I wrote two chapters on the 4th of July, and then the blessing of ch 307 released (IYKYK).

Anime Only: I should have suggested this in Ch. 1, but I highly suggest reading the Kalego Gaiden two-shot since the likelihood of that ever being animated are so slim I'll be shocked if it ever happens.

TW: Adults Doing Dumb Shit and Making Poor Emotional Decisions. Guilt, mate-bite marking/blood. Kissing while stressed/emotionally vulnerable.

I had to remove the no pairings tag (on AO3). Anytime I try and not write pairings, it creeps in, dammit.
I apologize in advance for this wild chapter. -crylaughs in hysteria-

xXx-xXx-fortify-xXx-xXx

Shichirou knew in the back of his mind that Kalego had made a few appearances as Opera around Babyls. The specifics had been hashed out the day they'd involved themselves. Opera would use Detection Warding devices to come onto campus, they would do their necessary work, and then Kalego would act in their place for correspondence.

It wasn't particularly hard for the stoic demon to do. It was just kind of…

Well. Shichirou couldn't help the grin hidden behind his mask, even if he couldn't hide it from his eyes.

Kalego clicked his tongue at him when he noticed.

Still, it had been a little over a week and Opera had yet to come to him for aid, which was concerning. He had half a mind to get the Chairdemon involved when a knock came to his door. He set down his pen, having been in the process of writing grading notes, when he opened the door to…nothing?

He sensed something slip past him before he heard the sound of fabric being thrown onto a chair as Opera sighed audibly. Shichirou met their miserable gaze, and he swiftly closed the door and locked it.

He fiddled with his mask for a moment, "Good afternoon Opera-senpai."

Opera was wearing something a little less… professional it seemed. Looser, though there was no good way for them to hide their… predicament any longer. "Afternoon, Shichirou."

Shichirou winced internally at the sound of their voice. It was mostly healed, but it seemed to permanently be a half octave lower, a touch softer, and it carried the weight of deep exhaustion. "How can I help you today?"

Opera shuffled as they looked away from him. They were blatantly… uncomfortable, which was fair. This was awkward, but he had nothing to complain about. His body wasn't being forced to host the life of another.

Opera huffed silently, "I suppose we should go over my present condition for your records first."

Shichirou nodded. That was certainly agreeable, and he was insatiably curious. He motioned for Opera to settle on a stool further into the room as he closed the room's blinds and snagged a fresh notebook. He settled across from Opera, simply taking in their overall appearance before making a handful of sketches for reference before he settled on what questions he wanted to ask. How many weeks it'd been, if and what supplements they were taking, changes in diet, so on and so forth. It was clinical, but it seemed to ease Opera's nerves in his presence which was… odd. Opera had never been shy with himself or Kalego, but now they seemed to be overtly aware of him.

He rubbed his head in thought, "Have you… ah, measured your waist at all?"

Opera nodded and supplied him with the information they had mentally been keeping track of the past few weeks.

The rate versus how things normally were for demons was slightly off- how much so they couldn't determine, but Shichirou was researching any leads to how long it took for humans to reproduce to build any sort of baseline.

Demons took around six months in layman terms, but it seemed this would take a little bit longer.

Opera had suspected as much despite their displeasure from Shichirou's suspected confirmation.

"It might be good to speak to a recent mother about this."

Opera frowned, "There is no one I can trust with this." Ordering clothes was a difficulty.

"Ask the Chairdemon for help, Opera. At least for that. I can only help so much…"

Opera grumbled and shifted their body uncomfortably, "I will try."

Shichirou nodded as Buzzer didn't go off. It would have to do.

He stood, "How would you like me to help you with…" He helplessly waved his hand. It shouldn't be that hard to talk about, but it absolutely wracked his nerves. He knew the process, but how did it actually work? Especially when your partner was repulsed by physical touch and there was no mating mark between them?

Opera stood and wandered around the prep room in thought. They seemed to be pushing this off with poorly veiled inspections before finally making their way towards his nest. They shifted back and forth, their tail flicking in frustration as black hair obscured their red eyes. "...Here." They shifted to look at him, "You settle first and I'll… I'll come to you."

Shichirou found that agreeable as he made his way into his nest- it was his bed, so there was no reason for him to feel awkward about it. He settled himself easily on his back as he did his best to make his body language as non-threatening as possible.

Opera on the other hand was having kittens- no, that was a little too on the nose, but they just. They didn't want to. They didn't want to need his help, but they were tired, and their body pulled and ached in ways they were unprepared for and hated with a deep passion. They took a deep breath and forced themselves to enter Shichirou's nest. It was softer than they had initially expected, and they stopped near his side, puzzled.

What exactly were they supposed to do? How did they want to approach this?

Opera tilted their head from side to side while they hesitated.

Shichirou hummed as he lifted a hand towards them, "Do whatever you need to feel comfortable, Senpai."

Opera stared at his offered hand before they took it. Shichirou was surprised at the small tremble he felt before it was controlled. He tried to not let his concern bleed into his expression, but it didn't do him any good as Opera stared at him with a strange intensity.

Hesitantly, Opera pressed against Shichirou's side before awkwardly pulling themselves onto his chest. Opera was so much smaller than him, which caused a trickle of amusement, since when they'd first met, Opera had been the tallest of the three.

Opera fussed as they laid across him and attempted to find a way to become comfortable. The bird-like demon was much squishier than they'd been prepared for. It was ironic, they knew their kouhai was almost pure muscle, but clearly that didn't matter while fully relaxed. They huffed, and Shichirou finally had mercy on them and shifted them a little bit before Opera finally felt relief on their lower back and melted into his body with a sigh.

Shichirou almost laughed as their ears fell forward and all of their angles seemed to melt into curves before he felt an outside pull. He unconsciously loosened his restraints on his Mana, which under normal circumstance would cause the multitude of vines in the room to begin to overgrow and multiply.

Instead Opera's eyes fluttered closed as they gently grasped his top while they took in the Mana being offered greedily and fell asleep.

They were like that for only an hour, but Shichirou realized just how much Opera had been holding back.

The child was an absolute glutton.

xXx-xXx-fortify-xXx-xXx

"Lord Sullivan, if I should die, please do not eat the fruit from the gold leafed plant in the yard. It is poisonous."

Sullivan almost laughed as their Security Devil fell into theatrics. A little over eleven weeks had passed since their present predicament started, and they had finally gained the courage to ask for help. Amu-chan had come to mind immediately, and he had set a date for a tea-party for the two in his home.

He had secretly requested some hand-me-downs from the woman, but he hadn't thought things through properly in regards to…

Well. Amu-chan was well endowed while Opera was not-quite-flat in the chest any longer, but the difference was agonizingly stark.

Amaryllis was having the time of her life as she adjusted the fit of her maternity clothing for the poor Security Devil. She'd been surprised by the revelation that Opera was capable of being a mother, but kept such thoughts to herself as she tucked and pulled with a jaunty hum.

She loved her adorable little Alice-chan, but sometimes it was nice to get away from home, her Lust Group, and other responsibilities.

"Now Opera, I know full well those are prized fruits you've been cultivating for five years that only bloom once in the middle of the night to surrender their fruit for the taking."

Opera glowered at him, and if he'd been any lower in Rank, Sullivan probably would have wet himself a little bit. However, they had been under his roof for too long to be affected, and it was akin to the look of a wet kitten after a bath.

Opera was nearly gnashing their teeth. The clothes proclaimed the state of their body to the world and they hated it.

Amu-chan hummed, clearly aware of their displeasure, "Since you can't do as many chores as you're used to, you're free to modify these garments as much as possible. I have no plans of needing them ever again."

Opera gave her something of a tortured soulful look, "...That would be rude, to damage gifts from one of the Thirteen Crowns."

Amu-chan tutted as she cleanly sliced off a line of lace that was no longer lining up neatly from the front of the garment and tossed it behind her carelessly, "Nonsense. This is the time you can be as selfish as you want. You're having a baby, and your needs are more important than self-imposed propriety. So long as you're as comfortable as can be, who cares about how others perceive you?"

She certainly wasn't one to judge one's clothing choices. There were plenty of women in her Lust Group that weren't assigned as such medically.

Opera slumped a little as they finally gave up and relented. "...As you say, my Lady."

"Amu-chan."

"...Amu-chan-sama."

Amu-chan huffed lightly before motioning them to change, "We have a lot of work ahead of us and little time, my adorable kitten."

Opera flashed their fangs at her before shuffling off behind a screen to change into a new top, cautious of the pins placed for modification.

If there was one garment they were thankful for, it was the leggings they presently wore. They were soft, comfortable, and just restricting enough for support without pressure. Their back pain eased a bit, and they were glad for any amount of relief they could get.

Their body wasn't balanced enough for this.

A new laughably chest-large top pooled around their shoulders as they glanced in the mirror chagrined.

They were thankful for the help, but it just had to be the most sexual demon they knew, so the whole thing was torture.

They were surprised, however, when after fitting their latest top to their much smaller frame, Amu-chan called a break and Sullivan left the two of them to settle into an assortment of teas and various sweet and savory treats.

Opera could finally voice some of their thoughts and experiences, and Amu-chan was surprisingly…

She was amazingly the confidant they'd desperately needed.

xXx-xXx-fortify-xXx-xXx

It was after thirteen weeks that Kalego finally found himself in an expected, but no less undesired, predicament.

Certainly, he had been present at times within Shichirou's office to throw off any oddities. Dali-sensei seemed to be onto them, but seemed to find things interesting enough to keep his mouth shut about it.

Kalego had his arms crossed as he stood stiffly in the History Prep Room and stared at the equally tense Opera.

They had gotten used to Shichirou, and his Mana and warmth was a comfort they could easily melt into.

Kalego was a prickly thing, which matched his preference for the company of cacti over others.

Opera turned and plodded their way towards Shichirou's nest. They had permission, and they weren't going to squander their chance for Mana aid. Clearly they were going to have to become vulnerable first, since it was their fault that Kalego was so high strung with them in the first place.

They settled off to the side and patted the plush nest beneath them as they teased, "I know I bite, but I'll behave myself today."

Kalego rolled his eyes and neatly threw off his overcoat. He didn't need it wrinkled, which would then lead to questions he didn't want to deal with.

He made his way over to Shichirou's nest which… it felt absurd to intrude upon his friend's bed, but there was an established pattern, and who was he to deny a mother-

He snatched that thought and threw it out the proverbial window.

Opera had never once mentioned the term, and it would be rude to insinuate them with something so gender-specific.

It was just.

It was getting harder to curb his thoughts away from feminine terms. He should have researched more to find alternative words for Opera's state. Kalego respected his mother terribly, she was the strongest demon he knew and he couldn't help but love her despite the discipline he'd been raised under. He respected Opera's strength similarly.

He grimaced at his thoughts in annoyance before he cautiously made his way closer and awkwardly settled himself on his side, facing the other demon.

Opera observed him, raising an eyebrow at his choice of position before broadcasting their intent to come close.

He exhaled noisily and forced himself to relax. He was a mere tool- an aid for his annoying as hell senpai to help them live more comfortably and stay strong.

There was nothing personal in this.

Keroberos chuffed with laughter in the back of his mind. The dog in him pissed him off like no other. The instincts to protect Opera's pup were almost overbearing, and he despised the fact that he was simply that soft.

No one was more surprised than him at the silent realization that he was attached. Opera had created a pattern, Shichirou provided, and Kalego protected. It was what he was good at.

His stare matched Opera's intensity as they came close and settled against him, their foreign curves all wrong in his mind as he forced himself to comply with their needs.

It was uncomfortable, but Opera hummed and prodded him, shifted him and he adjusted in turn before something finally clicked and he pulled them close and shifted just so and they melted into him. Kalego managed to keep from jolting back in surprise as something tugged at him. It was incessant, like a young pup pulling at his shoelaces, and he closed his eyes and surrendered to it.

He had never opened up his Mana to anyone else. Outside of the obvious, his Mana was simply too volatile towards others. However, he inhaled sharply in surprise at how easy it was, to let Opera take what they needed as if they were a perfect match.

Kalego forced his muscles to relax further into Shichirou's bed as he stared forward without any particular focus. Opera was tucked under his chin, and by the steadiness of their breathing that was too-warm against his neck, they had swiftly fallen asleep under his care.

Opera trusted him enough to sleep.

A part of him wanted to scream that this wasn't his job. He didn't need to care about this at all.

His fangs ached as he realized how absolutely fucked he was. He'd die for the kid, he knew it deep in his bones as his Mana was devoured like a newfound delicacy.

He swallowed, took a deep breath, and closed his eyes as he kept his ears open for Shichirou's return.

The next time he became aware and opened his eyes, strangely groggy, he had missed two of his afternoon classes and Shichirou was grinning at him with his eyes. Kalego wanted to punch him for his amusement, but his friend placated him by having subbed in his place while he assisted their sleeping senpai.

It was with this that Kalego was left with an uncomfortable extra revelation. He shouldn't be left alone like this again. His fangs ached with something he refused to acknowledge as Opera left themselves vulnerable in his arms.

xXx-xXx-fortify-xXx-xXx

After a sleepless night of grading various papers and updating notes on improvements his students needed to focus on during his day off, he'd taken the liberty of freshening up in the middle of the day. There was no point in trying to sleep, so he simply went about his business as usual. That was, until a message dinged on his hellphone.

I need help.

Kalego stared at the message in absolute stillness before he thought to himself, 'Opera-senpai is dying.'

There was no other logical explanation for the message, and certainly not directly to him alone.

He ran a hand through his yet-to-be-styled hair with a click of his tongue as he thought about how to handle the situation before simply tugging his sleeves down his arms, and flying out the door after locking it.

Opera had been dealing with their burden for around seventeen weeks now, and after their latest usual check-up, Shichirou had raised a small concern to him about Opera's weight.

'For some reason, even though they're eating six meals with three servings a day as well as a few snacks at night, they're almost underweight.'

That was… a concerning problem. It made no sense. How in the Netherworld could they be eating so much and, quite possibly, not be retaining any weight?

There was a small possibility for why it was happening, but he really preferred the thought that they could resolve this in a business-like fashion. It was cleaner that way and easier on his nerves.

Of course, if there was one thing Kalego wanted and never got, it was his own hopes and desires when it came to Opera. They just had a way of messing with him in all the ways he tried to avoid.

It took him only ten minutes of flying before he landed at the front gate and rang the doorbell. He ground his teeth as he wondered what sort of mess he could get pulled into while at the Chairdemon's home, but he was surprised when the front gate simply… opened.

Kalego hesitated for a moment before entering and closing the gate behind himself before making his way to the front door. Once he was close enough the door opened, and Opera stood there with a small smile and a happily swishing tail as they lightly intoned, "You came faster than I expected, Kalego-kun."

This would have been infuriatingly fine and well, except for the fact that their skin seemed flushed, their eyes too warm, and they were wearing…

Their clothes were the most intimately feminine he'd witnessed them wear, as it was pulled and set to show off what little extra curve they had, while also wearing a shawl.

Kalego's skin crawled as he nearly took a step back in surprise. "Opera-senpai." His voice was strained, and for some reason, their scent was far stronger than it should be. It was almost cloying, even though he could faintly still smell their usual array of self-care products underneath it.

Something was wrong, and he was the one that had come to their mind for help instead of Shichirou.

'Damn it.' This was troublesome. There were personal boundaries he had no desire to cross, yet his fangs were already falling on edge in hypersensitivity as they reached out past the threshold of their home and pulled him inside.

Kalego couldn't resist them. This wasn't a random she-demon in heat, this was a mother trying to attract a strong partner to protect and strengthen them. It wasn't only Mana they needed.

They needed stability.

Kalego glanced around the entryway of the mansion in the desperate hope that maybe Sullivan was nearby to help keep his Security Devil in check. Yet, the house was too quiet, and Kalego let out a small hiss in frustration. "Opera-senpai, you messaged me because you needed help?"

He was clinging desperately to business. Find out what they need, and get the hell out as quickly as possible.

Opera watched them with the coy grin of a hellcat about to devour its chosen meal, "I do."

Kalego stared down at them in annoyance, while they simply observed him. They were far too happy for his taste.

Could he distract them? Maybe he could distract them. "Have you been eating well today, Senpai?"

Their eyes widened a bit through whatever haze they were in before stepping into his space and placing their arms around his neck as they pressed into him, "Yes."

Kalego's eyebrow twitched at their proximity despite automatically placing his hands on their hips to keep their balance steady. "Then what do you need?" He didn't want to play this game with them. He wanted to leave.

His feet would not obey his command.

Opera hummed as they observed him, roving his facial features and stopping at his hair, "It's been quite a long time since I've seen you without your hair styled." They were fascinated.

Kalego ground his teeth. Of course, he made a point of looking as little like his Uncle, the previous Dog of Babyls, as possible. He had the misfortune of taking after his mother's side rather strongly- which at first wasn't so bad, except that he was prone to wavy hair in the same way as his shitty Uncle.

He refused the association.

Kalego nearly jumped when they fluffed his bangs a bit before running their fingers through his hair and ran thin digits over his now-over-sensitive horns.

He regretted thinking Opera was dying, because he was the one suffering an emotional death, here. "While I would like to be of service, I do have more assignments to prepare for the week, so if you could-" Opera shifted faster than he was prepared for and bit him.

He-

Kalego's mind went blank from the shock of it, as he felt their fangs sink deep into the junction next to his neck. Suddenly their body heat was simply too hot, as if they were suffering from a fever. Was this- there was no way this was just needing a stable partner. There had to be some underlying curse affecting their mind- Opera would never choose to do something so intimate and scandalous under normal circumstances.

His fangs hurt with the desire to bite them back. It was a deep encompassing ache that nearly drove him straight into a Wicked Phase with need.

He refused it. He would not give in to whatever it was this curse was doing to them.

Opera was practically drinking his blood and he-

Their fingers gripped the back of his head like a vice and shoved his face into their own neck.

He held his breath- he would not-!

Kalego opened his mouth and with an agonizing amount of will, gently pressed his fangs into their skin.

Their blood was-

Shit.

It was divine, something underneath it all was the most amazing elixir he had ever tasted, and he knew in an instant what it was that was turning their blood into delicious wine.

No.

TheyAreMineMineMineNoTheyAren'tButTheyAreMineMyPupMineStop.

Stop it.

Kalego pulled his fangs out of their shoulder with a sharp intake of air as Opera feasted on him. He didn't so much care about what they were up to- he would not give in to the desire to eat them.

He clamped his mouth shut as he shakily grasped the shawl around their shoulders and covered their bare neck. "Where is your nest, Senpai."

He was getting dizzy. How much of his blood was Opera planning on taking?

Opera finally released him before looking him in the eyes and tugging him back into themselves as their lips met.

He felt his Mana respond immediately to their demand, and it felt so much easier to feed them his Mana in this manner than by touch. It was frightening how lost he was getting in their tempo. It was wrong in so many ways. He hated them, yet the adage that hate and love were easily interchangeable was holding true in that moment. They loved to tease him and he despised them for it in turn. It was a game of mental gymnastics and he wanted to win fairly.

This was not fair.

Opera pulled back with a soft gasp, both sporting bruised lips from their enthusiasm before something seemed to click back into place and Opera turned grey.

"...Kalego-kun?"

Kalego sighed softly as he released their hips, shifted to their side, and then placed his hand firmly on their lower back as if they hadn't just been senselessly making out at the front door. "I asked if you'd begun making a nest. I have heard many mothers tend to create a space for themselves and their coming children as time goes on."

Opera stared at him agape before they shook themselves out of it, noted his bloody shoulder despite his black long sleeved shirt, and began to walk. "Uhm, I suppose I have, yes." They could taste Kalego's blood in their mouth along with the warmth in their stomach. What the hell were they doing just now?

They took a few faster steps away from him, to escape just how warm and comfortable his hand was against their lower back before opening a random door and entering. "It's just a storage space I've been clearing out, but for some reason I couldn't stop returning here in an attempt to make it cozy."

Kalego ignored the burn of his shoulder as he glanced around the room. There was a plush chair off to the side that seemed out of place for a moment, until he acknowledged a circular outline of blankets in the middle of the room. He raised an eyebrow, "And this?"

Opera stood a few feet away from him unsettled as they shifted a little on their feet, their tail flicking and broadcasting their agitation. "...I was thinking about having Shichirou build a nest like in his office, here."

Kalego nodded, crossing his arms with a hum as he mentally mapped out how such a thing would look with the outline they'd created. "He'd probably be overjoyed at the thought of creating one for you."

Opera nodded as they softly replied, "He would." Kalego subtly gripped his arms as he continued to look around the space. It was a little odd to build a nest away from where he assumed their bedroom was, but sometimes a nest was simply the place to give birth, and not the place the child would be kept for safety with their parent.

Opera shifted as they went to leave, "I'll return in a moment." They left without looking at Kalego, intent on finding the first aid box, as well as to collect their strangely shambled thoughts.

Their memory was fuzzy this morning. They'd woken in a haze of too-warm-too-cold. They knew they'd thought they knew what they'd wanted that morning. But for some reason attempting to grasp anything from the past few hours skittered away from them, as if they were afflicted with Memory Alteration Magic again. This was… bad. It was also incredibly dangerous if they were starting to become scatter-brained.

They took hold of their desired item, and brought it back into their nesting room as they placed the first aid kit on a dresser. "Come here Kalego-kun, you're hurt."

Kalego observed them for an intense moment before moving over to them. He took a nearby stool and gently nudged them onto the seat, "You first."

Opera blinked up at him in confusion as he rummaged through the kit, put on a pair of gloves, and tugged their shawl and top away from a set of neat bite marks. The wound had barely bled, but it was a clean and proper mark.

Opera stared at it in surprise in the reflection of the nearby mirror hanging over the desk. Kalego was clinical and swift with their treatment, even when they hissed with pained displeasure. Kalego was unbothered and focused with their care over his own.

He placed a large square bandage over the spot and then turned away from them, tugging his shirt off to observe his injury. The mark there was deep and bruised, without care of what possible damage it could do. Kalego wasn't at all surprised by the state of it, easy to bleed as he swiftly dabbed antiseptic and healing ointment onto it just as he'd done for them before covering it similarly.

Opera was horrified. They knew that they had been the ones to do that to him. Why? What in the world had they been thinking? What in the ninth circle of hell was wrong with them?

They thought they might be sick before their stomach growled loudly, startling them out of their thoughts in embarrassment as Kalego clearly jolted from the sound, "I believe you told me you ate, Senpai?" He swiftly pulled his top back on, swiftly running a hand through his hair to try and bring it back to some semblance of order.

Opera stared down at their stomach before placing a hand on their belly, "I- yes. I thought I had."

Kalego closed the first aid kit with a shake of his head before offering them his arm, "Come, let's see about getting you something to eat then."

Opera stared at his hand before grasping his wrist and allowing him to guide them along.

They were… confused. How could Kalego just run with whatever was going on, business as usual? They had- how could they have bitten their Kouhai?

They weren't Marital Partners, they had no love for one another- so what was going on?!

Kalego somehow managed to coax them into a seat at the kitchen's island before opening the fridge, "Is there anything in particular that you'd like me to make?"

Opera blinked. Kalego was willing to cook for them? To the Deities around them, they were going to suffer an emotional death as they internally screamed in the horror of their own actions. "I… there are leftovers from last night. That should be good enough as a snack for now, and it's already set so that all it needs is to be put into the microwave."

Kalego seemed to find the mentioned leftover, lifted it for them to see, and with a nod, the man went over and began to heat their meal in cycles.

Opera was transfixed on his every movement. There was no undertone of rage. No tremor of annoyance.

Kalego was just. There. Caring for them like he should b-

Opera's face flushed all the way to their ears before they hid behind their hands with a silent keening whine. They sunk into themselves, their thoughts so chaotic that there was no discernable line to follow. They were a mental mess, and they were terrified of the idea that they didn't know themselves anymore.

Why? Why was Kalego safe?

They had come to a point of peace with the scenario they found themselves in, only for it to be completely upended by whatever had transpired between themselves and Kalego just now. They couldn't help grinding their teeth as tears of frustration came to their eyes and anger made their stomach burn with nausea. For what purpose were they so horribly despised that they were cursed so thoroughly? Why did everyone around them believe they were strong enough for this!? It would have been-

Kalego grasped the side of their head and pulled them into himself. "Your thoughts are too loud, Opera."

They took in a sharp breath as tears left burning trails down their cheeks. Their heart was beating fast with fear, and they clung to him as they hid themselves from the world. It was utterly humiliating.

Kalego stayed silent as they shoved their face into his stomach and raged silently with themselves. He didn't need some sort of emotional bond of empathy that fantasy romance liked to employ at times. It was just obvious to him.

Opera was independent, a neat freak, and repulsed by the idea of physical affection.

The state they had been forced into- it tore away at each and every one of their sensibilities time and time again. Peace was not an option. Torture and mental fatigue was the point, but the bastards behind this devilry had no idea Opera would become compatible with the Top Dog, the Hound of Babyls, who would do anything and everything in his power to defend what was proclaimed as his.

Kalego was not a kind man, but he took great care of what belonged to him. "You need to eat."

Opera sniffed miserably, forcing their raging self-hatred down with a thick swallow as they pulled back from him. He passed them his handkerchief as he pulled away, and after a swift wipe of their face, they ate with an empty look in their eyes.

Their black hair only accentuated the red hues of their eyes, the tiredness they were constantly fighting-

"I'm so tired of eating like this."

Kalego's thoughts paused as he frowned, "I…suppose I'm not surprised. You were never a big eater."

Opera tilted their head in a tiny nod, "I do not enjoy overindulging in food."

"Yet you still must eat."

Opera snuffed in annoyance, "I have to, or the child makes me ill to the point of immobility."

"...You've attempted to limit your eating?"

Opera shifted in discomfort, taking a long moment to gather their thoughts as they ate several bites, "I shouldn't need to eat so much extra food… But the child…" Their voice grew oddly quiet as a trembling thought made their words weak, "What if the food here isn't sustainable for humans..?"

Oh. Oh. Oh no. He would not have them thinking that despite their efforts to provide, that Their child was starving to death.

Kalego took Opera's chin with clearly broadcasted purpose and pressed his lips against theirs, his Mana flooding them just as easily now as it had earlier.

They gasped and instinctively went to lash out before they grasped onto his shirt desperately, drinking his Mana in as if it were the water of an oasis. They took moments to stop and gasp before he simply continued his onslaught of feeding them his Mana before he abruptly pulled himself out of their grasp and fell back to steady himself against the counter breathless.

Opera slowly brought their hands to their mouth as they brought their breathing under control.

They… they felt so much more full now.

Opera bowed their head for a moment as they mentally examined their body and closed their eyes to center themselves.

They took a deep breath and exhaled, "...Thank you."

Kalego was quiet, his breathing back into proper order as he let the counter take his weight as he contemplated how to answer them. "...I apologize."

Opera opened their eyes and looked up at him in confusion. "-Why?"

Kalego lifted an eyebrow in slight disbelief, "Because I kissed you without asking permission first."

Opera blinked. They were demons. Inherently selfish and uncaring about whether or not they-

"Op~era~! I'm finally ho~ome!"

Kalego nearly threw himself across the room as he recoiled from their Master's voice. They couldn't help but snort before giggling to themselves as they tried to shove more food into their mouth with a knowing grin.

He'd acted like some high schooler about to be caught by their partner's parents!

Sullivan poked his head into the kitchen with a curious hum as he noticed the two of them, "Oh, so we do have a guest over!" He waved enthusiastically, "Lovely to see you this hellish weekend, Kalego-kun~!"

Kalego bared his fangs as he pulled into himself in annoyance with a click of his tongue, "Opera-senpai wanted help with their nest."

Sullivan's eyebrows raised as he looked at his Security Devil, "Oh? Is Balam-kun on his way over?"

Opera nodded, "We were about to call him and see if he could set one up tonight."

Taking the dismissal as it was, Kalego nodded and made his way back towards the nesting room they'd been in earlier. He took out his hellphone and called Shichirou while looking over the circle of blankets and sheets.

"Kalego-kun?"

Kalego ran a finger under his collar before rubbing the back of his neck as he felt a headache coming on, "Opera-senpai would like you to build the base of their nest."

Shichirou was silent on the other side before bursting with excitement, "Oh! I'd be happy to do that for them! Do they want me to come over now?"

"Please do."

"Of course! See you in six!" He hung up, and Kalego pulled the device away from his ear before staring at it blankly.

He was so utterly fucked.

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