My Angel

CH. 12 - Yet more time apart.

Whis pulls you tighter against his chest, undoubtedly able to feel your anxiety. Everyone in the room waits with baited breath for the Grand Minister to speak again.

"So then, you have intentionally disobeyed my orders."

Daio's voice is cold and flat as he stares the two of you down. Your hand instinctively tightens on the front of Whis' robe, terrified that you may somehow be yanks from his arms without warning.

"I have," Whis replies without hesitation, "and I feel no remorse in doing so, Grand Minister."

The Grand Minister's brow furrows, his eyes seeming to flash dangerously as the lock onto his son. In that moment you begin to wonder if all that Daio had said to you, all that he had lead to you believe about his supposed support of your relationship with his son, had been a lie.

"And now what, Whis?" Daio asks, his frown deepening, "You've tied your soul to a mortal's. Do you even know what that means for you?"

"You know very well that even Grand Zeno cannot tear us apart now," Whis retorts with a scowl of his own, "So this changes nothing for me, aside from the fact I can actually live my life alongside the woman I love now."

Daio inhales quietly, the room around him remaining silent and unmoving. His eyes close as he attempts to regain his composure, and upon reopening them, he speaks in a somewhat shaky voice.

"Whis, you've given up your eternal life."

A chorus of gasps echo around the room, this evidently having been overlooked by everyone involved in the soul binding ritual. Whis flinches, his resolve to glare at his Father faltering.

"I-I... Wha—"

"—You bound your soul to a mortal who will perish within the next century. If she dies, you die," the Grand Minister emits a heavy sigh, raising a finger to his temple in frustration and attempting to alleviate some of the tension building up there, "You've sentenced yourself to death, my son. How in Zeno's name did you not work that out prior to making such a commitment?"

The room full of deities remains silent, and although you are not looking at them, you can feel the eyes of each and every one of them watching you and Whis closely. You tilt your head upward to look at Whis, a sickening feeling rising to your throat as you realise that you were involved in this process of shortening your beloved Angel's life.

And yet, Whis remains silent. He takes a deep breath and moves his gaze down to meet yours. His expression is gentle as ever, and you can feel the love he has for you overpowering and doubts or worries as they arise in his mind.

"I don't mind," Whis says in a barely audible voice, his hand rising up in order for the backs of his fingers to caress your face. His eyes half lidded, he smiles. You and he share a moment of understanding, his thoughts and emotions seem as if they are your own. You hear them as clear as if Whis were speaking them out loud, although his lips do not move. "I would gladly give up immortality if it means I can live the remainder of my days with my little dove by my side."

Daio sighs and shakes his head, "my son, I believe you and I may need to have a talk in private."

You pale. What is the Grand Minister planning? Whatever it might be, it cannot be good. Maybe he's planning to tell Whis about—

You cut off your own thought, suddenly aware that Whis is listening in. He gives you an odd look. He knows something is wrong.

Not like this. You have to get in first.

"Wait," you speak up quickly, turning from Whis to face Daio, "I have something to tell Whis first... a-alone..."

Daio's eyes widen a fraction, but then he nods. You can't chance Daio telling Whis what the two of you did before you have the opportunity to do it yourself. You take a gentle hold of Whis' hand and lead the confused Angel toward the door, passing a surprised and worried looking Daio quickly.