"Mommy, that was awesome!" Entirely ignoring her father, Ruby leaped into the arms of her mother. All things considered, the event had been a smashing success though that much was guaranteed with Ai Hoshino in attendance!
"Yeah, I was pretty great huh☆!" Accepting the praise with her head held high the smile on Ai's face was contagious. While it was apparent that she was still wearing a mask of lies it was also clear that the joy radiating from her was not fake.
"You did well Dad. Try to smile a bit less though." Aqua, seeing his mother preoccupied, focused on his father instead. Throughout the event, Damian had smiled a tad too much, something that would lessen his appeal as a quiet bad boy who was like an untamed wolf on steroids.
"I'll try my best." Smiling softly while running a hand through his son's hair Damian was relieved the event was over. He was well versed in the art of political intrigue but the show business was much more hostile than he expected.
The questions seemed simple at first glance but they quickly divulged into devilish inquiries that would ruin Ai's reputation if answered incorrectly. It was a different beast to the political strife he usually maneuvered through.
"No! Keep smiling! You can't take any more of mommy's spotlight!" Demanding her father Ruby had no intention of backing down, her mind set on dying on this hill if the need arose. She didn't hate her father, far from it, but she was a staunch supporter of the Ai Above All cause!
"Well, I doubt Ai would lose fans to a nobody like me." Chuckling at the absurdity of it Damian shook his head and summoned a glass of water for himself as he took a seat on the couch. It was a stressful thing even if only because it was live.
Magic was a powerful thing, nearly omnipotent really, but it would be difficult to solve the mess caused if he said the wrong thing live. Millions from all over the world saw that video so there was no simple way to solve the issue. He could do it but it would be annoying.
"Daddy's an idiot. Haven't you seen your face?" Retorting with a frown oRuby shook her head in resignation. Damian had always been handsome but after the gloominess in his eyes and his malevolent aura disappeared he seemingly increased in attraction twofold.
"I'm not that good looking, you know. You should have seen Sirzechs as a kid. I can see why he was so desired before Grayfia came around." Laughing in amusement Damian flicked on the TV, the screen immediately returning to the same program they were once on.
"I think you're pretty handsome☆." Ai spoke casually as she draped her lithe body over his legs, her star eyes looking up at him in clear affection. It was a level of affection she would never engage in before recently and although Ruby hated it, it was a good thing.
"And you're quite beautiful." Damian replied with a smile as the TV finally changed to the screen he desired. Although his children were quite old mentally not even they could resist the masterpiece that was Ratatouille.
It was only halfway into the movie that the twins and Ai fell into a deep slumber, the youthful bodies of the former demanding rest and the latter simply exhausted from her daily life. She was quite the busy lady as the biggest star in Japan.
"Careful not to wake them. I'd like them to sleep a bit longer." Pushing a stray strand of hair behind Ai's ear Damian spoke softly to the girl that had been present the entire time. She was naturally quiet but he just wanted to be sure.
"Mhm. Go little rat." Quieting her already soft spoken voice the figure of Ophis was clearly enraptured by the movie. He couldn't blame her, it was a wonderful movie after all. It was a shame to think that she hadn't seen most movies.
"You know, when you said you'd capture my heart I thought you'd be more proactive." It felt like he was poking the hornet's nest but Damian couldn't restrict his curiosity. This entire time she's just been by his side experiencing his day to day life with him.
"Vali said that the best way to make somebody fall in love with you is to make them enjoy your presence. Is it working?" Ophis asked as hopeful eyes turned his way. Did he truly enjoy her presence?
"Yeah, I think it's working." Damian replied with a sincere smile. While it was far from the love she desired, having somebody at his side as he slaved away at the mountain of paperwork his contract mage dutifully sent him each day was nice, much more than he would've thought.
His life was far from lonely, he had plenty of people to keep him company throughout the day in reality. From Yan Qing and their day drinking, Rias and their nightly wrestling, his training with his peers, the time he spent with Ai and his children, and much more his day was always full.
But there were still lulls. Paperwork was the main cause but at times everyone would be busy and he'd have no choice but to spend his time alone. Ingvild with her hobby of singing, Ai and her idol career, Marco and his womanizing, and so on. Having Ophis was a nice addition.
"Good. I'll make you mine quickly." Smiling every so slightly, Ophis returned her attention to the movie. It was a strange situation for the Ouroboros Dragon to be vying for somebody's attention but Damian himself was odd so it evened out.
"Try your best." Despite being firmly on the defending side Damian didn't dash her hopes, his hand ruffling her soft black hair. Immediately Ophis leaned into his touch like a cat, her eyes closed as she embraced the happiness.
"Keep going." Grabbing his hand the instant he tried to pull back she placed his palm once more on his head. Chuckling wryly, Damian resigned himself to a fate of head pats for the next few hours.
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