-sweating profusely- This'll be my last weekday update for the foreseeable future. I'll be starting a new full-time job, wish me luck!

This is generally a heavy chapter. (Someday this fic will get less depressing.)

TW: Processing grief in more ways than one. Temporary assumption of stillbirth before clarification. Pan-Bonding(?), Opera's Charm (which is being triggered by trauma/stress) still never giving me clarification on wtf the Catshie Clan's issues are, even from Lost and Found. -que distressed hysterical laughter- So it's all vague and up to interpretation still. -covers head in misery-

xXx-xXx-process-xXx-xXx

After some time, Kalego finally got Opera to settle with him and let him past their barriers. The two were lounging comfortably by a window, as his Mana wove and explored through the crater that was the year of his greatest grief. It was… agonizing, in a way, to realize that there was mostly nothing of them in that year.

The wound and confusion left behind from that nothingness was vast. The way they'd had to frantically patch themselves up in the past year and a half so that they could be released from Border Patrol's watching eyes was a misery he could barely fathom.

The aching reverberated back into his own rib cage and gripped his lungs, holding his breath hostage.

No wonder they had been so easily overwhelmed the moment they were 'free.'

Kalego contemplated his words carefully before speaking them, "Were you serious about your proposal?"

Opera blinked before shifting their head in his direction, "...About marrying?"

"Nn."

Opera took in a deep breath before sighing gustily in abrupt disappointment with themself. "Would you be mad if I said, now that I've had time to calm down, no?"

Kalego smirked cynically to himself, "It's more of a relief, actually."

Opera paused before turning themself slightly in his hold to get a better look at him, while giving him a skeptical look. Kalego chuckled lightly before he answered their silent inquiry, "I can't get married, anyway."

Opera frowned for a moment as they digested that before raising a brow, "...Because of your duty?"

Kalego nodded as he shifted his gaze out the window next to them, "Until a new successor is put into place at Babyls, I am… for lack of a better way of putting it, 'Married to my job,' as it were. Technically, taking on a Mate, let alone two, could put my duty and place at Babyls in jeopardy."

Opera frowned deeply at that, before sliding down slightly into his hold and slumping against him tiredly. "...I apologize."

Kalego was silent for a long moment as he digested that. Slowly he took in a deep breath, "You and Shichirou both work at Babyls. I trust in your individual competence wholly and completely, and you are even of higher Rank than I. There is no reason for my Clan to worry about divided attention."

Opera was quiet for a time as they pondered how to answer him. They couldn't bear to keep their knowledge a secret from their Mate, let alone both, once they had a chance to see Shichirou and Claim him.

They swallowed thickly before rasping, "...Kalego?" He hummed questionably in response as they continued, "I remember being pregnant and giving birth."

Kalego stiffened at that, his shock reverberating through his Mana and their limbs with a lick of static as he absorbed that information.

Opera smirked bitterly to themself as tears of betrayal warmed their eyes. They felt so worn, "I'm not supposed to, am I?"

Kalego took in a sharp breath, held it for a moment in thought, before finally speaking, "Opera- When Shichirou built your nest- That's when Sullivan told me you'd forget everything. There was no way around it. So… how..?"

There is pain, confusion, and rage rolling throughout his Magic. Suddenly Opera understands Kalego's actions before they were due to give birth. "Is that why you got so weird near the end?"

Kalego hunched into himself slightly before nodding. "Yes. I was… trying to prepare myself, so that I wouldn't lose my mind when I… had to let you go. And pretend there was nothing between us."

Opera glared at the floor in bitterness as they digested that. "So what happened to our Bond?"

Kalego can't help but grit his teeth as his Mana takes a sharp edge within their nerves. "I can only guess, but I believe that when your Curses activated… while you were dying, our Bond was severed along with your Memory." Kalego couldn't help the tremor of grief that coiled through his body and Magic. "It Hurt."

Opera closed their eyes, and slowly wound their Mana throughout Kalego's. Coiling, brushing, and feeling along the pains he was trying to keep them from noticing. Shichirou had kept the man grounded, but they easily dropped into the pitfalls where their presence should- and one day would again- be.

They shifted and pressed their chests together as they held him, and he returned their gesture of comfort.

"Kalego?"

"Hmm?"

Pain laced their voice as they finally spoke the question they'd had to choke back for far too long. "Where is my Child?"

Kalego let his head drop onto the back of the chair behind him as he closed his eyes in lament, "I don't know."

"But Azazel Henri might."

xXx-xXx-grow-xXx-xXx

Iruma took to learning simple Japanese with him like a hellfish took to water.

Henri wasn't sure if he should've been surprised, but he was glad to have something to bond with Iruma over directly. He'd been cautious for perhaps too long, considering how close Iruma and Ameri were.

…But he was more than well aware that getting attached would rip him to shreds the moment he returned the kit to his proper family.

Henri was already struggling with the fact that Ameri could very well become inconsolable over it, and hate him for taking Iruma away from her. The way she'd simply… accepted him into their lives without even a drop of jealousy told him much about how lonely she'd been as an infant.

Henri ran a hand through his hair as he read through some of the reports he'd taken home to finish before the weekend was up.

He paused, finally taking a moment to re-engage with the words before him as the lettering sunk in.

The Security Devil of Lord Sullivan, Opera, has been released back into their Lord's care after much deliberation about their present state of physical, mental, and emotional health.

They were the words he had looked forward to most and dreaded in equal measure.

Surely, it would not be necessary to hand over the kit immediately to their parent, right?

Opera shouldn't even recall having a child, so taking the time to allow them to decompress back into their home and work life, before revealing the truth to them would be understandable… wouldn't it..?

Henri set the paper down, before leaning back into his chair to stare at nothing.

His chest grew heavy, as he realized he'd have to begin the process of preparing two toddlers for permanent separation.

Henri closed his eyes and sighed tiredly through his nose.

If there was one thing an Azazel was horrible at… it was letting go.

xXx-xXx-pinksugar-xXx-xXx

Three days passed after Opera had been released, with Kalego parting from them with a time and date set for having a date night with Shichirou at his home.

Sullivan, of course, had been ecstatic at their presence and had wept literal buckets as he hugged them far too tightly when he'd returned home from his meeting at Babel Tower.

They'd felt a great deal better after experiencing his brand of affection.

However, a discomfort crept in past their Guard, keeping them awake well into the night in bewilderment. Their Magic buzzed in a strange way, causing them confusion as they tried to pinpoint the cause of it.

In a moment of half sleep they abruptly remembered their Clan's primary Magic focus, and what sort of half-learned properties ran through their blood. They groaned in frustration as they laid in bed and covered their face with their hands.

Of course.

Charm has its perks for some… but it also has incredibly undesired effects on the body if ignored, left underdeveloped, and allowed to stagnate from stress the way they had.

Opera shifted, and stared at their phone before shakily picking it up, only to scroll down and stare at the name of the one they could possibly ask to help them in more ways than one.

Because now that they thought about it, who better to ally themself with and get help from, than a Thirteen Crown?

Opera thought about their missing kit, how Amu-chan-sama had been so excited to know someone with an imp close to her baby's age-

They opened the text message box and stared at the final unread message.

Have a safe delivery! I'll come over ASAP to help! Let me know when you're up to it, okay? ?

Opera gnawed on their lip, wondering just how deeply they might have insulted Amuryllis without ever meaning to..?

They gripped their phone tightly, before swallowing and writing a message for the first time in three years, in the middle of the night without thinking of the possible consequences.

I don't have a kit, and I need help.

They buried their face into their pillow as they felt their energy leave them and exhaled heavily, before sleep finally managed to claim them.

xXx-xXx

Opera should have known better.

They really, really should have… yet they are still gobsmacked to find Amuryllis at their doorstep at the unholy hour of four thirty am, after they'd had two hours of sleep before getting up to begin their daily duties.

They were still in their pajamas, for devi's sake!

Amuryllis gave them no time to protest before snatching them from their doorstep while throwing a quick word towards Sullivan who'd barely stumbled out of his own bed. "I'll be taking Opera-chan for the day~! Hope you understand~!" And slammed the door behind her as she unceremoniously carried the mentally recovering Security Devil over to her carriage under one arm.

Opera was… too mentally stunned to retaliate as they were settled onto their feet just before the carriage steps, and gently nudged inside. They felt awkward- they'd only managed to brush their teeth for the day, and hadn't managed anything else before Amuryllis had appeared.

Opera sat down on the seat, and Amuryllis settled in right next to them as the door closed, pulling them into her arms with a soft coo as the carriage began to move.

They don't understand why they immediately tear up, but they bury their face into her chest and weep. They are so frustrated with themself, for all of these jumbled feelings, and for slowly losing control of their inherent blood's Magic that they never bothered to understand.

Opera doesn't cry for long, but the abrupt outburst leaves them embarrassed as they turn their face away from Amuryllis after she places a box of tissues onto their lap.

They sniff, and then they glance out of the side of their eye at her and ask quietly, "You came..?"

Amuryllis gave them a sympathetic pout, "Opera-chan, I'd been left in the dark for three years! For the few times I asked, Sullivan-sama would just make a feeble excuse about you being unavailable for the indefinite future. I was upset! My poor friend, who I'd helped and talked to through their pregnancy, was just… missing!" She huffed lightly to herself, "And then you text me in the middle of the night with devastating news! How could I just ignore that?!"

Opera flushed lightly as they took a moment to absorb her words, "...I-"

Amaryllis held a finger against their lips to seal their words and tutted them, "Nope! No apologies!" She looks them over, before trailing a few fingers through their long wavy black hair, "You've barely returned from wherever it is you've been… or am I wrong?"

Opera gave her a distressed look, "...You can tell?"

Amuryllis twirled the hair she'd captured around her fingers, "You don't like having your hair long… And you barely smell like your own home. You smell sterile."

Opera wrinkled their nose, "...Oh." They sighed gustily before hunching in on themself slightly in resignation. "Yes. I've been… in a medical facility the past three years, recovering from…" They trailed off, unsure of if they should continue speaking.

A Spell slipped from Amuryllis as she Cast Encrypted Speech, "From..?" Amuryllis honestly didn't know what to think. It might be cruel, but she needed to know if Opera had suffered a stillbirth or not. She didn't want to assume the absolute worst scenario, but the thought was there.

Opera gave her a soulful look, "I… can't give you any deep details about my situation… but, you can feel that I'm still affected by a multitude of Curses, right?" Amuryllis nodded as they continued. "I was never supposed to remember my pregnancy or giving birth. My child…" They shifted their gaze away from their friend, "I never got the chance to hold them, before they were taken away. I have no idea where they are, if they're alive and well… They're just-" They took in a sharp pained breath, "gone."

Amuryllis takes in a deep breath before exhaling, "Oh Opera." She feels grief for her friend at their loss. She pulls them into a hug and runs her hand through their hair and rubs their back, "Have you not spoken with your Lord about this..?"

Opera is silent for a moment before replying, "I don't know what will happen if I inform him. He is under the impression that I am unaware of the truth of what happened to me… and I have to trust that he has done his own investigations while I was in a medical coma for a year."

Amuryllis freezes for a moment, "A coma..?" She pulls back slightly to look them in the eyes and as examines them, "You were unconscious for an entire year?!"

Opera nods helplessly, and the carriage slows to a stop.

Amuryllis drops Encrypted Speech just as David opens the carriage door, "We have arrived."

Amuryllis nods at her butler as she pulls Opera out behind her. They have arrived at the Asmodeus mansion, and she is swift to give David orders for various snacks, teas, as well as a handful of other things that she signals more than speaks.

Opera is left somewhat disoriented once more. As a Security Devil, they can pick up many of the orders and signals given, (though some are clearly house specific,) yet due to their time away from work, the knowledge seems sluggish to return.

Soon enough Amuryllis settles Opera in (what will soon be) a bright and open room with various plants. Not quite a greenhouse, but certainly a cozy enough sun room. There are a few lavish couches, and she is quick to light a few burners of incense with a flick of her finger.

Opera barely has a chance to look around the space, as Amuryllis once more pulls Opera into her rhythm and settles them against her on a couch.

Opera frowns in confusion, "Uhm..?"

Amuryllis gives them a warm smile before pressing her Mana against them. Opera flinches from her contact before hesitantly letting her in. They generally keep to themself, but Amuryllis slithers through their Magic, humming and hawing as she pets Opera's horns and combs her fingers through their nighttime tangles.

Opera doesn't notice when David brings in the requested snacks and teas, because their entire focus is on Amuryillis' Magic running through their veins. It is entirely abnormal to let someone who is not even remotely close to them in, but somehow it felt like it was necessary and needed for her to be let past their Guard.

She hums to herself, and with a particular brush, Opera suddenly feels a part of their Magic collapse and latch onto Amuryllis in a particularly unexpected way. They gasp as their nails dig into the demoness' corset while they bury their face into her bosom. Opera is flustered and distressed all at once, as the Magic they've bottled and shoved down into a corner spills back into their blood.

Charm is a unique trait to each Clan and demon type. What it means and does for one, even as an individual, is not necessarily the same as another. However, as one who had rejected their Charm in its entirety, any part of it awakening becomes overwhelming after suppressing it for decades.

Opera swallowed thickly as far too much warmth spreads through them, "Amuryllis-sama-!" They hate it, the feeling that was previously an annoying buzz, now becoming an absolute wave of undesired warmth. "Must you?"

Amuryllis was quiet for a moment, before sighing softly. "Your Mana is in complete disarray from a lack of contact. You have been completely cut off from even the most platonic of contact for far too long, and you are touch starved. If I don't help you deal with this now, you may fall into a seductive thrall and be incapable of making logical choices."

Opera's throat constricted at the thought. They had teetered on the edge of it before, during their pregnancy when they'd Claimed Kalego. The Memory is still fuzzy around the edges, but they remember their confusion and self-disgust. They had also been rash with their words, while also easily falling into the desire for deep intimacy the second Kalego had come to their aid the other day.

They absolutely could not lose control over their mind so easily. They refused.

Opera took in a deep breath and surrendered. "Please help me, Amuryllis-sama."

Amuryllis tipped their head up from under their chin to look them in the eyes, "I am willing to train you, but I'll warn you now- you will not like this."

Opera lowered their gaze to the Thirteen Crown choker fastened on her neck, "I will trust in your judgment on this matter. I need… training." They met her eyes once more, "I will endure it without complaint if you could please promise me one thing." Amuryllis waited a moment before nodding in agreement for them to continue. "Please help me find my Child."

Amuryllis felt her heart break as tears warmed her eyes, "Oh Opera, you don't even have to bargain with me on that." She nuzzled them as tears slip down her cheeks, "Of course I'll help you find your baby… and if I find out that they are no longer living, I will rend all of those who harmed you and your Child asunder in a trail of unfulfilled agony."

Opera nuzzled into the Head of Lust's neck, asking for forgiveness and favor, both, before Amuryllis began their abrupt Charm Magic training.

xXx-xXx-process-xXx-xXx

A/N: ..Spent two days writing this, and though I generally have a goal of ten or more pages, I literally don't know where else I want to take this chapter. I also have to recognize that trying to force more of the story when it doesn't wanna work with me is a bad idea.

The Pan-Bonding(?) part of the TW note is related to the Amuryllis/Opera section. It's not shipping, but I can't call it girl bonding time. -thinking face- and maybe Amuryllis is pansexual because like. Why not? Why be pigeonholed at her position, I guess? IDK. Ship it if you want to, though that's not my particular intent, here.

Anyways. Please leave a comment/review to let me know if you liked it.