When Grey and Cedric got home, Grey was instantly bombarded by the other Freelancers. A couple gave him hugs, and they all expressed how much they missed Grey. They also asked a LOT of questions about what'd happened when Grey left, though Cedric did help curve this quite a bit. As for Azrael and Asmodeus, they stood awkwardly in the far back of the living room. When Grey made eye contact w/ them, the three of them held that gaze in silence for a while.
This... is going to be SO WEIRD... Grey thought.









...



For the rest of the day, things were mostly regular. It wasn't entirely back to normal, however, considering two things. For one, Grey couldn't stand up. He tried to get up a couple of times on his own but immediately had to flop down back down on his wheelchair because he was still too weak. When it came to Azrael and Asmodeus, the duo and Grey avoided each other as best they could. Whenever Grey and either Azrael or Asmodeus came within close eyeshot of each other, Grey would quickly try to wheel away. Azrael would immediately fly up to the ceiling or in the opposite direction while Asmodeus would simply go intangible. Azrael wanted to talk but didn't know if Grey would be up for it. Asmodeus wanted to stay as under the radar as he could, and Grey had no idea how to handle the situation. Cedric kept close to Grey due to their relationship, plus Cedric had to help Grey w/ the wheelchair (for multiple reasons). When it came to the reformed duo, he'd regard them w/ silence and a stern gaze. When lunch and dinner came, Azrael and Asmodeus opted to stay in their new rooms. Cedric begrudgingly brought them food each time. After a long, tense time, bedtime finally came. Azrael and Asmodeus had an awkward time falling asleep since they hadn't slept in a nice bed in many years. As for Grey and Cedric, after helping Grey gingerly into bed, Cedric immediately rushed to (gently, of course) cuddle w/ Grey. He nuzzled against Grey's neck and tenderly moved his hands across his chest.
"I missed you so much," Cedric whispered between neck kisses.
Grey couldn't help but blush and smile.
"Also, rest up well. Tomorrow's a special day."
Grey's expression grew somewhat confused at that.
"What's going on tomorrow?" Grey asked.
But Cedric had already started quietly sleeping. (Grey could tell from the way he breathed on his neck). Grey sighed and slowly drifted off, wondering what would happen tomorrow.









...




After a dreamless night, when Grey awoke, he noticed that he was alone in his bed. When he looked behind him, Cedric was gone.
Huh. Cedric must've gotten up before me, Grey thought idly.
Cedric was currently huddled in a circle w/ the other Freelancers.
"You all know what to do, right?" Cedric asked.
"Ay, puta, we've been over this like a hundred times!" Cherry said.
"Yeah, bud, we know the drill," Polychrome Benjamin said w/ a grin.
"Sorry. It's just that I want this day to be perfect for him."
"We understand that perfectly well at this point," Ash replied.
"Let's get this started already," Oliver said.
Everyone except for Cedric began to prepare for Grey's party. Cedric slowly made his way over to Ben's room. Cedric raised his fist, hesitated for a solid minute, and knocked on the door.
"Yes?" Azrael groggily asked from the other side.
Cedric stepped into the room. Azrael was strewn on Pete's bed, staring up at the ceiling w/ a deadpan expression.
"You know I don't like you, right?" Cedric asked.
"Justifiably so, yes," Azrael replied.
"Well, I *grumble* *grumble*."
Azrael sat up at that.
"You what?"
"I said I *grumble* *grumble*..." Cedric said again.
"Come again?" Azrael asked while putting a clawed hand up to his sharp ear.
Cedric took a deep breath.
"I. Need. You. To. Take. GREY. Out. For. A. Bit," Cedric forced out.
Azrael gave him a confused look.
"Why?"
"Because it's Grey's birthday, and I want it to be a surprise," Cedric replied.
"And you want me, specifically, to do it?" Azrael asked suspiciously.
Cedric sighed and pinched his brow.
"Normally, I wouldn't ask this of you or Asmodeus, but everyone else and I are working on the party. Since I trust Asmodeus far less, you are the only person I can ask, unfortunately. Will you please *grumble* take him out for a relaxing evening?"
Azrael got up out of bed and sighed.
"I guess so," he replied.
Cedric walked over to him and pulled out a $50 bill and a $20 one.
"Here's some money. Use it to buy lunch and maybe a gift for Grey."
Azrael took the money and began to walk to the door. Cedric grabbed his wrist before his fingers could graze the door.
"What the-?" Azrael began while looking back.
"Before you leave, let me give you some advice," Cedric started, "If Grey happens to get hurt in some way while he's out w/ you, *chuckle* buddy... I will make sure you're in a body cast by the end of the day. I don't care how I do it, but it WILL be done. Do I make myself clear?"
Azrael gave him a shocked and somewhat scared look. Cedric's face was deadly serious.
This guy is nucking futs! I mean, I get why he's acting like this, but still! Azrael thought.
Azrael nodded, his wings quivering a tiny bit. Cedric relaxed his grip.
"Good," Cedric said as he pushed past Azrael, "Glad we got that cleared up..."
Once Cedric was gone, Azrael looked down at the money.
"Shit, this going to be so AWKWARD..."
Azrael quickly made his way over to Ash and Asmodeus' room and knocked.
"WHO THE FUCK IS IT?" Asmodeus responded.
"It's me," Azrael said.
The door flew opened, and Asmodeus stood in the doorway.
"WHAT IS IT?" He asked.
"I came to let you know... I won't be here until much later. I need to go out w/ Grey."
"WAIT, WHAT, WHY?"
"It's Grey's birthday, and Cedric asked me to spend the day w/ him. I just thought you should know."
"WHEN WILL YOU BE BACK?" Asmodeus asked w/ a worried expression.
"I don't know. I'll ask Cedric later," Azrael replied.
Reluctantly, Asmodeus slowly shut the door. Just as he did so, Grey wheeled himself out of the bathroom. When he saw Azrael, Grey immediately attempted to wheel away.
"Grey, wait!" Azrael called.
Grey paused, hesitated for a bit, and turned back to Azrael. His expression was that of confusion and tension.
"Oh, boy. Grey, Cedric told me to spend the day w/ you," Azrael forced out awkwardly.
Grey gave him a look of confusion and apprehension.
"I know, I know. Let's just get this over w/, and we won't have to interact again."
Grey thought about for a bit.
"Well..., if Cedric is actually the one who wants, then... I guess so," He finally responded.
Grey then turned his wheelchair. Azrael grabbed the handles and pushed him forward. When he came to the living room, it was empty, aside from Cedric. He went over to Azrael.
"Be back by about 4:00," he told him.
Azrael nodded and wheeled Grey out.









...




The time until lunchtime was the second most excruciating time of both Grey and Azrael's lives (second only to Grey getting sliced and Azrael dealing w/ Asmodeus' descent into madness). Both of them wanted to speak to each other, but things were just too awkward. The most they did was wheel around the city, looking at stuff they'd already seen lots of times. Eventually, lunchtime came.
"Soooo,... where do you want to eat?"
Grey, still feeling awkward, thought back to his first date w/ Cedric.
"Applebee's," Grey finally said.
Azrael remembered going by that place a few times before. He managed to get them there fast. When the two walked in, they got a couple of looks, but nothing too much. At the front, the same fur-legged woman from when Grey first went there greeted them. After Azrael and her talked for a bit, the woman showed them to a table and put out menus. After Azrael helped Grey into his seat, both quickly pulled up their menus. After a bit, someone came that made Grey happy. Ashley came over to their table.
"Oh, hey, it's you!" Ashley said, her face making the outline of a smile.
Azrael, noticing her, widened his eyes, and quickly hid in the menu. Ashley looked in his direction.
"Who's your friend?" Ashley asked.
"Um... he's more of a mutual helper. His name's Azrael," Grey replied.
"Well, what would you like to order?" Ashley asked.
Grey ordered the same thing he did last time: macaroni w/ chicken tenders and a root beer.
"And what would you like?" Ashley asked Azrael.
"A cheeseburger w/ nothing but cheese and ketchup and fries. For a drink, I'd like a Sprite, please."
Ashley wrote their orders down and left. While the two waited for their food, they sat in awkward silence. Even once they got their drinks, Grey and Azrael couldn't do much other than share quick glances. Eventually, Azrael sighed.
"Ok, this isn't working," Azrael finally said.
Grey let out a relieved sigh.
"Oh, thank goodness somebody finally said it!" Grey replied.
"Yeah. I've honestly been wanting to talk to you, but I didn't know when was the right time to do so."
"I didn't know if it'd even be a good idea to even to do so," Grey said.
Azrael began to chuckle a bit.
"Ok, well, since we're finally on speaking terms, I've been meaning to ask you..."
Grey and Azrael then began to chat for a bit. Azrael asked what had happened when he was unconscious back in the void. As Grey explained what had happened, Azrael's eyes widened, and his jaw dropped when he heard Grey's words.
"I knew it!" Azrael exclaimed.
Grey was taken aback at that statement.
"Huh?" he asked.
"I had a theory about you ever since I learned about your power, and you just confirmed it to be true!"
"What do you mean?" Grey asked.
"You know how Asmodeus didn't have eyes for the longest time? Well, he gave his eyes away to a blind man years ago. My theory was that that man went on to have offspring, and you were descended from him. The fact that you have a gray SOUL plus the fact that you were able to become an angel proves my theory!" Azrael explained.
"Wait... what does that mean?" Grey asked unsurely.
"I guess it means... you and Asmodeus are technically related by blood..."
Grey was speechless at that.
"Oh...," Grey said, unsure how to feel about that.
Silence ensued. Eventually, their food came.









...





After they were done eating and Azrael paid Ashley for the meal, he wheeled Grey out of the restaurant. After a while, they made it to what Azrael called an "antique shop." Azrael told Grey to wait outside, and he went inside. After a bit, he came back out w/ a green bag. He then began to wheel Grey over to different places and looked through the windows.
"Are you into window shopping like Cedric is?" Grey asked.
"What? No, I'm scouting out different places where I can get a job," Azrael replied.
Grey gave him a confused look.
"Before you ask, I am aware that I can go on missions to earn money, but I'd much rather do something more calm and mellow. I've never really enjoyed going on missions that much."
"Wait, you too?" Grey asked astonishedly.
Azrael turned to him w/ a surprised look.
"You don't enjoy doing missions, either?" Azrael asked.
Grey shook his head.
"Huh, well, fancy that!" Azrael said w/ a calm smile.









...




After a few more hours outside, Grey eventually felt and heard a buzzing coming from his pocket. Confused, he took his phone out. On it, it said that Cedric was calling him. Grey pressed the green button on the phone, and Cedric's voice sounded.
"Grey? Can you hand the phone to Azrael for a bit?" Cedric asked.
Grey handed his phone to Azrael.
"Yes?"
A few words passed between Azrael and the phone.
"Ok, bye."
Azrael then pressed a button on the phone and handed it back to Grey.
"Time to head back home," Azrael told him.
Azrael then wheeled them as fast as he could back to the base. Before he could open the door, though, Grey stopped him.
"Wait... there's something I want to do first," Grey told him.
"What?" Azrael asked w/ an "eyebrow" raised.
Grey then began to remove his hoodie. Once he was done, he folded it up and put it in his lap.
"And the point of that was...?" Azrael asked quizzically.
"I don't want to wear that thing anymore. I'm sick of it," Grey replied.
Azrael gave him a somewhat bemused look. He then shook his head, opened the base's door, and wheeled Grey in. Every light was shut off. Grey was confused, but before he could say anything, the lights suddenly flared on and-!
"SURPRISE!" Everyone yelled.
Grey blinked hard. In front of him, there were different colored floating things, and the meal table had been decorated w/ a bunch of weird, multi-colored things. A paper hung from a wall that had a strange beast on it, odd music blared, and everyone wore a cone-shaped hat.
"What-what is all this?" Grey asked, absolutely flabbergasted.
Cedric ran over to him and strapped a weird-looking hat to Grey's head.
"It's your birthday party, silly!" Cedric said breezily.
"My birthday... what?" Grey asked.
Cedric then moved over the wheelchair's handles as Azrael moved away.
"Don't worry, we'll show you what a party is!" Cedric exclaimed w/ a big smile.









...





The party was like nothing Grey'd ever experienced! The party activities, which consisted of games such as Pin the Tail on the Monster, board games, dancing, etc., were fun! As for the food, for dinner, they had some takeout. There were also tasty pieces called candy that came in bags, bowls of ice cream, and different kinds of soda! Azrael and Asmodeus participated in the festivities as well, but they did so much more timidly. Eventually, people gave Grey gifts. Vicky's present was a phone case. Cherry's gift was a new shirt, pants, and shoes. Polychrome Ben's gift was a multi-colored thing called a flower. Oliver's present was a pair of glasses called sunglasses. Ash's present was a strange-looking hat called a top hat. Azrael's gift that he'd bought earlier was called a pocket watch. Asmodeus' present was a surprisingly detailed and beautiful drawing depicting Grey in his angel form. Finally, Cedric's gift... was the best of them. It was frame and, inside of it, was pictures of every person living in the base (including Azrael and Asmodeus, shockingly enough). At the center, there was the picture that Grey and Cedric had taken w/ Grey's phone (this was possible because Cedric had managed to put a copy of the photo on his phone). Once the gift-giving was done, the final part of the party came. A big, round thing, known as a cake, was brought out. It was split into the eight SOUL colors that Grey had, had two numbers that made "19" together, and black stuff that spelled out: "Happy Birthday Grey." The numbers were lit by flames at their top. Once that was done, everyone sang what Cedric dubbed the "birthday song." It sounded nice enough, and Grey couldn't help but blush throughout it.
"Now, blow out the flames and make a silent wish!" Benjamin said.
Grey blew out the flames and made a wish.
I wish that Cedric and I can live together happily forever, Grey thought.
Once he was done, everyone cheered and dug into the cake.









...




Once the party was done (the cake tasted absolutely divine), everyone (except for Grey) cleaned up the living room. Once that was done, everyone got ready for bed. When Grey was ready for bed after putting all his gifts away, Cedric walked into the doorway of their room. He shut their light off.
"Did you like the party?" Cedric asked w/ a smile.
"Oh, I LOVED it!" Grey exclaimed.
Cedric gave a chuckle. He walked to Grey and pulled him into a warm hug.
"Glad you did, babe," Cedric said w/ a blush.
Grey, blushing back, moved his face closer to Cedric's. The two locked themselves into a passionate yet tender kiss while falling down into their shared bed. Both lovers ended up falling asleep in that hugging position...