The only light in the room comes from the flickering glow of the fire, its warmth battling against the cold that has crept into every corner of the house. The electricity is out, and the silence around you is thick, broken only by the occasional crackle of the flames and the steady beat of your heart. The air is cold, sharp in your lungs, but it's nothing compared to the chill of the blood-soaked floors and walls—remnants of the devils Aki had eliminated. There’s no threat now, nothing left to fight, but the stillness is almost unsettling.

You sit in his lap, his legs spread out beneath you as he rocks you gently, the slow, rhythmic motion soothing. His chin rests against the top of your head, and every so often, you can feel the brush of his hair against your temple. The scent of blood still lingers in the air, metallic and sharp, mixing with the smoky warmth of the fire. It's a reminder of what he’s done, of the violence that had just taken place—but here, in this moment, there’s nothing but the two of you.

The fire pops, and you shiver slightly, the cold still biting at the edges of the blanket, but Aki pulls you closer, shifting slightly to wrap the blanket tighter around you both. His breath is warm against your ear as he leans in just a bit more, and you can feel the steady thrum of his heartbeat against your back.

“Just a little longer,” he murmurs, his voice soft and low, like he’s speaking to himself as much as to you. “The backup crew will be here soon.”

But there’s a weariness in his tone, a weight behind the words that speaks of exhaustion. His body is tense beneath you, muscles coiled from the strain of battle, but he doesn’t let it show. He’s trying to stay strong, for your sake. He sighs softly, and his hand comes up to brush a stray lock of hair from your face, his fingers lingering just for a moment, before settling back around you.

“You’re safe now,” he says, his voice barely above a whisper. The rocking slows, but his grip never falters.