Chapter Text
The backdrop on Heaven's sky was utterly breathtaking. It glowed with soft pastel colors. The rosy pink, lavender and light blue blending into each other to create a beautiful gradient. It was a magical sight. Especially with the clouds looking like cotton candy and a hint of gold on its edges. If it had an artist, they certainly knew how to make an angel take it in awe.
"Sir?"
The angel who was sitting down turned his head around at the sound of his Lieutenant's voice. "What?"
There was a hint of annoyance and irritation in his voice. 'There goes my peace and quiet...'
"Sorry to interrupt but-"
"Ha! No, you are not. Just get on with it, bitch."
"Sera needs your presence in her office, sir."
Adam groaned. "The fuck? Why?"
"I assume it's the last review before we head out tomorrow." Lute said as she sat down beside him. Her wings slightly stiffened.
She'd be lying that this wasn't her first break time for today.
It was such a busy day.
Waking up early to do her morning exercise which she refuses to take a break from. Then it was dealing with Adam's bullshit at the start of work. Literally, the moment she took a step on the office, he started going off about the night he had.
After that, it was training the girls for what's to come on the next day. Quite frustrating because they were still making a few mistakes. It's just minor little things but... They need to give it their 110% on that battle. The moment they get sloppy is the moment they get overwhelmed. As if she'd let those filthy fucking monsters kill them that easily. Although the thoughts of angelic steel have made her wary for tomorrow.
Then she was busy filling out paperwork which SOMEONE should have done a week ago. Once she handed it over to Sera... Her next task was to fetch Adam. It was honestly easier said than done. A couple of hours flying and searching for him, wondering where the actual fuck her commander was.
Who would have thought that he was enjoying this scenery. Not Lute for sure.
"Ugh fine. I'll just get it over and done with and head to Sera right now. Can't wait to kick all their asses tomorrow-"
Lute was startled when he was getting up.
"W-wait!"
Her hand grabbing a hold of his robe's sleeve.
"There's something I need to tell you..."
"Huh?"
She quickly dropped her hand. Pink dusted on her cheeks. "I-I... Sir..l-"
"Spit it out babe. I need to go before Sera gets all up my backside. Again."
"I think I...I..." She struggled to get the words out before sighing as she sees Adam looking a tiny bit impatient. "How about I'll tell you after the Extermination?"
Adam raised his brow but didn't question it. Shrugging it off, "alrighty then. Tomorrow's a big day after all!"
"Yeah."
They'll definitely come out victorious as they always have. She'll definitely tell him about the things she had grown to harbor inside. Just one more day...
It was Extermination Day.
Adam walked out of Sera's office. It pissed him off how she wanted to do another last minute review.
As soon as he had changed his clothes for the battle, an angel called out to him.
"Hey, uh, Dad...?"
He was going to ignore it until the kid repeatedly called him twice.
"What?!" Adam's eyes narrowing down. "What do you want, kid? Can it fucking wait until I'm back?"
He noticed his son shrank at his tone. "Fuck. This shit better be worth my time. I'm on a time crunch here. Just hurry up and spill it."
"Well, I just wanted to say...um... good luck out there. I... I know I'm not exactly an official Exorcist yet, but-"
“PFFT- good luck? You think I need good luck out there? Did you forget who I am? I’m the First Man. The original dick. They’ll be cowering on their knees before me! Anyway, I’ve been doing this shit for years. Are you… seriously doubting me right now?”
Adam couldn’t deny that he felt a brief sting in his chest. It was something sharp, fleeting and unwelcome… He’s not one to be nervous. That would be impossible.
Abel subconsciously placed a hand on his own arm to rub it. “Oh right…”
“That’s what I thought. I’m untouchable. No sinner has gotten a single scratch on me so far!”
His son sighed, “Nevermind. You’re right. I was worried for nothing. I don’t… I wasn’t sure what I was even thinking. J-just forget I had said anything… Sorry…”
Just this once, Adam removed his mask off and met Abel’s eyes. “Look kid. You don’t have to worry so much about me. Alright?”
He ruffled Abel’s hair, attempting to mess it up.
“Hey! You’re messing up my hair! I spent so much time on it!”
He chuckled before letting go.
Abel couldn’t help but smile, “I guess you should go have fun and hell shit up?”
“Hell yeah I will!” Adam slipped his mask back on. “Maybe once you get to my level with handling the lieutenant, then I could try to take you next year!”
The boy’s smile faltered. “O-oh but I’m not so sure I’ll be ready for next year.”
His father gave him an unamused look. “Just man up. You know… Get a grip and grow a pair!”
“Very funny dad…”
“Heh. Welp. I’ll see you later kid!”
Abel watched him make his exit by leaping out the window, spreading his wings and flying down to which Abel then leaned on to see his father landing next to the lieutenant. She sometimes scares him a lot. The Exorcists move to rush into formation to prepare for battle.
A battle they’ll surely win.
"ADAM!!!"
Abel quickly rushed to where the glowing portal had opened a few seconds ago. Accidentally slamming himself into a wall on the way out. He barely registered the pain as his vision was getting blurry. His heart was beating faster than ever. It pounded painfully in his ears. At that point, he couldn’t breathe when he saw the number of Exorcists coming back.
“W-what happened to… Dad..?”
About two-thirds of the Exorcists had made it back. One-third gone missing. But there was one- one in particular- who was definitely not there.
There were supposed to be two angels standing in front of him. Only one had returned and stood looking so hollow as well as shattered in ways Abel had never thought it was possible for an angel.
"Wait where is-"