From a Different Angle

Another Day in Paradise

I awoke to the sound of small cheers and conversation being passed around, I was not sure where I was considering the day before everything seemed rather gloom. As I opened my eyes and took a look around I was met with the same men I saw in combat armor with more casual clothing for their people carrying around drinks with smiles all around. Gabriel was already up and having small talk with the rest of the soldiers in the other beds, for a moment I could not see Grim in his bed making me anxious but my worries were wiped away as I saw the small buldge wandering around the bed then peeking his head out to me.

"Hey there Grim, you slept well?"

I asked softly, my voice groggy and my mind barely slipping back to reality as I looked at him. He gave me a small nod with a slight smile under the muzzle, it was a nice sight to wake up to. For a brief moment, I saw her face in the morning after an all nighter in the lab but I quickly shook my head to come back to where I really was.

"Come on kid, you skipped out on a shower yesterday and as far as I can tell we may have some celebration on our hands afteral. A lot of happy fellas today"

He looked at me with an odd rather puzzled expression on his face, he slipped out of the blanket then let his feet hang off the side of the bed.

"I have a feeling you aren't familiarized with a shower or general hygiene either. I am truly suprised you remain alive and well to be quite honest"

I said softly to him, getting up and stretching my arms then walking towards his bed

"Come with me, it'll be quick then we can go back with everyone to eat or do whatever they do in a feast"

He leaned forward towards me and I picked him up, he let out a surprised noise but calmed down as I began to walk to the showers. Within my own head I was not sure whether I was ready to see the full damage done to his small body from years of abuse along with fights he had no choice but to be part of. However, he needed a shower and someone to help him properly clean up what has been there for ages now. I took him into a separate shower then took off my shirt and set it aside while grabbing some cleaning products left there for everyone to use.

"You are gonna need to take off your clothes, I'll help you with everything but you also need to take off the muzzle Grim."

I said as I reached towards him, attempting to take off the muzzle but he moved away and shook his head, anxiety filled his movements and he began to shake as he looked down.

"Hey it's okay Grim I promise, She isn't here right now. No one will hurt you and she'll never know, please let me help you"

He kept his head low, like when I first met him. Like a child cowering in fear, he then looked back up at me and put one index fingers on my cheekbone and pressed agaisnt it then took them off and pointed back to his where the muzzle ended and blood seemed to stain on. He then pointed to the front right side where what seemed to be a lock resided inside. I guessed She could only open it, and that she did not send Grim the key inside a lunch box. I let out a soft sigh as I gently set my hand on his cheek then looked at his soft blue eyes.

"Alright, I'll leave it alone but be careful please. We will figure out something to use to communicate while we fight. Now undress, I'll wash you and make sure you look good for the celebration"

He slowly nodded and began to take off his clothes, once more I was met with the sight of a boy who was torn away by life and every single evil that was brought upon him. I could not help but pity him, his entire existence seemed to be surrounded by nothing but pain. Anytime I stared down at those precious blue eyes, I could feel his soul crying for help. I could no longer allow such thing to happen anymore, I had to be the one to save him because I knew nobody else would. I gently set my hands throught his body, the water turning into a darker color from all the filth being washed away. His hair let down small pieces of rocks and dirt to show a much more smooth straight hair that made those eyes of Innocence shine brighter. Every single stroke of the sponge against his body made new way to scrub off the filth off of him and show his true body underneath it all. He looked up at me every so often, unsure of how to respond to the way I was helping him, as I had guessed he may have never had a proper shower maybe ran down with cold water from a hose but not a steady stream from a shower head. Even if it was all within a rather extreme situation, I like to believe I was able to make the most out of it for him to understand he is human and deserves to live a life as such.

I finished cleaning him, he remained still as the drops of water fell down from his hair and onto the floor. He watched with curious eyes as he turned his gaze to his clean arms, looking in bewilderment as he turned back up at me and made a sound that I assumed was a thank you.

"No need to thank me Grim, it's alright. You look a lot better now, come on lets get dressed and come back out with the others"

He nodded excitedly, then searched for his clothes as I began to dress back as well.

We both headed back to the beds where Gabriel finished speaking to some of the Warriors, he looked back at us and waved with a smile

"Took you two long enough, the kid finally clean?"

He asked in a playful manner as Grim clinged onto my arm gently, still shy but he seemed to be more curious about the world surrounding him.

"Yeah, he doesn't look like he just came back from a war. Ironic considering that's where we are walking into tommorow"

I said in a somber tone as I looked back at Grim but was quickly met with the voice of Gabriel

"Now now, don't give me that war bullshit right now, we are to celebrate. That's their tradition, a night before any big time battles they celebrate like there is no tommorow because for some of them there might not be. It also helps gather everyone together and boost morale. Something I am sure you can work with, right Lucifer?"

He said to me with a smile as he grabbed a nearby cup and handed it to me as he held another one. I took a small sniff from it and realized it was rather hard liquor in it, I was also able to notice Grim smelling it from afar and flinching at the hard smell. I let out a small chuckle as I saw his reaction and kept the cup away from him.

"Alright, I'll drink and do whatever else they do so they know we are here as friends. Not just some outsiders, make sure Grim is kept away from the liquor though. I don't believe his tiny body could handle Vodka two point O over here"

I said then took a small sip from the cup, feeling the way it burned my throat and made me cringe at the flavor made me realize that I had to make this drink last until the end of the night so I could deliver a message of hope once everyone is gathered at one spot.