Baraquiel found himself chuckling. Forget 47 years. Even if Igor turned 147, he would flash this image to him, especially the next one he took. That look of panic would be cemented in history.
*Camera Snap*
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|DxD|- Chapter 34- Overwhelmed
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Igor Mathias Edenfall von Dimori—those were his names. He was a weapon, a warrior who only had two uncontested desires in his life—train to protect his new family and stretch the limits of vital energy. Just recently however, a new goal had surfaced.
It had been less than a minute since the old man proposed they go and get breakfast. Tall grass swiped Igor's shins, leaving behind dew and grains on his pants. Baraquiel walked ahead with an imposing presence, or at least it would be if he wasn't holding abominations in his hands.
Two pictures of himself were snapped by that thing called a camera. It depicted him in the most insulting positions. He was a serious man, not a boy who puffed his cheeks like a squirrel. What was meant to be a temporary lapse was now sealed in time.
His brows lowered in focus. Those pictures had to be destroyed before they reached Shuri. He must remain a dependable man in her eyes, not a stupid child.
He steadily increased the flow of vitality through his body. Baraquiel still foolishly admired the photos in his outstretched hand. He'd ensure they only remained as memories and ashes.
*Pa!*
The wind snapped. A small plume of dust and wet grass remained where Igor once was. He was several metres in the air, high enough to reach many rooftops. Igor flipped over and landed on the ground. In his palms…was nothing but air.
Baraquiel was behind him, still casually walking and admiring the photos. If it wasn't for that subtle amused smile, Igor would believe he was trapped in another illusion.
"Damnit, old man!"
He tore off all pretenses and burst with power. He dashed forward, leaving a golden wake behind. His arms wrapped around thin air instead of a torso. He skidded across the ground, using his heels to dig into the dirt and stop his momentum.
Two lines of ploughed dirt stretched longer than a bus. His hair whipped forward like loose beads. Igor turned around. Baraquiel was suddenly over a kilometre away. Beyond him lay the house.
Igor increased his power. It was stupid of him to think he could match Baraquiel in speed, but surely the old man wasn't faster than an energy blast, right? As long as he got close enough, he'd let one loose.
He spun around on the balls of his feet and charged forward. Golden eyes were primed on the target. Two small beams would burn those damned things.
The wind slapped against his aura of energy. The ground caved like mud beneath his feet. Everything was slowed and magnified under his perception.
Blades of grass appeared still. Baraquiel's movement went sloth-like. Igor would not be fooled by that. Baraquiel could vanish so quickly he left an afterimage. Instead of looking like a fool again, he pointed his palm forward.
Two energy blasts sped forward like missiles, appearing extremely fast even in his perception. His foot had barely touched the ground when the blasts suddenly blinked out of existence.
"Wha—"
*Shoulder Grabbed!*
"That's quite an improvement, Igor."
"..."
Igor stood rooted to the spot. Paving replaced dirt. Savoury food replaced the scent of soft grass. The house which was far off in the distance had zoomed in. In front of him stood a wooden door. Baraquiel already had his hand on the handle. His voice pulled him out of his daze.
"We'll continue after breakfast."
Baraquiel entered and Igor stood silently. His head lowered in shame. He failed and now, Shuri would see him at his most embarrassing moment. He swore in his heart. Some day, he would punch Baraquiel in the stomach.
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|DxD|
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Shuri held the two photos in her hands. The first showed Igor seated with his arms crossed underneath a towering tree. His cheeks were pumped full of indignation and embarrassment.
Her husband had his hand on Igor's head. There was a rare teasing smile on his ever-stoic face. Shuri glanced to the side. Igor stood at the doorway with his head so low his chin dug into his chest. She fought to restrain her laugh when she noticed how red his ears were.
[So cute~.]
She placed the first photo in her bosom and looked at the second one. It was more cinematic, showing Igor's futile struggles to retrieve the first photo. Catching a photo of Igor like this—she secretly gave a thumbs up.
Baraquiel winked back before continuing to play with his daughter. Akeno was giggling in his arms every time he tickled her face with his beard.
"Hihihihi~!"
"..."
Igor on the other hand, wanted to die. Neither Akeno nor the promising smell of a scrumptious breakfast could dissuade him.
[It's over…]
He hadn't even spent a full twenty four hours and the image he wanted to build had crumbled. In Shuri's eyes, he wanted to be a serious and stoic man like Baraquiel, a man who can be relied and called upon. But those stupid photos ruined everything. He was supposed to be the reliable older brother to Akeno, not a stupid kid who picked his nose and threw tantrums.
Shuri took in all his reactions and she swore she almost died from an overload of sweetness. He was standing there like a child awaiting punishment. Each secret glance he took revealed watery eyes like a puppy and plump chubby cheeks.
Her heart couldn't take it anymore. It was going to melt from all this cuteness.
"Kyaaaaa~!"
She swooped in and scooped him up into her arms. She lifted him high up and his look of surprise—the way he blinked with his cutely raised eyebrows—was absolute gold.
She brought him into her embrace and squished her cheek against his. It felt so hot against her she could toss an egg on it.
"So cuuuute~!"
His struggles were useless against her hold. She so badly wanted to plaster him with kisses, but settled for nuzzling him against the crook of her neck.
"We have to take more pictures, don't you think? Like now. Please take a picture of us, husband."
"Huh? NO!"
Igor immediately raised his head. Everything from the neck upwards was redder than a tomato. He pointed a finger at Baraquiel and adamantly threatened.
"Don't you dare take it, old man! I-I swear I'll…I'll…"
Igor used 'stutter'. It was extremely effective.
"Igooorrr~!"
Shuri gobbled him up with a big kiss on his chubby cheeks. It was impossible to hold herself back when he tried so hard to be an adult.
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AN: I wonder what his reaction will be when he fews those pics years from now.
Chapter 34
END