Enchanted

Protector

It was starting to get late, and the four boys were getting a bit sleepy. Yuya, Yuto, and Yugo really didn't have anywhere to go at the moment, so Yuri decided to let them stay in his home. The bed was big enough for all four of them to share, and soon enough they were all fast asleep.

The shadow-like figure watched his pretty little Yuus sleep, smiling in adoration. They were so cute, all snuggled together, and the figure couldn't help tucking them into the blankets.

Unfortunately, the slightest touch seemed to rouse Yuri from his slumber, and the elf's amethyst eyes fluttered open. Upon seeing the shadowy figure, he yelped and bolted upright so fast that their foreheads collided.

"OW!" they yelped at the same time. The yelps woke everyone else up, and Yuri quickly turned on a light.

The now not-so-shadow-like figure hissed at the sudden brightness, backing away. Now his Yuus could see the figure. He was a taller man with citrine eyes and asparagus-like silver-and-green hair. A demonic growl rumbled in his throat as he glared at the light.

"Who are you?" Yuya asked, ruby eyes wide. The man's glare softened significantly at the ningyo's voice. "My name is Zarc. I'm a demon."

"What are you doing in my house?" Yuri growled at the demon. Zarc smirked. "Making sure my cute little Yuus are nice and cozy."

Yuto frowned. "Your Yuus?" he asked, crossing his arms defiantly. "We don't belong to you!"

"You do now!" Zarc insisted. "I claimed you. Nobody else can take you from me! You're mine! All mine!"

Yugo groaned and flopped back down in bed. "I'm too tired for this. Good night!" He closed his eyes and snuggled up to Yuto.

Yuto scowled at Zarc. "What do you mean you claimed us?" he demanded. Zarc shrugged. "I marked you four. You're mine now. If anyone tries to hurt you, I'll know and be able to teleport to you and protect you."

"I mean, that could be useful," Yuya admitted. "Especially for me. My people have been hunted to near-extinction by humans. They kill us and eat our flesh and scales to gain immortality. Having someone to protect me from them could really come in handy."

Yuto was quiet for a moment, then sighed. "I suppose I can see how helpful that could be for you," he admitted. "And me too, I suppose. You did free me from my eternal servitude, but if a sorcerer really wanted to, they could bind me again. Having someone who could prevent that from happening would be very useful."

"Could be good for me too," Yugo mumbled, half-asleep. "I don't want another mean witch forcing me into servitude with her again. Especially if she's just gonna throw me away when she gets a new one."

"And I have plenty of enemies who would love to hurt me, so having a protector wouldn't be so bad," Yuri agreed. "This could work out quite nicely for all of us."

"Mm," Yuto hummed in agreement. "I suppose it wouldn't be so bad to be claimed by a demon. Well, in that case, I'm gonna go back to sleep." He lay back down and closed his eyes.

"Me too," Yuya said, yawning. "Good night, everyone!"

Yuri lay back down and patted the mattress. "C'mon, Zarc. The bed is big enough for all of us."

Zarc grinned and climbed into the bed next to his sweet little Yuus. "Don't you worry, my precious ones! I'll take good care of all of you!"