AN: This fic was written for AU-gust Day 4. Prompt: Angels and Demons AU.


Angels were taught quite a lot about demons before they were sent out into the world to spread their light.

Demons were monsters. Demons were evil. Always, no exceptions. If they were ever kind, it was only because they wanted something. If they were beautiful, it was a lie, a mask, they were a temptress, sent to seduce you from a righteous path into the world of darkness.

Vision had learned these lessons well, believed these lessons. And yet, a part of him couldn't help pitying the poor creatures. After all, it wasn't really a life that anyone would choose, and if they did, well, they must have been terribly desperate to make such a choice.

He never told anyone this, of course. Demon sympathising was a one way ticket to failing his training and ending up stuck as a heavenly janitor.


For Vision's first assignment, he was sent to a 'bad' inner-city neighbourhood. Originally an escape for refugees from the war-torn country of Sokovia, but had become rife with violence and crime. His job was to act as a sort of guardian angel to the area's youth, and if possible, steer them onto a new and brighter path.

And despite all his training, Vision was completely unprepared. With his brand new, crisp clean clothes, bright blue eyes and golden hair, he stuck out like a sore thumb. One teen had already tried to rob him, and any offers of help he'd tried to give had mostly been met with people laughing in his face. This job was going to be a lot more difficult than he thought.

Adding to his woes was the fact that areas like this were often hotbeds for demon activity. The beasts would feed on the negative energy.

"Hi.."

Vision jumped at the sound, though recognised the accent as Sokovian, and looked up to see a dark-haired young woman sitting on the fire-escape of a nearby building, dressed all in black, but with a scarlet shawl draped about her shoulders.

"Hello.." He greeted her kindly enough at first, until the young woman's green eyes flashed red, and he stumbled back, knowing immediately what she was. The word echoed through his mind.

Demon.

The young woman jumped down, landing near him.

"You're new around here, aren't you? What's your name?"

"Vision" He replied without thinking, then cursed himself.

"I'm Wanda.." She took a step towards him, and he scrambled backwards.

"Stay away from me.. I know what you are.."

"And I know what you are" Wanda's eyes had turned red again, and she smiled, a smile that was somehow both wicked and sweet at the same time. Vision was about to ask how she knew.. his wings were hidden by a glamour.. but she answered before he could. "It's practically stamped across your forehead. But, I see no reason why we can't be friends.."

Well, she didn't seem too dangerous.. No! Vision shook his head.

"I can think of at least one reason.." He frowned.

"Right.. well, that's fair, I guess.." Wanda looked almost hurt. Vision almost found himself apologising, then shook his head.

He couldn't forget what she was.

Demon. Demon. Demon.

"I think so.. It's nothing personal of course.."

"I get it.. But I do think we need one of you around here."

"You do?" asked Vision, confused.

"Mmmhm. So, word of advice, Vizh.." Wanda took a few steps closer to him.

This time, Vision did not run, straightening self to his full height, significantly taller than her, and tried not to look afraid, despite being slightly concerned that he was about to wet his pants.

"I don't think I need advice from a demon."

"I'm giving it whether you want it or not.. Make sure you're locked up somewhere safe after dark. Some of the other, uh, locals won't be as pleased to have an angel in town as I am.." Quite suddenly, she leaned up on tiptoe and kissed him.

Vision's eyes grew wide.

"What.. what the hell was that for?" Vision sputtered when she pulled away.

"Language, Vizh.." Wanda smirked as she turned to leave, her hips swaying as she went. "That was for luck. Around here, I think you might need it.."

Vision watched her as she walked away, almost enchanted, then shook his head, remembering his lessons.

Demon. Temptress.

Still, if he ran into Wanda again, he may be in a spot of trouble.


Despite his assertion that he didn't need advice from a demon, Vision did make sure he was home by dark, in the apartment set up for him as part of his assignment. It wasn't because of Wanda's advice, though. Definitely not. It was just common sense to b home by dark in a neighbourhood such as this one.

He intended to stay home, too, until he looked out of his window and saw.. Was that a child in the street?! It was, and the boy could not have been more than three years old. Without a second thought, Vision pulled on his coat and rushed out into the night.

"Hey there, little one. Where's your Mommy and Daddy?"

The child simply looked at Vision, giggled, and ran off.

"Hey! Hey, wait!"

Vision followed the child down quite a few streets. The little boy turned a corner, out of sight, and Vision followed him.. and crashed straight into Wanda.

"Oi, watch where you're.. Vision?" Wanda's red eyes, glowing now in the dark, widened. "What the hell are you doing here? I thought I told you not to be out at night!"

"And I told you I didn't need advice from a demon" Vision huffed. "Anyway, I was at Home, but then I saw a little boy in the street and.."

Wanda suddenly groaned.

"Idiotule!"

"Did you just put a curse on me?" Vision yelped.

"No, I called you an idiot!" Wanda snapped. "There was no little boy! There's another demon around here, Mysterio, he creates illusions.." They heard footsteps nearby, and Wanda looked around frantically. "Quick, get in that dumpster!"

"I'm not going to.."

"Get in the dumpster!" Wanda's eyes glowed brighter, wisps of strange scarlet energy appearing from her hands, and Vision felt he had no choice but to obey her, jumping into the dumpster before Wanda pushed the lid down.

Vision peered through a small gap as a man approached, seemingly normal but for a very strange outfit and a cloud of mist surrounding him as he walked.

"Wanda" The man grinned a handsome, but somehow deeply unpleasant grin.

"Mysterio.." Wanda forced a smile.

"I heard there's a new member of the halo squad around.. We can't really have that, so I lured it out for a nice stern talking to.. You haven't seen one, have you?" Mysterio asked.

"No.. not recently.."

"You wouldn't be lying to me would you Wanda?" Mysterio's eyes narrowed. "Because you know that wouldn't end well for you.."

"Of course not" Wanda frowned. In the dumpster, Vision was shaking. His first day on the job was not going well at all. "Why would I?"

"Good. So," Mysterio stepped around her, "If I were to look in this dumpster.."

Knowing the game was up, Wanda tackled her fellow demon.

"Vizh, get out of here!"

Vision knew now was not the time to continue arguing that he did not need a demon's help. He burst out of the dumpster releasing his wings and taking to the sky, hearing Mysterio rar in fury behind him.


He flew quite a distance before he looked back, seeing that Wanda and Mysterio had taken to the sky too, in a massive clash of grey and green and scarlet energy. Vision was about to turn and keep going, maybe all the way home, tell them all he wasn't ready.. But then he saw the scarlet energy flicker out, saw a limp figure fall.

Mysterio didn't come after him.. Probably believed he wasn't brave enough to come back.

Vision felt a lump in his throat. He was torn. A lifetime of lessons flashed through his mind.

Demon. Temptress. Monster.

But she had saved him. Whatever Wanda was, she had saved him.

So, Vision turned back.


Vision found her, laying limp by the dumpster. Bleeding heavily from a few deep gashes across her stomach that looked like claw marks. He knelt beside Wanda. The young demon's breathing was shallow and ragged, but she was alive. Vision scooped her into his arms, taking to the sky once more, flying in the direction of his apartment.

Wanda's eyes opened, just for a moment, then screwed them shut again, her body wracked with pain.

"Vision.." She murmured weakly, "What are you doing?"

"What angels are supposed to do.." Vision replied. "The right thing."

"You're still an idiot.. b-but thank you."

"You're welcome.."

What kind of demon was she, saving an angel?

Then again, what kind of angel was he, saving a demon?

Vision was determined to work it all out, even if it lead them both into very big trouble.


AN: This one will also be continued at a later date, after AU-gust.