Chapter Text
"I'm sorry," The young boy says, gripping the dirty white shirt he wore and his face puffed with tears streaming down his face. The boy held back some noises of his sobbing, but he couldn't help the hiccups that croaked out from his throat. He can tell the boy is very sad, embarrassed to be crying in front of an adult, and afraid. "I'm sorry."
Arataka, on the other end, was confused but baffled at the sudden realization. He never expected the kid to have wings and long horns poking out of his head. Not that it was unusual, half creatures exist, but the kid was half of the most hated species in the world. Half-demon. The kid looked exactly like a human. Arataka never expected the little kid he taught in his class to be a half-demon.
"Please don't hate me." The little boy started to cover his eyes with his arms, still looking at the ground with shame. His wings hugged behind his back like it was trying to comfort themselves. It stunned Arataka, and he didn't feel rage or anger at the kid. He only felt sorry for the kid.
He leaned down, which the boy noticed, and took a step back. He could hear the little boy's voice hitch and his lips started trembling. He grew more afraid at the sudden moment from the adult above him.
"Kid," He started, kneeling on the pavement below him. He reached the same level as the kid, then his arms reached out and surrounded the boy. He kept a long hug and let the young boy quietly sob on his shoulder. "I don't hate you. I'm here for you. I'm glad you could trust me to come to me."
The boy hugged back and was shaking uncontrollably now. He tried to speak, but only continuously hiccups came out. Arataka isn't dumb and can tell the boy had something to say. Arataka decided to hug him tighter, and the boy responded by hugging him more.
"It's okay. If you'd want, stay at my place for a while. You are running away from your house, correct? I'm sure there is a reason." Arataka lets go of the hug to give the kid a smile and a pat on the back. The boy calmed down and looked at the adult with hope. He continued reaffirming to the kid, "Let's talk about it inside."
*
"Dad," Mob points to Arataka's forehead with his index finger. He stood beside the bed, tapping his feet and waiting for a response. He looked at the adult on the bed and rolled his eyes when he saw Arataka turn away from Mob.
"..." There was no response from the adult. Which Mob began to think about what he should do. He sat on the bed with the space Arataka left to begin thinking. However, he looked at the other side of the room and saw a teddy bear.
The teddy bear was a gift from Arataka, and as Mob grew, Arataka was upset that the bear was left alone, so he took the bear instead and was left collecting dust in his room. Mob never disliked the bear as he loved it. The bear holds many memories and positive emotions inside him. It made him happy that it still sat on a safe spot nonetheless.
The boy stood on his feet and kneeled on the ground in front of the toy Bear. He let his fingers brush through the familiar fur. The little stains on the bear reminded a lot of fights between Arataka that involved food. It made him giggle at the young memory and smile at the silly face he remembered the adult wore while fighting. More stains gave Mob more happy memories and a brighter smile. Then, Mob felt himself sweat under the uncomfortable free sunlight from the blinds beaming on his face, the sunlight tickled his cheeks, and the boy found it hard to see.
He felt his wings surround the bear and boy. It made him feel safe with his wings covering the sunlight through the window. He picked an arm from the bear and waved it around like it was saying hello to the boy. The boy smiled and savored the bear through a hug. His arm tingled with the fur tickling his skin. He let his wings hang low on his back, letting the free sunlight hit his face.
He walked towards the window, still holding his childhood toy teddy bear, and pulled the blinds open. He turned around and noticed Arataka now stirring on his bed with the incandescent sunlight laying the bed.
"Dad, wake up." Mob demanded once more. He stared at Arataka lazily with boredom, then hugged his teddy close to his chest.
"That's bright!" Arataka finally yelped, attempting to pull the covers above his face, he acted like he was at the mercy of the sunlight. So dramatic, Mob thinks before rolling his eyes in annoyance once more. He lifted his hand towards Arataka, then used his powers to pull the blanket out of Arataka's reach.
"Breakfast is ready," Mob monotonously replied, then lazily levitated the blanket in his arms. He folded the blanket with his eyes half-lidded. He wishes he could've slept more. Unfortunately, there are plans today, "Wake up."
Arataka stood up and let out a yawn. Mob settled with this and rested the folded blanket by Arataka's side. He didn't wait for Arataka to stand up and walked out of the room to eat his portion of his food. Guilty, he let out a yawn, body stretching as he walked towards the set-up table.
"Mob." Arataka peaked out of the door, still looking tired with eyebags under his brown eyes. His clothes were a mess and needed to be ironed.
Which reminded him that Mob refuses to iron clothes, as Arataka never taught him. The boy doesn't do well with no directions or orders through something he has never dealt with. It's funny how Mob knows how to be responsible and does most chores, and the one thing he doesn't know is how to iron clothes. Burning is one of Mob's least favorite things anyways. Thus, the thought of the iron accidentally touching his hands sends chills down his spine and an unpleasant and odd taste in his mouth.
Sure, everyone dislikes accidentally burning their hands or any limb of their body, but Mob has a particularly unpleasant memory of being burnt. Even if Mob looks and is a human, he is a half-devil to which exorcists desire to send Mob to hell to 'where he belongs.' As a result, many exorcists that happen to find out Mob is a devil... ends with burn marks on Mob's exposed skin and a few traumatic experiences. 'Traumatic experiences' both for Mob and the poor exorcists in question.
"Mob, are you okay?" Arataka spoke with slight concern in his voice. His eyebrow wrinkled up with a concerned look on his face.
Mob felt a tint of guilt and became embarrassed that he spaced out. He snapped out from his trance and responded, "Ah, I'm sorry. I was thinking about something. Is there anything wrong?"
Arataka waved his hands, his face returning normal and with a bright smile of reassurance. "Nope! Nothing wrong... Although, I was wondering what you cooked for breakfast?"
Mob smiled, knowing what Arataka's reaction would be when he revealed the food he made for the both of them.
"I made hash browns, eggs, and bacon for us." Mob gave an answer, which Arataka gasped, puffing his nose and running back into his room with happy giggles through the door.
Mob smiled more at the response and started setting up the table, putting down napkins and necessities for breakfast. He put his bear on a chair before pouring the cold milk into his cup and iced water into Arataka's. At this time, Arataka sat on his chair at the table, stretching out the remaining tiredness he had, and started chewing through his food. Mob walked up to the table, setting the cups next to the appropriate dishes before settling on his chair to begin eating.
"Man! You always make awesome hashbrowns!" Reigen complimented, trying to speak clearly with his mouth full. He waved his fork around as he exalted Mob's cooking and picked up his new cup of iced water with his free hand.
"Thank you." Mob answered back after swallowing the leftover food in his mouth. He nodded with a smile and scooped up more food with his spoon.
Then, Arataka raised his eyebrows, clearly looking at something behind Mob. Which Mob turned to see what he was looking at, and his eyes set on the bear he left on a chair earlier.
"Hm... What's Milo doing there?" Arataka pointed towards the bear for confirmation, mouth still full of unswallowed food.
Milo was the nickname Mob gave his bear as a child. Both Arataka and Mob decided on calling it Milo despite it being years later. He found a grey cat appearing one day, walking alongside when Mob ran away. The cat unknowingly comforted him. Despite that, Mob is thankful he could have somebody on his side before reaching Arataka's house. The grey cat had a nametag hanging around its neck that Mob noticed before stepping before Arataka's front door. He could barely see the small text, but Mob managed to make out the text, 'Milo.'
The bear was grey and had the same fur as Milo. Mob admits that, at first, he thought his new teddy bear was a cat and didn't find out until a few years later. Despite that, it reminds Mob of Milo. So, both Arataka and Mob agreed to name the bear Milo.
"I saw Milo when I was trying to wake you up," Mob answered, looking back at Arataka. He put more food in his mouth and continued, "He was collecting dust, so I thought I'll move him."
Arataka nodded, and the both of them continued chewing their food. Despite the awkward and quiet tension between the two. Mob started a conversation, "So, are you going to talk more about Demons today? I want to know more about my species."
Arataka choked loudly, then started choking on his food, hurrying to get a napkin on the side of the table. After he chugged water and wiped his mouth with a clean napkin, he reassured Mob that he was okay. Regardless of Mob's still concerns, everything settled.
"Well..." Arataka's eye twitched, clearly uncomfortable at the sensitive topic. Mob saw him sweat nervously and awkwardly pulled his shirt away from his neck, mimicking people who were getting hot and pulled their shirts to cool down. Arataka noticed the cold stare that Mob gave, but he continued with his voice mumbling, "How about next month, Mob? I'll tell you then."
"No," He responded sternly. The air started to grow cold, and the familiar smell of a campfire spread around the room. Mob frowned, and his eyes dulled with disappointment, "You said that last month and the month before. Actually, you have been saying that for a while now, Arataka."
Arataka grew more uncertain and scared by the usage of his name. He was more concerned and afraid as time passed between the two.
"Please," Mob pleaded, maintaining his serious tone, "tell me more about my species. I don't want to be kept in the dark any longer..."
The boy saw Arataka gulping, his pupils were short and eyes filled with unfamiliarity. Mob dislikes making Arataka nervous and afraid. However, this was the last time Arataka was going to make any excuses. He wants to know why everyone hates him, why his species is so hated, and if there are others like him. Now, he demands to know and will do anything if needed.
"Fine, Fine," Arataka finally accepted, raising his hands in defeat, "I'll tell you."
Mob felt his face relax and his body calm down. He was so happy that Arataka would finally tell him and stop avoiding the subject. It had been so long since Mob first asked, and this was the day. It was a relief.
"Thank you..." Mob tried to thank Arataka but didn't finish before Arataka raised his hands in front of him, which stunned Mob into silence.
"Before that!" Arataka interrupted, grinning with his cheeks puffing up. Mob tensed up, afraid that Arataka would make another excuse. Thankfully, that wasn't the case, "I'll tell you once we work on the shop together."
That wasn't bad, actually, it was enjoyable to work in the shop as it was a stress reliever because doing something distracted him from his worries. The 'shop' is a plant shop, and any plants that Mob takes care of are calming. So when Arataka made a deal that he would tell Mob what he wanted to know, if only he help Arataka with the shop, Mob enthusiastically agreed.
After finishing their breakfast, they dressed up more appropriately, then walked and entered the shop not too long after. The morning was soft, and welcoming. Which Mob savored while he was outside walking alongside Arataka. After the familiar bell that rung in the store, Mob started watering the plants, and Arataka took the duty to cut any dead leaves off from plants. They work next to each other. After a while of no exchange, Arataka opens a conversation to ease the quiet tension.
"So, you wanted to know more about the devil species?"
Mob quickly looks around to see if anyone happens to be eavesdropping or if a customer walked in. However, the store remained quiet and empty. When Mob confirmed that there was no one but them, he looked in Arataka's direction and nodded.
Arataka grew serious and quietly snipped off the dead parts of the plants. Mob never recognized his gaze. It was a peculiar gaze that was so...foreign. It was almost frightening how new it was.
"Demons have been around for centuries," Arataka explains, fixed on his spot and treating the plant under him. He shifted slightly to the side, trying to find comfort in the silence. He took a deep breath before carrying on, "Demons isn't particularly... Docile. They are independent on their own."
Arataka snipped another leave, and it slowly fell onto the dirt below.
"Too independent..." Arataka added, his eyebrows furrowed, and his lips pouted. "They are quite terrifying."
"Am I?" Mob felt his face sweat with a pang of unexpected guilt filling his heart. Mob has never done anything in his life, not anything he remembers. He bowed his head with shame, then stared at the flooring under him.
Arataka turned. Mob could tell by his shadow under his cleaned shoes. His shoe was what Mob stared at until his vision started to become blurry. He doesn't want to see Arataka's face as it could be unpleasant, and he doesn't want him to see that Mob is starting to cry.
"Am I terrifying?" Mob repeated, his voice cracked. Fortunately, he covered it up by spraying the dry plant in front of him.
"No," Arataka probably smiled, his voice hinting at honesty, "No, no, you're a good devil. Don't worry about that, Mob."
"Ah," Mob doesn't know how to feel about that. Instead of thinking too much about it, he turned to Arataka. "Okay."
Arataka chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck nervously. He settled the scissors on the surface of the metal table. He stilled for a moment and still isn't looking at Mob - not even shooting a glance.
"The reason why I never wanted to tell you about devils was that..." Arataka inhaled, then exhaled with his eyes closed with force, "demons eats humans."
Mob looked away from Arataka and gazed at the plant in front of him. He felt his heart start racing with dread and his hand trembling. It was almost unbelievable that he heard the harsh truth. He even considered if he was dreaming or misheard Arataka. Even if he wanted to say anything, nothing left his mouth, not even a squeak. The silence between the two was deafening, and you could hear a pin drop.
"Though, I shouldn't be worried as you never hurt anyone before," Arataka snickered, trying to lighten the mood with positivity, "heh, you don't even hurt a fly."
Mob didn't say anything, as he chose to. It didn't feel right to respond just yet.
"You're different," Arataka continued, "You aren't like them."
The adult set a hand on Mob's head. He gave a smile of reassurance, and his eyes brimmed with honesty. It softened the harsh atmosphere and made Mob's eyes shine with amazement. Arataka is a genuine person, and this conversation only broadened that.
"Thank you," Mob smiled, expressing his thanks, "I'm glad I have a good father like you."
Arataka retracted his hand and rubbed under his nose with his index finger. He clearly looked happy and smug about something. Then, he placed his hand on Mob's shoulder, looking off to the side with a smug grin, "Glad to have you as my student! Ah, well... Kid! Son, I mean!"
"Ah," Mob interrupted, making his horns and wings vanish as he felt a different aura outside. "Someone is coming in the store."
As if on cue, the store bell rings throughout the small shop. Arataka jumped but quickly reached the customer with not even a goodbye. Mob decided to pick up a mop to start cleaning the flooring as he saw some dirt in some areas.
When he started mopping on the other side of the store, he started listening to the conversation between the stranger and Arataka. He knew he shouldn't eavesdrop, but it was almost impossible to ignore the conversation anyways.
"...So, what's your name, sir?" Arataka politely greeted before asking. He walked with a customer service smile plastered on his face.
The customer was new, not one of the regulars, Mob noted. He is a blond kid who is much shorter than Arataka. He looked around the same age as Mob, and his uniform implied that he attended a neighborhood school that Mob attends. He tried to link the uniform to the school and guess. Unfortunately, Mob couldn't put his finger on it, gave up on guessing what school he attends, looked away, and continued mopping.
"My name is Teruki Hanazawa."