[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Sand came up behind Satoshi and wrapped his arms around him, nibbling lightly on the back of Satoshi's neck. Satoshi giggled and playfully swatted at Sand.

"What are you up to, poldoramin?" Satoshi laughed, turning in Sand's arms to look at the elf.

Sand smiled, a beautiful smile that lit his dark blue eyes. "It is our date night, saiai. Do not tell me that you forgot. I am taking you to dinner, at a marvelous restaurant I heard about from the father of one of Ryuu-kun's classmates."

"Oh, that sounds perfect," Satoshi said, his own face lighting up. "What kind of restaurant?"

It was a fair question, since Sand was perfectly happy to experiment with various cuisines. Satoshi found some of the foods too odd, but he had to admit that Sand was good at finding unique places to eat.

"It is a very traditional Japanese restaurant, and I am told that the food is exquisite," Sand said, leading Satoshi up the stairs and heading to their room. "I think we should dress accordingly, and make it a very traditional evening. Do you think my blue kimono with the striped hakama would look alright?"

Satoshi grinned at the elf. "You're asking me about clothing? Masato, I don't even recognize half the clothing in my closets. You're the one with the clothing obsession."

Sand grinned back. "I am fond of clothing, yes, since it is wildly impolite to go about without clothing, although much more convenient at times." Sand laughed as Satoshi swatted him again, his cheeks faintly pink. "But really, cormamin, I do defer to your expertise in proper traditional clothing."

"In that case, yes, the blue kimono and the striped hakama. I'm almost afraid to see my choices, though." Satoshi attempted to glare at Sand and failed. "Which kimono did you have in mind for me?"

"Do you remember the one with the red embroidery? The black one? What do you think of that with the black and white striped hakama and a red obi?" Sand gave Satoshi a sidelong look, his eyes dancing.

Satoshi snickered a little. "Dressing to match my hair?"

Sand shrugged lightly. "You simply look wonderful in red and black. It suits you, saiai."

"Clothes maniac," Satoshi muttered, and peeled off his hoodie.

They showered quickly, washing each other thoroughly and nibbling kisses, but Sand was unusually restrained and did not angle for a quick plundering, much to Satoshi's surprise. Satoshi shook his head a little, watching as Sand dressed with absolute confidence, from his fundoshi right down to tying his obi properly. When they were dressed, Sand dragged Satoshi over to the full length mirror.

"There, we look splendid, do we not?" Sand leaned over to kiss Satoshi lingeringly, nibbling on his pierced lower lip almost delicately.

Satoshi had to admit that they both looked marvelous in the hakama. Sand had pulled his hair back into a low ponytail, fastened at the nape of his neck with a black silk ribbon, the points of his ears hidden, and Satoshi was struck again by how Japanese Sand managed to look, except for those blue eyes.

"We look gorgeous," Satoshi said with a smile. "So, since we're all pretty, let's go to dinner."

They took the train into Tokyo, Satoshi very aware of the looks they garnered from their fellow passengers as they chatted quietly about Ryuu and Takara, school things and Satoshi's new artist who was still being pushed to sing all the wrong things. Satoshi had to admit that he was curious as to why Sand had not asked to take the car, but it was not that cold for a change, and Satoshi was actually enjoying the admiring glances that came their way.

When they got off the train, Sand guided Satoshi to a lovely building, the aroma of delicious food wafting to them as they approached. Inside, the restaurant was both traditional and very elegant, and a kimono-clad young woman took their geta and offered them slippers before a host led them to a low table set on tatami. There were cushions, and Sand and Satoshi knelt and made themselves comfortable, Satoshi's eyes shining as they placed their food order.

The meal was indeed excellent, and Sand and Satoshi enjoyed themselves thoroughly. They left the restaurant, Sand vowing that they would have to dine there again, and Satoshi agreed enthusiastically. It was still fairly mild, and Sand looked at Satoshi with a smile.

"Do you feel like a walk, saiai? It is not so cold a night, and I think we would enjoy it." Sand laced his fingers through Satoshi's very discreetly, their haori hiding their hands as they strolled along.

Satoshi smiled at Sand's attempt at discretion. "It's actually not that bad, poldoramin. A little walk would be nice."

They walked a bit and Satoshi realized they were heading toward the Meiji Shrine. As they got closer, Satoshi was surprised to see that the gate was open, and Sand looked at him with an arched brow.

"That is a nice surprise," Sand commented. "Shall we go in, and perhaps say a prayer? It seems that we are being invited to do so."

"Maybe we are being invited," Satoshi said, looking at Sand closely. The elf looked as curious as Satoshi, though, and Satoshi chuckled inwardly, dismissing his speculations that Sand had arranged this.

It was peaceful without the usual tourist traffic, and they made their way to the shrine itself. Satoshi and Sand washed their hands and then they both bowed deeply and folded their hands reverently, heads bowed as they each offered silent prayers, the utter calm of the shrine filling them both with a sense of peace.

Sand and Satoshi bowed again at the end of their prayers, and Sand guided Satoshi over to a bench outside the shrine. Satoshi looked at Sand, puzzled, as Sand gently urged Satoshi to sit, his long fingers dipping into his obi and coming out with a small velvet box.

Sand knelt with his usual fluid grace in front of Satoshi, his blue eyes bright even in the dim light. He opened the box to reveal a ring, a slender circle set with emeralds, diamonds, amethysts and sapphires, the pattern repeating around the entire ring. Satoshi's eyes widened and he shivered a little as he looked down at Sand.

"Mori Satoshi, from the day that I first met you, my heart and soul were yours. I was foolishly blind at first and I let you leave without telling you how deeply you had touched me, how you had claimed me for your own. I was lucky enough to have the chance to see you again, and wise enough to ask to stay at your side." Sand took Satoshi's left hand in his, stroking it gently. "Satoshi, saiai, you are everything that is perfect about my life. You are the very music of my soul, and without you, the sun would not even rise each morning. The only thing that could make my life even more perfect than it already is would be if you would agree to marry me, to be my lawful husband. This ring is my promise that I will love you until time itself ends, and I will cherish you for all of my days, my love, my sweet husband."

Satoshi swallowed thickly, his lips trembling as he tried to speak, crystalline tears pearling in his lashes, and his hand shivering in Sand's hand.

"Yes, Masato-san. Yes, yes, yes, a thousand times yes," Satoshi gasped breathlessly, his voice rising with each word and his love pouring through their bond in warm waves.

Sand slid the jeweled ring carefully onto Satoshi's left forefinger, and Satoshi's face lit up with the most beautiful smile, a laugh bubbling out of Satoshi before he slid his hands into Sand's hair and leaned over to kiss Sand thoroughly, his tears of joy running down his cheeks. Sand returned the kiss, his own bond open to let Satoshi feel his love and joy.

Satoshi tugged on Sand until Sand sat on the bench beside Satoshi, gathering the slender imp into his arms and stroking his back. Satoshi was still trembling a little, his cheeks glistening with his tears, and Sand wiped them away gently with a clean linen handkerchief, but the joy that flowed out of Satoshi made Sand's heart sing.

They sat on the bench for several minutes, Sand holding Satoshi and pressing soft kisses to his temple, until Satoshi had recovered enough to find his voice.

"I don't have a ring for you," Satoshi said, a little wistfully.

"Oh, saiai, but you do." Sand reached into his obi again and pulled out another small velvet box, handing it to Satoshi.

Satoshi opened the box with steady fingers, the ring inside identical to the one Sand had placed on his finger. Satoshi took Sand's left hand and slid the ring onto Sand's forefinger, looking deeply into the elf's eyes.

"I love you, Masato-san, with everything that I am. I accept your promise with all of my heart." Satoshi smiled again, that radiant smile that made his eyes shine, and Sand kissed him sweetly.

It took another couple of minutes before Satoshi's knees would hold him up, and this time it was Satoshi who reached for Sand's hand, not caring if the haori covered their hands or not. They walked out of the shrine and back into the nighttime bustle of Tokyo, feeling like the world had starting moving again after the timelessness of the shrine.

Satoshi kept looking at his ring, his face wreathed in a gorgeous smile, and he barely noticed where they were walking until Sand stopped in front of a particular tea house.

"Why are we stopping?" Satoshi asked. He looked at the discreet sign, recognizing the name immediately as a very traditional and very popular tea house that served some of the finest sake in all of Tokyo, and his eyes widened.

"I think I am in the mood for some warm sake and some mochi," Sand said, looking at Satoshi with a twinkle in his eye.

"This place has a waiting list for months to get in," Satoshi protested. His eyes widened even more when Sand merely shrugged and opened the door, ushering Satoshi in.

"I am sure they can accommodate us," Sand said with utter confidence, as the host approached and bowed respectfully.

Sand bowed politely. "I believe you have a reservation for us? The name is Mori."

"Of course, Mori-sama," the host said, bowing again. "Please come with me."

They were led to a lovely table with a view of the garden, and Sand and Satoshi knelt and got comfortable. A waiter hurried over, kneeling as he placed sake cups on the table, and then held out a porcelain flask of warmed sake.

"This is with the compliments of Kohaku-sama," the waiter said, and poured for them as another waiter hurried over and knelt to place dishes of fresh mochi and beautiful candies on the table. He set delicate porcelain plates in front of Sand and Satoshi, and laid lacquered serving chopsticks on rests in front of the pastries and sweets.

When the waiters had withdrawn, Sand raised his cup of sake and looked at Satoshi. "Thank you, saiai, for making me the happiest person in Japan tonight. A toast to a future of happiness."

"Thank you, my Masato, for this beautiful, magical night, and for this perfect ring, and for loving me." Satoshi raised his sake cup as well, and they sipped, savoring the excellent sake.

They stayed for another couple of flasks, and then they left, a car appearing in front of the tea house to take them back to the estate, where Sand made tender love to Satoshi, their souls wide open through their bond and both of them ending with their cheeks wet with tears of utter joy.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Erion looked at Momo, his silver eyes beautiful in the dim light. "I love you, Momo-chan, you know that, but I'm too damned young anyway. Well, not here, but back home." Erion spread his hands a little. "And yes, if we can't be sure that we can be together for the rest of our lives, then it's foolish to even think about marriage."

Erion moved closer to Momo, tilting his face up slightly and kissing Momo, his pearly teeth scraping lightly over Momo's lower lip. "I want our now, koibito. The future is its own problem, and the past can't be changed, but we can have now."

"What are you doing?" Momo asked, but he nibbled back, kissing Erion tenderly. "What are you up to, yuki no erufu?" The love in Momo's voice made Erion smile even as he nipped again, feather light.

"I'm embracing my honne, baby," Erion replied, pressing closer as his arm slid around Momo's waist. "I love you now, you're my boyfriend now, and that's perfect, just as it is."

"It's practically like we're married anyway, what with our living together and all that, so why mess with what's working?" Momo wrapped his strong arms around Erion, feeling the steady beat of his little lover's heart through his sweater.

They stood like that for a few minutes, not needing to talk, just holding each other and enjoying the quiet, Momo's cheek resting against Erion's silky hair. Finally, Momo shivered a little, the damp and cold seeping through his sweater, and Erion looked up at him.

"We should go in, baby. You're shivering." Erion started to pull away, but Momo pulled him back and kissed his forehead.

"In a minute," Momo said softly. "It's nice and quiet out here." He snorted a little. "I really can't stand Kansas when he gets into that mode. He's fucking frightening when he gets like that. You were both a bit terrifying for a moment there, actually."

Erion shrugged lightly. "It's not so bad. I think it just seemed worse because we were all a little worked up."

"It was more than that, Yuki-chan. There was something else going on," Momo said, that slightly stubborn note in his voice letting Erion know that Momo was not going to let this go. "Care to explain what that was really about?"

Erion sighed a little. "Did you ever meet someone, and feel like you knew them already, even though it was the first time you were meeting? It was like that for Kansas and me, like our souls had known each other before. Sometimes, it feels like we're having a conversation that we had in another time."

Momo nodded slowly. "That's not so farfetched, baby. I mean, part of Buddhist belief is that our souls are reincarnated. Do elves believe that, too?"

"Not in the same way," Erion replied, happy to be on safer ground. "We believe that after we die, we go to live on another plane of existence, with our gods. But sometimes, when there's a real need, a soul can be asked to come back from Arvandor, our afterlife, and that soul can be reborn. There are elven heroes that have come back and lived again when our people needed them, too. They come back as themselves."

Momo shook his head a little. "That's a little creepy, too. But I could feel something earlier, like right before a big storm, when the air sort of makes your skin crawl."

"I know Satoshi is sensitive to a lot of things," Erion said calmly. "Maybe you were picking up on that bond that Kansas and I have. It can feel a little weird sometimes, even to us."

Momo nodded, seeming happy with that explanation. He shivered again, and this time he let Erion lead him back into the warmth of the house.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Hawk returned Satoru's bow, his blue-grey eyes warm and friendly. "Please, we're family, and you don't need to be formal with me, Mori-san. You're going to be my gifu after all." Hawk's chuckle was as warm as his eyes. "As to the wedding, we wouldn't miss it for anything. Of course Sora and I will be there. I can't begin to tell you how happy we both are that you and my mother are engaged."

Hawk's easy warmth made Satoru smile, his anxiety dissolving as Mist came over as well with a sweet smile on her lovely face. Unlike Hawk, she spoke in English, her accent light and lilting.

"I have no idea what my brother has said, but if it wasn't glowing, I'll deal with him later." She flashed Hawk an affectionate grin. "But speaking for myself, I couldn't be happier. Atara is positively glowing with happiness, and I have you to thank for that." Mist gave Satoru a gentle hug and a kiss on the cheek. "We don't really have a word for stepfather in our language, but I'd be pleased to call you my atar en' cormamin, father of my heart. And before I forget, I owe you more thanks for watching over my son as well. Hopefully, he hasn't been a nuisance."

Satoru's smile was beautiful as he looked at Mist. "Actually, it's been wonderful having Yuki-kun around. My house has needed the laughter of young people to make it feel like home."

Mist laughed happily, tucking her arm through Satoru's with that easy elven affection that still surprised Satoru. "I know what you mean. I've always encouraged Erion and Falon to bring friends home, and fill the house with the noise and clutter of many elflings. I like a busy house. Maybe in another couple years or so, I'll be ready to add another elfling of my own."

Eryn looked at Satoru with a bright smile, and he smiled back, utterly delighted at the warm reception from Eryn's older children. Momo was watching Hawk, almost bemused by how unlike Sand he was, although there was some resemblance between the brothers. He looked at Satoru, the happiness on his father's face making Momo smile a little, and Erion leaned into Momo as he felt some of Momo's tension dissolve away.

Vale and Satoshi were in the kitchen, the two of them laughing as they prepared a quick dinner, Sora calling out to Vale that she was expecting soba and getting a cheerful spate of elven in return that made Hawk burst out laughing. It was not long before they were all gathered around the table enjoying grilled salmon, soba, and rice, as well as some sauteed vegetables that Satoru and Momo did not recognize, but that were delicious. Vale offered to take Takara so that Satoshi and Sand could eat, but Mist snorted and appropriated the little treasure, while Eryn managed to get Vanyadulin out of Hawk's arms. Hikaru and Ryuu had taken over Falon completely, and Aika decided that she needed to sit with Sora and tell her all about preschool, snuggling against her hibaba happily.

Hawk had Sand in tears from laughter as he described arriving in Neverwinter to find a wood elf in the kitchen, looking quite startled. After a small amount of confusion, the wood elf introduced himself as Sorien, and explained that he was courting Maela, and had been making himself useful around the house as a small repayment for spending his nights there. Maela had arrived in the middle of the introductions, and explained that Sorien was a ranger, and his usefulness was in keeping the gnomes out of the house should Sand decide he had any new projects in mind. With a bloodymindedness that made Vale grin, she had instructed Sorien to pin the offending creatures to the walls of Castle Never for all she cared, as long as she did not have to see or hear them ever again. Sorien confided that he had not seen a single gnome, which Maela stated was a sign of his usefulness. Maela had no intentions of leaving her employment with the family, however, but Sand made a note to himself to increase her salary anyway which made Willow beam happily at her raven-haired elf.

Erion told everyone how Momo was at the top of his class, and that he was probably going to come in a dismal third himself, this last bit said in a tone of extreme resignation that made Mist arch an eyebrow. Santhiel had to hide a small smile at Erion's dramatic sighs, since Eryn had assured him that Erion had been studying with extraordinary diligence for his finals. Momo was quick to reassure Erion that he would do well, and Erion purred a little as Momo stroked his back gently as they got up to clear the table.

Dessert was served in the living room, fresh fruit and dainty little chocolates, with tea and wine or whiskey for anyone who wanted some. Hawk had brought some dwarven whiskey, and Satoru had a small glass, his eyes widening as he tasted it. Satoru pronounced it strong but smooth, and Santhiel looked over at Hawk with a gleam in his eye. Eryn informed her eldest child and his best friend that Satoru would not be subjected to one of their bachelor parties, with Sora and Mist trying to hide their amusement. Erion looked relieved, and Momo grew curious, until Erion promised to explain later, his cheeks faintly pink.

Mist offered to help Aika get ready for bed, and Falon jumped up to grab Hikaru and offer to help Ryuu with his shower after he had scrubbed the little half elf into respectability. Willow and Sora excused themselves and went to Willow's room to feed the babies, the two women cooing at their slightly fussy daughters. Sand and Satoshi emerged from the kitchen where they had been doing the dishes, their cheeks slightly flushed and their eyes bright, Sand immediately reaching for the dwarven whiskey.

When Falon came out of Ryuu's room, he found Kansas, Erion and Momo already in the second floor game area, and they waved him over enthusiastically.

"Come and play with us, toror'ai," Erion said, laughing as Kansas looked up.

"We'll play teams," Kansas said, shifting to make room for Falon on the couch.

Falon bounced down happily. "What are we playing? And better yet, how do we play?" He looked at the controller that Kansas handed him in confusion.

Erion gave Falon a playful nudge. "It's easy. This is a racing game, and you use these to control your car." Falon had ridden in a car a few times with the family, and pronounced them utterly cool.

"So what are the teams?" Falon asked, his eyes shining.

"It's me and Erion against Kansas and Faron... fuck," Momo moaned. It was the dozenth time that night that he had mispronounced Falon's name, and Momo had had enough. "That's it. We're renaming you, Far... Fa... Fuck!"

Erion began to laugh, falling into Momo. "We can't call him 'Fuck' or Willow will have our heads, baby."

Falon was snickering as well, and Kansas was trying his best not to laugh at his frustrated friend. Managing a fairly straight face, Kansas said, "We usually name people something that means something about them. Like Erion is Yuki, which means 'snow' and I'm Tatsuya, which means 'dragon becoming.' So we need to think of something that fits you."

Falon thought for a moment, and then grinned. "Well, I'm training with atar to become a Vale Guard, so does that help?"

"It might," Momo said, looking thoughtful. "You use a sword?" When Falon nodded, Momo looked at him very seriously. "Then from now on, I'm calling you Tetsuo. It means 'iron man' and that's sort of what a guard with a sword is, right?"

Erion clapped his hands. "Oh, that's perfect, koibito. Tetsuo it is!"

Falon grinned. "Tetsuo. I like it! It sounds almost elven, doesn't it?"

"So what the fuck are you waiting for, Tetsuo-kun? Grab your controller and let's show these two how to race," Kansas laughed, giving Erion a little shove.

Sand felt his phone vibrating in his pocket, and he reached in and pulled it out, touching the screen to see that he had received a text message. Satoshi had been sitting next to him, so Sand was fairly sure it was not one of Satoshi's little messages designed to drive him mad with desire. Opening the text, Sand saw that it was from Kohaku, the message wonderfully enigmatic. "Masato-san, check the news."

"What is it, poldoramin?" Satoshi asked, looking at Sand in concern as Sand frowned at his phone.

"It is a text from Kohaku-san, telling me to check the news." Sand touched the screen of his phone, calling up the Internet and scrolling quickly to his favored news feed. His fingers froze suddenly, and his eyes widened slightly.

Yuji sat forward, a little alarmed by Sand's reaction to whatever it was he was reading. "What is it, Sand?"

Hawk's head turned sharply as he looked at his younger brother, and Santhiel tensed slightly as Mist laid a slim hand on his arm.

"The news," Sand said slowly, looking up with such an odd expression that even Vale had no idea what was going on. "My apologies, but could we turn on the television? I know it is dreadfully impolite when we have family visiting, but please indulge me this once."

Yuji reached for the remote and turned the large flat-screen television on, pressing the button for the news channel. The assembled family members watched as a very serious-looking announcer began to speak, Santhiel murmuring a translation for Mist.

"After much consideration, the Diet has reached a decision on the Marriage Equality Act that has been the cause of so much deliberation these past months. Commencing with the fiscal year beginning in April, the Marriage Equality Act will be effective, although partners wishing to apply for a license may begin to prepare the paperwork immediately and submit it in the new year." The announcer continued to speak, but no one could hear him because Sand let out a shout and turned to pull Satoshi into a tight hug.

"They have done it, saiai. They have made it legal as it is at home." Sand's eyes were bright with excitement as he leaned in to kiss Satoshi lingeringly. Santhiel smiled broadly as Sand kissed Satoshi, and Hawk looked up the stairs to see if Willow and Sora had heard the cheer from Sand.

Willow and Sora had not emerged from the bedroom yet, but there were four puzzled faces looking down from the gaming area.

"Is everything okay down there?" Erion said, as he and Momo came down the stairs, followed by Kansas and then Falon. "Toror en' atara'amin, what's wrong? You yelled so loudly."

Momo put an arm around Erion, ready to offer his support to his little elf. It was Vale who spoke up, his green eyes shining.

"The Diet passed it," Vale said. "The Diet passed the Marriage Equality Act. Same gender marriage is legal." He looked at Yuji with such joy in his eyes. "I know you're already legally married, a'maelamin, but I'm so happy for everyone who's waited so long for this to be real."

Yuji looked into Vale's eyes, seeing nothing but joy in his elf's clear gaze. It was a law that would not apply to them, since Yuji could not marry two people, but Vale radiated nothing but happiness through their bond. Seeing Yuji's look, Vale leaned forward to kiss Yuji sweetly.

"It's alright, a'maelamin. I'm married to you on Toril, and I don't need a ceremony here to make me any more married to you. You're legally Willow's husband here, and that's as it should be, my love. Our wife is important to us all, and we all love her endlessly." Vale's smile was gentle and content, and Yuji pulled Vale into a tight hug.

"Thank you for understanding, my love, my perfect Vale," Yuji murmured, burying his face in Vale's gold and emerald mane and loving his elf more than ever for the sweet generosity of his heart.

Willow and Sora came down, their eyes wide as they took in Sand and Satoshi kissing passionately, and Yuji and Vale beaming. Erion was wide-eyed, leaning into Momo as his knees trembled, and he sucked in a quick breath. "They really did it," Erion whispered, almost to himself. "They passed it."

Falon shot Erion a quick look, his voice barely audible as he spoke in rapid-fire elven. "So how do you choose?"

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

"You're thanking me? I should be thanking you, koibito. I was closing down when you reached out to me, and pulled me back into living. I hurt so badly that I didn't know what to do." Erion nuzzled his face into Momo's raven hair, pressing tender kisses to his lover's head. "I know how much you love me, and I'm glad you found room in your heart for me."

"It wasn't finding room for you, Yuki-chan," Momo said softly. "I love you with all my heart."

"I know you do, and I hope you know that I love you with all my heart as well." Erion let his hand stroke through Momo's silky hair, teasing the nape of Momo's neck lightly. "Whatever you did before you and Kageoshi became lovers is not what defines you, at least not in my eyes. And I don't think you love me less or that I come second in your heart. Everyone we love, we love differently, don't we?"

Momo nodded slightly, his head a comfortable weight on Erion's shoulder.

"Did I ever tell you about when I met Kansas?" Erion asked, and there was such gentle love in his voice that Momo's breath hitched a little.

"All I know is that you met him where you're from, when everyone went on that long vacation," Momo replied.

Erion smiled into Momo's hair. "I was just forty, which is the age when you're no longer an elfling. It's the end of childhood for us, but not quite responsible adulthood. But at forty, we're old enough to have lovers. The funny thing is that I never even had a proper crush on anyone. I had friends, and I was already pretty sure that I preferred males sexually, but there was no one I wanted to take as a lover among my friends."

"Was that unusual?" Momo asked, curious. There was something in Erion's voice, almost a verbal equivalent of a blush.

"A little," Erion admitted. "We're encouraged to explore love and loving. No one expects it to be serious, and most young elves have a great many affairs before they reach proper adulthood at one hundred. But I was only just forty, so my parents weren't worried or anything."

Erion sighed a little. "My grandmother had gone to Neverwinter to look after Willow, who was pregnant with Hikaru. Vale had brought Yuji there because Yuji was very sick... dying, actually. Vale couldn't bear to lose him, and he knew that the clerics and healers in our world could help Yuji. The whole family was planning on coming to Evereska once Willow felt up to traveling again, and then Kansas had a bit of trouble. My grandmother brought him back to Evereska before the rest of the family came."

"A bit of trouble?" Momo snuggled a little closer to Erion, and Erion nuzzled his hair again.

"He was attacked in a tavern. The attackers were dealt with." There was a finality to Erion's voice that made Momo blink a little, but he did not look up at his lover. "But Kansas needed the time to recover, and my grandmother offered to bring him back with her ahead of time. My mother brought Falon and me over and I was astonished. I hadn't really met many humans before. There are some who come to Evereska, but they tend to stay closer to the Cloudcrown Palace, where the Hill Council is. But Kansas was just, well... he took my breath away. I'd never reacted to anyone like that before then. I offered to show him around Evereska, and he accepted, so I took him to Dawnsglory Pond, where we all swim."

Erion laughed a little, his arms tightening slightly around Momo. "Do you know, I'd never even been kissed? I was such a little virgin, literally. We kept brushing against each other in the water – we swim naked – and I was feeling things I'd never felt before, and all I knew was that I wanted more. And then Kansas kissed me, and I was so startled that I sort of flinched. He got upset and ran away, and I chased him, and then we kissed again. I didn't flinch that time, and I'll never forget that kiss."

Momo chuckled a little, trying to imagine Erion startled by a kiss and failing utterly. "You were a quick learner?"

"So Kansas tells me," Erion laughed. "We were inseparable after that, and we spent every night in each other's arms, but we didn't have sex. We touched each other, and kissed, but that was it." Erion paused a moment. "We have a goddess whose worship is making love, did you know that?"

Momo looked up at Erion, his eyes wide. "Wait, what? Really? You're shitting me."

"I'm not," Erion protested, laughing. "Hanali Celanil is the goddess of love and beauty, and we worship her by making love. Her temple has all these little gardens and grottoes for lovers to meet in, and there are plants that secrete lube when you break off a leaf. Anyway, Kansas and I went to the temple, and we were in a grotto, and that's when I made love for the first time."

Momo was surprised to see a blush creep over Erion's cheeks.

"Anyway, the point of all that is that I was pretty much an idiot about love before I met Kansas. Eventually, after Kansas and I were together, I wound up sleeping with Yuji and Satoshi, and I love them both, but it's not the same as what I feel for Kansas. It's as deep, but different, somehow. And you, koibito, you're altogether different as well. You're my inferno, and I love you completely, like a flame burning in my heart. So, I don't worry about you loving Kageoshi first, or even you still loving Kageoshi. I hope you'll always love him, because that's part of what lets you open your heart to new love." Erion leaned in and nibbled a tender kiss. "I gave you my promise and the symbol of my father's House, which is one of the few things that's truly mine to give. Nothing you've told me tonight makes me want to change that. If anything, I love you more, Momo-chan, watashi no koibito, melindoamin."

Momo cuddled closer to the little elf and nuzzled his cheek softly, his voice raw with emotion when he whispered, "I don't want to be an inferno. I wish I could be that steady flame that will light you through the years. Infernos flame up and burn bright for a while, then die out. Burn themselves out. Burn your heart to the ground."

He cupped Erion's cheek and made the elf look into his eyes, a slight sadness flickering deep within the love that burned there as brightly as the love in Erion's heart. "But if that's all I can be, if that is all I can have, then I will be your inferno, Yuki-chan. I'll burn so bright that the night will become day. And we will make such a fire together. But I don't want to think about the end now. I want to think about the right now. Thank you for loving me. That is all I want to say."

"No, Momo-chan, that's not what I meant, at all," Erion protested, his silver eyes darkening. "Let me try and explain. I hate words sometimes. They twist around and don't come out right. Maybe there aren't even words for what I want to say in your language, and I can't tell you in mine."

"You don't need to explain, Yuki-chan. We both started this knowing it wasn't forever, and I'm happy that we can love each other this much." Momo stroked Erion's cheek. "I just want to enjoy the now with you, and not think about the future."

"It's just hard, Momo-chan. I don't want us to burn out, and I don't want anyone's heart burned to the ground." Erion's eyes were a deep, dull grey. "I barely get to have you for a breath as it is. It's just a moment, a brief dream, isn't it? I just can't bear the thought of losing you sooner, baby."

"And you won't. I will not let you go, until you ask me to. There is nothing that can make me leave you, so I promise... I swear I won't let you go until you ask me to." Momo stroked Erion's cheek again.

"I live in the now, like any elf does, but I still can't help wishing that tomorrow would never come." Erion's eyes closed slightly, and he drew a shaky breath, refusing to cry.

"Please don't say it like that, Yuki-chan. There is only one way for tomorrow to never come. But we will not think about tomorrow. We will just live for each moment as we live it, and not wonder about the future." Momo's fingers slipped into Erion's hair as the young elf drew another ragged breath.

"They say the past teaches us so we can avoid making the same mistakes over and over. Obviously, I missed that lesson, because I always talk too much, and wind up being sorry for my clumsy words. Forgive me, Momo-chan. I don't do too well at helping, do I?" Erion managed a wobbly smile. "You're right, and I'm not going to think about tomorrow. Maybe you're a better elf than I am, too."

Momo moved out of Erion's embrace and gathered the little elf into his arms, kissing him lovingly, stroking his cheek when they broke the kiss and poured all of his love into his words. "Of course I forgive you. You've healed me so much tonight, that I doubt I will ever be able to repay you. You do learn from your past, and I am learning from mine. You are teaching me to learn from my mistakes. Without you I doubt I would still be here."

Momo kissed Erion again, then leaned his forehead against Erion's and whispered with a sweet smile, "And don't ever say that I am a better elf, because you are the most wonderful elf I know. You're still young and learning, so it's alright to sometimes be clumsy with your words."

"I don't need anything more than your love, Momo-chan, here and now." Erion's smile was stronger, his eyes fading to their usual silvery grey. "Please let my love be enough for you." Erion pressed his lips to Momo's lips in a tender kiss.

Momo whispered gently, "It already is more than enough, my love." He eased Erion onto his back, slipping between the young elf's parted thighs and pressing into Erion, seating himself fully in Erion's ass in a single smooth thrust as Erion's back arched in pleasure. Momo took his time, withdrawing slowly and sliding back into Erion, watching as Erion's eyes fluttered closed in bliss as Momo's cock glided over his prostate.

Time seemed to slow down a bit as Momo made tender love to Erion, the tiny gasps and sweet little moans music to his ears as he drove his little lover to the brink. Erion's back was arched slightly, his sensitive little nipples hard as pebbles, and his cheeks were flushed a deep rose, and Momo thought the elf had never looked so beautiful. Momo thrust one more time, and Erion mewled and came, Momo following only a moment later as Erion's tight little ass molded itself around Momo's cock hard enough to hurt.

Shivering a little, Erion pulled Momo down into a lingering kiss, his eyes half-hooded with sated bliss as he tangled his slim fingers in Momo's hair. They fell asleep, entwined sweetly, Erion's lips still lightly brushing Momo's lips as reverie claimed him.

[Missing Most Recent Story]

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[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Erion put his ice cream down and turned around, his silver eyes dark as he cupped Momo's face in his slim hands. "I know, baby, and it's alright. It's alright to miss him, and to hurt."

Momo shivered as he began to sob, deep wrenching sobs that shook his whole body. Momo's head fell forward, coming to rest on Erion's shoulder, and Erion wrapped his arms around Momo, stroking his back.

"Please don't think that this is wrong, to cry for him. Kageoshi was just so special, so out of the ordinary, and I know how much you love him. And it's alright to still love him. It's perfect to still love him." Erion kept his voice gentle and soothing, rubbing Momo's back as he talked. He could feel Momo tense up, struggling to choke back the tears, and Erion just tightened his hold a little.

"Don't hold it in, baby. You;re safe with me, so just let it out. You can't let this stay inside you forever. That'll just make you cold and bitter, and eat away at you until you're not Momo anymore. If you let it out, you can start to heal, my love." Erion pressed the gentlest of kisses to Momo's hair. "You can let yourself love again, but only if you let yourself mourn for him. So cry for him, my love. Cry like your heart needs you to cry. It takes a lot more strength to cry than it does to hold it in, you know. It's hard facing how much it hurts, and it's hard admitting that you miss him still, but I only love you more for it."

Momo relaxed suddenly in Erion's arms, his grief coming out in a howl as he let the tears fall freely as he clung to Erion. Erion made small soothing noises, gentle sounds that meant nothing aside from comfort, the way his mother and his grandmother had comforted him when he was an elfling. Momo's hands were fisted in Erion's shirt as he sobbed and shivered, all the pent up pain and grief pouring out in an endless flood of tears.

Erion smiled a little as he rested his cheek against Momo's hair, his voice very quiet. "It wasn't fair that you only had him for so short a time, and you have to hold on to the belief that you'll meet again one day, that your souls will find each other again. A love like what you two had is something that can't fade. I believe that with my whole heart, baby. I believe that you'll be reborn, and Kageoshi will be reborn, and you'll find each other and love the way it was meant to be. You just have to learn to love all over again. You've done it with me, watashi no koibito. I know how much you love me, and I don't doubt that what we have is real. You've taken that first step. So now, cry for Kageoshi, and never forget how much you love him, but allow your heart to open itself to new love, too."

Momo's howls of grief were slowly ebbing, and the tremors that wracked him with each sob eased as Erion held onto Momo tightly. Momo mumbled something utterly incomprehensible as he buried his face in Erion's neck, and then he coughed and tried it again.

"I'm sorry," Momo managed. "I love you, Yuki-chan. Please don't think that I don't love you."

Erion pressed another gentle kiss to Momo's hair, his voice warm with love. "I know you love me, baby. I see it in your eyes, and I feel it whenever you touch me. It doesn't matter to me that you cried for Kageoshi. It just makes me love you more, because it shows me how passionate your heart is. It's one of the things about you that's so beautiful, Momo-chan. When you let go and love, it's like an inferno, and I'm happy to throw myself into that blaze. But that's the thing, my love. We never know how long we have with someone, so we have to let go of all the things that hold us back, and just love with everything we are."

Momo kept his head tucked into Erion's neck, his whole body limp from the violence of his grief. He still was sobbing, but it was softer now, healing sobs, and his hands slowly relaxed and released Erion's shirt. Erion just continued to hold Momo, confident that the storm of tears was part of the healing that Momo needed, and glad that he had been there to offer at least the comfort of his love.

"You're so strong for everyone else, Momo-chan. You worry about how I'm healing, but you don't think about what you need." Erion moved back a little, lifting Momo's chin with one hand and gently wiping away his tears with the other hand. "I love you, koibito, my beautiful man, and you deserve to be loved. Let me love you, and help you heal."

Momo sat back, scrubbing at his tear-stained face, his voice ragged from his howls of grief. "This was supposed to be sort of a private memorial, just for us, to remember him in a place where he was always happy."

Erion nodded. "We can still do that, baby."

Momo reached out to touch Erion's cheek gently, and the young elf smiled and reached over to retrieve his ice cream, finishing the treat quickly and licking the spoon with a purr of satisfaction that wrung a small snicker from Momo.

"I still say it's not an ice cream flavor that should ever exist," Momo said. "I don't know how the two of you could eat that. Wasabi's for food."

"Ice cream is food," Erion said, and leaned into Momo's arms. Momo just snorted a little and reached into his bag, pulling out two beers and two small paper lanterns, with a Buddhist prayer written on the delicate rice paper, and a small candle below that.

Erion watched as Momo opened the beers, handing one to Erion and then carefully lit the candle under one of the lanterns. The heated air lifted it, and as it floated upward, Momo murmured, "I love you, watashi no tenshi. I'll find you when the time is right."

Momo handed the other lantern to Erion, who lit the candle. As the second lantern began to rise, Erion said softly, "Cormamin niuve tenna' ta elea lle au'. Amin mela lle, toror'amin. My heart shall weep until it sees thee again. I love you, my brother."

Momo choked a little, and put his arm around Erion, pulling the young elf close. They watched in silence as the lanterns rose in the still night air, drinking their beers and remembering Kageoshi. When even Erion's keen sight could no longer make out the lanterns, Momo heaved a sigh. He lit a cigarette, as did Erion, and they began to pack up the blanket and the rest of what they had brought with them. Momo led the way down the trail with his flashlight, Erion's slim hand firmly encased in his larger hand.

"There'll be a memorial service to mark the year anniversary." Momo's voice was still ragged and heavy with grief. "I want to go. I need to go, and I'd like it if you came with me."

"Of course I'll come," Erion replied without hesitation. He felt a small twinge of worry, wondering what Kageoshi's parents would think, but he decided that he would call them and let them know that he was coming with Momo. Nim'Cath rumbled very distantly, and Erion sent a quick burst of reassurance to his tiger. He knew as well as Nim'Cath that this was a turning point. Momo would begin to heal, and that meant it would be time for Momo to move on, to find the one he was supposed to be with instead of Erion. Erion took a quick breath, resolutely choosing not to dwell on what was yet to come in favor of making the most of the present.

They reached the car and Momo hesitated as he took out his car keys.

"Can you drive home?" Momo asked, looking at Erion. Momo's eyes were swollen and red-rimmed, and he kept blinking as though he was having trouble focusing his vision.

"Sure thing, baby. I'll be very careful." Erion did not yet have his driver's license, but he knew how to drive Momo's car, and he did have his license for the motorcycle. He knew that as long as he obeyed all the speed limits and traffic laws, there would be very little chance of his being stopped by the police, and Erion intended to be very careful.

Momo tossed the bag into the back seat, and sat in the passenger seat, leaning back and closing his eyes after fastening his seat belt. Erion slipped into the driver's seat, not needing to adjust it more than a fraction, and he drove home as sedately as a judge while Momo sat silently beside him. Erion parked carefully in the garage, and he and Momo went into the house, Satoru looking at Momo with concern in his dark eyes.

Erion gave a quick shake of his head from behind Momo, and Satoru merely hugged Momo before Momo went up the stairs to their room. Satoru turned to Erion, who looked back at the older man somberly.

"He finally let it out, and cried for Kageoshi," Erion said simply. "He'll be better now. He needed to let it out, and now he can heal and move on."

Eryn came over and touched Erion's face with grave sympathy in her dark blue eyes. "Are you alright, utinu'ai?"

Erion smiled at his grandmother and at Satoru. "I'm fine. I'll be fine. This is how it's supposed to be." Erion kissed Eryn's cheek and hugged Satoru, and went upstairs to Momo, his step light and graceful despite the heaviness of his heart.

[Missing Most Recent Story]

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[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Erion leaned into Momo's kisses, enjoying the intimacy of the moment. When they broke apart again, Erion looked into Momo's eyes, awed as usual by the love there.

"I'd like that. Going into Aokigahara with you. Do you think I can sign up to volunteer with you next year?" Erion brushed his lips across Momo's lips gently. "I mean, I'd still like to walk around with you and just see it, but what you're doing is important for the families. I'd like to help."

Momo looked at Erion and smiled. "Yes, you can sign up, and thank you for understanding. I really didn't mean to upset you, you know."

"I know," Erion replied, tilting his chin up slightly to invite another kiss. "It's not so much that I get upset as it is that it feels so strange to me. But that's something I have to learn to deal with, and I will. Don't be sorry for helping me to grow up a bit. If anything, I should be thanking you for being so patient with me, and putting up with my drama."

Momo kissed Erion again, the young elf leaning into Momo and laying one hand on Momo's chest. "It's not drama, my love. You're still learning about how we do things here. I'd probably be just as lost in your home." Momo looked into Erion's silver eyes, those bewitching pools that never failed to take his breath away. "Why is it so incomprehensible for elves?"

Erion bit his lip for a second, the gesture utterly endearing. "We live a very long time by human standards, but we value every year of our lives. Eight hundred years is normal for most elves, and in all those years, we try to live in the present, living for the now. We're not afraid of death, because we know what waits for us after death, and it's nothing to be feared, but we're not eager to give up all the passions of being alive, either." Erion looked up, smiling a little. "I don't know if I'm making any sense at all. But we just don't give up on life, unless we've lost a bonded mate. Then we fade, just drift away from living until we rejoin our loved one in the next life."

"And that isn't suicide?" Momo asked gently.

Erion shook his head. "It's not a choice. If you're that tightly bound, your soul can't exist alone anymore. It's like a fatal wound."

Momo nodded thoughtfully, one hand stroking Erion's silver hair lovingly. It did explain some things, although it made Momo wonder about other things. Erion seemed to sense Momo's discomfit, and nibbled a little kiss.

"It's not something to dwell on now, baby. I just want to hold you and be happy," Erion murmured. "And I'm in no rush to get back to the estate and rescue Falon from the kids."

Momo chuckled. "You and your brother don't look anything alike, until he smiles, and then I can see you in him." His expression grew more serious. "But you do look so much like your father. I feel like I need to explain myself to your father."

Erion surprised Momo completely with his answer. "Then talk to him. Catch him alone, and tell him what you need to tell him. We elves aren't so different from the Japanese in some ways, and atar will appreciate your talking to him." Erion grinned a little. "I'm not going to bother to tell you not to worry about it, because you will anyway, so don't look so surprised. I'm batshit crazy, but I'm actually pretty smart." Erion slipped his arms around Momo's waist, snuggling in close. "I love you, Momo, and atar will understand."

Momo wrapped his arms around Erion's shoulders, holding Erion tightly for a moment. It was still hard to believe that Erion meant those words, but he wore Momo's ring, and he had come to Momo this morning, not Kansas, and Momo felt something in his heart heal a bit. Momo buried his face in Erion's sweet-smelling hair for a moment, breathing in and just letting himself love this wild young elf.

"So, next weekend, or maybe the weekend after, you want to go drifting?" Momo asked. Erion's happy yelp was answer enough, and Momo chuckled, wondering how the little thrillseeker would enjoy that. Momo gave Erion a little slap on his ass. "Come on, sexy, time to get that hot ass of yours back on the bike."

Erion laughed, one arm still around Momo's waist as they walked back over to the bike. "You want to drive it back to the estate?"

Momo looked at the bike and his eyes lit up. "Really? You mean it, Yuki-chan?"

"Of course," Erion grinned. He tossed Momo the keys and reached for his helmet. "Make me scream, baby."

When they got back to the estate, Erion was hoarse from screaming in sheer exultation, and Momo was grinning from ear to ear, both of them wound up tightly again from the ride. They were intercepted on their way into the house by an exuberant Ryuu, who demanded that Erion and Momo play baseball with him. Fuji and Falon joined in the demand, and Momo and Erion begged to be allowed to at least change first. Erion managed to sneak in a fast blowjob while they were changing, and Momo promised to make it up to his little elf later, laughing when Erion pretended to pout.

The youngsters played baseball for nearly an hour before Falon threw himself on the grass, laughing and pleading utter exhaustion. Hikaru took that as his opening, and pounced Falon with great glee, and the game degenerated into a pile of tickles and pounces that had everyone breathless. The horseplay had the effect of relaxing Momo a bit, and dinner was full of laughter as the youngsters vied for the chance to fill Willow in on the high points of the game, including a rather dramatic slide by Fuji that had not only stolen a base but had tumbled Falon into a bush. Kohaku and Emiko had stayed for the meal, and Kohaku's silly laugh rang out as merrily as Fuji's laugh.

Takara had joined them for dinner, and Satoshi laughed as her bright eyes followed everyone, the voices holding her interest and distracting her from her new favorite game of hair tugging. After dinner, the adults cleared up the dishes while Falon swept the children off for video games before Fuji would have to go. Fuji told Ryuu that this new onii-san was really cool, like Ryuu himself, and Ryuu was bursting with happiness. Erion was cooing over Takara, his silver hair firmly clenched in her tiny fist, while Sand led Willow to the living room to relax a bit with Emiko and Kohaku.

Momo saw Santhiel slip out into the garden, and decided this was as good a moment as any to talk to his lover's father. Taking a deep breath, Momo followed Santhiel, a little surprised when he went fairly deep into the garden. As Momo got closer, a familiar scent filled the air and Momo's eyes widened in surprise, but there was Santhiel, sitting on a bench and smoking pot. He saw Momo and waved him over with a grin.

"I really think this is the best yet," Santhiel said cryptically, offering Momo the joint.

Momo looked at Santhiel curiously but decided not to ask questions, at least not about the pot, which was excellent. Momo finally exhaled, and then took a deep breath.

"I want to apologize for the way I acted when you were in Tokyo last." Momo watched as Santhiel inhaled deeply, his silver eyes almost closing in pleasure. "I feel like I owe you an explanation now that I'm dating Yuki-chan. The thing is... well, first of all, how much do you know about me and my background?"

Santhiel smiled a little, handing the joint back to Momo. "I know the man who raised you as his son abused you, and I know that he threw you out after he found out you weren't his son. I also know that Mori-san is your real father, and how you found that out." Santhiel shrugged lightly. "We all have backgrounds, and not all of us have perfect ones. It's not something I'd hold against anyone."

Momo nodded, feeling slightly relieved. "The thing is, I was raised in the belief that being gay was a choice that you really shouldn't make, if you valued your life, so I came to terms with it very young that I would never find love, much less marry and have children. Then I fell in love with Kageoshi, and that only made me believe it even more, that I would never be able to love and be happy. But when he confessed his love to me, and we started dating, I was the happiest man alive. Even with the attacks and how broken he was in the end, I was the happiest man alive." Momo paused to take a drag from the joint.

Santhiel nodded. "Erion – Yuki – spoke so highly of the love between the two of you. He adored you both, and he was just so happy that you'd found each other."

"Yuki-chan was the reason Kageoshi-chan dared to open up to me. We never would have found each other, if it hadn't been for Yuki-chan. I owe him my greatest happiness." Momo swallowed a little, and handed the joint back to Santhiel. "Then shortly after Kageoshi-chan died, I spent a night with Yuki and Kansas, and I realized how strong my feelings for Yuki were. It made me scared, because first of all he belonged to Kansas, and I felt like I was violating a trust with my feelings. I started drinking heavily after Kageoshi died, and when I pushed Yuki and Kansas away, it got worse. During the trial I was drunk pretty much every day, except that day when they made me testify. I was trying to drink away my life, because I was scared. I am sorry for the way I behaved, and I want to assure you that I do love Yuki-chan as much as I love Kageoshi." Momo waved the joint off when Santhiel offered it again, his heart pounding.

"I'll admit I was a little confused when I heard that Yuki was seeing you, Momo-san." Santhiel's voice was gentle, and his eyes were warm as he looked at Momo. "I don't mean that in a bad way, either. I love Kansas, and I wasn't unhappy when he and Yuki fell in love. But Yuki's young, and he's never loved anyone but Kansas, until you. I think this is healthy for him, to love others as well, to know love with more than one person. I'm sure he's told you that we elves don't care about the gender of our lovers, so the fact that Yuki prefers males is nothing unusual to me. What matters most to me are two things."

Momo stiffened slightly, but he kept his head up and looked Santhiel in the eyes steadily. It was still hard to believe that this young-looking elf was Erion's father, and the resemblance between them was so strong that it was nearly disconcerting.

Santhiel smiled just a little. "What matters to me is that Yuki is happy, and that whoever he loves has honor. Yuki's more than happy with you, and the fact that you came out here to talk to me shows me that you have honor." Santhiel's smile widened. "When I go back home, I'll tell Mist, Yuki's mother, that Yuki is doing what any proper young elf should do. He's in love, he's happy, and his boyfriend is a man of honor."

Momo took a deep breath, relieved that Santhiel was not going to rip his head off and use it for soup. "I don't know about the honor part, but I do keep my word and I'll take good care of Yuki-chan. That I can promise you."

"Then you have my blessing." Santhiel laughed a bit. "Although I think Kansas beat me to it. Shall we head back to the house?"

As they walked slowly through the garden, Momo watched Santhiel sidelong, still not quite believing that he had just smoked pot with his boyfriend's exceedingly hot father. Santhiel looked over and chuckled.

"I should apologize for the pot. I'm fond of a smoke now and then, and Kansas and Tsutomo have the best pot." Santhiel looked remarkably unapologetic, and Momo chuckled a little, realizing he could like Erion's father. "And just one thing about backgrounds. My wife, my mother in law and my children know mine, and it's not exactly a pretty thing. I've spent most of my recent years pretending to be something I'm not, to protect my family. I'll share the story another time, if you're interested, when I haven't been smoking pot."

They had reached the house, and Santhiel let Momo go in first, laughing when Hikaru raced over to wrap himself around Santhiel's leg, chattering in a mixture of elven and Japanese at such high speed that neither Momo nor Santhiel could quite understand what he was saying. Aika came over with an exasperated sigh, Kaede on her heels.

"Otouto, stop making a mess with your words." Aika put small hands on her hips and fixed the little half elf with a stern look. "Only one kind of words at a time."

"What one, onee-chan?" Hikaru asked agreeably.

Aika sighed again. "Try Japanese. Do you understand?"

Hikaru nodded happily. "Amin rangwa, seler'alta."

Aika threw her hands up in the air. "Boyses," she said, and stalked off with Kaede while Santhiel barely managed to smother a snicker as he scooped Hikaru up.

"Thank you for up," Hikaru said with his sunny grin. "Now chichi not find me."

"Nice try, my little savage," Vale grinned, appearing and plucking Hikaru from Santhiel's arms. "You need a bath, and you need sleep, sochi-chan. You can play with otooji in the morning, both of them."

Momo looked into the living room just as Erion looked up and saw him, and the smile that lit Erion's face when he saw Momo made Santhiel pat the younger man gently on the shoulder.

"Go love him," Santhiel urged, and Momo did not need to be told a second time.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Vale looked at Yuji and began to laugh. "Oh, a'maelamin, that makes us both perverts, then. I would love to put on a high school uniform and get disciplined by my headmaster." Vale gave Yuji such a wicked grin that Yuji pulled him in for a kiss, chuckling at his wanton elf.

They snuggled for a few more minutes, and then Vale groaned a little. "The cleaning crew will be here at eight, my love. We'd better get moving." Vale winced as he went to sit up, his welts tender and still hot under Yuji's hand.

"Are you going to be alright? Should I call Kansas?" Yuji asked quickly, looking concerned.

"Oh, no," Vale said hastily. "No cars, thank you, love. I can walk, really." Vale reached for his tight little boxers and winced again.

"Wait, my love." Yuji got up and grabbed a gym bag from the corner of his office, pulling out a pair of soft sweat pants. "These might feel a little better."

"Perfect," Vale agreed, slipping them on without bothering with his boxers. He sighed happily, the touch of the fabric not nearly as painful as the boxers would have been. Yuji handed him a sweatshirt and a pair of sneakers as well, and Vale chuckled. He carefully folded up his suit and shirt and tie, and tucked them into a plastic carry bag along with his dress shoes.

Vale murmured a quick cleaning cantrip while Yuji dressed, and together they replaced all of the usual items on Yuji's desk and tucked away the restraints and toys. Vale patted the desk fondly, and Yuji could not help but snicker.

"You planned this from the minute you saw the desk, didn't you?" Vale asked, grinning widely.

Yuji pulled Vale into his arms and kissed him lovingly. "Of course. How could I forget how delicious you looked spread over your own desk?"

Vale whooped with laughter, and they left the school together, hands linked firmly all the way home to the estate.

Yuji and Vale arrived home just in time for dinner, the children mobbing them at the door with enthusiastic hugs and kisses. Vale managed to sit through dinner, although he did pale slightly when Hikaru bounced into his lap for dessert. Ryuu was full of excited chatter about his playdate with Fuji the following day, and the plans they were making for a treehouse, complete with a climbing rope and a trap door. Sand and Satoshi winced a little at that, but Kansas offered a few suggestions of his own, and Ryuu gave his fathers such pleading looks that they melted on the spot. Willow, however, insisted that the treehouse be far lower than the sixty-five feet that Ryuu claimed was necessary, despite some wobbly-chinned looks from Ryuu, and it was quickly agreed that eight feet off the ground was very high indeed.

After dinner, Ryuu and Aika showed their fathers their completed homework, and Hikaru brought over a drawing he had done as his homework from Aika, based on the story she was reading to him. The homework was duly admired and tucked away, all of the adults quite impressed with the neatness of Ryuu's kanji. Aika was learning her name in kanji and romaji, and her practice page was equally neat.

As a reward, Sand took them all into the garden for the bedtime story, spreading a blanket out for all of them to curl up on and lighting some paper lanterns. Hikaru was fast asleep by the end of the story, and Vale carried the little half elf off to his room to tuck him in while Yuji and Satoshi took Aika and Ryuu up to bed. Sand hurried inside to attend to Willow, his smile radiant as he brought her a glass of an alcohol-free wine that she particularly liked, and he curled up beside her on the couch to brush her thick auburn hair. When Yuji came down, he got out the whiskey for the rest of them, as they all settled in to relax a bit in the living room.

It was Vale who sat up first, slightly more comfortable after applying a cooling salve to his welts. "The portal is opening. I wonder who that could be?"

Sand looked up as well, his arm tightening slightly around Willow. He knew it had to be someone they all trusted, since no one else had access to portal keys, but he was instinctively protective, and Willow muffled a giggle in his shoulder.

Santhiel came down the hall, his silver eyes bright as he spotted the family. "I came as soon as I could. Sora and Hawk are parents, a sweet little girl with raven hair and beautiful dark eyes like her mother."

Yuji jumped up, his eyes welling with tears of happiness. "Sora had the baby? When?"

Falon came down the hall, uncharacteristically sedate for all of a moment until he saw Kansas and threw himself into Kansas's arm with a shout. "Toror'amin!"

Santhiel gave his younger son a fond look. "Two days ago, but I couldn't leave until today. Mist is with her, and both Sora and the baby are perfect, and gorgeous." Santhiel hugged Yuji and then Satoshi. "She sends her love to you all, and says you should visit once Willow is up to it."

Kansas hugged Falon with enthusiasm, delighted to have the young elf there in Tokyo. Falon finally released Kansas and looked around, a bit confused. "Erion's not here?"

Kansas gave Falon one of his beautiful smiles. "He's with Momo, remember? Tell you what, we can call him, though. Wait until he hears your voice on the cellphone."

Falon had no idea what Kansas was talking about, but the opportunity to puzzle his brother was not to be passed up, and the two youngsters hurried into the dining room to surprise Erion.

"What's her name?" Willow asked, wondering why all men, human and elven, were so thick when it came to the important details.

"Oh!" Santhiel actually blushed slightly. "I'm sorry, I thought I told you. Sora named her Vanyadulin, and she calls her dulin'ai."

Sand laughed, delighted. "It means Fair Bird, and the nickname is Little Bird," he told Willow.

"Yes, Sora said she has her faralin and her dulin'ai, and judging by the besotted look on Hawk's face, she's her father's little bird, all right." Santhiel accepted a tumbler of whiskey from Yuji and curled up on one of the couches.

Kansas and Falon came back in, giggling and hanging on each other, delighted by Erion's reaction to hearing Falon's voice over Kansas's cellphone. Santhiel arched an eyebrow at them, which only made Falon giggle harder.

"I thought he would explode, atar, he was sputtering so much," Falon snickered, before managing to sober up slightly. "He says he's coming over with Momo. Atararim is coming, too, with her new betrothed."

Satoshi looked delighted at the prospect of seeing his father, who was still walking on a cloud since Eryn had accepted his proposal. Eryn, too, had been glowing, and she and Willow spent a great deal of time talking together quietly, their eyes bright.

"But you've got a new little one on the way as well," Santhiel said, smiling at Willow. "You look absolutely radiant, seler'amin, my sister."

"I feel like an elephant," Willow retorted, but she returned Santhiel's smile and snuggled closer into Sand's arm.

"I'll get some sweets ready for the onslaught," Vale offered, and Satoshi jumped up to help him, the two walking into the kitchen together.

Yuji sighed a little. "We need to figure out a way to get pictures from Evereska. I'd love to see Sora and the baby."

"We'll have a break soon, won't we, love?" Vale asked, coming back in with a tray of small cakes, pastries and fruit. "We can try to pop over then, if Willow is up to it."

"Don't count on it, sweets," Willow said dryly. "I'll be a hippopotamus by then."

Sand kissed her forehead lovingly. "Then we will convince them to come here, vanimaer. We all miss Sora and Hawk anyway."

Satoshi brought in tea and it was not ten minutes later that Erion raced in the door, flinging himself at his father with a brilliant smile.

"Atar!" Erion hugged Santhiel tightly, burying his face in his father's shoulder as Santhiel stroked Erion's silver hair.

"It's good to see you as well, utinuamin." Santhiel looked up and smiled at Satoru and Eryn from over Erion's head. "Mori-san, it's so wonderful to see you. I haven't been able to offer my congratulations in person yet. And you know how delighted I am for you both, Eryn." Santhiel released Erion and walked over to hug Eryn and to take Satoru's hand and clasp it firmly. "And you must be Momo-san. I've heard a great deal about you, all of it glowing. I'm Santhiel en Nosse Sulandorn, Erion's father."

Momo was slightly surprised by Santhiel's excellent Japanese, but he bowed with great respect. "I'm honored to meet you, Santhiel-sama." His heart was pounding just a little bit at meeting Erion's father, but Erion hurried over to slip his hand in Momo's hand as Momo straightened, the young elf looking at Momo with great love in his eyes.

Santhiel noticed Momo's nervousness, and reached out to lay a slim hand on Momo's shoulder. "You make my son happy, and Kansas has no objections, and therefore neither do I. " His voice was quiet but warm, and his silver eyes were friendly as he looked at Momo.

Falon came over, oddly shy, and bowed to Momo. "I'm Falon, Erion's brother. Yuki's brother." His Japanese was as good as Santhiel's and Momo looked at him with a little surprise. "I know my name's hard to say, so you can call me otouto if it's easier." Falon's grin was so much like Erion's that Momo had to grin in return.

Erion laughed and pulled Falon into a tight hug. "I've missed you, toror'ai. I'm so glad you're here in Tokyo. But tell me all about our new cousin! Is she gorgeous? How is Uncle Hawk handling fatherhood?"

Falon's eyes brightened immediately. "Oh, Vanyadulin is amazing! She's just so tiny and perfect, and Aunt Sora is glowing like anything. Atara is watching over them both, of course, but she says it was a perfect birth, and Uncle Hawk didn't even faint once." Falon stopped to snicker. "He wanted to take the baby and show her to the rest of the Graycloaks but Aunt Sora threatened to make soup with his head."

Erion burst out laughing and Willow looked up and snorted. Eryn reached out to pull Falon into a hug, kissing his forehead and introducing him to Satoru, laughing as the young elf bowed again very deeply, and then greeted Satoru as sofu with enormous respect in his voice.

They all made their way to the living room and Vale served tea and whiskey and wine, offering around the sweets and fruits. Momo was slightly surprised when Vale poured a glass of wine for Falon, but Erion murmured in his ear that it was an elven wine, and a mild one at that. They chatted until it was getting late, and Satoru rose to say his goodbyes, Eryn leaving with him. Erion persuaded Momo to stay at the estate with him, and Yuji insisted that Santhiel stay as well, offering him Hawk and Sora's rooms for the night. Falon asked if he could creep quietly into Ryuu's room and snuggle with his little brother, and Willow took one look at his eager expression and agreed, as long as he did not wake Ryuu.

As they all settled in for the night, Vale turned to Yuji, his green eyes sparkling as his looked at his beloved husband. "I think I figured out my treat, my love."

"Oh, really?" Yuji's perfect eyes were filled with love as he leaned in to nibble Vale's lips.

"Would you be willing to use kinbaku on me?" Vale watched as Yuji's eyes widened slightly, his nostrils flaring a little in arousal.

"That's what you'd like for your treat?" Yuji asked. Vale nodded, and Yuji pulled him into a searing kiss. "You are so perfect, Vale."

In the guest room, Erion nuzzled up to Momo, his slim fingers already exploring languidly and making Momo moan a little. "Want to take a bike ride up to the mountains tomorrow? Satoshi showed me this place with the most fucking incredible view."

"Oh? What does it overlook?" Momo said between nibbles of Erion's tanned skin.

"Oh, trees, mostly. But I was talking about the view of me bent over the gas tank, baby," Erion purred, stroking Momo's cock almost lazily, his silver eyes darkening with pleasure as Momo choked a little and grinned.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Vale took the vibrator from Yuji, his green eyes closing for a brief moment. When he opened his eyes again, Yuji bit back a gasp at the utter wanton gleam in those emerald depths.

Vale took the vibrator in his slim fingers and turned it a little, examining it before bringing it to his mouth and licking it, a long, lascivious lick, his pink tongue curling slightly around the cool vibrator. Vale licked it again, and then slid his lips over it, slicking it with his saliva, drawing it out of his mouth slowly and curling his tongue around the tip of it almost lovingly.

Vale turned his head slightly, looking over his shoulder as he reached back with his free hand, cupping one cheek of his ass and stroking it with the same languid sensuality as he brought the vibrator down to slide it along the cleft of his ass. As Vale began to circle his tight little pucker with the tip of the vibrator, Yuji palmed the remote and pressed it once, a gentle hum the only sound in the room.

Vale let his eyes flutter closed again as he teased his pucker with the vibrator, and then he slipped it past the tight muscle, the saliva working with the lube he had inserted earlier as he pressed the vibrator into himself, his neck arching to lift his head off the desk. The hand gripping his ass cheek spread him open a little more, and Vale seated the vibrator in fully as Yuji hit the remote a second time.

Vale's pink tongue flicked out to moisten his upper lip as he withdrew the vibrator almost all the way and pressed it back within his tight ass, his lips parting in an utterly silent gasp of pleasure. Vale kept his chest pressed firmly on the desk, only allowing his head to arch up, his gold and green hair spilling down over his shoulders and over his back.

Yuji stood and moved around the desk until he was sitting behind Vale, the elf's parted thighs giving him a perfect view as the vibrator slid in and out of the quivering ring of muscle. Vale released his grip on his ass cheek and began to idly trace the red welts Yuji had laid on his pale ass, his long fingers delicately following the stripes as he moved the small vibrator in and out.

Yuji bit back a moan at the sheer wantonness of Vale's movements. "Akira. Use this one now." Yuji took the smaller vibrator from Vale and handed him the larger one, watching as Vale pressed it against his eager pucker. Yuji pressed the remote three times in quick succession, watching as Vale's head arched up again, his hair spilling across his shoulder blades as his shoulders lifted from the desk. Vale's nipples remained pressed against the wood, however, and Yuji purred slightly in approval.

"Seat it fully, Akira, and move your hands away." Yuji's voice was slightly husky as he stood, watching Vale slide the larger vibrator into his ass all the way, until his tight little pucker was clenched around the base.

Yuji lifted the whip, trailing it over the already reddened skin of Vale's pale ass as Vale stretched his arms out again. Yuji quickly laid a strike on each cheek of Vale's ass, watching as Vale's cheeks clenched around the vibrator. Vale's head arched back again, his lips parting in another silent gasp, and Yuji placed a stroke of the whip across Vale's entire ass.

Vale gripped the edge of the desk, his slim fingers white knuckled as he held on, tears pearling in his golden lashes already. The vibrator was pressing against Vale's prostate, and every strike made his ass clench so tightly around it that fireworks were going off behind his eyes. The pain and pleasure were already deeply entwined, and Vale took the opportunity to take a quick breath and center himself before the next blows.

Yuji pressed the remote one more time, and Vale's eyes fluttered shut again as the vibrations increased. He managed one more breath before the whip descended again, one strike more on each cheek of his ass. The tears were trailing down Vale's cheeks now, and his head sank forward until his forehead was resting on the wood of the desk, a shiver running through him.

Yuji trailed his fingers over the dark welts crisscrossing Vale's ass, admiring the contrast with the pale skin alongside the welts. Yuji could feel the heat rising off the abused flesh already, and he stroked the round globes lovingly as Vale's ass quivered a little beneath the touch.

Yuji ran a finger along the cleft of Vale's ass, pressing a little on the vibrator as he passed over it, and Vale's head arched up again, the golden hair tumbling back down Vale's back. Yuji watched as Vale steadied himself, his breathing slightly ragged, and then he laid the last two strokes across Vale's ass in quick succession. Vale opened his mouth in a silent scream, letting out the breath he had taken before letting his head fall onto the desk, his thighs trembling and his fingers wrapped tightly around the edge of the desk.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Vale shivered when he felt Yuji's long warm fingers stroke his permanent collar, Yuji's other hand still fisted in his hair, and then Yuji's breath was hot against Vale's ear, making the elf shiver once again.

Vale listened to Yuji's instructions, allowing Yuji to turn him around under the desk, and a soft moan escaped him as he lowered his lips to Yuji's generous cock. As instructed, his slim hands rested on Yuji's knees, and although his own cock was hard and begging to be touched, Vale focused on pleasing Yuji with his perfect submission. He ran the stud in his tongue over the slit of Yuji's cock, savoring the taste of the precum already beginning to ooze out, and then he moved his tongue to lave at the tender cleft underneath the head, feeling Yuji shiver under his hands.

Vale dipped his head forward, slowly engulfing Yuji's cock as Yuji's hand tightened in his thick hair. Vale sank forward slowly until Yuji's cock was hitting the back of his throat, and then he withdrew just as slowly, Yuji's soft moan sending another shiver down Vale's spine. Vale shifted his knees slightly, parting his thighs a little more to ease the friction as he rose and fell on Yuji's cock, not quite swallowing Yuji's cock to the root just yet.

A knock of the door registered vaguely as Vale lowered his head and then Yuji was sitting up straighter, shoving Vale unceremoniously under the desk and out of sight as Yuji ordered him to continue in perfect silence. Vale's eyes widened slightly, but Yuji did not see, and Vale drew in a slow and careful breath through his nostrils as he sank forward again. As Vale pulled back, his hair brushed against the underside of the desk, and the elf stopped before his head could bang the desk and make a noise.

It was only a minor hesitation, and Vale dipped forward on Yuji's cock again, listening as Kouda-san came in with the purchase orders for the new school books and other supplies. Vale had known about the paperwork that was needed, and had expected Kouda-san, and Yuji greeted Kouda-san cheerfully as he asked for the papers that needed his signature.

Fortunately for Vale, Yuji kept his signature stamp in the side drawer of his desk, and not the center drawer, and Vale continued to rise and fall over Yuji's cock slowly, his tongue pressing along the underside carefully. Breathing was mildly difficult, but Vale did not mind that at all. Rising to challenges and performing perfectly was his goal as a submissive, and this new challenge was no exception.

Vale lowered his head, and this time, because of the angle as Yuji sat forward to read and sign the papers, Yuji's cock slipped into Vale's throat. Vale managed to only swallow lightly, but even so, he felt Yuji shiver a little as Vale's throat muscles contracted around his eager cock. Vale pulled back again as much as he was able to, hoping he was not going to make Yuji come before he was given leave to do so, and drew another carefully silent breath through his nostrils.

The crinkle of papers went on for a while, Yuji chatting with Kouda-san as Vale continued to suck on Yuji's cock. The small thunk of the signature stamp and the scratching of Yuji's pen as he signed each page marked the rise and fall of Vale's head as the elf wound up taking Yuji to the root, trying not to swallow hard and invoke Yuji's ire. Vale listened as Kouda-san gathered the signed papers up and stacked them neatly, and settled back to chat with Yuji for a moment.

Yuji leaned forward onto the desk, listening to Kouda-san's assessment of several of their students, nodding and taking in his friend's opinions. Vale's cock was straining against his tight boxers almost painfully by now, and his lips were tingling from being stretched around Yuji's thick cock. Vale's hands tightened slightly on Yuji's thighs, the strain of keeping his breathing utterly silent increasing as Yuji's cock filled his throat again. It was with a small shudder of relief that Vale heard Kouda-san's chair slide backward, and listened as Yuji said good night to his friend. The door opened, and closed again, and Yuji slid his chair back a bit, Vale rising slightly out from the deskwell as he continued to suck Yuji's cock.

Yuji watched Vale for a moment, slim hands resting on Yuji's thighs and plump lips stretched around Yuji's cock as the golden head rose and fell. Vale's wicked tongue slid up and down the underside of Yuji's cock with practiced ease, the stud in it teasing Yuji unmercifully. Yuji could feel his balls already beginning to tighten, the wonderful tension of keeping a friendly and bland expression while talking to Kouda-san taking its toll on Yuji's ability to hold back.

Vale shifted slightly, adjusting his knees to keep his cock from rubbing too much against his tight boxers, never faltering in his attention to Yuji's thick cock as he pulled back far enough to swipe his tongue across the head again. Yuji bit back a moan, his thigh muscles jumping under Vale's hands, and his fingers slid back into that thick golden mane and clenched tightly.

"Akira. Make me come, but not a sound from you," Yuji ordered quietly, his voice just a little husky.

Vale slid his lips down, taking Yuji in to the root and swallowing hard before he slid his mouth up slightly so that he could draw in a breath through his nostrils. Vale lowered his head again, once again taking Yuji's cock into his throat and swallowing hard, and Yuji's hands tightened as he groaned, his balls painful as they drew up sharply. Vale pulled back slightly, Yuji's thick cum filling his mouth as he swallowed repeatedly, drinking down every drop eagerly until he had milked Yuji dry.

Vale slid his mouth back slowly and released Yuji's cock, and he carefully licked Yuji clean before sitting back on his heels, silent and patient as he waited for his instructions. Yuji watched Vale for a few moments, his perfect eyes glazed with pleasure as he looked at the golden elf crouched at his feet, cheeks flushed and ear tips rosy with arousal. Vale's hands still rested on Yuji's knees, and Yuji smiled as he reached down to lift Vale's chin with one hand.

"Akira. That was perfect." Yuji watched as Vale's green eyes brightened with pleasure at Yuji's praise. "Now, go back to your desk and finish your work until I call you again. And, Akira, no touching yourself."

Yuji slid his chair back so that Vale could rise, silent and utterly graceful, gathering up his jacket and slipping it back on before returning to his own desk, the bulge in his trousers unmistakable. The small smile playing across Vale's lips reassured Yuji that his elf was enjoying this game just as much as he was, and he broke into a smile of his own as Vale closed the door quietly behind himself.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Eryn gasped a little as she saw the ring, her face lighting up with the most impossibly radiant smile, and as she looked up at Satoru, he could see the shine of tears in her dark blue eyes.

"Oh, Saroru-san, a thousand times yes," Eryn said, tears of joy sparkling on her raven lashes. She reached across the table to touch Satoru's hand, sliding her slim fingers into his palm. "Please, would you do me the honor of putting the ring on my finger?"

Satoru's smile was no less radiant as he took the ring from the box and placed it with infinite care on the ring finger of Eryn's left hand. She wore no rings besides that glittering sapphire and diamond band, and it shone nearly as brightly as her eyes.

"You've made me the happiest man on Earth, Eryn-chan," Satoru said, his own eyes welling with tears of joy. "I can't believe that I found you, and that I've found love again after all these years."

Eryn laid her left hand over Satoru's hand. "I always thought, after Anessath died, that I would not find such love again, but you've changed all that, Satoru-san. You've filled all the empty places in my heart, and I've never been so happy. For all the years that we'll have together, I know that our love will grow every day."

The waiters were all smiling so brightly that Eryn had to laugh a little, the sound infectiously merry. They all looked as happy as if it were they who had just gotten engaged, and Eryn realized that they probably knew Satoru, and were happy to see him find someone to love. And really, Satoru was so very easy to love. He was kind, and gentle, and his intelligence and wit made him more than delightful company, but there was so much more. Eryn could feel the passion in his soul, a fire that needed just the smallest breath to fan it, and it woke an equal passion in her own soul. Theirs was a true love match, just as her son had found with Satoshi, and Vale had found with Yuji, and it was a gift Eryn would not squander. She intended to make sure that Satoru knew how deeply he was loved, every day for the rest of his life.

Satoru handed Eryn a fork, and they fed each other small bites of the rich and delicious cake, their eyes never leaving each other. It was so perfectly romantic, the ideal finish to a night that had begun wonderfully and had only grown more magical. Eryn felt as giddy as an elfling by the time they had finished their dessert, and when they stood to leave, the three young waiters bowed respectfully and then clapped their hands happily as the newly engaged couple left, their hands linked together. For once in his life, Satoru did not care about propriety or appearances, content to feel that slim hand in his as he led Eryn back to the car.

"I'll drive you back to the estate?" Satoru asked, his voice trembling just a little as he fastened his seat belt carefully.

Eryn reached out to touch his cheek very gently. "Satoru-san, a'maelamin, I am a widow, and not a blushing maiden. Would you think me dreadfully forward if I said I'd rather spend the night in your arms?"

Satoru's smile could have lit all of Tokyo. "I'd never think you were anything but perfect, Eryn-chan, and I can't imagine anything more perfect than waking next to you." He sighed a little. "I just wouldn't want to worry Masato-san. Do you think maybe we should call him?"

Eryn laughed merrily. "Masato-kun will appreciate that, I'm sure. He does tend to be a bit of a busybody, but he means well." She gave Satoru a decidedly impish look. "Of course, now I have to introduce you to my other two children, don't I?"

Satoru froze briefly and then gave Eryn a rueful grin. "Hopefully, Masato-san will convince them that I have only the best intentions."

"They'll love you, Satoru-san, just as much as I do," Eryn assured him, and Satoru felt the most delightful tingle when Eryn repeated that simple declaration. "I love you, Satoru, with my whole heart and soul, and I'm so proud to wear your ring and to one day share your family name."

Sand looked at Satoshi, the two of them curled up in their room. Despite his teasing and nuzzling, Satoshi was still a little distracted, his tongue darting out to tease the piercings in his lip, and Sand finally caught Satoshi's chin in one hand, turning the imp to face him.

"What is it, saiai? Tell me what is bothering you," Sand said, his voice warm with love for his husband.

Satoshi heaved a sigh. "It's Vale. Or rather, the way you two acted when we returned from seeing Adalon. You all but bit his head off, and he's been avoiding you ever since."

It was Sand's turn to sigh. "Have I mentioned to you that I am often stubborn and ridiculously thick headed? When Ryuu-kun came through the portal asking about foes, my blood ran cold in my veins, and I immediately lashed out at Vale." Sand's eyes darkened a little. "I know Adalon is a seer, and I know she is ancient beyond reckoning. She is a silver dragon, and in all my years, and in all I have ever read, I have never heard of a silver dragon being anything other than a force of good."

"Then why were you so upset, if you're not afraid of her?" The anxiety in Satoshi's voice was reflected in his gorgeous eyes, and Sand let go of Satoshi's chin in favor of stroking the beautiful cherry red hair of his husband.

"We both know that the visions granted to a seer can be dark at times. We have seen that with our Kansas, and it has made both our hearts ache that he must endure knowing such painful things while being unable to change them." Sand sighed again. "I feared that Adalon had seen some darkness ahead for Ryuu-kun. That he would ask about foes tore at my heart, because I love him as fiercely as I love you, and I would do anything to protect him."

"I know, poldoramin," Satoshi said, stroking Sand's cheek lovingly. "Honestly, it makes me feel better knowing that you;re always there to help me protect Ryuu-kun."

"But that is exactly it, saiai. I should have asked to go with you to see Adalon. Seldarine, I should have insisted. You, and Ryuu-kun, and Kansas, all of you are so dear to me that I simply cannot bear to think of anything happening to any of you. I should have been beside you." Sand looked at Satoshi gravely. "Can you forgive me for not being there?"

Satoshi looked at Sand, his heart aching. "Is that what's been bothering you, Masato-san? That you didn't come with us?"

"In part, yes." Sand made a helpless gesture with his hands. "There is also the matter of my making it rather plain to Vale that I did not trust him to care for Ryuu-kun properly, and that was a grave insult. I know, as absolutely as I know that I love you with all that I am, that Vale would protect Ryuu with his life. I know this beyond any doubt. And yet, I insulted him by insinuating that he put Ryuu-kun in danger."

Satoshi's eyes widened. "This is my fault, poldoramin. I should have told you to come with us. I should have insisted that we take you."

"No, saiai, there is no reason for you to shoulder any blame. I am simply overreacting to my own foolishness, and I was cruel to Vale without cause. He is quite right to be angry with me, and I will make my apologies to him in the morning." Sand smiled, and pulled Satoshi closer to him, nibbling a kiss and nuzzling Satoshi's hair. "Please do not look for reasons to blame yourself, cormamin. You did nothing wrong, and I should have also known that you would not have been so calm had Adalon spoken of any danger to our son. None of you would have been calm. But I am foolish and hot headed."

"Adalon said something to me right before we left," Satoshi said softly. "I can't stop thinking about it. She told me my gift has not been kind to me."

Sand looked at Satoshi curiously. "Did she explain?"

"I asked her what she meant. She said it hurts me to see others in pain, which is true, but she also said my gift opens me up to darker things that want to harm me." Satoshi leaned a little closer into Sand's embrace. "She also told me that I know my inner self better than I think I do, and that I resist the darkness because my soul is so bright."

"It is a beacon, saiai," Sand agreed. "That bright light that is your soul guided me home once, when I was somewhere no mortal should ever walk. Your love shielded me and let me save my brother's soul from being destroyed. I know how bright your soul is."

"She also told me that accepting love that was offered to me would make me stronger. She said love would be my shield." Satoshi looked at Sand. "I'm not sure what she meant by that, but I think it might have something to do with Ryuu-kun. She said he has my gift as an empath and Kansas's gift as a seer."

Sand's eyes widened slightly, but he merely stroked Satoshi's hair, encouraging him to continue.

"I just don't know how love is going to help me protect him. I already love him more than life," Satoshi sighed. "She said she would come here, and help him learn about his gifts."

"That is good, for no one would know more than a noble silver dragon about such things." Sand pressed a kiss to Satoshi's temple. "But there is more, is there not?

Satoshi shivered a little. "She talked about you. She said you finished your journey to wisdom, and that I helped you. I think she was talking about when you destroyed the telkiira and went into the Weave." The words sounded strange coming from Satoshi. "She said my love helped guide you into making the right choice."

Sand's voice was warm as he answered. "I do not know if I have truly found my way to wisdom. Perhaps it is merely that I am often too quick to anger, and I allow that to cloud my wisdom. But one thing is very true. You led me home, you and the bright love that you have for one very foolish elf. You saved me then, and I know that you will always be there to save me, saiai. I never doubt that."

Satoshi sobbed a little, clinging to Sand as Sand kissed him tenderly. Sand could feel a fragile peace descend on Satoshi, and he kissed his beloved husband until Satoshi began to respond with heat to Sand's gentle kisses. Sand made tender love to Satoshi, taking his time and bringing Satoshi to an intense and healing orgasm before cradling Satoshi close and watching his face relax into sleep.

Satoshi woke early the next morning, creeping downstairs to start the tea and running into Vale in the kitchen. Satoshi startled a little, wondering how the blond elf would react, but Vale turned around with one of his radiant smiles and pressed a kiss to Satoshi's lips tenderly.

"Good morning, mela en' coiamin," Vale said, his voice full of love. "You're up early. Is anything wrong?"

Satoshi took a deep breath. Despite his conversation with Sand the night before, Satoshi still felt guilty about the apparent rift between Sand and Vale. Although Vale did not seem at all upset this morning, Satoshi still needed to know that his elven husbands would get past the angry words they had exchanged. "Yes and no," Satoshi said finally, after a long pause. "I'm worried about the way you and Masato blew up at each other."

"Ah." Vale poured a mug of tea and handed it to Satoshi, pouring another for himself. "We need a cigarette for this, I think."

Satoshi followed Vale into the garden, and the two husbands lit their cigarettes, taking deep drags and exhaling plumes of smoke, and Vale grinned suddenly.

"Dragon sneezes," Vale said, his green eyes bright, and Satoshi snickered a little.

"Masato said he should have come with us," Satoshi said, looking at the blond elf.

Vale's green eyes narrowed slightly. "Do you know what set me off first? His idiotic assumption that I would ever do anything to put Ryuu at risk. Or Kansas or you, for that matter. Seldarine, I'm nearly a century older than him. He acts like I'm completely witless sometimes."

Satoshi looked at Vale in dismay. Vale seemed just as upset as he had been, and Satoshi's heart sank. "This was my fault. I should have told him to come with us."

Vale reached out quickly, cupping Satoshi's cheek in one slim hand. "Don't, Satoshi. Don't take this on yourself. It's old history between Sand and me, rearing its head again. Sometimes I think his mother picked exactly the right name for him. He can be as irritating as sand in your shoes, really, and he knows exactly how to get under my skin and make me furious." Vale smiled, his green eyes full of love as he looked at Satoshi.

"I'm just afraid that this has broken something between you two," Satoshi said, and the misery in his voice made Vale stub out his cigarette quickly and pull Satoshi into his arms for a loving kiss.

"You've seen inside me, deeper than Sand ever has, when I broke. You were there for me to take away the pain, so that I could hang on until Yuji got me to Evermeet to be healed." Vale looked into Satoshi's gorgeous eyes. "From the moment I arrived here, you've welcomed me and loved me. I trust you completely, mela en' coiamin. That's why I feel comfortable telling you this. What Sand did, growling at me like that, made me feel as worthless and despicable as I did before I was healed. There's a part of me that's still healing, and it's hard for me to think that I'm anything more than what I was told I was, an abomination who caused his parents' death."

"That's not true!" Satoshi exclaimed, the fierce love in his voice making Vale smile.

"Part of me knows that, but there's that little voice, deep inside, that sometimes wonders if I'm just fooling myself into thinking I'm worthy of love. Then I remember how you just opened your heart to me, and stepped aside to let me fall in love with Yuji, and I'm just awed." Vale kissed Satoshi again, tender and sweet. "I'm sexually submissive, and I'm not ashamed of that. I'm proud to be Yuji's submissive, but I'll be buggered by a balor before I let Sand push me around. I'm strong enough now to stand up for myself, and not let myself be treated like his whipping boy when he gets pissy. The way you and Yuji love me, and the way you both cared for me so tenderly when I broke gave me that strength."

"And Masato didn't?" Satoshi asked carefully.

Vale smiled again. "Sand tried, but Sand never quite knew how to help me. I really was a broken thing, and even now there are fragile bits, but I'm healing more every day. I see the same strength in you now, and I'm glad Sand was able to help you."

"I know he loves you," Satoshi said, his eyes still troubled. "Please don't hate him. Please forgive him."

Vale nodded. "I know he loves me, Satoshi, and I certainly don't hate him. Sand and I have weathered worse than this, and we'll get past this argument as well, I promise. Hells, I've already forgiven him. I just don't see the need to let him know that just yet. Let him think about where he's gotten himself with that sharp tongue of his, and maybe next time he'll think before he opens his mouth."

"So you two are going to be okay?" Satoshi asked. "You promise me that?"

"I swear it, my love. I'll forgive my idiot moon elf, and if he's suitably apologetic, I might even relent and sleep with him again before he turns five hundred." Vale grinned at Satoshi, his eyes bright. "Then again, he's pretty persuasive and, oh hells, he's just pretty."

Satoshi was surprised into a snicker. "And he knows how to use that, too."

Vale began to laugh. "Doesn't he just? Sweet Seldarine, moon elves. They'll be the end of us both."

Satoshi started to laugh as well, feeling himself relax for the first time since they had returned from seeing Adalon.

"Now, I'm going to sashay myself inside and warm up a bottle of breast milk for Takara," Vale said, his green eyes bright with love. "You want to feed our little treasure?"

Satoshi's grin was wide. "I'll go get her."

[Funny Typos]

My own best typo was years ago, when I was just starting out as a volunteer chat host online. I was actually hosting a chat, with the head host supervising, and someone new popped into the room and asked the topic. It was a general chat, so I promptly typed, and sent, "Welcome, XXX! No topic, just a little shit-chat today."

Did I mention this was supposed to be a G-rated moms website?

["Novelist Has Whole Shitty World Plotted Out" from The Onion]

I was positively sniggering reading that...

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Adalon bowed her head in acknowledgment of Tatsuya's pain, her silver eyes darkened with an emotion that only Tatsuya recognized. "Oth vur gix, tooth and claw. They wronged you greatly, kosjurathear, young god. I recall hearing of this, a very long time ago, when the eldarin were just beginning to challenge the dominion of Tiamat's children."

Vale's eyes went slightly wide at that, and Satoshi looked briefly worried until Vale turned to him and smiled, stroking his husband's arm lovingly. "It's alright, mela en' coiamin. I just forget sometimes exactly how ancient Adalon really is."

Adalon looked over at Vale for a moment, and then returned her gaze to Tatsuya. "I will tell you this, young god. Support Kansas in his journey, for it is your journey as well. It has brought your this far, to where you can remember what was done to you and your beloved, and knowing your history will guide you as you carve out your future. It is given to me to see what may come to be, a gift Kansas shares, and the purity of his soul aligns him with me, and those of us who follow Bahamut. He is precious, and he holds the virtues that you set aside when your beloved was torn from you, and it is he who will return your beloved to you."

Tatsuya bowed his head slightly as he acknowledged Adalon's words. "I share my strength with him, because he protects and defends my Yuki, whose soul is bound up in his lover. Yuki has not awoken yet, but I will help Kansas while Yuki slumbers."

"Tell me of this lover," Adalon said, and Tatsuya's chin lifted slightly as his eyes shifted color. When he remained stubbornly mute, Adalon gusted a small sigh. "I will respect your silence, Tatsuya. But know this, I will give you my vow that I will add my aid to yours should you need it. It is not a thing I offer lightly. Kansas's purity demands that I guard him well, and to do that, I require knowledge."

Vale leaned forward, his green eyes unusually serious. "Then let me tell you about him, Adalon." When Adalon nodded, Vale took a deep breath. "Kansas's lover is Erion, nephew of Mori Masato, whom you know as Sand en Nosse Iradil. They met in Evereska, and the bond between them was instant. Erion is young, just past his fortieth year, but his soul is far older and he is bound to Kansas by a recognized lifebond, blessed by Hanali Celanil. His heritage is interesting, to say the least. His father carries the blood of Sildëyuir."

Adalon snorted softly. "Is that what he is saying these days? Santhiel en Nosse Sulandorn is all iskvaecaesin, all star elf, that one, as fey as they come. He turned his back on his people and left their shadowy realm to walk once again in the light. But this explains much, vorastrix. This lover of Kansas carries both the blood of those who remain closest to their eldarin ancestors, and the blood of the levethix Sand, although he is hardly that anymore, is he?"

"He would tell you that he is no more than that," Vale replied, his tone mild.

Adalon lifted her head slightly. "The Weave still ripples from his passage, but I will grant you that he possesses the wisdom to reject the folly that was offered."

Satoshi sat up straighter, his heart pounding a little as he spoke up, his voice clear. "Masato chose his family. Power means nothing to him."

Adalon's gaze was very warm as she turned to Satoshi. "His love for you, and for your children, has given him the strength he needed. Whether or not you believe this, beautiful man, his choice was the final step in his journey to wisdom, but he could not have taken that step without the beacon of your love to guide him. This is also your gift, Mori Satoshi. You are powerful in your own right." Adalon's eyes narrowed slightly. "So much power, concentrated together. It is as it was meant to be, for the goodness of your souls shines as brightly as the power you all hold."

Adalon turned back to Tatsuya. "Go in peace, young god. We may meet again, if that is your will. It will be by your choice, and in a place of your choosing if it is to be."

Tatsuya stood and gave another shallow bow, and then his eyes faded to Kansas's beautiful grey. Kansas slumped back onto the couch, and Vale put his arm around him, pressing a kiss to his forehead and getting him a glass of orange juice.

"Drink this, alasse'amin. You'll feel better for the sweetness," Vale urged.

Adalon looked at Ryuu, her wise eyes watching as he curled up in Satoshi's lap, completely unafraid. "Come, my bronze dragon. Will you come and sit by me a moment?"

Ryuu looked at Satoshi for permission, his eyes shining at the prospect of being allowed to sit next to a real dragon. Satoshi looked over at Vale, reaching out through their bond for reassurance, and Vale gave Satoshi one of his radiant smiles.

"Adalon is a force of utter goodness, mela en' coiamin. I'd never have brought any of you here otherwise." Vale sent a wave of love and reassurance through their bond.

"Are you alright with going over there and sitting with Lady Adalon by yourself, watashi no ryu?" Satoshi smoothed Ryuu's unruly black hair as Ryuu beamed up at him.

"Of course, chichi," Ryuu said with his most wonderful smile as he stroked Satoshi's cheek with a small hand. "She's a very nice dragon and buronzudoragon says we should sit with her. She misses her babies sometimes."

Satoshi opened his mouth, and then closed it with a small snap, and nodded, his eyes full of wonder and love as he looked at Ryuu. "Then who am I to meddle in the affairs of dragons?"

Adalon brought herself down to the floor, resting her head on one foreleg and stretching the other out to make a comfortable perch for Ryuu, her silver eyes luminous as Ryuu skipped over to climb up on her leg, delighted by the smooth feel of her gleaming scales.

"Your scales are warm!" Ryuu exclaimed, looking at Adalon in delight.

"They are, my bronze dragon," Adalon agreed.

"Where are your babies now?" Ryuu wanted to know, his beautiful dark eyes shining as he curled up and made himself at home on Adalon's leg.

"Oh, my children are all grown, and have taken up their own duties where they are needed. We silvers protect, you see, and there are always places that need our protection. Some of my children are healers, and have gone to serve their grandmother as her priests." Adalon looked pleased as Ryuu smiled happily. "I do sometimes miss them, and the bustle of having a lair full of young dragons, but I am proud of how they have grown."

"Do dragons sneeze?" Ryuu asked.

Adalon looked momentarily disconcerted, provoking a small grin from Vale. "We do sometimes sneeze, of course. I remember some of my children sneezing quite loudly."

"Did they set anything on fire?" Ryuu looked at Adalon. "There's not a lot of water around here."

Adalon looked even more puzzled, and Vale had to bite his lip. Satoshi blushed furiously and Kansas did giggle into Vale's shoulder.

"You breathe fire, don't you? So when you sneeze, do you sneeze fire?" Ryuu continued.

Adalon chuckled, understanding dawning. "Oh, my dear bronze dragon, we do not all breathe fire. Mostly it is red dragons who do that. We silvers breathe a cloud that can paralyze our foes, or we can breathe very cold air."

"I hope you don't sneeze, then. I don't think I want to be an icicle." Ryuu looked up at Adalon with a giggle.

Adalon chuckled again. "I shall try very hard not to sneeze, of course." Adalon looked over at Satoshi, her delight evident. "I do not think your father would be very happy if I turned you into an icicle, and I would not want to upset him. But I think perhaps I will need to come and visit you sometimes, not in my dragon form, though. There might not be enough room in your house."

Ryuu nodded. "We'd have to go into the garden for that."

"There are some things that I might be able to show you, things that a bronze dragon should know." Adalon moved her head slightly, bringing her snout closer to Ryuu who leaned over and gave her a kiss before sliding off her leg and skipping back to Satoshi. Adalon looked immensely pleased as Satoshi scooped his son up and hugged him tightly.

"If there is nothing else you need of me, my dear friends, I will open the portal for you once again. You are welcome to return whenever you have need, of course. Simply contact me, and I will open the way." Adalon rose up again to sit on her haunches, waiting to see if anyone had anything further to ask.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Adalon's amused laugh rang off the crystal walls like delicate wind chimes, but when she spoke, great power thrummed in her voice. "Well met, vorastrix. And well met to you, ulhardarastrix, whose power and wisdom both have grown since last we met." Adalon turned her gaze on Satoshi and Ryuu, and Vale stepped forward.

"This is my husband, Mori Satoshi, and his son, Mori Ryuu." Vale gestured gracefully. "My loves, may I introduce my lady Adalon, a most noble silver dragon?"

Satoshi bowed deeply, the faintest of tremors in his hands as he held on tightly to Ryuu. "I am honored, Lady Adalon."

Adalon's laugh rang out again. "It has been a long time since I have been greeted with such courtesy, vorelsthyr, beautiful man. Be welcome in my home, for I would like to call you a friend."

Ryuu was watching Adalon with great interest from his perch in Satoshi's arms. "Your hair is all silvery like my oniisan, but I still think you must be a very tiny dragon."

Satoshi's eyes widened just a little, but Adalon looked at Ryuu with warmth in those shimmering eyes. "I am most happy to meet you, aujirdarastrix, bronze dragon. We are kin of a sort, you and I, but I think perhaps your father would appreciate some tea."

Adalon escorted them to the couches, and gestured for them to have tea and refreshments. On small tables by the couches were pots of steaming tea, a pitcher of iced orange juice, and small sweet pastries and cookies. "I am never sure of the time of day on your Planes, but I find tea to be refreshing no matter the time."

Vale laughed as he poured tea for Satoshi and Kansas, and then juice for Ryuu. "Tea is definitely welcome. It's early morning by our reckoning." Vale offered a cup of tea to Adalon, who waved it off gracefully with a smile. "I'm glad you could see us with so little notice."

"I am always pleased to entertain friends," Adalon said, and there was the tiniest note of admonition in her voice. "You do not visit as often, my dear vorastrix."

Vale smiled back, utterly at ease to Satoshi's amazement. "You know things have been busy, and I do manage to keep in touch. Really, vorelorndarastrix, it's not entirely one-sided, either." The draconic rolled off Vale's tongue easily.

Kansas was sitting very still, and observing Adalon with great interest, his eyes still that dark grey with a faint shimmer of blue. Adalon returned his look just as intently.

"You are not the one who came before, but I am glad you are here, kosjurathear, young god. It is as much your journey as the young blue dragon's journey, after all," Adalon said calmly, and Kansas drew in a quick breath.

Adalon nodded, and turned back to Ryuu, who was nibbling a cookie. "Now, before you burst, my bronze dragon, I should address your concerns. I am not a very tiny dragon, I assure you. In fact, that is why I chose to meet you like this. Some people are foolish enough to think that all dragons are to be feared, and the larger the dragon, the more fearful they are. I do not believe you are foolish, though."

Ryuu looked up at Adalon with his bright smile. "No, I am not foolish at all, although my hibaba sometimes says I'm foolhardy, but I don't know if being a hardy fool is a bad thing or not. And I'm not scared. Even if you are bigger than my house, I'm not scared because you're a very nice lady dragon." Ryuu's smiled widened. "But thank you very much for not wanting to scare me."

"Would it please you to see my true form?" Adalon asked, and Satoshi grew slightly pale as Ryuu nodded enthusiastically. She rose from the couch and moved to the back of the chamber, and there was a shimmer as she began to shift, growing much larger as her dragon shape emerged. Adalon spread her vast wings slightly, pleased to be in her own form again. "Ah, this is more like it," she said, her voice still the same.

Ryuu's eyes grew wide, and he looked at the large silver dragon as she settled herself comfortably on her haunches and folded her shining wings back.

"Wow," Ryuu whispered, leaning a little into Kansas. "She ain't no tiny dragon. She's huger than Gorija!"

Vale smothered a laugh, and Adalon dipped her elegant head in the draconic equivalent of Vale's gesture. "I am glad my form pleases you, my bronze dragon."

Satoshi found himself unable to catch his breath for a moment as he looked at the silver dragon seated behind the couches. One moment, Adalon had been a woman, slightly unusual, but still a woman, and now she was... a very large dragon. Vale was completely unconcerned, and Kansas seemed no more surprised than Vale. Ryuu was positively bursting with excitement. But all Satoshi could feel was a rising panic, which got worse when Adalon looked at him with concern in her beautiful voice.

"Are you unwell? I do not wish to cause you distress, erthurirl, my friend." Adalon looked at Satoshi, and he could feel a sudden wash of friendship and reassurance from the dragon, a gentle concern that eased the tightness in his chest and let him breathe again.

"It is my role to act as a guardian," Adalon said, still looking at Satoshi. "I protect and defend that which is pure and good. Please know that I would defend your son with my very life, for he is both pure and good, and he carries a gift my people revere. He is a seer, and an empath as you are. He is very powerful, and his gift will do much good."

The utter sincerity of Adalon's words settled Satoshi down, and he managed a sip of tea, his fingers only trembling a little as he lifted the cup. "Thank you, Lady Adalon, for those kind words."

"I do not know if they are kind, erthurirl. Your gift has not been kind to you, and neither has the gift the young blue dragon bears. He will carry both, and if you will permit me, I will seek to help him learn to carry them with less difficulty." Adalon chose her words with care, not wishing to alarm Ryuu, but wishing to reassure Satoshi. "We will talk later on this, but it needed to be said now. However, this is not the reason you have come today."

Adalon's impressive head turned, and her eyes locked on Kansas's eyes. "Tell me what is is you wish to know, be you the blue dragon or the young god, for you are both entwined."

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

"I came back, koibito." Erion looked at Momo, his silvery eyes bright and clear and a smile on his face. "I promised that I would."

Erion curled up on the bed, and slipped a breath mint between Momo's lips. Momo pulled himself up into a sitting position, his heart pounding. Erion looked young and beautiful and utterly radiant as he leaned in to feather a kiss across Momo's lips, his hair swinging forward to brush against Momo's bare shoulder. Momo breathed in, smelling the scent of his little lover, and he smiled as Erion sat back, looking calm.

"You talked to Kansas?" Momo asked, and then winced a little inwardly. He had barely greeted Erion, and he was already asking if he had talked to his other lover. "I'm sorry, yuki no erufu. You just get back and I'm interrogating you. Come here, baby, and let me hold you."

Erion laughed, a joyous sound, and he moved to slide himself into Momo's embrace, tilting his face up for a kiss as he wrapped his arms around Momo's neck. "Don't apologize, Momo-san."

The warmth of Erion's greeting send a flutter through Momo's stomach, and he kissed the young elf deeply, letting his fingers slide through Erion's silver hair. He looked down at Erion's left hand when they broke apart, and his heart sank as he realized Erion was not wearing the ring.

Erion caught the change in Momo's expression, and saw where Momo's eyes were focused, and he put a slim hand under Momo's chin to lift his head. His other hand dipped into his pocket, and he fumbled around for a moment until he came up with the ring, which he held up.

"I want to do this right, koibito." Erion looked directly into Momo's dark eyes, his own eyes filled with love. "So, maybe you should take this ring back for just a few minutes, until you hear what I have to say."

"Just tell me quick, Yuki-chan," Momo begged, his voice trembling a little.

Erion nodded. "What you asked me, to be yours? I love you, Momo, and I have no problem giving you my heart. What I won't do is lie to you and promise you forever. I am yours for as long as our love shall last, and if that can be enough, then I'll wear your ring proudly, and I will love you with all that I am, my heart, my soul, my body, everything." Erion held out the ring to Momo, and Momo took it carefully, his eyes never leaving Erion's eyes.

"I talked with tousan last night. We polished off the rest of a bottle of whiskey together, and he told me pretty much the same thing." Momo reached out to touch Erion's cheek, marveling at the velvety warmth under his hand. "So, Yuki-chan, watashi no yuki no erufu, I promise to love you with everything that I am, for as long as our love shall last. And when we both agree that our love has faded, we will give each other one last kiss, and then we will part as friends, and we will never let go of that friendship. That much I can promise to you forever, my friendship."

Very carefully, Momo slid the silver ring onto Erion's left forefinger, trembling slightly as he did so, and Erion's face lit up with a radiant smile.

"Oh, koibito, it's so beautiful," Erion breathed, admiring the gleam of the ring on his finger, his eyes wide with joy. He threw his arms around Momo and kissed him passionately, laughing and sobbing with happiness as he straddled Momo. "I love you, Mori Mamoru. I love you so much, and I'm going to make you so happy."

"You already have, baby," Momo said, a crushing weight lifting off his heart as he held Erion tightly, nibbling kisses from those plump lips. "I love you, Hayashi Yuki, my Yuki-chan, and I promise to make you happy."

Momo's fingers were already plucking at Erion's tight little t-shirt, rolling it up over his flat belly, and Erion raised his arms to allow Momo to pull it off altogether, his sensitive little nipples already hard and pebbled as his eyes darkened with arousal. Momo worked open the buckle of Erion's belt, and then the waistband of his jeans, and he rolled Erion over onto his back on the bed as he slid the jeans over the elf's slim hips.

Erion's cock was straining his tight boxers, and Momo peeled those down with a moan of pure lust as Erion's cock sprang free. Momo could not resist lapping at the slit, tasting the first drops of precum as Erion gasped a little at the feeling of Momo's tongue on his cock. Momo chuckled wickedly, taking Erion's cock into his mouth, teasing the young elf with his tongue until Erion's back was arched like a bow and his slim hands were fisted in Momo's hair. Momo dipped his head lower, swallowing Erion down to the root, and Erion howled as Momo swallowed hard and then drew back slowly.

Momo released Erion's cock, looking down at the young elf he he writhed, his cheeks flushed and his ear tips rosy with arousal. Momo reached out and stroked one gracefully pointed ear, pinching the tip lightly, and Erion moaned wantonly, his cock jumping as a dribble of precum slid down the head to drip on his taut belly. Momo chuckled again as he peeled off his tank top, and Erion watched him with fevered eyes, his pink tongue peeking out as he licked his lips as Momo's muscled chest was bared.

Momo rose up on his knees, teasing his sleep pants over his hips slowly as Erion moaned again, his thighs parting to reveal his little pucker. Momo's cock was hard, the head already glistening with precum, and he reached for the lube on the nightstand, dribbling some on his fingers and slicking his cock before wiping the rest off on Erion's twitching ass. Erion moaned loudly, his hips lifting a little in anticipation, and Momo moved between those long tanned thighs, his cock pressing against Erion's pucker.

Momo pressed forward, breaching Erion's ass and pushing in past the tight muscle as Erion gasped and reached for Momo's hips, urging him onward as Momo filled his little lover with his generous cock. Momo's eyes were locked on Erion's eyes as he set a steady pace, his cock riding Erion's prostate and sending fireworks exploding behind Erion's eyes. Erion's hands fell away from Momo's hips, his long legs wrapping around Momo as the young elf bucked to meet each thrust, his silver hair fanned out beneath him.

"Oh, fuck, Momo, right there... yes!" Erion cried out, arching into Momo's thrusts, his hands fisting in the covers as his cock jumped a little.

Momo knew Erion was close, and he picked up the pace, lifting Erion's hips just right, and Erion bit back a scream as his cock jumped again, his flat belly slick with precum from his leaking cock. Momo braced himself carefully, and ran one finger along Erion's cock, from the base to the cleft under the head, teasing the small dip lightly, and this time Erion did scream as his balls emptied and he painted Momo's chest and his own with thick white ropes of cum. The sight of that, and the way Erion's tight little ass molded itself around Momo's cock, was enough to push Momo over the edge, and with a howl of his own, he thrust in to the root one last time, his cum searing as he filled Erion's ass.

Shuddering, Momo eased himself down as Erion's arms wrapped around him and pulled him down on top of the little elf, Erion's lips seeking Momo's lips as Erion moaned sweetly.

"Yuki-chan, baby, I love you so much," Momo murmured into Erion's silver hair, nuzzling in to nibble a pointed ear.

Erion shivered in delight beneath Momo, his voice deliciously husky. "I love you, Momo-chan. Amin mela lle, melindoamin."

The lilting elven made Momo smile and he rolled to one side a little, taking Erion with him. They were sweaty and sticky, and Momo thought he had never been so gloriously content in his life. He cradled Erion in his arms, nibbling kisses and watching as the flush slowly faded from Erion's cheeks, the young elf's smile radiant. The silver ring gleamed on Erion's left forefinger, and Momo took Erion's hand and stroked it, running his finger over the ring.

Erion looked at Momo, his eyes filled with love. "It's so beautiful, baby. I love it." Erion grinned a little. "Whatever gave you the idea to get me a ring for my forefinger, though?"

Momo blushed a little. "I noticed that Masato-san wears one on his right forefinger, a gold band. I liked the way it looked." Momo gave Erion a quick wide-eyed look. "It's okay, right?"

Erion grinned even more. "Masato-san's ring is his wedding ring with Akira-san. Elves wear their wedding rings on the right forefinger."

Momo's eyes widened a bit more. "So, the left forefinger is what?"

Erion started to giggle, nuzzling in closer to Momo. "Betrothal." Momo gasped a little, and Erion nibbled a kiss. "It's perfect, koibito. It can also mean belonging, and I'm certainly yours."

Momo's heart skipped a beat as Erion said that, and he leaned in to plunder his little elf's mouth, feeling like everything had just fallen perfectly into place in his life as Erion returned the kiss eagerly.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Erion looked at Momo, his heart aching. It would have been so easy to just say yes, to throw his arms around Momo's neck and tell him that he would be Momo's. The rational part of Erion knew better, though, and so he looked at Momo, his eyes filled with tears.

"Can you take me to the train?" Erion managed a deep breath, willing himself not to start crying. "I may not make it back tonight, but I'll be home tomorrow. I promise, Momo. I promise." The pain in Momo's eyes tore at Erion's heart, and the young elf had to look away to keep his composure.

Momo led Erion to the station, and he watched with sad eyes as Erion touched his arm lightly and then turned to go to the platform. Erion looked back as he went, hesitating as if he wanted to run back to Momo, but he turned away again, his shoulders hunched in misery. Momo watched until Erion had boarded his train, and he went to catch a train back to Satoru's house, his heart heavy.

By the time Erion reached the estate, he was trembling with the effort not to cry. He managed to punch in the gate code, and then gave up the struggle, letting his tears out as he ran down the path. He did not stop running until he was almost to the door, and digging in his pocket for his keys, he let himself in and kicked off his shoes in the entryway. Kansas came flying down the stairs and crashed into the sobbing elf, wrapping his arms around Erion and guiding him out into the garden.

"Shh, isilmeamin, I'm here. Whatever it is, you're safe, baby." Kansas held Erion, stroking his silver hair and trying to sort out the flood of emotions that poured out of the distraught elf.

It took a while, but Erion finally calmed down enough to fumble in his pockets for his cigarettes, lighting one with a shaking hand. He dug deeper in his pocket, and pulled something out, holding it tightly in his fist. Erion lifted his head and looked at Kansas, his silvery eyes red rimmed from his tears.

"Momo asked me something the other day, and I never answered. He asked me to be his. He told me that he loved me, and that he gave himself to me completely. His heart, his soul, his body, everything. And then he asked me to be his." Erion took a drag on his cigarette. "I didn't answer him then, and so he asked me again tonight. He gave me this."

Erion put something into Kansas's hand, and Kansas looked at it, turning the silver ring around in his fingers.

"I fell apart, 'lokiamin. I didn't know what to say to him. Momo put it on my finger, and I was so confused. Part of me wanted to say yes." Erion hunched his shoulders, drawing in on himself. "But that would have been a lie, wouldn't it? And it would ruin everything, in this lifetime and when he's reborn as well. I can't be his lover the way he's asking."

Kansas pulled Erion close and held the young elf tenderly, kissing his silver hair with all the love in his heart. "Then say yes, but not for forever." Kansas could feel Erion stiffen in surprise. "Forever is ours, my loved. Forever is what happens after we've had eight hundred years of loving each other. I think, with all that ahead of us, that I can wait a little bit while you love Momo with all your heart right now."

Erion looked up, his eyes wide with surprise. Kansas kissed him gently, with such tenderness and love in his beautiful storm-grey eyes that Erion gasped a little.

"Don't deny what you feel for Momo because you're afraid you're hurting me. I was the one who encouraged you to explore this. If you were home, in Evereska, if we had never met, you would be throwing yourself into love affairs with reckless abandon, and then falling out of love and learning about endings, and falling in love again." Kansas stroked Erion's cheek, wiping away the tears with gentle fingers. "Embrace this love you have for Momo. Throw yourself into it with your whole heart, with everything you are, and enjoy this time you have with him. And when it ends, I'll be here waiting for you. I'll always be here, isilmeamin."

"I can't promise him what he wants, though." Erion touched Kansas's cheek just as softly. "I can't give him the forever that he wants."

"Then tell him that you are his for as long as your love shall last," Kansas replied calmly, his smile so achingly beautiful that Erion felt something inside him heal. "That's not a lie. And when it ends, you can let him go with no regrets for not having loved him with all your heart. Be happy with him, my loved, and I'll be happy for you."

"How did you get so wise, 'lokiamin?" Erion asked, taking a deep breath.

"I don't know if it's that I'm wise, or if it's just because I know that we have forever ahead of us." Kansas took Erion's hand and opened it, and placed the silver ring on it. "It's a beautiful ring. It's big, though."

Erion nodded. "It fits on my left forefinger." He looked at the ring and then looked back up at Kansas.

"That's sweet that he chose the forefinger instead of the ring finger," Kansas said. "Take it back to him, and ask him to put it back on your finger when you give him your promise."

Erion smiled, a crooked little grin. "Do you know what it means to put a ring on an elf's forefinger?"

Kansas smiled back. "No, but I suspect it means you're married."

"On the right hand, it means you're married. On the left, it means you're betrothed." Erion closed his hand around the ring. "I wonder if I should tell Momo that."

"I think you should," Kansas said. "It's funny, how he chose the left forefinger. I wonder what made him think of it?"

Erion shook his head a little. "I have no idea." He leaned forward, resting against Kansas and linking his arms behind Kansas's head. "Sometimes, 'lokiamin, you're a better elf than I am."

Kansas laughed, his arms slipping around Erion's waist. "You have a human lover, and you're spending most of your time living as a human. It's easy to let yourself react like a human. I've been embracing the elven lifestyle, and immersing myself in my path to wisdom. But in the end, it won't matter. We'll always be us."

Erion relaxed in Kansas's arms, finally letting himself admit what he had been denying. He loved Momo, with all the fierce passion in his young heart, just as he loved Kansas. But Momo was a gift he would only have for a short time, an instant compared to the time he would have with his Kansas, and it was only right that Erion make the most of this brief and precious time. The admission brought a sense of peace to Erion that surprised him a little, but the love that washed over him through his bond with Kansas reassured him that this was right.

"It's late, isilmeamin. There won't be any more trains." Kansas stroked Erion's back. "Stay here tonight with me, and tomorrow you can go to Momo and give him your answer."

Erion followed Kansas into the house, shoving the ring from Momo deep into his pocket as he took Kansas's hand. Upstairs, in Kansas's room, their room, Erion reminded himself forcefully, the young elf undressed without haste and watched Kansas's eyes as his lover did the same. Kansas held out his arms, and Erion walked into the embrace, his lips seeking Kansas's lips in a sweet and lingering kiss.

When they broke for air, Erion moved over to the bed and laid back, his thighs parted in invitation as he watched Kansas. Kansas's smile was radiant as he moved onto the bed with sinuous grace, already reaching for the lube as he leaned forward to kiss Erion again. Erion moaned in delight as Kansas nipped the tips of his pointed ears, and stroked his sensitive nipples until the young elf was writhing beneath him.

Erion could not help the moan that escaped him as Kansas's mouth sank down over his cock, while Kansas's lubed fingers breached the elf, loosening him easily. Kansas released Erion's cock with a soft pop, his eyes beautiful in the moonlight, and he moved up to press his own aching cock against Erion's pucker. Erion cried out with pleasure as Kansas breached him, sinking into his ass fully in a single fluid thrust, and Erion wrapped his long legs around Kansas's hips as his hands fisted in the bed covers.

Kansas set a slow and loving pace, withdrawing almost fully before sliding back into the tight heat of Erion's ass, striking his prostate with every thrust and making Erion arch beneath his as the young elf moaned with pleasure. Erion's cock was weeping precum freely, and Kansas opened his bond with Erion to share the feeling of being buried in that tight ass. Erion mewled as he let Kansas feel the sensation of being plundered by every thrust, filled perfectly and brought to new heights of pleasure as Kansas assaulted his prostate.

Erion wrapped one hand around his own cock, stroking it languidly in time with Kansas's slow thrusts, the pleasure heightening for them both as they made love. Erion's balls were full and heavy, his eyes dark with his arousal, and he was mewling non-stop as Kansas lifted Erion's left hip just the right way. Kansas increased the pace of his thrusts until Erion spilled with a scream of ecstasy, his cum painting them both as his ass clenched around Kansas's cock. Kansas thrust a few more times, setting off fireworks behind Erion's eyes as the elf arched his back to grind himself down on that impressive cock, and then Kansas came with a howl of his own, filling Erion with an endless stream of cum.

Erion pulled Kansas down, his lips seeking Kansas's plump lips as he mewled through the last waves of pleasure, shivers running through him. Kansas was moaning himself as he plundered Erion's mouth, his cock pressed firmly into Erion's tight little ass as the elf milked him dry. They clung together, letting their hearts slow down as they kissed, until Kansas's cock finally slipped out of Erion's ass.

"I love you, 'lokiamin," Erion murmured between kisses. "Ten'oio, forever."

"And I love you endlessly, isilmeamin," Kansas replied, pulling Erion onto his shoulder as the elf let one long leg fall over Kansas's thigh. "I'll always be here for you. Never think that I won't."

Erion sighed a little, his entire body limp with sated pleasure, and he nuzzled closer into Kansas's shoulder as he let reverie steal over him, utterly at peace. Kansas watched his beloved little elf for a few minutes, stroking the sweat-damp silver locks back from Erion's peaceful face, and then he fell asleep with the familiar heat of his lover in his arms.

Dawn found them wrapped around each other, their bodies painted with the first rays of sunlight as they stood on the balcony as they embraced the gift of power granted by the light. Neither Erion nor Kansas needed words as they turned to each other, lips crashing together as they tumbled back onto the bed, completing their worship as Erion sank into the heat of Kansas with a howl and plundered his lover eagerly. When Erion had come, his aching cock filling Kansas's ass with powerful spurts of cum, Kansas flipped his elf onto his knees and breached Erion's ass with a scream of joy, claiming Erion with fierce joy as Erion pressed back onto Kansas's generous cock with wanton glee until Kansas came with a howl, his cum even hotter than the tight ass that surrounded him.

[I corrected my disclaimer]

Can you let us know in which subdomain it is?

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Sand could not help but smile at Ryuu as the boy got ready for the concert, putting on his favorites cargoes and choosing a t-shirt and hoodie with great concentration. Sand was wearing slim faded jeans that hugged him deliciously, with a sleek leather belt, and a skin-tight t-shirt that almost exactly matched his eyes. A casual linen blazer in soft cream was tossed over the back of the chair while Sand contemplated his rather large assortment of shoes, all neatly tucked in clear boxes.

Ryuu looked over his shoulder at Sand, and tapped a box containing a pair of ankle boots. "Wear those, tousan. They'll look nice for chichi."

"Very well, sochi-chan, the boots it is." Sand pulled that box from its shelf and set it on the dresser to bring downstairs with him. "Now, let me look at you."

Ryuu spun around, trying an air guitar move, and Sand laughed in delight.

"You look so much like your chichi, my dragon," Sand told Ryuu, and Ryuu grinned.

"I know. I'm gorgeous, too." Ryuu looked up at Sand with such a perfect replica of Satoshi's cheekiest grin that Sand had to lean down and kiss Ryuu's cheek.

"Well, then, my gorgeous one, let us go see if everyone else is ready." Sand grabbed his box and held out his free hand to Ryuu.

The rest of the family was gathered downstairs already, in varying stages of readiness. Vale was in deep discussion with Hikaru, who looked like a very small version of Vale in his tiny jeans and denim shirt. Yuji was laughing at them both, and Aika was hiding a giggle behind her hand as her tousan explained why her otouto needed to keep his shoes on tonight. Aika had a lovely little dress on, looking summery and perfect with her hair brushing her shoulders.

Willow was laughing with Satoru and Eryn, Eryn's hand tucked firmly in Satoru's hand. Momo and Erion were talking with Kansas, the three youngsters laughing about something or other, their faces bright. Erion was cradling Takara, and crooning something to her in between fits of giggles.

Satoshi had told Sand that Kohaku had sent tickets to the rest of the posse, as well as to Kenji and Yori, and Sand was looking forward to seeing them all as well. Kohaku had also arranged for special headsets for the children to protect their ears from the volume of the music, since they would all be right up front and near the amplifiers, which Sand thought was a terribly kind thing to do. Sand and Vale were both going to use a minor cantrip to reduce the sensitivity of their own hearing, and Vale was prepared to do the same for Hikaru if the headsets were insufficient for the little half elf.

"Are we all ready?" Yuji asked, beaming happily as he looked at his family. There was a chorus of agreement, and they headed out to the cars, since both Momo and Satoru were driving as well as Yuji. Maela stood in the doorway with Takara, waving as they all climbed into vehicles, Kansas jumping in with Momo and Erion.

When they arrived at the venue, a staff member was waiting to escort them to their seats at the very front, heads swiveling as the other fans tried to guess who they were. Kenji and Yori were there already, sitting next to Emiko-chan and her daughters. Kaede gave Emiko a pleading look, and when Emiko nodded, she hurried over to Aika to hug her best friend. Willow curled up next to Emiko, the two women chatting happily as Emiko exclaimed over Willow's radiantly pregnant state. Momo and Erion followed Kansas over to greet Eric, Ryo and Takahiro, the friends sitting together. It took a few moments for everyone to settle into a seat, but finally they were all sorted out, even Hikaru having the privilege of his very own seat which impressed the little half elf enough to keep him in it, with his green eyes wide as he looked up at the stage. Vale relented and took Hikaru's shoes off so his seat would not get dirtied, and Hikaru sighed happily as he wiggled his sock-covered toes.

It was not long before the house lights dimmed and the stage lights came up, and then it was a flurry of excitement as Kohaku and Satoshi took the stage, both of them performing better than they had ever before. Ryuu stared up at Satoshi for a moment, with his cherry red hair and contacts, his makeup playing up his gorgeous eyes and his piercings making him look both completely familiar and at the same time mysterious and a little dangerous. Then Ryuu broke into the most radiant smile, his whole body practically quivering with excitement as he let out a cheer.

Aika shrieked with joy when she saw Satoshi, recognizing him readily and giggling with Kaede over their silly parents. Even Hikaru let out a shriek as he saw Satoshi, shouting, "Gifu!" in his sweet little voice, which was fortunately drowned out by the voices of the rest of the audience, although Vale had to wonder when Satoshi winked in Hikaru's direction.

Around the middle of the set, there was a break while Kohaku strutted around a bit and did his MC portion, his raunchy one-liners aimed at the band making the audience roar with laughter. Then Kohaku turned to look at Satoshi with the most wicked leer, and Satoshi mimed boredom, rolling his eyes at the audience, and turned his back. Kohaku slid up behind Satoshi, and looked at the audience.

"Talk to me, Phoenix. Tell me how to ruffle your feathers," Kohaku purred, using Satoshi's stage name, and Satoshi pretended to look around, as though he might have heard a tiny noise. "Oh, you weren't that cold to me in bed last night." Kohaku's supple voice managed to be both sultry and silly at the same time.

The audience began to giggle, waiting for Satoshi to chase Kohaku with the big foam bat that was propped up next to Satoshi, but the cherry-haired man just turned around and fired back, "How can I be cold to you when it's the only time I can ever get a word in? It's the only time I can make you shut up, after all, when you've got your mouth full."

There was a brief moment when Kohaku was completely speechless as he stared at Satoshi, and then Kohaku began to roar with laughter, doubling over and collapsing on the stage in helpless mirth. The audience cheered Satoshi wildly, their laughter making Satoshi grin and he prodded the prone singer with his foot, to a renewed wave of laughter.

Near the end of the second half of the set, Kohaku and Satoshi performed Kageoshi's song, and the entire house was filled with small lights during the moment of silence, the posse clinging to each other with tears in their eyes. The end of the set came soon after, and there was such a roar of applause that Kohaku and Satoshi bounded back out onto the stage for another five songs. They left again, but the audience did not stop cheering and applauding until they returned, and this time it was Satoshi who took the center of the stage as the band began to play the song he had written for Ryuu.

Ryuu's eyes went round as he heard Satoshi begin to sing, Kohaku joining in as a back-up singer, and he slid forward to the edge of his seat, grabbing Sand's hand tightly as tears of joy ran down his cheeks. Satoshi's face was filled with love, and the audience listened as raptly as Ryuu until the song was over. Almost without a pause, Satoshi started in on the song he had written the first night he had spent with Sand in their treehouse, and it was Sand's turn to slide forward on his seat, his face radiant with his love for his husband as Satoshi's beautiful voice filled the entire room. For a moment, there was no one else there, just Sand and Satoshi as Satoshi looked out to where he knew Sand was sitting.

The concert ended after that song, and the applause was thunderous as Kohaku and Satoshi left the stage for the last time, the names "Kohaku" and "Phoenix" equally on the lips of the audience members. Some of the staff came over to the families, and escorted them back stage to a large dressing room to wait for the the pair of stars to shower and join them. There was tea, both hot and cold sweet tea, and fruit juices for the children, and fruit and chocolates and cookies to nibble, and everyone cold not stop talking about how amazing the show had been.

Emiko said she had never seen Kohaku this good before, totally at the top of his game and his energy boundless throughout the show, and Sand offered the opinion that perhaps Kohaku and Satoshi simply brought out the best in each other, because Satoshi's confidence and joy had just shone like a beacon. Kansas was literally in tears from pride, and Yuji was wiping his eyes a bit behind Vale's shoulder. Vale was beaming and sniffling without any shame, so proud of Satoshi that he could have burst. Erion and Momo were hugging Satoru, who was simply glowing with pride in his son, and Eryn rubbed his back gently as they waited for Satoshi.

When Satoshi and Kohaku finally arrived, Ryuu launched himself across the room and into Satoshi's arms, crying with happiness as he was scooped up and hugged breathless by his chichi. Sand joined them, wrapping his arms around his husband and their son, and pressing a soft kiss to Satoshi's forehead, his face radiant with love. Kohaku took Emiko in his arms, and he held her for a moment and looked into her eyes, his face bright with his love for her, and then he stooped to hug his daughters with his loud and silly laugh ringing out.

Sometime during all the congratulations and happy talk, Hikaru tugged on Kohaku's hand gently, and then held his arms up when Kohaku looked down in surprise. With a grin, the singer lifted the little half elf, who reached up to touch Kohaku's rainbow hair very gently before bursting into his engaging little smile.

"Bright hair," Hikaru observed, and then gave Kohaku a hug before wiggling a bit to be put down. Vale blushed a little, but his eyes were full of love as he apprehended his little son and nuzzled his dark blond curls. Hikaru giggled, and then snuggled into Vale's neck and relaxed, his green eyes closing as he fell asleep. That was the signal for everyone to say goodbye, with many hugs and kisses and happy tears as Emiko and Kohaku promised to bring the girls to the estate soon for a visit. Satoshi's smile was especially bright as he gave Kohaku a hug, the friendship between them deeper than ever and the crush they had both harbored for each other finally laid to rest.

Satoshi turned to Sand and looked into the elf's dark blue eyes, seeing nothing but love. "Let's go home, poldoramin."

Willow looked at Sand, slightly exasperated. "Where were you?" She held out her hand to the elf. "Help me up, I feel like a fucking elephant."

"My apologies, vanimaer. I was actually at the market." Sand gave Willow a gentle smile. "Do you remember those little tarts that you liked so much? I picked up some of those for dessert tonight, and some ram berries for the children."

"We have markets in Tokyo," Willow said dryly, but she leaned a little into Sand, letting her hip bump against him. "You go through that portal so much lately that you'll wear it out."

"Ah, but I forgot to mention that I also picked up a small gift for you." Sand held out a small inlaid box, and Willow opened it to find a ring set with the birthstones of all her children. The gems winked up at her, peridot for Ryuu, amethyst for Aika, yellow topaz for Hikaru and aquamarine for Takara. "My jeweler will add to the ring as needed."

Willow looked up at Sand and shook her head. Sand had showered her with gifts of jewelry and had been more than helpful since they had found out that she was pregnant, and she had actually forgiven him almost immediately afterward although she had not told him that. As impetuous and mercurial as Sand could be, he was also passionate and utterly in love with Willow and with their baby, and his happiness was infectious. He had also proved to be excellent with Takara, caring for her with gentle devotion, in love with the tiny girl who had his Satoshi's eyes.

In fact, Willow was slightly bored. Sand had become a whirlwind of domesticity, mastering the washer and dryer and the vacuum cleaner without a single hitch. In fact, the only chore he used magic for was cleaning the bathrooms. The rest of the time, he was completely content to adhere to Willow's proscription against the gratuitous use of magic. True to his word, he avoided cooking anything more complicated than tea, but he was delighted to order lunch from wherever Willow wanted. It was ideal, and Willow was about ready to scream.

"Still trying to buy your way back into my good graces?" Willow asked, her tone slightly sharp.

Sand chuckled. "Of course not. I have been back in your good graces for some time now, roughly since the first night you dragged me into your lair to spend the night with you. Not that I struggled, mind you. In fact, I do believe I carried you."

Willow smacked Sand's arm, still feeling out of sorts but a small smile on her face nonetheless. "So? Why all the fucking jewelry?"

Sand spun Willow lightly into his arms, and danced a few steps with her as she started to giggle. "Because, my beautiful one, they are things I saw that reminded me of you and suited you, and because I can indulge my whims and buy you such things, and because I thought it was traditional for a husband to shower his wife with such things, especially when she is carrying his child."

"We only know it's a half-elven baby. The baby could be a blond, you know." Willow peeked at Sand sidelong.

"I refuse to even consider the possibility," Sand said with a laugh. He leaned down to nibble a kiss from Willow, his blue eyes shining with love. As he did, his keen ears picked out the sound of Takara beginning to stir in her crib. Hikaru skipped out of the playroom as well, looking up the forbidden stairs. "I do believe our treasure is awake. Shall I change her and bring her down to you, or do you want to go upstairs and rest after you feed her?"

Willow gave Sand a slightly skeptical look. Sand had been encouraging her to nap lately, and Willow had been anxious enough that she had grabbed Eryn for a chat, since Sand had actually meant a nap, and not a cuddle and quick romp. Eryn had been quick to reassure Willow that nothing was wrong with her or the baby, although she was not quite sure about her son.

Willow had to admit that the pregnancy had been quite easy, despite being far too soon after Takara's birth. Sand had made the potions to settle Willow's stomach and ease her morning sickness, and they had worked perfectly. Willow had actually sniffled a little when Sand brought her some slices of kaki, and she was able to enjoy every bite without a single bit of nausea. Eryn checked weekly to make sure that Willow was getting enough vitamins and minerals, and checked the baby as well, reassuring Willow each time that the baby was growing well and was healthy.

"I think I'll stay down here," Willow said, ridiculously pleased when Sand looked disappointed. "I'm not tired, and it'll just piss me off to lay in bed wide awake." She gave Sand a bright smile that bordered on a smirk.

Hikaru skipped over, laying a small hand on Willow's stomach as he stood on tiptoe. "Hello, baby," Hikaru said happily, and then turned to Sand. "Takara waked up."

"Yes, she has. Do you want to help me? We will freshen her up and bring her to mama," Sand said, offering his hand to Hikaru.

"Yes, keifu," Hikaru agreed amiably, and took Sand's hand. Willow settled herself in the nursing rocker that Sand had bought for the living room and waited as she listened to Sand cooing at Takara. Hikaru's giggles were interrupted by a small and indignant shriek, and Willow could not help but smile a little, knowing exactly what had happened. Takara was as fascinated by Hikaru's dark golden curls as Hikaru had been by Vale's long gold and emerald mane, and her grip was just as fierce.

Willow turned her head, watching as Sand came back downstairs, graceful and managing to look elegant in faded jeans and a crisp white shirt that was left untucked. Takara was cradled against his chest, and he held Hikaru's hand as the little half elf bounced down the stairs. Sand brought Takara over to Willow while Hikaru closed the baby gate at the bottom of the stairs with a tiny sigh.

"Here we are, vanimaer," Sand said. "Our treasure is awake, and quite hungry, I do believe." He helped Willow to arrange the shawl over her shoulder, and then went into the kitchen to bring back a large glass of iced water for Willow to sip as Takara nursed contentedly.

Eryn breezed in, her eyes bright and her cheeks a little pink, and Hikaru skipped over to her happily.

"Sobo!" Hikaru cried, holding up his arms until Eryn scooped him up and kissed his cheek.

"Satoru sends his love to you both," Eryn said, bending over to kiss Willow's cheek and smile at Takara. "And to you as well, utinuamin." Eryn kissed Sand's cheek as well, giving her son a loving smile.

"And how was lunch, atara?" Sand asked, looking at Eryn with an arched brow. "This is the fourth day in a row, I believe."

Eryn laughed and patted Sand's cheek. "Such a busybody you are. Lunch was wonderful. Satoru is wonderful. And I'm wonderful." She laughed again. "Now, I'm going to make some tea, and when our sweet little girl is done having her meal, I'm going to take her out for a bit of air and walk off that wonderful lunch of mine."

Willow was smiling as she bent her head to kiss Takara's raven fuzz. When she looked up, Sand was looking at her curiously.

"So, when do you think Satoru's going to call and ask you for her hand?" Willow asked, and she grinned as Sand paled a little, the normally unflappable elf looking distinctly unsettled.

"Do you think he will?" Sand responded. "I do not object, of course, but it is hardly my place to decide anything for my mother."

"Relax, sweets. He'll just ask for your blessing, to make sure you don't object. He's like Satoshi. It's traditional, and tradition matters to him," Willow explained.

Sand nodded, and was looking more relaxed, when his cell phone rang abruptly and Willow began to laugh out loud as he snatched it with a definite look of dread.

[Alien Abduction of brothers (M/M)]

I believe this is the one you're referring to: Inversion by Fallen

http://original.adult-fanfiction.org/story.php?no=600102340

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Sand looked at his suddenly dead cell phone, and frantically pushed the button to dial Satoshi, his heart pounding in fear. When Sand received an automated message that the caller he was trying to reach was unavailable, he jumped up, the words of a teleportation spell already on his lips.

Sand arrived in the hotel room rather abruptly, barefoot and with tousled hair, his dark blue eyes searching the room urgently until he saw Satoshi curled up on the bed in a ball of pure misery, frantically punching at his cell phone and sobbing.

"Saiai," Sand breathed, and sat on the bed next to Satoshi, laying one hand on Satoshi's shoulder. "Oh, cormamin, I am here."

Satoshi let out a wail and Sand gathered Satoshi into his arms, holding Satoshi close. He stroked Satoshi's gorgeous red and black hair with infinite tenderness, feeling Satoshi tremble a little in his arms, his bond shut down tight and his face wet with tears.

"It shut off, and I can't remember my password," Satoshi howled as Sand eased the phone from his shaking hands.

"Whatever this is, saiai, whatever has happened, we will weather this. My love for you is not so shallow that one small misstep will harm us, do you not know this?" Sand cradled Satoshi carefully, but when he tried to press a kiss to Satoshi's temple, Satoshi mewled and twisted out of Sand's arms, stumbling into the bathroom and turning on the shower as he sobbed even harder.

Sand jumped off the bed, and followed Satoshi into the bathroom. Sand had smelled the sex on Satoshi, the scent of another man's semen clear to his sensitive nostrils, but Satoshi had managed to get that much out before his phone had disconnected. Sand could also smell beer, and alcohol, and that certainly explained a great deal of how Satoshi's normal inhibitions had been lowered. Satoshi was deliciously open when he had been drinking, and Sand was sure his beloved husband had no idea how powerfully attractive he was.

Satoshi's clothes littered the floor, and he was already in the shower stall. Sand could hear choked sobs and smell the rich scent of the soap provided by the hotel. He decided to try one more time, to see if he could get Satoshi to speak to him.

"Please, saiai, will you not at least speak to me? There is nothing that happened here that will make me love you any less. You are my husband, and my heart, my very life is yours for all the years that I shall live." Sand began to peel off his polo shirt, letting it fall to the floor.

"How can you say that?" Satoshi sobbed. "You don't know what I did."

Sand opened his jeans and slid them off, stepping into the shower as Satoshi tried to cringe away. "I know what you think you have done, and I assure you that you have not broken us. Satoshi, saiai, there is nothing that can make me love you less. Each day, I love you more, and each day I will love you more. You said on the phone that you cheated, but my sweet love, I do not believe that." Sand took the soap from Satoshi and began to lather Satoshi's back thickly.

"I slept with him, Masato. I didn't mean to, it wasn't something I planned, but it happened." Satoshi's tear-streaked face was turned away, and Sand turned Satoshi to look at him.

"Oh, my poor sweet love, this is as much my fault as anything." Sand smiled at Satoshi, and there was nothing but love in his eyes and in his voice. "I forget, saiai, that you are not an elf, and do not look at things in the same way that I do. We have five hundred years or more ahead of us, and in all those years, it is not such a terrible thing if you have let your love for a beautiful and dear friend become something more for a night. I will assume that your love and desire was reciprocated fully, and that this was something both you felt for each other, because I know you too well to think that you would have done this without an equal desire from him."

Satoshi shook his head, reaching for the soap, but Sand simply began to lather Satoshi's chest instead, and his shoulders and arms. There was a desperation in Satoshi's eyes that tore at Sand's heart.

"You did not set out to hurt anyone, saiai, and it would take a cold and heartless person to judge you harshly for being simply who you are. You have a soul that is so beautiful and generous and loving that it takes my breath away. I am humbled by the fact that you have chosen to take me as your husband." Sand handed the soap to Satoshi to wash his lower body, stilling Satoshi's hands when he began to scrub roughly. "Do not try to wash away a stain that does not exist. I love you, saiai, with all that I am, and if it needs saying, then let me say it. You were forgiven instantly, and you have done nothing to make me love you less."

Sand took the shampoo and lathered Satoshi's hair thickly, massaging his scalp gently, the touch soothing. His bond was wide open, not pushing at Satoshi, but as Satoshi reached out to push Sand away, trying to close down their bond completely, he was met with a gentle love and reassurance. Frustrated, Satoshi turned to his bond with Vale, the bond that was a link of sorts to all of Satoshi's bonds with his spouses, and he pushed that away, or tried to. Once again, Satoshi was met with pure love and acceptance, and he growled a little in frustration.

"I don't deserve to be loved," Satoshi said, his voice breaking a little. "I don't deserve to be forgiven like this. I took everything and threw it away."

"What have you thrown away, saiai?" Sand asked. "I love you, and I will always love you. I do not understand why you are so harsh with yourself. It was Kohaku, was it not?"

Satoshi looked away, his cheeks red in his pale face. "I always had this tiny crush on him, since the day we first met. You know what he's like. He's larger than life, and he's so confident, and the way he moves and uses his body."

Sand nodded encouragingly. "He is very beautiful, almost as beautiful as you, and I can see how you would find him attractive. He is also a kind man, with a large and generous heart, and it is obvious that your friendship means a great deal to him."

"I don't even know how it happened." Satoshi sniffled, miserable. "One of the staff, Toshiki-san, it was his birthday, and there was a party, and we were drinking. We got back here late, and we were going to have some sake, and then we were kissing." Satoshi's voice cracked, his tears falling anew. "I enjoyed it, Masato. I liked sleeping with him, but when I woke up, and he was there, all I could think of was you, and how I'd betrayed you."

"And I will tell you again that I love you, and would forgive you a thousand times, and another thousand times." Sand cupped Satoshi's face between his hands. "This is nothing, just one night against all the many thousands of nights ahead of us. It is past and what lies ahead is what we choose to make of it. Do you know what I choose, saiai? I choose a life with you beside me, to share my life until the very end. You are all I desire, and with you beside me, I am complete."

Satoshi began to sob even harder, leaning forward a little to rest his forehead against Sand's arm, his left arm, the tattoo of the two koi swimming under the moon and stars in front of Satoshi. He reached out and touched the tattoo tentatively.

"How can you forgive me?" Satoshi asked plaintively.

Sand smiled, his eyes filled with love. "How can I not? I had a very good example to follow, you know. There is a certain man, you see, who forgave a very foolish elf for trifling with his heart and walking away, an elf who was too blind to see the beauty that loved him."

Satoshi looked at Sand, something slowly clearing in the depths of his gorgeous eyes.

"I took the gift you offered me, and I gave no thought to how precious it was, and yet you still found it within yourself to forgive me and to love me. Saiai, I would be a wretched creature indeed if I did not learn from your vast compassion. You have not wronged me, and you have not diminished my love for you. If anything, I love you more, my sweet Satoshi, my most beloved husband, my life." Sand held Satoshi tightly for a moment, the water washing over them.

Satoshi had stiffened when Sand held him, his whole body rigid as he listened to Sand's words, and then he went almost limp. Sand caught Satoshi, and carefully held him as the elf turned off the water and guided Satoshi out of the shower. The hotel had provided thick towels, and Sand dried Satoshi with great care before wrapping Satoshi in a dry towel and offering him a toothbrush and toothpaste.

While Satoshi scrubbed his teeth, Sand dried himself quickly, and wrapped his towel around his slim hips before gathering up their discarded clothing. He folded everything neatly and left it on the bench in the large bathroom, and then brushed his teeth as well.

"Come, saiai, I think a nap would do us both good." Sand led Satoshi to the bed and turned down the covers, easing Satoshi down. "I know this bed is rather soft, but it will do for a nap, I think."

Sand slid onto the bed as well, pulling Satoshi into a gentle embrace, simply allowing Satoshi to feel the warmth of Sand's skin against his own. Satoshi sighed a little, his body relaxing as the warmth sank in, along with the knowledge that Sand's love was as strong as ever, the elf utterly content to hold Satoshi without asking more of him. Tentatively, Satoshi snuggled in closer, one hand stealing up to touch Sand's cheek, and Sand smiled at him lovingly.

"You really still love me? You forgive me?" Satoshi asked in a small and trembling voice.

"I will always love you, saiai, for as long as the moon shines in the sky," Sand said softly. "And there is nothing I will not forgive, my Satoshi."

Satoshi fell asleep almost immediately, tears of still beading his lashes as Sand held him close, simply radiating his love as he pressed a kiss to the cherry-red head nestled on his shoulder. Not wanting to move, and deciding that he had already teleported to Satoshi and a little more magic could not hurt, Sand used a cantrip to float his cell phone over. He pressed the number for Vale's phone, and waited until the blond elf answered.

"Anoramin, I need a favor. Please look after Ryuu for me, and make my apologies to everyone. Satoshi had need of me, and I have gone to him." Sand kept his voice whisper-soft, knowing Vale would hear him clearly.

"Of course, ithilamin," Vale replied. "I'll take care of Ryuu. When do you think you'll be home?"

"Tomorrow, I should think. If otherwise, I will let you know." Sand ended the call, letting himself drift into a light reverie as he held Satoshi tightly.

It was not quite an hour later when there was a knocking at the door, and Satoshi sat bolt upright, startling Sand. A voice called through the door.

"Mori-sama? We have a press interview in half an hour." It was one of the staff, and Satoshi glared at the door.

"Just leave me the fuck alone!" Satoshi screamed. "Do the fucking interview without me. They don't want to talk to me anyway, and I don't fucking want to talk to them."

Sand had sat up as well, and he laid a gentle hand on Satoshi's shoulder. Satoshi turned a little, burying his face in Sand's chest and letting Sand hold him.

"Just leave him alone." The new voice sounded like Kohaku, but more subdued than Sand remembered the singer as being. "Don't bother him."

The murmur of voices faded, and Sand eased Satoshi down again, stroking his back and letting Satoshi press against him, seeking the feel of Sand's skin against his own. They spent the afternoon like that, Satoshi just wanting to be held and Sand obliging, letting his love just radiate outward and asking nothing of Satoshi. By evening, Sand was able to convince Satoshi to order some food from room service, and he coaxed Satoshi into eating a light meal.

After they had eaten, Satoshi curled up into Sand's embrace again.

"You really have forgiven me, haven't you?" Satoshi asked, daring to look into Sand's dark blue eyes.

"Oh, saiai, of course I have," Sand replied and his smile was radiant. "I love you, Satoshi, and we will come through this stronger than ever, I promise you."

"Show me," Satoshi said, and the spark of hope and love in his gorgeous eyes was all that Sand needed for encouragement.

Slowly, Sand kissed Satoshi, a gentle and loving kiss that deepened gradually as Satoshi began to return the kiss. Sand let his hands caress Satoshi's shoulders and back, the soft touches relaxing Satoshi even more, until Satoshi was mewling into the ever deepening kisses. Sand took his time, using his lips and hands and tongue to explore every inch of Satoshi, rediscovering his beloved husband inch by inch until Satoshi relaxed completely, welcoming Sand as the elf made tender love to Satoshi. When Satoshi finally came, he sobbed with joy as Sand came almost immediately after, their lips meeting in a loving kiss as Sand spilled into his treasured imp.

They slept for a time, and then there was a knock on the door, and Kohaku's voice carried through.

"Satoshi-san? Are you there?" Kohaku sounded very subdued, even more so than earlier.

Satoshi got out of bed and crossed to the door, but did not open it. Instead, Satoshi sat down with his back against the door, not saying a word.

Kohaku must have heard Satoshi leaning against the door, or perhaps he simply needed to hear the words himself, but he began to speak again after a short pause.

"Satoshi-san, I'm so sorry. There aren't enough words to tell you how sorry I am. This was all my fault, and I just wanted to tell you that I'll explain everything to Masato-san and Emiko-chan, and I'll take all the blame. However you want me to do this, that's how it'll be. You just tell me." Kohaku sighed heavily. "And I'll understand completely if you never want to work with me again. I'm just so sorry, Satoshi-san. You've been a friend and I betrayed that friendship, and I'm just so sorry."

Satoshi still did not say a word, and Sand could hear Kohaku making his way back to his own room. Satoshi just sat with his back against the door, so still that Sand began to worry, and then Satoshi stood abruptly and walked back over to the bed, crawling in to burrow back into Sand's embrace. Sand just held Satoshi, rubbing his back soothingly as he felt Satoshi's hot tears against his skin.

It was shortly after dawn when Satoshi sat up in bed, looking at Sand almost apologetically.

"What is it, saiai?" Sand asked, his eyes still a little out of focus as he came out of reverie.

Satoshi reached out to cup Sand's cheek gently. "I need to finish this tour, poldoramin. It's not right to disappoint people who bought tickets already."

"Of course, my heart," Sand agreed. He stretched a little before sitting up.

"I'll take the train with the rest of the band, and I'll see you in Tokyo for the last show?" Satoshi asked.

Sand smiled radiantly. "I will be there, saiai, in the very first row, and I will cheer louder than anyone else," Sand promised. "I love you, Satoshi, and I am so very proud of you, and to be your husband. Never doubt that." His grin grew slightly impish. "Go shower, and get ready, and I will see myself home."

Satoshi turned to go into the bathroom, and then turned back. "I'm still going to work with him. If you can forgive me, then I suppose I need to forgive myself, and Kohaku. The truth is, he can't work with anyone else anymore. Everyone else either agrees with him blindly or just sucks up to him just so they can pretend to be close to the great Kohaku. I'm the only one who calls him on his shit."

Sand nodded. "I am glad, saiai, for both of you." Sand pulled on his clothing, and giving Satoshi a last tender kiss, he teleported to his room, to find Ryuu curled up alone in the tatami bed, looking very small as he lay wrapped in the covers.

[Funny Typos]

Schrodinger's Lube, perhaps?