“Dear Ezra,

We are sorry to inform you that due to unauthorized interference caused at 22:34 on the 23rd of September, your license as a Guardian Angel is being revoked indefinitely.

A trial will be held to determine the fate of your career and the mortal whose interference is aimed. Date yet to be defined. Wait for news.

Best regards,

The Council."

'I screwed up.' It was the only thing Ezra could think of.

Interfering in the lives of mortals was one of the biggest stupidities he could do, and yet he did it.

In his defense — or not — it wasn't the first time it had happened. It would be weird if it was, especially being friends with a demon. In his entire life he'd certainly interfered at one time or another in a mortal's life, but nothing that would get him suspended and an audience with the Council.

If his opinion was still worth anything, he'd say their attitude was a bit exaggerated. In fact, he thought the whole ‘Council’ thing was over the top. They were a bunch of self-centered angels trying to decide what others should and shouldn't do. And above all, they were the only ones who acted like that. Demons, vampires, werewolves… none of them had a 'Council' to pretend to be in charge of something. And they also didn't isolate themselves from the rest of the world by saying they were superior beings like most angels did.

Ezra couldn't imagine how much paperwork he had caused to get their attention like that. He didn't know what he was supposed to do and Kai was watching him closely as if he was going to pass out at any moment.

“I'll go with you,” he said when Ezra told him he was going to check on the boy. "You don't look like you're in a position to be alone right now."

‘How funny, Kai! Why didn't you think of that when you left me alone for years?' was what Ezra wanted to say, but he just rolled his eyes and said "Fine!"

Kai followed Ezra to where the boy lived and the two were watching him from a roof across the street. They were silent the entire time, that was, until Kai decided he had gone too long without saying something stupid.

"Okay," the demon said, getting up from where it was and heading towards the other. “I already know what will cheer you up.”

"No." Ezra said and turned his attention to the boy across the street, but Kai continued.

"Let's make a bet." He had that mischievous smile again.

“I will not make a bet with you Kai.” Ezra said, trying to stay calm. Which was a little difficult around the demon. "You know what happened the last time you suggested that."

"Of course. That was like, two hours ago.” He laughed. “Why don't you take advantage of the fact that you're already here? You already got kicked out.”

“Suspended,” the angel corrected. “I was suspended until they organized a trial.”

"So when you get back to the Heavens can I keep the boy?" Kai leaned closer. "You know they won't let you keep him, right?"

"Of course you can't keep him!" Ezra gave Kai a slight shove and took a few steps to the side to get away from him.

Worst of all, Kai was right. The Council wouldn't let Ezra go back to the boy if he went back to his job. And the angel didn't even know how he felt about him. Despite what the demon had said, it was still strange for him to 'be in love'.

Ezra didn't even like his job that much either. He wanted to be an Archangel — when he was a kid he thought they were cool — but younger angels hardly ever reach that position. And with the latest events, he could, with certainty, say that it was impossible that he would ever become one. It's also not like he still wants to. After his brother, Samuel, became an Archangel, Ezra began to see them differently. In short: They were a bunch of assholes.

At that moment, Ezra's only option was to wait for his judgment to see if they were going to expel him, forgive him, or throw him in a cell — and know what they were going to do with the boy.

"So," Kai approached once more. If they found out that he was still friends with a demon, they would probably want to burn him in the fires of Hell. “Since you won't be around—”

"Enough!" The angel still tried to keep calm, to no avail.

"Let's bet!" The demon insisted. “Whoever gets the boy first, wins.”

Ezra tried to interrupt, but Kai continued to speak as he wrapped his arm around the angel's shoulders. "If you win, I'll leave you alone for a whole year."

“Is love a game to you?” Ezra frees himself from the other's arm with a slap.

"Yes," he shrugged. "You have nothing to lose. I mean, if you come back you're going to lose him anyway. And if you stay… well, why are we here watching him, by the way?”

Ezra rolled his eyes. “I'm watching him. You're here just to piss me off." And then he said more quietly, "I don't want the Heavens to do anything to him."

“All the more reason to accept my offer!” Kai nudged him. "And you'll be able to watch him closely."

"Why are you doing this?” Ezra turned to face Kai.

"Because I am bored?" He draped his arm over the angel's shoulders again. “And you know that pissing you off is my favorite hobby.”

Unlike Kai, Ezra wasn't bored. He was anxious. His trial could be in a minute or a century. No matter how much time he had, he didn't believe it would be enough to get a good defense. Perhaps the best he could do was enjoy what time he had, since he was doomed anyway.

Kai was still staring at him, waiting for an answer. He knew it wouldn't need much to convince Ezra. He never did.

“A decade,” was what Ezra said. Kai looked at him confused. “A year is too short,” he clarified. “You'll leave me alone for a decade.

"I can't stay away from my best friend that long!" Kai laughed and tightened his arm around Ezra.

Ezra thought he didn't really mean it, that he was Kai's best friend. Kai had his own gang and disappeared for decades without a word. What kind of 'best friend' did that?

“How about a year and a half?” Kai said.

Ezra remained silent and turned his face away.

"Two?"

Silence. Ezra looked at the other without turning his face and Kai rolled his eyes.

“How about we close in on a middle ground? Five." He held out his free hand and gave a half smile. "Take it or leave it."

“And what happens if you win?” Ezra looked at Kai's hand and then into his eyes.

"I'll let you know later." He shrugged.

“Suspicious, since you usually cheat.” But he shook his hand anyway. "Let's put some rules on this bet, then."