PART ONE

 

Kyungsoo stared at the guardian angel in front of him, not even bothering to take the scroll that he was supposed to have and read. Instead, the said male only raises one of his eyebrows and crosses his arms.

 

“Why are you giving that to me?” With a voice as respectful and calm as he could, he asked the angel in front him. Nonetheless, he only received a simple shrug as an answer.

 

“I don’t know. It was passed down to me, saying it’s from Junmyeon. I was ordered to give it to you.” With a bored look on his face, the guardian angel named Sehun extended his arms more thinking that maybe this time, the other male will finally grab it.

 

“Junmyeon? The Seraphim? Great, that scroll’s content must’ve been so important that the Seraphim itself passed it down.” The angel grimaced.

 

“Yes. So maybe you don’t mind getting it now. My arm is starting to hurt.” Sehun scowled at the elder and he was sure he saw Kyungsoo roll his eyes before snatching off the old scroll from him.

Sehun stares as Kyungsoo’s expression changes as he read whatever was written on the scroll.

 

“What’s this? Why must I go down to rescue some angel? For the record, he might’ve been a Fallen already.”

 

“Why are you even complaining? Oh Father Lord, you’re an angel Kyungsoo. Just follow Junmyeon’s orders and go down there.” Sehun wants to kick Kyungsoo into reality if ever that’s possible. But of course he cannot because he still needs to be respectful to someone who’s higher in rank than him.

 

“Because there’s a lot more things that is greater in importance rather than rescuing someone who we’re not even sure if he’s still on our side.” Kyungsoo has a point, Sehun may admit. But still, Kyungsoo should never complain especially if the order itself came from a Seraphim.

 

 

“I can see that the traits you’ve learned while you’re once an Archangel is still compact with that head of yours.” Both angels was a bit taken aback by their brother’s sudden appearance.

 

“Oh Yixing.”

 

“Good day, my dear brothers. What’s the problem with Kyungsoo this time, Sehun?”

 

Sehun bit his lower lip and glanced at Kyungsoo, thinking twice if he should tell Yixing whatever’s happening. But still, Yixing knows Kyungsoo better than him so maybe he could convince him to accept the Seraphim’s order instead of being peevish.

 

“Kyungsoo doesn’t want to go and rescue an angel.”

 

“An angel? What angel?” Yixing titled his head to one side, innocence present on his face.

 

“Junmyeon passed down a scroll to him but he won’t—”

 

“Okay fine! Enough of the badmouthing. I’ll just leave and take that angel back here if he’s not yet one of the Fallen.” Rolling his eyes, Kyungsoo turned his back to the other two angels and spread his wings so wide then dove out of the sky.

 

*****

 

Jongin clicked his tongue at the girl who threw a candy wrapper on the ground. Yes, Kim Jongin is a die-hard Mother Nature lover. Throwing wastes carelessly around him can never be tolerated whoever you are.

 

 

“Excuse me, but I seriously think that there is a proper trash bin for that certain wrapper and I—” The girl stared at him for a short while, removed her earphones (which Jongin didn’t notice until she removes them) and raised one of her eyebrows.

 

“What?”

 

“Oh… I said that you should pick up that candy wrapper and throw it the right place.” Even if Kim Jongin was nervous, it never showed. He knows how to act confident even if his legs were already shaking so hard. Kim Jongin is a professional. A professional environmentalist.

 

“Okay.” Nothing more. Nothing less. That was the girl’s only response. Well, there was this cute smile on her face. Jongin nodded, the girl shrugged, picked up her trash and went away just like that. Awkward.

 

 

 

That scene was what welcomed Kyungsoo when he landed on Earth. It was weird to see and Kyungsoo needed to check the scroll given to him to confirm if the man talking about Mother Nature and such is really the angel that was missing a few weeks ago.

 

He doesn’t seem to be one of the Fallen. But he also doesn’t seem to be an angel.

 

Archangel Kai. That’s 100% him.

 

Kyungsoo takes a deep breath, conceals his wings and then takes his human form. There’s no turning back, Kyungsoo.

 

 

*****

 

“Kim Jongin!” A deep voice boomed around the hallway and everyone turned to see Park Chanyeol running towards his friend – and roommate – who can’t even hear him because he’s wearing a headphone that is visible to everyone except Chanyeol.

Chanyeol taps Jongin by the shoulder, and only that catches his attention. The latter sees the wide grin on his friend’s face and that made him feel a little uneasy.

 

“What’s wrong, hyung?” Jongin asks as he pause the music and removes the headphone from his ears. Chanyeol grins even more and it became a little creepier.

 

“You didn’t tell me you have someone.” With some poke on Jongin’s waste, Chanyeol starts teasing him with a sing-song voice that’s slightly irritating to Jongin’s ears.

 

“What? I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

 

“Oh but there’s someone waiting for you in our room. She’s kinda’ pretty actually.”

 

“Who? Did you ask for her name? Because I don’t remember being friends with someone pretty.”

 

“Uh no. She’s just there. Sitting on your bed. Waiting for you. I left her and told her I’d get you.”

 

“What if she’s a thief?”

 

“What? No! A thief cannot be that pretty.”

 

“You don’t know anything, don’t you? People always judge other people by their looks, did it ever cross your mind that what matters is what their heart contains because time will come and looks will fade and in the end, all you will have is yourself – your attitude.” Chanyeol gaped at his friend. Eyes blinking in shock. Well not really. This side of Jongin appears randomly and it always surprised him every time.

 

“Okay. I understand your point, Jongin. But maybe going back to our room is the best choice right now. You don’t have any classes, right?” Chanyeol flashes a cute smile and Jongin could only shake his head and let out a small laugh as a sign of defeat.

 

 

*****

 

 

Kyungsoo lands feet first on the ground in his human form. The angel immediately looks for a mundane mirror to see what his body looks like, and when he finds one, he know he’s blessed to bear a good body for his mission.

He looks like a high school boy with his big doe eyes and plump lips. The whole look gives an innocent feel to people and maybe that’s what Kyungsoo needs. It makes being friendly easier.

 

He then pulls out the golden mirror that Yixing gave him. If this is just an ordinary mirror, then maybe he could have just used this instead of looking for one. But no, the mirror only allows him to see the Angel he’s looking for and whatever he’s doing.

 

Kyungsoo sees Kai laughing so loudly that it hurts his ear. How can an angel like him laugh like an animal?

 

The angel clicks his tongue and thanked God again for his body before heading out to look for his subject once again (and maybe figure out how he managed to become an animal)

 

 

*****

 

 

Jongin’s laughter echoed everywhere and Chanyeol could only hide his face in shame. The taller male swore he wanted to disappear each time he hears Jongin’s laughter getting louder and louder.

 

“What did you say again? Pretty?” Jongin’s laughter cannot be stopped. He hasn’t laughed like this for so long and no one can spoil his fun right now.

 

“Shut up. I didn’t know he’s a he.” Chanyeol emphasized the last word, wanting to be freed from this embarrassment.

 

“I know Luhan’s too pretty for a man, but mistaking him as a girl? That is very hilarious, hyung.”

 

“Okay okay stop laughing Kim Jongin. Have mercy on your friend.” Luhan finally speaks up, trying to lessen the giant’s shame, but to be honest he was a little frustrated for being mistaken as a girl. He’s manly, okay?

 

“Yah Kim Jongin!” With his face as red as a tomato, Chanyeol hits the back of Jongin’s head. But unfortunately, that didn’t not have any effect. The latter didn’t stop from laughing like a hyena.

 

“Oh God, I don’t even know what to do with him anymore.” Luhan said in defeat while rubbing his temples.

 

“I’m going to stop – pfft – I’m stopping.” Jongin tried his best to hold back his laughter as he compose himself. Chanyeol was already pouting and he didn’t know when Luhan hid his face with his own palms in embarrassment, “But why were you here in the first place, Luhan hyung?” Jongin asked when he completely moved on.

 

Luhan’s expression immediately changed and the shame on his face turned into melancholy.

 

“Minseok hasn’t contacted me for weeks and I thought you might’ve seen him somewhere. I’m worried Jongin. He’s my best friend and I can’t bear to lose him. If ever something bad happened to him I don’t know what I would do.” The elder’s eyes started to become watery and Jongin cannot have Luhan crying. He doesn’t know why but he cares a lot for this hyung – like he had known him even before they met.

 

“Calm down hyung. I’ll try to contact him and I’ll also look for him. Just don’t cry, I hate seeing you cry.”

 

Even Chanyeol felt pity towards the older boy. He couldn’t help but pat him on the shoulder.

 

 

 

 

 

“Minseok?” Kyungsoo scrunched his nose as he try to remember where he had heard that name before, “Isn’t he the one on Zitao’s To-Die list?”

 

 

*****

 

It was a normal day for Jongin. He was silently walking through the hallways on his way to class, headphones on and his care not for the world.

So he didn’t expect to bump into an angel – or a human that looks like one.

 

“Oh I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to–”

 

“No it’s fine, don’t worry.” The male smiles at him and Jongin couldn’t help but smile as well.

 

“I should get going now. Sorry for bumping into you.” As when the male was about to leave, Jongin grabs his arm and asks for his name not knowing what have gotten into him.

 

 

“Kyungsoo. My name’s Do Kyungsoo.”

 

 

*****

 

“Why are you smiling like me? Did something happened?” Chanyeol asks his friend one night while they’re in their room. Chanyeol was playing some video game and Jongin was supposed to be playing with him but then he’s so busy smiling like an idiot – or like Chanyeol.

 

“Huh? Nothing. Nothing happened. Why did you ask?”

 

“Because you’re creeping me out with that weird smile on your face. I am the one who should be smiling like that, not you.”

 

“Why? Did you also meet an angel?”

 

“Angel? What angel? What are you talking about?”

 

“Well he’s no angel. He’s human but he’s beautiful and I was simply mesmerized.”

 

“Oh. It’s a he.”

 

“Shut up.”

 

*****

 

The second time Jongin meets Kyungsoo was planned – planned by God.

 

Kyungsoo accidentally left his bag containing his mirror and he cannot find it anywhere. Jongin on the other hand, sees a bag left on a bench in the park and was looking for its owner when they bumped into each other once again.

 

 

“Oh Father God, thank you so much.” Kyungsoo was very much relieved when Jongin hands him back his bag. He’s lucky – no, blessed – that Jongin was the one who found his things, or else, he’ll be crying now, begging for Yixing or Sehun’s help and he doesn’t want that.

 

“It’s okay. I was kind of glad that you’re the owner of that bag.” Jongin said, smiling.

 

“Hm? Why?”

 

“I was hoping to see you again and look, God granted my wish.”

 

“Oh.” God sure have his ways.

 

 

They talked about a lot of things. Kyungsoo used that chance to ask Jongin a lot of things – things that might help Kyungsoo save him.

 

 

 

“What do you mean you don’t remember?”

 

“I don’t really know. But I woke up in the hospital six years ago, I was only twelve and I don’t remember anything. The one who found me took me in and treated me like a true family member.” As Jongin tell his story, his eyes lit up as if he really cherish every moment with his new family and Kyungsoo started doubting if he’s the one he’s looking for.

 

Six years? But that Archangel Kai has been gone for only a few months.

 

“So you mean you don’t know your true family?”

 

“Yes. But that doesn’t actually bother me anymore. I’m happy living with my new family.” The smile on Jongin’s face worried Kyungsoo. Things just became much complicated than before.

 

*****

 

“I don’t think he wants to go back.” Kyungsoo tells Sehun.

 

The latter decided to visit Kyungsoo to see what he’s been doing. He asked for permission of course, he’s not some kind of hard-headed angel. But he didn’t expect Kyungsoo to be thinking too much about his mission. He disliked going back to Earth and being around humans anyway.

 

“Who?”

 

“The archangel I’m supposed to take back to Paradise.”

 

“Oh him. Why? What happened?”

 

“I talked to him. He said he doesn’t remember anything about his previous life. He said he woke up in a hospital six years ago with no memory of who he is. Sehun, the angel I’ve been looking for has been gone for only few months,” Kyungsoo looked down as he gripped the golden mirror tightly, “and he told me his old family doesn’t bother him that much anymore. It’s like he doesn’t care.”

 

“If I were you, I wouldn’t think so much about that. Father planned everything perfectly. Let’s not doubt him, okay?”

 

“Well you’re right about that. It’s just that I’m wondering. Why would they send me here to save Kai if he doesn’t need to be saved?”

 

“We don’t know. But He knows what will happen so keep faith.”

 

*****

 

Jongin didn’t expect his sleep to be disturbed by a call from Luhan who was crying hysterically in the middle of the night. Jongin tried to calm him down and ask him why. It was past midnight and Luhan was screaming at him to come to the hospital to meet him there.

 

 

But he didn’t expect to find his friend crying beside Minseok’s cold and dead body.

 

 

 

 

Kyungsoo closed his eyes and prayed. He knew this was coming. Minseok will die of sickness that he got when he was a kid, it got worse and now, he’s gone. Zitao must have collected his soul and left already.

But Kyungsoo felt pain for the two who was crying for their friend’s death. Kyungsoo was not supposed to feel anything. But he did.

 

*****

 

A month after Minseok’s death, Jongin sees Kyungsoo again.

The latter was sitting on a swing, hands clasped together and he seems to be thinking of something. Jongin approaches him and when Kyungsoo looks at him, he sees something frightening. The latter’s eyes were soulless. It was without color and his face lacks emotion. But he shakes it off and Kyungsoo takes a deep breath. Jongin sits on the swing beside Kyungsoo and they sat there, not talking. Just sitting silently.

 

 

 “Jongin, do you want to go to heaven?” The question was out of the blue. It surprised Jongin but when he looks at Kyungsoo again, the other seems serious with his question.

 

“I don’t know. Maybe someday? I just don’t like the idea of dying right now. I want to live my life up until the very last moment. Going to heaven means eternal life with God but maybe while I’m here, I want to cherish everything. I don’t want to rush things and plan to go to heaven right now.”

 

“So you don’t want to? At least not yet?” I can’t do this. He doesn’t want to go back.

 

“No. Not yet. Why did you ask?”

 

“Nothing. Just curious.”

 

*****

 

Kyungsoo goes back to heaven the next day. Scroll and mirror in his hands, ready to give them back to their rightful owners.

 

 

“Oh hello there, Kyungsoo. Why are you back so soon? Is Kai with you?” Yixing welcomes him with a sweet smile on his face. So angelic.

 

“No. Kai’s not with me. I can’t save him, if that’s what you call it. He’s not ready to go back here.”

 

“Don’t tell me he’s already a Fallen.”

 

“What? No! No, that’s not it. It’s just I can’t force an angel to go back to Heaven.”

 

“Have you reported this?”

 

“No, not yet. But I’m planning to.” Just as when he’s about to leave, Kyungsoo remembers the mirror and hands it back to Yixing. But the other declined.

 

 

“No, it’s yours. I know you’ll use it again someday.”

 

*****

 

Kyungsoo dreams that night. He’s not supposed to dream but he did. Junmyeon was there. Standing in front of a tree that’s on fire but doesn’t burn. The fire was white, pure white.

 

 

“Ask Kyungsoo to go and protect Kai.” A voice said.

 

Junmyeon then kneels down in front of the tree, “I shall do that, my Lord. But should I tell him the truth?”

 

“Not yet. I will take care of that when the right time comes.”

 

Junmyeon bows down again and he leaves.

 

 

 

Kyungsoo then sees Junmyeon talking to Zitao, their expressions troubled and worried.

 

 

“His name appeared on my list. He’s not supposed to die yet, Junmyeon.”

 

“The Devil got his eye on him. Kyungsoo needs to do his job right or else, we’ll lose a perfectly good soul.”

 

“Don’t worry, I’ll do my best to stop this as well.”

 

“Thank you, Zitao.”

 

 

 

Junmyeon then appears with Yixing. They were together, wings spread as they fly and hover above Earth. They were talking and Kyungsoo can barely hear them.

 

 

“He’s being guarded?” Yixing asks, surprise present on his innocent face.

 

“Yes. Being guarded by a high ranking devil.”

 

“Don’t worry. God is with Kyungsoo and Kai – or should I call him Jongin now? – But believe me, nothing bad will happen.”

 

 

*****

 

 

Kyungsoo wakes up breathing heavily and his heart pounding like a drum in his chest. He scans his surroundings as he calms down and notices that nothing was familiar. His head hurts but he remembers everything correctly and perfectly. He knows why he needs to save Kai.

 

 

“Kyungsoo? Are you awake?” He hears a voice from the other side of the door and he knows its owner. It’s Jongin.

 

“Y-yes. I’m awake.” Kyungsoo answers and Jongin opens the door and he enters with a tray with water and food. He hands it to Kyungsoo who takes it gratefully.

 

 

“What happened? Why am I here?” The angel asked after a while, still perfectly flustered as to why he’s in Jongin’s place when he doesn’t even remember leaving Heaven.

 

“I found you. You were lying on one of the benches in the park and I was on my way home. You were shivering as you sleep and I was worried so I took you in. But, why are you always in the park? Don’t you have a home?”

 

A home? Kyungsoo wanted to laugh at Jongin’s question. He does and everyone is dying to live in his home as well. Literally. But he kept quiet and just shrugged, “I don’t know if I have any home here. But thank you.” Jongin finds Kyungsoo’s answer weird but nonetheless, he smiled at the latter.

 

“It’s nothing.”

 

 

 

 

“Jongin! I’m so hungry I’m about to die! Where are you?” A loud and deep voice boomed from the other part of the house, the other two was surprised at first but Jongin recovered quickly and sighed.

 

He was about to stand and leave to go check his roommate and stop him from shouting when Chanyeol appeared at the door, smiling like an idiot, “Jongin do you have food? I’m hungry.”

 

 

Kyungsoo sees him. Chanyeol sees Kyungsoo.

 

 

Everything made sense to both.

 

 

In an instant, the creepy smile on Chanyeol’s face meant something greater – and evil.