Apple Child

Pakku kept his eyes closed, his own breathing shallow and focused as he felt the pull of her mana and by association the vibrant feeling that her tree gave off.

Even being this far from the tree itself Pakku could tell that this world had a truly strong tree, which would only make Rias all the more powerful if she actually learned how to utilize it. In some ways it almost made him want to release his own tree just so it could grow more. Though he knew his world had yet to learn a lesson, at least that was the conclusion he came to.

“Ok. Next” Pakku spoke softly “I want you to feel that well of power that comes from the tree. In doing this I also want you to come to tell your own mana apart.”

A small shaky sigh escaped him, his heart rate climbing for a second before he controlled himself. Was he actually scared just by being this close to something overwhelming. Or perhaps it was just a shudder of anticipation.

“I know that sounds off. But trust me. Created by a tree you may be. But you are still your own person, as such your own personal mana should have a different feel even if you tap into the tree and use it as a battery so to speak. I want you to feel the difference, then we can move on”

"Next" rang out through Rias's mind and she tried to focus on his words while at the same time feeling the anchor of the tree's mana flowing through her like blood.

"The difference..." She muttered softly, letting out a breath.

Lines of glowing pinkish light began to trace across her skin as if she herself were becoming a magic circle, her hair lifting off her neck. Rias pulled on the mana in her, felt it, analyzed it deeply.

It was like the pure essence of her world distilled into her very soul, like pure sunlight shining through her. This was her lifeblood, what had created her, but underneath that...

Ren was stunned by her lack of self confidence. Had he toyed with her emotions enough to convince her she wasn’t lovable? “Don’t tell me not to apologize! Are you hearing whats coming out of your mouth? You may not be human but Rias, within reason, everyone is deserving of love!”.

She was crying, wasn't she? As soon as Rias realized that she set to smiling and wiping her eyes. "Ah, I'm sorry... I'm not trying to manipulate you, I promise..." She muttered quickly, all too aware now of the fact that not knowing how to hide her emotions might back it seem that way.

"I'm sorry Ren, but... When it comes to me you're definitely wrong. What I am... I'm either going to die in battle and be replaced, or I'm going to forget everything and spend a thousand years asleep. That's really the only two ways it can go..." Which was why it was definitely better this way, for him to have broken up with her, to have never loved her to begin with.

The pencil against parchment felt so incredibly right even as Io began. This would be his first attempt at sketching Rias, having primarily photographed her in the past, yet it appeared that the muse she imbued within him still surged forth nonetheless. Her following words nearly escaped him as he became entrenched in his work; however, when they finally reached him, he could fairly feel the tips of his ears turn pink. “Thank you.” It was murmured rather softly ( Io wished he might save her compliment just as he captured her visage with a camera ), a grin curving his lips. 

The addition Rias tacked on, though, confused him. Tilting his head, he replied, “I suppose not. But if there were monsters like that, the hands of the person who defended the innocent against them would be beautiful in their own way. They’ve overcome evil.”

When Io glanced up briefly for reference, he was struck by a sort of sadness which seemed, for a moment, to shine through her eyes. 

“Of course I mean it. I would never say something like that if I didn’t believe it.” Though he was certain she didn’t intent it to do so, her frequent rebuttal of his words rather stung. Back home, to insinuate a disbelief in someone else’s sentiments was akin to the highest of insults. Of course, here, that was quite different — but it still hurt. “I don’t think anyone could meet you and not come to the same conclusion.”

The tip of Io’s charcoal had just shifted to the area where Rias’ scar should be when she answered his previous inquiry. “That’s fascinating. Is it uncomfortable?”

He had no idea what he was saying, that he was talking to someone who had in fact fought monsters and defended people, and yet Io was still complimenting her. Rias knew he couldn't know, that it wasn't directed at her, but still she felt her heart almost flutter and heat flood her face. Her throat went dry and she swallowed, pressing her lips together.

Rias wondered if he really did think her hands were beautiful, if he really did think the same about her. She wanted him to so badly she could almost taste it. Yet when he insisted that he did think that it felt like her chest was being squeezed, like she almost wanted to cry.

She wanted more than anything for him to mean it but she was just so sure that no one actually would.

She blinked hard, trying not to actually let those thoughts form into tears and spill over, and instead laughed. "Not really. It feels a bit odd sometimes, but not really uncomfortable. My clothes kind of feel weird and cold against it? It's why I like shorter, looser, shirts but..." Rias furrowed her eyebrows a bit.

“You’re not stupid.” Io spoke with her a ferocity he hadn’t intended, an anger he couldn’t remember feeling for some time prior. He had always been even-tempered, the last person even those closest to him might anticipate experiencing such emotions. Yet the sight before him, combined with the tale Rias relayed, sparked the indignation inside of him. In all the time Io had known her, she had been nothing but kind — patching up his wounds, making him feel good, telling him about herself even when it was difficult. How could anyone deign to hurt her? It brought his fingers curling into tight fists, pressed against his knees as he attempted to shove back the surge of overwhelming anger rising within. 

Gritting his teeth for a moment, he paused to force his tone to remain as it usually was ( suddenly baring such feelings to Rias could only do more harm than good ). Io shifted on the couch, leaning closer towards her. “None of what you did or felt was wrong. He was the one who was wrong. Not you.” Although he managed to convey the calm he had hoped, another part of him was relieved he was unaware of the identity of the one who had put her through such misery; otherwise, he might be tempted to do something he would later regret. “If someone tells you something and you believe it, that isn’t a misunderstanding. It’s not your fault.” Was this other person a pathological liar? Or someone who needed to make others feel good only to tear them down in order to feel in control? Neither of them would likely ever know, a realization which vexed him all the more.

Unable to refrain from doing so, Io wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into a hug. “I’m so sorry. You don’t deserve that. You deserve to be with someone who’s grateful every day that they have you, who tells you how beautiful you are and means it. You have the biggest heart, and the person who’s lucky enough to have that place in it should help you protect it, not hurt you. They should make you happy always.” 

She flinched. The big strong descender, defender of an entire world and defeater of evil, flinched because a normal human man raised his voice and sounded angry. Rias panicked mentally because what she had said had made him mad and that wasn't what she had intended at all. Sure Io was made for her and not at her, but he was still mad because of her and she never wanted that.

She'd decided that she was going to protect him, make sure he was always happy, and even if it was a stupid wish and Rias had never told him she'd promised herself that, she had still made that promise and intended to keep it.

"Io!" Her voice cracked and she wasn't sure what else to say. She wanted to believe he was right so badly and yet she still felt so guilty, like she was the one who had caused things to go so badly, the one who had caused everything.

If she'd known he was going to hug her she might have tried to dodge, but it was much too late, and as soon as he hugged her she burst into wailing sobs and clung to him as if she were a child. Despite her age she was, emotionally, very much a child, and she didn't know what to do with the things she was feeling at all.

Rias held on tightly to Io, burying her head into his shoulder, letting go of the blanket so she could grab fistfuls of his shirt and hold on. Even if she was sure she should be trying to push him away so the same thing wouldn't happen to her again, the last thing she wanted to do was to push him away.

[ ⚜ ] ❝ Ah, sis, you’re embarrassing me–! ❞

Shin chuckled from the nuzzle. He was somewhat proud of the relationship he had with his sister. The demon was sure that no sibling were as caring and loving as they were in town and he loves his sister! He placed the rest of the sweets on a plate and proceeded to the sink to clean the tray.

       ❝ Mnhm, not just baking though maybe like a little cafe.Maybe I can use the money from my job to get some classes. That’s okay with you right, sis? ❞

Rias pressed her hands to her chest, still beaming widely. He was such a good kid that her chest filled and swelled with pride at being able to be part of his life. How lucky she was to have found him that day. How lucky she was that he was part of her history.

Io’s fingers skimmed along the cool, smooth surface of his smartphone, nearly lost in the uncertainty which wrestled within him as Rias turned away. Was it possible that she more than merely appreciated his words — that they meant something special? He felt stupid for considering it, yet the soft hope which had blossomed in his chest remained all the same. How much simpler it would be if Io could ask!

However, to do so would entail a revelation of his own confused emotions. To jeopardize his friendship with her when it was, more likely than not, in his own imagination was unthinkable. Rias was far too important.

Io was startled from such reverie when she answered his prior request, cell nearly flying out of his hands.

“All right. Then, I’ll show you how to pull your full profile together. I’m not very skilled with computers, so if I can do it, so can you.” A quiet smile lifted his lips, then, as he watched her settle in among the flowers. Rias looked as though she belonged there.

“I won’t need to try hard, but I’ll do my best.” He gave her a teasing two-fingered salute before he opened the camera app. “Everyone has their best angles, though, especially outside.” Drawing closer, Io dropped to one knee as he studied her through the lens. “I think I’ve found a good one.”

"I look forward to learning more from you about technology, Io!" She chirped happily, flashing a grin. Rias was really and truly excited about the situation. being able to keep in touch with him even if she wasn't nearby? It was practically too good to be true.

There were definitely days when she would feel better with a cheerful word from him and being able to see his face.

Io shook his head at Rias’ inquiry. “Never. I didn’t know it existed.” Strange that the thought had never occurred to him — it was, after all, a brilliant idea which combined two things he thoroughly enjoyed. Watching as she slipped the spoon between her lips, he could feel his fingers itch with the desire to draw her just like this.

“Oh, you don’t need to do that!” Yet even as said it, Io found the notion of her baking something just for him one he quite liked ( a subtle pink coloring the tips of his ears ). “If you really want to, though, that would be amazing.”

     “It’s, uh… a long story. Even I don’t get it sometimes. The short version is: a bunch of magical bullshit happened a long time ago, so I can turn into a god. Really NOT as great as it sounds. I don’t wanna bore you with the details,” he adds dismissively, “so why don’t we just find you a room.”

Rias’ hand atop his own sent a pleasurable shiver down Io’s spine. “I want to prove to you that I’m worth your trust, Rias. You won’t regret giving it to me.” If she was going to entrust him with something so important, he would ensure that she didn’t question her decision for a moment. After all she had experienced, she was still giving him a place within her heart. “You’re very strong, and brave. You’re rather amazing.” A quiet laugh escaped Io’s lips, laced with breathless disbelief that this was real, that not a single bit of it was the product of a dream.

“This is a good birthday gift. The best one you could’ve given me, really.” Leaning forward, he pressed a light kiss against Rias’ forehead. “I want to keep you safe.” There was a shake of his head. “I know it can’t be in the way you might protect someone, but — that’s what I want.”

This was bad, this was really bad. His words, his smile, the way he laughed... It all seemed to stick in her mind and her heart as if being glued in there, and by the time Io pressed that kiss to her forehead Rias was sure: her little squish had evolved into something else entirely before she had noticed, and it was far too late to put a stop to it.

"Io... You sure I haven't ruined your birthday...?" She asked with an awkward little laugh. Nervously Rias pressed her lips together, cheeks going hot and red due to him saying that he wanted to keep her safe.

[ ⚜ ] ❝ It better. You’re not just a descender, you’re my sister too. ❞

A frown formed on his lips. He wasn’t even an adult, yet it already felt as if things were getting harder. Shin seemed to remember when he was still little and ate strawberries and apples happily with her. Now he felt like he had a lot to face. The demon wasn’t sure if he was ready for all of it if Rias were to leave one day.

         ❝ Oh…a strong demon sleeps in me, apparently. I don’t know what             it wants but it seems to like eating flesh and…killing. He doesn’t             do much but..I just thought I should warn you. ❞

He took a breath, a sigh left his lips. Shin would rather avoid this topic with Rias but it wasn’t as if he could avoid it from her.

        ❝ I don’t care about the others but if I ever acted differently and try to            harm you, I think…you’d be able to put me ( down ). ❞

"You're not just a descender" he'd said, and those words shot straight down into Rias's very core and seemed to warm her. Since she'd found out what she was it had been so easy to think of herself as nothing but a machine built to carry out one single purpose. Having Shin tell her differently really made her feel better.

Her lips pressed into a thin line as he spoke and finally she nodded. "You're a good boy, Shin, and good brother and a good kid... If it were anyone else? I'd be worried, possibly terrified. But you? You can handle it, yeah? You won't let someone push you around and make you do what you don't wanna do."

“I do.” He nodded to her question. “I got her sometime ago but she’s really sweet considering people say calico cats are a bit aggressive. But her name is Puffy.” Plum added with a smile before thinking on dogs. “Dogs are nice but then sometimes with their energy it gets me worried I wouldn’t be able to keep up with them.”

Rias had been resting on the couch, her feet propped up and a pillow under her back. She was really starting to feel the weight of her growing belly and she'd only meant to rest a minute.

“yeah. since collage already started and I transferred in, they decided to have me take a small orientation tomorrow to catch me up to speed.”

“I think it’ll take me until about noon. after that I have no idea what i’m doing.”