Disclaimer: I do not own Servamp or any of the characters
"Hey, let go of me!" Kuro screamed as he tried to push away the man that suddenly appeared before him. He was certain that the man that tackled him was a crazed cosplayer. How else could he explain the man's wings? The man tried to take the bell from his hand and Kuro was confused because he didn't know why he would want a simple bell.
"Just give me the bell and let me erase your memories!" Mahiru was panicking as he tried to wrestle the bell from him. Never in his life had he accidentally shown himself to a human and his mind was racing. Why did this man have the bell? Where was Licht and Hyde? He would have to deal with those questions after he erased the man's memory of him.
But that was difficult when the man was so much stronger than him. While Mahiru was a talented guardian, his physical strength wasn't remarkable. His grip on the man slipped and Mahiru fell ungracefully to the ground. He winced slightly when the man pushed him away and he fell on his wing. "Hugh! There's some crazy person out here!"
Kuro yelled and Hugh looked out of the window. He expected his younger brother to call the police but he only gave him an annoyed sigh. "Aren't we a little old for pranks, Kuro? There's no one there."
"How can you not see the guy with wings?" Kuro gestured widely to the man in question. Hugh only rolled his eyes and turned away from him. From his muttered words, Kuro knew that he most likely thought he was crazy. For a moment, Kuro wondered if he was as well.
"You're not crazy. I'm an angel so he can't see me. Only people who have been touched by an angel can see us. I suggest that you not draw attention to us." Mahiru told him with a sigh and spread his wings for the man to see them. They hurt slightly and he hoped they weren't injured because of the fall. From the corner of his eyes, he watched the confusion cross Kuro's face. "I know this must be a shock but you simply need to let me erase your memories."
Mahiru stood and reached up to cup Kuro's face. He only needed to touch his head to erase his memories and he was glad that Kuro stopped fighting him. Just as his hand brushed his face, Kuro took his hand and dragged him to his backyard. He couldn't shake off his grip and Mahiru didn't want to fight a human so let himself be pulled away.
Kuro didn't know if he should believe the man or not but Hugh wasn't the type of person to lie so he knew he couldn't see the angel. He made sure that no one was watching him when he stopped in the backyard and turned to face the man. "Are you really an angel?"
"Yes, I am." Mahiru decided to answer him honestly. He intended to erase his memories so there was no harm in telling him. He chanted a spell and created a small ball of light in his hand for Kuro to see. "I'm an angel. My name is Mahiru and you summoned me when you rang that bell. But I'm not your guardian angel and you can't know about me so I need to erase your memories."
"Not yet!" Kuro stopped him by taking his hand again. "If you're an angel, help my brother. I'm trying to help him but I don't know what else I can do for him. He won't come out of his room and he quit writing. Nothing I can do will get through to him but maybe you can do something for him. I'll only let you erase my memory after you promise that you'll help my brother."
"You're helping him more than you know." Mahiru couldn't help but feel pity for Kuro when he saw the frustration in his eyes. Before Licht, Mahiru was Hyde's guardian and saw how Kuro tried to help his brother. He also saw the strain it was having on him and Mahiru knew that a demon could target him so he wanted to reassure him.
"Your brother already has a powerful guardian angel helping him and I believe he's making a lot of progress with Hyde. There's nothing else you need to do but support your brother like you've been doing. If you want to do something more, there is one thing you can do. Keep an eye on Hyde and ring that bell to call for me if anything happens. I won't erase your memory but this stays between us, okay?"
Mahiru stepped away from him and gave him a smile. Kuro seemed earnest so Mahiru decided not to erase his memories of their meeting. Anyways, he hoped that their conversation would give Kuro a little assurance so a demon wouldn't be able to target the uncertainty in his heart. "I should be going now if Hyde and Licht don't need my help."
"Wait, are your wings…" Kuro gestured vaguely to them because he was still stunned that he was talking to an angel. A part of him had to wonder if he was crazy. He lightly touched his wing and it was surprisingly warm. "I didn't hurt them, did I?"
"They're fine." Mahiru instinctively pulled his wing away from him. Even though Kuro's touch was gentle, angels weren't comfortable with others touching their wings. Kuro must've read his expression because he quickly dropped his hand and apologized. "It's okay, Kuro. I should still be able to fly. I really need to go meet the Demon King but if you need me, I'll come."
"Demon King?" Kuro repeated but Mahiru already flew away. What kind of trouble had he found himself in by simply ringing a bell?
"It's getting late so we should be heading back before we miss the last train." Hyde checked his watch and saw the time. He only intended to spend a few hours with Licht at the mall but they stayed longer than they intended. His plan was to show him the most reprehensible aspects of people to force Licht to give up on redeeming him. But Licht stayed stubbornly true to his ideals.
"I can't wait 'til we get home. This human body is getting heavy and I just want my wings back. I'm never going to let you talk me into using this body again. We didn't even find you another muse but please tell me you're able to write your play now." Licht complained. He only wanted to return to his piano. He was tired because he never used a human body before and didn't know it would strain his magic so much.
"I think I have enough to start working on a detailed outline." Hyde lied. He had been so focus on his plan that he didn't try to think about his next play. He remembered the song Licht played for him at the mall. Could he really write something so powerful that it could purify the demon within him? He doubted it and wondered if he should even bother trying. Licht would eventually give up on him, anyways.
"Who said anything about me giving up?" Licht flicked his head and brought Hyde out of his thoughts. "I can hear your demons whispering those thoughts to you. You might not be able to create something as powerful as an angel can but you can write something close if you try. My piano is at risk so I'm not going to let you give up."
"Don't read other people's minds." Hyde found himself irritated and snapped at him slightly.
"I can't read your mind. That demon inside you is loud and annoying so I can hear everything he tells you." Licht corrected him. Hyde was glad that he couldn't hear his thoughts or else he would know that he was only working on the play halfheartedly and the trip to the mall was a plan to make him quit. He was certain that Licht would kick him if he knew the truth.
Licht was tired from walking and found himself leaning towards Hyde to support himself. Never in his life had he walked so much because he would always fly wherever he went and Licht wanted nothing more than to use his wings again. But he couldn't transform back to an angel when they were in public and he didn't know if there was a private place he could use.
"Tired, Angel Cakes?" Hyde saw how drained Licht looked. He had to be exhausted if was willingly leaning towards him without any complaint. There was still an awkward distance between them but their hands would touch occasionally. When Licht began to sway more, Hyde stopped him. "If you're tired, I can be your wings and carry you."
"That sounds utterly corny and stupid." Licht shot down his offer quickly and Hyde chuckled slightly. He expected the rejection and didn't know why he offered to carry him. But when he saw how weary Licht was, he couldn't help but feel guilty. It was obvious that he was pushing himself to help him. Hyde didn't know why he was working so hard to help someone like him.
"If you keep dragging your feet, it'll take forever to get home so just let me carry you." Hyde knelt in front of him slightly and patted his shoulder. He was expecting Licht to kick him so he was surprised when he felt a weight press against his back.
Licht wrapped his arms around his neck and grumbled. "Drop me and I'll kill you. Once I gather enough magic to move this body again, you better put me down."
"You're pretty violent for an angel." Hyde stood and adjusted his grip on him to hold him more securely. He was stronger than Licht expected him to be and he carried him without any trouble. Licht couldn't help but notice how broad his shoulders were. He knew that there was a demon within Hyde but feeling his warmth against his skin, Licht wondered how a demon could take over his soul so thoroughly.
What was in Hyde's past to make him so vulnerable?
"This isn't the path we took this morning." Licht looked around and realized that the scene didn't look the same as before. "Where are you taking me?"
"Don't be so suspicious. We're just taking a shortcut to the station. I'm trying to be considerate of your delicate condition so don't glare at me." He felt Licht relax against his back and he was glad that he didn't try to question him further. Hyde would usually avoid the main street leading to the station but he wanted to take Licht home as quickly as possible. Hopefully, he could avoid anyone recognizing him.
As they walked, Licht could feel how tense Hyde's shoulders were. He knew that there was something about this street that made Hyde uneasy but he didn't know if he should comment on it. He sensed Hyde's resolve shaking slightly. Even though Licht didn't have much magic to spare, he used some to strengthen his soul. "I don't understand you humans sometimes."
"That's not a surprise. We don't leave much of an impression in this pointless world." Licht rolled his eyes at Hyde's comment. It was the first time he made it but Licht didn't understand why he thought the way he did.
"Hyde, is that you?" Someone called out to him and Hyde's wanted to run when he recognized the voice. But he couldn't run so he forced a smile onto his face and turned to face the man. Kranz was an old friend but they hadn't spoken for months. "It's great to see you again. Are you here to see the play?"
"I'm not." Kranz grimaced at his answer. Hyde knew Kranz only had the best intentions but he couldn't stand the pity on the man's face so he lied to escape. "I was showing my cousin around town but we should really get going before it's too late. He has a weak body so I need to take him home before my family gets worried. Tell everyone I wish them the best."
"Wait," Hyde groaned when Kranz stopped him again. "If you're really tired, how about you rest and watch the next show? There's no charge. I'm sure your cousin would like to see one of your plays as well."
"Your play?" Licht had to admit that he was curious. He didn't want to depend on Hyde to carry him all the way home and resting for an hour or so would help him regain some of his energy. Not noticing Hyde's hesitation, Licht accepted Kranz's offer. "I want to see it. Put me down, Hyde."
"Fine," Hyde grumbled as Licht pulled on his hair until he lowered him to the ground. He was trying to think of an excuse to leave but he doubted he could change Licht's mind. So, he could only admit defeat and follow the two into the theater. He wished that he hadn't taken the path that took him past the theater he used to work for.
They sat in an empty seat and a mixture of emotions washed over Hyde. Everywhere he looked, there was a painful memory so he closed his eyes and leaned against Licht who was sitting next to him. When Licht tried to push him away, he stopped him with his words. "I'm going to sleep so let me use you as a pillow. It's the least you can do for putting me through this."
"Aren't you going to watch?" Licht looked down at him but couldn't read the emotions on his face.
"I wrote the stupid play so I know what's going to happen." Hyde's voice suddenly became quite and Licht almost didn't hear his next words. "Anyways, it's no good without her."
Something warm fell onto his cheek and Hyde woke up. He looked up and was surprised to find that Licht was crying. Unconsciously, Hyde reached up and wiped away his tears. "Why are you crying, Angel Cakes? Was it so bad that you just had to cry?"
"You wrote that?" Licht turned to him and their eyes locked. The play ended and people were leaving but they couldn't move. Hyde continued to confuse Licht and he never expected his play to be so emotional. From the first line, it touched his heart and its honest emotions could very well rival an angel's song. How could something so full of love come from a man that seemingly scoffed at humanity.
"It's horrible, I know, so you don't need to tell me how bad it is. I was just some stupid kid when I wrote that and I didn't know that you can't become anything. If you're rested enough to walk, lets go home." Hyde stood and left without waiting for Licht. He couldn't stand to be in the theater for another minute and ran for the door.
"It wasn't horrible." Licht said and chased him. "Wait, Hyde!"
I like reversing everyone's roles in this fanfic XD