Chapter Text
Ameri looked out over the river. The sun shined bright across the clear afternoon sky. This day had been perfect. They had met up in the morning, gone shopping at the market district, had a pristine lunch at this fantastic sandwich shop, went for a lovely walk through the nearby woods, and were now sitting on a bridge looking over a river. A light breeze blew through near by trees, swaying them and the grass. Light ripples formed across the river as the sun reflected brightly against the river's strikingly blue surface. It was a pleasant blue, not unlike Iruma's hair actually.
Ameri turned to look at Iruma. He sat to her right, as both of them dangled their legs over the side of the bridge. The sun shined brightly on his blue hair, which fluttered lightly in the breeze. His eyes sparked with wonder and his lips shone the cheerful smile that always adorn his face. Or at least, they use too. Now his eyes were slightly narrowed. His brow furrowed. His lips were pressed together, held in a straight line, not in his usually joyful smile. He breathed out of his cute little nose. His chest going up and down with his breathing.
He had been like this ever since he came back from the devilculum. Something had happened that day. Well several things had happened. But outside of the main catastrophe, something or things had happened to Iruma. The first sign had been when he had talked to Fenrir, her security devil for the day. Iruma had clearly become upset and fearful, in spite of his assurances to her and Asmodeus. Then during the attack, he had run off somewhere. When she found Iruma again, he was asleep on the ground with Asmodeus glued to his side. After Iruma's grandfather took him home, she pulled Asmodeus aside to ask what had happened. Azz said that someone had caused Iruma to freak out and panic. Iruma had become absolutely terrified over something. She wanted to inquire to Azz about who and what specifically freaked out Iruma. But the evening was winding down and everybody began to part ways, not allowing Ameri to find out more.
The next time Ameri saw Iruma at school she, he was not the same. Iruma had changed. His bright characteristic smile had disappeared. His eyes didn't quite have his distinct sparkle. He seemed more reserved, on guard. In the days to follow it was clear something was wrong. Ameri would speak to Iruma and he would respond as always, but he seemed more hesitant than before, more reclusive. His eyes would dart away. Always on the look out for something. What, she had no idea. She hadn't been able to talk with him about it either. They had not had any of their reading sessions. Ameri had tried to schedule a couple, but Iruma had kept canceling. This was followed by him just being vague about when he would next be free. She was at least able to convince him to come spend time together today though. It took a bit of pushing on her part, but Ameri was able to make there little "date" happen. She was hoping that spending sometime together would cheer him up a bit. Allow him to relax and clear whatever was obviously on his mind.
And it seemed to work. Iruma was smiling and laughing the whole day. It was great. Ameri couldn't help but smile and laugh along with him. They were having so much fun. It seemed to take his mind off of whatever had been bother him. At least, for the most part. However, a couple of times during the quite moments. He would lose his smile and get lost in thought. Like when they were in the book shop and got to the fantasy section. His eyes lost focus for a brief moment as he looked over the books. Or when she was coming back from the restroom during lunch, Iruma was sitting at the table, his face was a frown, his hands clenched into fists.
And now here they were sitting side by side on this bridge over looking the river. Iruma was lost deep in thought. What ever it was that was on his mind, he just could not let go of. It seemed he wouldn't talk to anyone about it either. Clara had told Ameri that Iruma was more reserved around her and Asmodeus as well. Iruma wasn't talking to anybody about what was on his mind. Well that was going to change. Ameri was going to get to the bottom of this.
"So Iruma, have you had fun today?"
Iruma continued to look out over the river, deep in thought. "Yea, today has been a ton of fun Ameri," Spoke Iruma. His voice not quite matching his words.
"Really, because you don't sound like it."
Iruma didn't say anything in return. He just continued to look out over the river. His chest raising and lowering with each breath.
Ameri looked to Iruma's eyes, trying to see how focused they were. "Iruma is everything alright?"
"Yea, everything is fine." Mumbled Iruma.
"It sure doesn't seem like everything is fine."
Iruma just looked down at his lap in response.
"Iruma, you can tell me what is wrong. It's OK."
Iruma drummed his fingers against his lap. "I..." he bit his lower lip. Clearly upset with whatever was bothering him. "I..."
Ameri reached over and grabbed his left hand, holding it gently but firmly in her own. Hopefully this would help him steel himself and allow him to finally say what was on his mind.
"I..." Iruma took a deep breath and clenched his right hand into a fist. "Do people like me?"
"Huh," Ameri leaned back slightly. This was not what she was expecting.
"Do people,... does anybody like who I am?" said Iruma.
Ameri was taken a back by this. He was surrounded by his family, the misfit class, and his two best friends Clara and Azz constantly. She knew that for both Clara and Asmodeus their personalities would light up whenever Iruma was around. The Misfits as a whole always seemed to be at their best, and usually most chaotic, whenever Iruma was with them as a group. And this was to say nothing of his Grandpa who would dot over him at every possible moment. Principal Sullivan would take every opportunity he was given, whether it was an appropriate time for it or not, to brag about his grandson. And she knew their security devil Opera cared deeply for Iruma. They may not show it too often do to their stoic nature, but Ameri knew they cared.
"I would say you definitely have people who like you. You have all of your classmates, your teachers, pretty much all of the school, faculty and teachers a like, like you. Everything you and the misfit class does is exciting and interesting. Everyone is always looking forward to what you will pull off next." Ameri gave Iruma's hand a gentle squeeze. "What brought this on?"
"Do, do people actually like actually like me or just the things I do?" Said Iruma. "I have so much fun with everyone. I like it so much here. I have so much fun. I don't want to lose everything that I have. I'm afraid of... of..."
"Well, I would say you don't have to worry about that in any regard there." Ameri said gently, trying to reassure Iruma. "Think about it, you have all your friends in your class. I have seen all of you together. They all light up and are at their best when they are around you." A slight smile started to appear on Iruma's lips.
"And this is to say nothing of Asmodeus and Valac. The three of you together are always a sight to behold. The smiles you guys all get on your face. All of you clearly enjoy spending time with each other. I don't think I could ever see the three of you apart." The smile was continuing to grow on Iruma's face. Ameri could also see the sparkle starting to return to Iruma's eye. Yes, it was working.
"Lastly think about your Grand Father and Opera. Is there ever a time where your Grandpa is not cheering your praises? He is always talking about you. Celebrating you accomplishments and talking about how wonderful you are. You know he lovers you with all his heart. And of course Opera cares for you as well. You know they work hard for you. They want to make sure you are safe and happy. And they will support you in any way they can."
Iruma was now smiling fully. His eyes lit up. His cute cowlick back to it's bouncy self. He seemed more relaxed. What ever had been bothering him seemed to have left his mind.
Ameri couldn't help but smile too. He seemed to be worried about losing everything around him. Why he would lose everything is something she needed to get to the bottom of. But maybe for now it would be best just to keep him smiling like this. "See you have nothing to fear. There are plenty of demons who like and care for you. And I, Ameri Azazel, am sure of that"
Those words should of reassured Iruma. Instead it seemed to do the opposite. At the word demon there was slightest change in his breathing. Almost as if his breath had hitched. And by the time she had finished talking, Iruma had lost his smile again. Damn it, she was right there. What had happened? What did she say that up set him?
While she was thinking, Iruma's breath had begun to speed up. Suddenly, he spun around and grabbed both her hands in his. "Are you certain? How can you be sure? Do you know for a fact that they like and care for me? You know what they think?" Iruma asked in a panic. He seemed desperate to know the answers.
Ameri blinked, taken a back at Iruma. "Yes, Iruma I am sure of" "Really, you know for a fact?" interjected Iruma. "You know that is what they think? That is what people feel?"
Ameri looked the boy right in the eyes, desperation displayed across them. "Well, no, I guess I don't know what other people think and feel for a fact."
Iruma slowly receded in response. He let go of her hands, putting his own in his lap. His gaze going to his lap as well. Getting lost in his own thoughts.
Ameri turned her head back out to over the river. An idea popped into her mind. It was a crazy idea. Was this really the time and place for it? "But,..." Iruma, who's breathing was picking up, calmed down. He glanced over to Ameri.
"There is one thing I do know." Really like this, this is how it was going to happen. Iruma had looked up. His head turned, fully paying attention to Ameri.
You want to cheer him up don't you? So why not do it now? It is plenty beautiful and what a better romantic way then cheering up your crush in the process. "I know what I think and feel. And, well..." Iruma was holding his breath, enraptured completely by what Ameri was going to say. Go for it Ameri, seize you ambition.
"I like you Iruma."