"I dunno… I don't really like doctors too much. Bad memories from when I got hurt in the first place…" Nathaniel toyed with his fork a bit, looking uneasy. "I wouldn't mind having my wings if they didn't stop me from living a normal life down here. I-I feel like I've got to hide them from everybody I meet, even friends and partners, because… I mean… if I were to have a falling out with them, they have blackmail. They could spread that information and I just…" He exhaled shakily, his shoulders rising slightly as he tensed up.
"And… hiding them is really uncomfortable for me. I have to wear compression type clothes to keep them tight against my body, and wear baggy clothes too to make sure they're not visible. I just don't know what to do…"
Aj watched Nathaniel for a moment, gaze flickering from his plate to the angel and back again. You could help. You owe him. "I know a doctor who owes me a favour, and I owe you for helping me, he might be able to help remove them if that's what you want. Or, find someone willing to make some more clothes so you're not so uncomfortable all the time." He shrugged a little. Nathaniel didn't have to take the offer, but Aj was determined to make it up to him. Not just because he didn't like having favours uncalled for, but because for once, he really wanted to help. It was obvious how difficult it was for the angel, and even if Aj normally wouldn't want to help, he wanted to, for Nathaniel.
Nathaniel looked up at Ajax tiredly, considering for a few seconds. Despite everything he had just said, he really wasn't certain on removing his wings. They were a huge part of him and who he was, after all, and it was possible that it could cause issues once they were gone. For one, this doctor most likely hadn't removed wings before, so he might leave behind parts of the wings that could cause Phantom pains or other issues. A less worrisome issue was that he might struggle with balancing without them, since he had gone all his life with considerable extra weight on his back.
"I… I-I dunno. I'll have to think about it. I've… um… I've wondered how bad it would really be if I just started… not hiding them?" Nathaniel grimaced a bit as he considered the possibilities. "Like… if I didn't get experimented on, anyway. I would probably just be a bit of a commodity for a while and then it would be normal and people would leave me alone for the most part, maybe? Hopefully?"
Ajax nodded. He might not be able to understand completely, considering he didn't have wings, but he could see Nathaniel's point, "It was only a suggestion, there's no need to decide now or anything. They're a big part of you, as much as they cause you grief at times, it's understandable to want to keep them." He went back to finishing his meal, leaning back in the chair once he was done. For once he was visibly sympathetic. He wanted to help, not just because of the favour, but because Nathaniel was nice, and sweet. There weren't many people like that in the world anymore, at least in Aj's world. Strange to see someone offer help to a stranger, especially someone like him. Aj's line of work meant dealing with people who weren't the nicest, who would have let him bleed out on their doorstep and not worry about him. But Nathanial had helped and was still helping, a surprise for the gang leader, and had him actively wanted to do something in return.
Nathaniel sighed, tapping his fingers on the table. "I just… it's tough. I don't think many other people, if any, have had to make this particular decision. Like I said, most fallen angels lose their wings before they're sent down… I'm scared that I'd regret the decision and not be able to go back, you know? Can't exactly just… put them back on." He ran his fingers through his hair and looked away, biting his lip. "And… if I chose to just go out with them out, I… I dunno. I would be scared to be alone. People might… I-I dunno." He floundered a bit, unsure what to say. He'll have to leave soon, obviously. It's not like he can stick around and be a bodyguard. That's stupid, anyway…
Aj looked down at his lap, sighing softly before he spoke again, "Look, I wouldn't usually do this, but I like you, you're nice, and I do owe you one, anyway," Pulling his phone out his pocket, he pulled up his contacts and his phone number, sliding it across the table to Nathaniel, "If you need any help, call me, I want to help," Surprisingly, "You don't deserve to be punished by society for who you are. If you need help or- or a place to stay, or even just someone to go out with for safety, call me." Aj smiled softly, an odd look for someone who wore a scowl most of the time.
Nathaniel looked up at Ajax with his hand still in his hair, clearly taken aback by the gesture. He paused before hesitantly pulling out his phone to put Ajax's name and number into it. "U-Um… thank you. It means a lot." He faltered for a moment before beaming up at Ajax, laughing nervously. "I'm not really used to people doing this sorta thing for me… well, obviously not something this specific, but… y-you know what I mean. Um… where around town do you live?" He asked, his cheeks still lightly flushed.
Ajax shrugged, "Don't mention it, I owe you, and you're nice, I wouldn't want to see anything bad happen to you." He took his phone back, slipping it in his pocket again, "Downtown area, big place, you can't miss it." He owned most of the area by now, territorial gang shit or whatever people said. It might be a sketchy area from the outside, but it was probably the safest place Nathaniel could be, considering he owned the area and his men were stationed pretty much everywhere, "But really, stop by if you need, or call me and I'll come get you. It's not big deal."
"Alright… t-thank you…" Nathaniel flushed a bit harder and stared down at the table, his heart pounding. He wasn't used to people being willing to actually do things for him. This wasn't some vague offer to go get coffee that wouldn't ever happen; this was practical action and a willingness to do something to help. "I'll… I'll do that. Um… change of subject? Ah… maybe tell me a little more about yourself?" He offered awkwardly. "What sorta things do you like to do?"
Ajax rubbed at the back of his neck with his good arm, chuckling just as awkwardly, "Ah you know, the usual kinda stuff," He wasn't exactly going to say he was the biggest gang leader in the city if he didn't want Nathaniel to run scared, "I uh- I like reading when I get the time. Not that I do have loads of time these days to pick up a book and read for a few hours but you know, when I can, I always enjoy a good book."
Nathaniel nodded, still avoiding eye contact. "That's nice… um… I work at a bookshop, so I do enjoy reading. I-I actually do some blacksmithing as well… I make decorative weapons. I mean, they're functional, but not a lot of people around here are looking to buy knives and swords for practical use." He shrugged. "I've done it since I was a kid… I think it's pretty fun, and it's a decent enough side hustle for some extra cash. I-I have a license for that, by the way!" He insisted, finally looking up at Ajax with a nervous expression. "I'm not selling weapons illegally or anything!"
Ajax couldn't help the smirk that graced his lips at the last sentence, "I wouldn't care if you were selling them illegally." Especially considering his line of work was pretty much all illegal activity he had no room to comment even if Nathaniel was, "That's cool though, I'd love to see some if you wouldn't mind. I could always use with a couple of new knives, anyway." most of him were blunt now, and he could always sharpen them back home, but maybe he could grab a nicer once from Nathanial. He seemed passionate enough, and if he'd been doing it for a while he had no doubt the angel was talented when it came to creating them.
Nathaniel flushed again, fidgeting with his hands and his wings. "U-Uh… right… um…" He hesitated before standing up and going to fetch something. Soon, he returned with a dagger in his hand, which he slid over to show to Ajax. It was about 6 or 7 inches long, and very sharp and shiny. Clearly he took good care of it. The handle was beautifully and delicately crafted, and very elaborate with a couple of small jewels embedded in it. "This is the one I typically have on me for self defense and stuff…"
Ajax was gentle when he picked the weapon up, being ever so careful to not cut himself or damage the table, too. It truly was a magnificent piece of work, from the detail in the handle to how polished and clean the metal was, definitely better than anything Aj owned, that much was obvious, "It's gorgeous, Nathaniel." He slid it back across the table again, "I don't know anyone who could design such a weapon with that much skill. Truly, it's impressive."
"Ah, t-thank you…" Nathaniel laughed nervously as he watched Ajax examine the knife. He picked it up when Ajax slid it back over to him, cradling it gently in his hands. "I've… um… I've done it since I was a kid. Since I was about… eight, I think? Um… obviously I'm a little better at it than I used to be. I like to do things that are hands-on, you know? Um… so blacksmithing is a fun thing to do that keeps me active, and I can sell the extras. Since it's time consuming, it gives me something to keep me occupied…"
"Would you be willing to make me one? I'll pay." To have a weapon as good as the one that Nathaniel was holding he would have paid anything to get his hands on one. Aj had his fair share of weapons, and as much as guns were useful, running out of bullets in the middle of a battle wasn't exactly the best when it came to trying to survive. At least with a knife, he wouldn't have to worry about that, "I understand if not, but it would be useful to have one as well made as the one in your hand."
"H-Huh?" Nathaniel looked up at Ajax, clearly a bit surprised. "Oh! Um… sure! What exactly are you looking for?" He quickly grabbed a piece of paper and a pencil to scribble down some notes on what Ajax wanted. He didn't get too many commissions, obviously, since it was a pretty niche business, but he did do them. "Metal, embellishments, measurements?"
Ajax chuckled softly, watching Nathaniel hurry around to grab a pencil and paper, "As long as it's sturdy, sharp and has a snake on it somewhere then the rest is up to you." He didn't care how big it was, hells it could be as small as anything and he wouldn't really care. As long as it was usable then it Aj didn't mind, "You know better than me when it comes to knives, I trust your judgement on this."
Nathaniel mumbled the instructions after Ajax said them as he wrote them down. He had pretty neat handwriting, although it did look rushed since he was getting to get it down quickly. "Alright! Um… about how wide is your hand?" He asked. "I want to make sure the handle is big enough for your hand. My hands are pretty small, so I don't wanna base the measurements off of myself like usual. And do you have any particular favorite colors or gems you'd like me to include?"
Ajax held out his hand towards Nathaniel so he could gauge roughly the size of them. They were a lot bigger than Nathaniel's that much was obvious. Calloused and scared from years of work and dangerous situations, "I'd say they're quite big, I couldn't tell you any measurements, though." A soft chuckle, "And I suppose anything green is good, I'm not picky, as long as it gets the job done than it doesn't matter to me."
Nathaniel reached out to gently touch Ajax's hands and feel a rough measurement. His hands looked very small next to Ajax's. They were mildly calloused from doing blacksmithing, but were otherwise slender and soft. His touch was incredibly gentle, as though he expected to hurt Ajax by touching him. He flushed when he realized he was lingering too long and pulled away to scribble down a rough size estimate. "Um… r-right… how would you feel about little emeralds for the snake's eyes?"
Ajax retracted his hand, crossing them across his chest with a soft sigh , “Sounds perfect.” If anything it gave him an excuse to see Nathaniel again. He couldn’t describe why he was so eager to see him again after he left, it was an unknown feeling to Aj that honestly set him on edge a little. He pushed those thoughts away for the time being, there was time to unpack all of that later, considering his mind was still lingering on how soft Nathaniel’s hands had been. Still so gentle and been after all he had been through.
"Alright… hold on a sec…" Privately, Nathaniel was grateful for the excuse to see Ajax again as well. There was something so fascinating and mysterious about the man who had almost bled out on his doorstep that left him craving more information. He hoped he would have a chance to properly get to know him. Nathaniel bit the corner of his lip a bit as he concentrated on the paper, quickly scribbling out a rough sketch of a concept for the blade. After a couple of minutes, he turned the paper around to show Ajax. "Here's a quick concept I came up with. Is this sorta what you're looking for? I can make adjustments, obviously."
(Pretend this looks like a drawing obviously adfhjk I'll probably make my own proper drawing when I've got time)
Aj couldn't help but grin when he saw the blade, "It's perfect, I can't wait to see the finished thing." He truly was talented. Nathaniel was turning out to be more of an interesting person, well- angel, than Ajax had thought he might be, and if anything it amplified that urge to want to stick around for a bit longer. Nathaniel could have named any price in the world and he would have paid it. He wouldn't admit that out loud, but he would have, "It's more impressive than any other blade I have."
Nathaniel preened at the praise, smiling a bit with a light flush on his cheeks. "I'm glad you like it! I-I'll get started as soon as possible… depending on my work schedule, it could take a couple of weeks for me to be able to get the whole thing done… um… do you have a preference for the blade materials? I might suggest Damascus steel if you're looking for a striking appearance… but it's up to you, of course." He insisted. His wings puffed up slightly and he shifted them to get the feathers to lie flat.
