The Chains that Bind (Highschool DxD x Ghost Rider Reader)

Chapter 30

(F/N) and the others wandered into the theater, picking their movie out, getting the tickets, and walking into the room to watch it all together. Rias paid for everything. Even going so far as to get good, front-row seats with automated chairs people can sit in to recline and watch comfortably. They got their tubs of popcorn, their cool cups of soda, and their boxes of candy, sat down, and leaned back to watch the screen light up with the movie of choice.

"Excited?" Akeno asked, sitting back and taking a small handful of popcorn in her mouth. She looked at (F/N), who managed to break free of Asia's worrying hold and got his own seat.

"A little bit," (F/N) replied, stretching his legs and arms to relax. "I'm surprised we're watching a superhero movie. I'd never thought that any of you would be interested."

"Issei chose it out," Asia answered, leaning back.

"I love superheroes!" Issei said, pumping his fist. "I used to have a friend, and we'd act like we were superheroes." (F/N) was kind of surprised to hear Issei showing excitement for superheroes, instead of his normal talk of perversion and lecherous comments on girl's chests and attire.

"Is that so?" (F/N) asked in return, before he leaned back and looked up at the screen. The lights dimmed, and the small murmurs and chatter among the other groups of people in the room went silent when the movie started.

As the movie played, there were different reactions among the people; some were excited, others weren't impressed, and others were simply there to watch something. For Rias and the others, they were finding a kind of interest in it; watching as regular people become superheroes to try and help, while also foiling the bad guy in their tracks. (F/N) watched with interest, watching the main character be thrusted into this life, and trying to balance the life of a superhero and the life of a regular man. Of course, he saw himself in the main character; balancing a life of a student and a life of a vengeful spirit out to kill those who are "guilty". The predicament he was in felt like something out of a comic book. Something made up by a man with a pencil and paper. But the fact that Devils existed, the creatures of the Devil that he was told to be wary of, were real. They existed, and if hearing about Rias and the other's plan to exterminate the Ghost Rider, if they need to, wasn't enough, then perhaps the actual spirit inside him was enough.

As he watched, he looked over at Akeno, who was watching the movie just like the others. But she was more calm than any of the others. She had a smile on her face, enjoying the moment she had. (F/N) also smiled, getting this opportunity to actually be by her and hang out with her. If it weren't for the fact that Samael was a threat that he would have to take care of, he would revel in the moment for as long as he could. The kind of feelings he felt for her, it was almost like this was an intricate kind of date, with one person getting two girls instead of one.

(F/N) could feel it in his bones that this is what he desired, this is what he wanted after his fiasco with the bridge. After having gone through the hell that is two deaths, he wanted nothing more than to be with his step-sister, go to school, and live a normal life, with normal people. However, as he continued to think about it, the more he knew it to be impossible. It was like a set of chains binding him to the spirit, binding him to a new kind of life to live in Kuou, for him and his sister.

Wanting to live in this moment, he turned his attention back to the movie, focusing solely on that and nothing else. No Samael, no Ghost Rider, no headmaster, just him in that moment with friends. The sense of normality in it all, the high school feel of spending time with friends. As he did, he felt a weight on his shoulder. Taking a quick glance, he saw that it was Akeno, leaning against him and watching the movie that way. He didn't speak up, opting to instead stay as quiet as he could so that other people could enjoy the movie. Another part of him also wanted this as well. He just relaxed as the girl rested on him, enjoying the movie alongside him. His heart thumped and his mind raced with all kinds of things.