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Iruma blinked in confusion as his head tilted on its own towards the girls, uncertain if he'd just heard them right. “I'm not dating your brother?”
“You're not? That seems weird...” Viole muttered dejectedly.
“Nii-tama...” Lily whimpered, eyes welling with tears.
“If you're not lying to us, then explain why Alice-nii-sama won't play with us anymore!”
Iruma's hands shot up instinctively at the fire in Viole's eyes before he managed to get himself under control, knelt down with a handkerchief to dab carefully at Lily's face. He didn't even mind when she snatched it from him to blow loudly into it.
“Maybe he just needs some space right now?” he offered with a careful smile. “We've been getting more homework than usual lately.”
Two large sets of bright, watery eyes brimming with expectation landed seriously on his own. Such was the fate of the House Asmodeus, burdened with overactive tear ducts. There had been no end to the relief when Azz stopped bursting into waterworks over every little thing Iruma accomplished, although he still couldn't help damp eyes whenever delight overwhelmed him.
With a deep breath, he stood back up with as much confidence as he could manage. “In any case, I'll go talk to him about it, okay? He shouldn't be spending all his time with me.”
“Promise...?” Viole asked, her sister weeping harder as the pair grabbed the hem of his uniform.
Brightly Iruma nodded as hands fell to lightly tousle their hair. “Promise.”
It took a long time to be able to calm them down, longer still to look for Azz without them hot on his heels, but eventually Ms Amu swooped in to save the day and cradle them in her arms. Lily clung to her in kind, hardly spared him a glance from where her face curled into her neck, but Viole reached for him with both hands and something of a growl.
“You'd better knock some sense into Nii-sama, got it?!”
Chuckling nervously, he waved them away until they were out of sight. Right, where would Azz-kun be, that somehow took precedence over being at his side? A study, maybe, or his room?
When he finally found him, stretched elegantly across a couch with his nose buried in a thick book, he didn't look up. In fact, it seemed as though he hadn't noticed him at all, something so far removed from what he was used to. It's not like he struggled with grades, but he didn't realise he worked so hard to stay on top of them. Genuine fondness spread a soft smile up his lips while he soaked in the sight of Azz perfectly in his element, relaxed and focused instead of fussing over his needs. Good - Iruma wasn't sure he knew how to settle down.
Eventually Azz finished his chapter and unamused eyes swept over his form in the doorway, quick to return to the gushing attention he was so familiar with as he bolted upright and pet the seat beside him. “Iruma-sama! My apologies, I did not sense you there. Have you been waiting long?”
Soft hair tickled his ears where he lightly shook his head. “Not really. I was just so happy seeing you relaxed, I couldn't just distract you!”
An adorable flustered expression scrunched up Azz's face, pursed lips offset by a pale pink tinge. “You have no idea how much this means to me, Iruma-sama!”
Given how hard he fought to hold back tears in glistening eyes, of course Iruma knew. This was all so unusual and wonderful that he had crossed the room and almost completely sat down before he remembered why he was here. He paused mid-air, half-crouched where he hovered over the cushion, Azz's look of confusion and concern almost hilarious before Iruma committed to sitting beside him. Maybe his words would hold more weight if he stood in front of him, but the comfort of the couch and Azz's warmth called to him. He tried to keep his tone light as he addressed the elephant in the room.
“Azz-kun, you shouldn't neglect your siblings just because you find it more fun to hang with me.”
“I would never neglect them!” At least he had the decency to look offended, even though he must surely grow tired of their antics. “I have only spent a fraction of my free time without the pair of them attached to my coattails in the entire time they've been here.”
Call it a hunch, but Iruma found that hard to believe.
“That's not what they're saying, Azz-kun, and for once I'm inclined to believe them.”
Azz gripped his chest dramatically, the put-upon pout almost too funny to ignore where it smoothed over his resolve. “You'd take their word over that of mine, your best friend and eternal spear? You wound me, Iruma-sama.”
Lips quivering to fight an insistent grin, Iruma emphatically shook his head. “That's not it at all. I just think it wouldn't hurt if you spent a little more time with them – especially when we're already apart.”
Indignation crossed elegant features for only a moment as the sharp, watchful eye which held his gaze melted the facade for all the adoration in his heart. It seeped into his voice, quiet and smooth as the lovely fabric of the couch upon which they perched.
“Very well, Iruma-sama. If you should will it, then I have no reason not to oblige.”
His thanks was murmured just as softly while, all the fight and trepidation sucked out of him, Iruma's cheek fell to rest upon Azz's welcoming shoulder. This warmth, familiar and protective as the flames Azz staunchly wielded, seeped through clothes and his slouching body to wrap delicately around his heart. Azz's long, tender hand rested assuredly in the small of his back as though it had no other home; it's not like he minded the gesture, but he couldn't quite shake the girls' fitful words.
“Azz-kun...” One steadying breath turned into three before, with all the conviction he could muster, Iruma gazed up into Azz's inquisitive stare. “What are we?”
“Why, we are demons, of course.” A warm, gentle hand nudged his fringe out of the way to rest sweetly upon his forehead, the other carefully tighter around his back. “Are you feeling unwell, Iruma-sama?”
Of course, that was probably a human phrase. How could he forget...
He shook his head with with a deliberate care, captured Azz's hand between both of his own with the same insistence. “That's not what I meant. Are we...”
What was he supposed to say? He needed to understand how Azz felt, but outright asking this was... awkward. Embarrassing. Something he wouldn't have tried to put words to if he hadn't been forced into it. There was nothing left for it. He'd just have to take a deeeep breath and-
“Are we courting?!”
He didn't think it was possible for someone to look simultaneously elated, proud and concerned, but Azz shattered through impossibilities like it was nothing.
“But of course! Do you really need to ask? Ah, but you are truly so courteous, so magnanimous, that you would once again bestow upon me these wondrous and blessed feelings! You have my thanks, Iruma-sama!”
Only a shaky nod tilted his blazing face, embarrassment mingling with shame. He'd never meant to lead Azz on, never meant for him to believe that. Perhaps he should talk to Grandpa... Still he had so much to learn about the netherworld and the many customs within it.
After all... Azz had never leaned in to kiss him, never made any advances that he had identified. If they were already dating in his mind, then wouldn't he have made a move by now? How did courtship work here? Was it constantly helping each other out? Being affectionate in the way friends often are? ...Accepting food he made??
Ever so attentive to his needs, Azz frowned faintly, gingerly squeezed his hand with as much affection and reassurance as he could convey. “Iruma-sama? What has befallen you...?”
A scalding wetness dragged down a cheek. With a quick sniffle, he hastily wiped it away with his sleeve, turned away from Azz's anxious, uncertain stare.
“I-I'm sorry,” he hastily spluttered, sleeve drenched with a startling swiftness as he leapt onto trembling legs that threatened to give out beneath him.
When he ran, although longing hands still hung heavily in the air in shock, Azz let him go.
He didn't remember the journey. It felt like it was almost instantaneously that he had sprinted from the Asmodeus estate and wound up in his own, two pairs of loving arms wrapped around him like a blanket, comforting and safe. With their embrace, he wept uncontrollably, unhindered sobs and whimpers and pants stalled only by the threat of a closing throat.
Eventually the crying stopped – on his end, at least, Grandpa still an overly expressive fountain – and with it, their embrace loosened just enough to gaze down at him expectantly. Oh, right, he'd have to tell them what was wrong, now...
“U-Um...”
Opera's steady hands still balanced lightly on his shoulders, their endless patience somehow untested by Grandpa rubbing his face all over their back or apparently squeezing the life out of them. Lips wobbled up into a nervous smile even despite their calm scrutiny.
“How does... courting... work down here?”
He really should've expected Grandpa to sob louder as he wheezily wailed “courting! Courting...!” over and over. At least one of the hands leaving his shoulder to wipe away the tears was comfortably familiar and welcome.
“It's quite natural for someone to have caught your eye down here, and I would imagine that you have many questions. Please ask away.”
“Well, uh... How do you know someone is into you?”
“The number of signs are nigh immeasurable as they can vary wildly from demon to demon, but the most common include allowing their wings or tail to rest comfortably, easily, and visibly in your presence, devoting much of their free time and thoughts to you, behaving with excessive subservience or putting the desired mate's wants and needs above their own, and making sacrifices for your benefit.”
Iruma blanched. “You don't mean-”
Opera's ears twitched with amusement their face never showed. “No, the days of living sacrifices are long past. In modern times, it equates to mentally removing a piece of oneself for personal betterment, although I cannot deny the possibility that there are still those who would take the sentiment literally.”
His feeble body could not adequately assuage his fear despite the relief flooding through him.
At least two of those described Azz.
“W-Well... what does courtship mean long-term? What would be expected of me?”
That thin, dark, catlike tail swayed unhurriedly side to side. “To cover for each other's weaknesses and cherish each other always.”
Well that didn't seem so bad.
“Waaaah, my sweet little Iruma-kun, growing up way too fast! I thought I'd have many years with you before I had to see this day!”
With a note of nervous laughter, Iruma lightly rubbed Grandpa's bald spot between his lovely horns to alleviate his distress and distract him from his overzealous imagination. Streaming eyes pleaded up at him from behind foggy round glasses as though he might convince him to stay.
“It's okay, Grandpa! I'll still live under your roof at least until I finish school, and I don't have any plans to move out yet. You don't have anything to worry about, okay?”
Meekly, Grandpa nodded, the movement sliding beneath his palm.
Azz didn't have any weaknesses that he knew of, but if that's all that was asked of him, he didn't really have a reason to not to give it a try. After all, Azz had been nothing but wonderful to him since they settled that misunderstanding on the day they met. Besides, just being himself and helping out always seemed to exceed those ridiculously high expectations one way or another, Azz's deep-seated admiration often pleasantly vocal. Whether it was just being friendly or, as it had clearly turned out to be, something of a crush, it felt good to be appreciated so completely.
All that was left was to apologise to Azz, and make it official.
“Iruma-sama!” Azz dropped to his knees the instant he saw him the following day, head bowed, lapels bundled in the forceful grip that spanned his chest like it often did. “Please accept my most sincere apologies for my mistreatment of you yesterday! My cousins told me everything – I had no idea that you didn't see us like that! Far be it from me to ask that you indulge a request after I have aggrieved you so, but I only ask that you hear my plea. I understand that I need not be acknowledged. I simply ask that you find it in your heart of magnificent hearts to allow me to continue to serve you, even if we can no longer remain friends.”
Magenta roots just barely crept past the slits of his uniform as he tipped further forward, wings spread wide. The pain on twisted features now hidden by his mop of unusually bedraggled hair was loud and clear in his voice that seemed to catch on every other word. Plus, Sabnock had confided in him when they earned the Royal One just how significant his contribution was, uncharacteristically subdued voice unbecoming of the boisterous giant as he detailed the intensity of his regret. Demons weren't supposed to admit to weaknesses, and Sabnock's boastful but not undeserved pride that never seemed lower than a shout was a far cry from the humility he'd shown that day. If Azz was truly that sincere, as if he could ever be otherwise, Iruma would do the same for him as he had done for his self-proclaimed rival.
A tender hand rested lightly on that trembling shoulder, Azz's face shooting up so fast that only his instinctive dodge spared him a headache, the wince that immediately crossed his features almost as painful. It looked like he hadn't slept. Azz was always so careful about his looks, but if he'd overridden that instinct to appear before him so unkempt, it was probably okay to touch his hair. So those matted, once-silken strands hugged gentle fingers as Iruma carefully rubbed the back of his head.
“I'm sorry too, Azz-kun. I was never good at studying the old ways, and you're just so different from what I expected from a partner that you surprised me!. It wasn't my intention to hurt you.”
Azz's final shred of composure seeped into the undignified clench of his jaw. Bitterly he muttered, “and even now you insist on sparing my feelings. Truly, you have the makings of a king. I am unworthy of your kindness.”
Firmly Iruma shook his head, continued to lightly stroke his hair as though the action could melt away all of Azz's grief. Words came easier than he would have thought, given the intensity behind them.
“No, you're not, Azz-kun. You deserve every ounce of kindness you receive, no matter who it comes from. Besides,” Iruma crouched down to get on his level, his broadest, most genuine smile stretching his face, “I've had time to think about it, and I want to be with you. You always do so much for me without thought for yourself – let me take care of you too.”
He didn't quite expect strong arms clinging tightly around his shoulders, the rough if restrained squeeze of his ribs from behind, but there was nothing dangerous about the desperate hug. Lips loosened into a softer smile as gentle arms returned the favour, chin resting comfortably on the soft mop pressed into his chest. Careful hands wove between and around his wings, never quite touching, until tremors subsided with a heavy, shaky sigh and strong arms relaxed into a much more appreciative hold.
“Let's get you inside, Azz-kun.” Iruma swept him to his feet with more strength than he realised he had, one arm locked around his shoulders while the other wove beneath loose, hanging wings to support Azz's slender waist. “We can discuss our courtship when you wake up.”
A weak and watery smile threaded through features smudged with fatigue as Azz let himself be led inside.