Work Text:
It all started one night.
March had gone to make himself some tea after finishing his work. As he walked down the corridor, he saw no one.
Wasn't Ifrit working here earlier in the evening? Strange.
His papers were still there, though... That wasn't like him. Usually, at this time of night, he would finish his paperwork and wouldn't leave it on a table like that.
It was rare for him to leave like that, leaving the lights on. Or that he let all his paperwork there.
Especially since they had their little routine of having a hot drink after work.
At this hour, the fire demon wasn't sleeping; he was always working late. So, he should have been there, but he wasn't, nor was he in any of the places where he might have been to spend time with his colleagues. March could hear them talking here and there, but not in the area where he was.
Strange.
Was something wrong?
Ifrit was fine a little while ago, though!
He headed to the kitchen to make himself some tea. He froze when he saw a figure already there.
Eito was standing there in the semi-darkness. The flame at the end of his tail illuminated his silhouette and cast his shadow on the wall in front of him. He was holding something in his hands. It was a mug, apparently, and he had just taken a sip. Apart from that, he was completely still, as if listening for the slightest sound.
That wasn't normal.
Not at all.
« Eito? »
The other slowly put down what he was holding and turned around. His eyes seemed brighter, sharper than usual. "Oh, just the one I wanted to see." He came closer "I started to wonder if I should hunt you, entering in your room. I was going to do it." His voice had become darker and softer. His flaming tail cast flashes of light around his body as it thrashed rapidly behind him. "I have quite a few things to tell you, March!"
Marbas froze. A sense of danger immediately dawned on him when he realized his colleague had entered his wicked phase.
March had seen him like this before. The first time had been during his first 6 months as a professor, and even though it didn't happen often, it was always exhausting. Ifrit was dangerous, a far cry from the calm and controlled person, with a sense of humor, he usually was.
Almost without realizing it, the Marbas took a step back, and seeing the fire demon approaching, he retreated again, as if to maintain a safe distance.
But his back hit the wall, trapping him between the hard surface and Ifrit's warm body, who was now less than a meter away. He swallowed, smelling a pleasant scent, warm and spicy. Eito was so (too) close, and he shivered when a hand landed on his hip, the other grasping his chin. His body was a lot hoter than for a normal démon and his skin was as much warm.
Eito murmured in a caressing voice, "Hey~ I don't know why I've never told you how cute you are! Those who say you're plain have no tastes."
- T…Thank?
- I really wasted time." His wicked phase made him different, his smile being wilder, more dangerous, and revealing two white fangs. "It's time to correct it!"
Wait...
Something was unusual.
He was different.
Too different.
He seemed focused on him.
As if he saw only him.
It was unsettling.
He was not like that last time, right?
Ifrit's voice seemed to purr as he leaned down to whisper in March's ear "You seem nervous. Am I scaring you?"
Yes.
Who knows what a adult demon could do in his wicked phase?
Especially a demon stronger than him, with this kind of powers?
So yeah, he was kinda worried for his safety.
As much as one could be pinned against a wall by his co-worker's body. March tried to do something to push the other away, to break free from his grip. But then he felt the hand leaving his hip to grab his arm and immobilize him, pushing him more firmly against the wall.
"Tsk tsk, are you going to attack me? You know you don't stand a chance, right?" purred Ifrit, amused.
Seconds later, both of Marbas wrists were imprisoned in an iron grip above his head, immobilizing him mercilessly. The fire demon leaned forward, his forehead pressing against his captive's. "Useless, I'm stronger than you and you know it. I'll dominate you without much trouble. You can challenge me if you want, but the result will be the same as if you submit to me right here and now."
-That would be a bad idea to fight her, in the kitchen. It's not the best place to fight!"
The other chuckled. "Reasonable? Good boy!"
They were so close that March could feel the hot breath on his skin, on his lips.
Attacking the fire demon was a bad idea at that moment anyway: It would be pointless since he was way stronger than him, like he said.
Provoking a demon in his wicked phase was rarely a good idea too, especially when it was obvious that he would overpower him if he tried to fight back.
Trying to calm him down was the only option.
But the problem was that he couldn't distract him in such a situation, because the other was too focused on him. He wouldn’t change his mind easily. But, obviously, trying to calm him was the only way. Or he had to buy time, hoping that another teacher would come there and intervene.
Ifrit sighed, pressing himself a little closer to his captive, smiling dangerously. His smile became hungrier as he felt his captive's heartbeat faster and the pink colour that appeared on his pale cheeks. "You're truly handsome"
March swallowed, his violet gaze locked on the other demon's, who looked at him with an obvious hunger. The hand gripping his chin held firm, forcing him to look at him.
He knew that he had to find a solution. He was aware that he'd be in trouble if he couldn't resolve the situation, especially with the other demon's current behaviour.
A bit too possessive and hungry.
This suggested that the line would be crossed very soon and that he would be difficult to calm down.
"Eito?
- Hum?"
The hand left his chin to caress his cheek, brushing aside a few strands of hair. The gesture was so gentle and tender that March felt his heart leap in his chest. He'd been courted before, but gestures of pure tenderness were rarer, especially at the beginning of a relationship (or even before it began) like this. A shiver ran through him from head to toe.
Tenderness could be a weakness for demons, who weren't used to it, but these moments of tenderness were also cherished when they came.
And he was no exception, savouring the gesture by unconsciously closing his eyes, a slight smile of contentment playing on his lips as he felt the warm hand against his cheek.
A soft chuckle made him open his eyes again. The other demon was staring at him, his head tilted slightly to one side, a glimmer of pure tenderness in his eyes fixed upon him.
"Were you going to tell me something?" His voice was very soft, too soft.
As if it is hiding something more sinister.
All March's instincts screamed 'DANGER'
"Listen...I think...
-Are you going to tell me to wait until my wicked phase passes? That's not going to happen. Because then it'll take me forever to have what I want. I'm way too hesitant." The caress moved gently down to the neck, his grip turning into a gesture that was already more possessive than tender.
Okay.
That gentleness was really hiding something after all.
It was quite common for a demon to want to indulge their desires during a wicked phase, especially if they normally repressed those same desires. Ifrit would probably control himself enough not to go too far (probably!), but he still became more feral and flirtatious, determined to achieve his goals, whatever they might be.
He was the type who wanted to win at all costs.
And to have the last word.
And there, he clearly wanted him.
Ifrit leaned forward again, his lips brushing against the soft skin of her cheek before reaching one of her pointed ears. "Are you really going to try to buy time? You do realize it's pointless?
- No. I know. It won't work, right? Even if I promise to do anything you want, if we wait until you come out of your wicked phase?"
The fire demon chuckled. "No, indeed. And... Really? Everything I want? You're practically offering yourself to me willingly now.
- Maybe. I just don't think it's the best time, yet. You're not in your right mind.
- Ho?" His voice was dangerously soft. "You don't want me to claim you?
- ...Y... I’d prefer that, yes." He felt that his face was burning "I think you may regret it as soon your wicked phase will be over.
- I doubt it…but then, if I don't go too 'far', it’s fine?
- It might not be...ideal right now.
-...I don’t agree. So, I’ll do what I want.” He buried his face in Marbas neck, the latter squealing in surprise, his cheeks burning even more, his heart pounding faster and harder. He struggled to reconcile the demon he knew—serious but with a sense of humour and a sense of fun—with the flirtatious and incredibly possessive being he now was.
In a wicked phase, an adult demon truly lost control, or barely so.
“I think you need to calm down”
March felt the other take a breath before saying in a hoarse voice, “I like your smell. And your skin is so soft here.”
"..." The other wasn't sure he was ready for this, in THIS kind of situation.
Or perhaps he feared his reaction, which would undoubtedly be positive and that would encourage Ifrit?
He was going to prove him right.
And in this state, nothing could stop Eito from doing what he wanted. March would be done for if he showed the slightest sign of pleasure, and even though a part of him wasn't against it at all, he didn't want to do it now.
Not with the other demon in this state of mind.
Ifrit chuckled, lifting his head slightly, a teasing glint in his eyes, purring: "You're not so indifferent, are you? Or are you just sensitive here?
- I..." Yes, his neck was sensitive. Yet he wasn't inexperienced. This guy was really having a powerful effect on him. He gathered his thoughts and stammered, "I suppose?
- Your heart is beating so fast. Since I've been touching you, your skin is warmer too. Are you really pretending you don't want it?"
Feeling the tongue against the skin of his neck made the other gasp in surprise. Was he really going that far? March tried to free his wrists, but without success. "Eito, wait a minute..."
A slight pain shot through his neck as the burning mouth began to suck his skin, first gently, then harder. A moan of pleasure escaped him, before he started to struggle weakly to break free. Again, without success. He closed his eyes, trying to catch his breath and stop himself from moaning any more.
The fire demon grinned before sinking his fangs into the already reddened area, injecting a bit of its mana, wanting to mark his territory and make everyone know that this demon was his, and that himself would remember, when his wicked phase passed, that he had claimed the one he wanted. He felt terribly possessive and greedy.
Why hold back when he could leave such a mark?
A mark that EVERYONE could see.
Mine.
Just mine
Another moan escaped March, his legs growing weaker as the hand holding his wrists loosen his grip and returned to his waist, holding him against a warm, solid body. He stammered, his mind reeling, "S... Stop." A dizzying sensation of pleasure coursed through him, starting at his neck and coursing through his entire body, making his head spin, deliciously. He felt weak, his muscles seeming to cease obeying him. He fought against the instinct to submit, his strength abandoning him. He gasped, his shaking hands now holding the other's jacket, trembling.
He had never felt anything so intense.
He'd had relationships before, he'd already received hickeys (and given ones too), with all that entailed. He had had sex. He wasn't a virgin anymore since a while.
But none of his partners had ever unleashed such a pleasuring wave. He felt the mana injected by the bite spread through his body. He hadn't known it could feel this good. He opened his eyes again, them blurring with pleasure.
He had to stop him.
But it felt so good...
Ifrit smiled a small, proud smile at his work: the mark he’d left, spreading across the skin, growing ever more purple.
Everyone would know March was his lover now.
He ordered, his tone slightly firmer: "Say you're mine.
-W... what?"
- I'm ready to do anything to have you, even fight anyone who's interested. I won't let anyone else have you. No one. If I have to burn the world to have you, I will."
March swallowed, his thoughts becoming clearer. He felt a throbbing pain in his neck. He still felt weak and cursed his instincts for making him submit like this to the one who had marked him, as often happened with demons.
The fire demon's pupils were darker, almost dilated, and greed was easily read in his gaze. Desire marked his features much more sharply than before. One hand was placed in March's lower back, holding him firmly against the other demon. The other hand slipped beneath his shirt, his fingers brushing against the roots of his wings. A new hoarse moan escaped March as he felt his strength totally abandon him, his body surrendering to Ifrit, his mind trapped in pleasuring fog.
I can't escape.
I can’t fight back.
I can't stop him.
He won't listen to anything I say.
He truly realized it then: there was nothing he could do. He was caught in the fire demon's grip. He was completely at his mercy and powerless to stop him. Yet, he had to try something. He had to say something before a line was crossed. He had to calm Eito, hoping he would stop (and wait) until his wicked phase was over. It was going to be terribly embarrassing when Ifrit would return to normal.
Perhaps he felt that way and had repressed the desire, thinking it wasn't reciprocated?
The words spoken by the other demon swirled in his mind, and he felt flattered to be so desired, but also embarrassed because Eito wasn't himself.
Did he even want to stop it?
If he was honest...
...He didn't want to stop it.
He managed to gather his thoughts and tried: "I... Listen Eito…
- No. I'm tired of waiting and doing nothing. And your reaction proves to me that you want it just as much as I do. I'm ready to do anything to possess you, and I won't give up. And you are willing to do it too, right? So, stop struggling or trying to buy time. It’s useless to fight against something that we both want."
He leaned down to kiss him, savouring the troubled look of his magnificent prey, who seemed to have finally stopped resisting him. He had won. He hardly had to do anything more to make March give in to his advances. The other man wanted him too, that was obvious. Hadn't he stopped trying to defend himself?
Suddenly, a figure appeared behind Eito, emerging from the darkness. A hand hits Ifrit behind his head, and a flash of lightning erupted as the magic spell was casted. Before the fire demon could even react, he collapsed, falling asleep into the torture teacher’s arms.
Murmur looked at his co-worked and softly asked: "March, are you okay?
- Yeah…I think I am."
Ipos was there too, having followed his friend. He grabbed the unconscious demon's arm and took him over his shoulder. "I'm taking him to his room. We'll have to be ready to control him tomorrow. And we must keep him away from you, considering what we just stopped. We better wait for him to calm down before you can go near him again." He disappeared, taking Ifrit with him.
Murmur, for his part, reached out to his colleague's neck and used a healing spell. The bitemark stopped bleeding, but the skin remained warm to the touch. The purple colour it had begun to display wasn't going to disappear anytime soon. "Ouch, yeah. It will leave a mark for days, no doubt.
- Yes…Don’t worry.” He leaned against the wall, his heart still pounding. He felt terribly troubled. And a little disappointed, though also relieved.
The red-haired demon ran his hand through his hair. "I admit that for a second, I thought you were about to kiss.
- I think he was going to do it.
- And then I heard what he was saying: that he was ready to burn the world down to have you, and I realized he'd probably entered his wicked phase. I checked his aura and then decided to intervene when I saw he wasn’t himself.
- Thank you. Well…I... I think I’ll return to my room." His tail (which had come out without him realizing it) curled around one of his legs, as if to show his turmoil and confusion.
"Ok. Good night!"
March arrived in his room, closed the door behind him, and leaned against it. He closed his eyes, took some deep breaths to calm down.
"Well..." He passed a trembling hand in his hair. "I better check..." He opened his shirt and walked towards the mirror to look at his neck. It was going to turn purple, no doubt about it.
As Ifrit’s magic.
He had really marked his territory.
He closed his eyes and took a new deep breath "Ok, fine, it’s nothing". He had already experienced it. He had already enjoyed receiving it. Not to this extent, not as intensely as he had just experienced it, but it had been pleasant.
He had also had some unpleasant experiences. An overly greedy demon had bitten him after hunting him in an aerial race (when he was a teenager), hoping to have him, but he had only felt pain, hating the feeling of this mana into his body, and he had struggled, hitting his attacker to push him back.
Here?
He had felt the mana, injected in the bite, spread through his body, mingling with his own.
And giving him a burning pleasure.
And the instinct to submit...(which happened when the two demons were very compatibles)
Nothing he had experienced before could compare to what he had just lived through.
Every part of his being craved for more.
Amused despite the situation he murmured softly: "Well, it's going to be awkward when he’ll return to normal!"
The greedy and possessive face of the fire demon haunted his thoughts and instead of being frightened, he felt flattered. He had never witnessed such expressions of greed and desire toward him, and he liked it, it made his heartbeat faster.
That someone could be so possessive of him?
That someone would burn the world to possess him? It was hot.
Ifrit seemed ready to do anything to have him in his wicked phase.
It was rather flattering and exciting.
He wanted to see more: to see this expression of greed when Eito was in his normal state. He licked his lips, a greedy look shining on his face. Oh yes, he is wanting it SO much.
Until now, the torture teacher was waiting to see if Eito felt anything, testing the waters so as not to make a fool of himself, but it had gone beyond his expectations. March had been caught off guard; he hadn't expected it to go so far all at once. He just wasn't prepared for it to happen so fast or suddenly, like that, without warning... and he'd been literally...attacked by a hungry and feral beast.
But now?
"You want me, huh?" He smiled, his face reflecting a hunger equal to the one he'd seen on Ifrit's features. "Well, you're going to have me."
This was going to be fun.
He remembered the first time they had really spoken to each other, other than during a meeting or an exchange about students.
He was the newest professor, arrived at the beginning of the year. He was young and passionate about his work. He had begun to build relationships with the younger teachers, including Orias.
Everything went well for the first two months, and then... he went through a wicked phase that was extremely uncomfortable for all his colleagues.
He apologized profusely afterward, ashamed of how far he had gone. Was he going to get yelled at?
Or worse, was he going to get fired?
Ifrit had looked up from his papers. "Don't worry, Dali is way worse in his wicked phase. He becomes a stalker and a yandere. He sees all school and every person inside, adults as students, as HIS treasure. He spends all his time watching everyone, at every moment, nobody knows where he is, but we know he's here and watching us. It's kind of scary. He probably takes notes of everything we do. And if he sees something that he identifies as a threat, he intervenes."
March looked at their supervisor who smiled 'innocently' to him.
Ifrit added "One time, he has had his wicked phase during the harvest festival. It has been a hell to deal with. We had to stop him from going to 'save' ALL the kids and bring them back to school. And we can't sedate him, it doesn't work."
Orias mumbles: "I bet that he did it on purpose! Like if we didn't have enough things to do.
-How cruel, you two!" Dantalion said, one hand on his chest, a false look of pain on his face. "You were not even here, Orias-Sensei, that was the year before your arrival. And you, Eito-Sensei, have no right to make fun of me, when we see how you are in your wicked phase.
- Yeah, you’re unbearable, Eito-Sensei. You're exhausting us all. We can't take our eyes off you because you're experimenting with your fire." added Murmur, who was drinking a cup of tea, his tail wagging behind him. “But I know I’m also unbearable when it’s my turn, so…I won’t complain.”
Orias patted March's shoulder, smiling at him like the patient senpai he was. "Believe me, it's not a big deal. We won't blame you for your actions during your wicked phases. And we've had worse than you.
- Funny to hear you say that" Ipos added, "you're either a wild night animal growling at us, or a dangerous trickster." He chimed in, adding fuel to the fire. "There was one time you really wore us out, taking a lot of money from us."
- Are you still mad at me for ruining you? Do you want revenge?
-I’m not masochist, so no."
March had a small, amused smile, watching his colleagues playfully bicker, demonstrating their good relationship. He hoped that one day he would feel as comfortable with them as they seemed to be with each other at that moment.
Ifrit approached and placed a hand on his shoulder, making him jump. He hadn't often spoken with his colleague before, aside from faculty meetings. This was the first time they had discussed anything other than their work.
The fire demon smiled. "Really, don't worry, we'll always keep an eye on you, Marbas-Sensei. Nothing will happen, to you, to us or to anyone else. I promise. You don't have to feel bad about something you can't really control."
To feel accepted.
To feel supported.
And not judged for his actions during his wicked phase.
It was comforting, and he felt a gentle warmth spread through him.
"Thank you. I'll try to keep you busy when it's your turn.
- Be careful with what you promise ~."
"Ifrit-Sensei? You’re still here?"
The fire demon raised his head and turned it towards the newcomer. "I have some paperwork to finish." His hair was a little dishevelled, but that small, sly smile he so often wore played on his lips.
"I see.
- And you?
- I've almost finished my lessons for tomorrow, and I've finished grading the test I gave my students. I needed to know if they had understood everything before moving on to the next lesson. I was just passing by to make myself tea.
- For my part, I'm reviewing the security protocols for the Batras festival. Last year, there were a few mishaps. A pickpocket stole several demons before being caught, and a young demon was almost kidnapped. Luckily, Dali and I stopped him in time.
- Do you need help?
- No, but thank you.”
March hesitated, seeing the other demon run a hand through his hair and letting out a deep and tired sigh while his tail whipping the air behind him, throwing off purple sparks that, however, didn't burn anything.
"Do you want a coffee or a tea?
- Tea, please"
When he returned, he handed the mug to the fire demon who raised it to his lips to take a sip before asking "Thank you. So, it's not too hard being under Kalego-Sensei tutelage?"
March shuddered with fear. "He's strict, but he recognizes people's efforts.
- If you don't make him angry, it’ll be alright. I know he always looks furious, but he isn't.
- I will do my best.
- I know, we can tell when we see you. You're full of goodwill, attentive to the students, and serious about your work. You don't need to raise your voice to restore calm. And you're already getting good results."
Touched by the compliments, he smiled. Feeling validated was truly pleasant. Strangely enough, coming from Ifrit, it felt a little different from the others.
"Your sister is a Akudol’s manager? Really?"
- Yes. My sister has always been passionate about that kind of art since she was very young. She's kept the same Akudol since she started her career as a manager. They get along very well, and she's very attentive to her well-being.
-I suppose her identity is confidential.
-Absolutely." He gave a provocative smile, as if daring him to extract information. "I'll never give up that information!"
-Of course. But don't worry, I won't torture you to find out.
-You'd better, I know how to resist."
Ifrit gave a playful smile, "Don't challenge me~" then he stretched, playing with his pen, twirling it between his fingers. "Anyway, don't tell Tsumuru-Sensei, he's a fan of Akudol. And one in particular."
March chuckled. Of course he noticed that. "Oh, he's not the only one like that." There was no risk of him betraying his sister's trust or spoiling the peaceful and quiet future scholarship of the little Keroli before the young demoness even entered Babyls. "I know what to do to ask him a favor, now."
If he ever asked Kuromu to get him an autographed photo of Gyari... (and she'd probably get him one without too much trouble)
...that would carry some weight against Murmur, wouldn't it?
The other demon's eyes narrowed in amusement. "Are you planning on bribing him if needed?"
-Um...not really. Just to have an argument to support what I could ask him. Or to get a present for his birthday." He was going to use it as an argument in a discussion.
Ifrit chuckled. "I like your way of thinking."
March had just finished several particularly tiring hours. It was morning after a difficult night, during the harvest festival of the same year, a few months later.
It had been gruelling.
And to think it was worse before Orias became a teacher. Back then, there had been deaths, many more.
Even this time, the night had been long and exhausting, and he had hardly slept. He gulped down a strong cup of coffee and tried to stifle his yawns.
He took a short break before returning to his kiosk to record the harvests. He still had several hours to go; after all, the children probably didn't get much sleep themselves.
But Dantalion told him to take a short break.
Every teacher had the right to take one at a point.
The night was over after all.
"A cigarette?"
He startled, as Ifrit suddenly appeared beside him, handing him his pack of cigarettes.
"Uh, yeah, thank you. Ifrit-Sensei." He took one, and before he could use a mini lafira, the flaming tail erupted in front of him, like an invitation to light what he held between his fingers. "I thought...you didn't like it when we lit our cigarettes on your flame."
He remembered the dark looks the other demon gave to those who dared to do that, before extinguishing the flame and grumbling that his ancestors would be furious.
His colleague gave a small, amused smile. "That's true, but only when it's done behind my back without me asking! I'm offering it to you now."
March smiled faintly, bringing the small lit stick to his lips. "Thank you.
- It was an intense night, right?
- Yes..."
Calls for help.
Screams.
Pleas.
He had almost arrived too late two times. And he had heard that Kalego had arrived just in time several times too.
He had seen a young demon on a blood-stained stretcher, his wings torn, a horn broken, and covered in wounds. Buer had saved him at the last minute. Saved thank to Orias because the kid was unconscious and so unable to call for help.
No deaths last night.
But it was just the first night.
Ifrit leaned against the tree behind him, bringing his own cigarette to his lips: "There were no deaths. Thanks to Orias-Sensei and his bloodline ability. I saw what it was like without him, and I'm relieved he's here.
- Five were very close to death." He did the same, inhaling a little smoke. "Thanks to him, we saved one of them just in time. According to Buer-Sensei, ten more minutes and he would have died given the amount of blood he lost."
The other man took on a sinister expression. "We always lose people; despite all the precautions we take. We can only hope to minimize these losses. Fortunately, it has decreased significantly, but...sometimes, our colleague's incredible luck isn't enough to find them all. Imagine what it would have been like without him."
Those who couldn't call for help, these were the ones the school lost most often. Murmur and Ipos found many of them, but sometimes the worst happened.
"You spent the night searching for students in danger, and you saved several of them, you did everything you could!" Ifrit patted him gently on the shoulder. His palm was still warm, as if his whole body had a higher temperature.
His approval was always so pleasant to hear. It made him feel even more validated than Kalego's all-too-rare compliments. After a night working alongside the grumpy teacher, who had been in a very bad mood, it was a welcome relief.
His break was over. He stretched before saying, "Well, I'm going back to my post.
- Good luck." He smiled at him. It wasn't his professional smile, but something softer and warmer. "You're doing well, for your first harvest festival as a teacher.
-Thank Ifrit-Sensei.
- You can call me by my first name if you want.
- Thank..Eito-Sensei"
It was during a deviculum, held right after the music festival the following year, that things seemed to change for him. He had clearly caught someone's eye. Someone who had followed him everywhere in the ballroom, staying at distance but still staying not too far away from him.
Either they were interested in him, or they had noticed his striking resemblance to Kuromu's manager. It was sad, but it wouldn't be the first time. Some people had good eyes, after all and were good to notice this kind of thing. He hated it when it happened (it was not the first time). It was humiliating, and he didn't like it.
Suddenly, he felt a presence. A warm hand landed on his shoulder, and a familiar voice reached his ears, pleasantly surprising him. "March ?
-Ha. Good evening, Eito." He smiled, forgetting the man who seemed to be circling him for the past few minutes. He was delighted by his friend's presence.
The man told him that they could drop the honorifics two weeks before.
It made him very happy.
The fire demon, dressed in black and gold clothes, befitting a nobleman, was magnificent and exuded an undeniable aura, drawing all eyes. He seemed equally pleased to see him: "Fun to meet you here. I wasn't expecting it."
-I could say the same. You always say you don't much like these kinds of events.
-I couldn’t avoid coming to such events for much longer. My family nagged me to go.” He sighed, running a hand through his hair as if the whole situation bored him. “I guess they couldn’t come today and someone had to represent them. I have to take responsibility, after all.”
Translation: They’re hoping I’ll find someone. And I don’t want to, but I came here so they'll shut up.
March smiled slightly, understanding the underlying message. "I don't often go to Deviculums either. My sister reminded me that I can't avoid them forever. And that it would do me good to get out of my lab for a change." He wasn't stupid; she must have had ulterior motives too. He had never told her about his feelings for anyone (for the guy in front of him).
He suddenly noticed his suitor (?) trying to get closer. Fortunately, Ifrit's presence seemed to keep him at arm's length.
Ifrit had clearly noticed this and frowned, as he did when he saw students behaving against school rules. "You've got a stalker?! This guy's staring at you and seems to want to get closer.
- He's probably someone who doesn't understand that no means no. Or maybe he noticed my resemblance to my sister, who manages a certain Akudol. It wouldn't be the first time someone's approached me for that reason!"
Eito smiled, revealing his fangs. He seemed to have an idea suddenly. And he proposed, in an amused voice, "In that case, would you grant me this dance, so he understands without having to use force here? And so, he abandons his plans?" It was also to avoid his family's expectations. He had come to this deviculum and he had danced. They couldn't fault him for that. Or perhaps it was an excuse to himself, to justify this sudden urge to dance with March. "I assure you, I don't step on my partners' toes.
-With pleasure." He took his friend's hand, who pulled him onto the dance floor.
Better to dance with someone he knew.
It would undoubtedly be more pleasant.
He woke up, his mouth dry. It was the morning after a party. They weren't working today. Luckily, considering the hangovers some of them were going to have.
Suddenly, he realized his head was against Ifrit's shoulder, his hair brushing against his nose. The fire demon had a gentle, relaxed look in his sleep, and nothing indicated that he was about to wake up.
What a wake-up call.
He didn't even remember falling asleep next to him. He was near Murmur and Buer. At some point, his mind had blacked out, and he'd obviously found himself near his colleague without realizing it.
Okay.
No big deal.
He moved away as quietly as he could, without waking the other demon.
And that's when he noticed that his tail was intertwined with Ifrit's.
He swallowed a high-pitched squeal, his cheeks flushing.
Okay.
It was even worse than falling asleep on Eito's shoulder.
It was a couple's thing!
When had he even gotten his tail out, anyway?
As gently as possible, he untangled his tail without burning himself on the flame at the end of the other tail.
He hoped no one had noticed, because then he would be the target of ridicule. He would be mocked for weeks (especially by Dali-Sensei).
And if the other demon woke up? That would be terribly embarrassing.
He didn't understand how he managed not to wake Eito. He had quickly gotten up, moving aside without a sound.
Then, looking around, he saw that he was clearly the first one awake and that no one had witnessed it.
Perfect.
No one had seen this terribly embarrassing moment for him.
He himself had a lot to process, especially regarding his feelings, it seemed.
He needed to sort things out, quickly. He headed towards his laboratory. Cleaning his tools would be a very good way to clear his head and think calmly through all of this. He couldn't deny his unease.
He felt it too when his fingers brushed against the fire demon's as he passed him a mug of coffee or tea in the evening.
He'd felt it when Ifrit had tackled him to the ground during training, and he'd accidentally touched his wings.
"Okay."
He felt a definite attraction to Eito. His tail twitched faster, and his eyes grew brighter. He was curious now. Did the other demon want him too? Would he have to play with his emotions? Yes. He would observe him. Carefully. And he would see. Whether he could try to seduce him or if he simply had to reciprocate.
He would observe him.
And see...
...before doing anything.
And that was where he stood.
He looked at his neck when he got up this morning. The purple mark was quite large, and impossible to completely conceal. "I won't be able to hide it entirely with my collar, even buttoned up tight," he grimaced, scratching his head. Embarrassed, but not too much. More worried about how he was going to hide it from students, some of whom were bound to be terribly curious.
He hadn't slept well to begin with. Too many things were swirling around in his head.
He went to wash his face and put on his uniform, which required him to cover the purple peeking out from under his collar with his hair. And he grimaced, powerless to completely hide the hickey.
"They're definitely going to see it."
With all that that implied.
It was going to be a problem.
Or maybe not?
Arriving in the dining room, he fetched his breakfast and sat down next to Murmur, hoping not to draw attention to himself. Murmur leaned towards him, looking a little worried. "Are you alright? You look like you hardly slept at all.
-I'm fine."
Yes, he was fine.
He was just a little confused.
More than a little.
A small blessing: his colleagues made no remarks or teasing, even though he caught several glances in his direction. And perhaps one or two knowing smiles.
Reim looked at him with a knowing smile “Hoo March-chan, sweetie, your percentage has doubled since yesterday. Being attacked by a wild beast doesn’t seem to have traumatized you ~”
Few teachers choked with their drink, Robin blushed so much that his face was scarlet, others busted into laughter (as Dali-Sensei) and Murmur looked away, deeply embarrassed.
"Tsumuru-Chan" said Reim, teasingly, seeing his trouble "Tell us how is his aura"
Murmur crossed his arms "your powers don't work on me Reim-Sensei. And no invasion of privacy.
- Aww not funny!"
March wasn't surprised. Of course, with the recent events, it was inevitable. Of course she would notice. And Murmur must have noticed his troubled aura, since he was a mess of feelings today.
For the moment, everything was fine.
The day wouldn't be so bad.
Even though he did his best to hide it, it wasn't easy. His uniform was buttoned up, but the purple mark peeked out from under the collar. Fortunately, the students didn't ask any questions, although some exchanged puzzled glances. No one dared to open their mouth about anything other than questions about the course: he had earned enough respect not to be bothered with questions from too curious students.
Kalego had given him a sharp look in the teachers' lounge. He'd noticed the purple mark visible despite Marbas's uniform collar and called him, under the sympathetic gazes of the other teachers.
"I heard Ifrit-Sensei has been in his wicked phase since last night and is confined to the dorms?
- Yes.
- I guess he's responsible for this mark on your neck, right?
- Yes. Tsumuru-Sensei stopped him before things got too far." He felt his cheeks flush and had difficulty looking Kalego in the eyes, intimidated by his stern gaze. He was also nervous about being judged by the fearsome watchdog for something neither he nor Ifrit had controlled. "Dali-Sensei decided to take charge of it. He said he had to stay to ensure that no dangerous experiments were conducted.
- Indeed, that’s what he told me. We can’t leave Ifrit-Sensei alone." Kalego sighed, pinching his nose before saying, less sternly, "Stop this pitiful look. I'm not going to judge. If it doesn't affect your classes or the students, you can do what you want together. Understood?"
- Yes."
Why did people seem to think it might have been intentional?
That he participated?
Not that it bothered him, of course.
But...at the same time, it validated his thoughts about Ifrit. And the fact that it might well be mutual.
It gave him some possibilities to turn the situation around when Eito became himself again.
If he didn't lose his composure when that happened.
Well...It was going to be funny, right?
“Did you see Marbas-Sensei's neck?" Lied asked, his tail wagging behind him. He looked very curious and amused. "The whole right side was purple!"
Jazz shrugged. "Good for him."
Iruma looked up from his plate. Yes, he had noticed, just as he had seen that the demon seemed tired. He had a huge bruise on his neck, but what did it mean? He opened his mouth to ask Azz when a commotion made him look up.
In the cafeteria, two demons appeared to be fighting, one pinning the other to a table. "You won't run anymore!" he cried before biting the neck.
The victim's cry rang out, and silence fell. "Let me go!" he yelped, struggling to break free.
At that moment, a red-haired figure crossed the cafeteria, kicking the attacker. The other student council members rushed over, one tending to the assaulted demon while the others dragged the aggressor away. Amelie spoke with the injured demon before leading him to the infirmary. As they passed the table where the abnormal class was sitting, Iruma saw that the wound was turning apple green beneath the still-flowing blood.
Jazz blinked and returned to his plate, adding to lighten the mood, "Well...it's definitely the bite's day!"
Iruma bites his lip, a little worried, though he didn't want to say it out loud. Had Marbas-Sensei been attacked like that? No. Impossible. He was a teacher; he could defend himself.
A little later, they found themselves in the royal classerom, waiting for their teacher, Robin, to begin their lesson on familiars. Apparently, it would be theory and a test today (the reason being that Kalego was too busy to be called and had therefore assigned Robin a theory and history session, followed by a test).
Iruma took advantage of the waiting time to try and satisfy his curiosity and leaned towards his friend. "Azz?"
- Yes, Iruma sama?
- I wondered…» He blushed, feeling embarrassed « What happened earlier. Does it have any particular significance? Why does everyone seem to be making such a big deal out of it?
Humans used to give each other hickeys.
But this seemed different.
More possessive. More feral.
Azz blushed and he opened his mouth to reply, but he didn't have time...
Because someone else intervened, having heard Iruma's somewhat innocent question. "Hooo," came a voice from behind them. Caim had just appeared, his wings falling onto Iruma’s shoulders. "That's a good question~" He was chased from his perch by the pink-haired demon.
Allocer looked up from his book, amused by his classmate's reaction. But he patiently explained, not wanting his classmate to have biased, false, or incomplete information, he said, "It's a mark of claim, Iruma. It's literally a way of marking territory. To show everyone that we want this person and that we're ready to do anything for them."
- So, when this demon bit the other one...
- He wanted to mark him as his own, yes. Perhaps he was just frustrated at not being able to seduce him. It was also a challenge to anyone who might be interested. A way to say, 'this one is mine'."
Thoughts swirled in his mind. And the memory of the last class of the morning came back to him. "So…It means…
- If you're thinking about Marbas-Sensei, he probably got bitten by someone, indeed. But I don't think he was attacked. He knows how to defend himself." Jazz chuckled, running a hand through his hair. “There's a little something special about this kind of thing that makes it more interesting."
Alice raised his hand, a ball of fire forming in it, and in a cold, stern voice, "Do not corrupt Iruma-Sama! His soul is too pure for that!"
- Azz, he WAS going to ask you!" Elizabetta laughed" We're just giving him an honest answer. It's still useful to know that.!"
Iruma blushed: "What do you mean, Jazz?
- Haha...
- Let me explain Iruma-Sama." screamed Azz, not wanting anyone else to explain it in too perverted way, "When one demon bites another on the neck, it is indeed a mark of claim. It's to show everyone that you want that person. The peculiarity is that..." Alice blushed, embarrassed to broach the subject in front of his friend and soulmate, so pure and innocent.
Caim rolled his eyes. "Oh, say it, Azz! Iruma is old enough to know!"
Lied suddenly appeared, placing his hands on Iruma's shoulders: "When a demon leaves a hickey on another demon's neck, it can bite too. And in that case, it very often injects a little of its mana into the other demon's body. And from the neck, the hickey takes on the colour of the magic of the one who bit. Did you see it earlier? The guy's wound was turning light green.
- But it hurts, doesn't it? The guy from earlier screamed and he struggled.
- Because it was by force, because the person bitten had no feelings. Feeling the mana of the person who attacked you flows through your body is painful if you don't like that person, if you hate them, or even if they're a stranger. Which is normal. Our mana reacts too, and in the same way.
- So, if we love or desire the other demon, then…it doesn’t hurt?”
Caim laughed "you can say that it’s even the most intense plea..." He could not finish his sentence before a ball of fire almost hit him, preventing him from finishing his sentence. "Anyway the thing is also that the bitten demon has the instinct to submit, which mean that Marbas sensei is probably a botto..."
This time, the fireball touched him, followed by ice javelins that he managed to avoid.
Azz was furious: "Don't disrespect our teacher, you pervert."
Keroli growled: "You crossed the line, Kamui!
- IT WAS WORTH IT."
Jazz smiled slightly, after having checked if Robin-Sensei arrived. Seeing that nobody was here yet, he asked: "So, who do you think bit our teacher?
- I thought you didn't want to bet about it?
- It's not a bet, it's gossip.
-It can't be Robin-Sensei, his magic is green.
- Nor Orias-Sensei, his magic is gold.
-Imagine if it was Kalego-Sensei.
-Oh, please, that's ridiculous.
- Poor Marbas-Sensei, he'd get eaten alive. But I doubt it. He's too kind for the Emperor of Gloom. Besides, Kalego Sensei magic isn't that colour either.
- He's the torture teacher, after all. He doesn’t seem to fear our Flufflego.
- Well not as much as everyone else…
- He's still super nice.
-It's not Balam-Sensei. Judging by the size of his jaw.
-Maybe Reim-Sensei.
- Succubus don't usually bite, they want to be bitten, not the other way around," murmured Azz, joining the conversation despite himself. "So, no.
- Noted, noted, and you seem to know a lot about it" Caim chuckled, dodging the new fireball. “I REGRET NOTHING!”
Lied raised a hand: "Mononoki-sensei?
- Nah, she has a crush on Kalego-sensei.
- Dali-sensei ?
- His magic isn't purple.”
Robin then slammed his binders on the desk, wanting to signal that he'd only been there a few minutes and that it was best to change the subject. He'd had trouble getting his students' attention, but he was going to steer them away from this...hot topic before they started asking more awkward questions.
"I have your last tests on familiars. And you better be careful with what you say, Kalego-Sensei would have been very pissed to hear you."
The atmosphere in the dorm was already going to be tense.
Especially when Ifrit would return to normal.
Robin was already having trouble looking his co-worker and friend in the eyes without blushing.
Especially after Reim-Sensei joked by saying that March’s percentage had augmented drastically this morning.
The next day, Ifrit woke up with a headache. His hazy memories suddenly cleared. And he remembered everything. From the smallest detail to the most intense… he buried his face in his hands. And he groaned, cursing himself, “Fuck.”
March's flushed face, his blurry eyes, the soft skin of his neck that he had sucked and bitten... his moans of pleasure. The pounding of his heart. The sweet scent of the hollow of his neck.
And what he had said to him. "If I have to burn the world to have you, I will." He had savoured the other demon's troubled gaze, the blush on his cheeks and his little moans...
Ifrit sighed, frustrated and embarrassed. Okay. He had completely given in to his desires. Part of him regretted being stopped, and another was embarrassed that he had literally attacked Marbas.
Getting up, he went to freshen up to fully wake up, then he put on his uniform before heading to the dining room.
He was prepared to face anything. Really. To face any remark.
After all, he didn't hold back when it happened to someone else. He had possibly been even more unbearable than the last few times.
And that would be fair, given how he didn't hesitate to mock his colleagues when they had their own wicked phases (sometimes exhausting himself trying to calm them down and declaring that Dantalion was the worst).
"Look who's here." Dali, of course, raised his cup, as if to toast the newcomer. "Our Casanova is back!" Some professors didn't hesitate to clink glasses. Others exchanged slightly embarrassed glances, hesitant to meet Ifrit's gaze, who seemed too lost in thought anyway.
Dantalion had decided to be Dantalion.
To be true to himself.
And to make fun of one of his colleagues if he had the possibility!
Wonderful.
Robin handed him a plate with a smile, without saying a word (what a miracle!), and the fire demon was about to sit down when Orias couldn't help but blurt out, "Hey, Eito-Sensei, that's quite a hickey you left on March's neck, almost half of it has turned purple!"
A choking sound was heard as Murmur put down his cup, coughing. "ORIAS-SENSEI!
-What, it's true, isn't it? I admit he left it in a very visible place. I know some students have been placing bets on who left it on him. I don't know if some of them guessed, but here were a lot of gossips!"
Ifrit decided not to take the bait; after all, they were telling the truth. Perhaps a part of him was pleased that his mark was so visible. Perhaps he thought he had to hunt down the one who interested him, and the idea appealed to him. It would be a challenge in that case. At no point did the fear of having ruined his chances cross his mind. He was a demon after all, wasn't he? And his friend/colleague/future lover hadn't shown any real reluctance, as far as he could remember, except for not wanting to do it during his wicked phase.
"Where is March, by the way?" He didn't know what he was going to say (or do) to him, but he needed to see him.
"He's already left. He had a delivery of tools to receive and he wanted to prepare his practical lesson. Don't worry, he's not running away from you," chuckled Dali, before raising his cup to his lips.
The fire demon hissed: he wasn't going to forget it when when it would be Dantalion's turn to be in his wicked phase.
Even if it was difficult to embarrass this demon.
It was practically impossible, in fact.
There was a knock at his bedroom door. He got up and went to open it. Eito was there, in front of him, dressed more casually than in his uniform. He was looking him straight in the eyes.
"Can we talk?"
March stepped aside. "Of course, come in." He let him in and closed the door behind him. It was time; he was on the verge of breaking down.
Eito felt the same. That damn pride that had stopped him from going to him first. Not that he was ashamed, even though he had clearly given in to his desires. But because a part of him wanted the other person to come and give themselves to him, a reflection of his thoughts during his mean phase, during that moment in the kitchen the other night.
A part of him had wanted to know what the other person was going to do. But he was still on the verge of losing his patience. But how to approach, how to start the conversation?
The Fire Demon wasn't sorry for having marked him. Since that night, he'd become acutely aware of how much he'd wanted it, and how much he wanted to do it again. He'd finally opened his eyes to his desires regarding his colleague and friend. And it was difficult to resist, especially when he realized that, based on his memories of that fateful night, the other demon had wanted it just as much as he had.
And he felt only pride when he saw the purple mark on his colleague's neck.
"I think we need to talk about that other night. Because walking on eggshells like we have these past two days is starting to get on my nerves."
"You're not the only one."
Yes. For two days they'd circled each other without managing to start a conversation.
Their colleagues had placed bets on "who would give in first." He was certain of it; it was just like them. Orias and Robin watched him out of the corner of their eyes, snickering. Dantalion always made a toasting gesture whenever he passed by. Murmur had tried to speak, but they both dodged the questions.
It was nerve-wracking, no doubt about it.
This situation had to end.
Eito crossed his arms, taking a breath before admitting, without shame and frankly, "I admit I gave in to my desires.
- I confess it was strange to see you so flirtatious when, last time, you were only thinking about taking on every challenge that came your way, when you weren't attacking people to bother you during your fire experiments. Experiments that could sometimes be dangerous.
- Have you seen yourself during your own wicked phase?" Ifrit smiled, wanting to lighten the mood. "You're quite exceptional yourself in those moments! Last time, you offered to let me try one or two tools.
- Be careful next time, because if you...approached me like that, I might do the same and give in to my desires too. Wouldn't that be only fair?" He moved closer, wanting to regain some control. He noticed the flaming tail twitching nervously. The torture Teacher wanted to tease him a little; it would only be fair, but instead said softly "I think you have nothing to reproach yourself for in this case.
- A wicked phase doesn't excuse everything.
-Did you notice I didn't make much of an effort to hide that mark? Well, from the students, yes, even if they still spotted it because they had a keen eye. But in the teachers' dormitory, do I hide it? Do I look embarrassed or ashamed?" March reached out, taking Eito's hand, which trembled, the flame in his tail suddenly diminishing, ceasing its twitching. "And admit it, you don't seem to regret it.
- No." Might as well be honest. "I just acted sooner than I would have in my normal state."
I wanted you.
I wanted to show it to everyone.
March smiled, more satisfied than tender now. "Hearing you say you were ready to burn the world to have me, that was kind of gratifying." He ran his free hand over the back of his neck, parting his hair and revealing the purple mark that still marked his skin. "I almost regretted that Tsumuru put you to sleep. I was so close to giving you what you wanted." He lifted Ifrit's hand, which he was still holding, and brought it to his lips, kissing the palm, then the wrist, looking directly into Eito's eyes. "You wanted a lot of things the other night. How about we talk about your desires for me again, now that you're thinking clearly?"
Ifrit took a sudden breath, his eyes widening slightly, gradually losing control of his mind, almost lunging at him: "You're playing with fire.
- So what? Maybe I want you to finish what you started the other night now that you've calmed down? And maybe I'll offer myself up like you wanted? You were different, but you seemed sure of what you wanted. And if you did that in your wicked phase, it's because you wanted it, right?" He kissed the wrist again, feeling the pulse against his lips. "I promised I'd do ANYTHING you wanted once your evil phase was over, didn't I?" He released the hand he was holding, smiling as the arm wrapped around his waist in a possessive gesture.
The demon with the white horns raised his free hand to touch March's face, his fingers parting strands of purple hair. The skin was soft and warm beneath his palm. And this tender gesture reminded him of those few minutes in the kitchen, during his wicked phase. He smiled gently. "I have the feeling you really want me to give in to my desires.
- That's right. That's all I want." He gave a small, provocative smile. He smiled as he felt the now-extinguished tail wrap itself around his right leg in a possessive gesture. "You wanted me to say I'm yours, didn't you?" He placed his hand on his almost-lover's shoulder, knowing he was on the verge of giving in. "I'll say it then: if you truly want it, I'm ready to be yours!"
The response was only a harsh growl, the grip tightening around his weist. "Fire demons don't share.
-Fine, I'm not either. As long as you're not jealous of my sister or my cousin.
-Hey. That should do it."
March grabbed Eito's collar, pulling him close and kissing him on the lips, a kiss that was more of a caress, wanting to play with fire even more, eager to see him succumb to his desires. Before he could pull away, the hand on his cheek slid down to the nape of his neck, immobilizing him and drawing him back into a passionate kiss. He wrapped his arms around Eito's neck. He felt the arm around his waist tighten further, pinning him against the other demon. He surrendered to the solid body, savouring the burning, dizzying kisses, losing count of how many they exchanged, losing all sense of time. He let the other dominate, let his instincts guide him.
He didn't know when, but he found himself pressed against the bed and looked at Ifrit's dilated eyes above him, his slightly dishevelled hair, his wild smile, whose red lips revealed his fangs, his body pressed against his companion.
Running his tongue over his swollen lips, March smiled, his heart pounding and satisfaction filling him. "What a wild look~ I like it.
- That's what you wanted, isn't it?"
He chuckled, throwing his head back, revealing his throat, as if offering himself to the other demon. Which he was. "I admit it's even better than the other night."
Eito tilted his head, beginning to suck on the other side of the neck, nibbling at the skin until his fangs pierced it and injecting his mana once more, wanting to mark his partner's neck even more than it already was. He savoured the moans of pleasure that reached his ears. Hearing his name called like that, almost like a plea, was exhilarating. It was a hundred times better than those brief moments in the kitchen the other night, because his mind was clear and he knew he had what he wanted. He released his grip and smiled, satisfied. "Your neck is going to be completely purple."
March caught his breath and chuckled, one hand resting on his partner's arm, the same look of greed on his face. "Are you trying to look sorry? With that hungry and possessive look?
- Absolutely not. I love doing this, and I love your reactions."
Oh yes.
He admired his work.
Everyone would know that the being in his arms was his and his alone.
Good.
They'd better know.
The End