[ aki has no expectations in this new life. regrettably, he does end up smoking again. when the memories of his past life begin to resurface, the cigarettes both help curb the anxiety and stress, and feel… familiar. old habits die hard even in an entirely new life, apparently.
the first time aki sees angel, he promptly excuses himself from his coworkers and violently throws up in the bathroom. the intense emotions and memories that hit him all at once are visceral and almost paralyzing. it’s not a slow, easy burn, but like being plunged into ice water. maybe it’s his heart or his mind or his soul or what-the-hell-ever else reacting so strongly to this other soul it recognizes.
this soul it loves.
angel does not react similarly— there’s no hint of recognition in his eyes or his expression. it’s crushing.
but they keep going back to the same club— aki keeps going back. there are no devils in this world. that means angel is living a normal life— relatively normal, anyway. he’s allowed to touch, to be close, live his life freely, even if he’s chosen this place.
if only aki knew the truth.
tonight, the “gang” is a little rowdier than usual. it escalates quickly, and aki’s body reacts the same way: immediate. one moment he’s seated, the next he’s pulling his arm back and punching his coworker square in the jaw.
the fuck’s wrong with you, newbie?! he asks from the floor. even, almost blankly, aki responds: ]
That’s a man.
[ silence, and then… suddenly the group erupts into laughter. aki’s in-fighting is ignored by the rest of his group in favor of hooting and hollering at their injured coworker— both his pride and his face— instead.
aki keeps his back to his table, his “comrades,” and leans down a little, offering a hand to the fallen angel. ]
Sorry. You okay?
[ this is an awful idea, but aki can’t stand to turn away or leave him on the floor. ]
no subject
the first time aki sees angel, he promptly excuses himself from his coworkers and violently throws up in the bathroom. the intense emotions and memories that hit him all at once are visceral and almost paralyzing. it’s not a slow, easy burn, but like being plunged into ice water. maybe it’s his heart or his mind or his soul or what-the-hell-ever else reacting so strongly to this other soul it recognizes.
this soul it loves.
angel does not react similarly— there’s no hint of recognition in his eyes or his expression. it’s crushing.
but they keep going back to the same club— aki keeps going back. there are no devils in this world. that means angel is living a normal life— relatively normal, anyway. he’s allowed to touch, to be close, live his life freely, even if he’s chosen this place.
if only aki knew the truth.
tonight, the “gang” is a little rowdier than usual. it escalates quickly, and aki’s body reacts the same way: immediate. one moment he’s seated, the next he’s pulling his arm back and punching his coworker square in the jaw.
the fuck’s wrong with you, newbie?! he asks from the floor. even, almost blankly, aki responds: ]
That’s a man.
[ silence, and then… suddenly the group erupts into laughter. aki’s in-fighting is ignored by the rest of his group in favor of hooting and hollering at their injured coworker— both his pride and his face— instead.
aki keeps his back to his table, his “comrades,” and leans down a little, offering a hand to the fallen angel. ]
Sorry. You okay?
[ this is an awful idea, but aki can’t stand to turn away or leave him on the floor. ]