Beware My Power Chapter 29: Taking It Easy

As Elros stepped out of the circle, he noted something peculiar - that no one else was there with him. Looking around he saw that he was definitely in the Gremory Mansion, but the lights were dimmed considerably. Candles lined the walls, spreading his flickering shadow every which way. He saw the portraits of Rias and her family along the hallway. Looking down, he saw something else: rose petals.

"Oh, now that's tantalizing," he said as he picked one up and smelled it, inhaling the soft and luscious fragrance as deep as it would go. He began to slowly follow the petals through the dimly lit hallway. Upon walking close to a hundred feet, he noticed them change direction. They began to go up a staircase, which he followed slowly. The artificial moonlight shone through the large windows in front of him, casting a soft glow over the land. In the distance, he saw house lights in the territory of the Gremory Family. After admiring them for a bit, he continued to follow the petals which led him up the right starts and down another hallway. He smiled wider as his suspicion was confirmed: Rias.

As he approached, he began to hear music emanating from her room. He did his best to not identify it - whatever it was, he wanted it to be a complete surprise. No doubt that that was what Rias wanted as well. He turned the k.n.o.b and went inside, closing the door gently behind him. Suddenly, he found a pair of hands clasped over his eyes - soft hands that he could place anywhere.

"Surprised?" Rias asked as she leaned up and whispered in his ear.

"I am. What're you doing?" Elros asked.

"You'll know in a second. I'll lead you to where you need to be, but I want you to keep your eyes close, 'kay?" she asked.

"As you wish, my love," Elros said, eliciting a blush from her. Rias smiled and slowly led him to a chair in the middle of the room. Leading him to it, she sat him down and removed her hands from his eyes. True to his word, he kept them shut tight and waited for her instructions. Rias rolled over a small cart to him before removing the lids on the contents. Countless desserts were laid out in front, their smells intermixing as they wafted over to Elros who suddenly became very hungry. Rias picked up a blindfold - the same one that Elros used on her when he took her to the moon - and put it on him. Doing so, she took a seat in his lap.

"A robe?" Elros asked in surprise as he felt the velvety material covering her completely.

"Afraid so, sweetheart. I don't want you getting carried away while I have some fun," Rias giggled, tracing his lips with her fingers.

"Something tells me that this is going to be one of the greatest nights of my life," Elros said excitedly.

"I certainly hope so," Rias said as she gently held his face in her hands and began to kiss him along the neck, eliciting sounds of pleasure from him. She smiled; usually, he was the one that took control but tonight it would be all her. Leaning over to the cart, she took a fork and gently scooped up some cake.

"Open wide," she said. Elros did as she instructed and she put it his mouth. He drew out the taste as much as he could, easily identifying it.

"Tiramisu. One of my favorites," Elros said.

"Correct," Rias said as she slowly continued to feed him, kissing his neck here and there as he took the taste of the cake in.

"How're you feeling?" she asked as she worked her way to his ear, this time taking a piece of another desert.

"Pretty d.a.m.n good, to be honest. And mint chocolate chip ice cream. A true delicacy," Elros said.

"I'm happy to hear it. Oh, you've still got a bit left. Let me get it for you," Rias said lasciviously as she gently licked the side of his mouth, tasting the remnants of the ice cream.

"And that, of course, is you. The tastiest thing I can think of," Elros said with a smirk, drawing a happy giggle from Rias who rewarded his answer with a peck on the cheek.

"Hey, that should've gotten me at least a little tongue," Elros grumbled.

"Consider this my revenge for all the times you teased me," she whispered with a smirk.

"You little minx," Elros said with a chuckle, although he accepted it. He had teased her and Akeno quite a bit; it was only fair that they get a few shots in for themselves.

"Mhm. Are you sure you're not hurt, though?" Rias asked as she put the fork down and picked up a cherry. She put it into Elros's mouth, stem and all. To her surprise, Elros kept wriggling his mouth gently.

"Maraschino cherry. And for you," Elros said, opening his mouth and picking the stem out. Rias was surprised to see that it was twisted into a knot.

"How'd you do that?" Rias asked, looking at it.

"Magic," Elros chuckled.

"Let me try it," Rias said, putting a cherry in her own mouth. She softened the stem and tried to turn it into a knot, but after a minute she gave up. She looked at it with disappointment, placing it back on the plate.

"The sign of a good kisser," Elros said with a smirk.

"Of course, you'd know how to do that," Rias grumbled.

"Don't worry. You're quite a good kisser yourself. Good at quite a few things, I might add," Elros said as he patiently awaited the next bite. Rias smiled and picked up the fork again, scooping up some more dessert.

"Ah! Chocolate fudge with… almonds and walnuts," Elros said, letting it melt in his mouth before cracking some of the harder material, making sure he was on point with his guess.

"Yup. Four for four," Rias giggled as she scooped something a bit warmer out of a bowl.

"Crème brûlée. It's been a while since I had that," Elros said, taking in the rich taste of the hard caramel and the soft, delicate cream.

"Correct. And this?" Rias asked, putting another treat in his mouth.

"Oh yes. Coffee pannacotta. Oh, that is good," Elros groaned in pleasure.

"Try not to get off before we get to the fun stuff," Rias giggled.

"Sorry. Can't help it," Elros chuckled.

"Mmm. Well, let's see if you can guess what this is, then," Rias said as she leaned up. She licked her own lips, wetting them before doing the same for Elros. Straddling him, she leaned in to give him the most pa.s.sionate kiss she could. She quickly took control, her tongue roaming his mouth and exploring the taste he offered. Elros brought his hands up but she quickly grabbed his wrists, holding them away as she slowly began to gyrate on him, much to his delight.

"This I like," Elros said as Rias broke the kiss and went down his neck.

"I thought you would," she said seductively as she got off. She turned the music up a slight bit before standing him up. Elros let her take his robe off, leaving him in his civilian clothes under it - a tight black t-s.h.i.+rt and blue jeans. Rias smirked as her hands explored his front before she sat him back down. Walking behind, she took off his blindfold and tossed it aside. Elros saw the dimly lit room as well as Rias's slender hands rubbing his shoulders. She leaned down and nibbled his ear gently, pleased with the reaction she got from him. She sashayed in front of him, leaning down to kiss him again.

"Yup. This tastes the best out of everything," Elros whispered.

"Glad you think so," Rias replied before standing up again. She walked away, giving Elros a l.u.s.tful look as she did, before going into her closet. Elros patiently waited for her to come back out, which she did after a few minutes - wearing something that made him grin like a kid finding p.o.r.n for the first time.

She wore a black sheer drape over her face, showing only signs of the happy smile she wore. Around her neck was a stunning silver necklace, its end hanging in her cleavage. Her bra left little to the imagination, covering her nipples with a triangular piece of fabric that had little chains hanging down. Over her body, she wore a sheer magenta drape. Around her hips and waist was a black g string with little chains dangling at either hip. Around her wrists, she wore two gold cuffs and on her feet, high heels. She sashayed closer to Elros, drawing out the process as she kept eye contact with him. Standing only a foot in front, she began to dance to the music, putting on a wonderful show for him.

Elros watched as she swayed her hips from side to side, her hands going up and down as her fingers danced by themselves. She began to swivel her body, swinging around and around as she turned her back to him. It took all the willpower he had not to spank her. As she turned to face him again she went in a bit closer. Elros squeezed his legs together as Rias put hers on either side of his and leaned down. With the thin drape separating them, she leaned in and looked into his eyes with deep desire. She smiled as she saw the glint of excitement and longing in them; she was getting the exact reaction she wanted. Taking his face in her hands, she gently worked them down, rubbing them over his chest before beginning to unbuckle his belt. She removed it and tossed it the side before standing up straight. Taking one of his hands in hers, she lifted him up. Elros put his arms around her waist and Rias did the same for his neck. She gently swiveled around again and began to grind on him, smirking as she felt how hard he was. She leaned down and arched her back, feeling his hand rub against it. She slowly went back up and faced him, taking his hand and leading him to the bed. Making him face her, she pushed him back, letting him get adjusted as he continued to watch her.

After what felt like hours had pa.s.sed, Rias got into bed and on top of him, still grinding on his crotch.

"I'm surprised you've kept your hands to yourself this much," she commented, her own hands pa.s.sing over her b.r.e.a.s.t.s as they trailed down.

"Take a look at my ring," Elros said with a chuckle. Rias did so and saw it sparking.

"What's wrong with it?" she asked in surprise, taking his ring hand in hers and caressing it.

"Working my willpower to the max," Elros responded. Rias giggled and took one his fingers, putting it in her mouth. She began to suck it, swilling it around and tasting it with her tongue.

"Mmm…," she moaned as she felt him move it around gently. Pulling it out, she trailed some saliva from it to her lips. Rias leaned down, holding her lips an inch from his own as she made sure to take in her every millimeter of his face.

"I love you so much," she whispered.

"I love you, too," Elros replied. Smiling wide, Rias gently took the drape off and threw it aside. She held his hands down and began to kiss him pa.s.sionately, feeling his tongue enter her mouth. She reached for the hem of his s.h.i.+rt and pulled it up quickly, taking it off and throwing it to the side before she began to kiss him down his chest, tracing the scar with her lips and keeping eye contact all the fine. Finally, she reached his jeans. She unb.u.t.toned them slowly, drawing out the process before pulling them down and pulling him free.

"Mmm," she giggled as she rested her face next to it, measuring the length. Turning her eyes upwards she smirked and licked it, working her way up to the head. She took her mouth off and took it in both hands, working them up and down and taking pride in the groans of pleasure she got from Elros. After a few minutes, she finally lowered down on it, taking him into her mouth. She felt her lips stretch around it, getting it all in before she began to bob her head up and down furiously. Going down as much as she could, she felt him at the back of her throat. Rias began to gag, struggling to go further. She quickly took her mouth off, catching her breath, before beginning lick him like a lollipop. Her tongue danced on the head as saliva dripped from her lips.

'You deserve it all,' she thought as she kept going, exceedingly happy and proud as she heard how pleased he was with her performance. Rias felt his hands weave through her hair as he began to help her through the motions. As she began to move up his chest, she gave him a smoldering look. She brought her entire body up, and rested her knees on either side, going up slowly until she was sitting just above his chest. She felt him grab her from behind and push her up a few more inches, ripping off her panties and throwing them to the side. She giggled but her eyes went wide as she felt his tongue on her c.l.i.t, working her as she did for him. Rias moaned in pleasured as her hands went down and held his head against her womanhood, taking in the pleasure that he sent through her.

"f.u.c.k," she squealed as her fingers played with her hair. She wondered if she made him feel as good as he made her feel just moments prior. She could tell that he was having a great time; the gusto and excitement with which he ate her out, his tongue going this way and that as he gently squeezed and ma.s.saged her from behind. Rias felt her entire body shudder and quiver as she let him do his thing, only taking a moment here and there to twitch as she felt a particularly wonderful sensation. Rias felt him move slightly and soon found herself falling on her back as Elros began to kiss her up her stomach. He ripped the bra off and kissed her right breast, flicking his tongue against the nipple as he pinched the other with a free hand. His other hand traveled down, continuing to ma.s.sage her c.l.i.t. Rias moaned louder, quickly casting a small enchantment so no one could hear how loud she would get in the moments to come. He worked his way back to her lips, taking in her taste before gently taking her face in his hands, admiring her.

"What?" she asked softly, blus.h.i.+ng at the look that he gave her.

"f.u.c.k, I love you," Elros whispered before cras.h.i.+ng his lips against hers again. Rias giggled and tightened her hold around his neck with one arm, the other hand trailing down and guiding him into her. She gasped as he penetrated and began thrusting. Rias wrapped both her legs around him and brought him in deeper, to the point where it almost became pleasurable to the point of painful. Elros increased his speed on his own, driving further and further until her screams of pleasure became music to her ears. He rolled off the bed, supporting her from the bottom and shoved her against the gla.s.s window walls

"f.u.c.k!" Rias screamed as he kept going at a higher speed. She held on for dear life as she was completely at his mercy for the moment. Rearing her head back, she began to kiss him again as she dug her nails into his back, drawing a bit of blood as they pierced his skin. If he noticed or minded, he didn't show it; Elros kept going at it, quickening as much as he could to make sure that Rias was enjoying every second of it.

After several minutes, he set her down. He exited before roughly turning her around. Rias put her hands on the window and felt him gently enter form behind. Her eyes went wide as she felt it, a bit painful. She bit her lip as she felt him ease in, whispering sweet words in her ear as he did so. He began to f.u.c.k her slowly before working the rhythm up, holding her b.r.e.a.s.t.s tightly as he did so. Rias leaned back as she took the feeling in, her head resting against his as she arched her back slightly while standing up. She felt him increase the speed, making her scream her loudest yet.

"f.u.c.k, f.u.c.k, f.u.c.k YES! f.u.c.k ME!" she screamed at the top of her voice, eliciting a small chuckle from him as he did so harder. She felt his hands ma.s.saging her c.l.i.t up front and it wasn't long until she felt it. Rias quickly stopped Elros for a minute as she felt her legs tighten and her toes and fists clench, eyes in the back of her head. Elros smirked as he felt her quiver. Gently, he exited and turned her around, pus.h.i.+ng her against the wall again. Rias looked up and smiled as she saw him tower over her. He hiked one of her legs up and reentered, wrapping her hair around a hand as he kept eye contact with her while increasing his speed and ferocity again.

"Back to the bed," Rias whispered. Elros obliged and carried her over, throwing her on it. He took his place at her side, her back against his chest, and reentered. He wrapped an arm around her b.r.e.a.s.t.s while the other one ma.s.saged her c.l.i.t as they continued f.u.c.king each other well into the night.

-o-

"f.u.c.k!" Rias screamed as she o.r.g.a.s.med again, this time with Elros joining her as he finally released. He smiled as he saw her shudder violently before turning to face him and hugging him close.

"What round will this be for you?" Elros chuckled as he got on top of her, biting her neck.

"I… can't remember," Rias said weakly, her chest heaving heavily. She lost track of how many times Elros made her o.r.g.a.s.m. She looked down and moved her toes, thankful she still had the feeling. Otherwise, however, she felt unable to do anything. She and Elros tried several new positions, most better than the last. With that, however, she felt sore throughout as she turned and twisted this way and that. All she wanted now was to kiss and hold him.

" The best way to celebrate a win, that's for d.a.m.n sure," Elros said as he reared back a bit, caressing her cheek. Rias smiled and brought him in for another kiss.

"I'm glad you think so. You deserve it. You deserve everything," Rias said happily. Elros smiled and gave her a peck on the cheek before getting off, resting at her side. He turned to face her, and she him, wrapping their arms around and holding each other close.

"Probably should've wrapped up, though," Elros sighed.

"It's… difficult for a Pure-Blooded Devil to get pregnant. I don't think there's anything to worry about," Rias said, blus.h.i.+ng a bit.

'What if this is it? What if… will he want to accept the responsibility?' Rias thought, gulping a bit. She turned up to look at him, a searching look in her eyes.

"What is it?" Elros asked.

"Nothing. Just thinking about you," Rias said.

"Nothing is always something," Elros said. Rias seemed uncomfortable bringing up the topic.

"If I did get pregnant… would you stay?" she asked quietly. Elros took a moment before answering.

"I would," he said.

"Really?" she asked in surprise.

"That's what a father is supposed to do," he answered, his voice slightly icy. Rias gulped and slapped herself mentally.

'IDIOT! Why the h.e.l.l would you bring that up when you know what his father was like?! f.u.c.k!' she screamed at herself.

"You're not your father, Elros. You're a good and loving man," Rias said fiercely as she snuggled in closer. Elros smiled and responded by holding her tighter as well, his finger trailing up and down her back.

"Thanks," he whispered. They were quiet for a while before Rias spoke again.

"Can I ask you something?" she asked quietly.

"Mmm?" Elros responded.

"It's about something you said when you were fighting them. When they asked you why you don't talk. Is… it because of your duties as a Lantern? Because if you talk, people might die?" Rias asked. She heard him scoff at the question, making her heart drop.

"No. Is that what you guys think?" Elros countered.

"It's… what Michael brought up," Rias said uneasily.

"I don't talk during fighting because that's what my father taught me," Elros said.

"What do you mean?" Rias asked, turning her head up, brow furrowed. Elros sighed and sat up, leaning against the bed frame, a contemplative look on his face. His eyes traveled to Rias who sat up with him, a worried look in her eye. Finally, he smiled. He put an arm around her and pulled her in close, wrapping his finger around her hair.

"If you don-," Rias began before Elros interrupted.

"No… No. I… need to be more forthcoming with this kind of stuff. I'd rather tell you than make you think that you have to go behind my back to learn more," Elros said with a chuckle. Rias felt her heart drop as he said that.

"W-would you be mad if I did that?" Rias asked quietly.

"Wouldn't you be?" Elros asked. Rias felt her heart drop even further. She shuddered violently, making Elros worry a bit.

"What is it?" Elros asked.

"J-just a bit cold," Rias said as she s.h.i.+fted her position. She went between his legs and brought his arms around her so she could hold on from the front. She rested her back against his chest and admonished herself for getting into this position. She didn't want him looking her in the face in case she gave something away.

'If he finds out, he's going to hate me. He's going to break up with me. Please no… no, no, no. Anything but that,' Rias thought, doing her best to hold back the tears.

Elros tightened his hold on her and leaned forward, kissing her shoulder. He heard her gasp at the touch and a.s.sumed it was one of pleasure, moving to her neck before he remembered the question. Sighing, he leaned back and took her with him, his fingers mindlessly tracing her stomach.

"It was… one of the few times that I left Death Valley just to go around the rest of California. Still near the desert of course, but an actual city - Ridgecrest. Anyway, we start to head home. You have to understand that some of these stretches of road were always empty. Very few people would be driving either way at this time. So it surprised us when we saw someone on the road - laying smack dab in the middle like they were dead. I looked to my dad and he had an angry look in his eye, but he stopped and pulled over. He gets out and orders me to come. I do. We begin walking over to the guy and suddenly he leaps up, perfectly fine. That's not it, though. There were a few trenches on the side. A couple of seconds later, a couple more people emerge - three including the guy who was laying in the road," Elros said, pausing for a second to take a breath.

"What the f.u.c.k?" Rias asked, gripping his hands tighter. She didn't like where this story was going.

"My reaction as well. So they start approaching us, and one of them pulls a gun. There's no one around for tens of miles, so no one is going to hear a bullet and the police never came around this way often either - we're mostly out of luck. The guy points the gun at me as opposed to my dad, though," Elros said with a sigh. Rias's neck nearly snapped as she turned to look at Elros with horror in her eyes. She saw him gave her a pained smile as he nodded, confirming that he thought it was pretty f.u.c.ked up as well.

"W-what then?" she asked, although she felt her her heart falter at the directions this story might take.

"To the guy's surprise, my dad just starts laughing. Like it's the funniest thing he's ever heard. I don't really get what's going on, so I don't really feel too afraid at the moment. Then my dad tells the guy to shoot me," Elros said. He felt Rias tighten her hold on him significantly as she began to tremble in rage.

"ARE YOU SERIOUS?!" she roared.

"Unfortunately," Elros replied sadly.

"WHAT KIND… WHAT… HOW… HOW DARE HE?!" she screamed, her anger heightening further as her eyes narrowed. Elros felt her Powers of Destruction come to ahead as the floor began to shake under her fury. He tightened his hold on her to signify that he was alright now - that she didn't need to worry. Rias began to calm down although her breathing was still significantly pained. She turned to face and him and hugged him tightly.

"You're safe now, Elros. You're going to be safe with us. I promise you," Rias said fiercely. Elros smiled as she said that, holding her closer to him. He leaned back, taking in her beautiful features before kissing her again. Rias sat back down, bringing his hands to her front again - although she held him much tighter than before.

"Do you want to continue or… you don't have to force yourself," Rias said softly.

"Like I said, I have to be more forthcoming with this stuff. I don't want you thinking that I'm lying to you or holding out on you or something," Elros said, kissing her atop her head. Rias felt another vicious pang of guilt in her heart.

-o-

"Well?! DO IT! SHOOT HIM!" Enyalius roared at the man who held the gun. The young man was no more than 20 years old with frizzy black hair, tan skin, and wearing a checked red and white s.h.i.+rt and blue jeans. His companions included another man - older - with a bald head and tribal tattoos across his arms. He wore a white tank top and black jeans, his hard black eyes scanning Enyalius's wild face and Elros's unemotional one. The final companion was a woman with long dark hair holding a knife pointed at Enyalius. She wore a leather jacket over a green tank top and a short skirt, gulping as she saw the looks on their marks.

"D-don't f.u.c.k with me, old man! I'll do it!" the man with the gun said, although his weak voice suggested otherwise.

"You deaf, kid? I'M TELLING YOU TO DO IT! SHOOT HIM!" Enyalius roared.

"This guy's f.u.c.king crazy," the woman whispered.

"If you don't have the stones, pa.s.s it to the skinhead. You must've killed a couple men in your day, huh boy?" Enyalius asked, turning his attention to the bald man who took a step back.

"W-," the man began before Enyalius snarled at him.

"If you and the skinhead can't, pa.s.s it to the b.i.t.c.h. You look like you've f.u.c.ked a few kids in your life. Killing one isn't that big a step up, honey," Enyalius said with a raucous laugh.

"He's insane," the tan man said, the gun shaking in his hand.

"Your hand is shaking, boy. You ever even use a gun before?" Enyalius asked.

"Why don't I just kill you, then?!" he asked, pointing his gun at Enyalius. Suddenly, the laughter stopped and the smile fell. In a flash, the gun was in Enyalius's hand and he pointed it at the tan man, who seemed shocked. All of their eyes went wide in horror as they saw him rest his finger on the trigger, licking his lips.

"I f.u.c.king hate guns. You kids all use guns nowadays, don't you? Why? Where's the pleasure in killing a man with a gun? You can't get the right look. You don't see the terror and the fear. You don't hear him pray to G.o.d, asking for forgiveness, for another chance. All you do is squeeze and done. This… this amuses you?" Enyalius asked. There was a certain quality to his voice, however - one of a man trying to reason and understand something.

"W-what are you talking about, freak?" the bald man asked before the woman stepped forward, holding the knife.

"GIVE HIM BACK THE GUN! BEFORE I SLIT YOUR THROAT! NOW!" she ordered him.

"She understands. A knife. Close and personal. That's how I like it to, sweetheart," Enyalius said as he licked his lips sensually, disa.s.sembling the gun and throwing it to the sides.

"Look, man, we're just going to go, alright? No harm, no foul. Just… get in your car and leave. Take the weird kid with you," the tan man said. Their eyes all went over to Elros who had an emotionless and impa.s.sive face the whole time.

"No. You three started a job. Now you're going to f.u.c.king finish it or I'm going to finish you," Enyalius said as he reached into his back pocket and pulled out a knife.

"There's three-," the bald man began before he was suddenly cut off. His eyes went wide in horror as Enyalius plunged the blade into his lung, puncturing it. Blood began to pool in it before it went up the esophagus and splashed on Enyalius's impa.s.sive face. He took it out and suddenly began to furiously stab the man, his screams of pain traveling over the desert side. No one in any position to help heard him, though. Finally, he slit his throat and threw him on to the side of the road.

"f.u.c.k! HE KILLED HIM!" the tan man screamed before Enyalius suddenly b.u.t.ted him with the pommel of the knife. He fell down in pain, feeling a rib shatter as Enyalius kicked him in the side.

"f.u.c.k!" he screamed as he rolled around in pain. Enyalius finally turned his attention to the woman, pointing his knife at her. She looked at him with vivid green eyes, horror etched on them.

"P-please stop… just let me go. Come on… please. You don't have to do this," she stammered, backing away. She tripped as her feet fumbled, yet Enyalius didn't slow his approach.

"Please… look, I'll f.u.c.k you! I'll f.u.c.k you! Is that what you want? Ju…just let me go and I'll f.u.c.k you wild! Please don't kill me," she said, scrambling to her knees as she grabbed Enyalius around the thighs. Enyalius's eyes suddenly went wide as she suggested that. Elros could feel the anger and hate surge off his father at the woman for making such a suggestion to him.

Elros didn't see his father hesitate for a second. He brought the knife into the side of her throat and heard her wheezed breath of pain. It wasn't a kill shot, however. He saw him withdrew the blade and stab her down the right side of her ribs, intending to cause maximum damage but without killing her. Elros saw the woman's body fall on her side as she looked at him pleadingly.

"K-k-kid… help," she wheezed, blood pouring out of her mouth. Elros suddenly saw the tan man begin to move. Noticing him as well, Enylaius put the man on his back before leaning down. He took the mans head in his hands and played his thumbs over his eyes. Suddenly, he applied pressure.

"JESUS f.u.c.k! WHAT'RE YOU DOING TO ME! OH G.o.d! STOP! PLEASE STOP! NO! MY EYES!" he roared. Enyalius licked his lips, taking in some of the blood that the bald man spat on him, as he applied, even more, pressure. He used his thumbs to gouge the eye from the inside near the nose. The screams of the man got louder until finally Elros saw one - the right one - pop out, held only by the nerve. Enyalius soon saw the same for the other side and finally the screams. .h.i.t the tipping point.

"WHAT DID YOU DO TO ME?! OH MY G.o.d! OH MY G.o.d! NO! MY EYES! f.u.c.k! f.u.c.k! WHAT THE h.e.l.l DID YOU DO?!" roared. Suddenly, he shut up. Enyalius punched him right in the throat, crus.h.i.+ng his Adams apple with the blow. The man began to choke before Enyalius began ma.s.saging his throat, helping him to breathe. The man finally stopped, only wheezing at this point. Enyalius finally got off, wiping the blood off his face and going to the car.

"He's in pain," Elros suddenly said, speaking. Enyalius stopped and looked at his son, a cold and vicious look in his eye.

"And what, boy? You want to put him out of his… ah. That is what you wanna do, huh? You wanna put this punk out of his misery?" Enyalius said, giving a dark laugh.

"I don't want to kill him. But he's in pain. Like the elk," Elros said.

"Well, what are you, boy?" Enyalius asked.

"What do you mean?" Elros asked, looking at his father.

"I mean what kind of man are you? Look at this little f.u.c.k. His eyes hanging out, he's going to choke to death soon. He ain't leaving here alive. You know that. Either he's gonna die now or the bugs and birds are going to eat him alive. So tell you what - you got a choice. You can let him live. If you do you're gonna condemn him to, even more, pain. Or you can finish him. Do that… do that, and you're gonna be just like me. So what's it gonna be? You a monster? Or a murderer?" Enyalius asked viciously as he put his full attention on Elros, watching his moves.

"I-," Elros began before Enyalius cut him off.

"DON'T SPEAK! CHOOSE!" he roared. Elros was used to his father yelling at him, so it didn't elicit more response than a cold glance. Suddenly, he took his knife out and approached the tan man.

"Kid… sve… me," the tan man said.

"I'm so-," Elros began before Enyalius suddenly grabbed him by the throat. He had an angry look in his eye as he squeezed Elros tightly.

"Never. Talk. To. The. Kill," Enyalius said. Suddenly, he dropped him - Elros slash him across the wrist, forcing his father to let go. As Enyalius nursed the wound, he looked at Elros and grinned.

"Ha. You're not a monster or a murderer - you're both. You're more like me than I thought, Elros - but then again, I never attacked my father," Enyalius said as he walked to the trunk of the car, bandaging the cut.

"No… don't kill him. Please," the woman wheezed, tears coming out of her eyes. Elros looked at her and she suddenly shut up. The child in front of her, no more than six years old, had a look that could cut steel - lifeless and dead.

He brought his attention back to the man and felt his heartbeat. He positioned the blade of the knife over it. Without saying a word or hesitating, Elros held the grip with his left hand and smashed his right hand on the pommel, driving the blade deep through the man's heart. A twitch, then nothing. The tan man died, his eyes still hanging out.

"G.o.d… G.o.d… help me, please," the woman wheezed as Elros looked at her. He walked over, intending to put her out of her misery. Suddenly, Enyalius pulled the car over to the side and drove a bit in front of the dead bodies so that the read left tire was at the woman skull. Enyalius got out with a rope in his hands. He tied it to the rear of the car before dragging the woman slightly behind him. He tied it around her neck. She tried to fight his hands off, but couldn't - she felt her energy fading, felt Death creeping.

"Get in. We're going for a ride," Enyalius ordered Elros. Elros shrugged and did as his father ordered, sitting shotgun. He grabbed the c.o.ke off to his side and began to drink it, rolling the window down - it was a h.e.l.l of a hot day. Enyalius started the car, drinking the Pepsi that he had bought and gently applied some pressure on the race pedal. He increased it and soon, he and Elros were roaring on the road back home, the body of the young woman being torn, ravaged, ripped, and shredded behind them on the gravelly, pebbly road. Elros could hear her screams of agony before they finally stopped. Looking in the side mirror, he saw that the rope ripped off, leaving her mangled body in the middle. He turned his attention back to his drink before looking straight ahead.

-o-

Rias felt a terrifying s.h.i.+ver up and down her spine as Elros told her the story.

'Oh… G.o.d. Oh G.o.d, please no. Oh my G.o.d. Oh G.o.d,' she thought, a murderous pain in her head as she blasphemed constantly. She didn't know what to say.

"Please… please tell me that you're not serious. Please tell me you made that up. Elros, please," she begged, turning to face him, his face in her hands. The impa.s.sive look gave her the exact opposite answer that she was hoping for. He was being completely serious. She felt her entire body weaken in his presence.

"You… he… made you kill… when…," Rias said, stammering and unable to get her point across.

"He didn't make me. I chose. At that point, it was the same situation when I went hunting. The guy… just reminded me of a deer twitching as it died. He could barely move. It didn't take much pressure," Elros responded. Suddenly, he felt her hold him in a tight hug.

"NO! DON'T YOU EVER THINK THAT! WHAT KIND OF MAN FORCES HIS SON TO MAKE A DECISION LIKE THAT?! THIS WASN'T YOUR FAULT!" she roared, tears falling as she pleaded him to see her point. Elros sighed and hugged her back, gently weaving his hand through her crimson locks as he listened to her sobs.

It was several minutes before she looked up at him again, her beautiful face tearstained. She caressed his cheek, lips trembling as she took his features in. There was a warmth in his eyes, she thought; but then alongside it, she saw the lack of emotion.

"It was a while after that when I learned what the value of a life was. But… it certainly has had a lasting impact," Elros said bitterly.

"How… how does someone do that to their own kid?" Rias asked quietly.

"I don't know. I never really got to understand him, to be honest," Elros said.

"Does… that bother you?" Rias asked uneasily as she kept caressing his face, making sure to take in all his features.

"Not really, no," Elros sighed.

"Is… do… you know if he's still alive?" Rias asked.

"No clue. I certainly hope not," Elros said with a mirthless scoff. Rias gulped. The level of bad blood between Elros and his father was far more than she felt she had a right to ascertain. She felt it would be doing him a disservice to try and put it into words.

"So that's why you don't talk? Because… he told you not to?" Rias asked softly.

"He made sure to reiterate that point every time we went on a hunt thereafter - which was only a few times before he took his leave. But it's something that stuck with me," Elros answered.

"So when you fought Riser… and the three today…," Rias asked. She didn't need a verbal answer; the state of his eyes told her everything she needed. She nodded and hugged him tightly.

"That's all behind you. You're with me now. I'm going to protect you. I promise that," Rias said fiercely. Elros smiled and returned the hug, laying down as he did so and bringing her on top.

"Thanks. That… means a lot," Elros said, voice slightly uncomfortable. Rias didn't pick up on that; she just smiled brightly as she kissed him with a ferocious pa.s.sion. Elros chuckled as she did so and flipped her over.

"Round… whatever?" he asked.

"I'd like to be able to walk around tomorrow," Rias said with a smirk.

"I can just carry you," Elros said.

"As much as I'd love that, you also have a date. Not sure she'd appreciate that. Don't worry. There's plenty more where that came from. Right now I… just want to sleep with you. You and I and that's it," Rias said lovingly. Elros smiled and kissed her on the cheek.

"I'd like that," he said, turning on his side and bringing Rias closer to him. She pressed her back to his chest as she let him bring her in as deep as she could, giggling at how hard he still was. He rested his hand on her stomach, gently caressing it as he kissed her neck to her delight.

"I love you so much," Rias said, turning to look at him, the pa.s.sion evident in her smoldering look.

"I love you, too," Elros whispered, giving her a kiss good night. They both slowly dozed off, comfortable within each other.

-o-

As Rias woke the next morning, she noticed Elros was still wrapped around her. She smiled as his arm cupped her b.r.e.a.s.t.s, his hand squeezing one. She turned to face him, hugging him closer, playing gently with his hair. As she did so, their conversation the night before came back to her. She gulped as she saw his peaceful, slumbering face - the pain behind it becoming more and more prominent, she thought. Mixed in with the immense guilt and fear she felt at hiding her intrusion into his life, Rias felt at a loss for what to do next. She took a deep breath, concentrating on her love for him. She let it ground her, bring her down to Earth. Finally, she smiled again, despite the whirlwind of emotions playing behind her facade. She s.h.i.+fted Elros gently and clamored on top of him - one of her favorite positions when they were sleeping. She felt him unconsciously bring a hand to her head as he gently pressed her against him. Rias smiled at the touch; even in his sleep, Elros was still holding and protecting her, something that offered Rias a great deal of relief and comfort. Slowly, she closed her eyes again and let out a yawn; they still had a couple of hours of sleep left.

-o-

As Elros stepped out of the shower a little while later, he saw Rias standing and waiting naked for him, leaning gently against one of the bedposts. As he approached her, he saw something he missed the night before - the portrait he painted of her in full view behind her bed for all to see should they enter.

"I see you put it up," Elros said.

"Of course. My favorite painting of all time," Rias giggled as he kissed her, holding her against the post gently. As they broke apart, they looked longingly each other, both wanting to go a few more rounds. Rias bit her lip; today was Sona's turn, but she knew that Elros would be coming back to her at night.

"Ready for your date with Sona?" Rias asked.

"I am, although I'm not sure what we're doing," Elros said.

"I'm sure she has something planned. Also, any plans tomorrow?" Rias asked.

"Kiss you, kiss Akeno, then kiss you again. Maybe f.u.c.k?" Elros suggested, eliciting a giggle from her.

"Yes, yes, yes, probably. I just wanted to ask if you wanna go out on a date with me?" Rias asked, surprisingly turning red as she asked. While they kissed and touched often now, to formally set something up had a different texture to it. She was relieved as she saw his bright smile.

"That sounds good to me. Have anything in mind?" he asked.

"Just around the territory. Unfortunately, I can't take you to the moon or anything," Rias said.

"No, but you certainly do take me somewhere when you tell me you love me," Elros said, kissing her again. Rias squealed in delight, leaning deeper into the kiss.

"You always know what to say, don't you?" she asked quietly.

"My charm is my greatest superpower," Elros chuckled as he wrapped an arm around her, escorting her to the door.

"Let me get dressed, at least!" Rias said, rus.h.i.+ng to her closet and throwing on some comfortable clothes.

"So what're you gonna do today?" Elros asked.

"My mother has requested that I spend time with her today, so likely just that," Rias sighed, dreading whatever she had planned for her.

"I'm sure it'll be fun. Your moms pretty cool," Elros said.

"You're just saying that because she's always so nice to you," Rias grumbled.

"Guilty," Elros chuckled.

"Off. Limits," Rias said, narrowing her eyes at him.

"What do you take me for?" Elros asked dramatically.

"A male s.l.u.t," Rias smirked.

"Yeah," Elros accepted, smiling wide.

"Ugh. Stop taking that as a compliment," Rias said, punching him lightly. Elros just chuckled and held her a bit tighter as they headed downstairs.

"Don't worry. Those scenarios only happen in p.o.r.n," Elros said, kissing her atop her head.

"Why do I get the feeling you're only saying that to placate me?" Rias asked eyes narrowed.

"I'm actually hurt that you think so little of me," Elros sighed.

"If you didn't flirt with every girl you came across, maybe I'd think more," Rias said with a light laugh. Suddenly, she felt him push her against the wall, towering over her. He brought her in for a pa.s.sionate kiss, one that even took Rias by surprise. She felt his right-hand trial down her body, resting against her hip as she felt him pour more and more into it. As he separated, she felt a bit stunned.

"Flirt? Yes. But I guarantee you that I'm not going to kiss them like that," Elros whispered as he moved to her ear. Rias closed her eyes as she felt a pleasurable s.h.i.+ver go down her spine. She rested her hands on his chest, torn between keeping him to herself for the whole day and letting him go. Finally, she took another kiss before throwing her arms around his waist and continuing their walk, smiling ear to ear.

-o-

Elros was patiently waiting in the foyer for Sona, who seemed to be running a bit late - something he never expected of her. Venelana had whisked Rias away to her bedroom to talk about something. Elros smiled and greeted the servants as they pa.s.sed by, making small talk here and there.

"Waiting for Sona?" Akeno asked as she came up behind him, throwing her arms around his waist as she pressed herself closer.

"I am indeed. How are you today?" Elros asked as he took her hand and kissed it.

"Sad, actually," Akeno sighed.

"Why?" Elros asked, turning to face her.

"Rias kept you all to herself last night. Today you're going out with Sona, and tomorrow you're going out with Rias," Akeno said. Elros smiled and brought her face in his hands, giving her a pa.s.sionate kiss that made her giggle.

"Don't worry. How about you have me all to yourself the day after I go out with Rias?" Elros asked.

"Definitely. But how are you going to make up keeping me away for today and tomorrow?" Akeno asked with a giggle.

"I've already thought of the answer. You want me to spoil it for you? Or would you rather wait and feel it?" Elros asked as he nibbled her ear, his hand sliding toward the hem of his skirt. Akeno smiled and rolled her eyes, stopping him and bringing it. She gently sucked on one of his fingers before giving him another pa.s.sionate kiss.

"I'd rather wait and see, I think," she said, turning to walk away. She smirked as he gave her a hard spank.

A few minutes later, as Elros thought up of new ways to make Akeno feel special, the door flew open. Sona walked in, wearing something decidedly different from the school uniform. She wore her gla.s.ses and hair in the same style, but her body was ensconced in a stunning purple c.o.c.ktail dress that cut off just at the knees. She blushed as she stood in front of Elros, who looked handsome as ever in the three-piece charcoal suit he wore for the date.

"My G.o.d, you look stunning," Elros said, taking the sharp pain in his head like a champ. Sona smiled as she hugged him, lingering to take in the smell of his cologne.

"You look quite handsome yourself," she said, her hands folded in front of her as she took in his figure. Elros smiled and held an arm out for her that she happily took. Sona rested her head on his shoulder, sighing at how comfortable it was.

"So what's the plan?" Elros asked as they walked through the garden.

"I… would like you to come to my family's territory. Ever since I told my parents about you, they've wanted to meet," Sona said, blus.h.i.+ng red as she thought of all the ways this could horrifyingly embarra.s.s her.

"Sounds good to me. Whatever you'd like, Sona," Elros said with a smile.

"But first, I just want to walk around with you for a while," Sona said as they stepped off the path and on to the gra.s.s, walking towards a river in the distance.

"My favorite thing to do on a date. How'd you know?" Elros asked.

"I ask you to refrain from teasing me," Sona said. This was a foreign concept to her. Sure, she saw dates on TV, in movies, and in books - but this was the first time she actually went on one.

"I'm being sincere. I love going on walks. Haven't really had a chance to explore the Gremory territory yet, so this is actually the best thing I can think of," Elros said. Sona sighed in relief as she heard the honesty in his voice.

'Good. He doesn't think I'm completely oblivious to this. That… is good,' Sona thought.

"I'm happy to hear that. Although I daresay we'll have more fun on the date that you plan for us on Earth. I… am… well… you know…," Sona said softly. Suddenly, she felt Elros stop. He tilted her head up to look at him, a bright smile on his face.

"Just relax, alright? You're safe with me, and I'm happy and comfortable with you. There's no need to be so tense or worried. We're going to have a great time," Elros said comfortingly as he brought her in for a hug. Sona sighed in pleasure as she felt his hands press gently on her back. She smiled and nodded before taking his arm again, a bit tighter, and continuing their walk.

"Congratulations again on winning the fight. It was quite spectacular. I don't think I've seen something comparable even in Rating Games," Sona said.

"Thanks. You wouldn't happen to know how those three are doing, would you? Elizaveta, whats his face, and the other guy," Elros said. He wracked his mind - the match was just the day before, and their names began to slip his mind.

"You really don't remember their names?" Sona asked lamely.

"Wait! One… was a dog or something. K-9. The other one… b.a.s.t.a.r.d… Milkman?" Elros offered, eliciting a giggle from Sona.

"That was cute," Elros chuckled, making her blush.

"Its… Anders Canio and Bastion Milcom," Sona said, straightening herself.

"Yeah, that's it!" Elros said.

"I believe they're doing fine now. All three are given Phoenix Tears upon their elimination. I did learn that Anders' father is extremely upset with his son for making such a stupid wager. And Bastions' family likely isn't very happy either. Duels and Rating Games are the livelihoods of many Devils, so taking it away from them is quite serious. Elizaveta's family likely isn't too happy as well - after all, they had a significant advantage. To be given such and lose? The injury to their pride might never heal," Sona said.

"Think I was too harsh?" Elros asked.

"Not with your wagers. But during the fight, you may have gone… a bit overboard," Sona said, remembering what he did to Bastion and Anders. The teeth falling through Bastions fingers were fresh in her mind, as were his screams as sat on the electrical chair.

"Perhaps," Elros agreed.

"Is that all you have to say about it?" Sona asked. Elros looked at her, scanning her intention - was she afraid of him or just curious?

"It's… complicated for me, to say the least. I a.s.sume Rias has told you some things about my past," Elros said.

Sona felt her heart drop as he said that. She was d.a.m.n sure that Rias hadn't confessed to him that the four of them went behind his back - but it was obvious that Elros believed that they did share some information behind his back.

"What makes you say that?" Sona asked.

"Just a keen guess, I suppose. She told me about Koneko and Gasper's past, so I a.s.sume that she's talked about me with some people. Don't think that I'm angry or something about it. I understand. It's perfectly natural," Elros said.

"So… if I said yes, you wouldn't think less of me?" Sona asked.

"Of course not. If you lied, then I would," Elros said with a chuckle. Sona gave him a pained smile as he said that.

'Of course, he'd think less of me then. d.a.m.n it, Rias…,' she thought.

"Yes… she has told me some things. I know, for example, that you were born in the desert; that your mother died in childbirth; and that your father was… not a good man," Sona said.

"That's about right. But I'd be lying if I said he didn't have a significant impact on me. For all the pain he was, he taught me how to conduct myself in a fight. I guess I never really changed from those base lessons," Elros said.

"What did he teach you?" Sona asked.

"I'm not sure if this is the best material for a first date," Elros said with a sad smile.

"I… want to learn a bit more about you. I'm curious. Unless you find it too traumatic to speak about. Then I understand," Sona said, making sure she wasn't being insensitive to his feelings. Elros paused for a second before he let out a deep sigh.

"He taught me that the best way to win a fight isn't just to beat the other person, but to shatter their spirit and drain their will to fight. It's something that I expanded on when I became a Lantern - that a win would come easier, sooner, and better if you didn't focus so much on physically beating someone as opposed to making them not want to fight at all. That's what I did to Bastion. For whatever reason, his resolve just wasn't as strong as mine," Elros said.

"How does one go through such trauma and… I mean you always seem so happy. I think that for most, it would leave a tremendous lasting effect," Sona said.

"I wasn't always like this," Elros said with a strained smile.

"I find that difficult to believe," Sona said.

"It's true. I became a Lantern at a really young age. After a little while on the Corps., more and more Lanterns started to talk to me like I was one of their own - after they got past my age. The first time I felt like I had a family. They helped me get through a lot of it, but even then it took a while. But… that's a story for another time, I think," Elros said.

"Of course. I don't want to push you," Sona said quickly.

"Thank you," Elros said as they continued their walk. A gust of came out of nowhere, blowing Sona's dress slightly. She kept it down, blus.h.i.+ng as she did so. Elros smiled as he noticed her s.h.i.+vering and took his jacket off, putting it around her.

"Are you sure?" Sona asked as she held it close.

"I am. I like the wind, actually," Elros said, taking a deep breath.

"So, ready for our Rating Game?" he asked.

"I am. I've been thinking of ways to defeat you," Sona said with a devious smile.

"Oh yeah? Like what?" Elros inquired.

"As if I'd tell you," Sona responded.

"Come on. Give in to my charm, Sona. You know you want to," Elros said, poking her gently here and there.

"Ugh, please stop poking me. As much as I like you and Rias, I'm afraid I can't let you guys off that easy when it comes to our battle. I intend to win," Sona declared.

"Hmm… I'll have to bring everything to the fight then, it seems," Elros observed.

"I wouldn't expect anything less," Sona said.

"And how do you plan to counteract my ring?" Elros asked.

"You'll simply have to wait and see," Sona said.

"Fine. Be that way," Elros grumbled. They soon came upon the bank of the river. Sitting down, Elros lied down and brought Sona on top of him.

"This is nice," Sona said as she listened to his heartbeat, her hand gliding across his stomach.

"I'm happy to hear that," Elros said as he ran his hand through her hair, smiling as he heard her exhale happily at the touch.

"I'm curious about how you intend to juggle so many women," Sona said.

"Hmmm?" Elros asked.

"Your harem. Rias, Akeno… likely Yubelluna, maybe several others," she expanded.

"Ha. Honestly, I haven't given it any thought. I'm just going with the flow. Rias and Akeno… they like being in a relations.h.i.+p with me, and I like being in one with them. I'm going to do my best to make it work," Elros said.

"And have you been in these kinds of arrangements before?" Sona asked.

"Well, I've never had them labeled as a harem before, if that's what you're asking," Elros said.

"Yet you seem to have considerable experience dealing with women," Sona said.

"When I first joined the Corps, even before I met my partner, I met a female Lantern - Arisia. She's a friend of Hal's and from Sector 2815. When I stayed on Oa, she's one of the ones that helped take care of me when she could. Several of her friends in the Corps. helped her take up the responsibility as well. So I guess you could say that I was raised by women for the most part," Elros said with a happy laugh.

"I imagine their customs are far different to Earth, though," Sona said.

"Oh yeah. Far, far, far less puritan," Elros said.

"Ugh. Figures that you were raised by deviants," Sona sighed.

"I wouldn't call them deviants. It's simply how they were raised and how their societies were. Nothing wrong with that. Doesn't make them better or worse," Elros said, his voice a bit harder. Sona nodded into his chest; she could tell that on this, their opinions differed. For her, s.e.x and relations.h.i.+ps were something near sacred - for Elros, however, it was something that he enjoyed freely.

"And how important is s.e.x to you?" Sona asked.

"Probably not as much as you think," Elros said with a laugh.

"Really?" Sona asked.

"Yeah. I mean… it's nice and pleasurable, you know? I'm certainly a fan of it. But… I dunno. I see it as something that just happens when two people like each other on some level. That's how it's mostly been for me. Like I told Rias, my line of work never really left me open to long lasting relations.h.i.+ps. But then, I never tried to make it work like Carol and Hal did. This is uncharted territory for me," Elros said.

"That I definitely find surprising. Are you saying Rias is your first girlfriend or something?" Sona asked.

"It's the first time I've labeled someone as such. I have several girl friends, but like I said - never had a long lasting relations.h.i.+p before now. Mostly flings or friends with benefits," Elros said.

"And what do you think of the experience so far?" Sona asked.

"I'm enjoying it so far. I want to make it work with them," Elros said, sighing.

It was something he had given a lot of thought to. Rias and Akeno were extremely beautiful - even amongst their own kind. After such a long time just traveling through s.p.a.ce and seeing new planets, he was happy to get some time off. This was one of the few respites he had had in a long time, usually being called away almost immediately. But since he landed on Rias's doorstep, he had found himself with more free time than he knew what to do with. It was clear to him how Rias and Akeno felt when he was around them and he decided to pursue it as such. He cared a great deal for them - and now only time would tell if they would last. How would they react to what he was planning with Bruce and the others? How would they react if he was called out on a long mission? What would they do if he didn't come back one time - something that was a distinct possibility.

"Are you ok?" he heard Sona asked. She was trying to ask him something but lost in his own mind, he ended up ignoring her.

"Hmm? Oh! Sorry, Sona. Just… thinking," Elros said, sitting and taking her with him.

"About what?" she asked.

"Just… everything. My apologies. I shouldn't be ignoring you on our date," he said with a smile. Sona shook her head, standing up.

"Not at all. You have a lot to think about, I'm sure," she said. Elros sighed and nodded before grinning as he looked at the river.

"Want to take a dip?" he asked, beginning to take off his vest.

"Seriously?" Sona asked, blus.h.i.+ng.

"Yeah. It'll be fun. Unless you don't want to. Up to you," Elros said.

"I… don't know. I didn't bring a bathing suit," Sona sighed.

"You can fetch one if you'd like. Or we can go skinny dipping?" Elros suggested.

"ABSOLUTELY NOT!" Sona said, turning a deep red. It wasn't that she was afraid of being naked - in fact, she was like that more than Elros probably thought. However, she didn't want him to see her like that so soon.

"Just… hold on one sec," Sona said as she quickly entered a magic circle.

As she exited, she found that Elros was already inside - his clothes lying on the bank. As Elros turned and saw her, he smiled. Sona was wearing a well fitting white bikini, going with her smooth porcelain-like skin and contrasting with her dark hair. She took the temperature before she got in, blus.h.i.+ng as he went a bit closer.

"You look beautiful," Elros complimented her.

"Thank you," she said, smiling as she moved a bit closer.

"Now that we're in here, we have to race. How about it?" Elros asked with a grin.

"Guys love turning everything into compet.i.tions," Sona sighed.

"I need to regain my pride somehow. Last time I faced off with Rias and Akeno, they kicked my a.s.s so bad I just dropped out completely," Elros grumbled.

"Hmm… and if I win?" she asked.

"If you win… I dunno. What do you want?" Elros asked.

"We'll call it a favor I can collect at a future date," Sona said.

"Works for me. Let's… swim to that rock of there. That work?" Elros asked.

"Sounds good. Ready?" Sona asked as she prepared to shoot off.

"GO!" Elros yelled. Three seconds later, he stopped as Sona had already quickly crossed half the distance.

"WHAT THE f.u.c.k?!" Elros groaned loudly as Sona came back to him fifteen seconds later.

"You didn't even try!" Sona said, bobbing towards him and laughing airily.

"Try?! There's no way you're that fast a swimmer! Did you cheat?!" Elros asked.

"No. My family's known for our Water-based Magic, however. I've been swimming since I could walk," Sona said with a devious smile.

"You knew I had no chance?!" Elros asked.

"I did. But a favor from you? Can't expect me to pa.s.s on that," Sona said.

"You devious little minx," Elros groaned as he sulked away.

"Sorry. But you ought to know your opponents before you challenge them," Sona said. Suddenly, Elros held his ring out. A second later, a ma.s.sive water gun had appeared in his hands. A hose dropped into the water as he gave Sona a wide grin.

"My second place prize"! he said as he began to drench her even further with a sharp spout of water. The tables were immediately turned on him, however, as the spout suddenly stopped a foot from Sona's face. Elros suddenly caught a ma.s.sive blast of water, sending him under. As he resurfaced, he nursed a new bruise on his chest.

"Ok. Don't mess with Sona. Lesson learned," he groaned.

"I'm sorry. Did I hurt you?" she asked, her hands running over it.

"Na. I like it a little rough in fact," Elros said with a wink, making her red. They soon settled down in a corner, Elros erected a small wall to lean against so they wouldn't get muddy. As they looked across the river, they saw artificial clouds moving in the distance.

"This is nice," Elros said as he put an arm around her. Sona warmed at the touch and leaned closer, feeling her body pressing against his. This was the first time they had had a really intimate moment together - especially one that involved so few articles of clothing. She put an arm around his waist, taking in the feeling as much as she could before resting her head against his side.

"It really is. I don't think I would've had the same experience with other Devils - especially ones that my parents considered for me," Sona said.

"Are they still looking for suitors?" Elros asked.

"Not anymore. My mother agrees that I shouldn't have to settle for someone if I don't think I'll be happy with them. She and my father are very much in love, so it worked for them," Sona said.

"Smart woman," Elros said.

"Indeed. She thought it was quite funny how my previous engagement was broken off," Sona sighed.

"What was the guy like?" Elros asked.

"Egotistical. Self-absorbed. Obsessed with the status he would get by marrying into a prominent family with a Great Satan. From a powerful clan himself," Sona said, holding on a bit tighter. Elros looked and saw her gazing off a bit listlessly.

"Are you ok?" he whispered.

"Hmm? Yes! Sorry. I… every man that Rias or I - or many women in our position - have come across has been attracted to the fringe benefits, as I've told you. The money, power, and status that comes with being a part of our clans. It's… very rare - if not impossible amongst Devils - to find someone like you; someone with a much broader viewpoint that most of us can imagine," Sona said.

"I'm sorry that you guys have to deal with people like that. It can't be easy, especially when you already have so much on your plates. I mean… You and Rias have your own futures ahead of you, as well as managing those of your families; both of you have peerages that you're in charge of - basically making you mothers to a bunch of children. On top of that, people trying to use you for their own gains. Being a Lantern isn't easy, but I don't have to deal with all the political bulls.h.i.+t. You have a lot of responsibility for someone so young," Elros sighed.

"Sometimes I think that without the peerage there to support me, it might be too much. Just as much as they rely on me, I rely on them. They're essentially an extension of my family… although yes, they do act like children time to time," Sona said with a fond smile.

"It's important to have friends you can count on," Elros said. Sona nodded in agreement before letting out a loud sigh - she heard her phone ringing. Elros quickly got it for her.

"h.e.l.lo? h.e.l.lo, Serafall. Yes. Yes, I'm with him. Yes… WHAT?! NO! NO! ABSOLUTELY NOT! YOU MAY NOT! NO! What? Yes… we're coming now. Yes, I love you too," Sona sighed as she hung up, giving Elros an apologetic look.

"That was my sister. She's getting restless and really wants to meet you again. Mother and father have also requested that we come as dinner is almost ready," Sona sighed.

"Wonderful. Let's get this done!" Elros said eagerly, jumping out of the river, Sona in his arms.

"You seem excited," Sona said as she began to dry off in front of a large fan construct.

"Very. I can ask your dad for your hand in marriage after I charm him and your mom," Elros said cheerfully.

"WHAT?!" Sona exclaimed, turning a bright right.

"Kidding. Besides, with how much your sister loves you, something tells me it's her permission that I'll need," Elros said with a laugh. That didn't placate Sona any better; she continued to turn red as she put her dress on. Suddenly, she felt Elros's hands turn her around. As she looked up, she saw him smiling warmly at her.

"Sorry. I don't mean to make you uncomfortable," he said, hugging her tightly. Sona smiled as she leaned into the hug, playing with his hair. After he put his tie on, Sona opened a magic circle and they both stepped in.

-o-

"Woah. Sona. This is beautiful," Elros said wide eyed as they stepped out in front of Sona's family manor. It was much more chateau-like than the Gremory's place, with a gray brick facade and several conical tops on the roof. He identified several ramparts atop the stately home, lined with beautiful marble statues. Looking around he saw a lush green land with countless different colors - the red, blue, yellow, violet, black, white, and other colors of flowers; the strong brown tree trunks; black willows with soft green leaves swaying in a crisp wind. It went on for as far as his eye could see - an enchanted forest if he ever saw one.

"Thank you. My family is quite fond of nature, so our home is located on quite a large reserve. We've forests, glades, mountains, lakes, rivers, and more. It's… my quiet place, you could say," Sona said.

"I can see why. This is awesome," Elros said as he saw a flock of birds fliy out of the forest. Turning, Sona opened the door and led Elros inside. It was cozy and comfortable inside. Suits of armor lined the walls, separated by torchlights that offered a dim and warm glow. As they got inside, a voice called out to them.

"SONA! ELROS!" Serafall squealed in delight as she jumped down the stairs and hugged her sister. Sona sighed; this was how Serafall always reacted as she got home. She soon hugged Elros who hugged her back.

"It's good to see you again!" she said.

"Likewise. How've you been?" Elros asked.

"Well! I saw your match against those three by the way - really good job!" Serafall said happily.

"Thanks," Elros grinned as he looked around. "So are the others from the peerage here as well?" Elros asked.

"Yeah, but everyone out right now I believe. They should be coming back soon," Sona said.

"Ah. You must be Elros Eärendil. h.e.l.lo," came the voice of a woman. Elros looked and saw who he a.s.sumed to be Sona's mother standing there. She was a beautiful woman, much like her younger daughter in looks. She had shoulder length dark hair with hazel eyes, a light and wise smile on her lips.

"h.e.l.lo, mother," Sona said as she walked Elros over.

"Lady Sitri," Elros said, taking her outstretched hand and kissing it. Sona turned red as he did that while her mother and Serafall giggled.

"Ah! Wonderful, you're here. I've heard quite a bit about you from my daughter, Mr. Eärendil," came another voice - Sona's father. He was a clean-shaven man with hair, like his wife, came to his shoulders. He wore a striking black suit, matching his wife beautiful black dress, and shook Elros's hand with a vigor.

"Please sir, call me Elros," he responded.

"Elros it is. Please, come in. Dinner is just about to be served," the man said, leading everyone toward the dining room. Elros sat next to Sona while her mother, father, and sister sat opposite them, waiting for the food to come out.

"Thank you for your hospitality," Elros said as he drank some water.

"Not at all. It's nice to meet-," her father said before Serafall interjected.

"The guy Sona is in love with!" she said happily.

"OH NO!" Sona cried out, turning red as her head hit the table. Elros chuckled and rubbed her back comfortingly.

"Now now, sweetheart - you can tease your sister later," her father said with a chuckle of his own before he and Serafall were both quickly quieted by the look Sona's mother gave them. Elros quickly deduced who wore the pants in the house. She turned her attention back to Elros who just smiled back. A moment later, she smiled as well.

"Oh yes! Elros. Congratulations on your win against Anders, Bastion, and Elizaveta yesterday. Your two matches are already being hailed as some of the greatest in our history. One man vs. an entire peerage; and then the same man vs. three High-Cla.s.s Devils! It's never been seen before!" Lord Sitri exclaimed.

"Thank you, Lord Sitri. I'm happy that you enjoyed it," Elros answered with a smile.

"And it's all for Rias. It's so cute! My agent tells me that there's already a movie about you two in the works!" Serafall squealed.

"A movie?" Elros asked with a roaring laugh.

"You and she have gotten quite close, have you not?" Lord Sitri asked.

"We have, sir," Elros responded. He looked sideways at Sona who sighed again. There was a pause as their food got set before them.

"Tell me, Elros - what is your goal?" Lady Sitri asked.

"Hmm… if I'm honest right now, miss, I can't say I have a particular one in mind. I have my own responsibilities, so fulfilling them is enough for me. I'm still new to being a Devil, so I'm letting it take me where it takes me for the moment," Elros said.

"I see. Do you have any ambition or desire that wish to achieve or receive?" she asked.

"Peace and happiness, my lady," Elros said.

"What about your Duels? You're currently ranked 5th. The four above you are all Ultimate-Cla.s.s Devils, and the 5 below you are High-Cla.s.s Devils. You're the only Low-Cla.s.s Devil amongst the top contenders - as well as the highest ranking Low-Cla.s.s Devil ever, I believe. It's quite an achievement," she said.

"Well, I only got that far because the people that wanted a challenge wanted Rias. I was just acting as a proxy," Elros said.

"It's the most impressive act by proxy I've seen," Lady Sitri said.

"Indeed. Don't you wish to rank first?" Lord Sitri asked.

"Well, if you had asked me that anytime before yesterday I probably would've replied with 'I don't care,'," Elros said with a chuckle.

"What changed?" her mother asked.

"The Duelist ranked 1st is a friend of mine. Now I'm obligated to challenge him," Elros said cheerfully.

"Luke Star, yes?" Lord Sitri asked.

"That's correct, sir," Elros said.

"He's… formidable, isn't he sweetheart?" Lord Sitri asked Serafall. She had an unusually thoughtful expression on her face.

"He's… really strong from what I've seen and heard. He's an enigma," Serafall said seriously.

"Do you think it wise to challenge him?" Lady Sitri asked.

"Maybe, maybe not. I suppose I'll find out soon enough, though. He's a good guy, though. I'm sure we'll have a blast," Elros said.

"And what is your relations.h.i.+p with him like, if I might ask?" Lord Sitri asked.

"He's been like a father to me," Elros said. As he said that, Sona froze and turned to him, a surprised look in her eye.

'Like a father?' she thought.

"Truly?" Lady Sitri asked, surprised.

"Yes, ma'am," Elros answered.

"That's quite the father figure you have. And… what about your biological father?" Lord Sitri asked. He regretted doing so as Sona shot him a vicious glare.

"We're… estranged," Elros said with a pained smile.

"Ah. Forgive me for bringing up such a delicate topic," Lord Sitri apologized.

"Not at all, sir," Elros responded.

"If Luke was like a father figure, I'm surprised to hear that you seemed so shocked to see him yesterday. Were you not aware of his being a Devil?" Lord Sitri asked.

"He certainly never told me before. Although if he hasn't been active here for the last ten or so years - which seems to be the case - he probably forgot about it," Elros shrugged.

"He… forgot that he was a Devil?" Lord Sitri asked eyebrow raised.

"He's a free spirit, sir. Like's to do several things. I lived with him for several years, and those years were all spent on Earth," Elros said.

"That lines up well with his history here. I don't remember when his last fight was, but it was certainly more than ten years ago. It would've become a problem, but no one seemed to want to fight him for some reason - nor with Yama," Lord Sitri said.

"That guy is pretty scary," Serafall said, s.h.i.+vering slightly.

"That's what Venelana told me as well," Lady Sitri said with a sigh.

"Hmm?" Sona asked, surprised - when did her mom speak to Rias's about Yama?

"Last night. She told me that Lillian pulled her aside to warn her about Yama challenging you," Lady Sitri said to Elros.

"Warn Lady Gremory about him challenging me?" Elros asked.

"Yes. She said that Lillian seemed quite afraid of the prospect. You see, Yama hasn't been in a Duel for about as long as Luke. But in that same time, he's never challenged someone either. For one reason or another - and according to several eyewitnesses - he challenged you last night," Lady Sitri said.

"He knows how to make a guy feel special, that's for sure. However, there is something about him…," Elros said trailing off as he leaned back, a thoughtful expression on his face.

"What do you mean?" Sona asked nervously.

"Dunno. He's not someone to be trifled with, though. I didn't spend a lot of time with him, but he's definitely a monster," Elros said.

"A monster?" Lord Sitri asked.

"Yes, sir," Elros answered.

"And how can you identify that?" Lady Sitri asked.

"Just by how he carries himself, ma'am. It's with a confidence and vigor you don't see in a lot of people. Plus, he nearly blew the head off that old guy just for speaking out of turn, so he's probably got a short fuse as well," Elros said.

"Do you think it wise to fight him?" Lady Sitri asked.

"I'm afraid that hasn't been confirmed yet, ma'am," Elros said with a light smile. Lady Sitri sighed and nodded; if he said anything he wasn't supposed to regarding the duel, it'd be grounds for his disqualification.

"Now, Elros…," Serafall interjected, a serious expression on her face.

"Hmm…?" Elros said.

"DO YOU LOVE SONA?!" Serafall asked excitedly. Sona turned a bright red, her gla.s.ses comically fogging up at the question. Lady Sitri sighed at her eldest daughters lack of tact while Lord Sitri chuckled. Elros chuckled along, rubbing Sona's back.

"Serafall!" Lady Sitri scolded. Serafall sighed, although she smiled brightly at Elros.

"Forgive my daughter. She… is quite immature. There's no other way to put it," the matriarch of the family sighed.

"It's fine, Lady Sitri," Elros chuckled.

"Truth be told, Elros, we have been quite keen to meet since Sona told us about you - even more so after we saw how you fared against Riser and his peerage. As a father, I can't help but worry," Lord Sitri said.

"Certainly, sir. I don't intend to disrespect Sona in any way if that's what you're thinking. In quite a short time, she's become… important to me," Elros said. Sona smiled as he said and took his hand in hers. Lord and Lady Sitri exchanged a smile while Serafall cooed in delight.

"And what are your thoughts on marriage?" Lord Sitri asked.

"As in right now? I'm too young, I think," Elros said.

"Arranged marriages are quite prominent amongst some families," Lord Sitri said.

"You'd come into quite a bit of wealth, power, and status," Lady Sitri added.

"I'm afraid that doesn't sway me much, Lord and Lady Sitri. If I'm even going to consider the prospect, I want to make sure that Sona and I are both comfortable with it, to begin with. And the only way to do that is to spend more time together," Elros said.

"I see," Lady Sitri said, smiling over her gla.s.s.

"Sona wasn't exaggerating. You truly don't care about all that, do you?" Lord Sitri asked.

"I'm afraid not, sir," Elros said, smiling.

"So what is important to you? Besides my daughter, as you've said," Lord Sitri asked. Elros leaned back as he thought about the answer.

"Freedom to do with my time as I wish, sir. Whether that means working on my other responsibilities or having the time to take Sona out on a date," Elros said. Lord and Lady Sitri looked at each before smiling at Elros. Only Serafall seemed somewhat disappointed.

"So I won't have any nieces or nephews anytime soon?!" she asked. At that, Sona quickly stood up - taking Elros with her.

"I JUST REMEMBERED WE HAVE TO GO DO SOMETHING!" she exclaimed as she dragged Elros out of the dining room and upstairs, not stopping until they had entered a room and closed the door behind them.

-o-

"My sister…," Sona said, rubbing her temples as she and Elros moved to the bed and got comfortable.

"She really loves you," Elros said, weaving his hand through her hair as she laid on top of him.

"I know. A bit too much, as it were," Sona sighed.

"I enjoyed meeting your parents, though. They seem like good people," Elros said.

"I'm happy to hear that. Overall, much less embarra.s.sing than I originally thought it would be," Sona said.

"I think you cut it off a bit early, though. I'm sure they had more questions," Elros said.

"Well… I hope that you'll be here often enough to talk to them again," Sona said, blus.h.i.+ng slightly.

"I'd like that," Elros said. As he said that, Sona suddenly got up and began to pace a bit.

"Sona?" Elros asked worriedly. She turned to look at him, biting a thumb. She went over and took his hands in hers, standing him up. As she did so, she put her arms around his neck. Elros did the same for her waist, pulling her. As he leaned in, though, he saw how uncomfortable Sona looked at the prospect. Her first kiss should be enjoyable, he thought. He leaned back, pulling her on the bed with him.

"Sona," he said.

"What?" she asked, burying her face in his chest.

"Do you remember what I said last time you tried to kiss me?" Elros asked.

"To… take it at my own pace," Sona said.

"That's right. At your own pace. That means as slow or as fast as you want. Don't think you owe me anything," Elros said.

"It… I… Elros. I like you. Quite a bit. But… I don't know. Right now just doesn't seem like the right time," Sona said, her voice a bit m.u.f.fled.

"That's completely fine, Sona," Elros said.

"You're not upset?" Sona asked.

"Not even a little. I enjoy being like this just as much," Elros said, rubbing her back. She exhaled deeply at the sensation as she moved up a bit. Holding his face gently in her hands, she leaned down and kissed him on the cheek, lingering there for a second.

"We're… still going out when we head to Earth, right?" she asked.

"Indeed we are. I've already got everything planned out," Elros said with a smile.

"Can't wait," Sona said as she got comfortable on his chest again. Before they knew, both were taking a nap