Chapter 12: Taking a Chance
'Such an honest boy...' thought Rias, feeling what she could best describe as a maternal tenderness toward Vahn. She had heard from Sona that he had, at least for a time, been kept in a lab, so it wasn't difficult to imagine he had grown up without the care and love of a family.
"Come, let us get a little more comfortable," said Rias, releasing her hold on Vahn's head and returning to her place on the sofa before meeting his gaze and patting the cushion next to her. He took this as an indication for him to sit, but that was apparently just part of it as she waited for him to do so before clarifying, "Scoot over a bit and rest your head on my thighs. I will give you a lap pillow and clean the inside of your ears. Akeno, please retrieve an ear pick."
"Of course," responded Akeno, briefly departing the room with her hands folded over her lap as Vahn invariably found his head guided to Rias's lap, the warmth, softness, and fragrance of her thighs causing his face to heat up as he remained completely silent.
"Have you ever received a lap pillow...?" asked Rias, her expression and tone soft as she used the tips of her nails to gently scratch Vahn's scalp and play with his surprisingly soft hair.
"I haven't..." responded Vahn, closing his eyes. He could feel his body becoming increasingly warm, but instead of feeling stuffy or stifled, he felt relaxed and light...like his body was floating and his head was resting on a cloud...
"Oh, then I'm your first..." hummed Rias, trailing the nail of her left index finger across Vahn's cheek as she appended, "Lucky me..."
Opening his eyes, Vahn briefly hesitated before asking, "Why are you so nice to me? Is it because of my power...?"
"I can't deny that I hold your power in high regard," confessed Rias. "But that isn't why I'm nice to you. I can tell you're a very kind and honest boy, and with proper care and guidance, I believe you can grow into someone I and others can depend on. But that's just my selfishness...tell me, Vahn, what do you want?"
"I want to become stronger and live freely..." responded Vahn, closing his eyes and reaching up to place his left hand on Rias's thigh, not with any ill will or desirous intent, but because he was used to sleeping with his hand next to his head. Then, in a fainter tone, he admitted, "But I also really like this..."
Though she knew it wasn't what he was referring to, Rias couldn't help covering her mouth to suppress a laugh as Vahn's words could easily be misconstrued as him confessing his fondness for her thighs. Luckily, she managed to avoid laughing outright.
'He's so precious...' thought Rias, returning her hand to Vahn's head as she expressed, "Then, even if you wish to remain free by not joining my Peerage, you're welcome to come and spend time here as often as you like. And if you'd like, you're free to think of the members of the Occult Research Club as your family..."