Ch 9

A while after the Monstadt Invasion and Issei/Aether's Reunion with his Favonius Friends. Noelle and Amber got off of him, And back to where they were but still keeping eyes on him

Aether: It's been a while... 2 years...

Jean and Lisa Rushed over and hugged him immediately. Feeling his warmth in their Arm's. Aether Knowingly hugs back, feeling their breath on his skin

Jean: A-aether.... it's been so long...

Lisa: Oh Archons.... I miss you so much...

Aether Hums softly in response

Aether: I know....

The ORC Gazed at the sight. Taking in the Knights reaction to Their Friend coming back to see them

Aether: I didn't really feel like revealing myself last time for personal reasons but I feel much more comfortable now

The Two Ladies let go. Aether's gaze swings over to Kaeya, who was still frozen in shock at the sight of Aether. His Vision trying to adjust in case he's seeing Illusions

Kaeya: Aether... is that really you..?

Aether nods

Aether: Yeah... It's been a while Kaey-

Without another word, Kaeya pulled him in for an embrace, feeling Aether's nostalgic Warmth, His hand Running through Aether's golden hair

Kaeya:...

While The Girl's in The ORC Adored the emotionally innocent sight, Kiba Eye's the Dark skinned Man cautiously, feeling that something was up

Aether: Kaeya..?

Kaeya: oh how I missed you, My Sunshine...

Kaeya sniffed the Blonde's hair as his hands slowly trace down from Aether's hair, to his back, then his waist-

Aether: Kaeya?

He jolted when the Captain's hands slowly went down his Butt-

Kiba: Okay, That's Enough!

He steps in and pushes Kaeya away then immediately Blocking Aether with his body, Kaeya snapped out of his trance as he was being pushed away

Kiba: No need to get Handsy, Sir

Kaeya switches his sight between Kiba and Aether/Issei, sensing there's something between them. Motohama steps up to de-escalate

Motohama: I agree with my Co-worker here Captain, You don't need another Baby Momma

Xenovia: Hah?

Koneko & Irina: Ptff-!

Gasper: wat?

The tension immediately gets sliced with Motohama's Comment, some people in the ORC let out a small laugh at the semi profiling joke

Kaeya: My~ what have I told you about Racial Profiling, Alcindor

Motohama shrugged

Aether: I wouldn't try to reprimand him Kaeya, I know him long enough to know that He's Unshakable when it comes to Grilling anyone

Motohama: I can go much worse-

Aether: No!

With the Tension Softened and with everyone now relaxed. Aether and His Friend's began retelling the events after his death to the Favonius group, How Aether Became Issei, His new life, How he met The ORC, eventually up to the present...

Jean: I'm sorry, You're a God?

Aether: God of Fates to be more exact...

Amber: and You... Died at Natlan that Day on purpose...?

Aether Sighed

Aether: I wanted an out, Dying was Very enticing. So I took the chance

His Favonius Friends looks at him in remorse

Lisa: Oh Archons....

Aether: Don't feel bad for me... I wanted it

Seeing the Atmosphere around them, Motohama leans to Rias and the Group

Motohama: Guys, look after Issei for me okay, I need 2 Seconds with Kiba and Gasper

Rias turn to him with curiosity on her face

Rias: Hm? For what?

Motohama: Pep Talk. Plus I'm sure you and the girls will handle what ever will come next right?

Rias thought about it for a second, before nodding

Rias: Sure, you can borrow them, we can handle these people ourselves

Motohama nodded in response, signaling Kiba and Gasper to come out the room with him. Kiba and Gasper Walked out the room, closing the door behind them

Kiba: What is it that you wanna talk about, Motohama-kun?

Motohama leaned on the wall, arm's crossed

Motohama: You Two are Fucking Sloppy

The other was a little taken aback by his sudden Critique

Gasper: I'm Sorry?

Motohama: I saw You Two Fight, It was appalling. I didn't put you fucks through the fuckin D-day Treatment just to produce this shit. I made you two to be Board Wipers

The Two felt attacked at his observation

Kiba: Then what do you want us to do?

Motohama push himself off the wall

Motohama: Tomorrow. The Two of you and Me will go to Stormterror's Lair to Harden your shits even more. I can't have you trippin' up out there. What if Issei gets hurt on your watch?

Gasper and Kiba immediately looked to the ground in potential guilt

Kiba: It'll eat us alive...

Motohama: Yes. So tomorrow, okay? We go there to Enhance you two even more

The Two Nodded before about to re-enter the office. But the door opens to Issei and the girls coming out instead

Motohama: Oh? That ended early

Aether, Appearance back to Issei, Nodded

Issei: Amber and Noelle was very emotional about my reasons, and Honestly Mika too. Jean, Lisa and Kaeya was...

Motohama: A little more than emotional?

Issei: Yeah... That...

The Group Soon went outside, seeing that it's evening. They should probably get somewhere to stay

Rias: Ms Paimon, are there any Hotels in this place?

Paimon was about to answer her until Issei interrupts

Issei: actually, no need for that. Paimon, The Serenitea Pot

Paimon: Huh?.... oh!

Her Eye's widen as she quickly took out the golden teapot, Issei grabbed it and placed it on a nearby bench

Issei: Let's see if I still remember how to use this thing...

Koneko: A... Teapot?

Issei: Hold on a sec..

Issei was poking the thing around with little to no success until Paimon stepped in to assist

Paimon: Aether here, I'll help

She hovered her hand over the pot then suddenly, smoke appeared everyone's vision went Dark...

When they reopened their eyes, they were shock to see that they were under water, but not drowning. They were in a giant bubble that was under water which has a giant house with many novelties all around them

Rias: What the...

Issei: So that's how it worked... dammit I did forget

Issei looked around the Inside, taking in the nostalgia his eyes were laying on. He built everything here... even if there's some renovation when he was gone, everything was still the same...

Paimon: I never thought I'll say this ever but...

Paimon took his left hand and faces him. The rest of the group noticed the two and decided to give them space

Paimon: Welcome Home, Aether...

Issei stared at her, his eyes softening... he thought back to when he did consider this his home...

Issei:.... this feels weird

Paimon: I know... I actually thought I'd lost you forever...

Issei nodded before realizing something about her, he looks up

Issei: Since when did you start talking in first person?

Paimon perked up at him as she chuckled sheepishly before replying

Paimon: I... guess I grew up... Without You I had to do things myself, and eventually I grew up. Not just physically but mentally too...

Paimon held up Issei/Aether's hand

Paimon: I guess I didn't have time to process it until now but... I'm sorry that I didn't notice your depression all those times... I-I thought you were fine...

As she spoke more she began to tear up

Issei: You did a good job caring for my feelings... I just did a better job hiding it...

Paimon: W-Why didn't you say Anything...?

Issei: I just... I didn't want anyone to save me. I wanted an out and I did, sorry if that hurts your feelings but it the truth...

Paimon: Oh.... okay...

Her grip on Issei's hand tightens

Paimon: but that's in the past now. You're here-

Issei: not of my own accord

Paimon: -Besides the point! You're here, and I'm not going to lose you again

She held up his hand, her eyes filled with determination

Paimon: Whatever happens from now on, Paimon will protect you.

Issei was surprised to hear that coming from her. He knows full well that he's a hundred times stronger than but... hearing her say that brought comfort to his heart

Issei: Thanks Paimon... truly

Paimon nodded with a Smile and then pulls him to the house

Everyone who was around them follows suit

Rias: Determined Girl ain't she?

Motohama nodded

Motohama: When I was here, I ran into her a couple times. We had convo's about Aether/Issei and yeah, She wanted to be stronger, to keep his ideals and spirit alive

They all followed Paimon and Issei to the giant house, approaching a big bird in a teapot

Paimon: Hello Tubby!

The bird "Tubby" spun around to greet Paimon but was surprised to see she was holding onto someone

Tubby: Greetings Paimon, and who have you Brought with you today? Is this your Boyfriend?

The two Slightly blushed at her tease

Tubby: I jest I jest... so whom do I owe the pleasure?

Issei breaths in and spoke with the voice Tubby was all too well familiar with

Issei: It's me Tubby

Tubby's expression dropped, hearing and starting to see who the man really was

Tubby: Traveler...?

Issei nodded

Issei: I know what your thinking. New face, New Body.... even new name...

Tubby just stared in disbelief

Tubby: O-o-oh Archons you're alive... after 2 years...

Issei: It's been a turbulent 2 years for me. Just know that I'm alive, and I'm here

Tubby hesitantly nods

Tubby: O-okay Traveler...

Issei walked past her and into the house along with Paimon and his Friend's

Tubby: Oh wow there's a lot of people

One by one went by, acknowledging and greeting Tubby

Akeno: Hello~

Asia: E-Excuse us

Irina: Hello Ms birdie

Xenovia: Greetings

Rossweisse: Excuse us

As they enter, Issei got hit by a wave of memories and nostalgia just seeing the marbled living room, He yawns and head upstairs

Issei: Okay everyone, If you need anything then call me. I'm gonna go sleep

He then went up the Stairs as Paimon's follows. Leaving only the ORC plus Motohama in the Living room

Rias:..... so....

Motohama: Has everyone here already processed everything you've been through today?

A Majority nodded

Motohama: Great... any questions?

Ravel then spoke up

Ravel: Issei-Sama meant a lot to a lot of different people on this world... but he has those hesitant Eye's... I saw it...

Motohama: That means He still wants to go home

Irina: And to abandon these people?

Everyone turned to Irina

Irina: I know I'm not qualified to say this-

Motohama: No no. We're both his Childhood friend. We are more than qualified for this

Irina: *sigh* Okay.... Issei-kun's existence meant a lot to these people. To them, He's a traveling Hero from the murmurs I've picked up on... and Bennett did say that there's a lot of people who has feelings for him....

Xenovia then chimed in

Xenovia: Are you saying he should stay?

Before anything could continue, Motohama felt The MagiPhone in his Pocket buzzing. He pulled it up to See whose calling

Rias: Hm? Who is it?

Motohama: It's Azazel. Hold on, continue without me

Motohama stepped outside to take the call

Irina: Okay, as I was about to say... Maybe We should Support the choice of him going through this place again? Reuniting with old friends of his. He did die abruptly and shockingly to everyone here so...

Rossweisse: But still, We don't know if he actually wants to. He's still uncomfortable with just existing here

Rias ponders for a second

Rias: Then we Support him anyway He can. If he wants to leave, then sure. If he wants to travel this place, it's fine. Ultimately: it's his decision. And We'll support him either way

The group nodded. Knowing that Issei is the sole Decision maker, and they'll support whatever outcome he desires...

Akeno: *Yawn* my~ is anyone else tired?

Gasper: Yeah... I'm tired too....

Koneko: Let's go to bed then... wherever that is in this house

By then, the door opens as Tubby stepped in

Tubby: Then I shall guide you to your room then

Everyone turns to the teapot bird

Rossweisse: Hm? Excuse me, are you also the housekeeper?

Tubby nodded

Tubby: Indeed I am, and I shall guide you to your rooms for tonight. Friend's of the Traveler deserves a rest too y'know

Tubby amd his teapot glides along the floor then up the Stairs, Everyone followed suit leaving an empty living room

The frontdoor opens to Motohama walking in

Motohama: Yeah yeah Azazel They're fine.... I know Sirsechs they are fine with me. Everything is under control... okay, I'll think of something..... yeah, Goodbye

He hangs up the phone and looked to the empty room

Motohama: Welp... I guess everyone went up...

Motohama silently walk to the stairs

Motohama: *sighs*..... You Fucked up big this time Issei.... for you and for me.... This World's destiny is way more dire than you think.... by the End its up to your choice to be Issei, Aether, Riku or Geed.... to save this world or leave it is up to you....

He scoffs at himself

Motohama: but I know you long enough to know what you're gonna choice, God of Fates... can't wait to see what you're gonna flip upside-down next....

He finished as he goes upstairs