Chapter Text
“You’re late.” Plain blue eyes scanned Angel from head to toe.
“I’m always late.” Angel sighed as he proceeded to walk ahead and towards an ice cream truck parked nearby. Openly ignoring his new companion.
“We should finish by four-thirty.” The tall devil hunter said. “Or earlier if we manage to kill bigger devils.”
Angel hummed in reply. He took a glance at the human who got him into working when he was supposed to be in his apartment, lazing around, working only when needed.
He’s met him before. He was the devil hunter with the katana and the one who lent Angel a handkerchief.
Yeah. That’s him. Angel inwardly muttered.
He was still tall, still deadpan, and still had his hair tied up in a knot; He looked the same if Angel ignored the dark circles under his eyes that were far more visible than before.
Angel wanted to shoot a glare or scowl at him, but he was too lazy for that too. Not that it was the human’s fault that he was back to working five times a week. If anyone was to blame, it would be Makima. She was the one who assigned Angel as the devil hunter’s new buddy without giving him a heads up or say in the matter.
Although he could back out. There was a rule that he and Kishibe established the day Angel joined the bureau; The rule was more of a compromise, and it somehow kept the devil hunters or devils paired with Angel alive or with no lifespan decrease in exchange for a loose schedule.
The Touch Count Rule or Touch Count. That’s what Kishibe called it.
It worked perfectly for him and Kishibe. Makima, on the other hand, wasn't entirely in favor of the concept.
“Tell me about this ‘touch count’ of yours.” Makima said as she eyed Angel intently.
“It’s a rule I have,” Angel said. “If my partner touches me more than five times, I’ll stop working with them.”
The main reason why he had a loose schedule. He never had to work five times a week because his partners either gave up on him because of his laziness or they exceeded five touch counts. And finding replacements—at least those brave enough to risk their lifespan—was difficult enough to begin with, so it always ended with Angel being benched until he’s given a new buddy or called upon by Kishibe or Makima. In simpler terms: no ‘buddy’, no work.
“And Kishibe agreed to this?” Makima asked.
“He suggested it.” Angel said.
“Seems reasonable.” Makima nodded to herself. “Do accidental touches count?”
“Yes.”
Makima placed a finger on her lips, imitating a thinking gesture. “And this ‘five strikes’, is it within a day? A week? A year?”
“Within the duration of our partnership.”
Makima frowned. “That seems unfair, considering that accidental touches count.”
That was the purpose... Angel thought to himself. The touch count was supposed to save him from working with devil hunters who do nine-hour patrols, expeditions, and whatever else it is they do five times a week. Angel would rather die than commit to that.
“I know you hate working,” Makima said. “Hayakawa is the opposite. He’s diligent. You can learn a thing or two about productivity from him, so I expect good results from this team-up.”
Angel’s frowned at this.
“And about the touch count, I’m changing it.”
“What?” Angel nearly choked.
“You can drop Hayakawa if he exceeds five touch counts,” Makima said. “But only if he touches you purposely, and if the said touch is unnecessary.”
“Unnecessary?” He started to panic.
“Yes. If he happens to touch you while rescuing you, it shouldn’t count. Your abilities are promising, keeping you alive is necessary.” Makima offered him a smile too dry to be genuine. “The count also resets every twenty-four hours.”
Angel’s heart fell. “But—“
“Yes, Angel?” Makima cut him off. Her voice was colder and the false warmth on her face vanished, but she was still smiling; sardonically almost. As if daring Angel to contradict her.
Angel swallowed the lump in his throat. There was something about this woman that terrified him. “Nothing..”
“Good.” Makima clasped her hands. “Don’t worry, I won’t tell him. That way you can get your numbers up.”
“Okay..” Angel mumbled, fighting the urge to complain. He wished it was Kishibe giving him orders. He could’ve compromised with him. Makima, on the other hand, gets what she wants. And only what she wants.
“Now, I’m sure you know about my hunter’s situation.” Makima said.
Angel nodded. Kishibe was kind enough to give him a rundown on Hayakawa Aki, and according to Kishibe, his new buddy has made contracts with the curse devil, fox devil, and the future devil. He is one of Public Safety’s best devil hunters, hates devils the most, and he only has two years left to live.
“Try your best not to touch him or warn him at least if he tries touching you. You know I care deeply for my hunters, and if anything bad were to happen to them…” Makima trailed off. She needn't finish. Angel already knew the consequences insubordinate devils face.
“Let’s make sure it doesn't go there.” Angel caught the subtle warning in her tone. “I have big plans for him. So please keep him safe.”
“Of course...”
The changes Makima made left him in a bigger predicament. Angel has to maintain proper distance or react quickly to avoid stealing the little years his new buddy has left. Not to mention the twenty-four-hour reset. Getting 5/5 was nearly impossible.
Angel could only hope the devil hunter was either clumsy or handsy to a certain extent.
“You’ve already had three. That should be enough.” Aki said. “Let’s get to patrolling already.”
“Apparently even eating takes stamina.” Angel reasoned out. He was sitting on a bench with his legs and wings splayed. “I don't really want to work any more today.”
“There’s going to be an expedition and I need to take part in it, but I have to build my reputation some more by taking out some big devils.” Aki explained, hoping it would push his buddy to participate. “You're my buddy now, so help me out here.”
Angel regarded him before answering. It was a stupid reason. Angel knew about the gun devil expedition, and it amused him how a human with only two years left in his time bank wanted to take part in such a dangerous expedition. “How about I think about it after eating one more cone?”
Aki’s eyebrows furrowed. “Get up. If I report to the brass that you are insubordinate, you’ll get killed like any other devil or would you like that?”
He’s threatening me already. That’s a good sign. Angel thought to himself. If he couldn't get a count, he could at least drive him away by getting on his nerves, so Angel decided to test how much attitude and laziness the devil hunter can tolerate.
“If it means having to work, then I guess dying is probably slightly better.” Angel shrugged off.
His subtle provocation seemed to work well by the way Aki’s face hardened. Angel waited for him to fire back or walk away but the devil hunter only sighed, clearly successful in calming himself.
He’s got a bit of patience… Angel sighed in dismay.
“Get up.” Without warning, Aki grabbed Angel by the elbow and pulled him out of the bench, forcing him to stand.
One.
Strike one.
Angel stared at him all wide-eyed before fully processing what had just occurred. The rush of adrenaline coursed through his body before settling on his ears and fingertips, leaving a familiar tingling sensation.
He touched me.
Angel looked at the hand that was holding his elbow, blinking at it several times before looking back at the human.
Maybe he was overreacting about the changes Makima made.
“What?” Aki grunted, pulling Angel out of his incredulous state.
Angel shot him a look before hastily drawing back his elbow from Aki’s grip, dusting off whatever particle the human left on his coat while inwardly debating whether or not he should warn him about his abilities.
There’s a big chance the human had forgotten about it, but he probably won’t remind him. That way he could get his numbers up quickly.
It’s a cruel decision, but Angel believes working five times a week from nine to five was crueler.
“Nothing.” Angel murmured.
Aki regarded him before turning his heel and walking away. “C’mon, we’re gonna be late.”
He’s careless. Angel thought. That should be good.
The second strike occurred three hours after the first.
They were reassigned to a different station after receiving reports of a devil nearby. It was afternoon, the streets were busy. Angel had lost sight of his buddy and his destination. The crowd had somehow separated them along the way.
Getting lost wasn't something he planned on doing just to kill time and avoid work, he had other ideas for that. One that didn't involve getting stuck in a sea of humans who were only a few inches away from him, but Angel was small, 5’4 at least and the fact that he had a halo and wings didn’t help. People frequently stopped to take a look, causing enough pedestrian traffic to slow him and everyone down. Aki, on the other hand, was tall and human. Nothing particularly unusual to look at or not small enough to get caught in a sea of people.
Angel hissed as the crowd began to close in on him. His wings instinctively cocooned around his body, creating a barrier to avoid unwanted contact.
“Get out the way.” Angel huffed as he carefully slipped his way through the crowd. He remembered seeing Aki walk somewhere ahead, but he can barely navigate his surroundings with people towering over him. “Move.”
“Human!” Angel called out. He forgot his name.
“Look at that!” Angel instinctively turned to the voice once he felt footsteps quickly approaching him.
Angel took a step back when he saw a child standing only a few feet away from him.
“Go away.” He said, but the child went closer.
“Honey, don’t get too close!” The child’s mother cried out from a distance.
“They’re real wings!” The child gasped as he extended his hand in an attempt to grab one of Angel’s primary feathers.
Angel’s eyes widened, about to back away and throw another warning but his back collided with someone else’s. Panic arose at the sudden contact, causing Angel to freeze in place, afraid to accidentally touch anyone by moving further.
“Stop wandering.” It was Aki.
A wave of relief swept over him and he regained the ability to move. Angel tilted his head to look at the human. His gaze was already on him. He looked impassive but Angel could tell that he was getting irritated upon hearing the tone of his voice.
Angel opened his mouth to give the human a silly excuse to rile him up, but Aki had placed his hand on Angel’s back, just above the base of his wings. He didn't even give Angel time to react because he shoved him right after, moving him away from the child and other onlookers.
Angel yelped at the sudden force. He could have fallen face first if it weren't for his devil reflexes.
Two. Angel inwardly counted.
“So sorry!” The child’s mother approached them. “He’s not used to seeing those things.” There was a trail of spite in her tone.
Aki offered her a small smile and a nod. “It’s alright. Please take care.” He politely said before turning to Angel.
He looked like he was about to scold him but he only gave Angel a disapproving look before sighing. It became evident then that his patience was a big threat to Angel’s plan.
“You were walking too fast.” Angel reasoned out to Aki’s unspoken complain.
Aki ignored him and Angel made no effort whatsoever to defend himself further. Too preoccupied with his scheming to bother nor realize that the lingering warmth on his back was Aki’s hand.
“You’re spacing out again.” Aki tutted, giving Angel another shove forward. Only then Angel realized his hand never left his back. “Do I have to drag you or will you walk?”
The rush was back, only this time the tingling sensation settled to where Aki’s hand was placed.
Why is he still touching me? Does he really not remember?
Angel furrowed his eyebrows. He was genuinely curious, but he didn't ask. He didn't say anything. Not when he’s presented with an easy way out of this predicament.
The man kept touching him, he could at least utilize that.
“I don’t know where we’re going.” Angel said as he moved away from his touch and gave the human a mundane look to which Aki returned with a sigh.
“Just follow me. Don’t dilly dally.”
“I make no promises.” Angel muttered, tailing behind the taller man who kept glancing over his shoulder to ensure the little devil was still following behind.
“You can kill him painlessly with your power. Just let him go in peace.”
Angel stared at the dying devil hunter who wheezed and coughed blood as he pleaded with him for a quick death.
“Don't wanna.” Angel slurred, tilting his head. He never had any aversion to humans nor was he amicable. He never bothered to delve deep into his relationships with humans—or even devils. It was too much work. All he knew was that one: whatever happens to everyone around him is none of his business, as long as he’s not directly involved in it. Two: he can tolerate humans more than other devils could. “I'm a devil before I'm an angel. I think humans should suffer as they die.”
The comment must've pushed a button because Aki’s tone shifted and he gave Angel a blunt response. “I can't fake it. I just can't get along with you.”
A triumphant feeling rose in Angel’s chest, but he stayed composed. “Sounds like something you’d say.” he nonchalantly remarked.
Angel grabbed the human’s arm, ripped its head off with his bare hands, and began gnawing on it. Aki eyed him, disgusted but he made no comment or effort to show it.
“Go on ahead, I'm going to eat.” Angel said, the blood staining his lips made plain blue eyes linger on him longer. “What?”
Aki swiftly averted his gaze before shaking his head, disappearing into the alleyway, and reappearing a few minutes later with two drinks in hand. He sat on the dusty wooden boxes on the side, eyeing his wristwatch before settling his eyes on the devil. He was kind enough to spare Angel ten minutes to eat.
Aki glanced at his watch again. “Clean up, Devil. We still have patrolling to do.” He offered Angel a bottle of water and a handkerchief he held in one hand.
Angel narrowed his eyes at him.
“I’m still eating.”
“There’s plenty more to eat if we start moving now.” Aki handed the water and handkerchief again.
With a defeated sigh, Angel took the bottle. “Hold that for a minute.”
He didn’t have the energy to argue at the moment so Angel drank half the contents of the bottle before using the remaining to wash his bloodied hands. He then took the handkerchief and dried his lips and hands with it. Aki watched him throughout, intrigued at how clean the devil is compared to the two he has at home.
“Where to next?”
“The old public market. It’s a long walk from here.” Aki straightened his coat before walking out of the alleyway with Angel in tow. “Keep up. We still have to report to Makima.”
Angel nearly tripped. “What? What do you mean we’re reporting to Makima?”
“I mean we’re going to her office to provide a detailed report of our patrolling.” Aki said.
“Why would she…” Angel trailed off as he pondered the information. Devil hunters or Devils don’t usually report uneventful patrols to Makima or anyone in her position unless it was something big, like Gun Devil big or something close. “What for?”
“Beats me.” Aki shrugged. “Probably to see if we’re compatible.”
Right. The touch count. Angel sighed inwardly. Makima wanted to make sure Angel was doing his part as Aki’s new buddy. She wanted to know if Angel followed the rules she changed.
He should've seen this coming, but Angel was too focused on getting himself out of this situation to even remember all the changes she made, which included avoiding and warning Aki if he touches him.
“You should start helping if you don’t want me reporting your laziness.”
Angel scoffed. “I’ve been reported for that more than once, human. That’s not gonna cause me any trouble.” But the touch count would. “Why didn’t you tell me earlier?”
“Tell you what?”
“The report.”
“Didn't she tell you?”
She didn't. But Aki doesn't need to know why.
“I wasn't listening. I probably didn't catch that bit.” Angel said. “Is this report daily?”
“I don’t know. We don’t usually report directly to her if it isn't something big. It’ll probably be a one-time thing.” He said as they entered a narrow alleyway, lowering his head in the process to avoid the low-hanging signs that decorated the alleyway.
Angel sighed, growing more anxious by the second when he realized he hadn't given the human a single warning and he’s already counted two strikes.
“Right...” Angel took a deep breath, calming himself. He’ll deal with it later when he’s not busy wasting the remainder of his energy walking and panicking. “Just tell me when—“
“Careful.” Aki placed a hand just above Angel’s forehead which nearly collided with a broken, low-hanging lightbox. Thankfully his unruly bangs stood in the way of Aki’s skin and his.
The adrenaline kicked back quickly. Angel winced away within milliseconds, his arms tucked in his chest and wings blanketing his body. The rush made him dizzy. His heart pounding twice as fast as he inwardly assessed if he had taken days off of the human’s life from that simple contact.
“What’s wrong?” Aki asked, genuinely concerned.
“Do you want to die?” Angel hissed, glaring daggers at him.
“You were going to run into the sign.” Aki’s irritation resurfaced at Angel’s reaction.
“You almost touched me!” Angel huffed.
“Ah.” Aki’s face softened, realizing what he did wrong.
He knew about Angel’s abilities. He knew he shouldn't be touching him carelessly or at all, but he forgets from time to time and he blamed it on the events that had occurred before this. He thought it would be easy adjusting to Angel’s circumstances, but the two rascals in his apartment won't stop until they’re manhandled and Himeno…
He got so used to her that it was hard not to go back from how everything was. All the holding and touching. It was hard not to do the same to Angel when Aki’s accustomed to it.
“Sorry, force of habit.”
“Force of habit? That’s the third time you touched me today!” Angel hissed in warning.
Aki arched an eyebrow. “You keep count?”
“Of course, I—“ Angel stopped mid-sentence when he noticed the faint amusement on Aki’s face. “Doesn’t matter. Quit touching me.” he hissed.
“It was an accident, calm down.” Aki said, taking note of the devil’s sudden aggravation.
“Just keep your hands to yourself.” Angel muttered with a heavy sigh. His eyebrows were furrowed and his flushed face was more visible thanks to the glow of his halo, unknowingly catching the attention of the other.
Aki stared back at his watch. "It’s almost three, we’re going to be late. Sprint or I’ll drag you along with me.” He warned before rushing to god-knows-where.