Akeno who saw the death of her mother in front of her very eyes could still remember that tragic day very well.
And the absent father that promised to protect her and her mother, the more she thought about him, the more she felt her blood boil with hatred that her energy went out of control for a moment before she suddenly felt a gentle touch on her head. It was big and warm, Austin's hand, it caressed her head softly and tenderly making her feel warm as if returning to her mother's embrace.
"It's okay, you are not alone in this world anymore. I know you are hurt but staying like that won't make you move forward toward a future, your future." He said in a soft voice that penetrated deep into her heart making her tears stream out of her eyes and ran along her cheeks.
She cried silently as Austin pulled her into a deep warm embrace where she could cry all that she wanted.
"You can cry for as long as you want, I will still be here for you and won't go anywhere."
"R-really?" She said with a stutter in her voice mixed with quiet sobs as she looked up at him with her moist violet eyes. He nodded with a tender and gentle smile on his face making her bury her face into his chest and cry quietly while clutching onto his shirt so tightly.
Her body shook and trembled reflecting her state making Austin caress her hair and back reassuring her more.
After her mother's death, she wandered alone without anybody to lean on at all, even her so-called father wasn't there as if he didn't try to look for her for a moment.
She was lonely and miserable, tried to make living by exorcising spirits but that got her in more problems with her mother's clan. Running away, she felt like a broken branch that fell away from the tree with no way back, it was so terrible.
She cried silently, alone in the cold place under bridges where she slept as she didn't have home. She couldn't trust anyone at all in this cold harsh world as her trust was betrayed by her father.
But through all of that, she learned how to be ruthless, how to be decisive and strong minded.
As it hurt her and made her feel so alone, it changed her and turned her into another person completely different from when she was with her mother still alive.
But inside, there was still a deep wound that wouldn't go, a scar that she wouldn't forget till the day she died.
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After some time, Akeno calmed down and stopped crying but didn't move away from Austin's embrace and clutched onto his shirt as tightly as she could as if he was her only anchor in this cold merciless world. After all, despite the personality she showed, she was soft and gentle from the inside. So, the way Austin acted like her support and a warm place to return to made her didn't want to let go of him.
"Are you calm now?" He asked gently while still caressing her hair.
"Mm~" she nodded but didn't move or look up.
This only made Austin feel amused as she looked like a cute little girl right now.
A while later, she let go, albeit reluctantly, but still stood close to him.
"Now, you feel better?"
"Mm, yeah." She nodded before Austin wiped her still lingering tears at the corner of her eyes.
"Okay, listen carefully, Akeno," After that Austin said in a quite serious tone making her stiffen slightly before relaxing.
"I want you to accept your other side, it completes you like the final missing piece of a puzzle, with it you are whole. This is for you and also for those who trust you and see you as their friend and family."
He said making Akeno remember Rias, Asia, Kiba, Koneko, Issei, Gasper, they were all her friends and family, people she cherished especially Rias who extended her hand to her and helped her through it all till this point.
This warmed her heart and made her feel happy to have such a good family beside her.
Taking a deep breath, she looked up at Austin with her beautiful violet eyes sparkling with newfound energy and strength.
"If that is the price I have to pay to get stronger and protect my family, then I will gladly pay." Her voice was filled with determination and power as she said that.
But then, a smile adorned her face making her look dashing and stunning for a moment before she said the next words.
"But you should also take the responsibility of me and swear to stand beside me f.o.r.e.v.e.r, understood?"
Austin couldn't for words for a moment as he felt lost, her words were absurd but her smile was infectious and dazzling making him couldn't help but smile and shake his head while sighing at the absurdness.
But thinking about it, it didn't sound bad at all, to have this beautiful and dashing girl beside him and in his arms.
"Then I swear on my name that I, Austin D. Moore, will stand beside Akeno Himejima for eternity." As he said those words, Akeno felt her heart flutter and felt funny in her stomach from happiness.
After all, she fell in love with Austin during the time he spent training Rias and giving her and the others some pointers on their training.
Fast?
Yeah, but love knows no bounds and time, it's not even subject to the laws of physics.
"Here you go, happy now?" He said as he looked at her eyes, for some reason he loved looking at them.
"Very~" She said before diving into his embrace and hugging him tightly then tip toed and claimed his lips giving her first to him.
The kiss was passionate and loving, making Austin forget about everything around and focus on the feeling of her soft delicious lips against his own while inhaling her natural body scent that was like lavender making him somewhat horny but he held himself back. His hands rested on her slender sexy waist as they kissed for as long as she could.
After the kiss, she hugged him for a little more before letting go reluctantly as Austin teleported them back in the next moment..
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Back at the ORC club room, Rias and the others were still there except Issei, Kiba, Asia, and Koneko, the four went to do their devil's work.
Watching her friend and teacher back, Rias sighed a little as she stood up.
"You are finally back! I thought you wouldn't come back for a second." She said as both Austin and Akeno spent a little more time inside Avalon making her slightly worried.
"Well, there was a problem that made us quite late." Austin said before he sat down on the couch opposite to Rias.
While at the same time, Akeno went to make some tea for him taking Grayfia's job from her. But the maid stood behind him obediently waiting for any of his orders.
And as Rias looked at her friend, she sighed in relief as she looked okay to her. But for some reason, something felt off.
Like, her friend was too happy? Her steps were light and her mood was so good?
It was confusing.
'Maybe because master managed to solve her problem?' She thought, but nevertheless she felt really happy for her.
'Well, as long as she is happy.' Rias said inwardly while a soft satisfied smile adorned her face. She really cared about her family which was one of the good points to her making Austin nod slightly as he saw how much she cared for Akeno.
'They are like good sisters indeed.' He thought.