second try [sxf x child! reader]

⋆ ​ʟᴏᴠᴇ​ ⋆

loid's pov :O

Akira's head rested lightly on Loid's chest, his breathing steady. He trembled from time to time, to which Loid would have to pull the covers over his body that he kept kicking off. His blonde hair was ruffled, and he definitely had looked tired when he'd come into the apartment so it was no suprise that he had fallen asleep almost immediately.

Loid couldn't. A book was held firmly in his hand, although he was barely reading it. Everytime Akira moved or shuddered, he had to make sure he was fine. God knows where he'd been for the past two days. Loid had seen his bloody arm, had cleaned it, but Akira hadn't told him where he'd been injured. 

Anya was asleep already, living a blissful life compared to her brother. Loid often got the feeling she knew more than she let on, though. She and Akira would often have conversations that they held in low tones to make sure no one overheard and so far, Loid hadn't investigated much. They were probably just playing around, like kids did.

Loid knew Akira wouldn't leave in his own. He'd sensed that the boy had gotten attached and used to his new life which made it hurt even more that as soon as the mission was over, Loid would have to leave. He'd have to make a new identity and leave the kids with Yor. 

Loid turned his gaze back to his book, his eyes falling on Akira's open eyes for a second before he realized he was awake. "Jeez..."

Akira blinked at him, blue eyes round. He was so different than when Loid had picked him and Anya up at the orphanage. He was so much more... like a child. Like he should be.

"Dad," he said, pulling one of Loid's arms around him, "I missed you."

Loid tried to keep the surprise from leaking onto his expression. He managed a smile, "Me too."

Akira fell silent for a long moment before he spoke again. "I hated Ketsueki" He hurried on before Loid could answer. "And I didn't want to be there. I didn't. It wasn't on purpose!" His body trembled slightly as he talked and Loid squeezed him lightly.

"I know." Loid murmured gently. He could feel some emotion pushing at him, at the barrier he'd set up for himself ever since he'd devoted himself to his job. It wasn't sympathy, exactly, or pity. No, it was something much more meaningful.

"I'm sorry," Akira whispered, his voice cracking like he'd just allowed himself to do so. "I shouldn't have..." He trailed off, clenching his small hand into a fist.

Yet again, Loid had to remind himself that Akira was just a kid. Despite what he knew about the world, or what he'd gone through already. Despite how he acted so much older than he actually was.

Loid ran his fingers through Akira's hair, watching his eyelids droop slightly before he forced them open again.

"Will you still keep me?" Akira asked, his voice quiet and sad. "Me and Anya? If you don't want me at least keep-"

"No," Loid said firmly. "I'm keeping you. Both of you."

Akira's eyes became unfocused and he squeezed them shut, mumbling the numbers until he got to ten before opening them. "Really?"

"Yes," Loid found himself promising, swearing, "until I die, Akira."

Akira's head slumped against Loid's chest and he let out a soft murmur that Loid couldn't quite hear. After a few seconds, his breathing steadied and Loid tilted his head for a moment, just to make sure he was asleep. He was.

Loid scooted over a little, careful not to let Akira's head fall off, and set the book lightly down on his desk before turning off the lamp. As he lay down, Akira nestled under his arm and Loid watched him, something tugging at his lips that he couldn't resist.

"Love you, Akira."

Loid had just finished pouring the syrup onto the pancakes before both Akira and Anya emerged from the rooms, both looking equally groggy and sleepy.

"Urgh," Anya muttered, dragging herself onto a chair and flopping onto the table. "I don't wanna go to school."

"You don't," Loid pointed out, "it's Saturday."

Yor emerged from the bathroom, already dressed in her work clothes. "I'll be leaving, if that's alright. I have a early shift." She smiled at Anya and Akira before dipping her head at Loid and dissapearing out the door.

"Bye!" Anya called, lifting up a limp arm, suddenly looking much more animated that it wasn't a weekday.

Akira was staring blankly at his food. "Does that mean I can sleep in?"

Loid shook his head, "Sorry. I've signed us up for volunteer work. It's possible you guys can recieve a Stella from it."

Akira's head jerked up, "Really?"

"Yes," Loid nodded.

Anya groaned, stabbing at her pancakes in defeat. "Unfair!" She protested. "It's a weeekend!" She stretched out the e, making it sound much more exaggerated.

"C'mon," Akira leaned closer to her and whispered, "for the mission."

Anya worked at her lip before sighing, "Okay, okay. You have my permission."