Starcrossed & Frozen Time

It was a slow day, and one that she and her best friend needed; a day for themselves.

Akeno Himejma and Rias Gremory were at the mall, enjoying themselves and letting themselves forget their duties as club members, devils and 'idols' of Kuoh Academy...altough they still got plenty of looks from men and women alike.

They were currently shopping for new swimsuits; Rias opting for a white bikini while Akeno had found a barley legal red and blue one.

"Imagine the look on Issei's face when he sees this." Rias mused.

"Poor baby'll probably bleed to death." Akeno giggled. "Hey, you should take a selfie and..."

She then realized how quiet it had gotten.

"Rias?"

No response. In fact, Akeno realized that there was no sound or movement besides her own. Rias was frozen in place.

It was clear to the former Fallen: Someone had frozen time, but purposefully left her out of the spell's affected area. She instantly began to draw on her magic when she sensed someone approach the dressing room.

She was Queen of the Gremory peerage for a reason, if this fool thought she'd be an easy catch they had another...!

"Hello, Kaminari-Hime." A voice Akeno recognized cooed with a hint of teasing clear from behind the door.

The Thunder Priestess' breath hitched.

Only one person called Akeno that. Someone she hadn't seen in a while. She opened the door and her suspicions were confirmed.

"Hello, Akenomyōsei." Akeno smiled back warmly, now knowing all was fine.

The voice belonged to a handsome, pale skinned young man with silver hair. He wore dark clothes and had hazel eyes.

This was Vali Lucifer, great grandson of the original Lucifer, adoptive son of Grigori leader Azazel...and the only boy Akeno Himejima could honestly say she loved beyond teasing.

Without a moment to lose, the two hugged each other tightly, Akeno running a hand up Vali's back while Vali inhaled her scent from her hair.

"I've missed you." They said together. "Not as much as I missed you."

They broke the hug, Akeno giving Vali a grateful look.

"When did you come into town? How did you even...?"

"I called in a few favours." Vali vaguely answered, not wanting to think about anything else but his time with Akeno.

Inwardly, he was dreading seeing Kuroka when this was over; she had made it clear he was going to be her scratching post for an hour in exchange for...'persuading' the castor of the spell to do this. And Biko would tease him for HOURS after this. But that was not important. Right now, all that mattered to the Vanishing Dragon was the beautiful woman in his arms; the ONLY being he cared for above Azazel and fighting.

"Long story short, we found a Sacred Gear that can freeze time and...well, that's about it."

"Oh? And the fact that you're seeing me while I'm getting ready for a beach day?" Akeno asked, raising an eyebrow and pushing her bust up slightly.

"This was the only time we could cast without arousing suspicions from the others." Vali said, keeping his attention on her face while sneaking an occasional look at her bosom. "And that I wouldn't have to deal with your whole peerage."

"Uh huh." Akeno said, not buying it for a second."Sure, sure. You just want to enjoy the view."

Vali's eyes didn't leave her face, and his smirk did not vanish.

"While I have to say would prefer you in white..." Memories of her shrine maiden outfit filled his mind. "Bue and red does look good on you."

A blush so red a tomato would demand a lawsuit covered Akeno's face, a blush she tried to hide before Vali gently pulled her hands apart and took them into his own.

"Don't cover your best feature. I haven't seen it in months, please let me enjoy it."

Akeno smiled sweetly...before it turned to a smirk of her own.

"I'm surprised you're not enjoying the sight of Rias here. Issei would kill to be in your place."

Vali, still holding Akeno's hands in his own, pushed her up against a wall and smiled lustfully.

"Now, now Miss Himejima..." He smirked. "You of ALL people should know how appreciative a dragon is of their treasures. And you are MY treasure, after all. Besides, Rias is clearly Issei's, I am not going near my rival's destined mate."

He mentally added; 'At least not yet. Or ever romantically. Maybe as bait in a fight to make him go all out. He seems to need a fire under his ass...Okay, enough of that.'

Letting go of Akeno's hand and sitting down beside her on a bench, Vali smiled warmly and in anticipation.

"So, spare no details, tell me everything. I understand you got some new members." He started.

"Well, you've probably heard about Issei..." Akeno started, giving Vali a summarized version of the new Welsh Dragon's adventures so far, and taking particular enjoyment at gushing at Asia. When she finished, she asked Vali what he had been up to.

"Oh, just the usual." Vali said before Akeno frowned.

"Go into detail." She demanded.

"But that's really all there is to tell." Vali assured her.

"Well, what about your teammates?" She asked, "I've told you about the Occult Research Club, but where's my info on Team Vali?"

"Please don't call us that." He begged.

"Too late. Unless you start talking." Akeno beamed.

So Vali did talk; he talked about his best friend Biko, Kurko (Koneko's older sister) and the newest edition; a silent but powerful golem.

It was then the realized Vali was starting to become transparent.

"The spell's wearing off already?" Vali said, his voice hitched, his legs suddenly vanishing. "No...No, no, no, no, no! We had at least an hour! They promised!"

"Vali!" Akeno desperately tried to hold him, but her hands passed through his. She then reached for his back, which was still solid but going.

"I'm sorry!" Her love teared. "I..I was so sure we could...!"

"I know, Vali. I know." Akeno cooed, trying to hide her sadness and the stinging tears in her eyes. "At least we had this time..."

"And at least we won't have to wait long this time..." Vali said absentmindedly.

"Wait, what?" Akeno asked, briefly forgetting she was in the midst of being separated from her love, who cursed himself for letting that slip.

"Something will happen at the school soon. Something that Azazel has me taking care of." Was all he could say, his solid form now his had, torso and a few fingers. "If love could bloom for Rias' brother and Grayfia and stop a fight, do you think it could...?"

"Yes." Akeno cut him off, holding him tigher, her lips trembling and eyes watering as her arms slipped through Vali's no longer solid chest..

"Don't cry." The vanishing Vali, using the last few seconds he had fingers to clear Akeno's face, begged. "Please, tears don't belong on that face."

Akeno sniffled.

"Could...could you smile? Please."

Focusing on her happiest memories and the relief of seeing Vali once more, Akeno managed a beautiful smile; a genuine one. The one the Vanishing Dragon had fallen in love with all those years ago.

A loving smile crossed both faces as they leaned in towards each other.

'Please!' They each begged. 'Just one! Just one! That's all I ask!'

Sadly, it was not to be; Vali vanished from the room and time resumed as if nothing had happened.

DxD

A side affect of the spell that was used was that only the traveller would recall what had happened.

Akeno went on to enjoy her girl day with her best friend, not recalling the time she'd spent with her love.

Vali on the other hand?

His teammates saw the look on his face nd knew to give him space. Vali would later vent his frustrations through the killing of several potential Khaos Brigade members. Ophis and the others didn't mind too much; if they couldn't last against Vali in his base form with no Sacred Gear or Dragon aiding him, they were of no use.

The Vanishing Dragon then retreated to his room, and reaching under his cot, pulled out something he held dear to him; a locket with a picture inside: Him and Akeno, no older than 8, and their mothers.

Read and review, would ye kindly?

If you have suggestions for chapters, leave them in a reviw or PM me.

Keep safe, warm and dry!