()
The day Ayase took his bandages off for the last time, Kanou felt the worry seep slowly back into his bones. For weeks he had felt lighter than ever: invigorated by the night of intimacy he had shared with Ayase, Tetsuo's warning words were pushed to the back of his mind. Covered in white linen, he had managed to forget about the threat Ayase's wings posed to him; now that they were out in the open though, bobbing behind Ayase's back wherever the little angel went, it was hard to ignore them. They seemed to mock him, fluttering slightly whenever the angel moved.
As the days passed and Ayase's exercises strengthened the healing wings, a dark obsession to control the angel began to take over Kanou's being. Ayase's sweet promises echoed in the back of his mind, reminding him of the love they were starting to grow for each other; with that love came a certain amount of trust, but Kanou's own sense of foreboding was beginning to overshadow the little trust they had managed to build.
"He showed me his wings today, Gion." Kanou shifted his cell phone closer to his ear as he peeked around the corner of the hall, spying as Ayase ran around the kitchen cooking dinner.
"Whoopie."
"They're healed. Completely healed. He stood before me, came running to the door when I got home, spun around and opened the damn things in my face. They don't hurt him anymore, Gion."
"That's a good thing, isn't it?"
"Do you not remember anything I talk to you about?" Kanou growled, wincing when Ayase slipped on a towel that had fallen from the oven rack. Before he could move from his hiding spot, the angel had already righted himself, laughing as he tossed the cloth into the sink out of harm's way. A smile tugged at Kanou's lips.
"Of course I do. Geez, Kanou, you're so hurtful today."
"Gion-"
The demon on the other side of the line sighed loudly. "You're worried that his wings healing so completely is a sign that the traitor angel was right."
"He's getting stronger." Ayase was at the stove now, stirring something in a large pot. Kanou turned away, feeling his chest clench tightly. "And his wings are straighter than they were before the attack."
"That could be due to being bandaged for several months."
"He exercises them at night."
"Doesn't prove anything."
"I want him to stop."
"Why?"
"Because when he stretches them out like that he looks like he wants to leap out the damn window and fly away!" Kanou slumped down on his bed. Ayase's new sense of freedom should have been something for the both to them to rejoice at, but every time Ayase began his exercises, Kanou felt compelled to leave the room.
"You know he can't do that-"
"But it's possible! His wings have already healed more than the damage done by the demons. They're stronger. Sooner or later, he's going to want to test them, to see if maybe they really are stronger; enough that he can fly."
"You worry too much."
Kanou was silent for a moment.
"I had wings once," he said softly. "I know the feeling they give you: the feeling of being free and powerful. Ayase won't ever feel the need to stay by my side if he doesn't feel the same way as me."
"What, trapped and hopeless?"
The words made Kanou pause. Ayase's face when he had gotten home, so happy and carefree, flashed before him- but that joy had come from the knowledge that his wings were whole again, not because of Kanou. "I don't want him to even think about flight. It shouldn't even cross his mind, because flying takes him away from me, and I own him! He doesn't belong anywhere that I can't go."
Gion was silent on the other end.
"I know how much Ayase is excited to be healed. I'm glad he's not in pain anymore, but…" Kanou trailed off. He could hear Ayase's small feet running around on the linoleum in the kitchen. The fresh excitement in his angel was endearing; he wanted to scoop that wriggling blond body into his arms and celebrate with him, but he just couldn't shake the feeling of foreboding. "Something is wrong, Gion. I should be happy for him; this is all Ayase has ever wanted. But he doesn't know the truth, and I don't know what I'll do if he ever learns it."
"You really think he would try to fly away from you, Kanou? That angel knows how strong you are. He has nowhere to go, no friends left in the city."
"None of that matters. If he ever gains the ability to fly he won't care that he has nowhere to go. I've warned him against flying, but I've seen that look in his eyes. It's the one thing he wishes he could do."
"Kanou, you and I have been talking about this problem ever since you first acquired your little bird. This isn't something that's just gonna go away. Have you even talked to him about it?"
The memory of their candle-lit talk two weeks ago sprung to Kanou's mind. Ayase knew about his fears, had even tried to soothe them.
"He promised he wouldn't run away from me," he said quietly, smiling at the memory.
"There, you see? Stop worrying so much, it just makes you look older than you actually are."
Kanou sighed.
"And if you can't stop worrying then just do something about it already. Be the demon I know you still are underneath all that lovey-dovey crap: Teach that angel a lesson, show him who the real boss is."
"You aren't helpful at all, Gion."
"Lock him up in your room; torture him sexually all night long until his body craves no one but you."
"I'm hanging up on you now."
"Awww, so hurtful, Kanou. Are you still coming over for coffee-"
Kanou hung up before his friend could finish. His head hurt. Gion meant well, but his friend's advice was often more playful than constructive. Just as he slipped the phone back into his pocket, Ayase's voice rang out down the hall, calling him for dinner.
As he headed down the hall and into the warmth of the living area where the fragrance of Ayase's home cooked meal had permeated every inch of the room, Kanou tried to shake off his worries and just bask in the glow of his angel's happiness. He would rest everything on the word of his lover, and the promise that they had made weeks ago.
()
"No! Please, please! Give me more time, I swear I'll find the money-"
"Kuba, get him out of here."
"Please! Don't do this!"
Pinching the bridge of his nose, Kanou fought back the headache waging war on his cranium. A foul smell overran the dingy apartment they had broken into to find a human who had attempted to run after borrowing thousands of dollars. It was annoying that the pathetically screaming human currently being dragged outside by his underlings had forced him to leave his office to hunt him down. It was more than annoying.
The week had been less than pleasant, and it wasn't even halfway through yet. More than the usual number of his clients were behind on their payments, and several had recently run in an attempt to outmaneuver him and get out of their debt. It wasn't wise to run from a demon though- you would never get far, and the consequences were only magnified tenfold. That, and it made one Kanou Somuku very, very cranky.
On top of work, though, his most recent encounter with Gion was eating at him. It would seem that the rumours about the angels making an attempt to reinfiltrate the city they had lost in battle so many months ago was coming true. Gion had called him earlier that day to warn him that he had heard from his demon employees that angels had been sighted in the city limits.
"You had better watch out, Kanou. Those angels aren't here just to scout so they can retake the city from the underworld. Their behavior is odd- something's up. You better keep a close eye on your little bird if you don't want him catching sight of them."
Gion's words had set in motion a cascading wave of unease and a newfound possessiveness over the angel currently idling in his apartment. The urge to go home and take the angel in a frenzy of passion, to make his mark on the one that was now clearly in danger, was overwhelming- but there was much work to be done, and before he could see his lover, Kanou knew he had to wrap up loose ends at work before they followed him home.
"We're ready to go, Boss."
Homare was at his side, handing him a dark briefcase filled with notes from the day. Kanou sighed as he took it, lifting his head to glance one last time around the rundown apartment. The peeling paint, mound of garbage and stench of homelessness assaulted him; how must that man have felt to live here, fearing for his life? It had been pointless to run- had only made things much harder for him.
Pushing the thoughts aside, Kanou turned. He wanted to go home and bury his face in the fresh and comforting curve of Ayase's pale neck.
Stepping across the apartment's threshold into the crisp sunlit day, Kanou paused. There was a tremor in the air, one he recognized only too well.
"Leave," he ordered curtly. The Kuba twins stared at him, cocking their heads in unison.
"Sir?" one of them ventured carefully. "What are you-"
"I'm telling you two to leave and go back to the office." As he spoke, Kanou let his demonic aura roll off his body in powerful, crushing waves. The Kuba twins- though human and unable to see the roiling manifestation of their boss' power- nevertheless could feel it, and their human souls were crushed by the weight of Kanou's force. Homare was the first one to turn and stride as quickly as he dared to the idling vehicle, his brother Misao following closely on his heels. Kanou could feel the fear that had sprouted in their frail human hearts, the tension coiling around their bodies as their autonomic nervous system kicked into overdrive. He ignored it though, focusing instead on the flicker of concealed energy he had detected. As the car spun gravel and hastily made a retreat, the hidden auras grew still, as if attempting to conceal their presence from the annoyed demon.
Lifting his chin, Kanou growled out in a carrying voice, "Show yourselves. I know you're there, and we both know that neither of us is going to back away. You've asked for a confrontation by spilling your aura all over the place."
"We would never deign to run away from a challenge- especially since you are the one we have been seeking." The voice was accompanied by a sudden, and rather powerful, flare of brilliant aura. Kanou's nose wrinkled at the nauseatingly holy feel of the energy that rolled over him: The sensation was completely different from the pure energy that radiated from his own little angel.
Two angels stepped as if from thin air from the nearby patch of trees. Kanou's eyes narrowed; that they had chosen to make themselves invisible and keep watch on him from afar could only mean trouble. All otherworldly beings had the ability to mask their presence from the eyes of mortals, but to completely conceal themselves from both angel and demon eyes was something normally undertaken only during times of war.
Kanou felt his hackles rise as the angels stepped closer. One was clearly younger than the other, perhaps the age of Tetsuo, while the elder seemed to be much wiser. The swords at their sides glinted from scabbards in the light as their robes billowed behind them.
"What is the meaning of this, angel?" Kanou growled at the elder one as the two angels stopped a few yards from him. "Have you no honor? I realize that the angels no longer have control of this city, but to be so blatantly rude as to conceal yourself and watch a demon from afar… clearly God's warriors need to be retrained on etiquette."
A sniff of amusement broke from Kanou's nose as the younger of the angels turned an interesting shade of red and reached for his sword.
"And now you seek a fight when I have done nothing wrong. Perhaps the council should know that there are wayward angels wandering about the city."
"Spare us your theatrics, demon," the older of the two said in a calming voice as he gently placed a hand on the younger one's arm. "You know as well as we that the demon council has no reason to listen to you, and that you in turn have no desire to fraternize with them. Our presence here will not be disclosed to them by you. There is no cause for you to be so defensive as we are here for diplomatic reasons- reasons which involve you, Kanou Somuku."
"Oh? And what have a bunch of skulking angels got to do with me, might I ask?"
"We have reason to believe that you have claimed ownership over a certain angel, one with deformed wings who was lost during the raid of the city several months back."
Kanou's heart skipped a beat. He forced his lips into a snarl and glared at the angels before him. "An angel, huh? Deformed wings?" He shrugged, though his heart was pumping furiously. "Doesn't ring a bell."
"He's lying-"
"Hush, Isamu," the older angel snapped as the younger cut in angrily. Once Isamu folded his arms and resorted to glaring at Kanou, the elder angel sighed and returned to staring at the demon with forced patience.
"We have strong reason to believe that you are in fact the one who is holding our angel captive."
"Look, you must have me confused with another lucky demon. You see, I wasn't even a part of that raid. How could I possibly have come across such a rarity?"
"Ayase Yukiya. Son of Ichiei Yukiya and Matsuko Yukiya," Isamu cut in again. Kanou grinned at the anger blazing in the young angel's eyes, and the annoyance that flashed in the face of his apparent guardian. "We know you have him, you filthy, lying demon, and we want him back. Now!"
"Isamu! I told you to stay quiet-"
"Ayase, huh?" Kanou did laugh then, when both angels turned to regard him with surprise. "Ah, now I know who you're talking about. Ayase. MY Ayase, the angel with wings perfect as they are. The one who loves it when I caress his neck-"
"You foul- how dare you force such vulgarity onto him!"
"Isamu! That is enough!"
Kanou grinned, rather enjoying the hateful aura roiling off the younger angel in spastic waves. His young face was red, fists clenched as he fought to control his emotions. Interesting.
"Ayase seems to be not much younger than you, Isamu," he remarked casually, enjoying the way Isamu's ears reddened at being personally addressed. "Were you close, by any chance? Friends? Or, perhaps you were lovers before he was stolen from you to my own bed?"
"That is enough out of you, demon!" The elder angel roared, grabbing hold of Isamu's arm as the young angel let out a bellow and grabbed for his sword. "We are not here to fight; put away your sword, Isamu, or leave."
"This demon-" the young angel ground out, "this disgusting piece of unholy trash has tainted one of our own and now mocks us for it, and you want me to just let him be?" His hand shook on the hilt of his weapon, arm flexed beneath the palm of his elder. Kanou grinned. Such a livewire: if he weren't so concerned for Ayase's well being he would have been extremely amused by the display.
"We have a message to pass on, or have you already forgotten our mission?" The hard edge in the older angel's voice left no room for arguing.
Defiance shone in the young angel's eyes for a moment longer before he took a deep breath and removed his hand from his sword. Taking another breath, he stepped back, eyes moving from Kanou's to the ground. "I apologize, Daiki."
The elder angel sighed.
"As amusing as this has been, I really do have a schedule to keep," Kanou said, "so if you two will just excuse me, I'll be on my way and you can leave to go snoop elsewhere."
"You aren't going anywhere until we've said what we have to say, demon."
Kanou laughed. "Then get to it, angel. I have places to be, a little bird to make love to…"
Isamu let out a low growl, but Daiki ignored him and took a step forward. "Regardless of what you may believe, Ayase Yukiya does not belong to you. He is still a citizen of God's kingdom, and one day he will return to us."
"He's not leaving me anytime soon."
"God has granted that his wings be healed," Daiki interrupted loudly.
Kanou froze. The muscles of his back- which had so long ago been forcefully separated from his own wings- spasmed suddenly, as though recognizing that tantalizing word. Was it possible? Would God really give Ayase the ability to fly again; restore his wings to their full glory? Hearing those same words from the traitor angel, Tetsuo, was one thing, but these two in front of him were righteous messengers of God: they would only speak the truth. A sudden streak of jealousy flashed through his being and was gone so quickly he never noticed it at all. Instead, an incredible rage filled its place. His eyes darkened, aura beginning to roil around him.
"God never saw fit to heal his wings before," he snarled in a low, menacing tone. Isamu scowled at his words, but Kanou ignored him, eyes set on the elder angel who matched his venomous gaze with an expression that spoke the truth.
"Circumstances change," Daiki said softly, though his words carried through the charged air. "Ayase's wings will fly once they finish healing, and he will be returned to us in Heaven. And there is nothing you can do to stop it. The angels will come for the city again, but before that time we will come for our own. Ayase will be returned to us, whether you like it or not. Save face, demon; show some dignity and return him to us of your own will."
"Dignity, hah!" Kanou's bark of laughter caused the younger angel to jump, though Daiki simply regarded him with concern. "I am a demon who was banished, angel; dignity holds no weight with me, especially concerning your kind. Ayase belongs to me, and I will fight to keep him with me, where he belongs. He's never returning to your side, not so long as there is breath in my body, and trust me when I say this: Ayase wouldn't choose to return with you cowards anyway. You abandoned him, left him to fend for himself in a city infested with warring demons, and then left him to his fate in a demonic auction. You should be glad that I got a hold of him; who knows what could have happened to our little bird."
"You dare accuse-"
"And one more thing, angel," Kanou shouted over the angel's indignation. "Ayase is a little tiny bird, a bird who has no faith left in his God because he's spent his whole life being disregarded by Him; God exiled him to grow up on Earth, forcing him into a fragile existence, and then abandoned him to a fate with the demons. So tell me this: why would he choose to go back to your side when he has me; the demon who rescued him when he was at his lowest, has kept him safe, given him shelter and security and care, a life he can be happy in. Why would he ever return to you?"
"Because a life with you is a life where he is caged, demon." Daiki's voice was sad and gentle, and it made goosebumps rise along the flesh of Kanou's arms. "You'll see. Ayase will have to choose once he's done healing, and he inevitably will choose us."
Before Kanou could think of a reply, Daiki raised his hand and Isamu stepped back, turning to walk down the road. The old angel and Kanou kept their gazes matched a moment longer before Daiki sighed and looked away, then turned to follow his young companion.
Watching them go, Kanou felt his fury rise to the surface. Suppressing the urge to bellow, he forced thoughts of sweet Ayase's smiling face into his mind. The angels were wrong. Ayase was content where he was; he would never choose to leave, to fly away. The boy had even promised him!
And yet the image of Ayase happily tending to his wings every night sprang unbidden to his mind. Ayase cared for them immensely, longed so much to touch the sky. What would happen when the little angel discovered he had the ability to fly- an ability he had yearned for his entire life. Was it possible he would choose them over a life with Kanou? How often did he catch that little angel staring absentmindedly out the window at the sky, sighing as he watched the birds flit by...
He needed to get home. He needed to see Ayase's face right now, to nestle his nose in that sweet pale neck and hold that little angel close to his own body. Looking around, Kanou realized that the Kuba twins had left with his car. He'd have to call a cab. Large fingers fumbled with the phone in his jacket. Why was he shaking? Angry at himself now, he pressed the phone against his ear and curtly ordered a cab from the company he used when his car was in the shop.
Before long, the bright yellow vehicle was shining its lights at him from the road.
As they drove through the waning sunshine Kanou replayed the angels' words over and over in his head, darkening his mood and filling the cab with an uneasiness that soon put the poor cab driver into a frenzy. They zipped through the busy roads, almost reckless as Kanou's aura prompted them to drive faster, to run from the unseen things chasing after them. The fear that had gripped him when Tetsuo first planted the notion that Ayase's wings might one day fly was back, stronger than before with the confirmation from God's messengers. Without a doubt they would heal and Ayase one day would be tempted to fly, to test his new ability. When Ayase had made his promise never to leave, the boy had been under the impression that flying would never even be an option. What would happen now? If the boy knew he could fly back to heaven, would he?
Looking back over their short history together, Kanou had to admit that he didn't know if Ayase would keep the promise he had made to him so long ago.
He just needed to see him, to be reassured that Ayase was his; that he would never try to leave.
As soon as the cab came to a jolting halt, Kanou flung some change into the front seat and exited; before his door had even closed completely, the car peeled away from the curb, rushing to get away from him and the feeling of panic that Kanou had left behind. Paying it no mind, Kanou headed for the front door of his large business building. He ignored everyone inside; his aura was still roiling, causing any who dared attempt to come up to him to turn away. Once inside the elevator, he straightened his tie and attempted to calm himself. Ayase would pick up on his mood: he needed to control himself. Nothing had even happened yet; the blond was probably waiting for him to get home, might even be pleased to see him home so early. At that, Kanou smiled a little. His aura frizzled, then settled as his thoughts turned back to Ayase's innocent and happy face. He was going to ravish his little angel tonight; perhaps they'd have wine with dinner, and then take a nice relaxing hot bath together before taking his sleepy bird to bed and caressing every inch of his body until the boy was mewling for release.
When the doors to his penthouse slid open, Kanou was smiling. He entered the hall, eyes searching further into the house for his angel. He was about to call Ayase's name when a strange rustling sound caught his ears: the beating of wings. It was unmistakable, but impossible: the angels couldn't possibly have gotten into his apartment- it was too guarded. Immediately fearing the worst, Kanou dropped his briefcase and rushed forward. Ayase's name, on the tip of his tongue as he reached the end of the hall, died back in his throat as his wide eyes took in the unbelievable sight that greeted him.
Ayase, wings unfurled and flapping, was three feet in the air. Kanou staggered back, shock knocking the air from his lungs. Ayase was… flying… ?
The boy landed unsteadily, turning a giddy breathless face to Kanou. Large blue eyes widened at being caught, then that precious face split into a bright smile.
"Kanou! You're home early-"
He was too late. The boy already knew, perhaps had known all along. And while Kanou had worried about the angel's safety, Ayase had been home alone, practicing how to fly, deceiving him.
"Kanou?"
A thunderous roaring built up in his ears, blocking every thought. Before he knew what was happening, the demon had moved forward. Instantly he was in front of Ayase, grabbing the boy's arm, tethering him to the ground.
"What do you think you're doing?" It felt like hot liquid was seeping through his veins, the anger clenching his chest so hard he could barely breathe. How was this happening? After everything he had done, everything he had tried so hard to keep in place- why had the one person he was trying so hard to protect betraying him?
"Did you really think I wouldn't catch you?" His heart felt like it was being ripped from his chest. They had come so far together; he truly had believed Ayase would choose him over the angels. The boy had even promised he would never try to leave him! But this was proof- cold and undeniable. He'd been a fool to think Ayase would actually give up flying, give up Heaven and his family. Of course everything the boy had said had been a ruse!
"How long has this been going on, pet?"
"What? Kanou, what did I do?"
Kanou's eyes flashed, and before he could stop himself he released Ayase's arm and slapped the boy across the face. Ayase stumbled backwards, small hands reaching up to palm the reddened cheek. Staring down at the boy, Kanou felt his rage finally consume him. Ayase knew exactly what he had done- and he'd be damned if he let the angel get away with this transgression. He thought he'd made it perfectly clear to the angel that he was never allowed to leave, never allowed to even think about getting away from Kanou and the home they had made together. If Ayase thought he could just fly away on his pretty little wings, he was dead wrong. Kanou wouldn't let anything take his bird away.
Reaching down, Kanou grabbed Ayase's arm again and immediately turned around, dragging the protesting angel behind him. Obviously the boy needed to be given a lesson. Kanou had worked so hard to learn how to tread softly around the angel in order to gain his trust while he'd been healing, but perhaps he had become careless. If Ayase thought he could learn how to fly in secret so that he could make an escape, Kanou needed to reassert his control and show the angel that escape from a demon was never an option.
When they entered their bedroom, Kanou flung Ayase onto their large bed. In an effort to regain control of his breathing, he undid his top two shirt buttons, watching as Ayase shuffled around on the bed until they were facing each other. Those large blue eyes looked up at him, tears gathering, but Kanou couldn't find any remorse or compassion within himself. For the first time, he wanted to hurt Ayase the way he had just been hurt.
"Kanou, what's wrong? Please, tell me what's wrong. I'm sorry if I've done something to upset you, but-"
"Your clothes." He had never wanted to do this again, but now-
The angel's eyes widened, a look of understanding beginning to draw across the pale face. "Wha-?"
"Take them off. Now." Kanou folded his arms over his chest.
He knew now. He had gone as soft as the underworld demons said he had. This in front of him was the proof. He had allowed his pride and love for the angel to take over his actions, and now… now he was paying the price for his lax.
It infuriated him. How could he have been so stupid?
Everything up til now had all been a lie, and he had bought into it like an eager fool.
"Kanou, I-"
"You're not undressing, Ayase." His words came out thick like honey. He was smiling now, he knew, just waiting to hear what excuses would come pouring out of that sweet mouth. Instead of speaking, Ayase simply stared at him, a look of terror on his face.
"Wait- wait a moment, Kanou." The angel shook his head and the irritation in Kanou's beast grew. "Let's talk. I don't understand what's happening-"
"Of course you don't," Kanou growled. Why did he want to laugh? "You never do, even when it's obvious what you've done wrong."
At his remark, Ayase opened his mouth, indignation on his face, and suddenly Kanou couldn't take it anymore. "Want to argue, huh?"
How dare the boy attempt to argue his way out of trouble after blatantly going behind Kanou's back! He stalked forward, aura pulsating with rage and humiliation.
Immediately, Ayase scrambled backwards, his hand slipping on the soft blankets covering the bed. Watching his prey go down lit a fire in Kanou's being- he moved forward, eyes darkening as he leaned over the bed. Right here and now, he was going to put a stop to the madness that his little angel had decided to take part in.
Ayase crawled back, reaching behind him. He took hold of a pillow and flung it back at the demon; Kanou roared, swatting the offending accessory as though it had been a brick. He lunged forward, arms reaching out to grab at Ayase's kicking legs. He captured one of Ayase's ankles and swiftly tugged the struggling body towards himself. Ayase twisted, angling his body so those small feathery wings- the bane of Kanou's existence, the source of all their troubles- were in range to beat wildly against Kanou's head. They flapped violently, stirring up the air and striking any part of Kanou's body within reach.
"These stupid wings!" Kanou roared, trying to get out of reach of the feathery appendages. As if it wasn't enough that the boy had blatantly lied to him about never using his wings, now he was using those same godforsaken limbs to attack him. The demon reared back, releasing Ayase's ankle suddenly when one bony forearm managed to clip his cheek.
"Ayase!"
The angel ignored him, scrambling to his feet instead and stumbling to the headboard. Kanou wiped at his cheek, feeling his rage intensify at the sight of blood on his hand. He crushed his fingers into a fist and jumped up on the bed, lifting his murderous eyes to meet large blue ones in the face of his angel across the bed. Those wide eyes- all they did was lie!
Kanou lunged forward, intending to grab hold of the small body, but Ayase turned away from him, and Kanou could only roar as those cruel white wings spread out and Ayase leapt from the bed. The angel hit the wall, wings pumping, scattering the magazines on the bedside table as the billowing air flew over them.
"You will not fly away from me!" Kanou screamed. He scrambled desperately on the sheets, the blankets bunching up and twisting around his legs, trapping him as his angel escaped. Ayase's wings still pumped furiously: he had latched onto a large painting hanging on the wall, small body turning as the painting tilted under his weight, looking for an exit. "You will never leave me, Ayase! I won't let you!"
Tearing the blankets from his legs, Kanou dived off the bed, crashing into the wall. Without even catching his breath, he turned, righting himself in time to reach out and grab hold of Ayase's ankle. Those wings kept pumping, fighting against Kanou's grip, but the demon had had enough. Roaring, he ripped the smaller body from the air and threw him facedown onto the bed. Before the boy could get up again, Kanou crawled on top of his legs, effectively pinning the blond to the bed.
As if he didn't know how to give up, Ayase's small hands still scrabbled at the sheets, trying to pull himself out from beneath the demon's bulk. His small wings still beat desperately at the air, smacking Kanou in the face. With a snarl, the demon grabbed them together and smothered them down against the boy's back, pushing them up closer to the boy's neck in an effort to prevent them from flailing. Ayase screamed, his body jolting as the wings protested against the angle.
Ignoring Ayase's cries, Kanou started ripping at the boy's shirt, tearing it from his trembling body.
He couldn't think. The demon's mind was blank. All he knows is that he needs to reassert his control, because forces are seeking to make him let go of his angel, forces that Kanou never imagined had already seeped into the home he shared with the bird pinned beneath him. That Ayase had been plotting in the scheme Kanou had been fighting so hard against all this time- it was inconceivable. He never should have allowed this to happen.
"Kanou, I'm sorry!" Ayase squealed. "I'm sorry, please, stop. I'll take it off myself. Please stop!"
"Too late for that, you treacherous little fiend." Kanou's voice almost wavered. Ayase was still fighting him, still trying to placate him; those white wings fluttered in Kanou's grasp, voicing the angel's desires to run away. "You just keep making it worse for yourself. Proving my point…" He fisted the wings tighter and Ayase let out a cry. "If I were you, I'd stop talking. Stop talking, because the more I hear the more I want to make you scream."
He ripped off a new strip of the boy's shirt, ignoring how Ayase's exposed back quivered. The boy was sobbing now, low sounds of despair that seemed to rumble through the heavy air like thunder. Kanou's heart was pounding in his ears. All he could see was the tattered shirt beneath him and those vividly white wings that jerked beneath his hand, fighting to be free.
"Ayase, stop trying to get away," he growled lowly.
"I'm not!"
As if acting out the lightning in their storm, Kanou roared and struck the bed with a clenched fist; the mattress dipped under his force, the springs creaking in protest.
"Cut the act! You're more devil than I am, little angel."
"What are you talking about?"
"Maybe I should just tear your wings off, hmm?" The words were out of his mouth before he had even processed them. He paused, his breath hitching at the thought of doing something so horrible. It was a drastic price to pay, but maybe, in this type of situation, it was something that needed to be done. Ayase needed to be punished; he needed to realize the truth of their situation.
"You're never leaving here," Kanou continued, musing over the idea. "It's pointless to have wings; you'll never be allowed to fly away."
"Kanou-You- you wouldn't-"
Was his bird really testing him? "Oh wouldn't I?" he sneered. Shifting on top of the small body, Kanou separated the two wings, clenching the left one closed so he could hold it close to the base where it connected by Ayase's shoulder blade. Ripping the wing out would be such an easy thing to do- Ayase's wings were small, deformed and weak. Kanou's wings had been powerful and large, twice his own body size. If the council could have his impressive wings ripped from his body, it would be all too easy for him to pluck the tiny feathered wings from the back of this small boy. He tightened his hold, emphasizing the power he held over the angel.
Ayase's body trembled under him. As Kanou's hand tightened over the captured wing, the boy began to thrash wildly beneath him. "No! No!"
Ayase would never be able to get away. Kanou's heart clenched in his chest. This is not where they should be this far into their relationship. Why did he still have to threaten his little angel? Why couldn't they just be happy? Why did the boy have to be plotting to get away?
"I've told you before that I would do anything to keep you chained to my side, Ayase. Seeing you plotting behind my back, trying to escape- you're never leaving, and if this is what I have to do to keep you here, then this is what I will do!"
"No, Kanou, please! Please don't!"
"Shut up! You are such a fool, Ayase. You keep forgetting who holds the power here. It was never you, angel. You belong to me. The little freedom I've given you has gone to your head."
This was all his fault. He'd been too soft. "Well you need to get this into your head, sweets: you are never leaving me!"
"I never tried to-"
"Enough!" It was time for a change. This was his chance to show Ayase that escape from Kanou Somuku was never an option.
Ayase struggled beneath him, wings jerking in his grip as the boy thrashed.
"Kanou, don't- it hurts. It hurts! Please! Let go!" Those small hands reached out, seeking something to hold onto. Wary that Ayase might find something to throw or somehow twist out from beneath him, Kanou pulled back on the wing he held tightly by the base. Ayase arched his back, following the rise of his wing. The action didn't seem to negate his ability to thrash around- that small body rocked back and forth frantically, wings renewing their spastic fluttering. The movement was too much- Ayase's right wing freed itself from the demon's grip. Before it could clip him again, Kanou slapped his hand back down on it, forcing Ayase's body back into the mattress. Though the blond's face was buried in the sheets, Kanou felt Ayase's scream rip through his own body.
"Kanou, please, I'm sorry. I'm sorry!"
He was breathing too hard. A light touch to his knuckles had him looking down to see Ayase's small hands reaching back again, fumbling at his large paws. They were so small against his own hands, yet they kept trying to pull him away. Kanou shifted, moving his weight further up the small angel's body. He wanted to do it. His hand tightened over the crumpled wing, drawing a cry of pain from Ayase. He wanted to do it; it would be so easy.
"You've really pissed me off, Ayase," he growled in a low voice, "so I suggest you shut up and start pleading for mercy. I'm not kidding you when I say I'll pull these wings from your body. It'd be like pulling a stupid weed from that Okama's pathetic flower garden."
"Kanou, please, I've said that I'm sorry-"
"You don't even know why you're apologizing, you little schemer."
The boy was silent, probably thinking up new lies. It didn't matter though, because Kanou knew what he had seen. Ayase had almost been in full control of his wings when he had walked in on the traitorous boy less than an hour ago. This had to mean that the angel had been practicing and attempting to fly for longer. And even if that had been the first time Ayase had tried flying, it still didn't change the fact that the boy had even tried in the first place. Kanou had explicitly warned him against flying, had told him that there was no escape. And yet, despite all the warnings Kanou had given the little angel, Ayase had still gone behind his back and taught himself how to use his healed wings. Even if he couldn't fly at full strength now, there was no doubt in the demon's mind that what Daiki had told him earlier would actually come to pass.
"I don't know why I didn't just tear your wings off the first day I brought you here. It would have saved us so much trouble, so much hassle. Then you never would have gotten these funny thoughts in your pretty little head." His grip tightened over the wing. "I could just do it now."
He couldn't keep the angel by his side; there were too many forces at work attempting to steal Ayase away. All of his rules had been put in place to make the angel learn his place, and they still hadn't kept the silly bird from realizing that he was never going to be free.
Ayase would fly away as soon as his wings healed. It was so clear now. The angels would fight for him, and he would willingly go with them because why- after everything Kanou had done- would the boy choose to stay here? With the man who had raped and abused him?
"Kanou. I'm scared, please, let go of me. Please."
Why was this all so difficult?
Ayase was the only good in his life, the one who could actually make him- a banished, wingless demon- feel like he could fly again. They were two of the same- beings better than what they had been given in life, unable to obtain what they truly wanted.
Those small trembling fingers desperately clinging to his own- he would make sure that they stayed there always. Ayase belonged with him.
They were off balance though. Ayase's wings only filled the boy with false hopes. And those hopes led him to delusional fantasies, which in turn brought him to incredibly stupid stunts like the one he had pulled today.
And that was unacceptable.
Those wings were the true source of their imbalance.
They needed to go.
But-
Looking down at his hand clenched cruelly around the base of the boys left wing, Kanou felt a numbing horror begin to burn through him. He stared down at it, vision blurring as he fell back into his past. Screams filled his ears; lost memory of his own tortured cries during the ceremony of his banishment. He could feel the memory of his wings on his back, the roots being torn from his muscles, excruciating pain, blood. Blood everywhere.
Staring down at the shivering creature pinned beneath his hands, Kanou suddenly felt the crushing reality roll over him. Had he really gotten so angry that he would dare to do the same, cruel thing to Ayase that had been done to him?
Any demon in the underworld wouldn't hesitate. He was different though- he had been kicked out for a reason.
Very gently, he released the crumpled wing, heart thundering in his chest as he watched the feathers droop, crinkled from the force of his grip. He could never forcibly tear the wings from Ayase's back. Now that he had collected himself, he knew this now. It was an act too cruel for anyone to have to go through- if he were to do it, here and now, Ayase would never forget the experience, and neither would he. It was too cruel, too violent. The damage done could rip Ayase's soul to shreds. And even if it didn't, it would tear himself to pieces instead; simply knowing that he had been the one to physically rip the wings from that fragile body.
However, that didn't mean that he couldn't find a way to take the wings off in a way that would be less traumatic. Gion was specialized in medicinal practices. He'd fixed Kanou's back after his wings were torn out- surely he could perform a surgery to take the boy's wings off.
Ayase had not moved an inch while he'd been thinking. Was the boy really still so frightened of him? The freed wing was twitching slightly, as though voicing the fear still running through the small, trapped body.
Without thinking, Kanou reached out and took hold of the wing again, lightly pressing to make it extend. The small body flinched at his contact and irritation flashed through the demon.
Suppressing a growl and forcing himself to calm down, Kanou inspected the base of Ayase's wing, wondering just how far the muscle spread in the angel's back. Looking up again, he lightly traced the wing's edges. So light, so radiantly pure and white; his own wings had not been as feathery as the young angel's. They had been similar to Gions- leathery, membranous, and dark in color. The feathers making up Ayase's wings were soft, but when he tugged experimentally on one he could feel the strength hidden in its gentle form. Angel feathers were durable, strong enough to be used in battle as a shield: Ayase's father had even been well known for using his wings offensively.
Releasing the wing once more, Kanou leaned back, placing his hands in his lap as he stared down at Ayase's shivering form.
He couldn't do this anymore.
"I'm going out right now." His voice came out gruff as he struggled to keep control. He wanted to break something, anything. Breathing deeply, he made up his mind. "Put a shirt on, Ayase. I'll be back later tonight."
He waited for the angel to acknowledge him, and eventually the small blond head bobbed in a nod. Irritation raged through him once more at Ayase's silence. Forcing himself not to lash out again, he got to his knees, removing his weight from the angel's legs, and headed for the hall. He didn't look back.
()
Kanou could feel the rage flowing through him in waves as he headed for his private car. He had snatched the keys from his right hand man, silencing the human's protests by snarling that he was leaving and that, no, he did not want a driver.
Right now, he did not want to sit idly in the back seat. He was the boss, the one who gave the orders and held the power. He was the one who was in charge. So he was going to drive, and he was going to drive fast.
It didn't matter where he went. All that mattered in this moment was that he controlled the steering wheel.
Somehow, after a few hours of road rage and sullen meandering, he managed to arrive at Gion's. Looking up at the stark building, Kanou knew exactly what he had to do. He made his way inside, ignoring everyone around him. Once he got to Gion's office, he strode inside without knocking.
"You need to take them away," he announced, shutting the door behind him and moving toward the blond demon at his desk.
"Hi Kanou, nice to see you too." Gion smirked as he turned to survey the brooding demon. "I'm doing fine, thanks for asking." Kanou ignored his friend and paced along the wall instead. "Why don't you come on in and make yourself at home?"
"I don't have time for your quirkiness, Gion," Kanou grumbled.
The playfulness died from Gion's eyes as he watched the dark-haired demon finally take a seat at the broad table. Kanou's unbuttoned shirt and rumpled necktie didn't go unnoticed.
"What happened, Kanou? What's got you all in a tizzy now?"
The dark demon breathed in deep before facing his blond friend. "It's finally happened, Gion. Ayase has been lying to me: I caught him in the act."
"Ooh, what devilish act did you catch him in? Give me all the juicy details."
Gion swung his legs around so he was straddling his chair, then leaned forward as if he were a human school girl gossiping with her friends after class.
"This isn't something to joke around about, Gion." Kanou ran a hand through his hair, feeling more tired at his friend's reaction than irritated. "Ayase can fly- I came home and caught him practicing in my living room!"
The smile dropped from Gion's face. "Wait-"
Kanou locked eyes with the blond demon. Gion looked bewildered.
"He actually healed enough to be able to fly?" The blond's voice was incredulous.
"Yes." The memory was still fresh in his mind. He could see the beating of Ayase's small wings in the space of their living room, feel the air brushing past him, hear the magazine pages flipping on the table. His hands clenched on the wood of the table top.
"No shit." Gion leaned back, still staring in amazement at the dark demon. "Well, I didn't believe it was actually possible."
"That's not all." Kanou closed his eyes and ran his fingers over the sockets. "Not only can he fly, but I was paid a visit by two heavenly messengers this afternoon."
"Oh no."
"They told me that this would happen. They said God has willed Ayase to be able to fly again. They also said they were coming for him; that not only are they coming to reclaim the city, but first they're going to take Ayase away from me."
For once in his life, Gion was silent. Then, without a word, he got up and left the room, returning with a dark bottle and two glasses. He set one in front of Kanou, pouring a generous amount of amber liquid into the glass before pouring one for himself and taking a seat opposite the dark demon. Kanou traced the rim of the cup with his forefinger once before picking it up and downing the liquid. It burned its way down his throat. He wanted more.
Gion was sipping at his drink, brow furrowed as he thought over what Kanou had told him. Kanou had already spent the last few hours mulling over what he had seen and heard though. He was done thinking things over; he didn't want to waste another second when he had already decided on a plan of action.
"I need you to remove Ayase's wings."
Gion's head shot up, shock written on his handsome face. "What?"
Kanou picked up the bottle, answering lowly as he poured himself another glass. "Ayase showed me his true colors today: his wings are now fully functional, and he's not afraid to use them. He was using them tonight when I've expressly forbid him from it; there's no doubt in my mind that if he's allowed to keep his wings he'll use them to fly away from me, with or without the help of the angels."
"Kanou-" Gion shook his head, biting his lip. "This is a big step. Have you even thought this through?"
"All I've done this afternoon is think about it," Kanou snapped. "First those dirty angels snuck up on me at work and threatened to take my angel away. When I got home, that same angel I was defending stabbed me in the back. I have to do something!"
For a moment, the two simply sat looking at each other.
Then, very softly, Gion asked, "What happened to your cheek?"
Kanou stiffened, raising a hand to cover the scratch on his cheek. He'd forgotten all about the wound from his tussle with Ayase.
"It's just another reason they have to go," he grumbled.
The ticking of the clock over Gion's desk seemed to get louder as the blond demon stared at him. Kanou growled: he needed Gion to be on board with his plan. There was no one else he could turn to who would be able to perform the service he was requesting.
"You're serious, aren't you." Kanou wanted to roll his eyes at Gion's incredulous tone.
"Yes, Gion, I'm serious. Why is this so hard for you to believe?"
"Well, I just thought… he's your angel, isn't he? Weren't you giving him the benefit of the doubt, or something cutesy like that?"
"I was until I caught him practicing how to fly in my living room." Kanou ran a hand through his hair, feeling exasperated. "This is what needs to be done, okay? I've already thought it all through."
"So you want me to take his wings away, just like yours were." Gion's voice, normally so light, was serious. It sent chills down Kanou's spine, reminding the demon of how- just hours before- he had sat on top of his pinned angel and threatened to rip them out himself.
"It's not the same, Gion. No one will be ripping his wings out; this is way more humane than what was done to me."
"Oh, right, sure," Gion laughed. "I forgot. It's such a normal and humane thing to do: removing the very symbol of an angel's pure devotion."
"My mind is made up Gion. Ayase's been treating me like a fool: playing innocent, getting me to lower my guard while he slowly built up his strength. He needs to learn his lesson and understand that he belongs to me. He's never leaving me. If taking away the power of his wings is what I have to do to drive that reality home, then I'll do it."
For five months, Kanou had believed that the angel had finally learned and accepted his place, but he had been wrong. The angel had simply been playing him.
Ayase hadn't given him any other choice.
"If it were any other demon asking me to do something like this," Gion said slowly, "I wouldn't hesitate. I reveled with the others the night the angels were driven from this town- it makes it so much easier to perform business, you know? But, you're not just some demon, Kanou. And this isn't just some random angel you're asking me to destroy."
"Gion-"
"This is Ayase you're talking about." Gion's voice rose, cutting off the dark demon. "This is the angel you watched over for four years. You took him into your home; you've fretted over your relationship constantly. Every time you and I get together you have a new story to tell me about your little bird. You love him. And now, you want me to destroy him- to destroy the both of you."
Gion's words cut through him. Kanou knew what he was proposing, but the need to take action was stronger than the warnings in his head.
"Ayase will understand-"
"Will he?" Gion interrupted. "Did you understand when the demon council decided to tear your own wings off?"
"It's not the same!"
Fire was coursing through his veins again. What had happened to him and what he was proposing to Gion were two very different things. He'd had the opportunity to treat Ayase the way he'd been treated, and he'd already come to the conclusion that it was wrong. He wouldn't treat Ayase like that- it was too cruel. But something had to be done.
"Considering what that little angel did today, I'm being extremely merciful. When I came home and saw him in the air, I wanted to hurt him, Gion. I pinned him to our bed and took those stupid wings in my hands and threatened to pull them out right then and there. I almost went through with it." He lowered his eyes, looking down at the fist that had held those tiny wings in a tight grasp. It would have been so easy to pluck it from Ayase's back then; like ripping up the roots of a weed in a freshly tended patch of soil.
Snapping out of his memory, Kanou reached for his glass again. "Ripping his wings out isn't the answer though. I know that now. I'm glad I stopped myself, because that would have been a mistake that neither of us would have recovered from. It's too much- too harsh. I won't put him through that pain." He paused, breathing hard.
"I can't keep living like this though. Ayase's wings are a burden. For months now we knew something like this would happen, but I just wanted to believe in my angel and hope that he wouldn't give in to the temptation of his wings. And he proved me wrong. I can't trust Ayase not to fly away, not when we know for sure now that his wings are capable of flight. I need a way to chain him by my side for good, and the only way to do that is to get rid of the source of the problem once and for all."
Gion still wasn't speaking; the blond demon just stared at him. It was unnerving; made Kanou feel frantic.
"If you won't help me, Gion, then I'll go somewhere else. There has to be someone else with medical experience who can take Ayase's wings away safely. I won't expose my angel to more pain, but I need this to be done before it drives a wedge between me and my angel. I won't let Ayase get away. He belongs with me." He leveled a look at Gion filled with as much determination and fire as he could summon.
"Will you do it?"
For a moment, Gion just kept staring at him. Then, he let out a long exasperated sigh.
"You're sure this is what you want, Kanou?"
"Yes."
"There's no going back once we do this."
"I know."
Gion leaned back, his blue eyes roving over Kanou's face. Then, to Kanou's surprise, the blond demon smiled. "I'm kinda proud of you."
Kanou looked up, baffled by his friend's odd statement.
"I was worried- for a long time, actually." Gion laughed. "I didn't know what you would do after your banishment. Your reputation as a demon was destroyed, and for the longest time I didn't think you would ever go back to your old self. Obsessing all that time over your bird… worrying about how much you might hurt him, and then later how he might hurt you… I thought you had grown soft, Kanou. But, maybe this is good for you. I get that you don't want to hurt your angel, but I'm glad to see you're finally stepping up and taking back your name as a proud demon; taking back your control."
Gion's words of praise gave Kanou pause. Before he could think about what the demon was implying, Gion stood up from the table and grabbed a pen and notepad from his desk. Once he'd set them down on the table top, he poured them both another drink.
"Alright," he said, the playfulness back in his voice, "let's get this settled then."
()
The apartment was dark. It was an unusual characteristic for seven in the morning; Ayase normally was early to rise with the sun. He would open all the curtains and blinds and immediately set a kettle to boil for tea. Moving through the darkened hall, Kanou came to a stop in the living room.
In his usual chair by the window, Ayase was curled up like a cat, eyes closed in sleep with a blanket barely hanging onto his form. For a moment, Kanou didn't move. He simply stood there, looking across the room at the one being he had ever come to love. He seemed so precious, so fragile and vulnerable.
The thought made him sigh and close his eyes. Funny how looks could be so deceiving.
His body moved before he could command it to, and suddenly he was striding forward to the front of the boy's chair.
"Get up," he ground out gruffly. Ayase stirred slightly, moaning incoherently. Kanou's stomach flipped at the sight, which led to a boil of irritation raging through his system. His hand reached out, giving the angel a rough shake before recoiling. Ayase jumped, his eyes fluttering from the rude awakening.
"I said get up," Kanou spat, turning to head for the bedroom. "We're going out today." From behind him he heard the boy groan, cushions creaking as he inevitably stretched. Images of the daily routine of the boy sprung unwittingly to his minds eye: Ayase always stretched every morning, like a cat. It was amusing to watch, especially when his pajama shirt would rise and expose that deliciously creamy patch of skin above the waistband of his pants. It inevitably made the demon horny every morning, and was the reason he didn't need coffee anymore to wake up before work.
But now, things were about to change. Attempting to bury the images in his head, Kanou made his way to the dresser and brusquely yanked the drawers open, looking for a change of boxers and socks. He shrugged out of his shirt and opened the closet beside the dresser. The shirts within stared at him accusingly. His eyes narrowed.
"Kanou?"
His eyes closed. Ayase was in the room now. His heart was beating too fast. He couldn't look at his angel, couldn't bear the thought of seeing the anxiety in his eyes, the guilt, the confusion, the lies.
"Um, you never came home last night. I got worried-"
"Get dressed, Ayase. Don't make me repeat myself again." His words were cutting even to his own ears. He knew Ayase was watching him. The clueless angel wanted to talk things out, to make up new lies to confuse him. He would bat those blue eyes and maybe chalk out a few tears and then everything Kanou had built up would be thrown out. That little angel- he was playing him for a fool.
His mind was made up though. He hadn't spent the night at Gion's arranging payment just so he could come home and have the boy change his mind. What he was doing- it was for a damn good reason. It needed to be done!
"Kanou-"
"Go ahead and use the bathroom first, Ayase," Kanou growled, eyes still burning a hole in the shirts in his closet, "but make it quick. We're going out today and meeting someone. I don't want to be late."
"Oh, um, right. But we-"
Irritation sprung to life within him at the continued attempts for reconciliation. Kanou turned to face the angel, anger written on his face. The boy shrunk back, shoulders hunching, before grabbing his jacket and rushing to the bathroom.
Alone in the room, Kanou turned back to face the clothes in his closet. Eyes snapping shut, he held back a roar as his arm flashed out, ripping the clothes from the hangers and hurling them to the ground where they scattered violently. They lay twisted upon the floor, like dead bodies that had been thrown carelessly aside after a murder. His heart pounded in his ears.
The sooner he got this over with, the better.
()
To be continued
A/N: There were some characters left over in the manga that I could have used for the two angels who visited Kanou, but I was already using these and really liked their meaning: Daiki means great glory, and Isamu means courage