"Tonight has been wonderful, Issei," Aza said pleasantly, her plate empty, same as Issei's. They had spent nearly an hour just talking and laughing together.

"Yeah, we really needed some us time," Issei agreed with a content sigh. "I've...kind of been a bit...I don't know, stand-offish? Absent?"

"I don't know the word, but I know what you mean," Aza assured tenderly. "Was it...because of how I've been acting?"

"Hmm?" Issei looked at her curiously. "What do you mean?"

"I haven't exactly been around as much either. Or did you just think I had queenly business to take care of?" she asked with an ironic smile.

"Well, I didn't assume you didn't," Issei admitted. "What were you doing then?"

"Giving you space. Not the...emotional kind I know humans talk about. I mean physical, Shub-type space," Aza explained.

"Okay, but...why? I didn't make it seem like I didn't want you around, did I?" Issei asked in worry.

"No, no! Nothing like that!" Aza assured quickly. "It wasn't you, just everyone else. I know you've been handling Eldritch diplomatic relationships with the Devils. I just didn't want to be there every moment and make them think the Eldritch only listen to you because I'm there."

"I mean, I am the Eldritch King because you settled for me," Issei said with a joking grin.

Aza didn't smile. Her hair grew darker, and her eyes lost some warmth. "I didn't settle, Issei. Being with you could never be settling."

Issei looked briefly surprised before looking away "Sorry. It's still kind of...hard to believe someone like you fell in love with me."

"It's hard for me to believe you even exist," Aza said, her hair and eyes returning to normal as she laid her head down in her crossed arms, still looking at Issei. "I was afraid for so long you were a dream that wasn't real. That when you finally said yes, I thought I might wake up and it was just a happy thought I let grow too big."

"That's...actually what I wanted to talk to you about," Issei admitted awkwardly. "Aza? Can you...tell me about my past lives, a bit?"

Aza blinked. "I can, but why? Did something happen?"

"Yes. You happened," Issei answered self-consciously. "According to everyone that mentions them, you waited for eons for me to actually say yes to you. I must have rejected you a thousand and one times, but you kept coming back. And you just...left me in peace each time. I don't understand how or why I turned you down, or how I could be worth trying so much for."

Aza stared at him for a long, long time before looking up. "It started about a billion years ago."

Issei gave her his utter attention.

Aza played with one of her ponytails, the hairs constantly shifting between being scales, vines, strings, and hair again. "You weren't...human that time. Similar. Another mortal race. But you had scales and four arms. I think you wanted to be human though. You were one of the first souls to reincarnate to Earth once they evolved into their current form."

"Mortals can choose their reincarnation?" Issei asked absently.

"Sometimes. Most souls are just in a river and follow the currents. But some are a stream of their own, tailing off into their own paths," Aza explained, shrugging and ignoring the tentacle wing that popped out of her back, the "arm" of the wing rubbing her own shoulder nervously. "I don't even remember how I came to that planet anymore. Was it a worshipper? Did an Eldritch ask for my help? I don't know. I wore a shape that...wasn't like this. It was about this small, but not as...safe to be around."

Issei could almost see it…something from memories a thousand-thousand lifetimes ago, something terribly wonderful.

"Everyone ran away from me. Or went insane. Then I found you. You were just...sitting under this tree, eating these things. They were like fish but also looked like something between an armadillo and a jellyfish. I came up to you, you looked up and..." Aza finally met his eyes. "You didn't go insane. You weren't even scared. I was...confused. Surprised. And then you...gave one of them to me. Those animals you were eating. You smiled, and you handed me one."

Issei blinked. "You fell in love with me for sharing a meal?"

"No, no, it's...it's not the meal, and that wasn't the only reason, but what started it all was what I saw in that meal," Aza said like she was struggling to find the words, ignoring as her chair began to grow tiny spider legs along the frame. "Issei? I could see you. All of you. Your intent, your desires, your very soul. You...knew I was something otherworldly, something almighty and powerful. You knew what I was on some primal level. But you weren't afraid. Surprised, and confused, but you weren't afraid, not even worried. So when you offered me that food, there was...nothing. No ulterior motive, no expectation, no trying to appease me, no fear for your life, nothing. You just...saw me as a stranger passing through and offered me some food."

Issei was starting to understand what she meant. His very first interaction with Aza had been an act of simple and genuine kindness, sharing a meal with a stranger with no expectation in return.

"After that, I watched you. Visited you. You were kind and strong. Some of your kind thought I was a demon that needed to be killed. They weren't a threat to me, but for some reason, you still acted like you needed to defend me," Aza said before her eyes went utterly, horribly hollow. "Then they hurt you, and I erased them. Bodies, souls. I erased their minds last, just because I wanted them to know they would cease to exist soon."

Issei would have been horrified by that at some point in his life, but now? He disapproved to some extent, but not enough to interrupt her.

"I healed you. Or, rather, I made the wounds not exist. I spent many years with the First Issei. Some of the time was with you, but I also just watched you. Trying to understand you. I watched you love, care, fight, and so much more. There was something more to it than I had ever seen in a mortal. The species of your first incarnation weren't very...romantic, at the time. I think you actually invented romance for them. You were always the most attached to your mates. And when I watched you with them, I started to feel something else. I think it was jealousy. Or longing? I wanted to...be one of them, to be with you. But I couldn't bring myself to force that dream into reality, because then it wouldn't be you. I had to...I NEEDED to do it right. I needed to ask, and be accepted by you. I felt that in my eternal soul as a fact that would never change in all of and even beyond reality."

"…Why did I say no in that life?" Issei asked softly.

Aza looked somewhere between amused and sad. "I didn't know how to ask. Literally, I didn't know the words that would convey what I wanted. I won't lie. I asked you with my soul, and your soul nearly went deaf, in a sense. I was so worried and I hated myself for doing that to you, just by trying to ask you to be with me. I asked everyone- Yog, Shub, even Nyarly for help on fixing what I did."

"Was it that bad?" Issei asked in surprise.

"No, I just needed Yog to undo it. You always bounced back from just about anything," Aza admitted with a fond chuckle. "But I had to be sure. I had to be. I felt an ache I never knew, overrun with guilt and sorrow. So when we were sure you were fine, I erased our meeting from your conscious memories. And I blessed you to live a long, blissful life. You became a great king on that planet, leading them back from the edge of extinction, brought there by my time on the planet. You were the lover of many. You were happy and had a massive family of mates and children. Honestly, that's normally how your life ends- successful, surrounded by beautiful mates and the wonderful children you sire. You die young sometimes in a fight, because you just can't seem to ever live a boring, peaceful life."

"I can see the appeal in both," Issei said absently. "How long did it take you to...learn how to ask properly?"

"I never messed up like THAT again," Aza said with a self-deprecating chuckle. "I messed up the question a few times because languages and customs are complicated and change so fast. But usually, you have other reasons. Sometimes you were busy in some war or adventure. A few times you just didn't trust me- which, honestly, was fair in context. You had some bad run-ins with the supernatural and eldritch factions in those lifetimes. Another time you thought I was a succubus. Oh, I was so tempted to accept that on a technicality, but I knew you didn't mean it how I needed you to mean it," Aza said in longing. "You even had times where you were...already spoken for in some regard, and that complicated things."

"So, for a lot of reasons, I kept you waiting all this time," Issei summarized in apology.

"Well," Aza looked up with a hum. "There were a couple times when you turned me down just because...you thought you weren't ready."

"Huh?" Issei asked in surprise.

"Some of you I made it pretty far with. Explaining who I really was, that I had been loving you all this time, and wanting to ascend you. All that. But when I made the offer, you sometimes just...apologized and said you weren't ready. It wasn't time. I didn't know what that meant, but that's true for a lot of things. So I just gave you the blessing and let you be."

"Huh," Issei said idly. "Wonder what the hell I was thinking back then?"

Aza smiled reassuringly. "I'm sure you'll find out. You'll be able to view your past lives one day. But is there anything else you'd want to know?"

"Well...besides turning you down, I didn't ever try to hurt you, did I?" Issei asked, only vaguely concerned. Mainly because he doubted a mortal Issei could even give Aza a papercut.

"Oh, you did, a few times. Usually when you thought I was a demon or something trying to trick you," Aza confessed without judgment.

"...Sorry?" Issei offered sheepishly.

"Oh, it's alright. It wasn't exactly unwarranted. I mean, you were being attacked by demons and other stuff in those three or four lifetimes," Aza recalled with a frown. "Never did figure out why. But I didn't really care, just that they were trying to kill my beloved."

"Oh," Issei said in understanding. "Thanks, Aza. For everything, really, but also just for telling me that. It's been bugging me for a while. What someone like you saw in someone like me."

"Issei, I didn't fall in love with you because you gave me a meal," Aza assured with a smile. "It gave me a reason to look at you, really look at you. Your soul, your mind, everything. I fell in love with you all those eons ago. And trust me, Issei, I looked. I looked into many souls across time and space wondering if ...anyone, anything at all could stir my heart like you. And across all infinite impossibility beyond reality...you're the only one I love like this, Issei. And...I hope one day, when you gain more of your Eldritch senses, you'll be able to understand in full, how much I mean it when I say it: I love you."

"You don't say it like it's something you feel or believe," Issei said in a soft tone, his gaze distant. "You say it like it is eternal and immutable truth. As if in all of the confusion of existence, it is the only thing that makes perfect sense to you."

Issei blinked, almost not realizing what he was saying, as he looked up and saw Aza-

Kissing him. She was kissing him. She had launched herself forward, melded through the table, and was now kissing him for all she could.

"Yes, yes, an infinite times yes!" Aza said, crying tears of happiness, that glowed with light and smelled like the nebulas of unborn stars. "That is...exactly how I feel, Issei."

Issei wrapped his arms around her lovingly, bringing her head to his chest. Aza had spent unfolded ages longing for him. Finally, after all this time, she had been able to express it, release it, and gift it to him. And he welcomed it like the sunrise of a new day, like the ending of a storm.

When had he gotten so poetic with his thoughts?

"I love you, Aza," he whispered in her ear. "I do."

Aza smiled sappily, almost literally melting into his embrace. "I...don't know how to describe how you say it. You mean it and my heart may burst like a quasar, but I...don't know the words to do it justice, Beloved."

"Take your time, Aza. We have eternity," Issei encouraged.

"Yes, yes we do," Aza agreed, nuzzling into his shoulder as she unmelded from the table and crawled into Issei's lap.

They sat there for a long time, basking in one another's presence, peaceful and content, and all was right in the universe.

Literally, as far as most were concerned.

"So," Issei started softly in her ear.

Aza hummed in question but didn't open her eyes.

"What were you saying earlier, about giving me space to act as King?" Issei reminded curiously.

"Oh. Right, that," Aza said absently, opening her eyes as she traced unspeakable runes on Issei's chest. "I just wanted to give it time, so no one treats you like you're my...I don't know a good human word for this. I didn't want them to treat you like you're just the Queen's husband instead of the King of the Eldritch."

"Okay," Issei acknowledged. "And?"

"And I'm bad at reading a Euclidean room, Issei," Aza reminded. "Do you think they got the message?"

"Oh yeah. I think they're treating me like you, but...more approachable? Less terrifying in the objective sense?" Issei mused.

Aza was not insulted by that description. "Would you mind me joining you?"

"I mean, you ARE the queen, you literally don't need my permission," Issei remarked.

"I kind of sort of do," Aza said, sighing as she sat up to face him properly. "Issei, everyone is following your lead on this. I don't need your permission, no, but I don't want to mess this up because, again, I can't read an Euclidean room."

Issei mulled that over. "So what you're saying is I'm basically in charge of diplomacy?"

"Yep!" Aza agreed with a wide smile.

"Does that make Yidrah my secretary?" Issei in amusement. "Because we know it's not Yog."

"Yog is the secretary, and we loath it to be true," Aza corrected knowingly.

"Dammit," Issei said with mock annoyance as he looked up at the ceiling, hands idly on Aza's hips. "You're friends with Akeno. I think including you is a good thing. Cause, well..."

"Hmm?" Aza tilted her head.

"I think you have a better shot at making friends with the Devils and the rest than with the most normal humans," Issei reminded.

"It is true. I have never felt the urge to melt the minds of any of the devils so far," Aza agreed with a casual consideration. "Though, Asia is wonderful."

"Asia is too good for this or any world," Issei retorted bluntly. "Are we sure she isn't an angel?"

"I know you don't mean that literally, but no, she's not," Aza said with a giggle. "So, shall we...?"

Issei smirked, gripping her rear firmly against him as he stood up, holding her up as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

"I think it's time we moved onto the desert," Issei agreed as he led Aza to the bed.

By Aza's famished look, she agreed.

Timeskip

La'gussun, AKA Lag Kishu, was currently taking a nap on his motorcycle. Or rather, the motorcycle that was his steed-half in disguise. Anyone who passed by would think him irresponsible, as the engine appeared to be on and idling. In truth, that was his horse-half sharing his impatience. Humans had such a strange priority with time. Three thousand years was too soon to end a society, but a few hours early was too soon to go to class.

The motorcycle turned its front end on its own, and Lag opened one eye to watch what happened.

"We're going to win, Issei!" Aza cheered as she rode on his back while he ran down the streets.

Just behind them was Nctosa, riding on the back of Nctolhu. Both seemed rather unbothered by their potential loss.

Lag furrowed his brows. "Is that a human mating ritual or something? Is that why they say "riding" when they mean fucking?"

His motorcycle rumbled in mutual confusion.

"Well, that's probably my cue," Lag reasoned as he rose off the bike. "Try not to eat any more of Time, or Space for that matter."

The motorcycle revved itself in response.

"I know Shub doesn't mind. Just like you know Yog doesn't care, she still hates when we do that," Lag reminded gruffly. "This is why I hate being in two halves. You're the half of me with no self-control."

Now it revved even louder.

"Oh don't start that again," Lag said as he walked off to school.

Meanwhile, all the students in the schoolyard looked to the entrance as Aza whooped in victory, now on the ground and hugging Issei. Off to the side, Nctolhu sat on the ground, taking deep breaths with her sister leaning over her.

"We lost, Sister," Nctosa remarked. "You are much slower with legs."

"Snake tails are better. They're like tentacles for walking," Nctolhu remarked, calm despite her exertion.

"Well, looks like they're having fun," Motohama said in resignation and betterment.

Matsuda growled to himself. "What the hell man! Why is Issei suddenly the chick magnet!?"

"Aza, the twins, Asia the Italian Angel," Motohama listed off in envy.

"You know I heard people saying they've seen him talking with all kinds of hotties! Like Rias and Akeno, even the School Prez!" Matsuda bemoaned.

"Okay, let's be real, that last one was probably scolding him for something," Motohama reasoned. "That said- THAT DAMN TRAITOR! Who does he think he is, leaving us behind in the desolation of virginity while in a paradise of babes?!"

"I wouldn't mind, you know, if he put in a good word for us or some of the other girls might be giving us shots. But no, they still don't recognize our rizz, they just steer clear of Issei because his girl has got a nasty bark when her man is being slandered by harpies," Matsuda commented.

"Not to mention there's that biker guy that just walked in. He acts like he works for Aza or her family or something. He also looks like he'd probably throw us through a window if we upset the lovely couple somehow," Motohama bemoaned.

"Oh come on, we can take him. He's probably just some half-ass bully that gets by on acting touch and looking a bit scary," Matsuda suggested boldly. "Come on, Issei needs a bit of humbling. Bro hardly sees or talks to us anymore, like he's too good now that he's got a chick."

"What do you want to do, humiliate him or something on a date?" Motohama asked dubiously.

"Something like that," Matsuda said with a chuckle. "Or maybe put out an embarrassing photo across the school of him. Something to end his good streak and remind him we still exist."

Motohama hummed in thought.

Meanwhile

Deep in a realm that never had and never would exist, Nyarlathotep reclined on a throne made of twisted and malformed flesh, the mouths groaning and eyes weeping from the utter agony of its misfortunate existence…a soft lullaby to the Black Pharaoh's ears.

She gazed through space and time with an insane yet relaxed grin, peering across the void of reality to watch her mother enjoying herself with her beloved. But Nyarly wasn't focused on them. No, they were the peaceful center around which a massive storm would form.

All around them, was so much potential for chaos, so many weaving paths that led to places even Yog could not notice. The unlikely, improbable, hidden paths that were in Time's own blind spot. Like how a human could be staring right at a picture and never find Waldo even if he was Right In Front of Them.

Wars, betrayals, disasters, and more were all just around the corner, every corner. Further and further, only the Will of the Kungur held the fragility of peace and safety intact.

It was nearly impossible, even by those hidden paths, that Issei would ever turn his back on that notion, that he would take war to the creatures of Earth. But oh, if he did, what a sight that would be, what an orchestra he could conduct.

Oh well, one day some other world would provoke the royal ire, and the Eldritch God that human was, is, and will be. After all, the only thing as infinite as eternity was the brazen stupidity of mortals.

"What an interesting Kungur you are becoming, Issei Hyoudou," she whispered his name teasingly.

At school, Issei glanced up curiously. He missed how Aza narrowed her eyes, but didn't glare. Yet.

"I wonder when we'll finally meet face to face, God to God, Kungur to Messenger," she purred, her own tentacles emerging to stab through her throne, eliciting screams of torture and despair, a symphony she delighted in. "I'm looking forward to it. I really am, Daddy~ "

Now it was Aza who didn't notice Issei, who was smirking a bit without realizing it as they continued on to class.

End of Chapter

I feel like this is the end of an Act right here. Issei is growing well into his new role, Aza is poking at the prospect of making new friends, and both are just utterly adorable with each other. The rest of the cosmos looks on and has thier own plans.

Still, yeah, here I actually addressed how Aza began to fall in love with Issei. Answer is, Issei has always been who he is now. Meanwhile, Nyarly is still watching on, plotting her inveitable meeting with her new "Father."

This chapter was mainly just fluffy bit of Issei and Aza bonding as a romantic pair, but I kindo f loved it for that reason.

Early viewing of chapters 27-28 avaliable on my pat-reon:

p a treon . com (slash) akumakami64