The Wounded

7

Green eyes fluttered open to reveal a large muscular chest.

"Morning angel."

The angel flinched, the booming voice piercing through the silence of the morning.

Sitting up, he noticed he was no longer chained. He stretched and released his wings from their confinement to let the blood circulate and exercise them.

Masamune watched as the large wings spread out as if releasing the angel from a hug. "You are so beautiful."

Onodera blushed at the compliment. "T-Thank you. You are as well Saga-san."

The demon chuckled, sitting up, "Its Takano, Masamune. My parents divorced."

The younger male flinched and leaning onto him.

"I'm sorry, I did not know Takano-San."

"T-This doesn't mean I-I forgive you but; You make me feel warm."

He chuckled while ruffling Onodera's hair.

"It's fine. I was used to people coming and going." Onodera flinched, guilt filling him.

"I'm sorry," he whispered before leaning up and kissing the older man's forehead.

Blood rushed up to the demon's face, making his face a lively pink.

"I-it's alright."

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Misaki thought that this was the most beautiful demon he had ever seen. The way the ash hair reflected the sun rays, the eyelashes framing the demon's otherworldly orbs, and those orbs, they were the most captivating part of the older man.

"Do you enjoy staring at me? You have been for quite some time, dear Angel."

Misaki blushed guiltily.

"T-thank you f-for bandaging me."

The demon's nonchalant one seemed to pierce Misaki's soul.

"Why do your human wounds reopen?"

This was the question Misaki dreaded to answer. It was a complicated matter.

"When an angel is sent here, it is the intent that they have a specific soul to save. The angel is not provided information about this soul, only that the soul has been in pain and needs that angel. If the soul was previously destined to be among angel ranks but has been tainted with pain, they are kept within a database, and angels are sent to essentially convert them. The only bad part about the ordeal is that angels then have their memories to haunt them. When memories are triggered or brought to the surface at a strong enough level, their human ailments resurface."

The demon's eyes widened in understanding.

"So your wounds..."

Misaki cut him off, "Yes, mine would be from the day of my murder."

Akihiko nodded, it was disturbing for a demon to digest this type of information for they do not have the same ailments.

"What about the other angel? Riku? Rita?"

Misaki smiled at his attempts.

"Ritsu-san, his wounds would be from his past with Saga-Sempai, the other demon."

"Yesterday, both you and Ritsu-san seemed to go through the same thing. A memory? A flashback? Could you explain that in more depth?"

Misaki nodded and thought thoroughly about what he should reveal.

"Essentially, anything that can trigger a strong enough will response, will trigger this as well. If we had gone through something in the past life and have yet to come to terms with or effectively deal with the situation, it is brought to the surface. In a way, it encourages angels to deal with their past. It is like a memory step-by-step. A walkthrough where we having to relive that aspect of our past over and over again." Misaki paused to take a shuddered breath.

"And I find, that reliving it is not the most difficult aspect. The hardest part for me is reminding myself that it is the past."

Abruptly, Misaki felt soft lips touch his temple. The demon smelt like cinnamon and spices, like a warm day of winter.

"What was that Usagi-San?"

The demon made eye contact with Misaki and pressed their foreheads together, "I didn't like it."

Misaki was puzzled, "what did you not like Usagi-San?"

Akihiko smiled before resting his lips on Misaki's forehead.

"I didn't like the look on your eyes."

Misaki blushed in response.

"Misaki, would it be absurd if I were to claim to you that I have come to care for you."

The angel was surprised at the abrupt confession but was touched. "It could never be absurd."

I think I'd actually welcome it...

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