Sorry for the delay. I worked twelve days in a row and knew where I wanted to take this chapter, but when I sat down, I didn't know how to write it, lol.

I also need to admit that if you are anime-only, some parts relating to Purson Soi and his overall proper character introduction may become more spoiler-heavy then I was planning when I'd initially planned the barebones of this story out, so I apologize for that. His arc will probably be in season four, even though I'd held the tiniest of hopes it'd be in three. It just isn't plausible with how the anime dragged out the training/Harvest Festival arc… but in the meantime, it's otherwise kind of fun to re-watch seasons 1 and 2 and play 'Where's Waldo' except with Purson's appearances, lol.

TW: Discussing BDSM/The Dream, sharing blood, fangs tearing flesh, and teenagers making well-intended poor decisions.

Blood Entwined, Crossed Between Distant Moons
xXx-xXx-crimson-xXx-xXx

Iruma was anxious again.

He really wanted to talk to Asmodeus- even if it was only for a few minutes to see if he was well! It was becoming increasingly more difficult to sit with him due to their lack of communication, even on their hellphone chat message app. He had questions, and his dream from last night was still weighing heavily on his mind, riddling him with guilt.

He'd had a hard time even looking at Kerori during the day, despite her normal attempts to converse and interact with him. Iruma just felt too ashamed that he'd had such a promiscuous dream about a classmate and friend he respected to look her in the eyes.

He inhaled deeply as their final class of the day came to a close and made his final notes about the assignments Kalego-sensei was doling out. Asmodeus was already beginning to put away his supplies for his afterschool training with Raim-sensei, so his window of opportunity would be short.

The bell rang, and Iruma immediately shot out his arm to grab Asmodeus before he could finish standing, startling the young demon as he froze and gave him his full attention. Iruma opened his mouth to say something- anything that could come to mind, yet he went blank.

Asmodeus inhaled sharply before both of them jolted from the sound of his hellphone going off. Asmodeus's expression became pained as he grit his teeth and hugged Iruma tightly for a moment, burying his face into Iruma's hair. Asmodeus mumbled a short, "I'm sorry- '' before he pulled away and answered his phone while he grabbed his bag, immediately running out of the classroom as he made excuses to the other side of his phone call.

Iruma's arms were frozen midair in his attempt to grasp Asmodeus in return before he slowly lowered them onto the seat beside him while he bowed his head in defeat. His vision wavered as tears began to pool in his eyes, the lingering warmth of Asmodeus's fleeting presence cooling all-too-quickly as he took in a sharp breath and grit his teeth in an attempt to not cry out.

He felt numb- it wasn't even rejection, and yet it was so painful to be unable to hang out even as friends. Iruma longed for the time before any of this madness had started. Maybe if they hadn't discussed being in a relationship it wouldn't hurt as much, but now it just… it just made him question.

Clara gently coaxed him into her side while Purson sidled up next to him and tucked himself into Asmodeus's place. Iruma sniffed as he realized his fellow classmates had started to encircle him as he'd blocked everything else out. A small hand gently coaxed his chin up as he met Agares's eyes, an unusual amount of care softening them as he floated on his bed above his desk. "We're all frustrated too, Iruma." He gently wiped away Iruma's tears, another classmate's arms wrapping around the emotionally drained teenager from behind to hold him tight along with Clara and Purson.

Iruma gently grasped Agares's hand to his cheek as he took a moment to collect his thoughts before warbling, "Is this normal? I'm just so- confused! I'm sorry I'm being like this, when all of you are stuck being burdened with my feelings and-" His breath shuddered as Agares sighed softly as he interrupted him.

"Iruma, what we did might've been outta line, but it's done. We're all in this together, so your misery is our misery and all that." He gently patted his other cheek with his free hand, "It might take some time… but we all have to decide from here on out how we want to be connected to you. Whether it be as family, as security devils, or as something more. We can't force you to reciprocate what we've started until we've individually come to that decision."

Iruma blinked the tears from his eyes and sniffed as he soaked in his classmate's words. The arms around his shoulders squeezed him lightly as Lied's voice unexpectedly spoke gently near his ear, "We all care for you Iruma, so if you wanna talk about something… anything, we're here for you."

Iruma sniffed lightly while releasing Agares's hand and glanced around at his fellow Misfits. He relaxed a little bit and nodded, "Th-thanks everyone… it's just, a lot of this is between Azz-kun and I right now, so…"

Lied grumbled and pulled him back slightly, off balancing him, Clara, and Purson. "Y'know what? We're gonna have a Boy's Talk." Lied nodded to himself as he pointed at Jazz, "Go get us some snacks." He pointed to Elizabetta, "And Nee-san, could you please make us some tea? I know you have some of the good stuff stashed away, if you wouldn't mind parting with some of it for us." Elizabetta nodded with a smile as she went off to go prepare the requested tea for the boys.

Iruma panicked, "Ah- wait, Lied-!"

Purson pulled away and disappeared as Lied leaned forward and gave him a pointed look, "Iruma, we're your friends and we've sat on the sidelines long enough! We're. Talking!"

Iruma slumped into himself slightly as he relented, "Uaah~, fine!"

Lied grinned as he nodded before releasing his friend to give him some space while turning to the others. "Well then, whoever wants to join come along, otherwise, leave!" He crossed his arms as their classmates gave them some space as they made their choices.

Kerori came up beside Clara and gently coaxed her to her side, "We have our own pre-planned meeting, but we'll talk soon, okay Iruma?"

Iruma glanced at her for a moment before losing his nerve to stare at the table, "I understand." He shifted his gaze to Clara and gave her a hesitant smile, "Have fun, Clara. Kerori."

Clara grumbled, clearly wanting to spend more time with her friend before grabbing him by the cheeks and pressing their lips together, startling Iruma as he yelped at her abrupt action. She ended it swiftly enough before pressing their foreheads together in affection, "We have lots and lots to talk about okay, Iruma-chi?"

Iruma was flustered as he nodded slightly, "O-okay, Clara."

Clara pulled back and gave him a warm look before allowing Kerori to pull her away for their Girl's Talk with a small wave.

Iruma took in a calming breath before exhaling slowly. Sabnock placed a gentle hand on his head, "My Rival, I unfortunately already have plans for this evening, but I will be messaging you to ensure you are well, alright?"

Iruma nodded, "I understand, Sabnock-kun."

Kamui, Gaap, and Agares gave their own apologies, but Iruma waved them off with a small smile. It was fine if he wasn't overcrowded, as he felt as if he were over-imposing on everyone as it was.

Lied nodded to himself, unsurprised by the way things had turned out, but that was alright. The fewer the better, really.

Allocer met Lied's gaze and nodded, "Shall we?"

Lied coaxed Iruma out of his seat and hooked their arms together while Allocer took care of their bags.

The three of them together made their way to the tatami room to pick up the tea set Elizabetta prepared for them before making their way to the karaoke room and closed the door.

It didn't take too long before Jazz returned with some Devi Ramen and other various snacks.

Iruma still felt uneasy as Lied stayed glued to his side as he thanked Jazz for the food, "You don't have to stay if you don't want to, Jazz."

Jazz huffed lightly as he took a bite out of a candybar, "I wouldn'tve agreed to get snacks if I wasn't planning on hearing you out, Iruma. You've been off all day, so I was really worried about what was going on with you."

Iruma blinked, glancing between the three that had stayed with him, before slumping against Lied and closing his eyes, "I'm- well." He sighed softly, "I don't even know where to start."

Allocer nodded sagely before lifting a finger, "Then let's start with just today. What caused you to start out your day with nothing but shame weighing you down?"

Iruma opened his eyes before he slowly tensed, "You could feel that?"

Allocer shrugged, "It's not as if I feel what you're feeling to the same intensity, but more like.. Deja vu?"

Jazz nodded, "That's a good way of putting it, when we can feel what you are."

Iruma grimaced, "I'm sorry for not asking more about that sooner…"

Jazz shrugged, "It's not that big of a deal. At first it was kind of awkward, but we're all also figuring this whole thing out the wrong way. It's our bad for not helping you understand sooner."

Iruma nodded slowly before carefully taking a cup of tea and drinking it to calm himself. "I had a-" His cheeks reddened as he paused to swallow and force out his words, "-A naughty dream." He waffled for a second, "It felt way too real and it was just- too much."

Jazz felt himself go blank for a second, while Allocer and Lied felt awkward. Lied recovered first, "W-well, it's not like most of us haven't had a lewd dream about someone every once in a while!"

Iruma pursed his lips and shook his head vehemently, "I've never had a dream that vivid before- except for the night before, and that dream was totally innocent."

Allocer frowned as he felt as though a Memory were at the tip of his tongue before disappearing into nothing. It was unsettling, because somehow he understood what Iruma meant.

Jazz cleared his throat, "Not that I wanna know, but maybe you should just tell us what happened in your dream?"

Lied nodded, but Iruma squirmed with a grimace. "Uah- I, uhm." He set down his cup, unable to keep himself from fidgeting as he easily had a flashback to his dream. He didn't want to, he'd been avoiding it all day, yet he kept feeling phantom touches and-!

Iruma adjusted his school tie and cleared his throat, "I- Well. Kerori- she… she was there, and she… she tied my wrists together above my head-"

Lied covered Iruma's mouth, wide eyed as a sense of knowing exactly what he was about to say struck him and blurted out, "Kerori dommed you?"

Iruma blinked as he met Lied eyes, "Mmh?"

Lied removed his hand, freaked out as if he'd been through it himself. "You- you ever heard of BDSM?"

Iruma's face turned red as he clasped his hands tightly in his lap and stared at them, too ashamed and embarrassed to look at them, "I- I've heard of it, but I never knew anything about it."

Lied grimaced and smacked his hand over his face before running his fingers roughly through his hair, "Augh, this is-"

Jazz laced his fingers in front of his face as he leaned forward with a frown, his elbows resting on his knees. "Iruma- something about this dream of yours seems strange."

Iruma barely lifted his face to make eye contact before shutting them out again, "I- I kind of thought so myself, but…" He pulled his arms close to himself, "I don't know why, but it was just so easy for me to let her do whatever she wanted to me, even if I didn't like it."

Jazz furrowed his brow, "Iruma, you can't let anyone force you to do anything you don't like. A big thing about… about that kind of thing is that there are safe words, and that both sides are getting something out of it. If it's all one-sided, it's definitely a form of assault."

Iruma jolted up, "But it was just a dream!"

Allocer placed his hand on his left shoulder. There was a particular spot that aligned with Iruma's healed injury that was particularly sensitive, "Was it, though?"

Iruma blinked as he noted where Allocer had his hand before touching his own shoulder wearily. He pursed his lips in thought for a time before hesitantly speaking, "But if it wasn't a dream, what was it?"

None of them knew, so they put that subject aside for the time being as it was only one of their many problems.

xXx-xXx-crimson-xXx-xXx

Elizabetta smiled pleasantly as she made a mental note of where Purson had settled himself, pleased that he'd slunk in along with her while preparing tea for the boys.

Kerori and Clara were swift to arrive, while Ameri took until they were fully set. The taller demon closed the door for privacy before she felt something was off, glancing at the spot Purson had settled himself before mentally shrugging it off and settling at the table.

They chatted for a bit about various small topics while getting comfortable until Elizabetta placed a hand on her cheek while smiling, "The other evening I had a particularly vivid Dream with Iruma-kun."

Ameri immediately flushed while Clara grumbled, however Kerori flushed demurely and waffled, "R-really?"

Elizabetta nodded, "It was fun. We talked about a number of things I don't really remember, but we enjoyed tea and various desserts. It was lovely, and I hope someday I can chat with him like that in reality."

Kerori nodded absently, while Ameri calmed down a bit. It sounded a little like her reading sessions with Iruma, so she couldn't be particularly jealous of the sentiment.

Clara grumbled, "My dreams the past few days have been all washy-washy."

Elizabetta frowned, "Washy-washy?"

Clara nodded, "I think one was here at school, and I think I was looking for Azz-Azz and Iruma-chi, but then everything just went wooshy-wash-kapow! And it was upsetting and strange."

Elizabetta patted Clara's head for comfort, and Clara shifted over to hug her sadly.

Kerori pursed her lips as she pondered Clara's words before hesitantly speaking, "I had a Dream with Iruma-kun too, though it wasn't anywhere near as nice as yours."

Elizabetta glanced at the ice demon and raised a brow, "Did you not have a good time?"

Kerori waffled, realizing she was saying too much and too little as she panicked, "N-no! I had, it was very therapeutic to be with him! It was just a little unexpected, is all." She laughed lightly as she hastily ate a cookie to shut her mouth.

Ameri furrowed her brows, "Wait, what's been going on with your dreams?"

Elizabetta hummed, "You're aware that we've all had a bit of Iruma-kun's blood, right?" Ameri nodded at the love demon as she continued, "At first we were Dreaming his Memories as if we were Iruma-kun… but eventually we were able to sort-of separate and interact with his various selves. However, a couple of days ago the… feeling? Of the Dreams changed, and I took a chance and thought about how I'd like to talk with Iruma-kun one-on-one… and so I did. It was a Dream that was far more tangible than any of the ones I'd had previously."

Kerori nodded, "My Dream also felt especially real."

Ameri blinked as she thought about when this change might've happened and felt her cheeks flush. "Oh."

Elizabetta blinked as Ameri's reaction and tilted her head, Clara still tucked pleasantly into her side, "Did something happen between you and Iruma-kun recently, Ameri-san?"

Ameri flushed deeply as the other two girls watched her expectantly. Ameri fidgeted before pressing her pointer fingers together awkwardly, "I uhm. I might've- k-kissed him, a-and given him my… my blood. Just! Just a little bit, but-"

Kerori was surprised and couldn't help her own blush, "What in the world led you to do that?!"

Elizabetta felt the other girl had no right to say that, considering the actual contents of her own Dream, but she was curious.

Clara bared her teeth, "Makka-chan! Iruma-chi's mine!"

Ameri raised her hands passively in a panic, "I- I know that! I'm not trying to take Iruma away from anyone! It's just, between him and the few conversations I'd had with Asmodeus, Iruma…" She couldn't help but place her hand on her chest to take a calming breath before sighing, "Iruma was suffering from rejection."

Clara's ire dissipated while Kerori and Elizabetta also settled in concern. Kerori gripped her fists under the table, "W-what do you mean?"

Ameri took in a deep breath before exhaling softly, "My father has had to meet with Iruma to investigate and interview him since that incident a month ago. I was there for the latest one, and Iruma had a particularly bad reaction to one of the answers he gave." She looked between the three girls around her seriously, "For all of the care Iruma has received physically, certain things fell through the cracks emotionally that should have been looked at. He was struck after Asmodeus was, and then gave him blood in turn… They… they technically shared blood, confessed their feelings for one another… and then Asmodeus was forced to abandon Iruma for his training."

Elizabetta gasped softly as she realized what had happened. The anxiousness that Iruma kept suffering from relating to Asmodeus. It… it made so much sense, and they should've connected the dots sooner, considering Asmodeus's bloodline and the stories of his mother.

Kerori gnawed on her lip in distress, realizing that she had made a severe error in lieu of her need to destress. She'd ignored any of Iruma's feelings and boundaries entirely for her own stress relief and pleasure… all while he was emotionally vulnerable and afraid.

Ameri allowed them a moment to take in her words before continuing, "I chose to give Iruma my blood, to create that bond with him without asking for immediate reciprocation, because he needed that assurance. All of you have taken of his blood, but no one has given any in return. Only Asmodeus has by circumstance, and it's been… it's been a bit of a disaster ever since."

Clara sniffled as tears trailed down her cheeks, "Iruma-chi…" She wanted to hold him, and hug him, and give him all the love she was capable of. It made her tummy hurt, thinking about how she'd been elated by Azz-Azz's blood-shared kiss earlier that day while Iruma was left all alone.

Elizabetta hugged Clara while she cried over the pain her dearest friend was suffering while she was enjoying herself.

Kerori swallowed thickly, feeling more and more ill with herself as she realized the position she'd placed Iruma in. He'd been far too complacent, and in retrospect, far too confused to tell her to stop within that Dream of hers. She'd noted he'd had a hard time interacting with her during the day, but she'd brushed it off far too easily despite the rolling guilt and shame she could feel buzzing in the background. She'd been too high on what she'd gotten out of it to care.

She owed Iruma far more than just an apology.

Kerori startled as her hellphone went off and dug into her pocket before realizing it was her manager. She grimaced and looked at the other girls, "I-I'm sorry. I need to take this call, so I'll be leaving for today."

The three nodded as Kerori answered while grabbing her things, giving one more panicked goodbye to them before closing the door behind her.

Clara sniffed as she slowly pulled away from Elizabetta and looked to Ameri, "Did Iruma-chi feel better?"

Ameri blinked as she took a moment to process what she was asking before nodding, "Yes. He was surprised, but he was happier afterwards."

Clara nodded before wiping her face sluggishly. "I think I'm gonna go."

Elizabetta frowned, "Are you sure?"

Clara nodded glumly with far too many thoughts on her mind, "Mm hmm."

Elizabetta took her hand and patted it gently, "Alright. Call me if you need to talk, alright?"

Clara nodded before grabbing her things and waving a sad goodbye to the two of them.

Ameri sighed gently through her nose, this particular Girl's Talk unusually depressing compared to their usual mood.

Elizabetta shifted the used dishes and unfinished sweets to Kerori's abandoned side before setting out a new set of dishes and pouring a fresh cup of tea. Ameri frowned at her actions in confusion before Elizabetta patted Clara's abandoned spot, "How about you join us, Purson-kun?"

Purson startled as he melted back into sight, startling Ameri as he grimaced and dissipated again. He waffled for a moment before silently getting up and settling himself on the free cushion while he melted back into sight. He kept his hands on his knees and his eyes averted to the table in front of him.

Ameri looked between the two, bewildered, before Elizabetta gave them both a small smile. "I had Purson-kun secretly join us today because… well, Kerori's Dream was a lot more… involved than she let on."

Ameri's eyes widened before she frowned, "And how would you know?"

Elizabetta had a somewhat unreadable face as she spoke, "We both witnessed it along with Asmodeus."

Ameri couldn't help but gape in slow realization as Purson looked to the love demon. "We were there in your Dream, too."

Elizabetta nodded plainly as she took a moment to eat a sweet, "I was aware of Asmodeus being there- I challenged him a bit since I'm annoyed with him along with everyone else… but I didn't notice you that time."

Purson nodded as he hesitantly took a sweet and relished in its flavor for a moment. He'd sat in on so many of these little talks, but had never had the chance to eat anything. It was just the sort of thing that was too embarrassing for a guy like him to order in a bakery on his own.

Ameri pursed her lips, "So… since I gave Iruma some of my blood, your dreams are more… real?"

Elizabetta hummed in thought, "I knew something had changed immediately. The how or why didn't really matter. I just thought about how much I wanted to chat with Iruma-kun and managed to get my wish."

Purson took a sip of his tea with both hands to hide his nervousness before setting it down, "I'd simply been thinking about how I could help Iruma feel better… and ended up getting stuck in The Dream twice."

Ameri hummed as she took a sip of her tea in thought before settling her elbows on her table and linking her fingers together as she stared the two of them down. "Tell me everything that happened in these two Dreams."

So they did.

xXx-xXx-crimson-xXx-xXx

Purson was conflicted in a number of ways. He was at a crossroad of what was logical, and what could help make things better. Certainly, it would be easiest to confront Iruma about what had happened in the previous night's Dream directly, but glancing at Ameri, he felt that a different approach needed to be made so as to not suffer severe emotional death on all sides.

It was, unfortunately, a plan that came with a number of risks.

However, he had to hope the outcome would be worth it- that they could reach Iruma and help him understand within the Dream as well as in reality what was happening.

Purson just knew this could blow up in his face.

He took a deep breath and went for the plunge as he made eye contact with one of the strongest students in school, "Ameri-san, share your blood with me."

Ameri and Elizabetta stared at him in shock as he froze with his heart in his throat.

'Ah.

I shouldn't have said that. That came out all wrong and I'm definitely out of Rank on this one.

It was totally inappropriate.'

Ameri's surprise subsided into curiosity as she observed the demon boy before her, "Why?"

Purson gripped his knees as he ignored the flush of humiliation coloring his ears and chest, "For Iruma."

Ameri was pensive in her confusion. "Explain, Purson Soi."

Purson shrunk a little into himself.

'I should just pretend to be a bat on the wall and never show my face in public again.'

Purson took in a deep breath to explain his plan. "I'm not strong-willed enough to pull Iruma into my own Dream. However, you've already shared your blood with him and are strong enough to pull the both of us in with me as the middle-man. I just…" He sagged a little in defeat, "I just want to help my friend."

Ameri's ire at Purson's audacity subsided a bit at his admission. "Does it need to be me?"

Purson met her gaze and swallowed his nerves, "You have a deep bond with Iruma and he trusts you. I can't do it on my own, and I'm willing to serve under you if it means I can keep my friend's sanity safe. He didn't…" He lowered his gaze and head slightly, "Iruma didn't deserve to be treated like that, even in a Dream."

Ameri was quiet for a long moment. They were still too young for this- even with the intention of creating a security devil pact, they didn't know all the steps. It could go terribly wrong, and Purson might not be able to find a partner of his own in the future.

However, it was clear he was willing to sacrifice that chance if it could help his friend. Still…

"This isn't a wise move."

Purson nodded as he met her eyes again, "Even so, I respect your Strength and yield to your Will, whatever may come of this choice."

Ameri closed her eyes. The Purson's were a neutral Clan that kept its bloodline close. To find an ally in such a prestigious Clan was near impossible due to their staunch rules.

Purson Soi was risking everything he had, just to help his friend.

Ameri couldn't help but marvel at the way Iruma influenced everyone around him.

She took a deep breath before exhaling softly. She looked to Elizabetta, and the other girl nodded before pushing herself up off the floor, "I'll be back shortly."

Ameri nodded as Purson felt a wave of desperation wash over him. He appreciated the sentiment- at least there wouldn't be a witness to his rejection, but he kind of wanted to disappear and never show his face again.

Elizabetta would already know too much!

Ameri waited a moment, just the two of them in silence, before speaking. "This started because I one-sidedly gave Iruma my blood. I didn't know it would cause trouble for the rest of you, but I, too, must take responsibility for my actions." She lifted her hand palm up towards Purson, "If your words are true, if this is your ambition, then prove it to me with more than just mere words, but with action."

Purson felt a rush of elation run through him. He'd rip his horns out if she asked him to, for being as unreasonable as to ask for this. He shifted and settled himself before her, taking her upturned hand in his and pressing his lips and fangs gently to her wrist in reverence. He trailed his lips down her palm and fingertips, praising her and begging for forgiveness all in the same action until he reached his own palm and tore his fangs into the meatier part of his thumb. It was agonizing, but he wouldn't dare bare his fangs into her flesh as he offered his blood to her.

He kept his head bowed while a strange and frightening pleasure ran through his veins at the pain he'd inflicted upon himself for her sake. He felt her gently take his hand, the brush of her breath on his skin, and the way her fangs ever-so-slightly brushed against his skin as she lapped up his blood.

He swallowed hard, unprepared for how sensitive he'd become to her every motion, as well as fully realizing how tantalizingly stupid he was for doing this. However, he would do this again and again and risk pure rejection a thousand times over if it meant he could help Iruma.

To do even an eighth of what that one single human had done for them all by sacrificing even a part of himself for his sake.

Ameri's claws lightly brushed under his jaw near his throat as her fingers coaxed him to meet her eyes once more.

Purson couldn't help but acknowledge how amazingly beautiful she was compared to someone as plain as him. He could feel the warmth of tears gathering in his eyes as he found himself lost on how to explain the rush of his many layered emotions in this moment.

Ameri bit into her own hand, fangs cleanly tearing through before offering her palm to him in return.

He shakily used both hands to gently grasp her's before taking in every drop she offered him.

Purson Soi made a silent promise to himself in that moment.

He would make sure, absolutely, that Iruma returned Ameri's sacrifice.