by ToxicShadow » 10/24/2016 7:10 PM
"I wouldn't fire you over a simple mistake." That much was obvious, wasn't it? Strages didn't have the heart for that. Although he wasn't expressing it outwardly in front of Hellia, he was ecstatic, in his own way, to have Aaron working with them. While confined to the office, they'd be together, and that was far greater than going without seeing him for long hours. Simply being in his presence softened his demeanor and put him at ease.
Although he wasn't a man to really admit it, there was still that nagging fear that the only person Strages truly loved in this world, intimately, would vanish from his sight again without so much as a trace. He wouldn't say it anymore, that Aaron's vanishing for several years practically killed off a part of him. In time, he had convinced himself that he must have died, because what other reason would there be for him not coming back? Strages had already mourned him, in the only way he knew how, by throwing himself into his work, getting himself in dangerous situations, running himself ragged.
It was Hellia that eventually had the idea for Strages to finish his medical training, which he had already started prior to Aaron's disappearance, and work together. It was the Boss' order, but her idea. They didn't speak much, before that. Of course, she was younger than the two men before her, in spite of appearances. She was like Strages and he and Aaron's children, taking heavily after their Lucain attributes, and thus, was able to take on the form of an adult before long. She was the daughter of another member of the mafia, and similar in age to their children. So she hadn't been around as long as one might have guessed. Of course, in this sort of world, an adult was an adult, if they acted like it.
She had come to consider herself Strages' best friend over the last few years, excluding Karkaine, although the man didn't consider her in the same light. Well, he just wasn't the type to call most people, "friends," in the first place.
The woman put both of her hands on her hips, grinning widely, as she observed the two lovers. "He wont want to let you go, even if this particular job doesn't work out. So I'm sure there will be something for you to do around here. If I'm not mistaken, you'll mostly be in charge of filing work and keeping this Boss on schedule. Make sure he eats, okay? If he's working, he always forgets unless someone actually makes him."
While Hellia spoke, Strages instinctively intertwined his fingers with Aaron's when he reached for his hand, holding tightly onto his hand, but not quite so much as to hurt him. With the woman's last words, he growled quietly, as if to exclaim, 'it's not any of your business.' He didn't want Aaron to worry, after hearing something like that, even if it was true.
She deliberately ignored Strages' complaints, and interjected before he could speak, exclaiming, "Aaaah, you guys are adorable!" After hearing Aaron's words, so strongly proclaiming his love in an obvious but subtle way, she couldn't contain it any longer. "Aaron, let's be friends, okay? If you want to know anythiiiing about your dearly beloved's life over the last few years that he wont tell you, I can help you out! I'll share some secrets with you~"
That was the last straw for Strages, his ears went back, and he glowered at her. If looks could kill, she'd be dead where she stood. Leading Aaron by the hand, they left the room. Hellia was just smiling even wider, waving as they went. There was no question about it, he didn't want to deal with Hellia anymore.
Once outside of the office and into the empty hall, Strages loudly exhaled, and his plush ears returned to their usual, upright position.