MountainBookSage25: Hahaha, we shall see ;)

Gan315: Thank you for the review and I get the mixed feelings. The idea behind the lovebird is that it doesn't mind control, rather amplifies existing feelings no matter how small. I am not going the same formula of canon where a woman having an ecchi moment through a supernatural situation automatically means they are future wives to the MC. Just because they had the scene of going after Dorian because Yura and Irina doesn't mean they are adding to the harem, they may, but it's not a certainty. Believe me when I say that any who become official loves will get more development than 1 chapter and done. As for Dorian becoming a child...I hope you enjoy the chapter as much as I did writing it. A chance for funny situations, with a touch of development for everyone. ;)

FateBurn: Thank you!

Natalie Jarrett: Yep :D Dorian finally said it to Thrud, albeit more subtly than Rossweisse given the situation. I hope you like it :D

ahsoei: Precisely. Kuroka, shall we say...miscalculated XD We most certainly will, it will be the first time many of the women have ever dealt with a child. They get some sneak peeks for what it's like to be mothers.

fanficcyberman: hahaha, no worry, I can't resist a good pun either XD Yes, Ratatoskr with his magically appearing items from nowhere, his clothes now courtesy of Iggy's handiwork. Your words are too kind, that is my belief that all chapters, even "filler" downtime chapters should add to a story, even in small ways. I am safe as is my family, I pray the same is true for you and you succeed in all you attempt :)

emperador sirzechs: Thank you very much! Love the profile picture :D

Supremum Rex Stulti: Hmmm, not certain why. I do hope that is just for this chapter. Was it due to something he did?

xXwolfsterXx644: Here ya go, hopefully it wasn't a long wait ;)

Spectrvs: And I'm thrilled every time I see one of your in-depth reviews :D As always I sent a full reply via PM to you but will answer general questions here. It is true, that song was stuck in my head A LOT writing this chapter XD, I just knew I had to get a cutesy romance-related chapter for Valentines Day. For Iggy in a Kuoh uniform...someday my friend, someday lol. And yes, I am a big Sona x Saji fan, her relegating him to brother-status in canon was such a disappointment to me. Though how he will handle now knowing that the others like him too will be tricky as unlike Issei he does not seek a harem.

In regards to DeviTube, YES! I had considered streaming, though DxD technically takes place in the early 2000s, I am sure the devils being ahead of the curve wouldnt be out of place. Everyone finding something they like and showing to others and Iggy growing in confidence for a growing crowd of fans. Not everyone will have a channel, but most if not all will at least appear on channels made by friends.

As for Yura, I doubt she'll be a major love. For the songbird, it was her crush at loving men who get dirty in a fight that came out for Dorian considering how he ends up after most fights lol. For Kuroka and the Nekoshou piece system, I suppose it'll depend on who she reincarnates...a team of powerful cat women running around bent on repopulating their species XD She would of course claim Dorian as it stands right now LOL. He'll have to deal with that when the time comes.

You stay safe too and big hugs as always my friend! :D

silverhawk88: omg XD I saw that meme years ago and now I cannot stop laughing. Just picturing Dorian doing that as the women are all dogpiling on him LOL. Thank you for that, and congrats on catching up! That is very impressive and means so much considering how long my story is now.

And with that…ONTO THE SHOW!

"What did you-!" Thrud started to shout before a finger to Kuroka's lips begged for silence, motioning to the child in her hand. "What did you do?" She whispered.

"Sage Arts!" She whispered back with a harsh tone. "I just did what I was supposed to!"

"How long were you doing it?" Rossweisse joined the muffled conversation unable to take her eyes off the child resting in her arms. "Two hours should have been sufficient for the night's allotment."

"Oh…um…well," now the nekoshou looked nervous. "I maaaayy have stayed up a bit later with it going."

"How much of a bit later?"

"I only turned it off two hours ago."

"WHAT?" Thrud and Rossweisse simultaneously shouted with utter frustration in their voice. "Why would you do that? Lord Wukong told us just adding more energy wouldn't heal him faster. With the instability of his life force, it must have disrupted his body further!"

"I thought he would make a move, how could he not!? I waited so long before I finally dozed off and when I woke up…"

The three froze as Dorian let out an echoing wail, the sound of their argument having stirred him from the fragile nap he had drifted into. Kuroka quickly started bouncing him in her arms to calm him, an act that shot a wave of jealousy through the Valkyrie pair. Rossweisse approached Kuroka with an intense stare she would not challenge, handing the infant Einherjar over to her.

"Dorian?" The emerald hair of Iggy materialized before them looking into the child's grey eyes. "Is that you?" She wiggled a finger he quickly grabbed in a surprisingly powerful grip as memories of her time growing up with him in his mind came back to her. "I've never been bigger than you before."

"Is he still in there?" Thrud looked over the child unable to deny how adorable he was. "It didn't take out his memories did it?"

"Doubtful," Iggy spoke relaying the words she could still hear from Despoina. "His memories and experiences are still there but his brain is no longer developed enough to access them. She believes if we can get him back to normal, he'll be fine."

"Is everything alright?" The voice of Irina called them to the doorway followed but what appeared to be most of the Crossroads. "We thought we heard a…baby?"

"A child?" Xenovia looked in incredulously analyzing the very thing she'd been seeking from Kiba.

"What happened?" Hecuba was next to show her confusion as more bodies funneled into the room.

"Geez, I told boss man to get to work with you ladies, but I had no idea he'd work so…" the denizen of Yggdrasil looked closely into the eyes of the baby who stared back at him for a moment before it dawned. "Boss man?"

"Dorian!?" Irina stepped forward to look at him still gripping Iggy's finger sucking on it curiously. Upon looking at the young angel, he started to giggle.

"Guess he remembers you," Ratatoskr theorized. "He technically met you first after all."

"He did," Irina smiled back waving a finger towards him that quickly seized his attention, eyes following it wherever it went.

"We must focus," Seekvaira tried to rally the distracted team even as she advanced to huddle near him with the rest. "Surely there must be some way to turn him back to norm…" She paused as Dorian released Iggy's finger, reaching out to grab a strand of the devil heiress' pale green blonde locks tugging ever so softly. Not even her stoic nature could hold against such an assault, a gentle smile appearing on her lips.

"Dorian was pretty cute as a kid," Ratatoskr had to agree, aptly dodging attempts of him to grab his tail. "His own scurry will be lady killers and seductresses one and all."

"We do need to get him back to normal," Hecuba held the strongest composure among them all. "Perhaps another application of Sage Arts?"

"Wouldn't work," Thrud shot a death glare at Kuroka. "Too much of a good thing, who knows what more could do to his core. Maybe we can reach out to Lord Wukong."

"Or Lady Freyja!" Rossweisse offered.

"Azazel may have an idea."

"Maybe he'll revert back on his own?"

"Or he has to age back naturally!"

The options and input of advice bombarded one after another, the collected group growing even closer. The women were so entranced by the young Dorian and engrossed in ideas to fix him that they did not notice the tears slowly starting to swell on his face. What at first had been smiles of curiosity slowly faded as his lips started to tremble. At last, the dam broke as another powerful cry blasted their ears. This time no amount of bouncing or coos from Rossweisse would help, the sobs persisting finally bringing the others to silence.

"It's okay, it's okay," Rossweisse tried to soothe him to no avail. "Please don't cry, we'll get you fixed up right as…"

"That's not the problem," Bennia approached through the crowd, looping her hands beneath Dorian's head and body supportingly as she snatched him from Rossweisse's grip down to her level. "You're overwhelming him!" She shot a glare at all the group, causing them to shirk back. "You have to give him space, let him breathe. Don't they little guy? Yes, they do…yes they do!"

Like a miracle, Dorian had stopped crying, giggling once more as the grim reaper made one ridiculous face after another. She seemed to have no end to the expressions she could make, each one bringing a new smile to him. Within a matter of moments, Dorian appeared to have calmed down, his face glancing to and fro as if everything were new to him and was fascinated by it all.

"Okay, we bought some time," Bennia's tone had gone quiet. "At least until he gets hungry or needs a change."

"Dibs on not getting that job, and who knew you were secret super mom?" Ratatoskr poked at her shoulder with pride. "Got any other ideas?"

"Well…just one," without warning Bennia seized Ratatoskr, holding him close to the child despite his protests. "Heya, you want a teddy squirrel?"

"I am NOT A…" Ratatoskr's complaints were lost as Dorian seized him around the waist, pulling him close and nuzzling up against him comfortably. To their amazement, his eyes grew heavy, Dorian cooing adorably before drifting back into Bennia's arms with Ratatoskr still seized tightly in his grip while gently stroking his fluffy tail. "And how long will I be like this?"

"Until he lets go, and now you won't need to be the one to change him," she smiled back like the cat who had eaten the canary. "Buy us some time."

"I can call home to Asgard," Thrud offered. "I am sure Lady Freyja would be willing to assist. Until then…we will have to make do."

"In that case, everyone!" Hecuba raised her voice to the group currently watching. Taking on a stance as if she were addressing a column of Spartans, she started pacing between them with hands behind her back. "We will need to work together, until we receive some backup…Dorian's well-being is in our hands!"

The collected team rose their hands prepared to give a cheer of agreement, quickly realizing the issue with that as Bennia stared daggers into them. For the moment, silence needed to reign. They could only imagine how confusing this must have been for the young child.

Within Dorian's Subconscious…

"It certainly is emptier in here…and smaller," Despoina sighed in boredom. Ever since Dorian had reverted to a child, the greater part of his memories and faculties were sealed off. Even she could not access them without overloading his now infant brain. At present, all she could do was wait. "They get to see you out there; I see you in here."

Despoina smiled softly as the memories of Dorian's all-too brief youth passed in front of her eyes. A little blonde boy held in the arms of a woman with matching curly hair but blue eyes. Every so often a man with dark hair and familiar grey eyes would appear to play with the child and kiss his wife. It all looked so quaint and normal to her, no past that anyone in the supernatural world would consider anything special.

Like my own childhood I suppose, Despoina was pulled back into images of her own past living with the last Titan in that small cave. Despite the hard times, she'd been happy, all before that fateful day Zeus had shown up. But that wasn't really me, not truly. I'm just an echo of the real Despoina in Elysium with her own Dorian.

Barely realizing it, she reached out her hand towards the image before her, the curly-haired woman spinning in circles seeming to calm the infant in her arms. The former goddess' fingers passed through the memory, reminding her where she was. She recoiled her fingers with a silent chastising that she knows better.

Just an echo, but if his mind is smaller now, maybe I can see…

"Has he said anything?" She suddenly saw a pair of adults whispering in a shadowed office. A small boy with golden hair sat in the chair nearby they thought couldn't hear them, but due to the memory being present had clearly been mistaken.

"None professor," the woman sighed. "Not since the funeral, he does his work and his grades are average, but he hasn't even tried to interact with the other children."

"Going through such loss at a young age, I suppose we can't begin to know where he is right now. The best we can do is to be there for the boy."

"Leave it to me sir," the young assistant teacher insisted, pushing up her glasses. "I supervise most of his classes, I'll keep an eye on him."

With a nod, the older teacher bid her good day, the woman only then wandering up to the boy who didn't react to her presence.

"Hi Dorian," she whispered softly with a heartwarming smile that revealed none of the worry in her heart. "My name is Ms. Lily."

What is with him and women named after flowers? Despoina found herself more interested by the moment. A twinge of guilt hit that she was viewing these memories even she hadn't looked at before, but she couldn't help it. Up until then, she had stuck to his older life right before Kuoh and the flashes of the nightmares he and Iggy shared. She could only surmise that being reduced in age had flushed these ones to the surface.

"Hi," the tiny Dorian meekly replied, curling himself up in his chair.

"We have rooms ready for you with the others. Do you want to go?" She held out a hand to him.

"I like it here," he barely whispered, settling into his position a little more securely.

"It is a nice seat," she tried to play along to make him feel more comfortable. "We spared no expense; I have one at home too."

"It's not that, I saw mom and dad here before we left," he half sniffled to clarify what he meant. "Before we got in the car. Maybe if I stay here, they'll come back."

Not even Despoina could resist wiping a tear at that line only a child could have uttered in earnest. She didn't even realize she shed the tear at the same time as Ms. Lily in the memory.

"I wish that was true," she knelt beside his desk. "If you would like it, I can sit with you until you are ready to go."

Dorian finally looked up at her with his small grey eyes, the first time she could recall him looking at her since the accident. Without a word, he nodded, accepting her hand at last. It was so much smaller than hers. Despoina was utterly entranced as it was clear the woman had no desire to go anywhere until the boy was ready.

But even then, he wasn't wholly alone. Despoina smiled as from her perspective only she saw a little girl the same height as Dorian with short green hair hugging him from behind. The young daughter of ash who walked by his side even when he never knew. You didn't get to be a kid very long Dorian, perhaps this is a blessing in disguise, even if only for a short time.

Crossroad Tower, later…

"This building is ill-prepared for a child!" Hecuba glanced with a look of suspicion wherever she looked. The young Spartan was in the middle of scrambling some eggs, one of the few foods she deemed soft enough for him to eat at such a young age. "Watch him at all times, ensure he is safe and…"

"Awww, he likes my hair," Iggy ruffled her hair in front of Dorian as Hecuba continued her speech despite the others barely paying attention. The Valkyrie trio were already sprawled out exhausted, having volunteered for first watch and quickly regretted it. The child reached out with each wave of the strands, beguiled by the color. "He is very insistent."

"Perhaps this will entertain him," Seekvaira held up a small remote control, flipping the switches whirring it to life. "I built it myself."

From around the corner, a small robot not even as tall as Dorian rolled out on a pair of wheels. It looked like one of the box-shaped robots stereotypical to most sci-fi movies made decades earlier albeit with flapping wings clearly inspired by her favorite mecha-anime. Under her careful guidance, she drove it in circles around the infant. Catching his attention, the giggling child started crawling to give chase, freeing Iggy to stand for the first time in what felt like hours. The entire time, he still refused to release the captive Ratatoskr grumbling in his arms.

"Should we tell the others?" Irina asked from behind the counter. "Maybe the devils have seen something like this."

"Only if the other options fail," Hecuba paused her safety speech briefly. "Dorian may be embarrassed if this spreads around."

"Boy this takes me back," Kuroka lounged lazily on a railing watching over them. "Shirone was even smaller than him, I'd almost forgotten."

"Don't you think you should help," Irina motioned towards the group doing their best as the nekoshou laid around above. "This is your doing after all."

"I would love to," she threw her hands up. "But I do believe our golden Valkyrie threatened a few broken bones if I did anything to make it worse. That being said," her pupils dilated as she looked him over closer. "If I'll have a few brats someday, I should study."

"Having children is a blessing!" Irina asserted, holding her arms out in a grand gesture. "A sign of love between the parents."

"And proof they got busy at least once," she never tired of Irina's flushed expression. "I guess I always figured I'd get others to raise them once they were around."

"And miss out on mothering them?" Irina looked appalled. "Then what is the reason to have them?"

"Having more than two of us for one thing." Kuroka swished her tail looking down at the group below, her eyes focused as if she truly were contemplating the question posed by the young angel deeper than she let on. "I do enjoy being a big sister, how much more different could acting like a mother be?

Below them, Dorian had finally caught up to the robot with a little help from Seekvaira slowing it down to give him a chance. He picked up the strange object, waving it around before clutching it close alongside Ratatoskr like a prized possession.

"Greedy fella aint ya boss?" Rat groaned as he pushed against the metal construct. "You want the best toy and everything else you can get your hands on, there is no stopping you at this rate."

"Never fear, I am here!" With most of the Crossroads scattered across the room, none had heard the door to the Bifrost open. Ajuka Beelzebub along with the Goddess of Life and Queen of Asgard stood in the frame smiling with a cheerful wave, Zepar beside her.

"It seems I was the only one who heard our guests," he pushed up his glasses with a sigh. "Lady Freyja heard the request for assistance."

"And how could I stay away?" She asked with a smile, practically gliding across the room. "Thrud sounded very worried about Dorian in her missive. Is he available?"

"Not quite," Rossweisse emerged from above, having been seeking any extra diapers in their myriad of supplies. She pointed down to the child cradling his squirrel companion.

"Oh my!" Freyja practically bolted past the Satan, somehow teleporting across the room with stars in her eyes. "And whoever is this little one? Who is the lucky mother?"

The room grew utterly silent, none certain how to begin in the complicated explanation of just who she was looking upon.

Hyoudou Residence…

Issei ducked, Ascalon catching the edge of Kiba's sword of the betrayer at the last possible moment. Unlike their previous fight, he was ready for the follow-up and jumped to avoid his leg sweep before it could connect. Such had been their daily regimen, Rias intent on ensuring her pawn mastered the art of the sword given by the angel Michael. He was improving, there was no doubt of that, but other than brute power he still had a way to go to surpass Kiba in skill. With an opening now in his grasp, he swung down forcing the devil knight to block.

"Very good," Kiba complimented as he was driven to a knee, Issei's strength even in his normal form having noticeably increased. As much as he liked the improvement, there was a frustration behind Issei's swings he found unsettling. "Are you alright?"

"Sorry," Issei stood up, accepting a towel from Gasper watching to wipe down the sweat. "It's…it's just not enough. The Hero Faction, what they did to you and the others…"

"We survived, Issei," Kiba placed a hand on his shoulder, understanding the intensity of Issei's combat. "Don't dwell on what could have been, that seldom ends well."

"But I have to!" The Red Dragon Emperor insisted. "If things had happened any differently, you and Catherine, Irina and the others would be dead! I WON'T let that happen, not even a chance!"

"You aren't alone," Gasper tried to quell the anger they could sense in their friend's voice. "We fight together! It's just as much our responsibility too." It was new for Gasper to venture so close while sparring, his cardboard box abandoned in the next room. It was a welcome sight. "Focus on other things, wouldn't you rather talk about breasts?"

Kiba let out a chuckle at those words, the two knowing Issei far too well after so many months together since his becoming a devil. Whatever memories they all shared of their adventures since joining Rias' peerage, they had this time together.

"Kiba has been doing better than me it seems," Issei pouted jealously with a glance. "Are you and Xenovia ever NOT together? Then there's Catherine spending so much time with you, and Tsubaki talking to others according to Saji. Since when are YOU after a harem?"

"It was not my intention," Kiba tried to defend himself with raised hands and an awkward smile. "I had never planned to seek such things, but…"

You are a weapon and a man, find a balance, the advice of Hecuba during the battle with Kokabiel echoed in his mind. He wasn't quite sure what she had meant then, was that it? One way he could be a man and not just a weapon for fighting. And they are both wonderful, I feel almost normal when with them, especially Xenovia.

"But then of course there is Rias and Asia who spend time with you Issei," he countered before his thoughts could dwell on it too much. "I do not see how I am faring better than you!"

"I'm her Pawn," Issei explained. "I am sure she hasn't shown me anything more than you two."

"She has never used her healing talents on me as she did you, nor any others in the peerage."

"She…what?" Issei was surprised by Kiba's words. His first day as a devil he'd awoken in bed with a naked Rias, the devil heiress utilizing her knowledge of magic to heal him using her body. As jubilant as he was getting to see her in such a state, he had assumed such a technique was used for each of her pieces. More than once he had fantasized about her using it on Akeno, Asia or even Catherine and Koneko. "Are you sure?"

"She never used it on me," Gasper supported his statement. "That was just for you Issei."

Just for me? The President reserved that ability to use only on me and no one else? But if that is true…

"Did someone say my name?" Rias emerged around the corner with Koneko by her side. "My ears are burning."

"President!" Issei snapped to attention. "We were just…"

"Taking a short rest," Kiba stepped in for his friend. "He is improving quite well."

"I had no doubt, well done all of you. Issei," she focused on her pawn. "I will need you for a contact today."

"Me?"

"Yes, apparently the summoner is not fond of magic circles so I must travel on foot. Your bike is quite comfortable I have heard from Koneko." The nekoshou Rook glanced to the right as if hoping Rias wouldn't have mentioned she said such a compliment. Issei was touched.

"How long until the meeting?"

"Immediately, Kiba you are relieved for the day while we are out. Koneko will take over training with Gasper."

"I'll get my bike!" Issei hopped to his feet with that smile he was famous for. Rias handed him a map with directions he seemed to recognize. "You won't be late for the contract, I swear! There is even a little ice cream parlor right next door, we can get some after you are done."

"That sounds lovely," Rias beamed at him at his forward thinking as he disappeared to acquire his bicycle still set up inside. With the new house upgrades he had a special garage just for it. "The rest of you have fun."

"We will!" Kiba assured her as she left to follow her Pawn. "She looks happy, it is good to see her like this."

"Amazing that perv can do it," Koneko let her stoic demeanor slip just a little. "But he has done so much in the short time he's been here; I'll need to keep up now that he's stronger than me. Thrud and big sis have taught me so much."

Big sis? She is calling Kuroka that now so casually.

"If I didn't know better, I'd say you are starting to admire him," Gasper chirped up, surprised that Koneko didn't look more insulted at his observation.

"Yea well, don't let him hear that…or else."

"Or else?" Gasper's ears lowered as Koneko turned to him. Her face was flat as ever and yet there was an aura of coy malice rivaling Kuroka hiding behind it. His eyes shot wide as she revealed her hands which until then had been behind her back. "GARLIC!"

The young vampire took off running as Koneko gave chase holding a large clove of garlic in front of her. Originally used to incentivize him to take their training seriously, Koneko had taken to showing up with the dreaded vegetable to chase after the young man.

It certainly gets him a good workout, Kiba thought as they ran laps around the grounds. If I had never seen it before, I'd almost think she was teasing him.

Dorian's Mind…

If she didn't know better, Despoina would have never guessed this boy she witnessed was the same man she had met in Olympus and now led a task force of many mythologies. Despite the promising first day of Ms. Lily extending a hand to him, he was withdrawn, antisocial and barely did anything not required. He continued to wait at his desk long after classes had ended even as the year rolled on and the next even though he surely knew what the finality of death meant by then. Ms. Lily spared as much time as she could for him, even sharing lunches with him when her busy scheduled allowed it. She was one of the only ones he spoke to anymore.

"Your grades are improving," Ms. Lily smiled as he bit into a peanut butter sandwich. "I am so proud."

"Thank you," the now 9-year-old Dorian smiled softly. "I missed you yesterday."

"Sorry about that," her expression grew more awkward as if she were picking her words carefully. "I had a date, I went out with another of the assistant teachers," she explained further at his confused look.

"Ooooh, was he nice?"

"Not as nice as I thought," she sighed. "You won't have to worry about me seeing them again."

"Oh, sorry."

"Don't be, there's that special someone for everyone out there."

"Like you are to me?"

"Not exactly," she chuckled at how wide his eyes had grown at those words. "I saw you helping Matthew, that was nice of you." She had watched him point to the child in the seat next to him on how he was adding the numbers together instead of multiplying them as they had switched levels the previous week.

"I barely said anything," Dorian mumbled quietly. "I just didn't like seeing him get it wrong. You did the same for me, I…I wanted to do it too."

"Maybe you'll be quite the teacher someday," she chuckled. "We could work together."

"Like you?" His eyes focused forward intently as if he were trying to bore a hole in the desk in front of him. "Is it hard?"

"It's a lot of work," she admitted. "But I can't think of anything more fulfilling than helping others find their way in life. "I've been wanting to do it since I was your age."

"Helping others…" he muttered which taking another bite of his sandwich. He couldn't get enough of them, since Ms. Lily had started making them it had become the majority of his diet.

So here is your first muse, Despoina thought as she dangled her feet off the nearby desk, having decided to enter the memory herself for a closer look. The one who showed you a path when you had been lost before. If we ever meet her, I'll have to shake her hand myself. What a wonder it is that a simple schoolteacher could have been responsible for getting you where you needed to be.

In the Tower…

"I must say Rossweisse," Freyja smiled as she cradled the blonde baby in her arms. "You hid the signs, even I had no idea and that is no easy feat. Did you use his Roads to cut down on the time for the rest of us? You hid your belly well."

"LADY FREYJA!" Rossweisse sputtered while keeping her voice down. "Th-that is not my son or Dorian's, that IS Dorian."

"Dorian?" She lifted the baby closed peering into his face despite the eyes being closed. After a few moments, a switch seemed to flip as she realized the truth. The smile on her face only grew as she held him closer. "So he is, I thought he'd have been a bigger child." The lack of surprise in her voice made the Valkyrie wonder if she'd been teasing her a moment before. "No need to cry little one," her voice turned into a majestic song in the ancient language of Vanaheim none in the room knew save her. Dorian did not stir except for the smallest of yawns.

"Application of Sage Arts beyond expected threshold, counter source required to reset his life force and physical matrix back to previously established parameters," Ajuka was muttering behind them, most barely able to understand half of what came out of his mouth. "I might be able to whip something up, but the variables must be identical to when it occurred in order for the anomaly to be reversed."

"Um…what?" Thrud asked with a tilt of her head. Most of the rest of the team had cleared out of the room to give him some air, all the same she had refused to leave.

"He has to be asleep," Rossweisse spelled it out. "For the same amount of time he was when this change occurred. The rest of us in the same place as last night."

"Here, take this," Freyja handed a camera to a very confused looking Ajuka. "A few pictures, no flash or I won't forgive you easily. That will not be an easy feat," she returned her attention to the others as the Satan started taking photos of her holding Dorian. "Children are notoriously difficult to tire and even harder to ensure they stay tired. How long has he been asleep since you woke?"

"This is the longest he's been out," the girls pointed to him sleeping nestled between Freyja's breasts. "Before that he kept waking up."

"Well then, a schedule must be devised," the goddess of life imparted her years of wisdom mothering her own children. "Baldur was lucky to sleep longer than five hours before he was older. I remember when…oh, change the card," she got distracted upon seeing Ajuka fiddling with the camera having run out of shots. "Let's get some of the others, Thrud dear, here you go."

"What? But I'm not…" she protested, but there was no stopping the passing of Dorian into her powerful grip. Feeling like she was holding a glass doll, she carefully adjusted him so his head was supported by her arms.

"Now hold still," Freyja retrieved the camera from Ajuka and proceeded to bounce across the room trying to get every angle imaginable. It was a side of her goddess Thrud had not seen.

I wonder if she was like this when I was a baby. Father did say she visited often.

"Well, the best way to solve that is to get him to tire himself out," she continued. "Everything will seem new to him, take him out for sights, some shopping, show him all you can!"

"It's that simple?"

"Of course, Rossweisse. He can't stay cooped up in the tower, babies need input," she raised a finger knowingly. "Think of this as a crash course for the future. A mother for a day, anyone interested can help." Her eyes drifted to the side to Thrud still rocking Dorian gently.

"Not for me," the daughter of thunder sighed with a hint of disappointment. "Being gentle isn't exactly my thing. I doubt I would make a good moth…"

Dorian's cooing interrupted her, having woken up slightly he was nuzzling closer to her bosom, tucking his head between them and her arm looking very content. Thrud was utterly baffled at how comfortable he seemed.

"Shows how much you know," Ratatoskr called down from above, having been freed when Freyja had taken over and Dorian relaxed his grip. "With those muscles of yours I doubt he could find a more secure embrace in this building."

"He feels…safe with me?" She looked down, unable to prevent a smile from spreading across her face.

"Then it's settled!" Freyja clasped her hands together. "We will all work to make him as happy as possible today to burn through his energy. I can…"

"We had a full schedule Lady Freyja," Ajuka gripped her collar, pulling the goddess back as the hint of tears starts to form at her disappointment. "We have overstayed as it is, Michael has patience, but it is not infinite. You have given your advice, the rest can handle it."

"But…but," she tried to argue but there was no winning. Going limp, she allowed the Beelzebub to pull her away but made him work for it. "I transported some bottles into the fridge!" She called back as she was dragged off. "Plenty for the next day or two but don't spoil him too much! Be patient with the boy, oh and don't stay out too late, also…" The last words were lost in the flash and pop of the Bifrost activating.

"Sooooo," Ratatoskr awkwardly segued as the leaders were pulled away. "Who is going to take first shift?"

Thrud and Rossweisse looked to each other, only then noticing with their departure that other members of the Crossroads had peeked their heads inside eyeing them. They could not help but be a bit envious of Dorian, only just now stirring a little with a tiny yawn within Thrud's loving embrace. He clung a little tighter to her for the security, a fact missed by the others. His coos of unease called out, but they didn't understand…the anxiety spiking when his gaze fell upon a carved shield hanging on the back wall depicting the 7-headed monstrosity he had made those many months before.

Kuoh Town, hours later…

"Do you get contracts like that often?" Issei asked Rias currently sitting on the back of his bike as they pedaled through the streets of Kuoh. "Mine are all mostly anime fans or want simple jobs done."

"There is a reason I requested to handle this one," Rias licked her fingers with a satisfied expression. "I could do that all day. It's a shame he didn't have more boxes."

In her arms, Rias held a small stack of containers sealed for freshness. They had spent the better part of three hours taste testing every confection their contract summoner could think of. Their path had led them to a small bakery recently opened and struggling to find its footing. In a moment of desperation, the owner had contracted for a devil to come by and provide their feedback on his creations. To Rias' delight, she had spotted the request first and chose to go in person, seeing it as the perfect opportunity to share some time with Issei. They were superb, well worth helping keep the shop open. She'd be sure to have its name spread throughout Kuoh Academy and her contacts as per the deal.

"One box for me, the rest for the others," Rias smiled while leaning into Issei's back, the young Pawn stiffening as he felt her breasts press into him. "That sounds fair right?"

"A whole box Pres?" He stuttered trying to remain focused on the road.

"Well, there has to be some perks to being king," she winked. "Like getting to spend the day with someone special."

"Me?" Issei dared to ask. Normally he would have dismissed it as spending time with her valuable Pawn who had done so much for her.

"Who else would it be?" She leaned right up to his ear. "You have only known of our people barely half a year but have done so much, gained so much strength. You are extraordinary Issei, the best Pawn."

"And I'll prove it against Sairaorg!" He promised. "I'll make you a champion and prove I'm the strongest pawn!"

"This will be a big opportunity for us all," Rias explained as the wind rustled her crimson hair. "After this we can officially start competing in true rating game matches. Lots of influential people in the Underworld will take notice then."

"Like Sairaorg's benefactors?" She nodded. "Wow, we'll be famous, just think all the women of the Underworld who'll be watching!" He didn't notice his King's expression flatten at those words.

Your harem dreams. Oh Issei, am I not enough to look upon?

"Kiba told me about that Diehauser guy who is the best of the best. If we can top him, then we…hey, is that Rossweisse?"

The pair came to a stop, drifting behind a corner to peer around. Sure enough, the silver hair was unmistakable, even more so as they spotted the strawberry-blonde locks of Thrud on her left. Rias gasped with eyes growing wide as she saw the item between them. In front of the pair, they were pushing an Asgard-styled baby stroller, complete with a nine realm mobile, with an infant inside. The blonde child was wide-eyed staring left and right taking in the sights around him. It looked like everything drew his wonder to which he could not get enough.

"Who is the kid?"

"I don't know," Rias narrowed her vision, the events of the morning having been kept secret from the rest of the Hyoudou household. "But that hair looks like…"

"They're heading towards the street fair," Issei noted the three disappearing towards the crowd slowed only by passersby waving at the child. "They'll get away!"

"Not on our watch, come on Issei. I want to see what they're up to."

Not Far…

"What a sweet little one."

"Is he your first?"

"He has your eyes."

"Will his father be by later?"

Such questions bombarded the two women as Rossweisse and Thrud pushed Dorian in the stroller through the street fair. With the Autumn Harvest time upon them, dancers and vendors had taken to the streets to sell their wares. The pair of would-be mothers aimed for the performers first with Dorian's eyes wider than they had ever seen them.

"He quite likes the masks," Rossweisse chuckled as he nearly pulled the horns off an actor who leaned too close.

"Of course, you think those would be scary after what we've been through?" Thrud knelt to hand Dorian a small lollipop. He quickly latched onto it sucking greedily at the sugary treat. "We keep this up and he'll sleep for a week."

"I wonder where the others went," Rossweisse glanced through the crowds. They had not been alone departing the towers, but the rest had scattered upon reaching the fair and she wondered why. "I suppose, I never thought of this sort thing before now."

"We didn't wonder on much that wasn't studies or fighting last year," Thrud agreed, what things must look like to others dawning on her. Here she was with Rossweisse pushing a baby around the town. To everyone who didn't know, Rossweisse looked like a mother, Thrud an aunt or distant relative. It was a situation she had wholeheartedly never considered yet was finding she didn't mind. "You had your work and education; I had my training to be father's successor. Everything else was…an afterthought."

A paper dragon passed by as she finished, the crimson frills blowing beautifully in the wind drawing a clap of approval from Dorian. Another behind it depicting a larger dragon with seven heads was next to approach. This one was not received so welcomingly, the infant Einherjar's lips starting to quiver as he burst out into sobs.

"Oh, it's okay," Rossweisse lifted him from the stroller to bounce over her shoulder. "It's just a dragon, you see them all the time. There there."

"This is no time for tears, see," Irina suddenly emerged from the crowd ahead of them at the first sign of his crying. "Aren't they so soft and fluffy?" Her wings were extended, the white feathers shining bright in the afternoon sun. Fortunately, everyone around seemed to believe she was dressed up for the fair, none had any idea they were real. As she hoped, Dorian reached out to caress the feathers, his tears starting to subside as she used the other to block his view of the seven-headed dragon passing by.

"How did you know to do that?"

"I didn't'," she replied humbly with a blush. "But when Dorian would go to morning masses with me he said the angel statues made him feel at peace. I hoped he'd still think that way. May I?"

"Of course," Rossweisse handed the infant to her, the angelic wings wrapping around him like a warm blanket. The silver Valkyrie cherished each moment together, all the same she was quite exhausted. Before reaching the festival, they had walked for miles, visited the light shows and gone for something to eat. Despite their busy day, he was bristling with energy, Rossweisse theorized some of his Sacred Gear may be empowering him though Freyja assured her it was energy all children possessed.

"A breather would be nice if you can give us ten minutes," Thrud took advantage of the changing of the guards. Rossweisse had sweat running down her face, clearly tired even if she wouldn't admit it.

"I can give you longer," Irina promised with a spin, keeping Dorian in motion in her arms. She meant every word as the Valkyries went off to get a quick bite from the nearby ice cream stand. "Couldn't I?" She laughed, eliciting an identical response. "There's that smile I finally got you to have." She couldn't help recalling their time together as young teens, it had taken a lot of work and attempts, but she'd finally gotten him out of his room at the university. Up until that first mass, he'd barely spoken to anyone. "You looked so sad before then, like..."

"Funny seeing you here." Her reminiscing was cut short with an unexpected visitor.

"Who is that-" Irina spun, not recognizing the voice until her eyes locked with the golden spheres of the woman behind her. "Oh, Kassumi!"

The fellow Kuoh Academy student appeared amid the crowd oddly parted around her. She still wore her school uniform despite the weekend day, her raven hair blowing in the wind as she remained utterly transfixed on Dorian.

"Helping babysit for the day?" She took a step closer.

"You could say that," she sweat-dropped at the hope she didn't have to lie. "What are you doing here?"

"Just hanging out, looking for something fun to see," she took another step closer. "My, he is a precious one, isn't he? May I hold him?"

"I think it would be best if I kept…"

"I insist."

"You insist," Irina said suddenly with a dull tone to her voice and blank eyes. In a robotic, unnatural fashion, she handed Dorian off to the woman who accepted him with a smile. "You insist."

"Look at you now," she muttered as she cooed at him, finger circling in front of his face. The baby had gone silent, watching her intently as if uncertain what to make of her. "Something else different, how many times is this now you've changed what I've seen? Is this interfering? You won't remember me anyway, nor will she. I haven't been this close since the Dimensional Gap. Oh, more guests are coming. I am afraid we must cut this short. Just keep doing what you are little one, and I'll be watching."

Not Far…

"Um, what are you two doing?" Rossweisse asked as she came upon a rather conspicuous Issei and Rias who had been hiding behind a lamppost watching Irina spin with Dorian in the distance. There was no one else near her they could see.

"Um, well," Rias stumbled with her words as they were utterly caught. "We just happened to be in the area…whose baby is that, a relative of a certain mutual friend of ours?"

Thrud and Rossweisse glanced to each other, looking away with a mutual sigh as they silently agreed it was for the best. They explained the events of the morning and what happened to Dorian.

"Irina!" They called her over, the orange-haired woman stopping her spins of joy to approach. "How was he?"

"A little angel," she teased just a bit. "He was smiling the whole time you were gone. He has so much energy."

"Oooooh, just look at him," not even Rias was immune to the effect the child had not having been around one since her nephew was little. There was no stopping her, eventually holding Dorian up as she looked him over. He reached out clumsily towards her, their smiles almost matching.

"That energy is part of the problem," Rossweisse sighed. "We need him to sleep long enough for Lord Ajuka's fix to work. But he just keeps going."

"Hmmm," Rias looked up deep in thought. "Millicas was the same when he was little. There was one activity that NEVER failed to put him down for the day. Did you pack any swimwear?"

"Swimwear?"

"Who likes toys?" Iggy emerged from the crowd holding rattles in each hand. Behind her, Hecuba showed up with a tiny cowboy hat she quickly slipped onto Dorian's head. The look of utter joy in his eyes was mesmerizing, the infant Einherjar ecstatic at the new sounds and items coming right to his grasp. In that moment, he could not have been happier were he anywhere else in the world.

Asgard…

"A few more hours wouldn't have hurt," Freyja pouted just a touch, feeling younger than she had in years. "I didn't even get a chance to give the invitation."

"Can't very well invite an infant," Odin joked with his wife in the meeting. "The old devil is quite skilled; I am sure Dorian will be right as rain by tomorrow. We can try again at the Oppai Dragon show. Our VIP tickets arrived."

"Excellent," Freyja maintained her composure despite her husband's full knowledge she had bought one piece of every merchandise related to Dorian and the High King characters. He knew well she had that date saved; Azazel having shared his plans for the character going forward. "I have some time to get these made then," she scrolled through the camera filled with photos of Dorian and the girls. She had been busy during her brief time there, having images of him in the arms of very nearly every person at the tower including a few of him crawling on the ground often pursuing Ratatoskr trying to reclaim his toy. One was quite comedic with him having grabbed the squirrel's tail, the look of terror in Ratatoskr's eyes as he was dragged back impossible to resist laughing at.

"Those may be the only photos of him as a child left," Odin mused as Freyja flipped through the images. "After his parents died, he didn't have much and what he did couldn't travel with him to the various countries. I doubt any personal effects survived the last decade."

"He will have this," Freyja leaned back with a sigh. She had gone over the information they had on Dorian when he first came to Asgard and knew her husband's words were true. "Once it is perfect, he will have something that he can show to future generations. No one should be without proof of their childhood."

"I seem to remember the tomes of Baldur's youth," he smirked back towards her. She didn't mind, it was true. Many of the thick books on the back wall of their bedroom were such albums.

"You coddle that anomaly far too much."

"Indra," Freyja felt a twitch of anger at the remark he made referring to Dorian. No one but Odin noticed the finger indentations now marring the metal glass she held. "So glad you could make it. I would mind you to watch your tongue, however."

"I am sure no insult was intended," Michael sweat-dropped a bit next to the powerful deity. They all knew that even combined; he was likely stronger than all in the room.

"I said what I meant, nothing but an anomaly could avoid my sight. He should be kept under lock and guard," Indra took a seat across from the rest. Unlike the more formal attire of the others, he wore a loose aloha shirt with sunglasses. The only parts of him that appeared more official were the jewels around his neck and his buzz-cut hairstyle. "From what I hear, he is much weaker as he is since Kyoto."

"The Crossroads are a joint force," Odin reminded Indra. "Any modifications to their composition, missions or roster must be agreed by a majority in the alliance. I can assure you neither my wife nor I have any intention of retiring Mr. Held from their ranks or restricting his movement. In ADDITION, I do believe you were quite vocal of not being officially joining our alliance. In that regard, any Crossroad information would be classified."

Freyja enjoyed Indra's silence far too much, barely able to keep the fringes of a smile down on her lips.

"Mark my words," Indra continued at last. "I heard what happened in Kyoto, had it not been a fake construct he would have killed thousands. That dragon of yours too. That will not be the last time he is in such a position. And when he does it again, I will step in myself."

"That is not the purpose of this meeting," Odin cut him off, sensing the rising aura from Freyja. "If you wish to be part of our internal talks, your people must join. I was under the impression that was why you wanted to be present. Was I mistaken and you are only interested in our information on one lone Einherjar who you remain blind to?"

"Of course not," Indra's smirk returned as he leaned back in his seat. "You were certain you could help me "weed out" the Khaos Brigade spies in my ranks?"

"Or send them running to ground," Freyja provided documents previously prepared on their findings in Heaven and the Underworld. With the departure of her last Einherjar, she had done it herself. "They are found in more conservative groups, willing to plot for years. We have devised some tactics to drive them to the surface."

"And the price of this information?"

"It WOULD be available to member mythologies," Michael spoke up. "If that could be arranged, we might discuss it now. Otherwise, other agreements and the like would be needed."

"The younger myths are getting clever in their older age," Indra looked almost proud, realizing that each of the others present were one mind in their statements. "I, on the other hand have something you may find VERY interesting."

"And what could that possibly be?" Freyja could not deny the next words opened her ears, even Michael perked up an eyebrow at the knowledge the Hindu deity and one of the top ten strongest beings of their world claimed to know.

"The location of where Katerea Leviathan's associates acquired that scepter of the old gods you recently lost; the gem perched atop it more specifically…"

Kuoh Academy…

"Are you sure he'll be okay?"

"Just hold onto him," Rias instructed from the side of the water. "Let him kick and guide but you support him. Trust me, he won't be able to get enough of it."

Rossweisse bobbed in the pool at Kuoh Academy with Thrud, the Occult Research Club and Crossroads having teleported inside even on the weekend to use it. Rias had regaled them with tales of how Millicas would sleep contentedly after trips to the Olympic-sized swimming pool their family had on their estate. The one at the school was a pale imitation, but with how small he was, they did not need much room. The silver Valkyrie shifted uncomfortably, still trying to grow used to the swimsuit Rias had lent her. It was a thin white bikini with gold rings holding the bottom on and showing off far more skin than even the one she'd worn in Alfheim. Not having brought anything from the tower she had to accept, the alternatives were even skimpier.

"A few hours here and he'll be catatonic," Akeno giggled as she walked by in her incredibly revealing purple V-shaped swimsuit. "Lemonade?" She offered a glass to her king she eagerly accepted. "And you?"

"Th-thank you," Asia accepted one of her own. Every girl present had their own bikini showing off their frame and beauty. Issei, who was swimming in the distance, was hard-pressed to avert his eyes only when they spotted him.

"He never changes," Rias smiled with a sip of her drink.

"He can, when he wants to," Asia whispered with a note of pride towards Issei. The sudden shift in tone drew Rias' glance.

"Oh?"

"In Kyoto," she struggled to find her words. "He was different the night before the battle. We just sat for hours when his potential came back. It was…nice"

A splash shook the soft ambiance between them as Issei did a cannon ball into the pool. The rippling waves reached the floating trio, Dorian giggling as the waters splashed into him. Iggy inched closer but remained sitting on the edge soaking her feet, the young spirit not having ever attempted to swim since taking a physical form.

"Different how?"

"I don't know, it was almost like when he saved me against Raynare. We felt so close, even closer than when we are in the same bed."

"That's pretty close," Rias commented with a raised eyebrow.

You were so lucky to be there, she sighed without showing her outward emotions. He sees you as someone so close, while I am his king. I won't give up, I may prefer Issei to look at me alone despite his dream, but I don't mind him looking at you too Asia. We are closer than sisters, one day I am sure…

"I-I've been practicing!" Asia blurted out mid-thought. "I can fight during the Rating Game without being a burden!"

"Like your bodyguard?" Rias glanced over to Rassei, the blue dragon sitting on a nearby chair lounging in the sun. The small drake had grown since she bonded with him in the forest now nearly twice his original size. He was no fire drake or anything close to those stronger species found in the Dragon Mountains, but Rias was certain she had seen a burp of lightning previously. A good sign for him. "Sairaorg removed all restrictions, that includes on the use of familiars in combat. I hear his knight even has a mount."

"I don't know," she grew meek again. "I wouldn't want him to get hurt."

"He's your familiar, a rather impressive one for his age. He'll have to get his feet wet eventually; he can't be losing to squirrels all the time." The pair shared a chuckle remembering Ratatoskr's headlock of the poor dragon at their first meeting. "We'll win this," she took Asia's hand in a moment of gentleness to her Bishop. "We have our strength, the strongest servants…and him."

"He has grown so fast; I hope I can keep up."

"Don't try to keep up, try to pass him," Rias winked as she slid her sunglasses on. "It'll keep him on his toes. He is our trump card, but it takes a full deck to win. Especially against Sairaorg who is a trump card all his own. You mentioned that training of yours?" Asia nodded, having had a breakthrough during her studies with Azazel to help the other Twilight Healing users. "In that case, I have a plan for you in the match…"

In the Pool…

"He is losing steam," Rossweisse whispered after they had spent a good bit of time in the waters. As Rias promised, Dorian seemed to be unable to contain himself or calm down, burning off energy by the second even while just being held in her arms. She welcomed his tired state, having already had to reclaim her top a half dozen times after he pulled it off while more energetic.

"His younger self is more honest about that," Ratatoskr teased before diving beneath the water to escape her wrath.

"Do we lose this energy as we get older? Thrud mused as she floated up beside Rossweisse to coo at Dorian a little bit, her breasts pressing against her shoulder. She had selected one of the skimpier suits Rossweisse feared to wear, being little more than crimson patches and strings. The young goddess was always the bolder between them. "Or do we just reallocate it?"

"I-I don't know," Rossweisse grew tense, realizing they were alone in the center of the pool. Issei was off on the other side as Iggy watched from a distance and the rest were lounging at the far side. With Ratatoskr's retreat, they were utterly alone. If she was going to say something, now was the time. "I don't hate you for loving him too, I never could."

"Rossweisse," Thrud spoke silently hoping to not disturb Dorian. "I know you heard him yesterday. How can you be so…calm about this?"

"More than one love is not unique to the devils," she interrupted. "I love Dorian but, I love you too, we always swore to be there for each other. How is this so different? I've never seen you look at another man like you do him."

"Well, maybe an Einherjar or two before…" she tried to joke but realized it was falling on deaf ears. "He just brings out the best in me, how does he do that?" She stroked a lock of blonde hair from Dorian's face, the baby reaching out for her hand again. "He grows stronger and stronger but remains kind and himself. I can see being with him beyond just fighting."

Though I quite enjoy the fighting too, she had to admit. Especially when he's able to actually overpower me at full strength.

"Then be yourself," Rossweisse persisted. "I hadn't seen this side of you in years before he came. I…I want you to be happy. If you would be with Dorian, then don't hold back. I truly mean that."

Together with him, and Rossweisse? Maybe I could have one like this, she tickled Dorian's cheek, his eyes finally starting to droop at last. No rush after all.

"Maybe, thank you Rossweisse," she leaned in more against the silver Valkyrie, hands squeezing her shoulders just a little bit tighter. Surprising them both, she kissed her on the cheek though quickly switched back to Dorian to alleviate the awkward ambiance between them. "Think he can understand us?"

"I don't see how, Iggy said his mental faculties were a baby's, no long-term memory yet. If he can, well…we can think on that later."

"What will your answer be Dorian Held," Thrud nuzzled her nose as he finally closed his eyes. "When you hear how the two of us have joined forces to share a place in your heart?"

Dorian's Mind…

"Look at you all grown up," Ms. Lily patted Dorian on the back, now 12-years-old as he stood at the entrance to a plane already in the process of boarding. "The chaperone will be onboard, and I made sure to pack your favorite." The smell of peanut butter could still be smelled wafting from the bag in her hands.

Dorian didn't look like he had changed much in the intervening years. Other than being now nearly as tall as the young teacher, his eyes still had a dull expression. It actually disheartened her to see what he had been like in the past before meeting her. The intervening years had not been kind to Ms. Lily, the tan lines of a now-missing wedding band still visible on her finger. Dorian never learned the details, that information not found anywhere in his memories.

He wanted to make her proud, even if that meant leaving her. Good to see some of him was around even back then.

"I don't know," Dorian shuffled nervously. "Are you sure about this?"

"This is a wonderful opportunity!" She blurted out, her voice breaking just a bit in contrast to her words. "A chance to study at a different school in countries around the world every year. And they chose you, of everyone who applied, they chose you. You should be very proud."

"I'll miss you," those words broke the dam, the teacher leaning forward to embrace him.

"And I'll miss you," she whispered. "But don't be sad, you'll find friends, make connections and grow like a weed. I just know you will. You'll be going to so many places. Rome, England, Japan…"

He never did warm up to the other kids, Despoina mused over the memories she had perused. Always alone except for her, and now…

"And next we meet, maybe we'll both be teachers," she patted him on the head, the young teen uncertain how to respond. "Please don't shun others. There are wonderful people out there, keeping yourself closed off will only hurt you. You shouldn't be hurt again."

"I…I'll try," Dorian sniffled. "And then I'll come back and see you again. Promise!"

With that final farewell, Dorian boarded the plan, Iggy skipping close behind. His last sight was Ms. Lily waving farewell, the last time he saw her. Who knows where she may have been now, still teaching in that little school? Despoina could tell, those words had stuck with Dorian all those years and the kindness she showed despite how reserved he'd been. She smiled in the knowledge that he would not be that way for long.

In barely two years he'll find himself in England…face to face with an unwaveringly chipper young woman who would crack that shell of sorrow by the name of Irina Shidou. And the rest, is history.

"You saw?" Despoina jumped as Iggy rematerialized beside her. The young daughter of Yggdrasil had been manifested physically in the real world all day; the Greek Goddess unaware she had returned.

"I did," she admitted, "that won't be a problem will it?"

"You should have asked, those were…private times."

"Because of what happened, or because they were only yours and his?" Iggy did not answer, her face flushed at the insinuation. "I won't share a word, I was just," she paused to select her words. "Curious. You haven't even discussed these with him."

"I don't want to bring up bad memories, he lived through them once and that's enough."

You want to protect him from his bad memories, just as he is doing for you now.

"Well, I can keep a secret, being the Goddess of Mystery doesn't require me to solve everything." She sat down at a table and chair that materialized in Dorian's mind complete with cups of tea, they had learned to manipulate the surrounding long ago. "Let me be your ear, don't be shy. Dorian isn't the only trustworthy soul in this tower." To her absolute joy, Iggy accepted the seat and the tea.

Crossroad Tower, later…

"Please give those back," Zepar asked with a half-defeated sigh as Dorian once again was able to claim the glasses right off his face. The young fallen angel was uncertain how the infant continued to prove faster. It almost seemed as if the constant thefts were entertaining to his transformed team leader.

"Perhaps you could try for contacts?" Akeno teased as Zepar handed him off to Rossweisse. Unable to resist it, he gave a final smile rarely seen for him before slipping out the door. "You are good with kids, I had no idea. We could..." His beloved half-fallen angel leaned in to whisper something in his ear, his cheeks flushing red in an instant.

"Okay, it's set," Ajuka promised as he connected the final wire. Before him was what appeared to almost look like a mass of solar panels facing the bed. "If you all lay as you did before, this will use the current template and extrapolate the ambient energy of the previous night. If my calculations are correct, it will restore each of you physically to how you were then. This of course would not affect any of you, but for Dorian it will be like…"

"Like a reset button?" Rossweisse finished his sentence. "Why couldn't this have been done for his aging?"

"The ambient energy is already fading in the room as it is," Ajuka tried to explain though sounded like he was making it as simple as he knew how. "In an open area like the castle, ESPECIALLY in Dimension Lost, there never could have been enough to safely revert him. Had this taken another day, even this wouldn't have been an option here. He will be as he was last night, he will still be aged."

"Thank you again," she smiled as the Satan moved to depart. "We cannot repay you enough."

"Just continue as you have been," he turned with a polite nod. "And make sure the Oppai Dragon season finale goes off without any difficulties. I hear it is highly anticipated even within my territory. The titular character would not have much to do without his arch-foe, the High King."

"Almost time," Thrud whispered to Dorian in her friend's arms. "Go to sleep, and when you wake up, you'll be back to normal. How is he still awake?"

"Barely," Rossweisse noted his flickering eyes. "We had a long day but he's still hanging on."

Is this what it's like to be a mother? She wondered with a yawn, realizing the absolute dedication required to care for one so fragile. Unbeknownst to her, she was not alone in the contemplation. So much responsibility…but all worth it. Maybe in a few years, I'll be ready.

"Leave this one to me," Kuroka held out her hands beckoning her to hand Dorian over. "Oh, come on, I won't do anything again, let me make it up a little bit." The Valkyries hesitated, but relinquished hold at the look in her eyes lacking the usual aloof expression. "Now then, settle right in," she nestled Dorian in her arms pressing him into her chest.

"Now hey…" Thrud started to advance, only to stop as Kuroka opened her mouth and started to sing with a tender voice they did not expect from her.

Sleep now little one, the day is finally done,
Adventures are winding down, troubles all are gone,
Chase your tail, fluff your ears,
There will be no more tears,

Your mother's love will see you through,
Your father's eyes to see you as his
Never doubt our love so deep…
When you go…to…sleep.

Silence settled on the room; Dorian was utterly asleep without the slightest stir. Through all his short naps, tantrums, and other activities for the day, they had never seen him so completely still, the soft rises and falls of his chest the only movement from him.

"That was beautiful," Rossweisse complimented as Kuroka slowly slipped into the bed taking up the same position she had been the previous night. Thrud and Rossweisse did the same with absolute care to not wake him. "Where did you learn it?"

"No biggie," she flipped her hand as if she meant it. "It was…just an old lullaby my mother used to sing to Shirone and I. I picked up a thing or two. Best get some sleep now, there will be a better time to talk about it."

Thrud and Dorian snuggled closer, the four in an identical pose to how they had been before. She felt Thrud's arms around her, they had been there the previous night, but it had not felt so close. The entire tower was turned in for the night, they were the last ones left.

Tomorrow, all will be back to as it was. Or will it? Rossweisse could still feel Thrud's kiss on her cheek. Things are changing around us; would it be so bad if things kept on doing that? We'll take one day at a time, she looked into the sleeping infant one more time before closing her eyes. And see what the future may bring.

Next Morning…

"I think it worked nya," Kuroka whispered. Even with Dorian's return to his previous self, she acted as she had when he was a child and continued to speak low. "I much prefer his older self."

Dorian laid peacefully in the bed, chest rising and falling in regular intervals. He had become older again, his hair with shades of grey mixed with blonde and a few wrinkles that were there far too many years early. He was older again, but the aging from overuse of his Breakdown was still present. Thrud and Rossweisse were awake as well, watching him sleep as his eyes fluttered behind the lids, dreaming.

"He will age well," Thrud pointed out failing to admit how grizzled and masculine she found his older self. With the Sage Arts they had administered, he was no longer a decrepit old man, but just past the kinder years of middle age. With more time perhaps they could even get him down to his prime.

"You two are fortunate ya know."

"Why is that?" Rossweisse glanced up curiously to their nekoshou companion.

"Well, how many women are lucky enough to get a sneak preview of their lover in his golden years? You'll get to see his entire lifetime as we get him back to his fetching younger self. Pick your favorite era and wait till he looks like that again," she winked coyly as her tail coiled up onto the bed tickling at his side.

We get to see what he'll look like for centuries to come. Einherjar aren't immortal, but they are long-lived just like Valkyries.

Thrud and Rossweisse visibly blushed at Kuroka's point, as selfish as it seemed, they'd get to see what he would grow into…and for the moment they approved.

"He's waking up!" Rossweisse noticed his fluttering eyes start to slow. "Get the illusion back up, quick!"

"Mmmmm," Dorian groaned as he sat up in the bed stretching his arms wide. Groaning, he ran fingers through his golden hair still amazed that Kuroka's magic could maintain such an illusion to allow him to retain his young appearance. From his perspective, he had gone to sleep and awoken incredibly well rested, he could not think of when he felt more energetic. "That was the best sleep I've had in…huh?"

Rossweisse, Thrud and Kuroka were seemingly fast asleep huddled together against him. He was surprised they were able to sleep so soundly as to be undisturbed from his own movements. As tenderly as he could, he eased back down into the bed, deciding to give them a few more minutes. Thinking about the upcoming Oppai Dragon shows, he failed to notice lidded eyes staring back from each of the three girls barely able to stifle their giggles at his expense. They'd 'wake up' in a few minutes and start the day, but until then they didn't see any issue with enjoying the time together warm in each other's arms.

Did you sleep well Dorian?

Like a baby, though a bit of a headache. Good morning Iggy, having a good morning?

Despoina and I had a lovely discussion, so it is a wonderful start. I am sure the others will be eager for breakfast.

That is great to hear. Huh, you know, I haven't had one in years...but I could kill for a peanut butter sandwich right about now.

Dorian returns to normal at last, the chaotic day's events finally at an end. As the women contemplate what each learned of their desire to be mothers and Despoina learns a bit more of Dorian's past, the days at Kuoh move on. The finale to the first season of the Oppai Dragon show is coming soon with Dorian and Issei set to put on the best performance possible. All of this and more is next time.

Wow, almost half a million views! I don't know what to say, I never imagined getting anything like this when I started back in 2018. From the bottom of my heart, truly thank you to everyone for reading and making this journey so worthwhile. Until next chapter, I hope everyone stays safe, Reads and Reviews...but most of all Enjoys! :D