BronxWench
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Vale reached around Yuji to lace his breeches, cupping Yuji's cock quickly. "I don't know, Nancy. That's an awfully big pencil in your pocket."
Vale spun away before Yuji could swat him, slipping on his own finely woven breeches, making a little show of tucking in his own cock before lacing them deftly. Vale watched in open appreciation as Yuji slipped the green leather tunic on, and then Vale helped him with the light but incredibly strong mithral chain that went over the tunic. Vale purred as he helped Yuji belt on his dagger, his green eyes glittering.
"You do look good in armor, a'maelamin," Vale said admiringly. He belted on his own daggers and went over to a rack in the corner, taking down the beautiful crossbow Yuji had used before. Vale paused to consider the bolts arranged in neat bundles. "Shall we give the bugbears a sporting chance, and make this a little more fun?"
Yuji looked at Vale, his battle robes fitted and sleek, and he licked his lips. "What did you have in mind?"
"Just a small enhancement for damage on your bolts, and my arrows." Vale took down a longbow, inlaid and elegant, examining it quickly. "I'll refrain from magic unless necessary. I feel like indulging in a little bloodletting." He strung the bow, testing the draw and smiling.
Yuji's breath hitched a little at the sight of Vale drawing back the bowstring. With his blond mane loose, Vale was the epitome of the elves of stories, lethal and beautiful, and when he turned to look at Yuji with that pleased smile, Yuji all but growled. In two quick strides, Yuji was beside Vale, his hand fisting in the elf's hair as he pulled him in for a possessive kiss. Vale returned the kiss with equal intensity, his green eyes bright, and Yuji was reminded that this was not Akira. This was his battlemage, fierce and wild and fully his equal.
"I'm ready," Yuji said, his voice thick with all sorts of desire. Part of him craved the release of the hunt, the chance to vent some of his pent up frustration and anger on the bugbears, the almost sexual release that came with watching an enemy fall. The largest part of Yuji, however, looked forward to the aftermath of the hunt, when he could claim his elf and be claimed, celebrating his victory by burying his cock in the velvet heat of Vale's ass.
Yuji was enormously surprised when Vale slammed him against the wall, his lips close to Yuji's ear. "I don't mind you flirting with Nathe, but he's not yours to fuck. I don't share with him."
Yuji gave a small oomph as his back collided with the wall, and the heat in Vale's voice made him shiver, but Vale's words sobered him a bit and he grabbed Vale's chin with one hand to make the elf look him in the eyes, his voice equally heated as he answered, "I understand. I won't pursue this then. I'll only tease him with my flirting, but no more, my love. And if you want me to stop flirting with him I will."
Vale leaned in to kiss Yuji, plundering his mouth. "Good. Let's go kill some bugbears, then. We'll travel my way this time." Vale took Yuji's hand, lacing their fingers together firmly. "Don't let go."
Yuji had enough time to look at Vale curiously, and the world around him went blurry and grey. It was only for a moment, but when Yuji blinked, he realized the world was still grey, although no longer out of focus. They were standing in a hallway of sorts, a corridor lined with doors that seemed to extend forever, and Yuji's grip tightened on Vale's hand.
"Where are we?" Yuji asked in a soft whisper. Everything felt muted, and even Vale's voice sounded somehow less than whole, as though part of it had been sucked away.
Vale looked over at Yuji, and Yuji realized with a start that Vale's eyes were far more grey than green here. "It's a nexus Plane, of sorts. This one is mutable, and the destinations behind the doors changes depending on where you want to be."
"So, we could get to Tokyo from here?" Yuji asked, his perfect eyes widening just a little.
"In theory," Vale replied calmly, heading towards one door. "I haven't tested that yet, though, so I can't say for certain. I portaled to Tokyo the first time because I didn't know it well enough yet. I have to be able to see my destination very clearly to use this place."
Vale opened the door, and Yuji could see a blurry landscape, green and brown, and smelling like the outdoors, and he let out his breath quietly.
Vale grinned suddenly. "This is just a quick shortcut. We'd still be walking up the stairs back at the Tower, but instead, here we are."
They stepped out into a small clearing, the rocky mountainside leveling out briefly. The sun was coming up, warm and bright through the trees, and the air was crisp. Vale settled his quiver more comfortably and pointed off to his left.
"That way is a dwarven clanhold, the Ironfist clan. Good dwarves, and solid. Sand knows their king." Vale looked at Yuji. "The bugbears used to infest the old clanhold, until they were driven out. Now they've settled in some of the abandoned orc caves. They'll be crawling home about now, and we can pick off the first few easily enough."
Vale led Yuji to the right, down a narrow trail. Not too far along the trail was a small ledge overlooking the trail, and Vale picked his way up a slightly precarious set of footholds to the ledge. A few scraggly bushes gave a small amount of cover, and Vale crouched behind them with Yuji beside him.
"We'll be able to take them by surprise, but they're not quite as stupid as they look," Vale murmured. "The one to look for is the shaman. He'll be wearing a fur robe, and a necklace that's probably all teeth. He can cast certain divine nature spells, like calling up vines to entangle us. I can dispel pretty much anything he can cast, but I'd rather not waste the time, so if you spot him, put a fucking bolt between his eyes."
"Do they have mages?" Yuji asked, his voice just as soft. He was relieved when Vale shook his head in response. "Then I'm not worried." Yuji loaded a bolt into his crossbow, breathing deeply and centering himself, his eyes fixed on the trail.
Vale remained crouched, watching the trail as intently as Yuji, his head cocked slightly as he listened. Yuji listened as well, and he realized he could hear very faint voices, gruff and guttural. He looked at Vale, who nodded and grinned, moving further back against the stone wall of the ledge at the far end. Vale waved Yuji into staying where he was, and Yuji nodded and turned his attention back to the trail.
The first bugbears appeared, and Yuji could not help but wrinkle his nose, both from their stench and from their appearance. They were furry, with nasty looking tusks jutting up from their lower jaws, and they carried mostly axes and maces, but one or two had crossbows, creaky and nowhere near as refined as the one Yuji carried.
Vale was still crouching down, and he caught Yuji's eye and nodded as he stood, graceful as he whipped an arrow out of the quiver, nocked it and fired, the shaft burying itself in the leading bugbear's throat. Yuji stood just as gracefully, his crossbow thrumming as his bolt shattered the skull of the bugbear right behind the leader.
The bugbears collapsed into chaos, milling about and roaring as they looked down the trail. Vale and Yuji were each able to pick off another couple of bugbears before one looked up and spotted Vale, and then Yuji.
"Look! Skinny elf and human," the bugbear announced.
"Not lots meat," another grumbled as a few more bugbears ran up the trail.
The first bugbear growled. "Shut up. Not as tough as dwarf. Dwarf too chewy."
"Oh, we're not on the menu today," Vale chuckled, nocking an arrow and firing.
"Is not-many you. Is many us," the bugbear countered in a crafty tone. The other bugbears roared, and the crossbow wielding bugbears began to load their weapons. They were slow, though, and Vale and Yuji targeted them to lethal effect. As many as fell, however, more seemed to arrive, and Yuji began to wonder if this was perhaps a little more than anticipated.
Vale was unconcerned, however, and was happily taunting the bugbears by assigning them nicknames before firing at them, two or three arrows appearing with breathless speed. Yuji himself was reloading and firing as rapidly as the crossbow would permit, his aim as lethal as Vale's and his heavier bolts doing more damage. As Vale had warned, there was a shaman, and a bolt struck him at the same instant as an arrow, making Vale crow in triumph.
But the bugbears still came, and Yuji was getting low on bolts. Vale's quiver was empty, but he was still firing, phantom arrows appearing and solidifying as they streaked toward their target. Yuji's eyes widened again, and he fervently hoped his crossbow was similarly endowed. A movement at the rear of the group caught Yuji's eye and he spotted a second shaman, reacting without even thinking and placing a bolt between the bugbear's eyes.
With the second shaman dead, the bugbears fell into panic, and began to withdraw as best they could. Yuji's crossbow thrummed as he fired the last of his bolts into the stragglers, looking over to Vale. The elf let out a scream of triumph, slinging his bow over his back and leaping lightly down to the trail, his dagger in his hand, moving from bugbear to bugbear.
Yuji scrambled down to join Vale, and realized that Vale was dispatching any bugbears that still lived, slitting their throats with utter dispassionate efficiency. Yuji watched for a moment, a little shocked at Vale's ruthlessness, and the elf looked up.
"We took down their shaman, and they have no other healers," Vale said calmly. "The wounded will most likely only die from infection, and if they live, they'll just be hunted down later by someone."
Yuji looked down at the knife in his belt, and drew it, moving over to a wounded bugbear. Most were dead outright, Yuji and Vale having been accurate and deadly, but this bugbear had moved at just the last moment, and the arrow had pierced his lung. Bloody froth covered the bugbear's lips and tusks as it tried to snarl. Imitating Vale's method, Yuji grabbed the top of the furry head, yanked back and drew the blade across the bugbear's neck in a single swift motion, watching the light die out of its eyes.
Yuji watched the blood flow over the blade of the knife and splatter his hand, the bugbear falling dead at his feet. Vale's words rang true, and Yuji moved slowly over to another half dead bugbear and drew the knife quickly across its throat, cringing slightly at the small wheeze that erupted when he severed its windpipe, but then he let go of the furry head and nodded at Vale. "Any more survivors?" he asked, his eyes ruthlessly detached, much like Vale's.
"Try that group, and I'll check here." Vale gestured and Yuji nodded, finding one more survivor and dispatching him swiftly. He stood after wiping his knife off, sliding it back in its sheath and looking over at Vale. All of the bugbears had been males, and warriors aside from the two shamans, and Yuji felt a curious sense of relief. He was aware that many females on Toril fought as fiercely as the males, but he was glad he had not been faced with having to fight one yet.
Vale slid his own dagger back into his belt, his green eyes shining. "This way," he said, and Yuji followed Vale down a smaller trail to another little clearing, this one with a small stream. Yuji moaned happily, stooping and washing the blood from his hands, watching as the stream turned pink for a bit until his hands were clean. Vale had washed as well, and when Yuji finished and stood, he turned to see Vale leaning against a tree, his eyes dark with desire.
Yuji growled low in his throat, his cock hardening almost instantly as he looked at the blond elf leaning so casually against the tree. Even without his magic, Vale was a formidable hunter, and Yuji found that sexier than he would have believed. Vale watched Yuji with those impossibly green eyes, his own breeches straining their laces, and Yuji licked his lips as he strode over and fisted his hand in Vale's hair to pull the elf into a searing kiss.
Yuji let his crossbow fall to the soft ground, his fingers already working the buckle of Vale's belt as he plundered the elf's willing mouth. Vale let his longbow fall as well as he unfastened Yuji's mithral chain and drew it over Yuji's head, the supple green leather tunic warm under Vale's hand.
They managed to kiss through most of the process of shedding their clothing, Yuji tearing Vale's breech laces in sheer frustration to Vale's great amusement. Yuji snarled a little and tugged Vale down, flipping the elf onto his knees and tugging Vale's hips up before spreading his ass cheeks apart. Vale's tight pucker was already quivering, and Yuji growled low in his throat as he leaned over to swipe his tongue over the ring of muscle.
Vale moaned and pushed backward, his cock hard and weeping precum. "Come on, Nancy," Vale said, looking over his shoulder with a smirk. "Let's see that pencil."
Yuji chuckled darkly, and pressed the head of his cock against Vale's unloosened ass, groaning a little as he breached that tight heat. Vale snarled a little at the burn, but pressed himself backward to take more of Yuji's cock until Yuji gripped Vale's hips to hold him in place. Yuji pressed forward at a slower pace, giving Vale a moment to adjust as Yuji sank to the hilt in Vale's ass.
"Fuck, Vale," Yuji groaned, Vale's ass so snug around his cock that Yuji was not sure if he could even move. Vale ground down and moaned loudly, and Yuji pulled back almost all the way before slamming forward and making Vale scream with bliss.
Yuji set a fast and hard pace, pounding Vale's ass furiously and hammering the elf's prostate relentlessly. For his part, Vale bucked backward, meeting Yuji's thrusts with wanton abandon, his breath ragged as he was plundered thoroughly.
Yuji knew Vale was getting close when the elf reared up, and Yuji caught him around his slim waist, one hand stealing up to tug on Vale's golden nipple rings and coaxing a howl from Vale. The elf turned his head a little, and Yuji's lips found the shell of his ear, Yuji's tongue teasing the triple spiral that pierced Vale's exquisitely sensitive ear, and Vale came undone.
Screaming so loudly that Yuji's ears ached, Vale stiffened as his balls emptied all at once, his cum arcing clear across the small clearing as his ass clenched Yuji's cock like a steel fist wrapped in velvet. Yuji growled and sank his teeth in Vale's shoulder, howling around the pale golden skin as his own cock jumped and filled Vale's tight ass with cum. Yuji shivered as Vale ground down, the elf wanting every last drop of cum that he could coax from Yuji.
Yuji was trembling, his muscles ready to give way, and he slid his cock out of Vale and eased the elf to the soft ground, lying down to face his fierce and wanton elf. Vale tilted his head back, offering his throat, and Yuji moaned as he worked the soft flesh of Vale's pulse point, the mark darkening further as Vale purred. Yuji lapped where he had bitten, and then nipped his way along Vale's jaw to seek Vale's lips, drawing the elf into a searing kiss, pulling Vale close as their hearts slowed down to a normal pace.
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"Oh, yes," Sand purred, his own eyes liquid with desire for his husband. "I think it is high time we took ourselves home, saiai." His arm stayed tightly around Satoshi's waist, Sand delighting in the closeness of his beautiful Satoshi.
The pure love radiating from Satoshi had put all of them at ease, even Nathe, who might not have a bond with any of them, but who was far more perceptive than most, and who had been deeply troubled by the rift. Now Nathe watched, satisfied, as Satoshi and Sand kissed with endless desire. Privately, Nathe thought that there was a great deal of truth to what Satoshi had said to Vale, that they were alike. Nathe found them both to be a bewildering but also beguiling mix of strength and vulnerability, capable of boundless passion and unswerving loyalty, but also given to implacable fury when a loved one was harmed.
Kansas stood, and held out his hand to Erion. "Let's go home, too, my love. I'll feel better when we're back in Tokyo."
Erion took Kansas's hand, his beautiful silvery eyes bright as he pressed himself against Kansas, fitting as perfectly and as naturally as if he had been born to fit just so in Kansas's arms. He looked into Kansas's eyes, his own eyes growing serious. "I'm coming back here, and I'll go back to Evermeet as well. Not right away, but I'm not letting them win, and if they chase me away from Toril, they've won."
"Of course you'll be back," Kansas replied, smiling at his fierce little lover. "But for now, I just want some time with you. It's been a long time, baby."
Erion looked over at Santhiel, standing nearby. The tall star elf had managed to be almost invisible for a few minutes, fading quietly back and all but hiding in plain sight. It was so unusual for Santhiel to be this tentative, this unsure of himself, and Erion's heart ached for his father. It also made Erion realize, just a little, how humans felt in the face of elven longevity. It had not occurred to Erion before this how Santhiel must have felt, falling in love with Mist and fathering children he knew he would have to bury one day. Erion shivered a little, and Kansas pulled him close.
Kansas ran a gentle hand through Erion's silver hair and leaned in to breathe into Erion's ear, "What's the matter, baby? What are you thinking?"
Erion's silver eyes had gone wide. "It's hard for him." He looked over at Santhiel. "I never realized until now that even elves are almost alien to him, with our too-short lives." He sucked in a breath. "I never asked you. Are you alright with Satoshi and me being husbands? Now? I know when I'm one hundred is fine, but now?"
Kansas looked at Santhiel, a sadness filling his eyes as he realized the same thing as Erion had. He turned his eyes back to Erion when the little elf gasped, and his lips parted in a small smile. "Of course I am, isilmeamin. He never would have asked you if he hadn't had my blessing. I am so happy for both of you, because you are really good for each other."
Erion nodded, his expression clearing a bit. "I just wondered because I always thought we'd be husbands first, before we invited anyone else in, but I suppose we are, in our own way. Our souls remember being married before."
Kansas stroked the silver hair softly, and smiled lovingly. "We are, Erion. From the first moment I kissed you, and held you in my arms for a night, I have thought of you as my husband. And when we put up our rings, and then were allowed to bond, all of that was just one more step towards being married for real. And I do remember promising you that I would marry you in Tokyo the moment we could."
Kansas fisted one hand in Erion's hair, cupping Erion's face with the other as he made the little elf look him in the eyes. "When they changed the law, your heart belonged with someone else, so I had to wait. And when Satoshi asked if he could give you his ring, I felt that it was right to do it that way. But we will get married soon, my love. I promised you that, and I do keep my promises."
"I know, 'lokiamin, and I'm not worried. I know you'll marry me, and it will be a day I'll remember forever." Erion nuzzled close, tilting his face for a kiss. "Let's go home, baby."
"One moment, baby." Kansas went over to Santhiel, holding out his arms and holding onto Santhiel very tightly for a long moment. Kansas tugged Santhiel's head down, leaning in to speak softly. "I can only imagine how much it hurts, knowing that you will linger while the rest of us fade. But Tatsuya knows. He says that he knows, and that when you choose to leave this world, you will be welcome in his world. He wants to offer you that, if you do not decide to choose death."
Santhiel's eyes widened slightly, and then he smiled, his eyes growing calm and peaceful as the sorrow in them faded. "Tell Tatsuya that I will think well on his offer, and if I do choose his world, I will offer him my service as his warrior." He pressed a kiss to Kansas's forehead. "Thank you, my son, utinuamin. I love you, and I'm so proud of you."
"Thank you, atar. I will always try to make you proud. And Tatsuya meant it when he said that he considers you family. You are my family and therefore you are his too. And it is your blood that made it possible for Yuki to return. I love you, atar. Thank you for everything." Kansas whispered back and hugged Santhiel a little tighter, holding him for a moment before he let go.
Erion hurried over to hug his father tightly as well. "Don't mind Yuki, atar. He's still trying to figure this all out himself, sharing a soul with me and being reunited with Tatsuya in their world. Even gods can get scared, I guess, but I know he'll welcome you, too. But he was right about one thing. Fuck them all, atar. Go home and marry atara and stop being afraid for her. She's stronger than we are."
Santhiel kissed Erion on the forehead lovingly. "You curse like your atara sometimes. But Yuki was right as well, and I'll think about what he said. After I marry my love, of course."
One of the Cloaktower servants slipped in, handing Nathe a basket before slipping out again unobtrusively. Nathe placed the basket on Vale's desk, catching Yuji's eye and nodding, a small smile on his lips. Yuji's eyes sparkled with mischief and he nodded back at Nathe before returning his attention to the departing family members.
"Do you want to stay and eat something before you go back to Tokyo?" Yuji said, eying Santhiel in particular.
"I think perhaps we will return to Tokyo," Sand said, looking at Satoshi, who nodded in agreement.
Yuji hugged them both, kissing Satoshi and Sand lovingly, his long fingers sliding through Satoshi's hair. "Go be happy together, and love each other, and embrace your honne. I love you."
Satoshi buried his face in Yuji's neck and nodded with a small sigh. "I love you too, Yuji. I'll see you when you get home," he said and then let go of Yuji as Santhiel spoke.
"I should go as well," Santhiel said, his voice soft. "I think I've done enough for one day."
Yuji bowed his head slightly, then walked over to Santhiel and grabbed him into a tight hug. "Take care of yourself, my brother, and give our love to Mist and Falon. And hibaba and Hawk. And don't worry too much about this. We'll figure it out. And you have us to help. We are all here for you, just as much as you are here for us."
Yuji clasped Santhiel's shoulder tightly as he broke the embrace and Satoshi sidled in between them, hugging Santhiel tightly, saying, "Exactly. We're all family, so we are here for you too. We may not be able to do much, but we're here."
Santhiel smiled at them both, only a faint shadow left in his eyes. "I'll remember that, and thank you for forgiving me." He walked away to go up to the portal room after Sand and Satoshi, his back straight and proud despite everything.
Vale leaned into Yuji just a little bit, his bond open enough for Yuji to feel a vague restlessness. Yuji stroked Vale's arm lightly, and then peered into the basket, looking up at Nathe with a wicked smile. The basket contained a couple of bottles of excellent whiskey, along with sandwiches, meat pies, and fruit sufficient for ten people.
Kansas looked over at Erion. "What do you want to do, isilmeamin? Do you want to eat something before we go?"
Erion blushed faintly but grinned. "I could nibble something, I suppose." He ducked his head a little as his stomach grumbled agreement.
Yuji grabbed one of the bottles and opened it, taking a quick sniff, and then he graced Nathe with one of his most wicked smiles, his eyes glittering. "Oh, Nathe. Now I'll start thinking you're just wanting me to seduce you," he said with a low purr, as he poured himself a drink, tossing it back with a contented sigh.
Kansas giggled as his own stomach made a little growl, and hugged Erion close to nuzzle his silver hair. "Then we'll eat, and then go home, isilmeamin. I can't fuck you senseless, if we're both starving," Kansas said with a small chuckle, and led Erion towards the couch.
Nathe chuckled, his eyes glittering a little. "Perhaps, but I should warn you. Unlike Vale, I do prefer a bed."
Yuji's grin widened and he winked at Nathe. "Oh, so do I. He seems to prefer me on the floor."
"Impetuous. He's always been very impetuous." Nathe grinned as Yuji waved for him to join them, reaching over to pour himself a whiskey and select a plump strawberry. "I'm inclined to take it slower, and draw out my pleasure." He nibbled the tip of the strawberry, licking his lips to catch the sweet juice.
Yuji licked at a drop that lingered on the rim of his glass, and his eyes were heated when he looked at Nathe. "I do enjoy the impetuous types. But slow and passionate is also fun. I do enjoy listening to my lovers enjoying themselves," Yuji purred softly.
Kansas made a loud gagging sound and then smiled his most innocently cheeky smile when Yuji looked over at him.
Erion looked mildly indignant. "Yuji likes to hear me enjoy myself." He nibbled happily, curled up on the couch next to Kansas, alternating bites of a tender grilled salmon sandwich with nibbles of ram berries.
Vale started to laugh, reaching for a meat pie. "You might have met your match, Nathe. Yuji is very good at this game."
Nathe arched a brow at Vale, and then looked at Yuji, his blue eyes smoldering. "I've noticed how much you enjoy listening to your lovers. Most of the Tower has noticed, actually. I can only imagine what it must be like to be on the receiving end of your attention." He selected another strawberry and held it out for Yuji to taste.
Yuji smiled cheekily and leaned over to take a big bite out of the strawberry, letting his tongue swipe over Nathe's fingers as he wrapped his thick lips around the berry. Yuji did not bother licking the sweet juice off his lips as he moaned very softly at the taste of the berry, but rather let the juice stain his lips and paint a pink trail down his chin.
Kansas nudged Erion a little and whispered into the silver hair, "Can we get moving? I don't like to watch that."
Erion finished his last bite of sandwich, leaning in to kiss Kansas quickly. "Let's go, 'lokiamin. Satoshi will worry if we're late anyway, and I don't want to upset him again," Erion murmured, feeling Kansas's unease.
Nathe looked at the trail of juice on Yuji's chin and laughed in delight. "You're right, Vale. He's very good, even better than Sand."
"And that's just his banter," Vale agreed, leaning in to lick the juice from Yuji's chin, and then from his lips.
Kansas rose from the couch and waved his hand at the others, saying loudly, "We're leaving now. We'll see you when you get home. Thank you for all your help, Nathe."
"Thank you, Nathe," Erion chimed in, taking Kansas's hand.
Yuji nodded his head at the two youngsters as they left, chuckling as Vale swiped his tongue over Yuji's lips. Yuji grabbed a handful of Vale's golden hair and pulled him in for a heated kiss, plundering his mouth hungrily with a soft moan.
Kansas hurried out into the hallway and shook himself slightly, as if to shake of an bad touch or feeling, and his eyes were light gray when he tried to smile at Erion, offering the elf an arm around his shoulders.
"You okay, 'lokiamin?" Erion asked, concerned. He snuggled close to Kansas, under his arm.
Kansas nuzzled Erion's hair and nodded his head. "Yeah, I'm fine. It's just Yuji... when he's like that... It doesn't matter."
A hard shiver ran through Kansas' body and he grimaced slightly, shaking his head a little. "You don't want to know. Not now. You've been through so much. It can wait," he mumbled, but there was a sad tone in his voice that spoke of something very deep and dark.
"The hells I can," Erion retorted. "I'm not going to fall apart on you. I want to share this darkness, to help you carry it. We share everything, 'lokiamin, the bad things as well as the good."
Kansas stopped and looked Erion in the eyes, seeing nothing but confidence and strength there, and endless love. He stared for a few moments, suddenly aware that Erion's gaze was penetrating his soul just as much as his gaze penetrated Erion's soul.
He started walking again with a sigh, and there was a faint tremble in his muscles when he spoke. "When Yuji's like that, you know, prowling for sex, it freaks me out. I hate watching him do that. It reminds me..." He trailed off and bit his lip hard, drawing a deep calming breath before he started again.
"It reminds me of the men that my owner would invite to the house to have sex with me. They would strap me down on this wooden x and the things they did to me..." He trailed off again, his eyes paling even more, and his lips trembled as small tears pearled in his lashes.
"Yuji's like that when he's after sex. It's different when he's with me or you or our husbands or Willow, because that's love. When it's with strangers or friends it's all just lust. And that's what those men were like. It was all just lust. No love or passion. Just the need to satisfy their own hunger no matter what I wanted." Kansas bit his lip sharply and gave a small groan, blinking his eyes to try and clear the tears, his eyes trained on the floor as he walked.
"I understand, 'lokiamin." Erion turned his head to nuzzle at Kansas. "I do know what you mean, and for what it's worth, I agree. He's the one of our husbands that's the most ruthless in pursuit of what he wants. Satoshi and Vale are gentle at heart, and Sand likes his partners willing and happy. But Yuji's got a hint of that in him, like the Luskan in the Tower. Not that Yuji is that bad, but he takes what he wants."
Kansas gave a wan smile and nodded. "Yes. Yuji's never been known for backing down or not going after what he wants. He gets all predatory when he's like that, and that's what I hate the most. That urge to only satisfy your own needs without any regard to the others. Not that Yuji would ever take anyone against their will, but he will push things as far as he can, without you ever realizing he's pushing."
"It doesn't matter, baby. It's never going to happen to us, and we can duck out when he's like that if it makes you uncomfortable. As long as we're happy together, that's what counts." Erion snuggled in closer to Kansas as they entered the portal room.
Back in Vale's office, Vale broke the kiss, his green eyes glittering with that odd restlessness. Yuji looked at the golden-haired elf, and then looked around and realized that Nathe had slipped out so quietly that Yuji had not heard him leave.
Yuji tugged on Vale's hair, pulling him in for another heated kiss. He broke the kiss when he needed to breathe, and asked quietly, "What is it, my Vale? Why are you so restless? You need to blow off some steam?"
"You know me so well, Yuji. I think I want to hunt something." Vale looked at Yuji. "You feel like a quick hunt?"
Yuji's eyes brightened, and he smiled with a small growl. "Oh, that's a fantastic idea. I think that's exactly what we need. What do you have in mind?"
"I was thinking of heading up into the Sword Mountains, to a place called Old Owl Well. There's some human settlements up there, and they have trouble with bugbears." Vale grinned, his eyes bright. "I think maybe a little bugbear hunting is in order, don't you? We can put you in those leathers you like so well, and get you a nice crossbow. Hells, just to be sporting, I'll bring my longbow, and give the hairy bastards a chance."
Yuji gave a small gigglesnort. "Bugbears? You do realize that now I'm imagining a bear having babies with bugs!" Yuji let out one of his goofy giggles, and his lips spread in a happy smile. "Oh, yes. I do love those leathers. They're so soft, not stiff like Satoshi's bike leathers. And I can't wait to see you with a longbow." Yuji moved over to straddle Vale's lap and kissed him deeply.
Vale returned the kiss with definite heat, grinding his hips upward and feeling the hard bulge of Yuji's cock against him. He chuckled wickedly.
"We'll never be able to get your leathers on over that, though." Vale moved, flipping Yuji over and sliding onto his knees between Yuji's thighs before the man had a chance to react. Vale had Yuji's jeans unzipped and his cock out before Yuji could muster a word, his tongue already curled around the head of Yuji's cock. Slim insistent hands encouraged Yuji to lift his hips, and his pants were tugged off along with his boxers while a hot and talented mouth slid slowly down the length of Yuji's cock until Yuji was bumping the back of Vale's throat.
"Oh, fuck, Vale," Yuji moaned, as Vale withdrew his mouth with maddening deliberation, his tongue stud dancing its way along the thick vein on the underside of Yuji's cock.
Vale all but purred as he dragged his tongue over Yuji's slit, tasting the precum that was already seeping out, one hand sliding beneath Yuji's balls to stroke the area between Yuji's pucker and his sac. Vale lowered his mouth again, his lips tight as he stopped just short of letting Yuji's cock past the back of his throat, purring just a little to tease as Yuji fisted his hands in Vale's thick hair. Yuji tried to urge Vale down, but Vale drew back again, his tongue busy and his cheeks hollowed as he sucked hard.
Yuji moaned loudly, the heat of Vale's mouth maddening and his tongue far too good at finding all the right places to tease. The slim hand cupping Yuji's balls was busy teasing his prostate from the outside, and those pink lips were sliding back down Yuji's cock, one of the most enchanting sights Yuji had ever seen. Vale played with Yuji for a few minutes longer, always stopping just shy of swallowing him to the root, never quite pressing on Yuji's prostate hard enough to let him come. Yuji was breathing hard by now, his balls feeling so heavy and full that he wondered why they did not simply explode.
Vale's mouth was traveling down again, and this time he did not stop when Yuji hit the back of his throat. Vale tilted his head and took Yuji's cock to the root, his nose nestled in the raven curls at its base, and Vale pressed hard on Yuji's prostate as he swallowed and purred.
Yuji screamed, feeling his balls tighten, and Vale swallowed and purred a second time, his finger stroking Yuji's pucker almost lazily as Yuji screamed again and came, his cum thick and hot as it spilled down Vale's throat. Vale withdrew enough to savor Yuji's cum, letting the taste of his husband flood his tongue as his green eyes closed in bliss. Vale sucked hard, hollowing his cheeks as he milked Yuji dry of every drop of cum, finally releasing Yuji's cock with a soft pop and licking it clean.
"Mmm," Vale purred. "Tasty. Very tasty, and I think we can fit you in your leathers now." He stood gracefully, his eyes twin green flames as he turned to walk into the bedroom. "I had them brought up here, along with your crossbow, a'maelamin." Vale peeled off his shirt and let it drop, casually looking over his shoulder. "Shall we get ready to play?"
Yuji slouched back on the couch with a sated chuckle, lazily kicking off his jeans and boxers, then sat up and pulled his t-shirt off as he rose to his feet. He started walking towards the bedroom, but then turned on his heel and grabbed his boxers off the floor, and sauntered into the bedroom twirling his boxers on his finger.
Vale had already shed his slightly tattered jeans and his tight boxers, and had flung open the doors of his wardrobe, examining his choices of battle robes. His cock jutted out proudly from its nest of golden hair, and Yuji growled a little, low in his throat, as he looked at the beads of precum that shone on the head. Vale turned around and grinned at the predatory look in Yuji's eyes, the answering heat in his eyes more than invitation enough, and Yuji pulled Vale into a searing kiss, fisting a hand in Vale's hair.
Yuji maneuvered Vale into the chair near the wardrobe, sinking down in front of Vale and wrapping a hand around Vale's cock, his long fingers deft as he teased the elf by rubbing his thumb over the slip. Vale moaned at the touch, his cock twitching slightly, and Yuji lowered his mouth to let his hot breath waft over Vale's cock. Vale's hips bucked slightly, and Yuji chuckled darkly as he ran his tongue from the base of Vale's cock up to the head slowly, licking away the precum when he reached the head.
Vale moaned, his head falling back as Yuji slid his mouth over the head of Vale's cock, his tongue teasing the cleft on the underside. Vale let his fingers slide through Yuji's hair, the newly blond locks still just as silky and Vale moaned again as Yuji devoured Vale to the root. Vale's hips bucked again, utterly involuntarily, and Yuji chuckled around the elf's cock as he slid one finger into Vale's ass, the elf prepared as he always was.
Vale's moan escalated into a howl as Yuji added a second and then a third finger, thrusting his fingers in and out of Vale's ass as he sucked hard on Vale's cock. Yuji crooked his fingers, finding the sensitive protrustion of Vale's prostate and he pressed hard, feeling Vale buck beneath him.
"Fuck, Yuji, do that again," Vale rasped, his breathing utterly ragged.
Yuji slid his lips down and swallowed hard around Vale's cock, his fingers pressing again, and Vale hissed as his balls tightened and drew up, the heat in his belly roiling lower. Yuji could feel the thick vein along the underside of Vale's cock begin to throb, and he thrust his fingers into Vale's ass again, hitting Vale's prostate dead on as he swallowed hard.
Vale screamed and arched, his cock painfully hard and his balls spilling as Yuji pulled back fast, drinking down the hot cum as it poured out of Vale's cock and into his mouth. Vale screamed again, his fingers tightening in Yuji's hair as he filled Yuji's mouth with cum, feeling Yuji swallow again and again.
Yuji released Vale's cock and rose up fast, his lips pressing down on Vale's lips as he let some of Vale's cum trickle into the elf's mouth. Vale moaned raggedly as he tasted himself, his tongue dancing with Yuji's tongue to steal every drop of cum. Yuji eased down, straddling Vale as he plundered the elf's mouth, fingers twined in Vale's golden hair.
Yuji finally let Vale up for air, grinning wickedly. "Now I think it's time to get ready, my love."
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You should be unhidden... Danyealle caught this while I caught some sleep.
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Just to confirm, in case it got lost in the shoutbox chatter:
You state that the story is fiction - perfect!
You need to include that any resemblance to real people, living or dead, is unintentional.
You don't need to say that you make no profit, since this is Original fiction and not fanfiction.
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Erion clung to Yuji and Vale for a long moment, and when Yuji stepped back, Erion hurried over to throw his arms around Satoshi.
"Satoshi, my love, I'm so sorry I scared you like this," Erion said, his voice full of love. "But Kansas came for me, and we're both back here with you, and now it's alright again. I need to let atar know that I'm okay, and then I'll tell you everything, I promise. No secrets, my love, not between us, not ever." Erion kissed Satoshi lovingly, tears beading his lashes as he stroked Satoshi's cheek.
Satoshi let go of Kansas, a little startled when Erion jumped up around his neck, but his strong arms wrapped around Erion's waist as if the little elf had always belonged there, and Satoshi kissed him back with tender love, his voice shaking a little when he answered, "I'm so glad to have you home and in one piece. I love you, Yuki-chan, with all of my heart. No secrets, never."
He let go reluctantly, his hand lingering in the air as if he did not want to let go again when Erion moved out of his embrace.
Santhiel stood, barely able to contain himself, watching Kansas and Erion reassure Satoshi, and despite his worry, his eyes shone with pride as he watched the youngsters.
Vale turned to the ship's captain, one eyebrow arched, and the other elf drew himself up and bowed slightly as Vale spoke. "Shaevren, well done."
"My thanks, Captain, but it was the young Captain who brought Erion home safely, not leaving his side for a moment." Shaevren turned to offer Kansas a bow as well. "I was honored to serve you, young Captain. I would follow you into the Abyss itself, and count myself the luckier to be at your side."
Kansas bowed back, his cheeks coloring as Shaevren left to rejoin his men, and Santhiel could wait no longer. The tall star elf strode forward, pulling both Kansas and Erion into his arms and holding them tightly.
"My sons," Santhiel said. "I can't tell you how worried I've been, and how happy I am to have you both back." He pressed a kiss to each head, one blue and black, and one silver. "I hate to ask this, but I need to hear what happened. Kansas, I'm sorry, I really am. I know you'd rather take Erion home and let him rest, but it can't wait."
"I understand, atar," Kansas said. "Actually, it's better now, when Erion can tell everyone all at once, and not have to repeat himself over and over. And there's a lot you need to know."
Kansas wrapped his arm around Erion's shoulders, and Erion leaned into Kansas gratefully as he began to talk, his voice strong and clear as he described his abduction and his ordeal in Tower Reilloch. Erion was careful to recount every detail fully, not shrinking from describing the feeling of the spells that were used on him, or the physical violence that he endured. When he described his first escape attempt, Satoshi grew pale as he thought about the pain Erion had inflicted on himself, and Sand held Satoshi tightly. A moment later, it was Sand's turn to grow pale as Erion revealed that he had been beaten in the same manner as Sand had been, and Satoshi comforted the moon elf. Erion went on to describe letting the Luskan mage take him to his rooms, and how he had incapacitated and then killed the Luskan and fled the Tower.
Erion paused for a moment, his silver eyes serious. "I failed you, atar. I gave your name to that mage, and confirmed your age, and I revealed that it was far from unusual for a star elf to be that old. I had a choice. If I gave away some small truths, I stood a chance of buying time to escape. If I didn't, I would only have been tortured further." Erion took a deep breath. "I also knew that I was risking more than my life. Kansas and I are bound, and if one of us dies, the other will follow. But there are other bonds I needed to think about, like the bond between Kansas and Satoshi. This family of ours is unique, and it means that none of us is ever truly alone, but it also means that my actions affect so many more people than just me. And for that, I'm so very sorry, my loves, for the pain I've caused."
Santhiel's silver eyes were brimming with tears, the tall warrior almost trembling with emotion. "You did not fail me, Erion. You made the only choice you could, and the truths you chose to reveal were the ones that could do the least harm. You kept your head, and you never surrendered."
Santhiel turned to look at Kansas. "You felt the ripple in your bond with Erion, and you never hesitated. You had no idea what might be waiting for you, but you went anyway, putting Erion's safety ahead of all else, and I know full well you would have torn that Tower down stone by stone if need be. And when you and Erion were reunited, you stayed by him to guard him, never leaving him."
"I am so proud of you both, my brave sons." Santhiel dashed away the tears that slid down his cheeks. "You are ever a joy to my heart, the two of you. And I owe you thanks as well, Satoshi. You helped Kansas to become the fine man he is today, and I see your strength and courage in him, my brother. I can never thank you enough."
"You didn't ask to be taken," Vale said, his eyes hard and stern. "You're not at fault, Erion. I'd lay the blame squarely at the feet of a society that is so fucking mired in appearances and tradition that they've forgotten who and what the fuck they are. This should have been brought before the Queen." Vale rounded on Santhiel. "I know who the fuck you are. I've always known, and I kept my mouth shut as long as no one got hurt, but I'm fucking done. My priority is my family, my wife and my husbands and their husbands, and our children. You made this fucking mess, and you can clean it up."
Yuji lay a firm hand on Vale's shoulder, his voice calm and collected as he spoke. "Vale. Calm down. Santhiel's priority is his family as well. Kansas is his son as much as Erion, and he will not see them come to harm. Please, my love, calm down. And I may be completely dumb when it comes to elven politics, but I understand enough, and I remember enough of Sora's stories to realize that if we bring this before the queen, we will be risking open war. Is that what you want? To bring war back to our people?"
Yuji's eyes were dark with his fear and concern for the youngsters, but there was also a deep understanding in them, and a plea with Vale to be calm.
Vale's eyes softened slightly, and some of the tension left him. "You're right, a'maelamin. I'm just frustrated, because I know what's at risk. That mage harmed another elf, and he used a fucking balor, a demon ripped from the Abyss, to pull Erion off that ship. The only elves that can wield power like that between Planes are the star elves themselves and our crazy fucking husband." Vale jerked his head at Sand, who merely held Satoshi closer, reassuring him through their bond that Vale was only releasing his frustration, and no serious rift was happening.
"I'm sorry, Santhiel, but I've got family in Evermeet now, family I care about, and they're going to need to be warned. This bastard in the Tower knows Erion's connection to Sand, and that means he'll connect Sand to me. We never made any secret of our relationship." Vale ran a hand through his hair.
"No offense taken," Santhiel replied easily. "When I slapped Evermeet back then, I hadn't planned on falling in love, and having a family. After I met Mist, it was easier to let people think I was a half-blood. She knew the truth. I didn't lie to her, or to Erion and Falon. And in hindsight, if I'd been honest, this might not have happened." Santhiel turned to Erion and Kansas. "Forgive me. I got caught up in being able to be just an elf, instead of what I really am."
Yuji wrapped his arm over Vale's shoulders and kissed his cheek lovingly, whispering barely above a breath, "I love you, my beautiful Vale." When Santhiel spoke, Kansas looked up with wide eyes, a small sound of surprise escaping him and Yuji looked up with apprehension in his eyes.
Satoshi twitched and sat up on the couch, his eyes wide and a pulse of anger washed out of him through his bonds with Sand and Vale, his voice hoarse when he spoke far louder than he meant to. "You bastard."
Santhiel hung his head. "Simply saying that I'm sorry feels inadequate, and I can't expect you to forgive me, not immediately. I should have known that it was only a futile dream."
"Atar," Erion breathed softly, dismayed.
Santhiel looked up with a small, sad smile. "As Satoshi has so quickly grasped, I'm fully a star elf, and I've been living a very pleasant lie in Evereska. I led a small group of my people from our hidden realm and back out among our brethren in the hopes of restoring unity between the elven races. One or two of us stayed in each of the elven homelands, to share magic and lore that's been forgotten here on Toril. But when I came to Evermeet, I came in anger because Evermeet had abandoned Evereska when Evereska was overrun by the phaerrim."
Kansas's eyes widened as he recalled his conversation with Haedrith, and he tightened his arm around Erion.
Santhiel continued, his voice still thick with sorrow. "I blamed them for all the elves that died defending Evereska, and I told them that they hadn't earned the right to the old lore. That was over a thousand years ago, and I still recall it as clearly as if it were yesterday."
"Precisely how old are you?" Sand asked, his tone neutral as he sent calming love to Satoshi through their bond.
"I'm two thousand, four hundred eleven years old, precisely," Santhiel replied, with a faint hint of dry humor. "By the standards of my people, I'm still quite young and rash."
Yuji couldn't stop the small unbelieving giggle that escaped him, but his face was still serious.
Kansas unwrapped himself from Erion and moved over to Santhiel, wrapping his arms around Santhiel's neck, holding him tight. "You had every reason to lie. I do wish you had trusted me with this sooner, but I understand. I understand better than you think," he said quietly, a faint tendril of blue snaking out in the irises of his eyes, the power of Tatsuya palpable around him.
Satoshi sat stiffly on the edge of the couch, his eyes hard as he stared at Santhiel, and his voice was still angry when he spoke. "Even if you never meant to lie, you must have been able to tell yourself that you would be putting your family in danger with this. You should have trusted us with this. I trusted you with what is most important to me. I wish you had shown me the same courtesy."
Satoshi rose quickly from the couch and strode to the bedroom off the office, lighting up a cigarette as he went, and all but slammed the door after himself.
Sand stood as well. "Satoshi has given all that he is to help Kansas, and the bond between them is one we all respect and cherish." Sand looked at Kansas, his profound love for his youngest husband plain in his dark blue eyes. He then turned back to Santhiel. "Satoshi may forgive you, but it will not be soon, and it will not be easy for you to gain his trust. Honesty is something he values highly, and without honesty there can be no trust."
Sand walked to the bedroom and quietly let himself in, closing the door firmly behind himself.
Erion closed his eyes for a moment, feeling Yuki pushing to the forefront. It was still an uncomfortable sensation for the young elf, and each time he wondered if the eldarin godling who shared his soul would let him return. A wave of amusement greeted that fleeting thought, as it did each time.
"You were too gentle, our firstborn," Yuki said, watching Santhiel with faint curiosity. "It cut you to the quick to see elf kill elf, and your nature made you prefer to withdraw. And yet you fault the sun elves for retreating to Evermeet. It is not their retreat that angers you. It is their arrogance, their belief that they know what is best for our elven children, but did you not do the same thing when you withheld your lore from them?"
"Heru en amin," Santhiel replied, and dropped to one knee. "My lord, forgive me."
Yuji rose from the edge of the desk when Satoshi left the office, but Sand was too quick and Yuji sighed softly when Sand closed the door behind himself. He turned his attention to the others, sensing the charged air around Erion and Kansas, and he swallowed thickly as he saw the blue in Kansas's eyes, Erion's voice sending chills down his spine.
When Santhiel fell to his knee before Erion, Kansas took a step back and for a moment he seemed to be almost frozen in time, his movement halted for half a heartbeat. Then his whole stance changed, his back straightened and his chin thrust up, his eyes a molten swirl of blue and gray and his small smile wicked as he moved around to drape himself around Erion's back, licking at Erion's neck just below his ear.
Yuji shivered slightly and involuntarily grabbed Vale's hand, seeking reassurance from his elf, who for the moment at least seemed to be the only sane person there. Vale laced his fingers with Yuji's fingers, wondering what he had unleashed this time.
"Forgiveness," Yuki said, pressing back into Kansas with a purr. "Did we not teach you that the past is the past? Learn the lesson and move on. The beautiful pierced one that we love so well wishes honesty, and you have disappointed him. Therefore, you must not lie anymore. It is a simple lesson." Yuki chuckled, but it was not at all a merry sound. "Such things you've learned while we weren't looking. Alright then, one of your words. Penance. You will go to the arrogant sun elves, and you will offer them a trade. The mage who harmed us must die, and in return you will give them the knowledge they seek, but openly and for all to share."
"My lord, what of my family?" Santhiel asked.
Yuki chuckled again. "You refused to marry the sweet moon elf because you were afraid of involving her in your troubles. So why do you fuss now?"
Santhiel's shoulders slumped in defeat, and his head fell forward. "As it must be, then. I will not hurt her more by fighting my sentence."
Tatsuya purred softly into Yuki's hair and looked at Santhiel over his lover's shoulder. His voice was deep and dangerous, but the tone was one of slight amusement. "I will protect my family, and you belong to them. I will not let harm come to you, young elf. You are too dear to them for me to allow that."
Yuji squeezed Vale's hand tightly as he watched the display before him, utterly astounded by the change in Kansas and Erion both. So absorbed was he in what he was watching that he jumped badly when something crashed and shattered against the door of the bedroom, Satoshi's shriek reverberating against the walls.
Sand slammed out of the bedroom, his dark blue eyes blazing as he stalked over to the couch. There was a faint glow at the base of Sand's throat, just below the hollow of his neck, and he sat with careless grace.
Yuji moved slowly over to the couch and sat down beside Sand, laying a gentle hand on his shoulder, and whispered, "I'm sorry. I should have stopped you from going after him. I'm just a little slow at the moment."
Sand smiled gently. "Thank you, my love. I sometimes forget that I am not always who he needs, and that I cannot always help as I wish to."
Tatsuya wrapped a hand around Yuki's neck, and even though the hand looked human, all present could see Yuki's skin dimpling as if it was being poked by long talons. Tatsuya swiped his tongue over the shell of Yuki's ear, and purred with that dangerous rumbling voice, "I think you are being too cold, my love. Why do you want to shatter him so, and leave nothing to fate? What do you think, erthurirl? Are the sun elves wise enough to learn these secrets now, or are they still too mired in appearances and tradition to know the true meaning of such gifts?" Tatsuya's eyes turned to Vale and he stared at the blond sun elf with such intensity that Yuji could feel it through his bond with Vale.
Vale looked at Tatsuya and smiled. "I'm not sure they're ready to learn all of them, kosjurathear. I think perhaps they are ready to learn that wisdom comes from unity, though, and if they can learn to get along with their kin, that they might learn new things."
Nathe shivered slightly, leaning forward to mutter, "Gods. Now you're entertaining gods. Please try not to irritate them."
Tatsuya glanced at Nathe with an amused chuckle, before he turned back to Vale and nodded his head slowly. "Unity and wisdom. Those are good lessons to begin with. What of you, foolish god? Do you think that the sun elves need to learn wisdom and unity first?" Tatsuya turned his eyes to Sand, and licked his lips hungrily, one of his hands snaking around Yuki's chest to rub at his nipple teasingly.
Sand looked at Tatsuya seriously. "Would it surprise you if I said yes? I think not. At the very least they need to learn unity. Too many elves died because they did not know what that meant. As to wisdom, that is something I think few of us master. I know I am hardly wise, for all that I have learned."
Yuki turned his head to nip at Tatsuya's jaw, arching into the caress as Tatsuya teased his nipple. "You show them mercy? Why? Because this one is the little vessel's father? Maybe I have forgotten too much. Maybe I haven't forgotten enough. I don't remember mercy being shown to me."
"And still you demand that he learn from his mistakes? Does this not serve as a lesson for you, my love. Do not punish him for what was done to us. If it had not been for this young one, and his family we would not have found each other again, my Yuki. I show them mercy because I have learned to love. They taught me that. The pierced one most of all. I wanted to level that stronghold of the sun elves to the ground and sink it into the ocean. I would have done so, before. But I did not, simply because I knew it would serve no purpose. The mage who harmed you will be punished. We will see to that, whether through our vessels or by ourselves. But war amongst elves does not serve our purpose now, my love."
Tatsuya leaned over and plundered Yuki's mouth hard, his hand sliding down Yuki's torso to rub between his legs, and Tatsuya pressed his hips forward to rub against Yuki's ass, his voice rumbling deep in his chest when he broke the kiss and looked at Yuki, "Show him mercy, my love. Learn to love and forgive."
Yuki shivered a little, and then nodded slowly. "I will forgive him, my love. I will learn to forgive, and I will remember how to love." The eldarin turned his gaze on Santhiel. "I will forgive you, and I will lift my sentence. Perhaps it isn't time for them yet. Perhaps they need to remember as well, and war will not serve to help. Go, then. I ask nothing of you."
Tatsuya turned his eyes to Santhiel, where he still knelt on the floor, and his eyes glittered with something akin to friendship, his lips curling in a wicked smile. "And now you have one last wrong that you must right. In that room over there is a broken heart that you must mend. None of them can do it, for you were the one who broke it. This was your own mistake, so make it right, young one."
"This was your mistake, so make it right, young one, or your adopted son can not forgive you either." He nodded his head towards the bedroom door, and Yuji sighed quietly, squeezing Sand's hand gently.
Santhiel rose slowly, almost devoid of grace, his silver head still bowed. "Whatever it takes," he said, so softly that it sounded like a prayer. "My thanks, my Lords. On my life, I will make it right." He took a deep breath, and moved toward the bedroom resolutely.
Santhiel opened the door and stepped in, closing it behind him with a click. "Satoshi? I'm sorry. I don't have any words left beyond that. I've hurt you, and I need to heal this, and I don't know where to begin. I'm a warrior, not a diplomat. If my blood would help, it's yours."
Satoshi leaned against the window frame, muttering at Santhiel, "Always so overly fucking dramatic, you elves. You're worse than Kohaku, sometimes." He lit up what had to be his 20th cigarette, the small brass plate he had scoured up somewhere after shattering the ashtray, already overflowing with stubs.
He glanced over his shoulder and sighed at the sight of Santhiel, his voice rough with emotion when he answered, "I don't know how much Kansas has told you about his past, or how he was when I found him. But the shit that I went through to help him, to bring him home made me love him more than my own life. I can only rely on trust, Santhiel. It's the only thing that's kept me alive for as long as I've lived, and to have it broken like this hurts more than I can say."
"I didn't lie to hurt you. I lied to keep my family alive." Santhiel's voice was thick with grief.
Satoshi sighed and looked out the window again, swinging his legs over the ledge, and he swiped at a tear that pearled in his lashes, as he continued, "I trusted you because you embraced Kansas as your son, and because you are Sand's brother in law. Even after what happened between him and Erion, you still embraced him as your son, and you've never wavered in that. And for that I trusted you with my own life, as well as his. It makes me feel like you do not trust me, knowing that you could not trust me with your secrets. My trust can be regained, but only if you never hide anything from me again. If I can't trust you, I can't feel safe leaving Kansas in your care."
Santhiel sucked in a deep breath. "No secrets. I'm all but immortal. I can be killed, but I won't age, and I won't die of sickness. I can walk in shadows utterly unseen, and command them to serve me. Those shadows can kill for me. I can pluck things I need to know, like languages, right from someone's mind. The mages that left with me know how to construct a mythal. We don't have enough to do it, but we know how, and we knows spells that have never been used on Toril, that come straight from the Feywild. I can Planewalk at will. And I can love, so utterly and completely that I can face anything without fear if it means protecting my loved ones. That's all I have."
Satoshi sobbed softly, listening to Santhiel move closer to the window, and his voice was small when he nodded in Santhiel's direction without looking up. "I understand that you lied to keep your family safe. I understand that it has nothing to do with me. It's just that so many times in my life, I've trusted people, people I thought were friends and even family, only to be betrayed in the worst possible way. I promised myself that I would never let Kansas feel that in his life. That's why it hurt me so much that you've kept this secret from us. It also hurts to think that you've lied to Sand and them for so many years."
"I never told Sand, or Eryn, or Hawk. Only Mist knew, because I couldn't love her and put her at risk without telling her the truth. And then our sons were born, and for the first time in my live, I was truly afraid." Santhiel paused, his own voice wet with tears. "I love Kansas with that same intensity, so much that it hurts at times to look at him and know I'll watch him die one day, that everyone I love will die and I will continue. I wonder if I should throw myself into one last glorious battle when that time comes, and maybe I can finally die myself. But until then, I will use everything that I am to protect my family, and that includes all of you."
Satoshi chuckled softly, wiping a tear from his cheek, and a small wry smile tugged at his lips as he stared out the window with pain filled eyes, "I'm sorry. I'm just being an emotional fool like always. I've been so worried about them, and now this... I'm sorry. I know this has nothing to do with me, so I'm sorry for getting so angry at you."
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry that I hurt you, and I never meant to make you think I didn't trust you. Seldarine, my Erion has been as safe with you as he is with me. I can't trust more than that." Santhiel ran his hands through his hair, fisting them a little. "I'm tired of hiding, and worrying. Maybe this is for the best. I don't know. I just watched my sons turn into gods, and I don't know what to think anymore." Santhiel sank to the floor in a clumsy heap.
Satoshi hiccuped a little bit, and stubbed out his cigarette as he turned on the windowsill, all but crashing to the floor beside Santhiel. "You really think so? You think he's been safe with me, despite all that's happened, with Taka and Kageoshi-chan, and all of that?"
"He could fight that. It was something tangible. And the grief, well, we all need to learn to deal with grief, sooner or later." Santhiel looked at Satoshi, his eyes a stormy grey.
Satoshi sat up on his haunches, wrapping his arms around his shins and leaning his chin on his knees, looking for all the world like a small child. "I've never thought I could keep anyone safe. I've always tried, but I've always felt like I was failing. And I do understand, better than you think, about lying to keep your family safe. We lied to the police and immigration about Kansas and how I found him. That's the official version of his story. Only the social services know the truth, and those records are sealed."
Satoshi looked at Santhiel, his eyes dark with pain, far older than this, and he had to clear his throat a little before he could speak, "There is a reason for all of this, I think. They are gods, the two of them. It wasn't some coincidence that made me and Yuji draw dragons on him to calm him down, or that made us give him the name Tatsuya. And could a normal elf really hold something like Yuki within himself? Isn't Erion the only one who could possibly be strong enough to contain a eldarin god?"
"Maybe you're right, and this is how is has to be, but if you'll pardon a blunt warrior, why did it have to be our kids?" Santhiel managed a wan grin.
Satoshi giggled a little, and wiped his nose over his knee. "Because we all have a purpose in this. Although, Kansas isn't my kid." Satoshi stared at the floor for a few moments, and Santhiel heard him hum softly to himself. For a moment Satoshi looked like a small frightened child, hiding from the world. But when Satoshi looked up again his eyes were warmer, and the sadness and pain were slowly fading, and his voice was a little stronger. "Forgive me for being an emotional fool, Santhiel. I know that I can trust you. Just promise me that you will be honest with us from now on. If you lie to me again our trust will be broken, but I understand why you had to do this. Can you still trust me?"
Santhiel reached over and opened Vale's wardrobe, pulling out a bottle of dwarven whiskey and opening it. He offered it to Satoshi first. "I've never stopped trusting you, Satoshi. I know you love my Erion. And I promise you, no more secrets and no lies." He managed another smile, a little stronger this time. "And Kansas isn't your child, true. He's also your husband."
Satoshi sat down on his ass, crossing his legs under himself, and took the offered whiskey, gasping a little as he downed a big swallow. "Half the time I have no idea what he is. All I know is that I love him. And he loves me, most of the time." Satoshi handed the bottle back to Santhiel, and looked down at his hands.
"Santhiel. There is actually something that I need to talk to you about. About Erion. You know how this whole thing between me and Yuji and Willow and Vale and Kansas works in Tokyo, right? How we all had a union, and to us that makes us equal to married husbands and wife?"
Santhiel grabbed a cloth and wiped the neck of the bottle politely after downing a hefty swallow. "Erion's explained how the whole union thing works, because you can only have one legal spouse in Tokyo." He offered the bottle back to Satoshi. "Hells, until recently, you couldn't marry someone of the same gender."
Satoshi nodded, smiling a little when Santhiel wiped the neck of the bottle before handing it back. He took a deep swallow, his eyes watering a little bit when he gasped, and his voice was a little raspy when he spoke, "Yeah. I did not get the chance to speak with you beforehand, and I apologize for that, but I would like to ask you now. I have offered my ring to Erion, and we have already had our union. It was quite simple. We were just on the couch talking after he and Momo broke up, and it felt right to do it then and there. He has accepted, and I do consider him my husband now. So, I want to ask you for your blessing, and I ask that you give your blessing again when he turns one hundred and I can marry him in Evereska." Satoshi blushed a little and handed the bottle back, absentmindedly wiping the neck with his sleeve.
Santhiel looked at Satoshi for a long moment, his eyes slowly paling until they were silver grey, and he broke out into a radiant smile. "You're married to my Erion? And you want to marry him again when he turns one hundred?" Santhiel reached out and pulled Satoshi into a hug. "Of course you have my blessing. Seldarine, this is wonderful news!"
Satoshi gave a small oomph as he crashed into Santhiel's arms, but quickly recovered and wrapped his arms around Santhiel as well. "Oh, fuck man, you have no idea how nervous I was about this. I was a bit scared you wouldn't approve. You think Mist will approve too?"
"Mist will be even happier than I am, trust me on this. She watched all of you marry on Toril, and she told me it was the best arrangement she'd ever seen, that everyone loved each other so much." Santhiel grinned. "Wait, this makes me your father in law!" He started to laugh happily.
Satoshi snorted, but then laughed too, punching Santhiel in the shoulder. "Oh, fucking shut up. This family's gotten so fucked up lately that I've given up on all those titles. For fuck's sake, if you think about it, I'm married to my own stepbrother. Not to mention that my brother in law is Yuji's great grandfather now."
Satoshi grabbed the bottle and took a swallow big enough to make himself gasp for breath, his eyes watering again as he laughed louder.
Santhiel thought about it for a moment, his eyes crossing slightly, and he took the bottle and drank deeply. "Okay, you're right. Fuck the titles. It fucking hurts to try and figure it out." He started to snigger, and then to laugh, until he gave up and fell back on the floor, helpless with laughter, his silver hair spread beneath him.
Satoshi snickered as Santhiel agreed with him, and then burst out laughing when Santhiel fell over. Satoshi poked Santhiel with his foot and prodded, "But how about you getting married now. I think it's high time you make an honest woman out of Mist."
Santhiel laughed even harder, managing to gasp out, "Have you met Mist?" He rolled over, wiping away the cleansing tears and managing to pull himself up a bit. "But, oh, fuck, yes. I'd marry her a thousand times if I could. She's the most amazing woman. She can drink me under the table, knows how to get past almost every ward in Evereska, makes love like a succubus, and for some insane reason, she loves me."
"So, she's the one who won't marry you?" Satoshi asked, his eyebrows raised in wonder, and then he gave a little "Huh!", grabbing the bottle again and managing a swallow without gasping.
His eyes landed on the door and the glittering glass of the shattered ashtray that he had hurtled at Sand's head when the moon elf had followed him to the room, and he sighed, handing the bottle to Santhiel. "I still don't understand why Sand loves me. He's always telling me, and I think he might have to tell me for a few hundred years, and I still won't get it. I'm always afraid that I'll wake up one morning and he'll be gone for good. Tired of my shit and mood, and just how damaged I am. I'm afraid they'll all leave me to be honest. I threw an ashtray at his head because I was pissed and wanted to be alone." Satoshi hung his head and waved for the bottle again, small tears welling in his eyes.
"I don't deserve that idiot moon elf. And yet I do deserve him and everything that he gives me. I just wish I was better for him."
"Truth is, I was the one who said no to marriage, to try and keep her out of my troubles. We just told everyone it was her idea because I couldn't stand the thought that someone might think I didn't think she was worth marrying. Mist is worth marrying at least once a year for the next few millennia." Santhiel drank deeply again. "But you and Sand? I've known Sand for a very long time now. I've seen him when he was going through lovers like mad, having a bit of fun and ending things quickly, no strings. I've seen him when he first fell in love with Vale, and then when they ended. I've seen him with his little genasi, and with Vale again. But I don't think I've ever really seen Sand until he found you."
Satoshi blushed a little, and hung his head. "She knew about us, you know? His, what did you call her? Genasi? She told him that he had yet to find his true love, and he promised her he would. And he says that is me."
Santhiel looked at Satoshi, his eyes clear and open. "You two complete each other. Did Kansas ever tell you about soul lights?"
Satoshi looked up and nodded slowly, as he unzipped his hoodie and pulled it off his shoulders to reveal his arms, and pulled up the sleeves of his t-shirt to show his tattoos. "Yes, he did once. These are mine."
"I see soul lights, like Kansas does. So does Erion." Santhiel paused, looking slightly unsure. "Yours are two koi, yes, but they're not alone. They swim in water, under the moon, and the stars sparkle across the surface of the water. The water and the moon, they're Sand. The water was always empty until you." Santhiel ducked his head a little. "I don't know if I should have told you that, but it felt right."
Satoshi stared at Santhiel for a moment, and then a small sob escaped him. "You remember that day, when that crazy ass idiot went into the telkiira to save Hawk? I saw it then. I went as deep into my zen mode as I've ever gone. I honestly think I touched Nirvana for a moment. But at one point, it felt like I was enveloped by water, and the moon was shining above us. And my koi were swimming around us. I always thought it was just because I have always felt comfortable with those elements. The night, the moon, and water, you know. Thank you for telling me."
Satoshi swigged at the bottle again, and swiped at a tear that trickled down his cheek, but then his eyes turned curious and he looked at Santhiel with a little tilt to his head. "What's Yuji's and Vale's soul lights like? Kansas never wants to tell me about them. And Willow's?"
Santhiel grinned, relieved. "Vale's light looks like a vine, one of those delicate vines that only grow wild, and need something stronger to help them reach the light. Yuji's is a wonderful sakura tree, all alone in a wild place, the only one there. When he's angry or upset, it's barren, but when he's happy, it's in bloom. Vale's vine travels up Yuji's tree, not strangling it, but sort of caressing it and twining with it. Willow, now, her light is sort of complex. The background always makes me think of royal blue velvet, very serene and regal. On the velvet is a single rose, a red so deep you might call it burgundy. There are thorns on the rose, but if you know how to reach past them, the petals are softer than clouds." Santhiel laughed, blushing a little.
"Whiskey makes you romantic," Satoshi purred, grinning impishly, but then he shook his head, with a small laugh. "I'm teasing. That's exactly how I could see Willow. She's all soft and magical and wonderful, until you piss her off. Then you'd want nothing more than to run away and marry a balor. I really want to know what the kids soul lights are like. I've always imagined that Ryuu's would be a small Japanese dragon, maybe a bronze one, even though that's not traditional. I'm sure Takara has some sort of animal too, something small but fierce. And Michi being her father's will probably have something magical too. But what are Erion's and Kansas' like? They seem too old to have shapes."
"Soul lights for kids can change all the time. Ryuu's is a small bronze dragon, the one he talks to, I think." Santhiel smiled. "Takara has a small cat, very beautiful, like Sand's Jaral. Michi's light isn't really formed yet, but it's icy blue. Aika's is a sparkling cloud of twinkling lights, like a tiny firework show. Hikaru's is an emerald rose." He shook the whiskey bottle, judged that it had a good two drinks left, and took a swallow, handing it to Satoshi to finish. "Erion's light always looked like a moonbeam, all silver and ethereal. Kansas's is a royal blue spiral that twirls, slow when he's sick or sad, and faster when he's happy. Erion's soul light wrapped around Kansas's from the day they met. Now you can hardly tell where one ends and the other begins."
Satoshi took the bottle and toasted it to Santhiel before he downed the rest of it, then lit up a cigarette, offering one to Santhiel. "I think I need to go and ask my husband to forgive me for trying to kill him with ashtray missiles. I hate when I lose my temper with him like that, but sometimes he just makes things worse. But the funny thing is, I actually love him even more when he does. Because he often makes me burn through my rage faster, just by being irritating. Thank you for telling me this, Santhiel. And I know that the whole godling thing is confusing... hell, I don't even get it half the time. But if you want to know, just ask Kansas. Tatsuya is a little bit rough around the edges usually, but Kansas is opening up about this whole thing a lot. So, just ask him. And judging from what I heard out there, Tatsuya's curious about you. Yuki on the other hand is still so newly awakened that I'd guess he's grouchy."
Santhiel chuckled ruefully, enjoying the cigarette. "Figures I get the grouchy, newly awakened godling. But I will ask Kansas, and if Tatsuya wants to know about me, I suppose he's entitled. But yes, it might be a good idea to go back out there before they come in to count the bodies." Santhiel got to his feet and held a hand out to Satoshi. "Remind me to pick up another bottle of whiskey for Vale's stash."
Satoshi groaned a little as he allowed Santhiel to heave him to his feet, and then he shook his legs a little to get the blood flowing. As they started heading for the door Satoshi snickered, "Remember to buy a new bottle of whiskey for Vale's stash. Mind reminding me to buy him a new ashtray?"
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In Naruto, this is one that you might enjoy: Silver and Gold
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Nathe looked at the ornate mirror for several minutes after ending his conversation with Haedrith, putting his thoughts in order and making sure that his emotions were under control. One or two of the mages who dealt with the Cloaktower's communications looked over at Nathe, but not a one of them dared interrupt the moon elf, instead exchanging wary glances.
When Nathe did stir, he was brisk and relatively calm. He looked over at the assembled mages, all of whom were now watching him carefully.
"I'm going to need a few things. I want to speak with Evereska, specifically with Captain Santhiel of the Vale Guard. That conversation I'd prefer to have in the privacy of my office." Nathe kept his tone fairly pleasant. "I also want two portals opened now, and held open until I tell you that that can be closed. One will be to Evereska, and before you even think to tell me how the Academy will receive my request, you have my permission to threaten them as liberally as required. The other portal is to link to this portal key, and will open in Vale's home in Tokyo."
Nathe paused, seeming to consider his next words carefully. "I want a permanent communications mirror with Evermeet. I don't really care how it's done, or whose heads we need to step on, and I'm willing to speak to the Queen herself if need be, but this ridiculous nonsense that I have to go through just to talk to Evermeet is over."
One young sun mage stepped forward, looking slightly wary. "I'll volunteer to work that, if I may."
Nathe looked at him sharply. "Nerion, isn't it? Why?"
"Because it's high time they took their exalted heads out of their asses?" Nerion asked.
Nathe grinned. "Welcome to the team." He nodded at the rest of the mages and strode briskly out of the room, his long robes swirling gracefully behind him.
Back in his office, Nathe reached for the stack of paperwork Antha had left for him, waiting the mages upstairs to reach Santhiel. It gave Nathe a few moments to reflect on what Haedrith had told him, and Nathe did not relish being the one to unleash the storm he knew was going to occur. He sighed a little, shook his head, and began to read the small scrap of parchment Antha had attached to the first sheet. The quiet woman had begun to show a little initiative, and was prone to making small observations on these scraps, and Nathe was rather enjoying her take on things.
It was Antha who brought in the mirror, and Nathe nodded and waved her off as he looked at Santhiel. "Before you say a word, are you alone?"
Santhiel turned his head for a moment, and turned back. "I am now. What's wrong?"
"There was an incident in Evermeet. Erion's fine, thanks mostly to his using your training wisely, but someone in Tower Reilloch intercepted him while he was on the ship to Evermeet. He's on his way back to Neverwinter, on one of my ships, and Kansas is with him. I have a portal waiting for you to come here, and I'm going to bring over Vale and the family." Nathe watched as Santhiel's eyes darkened, but the veteran warrior remained calm.
"My son is uninjured?" Santhiel asked.
Nathe nodded. "He had minor injuries incurred in his escape, but nothing that was ever life threatening. He made his way to his lover, Haedrith, and Kansas was already on route to Evermeet on my ship."
"I'm on my way," Santhiel said. "Nathe? Thank you."
"Don't thank me yet," Nathe replied. "I promise you, Santhiel, we'll sort this out."
Santhiel broke the connection, and Nathe raised his voice slightly. "Antha?" The door opened, and she stepped in. "When Captain Santhiel arrives, take him to Vale's office. I'll meet him there, with Vale and the others. Then get word to the Docks that when our ship returns, Kansas and Erion should be brought straight there as well."
"Of course, Nathe." Antha walked with Nathe back up to the portal chamber and watched as he stepped through to Tokyo, the portal remaining open as he had instructed.
Vale and Yuji looked up at the same time as they felt the portal open, both of them expecting to see Kansas returning. Vale had explained quietly to each of his husbands why Kansas had left so abruptly, and Vale had been waiting for Kansas or Nathe to contact him. Satoshi had been ready to go to Neverwinter right then and there, but Sand had convinced him to wait in Tokyo until they heard anything, that they would be of more use helping at home with the family.
Hikaru let out a giddy shriek and raced down the hall to where the portal would open, shouting, "Oniisan!" Vale looked at Yuji with a small grin before he stood to go and rescue Kansas from the exuberant little half elf, and then they heard Hikaru again.
"You're not oniisan. You're chichi's friend." Hikaru sounded delighted, and Vale hurried to the hallway with Yuji on his heels.
Nathe looked up, one hand firmly grasped by Hikaru, and a wry grin on his face. "Your security system is getting taller every time I see him," he quipped.
"Where's Kansas?" Vale asked, trying to keep the anxiety out of his voice as Hikaru released Nathe's hand in favor of propelling himself into Vale's arms at maximum velocity.
"Kansas and Erion are on their way back to Neverwinter," Nathe said. He paused, looking at Hikaru.
"Hikaru, go help Ryuu-kun with Takara-chan. They're in the garden." Vale kissed Hikaru's cheek and set the little half elf down.
"Hai, chichi. I'll find my seler'ai." Hikaru darted off, his blond curls bouncing.
Once Hikaru was out of earshot, Nathe turned back to Vale and Yuji. "Erion was briefly kidnapped, but managed to escape with only a few minor injuries. He's with Kansas, on one of our ships, heading back to Neverwinter. Kansas wants both of you, plus Sand and Satoshi, to meet them in Neverwinter. Santhiel's on his way as well. I took the liberty of arranging a portal for him. I also keyed this portal to take you straight to the Cloaktower." Nathe looked at Yuji, his blue eyes serious. "Erion's fine, according to Haedrith, and Kansas hasn't left his side for a moment. He's an extraordinary young man, Kansas."
Yuji's expression relaxed as he listened to Nathe's succinct explanation, and he nodded as he looked over at Vale. "Why don't you go back with Nathe, my love? I'll bring the other two over in a little bit. I'll need to let our queen know what's going on, and if you can send Maela back, that will help smooth things over nicely." Yuji pulled Vale into a kiss, his perfect eyes locked on Vale's green eyes, the unspoken message clear. Take care of any messy bits before we get there.
Vale returned the kiss with all his love. "I'll send Sorien as well. He can help Ryuu with the treehouse, and that'll keep Hikaru occupied as well." Vale turned back to Nathe. "Let's go, old friend."
Kansas stood behind Erion, his arms tight around his elf as they watched the docks of Leuthilspar grow smaller. Kansas could feel Erion's mixed emotions, from his regret at leaving Haedrith so soon to his excitement at returning to Neverwinter and then Tokyo, to a soaring joy at being in Kansas's arms.
The captain of the Cloaktower ship came up behind the young lovers quietly, watching with them for a few moments. He waited patiently until Kansas turned around.
"We'll be shifting Planes in a few minutes. We're taking a slightly... different route home." The elf held out two crystal pendants. "These will prevent any unanticipated departures from the ship. Each of you put one on."
"Thank you," Kansas said, and took them both with a small bow. He put one around Erion's neck before putting his own on. "Did Nathe send those?"
"We're all battlemages, young Captain." The elf smiled a little. "This ship and its sisters are fighting craft, so sitting in harbor was a little quieter than we're used to. It gave us a chance to play around with the Weave a bit, though. These are a trick I picked up from the githzerai when I sailed Limbo once. Keep them when we get home."
Erion turned and smiled his beautiful smile. "Thank you for the gift. I'd hate to be plucked away in mid-journey again." He leaned a little more into Kansas. "So, which way are we traveling? The thing is, Kansas and I don't want to miss dawn."
The elf smiled a little wider. "Let's see what we can do, then. I was hoping to get you back to Neverwinter well before dawn." He bowed slightly and walked away, graceful and at home on the rolling deck.
"What do you want to do, isilmeamin?" Kansas nuzzled his face into Erion's fragrant hair. "Do you want to stay up here, or head down below?"
Erion turned around to wrap his arms around Kansas. "I want to go below, 'lokiamin. I was on the deck when I was taken, and maybe it's just silliness, but I'd rather not tempt karma, you know?"
Kansas nibbled a kiss from Erion's pink lips. "I don't blame you, baby. Let's go down below, and see if we can find a cabin to curl up in for a while."
"Do you mind if we just cuddle?" Erion asked. "It's so stupid, I know, but I want to be ready for anything. Just in case."
Kansas looked at Erion carefully, noting the slightly pale eyes and the faintest tremble in the slim body in his arms.
Kansas cupped Erion's face between his hands for a moment, looking into his eyes, then he wrapped an arm around Erion and led him down below.
Once they found a cabin where they could lie down, Kansas wrapped himself around Erion as tightly as he could and kissed the soft silver hair, his voice warm and loving, but his tone firm when he asked, "You want to talk about this? Tell me what's wrong, baby. I can tell you're thinking about this."
Erion snuggled in as tightly as he could to Kansas. "The mage, the one I called the speaker. He had a balor bound to him, and I think it was the balor who was able to pull me off the ship. I killed the Luskan mage, but the speaker and the balor are still around."
Kansas stroked Erion's hair and cheek softly. "So, you're worried they might try to get you again?"
Erion nodded slightly. "If he gets his hands on me a second time, he's not going to make the mistake of giving me a chance to escape. I never told him about us, about the bond between us. I didn't want him to have that to use against me, but you know what? He doesn't need to know. I can't do anything that would put you at risk."
Kansas stared at the bottom of the berth above them as understanding dawned in his mind and he squeezed Erion almost painfully hard, his voice a little hoarse. "Oh, fuck. I never realized that. Our bond makes us vulnerable to shit like this. You would never choose to fade to escape torture because it would mean my death, too. Oh, fuck, Erion. This is not good. I think we should keep our bond a secret from now on. I mean, completely secret, as in lie about it if we are asked."
"I don't like to lie about us, baby, but I sort of understand. It's just that I realized I'd have told him whatever he wanted to know, to save you." Erion buried his face in Kansas's chest. "If he gets me a second time, I'm not going to be able to protect you and my father's secrets. And if I have to choose, I'm choosing you. Just so you know."
Kansas stroked Erion's hair gently, and nuzzled his cheek, his voice tender. "Then don't lie. If anyone asks about us, then just answer that you're too young to bond. There is no lie in that. But, I asked Haedrith about the star elves, and baby, I would rather die with you than have you give up all of their secrets. There is a reason that you have to keep those secrets, even if I don't understand those reasons well. And you and I both know that, that bastard would have tortured you into revealing all of their secrets, and then killed you. And then I would have died too anyway."
Erion bit back a small sob. "I know. I kept thinking that when I was trying to escape the first time. I'd gotten my ankles free and I was working on my wrists, but the blood wasn't lubricating things enough. I'd already figured out that one of them was a balor, and I knew I was a dead elf. No matter what, I was dead, and my only hope was to escape, or to lie so convincingly that they believed me before they killed me."
Kansas couldn't stop the small tear that slid down his cheek, and his lips were hot on Erion's temple and cheek as he whispered, "We need to keep our bond a secret. So no one can ever use one as leverage against the other. Never. But I want to ask Vale and Sand to help us deepen our bond. I need to be able to feel you better when we are apart like this. I've sort of come to the conclusion that it happened when you were taken off the ship, but for a moment yesterday, our bond ceased to exist. All I could feel was like empty air and this white noise. And I don't ever want to feel that again. And I want to get Vale to make me something that will give me the power to teleport to you. No matter where you are."
Erion tilted his face up to kiss away the tear. "Thank you. Thank you, 'lokiamin, for loving me that much. These few days apart, they did help, but I want our bond to be stronger, too, and I'm going to ask atar to teach me a little more about my shadows. If I can call them, then maybe I can learn to go to them, and from there, I can find my way to you." Erion looked at Kansas, his eyes molten with love for his imp. "I want to be able to feel you all the time, never apart, never alone. You can still woo me, and propose so magnificently that no one will believe such a love could exist, but I know where I want to be, and it's right here."
"I want to be right here too, isilmeamin. I found you after thousands and thousands of years, across planes and primes, and I'm never letting go of you again. But I do want to give you the proposal that I robbed you of back home in Evereska. You should get a proper proposal, not me begging you to return from fading. I still hate that I did that to you. I honestly felt about ready to lie down with you and fade to when I saw you that morning." Kansas sobbed softly and a few more tears spilled from his lashes, but his eyes were dark gray, filled with the endless love he had for Erion.
Erion smiled, his beautiful smile that made his eyes as bright as stars. "We didn't understand then. We didn't know how much we belonged to each other, and you were trying to save me from dying with you so young. But I want you to know this, baby. However long we have together like this, we have eternity waiting for us in the world you made for us. I'm not scared of dying anymore. I just don't want to lose you again, that's all." Erion kissed away the new tears softly. "I want to rest a bit, and then when we get to Neverwinter, we'll find the family and I'll tell them everything, I promise. Just hold me like this for a while, my soul."
Kansas smiled softly, and pressed his lips against Erion's, kissing him tenderly. "I knew. I always knew. From the first moment when we touched in the pond. I was just childish enough to think that I could let you go if I chose to. But my soul and my heart knew better. I'll hold you like this all the way home, and I'll be there beside you when you tell our family. I love you, my world."
Kansas got comfortable and stroked Erion's hair softly, feathering soft kisses against the elf's temple. After a long silence, Kansas asked quietly, "What do you know about Silverymoon?"
"Mmm," Erion murmured. "I've heard about it. It's supposed to be a place where all people are respected and tolerated as long as they act for the greater good. Even goodly drow are welcomed there. It's full of libraries, and people who come to learn and share their own knowledge. Sand's been there, and I'm pretty sure atar left one or two of his people there. I've even heard that a dragon lives there, although he sticks to a human form most of the time." Erion snuggled closer to Kansas, feeling safer than he had ever felt in his life, his love and utter trust radiating out through his wide open bond. "We should go there someday, baby."
Kansas hummed softly through his nose, resting his cheek against Erion's head and opening his bond wide, he let his eyes drift closed, relishing the love and trust that washed over him, and he poured back the same feeling of complete security, love and trust. Their soul lights lit up the cabin, twirling silver and blue around them, brighter than ever before.
"You're perfect, you know that," Kansas whispered, barely above a breath, his fingers tangling with Erion's. Kansas felt the simple ring that belonged to Satoshi, and with a soft kiss to Erion's forehead he said, "You know. When you and Satoshi marry, I wouldn't mind if you wore his ring on your left hand. I want to wear his ring on my left, because my heart will always belong to him, too. I can't let him go."
Erion smiled radiantly, not opening his eyes as he nestled against his imp. "I'm glad, baby. Don't ever let him go. He's so rare, and special, and beautiful, like you are. I'll wear his ring next to yours, when we marry. Hey, can you help me find a ring to give him, and Yuji, if he wants to marry me?" Erion's voice was drowsy, but Kansas could feel their connection as strongly as if Erion were wide awake.
"Of course, baby. We'll find a beautiful ring for them. But how about we nap now? I'll hold you and let you rest. I won't fall asleep if you need me to stay awake," Kansas answered, stroking Erion's back gently, his own eyes closed and his voice drowsy, even though he was fully aware of every small sound and twitch in Erion, as well as their surroundings.
"We can both sleep. We're safe now. I can feel where we are." Erion's smile was dazzling. "Can you feel it?"
Kansas reached out all his senses, and slowly at first, he began to feel something. It grew stronger and stronger, a wave of pure benevolence and goodness that surrounded the young lovers like a cozy down comforter. Kansas had no idea how he knew, but he knew with utter certainty that the ship's captain had taken them through the Upper Planes, where no evil could hold power.
"I can feel it," Kansas whispered back with utter wonder, and nuzzling Erion's cheek a little, he settled in and closed his eyes again, whispering as his voice deepened with approaching sleep. "Let's sleep, baby. Let's go to the Pond and watch the stars together. I've missed our little hideaway while you've been gone."
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I have run across stories in which each paragraph was one enormous sentence, strung together by commas where one would expect to see a period. At the very end of the paragraph was a period.
I'm simply not willing to work that hard to make sense of a story.
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Pen Name: BronxWench
Story link: A King's Promise
Review Replies:
Type of fic: Flashfic
Rating: Adult+
Fandom: Games > Dragon Age: Origins
Warnings: AFFO, ChallengeFic, M/M, NoSex
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Augh, commas, periods, and question marks! How can simple punctuation be such a mystery?
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"Haedrith," Erion murmured, feeling the older elf's strong arms around him. "Sorry about being late. It seems my presence was requested elsewhere for a bit."
Haedrith's eyes widened a little as he took in Erion's condition. Erion's back was purple and bruised, with thick welts crisscrossing it, and his wrists were raw and caked in dried blood.
"Requested or demanded?" Haedrith muttered. "What in the Abyss happened to you?"
Erion let himself lean into the comforting warmth of Haedrith. "It's not entirely clear to me, but right now, what I mostly want is a bath, and a healing potion."
Haedrith felt his cheeks grow warm. "Healing potions, Seldarine, yes," he muttered, and carefully released Erion. "Are you alright? On your own for a moment? I think I have some potions."
"I'm good, love," Erion replied, his smile warm. "Really, just being here is exactly what I need."
It was true. Having made it safely from the Tower to Haedrith's quiet little house was more than enough for Erion. His ankles ached and he dreaded pulling off his boots, his wrists were oozing fresh blood in places, and his back was only marginally better without the rough robe chafing it.
Still, Erion's heart soared as he realized that he had managed to escape a magetower on his own, unarmed. Even though he had given up a few small bits of information, Erion was sure Santhiel would be proud of him for managing to get out with as little injury as he had. And there was one less Luskan in the world, which was never a bad thing.
Erion took a deep breath and tugged on his boots, the soft doeskin sliding over the abused skin of his ankles. The flesh was a deep and vivid purple, and immediately began to swell once it was released from the confines of the boots, and Erion hissed a little as the pain increased as well. He could see darker lines where the edges of the leg restraints had dug in each time he had slammed his ankle against the stone wall, and he was sure that some of the damage was from frostbite as well. The boots had not been that warm.
Haedrith came back into the living room, holding a couple of blue vials in his hands, his beautiful features filled with worry. "Here, drink these. I don't know if they'll heal you fully, but I can get more in the morning when the markets are open."
Haedrith sank to his knees with easy grace, opening a vial and handing it to Erion to drink. The potion was slightly spicy, and Erion looked at Haedrith with a mischievous grin.
"These are way better than Sand's potions. I have to find out what your alchemist uses to flavor them." Erion drank the second potion, the warm magic washing over him. "Oh, that's so much better, Haedrith."
Haedrith watched in relief as most of the awful bruising faded on Erion's back, the welts subsiding for the most part to reveal that his gorgeous tattoo was undamaged. Erion's ankles were only a little purple now, and his wrists were merely bruised, only pink lines marking where the flesh had been cut open. Erion wriggled happily, delighted not to ache all over anymore, his eyes bright as he looked up at Haedrith.
Haedrith still looked worried, and Erion tugged him down for a kiss, lingering over the sweet mouth of his elven lover. Haedrith seemed to resist for a moment, and then let himself open into the kiss, one hand sliding into Erion's silver mane. Erion held the kiss until they were both breathless, and when he finally released Haedrith, his lover's turquoise eyes were dark with desire.
"I've missed you, my sweet Haedrith," Erion murmured, moving with sinuous grace to press his bare skin against the older elf. "Seldarine, you're so beautiful." Erion's lips brushed along the sweep of Haedrith's elegant ear, trailing up to the delicate tip and suckling it as Haedrith moaned in helpless need.
Somewhere in the haze of desire, Haedrith recalled a bath, and he cupped Erion's face in slim hands. "Bath," he managed, as Erion's fingers slid under his tunic to tease his warm flesh. "You wanted a bath."
"Oh, that sounds lovely," Erion purred, slowly drawing Haedrith's tunic up and away over his head to reveal pale golden skin and peach nipples, already beginning to pebble. Erion leaned in to tongue one nipple, his teeth scraping lightly over the tight little nub, and Haedrith moaned again. Erion looked up at the sweetly flushed face of the sun elf. "Bathe with me?"
Haedrith made a small strangled sound that might have been yes, and got to his feet, graceful despite being utterly lost in a pair of heated silver eyes that all but devoured him. Erion rose as well, a bit less gracefully, but managing to slide along Haedrith's bared chest until they were face to face. Erion nibbled another kiss and then slipped his hand into Haedrith's hand, letting the slightly dazed sun elf lead them into the bathing chamber.
Erion skinned out of his breeches, feeling Haedrith's eyes on him as he made sure to sway his hips a little. It was more than obvious that Kansas had spent time here, since Haedrith had put in a lovely shower, and Erion purred again as Haedrith turned on the water for the shower to scrub off Erion's grime. Erion writhed and purred most distractingly the entire time, but Haedrith managed to get him clean enough for the bath, which he had filled while they showered.
Once Haedrith had managed to get the little elf into the bath, he found himself quickly pinned under Erion, who straddled Haedrith and leaned forward to slide along Haedrith's chest. Haedrith gasped as Erion's hard little nipples rubbed against his own peach nubs, and then Erion's lips found his. Erion kissed Haedrith as though his very life depended on it, hungry and fervent, slim fingers tangling in Haedrith's damp hair as his hard cock ground against Haedrith's belly.
Haedrith's own cock was achingly hard, and the round globes of Erion's ass slid along the shaft, coaxing another moan from Haedrith. Erion chuckled wickedly, sliding up a little further and then lining his pucker up with Haedrith's cock. Haedrith opened his mouth to protest, knowing Erion had not prepared himself nor had Haedrith, but Erion claimed Haedrith's mouth again as he pressed down, and Haedrith found himself breaching that tight little ass.
"Oh, Seldarine," Haedrith gasped, and Erion slid down, taking all of Haedrith's cock in a smooth motion, his face radiant as he was thoroughly filled.
"Haedrith," Erion whispered, leaning forward to nibble at Haedrith's kiss-swollen lips. "Oh, I am so glad to be back here with you." Erion ground down, his back arching a little, and Haedrith bucked his hips into that inviting heat. "I missed you, I missed making love with you, my sweet elven lover."
Erion shifted, and Haedrith watched as Erion's back arched further. The older elf moved then, riding Erion's sweet spot with abandon, watching as Erion grew rosy with his arousal. Erion's eyes fluttered closed in sheer bliss, his cock bobbing between them, and Haedrith reached down to wrap his fingers around Erion's cock, stroking it as he thrust into the younger elf.
"Erion, lisse'melindoamin, my sweet lover," Haedrith breathed, watching Erion's face as the younger elf arched backward. "Let go for me, Erion."
Erion moaned, thrusting his cock against Haedrith's hand as Haedrith rode Erion's tight ass. Erion could feel the heaviness in his balls, and when Haedrith lifted his free hand and teased one tight little nipple, tweaking it sharply, Erion's moan escalated into a howl as he came, spurt after spurt pulsing out as his ass clamped down on Haedrith's cock spasmodically.
Haedrith watched the silver-haired elf come undone, and the sight of Erion's wanton bliss pushed Haedrith past the brink, his own cum molten as he filled Erion's ass. Erion mewled, grinding down as he rode out his orgasm, and Haedrith pulled Erion into his arms and held the younger elf tightly, breathing in the scent of his little lover and sobbing with relief. Haedrith had not realized, until that very moment, just how worried he had been about Erion.
They clung together for several minutes, hearts calming as Erion nuzzled into Haedrith happily. The water grew cooler, until both elves shivered a little as they held each other close. Erion shifted, untangling himself from Haedrith, and they managed to climb out of the bath and wrap themselves in thick towels. Erion let Haedrith brush out his hair and then he did the same for Haedrith, running the burnished gold waves through his fingers lovingly as he brushed.
Haedrith led Erion back into the living room and settled him in a pile of cushions, pouring wine for them both before curling in next to Erion. The food had been refreshed several times over the course of the evening and into the night, Haedrith at a loss for any better way to occupy his time while waiting, and he was able to offer Erion all sorts of luscious nibbles. Erion especially savored the shellfish, the delicate taste perfect after their lovemaking, and he managed to wrangle tender little kisses between bites of fruit and tidbits of roasted fowl. Little balls of rice were filled with savory vegetables, an elven take on sushi that made Erion groan, since his sushi had been left on the ship when he was taken.
Erion was content, clean and loved and sated, and he was very nearly in reverie when Haedrith's door chimed again, and Erion's eyes flew open as he felt his Kansas nearby. Haedrith was quicker, hurrying to the door and opening it with a beautiful smile as he wrapped his arms around Kansas and tugged him in.
"He's here, my love. Erion's here," Haedrith said, his eyes shining as he tugged Kansas toward the living room.
Kansas sobbed as Erion raced across the living room, towel quite forgotten as he launched himself into Kansas and Haedrith with a scream of pure joy.
Kansas caught his little elf in his arms, and held him tightly, breathing deeply of his soft skin, their bond again fully open and their soul lights wrapping around each other as always. "Fuck, baby, I've been so worried. What happened? Are you alright?" Kansas spoke calmly, but his tone was one of great anxiety, and his hands felt cold as he eased Erion out of the embrace and cupped his face, gently forcing the elf to look up into his eyes.
Kansas stared deep into the silvery depths of Erion's eyes, and dark blue tendrils snaked the surface of his own slate grey eyes, Tatsuya reaching out to his own beloved through the bond. "Are you alright?" Kansas asked again, and Erion could tell by his tone, that Kansas did not mean physically, but mentally.
"I'm fine, 'lokiamin, really," Erion said, his own bond completely open and all thought of reverie banished as he reached up to touch Kansas's face. "Well, one or two minor bruises, and I might have a little scar on my arm, but the bastards never got close to hurting me."
Haedrith's eyebrow arched at that statement, his expression utterly dubious.
Erion looked into Kansas's eyes, his own eyes shifting slightly as Yuki reached out to Tatsuya to reassure his loved that the little vessel was alright.
Kansas ran a gentle hand through the silver hair, his brow furrowing ever so slightly, and his voice deepened a little bit. "Isilmeamin, don't bullshit with me. What happened? I can tell you've been hurt physically, but I'm more worried about this." Kansas lay his flat palm against Erion's chest above his heart and pressed a little. "I know you're tough physically, and mentally, but you can get hurt. So, tell me the truth. Tell me what happened," Kansas pleaded, leading Erion over to the cushions again and sinking down, with Erion in his arms.
Erion sighed a little, Haedrith curling up behind him as he snuggled into Kansas's embrace. "I'm still not completely sure how, but I was on the ship one moment, and in Tower Reilloch the next. There was a mage, and he wanted to know about atar." Erion looked up at Kansas, and then at Haedrith. "The questioning got a little rough, partially because I did tell him to go fuck himself, several times."
Haedrith shuddered a little. "Did he mention a name?"
"No," Erion replied. "I sort of thought of him as the speaker. He was the one who questioned me. There were two who left when they found out I was related to Sand. The other two that stayed..." Erion's voice trailed off and he bit his lip before continuing. "One was a balor, wearing an elven appearance. The other was human, a Luskan. He's not a problem anymore."
Kansas' arms tightened a little around Erion for a moment when he mentioned the balor, and then again when he said that the Luskan was not a problem anymore. Kansas' voice was tainted with some darkness that Erion had not heard before, when he asked, "How so, Erion? Don't hold back from me, baby. You know you can trust Haedrith, so don't hold back now."
"I killed the Luskan. It's how I escaped." Erion shrugged a little and snuggled closer to Kansas. "The speaker was questioning me about star elves, and about atar. He read the records from when atar was there, and refused to share any of the secrets of Sildëyuir with them. I drew out the questioning as long as I could, and when they left me for the night, I let them think I was unconscious. I tried to get out of my chains, but they caught me at it, and the speaker told the Luskan to cane me."
"Seldarine," Haedrith breathed. "This was in the Tower? You're sure?"
Erion nodded. "I wasn't sure at first myself, but the Luskan waited until the speaker left, and proposed a trade of sorts. He figured I'd believe that he'd let me go if I let him fuck me." Erion snorted. "I didn't exactly correct that impression. He took me out of the chains and took me to his room, and I called my shadows."
Both elves heard the tiny sound of despair that escaped from Kansas' chest, the imp hardly aware of it himself as he tightened his arms around Erion and kissed his neck hard. "Baby..." he whispered, with all the love that he possessed, and a small surge of fear ran through his bond with Erion and the bonds he had with Vale and Sand. Erion immediately recognized that surge as Kansas' old fears of revenge.
"It's okay, baby. He was Luskan, and the only reason he was even here is that most self-respecting elves would have run screaming from the speaker in horror at what he proposed." Erion nuzzled Kansas. "It's different here, baby. He would have killed me after he used me, and the toys he had waiting would have made me glad to die. What I did? No one could fault me. I didn't let the shadows take him, though."
Erion looked at Kansas, his eyes deadly serious, begging Kansas to understand. "I just let them drain him until he lost consciousness. I was going to leave him alive, to explain to the speaker and the balor how I got away, but he started to wake up. He was the one using magic to punish me, these dark spells that burned along my nerves. If I left him alive, he'd had come after me with those spells, and I wouldn't have been able to defend myself. So, I broke his neck."
"Did you see this speaker?" Haedrith's quiet voice was grim.
"No, he never lifted his hood enough," Erion said. "I never saw anything that could identify him. But he did teach his Luskan accomplice high magic. I can tell you that much, and that was another reason to kill that bastard."
Kansas stared into Erion's eyes, that penetrating stare that he sometimes used that made it clear that he was looking into Erion's soul, deeper than any human should be able to. He nodded slowly as Erion spoke, and then leaned in to kiss Erion softly. "I understand, isilmeamin. There was no other way. I am glad that you escaped without serious injury. But now I am worried about you, Haedrith. You work with these bastards. I will worry about your safety, and Herenith's as well. Also, who did you tell about us? Who knew that Erion was coming here?" Kansas's voice was calm, no accusation in his tone, only concern and worry.
Haedrith looked over Erion's shoulder into Kansas's eyes. "My safety is not so much an issue, since the mage who did this will know that I have no knowledge of Erion's father. I'm a librarian, dealing with tomes and scrolls, not ancient Feywild lore. But the other matter is more relevant. I spoke of Erion's visit with a few friends at the Tower, a casual mention that Erion was coming to see me. The friends I spoke with would not be directly involved, but who knows who could have overheard us?"
Haedrith looked perfectly miserable at the thought that he had indirectly helped Erion's attackers, and Erion turned his head to look at Haedrith.
"They'd have found a way. Atar warned me to be careful here, and I intended to be careful. I just didn't think they'd go that far to pull me off the ship like that." Erion looked back at Kansas. "I don't think he'll try again, not now. I'm warned, and I'm going nowhere without weapons. What I want, more than anything, is this, being held by you both and knowing that I'm safe and loved and home."
Kansas stroked Erion's hair with one hand and reached out to Haedrith with the other, his eyes burning with love for both elves. "I do not lay any blame at all on you, Haedrith. Like Erion says, they would have found a way, any way to get their hands on him. But now, Erion, what do you want to do? Do you want to stay here with Haedrith tonight, or do you want to leave right away? I have a ship, manned with Cloaktower guards, waiting in the harbor. We can slip away in the night, unnoticed. Or we can sleep here tonight and leave tomorrow evening in secret. And I think I am inclined to agree with you. From now on we do not enter Evermeet unarmed."
Erion's eyes widened at the mention of the ship. "I can't just leave, 'lokiamin, not just like that. Can we stay, tonight, and love each other properly? You and I can slip out tomorrow night, and take the ship home." Erion turned to look at Haedrith again. "I can't just leave you, not like this. That bastard won't try anything. In fact, I'll bet he'll be working on his own escape plans in case I go to the Palace tomorrow. Couple of high elven mages and a truth spell, and he'd be found fast."
"Is that what you want to do? Will you take this to the Queen herself?" Haedrith tightened his hold around both his lovers.
"No." Erion's voice was flat. "There's enough controversy over Evermeet's decision to remain apart. I'm not adding to that, to setting elf against elf. We had enough with the Crown Wars, and we're still paying for that." Erion shifted a little, managing to arrange himself between his two lovers in such a way that he looked wanton and available. "What I want is right here, right now, and one of you is far too dressed."
Kansas chuckled at the last comment, and nodding his head he quickly unbuckled his belt, letting it fall to the floor. "I am not going to even pretend like I understand your elven politics, so whatever you say, Erion. I think we should tell Sand and Vale, though, when we get home, as well as Yuji and Satoshi. They have a right to know, if nothing else, especially now that you wear Satoshi's ring. But I agree. We'll stay here tonight."
Kansas purred and leaned over Erion to pull Haedrith into a kiss, teasing the younger elf's ear tip with one hand, the other fisting in Haedrith's hair.
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Thank you for the report, and we will look into it. We do take plagiarism very seriously here at AFF.
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Can you give us the names of the stories and the subdomains they were published in? Thanks!
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Vale looked at Yuji and just barely managed to suppress a scream as he took in the sight of his gorgeous husband, slim and blond. If anything, Yuji looked even more delicious than he did in the old photos at Satoru's house, and Vale's eyes lit up as he held himself to a slow and wicked saunter, letting his hips sway as he walked up to Yuji.
Yuji licked his lips as Vale walked up, his perfect eyes full of heat under the slightly lighter brows, and Vale shivered a little. He looked at the phone in his hand, tapped an icon, and leaned in close to Yuji to murmur in his ear.
"There's a love hotel about five minutes' walk from here. If we hurry, I might even be able to keep myself from dragging you into that dark little alley over there." Vale's breath tickled Yuji's sensitive ear, and the blatant desire in Vale's green eyes took Yuji's breath away for a moment.
"That dark alley?" Yuji nodded his head and pushed himself off the wall of the station with heedless grace, making Vale's cock press even more against his jeans. "Do you really have an app that tells you where the nearest love hotel is?"
"Do you really think I'd leave anything to chance?" Vale fell into step alongside Yuji as Yuji steered them on a course that would pass in front of the alley. "I have no idea what made you decide to do this now, but I promise you, I intend to show you exactly what I think about your new look."
As they neared the alley, Vale casually hip-bumped Yuji, turned, and spun Yuji into the alley, sliding his hands into the gorgeous blond hair as he pressed his lips to Yuji's lips with a wanton little moan. Yuji let Vale press him against the wall of the alley, the elf plundering Yuji's mouth thoroughly until both of them were completely breathless, Yuji's hands wrapped around the denim-clad globes of Vale's ass.
"Fuck, Yuji, I can't believe how hot you look," Vale managed to rasp out when he had caught his breath again. "Kai's a fucking genius."
Yuji gave Vale's ass a squeeze. "Love hotel, now." His voice was thick with desire as he grinned at his elf.
Yuji and Vale were utterly oblivious of the admiring looks directed their way as they strolled out of the station and down a busy street, turning off onto a slightly quieter street and towards the hotel. Vale managed to get his wallet out first, handing over the yen and taking the key, entirely focused on the heat radiating from Yuji's body, so close to him in the small lobby.
The door to the room had barely closed behind them when Vale was peeling off his own blazer, his lips pressed to Yuji's lips in a passionate kiss as he ground his aching cock against Yuji's hip. Yuji chuckled a little, but he was already unbuttoning his shirt, his blazer discarded. Vale broke the kiss long enough to pull his t-shirt over his head, and then the elf's slim fingers were busy opening Yuji's belt. Yuji brushed Vale's fingers away, opening his jeans and pushing them down as Vale mirrored him, tossing a small tube of lube onto the bed.
Yuji tumbled Vale onto the bed, the elf moaning as he wrapped his arms around Yuji so that he could grind his needy cock against Yuji's cock, the two of them straining against their boxers. Yuji growled a little, his mouth latching onto the wonderful dark mark on Vale's throat, working the tender skin above Vale's pulse point and making Vale howl a little. Vale's hand slipped down to palm Yuji's cock, and Yuji growled again as Vale flipped Yuji onto his stomach unceremoniously, yanking down Yuji's boxers and tugging on his hips until Yuji got his knees under himself.
Vale looked at the pale golden globes of Yuji's ass, so perfectly presented, and he moaned a little as he gripped the smooth flesh and exposed Yuji's eager pucker. Vale bent his head forward, circling the tight ring of muscle with his tongue, teasing Yuji with the stud he wore until Yuji was writhing. Vale let the tip of his tongue press a little on the pucker, feeling it give just a bit, and he pressed harder until the ring opened to allow Vale's tongue entry.
Yuji howled as Vale's tongue plundered him, the stud making it all the more enjoyable as Vale took the occasional swipe across Yuji's pucker before plunging back in. Vale grabbed the lube and slicked his cock, and when Yuji was loose enough in Vale's estimation, the elf rose and pressed the head of his cock against Yuji's ass, breaching Yuji and burying himself balls deep in the velvet heat.
"Fuck, Yuji, you're always so tight," Vale moaned, his slim fingers wrapping around Yuji's hips as the ring in his cock dragged across Yuji's prostate in the most maddeningly wonderful way. White lights exploded behind Yuji's eyes and he howled as Vale set a furious pace, flesh slapping against flesh as Vale's howls mingled with Yuji's. Vale leaned forward, his silky skin sliding across Yuji's back, the gold rings in his nipples scraping lightly as Vale licked and sucked a rosy mark on the back of Yuji's neck. One slim hand slipped around Yuji to wrap around Yuji's cock, and Yuji howled again as strong, slender fingers stroked in time with powerful thrusts.
Yuji could feel the heat building in his belly, and he ground back against Vale as his balls tightened. Only Vale could bring him to orgasm like this, without Yuji actually penetrating anyone. Yuji howled as his cock jumped in Vale's hand and his balls emptied, painting the bed and Vale's hand with his cum. Yuji's ass clamped down on Vale's cock, muscles rippling around Vale, and the elf screamed as his hot cum filled Yuji's ass, the velvet heat milking Vale dry as Yuji ground back.
Vale eased out of Yuji's ass, his green eyes bright with love and desire as he collapsed to the bed next to Yuji, lips seeking Yuji's lips. "I can't believe you went and did this," Vale said, his smile radiant. "You're so fucking gorgeous like this."
Yuji chuckled, his long fingers toying with the golden rings in Vale's nipples and making Vale's back arch a little. "You said you liked the blond hair, and I felt like doing something different."
"It's like having an affair with my own husband," Vale laughed. He ran his fingers through Yuji's hair admiringly. "I love it, a'maelamin. I really do."
"Really?" Yuji purred, and his long fingers dropped lower, stroking Vale's cock which was already beginning to harden again. "What time did you tell Sand we'd be back?"
Vale's answering chuckle was wicked indeed. "I didn't say."
Yuji's perfect eyes lit up as he pulled Vale close, cutting off any further conversation with a searing kiss.
Beredir looked at Erion fondly as the young elf strolled into The Greymist, his eyes bright. "It's been a while, Erion. All alone today?"
"As a matter of fact, yes," Erion replied, sliding into a seat at a table as Beredir joined him. An elven server brought over wine for them both, and Erion grinned at her and handed her some coin. "And before you ask, I'm single for a tenday. Momo and I broke up, and Kansas thought it would do me some good to clear my head. So, for the next ten days, I'm supposed to laugh and flirt and have a few dalliances. Actually, I'm heading to Evermeet in six days, but I'll be back by end of the tenday."
Beredir arched an eyebrow. "And then?"
Erion's answering grin was irresistibly cheeky. "And then, Kansas is going to woo me, sweep me off my feet, and propose to me so perfectly that I'll be dancing on air itself. We'll get married in Japan, and it will last forever."
Beredir poured wine for them both and lifted his glass in a toast. "Well then, here's to a tenday of being unattached. I take it you intend to use my poor inn for your exploits?" Beredir's eyes danced with affection as he looked at Erion.
"If you'd rather I went to The Greenleaf," Erion began, his tone teasing, and Beredir laughed.
"Not a chance, you little terror. You'll frolic here, where I can keep an eye on you." Beredir sipped his wine and sighed with pleasure. "This was a perfect year for the Berdruskan Dark, I think."
Erion sipped as well, and his smile widened. "I'll trust you on that, oh wise innkeeper. Now, tell me everything that's news in Neverwinter."
Erion boarded the ship to Evermeet, his heart racing a bit with excitement at the thought of seeing Haedrith again. He grinned happily, the wind blowing his silver hair back from his face. Erion had thoroughly enjoyed his time alone in Neverwinter, managing to find a new lover for each night. Yet, each morning, as he rose to worship the dawn, Erion's heart grew lighter knowing he was a day closer to being reunited with Kansas. Even now, on his way to see Haedrith, it was another step closer since he and Kansas generally shared their graceful elven lover.
Unlike the other passengers, Erion stayed on deck after the ship had slipped between Planes, the wind disappearing as magic took over. He could feel the arcane energies running along his skin, and he watched the sails billow to mark the passage of the ship, the featureless grey that surrounded it giving no clue as to its location. The crew ignored him, not from any malice but simply because they had duties to attend to, and the young elf was not part of them. There were times when Erion was utterly alone on the deck, and therefore no one noticed that he simply was not there any longer, the flash of light that marked his disappearance unseen by any living thing.
Erion stumbled a little as the rolling deck of the elven ship was replaced with stone, hard and unyielding beneath his boots. As he regained his balance, Erion looked around quickly, his silver eyes narrowing. The room was windowless, the air dry and cool, and there was a single glow globe lighting the space. The walls were curved on one side, and a chain ending in manacles hung from that wall. Several robed figures, their hoods obscuring their features, stood between Erion and the heavy wooden door.
"What in the hells is going on?" Erion demanded, his muscles tensing. "Where am I?" Silently he cursed the fact that he had chosen to travel unarmed, without so much as a dagger on his person.
One hooded figure stepped forward. "Silence, child. You are not the one asking questions here."
Erion growled low in his throat. "Fuck this. I don't know who you all are, but you can go fuck yourselves." Erion started toward the door, and one of the people near the door flung out a hand, energy erupting in a dark arc.
Erion crumpled to the ground, every nerve in his body aflame. It was agony, but Erion bit back his screams, not wanting to give the bastards the satisfaction of hearing him cry out. Two of the robed figures came forward to haul Erion to his feet, dragging him over to the curved wall and locking his wrists into the manacles, his back against the wall, his wrists over his head.
"You will tell us what we want to know." The speaker tilted his head slightly. "It is your choice how hard this will be. Start with your name."
"Hayashi Yuki," Erion retorted, his silver eyes molten with fury. Another bolt of that dark energy washed over the young elf, and he sucked in a harsh breath.
"I see. You prefer to fight. I regret what must be done." The speaker's voice held no regret whatsoever, and in fact, he sounded almost pleased. "Shall we try that again? Tell me your name."
Erion glared at the speaker. "That's my name on the Plane where I usually reside, you bastard. Try asking the right fucking question."
Instead of the bolt of dark energy, the speaker moved forward swiftly, backhanding Erion and splitting the young elf's lips open, blood flowing immediately.
"Such insolence, child. I will only ask once more. How are you known here?" The speaker tilted his head again expectantly.
Erion raised his chin, the blood dripping off. "Erion en Nosse Iradil."
Two of the cloaked mages shifted slightly, the ones who had dragged Erion to the wall and chained him. "The one who defeated Haran en' Daer, the King of Shadows, was also Iradil," one mage said, and the other nodded.
The speaker turned. "If you do not have the stomach for this, leave now, but know that you will be watched. No one must know of this."
The two mages slipped away, closing the door behind them, leaving Erion with the speaker, the dark energy wielder, and one other figure who had not moved. He was certain now that he was in Tower Reilloch, which meant he was in Leuthilspar, at least. If Erion could figure out a way to escape the Tower, Haedrith was nearby, and sanctuary.
"Your second House?" the speaker said, his tone bored.
Erion spat a mouthful of blood to the stone floor. "I told you my name, you bastard."
"The name you gave is that of a moon elven House, and you are not entirely of moon elven blood." The speaker waited expectantly.
"Fuck you. Why would I cooperate with fucking dhaerow like you?" Erion radiated defiance. "Name my crime."
"You should be careful who you name a traitor, child," the speaker replied. "What is your second House?"
"Nosse Hayashi," Erion snapped.
The dark energy flared and Erion hissed as his nerves burned. Erion's legs were trembling with the effort required to hold him up, and the look he leveled at the speaker was nothing short of murderous. The speaker gestured again and a second arc washed over Erion, dragging a howl from the young elf as his nerves burned anew, far too soon for Erion to have recovered sufficiently to hold back his screams. This second arc did not stop, and Erion's head snapped back, slamming against the stone of the wall as his back arched in agony. His slim hands wrapped around the chains of his manacles, the cold metal of the bracelets cutting into his flesh, but Erion was oblivious to the blood that trickled down his arms.
The speaker gestured again, and the energy faded. Erion slumped forward with a choked sob, his legs all but useless and his fingers locked around the chains. The speaker walked over to Erion and lifted the young elf's chin, looking into Erion's eyes.
"Your willpower is admirable, but it would be much easier if you would tell me what I want to know. If you fight me this hard over just your name, what will it be like when I begin to ask harder questions? Do you wish death that much?" The speaker released Erion's chin, and Erion let his head fall forward. "I can always reanimate your corpse and question it, and learn all that I need to know."
Erion sucked in a harsh breath. This threat carried more weight with him than he cared to let his tormentor know. Erion's death spelled death for Kansas as well, and that he could not allow. The choice was clear. Erion needed to pretend to cooperate, just a little, enough to buy him some time to think of a way out.
"Sulandorn," Erion croaked, his heart aching as he let the name fall from his lips. It felt like the worst kind of betrayal, to name his father's House.
"That was harder than it needed to be, child." The speaker paused. "Let us try the next question, and see if you have learned your lesson. Tell me the name of your parent that hails from Sildëyuir."
Erion's mind raced. It was likely none of his captors were old enough to remember his father when he had last been in Evermeet. Still, these were mages, and they would have access to all the records of that time. Santhiel's name would have been noted, though Erion was sure that the natural longevity of star elves was not commonly known. It was a small secret, however, and one that had been speculated about enough already. Erion made his decision, his heart heavy.
"Santhiel," Erion said, his voice still ragged. "My father's name is Santhiel, you bastard."
The figure that had not yet moved stirred. "It cannot be telling the truth. Ask it if the name was handed down."
Erion's eyes narrowed, hidden by his hair as it fell forward. That voice was not elven, the accent too harsh. Erion breathed in through his nose as silently as he could, and faint though it was, he picked up a scent he had only smelled once before in his young life. His blood turned to ice in his veins as he recalculated his chances of survival, the taint of the Abyss stinging his nostrils. If these fools were dealing with a balor, Erion would not be allowed to walk away, no matter how willingly he gave up the secrets of his father's people. They would strip him of his secrets and give him to the balor for a plaything.
"Answer the question." The speaker's voice was flat.
Erion had already resolved to give up this small thing, and now more than ever he needed a reprieve, time to think and figure out a way to escape. Once alone, there was a chance he could free himself from the manacles. His legs were still free, and if he managed to behave as though he were subdued, they might remain free. It would be painful and bloody, but that was also a small thing if freedom was the reward. The young elf gritted his teeth, lifting his head with an effort that was not entirely feigned.
"The name was not handed down." Erion let his head fall forward, his silver hair swinging to hide his face.
The speaker seemed surprised, falling back a step to confer with his two colleagues in a thick tongue that Erion recognized from listening to his uncles as Abyssal. Erion wondered if they would notice if he acquired that language, but decided that the risk of revealing that particular gift of his star elf heritage was not worth the reward. Besides, he was reasonably certain they were discussing his father's longevity, since Santhiel had not set foot in Evermeet in well over a thousand years. His assumption was proved correct by the next question leveled at him.
"How old is Santhiel?" The speaker sounded oddly excited.
Erion coughed weakly, spitting a clot of congealed blood onto the floor. "He is two thousand four hundred and eleven years old as of Alturiak just past."
The admission triggered a round of questioning regarding the lifespan of star elves, questioning Erion resisted as he endured more arcane punishment. Erion pretended to pass out once or twice, earning himself a couple more hard slaps, but the speaker's excitement was palpable as he dragged out an admission from Erion that star elves were extraordinarily long-lived, and perhaps even as immortal as their eldarin ancestors.
The discussion raged as Erion let himself hang limply, ignoring the pain from his already damaged wrists. It was such a heated discussion that the parties forgot themselves and spoke in the common tongue, the balor expressing misgivings about the entire plan while the speaker threatened the demon with permanent binding to his service. Erion lost all track of time as they argued, the speaker determined to pry the secrets of the star elves from Erion at all costs. The balor argued that it was knowledge the speaker could not use, since he would have to reveal how he had obtained it, and the Queen would execute him by her own hand.
The speaker finally turned away in disgust, looking at the young elf hanging limp in his chains. "Secure his ankles. We will question him again in the morning."
Erion was careful to remain utterly limp and relaxed, as though he were unconscious, while the dark energy wielder fastened restraints around his ankles, the chains securely fastened to the floor itself but leaving some play. Erion felt a small wave of despair rise up, his plans to free himself hampered, but his natural resilience returned after the door was closed and locked behind his tormentors. He would find a way out, no matter what it took.
The one advantage Erion had noticed in dealing with mages was that they tended to think only of magical solutions to their problems. More mundane methods were largely ignored, and Erion decided to test that theory. Still keeping his head down, he summoned his shadows, directing them to remain around his ankles and to wrap around the restraints. Erion had noticed that the shadows tended to leech warmth from whatever they touched even when they were not actively siphoning off life force. It was a gamble, but if the metal of the restraints was old enough, the intense cold might make it brittle enough to shatter.
Erion waited until he could no longer feel his feet before he called off the shadows. Taking a deep breath, Erion lifted one foot off the ground, and slammed his ankle against the wall as hard as he could. It sounded impossibly loud in the still room, and Erion's ankle ached from the impact, but he drew his foot forward as far as the chain would allow and then slammed the wall a second time. His keen ears picked up a faint metallic scream as the metal began to give. Encouraged, Erion bashed the wall a third time and felt the restraint fall away.
It hurt to put weight on his thawing foot, but Erion gritted his teeth and repeated the process with the other restraint, slamming his ankle against the wall until that restraint too fell away. His soft doeskin boots had protected him somewhat, but the young elf knew he would be horribly bruised at best, if not limping outright. Still, his legs were free, and Erion took a moment to breathe deeply before he began the next step.
Erion tugged sharply on his manacles, reopening the wounds on his wrists, and this time he twisted his wrists to slick the manacles with his own blood. Muttering a prayer to Corellon, Erion turned and braced his feet against the wall and tugged down as hard as he could, still twisting his wrists and trying to compress his hands enough for them to slip free. He could feel his skin tearing as it caught on the manacles, and he tugged even harder. Erion had nearly freed his right hand when he heard the door open.
The speaker advanced, Erion watching him with molten silver eyes as the speaker's hand snaked out of the sleeve of his robe and fisted in Erion's hair. The speaker slammed Erion's head forward, bouncing the young elf off the wall hard enough to make Erion growl low in his throat. The mage was not strong, however, and Erion shook off the blow more easily than he let show.
"Idiot child," the speaker hissed. "Cane him."
Erion snarled and yanked hard on his right hand, hoping to free it before the other two, the balor and the dark energy wielder could reach him. The balor was too fast, however, and caught Erion's arm in a crushing grip. With brutal indifference, the balor shoved Erion's wrist back up into the manacle, tearing his skin even more, and then the balor casually ripped the young elf's tunic away.
It was the dark energy wielder who raised the supple wooden rod, and began to methodically crisscross Erion's back with agonizing blows meant to bruise and raise welts while not breaking the skin. It was a Luskan punishment Erion had heard about from Sand, one his uncle had endured long ago. Erion turned his head to look over his shoulder, his expression one of pure hatred, refusing to cry out in pain.
"Spent some time in the Hosttower, did you, you fucking worm? You stink like a Luskan, you Houseless bastard," Erion managed to snarl, and to his surprise, the speaker chuckled darkly.
"Do not break skin or bone," the speaker said, and gesturing for the balor to follow him, he left, still chuckling.
The mage laid a few more blows across Erion's already welted back, but they were far less painful, and Erion managed a grim smile.
"Weakening already? You should try flogging your cock more often. It might improve your strength," Erion sneered. His eyes flashed with defiance, the young elf determined not to give in to despair.
The mage moved closer, letting the rod drop from his hand. He got close enough for his hot breath to make Erion's muscles shiver involuntarily, and he stripped off the thin leather glove he wore to touch the young elf's back lightly.
"Such a pretty thing," the mage whispered. His hand was broad, far too broad to be an elven hand, and Erion growled low in his throat at the touch. "It would be a pity to ruin such a lovely elf as you. But you were right, pretty one. I am from the Hosttower, and I find myself in something of a conundrum."
"Don't mind me if I say I'm fucking delighted to hear that," Erion growled.
"I came here to learn magic that I could not learn in Luskan, and I have already learned things to make my return to the Hosttower a triumph, things that were old when the cities of Netheril still flew above the Anauroch." The mage paused. "If I stay here and help this temporary master of mine, though, I stand to lose my head if your Queen Amlauril gets wind of this little incident."
"What a pity that would be," Erion snarled. "One less Luskan piece of shit."
"Hush, pretty one," the mage said, his voice thick. "I can offer you a way out. I can take you to my rooms, and if you please me, I can let you leave. You know he will have to kill you. He cannot risk your telling anyone what he has done to you."
Erion's eyes narrowed as he considered the Luskan's words. The mage he thought of as the speaker did not yet have enough leverage to compel Erion's silence. If he held Erion prisoner long enough, though, the speaker might learn of Kansas, and Erion's lifebond with his beloved imp, and that would be the leverage the speaker needed. Erion could not choose to die, not with Kansas's life connected to his own.
Erion did not think the Luskan meant to keep his promise, either. The man stank of fear and lust, and he stood to lose as much as the speaker if Erion was free. On the other hand, he would have to unchain Erion's hands to take him to his room, and the Luskan might be foolish enough to think Erion far weaker than he was. The Luskan had been dealing with mages, not trained warriors like Erion. An easy capitulation would not be believed, however, and so Erion glared at the Luskan with distaste.
"You think I'd play the whore for you?" Erion spat. "Why should I let you fucking touch me? Why should I be foolish enough to trust a piece of shit like you?"
The Luskan grated out a rough laugh. "You do not have much choice, pretty one. You are dead if you do not leave, and to be honest, I do not require my whores to be all that willing."
Erion pretended to consider this, his eyes narrowed. "Bastard. You know I have no choice, but I warn you, if you betray me, I'll return as a fucking baelnorn and haunt you to your fucking grave and beyond."
The mage laughed again, and muttered the words to release the manacles. Erion let himself fall forward as though his legs could not hold him up, and the mage staggered as the young elf fell heavily into his arms. The very touch of the Luskan made Erion's skin crawl, but he continued to feign weakness as the Luskan wrapped an arm around Erion's waist. He muttered again, and Erion recognized the spell as one of concealment rather than outright invisibility.
"Be silent," the Luskan warned, and Erion managed a nod as the Luskan guided him out of the room and into a dim corridor.
The Luskan knew his way in the warren of corridors, taking quick turnings with the ease of familiarity as he guided Erion up a forgotten stair that wound upward into darkness. Erion could see faint glimmerings of light from above, streaming in from underneath a door, and he let his head sag forward a bit as the Luskan was forced to half-carry Erion up the narrow stairs. The door led to another back passage, and the Luskan stopped in front of what looked like a marble wall, breathing heavily from his exertions. More murmuring, and a doorway appeared, the Luskan pushing Erion inside as the young elf stumbled and collapsed on the floor.
The Luskan watched, but Erion merely sagged, his breath coming in harsh pants, and the Luskan turned away to fiddle with a nasty-looking wooden frame, leather restraints unbuckled and waiting. A table holding whips and what appeared to be spiked dildoes was near the frame, and Erion nearly shuddered as he thought about what those would feel like. As Erion had suspected, he was not meant to survive the night, and the Luskan would flee back home with his elven secrets. That could not be allowed.
The Luskan never had a chance to so much as cry out before the shadows were upon him, feeding from him as Erion grinned savagely. One shadow covered the Luskan's mouth, stealing his breath away, while other shadows rose and slid along the Luskan's body, caressing him like dark lovers. Erion pulled himself to his feet, watching impassively as the shadows drained the life energy from the Luskan until the Luskan was too weak to remain conscious.
Erion waved the shadows off the Luskan before they had completely drained him, looking at the unconscious human with pure hatred in his silver eyes. Erion turned away, finding a small basin of water and washing off the worst of the crusted blood from his face and arms. Cleaner, Erion returned to prowling the room, yanking open the wardrobe door and finding several hooded robes. The young elf grabbed one, slipping it on with a wince as it slid over the abused skin of his back, and he flipped the hood up to hide his silver hair and eyes. A minor healing potion was in a pocket of the robe, and Erion drank it down eagerly, feeling some of the pain recede. There was a keystone on a shelf, and Erion snatched that as well, turning to leave. The Luskan moaned a little, and Erion froze in his tracks.
Erion considered his options. The Luskan was stirring, and Erion had no desire to face a mage, unarmed as he was. Those dark energy spells were brutally effective and Erion was far from healed. Erion narrowed his eyes again, and crossed back to the Luskan, silent and grim.
The Luskan's eyes opened in time to see Erion stoop, and then those slim hands grabbed the Luskan by the ears as the young elf gave a sharp sideways twist, the crack of the Luskan's neck loud enough to drown out the pounding of Erion's heart. Erion watched the life fade from the Luskan's eyes, and then he was gone, his steps light and graceful despite the throbbing in his ankles as he hurried down the main stairs and out of the Tower, and into the nighttime streets of Leuthilspar.
-
-
Erion walked up to the front door of the Mori house, his stomach fluttering nervously. He ran a slim hand through his hair nervously, licking his lips a little to moisten them before he reached out to ring the bell. His hand fell, fluttering for a moment at the waistband of his slim faded jeans, his nervously shifting feet encased in narrow black sneakers. Erion tugged a little at the collar of his white Egyptian cotton shirt, open at the throat, and he checked to make sure his sleeves were rolled neatly, the dozens of thin silver bangles chiming a little but not quite hiding the slender silver chain of fleur de lis with its little skull on one end, the ruby eye winking in the sunlight.
Satoru opened the door, his face lighting up in a smile as he held his arms out to Erion. "Yuki-kun, it's so good to see you."
Erion fell into the welcoming embrace, his eyes shining with a sudden rush of tears. "Oh, sofu, I'm sorry. I missed my connecting train, and it took forever for another to come."
"Don't worry about it at all," Satoru replied, holding Erion tightly. "I've missed you so much, Yuki-kun. I'm glad you came today, though. I think this is really the best thing."
Erion was in no hurry to end the embrace, his own arms wrapped around Satoru as he felt small pieces inside him fall back into their proper places. "I hope so," he whispered, his voice trembling very slightly. "How is he?"
Satoru finally let go, blushing a little. "Come into the house, please. How silly of me, keeping you here at the door."
Erion came into the foyer, sitting on the low bench to remove his sneakers and slip his feet into his slippers. Just the sight of those familiar slippers made his breath hitch a little, and he looked up to see Eryn standing there.
"He's been in his room, waiting." Satoru patted Erion's shoulder gently. "Go give your grandmother her hug, and then go up to him. He needs to see you."
Erion nodded, and then hurried over to hug Eryn, his head resting on her shoulder as Eryn cuddled him gently. "Atararim," Erion began, and then his voice trailed off.
"I know, utinu'ai. I know," Eryn soothed. "Momo was happy to get your text, and he's waiting. We'll be down here if you need us, but right now, he needs to see you."
Erion took a shaky breath, willing back the tears and standing up straight. He managed a little smile, and then he turned to head up the stairs to Momo's room, his heart pounding furiously in his chest. He raised his hand to knock on the door, his pearly teeth nibbling on his lower lip, and froze, eyes wide, looking for all the world like a silver deer caught in the headlights of a car.
Momo sat up on the armchair as the soft footfall stopped outside his door, every muscle in his body shivering, and his heart hammering so hard in his throat he was sure it would break out at any moment. But nothing happened. Erion did not come in, and he did not knock. The seconds ticked by, feeling like hours, and then with a trembling voice Momo said very quietly, "Yuki no...?"
Erion took a deep breath and opened the door, slightly disoriented by the rearranged furniture, but spotting Momo by the open window. "Momo..." He stepped into the room, closing the door behind himself gently, wanting nothing more than to fling himself into Momo's arms.
Momo licked his lips nervously, his hands shaking as he drew a deep drag of the cigarette, his voice trembling with emotion when he nodded, "Yuki-san."
Momo sat up on the armchair, straightening his back, fighting the urge to run and grab the slender elf into his arms, and hold him until time ended.
"Oh, Momo, I'm so sorry I'm late. I missed a connection, and then the train didn't come, and I'm sorry, this is just incredibly awkward and strange, but I'm so glad to see you." The words spilled out of Erion in a rush, and he crossed the room in a few swift strides, stopping just before he reached Momo. He looked around, slightly frantic, and then sat on the bed, his knees trembling too much to hold him up. "Oh, fuck. I had this all straight in my head, and it's all gone. Just... forgive me, please?"
Erion's hand flew up to slide into his own hair and fist there, the thin silver bracelets sliding back and revealing the chain of fleur de lis.
Momo twitched on his seat, as if he meant to stand up when Erion strode into the room, but his knees refused to carry him, and he licked his lips again as Erion sank down on the bed, asking his forgiveness. Momo twitched again, strangely disoriented and unsure of himself for a moment, and then he twisted around to stub out his cigarette, before he turned back to Erion. Reaching out he lay a calming hand on Erion's knee, his eyes straying to the silver chain around Erion's wrist before he looked back into Erion's eyes, and said in a deep calm tone, "I forgive you, Yuki no erufu. Can you forgive me?"
Erion made a small sound, somewhere between a gasp and a sob, and his hand dropped from his hair to rest lightly on Momo's hand, where it lay on his knee. "I forgive you, watashi no Momo. There's nothing I couldn't forgive, you know that." Erion took a deep shuddering breath, his cheeks pinking slightly. "I can't believe I'm shaking like a fucking leaf. I just...shit, this is crazy!" Erion shook his head, grinning ruefully.
Momo stroked Erion's knee softly, the touch purely one of comfort, no sexual suggestion in it at all, and his eyes were bright with his love for Erion as he nodded slowly. "I feel the same way. The last time I was this nervous... it doesn't matter. I'm really nervous. I've been so scared that I had killed you. Your hands were so cold when you left. And I've been trying to figure out what it is exactly that you needed my forgiveness for. There is nothing that I would not forgive you either. I love you too much to lose this friendship that we have. I want to be your friend, Yuki-san. You are my best friend. You know me better than anyone now. I have no secrets from you now, and I never will again. If you still want my friendship now."
Momo leaned forwards a little to grasp Erion's hand tightly and the mithral chain around his neck moved slightly, the silver ring catching the light from the lamp beside them. Erion's eyes widened a little when he saw the ring, and he looked back up at Momo, his silver eyes warm with a gentle love.
"I walked out on you, and you screamed. I thought I broke you, Momo-san. I thought I had really torn your heart out and broken you, and I was almost sick to my stomach with fear." Erion never looked away from Momo. "I can't think of anyone I'd want more for my friend than you. You will always be my friend, as far as I'm concerned. I can't imagine losing that, and I'm glad you want my friendship."
Momo bowed his head a little, drawing a deep breath, and he moved a little on the chair to get more comfortable, his eyes serious when he looked up again, but his hand was tight around Erion's hand, and Erion could sense nothing but love from him. "You did break me. You did tear out my heart and break it, hard. But it was what I needed. Don't ever feel bad for what you did, because you were right. If you had stayed, we would have ended up ruining each other. It was your time to leave me, and it was time for me to learn what it feels like to have my heart broken. It still hurts a little bit, but honestly, I am healing already. Knowing that you want to be my friend still is healing me so much. Because I thought I had lost that, too. I was sure I had, actually. I still am afraid I'll lose it, because I have to tell you something."
Momo stopped and licked his lips nervously, his eyes straying down to the floor for a few moments before he turned back to Erion and he said, his voice a little shaky, "I went on a bender for two days. Then on Sunday, after you left, I dug up Sadao's address through the phone directory, and I went to see him. I've been seeing him since. I am falling in love with him, Yuki-kun. But I can't let myself fall for him completely unless you are alright with it. I don't want to lose your friendship because I want to be with him, but I can't sacrifice my love for him, for your friendship." Momo stopped, and releasing Erion's hand slowly, he removed the mithral chain from his neck, and slipped the ring off it. Then he held them both out to Erion, his eyes a little sad but still full of love. "I want to offer you this ring back. As a symbol of our deep friendship. If you don't want it, I'll have to give you the pendant back. But if you take that, I'll see it as the end of our friendship. I'm sorry, Yuki-kun, but I need to know which it will be."
Erion looked at Momo for a long moment, and then his lips curved in a beautiful smile as he reached out and took the ring from Momo. "I thought you were going to ask me something hard, Momo. You'll always have my friendship, and my love as a friend. Part of my heart will always be yours, and that's how it should be. I needed to learn what heartbreak felt like myself, and I needed to learn that I could stand up and do what needed to be done even if it hurt. So, you taught me something I needed to know as well, and now you're helping me heal. So, please, keep the pendant, as a symbol of our friendship, and then please tell me that you're happy with Sadao. I think you two are meant to be together, and if you need me to say it, then you have my blessing and my love, both of you."
Momo's beautiful smile spread over his lips, and his whole face brightened, and he reached the hand holding his pendant towards Erion, asking, "Will you put it on me again? And let me put your ring on you again."
Erion took the pendant and handed Momo the ring, and then as Momo leaned forward, he carefully fastened the pendant around Momo's neck. Momo sat back and Erion held out his left hand so that Momo could slide the silver ring back onto his left forefinger where it belonged.
Momo slid the ring onto the long slender finger and then he pulled Erion off the bed and into his embrace, burying his face in Erion's hair, breathing deeply. "I love you, Yuki-kun. I always will." He paused for a moment, breathing deeply from the fragrant hair again, and his voice was stronger and more confident when he continued, "I am happy with Sadao. I just need to know that I would still have you as my friend, and that you would want to be his friend too, before I could let go completely and love him. It's is so perfect, Yuki. It's like all the feelings I have for Kageoshi, and the feelings I have for you have been concentrated into the feelings I have for Sadao, and now everything is as it should be."
"And I want you to be happy with Kansas. He is the one you belong with. He can give you what I could not, and you complete him in ways that I often feared he would never be completed in. So, you have all of my best wishes for you and Kansas, and I know he will make you endlessly happy."
Erion returned the embrace, his heart soaring as he listened to Momo. "Thank you, thank you so much, and yes, Kansas and I complete each other in ways that I can't even begin to describe. So, we're both where we belong now, and Eru's arse, Momo, I'm so fucking glad!"
Erion turned his head without even thinking, his lips just naturally seeking Momo's lips, and for a brief moment, Momo responded just like he always had, all heat and passion as he started to plunder Erion's mouth. Then Momo stopped, and Erion's hand slowed on its way up to slide through Momo's thick raven hair, and they broke the kiss, eyes wide as they stared at each other.
Momo looked at Erion's silver eyes, all wide and bright, and he felt a laugh boiling up from deep down inside. He tried to hold it back, but it bubbled up and poured out, and Momo's beautiful laugh filled the room. Erion burst out laughing a second later, a wonderful and cleansing laughter that brought healing with it, and the two youngsters roared until the tears ran down their cheeks and they were gasping for air.
"Oh, Yuki-kun. What the fuck was that? I've missed your laughter." Momo gasped and wiped his tears off his cheek, more tears rolling as he realized these were happy tears and not the bitter pain that he had been shedding for the past week. He grabbed Erion tightly again and nuzzled his neck lovingly, the touch no longer sexual, only comforting and loving. "I noticed that you were shocked seeing the room like this. I couldn't stand being in here, after I came back, so okaasan helped me switch it around. I have some of my best and worst memories in this room, and I wanted to change it around, so I could create new happy memories in here. And it's just perfect that the first one is with you. It sort of depletes the power of my worst memory. Thank you for this memory, Yuki-kun. My friend."
"It feels so good to laugh with you, Momo-san. I missed your laughter, too." Erion hugged Momo tightly, realizing that this felt exactly right, like hugging his dearest friend should feel, and another ache was washed away. "I know what you mean, though, and I like it like this. At least you won't have the sun in your eyes first thing now." Erion grinned mischievously. "Although Masato-otooji says Sadao picks him up right after dawn for his Tuesday sessions, so I don't know how much sleeping in you'll be doing."
Momo groaned and rolled his eyes, his voice filled with love as he griped, "Oh, fuck you, he's worse than you. He wakes up at fucking five in the morning, every fucking day, and he thinks sleeping till seven is sleeping in. And he can't swear to save his fucking life."
Erion started to laugh all over again. "He can't swear? Oh, shit, you're kidding! I mean, we don't exactly swear at the dojo, except for in the shower when I see how many fucking bruises I have, but I figured he could muster up a few good swears. Even Masato swears in the shower, only he does it in a language he thinks I don't understand."
Momo laughed loudly, and shook his head, small tears running down his lashes, and he gasped as he tried to get the words out, "Nope. The worst he can muster is damn and butt. He says it's because of Ichirou. I say it's because he's a prude. But then he fucks me so hard I go cross eyed."
Momo's laughter died on his lips and his face went contrite suddenly. "Oh, fuck, sorry. I didn't mean to say that."
Erion looked at Momo, his silver eyes warm and gentle. "Don't, Momo. Don't apologize because he makes you happy. I'm glad he can fuck you cross eyed, and make you smile like that. You should see your face when you talk about him. You light up and it makes me feel so good, because all I want is for you to be happy."
Momo chuckled a little and pressed his lips against Erion's shoulder for a moment, his voice husky when he nodded, "I do think I could love him so easily. As easily as I love you and Kageoshi. Do I light up the way you light up when you talk about Kansas?"
"You know how it looks when you sit up on the mountain and watch Tokyo light up? You're brighter," Erion grinned.
Momo stuck his tongue out and blew a raspberry at Erion. "So are you when you talk about Kansas." Erion laughed in delight, feeling utterly at peace for the first time in over a week.
Momo wrapped his arms tightly around Erion and laced his fingers with Erion's, his smile rivaling the sun. "Sadao is wonderful. He's so mature, and yet he can goof around with Ichirou like a little kid. He loves goofing around with me even. And we have so much in common. And he doesn't care about anything that happened before, and yet he would like to know it all, some day. And he's in no rush. He just wants to be with me." Momo squeezed Erion's hand a little bit, and then looked down at the slender fingers with a slight surprise in his eyes. "What's this? You've got a new ring? It's like the one that Satoshi and them all wear."
Erion's eyes widened a little. "Yeah, Satoshi gave me his ring. I told you that he and I were lovers, before, and we're lovers again, now. It's his promise to me, that one day we'll stand in the temple in my homeland, and be married. Elves don't have a problem with having more than one spouse, and when I'm old enough in elven terms, I'll marry Kansas, Satoshi and Yuji properly on Toril."
Momo stared up at Erion for a moment, blinking slowly. Then he asked, "And Kansas is fine with this?"
"Yes," Erion replied calmly. "Kansas is always going to be my first husband, but yes."
Momo hummed a little, staring blankly into thin air for a few moments as he mulled Erion's words over. Then he shrugged his shoulders a little and said, "Oh, well. Who am I to judge? I've fucked my way through half a prefecture already. If you guys are happy together, then I'm all for it. Just take good care of Satoshi. I love him beyond measure, and I really want to see him happy and healthy."
Momo chuckled to himself suddenly, his eyes going distant for a moment and then he continued, "I had a crush on him once. Before I knew he was my brother. When I lived with them, there were nights where I jerked off to the thought that Yuji was sleeping a couple of rooms down, but then after I moved into the loft, I started seeing something dead sexy about Satoshi. I think it's all those piercings."
"So, you are one lucky little bitch."
"I'd do anything for Satoshi, so you have my word," Erion said. "And I am pretty lucky, aren't I?" Erion grinned cheekily. "That, or I'm just a complete nympho slut."
"Oh, there's no doubt that you're a nympho, but not a slut. You're faithful to those you love. But I'm a bit of nympho myself, so I guess we're a good fit." Momo grinned just as cheekily, and then he gave Erion a small shove. "Now, get up, you're squashing my balls. I think we should go downstairs and let tousan and okaasan know that we've made up. Or is there anything else you need to talk about?"
Erion gave Momo a quick hug before he stood up. "Just that I'm so fucking glad to have my best friend back. Oh, hey! I saw Ryo and Takahiro the other day. They came by and we went and saw this movie down in Shinjuku, and then messed around a bit afterward. Poor Ryo, the summer is taking forever to pass for him."
Momo stood up and arched his back to make it pop, his shirt riding up to reveal his taut stomach, and he nodded, "I know. They came around on Wednesday and dragged me out to play pool. They tore me a new one for cheating on you, and then told me they wanted to remain friends, and that they would not take sides in this. That they would both be mine and your friends. No matter what. It helped me, honestly. Knowing that they would not take sides or chose one over the other. It would have killed me if they had chosen me over you."
"Takahiro was honestly about ready to knock me down for cheating on you. But then they listened to me talk about Sadao, until Ryo begged me to stop because I was giving him cavities." Momo laughed brightly and he scratched his head, his cheeks a little flushed. "I guess I am pretty smitten, huh?"
Erion nodded. "They pretty much told me that they weren't going to take sides, either." He cocked a grin at Momo. "But, you, smitten? Well, let's just say that if I see it plastered on the side of the Fuji blimp, I won't be surprised." Erion let out a scream of laughter and dodged as Momo feinted a playful punch at him. "Hey, are those cookies I smell? Oh, please tell me those are fucking cookies." He looked up at Momo, his face growing momentarily serious. "I would have understood, you know, if they chose you over me. You've been friends with them a lot longer, and I just showed up on Kansas's arm one day. And honestly, I wouldn't have blamed them for thinking I was just trying to fuck my way through the posse. It could have been interpreted that way. But they're smarter than I am, thankfully, and I'm grateful that I didn't lose any of my friends."
Momo grabbed Erion around the neck and tweaked the tip of his ear, laughing a little bit. "Nah, you never would have made your way through the posse. First of all I think you wouldn't have even wanted to touch Taka with a fifty foot pole, and Kage-chan never seemed interested in anyone that way. And you've got too much junk between your legs for the rest of them. And you don't have any boobs."
Momo slapped Erion on his ass hard and darted out of the room with a laugh, holding the door open for Erion.
"Wait," Erion laughed, dashing after Momo. "I don't have boobs? Well, fuck me sideways!"
Eryn and Satoru looked up at the sound of laughter coming from the second floor, and then they reached out to hold each others hand, their smiles radiant as they listened to the cheerful banter from the youngsters.
Momo grabbed Erion from behind and squeezed his chest hard, laughing still, "Well, even for a Japanese girl this would be tiny," he said as he penguin walked the little elf down the stairs, Erion giggling loudly and trying to get Momo's hands off his pecs.
Eryn had indeed made cookies, and they all wound up in the garden, drinking cold sweet tea and munching the warm treats. Satoru offered to drive Erion home, but Erion laughed and begged Satoru not to bother.
Once Erion was on the train, he whipped out his cell phone, and fired off a text to Kansas, and then another one to Vale, letting them both know that he and Momo had not broken their friendship after all, and that he was bringing home cookies from Eryn. Then Erion popped in his earphones and cranked up his music, feeling all the little shattered pieces of his heart sliding back where they belonged.
-
Eryn looked at her adopted son, this young man who had claimed a piece of her heart as surely as the children she had borne, feeling his warm callused hand resting in her hand in perfect trust.
"When he's ready to meet us, I would love to meet this man who makes you smile so beautifully, musukosan." Eryn smiled back at Momo, her dark blue eyes shining. "I think you'll have no trouble loving Sadao with your whole heart, and I have a feeling he'll love you just as fiercely. But you just let us know when he's ready to visit."
"I will, okaasan." Momo's beautiful smile lit his dark eyes, and he ducked his head a little shyly. "It feels good, actually, to have told you everything. And I know, otousan, that my past will probably come back to haunt me when I'm ready to become a lawyer. I'm prepared to face that, and deal with it head on."
"You won't be alone," Satoru said, his voice full of love and pride. "We'll all work together to resolve any issues that arise. We're a family, and we support each other fully."
Satoru's expression saddened a little, and he reached out to pull Momo close to him, his hand creeping up to stroke Momo's hair the way he always stroked Satoshi's hair. "What I do regret is that your life was so hard, and that you had to discover your sexuality the way you did, in such brutality and then in unfeeling encounters. I think I'll always wish that I could have been there for you then, even if only to hold you and listen."
Momo choked back a tiny sob, leaning into the embrace and letting Satoru's love comfort him. "That's in the past, otousan, and you're here now. You're here when I need you the most, and you've been here for the past two years. I couldn't have done any of this without you being here, and I'm so grateful to have your love and support."
Eryn watched her husband and her son as they held each other, and she smiled at the beautiful love between them. As trying as the past few days had been, this was a time for healing now, and she was so happy to see Momo reaching out for the support he needed, support Satoru had waited a lifetime to give him.
Momo finally sat back, Satoru reaching out to brush a stray tear away from Momo's cheek, the two men smiling at each other. She cleared her throat gently, her own eyes shining with tears of love and joy.
"Are you staying for dinner, Momo-kun?" Eryn asked. "Please say yes." She smiled at Momo, slightly impish. "We bought all this food, and someone has to help us eat it. Which reminds me, have you met Sadao's son yet? It will be quite different from any of your other relationships, you know, although I do think you'll be a marvelous father."
Momo opened his mouth to say that he would indeed be staying for dinner, but when Eryn continued his face paled a little bit, and he sank back on his chair, his voice a little full of wonder, "Oh, fuck. I hadn't even thought of that." He looked up at Eryn with wide eyes, his voice shaking, "You really think that I'd make a good father? I saw him with Sadao, but I haven't met him. Oh, fuck this is never going to work."
Eryn looked at Momo, and reached out to pat his hand. "Don't mind me. I tend to say what's on my mind sometimes, but honestly, I think it will all work out fine, and I really do think you'd be a wonderful father. After all, you know exactly what not to do, thanks to that bastard who raised you."
Momo shivered slightly, and stared blankly up at her, his eyes slowly moving over to Satoru, who nodded his head in agreement with Eryn's words. "You're right," Momo said, his voice suddenly husky, "I do know exactly what not to do. And I am sure that Sadao would never be with me if he didn't think I could handle it. I will do my best to be a good father."
"Of course you will, and you'll be perfect." Eryn stood and gathered the empty beer bottles, leaning over to kiss Momo's cheek lovingly. "Now, about dinner, anything special you'd like?"
Momo blushed as he reached out to pick up his share of the bottles and the ashtray, and shook his head, "I don't want to be a bother. Just whatever you had planned."
"I have a few options, actually. Are you sure there's nothing you've been wanting to have?" Eryn smiled as Satoru opened the door for them, carrying the unopened beers and the cigarettes. "No cravings I can indulge for you?"
"Are you sure? I don't want to be putting you out. But I really would like to try that chicken curry again. I didn't really eat much on Friday. If it's not too much trouble." Momo ducked his head to hide the faint blush in his cheeks, his eyes sparkling with something akin to shame for not having enjoyed the meal more on Friday.
"Oh, sweetheart, I don't think any of us tasted a thing on Friday." Eryn hugged Momo hard. "Chicken curry it is, then, and it's not a speck of trouble."
Momo smiled as Eryn hugged him, then suddenly he hugged her back just as hard and laughed. "I am sorry for hurting you both. But now, I think everything will be better. I'll make you both proud of me. And if you dare to let me into the kitchen, I can try to help. Kageoshi usually chased me out of the kitchen with a broom if I tried to help, but I can set a nice enough table."
Eryn laughed as well, delighted. "I'll take you up on that, then. I love help in the kitchen."
Erion picked up his cell phone and turned it over in his hands a few times before sighing deeply and putting it back down. It was not the first time he had reached for it, and Erion gave himself a mental shake for his indecision.
Although Kansas had wanted to stay home, Erion had persuaded him to go to work. Kansas was new enough in his position that attendance was important, and Erion did not want Kansas to lose this job simply because Erion was feeling a little shaky. Willow was home, as well as Sand, and Vale and Yuji were home for the summer break. It was not as if Erion would be alone, and Kansas reluctantly agreed, kissing Erion and making him promise to call if he needed to talk.
Erion had managed to keep busy for most of the morning, the children eager to drag Erion into their games, and Erion as eager to join them. There was something restorative in their bright laughter and sweet hugs, and Erion was able to forget all his heartache while he was pounced and tickled. Lunch had been just as merry, with Hikaru getting Erion to join him in mixing all three of the family's languages liberally, while Aika observed to her mother that boys just got bigger and not smarter, an observation her chichi and tousan agreed with enthusiastically.
After lunch, though, the children settled in for naps, and Yuji and Vale went off for a walk. Willow was writing, and Sand was at his desk, poking through exceedingly dusty tomes and making purring sounds as he scribbled notes in his elegant espruar.
Erion thought about napping himself, but he had retreated into both reverie and true sleep far too often over the past few days, and he was more restless than tired. He found an amethyst glass flagon of tui in the back of the refrigerator, and he took that and his cigarettes out to the deck, curling up to smoke and drink the light elven beer. His cell phone shifted uncomfortably against his hip, and Erion pulled it out of the pocket of his loose shorts, the beautiful little omamori from Ryuu swinging from the corner and making Erion smile a little to himself.
Erion tucked his slim bare feet up on the chair, turning the cell phone over in his hands as he smoked a cigarette between sips of tui. His thumb slid over the icon to open his phone book, and at the top of the list was Koibito, the number engraved on his memory as clearly as in the cell phone's memory.
Erion choked back a sob and closed the phone book, closing his silver-grey eyes and trying to fight back the hot tears that threatened. His ears rang with the memory of a scream, so bereft and broken that even in the warmth of the garden, Erion shivered. He could not help but wonder if he had broken Momo completely, and even though everyone had been reassuring Erion that Momo would be fine, he knew he would never believe it until he could see for himself.
Erion opened his eyes and flipped open his cell phone, quickly typing a text in the window. He read the text over, sighed, deleted it, and started over, pausing to take another drink of tui. By the fifth deletion, Erion could no longer see the screen anyway because of the tears in his eyes, and he laid the phone down, pulled his knees up to his chest, wrapped his arms around his legs, and let his head fall forward onto his knees as he sobbed quietly.
Eryn laughed as she watched Momo set three places for dinner, laying everything out quite neatly, his hips swaying a bit to the music playing in the background. Eryn's taste in music was quite eclectic, and she found that she quite enjoyed Kohaku's music, so she had purchased all of his albums and a small but powerful cd player for the kitchen. The music inspired her cooking, or so she claimed, and Momo was not about to argue.
"That looks perfect," Eryn told Momo when he finished with the table. She opened a cabinet and frowned a little at the bowl she wanted that was just out of reach.
Momo noticed Eryn's little frown of exasperation, and grinned as he reached over to take the bowl down for her. "This one, okaasan?"
"Thank you, sweetheart. I'm telling you, it's a trial to be this short sometimes." Eryn laughed at herself and turned back to chopping vegetables for dinner, her knife flashing with rapid-fire precision. Momo had to admire her skill with a knife, the petite elf barely paying attention as she sliced mushrooms and scallions as fast as any chef.
"You have to teach me how you do that," Momo said, shaking his head a little.
Eryn shrugged lightly. "It's just slicing things, and nothing special." She smiled up at Momo. "And I'm sure you'd tell me the same thing about the way you can just listen to your father's car and tell him what it needs. We learned by doing, didn't we?"
Momo grinned. "I guess we did."
"Now, can you hand me that spoon? I want to stir the curry a bit." Eryn lifted the lid on the curry pot, and Momo inhaled happily as he brought over the spoon she wanted.
Satoru stood in the doorway of the kitchen, his heart so full he thought it would burst as he watched his beloved youngest son and his wife laughing as they worked. This was what Satoru had always wanted in his life, a home full of love and laughter, and although it had taken a while, he had it at last, and it was as wonderful as he had dreamed it would be. Satoru found himself looking ahead to meeting Sadao properly, and Eryn looked up at that moment, her eyes bright with happiness as she looked at Satoru.
"I have to tell you, whatever you two are up to, it smells wonderful," Satoru said, coming into the kitchen and breathing in appreciatively. He looked at the table, already laid for dinner, and grinned. "I've been put out of a job," he teased.
"Oh, we'll find you some work to do," Eryn laughed. "You can dish out the rice into its serving bowl, since I think we are just about ready."
It was a simple dinner, just a clear soup with finely sliced mushrooms and scallions, steamed vegetables with a light ginger dressing, rice and chicken curry, but as the small family sat down to eat, the love they shared made it feel like a feast. This time, Momo ate with enthusiasm, praising Eryn's curry and assuring her that it was almost exactly like Murai-san's curry.
Dessert was tea and sliced fresh fruit, light and perfect for a summer evening, and the conversation was comfortably lighthearted as well. Momo was sharing a story about a professor in one of his classes, and Satoru was laughing until he cried as Momo imitated the man, managing to perfectly capture an elderly law school professor with almost no insight into the way things worked outside a classroom. Eryn was even giggling, seeing one of the more hidebound older priests of her own temple in Momo's description.
Momo's cell phone rang, the tone one he had reserved for text messages, and he pulled out his phone eagerly, expecting to see Sadao's number on the screen. Much to his surprise, it was Erion's number on the screen, and he read the few words that comprised the text: Can we meet to talk, in a week? I think it will help. You choose the time and place.
Momo's smile died on his lips when he saw Erion's number on the screen and he coughed a little when he read the short message. "Excuse me," he mumbled with a sad voice as he stood abruptly and hurried to the back porch, his hands shaking as he re-read the message over and over.
He hit the button to reply and then stared at the blank screen, his vision blurring with tears, and sinking down on a chair on the porch he pulled his cigarettes out of his pocket, lighting up between sobs.
Satoru jumped up from the table and hurried out onto the back porch, his expression crumbling a little when he saw Momo's tears. "What is it, Momo? What's happened? Please, tell me and let me try to help." He sank into a chair next to Momo, and wrapped his arms around the sobbing young man.
Eryn watched from the doorway to the porch, her eyes dark with worry as she watched Satoru cradle Momo, but she hung back until Satoru would need her.
Momo sank into Satoru's embrace and Satoru could barely understand him, as Momo pointed shakily at his phone. "It's Yuki. He wants to meet. In a week. I don't know what to say. I can't find the words. I miss him."
Satoru stroked Momo's hair, reaching for the cell phone to read the text message from Erion. "Hush, my sweet boy. He thinks it would help if you meet and talk. What do you want to do, Momo-kun? Do you want to remain friends with him? Or do you want to end your friendship, too?"
Momo's head jerked up, and his eyes were filled with despair when he shook his head. "No. No. No, I want to be his friend. I can't lose that, too. I need to be his friend. I need him to be my friend. I just don't know if it will ever stop hurting."
Sadao cupped Momo's cheek, handing him the cell phone and easing him back into the embrace, his voice warm. "Then send him a text back, and tell him that you want to meet. Where do you think it would be best? Here at the house, or in public?"
Momo wiped his nose on the back of his hand and nodded against Satoru's shoulder, his fingers dancing over the keypad as he wrote his response, mumbling as he did, "Here at the house. In one week. That way you and okaasan can be here if we need you."
Satoru stroked the thick raven hair and nodded, his cheek resting against Momo's head. "Yes, that sounds perfect. We'll be here for you both. And this way you both have a few days to gather your thoughts and heal a little."
Momo nodded a little, a small sob escaping him as he hit send, and then he glanced up at Eryn, where she stood in the door, his voice terribly small when he said, "Maybe I should change his number in my phone. He isn't my Yuki no erufu, anymore, is he?"
Eryn's eyes filled with tears as she hurried over to Momo, dropping to her knees and putting her arms around him. "Oh, my sweetheart, I think a part of him will always be your snow elf. The love you had between you isn't gone, my dear Momo. It's just become something else, something quieter, the love between two friends who know each other better than most."
Momo leaned into the embrace, burying his face in Eryn's shoulder and with a small wail he let go of his sorrow and cried brokenly, as he told her, "I just miss him so much. I don't even want to go to my room, because there is so much of him there. I love him so much, but I know I can't keep him. And I want to love Sadao the same way. I miss him, okaasan. I miss needing to fight him for space in the bed, and that stupid dawn worship. I miss him."
"Oh, my sweet boy, I know," Eryn crooned, holding Momo as he sobbed. "I don't know if it will help at all, but Yuki misses you as well. When I saw him on Sunday, he told me that he wanted to stay friends with you, and he hoped you could forgive him. He was so very worried about you, we all were."
"Is he alright? Did his hands warm up? He was so cold," Momo sobbed, clinging to Eryn tightly as she stroked his hair lovingly.
"He's very sad, and he's trying to find his way to healing, just like you, musukosan. But yes, his hands did warm up, and he isn't going to fade away. He's just afraid that he can't be forgiven, although I know you have too large a heart not to forgive him." Eryn pressed a kiss to Momo's head.
Momo nodded slowly, his sobs growing softer. "I don't know what he needs me to forgive him for. I'm the one who cheated on him and broke his heart, and yet, I refused to let go. He only did what we both needed to do. He was stronger and could let go. But I will forgive him, if he needs me to. I hope he can forgive me, too. It scared me so bad, to feel his hands so cold. I was so afraid I had killed him. But I can forgive him and I will. I love him too much to lose his friendship."
"Then you'll meet with him, and you'll talk, and we'll be here in case you need us, and then the both of you can heal and move ahead with your lives." Eryn rested her cheek against Momo's thick raven hair. "You are both so very dear to me, and I know you will both get through this, and become friends. I have faith in you both."
Momo nuzzled into Eryn's shoulder and sighed as the last of his sobs hurt his chest, and his tears slowly stopped, and his voice sounded a little bit stronger when he whispered, "Thank you, okaasan. I want to become someone you can be proud of. For the first time I have someone who has expectations of me, and I want to make proud of me, and I'm not going to disappoint you, or tousan. I love you."
"And I love you, musukosan, eternally, and I'm already so proud of you. We'll get through this, my sweet boy." Eryn looked up at Satoru, her eyes filled with love and pride as she stroked her son's hair. "Now, why don't we clear up from dinner, and then maybe we can watch a movie, hm? Are you staying here tonight, or is Sadao expecting you?"
Momo sniffled hard as he sat up. "I was going to stay here tonight, if that's alright with you. But maybe I can stay in the guest room?"
Eryn felt a tiny pang as she realized that Momo would find it hard to be in his room without Erion, but she smiled and kissed his cheek. "Of course you can. The sheets are fresh, so it's all ready."
Later that night, as Eryn came back from making sure that there were plenty of clean towels in the big bathroom, she paused as she passed the guest room. She could hear Momo's voice, sultry and purring, as he talked to someone on the phone, and then she heard his laugh. Eryn's heart soared as she realized Momo had to be talking to Sadao, and she was still smiling as she slid into bed next to Satoru.
The next day, Momo asked Eryn very quietly after breakfast if she could help him rearrange things in his room. It was hard for him to go into the room at all, and Momo hesitated in the doorway for several minutes, until Eryn came back over to take his hand.
"It's alright, Momo. I know this is hard, but it's part of healing, my sweet boy. We'll do this together." Eryn smiled gently at Momo, stroking his hand with love.
Momo took a deep breath, and nodded. "It's just that everything reminds me of him, and the worst part is the empty places where his things were."
Eryn looked at him with great sympathy. "I understand. Why don't you think about where you'd like to put the bigger pieces of furniture, and I'll tend to the dresser and the like?"
Eryn quickly rearranged the clothing in the closet and in the dresser to fill up the empty spaces and lessen the impact of Erion's absence, before she hurried into the bathroom to do the same thing. When she came back into the bedroom, Momo was sitting on the bed, looking at the wall. His cheeks were wet, but he had a small smile on his face as he turned to look at Eryn.
"He took it," Momo said. "He took Kageoshi's omamori, the one I gave him so he would be just like the rest of the posse. He kept it."
Eryn nodded, crossing over to put her arms around Momo. "He kept the bracelet you gave him as well. He only left the ring because he didn't know if you wanted to remain friends. I know he did want to keep it, but I think he needs to know that you're alright with that." She pressed a kiss to Momo's temple. "Now, let's see. How about if we move the bed over there?"
By the time they were done, Momo was satisfied that the room was different enough to keep the bad memories at bay. Now all he needed was to create some new memories to take their place.
-
Eryn stood in the kitchen, looking at the note written in Momo's unruly handwriting. A small sob caught in her throat as she realized how hard he had tried to make it neater, and she reread the note yet again to make sure she was getting it right.
Satoru slipped his arms around Eryn from behind, reading the note over her shoulder, and he too fought back a sob. Eryn turned around to put her arms around Satoru's waist, leaning her head on his shoulder.
"Where do you think he would have gone?" Eryn asked. "Do you think maybe he went to the Murai house? Kokoro-chan keeps the room for the boys if they need a place."
Satoru turned his head a little to rest his cheek against Eryn's raven hair. "I almost don't want to call her, in case he isn't there. I don't want to get everyone who knows him in an uproar."
"The way he was weeping yesterday," Eryn said, her voice heavy with sorrow. "I wanted to cry right along with him. I can't believe that he thought I could hate him, or that I would choose Yuki over him. I love them both too much to ever choose."
Satoru stiffened suddenly. "Did he take the car?" He looked at Eryn, growing pale, before hurrying to the foyer to check the table where they all left their keys.
Momo's keys were gone, and Satoru opened the front door to check the garage, Eryn right behind him. They looked at each other, matching worry in their eyes as they saw the empty space where Baby Boy was usually parked.
"His driving license has his proper name," Eryn said quickly, laying a slim hand on Satoru's arm. "It has this address. If anything had happened, we would know by now."
"Of course, you're right," Satoru breathed, putting his arm around Eryn for a moment and just holding her.
They walked back into the house, closing the door quietly, and Eryn went through the motions of making tea and breakfast. She and Satoru were nearly done putting the dishes in the dishwasher when Eryn realized that she could not even remember what she had made, let alone how it had tasted. She looked over at Satoru, and the look in his eyes told her that he had fared no better. When Satoru's cell phone rang, he jumped as badly as Eryn.
"Moshi-moshi," Satoru said quickly, his heart pounding.
"Satoru-san? It's Akira." Vale's calm voice came through the phone, and Eryn saw Satoru's shoulders sag a bit. "I wanted to let you know that Yuki's here, and he's alright. He's hurting, but he's fine. Please tell Eryn that for me."
"I will, and I'm glad to hear that," Satoru said, but he could not hide the pain and grief in his voice.
"How is Momo?" Vale continued. "Judging by the state Yuki was in, I've been very worried about him. We all have, actually."
Satoru sighed painfully. "He spent most of yesterday crying like his world had ended. He kept telling us that he broke Yuki's heart and that he was afraid he had killed Yuki."
Eryn gasped a little when she heard Satoru say that, one slim hand flying up to cover her mouth as her blue eyes filled with tears. Satoru reached out to pull her to him, his free arm wrapping around her.
"Tell Eryn there's no danger of Yuki fading, please," Vale said, and there was urgency in his calm voice.
Satoru turned to Eryn. "It's Akira. Yuki's at the estate, and Akira says he's in no danger of fading."
Eryn nodded, her eyes filling with relief. "Tell him to give Yuki my love," she whispered.
"How is Momo now?" Vale asked.
Satoru sighed again. "He's gone. He left a note sometime in the night, telling us he needed time to think and clear his head, and not to worry about him."
It was Vale's turn to sigh deeply. "Please don't hesitate to call us, any of us, if you need us." Vale did not have to tell Satoru that none of the family had forgotten Momo's grief and despair after Kageoshi's death, and how he had nearly drank himself to death after disappearing. "We love Momo as dearly as we do Yuki, and honestly, we're all hoping they'll be able to remain friends."
The genuine love and concern in Vale's voice warmed a small cold place in Satoru's heart, a fear he had not even realized he had being wiped away. "Thank you, Akira-san. That means the world to us, and we promise we'll call the minute we hear from him. Tell Yuki-kun that we love him, and let's hope our youngsters do remain friends."
Satoru ended the call and pulled Eryn into his arms, his eyes wet with tears. "At least we know that Yuki-kun is safe," he murmured. "Now we just have to hope our Momo-kun is safe as well."
Momo did not call that day or that night, and Eryn and Satoru found themselves checking their cell phones for no reason, just to make sure that they had not missed a text or call. Saturday passed just as slowly, neither Eryn nor Satoru having much appetite for lunch, and not a great deal more interest in supper. The only highlight was Satoshi's call, and he and Sand did their best to reassure the worried pair that Momo would not do anything too foolish. Satoshi repeated Vale's assurances that the family was there for whatever they might need, any time they needed.
The worried couple sat up until far too late, Satoru nursing a sake in case he needed to drive while Eryn polished off a bottle of wine. It was past midnight before they went up to their bedroom, their cell phones in hand and placed on their night tables.
Eryn found herself unable to reach reverie, and judging by the way he was tossing and turning, Satoru was not getting any sleep either. She finally sat up just before dawn, and Satoru sighed and sat up as well.
"I can't sit here again all day," Eryn said, leaning into Satoru. "My mind just dwells on how devastated Momo was, and I can't think about anything other than wanting to hear his voice."
Satoru choked back a sob. "I know, Eri-chan. If he would just call, or text. I can't lose him. I can't."
They held each other for a few minutes, both of them holding back their tears. Eryn did not even suggest breakfast when they finally got out of bed, although she made tea and brought out some sweet rolls for them to crumble.
Satoru reached over and stilled Eryn's fingers as she reduced the last of her sweet roll to fragments without actually eating any of it. "Maybe we should take a drive to the estate. We can at least see Yuki, and let him know we're thinking about him as well."
Eryn managed a smile. "I'd like that, melamin, my love. But why don't you try to call Momo now, before we go?" She handed Satoru his cell phone as she got up to clear away the remains of her roll.
Satoru pressed the key to dial Momo's cell phone, listening to it ring a few times before it abruptly cut off. "That's odd," Satoru muttered, pressing the key again.
"What's odd?" Eryn asked, turning a little.
Satoru listened to the phone ring again, and once again, it was abruptly cut off. "Maybe his battery is low," Satoru said. He put the cell phone down and got up to rinse his tea cup and put it in the dishwasher, and then wiped the table for Eryn.
"Try one more time," Eryn suggested.
Satoru picked up his cell phone, and the result was the same yet again. Frustrated, he opened a text window and typed a brief message: Are you alright?
As they were getting ready to go to the car, Satoru's cell phone chimed to signal a new message, and he opened the text with trembling fingers. He read it aloud to Eryn.
"Am fine. Home soon, maybe tomorrow. That's all it says, but it's from Momo's phone." Satoru looked at Eryn with naked relief on his face.
Eryn smiled, her first genuine smile since Momo had left, and her blue eyes regained some of their customary sparkle. "At least he says he's fine. Oh, Seldarine be praised, I was going mad, melamin." Eryn slipped her arms around Satoru's waist and leaned her head into his shoulder, tears of relief beading in her thick lashes.
Satoru held Eryn tightly, his own eyes damp. "Do we ever stop worrying about them?"
Eryn managed a small giggle. "Never, and we wouldn't have it any other way."
Satoru and Eryn arrived at the estate to a warm greeting. Satoshi held Satoru tightly, trembling with relief when he heard about Momo's text message. Erion had hung back at first, his fingers laced tightly with Kansas's fingers as he watched his grandmother hugging Satoshi and Sand. Finally, Eryn turned around and saw Erion, half behind Kansas and watching her warily. His expression tore at her already fragile heart, and Eryn felt the burn of tears in her eyes.
Eryn sighed deeply and held out her arms. "Aiya, utinu'ai, leneema'amin kwaralle, let me hold you."
Erion looked at Kansas, who smiled reassuringly, and then the young elf flung himself into his grandmother's arms, his eyes welling with tears.
"I'm sorry, atararim. I'm so sorry," Erion sobbed. "This is all my fault. I know I hurt him. Please let him be okay, I can't bear it if he's not."
Satoru hurried over to put his arms around the distraught young elf as well. "It's alright, Yuki-kun. Please don't cry. No one is angry with you, I promise you."
Erion wriggled around until he was in Satoru's arms, Eryn stroking his back tenderly. "Sofu, I never wanted it to be like this. The way he screamed when I left..." Erion's voice trailed off and he clung to Satoru desperately. "Please forgive me, even though I don't deserve it."
Satoru tightened his arms around Erion, pressing a kiss to the young elf's temple. "You're not at fault, sweet Yuki. No one's at fault. It was simply time for your love to end, that's all, but if you need me to say it, then I forgive you."
Erion relaxed in Satoru's arms, his sobs calming as Satoru stroked his hair. Satoru looked up at Eryn, and saw the flicker of grief in her eyes as she stroked Erion's back. He gently eased Erion into his grandmother's arms, and Erion turned again to nuzzle into Eryn's shoulder, his head falling forward.
"Utinu'ai, I could never be angry at you for something like this. Hearts take us where they will, and sometimes we wind up finding heartache. I just wish I could ease this for you both, but that's something you need to do for yourselves." Eryn kissed the silver head on her shoulder. "We can only be here to love you and tell you that you will eventually heal."
"I left my ring. I didn't know if he'd want to stay friends with me," Erion said, his voice soft and sad. "I wanted to keep it, so I'd have something. I kept the omamori he gave me, and the bracelet, and I'll always have my little peach on my wrist. I'd rather have his friendship, though, if he can forgive me."
"Give it time," Eryn advised, her tone loving and gentle. "Give it time, my Erion."
Satoru and Eryn wound up staying for dinner, and Erion relaxed enough to tease that it was Sand's night, so it was certainly no trouble for the cook. Sand merely arched his brow as he called his favorite restaurant and placed an extravagant order, warning Erion that such teasing might make him forget to order the wasabi ice cream. Erion yelped and groaned, as Kansas laughed at him, and the dinner passed with a great deal of pleasant banter, something Satoru and Eryn sorely needed.
By the time they got back to their house, both Satoru and Eryn were ready to call it a night, and they headed up to their room to wash for bed and brush their teeth. Satoru read the text message again, smiling a little as he looked at the words on the screen, and Eryn kissed him tenderly as she slid into bed beside him, her own cell phone on her night table. Satoru put his phone down, his hand sliding into Eryn's raven hair, and he deepened the kiss, the two of them finding the comfort they needed in each other's arms until, sated, they fell asleep still entwined.
Sandcastles and Fireworks
in General RP
Posted
Vale made a soft noise, somewhere between a purr and a growl, as Yuji worked his claim mark into Vale's neck, his back arching just a little to press his pierced nipples against Yuji. Vale's long fingers tangled in Yuji's hair, and when Yuji's lips found Vale's lips again, the elf returned the kiss with renewed heat, his cock already hardening between them. Yuji chuckled a little as Vale's cock prodded him, and Vale looked at him in mingled desire and amusement.
"Now that we've taken the edge off, it's my turn to enjoy the rewards of a successful hunt." Vale's hand slid down, stopping to toy with Yuji's nipples as Vale turned his head to nibble Yuji's ear, sucking his earlobe and scraping his teeth lightly over it.
Yuji moaned as Vale teased his sensitive ear, his own cock beginning to thicken again as Vale tweaked his nipple until it was a hard nub. With a small growl of his own, Vale shifted Yuji onto his back, straddling Yuji and nipping his way down Yuji's throat, careful not to leave a mark until he reached Yuji's collarbone, where it met his shoulder. Vale bit harder and sucked, working the golden skin until he had a deep rosy mark to show for his efforts, and he reared up to look into Yuji's perfect eyes.
"Mine," Vale murmured, his voice husky. "My husband, my chosen lifemate, mine."
Yuji shivered a little at the predatory look in Vale's eyes, his cock hardening even more at the way those green eyes raked him, Vale's tongue peeking out to moisten kiss-swollen lips. There was something about Vale when he got like this, demanding and possessive, that made Yuji marvel even more at the other side of his elf, the side that submitted to Yuji so completely and without hesitation.
Vale leaned in again, and his mouth fastened on Yuji's nipple, teeth scraping lightly as his tongue stud laved the tender nub until it was hard, the sensation making Yuji's cock fully harden against Vale's stomach. Yuji's long fingers clenched in Vale's gold and emerald hair as Vale moved lower, his hot breath just teasing Yuji's cock as Vale parted Yuji's thighs and raised his knees, lifting Yuji's balls to swipe that wicked tongue underneath them.
"Roll over," Vale ordered, and Yuji turned over, bringing his knees beneath himself and letting Vale lift his hips. Vale moaned a little as he spread Yuji's ass cheeks and bent in to swipe his tongue over Yuji's pucker, and Yuji sucked in a quick breath as Vale's tongue stud teased the muscle lightly. Vale licked again, letting his tongue probe gently, teasing Yuji's ass, and Yuji pressed back a little, his cock jumping slightly at the pressure against his asshole.
"No moving," Vale said, his voice thick. His tongue swiped again, and Yuji moaned as the tip pressed harder. Vale slid his thumbs in closer to the tight little ring, and he swirled his tongue almost lazily around the wrinkled opening. Without warning, his tongue breached Yuji's ass, pressing in, the tongue stud hooking a little as it worked past the muscle, and Yuji moaned loudly. Vale pulled back and pressed in again, his tongue firm as it went deeper this time, opening Yuji as Vale began to tongue-fuck him.
Yuji's cock was rock hard now, and beginning to drip precum, but Vale was entirely focused on Yuji's ass, his thumbs pressing in to open Yuji further as he used his tongue to lubricate the tender opening. Yuji did his best to hold still for Vale, but it was nearly impossible as the elf found Yuji's prostate and probed it firmly, making Yuji howl and press back.
Vale slid his tongue out of Yuji's ass with a breathless laugh, his thumbs still holding the pucker open. "That's so delicious, that eager ass. I want you, Yuji."
"Fuck, Vale, yes," Yuji growled, pressing back again. "Just fuck me, baby."
Vale reached around and ran his palm over the head of Yuji's cock, collecting Yuji's precum in his hand. Vale spat in his palm and then used Yuji's precum and his spit, along with his own precum, to slick his cock before pressing the head against Yuji's ass. Yuji took a shallow breath as Vale pressed the head of his cock past that loosened muscle, sinking into the heat of Yuji's ass with a loud moan, his slim hands wrapped around Yuji's hips tightly.
"Tight, so tight," Vale moaned blissfully, and he pressed his cock all the way into Yuji's ass in a single thrust, his balls slapping against Yuji's ass.
"Oh, fuck," Yuji howled, the burn of Vale's entry just the right side of painful, and he ground his ass back against Vale as he sucked in another breath, the elf pausing to let him adjust. Yuji bucked his hips again once he was ready, looking over his shoulder at Vale. "Move," he rasped, needing Vale to take him.
Vale pulled back and slammed forward, hitting Yuji's prostate dead on and making Yuji scream as fireworks exploded behind his eyes. Vale's piercing dragged over that sensitive bundle of nerves as Vale withdrew, and Yuji gave himself over the the relentless waves of pleasure as Vale fucked him hard and fast. Vale leaned forward, his teeth working another rosy mark on the back of Yuji's shoulder as his hand wrapped around Yuji's cock and began to stroke it. At the same time, Vale reared back, pulling Yuji upright as Vale sank onto his heels, his hips thrusting as Yuji sank all the way down onto Vale's cock.
Vale screamed, his voice ragged as his balls drew up. His cum was searing as he filled Yuji's ass with spurt after spurt, and Yuji ground down to milk his elf dry even as his own balls tightened with a spasm that was almost painful, his cum splattering the ground, Vale's hand and his own chest as he screamed through his own release. Yuji turned his head and found Vale's ear, scraping his teeth over the rosy shell and sucking the tip to coax the last screams from his elf. Vale's arms wrapped around Yuji, holding him against Vale as they shuddered and twitched through the last of their orgasms, both utterly sated and spent.
Vale carefully eased himself out of Yuji's ass, and Yuji turned around to wrap his arms around Vale as they clung to each other, their breathing still ragged. Yuji leaned his forehead against Vale's forehead and chuckled.
"We need to do this more often," Yuji said, his eyes bright with his love for his elf.
Vale answering chuckle was tired but happy. "We do, don't we? I suppose we should get back, though." He reached for his belt, rummaging in the small pouch of holding until he came up with a healing potion, which he offered to Yuji. He grinned as Yuji drank it down and sighed happily.
They washed quickly in the small stream, at least enough to allow them to dress, and Vale grinned at his laceless breeches, reaching back into his pouch and pulling out a leather lace. Yuji nearly fell over laughing.
"Thinking ahead again?" Yuji laughed.
"I can't seem to get the hang of that fucking mending cantrip. Fucking transmutation spells," Vale grumbled cheerfully. "But the non-magical solution works just as well."
They dressed quickly, gathering up their weapons and Yuji reached for Vale's hand again as Vale Planewalked back to the Cloaktower and his office. There they took a fast shower, changing into their regular clothing and walking back to the Neverwinter house to use that portal to return home. They stopped and bought meat pies and cool tui at the market, eating on a bench in the park near the house, Vale leaning into Yuji and angling for a kiss afterward. Finally, having put it off long enough, they went through the portal and back into the hubbub of family life in Tokyo.
Yuji and Vale stepped through the portal to be greeted by a screaming half elf, who flung himself at Vale with a desperate ferocity.
"Chichi! Oniisan saw something in the pond and it scareded imouto and anikisan too and you need to make it go away!" Hikaru wrapped his arms around Vale's neck so tightly that Vale looked at Yuji, wide-eyed.
Willow stuck her head out of her study to glare at her husbands. "It's about time you two got your little asses home," she said. "Maela and Sorien stayed to give a hand with the kids, and I sent Sand and Satoshi to bed before they collapsed. If you two are feeling that fucking perky, you can go help."
Vale smiled at Willow sweetly. "Of course, lirimaer. We'll take care of dinner, and everything, not to worry. You go write, my queen."
"Fucking blonds," Willow muttered, going back into her study and closing the door with a gentle click.
"Now, what's all this fuss about, sochi-chan? What did Ryuu-kun see?" Vale asked Hikaru, trying to pry the little half elf loose.
"I don' know," Hikaru said, reaching for Yuji and burying his face in Yuji's neck when his tousan took him.
Yuji looked up as Erion came in with Takara in his arms, the little girl's chin wobbling a little as she hung on to the young elf. "What happened, my love?" Yuji asked, looking at Erion.
Erion looked at Yuji, his silver eyes wide. "Honestly, I don't know. Ryuu was by the pond, and Takara ran over to play with him like she always does, and he just pushed her away from the pond and told her to never go near the water. He was being protective, honestly, not mean, but I think it was the way he said it." Erion nuzzled Takara. "He got a little intense, but he was being the best oniisan and taking very good care of Takara, right, princess?"
Takara looked at Yuji seriously, her gorgeous eyes exactly like Satoshi's eyes. "I don't go in the water anymore. Oniisan says so, it's bitten."
Erion grinned at Takara. "Forbidden, princess, which is a big and fancy way of saying no."
"He saided no, too." Takara nodded firmly. "Can I have pocky?"
"Let's get some pocky for everyone, okay?" Erion looked at Yuji and Vale, shrugging a little as he carried Takara to the kitchen to choose the flavor of pocky she wanted.
"Chocolate," Hikaru called, wriggling to be put down. "Anikisan says I don't eat strawberry." He flashed Yuji and Vale a sunny smile as he ran after Erion.
"I suppose we'd better ask Kansas about this," Vale said, watching Hikaru dash off.
Yuji shook his head. "Let's hope it's nothing." He could not help the unease that crept over him, though, remembering how Kenji was as emphatic about keeping Satoshi, Ryuu and Kansas away from the pond at his estate. He shot Vale a troubled look, and they went out onto the deck to look for Kansas.