Disclaimer: I do not own "High School DxD."
{Chronostrasza}
[Yserastrasza]
Thoughts/Internal Speech
3rd Person PoV
"And what makes you so certain about that?" Shoichiro asked Rias as he took a seat on a bench. "More to the point, what makes you so certain you would have been able to convince me to join you?"
Rias looked Shoichiro in the eye with a degree of sincerity he wasn't quite sure if he had seen before. "Nothing is ever 'certain' when it comes to you, Shoichiro Seiryuu. For all we know, you might have laughed me out of your face just the same. But going back to the point where you wanted to know what I had to offer you to join me, I understand now that the smart answer would have been to offer you nothing at all."
"And exactly how would offering me nothing have been any sort of a smart decision?"
"Because of who you are, and how powerful you are in your own right. There isn't anything you won't be able to achieve, dream or conquer... or anyone, for that matter. My point is, I don't know for certain if you would have agreed to help me or not. But had I just said, 'my name is Rias Gremory, I'm engaged to be married to someone I do not love and have no intentions of ever loving, my only way out is by winning a fight I currently have no chance in and I need your help,' my chances would have been a lot stronger. It certainly would have saved me untold amounts of literal, physical heartache."
Shoichiro eyed Rias with a modest amount of suspicion upon hearing that. She wasn't lying; her aura held steady from the time she started talking until the moment she finished. So then, why was she saying all this now?
"I know I've said all of this before," she continued. "But actually spending time training with you and your family put things in an entirely new context. And in the end, what's done is done. Once the engagement is made official, I'll become part of Riser's house, most likely his Queen. As such, I've abdicated my own Peerage at my brother's insistence."
That was a shocking development, and his face did not hide it in the least. "You... abdicated your Peerage?"
"Yes, it means I gave up my status as-"
"I know what the word 'abdicate' means, Rias... what I don't know is, why?"
"It's a tradition of the Evil Piece system and the Rating Game. When the game is played for such a substantial wager, like marriage, the losing King is typically absorbed into their spouse's Peerage and their own servants are released, left to fend for themselves."
So had I joined her and we lost anyway, I'd be just as free as I am now... I guess that's good to know. "Have you told them?"
"Of course, but there really was no need. They understand the Game just as well as I do; I always made sure of that."
"I see... such is life, I suppose. I guess now's as good a time as any to say, part of me does wish things had gone a little bit differently."
Rias patted Shoichiro on the shoulder as she headed for the door. "Me too, Seiryuu-san... me too."
"Rias-senpai?"
She stopped in the doorway at hearing her name.
"There's a saying I once heard somewhere... it goes, 'there's no shame in going out and fighting and getting your ass kicked... but there's no honor in not fighting at all.' Odds or no odds, you did the right thing, and... I'm proud of you."
She stood in shock for a moment before finally leaving, a small smile crossing her face as she exited.
{Well... that was amusing,} Chronostrasza teased once Rias was gone.
"Glad you think so."
{I'll just be glad when I don't have to experience any more sick, perverted dreamscapes starring her or any of the other objects of your perversion.}
"Jeez... can it, will you? You do remember I have my own life to worry about? Not to mention yours... what do you think happens to you if I..."
{...Wow, you really are warped about this whole 'Covenant' thing, huh?}
"Just... shut up."
PoV: Shoichiro
The sea.
Feels like the perfect metaphor for my fucked-up existence right now.
Or maybe it's not. I don't know... literature class never was my favorite.
We're out on the ocean on a craft that I guess is supposed to resemble a large yacht, although it feels closer to an ocean liner to me. Kaa-san explains that it's large enough for 200 people, and it's usually full when they make this trip, which apparently is pretty often.
"Your sister used to love this trip when she was your age," she shouts over the choppy waves. Which is good to know, I guess... but hold the fuck up a second!
"I thought this trip wasn't safe for humans? Not to mention... isn't this craft completely crewed by your half-human children?"
"Of course it's safe, for demidragons anyway. Haruhi just didn't want to come on this particular trip."
"Why didn't she just say that?"
"Because she knew you'd pressure her into going anyway."
Much as I hate to admit it, Kaa-san is right. It's one of the conflicts I deal with every day as a half-dragon, half-human hybrid.
The dragon part of me accepted Arceus as my mother readily enough when she admitted the truth to me, but the human side of me still sees my older sister as my mom, despite knowing that's not really the case. It's the reason why she was the first person I looked for when I woke up in my mother's castle after the fight with Freed.
"The truth is, your sister has grown quite fond of Asia in the short time she's lived with you. And I don't have to tell you how much she loves you. She shares your... less than optimistic appraisal of the situation between the two of you, and she said she couldn't bear it if Her Grace decided that one of you had to die. For whatever influence as your siblings and I have with Her Grace, Her decision is still Her own and we must abide by it."
I look over the rail; Asia is standing on the lower deck talking with Lysandra. "I know, but still..."
"If it makes you feel any better, Lysandra took to Asia right away, and while I won't go into too much detail, Lysandra is one of two beings on this ship I know for an undisputed fact Her Grace will at least listen to. The other is her brother, Zephyr. And from what I saw when you were training, you earned his respect to the point where he should have no problem vouching for you."
Lysandra and Zephyr... I wonder (out loud) if that has anything to do with them having four wings?
"It does... although I would suggest asking them directly if you want to know more."
An interesting yet altogether divergent approach... Lysandra I could probably seduce the story from, but Zephyr would almost certainly resort to fisticuffs.
Maybe that's a conversation we can all have one day... if I survive this trip, that is.
My train of thought is interrupted by the ship slowing down. One of the crew reports that we've run out of diesel. Kaa-san just smiles and says 'very good' - umm, how is this any kind of good, much less very?!
"You might want to take Asia to your cabin. This next part is going to get a little weird."
Lysandra must have told Asia the same thing, because we run into each other on a stairwell. I lead her to my cabin and lock the door behind us. This is my first time actually seeing it... although there's not much to see, just a bed, a bathroom and my bags.
The next thing I know, the universe is tearing itself apart and me with it.
PoV: Chronostrasza
This isn't *urp* good... this is so not good...
The presence of the Gap itself doesn't bother me, but this sensory overload is really doing a number on Shoichiro.
He's half-dragon, so he's at least holding up physically, but it's completely overwhelming his mind.
Which means it's completely overwhelming me.
I gotta do something to stabilize the environment before it destroys us both... but I don't have the right kind of power...
[Chronostrasza.]
Great... what does she want? {I'm in a bit of a situation here...}
[As am I, and loath as I am to admit it we might not survive it without each other.]
I really don't have the time, energy or constitution to argue. {What do you need me to do?}
[My healing power is barely holding the little one together, but I need you to boost it using your amplification power. We have to create a physical link and channel it directly into her heart.]
{Are you sure that won't, you know, literally cause her heart to explode?}
[Of course. Otherwise I would not have suggested it.]
Fair enough point, I guess. {All right, I can override my host's motor controls to create the link.} Which I can, but fuckall... it's difficult enough when he's mentally coherent. The state he's in now takes fifty times as much effort.
[Very well, I shall do the same...]
Wait a second... it just dawned on me where the human heart is actually situated. {Wait... do we have to create the link, you know... there?!}
[Do you really think we have time to debate this?]
She's not gonna like this, but we don't have much choice.
[Link created.]
{AMPLIFY!}
PoV: Shoichiro
As soon as it started, it was over.
I don't know what I just experienced, but I don't ever want to go through that again.
Wait a sec... I can't move.
For one reason or another, my motor functions are not working... and at the worst possible time in the worst possible position.
Because I can't move or even talk, but I can feel, and I can feel my right hand wrapped around Asia's breast!
And I don't mean over her clothes, either - somehow my hand is under her shirt!
Bra? Was she even wearing one?!
This is absolutely mortifying, but... why is her nipple so damn hard? Is she... is she -
{Shoichiro, you're awake.}
[I see you have returned to us as well, little one.]
So the dragons can talk at least, which means...
{Asia, Shoichiro wants you to understand how sorry he is, and that him groping you wasn't his idea. Actually, that's true... it was Ysera's.}
[We needed to combine our powers to keep the two of you alive. And Shoichiro, Asia accepts your apology but would appreciate a little warning next time. That way, and I quote, "we might both enjoy the moment."]
...Noted.
[...Hmm, are you sure? ...very well, then. Shoichiro, Asia asks that you remain as you are for now.]
Not like I have any choice...
{...What's that?}
What's what?
{Shoichiro, you naughty boy... what? Of course I'm not doing that!}
Wait a second... why is my hand moving? Oh no... stop it, Chromie!
{And I'm not letting you take advantage of poor, helpless, immobile Asia either!}
Oh my god... why are you being such a bitch right now?!
{What's that? You want to make Asia your bitch right now? When she can't even fight back? You really are a pervert!}
At that point a violent shock tears through my right arm, and my left magically stops moving.
[Uas yog txaus, Chronostrasza.]
...Thank you, Ysera.
A few more excruciatingly tense moments until I can actually move again. Must've taken that long to reboot my systems, I guess.
I try to move away from Asia, but she grabs ahold of my arm. "No... please, stay."
Ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm... if you absolutely insist? "All right, but one thing... can we at least get undressed?"
As weird as it feels asking that, actually putting that question into words, we are both putting out incredible amounts of body heat and it is absolutely insufferable. And there's something else that's kind of bugging me about this. Karawarner and Lysandra giving themselves to me seemed perfectly normal for them, but for reasons I can't really explain, it seems out of character for Asia.
It feels like it would make more sense for her to say no... which in my mind is precisely why she says yes.
Okay... this is happening. I don't know what 'this' is, but it's happening.
I slowly get to my feet and remove my clothing. I look out a window on the far wall; it's night out, which means it's dark in here. But there's just enough light to see the silhouette of Asia's now naked body, without any of my enhanced sight powers. Not that I would want to use them on this occasion anyway; I've seen her often enough in various states of dress and undress over the last three weeks to understand that she's not the same girl she was when she went into the dragon realm for three years, but this is my first time being able to completely appreciate and focus on her natural appearance.
She climbs back into bed and pats the space next to her, which I naturally take a cue to lie down next to her.
No sooner am I flat on my back than she is on top of me kissing me. Now, when I say "kissing me," I don't mean shoving her tongue down my throat like Karawarner and I do. Nor do I mean the symbolic grappling for dominance that goes on with Lysandra.
What I mean is the physical touch of her lips is so light and delicate, but I feel it reaching a part of me that I never knew existed, a part that I am terrified to give a name to because I don't know how much longer I may be able to enjoy it.
I pause for a moment to look her in the eyes, and I can read her thoughts perfectly.
Holy shit, this really is happening...
3rd Person PoV
Shoichiro and Asia roamed their hands and mouths around each other's bodies anxiously enough, but each could tell the other was extremely nervous. Finally Asia pulled back and asked what was wrong. "Is it me? Am I... not pretty enough for you?"
"No, that's not it at all. You're absolutely beautiful, and I can't imagine anywhere else I'd rather be than right here with you. It's just... other stuff."
"You're worried about what's going to happen on this trip, aren't you?"
"Is it that obvious?"
"Yes. And I'm not the only one who thinks so."
"What does that mean?"
"You don't really think all Lysandra and I talk about is magic, do you?" She stroked his cheek and looked him in the eye. "I know how much this trip has been worrying you, we all do. And I know why it's been worrying you, and it makes me happy to know that you care about me as much as I care about you. That's why... that's why I want to do this with you. I want to give myself to you, even if it's only for a little while. Will you let me do that?"
Shoichiro couldn't help but melt a little at that. "Yes, I will." He wanted to say so much more, but he felt it would be unfair to burden her with it now.
"Thank you, Shii-kun." She was still on top of him, so she leaned down to kiss him once more, and the combination of their bodies and lips pressed together lit a fire deep in Shoichiro's very human soul.
There would be time enough to be the dragon, the paragon of strength and power he had carved out over the last several months. But right here and now, he needed more than anything to allow himself to feel human.
And what emotion is more human than love?
They made love - they did not have sex, they did not fuck, they made love - to their hearts' desire. There were plenty of awkward and clunky moments due to Asia being a virgin, while at the same time trying to take the lead so that Shoichiro didn't completely overwhelm her, but they made it work.
And while their voices might not have acknowledged it as such, their bodies did more than enough talking until they finally fell silent, sleeping in each other's arms.
PoV: Shoichiro
Fuck my entire life, it's hot in here! Need air... need air... ah, a window!
Shit, not enough... gotta open the door!
Ah, much better...
I don't know how Asia and I managed to sleep as long as we did - or even how long we actually slept, since I have lost all sense of time since whatever that mind warp was - without setting the room on fire. But now that the door is open and I can actually breathe again, everything is fine. Sort of.
I need a minute to straighten out my thoughts. It seems my mind is burning up just like my body.
I grab a pair of shorts from my bag, put them on and sit by the railing in front of my cabin. I leave the door open in case Asia wakes up, so that she doesn't freak out about me not being in bed.
The air is cool, but it doesn't have that same salty scent that oceans have back home. It's also still for the most part, which means we must have dropped anchor for the night. That makes absolutely no sense, but I'm sure there's a reason for it.
{What's on your mind, champ?}
The oddity of that question, given its source... I figured you'd know that better than I would.
{It's called a conversation starter, genius. Besides, it doesn't help you if I just tell you.}
Fair point, I suppose...
{Well? Spit it out...}
Do you think I did the right thing just now?
{You know what your problem is, Shoichiro?}
What?
{You think too much.}
What do you mean by that?
{I mean exactly what I said; you think too much.}
That is maddeningly unhelpful.
{You're really gonna make me spell it out for you?}
Sure, why not.
{...For as intelligent as you are, you're such an unbelievable fucking moron.}
If you say so... you never did answer my question.
{And I'm not going to, because it's not a question that needs to be answered.}
Okay, now you're just talking in circles.
{Am I really? Or are you just incapable of processing existence beyond what you can formulate into a complete thought?}
Apparently not.
She's trying to make a point, but I guess I really am too thick to comprehend it. Whatever... I've cooled off enough, and I'm sure the cabin has as well, so I go back to bed. I leave the window open, though.
Asia hasn't moved, so slipping back into bed seems to go unnoticed. That is, until I put an arm over her and she burrows her backside against me.
So adorable...
I work my other arm underneath her and pull her as close to me as I can, and it's in that moment when I feel it again.
Warmth. Calm. Peace. That overall sense of tranquility that I only get when I'm with her.
I'm still far too uncertain to put it into words, but I fall asleep with at least a feeling that somehow, someway...
...everything is going to be all right.