen]

Kai wasn't going to take any of Caelum's apologies! He'd already done the damage, so 'sorry' wasn't going to cut it. Nope, he needed punishment! "You better," he replied, voice taunting and teasing. "And maybe some soap to go along with it!" Because, since he'd taken his shirt off a little while before the attack so he could let his large, cumbersome wings out, his bare torso was now sparkling with the stuff too.

He didn't know the effect his rubbing and smothering was doing to the other man. Well... Kai could have a pretty good guess, because of Caelum's sexuality and the fact that, yes, Kai was a very good-looking man (vain much?), but he didn't call the guy out on it. Instead, he laughed along with Caelum, even after he pulled away. The entire situation was amusing, even though he knew he was going to be stuck with this pink shit for weeks.

"Oh my God, that wasn't punishment for you at all, was it?" he laughed at Caelum's response. "It suits you, that's for sure." Kai gave a cheeky grin. It definitely matched his cute blush. He squeezed the other man's hands for a moment before he dropped them, and started trying to uselessly wipe off some of the wet glitter on his chest. "Mmm? Oh, yeah, you totally will," he replied with a snort and another laugh. "Shit's expensive though, I don't want you to go too broke. Then I might need to end up paying for your meals or something." His grin widened. Kai peeked at Caelum's wings and gently touched the surface of one, feeling the dampness. "Mmm... Sure is. How about we go back into the sun?" he suggested, pointing towards a nearby clearing. Kai started heading slowly that way. "How have you been, man? It's been a while."

[Caelum Mitchellson]

Caelum watched Kai for a moment, his eyes sort of taking him in fully now. He could feel the flush in his cheeks darken and his smile almost faded, but he managed. How he he did this without making some joke or busting out laughing randomly was beyond even his train of thought. Granted at the moment, that train had derailed at Kai's wet chest. "Yeah, It really shouldn't be that hard to come out...Jay manages fairly well."

"Puh-lease! I get worse punishments from Rayne." He chuckled and just noticed that Kai was holding his hands still, and the squeeze to them brought it to his attention. Another wave of heat touched Caelum's cheeks and he smirked as he took a step back. "Yeah, I know it's expensive. You have expensive taste. Don't worry though, I can pay for it." Even if the reason he could pay for it was not something he was exactly thrilled about.

Suddenly there were gently fingers on his wings, testing the dampness of them. His eyes went a little wide at first, but he tried to remain cool about it. Kai had no way of knowing what that gentle touch was doing....right? A sigh of relief escaped him as Kai turned to move into the suggested sunny clearing. Caelum was filled with the urge to prank him again for some reason, but decided against it. Instead he followed him, staring at his back the whole time.

"Pretty good man, pretty good. Going to college, getting my degree and shiz." He smiled as he pulled his own shirt off and threw it on a nearby branch to dry. The sun in the clearing felt great on his skin and he stretched his body and his wings. "And it has been far to long. How are you doing?"

[Malachai Roen]

Kai wasn't sure he believed Caelum. "Glitter? Easy to get out?" he replied incredulously. "That's like trying to get sand out of your crot- wait, you do this on a regular basis?" The fact he'd mentioned someone else like he made them deal with it all the time brought a smirk to Kai's face. "Better him than me, at least."

He chuckled. "I'll have to think of a better punishment sometime, then," Kai teased. "Like, I don't know... Forcing you to come over to my place and endure my cooking." His eyes twinkled. That was hardly punishment - Kai was a great cook, and host, as long as you could get past his airy vanity. "Good. I expect my payment of shampoo by the end of the week," he finished with a nod and a smirk. And then started snickering again.

Kai's own wings were pretty ticklish, and he was incredibly sensitive between where the two appendages melded into his shoulder blades, but he didn't know what he was doing to his friend by touching his wings.

"Ohh, nice," he replied with a nod, spreading his own wings out wide to collect the warmth and dry his wings. "I'm just finishing up my thesis myself, then graduation is around the corner. I'm still not sure what I'm doing after... Grad school, or applying for a research job, or... Maybe both." Kai was a workaholic, after all; he could work both at once. The winged meta's eyes lifted to watch Caelum as he took off his shirt, eyeing the man's muscles without much subtlety. Damn. Still, Zach suddenly flooded his thoughts, and Kai looked down, feeling weirdly guilty for staring. Zach wasn't his anymore... "I've, uh.... Been dealing," he admitted before he could think better of it. He wandered a few steps further out into the clearing. "Had a lot of, you know, drama going on lately. Nothing I can't handle, though."

[Caelum Mitchellson]

"Dude, it's so easy to get out, I promise!" He had to laugh about the numerous times that he had been forced to help clean the glitter off something, or someone. "Yeah, totally on a regular basis. I mean, Jay's my bud...and jokes are how I show love." Caelum tilted his head. "You don't remember the glitter bombs in school do you? That hair is just to tempting a target." His fox like grin spread across his face and he bounced on his toes some.

Kai mentioned cooking and that caused a curious raised eyebrow from Caelum. "Wait, that would also not be torture. For I am a poor college student who lives off of pizza a majority of the time." It's true that the moth winged man didn't know all of Kai's little quirks and ups and downs, but he knew him well enough to see his faults and still like him. Not that Caelum every truly disliked anyone, but he liked Kai ever since he first met him. Regardless of what anyone said about him, Caelum was just sure he could see the good person inside of Kai. "Yes, sir. By the end of the week." His goofy smile cracked into a giggle as he saluted his friend.

Caelum's eyes fluttered a bit as he watched Kai's wings open in the sun, they were beautiful and so was he. "Stop that..." Caelum told himself as he spread his own wings now. He felt something though, something felt...different. The paler man noticed the other's eyes traveling over him, but he thought maybe he was just looking at his wings. "Yeah...that's it..." He chuckled to himself. "That's a workload in a half man, I mean. I know how ya feel. Dad's got me going for business, and me personally; I'm going to be a councilor. At Hammel, hopefully." The shorter man would have continued on with his story, but his friend's tone made him worry a little.

"Dealing? Drama?" He cocked an eye and moved closer. "Okay, you say you can handle, but if you want to talk about it, I'll listen." Caelum smiled and crossed his arms as he looked up at Kai.

[Malachai Roen]

"Remind me not to get on your bad side.... Or, I guess, good side?" Kai mused, wondering what he could do to stay out of Caelum's regular pranking circle. He thought back to school, trying to remember the glitter bombs that the man was talking about. "Now that you mention it... I do think I remember something," he chuckled. "And... I suppose I can see why you'd target me. My hair is perfect, after all," he added, only partially joking, as he swept his fingers through his glitter-sprayed mop.

Kai grinned widely at Caelum's response to his 'torture' idea. "You have no idea," he replied with a sultry wink. "My cooking is fit for the gods." Hopefully, Caelum had already long established that Kai was not the modest type. He wasn't a mean person, though, nor really all that bad, but some people didn't appreciate his vanity. "Good," he replied with a cruel smile. "Otherwise I might have to... Penalize you for every day late." And Kai could think of many such 'penalties'.

Caelum was pretty damn attractive, there was no denying that. Kai vaguely wondered why he'd never considered it before; then again, it wasn't until last year that he even decided to start trying men, so that may be why. "It is a lot," he agreed, shaking his head out of his thoughts. Still, his fingers brushed subtly against the other man's hip as he walked further out into the clearing. "But... I don't know, I kind of go crazy if I don't have a lot going on." He thought too much, especially about recent events. He smiled faintly at Caelum's predicament. "My parents always push me a lot too, so I know how that feels," he sympathized. Fortunately, they were content with the field that he was interested in - biochemistry.

"Oh, uh..." Kai wavered, unsure of how much he should share. He swiped his hand through his hair again and looked up as Caelum came closer. ".... I found out I have a son," he admitted quietly. "He's a year old, and... And I didn't know until now." He bit his lip and went on,"And... Well, let's just say I had a sort of rough breakup along with it, so things have been... Off." He was quiet a moment before mustering up a smile and adding,"But hey, I've always been best at the single life anyway, so things are fine now!" He was lying. A lot.