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An exhaustion rang deep into their bones, three bodies slumped together, heavy with sleep. Despite not having touched the cold in years, they leaned on each other, chasing the ever-present warmth. “No matter how weird the date sounds, Clara, without fail, plans the most joyous dates.” Asmodeus chiming in between the silence. The long ringing piano key was interrupted by an obnoxious snore from below him. Clara burrowing into his lap, seemingly out like a light. Her green hair sprawled out in braids that he and Iruma made. Despite Iruma being a very capable mastermind of the netherworld, he couldn't get the rhythm down quite yet.
“Wouldn't it be nice if Clara could sit back on one of our dates?” Iruma suggested with a slight nervous twinge in his tone. “Not like I’ve ever done that sorta thing..” his eyes lingering at the edge of Clara's nose, “but it would be nice to do that for her, I think.”
Asmodeus worried his brow, the stink of a perfectionist was clear in the air. “Brilliant as ever, Iruma. However, I am lacking when it comes to this as well.”
“Then let's put our heads together!” Clara twitched at the noise. Asmodeus patted her hair gently and then placed his hand over Iruma. “Iruma-sama, we should observe more silence…” Asmodeus spoke in a hushed tone.
The room remained quiet for a moment. Clara’s heavy breaths of sleep steadied their beating hearts, the rise and fall of her chest moving the air current just enough for the warmth to circulate around their excitement. Hushing them down to a whisper. Iruma leaned closer to Asmodeus. “But what should we do? I want it to be something the both of you would enjoy.”
Asmodeus looked back at Iruma. “Both of us would enjoy?” He echoed, his eyes searching Iruma’s for any hint of preference. “How about you Iruma-sama? Don’t you have anything specific you would like to do that you could add on?”
“Well.. maybe some food, but that’s given if we are going on a date!” his eyes slowly falling, admiring Clara with a coo of love at the tip of his tongue. “I’m just happy to spend time with the both of you…” Iruma turned his head towards Asmodeus in a coyly manner. “Any activities would do as long as the three of us are together.”
His words ignited a fire underneath Asmodeus, it burned a sort of ferocious tenacity that would be rather worrying in any other situation, but this? It was familiar, the smoke that began to coat his lungs, not magic nor something real and suffocating, but his deep infatuation with who his soul is forever tied to. Everything about them was freeing, the breeze they brought to a scalding summer day. The wildfire that they help spread, venturing far and wide, cities past towns past landmarks. Everything about them was just so utterly him. Iruma and Clara molding his malleable clay, firing him over and over, and over. He knows everything about them because, in a way, Asmodeus is a beautifully crafted mosaic of the many years spent with his soulmate.
“I’ll--” he thinks in his next words, “We will think of something, we always do.” Asmodeus tightens his hold on Iruma's hand, “Of course, because of your genius that is.”
-
The following days were filled with whispered secrets and stolen moments between Iruma and Asmodeus. They conspired a girls' meeting, practically begging for them all to take Clara away on a tea extravaganza that was humbly given by the humblest of humble boyfriends exhibiting a humble shade of pink hair. In other words, Kerori demanded a large compensation for the ‘trouble’ and Ameri liked her attitude. So he folded under the stress of their secret coming out.
From the moment Clara waved them a hardy bye-bye, to the second she burst through the door they were meticulously planning. Every detail was scrutinised because what if she didn't like the shade of the grass? Has that ever happened? No, of course not. Clara played wherever her heart desired and that did include rough, dead grass that scratched at her skin. Asmodeus elected to have only green, soft, fluffy foliage surrounding them. Iruma had a notebook, filled with lovely little ideas, cramming the lines with scenario after scenario. Queries that they should ask her very discreetly under the cover of just being curious.
Were they going a little nuts? Sure! But with brains, some brawn, and maybe a pinch of luck... this may be the best surprise date in the entire history of the Netherworld.
Finally, the day arrived for them to ask Clara on a set date they had picked. The atmosphere was thick with anticipation. As they walked to the cafeteria, both boys looked at each other, channeling courage from one another. Iruma took a deep breath. “Clara, we were thinking and decided to do something a bit different for our date.”
Clara perked her head to Iruma, then to Asmodeus, “Sure!! Do you and Azz-azz have something you want to do? This Fun Time Master will make sure to plan it perfectly!” Clara bragged.
But before Clara could go on, Asmodeus interrupted her, “Actually, Clara, this time, we’ve already planned everything. We’d like to take you out on a date we have planned ourselves.”
She was always the one orchestrating their dates, her imagination running wild with peculiar and unforgettable ideas, it is no wonder that this caught her off guard. “Huh…?” Clara sputtered, her face shifting from surprise to excitement, “You two planned a date?! For me?!? FOR CLARA??!?”
Iruma nodded eagerly, his cheeks blushing a shade darker, while Asmodeus spoke with confidence, “Yes, we thought it was high time we gave you a break from all the planning and led this date ourselves”.
Clara looked at them, her eyes wide and her body shaking with barely contained excitement. “Alright fancy pants, spill it! What’s the plan?!”
Asmodeus pressed a finger to his lips, a sly chuckle vibrating out of his chest. Slightly bowing his head to meet her level he spoke, “We planned on keeping the itinerary a surprise. A super, secret surprise, as you might put it.”
She puffed her cheeks out, clearly not completely content with this ‘super, secret’ the two are keeping from her. Balling her hands into little, shaking fists she was about to argue but a slender finger bopped her nose. “Aughh, what a meanie! Don’t do that!” she whined, batting at his lingering hand.
“Apologies, my dear. I adore your reactions, is all. I couldn’t help myself.”
“Trust us! It’ll be fun!” Iruma chirped in, giving Clara a comforting smile. Hoping to ease the unknown, assuring that the temporary secrets were only for anticipation's sake.
Clara’s mind raced with endless possibilities. Could it be a bottomless food banquet at the Bottomless Pit? That’s something Iruma would have picked for their date spot, he would die to go with them. Maybe something fancy like a Crystal grand ball, she heard it’s the ideal date spot for nobles, she can just imagine the sparkle and excitement in his shining ruby eyes as he brings his soulmates to such a prestigious event. Her heart fluttered at each thought of the many scenarios that they had prepared for her. The day seemed to fly, she was left pondering at home.
“Clara, my dear, why are you so distracted?” Her mother suddenly asked out of nowhere.
“Big sister is thinking about her boyfriendsss♫♩~” Keebow and Konchie teased from behind. Clara’s cheeks turned a bright shade of red, and she hastily tried to hide her excitement. She knew she wasn’t fooling her family, but she couldn’t help feeling a little embarrassed by their teasing
“What’s wrong with that?” Clara retorted playfully, embracing the teasing her brothers threw at her. “I’ve got not one, but TWO super duper amazing boyfriends!” She giggled, priding herself that she had the most amazing soulmates she could ever ask for.
Her mother smiled, her daughter was happy, perhaps beyond what happiness was capable of achieving. Clara was glowing far much brighter than any star she had ever seen, filled with the gushing water, overflowing with adoration. “Clara,” her mother pulled Clara closer to squeeze, “Enjoy yourselves. Whatever their surprise is, keep it in your heart that it is all for you, my beautiful girl.” It was rare that they were alone together, that she could hold her firstborn so intimately, so very close, so familiar. “You hear me?”
Clara nodded underneath her hand, letting the sound of her rowdy siblings wander to the edge of her mind, putting all her focus into the feeling of safety in her mother's arms.
As the night grew closer, Clara couldn’t help but wonder if they were putting too much pressure on themselves. They usually always go with the flow with any ridiculous and spontaneous activities she comes up with.
Her phone buzzed, it’s a message from their group chat;
Strawberry: “Clara, wear something casual for tomorrow morning!”
Demon King: “The type of clothes you usually wear whenever we go out!”
So it’s nothing fancy as she thought it would be, that’s a relief…
Funtime Queen: “Okie doks!!! o7”
Strawberry: Don’t stay up all night and sleep!
Funtime Queen: Gah! Azz-azz caught me
Demon King: Hahaha… We should really go to sleep now. Goodnight everyone
Strawberry: Goodnight Iruma-sama! Clara!
Funtime Queen: Nighty night!!!
The day of the surprise came, Clara woke up early and decided to wear a white collared, cropped button-up layered with a Sage green apron-like dress embroidered with flowers at the front of the chest, dancing at the bottom of the skirt. This dress is also modified to have pale yellow pockets resembling a smiley face, a brand her family has always had in their garments.
Clara looked at herself in the mirror, pondering whether or not she should style her hair differently. Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door. When she rushed to open it, she only saw Iruma, and a carriage driven by Opera.
“Iruma-chi!” Clara greeted looking around to try and spot Asmodeus, “Azz-azz is not here?” Clara questioned, her voice tinged with confusion.
“No, he’s already at the location. He wanted to make sure everything was perfect.” Iruma replied, “As for the carriage… We’re going to the floating islands! I just wanted to make sure you are comfortable.” Iruma replied with a small smile, his hand fidgeting slightly behind his back. The idea of using a carriage came from Iruma, while the reason has some truth in it, another reason for the carriage is his obvious lack of wings.
Clara’s eyes grew wide with excitement. “The floating islands?! I’ve never been there before!” She can barely contain her energy in her body so she grabbed Iruma’s hand and went inside the carriage.
As the carriage began to ascend into the air. Clara gazed out the window in awe as the wind played with the loose strands of her hair. Iruma couldn’t help but smile and tucked her hair strands behind her ear, he noticed that she didn’t style her hair today. “Hey Clara… Do you want me to braid your hair?”
“Sure!” Clara replied, her eyes never leaving the breathtaking view. Iruma carefully started to braid Clara’s hair in silence as he observed the soft gaze of longing look Clara had to the sky. The first portion of her hair was woven together neatly. “You’re really getting good at this, Iruma-chi!” Clara complimented. Iruma blushed, focusing on the right side braid.
Iruma gently finished Clara’s hair, tying it off with a piece of ribbon that matched her apron dress. “There, that’s perfect for today’s adventure!” He stepped back to admire his handiwork.
When they reached the floating islands, the sight that awaited them was like something out of a fairy tale. The arrangement is something both Iruma and Asmodeus had drafted together, so to see their design in person also left Iruma in awe. The grass is trimmed while various flowers are scattered using the spell quan-quan. Floraflies, a demon variant of butterflies, are flying in the beautiful dawn scenery.
“Wow! Azz-Azz, you really make sure everything is perfect, huh?” Clara said with a gasp, taking in the breathtaking view.
“Of course, I will make sure the designs Iruma-sama had picked will be executed perfectly!” Asmodeus proudly stated, his eyes gleaming with pride. “Iruma-sama, Clara, come over here and let’s see the sun rise!” He gestured to the picnic blanket giving a perfect view of the other floating islands with trimmed trees and bushes, the floraflies making the whole scenery perfect
The sun began to peek over the horizon, casting a warm glow over everything. Clara took a deep breath of the crisp morning air. “It’s so beautiful here!” She exclaimed,
Opera brought out the picnic basket with all the snacks and drinks that Clara mainly liked. A variety of sandwiches, baked pastries, and lastly, her favorite treat: squishy magicmallow! The three of them eat, talk, and laugh while enjoying the scenery, halfway through their picnic the weather took an unexpected turn as dark clouds began to roll in and rain started to fall, soft at first but gradually becoming a downpour
Iruma and Asmodeus looked at each other in horror, realizing they had forgotten to check the weather forecast
“Quick! Under the tree!” Asmodeus exclaimed as he grabbed both Iruma and Clara’s hands and pulled them towards the nearest tree for shelter. Opera also followed close by, their ears down, displeased at suddenly being soaked with the rain.
The floraflies also tried to seek shelter under different trees and bushes around them, but the floraflies that shared under the same tree as them swarmed Iruma. Iruma squinted his eyes and waved his hand in an attempt to shoo them away, but the persistent creatures remained.
“Iruma-chi!”
“Iruma-sama?!”
Both his soulmate's eyes were wide at the bizarre situation at hand. Iruma’s skin began to tingle as the floraflies touched him. Iruma gasped as he realized the scent blocker had washed off slightly. Asmodeus summoned his flames to scare away the floraflies while Opera dosed Iruma with his scent blocker.
“Iruma-chi, are you alright?” Clara asked with concern as she watched the swarm around him fly away. Iruma took a deep breath, his heart pounding from the sudden rush of adrenaline. “Y-yeah, I’m okay,” he stuttered, trying to put on a brave face. Asmodeus, however, couldn’t shake off the feeling of failure. The rain had dampened their meticulously planned date, and his lack of foresight about the weather had ruined the mood.
Clara summoned towels for everyone to dry themselves off. “What bad timing to rain huh…” Clara commented, which made Asmodeus feel a knot of disappointment forming in his stomach. “Hey Azz-azz, it’s a joke, don’t beat yourself over it.”
Asmodeus sighed, shaking his head. “It’s not that… When Iruma-sama and I planned for this, we had a variety of options to choose from.” Asmodeus started, “Then I remember the floating islands the previous demon king liked to visit with his closest subordinates… It’s a place they liked to unwind from their responsibilities.” he paused, looking over at their abandoned picnic basket drenched by the rain.
Asmodeus had his eyes covered by the wet wisps of hair sticking to his forehead, discreetly covering how suddenly wet they were beginning to feel. “I had wanted us to be here as well, like the ones before us,” he raised his voice just barely above a whisper. It was a need, “I wanted us to see what they saw, experience this spot like how they did, to make this place special once more.” He raised his hand to clutch his head. “It sounds stupid when I say it.”
“What?” disbelief drowned Clara’s voice, her head shooting to look at Asmodeus. “No!” she crawled over to him, “It’s not stupid at all! Right, Iruma-chi!?”
“Yeah! The reasoning for picking this place is thoughtful, Azz-kun.” Iruma reassured him.
Cold and clammy, she raised her hands up to his face, tenderly gazing into his eyes. She thumbed at the rain droplets falling off his hair strands, pushing aside the strands away from his face, rubbing the tip of his chilled nose. Iruma gathered himself beside him, a half smile tickling his lower lashes. Leaning closer to the duo just to pretend he can hear their pitter-pattering hearts over the pouring rain.
“ This didn’t have to be perfect, you don’t have to be perfect.” She leaned in closer and closer and closer; peeling back layers of flesh and bone. Her lips ghosted his, “I just need you guys,” and he swallowed it. And the rain sang her words loud, the thunder choking out a cry for the world to hear, the worms lay awake to watch it all happen.
Clara reached for Iruma, pulling him closer, closer, and closer. Breathing the same breath, reaching for the same overwhelming ardor of her shaking hands. “This is perfect, all Clara has ever wanted.”
That Asmodeus burns bright, so bright, and he burns until the oil runs thin. It is brilliant, Clara thinks he is the most beautiful when he tries. When the oil is thin and he is determined to be there for her and Iruma. That Iruma is always brave, fighting his own forever war. That is when he sits and focuses on them, when he zeros in on one task instead of fighting monsters and hunting down shadows, his tongue sticks out. Then, Clara knows when Iruma settles down into a low purr—a soft melody that sounds foreign and distant—that he is inexplicably life changing like this.
“All I need is us, together, for always.”
“Really?” It was breathless, beyond the ozone. So far away it reached the stars, far past this universe. Asmodeus chased her wandering fingers, leaning into the hold, lips eager to kiss the pads of her hand. The upset was long gone, washed away deeper into the underground. “What about the..” Asmodeus closed his eyes, lost in the sudden bone-tired exhaustion that had hit him the second Clara’s fingers began to dance over his face. He forced out a breathy continuation, “...The rest of our day together? We must do something to make up for this?”
“Today was still fun, wasn't it!” she enthusiastically patted Iruma’s head, his invisible tail instantly perking to life.
Iruma felt a warmth spread through his body at Clara’s words, her hand gentle on his scalp. He opened his eyes and smiled, looking over at her. Despite the chaos that had been their date, she was still beaming, her eyes sparkling with happiness. It was in that moment that Iruma had realized that maybe, just maybe , both he and Asmodeus overthink how Clara would enjoy this date. “Mmm hmm! So much fun!” Iruma replied, nodding his head
Clara and Iruma pushed their bodies onto Asmodeus. Their soaking wet clothes became a sensory nightmare and yet they continue to nudge the taller, “Let’s have a sleepover, ‘kaaay?”
Asmodeus opened his mouth to deny, it was in his nature to feel as if the entire world wouldn't forgive him if he wasn't the epitome of an impenetrable fortress of flawlessness. As if the world would watch each day's performance and strike him down if ugly reared its head in his direction. That all the rot would be the only thing that would accept him with too wide and open arms. However, today was new, he shut his mouth. “I- Hmm, what an acceptable idea.”
“You mean the best idea in the whooooole entire world, right!”
“Sure.” Asmodeus defeatedly replied as the raging rain turned into a shower, the sunshine reflecting a rainbow in the sky.