Lost and Found

by YumeTakato

Opera had never believed themselves to be the parenting type- nor had they ever envisioned themselves in such a position. Eventually fate tears them away from their child, and fourteen years pass in fits and stops. Their Lord arrives with a thin human child and proclaims him his grandson. Yet, Iruma has his secrets, and he is unwilling to reveal his truth for the sake of freedom.

5. Student and Grieving

So basically this is a canon-adjacent fanfic. Canon pretty much runs as expected, so I will only be adding small tidbits to certain moments as I see fit. You can otherwise assume next to nothing has changed with what we already know. Sorry if it's a bit rough.

Warning: Iruma is capable of swearing internally. He was partially raised with the yakuza, and though he still keeps to politeness, internally he does have moments where he can't help but vent more than he would typically in canon now that he's a teenager. Also, Iruma may be only half, but his human traits are strong enough that canon still applies.

TW: Mentions of near death experiences, depression, postpartum depression, rage, loss, and death.

Please leave a review if you enjoyed it!

xXx-xXx-onset-xXx-xXx

A few days pass as Iruma, Asmodeus, and Clara play with one another and get used to the school. Clara made… a bit of a mess when they went to get their textbooks, and Iruma clued in on the fact that the girl was being used by others.

Clara was his and-

Iruma pivoted from that thought and politely asked Asmodeus to take care of the students who were bothering her.

When Sullivan told Iruma about his classmate arrangements, he was… He couldn't help but wonder if his grandfather loved him or just really liked fucking with him. Cause seriously. Why couldn't he be in a normal class with his friends?

(Okay, admittedly, Clara was childish chaos incarnate, but that was forgivable. Because it was Clara.)

Entering his first classroom in months via rapid-fire weaponry and having to dodge them was not good for his heart. He barely snatched the buzzing static of Hermod's anger, and really. The wolf would have gone for Lied's jugular if he hadn't had enough sense about him to not instinctively lash out towards humanoid beings.

Because Hemod was howling in his head and making him break into a sweat. He'd… Iruma had never had to control his wolf so much. He was getting kind of anemic from how much blood (and unknowingly, Mana) the wolf had been taking in frustrated compensation the past week.

(Also, betting on him? Rude. Just- He wasn't prone to violence but good grief was he gonna need to punch his pillow later and scream a bit. Hermod was not sharing his bed today.)

Iruma decided, after meeting Sabnock Sabro, that it was time to go into shut down mode and zone out.

Too bad he didn't have a garden to work on for stress relief…

"Shut up you damn brats and get in line, class is already in session!"

Iruma flinches at Kalego's appearance, and soon enough, the class finds themselves in a valley.

Iruma isn't sure how well he can traverse a huge valley on foot, but it isn't until everyone unveils their wings that he realizes he's in trouble.

Iruma has wings, but he cannot fly. He hesitates as his classmates take off before him, and he has no idea how to broach the subject with his teacher.

Except he doesn't get the chance- Kalego just shoves him off the edge.

Yeah. Yup. Iruma missed his chance to dodge that one because Kalego didn't have malicious intent. It was merely an expectation

Iruma's just fortunate some bird decided he was food, and then ended up dropping him off in some huge nest. A nest with an injured baby bird.

Iruma can't stand seeing injured animals. He'd helped many who were able to be rehabilitated over the years, so he hurts himself to show that he wants to help the baby bird. He coaxes it with both the tone of his words and the emotion in his eyes.

They relent to him and show him their injury. Iruma feels his heart lighten a bit as he thanks the bird, just as some blood drips past his makeshift bandage.

His brain shuts off as the wound heals from that drop. "Uhm… what?!" Can.. Can human blood heal demons?!

Things Iruma must file away for survival, just in case someone decides to eat him. He has a bargaining tool to keep him alive! (Right? Right!)

Finding and saving Sabnock, finishing the race, and getting a ring for his trouble feels weirdly cheap compared to not gaining a proper Rank.

He does learn later that day that his Rank is set to Aleph (1), so at least one thing goes the way he thinks it should.

He has no idea he's gained quite the reputation for 'taming' the King of the Valley.

xXx-xXx-onset-xXx-xXx

Iruma loves gardening. Ever since he was taught how to garden by the yakuza family, he's enjoyed it. It's a way for him to decompress from the day, and it allows him to create something. Something that, even if he isn't there to care for it, can still be a reminder to someone else that he existed.

Flowers bring food to so many insects, have so many different uses other than their beauty... The smell of the earth beneath his claws has always been a quiet comfort.

So when one of his first lessons is with the DeviBiology teacher Stolas Suzy, he's just overjoyed to be surrounded by the smell of green and just… It's bliss.

For a minute, until he realizes that this will involve Magic, and thus the relaxing atmosphere he'd gathered for himself dies. And well, it isn't even because it's Magic. It's because it involves Casting that Magic and using it.

Iruma… he can use Magic. He in fact has used Magic. He, however, has never used Spells.

Iruma, during the winter or in dire straits, would Cast Fire by simply wishing for it. His first Casting had been by accident and it had terrified him, and since fire could easily burn the skin or his belongings, he used it very sparingly.

The only other Magic he's ever taken the time to figure out to Cast, was born from a desire to make cleaning up in the bathroom easier for himself. And while at first this seems silly, it was specifically when he'd groom his wingspan. It unfortunately took such a long time on his own, that if he took even more time to clean up all the soap scum, necropsy crystals, and overall mess he made of the yakuza family's shared bathroom, he wouldn't sleep.

It also would have been suspicious for a kid to be in the bathroom for five or more hours.

Iruma then figured out that if he used enough of his Imagination to make it Clean, it would happen.

This had the unfortunate effect of nearly knocking him out on his feet since he had very little Magic to call his own, but it was worth it.

So when he smiled sadly at the sapling he'd been provided and wistfully thought about the Sakura trees back home and Cast Quan Quan, he expected, maybe a single miniscule bud.

Instead he got a disrupted phone call and a forever blooming gigantic Sakura tree.

xXx-xXx-onset-xXx-xXx

Iruma willingly helps clean up after the tree he's created. It's attract-distracted a lot of students, and they've made a mess of the school.

He doesn't quite realize it, but this is the moment that makes the school janitorial staff not only aware of him, but also interested in his actions. They've seen many young demons over their long tenures, but Iruma is the first to not only ask, but expect that he should clean up after his messes, and they are enamored with him.

It's while Iruma is bringing back the cleaning supplies he's used that he runs into a very tall demon. He immediately worries about her, asks her if she's alright (since she's quite red in the face, is she unwell?), and then…

Iruma isn't sure of how it happens, but he realizes there's a familiar Manga on the floor between them in the middle of bowing apologetically.

He snatches it, "Oh, it's Hatsukoi Memories! This brings back some good memories..!" He recalls his time working with Sensei. He, in fact, worked for her a few more times after his initial run-in with her when his parents started to just expect him to find extra work on top of whatever they managed.

And then he remembers he's in the Netherworld and panics.

But then the girl is in his face all sparkly eyed and asking if he can read it. Of course he can read it-

Ameri and Iruma have their first tea and cookies reading session of Hatsukoi Memories, and Iruma gains a new friend.

xXx-xXx-onset-xXx-xXx

Iruma begins to read to Ameri daily. Having Opera question whether or not he wants to continue staying in the Netherworld kind of hurts for reasons he can't explain, even though he knows it comes from a place of concern. The Netherworld is a dangerous place, and he, a Human, is living there.

He has a lot to think about. Opera brought up getting stronger and getting a higher Rank to return to the Human Realm, but the concept is so beyond him, that it feels like something unrelated to himself.

That is, until Ameri questions what his Dream, or Ambition is. He's never had one. He's always had to go along with whatever his parents and others forced him into, that he has no idea how to think on a larger scale beyond that.

So when Ameri suggests he should focus on raising his Rank to Bet (2), he goes with it. If it's a student's responsibility, then maybe it does have something to do with him.

Clara interrupts their conversation, and after she and Asmodeus drag him off, Clara pours her pent up love and affection towards him out. She is stuck to him like glue while Asmodeus barates her poor manners.

Iruma, however, doesn't really mind it. When he's with Ameri he's happy, the atmosphere is pleasant, and it feels warm. It's even sometimes a little embarrassing and makes him nervous, but seeing Ameri's face while he reads brings him joy.

Clara digs her hands into his hair to return his focus to her and he accidentally digs his nails into her back in surprise, "Clara!"

She pouts up at him as her hands continue to roam his hair, "It's no fair! Iruma-chi's mine, and you've been giving red-hair all've your attention! AzzAzz and I wanna spend time with Iruma-chi too!"

Iruma blinks, he's surprised by her attachment, but relents a little. "I'm… sorry. I didn't mean to ignore you two."

Clara huffs out her grievances and buries her face into his collarbone while muttering, "It's okie…" She lifts her face, "But you gotta let me brush your hair."

Iruma pauses as Asmodeus butts in, "Valac, don't be so rude towards Iruma-sama!"

Clara blows a raspberry at Asmodeus before pleading with her eyes at him, "Iruma-chi, can I brush your hair? Pleasepleaseplease? It's so soft like a kitty's and it's so pretty." She ruffles it up more, "Plus your horns must hurty-hurt a lot from being clipped down all the time, right? Right?"

Iruma's heart leaps into his throat as terror grips him, "You- how do you-"

Clara puffs up her cheeks, "Your clippy clip fell off, remember? I saw your horn! We both did, right AzzAzz?"

Asmodeus nods while being wary of Iruma's shift in demeanor. He'd been just as desperate as Clara to hang out with his friend, but… He didn't want to distress Iruma. But also, it was a bit rude to ask someone about hairbrushing so soon in their friendship. At least. That's what his upbringing would have him believe. However… after going for a few days without Iruma closeby all the time, he was feeling… jealous. It would be compensation. "I did as well, Iruma-sama. I apologize, it seemed like you wanted to keep it hidden, but… I… wouldn't mind having the chance to brush your hair, just as much as Valac. It's not a terrible idea."

Iruma glances between the two of them, overwhelmed and confused. "Is… is hairbrushing between close friends normal?"

Asmodeus and Clara glance at one another.

They haven't had the longest time to get to know Iruma, but they have picked up on the fact that he is very cautious and unsure of the normalities of a demon's daily life. They won't mention it of course. It's refreshing and it's part of why they love him so much. On the other hand, grooming is normally something partners or very closely allied demons do. Not just… whatever they are at this time. Iruma did say they were friends. Did friends brush one another's hair? They didn't know.

They also found they didn't care, so they fibbed.

Asmodeus lifts his head, "Since we are your friends, Iruma-sama, it makes more than enough sense for us to brush one another's hair."

Clara nods sagely, absolutely on board with Asmodeus on this. They might not get along well, but Iruma is their pride and joy. "Exactly!" Clara brings out three brushes and hands a pink ornate one to Asmodeus, and a simple blue one to Iruma. Her's is of course green and somehow… spiky and strange, but the bristles look just as soft and pleasant as the other two she handed over.

Iruma, despite his wariness, cautiously unclips his ears and allows them proper freedom. They twitch as they take in clarified sound, and Clara digs her hands into his hair once again.

When she rubs against the base of his ears and over them just right he gasps at the abrupt feeling of relief that the muscles he'd learned to ignore scream in pleasure. He buries his face into her chest, flustered at the feeling of it. It feels so good and addicting, that he almost cries.

Asmodeus can't help but startle at his reaction to Clara's actions, "Iruma-sama?!"

Iruma breathes for a moment. Clara is still rubbing his ears and it feels amazing. He relaxes as tears of gratitude warm his eyes as he speaks quietly, "I- I've never had anyone touch them before-" Not while he was conscious of it.

Clara gasps as she responds softly, "Your mommy never brushed your hair? Your daddy never held you in his lap to rub the base of your horns while they were growing?"

Iruma shakes his head in the negative, and Clara's hands are gone from his head, instead wrapping around him in a desperate hug.

Asmodeus's warmth joins their awkward position as he hugs both of them into himself. Asmodeus's voice is soft and strained, shaking from an unclear emotion Iruma can't grasp, "We will remedy that from now on, and it would be an honor to do this daily, until you know just how important you are to us. Hair brushing is how families bond. Despite how insufferable my mother is, I can't imagine her not taking the time to brush my hair and tell me how much she loves me, and how important I am to her and everyone else."

Clara nods while petting Iruma's hair, and Iruma is overwhelmed. He sniffs, "Please teach me how to do it, too. I've never brushed anyone's hair, or touched their horns. I don't know what's okay to do."

Asmodeus pulls Iruma properly into his chest while Clara melts into Iruma's lap. Clara pats his leg, "We'll teach you anything and everything you wanna know, Iruma-chi. Leave it to us!"

Iruma gives her a wobbly smile and nods, "Thank you."

Thus begins Iruma's daily grooming routine with Asmodeus and Clara.

This small act swiftly spills into much more when it comes to interacting with his fellow classmates.

xXx-xXx-onset-xXx-xXx

Asmodeus is absolutely on board when Iruma asks him how to raise his Rank, so when Asmodeus starts talking about 'Canon-ball Execution,' Iruma feels like something is familiar.

The fact it's just a more dangerous dodgeball game breaks Iruma's brain a bit and makes him frustrated with his own expectations. It's- it's totally something he can do, but it chuffs him a bit and his wolf is laughing at him.

'You think Demons are that smart?'

The thought is too clear from his wolf, but Hermod has been gaining words since his arrival here. Iruma's not sure how or why this is… but Hermod gives him shit all the time now. It'd be funny if this abrupt evolution weren't confusing and worrisome.

At least Hermod isn't really drinking his blood anymore. He has scars all up and down his forearms despite how quickly he heals, because it doesn't change the fact he's been bitten a lot ever since Hermod manifested.

His internal frustrations are cut off when his classmates join in and actually make the game dangerous, instead of the fun happy time he, Asmodeus, Clara, and the cursed dolls had been having.

"I need special training…" Iruma isn't used to playing with others, especially not all out.

Iruma, in fact, has been trained by Hermod to restrict his strength. While his classmates have been taught to be as violently strong as possible, Iruma has been trained within human sensibilities. He can break humans, so he had to learn fine point motor control to prevent that.

It was for survival that he had to become seemingly weak.

Asmodeus brings him to the Chairdemon, since he himself is unavailable to focus on training him.

The Chairdemon, of course, is overjoyed with the thought of getting to train his grandson, so they stand outside while Sullivan gives him advice. "Now relax your muscles, spread your legs out a bit- yup! And then shout 'Libera!' while throwing the ball!"

Iruma is nearly knocked off of his feet at the sight of the magical dragon taking off with his ball, "Grandpa! I don't want to use Magic, it's yours! I need to do this myself!"

Sullivan mulls this over with a hum, conceding to Iruma's point. "Well, if that's how you feel about it..." He holds Iruma's hands, and they glow as Magic rushes over them. "Now, I've only used some strengthening Magic on your hands so you can actually catch the balls your classmates throw. That's still fair, right?"

Iruma's beams happily, "Yup! Thanks grandpa!"

Sullivan is nearly overcome with how adorable his grandson is, and tags out, "Well then, I'll leave the rest to Opera!"

Iruma freezes, "Eh!?"

Sullivan motions him along, "It's better to learn from a more experienced demon!"

They enter a large gymnasium-like space as Opera holds a dodgeball aloft with refinement, "Then I shall be your opponent from now on, Iruma-sama."

Thus Iruma's hellish dodgeball training began, with the end goal of having him actually catch the damn thing.

Now… Iruma has still had a lot of issues understanding Opera. They're very stoic and monotone, so he has a difficult time connecting to them. Opera has a rather dry sense of humor, and Their combined exhaustion with Iruma's automatic dodging ability just makes things more frustrated between the two.

It's a little bit of an improvement then before though, even when Opera grabs him by the mouth and stretches his cheeks.

They're emoting a bit with him, and he feels like it's sort of… fun?

Asmodeus and Clara check in on him during his training, feeding and speaking with him. Iruma's especially hungry with how much work he's begun to put into this game as his training sessions have turned into a daily occurrence. He feels like he's getting closer to Opera, and as if he can understand them better. He hasn't even noticed that his hands are hurt because…

Because he wants to make Opera proud. He wants them to be pleased with his progress, and he just keeps pushing himself to go on for just that little bit longer, if it'll bring him the result he's hoping for.

He's entranced by Opera. Not romantically, but like…

He doesn't know what this feeling is. But he wants them to smile at him, and tell him that he's done a good job.

Iruma wants Opera to praise him. It's the first time he's wanted something like an affirmative word so badly that it almost manifests as a living ache inside of him. He fiercely, desperately, and genuinely wants Opera to praise his efforts.

He runs, he works out, he does anything and everything Opera suggests, no matter how worn out he feels, because he wants to win this. He wants to make all of the effort Opera is pouring into him worth it and praise him.

Iruma runs himself ragged, to the point of unknowingly worrying Asmodeus and Clara as they watch him train.

And then he finally catches the ball.

xXx-xXx-onset-xXx-xXx

It has been around three weeks since Iruma was sold and brought into the Netherworld, when he gains the Rank of Bet (2). A week's worth of training under Opera's supervision and wealth of advice comes to fruition as he shows off his accomplishment to his family.

"Thank you so much Opera-san!" Opera is struck, and their intrigue with this young human blooms into affection. "You really helped me out!"

Opera is almost flustered as they respond, "Don't mention it, but you're welcome young Master." The two take a moment to celebrate as Opera pats Iruma's head affectionately in congratulations, before the two press their palms together in joy.

This is the moment Opera shudders and snatches the boy's wrists, "What happened to your hands?"

Iruma shrinks back a little at their intensity, "The ball was on fire when Azz-kun threw it, so.. I kind of, got burnt?"

Opera clicks their tongue and drags him off with a light scolding, "I'm happy for you, but I absolutely do NOT like that you hurt yourself doing it. Come, we must take care of this immediately and heal you up. No talking back. We're fixing this."

Iruma's baffled and a little embarrassed as he's set down and worried over. It's not quite the congratulations he was hoping for, but their deep worry and attention towards his wellbeing makes up for it easily, and he can't help but smile at Opera. "Thank you for everything."

Opera sighs softly as they work, before lightly squeezing his fragile human hands. "You're welcome."

xXx-xXx-onset-xXx-xXx

When Clara had selected her elective as seduction, Iruma wasn't sure what to think. She'd mentioned enthralling him, but…

He couldn't figure out why she was so worried about it. They were friends, he worried after her, and he just didn't understand her insecurities. However, at the same time, he began to realize he did understand, if only just a little.

Iruma had never really been close to anyone growing up, outside of the yakuza family and Hermod, so having interactions with anyone outside of work was a new experience.

Ameri caused a number of confusing feelings that were normally tempered by their reading sessions. Clara caused even more confusing feelings, but when she asked if he saw her as a girl so desperately with hope…

How could he see her as anything but..?

She had quite the cute face.

xXx-xXx-onset-xXx-xXx

The Battra situation was overwhelming for Iruma. Finding out Ameri was The Student Council President just about wiped his mental capabilities for the day. It made him weak kneed to realize he'd been chummy with someone that important to the school hierarchy.

And then his ring went berserk and choked some random third year.

A third year!

Hermod was growling with their fur on end in the back of his mind, but he suppressed the wolf's concern while profusely apologizing to the only current member of the Magitools Research Division Battra.

Kalego announced they had three days to make their decision, but Iruma's interaction with Ami Kiriwo left an impression on him.

So he joined his club, and learned about the Battra Party that would come up in a few weeks.

In the meantime, Iruma slowly got accustomed to taking classes like a normal student.

He also got a little closer to Kalego-sensei, despite his misgivings about being a Familiar. Kalego, even if he was frustrated with Iruma for summoning him, still couldn't help but be mad when Iruma didn't summon him while in danger.

He may hate being a Familiar, but he was a Familiar. He wouldn't be seen as a liability just because it inconvenienced and pissed him off.

So, taking the lessons Iruma had learned from Clara and Asmodeus while brushing one another's hair almost every day, he applied them to caring for Flufflego in class.

He also found himself getting closer to his classmates, when he one day walked up to Sabnock and asked, "Can I brush your hair?"

The class went silent as Sabnock stared at his Rival baffled, "Why do you ask?"

Iruma hummed in thought for a moment, "Well, it's just… I wanted to show some appreciation for playing with Clara the way you do." He smiled, "It makes me happy to see you two play together so well."

Sabnock couldn't help but feel just a little flustered by Iruma's praise. Asmodeus and Clara might be burning with intense jealousy in the background, but Iruma was just a pile of fluff and cuteness, wasn't he..?

He did save him from the Leader of the Valley, so it really was him who should be asking to brush his hair in thanks. "If you wouldn't mind waiting until tomorrow so I can leave my hair down, certainly."

Iruma beamed up at him, "Thank you so much!" He was practically spawning flowers with how pleased his aura was, even when he unconsciously slapped Jazz's hand away from taking his hair clip.

Iruma turned to Jazz, "What're you doing?"

Jazz is notably flustered. He hasn't failed at an unconscious theft in ages. "Uh-"

Iruma's fluffy atmosphere drops into something surprisingly cold and dark, "Don't touch my hair."

Jazz shudders but nods to appease his classmate. Iruma beams at him happily, practically glowing in a blinding gold light before skipping over to Asmodeus and Clara to chat like usual.

Despite the fear, Jazz finds himself a little thrilled that someone saw through him, and finds he wouldn't mind having his hair brushed either.

It's with this interaction with Sabnock and Jazz, that Iruma sparks jealousy within the rest of the class to receive a reason for having Iruma brush their hair. They have no idea why this is, but for some reason…

For some reason they want Iruma to be pleased with them too.

xXx-xXx-onset-xXx-xXx

Iruma stood behind Sabnock in a small secluded area outside. The taller demon was sitting comfortably as Iruma prepared to brush his hair. Iruma requested a brush from Clara, much to her annoyance, but Iruma promised to brush her hair twice as long if she gave him a fresh brush and she caved.

It was a suitable brush for the taller demon. Golden with little lightning motifs. The bristles were a little rougher than the three of them used, but it was perfect for Sabnock's hair type.

Iruma tilted his head in wonder, "Can I ask some odd questions?"

Sabnock glanced back at him curiously, "Certainly, My Rival."

Iruma couldn't help but still find it funny that Sabnock thought of him as a rival, but he sort of only had shoujo manga to judge how that should be. Normally rival's disliked each other, right..? "Uhm, do you have horns?"

Sabnock blinked, "I do not."

Iruma hummed as he passed the brush to Sabnock and began to massage the taller demon's scalp. Sabnock wasn't entirely prepared for him to do that, but kept his mouth shut. It was a little embarrassing, but the next self proclaimed Demon King refused to be embarrassed by such an act.

Iruma was quiet, humming songs he remembered hearing while working in the human world. It was an unconscious action he'd started after working for a Mall theater group. Anime songs were pretty catchy, and helped boost his energy sometimes. He hummed a lot while gardening, too.

"How do you take care of your wings?"

Sabnock furrowed his brow, "What do you mean?"

Iruma rubbed at a spot on Sabnock's head that he thought might have been where a horn base could have grown, had his family not stopped growing them. Sabnock nearly melted at the touch, but barely managed to keep his head about him as Iruma responded, "Like, uhm. What kinds of brushes and soaps do you use to clean them..?"

Sabnock couldn't help but be a little confused, "Are you having issues with your wings, Iruma?"

Iruma pulled his hands out of Sabnock's hair and silently asked for the brush. Sabnock handed it over as Iruma hesitantly responded, "My uhm… I know this probably isn't the safest thing to admit, but my wings are severely prone to necrosis."

Sabnock startled and turned to him, "What?!"

Iruma flinched back, and Sabnock forced himself to pull back a bit to give him space. He knew Iruma was a bit flighty, but the guy was definitely a runner. "I- sorry, I should have probably kept it to myself-"

Sabnock shifted to sit on his legs while clenching his thighs. This was serious. "Show me."

Iruma took another step back, "Huh?"

Sabnock sighed as he pointed at his rival, "For me to give you proper advice on how to care for your wings, I need to see them. I won't tell anyone about this, I promise on my name, Sabnock Sabro."

Iruma's eyes widened. He knew instinctively a demon would never promise as much unless it were so. Iruma relaxed his muscles before relenting, and took a moment to breathe. He closed his eyes while clutching the brush handle near his waist. It was always a little difficult for him still, even now, to bring out his wings and put them away.

It was work.

This made Sabnock even more concerned. Everyone their age could release their wings without a second thought, yet Iruma was thinking about it.

Finally Iruma sighed softly and his wings slowly sprang forth.

Sabnock was stunned for a moment. He had never seen wings like this. Certainly, they had the same shape of his own, and they were a dark indigo where the thick skin that protected the bone structure lay, but the webbing in between…

It was a transparent blue in the same shade as his hair. Clearly too-thin for actual flying, but breathtaking all the same in the fact that they didn't just shred apart from the smallest breeze. There were spots of growing crystallization, necrosis, that were in clumps of white-gray scales and deceptive glitter.

Sabnock was both overwhelmed and terrified by this. How the hell had Iruma survived until now?

This was heavy for someone his age to learn, but Sabnock was nothing but sturdy, and took a deep breath before thinking on how one would care for wings like this. "What have you done until now?" Iruma made a sound of question as he elaborated, "What brushes and soaps have you and your caretakers been using to help with this?"

"Oh, I've been cleaning them on my own about once a month." On his own?! "I used to just use a soft toothbrush for the crystals after soaking them with a special shampoo and a rag for five minutes. It honestly took forever, and I'm sure I missed spots, but it gets kind of tiring after three hours."

Sabnock felt slightly faint at the idea of toiling on his wings for any longer than a minute. "Your family has never helped you with this?"

Iruma went quiet. The sort of quiet that somehow even your heartbeat gets all that more still to help you hide. Sabnock wasn't prepared for that stillness. "I was adopted." It was a quiet admission, but it said so much and Sabnock grabbed him and crushed him into himself. His wings sprouting to cover them as a protective possessiveness took over in the same way it could for his little sister at times.

Iruma, for his credit, only squeaked before going limp. He knew he'd unintentionally triggered something in his classmate, and since he was stressing out, to let him vent in whatever way was necessary.

He still didn't understand a lot about demons, but his instincts seemed to be stirring on the unspoken things.

Sabnock was grinding his teeth. He was holding Iruma a touch too tightly, but he couldn't let this go.

No wonder. No wonder! His Rival was so unequipped because, for as much as Sabnock did not get along with his own father, he knew the older demon still loved him.

Iruma had come from a place without love or support. How was he not trapped in an endless evil cycle? How could he still be so soft and innocent of the horrors of his surrounding world?

Iruma lightly touched his shoulder, "Sabnock-kun..?"

Sabnock sighed heavily as the ferocity of his protective nature passed into something tolerable, "You have not spoken to your guardians about this?"

Iruma flushed to himself, "I've been self sufficient until now, and I'd honestly rather not worry them with this."

Sabnock frowned. "You do not trust your caretakers?"

Iruma pulled back in shock, "I-" He paused, "I don't know how to ask for help. I've always hidden pieces of my physical traits to protect myself."

Iruma slapping Jazz's hand away from his hair clips abruptly makes sense. "...But why?"

Iruma blinked and gave him a tiny smile that made a chill run down his spine as Iruma admitted something he'd never said aloud. "I was born to be exploited."

Oh.

Iruma was not the naïve rich kid they thought he was.

Sabnock was not prepared to be the one who learned this first, but he'd be damned if he didn't take it into account from now on. "I will see what I can find, and give you a list."

Iruma beamed, "Thanks Sabnock-kun! I'll have Grandpa buy whatever it is you suggest!"

Sabnock huffed, "No, please allow me to assist you with grooming your wings."

Iruma blinked, "But why?"

Sabnock paused for a moment, "Because you told me about them, and I live by myself. It would be nice to have someone help me groom my own."

Iruma puzzled up at him before smiling, "Alright, thank you Sabnock-kun."

Sabnock nodded, "You're welcome. I'll give you the necessary information later, alright?"

Iruma nodded, "Yup! Now let me finish brushing your hair!"

Sabnock couldn't help but sigh and relent, before releasing his classmate and turning his back to him to continue this strange grooming session he'd allowed himself to get talked into.

…He wouldn't mind doing this again.

xXx-xXx-onset-xXx-xXx

Between preparing for the Battra Party, the talk with Sabnock, and everything else in-between, Iruma abruptly realized he'd fucked up.

He said he'd let Sabnock help with grooming his wings. Cool. Fine. But fuck if he hadn't totally forgotten about why, on his endless list of why's, that he forgot about that.

The huge friggin' claw-mark scar on his back. Shit. He had no good way to explain around why he wouldn't want to show someone else his back, but the scar had always been there.

Now, it never bothered him aesthetically. He always covered it, and even though it didn't make sense as to why the scar grew with him, when that sort of thing didn't happen to growing humans, it was simply another one of his oddities.

He'd have to ask for a swim tank or something. Something that was skin tight, black, and could get wet without being suspicious.

Iruma couldn't believe he'd fucked up so bad!

It took some fumbling on his part, but he managed to ask Opera to acquire some sort of swim top for him, and they agreed without much fuss, which was a godsend really. He was so thankful.

He had no idea it was simply because Opera used the same sort of article of clothing for when they decided to, on a once in a decade slip of sanity, go for a swim.

Opera informed him Lord Sullivan wouldn't be home for some time due to issues at work, but that he'd absolutely be there for the Battra Party even if he had to crawl on his hands and knees to make it.

Iruma wouldn't hold him to it, but he appreciated the thought all the same.

xXx-xXx-onset-xXx-xXx

When Iruma released Pandulora to protect the school, he hadn't really expected to pass out from relief. He'd never done that before, but he had… and now he was also exhausted. He knew the Mana of his ring was his grandfather's. He just hadn't expected such a severe recoil from it, that it ate up his Mana as well.

Waking up in his grandfather's lap, hearing what happened to Kiriwo, and announcing which Battra he was from to the whole school ate up what was left of his social battery.

So the next day, when it was time for everyone's parents to come…

He had simply resigned to spending time alone at his booth. Asmodeus was absolutely prepared to stick by his side, but then his mother showed up.

Iruma… honestly forgot Azz-kun's name was Alice, so hearing Amaryllis-san cheering out 'Alice-chan~!' in greeting had him absolutely confused until he saw Asmodeus's face.

He would. He wouldn't laugh about it, but he'd never seen that expression on his friend before.

It made Iruma just that little too curious about his friend's relationship with his mother… because yeah.

Amaryllis-san was a lot. In a lot of ways.

Iruma settled himself at his booth to people-watch. It was peaceful, even if it was a little lonely.

And then he was lifted up gently from behind, "What would you like to eat? Oh! That red candy over there, let's buy that!" Opera nodded enthusiastically at their Master's suggestion as they procured said item.

Together, they went to visit Iruma's fellow classmates and met some of their family members, unintentionally decimated the prize carts of everything they had (Opera was ruthless in their pursuit of prize earnings), and ate. A lot.

Like. A LOT.

Iruma wasn't prone to taking photos, but he wouldn't have minded a shot of Opera being soft and cute with the tiny animals. They were so ruthless throughout the day, that seeing them be so gentle with something so small warmed his heart.

And then as the night came to close, when Jazz and Lied complimented his Grandfather and Opera…

Iruma was so happy to know that others saw them as a good and strong family.

He was proud to have them.

Settling into the award ceremony room, knowing full-well that it wasn't possible for them to get a prize, just made it a formality. Iruma wasn't… well. He would be lying if he said he wasn't disappointed that their Battra couldn't win a prize, but he was happy for the winners anyway.

But then a new prize, the Tricky Prize was announced, and Asmodeus and Clara chose him to be the representative of their club to receive a Rank-up.

Kalego's scolding was warranted. Iruma had been truly reckless and silent about the information he had about what was going on. Still, he was happy.

Until he remembered he didn't want to stand out and ran from the School Newspaper Battler.

xXx-xXx-retribution-xXx-xXx

Now, one might think that the passing of time was irrelevant to the case at hand.

But it was entirely relevant. It had to be. It follows and catches up to everyone, no matter who or what you were.

This holds true for the two humans who called themselves the parents of one Suzuki Iruma.

They have no idea of their coming Karma of course. They honestly believe they've managed a slovenly life almost scott-free, outside of a few work stints they were forced into when Iruma selfishly ran off on his own.

You see, Opera was not the only one bound (unwillingly) to their contract. Foolishly enough, the pair did not read their own half of the agreement. Who takes time to read the TOS on things? It's all just endless legal jargon that didn't really impact them in any way.

But they were dealing with demons. They didn't think about the fact they were dealing with demons.

They just wanted a free money maker without having to expend their own physical personhood.

So when they sold the boy's soul to a high ranking devil and got booze and money for their trouble, they were ecstatic. They didn't think there was any issue at all, and thus, after a few weeks of investigation by the police force, they were granted grievance money from the government for the loss of their child.

They sweet talked the tuna boat company that had lost their boy at sea to give them every last penny if they didn't want to be sued and scandalized for hiring and killing a teenage boy while fishing.

The Suzuki pair were as rich as they'd ever been after receiving the company's total payout.

Weeks went by as they traveled and enjoyed themselves. They were living the life, seeing even more sights than ever.

And then, six weeks, six days, and six hours after they had sold Suzuki Iruma's soul to the devil, they mysteriously dropped dead.

They had broken their contract, and thus with it, Opera was set free.

xXx-xXx-traverse-xXx-xXx

A few days had passed since the Battler Party. Iruma mentioned something about Azz-kun and Clara making him food and seemingly getting closer. Opera wasn't sure about the finer details, but Iruma seemed just as confused about it. He did seem to be in better spirits though.

So maybe the two of them had cooked for him to cheer him up..? The human child certainly loved his food…

Opera was cleaning up the various dishes from the dinner they'd recently finished when Magic buzzed across their skin.

Opera shuddered with a silent gasp as the insurmountable weight of their Curses suddenly awoke and weighed upon them.

They hadn't done anything wrong! They hadn't thought about their child, about where or how they were! Why were the Curses activating!?

There is shattering, they know there is silverware and broken ceramic at their feet but their head feels as if it is splitting open. They lose sense of reality as their vision whites out to the memory of seven months and fourteen days of emotional upheaval that is viciously shoved back into their brain.

Their throat hurts. They're screaming, they remember the pain of labor and the silent fear as their voice was cut off that they're bleeding out and dying. They remember Shichirou hovering over them terrified and begging them to live. How hot his blood had felt entering their veins when he'd used some sort of plant to give them blood.

They'd haphazardly thought about how they hadn't Marked one another yet, how silly it was for him to give them their blood, would it even be compatible enough to work without a Mark?

Opera isn't sure which agony is worse- the torment of the months of losing agency over their body, the infliction of the Curses upon their person, the feeling of dying-

Or if it was the emptiness when they knew they'd never held their child?

They'd been too weak, they were so angry, Why had their child been taken away?

The weeping, the gnashing of teeth, digging their nails into unforgiving walls and floors while rending violence against anything they could for the loss and removal of their child. The crippling depression.

The constant feeling of having their emotions compacted into a tiny box and thrown away as if it had never happened every year since.

Opera took in a ragged breath as their surroundings abruptly returned. Their head was in someone's lap, while a white wet cloth was covering their eyes. They were gripping their chest, gasping, while gentle hands pressed against their shoulders.

They couldn't hear past the rushing of their blood, the sounds of their gasping as the rush of their memories settled into place.

There is a gentle sound. Opera is still reeling, but the fuzziness is receding, the numbness in their limbs slowly returns to normalcy. They are so very tired in a way that they have experienced after recovering from surgery. From the months of having their Mana constantly drain out of them that was only relieved by Shichirou and Kalego's presence.

They take in a soft breath as tears threaten to spill from their eyes.

They remember.

It is a relief. An agonizing relief, but a relief all the same.

They can remember the moment near the end when Kalego gave them their brooch. The tender care they took in selecting Kalego and Shichirou's medallions.

The memory of their child is a blur, as they were held lovingly in Shichirou's arms before being sent away in Kalego's.

They grit their teeth and cover their face with their hands. The cloth helps hide their feelings, but they weep softly.

They hadn't had a name for the child. They simply weren't allowed to ponder over it. It had burned them from the inside out if they even dared to think about granting their hardwon child a name.

Of all the things about being forced into birth that had hurt Opera worst, that they could not speak about to anyone else, it was that. They couldn't even give their child a proper nickname while waiting for their arrival.

Just… their little gremlin child. That's all they could get away with.

The sound is still there, gently speaking. They can hear clinking, their mess is being cleaned up by someone.

"Opera-san."

Opera takes in a deep breath, "Iruma-sama."

The hands on their shoulders press against them in affirmation as the sound clarifies into Iruma's gentle voice. "Yes."

Opera swallows, breathes heavily for a moment, and calms. Iruma isn't their child, but he is a child, and a small part of them is bitterly thankful that it's him and not anyone else. They don't know what they would have done, if it had been Sullivan. Their Lord knows what they went through. Iruma does not.

Opera can't rage at Iruma, not when he was innocent of all of this depravity.

Iruma is humming a song they don't recognize. It's gentle, like a lullaby.

"Opera-san, can you move..?"

Opera pulls down the cloth from over their eyes and uses it to clean the rest of their face along the way before looking up at their young Master. "I believe so, yes."

Iruma smiles at them warmly before removing his hands from their shoulders. Opera cautiously pushes themself up- they somehow managed to not cut the ever living crap out of themself while whiting out. They feel like they've run three marathons and cleaned the entire mansion four times over.

Iruma stands up before lending them a hand, "Let's go to the living room, okay..?"

Opera looks up at him blankly before taking his offered hand and allowing themself to be helped to their feet. "No."

Iruma blinks, "Eh?"

Opera tugs him along, "My nest. I want to go to my nest."

Iruma has no idea what they're talking about, but nods along anyway. "Okay."

Opera nods, pleased, before taking him down and across the hall to what had been dubbed, at least in Iruma's mind, the forgotten room. The Security Devil opened the door willingly for the first time in fourteen years, flicked on the light, and immediately went towards the nest Shichirou had left behind for them.

The room still smelled like him and his Mana, considering the literal nest was of his own construct. The auto-keep set on the room kept it smelling fresh, as if a day hadn't passed since it was placed there.

They now understood why they could end up with paper that smelled so much like him from her-

Ah, right. She and They were now the same.

Opera slumped into the nest, before burying their face into their hands while their elbows were propped on their knees.

Their new Master didn't need this sort of heavy baggage. He'd been put through enough from his human parents.

Iruma hovered nearby, hesitant. "Uhm, may I sit beside you, Opera-san?"

Opera smirked to themself. The boy had such good instincts. "Yes you may." Their throat hurt, so they were even more soft spoken than usual.

They felt Iruma settle beside them. The human was silent as he clearly looked around the room, "It feels nice in here."

Opera chuckled darkly, "I nearly died here."

Iruma startles, and Opera is quick to place a hand on his thigh to keep him seated, "It's supposed to be nice in here."

Iruma is unsettled, but he relaxes a little. He hasn't offended them, but he is restless. "...Were you s- ah, no. I shouldn't pry into something so private."

Opera is still adjusting. They… they haven't had to face the biology of their body in some time. "I was assigned female at birth." It's a statement. Iruma isn't sure where this is going, but he is quiet and attentive to their every word. "I have never felt attached to my designated gender role, nor have I felt overtly masculine either. I have things I like about both, and absolutely hate, leaving me in the middle of both and neither."

They take in a deep breath and sigh to themself. "A while ago, when you asked me about my gender, and you stated that you guessed that I was a girl, I couldn't help but laugh. I'm sorry for teasing you, and simply saying we'd go with that. I know you were trying to respect how I like to be addressed by others."

There is quiet between them for a moment before Iruma speaks. "I respect you a lot, Opera-san. I can't say I'm very knowledgeable about other people. I mostly see the world as divided between 'boys' and 'girls.' I've worked with women who were once boys, and boys who were once girls. I learned some things from them, but I never felt like it was my place to ask much. I simply accepted them for who they were and was a lot more concerned with filling my stomach."

Opera nodded silently. They could figure out as much.

"...Is… is 'they/them' really a way to address others?"

Opera nodded, "It's my preference, yes. You aren't being rude to me by referring to me as such." The boy was so concerned about the feelings of others. It's sort of why it was a little fun to tease him.

Iruma is strange-quiet for a long moment. Opera pulls themself up to observe their young Master. He isn't upset, but he is certainly lost in thought.

He clenches his pants near the knees where his hands are resting. He seems to come to some sort of silent understanding as he hesitantly asks, "Can someone be both gendered and other?"

Opera tilts their head, "Yes, if it seems to fit the way they see themself."

Iruma breathes for a long moment. He looks up at them with eyes both scared and trusting and they don't understand why their heart constricts for this child but it does. They've grown attached to this frail human child over the past nearly seven weeks since his arrival.

"There are times… that I don't fit in. Like… there's things expected of me, and they feel off. I've never thought of myself as a girl, or girly, while I have always thought of myself as a boy. But… those strange times… the times where I feel so very other… Maybe… maybe I'm like that too? That I'm sometimes more other/neither?" He looks down and nods, "Opera-san… I won't ask about what happened to you here, if you don't want to talk about it. I'm just a stranger living in this house, but… I want you to know I love you very much, and I'm so grateful for the care you give me."

He smiled at them, and Opera pulled him close as tears threaten their eyes. They aren't an overly emotional person, but they have had too much returned to them at once and they are an emotional mess. They are so used to having to keep their thoughts silent, or to speak in roundabout ways, that it is both for their sake as well as Iruma's curiosity that they finally say it. "I gave birth to a child, here."

They sag into Iruma's hold at those words. There are tears trailing down their cheeks, and Iruma is holding them tightly. They feel a small dampness on their shirt as Iruma sniffs quietly. "Oh, Opera-san… I'm… I'm sorry."

It's a formality, they know he may have the wrong idea, but the child is still lost to them. They are a mother bereft of their child. It is a terrible, horrible agony. They brush their hand through the back of his hair, "You don't have to apologize."

Iruma buries their face against their shoulder, "I'm still sorry, all the same. You didn't deserve that, Opera-san."

Opera half smiles to themself, "Does anyone..?"

Iruma is quiet. It nearly chokes him to think about how his parents hadn't deserved him.

But then he wouldn't be here. "No."

They pat the boy on their head, "Thank you, I love you too, Iruma-sama."

Iruma sniffs as he smiles painfully to themself, "Uhn."

xXx-xXx-melody-xXx-xXx