The slow scraping of metal on wood is somewhat soothing to the demon and as each little curl of wood falls to the ground he can feel his mind clearing, his worry dimming. He knows Aoba doesn't see him in such a low way. The angel is incapable of seeing anyone or anything in such a low manner, save perhaps himself. Aoba is too kind and sweet to think anything but the world of him and Kuro feels such a fool for thinking that way. [i]'It was not an irrational train of though'[/i] he muses. [i]'After all, all my points are valid, but. . . .But what matters is how he sees me. I'm not. . . .I'm not just a thing around here like the barn or the bath. . . .I am Kuro, the one who sticks by him, the one who made him fall. He could hate me but he doesn't, I would sense that, so. . . .So he must think something good of me. . .Right?'[/i]

Sighing he looks at the still very unfinished collection of wood pieces and lets his mind eye see them in their finished state. The carving has actually changed from what he originally saw as the finished work, a few details of their life adding to the complete picture despite all his efforts to keep it the same. Something about it all has changed and no matter what he tells his fingers they make the image he sees and he has no real choice in the matter. [i]'Well, I could stop carving altogether. . . .'[/i] He shakes his head. No, he wants to do this, and give it to Aoba. He wants to make this thing no matter what, even if it's a little silly.

~*~*~*~*~

Dani bristles on the inside, his eyes narrowing. [i]'Always with thinking about him! Little Black Storm Cloud's only been gone a few minutes, ten max! And already he's aching to chase after him!'[/i] His teeth flash for a second but after a moment his head snaps towards the door and instead he grumpily stalks out of the house, deciding to check on Otto and Mama. They are far more interesting at the moment than this silly enamored fallen angel.

~*~*~*~*~

Fenrir lets out a sigh as the little one leaves Aoba alone at last. To the arch angel, the demon's intentions were clear. He was trying to get closer, even if he sucks at it. While he knows there's nothing to be done about the larger one, he at least doesn't radiate an aura of possessive desire when around the small angel. [i]'Well, not really. . .I mean, when the little one is trying to get close or tease Aoba, or when the Father was about, Kuro seemed to get a little possessive, but. . . .That's understandable I guess. Demons are greedy little things, but that large one seems willing to let Aoba do what he likes. . .'[/i] Fenrir starts slightly when he realizes, for the first time, he's been calling Kuro by his name rather than simply “Demon” or “The taller demon”.

As his brows furrow over this revelation he looks down on the angel, curious as to what he will do now. [i]'If he acts like he normally does, he'll be seeking out. . . .That demon, any moment now. I swear, he's so needy sometimes. That demon, he's like a pillar of strength that keeps Aoba moving forward, striving to learn, to do, and to not give up. I'm not blind, I see his pain, his longing for home, but. . . .Somehow th-. . .'[/i] he sighs. [i]'Somehow Kuro makes things bright for the little one. . .Foul hellspawn'[/i] He adds those final words almost without feeling them. Almost as if they are expected of him.

~*~*~*~*~

Twitching Kuro looks up to see Dani darting off towards the barn and quickly he hides his work. He knows that his dear older brother doesn't really care about such silly little things but he would rather Dani not destroy them in a fit a pique should they get into a spat at some point in the future, the smaller demon seeing the bits of wood as easy prey. Moving out of the long grass he walks towards the pig pen and after a moment switches direction, not wanting Aoba to be left on his own. [i]'I am his guardian. The least I can do is be within striking distance when he's alone'[/i] With this in mind he heads for the front door.