I finally succeeded in drawing a fanart/cover for this fic. It'll still be used for the other versions too if I don't finish it in time for the conclusion of this story.

It's cosplay build season, so my updates might be a little less than normal until after Anime Central.

TW: Purposeful PTSD trigger, Marking/Biting/Blood, zest/nothing explicit.

xXx-xXx-thirdyear-xXx-xXx

Irumi twirled her hair with a deep flush on her cheeks. It would be her first time interacting with fans, and she was nervous.

Kuromu gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze as she pressed her Mana against her. HereCloseAlright

Irumi smiled slightly and nodded.

She would be autographing items, or simply holding people's hands while making small talk. Small, simple things, to help connect with her fans and lower their Stress.

The show had gone off without a hitch, as Kuromu was the Main Performer, while Irumi joined her for two songs, and debuted her own single while dancing a waltz with Kuromu on stage.

The theme of Knight and Princess had stuck since the last Akudol Game, and it embarrassed Iruma to no end that he was the Princess.

However, he found Kuromu's Knight persona to be charming, so they went with it without complaining.

(Their promotional images were also devi-cute, if he could say so himself.)

Everything was going well, until a stocky anthropomorphic coyote demon approached her with a far too happy gleam in his eye as he sang in falsetto, "Iru~mi~cha~n!" He grasped onto her hands tightly as her throat closed up in response. NoNoNoiDidn'tDoAnythingWrongMomWhy-

The larger demon leered into her space even as she tilted back as his words fell onto deaf ears, and her eyes began to burn while his hold felt like a vice-

Ice blocked Irumi's view as the demon was encased while she was pulled back into familiar arms. She trembled, in embarrassment and rage, that someone could trigger such a response in her over how she was addressed by name.

She felt Kuromu's Mana press against her, WorryHereLeave?

Irumi glanced back with a small gasp and pressed back, LeaveLeaveRunShame

Kuromu swiftly drew her cape over Irumi's head and held her close while glaring at the half frozen demon with fangs bared, "How Dare You Attack My Princess!"

The coyote demon snarled stiffly with chattering teeth, "You're supposed to be cute! Not only did she steal you from Gyari-sama, but she made you more masculine! We deserve an adorable and cute Kuromu!"

Kuromu's gaze sharpened towards him, "Irumi and I are cute together just as we are! I wasn't stolen from anyone, I made my own choice!"

Mar-san as well as other security demons interrupted their argument as Mar-san glanced and motioned at Kuromu to leave things to them.

Kuromu nodded as she pulled Irumi away from too-many watching eyes, both angry and concerned.

No true fan of any Akudol would attack another one, especially on something that is listed as a possible Wicked Phase trigger.

Akudols are for the fans. To go out of one's way to harm one, even verbally, is seen as an instantaneous ban for the antagonistic individual. No Akudol, no matter how loyal the fan, would ever want such a demon at their show on the chance that they might be attacked next.

Fans, in turn, also become agitated at the loss of seeing their preferred Akudol up close, and will also shame and target the harasser. It is a cyclical issue that turns into a Wicked Phase starter, thus, completely voiding the point of an Akudol's performance.

It is up to the Manager and those above them to do crowd control.

So it is of no surprise to Kuromu that they return to their dressing room unaccosted. The hallways are quiet as the noise of the fans fades into silence.

Kurmou closes the door behind them, and directs Irumi to a nearby couch. She is shivering, and Kerori worries about the way her breathing sounds as she pulls off her cape from over Iruma's head.

She settled beside him while carefully holding his face in her hands.

Iruma sniffles as he shakily places a hand over her's. "I-sorry-"

Kerori shakes her head, "There's nothing you need to apologize for. That demon broke the rules stated when they signed up to meet us. You aren't at fault, Iruma."

Iruma meets her eyes, glossy and frustrated with red cheeks. "But… It's just my name-"

Kerori uses a thumb to wipe away errant tears, "And your name was weaponized against you, wasn't it?"

Iruma chews on his lower lip before lowering his eyes with a small nod, "He- that demon somehow said my name just like she did before she'd-" He sucked in a breath and finished weakly, "Reprimand me."

Kerori frowned before gently pressing her forehead against his, "Iruma…" She had no words. It wasn't like this subject hadn't come up before. Still, she could feel how troubled he was, how shaken he'd become. She had worked so hard to boost his confidence, to tell him he'd be alright and that meeting his fans would be safe.

What a horrible and immediate way to prove her wrong.

Quite frankly, it had been over two decades since an Akudol had been harassed to any degree, to the point that someone was perma-banned from all Akudol shows.

Kerori coaxed Iruma into her arms, and he sagged into her as he buried his face into the crook of her neck with a sniffle. She leaned back, and carefully wrapped her Mana around him in comfort.

Several minutes passed before tension slowly began to drain out of his system, and Iruma finally began to hug her close to himself. She returned his hug, and nuzzled into his neck.

He hummed softly, and did the same to her.

Kerori ran her hand up his back in comfort, and breathed as her fangs ached.

There was no reason for it, either. They were simply together as she comforted him, but…

She'd been trying to ignore it for weeks now. The way her fangs sang to be buried into his flesh. To finish what they'd started as First Years.

It was a horrible time to have the urge rear its head again-

But his neck was bare in just the right spot-

The thought to stop came too late, and warmwarmaphrodesia was coating her tongue. Her fangs sang in euphoria as they finally won their prize as she held onto him tightly to keep Iruma from moving and further harming himself.

MineMineMineMineMINE! BelovedWantedDesiredCherishedComfortProtected

She poured these feelings into her fangs and throughout her Magic. She was so hot, while simultaneously freezing-

Static raced up her back in a jolt that brought her out of her Claim-induced haze, only to realize Iruma was struggling against her with desperate gasps. He moaned, "Kerori…"

She felt heat travel up her chest and neck before settling into her cheeks at the desperate sound of her name as she immediately died from internal embarrassment, "Iruma-"

And then she realized, as he continued to press against her and writhe, what the issue was.

Iruma panted and strained in near-tears, "Your jacket…"

Kerori immediately shifted and released her hold on Iruma as he propped himself on his arms. His lips and gums were scratched with bleeding cuts from the various gems and sequins embedded into the lapels of her jacket. She wasted no time in shakily unbuttoning the front as he wearily helped push away the obstructive garment, fully focused with dilated pupils at her neck.

The moment she was free of the garment he pulled her against himself and sunk his fangs into her neck, his skin burning to the touch as she clung to him in pained ecstasy.

FinallyFinallyAffectionLovedAccepted

She felt tears build in her eyes as she returned his feelings and tried to comfort him-

A tray with glasses clattered and broke on the floor as Iruma just barely managed to not rip his fangs out of her skin as they both startled at the sound from the doorway.

Mar-san stood, gaping at them red-faced, before pointing at them with barely controlled emotion, "You two will change, and we will talk as soon as I get back with a First Aid kit. Understood?"

The two teenagers nodded, and Mar-san barely had the nerve to at least pick up the tray and a few errant large pieces of glass before stepping back out and shutting the door.

Iruma felt himself flush and immediately want to throw up, "Oh God-"

Kerori quirked her eyebrows at that statement as she interrupted him by pushing him back lightly, "Are you okay?"

Iruma blinked a few times while processing her question, before slowly nodding. "...Yes."

Kerori nodded, before motioning for him to let her up.

He stood up shakily, before helping her to her feet and separating. "...Are you okay..?"

Kerori blinked, "Huh?"

Iruma tilted his head towards where he'd Claimed her, "Is this really… is this really alright?"

Kerori took in a deep breath and exhaled slowly. Blood was seeping into her blouse, but it seemed like a clean enough Mark.

She could see Iruma's skin beginning to purple from her own Claim, and averted her eyes. "Mar-san will be back in a few minutes." She started to move towards her changing area before pausing to look at him before rejection could set in, "I started this, Iruma. It's alright. I won't take back what I've done."

Iruma settled slightly, but now he was all nerves as he shuffled over to his own changing area and stiffly began to take off his Akudol clothes.

His shoulder ached, but his fangs were finally satiated in a way that was so foreign, he had no idea how to process it.

He put on his black tank before contemplating his indigo button up shirt.

The thought of fabric brushing against his Mark was-

"Are you two decent?"

Kerori scoffed and responded with dripping sarcasm, "Yes Mar-san, we're decent."

Iruma settled for holding his shirt while stepping out from his dressing area. He felt exposed, even though he was wearing shoes, pants, and a top. He didn't bother with unthreading his extensions- his shoulder needed a moment to stop bleeding before he bothered-

Mar-san pointedly directed him to take a seat, and he did so with hunched shoulders and an ashamed flush to his cheeks.

Kerori huffed lightly and took the Kit from her manager before shifting it close to the two of them. She put on gloves, and turned to him, "It'll sting when I use the anti-septic."

Iruma pursed his lips with a grimace as he nodded.

Kerori swiftly got to work cleaning and patching her Claim as she covered it with care. He then did the same for her, and even though he still felt particularly embarrassed, he slowly also didn't care.

Kerori was his Mate, and he was Her's. It felt right and clicked in a way he had never imagined with their previously incomplete Bond. It startled and amazed him how much her smug pride could squash out his propriety.

Once done with his task he put on his button up shirt and sat down with his hands in his lap as he looked up at their Manager.

Kerori sat back with her arms and legs folded over one another as she assessed Mar-san's attitude.

Mar-san, on the other hand, was having a full-blown migraine and not being the least bit subtle about it.

"Kuromu… I know we discussed the possibility…"

Kerori tilted her head and raised an eyebrow, "And it happened."

Mar-san sighed gustily, "This can't affect your career."

Kerori nodded, "And it won't."

Mar-san crossed her arms as she assessed her charge, before assessing Iruma. "How are you feeling, Irumi?"

Iruma blinked, "Humiliated."

Mar-san frowned, "And about that?" She tapped at her neck, signifying their Mark.

Iruma was quiet for a long moment before taking in a deep breath, "If you're asking if I felt too emotionally vulnerable to make a clear decision… You would probably be right. However, I don't regret it, and we've discussed it happening before on multiple occasions. I honestly feel more emotionally secure, now, that we've properly Claimed one another."

Mar-san observed him with a sharp protective eye before slowly nodding, "Alright."

Mar-san then laid out the apology DeviMuse would be sending out to the fans, to Irumi's Guardians, and reviewing their policies to be even more strict after what had happened.

Iruma slowly blanked out of the conversation between Kerori and Mar-san, as he felt Kerori had proper control over the situation. He leaned into the feeling of her presence properly embedded into his marrow, and slowly felt himself drift off from the day's stress against Kerori's shoulder.

The next day Gyari and Kuromu came to visit Irumi personally to apologize to their Guardians about the harm done to such a young rising Akudol.

Irumi wasn't sure of how to deal with Gyari after the previous night's events, but then it swiftly didn't matter.

"Y'know, I could just Claim the both of ya, and have you both to myself!"

Kuromu didn't even have the chance to be frosty before Irumi dead-panned, "No thanks."

Gyari dramatically gasped, "But, it's me! Gyari!"

Irumi blinked with blank eyes, "I'm a boy."

Gyari blinked at them. Kuromu flushed and glanced between the two of them. Panic raced through their Bond as Kuromu mentally screamed, 'We never spoke about revealing his actual gender!'

Gyari lifted her chin with a sniff, "And my dick's bigger than yours, so what?"

Irumi slapped her hand against her face, while Kuromu decided to shove Gyari aside and begin pushing her towards their transportation, "I'm so sorry about her, Irumi! I'll talk to you soon!"

Irumi waved halfheartedly, "Yeah, talk to you later."

Gyari flailed, "I can make you both happy! I swear it!"

Irumi took in a deep breath before sighing heavily as they grumbled, "You wish."

When Alice found out about Gyari's words, Iruma had to drag his partner down to the floor to keep him from hunting Gyari down to crisp her.

Iruma later found out over the phone that Kuromu froze Gyari to her motorcycle and left in a huff.

"...Why do you like her, anyway?"

Kerori was quiet on the other line for a long moment before smirking to herself, "Y'know… sometimes you can't help but find dumb things cute."

Iruma was quiet for a beat, "Ah."

Kerori snickered, "Yeah."

Iruma hummed as he pushed against their Bond, and Kerori allowed him in.

He got the vague sense of her Desire, and how playing hard-to-get was more thrilling than anything else.

"...I must be pretty boring for you, then."

Kerori leaned back into a soft cushion as she stared up at the ceiling, "Not at all, Iruma."

Iruma hummed in confusion.

Kerori smiled to herself, "I can depend on you, and you give me the space I need. I can't do that with Gyari. She's like a shot of lightning, quick, brash, and swift to fall into boredom."

Iruma contemplated her words before shrugging, "She's the one you've wanted far longer than myself. I won't get in her way, if that's what you want."

Kerori snickered, "Oh, but I'll definitely get into her's if she keeps hitting on you."

Iruma blushed as a possessive wave of love passed through him from her end, "Ah-eh, well. Thanks?"

"You're welcome. Now, tell me about the guy who wanted to eat you last year. Asmodeus just told me about him, and he was previously your senpai…"

Iruma groaned and rolled his shoulders, "You mean Kirio-senpai."

"Mmhmm."

Iruma sighed, "...Right. So somehow he found out I was Human… and definitely got off on telling me about how I'd end up alone with only him to comfort and eat me…"

By the end of the call, a weird accented glasses boy gained the Ice Queen as an enemy.

xXx-xXx-fourthyear-xXx-xXx

A/N: It's a short chapter, but I don't want to mix years if I can help it.

Let me know if you enjoyed it!