Commission-sponsored hero Aki (whose quirk is essentially his fox devil contract, except the drawback is that he needs to be able to see his hand to summon her) who, fresh out of his intern-supervisor duties with Commission students Chainsaw Man and God Power, is assigned to work with Angel-- a detainee from the Shie Hassaikai raid. According to his file, he was one of their most dangerous and most unknown members, a bloodthirsty serial killer kept in a room and utilised solely for his lethal quirk.
Aki begged to differ.
Aki put up with a lot, he would say.
Everything he's ever done has been in the name of public safety. In the name of taking down villains, ensuring they can’t go around hurting people without consequence.
But that doesn’t mean it isn’t a heavy job. It’s not the right career for people who are obsessed with money and fame— though many Pro Heroes are in it for those purposes, they aren’t really Pro Heroes. Pro models, pro public wrestlers, maybe— maybe even pro hero contractors— sure. But they aren’t actual pro Heroes, like Aki is.
Aki joined this job for the right reason. For the real reason. He’s dedicated his life to taking down the villain that killed his parents and put his little brother in the hospital. And he’ll do whatever it takes to reach his goal, including taking down any number of dangerous villains in the interim. He does the thankless work. That which keeps civilians and heroes alike safe. The kind most people cannot.
His Boss, the woman that made it all possible, expects a lot from him. He’s honoured she thinks of him as a trustworthy, reliable hero.
… But sometimes, her requests are… Trying.
This is one of those times.
“Madam President.” He started, almost pleadingly. “You said it yourself, this person is untrained and totally unused to regular human interaction. They would be a liability in the field. Especially in the kinds of missions I undertake.”
Makima smiled at him, tilting her head to the side. When she had that look on her face, Aki got the sense that nobody else in the world could understand him, could see him, quite like Makima. It’s equal parts comforting and overwhelming.
“That’s precisely why I’ve assigned him to you, Aki.” Makima said. “You’ve proven to me time and time again you can work with even the most difficult of partners. I know it’s not ideal— but honestly? There’s nobody else I trust with this person’s particular background and set of skills, other than you.”
Aki’s heart skipped a beat.
“... Is there any training they could undertake first?” He asked. Makima sighed, and for a moment Aki fears he’s irritated her.
“I explored that pathway, myself. I wouldn’t want to put you in danger, after all. But unfortunately, it seems the subject is.. Unreceptive to our teachings. They’d benefit from a more hands-on approach.”
She leaned back in her chair, rolling her shoulders. Aki wondered if the whole situation— the Shie Hassaikai bust, UA’s involvement, the League of Villains— was stressing her out.
“Of course, if you reject the request.. We can find someone else, I suppose.”
Aki bit his lip.
He didn’t want to become another stressor in her life.
“No.” He said eventually. “There’s no need for that, Madam President."
Makima smiled, and Aki felt the tightness in his chest release a little.
“Aki.” She started, sounding affectionate. It was a tone she only used with him. “How many times have I told you? Just ‘Makima’ is fine.”
He bowed, trying to hide the pink that was no doubt staining his cheeks.
“Of course, Makima.”
Makima hummed, and there was an amused tinge to the sound, that forced Aki to stay in his bow a beat too long, trying to compose himself.
“Cute.” She said. “Now, I expect your first report by the end of this week.”
He rose, clearing his throat.
“Of course.” He said.
“Then, you’re dismissed.” She said. “.. Take care of yourself, alright, Aki?”
He nodded. She didn’t usually show such concern for people, he knew. He was special.
Which is why she trusted him with such tasks, he reminded himself, collecting his docket from the dispenser outside her door. A way to keep the riff raff out, even when she called them to her office. Only a select few were allowed to enter.
Aki kept the manila folder closed as he moved through Commission Headquarters, greeting the occasional staff member curtly.
Room 14.7, his usual meeting room, was prepped for him already, with a pitcher of water and quirksafe crystal glasses displayed nicely in the middle of the room.
In twenty minutes, his newest charge would arrive. Which means he had 10 minutes to actively memorise their details, and 9 to figure out what to say.
He really only needed 5, all up.
The level 14 smoker’s lounge was usually only ever used by himself, Himeno and Kishibe. Thankfully, it was empty when he reached it.
He could already tell he wouldn’t have time for a cigarette for the rest of the day, unfortunately.
Two cigarettes later, he was on his way back to meeting room 14.7, rehashing his expectations for the subject in his mind. Obedience, promptness and, ideally, not any more talking than necessary. The last point had gone from a requirement to a hope, since his stint with the interns.
He rounded the corner and paused for a moment.
An armed guard was posted outside of the meeting room.
Aki nodded to the guard, who stepped aside and opened the door for him.
He walked in, put his folder down on the table, and only then did he look up.
“Angel.”
The person sitting in the meeting room didn’t move for a moment, as if they hadn’t heard Aki at all. Aki frowned.
Another delinquent type, huh?
Just as he went to force their chair to swivel, their head started to turn.
They peered at him over their shoulder, their reddish-orange hair and white wing working together to cover most of their face, so all he could see was a single red eye.
“Hm?” Angel responded. Aki observed them for a moment.
They seemed… Lazy. There was an intentionality to their sluggish nature, their slow blinks looking more habitual than truly exhaustion-derived.
"I'm Hayakawa Aki." He introduced himself, keeping his tone firm and restrained, despite the disgusted note that wanted to creep in. "I'll be your handler here at the Public Safety Commission."
For more than a few beats, Angel did nothing but watch him.
Then, they lowered their head to the table with a sigh.
Aki gritted his teeth.
This was going to be a long assignment.
He explained to Angel what their responsibilities would be, and what working for the Commission would entail, reminding them of the judicial consequences he would face, should they act out of turn. Angel listened to it all with a blank expression. When Aki asked if they understood, they simply said:
"Hm." And dropped their gaze back to the table. As if even just looking up at Aki was too much effort.
Aki only barely managed to maintain his composure.
Through his irritation, however, he wondered how someone so... lethargic could have an estimated kill count of 223.
But he knew that villains could come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. And that there was no rhyme or reason to their behaviour.
He would stay focused, he decided, and not let Angel's... Tendencies throw him off. Underestimation was the death of vigilance, after all.
-
Name: Angel
Aliases: The Angel, The Devil-Angel
Birth Place: Unknown
Birth Date: Unknown | Approximate Age Range: 24-26
Quirk(s): [Mutant] Angel -- See National Registry for details
[Emitter] Drain -- See HC Quirk Registry for details
Drain is activated by contact with the subject's hand, from which the subject drains the life force of any organism, including insects and plant life, resulting in death, followed by rapid decay, and finalised with the reduction of the remains into dust. It cannot be deactivated by the subject.
Personality and Temperament: Subject is unmotivated, unambitious and indolent. Responds well to dominant personalities.
Firstly, thank you all so much for your wonderful comments. Reading through them and seeing the overwhelming support I’ve gotten has driven me to tears more than once. You’re all so lovely and kind. I’m sorry I haven’t responded to many— I want to reply when I have a new chapter out so that it’s not just an empty thank you I’m responding with. I feel like you all deserve far more.
I’ve been writing lots n lots of fushiita but can’t ever finish it— so some of it I think I’ll post here on tumble as drabbles! Idk if anybody would like to read them, but I’d certainly like to get them out of my documents and into the world :)
Firstly I'd like to sincerely apologise to everyone who follows me, and who's been waiting for an update on any of my fics. I made promises for chapters and posting times that I didn't keep, and I should never have made them when I was in such a shaky place.
It feels really silly to act like I'm a public figure or something, but I know many of you care about the fics I post and want to know if they'll be updated and whatnot. I'll put a heading below the cut for that specifically, so you can skip the first bit (explanation of what's been delaying said fics so much).
These past 2 months a lot has happened in my life. My parents got a divorce and I have experienced more betrayal, disdain and hatred from my father's side of the family than I ever thought possible. The same family that inspired me to write trouble in tokyo, the family who I love so much, has shown me once again who they truly are. I've experienced everything from violence to exclusion to just straight up being ignored, and I'm still a bit shaken from how quickly everything turned. I'm physically okay and safe now, and I'll heal emotionally.
I realise now that I was always an outsider looking in. My family is full of close-knit sibling groups, and I'm an only child who never quite fit. I was always too awkward, too different, too disappointing in the visual sense, to ever really fit in. They were all nice enough when we spoke one-on-one, so I thought maybe the reason why they ignored me and excluded me in group settings was because, though they loved me, they just loved or liked each other more. But I was just turning a blind eye to all the things they did because I wanted to protect. Whether that protection was for myself and my feelings, or my images of the people I felt were close as siblings to me, I don't know. But I understand now.
Families in my culture don't have to be blood-related. It's silly to forgive people of all their trespasses and put them on a pedestal just because you share a grandparent. I know all this, and yet here I am, still crying.
Updates on my fanfiction specifically
I still have many troublesome extras planned and half-written, and I will be finishing and posting those! The Kusozu brothers are a strong family with a genuine, unconditional love for each other that I still believe exists! I'm sure it's out there waiting for us all :)
I'm so sorry to everyone who's sent me an ask I haven't gotten back to yet, I sincerely thank you so much for sending them. I want to reply with a fic chapter for you all, and that's the only reason why I haven't responded.
The Butterfly Effect chapters I promised had to be scrapped. I will be writing better ones and hopefully posting them in a more timely manner.
The Cat!Yuuji au Nine Lives has 3 more works to come. They're short, silly little ficlets that aren't serious or heavy at all.
My many, many, many jjk fics unposted will start to be posted soon. I've got lots of inspiration and lots of emotional turmoil to write out, so please excuse me if it's something a little angstier.
