BronxWench
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Sand looked at Satoshi in evident distress. "It is that serious, saiai? Should I teleport them?" Sand's blue eyes were dark with his worry, and Satoshi leaned into Sand a little more.
"No, don't teleport them. Just call them and see if otousan can drive them," Satoshi replied.
Sand pulled out his cell phone and dialed Erion, a faint frown creasing his forehead until he heard his nephew's voice. "Erion, Kansas has come home from work and is ill. He has a fever and a severe headache, and it might be wise if you and Eryn come here to the estate. We would all feel better if she could look at him and give us her opinion as a healer." Sand held his phone away from his ear a bit so that Satoshi could hear Erion's voice.
"What? Oh, fuck, Momo, it's Kansas." Erion's voice was muffled a bit as he carried on a quick discussion with Momo, and then he came back clearly over the cell phone. "Okay, I'm on my way, and atararim will come with Satoru sofu when he gets home from work. I only have my fucking bike, and I can't take atararim on that because she doesn't have leathers or a helmet. Momo has an exam tomorrow, and he says he'll come after that." The frustration in Erion's voice was more than apparent.
"Do not be reckless, Erion. It will do Kansas no good if you are injured," Sand said. "I will come for you myself, then. Wait for me."
"Just hurry," Erion replied, and ended the call.
Satoshi tightened his arms around Sand for a moment, and then released him. "Take my car," Satoshi said, handing Sand the keys.
"If my car does not arrive within the week, I shall send it back and purchase something else," Sand vowed, kissing Satoshi. "Will you be alright?"
Vale came up behind Sand, laying a slim hand on Sand's shoulder. "Go get Eryn and the little spitfire, ithilamin. I'll give Satoshi a hand with our little imp."
"Diola lle, anoramin," Sand murmured, kissing Vale and turning to hurry downstairs to find his shoes and collect his mother and his nephew. Sand paused for a moment, turning to look over his shoulder. "There is gas in the car, saiai?"
"I just filled it, poldoramin," Satoshi assured Sand, and the elf nodded and ran lightly down the stairs.
Eryn sat on the bed, looking at her beloved adopted son, his face pale and sweaty despite the chattering of his teeth. His beautiful eyes were a pale lavender grey when he opened them briefly to look at her before subsiding back into a restless doze, and she extended her senses to examine what was going on within Kansas.
"What have you given him so far?" Eryn asked, one small hand resting on Kansas's brow.
"Only a couple of aspirin, and some tea and water," Satoshi replied.
Vale spoke up. "Aspirin relieves fever among humans, and can ease the minor aches they have as well. It is a compound derived from a natural source, but it is manufactured rather than harvested."
Eryn arched a brow. "Has it helped?"
"He's still pretty warm," Satoshi said.
"Please, atararim, just do something for him." Erion was kneeling beside the bed, holding Kansas's hand in his own hand, his silvery eyes dull with worry.
Satoshi looked at Erion with love and sympathy. "Kansas just wanted us to let him go to bed," he said. "He believes that sometimes letting an illness run its course will make his immune system stronger."
Eryn looked up, her dark blue eyes clear. "The fever is a little higher than I'd like, but he does have some sort of illness. I can sense what I think you call a virus. Honestly, Kansas may be quite right, my dears." Eryn sat back a bit, stroking Kansas's brow gently. "He should stay in bed, under lots of warm bed covers, and he can have the aspirin to help with the fever. Lots of fluids as well."
"I have broth that I made earlier today," Vale said. "If you've got any of your herbs to help bolster his system, I can simmer some of those into the broth."
"Lovely, my dear," Eryn said, smiling at Vale. "Plenty of water and tea, as well, or even fruit juice if he can handle that. Don't worry about anything solid for tonight. His body will be busy enough fighting off this illness."
"That's all?" Erion asked, his eyes widening a little. Eryn shot the young elf a look, and he subsided immediately, his cheeks a faint pink.
"I will be here in case he gets worse, utinu'ai. For the time being, I'll respect Kansas's wishes, and it would be nice if you awarded him the same courtesy." Eryn's voice was soft, but the steel in it reminded all present that she had been Lady Iradil for well over four hundred years, and she was used to being obeyed rather than questioned. "I know you're worried, Erion. Sit with him a while, but let him sleep if he can."
Eryn rose gracefully, reaching out to stroke Satoshi's cheek. "Erion and Vale will help you watch Kansas, my dear, and I'll be here all night, I promise. It's a flu, I think the word is, and although the fever is a bit high, I'm not sensing anything that makes me worry more than any other mother whose son is in bed with a fever."
Satoshi managed a quick grateful smile. "Thank you, Eryn-san." Satoshi slid onto the bed next to Kansas, cradling Kansas's head in his lap and beckoning to Erion to move closer.
"I'll get you those herbs, Vale." Eryn slipped her arm through Vale's arm and left with him.
"Saiai, do you want the cooling pads?" Sand asked, keeping his voice gentle.
Satoshi looked up with a smile. "That would be perfect, poldoramin, and maybe those thick socks I wear when my lungs are tight?"
Sand nodded and dug out the socks from Satoshi's drawer, bringing them over to his pierced imp. "I shall go and fetch the cooling pads, and some bottles of water. I believe we have a small cooler we can use as well." Sand bent over Satoshi to kiss him tenderly. "We will take good care of our sweet husband, I promise you, saiai."
In the kitchen, Vale had already put up the broth in a pot, and was tying the herbs from Eryn into a small cheesecloth bag to let them infuse into the rich beef broth. The kettle was on as well, and a flask for hot tea sat on the counter next to a larger flask for the broth. Sand slipped his arms around Vale's waist and nuzzled his elven husband.
"Thank you, anoramin." Sand leaned into Vale for a moment, drawing comfort from the contact, and then gathered some bottles of water and the cooling pads that they kept for fevers, placing them in a small cooler with a cold pack.
"I love him dearly," Vale said simply. "There is nothing I wouldn't do for Kansas, you know that."
It was a long night for all the family. Sand looked after the children with Willow and Yuji, while Vale and Satoshi stayed with Kansas in turns. Satoru arrived right after work, hurrying upstairs to see Kansas, who had woken briefly and was insisting that he was fine, and everyone needed to stop fussing. Erion's response to that was to drag another quilt in to add to the bed, his eyes dull with worry as he brought Satoshi a fresh cooling pad.
Satoshi placed the pad on Kansas's forehead, ignoring the little imp's muttered protests, and Kansas's eyes fluttered closed again as he slipped back into his fitful doze. Satoru sat with them for a bit before joining the rest of the family downstairs for dinner. Satoru told Eryn that of course they would stay at the estate, since he had no intentions of leaving until he was sure Kansas was on the mend, either, and Eryn kissed him sweetly, her eyes bright with love for her gentle husband.
Ryuu was quiet and pale throughout dinner, and after dinner, Eryn managed to get Ryuu to sit with her on the couch for a moment.
"Magomusuko, I know you're very worried abut your oniisan," Eryn said, her voice gentle and full of love. "I also know that you are like your chichi and can feel when others are hurting or sick."
Ryuu snuggled close to Eryn, nodding a little. "I can feel him hurting," Ryuu whispered, his voice small and his eyes dark with pain.
"And you are trying to take away some of that pain, aren't you, my dragon?" Eryn leaned down to kiss Ryuu's unruly hair. "That is brave and kind and very loving, but you need to be very careful when you use that special gift. Sometimes, when you're not careful, you can take too much of their pain and then you get sick."
Ryuu looked up, his eyes going a little round. "Like chichi does sometimes?"
"Yes, my dragon," Eryn said. "I want you to do something for me. I know that the Lady Adalon has been teaching you how to keep things out, to build a little wall around your gift."
Ryuu nodded again. "It's not such a little wall anymore, sobo. Even borunzodoragon can't get over it anymore."
Eryn smiled at Ryuu, her love for this small and generous grandson of hers filling her heart. "I know it would make Kansas very sad to think that you got sick trying to help him. This is a good time to put up that wall, and let me take care of your oniisan. I'm a very good healer, you know."
"You're the bestest healer," Ryuu said, his voice full of love and pride. "Do you think oniisan knows I tried to help?"
"I know he felt it, my dragon, and I know he loves you endlessly. You are his first otouto, after all." Eryn kissed Ryuu again, pleased to feel his mental shields going up and seeing some of the darkness leaving his eyes as he stopped drawing away Kansas's pain. "I am so very proud of you, Ryuu-kun, and I love you very much."
"I love you, too, sobo." Ryuu threw his arms around Eryn's neck and pressed a sweet kiss to her cheek. "I'd better go help keep an eye on Takara. She only listens to me, and she'll give tousan a hard time about bedtime."
Ryuu slid off the couch, hurrying off to find his brother and sisters, his sweet smile lingering in Eryn's heart as Satoru joined her on the couch.
Kansas woke a few times, and each time Satoshi and Vale and Erion managed to get him to drink some tea, or broth and some water. Kansas kept insisting that he was actually fine, although Satoshi was sure that his temperature was actually a little higher. Erion hurried off to find Eryn for a second opinion, and she put her small cool hand on Kansas's forehead for a moment, reaching out with her senses, to confirm that the fever was a bit higher indeed.
Satoshi eased Kansas into a sitting position, while Vale tipped out two aspirin and opened a fresh bottle of cool water. Kansas managed to get the aspirin down, shuddering a little with the effort, and then took a few sips of Vale's broth to take away the faint taste left behind by the aspirin. Erion got a fresh cooling pad for Kansas's forehead, rinsing the old one clean and placing it back in the cooler to chill once more, and Vale helped Satoshi settle Kansas under the layers of warm blankets.
Finally, Satoshi fell into a fitful sleep himself, wrapped around the blanket-covered form of his beloved Kansas, while Erion rested his head on the edge of the bed, Kansas's hand firmly clasped in his own hand under the blankets. Vale sat and watched, needing no light as he moved in utter silence to change the cooling pad once again.
Erion let himself drift, not quite in reverie but not entirely awake, either, and he felt Nim'Cath reach out to him. The white tiger was concerned, informing Erion that Migime and Hidarime were misbehaving, and that Tatsuya had his hands full trying to deal with them. Tatsuya wanted Erion to concentrate on Kansas, and not on anything that he might sense in Tatsuya's world, though, and Erion narrowed his eyes slightly as he instructed Nim'Cath to do whatever was needed to aid Tatsuya, no matter the cost. Nim'Cath rumbled his instant agreement, and Erion let their link fade into the background, turning his attention back to Kansas. If this was what Tatsuya needed him to do, it would be done.
It was just before dawn when Erion uncurled himself from his position on the floor, stretching a little and feeling his back pop. He turned back to the bed, and saw Kansas's eyes open and watching him. Erion moved over to sit carefully next to his beloved, cupping Kansas's cheek in his hand.
"Hey, 'lokiamin, how're you feeling?" Erion whispered, smiling at his imp.
"I feel a lot better and you're all fussing and making me crazy," Kansas replied, his voice hoarse. The hint of a smile played on Kansas's lips.
Erion made a small face. "You look like shit, baby." He grinned a little to take the sting from his words.
Satoshi sat up groggily, looking at Kansas and then at Erion. "What time is it?" he asked, his voice raspy.
"Almost dawn." Erion slipped his arm around Kansas and helped to ease him up and into Satoshi's arms while he opened the curtains to let the first rays of the sun in when they arrived. Peeling off his shirt, Erion crawled onto the bed next to Kansas, his silvery eyes full of love as he wrapped his arms around Kansas to wait for the sun's light to restore them both.
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Although life had indeed gotten back to normal fairly quickly after Michi's birth, Eryn had told Sand that Willow was recovering more slowly from this pregnancy than Eryn liked. Eryn wrote out a potion formulation for Sand, and packed him off to his alchemical bench in Neverwinter, adding her divine magic to the potions when Sand returned. Eryn instructed Sand that Willow was to have one potion a day until they were finished, and that Sand should bring her to Evereska for a series of relaxing soaks in Singing Spring to complete her recovery.
Sand broached the idea to Willow somewhat hesitantly, since he was not entirely sure she would want to leave Tokyo, but to his delighted surprise, Willow announced that she and Sand would take Takara and Michi and spend at least a week in Evereska. Eryn's house was empty except for Taren, and it would be peaceful as well as healing. To Sand's eyes, Willow did look much more tired and drawn after this birth, and he was pleased that Willow was going to avail herself of some of the healing magic of his homeland, particularly since he had been the inadvertent cause of her current state.
Vale helped them pack, and Sand was wise enough not to mention to the blond elf that they were not going on a prolonged journey when he saw the sheer amount of things that Vale slipped into bags of holding. It did not help that Takara watched her keifu with a critical eye, occasionally reminding him of something that she thought was missing. Vale finally pronounced them packed, and helped Willow settle Michi into her sling while Sand scooped up Takara, the little girl nuzzling her tousan happily as Satoshi kissed them all tenderly.
"Listen," Satoshi whispered into Sand's ear. "If you need it, go see Kua. I don't think our queen's going to let you near her for a while except for cuddles."
Sand chuckled a little ruefully as he kissed Satoshi again, the love in his eyes endless. "I promise I will see Kua if I cannot wait until I return home, and thank you, saiai."
Satoshi felt a tiny shiver run up his spine as Sand referred to Tokyo so casually as home. It pleased him beyond measure at how Sand had become almost perfectly Japanese, and at how comfortable the moon elf was. Satoshi's eyes flicked quickly to the ring on his left forefinger, and then back up to Sand's face, his smile dazzling.
"Hurry home so we can get married, cormamin. I love you." Satoshi kissed Sand one more time, and waved as Sand and Willow stepped through the portal with the two youngest members of the family safely in their arms.
Sand and Willow stayed at the Neverwinter house only long enough to let Maela croon over Takara and Michi before walking over to the Cloaktower. On Vale's instructions, Nathe had a portal ready that would take them directly to the Academy of Magic. Nathe's wife, Mirwen, a fellow mage of the Cloaktower, was waiting with him, and they greeted Sand and Willow with joy. Mirwen cradled Takara for a moment, and stroked Michi's cheek, telling Willow that she was considering an elfling of her own since Nathe was spending most of his time at the Cloaktower these days, rather than dashing off across Faerûn with Vale.
It was a quick step through the next portal, Takara highly amused by this method of travel, and Sand escorted Willow and their daughters to Eryn's house, where Taren greeted them joyfully, whisking Willow off to get a napping Michi settled in her crib while Takara and Sand looted the bags of holding for all the items Takara deemed essential.
Willow came downstairs to find Sand and Takara already demolishing some of Taren's sweet rolls, Sand having carefully broken part of one off for his daughter. There was a cup of fruit juice for Takara as well, and Sand had made tea for Willow and himself.
"Did you wish to rest first, lirimaer, while Michi-chan naps, or do you wish me to take you to the Singing Spring right away?" Sand asked, reaching out to touch Willow's cheek gently.
"Tell me exactly what this spring does," Willow said, reaching for her tea with a happy sigh. "Eryn explained it, but I want to hear your version, sweets."
Sand nodded. "Whether it is part of the mythal's magic, or a gift of the Seldarine, or perhaps both, the waters of Singing Spring have a healing power that is unrivaled. Many elves have bathed in those waters to cure illness, or to heal wounds, and there are even those who have had lost limbs returned to them after bathing in the Spring. Atara believes that you will be greatly refreshed and restored if you bathe there, and it will ease the effects of this last pregnancy."
Willow gave Sand a slightly impish look, and his heart soared to see that gleam in her eyes. "What about stretch marks? Can it make those go away?"
Sand's laugh was merry, and his blue eyes were bright with joy. "Oh, yes, lirimaer, although they do not diminish your beauty one iota in my eyes, my queen."
Willow smacked Sand's shoulder playfully. "Careful, sweets. This is how we get ourselves in trouble, you and me, and I am not having any babies for at least two years."
"I promise, my beloved Willow," Sand said, his tone light although his eyes were very serious. "I could not bear to see you come to any harm, you know this."
"I know," Willow replied, smiling at Sand with great love. "And please believe that I don't regret our daughter in the slightest. I love her, and I love you, even if you are an occasional idiot."
Sand leaned forward to kiss Willow very gently, his lips tasting of the honey from the sweet rolls. "I love you, Willow, and there are no words adequate to thank you for loving me enough to give me such a gift as you have done. In all my years, I do not think I have ever known such joy as seeing our children born, these precious lives entrusted to us."
Willow blushed a little, giving Sand a gentle push. "I'm going to nap for a bit while Michi sleeps, and then I'll feed her before we go to the Spring. You two try not to get into too much trouble."
The week passed quickly, the waters of the Singing Spring making Willow feel completely healed and back to her usual self again. True to his promise, Sand slept beside Willow every night, holding her close but not making love with her. It was an intimacy that was even deeper, the bond between them strengthening as Sand watched Willow heal from the rigors of two pregnancies so close together.
Taren fussed over Willow and the girls, teaching Takara how to roll pastry and make sweet rolls as she had done with Aika. Takara fell in love with Taren, and although Taren was no more able to understand Takara's private language than were Sand or Willow, Takara and Taren had many long conversations in the warm and homey kitchen.
Taren also begged Sand for the details on Hawk's reaction to Eryn's decision to step down as head of the House. Sand grinned as he recounted the way Hawk had gone completely pale before turning to Sora and waffling badly as he asked her thoughts. Mist had cheerfully informed Hawk that she had no intentions of offering to rescue her older brother from his fate, and Sand had looked appalled at the mere thought of becoming Lord Iradil. When Sora announced that she thought Hawk should take over as head of House Iradil, the tall Graycloak had sighed and kissed Eryn's cheek in agreement.
Taren laughed throughout Sand's account, and she confessed that she was looking forward to having a house full of elflings again. Takara pointed out that Michi was an elfling, too, and Taren agreed happily before informing Takara that she too was considered elven because her tousan was an elf. Takara smiled proudly and nodded, patting Sand's hand almost exactly the way Eryn did when Sand was being particularly dense.
Sand also had a chance to think about the chance meeting between Sadao and Momo. He had not missed the looks that passed between them, and Sand knew Sadao well enough to know that Sadao was not given to impulsive and brief affairs. Sand also knew from his conversations with Kansas that Momo was destined to find love in this lifetime with someone other than Erion.
Sand sighed a little to himself. He knew full well that both Erion and Momo would be heartbroken when their affair ended, but they would both learn so much about the nature of hearts and love. All Sand could do was to wait to see how things played out, and to offer his shoulder to both youngsters should they need it.
Sand did eventually surrender to his need, and spent some time with Kua, the graceful tattoo artist delighted to see Sand again despite missing Satoshi. They made love until they were both voiceless and limp, and when Sand returned to the house the next morning, Willow beamed at him in approval, handing him Michi, content and fed, while Willow ate a hearty breakfast.
On the way home, Willow agreed to allow the eagle riders to fly them up to the outskirts of the city, and Takara screamed with undiluted joy the entire flight as Sand held her tightly. After a quick stop in Neverwinter to let Beredir and Lirwen croon over Takara and Michi, they returned home, Willow back to her usual self and the family eager to see them, especially Satoshi, who was full of wedding plans and excitement as the day grew nearer.
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You can let people know that you have this thread by posting it as a short AN in your next chapter, or adding it to your archive profile. I find it never hurts to remind people that they don't need to be registered for the forums to read and post in this thread.
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And your story is unhidden. Thank you!
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It's sufficient to say that the Spiderman universe and characters are owned by Marvel and the Oracle universe and characters are owned by DC, and that you make no profit from this fiction.
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Try this one: The New Kid In Town
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Sand looked at Kansas steadily, his blue eyes filled with love and pride as he regarded his youngest husband. "What do you wish to do, my love?"
Kansas's eyes were clear, although slightly pale, but his voice was firm and decisive. "I want to look around. I need to do this, to put this to rest once and for all time, so I can move on."
Erion's hand slid into Kansas's hand, his slim fingers lacing with Kansas's fingers. "I'm right beside you, 'lokiamin." Erion's voice was just as firm, his eyes alert as he looked around the dismal room.
Satoshi reached for Sand's hand as the elf nodded. There was a brief glow from underneath Sand's clothing, and Satoshi looked at Sand questioningly as he felt a little of the oppressive atmosphere lessen.
"This place holds much darkness. It is a simple protection, to keep the darkness at bay." Sand sent a wave of love and reassurance to Satoshi and Kansas. "Lead us, my love. We are all beside you in this."
Kansas nodded, his face pale but determined. The men had left behind a lantern, but when Kansas reached for it, Sand stopped him gently.
"Me'a," Sand said softly, and a glowing ball formed, its light somehow seeming to cleanse what it touched. Kansas nodded his thanks and led them to the remains of what had been a large kitchen. The appliances were long gone, and only shadows on the wall marked where they had been. A substantial pantry stood open, the door hanging on by one hinge. There was a second door, and Kansas walked to that door, opening it. Even after all this time, the door did not so much as squeak, the hinges still oiled, and Erion tightened his grip on Kansas's hand slightly.
At the bottom of the stairs was a wine cellar, broken glass glinting from a corner as Kansas led them past the wine racks to another door, almost invisible unless one knew it was there. That door opened easily as well, and Satoshi flinched slightly as the glowing light illuminated a row of metal cages against the far wall.
Satoshi jumped slightly as Kansas spoke, his voice still steady.
"This is where they kept the puppies." Kansas walked across the room to one cage. "This was mine."
A steel bowl still lay in one corner, dented and battered, and the stench of blood and shit and fear hung in the air like a pall. Sand tightened his hold on Satoshi as he felt a shiver run through the slender man. Erion looked at the hooks on the walls and suspended from the ceiling, and his eyes darkened a little as he remembered what he had seen in Kansas's memories.
Kansas turned his back on the cages, and led them back up to the kitchen, walking them through the rooms of the first floor. The rooms were largely empty, only one or two pieces of furniture remaining and those in the garishly over-ornamented Victorian style that had been popular briefly in Japan when imitating the West was all the vogue. Kansas kept a brief commentary running as they walked from room to room.
"This was the dining room. The living room was here, but that was off limits. These rooms were sitting rooms." Kansas's voice was still steady, although his hand tightened around Erion's hand as the approached the sweeping staircase that led up to the second floor. He took a calming breath, and pointed to a closed door. "That was his office."
Satoshi spoke, his voice very soft. "I remember that room. He made you kneel on the floor by the side of his chair while he negotiated your price with me." Sand could feel Satoshi clamping down on his bond, and he let his love wash over his beloved imp. "He talked about you like you really were an animal, a puppy."
Kansas turned around and kissed Satoshi very lightly on the lips. He reached out to open the door, and Satoshi made a small sound of distress, but did not move to stop Kansas. The room was empty, the furniture all gone, only memories lingering for the two imps as their elves both offered what comfort they could.
Kansas then led them up the stairs to the second floor. Most of the rooms were bedrooms, empty and dark. Kansas stopped outside the door to the largest bedroom, taking a quick breath before pushing the door open and walking in.
A single small night stand was all that remained in the room, and Kansas trembled slightly as he spoke. "This was his room."
Erion moved closer to Kansas, his grip firm on Kansas's hand. Satoshi's eyes welled with tears that he blinked back, remembering how he and Vale had given Mephasm permission to take the life and the soul of Kansas's master, and the devil's cold smile as he agreed.
Kansas left the room after that quick look, his hand cold in Erion's warmer hand. He led them down the hall to another room, empty built-in bookshelves still lining the walls.
"This was the library. Sometimes I was allowed to sit in the corner, if I was very quiet, and I could listen to the nieces and nephews of my master when they had their lessons." Kansas spoke so calmly that Erion shot him a look, relieved to see that Kansas was only a little pale, his eyes still grey.
They returned to the first floor, following Kansas out into the back garden. There was a covered path, with columns along the sides, that led to an impossibly garish fountain, and Kansas stopped beside two of the columns.
"I was sitting here when I saw Satoshi for the first time," Kansas said, and he looked at Satoshi with love in his eyes.
Satoshi reached out to touch Kansas's cheek very gently, and then freed his hand from Sand's hand to walk over to the fountain. He sat on the edge, looking back at the path, straight into Kansas's eyes.
"I was sitting here, playing 'Brother Jacob' and I looked over and saw you. You were looking up at me from where you were sitting, almost hidden by the columns, so quiet and small."
Kansas held out his hand to Satoshi, and Satoshi jumped up and ran over to take Kansas's hand. Erion let go of Kansas's other hand and stepped back into Sand's arms, watching as Kansas pulled Satoshi into a loving kiss.
"Thank you, my sweet Satoshi. Thank you for seeing me, and never forgetting me. Thank you for coming back here and taking me away. Thank you for giving me a name, and teaching me how to be human, and for loving me even when I fought you and tried to push you away." Kansas smiled at Satoshi, his beautiful face lighting up with his love for the pierced imp.
"I love you, Kansas. My sweet Tatsuya, my dragon. I'll always love you," Satoshi said, tears slipping unnoticed down his cheeks.
Kansas held Satoshi tightly for a long minute, Erion leaning back into Sand's arms and watching his beloved as he let go of some of the old ghosts that had haunted him for so long. Sand stroked Erion's hair gently, as he had done when Erion was an elfling, sensing a small doubt coloring his nephew's soul.
"Tell me," Sand said softly, his voice so low that it was not even a whisper.
"I don't understand," Erion replied in an equally soft voice. "He asked Kansas to forgive him. How could he even think that would erase what he did? They do this all the time. I'm even doing it now, asking forgiveness for things that can't be undone. I don't understand."
Sand smiled gently. "Forgiving someone does not undo what they have done, but it can open the door to healing for the one wronged, my fierce one. He gave Kansas permission to let go and heal, and that is all that matters. What happens to him now is justice, even if for a crime he did not commit, and the fate of his soul is between him and his gods. We will be thankful that our Kansas is strong now, strong enough to face this and strong enough to move on." Sand pressed a gentle kiss to Erion's silver hair.
Erion turned to look up at Sand. "You didn't call me ai'er, little one." It was almost an accusation, and Sand smiled again.
"That is because you are not my little one any longer, Erion. You and Kansas are not children, and I am proud of the adults you have both become." Sand nodded at Kansas and Satoshi. "Let us go to our men, shall we?"
As Sand and Erion approached, Satoshi and Kansas opened their arms to pull the elves into their embrace, all of them sharing a moment of comfort and love.
"Let's go home," Kansas said. "I'm ready to leave this place now."
When they arrived home, Kansas went straight out to the garden, Erion following with a couple of cold beers and his cigarettes, curling up beside his beloved imp and providing silent comfort as Kansas let go of those ghosts of his past.
Satoshi went right up to his room, and Sand stopped to grab some sake and a couple of beers before following. As Sand entered, Satoshi was undressing, his back to the door and his shoulders shaking a little. Sand put the drinks down and hurried over to wrap his arms around Satoshi, nuzzling his face in Satoshi's hair.
"Talk to me, saiai. Do not let this fester inside you." Sand turned Satoshi around, the slender man's face wet with tears as he looked up at his husband. "You recognized the address when Kansas showed you the text."
Satoshi nodded, and when he spoke, his voice was heavy with tears. "I couldn't tell him. If I told him, he would have refused to go. I'm so sorry, Masato-san, I couldn't warn you, either."
"I understand that, saiai, and I forgave you the moment I realized you had no choice in the matter." Sand gently wiped the tears from Satoshi's cheeks, letting his love flow outward to envelop Satoshi. "But there is more, is there not?"
"That office," Satoshi said, and choked on a sob. "I kept seeing it happen again."
"What happened, cormamin?" Sand asked with infinite gentleness as he guided Satoshi to sit on the bed beside him, pulling Satoshi into his arms.
"That bastard told Kansas to give me a blowjob, right there in the office. He said he wanted me to see what a well-trained puppy I was getting, and he laughed as Kansas crawled over on his knees. He watched Kansas open my pants and pull out my cock, and he smirked when Kansas started to work on me." Satoshi stopped for a moment, his tears flowing freely as he just sobbed. Sand stroked Satoshi's back lovingly, waiting until Satoshi had calmed enough to continue.
"I wasn't aroused at first, but Kansas was so good at that, even then. I got hard, and then, oh, fuck. I was enjoying it, Masato. I'm so ashamed of myself still, but I enjoyed that blowjob. He was so small, and he worked so hard to please me." Satoshi's voice trailed off into wracking sobs, and Sand held him tightly.
"Oh, saiai, I am so very sorry that you have borne this pain all alone. If Kansas had not pleased you, what would have happened, my heart?" Sand lifted Satoshi's face and gently removed Satoshi's glasses, looking into those gorgeous dark eyes. "What would he have done, this cruel man?"
"He would have refused to sell Kansas to me," Satoshi said in a choked whisper. "He probably would have killed Kansas. He told me he always put his puppies down when they got too old. He said it like he was being merciful."
"But since you enjoyed it, he decided to sell Kansas to you, and so Kansas was saved." Sand's warm blue eyes held Satoshi's gaze. "You gave Kansas back his life, and you never forced him to pleasure you again. You did what you needed to do to save him, and we are all the richer for having that beautiful young man in our lives, thanks to you."
Satoshi looked at Sand, seeing the utter sincerity and certainty in Sand's eyes, and another old pain withered and fell away, healing a broken part of Satoshi's soul.
"Thank you, Masato-chan, poldoramin, thank you." Satoshi held onto Sand tightly, but his tears now were healing tears, and Sand stroked his back gently. "Thank you for understanding, and for helping me to forgive myself."
Sand wiped Satoshi's face dry with a clean handkerchief, and then handed Satoshi a beer and poured sake for them both before opening his own beer. They walked out onto their balcony, Sand grabbing a thick quilt to wrap around Satoshi, and they curled up to drink their drinks and let Satoshi smoke a cigarette as they sat under the quilt, the stars shining in the night sky. They finished their drinks, Satoshi snuggling closer to Sand, and Sand leaned in to nibble a tender kiss, swiping his tongue over Satoshi's piercings.
Satoshi looked at Sand, his eyes beautiful in the moonlight. "Love me, please. Just show me that you love me."
Sand smiled, his face radiant, and he led Satoshi back into their room, undressing his beloved betrothed and making love to him tenderly until Satoshi was limp and utterly sated. Sand held Satoshi close, watching his face as he slept, all his cares swept away for the moment.
"You are so hard on yourself, saiai. One day you will learn to love yourself as we love you, my cherished one, but until then, I will be here to remind you that you are loved." Sand pressed a kiss to Satoshi's lips, watching as a little smile curved Satoshi's lips in his sleep, and then Sand let reverie take him.
By the middle of February, Sand had moved into Willow's bedroom, and Eryn was staying at the estate with Satoru's blessings. Willow's back pain had worsened, and Eryn had told Willow to remain in bed as much as possible, and to stay reclining on the chaise in the living room when Willow had exploded and threatened to scream if she had to look at the same four walls another minute.
Eryn told Willow that the pain was due to the softening of her joints, but it was so much worse because this pregnancy had happened so soon after Takara. Willow growled a little, and Eryn offered to help her smack Sand and make soup with his head after she was safely delivered. Vale offered his best soup pot, and Willow managed a giggle at that. Eryn patted Vale, who had relaxed a great deal around her since her marriage to Satoru, and then told Willow that she would use her healer's gifts to relieve as much pain as possible. Willow would still need to remain on bed rest, but she would at least be more comfortable.
Nights were harder, though, and Willow could never count on sleeping the night through. If the baby wasn't kicking her half to bits, her bladder was full, or the mattress was lumpy, or Sand wasn't warming the right spot. Sand was surprisingly patient and understanding, until Willow grabbed his shoulders and informed him that if he was even remotely pleasant one more time, she would sell his pretty pale ass to a convention of monks that had been deprived of sex for one hundred years. Sand had arched a brow, and retorted that if she was going to threaten him, she would need to do better than offer him a night's entertainment. Willow's shriek of fury quickly turned into a purr as she demanded that Sand apologize, in her bed.
By the time March arrived, both Sand and Willow were more than ready to have the baby born. Despite constant bed rest, Willow was exhausted, and Sand had not had a full reverie in weeks himself. When he scalded himself making tea, Eryn ordered him to bed after healing the wound, shaking her head as she watched her normally graceful son stagger up the stairs in gratitude. Falon was quick to volunteer to help, and his bright smile actually cheered Willow up as he juggled chasing Hikaru, soothing Takara, and bringing Willow cold drinks, and hot drinks, and all sorts of snacks. Falon even snuck over to Neverwinter to have Maela make little kaki tarts for Willow, which made her burst into tears and hug Falon half to death.
Sand was wrapped carefully around Willow's back when he was roused from reverie by a wail, instantly sitting up and bending over Willow.
"What is it, vanimaer, my beautiful one?" Sand took one look at Willow's expression, and reached for his sleep pants. "I shall get my mother at once."
"Hurry," Willow groaned. "I don't think this one wants to wait."
Sand raced to his room, flinging the door open and shaking Satoshi urgently. "Saiai, our child is coming. I'm going to fetch atara, so can you stay with our wife?"
Satoshi grabbed for his glasses, slightly sleep muddled but with a smile of joy. He watched his graceful husband dash back into the hall, his footsteps light as he woke Eryn. Kansas was curled up next to Satoshi, and he looked up with a beautiful smile.
"I'll take care of getting the others, my love," Kansas said. "You go to Willow, and kiss her for me."
Eryn had already asked Sand to prepare the bed with the waterproof coverings, and it was a simple matter of removing the bed covers and propping Willow up with Sand behind her so that Eryn could examine her.
"Oh, sweetheart, this little one is eager to be here," Eryn said, looking up with a smile. "Satoshi, my dear, thank you."
Satoshi set down the basin of warm water, a stack of clean towels and Eryn's basket of potions, and then curled up on the bed with Sand and Willow, his gorgeous eyes shining as he watched Sand massage Willow's stomach tenderly.
"How long, atara?" Sand asked.
"Too fucking long," Willow groaned, squeezing Sand's hand with surprising strength. "This is all your fault, you pointy-eared sex fiend. You and your fucking super sperm."
Sand chuckled a little. "And once you are recovered from the birth, you will make soup with my head. I do remember, vanimaer." He kissed Willow's temple, rubbing her belly with gentle hands as Willow groaned with the beginnings of another contraction.
Eryn murmured a quiet prayer, lifting away most of the pain and watching carefully as Willow finally began to relax. She looked up with her lovely smile.
"On the next contraction, my sweetheart, I want you to push." Eryn looked at Sand and Satoshi. "Are you ready, my dears?"
"We're ready," Satoshi said, looking at Sand with a radiant smile. Sand was trembling slightly, but his eyes were filled with love and awe as he watched Willow grow perfectly calm.
"Here we go," Willow said, and she turned to give Sand a look of pure love. "You ready to be a father, sweets?"
"I am more than ready, vanimaer," Sand replied, opening his bond fully.
The contraction started, and Willow bore down, her face surprisingly serene as she held on to Sand with one hand and Satoshi with the other. Eryn smiled approvingly.
"That's perfect, sweetheart. The baby is crowning already." Eryn looked calm and as competent as ever, her gentle hands poised as Willow breathed deeply to ready herself for the next contraction.
When the contraction came, Willow bore down again, and Eryn laughed happily.
"There we are, sweetheart. That's the head. Just push again, darling." Eryn's hands supported the small head, and Willow pushed again. The baby slid out, and a small and indignant cry filled the room as Eryn's face lit up. "There you are, my little one, and as fierce as your atar, as I recall."
Sand leaned in to kiss Willow tenderly. "Oh, vanimaer, thank you, my love." He craned his head, trying to get a glimpse of the baby. "Atara, I will surely explode if you do not tell me. Do we have a new son or a new daughter?"
Eryn's eyes twinkled. "You have a daughter, my darlings. A beautiful little half elf."
Satoshi looked utterly radiant as he leaned over to kiss Sand and then Willow. "I couldn't be happier for you both."
"For us all," Sand said, his face shining with joy.
"Come and cut the cord, utinuamin," Eryn said, having cleaned the baby and placed a soft towel beneath her.
Sand slid off the bed, taking the small mithral knife and cutting where Eryn indicated, and then looking down at the tiny miracle of his daughter. She looked back at him with beautiful blue-grey eyes, her delicate little ears pointed and perfect, her hair dark against her pale skin.
Eryn placed the small half-elf in Sand's arms, and watched as her son carefully slid onto the bed, showing the baby to Willow and Satoshi with a look of lovestruck awe.
"Hello, Michi," Willow cooed. "Hello, sweet girl."
Michi made a small noise as Sand eased her into Satoshi's arms, looking up at her father. Satoshi leaned over to stroke one velvety cheek, and Michi looked at him with wide eyes.
"Alright, my sweethearts. You two wonderful fathers help Willow get cleaned up a bit and into a fresh nightgown, and I'll take Michi and finish cleaning her, and then make the bed." Eryn smiled. "There are some anxious family members who want to meet Michi, you know."
-
Sand came up behind Satoshi and wrapped his arms around him, nibbling lightly on the back of Satoshi's neck. Satoshi giggled and playfully swatted at Sand.
"What are you up to, poldoramin?" Satoshi laughed, turning in Sand's arms to look at the elf.
Sand smiled, a beautiful smile that lit his dark blue eyes. "It is our date night, saiai. Do not tell me that you forgot. I am taking you to dinner, at a marvelous restaurant I heard about from the father of one of Ryuu-kun's classmates."
"Oh, that sounds perfect," Satoshi said, his own face lighting up. "What kind of restaurant?"
It was a fair question, since Sand was perfectly happy to experiment with various cuisines. Satoshi found some of the foods too odd, but he had to admit that Sand was good at finding unique places to eat.
"It is a very traditional Japanese restaurant, and I am told that the food is exquisite," Sand said, leading Satoshi up the stairs and heading to their room. "I think we should dress accordingly, and make it a very traditional evening. Do you think my blue kimono with the striped hakama would look alright?"
Satoshi grinned at the elf. "You're asking me about clothing? Masato, I don't even recognize half the clothing in my closets. You're the one with the clothing obsession."
Sand grinned back. "I am fond of clothing, yes, since it is wildly impolite to go about without clothing, although much more convenient at times." Sand laughed as Satoshi swatted him again, his cheeks faintly pink. "But really, cormamin, I do defer to your expertise in proper traditional clothing."
"In that case, yes, the blue kimono and the striped hakama. I'm almost afraid to see my choices, though." Satoshi attempted to glare at Sand and failed. "Which kimono did you have in mind for me?"
"Do you remember the one with the red embroidery? The black one? What do you think of that with the black and white striped hakama and a red obi?" Sand gave Satoshi a sidelong look, his eyes dancing.
Satoshi snickered a little. "Dressing to match my hair?"
Sand shrugged lightly. "You simply look wonderful in red and black. It suits you, saiai."
"Clothes maniac," Satoshi muttered, and peeled off his hoodie.
They showered quickly, washing each other thoroughly and nibbling kisses, but Sand was unusually restrained and did not angle for a quick plundering, much to Satoshi's surprise. Satoshi shook his head a little, watching as Sand dressed with absolute confidence, from his fundoshi right down to tying his obi properly. When they were dressed, Sand dragged Satoshi over to the full length mirror.
"There, we look splendid, do we not?" Sand leaned over to kiss Satoshi lingeringly, nibbling on his pierced lower lip almost delicately.
Satoshi had to admit that they both looked marvelous in the hakama. Sand had pulled his hair back into a low ponytail, fastened at the nape of his neck with a black silk ribbon, the points of his ears hidden, and Satoshi was struck again by how Japanese Sand managed to look, except for those blue eyes.
"We look gorgeous," Satoshi said with a smile. "So, since we're all pretty, let's go to dinner."
They took the train into Tokyo, Satoshi very aware of the looks they garnered from their fellow passengers as they chatted quietly about Ryuu and Takara, school things and Satoshi's new artist who was still being pushed to sing all the wrong things. Satoshi had to admit that he was curious as to why Sand had not asked to take the car, but it was not that cold for a change, and Satoshi was actually enjoying the admiring glances that came their way.
When they got off the train, Sand guided Satoshi to a lovely building, the aroma of delicious food wafting to them as they approached. Inside, the restaurant was both traditional and very elegant, and a kimono-clad young woman took their geta and offered them slippers before a host led them to a low table set on tatami. There were cushions, and Sand and Satoshi knelt and made themselves comfortable, Satoshi's eyes shining as they placed their food order.
The meal was indeed excellent, and Sand and Satoshi enjoyed themselves thoroughly. They left the restaurant, Sand vowing that they would have to dine there again, and Satoshi agreed enthusiastically. It was still fairly mild, and Sand looked at Satoshi with a smile.
"Do you feel like a walk, saiai? It is not so cold a night, and I think we would enjoy it." Sand laced his fingers through Satoshi's very discreetly, their haori hiding their hands as they strolled along.
Satoshi smiled at Sand's attempt at discretion. "It's actually not that bad, poldoramin. A little walk would be nice."
They walked a bit and Satoshi realized they were heading toward the Meiji Shrine. As they got closer, Satoshi was surprised to see that the gate was open, and Sand looked at him with an arched brow.
"That is a nice surprise," Sand commented. "Shall we go in, and perhaps say a prayer? It seems that we are being invited to do so."
"Maybe we are being invited," Satoshi said, looking at Sand closely. The elf looked as curious as Satoshi, though, and Satoshi chuckled inwardly, dismissing his speculations that Sand had arranged this.
It was peaceful without the usual tourist traffic, and they made their way to the shrine itself. Satoshi and Sand washed their hands and then they both bowed deeply and folded their hands reverently, heads bowed as they each offered silent prayers, the utter calm of the shrine filling them both with a sense of peace.
Sand and Satoshi bowed again at the end of their prayers, and Sand guided Satoshi over to a bench outside the shrine. Satoshi looked at Sand, puzzled, as Sand gently urged Satoshi to sit, his long fingers dipping into his obi and coming out with a small velvet box.
Sand knelt with his usual fluid grace in front of Satoshi, his blue eyes bright even in the dim light. He opened the box to reveal a ring, a slender circle set with emeralds, diamonds, amethysts and sapphires, the pattern repeating around the entire ring. Satoshi's eyes widened and he shivered a little as he looked down at Sand.
"Mori Satoshi, from the day that I first met you, my heart and soul were yours. I was foolishly blind at first and I let you leave without telling you how deeply you had touched me, how you had claimed me for your own. I was lucky enough to have the chance to see you again, and wise enough to ask to stay at your side." Sand took Satoshi's left hand in his, stroking it gently. "Satoshi, saiai, you are everything that is perfect about my life. You are the very music of my soul, and without you, the sun would not even rise each morning. The only thing that could make my life even more perfect than it already is would be if you would agree to marry me, to be my lawful husband. This ring is my promise that I will love you until time itself ends, and I will cherish you for all of my days, my love, my sweet husband."
Satoshi swallowed thickly, his lips trembling as he tried to speak, crystalline tears pearling in his lashes, and his hand shivering in Sand's hand.
"Yes, Masato-san. Yes, yes, yes, a thousand times yes," Satoshi gasped breathlessly, his voice rising with each word and his love pouring through their bond in warm waves.
Sand slid the jeweled ring carefully onto Satoshi's left forefinger, and Satoshi's face lit up with the most beautiful smile, a laugh bubbling out of Satoshi before he slid his hands into Sand's hair and leaned over to kiss Sand thoroughly, his tears of joy running down his cheeks. Sand returned the kiss, his own bond open to let Satoshi feel his love and joy.
Satoshi tugged on Sand until Sand sat on the bench beside Satoshi, gathering the slender imp into his arms and stroking his back. Satoshi was still trembling a little, his cheeks glistening with his tears, and Sand wiped them away gently with a clean linen handkerchief, but the joy that flowed out of Satoshi made Sand's heart sing.
They sat on the bench for several minutes, Sand holding Satoshi and pressing soft kisses to his temple, until Satoshi had recovered enough to find his voice.
"I don't have a ring for you," Satoshi said, a little wistfully.
"Oh, saiai, but you do." Sand reached into his obi again and pulled out another small velvet box, handing it to Satoshi.
Satoshi opened the box with steady fingers, the ring inside identical to the one Sand had placed on his finger. Satoshi took Sand's left hand and slid the ring onto Sand's forefinger, looking deeply into the elf's eyes.
"I love you, Masato-san, with everything that I am. I accept your promise with all of my heart." Satoshi smiled again, that radiant smile that made his eyes shine, and Sand kissed him sweetly.
It took another couple of minutes before Satoshi's knees would hold him up, and this time it was Satoshi who reached for Sand's hand, not caring if the haori covered their hands or not. They walked out of the shrine and back into the nighttime bustle of Tokyo, feeling like the world had starting moving again after the timelessness of the shrine.
Satoshi kept looking at his ring, his face wreathed in a gorgeous smile, and he barely noticed where they were walking until Sand stopped in front of a particular tea house.
"Why are we stopping?" Satoshi asked. He looked at the discreet sign, recognizing the name immediately as a very traditional and very popular tea house that served some of the finest sake in all of Tokyo, and his eyes widened.
"I think I am in the mood for some warm sake and some mochi," Sand said, looking at Satoshi with a twinkle in his eye.
"This place has a waiting list for months to get in," Satoshi protested. His eyes widened even more when Sand merely shrugged and opened the door, ushering Satoshi in.
"I am sure they can accommodate us," Sand said with utter confidence, as the host approached and bowed respectfully.
Sand bowed politely. "I believe you have a reservation for us? The name is Mori."
"Of course, Mori-sama," the host said, bowing again. "Please come with me."
They were led to a lovely table with a view of the garden, and Sand and Satoshi knelt and got comfortable. A waiter hurried over, kneeling as he placed sake cups on the table, and then held out a porcelain flask of warmed sake.
"This is with the compliments of Kohaku-sama," the waiter said, and poured for them as another waiter hurried over and knelt to place dishes of fresh mochi and beautiful candies on the table. He set delicate porcelain plates in front of Sand and Satoshi, and laid lacquered serving chopsticks on rests in front of the pastries and sweets.
When the waiters had withdrawn, Sand raised his cup of sake and looked at Satoshi. "Thank you, saiai, for making me the happiest person in Japan tonight. A toast to a future of happiness."
"Thank you, my Masato, for this beautiful, magical night, and for this perfect ring, and for loving me." Satoshi raised his sake cup as well, and they sipped, savoring the excellent sake.
They stayed for another couple of flasks, and then they left, a car appearing in front of the tea house to take them back to the estate, where Sand made tender love to Satoshi, their souls wide open through their bond and both of them ending with their cheeks wet with tears of utter joy.
-
Erion looked at Momo, his silver eyes beautiful in the dim light. "I love you, Momo-chan, you know that, but I'm too damned young anyway. Well, not here, but back home." Erion spread his hands a little. "And yes, if we can't be sure that we can be together for the rest of our lives, then it's foolish to even think about marriage."
Erion moved closer to Momo, tilting his face up slightly and kissing Momo, his pearly teeth scraping lightly over Momo's lower lip. "I want our now, koibito. The future is its own problem, and the past can't be changed, but we can have now."
"What are you doing?" Momo asked, but he nibbled back, kissing Erion tenderly. "What are you up to, yuki no erufu?" The love in Momo's voice made Erion smile even as he nipped again, feather light.
"I'm embracing my honne, baby," Erion replied, pressing closer as his arm slid around Momo's waist. "I love you now, you're my boyfriend now, and that's perfect, just as it is."
"It's practically like we're married anyway, what with our living together and all that, so why mess with what's working?" Momo wrapped his strong arms around Erion, feeling the steady beat of his little lover's heart through his sweater.
They stood like that for a few minutes, not needing to talk, just holding each other and enjoying the quiet, Momo's cheek resting against Erion's silky hair. Finally, Momo shivered a little, the damp and cold seeping through his sweater, and Erion looked up at him.
"We should go in, baby. You're shivering." Erion started to pull away, but Momo pulled him back and kissed his forehead.
"In a minute," Momo said softly. "It's nice and quiet out here." He snorted a little. "I really can't stand Kansas when he gets into that mode. He's fucking frightening when he gets like that. You were both a bit terrifying for a moment there, actually."
Erion shrugged lightly. "It's not so bad. I think it just seemed worse because we were all a little worked up."
"It was more than that, Yuki-chan. There was something else going on," Momo said, that slightly stubborn note in his voice letting Erion know that Momo was not going to let this go. "Care to explain what that was really about?"
Erion sighed a little. "Did you ever meet someone, and feel like you knew them already, even though it was the first time you were meeting? It was like that for Kansas and me, like our souls had known each other before. Sometimes, it feels like we're having a conversation that we had in another time."
Momo nodded slowly. "That's not so farfetched, baby. I mean, part of Buddhist belief is that our souls are reincarnated. Do elves believe that, too?"
"Not in the same way," Erion replied, happy to be on safer ground. "We believe that after we die, we go to live on another plane of existence, with our gods. But sometimes, when there's a real need, a soul can be asked to come back from Arvandor, our afterlife, and that soul can be reborn. There are elven heroes that have come back and lived again when our people needed them, too. They come back as themselves."
Momo shook his head a little. "That's a little creepy, too. But I could feel something earlier, like right before a big storm, when the air sort of makes your skin crawl."
"I know Satoshi is sensitive to a lot of things," Erion said calmly. "Maybe you were picking up on that bond that Kansas and I have. It can feel a little weird sometimes, even to us."
Momo nodded, seeming happy with that explanation. He shivered again, and this time he let Erion lead him back into the warmth of the house.
-
Hawk returned Satoru's bow, his blue-grey eyes warm and friendly. "Please, we're family, and you don't need to be formal with me, Mori-san. You're going to be my gifu after all." Hawk's chuckle was as warm as his eyes. "As to the wedding, we wouldn't miss it for anything. Of course Sora and I will be there. I can't begin to tell you how happy we both are that you and my mother are engaged."
Hawk's easy warmth made Satoru smile, his anxiety dissolving as Mist came over as well with a sweet smile on her lovely face. Unlike Hawk, she spoke in English, her accent light and lilting.
"I have no idea what my brother has said, but if it wasn't glowing, I'll deal with him later." She flashed Hawk an affectionate grin. "But speaking for myself, I couldn't be happier. Atara is positively glowing with happiness, and I have you to thank for that." Mist gave Satoru a gentle hug and a kiss on the cheek. "We don't really have a word for stepfather in our language, but I'd be pleased to call you my atar en' cormamin, father of my heart. And before I forget, I owe you more thanks for watching over my son as well. Hopefully, he hasn't been a nuisance."
Satoru's smile was beautiful as he looked at Mist. "Actually, it's been wonderful having Yuki-kun around. My house has needed the laughter of young people to make it feel like home."
Mist laughed happily, tucking her arm through Satoru's with that easy elven affection that still surprised Satoru. "I know what you mean. I've always encouraged Erion and Falon to bring friends home, and fill the house with the noise and clutter of many elflings. I like a busy house. Maybe in another couple years or so, I'll be ready to add another elfling of my own."
Eryn looked at Satoru with a bright smile, and he smiled back, utterly delighted at the warm reception from Eryn's older children. Momo was watching Hawk, almost bemused by how unlike Sand he was, although there was some resemblance between the brothers. He looked at Satoru, the happiness on his father's face making Momo smile a little, and Erion leaned into Momo as he felt some of Momo's tension dissolve away.
Vale and Satoshi were in the kitchen, the two of them laughing as they prepared a quick dinner, Sora calling out to Vale that she was expecting soba and getting a cheerful spate of elven in return that made Hawk burst out laughing. It was not long before they were all gathered around the table enjoying grilled salmon, soba, and rice, as well as some sauteed vegetables that Satoru and Momo did not recognize, but that were delicious. Vale offered to take Takara so that Satoshi and Sand could eat, but Mist snorted and appropriated the little treasure, while Eryn managed to get Vanyadulin out of Hawk's arms. Hikaru and Ryuu had taken over Falon completely, and Aika decided that she needed to sit with Sora and tell her all about preschool, snuggling against her hibaba happily.
Hawk had Sand in tears from laughter as he described arriving in Neverwinter to find a wood elf in the kitchen, looking quite startled. After a small amount of confusion, the wood elf introduced himself as Sorien, and explained that he was courting Maela, and had been making himself useful around the house as a small repayment for spending his nights there. Maela had arrived in the middle of the introductions, and explained that Sorien was a ranger, and his usefulness was in keeping the gnomes out of the house should Sand decide he had any new projects in mind. With a bloodymindedness that made Vale grin, she had instructed Sorien to pin the offending creatures to the walls of Castle Never for all she cared, as long as she did not have to see or hear them ever again. Sorien confided that he had not seen a single gnome, which Maela stated was a sign of his usefulness. Maela had no intentions of leaving her employment with the family, however, but Sand made a note to himself to increase her salary anyway which made Willow beam happily at her raven-haired elf.
Erion told everyone how Momo was at the top of his class, and that he was probably going to come in a dismal third himself, this last bit said in a tone of extreme resignation that made Mist arch an eyebrow. Santhiel had to hide a small smile at Erion's dramatic sighs, since Eryn had assured him that Erion had been studying with extraordinary diligence for his finals. Momo was quick to reassure Erion that he would do well, and Erion purred a little as Momo stroked his back gently as they got up to clear the table.
Dessert was served in the living room, fresh fruit and dainty little chocolates, with tea and wine or whiskey for anyone who wanted some. Hawk had brought some dwarven whiskey, and Satoru had a small glass, his eyes widening as he tasted it. Satoru pronounced it strong but smooth, and Santhiel looked over at Hawk with a gleam in his eye. Eryn informed her eldest child and his best friend that Satoru would not be subjected to one of their bachelor parties, with Sora and Mist trying to hide their amusement. Erion looked relieved, and Momo grew curious, until Erion promised to explain later, his cheeks faintly pink.
Mist offered to help Aika get ready for bed, and Falon jumped up to grab Hikaru and offer to help Ryuu with his shower after he had scrubbed the little half elf into respectability. Willow and Sora excused themselves and went to Willow's room to feed the babies, the two women cooing at their slightly fussy daughters. Sand and Satoshi emerged from the kitchen where they had been doing the dishes, their cheeks slightly flushed and their eyes bright, Sand immediately reaching for the dwarven whiskey.
When Falon came out of Ryuu's room, he found Kansas, Erion and Momo already in the second floor game area, and they waved him over enthusiastically.
"Come and play with us, toror'ai," Erion said, laughing as Kansas looked up.
"We'll play teams," Kansas said, shifting to make room for Falon on the couch.
Falon bounced down happily. "What are we playing? And better yet, how do we play?" He looked at the controller that Kansas handed him in confusion.
Erion gave Falon a playful nudge. "It's easy. This is a racing game, and you use these to control your car." Falon had ridden in a car a few times with the family, and pronounced them utterly cool.
"So what are the teams?" Falon asked, his eyes shining.
"It's me and Erion against Kansas and Faron... fuck," Momo moaned. It was the dozenth time that night that he had mispronounced Falon's name, and Momo had had enough. "That's it. We're renaming you, Far... Fa... Fuck!"
Erion began to laugh, falling into Momo. "We can't call him 'Fuck' or Willow will have our heads, baby."
Falon was snickering as well, and Kansas was trying his best not to laugh at his frustrated friend. Managing a fairly straight face, Kansas said, "We usually name people something that means something about them. Like Erion is Yuki, which means 'snow' and I'm Tatsuya, which means 'dragon becoming.' So we need to think of something that fits you."
Falon thought for a moment, and then grinned. "Well, I'm training with atar to become a Vale Guard, so does that help?"
"It might," Momo said, looking thoughtful. "You use a sword?" When Falon nodded, Momo looked at him very seriously. "Then from now on, I'm calling you Tetsuo. It means 'iron man' and that's sort of what a guard with a sword is, right?"
Erion clapped his hands. "Oh, that's perfect, koibito. Tetsuo it is!"
Falon grinned. "Tetsuo. I like it! It sounds almost elven, doesn't it?"
"So what the fuck are you waiting for, Tetsuo-kun? Grab your controller and let's show these two how to race," Kansas laughed, giving Erion a little shove.
Sand felt his phone vibrating in his pocket, and he reached in and pulled it out, touching the screen to see that he had received a text message. Satoshi had been sitting next to him, so Sand was fairly sure it was not one of Satoshi's little messages designed to drive him mad with desire. Opening the text, Sand saw that it was from Kohaku, the message wonderfully enigmatic. "Masato-san, check the news."
"What is it, poldoramin?" Satoshi asked, looking at Sand in concern as Sand frowned at his phone.
"It is a text from Kohaku-san, telling me to check the news." Sand touched the screen of his phone, calling up the Internet and scrolling quickly to his favored news feed. His fingers froze suddenly, and his eyes widened slightly.
Yuji sat forward, a little alarmed by Sand's reaction to whatever it was he was reading. "What is it, Sand?"
Hawk's head turned sharply as he looked at his younger brother, and Santhiel tensed slightly as Mist laid a slim hand on his arm.
"The news," Sand said slowly, looking up with such an odd expression that even Vale had no idea what was going on. "My apologies, but could we turn on the television? I know it is dreadfully impolite when we have family visiting, but please indulge me this once."
Yuji reached for the remote and turned the large flat-screen television on, pressing the button for the news channel. The assembled family members watched as a very serious-looking announcer began to speak, Santhiel murmuring a translation for Mist.
"After much consideration, the Diet has reached a decision on the Marriage Equality Act that has been the cause of so much deliberation these past months. Commencing with the fiscal year beginning in April, the Marriage Equality Act will be effective, although partners wishing to apply for a license may begin to prepare the paperwork immediately and submit it in the new year." The announcer continued to speak, but no one could hear him because Sand let out a shout and turned to pull Satoshi into a tight hug.
"They have done it, saiai. They have made it legal as it is at home." Sand's eyes were bright with excitement as he leaned in to kiss Satoshi lingeringly. Santhiel smiled broadly as Sand kissed Satoshi, and Hawk looked up the stairs to see if Willow and Sora had heard the cheer from Sand.
Willow and Sora had not emerged from the bedroom yet, but there were four puzzled faces looking down from the gaming area.
"Is everything okay down there?" Erion said, as he and Momo came down the stairs, followed by Kansas and then Falon. "Toror en' atara'amin, what's wrong? You yelled so loudly."
Momo put an arm around Erion, ready to offer his support to his little elf. It was Vale who spoke up, his green eyes shining.
"The Diet passed it," Vale said. "The Diet passed the Marriage Equality Act. Same gender marriage is legal." He looked at Yuji with such joy in his eyes. "I know you're already legally married, a'maelamin, but I'm so happy for everyone who's waited so long for this to be real."
Yuji looked into Vale's eyes, seeing nothing but joy in his elf's clear gaze. It was a law that would not apply to them, since Yuji could not marry two people, but Vale radiated nothing but happiness through their bond. Seeing Yuji's look, Vale leaned forward to kiss Yuji sweetly.
"It's alright, a'maelamin. I'm married to you on Toril, and I don't need a ceremony here to make me any more married to you. You're legally Willow's husband here, and that's as it should be, my love. Our wife is important to us all, and we all love her endlessly." Vale's smile was gentle and content, and Yuji pulled Vale into a tight hug.
"Thank you for understanding, my love, my perfect Vale," Yuji murmured, burying his face in Vale's gold and emerald mane and loving his elf more than ever for the sweet generosity of his heart.
Willow and Sora came down, their eyes wide as they took in Sand and Satoshi kissing passionately, and Yuji and Vale beaming. Erion was wide-eyed, leaning into Momo as his knees trembled, and he sucked in a quick breath. "They really did it," Erion whispered, almost to himself. "They passed it."
Falon shot Erion a quick look, his voice barely audible as he spoke in rapid-fire elven. "So how do you choose?"
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"You're thanking me? I should be thanking you, koibito. I was closing down when you reached out to me, and pulled me back into living. I hurt so badly that I didn't know what to do." Erion nuzzled his face into Momo's raven hair, pressing tender kisses to his lover's head. "I know how much you love me, and I'm glad you found room in your heart for me."
"It wasn't finding room for you, Yuki-chan," Momo said softly. "I love you with all my heart."
"I know you do, and I hope you know that I love you with all my heart as well." Erion let his hand stroke through Momo's silky hair, teasing the nape of Momo's neck lightly. "Whatever you did before you and Kageoshi became lovers is not what defines you, at least not in my eyes. And I don't think you love me less or that I come second in your heart. Everyone we love, we love differently, don't we?"
Momo nodded slightly, his head a comfortable weight on Erion's shoulder.
"Did I ever tell you about when I met Kansas?" Erion asked, and there was such gentle love in his voice that Momo's breath hitched a little.
"All I know is that you met him where you're from, when everyone went on that long vacation," Momo replied.
Erion smiled into Momo's hair. "I was just forty, which is the age when you're no longer an elfling. It's the end of childhood for us, but not quite responsible adulthood. But at forty, we're old enough to have lovers. The funny thing is that I never even had a proper crush on anyone. I had friends, and I was already pretty sure that I preferred males sexually, but there was no one I wanted to take as a lover among my friends."
"Was that unusual?" Momo asked, curious. There was something in Erion's voice, almost a verbal equivalent of a blush.
"A little," Erion admitted. "We're encouraged to explore love and loving. No one expects it to be serious, and most young elves have a great many affairs before they reach proper adulthood at one hundred. But I was only just forty, so my parents weren't worried or anything."
Erion sighed a little. "My grandmother had gone to Neverwinter to look after Willow, who was pregnant with Hikaru. Vale had brought Yuji there because Yuji was very sick... dying, actually. Vale couldn't bear to lose him, and he knew that the clerics and healers in our world could help Yuji. The whole family was planning on coming to Evereska once Willow felt up to traveling again, and then Kansas had a bit of trouble. My grandmother brought him back to Evereska before the rest of the family came."
"A bit of trouble?" Momo snuggled a little closer to Erion, and Erion nuzzled his hair again.
"He was attacked in a tavern. The attackers were dealt with." There was a finality to Erion's voice that made Momo blink a little, but he did not look up at his lover. "But Kansas needed the time to recover, and my grandmother offered to bring him back with her ahead of time. My mother brought Falon and me over and I was astonished. I hadn't really met many humans before. There are some who come to Evereska, but they tend to stay closer to the Cloudcrown Palace, where the Hill Council is. But Kansas was just, well... he took my breath away. I'd never reacted to anyone like that before then. I offered to show him around Evereska, and he accepted, so I took him to Dawnsglory Pond, where we all swim."
Erion laughed a little, his arms tightening slightly around Momo. "Do you know, I'd never even been kissed? I was such a little virgin, literally. We kept brushing against each other in the water – we swim naked – and I was feeling things I'd never felt before, and all I knew was that I wanted more. And then Kansas kissed me, and I was so startled that I sort of flinched. He got upset and ran away, and I chased him, and then we kissed again. I didn't flinch that time, and I'll never forget that kiss."
Momo chuckled a little, trying to imagine Erion startled by a kiss and failing utterly. "You were a quick learner?"
"So Kansas tells me," Erion laughed. "We were inseparable after that, and we spent every night in each other's arms, but we didn't have sex. We touched each other, and kissed, but that was it." Erion paused a moment. "We have a goddess whose worship is making love, did you know that?"
Momo looked up at Erion, his eyes wide. "Wait, what? Really? You're shitting me."
"I'm not," Erion protested, laughing. "Hanali Celanil is the goddess of love and beauty, and we worship her by making love. Her temple has all these little gardens and grottoes for lovers to meet in, and there are plants that secrete lube when you break off a leaf. Anyway, Kansas and I went to the temple, and we were in a grotto, and that's when I made love for the first time."
Momo was surprised to see a blush creep over Erion's cheeks.
"Anyway, the point of all that is that I was pretty much an idiot about love before I met Kansas. Eventually, after Kansas and I were together, I wound up sleeping with Yuji and Satoshi, and I love them both, but it's not the same as what I feel for Kansas. It's as deep, but different, somehow. And you, koibito, you're altogether different as well. You're my inferno, and I love you completely, like a flame burning in my heart. So, I don't worry about you loving Kageoshi first, or even you still loving Kageoshi. I hope you'll always love him, because that's part of what lets you open your heart to new love." Erion leaned in and nibbled a tender kiss. "I gave you my promise and the symbol of my father's House, which is one of the few things that's truly mine to give. Nothing you've told me tonight makes me want to change that. If anything, I love you more, Momo-chan, watashi no koibito, melindoamin."
Momo cuddled closer to the little elf and nuzzled his cheek softly, his voice raw with emotion when he whispered, "I don't want to be an inferno. I wish I could be that steady flame that will light you through the years. Infernos flame up and burn bright for a while, then die out. Burn themselves out. Burn your heart to the ground."
He cupped Erion's cheek and made the elf look into his eyes, a slight sadness flickering deep within the love that burned there as brightly as the love in Erion's heart. "But if that's all I can be, if that is all I can have, then I will be your inferno, Yuki-chan. I'll burn so bright that the night will become day. And we will make such a fire together. But I don't want to think about the end now. I want to think about the right now. Thank you for loving me. That is all I want to say."
"No, Momo-chan, that's not what I meant, at all," Erion protested, his silver eyes darkening. "Let me try and explain. I hate words sometimes. They twist around and don't come out right. Maybe there aren't even words for what I want to say in your language, and I can't tell you in mine."
"You don't need to explain, Yuki-chan. We both started this knowing it wasn't forever, and I'm happy that we can love each other this much." Momo stroked Erion's cheek. "I just want to enjoy the now with you, and not think about the future."
"It's just hard, Momo-chan. I don't want us to burn out, and I don't want anyone's heart burned to the ground." Erion's eyes were a deep, dull grey. "I barely get to have you for a breath as it is. It's just a moment, a brief dream, isn't it? I just can't bear the thought of losing you sooner, baby."
"And you won't. I will not let you go, until you ask me to. There is nothing that can make me leave you, so I promise... I swear I won't let you go until you ask me to." Momo stroked Erion's cheek again.
"I live in the now, like any elf does, but I still can't help wishing that tomorrow would never come." Erion's eyes closed slightly, and he drew a shaky breath, refusing to cry.
"Please don't say it like that, Yuki-chan. There is only one way for tomorrow to never come. But we will not think about tomorrow. We will just live for each moment as we live it, and not wonder about the future." Momo's fingers slipped into Erion's hair as the young elf drew another ragged breath.
"They say the past teaches us so we can avoid making the same mistakes over and over. Obviously, I missed that lesson, because I always talk too much, and wind up being sorry for my clumsy words. Forgive me, Momo-chan. I don't do too well at helping, do I?" Erion managed a wobbly smile. "You're right, and I'm not going to think about tomorrow. Maybe you're a better elf than I am, too."
Momo moved out of Erion's embrace and gathered the little elf into his arms, kissing him lovingly, stroking his cheek when they broke the kiss and poured all of his love into his words. "Of course I forgive you. You've healed me so much tonight, that I doubt I will ever be able to repay you. You do learn from your past, and I am learning from mine. You are teaching me to learn from my mistakes. Without you I doubt I would still be here."
Momo kissed Erion again, then leaned his forehead against Erion's and whispered with a sweet smile, "And don't ever say that I am a better elf, because you are the most wonderful elf I know. You're still young and learning, so it's alright to sometimes be clumsy with your words."
"I don't need anything more than your love, Momo-chan, here and now." Erion's smile was stronger, his eyes fading to their usual silvery grey. "Please let my love be enough for you." Erion pressed his lips to Momo's lips in a tender kiss.
Momo whispered gently, "It already is more than enough, my love." He eased Erion onto his back, slipping between the young elf's parted thighs and pressing into Erion, seating himself fully in Erion's ass in a single smooth thrust as Erion's back arched in pleasure. Momo took his time, withdrawing slowly and sliding back into Erion, watching as Erion's eyes fluttered closed in bliss as Momo's cock glided over his prostate.
Time seemed to slow down a bit as Momo made tender love to Erion, the tiny gasps and sweet little moans music to his ears as he drove his little lover to the brink. Erion's back was arched slightly, his sensitive little nipples hard as pebbles, and his cheeks were flushed a deep rose, and Momo thought the elf had never looked so beautiful. Momo thrust one more time, and Erion mewled and came, Momo following only a moment later as Erion's tight little ass molded itself around Momo's cock hard enough to hurt.
Shivering a little, Erion pulled Momo down into a lingering kiss, his eyes half-hooded with sated bliss as he tangled his slim fingers in Momo's hair. They fell asleep, entwined sweetly, Erion's lips still lightly brushing Momo's lips as reverie claimed him.
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Erion put his ice cream down and turned around, his silver eyes dark as he cupped Momo's face in his slim hands. "I know, baby, and it's alright. It's alright to miss him, and to hurt."
Momo shivered as he began to sob, deep wrenching sobs that shook his whole body. Momo's head fell forward, coming to rest on Erion's shoulder, and Erion wrapped his arms around Momo, stroking his back.
"Please don't think that this is wrong, to cry for him. Kageoshi was just so special, so out of the ordinary, and I know how much you love him. And it's alright to still love him. It's perfect to still love him." Erion kept his voice gentle and soothing, rubbing Momo's back as he talked. He could feel Momo tense up, struggling to choke back the tears, and Erion just tightened his hold a little.
"Don't hold it in, baby. You;re safe with me, so just let it out. You can't let this stay inside you forever. That'll just make you cold and bitter, and eat away at you until you're not Momo anymore. If you let it out, you can start to heal, my love." Erion pressed the gentlest of kisses to Momo's hair. "You can let yourself love again, but only if you let yourself mourn for him. So cry for him, my love. Cry like your heart needs you to cry. It takes a lot more strength to cry than it does to hold it in, you know. It's hard facing how much it hurts, and it's hard admitting that you miss him still, but I only love you more for it."
Momo relaxed suddenly in Erion's arms, his grief coming out in a howl as he let the tears fall freely as he clung to Erion. Erion made small soothing noises, gentle sounds that meant nothing aside from comfort, the way his mother and his grandmother had comforted him when he was an elfling. Momo's hands were fisted in Erion's shirt as he sobbed and shivered, all the pent up pain and grief pouring out in an endless flood of tears.
Erion smiled a little as he rested his cheek against Momo's hair, his voice very quiet. "It wasn't fair that you only had him for so short a time, and you have to hold on to the belief that you'll meet again one day, that your souls will find each other again. A love like what you two had is something that can't fade. I believe that with my whole heart, baby. I believe that you'll be reborn, and Kageoshi will be reborn, and you'll find each other and love the way it was meant to be. You just have to learn to love all over again. You've done it with me, watashi no koibito. I know how much you love me, and I don't doubt that what we have is real. You've taken that first step. So now, cry for Kageoshi, and never forget how much you love him, but allow your heart to open itself to new love, too."
Momo's howls of grief were slowly ebbing, and the tremors that wracked him with each sob eased as Erion held onto Momo tightly. Momo mumbled something utterly incomprehensible as he buried his face in Erion's neck, and then he coughed and tried it again.
"I'm sorry," Momo managed. "I love you, Yuki-chan. Please don't think that I don't love you."
Erion pressed another gentle kiss to Momo's hair, his voice warm with love. "I know you love me, baby. I see it in your eyes, and I feel it whenever you touch me. It doesn't matter to me that you cried for Kageoshi. It just makes me love you more, because it shows me how passionate your heart is. It's one of the things about you that's so beautiful, Momo-chan. When you let go and love, it's like an inferno, and I'm happy to throw myself into that blaze. But that's the thing, my love. We never know how long we have with someone, so we have to let go of all the things that hold us back, and just love with everything we are."
Momo kept his head tucked into Erion's neck, his whole body limp from the violence of his grief. He still was sobbing, but it was softer now, healing sobs, and his hands slowly relaxed and released Erion's shirt. Erion just continued to hold Momo, confident that the storm of tears was part of the healing that Momo needed, and glad that he had been there to offer at least the comfort of his love.
"You're so strong for everyone else, Momo-chan. You worry about how I'm healing, but you don't think about what you need." Erion moved back a little, lifting Momo's chin with one hand and gently wiping away his tears with the other hand. "I love you, koibito, my beautiful man, and you deserve to be loved. Let me love you, and help you heal."
Momo sat back, scrubbing at his tear-stained face, his voice ragged from his howls of grief. "This was supposed to be sort of a private memorial, just for us, to remember him in a place where he was always happy."
Erion nodded. "We can still do that, baby."
Momo reached out to touch Erion's cheek gently, and the young elf smiled and reached over to retrieve his ice cream, finishing the treat quickly and licking the spoon with a purr of satisfaction that wrung a small snicker from Momo.
"I still say it's not an ice cream flavor that should ever exist," Momo said. "I don't know how the two of you could eat that. Wasabi's for food."
"Ice cream is food," Erion said, and leaned into Momo's arms. Momo just snorted a little and reached into his bag, pulling out two beers and two small paper lanterns, with a Buddhist prayer written on the delicate rice paper, and a small candle below that.
Erion watched as Momo opened the beers, handing one to Erion and then carefully lit the candle under one of the lanterns. The heated air lifted it, and as it floated upward, Momo murmured, "I love you, watashi no tenshi. I'll find you when the time is right."
Momo handed the other lantern to Erion, who lit the candle. As the second lantern began to rise, Erion said softly, "Cormamin niuve tenna' ta elea lle au'. Amin mela lle, toror'amin. My heart shall weep until it sees thee again. I love you, my brother."
Momo choked a little, and put his arm around Erion, pulling the young elf close. They watched in silence as the lanterns rose in the still night air, drinking their beers and remembering Kageoshi. When even Erion's keen sight could no longer make out the lanterns, Momo heaved a sigh. He lit a cigarette, as did Erion, and they began to pack up the blanket and the rest of what they had brought with them. Momo led the way down the trail with his flashlight, Erion's slim hand firmly encased in his larger hand.
"There'll be a memorial service to mark the year anniversary." Momo's voice was still ragged and heavy with grief. "I want to go. I need to go, and I'd like it if you came with me."
"Of course I'll come," Erion replied without hesitation. He felt a small twinge of worry, wondering what Kageoshi's parents would think, but he decided that he would call them and let them know that he was coming with Momo. Nim'Cath rumbled very distantly, and Erion sent a quick burst of reassurance to his tiger. He knew as well as Nim'Cath that this was a turning point. Momo would begin to heal, and that meant it would be time for Momo to move on, to find the one he was supposed to be with instead of Erion. Erion took a quick breath, resolutely choosing not to dwell on what was yet to come in favor of making the most of the present.
They reached the car and Momo hesitated as he took out his car keys.
"Can you drive home?" Momo asked, looking at Erion. Momo's eyes were swollen and red-rimmed, and he kept blinking as though he was having trouble focusing his vision.
"Sure thing, baby. I'll be very careful." Erion did not yet have his driver's license, but he knew how to drive Momo's car, and he did have his license for the motorcycle. He knew that as long as he obeyed all the speed limits and traffic laws, there would be very little chance of his being stopped by the police, and Erion intended to be very careful.
Momo tossed the bag into the back seat, and sat in the passenger seat, leaning back and closing his eyes after fastening his seat belt. Erion slipped into the driver's seat, not needing to adjust it more than a fraction, and he drove home as sedately as a judge while Momo sat silently beside him. Erion parked carefully in the garage, and he and Momo went into the house, Satoru looking at Momo with concern in his dark eyes.
Erion gave a quick shake of his head from behind Momo, and Satoru merely hugged Momo before Momo went up the stairs to their room. Satoru turned to Erion, who looked back at the older man somberly.
"He finally let it out, and cried for Kageoshi," Erion said simply. "He'll be better now. He needed to let it out, and now he can heal and move on."
Eryn came over and touched Erion's face with grave sympathy in her dark blue eyes. "Are you alright, utinu'ai?"
Erion smiled at his grandmother and at Satoru. "I'm fine. I'll be fine. This is how it's supposed to be." Erion kissed Eryn's cheek and hugged Satoru, and went upstairs to Momo, his step light and graceful despite the heaviness of his heart.
-
If you read the requirements for a proper disclaimer, it says quite clearly:
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Erion leaned into Momo's kisses, enjoying the intimacy of the moment. When they broke apart again, Erion looked into Momo's eyes, awed as usual by the love there.
"I'd like that. Going into Aokigahara with you. Do you think I can sign up to volunteer with you next year?" Erion brushed his lips across Momo's lips gently. "I mean, I'd still like to walk around with you and just see it, but what you're doing is important for the families. I'd like to help."
Momo looked at Erion and smiled. "Yes, you can sign up, and thank you for understanding. I really didn't mean to upset you, you know."
"I know," Erion replied, tilting his chin up slightly to invite another kiss. "It's not so much that I get upset as it is that it feels so strange to me. But that's something I have to learn to deal with, and I will. Don't be sorry for helping me to grow up a bit. If anything, I should be thanking you for being so patient with me, and putting up with my drama."
Momo kissed Erion again, the young elf leaning into Momo and laying one hand on Momo's chest. "It's not drama, my love. You're still learning about how we do things here. I'd probably be just as lost in your home." Momo looked into Erion's silver eyes, those bewitching pools that never failed to take his breath away. "Why is it so incomprehensible for elves?"
Erion bit his lip for a second, the gesture utterly endearing. "We live a very long time by human standards, but we value every year of our lives. Eight hundred years is normal for most elves, and in all those years, we try to live in the present, living for the now. We're not afraid of death, because we know what waits for us after death, and it's nothing to be feared, but we're not eager to give up all the passions of being alive, either." Erion looked up, smiling a little. "I don't know if I'm making any sense at all. But we just don't give up on life, unless we've lost a bonded mate. Then we fade, just drift away from living until we rejoin our loved one in the next life."
"And that isn't suicide?" Momo asked gently.
Erion shook his head. "It's not a choice. If you're that tightly bound, your soul can't exist alone anymore. It's like a fatal wound."
Momo nodded thoughtfully, one hand stroking Erion's silver hair lovingly. It did explain some things, although it made Momo wonder about other things. Erion seemed to sense Momo's discomfit, and nibbled a little kiss.
"It's not something to dwell on now, baby. I just want to hold you and be happy," Erion murmured. "And I'm in no rush to get back to the estate and rescue Falon from the kids."
Momo chuckled. "You and your brother don't look anything alike, until he smiles, and then I can see you in him." His expression grew more serious. "But you do look so much like your father. I feel like I need to explain myself to your father."
Erion surprised Momo completely with his answer. "Then talk to him. Catch him alone, and tell him what you need to tell him. We elves aren't so different from the Japanese in some ways, and atar will appreciate your talking to him." Erion grinned a little. "I'm not going to bother to tell you not to worry about it, because you will anyway, so don't look so surprised. I'm batshit crazy, but I'm actually pretty smart." Erion slipped his arms around Momo's waist, snuggling in close. "I love you, Momo, and atar will understand."
Momo wrapped his arms around Erion's shoulders, holding Erion tightly for a moment. It was still hard to believe that Erion meant those words, but he wore Momo's ring, and he had come to Momo this morning, not Kansas, and Momo felt something in his heart heal a bit. Momo buried his face in Erion's sweet-smelling hair for a moment, breathing in and just letting himself love this wild young elf.
"So, next weekend, or maybe the weekend after, you want to go drifting?" Momo asked. Erion's happy yelp was answer enough, and Momo chuckled, wondering how the little thrillseeker would enjoy that. Momo gave Erion a little slap on his ass. "Come on, sexy, time to get that hot ass of yours back on the bike."
Erion laughed, one arm still around Momo's waist as they walked back over to the bike. "You want to drive it back to the estate?"
Momo looked at the bike and his eyes lit up. "Really? You mean it, Yuki-chan?"
"Of course," Erion grinned. He tossed Momo the keys and reached for his helmet. "Make me scream, baby."
When they got back to the estate, Erion was hoarse from screaming in sheer exultation, and Momo was grinning from ear to ear, both of them wound up tightly again from the ride. They were intercepted on their way into the house by an exuberant Ryuu, who demanded that Erion and Momo play baseball with him. Fuji and Falon joined in the demand, and Momo and Erion begged to be allowed to at least change first. Erion managed to sneak in a fast blowjob while they were changing, and Momo promised to make it up to his little elf later, laughing when Erion pretended to pout.
The youngsters played baseball for nearly an hour before Falon threw himself on the grass, laughing and pleading utter exhaustion. Hikaru took that as his opening, and pounced Falon with great glee, and the game degenerated into a pile of tickles and pounces that had everyone breathless. The horseplay had the effect of relaxing Momo a bit, and dinner was full of laughter as the youngsters vied for the chance to fill Willow in on the high points of the game, including a rather dramatic slide by Fuji that had not only stolen a base but had tumbled Falon into a bush. Kohaku and Emiko had stayed for the meal, and Kohaku's silly laugh rang out as merrily as Fuji's laugh.
Takara had joined them for dinner, and Satoshi laughed as her bright eyes followed everyone, the voices holding her interest and distracting her from her new favorite game of hair tugging. After dinner, the adults cleared up the dishes while Falon swept the children off for video games before Fuji would have to go. Fuji told Ryuu that this new onii-san was really cool, like Ryuu himself, and Ryuu was bursting with happiness. Erion was cooing over Takara, his silver hair firmly clenched in her tiny fist, while Sand led Willow to the living room to relax a bit with Emiko and Kohaku.
Momo saw Santhiel slip out into the garden, and decided this was as good a moment as any to talk to his lover's father. Taking a deep breath, Momo followed Santhiel, a little surprised when he went fairly deep into the garden. As Momo got closer, a familiar scent filled the air and Momo's eyes widened in surprise, but there was Santhiel, sitting on a bench and smoking pot. He saw Momo and waved him over with a grin.
"I really think this is the best yet," Santhiel said cryptically, offering Momo the joint.
Momo looked at Santhiel curiously but decided not to ask questions, at least not about the pot, which was excellent. Momo finally exhaled, and then took a deep breath.
"I want to apologize for the way I acted when you were in Tokyo last." Momo watched as Santhiel inhaled deeply, his silver eyes almost closing in pleasure. "I feel like I owe you an explanation now that I'm dating Yuki-chan. The thing is... well, first of all, how much do you know about me and my background?"
Santhiel smiled a little, handing the joint back to Momo. "I know the man who raised you as his son abused you, and I know that he threw you out after he found out you weren't his son. I also know that Mori-san is your real father, and how you found that out." Santhiel shrugged lightly. "We all have backgrounds, and not all of us have perfect ones. It's not something I'd hold against anyone."
Momo nodded, feeling slightly relieved. "The thing is, I was raised in the belief that being gay was a choice that you really shouldn't make, if you valued your life, so I came to terms with it very young that I would never find love, much less marry and have children. Then I fell in love with Kageoshi, and that only made me believe it even more, that I would never be able to love and be happy. But when he confessed his love to me, and we started dating, I was the happiest man alive. Even with the attacks and how broken he was in the end, I was the happiest man alive." Momo paused to take a drag from the joint.
Santhiel nodded. "Erion – Yuki – spoke so highly of the love between the two of you. He adored you both, and he was just so happy that you'd found each other."
"Yuki-chan was the reason Kageoshi-chan dared to open up to me. We never would have found each other, if it hadn't been for Yuki-chan. I owe him my greatest happiness." Momo swallowed a little, and handed the joint back to Santhiel. "Then shortly after Kageoshi-chan died, I spent a night with Yuki and Kansas, and I realized how strong my feelings for Yuki were. It made me scared, because first of all he belonged to Kansas, and I felt like I was violating a trust with my feelings. I started drinking heavily after Kageoshi died, and when I pushed Yuki and Kansas away, it got worse. During the trial I was drunk pretty much every day, except that day when they made me testify. I was trying to drink away my life, because I was scared. I am sorry for the way I behaved, and I want to assure you that I do love Yuki-chan as much as I love Kageoshi." Momo waved the joint off when Santhiel offered it again, his heart pounding.
"I'll admit I was a little confused when I heard that Yuki was seeing you, Momo-san." Santhiel's voice was gentle, and his eyes were warm as he looked at Momo. "I don't mean that in a bad way, either. I love Kansas, and I wasn't unhappy when he and Yuki fell in love. But Yuki's young, and he's never loved anyone but Kansas, until you. I think this is healthy for him, to love others as well, to know love with more than one person. I'm sure he's told you that we elves don't care about the gender of our lovers, so the fact that Yuki prefers males is nothing unusual to me. What matters most to me are two things."
Momo stiffened slightly, but he kept his head up and looked Santhiel in the eyes steadily. It was still hard to believe that this young-looking elf was Erion's father, and the resemblance between them was so strong that it was nearly disconcerting.
Santhiel smiled just a little. "What matters to me is that Yuki is happy, and that whoever he loves has honor. Yuki's more than happy with you, and the fact that you came out here to talk to me shows me that you have honor." Santhiel's smile widened. "When I go back home, I'll tell Mist, Yuki's mother, that Yuki is doing what any proper young elf should do. He's in love, he's happy, and his boyfriend is a man of honor."
Momo took a deep breath, relieved that Santhiel was not going to rip his head off and use it for soup. "I don't know about the honor part, but I do keep my word and I'll take good care of Yuki-chan. That I can promise you."
"Then you have my blessing." Santhiel laughed a bit. "Although I think Kansas beat me to it. Shall we head back to the house?"
As they walked slowly through the garden, Momo watched Santhiel sidelong, still not quite believing that he had just smoked pot with his boyfriend's exceedingly hot father. Santhiel looked over and chuckled.
"I should apologize for the pot. I'm fond of a smoke now and then, and Kansas and Tsutomo have the best pot." Santhiel looked remarkably unapologetic, and Momo chuckled a little, realizing he could like Erion's father. "And just one thing about backgrounds. My wife, my mother in law and my children know mine, and it's not exactly a pretty thing. I've spent most of my recent years pretending to be something I'm not, to protect my family. I'll share the story another time, if you're interested, when I haven't been smoking pot."
They had reached the house, and Santhiel let Momo go in first, laughing when Hikaru raced over to wrap himself around Santhiel's leg, chattering in a mixture of elven and Japanese at such high speed that neither Momo nor Santhiel could quite understand what he was saying. Aika came over with an exasperated sigh, Kaede on her heels.
"Otouto, stop making a mess with your words." Aika put small hands on her hips and fixed the little half elf with a stern look. "Only one kind of words at a time."
"What one, onee-chan?" Hikaru asked agreeably.
Aika sighed again. "Try Japanese. Do you understand?"
Hikaru nodded happily. "Amin rangwa, seler'alta."
Aika threw her hands up in the air. "Boyses," she said, and stalked off with Kaede while Santhiel barely managed to smother a snicker as he scooped Hikaru up.
"Thank you for up," Hikaru said with his sunny grin. "Now chichi not find me."
"Nice try, my little savage," Vale grinned, appearing and plucking Hikaru from Santhiel's arms. "You need a bath, and you need sleep, sochi-chan. You can play with otooji in the morning, both of them."
Momo looked into the living room just as Erion looked up and saw him, and the smile that lit Erion's face when he saw Momo made Santhiel pat the younger man gently on the shoulder.
"Go love him," Santhiel urged, and Momo did not need to be told a second time.
-
Vale looked at Yuji and began to laugh. "Oh, a'maelamin, that makes us both perverts, then. I would love to put on a high school uniform and get disciplined by my headmaster." Vale gave Yuji such a wicked grin that Yuji pulled him in for a kiss, chuckling at his wanton elf.
They snuggled for a few more minutes, and then Vale groaned a little. "The cleaning crew will be here at eight, my love. We'd better get moving." Vale winced as he went to sit up, his welts tender and still hot under Yuji's hand.
"Are you going to be alright? Should I call Kansas?" Yuji asked quickly, looking concerned.
"Oh, no," Vale said hastily. "No cars, thank you, love. I can walk, really." Vale reached for his tight little boxers and winced again.
"Wait, my love." Yuji got up and grabbed a gym bag from the corner of his office, pulling out a pair of soft sweat pants. "These might feel a little better."
"Perfect," Vale agreed, slipping them on without bothering with his boxers. He sighed happily, the touch of the fabric not nearly as painful as the boxers would have been. Yuji handed him a sweatshirt and a pair of sneakers as well, and Vale chuckled. He carefully folded up his suit and shirt and tie, and tucked them into a plastic carry bag along with his dress shoes.
Vale murmured a quick cleaning cantrip while Yuji dressed, and together they replaced all of the usual items on Yuji's desk and tucked away the restraints and toys. Vale patted the desk fondly, and Yuji could not help but snicker.
"You planned this from the minute you saw the desk, didn't you?" Vale asked, grinning widely.
Yuji pulled Vale into his arms and kissed him lovingly. "Of course. How could I forget how delicious you looked spread over your own desk?"
Vale whooped with laughter, and they left the school together, hands linked firmly all the way home to the estate.
Yuji and Vale arrived home just in time for dinner, the children mobbing them at the door with enthusiastic hugs and kisses. Vale managed to sit through dinner, although he did pale slightly when Hikaru bounced into his lap for dessert. Ryuu was full of excited chatter about his playdate with Fuji the following day, and the plans they were making for a treehouse, complete with a climbing rope and a trap door. Sand and Satoshi winced a little at that, but Kansas offered a few suggestions of his own, and Ryuu gave his fathers such pleading looks that they melted on the spot. Willow, however, insisted that the treehouse be far lower than the sixty-five feet that Ryuu claimed was necessary, despite some wobbly-chinned looks from Ryuu, and it was quickly agreed that eight feet off the ground was very high indeed.
After dinner, Ryuu and Aika showed their fathers their completed homework, and Hikaru brought over a drawing he had done as his homework from Aika, based on the story she was reading to him. The homework was duly admired and tucked away, all of the adults quite impressed with the neatness of Ryuu's kanji. Aika was learning her name in kanji and romaji, and her practice page was equally neat.
As a reward, Sand took them all into the garden for the bedtime story, spreading a blanket out for all of them to curl up on and lighting some paper lanterns. Hikaru was fast asleep by the end of the story, and Vale carried the little half elf off to his room to tuck him in while Yuji and Satoshi took Aika and Ryuu up to bed. Sand hurried inside to attend to Willow, his smile radiant as he brought her a glass of an alcohol-free wine that she particularly liked, and he curled up beside her on the couch to brush her thick auburn hair. When Yuji came down, he got out the whiskey for the rest of them, as they all settled in to relax a bit in the living room.
It was Vale who sat up first, slightly more comfortable after applying a cooling salve to his welts. "The portal is opening. I wonder who that could be?"
Sand looked up as well, his arm tightening slightly around Willow. He knew it had to be someone they all trusted, since no one else had access to portal keys, but he was instinctively protective, and Willow muffled a giggle in his shoulder.
Santhiel came down the hall, his silver eyes bright as he spotted the family. "I came as soon as I could. Sora and Hawk are parents, a sweet little girl with raven hair and beautiful dark eyes like her mother."
Yuji jumped up, his eyes welling with tears of happiness. "Sora had the baby? When?"
Falon came down the hall, uncharacteristically sedate for all of a moment until he saw Kansas and threw himself into Kansas's arm with a shout. "Toror'amin!"
Santhiel gave his younger son a fond look. "Two days ago, but I couldn't leave until today. Mist is with her, and both Sora and the baby are perfect, and gorgeous." Santhiel hugged Yuji and then Satoshi. "She sends her love to you all, and says you should visit once Willow is up to it."
Kansas hugged Falon with enthusiasm, delighted to have the young elf there in Tokyo. Falon finally released Kansas and looked around, a bit confused. "Erion's not here?"
Kansas gave Falon one of his beautiful smiles. "He's with Momo, remember? Tell you what, we can call him, though. Wait until he hears your voice on the cellphone."
Falon had no idea what Kansas was talking about, but the opportunity to puzzle his brother was not to be passed up, and the two youngsters hurried into the dining room to surprise Erion.
"What's her name?" Willow asked, wondering why all men, human and elven, were so thick when it came to the important details.
"Oh!" Santhiel actually blushed slightly. "I'm sorry, I thought I told you. Sora named her Vanyadulin, and she calls her dulin'ai."
Sand laughed, delighted. "It means Fair Bird, and the nickname is Little Bird," he told Willow.
"Yes, Sora said she has her faralin and her dulin'ai, and judging by the besotted look on Hawk's face, she's her father's little bird, all right." Santhiel accepted a tumbler of whiskey from Yuji and curled up on one of the couches.
Kansas and Falon came back in, giggling and hanging on each other, delighted by Erion's reaction to hearing Falon's voice over Kansas's cellphone. Santhiel arched an eyebrow at them, which only made Falon giggle harder.
"I thought he would explode, atar, he was sputtering so much," Falon snickered, before managing to sober up slightly. "He says he's coming over with Momo. Atararim is coming, too, with her new betrothed."
Satoshi looked delighted at the prospect of seeing his father, who was still walking on a cloud since Eryn had accepted his proposal. Eryn, too, had been glowing, and she and Willow spent a great deal of time talking together quietly, their eyes bright.
"But you've got a new little one on the way as well," Santhiel said, smiling at Willow. "You look absolutely radiant, seler'amin, my sister."
"I feel like an elephant," Willow retorted, but she returned Santhiel's smile and snuggled closer into Sand's arm.
"I'll get some sweets ready for the onslaught," Vale offered, and Satoshi jumped up to help him, the two walking into the kitchen together.
Yuji sighed a little. "We need to figure out a way to get pictures from Evereska. I'd love to see Sora and the baby."
"We'll have a break soon, won't we, love?" Vale asked, coming back in with a tray of small cakes, pastries and fruit. "We can try to pop over then, if Willow is up to it."
"Don't count on it, sweets," Willow said dryly. "I'll be a hippopotamus by then."
Sand kissed her forehead lovingly. "Then we will convince them to come here, vanimaer. We all miss Sora and Hawk anyway."
Satoshi brought in tea and it was not ten minutes later that Erion raced in the door, flinging himself at his father with a brilliant smile.
"Atar!" Erion hugged Santhiel tightly, burying his face in his father's shoulder as Santhiel stroked Erion's silver hair.
"It's good to see you as well, utinuamin." Santhiel looked up and smiled at Satoru and Eryn from over Erion's head. "Mori-san, it's so wonderful to see you. I haven't been able to offer my congratulations in person yet. And you know how delighted I am for you both, Eryn." Santhiel released Erion and walked over to hug Eryn and to take Satoru's hand and clasp it firmly. "And you must be Momo-san. I've heard a great deal about you, all of it glowing. I'm Santhiel en Nosse Sulandorn, Erion's father."
Momo was slightly surprised by Santhiel's excellent Japanese, but he bowed with great respect. "I'm honored to meet you, Santhiel-sama." His heart was pounding just a little bit at meeting Erion's father, but Erion hurried over to slip his hand in Momo's hand as Momo straightened, the young elf looking at Momo with great love in his eyes.
Santhiel noticed Momo's nervousness, and reached out to lay a slim hand on Momo's shoulder. "You make my son happy, and Kansas has no objections, and therefore neither do I. " His voice was quiet but warm, and his silver eyes were friendly as he looked at Momo.
Falon came over, oddly shy, and bowed to Momo. "I'm Falon, Erion's brother. Yuki's brother." His Japanese was as good as Santhiel's and Momo looked at him with a little surprise. "I know my name's hard to say, so you can call me otouto if it's easier." Falon's grin was so much like Erion's that Momo had to grin in return.
Erion laughed and pulled Falon into a tight hug. "I've missed you, toror'ai. I'm so glad you're here in Tokyo. But tell me all about our new cousin! Is she gorgeous? How is Uncle Hawk handling fatherhood?"
Falon's eyes brightened immediately. "Oh, Vanyadulin is amazing! She's just so tiny and perfect, and Aunt Sora is glowing like anything. Atara is watching over them both, of course, but she says it was a perfect birth, and Uncle Hawk didn't even faint once." Falon stopped to snicker. "He wanted to take the baby and show her to the rest of the Graycloaks but Aunt Sora threatened to make soup with his head."
Erion burst out laughing and Willow looked up and snorted. Eryn reached out to pull Falon into a hug, kissing his forehead and introducing him to Satoru, laughing as the young elf bowed again very deeply, and then greeted Satoru as sofu with enormous respect in his voice.
They all made their way to the living room and Vale served tea and whiskey and wine, offering around the sweets and fruits. Momo was slightly surprised when Vale poured a glass of wine for Falon, but Erion murmured in his ear that it was an elven wine, and a mild one at that. They chatted until it was getting late, and Satoru rose to say his goodbyes, Eryn leaving with him. Erion persuaded Momo to stay at the estate with him, and Yuji insisted that Santhiel stay as well, offering him Hawk and Sora's rooms for the night. Falon asked if he could creep quietly into Ryuu's room and snuggle with his little brother, and Willow took one look at his eager expression and agreed, as long as he did not wake Ryuu.
As they all settled in for the night, Vale turned to Yuji, his green eyes sparkling as his looked at his beloved husband. "I think I figured out my treat, my love."
"Oh, really?" Yuji's perfect eyes were filled with love as he leaned in to nibble Vale's lips.
"Would you be willing to use kinbaku on me?" Vale watched as Yuji's eyes widened slightly, his nostrils flaring a little in arousal.
"That's what you'd like for your treat?" Yuji asked. Vale nodded, and Yuji pulled him into a searing kiss. "You are so perfect, Vale."
In the guest room, Erion nuzzled up to Momo, his slim fingers already exploring languidly and making Momo moan a little. "Want to take a bike ride up to the mountains tomorrow? Satoshi showed me this place with the most fucking incredible view."
"Oh? What does it overlook?" Momo said between nibbles of Erion's tanned skin.
"Oh, trees, mostly. But I was talking about the view of me bent over the gas tank, baby," Erion purred, stroking Momo's cock almost lazily, his silver eyes darkening with pleasure as Momo choked a little and grinned.
-
Vale took the vibrator from Yuji, his green eyes closing for a brief moment. When he opened his eyes again, Yuji bit back a gasp at the utter wanton gleam in those emerald depths.
Vale took the vibrator in his slim fingers and turned it a little, examining it before bringing it to his mouth and licking it, a long, lascivious lick, his pink tongue curling slightly around the cool vibrator. Vale licked it again, and then slid his lips over it, slicking it with his saliva, drawing it out of his mouth slowly and curling his tongue around the tip of it almost lovingly.
Vale turned his head slightly, looking over his shoulder as he reached back with his free hand, cupping one cheek of his ass and stroking it with the same languid sensuality as he brought the vibrator down to slide it along the cleft of his ass. As Vale began to circle his tight little pucker with the tip of the vibrator, Yuji palmed the remote and pressed it once, a gentle hum the only sound in the room.
Vale let his eyes flutter closed again as he teased his pucker with the vibrator, and then he slipped it past the tight muscle, the saliva working with the lube he had inserted earlier as he pressed the vibrator into himself, his neck arching to lift his head off the desk. The hand gripping his ass cheek spread him open a little more, and Vale seated the vibrator in fully as Yuji hit the remote a second time.
Vale's pink tongue flicked out to moisten his upper lip as he withdrew the vibrator almost all the way and pressed it back within his tight ass, his lips parting in an utterly silent gasp of pleasure. Vale kept his chest pressed firmly on the desk, only allowing his head to arch up, his gold and green hair spilling down over his shoulders and over his back.
Yuji stood and moved around the desk until he was sitting behind Vale, the elf's parted thighs giving him a perfect view as the vibrator slid in and out of the quivering ring of muscle. Vale released his grip on his ass cheek and began to idly trace the red welts Yuji had laid on his pale ass, his long fingers delicately following the stripes as he moved the small vibrator in and out.
Yuji bit back a moan at the sheer wantonness of Vale's movements. "Akira. Use this one now." Yuji took the smaller vibrator from Vale and handed him the larger one, watching as Vale pressed it against his eager pucker. Yuji pressed the remote three times in quick succession, watching as Vale's head arched up again, his hair spilling across his shoulder blades as his shoulders lifted from the desk. Vale's nipples remained pressed against the wood, however, and Yuji purred slightly in approval.
"Seat it fully, Akira, and move your hands away." Yuji's voice was slightly husky as he stood, watching Vale slide the larger vibrator into his ass all the way, until his tight little pucker was clenched around the base.
Yuji lifted the whip, trailing it over the already reddened skin of Vale's pale ass as Vale stretched his arms out again. Yuji quickly laid a strike on each cheek of Vale's ass, watching as Vale's cheeks clenched around the vibrator. Vale's head arched back again, his lips parting in another silent gasp, and Yuji placed a stroke of the whip across Vale's entire ass.
Vale gripped the edge of the desk, his slim fingers white knuckled as he held on, tears pearling in his golden lashes already. The vibrator was pressing against Vale's prostate, and every strike made his ass clench so tightly around it that fireworks were going off behind his eyes. The pain and pleasure were already deeply entwined, and Vale took the opportunity to take a quick breath and center himself before the next blows.
Yuji pressed the remote one more time, and Vale's eyes fluttered shut again as the vibrations increased. He managed one more breath before the whip descended again, one strike more on each cheek of his ass. The tears were trailing down Vale's cheeks now, and his head sank forward until his forehead was resting on the wood of the desk, a shiver running through him.
Yuji trailed his fingers over the dark welts crisscrossing Vale's ass, admiring the contrast with the pale skin alongside the welts. Yuji could feel the heat rising off the abused flesh already, and he stroked the round globes lovingly as Vale's ass quivered a little beneath the touch.
Yuji ran a finger along the cleft of Vale's ass, pressing a little on the vibrator as he passed over it, and Vale's head arched up again, the golden hair tumbling back down Vale's back. Yuji watched as Vale steadied himself, his breathing slightly ragged, and then he laid the last two strokes across Vale's ass in quick succession. Vale opened his mouth in a silent scream, letting out the breath he had taken before letting his head fall onto the desk, his thighs trembling and his fingers wrapped tightly around the edge of the desk.
-
Vale shivered when he felt Yuji's long warm fingers stroke his permanent collar, Yuji's other hand still fisted in his hair, and then Yuji's breath was hot against Vale's ear, making the elf shiver once again.
Vale listened to Yuji's instructions, allowing Yuji to turn him around under the desk, and a soft moan escaped him as he lowered his lips to Yuji's generous cock. As instructed, his slim hands rested on Yuji's knees, and although his own cock was hard and begging to be touched, Vale focused on pleasing Yuji with his perfect submission. He ran the stud in his tongue over the slit of Yuji's cock, savoring the taste of the precum already beginning to ooze out, and then he moved his tongue to lave at the tender cleft underneath the head, feeling Yuji shiver under his hands.
Vale dipped his head forward, slowly engulfing Yuji's cock as Yuji's hand tightened in his thick hair. Vale sank forward slowly until Yuji's cock was hitting the back of his throat, and then he withdrew just as slowly, Yuji's soft moan sending another shiver down Vale's spine. Vale shifted his knees slightly, parting his thighs a little more to ease the friction as he rose and fell on Yuji's cock, not quite swallowing Yuji's cock to the root just yet.
A knock of the door registered vaguely as Vale lowered his head and then Yuji was sitting up straighter, shoving Vale unceremoniously under the desk and out of sight as Yuji ordered him to continue in perfect silence. Vale's eyes widened slightly, but Yuji did not see, and Vale drew in a slow and careful breath through his nostrils as he sank forward again. As Vale pulled back, his hair brushed against the underside of the desk, and the elf stopped before his head could bang the desk and make a noise.
It was only a minor hesitation, and Vale dipped forward on Yuji's cock again, listening as Kouda-san came in with the purchase orders for the new school books and other supplies. Vale had known about the paperwork that was needed, and had expected Kouda-san, and Yuji greeted Kouda-san cheerfully as he asked for the papers that needed his signature.
Fortunately for Vale, Yuji kept his signature stamp in the side drawer of his desk, and not the center drawer, and Vale continued to rise and fall over Yuji's cock slowly, his tongue pressing along the underside carefully. Breathing was mildly difficult, but Vale did not mind that at all. Rising to challenges and performing perfectly was his goal as a submissive, and this new challenge was no exception.
Vale lowered his head, and this time, because of the angle as Yuji sat forward to read and sign the papers, Yuji's cock slipped into Vale's throat. Vale managed to only swallow lightly, but even so, he felt Yuji shiver a little as Vale's throat muscles contracted around his eager cock. Vale pulled back again as much as he was able to, hoping he was not going to make Yuji come before he was given leave to do so, and drew another carefully silent breath through his nostrils.
The crinkle of papers went on for a while, Yuji chatting with Kouda-san as Vale continued to suck on Yuji's cock. The small thunk of the signature stamp and the scratching of Yuji's pen as he signed each page marked the rise and fall of Vale's head as the elf wound up taking Yuji to the root, trying not to swallow hard and invoke Yuji's ire. Vale listened as Kouda-san gathered the signed papers up and stacked them neatly, and settled back to chat with Yuji for a moment.
Yuji leaned forward onto the desk, listening to Kouda-san's assessment of several of their students, nodding and taking in his friend's opinions. Vale's cock was straining against his tight boxers almost painfully by now, and his lips were tingling from being stretched around Yuji's thick cock. Vale's hands tightened slightly on Yuji's thighs, the strain of keeping his breathing utterly silent increasing as Yuji's cock filled his throat again. It was with a small shudder of relief that Vale heard Kouda-san's chair slide backward, and listened as Yuji said good night to his friend. The door opened, and closed again, and Yuji slid his chair back a bit, Vale rising slightly out from the deskwell as he continued to suck Yuji's cock.
Yuji watched Vale for a moment, slim hands resting on Yuji's thighs and plump lips stretched around Yuji's cock as the golden head rose and fell. Vale's wicked tongue slid up and down the underside of Yuji's cock with practiced ease, the stud in it teasing Yuji unmercifully. Yuji could feel his balls already beginning to tighten, the wonderful tension of keeping a friendly and bland expression while talking to Kouda-san taking its toll on Yuji's ability to hold back.
Vale shifted slightly, adjusting his knees to keep his cock from rubbing too much against his tight boxers, never faltering in his attention to Yuji's thick cock as he pulled back far enough to swipe his tongue across the head again. Yuji bit back a moan, his thigh muscles jumping under Vale's hands, and his fingers slid back into that thick golden mane and clenched tightly.
"Akira. Make me come, but not a sound from you," Yuji ordered quietly, his voice just a little husky.
Vale slid his lips down, taking Yuji in to the root and swallowing hard before he slid his mouth up slightly so that he could draw in a breath through his nostrils. Vale lowered his head again, once again taking Yuji's cock into his throat and swallowing hard, and Yuji's hands tightened as he groaned, his balls painful as they drew up sharply. Vale pulled back slightly, Yuji's thick cum filling his mouth as he swallowed repeatedly, drinking down every drop eagerly until he had milked Yuji dry.
Vale slid his mouth back slowly and released Yuji's cock, and he carefully licked Yuji clean before sitting back on his heels, silent and patient as he waited for his instructions. Yuji watched Vale for a few moments, his perfect eyes glazed with pleasure as he looked at the golden elf crouched at his feet, cheeks flushed and ear tips rosy with arousal. Vale's hands still rested on Yuji's knees, and Yuji smiled as he reached down to lift Vale's chin with one hand.
"Akira. That was perfect." Yuji watched as Vale's green eyes brightened with pleasure at Yuji's praise. "Now, go back to your desk and finish your work until I call you again. And, Akira, no touching yourself."
Yuji slid his chair back so that Vale could rise, silent and utterly graceful, gathering up his jacket and slipping it back on before returning to his own desk, the bulge in his trousers unmistakable. The small smile playing across Vale's lips reassured Yuji that his elf was enjoying this game just as much as he was, and he broke into a smile of his own as Vale closed the door quietly behind himself.
-
Eryn gasped a little as she saw the ring, her face lighting up with the most impossibly radiant smile, and as she looked up at Satoru, he could see the shine of tears in her dark blue eyes.
"Oh, Saroru-san, a thousand times yes," Eryn said, tears of joy sparkling on her raven lashes. She reached across the table to touch Satoru's hand, sliding her slim fingers into his palm. "Please, would you do me the honor of putting the ring on my finger?"
Satoru's smile was no less radiant as he took the ring from the box and placed it with infinite care on the ring finger of Eryn's left hand. She wore no rings besides that glittering sapphire and diamond band, and it shone nearly as brightly as her eyes.
"You've made me the happiest man on Earth, Eryn-chan," Satoru said, his own eyes welling with tears of joy. "I can't believe that I found you, and that I've found love again after all these years."
Eryn laid her left hand over Satoru's hand. "I always thought, after Anessath died, that I would not find such love again, but you've changed all that, Satoru-san. You've filled all the empty places in my heart, and I've never been so happy. For all the years that we'll have together, I know that our love will grow every day."
The waiters were all smiling so brightly that Eryn had to laugh a little, the sound infectiously merry. They all looked as happy as if it were they who had just gotten engaged, and Eryn realized that they probably knew Satoru, and were happy to see him find someone to love. And really, Satoru was so very easy to love. He was kind, and gentle, and his intelligence and wit made him more than delightful company, but there was so much more. Eryn could feel the passion in his soul, a fire that needed just the smallest breath to fan it, and it woke an equal passion in her own soul. Theirs was a true love match, just as her son had found with Satoshi, and Vale had found with Yuji, and it was a gift Eryn would not squander. She intended to make sure that Satoru knew how deeply he was loved, every day for the rest of his life.
Satoru handed Eryn a fork, and they fed each other small bites of the rich and delicious cake, their eyes never leaving each other. It was so perfectly romantic, the ideal finish to a night that had begun wonderfully and had only grown more magical. Eryn felt as giddy as an elfling by the time they had finished their dessert, and when they stood to leave, the three young waiters bowed respectfully and then clapped their hands happily as the newly engaged couple left, their hands linked together. For once in his life, Satoru did not care about propriety or appearances, content to feel that slim hand in his as he led Eryn back to the car.
"I'll drive you back to the estate?" Satoru asked, his voice trembling just a little as he fastened his seat belt carefully.
Eryn reached out to touch his cheek very gently. "Satoru-san, a'maelamin, I am a widow, and not a blushing maiden. Would you think me dreadfully forward if I said I'd rather spend the night in your arms?"
Satoru's smile could have lit all of Tokyo. "I'd never think you were anything but perfect, Eryn-chan, and I can't imagine anything more perfect than waking next to you." He sighed a little. "I just wouldn't want to worry Masato-san. Do you think maybe we should call him?"
Eryn laughed merrily. "Masato-kun will appreciate that, I'm sure. He does tend to be a bit of a busybody, but he means well." She gave Satoru a decidedly impish look. "Of course, now I have to introduce you to my other two children, don't I?"
Satoru froze briefly and then gave Eryn a rueful grin. "Hopefully, Masato-san will convince them that I have only the best intentions."
"They'll love you, Satoru-san, just as much as I do," Eryn assured him, and Satoru felt the most delightful tingle when Eryn repeated that simple declaration. "I love you, Satoru, with my whole heart and soul, and I'm so proud to wear your ring and to one day share your family name."
Sand looked at Satoshi, the two of them curled up in their room. Despite his teasing and nuzzling, Satoshi was still a little distracted, his tongue darting out to tease the piercings in his lip, and Sand finally caught Satoshi's chin in one hand, turning the imp to face him.
"What is it, saiai? Tell me what is bothering you," Sand said, his voice warm with love for his husband.
Satoshi heaved a sigh. "It's Vale. Or rather, the way you two acted when we returned from seeing Adalon. You all but bit his head off, and he's been avoiding you ever since."
It was Sand's turn to sigh. "Have I mentioned to you that I am often stubborn and ridiculously thick headed? When Ryuu-kun came through the portal asking about foes, my blood ran cold in my veins, and I immediately lashed out at Vale." Sand's eyes darkened a little. "I know Adalon is a seer, and I know she is ancient beyond reckoning. She is a silver dragon, and in all my years, and in all I have ever read, I have never heard of a silver dragon being anything other than a force of good."
"Then why were you so upset, if you're not afraid of her?" The anxiety in Satoshi's voice was reflected in his gorgeous eyes, and Sand let go of Satoshi's chin in favor of stroking the beautiful cherry red hair of his husband.
"We both know that the visions granted to a seer can be dark at times. We have seen that with our Kansas, and it has made both our hearts ache that he must endure knowing such painful things while being unable to change them." Sand sighed again. "I feared that Adalon had seen some darkness ahead for Ryuu-kun. That he would ask about foes tore at my heart, because I love him as fiercely as I love you, and I would do anything to protect him."
"I know, poldoramin," Satoshi said, stroking Sand's cheek lovingly. "Honestly, it makes me feel better knowing that you;re always there to help me protect Ryuu-kun."
"But that is exactly it, saiai. I should have asked to go with you to see Adalon. Seldarine, I should have insisted. You, and Ryuu-kun, and Kansas, all of you are so dear to me that I simply cannot bear to think of anything happening to any of you. I should have been beside you." Sand looked at Satoshi gravely. "Can you forgive me for not being there?"
Satoshi looked at Sand, his heart aching. "Is that what's been bothering you, Masato-san? That you didn't come with us?"
"In part, yes." Sand made a helpless gesture with his hands. "There is also the matter of my making it rather plain to Vale that I did not trust him to care for Ryuu-kun properly, and that was a grave insult. I know, as absolutely as I know that I love you with all that I am, that Vale would protect Ryuu with his life. I know this beyond any doubt. And yet, I insulted him by insinuating that he put Ryuu-kun in danger."
Satoshi's eyes widened. "This is my fault, poldoramin. I should have told you to come with us. I should have insisted that we take you."
"No, saiai, there is no reason for you to shoulder any blame. I am simply overreacting to my own foolishness, and I was cruel to Vale without cause. He is quite right to be angry with me, and I will make my apologies to him in the morning." Sand smiled, and pulled Satoshi closer to him, nibbling a kiss and nuzzling Satoshi's hair. "Please do not look for reasons to blame yourself, cormamin. You did nothing wrong, and I should have also known that you would not have been so calm had Adalon spoken of any danger to our son. None of you would have been calm. But I am foolish and hot headed."
"Adalon said something to me right before we left," Satoshi said softly. "I can't stop thinking about it. She told me my gift has not been kind to me."
Sand looked at Satoshi curiously. "Did she explain?"
"I asked her what she meant. She said it hurts me to see others in pain, which is true, but she also said my gift opens me up to darker things that want to harm me." Satoshi leaned a little closer into Sand's embrace. "She also told me that I know my inner self better than I think I do, and that I resist the darkness because my soul is so bright."
"It is a beacon, saiai," Sand agreed. "That bright light that is your soul guided me home once, when I was somewhere no mortal should ever walk. Your love shielded me and let me save my brother's soul from being destroyed. I know how bright your soul is."
"She also told me that accepting love that was offered to me would make me stronger. She said love would be my shield." Satoshi looked at Sand. "I'm not sure what she meant by that, but I think it might have something to do with Ryuu-kun. She said he has my gift as an empath and Kansas's gift as a seer."
Sand's eyes widened slightly, but he merely stroked Satoshi's hair, encouraging him to continue.
"I just don't know how love is going to help me protect him. I already love him more than life," Satoshi sighed. "She said she would come here, and help him learn about his gifts."
"That is good, for no one would know more than a noble silver dragon about such things." Sand pressed a kiss to Satoshi's temple. "But there is more, is there not?
Satoshi shivered a little. "She talked about you. She said you finished your journey to wisdom, and that I helped you. I think she was talking about when you destroyed the telkiira and went into the Weave." The words sounded strange coming from Satoshi. "She said my love helped guide you into making the right choice."
Sand's voice was warm as he answered. "I do not know if I have truly found my way to wisdom. Perhaps it is merely that I am often too quick to anger, and I allow that to cloud my wisdom. But one thing is very true. You led me home, you and the bright love that you have for one very foolish elf. You saved me then, and I know that you will always be there to save me, saiai. I never doubt that."
Satoshi sobbed a little, clinging to Sand as Sand kissed him tenderly. Sand could feel a fragile peace descend on Satoshi, and he kissed his beloved husband until Satoshi began to respond with heat to Sand's gentle kisses. Sand made tender love to Satoshi, taking his time and bringing Satoshi to an intense and healing orgasm before cradling Satoshi close and watching his face relax into sleep.
Satoshi woke early the next morning, creeping downstairs to start the tea and running into Vale in the kitchen. Satoshi startled a little, wondering how the blond elf would react, but Vale turned around with one of his radiant smiles and pressed a kiss to Satoshi's lips tenderly.
"Good morning, mela en' coiamin," Vale said, his voice full of love. "You're up early. Is anything wrong?"
Satoshi took a deep breath. Despite his conversation with Sand the night before, Satoshi still felt guilty about the apparent rift between Sand and Vale. Although Vale did not seem at all upset this morning, Satoshi still needed to know that his elven husbands would get past the angry words they had exchanged. "Yes and no," Satoshi said finally, after a long pause. "I'm worried about the way you and Masato blew up at each other."
"Ah." Vale poured a mug of tea and handed it to Satoshi, pouring another for himself. "We need a cigarette for this, I think."
Satoshi followed Vale into the garden, and the two husbands lit their cigarettes, taking deep drags and exhaling plumes of smoke, and Vale grinned suddenly.
"Dragon sneezes," Vale said, his green eyes bright, and Satoshi snickered a little.
"Masato said he should have come with us," Satoshi said, looking at the blond elf.
Vale's green eyes narrowed slightly. "Do you know what set me off first? His idiotic assumption that I would ever do anything to put Ryuu at risk. Or Kansas or you, for that matter. Seldarine, I'm nearly a century older than him. He acts like I'm completely witless sometimes."
Satoshi looked at Vale in dismay. Vale seemed just as upset as he had been, and Satoshi's heart sank. "This was my fault. I should have told him to come with us."
Vale reached out quickly, cupping Satoshi's cheek in one slim hand. "Don't, Satoshi. Don't take this on yourself. It's old history between Sand and me, rearing its head again. Sometimes I think his mother picked exactly the right name for him. He can be as irritating as sand in your shoes, really, and he knows exactly how to get under my skin and make me furious." Vale smiled, his green eyes full of love as he looked at Satoshi.
"I'm just afraid that this has broken something between you two," Satoshi said, and the misery in his voice made Vale stub out his cigarette quickly and pull Satoshi into his arms for a loving kiss.
"You've seen inside me, deeper than Sand ever has, when I broke. You were there for me to take away the pain, so that I could hang on until Yuji got me to Evermeet to be healed." Vale looked into Satoshi's gorgeous eyes. "From the moment I arrived here, you've welcomed me and loved me. I trust you completely, mela en' coiamin. That's why I feel comfortable telling you this. What Sand did, growling at me like that, made me feel as worthless and despicable as I did before I was healed. There's a part of me that's still healing, and it's hard for me to think that I'm anything more than what I was told I was, an abomination who caused his parents' death."
"That's not true!" Satoshi exclaimed, the fierce love in his voice making Vale smile.
"Part of me knows that, but there's that little voice, deep inside, that sometimes wonders if I'm just fooling myself into thinking I'm worthy of love. Then I remember how you just opened your heart to me, and stepped aside to let me fall in love with Yuji, and I'm just awed." Vale kissed Satoshi again, tender and sweet. "I'm sexually submissive, and I'm not ashamed of that. I'm proud to be Yuji's submissive, but I'll be buggered by a balor before I let Sand push me around. I'm strong enough now to stand up for myself, and not let myself be treated like his whipping boy when he gets pissy. The way you and Yuji love me, and the way you both cared for me so tenderly when I broke gave me that strength."
"And Masato didn't?" Satoshi asked carefully.
Vale smiled again. "Sand tried, but Sand never quite knew how to help me. I really was a broken thing, and even now there are fragile bits, but I'm healing more every day. I see the same strength in you now, and I'm glad Sand was able to help you."
"I know he loves you," Satoshi said, his eyes still troubled. "Please don't hate him. Please forgive him."
Vale nodded. "I know he loves me, Satoshi, and I certainly don't hate him. Sand and I have weathered worse than this, and we'll get past this argument as well, I promise. Hells, I've already forgiven him. I just don't see the need to let him know that just yet. Let him think about where he's gotten himself with that sharp tongue of his, and maybe next time he'll think before he opens his mouth."
"So you two are going to be okay?" Satoshi asked. "You promise me that?"
"I swear it, my love. I'll forgive my idiot moon elf, and if he's suitably apologetic, I might even relent and sleep with him again before he turns five hundred." Vale grinned at Satoshi, his eyes bright. "Then again, he's pretty persuasive and, oh hells, he's just pretty."
Satoshi was surprised into a snicker. "And he knows how to use that, too."
Vale began to laugh. "Doesn't he just? Sweet Seldarine, moon elves. They'll be the end of us both."
Satoshi started to laugh as well, feeling himself relax for the first time since they had returned from seeing Adalon.
"Now, I'm going to sashay myself inside and warm up a bottle of breast milk for Takara," Vale said, his green eyes bright with love. "You want to feed our little treasure?"
Satoshi's grin was wide. "I'll go get her."
-
My own best typo was years ago, when I was just starting out as a volunteer chat host online. I was actually hosting a chat, with the head host supervising, and someone new popped into the room and asked the topic. It was a general chat, so I promptly typed, and sent, "Welcome, XXX! No topic, just a little shit-chat today."
Did I mention this was supposed to be a G-rated moms website?
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I was positively sniggering reading that...
Sandcastles and Fireworks
in General RP
Posted
Erion moaned softly as Kansas began to keen, Satoshi equally distressed as Kansas began to have what appeared to be a seizure, the slender pierced man reaching out to touch Kansas. Erion's moan rose to a keen as well as he felt the weight of his collar pressing down on him, the shackles on his wrists equally heavy as Kansas's back arched impossibly. Nim'Cath's anguished screams echoed in the back of Erion's head, and the metal of Erion's collar and shackles grew bitterly cold, cold enough to burn against his skin before the metal simply shattered as two glowing orbs erupted from Kansas's chest. His silver eyes wide, Erion could just see the faint images of the chains he wore in Tatsuya's world slither through his fingers as they fell away, the glowing orbs streaking toward the window at the exact same moment.
Erion screamed in his mind to Nim'Cath, demanding that the white tiger protect Tatsuya, and then the young elf screamed in pure terror as Kansas slumped suddenly, collapsing back onto the bed. Erion could barely feel Kansas through their bond, and he fought the pull to throw himself onto Kansas and let his fëa follow into whatever darkness held Kansas. Kansas sucked in a shuddering breath, and the need to fade subsided, Erion's heart pounding in his chest as he fought to focus on the now, and what had to be done. Erion barely registered Sand flying into the room and throwing himself onto the bed beside Erion.
As Sand wrapped his arms around Erion, he felt the younger elf tense, his muscles tight and coiled. Without even thinking, Erion spoke in elven, his voice low and utterly controlled. "Faina'amin, istar."
Sand complied, releasing Erion, and the younger elf turned, his eyes somehow different, the blue of the ring that surrounded his iris bleeding into the silver. Sand felt the shift in the air around Erion, much like what he felt whenever Tatsuya would rise up, and he nodded once.
"You are what we hoped our children would become, when we set the elves on Abeir-Toril. Perhaps it was not the dismal failure we thought it was." Erion moved, with a grace that transcended his normal fluid movements, and knelt beside Kansas almost reverently. Satoshi was cupping Kansas's face between his hands, crooning Kansas's name over and over, begging the imp to wake up, not even registering Erion until the young elf reached out a slim hand to touch Kansas.
"Vethidarastrix, austrat ekess wux. Valeij ihk wux, yth valeij, shar yth irisv, yth versvesh." The draconic fell from Erion's lips with the ease of long use, and Sand's eyes widened a little. Erion lifted his head, and Sand watched as Erion's eyes returned to normal, his shoulders slumping a little. "We have to go to him, inside his world. This is all wrong, something's terribly wrong." Erion's other hand flew up to rub his collarbone, the skin raw and chafed.
Sand nodded, suppressing a shudder at the thought of what might lay waiting in that strange and wonderful place. His telkiira flared to life, a kaleidoscope of color blooming against his skin as the gem appeared, and Satoshi's head flew up to look at the moon elf.
"Take me with you," Satoshi demanded, his voice raw.
"No, saiai." Sand's voice was gentle and filled with love. "Not this time. I need you here, cormamin, to be my anchor. Wherever I go, no matter how far, you are my beacon. As long as I can see the light of your soul, as long as your music fills my soul, I can find my way home."
"Shut up with the poetic bullshit. Take me with you." Satoshi demanded, his voice grating in his throat.
"No," Sand repeated, his voice growing stern. "Do not question me in this, Satoshi. I do not have the time to argue. If I do not have you here as my anchor, I may not be able to return. I will not lose you and Kansas both because you have decided to dig in your fucking heels and be stubborn."
Satoshi's eyes widened slightly, and large tears pearled in his lashes as he snapped his mouth shut, letting out a shuddering breath through his nose.
He nodded slowly, and cupped Sand's cheek, his voice trembling with his emotion. "I'll be here, Masato-san. I'll always be here. Bring him back to me, but be sure to come back yourself. I love you."
"I love you, Satoshi-san, and I will always return to you." Sand stroked Satoshi's cheek, letting his love radiate forth before he turned back to Erion. "Lead me, Erion."
Erion nodded, taking one of Kansas's cold hands between him own warmer hands. "I'm coming, 'lokiamin."
There was a small noise from the door, and Sand looked over to see Yuji, his perfect eyes solemn. Sand nodded, grateful for Yuji's presence, knowing that Yuji would guard Satoshi and keep him safe while Sand went after Kansas. A burst of love and strength from Vale washed over them all, and Sand reached out to find his link to Erion, following his nephew as Erion let himself cross the boundaries into Tatsuya's realm.
It was dark, the sky black and stormy when Erion and Sand emerged onto the island, at the very edge. Erion shivered at the sight of the sky, turning to look at Sand and his silvery eyes widened as he saw his uncle unveiled.
Sand's raven hair hung to his waist, loose and moving in the wind over his pale skin. Sand's eyes were dark, an indigo blue so deep that his pupils seemed to disappear, and there was a subtle shimmer to his translucent skin. Sand wore a knee-length kilt made of tiny obsidian links, the skirt moving like fine silk as the elf turned, and around his slim waist was a belt woven from mithral threads, an obsidian dagger slipped through it almost casually. Erion blinked as he watched the koi on Sand's arm swim lazily under the twinkling stars, the tattoo alive with power in this place. A crescent moon glowed with silvery light on Sand's brow, and a glittering circle of seven stars marked where Sand's telkiira should have been.
"Eru's arse," Erion murmured, taking a half step away.
"Not quite," Sand replied, and power rippled through the air around him. "Focus, Erion. We need to find him."
Erion gulped and nodded, leading Sand across the frosty grass to where the altar rose. The mirror-like surface of the obsidian altar was cracked, a great fissure running through the middle, and Tatsuya lay upon the altar, bleeding, his injuries obscured by the blood that pulsed forth slowly. Pieces of Tatsuya's collar lay scattered around him, along with what had to be the remains of the chains that had bound Migime and Hidarime to their god, but there was no sign of the blue dragons, and Erion choked back a moan.
Nim'Cath was sprawled a few feet away from Tatsuya, the white tiger looking as though he had been trying to cover Tatsuya with his own broken body before being kicked away. Erion stumbled over to the altar, reaching out across the blood-slick stone to touch Tatsuya, his silver eyes wide and his heart pounding in his chest. As Erion approached, Nim'Cath stirred, his clawed hands scrabbling for purchase as he tried to drag himself closer to Tatsuya, his blood smearing the stone further. A rumble sounded from his chest, and the white tiger's ice blue eyes blazed with defiance as he attempted to defend his god.
"Nim'Cath, no, don't move," Erion commanded, his heart aching as the white tiger glared at Sand. "This one is not a foe. I have brought him." Nim'Cath growled but subsided, his breath coming in ragged pants.
Erion laid a slim hand on Tatsuya, his eyes dark with worry as he stroked the cold skin. "I am here, loved. I came as soon as I could."
Tatsuya's eyes opened, their light dimmed, the colors swirling slowly. "I hear you," Tatsuya murmured, his voice thick and heavy with pain. "You came, loved. I heard you. I heard him."
"Tell me what to do, Tatsuya." Erion watched as Tatsuya turned his head very slightly, seeing Sand and a faint challenge flaring up in his eyes.
"You brought that one. I can taste his power." Tatsuya coughed, and blood ran down his chin as Erion turned to look at Sand, the moon elf watching Tatsuya closely.
Translations:
Faina'amin, istar. – Release me, wizard.
Vethidarastrix, austrat ekess wux. Valeij ihk wux, yth valeij, shar yth irisv, yth versvesh. – My dragon, I fly to you. I bleed with you, we bleed, but we will heal, we are strong.