She nodded against his chest and Igor pulled the blankets over them. There was no annoyance: only love. For as much as Akeno missed him, he missed her as well, because she was his precious little sister. For her, he'd move the world…without a shadow of a doubt.
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|DxD|- Chapter 90- A Normal Life 2
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So much had happened in the year Igor was gone. From the pantheons searching, to meeting with Diehauser, Baraquiel had been hard at work. He himself didn't know when it happened, but somewhere along the years, he'd truly considered Igor as part of this family, no longer just a convenient bodyguard for his wife and daughter. That realisation came once more when he felt his daughter nestle into Igor's embrace.
"Aren't you jealous, husband?"
Shuri stirred and cupped his face with her hand. She had a coy smile and Baraquiel shook his head.
"I should be the one asking you, Shuri."
"I don't mind as long as my children are happy."
"Hehehe."
The way Shuri said it so casually…
"You're happy as well, Shuri."
"Of course I am~."
She raised her head and their lips locked in a passionate kiss full of love and emotion. She cupped his face and he held her back. They traded breaths, traded feelings, and filled each other with the essence of happiness.
Shuri pulled back with a smile so bright it made Baraquiel's heart beat like it did all those years ago.
"Our family is whole, husband. That's always enough for me."
She laid on his chest and closed her eyes. Igor was home as if he were never gone. He'd grown a lot, but in her heart, he'd always be her little boy who turned red every time she picked him up.
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|DxD|
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The cold winter night of Kuoh fell on every home. Windows frosted and gutters lined with icicles. It was an unforgiving night with temperatures far below the norm. The winds howled and branches rattled. Some snapped under the heavy weight of snow, blowing and falling onto the small Himejima home.
The floodlights on the roof and fence were a symphony of orange and white. The yards were bright, and neat rows of hardy plants stood proudly in the carpet of snow.
Beyond the walls, Igor carefully stroked Akeno's hair. She'd fallen asleep after wrapping strands of his hair around her fists like a leash.
Igor could still remember the days when she was so small she could sit on his head. She'd loved being carried and held so much Shuri once worried her daughter would forget how to walk. Akeno had gotten more independent over the years, but that progress seemed to have reset back to square one.
He chuckled in amusement. He didn't mind one bit. His previous years were mostly spent on missions, leaving little time for him to spend with her. But now, he had all the time in the world to spoil her like a big brother should.
"Sleep well, Akeno."
He gently kissed her forehead and continued his watch. He could stare at her endlessly, for she was his little sister, and she was very precious to him.
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|DxD|
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The night fell and morning came. It was seven in the morning and the sunrise peeked through the curtains. Shuri was up and dressed in a gown. She sat at the edge of the bed and let down her hair. An arm circled around her waist and a voice groaned its discontent.
"Don't go. Let Igor handle it."
"Fufu~."
Shuri pried the arm from her waist and stood up.
"I'll be back soon, husband~."
She teasingly glanced at him and walked out of the room. She looked back and blew a kiss as she closed the door. It latched shut and for a moment, she lingered before smiling and walking away.
She walked the hallway and turned left into the stairs. She descended without hurry and soon reached the first floor. She walked the hallway past the storage room and stopped at Igor's room. She opened the door, and there he was, grinning at her.
"Morning, aunty."
"Good morning, Igor."
Shuri walked on the carpet and stepped over a pair of sandals. Akeno's breaths filled the silence. She'd nestled into the crook of Igor's neck and showed no sign of stirring.
"Time for school?"
"Time for school, Igor."
Shuri leaned over and gently shook her daughter. She moaned and her eyes fluttered. She didn't wake up, but her loose hold tightened.
"Does she have to go to school? I'm afraid she'll crush me at this rate, aunty."
"As if she could crush you."
Shuri chastised. She slipped her arms beneath Akeno's arms and tried to pull her away, but failed when Akeno wouldn't let go. She looked at Igor blankly, but he responded by lifting his arms helplessly.
"I can't exactly get her off me, aunty. Look."
He pulled back the blankets to show how Akeno had hooked her leg around his stomach.
"Her heel has been digging into my back for the past three hours."
"Then you get up."
Shuri stepped back and gestured to the door.
"You might as well take a shower too. Kami knows how long you've gone without one."
"..."
Igor didn't need to shower. A quick flash of vitality would rid him and his clothes of any odour. A shower was only a waste of time for him, but he held those words and only obeyed.
He carefully held Akeno and floated to his feet. He walked past Shuri and made his way for the stairs. Along the way, Akeno finally stirred. She was groggy and cutely rubbed her eye. For a brief moment, he felt her heartrate spike before quickly settling alongside a smile.
"Apu~!"
"Hi, little chick. Let's go take a shower. And brush your teeth too. Your breath stinks."
"Mou~!!"
"Hehehehe~."
Chapter 90
END