Chapter Text
One down. 12 home visits to go.
With this carriage that Amuryllis lent him, this long voyage should now be less painful. But sitting as the carriage flew to the next home, the toll of the first flight was already hitting him. He tried rubbing his back but the movement had the fledgling opening their eyes and Kalego instantly stilling. Shit. He waited for a few tense moments before they blinked a few times, the newborn gray eyes looking around aimlessly before finally closing again.
Kalego let out a quiet breath and leaned against the plush seat behind him while also closing his own eyes.
He was tired. Exhausted. Just from one measly flight. Oh how he’d fallen. Yes. He understands that he just gave birth and unknowingly endured a pregnancy these past six months. But now sitting down in the plush carriage with the air conditioner on and bags filled with fledgling items, the toll of a simple flight was physically hitting him now.
He would need to work on his wing strength. His flight endurance. His core strength. And his-
Devi. He had to stop this way of thinking and just focus on getting today over with.
12 homes. Just 12 visits. He could do this.
His arms wrapped around the small bundle strapped to his chest and he watched the soft breathing of the sleeping fledgling. Thank devi he was too busy to drink these past months. Even with that save, a wave of guilt washed over him.
He wasn’t even taking any daily vitamins.
His hand reached to caress the smooth, bald, head of his fledgling but he flinched away at the last moment. To be honest, he was wary in giving such tenderness to his fledgling. If he started he didn’t know if he would be able to stop to focus back on his task.
No.
He had to finish his task first. He pulled out his list of addresses and quickly put the next one in the carriage's destination.
If he acted fast enough, hopefully he could reach his students families before they read the letter from the idiotic chairdemon.
-666–
The next two households that were scheduled were unfortunately met with negative results. The security demons of the Agares and Gaap clans were frantic when they saw Kalego step out of the carriage. Both of them bringing up that damn letter that was sent by the chairdemon. Both parents and students were gone, unknown when they would return.
He apologized for the intrusion and left. The entire time feeling the other demons gazes on the carrier on his chest. But he didn’t have time to answer ridiculous questions.
He still counted these as visits as complete. He came to the house after all. A visit was a visit. So he was already on his fourth visit when he attempted to make an educated guess on his next two choices.
Though it wasn’t the agreed time, surely the heads of the households of the Andro and Shax household were still home. He was so sure those two idiots would still be sleeping in.
So, imagine his disgust when his knocks on both doors were left unanswered. Out of all days for those two to leave the house early. No matter though. Kalego crossed them off the list still.
Six down.
He tried another route and tried his two students whose visits would be through a phone call.
He attempted the Sabnock household first. Yamanda would be sure to pick up. Kalego was so sure of this that he had Sabro’s notebook out and ready.
But alas. Nothing was going his way when a familiar young voice answered far too cheerfully for Kalego’s liking.
“Sabnock residence, Silvia speaking!”
Damn it.
“Good morning. This is Professor Kalego. I was hoping to speak to either your father or Yamanda. Are they available?” He waited for confirmation, while turning to the first page of the notebook.
From the phone he heard Sylvia let out a gasp before there was a crash of items hitting the floor
“Umm hello, Kalego-sensei! My father isn’t here and Yamanda’s….” There was a slight hesitation that made dread begin to grow in Kalego. He asked politely but also with genuine concern. “Is Yamanda alright?”
There were more sounds of shuffling before the student was speaking again. Words rushed and unsure. “No. He’s at the hospital.”
The words struck Kalego. Sabnock didnt mention anything about Yamanda being unwell. So was this an emergency? “Oh. I’m sorry to hear that. Will you-
He couldn't continue as the sound of buttons being pressed in the background were heard and he was ambushed by an odd question. The student cut him off to ask in a slightly demanded and panicked tone. “Where are you?”
“Excuse me.”
He can feel the way the student is fully panicking now as she explains herself.
“It’s just that-I heard Opera-senpai talking to Yamanda and heard that you were in the hospital.”
Ah. Kalego understood now. She was wondering if maybe he ran into Yamanda while they were both hospitalized. He would have to tell Yamanda later how cared he was in the Sabnock family. But that was for the future. Kalego needed to get these visits done. No time for sentimental moments. “We’re moving off topic. Your father isn’t available?”
“No he’s looking….wait are you coming by our house?”
Kalego had enough of these questions, and this conversation. “No. Your father opted for a phone call. Please let him know I called. Goodbye.”
That was an entirely odd conversation. But Kalego moved on and crossed off another home off his list. He did make a note to call Yamanda and circled the message for his future self.
While setting up an alarm on his phone for the call, he noticed he had over 100+ text messages.
Devi. The only time his message count went that high was when the misfits were sending nonstop ridiculous messages and photos. These “memes” and “gifs” flooded the chat till it was pure nonsense.
He wouldn’t even bother opening the message app and was glad he silenced that notification long ago.
Moving on he tried his next home visit that requested a phone call. Dialing the phone number, he focused on the next notebook that he grabbed.
Purson Soi.
Devi, have mercy on his soul. Either of Soi’s parents would be awful to talk to. Every conversation with Soi’s father was always laced with petty insults. From both parties.
Before he could continue mulling about how awful Soi’s father was, the call was picked up, and a feminine pleasant voice answered. “You are speaking to the loving wife of the very handsome head of the Purson clan, who is calling.”
Damn it. Well at least it wasn't Soi’s father. Kalego would make this fast.
“Good morning, this is Professor Kalego. I know it’s earlier than scheduled but I-”
At that moment there was a rustling at his chest and all too soon with no warning, the most saddest wail Kalego had heard in his life filled the air.
“I’ll call you back.”
“Was that a fled-“
Kalego hung up the phone and dropped it quickly to free his hands. He pulled his fledgling from the carrier while also finally ridding himself of the fabric.
He held the crying fledgling and knew the reason of crying from his fledgling was hunger. Thankfully Kalego was given a few bottles and formula at the hospital before departing. He made quick work in laying his fledgling down in the bassinet, a hand on their stomach to ensure they didn’t hurt themselves while frantically grabbing at his bags.
It felt like an eternity till he finally made the bottle, all with one hand, and his nerves were on edge as the entire time the fledgling’s wails only got higher and louder.
Devi. Did he wait too long for a feeding? Did he already harm his fledgling?
All these thoughts were drowning his mind all while he tried to stay calm.
No. He set an alarm for every three hours just like the nurse instructed.
The sound of that very alarm going off that very moment should have relieved him but instead the extra sound was the tipping point of the chaotic moment.
He silenced the phone, grabbed his fledgling, positioned them just like the nurse showed and placed the nipple of the bottle in his fledgling’s mouth.
And just like that.
Silence.
Kalego all but slumped against the carriage seat and though he wanted to close his eyes as well, he instead watched his fledgling’s every move during their feeding.
He took in every moment and again Kalego’s hand reached for the fledging’s head. This time he allowed himself the caress he denied himself last time. His fingers traced soft lines alongside the fledgling's face. They were a little one. Not one strand of hair on them leaving Kalego to wonder if they would have his or Shichiro’s hair
Well. The fact they didn’t have any hair may be the biggest hint they would have his. Devi Shichiro’s hair grew as if it was under a spell.
His heart ached for a moment at the thought of Shichiro. He would be so devastated that he missed his first fledgling’s birth. His mind filled with guilt and woe as the fledgling drank the last of the bottle. He was still thinking of how he would break the news to Shichiro as he placed a cloth on his shoulder and began to burp the fledgling.
Devi. They didn’t even have the talk about starting a family. But Shichiro’s mother was very fond of the idea.
He wonders how these past six months would have differed if Shichiro didn't leave. Shichiro would have of course known Kalego carrying before he was. He would have provided him the best smoothies, the best medicines, oh devi Kalego would have never had to deal with morning sickness if his husband was there.
His thoughts betrayed him by becoming more sentimental. He thought of Shichiro and him decorating a nursery. Picking a crib, choosing blankets and outfits that their fledgling would be sure to grow out in weeks. Choosing a name! Their poor fledgling didn't even have a name yet, because Kalego didn't dare to choose one without his husband’s input. The poor gargoyle had already missed so much. Kalego couldn't take this away. Him not having any idea on what to name this fledgling had no impact on this decision.
Kalego’s train of thoughts were derailed when the fledgling began squirming. Another memory from the nurse came to mind. Skin to skin contact is very helpful in calming down and reassuring fledglings.
Kalego felt anxious. What if he tried it and his fledgling only got worse. No. His memory was coming back to him. Right after giving birth, the doctor had placed the fledgling on his chest, and the crying had stopped.
He could try.
Yes. He could try. He went to unbutton his coat, removing it, and he was about to pull his shirt off when his hand froze.
The sound of another carriage landing filled the air.
He was pulling his shirt down and trying to get the carriage to get in the air quickly.
But it was too late.
“Amu-chan! Amu-chan, what are you doing in this area! I’m so glad to run into you! I’m coming in!”
Kalego felt his stomach drop and his blood run cold. This couldn’t be happening. He wrapped his arms around his fledgling and braced for the worst. Because without even a knock, the carriage door was opened and the outsider poked their head all while still yelling
“Amu-chan it’s been ages-“
And that is how one of the three Greats, the great Lady Levi, found herself staring at a pale frantic demon and a milk drunk smiling fledgling.
-666-
Lady Levi looked at the frazzled demon in front of her and felt her mind go into overdrive. The staring went on for a long uncomfortable moment, but finally with a snap of her fingers she whispered. “You’re Su-chan’s Naberius!”
The Naberius nodded at her, while she looked at him and the carriage and the floor that was filled with bags. She quickly noticed the tired Naberius and his dark eyebags, wrinkled clothing, and the overwhelming smell of milk and the smell of stress?!
All her questions for the exhausted demon were sidetracked when the sound of a fledgling coos and rustling had the Great entering the carriage with a smile, quickly closing the door behind her.
“Oh a fledgling!” She looked down at the little one and oh, the demon was ever so small. Why it looked positively still fresh.
“May I?” She asked the question while reaching for the wrapped bundle. There seemed to be a moment of hesitation but the Naberius let the bundle of joy out of his grip and into hers.
“Oh aren’t they darling!” She looked down at the fledgling and oh did she miss her grandson being this little. She loved that he turned into such a proficient handsome wonderful high ranked young man, but oh did she miss the days where she could spend all day with him and give cuddles. Right now she sat down and gave a cuddle to the little one and the little smile she got in return made her sigh in nostalgia.
“Oh the first year of a fledgling are just some of the most important moments. They are just so wonderful!” Before she could be wrapped up in the memories of her darling grandson, she remembered why she stopped in the first place.
"Wait! Naberius! What are you doing in Amu-chan’s carriage!"
“Amuyrillis-Amu-chan-san was so kind as to permit me to use her carriage to fulfill the home visits of my students.”
Lady Levi was already going back to rocking the fledgling when the words hit her.
“You’re working? With your fledgling? RIGHT NOW?”
The startled words didn't seem to phase the other demon. He explained calmly. “Yes. I actually worked till the day I went to the hospital and-“
“You are this fledgling's parent are you not?” Lady Levi asked this question while glancing at the sleeping fledgling who was smiling in their sleep, now in her arms and the exhausted pale demon in front of her. Maybe this was a bad time for comparisons. Also, as Lady Levi looked at the fledgling closer, the fledgling seemed to be extremely young.
“Yes I-“
Lady Levi cut off the other demon, and demanded another answer. “When was this darling fledgling brought into this realm?”
“Yesterday, your Great.” Was the calm reply.
“YESTERDAY!” Oh Lady Levi secured her hold on the very very very young fledgling. They were only a day old. NOT DAYS. A DAY.
The Great watched the other clear his throat and clarified. “Apologies. Yesterday morning.”
The clarification did not help the explanation at all.
“And you’re already working?” She watched in horror and dread as the Naberius nodded in affirmation. Why, this was horrific! Lady Levi gave herself six years of parental leave when she had her darling, beautiful, exquisite, refined daughter. And she then gave herself 12 years of grandparental leave, when Leji was born.
No. She distinctly remembers having a chat with Su-chan about the importance of leaves for families! She asked now in the other Great’s defense. “Su-chan gives his staff parental leave does he not?”
Her confusion sky rocketed when the Naberius nodded. Before she could shoot another question, he continued. “He does. In the staff contract, anyone employed under Babyls are given a year of parental leave. But I’m not under that contract.”
“But your Babyls staff?” Lady Levi barely kept herself from yelling, and instead rocked the sleeping fledgling a little faster.
The Naberius looked tired and for one split second, the smell of stress had another scent to it. The smell of guilt came before it was stopped. The Naberius explained, “No. I’m under a different contract as Babyls Guard dog. Which doesn’t have parental leave.”
Lady Levi stared at the other and then at the fledgling in her arms. Every word was dripping in judgement as she snapped. “And Su-chan had you working till you went to the hospital and then has you working a day after bringing life into this world.”
“It’s fine.”
The response was too quick. Too routine. As if this was the only answer the other could give.
“It is NOT fine! Why it’s’-It’s barbaric! He should know as a grandparent how precious time spent with a loved one is! He can’t just order you to work after leaving the hospital!”
There was a moment where the other demon hesitated in what he was going to say. But with pose and class, he dared to object against her. “Forgive me, Great Lady Levi, but like you said. I am Sullivan-sama’s Naberius. His words are my commands. That is our society. That is my life.”
The Great listened to those words. Thought them over. Grew feelings of anger over them. But not at the other demon. She knew what she had to do. She reached over and handed back the fledgling back to their parent, and stood up. “How many more home visits do you have?”
“I am about halfway done, Lady Levi.”
The Great looked down at the demon, and with a tone that commanded absolute authority, she directed him. “You look unwell. Visit the hospital after those home visits. That is my command. You do well in following it. Farewell Naberius.”
She closed the door and walked back to her carriage with a scowl. She needed to have a word with her fellow Great.