A need to be loved and appreciated!

Issei gazed upon Raynare, processing what he was realizing about her. She had not been lying when she had claimed to be developing some feelings for him. Because, deep in her core, she yearned for something that had driven her actions for so long.

She wanted to be loved. To be appreciated. To be someone acknowledged as important. That was why she had wanted Asia's Sacred Gear. The ability to heal so quickly would have elevated her standing among the Fallen Angels. Made her someone they would rely on.

And yet, despite her efforts over the years to get that acknowledgement, she remained a simple foot soldier among the Angels, few bothered to give her the time of day, or even help her train. Too low on the ladder to bother with. Which had made her ****, fanatical even.

And when assigned to kill Issei, and using him as practice in going incognito first, he had, unconditionally, shown her the very affection, appreciation and care she had yearned for. It was such a stark contrast to what she was used to that she hadn't known how to handle it. Once it became a threat to her loyalties to the Fallen Angels, she had acted.

It was all so shocking to Issei that he almost forgot to look into her sexual desires as well. She had... An interesting mindset there. When it came to casual flings, she wanted to be the one on top, to be in control, but if it was someone she liked, she didn't care either way.

Issei blinked away his perception as Raynare approached him, holding out the cola with a grumble. He took it, and decided in that moment that, while he still wasn't going to let her off the hook, he'd start to extend a small olive branch. "Thank you," he said.

She had started to turn away, before freezing up at those simple words. She had expected continued scorn, maybe even a demand for something else. Yet he thanked her for something she was obligated to do anyway. She turned to him, confusion on her face. "Um... You're welcome?" she replied, before resuming passing the colas out.

Issei smiled to himself as she did this. Yeah, she was messed up, but perhaps there was hope for her.