Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“A transfer? Already?! But it’s only been a few years …”

“I know,” Adachi’s guardian angel sighed, sitting by the window and watching over her sleeping human.

Not only was Adachi Kiyoshi a difficult case, he was also quickly turning out to be an entirely hopeless one.

“And we even warned you he would be a challenging assignment.”

“I know. But to be honest … back then, I really thought you were being a little too harsh on him. There’s more and more of these late bloomers nowadays, and I even think it might be preferable that way, there seems to be less drama if they don’t rush into things. But …”

“But?”

“He’ll be thirty soon,” she sighed with disappointment. “That’s over a third of a human’s life, and yet … nothing has changed. He goes to work, buys food, gets home, does chores and sleeps. I don’t mind that he has no romantic prospects - you know I’ve spent entire lives with humans who had never even searched for love. I was not expecting to be off the hook here anytime soon, if at all. I just thought I’d be on the sidelines of his social life eventually, not the centerpiece of it! He still doesn’t have any friends other than Tsuge … but even that guy cuts his guardian a break by slipping into those writing frenzies for days on end. Meanwhile I’m stuck being Adachi’s entertainment and company all the time. It’s too much!”

“Well … as unfortunate as it is, we understand. We’ll see if we can arrange a reassignment.”

“Thank you.”

“But you will have to communicate it with him.”

“... do I have to be honest?”

“It is strongly encouraged.”

“Ugh. But that’ll just make it worse for whoever you send next, I hope you know that.”

“It is what it is, unfortunately.”

○○○

“Kurosawa. Congratulations on another completed assignment.”

“Thank you.”

“Will you be attending her wedding?”

“Ah … no. The time off I requested was for other reasons.”

“We see. So, about this break we’ve promised you …”

“Yes?”

“We are afraid something has come up.”

“... another assignment?”

“Yes.”

“But- we agreed … isn’t there someone else!?”

“We are afraid not. It is quite a difficult case, you see …”

“I see,” Kurosawa mumbled with a defeated sigh, staring at the mirages floating around him between the clouds.

Adachi Kiyoshi. 29. Office admin employee. Career prospects, dubious. Friends, one. Romantic prospects, none. And perhaps most alarmingly: his list of guardian angels already held three names when most people in his situation would have only had one … maybe, on rare occasions, two.

Kurosawa could hope for a miracle, but … well, he was in the business of making them happen, not hoping for them. So he knew something that seemed impossible when he saw it.

“This one … he won’t ever find love, will he?”

“Most likely not.”

“Do you know how long he will live for?”

“We can not disclose such information.”

“Natural causes?”

“Most likely yes.”

Kurosawa sighed again, taking another look at the case they were trying to shove onto him. Adachi hardly looked like humanity’s brightest, but … his health seemed decent, he got passable nutrition into his body and he walked to and from the train station every day. Not an athlete or a health junkie by any means, but still someone who could easily live another half a century.

And what was half a century to an immortal being even?

Well, maybe to an older angel, it wouldn’t be anything at all - but Kurosawa wasn’t that old yet. Merely a few centuries. Watching over Adachi for fifty years would still feel like a significant part of Kurosawa’s life, and it would probably feel like it’s dragging on forever. After all, there had to be a reason for this many guardian changes … this guy was insufferable, wasn’t he?!

“If I may ask, why did … uh, why were my predecessors reassigned?”

“Compatibility issues.”

“... he’s not pleasant to be around, is he?”

“Not particularly.”

“I see.”

So much for his break.

“We are only reaching out to you with this because we are completely certain that you are up to the challenge. After all, you are one of our best, Kurosawa.”

“Yes … thank you.”

“But we did promise you a break, that is true. So if we may, we would like to offer you a wish to compensate you for the inconvenience.”

A wish?! For him? Kurosawa couldn’t believe his ears. He knew his performance was good, but still … being granted a wish was extremely rare! He had peers in the thousands of years who wouldn’t even dream about being awarded one. He’d always wanted one himself, but … he would have liked to earn it properly. This felt a little less like an acknowledgement and more like pity, of all things. How horrible could Adachi really be, if that’s how they were planning to apologize to him?

But a wish is a wish nonetheless, and Kurosawa would have to be crazy to pass it up.

“It’s a wish for anything, right?”

“Anything but being relieved of this assignment prematurely.”

“I understand. Thank you. When do I start?”

“He wakes in an hour, and it is a Saturday. This would be a good time.”

“Okay. I will be there on time.”

Really … so much for his break. Not that he was going to do anything with it, but that was kinda the point: he didn’t want to do anything for a while. Or maybe some things … things he couldn’t do while standing on the sidelines of a human’s life … things that were impossible while his purpose was assigned away from himself.

Everyone always praised him for how model of an angel he was, but Kurosawa sometimes wondered if a good angel would struggle so much with the selflessness their work required.

He didn’t want much, at least he didn’t think so. Just some time to listen to his own thoughts, and maybe share them with someone, and maybe find a place of his own. He liked the idea of coming home from work to his own cloud, where he could be alone with himself. But for as long as he could remember, the times between his assignments were so short, he wouldn’t have been able to pick a cloud to call home even if he wanted to. And since he would never be home anyway, it probably made more sense to leave that space for some other angel.

Kurosawa didn’t need it.

The few things he was given for his life in the human realm got stashed away at a colleague’s home whenever he wasn’t using them, and even those barely got to sit still at all. Much like Kurosawa, they were always in motion: tucked under his wings once more as he stood on the edge of heaven, watching the Sun eclipse the Earth.

It wasn’t quite there yet … it wasn’t morning for Adachi yet … Kurosawa could still … have a few of these precious moments … for himself.

He told himself the chill on his face as he descended was merely condensation, but it could have also been tears.

○○○

Adachi’s apartment was small: a bit cramped, but rather orderly nonetheless. Kurosawa quickly gained a sense of where everything was supposed to be, but he couldn’t make out where his own space was. Actually, now that he thought about it … Adachi was his first assignment that wasn’t a woman. Also his first assignment that wasn’t wealthy. And only the second human that Kurosawa wouldn’t be with since their childhood … even if the widow he recently watched over had little in common with Adachi’s situation. So for all intents and purposes, Adachi was a first for Kurosawa in that aspect too.

Considering Adachi’s financial state, Kurosawa of course couldn’t expect a large house with lounge chairs placed in each room especially for him, or anything of that sort. And if his guardians kept getting reassigned, Adachi was probably one of those humans who saw them as a nuisance and didn’t want anything to do with them, so … perhaps over here, Kurosawa thought as he found a small broom closet between the bathroom and the apartment door. Perhaps he was supposed to stay in here when he wasn’t needed? It didn’t look too bad … he could even curl up on the floor and sleep on his wings. Yes, this was perfectly adequate. He could make do with this, he’d just ask Adachi to make sure that was where he should be once the human wakes up. Speaking of which …

Kurosawa walked to Adachi’s bed in the corner, leaning over his new assignment and taking in as many of the fundamentals as he could with 94% of the human’s body tightly wrapped in a duvet. He appeared to be healthy at the moment … so this was his baseline complexion, heart rate, the pace and depth of his breathing, the twitching movement of his eyes as he slept, the temperature of the skin on his forehead … Kurosawa immediately remembered it all.

And when Adachi finally opened his eyes, their striking blue color also became a permanent fixture in Kurosawa’s memory, where it would no doubt remain for the next fifty years … or however long they would stay together.

“Good morning.”

“Mmmm … eh!? Who are you?!”

“Hello,” Kurosawa took a cautious step back, realizing he might have been too close standing right next to Adachi’s bed. “I’m Kurosawa Yuuichi. Your new guardian angel.”

“... new?”

There was a glimpse of hurt on Adachi’s face before it once again turned expressionless as he sat up in his bed.

“Yes. I’ve just been assigned here today.”

“What about my old one?”

“She, uh … actually, I don’t know. I thought she was supposed to tell you?”

“Aha … well, I guess … make yourself at home. I’ll be taking a shower,” Adachi mumbled, stumbling out of bed and towards the bathroom.

Kurosawa nodded, but still … make himself home where exactly?

○○○

Adachi stood in the shower with his forehead against the wall, using the water pouring over his head as a distraction from the few tears which managed to work their way out through the corners of his eyes. He wasn’t angry … not even hurt really … just … so hopeless, and numb.

He thought he was doing okay. He really tried to step things up after his second angel told him they weren’t a good match before she left. Adachi understood what that meant - after all, humans used the same excuse too. She didn’t want to be around him. Didn’t want anything to do with him. He’d heard it all before - not to his face, but that didn’t really make that much of a difference.

His third angel was pretty nice. She even motivated Adachi to allow himself a little bit of hope for finding someone to fall in love with, and he honestly did try … it just didn’t work out. As it never did. As it never would … not for him. But so what, he thought? Not everyone’s guardian angel gets replaced by a human partner. Lots of people never find love. He’d just have to accept that and manage without it somehow. Even if it made him sad and resentful, at least he still had someone to keep him company. So he really did his best to make sure they could be friends and have lots of fun times together, but … then she left without even saying goodbye.

He didn’t have many other people to compare himself to. Even when it came to Tsuge, he’d never dare ask what his relationship with his guardian angel was like - that was way too personal! But Adachi figured there must have been worse people out there than him … everyone who’s kind of a loser but at least has a job and hasn’t murdered anyone thinks that way, don’t they?!

But if three angels had already left him, maybe even that was thinking too highly of himself.

This time, he wouldn’t put in so much effort. He wouldn’t try to be better than he is anymore. He wouldn’t try to build a relationship with his new angel. He wouldn’t bother anymore. Even if he tries, it doesn’t matter. The truth comes out eventually, and even angels can’t put up with him.

And he’s supposed to dream of another human wanting to spend the rest of her life with someone like him? Yeah, right. Not like that would ever happen. And if it would, Adachi would feel too sorry for her to do anything about it anyway.

Just like he felt too sorry for himself to move and close the shower even as the warm water eventually turned ice cold.

Chapter Text

Adachi takes really long showers. Noted. And he doesn’t make his bed first thing in the morning. Also noted. Would it be alright if Kurosawa made it for him? Maybe he should ask first, but he accidentally caught himself already airing out the duvet without thinking, so he figured he might as well smooth it out, tuck it in at the corners and fluff up the pillow … there. All perfect and ready for Adachi to rest again in the evening.

Kurosawa was good at that … making things perfect. And being perfect too. It was why he was assigned here, wasn’t it? Who knows, maybe Adachi just had high standards … maybe he wouldn’t be as insufferable if Kurosawa could meet them … so he’d try his best.

Should he make breakfast while Adachi is still in the shower? He hadn’t received any notes on what his food preferences were, but surely he could come up with a workable guess based on what he finds in Adachi’s cupboards. Except there was nothing. Not in the cupboards and not in the fridge either, left for a single bottle of beer. Adachi, are you an alcoholic?! No, no no no, he looks way too healthy for that … but then what was going on here?

He sat on the floor by the window, basking in the warm morning sunlight as he waited for Adachi to finish his shower. This human takes really long showers … noted. And still comes out of the bathroom with bed hair?! Noted … and also, kinda … cute? None of the humans Kurosawa had watched over before would let anyone see them in such an improper state … not even their guardian angel. This was another first for him.

“Good morning again. You look more awake now, Adachi.”

“Good morning … Kurosawa.”

“I hope we can get to know each other and I can be helpful in whatever ways you need me,” Kurosawa smiled, standing up and reaching out his hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“Right … same,” Adachi mumbled, loosely shaking Kurosawa’s hand. “I probably won’t need much … I sometimes walk across the street and don’t see a car coming, but that’s about it. I don’t do anything risky or dangerous like going out or sports and stuff …”

“I see. Well that’s nice, that makes my work easier,” Kurosawa nodded. “So what do you usually do on Saturdays?”

“Get food. And clean the apartment, but I’ve already done that yesterday. So nothing, really.”

“I see … well, food is a priority, right? Your supplies are kinda nonexistent.”

“What supplies?”

“For cooking? Oh, do you usually eat outside?”

“Yeah.”

“I see!”

At least that, Kurosawa was used to … or so he thought. But there was no car waiting for them outside of Adachi’s apartment, and no pending restaurant reservation either. Instead, they walked down the street until Adachi pulled him aside towards the smallest store Kurosawa had ever seen.

“Adachi? What is this place?”

“A convenience store?”

“A convenience store …” Kurosawa nodded, carefully looking around. The place was tiny, and near Adachi’s apartment too … definitely convenient!

“What … have you never been in a convenience store before?”

“I haven’t.”

“Am I your first human or something …” Adachi mumbled, grabbing two of his favorite drink from the shelf and trying to decide what snacks to buy.

“Not at all! I’ve already watched over several humans,” Kurosawa assured him.

“And you’ve never seen a convenience store?”

“Yes.”

“What kinda people don’t go to convenience stores … ah, they were probably rich, weren’t they?”

“Yes. Groceries were usually taken care of by someone else at all the houses I’ve been at.”

“Houses, huh …”

“Yes.”

“Man,” Adachi sighed, picking up some mochi that was on sale before heading to the next shelf for some protein bars and a bag of chips. “They really gave you a downgrade this time.”

“It’s not like that. We are not as materialistic as humans: our needs are met regardless of our housing conditions. And besides, your apartment is very neat and orderly. I am sure I will be happy staying there.”

“That makes one of us at least.”

“Hm?”

“Nothing,” Adachi waved his hand, adding some fruit to his basket on the way to the register.

They stopped at a street stand with onigiri on the way back, where Adachi bought the last eight double mayo ones they had. Stocking up for the weekend, huh? Adachi was a practical human. Noted. Kurosawa was used to more expenditure and flamboyance even when it came to his humans’ meals, but he couldn’t say he hated the way Adachi went about it. There was nothing bad about it after all … it was just simple. Right. Adachi was a simple human. Noted!

“Where do you want me?” He asked as they returned home and Adachi was taking things out of the shopping bag.

“Either side is fine.”

“Either side of what?”

“The … table?” Adachi stared at him with a confused expression.

“I can sit with you at the table?

“Yes? Unless you don’t want to?”

“I do! I just thought you wouldn’t …”

“Why?”

“... I don’t know. I thought maybe you were one of those humans who prefer their angel to be out of the way. I can get comfy in the broom closet if you need me to!”

“I barely fit in there … there’s no way you’d get in with your wings. And besides, sticking you in a broom closet is just … kinda depressing. Wherever you wanna be is fine. I don’t care where you are.”

Those were cold words - but they didn’t sound cold to Kurosawa. It didn’t feel like Adachi was shunning him, more like … he was trying to distance himself on his own.

“I will sit here then,” he smiled, taking a spot next to the wall where he could lean back and relax his wings a bit. “Thank you.”

Adachi soon joined him with a drink and two onigiri on his side of the table … and a drink and two onigiri on Kurosawa’s side of the table. Was that where he stored the food he planned to eat later during the day? Strange … wait, was Kurosawa in the way? He quickly leaned away from the table to make sure Adachi had enough space to leave things wherever he wanted.

“Hm? You don’t like it?”

“Pardon?”

“Mango and double mayo,” Adachi gestured to the food. “You don’t like it?”

“These are for me?”

“Yes. Sorry I didn’t ask before, I was kinda shocked … I’ll get you something else tomorrow if you don’t like this.”

Kurosawa didn’t understand. He was Adachi’s fourth angel: surely, Adachi was aware by now that angels didn’t need food? How wouldn’t he be? And how would Kurosawa know whether he liked … these things? He had barely tasted any human food ever. Sometimes the children he was watching over gave him some chocolate or used him to eat the vegetables they didn’t like, but their parents soon taught them that angels didn’t need to eat, and so they shouldn’t waste food.

“... is it okay for me to have this?” He asked quietly, eyeing the onigiri with doubt.

“Yeah. I know you don’t need it, but … it’s weird, eating alone with someone else around.”

“Do you always buy food for your angels?”

“Yeah.”

What … just what was up with that? Was that why Adachi wasn’t as well off?! Had he been buying two of every food his whole life? Kurosawa couldn’t even imagine what the costs of that would be. But it had to be something, right? And Adachi wasn’t rich by any means …

“Is it really okay?”

“Yeah. Why wouldn’t it be?”

“Isn’t it expensive?”

“What, this? Not at all.”

“Oh. I see.”

“... Kurosawa, do you … not know what human things cost?”

“My previous humans never discussed money on such a mundane level,” Kurosawa sighed. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine … just kinda funny. You can eat, it’s okay.”

“I see.”

“But like … did other humans not give you food?”

“Sometimes,” Kurosawa smiled, picking up the onigiri in his hands and carefully unwrapping the plastic around it. “Children usually do it. Stuff like chocolate and vegetables.”

“Sounds like the family dog.”

“Pardon?”

“Nothing. Tell me if you like it.”

“Hmm … I do! It’s delicious! Whoa … I watched people make and eat these loads of times, I never thought they had this texture.”

“I don’t even get how that’s possible,” Adachi mumbled, getting started on his second onigiri. “Why wouldn’t they share their food with you?”

“I don’t need it. Isn’t it a waste?”

“I don’t need this either,” Adachi shrugged, picking up the can of mango juice. “But it tastes good.”

“I see.”

“Plus, it’s … I mean, eating together is fun. Even if we don’t need it.”

“I see.”

“You say that a lot.”

“It’s what I think when I learn new things,” Kurosawa explained. “It helps me remember.”

“Gaaah … you shouldn’t be remembering every stupid thing I talk about,” Adachi mumbled, stuffing his face with more rice. “But I guess you kinda have to?”

“Yes.”

“Your memory must be huge … I can’t imagine that.”

“I don’t have that many memories yet. Most other angels have been around much longer than me.”

“How old are you?”

“Three hundred and fourteen years.”

“Huh. You’re the youngest angel I’ve had. How long have you been working for?”

“A little over a century.”

“It’s been a pretty eventful one … I guess. I dunno, I kinda suck at making small talk even with humans. Sorry.”

“It’s fine! It’s definitely been really eventful. You guys are making pretty cool progress, it’s nice to watch. Also …“

“Yes?”

“Adachi, how do I open this?” Kurosawa asked, picking up the can.

“What, you’ve never seen a can either?”

“I’ve seen them. In the kitchen, for food ingredients. But this one doesn’t look the same.”

“See that thing on top? Flip that up and- yup, there you go.”

“Marvelous … mmm, this is delicious too. Thank you, Adachi!”

“You’re welcome.”

It was Kurosawa’s first time sharing a meal with someone, and it happened twice more in that same day too. He was learning a lot about Adachi this way … but he still didn’t know what made him so difficult for other angels to work with.

Chapter Text

“Good morning, Adachi.”

“Morning … Kurosawa. Huh, so it wasn’t a dream …”

“Me? Ah, no. I’m real.”

“Right …”

“So what do you do on Sundays?”

“Get food, then do whatever chores I didn’t manage to get done on Saturday. So basically nothing- ah, no. The new Ragna volume is out today, so I’ll go get that.”

“What is a Ragna volume?”

“Don’t tell me you’ve never seen a manga either …”

“Oh, it’s one of those?” Kurosawa pointed at the shelf with all of Adachi’s manga.

“Yes.”

“I see.”

Adachi really liked manga. Noted! Kurosawa could understand that. Most of his previous assignments had lots of books as well … whole libraries of them, actually. But they were novels, not manga. Kurosawa had never actually read one of those, so naturally, he was extremely curious about what they were like.

He offered to carry their groceries so that Adachi could look for the books he wanted, all the while listening to his explanation of why he was buying two of the same book. Kurosawa’s first thought was that this, too, was to share with him, but it turned out one was actually a collector’s edition Adachi displayed on his shelf, and the other was the actual copy he read through.

Oh well. He could still wait for Adachi to finish reading, and then-

“Do you have to just stand there?” Adachi asked, sitting on his bed with the new volume in his lap and staring at Kurosawa standing before him.

“I’m sorry. Where should I go instead?”

“Anywhere. Just sit down somewhere, I guess.”

“Like this?” Kurosawa asked, sitting where he was standing before.

“... you’re still staring at me.”

“Sorry,” Kurosawa averted his gaze downwards.

“Better, I guess … although still kinda creepy. Why are you watching me like that anyway? Nothing’s gonna happen to me here.”

“I know. I just wanted to see when you would finish reading that,” Kurosawa smiled, pointing to the manga.

“Why?”

“So I could read it too?”

“... you want to read Ragna Crimson?”

“I want to read what you are reading,” Kurosawa nodded with confidence.

“Okay, but … I mean, wait,” Adachi set the volume aside, getting up to get together all the previous ones from various places around the room. “Here’s the first one, and then these, and … ah, here.”

Kurosawa soon found himself nearly surrounded by books.

“These are all manga?”

“They’re all Ragna volumes, yes. It’s all one story, you have to read them in order.”

“You’ve already read all these?”

“Yeah, several times. Ah, but if you don’t want-”

“I’ll get right on it!” Kurosawa quickly scrambled to open the first volume.

He could read much faster than humans anyway. He’d surely finish all these by the time Adachi reads the new one. Oh, but … the art was pretty. Maybe it was worth going a little slower in order to admire it? That’s what Adachi was doing too.

Kurosawa made sure not to stare at him, but he did still glance up at him occasionally. It was his job after all.

“Kurosawa? Have you finished yet?”

“I’m on my third read now.”

“What!? Already?”

“Yes. How many times have you read them?”

“... twelve, I think. But you don’t have to read them multiple times!”

“It’s okay. I can read fast. And I want to experience them the same way you do!”

“Huh … a-anyway, do you want the new one now?”

“Are you done with it?”

“Yes.”

“Then please give it to me!”

“Here,” Adachi scooted to the edge of the bed, handing the volume to Kurosawa. “I’m getting the mochi, do you want some? It’s sweet and chewy.”

“Is it okay to eat while reading?”

“That’s what snacks are for. Except for collector’s editions. You never snack around those.”

“But the regular volume is fine?”

“Yeah. The regular volume is fine,” Adachi nodded, sitting on the floor next to Kurosawa with the pack of mochi between them.

Kurosawa desperately struggled to commit this moment and all its variables to memory, because it was the first time he saw Adachi smile. Just for a moment, just when their eyes met while Adachi was sitting down, but still … Adachi should smile as often as possible.

That, too, was Kurosawa’s job.

“So … what did you think?” Adachi asked him once Kurosawa put the last volume down.

“It’s strange. Bits of it are still stuck to my teeth, but I like the taste.”

“... I meant the manga, not the mochi.”

“What I … think of the manga?”

“Yeah? Like who’s your favorite character? Which arc did you like the most?”

“Oh. I didn’t think about any of that,” Kurosawa slumped his shoulders, picking up the first volume again and staring at the cover.

He just took in the information about something that was an important part of Adachi’s life. He didn’t know he was supposed to insert his own feelings into it. Actually … was he supposed to insert his own feelings?

He’d read hundreds of human books before. Usually to gather information, sometimes as a curiosity, sometimes out loud when his humans were busy doing something else and wanted him to entertain them.

But they’d never … no one had ever … asked him what he thinks about the books.

“It’s fine if you don’t-”

“I’ll read them again!”

“Four times in one evening? Really?”

“Yes! And I’ll think about the story and the characters this time.”

“Weird …” Adachi mumbled, suspiciously staring at Kurosawa from the side.

“Pardon?”

“I can’t tell if being around rich people made you weird, or if you’re just … weird all by yourself.”

“... weird?”

“Yeah. Like out of touch with the normal human stuff. More than angels usually are anyway.”

“Oh … I apologize.”

“Really? I mean … isn’t that kinda on purpose?” Adachi signed, leaning against the wall and taking the last remaining mochi.

“... is it?”

“I mean, you don’t really care, do you? It’s just a boring job. You just stand there and pull stupid people out of harm’s way and give them advice until they manage to swindle another human into falling in love with them somehow, and then you’re off hoping it’s our happy ever after so you don’t have to come back again. But you don’t really care about what we do with our lives, and you hate it when we talk to you, and … all that.”

“No? You are the ones who hate talking to us,” Kurosawa furrowed his brow, hurt by the unprompted accusations. Is that what Adachi was really like? Was this why no one liked him? Kurosawa wouldn’t like him either if that was the case. “And you are the ones who tell us to stand aside and not get in the way and you always complain and laugh and tell us to just be quiet and look pretty and … and …”

“... Kurosawa?”

“Sorry,” he bit his tongue, reflexively wrapping his wings around himself to hide a moment of weakness.

What was he even on about … it was his job … he wasn’t supposed to resent humans …

“Kurosawa?”

Something tickled …

“Hey … Kurosawa?”

Oh. It was Adachi, trying to poke through his feathers.

“... yes?” He mumbled quietly, lowering his wing.

“Kurosawa … did someone laugh at you?”

“Yes. But I can’t talk about it,” he quickly shook his head.

“I get that. But I won’t … I won’t do that,” Adachi insisted. “Not unless we’re both laughing. Otherwise it’s just bullying … and that sucks.”

“Mhm … Adachi, did your last angel dislike it when you talked to her?”

“Of course. Don’t all of you?”

“No,” Kurosawa shook his head again, somewhat calmer this time. “I wouldn’t dislike it at all! But I thought humans did …”

“What, did no one talk to you before?”

“No. Not about everyday things, at least. They told that to other humans.”

“Ha … well, I don’t really have other humans,” Adachi shrugged. “So I’ll blab at you. Lots. And I’m already upset that you guys keep leaving, so I won’t hold back at all.”

“Please don’t! I can listen to all sorts of things!”

“You have to talk back too. Otherwise it’s the same as talking to a wall.”

“Adachi, do you talk to walls?”

“... well I was about to, if another shitty angel showed up,” he grumbled, crossing his arms.

“Oh.”

“But you’re … kinda alright. I’m sorry you’re stuck with me.”

“Not at all!”

“Yeah, yeah … you say that now, just wait a few weeks. Anyway, are you gonna read the manga properly or not? And will the mochi fall off your teeth with some divine blessing, or should I get you a toothbrush?”

“I could have a toothbrush?” Kurosawa asked, his eyes sparkling.

“Sure. They’re cheap too. Do you want one?”

“Yes! Adachi, how do I use a toothbrush?”

“I’m sure there’s instructional videos online … for kids,” Adachi chuckled. “Ah, that wasn’t me laughing at you, that was just … kinda funny. I’m sorry.”

“It’s alright,” Kurosawa smiled. “If it’s a happy laugh, it’s alright!”

“Yeah … then I guess it’s alright.”

“I’ll start the manga again now.”

“Guess I’ll join you,” Adachi stood up, throwing the empty mochi box in the trash and carefully washing his hands before grabbing the collector’s edition of the first volume and sitting next to Kurosawa again.

When he was done with volume one, Kurosawa was already halfway through volume three, so he could pick up the regular volume two and not risk handling his precious collection any more than was necessary. He never thought he’d share it with someone anyway … much less use both volumes to read with someone at the same time.

Kurosawa still read fast, but this time, Adachi could hear him flipping back through the pages sometimes, and the more chapters he went through, the closer his nose was to the book. Ha … was that what Adachi looked like when he got lost in one of these? Well, obviously nowhere near as handsome, Kurosawa was an angel after all … but strangely, Adachi felt somewhat closer to him all of a sudden.

Chapter Text

Kurosawa started his Monday morning early by borrowing Adachi’s laptop and carefully trying to use the toothbrush he’d been given as per the instructions Adachi found for him online. Kurosawa had stood by when parents taught their kids how to use these several times … why didn’t he pay even more attention? This was kinda fun! Doubly so when Adachi sleepily joined him next to the bathroom sink with his own toothbrush, and scolded Kurosawa for bringing the laptop next to a water source, and sleepily complained about Kurosawa’s wings blocking the doorway.

Adachi’s complaints felt different than anything Kurosawa had ever heard before. There was no ill intent behind them. Almost as if Adachi didn’t really mean them. The words were harsh, but the tone was neutral, and there was even a hint of a smile on Adachi’s lips when Kurosawa apologized, packed his wings tighter and returned the laptop to the desk where he took it from.

They were in a bit of a rush to the station, but Adachi still stopped to buy onigiri for lunch anyway. Soon, they’d get to Adachi’s workplace. How exciting! Ah, but before that … the train.

“Is it busy this time of day?”

“We’ll be packed like sardines.”

“I see. I haven’t done this in a while, but … ah … there.”

Kurosawa disappeared from Adachi’s field of view, and a small white dove appeared in his place.

“Here you go,” Adachi yawned, opening his work bag.

“Pardon?”

“You can go in here. I always save a spot … it’s weird to have a bird sitting on my shoulder, even if no one else can see you.”

“Oh … thank you!” Kurosawa flocked in, settling in the tiny space Adachi left for him that somehow seemed to fit just right … and the laptop battery was still a little warm from when they were using it in the morning … ahhh. How cozy. He could even keep an eye on the onigiri across the two notepads stuck between … wow, it really was a perfectly utilized space. Adachi was super neat and tidy with his bag organization! Noted.

“Hmm? Eyo, Kurosawa? Sup, didn’t think I’d see you here!”

Jostled around by the train, Kurosawa looked up through the small opening in the bag, seeing one of his colleagues perched on her human’s shoulder. “Hello.”

“Man, I heard they shorted you on your vacation, but this? A commuter of all things? Ha, didn’t you have an on-call limousine before?”

“I did.”

“Is it rough adjusting?”

“Not at all.”

“Classic Kurosawa … always perfect! Haha, I sure hope you don’t suffer too much around everyday folk. We’re getting off here, so have a good one!”

“Thank you. You too!”

“Someone you know?” Adachi asked once they got off at the next station. 

“Not really,” Kurosawa chirped. “She lives near a colleague I sometimes stay with, when I’m not working.”

“What did you talk about?”

“She said she didn’t think she’d see me here … and if I’m adjusting well. Which I think I am!”

“Isn’t two days in too early to say that?”

“It’s our third day together, Adachi.”

“Right … well, I’m still half asleep from reading Ragna late last night.”

“Oh no, did I keep you up?!”

“You didn’t. I do that every now and then anyway.”

“I see …”

“But last night was the first time in a long time that I did it with someone else,” Adachi quietly added, walking through the lobby of his office building and waiting for the elevator.

The packing in there was even worse than the train, but as more and more people poured into the tiny square to carry them past all those flights of stairs, Adachi lifted his bag and carefully clutched it to his chest, making sure Kurosawa wouldn’t get squished.

Adachi was caring, and had great spatial awareness. Noted!

“Mind if I look around your office?”

“It’s fine,” Adachi answered quietly, letting Kurosawa out of the bag as he set up his work desk. “Work’s boring anyway.”

Kurosawa soon heard the exact same thing from all the other angels around: it was his first time with an office-working human, and apparently they weren’t very popular. But after inspecting the whole office floor and returning to stand by Adachi’s side, Kurosawa wasn’t quite sure he saw the issue. It was a calm place with lots of different sounds, like the keyboards and the copy machine in the back: Kurosawa actually enjoyed closing his eyes and just listening for a bit. It felt similar to the morning rush on the train, just … slower. He could observe his assignment much better here!

Adachi’s position didn’t seem too important. Noted. That probably made sense: important people were usually wealthy, and Adachi was most definitely not. But his work still looked important though! Lots of people asked him for things, and thanked him for things, and an older coworker near his desk even praised his work a bit … if only to offload some of his own on Adachi right after. Ugh. Kurosawa immediately didn’t like that guy, but Adachi didn’t seem to mind at all, even if he was left alone in the office working after hours to finish everything.

He was diligent and patient. Noted.

Not wanting to disturb him, Kurosawa wandered the now empty hallways of the office floor alone, stopping by the printer where he saw a few sheets of paper on the floor. He wanted to put them back on the stack beside the printer, but as he leaned down to pick them up, he realized they were actually already covered with text on one side. Did someone lose these? Or … hm, perhaps they meant to throw them away? There was a trash can nearby with similar printouts, so these probably fell out of there. But that meant the humans no longer needed them … it should be fine for Kurosawa to use these, right? Now to find a pen he can borrow …

“Good work today, Adachi!”

“Thanks … I’m totally beat … wanna crawl into bed and die.”

“Don’t die!”

“I won’t.”

“And we still have to eat dinner!”

“Sure.”

“And then we have to brush our teeth.”

“Mhm.”

“And then you can sleep.”

“Kay, mom.”

“Mom? Adachi, it’s me, Kurosawa! Are you so tired you’re hallucinating!?”

“No … it’s just an expression,” Adachi sighed.

“Ah. Right … sorry.”

“So … I guess … what do you think about the office?”

“I like it,” Kurosawa smiled. “I met a few new angels today! They’re pretty nice. And your coworkers seem nice too … except that guy that gave you extra work to do.”

“Eh … don’t worry about him,” Adachi shrugged. “He’s got a wife waiting for him at home … it’s better if I’m left doing overtime. Since no one’s waiting for me.”

“Hmm. But aren’t you waiting for you ?” Kurosawa pondered, following Adachi into a much empty train in his regular form.

“What kinda riddle is that?” Adachi furrowed his brow, squinting at him.

“It’s not a riddle at all! I think you’re great with your work, but you don’t have the same expression sitting at your desk as you did when we were reading Ragna Crimson yesterday. You seemed to be having more fun then, so … if that’s what matters to you, isn’t that something worth rushing home to?”

“Huh … you think?”

“Of course!”

“Ha … Kurosawa, you … you say some really NEET things for an angel.”

“Neat things?”

“NEET,” Adachi corrected him. “Not in employment, education or training.”

“But I am in employment? I’m working right now?”

“Yeah, but you’re encouraging me to get off work early so I can read manga at home. That’s kinda what I’d be doing all the time anyway, if I didn’t need money to live.”

“You like Ragna Crimson that much?”

“Not just that. There’s lots of other manga too. And I read novels as well … my friend actually writes some … man, he’s really cool.”

“A friend? Where? Can I meet him!?”

“You will, next time I see him. He’s busy right now … though I should probably text him to check how he’s doing …” he sighed, taking out his phone and typing a quick message to Tsuge.

Adachi was sensitive to other people’s obligations, but still caring enough to reach out in ways that wouldn’t disturb them. Noted!

“Ah, speaking of writing … here,” Kurosawa smiled, proudly handing over the papers he’d found earlier.

“Uh … Kurosawa, why do you have Asahina-san’s expenses report?”

“It was on the floor by the trash, so I figured it was alright for me to use it. Here,” he reached out, turning the pages around.

“Is that … your handwriting?”

“Yes! Can you read it?”

“Of course … wow, it’s really neat! Wait, this is- ???”

“I made notes for all my Ragna Crimson thoughts!” Kurosawa proudly declared. “... is that acceptable?”

“Eh … it’s … wow, damn … that’s pretty crazy. Kurosawa, you’re intense!”

“Is that good?”

“I guess, yeah? I really gotta read this, I’m super curious now!”

“Feel free. I’ll watch out for you!”

Kurosawa figured Adachi could read through everything as they walked home from the station and he’d just loom over him to steer him away from traffic, but … Adachi ended up having lots of questions, and they talked about Kurosawa’s interpretation all evening, even referencing the volumes again over dinner and comparing favorite characters while they brushed their teeth.

“I forgot to ask … are you okay just sitting there?” Adachi asked as he got comfortable in bed, turning off the lights and watching the silhouette of Kurosawa’s wings slowly expand across the room from where his angel was sitting on the floor.

“Mhm. It’s comfortable,” Kurosawa assured him.

“Cool. I mean, that’s good, I guess. Not like I have anywhere else to put you. But man … your wings really are huge.”

“Yes …” Kurosawa mumbled, instinctively pulling them back a bit. “But I have enough space. It’s okay. Don’t worry about it.”

“Okay. I won’t. Goodnight, Kurosawa.”

“Goodnight, Adachi.”

“And … thanks. For the notes. I hope I responded properly.”

“I didn’t expect you to. I mean … it was my first time forming thoughts about a human book. And my first time sharing them. I didn’t know what usually comes after that, but I really liked talking to you about everything!”

“You liked … talking to me?”

“Mhm. You’re great at explaining why the characters do the things they do!”

“... thanks. Goodnight.”

“Goodnight again, Adachi.”

He watched in silence as Kurosawa’s wings relaxed again, slowly taking up the full width of the room. The rustling of feathers as they moved against the floor was calming, and Adachi could feel himself drifting off to sleep … but he almost didn’t want to, because this felt way too much like a dream.

An angel that talks to him!? About Ragna, of all things? And all the other nice stuff? That, like … no, that wasn’t real, right? No freaking way that was real. He was dreaming, wasn’t he? He’d wake up and Kurosawa would be gone, surely …

Chapter Text

Kurosawa wasn’t gone. Not on Tuesday morning, not on Wednesday morning, not on Thursday or Friday morning either. And Adachi had had his fair share of very vivid dreams before, but a whole work week in such material detail was beginning to look like a bit too much for a dream.

In which case Kurosawa was real.

The angel who asked Adachi for some money and a ranking of every single item in the cafeteria vending machine so that he could bring him his favorite snacks at work … the angel who always seemed to talk positively about his job to friends they ran into on the train, at least from the one side of the conversation that Adachi could hear … the angel who listened to Adachi all the time … the angel who talked with him … the angel who got excited over simple stuff like toothbrushes or Adachi asking if he’d like his own coffee mug … the angel who was on his twentieth read of Adachi’s favorite manga by the end of the first week they’d spent together … he was real?!

No, no, no, no way.

He was starting to have a hard time focusing at work because he kept staring at Kurosawa, waiting for him to disappear into thin air. But he was just there. Having a conversation with another angel, or looking outside the window, or standing next to Adachi and following along with his work.

It would probably be rude to grab him and shake him like a pinata, but sometimes, Adachi felt even that wouldn’t convince him that Kurosawa was really real. He spent almost 30 years with angels that were often horrible to be around … maybe that was his fault for wanting more from them than they were willing to give, but … okay, if - just for a moment - he accepts that angels like Kurosawa exist, then why didn’t he get one like that to begin with!?

Things would have been so much better.

Well, but they were better now … because Kurosawa was here. Adachi just had to get used to everything being new, that was all. It wasn’t exactly the kind of relationship change he’d been hoping for, but that hope had dwindled almost beneath zero by now anyway. He’d said it to himself a thousand times over in the mirror, hadn’t he? No one would ever fall in love with him. It wasn’t worth it. He wasn’t the kinda person people fell in love with. It would just be him and his angel for the rest of his life, and he’d have to make do with that.

But with Kurosawa … it didn’t feel like that much of an ordeal anymore.

“Good work today, Adachi.”

“And we’re even done on time, huh?”

“Yes. I’m happy you don’t have to stay late today!”

“Me too. Hey, Kurosawa?”

“Yes?”

“Wanna grab some food before going home?”

“Sure. I can carry the shopping bags!”

“Nah, I meant like, going somewhere to eat.”

“Oh, I see.”

“There’s a nice izakaya I go to sometimes, pretty cheap and the food’s really good. Wanna try?”

“Yes!”

They sat down at a table in the corner, with Kurosawa eagerly looking around like an alert rabbit. This was nothing like the restaurants he was usually taken to: the decor was questionable at best, everyone was talking and wearing their work clothes, and there seemed to be a lot more … joy.

Yes, that was precisely the word.

Adachi’s kind of life brought Kurosawa so much more joy than anything he’d ever experienced before. Was this because it was simpler? Was it because of the food? The manga they read together? The commute they took each morning? Were those things somehow good for angels too? Or was it just … Adachi?

“Ahhh, the noodles are so good … I missed this!”

“Don’t they have them at the convenience store too?” Kurosawa asked, mesmerized by the strange shape Adachi’s face took on as he stuffed himself full of food. He kinda looked like one of those little rodents … round and soft. Cute. Adachi was cute when he was enjoying his food! Noted.

“Yeah, the instant packets. But something freshly made just hits the spot so much better.”

“You like fresh food?”

“Mhm.”

“How come you never cook at home then?”

“I can’t really,” Adachi sighed. “I mean, I can make an egg and boil some noodles, but they’re not really gonna be good or anything. And I’m usually too tired to do it anyway … or I just wanna read something and not bother … and then the ingredients go to waste … it’s a pain, cooking when you live alone.”

“I could do it for you.”

“... eh?”

“I could cook for you.”

Adachi paused, giving Kurosawa a dubious stare. “You can cook?”

“Yes. My previous human loved to watch me working in the kitchen, she even fired her chef after a while.”

“Right … so, uh … what kinda stuff can you make?”

“All sorts of mushrooms, unagi, toro, wagyu, fugu-”

“The poisonous one!?”

“Yes.”

“Where’d she even get that?”

“A friend of hers owned a restaurant.”

“Of course … right, no wonder all that stuff is way out of my budget. I can’t get you those ingredients,” Adachi sighed, returning back to his noodles with a little less vigor than before.

“How about this?” Kurosawa asked, lifting some noodles between his chopsticks. “Are the ingredients for this okay?”

“Sure … if you’re okay with something that peasanty?”

“Peasanty? What does that mean?”

“Poor and simple,” Adachi chuckled. “I was kinda joking.”

“I see.”

Adachi had a sense of humor too. Noted! As his hunger was satiated and more and more of his beer began to disappear, he also began talking aimlessly about the different work things that bothered him during the week, and Kurosawa made sure to chime in with encouragement and compliments whenever he could. Each time he spoke up, Adachi seemed surprised for a moment, but then he smiled.

Just a little bit.

The kind of smile you can only see if you’re looking someone in the eyes - and of course Kurosawa was looking. Adachi’s eyes were just so wonderfully expressive, showing all the things that didn’t end up reflecting on his face. Maybe that was why he had trouble connecting with other people? But it’s not like humans couldn’t put in the effort to look closer! Adachi shouldn’t have to make himself easier to read for them, they should be the ones making an effort to reach out to him too. He was pretty friendly when he talked, and he talked a lot … to his angel, at least. Kurosawa noticed that with other humans, Adachi was a lot more tight-lipped. He could try to communicate more openly at least! Well, but … it’s only been a week. Kurosawa wanted to spend more time with him before forming his opinions and giving Adachi advice - if he even wanted advice in the first place.

It was already getting late when they headed home, but that was the nice thing about Fridays at least. Stepping out of the izakaya, the first thing Kurosawa noticed was the cold air hitting his face, his feathers ruffling up on their own to keep him warm. Winter was coming soon … wait, was Adachi adequately dressed for-

“Oi! Watch it!”

“We’re sorry,” Adachi bowed his head, recklessly grabbing Kurosawa’s arm to pull him back.

Kurosawa still hadn’t registered what had just happened: he just felt a hard thump into his left wing, leaving a bunch of feathers scattered on the ground and crumbling to dust around a drunk man picking up his bicycle in the middle of the street. “... Adachi?”

“It’s fine, are you okay?”

“Yes … I’ll be fine … did-”

“He ran straight into you!”

“That’s what I get for spreading my wings outside,“ Kurosawa sighed, quickly tucking them behind his back again. “Can you apologize for me?”

“He’s sorry,” Adachi bowed his head again. “You ran into my angel’s wing. He’s really sorry.”

“Eh …” the man grumbled, staring at what remained of Kurosawa’s broken feathers. ”An angel? Ha … haha … what a loser.”

“... Kurosawa, let’s go.”

“But the station is that way-”

“Let’s go,” Adachi pulled him in the opposite direction, away from the man who was still laughing behind them.

“Adachi …”

“You’re not hurt, are you?” He asked, stopping at a red light while still holding onto Kurosawa’s arm.

“No. We lose feathers all the time, they will grow back soon.”

“Good.”

“But you look like you are hurt. Adachi, why was that man laughing?”

“Go figure,” Adachi mumbled, letting go of Kurosawa and tucking his hands into his pockets.

“... was it because I spread my wings like an idiot? I’m really sorry, I didn’t mean to embarrass you!”

“Your presence alone is embarrassing,” Adachi sighed, staring at his feet as they crossed the street. “If you’re here, it means no one loves me. That’s what he was laughing at.”

Right … the man didn’t have an angel with him. But so what!?

“Humans really are stupid sometimes,” Kurosawa gritted through his teeth. “I don’t get how anyone would love an asshole like that guy. You’re a lot more lovable!”

“I’m … lovable?”

“Adachi, don’t stop in the middle of the crosswalk!”

“S-Sorry … just … nevermind. Let’s go home.”

“Okay. The station is still that way though.”

“Right … sorry I just stormed off. And sorry about your wing. I never thought about it but it must really suck, having to keep them all tucked back whenever we’re outside.”

“It’s fine,” Kurosawa tried to offer a reassuring smile. “I don’t really like my wings anyway.”

“You don’t? Why?”

“They’re big … everyone always comments on them, even other angels … and some of my previous humans, they … they would pluck my feathers to show them to their friends … things like that.”

“People have been shitty to you too, huh?” Adachi sighed. “Never thought I’d have that in common with an angel …”

“We have something in common?” Kurosawa suddenly perked up.

“Yes? Didn’t we already? We agree on most of the stuff about Ragna, don’t we? And we like the same food too.”

Adachi was right. They had things in common.

Kurosawa had never seen his relationship with his assignments that way before. They were human, and he was an angel. They had their life, and he was merely an addition to it. An ornament of sorts, if all the times he’d been asked to stand somewhere with his wings extended for his humans to admire were anything to go by.

Then again … he didn’t feel like he had much in common with other angels either. He just tried his best … many didn’t like him anyway … and he’d often hear complaints about the assignments that were given to him over other angels. He was an outsider in his own world too.

But Adachi reached out to him anyway. He shared his food, shared his thoughts, shared his sadness with Kurosawa … and he had to ask if he was lovable!? Of course he was. Surely, another human would one day see how lovely Adachi was, and how great it was to be in his world.

Just not too soon. Kurosawa hoped it wouldn’t happen too soon, because … he wanted to have some more time with Adachi before being sent off to his next assignment - whoever that would be. He could only hope they’d be at least a little bit like Adachi. Or maybe that’s what he’d end up using his wish for? It felt a bit too mundane for a wish … but Kurosawa was certain it would make him happy, so it was worth considering at least.

Maybe work with humans really didn’t need to feel as unpleasant as it had been for him so far?

Chapter Text

“Kurosawa. Is this a good time?”

He opened his eyes, making sure Adachi was asleep before scooting over to the window. “Yes. Is something the matter?”

“We just thought we’d check in, given it’s a difficult assignment. Could you share a short preliminary report on the first few days?”

“I see … well, uh …” he bit his lip, gazing at his sleeping human as he tried to get his thoughts in order. “It’s great!”

“... it’s great?”

“Yes! On the first day, we went to a convenience store. On the second day, we went to a bookstore. On the other days, we commuted to work. And this evening, we had dinner at an izakaya.”

“That would indeed be the typical-”

“He shares his food with me, he gave me a toothbrush and a coffee mug, he talks to me, he asks me about things, we’ve read his favorite manga together, he leaves a space for me in his bag during the commute, he makes sure don’t get squished in the elevator, he jokes sometimes, he’s really diligent at work, and organized at home, and he’s so very simple!”

“Yes, we, uhm … we’re aware. And those are great things?”

“Yes! I didn’t even know humans could be like this! I feel so … so … so seen and heard and included and a part of his life!”

“Well, while the work drive is of course admirable and you’ve always set a good example for others in that regard, we would still advise you to exercise some caution with your dedication to the assignment.”

“... why?”

“Because this, this … being included in his life, as you’ve put it … that’s what has inevitably always caused issues in the past.”

“But I don’t understand,” Kurosawa mumbled quietly. “What did he do? You mentioned there were compatibility issues and he’s not pleasant to be around, but that hasn’t been my experience at all! I love being around him! If I am misunderstanding the nature of the assignment, shouldn’t I have the details to understand better?”

“But you already have the details.”

“I do?”

“Yes. As expected of Kurosawa, you have gathered all crucial insights in an astoundingly short amount of time. If anything, we are a bit surprised by the optimism you are showing for this challenge.”

“I see … well, uh … thank you. I will continue to do my best.”

“Thank you for your good work.”

So much for a quick check in … it just left Kurosawa with more questions than he’d already had. Compatibility issues? What compatibility issues??? He’d often heard his colleagues talk about that, but he’d never experienced it for himself before. It just meant people who were really bad for some reason or another, didn’t it? Kurosawa always imagined it’d be profound sinners or extremely reckless humans who’d get marked as having compatibility issues, and Adachi definitely wasn’t either of those! So what-

“Kurosawa?”

He looked over, seeing his human sitting up in bed and staring at him. “Adachi? Is everything okay?”

“Yeah,” Adachi yawned, rubbing his eyes. “Just thirsty, I’ll get some water …”

“I see.”

“Sorry I woke you up,” he mumbled, walking over to the sink and pouring himself a glass. “I know you can’t sleep if I’m awake.”

“Ah, it’s no problem. I was just reporting on my work week anyway.”

“Is that why you’re so … like this?”

“Like what?”

“Kinda dejected looking,” Adachi shrugged, leaving the empty glass by the sink and climbing back into bed. “I mean … I don’t like work reports. I don’t know if you do.”

“I don’t mind them,” Kurosawa sighed. “It’s just … hard when I don’t understand things.”

“I’m sorry I’m being difficult for you.”

“Huh? No, Adachi, it’s not you I don’t understand! Well, sometimes it is, but that’s not what I meant!”

“Oh. What did you mean then?”

Good question. Was he supposed to talk to Adachi about these things? It kinda felt like bad practice … Adachi was his human after all … surely it wouldn’t be right to burden him with the ins and outs of the documentation on his life … but surely it wouldn’t be right to lie to him either?

“It’s complicated,” he sighed eventually, nervously pulling his wings closer. “I don’t know how much to say, because I don’t want to make you feel bad.”

“If it’s about my previous angels, I already know they hated me.”

“They didn’t hate you!” Kurosawa insisted. “You just had compatibility issues.”

“Yeah … I see that now that you’re here,” Adachi smiled, getting comfy on his pillow.

“... you see that?”

“Mhm.”

“You see the compatibility issues?”

“Well, not anymore. Not with you! But with my other angels … I thought that’s just how things were. I thought all angels were like that. But you’re not like that, so … I see the problems I used to have were just compatibility issues. I don’t know why it took them 30 years to resolve them though!”

“Not with me?”

It didn’t feel like a proper answer, but it was all Kurosawa’s mind was stuck on. Adachi didn’t have compatibility issues with him? That … oh, that felt so overwhelmingly good to hear … even if he didn’t understand it. He was still an angel, and Adachi was the same human he’d always been, so how … why would Kurosawa be compatible with him, if other angels were not?

“Of course not with you,” Adachi shrugged. “Didn’t we just talk about that earlier? We have stuff in common, and you actually talk to me, so … yeah. I didn’t think that was possible. I’m kinda angry they didn’t get me someone like you sooner, if I’m honest.”

“Is that … is that what compatibility issues are?”

“Yes? For humans at least. I don’t know what they are for you.”

“I thought that meant someone was a bad person or reckless with their health,” Kurosawa blurted out.

“Eh … what?”

“Because we’re supposed to protect you and help you be good!” Kurosawa tried to explain. “So if someone makes our work difficult, then they’re not compatible with angels … right? I thought that’s what it meant …”

“I guess, but … didn’t you already know not all angels are the same?”

“Yes?”

“Then why would you think everyone had the same compatibility issues?”

“Because humans are-”

All the same. They were all the same. Cold and frivolous and distant and obsessed with aesthetics and uninterested in angels past whatever they could get from them.

That’s just how things were.

All humans were like that.

But …

“Kurosawa?”

… Adachi was not like that!

“Adachi, are there more humans like you!?”

“Like me? You mean useless wallflowers on the brink of their thirties with nothing to show for-”

“I mean humans who talk to their angels and share food with them and read books together and think of where you’ll put us on the way to work and … like that.”

“Sure? That’s pretty normal,” Adachi shrugged. “Though I’m sure I overdo it.”

It was … normal? Where?? Kurosawa had never experienced it before. Not that he’d had much work experience to show for yet, but still … he’d never watched over someone like Adachi. Why not??? Why didn’t anyone tell him there were humans like him? Why wasn’t he assigned to someone like him before!? This was … oh …

He thought he didn’t have compatibility issues with his humans.

And now it turns out he’d had nothing but compatibility issues this whole time?

“I’m angry too! I’m angry they didn’t assign me a human like you sooner!”

“... really?”

“Yes!”

“But … why?”

“Because you talk to me, and you-”

“Y-Yeah, I get it, you’ve listed all the stuff already,” Adachi tried to stop the compliments, because hearing Kurosawa get so excited over all the things he worried about was already too much to endure once, and he didn’t think he’d manage the second time. “But I mean like … what’s there about … being close to someone like me that’s something you’d like?”

Kurosawa’s wings perked up as his hands tried and failed to find a gesture that would get his feelings across. He didn’t understand the question. Well, he did, but he didn’t understand why it had to be asked, and he didn’t understand how he was supposed to answer.

“Everything,” he finally smiled.

Adachi’s eyes glistened in the moonlight, and Kurosawa once again found himself unable to look away.

“... e-everything?”

“Everything,” he nodded, scooting closer to the bed and leaning against the wall. “Adachi, being a part of your life makes me so happy! There’s so much space for me here … I’ve never had that before. I feel like I can be myself for the first time. And I thought work was all about putting that aside and being whatever humans wanted me to be! But you don’t … you don’t want anything.”

“I do want things … I want to feel less alone if there’s gonna be someone with me at all times …” Adachi mumbled, on the verge of tears.

“Of course you won’t be alone! Adachi, I’m here!” Kurosawa leaned closer, pointing at himself. “I’m right here!”

“I know … but no one else was! They were just … over there,” Adachi vaguely gestured at the other side of the room. “And you … you’re just … here.”

“Adachi … don’t cry.”

“I’m sorry … but you’re crying too.”

Kurosawa didn’t even notice … but of course he was crying. Adachi didn’t even know how much this meant to him!

Or maybe he did?

Maybe that’s why he was crying too?

Maybe they had another thing in common?

It was marvelous, having things in common. And to think he wasn’t even supposed to be here in the first place … oh, this was the best coincidence of Kurosawa’s whole life. Yes, it had barely begun, but as he watched Adachi fall asleep again with a smile on his face, Kurosawa was absolutely certain that nothing else could ever even come close.

And if there really were more humans just like Adachi, he’d use his wish to only be assigned to them from now on. Who cares if it’s mundane? It was what he wanted: to share a life, not just stand on the sidelines. To be himself, not just whatever was to someone else’s liking.

Chapter Text

Adachi rubbed his eyes, peeking up at the window. He wasn’t in the habit of setting an alarm for the weekends, but he did kinda sleep in more than usual this time, judging by how high the sun was. Oh well … not like it mattered.

“Kurosawa?”

“Mm- aah- good morning, Adachi.”

“You’re tired too, huh?” Adachi smiled, sitting up and finding Kurosawa sitting by the window, right where he was last night.

“Yes. Didn’t get a lot of sleep last night … oh, but it’s okay! I’ll manage! Adachi, what chores are we doing today?”

“You’re obnoxiously excited for housework,” Adachi chuckled to himself. “It feels contagious. Hmm, let’s see … I gotta vacuum, wash the floors, change the bedsheets, clean the kitchen and take the laundry to the laundromat. Washing the windows would be nice too, but we can leave that for tomorrow.“

“That’s a lot of stuff to do without any maids or butlers,” Kurosawa pondered in admiration of Adachi’s work ethic.

“It’s really not. Most humans do that stuff on their own anyway. Though if you have a roommate or a partner, it can be easier since you can split the work,” Adachi shrugged, climbing out of bed and heading to the bathroom.

“Isn’t that something we could also help with?” Kurosawa asked, slowly standing up and extending his wings to soak up the sunshine.

“Uh, I guess? But I don’t know why you would, ‘cause … I mean … we gotta be responsible for ourselves, no?”

“True … but, Adachi, you are responsible!”

“Thanks?”

“So it should be alright if I help you with your chores!”

“You’d want to?”

“Mhm!”

‘Obnoxiously excited’ didn’t even begin to cover the expression on Kurosawa’s face when Adachi returned from the bathroom. Seriously, this guy …

“Cool. Anything in particular you wanna do?”

“I can clean the kitchen,” Kurosawa offered. “I’ll be spending lots of time there if I start cooking for you anyway!”

“Right … so you really meant that yesterday?”

“Absolutely! I’d love to cook for you, Adachi!”

“... then I guess we can stop by the store on our way back from the laundromat,” Adachi mumbled, feeling himself blush. “And we can get some basic ingredients … if that sounds okay.”

“It does! Thank you for giving me the opportunity!”

So eager. So happy. Outright beaming, Adachi thought as he stared at Kurosawa. It was like having an extra window in his apartment all of a sudden … or a whole damn sun even. Kurosawa was just so sparkly and bright!

Definitely not the type of person Adachi would usually find himself around. And even if he would, he’d just … shy away back into his drab little world, where things felt comfortable and safe. But for some reason, he just … didn’t feel as repulsed by all this upbeat energy when it came from Kurosawa?

And besides, it’s not like Kurosawa would let him withdraw back into his shell anyway. It’d probably just worry him if Adachi started acting distant all of a sudden. He was really attentive like that, so … it didn’t matter, did it? Adachi could just go along with this. It was fine. Kurosawa didn’t seem to mind the mismatch between their vibes, so … it was fine, right?

“Were all your previous humans as energetic as you?” He asked, grabbing the leftover onigiri from the fridge for breakfast.

“... energetic? In what way?” Kurosawa asked, joining him at the table.

“You know,” Adachi awkwardly gestured toward him. “Like … all happy and excited all the time, and stuff …”

“Hmm … I’m not sure,” Kurosawa shrugged. “Maybe?”

“Is that not something you pay attention to?”

“Oh … Adachi, I am sorry! Do you feel I’m not paying enough attention to you!?”

“That is not where I was going at all!”

“Oh … oh, okay …”

“You can calm down,” Adachi rolled his eyes. “I was just curious. Because with someone like you …”

“Mhm? With someone like me?”

“... I’d usually feel I’m ruining the mood,” Adachi quietly added.

“What? How?”

“Just being myself, I guess,” he shrugged. “You’re just over there beaming with joy and excitement for life, and I’m just … not like that.”

“Of course you are,” Kurosawa protested. “When we talk about manga and when you eat something you like, you’re totally full of excitement!”

“Yeah, but … that’s not always.”

“I’m not always excited either,” Kurosawa smiled. “I wasn’t last night. And you still … Adachi, you were still kind to me.”

“O-Of course … I mean … that’s just …”

“It made me happy. Thank you.”

“... you’re welcome.”

“And you’re definitely absolutely not ruining any mood at all!” Kurosawa rambled on. “I am happy to share any mood with you, whatever it is, I am looking forward to it! If you’re not always excited, that just makes it easier for me to pay attention to the times when you are. And those are important, right?”

“I guess … thanks, Kurosawa.“

“You’re welcome!”

Maybe he didn’t need to worry about it after all … even if those words were hard to trust. Or they would be, if Kurosawa’s actions didn’t just effortlessly back them up. It’s only been a short time, but ever since they’ve been together, Adachi really felt like … Kurosawa totally meant all of this nonsense.

This was easily the best week of his whole life.

Would it be too much to ask for things to just stay that way!?

Huh. The thought came to him right as he was changing the cover on his duvet, and Kurosawa was carefully scrubbing the kitchen counter on the other side. Adachi stood still, watching his angel in silence as two things slowly occurred to him.

One, he’d always looked at spending the rest of his life with his angel as a bad ending that he was inexplicably doomed to as a romantically inexperienced virgin at his age. But he’d always wished things would be different, even if he’d already lost all courage to ever really do anything about it. This was the first time he found himself wishing things would stay the same.

And two … just the thought of it made him smile.

Yeah, with Kurosawa, it really wouldn’t be bad at all. He wasn’t just being delusional about it, it really did feel like that! All thanks to Kurosawa, of course. He really was incredible.

“Lucky …”

“Hm? Adachi, did you manage to smoothen out the duvet in one go or something?”

“Eh? No, not that … nevermind.”

“I see. Well, I think I am done here! Could you inspect my work?”

“It’s cleaner than the day they installed it, I’m pretty sure.”

“Really? I did well?”

“Yeah. Of course you did.”

“Great! Adachi, what else can I help you with?”

“Wanna wash the floors after I vacuum?”

“Sure! Ah, we’re doing everything together, this is so fun!”

“... yeah. You’re right, Kurosawa.”

It was fun.

And like being rewarded after a full day of work, Adachi found himself folding his freshly washed clothes in the afternoon while Kurosawa was cooking something in his kitchen. What an absolutely wild concept … and yet, it was definitely real! And it smelled delicious too.

“Adachi? Would now be a good time … ?”

“Is it done?”

“Yes,” Kurosawa smiled. “Please have a seat and let me serve you your lunch!”

“Wow, I’m suddenly at a restaurant in my own home, eh?” Adachi marveled at the experience, leaving the remaining pile of laundry on the bed and sitting down at the table, crossing his legs and waiting in excitement. What were the odds Kurosawa’s cooking was really good? Probably pretty high, with how perfect this guy was!

“Here,” Kurosawa nervously set a bowl down in front of him. “Please enjoy … and give me all the criticism and pointers so that I can improve, and- oh, right, the chopsticks, sorry I completely forgot … ah, I just hope it’s alright …”

“Alright?” Adachi asked, staring at the perfectly presented bowl of pork ramen in complete disbelief. “Kurosawa, this is … holy shit, this is absolutely insane! It looks like one of those photoshopped food adverts! Are you sure I’m supposed to eat this?!”

“Of course you are!” Kurosawa insisted, handing him the chopsticks.

“Okay … but I’m taking a picture of it first! It’s like a five star restaurant, seriously,” Adachi rambled on, fumbling with his phone to get the lighting just right so that the dish would look as good on the photo as it did in real life.

And then, he finally dug in to what was actually his first homemade meal since … basically forever? In his own home, at least. He never cooked something like this for himself. Obviously no one else did either … until now.

“... wow.”

“Adachi?”

“Just … wow …”

“Adachi, is it alright? Too hot? Too cold? Too salty? Too spicy?”

“N-No, it’s … Kurosawa, it’s … perfect,” he quietly whispered, finding himself in complete disbelief and on the verge of tears.

Who the hell cries over ramen … how lame. But it was so good and eating it felt like a big warm hug that totally spilled into every corner of his body and completely enveloped him and hid him from his dull and boring life and instead submerged him into pure concentrated happiness and … was this still normal human food at this point!? Did Kurosawa accidentally shed some of his angelic magic in there or something … he had to, there was just no way … no way something made with those cheap ingredients could taste so good … just no way.

To say he was moved by this one simple meal would be an understatement. It felt more like being shifted to a whole new plane of existence.

“Adachi …”

“Really! I mean it! Won’t you try it too?”

“Oh … oops,” Kurosawa mumbled, looking over to the kitchen counter. “I didn’t make any for myself. I guess it just didn’t occur to me … but that’s fine! I can-”

“Come here.”

“Huh?”

“Come here,” Adachi beckoned him closer, holding up some noodles and a slice of pork between the chopsticks. “Sit down and try this, you need to try this! It’s amazing, Kurosawa!”

“But … but that’s your … that’s your food?”

“As if I’m letting you feed me something like this and not even have a bite! Absolutely not, you need to try it.”

“Okay,” Kurosawa nodded, sitting next to Adachi and opening his mouth.

“H-here …” Adachi awkwardly fed him, suddenly finding Kurosawa’s closeness overwhelming.

He wasn’t really thinking about it, he was just intent on getting Kurosawa to try his cooking because he could already tell the idiot would insist he’s totally fine with not even trying his own masterpiece, which Adachi absolutely wouldn’t allow, but … now that they were sitting right next to each other, and Kurosawa was leaning forward and carefully closing his mouth around Adachi’s chopsticks … this all felt a little … too much.

Like a romcom drama for normies or something. Yuck.

It made Adachi shiver just thinking about it.

As if he would ever get himself into a situation of gently feeding his lover something from his own plate as they share a home cooked meal together. Yeah, right. As if.

“Huh … hmm … Adachi, it really is good!”

“R-Right? I told you! Kurosawa, your cooking is amazing!” Adachi snapped back to praising him, scooting to the side to regain some of his personal space. “Really, this is … I don’t have words. Would you ever do it again!?”

“Adachi, I would cook all of your meals every day for the rest of your life if you’d let me.”

“You said that way too seriously.”

“Hm? But I am serious, Adachi!”

“... do you actually like cooking?”

“I … don’t know,” Kurosawa mumbled, staring at the kitchen again. “I think I do? I definitely like the result though! Adachi, I want to make many more dishes that make you smile!”

“O-okay … but only if you make two portions from now on!” Adachi insisted. “It’s awkward enough eating store bought stuff alone … sitting with this gourmet meal while you’re just staring at me is a total no-go.”

“Okay!” Kurosawa eagerly nodded. “Adachi, please show me more food that you like! I will master every single menu of every single restaurant!”

“You’ll deprive them of my humble financial contributions, if anything,” Adachi chuckled, sinking back into the insanely comfortable feeling of eating Kurosawa’s food.

“Do you really think it’s that good?”

“I think it’s amazing, Kurosawa. I’ve never had food that made me feel this way before! Then again … I mean … I probably can’t properly compliment this stuff,“ Adachi sighed, lifting up the bowl to drink some of the broth. “I don’t have a refined palate or anything. I mean, you’ve seen my usual meals … they’re just kinda normal. And this is totally not. It’s actually the first time someone other than my family cooked for me … I guess I’m just … really moved. Thank you.”

“I don’t need a refined palate,” Kurosawa immediately answered. “I just need you to enjoy it. That’s all that matters!“

“Well … I am enjoying it.”

“That’s great, Adachi.”

“Do you want some more?”

“... can I?”

“Yeah. I mean, let’s be honest, you made way too much for just me.”

“Oh.”

“So … here.”

Sharing a meal in this way felt warm and enveloping too. Although some of that warmth may have come from Adachi’s lingering thoughts about the singular pair of chopsticks passing back and forth between his and Kurosawa’s lips … which, if they were two humans on a date … would totally be an indirect kiss, wouldn’t it?

Yeah … as if.

It’s not like someone as handsome as Kurosawa would even sit within a hundred meters of him, much less be on a date, much much less do something romantic like this. Was it romantic though? Well … evidently not. It was just him and his angel having lunch, that’s all.

Man, he totally read too many novels about couples sharing food on cute little dates. Tsuge, what was up with that?! Find some better tropes, come on …

Chapter Text

“So? What are we gonna do now?” Kurosawa asked, closing the tap and putting aside the last plate to dry.

“Maybe in fifteen minutes or so, I’ll consider moving,” Adachi sighed, leaning his back against the wall and closing his eyes.

“Adachi?! Do you feel sick? Are you-”

“I’m fine,” he smiled, opening his eyes again before Kurosawa would lose his mind. “Just so full of food.”

“Oh. Okay, that’s good.”

“Mhm. It is. Thank you so much … this was really amazing.”

“You’re welcome,” Kurosawa smiled, sitting on the floor next to Adachi. “I’ll wait another fifteen minutes then.”

“... is there anything in particular you’re waiting for?”

“Just more of this.”

“This?”

“Life with you. It’s always so exciting!”

“You’re the only one who’d say that,” Adachi rolled his eyes. “And even then, I can’t really believe it. You’re probably gonna get bored of me.”

“I don’t think I will,” Kurosawa pondered, stretching his wings. “But even if I do, would it really be so bad? Adachi, are you often bored?”

“Kinda … I guess. Or maybe not really? I mean, you’ve seen what it’s like: life’s pretty busy. I don’t think I have time to get bored. I have work, and some hobbies, and I swear Tsuge is real and you’ll meet him eventually, he’s just always like this when he’s on a deadline … anyway, I at least have one friend too, so … well. It’s not a bad life,” Adachi reluctantly concluded. “Just a disappointing one.”

“Are you disappointed with yourself?”

“I don’t know anymore … I feel like I don’t care enough to be disappointed anymore. But other people are … and sure, yeah, I am too when I look at other people.”

“Why?”

“Because everyone’s so much better off with promotions and dates and houses, and I’ll just … never get there.”

“I see …”

“I don’t wanna sound ungrateful, you know?” Adachi tried to be a little more cheerful. “I know it could be worse. That’s why I’m not like … super depressed or angry about it or anything, most of the time at least. I’m just … kinda … aimless. The past few years really made it clear I’m not gonna get where everyone else is going, so … what do I even do with that? What is there for those of us who never get there?”

“... you go somewhere else?” Kurosawa suggested.

“But where?”

“I think you’re the one who should know that … and that is probably something I can’t help you with.”

“I know,” Adachi nodded. “That’s fine, I wouldn’t expect you to.”

“But maybe I can help a little bit! Like, with ideas,” Kurosawa tried to find something anyway.

“Ha … what ideas do you have for someone like me?”

“Shouldn’t you ask yourself that? What kinda things do you wanna do in life, Adachi?”

“My first angel asked me the same thing when I started school,” Adachi chuckled at the absurdity of Kurosawa’s simplistic approach.

“And? What did you say?”

“I think I had a bad day and didn’t wanna bother, so I said I want to be a dinosaur.”

“Oof. Well that’s not realistic,” Kurosawa mumbled, dejectedly biting his lip.

“You don’t say …”

“Well, how about now? Adachi, what kinda things do you wanna do in life now?”

“...”

“Adachi?”

Kurosawa watched as Adachi leaned his head back, aimlessly staring at the ceiling in silence.

“I don’t know,” he finally answered.

“You don’t know?”

“Yeah,” Adachi nodded in shame. “I mean … if you’re not having a good career and finding someone to marry … what do you even do? What does a human do, I mean? I feel like Tsuge would know that so much better than me, he’s never cared for a regular job but he’s still really successful, and I’ve never asked him about girlfriends or anything, but I’m sure he’s had lots of interest, I mean, those romance novel ideas have to come from somewhere, right? And yet, he doesn’t seem to care about getting married either … now that is someone who probably really knows what he wants. Me though? I just … don’t know. I’m still grieving my life not turning out the way everyone expected it would … I’m not ready to try to figure out what my own expectations actually are.”

“You don’t have to rush,” Kurosawa encouraged him. “You have time!”

“... I think you’re the only one who’d say that to someone my age,” Adachi forced himself to smile.

“Really? Why?”

“Because not knowing who you’ll be at 30 is just … total disaster material.”

“But you’re not a total disaster,” Kurosawa shrugged. “You have a nice and very clean apartment, and you’re good at your job, and you’ve got hobbies, and a friend. I think you’re alright, Adachi. I think that’s enough. And if you want more … there’s probably another 50 years left to find all kinds of things in your life!”

“... thanks. I’ll think about it.”

“You’re welcome. And you should! So you can be happy, you know? I’ll have more fun that way too. And eventually, I’m sure someone will fall in love with you!”

“As if.”

“Really, I’m sure they will!”

“Wait, can you see it?”

“See what?”

“Like, my future? Do I have a wife?! Is she cute?”

“Uh, no, I can’t see that,” Kurosawa quickly shook his head.

“Dang it. Thought I’d ask … ‘cause you look like you’d tell me if you could see the rest of my life.”

“If I’d be allowed to, of course I would. But I don’t even know how long you’ll live … you’ll die of natural causes though, I’ll say that much.”

“Yeah, I heard. That’s really all they tell you before they send you down here?”

Maybe he should have just said yes. It was comforting to some humans, at least … thinking the rest of their life had already been written for them. But Kurosawa really didn’t feel comfortable lying to Adachi, so …

“There’s not much else to tell,” he explained, clearing his throat. “Your future, you know … it’s still being written. You’re writing it. There’s no final script for you to act out. I hope that doesn’t bother you.”

“I guess not,” Adachi shrugged. “Hey, at least that means I’m not failing the part!”

“You’re definitely not failing. You’re fine! And your stomach? It’s been fifteen minutes, is it better now?”

“I feel like I could get up and make some tea, yeah … Kurosawa, do you want some?”

“Please, I’d love that. Can I have it in my coffee mug?”

“Obviously. That’s why I asked if you want one,” Adachi smiled, slowly getting up on his feet. “And after that … hey, uh …”

“Yes?”

“There’s this documentary on the Kongō-class battlecruisers I’ve been meaning to watch, would you- I mean, do you like battleships?”

“I don’t know,” Kurosawa sighed. “I never thought to have an opinion on them before. But I can try to form one if you want!”

“... well what if we watch the documentary together and maybe I convince you to like them,” Adachi suggested.

“That sounds great! I am open to being swayed, please inform me in detail! Adachi, do you like battleships?”

“Yes! They’re just really cool, like a fortress, but on water! They have this majestic kinda oomph to them, and they look nice, and there’s tons of interesting history for every ship! I’m kinda upset everyone just keeps making movies about the Titanic when there’s so much other interesting naval history out there! And even when they do make movies about the Titanic, there’s always gotta be some romance in there, like seriously, just show me the ship! I’m watching for the ship! That makes sense, right?”

“Right,” Kurosawa eagerly nodded.

The water in the kettle was bubbling, but so was the excitement within him. Adachi liked battleships - noted! And Kurosawa knew absolutely nothing about them, so … oh, he couldn’t wait for Adachi to explain every little detail to him. He kinda regretted asking for tea now, because it took a while to drink, but okay … he could be patient … he definitely could be!

“Anyway … I usually take my laptop to bed when I’m watching something, so … just sit next to me, there’s lots of space,” Adachi finally invited him over, making sure the laptop’s battery was full before climbing onto the bed and placing it on his lap.

“Here? Is this okay?” Kurosawa asked, his wings rustling against Adachi’s sheets.

“If you can see the screen, yeah, it’s fine.”

“I see it perfectly!”

“Cool. Let’s start then,” Adachi leaned forward to press play.

It was a very informative and educational movie - obviously, since it was a documentary. What else was Kurosawa expecting? Well, he thought of movies more in the sense of entertainment, but of course Adachi would enjoy something like this more. Not that it wasn’t entertaining too! Listening to Adachi’s commentary, that is.

“... and here’s the best part, that’s not even her last rebuild. Not to spoil stuff, but they actually rebuilt Kirishima twice, and I think that’s also amazing because if you think about it, she served for 27 years before being sunk, that’s less than what I’ve been alive for, and I haven’t even managed to turn myself around once in almost 30 years, so to get not one but two massive upgrades in that time is just super intimidating.”

“Uh, Adachi, are you … comparing your personal growth to building a battleship?”

“Just metaphorically,” Adachi clarified.

“Ah, I see. Good. Because otherwise, that’s not really- I mean, it’s not a fair comparison to you!”

“Yeah, probably not!” Adachi laughed, his shoulder brushing up against the side of Kurosawa’s wing.

“Adachi, are you cold?”

“Eh? Maybe a little bit … how did you know?!”

“You shivered just now.”

“I was just laughing.”

“No, that’s different,” Kurosawa shook his head with a smile. “I can tell.”

“You’re kinda creepy,” Adachi mumbled, giving him the side eye. “In an okay way, I guess. But don’t worry about it, it’s fine. It always gets cold in this apartment before the heating really kicks in.”

“I see …”

Kurosawa looked around the room again, looking for a second blanket or another layer of clothing he could bring to Adachi, but of course there wasn’t anything. Did this guy really have only one comfortable hoodie to wear around at home? They need to go shopping for clothes one of these days, even if some persuasion would be required. But for the time being … well, if it was between that or stuffing Adachi into his work jacket, Kurosawa supposed it was fine.

And besides … it was Adachi.

Of course it was fine.

“Kurosawa? You okay?”

“Mhm,” Kurosawa nodded, one of his wings extended outward behind Adachi’s back.

“Am I in the way?”

“In the way of what?”

“You … stretching?” Adachi asked, glancing between Kurosawa and his wing and wondering what he was doing.

“Oh, I’m not stretching. Just trying to keep you warm!”

“With … that?” Adachi nervously pointed at the wing.

“Mhm. The feathers are really warm, it should help!”

“But … you said you don’t like your wings?”

So Adachi remembered that, huh? Well … it wasn’t untrue … but Kurosawa didn’t want it to get in the way either.

“I don’t,” he nodded, doing his best to smile. “But you share everything with me, so … I also … and I don’t really have anything else to share with you, so … please. You can have this,” he stumbled over his words, reaching his wing out even further.

It probably wouldn’t even be that bad … if Adachi were the one saying how perfect and beautiful Kurosawa’s wings are. Surely even that would sound different in his voice, so-

“Wow … they’re really soft,” Adachi whispered, carefully touching Kurosawa’s wing with his hand. “And your feathers are just … so detailed, it’s insane.”

“Y-Yes …”

“I think I feel warmer just having them fluffed around me, is it really okay for me to … lean into this?”

“Yes!”

“Okay,” Adachi nodded, leaning back and closing his eyes for a moment as he sank between Kurosawa’s feathers. “Wow … it’s so warm and comfortable … wow. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” Kurosawa sighed, wrapping the tip of his wing around Adachi to make sure his chest was covered too. “And … and, uh … do you think they’re beautiful?”

“Hm? I guess, but that’s a strange thing to call a battlecruiser,” Adachi shrugged, his gaze already fixated on the screen again.

“Oh … right, yes …”

“Wait, did you mean your wings?”

“Y-Yes …”

“Of course they’re beautiful,” Adachi smiled. “Like the rest of you. Isn’t that a given? I mean, you’re an angel. Of course you’re beautiful.”

“Right … mhm, thanks. Let’s get back to the movie now!”

He said as much, but … it was hard to focus on anything other than Adachi’s presence. He’d often offered his wings as a blanket to his humans when they were kids, because it was an easy way to comfort them and get them to sleep. But even then, they would usually play rough with his feathers or even pluck them out sometimes. Especially as they grew older and got tangled up in all sorts of dares and petty competition to show off in front of their peers, and apparently …

“Ha! Look at Kurosawa’s feather! Quick, before it’s gone!! Kurosawa, I need another … look, it’s so big and pretty! And his whole wings are so tall and shiny! Kurosawa is way better than all of your angels!”

… he was worth showing off? He never knew what to do in those moments. Sometimes he stood silent, other times he made empty comments to the other angels about how poor the young humans’ behavior was, and that they shouldn’t take it to heart. But even as the kids became adults, things didn’t necessarily improve.

“Kurosawa, can you stand by the window again? Mhm, with your wings up like that! There’s a whole new glow to this room when the sun shines through your wings, I love it! And you look like you’re sparkling too. Say, Kurosawa, do you think my husband will be as handsome as you? Too bad he can’t have wings, haha! It’s a shame, you know? I’d just marry you if I could. I won’t find someone this handsome anywhere else.”

Humans seemed to care even more for beauty than angels did. It was suffocating at times … being everyone else’s ideal without even being anything. Because when did he even have time to be anything? Never. Not until now … when Adachi kept asking all sorts of things about him, and talked to him, and spent time with him, and didn’t talk about how beautiful Kurosawa was.

Perhaps he should have left it there. He didn’t know why he asked Adachi if he thought his wings were beautiful. Maybe he was just grasping for some sense of normalcy … of what he’d been used to … and yet, knowing Adachi found him beautiful didn’t bring Kurosawa any peace. Not in contrast with everything else Adachi had said at least.

He didn’t often comment on Kurosawa’s appearance, and yet, Kurosawa felt more seen than ever before - in a way that went past the eyes and straight to his heart. Because that’s what’s been beating louder and louder this whole time, wasn’t it?

Adachi wasn’t rough on his wings at all. He was cautious, barely resting his full weight onto them at first and then sinking back slowly as the movie went on. His hands were flying back and forth with all kinds of gestures as he elaborated on things in the movie, and every now and then, the edge of Kurosawa’s feather would get caught between his fingers.

Each time, Adachi looked away from the screen to apologize as he gently smoothed out Kurosawa’s wing, making sure no feather was out of place. And Kurosawa couldn’t find the words to tell him that he didn’t have to do that … that it was okay … that his feathers weren’t sacred … that he wanted Adachi to touch them.

Even if Kurosawa didn’t know the future, this much was certain: one day, someone else will look into Adachi’s sparkling eyes as he’s stumbling over endless words of praise for his favorite battlecruiser, and they’ll fall completely in love with it. In the moment, Kurosawa could almost see it happen.

In fact, it was weird that it hadn’t happened yet - because Adachi really was so very loveable.

Chapter Text

“Can’t believe it’s over already,” Adachi sighed as the movie credits rolled.

“Mhm, me neither. It was fun!”

“... you had fun?”

“Lots of it,” Kurosawa eagerly nodded.

“That’s nice. I worried you’d be bored … either from the documentary or me talking.“

“Oh not at all! Adachi, that was my favorite part! You’re so interested and knowledgeable, I loved seeing you share a little bit of that with me.”

“Huh … thanks,” Adachi blushed, awkwardly fumbling with his hands. “This has always just kinda been my hobby, I’ve never had someone to talk to about it. But did you actually like the ships?”

“Of course! I totally get why you like them, they are pretty cool!”

“Right? I’m glad you get it. So, uh … hey, Kurosawa?”

“Yeah?”

“It’s fine if you say no, okay?” Adachi nervously blurted out.

“Okay?” Kurosawa cautiously nodded. “No to what?”

“There’s port cruises at Yokosuka, and I’ve really wanted to go see the ships there, but … it’d be weird to go alone, I think.”

“I see …”

“Would you go with me?”

“Huh? Me?”

“Y-Yeah …”

“Of course! I’d love to! But … your previous angels would go with you as well, right? It’s our job to always stay by your side!”

“... is that why you’d do it?” Adachi asked quietly.

“No, not at all … Adachi, I like spending time with you.”

“I know,” he whispered even more faintly, as if the request itself was already so egregious he’d best disappear before he takes up any more of Kurosawa’s thoughts. “That’s why I asked you. If it were with you, I wouldn’t feel alone.”

“Adachi …”

“I’m sorry if that’s … not how it’s supposed to be. I’m sorry if I was supposed to ask my other angels too. I just never felt like they’d enjoy something like that.”

“You really are so considerate,” Kurosawa smiled, his heart practically melting at Adachi’s subtle display of kindness. “But I would enjoy it! Let’s do it, Adachi! Let’s go see some really cool ships!”

“I’ll take a day off sometime then … huh. Wow. I didn’t think you’d just agree so easily! Then again … well, it is you, so … haha.”

“It’s me? Of course it’s me, Adachi. What are you trying to say?”

“Just that you’re …”

Agreeable? Easily excitable? Sure, but neither would actually convey what Adachi had in mind. It was an unusual situation for him, but he did believe Kurosawa when he said he liked the ships and would have fun on the cruise. So chalking it all up to his ecstatic personality felt unfair to him. If Kurosawa really enjoyed the things Adachi liked, Adachi wanted to properly acknowledge those feelings!

It was just hard to do, because it was such a rare occurrence for him to connect with someone like that.

“You’re you,” he sighed, leaning back into Kurosawa’s wing and staring at him with a smile. “And I like you, Kurosawa. That’s what I meant.”

“... I like you too, Adachi. A lot!”

“I can tell,” Adachi chuckled, gently stroking Kurosawa’s feathers. “You’re really weird, Kurosawa. You know that, right?”

“Uh, alright. Okay, I see … I’m weird?”

“Mhm. Totally weird, for finding someone like me amusing. But even if it’s selfish, I … I hope that won’t change.”

“It won’t,” Kurosawa assured him.

“Thank you. For that, and the movie, and … this,” Adachi added, gently patting the edge of Kurosawa’s wing. “It felt really calming somehow.”

“And were you warm enough?”

“Oh, yeah, that too. I think the blanket will be quite the downgrade once I go to sleep,” he shrugged, covering a yawn with his hand.

“Would you like to keep it?”

“Huh?”

“I can sit beside you,” Kurosawa offered. “You can sleep under my wing and I’ll keep you warm the whole night!”

The mere thought made Adachi’s heart race. It felt like something super special and luxurious that definitely didn’t happen to people like him, and yet …

“N-No, Kurosawa, I could never! That’d j-just be using you like a prop, wouldn’t it!?”

“I don’t think so? But also, I … wouldn’t necessarily mind,” Kurosawa mumbled. “Adachi, if you have a use for me, please let me fulfill it!”

“Sure, but … Kurosawa, you’re not an object.”

“But then how else can I thank you and make you happy?”

“Just … being here? As you are? And doing things together if we both want to? That’s more than fine, you know … you don’t have to go out of your way that much. Actually, please don’t, it’s kinda overwhelming to be honest,” Adachi rambled on, stumbling through his thoughts as best as he could.

“If we both want to …” Kurosawa repeated his words, staring at Adachi with a blank expression. “Adachi, do you want to sleep under my wing?”

“... do you want me to sleep there?”

“Yeah. I’d love to!”

“Then I’d love that too …”

… because he’d be cold otherwise. And because Kurosawa would be on the other end of the room, and that … that just didn’t seem as nice all of a sudden. If he’s sitting right next to Adachi instead, maybe they could still talk a bit if Adachi has any last minute thoughts about the movie before going to sleep. And anyway, why should Kurosawa sit on the floor each night? Even if he said he was fine, surely the bed was more comfortable? He could lie down here too, if he wanted.

It wouldn’t bother Adachi or anything.

If he was going to be all pampered and comfortable, Kurosawa should be too, no?

It just felt obvious to him - that’s why he offered Kurosawa his blanket in exchange when they headed off to sleep. He watched, looking up with a smile as Kurosawa draped the blanket over his shoulders and smiled back at him, reaching out one of his wings and fluffing it up as much as he could so that all of Adachi’s body was completely covered.

“Warm enough?”

“Mhm … thanks. It’s so nice.”

“You’re welcome, Adachi.”

“Just for a little bit … the heating should be fine next week. So just until then, if it’s fine with you …”

“Of course.”

It definitely did get warmer in the apartment over the coming days, but somehow, their sleeping arrangements didn’t change. Kurosawa sat by Adachi’s pillow, one wing tucked away to rest against the wall and the other covering Adachi. He was comfortable there, and Adachi was too - so why should they change?

It was Adachi’s first time having someone to quietly say goodnight to, and it was Kurosawa’s first time feeling useful for who he was rather than how he looked. Because even in the dark …

“I love your wings. They’re the best … ha, you’re the best, Kurosawa. Goodnight.”

No, Kurosawa thought to himself each time as he watched Adachi fall asleep under his wing. No … Adachi, you are the best. The best human Kurosawa could ever wish for, so if it were true, if he really was the best angel Adachi could wish for too … oh, he’d be so happy. And Adachi kept looking at him as if that really were the case, so Kurosawa simply felt inclined to trust him.

But for Adachi, it wasn’t anywhere near that simple: trusting someone else’s feelings, accepting their kindness as if it really belonged to him, speaking up as if he actually had a place to be heard … it was difficult, really difficult. But Kurosawa being Kurosawa mitigated at least some of the trouble, and rewarded all the effort, so Adachi kinda left himself no choice but to embrace his new life with open arms, even if it meant stumbling forward into the unknown at times.

It was worth it too. He liked his weekends a lot better now that all the chores were usually finished in one day with Kurosawa’s help. He minded the crowded morning train less when he could just distract himself by talking to Kurosawa. He could focus on his work more when Kurosawa was always there to encourage him, bring him snacks and remind him to stretch and take a break at regular intervals. Not to mention that he ate so much better ever since letting Kurosawa into his kitchen? It didn’t even feel real, honestly.

Kurosawa had quickly expanded his cooking repertoire, and with it, Adachi’s cupboard and spice rack too. What Adachi assumed would be a special weekend treat soon became a gourmet breakfast every day and a filling dinner in the evening after work. They still grabbed food outside sometimes, but it felt like more of a social thing now rather than just Adachi wolfing down the first warm thing he’d had that week.

Now if only Kurosawa had some convenient scheme to make Adachi exercise more … then he’d actually be living a proper healthy life, eh? Well, not that he was looking forward to that, but he kinda felt it would be inevitable with how much Kurosawa fussed about him in all other aspects. And fine, maybe Adachi wouldn’t mind taking a longer walk or two here and there … not if Kurosawa was there with him, at least.

But he was getting ahead of himself on that one, wasn’t he?

Strange … he never used to look forward to things like that before.

But with Kurosawa, it was just … different.

Chapter Text

“Adachi … hey, sleepyhead … wake up …”

He opened his eyes, blinded by the morning sunlight for a moment before Kurosawa’s face appeared out of the blur above him, the tips of his wings tickling Adachi’s cheeks on either side.

“Morning … wow, something smells nice,” he yawned, sitting up on the bed.

“You say that every time,” Kurosawa smiled, his feathers still perking up at the compliment.

“And it’s true every time,” Adachi shrugged, slowly making his way over to the bathroom to wash his face before he’d sit down for another gourmet Saturday breakfast.

“Hmm? Adachi, did you order anything?” Kurosawa called out to him from the kitchen.

“No? Why?”

“Someone’s ringing the doorbell.”

“Huh …” Adachi turned off the water, quickly drying his face with a towel. He was still in his pajamas, but he figured there weren’t that many options for who the mystery visitor could be. “Tsuge? Is it- oh, hi! It is you! You’re alive?”

Well, perhaps ‘alive’ was a bit of a misnomer for what stood at his door.

“Adachi … you have … my deepest apologies …”

“Eh? What for? Oh, you mean the messages? Don’t worry about it, it’s fine! I figured you were busy.”

“Worst writer’s block of my life,” Tsuge sighed, barely managing a smile with dark circles under his eyes. “But it’s done! My editor even wanted me to turn it in at her office so she could scold me in person … so I figured I’d stop by on the way back. Did I wake you up?”

“Not at all! I was actually just-”

“Wow, something smells nice,” Tsuge blurted out, his facial expression suddenly rejuvenated as the symphony of scents from Adachi’s kitchen hit his nostrils.

“It does, doesn’t it!? Come in, you should have breakfast with us!” Adachi opened the door wider, inviting Tsuge inside.

“... breakfast?”

“Oh, right. I was going to tell you, but I figured I should save it for when I see you! I’ve actually-”

“Don’t mind me! Don’t mind me at all!” Tsuge nervously laughed, stepping back.

“You don’t want to eat with us?”

“Of course I don’t want to impose on you and your girlfriend like that!”

“... girlfriend?”

They stared at each other with furrowed brows for a moment: Adachi not having a clue what Tsuge was on about, and vice versa.

“Y-Yeah?” Tsuge eventually nodded, trying to sneak glances into the apartment over Adachi’s shoulders. “Is that not … I mean … I thought, like, you never cook …”

“Oh … oh, no! Tsuge, no, it’s not like that!”

“Ah, so that’s not what you wanted to tell me?” Tsuge asked, taking out his phone to check the last message from Adachi he still hadn’t replied to. “You said there was something new, I thought maybe a job, but then …”

“It’s nothing like that! I’m sorry I wasn’t more clear,” Adachi sighed. “I wanted to tell you that I got a new angel.“

“... what, again?”

“Geez, at this point I feel like Apalacchi-san is gonna make you wanna switch to a newer model too.”

Tsuge rolled his eyes, struggling not to laugh. “Oh come on.”

“Rokkaku, shut up,” Adachi sneered towards the empty space on Tsuge’s left.

“Kabachi-san, you can’t even hear me”

“I can sense when you’re making fun of me!”

“Categorically impossible for a human, but okay, Tachi-san. Anyway, Masato, let’s go in - I wanna meet my new best friend!”

“Sure, sure … he says we’ll stay for breakfast if you’ll have us.”

“Is he still doing the name thing?” Adachi asked, wishing he could time the closing of the door well enough to shut it in Tsuge’s angel’s face.

They’ve been doing the same friendly bickering ever since Adachi and Tsuge first met, and Adachi was still kinda annoyed that he never managed to get one over on Rokkaku properly. But the guy was actually kinda nice and super serious when it came to taking care of Tsuge, so if he could keep Adachi’s best friend alive on more than cup noodles and coffee around deadlines, Adachi could respect that. And at least according to Tsuge, Rokkaku never mocked Adachi for going through so many angels either, so … he was alright, kinda.

“You don’t even wanna know,” Tsuge sighed, side-eyeing Rokkaku as he took his shoes off. “I think he’s out of new surnames by now.”

“Have been for two years and a half,” Rokkaku shrugged, eagerly taking in the scents. “Oh damn. This really does smell amazing though? Wow!”

“Thanks, Rokkaku.”

“Eh?!”

It was probably the first time Rokkaku and Adachi shared the same reaction to something.

“Rokkaku? Do you know Adachi’s new angel?” Tsuge asked, surprised by Rokkaku’s unusually pale face.

“Of course I do! Kurosawa-senpai, I can’t believe this!!” Rokkaku frantically bowed his head. “It’s an honor to see you again! I definitely wasn’t making fun of Adachi-san or anything, I am sorry!! I will never do it again!”

“We know each other,” Kurosawa politely nodded. “We were briefly together in training.”

“It was an honor to train alongside the star Kurosawa-senpai himself!”

“Ha … hahaha, you flatter me …”

“Not at all! Wait, did you cook all that?”

“Mhm. Adachi likes my cooking. Don’t you, Adachi?”

“Huh? Uh, yeah … I love it,” Adachi chimed in, struggling to follow while only being able to hear half of their conversation.

“Small Earth, I guess …” Tsuge pondered, sharing the same struggle with the other half. “I hear you got some bigshot angel or something, eh?”

“Bigshot …? I mean, his wings are pretty big, but … anyway! Kurosawa is really nice and really amazing and great at cooking and he’s even read some of your books already and he likes them, he’s awesome!” Adachi rambled on, sitting Tsuge down at the table. “He always makes too much food anyway, it’s great you’re here, you gotta taste this …”

“You’ve been getting along well?” Tsuge cautiously asked, crossing his legs and leaning his back against the wall.

Neither the opulent breakfast on the table before him nor the smile on Adachi’s face made any sense to him.

“Yes! It’s … I mean, Tsuge, I don’t even know what to tell you. But I finally get it now, you know? When you said it’s kinda nice having an angel. I totally get it now. It’s really nice having Kurosawa!”

“Well, that’s … huh, a development for sure. Wait, when did this even happen? I know I’ve been out of the loop for a while, but … whoa, it feels like I’ve come back to a brand new Adachi! I need to get better at replying to stuff, damn it …”

“Don’t worry about it! I can catch you up- ah, Kurosawa, you don’t mind, do you?”

Usually, the two of them would talk about their plans for the weekend over breakfast. Adachi enjoyed that, and he’d only now realized that Tsuge’s surprise visit kinda threw a wrench in their established routine. He didn’t want Kurosawa to feel like he was being pushed to the side the moment Tsuge appeared again!

“Not at all,” Kurosawa smiled, bringing the last of the dishes to the table. “I’d love to have a chat with Rokkaku, actually … if Tsuge-san is alright with that?”

“Yo, Tsuge, can I chill with Kurosawa-senpai for a bit?”

“Sure, sure … there’s not enough space for both of you at the table anyway. Want me to save you something?”

“I’ll have some of that delish looking omelette over there, thanks!”

“Got it,” Tsuge nodded, setting aside a plate for Rokkaku and waiting for Adachi to tell him what he and this new angel had been up to.

Meanwhile, Kurosawa stood by the window, crossing his arms and watching over Adachi with a smile as he talked to his friend. He’d never seen Adachi like this before … it was precious. So, so incredibly precious! Tsuge seemed like a good guy, albeit a bit disheveled … and having Rokkaku as his angel certainly couldn’t have helped, Kurosawa thought to himself. The young one still seemed just the way Kurosawa remembered him: a bit scatterbrained, and eager to a fault.

“So they stuck you here, huh? I heard some rumors that they slighted you well and proper this time, but I had no idea it was with Adachi.”

And extremely direct too, right - how could he have forgotten that bit?

“It was a special assignment, yes. But honestly … well, I’m not really sure I understand it. I’ve been waiting to see who’s assigned to Tsuge in hopes that I could get some good insight, so it’s quite a relief to see you here.”

“Same! I never thought I’d have the honor of practically working alongside you, Kurorsawa-senpai!”

“Did you get along well with my predecessors?”

“Eh … not really. I ain’t that popular with the older crowd.”

“Who’d have figured … oh well. I’d appreciate anything you can tell me about them though!”

“Last thing I remember was Miyo-san almost bawling her eyes out.”

“Right … why exactly?”

“Apparently Adachi is just too much. I mean, I get it, Masato’s pretty intense at times too - and sometimes I hear about angels getting to hang out with other angels at clubs and friend meetings or even work, and … I dunno, it gets to me a little bit. ‘Cause Masato works from home and barely goes anywhere. Doesn’t have any friends other than Adachi. I’m barely in contact with any of the folks I’ve met while he was in uni at this point, it sure gets boring sometimes. But I do get some time to myself when he’s writing, so I can relax a bit. And I guess at the end of the day, he’s my first assignment so I don’t really have much to compare him to. I’m sure one day I’ll be thankful he’s a safe shut-in with a good heart.”

“I see … and Adachi? What do you think of Adachi?”

“... you’re asking me?”

“Yes. I’ll take any information, even if it’s not reliable.”

“Well okay. I dunno, honestly. He’s kinda … worrying sometimes. If he’s outside with Masato somewhere and they walk past a couple, I can almost feel negative thoughts emanating from him, and I’ve seen Miyo-san scold him for it on multiple occasions too. He’s one of those … unlucky guys, you know? I mean, so is Masato, but at least he’s creative about it with the novels. Adachi is just kinda bitter sometimes, and I think it’s gotten worse lately … eh, then again, I haven’t seen him in months, so … who knows. Frustration is normal for humans, I get it. Masato also ponders about strangling his editor sometimes, I’ve had to nudge him for it like two times this week alone. It’s not really evil or anything.”

“I see …”

“And you? Are you doing okay, Kurosawa-senpai? I know you’re really good at this and all, but … I dunno, Adachi really manages to drive his angels nuts somehow. The whole lack of personal space and boundaries thing …”

“Mhm?”

“How are you holding up with that, I mean.”

“Holding up with what?”

“Him talking to you all the time? That’s something Miyo-san complained a lot about, at least.”

“Oh, I love it.”

Kurosawa couldn’t help but smile, watching gingerly as Adachi told Tsuge all about the Yokosuka port tour they planned to go on next month for Adachi’s birthday.

“I love it,” he echoed his thoughts to Rokkaku again. “The lack of personal space and Adachi’s complete disregard for boundaries … I absolutely love it. Nothing’s ever made me so happy before. This is the first time I’ve ever enjoyed work! I had no idea it could be like this. Rokkaku, do you have your own toothbrush too? Your own coffee mug? Does Tsuge share all his food with you? Do you have a designated space in his work bag?”

“Uh, yeah … sure, yeah, of course. Not the work bag though, since he doesn’t use one. Oh, but I do have my own plushie.”

“... a plushie?”

“Mhm. When he was a little kid, he always gave it to me for safekeeping when he wasn’t playing with it. I guess he grew out of it eventually, but he said I could keep it. It’s a big soft cat plushie, I’ve been using it as a pillow and it’s super nice.”

Kurosawa felt beyond unnerved with an overwhelming wave of … jealousy?

It hadn’t even occurred to him that there were such massively important moments of Adachi’s life that were wasted on stupid angels who didn’t even appreciate him. If it were Kurosawa … he’d keep all of Adachi’s plushies safe and sound!

“... that’s not an ‘of course’ at all, Rokkaku.”

“Hm?”

“You say it like it’s a guarantee, but I’ve never had those things before. There are humans out there who are very distant and cold … and I’ve always been so unhappy with them. If you like human food and talking to them, you should cherish what you have. Seriously.”

“Huh … oh, uhm … okay. I will. Thank you for teaching me, Kurosawa-senpai!”

“You’re welcome …”

“Hey, Kurosawa? Sorry if I’m interrupting something, but-”

“Adachi? Are you okay, is everything-”

“Kurosawa, we’re fine!” Adachi laughed at the sudden panic on Kurosawa’s face. “I just wanted you to try this,” he held up the last of his omelette. “It’s the best you’ve ever made, and it’s about to get cold.”

“Oh. Sure, I’ll be right there!”

Rokkaku would have loved to spend more time talking to Kurosawa: it was his first chance to socialize with another angel in months after all. They seemed to be having a pretty good conversation too! And yet … as soon as Adachi called for him, it felt as if the rest of the world no longer existed for Kurosawa.

Man, no wonder he was the best of the best. That was the kinda focus Rokkaku could only dream of having one day. Kurosawa was clearly super serious about work, no doubt!

Maybe too serious even …

Chapter Text

It was a shame that Adachi was so shy, Kurosawa thought as they boarded the Yokosuka port cruise. He loved all of his excited insights and passionate hand gestures whenever they were talking about Adachi’s interests in the privacy of their home, but things were of course very different out in public. Adachi’s demeanor was a lot more subverted, and his voice sounded meek in comparison to what Kurosawa knew it could be like when they were alone.

But in a way, he adored this side of Adachi too.

It became almost like a game - an exercise in appreciation, if you will. Adachi tried his best to look casual while taking a ton of pictures with his camera, and he talked to Kurosawa about the details of the ships in a quiet tone. But Kurosawa, watching as intently as ever, could very well see the tremors in Adachi’s fingers each time he pressed the shutter button, the detail given to the framing of each photo, the sighs of admiration at the scenery, the squinting towards the sun to see the tall masts, the sparkles in Adachi’s eyes each time the tour guide directed their attention to a new ship … Kurosawa saw them all. He loved them all.

It was his job to watch over Adachi, so he wouldn’t miss a beat of it.

It was his job to know Adachi better than anyone else, so he would look as close as he could.

But also, it made him happy to do that, so … he would make his way all the way to the edge of reasonable observation, and then take yet another step closer. Because all of Adachi’s feelings and expressions were so deeply precious to Kurosawa, he couldn’t bear the thought of missing any single one of them. He needed to see them all!

And at some point, with one of Adachi’s carefully framed photos getting ruined by a passing seagull, the mist finally began to lift and Kurosawa could see Adachi’s emotions on full display.

“Ha … haha, look … it took up half the picture! It flew right past me!”

“I think it was gunning for that sandwich down there,” Kurosawa pointed at some of the kids further down the boat who were happily ignoring the battleships in favor of crumbling their snacks up for the passing seagulls.

“I guess if it lands here, that makes us nature’s aircraft carrier,” Adachi pondered. “Birdcraft carrier maybe?”

“Humans used pigeons in warfare before, haven’t they?” Kurosawa nodded along.

“Imagine launching a thousand pigeons off a boat,” Adachi smiled. “That sounds terrifying!”

“Could you load them up in canons to increase their velocity?”

“Hopefully not while they’re alive, right?”

They looked at each other for a moment, and then laughed together.

“Thanks for cheering me up, Kurosawa. You’re always so patient with me!”

“Patient? But I wasn’t doing anything …”

“I promised to tell you more about the ships and then I got nervous,” Adachi mumbled, putting the camera away in his pocket. “But I can see you hovering around waiting for me … I’m sorry.”

“Oh. No, Adachi, I’m not waiting for anything,” Kurosawa rushed to explain. “I’m just … enjoying you enjoying things. In whatever way you feel like it.”

“... well I do feel a little bit like telling you more about the ships,” Adachi mumbled, feeling himself blush at Kurosawa’s unexpected kindness. Or maybe he should’ve started expecting that by now?! “A-Anyway, let’s go to the back where there’s less people!”

“As you wish,” Kurosawa smiled, following Adachi without question.

Most of the tourists were taking pictures at the front of the tour boat, and so Adachi had the opportunity to catch a breath and clear his mind a bit as he rested against the railing at the back, watching the small waves left behind by the boat’s propellers as they traveled out and crashed into the large battleships docked around the port.

He didn’t think he’d ever bother taking a day off for his birthday. Didn’t think he’d actually make it all the way out here either, no matter how many times he’d mulled over the port website. It would be awkward going alone … even more so with an angel who didn’t care about ships. That’s why he hadn’t gone before. That’s why it changed now that Kurosawa was here - Adachi even told him that much.

But it wasn’t the only thing that changed.

Because if Adachi were to be brutally honest with himself, he’d have to admit that had he really wanted to do the tour with his old angels, he … well, he wouldn’t be completely against putting them through something boring so that he could enjoy himself for a while. It’s not that he was entirely opposed to that kinda sacrifice - more like it just wasn’t a sacrifice worth making at the time. Knowing himself, he probably wouldn’t have a good time anyway.

Taking a day off to go see some ships that he likes? Who even does that? Adachi wasn’t that kinda guy … or hadn’t been, at least. But now, standing here with Kurosawa and clearing his throat to finally share all the ship lore he’d been holding back … he kinda was that guy, wasn’t he?

Enjoying a hobby out in the open. Having a good time.

It was all Kurosawa’s fault anyway. He was the one who always seemed to enjoy Adachi’s hobbies even more than Adachi did. The one who made space for Adachi to share his thoughts on the things he liked. The one who wanted, no, basically demanded hearing everything about everything all the time, as long as Adachi had something to say … ha. It was all Kurosawa’s fault, but Adachi couldn’t really blame him for it.

Maybe feeling like his hobbies had a place under the sun for the first time wasn’t such a bad thing. Spending time doing something fun, even if he looked lame to other people, seemed worthwhile all of a sudden - because it wasn’t just him having fun, it was Kurosawa too.

But even on the off chance that he and Kurosawa didn’t share the same interests, Adachi still felt like it was okay for him to enjoy those things too. Like it still mattered, even if the only person it made happy was just him. Because Kurosawa was right beside him, and he celebrated Adachi’s happiness more than Adachi ever did.

Not gonna lie, it was starting to rub off on him.

Maybe it was fine then. Maybe it was alright to just have fun today, and gush about ships to his heart’s content even with other people around.

It was only once the tour was over and they were disembarking the boat that it occurred to Adachi that in the past, part of why he didn’t want to do this was also because he didn’t want to be seen as the guy talking his angel’s ear off. That was kinda pathetic, wasn’t it? Everyone would assume he’s boring the angel to death … they’d look at him and think damn, this guy is such a loser, the only person coming out here with him was the angel that literally can’t leave him alone.

Or maybe they wouldn’t think that at all. Maybe it was just Adachi fostering those thoughts about himself.

Maybe that’s why the worries loosened their chokehold on Adachi and eventually dissipated into nothingness when Kurosawa said he wanted to go see the battleships with Adachi, and not just because it was his job.

Maybe.

Damn, there were a lot of maybes in his life lately.

“Did you have fun?” Kurosawa asked, walking beside him.

“Yes! Lots! Thank you for coming here with me!”

“You’re welcome. I loved it too! You made it super fun for me, Adachi. I much preferred listening to you than the tour guide!”

“Oh now you’re just flattering me.”

“Not in the slightest,” Kurosawa protested. “Your explanations were funnier. And you had a different voice and personality for each ship!”

“What? I did not!”

“You totally did.”

“... fine. But don’t tell Tsuge!”

“Oh, is it our secret?”

“Yeah.”

“Awesome! Haha … Adachi, so how about planes? Do you like flying?”

“I’m not valuable enough to send on business trips,” Adachi sighed. “I haven’t been on a plane in ages, but I guess flying is alright. Why?”

“I wondered if you’d go with me,” Kurosawa stopped on their way outside the port, reaching his hand towards Adachi.

“Go where?”

“Up there,” he smiled, pointing above the ships.

“Eh!? What??”

“We’ve made it all the way out here,” Kurosawa shrugged. “Would be a shame to just settle for the default cruise view, wouldn’t it?”

“I, uh … I guess? But won’t it cause a scene if people see me floating in mid air?”

“I can use a little magic on you,” Kurosawa offered. “Then no one will see you either. So what do you think? Wanna fly with me, Adachi?”

“... no turbulence, please,” he awkwardly mumbled, finally placing his hand in Kurosawa’s.

“You won’t feel a thing,” Kurosawa assured him. “Just close your eyes.”

He did as instructed, and soon felt himself enveloped by Kurosawa’s wings. He couldn’t feel the ground underneath his feet anymore, but also … Kurosawa was right - he couldn’t feel anything.

“Happy birthday, Adachi. You can open your eyes now.”

As his sight returned, so did his feelings: overwhelmingly and all at once. A gentle breeze rushed past the two of them, almost playing a quiet melody as it swirled through Kurosawa’s feathers and messed up his hair, throwing his bangs up in one moment and then casting them down over his eyes in the other, like laying a harvest of amber gold upon a lush green meadow, or an emerald sea … yeah, with the sunlight reflecting in them, Kurosawa’s eyes definitely looked a lot like deep hidden ocean pearls that Adachi somehow had the privilege of sinking into in the safe embrace of Kurosawa’s arms, their chests pressed together and Adachi’s waist firmly held so that he wouldn’t fall.

“How’s the view, Adachi?”

“Beautiful.”

“… are you sure you’re okay? You haven’t even looked down yet.”

“Huh? Oh … oh, right, the ships, sorry … I got distracted. Wow, it’s … amazing. I can’t believe I’m seeing them like this!”

“Wanna see them up close?”

“... can you get closer without showing up as some kinda cloaked flying device on radar?” Adachi cautiously asked.

“Of course,” Kurosawa laughed. “You humans aren’t that advanced yet.”

“Then yeah, let’s go!”

“As you wish, Adachi.”

Not that he was aiming at ever actually making it to business class on work flights, but even if he had, it wouldn’t have mattered anymore - surely this was the best way to fly! As they moved through the air above the port, flying from ship to ship for Adachi to give Kurosawa all the added commentary he didn’t have time for during the tour, it hit him that it was definitely precarious at best to be carried around up high by nothing but a pair of arms.

But they were Kurosawa’s arms.

And to say that Adachi felt safe there would be an understatement. Safe didn’t even begin to cover it! He felt happy, he felt ecstatic, he felt excited, he felt accepted … he felt wanted. Like Kurosawa was actively going out of his way to do this with him. He didn’t have to. Adachi would have never even thought about it on his own. Why would he? And yet …

“Kurosawa … did you want to fly with me?”

“Of course I did!”

Mhm. He felt wanted … he really did.

They eventually landed on the ground again, inconspicuously mixing in with another group of tourists leaving the cruise. They stopped in the gift shop by the exit, where Adachi picked up two small Kirishima pins before they headed back home: one for himself, and one for Kurosawa.

Although after such a wonderful day, this suddenly felt like the least significant thing they had shared. But what else could Adachi do? He couldn’t impress Kurosawa by flying him on his own private little tour or anything amazing like that … so he hoped that something as small as this could still mean something to someone as incredible as his angel.

Little did he know that to Kurosawa, it meant everything.

Chapter Text

“Look at it! Rokkaku, look at it! It’s so cute! It’s so cute, isn’t it!? Adachi has the same one! It’s like a matching set!”

“Ehm, uh … aren’t there thousands of these mass-produced pins, Kurosawa-senpai?”

“Not at all! Adachi only touched these two! And this is the only one he gave to me! It’s one of a kind! And it matches his! This is even better than a plushie, ah …”

“Kurosawa-senpai, are we in a competition of some sort?”

“Competition? What competition?“

“You said your pin is better than the plushie Masato gave me … ?”

“Oh, no, I didn’t mean that. I think that my pin is better than any plushie Adachi could have given me, had I known him that long. Because there’d be just one of those, right? But there are two pins! And they match!! Rokkaku, this is incredible, I’m so happy! Other humans can see it if I wear it on my clothes, I didn’t even realize that! And Adachi put his pin on his bag, so every time we walk outside together, the whole world can see the remnants of our incredible trip!”

“You really are intense, Kurosawa-senpai … sounds like you had a good time, huh?”

“Oh, I had the best time! I hope Adachi did too …”

Rokkaku watched as Kurosawa sighed deeply for about the hundredth time, his thumbs caressing the pin in his hands over and over again. They were chilling in the corner of Tsuge’s apartment, watching as their humans happily chatted away over homemade takoyaki sizzling on the grill: an old uni tradition that eventually graduated from celebrating exam scores to published novels for Tsuge, and minor achievements at work for Adachi.

“Thank you for inviting us over today, by the way.”

“Of course we would. They usually get together for birthdays anyway.”

“I see … but they should really meet up more often, don’t you think, Rokkaku?”

“I guess, yeah. Should be good for them, I think.”

“I think so too! Just look at Adachi … he’s so talkative, and Tsuge keeps making him laugh … it’s beautiful. I need to learn how to do that! I still don’t see a pattern in what Adachi finds funny or what makes him laugh. Sometimes it’s as if he does it for no reason at all …”

“I don’t think Masato has any kind of system for that. They just riff off each other naturally at this point.”

“Masato, huh … Rokkaku, how long have you been using his name like that?”

“The whole time, I think? Why? Oh, was I not supposed to? Kurosawa-senpai, am I being unprofessional again!?”

“No, no … it’s fine. I was just curious. I’ve never called any of my humans by their name.”

“Not even when they were kids?”

“No. That was saved for their parents and their friends. The rest of the staff called them by their family name.”

“Kinda weird for you to be lumped in together with the rest of the staff though. Is that what you meant when you said some humans were cold?”

“I think so, yes.”

“Yikes. I’m starting to appreciate Masato a lot more! Thank you so much for your careful guidance and extensive experience, Kurosawa-senpai!”

“... you think he’d let me use his name?”

“Probably, Masato’s pretty friendly once he gets to know you!”

“Uh, thanks, Rokkaku. But I was talking about Adachi …”

“Ah, of course, sorry! But surely he would, right?”

“Would he? He doesn’t even use Tsuge’s name or vice versa … and that’s his closest friend. What if he doesn’t like his name? What if he doesn’t feel comfortable with others using it?”

“Maybe. You should ask him, no?”

“... maybe. It doesn’t matter that much though! I wouldn’t want to put him on the spot … it’s just … whenever I hear you refer to Tsuge like that, I get kinda … jealous. It feels like you two are so close!“

“Thirty years of hanging out does that to a human, yeah.”

“Thirty years, huh? I could wait that long … if it meant … Kiyoshi …”

“Uhm … Kurosawa-senpai? Are you alright?”

“It’s just so unfair … it’s such a beautiful name, I love the sound of it, it tastes like a sweet dumpling rolling off my tongue, and it fits him so well, just look at him, he’s so soft and beautiful … Kiyoshi … I don’t want to wait thirty years to call him by such a wonderful name …”

“Geez …”

Rokkaku pulled back his wings, preemptively distancing himself from whatever Kurosawa was simmering in, because it all looked a bit … over the top, even for heaven’s most dedicated worker. Not that he intended to look down on Kurosawa by any means, of course not, he was just overwhelmed by the immense dedication on display. It had only been a few months and yet, Kurosawa seemed completely enmeshed with Adachi’s life while still asking for more. Almost begging, even.

It was kinda funny, actually, Rokkaku thought. Because if he saw a human staring at Adachi the way Kurosawa did, he’d obviously … ha … hahaha …

“Hmm? Rokkaku? What’s funny?”

“Haha, nothing … sorry. I was just thinking, it almost looks like you’re in love with him.”

“... in love?”

“Yeah. You’ve read Masato’s books, right? All the cliches are in there, like the wistful stare and whatnot, that’s what I mean. Your dedication to work is super scary, Kurosawa-senpai!”

“... in love? With Adachi?”

The words rolled around Kurosawa’s mind in just about every possible permutation as he stared at his human across the room. But Adachi was so much more than that! He was his happiness, his purpose, his meaning, his joy in life, his motivation to do the best he can, his … everything.

“Rokkaku, is that … is that how this feels?”

“Hm? How what feels?”

“Being in love. Is that how it feels?”

“... wouldn’t you know? I mean, uh, not that I was the type to participate in rumors or anything, but you did date a lot when we were in training, didn’t you?”

“I suppose … but that was different, I wasn’t in love with any of the angels I’ve gone on dates with. I’ve never been in love before, I think.”

“What? Really? Never?”

“Mhm.”

“Man that is rough for your exes, isn’t it? Really? Not even once?”

Kurosawa found solace in casting another glance towards Adachi, even if what he really wanted was to embrace him and erase the world around the two of them so that he could have the space to feel all of his feelings undisturbed.

“... I might be in love now.”

“Eh? With who?”

“Adachi. Didn’t you say so?“

“Wha- eh- aaa?? Kurosawa-senpai, I was joking!!!”

“... oh.”

“Why would you- I mean, how would- I mean, I guess it’s not that different but- why would you?”

“Because he’s everything I didn’t even know I wanted and everything I didn’t even know I needed and he’s given me everything and then even more and no one has ever made me so happy and he means everything to me and he’s the most beautiful person I’ve ever seen and I love looking at him and I love listening to him and I love it when he laughs and I love it when he’s happy and I love it when he’s beside me and I love it when he takes care of me and I love it when he tries his best at everything and I love him … I love him … Rokkaku, I think … I love him.”

“... but he’s a human though …”

“Yes. Mhm … yes … I don’t think I mind? It’s not against the rules, is it? Do you think he’d mind? Do you think he wouldn’t like an angel?”

“I don’t know about that, but … Kurosawa-senpai, both Masato and I have known Adachi for over a decade, and he’s never shown any interest in men.”

“...”

“Kurosawa-senpai?”

“... … … oh.”

In the mind-numbing cacophony of feelings washing over him, it completely escaped Kurosawa’s mind that humans tended to have such preferences. He wasn’t sure what to make of his emotions now: he felt both elated and completely crushed at the same time.

Well, but perhaps that was just selfish and immature of him. He was happy by Adachi’s side … nothing about that changed if he loved him. Nothing about anything changed at all, actually. This was fine. Kurosawa would just cherish the opportunity to be with Adachi even more from now on!

“Kurosawa-senpai?”

“Thank you, Rokkaku. I think I am alright.”

“... are you though?”

“Of course. It is my first time being in love. And I have fallen in love with the most wonderful man on Earth. Is that not lovely?”

“I guess, but … if you two can’t be together?”

“But we are together. I am his guardian, it is my whole purpose to be with him at all times! I do not need any more than that, if I can protect his happiness, that is enough for me.”

“Right … well, good luck with that, Kurosawa-senpai!”

“I do not need any additional luck. I’m already the luckiest angel ever … just imagine, I get to be by Kiyoshi’s side … no one else gets to do that … I’m so lucky, I can’t believe it. I think I actually do love him, this is incredible. Rokkaku, have you ever been in love?”

“A couple times. But not as deeply as you are, I think.”

“Oh? There’s different depths to it?”

“Kinda, yeah.”

“I see …”

He sighed again, bringing the Kirishima pin to his lips and adorning it with a discrete kiss.

“I want my love for Kiyoshi to become the deepest love anyone has ever had. He doesn’t deserve anything less! I want to be the best for him … want to give him the best … he deserves everything, you know? I love him … ah, it feels like falling deeper every time I say it, is that how it works?”

“I, uh … I’m not really sure, Kurosawa-senpai.”

He might have been in love before, but what he’d just witnessed Kurosawa stumbling into looked a lot more like madness than love for all Rokkaku could tell.

Chapter Text

“You and Rokkaku get along pretty well, huh?” Adachi remarked with a smile as they walked back home from Tsuge’s apartment.

“Of course,” Kurosawa nodded. “He is a diligent worker who tries his best, although sometimes he slacks on procedures a bit and his mischief gets in the way. But he is even more inexperienced than me, so I am very happy to help him, and it’s an honor to have someone look up to me like that.”

“Just say you’re happy to have a friend,” Adachi chuckled.

“... I am?”

“Obviously. You were silent the whole time, and you’re all smiles now,” Adachi gestured at Kurosawa’s face, feeling proud that he’d figured him out. “You guys were totally talking in private again, weren’t you?”

“Y-Yeah …”

“Knew it. I’m glad you have a friend to spend some time with like that!”

“Me too,” Kurosawa agreed. “Adachi, you should visit Tsuge more often! You’re all smiles too, you know? And I think that’s wonderful.”

“He’s busy whenever he’s writing,” Adachi waved off the idea. “And we’re both introverts, I think we only managed to stay friends because we see each other just as much as it works for both of us. Can’t overdo it, that kinda thing.”

“I see … Adachi, am I overdoing it?”

Adachi could easily say yes to that on several accounts, but …

“With what?”

“Being here.”

“Ehm … isn’t that what you’re supposed to be doing?”

“Yes, but … do you ever wish I wasn’t here?”

It wasn’t something a human would ever expect to be asked. Adachi’s steps continued to hit softly against the pavement, and the world around them suddenly fell quiet, with only the distant traffic noise occasionally cutting through the fog in Adachi’s mind.

Thup. Thup. Thup.

His own feet leaving their miniscule mark wherever he walked. And right beside him …

Thhhup. Thhhup. Thhhup.

… Kurosawa.

His whole life, his footsteps were echoed by the presence of an angel, be it with their soft steps if they walked or the light flaps of their wings if they were flying. There was always someone, even in his home, even as he lay in the darkness waiting to fall asleep each night, even as he was barely conscious with his alarm blaring first thing in the morning … there was always someone.

Even when he couldn’t hear them, he could feel them. Or be aware of them at least.

The same way he was perpetually aware of the oxygen he breathes.

Because they were one and the same, weren’t they? Adachi had no choice but to breathe for as long as he lived. And he had no choice but to keep an angel beside him either. He liked to think of himself as a realist, so it wasn’t like him to admit he was dreaming of impossible things … but then again, he did spend many years dreaming of having a girlfriend, and look how unrealistic that was … so yeah, sure. Maybe it’s not a complete insult to his own sensibilities to say that he’d wished his angels would disappear before.

Maybe because he’d wanted to be alone.

Maybe because he just didn’t want to be with them.

But of all four angels he’d had by his side … why was it Kurosawa that asked him that? Was he really so different from all the other angels in every regard? Did he want to know the answer? Did he already know it? Did he just want to hear Adachi confess anyway? Or did he … would someone like him ever … want reassurance that he was wanted too?

“I wished others weren’t,” he finally admitted. “But not you. Kurosawa, don’t talk about not being here. That’s … look, that’s just kinda scary, okay?”

He didn’t think something like that could have possibly mattered. And yet, Kurosawa’s emerald eyes cleared like the sky after a storm, and his smile grew even wider.

“Really? Adachi, is that true?”

“Of course it is,” Adachi awkwardly mumbled. “Don’t you have your angel senses to alert you when I’m lying anyway?”

“Oh. Right … you’re right! I’m just so happy … Adachi, don’t be afraid. I am here, and I’ll be here … for as long as you need me.”

“That’s kinda sappy … but it also puts me at ease,” Adachi sighed, grabbing the keys out of his pocket as they approached their apartment. “‘Cause you know … somehow, I believe you.”

“Why wouldn’t you? You know I wouldn’t lie to you!” Kurosawa loudly insisted. “It’s extremely looked down upon for an angel to lie, and I’m definitely not looking to get reprimanded, and besides, I would never lie to you, Adachi!”

“I know, I know,” Adachi calmed him down. “I meant it more like … I believe in myself, I guess. Or in us.”

“... us?” Kurosawa stopped in the doorway, staring at him.

“Yeah. Like, maybe I’m a little better as a person because of you, and maybe you like humans a little more because of me, and maybe … maybe that’s enough. Maybe this can work out,” Adachi smiled, gesturing between them. “Right?”

“Right …”

“So are you coming in, or?”

“Right, sorry about that … I got distracted. Do you want some tea before bed?”

“I don’t think I can handle another drink after this evening, I’m so full,” Adachi sighed, rubbing his stomach. “We ate so much … damn, I’m really not 20 anymore … can’t go stuffing myself like this and not expect any consequences. Eh, it is what it is. Kurosawa, can we have something light for breakfast tomorrow?”

“I’ll keep that in mind, Adachi.”

“Great. Then I’ll take a quick shower and go to sleep … aaaah, I’m pretty tired,” he yawned, taking off his jacket and shoes.

It was starting to get warmer anyway … maybe they could do a bigger spring cleaning this weekend … and isn’t there a market nearby that opens after the cherry blossom season? Kurosawa would probably love getting to cook with the best fruits and vegetables, he should take him there sometime … ha.

Adachi smiled to himself, pulling his hair back and closing his eyes as the lukewarm jet of water hit his face. Growing older really does things to a person. He’d never imagine being the type to care about going to the market for fresh ingredients before. Well, he wasn’t the one cooking or anything, but still - baby steps, alright? He was eating better, even if Kurosawa was single-handedly facilitating those improvements. And any good change was important, even if small.

But at the same time, despite Adachi often feeling like everything had been changing and seeming uncertain lately, his life also looked kinda stale somehow? Not in a bad way, he just didn’t know how else to describe it. Turning thirty didn’t magically give him that important promotion and his boss’ approval and a big apartment and a lovely wife and a bunch of friends, as he used to dream at the start of his adult journey. But it also didn’t make him feel completely worthless, depressed and past his expiration date as he sometimes feared it would in the recent years.

In a way, nothing changed: he went to work and lived his quiet life when he was 29, and he still went to work and lived his quiet life now that he was 30. But ‘his quiet life’ didn’t have its usual disparaging sound to it anymore.

He used to look at all this and think of it to himself as an insult. The unrewarding and unimportant work at the office, the superficial conversations with his colleagues, the rare times he managed to see Tsuge, the occasional nice meals he treated himself too, the snacks and piles of manga he’d accumulated, the tiny apartment that couldn’t fit a bigger life anyway even if he’d managed to make one for himself … it all felt like a prison to him. Like a pit he was desperately trying to climb his way out of.

But everything changed that morning, didn’t it?

That cold, confusing morning when he woke up to an unfamiliar man in his room, and his third angel nowhere to be found. That horrible morning when he quietly cried to himself in the shower over what felt like just about the last kick he could take while already being down.

He gave up that morning, didn't he?

Stopped trying, stopped climbing, stopped clawing at the edge with dirt under the nails of bruised fingers that were never strong enough to pull him up over the edge in the first place. He let go. He gave up.

It felt like falling, kinda.

He remembered wishing he could hit the ground and shatter.

But instead, his landing was cushioned by the most caring wings he could ever imagine, and ever since … ever since Kurosawa was here with him, shining like the sun, and everything else in this prison seemed brighter to Adachi too. Almost as if the walls fell down from the sheer overwhelming burst of Kurosawa’s brightness.

He was happy.

Right here, right now, with what he already had, exactly as it was, as long as Kurosawa was with him … he was happy. He’d spent his whole life chasing that … looking for it … searching helplessly, because all the things that promised happiness were always so far out of reach for him. And yet, happiness reached him anyway. Right where he’d always been.

But if he didn’t need to turn his life around to be happy anymore … what did he even want his life to be? This whole time, he’d only been holding onto the most basic of things with the full intention to throw them away the moment an opportunity arose. He didn’t really choose any of this, it was just what he’d been left with because no chance to grab something better ever came to him. So what now? What was he even? Who was he? What, from all these piles of mundane things to do, should he actually keep?

He figured most people would have known that by now. They probably didn’t spend all their 20s trying and failing to be something else before suddenly deciding that no, this right here is what they want to be. But Adachi was in the thick of that existential shift right now, and boy did it not come easy! So many years spent looking away … and now he was supposed to face it all? Embrace this? Be positive about it?

As he stared at himself in the bathroom mirror, it felt overwhelmingly impossible.

But so did being happy at some point, and yet he figured that out somehow. Surely with Kurosawa’s help, he could manage this too.

Chapter Text

“Well someone’s tired too, huh?” Adachi chuckled, coming out of the bathroom to find Kurosawa lying on their bed and staring at the ceiling with his wings outstretched and spilling over to the floor on either side.

“Oh, sorry,” Kurosawa fumbled, quickly sitting up. “I was just … thinking about the stuff Rokkaku and I talked about.”

“It’s fine,” Adachi shrugged, turning off the light and walking over to the window to pull the curtains. “You don’t have to apologize. It’s okay to have your own private things even if you’re supposed to be working. Humans do that all the time.”

“You do?”

“Mhm. Like the time we stopped at the bakery on our way back from the meeting, that was technically a personal errand on company time.”

“I see … alright then. Thank you, Adachi,” Kurosawa nodded, crawling to the edge of the bed and neatly folding one of his wings against the wall while fluffing up the other for Adachi to use as his blanket.

He almost looked like an injured bird somehow, and something about all this didn’t feel right to Adachi at the moment.

“You know, I’ve been thinking … ever since you flew me around at the port, I’ve been looking at your wings and … they really are big, huh?”

“Yes,” Kurosawa nodded.

“Isn’t that uncomfortable?” Adachi pointed at the wing that was cramped together between Kurosawa’s body and the wall.

“Not really,” Kurosawa shrugged. “It just is.”

“I see …  but do your wings ever get the room to breathe while you’re working? Or is that, like, not a thing? Stretching them out and all that?”

“It is nice, but I don’t need it.”

“I don’t need the food you make for me either,” Adachi rolled his eyes at Kurosawa’s stubbornness. “But I eat it because it’s nice. So you should be able to do nice things for yourself too. Come on, stretch them out.”

“... what, here? Now?”

“Yup.”

“Well okay,” Kurosawa scooted away from the wall, carefully extending his wings in both directions.

Adachi was right … maybe he did miss letting them fall loose once in a while.

“Wow …” Adachi mumbled, stepping out of the way before the feathers would squish up against him. He also pulled aside the curtain and even then, the very edge of Kurosawa’s wing still pressed against the window pane with some force to it. He thought he’d already seen it all, but apparently not. “They’re this big!? What is this, like four meters?!”

“They get thicker when I’m cold, but yes,” Kurosawa nervously smiled, self-conscious of his size. “That’s about the length.”

“You have the wingspan of a small dragon,” Adachi sighed, watching the display in awe. “Okay, that’s it, I’m gonna make it my new goal to actually move somewhere bigger soon.”

“What? Adachi, no, you don’t have-”

“I know I don’t have to. But I want to!” Adachi insisted. “I want you to be comfortable when you’re living with me, Kurosawa. Doesn’t this feel nice?”

“... it does.”

“Well then I want you to be able to do this without bumping into the walls on each side. I don’t want you boxed in like a sardine! You’re important to me … I want you to take up the space you need, damn it.”

“... thank you. I apologize for making you angry, Adachi.”

“Eh? No, no no no no, you didn’t make me angry!” Adachi rushed to explain himself. “I’m just … motivated, I guess. Determined or something, I dunno. It’s a new feeling for me, okay?”

“Okay …”

“Also, if you don’t mind having some weight on them, I guess we could … I mean, the way you were splotched out like a stingray earlier, I could lie on your wings and sleep like that, so you don’t have to squish one against the wall?”

“I don’t think that would work,” Kurosawa mumbled. “I’ve never had something so heavy lying on my wings the whole night … ah, not that you’re heavy or anything! Adachi, you’re a totally perfect weight and shape! It’s humans in general that are relatively heavy, I mean.”

“I get it, don’t worry. I just offered what could be a solution in the meantime,” Adachi shrugged, approaching the bed. “Since even if I feel super determined, it’s not like I can make a bigger apartment happen for us overnight.“

“Well we- uh … yeah.”

“... Kurosawa?”

“Nothing.”

“Didn’t you say you wouldn’t lie to me?” Adachi raised an eyebrow.

“A tactical omission is not a lie,” Kurosawa quietly defended himself. “A-Anyway, I just thought that if you wanted … if you wanted me to stretch my wings at night, we could … I mean, my wings can’t take you, but my body can!”

Awkward phrasing aside, Adachi understood what Kurosawa meant. And it seemed a bit … strange, but … well, nothing, really, he just didn’t know what to make of it. Was this just an extension of being friendly with his angel? Same thing as letting Kurosawa sleep in the bed and using one of his wings as a blanket?

Well, it had to be.

Because what else would it be?

“Yeah, that’s … that’s fine. We can do that.”

Sitting on the edge of the bed, Kurosawa reached out to him, and Adachi entrusted himself into his arms, just like the time when they went flying together. But this time, they didn’t take off to the skies: instead, Adachi closed his eyes as Kurosawa’s body gently flopped back onto the bed, his wings pressed into the mattress and Adachi pressed into his chest.

It was a firmer pillow than what he was used to, that’s for sure.

Obviously a flying creature would have well developed pectoral muscles, it made sense, but geez … Kurosawa was pretty buff! Not just his chest, his abdomen too! Adachi suddenly wondered if he was one of those guys with a visible six pack, and he must have been, given how firm Kurosawa’s body felt under his, but it’s not like he could check or anything, so he’d just have to imagine- eh!? Why was he imagining something like this!?!

“I’ll just hold you … so you don’t roll off during the night,” Kurosawa whispered, resting one arm across Adachi’s shoulders and wrapping the other around his waist.

Holy … fuck. His arms were ripped too! Adachi knew as much after being carried around the port, but this felt different … more exposed … more vulnerable. If anything, his waist felt like a joke under Kurosawa’s firm grasp … he was so tiny, just skin and bones and some chub in between, meanwhile Kurosawa was in very good shape, to say the least.

Adachi had never been this close to any of his old angels before. They were angels anyway. Who knows if any of the human rules even applied to them, maybe they all had absolutely perfect bodies with zero effort. It had nothing to do with Adachi. He didn’t know why he was thinking about it now all of a sudden.

He just felt like it was a good thing that Kurosawa was an angel, because if he weren’t … yeah, he’d definitely be the kinda guy Adachi would side-eye with heaps of jealousy. Which made him feel bad, because … Kurosawa was a good guy! He had his problems too, and he was nice, and funny, and kind to Adachi, and … wait, were all the normies he’d been looking down on like that too? Shit, what if some of those couples were someone’s first date after years at the gym and gathering the courage to ask their crush out, meanwhile Adachi had wished for them to walk into traffic?! Oh fuck … he was a horrible person …

“... Adachi? Is everything alright? I’m sensing some … really negative thoughts all of a sudden.”

“I’m an asshole,” Adachi quietly blurted out, hiding his ashamed face in Kurosawa’s ample chest.

“Okay? Adachi, could I get some context with that self-deprecation?”

“... I’d rather not,” he mumbled, his hands nervously grasping at Kurosawa’s feathers for something to distract himself with. “I don’t want you to see me like that!”

“Like what?”

“Like … just … gaaah, can’t you just read my mind and have it over with?!”

“I can, with your express permission.”

“Sure,” Adachi gritted his teeth, figuring this was the easiest way out of this mess.

It was weird that it hadn’t come up in all the time they’ve been together, actually. Now that Adachi thought about it, he couldn’t even remember seeing any couples lately … but surely there must have been some around him, right? There always were, so … who knows, maybe he just didn’t notice them anymore? Well, he was always busy talking to Kurosawa … huh, yeah, he kinda didn’t look at other people that much these days, did he?

Not that it changed anything though. His previous angels all scolded him for how he looked at other more popular guys - several times even. Obviously it wasn’t okay ... Adachi merely justified it to himself as a coping mechanism … it seemed fair at the time, because what else did he have if not wishing everyone better than him would trip over and die?

Fuck, he sure is a real piece of work … why did he think of this now!?

Well, but … it was the truth. Kurosawa deserved to know. And if he wanted to leave and ask for a kinder human and never see Adachi again, that-

“You like my body?”

“... what?”

“Were you really thinking about that?” Kurosawa asked excitedly, holding onto Adachi even tighter.

“Uh … yeah, I mean … it’s pretty impressive, but … uh, what about the other stuff?”

“Oh, sorry … I got kinda stuck on that. But also, I know. Rokkaku mentioned your conflicting thoughts about couples.”

“That’s putting it mild- wait, what do you mean Rokkaku mentioned that!?”

“I asked if he had any useful tips for me as your new angel,” Kurosawa explained. “He said that was something that worried him.”

“... didn’t know it was so bad that even he picked up on it,” Adachi sighed in shame.

“It probably must have been quite apparent, yes,” Kurosawa nodded.

“And? You didn’t say anything about it?”

“Well, I was going to,” Kurosawa shrugged. “But we’ve been in the vicinity of a few dozen couples since then, and you didn’t seem to think anything bad of them.”

“... I didn’t?”

“Not a thought.”

“Huh …”

“So let’s just keep it that way, alright?” Kurosawa smiled, brushing a loose strand of hair away from Adachi’s face.

“Yeah, obviously! I’ll do my best!” Adachi quickly promised. “But … aren’t you upset? Don’t you resent me for it?”

“I won’t judge you for things I wasn’t there to see,” Kurosawa reassured him, gently rubbing Adachi’s back before settling his arm on his shoulders again. “If anything, I’m really proud of how you’ve improved.”

“... thank you. It’s all because of you … I’m sorry. And thank you … I thought you’d leave …”

“I won’t. Adachi, I most definitely won’t leave.”

“Thank you.”

He still held onto Kurosawa’s wings for comfort … he just felt like he could relax his grip a little bit now.

“Kurosawa … I want to be the best human I can be for you. I don’t want to cause trouble. I want to be someone you’re proud of!”

“You already are,” Kurosawa smiled. “So is that all? Or was I supposed to read any other thoughts?”

“I think that’s been enough.”

“Good. Then I’ll stop now … goodnight, Adachi.”

“Goodnight, Kurosawa.”

It was nerve-racking, opening himself up to Kurosawa like that … but also calming at the same time. Adachi felt like he might be able to sleep with a clear conscience tonight after all.

“Oh, and I do have notable abdominal muscles in the standard two by three configuration that you humans refer to as a six pack,” Kurosawa added apropos of nothing. “You may check if you’d like.”

“That will not be necessary!!!”

So much for feeling calm. Really, what was going on in that angel’s head sometimes? Adachi thought it might have been for the best that he couldn’t read Kurosawa’s thoughts, because it often sounded like at least a few screws weren’t fully tightened up there.

But okay. Kurosawa had a six pack, good for him. It’s not like Adachi particularly cared for that - why would he? It was just an impulse thought after their bodies leaned against each other like that. Just like imagining Kurosawa shirtless right now was also an impulse thought. He promptly declined checking out his muscles because of course he did, but … well it’s not like he had ever seen a well sculpted body up front! And what if he wants to start going to the gym to take better care of himself eventually? Maybe he’ll ask Kurosawa if he can take a look at his body then … like, for inspiration. As a benchmark or something.

He probably looked really good though. Even with his shirt on, he was super handsome. Obviously, being an angel … man, they had it so fucking easy, Adachi thought as he fell asleep, gently simmering in an unusual flavor of jealousy this time.

Chapter Text

He could do a week without issue. Maybe two on occasion. Past that though, who knows. He’d done a month when one of his humans was sick before, maybe that was the maximum? Wait, no, right before his final exam to graduate from guardian training … yes, Kurosawa remembered it clearly now.

He could go without sleep for nearly two months.

Maybe more if he really pushes himself. But that would get in the way of performing his guardian duties for Adachi, so no, that was off the table. However, maybe if he takes naps? He’d never actually tried to force his body to sleep while his humans were awake before, but maybe he could squeeze out five or ten minutes? While Adachi is at work, no harm could possibly befall him there in such a short amount of time, right? But what if he notices and starts to worry about Kurosawa? Would he have to come clean then?

Would he have to tell Adachi that if this would be their new sleeping arrangement, there was no way on Earth or in heaven that Kurosawa could ever miss any of it by falling asleep!?

“Oh, Adachi …” he sighed quietly, tightly holding on to the sleeping human in his arms. His happiness, his joy, his world, his meaning, his everything! Adachi, the most beautiful and perfect and serene Adachi! Right in his arms! Lying on top of him, their bodies pressed together and slowly entangling as Adachi moved around in his sleep, his legs falling around Kurosawa’s and hands digging through his feathers.

He loved him, he loved him, he loved him!

He was terrified to make a sound, any sound at all, both because he didn’t want to wake Adachi up, but also, what if he wasn’t fully asleep yet, and could hear Kurosawa?! No, no, no, no, he needed to be quiet! Silent as a mouse - a dead one, that is.

So his hand slipped - quietly - between strands of Adachi’s hair, and his lips mouthed a soundless whisper that only his heart could hear.

Kiyoshi.

Even the lip movements that this heavenly sound guided him to make felt like a holy blessing to Kurosawa. He said it over and over again, not making a single sound but still memorizing the shape of Adachi’s name on his lips: the weight of it on his tongue, the taste of it as it lingered in nothingness after Kurosawa spoke it … he wanted to remember it all.

Kiyoshi … Kiyoshi … Kiyoshi … oh, Kiyoshi … Kiyoshi … Kiyoshi … oh …

He loved him. Without a doubt. More and more with every moment. Whatever depths these were, Kurosawa was pretty sure they were previously undiscovered. No one could possibly love anyone as much as he loved Adachi. How could anyone else be so loveable? They couldn’t be, they just couldn’t.

Adachi was so kind and caring, wanting to see Kurosawa’s wings and complimenting them with so much heart! The wingspan of a small dragon!? What, like the one in the manga they’ve been reading? The one Adachi fawned over and said it was so cool? Was that what he was referring to?! No one had ever complimented Kurosawa like that before. And a new apartment? Did Adachi really intend to find a new, bigger apartment for Kurosawa? For his wings? For both of them?! Did he really so aggressively care about Kurosawa’s comfort? Kurosawa couldn’t believe it.

Did he really agree to give up his bed entirely and sleep in Kurosawa’s arms just so Kurosawa could relax both his wings while he sleeps?

Well, evidently yes, Kurosawa was holding the tangible proof of that act in his arms right now, but still. It did not feel real! Was this a forever thing? Wait, wait wait - that’s a good question, actually. Would they always sleep like this from here on out? Kurosawa just assumed they would, Adachi even said something about finding a solution in the meantime, so clearly this wasn’t just for tonight, and Kurosawa already planned to enjoy as much of this as he could get, but if they get a bigger apartment, then … oh … oh, no. How was he supposed to tell Adachi that he doesn’t want a bigger apartment for such selfish, nefarious reasons!?

He probably needs to accept a loss on that one … soak up this blessing while he can, and move on. Adachi was trying to do something nice for him after all … he couldn’t possibly refuse that! In fact, if Adachi buys a new apartment for him, then Kurosawa would spend the rest of their time together literally surrounded with proof of Adachi’s love and care! How could he not want that? That sounded absolutely incredible!

But so was holding onto Adachi in his arms … and maybe this was unbecoming for an angel, especially one who hadn’t even found time to build a home and start accumulating trinkets of his own yet, but still. Ever since he met Adachi, Kurosawa noticed himself turning into a bit of a materialist - from his own mug and toothbrush, to the remnants of Adachi’s childhood plushies he longed to hold, to the matching pins they shared, and now Adachi’s physical presence in his arms.

An apartment would be nice, but it wouldn’t be this.

And Kurosawa knew deep within his heart that he wanted this.

He wanted Adachi, even if it meant having his wings squished in a tiny box, or clipped off for all he cared. And he didn’t, absolutely not. He didn’t care about anything tonight, just being with Adachi. That alone was enough, and then … and then … and then!!!

Kurosawa still couldn’t believe it. He couldn’t believe any of this! But especially not Adachi opening up to him like that, and letting him into his thoughts, and- okay, let’s go over this in a sensible order this time, he owed Adachi that much at least. How heartwarming was it that Adachi wanted him to see this unflattering side of himself? How incredible was it that he grew so much as a person in these past few months with Kurosawa’s support? Why would Kurosawa ever blame him for thoughts he had with angels who apparently didn’t even care to support him properly? He treated Adachi right and look, everything was perfect! Adachi was perfect! The most model of all model citizens, literally an angel in human form, warmth and thoughtfulness personified!

And with that properly acknowledged and complimented on … FUCK!

Oh no. Angels weren’t supposed to curse. He should really take that back, but … somehow … he felt like he couldn’t. Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck … Adachi thought about his body!? Adachi noticed his body!? He thought about it in such an admiring tone!? Kyaaaa!!! Aaaaaaahhhhhh!!!!

Kurosawa wanted to scream his head off with excitement, he could barely control himself. It had taken him every last drop of willpower to stop listening to Adachi’s thoughts, because not only were they like a silky smooth waterfall covering him in the audible materialization of his deepest desires, but also, what if Adachi would have more thoughts about him!? Kurosawa wanted to hear them so badly … then again, even what he already heard felt like it would drive him insane, so maybe this was for the best.

He loved Adachi. He loved him a lot!

Though that last bit … offering to show his muscles to Adachi, what was he thinking?! Well, he knew what he was thinking, he was entirely enamored by the thought of Adachi’s eyes and maybe even hands completely focused on his skin, but still, WHAT WAS HE THINKING!? He put up with so many unpleasant things from his previous humans, didn’t he have impeccable self control? Where did that go all of a sudden? Was this a side effect of love!?

… wait, would he keep having to battle this insane desire to blurt out all of his most intimate thoughts to Adachi?

That felt like it could spell trouble. There were so many thoughts that even if he could control the ones he was aware of, Kurosawa was pretty sure there were at least fifty more that he didn’t even register, because how could he?! There were so many things going on and so many feelings to feel and oh, love was so intense and overwhelming, how did anyone get anything done while being in love? Especially the angels who carried on long partnerships during work, only seeing each other for a few hours during the night, how did they manage that? Kurosawa’s love would never be satiated by mere hours of Adachi’s presence, he needed all of him, he wanted all of him, all the time, without pause without sleep without anything ever getting in the way or coming between them, he wanted to love Adachi unobstructed and unburdened and endless and … oh, he loved him.

“I’m sorry …” he quietly whispered, knowing damn well that all of this only transpired because Adachi wanted to provide him with appropriate wing space in the first place. But Kurosawa just couldn’t help himself: his wings swooshed through the air, bunching up together and forming an impenetrable cocoon around Adachi, covering every last millimeter of his body so that Kurosawa was now holding onto his beloved with his arms and every last possible feather he could squish into the mix, and it was pure bliss.

Some of the feathers even accidentally slipped under the hem of Adachi’s shirt, brushing up against the pristine gem that was the skin of his soft and somewhat flabby belly.

Despite being an angel, Kurosawa was in heaven for the first time in his life somehow.

And as he fought with himself to pull away and keep his feathers at bay, he couldn’t help but wonder if his hands or even his lips would ever be allowed in the same places, and how every last bit of Adachi’s body would feel to touch, how he would taste to kiss, what kind of expression he would make, if his pale cheeks would turn red, if he’d call for Kurosawa, if he’d say his name … oh … oh.

He loved Kiyoshi so much!

Chapter Text

Usually, when Adachi woke up, Kurosawa was already going about his business in the kitchen. But this time, as Adachi slowly stretched and rubbed his eyes, he was greeted by a soft ‘good morning, Adachi’ and the realization that he was still in Kurosawa’s arms.

He’d never experienced a morning like that before. It felt surreal.

So warm and tender and gentle and soft and caring and just … present. Like both of them were here, sharing a moment, just the two of them. Was this what companionship felt like? Not just the act of having someone beside you, but genuinely letting someone so close they’re able to hold onto you and let you know they’re there without a word and … ah, it was overwhelming. 

Kurosawa was here … just like all of Adachi’s other angels … but also nothing like that!

In a way, Adachi felt frustrated by his thoughts: it’s like they had a mind of their own, running rampant in the same circle over and over again. He knew Kurosawa was different. He knew Kurosawa cared about him. He knew he cared about Kurosawa too. He knew Kurosawa made him happy. He knew that this new life was full of moments that made him feel all warm and fuzzy inside, albeit a bit scared of these unknown feelings. He knew all that! It shouldn’t have been any news to him, and yet … he kept thinking about it over and over again.

He just couldn’t get used to this at all!

It felt like no matter what Kurosawa did, Adachi would get all stuck in his head about it, overrun by excitement and confusion and happiness and worries and apprehension and … gaah, how is he supposed to live like that?

“Adachi? Hey?”

“H-Huh? Sorry … I spaced out a bit …”

“That’s okay,” Kurosawa smiled. “You can sleep some more if you’d like!”

“Nah, I’m good … sorry you had to be stuck this whole time.”

“It’s no problem at all! I hope you slept well?”

“Yeah,” Adachi nodded, sitting up. “This was so relaxing and calm. Thank you so much, Kurosawa.”

“It’s nothing! Adachi, I’m so glad you had a good rest,” Kurosawa smiled, fluttering his wings a bit to straighten out the feathers Adachi had been holding onto during the night.

“And you?”

“Oh, this was the best night of my life.”

“The best, huh?” Adachi chuckled, surprised by the intensity in Kurosawa’s voice. “See? I knew you’d enjoy more space for your wings!”

“Ah … mhm, yes. I did enjoy that,” Kurosawa nodded. “Thank you, Adachi. I am so happy that you are looking out for me.”

“I can try at least,” Adachi smiled, walking over to the kitchen sink to pour himself a glass of water. “So, what do you wanna do today?”

“I still need to make you breakfast!” Kurosawa followed after him. “I’ll get on it right now.”

“I’ll go brush my teeth then … and I guess while you’re cooking, I can look at some apartments online.”

“... you really, uh … meant that?”

“Obviously. What, are you gonna protest again?”

“... no,” Kurosawa quietly mumbled. “Just, uh … not too expensive, okay?”

“It’s rent,” Adachi sighed, leaving the bathroom door open as he stared at himself in the mirror. “It’s always too expensive.”

“I see …”

But even if he has to pay a bit more than he does now, it’d be worth it. Kurosawa seemed so happy this morning! And maybe waking up to a full table was a perk that Adachi had lost in the process, but at the same time … listening to Kurosawa opening the cupboards and shuffling pans around while Adachi got ready for the day had its own charm too.

A wide bedroom, and a bigger kitchen area - those were the only two criteria he really cared about when it came to finding a new apartment. Because he was fine here - this was for Kurosawa’s sake. And maybe that made it easier to tackle than if it were for himself, because Adachi felt really motivated to make it happen all of a sudden.

Obviously it wouldn’t be sudden, but still. He shouldn’t get ahead of himself though! First he needed to look through some apartment listings … and sure, this was for Kurosawa, but Adachi could still consider some basic stuff like nearby facilities, and distance from the nearest station, and how close it was to the office, and if he’s looking at all the options anyway, might as well check what side the windows were facing, because morning sun shining directly on his face was kinda annoying, and-

“Are those things that interest you when it comes to apartments?” Kurosawa asked, bringing food to the table and peeking over Adachi’s shoulder at the search results on his laptop screen.

“Kinda. They’re not that important, I’m just looking,” Adachi sighed, overwhelmed with the listings and rent prices.

“That’s nice! I’m glad you’re taking care of yourself too. That makes me even happier than when you’re looking out for me,” Kurosawa smiled, sitting across from Adachi with his own plate. “So? Is there anything you like?”

“I don’t know … how about you? Kurosawa, is there anything you would like? Other than the extra wing room, I mean.”

“Nothing,” Kurosawa happily shook his head.

“Come on …”

“I mean it! As long as you are there … Adachi, I would be happy anywhere.”

“... me too,” Adachi mumbled, feeling his chest tighten as he moved to the next page of search results. “B-But let’s still try to find something nice for both of us!”

“Something nice for us … mhm, that sounds lovely!”

“Wanna come over and see what I’m looking at?”

“I’d love to!”

It was crammed with both of them on one side of the table, especially because of Kurosawa’s wings which he still hadn’t fully tucked away, but Adachi didn’t mind. He didn’t mind being crammed next to Kurosawa at all. It just felt … kinda homely.

Which relieved some of the pressure of apartment hunting right off the bat, to be honest. Adachi’s current apartment was very much in the ‘meh’ category, and yet … he was happy here, because of Kurosawa. So he didn’t feel the need to find the perfect apartment for them or anything like that. Just something slightly better and more practical, that’s all. He didn’t need more. He’d be happy anywhere, as long as Kurosawa was with him.

“Oh that looks like more than four meters!” Kurosawa chimed in, pointing his chopsticks at one of the pictures.

“Kurosawa, that is a hallway.”

“Mhm? I can sleep in a hallway!”

“Ah … right …”

He hadn’t considered that at all. He’d just been looking at large bedrooms with beds in the middle, but of course … the way they’ve been sleeping so far, especially tonight, that was … just because of space constraints, wasn’t it?

“Kurosawa, would you like to have your own room?”

“Huh? No, not at all!”

“It’s okay,” Adachi assured him. “We can look at apartments with-”

“No, please- ahem, uh … Adachi, that really isn’t necessary,” Kurosawa cut him off, nervously biting his lip. “I should be as close to you as possible … it’s my job, you know?”

“I guess that makes sense … sorry, I just kinda … forget you have work to do.”

“Me too,” Kurosawa nodded, relaxing again. “Because it’s always so much fun being with you. So I don’t want a separate room at all.”

“Gotcha. That makes the search easier, honestly,” Adachi sighed, clicking away at yet another apartment website. “But what do you wanna sleep on? Your own bed, or …?”

“That seems excessive! I can just … sit beside you, or … maybe a sofa chair would be nice. One that’s next to your bed, so I can watch over you.”

“How about a bean bag?”

“... a bean bag?”

“A bean bag,” Adachi nodded, opening an image search in a new tab. “One of these things. It’s a bag full of tiny little foam balls that you can sit and lay on.”

“That seems interesting! I’ve never seen a bean bag before.”

“We can get one of those for you then.”

“And put it right next to your bed?”

“Yeah. We’ll put it right next to my bed.”

“Perfect! That’s all I need, Adachi.”

“Ha … you sure have weird housing preferences,” Adachi mused, saving a few listings that seemed promising. “By the way, what’s your place like?”

“... my place?”

“Yeah, like, up in heaven? My previous angel said she had just settled in a cumulus cloud before working with me, she seemed excited about that. Is that a popular choice? What kinda cloud do you have?”

“Oh … I don’t have one,” Kurosawa quietly added.

“... what? Wait, you don’t have a home?!”

“It’s not that big of a deal!” Kurosawa rushed to explain. “I shared a tiny stratus with some roommates during training, and I was planning to find something for myself once I had the time, I just … never had the time. I’ve always been working. Maybe a few weeks off between assignments, but … not enough to bother with anything like that. I just leave my things with a friend when I need to.”

“Wow. Damn … damn, Kurosawa, you really need a vacation …”

“It’s fine! I feel like I’m having one right now!”

“I mean a real vacation,” Adachi rolled his eyes. “So you can find yourself a home, and get settled in, and- wait, are you allowed to bring things back with you?“

“A few small items are fine, yes.”

“Well, then you should get a home and decorate it with all the stuff you enjoy,” Adachi shrugged with a grin. “Like toothbrushes, and coffee mugs, and manga.”

“... I could … keep those things? It’s okay if I take them back with me?”

“Of course. Who else would take them? I doubt any of my relatives would want to inherit a coffee mug. And besides … your mug is yours anyway. You should keep it, if you want to.”

“I want to! I’ll keep everything, I promise!”

“You don’t have to promise that. I’ll be gone anyway … but I’d be happy if … if the things that make you happy now could still make you happy even after that, I guess. And why are we talking about my death anyway!? It’s way too early for that!”

“Yeah, let’s not talk about that,” Kurosawa immediately agreed. “It doesn’t matter if I don’t have my own place … I have one with you, right?”

“Right. And I know these few decades are basically nothing to you, but … well if you don’t have a home, that just makes me even more determined to find a nice place for us now. That’s kind of a home too, isn’t it? Even if just a temporary one.”

“Temporary is fine! It’s fine … anything is fine,” Kurosawa smiled. “A home with Adachi sounds wonderful … I’d take that over a cloud any day!”

“A cloud doesn’t have rent though,” Adachi laughed. “Or wait, does it?”

“Nah, everyone gets to pick one.”

“Now that’s a good housing model, we’d need some of that … I’d love to just pick an apartment.”

“Do you have a dream apartment in mind?”

“Not really … but I could come up with one.”

“Please do! Let’s search for that, I want to see it!”

“Fine … but then tell me about your dream cloud too, okay? If you have one.”

“I think a cirrus would be nice. I like the light they catch at sunset! Oh, and I want a shelf … for all my important things.”

“At the rate you’re collecting them, you’ll need more than just one shelf by the time we’re done,” Adachi sighed, looking at Kurosawa’s excited face.

He wasn’t the kind of person to dwell on the end of his life, but it still felt somewhat strange to talk about - even if just implicitly thought the vastly different timelines he and Kurosawa were on. And he didn’t care about something silly like legacy either, but … the thought of Kurosawa keeping something he’d given him made him happy somehow.

“Hey … I know I said I don’t wanna talk about it, but …”

“Yes? What is it, Adachi?”

“Nothing, just … I guess I’m wondering … you’ll work with lots of other humans after me, right?”

“Mhm.”

“I’m still one of your very early assignments, aren’t I?”

“You are. But I hope my lack of experience-”

“No no no, Kurosawa, you don’t lack anything!” Adachi cut him off. “You absolutely don’t lack anything at all! You’re the best angel I could ever ask for! I just … wondered if you’d, like … remember me. For any time at all, or … sorry, nevermind, it doesn’t-”

“Adachi, I’ll remember you forever.”

Kurosawa wasn’t smiling when he’d said it. Adachi couldn’t quite tell what that expression was, but it seemed almost like … a determined promise of some kind.

“... forever?”

“Yes. I could never forget someone as wonderful as you.”

“Oh, shush … come on, now you’re just … tch, Kurosawa … t-thanks … I’ll- well, I won’t get to remember you because you’ll be there the whole time, but if I had to remember you, I would. Forever too.”

“Don’t say that,” Kurosawa shook his head, a smile finally returning to his face. “You’ll have plenty of time to remember me if you find someone you love.”

“As if. That’s never gonna happen, we know that.”

“I think it could,” Kurosawa shrugged. “And if it does … I … I’d be happy if you remembered me, Adachi.”

“W-Well, yeah. I will. I said I will, didn’t I? Of course I will … but come on, that’s just not gonna happen. We shouldn’t talk about that either! Let’s get back to apartments now …”

He understood that Kurosawa meant well, but it annoyed him nonetheless. It often felt like mockery of some sort when his angels talked about someone falling in love with him. He was already crystal clear about how that’s not gonna happen! No need to keep bringing it up. It wasn’t encouraging. If anything, it made him feel like he’s supposed to hurry up and stop wasting their time … well, with the other angels at least.

But not Kurosawa. No. Kurosawa didn’t want to get rid of him.

Adachi didn’t quite know where that confidence came from, and it sure wasn’t earned with his guardian track record, but still … Kurosawa was happy. Adachi believed in him.

So maybe that was why.

It was the first time an angel didn’t want to get rid of Adachi. So why would Adachi want to get rid of him either? Not that it was a choice anyway, no one’s gonna fall in love with him of all people. But that wasn’t so bad after all. It was fine.

Kurosawa would stay with him for the rest of his life. Adachi wouldn’t need to remember him.

Suggesting otherwise was just … silly.

Chapter Text

“Well this is … an estimate, I guess,” Adachi sighed, staring at the average rent price in a spreadsheet cell next to a carefully curated collection of links to apartment listings both he and Kurosawa liked.

“Is it feasible?” Kurosawa asked, still sitting beside him and carefully watching Adachi’s every click.

“It’s not not feasible … but it would mean forgoing the hobbies and nice food we currently have, or at least not adding anything to my savings at the end of the month.”

“Oh then we shouldn’t do that!”

“Not immediately, no,” Adachi agreed. “But if I get my things together and put in more hours at work, I think we could get there in a few months.”

“... don’t overdo it, alright?”

“I won’t! I still want time to do all the fun things with you … maybe just a little bit less. Is that alright?”

“Anything that’s alright with you is alright with me!” Kurosawa proudly declared. “I just don’t want you to push yourself too much, Adachi. There is absolutely no rush. I am happy with you no matter where we are!”

“I know … somehow,” Adachi mumbled to himself with a smile.

It felt presumptuous to allow himself to act so certain of his angel’s feelings. What kinda person just full-heartedly believes their angel likes them?! Well, maybe most people, who knows. But he’s never been one of those people before!

But Kurosawa was so extremely honest with his feelings, it would almost feel like an insult for Adachi to still doubt them. Of course he doubted anyway - not Kurosawa but rather himself. But even that felt like undermining Kurosawa’s happiness, so figured he should do his best to let go of it.

Kurosawa was happy. Here. With him.

Adachi couldn’t understand it, and probably never would, but he felt like he should honor Kurosawa and at least believe him. If Kurosawa says he is happy, who is Adachi to deny him and worry about that not being true? Really, he shouldn’t be thinking such things.

And besides … it was nice to just believe that Kurosawa was happy. Adachi was happy with him too! And he knew his own feelings, he knew that was as true as anything could be, so if they were both happy with each other … wouldn’t that be just the most incredible thing?

Just thinking of sharing something as beautiful as that with Kurosawa made Adachi’s chest feel strange. Truly, the feeling of not being resented by his angel was still surprising him with how overwhelming it was!

But he liked it nonetheless. And he liked Kurosawa too. And he liked the idea of them being happy together. And if Kurosawa insisted, over and over again, that it wasn’t just an idea in Adachi’s head, that it was real for him too … well then damn it, Adachi would believe it!

“Ah, anyway … until then, I guess … uhm, was it comfortable for you to sleep like that?” He pulled out of his thoughts, looking at Kurosawa again. “Was I not too heavy to hold?”

“You were perfect. I … I didn’t mind at all, Adachi.”

“That’s good. We can sleep like that for the time being, if you’d like?”

“I would! I would like that very much! Thank you, Adachi.”

“You’re welcome.”

He didn’t really have a concrete plan in mind besides working a few extra hours, preferably not on his own mistakes nor because he was saddled with someone else’s work. How did people who wanted to get ahead manage to prioritize their career and make themselves look good to their bosses? Adachi had no idea about any such thing, but he’d give it his best shot in whichever way he could.

He didn’t need to become rich by any means - his income just needed a slight boost, that was all. It shouldn’t be that hard to get there, right?

Or maybe it would be? After all, if it were really that easy, why hasn't he gotten there already? Most of his peers have.

Then again, they probably had motivation that Adachi didn’t - until now at least

Now, his motivation was right beside him through every moment of the day, and waiting to embrace him as they headed to sleep. It was so calming. Safe. Reassuring.

Kurosawa was happy.

And Adachi had never been so close to someone who was happy with him.

When Monday came around, he was fully prepared to shoot out of bed at the first ring of his alarm and hit the ground running - but it seemed like Kurosawa had already gotten ahead of him on that. Adachi freaked out for a moment when he woke up and Kurosawa wasn’t in bed with him, but soon after, his mind cleared enough to take in the smell of what appeared to be the most amazing breakfast Adachi could ever dream of.

“... you woke up early to make breakfast again?”

“Mhm,” Kurosawa nodded, washing the pan he had used. “Good morning, Adachi! Please make sure you eat a lot so you’ll have enough energy for the day!”

“Thanks …” he yawned, rolling out of bed and staring at the table in disbelief. “Huh … I feel like you kinda got the quantity in the right ballpark recently, but this is way too much food again! I’ll explode if I eat even half of this … but I kinda want to, it smells delicious.”

“Uh, aha … sorry, my mistake. I got a little carried away,” Kurosawa glanced at the plates he’d sat out with an apologetic gaze.

“It’s fine. Actually, I think I should have an old bento box somewhere - I should find that and take some of this to the office with me.”

“Oh, you mean that?” Kurosawa asked, pointing at the bento box next to the stove.

“Yeah! Where’d you find it?” Adachi asked, approaching the counter to grab the box.

But once he did, it didn’t feel like an empty bento box.

“It was up there behind the rice cooker manual,” Kurosawa pointed at the top shelf with the tip of his wing. “But I’m really sorry, I didn’t know you’d want to take your breakfast with you in that …”

“You are insane,” Adachi mumbled to himself, opening the lid of the box to reveal the most tightly packed, nutritiously perfect and aesthetically assembled bento he’d ever seen in his life. “You made this?!”

“I just thought if you’re going to have long work days from now on, you’ll need the energy for that, and bringing you snacks from the cafeteria and the vending machine doesn’t feel like enough, it’s all mostly carbohydrates anyway and you need more balanced meals to maintain your health, and you’re already doing so much for us but this is all I can really do, so … I wanted to make you a proper lunch.”

“Wow …” Adachi sighed, staring at the artful meal in disbelief before finally looking up at Kurosawa again. “I don’t even know what to say. Thank you … I- I don’t know how I’ll eat all of this in one day, but thank you. And it’s not- it’s not all you can do. Kurosawa, you’re already doing everything!”

“... I’m really not.”

“You are. It definitely feels like everything to me!”

“That just makes it harder for me to figure out how to do more …” Kurosawa nervously sighed. “You’re so self sufficient and responsible, Adachi. It’s very admirable … but it also makes you hard to care for.”

“Hey? Earth to Kurosawa?? I don’t know what your standards are, but I really don’t think a guy standing next to a full gourmet breakfast with a homemade bento box in his hands can be described as hard to care for. You’re just overbearing.”

“Oh … oh, I apologize, Adachi I’m-”

“Not like that,” Adachi corrected himself in a gentler tone, closing the bento and sitting down to enjoy his breakfast. “I meant it in a good way. You’re a lot - but it’s a lot of good things. I don’t mind being cared for! I mean … it still makes me a little bit nervous, but … I do like it. There are just limits to that kinda stuff, you know? I still gotta do some things myself. I want to do some things myself. And like … that’s fine. Even if I do something for us, it’s not like you owe me for it.”

“... but I feel like I do,” Kurosawa quietly admitted, joining Adachi to take his share of the food.

“Okay, well, do I owe you for taking care of me?”

“No! Adachi, you absolutely don’t and never have and never will! I take care of you because it makes me happy, and I want to do nice things for you!”

“Can’t I feel the same about you then?” Adachi asked, a loose grain of rice falling from his lips and landing back inside the bowl he’d just scooped it from.

Kurosawa stared at him without a word, almost as if the gears were turning in his head to process a previously unfathomable concept.

“Taking care of you makes me happy too,” Adachi shrugged, looking away to let Kurosawa have his moment. “I’d like to do nice things for you as well. I think that’s just what it’s like when you’re friends with someone … and we’re kinda like friends, right?”

“... yeah. Mhm. Thank you so much … Adachi.”

“It’s nothing. I’ll leave some of this for dinner, okay? So I guess it’s fine if you make more food in the morning, just make sure we can stick the leftovers in the fridge for later. That will be nice to come home to if I’m working late.”

“Got it,” Kurosawa frantically nodded.

“And … if it's not too much of a bother on top of that …”

“Yes? Adachi, nothing would be a bother, tell me anything you wish for!”

“... I’ve always wanted something like that,” Adachi pointed at the bento box, feeling himself blush. “The thought of someone making such an amazing lunch for me to take to work is just … ah, sorry. I don’t know, I guess I read too much manga with all the coolest bento art, I kinda hyped it up for myself … but yours is the most amazing one I’ve ever seen! I can’t wait to taste it, I’m sure it’s amazing. I could work twenty hours each day if I got to bring a lunch you’ve made for me!”

“You are absolutely not working twenty hours!” Kurosawa gasped in horror. “Adachi, you need sleep!”

“I know, I know. It was just an expression … a compliment, I guess.”

“Oh.”

“You’d accept that, right?”

“Of course,” Kurosawa nodded. “I’d love to. And I’ll make you a bento every day from now on, Adachi!”

“Just on weekdays,” Adachi corrected him.

“Huh? Oh, right … mhm, yes, there’s no need to put your lunch in a box on weekends, you’re right.”

“I knew it,” Adachi grinned. “If I hadn’t said anything, you were totally gonna make one on Saturday morning too.”

“... possibly.”

They laughed together, and it made Adachi think he should set his alarm earlier to enjoy these breakfasts more. Just when he thought he’d gotten used to Kurosawa’s morning catering, the angel somehow found a way to blow it out of the water again.

Of course Adachi was motivated - he had that lunatic’s energy to match!

Not that he could ever realistically compete with an angel, but still: as they headed out for work that morning, Adachi felt like he at least wanted to try.

Chapter Text

“Fujisaki-san! Fujisaki-san, over here!”

“Hi girls,” she waved to her friends, joining them at the cafeteria table with her lunch. “It’s been a while! How was that seminar you went to?”

“That? Oh, that was fine, kinda whatever but okay. Anyway, we have some questions!”

“Eh? What … for me?”

“Yes! Fujisaki-san, you work with Adachi-san, right?”

“Right …”

“Do you know him well? Are you guys friends?”

“Hmm … I don’t know if I’d say friends, but we do work together a lot,” she shrugged with a smile, unwrapping her sandwich. “He often helps me with my computer, he’s really nice.”

“So like … has he mentioned anyone recently?”

“Mentioned anyone? Uh, uhm, no? What is this about?”

“Oh, nothing!”

“Yeah, we’re just curious!”

“... curious?”

“Yes! You’ve seen the bentos he’s been bringing lately, right?”

“Not really … we don’t usually have lunch together. But I did notice he started bringing his own lunch a while ago! He’s been working overtime a lot lately, so I think that’s why. I’m glad he’s taking care of himself!”

“Ha, yeah, I don’t know if it’s him taking care of himself,“ one of her friends chuckled.

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“You should’ve seen his lunches. They’re incredible! I walk by when he’s eating sometimes, and not to be nosy or anything but like, it’s hard not to look! I’ve never had a lunch like that in my life! It’s like a mini restaurant buffet!”

“And there’s dessert,” another friend chimed in. “Sometimes he brings a second box just for dessert. Yesterday it was mochi, I think. Kinda weird, right? It already comes in a package, why wouldn’t he just bring that? Unless it was homemade!”

“Fujisaki-san, is it true he’s never had a girlfriend before?”

“Well, uhm … I heard some of our coworkers mention that, but Adachi-san hasn’t said anything about it. I don’t know, maybe it’s just a rumor or something.”

“Okay, but do you know if he has a girlfriend now?”

“Uhm … no. Why?”

“It’s just so curious! He comes in with lunches like that out of nowhere?”

“ And he’s working overtime too? There must be a woman involved!”

“I see …”

“I wonder what she sees in him though … Adachi-san is kinda … a bit like beige wallpaper, isn’t he? Bland and boring.”

“I don’t know,” Fujisaki-san shrugged. “Some people might like that. And we don’t know what he’s like when he’s not at work. Plus, he’s a really nice guy, and responsible too … I feel like if I had to find a husband, I’d be happy with someone like him. But anyway, you know, we really shouldn’t be talking about him behind his back like that!”

“Yeah, I guess you’re right … is it just me or have they cranked up the AC again? I feel kinda cold all of a sudden …”

“Ehem … Kurosawa?”

“Yes?”

“You might want to unruffle your feathers,” Fujisaki’s angel smiled at him, struggling not to laugh at the sight of Kurosawa puffed up like a threatened cat next to the vending machine. “You’ve brought the whole floor down by four degrees.”

“Ah … my bad, I apologize.”

“It’s fine. It’s amazing you can even do that in the first place! My wings are so small, they could never soak up that much heat so quickly.”

“I see …”

“You’re getting Adachi’s coffee as usual?”

“Ah, yes. Thank you for reminding me.”

“No problem. But what spooked you in the first place? I’ll admit the beige wallpaper comment was kind of unnecessary, but … that’s just harmless office talk, I think.”

“I know. It wasn’t that, it was … say, Fujisaki isn’t … I mean … is she looking for a husband?”

“What are you, her mother?” The angel laughed, shaking her head. “No, she’s not. And let’s not pry into that any further, she already gets enough grief about it from everyone else.”

“I apologize. So she’s not looking, that’s good … thank you.”

“Wanna stay around and chat a bit? You and Adachi are kinda similar, I barely see either of you talking to your coworkers during breaks!”

“Ah … thank you, but … I should really get back to him. He’s working really hard today, he needs his coffee. I’ll see you around!”

“I’m sure you will …”

Kurosawa returned to the hallway, flying up the stairs towards the office with a can of iced coffee in hand. Once he made it back, he saw Adachi was right in the middle of something, so he gently dropped off the coffee on the edge of his desk and stood there, waiting.

Eventually, Adachi would look up from his screen and smile at Kurosawa, thanking him for the drink or the snack or the paperclips or the stapler he’d brought him. It wasn’t much. It wasn’t anything, really, just giving Adachi a second pair of legs and an arm extension at times. But it was all Kurosawa could do to help, and he would have done anything.

Beige wallpaper? Really? What was so bad about wallpaper? Kurosawa couldn’t wait to see what kinda wallpaper his new home with Adachi would have, actually. Wallpaper was great. And if he could pick a color, any color, it would most definitely be beige in fact. Preferably in the shade of Adachi’s cheeks when they weren’t flushed red. That was such a beautiful color, what was wrong with beige?

It was the first thing he overheard in the cafeteria, so who knows what else they’ve been saying before he got there. But good on Fujisaki for putting a stop to that, Kurosawa was happy to see he’d been right about her: she was a good person. Really neat and cute and funny and fashionable and a little bit insecure, but so was Adachi, it could be something the two of them would bond over, and they could understand each other and … ah, but it didn’t matter. Fujisaki wasn’t looking for a husband. And that was good.

… was it though? Well, it was good for Kurosawa. But what about Adachi? Would Adachi have liked her? Would they … would he be happy with someone like her?

“Hey.”

Kurosawa flinched, only then realizing that what startled him was the touch of Adachi’s fingers on the back of his hand, and damn it … he shouldn’t have moved his hand, he wanted that feeling back! “Sorry … I was just thinking about something,” he smiled, looking down at Adachi.

“It’s okay,” Adachi smiled back. “Thank you for the coffee. I’m almost done with this, so I think I’ll push onwards. Is it okay if we take our lunch break a little later today?”

“Of course it’s okay, Adachi. Do you want anything else before that? A chocolate bar or something?”

“Nah, I’m fine. I wanna eat as much of your food as I can, a chocolate bar sounds like a waste when you made my favorite today!“

“I’m still trying to get the shape right,” Kurosawa sighed. “I’ve watched so many videos already but I still feel like I can never make that rounded triangle properly.”

“The shape of the onigiri really doesn’t matter,” Adachi reassured him. “The fillings are the best part! And yours always taste so great. I still can’t believe you put something different in every single one, that’s so … incredible.”

“It’s nothing, Adachi. I’d do anything for you.”

“I can tell,” Adachi smiled, glancing at his bento box before returning his attention to the computer screen. Thank you, Kurosawa. Let’s do our best!“

“Mhm. I’ll just get out of the way and wait for you.”

Adachi watched as Kurosawa landed on the desk in his dove form and stumbled towards Adachi’s bag. He looked so funny walking like that … kinda cute even.

“Here, let me help you,” he reached out, pushing aside the notepad that had fallen over into Kurosawa’s space in the meantime. “There you go. I won’t be long, I promise. We’ll have lunch soon.”

“It’s okay.”

“Poke me if I get too immersed.”

“I will.”

“Thanks. You’re the best.”

Kurosawa settled comfortably as Adachi moved the bag flap over him for some privacy, and then … it was probably an accident, but-

“Ah, sorry about that. I got distracted.”

Adachi was smiling at him. Was it … not an accident?

“It’s okay,” Kurosawa blurted out. “I … I …”

“Nah, it’s … I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to treat you like a pet or anything. You’re just really cute when you’re like that. And I like birds.”

“I didn’t mind!” Kurosawa finally found the words he’d been stuck on.

“... really?”

“Really. It was really nice.”

“Oh … okay then. I guess it’s fine then. Thank you … it’s kinda relaxing honestly, I get why some offices have cats now,” Adachi sighed, reaching his hand out towards Kurosawa again.

And Kurosawa simply closed his eyes and let Adachi pet his head, gently scratching between his feathers for what felt like forever … and yet nowhere near enough.

It wasn’t an accident. It really wasn’t an accident?? Okay. Well. That was nice. That was all totally cool and great and okay and-

“Kurosawa? Are you sure you have enough space in there?”

“Huh? Hm? Yes, plenty of space, why?”

“Your breathing got really fast all of a sudden … I thought something squished you?”

“Eh? No, no, I’m fine, nothing squished me!”

“Okay. I’ll get back to work then … for real this time.”

“Mhm …”

I wish YOU would squish me though, Kurosawa thought to himself as Adachi typed away on his keyboard again. Being a dove was pretty great … maybe he should make more use of that.

Chapter Text

“Would you look at that, if it isn’t Adachi? You’re only packing up now?”

“Asahina-san? Uh, yes. I got carried away a little bit. It’s gotten pretty late.”

“Tell me about it. Happens all the time in sales, I can only imagine how much worse admin has it.”

“It’s not, uh- it’s not that bad,” Adachi fumbled awkwardly, sliding his laptop into his bag and waiting for Kurosawa to jump in.

“Ah, now, no need to lie to me,” Asahina-san laughed, accompanying Adachi towards the elevator. “You were the one who fixed my conference expense report last month, weren’t you? I’m really sorry I filed the wrong form!”

“It’s alright, everyone makes mistakes.”

“Still, glad you sorted it out for me. And I also heard you helped some of our guys with the product surveys last week? Some spreadsheet or something.”

“Right, they just had a few questions … I gave some suggestions on how to speed things up. It can all be done really fast online these days.”

“Online, huh … man, we really are an old fashioned company in a lot of ways. But I think it would be good to rely on more forward facing people, like yourself.”

“Uh … thank you, Asahina-san.”

“Don’t mention it. Say, with these late hours you’ve been working … anyone at home waiting to tell you off?”

“N-No, nothing like that, sir.”

“I see, I see. Well, that’s a good thing too. There are a lot of opportunities out there for a flexible guy like you. You ever thought about moving, Adachi?”

“Ah, yeah- I mean, I’m actually looking to get a new apartment soon.”

“New apartment, huh … how does Nagasaki sound?”

“... Nagasaki?”

“Mhm,” Asahina-san nodded, pulling a folder out of his briefcase as they entered the elevator. “We’re opening a new branch down there. First one in the region, that’s a really important milestone.”

“Right …”

“The president is looking for someone to send over and oversee the whole deal. He’s asked me for some suggestions but to be honest, I don’t think any of our guys in sales are quite cut out for it. Managing a store opening takes attention to detail. I think we could do well with a reliable guy like you.”

“Me!?”

“Six months, consultant position, pay raise and a sizable housing allowance.”

“... me?”

“Plus if it all goes well, by the time you’re back you’ve basically got a promotion in the bag.”

“... for me?”

“I know it’s sudden, but think about it,” Asahina-san smiled, handing him the folder. “I’ll need an answer by the end of the week though. Sounds good?”

“Y-Yes … thank you, Asahina-san!”

“Thank me once you accept it!” He laughed, waving goodbye to Adachi outside the building.

“Adachi!?” Kurosawa peeked his head out of the bag, staring up at him. “Adachi?!”

“I’m not gonna open it,” Adachi stumbled to open the bag, nervously stuffing the folder behind his laptop. “I’m not gonna open it until we get home so I don’t faint in public.”

“Adachi, this is great!”

“There has to be some sorta catch or something, there- ah, why isn’t it going in, ughh …”

“Here,” Kurosawa flew out of the bag. “I’ve made you some space. The train shouldn’t be that busy at this hour, so I can just walk beside you … or you could …”

“Kurosawa?”

“... you could carry me,” he added quietly. “If you wanted to.”

“Sure,” Adachi smiled, reaching out his hand. “Let’s not get those beautiful wings of yours stuck on public transport, okay?”

“Okay!” Kurosawa nodded, landing on Adach’s hand and rejoicing as Adachi held him close to his chest and carried him down the street. “But Adachi!! Adachi!!! Adachi, this is great!”

“I know right …” Adachi added, still in dazed disbelief. “If it’s real, this is … this is … I mean, damn, this is … ah, I don’t even know what to say!”

“Well I for one am extremely glad people are acknowledging your efforts! Also what’s a housing allowance?“

“Just standard policy. If they relocate you, they’ll reimburse part of your rent,” Adachi explained. “So we could maybe get a bigger apartment and still only pay what we’re currently paying. But we haven’t looked at any listings in Nagasaki!”

“Obviously not. But there’s time to do that, right?”

“I guess. Damn, I forgot to ask when I’d be starting …”

“It’s probably mentioned in the folder.”

“Right … you’re right … I’m so shocked I don’t even know what to think!”

“Let’s get home first,” Kurosawa suggested. “There’s more onigiri waiting for dinner. And then we’ll look at it … together.”

“Yeah,” Adachi agreed, the beep of his train card at the station doors grounding him back in reality. “Thank you, Kurosawa. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

“It’s okay. I’m here.”

He spread his dove wings against Adachi’s chest to give him a hug, and Adachi quickly responded by holding him even closer. Kurosawa could feel his fingers digging deep through the feathers and pessing into his back, and it was pure bliss. He immediately found himself dreaming of Adachi’s hands on his angel form, digging through his wings and sneaking around Kurosawa’s back and caressing where his wings met his shoulder blades and … oh, he was so in love with him.

“I hope it’s not too disrespectful …”

“Huh?”

“Holding you like this,” Adachi smiled, sitting down on an almost empty train. “I don’t want to treat you like a fidget toy or anything … it’s just hard not to when you’re so soft. My hands just get carried away.”

“It’s okay,” Kurosawa insisted. “Adachi, you can … you can hold me as much as you want.”

“Don’t say that … you’re not an object for me to use like that, Kurosawa.”

“... I want to be held by you, Adachi.”

Adachi wondered how strong Kurosawa’s dove wings really were, because they didn’t look like anything special, and yet his chest still felt tight all of a sudden. It was good that Kurosawa was a bird right now. It made things a little easier. Because if he were his normal self and he’d said something like that to Adachi …

“I want to be held by you, Adachi.”

Oi. Oi oi oi oi! Why was his brain going there all of a sudden? And why did he have to make it sound so … so … so … romantic when he played the words back in his head?

Kurosawa didn’t mean it like that.

Of course not. He was an angel. And a man. And this was work. And it wasn’t even the first time Adachi mistook kindness for romance like that. Right, that used to happen all the time until he finally realized that no one would ever be interested in him. But before that, if a girl was nice and caring to him … yeah, he thought maybe that meant she liked him. Most people didn’t treat him that well anyway, it was easy to get carried away.

Huh.

It was probably a good thing that Kurosawa was a man, all things considered. If he was a woman instead … if a woman treated him like Kurosawa did … eh, uhm … it wouldn’t be that far fetched to interpret some of that as flirting, would it!? Not that he’d ever actually be so far up his own ass to think that a fucking angel would flirt with him, but … just, like … if Kurosawa were human and a woman … they’d almost be kinda married, wouldn’t they!? They already lived together anyway, that was something … and that was … well that was honestly really romantic. Living with a partner. Adachi had only ever dreamed of it, of course, because how would he ever get there if he couldn’t even get to a first date, much less through it?

Maybe if the perfect woman fell from the sky right into his lap and was completely enamored with him for some weird reason, he’d have better luck.

But that was absolutely not realistic, and also, it kinda felt like cheating. It wouldn’t really feel like he earned that person’s kindness and care. At least with Kurosawa, Adachi tried his best to take care of him too, and- wait, why was he thinking about Kurosawa again?! Man, this sudden job proposal thing was more unsettling than he’d expect …

So he tried to leave his mind blank until they got home and had their dinner, and then he finally opened the folder Asahina-san gave him. He sat on the edge of the bed as he flipped through it, with Kurosawa sitting right beside him. He could feel Kurosawa’s wing slowly slipping across his back, and as he took the time to carefully read each goal, requirement and stipulation in the provided documents, he could feel the weight of Kurosawa's head settling down on his shoulder.

It was perfect.

Normally, Adachi would have felt scared and completely inadequate for such a job. But in Kurosawa’s embrace, there was no room for anything like that. Here, he felt … invincible.

“So?” Kurosawa asked as Adachi flipped back to the first page, his voice soft and curious as he carefully lifted his head up.

“We’d have to start looking at apartments all over again.”

“Mhm.”

“And Nagasaki, that’s- that’s quite far.”

“Mhm.”

“And this- Kurosawa, you read it too, right? This is a lot of responsibility!”

“Mhm.”

Adachi set the papers aside, leaning forward with a deep sigh and running his hands over his face, tugging at his hair in a mix of bewilderment and frustration.

“... Adachi?”

“Never in a million years … never in a million years would I ever get an offer like this,” Adachi mumbled to himself. “And never in a billion years would I ever take it.”

“That’s okay,” Kurosawa immediately assured him. “Adachi, you don’t have to, there’s really no rush!”

“I’m not talking about now,” Adachi shook his head, fixing his hair and smiling at Kurosawa. “I’m talking about before. Before you, Kurosawa.“

“Oh.”

“There’s no way the old me would ever catch someone’s eye at work like that!”

“Adachi …”

“And even if I had … there’s no way … I just wouldn’t … I wouldn’t believe in myself. I still don’t. But I believe in us. You’ll be with me, right? The whole time? All the time? Just like we are now?”

“Of course. Adachi, I will be right beside you every waking minute, and most of your sleeping minutes too.”

“Will you help me out with things?”

“Always.”

“Will you encourage me when I’ll have to talk to people?”

“Absolutely.”

“Will you stop me before I make mistakes?”

“Only if they’re so big they would cause great harm,” Kurosawa smiled, placing his hand on top of Adachi’s to support him. “Otherwise you know I can’t. You have to make mistakes to learn things too.”

“But you’ll help me fix them, right?”

“Of course I will.”

“And you’ll still cook for me?”

“Even if we end up in a cardboard box with nothing but matchsticks and a candle.”

“And … and … and …”

“Adachi … just ask. You can ask anything of me, you know that …”

“If I’m nervous … if I get homesick … if I can’t sleep … will you still hold me at night? The way you do now?”

“Oh, Adachi … Adachi, I will never let go of you at all.”

He found himself in Kurosawa’s arms, and he felt so happy he could cry.

“Kurosawa …”

“Adachi … my amazing, incredible, perfect Adachi … I’m so proud of you!”

“Kurosawa, will you go to Nagasaki with me?”

“To the end of the world, Adachi,” Kurosawa answered in the same breath. “I’d go anywhere.”

Correction: Adachi felt so happy he was crying. Outright sobbing in Kurosawa’s arms, holding on tight and pondering the implications of being so overwhelmed with happiness, he felt like it would tear him apart. But Kurosawa would pick him up piece by piece if it did, so it was fine.

He’d trust Kurosawa with that. He’d trust Kurosawa with anything, actually. He’d never been this happy before, and it wasn’t even about himself. It wasn’t about the job. It wasn’t about being noticed by his superiors. It was about Kurosawa … about fulfilling the promise he’d made him … about them, sharing this together … oh, Kurosawa had it all wrong. Adachi would go anywhere with him … as long as he was with Kurosawa, the rest didn’t matter, as long as they were together, Adachi would be happy, as long as he had him … oh … oh.

His chest felt so tight, it made his tears dry up all of a sudden.

But Kurosawa still took the time to gently wipe away what was left of them, and with each careful stroke of his fingers, Adachi felt like he could die right now without regrets.

“Kurosawa …”

“Adachi … my Adachi …”

“... Kurosawa … I want to be held by you too …”

“You will be … oh, Adachi … I’ll never let go of you … never … my Adachi …”

He was so lucky, Adachi thought.

So unbelievably lucky to be Kurosawa’s human.

Chapter Text

“Can’t believe it,” Tsuge mumbled, sitting at Adachi’s table with a mouth full of fresh dumplings. “ For once, it won’t be me making meeting up difficult. These are fantastic by the way!”

“Kurosawa is glad you like them,” Adachi smiled. “And don’t say that! I’ve been busy with work before too, it’s not just you.”

“Yeah, well, now you’ll be busy and in Nagasaki, right?”

“Right,” Adachi sighed.

“Eh, we’ve had worse,” Tsuge cheered him up. “I can fly out to visit if you’ll have the time. Otherwise we can text.”

“I’ll keep in touch, I promise!”

“You’re going to another island, not another planet. It’ll be fine.”

“You’re right, thanks.”

“... it will be fine, right? Adachi?”

“I hope so!” Adachi nervously laughed. “It’s pretty big. I still don’t know why they picked- no, Kurosawa, that was not an invitation to talk about how great I am again! Don’t be rude to Rokkaku, weren’t you guys talking?”

“You’re great, huh?” Tsuge mused, watching Adachi’s exasperated but soft expression as he looked in Kurosawa’s direction. “Well, I agree with Kurosawa on that one. You’re very serious about your work, it was only a matter of time.”

“Guys … guys, there is such a thing as too much encouragement …” Adachi pleaded with them as he walked over to the fridge and grabbed a can of beer. “You too?”

“Sure,” Tsuge nodded, catching the can Adachi tossed his way. “Ah, that hits the spot … it really is just like a restaurant. Oi Rokkaku, why can’t you cook like that? … … … Haha, no, I’m joking, it’s fine. You have your own talents too.”

Poor Rokkaku, Adachi thought as he sat down again. Must be hard, working next to Kurosawa. He was so incredible, Adachi would be totally intimidated if they were coworkers! Can you imagine?! Tall, soft-spoken Kurosawa in one of those highly fashionable suits that puffs out just a little at the collar because the buttons are working extra hard to keep his chest contained … uh, yeah, Adachi could imagine. And he’d never in his life want to share the office floor with someone like that, that’d be way too much pressure.

Except if it were Kurosawa. He’d share an office with Kurosawa, gladly.

Because Kurosawa was perfect, but also, Adachi knew that he wasn’t.

He was excitable, and overwhelming, and shortsighted at times, and prone to some strange ideas here and there, and easily confused by mundane stuff, and overly attached to things that really weren’t that important. Adachi hadn’t gone through his kitchen cupboards in a while, that was Kurosawa’s domain now, but the one time he was looking for an extra mug, he was pretty sure he caught a glimpse of what appeared to be a used toothbrush collection on the top shelf next to the rice cooker manual. Was Kurosawa keeping them? Had he kept all the toothbrushes Adachi had given him? That was kinda gross, actually. But also so much like him … Adachi couldn’t even be mad, it was kinda cute. Of course Kurosawa would keep something Adachi gave him … even if it was supposed to be disposable.

So yeah, he was by no means perfect. But also … he was.

Because what was perfect even!? Adachi always felt it meant having no weakness and no flaws, which was realistically unattainable for a human, but an angel could probably do it. Except Kurosawa definitely didn’t fit that description. And yet Adachi couldn’t bring himself to see any of his quirks as downsides. If they were supposed to be flaws, little imperfections that take away from the whole … then why did it have the opposite effect on him?

He didn’t think less of Kurosawa when he was caught up in something silly. If anything, it was the opposite. Yeah, the used toothbrushes were disgusting, but at the same time, it warmed Adachi’s heart to see that this kinda thing - anything really - would matter to Kurosawa so much.

He loved his little imperfections. They only made Kurosawa more perfect to him.

Wait, where was he going with-

“So when are we packing?”

“H-Huh?” Adachi blinked, looking back at Tsuge and simultaneously realizing he’d been staring at Kurosawa for a while.

“I assume you’re taking some of your stuff with you, right?” Tsuge asked, looking around the apartment. “Not that there’s much, but still. We’ll help you pack.”

“Oh, thanks. That’d be nice, yeah. I don’t know yet though. I just let Asahina-san know I’d be interested yesterday. I have a meeting with the president on Monday … we’ll see where it goes from there. The timeline isn’t really clear. But …”

“But?”

“Depending on how it goes, we might be packing all of it,” Adachi added with a weary sigh. The prospect alone seemed daunting when said out loud like that.

“All of it!?”

“Yeah. The thing is … Kurosawa and I were already thinking about moving to a bigger apartment anyway. The overtime I mentioned, remember? That was for that. To save up a bit, rent prices are insane these days. So this kinda works for us, I guess. We didn’t have time to look at any apartments in Nagasaki yet, probably gonna do it tonight, but if all goes well … I mean, the pay raise is nothing to scoff at,” he struggled to get his thoughts together, handing Tsuge the proposal folder so he could see for himself. “And Asahina-san mentioned a promotion once I return too. So realistically, ending our lease here and finding a new apartment once we’re back seems like the most practical option.”

“I see …”

“You sound like Kurosawa when you say it like that,” Adachi chuckled. “You don’t have to help pack everything, don’t worry.”

“Nah, that’s not a problem. I was just thinking …” Tsuge sighed, looking around the apartment again. “You think it’s worth it? For a single guy, I mean. I already look at my place sometimes and think I’m paying for way too much space … but I guess I need to store all the books somewhere. But you have even less stuff than I do, so … ah, not to judge or anything, it’s your money of course, I’m just surprised. Or is there someone-”

“There’s no one!” Adachi blurted out. “Nothing like that! It’s for Kurosawa!”

“... for Kurosawa?”

“It’s four meters. The wings, uh, his wings. They’re four meters across,” Adachi gestured with his hands. “He has no space to stretch here.”

“Four meters?” Tsuge subconsciously mimicked Adachi’s open-armed gesture, although even both of their arms combined wouldn’t accurately depict a four meter distance. That was a lot! “Are you sure?”

“Mhm. He bumps into the walls if he tries to stretch his wings, I don’t want him to worry about that.”

“I see …”

“How big are Rokkaku’s wings by the way?”

“I dunno, maybe like- Rokkaku, don’t, you’ll knock over the coffee pot if you flap around now- maybe like two meters? … … … No, that is absolutely not three meters, don’t make me get a tape measure.”

“Don’t worry about it, Rokkaku,” Adachi smiled. “Small wings are really practical. I wonder what the average angel wingspan is … … … two meters eighty? That’s cool, thanks Kuro- wait, the average is two meters eighty and you’re four meters!? That’s insane!”

“I can’t even imagine four meters,” Tsuge mumbled, looking next to where Rokkaku was standing and trying to compute an image in his mind that just wasn’t appearing. “That’s massive.”

“Yeah, uh, anyway, it doesn’t matter,” Adachi tried to steer the conversation away, realizing he’d gotten distracted and was possibly putting Kurosawa on the spot when he knew he was self-conscious about the size of his wings. “He’s just really wonderful, and I love his wings, they’re so soft and caring and I feel totally calm when I’m wrapped up in them, so obviously … I mean, obviously I want him to be comfortable too.”

“Right … so you’re looking at like, five meter bedrooms? That is getting up there in luxury territory,” Tsuge sighed, crossing his arms.

“Not necessarily. We’ve found some good picks around here, wanna see? You guys don’t mind if Tsuge and I take out the laptop for a bit, right?”

“Not at all,” Kurosawa encouraged him with a smile. “Go have fun!”

“Nothing about looking at those rent prices is fun,” Adachi quickly shot back.

But he was laughing, so … that was good enough for Kurosawa.

“Is it really four meters!?”

“Oh come on, Rokkaku. Not you too.”

“I thought that was just a rumor! Ah, but of course it’d be true, it’s the amazing Kurosawa-senpai after all.”

“It’s nothing …”

“Nah, that’s totally awesome! Masato is right, it’s insane!”

“Rokkaku.”

“Yes?”

“Please drop it.”

“O-okay … Kurosawa-senpai, did I do something wrong?”

“No, it’s just …”

I don’t really like my wings, he would have usually said. And then other angels would drop it and leave him alone, perhaps speculating they might be a pain in the ass to carry around when they’re this big or some other simple reason as to why Kurosawa wasn’t so enthusiastic about his appearance.

But for some reason, he couldn’t say it.

It wasn’t even true anymore. He’d just be lying.

Those were the wings that Adachi held onto each night. The wings that held Adachi, the wings that quite literally nudged him towards finding a new apartment for the two of them, the wings that Adachi said he loved.

Kurosawa felt like he loved his wings too, if he thought about them that way.

But he still didn’t want other people talking about them. That was between him and Adachi. He didn’t want to share his wings with anyone else, he didn’t want other humans or angels to see them or comment on them or anything else, those were Adachi’s wings … well, they were Kurosawa’s wings, but their purpose was to make Adachi happy and to take care of him … so how could Kurosawa not love his wings?

“... I didn’t have any say in how big my wings are,” he finally sighed. “It’s strange to compliment someone on something they had no control over.”

“Oh, right, right! Kurosawa-senpai, you are so wise! I promise I will learn and get better at compliments!”

“Thank you, Rokkaku.”

“Sooooo … now that they’re over there staring at the screen and Adachi’s definitely too busy to look over and see you blushing … how are you doing?”

“I love him so much. I love him so much. I love him, I love him, I love him, I am the luckiest angel in the universe, he is my everything, he is the most perfect human anyone could ever ask for, I’ve seen angels that wouldn’t measure up to his ankles, I love him so much.”

“Getting worse, I see.”

“Is it worse, is it better, I don’t know. I just love him.”

“Will you ever, like, tell him?”

“... is there a point to do such a thing if he is not interested in men?”

“I dunno. But it’s kinda … eh, I guess it’s awkward either way. It probably doesn’t matter.”

“I’d love to tell him … I’d love to tell him how much I love him … because it’s a lot, and sometimes … sometimes it feels like I’m choking on words I shouldn’t say.”

“Sometimes, huh? Like when he’s wrapped up in your wings? How did that come about anyway?”

“Oh I think he means at night, sometimes he wakes up when I’m still holding onto him, or maybe it’s when I slide one wing across his back when he’s working on something-”

“Wait wait wait wait, pause? Pause! What do you mean, at night? What do you mean, sometimes he wakes up when you’re holding onto him!? Kurosawa-senpai, you can’t just- we can’t just … hold the humans in their sleep like that?!”

“... we can’t?”

“Of course not! Isn’t he freaked out when he wakes up and you’re holding him?”

“Oh, no, not like that. Rokkaku, you misunderstood. He goes to sleep in my arms, so he knows I’m there.”

Did he misunderstand though? Did he? Because as far as Rokkaku was concerned, none of this made any sense anyway.

“He goes to sleep … in your arms?”

“Mhm. Ever since he got it in his head that I really deserve my wing stretch space, I’ve been sleeping on his bed with him on my chest. And he’s got a point, I feel relaxed like never before … though I guess that’s more to do with him than the stretched wings.”

“He sleeps on your chest? Like, ON your chest?”

“I know right? It’s amazing it’s insane it’s incredible I’m so lucky, I love him so much.”

“I can’t believe it. You are cuddling with your human.”

“... does that count as cuddling?”

“I think so? What did Adachi say about it?”

“That it’s the best sleep he’s ever had, and really comfortable.”

“And like … nothing else?”

“Nothing else. Why? Was he supposed to say something?”

“Not really … it’s just confusing, I never thought he was the type for platonic cuddles. He’s pretty reserved when it comes to that kinda stuff, even when he hugs Masato, it’s usually in that half-formal, business-dinner-greeting kinda way. I can’t imagine him just lying in bed with you like that.”

“Well please don’t try, that’s between me and him!”

“Don’t worry, Kurosawa-senpai. I’d never dream of getting between you two! Or anywhere near you two, for that matter. I just think that maybe … well I mean, he’s not my human so what do I know, but-”

“What do you know, Rokkaku? Tell me everything, you’ve known him longer than I have, I need all the info!”

“I was getting there, no need to shake me … I just think that maybe, like, not to be rude or anything, I don’t really understand how they end up the way they are with who they like, but if there was ever a man to make someone reconsider if they like men, it would probably be you.”

“... I can make Adachi like men? No, Rokkaku don’t be ridiculous, we know that’s impossible.”

“Not make him, but like … you know? Like, you said you’ve never been in love before you met him, right?”

“Right.”

“But you did meet lots of other angels and humans. And you didn’t fall in love with any of them?”

“Right.”

“But that didn’t mean you couldn’t fall in love. Because you totally did, with Adachi.”

“Right.”

“So you know … maybe he can fall in love with men too. Maybe he just hadn’t met the right man before.”

“... I’m … I’m … I’m the right man for Adachi?”

“Slow down, we don’t know if you are. All I’m saying is that you could be. Or I wouldn’t be surprised if you would be.”

“You wouldn’t be surprised?”

“You two are cuddling each night, of course I wouldn’t be surprised.”

“I see … thank you, Rokkaku, you’re really quite experienced with this. I never asked, but are you seeing someone?”

“Got turned down twice just before I was assigned to Masato. But that’s alright, I’ve learned a lot about romance from him! His novels are great, I’m hoping to get back home with some really cool Earth pickup lines.”

“Right … so what am I supposed to do? Should I tell Adachi how I feel?”

“I think you should think about it. Like, properly consider all the options and all that. Because what I was thinking about earlier, it’s like … kinda not ideal if you’re so close and he doesn’t know what it means to you, but at the same time if you do tell him and he doesn’t feel comfortable with the idea of another man being in love with him-“

“I’m not telling him.”

“No, Kurosawa-senpai, I just meant that you should maybe make a plan for if things go poorly.”

“I’m not telling him, that’s the plan. I would never ever ever risk making Adachi uncomfortable.”

“... well okay. That’s, uh, that’s pretty admirable, I guess.”

“And besides … what if he wouldn’t want me anymore?”

The voice of Kurosawa’s thoughts felt broken: rough and chipped around the edges, and his face contorted and twisted into something vaguely resembling crying.

“I get that. It’s okay, Kurosawa-senpai. Let’s not talk about it anymore.”

Rokkaku understood. Well, not really, but it was obvious to him at least that Kurosawa would rather keel over and die than make Adachi uncomfortable. And if he got rejected, that would be one massive heartbreak for sure. And if Adachi didn’t want to be around him anymore … that would break Kurosawa, wouldn’t it?

So yeah, probably for the best if he doesn’t tell Adachi how he feels. They seem really happy, no need to ruin a good thing.

Chapter Text

“Masato, is everything okay?”

“Yeah,” Tsuge nodded, hands stuffed in his pockets as he walked beside Rokkaku, navigating the narrow streets for the shortcut back to their apartment. “I’m just thinking about stuff.”

“Did you have a good time with Adachi?”

“Yeah, that was nice. Although not really what I expected, but … better, I guess.”

“What did you expect?”

“...”

“... Masato?“

“Don’t get on my case about being jealous again, okay … it’s just that whenever he calls me over because he has some big news, I can’t help but think it’s because he’s found someone.”

“Would that be a bad thing? If someone fell in love with Adachi?”

“Well it would kinda make me feel like shit … but that’s my problem, that doesn’t have anything to do with him. I’d be worried for him too though. Like, you know … I’m holed up in my apartment a lot, but I’m not blind. I know we’re getting to that age when many women get pressured to partner up and just find a decent guy with a job if they couldn’t snag the university sweetheart or the office hotshot they actually wanted … and I’d hate it if that happened to him. Like, he deserves someone who cares about him. He shouldn’t be settled for. I feel like he’d try to be happy anyway, but I think he would know … I don’t want his relationship to make him think he’s not good enough.”

“You’re a good guy, Masato.”

“But also, I would hate to lose our friendship,” he quickly slid in another more selfish thought again. “I know that’s rich of me to say, but … we’ve talked about it, right?”

“You have,” Rokkaku nodded.

“Multiple times.”

“Mhm.”

“It just works for us. We don’t mind not being in contact for a while.”

“I know that, Masato.”

“But what if … what if it’s only like that because we don’t have anything better to do? What if he gets married and then I’m gone for three months again and when I come back he’s … he’s replaced me with other things?”

“Do you really think Adachi would replace you?”

“I’d hope not …”

“Well he wouldn’t. I know it,” Rokkaku assured him.

“You know it, or you know it? ”

“I know it,” Rokkaku repeated.

“Okay. Sorry, I’ll learn to trust my friend more, I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay, Masato. It’s okay to be insecure sometimes.”

“I feel like it’s been hitting me worse lately,” he sighed, looking up at the clear blue sky. “Adachi’s kinda different, isn’t he?”

“I suppose.”

“... is it Kurosawa’s doing?”

“Eh? What is?”

“I’m just asking. I don’t know if it’s just a coincidence or if he’s the one behind all this … but Adachi’s really come out of his shell lately. Voluntary overtime? New apartment? Branch consultant? Promotion? It’s almost like I don’t know the guy anymore, he’s doing really well for himself … but more than that, it’s … damn it, I don’t know how to put it.”

“Well if you don’t know how to describe something, we’re kinda in trouble,” Rokkaku laughed.

“I’ll get there, gimme a minute,” Tsuge gritted his teeth. “Okay, it’s like life is worth living for him all of a sudden.”

“Huh? Masato, is it not worth living for-”

“I’m fine,” he cut him off. “I’m fine. Life’s okay, sorry, I should have worded that better. I meant that he’s got a passion or something. Like, I look into his eyes and there’s motivation there that wasn’t there before. I’m happy for him, obviously … but he just wasn’t that kinda guy before. I even thought Kurosawa might be pushing him too hard, but then … eh, maybe I’m imagining it, but …”

“Yes?”

“When you guys were talking to each other and we were looking at apartments, he showed me all the bedroom diameters and kitchen layouts and cupboards and pre-installed spice racks, and … I don’t think I’ve ever seen him that happy. I remember there was one particular apartment just down the street from ours that met all their criteria, and he couldn’t say enough about how much they both liked it. He was practically glowing.”

“Now you’re making me jealous,” Rokkaku sighed. “Sorry your angel is kinda meh in comparison.”

“Shut up, you’re just fine. Kurosawa sounds extremely overwhelming anyway.”

“... he does?”

“Yeah. I don’t even know why I’m kinda annoyed about him, it’s weird. Adachi keeps slipping little things about him into our conversations, at first I thought he was venting as usual and I tried to commiserate but he seemed really put off by that. I guess he likes it? But I don’t get it, he never got along with extroverted types before, angel or otherwise.”

“I see. Hey, do you think … I mean, what does Adachi think of Kurosawa-senpai? I promise I won’t share any negative feedback!”

“Huh … there’s a lot, he talks about him a lot. I think he likes the guy.”

“That’s nice.”

“Why?”

“No reason. It’s just nice that he’s finally happy with his angel after all this time, no?”

“Yeah, you’re right. Maybe that’s what’s been holding him back in the first place? Because really, he is absolutely thriving now.”

“I’m happy for him. And you’re thriving too, Masato! We should really get you in for a haircut before the next book signing though.”

“I’ll consider it. How about Kurosawa?”

“Oh no, that would never work, he’s a natural light brown, almost blonde in direct sunlight, that would look horrendous on you.”

“Rokkaku, I am asking how Kurosawa feels about Adachi.”

“Oh. Oh. Oh, that? Now, you see, that is really funny, because I thought you were asking about his hair, and really, that’s not the place for hair inspo, you can’t even see the guy so yeah, yup, makes sense you wouldn’t be asking about that, sorry.”

“It’s fine. So?”

“So?”

“How does Kurosawa feel about Adachi?”

“Right, sorry. He cares about him a lot.”

“Is he happy?”

“Extremely.”

That wasn’t a lie. The thing before that also wasn’t a lie. Now if Masato could please stop asking before Rokkaku walks himself into having to lie to his human, that would be great.

“And you know this guy, right? Went to school with him?”

“Guardian angel training, yes.”

“What’s he like?”

“Hasn’t Adachi told you enough about him already? I thought you were annoyed by that.”

“More confused than annoyed. I never thought about it this way because Adachi was never close to his previous angels, and you two get along like cats and dogs somehow despite him not being able to hear or see you, but I … I can’t connect with someone else’s angel like that! And it didn’t matter before, but now it feels like there’s someone massively important in Adachi’s life and I can’t even like … say hi properly, or hold him accountable for what he does to my friend. I just hope he’s a good guy.”

“Well he is an angel.”

“No offense but so were the others. And the last one even left without saying goodbye, what a bitch. I’m allowed to say that, right?”

“I have to scold you for it, so consider yourself scolded, but yes.”

“Fine. So what is Kurosawa like?”

“It’s hard to tell …”

Part of him was stalling for time to think of something other than “well for starters he’s down horrendous for your friend”, but part of him just also genuinely didn’t know what to say. Rokkaku had only ever admired Kurosawa from afar before. He only watched and wished he were him sometimes, like everyone did. He only knew the rumors, not the real person. And even the things about him that he thought were true turned out not to be.

“He’s perfect,” he finally answered.

“... that’s it? He’s perfect.”

“Yeah,” Rokkaku nodded, sad that he had to disappoint Tsuge with his answer. “He’s perfect, and I’ve never heard of anyone getting close enough to see him not be. I don’t know who Kurosawa-senpai really is. I don’t know if anyone does. Adachi might though. Kurosawa-senpai seems pretty comfortable with him.”

“I see …”

> “Hey Adachi. Got time?”

> “Yes. Kurosawa is doing the dishes. :) Did you forget something at our place?”

> “No. Just wanted to ask something.”

> “Go ahead.”

> “Is Kurosawa perfect?”

> “? Scary o.O Tsuge do you read minds?”

> “No?”

> “Nvm. I was just thinking about this earlier. It’s weird.”

> “Sorry. Didn’t mean to freak you out.”

> “It’s ok. And it’s complicated.”

> “You can take your time.”

> “More so I don’t know what to write. You’re good at that but I’m not. I’ll try though.”

> “Ok so. He isn’t perfect. Don’t tell Rokkaku, or anyone else, but he’s a real weirdo sometimes. I wasn’t gonna say anything about it, but I found out recently that he’s been keeping all his old toothbrushes. That’s weird, right? Even if he’s never had a toothbrush before, or a human who shared things with him. Why did he get so attached to toothbrushes of all things!? I assume they don’t have all the mouth germs we have but still, it’s grossing me out just to think about it. No one would do that kinda thing.”

> “But Kurosawa would. He literally did. And I don’t know. It feels like the kinda thing you wave away and don’t think about again. But I do think about it. I think about him being weird a lot. Not in a bad way. It makes me happy. The other day he asked what’s a housing allowance, and I had to physically stop my eyes from rolling back. Ok, you spent 300 years sheltered with the rich kids, I get it but damn. It hurts sometimes. Mostly cause it reminds me I am as poor as a sewer rat in comparison.”

> “But I don’t mind it. When he doesn’t understand or doesn’t fit in. I don’t mind at all. It’s not annoying. It’s like taking a dog for a walk through a new neighborhood and I think that’s cool. He is immortal! How many more humans will he take care of? But I was the one who gave him his first toothbrush, and took him to an izakaya for the first time. It makes me happy to think about that. Almost like he’ll always be mine. And he said he’d like to keep the things I gave him after I die. Which is kinda morbid to talk about, idk how we got there but that’s not the point. I will always be with him. Part of me. Not that I’m a toothbrush or a coffee mug, I mean the idea of me. The memories.”

> “And I love our memories. I am happy with him. I wish you could meet him, Tsuge. Properly. I wish you could chat, I wish you could shake hands. I wish you could see him, you’d totally get it. He is amazing. I look at him and all my worries disappear, he’s so good at calming down humans, it’s insane. Good thing he’s with me, I’m such a nervous wreck sometimes. But he’s with me, that’s the point. I don’t know what I’d do without him. And I told him, I don’t have any luck with relationships, he’s stuck here until I die. I think he still thinks that’s not true, damn optimist if I’ve ever seen one, but he also said he’d be happy with me. Even if I never find anyone. And I believe him.”

> “I’m starting to believe lots of things actually. Mostly him, I’m scared not to, I want to respect him. But also sometimes me. Cause he believes in me, so by proxy, I kinda have to. Maybe that’s the difference. Maybe that’s why I got the job offer. I don’t know.”

> “Sorry, I got carried away. I’m still nervous about moving and all that. But no, Kurosawa’s not perfect. He’s a great person and really good at his job, but he’s not perfect. I don’t think he even likes that word, so I don’t like to use it for him. Lots of humans expected him to be perfect. I don’t. But at the same time”

> “he is perfect to me.”

> “Not in the sense that there’s nothing wrong with him, there are several things I think, but just. If the world was upside down and we picked our angels ourselves. If there was an Ikea for buying angels, if we got a little map and a catalog to choose from, can you imagine that? If we could have anyone. I would want him. He’s my angel. Because I’m his human and that’s how it works but I feel like even if he were with someone else, he would still be my angel. The one that’s meant for me.”

> “He’s not perfect but he’s also the most perfect and I keep looking up from my phone to check he’s still there. It feels like he shouldn’t be. I don’t know how I deserve him. I got so lucky, Tsuge. So lucky. I’ll never play the lottery in my life, and I’ve been looking both ways twice before crossing streets lately. It just feels like all my luck for the next million years has been spent on having Kurosawa here. And I’m ok with that.”

> “I hope that answers your question. Sorry it took so long >-<. Is it for a book?”

Well, no … it wasn’t. How could it be? Tsuge only wrote romance novels anyway. And yet, he found himself writing a few things down, because … ‘ even if he were with someone else, he would still be my angel. The one that’s meant for me’ … was good. That was really, really good. Tsuge was kinda upset that he didn't write it himself.

But at the very back of his mind, behind all the deadlines and drafts and nonexistent dinner plans, a very small question popped up. Nothing noteworthy or anything.

He just wondered why Adachi’s words fit so perfectly into a love story all of a sudden.

Chapter Text

“Nervous?” Kurosawa asked, flapping his little dove wings to get comfortable in Adachi’s lap as the other passengers were still boarding the plane.

“Yup. Yeah. Up to here, haha,” Adachi gestured at the top of his head. “But we’ll be okay, right?”

“We will be.”

“Good. Kusumoto-san will be picking us up at the airport, apparently the shop space is quite far away from the station. The moving truck should be here at five, and we’ve got dinner with the staff at seven, and then we have Friday and the weekend off to unpack everything, and it starts for real on Monday.”

“Mhm.“

“Did I miss anything?”

“You didn’t, Adachi. You got it all.”

“Yeah, well … I better, with how much I’ve been stressing about it.”

The plane slowly moved towards the runway, and took off to the skies with the engines roaring. Adachi felt a bit uneasy about the whole ordeal, both because he hadn’t flown in a while but also because of what they were flying to. They’d take it one day at a time, he knew that. And Kurosawa would be there for him like always, he knew that too. So it will be fine. It’s only normal to be nervous about something like this, isn’t it?

He closed his eyes, firmly holding Kurosawa in his hands and smoothing out his tail feathers before his fingers sank deeper, caressing the dove’s back and squishing him tight. It almost felt like he’d been falling into a routine at this point. Kurosawa had been volunteering his bird self as stress relief a lot lately, and it really did help. Adachi eventually found a rhythm, digging through the feathers all the way down to their tip, pulling away, smoothing out the mess he’d made and then messing the feathers up again.

Sometimes he also petted Kurosawa’s head, or scratched under his neck with one finger. Whenever he did so, Kurosawa looked up at him and smiled: it was hard to tell if a dove was smiling at you, but Adachi could tell. It was Kurosawa after all … he could tell. It was right there in his eyes, those tiny little dark orbs looking up at him … he could tell.

He scratched him a little gentler than usual, right where the underside of his beak met his feathers.

Kurosawa cooed and leaned closer.

Before he knew it, Adachi scooped him up with his other hand, bringing him close to his chest and keeping him there for the rest of the flight.

He’d keep him there for the whole six months if he could.

The store space was nice but terrifying. Large, much larger than their Tokyo branches, and completely barren. There was no pattern to follow, they’d have to design everything from the ground up. But Adachi knew that would be the case: if they could just copy and tweak an existing store plan, he wouldn’t need to be here. But he did need to be here, and as scary as it was to have his presence justified with so much responsibility, he was starting to get used to the idea. Or maybe he’d finally gone numb from the fear. Either way, it was about time to get his marbles together, because they were kinda in the middle of it now. Well, not the middle - more like the beginning.

Kusumoto dropped him off at the new apartment afterwards, and gave him the address of where they’d be having dinner in the evening. They were about half an hour early, and they didn’t have anything to do while waiting for the movers … other than actually checking out the new apartment, of course. The videos online were pretty impressive, but Adachi was sure the real thing would be even better.

“Shall we?” He asked, taking out the keys.

“I can’t wait!“ Kurosawa followed right behind him, fidgeting with the tips of his wings in excitement.

“Okay, well … there it is,” Adachi took a deep breath, sliding the key inside the door. “I’m kinda nervous, honestly … it feels like this should be a bigger deal? I mean, I know it’s not our actual apartment, but … it’s our first apartment!”

“I can’t wait to see it! And we’ll see it together, that feels like a big enough deal to me!”

“You’re weird, Kurosawa,” Adachi chuckled, finally turning the key.

“Oh … sorry.”

“Don’t say that. I kinda love that about you.”

The door opened. The whiteness of the walls almost blinded them together with the sunlight seeping through the west-facing window. Kurosawa didn’t seem to realize he could go inside yet.

“Kurosawa? Are you coming in or not?”

“Y-Yeah, uh … mhm, I’m here. Wow. It’s …”

“It’s pretty nice,” Adachi mumbled, overwhelmed with how modern and clean the place was. “Hey, there’s that cool lamp we liked in the photos! And that kitchen counter marble is so beautiful, I’d be afraid to get it dirty! And-”

“You’re here.”

The beautiful apartment suddenly disappeared from Adachi’s view as a pair of arms hung around his neck, pulling him back as Kurosawa’s wings enveloped him.

“You’re here,” Kurosawa mumbled, resting his forehead against the nape of Adachi’s neck. “I’m so happy.”

“... me too.”

“Adachi … thank you.”

“What for, silly?”

“Existing.”

“Well, haha, that wasn’t really up to me, but thank you. I’m glad you exist too, Kurosawa,” he smiled, barely scraping out enough wiggle room to turn around so that he could return the embrace. “Let’s do our best together, okay?”

“Okay!” Kurosawa nodded.

Adachi wondered if he misunderstood, or if those were really tears in the corners of Kurosawa’s eyes. Damn it, now the angel got him all emotional all of a sudden too. Over nothing! It was just them moving in together. Not even their forever place or anything, just temporary, and yet, it was their place, an apartment they’d share from the beginning to the end, an apartment they picked together, it was theirs … it was theirs … oh, it was theirs.

It almost felt like he’d been falling … into a routine at this point.

His hands dug through Kurosawa’s wings as he leaned closer so that he could reach more, because Kurosawa’s chest was wide and Adachi’s arms felt comically inadequate in comparison, but he still needed to hold him.

Eventually, the feathers ran out and Adachi’s fingers sank into the fabric of Kurosawa’s shirt right where his wings met his torso: the most muscular part of his back, which somehow felt soft and welcoming to touch nonetheless.

“I’ll need you, Kurosawa … I can’t do this without you.”

“You won’t do anything without me, Adachi.”

He could hear the moving truck beeping outside as it backed up close to the apartment building. But he didn’t want to leave Kurosawa’s embrace just yet.

He was happy.

Here. With him.

He thought the same in their old apartment too. In his old life, with no such career prospects on the horizon, he felt just the same as long as Kurosawa was there. So that must have been it, wasn’t it? What he’d been hoping to find this whole time.

It was Kurosawa.

Everything else was just … extra.

If Adachi had any doubts left that all that really mattered was being with Kurosawa, this one embrace dispelled all of them.

“Adachi, your phone is ringing.”

“... I know. They must be calling us. Let’s go, alright?”

“Mhm.”

They stared into each other’s eyes for a moment before letting go, and there was that feeling again: the pleasant calmness that Adachi came to associate with Kurosawa. They just clicked so well. It was meant to be. Adachi belonged with him. Why did it take heaven thirty years to figure that out!?

Well, it didn’t matter. They were together now, that was all Adachi cared about. They carried in all the boxes and what little furniture they had, roughly sorting things based on the labels Tsuge and Rokkaku helped make. Bathroom, kitchen, bedroom, storage … one box here, one box there, Adachi’s desk next to the bed, pans on the counter, basic toiletries next to the bathroom sink. They had just enough time left for Adachi to take a quick shower and change out of his suit into something more casual, combing his hair at the last minute before they had to run out to not leave their taxi driver waiting.

“How do I look?”

“Beautiful,” Kurosawa smiled, locking the door behind them.

“I was aiming for presentable, but I’ll take that too,” Adachi rolled his eyes. “Here’s to hoping for the best.”

“Anything in particular that you think would be best?” Kurosawa asked as they got into the taxi.

“I just hope they like me … I don’t want them to think I’m some stuck up dude from the main office strutting out here to tell them what to do. I’ll need to rely on them to make this store opening a success, so … I hope we can work well together.”

“I think you should tell them that!”

“What, that exactly? Doesn’t it sound too … unprofessional?”

“Not at all! I think they’ll be happy to hear you want to get along with them.”

“Well okay, I’ll try then.”

They met up outside the restaurant with the branch manager Kusumoto, four store clerks, Masuda-san from operations, an interior designer and a lady from the local construction company. Everyone seemed decent to Kurosawa at first glance, so he didn’t have anything to worry about yet. There were three other angels that he politely greeted and asked about their humans: the interior designer and two of the younger store clerks.

“They’re all really lovely ladies though, so it’s really just a matter of time. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Kurosawa-san! We’ll see how long we get to work together …”

Just a matter of time. Angels said that a lot when their humans were just on the brink of finding love. Just a matter of time. Like waiting for the clock on the office wall to strike so everyone can go home. Just a matter of time.

Kurosawa didn’t want to hear it. Unsettled, he instinctively stuck even closer to Adachi’s side, until suddenly-

“H-huh?” Kusumoto stuttered, stepping back from the chair that both he and Kurosawa just tried to sit on.

It was only then that Kurosawa realized things would be different now. Adachi mostly worked alone before, so Kurosawa was free to trail him around the office at his leisure. He occasionally stood behind him in meetings, leaning against the wall, but there weren’t many of those that Adachi had to join to begin with, and for the ones they attended just before his transfer to Nagasaki, Kurosawa had spent them all as a dove in Adachi’s lap. They also rarely went out for food or drinks, with Adachi preferring Kurosawa’s cooking every time, but if they did go out, they were alone, or sometimes joined by Rokkau and Tsuge - either way, they always sat next to each other. Kurosawa had gotten used to it. He noticed other angels aimlessly standing around in restaurants a lot, and he understood - he used to do that too, all the time, just not anymore, his place was beside Adachi now, or had been at least, but now he got in the way and made things awkward, he’ll have to-

“I’m sorry about that, Kusumoto-san! Would you mind sitting over there? My angel, Kurosawa, usually sits next to me.”

Adachi was already sitting down. And pointing to where Kusumoto should go. And waiting for Kurosawa to sit beside him. And smiling.

Kurosawa didn’t understand.

He was just about to pull away, and then … Adachi pulled him back in? In front of all these people nonetheless? Wasn’t having an angel embarrassing for him?

“Oh, so that’s who I bumped into! I’m sorry, Kurosawa-san!” Kusumoto bowed his head, taking the chair Adachi had suggested to him.

“He says it’s no problem,” Adachi smiled. “I also realized I forgot to ask for an extra seat, but the table is for ten people, so it worked out just fine, didn’t it? Anyway, ah … well, it’s really nice to meet everyone. Kusumoto-san, thank you so much for organizing this get together for us! I look forward to working with you all. I hope … well, I hope we will not have too many difficulties, but I will try to rely on everyone for support so that we can open a wonderful store together! The main branch in Tokyo really wants things to go well here, that’s why they’ve sent me out as a consultant. But it’s not like we’ve ever opened a store like this before, so I also … it’s also a new challenge for me. I used to work in the admin department so I am very familiar with all the processes though, I hope that will be helpful. I am looking forward to supporting all of your hard work as best as I can!”

Everyone clapped, and Kusumoto-san raised a toast. “To the second Kyushu branch! And to our guiding star, Adachi-san!”

“Guiding star? Kusumoto-san, how much have you had to drink?”

“Nothing,” Kusumoto laughed. “Adachi-san, what wine do you drink? I ordered a bottle of red in advance, is that alright?”

“Ah, I actually can’t handle wine,” Adachi excused himself. “An occasional beer is fine. Do they have anything good?”

“The house beer on tap is great,” the interior designer chimed in. “Oh, and if you want any food recommendations, I get the chicken katsu ramen every time.”

“Ramen, huh? It’s been a while since I had that from a restaurant …”

“What do you usually order, Adachi-san?”

“Nothing,” Adachi nervously laughed. “Kurosawa cooks for us at home, we rarely go out to eat these days.”

“Wow, that’s … that’s pretty cool! You and Kurosawa-san seem pretty close!”

“We are,” Adachi happily nodded. “Kurosawa, do you know what you’ll have?”

“... whatever you’ll have?”

“Then let’s both try the ramen!”

“You’re matching?” One of the store clerks asked from the corner of the table. “That’s so cute! Adachi-san, you and Kurosawa-san are like twins!”

“Twins? Oh no, we look nothing alike! I think it’s more like … best friends. Right? It’s like that, isn’t it?”

“I guess … haha, I mean, I’m pretty friendly with my angel too! Minne, do you wanna sit down next time? I feel bad now that Adachi-san is spoiling Kurosawa-san like that!”

“Spoling? It’s not- but you know, you’re right. He’s been helping me so much with the move and our new apartment, and it’s all thanks to him that I’ve made it this far in the first place, so you’re right - I should spoil him! Kurosawa, don’t give me that look now. Does anyone know any local candy stores? We both like mochi a lot, Kurosawa’s been trying to make some at home to varying degrees of success.”

“I can text you some suggestions,” Kusumoto offered. “You sound pretty well-versed in the kitchen, is that one of your hobbies?”

“Ah, no, not at all,” Adachi waved off the idea. “I am absolutely useless, wouldn’t trust myself with a soft boiled egg sometimes. That’s all Kurosawa’s thing. He really likes cooking, and doing the dishes. Does that count as a hobby? You’d think it would, the way he goes through the dirty pans and all that. I’m usually the one making lists of chores and groceries and recipes we could try - I have a spreadsheet for all of those things. I guess that’s one of my hobbies! We also both enjoy documentaries, and, uh, reading. One of our friends is a novelist. But enough about me, how about you guys?”

They were still chatting once the food arrived, and Adachi even ordered a second beer afterwards. The atmosphere seemed nice, Adachi looked happy, and Kurosawa slowly relaxed. Their new coworkers were pretty alright - the human ones, at least. Kurosawa admittedly felt a little awkward being the only angel sitting at the table, and he could tell that the older two angels especially were looking down on him for it, and not just literally.

He knew it wasn’t exactly standard for an angel to have this much presence at a casual business dinner with strangers … he knew this was Adachi’s time, not theirs … he knew his place was sometimes behind him instead of beside him … but so what?

Adachi wanted him there.

It wasn’t Kurosawa’s problem that the other angels weren’t as cherished as he was.

Chapter Text

“Now you’ll be busy AND in Nagasaki, right?”

Tsuge’s words played in Adachi’s head often in the coming weeks. Busy was an understatement! And Nagasaki too, to be honest. He wasn’t really in Nagasaki as much as he was in a giant empty store, and in his own bed. Both of which happened to be in Nagasaki, but they might as well have been in outer space for all Adachi cared - he was too busy to appreciate the neighborhood or go anywhere anyway.

It was stressful, and required skills he largely didn’t have. Both for managing his own health, as well as time and the other employees. But wherever he found himself lacking, Kurosawa was right there to compensate for every possible inadequacy. Adachi felt pushed out of his comfort zone, but not overworked or on edge. No matter how much work they had left, he always made sure he got home by 10 at the latest, but preferably earlier if he could. Sometimes that worked out, other times it didn’t.

“Thanks so much for the dinner,” he mumbled, sleepily brushing his teeth as Kurosawa put away the plates in the kitchen. “What time is it?”

“Just past eleven.”

“Fine … ahh, can you remind me to take a shower in the morning?”

“I’ll add it to the schedule.”

“Thanks,” Adachi sighed, washing away the last of the toothpaste and putting the toothbrush back into the cup they kept above the sink. Once he let go, it almost immediately toppled over to the other side, coming to rest next to Kurosawa’s instead. “Just like me, huh …” Adachi mused with a smile, feeling a sudden tiny burst of energy as he stared at their two toothbrushes together. It was just so … cute.

Such a simple way of knowing he wasn’t alone.

“Actually, I’ll think I’ll have a shower now,” he called out, taking off his clothes and grabbing a towel.

“Okay. I’ll set your alarm for 15 minutes later then!”

“You already set it before? Man, you’re the best, Kurosawa. I so don’t deserve you …”

“You absolutely do, Adachi. You deserve everything!”

“Can ‘everything’ be ten extra hours in a day?”

“Only if you’d spend them with me!” Kurosawa laughed.

“I was thinking for work, but … that’s not a bad idea either. I’d love to spend more time with you, you know that, right?”

“... I do.”

“I miss sitting down after work and just reading manga together. When we do it on the weekends, it’s just … not enough. I think I wouldn’t want such a busy job in the long run. But I’ll still do my best while I’m here!”

“You’re already doing your and like three other people’s best. You’re incredible, Adachi.”

Kurosawa’s words were so gentle and kind. Adachi loved his compliments, and they were often the only things that remained in his mind while he stood in the shower late at night or early in the morning. Everything else - all his appointments and meetings and deadlines and schedules and conflicts - got washed away by the cold water, going the extra mile to combat the summer heat. But Kurosawa stayed. He always stayed in Adachi’s thoughts.

Maybe that’s why Adachi couldn’t bring himself to resent this business trip even at the worst of times. Yes, sometimes it unequivocally sucked and he wished he were back in Tokyo just crunching sales numbers and completing other people’s reports, but … Kurosawa was extremely aware of how hard this was for Adachi, and Adachi was pretty sure that his angel had been spoiling him accordingly. Their food, which often involved new experiments before, had been dialed back to almost exclusively Adachi’s utmost favorites. His bento boxes got even neater somehow. There was dessert every single day, sometimes both for lunch and dinner. Most weekends when Adachi woke up, Kurosawa was already smiling innocently in his apron and muttering a throwaway line or two about how he couldn’t sleep and instead decided to do literally all of their household chores before making breakfast.

The little things. Or more like, the absolutely fucking massive things that kept Adachi up and running even when he should be crashing and burning by all accounts.

“You’re already done with the dishes?” He asked, surprised to step out of the bathroom to a dark and quiet apartment.

“Mhm. I hurried, I didn’t want to keep you up.”

“Thank you,” Adachi smiled, turning the air conditioning down to a low hum and pausing at the bedroom door. The moonlight was pouring in through the window, basking Kurosawa’s wings in gentle light that seemed to spill over like waterfalls of milk as the angel sat up, reaching a hand out to Adachi.

“Are you coming to bed, Adachi?”

“Yeah, just … wait …”

There was something so calming about the sight of Kurosawa waiting for him on their bed. Some of their moving boxes were still scattered around the bedroom unpacked, they’ve just been catching up to life one day at a time, and maybe that was why it never occurred to him, but …

“Adachi? Is everything okay?”

“Y-Yeah … just, eh … scold me next time, alright? Don’t let me forget things like that!” Adachi climbed into bed, feeling ashamed. “I can’t believe I forgot!”

“... forgot? What?”

“I’ll make time this weekend to unpack the rest of these,” Adachi sighed, looking at the boxes. “And then we can order that beanbag I promised you.”

“Oh … that.”

“Yeah. I’m sorry I forgot about you, Kurosawa. I didn’t mean to!”

“... it’s okay.”

“But why didn’t you ask?”

He leaned his head on Kurosawa’s chest, and soon found himself enveloped by a strong pair of arms and wings that kept him warm all through winter and cooled him down now during the summer. He’d forgotten that the whole point of this was to give Kurosawa more room … it’s just been a routine for so long, to be crammed together in bed … Adachi got used to it.

“You were busy with everything as is,” Kurosawa added after a while. “I didn’t mind waiting.”

“I’m still sorry.”

“Don’t be.”

But he was.

“I’m sorry,” he repeated, clutching onto Kurosawa’s feathers. “I’m sorry. Ever since we came here, you’ve been spoiling me with everything, and I-”

“Don’t be.”

It was quiet. Gentle. More like a plea rather than an order or an empty platitude.

“Adachi, I need to apologize. I lied to you.”

“H-Huh?”

“It’s not true that I didn’t mind waiting. I absolutely minded waiting, because … I don’t want to sleep on a beanbag. I want to sleep here. I was hoping you forgot … I apologize.”

“You … you want to sleep on the bed?”

“Yes.”

Good. That was good. So he didn’t actually neglect his angel, that was good. Or weird, maybe? Adachi wasn’t quite sure what he was feeling. He was tired from work, and overwhelmed with the realization that he forgot his promise to Kurosawa, and just now staring down some other torrent of feelings that cascaded on him retroactively at the thought of their sleeping arrangements changing all of a sudden.

“Unless I’m in the way?”

“H-huh?”

“I’m asking if I’m in the way, Adachi,” Kurosawa softly explained, brushing a strand of Adachi’s hair back behind his ear. “If you need more space on the bed, I can-”

“No!”

For a moment, Adachi didn’t recognize himself. His voice was hoarse, and his hands turned to claws that dug and pulled at Kurosawa’s wings in one fell swoop, yanking out a few feathers in the process. No, no, no, no, no! Kurosawa was the one thing holding him together every night, literally and figuratively, there were entire meetings and days and sometimes weeks that Adachi only got through with the image of Kurosawa waiting for him at the back of his mind, the solace of sinking into his embrace when all was said and done, this calmness that he only ever felt with him, this, this, this!

“Adachi …”

“No … n-no … I’m sorry … please.”

“Adachi, it’s okay.”

“I’m so stressed right now, I can’t deal with changes, can we just … can we just stay?”

“Of course. Adachi, I don’t want things to change either. Not now, not here, not wherever we are next … please let me hold you.”

“M-mhm …”

“You’re safest here anyway.”

“Yeah …”

“And it’s my job to keep you safe.”

“Mhm.”

“You belong here. It’s okay …”

Yeah. Kurosawa was right. He did belong there. This was … just … the only thing that made sense. It was weird his other angels weren’t like this, if anything … wanting to hold onto him to make sure he was safe, it made sense … but he probably wouldn’t let them do it … wouldn’t let anyone else … just … Kurosawa …

“Goodnight … Kiyoshi.”

It felt like a dream, being with him. Of course Adachi was safest here.

Kurosawa watched in silence as Adachi drifted off to sleep, wondering what in heaven’s good graces just happened. He’d been fearing the ‘well now we have the apartment we wanted, off to sleep alone you go’ conversation ever since they’d moved here. Obviously not on the first night, the place was full of boxes almost wall to wall, and then they were immediately busy unpacking and getting integrated into the team, and then work picked up almost right away, but … sometime amidst all that, Kurosawa was certain it would happen. He’d deliberately been avoiding unpacking any boxes in the bedroom that they didn’t immediately need, but Adachi hadn’t said anything about making space for Kurosawa to go away either - until tonight, at least.

And Kurosawa expected he’d have to fake enthusiasm, just because Adachi was so happy to finally make this happen for him, but then … Adachi didn’t seem enthusiastic about it either? And he let Kurosawa stay in his bed? Maybe they should talk about it. Kurosawa wanted to clear things up, to make sure Adachi didn’t think Kurosawa was ungrateful or anything … he just wanted to be with him.

So he got up extra early the next day, and unpacked all the boxes with summer clothes they haven’t taken out yet, and moved the rest to the storage room, and made Adachi’s favorite breakfast, and colored the rice in his bento in the shape of a dragon to make him smile later in the day.

“... morning …”

“Good morning, Adachi.”

“.... hm? Kurosawa, where did all the-”

“I unpacked your clothes and put them in the closet. The rest is in storage. I haven’t vacuumed because your sleep is very light around this hour and I didn’t want to wake you up, but I’ll do it once we’re back home if it’s not too late.”

“Oh … so you’re … going to sleep on your own?”

“I can if you’d like me to,” Kurosawa smiled, bowing his head. “I know how important it’s been for you to give me enough space to stretch my wings. I know all this, all the hardship you’re going through with this job … I know it’s all because of me. I’m eternally grateful to you for that, Adachi. I will happily take the beanbag if it would make you happy, if you’d like to have a physical reminder of how far you’ve come … but … if I may think of myself for a moment longer, even after you’ve already done so much … Adachi, I’d really prefer it if we just … stayed.”

“The way we are right now?”

“Yes. I am comfortable, and happy, and-”

“Me too. I’d prefer that too!”

“Ah … then it’s good. Then we’re all good,” Kurosawa smiled, plating Adachi’s omelet and fussing about getting the acidity of the tomato sauce exactly how Adachi liked it.

“... you said you’d … hold me anyway, d-didn’t you?”

“Yes. Yes, Adachi, of course I did.”

Acidity but forgotten, he stepped away from the stove to pull the yawning, bedhead-ridden Adachi into his arms and hug him just like he did the night before, and hopefully would do all the nights in the future.

“I feel safe here,” Adachi mumbled, leaning into Kurosawa’s embrace. “I need you …”

“I’m here, Adachi. I’m here.”

“I don’t think I could sleep if … if …”

“Me neither.”

“I’d be too scared.”

“So would I.”

“So let’s just … let’s just stay … Kurosawa, stay with me!”

“I’ll stay … thank you, Adachi. I wouldn’t want to leave anyway. Even to a different part of the room, I wouldn’t want … I want to be with you.”

“Me too … hey, is something burning?”

It was the first time that Kurosawa burnt something while cooking - but Adachi didn’t seem to mind.

Chapter Text

“Hey, Watanabe-san. Can we talk for a minute?”

“Adachi-san? Mhm, sup?”

“This can’t go on like this. It’s the third time I’m asking you not to smoke in the break room.”

“Ah … eh, yeah, that again …”

“Don’t give me that again. It is causing trouble for the rest of the staff. We can’t work as a team if we don’t look out for each other! You can smoke at the back exit behind the store until the smoking booth is built.”

“But it’s hot as balls out there, man, I’ll get a heatstroke …”

“And Sakazaki-san has already gotten a migraine from the scent and the smoke in the breakroom. We are not having this conversation again, Watanabe-san. Either you find another place to smoke, or we’ll have to let you go.”

“Fine, fine … I get it, fine …”

“Wow … he’s so … intense sometimes,” Sakazaki sighed quietly, watching their exchange from the other end of the store. “Don’t you think so, Minne?”

“Very determined, I agree,” her angel nodded.

“He doesn’t look like it at all … but of course the Tokyo office wouldn’t send just anyone! I’m embarrassed that I doubted him, he’s such a great boss! I had no idea he’d be so harsh with Watanabe-san for my sake … he really is so caring! He looks out for everyone.”

“Must have gotten it from Kurosawa-san,” Minne shrugged. “The way that guy’s running around, it puts the rest of us to shame sometimes.”

“Are you friendly with Kurosawa-san?”

“Not really … I think if you’re working with Yanagita-san at the store, I should get along with her angel well, and she doesn’t seem to like Kurosawa-san all that much.”

“Really? Why?”

“Something about boundaries, I think. She’s older, so … a bit more rigid in some aspects.”

“Right, gotcha …”

“Still, it’s not like Kurosawa-san would make time for me even if I tried,” Minne chuckled. “He is absolutely devoted to the job. He’s a bit younger than me, I think. Might be one of his first assignments, so he probably wants to do everything really well.”

“Right … too bad.”

“Hm? Why?”

“Well I was thinking … only hypothetically, right …” She sighed, glancing over at Adachi again as she lowered her voice. “I was thinking you could … if you talked with Kurosawa-san sometimes, maybe you could … you know?”

“Sakazaki Yunna-chan, how dare you!” Minne jokingly scolded her with an amused look.

“I didn’t even say anything!”

“Yunna-chan, he is your boss!”

“But only for these six months, no?”

“And then he’s going back to Tokyo.”

“I’m open to moving!”

“For him?”

“... well maybe, I dunno,” she shrugged, her eyes landing on Adachi again. “It’s not like … the end of the world or anything. I just think he’s really caring and kinda cute, and … I like that. You think he’d make a good husband?”

“Honey I’m just a guardian, if I had information on every human ever, I’d already choose you one,” Minne sighed, gently petting Sakazaki’s head. “But alright, we can look into Adachi-san a little bit! Hey, that’s pretty exciting actually. It’s been years since you last had a crush on someone!”

“Has it really been that long?”

“You’re not even denying it’s a crush.”

“... I guess … but don’t tell him! Or Kurosawa-san!”

“I won’t.”

Not that Kurosawa wouldn’t know immediately anyway. There’d be no other reason for that kinda conversation between two angels after all.

“Kurosawa-san, hello. I see Adachi is enjoying his lunch in the break room with everyone today?”

“He is. He has just enough time to sit down and have a proper meal in peace, I’m really happy for him.”

“Yes, I’m happy for Yunna-chan too. This is her first reliable job in a while, she’s been out and about in a few places but nothing stuck. Toyokawa is such a great company to work for though, I’m sure she’ll stay around! Especially with someone like Adachi-san there to support her.”

“He really is an excellent boss, isn’t he? I’m really proud of him, for his first time, he’s putting on such an incredible performance!”

“Does he often get absorbed in work like that?”

“Oh, no, not at all. It’s all too much honestly, we miss our calmer Tokyo life a lot. But it’s important to see this through to the end.”

“Ah, so he’s a more laid back type, huh?”

“I don’t know if I’d say laid back. He’s very dedicated and gets things done when he wants to! I’ve always admired that about him.”

“So what kinda person would you say he is?”

“Heartfelt. Kind and caring. Responsible for himself and sensitive to other people’s feelings. Insecure and doubtful at times, but working really hard to not be so, and he’s making great progress. Good with numbers, and details, and spotting tiny errors that slip past everyone, but humble enough to rarely take the credit or raise a fuss about people filling out their forms better so that he wouldn’t need to fix them in the first place. He’s so full of gratitude for the tiniest things, it makes his eyes sparkle whenever I go the extra mile to care for him, and I think that’s really beautiful. He likes sweets, especially a sweeter breakfast, but will eat just about anything, and is open to trying new food. He’s modest and frugal, but knows how to spend his money in order to be happy and have a little bit left to put in savings at the end of each month too. Oh and he loves battleships, that’s why he bought us these!”

“The matching pins? Yes, I’ve noticed those … you’ve kept them in really great condition, I figured they’d be more worn out if you’d carry them everywhere for so long …”

“I know, I’m really worried about that too. It’s only been a few months, and mine’s already gotten a tiny scratch from who knows what. The human world is truly unforgiving.”

“Oh, these are new?”

“The pins? No, we got them on Adachi’s birthday in March!”

“I see … I thought they were like, a childhood keepsake or something. Isn’t it a little bit … strange like that?”

“Strange? What would be strange?”

“I didn’t know humans still did such things with their angels once they were adults. It seems somewhat childish, no?”

“It is not childish. We shared a wonderful day together enjoying Adachi’s favorite hobby, and he bought these for us to remember the occasion. It is very thoughtful and caring of him, I don’t know how that could possibly be childish. Please think better before making such comments.”

Kurosawa was usually extremely friendly with everyone - but all of a sudden, he turned completely ice cold. Any negative comments about Adachi seemed completely off the table, huh?

“Uh, uhm … yes, I apologize. It wasn’t my place to say, I am sorry about that.”

“It’s alright. We all make mistakes.”

“So … well, since we’re on the topic, is there anything you’d like to know about Yunna-chan?”

“Oh, you’re welcome to tell me anything you’d like! I really get it since I’ve been with Adachi, talking about our humans is so fun! So yes, absolutely, go ahead, I’d like to hear all of it!”

He seemed happy to listen to just about anything, but at the same time … he also didn’t ask about anything. Nor did he comment on anything. Minne found it strange, and wondered what she would tell Yunna-chan about their conversation afterwards. She did get a lot of new information about Adachi, but Kurosawa didn’t seem interested in connecting the two in any way whatsoever. He looked pretty sharp on first impression, but could it be … could it be that Kurosawa was actually a little bit dense? Well, with an angel like that, no wonder Adachi was still single at his age. But Minne was certain she could make that work in her human’s favor somehow.

“We’re home before eight for the first time in a week! I can’t believe it!” Adachi smiled, taking in a deep breath as they got back to their apartment. “Man, this was a good day. Kurosawa, let’s have the leftovers and watch a movie!”

“Sounds great! I’m glad you’re having a good time, Adachi!”

“I am! Putting my foot down with Watanabe-san was scary, but you know what, I’m really proud of myself for it!”

“So am I! Adachi, you were incredible out there.”

“Eh, I kinda had to. I mean, Sakazaki-san had to take a day off because of her migraine, we can’t have that! And she seemed really happy to have someone looking out for her, I think that’s important.”

“Yes, I think she likes you as a boss,” Kurosawa nodded. “Her angel mentioned it today.”

“Oh, Minne-san did? You two have been talking?”

“Not really. But I had some time today when you were having lunch, so we chatted a bit. She’s really nice! I told her lots of things about you, she seemed really interested. I always love it when I get to tell others about my amazing Adachi!”

“Now I worry what you’re telling Rokkaku when I’m not listening,” Adachi laughed.

“What? Nothing, I swear! Or, I mean, all the good things, of course.”

“I’ll try not to think about it, probably for the best. Will you get the plates out? I’ll just finish up something real quick, and then I’m all yours.”

“I can’t wait! Do you still have work left to do?”

“Not really,” Adachi shook his head, sitting down with his bag and taking out the laptop. “Just gotta sign these contracts and get them faxed, specifically faxed, they don’t even read their emails it turns out.”

“I heard Kusumoto-san mention something about that. Is it really worth it doing business with such a bothersome company?”

“Well they’re local,” Adachi shrugged. “Supporting local businesses is important to be well received by the community. And besides … it’s that handcrafted stationery shop we went to check out last week, remember?”

“Oh, that one? Okay, I get it - their items were beautiful!”

“Right? I totally gotta get an exclusive contract with them! Then I can buy their stuff with my employee discount,” he laughed, filling out the details on the proposal.

“Is there anything in particular you’d like?”

“Don’t ask me that now, we’re still in our budget arc. We can splurge after we know what’s up with that promotion once we’re back home. And after we know what our new rent will be.”

“You’re so responsible,” Kurosawa sighed. “I really love that about you. But you should treat yourself sometimes, Adachi!”

“Well, I’m treating myself to a wonderful evening with you right after- ah, really? Now?”

“What happened?”

“My pen ran out mid-signature,” Adachi grumbled, looking for another in his bag. “Nope, that was the only one. Kurosawa, do we-”

“One’s in the bathroom, top shelf.”

“Why is there a pen in the bathroom?”

“I have no idea, it was in one of the boxes we packed for the bathroom.”

“I’m guessing Rokkaku packed that one?”

“Probably.”

They both laughed, and Kurosawa let the sounds echo in his heart long after their apartment was quiet again. Maybe Adachi had a point - maybe he should talk to other angels more! It was fun talking about Adachi, and he didn’t mind hearing about other humans either. That seemed fair enough for a work chat, did it not?

Well, he could always figure that out later. For now, he had something else to worry about …

Chapter Text

“Hey, Minne-san, could I ask you for a favor?”

“Of course! Anything you need, Kurosawa-san. Happy to help!”

“Okay, so, Adachi has a meeting for the next two hours in the conference room upstairs, and I really need to run an errand in the meantime, so could you watch over him for a little bit?”

“No problem. Should I tell him you’re-”

“Nope, no, nothing like that, just work stuff. Just tell him I had to do some admin, he’ll understand.”

“Oh, okay. Well, he’s all mine then!”

“For two hours. Or more like an hour, it shouldn’t take that long. But thank you, really!”

This was very conveniently the least likely time for Adachi to notice his absence. But Kurosawa still felt almost dizzy and lightheaded flying away from him, so he did his best to make this quick. Up to heaven, admin hall, left hallway, third floor and - he sure hoped he remembered that from training - second cloud on the right?

“Excuse me? Is this the finance office?”

“Yes! How may I help you?”

“I’d like to file an expenses claim for Adachi Kiyoshi.”

“Mhm … hmm, and you are Kurosawa-san?”

“Yes, right, that’s me.”

“Let’s see … oh, is this the first time you’re using your allowance?”

“Yes.”

“Noted … mhm … please state the item or service you will be purchasing, total amount and the reason for purchase.”

“Two ball point pens, sixty-eight thousand yen, for-”

“Sixty-eight thousand yen for two pens!?”

“Yes. They are one of a kind, handcrafted artisan stationery by a local designer we are working with.”

“And you need these because …”

“For Adachi’s mental and emotional wellbeing.”

“Well that is … that is … a justifiable cause, most certainly, but it’s still a bit much all at once. We can’t go generating money willy-nilly like that, you know?”

“I know,” Kurosawa nodded. “I absolutely understand it must go through the proper channels.”

“But it is true that you’ve never used any of your allowance before … usually everyone has a claim or two, the average is about 1.7 per human and you’re well below that, so … mhm, I think we can approve that. It should be alright, yes.”

“Really? Oh, thank you so much!”

“You can pick up the bank notes on the first floor. If you’ll be making the purchase by yourself, they can also give you a temporary card to communicate with the shopkeeper.”

“That would be wonderful! Thank you so much! Thank you so, so, so much!”

So there he was: flying back to earth with a neatly folded yet methodically crumpled sixty-eight thousand yen in one hand, and a thin piece of pastel-blue cardboard in the other. For a moment, he worried that he might have gone too far with such a spurious purchase, but … this was the first time he felt like he could do something like this, and Adachi absolutely deserved it!

So he returned to the shop they visited the week before, and took his time browsing around until he spotted what he’d been looking for: a set of two pens in deep rosewood casing, perfectly carved with rose gold details and a small inlaid ruby at the front. The little wooden box they came in was similarly ornate, complete with a plush crimson bow on the front. It was beautiful - just like Adachi.

Hello. I am an angel looking to purchase one of your beautiful items for my human. I’d like the ruby pen set from the top left display please.

“An angel all by yourself, huh?” The old shopkeeper stared at the card, fixing her glasses. “Never had that before in seventy years! Incredible, of course, we’ll get you served right away, let me get the key … so what’s the occasion?”

A gift.

“And they’ve sent you shopping, huh? Kids these days … back in my day, we treated you a lot better, you know? We did, we sure did.”

It was only then that Kurosawa realized she must have misunderstood: this wasn’t for Adachi to give to someone else, this was a gift for Adachi! But maybe it was better that way … maybe he shouldn’t let other humans know that angels can sometimes buy expensive gifts like that.

Thank you. The money is all here, it should be enough.

“Indeed, thank you very much. Pleasure doing business with you! Haha, my husband won’t believe I’ve sold something to an angel today, I’m sure! Thank you for stopping by! Have a good day!”

Lovely lady, all things considered. A bit judgemental, but alright, that wasn’t Kurosawa’s problem to worry about. No, what he had to do was get rid of the card - that went in paper recycling, hopefully - and then hurry back to Adachi’s side. When he returned to the new Toyokawa location, the meeting was still in progress since he hadn’t even been gone for an hour, which was good. Plus it seemed that Yunna-chan sat next to Adachi anyway, so he didn’t have to feel bad about burdening Minne-san with any extra work. Perfect! Everything was just … perfect.

“Kurosawa! Hey, you’re back … is everything alright?”

“Yes, I didn’t even know you knew I was gone … ?”

“I was looking for you during the meeting, and Sakazaki-san slipped me a note that you asked Minne-san to look out for me because you had an errand?”

“Mhm. Had to stop in heaven for some admin, everything is fine.”

“You’re not getting reassigned, are you!?”

“Absolutely not. I wouldn’t let them.”

“Good … okay, oh … I got scared for a moment.”

“I’m sorry, Adachi. I’m really sorry. In the future, I’ll tell you before I leave, I promise … so how did the meeting go?”

“Beautifully! The only thing we’re missing is the wallpaper, but Kusumoto-san volunteered to examine our options and see what we can do tomorrow. And get that, he’s also banded everyone together to insist I must clock out after the meeting today!”

“Yup!” Kusumoto joined them, patting Adachi on the back and staring towards Kurosawa’s direction, just a good head and a half too low. “Way too much overtime, don’t you agree, Kurosawa-san! I feel like we should cut our Adachi-san a break before we all experience your wrath! So he’s supposed to go home right now and take the rest of the day off!”

“Thank you so much, Kusumoto-san! I’ll just-”

“Noooo, I got the order forms and the afternoon delivery.”

“And the-”

“ And the warehouse! You get your butt home, Adachi-san. Get some ice cream or enjoy the beach!”

“Fine, fine, we’re going. Thank you so much, really! I’ll see you tomorrow then!”

“Absolutely not before seven!”

“But-”

“I said absolutely not, Adachi-san!”

“Alright, alright. Seven thirty then?”

“Sounds good!”

“I really think they like me!” Adachi happily mumbled to himself as he headed to the office to grab his things. “I’ll order a taxi so I guess-”

“Don’t.”

“Huh?”

“Let me take you home,“ Kurosawa mumbled, sloping his arms over Adachi’s shoulders. “Or somewhere else. Wanna go to the beach?”

“Depends. Do you have sunscreen magic too?”

“I can protect you from the sun, yes,” Kurosawa nodded.

“... then let’s go. That sounds fun!”

It was only their second time flying together. Kurosawa made sure to take it nice and slow, opting for a slight detour along the coast so Adachi could enjoy the view of all the little boats, and a huge cruise liner somewhere on the horizon.

“Is that also a cool boat?”

“Not really,” Adachi sighed. “Too many people. But as a boat on its own, hell yeah! That’s a massive hotel on the ocean, that’s really cool.”

“I see …”

“And you wouldn’t catch me dead on there, but like … a fun boat is better than a war boat. So I’m glad that’s what we see nowadays, and I hope it stays that way.”

“Me too. I hope you have a long, peaceful and fun life, Adachi!”

“I’m having all of that right now with you! Which beach are we going to?”

“I was thinking the one closest to our apartment, sounds good?”

“Yes!”

There weren’t any people around, so Kurosawa didn’t even have to worry about carefully making Adachi visible again. He sat in the sand and watched as Adachi took off his shoes and carefully rolled up his pants to dip his toes in the water, running around and splashing water towards Kurosawa.

“Aren’t you coming?”

“I thought I was keeping your things safe?”

“There’s no one here. Come on!”

He could never say no to Adachi’s outstretched hand. He left the bag and shoes in the sand, and ran towards Adachi, almost toppling him into the water at the last moment. They splashed around together, heading deeper into the water, getting the cuffs of Adachi’s pants wet as they threw water at each other.

“This is so unfair! You’ve got two built-in shields that are also waterproof!” Adachi laughed as Kurosawa blocked the water with his wing yet again.

“But you have a smaller surface area for me to hit,” Kurosawa shrugged, scooping up water and landing some of it on Adachi’s shoulder almost effortlessly.

“Are you using your angel magic for this or are you just a natural?”

“No magic! Am I doing well, Adachi?”

“Annoyingly so. Ever played this before?”

“No.”

“Do you like it?”

“A lot!”

“Then I’m your first victim! I’ll take that, I guess.”

Adachi was a lot of Kurosawa’s firsts. All the ones that mattered, at least. First kind human, first happiness, first love. His first Adachi. His only Adachi … because there was only one after all.

“We should do this again sometime,” Adachi sighed, splashing some water at his own face to cool down before heading out of the water. “Maybe on an evening when it’s less hot. Can you repel mosquitos too?”

“I can,” Kurosawa nodded, following him.

“Good. Just for the beach trip, obviously. I know I can’t bother you for those things all the time. We should find an apartment with one of those mesh screens on the window when we’re back home, can you remember that for me?”

“I’ll remember. It’s my apartment too,” Kurosawa smiled.

“Yeah but they don’t sting you,” Adachi lamented, plopping down on the sand and catching his breath. “Which I frankly envy you even now … ahh, I feel like I’m overheating.”

“Come here.”

Adachi found himself pulled into Kurosawa’s lap, and surrounded by feathers. Soon enough, his body felt cool and relaxed again, as if he hadn’t just been running out in the sun for a while.

“Thank you … ah, this is perfect,” he sighed, resting his head on Kurosawa’s shoulder and closing his eyes.

“Adachi … can I give you something?”

“Hm? Like what?” He asked, lifting his head again.

“I got you a gift,” Kurosawa smiled, pulling out the pen box and showing it to Adachi.

“You … what?”

“Your pen just stopped working, and you said you couldn’t splurge on this, but I know you really like this kinda stuff, so-”

“You didn’t steal it, right!?!”

“Oh, of course not. We can get some expenses authorized by the admin office,” Kurosawa explained. “I’ve never asked for anything before, so they approved this.”

“You … for me?”

“Yes. Please open it!”

Adachi carefully untied the bow, letting it fall down and slip off of Kurosawa’s leg onto the sand. Inside the box were two beautiful pens, shining bright in the afternoon sun and feeling like way too much for Adachi to accept. He felt like he should refuse. But he couldn’t.

He rested his head on Kurosawa’s shoulder again, pressing his forehead into Kurosawa’s neck. “They’re matching?”

“Mhm. I thought we could … not that I have anything to write down, but-”

“You can write our shopping lists,” Adachi smiled, taking out one of the pens and clutching it to his chest. “And draw our apartment plans. Oh, and remember that time you wrote a Ragna review when we first read it together? I loved that, you should do that again for some other manga too!”

“Thank you …”

“Kurosawa, let’s share this. I want to find lots of opportunities to use these pens together with you!”

“Me too,” Kurosawa nodded, picking up the other pen.

They both had the same idea of lifting them up towards the sun to catch the light in the crimson gemstone. Their hands bumped against each other, reaching out into the sky each holding their own pen.

Kurosawa didn’t pull away.

And neither did Adachi.

Chapter Text

Adachi received lots of compliments on his new pen in the next few days, but nothing made him happier than Kusumoto-san noticing that the same pen had also been floating behind Adachi in mid-air at times.

“Does Kurosawa-san have the same pen?”

“Yes! It was a gift,” Adachi nodded, smiling wide.

“That’s so nice of you! I saw you had matching pins too, is it a tradition?”

“We could make it one! I like to have matching things with someone who means a lot to me … haha, that’s special, isn’t it?”

“Sure is!” Kusumoto nodded. “That’s probably why it’s so hard to pick wedding rings, isn’t it?”

“Oh, are you thinking of proposing to your girlfriend, Kusumoto-san?”

“Maybe after the store is open … if she won’t dump me until then! She’s so supportive, really … a saint. I’m one lucky man, I still can’t believe it.”

“I know what you mean,” Adachi nodded.

“... you do?”

“Yeah. I can’t believe I got so lucky to have Kurosawa either!”

“Ah … I see. That’s … kinda funny,” Kusumoto chuckled. “Adachi-san,  you’re totally married to the job, aren’t you?”

“Eh? What? No, definitely not …”

“Well it’s all you ever talk about! That and Kurosawa-san, of course.”

“... what else would I talk about?”

“See? Exactly my point!”

“Uh … okay?”

“Don’t worry about it,” Kusumoto smiled, patting him on the back. “It’s a good thing for some people. Seems to work fine for you!”

“I guess … uhm, thank you. Can you handle that delivery for me in ten minutes by the way?”

“I’ll get right on it!”

Adachi sighed, watching him run out of the office. “Kurosawa, I’m not a workaholic, am I?”

“I don’t think so. I think he just has a strange sense of humor. But I’m glad he noticed we were matching!”

“Yeah, me too,” Adachi smiled, organizing his desk a little bit. “Hey, wanna go to the beach again this weekend?”

“I’d love to.”

“I’ll buy actual sunscreen this time. And we can go in the evening. And-”

“I can make bentos for us and we can have a little picnic?”

“Exactly what I was gonna say! You really are …”

“Yes?”

“Just right for me,” Adachi finished his sentence by calling Kurosawa perfect in the most roundabout way.

“You too. Also, this weekend we’ll be halfway through the business trip!”

“What!? Don’t freak me out like that, we don’t have any time left!” Adachi yelped, looking at his calendar.

“We still have three months. And most of the progress is on schedule!”

“Now that we got the wallpaper situation sorted, maybe … still, now it’s time to start pushing the marketing more … nope, you know what, I won’t bother. Saving that for next week, there’s enough to do this week already. I have so many faxes to send, ugh …”

“Can I help with anything?”

“Just stay beside me,” Adachi sighed, sitting down in his chair.

“I’ll do you one better,” Kurosawa followed him and landed as a dove on his lap.

“Oh, you … ah … I needed this.”

His fingers sunk deep between the feathers, and Kurosawa was soon pressed close to his chest, where he remained for the rest of the day. Sometimes because he was holding on with his own dove wings, and other times because Adachi was holding him up while talking on the phone, or typing with only one hand.

“Thank you so much, Kurosawa.“

“It’s nothing. I needed this too. I’m so happy to be with you, Adachi.”

“How’s my blood pressure doing during these calls by the way?”

“Moderately elevated.”

“It’s only because of you that I’m not in the hospital yet,” Adachi laughed, rubbing the feathers on the dove’s head. “What a cutie … you really are adorable like this … I mean … usually too, just … I like birds.”

“I like- I like birds too.”

“Is it comfortable being one?”

“For a little bit. If I can be with you, anything is comfortable!”

“You should be more demanding, you know,” Adachi rolled his eyes. “But don’t worry, just eight more emails and then you can relax at home again.”

“I can’t wait,” Kurosawa sighed, nudging his head against Adachi’s stomach to find a comfortable resting spot in his lap.

The sounds of Adachi typing were almost rhythmic, calming Kurosawa down as he closed his eyes. He wondered what it would be like to take a nap right here and now, while Adachi was awake, looking over him. He thought Adachi was the most beautiful in his sleep, would Adachi think the same about Kurosawa if he could ever see him sleeping?

Not that he could, but still. Kurosawa could dream, even when awake.

“Uhm … Adachi-san? Do you have a minute?”

“Sakazaki-san? Of course, come in. He’s not smoking again, is he?!”

“Ah, no,” she smiled politely, closing the office door behind her. “This is about … a different matter entirely.”

“I see. Would you like to sit down?”

“No, it’s okay! I didn’t even think I’d still find you here, it’s already late … do you always work so late?”

“It’s not even seven,” Adachi shrugged, glancing at the clock. “We’ve only got three months left, so … I have to stay on top of things, to make sure everyone’s hard work pushes us to the finish line.”

“Will you really be going back to Tokyo after the store is open?”

“Yes. They might prolong my transfer if needed, I don’t have the final information yet. But I’m sure Kusumoto-san will be more than capable as the manager once I’m gone!”

“Are you looking forward to going home? Anything … special waiting for you in Tokyo?”

“Hopefully a reasonable promotion,” Adachi awkwardly smiled. “And looking for a new apartment, I ended the lease on my last one.”

“But not … anyone special you’re looking to see again?”

“You mean the friend I mentioned when we were talking about what to put in the book section? I haven’t seen him in a while, we’ve both been busy. But I don’t really meet up with anyone that much. I’ll probably go visit family once I’m back, but that’s it.”

“Well that’s … nice,” she smiled at him, nervously fixing her hair. “Adachi-san, I know this might be sudden, but like you said, we only have three months left, and I don’t want to miss the opportunity! I’ve been really happy to work with you, and you’ve shown me what it’s like to have someone who looks out for me, someone I can rely on … so if you would consider going out with me, I would be really happy!”

“Uh … what?”

“I obviously understand the circumstances, and I don’t mind waiting until you no longer work at this branch, but I hoped we could still go on a few dates before that … because I really like you, Adachi-san.”

“Oh.”

He was pretty sure she said something else after that. Something about hating to put him on the spot, and waiting for his answer, and wishing him goodnight. Hopefully Kurosawa was listening if there was anything important, because Adachi absolutely wasn’t.

He didn’t know what he was feeling.

In fact, he wasn’t feeling anything.

Which was why he didn’t notice that Kurosawa had gone completely limp in his hands, propped up against Adachi’s stomach like a wounded bird that’s been shot from the sky. Kurosawa had so many thoughts, so many thoughts, so many thoughts and absolutely no way to organize them.

It was just a matter of time.

Yunna-chan was a nice person.

It was just-

-she was-

- time.

It was just too soon. She was alright. Probably. Maybe. Who knows. Kurosawa didn’t know. Was that why Minne-san talked to him so often lately. He didn’t know. All the stuff she told him about Yunna-chan. He didn’t remember. He thought they were just pleasantries. He didn’t really listen. He wanted to tell other angels about Adachi, that was all. It was too soon. Just a matter of time. Too soon.

Surely, another human would one day see how lovely Adachi was.

He knew. He knew this whole time. He knew this whole time. He knew this whole time. Adachi was the most wonderful man on Earth. It was a miracle no one was in love with him yet. But now they were. Did Adachi like her. Kurosawa didn’t know. It was just a matter of time.

Adachi wasn’t his.

Never been. Never would be. Why did it hurt so much. Why couldn’t he move. Kiyoshi wasn’t his. Kurosawa almost believed him. Believed they’d spend his life together. Believed the silly pessimism Adachi had gotten used to in all these years. But of course it wasn’t true. It couldn’t be.

Why did it hurt so much.

Amidst the tsunami of despair, Kurosawa found himself moved up onto the desk. He stared in a daze as Adachi picked up his things, closed his bag, grabbed Kurosawa again and held him close as he left the office. He didn’t say anything. Didn’t get a taxi. Just walked. All the way to the station. Kurosawa tried to listen for his heartbeat. He couldn’t hear it. His own was too loud.

He still had a wish, didn’t he.

There was a moment.

Just a moment.

What lengths he would go to just to stay with Adachi. He was an utterly horrible, selfish person. He didn’t know angels could hate. Right now, he felt like he did - hate himself. He shouldn’t get in Adachi’s way. He still had a wish though. If he doesn’t lose it once the higher ups catch wind of his horrible thoughts. He still had a wish. And they owed him a vacation. What was half a century to an angel. Nothing.

That’s all he would ask.

The rest of Adachi’s life to himself. So that he can stay with him. Alone. Just to watch on the sidelines. Just to see him happy. Just to help. If he ever needs it. If there is ever something Yunna-chan can’t do for him. If he could ever use an angel even once he’s in love. Or even if not. Even just to watch. Even just that. Just to be near him.

Was that too much to ask for.

Chapter Text

Adachi knew he was on a train, but not much past that. He figured that was enough. If he went on the wrong train, Kurosawa would have stopped him.

Right. Kurosawa.

Was he saying anything? Adachi couldn’t hear. The last thing he heard was “I really like you, Adachi-san.” Everything past that was just static in his ears. Even now, that sentence felt like it was beating on his eardrum like a sledgehammer.

He’d been waiting.

For thirty years.

He’d been waiting … this whole time … he’d been waiting … right?

He’d been waiting.

For twenty-nine years and seven months, give or take.

But then he met Kurosawa.

And then he lived.

Now it suddenly happened, and he didn’t know what to do with it.

Part of him was happy. But not in any way that mattered. Happy, the way he was when he got socks as a present from his grandma on his fifteenth birthday. Happy, because he had to be. Happy, because it was improper not to be.

Most of him was just numb though.

It finally happened. And not in a dream, and not in his imagination, and not in an opportune misconception or some horribly twisted miscommunication. It finally happened, extremely direct and to the point in a way that even a socially inept thirty year old virgin couldn’t miss if he tried.

But he did try.

Even right now, he was still trying.

What happens to a confession if you just … don’t let it happen? If he gets off this train tonight and never says another word and walks until he hits a wall or gets lost in the ocean … what happens? Does the world reset? Does it get erased? If he doesn’t do anything, is it like it never happened? If he sits still and doesn’t move and just lets life go past him …

He’d always been rejected. He’d never rejected anyone.

Even that much made him terrified.

Right. That’s what that feeling was.

Most of him was terrified. But not in any way that made sense. Terrified, in a way one might be after telling grandma her gift kinda sucked. Terrified, because … ?

Because he wouldn’t be a good partner and Sakazaki-san would soon realize that and dump him. And then who knows if he could even get Kurosawa back- oh.

Right. Kurosawa.

He looked down in panic, wondering if the dove was still there or if he’d somehow dropped him without realizing, and he was, he was, he was, he was there, Kurosawa was … there.

He wasn’t saying anything. Or maybe Adachi still couldn’t hear him. Probably the latter. But he could see him. And feel him, some feeling was coming back to the tips of his fingers, he could feel Kurosawa in his hands. He lifted him up, smothered his face into the dove’s belly, and cried.

On a workday evening. In a not so empty train.

He held Kurosawa, and he sobbed his lungs out.

All of him was terrified. In every way and any way and all the ways, he didn’t care anymore. Terrified. Terrified! Terrified!

In a way one might be if they had everything and it was about to be ripped away from them.

Right. Kurosawa.

That’s why he left the office. That’s why he grabbed Kurosawa and left the office. He had to get away, had to get him away from her. Away from Sakazaki-san. Away from her feelings. If it even worked that way. He wasn’t sure anymore. Maybe it was too late. Maybe Kurosawa was already gone. No, he was still there. But the train was gone.

They were in their bedroom.

The lights were out.

He wasn’t holding Kurosawa anymore. Kurosawa was holding him. He’d been crying into his shirt, not his feathers.

Adachi didn’t remember getting here. Maybe he took a taxi after all. Maybe the train was a hallucination. His mind was full of terror right now. Crying in a crowded train felt right up that alley. Maybe he imagined it. Maybe he was having a breakdown.

He should have never come here. Nagasaki was a mistake. He should have stayed. In their old apartment. Never gone anywhere. Should have stayed.

What if he just says no?

Why would he say no?

He’d been waiting.

He hadn’t been waiting.

He was happy.

He wasn’t happy.

He was terrified.

“Can I say no?”

Kurosawa didn’t answer. Didn’t even look at him. He was just staring at the wall behind Adachi.

“Can I say no?”

Nothing. Maybe it didn’t matter. Maybe it didn’t need to be mutual. Adachi was pretty sure it did though. Maybe they made a special clause for hopeless cases like him. Maybe the train was real. Maybe Kurosawa was an illusion.

“CAN I SAY NO!?!??!?!!??!”

Can you hallucinate motion and physical feeling? He hoped not. His hands were firmly gripping something, and something that looked like Kurosawa was being shaken erratically back and forth in front of him. Those felt like they could reasonably be real and related stimuli.

“Ki- A- Adachi?”

Something that looked like Kurosawa was finally looking back at him. Oh heavens, Adachi hoped those things were all reasonably real and related.

“Can I say no? Can I say no? Please, can I say no? Does it need to be mutual? Can I say no? Can I keep you?”

“... keep … me?”

“Can I?”

“N-not if … you’re in- in love …”

“Can I say no?”

“... why … ?“

“I don’t know!”

He cried again. Maybe he was still crying. Can you hallucinate distance and levitating? He climbed into Kurosawa’s lap, desperately holding on. He was not on the bed. He was higher than the bed. There was something between him and the bed, there was Kurosawa between him and the bed, or he was completely insane. Or he was insane and Kurosawa was still there. He’d take that in a heartbeat.

He wanted to say no. To keep Kurosawa safe. To keep Kurosawa.

That’s why he left. That’s why.

He hadn’t been waiting. Those were just memories. Dragged up by a sudden draft through the backdoor. But everything was settling now. Falling in one mess on the floor. He hadn’t been waiting. He cried in the shower that morning when Kurosawa first appeared, and then he gave up.

And then he was happy.

With him.

Kurosawa insisted otherwise. Adachi didn’t want to hear it. Even back then. He didn’t like the senseless optimism. No. He didn’t like feeling terrified.

They talked about death too. Kurosawa would keep all his stuff. Including used toothbrushes apparently. Adachi wondered if he’d keep Adachi’s last toothbrush too. He probably would. As gross as it was, he suddenly found solace in that. They talked about death, and it didn’t terrify Adachi at all. He was happy with that too.

As long as he had Kurosawa.

And he would always have Kurosawa, he was sure.

He just never thought it would ever be a choice.

But now that it was, the choice was obvious.

“I’ll say no.”

“... ?”

“Where’s my bag?” He slid out of Kurosawa’s lap, frantically looking around the room in what little moonlight they had. Moonlight? When did the sunset happen? He didn’t remember that. “I need my phone, where’s my-”

A soft thud sounded out beside him. Followed by a few small plonks.

Adachi picked up his bag and chose not to address the several used toothbrushes that fell out of Kurosawa’s other-dimensional storage space alongside it. He found his phone and thought to text, but it was also immediately obvious to him that this was the kinda situation where you call. Probably. What did he know?!

The phone rang. His heart either stopped beating, or the static was killing all sound again. That would be really bad. Phone calls usually require hearing the other person. This would require hearing the other person. Preferably at least. Depending on what he says, it might be enough if Sakazaki-san only hears him.

He’d never done this before.

Never thought he’d ever do this.

Himself from just a year ago would probably slap him right now. But what did that guy know? He was fucking miserable, and Adachi was not. He was happy. He couldn’t lose this.

The line connected as he reached out for Kurosawa’s hand.

He couldn’t lose this.

“Sakazaki-san. I apologize for calling so late. I am thankful for your feelings but I can’t accept them. I don’t want to. It’s nothing about you, I just … don’t want a partner in my life. Ever.”

“... oh. I understand.”

Huh. He could hear again?

“Sakazaki-san, I … I’m really sorry.”

“Don’t be! I kinda suspected it after what Minne told me about you, so I guess I was right. Adachi-san, are you one of those … ah, is it aromantic? Is that it? Why you don’t want a partner?”

Adachi had never heard that word in his life. Best he could think of were aromatic candles. He was pretty sure he wasn’t one of those. “Y-Yeah,” he agreed anyway. It seemed like he should.

“Must be hard, huh …”

“Y-Yeah …”

“I imagine you get confessed to all the time, here you were on a little break and then in I come with more of the same, haha, silly me … I am sorry for causing trouble, Adachi-san.”

“It’s not- no, no trouble at all.” There was plenty of trouble, but she didn’t need to know.

“Still … I really admire you. Sticking to what you want and all that. That’s really respectful. It’s my fault, really. I could tell. I asked Minne to find out a little more about you, I hope you don’t mind. But I could tell … that you’re really happy living your peaceful life, and you probably don’t want anyone other than Kurosawa there.”

“Y-Yeah …” How did she immediately know that? Even Adachi didn’t immediately know that.

“I got my hopes up for no reason, that’s on me. Sorry I crashed into that, Adachi-san. I’ll quit if you’d like-”

“No, no, no, please don’t … if you wouldn’t want to. We need you on the team.”

“Is it alright if I still work there after confessing my feelings to you?”

“If it’s not uncomfortable for you …”

“Oh not at all! Well, a little bit. I’ll deal with it though! Can I have a day off?”

“Yeah. No problem. Take the rest of the week, I’ll … do something about it. You don’t need to use your vacation days. Just … take your time.”

“Thank you, Adachi-san. You really are just … the best. Let’s make a great store together!”

“Yeah …”

“And if you’re ever sent somewhere else to open another store, I’d suggest keeping Kurosawa-san a secret and wearing a fake wedding ring.”

“A w-what?”

“Fake wedding ring! That way the ladies will leave you alone, and you don’t have to deal with something like this again.” Huh. That didn’t sound bad at all. Maybe he should look into that.

“Thank you … I’ll see you next week then?”

“Yup! I’ll be there! Thank you again, Adachi-san. This was the best rejection I’ve ever gotten, you’re incredible.”

It was the only rejection he ever gave. Maybe if he gets a fake ring, it can stay that way. How much do those-

“Why did you do that?”

Fuck.

Right.

Kurosawa.

“Why did you-”

Adachi launched towards him, toppling him onto the bed and holding, holding, holding, holding, holding, holding, holding, holding, holding on for dear life.

For his whole life, actually.

“Why did you do that?”

Okay, maybe he still couldn’t properly hear. Because he could see Kurosawa’s lips moving, and he could hear a voice, but it didn’t sound like Kurosawa. It sounded like a generic GPS navigator stuck underwater: muddled and devoid of all personality. But that was fine, maybe if he just puts everything to words and organizes his thoughts, they’ll get out of his head and the neurons in his temporal lobe will go back to hearing again.

“I want to be with you.”

Well, so much for organized thoughts. Guess he was going to extrapolate backwards from there somehow.

“I want to be with you, and you said you’re okay with that, and I asked you if it’s okay if it’s forever because I won’t find anyone, and you said I will, and I didn’t want to hear it because I thought you were being stupid, and for the record I still do, I don’t know what the fuck just happened or how, it doesn’t make any sense, but okay it did happen, and I didn’t like it, because you’re gone if I get a partner. And I want to be with you. So you can’t be gone. So I can’t have a partner. So I won’t have a partner. Which was always the plan anyway. I just didn’t prepare to like … have to do something about it. That was really scary!!! Kurosawa, that was … oh shit, that was …. I was terrified. Until I realized I can just say no, and nothing happens. Everything’s okay.”

“But she likes you.”

“I know. I said I was sorry. I called her, you saw that, right? She seemed to totally understand, I don’t really get why, I think I went along with some things I probably shouldn’t have, but everything seems like it’s fine. I’ll just write that she’s doing location scouting for the posters this week, it’s fine.”

“But … she likes you.”

“I know. But I don’t … I mean, it doesn’t matter. I don’t want to like her. I don’t want to like anyone. I might buy a wedding ring. But then I have to stop telling people about you, I’m not sure how I’d do that. Maybe that wouldn’t work. Okay, anyway, doesn’t matter. If this ever happens again, I think I got it now. I just say no.”

“But why.”

“Because I want to be with you! And I can’t have both.”

“And you … you … you chose me?”

“Yes? I guess? I don’t know, not really? What even is there to choose?” Adachi asked, waving his hands in frustration because how could Kurosawa not get it? Wasn’t he the smart one? “You make me happy! I want you! I don’t want Sakazaki-san. Or anyone else. Or anything else. I’m happy here. With you. I want that . Why would I choose anything else? Why would I choose something that means I lose you!? Of course I chose you, Kurosawa … of course I did … I’d always choose you.”

“Even if I lied to you?”

Finally, his voice sounded like Kurosawa again.

And yet, Adachi absolutely didn’t like the sound of that.

Chapter Text

“... you lied to me? Kurosawa, is this about our sleeping arrangements again?”

“No … yes …” Kurosawa bit his lip, averting his eyes. “Don’t you like Yunna-chan? Couldn’t you?”

“Forget Sakazaki-san!” Adachi grumbled, just about ready to rip his hair out with how painstaking this has gotten. His brain already felt like it had been fried to a crisp and then rehydrated, he was hoping to come out of that mess to his usual Kurosawa, which was literally all he wanted, but no, suddenly nothing made any sense anymore? Well, to be fair, maybe that was his fault. Maybe he needed to sleep. But it’s not like he could even if he wanted to! And he didn’t want to!! He wanted things to make sense again, damn it. “Forget Sakazaki-san, this isn’t about her, this is about you!”

“But it is about her if you’re choosing me over her when-”

“I’m not choosing you over anyone, I’m choosing you over everyone, it’s not even a choice!”

“But I shouldn’t be your choice.”

“Why not!?”

“Because I love you!”

Maybe the train and all of this was an illusion. Maybe he was still at the office, and Sakazaki-san was yelling at him after he spaced out.

“I love you, and I never even … told you the truth.”

Adachi waited: for the penny, for the other shoe, or maybe an anvil to drop on his head and knock him dead.

Thirty years. Thirty fucking years with no love interests, and now there’s two in one day!? And he’s supposed to deal with this how, exactly?!?!

“You … y-you … you … ?” He stuttered, his hands pointing back and forth between him and Kurosawa as if hearing the same damn words for the third time would make any difference at all.

“I love you,” Kurosawa answered, monotone and despondent as if confessing a cardinal sin on his deathbed.

Nope. No difference whatsoever. And if this same half-deaf, half-numb reaction was anything to go by, maybe Adachi was actually physically allergic to confessions. Or maybe it was the utter shock and confusion that made him feel like he was about to throw up.

“Why?”

Kurosawa sighed. And bunched up his fists, and pulled his wings close to his back, and bit his lip as he nervously swayed from side to side on the bed. It was the first thing that entire evening that made sense. Adachi wouldn’t have an answer to that either, because what could there possibly be about him-

“You are caring. In a way that makes others care. A way that made me care. About you, about humans, about myself, about what happens to you, to us, to me after you’re gone. You notice things. You look out for others, even when no one’s been looking out for you. Your angels abandoned you, and you still gave me a chance. You let me into your world, and it was the most beautiful world I’ve ever seen. You made me happy. So many times. With so many things. I belonged somewhere. I felt alive. I felt like I was someone. I felt like it mattered. You gave me a coffee mug. And so many toothbrushes. There should be approximately two hundred more toothbrushes to switch for the rest of your life, I was planning to keep all of mine. You let me read the collector’s edition of Ragna. You gave me snacks. You took me to your favorite izakaya. You let me re-read Ragna when I didn’t read it the way I was supposed to the first time. You kept such a neat and tidy space for me in your bag. You changed your whole budget and schedule so that I could cook for you. You did chores with me. You told me about everything you loved. You showed me every battleship documentary, and the anime, and the gacha games you said we’d never touch. You took me to Yokosuka with you. There was that seagull that ruined the shot. You talked to me about all the ships right in front of us. I’ve never seen anything more beautiful in my whole life. You let me carry you in my arms. You bought those pins for us, and carried yours to work every day. I showed mine to Rokkaku, I was so proud. I think that’s when I realized I was in love with you. But it feels like I have always been in love with you. The first time I met you, you were all cocooned in your blanket, it was hard to gather your basic vitals. That was so cute. You’ve always been cute. And gentle. I used to hate my wings, just the weight of them on my back made me sick. But when I use them to cover you, to hold you, to keep you safe … when you touch them like they’re fragile, when you hold on so softly but firmly, when you fall asleep and drool all over the feathers, when you tell Tsuge that you love my wings, when you do all this just so I could stretch them out in our home … I don’t hate my wings anymore. You’ve made me accept something I thought I’d always resent. You’ve made something beautiful which was so ugly to me before. If you asked for a feather to show Tsuge how beautiful they are, I’d give you all of them. I’d stand still and hope you’d pluck a handful, so that I could feel, for those brief moments before they dissipate into dust, what it’s like to be so crudely held in your hands. I love your hands. I love all of you, but especially your hands. I wish you’d always hold me the way you do when I’m a dove. But also everything else, everything about you is beautiful. I still don’t know what pattern your cowlicks follow in the morning. I thought I had the equation down last month, but then you woke up with a never before seen curve radial again, and I had to start from zero. I also love how if I gently push them down while you’re still sleeping, they’ll just spring right back up anyway. And your hair overall is just so smooth and soft, I love touching it and I always wonder if my feathers feel the same to you, I hope they do because that’s the best feeling. No, wait, actually, the weight of your body on my chest is the best feeling. No, no, I think it’s the skin on your cheeks right after you’ve been crying. No … this one time, only one time, I swear, my feathers accidentally slipped past the hem of your shirt and I got to touch your tummy, that was the best feeling, it was so soft and perfect in every way, I’ve been wanting to kiss it ever since. I want to kiss all of you. Even your eyes. Especially your eyes. That makes no sense I guess, I can’t kiss your eyeballs, but I want to, because they’re beautiful, and sometimes they look at things you love and they sparkle like the galaxy, and sometimes they look at me and … and … oh I can’t stand you looking at me, and I can’t get enough of it either. I wish you’d only ever look at me. But I also want you to see the whole world in the best possible light, because there’s nothing like seeing you happy and having fun with Tsuge, or being proud of your work, and I know I can’t compete with that so I just hope I can watch it for all eternity, the way your lips curl up and then down again, like you’re not really supposed to smile, but then right back up, wider because you do want to smile and you will, and depending on the day, your top lip rises and your teeth shine out like stars, and sometimes they part and you laugh, only once if you’re outside but longer if you’re with me, and when you’re with me it feels like the smile is just kinda stuck there, always past that threshold of needing to hide, always ready to be happy, and that’s … I know I keep saying that all the time, but that’s the most beautiful thing, you are the most beautiful thing, this world, because you are in it and because it makes you smile, is the most beautiful-”

“Kurosawa … Kurosawa, that was … I mean, I guess not really, but in principle, it was a rhetorical question,” Adachi finally found the courage to interject. Not to be disrespectful, but he genuinely thought he couldn’t take one more word of this.

“... oh …”

“Is this a structured essay of some sort, or …”

“This was just off the top of my head.”

“... and how much more is there on the top of your head?”

“Uh … uhm … maybe two to three hours.”

Speechless, Adachi moved to the edge of the bed, shaking his head. He couldn’t take two more hours of this. He couldn’t take any of this.

“... you’re in love with me?”

“With every fiber of my being, for as long as I will live.”

“Kurosawa, you’re immortal.”

“Forever, then.”

The fourth time was somewhat better. Hearing all those reasons kinda calmed him down: not that he actually heard most of them, he’d gotten lost on probably the very first line already, but just knowing there was … so much … 

“And if it’s you, you won’t … I won’t lose you, right?”

“Ah … no. If you fell in love with me … I would stay.”

Maybe that was the problem. Maybe that was what he needed to hear first. He couldn’t think straight with the prospect of Kurosawa being gone looming over his head. He still felt like throwing up. He wanted everything to go back to normal. He thought he got there. The moment he told Sakazaki-san he couldn’t accept her feelings and he could suddenly hear the world again. It was like the clouds cleared beneath him, and he was sure he was gonna stick the landing in Kurosawa’s arms, and everything would be fine again. Normal. Normal! The way things were before.

Because before, everything was fine.

And then it wasn’t.

And Adachi didn’t know how to solve that kinda problem.

His only instinct was to go back to how things were before.

He wished he had a time machine. He wished he could go back to this morning, or even back before they came to Nagasaki. He wished he didn’t have to deal with this. He wished Kurosawa would have told him first.

Huh.

… he wished Kurosawa would have told him first.

“This is … this is not because of you, for the record,” Adachi gestured vaguely at his pained expression and then at Kurosawa, unable to face him properly. “I am just- I thought- you have awful timing.”

“I thought you should know while you can still call her back and-”

“I’m not calling her back! I’m not losing you! What is wrong with you!?” Adachi snapped, incapable of holding it together any longer.

He was tired, scared and hurt. Kurosawa was supposed to hold him. Kurosawa always held him. He wanted Kurosawa to hold him.

Kurosawa said he loved him.

Why was he getting pushed away?

“I’m sorry,” he mumbled, pulling his knees to his chest and hiding his face to cry. “I shouldn’t have yelled at you. I just … I just … I need you. ”

His voice was shaking. His hands were shaking. The world was shaking.

He didn’t want to deal with this.

He just wanted Kurosawa.

And finally , the soft wings enveloped him, and everything went quiet, and he found himself in Kurosawa’s arms where he belonged.

He wished Kurosawa would have told him first. So he wouldn’t have to be scared, so he could think about Kurosawa’s feelings properly, so he could think about his own feelings too.

“... why didn’t you tell me?”

It was probably something stupid like not wanting to make Adachi uncomfortable.

“I was scared you wouldn’t want me anymore.”

… huh. Well that was … unusually selfish of Kurosawa. He never made things about himself like that. Were those feelings his safe space? Did he finally put himself first when it came to that? Adachi would have loved to see what a more self-centered Kurosawa was like.

“But I do want you …”

“Even if I’m in love with you?”

Adachi looked up at him, shrugging as tears continued to fall. “I wish you would have told me. Not like that though. I thought I’d lose you … I panicked, and then … and then I thought I solved it, and everything would be how it was, I thought you’d hold me and tell me I’m silly for not thinking I could just refuse … and then … and then … I wish you would have told me!”

“I’m sorry I didn’t. And I can’t really take it back,” Kurosawa apologized, his voice thick with remorse. “I don’t think they’d let me turn back time for something like that.”

“Are you even allowed to be in love with me?”

“Yes, that’s fine. No one really cares.”

“Huh … well … okay.”

He closed his eyes, resting his head on Kurosawa’s chest. He could feel Kurosawa’s hands as he untangled the mess in Adachi’s hair, and wiped away each individual tear, all interspersed with “I love you” over and over again. It was faint at first, almost like he was still waiting for Adachi to tell him to get lost. But then it got stronger, still merely a whisper and yet so sure of itself, Adachi couldn’t help but open his eyes again.

“I love you.”

It was the first time he got a proper look at Kurosawa while he said that.

His chest felt tight again.

“... were you, uh … flirting with me?”

“I don’t think so … I tried to not do anything. Except when … when I suggested you could sleep on my chest, that was … that was because I wanted to hold you. And when I started sitting around as a dove in your lap. That was because I wanted you to hold me. And … maybe some other things, I don’t know. I think the pens were a gift for a friend. But I also wanted to share something with the person I love. I don’t know. It’s hard to tell sometimes. Everything I do is because I love you.”

So he was being flirted with. And he totally missed it! Or did he?

How do you ‘miss’ an embrace, or the weight of someone in your arms, or a gift you love? He received all of those things. Just not the context. Not the meaning.

… or did he?

Because he did think sometimes … about what things were like … and how much they looked like a married couple … and … how he could totally fall for Kurosawa if he wasn’t an angel. Because why would he fall for an angel? How could he? Why would an angel want someone like him?

Well, there were apparently three more hours of word salad as to ‘why’, but an angel did want someone like him. Kurosawa wanted him. And Adachi wasn’t mentally ready for anything past that. The whole ‘he’s an angel, this is work, and we’re both guys’ kinda just got smooshed into one compact reminder at the back of his head whenever he found himself thinking weird thoughts about Kurosawa in his apron, or in no clothes at all.

He’s an angel. That was kinda, like, the thing. And this was work. That was also a pretty big thing. He didn’t even think about the rest, it just seemed obvious.

“I didn’t know angels could be gay,” he blurted out, seeking to latch onto Kurosawa’s wings for comfort.

“Oh, we can’t. We don’t do that whole … orientation thing you guys do.”

“Huh … so like, it doesn’t matter that I’m a guy?”

“No.”

“So you would, like …”

He couldn’t say it. He couldn’t say it. The whole thing felt so vivid, his chest was threatening to collapse in on itself, he couldn’t say it.

“I love you,” Kurosawa whispered again.

And Adachi wondered. Just honestly, for the first time, he genuinely wondered. He would never have a girlfriend. Because he couldn’t get one when he had wanted one, and now he absolutely did not want one. Or rather, he absolutely didn’t want anything that would take Kurosawa away from him. So no girlfriend, ever. Which again, wasn’t news. He had already resigned himself to dying as a loner who had never known love or the warmth of someone else’s touch. It wasn’t even a bad prospect lately, it just didn’t bother him, he was happy with Kurosawa, he figured maybe he just didn’t actually want those things.

But it turns out he’d been loved all along, even if he didn’t know.

And, uh … he did get a lot of warmth from Kurosawa’s touch. They were always so affectionate with each other. Did Kurosawa start that too? Maybe … maybe when he first offered his wing to Adachi as a blanket … but then wasn’t it Adachi who said he could stay there … it’s not like it was … one sided or anything. He enjoyed Kurosawa’s touch. He just thought it was … not like that.

But if it was like that, could they … would Kurosawa want to kiss him?

… would he want to kiss Kurosawa?

Or would that be considered settling because Kurosawa was the only person he could ever get romantically involved with without losing him? But if he came just barely close to actually losing him and his whole world felt like it had eclipsed in on itself … wasn’t that kinda obvious?

Could you need a friend so much you’d feel like dying without them?

Maybe. Probably. Not to bring another man into thoughts like these, but if something happened to Tsuge, Adachi figured he’d have a pretty bad time too. But would he want to kiss Tsuge? Ugh, absolutely not!

… would he want to kiss Sakazaki-san?

He felt like the answer was yes. But again, not in any way that actually mattered. He’d want to kiss her, because he’s a man and she’s a cute woman who’s nice to him, and that’s someone you date and kiss and that makes you happy. Like, he knew those were the steps to take. He’d been trying to take them for most of his life. He understood the instructions. But once Kurosawa appeared, it was so easy for Adachi to ditch all of that … probably because he never really felt it anyway.

He’d never looked at anyone and thought he’d be happy to kiss them. Just that he would be happy if he kissed them. The difference felt negligible at the time.

Would he want to kiss Kurosawa?

Would he be happy to?

He didn’t need to ask himself if he’d be happy if he kissed Kurosawa, because there was no point. He was already happy. He wasn’t thinking of this kiss as something that would make him happy when he wasn’t before. Just … would it keep him happy?

And also, they were both guys. He didn’t know what to do with that. It just hung around in his mind like a piece of undelivered junk mail that had to be tossed somewhere.

What if he’s also like Kurosawa? What if he also doesn’t care? Or if he’s into women and men? Kinda late to be figuring that out but whatever, he was never quick on the uptake for that stuff. But if he likes guys, it’s fine. Kurosawa’s a guy. He could like him.

Date him. Kiss him. Fall in love with him. Keep him all to himself. Keep him forever. Marry him, figuratively at least. And he’d have a reason to, like … see Kurosawa shirtless. Which he only thought about once and then stopped himself because it was weird, but if he was into guys, then it wouldn’t be weird at all. And Kurosawa was in love with him, that was basically permission to fantasize about him at least a little bit, wasn’t it? It felt like Adachi had some catching up to do, because it’s been a while since the last time, and they’ve been running around a lot, Kurosawa’s muscles had definitely gotten even more prominent than they already were, so … huh. Hmm. Kurosawa was like … really attractive.

Did he want to kiss Kurosawa?

Uh, no. No. No, he would die. His hair was probably just long enough to brush against Adachi’s nose if Kurosawa would lean down to kiss him, how was he supposed to survive something that cute? He’d have to look away for five to ten minutes to get his shit together. But he felt like Kurosawa would do the kinda kiss you always see in movies, gently holding Adachi’s chin and bringing their lips closer, and how is Adachi supposed to look away if he’s all caught up like that, it’d be so embarrassing, he’d totally freak out and probably blush and Kurosawa would just … see him.

And then they would kiss.

What kinda first kiss though? Like in a high school slice of life story where their lips barely touch and then the bashful protagonist runs away to the opposite end of the school to compose herself? Or like in one of those BL novels he always quickly walked past, where there was clearly more tongue than lip on the cover already so who knows what went on between the actual pages, but it definitely didn’t look like there was any running away from that, and not to stereotype but they were both men, so … would he get kissed like that? If he were to kiss Kurosawa, it felt like that would take a lot of effort to get there in the first place, so he definitely didn’t want to run away. Would Kurosawa maybe … like … hold onto him and wrap him in his wings and keep him all snug so he couldn’t go anywhere?

Would they kiss like that?

… Adachi definitely wanted that.

Chapter Text

I love you … I love you … I love you … I love you … I love you … I love you.

In absence of any sound from Adachi, Kurosawa filled the room with a whisper of his feelings for each breath he took, as if it were a waste of air to not use it on telling Adachi how much he loved him. Adachi understood it now. He probably got it after the sixth or seventh time. These subsequent ‘I love you’s were extremely redundant … but nice.

He let himself simmer in the comfort of Kurosawa’s voice while his thoughts wandered around, waiting to see if he’d change his mind - but he didn’t.

He wanted to kiss Kurosawa.

How does one ask to be kissed?

It was probably for the best that he wanted to do this with an angel, honestly. He kinda needed the shortcut, he thought as he tugged on Kurosawa’s shirt. “Can you …”

“Yes? Adachi, anything, what is it?”

“Can you read my mind?”

“... is it gonna hurt?”

“Maybe keep it to the last ten minutes or so. Not that I thought anything hurtful before that, I don’t think at least, it’s all just a blur somehow so I’d rather not vouch for that.”

“Okay.”

It was unnerving, having Kurosawa rummaging around in his mind. Adachi worried about all the horribly embarrassing stuff that was in there, but …

Honestly, who am I kidding? You’ve seen all of it anyway. And you still like me for some reason … uh, hi. Thanks for holding me. I like that. It’s really nice. Just don’t let go, please? Oh … I didn’t think you’d hold me even tighter, it didn’t seem like that was possible … I … I should probably shut up so you can hear what I was thinking earlier … I just wanna say that it’s JUST an idea, okay, by someone who doesn’t really know anything about this, it’s not like I only specifically- I mean, it’s not like I have expectations or-

“Is this what you wanted?”

Kurosawa’s words would have probably gotten lost under the fluttering of his wings as they wrapped tightly around Adachi, if it weren’t for the fact that he whispered them directly into Adachi’s ear. Like, right in there! Adachi could still feel the warmth of his breath and everything!

He forgot to ask if Kurosawa had any prior experience.

But he definitely looked like a guy with prior experience.

Adachi was in way above his head, wasn’t he?

Well okay. Okay. Fine. Kurosawa was still his guardian angel. He knew how much time Adachi could go without breathing, so he would probably take care of that, right? Adachi could just-

“Relax,” Kurosawa whispered again, lifting Adachi’s chin up with his index finger and his thumb.

Right, he was still listening to Adachi's thoughts, fine, okay, okay! … I trust you. N-No, I … I want you.

And then, Kurosawa kissed him.

It was a light, slow kiss: barely there, but also definitively lingering on the edge of Adachi’s lips, brushing together and staying in the gentlest of touches that felt like it could be broken apart even just by taking a breath - so Adachi didn’t breathe.

It was nice. It was his first kiss. He realized retroactively that most people would probably close their eyes. Kurosawa did. Maybe Adachi should’ve done that too. It’d be less nerve wrecking. But this was also good. Kurosawa’s eyelashes were really long. Cute. His chest felt tight again - wait, had that been Kurosawa’s fault all along?! Had he been having feelings this whole time? Maybe. Maybe he also wasn’t honest with Kurosawa, because …

“Are you still here?” He whispered quietly, nudging his lips against Kurosawa’s a bit harder in the process.

“No,” Kurosawa opened his eyes, slightly shaking his head while barely moving his lips. “I was too nervous to hear everything you’d think while I kiss you …”

“Y-Yeah … that makes sense,” Adachi sighed, gently resting his arms around Kurosawa’s neck to hold onto him. “I was a-actually just thinking that … you know, when you were in my lap as a dove and I held you, I … I sometimes thought about how that would feel if- if … like this, I mean.”

“Me too,” Kurosawa answered, his lips turning up into a smile. “I’ve always dreamed of you holding me the way you sometimes do now …”

“H-huh? What way?”

“... the back of my wings … where the feathers end, you always … when you touch me there, you always hold on tighter than usual … Adachi …”

“Kurosawa …”

“I want to feel you sinking through my feathers until there’s nothing left.”

“H-Hey! Don’t dissipate on me or anything … okay?”

“Okay.”

Kurosawa closed his eyes again, comfortably falling even further onto Adachi’s lips. It was a mind-numbing experience. Adachi didn’t know what to make of it. It was just so … so … so … well, everything. But the more he thought about it, the more it didn’t actually feel like Kurosawa.

At first, he couldn’t really tell why. And he didn’t want to say anything, because who is he to have opinions about how Kurosawa should kiss, but it wasn’t that. It wasn’t like that. He just … knew Kurosawa. He wasn’t so calm and reserved. Not with Adachi at least.

“... are you holding back?”

“Barely,” Kurosawa’s voice admitted on the verge of breaking.

Ha … he knew it. “Why?”

“So you can still … pull away and get rid of me …”

“Kurosawa, I’m not doing that.”

“Are you sure?”

“... I wouldn’t want to kiss you if I wasn’t …”

Maybe this, too, wasn’t being entirely honest. He wasn’t sure about a lot of things. They were starting to trickle in at the back of his mind bit by bit, like questions from a nightmare test he didn’t study for at all. How did he not notice he liked guys? How long had he had feelings for Kurosawa? How would dating someone so fucking perfect even work? How would dating an angel work? What is he supposed to tell his parents? Or Tsuge? Or anyone else for that matter?

He wasn’t sure about a lot of things.

But he was sure that Kurosawa made him happy.

He was sure he wanted to spend the rest of his life with him.

He was sure that no matter what Kurosawa’s feelings were, he felt something too.

And he wanted to explore that further.

“... Yuuichi …”

“?! Adachi?!”

“... I said I want you, didn’t I? So just … be yourself,” Adachi mumbled, finally closing his eyes.

It was a roll of the dice, really. He had no idea what kind of Kurosawa he was asking for.

The already tight embrace grew even tighter around his chest, but as it did, the tension inside Adachi slowly dissipated. He thought he’d be nervous, kissing someone. Shy, awkward, scared or something like that. And maybe he was. He probably was. It just … didn’t matter. All those feelings paled in comparison to how much he trusted Kurosawa, and how deeply he wanted to be with him.

He didn’t expect that to be romantic. In fact, he figured he could have easily gone his whole life without ever questioning his feelings like that. He was happy with Kurosawa. He didn’t think about more than that. But Kurosawa did, apparently. And maybe that was why Adachi didn’t need to think about it?

Before, he’d always had plenty of time to develop a crush and then lament about how the person he liked wouldn’t notice him. It was so easy to decide he was in love over distance, even if that distance was just a couple desks at the office and conversations that never went past hello and goodbye. That’s what love was, right? Had been, for Adachi at least. One sided and lonely.

But his relationship with Kurosawa wasn’t anything like that.

They’ve always been together. Always understood each other more than anyone. The whole point, from the start, was that it was mutual. So Adachi just never thought about what exactly that mutual feeling was.

If Kurosawa had instead been cold and distant, he would have probably realized it sooner.

Then again, if Kurosawa had been cold and distant, Adachi figured he wouldn’t fall in love with him in the first place.

He thought about how it felt like to yearn for someone he couldn’t have. And then he thought about all the wonderful moments he’d had with Kurosawa, and how they would feel if Kurosawa wasn’t there, and … yeah. There it was, his chest feeling tight all over again. He really was an idiot, wasn’t he? That wasn’t him being nervous, that was just him pining for Kurosawa. They were already so close, and still … Adachi wanted more. It was so obvious if he tried to imagine more distance between them, because all of a sudden, that same yearning hit him like a truck. 

It was now extremely clear to Adachi that the acceptable distance between him and Kurosawa was exactly what it was right now: negative five centimeters, or however deep Kurosawa’s tongue was at the back of his mouth.

Maybe he should be thinking about that. He did specifically ask Kurosawa to kiss him the way he wanted to, and then his mind kinda wandered off. Maybe it was a survival instinct. Like a built in heart attack prevention mechanism? It’s not like he completely disassociated or anything, he was thinking about his feelings and Kurosawa after all, he just wasn’t really present in the moment. Honestly, he felt like he couldn’t be. He had no experience with any of this! If he genuinely thought about the weight of Kurosawa pressed against him, or the perfectly white pearl-like teeth sinking into his bottom lip, or the slow strokes of Kurosawa’s tongue against his own … yeah, nope. Adachi wasn’t built for this.

One day, he should learn how to kiss.

And before that, he should probably tell Kurosawa that he loves him too.

But right now, everything was too much and Kurosawa was the only thing he wanted more of even if he didn’t have the words to say that. So he just held on tight as they kissed, and hoped Kurosawa would understand.

Chapter Text

“Adachi … are you-”

“I-I’m okay!” he gasped for air as they pulled apart, pretty sure he was the closest he’d ever come to passing out, and honestly, if it were in Kurosawa’s arms, he wouldn’t even mind. “I’m sorry …”

“It’s okay,” Kurosawa whispered, pressing their lips together again for a brief moment.

Would things work like that now? Would they just … kiss? Like, all the time?

Adachi’s first thought was that it would be impractical. His second and much more intense thought was that he’d love that. So that’s what love was actually like, huh …

“Yuuichi …”

“H-Hey … don’t, I can’t … I can’t take that,” Kurosawa nervously admitted, his wings still tightly holding onto Adachi’s back and hands cupping his face. “You’re too cute. Too beautiful. I’m gonna die!”

“You’re immortal!” Adachi blurted out, blushing at least up to his ears, and possibly the ceiling. “Then what am I supposed to say!?”

“Anything,” Kurosawa encouraged him, wiping saliva off Adachi’s lips with his thumb.

“Uh … huh?”

“I was hoping you’d say anything … I got scared because you were so quiet.”

“Oh … oh. Yuu- I mean, Kurosawa, I’m sorry. I just- well you could have- actually probably not, if you heard all my thoughts you’d think I’m stupid, best if not, but just … do you have any idea what it’s like to kiss an angel!?”

“Yes.”

“Okay but do you have any idea what it’s like to be a human who has never kissed anyone and then be kissed by an angel?”

“No,” Kurosawa frowned. “But I’d like to know!”

“Well it’s a lot. And I am bad with words and feelings as is,” Adachi sighed, closing his eyes and nudging closer to Kurosawa until their foreheads were resting together. “But it’s … it’s … well to be honest, I didn’t really … follow all that. I’m sorry.”

“Adachi, it’s okay …”

“It was a lot. It was so much!? I didn’t know that’s how that felt? I don’t even know what I’m feeling right now. It’s all too much. And it’s all your- well no, not like that, if I say it’s your fault you’re just gonna freak out so don’t, it’s not a fault or anything, you just kinda … shot yourself in the foot, I guess.”

“... I did?”

“You were always there! And we’ve always … you held me, and took care of me, and talked to me, and laughed with me and … and … that kinda stuff doesn’t happen to guys like me! There’s a procedure to falling in love! You meet someone and then you stare at them from a distance for months and fantasize a bit when you get home and tell yourself it’s nothing and then you try to talk to them and they’re really not interested and then suddenly they have a boyfriend and you realize there wasn’t ever any chance they’d- I mean, anyway, how was I supposed to realize I’m in love with you if you realized it first and then just … loved me?”

“...”

“Again, that’s really not your fault or anything, it’s just … you fell for an idiot, alright? I am not good with any of this, I’m sorry.”

“...”

“Kurosawa? Hey? Kuro-”

“You’re in love with me?”

Maybe they were both idiots. After that kiss, Adachi figured it would have been obvious. Then again, he really was in no position to comment on what was or wasn’t obvious.

“Yeah. Kurosawa, I really, really love you.”

“... you do?”

“Mhm. So much, it’s … I mean, my whole world collapsed when I thought I might lose you.”

“But … are you sure?”

Adachi leaned even closer, mimicking Kurosawa’s movements as close as he could to give him a tiny kiss without bumping their noses together or messing up something else.

“I am … if you’d let me.”

“If I’d let you?”

“Well I don’t know … you said you loved me, and then it’s almost like I had to beg you to not pull away from me, and then you kissed me like that, and now you’re acting like this again … it almost feels like you don’t want-”

“I do want you,” Kurosawa cut him off, responding with a much more forceful and deeper kiss that left them both breathless again. “I do want you … I just … Adachi, only if it’s- only if you’re sure.”

“I am.”

“O-Okay … well okay. Okay. Adachi, let’s …”

“Mhm?”

“... before that, could you … do you think you could … use my name again?”

“I thought you didn’t want that?”

“I want it, I just don’t think I can handle it,” Kurosawa mumbled, clutching Adachi even tighter as if he wasn’t already dangerously close to testing the structural integrity of his bones. “Do you have any idea what it’s like for such a perfect angel to utter your name in his beautiful voice!?”

“I think I do,” Adachi smiled, memories of another night suddenly coming back to him.

“Goodnight … Kiyoshi.”

He thought he was dreaming back then. But maybe he wasn’t.

“You’ve called me Kiyoshi before, haven’t you?”

“... m-maybe. When did you hear that!?”

“One time when I was drifting off to sleep in your arms here. So it wasn’t a dream after all!”

“You weren’t supposed to hear that …”

“Well, I did,” Adachi nervously smiled, his gaze falling to Kurosawa’s lips again. “Also, what do you mean, when? Kurosawa, was it more than once?”

“... no comment.”

“Yuuichi.”

“Fine! Fine! It was all the time, it was all I could think of, it’s the most beautiful name I’ve ever heard for the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen, I’ve been jealous of Rokkaku this whole time because he gets to use Tsuge’s name and I can’t use yours, but I thought about it all the time, and I guess it slipped out a couple times!”

“... you’re a mess.”

Adachi wasn’t quite sure what he meant to convey with that. He should have known as much already: of course Kurosawa was a mess. But there was something new to it, something messy about Kurosawa specifically around Adachi and because of Adachi, and maybe it was selfish of him, but … he kinda liked that?

“Yuuichi, you’re … such a mess.”

“S-sorry …”

He couldn’t see well in the moonlight, but he was pretty sure Kurosawa’s face just turned a couple shades darker on the cheeks. Was he blushing? Did Adachi make him blush?! Damn, this was entirely too much power for him to hold! And Kurosawa looked so unimaginably cute … it’d be a crime not to make the most of it.

“Yuuichi, I love you.”

He didn’t properly get to see Kurosawa’s reaction because as soon as he’d said it, feathers swooshed and the sheets crumpled underneath them as Adachi’s back was pressed against the bed and Kurosawa’s face was hidden in the crook of his neck. Kinda unfair, honestly.

“... Kiyoshi, I love you too. I adore you beyond belief. You’re mine … Kiyoshi, you’re mine. I love you. I love you so much. Kiyoshi … Kiyoshi … my Kiyoshi!”

Entirely unfair, honestly.

“If I have a heart attack, you’ll sort that out, right?” Adachi asked, on the verge of either crying or just straight up exploding at the warmth of Kurosawa’s breath in his ear and the soft lips teasing at his neck. “Because I really don’t wanna die right now, I thought I could die happy after I met you but actually, I want to kiss you more and go on dates and find our next apartment together and all that other stuff, so I absolutely can’t die right now!”

“I wouldn’t let you,” Kurosawa held him closer, bringing their lips together again. “Kiyoshi, I still need to write so many more shopping lists with our matching pens, and cook so many more things for you, and kiss you a hundred million times, and figure out how to pay for wedding rings, and how to become your dream husband, and- huh? Kiyoshi, what’s funny?”

“Are you really … proposing on our first date?” Adachi asked through a fit of laughter, his last means of processing just how overwhelmingly happy he was.

“Oh … oh, right, we need to date for 1.8 years and then move in together and then consider engagement in another 2.3 years- but wait, we already-”

“Yuuichi …” Adachi smiled, reaching up to cup Kurosawa’s face. His cheeks definitely turned darker again. This really was way too cute. And probably a bit mean on his part, but Adachi just couldn’t help himself. “Yuuichi, are those like … the global averages or something?”

“Yes.”

“Well I’m not asking about that … I was just asking if … if you really want to marry me?”

“... I don’t think I can, can I?” Kurosawa bit his lip, momentarily coming out of his Adachi-infused daze. “I’m an angel, and even if I wasn’t, we’re both guys … ah, but that’s okay. I’d be happy to at least be your boyfriend then, or a partner, or … I heard ‘soulmate’ used a couple times, and that concept is factually incorrect and honestly a huge misunderstanding of souls to begin with, but … but that’s not you humans’ fault, a-and … I think soulmate is nice.”

“... well I don’t know about souls and that stuff,” Adachi mumbled, feeling the blush himself now. That was probably gonna be a two way street all the way down, wasn’t it? “But i-if I had a soulmate, I’m sure you’d be mine!”

“Kiyoshi …”

“And I don’t care about all the other stuff either, I’d be happy to call you my husband if you want.”

“Oh … Kiyoshi … I do want.“

Another kiss: softer, deeper, longer than any they’ve shared before. Adachi laughed again, probably while crying too. This kinda stuff just … didn’t happen. Not to him. He wasn’t supposed to find love. He was gonna be alone, for the rest of his life. With Kurosawa.

It really made sense now why he didn’t mind the thought of that.

He’d be with Kurosawa for the rest of his life. And being with Kurosawa meant being his, it meant being held and kissed, it meant seeing Kurosawa out of breath and blushing so deeply that his cheeks almost matched the dark of the night surrounding them, it meant watching his angel break apart under all the tiny little imperfections that Adachi loved, it meant sinking into all those cracks and being one with … with … with his husband!!! Just the thought of it made Adachi’s head spin - not as much as Kurosawa’s kisses did, but still.

They were definitely soulmates alright. So what if it wasn’t an accurate understanding of souls? To Adachi, it absolutely felt like his soul belonged to Kurosawa, and no one else.

“I feel like even if he were with someone else, he would still be my angel. The one that’s meant for me.”

He even said as much to Tsuge … wait, did Tsuge know!? Did Rokkaku know!? Was Adachi really the only idiot in the room when it came to his own feelings?

Well, not like it mattered.

Or maybe it mattered a little bit. In that he would have loved to hear Kurosawa’s confession at a time when he wasn’t just done freaking out about losing his angel because someone else confessed to him first. Then again, if he weren’t so on edge and already overflowing with emotion … would he even realize he feels the same?

He feared that he wouldn’t. So yeah, it didn’t matter that this was all a big mess and they’d probably still have to talk about it several times to figure everything out. It didn’t matter that his eyes burned from crying and he felt a slight headache from straining his braincells so much. It didn’t matter because at the end of the day, he was wrapped in a cocoon of Kurosawa’s feathers and drowning in a totally out of this Earth kiss with the angel he loved.

No matter how they got here, this was alright.

Kinda perfect, actually.

And the best part - at least Adachi hoped so - was that Kurosawa definitely wasn’t holding back anymore. He didn’t think it was possible to kiss like this. Didn’t think it was possible to be kissed like this. Maybe it was a notable advantage that Kurosawa didn’t need to breathe as much. Or just his general skill compared to Adachi’s complete lack of experience. Either way, it was … a lot.

He was given absolutely no room to move, and only one breath whenever he was just on the brink of desperately needing one. Everything else, from his sight to the sounds in the room to the feeling all over his body, was taken over by Kurosawa. He was so greedy all of a sudden, as if even the air getting to Adachi was an unwelcome interference. But he was kinda right: it totally was unwelcome.

Adachi wanted him - no one and nothing else.

Chapter Text

“Kiyoshi … can I kiss you while you’re asleep?”

“Huh … no, I won’t … you can,” Adachi mumbled, opening his sleepy eyes to check where his kisses went. “But I won’t sleep … I’m not …”

“You should sleep,” Kurosawa smiled, leaning down to kiss him again.

“I’m not tired …”

One more kiss, and Adachi’s eyes were closed again. Two more, and his breathing finally slowed down. Three more, and Kurosawa could tell that he was asleep. That’s why he asked if he could keep kissing him: he knew it was only a matter of time - not time he was afraid of losing though.

Adachi loved him.

He thought about that a lot as he continued to gently kiss him through what little night they had left.

Adachi loved him.

He waited, wondering when he’d wake up from this dream, wondering when this happiness would be ripped away from him, but it just … wasn’t. Adachi was still there. Holding onto him. Mumbling in his sleep. Smiling when Kurosawa kissed him.

Adachi loved him, and everything was alright. That’s not where Kurosawa thought this was going, but … oh, if he was confused and overwhelmed, he couldn’t even imagine how Adachi might feel. He should get it together and make sure his soulmate is properly rested. They still have two days left before the weekend. And Adachi is behind on his emails, isn’t he …

Kurosawa technically wasn’t supposed to do that, but he went ahead and drafted answers for all of them on Adachi’s laptop anyway. It was his fault. He overwhelmed Adachi. He wasn’t doing Adachi’s job for him, he was fixing his own mistakes - yeah, that’s exactly what it was.

Having finished all he could possibly do in that regard, he then moved to his safe space in the kitchen, and poured out all the feelings he couldn’t give to Adachi while he was asleep. This had to be the best breakfast he’d ever made, and the most heartwarming lunch, and dessert … oh, he didn’t even know what he should pick for dessert. He wanted to give Adachi everything, but there were more foods in the world than Adachi had meals left in his life, so he couldn’t give Adachi everything. Damn it, that was kind of a bummer. Wait, he could fuse dishes together, couldn’t he? Brilliant, he could make that work!

He’d probably have to make a lot of things work. He hadn’t really considered what it would mean to date a human … or what it would mean for a human to date him. It wasn’t prohibited, but it definitely wasn’t common among angels, so he could only imagine it would seem even more odd to humans. Adachi wouldn’t be in trouble, would he? Not that anyone would know. Kurosawa was invisible anyway. Oh, but that also kinda hurt. Kurosawa wanted people to know. He wanted everyone to know how much he loved Adachi. But not if that would inconvenience Adachi, of course. They’d have to talk about it. Kurosawa especially needed to ask about everything Adachi wanted in a partner. Hey, he could write that down with their pens! Maybe he could make a questionnaire for Adachi to fill out? Yeah, that sounded great.

It sounded wonderful.

Of course it did - Adachi loved him! So Kurosawa absolutely had to make sure everything was perfect, Adachi didn’t deserve anything less, he deserved everything. Kurosawa just couldn’t stop his mind from going around in circles: if this was love, he just wasn’t strong enough to handle it. Adachi loved him!!!!

Kiyoshi loved him.

His Kiyoshi loved him.

He hit his head on the cupboard door while cutting vegetables, and it barely registered. All he could think of was Adachi, and the kisses they shared, and all the times he’d get to kiss him in the future, or right now, he wanted to kiss Adachi right now, and Adachi said he could, so …

Every now and then, he took a break from preparing ingredients and slipped back into their bedroom, leaning over the sleeping Adachi and falling softly onto his lips. He loved him, he loved him, he loved him. They loved each other. Unbelievable. Kurosawa was sure he was going to lose everything. He already gave up. It felt like all his emotions had gone numb in the moment of Sakazaki-san’s confession, and he’d only now been regaining some semblance of feeling. Adachi loved him. Kiyoshi loved him. His Kiyoshi loved him.

It kept repeating, like waves lapping at a wall of stone, and Kurosawa happily let the feelings erode him, wondering if the sand on the shores of Adachi’s love could ever swallow him whole so he couldn’t tell himself apart from his soulmate anymore.

Love was wonderful. He wasn’t ready for this, but it was wonderful.

Adachi’s alarm would go off soon. Kurosawa lay next to him, hugging him tight and taking care of everything, making sure his beloved wouldn’t be tired from the short and tumultuous night, erasing the dark circles under Adachi’s eyes with his kisses and wishing he could stay around for longer, but alas, breakfast hadn’t been cooked yet.

Adachi woke up to the sweet smell of eggs, as usual. But as he rolled onto his back to hit the snooze button on his phone, something didn’t quite feel as usual. It was definitely a workday, hence the alarm, but he felt really well rested: the way he would when he slept in on the weekends. And he didn’t even remember falling asleep last night, so it must have been late.

No.

Wait.

He left the office early. He left early because- oh fuck.

Oh fuck.

He couldn’t believe he just ran away from Sakazaki-san’s confession like that. He saw it all play out again in his head, and yet he couldn’t even remember the look on her face. Her voice was all that was left, followed by frantic movements of Adachi’s hands grabbing his things and leaving. And then nothing.

He must have just crashed when he got home.

Although he did feel like … he maybe … kinda remembered something else? Like a dream coming back to him. Kurosawa held him in his arms. That was so reassuring, even just in a dream … and then …

“Is this what you wanted?”

Huh?

He wasn’t used to dreams that vivid. Not any that he’d remember at least. But he could almost see- no, feel Kurosawa’s touch, and … oh. Oh.

Oh.

Adachi’s body went limp, lying helpless under the blanket as visions of Kurosawa’s lips on his flooded his mind, sending jolts down his spine each time their tongues touched, as if it were real. What was he even doing in a dream like that?! Adachi didn’t know anything about any of … that stuff! And Kurosawa was his angel! And a guy!

… why would he … even in a dream, why would Adachi want him like that …

And also, shouldn’t it feel wrong, kissing someone he’s not interested in?

Adachi slowly opened his eyes, staring at the ceiling but still seeing nothing other than images of Kurosawa kissing him, like he’d been struck by an acute plague with a vice grip on his photoreceptors. He turned on his side, hiding his face in Kurosawa’s pillow as if that would make it any better - it didn’t. He held onto it, pulled it close, took a breath so deep it threatened to collapse his lungs, and disappeared in a cloud of Kurosawa’s scent.

Lost and desperate, he parted his lips just a little.

The fabric of the pillow cover didn’t follow.

But in his fantasy, Kurosawa kissed him back until Adachi couldn’t breathe anymore.

It didn’t feel wrong. It didn’t feel wrong at all.

Sakazaki-san said she liked him.

Suddenly all he could think of was kissing Kurosawa.

That, uh … that seemed like a problem. Adachi bit his lip, forcing himself to focus and push the pillow away before he’d actually try to kiss it in Kurosawa’s stead. He didn’t know … well, a lot of things, but definitely not that he felt that way about Kurosawa … so what now?

Maybe it didn’t mean anything?

Maybe his brain just smashed things together at random. It’s not like he’s responsible for what his mind does when he’s sleeping!

But he was awake now. And he still … felt things about this dream. Excitement. Fear. Mostly yearning. He imagined Kurosawa walking over from the kitchen right now and kissing him, and … what?

Adachi wasn’t one for fantasies like that - especially not about close male acquaintances that just happened to be in the other room while he was thinking about them.

He didn’t know what to do with this feeling. He should probably tell- no, he can’t. If he tells Kurosawa that he wants to kiss him, that idiot will just- and the point of the dream wasn’t that Kurosawa kissed him, it was that Kurosawa wanted to kiss him, it was that Adachi wanted to kiss him too, than they both wanted it, like … as if … as if they were …

Lovers.

As if he were in love with Kurosawa.

As if Kurosawa-

“Good morning!”

Shit. He was out of time to get his thoughts together, Adachi realized as he scrambled to sit up on the bed, staring at Kurosawa like a deer in the headlights. “Ha- ah- ahem … morning.”

“Cute,” Kurosawa smiled, his eyes sparkling as he sat on the bed beside Adachi, reaching out his hand. “Kiyoshi, did you sleep well?”

“.... ha?”

“We stayed up so long last night, I took the liberty to use some magic so you’d be fully rested. Is it still wearing off?”

We? Stayed up last night? We? And Kurosawa’s hand on his cheek? And- And- And- Kiyoshi!?

“I need to wake up,” Adachi blurted out. “This- uh- work, I have work!”

“We’re still early enough. Kiyoshi … is something wrong?”

His heart was oscillating like an industrial pendulum, threatening to rip itself out of his chest and explode into a million confetti pieces on the bed between them. That didn’t feel quite right to Adachi, but then again, Kurosawa was touching him, and that definitely didn’t feel wrong either. Who knows.

But slowly, Kurosawa pulled his hand away, and his expression changed.

“... Kiyoshi? Kiyoshi, do you … regret it?”

“H-Huh? N-No … no?” Adachi panicked, leaning forward and reaching out to regain Kurosawa’s touch.

Regret what?

“Kiyoshi …”

“... Yuuichi …”

They kissed.

Regret what?

Kurosawa pulled him into his lap and cupped his face.

Regret what?

He could taste Kurosawa’s tongue at the back of his mouth.

Regret what?

If anything, he’d regret waking up after this. He didn’t even realize he was still dreaming. It felt so real. His heart jumped at every little touch, and every subtle sound, and every soft shiver of Kurosawa’s wings. He was in love. He had to be. Nothing else in this world could ever feel like that. He was in love. He loved Kurosawa. He loved his guardian angel.

Probably had for a while.

Maybe now that he was forced to think about relationships again, it all just kinda came to the surface.

“I love you!”

“I love you too, Kiyoshi.”

Adachi tightened his grip on Kurosawa and burst out crying - he was so happy.

“I love you! I love you! I love you! Yuuichi … Yuuichi … I love you. Let’s go on a date. Let’s spend the rest of our lives together. I love you!”

“I love you too … I’ll be with you until the end, you know I will. But we should really- Kiyoshi, you have work.”

“I have an alarm,” Adachi shook his head, chuckling at how even in his dreams, his mind still painted Kurosawa as utmost punctual and responsible.

“It went off fifteen minutes ago,” Kurosawa gently nudged him away. “You’ll be late at this rate!”

“It’s fine,” he slipped past Kurosawa’s hands, nuzzling against his chest again. “Don’t worry about it.”

“Kiyoshi? This is highly unusual for you, are you sure you’re-”

“I don’t want to wake up,” Adachi sighed, tightly holding onto Kurosawa’s feathers.

“... Kiyoshi, you are awake.”

“Yeah but I don’t want to wake up for real, I mean. I don’t want this to be over!”

“It won’t be over. Kiyoshi, I love you. I promise you every zepto-second of my time for as long as you live, it won’t ever be over. But I can’t in good conscience allow you to get in trouble at work, so-”

“Do you think the real you would feel the same?” Adachi asked, closing his eyes and resting his head on Kurosawa’s shoulder.

“... the real me?”

“If I woke up one day and said I loved you … I wonder what you would do.”

“I’d be the happiest angel on Earth, of course! But we should really-”

“I love you.”

“I love you too, Kiyoshi. But-”

“I wish you loved me back.”

“... uh …“

“And there’s probably nothing I can really do, because why would you … why would anyone, but especially you … I don’t even know how I’d make you fall in love with me.”

“Kiyoshi, I already-”

“I don’t think I’ll tell you. I don’t want you to feel obligated to return my feelings. I know you would. So just … let’s just stay here a little longer. I can’t wake up yet. I hope I don’t have to wake up yet.”

“... did I mess up somewhere,” Kurosawa mumbled to himself, furrowing his brow as he stared at his hands.

All he did was infuse Adachi with a little extra sleep. A short adjustment period was expected, maybe a slight headache, but this!?

“Kiyoshi! Get it together … we’ll be late even if I fly you in at this rate.”

“I don’t want the dream to end …”

“Kiyoshi. Hey. Hey!” Kurosawa pushed him away and sat him upright, snapping his fingers in front of Adachi’s face to no avail.

“I love you … Yuuichi … I love you …”

Oh, humans … what did Kurosawa get himself into.

“I love you too,” he whispered on the edge of a kiss that almost suffocated Adachi. “I don’t know what’s going on, but you’re not dreaming, you’re definitely awake, and you’ll be late for work.”

Adachi felt a sharp pain in his wrist as Kurosawa kissed him again.

He looked down and saw Kurosawa pinching him exactly where the pain was coming from.

Still in the middle of the kiss, he let go of Kurosawa to pinch himself higher up on his arm.

And he felt that too: pain, but mostly an oncoming heart attack at the realization that all of his fantasies weren’t dreams, they were just memories, and everything he remembered was real.

Including the kiss they were sharing right now.

And Kurosawa expected him to care about being late for work!? Not a chance, he’s not that strong of a man.

Chapter Text

“You … you … we … we’re lovers?” Adachi stuttered, whispering in disbelief as if the words themselves were a sin.

“Yes,” Kurosawa nodded, smiling wide as he stroked Adachi’s cheek.

“Last night- I- … what?”

“... I overwhelmed you, didn’t I?”

“I don’t know what you did. And I’ll be late for work,” Adachi suddenly found himself falling back into reality.

“Yes, I’ve been trying to-”

“But you love me, right?” Adachi cut him off, cupping Kurosawa’s face in his hands.

“Yes.”

“And I told you- Yuuichi … Yuuichi, I feel the same. I love you too.”

“Yes!” Kurosawa nodded again, smiling as bright as the sun. “You told me!”

“And we’re … oh …”

Overwhelmed was an understatement. Memories of last night came flooding back to Adachi, not like a waterfall but more like buckets of water being thrown at his face with great force.

There was so much.

Oh.

There was so much.

“You said we were soulmates …”

“Yes.”

“... you said you’d be my husband!”

“Yes.”

Adachi felt so happy, he couldn’t hold back tears anymore. His body moved on instinct, leaning closer, lips just barely brushing up against Kurosawa’s until he stopped, pulling away at the last moment.

“Yuuichi … I don’t know-”

“Just kiss me. Please. You did last night. Please.”

Right … he did. It couldn’t have possibly been any good, but he did kiss Kurosawa. And he’d never heard him sound so demanding before! How could he not comply!?

They would be so late for work today.

Kurosawa did eventually fly them in, and Adachi apologized for oversleeping his alarm, which no one seemed to mind. He’d think more about how supportive and kind his Nagasaki team was if he weren’t absolutely swamped with work the moment he got to his office, on top of managing Sakazaki-san’s duties as well. Two days with one less person in such a time crunch seemed impossible, but Adachi swore to himself that he would make it work.

Because one, it was his responsibility as the supervisor to take care of his employees.

And two, he wanted to be courteous to the person whose feelings he couldn’t reciprocate.

And three … most importantly … as soon as he gets everything done and they leave the office on Friday, he and Kurosawa will finally have two whole days to talk about … them?

Their relationship.

Adachi still couldn’t believe it. At the same time, he also felt like an idiot for thinking it was all a dream, but could anyone blame him? An angel is in love with him! And it’s mutual! That doesn’t just happen to anyone. Adachi was well within his reason to assume he was dreaming.

But every time he looked at Kurosawa since, his loving gaze was there on full display, reminding Adachi that all of this was as real as anything could be.

He was in a relationship now.

He had a partner. A soulmate.

A boyfriend. A husband.

If that even meant anything for them.

If any of it even meant anything for them.

Well, it had to mean something. Adachi just didn’t know what. It all kinda cascaded down in one night, and he knew that if the circumstances were different, that’s probably not how he’d want to start a relationship. Not that it was bad: if he had more time, he knew he’d hesitate and doubt himself too much, so maybe it was for the best that he didn’t realize how much he wanted Kurosawa until push came to shove, but on the other hand … now what?

Overthinking wasn’t exactly his greatest feature, but he did make a lot of progress with learning to apply it in more productive ways, so maybe if things had gone differently, he could have given his feelings and their future more thought, and have a better idea of where everything stood. The way things played out now, he was just kinda lost - but still firmly held in Kurosawa’s arms while finding sanctuary on his lips.

Not a bad place to be lost in, all things considered.

“Good morning, Kiyoshi!”

He opened his eyes, immediately being met with Kurosawa’s adoring gaze as the tips of their noses bumped together. “What time is it?”

“A little past noon,” Kurosawa smiled, reaching for Adachi’s hand and intertwining their fingers.

“So much for getting up early on the weekend,” Adachi sighed, nuzzling closer to Kurosawa. “I’m sorry.”

“You needed to rest,” Kurosawa kissed the top of his head, playing with the usual unruly strand of hair that was sticking up again.

“But I want to be with you! And we need to, like … talk … and stuff.”

“I know,” Kurosawa nodded. “But we have time. There’s no need to rush. You should eat something first.”

“Yeah … what’s for lunch?”

“... I haven’t actually cooked yet,” Kurosawa admitted.

“You haven’t?”

“I woke up at dawn and couldn’t bear to leave your side now that we aren’t in a rush to go anywhere.”

“You’ve been staring at me for hours? Actually, no, don’t answer that.”

“... am I not supposed to?”

“Well … hmpf,” Adachi pouted, crossing his arms. “I guess it’s kinda cute …”

“Of course you are! So what would you like to eat?”

“Can you make onigiri?”

“Yes!”

They got out of bed together, brushed their teeth together, washed their faces together and sat at the kitchen table together: Kurosawa preparing fillings on one side, and Adachi watching him on the other.

For a temporary apartment, it really did feel a lot like home.

“So what did you wish to talk about?” Kurosawa asked, looking up at Adachi.

“I don’t know,” he sighed, resting an elbow on the table and propping up his head. “I just feel like we should. I have a lot of thoughts. But I don’t know where to start. I’ve never done this before … obviously.”

“Me neither. I mean, I have, but … not with a human. And not with someone I so deeply loved.”

“So we’re both out of our depth here, huh …”

“A little bit,” Kurosawa agreed. “But I did prepare an outline while you’ve been working the past two days!”

“An outline of … ?”

“Every important thing I could think of.”

“... and you got the five thousand sheets of paper for that where?” Adachi asked, a chuckle escaping his lips.

He just knew this was going to be something absolutely absurd. Kurosawa had that look on his face, nothing normal ever came of that. Why was it so cute? Oh, how he loved him …

“It’s not that much,” Kurosawa paused the food prep to hand over a folder of papers covered in his own handwriting. “I tried to be concise. And please … fill it out with the pen I gave you.”

“Of course I will,” Adachi smiled, grabbing the pen from his bag on the floor. “Okay, let’s see … eh? Yuuichi, why is there a drawing of me?”

“So you can mark your preferred types of physical affection.”

“As in …”

“Where you like to be kissed the most, and where I shouldn’t touch you. Actually, do we have any colored pencils? Maybe this would be best if you color-coded it on a scale from-”

“I think the pen is fine,” Adachi tried to curb his enthusiasm. “And besides, I don’t … I don’t really know about this. I mean … should I?”

“Huh … I guess it makes sense, if you’ve never been in a relationship before … sorry.”