Good day to you all. Another year has passed. Hard to believe. But still, that is the nature of time.

2023 has not been exactly a great year if you don't mind me saying. Quite a bit that happened on this last year. Still, every year, I'll make this my last chapter of this year.

I hope that I'll get to the 100K mark.

But I do look forward to 2024. If you hit rock bottom, there is only one way. Up. Although, I wonder how this is going to look in a while.


Now for the guest reviews

Guest on chapter 3 on the 4th of May. This isn't great. That is enough for me Thanks for keeping my wits on.


Started on 19/12/2023

Ended on 26/12/2023

Published on 30/12/2023


Jonas had guessed that getting patched up by magic was different from the usual one. Luckily, getting stitched up and getting your literal guts put back in a body, was not exactly too hard for them.

The Devils had been relieved of what he had done but that didn't mean they had ignored what he had actually done.

Still, gratitude had made way for fear or disgust. On his bedside, with a last check-up were Rias and Issei. The Dragon and his Master had insisted they would stay behind.

"It appears that you can leave without any issues. You are certainly a cut above that I have seen pass by on this clinic."

The mercenary just shrugged and waved him off.

"Can I do something for you two?" Rias made a deep bow to Jonas as she was looking at him with a relieved smile.

"I would need to thank you, Jonas. Were it not for you, we would not be victorious." Jonas just shrugged at the remark but it turned into a grin at Rias.

"Thanks, Rias. But we all had our job. You, me, Issei. Everyone. I helped you as doing that, helped me. It keeps Raynare and her friends safe. Sides, as I said in the clubroom, it messed with my personal view."

The heiress still kept her smile on while Issei also made a bow.

"Senpai, I do need to thank you as well. You saved Buchou. You saved me. If I wasn't so weak, I would have."

The tap on his head was not a full blow but it did stop Issei's lamentation as the Dragon looked over the Soldier.

"Look, Issei. Knowing where your problem lies, is the first step to finding the right spot to work. You're weak, yes. But keep growing. You'll get there."

Before they could leave for home, a magical circle opened, and out of the light, stepped a male version of Rias, and behind him, Grayfia.

"Onii-sama?!" Rias had not expected to see Sirzechs in the hospital, together with Grayfia.

"Ma'am?" Jonas was nearly going to salute from seeing them here.

"Ah, Rias. Good to see you before, we were nearly going to leave. I would have loved to meet your full Peerage but I do appreciate the fact that I can see the two men who have risked everything to break you free."

Sirzechs tone was jovial, friendly, and informal. Still, Jonas kept his wits up.

"Are you Buchou's older brother? Sirzechs Lucifer-sama?" Issei asked while the Maou had a soft chuckle.

"I am indeed. You must be Issei Hyoudou. My sister's [Pawn]. I do say that I am impressed. It's rare to see such a young Devil, fight this hard. I will not be the only one who expects great things from you, Issei Hyoudou-kun."

The Dragon beamed from the compliment while Grayfia made her way over to Jonas. The stern gaze made the Soldier hesitate as she had a certain way of looking at him.

"That was an incredibly reckless act there, Kerevechko-sama." Jonas snapped to attention as she spoke to him.

"I do apologize, ma'am. But I hadn't expected that bastard to do what he did." Realizing in which presence he was around, Jonas quickly added.

"I do excuse for the foul language."

Sirzechs laughed him off as Grayfia had a disappointed look in her eyes. The twinkling quickly replaced it as she patted him on the shoulder.

"We don't blame you for that one bit. Rather a foul-mouthed person who gets business done, than a polite but useless one. Isn't it said that savages are more courteous than civilized men? I do feel that you belong on the savage line, Jonasavo-kun."

The mercenary nodded as he felt the weight of his guns. They were a comfort for him.

"Either way, I wanted to personally invite you three." Sirzechs attention shifted back to his sister who looked up at the Maou.

"There is a party planned in three days, Rias. Some were already guessing you were going to lose. Now, we can turn that into your victory party. Of course, you would be the guest of honor, Jonasavo."

There was no getting out of that. He would be going there. Then again, it would be a lot of fun to scare the crap out of some people.

"Of course."

The smile of Sirzechs made him shiver as it was a little bit too innocent.

"Great. I'll best be off. I'll be seeing you then. Rias, Issei-kun, Jonasavo-kun." With that done, the three teenagers felt they could breathe again while Rias also felt relieved that Sirzechs didn't embarrass her.

"Well, that is another new experience that I had."

With that said, Jonas followed them as they were getting into a magical circle. He was going home. It was about damn time.

Scene skip

"Home sweet home." Jonas groaned as he opened the door. Behind him stood his Fallen Angels. Kalawarner and Mittelt were much like the others, a bit apprehensive from the show but they were not as scared as he thought them to be.

"So Jonas, any plans for the coming days?" Raynare asked as Jonas grabbed the young woman and pressed her against the wall. Kalawarner and Mittelt knew better than to stick around as Jonas pressed a kiss on her lips.

Her ass was groped by Jonas as she felt his arms around her body. There was strength in it. Stronger than she could have guessed. From just a human mercenary. But it was her human mercenary.

She could feel his tongue, exploring the deepest part of her mouth as she felt her body getting limp from that. She couldn't believe how she was feeling.

But when she rolled her hips, she could feel the hard-on that Jonas was sporting. The groan that escaped her lips, made her wonder all they could do.

She was more than willing to give him just that.

It also caused him to drop her from that place while she looked over at him.

"Jonas?"

"I think you owe me something. A date. I told you that before we would leave to help Rias." Leaning her head back, Raynare was amazed that he remembered that.

"Dear Azazel, that seems so long ago. I can't believe that you remember that." Jonas smirked as he got closer to her.

"Dear Azazel?" He pressed his forehead against hers while she grinned back at him.

"He is closer to a God for me. But sure, I'd love to go on a date with you." Raynare wouldn't admit but something told her that it would be something else than the one with Issei.

"Thanks, Ray."

She smirked as she felt something pressing even harder against her bum.

"Now, is there something else you'd like from me?" Raynare asked as she felt him growl even louder.

"Yep. I'm not saying what. I suppose you can guess." The woman grinned as she looked down.

"You want to fuck?"

The mercenary grinned back at her.

"No, Raynare." The Fallen Angel had her mouth fallen open from the sudden and abrupt declaration.

"I would put it in a more eloquent way. But I can't come up with another way to put it."

Raynare changed into her mature form while her wings over the human.

"Really now? Let's see how much I awakened in you."

Jonas could feel how she didn't mean those words and was even touched by them.

"Can I help it? You're my first everything. You were my first love. My first kiss. My first woman." She remembered how Jonas had looked at her after he saved her in the savanna.

The weeks they spent traveling together, showed that something in him awakened.

She could find herself getting attracted to that piece of Jonas. The animal that he was hiding beneath that exterior.

"Oh, and how would this dear, mercenary boy show me what exactly he wants? Or maybe, I should teach him." Raynare could feel the power between his body and the need, the desire, the complete lust.

"You know that I am a pretty fast learner." She couldn't deny that.

"Plus, my stamina is above that of most humans. Or many other creatures." That was another truth.

In his eyes, she could read it. A love, a burning desire. She was everything that he wanted. He was strong, he was powerful, and he was able to protect her.

"And you are oh so in love with me that you have to do this."

Jonas looked over at her with a grin on his face.

"We got an entire night to do this. Teach me, oh great teacher."

Raynare began to ponder. She would get a lot of good years out of Jonas and he had already proven himself.

And well, as Jonas had mentioned, they would have an entire night, all to themselves.

"You want to do this here?" Raynare asked, apprehensive in a way. She hadn't figured out that Jonas had woken up for this.

She could feel how hard he was now. But this was going to take longer than just a few rounds.

"Jonas?"

"Yes or no, Ray?"

The soldier asked which made her grin.

"I think that I prefer a bed for this."

Not that they made it to a bed as Raynare and Jonas were making out and stripping each other, constantly when they made their way to his room.

The shirt had been off from the mercenary while his hands teased around the edges of her shirt. Her panties went off as he got back up and she let the skirt go.

Then there was another kiss as she could feel his strength.

Raynare had always prided herself that a Fallen Angel like herself could surpass a human in strength.

Jonas made her rethink that notion. Hell, he was even holding back for her sake. Their lips let go and a thin string of saliva remained between them as Jonas wanted nothing more than to pin this woman to a bed.

Her hands fumbled around the belt and her hands undid the zipper. She had eons of experience but she guessed that in the coming eighty years, she would have just Jonas.

Well, she had been an Angel of Love once.

When she watched his dick, there had been an audible gulp.

"You know, we have done this before," Jonas said as his fingers undid her buttoned shirt while his hands groped around the breasts.

"Well, I can't lie on that. Still, you are eager. Never thought that you could be like that"

Another kiss followed and then, Jonas pressed his forehead against the Fallen Angel.

"I think you awakened something in me? So what is it going to be, Raynare?"

Pushing him back, Jonas fell on the bed while Raynare changed into her mature appearance. Fuck, she was spoiling him.

Hoisting herself over him, now, they were closer to equal in height.

Plus, she was naked while Jonas still had his trousers around his ankles and he had an undershirt on.

Aligning her dripping wet core to Jonas' dick, she let his head feel the heat before sliding down. There was a groan from the mercenary who leaned his head back while Raynare grinned from that.

"Oh, you like that, don't you?"

The Soldier wanted to speak but found himself unable to do so as Raynare had now fully gotten his mind on her.

It took a moment or two before Jonas had recovered from that and his hands went up to the breasts. She had an awesome rack and even as a boy, it was something that had mesmerized Jonas. Of course, during their travels, he couldn't exactly do much with that and there were bigger worries.

Now, in the safety of his home, he had the full time to fully appreciate those globes as he touched them. There was a delightful mix of carefulness and strength. She could feel how his fingers dug into them while his thumbs gently touched the nipples.

She really could tell that he was hoping that she'd roll her hips. So she granted that as his head arched back and she grinned as she knew that he was only getting used.

"You good?"

Raynare asked as she saw his mouth drool open and his mouth speeding up as she saw how he felt.

"Yeah, just. A bit overwhelmed." She was beginning to grin at how Jonas recovered from that.

"Really? Let's see how you take it." Raynare began again but found that Jonas had recovered as her ass got groped by the soldier.

"Damn, you get grabby."

"You awakened a beast in me." Jonas pumped his hips back as she felt the dick pierce through.

Leaning in closer, Raynare pressed a kiss on his lips while Jonas groaned back from that.

"Come on, let's go!"

At that point, Raynare began to roll her hips as she rode Jonas. The mercenary pumped back with enough force.

He was now used to the tension so he could deal with it.

They felt each other's body and Raynare led Jonas as she went up and down, her chest bouncing up and down. It served as a motivator for Jonas to go faster.

Raynare bounced back, happily. She hadn't known what spurred him but she was not going to complain as she felt how Jonas groped her ass. Her wings had come out and in the light, Jonas found her to be the closest to a Goddess.

Not that he would ever say that.

So this was a race to the finish line as both could feel something building up between their legs.

Neither had forgotten that it had been nearly two weeks since the last time as Raynare had already noticed that Jonas began to lose focus.

There was not exactly a reason to worry about it. They could learn while they went.

Leaning in closer, she whispered in his ear.

"Let go. It's okay." Jonas lost it at that point and she felt how he flopped back as there was heat in her system. Jonas was catching his breath while Raynare looked down on their crotches.

Okay, he had lost this run but he hadn't softened up one bit. It didn't even go down.

"You can go again?" Raynare asked and she felt another roll of his hips. That was enough indication. So Jonas bucked back while Raynare could feel how her own pleasure was also building again.

She didn't blame Jonas for losing that. They were new and well, she was a kind and considerate lover on that front. When she was in the right mood.

Jonas wanted to get up from her but it was the Fallen Angel who pinned him down. Her hips slammed down on him and her look was a bit crazy.

"Oh, come on! Jonas, I know you can do it! You know what I want!" Raynare could deal with patience but now, her limit was reached. With her own personal heaven so close, she wanted more from Jonas.

The Human buckled back and with newfound vigor, the two began to feel more about it. They were just having the same energy as before and Raynare began to drive it up higher, wondering how much Jonas could keep up.

To her immense surprise and satisfaction, he was keeping up with her, and unlike before, without a single issue.

"Oh, fuck. Jonas, this feels good! So good!" Jonas couldn't speak as he focused on making Raynare cum.

There was even more friction as she felt better with every second.

"Ray, how long before!"

"Just there! Oh, yes! Fuck, yes!"

He was pretty sure that the next scream would wake up Mittelt and Kalawarner but for once, Jonas couldn't care about inconveniencing someone else.

After all, it was his house.

Scene skip

Mittelt had her pillow around the ears.

She lamented her fate as she was now hearing Jonas fuck Raynare.

It was hard for her to believe that Raynare had actually begun to love someone. A human of all things.

She had heard the stories and Jonas had proven them to be true.

'I really hope they are not going to fuck all night. I want to sleep a few hours.'

At the other end, Kalawarner was listening to the two lovebirds. She had already begun to think about what Jonas doing to Raynare.

Plus, she knew the effects that she had on him. Maybe, she had to think more about this whole thing. There weren't any other young men around and so far, Jonas began to look more and more appealing.

Scene skip

Jonas had rarely understood social norms but as a fighter, he was quite happy about making Raynare cum.

With a sweat-soaked body, crushing on him as she was catching her breath.

Raynare had been thoroughly debauched by his actions as he had gotten her to scream his name. In the afterglow of their lovemaking, Jonas wasn't catching his breath, just enjoying the sweaty body on top of him.

It helped that he was naked. Nothing sucked more than having sweaty clothes on a bed.

After thirty seconds, Raynare lifted herself up from the body and she stretched out, showing off that incredible body.

"Mmmmmnnn, fuuuuuuuuck! Jonas. That was too damn long! It's scary how good you are now, already!"

The human grinned back at her.

"You wanna go again?"

There was another raised eyebrow as she found that he was still rock-hard. She came once, he twice and he was still looking forward.

Tonight wouldn't be the time when Jonas would even the score but they could do that.

"You kidding me?"

Raynare asked Jonas and looked down on his crotch.

"That is impressive."

Jonas smirked and rolled her over as she lay on her back.

"Missionary? Really?"

Jonas smirked as she kissed her. Slamming home, she was sensitive but Jonas had kept it easy on her. Pinning her to the bed, Jonas had her arms tied above her with one hand while his other was massaging those breasts.

"Are you complaining?"

Raynare pondered on it and found that it was good enough for her. Besides, she had gotten her own release as she had ridden him.

Now, it was onto Jonas to tame her.

He grinned as Raynare bucked underneath. Her tits bounced like before and so he began to fully pump in her, in and out, like they were flying around.

As before, Jonas found that sight to be alluring so the speed that he used, was incredible to the point that Raynare felt that she had a hard time catching up with him.

But that didn't take long. Before long, she was slamming back as hard as he did, to the point that it was even considered mating between two animals.

Grunts and groans were the only thing they had as skin upon skin collided with ferocious speed.

Kisses and licks went on each other as Jonas captured her body in his arms, with a near-desperate hold.

"You're really going at it? Jonas, I'm not going anywhere."

The mercenary didn't reply to that and just continued to pump into Raynare. He wanted to make her scream. Again.

Luckily for that, Raynare had already begun to feel the build-up. Jonas was making sure that he was hitting all the right spots and the reactions of Raynare's body came along.

The Fallen Angel could really feel that Jonas was doing his best to make her scream and the fact that he wouldn't take no for an answer was admirable.

Truthfully, it did feel awesome but not to the point where she could scream.

But who said that she couldn't ask for it?

"You know, there is more you can do. See that little thing at the upper part. Give it a flick." Jonas looked at her, apprehension setting in.

"Eh, gently?"

The Fallen Angel nodded. With how sensitive bits were down there, it wouldn't be well to have too much pressure.

So Jonas looked down at it and saw how her clit stood up.

As she instructed, Jonas gently added some pressure to it with his thumb. It seemed that did the trick.

She arched back as she felt her own pleasure, getting higher as Jonas was applying just the right amount of pressure.

On his first go, he knew it exactly. Fuck, she really picked a winner.

As she lurched back, Jonas just enjoyed the image of her, whirring with pleasure as she was getting closer to her second release.

With his left thumb, still teasing her, he was also making her closer to arch her back while he grinned back at her.

"I take you liked that."

Her legs got wrapped around his waist and she leaned further down in the pillows.

"Oh, that I most certainly did."

Her eyes were getting higher on him and she grinned at Jonas.

"Now, show me how much more you have of those." The soldier reacted to that as he began to pump even faster as he kept on teasing her.

"Jonas! I think that!" The mercenary got closer to her and whispered in her ear.

"Sing for me, Ray." It was rare for him to ask something like that but for Raynare, it was all too easy to indulge. Especially since she could no longer hold back those screams.

"Oh, fuck! Ah, Jonas! Just like! Oh, yes! Yes! Yes! Fuck, Jonas! You're doing well. So good!" Jonas continued to rut in her, making her scream.

The pitch went higher and higher as she began to feel another orgasm reach her peak. The Human Soldier was doing so well!

He was punching her buttons so well. It was like he had figured her out, quickly! Plus, when he began to softly work on her clit, Raynare couldn't hold it on.

"JONAS!" There was one last scream as she lost this round. Good thing for her that her lover had also reached his own peak as he filled her womb with his sperm.

Unlike the previous time, Jonas remained keeled over her, his arms supporting his sweaty body.

"That was awesome!" It wouldn't have been weird if she had said that but coming from Jonas, it had a weird taste.

"I can't argue with you there." Pulling out, Jonas looked down on the crotch.

"Now, I know it's late but isn't this dangerous? I mean?"

Raynare grabbed his neck and pressed a kiss on his lips.

"Don't worry. Supernatural creatures have low birth rates. You'd have to pump me full, thirty days, nonstop in the hope of maybe knocking me up."

She whispered in his ears while Jonas had a weird look on his face. Fucking days on end.

"That sounds rough," Jonas said as he rolled over next to her.

Raynare crawled closer to him as she watched on that. His dick was still up and it appeared that she had wanted more.

But a quick breather couldn't hurt.

"That sounds like something you wouldn't want to do." Jonas shook his head and grabbed her closer.

"It's more like a challenge. One that I'd gladly accept, Raynare, but knocking you up, well. I'm a bit too young to become a father."

Raynare blushed when she heard that news. A child? Well, she had never thought about that, throughout the eons that she was alive.

"You're right. I think that we'd need to tell your family first." Jonas grimaced when he heard those lines.

"That'd be tough if you consider I haven't heard from her. Either way, Raynare, I think that I'd like a bit more. But now, I want something different."

Briefly, the Fallen Angel wondered if Jonas wanted to fuck her in the ass but it appeared another position.

Seated above him, it was incredibly good for kissing while Jonas explored her mouth with his tongue. Her legs were around his waist as he pushed from above.

There was more on how Jonas was focused on her. His hips continued to pump from underneath as their bodies collided in sweat.

That friction alone made it also much easier for both to move as their bodies were soaked.

"Fuck, didn't think that working up a sweat could feel so good."

Raynare grinned as Jonas pressed another kiss on her lips.

Her boobs pressed against his chest which made this even more pleasurable. When his tongue invaded her mouth, she pressed hers against the upper part of his upper mouth.

Their bodies intertwined as their scents mixed. It was Jonas who wanted to breathe first. Their foreheads pressed together, with smiles on their faces.

"Do you know how much I love you, Jonas?"

"I am not going to guess. I won't be able to come up with a good answer."

The Fallen Angel smiled as she felt her body weight, being kept up by Jonas's hands.

Raynare laughed a bit when she continued their match. The rhythm was incredible on It, with their bodies colliding even faster.

It just felt even better like that.

She was moving around his body, which gave him another groan.

"Fuck, Ray!"

From the sound, it showed that Raynare did something right. So she coiled around his body, faster than a snake, while he could barely keep up with her.

It didn't surprise her that he lost that match again as she felt the hot sperm hitting her womb again.

Raynare kept him up for a change as he looked up at her.

"That was a bit too intense, apologies for not keeping up." Kissing him on the forehead, she kept him close.

"No worries, I had a feeling that you weren't able to keep up. I think that it's fine."

Jonas halted for a bit until he noticed that he got a bit sore. They had been going at it for a while.

"You wanna go again?" Raynare let go of him and rolled next to him.

"I'd love to but I think that we had enough for one night." Jonas looked down at her and noticed that her legs were trembling.

"You still haven't gotten the last one? I'd be shitty if you don't get one more." Raynare wondered about it for a second.

"Fine but just fingers. I think you outdid yourself. If you want that date, it's best not to overdo it. I'm speaking from experience."

Jonas didn't question her on that knowledge. In terms of that, he was still green and if he was honest, he really had enjoyed it but the soreness had begun to take notice.

So with three fingers, he gently coaxed her to the next release which was a flicker compared to the previous trysts.

Then he laid her on his chest while pulling the covers over them.

"This is nice,"

"It sure is,"

Then both closed their eyes for the few hours of sleep the night would grant them.

Scene skip

Jonas packed up a car, which closer resembled a motorcycle with four wheels, two on the front and two on the back. There were two seats on the machine but no doors so they would have to climb in from the sides. There was enough room for the two to sit but the parts that were on the back were something unique. A giant turbine that wasn't there for show.

"What might that be?" Kalawarner asked as she watched the mechanic in him, taking care.

"It's an idea that I got from an old associate of my sister. A real piece of work, that guy. He had seen me before. The right tool for the right job."

Kalawarner knew not to ask more as Jonas wasn't willing to share more information about it.

"Ray, you coming?!" Jonas shouted from up the stairs as the ravenette came down. She was wearing exactly what Jonas had asked.

A long vest, closer to a motor-suit but Jonas found that it was sexy enough. There was no stirring down. His lower head had been fully happy with how things had gone down.

Jonas himself was wearing an overall which he stripped out of. The long trousers and shirt with long sleeves stirred something in Raynare. Especially since Jonas pulled up the hoodie in it.

"You ready?"

Raynare sighed as she watched the Soldier.

"I wonder what you got planned." She didn't mention what happened with Issei when they had their date.

Jonas was a whole different guy who knew something new about what they were going to do.

Climbing in, the seat wasn't too horrible but she felt that her mature form would have trouble with sitting comfortably.

Jonas got in and fired up the vehicle.

"Do you mind locking down the gate? You know how that works, right?" Kalawarner nodded and Jonas drove to the gate.

There was the normal door to his storehouse and as in true James Bond fashion, there was a garage door. You could drive a tank through it and it would fit in.

Not that Jonas owned a tank. Raynare had seen the jeeps with the possibility of having a machine gun on top.

Not that he had one though.

He could install a M249, M240, or even an M2 on it.

But that wasn't fitting for this vehicle.

"All right. Hold on tight, this is gonna go fast."

Jonas put the pedal to the metal and they raced out of the place. Raynare's scream had an equal hint of fear and exhilaration.

Kalawarner sighed and closed the gates as Jonas had instructed her to do. She doubted that she would see either of the two in the next few hours.

Scene skip

Raynare had never guessed that Jonas knew his ways so well around the mountains as they drove through the place.

The mountains were incredible with narrow steeps, turns, and slow hills. Jonas focused on his steering as Raynare began to get used to it.

She had flown before on her wings but during their track, years ago, they had traveled by car.

They had lost track of time so neither could recall how long they had been together. Weeks, months, none could say.

They just sat in the car, watching how a continent pulled itself apart. Neither could shed a tear about that.

This ride was a lot more peaceful as Raynare enjoyed how Jonas had been driving.

"Hey, Jonas, what is this? I have never seen this vehicle before." It was a unique one, that much she could understand.

Jonas barked a laugh.

"The one who made this called it Angelito FW Turbo. I renamed it to Angel's Wings." Raynare wondered if that was because of her influence on the name choosing.

"Why does it have that name?"

Jonas turned back to the vehicle as they were driving on a straight road.

The Human grinned and pulled on a lever. It was the sound of a parachute opening. Above their heads, a giant cloth opened and the car left the ground.

Raynare had never thought that this was possible, yet here they were in the sky.

"There's no way this is legal!" Jonas laughed as he flew over the mountains.

"That is your biggest concern? Don't worry. We'll be fine!" He didn't have to mention that he pretty much owned those mountains. Part of his inheritance.

Too much money and not enough creativity plagued the old mercenaries.

Raynare looked outside and the wonders of technology and craftsmanship were taking her breath away.

"Unbelievable! How did you make this?" Raynare asked as Jonas had a destination in mind.

"Copied from an old guy. I would say that I am happy though that I did learn. He made a dream come true!"

Jonas said as Raynare began to think about what Jonas had done. He made the impossible possible.

"Let me guess. You want to fly next to me!"

Before Jonas could even answer, Raynare jumped out and opened her wings. She flew right next to the seat as Jonas had a hard time looking away from her.

How did this woman know him so well?

Scene skip

There was a destination in mind. A mountain cliff on which a small cabin had been built. Raynare didn't ask if this was from Jonas. Given the fact that he opened the door with a key out of his pocket, that was the logical option.

On the outside, there had been a giant fire pit that had been standing.

Raynare sat down on the gras, changing back to her schoolgirl form as Jonas began to throw a few pieces of wood in.

When a match lit up the fire starters, it began to smoke.

The Fallen Angel saw him take out a few bags. Unzipping them, Raynare could find several cases of meat on it.

"Let's roast those. It'll be fun. Trust me."

Of course, there were enough drinks as well. Raynare took it upon herself to pour those out while they sat by the fire, waiting until the meat cooked.

Sitting, drinking and just enjoying the time passing by while they looked at the flames. Occasionally, Jonas would turn around the meat or cut open another pack to add as they took the well-roasted pieces.

Raynare had never thought that Jonas had longed for this.

But neither of them could deny that it was nice to share this food together.

"It tastes better than in Africa. You can't deny that." Raynare spoke up while Jonas couldn't exactly speak with his mouth full. So he simply nodded along the lines.

When he finally swallowed that piece of meat, which made Raynare wonder about his prowess in using his tongue, he smirked.

"Top-of-the-shelf meat that you can buy in a civilized country or the best parts of an animal I had to skin myself. There is no competition."

The mercenary grinned as Raynare took another piece while he pulled out two other pieces of meat to roast by the fire.

"Kinda funny that your idea of a date is doing what we did in Africa for who knows how long."

Jonas took another sip of his drink, washing down the spices which he had worked over in the meat.

"You can call it however you like, Raynare. The only thing is that we don't have annoying idiots who want to shoot at us."

The woman sighed and knew that it was better to change subjects now instead of letting them drag on about their pasts.

"Can't argue with that. Still, if your idea was to first bang my brains out, then fly alongside me and make a good meal, I can't say that is wrong."

Jonas took another sip as he began to think about it.

"I don't hear you complaining," Jonas remarked while Raynare couldn't deny that.

"It's certainly something else than extravagant dinners, dances, and high etiquette." The Fallen Angel shot back at him which made Jonas gulp down a piece of meat without even barely chewing.

After getting his coughs under control, he looked back at her, with a mix of worry and amusement.

"Can you actually picture me doing that? Getting dressed up in a monkey suit, dancing? You know how my manners go. it ain't exactly something that I excel at."

For a moment, the two thought about it before they both busted out laughing. They couldn't believe they would ever be able to do such a thing.

"That reminds me though. While you are still rough at some patches, you are much more accustomed to living in Japan. I take that your caretaker was responsible for that."

Hiding secrets wasn't a good idea, especially with his lover. That would crumble the foundation on which they would build their relationship.

"Nee-chan took me in after I left Africa. For the last eight years, or actually six, she has done her best with me. She always told me that I wasn't rude or impolite, just ignorant. She would never lay down heavy punishment as she understood it wasn't malice. Then again, what sort of parent would raise their kids to attend high-end gatherings unless you want to prepare them for that?"

The Fallen Angel smirked again.

"She certainly worked on your eloquence."

"I read a lot of books during the last few years. Nee-chan collected quite a few during her days. And unless, it's high-level smut, which she doesn't have, I could read whatever she had. She could bar me from sexual stuff when I was a kid. Violence and all that, well, she knew what I could do."

Raynare got closer to him and laid her head on his shoulders.

"I would love to meet that woman. She sounds like a unique person if you can talk so fondly of her in front of your lover."

Much to her surprise, Jonas actually nodded on that.

"Yeah, I'd love to introduce you to her. But I fear that can take some time. Nee-chan went off the grid. No way to contact her. We'll have to wait until she turns up at our door."

Pressing on closer to her head, Raynare began to wonder.

"So I take you and your 'Nee-chan' weren't exactly staying quiet since you moved here?"

Jonas looked up to the sky as it had begun to darken. The hut they would stay in was good enough for one night.

"Got stories for days and I know quite a few more. They want you to believe that Japan is a safe country. Let's just say that it hasn't always been like that."

From his tone, Raynare figured out that the conversation about his sister was closed. He didn't want to explain more about it and so, she dropped the subject.

The rest of the time, they made the small talk about the events that had transpired. The fight that Jonas was in, with Riser. How he proved himself.

"So you're been invited to that party of Rias? You made a name for yourself."

Laying in his lap, for a change, Jonas was playing with her hair. The raven locks were soft and warm to play with.

"I haven't asked if you were invited. Something tells me that you'd say no to that."

Raynare gave a heavy nod as she knew better than to partake in that.

"The Underworld is the wrong way around for me and my friends. We'll wait until you're back. Which reminds me. You took this job for free, didn't you?"

Jonas pondered on that for a second. What Raynare told him, was the truth. This job had been done free of charge for Rias and her merry band of Devils.

Touching her cheek, Jonas had a wry grin on his face.

"No. Not for free. With this fight, I have proven myself to Rias, Sona and who knows how many others. It means that I can keep you, Kalawarner, and Mittelt safe. And I'll make sure that the details are thoroughly printed out."

Sitting up, Raynare twisted herself and went to sit on his lap.

"You went all for this. Just to keep me safe. If I wasn't sure, I'd say that you are crazy."

The grin was even better as Jonas pressed another kiss on her lips and wrapped his arms around her.

"I'm not normal. You should know that by now. And yes, I will go even further for you."

Pressing her forehead against his, Raynare wondered about it for a second.

"And why would you be so willing to do that for me? Why would you be so adamant about doing that?"

Another kiss followed with that and Jonas grabbed her by the neck.

"Because I know that you'd do the same for me. Because I know you have done the same for me."

The hug was around her waist as the sun was setting. Raynare heard the sweet whispers that Jonas began to whisper in her ear.

"Because I swear here and now, that I'll never let you go."


This was a breather chapter, I'll fully admit that. I had planned to make this one. It was just a question of balance. In November, I had "A Devil's Flock", and "Harem of the White Saint" and last month, I had "Saji's Adventures with the Student Council" and "IS and Sekirei Brave New World."

None of those four chapters were small chapters and I can tell you that I seriously ended up pouring a lot of work into each of them while it remained just as busy with me during those months.

Hence why I had to plan to make this a smaller chapter. Those who follow those other fics might see the amount of time I have poured into it and "Brave New World" really took a long time.

Condensing an entire Light Novel into one chapter, well, you're not done in one evening.

For those who were hoping for a lot of action or meeting with Sirzechs and the party, I do apologize but that'll be for next year.

2023 has been one hell of a year. It's not exactly looking up.

But for myself, I had one hell of a year. I made up for the damage of the previous years with all the concerts, festivals, and trips that I took.

Made new friends, lost a few, saw a lot of things, had unforgettable experiences, lots of fun.

I just wonder how 2024 will look.

As a wise man put it, "It's impossible to know what the future holds, but there is never really harm in being well prepared."

Keep your head up, my friends.

I hope to see you all next year or that you check out my other fics.

Saluut.