Issei's Christmas Miracle (A DXD Fanfiction)
Chapter 2 (Ho, Ho, Ho)
Scene (Azazel's Apartment)
In a rather darklit den-area, we see a set of very large couches against the wall. Against said wall, a plethora of risky "art" work was presented in old-fashioned frames. Different scenes involving females of all pantheons, in different and exotic positions and themes, this artwork was something that easily caught the eye to most and to Azazel, these made great talking points. On one of the large couches was a sobbing Issei, as he had both of his hands holding his own face. Azazel was sitting next to the teen while attempting not to grind his teeth. "K, kid, look, I am really sorry about Raynare. I should've kept a better eye on that bitch. I shoulda…" Issei interrupted as his hands were still covering his face. "N, no. I d, don't blame you. But, she, she really fucked me up. That's it. I haven't been able to say that to a, anyone. She fucked me up, I'm, I'm, b, broken." Azazel's eyes widened in horror as he didn't, couldn't know. The governor always assumed Issei was a happy go lucky moron who was obsessed with boobs, he didn't know that the teen was actually suffering, internally, this entire time. In a gruff voice that Azazel wasn't able to control, he replies. "Issei, continue, there's more, right?" Issei nodded as tears were dripping from the palms of his hands. "Every time I would, be with them, the girls, it was like being reminded of, of, how that spear felt. T, the burning sensation. The f, feeling of the blood around my wound, b, b, boiling!" Issei's sobbing turned into a complete and utter panic attack as the boy began to rock back and forth on the couch. "Not once, not once, d, did any of them, not once, did they ask!" Issei now moved his hands from his face and placed his wet palms onto his lap as he looked toward the ceiling. Tears were constantly jetting from both of his eyes but he just stared with a frown that could only be described as self-defeat. Azazel was about to say something, but Issei continued, (now in a very soft and emotionless voice). "She wanted me to say her name. They all wanted me to say her name. After everything I did. Why can't they stop with this game and just say what they want, what they are feeling?"
Issei then lowers his head down toward his chest and closes his soggy eyes. Azazel nods while making sure Issei couldn't see him, removing a few of his own tears. "Well, kid, the problem with highschool girls, (like highschool boys), pride comes into the way of true feelings." Azazel then looks toward one of the sake pitchers and begins to shake it. A small smile grows on the governor's face as he drinks what's left. "Issei, I think you should stay here for a while." Raising his head a bit, Issei nods slowly. "Thank you, Sensei. I didn't know where else to go." Nodding proudly, Azazel replies. "Hell kid, we've been buddies ever since you first became a devil. Also, I've missed our gaming parties. So, yeah, you're totally welcome here. Though, maybe we should inform a specific Mao, just to be on the safe side, yeah?" Issei shakes his head rapidly. "Sirzechs! Are you, (hiccup), crazy? He will totally be pissed at me, acting the way I did, making his sister cry." Azazel begins to chuckle. "Kid, I got this. Sirzechs may be much younger than me, but he is still an adult. He knows the difference between childish behavior and adult behavior. What's happening right now is a combination of the both, mainly on Rias's side." Issei begins to rock back and forth once again. "I dunno, Sensei, are you sure?" Azazel nods proudly. "Don't worry, Sirzechs will understand. I did, after all." Issei then cracks a very small smile. "Well, if you tell anyone that I was crying…let's just say you missed a spot there, next to your upper lip." Azazel looks stunned at Issei's wise-crack as he touches the spot that the teen was mentioning. Sure enough, wetness. "Ha, kid, ya got me." Issei then looks back down as his smile vanishes. "It really wasn't your fault, you know, with Raynare and all. I don't think that way at all, so don't, alright?" Azazel nods in all seriousness while he begins to produce a communication circle. "This Red Dragon Emperor is just too kind hearted. All you do is surprise me, kiddo."
Scene (Underworld, Gremory Estate)
"Yes, I understand Ravel, thank you for bringing this to my attention." We can see three people in a large meeting room. Sirzechs Lucifer and his Queen, Grayfia, were both sitting next to a large fireplace. Meanwhile, standing in front of both devils was little Ravel Phenex. She had a very nervous look as she was constantly touching the tips of her index fingers together. "Well, I told your sister that I would help out, looking for Hyoudou. So, I told her that I had contacts in the underworld. But, to be honest. I am really worried about the Sekiryuutei, about Issei senpai. If you saw what I saw. The look in his eyes. Not even with my brother, when the two were fighting, did I see 'that' look." Grayfia widened her eyes as Sirzechs began to close his own. Gritting his teeth, Sirzechs speaks softly. "Rias, you can be such a…" The Mao was interrupted as a communication circle, (with symbols suggesting it belonged to the Gregori), manifested in between himself and his wife. Everyone in the room got quiet and simply watched. Sirzechs replied to the communication. "Azazel? What can I do for you, Governor?"
Scene (Heaven)
"So, it looks as if you are short-staffed this year, sister?" In a large warehouse of sorts, we can see two angels. One of these angels was none other than Michael, (the leader of the heaven faction and controller of heaven's miracle system). The other angel looked a bit similar to that of her brother. Both angels had long and blond hair. The male was very tall and wore an impressive set of white and gold armor. The female, however, she was dressed in what looked to be traditional "Santa" attire. Though this outfit was very revealing, showing off the female angels' very generous curves, it also produced an aura of sorts, a very jolly aura. The woman also wore a red hat, (which covered her halo, unlike her brother's). Not getting an answer from the day-dreaming woman, Michael repeats himself. "Gabriel-chan, are you listening?" Shaking her head back and forth, out of her own thoughts, the now known Gabriel, looked up at her big brother and smiled. "Oni-sama! Hello! Yes, this year may be a bit taxing, that was, until I found out a few things. In other words, I think I will actually have quite a full staff as they will be here, momentarily." Gabriel then begins to grin a bit. Michael also noticed "the pile" and pointed at it. We look toward the direction in which the angel is pointing. There, we see a very large tower, completely built with layers and layers of coal.
It looks to be teetering to the left as a few pieces of coal fall from the massive tower and onto the warehouse floor. As Gabriel looks toward this massive pile of coal, she begins to blush heavily. "Oh, my Issei-kun's collection?" Michael looks a bit horrified as he slowly nods. "Yes, yes, my naughty little boy has accumulated so much in so little time, but alas, I could never bring myself to deliver these. He is my special boy after all!" Michael, once again in horror, slowly nods. Gabriel then turned her head back toward her brother as her grin turned into an angry scowl. "You know, right? What happened? Just now?" Michael uses all of his will in order to break his terrified gaze at the monstrosity that was "Issei Tower", as he turns his face toward his sister. "Ehem, yes, I know. It is most unfortunate. Perhaps you would like me to deliver your "Issei", another sword, like last time? Or maybe, this time, you want to finally meet the Hyoudou boy, in person?" Michael then smiles and winks. Meanwhile Gabriel puffs both of her cheeks out in embarrassment. "Well, this year, this year will be different! You just watch me, Oni-Sama! I will conquer my apprehension and conquer Issei's heart, all at, the, same, time!" Michael facepalms. "We shall see, my sister. Though, I must admit, if it wasn't for your yearly and "jolly" ventures, your perverted thoughts alone, would make you fall." Gabriel now begins to chuckle. "Ho ho ho, brother."
(Scene) Azazel's Apartment
Moments after speaking with Sirzechs, a large and crimson colored teleportation circle manifested in the center of Azazel's living room. Issei looked as if he wanted to run out of the room as he began to look around for escape options. Azazel however looked calm and collected as he began to pull his cigarettes out. (FLASH) Three figures appeared in the room. Sirzechs, Grafia and…Ravel? Both adults had serious frowns on their faces which made Issei even more nervous. Meanwhile, Ravel looked as if she just got done crying as her large blue eyes looked puffy. Issei stood from the couch and nervously bowed. To his surprise, both Grayfia and Sirzechs had each of Issei's arms as they hugged the boy. "Forgive me, little brother. I should've paid more attention!" Issei's eyes were wide as his face contorted into a look of confusion and unstable emotion.
"If this ever happens again, you must come to us, Issei…" After Sirzechs and then Grayfia said their peace, they released the stunned boy. As this was all happening, Ravel was doing everything she could to not tackle the hurt senpai in front of her. "H, Hyoudou!" Issei, Sirzechs and Grayfia turned their heads toward a shouting Ravel. Meanwhile, Azazel casually lit a cigarette and took a drag. Ravel spit out the next words as best she could. "Why did you just leave me there?!" Issei's eyes widened even more as Ravel began to sob a bit. "M, My mother, the head of the Phenex family, entrusted YOU, most of all, to protect me, to watch over me. Baka! You should've taken me with you, the moment your "friends"belittled and tormented you, you should've of…." As Issei doesn't know what to do, Sirzechs whispers into the boy's ear. "You know, that little devil there, she has nothing but the best of intentions for you. In fact, she lied to Rias and told us everything. She did that for you, brother." Nodding slowly, Issei was overcome with an overwhelming urge to do something and he did just that. Rushing past Sirzechs and Grayfia, Issei fell to his knees at Ravel's feet and proceeded to hug the girl, very tightly. The blond devil immediately stopped crying and proceeded to blush very heavily. Before anything else could be said, Issei cried out the following. "I'm sorry, Ravel, I am so sorry. You're right. I just…" Expecting to be punched or kicked for his actions, Issei winced at the blond girl as she raised her hand. Closing his eyes and preparing for a scolding, Issei was surprised to feel a small and warm hand, holding the back of his head, pulling him closer into the Phenex's shoulder. Still blushing, Ravel replies very softly. "Well, (sniff), as long as you are sorry about it and won't do it again, it's okay. There, there…"
Seeing this action, Azazel took another puff and looked toward Sirzechs and Grayfia. "So, since you know what's going on, then I'll be blunt. Issei here is gonna be staying at my place for a bit. I think some apart-time from the peerage is just what the doctor ordered. Speaking of, hey Ravel…" Looking up toward the Governor, Ravel tilts her head. "Wanna help me keep an eye on the kid?" Smiling very brightly, Ravel nodded overenthusiastically. Issei then attempted to move his head from Ravel's shoulder, however the little blond girl insisted he stay put as she applied pressure to the back of his head. Azazel nodded, "well, it's settled then." Sirzechs speaks up. "Well, I suppose it's time for a long talk with my sister and her peerage…" Attempting to speak up, Issei was only able to mumble as his mouth was pressed against the neck and shoulder of Ravel. "DDDnnt…" Azazel sees this and chuckles.
"You know, Sirzechs, I may have a better idea. I would simply let them know that Issei is fine and well and leave it at that. I figure they should learn from their experience, being the children they are. What do you think?" Grayfia looked at Sirzechs and nodded. Deciding that Azazel was correct, Sirzechs then agrees. "Very well, Governor. Issei, again, I am truly sorry for what my sister put you through. I know it's a lot to ask, but please, in time, find it in your heart to forgive her. I mean, the ring, right? You do care for my sister, still?" Issei nods in Ravel's shoulder. Ravel then pats Issei's head. Sirzechs shows a relieving smile as the couple begin to teleport away. Sirzechs then yawns while stretching. "Well, if the two of you are finished over there, I can show you where you will be sleeping." Ravel then begins to sniff the air a bit, Realizing that this smell was coming from Issei, Ravel then pulls Issei away and looks into his eyes with intensity. "Azazel sama? Did you give the Sekiryuutei alcohol?!" Azazel's smile now turns into a worried one. "Um…" Ravel proceeds to softly push Issei off of her, then flames rise from her entire body as she points at Azazel. "He, he, he, Issei is UNDERAGE!" Issei runs to the couch as Azazel begins to panic and look for an escape route of his own.