Chapter 45: 3.08 OBSESSIVE LOVE: Expecting

They don't get a chance to watch the killer whale show.

Not when the Exorcist Department has the place raided and the visitors are quickly ushered out. Kyden gets whiplash. When he's finally taking time for himself, his work manages to show up and crashes on his day.

He watches with Raziel at his side, while the Exorcist Department section off the area and collects people (most staff members) to interrogate.

Then again, Kyden thinks, demon cases have been on the rise, so it's only natural for their department to be showing up at every which corner. Gray clouds hang low in the sky, painting a dreary mood.

A comforting hand falls down on Kyden's shoulder. Professor Ervenir smiles ruefully, "There's always next time."

"…" Kyden nods without much conviction. He notices something in the distance and frowns. Isn't that…Voir?

It is indeed Voir, dressed in his exorcist's uniform, he bounces over like a puppy with a sunny grin despite the depressing day. His eyes twinkle with that telltale naivety that makes Kyden flinch and want to slap the kid silly.

But it's also oddly nostalgic in a way that Kyden doesn't quite comprehend. He watches Voir approach and doesn't notice how the professor's smile falls. The hand on his shoulder retracts.

"Rev. Kyden!" Voir chirps with his energetic voice, a gleeful grin on his lips. "Didn't expect to see you here. Did you come because you heard about…" His eyes are wide and he nudges his head towards the aquarium as though it might allude to something. Kyden narrows his eyes, he has no idea what Voir is even talking about. Perhaps he is just alluding to the case he's on now which Kyden isn't on personally so it's not like he would know.

"Voir," Kyden scolds, "First of all, why are you loitering around on the clock? Who said you're allowed to waste your time talking to me? And secondly, you do realize it's against protocol to speak about cases in front of normal civilians."

By normal civilians, he means Raziel, who, for the record is hardly without knowledge of demons and exorcism but Voir doesn't know that.

Voir flinches, straightening as though he's noticing Raziel for the first time. Seriously, this kid is much like a dumb dog, Kyden thinks fondly. Annoyingly bright. "Oh, I'm sorry." He bows apologetically to the professor and scratches the back of his neck with a frown. "Uh, I'm Voir Lerouge. Kyden's partner! Partner I work with I mean! I uh—" His ears turn red and Kyden is almost surprised that this dog-like coworker of his still has any sense of shame.

But Kyden says nothing, enjoying how Voir flounders uselessly in front of Raziel.

The two are of similar height. Professor Ervenir gives a small smile, his eyes are soft and without deep creases. He doesn't hesitate to take Voir's hand into his own. "Professor Raziel Ervenir. Rev. Kyden tells me much of you, Voir."

Voir's expression pulls weirdly. His eyes flit between Kyden and the professor a few times over, his gaze full of uncertainty. "Y-you do? I bet Rev. Kyden has a lot of complaints about me huh…?" He pouts visibly, eagerly awaiting Kyden's verdict.

The priest raises a brow and wonders if his useless partner is expecting any form of pity. Because he's not going to give it. "I do," he admits without mercy, amused when Voir deflates, as though he might have expected a different answer. "Speaking of which, aren't you on the clock?"

Voir huffs, "But this is Theresa and Gable's case! I'm just an extra helping hand… I doubt they need me."

"No excuses." It's like talking to a child, Kyden thinks.

The two banter only to get interrupted with a classical tune.

"Ah, excuse me," Raziel smiles bashfully, bringing his phone to his ear. "You two continue." He backs away and holds the phone to his ear. Kyden recognizes that melodic drawl of his professional tone.

The priest turns back to his idiot partner whose eyes are wandering again; between Raziel and Kyden. "What is it?" He asks, feeling a bit perturbed.

Voir blinks and leans in, lowering his voice like a gossiping middle-aged lady. "You and…Professor erm…"

"Ervenir."

"R-right, Professor Erva. Um… Are you two…?"

Kyden steps back with a scowl on his face, "What are you even trying to say? Use words." He knows what Voir is alluding to and it doesn't make him happy.

Voir, the imbecile, doesn't get the hint. Despite the light rose color on his cheeks, he still has the galls to say, "Together."

"We're friends," Kyden bites out sharply, arms folding over his chest in discontent. He glares into this fool who fumbles as he straightens. "Why are you even making these strange assumptions, idiot? Go back to work already or just clock out! I can't believe the department is paying for your idling."

Voir scratches the back of his neck and shamelessly smiles, "Sorry, I was just making sure."

"…?" Kyden frowns, brows furrowed.

It's then that a loud voice bellows, "Lerouge, where did you run off to?"

"Uh!" Voir shouts back, "Sorry, sir! I-I'll be there in a moment." He bows sheepishly and flashes Kyden a giant grin. "See you, Rev. Kyden! Come back to the office soon, I miss you."

And with that, he sprints away.

"…?" Wasn't he acting a bit weird? Kyden thinks, huffing as he passes the weight from one foot to the other.

It's only when the professor hangs up his call and speaks that Kyden finally unfolds his arms and relaxes. "Ah, did he return?"

"Yes. Sorry about that."

Professor Ervenir shakes his head. He always wears that ever-patient smile. "It's fine. I don't mind at all. I was just rather surprised."

"Surprised?"

"That Voir kid is a lot more handsome than I expected. With the way you talk about him, I was expecting more of a…small, innocent child-like creature."

"Creature," Kyden echoes in disbelief, which only causes Raziel to laugh. The crowd around the aquarium is still quite thick, people curious about the going-ons but they stood far enough that they weren't caught up in the gossip. Kyden and Raziel take some time to stroll leisurely through the aquarium's green lawns and marvel at the enormous statues of various aquatic life propped up as a display.

"I'm sorry, was that a bit too harsh?" Raziel hums without a hint of remorse.

Kyden shrugs, "You're not wrong though. Voir might have a big body, but he is indeed like a child inside. Stupid and naive."

"You speak of him fondly," the professor points out, "Do you like him?"

"…?" Kyden finds himself frowning. He's not quite sure where this question came about so he looks up to meet hazel eyes. Professor Ervenir's expression is soft but also guarded. Kyden has problems discerning anything. He considers the question earnestly before answering. "He…I suppose he reminds me of a cute dog." Does that mean he's fond of Voir? Maybe. He can't help but think that Voir reminds him of someone or something. "I…wouldn't say…that I like him…?"

But the way the words come out sounds uncertain and even Kyden frowns at them.

"I see," Professor Ervenir says with a hum, as though he had just discerned some hidden truth in Kyden's soul. For a moment the atmosphere hangs, awkward.

The professor pulls out a cigarette and asks, "I hope you don't mind?"

"It's fine," Kyden watches as Raziel pulls out a lighter. It bears the motif of an eagle, its wings dipped in red. The design is familiar but Kyden fails to put a finger on it.

They aren't able to share dinner together, the professor apologizes about his impromptu business meeting. Kyden doesn't mind, more than happy to have a chance to spend the majority of the day with Raziel. It isn't often they get the chance.

"We should hang out more," the professor hums when he pulls up in front of Kyden's apartment.

The priest nods but he's not that hopeful. They're both very busy people with schedules that never seem to align.

"It doesn't have to be anything special," Raziel says, "You're more than welcome to come over for some coffee or tea."

"…I'll keep that in mind." Without lingering, he leaves. Rain begins to fall from the cloudy sky. It's getting dark.

At least this break wasn't all terrible, Kyden thinks as he enters his abode. He needs to prepare himself for evening rituals and cleansing. But his thoughts are wandering in useless circles, Kyden grumbles as he re-centers and focuses on his prayers. Cleansing was important to keep the purity of his blood. In fact, the only reason that Kyden even entered the clergy was for this very fact. A priest or priestess with a pure body is able to stave off demons with their blood. This is why many exorcists decide to enter the clergy, simply to further their careers if nothing else.

And that is something that Kyden vows to hold onto; for it is more important than anything else.