Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

To say the least, Mariana was not thrilled for this assignment.

Find the demon that has been quote on quote “fishing for souls” or whatever. She knows that all demons have their own ways to gather souls. Some do the crossroads deals, some you summon, but…fishing? Apparently this demon likes to just throw out deals into humanity, hidden among the clouds like a boat on the water, and when a susceptible human takes the bait just yank them up. It’s twisted, but a smart strategy he must admit.

And Mariana has been assigned to put an end to this, sending the demon down to hell again.

Currently the demon is perched atop a cloud above a random human city, A medium ranked slime demon, considering the slime tail and horns that poke from the light brown hair of the demon. He has a white shirt on with an unknown pattern to her as he is sitting back facing him, a green and gold sash with a purple bag at the side, jorts, and red and white sneakers. Honestly a peculiar outfit for a demon, but who is he to judge considering his favorite outfit is a yellow jumpsuit with red boots and gloves, and a white cape.

“Do you have a license for soul catching?” Mariana calls out, trying to add some humor to this situation as well before she kicks this demon’s ass back down to hell. He lands on the cloud, large golden wings tucking behind his cloak.

The demon doesn’t respond verbally, just patting the space beside him. Mariana huffs, deciding maybe he can humor this a little, before sitting beside the demon.

“Just watch.” The demon comments, eyes still focused on the bait floating above a district in the city. The mortals seem roughly dressed. Some sit out on the side of the street while others sit on the steps of large deteriorating buildings smoking cigarettes. An aura of gloom shrouds the place, and Mariana grimaces sensing the demon is targeting poor mortals with the deal.

“Easier catches.” The demon chuckles sensing his disgust at his actions, “I normally leave them alone as the rich are more fun to catch and pull a better price. Plus I was like them when I was alive. Alas, I need my soul quota.”

Suddenly the pole yanks, and the demon grins as he starts to reel up, revealing a soul tucked neatly on the hook. “They always look so peaceful at first. Finally got the peace they wanted…” The demon gently takes the soul off the hook and places it in the bucket, “It’s a horrible job, but must admit, I'm quite addicted.”

Then the demon finally looks at her, emerald green eyes glinting with mischief, as he starts to hand over the pole. And Mariana, struck by the cunning beauty of this demon, takes the pole without a fight.

“Here let me prep the bait.” The demon comments, as he takes the hook in his clawed hands as he slides a promise of a bright future, swirling with demonic magics, right on the hook. He drops the hook gently, “And now cast.”

Mariana does as told, pressing the button on the side, tossing back, and throwing forward, watching as the bait drops deeper and deeper into the city, before floating right above the heads of mortals, dangling just arms length above their heads.

When the line tugs, Mariana does as instructed, reeling up, and what lays in her hands is a soul. A soul attached to the hook almost sloppily, as if the victim was desperate for the deal. Mariana feels sick, but his head is spinning with adrenaline. The demon grins at him, sharp teeth glinting as he takes the soul off the hook for her, placing it in the bucket.

Mariana is staring at the demon, something deep inside him wanting to see that devilish grin once again. “Again. Por favor, otra vez.”

“Told ya it was addicting.” The demon chuckles, but compiles, setting his hook again. Mariana tosses out, and the demon summoning a new rod, shuffles over slightly and tosses in a new direction.

They fish in silence, the demon eventually setting pre-made bait beside her so he doesn’t have to ask for more after every caught soul.

The silence is eventually broken, when the demon asks, “So…what's your name, angel?”

“Why do you want to know?” Mariana eventually responds.

“Not like I can make a deal with you,” The demon grumbles, “I’m just curious. Want to know my fishing buddy.”

The angel sighs, “Mariana.”

The demon grins, “Names Charlie. Pleasure to meet you, Mariana.” Before the demon stands and stretches, Mariana finally sees the two and a half hearts design on the shirt. “Anyways i’ve met my quota faster than usual thanks to your help. Assuming I'll be…seeing you again? Next week? Different place of course, I know if you showed up it means your kind are well aware I’m here. But I know you’ll find me.” and he picks up the bucket.

Mariana glances down at the fishing rod, about to hand it over when Charlie shakes his head, “Nah keep it. Say you confiscated it from me when you kicked me back down to hell. I know you’ll likely get in trouble if you get found out, so might as well give you a boon.”

Mariana hesitates but nods, “gracias.”

“See you again, handsome.” Charlie grins, before snapping his fingers and his form dissolving into slime as Mariana is left alone atop that cloud buried in the dread of what he just did. Before flaring out his wings to take off into the sky towards heaven once again.

As the days go on, the more gray the morals of this continue to be. Many of the souls trapped were bound to hell anyways, cons, murderers, abusers, all the likes. Mariana kept coming back every weekend, avoiding her duties, barely ever reporting to the higher ups and god.

He felt almost like he was a rebel, not wanting to imagine getting caught, and doing almost vigilante work as he followed this demon around city to city gathering the souls of the sinful and putting them in the bucket.

Charlie, he also finds even if he’s a demon, is good at heart. Honestly a lot better then some other angels she knows. The demon is just doing this to do his job. He doesn’t want to go back to being a lower demon doing the dirty work, and just got this promotion into deal making.

“They want a way out, I'm just doing my job dangling the temptation of a deal in front of them. Most of those who are bound for heaven would refuse anyways, so I'm just clearing out the sinners by taking them early.” The demon comments as he casts out once again. “I’m sure an angel can appreciate that. Making the world better one soul at a time.”

Mariana huffs, unsure if he can take the higher ground considering he’s joining the demon in the job, “I guess…”

Charlie smiles, albeit more genuine than the smirks and grins she's used to from the demon. He moves his rod to his tail to hold, the slimy spaded appendage curling around it as he moves forward and leaned up on her a little, “Why do you humor me?” He finally asks.

“Que?” Mariana feels put off by the question along with the sudden closeness. He finds his cheeks growing slightly golden.

“We’ve fished for…I dunno….almost a year now? I’ve never had an angel who actually listened to what I said before, just kicking me off the cloud or whatever, forcing me to teleport back to hell before I become a puddle of demonic slime on the ground of the mortal plain. ‘M just curious that's all.”

Mariana hesitates, “I…can see righteousness in what you do. As you said before, you are cleaning up the sinners.”

“Yes, but I want it in your own words.” Charlie responds. “Tell me, why does an angel come to fish for souls with a demon every week?” his eyes glowing that toxic green that captivated her since the first day.

“To…spend time with you?” Mariana finally mutters out.

“Ahhh there it is.” The demon smiles wider, “I’m glad.”

Next thing Mariana knows the demon snakes his hand around to the back of his head, hissing for a second from the holy light of her halo, before pulling him down to kiss.

And Mariana finds himself melting into the kiss like being rocked on the gentle waves of the ocean.

Couple weeks later, Mariana is once again in the clouds with the demon, helping Charlie clean up, when the demon hands over the bucket, “Can you count the souls for me, mi amor?”

Mariana rolls his eyes at the nickname he's been calling her since they kissed, “Si.” When he glances down to do the counting, when he freezes, spotting the souls of two children, clinging almost to each other for dear life….even if they are dead. They are barely 8. He reaches down to touch gently and gets a flash of a little dragon hybrid girl with glasses and twin braids in brown hair, and a child with short black hair, a red bow, and duck wings.

“Cómo…” She trails off, staring at it with horror.

“Ah…Yeah. We each caught one.” The demon looks…saddened. But his face flickers once again to indifference. “They took the bait…” The demon’s hands are shaking slightly, “We have to remember that.”

“They are children. ” Mariana hisses back.

“Perhaps they will get pardoned. We are lenient with children. Get a new life.” Charlie shrugs, taking the bucket back and counting himself.

“I have to go.” Mariana stands up and flares out wings taking a flap and starting to fly off. Leaving that evil fishing rod.

“Will you be back next week?” Charlie calls out, but to no answer.

Mariana felt betrayed at the end. He thought he was doing something good. Taking out the souls that are rotten from the bunch, helping a demon who didn’t seem all that bad with his quota.

He is an angel.

He took an oath to protect those who are good, and guide those who are falling behind.

He is a savior, and yet a danger to some.

But….He took a child’s life before she could even make amends for her sin.

Mariana refuses to return to that demon after that. He cannot get betrayed again.

Currently she sits outside the office where those who are summoned to a job get their assignments.

“Mariana?” A voice calls out, and he stands up as Cucurucho, the assistant to god beckons her into the room.

“Sí, señor?” She asks, standing up straight wings tucked as a sign of respect ingrained into him since he became an angel.

“You haven’t had much luck with that demon you were assigned, right?” Cucurucho asks.

Mariana mentally grimaces as he nods.

“We found a lead.” and a file is pushed forward, “We expect fast work from you, as you have taken a while studying the demon’s habits as you said.”

Mariana nervously takes the file, “Of course.”

“You are dismissed.”

Mariana steps out of the office with trembling hands.

She is expected to head out tomorrow.

She just hopes she doesn’t end up in that demon’s claws again, or even worse on the hook. 

Chapter Text

Well that went to shit real fast.

The demon is annoyingly way too charismatic for her own good. He tried to do his job, to actually send that demon back down. But was once again was caught up in his eyes. 

Instead he followed the demon around again fishing once again for souls with him.

Until he was caught. Until they were caught.

They tossed the demon back down, and restrained her, used his halo against him like some sort of cuff and tossed him into a cell.

Days dragged on, Mariana in all honesty didn’t know how many days it had been. Trapped in this cell, hands binded by his own halo, wings slowly growing more and more unkempt.

Next thing Mariana knew however, his hands were unbinded and was pushed in a room with a meal set before him, and Cucurucho standing on the other side of the table with a calculating gaze.

“Sit.” They offer.

Mariana does as told, sitting quietly in front of the meal.

“Your last meal. Eat.” They offer.

He nods a little, moving to start eating. Every bite felt more and more like something heavy and dense filling his chest.

“We expected better from you, Mariana.” Cucurucho comments, actually sitting down across from her, “You know well that it is forbidden to help demons.”

He swallows and nods, not really wanting to speak. There isn’t exactly anything he can say in defense. They are right, she did know better.

“However,” Pawed hands land on the table, clasping together, “It truly would be a shame to lose you. Such an angel as yourself, you have been nothing but an aid to us, only doing what is right, a powerful angel.”

Mariana winces.

“Which is why I want to offer a deal.” Cucurucho concludes.

Mariana’s eyes widen, “huh”

“Quiet. Let me explain first.” Cucurucho growls.

Mariana sits up some, but nods, staying quiet.

“You will still fall, we have a system after all, but not to hell. You shall fall to the earth. Still an angel, but restrained to a lighthouse on a small uninhabited island. Your duty is to help humans. Help guide the lighthouse, guiding human ships. You shall never hurt any human. You shall not interfere. Do I make myself clear? Do you accept?”

“I accept.” Mariana nods.

And that's how she found himself now. An angel on a small island, atop a lighthouse that clung to the cliff by its fingers.

Alone, watching the ships sail by, keeping a close eye out, ensuring the light shines bright in the night and during storms.

A prison of its own accord, but better than hell.

And a whole lot better than what is to come.

It was a dark night, the waves a deathtrap of their own. No ship would survive out here.

And cursed be her luck because next thing he knows he spots a ship trying to wade through the waves. Quickly he climbed into the lighthouse, aiming the light, lighting up the path through the rocks right up to shore where the humans all hopped out and set up for the night out of the storm. Planning that the next day that they could hop back on and sail off again.

However, the ocean never rests, and that ship they left has washed back out to sea, leaving these mortals stranded the next day.

And Mariana watched. Unable to help. Unable to give advice. Just stuck here, watching them scramble to learn to survive.

It was a large group, many nationalities, and different backgrounds. They all were a crew together, and are now left with a dilemma.

The trees are scarce, so they have two options. Build shelter and learn to live here, or build rafts and hope someone finds them.

Sadly it was no surprise when they separated into groups, building homes, and their first building a prison.

They called it Quesadilla island. They made it their own, they learned to survive off the land, hoping that someday some ship might come by and carry them away to their homes. A sadly pathetic cry out for help. Nobody would find them.

Mariana watched them build, watched them build families. They found a nest of abandoned dragon eggs and took them in, raising these young dragonets as their own children.

They will never see out of this place, all trapped here by their parents' decisions. They never tried to escape. They stare up at the lighthouse in awe.

Mariana is aware they know he’s there. He has heard them tell stories of the lighthouse keeper. A winged figure who they saw the shadow off in the lighthouse that fated night. Who they keep seeing the shadow of, who watches them, a constant observer.

They are curious, and yet Mariana just hopes none of them comes to try and talk with him. They are trapped there because of her. Because she worked with that demon. If it wasn’t for him, they would have sailed past. The humans are not to blame, she is. Guilt buries more and more into his chest by the day

After years, the island is at peace. No issues, no fights, just peace. Mariana can feel like he can rest. The Dragons are older, running around playing, the humans at peace, chatting and helping one another. Yet they are not free, and can never leave. A fate worse than death.

Once again Mariana sets to her post for the night, atop the lighthouse, watching the sea.

He feels dread when once again he spots a ship.

He knows what will happen again if he guides them. They will become trapped as well, and unluckily this time there would not be enough wood for them to build their homes.

Chaos would unfold.

So, left to his senses he climbs once again into the lighthouse.

And smashes out the light.

He cannot let another group of humans get trapped here, it would be inhumane for those who live here and the new group.

The next morning, the wreckage of that ship that smashed into the rocks was nowhere to be seen, unknown by the islanders that populate the island.

Yes he is not to hurt humans, but doesn’t mean he will help. And he cannot be coerced too. After all, he’s kissed a demon. He is no better than one at the end. This island is a hell of its own, one of her own as the angel who led them here. And he refuses to put any more through that. So in the end to break the cycle he broke his oath.

The sigil in his back burns, his mark that signifies him as a fallen.

The deal has been broken. The air around him seems hotter and hotter until a crack appears under her feet, and he falls to hell.

“Never thought I’d see you here, angel.” a familiar voice calls, Mariana turning around to see Charlie staring down at him with a curious grin. “Miss me?”

Mariana glares, but sighs and nods, “Honestly? You are the first i’ve talked to in years, so begrudgingly yes.”

The demon however takes that small victory and grins wider, rushing over and helping him stand up, “Oh and by the way I’ve been assigned to be your mentor on getting used to hell and other shit.”

Mariana groans, “great.”

“You’ll love it here, trust me.” Charlie assures, “You’re a fallen angel. You’re already a higher rank than me because of that.”

“Which means..?” Mariana questions.

“You’ll likely be handing souls rather than taking them. Cozier job. Better housing too. Heard they have some really nice caves for housing options.” Charlie prattles on.

“...Caves…..” Mariana does not like the sound of that as much as the demon does.

Charlie notices her judgement and glares, “Hey! Don’t knock it until you try it! Actually they are really nice. They are way cooler in temp than most houses here.”

Mariana after a bit zones back out again, thinking about everything, wondering how many souls she brought down here will still be here.

“Oh and by the way I'd recommend hiding those things.” Charlie motions to her wings, “Might get cut off”

That snaps Mariana out of her thoughts, yelping a little at the idea and making her wings disappear behind her back.

“Kidding! Kidding!” Charlie immediately jumps in, “They’ll just change. Turn a darker color. Might start showing some demonic traits.”

Mariana glares, “I hate you.” and releases the spell she used to hide them.

Charlie chuckles, “I know another fallen, Baghera, she told me to tell you that to scare you.”

Mariana huffs, “Is that why you were assigned me?”

“Kinda.” Charlie shrugs, “I know most of the fallen here. But also I kinda was the one to make you fall. My responsibility.”

Mariana quiets at that, “It’s kind of both of ours.”

Charlie pauses, glancing at the fallen angel beside him, “yeah?”

“Is…are those kids we caught before? Are they…?” Mariana trails off.

“Instantly reincarnated.” Charlie answers, “As I said we are lenient on children.”

Mariana sighs in relief.

“Anyways we should get going, might get yelled at by Satan if we take too long.” Charlie instantly is pulling her along again.

Mariana stares down at the demon gripping her arm, practically dragging her wherever they need to go.

Maybe this won’t be as bad.