He snorts and smiles. "Angels are just as flawed as any mortal being, but we're also older than most species in existence. I'd rather you treat me like a friend. I just hope I'm not doing you a disservice by presenting myself as more human than I am."

His eyes close at the touch to his hair. It feels good, and he's not ready to think too hard about whether he should let her do this. He needs the comfort, if not for the reason she thinks he does. "Like I said, some things have gone very wrong where I come from. I know none of my brothers wants to hurt the others...but they do. We've been turned into soldiers, and that old chestnut about living by the sword is true. It doesn't have to happen here, though. I want my family, for as long as I can have them."

Sigh. "I just want you to understand I can't protect you from other angels. The chances any of them would actually want to hurt you are small. Just...if it happened, I'd be helpless."