Chapter Text
“Are you okay, Balam-sensei?”
“Hm,” Shichiro hums, looking down at a concerned Iruma, eyes big with worry, “I’m alright, why are you asking?”
“You look tense, like you’re in pain.”
Aw, so it’s becoming noticeable. Shichiro gently pats Iruma’s head, “Sharp eyes.” Iruma blushes, pleased with the praise and attention, smile bright. (Protectiveness curls around his spine- he may not know all the details about his life before coming to the Netherworld, but he knows enough that he’s glad that Lord Sullivan adopted him.) “It’s just some muscle pain, happens then and again since I’m still growing.”
Shichiro laughs at Iruma’s wonder filled wide eyes and his “you’re still growing?!”. “Gargoyles tend to be on the larger side in general, I just happen to be one of the few that just keeps growing.” Patting the boy’s head one more time, the demon gently starts guiding him towards the prep room door. “You better get going, your friends are waiting for you.”
“Thank you, Balam-sensei! And please take it easy!” Warm fondness fills the teacher as he waves away Iruma, watching as the boy runs off. Stretching his back, he walks back into the prep room, tucking away unfinished paperwork that he’ll work on this weekend, noting the fading sunlight. School finished up a few hours ago, but Iruma had asked if he could get some help with study prep for a test coming up, determined to impress Kalego-kun.
(He once teased Kalego-kun about how Iruma looks up to him as father figure, eager for his approval and praise. The demon, determined to find the delightful blush warming the tips of his ears, pointed out the Iruma is the exact same way with him. Shichiro, rubbing the back of his head, chuckled, “Who knew we would end up raising a child together, hmm?”
The blush darkened and spread, Kalego-kun avoiding his eyes as he muttered, “I wouldn’t be opposed to the idea.”
Dinner was delayed by several hours after that.)
Speaking of his lover, Shichiro pulls out his phone, quickly shooting off a text letting Kalego-kun know that he was heading home. Stretching out his back and shoulders, grimacing at the tightness and pain in his muscles, wings spreading open, he shoots off into the air, eager to be home and in his Kalego-kun's arms.
It doesn’t take very long before he’s swooping down, shaking out his feathers before neatly folding them up, unlocking and opening the front door. “I’m home,” he calls out, neatly hanging up his bookbag, leaning forward and peering into the living room. “Kalego-kun?”
“About time you got home,” Kalego-kun grumbles as he turns the corner, sweater sleeves bunched at the elbow. Shichiro chuckles, unhooking his mask, leaning down to kiss the impatiently waiting demon in front of him. A shot of pain skates across his nerves, and he bites back a noise of pain, not wanting to bother Kalego-kun for something minor and regularly occurring.
Kalego-kun, for better or worse, knows him all too well, if the look on his face when they pull apart is any indication. Wordless, Kalego-kun tugs him through their bedroom and into the bathroom. The lights are off, numerous candles flickering yellow shadows up the walls. The bath- a large claw foot type that Kalego-kun had specifically made to be able to comfortably fit the both of them- is already filled, steam coming up from the scented water. “Strip,” Kalego-kun commands, already tugging off his gloves. Wordlessly, Shichiro complies, stripping down completely.
“Not going to join me?” Shichiro gently tugs at Kalego-kun's sweater, pouting when his hand is (gently) slapped away.
“Next time,” Kalego-kun kisses into the corner of his scar, “this time is about you. Now, get into the tub.”
Shichiro practically melts into the bathtub, hot water seeping into straight into his bones, back sliding against the porcelain, arms flung over the edge. A moan escapes him as long fingers comb their way into his hair, gently digging into his skull. “I love you,” he breathes out, tilting his head back to stare up into Kalego-kun's amused eyes. The other demon chuckles and bends down, kissing Shichiro, muttering, “Love you too.”