Cardinal Sins

A gentle knock roused Issei from his slumber to shout an elegant response.

"Fuck off!" he shouted as he laid on his bed with an empty bottle of whisky

"Issei?" he heard a gentle voice call

"Go away!" he shouted again at the voice as he found his skull pounding with intense pain and his mouth dry but the lingering taste of whisky as his throat burned.

"Issei I'm coming in" the voice spoke calmly and gently it was the voice of angel but Issei couldn't respond as the pain in his head intensified mixing with the faint sound of footsteps echoed through his room.

He felt a gentle hand on his head of un surprised warmth,

"Issei?" the gentle voice called his name but it sounded angelic, Issei titled his head to the left to see the source of the voice. The voices pale skin almost blinded him as he blinked his eyes desperately trying to get rid of the brightness, blurriness and exhaustion he was feeling. As his vision cleared up, he felt his heart jump into his throat. Blonde locks framed the pale skin as forgiving Green eyes greet his own. She was dressed in a pure white full sleeve dress that covered her legs and arms.

"Gabriel?" he almost shouted as he got up but quickly clutched his head in pain

"Ugh…." Gabriel's hand wrapped around Issei as she gently helped him get onto his back. Her touch was gentle and soft.

"Issei, lie down" he then felt her soft head touch his forehead and he noticed how hot he was, he was burning up, a thin sheen of sweat framed his body. A pungent smell of whisky made Gabriel's nose wrinkled and his shirt was stained with brown liquid.

"Ugh, Gabriel what are you doing here?" Issei barely grunted as he groaned in pain while Gabriel touched his forehead

"Shush, just relax now Issei" she hushed him gently as she stepped into his bathroom to get a towel for him wetting it with cold water before placing it on his forehead, his body shivered at the sudden cold. He could see a frown mar her beautiful lips as her eyes filled with worry. He didn't deserve any of it, after everything he didn't deserve Gabriel's help. She then stroked his cheek gently as her frown became more pronounced.

"How did you, did you find me?" the words barely coming out as his head thumped hard in pain, she sent him a look as she bit her lower lip.

"Xenovia told me she went to see you… then…"

"I don't want to talk about it" he quickly snapped as despite his drinking he could remember their conversation crystal clear and didn't want to talk about it.

"Sit tight Issei…" she patted his chest gently, as she also moved his hand to gently hold the towel against his forehead. She left him in his room as she left to his kitchen, her disappointment multiplied. His apartment was a mess; his living room couch was flipped as were the living room seats. His dining room table was cracked while his fridge was left open with two whisky bottles left empty in the fridge. Luckily his china was untouched and she procured a glass and filling it with water before casting some healing magic on it. She quickly walked back to the room and kneeled by Issei's bedside.

She lifted his head up slowly and put the glass to his lip. Issei greedily gulped down the cool water as it soothed his parched throat. He could feel the magic infused it as the water became cool in his chest, the headache began dissipating. Issei removed the wet towel and got to a half sitting position with his back resting against the backboard. A small smile graced his lips as he turned to Gabriel

"Thank you Gabriel" he did not expect to find him encased in a hug by the angel, he tensed up as he felt the warm embrace.

"Why didn't you call me Issei?" Gabriel whispered sadly into his ear, Issei's heart wretched with guilt. Gabriel was the nicest of all the people in the church, unfortunately one of the more naïve people as well. She cared deeply for both him and Irina and always encouraged their relationship. She was also the one who helped convince Michael and the other seraphim to allow him to leave the angels and church. They originally didn't want him to leave, they couldn't he was an asset, a weapon something they shouldn't have let go of but they did all because of Gabriel heartfelt words and vouches. The stipulation was his power to be sealed and he would not give loyalty to another faction should he be forced back into the world of the supernatural. The terms weren't harsh if anything they didn't matter for Issei never intended to return… until now.

The situation had changed the moment Xenovia had told him about that bastard. Despite, his regrets with Xenovia she was still a friend and one who was sent on a suicidal mission, he could not stand by and let her die. His mind swirled with doubt but also determination.

"Gabriel… I missed you to." He spoke quietly as his arms slowly and cautiously wrapped around the blonde angel.

"I know things have been hard on you Ise" her hand began stroking his back with affection. Issei always had a soft spot for Gabriel and he always came to her for advice as well as Michael.

"I'm fine Gabriel" he informed as he slipped out of their hug and walked past the blonde throwing off his dirty shirt to get a new one. Emerald eyes filled with concern watch every one of his moves.

"No you're not Issei, you have been lying to yourself"

"So what if I have? Is it wrong to dwell on the past?" he retorted

"No but it is wrong if it consumes you!' she rose to his words, concern evident

"I have been watching you Issei, I see how you always go to her grave. How you get this empty, lifeless look in your eyes and this isn't the first time this has happened Issei." She was right it happened once before after she died, he had drunk so much, he nearly attacked Gabriel before he broke down in Gabriel's arms, sobbing and broken.

"I still love her…. I won't ever forget her and if it means dwelling on the past then so be it" he locked eyes with Gabriel as her lips creased into a frown

"She would want you to move on…" Issei didn't care, he didn't want to talk about and he hated when they tried to get him to move on or talk about it.

"Let's get to the point why you are here Gabriel, so I can be you and Michaels lap dog? So I can risk my life again? You can't even protect the Excalibur's so you need my power." he snapped with venom, Gabriel flinched under his words as she stepped back.

"You weren't a lap dog, you're my friend Issei" she stepped forward and reached out to try and grasp his hand but Issei whacked It away and his eyes hardened

"Just like Xenovia? But you are sending her on a suicide mission and you damn well know it Gabriel!" Issei roared and he began huffing in rage, Gabriel flinched at his words. He didn't want to drag it out any longer.

"Thank you Gabriel for taking care of me, you can leave now" His words monotone and lack of care. She tried to reach out to touch him again but he whacked it away harder. Gabriel got the message

"I still care for you Issei, please if you ever want to talk call me…" love you she corrected in her mind before walking towards the exit glancing once more over at the man she loved and care for before biting her lower lips and leaving with a heavy heart.

Issei sighed, it was better if she left him be. After he heard the click of the door closing he moved into his living room and began glancing around his apartment surveying the damage he cause. He glanced at his watched before he sighed once again, he had a few hours before work to fix his apartment.

Serafall skipped along to her favourite bar in the whole world and a smile graced her lips as she saw her favourite brunette bartender who had his back turned. She bounced up to the bar and sat directly in front of him.

"Hey Ise!" she spoke cheerily as she poked him with her wand to get his attention. The bartender turned around but Serafall immediately noticed something was up. As a diplomat she was well versed in reading body language and Issei's was different and his eyes looked embroiled in confusion and thoughts.

"Hey Serafall, one magic girl special coming up" he greeted back with a fake smile, it was well faked but Serafall was no fool. He turned around to begin fixing her drink. He then turned around and placed the drink in front of the magic girl.

"How was your day Ise?" she asked sipping her drink

"Fine how about you?"

"The usual vanquishing evil monsters, casting spells but I am sooooo bored" Issei let out a laugh but it was genuine

"Magic girl duties are that bad huh?" she could see his lips tugging towards a smile

"Yeah and don't get me started on the villains, you have fallen for my trap! You may have stopped me this time but I will be back!" she ranted with gesticulation to accompany her rant

"Such idiots" she added as an afterthought before downing her drink

"Ise another one, your magic girl demands it!" she demanded cheerfully as she waved her wand

"Your wish is my command" her replied without skipping a beat before serving her another drink.

"Hey Issei do you have a girlfriend?" Serafall suddenly blurted out, she didn't know why she asked it but it came out and now she had to pay. She looked at the brunette's eyes to see they were swirling with thoughts as his body tensed barely noticeably.

"No I don't" he answered truthfully but his mind raced why did she randomly ask him such a thing, Serafall had never really talked about relationships but now she suddenly asked him if had one? Something wasn't adding up. He didn't have time to worry, he was more worried about that bastard and whether he was going to jump back into the supernatural world. It still irriated him no outraged him that they sent Xenovia on this suicide mission no less against him.

After Serafall asked the question there was a certain palatable tension for the rest of the night. While Serafall thoughts were caught in a whirlwind of confusion in why she had asked Issei such a question and it ultimately led to her leaving sooner then she wanted as she pick up upon the tension

Issei had finished his shift and was simply closing up his bar, tonight was thankfully slow as Serafall had left earlier than expected so he was able to spend a lot of time pondering. Just as he was about close shop and head home, the door opened up and in walked in and raven haired girl he was familiar with.

"Raynare?" he spoke with surprise

"Hey Issei, do you have some time to talk?" her voice was filled with sadness that was poorly hidden while her violet eyes had a pleading look to them. He mentally sighed,

"Have a seat"

Here you guys go, a bit short, the pacing is probably off and probably a filler. But it was necessary, the winners of the poll are the harem. Therefore, I have decided upon some members but I have also decided that it is not to be too big, so for sure Serafall and Raynare. I am considering Gabriel and Xenovia but besides that I am open to suggestions. Until next time!