"I have enough on my plate already."
"But you will take the time too…"
Baraquiel asked with raised eyebrows. His nudging was clear, and Igor only helplessly shook his head and accepted.
"Yes, old man. I'll take the break. It'll at least get you and aunty off my back."
"I hope that remains the case, Igor. And keep this in mind. Everything has its time. Don't rush when you can rest."
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|DxD|- Chapter 88- Guardians
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Warmth. It was the first feeling Akeno felt. The heat fell all over her body, and was as intense as it was comfortable. Her eyes fluttered open like the wings of a butterfly. It was evening and heavy snow had fallen. Her cheek was squished against the source of the warmth, and it only made her drowsy and reluctant to wake up.
A heavy hand was nestled on her back. It rubbed her gently, sending a heat so deep it bloomed in her chest and stomach.
"Hey. You're finally awake."
Her ear was pressed against his chest. The vibrations from his softened voice rippled through her, leaving a tingling feeling all over her body.
"Bro…ther…?"
She muttered with weak fatigue.
"Yes, little chick."
Akeno suddenly felt the top of her head being kissed.
"It's me."
"?!"
Akeno suddenly sat up. Her eyes were wide and she remained frozen on his lap like a statue. She couldn't believe it. He was…he was here!
"Apu!"
She lunged for his neck and wrapped him in the biggest hug she could. It wasn't a dream. This time, he'd returned for real!
Igor held her gently and pulled the blanket over her. She packed quite the squeeze, above what those little arms showed.
"You've grown stronger, Akeno."
He mused gently, but his words might as well not have been heard. Akeno raised her head. Her eyes were stained with a prickle of tears. She looked at him pleadingly and asked.
"You're…you're gonna stay, right? You're not leaving."
"..."
So pure, so innocent. Igor raised his hand and brushed her cheek with his thumb.
"No, little chick. Big brother will be staying."
Igor alleviated her worries. It would be a few years before he planned to use the chamber again.
"Okay…"
Akeno laid on his chest again and didn't move. The minutes passed amidst the whistling breeze. Much of the lawn was covered in snow, and the sun had fallen beyond the horizon, but no cold reached her. She'd missed this. She'd missed this a lot.
The door opened, and Akeno felt Igor stir. Shuri walked out with a soft smile on her face. She leaned on the frame and gently called out.
"There you are, you two. Dinner's ready."
"Thanks, aunty. Let's go, little chick."
Igor made to lift Akeno off his lap, but she held on tightly.
"I don't want!"
Her shout startled both Shuri and Igor. It was both wilful and disrespectful, but Igor didn't have the heart to reprimand her.
"It's fine, aunty. I don't mind."
Igor stood up with Akeno in his embrace. She was firmly intent on not letting go, nor would he force her.
"Let's go, aunty. Before she bites me to death."
"Fufufu~."
Shuri turned around and led the way.
"You should see what she did to your pillow."
"Huh?"
Igor paused, then looked down at the person pressed tightly against him.
"You won't really bite me, right Akeno?"
"Hmph."
Akeno didn't even look up. Igor didn't tease her any further and walked the hallway. Little had changed, and they soon entered the kitchen. A pleasant dinner awaited and Igor carefully took his seat.
"Old man. You're reading the paper at night?"
Baraquiel read intently and didn't once raise his head.
"I wouldn't have to if Shuri's show didn't play at the same time as the news."
"Oh?"
Shuri came around, placed a tray before Baraquiel, and playfully complained.
"Says the one who watches that series with me. Do you want to watch as well, Igor?"
"What's it about?"
Igor was curious to know what could interest Baraquiel.
"It's about a boy who works as a stablehand in a ranch. As time passes, he falls in love with his supervisor's daughter. But at the same time, the owner's daught—"
"Don't spoil it, husband."
Shuri chided as she took her seat.
"We'll watch together at seven. Only six episodes have aired so far, so you won't be too behind, Igor."
Igor chuckled in response. It was already predetermined that he'd watch. Then again, he did have a bit of interest in the plot.
"What about you, little chick. Do you want to watch as well?"
He thrummed her chubby cheek with his fingers. She nodded her head and offered no further reply.
"Don't corrupt my daughter, Igor. I still have twenty years before I have to let her go."
Baraquiel grumbled and Shuri paused her chopsticks.
"Twenty? At least eight, husband?"
"Eight? You're out of your mind, Shuri. Seventeen is my last offer."
"Seventeen years? I'll take it~."
"..."
Baraquiel looked at Shuri: really looked at her.
"Seventeen years later. Not seventeen years old."
"Fufufu~."
Baraquiel was serious, Shuri was jovial, and Igor remained a willing bystander. He glanced at Akeno, the new subject of the conversation. She was still seven and would turn eight in the coming months. In the coming years, she'd enter highschool and…meet boys.
"..."
Igor raised his head and strongly spoke.
"Old man. I agree with you. We'll let her go when she's in her twenties."
"Go and do what?"
Akeno raised her head and asked, but Igor pressed her against his chest.
"Don't worry, Akeno. It's not anything bad. We're talking about when you'll go to university."
"Oh…"
Akeno closed her eyes again. She was more interested in listening to Igor's heartbeat than whatever they were talking about.
"You see, Shuri? Igor and I think alike."
"Oh really? Then how old was I when we first met?"
"..."
Baraquiel fell into silence. He looked at his plate of food and muttered defeatedly.
"That's different…"
"Fufu~. Do you know how old I was, Igor? I was nineteen when a handsome man fell from the skies."
She leaned over the table towards Igor with a strong piece of gossip.
"It took me three years, Igor. Three years to get it into his thick skull that I was determined. Now here we are. Everything worked out perfectly, did it not. We're a happy family and all is well."
Shuri had the brightest smile on her face. And Igor could indeed admit that all was well. Perhaps it would be the same for Akeno? But looking at the little girl, Igor shook his head.
"It's still too early, aunty. We'll see what she does when she grows up."
A part of him felt sour at the thought. He could imagine some random seventeen year old asking for his little chick, and it was hard to swallow.
"I change my mind. Let's follow the old man's plan: maybe find a girl's school too."
"Igor…"
Shuri helplessly chuckled, especially when she saw her husband nod in approval.
"You two are too difficult."
She gave up and threw the matter into the future. If her daughter ever found a wonderful man, she feared what would become of them when these two guardians clashed with him.
Chapter 88
END