Grigori`s Human World`s HQ. Personal Quarters Area. Zurich.

Alexander was patiently and slowly making his way towards the personal quarters of a certain lady that he knew very well. For the whole past night, Alex was thinking about what he would do and say once he sees her for the first time in almost 4 months, especially taking into the consideration the fact of his lineage and just through what crazy shit he went through. Alex knew that she all heard of it and knew all that was happening to him, as she was reported by his own dad, Azazel, about Alex`s whereabouts and dealings, which was not simply out of kindness of heart.

Scathach wasn`t simply a close friend of Azazel and Alex, nor a mere ally of them from Morrigan and their top fighter and operative. Scathach, descendant of both legendary heroine and sorceress Scathach and goddess Morrigan, Queen of Shadow Land and First Spear in the World.. was also Alexander`s bride, chosen by Morrigan herself, after Grigori`s visit in the realm of Celtic Mythology. It was not just a sudden decision, but one that was decided between Azazel and Morrigan herself, after they saw how both of their children were getting along. However, both loving parent and grandmother weren`t pushing it or wanting their children to wed without love or any connection aside from initial sympathies, so a certain agreement was reached, which stated that the engagement would only become official if both groom and bride were of one mind on that. Until then, their engagement was unofficial and had little merit. Alex still remembered just from what it all began.

He was only 14 years old and the traumas and sufferings of the past were still lingering in him, he and the higher ups were visiting with a diplomatic purpose Celtic Gods. Alexander was still a boy and was left all to himself, while also guarded, along with his little sister Lucina and Vali, who were looking around and playing, mostly those two were playing, while Alex was at himself, exploring the reigns of Celtic Gods. And during such exploration, Alex found himself followed by a shy and timid girl of his own age, observing him closely with her crimson eyes that were seen through her long beautiful purple hair. Alex carefully approached her out of curiosity, but she was trying to running away each time he tried to start a conversation with her. Alex figured that she was curious of him as well, but was too scared and shy to ask him, so Alex decided to take a different approach, going through Morrigan to talk with the girl. War Goddess was surprised that Alex went out his way to ask her for a meeting with her granddaughter, along with the fact that he didn`t even flinch when he was talking to her, as she was one of the strongest beings in the world. That impressed Morrigan and she brought Scathach to Alex and they introduced each other properly and talked, while being watched closely by their respective parent/grandparent. Their first talk was subtle and awkward, mostly because they were watched and closely, but Alex and Scathach did managed to bond a little.

The very next day, it was Scathach who approached Alex, while the grownups were doing their business and through that move they began to hang out together, Scathach showing Alex the new places and talking about how she is living here, while Alex was telling her about his life in Grigori. Over the next 2 weeks, the two youths managed to bond very significantly, as at the end of Grigori`s stay, Scathach was practically at Alex`s side all the time, looking at him with devotion and care, while Alex responded with care and youthful love he did develop for her. The reason as to why Scathach was so attached to Alex was because they were similar to each other in some ways and understood each other, with both of them loosing parents and suffering in the childhood, only Alex found his family much later, while Scathach was found by her grandmother relatively soon and taken in, where she was a lonely child, as there weren`t anyone to play with or even talk to, save for now, when she encountered Alex and others, outsiders from practically a different world. And Scathach became emotionally and spiritually attached to Alex and didn`t wanted for them both to be apart, as she saw him as not only her best friend, but also someone whom she fallen for. Alex couldn`t lie himself, as he too didn`t resist her exotic beauty and her personality, along with care and devotion she shown towards him. That didn`t mean that he forgotten of Kuroka and what she did, but with Scathach, he felt a kindred spirit and soothing heart that healed completely his wounds of soul completely. Their separation was dramatic, but short lived, as Morrigan soon appeared in Zurich with her granddaughter and a proposition to Azazel. Scathach was placed her as Celtic Mythology`s aid to Grigori, while also as Alex`s unofficial bride and Azazel`s ward.

That didn`t make Scathach a helpless princess, but a truly formidable and powerful warrior, one that thrived on the battlefields and battles. She was trained by her own grandmother ever since she was taken in, taking her innate vast potential and refining it with trainings and study, becoming a master of a spear and runic magic, along with gaining a full control over her ancestral powers and abilities, becoming an effective ruler of Shadow Land, a mystical and mysterious realm beyond mortal`s reach. When Scathach arrived, she was already a true warrior in skill and name, along with being one of the rarest beauties in the world. She always stood out of everyone with her mystical and almost magical appearance: dressed in dark purple and skintight cloths, along with vales and parts of armor, complimenting her enchanting beauties and otherworldly figurine, all combined with purple hair and red eyes that were enticing and alluring. Her persona was also one of marvel. In battle, she was a war goddess, fighting with vigor, courage and strength, battling anyone in her fullest and without fear. In life she was an honorable and compassionate for her comrades and friends, ready to aid and train them when needed, but she wasn`t a leader like her ancestor or grandmother. However, Alex knew her true and most vulnerable side: Scathach was a girl of compassion and dependence, needing a strong supporter and companion to give her life purpose. She wasn`t weak in any means, but Scathach`s isolation from outside world and people made her fall for Alex more intense and stronger, as in him she found her inner strength and power to live with a purpose.

Time passed and both grew up together side by side. Alex and Scathach were all this time nearly inseparable from one another and their feelings were also growing over time and matured as well. While Medusa and Arturia were fighting over Alex`s affection with one another, Scathach was simply being with Alex and loving him with all her heart. Alex responded to her feelings, but over time he began to have doubts in their love. Not in the fact that it was present, but if it was a real love or simply deep dependence and Alex was simply.. manipulating her feelings to his advantage, as Scathach was always concerned about Alex and only him, seeing no one else around her. Alex didn`t wanted for Scathach to devote all her life and love just because they were so close and he wanted for her and him to experience the life and see if their feelings weren`t a youthful love. Scathach wasn`t happy with this decision, but she did understand it and followed with Alex`s wishes.

And so, after such a long time of separation, Alex was walking towards Scathach`s chambers, after so much that has happened. Alex has changed significantly and he was now a different person. He found his past and legacy, gained new loves and even daughters with wives, his feelings were completely different. And wasn`t sure if his feelings towards Scathach as he didn`t know how would she react to him being so different from what she knew and the fact that he was basically building himself a harem, even without his direct purpose of such. And honestly, Alex was seriously nervous about seeing her and her reaction on him.

After long walk and many thoughts that Alex went through, he now stood at the familiar looking door. Waiting several seconds, gathering all his courage, Alex knocked several times and waited for the response. Those seconds were like eternity, until the door finally opened up, revealing the frame of an exotic goddess and Alex`s first real love, after Kuroka. After the door opened, Alex saw Scathach, dressed in usual attire of her colors, long hair freely put down and eyes looking at Alex widen at surprise and disbelief. Alex caught the clear sign of crying and bad sleeping on her face. His dad wasn`t exaggerating that she wasn`t getting a lot of sleep and rest, constantly on edge because of him. That only made him feel even worse as he hated to make close ones worry about him, and Scathach was terrified for his well-being constantly. He didn`t deserve to be forgiven by her.

After several seconds of mutual silence, Alex spoke up first.

"Scathach, I.." Alex was about to talk to her, until she.. tackled Alex into a tight hug.

Alex didn`t even get it at first, but then he looked down at his bride and heard a clear sobbing coming from her. Lucifer knew that she was crying, crying for seeing him once more. And the same bad and hurting feeling of seeing her so down was back from the past, as Alex couldn`t bear to see her in such state. He caringly embraced her and kissed her forehead, hearing her sobbing intensifying. Queen of Land of Shadows looked up at her fiancée and spoke through sobs.

"Alex.. T-thank g-goodness.." Her usually strong and powerful voice was weak and cracking. "W-when I h-have heard a-all about those.. I.."

"Scathach.." Alex simply couldn`t bear with her looking so weak. "Please forgive me, my songbird. Forgive me for putting you through all these sufferings and nightmares. I hate myself for causing you so much pain. You must hate me for being such a terrible person."

Scathach looked up at him with surprise in her eyes and spoke firmly, but still a bit weakly.

"In all my grief and sorrows, I can never bring myself to hate you." She stated firmly, looking up at him with firm gaze. "All my tears were because I couldn`t be there with you. I have sworn to be your spear and shield, but I.."

"No, you didn`t fail in anything, Scathach." Alex assured her. "I know through what hell you`ve been here, all because I wasn`t careful enough. All of that is entirely and utterly my fault from start to finish. There is no ill part that involves you in any form."

Scathach smiled weakly to him and buried her head in his chest, sobbing and continuing crying. Alex simply let her, knowing just how sensitive and fragile she was. He knew that tears were easing her soul and letting go of all her pains and sufferings that she went through while waiting for him. Alex caressed her head and cheek caringly while she cried, waiting patiently for her to calm down, as he didn`t wanted to talk to her when she was at her emotional weakest. As Scathach calmed down, she looked up to him and spoke once more.

"I`ve talked with Arturia and Cuhullin." She informed him. "And.. They told me all about what happened to you."

"I wanted to talk to you about it myself." Alex admitted to her. "Scathach, if you don`t mind, can we take this into your room?"

Scathach only nodded to that, feeling that this was going to be a very serious talk. She took his hand into hers and led him inside her room, locking it behind him. And both of them didn`t even notice how a certain water-controlling heiress watched over the entire conversation and exchange affection. Sona was utterly shocked at what she saw and was now heading towards her own chambers, which she shared with her older sister.

Sitri`s Private Chambers.

Serafall was sitting on her bed and tying up her long hair into twin pig tails, humming her favorite tune for herself. First meeting with Azazel went well and they were able to come with certain agreements about trade and reducing the aggression between the races through installing neutral grounds and signing a non-aggression pact, which was practically the biggest step towards the peace and eventual alliance ever since the signing the ceasefire. Overall, it was a major success and the fact that it was done very quickly, was astonishing. Well, now she had the rest of the week all to herself and Sona, and she was going to use it to the fullest. After all, she heard about all kinds of resorts here and she was anxious to try out all the attractions of Switzerland. Now, if only she could get her little So-tan into the fun..

The door in the room opened up and a frame of Sona Sitri stormed through, followed by Serafall`s surprised look. She saw that her little sister was in a turmoil and needed some serious support, as she got into her bed and buried her head in the pillow, just like she did when she learned of Rias` affair. Serafall stood up and walked to the bed of her sister and caringly petted her head.

"Sona, what`s wrong?" Serafall spoke in her 'older caring sister' voice. "I know that something is wrong when you do something like that."

"Go away." Sona said to her sister with muffed voice.

"Nope, not unless you tell me what`s bugging you." Serafall said, getting Sona to turn to her sister and sit up with a saddened expression. "Judging from your expression, I already know who caused it. What happened between you and Alex this time?"

Sona only sighed, not saying a word and wiping out a small tear. Serafall was patiently waiting for her to answer, burning her with her own gaze and making Sona crack and speak up, after a minute of intense glaring.

"Sera, is there something wrong about me?" Sona suddenly asked in a defeated voice, surprising Serafall. "Am I nothing more but a simple heiress to the Sitri family with no looks to speak of?!" Sona was about to cry, until Serafall petted her head caringly and hugged her little sister.

"Mou, So-tan, what are you talking about?" Serafall spoke caringly. "Of course you are more than that. You are very diligent, intellectual, and smart and you are very beautiful. It doesn`t matter if you are an heiress to our family or not. You don`t need to have the same assets as Rias or Akeno, they wouldn`t suit you. You already have all the beauty you need and that`s not to mention your smarts and intellect."

"T-then why I c-can`t get A-Alex`s attention.." Sona was sobbing. "With every girl, h-he is always so a-affectionate and caring! Every one of them is like the most precious thing to him and he can`t say no to either of them and their problems. He always goes out of his ways to help others and his girls included, all, but not me! Just remember how he managed to reunite Kuroka and Shirone? He played along with Sirzechs, the single person he would never even think of bowing before! And even before, he went out his way for Akeno and her family! He went all out for all of them and never asked for anything, and yet he loves them all, all but me.."

Serafall was patiently listening to her little sister ranting and explaining and once she saw that she finally stopped, she flicked her sister`s nose with her finger, looking accusingly at Sona. Sona grabbed her hit nose and looked surprised at her older sister with a surprise and shock. Once the pain from the flick died down, she asked directly her sister.

"Why did you do that for?!" Sona asked her angrily.

"To calm you down and get your full attention." Sera said with full seriousness and began. "Now listen to me, Sona. I don`t know what has brought out this little meltdown of yours, but let me remind you of something that happened during the attack of Malaya and Gilgamesh. Do you remember how those undead got a hold of you and you were captured? You and Akeno were bounded by Chains of Heaven, brought by Gilgamesh and in front of Alex. And do you remember what happened in the very next second?" Serafall cringed at the mention of it.

Sona recalled it, the moment when her entire life just.. ended with a single thrust of divine spear that pierced her heart. The pain was only momentary, but it was the most excruciating in her entire life. She had never thought that death was so painful and it was. And after that.. absolute and utter void. There was nothing at all: any thought, feeling or even sense... was gone. Sona was nothing and she felt nothing. It were the most terrifying 12 minutes in her life, and they felt like 12 years. She was eternally grateful that Alex.. has brought.. her back.. from the dead. Sona`s eyes widened as she remembered the price of Alex`s trade with death.

? of his entire life. He traded 10 thousand years for her, without even a second thought or wish for reward. He did just because.. because it was just like he did for everyone else of his friends. Selflessly and without a second of regret, just like he always did with all his friends and loved once. And Sona.. just forgot about it. And she called herself smart.. What a stupid girl she was indeed. There was no forgiving in her blindness to that fact. And her reasoning was utterly selfish and stupid: she was jealous. Jealous of other girls that got so close to Alexander. She was jealous of Kuroka and Shirone, as they`ve wedded with Alex already and made love with him. Just recently, she saw just how strong was their bond when she saw how all three were together and love was practically in the air. She was jealous of Raynare, who was most trusted and flirtatious friend of Alex. She was jealous of Akeno, with whom they were bonded strongly. And now.. She just found out that Alex had an unofficial bride, a granddaughter of Morrigan herself and descendant of Immortal Witch herself, Scathach. And she saw just how affectionate they were, how she cried out of relief and happiness to be able to see him again. All of that, it made Sona feel.. lonely. Truth of the matter is, she was always a loner, even among her friends and Peerage, she was always left out because of her stoic and focused persona. She always had to stay calm, as she was an example, befitting of an heiress of Sitri family and a younger sister of Leviathan. All these years, she lived with suppressed feelings and emotions and she was fine, until she met Alex, the man that made her heart race, blood warm and feelings run wild. With him, she felt herself alive and living, her heart was pounding with new strength and power. Sona became addicted to this feeling and she wished to always feel it, always be with Alex, in his heart and arms. That was why she felt so badly and ungratefully now, as she loved him. Loved him selfishly and without condition only to be loved back.

Serafall saw that Sona finally realized her folly and decided to share a bit of her life`s experience.

"Now, let me tell you something that I`ve learned over the centuries, Sona." Serafall began. "I know just how you feel and I have been through the same experience before. Yes, in the past, there was someone whom I loved just like you do Alex. However, there is a serious difference between us, one that I clearly see between the man I loved and the man you love right now. The person whom I loved was a charmer, someone radiating with happiness and carefree spirit. He made my heart wish to belong only to him, but, when I came to him with my confession, he didn`t take my confession seriously, as he only laughed it off and said that it was a good joke, since he and I were very close friends ever since our childhood. In truth, I was in love with him for a very long time, but he only saw me as a friend and nothing more, oblivious to my real feelings. Even to this day, he doesn`t even know the true meaning of my confession back then."

Sona`s mind raced, searching for those that were so close to Serafall and only one name came in mind..

"Sera.. You love Sirzechs?" Sona asked her sister carefully, who only shock her head.

"No, not anymore, Sona." Serafall sighed. "I`ve loved that oaf for a long time, unconditionally and only wanted to be loved back, just like other girls. But, he chose Grayfia, whom he selfishly deceived and through lies got her loyalty first and then love. I finally stopped loving him when I found out of his lies about Lucia, but before that I suffered through a living nightmare. Now that I look back at it all, I realize just how foolish I was to love Sirzechs Gremory, if he was loving his wife through lies and deception. And now I look at you and see myself, Sona, but, unlike me, you love someone completely different from Sirzechs. You love his complete opposite, to be exact?"

"Serafall, what do you mean by that?"

"Alexander is a person who lived through hell and it almost destroyed him. I`ve seen the people that went through the similar experience and it ended destroying them." Serafall spoke. "But Alex.. Alex is far different from all men that I`ve met. Where most would fall and die, he strives and goes further to live, it`s true. However, unlike those that simply have determination to achieve their own goal, Alex lives not for them, but for the others. He doesn`t care about throwing away his own ideals and dreams for the sake of others, just like he did with Shuri, Akeno and you, of course. Without a second of doubt, he revived you and her, but even before that, he sacrificed his Sacred Gear, his greatest weapon, he took in a little girl who has no parents and became her father. All of that, and he did it for those that he cares about, whom he sees as his friends and family. And for those that he loves, he gives all of his heart and soul to them, unconditionally and without a second of thought. Yes, he does love many girls and they love him back, but there is one thing that most certainly separates him from Sirzechs: he never hides his real face, his real persona from those that he loves. Yes, he did lie about the past, but not of feelings and when he lied, he did so for the people he cares, not out of selfish reasons. Kuroka, Shirone, Akeno and you.. All of you fell for him and see his real persona, not like Grayfia and Sirzechs. And there is also something that separates Alex from all others, and that is the fact that all those that he loves are in his heart and take a special place in it, unique to them only, not equal or unequal to others, as he loves all differently and for different reasons, but his love is always absolute and unwavering, the strongest one in this world, for each and every girl. And I know that he does care and love you, silly."

"You think?"

"Yep, otherwise, he wouldn`t go out his way to revive you and give up so much life of his own." Serafall made a thinking face. "Hey, come to think of it, you are actually way ahead of all the other competition for his heart." Sona looked confused. "He shared his own life with you, literally, which, if you think about it, means that you are now bonded with him, as his life flows in you."

Sona thought about and she had to give it to her sister that she was right about it. Alexander`s own life was in her now and she lived all because of him. She lived the life he gave her, just like husband and wife share their life. And her situation was even more literal, and, therefore, more powerful, just like her bond. But still..

"Sona, I know that you want to be loved and I want that for you too." Sera petted her sister`s head, getting her into a caring hug. "All I ask of you is to just think and search your feelings just to be sure. If you know that you love him, go right ahead and tell him of that, don`t wait around."

"I will." Sona hugged her sister back. "Thank you, Sera."

"And afterwards, I`ll have a full right to go and tell him of my feelings too!" Serafall happily exclaimed. "Oh, I`m sure that he will be so happy! To have to sexiest ladies of the Underworld all in love with him! Then we can all do some really naughty stuff!"

Sona stiffed up and glared up at her sister.

"Sera.." Sona was now dead serious. "I won`t share him. Not even with you."

"WHAAAAT?!" Serafall was beginning to cry, as her wild dream of having a steamy threesome night was falling apart.

Scathach`s room. Late evening.

Alexander took a deep breath, as he finally concluded his tale to Scathach, who was patiently and silently listening to it all, without even saying a word. Alex didn`t leave out a single detail, being plainly honest with her and not hiding anything, as he knew that she was capable of seeing through lies and it would only cause her pain. No, he never lied that his heart wasn`t capable of loving one woman, but all those that he loved, he loved without regret or conditions, never lying of his feelings and affections. Scathach knew of that and still, she accepted him and loved him. Alex also loved her, but after their separation and so much happening, he.. honestly has been doubting in himself if he retained their mutual love and bond. He needed to know and if he did lose it, then he would be plain with Scathach and tell her of that, even if it would break her heart and she ends up hating him. He could bear with it if he needed to, wounds of heart would heal and she would love again, as he believed, even if it meant being her worst enemy.

Scathach, who calmed down, looked up at Alex and spoke up in calm voice.

"Alex, tell me." Alex looked in her gazing crimson eyes. "Do you still love me?"

"Scathach, I.." Alex began, but then she raised his hand, stopping him in his tracks.

"No, listen to what I wish to say." She continued. "Before you say anything, hear this from me. I know why you wished to depart and why you asked of me to travel without you. I know that you were afraid that our feelings were only an illusion of love and that our connection was only of youthful passion and affection. I know that and I agreed to venture myself to look for the answers. However, what I didn`t tell you back then, was the fact that I myself had doubts of strength of our bond." Alex looked at her with surprise. "Indeed, I doubted myself and wished to know the truth of my love to you. That is why I went along and ventured out, living as a normal girl and trying my luck out. I will admit this, I did go out on dates with other men, but with each and every one of them I felt hollow and empty. In all the places I`ve been, all the colors were grayed and nothing seemed to have the beauty or marvel that was rumored. All I felt was a feeling of loneliness and sadness. And that`s when I realized that with us growing up, our bond also grew and strengthened, as you`ve became my air and sun. When I returned, I was patiently waiting for you and your arrival, but then.. Then I`ve learned of your death. I was killed myself that day." Scathach stiffed up. "All these days and weeks, I`ve lived like in nightmare and this nightmare was growing more and more terrifying. I will say this, I was afraid of forever losing you without even seeing you again, but now that you are here, my heart is finally beating and I feel life once more, but I understand that you`ve changed and I wish to know if the feelings that were in you have also changed. I shall not hold any animosity for you and your chosen, but.. I wish to hear the truth from you."

Alex seat stunned by Scathach`s revelation and how she just admitted her feelings to him. They both truly were very much alike and her feelings matched his. But while she loved solely him, he had his heart given to others as well, like with Kuroka and Shirone. He loved them, and he loved Akeno, Sona and others too, all those with whom he connected. And because of that, because of them, he felt doubt right now, that he lost his connection to Scathach and was only clinging to past memory. Alex knew that the doubts are the worst enemies of affection, but they were also the inseparable part of it. And he decided not to hold back and speak as he felt, not as he thought.

"Honestly, I am in doubt." Alex admitted. "After all that has happened to me, with Kuroka and Shirone and others, I feel conflicted and lost about us, Scathach. If you ask me if I still feel the connection that we shared all this time, then I will say that I do, but do I feel the same passion and love that I have for others, then no, I don`t and I never felt. Not because I`ve lied, I never could and wouldn`t, but because every love I experience is never the same and is unique. I don`t compare it and never will and the love I had for you was also one of a kind, but I don`t know if it`s still here. I don`t know if.." And before Alex could finish up his sentence, his bride did something that he wasn`t expecting.

Scathach simply jumped right at him and pulled his lips into the most passionate and loving kiss, letting her heart and feelings take over the mind and course through her lips into him. She was through with words and cheap talk. She was a warrior and her love was absolute, just like his. If Alex`s feelings did fade away, she shall know from this action and then she shall decide what to do next. If Alex`s heart wasn`t responding to her love, then he shall push her away or won`t answer at all. He never went along with lust, only with true affection that was mutual and if the affection they shared was now lost, then he shall not respond accordingly to her heart. There was a second of hesitation..

..Which was washed away like an old leaf as Alex`s -->>

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