Light...

Blinding light, white and warm, bleaching his eyelids red... 

Thermal...

Warm...

"Where am I?"

"Where are we?"

His eyes peel open to see the radiant white light that was consuming his vision, but as his eyes adjust, patches of blue come into focus. The definition of clouds follows, a breeze brushes over his face, and the sound of trees rustling rolls into his ears. 

"Is this earth?

"Yes."

Younghyun looks over at his companion, immediately noting the sorrow etched into his features. Concern creases into his brow as he slowly sits up, but freezes midway. He looks around them, "grass..." Soft, cool grass grazes his arms, and it's a sensation he's never felt before. Grass is of the human realm, so... "We're cast out." 

"We are."

Younghyun sighs, his chest growing heavy as the weight of their punishment sets in. Although, the nature of this realm was quite soothing and beautiful. Younghyun didn't exactly feel like he was being punished in that moment. Still, home is home, and they aren't allowed back for the time being. 

"I'm not allowed back at all."

Younghyun looks back to Wonpil, his eyes peering over his shoulder. He leans forward to get a glimpse of his back, where muddied red stains have dried into the fabric of his friend's white shirt. His wings... "They're gone?"

Wonpil nods solemnly. 

A wave of panic washes over Younghyun and he scrambles to look over his own shoulder, finding his wings still there, attached, but discoloured. "Mine are grey?"

Again, Wonpil nods. "It's what happens when you touch the earth. They begin to die."

His gut wrenches with the knowledge that he would eventually lose his wings as well, and briefly he envies Wonpil for getting the quick, easy way, rather than the agonizingly slow method. Wonpil shoots him a look. Ah, right, they share thoughts. 

"We need to find someone who can help us.. get settled." Wonpil's voice is soft with the sadness that fills his being, and Younghyun can't help but to reach out and squeeze his shoulder sympathetically. 

"We'll be fine. We can adjust."

Could they?