After the duel Issei Rias and the rest of the peerage headed to the rainbow bridge to be teleported home escorted by the valkyries, Gondul, Odin and Thor, as they made their way, they were met by an adoring crowd, partying, throwing mead and ale around as well as flowers. The Valkyries did their job and kept the ground under some sense of control. there was no malice in the crowd's reaction, they were happy to have seen such an amazing battle, with one of the most powerful beings in the universe being one of the combatants. Once they made it past the crowds, they walked past Heimdall who waved them off, thought hie gave Issei the evil eyes behind his back, still unhappy with Issei figuring his viewing intentions out so quickly. As soon as the reached the end of the Bridge, Issei and the rest the peerage turned and bowed respectfully.

"It was good to see you again Rias Gremory, and as always, if you ever need the support of Asgard, you need only ask." Odin smiled as Rias bowed her head.

"Thank you, Odin. How will the einherjar coup with the current scandal?

"They won't care, their too busy fighting drinking and fornicating to even notice the change, whos in charge.

"Seems like a rather undisciplined force to me" Xenovia grumbled

"You'll be surprised. once they hear the cries of battle, they change from being an undisciplined rabble to one of the most feared forces the realms of gods and demons have ever seen.

"And what of Hrothgar?" Rossweisse asked

"He hasn't been seen since he left the arena. Likely he has put himself into a self-enforced exile, till he comes to terms with himself. I'll make sure he gets the support he needs when he requires it."

"Time heals the wounds that hurt the most," Rosssweise replied

"You speak truly Rossweisse." Gondul sombrely stated as Rossweisse gave her grandmother a small smile.

There was a brief silence, as Odin looked to Gondul who took a deep breath before speaking.

"Before you all going, I...I wanted to apologise for my behaviour. I shouldn't have spoken to you all in such a derogatory manner. You have shown yourself to be not only very respectable guests but also incredibly supportive of one another. I should have realised this the moment I first met you all, given how you stood up to protect Rossweisse." Gondul spoke kindly as the peerage accepted her apology

" I would also like to Apologise to you, Issei for how I spoke to you, after everything you has done for my granddaughter. I cannot allow you to leave without my gratitude. You put her life above your own and I thank you for protecting her,"

"You don't need to apologise, I would have...uhhhh" Issei said humbly as out of nowhere Gondul walked over to Issei and hugged him, catching him completely off-guard.

After the hug came to an end, Issei walked back to the group, his face a bright shade of flushed red And after a few chuckles Gondul decided it was time to speak to her granddaughter

"Rossweisse. Before you go, I wanted to say I'm sorry. I shouldn't have arranged that marriage to Hrothgar. I...I was worried you would not find someone and who would care for you when you left. After your mother and father passed, I made it my responsibility to look after you and during this event, I failed as your carer and as your grandmother. I should have respected your freedom and allowed you to make your own decisions. You have already proven yourself t be a strong and capable woman and I shouldn't have treated you like one...Rossweisse can you ever forgive me?" Gondul said shakily as tears started to fall from her eyes.

"Grandmother, I forgive you. I know you did what you did because you wanted what you thought was best for me, I also know you have always tried your best to look after me after mother and father died. I was angry because you thought I was too young to walk my own path, but you have seen I have people in my life who will help guide me down the right path, who I chose to join...even though we disagree at times, I will always love." Rossweisse stated as she walked over and gave her grandmother a comforting hug, allowing Gondul to get the feelings of regret and shame she felt.

"I will always love you Rossweisse," Gondul whispered muffled by Rosweiises shoulder.

After a short while. Rossweisse and Gondul broke their hug and went back to stand with Rias and Odin. Once this happened Odin summoned a portal, directly back to Issues home, which had been given by Rias as they headed to the rainbow bridge.

"I hope to see you all again, it was fun having you all here and Rias let your Brother know of the proceedings, given his role of informing you of the event/" Odin happily stated

"It was, ill let him know as soon as we are home," Rias stated, as the portal appeared and the peerage turned to walk into the portal.

"Issei!" Thor yelled, causing Issei Rias and Rossweisse to turn around

"What is it thor?" Issei asked

"Remember, you agreed for us to meet for some sparring! Make sure you're ready!" Thor cried with joy, as thunder began to rumble the skies of Asgard.

"Okay!" Issei yelled back

"Shit, I forgot id had agreed, I'm going to get my ass fried by the freaking god of thunder. I'm such an idiot!" Issei yelled in his head, as Ddriafg just laughed.

"Issei" Gondul called. Breaking Issei from his thoughts.

"Yes, Gondul?"

"Make sure you look after my Little Weisse. I'm counting on you."

"I will," Issei said confidently as he held Rossweisses hand tightly. Causing her to look at him and blush.

After this Ria's Issei and Rossweisse turned and walked into the portal, waving back to Odin Thor and Gondul who wished them off.

Once they arrived, Rias turned to Issei hugged him, giving him a quick kiss on the forehead

"You did a great job Issei, I think you should head to bed, you've been through a lot today."

"Okay...Yawn... Goodnight everybody" Issei yawned as he headed off to bed.

"Night Issei." The peerage called back to him, causing him to turn and wave goodbye as made his way to his room.

Right everyone, I think we should make sure we have nothing left to do, we have school tomorrow and I don't want anyone getting in trouble for forgetting to do any homework." Rias stated as the peerage agreed and made themselves busy. As they did this Rias pulled Rossweissse over to her.

"Its been a pretty tumultuous couple of days for you Rossweisse, how about you get an early night, If you have anything that you need to be done, I can cover it." Rias leaned in and whispered.

"It has been. I am a bit exhausted, to be honest. If it's okay with you, I wouldn't mind getting an early night, I made sure I did everything I needed for the next working day before we left, so you don't need to do anything for me." Rossweisse whispered back, as Rias nodded.

Okay. I'll see you in the morning Rossweisse. Goodnight." Rias smiled as Rossweisse leaned in

"Thank you" Rossweisse leaned back and made her way to her bed.

As this was going on Issei, had entered his room, and due to a lack of energy, he landed on his bed and sighed letting the softness of the bed envelop him, helping him relieve the full-body pain he was in.

"I can't believe how tired I am Ddraig. I'm so glad to be home." Issei yawned as he lazily took off his clothes leaving his underwear on as then moved the bed sheets and covered himself.

"Indeed. We never expected to have such a competitive duel and as we both expected, we one, maybe not under the circumstances we wanted but a win is a win." Ddraig droned as Issei stretched himself out.

"Honestly, I don't care how we won, at least we got Rossweisse to stay with us."

"You like her don't you?" Ddraig asked,

"Yeah. No point getting embarrassed cause it's the truth, she is an amazing woman, so kind and considerate. I hope I can uphold the promise I made to her and Gondul. "

"You already have, Partner," Ddraig answered back, in a rather quiet tone.

"Yeah, I guess I have," Issei mumbled as he shut his eyes and fell asleep.

After an unknown amount of time, Issei felt himself being shaken slightly.

"Come on Rossweisse, you already know that I think you're sexy..." Issei mumbled in his semi asleep state,

"Issei it's Rossweisse" Rosswei whispered, but once she said her name, it felt like she had just shouted in his ear causing him to jump slightly. Rossweisse was in a set of feminine pyjamas, which were violet in colour

"Rossweisse! What is it? what's wrong?" Issei yelped with worry

Sorry for waking you, I wanted to ask you something.

" I just said Rossweisse was sexy right in front of her...fuck my life, how could I say something so embarrassing!" Issei yelled in his head

Okay... where is everyone?" Issei yawned as he looked to see that none 0f the girls were in his bed. Trying not to let out the shear embarrassment he felt as what he had just said.

Rias asked the rest of the group to work on anything they may have forgotten today when we went away, they're probably still working." Rossweisse explained.

"I'm guessing Xenovia forgot to do her Algebra homework and Asia has an assignment she needs to finish. Their even worse than me when it comes to homework... Sorry, I was going off-topic, what did you want to ask?"

"Well, I was wondering if you would be okay with me sleeping with you tonight."

"You want to sleep...with me?" Issei said in a puzzled tone pointing to himself.

"Yes, if you don't want to its fine, I was just wondering..." Rossweisse sheepishly stated, raising her hands hoping not to have caught Issei off-guard

"Sure, I don't mind, come in" Issei pulled the covered away and patted the mattress inviting Rossweisse to come in.

"Okay...thanks" Rossweisse nervously whispered as she lay in the bed

"It's warm. I've never slept beside a man before...why do I feel so nervous" Rossweisse thought as she felt her whole body warm-up once she was close to Issei.

"I can't believe she's right next to me, her skin is so smooth," Issei told himself letting out a little sigh when he felt Rossweisse hand unintentionally rub on his back ever so lightly.

After a rather awkward silence, Rossweisse decides to speak.

"Issei. I want to thank you for what you did for me. I owe you one."

"I care about you Rossweisse, you don't owe me anything." Issei turned to face Rossweisse as he spoke

"But you did so much for me, I have to do something..." Issei said in a sort of pleading tone only for Issei to interrupt her

"Just seeing you happy is enough," Issei said confidently.

"That's very sweet of you to say Issei." Rossweisse gave Issei a cute smile and spoke quietly,

"Come on Issei, nows your chance to tell her, grow a pair and tell her how you feel!" Ddraig yelled in issei's head

"Rossweisse. I... I wanted to say that I... " Issei leaned in, his nose almost touching Rossweisses nose

"Nows your chance Rossweisse, get in there and show him how you feel." Rossweisse subconscious stated as Rossweissse looked into Isseis eyes, as she planted a passionate kiss on Isseis lips, cutting him off.

"Hmmmmmm" Issei let out as he realised what was going on and rather than panic, he just let the kiss continue. Letting his instincts guide him rather than fumble trying to plan his next move.

The pair broke the kiss and were breathing heavily.

"Wow...that was..." Issei panted.

"Great, I've never kissed someone before," Rossweisse stated as she took short, quick breaths.

"That was exactly what I was going to say." issei chuckled, as Rossweisse followed suit. As they laughed they snuggled in close to one another, enjoying each others company.

"I love you Issei" Rossweisse whispered. As she kissed issei on the cheek.

"I love you too Rossweisse," Issei replied with a kiss to Rossweisses head, as the pair snuggled together, to then fall into a long and well-deserved sleep/

END

I hope everyone has enjoyed this fic. it was a really interesting piece to write and I'm happy to see that so many people have liked this story. I have a few more ideas for a number of High School DxD fics which I will be writing over the next couple of months. Take care, and I hope everyone is doing okay during these tough times.