United (Magics AU - Part 1)

Chapter 17 - Aaron

Although Aaron had hardly slept since the night the demon attacked him, he wasn't yet exhausted. In the back of his mind, he was faintly aware that he was tired; but he wasn't able to fall asleep, no matter how hard he tried. The night of the attack, after everyone else had left him alone in the guest room, he'd given up on sleep and sat in the cafe for most of that morning. He'd slept only a few hours the night after, but he was quickly awoken by several of the guards hurrying into action. Two of them had stayed with him, but he'd refused to try to sleep again and demanded they take him to the scene. When he had arrived, he'd found his granddaughter sitting on the floor with her parents beside her and two guards flanking them all. Amy had already gone after the killer. When Aaron had found out that it was Emily who had been attacked, he knew he wouldn't be able to get back to sleep - he was too enraged. 

It was past sunrise, and Amy and Shintaro - who had pursued the beast with Amy - still hadn't returned. Aaron hadn't slept since he'd been woken that night, and he didn't plan on trying to. Firstly, he was already awake and angry; secondly, Emily was with him for comfort while her parents were busy; and thirdly, his chest was aching too badly for him to be able to settle into sleep. 

When Aaron had been awoken by the sound of his door slamming open, he'd experienced a panic like he'd never felt before, and he doubted he would ever feel it again. The aftereffects of this scare left Aaron weak and in pain, but he had no intent of sharing that with others. They didn't need to worry more than they already were. As for the cause of the panic, Aaron would never forget the scene he'd woken up to - a man-like beast with enormous wings, flashing teeth, daggers for claws, and fiery shadows encircling its body, leaping straight for him with murderous red eyes.

He was still bruised from when the beast had snatched him and threw him into the dresser, but thankfully it wasn't as bad as it could have been. He was stiff and sore, but he wasn't dead; therefore, it was nothing to worry about. 

However, it was quite painful, especially when Emily cuddled up against him without knowing she was hurting him. She and Aaron were sitting in Falte's office, together on one of the plush chairs. Emily was pressed up against him with her nose in a book, but Aaron suspected she was hardly paying attention to what she was reading. He was on her left side with his arm draped over her shoulders, occasionally looking over her shoulder at what she was reading. 

As Emily change her position slightly, Aaron held back a flinch that was working his way up his shoulders. His left side, shoulders, and neck had taken the brunt of the shelf, leaving dark bruises along his skin. Every time Emily moved, Aaron would have to move slightly as well due to how she was sitting against him. 

But other than the slight pain it was bringing him, Aaron didn't mind sitting with Emily like this at all. After he had gotten sick, he had hardly been able to see her, especially as she grew older and spent her time with the training guards. The last time he'd been able to hold her close like this was when she was young, and Aaron was happy to be able to relive those days again - where Emily would snuggle against him joyfully. 

Blowing out a long sigh, Aaron let his head fall back against the chair and closed his eyes. He felt Emily shift beside him, then he heard her book close softly. 

"Poppa?" she said in a faint voice, using the nickname she'd given him when she was young. "Are you okay?" 

Aaron opened his eyes again and looked back down at her, finding that she was gazing up at him with concerned eyes, the book closed in her lap. "I'm all right," he told her reassuringly, smiling softly. 

"You look tired," Emily observed, somewhat sheepishly. "Do you want me to help you back to your room?" 

Aaron's smile became a bit more genuine at her worry for him. "No, that's all right. I don't think I'd be able to sleep."