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The Angel Devil has always thought of himself as a Devil first and an Angel second, but when he learns of Aki’s fate, it's the Angel in him that dominates. Unlike with other humans, there is no joy in the thought of Aki suffering as he dies. For the first time, The Angel Devil has something he wants to fight for, but he wouldn’t be able to win against Makima even if he had both arms, so he swallows the hate that eats at him and chooses to save his friend instead. He can’t kill Makima, but he can kill Aki.
It’s better than the gruesome death that awaits him, better than losing his humanity and becoming the Gun Fiend.
The Angel Devil releases a heavy exhale. According to the information he received from the Future Devil, Aki will be visiting him today. Without his arms, he’ll have to catch Aki off guard. He’s run a hundred plans through his head, but there’s only one with any chance of success.
The Angel Devil has to kiss Aki.
Dying in the arms of an angel would be poetic, but he doesn’t have any arms to die in. His lips, however, are still intact, and they’re his best shot at distracting Aki from the fact that the Angel Devil steals the life of those that touch him.
He’s never been nervous like this before. He’s also never had to kill someone with a kiss before. There’s a first for everything, huh?
The Angel Devil lets his eyes flutter shut. Saving Aki from his fate is a ticket straight to hell. There’s no way the Public Safety Division will let him live after this. But without his arms, he’ll be put down either way. He might as well go out with a bang.
If Aki has taught him anything, it’s that fighting for what he cares about is worth it, and against all odds, the Angel Devil cares about Aki. Caring for a human. It makes him sick. Dying will be a lot easier than having to untangle the feelings knotting in his chest.
Something in the careless way Aki had touched him—a devil hunter risking his life to save a Devil—intrigued him. Over time, and with enough exposure, that fascination shifted into something new, something the Angel Devil had never experienced before.
He’s not sure how much time passes before the door to his hospital room opens. A despondent Aki emerges, and the Angel Devil watches him cross the room and sit next to his bed.
“I made a contract with the Future Devil,” Aki tells him. The Angel Devil says nothing. “You and the Blood Fiend will be killed by Chainsaw…and the future can’t be changed…” The hopelessness in his eyes is harrowing.
The future can be changed. The Angel Devil knows because he intends to change it.
Sorry, Chainsaw. Aki’s mine to kill.
“I see,” The Angel Devil says, meeting Aki’s sadness with detachment. “So what do you want me to do about it? Are you asking me to stop it from happening when I don’t even have hands?” That’s the plan, but he doesn’t need Aki to know that.
“No,” Aki says, catching him off guard. Then what exactly is he here for? “I’m here to talk about after my death. A Public Safety devil hunter who’s lost both arms will be pushed into retirement. But you’re a devil. Worst-case scenario, you’ll be put down. If it comes to that, give them this envelope. Can’t hurt to try.”
Aki places an envelope on the stand next to his bed. The Angel Devil eyes it with curiosity.
“What is it?” he asks.
“A letter of recommendation from me and Master Kishibe,” Aki explains. “You might be able to stay alive by making a contract with Public Safety, like Fox and the Future Devil.”
The Angel Devil doesn’t tell him that a contract with the Future Devil is out of the picture.
Instead, he shifts in the bed until he’s sitting up. There’s a storm thundering in his chest. Aki came here to try and save him, too. Aki —the supposed number-one devil hater—wants to save the Angel Devil.
It’s all one sick joke if he thinks about it. Fortunately, there’s no time to reflect.
“Well, aren’t you nice?” The Angel Devil mumbles. He catches Aki’s eye.
Aki doesn’t have much life left to take. If he can get thirty seconds, this will all be over. The Angel Devil has to keep himself from shaking. He’s never kissed anyone before, never wanted to, never thought he’d use his lips as a weapon.
“Thanks for thinking of me,” The Angel Devil all but whispers. Aki leans forward to catch the words, but instead, he finds himself caught in a kiss. Without a second of hesitation, Aki kisses back.
The Angel Devil wishes he had done this sooner, wishes he’d be able to do it again, wishes there was a Time Travel Devil he could make a contract with so he could go back and actually save Aki. So he could save himself, too.
Because maybe untying the knots would be worth it after all. Because maybe the Angel Devil doesn’t want to die if it means he gets to do more of this.
Longing consumes him. Aki’s lips are electric against him. It’s not enough.
“Angel,” Aki chokes into his mouth. It’s filled with fear and affection. The Angel Devil stops breathing. No, no, no, no, no—
There has to be another way. Maybe they can fight Makima together. Maybe they can win.
Maybe—
The weight of Aki’s lifeless body collapses into him.
“Aki,” The Angel Devil breathes, unable to even wrap Aki in an embrace. “I’m sorry,” he whispers. He aches the same way he did when he regained his memories and discovered the truth about Makima.
It’s an ache that lives in every ounce of him, and it’s an ache he’ll die with. The Angel Devil drops his head against Aki and waits.