13. Cassius

Cass tried to get his head back onto troublesome ghosts and off the beautiful, heartbreaking angel he was following behind.

So much pain. Cass fought off his indignation. He didn't get involved in afterlife politics. He knew plenty about the afterlife from his teachings growing up, and the information had been passed down through the generations that everyone wanted to avoid the "leadership team" at all costs, and so they dealt with ghosts and tried to stay off the radar for demons and angels. Of course they offered help, but his family didn't give details about themselves or get too involved in demonic or angelic affairs.

Still, he had the urge to find his way to some higher level angel and give them a piece of his mind. Kushiel was selfless and cared so much that he was literally willing to sacrifice pieces of himself to help those in need, and yet he was ostracized for it. Not only that, but he felt actual pain in both heaven and hell. What kind of bullshit was that? No wonder Kushiel felt so alone and so unworthy.

Cass vowed to change that. Kushiel was beyond worthy, and Cass would make him see that.

They had reached the front of the store, and his thoughts were interrupted when he heard Ari call out, "Bruh! You found Cassius! Michael said he thought maybe our coffee shop dude could help you find who you were looking for!"

"Let's take this to a table, yes?" Cass said, shooing them all over to one that was in a corner where sound didn't carry very well. Not that such a thing would really matter with Ari—the demon was exuberant.

They all made their way over and took seats, and Cass wasn't surprised to see Michael practically sitting on Ari's lap after Ari dragged him closer. Michael looked quite pleased to be dragged so close, too. It made Cass realize that Kushiel was kind of like Michael in some ways. Michael didn't seem to initiate touch or affection that often with Ari, yet it was obvious that he loved it when Ari did it.

It was something to think about. He thought Kushiel could definitely use some affection, and clearly he would need to take the initiative, because Kushiel certainly wouldn't. Did Cassius also secretly hope that the affection would not be entirely platonic? Yes, yes he did. He would respect Kushiel's boundaries, of course, but he had a feeling that Kushiel would welcome more intimate touch.

Cass tried not to think about soulmates and possibilities, but that was hard with Michael and Ari sitting in front of him, the two of them tied so clearly together.

"Are you able to help Kushiel find who he's looking for?" Michael asked. "Ari and I know about the situation, but Ari's vision was really limited. We've been trying to help as best we can, but you seem to know a lot, so we hoped you could help."

"Yes, Cassius has provided assistance," Kushiel stated. He didn't elaborate, although Michael was clearly waiting for more information.

"I'm actually here to ask you to look into a recent death if possible. There are people who are concerned, and I promised to pass it along. I knew I could trust you to see if there was more to it," Cassius stated. He then filled in Michael and Ari on the girl who had passed, asking them to make sure it was an accident.

"Bruh, my little s'more and I got you covered," Ari said when Cass was done. "But dudes, what about all this lost soul stuff? Any progress?"

"Yes, we are looking into it. Apparently they are hidden from my view, but I have every confidence that Cassius will help me," Kushiel stated.

Cass noticed that he avoided giving them too much information about him, which he appreciated. Really, at this point, he thought it would be ok, but he was still thankful that Kushiel was respecting his privacy.

Ari seemed like he was gonna ask more, but Michael sort of elbowed him and said, "Ok. You guys know where we are if you need help. We'll be on our way. Keep us posted."

"I shall. Thank you both," Kushiel nodded.

Michael and Ari got up and started walking out then, but when they got to the door, Michael paused and turned around. "Oh yeah. I almost forgot. Grams asked after you just the other day. She wanted to know if you liked her gift."

"Oh," Kushiel stated, clearly surprised. "Yes, tell her thank you, although it hasn't really been chilly."

"Yeah, true," Michael laughed. "Well, you guys enjoy your afternoon!"

They left at that, and Cass looked at Kushiel, who seemed oblivious to the importance of what had just occurred.

"Kushiel?" Cass asked, trying to remain calm.

"Yes? What is it?" Kushiel responded, obviously catching on to the fact that Cass was a little out of sorts.

Cass took a deep breath before he said, "Did Grams, the woman who raised Michael, give you a gift?"

"Yes, she did. A white scarf," Kushiel answered, clearly perplexed.

"Where is it?" Cass asked, almost holding his breath. He had completely forgotten about his vision of a white scarf until Kushiel mentioned it, and he had no idea if his vision had been a warning about the scarf or a premonition that Kushiel was supposed to wear it.

"I have it with me. Well, sort of. It is where I keep things, like a change of clothes. A magical space, I guess? I'm not sure how to explain. I simply will it into being here and will it back into being stored," Kushiel explained.

Cass took another deep breath.

"What is wrong, Cassius? I can tell you are… agitated, but I'm not sure why. It is just a white scarf," Kushiel murmured.

Cass took a slow blink at that. "Kushiel, I don't blame you, because really, Michael or even Arioch should have had more sense about this…" Cass trailed off, shaking his head in disbelief.

"What?" Kushiel asked.

"Do you know who Grams is, Kushiel? She is Lilith, and she gave you a scarf. She probably knit the damn thing, if I'm guessing. And they didn't think that perhaps that was, I don't know, really important? Lilith doesn't just do things on whims. Then a bunch of souls go missing and no one thinks anything of a knit white scarf gifted to you by Lilith?" Cass groused.

Kushiel blinked at him, then he asked, "Are you thinking she somehow had something to do with the lost souls? You said it was a demon, but she isn't quite a demon."

"No, I don't think she had anything to do with it. Can you take the scarf out?" Cass asked.

Kushiel reached down, and then a large, fluffy, shining white scarf was being pulled out of Kushiel's lap under the table. Yes, Cass supposed he should have thought about the fact that they were in his shop.

Kushiel readily handed it over, and Cass took it. It was incredibly soft, and it shone. "It matches you," Cass murmured, running his hands along the soft material. He had no idea what it was, because it certainly wasn't animal fiber.

"Not quite matching," Kushiel laughed uncomfortably. "It is blindingly white. I am more of a gray hue."

Cass looked up then. "Your soul, Kushiel. It matches your soul."

Kushiel looked shocked, but Cass couldn't help looking back down at the scarf. He could see things, see inside things, see true forms, and yet there was something about this scarf that he couldn't quite grasp. It was like… it was like he was looking into a mirror, only it was really dirty so he couldn't quite see the reflection in it. He had the urge to wipe away the haze, but of course there was no haze, just this strange material that was bright and shining. He supposed it looked like a normal knit scarf to everyone else, but it wasn't.

Before Kushiel could stop him, he wrapped the scarf around his neck. He trusted Lilith—he had only ever had good interactions with her, and his family respected her—but he wouldn't take a chance with Kushiel.

He waited. He looked around. He looked down at the scarf. Nothing happened.

"It looks lovely on you," Kushiel stated.

"I think I'll wear it for the walk back," Cass stated. He didn't sense anything malicious, and nothing had gone wrong, but better safe than sorry.

"Perhaps I was meant to give the gift to you," Kushiel smiled, and he reached out to run his hand along the scarf.

Cass fought off the urge to grab Kushiel's hand and hold it. Baby steps. His angel was… shy. Hesitant. Cass wouldn't scare him off, so he simply smiled back, pushing his chair back and getting up. Kushiel followed suit.

They walked over to Steph and made their goodbyes, and Cass made sure again that everything was set with the shop.

"I told you, I have it. Stop worrying," she grumbled at him. "Although I do think I found a guy who would work as another manager. He's really good with numbers. I'm going to call him for an interview if that sounds good to you."

"Yes, please, especially if he'll do some of the paperwork," Cass told her. "If it goes well, let me know what kind of salary he's looking for, and I can set up a meeting with him. I trust you to do the initial interview, though."

"Thanks, Cass. You two have fun and enjoy a few days off," she winked.

Cass laughed at her, and he couldn't help being entertained at the blush that stained Kushiel's cheeks. Yes, Steph obviously thought he was taking some time off for a little fun. He didn't correct her.

They made their way out the door, and they walked for a few minutes in companionable silence. Cass looked around and kept constant stock of how he felt, but absolutely nothing was different with the scarf on. He looked over at Kushiel and looked more closely. The angel was as blindingly bright as usual, and those gold threads were still on, or in, his soul. Were there more? Were they reaching out a little closer to Cass?

He wasn't sure if that was actually the case or if it was wishful thinking on his part.

"Do you sense anything? Any of the pain or misery that you felt from the other lost soul?" Kushiel asked, reminding Cass that they did indeed have a job to do.

"No, I don't," Cass answered. "Tell me about them. The souls."

Kushiel talked to him for the entire walk back, giving details about a few of the lost souls they were looking for. He talked not just about their grief and pain, but about their personalities. Cass had a hard time thinking of someone with no memory of who they were as having a personality, but obviously they did. Kushiel described them, including which ones were snarky and which were soft spoken and which were imaginative and creative.

It made Cass think of all the facets that made up someone's personality, all those little foibles and traits that made each person who they were outside of their memories and experiences. It was an interesting thought.

Before he knew it they were back at his house.

Cass sighed at the door. "I'm not sure what this scarf is supposed to do, but I don't think it means you harm. It wasn't meant for me, either. Lilith meant it for you, although I'm not sure why or what it will do," Cass admitted, unwinding it from around his neck and wrapping it around Kushiel's carefully.

He watched the angel closely to make sure he was alright, but aside from a slight shiver when Cass wrapped it around his neck, Kushiel didn't react to the scarf.

"Does it feel ok?" Cass checked.

"Yes. It feels like a scarf, I suppose. I don't notice anything. Did you really think it might do me harm? And yet you put it on yourself?" Kushiel asked.

"Better safe than sorry," Cass mumbled, and then he opened the door and motioned Kushiel inside, hoping to avoid worrying Kushiel about what he had done. He didn't really think Lilith would hurt them, after all.

Only when Kushiel stepped into the house, he stopped short ahead of Cass, gasping.