Chapter 40

"I'm sorry if this is shocking but… unless you destroy your body you'll never be able to utilize any more demonic power than you currently have." Alastor explained sorrowfully, his clasped hands shaking violently.

Not saying anything, Damian merely looked at his parents and their concerned gazes awkwardly. He himself destroyed the magic circle and he had access to his demonic energy albeit in a semi limited capacity.

"We will obviously help you with everything and your marriage with Rias will definitely protect you so you don't have to worry about anything." Astros quickly explained, mistaking Damian's awkward expression for shock.

"Mom, Dad I…" Damian began slowly, his parents worriedly waiting for his response. "I've already fixed that." Damian explained awkwardly, a thin pink mist surrounding his body. It was one of the more expensive ways to use demonic energy so it would normally drain him quickly.

His parents reacted quickly, instantly trying to make him stop however after a moment they noticed that his energy wasn't changing from its initial density. It flickered every now and then as Damian tried to adjust himself to his new usage of demonic energy but it took barely an instant.

"How… no. Good job Damian." Alastor muttered, a look of complete shock on his face before he discarded it all and ran his hand through Damian's hair. What Damian did was important to their family but as a father, Alastor treasured his son more than their history.

Alastor had no doubt that if Damian eventually had kids he would teach them the method if it's possible to learn. He was even confident that if he asked Damian would explain himself but Alastor didn't want to force his son to reveal anything if he didn't want to.

"Thanks." Damian spoke softly, gently pushing his dad's hand out of his hair. He wasn't only thankful about not being forced to talk this time, he was thanking them for all the times they've let him move around where he shouldn't be.

"Don't thank us. We are your parents, you know?" Astros explained with a playful grin, gently pinching Damian's cheeks. Damian was an odd child with more mysteries than they could possibly understand and it would be a lie to say his parents weren't concerned.

But they trusted him to stay out of trouble. Damian's mind was as mature as his body, he could be trusted to do whatever he pleased and not get it any trouble that he couldn't deal with. And if he couldn't deal with it, they would be there to help him.

After all, that's a parent's job.

"I can still thank you." Damian retorted with a small chuckle, his voice slightly distorted by his pulled cheeks. Even if they were his parents they didn't have to be as understanding as they were. When it came to parents, he got the best ones.

However, before they could continue their family bonding the door to their room was hurriedly knocked upon. Looking at one another his two parents smiled knowingly before chuckling to themselves silently.

"We'll see you later Damian. Try not to overexert yourself." His father requested kindly while opening the door revealing the crimson haired girl that stood behind it. Smiling reassuringly at Rias, the two parents quickly left the room to the two fiancés.

Angrily stomping up to Damian's bed Rias placed a basket of fruit onto the nearby table before taking the vacant seat of Astros. On Rias' face, there was a battle of appreciation and anger and all of it was directed toward Damian.

"Are you… okay?" Rias asked weakly, her eyes trailing over his body. His body was covered in a loosely hanging shirt and pants that did reveal some skin but it wasn't enough to tell if he was alright. All it really did was hint at his muscular body which was usually hidden away.

After Ajuka Beelzebub had taken it upon himself to heal Damian he should be fine but at the same time, the fight with Riser was incredibly damaging. Damian's arms had become lumps of charred flesh and blood had leaked from all over his body. There was no way to not be concerned for him.

"I'm a little sore but I'm fine. I'll probably be up and running by later today or early tomorrow." Damian answered sincerely, gingerly moving his stiff muscles. He still felt bloated but the feeling was gradually going away. It would take quite a while but after a few hours, he'd be essentially no different than normal. 

"That's good." Rias muttered with a sigh of relief, her hand on her sizable chest. She was worried about him but now that she was assured he was fine… "Why'd you go so far?" Rias asked, tears leaking from her eyes in droves.

In truth, Damian and her weren't all that close. Originally they had been engaged because she had a crush on him from when he stood up for her in front of Riser and then pushed for her family to get them engaged. 

But besides that, they had hardly interacted with one another. Damian had spent the last six months mainly in the Gremory estate however he was always training with Sirzechs so she didn't really get to spend time with him.

It wasn't like she could just join them either since that would slow down Damian's growth by distracting Sirzechs. Instead, she learned from Grayfia who protected her as she trained her dangerous power of destruction.

Essentially, their relationship was built upon a magic piece of paper. There was no real power behind their bond, at least not enough to explain why Damian would do something so foolish. It was beyond understanding for Rias.

"Do I need a reason to help you?" Damian asked her lightly, gently placing his hand on her hair and ruining her carefully made hair. Honestly, there were hundreds of reasons for Damian to help her in her rebellion against Riser.

Damian didn't like Riser and he was a big fan of Rias. The way she tried her best at everything, her slightly naive side, her protective nature, and so much more. Damian wouldn't go as far as to say he was in love but he certainly cared for her greatly. Especially when compared to Riser.

Looking at Damian with wide eyes for only a moment, Rias' body instinctively moved forward as their lips made contact.

*****

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