[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Sora looked over at Hawk, who seemed a bit restless. She had asked Willow earlier if there was any place nearby where she could buy suitable clothing, and Willow told her about a clothing shop that had casual wear for both men and women. Hawk was sure to draw enough attention without his elven clothing, and Sora found that she missed the clothing she had worn for so long here in Japan.

"Hawk?" Sora had to smile as he looked up eagerly. "I was wondering if you might want to take a walk."

Hawk all but bounded off the couch. "That sounds like a wonderful idea. Shall we walk in the garden?"

Sora did laugh. "I thought we might be a bit more ambitious. There's a small shop down the road where we can get some proper clothing. It's not that far, and it's really a lovely day for a walk."

"That is a perfect idea," Sand said, looking up from a scroll he was perusing. He stood, graceful and somehow still elegant in a t-shirt and tight jeans, and went to the entryway, fishing his billfold out of his jacket. He handed the entire thing to Sora. "There should be enough yen there, I think."

Sora tried to wave him off. "That's not necessary, really. I do have money of my own."

"Of course, but you have not had a chance to exchange it for yen yet. And my money is Hawk's, after all, since he is my brother." Sand smiled at Sora. "It is the least I could do for you, since you have come all the way here to look after my utinualta."

Sora relented, but only because she really had not had a chance to obtain yen. She promised herself that she would pay Sand back for anything she spent on herself, at least. She slipped on a coat that Willow had loaned her, and Hawk pulled on one of Sand's jackets, although it was a bit tight at the shoulders.

Hawk offered his arm to Sora as they walked through the estate to the gate. She took it with a shy little smile, her cheeks faintly pink and Hawk felt an odd tingle run up his spine. It felt right to be walking with Sora like this, though, and he could not keep a smile from his face. Once they left the estate, though, she released his arm, walking next to him without touching him.

The shop was small, as Willow had said, but it did have quite a nice selection of casual wear. Sora chatted with the shopkeeper, her Japanese utterly fluid, and Hawk watched her with a mixture of pride and amazement. The pampered daughter of House Sathoness would have had the tailor come to her, but this Sora, this competent and strong woman, was both gracious and efficient. The shopkeeper brought over a selection of slacks for Sora, and some lovely silky blouses that would flatter her delicate skin and her beautiful eyes. They chatted and laughed as Sora made her selections, and added some undergarments and a coat to her pile.

Then it was Hawk's turn, and Sora turned to him, speaking English. "What were you thinking of? Jeans and t-shirts like Vale, or perhaps pants like Satoshi wears?"

Hawk looked slightly taken aback, but recovered quickly. "I do like the jeans and t-shirts, and perhaps some of the shirts like Sand wears, with the collars?"

Sora nodded, and turned back to the shopkeeper. There was a good sized pile in front of Hawk in no time at all, and he selected some jeans and several solid colored t-shirts. He was slightly more flamboyant in selecting shirts, though, and chose a beautiful plaid shirt as well as some striped shirts and a lovely chambray shirt that complimented his eyes perfectly. Sora added another shirt or two, brighter colors that would suit him, and she also added boxers and socks, giggling a little with the shopkeeper. Hawk did flush a little when Sora chose the boxers, but she shot him a sidelong glance that made him wonder if he might not have a chance after all.

The shopping had been a little more tiring than Hawk expected, and Sora looked at him as they left the shop. "Do you feel like eating something? There's a ramen shop over there, and we can sit for a while."

"Ramen?" Hawk asked, puzzled.

Sora's laugh was so adorable that Hawk could not help but grin. "It's a soup with noodles and vegetables and sometimes meat or shrimp in it. It's very tasty, and because it's inexpensive, it's very popular as a quick meal here."

"Oh, well, then, I'd like to try it." Hawk let Sora lead him into the tiny shop, and she called out their order politely as she found them a table. Tea was brought over, and they both sipped gratefully as they waited for their ramen.

Hawk looked down at the chopsticks in front of him, and grinned a little ruefully. "I still haven't quite mastered these yet."

"Oh, you'll get the hang of them quickly." Sora deftly broke them apart, and set them on the chopstick rest for Hawk. "Think of them as extensions of your fingers."

Hawk picked up the chopsticks and tried settling them into position. Sora reached over to adjust them, and Hawk bent his head at the same time, and their foreheads touched sweetly for a moment. Sora moved back fairly quickly, for propriety's sake, but her cheeks were sweetly pink again. For his part, Hawk was sure his cheeks were flushed as well, but the feel of those cool small fingers was just intoxicating.

The ramen arrived, and Hawk started to eat, getting progressively more assured as he managed to get some noodles to his mouth. He tried very hard not to make a mess, and reached up to tuck a braid behind one graceful ear. Sora's eyes widened slightly, and she looked at his ear and shook her head a little, hoping Hawk would take the hint. Fortunately, no one else was eating at the moment, and the cook and server were talking quietly in the front, so Sora reached over and pulled Hawk's hair over his ear.

"Oh!" Hawk said softly, startled. "Did I do something improper?"

"Your ears," Sora murmured very quietly. "We don't have elves in Japan."

Hawk blushed even more, and dipped into his ramen to cover his embarrassment. He ate in silence for a few minutes, until Sora spoke up.

"Hawk, it's alright." Sora's voice was very gentle. "It was hard for me at first, too. I didn't know anything, not the language or the customs, nothing. I wasn't trying to make you feel awkward, but I don't know what Sand or Vale or Erion have said if anyone saw their ears."

"True, and I never did ask my little brother." Hawk looked up at Sora, his blue grey eyes solemn. "How did you manage, all alone?"

Sora just smiled. "I managed. I met a man, and he brought me home to his family's estate. I was given a place to live and food, in exchange for working for them as a servant. I know that's hard to imagine, but I learned the language, and the customs, and I learned how to work hard."

Hawk shook his head slightly. "You're an amazing woman, Sora, do you know that?"

"Amazing? I thought I was too young," Sora replied, but there was no anger of bitterness in her voice. "The truth is, I was too young then."

"And I was too blind." Hawk smiled a little. "I think maybe I'm wiser now, and not quite as blind."

Sora colored even more, but her smile made Hawk think that maybe she was not entirely displeased. They finished their ramen in silence, and Sora paid as Hawk gathered their parcels.

"Can you manage all that?" Sora asked, concerned.

"I can manage," Hawk replied. "I promise I'll let you know if it becomes too much."

Hawk walked beside Sora back to the estate, reveling in the thought that perhaps she might not think of him as just some fickle rogue, flitting from bed to bed. In truth, it had never filled the void, all the endless pursuit of partners for a night or two. That emptiness had a shape, and a scent, and a sweet giggle, and wore a glass lotus in her hair.

Vale and Satoshi did make it down to dinner, and the wonderful air of love and confidence that surrounded them both made for an enjoyable evening. Hawk and Sora talked quietly through dinner, and although they tried to be discreet, their furtive touches did not go unnoticed. Sand was delighted for both their sakes, since Hawk looked happier than he had in a long time, and Sora seemed quite pleased by his attention. Sand was quite surprised by how tentative Hawk was, though. He was used to his brother being much more bold, and Sand could only speculate that his interest in Sora was far too serious for Hawk to behave in his usual cavalier manner.

Sand and Satoshi did the dishes after dinner, Satoshi's glow of happiness making Sand feel especially delighted, and they managed to bump into each other and rub hips and shoulders almost non-stop as they cleaned up. Aika had reclaimed Hawk as her chosen patient, and Ryuu watched her carefully and offered suggestions on proper ways to kiss away the owies, much to Sora's amusement. Willow fed Hikaru, whose green eyes were half closed in sleepy satisfaction, and Vale curled up next to Yuji on the couch, radiating a peacefulness that made Yuji feel calmer himself. Even when Vale murmured quietly that he wanted to talk later, his slim fingers straying to the emerald circle at his throat, Yuji did not feel any distress from his elf, only a sweet joy.

It was quite late, and the children were already in bed, when Kansas and Erion returned, laden with twice as many parcels as Hawk and Sora had brought home. Erion was slightly pouty, twitching at the slightest touch of anything against him, and Kansas hovered over the young elf protectively, taking his parcels and easing his jacket off.

"Itai," Erion whined, and Kansas kissed his forehead sweetly.

"I know, isilmeamin. Go upstairs, and I'll be right up to put something on that will help." Kansas hurried in to the kitchen to find some of the gauze pads that Willow kept in her first aid kit.

"What in the Nine Hells did the pair of you get up to?" Sand asked, his tone mild. "Do you need a healing potion?"

"Erion started his tattoo," Kansas explained. "Thanks for the offer, but it needs to heal the old-fashioned way. I have some ointment that will help, and I'll take good care of him."

Satoshi laid a gentle hand on Sand's arm. "Kansas went through this with his own tattoos."

"Ah." Sand smiled slightly, understanding what Satoshi meant quite clearly. He had seen Kansas's dragons unveiled in his world, and he made the correct assumption that Erion was getting a similar tattoo, one that would live in that magical world where Tatsuya was a god. "I know you will care for Erion properly, melamin."

Kansas flashed Sand a beautiful smile, his love for Erion shining in his eyes, and he ran lightly up the stairs to his elf.

Vale finished brushing his teeth and sauntered into the bedroom, where Yuji was already waiting in the bed.

"You wanted to talk?" Yuji asked.

Vale nodded. "I spoke to Satoshi, like you suggested. I think I'm ready to talk about our contract now, if that's alright with you. If now isn't good, then let me know when." Vale looked completely peaceful and he radiated a calm love as he watched Yuji with his wide green eyes.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Vale looked into Satoshi's gorgeous eyes, his own green eyes widening. "A living mythal? Fuck... and I understand. If it was Yuji, I wouldn't have given a shit about anyone else either."

Vale nibbled another kiss before adding, "I'm glad Eryn helped. She's a very powerful healer, but then again, she's had centuries to hone her skills. But you know, I've always thought you were pretty hot." Vale pulled Satoshi into his lap, kissing him again, sweet and loving, his long fingers trailing through Satoshi's hair. "I love you, mela en' coiamin. You made me welcome when I came here, and you opened your heart and home to me, and you understood, maybe more than I did, what was happening between Yuji and me. You'll always have a piece of my heart that's yours and yours alone."

Vale nuzzled Satoshi tenderly, holding him and nibbling kisses on his pierced lower lip. The kisses deepened slowly, becoming more and more heated, and Satoshi moaned a little as he felt Vale's hard cock pressing against him. Vale's hands slid under Satoshi's shirt, and Vale broke the kiss long enough to pull the shirt over Satoshi's head, his own shirt following. It was a little chilly on the balcony, and Satoshi wriggled out of Vale's lap and led the elf inside, a sweet smile lighting his face.

Vale helped Satoshi unroll the futon and arrange the covers and pillows, and then Vale was pulling Satoshi down onto the futon, kissing him with the same languid sweetness, his green eyes bright with love for his husband. Vale palmed Satoshi's hard cock through his cargoes, his tongue swiping over the piercings in Satoshi's lip, and Satoshi moaned a little as he reached around to cup Vale's firm ass, sliding his hands into the back pockets of Vale's jeans and pulling the elf closer against him.

Vale nibbled light kisses down Satoshi's throat and over his chest until he found a pierced nipple, his tongue flicking the ring a bit until he caught it between his teeth and tugged playfully, Satoshi's hand buried in his thick gold and green hair. Satoshi's other hand toyed with Vale's nipple rings, tugging and twisting until Satoshi had coaxed a wanton little moan from the elf.

Vale looked up, his green eyes dark with desire. "I want to taste you," he said, his fingers busy with the waistband of Satoshi's cargoes. Satoshi moaned and lifted his hips, letting Vale tug his cargoes down. Vale pressed a kiss to Satoshi's cock as it strained against his tight little boxers, mewling as he breathed in the scent of Satoshi's arousal. Vale peeled the boxers down, discarding them as he ran his tongue from the base of Satoshi's cock up to the head, swiping his tongue stud across the cleft under the head. Vale slid his lips over the head of Satoshi's cock, savoring the taste of Satoshi's precum before sliding his mouth down until Satoshi's cock was bumping the back of his throat. Vale pulled back up, sucking hard enough to hollow his cheeks, his tongue flattened against the underside, and then he slid down again, still not taking Satoshi in fully, teasing just a little as he listened to Satoshi's happy whimpers.

Vale cupped one slim hand under Satoshi's sac, cradling his balls gently, and he pressed one finger firmly against the tender flesh under the sac, probing Satoshi's prostate from the outside as he continued his lazy sucking of Satoshi's cock. Vale's free hand dug in his pocket for his tube of lube, and he slicked his fingers and teased Satoshi's tight little pucker with one finger as his mouth slid down Satoshi's cock again. This time, Vale relaxed his throat and took Satoshi in to the root, his nose buried in the soft black hair of Satoshi's groin as one finger breached Satoshi's tight little ass, finding his prostate and stroking it. Satoshi moaned loudly, his hips bucking a bit, and Vale swallowed hard as he slid a second finger into Satoshi's ass, loosening the tight muscle as he hummed a little. Satoshi's hands were fisted in Vale's hair, and he tugged to draw Vale back up a bit, the elf sucking hard again and thrusting with his fingers at the same time.

"Oh, fuck, that's so good," Satoshi moaned.

Vale chuckled a little around Satoshi's cock, and swallowed him to the root again, swallowing hard and feeling Satoshi's balls tighten. His free hand crept up to grip Satoshi's hip, and vale swallowed again, pressing on Satoshi's prostate at the same time. Satoshi howled, his balls drawing up sharply, and Vale pulled back a bit, Satoshi's cum filling his mouth as he drank his husband down, saving the last mouthful. Vale withdrew his fingers and rose up over Satoshi, his lips finding Satoshi's lips, and Vale let the last mouthful of cum trickle from his mouth into Satoshi's tight little mouth, the imp moaning as he tasted himself while Vale plundered that sweet mouth.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

"I promise you, Satoshi, I'll never say a word to Yuji." Vale leaned in and kissed Satoshi, an undemanding kiss, just loving and tender. "Whatever happened, I don't need to know. But you've helped me more than you know, really. There was so much I really wasn't sure about, and I didn't want to make Yuji any crazier than I already did. But this trick sounds really interesting, and I'd appreciate your teaching me."

Vale pulled Satoshi into an embrace, just enjoying the feel of his husband in his arms. "You think drinking the Puff in Evereska gave it an extra kick?" Vale asked with a giggle. He nuzzled Satoshi's hair, breathing in deeply.

"I think the sexual submission is plenty for us. I can't see Yuji wanting the rest of it, and it's not really something I want, either." Vale sipped the whiskey and lit a cigarette. "But my head feels much clearer. And thank you for last night. I needed that time with Sand. I'm not asking you to tell me what happened. I know some of it, and I can guess the rest pretty accurately, being an archmage as well. I was mad as the hells at him for not taking me, and scared to near madness when I felt some of what he was doing in the Weave, the pool of magic we both tap into." Vale kissed Satoshi again, teasing his pierced lower lip with his tongue. "He loves you so much, and I'm so happy for you both. And for what it's worth, I don't know what else happened in Evereska, but you seem so much more relaxed and you look so very much at peace. You look more beautiful than ever, actually."

[The Great Sue Hunt]

BW grinned at the thought of a shower. "I think I'll claim a bathroom myself."

It was wonderful to peel off her leathers and stand under the hot water. Rae had thoughtfully stocked the bathroom with a lovely assortment of shampoos and conditioners, and wonderfully scented soaps, and BW was all but purring as she washed the grime of the battle in Sanctuary from her skin. It also gave her a chance to think. They had picked up a few new people, and certainly the fae, Jem, looked like she'd be a good addition. She was a healer, and she also had the scent of other magics about her, but nothing dark, which was comforting. Sanura certainly looked like she could handle herself, and that sword rifle of hers was a nice little toy.

The thought of facing multiple versions of Sues was a little unnerving, and although BW wasn't all that familiar with this 'verse, it remained to be seen how the local heroes would react to a group of outsiders hunting here on their turf. It wasn't as though their Author was going to be any help, either. This motley little band of 'verse-hopping Authors was on its own, most likely.

BW finished showering and grabbed a towel to dry off. She muttered a quick cantrip that one of her elven lovers had taught her, her hair drying perfectly, and she morphed her leathers into a fluffy robe. BW headed for the kitchen, not so much hungry as in the mood for a nice large, strong coffee. Rae had a very nice coffeemaker on one of the granite countertops, and BW found a bag of French roast coffee in the refrigerator. Humming happily to herself, BW set up the coffeemaker and brewed a nice large pot of strong coffee, and waited for the rest of the team to show up.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

"This is helping a lot, Satoshi," Vale replied, his green eyes bright with love. "You're wonderful, mela en' coiamin. I hadn't even thought about a trigger for public use. I really do have a lot to talk to Yuji about, don't I?"

Vale smoked for a moment, thoughtful but very peaceful. "I think I know why I need to submit to Yuji. I can talk to you about this, but maybe not to him as easily. What I do at the Cloaktower, as a battlemage... I risk my life and the lives of those I choose to go with me, or those I send on a mission without me. I deal with devils and demons when I need to. I do whatever it takes to defend Neverwinter." Vale reached out and touched Satoshi's cheek very gently. "I'm in control and I have to be in control, all the time, or people die. Hells, people die anyway. Missions go wrong, or someone is in the wrong place at the wrong moment, and they don't come back. When I submit to Yuji, I'm not Vale any longer. I'm not someone who has to decide who lives and who dies today."

Vale finished his cigarette and stubbed it out carefully, putting it in his tin. "I need to put that part of me away. I need to give up control entirely, and I choose to give control to Yuji because I trust him utterly, on the most intimate level. As far as boundaries, well. That's harder. When it's just Yuji and me, alone, I have none. But when other people are involved, I am still Yuji's, so what you said helps a lot, knowing that I can say my safe word and Yuji will stop everything. But now I'm wondering about something else. You said I only submit to Yuji sexually. Are there other ways in which I could submit? Are they ways that he would want?"

Vale paused, and his cheeks darkened a little. "I don't know why I'm feeling a little awkward about this part, but one thing I was thinking about was that if I'm wearing a permanent collar, that gives Yuji the right to request a scene anytime, or compel my obedience whenever he wants. I was thinking it might be good if I was always prepared, as in ready to be taken by him, anytime. Is that something I can offer him in our contract? That I will always be ready to be taken?" Vale laughed a little. "I do sound like such a wanton slut, don't I? I just always want him. I want all of you, very much so, but Yuji just does something when he looks at me, and I melt inside. I followed him across Planes to a new world. I'm happy just being here with him, and now I want to make him happy."

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Vale's green eyes were serious for a change as he looked at Satoshi. "I really scared Yuji when I sat in the garden thinking all night, but I'm confused about some things. I don't know how much of this I can initiate, or how I do that, or even what I call Yuji when I'm Akira. I mean, for me, it's clear. During the scene, I'm Akira. But Yuji isn't just Yuji anymore, is he? Is there something special I should call him?" Vale shrugged. "At least, for when I'm allowed to talk, that is. He likes me to be silent because he knows that's hard for me, and it shows him how much I want to obey him when I do it."

Vale took a sip of tea. "I'm also not sure about having other people in our scenes yet. I loved being collared in front of you and Sand, and I loved the sex in the onsen, I really did." Vale grinned. "I'd do that again even without a scene, seriously. But how does it work when others are involved? And if we were at a club, wouldn't that break my promises to my spouses if someone else fucked me?"

"I'm happy when I'm submitting to Yuji, and I love the way he looks at me when I've pleased him, and obeyed his orders perfectly. It just completes me. And then, when he holds me afterward, and I'm Vale again, it's amazing." Vale sighed a little. "This is hard, though, but it's been on my mind, and I think you might understand it. I don't want the rest of my spouses to think of me as Akira when I'm not Akira. I don't want the line blurred for all of you. I don't care if it blurs with Yuji, because I am his submissive all the time, and that's by my choice. How do I do that? How do I keep it straight?"

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Sora watched Aika fuss over Hawk, which mostly involved sitting Kuma-kuma next to him and patting his leg. To his credit, Hawk was a wonderful patient for Aika, and Sora smiled as he nibbled on his pocky thermometer, to Aika's giggles. But nursing was tiring work, and when Sand came by to sweep Aika off for a nap, she went willingly, Kuma-kuma under her arm where he seemed to have taken up residence.

Sora sat down next to Hawk, who did look better than he had in the night. "I was thinking that you might want to take a proper bath." Sora had to smile at the way Hawk's face lit up at the thought of bathing. "I do want to check the wound first, of course. But given how well you've been healing, I don't think there'll be a problem."

"Do you need a hand?" Vale offered, looking up from his paperwork hopefully.

"I think Sora can handle me," Hawk replied dryly. "I don't want to drag you away from your paperwork."

"It's no problem," Yuji said quickly, but Hawk waved him off.

Sora smothered a giggle as Hawk stood up on his own, managing to make it look fairly effortless. Sand was coming back down the stairs, and arched an elegant brow at Hawk, but held his tongue when Hawk shot him a stern glance.

"I would suggest the bath upstairs, utinualta," Sand said, catching Satoshi's eye, his own blue eyes bright with mischief.

Sora stood up, unable to muffle her giggle this time. Vale looked up, grinning at how like Yuji Sora sounded when she giggled.

"Lead the way," Hawk said, and held out a hand to Sora, who took it with a small blush.

Once upstairs, Hawk managed to get his tunic off, and Sora deftly unwound the bandages around his chest. The wound did look better, and able to withstand a bath, and Sora smiled happily.

"That really does look good. I'll go and start the bath." Sora gathered up the old bandages and hurried off to run the bath, and Hawk watched her go, smiling a little at the tingle on his skin where her hands had brushed against him. He had never had such a strong reaction before, not to any woman, and he truly hoped that those shy smiles and almost accidental touches meant that Sora had not totally given up on him as a hopeless bastard.

Hawk unlaced his breeches and managed to skin them off, and reached for the towel Sora had left on the bed. He wrapped the towel around slim hips and walked down the hall to the bath. Sora had run the water in the tub until it was full enough to cover Hawk to his waist when he was sitting, not wanting to soak the wound too much, and she had placed a stool by the shower so Hawk could sit.

"Here in Japan, we have a tradition of scrubbing thoroughly and washing our hair before we get into the bath," Sora said. Her cheeks were slightly pink. "But like we do at home, it is not uncommon for men and women to bathe together. I don't think I'll be joining you in the bath today, but I will scrub your back for you."

Sora took her dress off, leaving her bra and panties on, and Hawk looked at her slim figure with appreciation. She looked every bit as lovely and youthful as he remembered, her skin creamy where the sun had never touched it, her waist tiny as ever and the swell of her hips the most enchanting thing he had seen in years. Hawk sat on the stool, shifting a little quickly, and the quick stab of pain from his wound helped to convince his cock to behave.

Sora started the shower and helped Hawk soap himself thoroughly, using a scrubbing sponge to clean his back and giggling when he rumbled in pleasure. She used her hands to carefully clean his wound, pausing when he shivered a bit.

"Did I hurt you?" Sora asked, concerned.

"No, not at all," Hawk reassured Sora. "It actually felt... pleasant." Hawk knew his ear tips had to be bright red, and he felt the telltale warmth in his cheeks.

Sora was a little pink herself as she busied herself rinsing Hawk's back and wetting his hair. "As long as I didn't hurt you," Sora murmured. She massaged some shampoo into Hawk's hair, her fingers rubbing his scalp and working the lather through the long raven mane. She rinsed Hawk's hair thoroughly, and pronounced him fit for the bath.

Hawk got into the tub, easing himself down into the hot water with a moan of delight. "Oh, I can't tell you how good this feels."

"I'm sorry it's not deeper," Sora said, sitting on the side of the tub, cross-legged. She was still in her bra and panties, and Hawk could not help letting his eyes linger on her lovely shape.

Hawk's interest became increasingly obvious, and Sora pretended not to notice but her smile got a little wider. Her beautiful brown eyes fixed on his blue grey eyes, and later on, Hawk realized that he could not remember a single word of the conversation. He did remember the way Sora's eyes sparkled in the light, and the sweet little dimple that formed when she giggled. When Sora suggested that this might have been enough of a bath for one day, Hawk's face fell so dramatically that Sora could not help laughing again, and she promised Hawk that he could bathe again tomorrow.

Downstairs, Yuji finally pushed the paperwork back at Vale with a small moan. "Please, Vale, love. Just deal with this fucking mess and tell me where to sign. You and Willow understand this shit. I just get a headache."

Vale started to chuckle, and he leaned over to kiss Yuji sweetly. "Go have a cigarette in the garden. I'll put this away for now, and we can sign whatever needs it tomorrow."

"This is why I love you," Yuji said gratefully, and fled to the garden without a backward glance. Willow looked up and grinned at Vale, shaking her head a lilttle.

Vale put the papers back in their proper folders, and tidied everything away. He was rummaging for his advanced grammar book, thinking to work on some lessons for Erion, when he saw Satoshi coming in from the garden, and Vale went over to intercept him.

"Hello, mela en' coiamin," Vale said, dipping in for a sweet kiss. He gave Satoshi a radiant smile, his green eyes brilliant. Vale kept his voice soft as he asked, "Do you think we could talk a bit? I had some questions about this." Vale touched the gold and emerald necklace around his neck, and Satoshi's eyes widened.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Hawk looked up at Sora, her hand warm in his. "I was back in the ruins."

"You're safe now," Sora repeated, the loving smile never leaving her lips as she looked at Hawk. "If it helps to talk, I could listen."

"Are you sure? It's not very pretty." Hawk held tightly to Sora's hand.

Sora nodded. "I've seen a great deal that wasn't pretty, Hawk. I wouldn't ask if I wasn't willing to hear whatever it is."

Hawk smiled. "I keep forgetting how much you've lived while we were apart." His blue grey eyes were locked on Sora's brown eyes. "There were reports of a mage in the ruins, and the Bedine asked us to help track him. It was bad luck that he was in my section. Unfortunately, I didn't realize that he was in thrall until too late."

Sora stroked Hawk's hand with her free hand. "You had no idea what you were facing, then?"

"Not a clue," Hawk admitted. "I'm more than a match for most mages, at least the ones you'll finding hiding in the Anauroch. I didn't think it would be a problem. But the mage was just a shell, a hollow thing. The phaerimm was using it as a distraction, and I fell right into its trap."

"You had no way of knowing," Sora soothed.

"It was an apprentice's mistake," Hawk said. "I was overconfident, and it cost me, very nearly my life." He looked at Sora, and a small smile curled his lips. "One good thing, though, is seeing you again."

The moon was bright enough for Sora to see the blush that colored Hawk's cheeks, and she could feel her own cheeks growing warm. "Oh, so you think that's a benefit, do you?"

Hawk's smile got a little stronger. "Yes, I do." His heart was beating a little faster, and he hoped his hands weren't sweating from nervousness.

Sora just shook her head, trying not to giggle at Hawk's shyness. "Do you think you can sleep?"

"Can you sit with me a while? While I try to fall back into reverie?" Hawk sounded very young and uncertain, and his hand tightened briefly around Sora's hand.

"Of course," Sora promised, and she felt him relax under the quilt. Sora waited until Hawk's breathing had evened out, and his eyes had gotten that faraway look that signaled reverie, and then she reached out and smoothed his glossy hair back a bit. Satisfied that his reverie was more peaceful, Sora worked her hand free and returned to her room, feeling hopeful about what the future would bring.

Sand came out of reverie when Vale rose, just as dawn broke. "Have you gone completely mad, anoramin? It is still the middle of the night."

Vale turned around and gave Sand a radiant smile. "This is when I normally rise, ithilamin. Really, it's not my fault you're a slug." Vale leaned over and kissed Sand, a lovely, lingering kiss that made Sand think of the night before, when he and Vale had made love until neither of them could possibly have spilled one more time.

Sand reached for Vale, and pulled him back down for another kiss, his fingers sliding into Vale's hair. "Stay a while, my Vale."

"Hikaru will be up soon, and Aika won't be far behind." Vale slid out of bed, somewhat regretfully. "Yuji has a lot of paperwork for me for the school, and I can get a start on that while the tea is brewing, before I need to start breakfast."

The thought of breakfast made Sand groan a little. "I think I may retreat to my room, in that case." Sand looked up at Vale. "How can you possibly be so cheerful after last night?"

"Healing potion, ithilamin. Do you want one?" Vale finished putting his laundry together and opened his wardrobe, looking for clean clothing.

Sand sat up, his ass slightly sore, and shook his head. "I think not, anoramin. I am not very sore at all, and I think I would rather just sleep a bit longer." Sand slid out of bed and pulled his jeans on, gathering the rest of his scattered clothing. He kissed Vale again and headed to his room

Sand was utterly delighted to find Satoshi in their bed already, his arms around Sand's pillow, looking as thoroughly plundered as Sand felt. Sand quickly put his laundry in the basket, and slid into the bed, replacing his pillow with himself and pulling Satoshi's head onto his shoulder.

Satoshi opened his eyes a little, and smiled at Sand, still barely awake. Sand kissed Satoshi tenderly, and nuzzled his hair, feeling himself beginning to relax into reverie again. "Was your night enjoyable, cormamin?" Sand asked, content to hold Satoshi close.

"I'm getting too old to play with those two young things," Satoshi replied, and then yawned hugely. "What time is it?"

"It's the middle of the night," Sand replied. "Come, let us rest a bit longer."

"Mmm..." Satoshi agreed as he fell asleep again, Sand's strong arms around him.

[The Great Sue Hunt]

BW watched as the fae shifted to human size, looking a bit confused as she looked around, and then began to talk to Rae. BW was inclined to treat all fae as welcome until they proved otherwise, given her own preference for elven males when she had the choice, and this particular pixie had a definitely beneficent feel to her.

However, the young man who walked up, one hand on what appeared to be a gun, an insincere smile on his face, was another story entirely. He smelled like another shifter as well, and BW watched closely as he spoke to the fae, mentioning both Sues and 'verse hopping. Then the fae asked if anyone was a lawyer, and BW managed to smother her grin as the fae looked at her warily.

BW strolled over, noticing that her drow leathers had somehow managed to shift to a rather unattractive bikini, and she did what Rae had told her and morphed them back to their proper form, tight leather breeches and tall doeskin boots with a flat heel to allow for stealth, and a tightly fitted leather tunic with long slim sleeves. Whatever in the Nine Hells was going on in this 'verse, skin made for lousy armor, and BW was not sure yet if shifting to her draconic form was a good idea. She patted her hips, making sure her daggers were sheathed, and looked to ensure that her boot knife was in place as well.

BW looked at the young man, sensing no threat as of yet from him, more of a wariness about who they were. Understandable, BW mused. They had appeared out of nowhere in the middle of a battle, and that was never a good thing. For now, he was a neutral party, but BW had no intention of letting down her guard, either.

"You seem more than passing familiar with this place. Why is it so dangerous, and what exactly did you mean about Sues?" BW waited to hear what he had to say. If he wasn't another Author, then she was not about to start messing with reality by discussing Mary Sues and their ability to warp canon across the Multiverse. Which reminded BW...

BW turned to the fae with a warm smile. "I don't think we need to worry about lawsuits, not at the moment anyway. I'm BronxWench, but you can call me Bronx if that's easier. Who are you, and how did you get caught up in this fine mess?"

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Vale slid up behind Sand, and wrapped his arms around Sand's waist, his breath hot against Sand's ear. "Come to my bed tonight, ithilamin. It's been too long since we had a night together, and I want you."

Sand leaned into Vale, his smile wide. "Oh, I would love that, anoramin." He turned and held Vale close, just breathing in the familiar scent of his elven husband. "I think Satoshi has other plans tonight anyway, if I am not mistaken, and I have missed you in my arms."

They stood together for a few moments, just holding each other, and then Vale untangled himself and pressed a fleeting but tender kiss to Sand's lips before going back into the house to help with dinner.

Dinner was a joyful meal, with the family together again. Hawk and Sora sat beside each other, and Hawk found himself a little tongue-tied and as awkward as an elfling in the face of her beautiful brown eyes and sweet smile. There was a deep wisdom in those eyes, hard won and profoundly attractive to Hawk. Sora had endured years away from her people, a pampered and petted daughter of an ancient and noble House thrown into a harsh world and a life that she was not prepared for, and yet it had honed her into an astonishingly strong and secure womanhood. There was no way Hawk could ever tell her that she needed to find someone her own age again, and in fact he wondered if he were mature enough to measure up for her.

Still, Hawk had lost her once, and he was not about to let this chance slip away. He was a warrior, a fearless guardian of his people. Surely he could find the courage to talk to a slender elven woman with the most amazingly infectious giggle, whose hands were graceful and deft despite being more work-worn than silky. Yet those hands had been gentle and sure when they changed his bandages, and his skin had tingled with their touch.

And Sora had worn the glass lotus. Hawk remembered stopping at the stall, enchanted by the delicacy of the little trinket. It was a trifle, a small thing, but Sora's face had lit up when he gave it to her, and her kisses had been as sweet as honey and as intoxicating as Feywine, and he had lost himself in her arms that night, and the next, and then next after that. And had Lord Sathoness not spoken to Hawk, had he not informed the Graycloak warrior that Sora deserved more than he could offer, those might have been the first nights of many. But that was Hawk's secret to keep for now, that he had parted from her at her father's request, to let her wed someone who could give her all the things that Hawk could not.

Sora had been watching Hawk as he tried to master the chopsticks that he had insisted on using. Her smile was small, but her eyes danced as Hawk's tidbit fell again onto his plate, and she took pity on the stubborn elf.

"Like this," Sora murmured, and she put her small hands over his, and guided his fingers into the proper positions. Then she helped him pick up the shrimp and guided it to his mouth, and the look in his blue eyes made her blush.

"Thank you," Hawk said softly once he had chewed and swallowed. "I might have starved otherwise."

"You could just use the fork," Sora pointed out, watching his sidelong, still smiling that small, shy smile.

Hawk wanted nothing more than to lean in and kiss those lips, taste that smile and see if her eyes would light up like they had on a night in Evereska when the gardens perfumed the air. But that would have been impolite, and so he just shook his head a little, jeweled braids winking. "I'm not very good at giving up."

"Is that so?" Sora asked quietly.

Hawk dared a light touch, his fingers brushing hers delicately. "I still haven't given up, you know. I made a mistake once, and said a foolish thing, but I can hope for a chance to undo that mistake."

"Hope is never a bad thing to have," Sora agreed, her own voice soft, and the faintest pink colored her cheeks as Hawk's heart skipped a beat and his breath hitched a little. Then Sora turned to answer a question from Ryuu, and the rest of the voices around the table seemed to rush in, and Hawk answered a question from Yuji, but his eyes kept returning to a sleek black ponytail and a pair of beautiful brown eyes.

Vale sat and sipped his whiskey, watching Sand and Hawk talking after dinner. They were so much alike, and yet so very different, these brothers. Hawk was a warrior to the bone, fierce and proud and quick to laugh and jest. Sand was outwardly more reserved, elegant and composed, but his heart was no less fierce, and there was a passion in him that Vale knew well.

As if Vale's thoughts had called him, Sand looked up, and the love in those blue eyes made Vale's own green eyes widen and shine a little brighter. Sand turned and murmured something to Hawk that Vale could not quite hear, and then Sand was standing, lithe and beautiful, and holding his hand out to Vale.

"Anoramin?" Sand said softly, and Vale rose and slid his hand into Sand's hand, his fingers lacing with the faintly scarred fingers of his first love. Sand turned back to his brother. "Do you want to walk up with us?"

Hawk shook his head, smiling a little. "I think I'll wait a bit, and go up with Sora. I'm actually not that tired yet. She was right, you know. There's something about the laughter of children that restores you."

Vale's smile was radiant. "I know. When Hikaru looks up at me and laughs, the world is just perfect."

"It is the same with Ryuu," Sand said. "He is astonishing, and I cannot imagine a day without him. One day, utinualta, you will know how that feels."

"I hope so, utinuai." Hawk laughed, his eyes bright. "Now go to bed, you two."

Sand's arm slid around Vale's waist, and they stopped to kiss their spouses before making their way upstairs. They closed the door to Vale and Yuji's room behind them, and then Vale was in Sand's arms, his lips seeking Sand's eagerly.

Sand tugged Vale's t-shirt out of the waistband of his jeans, his fingers sliding up the golden skin of Vale's back, and Vale moaned into the kiss, his cock hard and eager against Sand's groin. Vale ran his fingers through the black silk of Sand's hair, dancing lightly along his elegant ears and teasing the tips with light strokes, and it was Sand who moaned as his cock throbbed in the tight confines of his boxers and jeans.

"Oh, Seldarine," Vale said, releasing Sand for a moment and tugging at his clothing almost frantically. "I need to feel you... please..."

Vale stripped quickly, already reaching for Sand as the moon elf was pulling off his boxers, and then Vale was in Sand's arms again, pressing against him, his skin warm where it met Sand's skin. Vale's lips sought Sand's lips and the kiss was hungry, demanding that Sand plunder Vale's mouth and Sand complied, grinding his thick cock against Vale.

"I was so afraid," Vale murmured when they broke for air. "I felt you as part of the Weave, and I thought you were gone. I thought I lost you, and the last words between us were angry and bitter, and my heart ached, ithilamin."

"How could I leave, anoramin?" Sand cupped Vale's face between his hands, looking at the shimmer of tears in the wide green eyes. "How could I leave you like that? It was a risk, yes, but it was not done blindly. You know what lay inside the telkiira."

Vale shook his head a little, not letting the tears fall. "High Mages have died doing what you did."

"They were not me," Sand replied. "They had not also mastered human magic, as we have done, you and I, and they did not wield telkiira."

"You made a new one," Vale whispered, his fingers stroking the pale skin below Sand's collarbone. "In the Weave, you just reached out and took what you needed, and you did what hasn't been done in so long. Will you show me?"

Sand smiled, and Vale lifted his fingers away as a gem shimmered into view. The telkiira that Sand had worn had been violet, but this one shimmered with many colors, silver and evergreen and amethyst and sapphire blue, its facets shifting hue. Vale looked back up into Sand's eyes, and nodded slowly, and the gem faded back into Sand's skin.

Vale's lips met Sand's again, and this time the kiss was slower, sweeter, and their tongues twined as they simply reached for each other through their bond. It was welcome and understanding all in one, and love that did not need more than a look or a touch to fan its flames. It was all the history between them, and it was coming home.

Sand moved Vale to the bed, laying back and pulling Vale atop himself, feeling Vale's cock slide against his with sweet heat. Sand's fingers slid into Vale's thick gold and emerald hair, sliding along the familiar sweep to tease the tips, already rosy with Vale's arousal, and Sand lifted his chin to let Vale nibble along the pale column of his throat. Perhaps by instinct, Vale did not mark the pulse point, leaving that as Satoshi's place. Instead, Vale nipped at Sand's collarbone, his sharp teeth worrying the tender skin as he suckled a dark mark on translucent skin, tasting the tang of Sand's blood.

Sand let his fingers toy with Vale's nipple rings as Vale marked him, tugging and twisting on the gold hoops until he coaxed a wanton moan from the sun elf. "Taste me, anoramin," Sand urged, and Vale nipped and kissed his way across Sand's stomach until he was crouched between Sand's parted thighs.

Sand's thick cock was already weeping precum, the ring through the slit catching a bead or two, and Vale swiped his tongue across the head to taste the slightly bitter flavor that was Sand. Sand's cock twitched, and Vale ran the tip of his tongue along the ring and down to tease the cleft beneath the head, and Sand's back arched a little as Vale used his tongue stud to increase the teasing. Sand's hands slid back into Vale's thick hair, and Sand hissed in pleasure as Vale slid his lips over the head of Sand's cock. Vale flattened his tongue and took Sand's cock in fully, his throat relaxing as he swallowed hard and let Sand slide past the back of his throat. Sand moaned as Vale purred, the vibrations making Sand shiver with delight. Then Vale swallowed, hard, his muscles rippling along Sand's cock as one finger slid beneath Sand's sac to press on his prostate firmly.

Having anticipated this all day, Sand was more than ready, and Vale could feel Sand's sac tighten as it rested in the palm of his hand. Vale purred louder and swallowed again, and Sand arched beneath him and spilled, his cum thick and hot as Vale pulled back to that he could taste Sand as he drank his cum, Sand's moan sweet in his ears. Vale sucked until Sand had no more to give, and then he released Sand's softening cock with a soft pop, his head lifting as he looked into Sand's blue eyes.

Sand pulled Vale up to him, rolling Vale onto his back and sliding down a little to nip at Vale's ringed nipples, teasing them and tugging on the rings with his teeth until they were hard nubs, Sand's cock already hardening again as he played with his sun elf. At the same time, Sand's fingers coaxed Vale's tight little pucker to open, teasing the muscle and pressing hard on Vale's prostate as Vale's back arched. It did not take Sand long to prepare Vale, and he moved between Vale's thighs to press his cock against Vale's eager pucker. Vale wrapped his legs around Sand's hips, urging him to enter, and Sand pushed into Vale's ass is a slow and steady thrust until he felt his balls rest against Vale's ass.

"Oh, Seldarine," Vale moaned, his back arching as he was thoroughly filled with Sand's thick cock. "Ithiliamin, love me."

Sand moved languidly, drawing back and then thrusting forward, gliding across Vale's prostate and coaxing deliciously wanton whimpers from Vale as his cock churned in Vale's ass. Vale arched his back to press his own weeping cock against Sand's flat belly, moaning at the friction and leaving glistening streaks of precum across the web of scars that marked the moon elf.

"You are so tight, anoramin," Sand murmured, leaning forward to nip at Vale's kiss-swollen lips, plundering Vale's mouth with tender kisses as he plundered Vale's ass with lazy thrusts. They moved together with sinuous grace, skin sliding against skin, and Vale tightened his legs to give himself better leverage as he ground his cock against Sand's belly, feeling the heat coiling within his own belly. Vale opened his bond with Sand all the way, letting Sand feel what he felt, and knowing how he felt to Sand, all tight heat and silky skin. It was enough to push Vale over the edge, and he felt his balls empty in a single convulsive leap, his cum liquid heat between their bellies and his ass tightening even more around Sand's thick cock. Sand moaned, pressing himself fully into Vale, grinding against Vale's ass as he spilled, filling Vale with spurt after spurt as Vale let out a wanton howl and let his eyes flutter closed in bliss.

Sand shuddered with the last waves of pleasure, and fell forward to rest on Vale's chest, nipping at the sweet curve where Vale's neck and shoulder met and worrying a livid mark into the golden skin. Vale moaned , his legs relaxing slightly, his arms wrapping around Sand as he buried his face in Sand's raven hair with a small sob of happiness, all his fear and grief washed away by the tender lovemaking and his heart beating in perfect synchronicity with Sand's heart.

"Amin mela lle, ithilamin, melayeste'amin, my first love," Vale whispered, nuzzling Sand's ear.

"Oh, my beautiful elf, vanima edhelamin, I have never stopped loving you, not since we met," Sand replied, his blue eyes warm. "Never doubt that, and never doubt that I will always love you."

[The Great Sue Hunt]

BW looked at Apollo and chuckled. "This is a little more flagrant than a nice kilt, huh? There's not a whole lot left to the imagination, which, given that I'm an Author, is probably not the best thing, but it certainly is a change of pace."

Apollo nudged Foe, inquiring about the probably location of Sues, while BW looked around to see who else had decided to come for the ride. Rae was adjusting her pack, and Kagome was trying to manage the meadow in high heels. Sanura was trying to clean her bloodied sword rifle, and there was a slightly puzzled looking pixie hovering near Sanura's shoulder. BW was surprised, since the smaller fae usually were not seen alone. This was either an extremely brave pixie or one that had wandered into Sanctuary at a very bad moment.

BW looked around again, hoping to get a better idea of what this 'verse was about. She vaguely recollected the Justice League, and the more obvious characters were familiar, of course, but they were not here to have tea with superheroes. There were Sues about, and the sooner BW got tooth or claw into a Sue, the better. One thing was at least working in her favor. The drow leathers fit right in, and becoming a dragon was not likely to raise too many eyebrows. BW's smile widened. She was also unlikely to run into many irate gods in shorts, and the liquor here was pretty damned good, too. She wondered whether she would have a chance to pick up a decent Armagnac.

BW sidestepped neatly as a chunk of machine landed where she had been standing. On the other hand...

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

"Ryuu is right, cormamin. Your smile is so pretty now." Sand held Satoshi, his cheek resting against Satoshi's soft hair. He could feel the changes in Satoshi through their bond, his husband more at peace than he had been for all the time Sand had known him.

"You will learn how to shed it, my dear Satoshi," Eryn told him, her face radiant with happiness. "You are so very strong, to have carried that for so long without giving in utterly to the blackness. But then again, you have the best motivation in the world to fight your way past it, and I'm left to wonder if there will be any sweet rolls left for us between Ryuu, Falon and buronzudoragon."

"So you are finally going to admit that you are as fond of Taren's sweet rolls as the rest of us, atara?" Hawk's eyes were bright with laughter, although he looked a little pinched around the nostrils. Eryn watched as Kansas and Erion walked him over to his bed, watching as Hawk sank gratefully onto the mattress. "Before you fuss, I'm just a little tired." Hawk skinned his tunic off. "No blood on the bandages, atara. The aier'rim were very careful."

Eryn shook her head, still smiling. "And I thank them for their diligence." Eryn crossed the room, enveloping Kansas and Erion in a hug. "I know you'll be well looked after in Tokyo."

"You could come, too, jitsubo," Kansas said earnestly, hugging Eryn tightly.

Eryn kissed Kansas with great love. "Oh, sochi-chan, I will come and see your Tokyo one day, but for now I have duties here that I can't neglect. I won't be senior priestess forever, though, and then I can travel as I wish. Besides, Sora is also your jitsubo, isn't she? You're never without family, Tatsuya en Nosse Iradil."

Kansas smiled, his face positively beautiful. "No, I'm not, am I? Not anymore." His arm slipped around Erion's waist.

Eryn turned back to Hawk. "Well, then, my foolish little bird, put your tunic back on. We can't have you wandering the streets of Evereska showing off your latest misadventures. Then we can all go home and see if there's any food left in the kitchen."

Hawk's face lit up. "Now that's what I hoped to hear, atara'amin. Home sounds exactly perfect. The temple has been marvelous, but there is nothing quite like being home."

When Hawk said that, Sand felt a pang of homesickness as well. He missed Tokyo, and Aika's sweet chatter and Hikaru's beautiful smile. He missed Yuji's giggle, and Willow's quick wit and sarcasm. And Sand missed Vale, especially with how they had parted. He looked at Satoshi, and could see the same thoughts in his beautiful eyes.

"Do you think we can portal back to Tokyo tomorrow, atara?" Sand asked. "While it has been good to be here again, there are things we need to attend to back in Tokyo. Yuji is opening his own music school. Is that not marvelous?"

Eryn looked delighted. "Music? How perfect! And yes, I think Hawk is ready." She brushed off the front of her robe, which was immaculate. "Let's go home, shall we, and then you'll all set off in the morning."

The Academy of Magic had the portal to Neverwinter open already, and the mage waited while Eryn hugged everyone a last time, giving Ryuu an especially long hug. She gave Satoshi very firm orders to go out soon so that she could mind the little ones, and Satoshi laughed and hugged her and promised most seriously to swoop Sand off for a night very soon. Erion and Kansas exchanged quick looks, both of them grinning, and Eryn pretended not to notice the glint in their eyes, or the way their shorts were tenting ever so slightly. Mist and Santhiel had their round of hugs, and Falon clung to Kansas and Erion until Santhiel drew him into his arms and stroked his hair.

The portal in Neverwinter was waiting as well, and this leavetaking was much easier, the prospect of being home lightening everyone's hearts. Even Hawk seemed eager to get to Tokyo, and Sand shot his older brother a speculative glance. Hawk merely grinned.

"What's on your mind, utinuai?" Hawk asked, straightening his tunic a little. His braids were jeweled and bright, but his eyes were brighter.

Sand shrugged, one elegant eyebrow raised. "You seem more eager than we are, utinualta. I wonder why that is."

"It's been a long time since I had time away from my duties." Hawk smoothed his glossy hair, watching Kansas and Erion head through the portal before following them through.

It was a joyous reunion, with Yuji and Willow enveloping Ryuu and Satoshi in hugs, Yuji looking slightly puzzled by the smile on Satoshi's face, and the air of peace around him. Aika shrieked and launched herself at Kansas and Erion, Kuma-kuma in her arms, and Vale scooped Ryuu up for a hug and nuzzle. Sora stood back a bit, watching the reunion with a bright smile, the love among the members of the family so evident. Hawk watched Sora for a moment, turning away only when Vale embraced him.

"Seldarine, Hawk, it is so good to have you here!" Vale stepped back a little to look at Hawk, his green eyes taking in the moon elf. "You look surprisingly good for someone who was almost a phaerimm's dinner."

Hawk laughed, and pulled the sun elf into a hug. "It's good to see you, too, Vale. I feel surprisingly good for someone who was almost a phaerimm's dinner."

"Oh, stop it, you two," Willow laughed. "Hawk, I'll show you your room, and give you a chance to get settled in peace."

"I'll show him, too, mama," Ryuu said, taking Hawk's hand. "Then I'll show you where we keep the pocky."

Vale was watching Sand, his green eyes wide, and Sand walked over and gathered Vale into his arms, kissing him tenderly. "I missed you, anoramin."

"And I missed you, ithilamin. Are you alright? Really alright?" Vale looked into Sand's eyes, his face solemn. "I felt it, melamin. I felt you, in the Weave. I was so frightened."

"Oh, Vale," Sand said gently. "Amin hiraetha, anoramin. Amin uuma now, amin cronelle, melamin. Lle rangwa tanya amin merne var lle?"

"Amin rangwa, ithilamin. Ta naa tereva. Amin mela lle." Vale kissed Sand, his arms going around Sand's neck as Sand held him tightly.

"And I love you, anoramin, and I always will," Sand murmured, burying his face in Vale's thick golden hair.

Elven:

"Amin hiraetha, anoramin. Amin uuma now, amin cronelle, melamin. Lle rangwa tanya amin merne var lle?" -- I am sorry, my sun. I didn't think, I hurt you, my love. Can you understand that I wanted to protect you?

Amin rangwa, ithilamin. Ta naa tereva. Amin mela lle. -- I understand, my moon. It's fine. I love you.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Sand cradled Satoshi in his arms, nuzzling his face in Satoshi's gorgeous amethyst hair. Their bond was wide open, their souls entwined, and Sand just basked in the total love between them.

"I feel so blessed, my heart, to be here and holding you in my arms, and knowing that our love grows deeper each day." Sand chuckled a bit. "That itself amazes me, that each day I love you more. At this rate, our love will be vaster than the Multiverse itself."

Satoshi giggled a little at Sand's extravagant words. "My favorite idiot," Satoshi tittered. "But you're right. Our love does grow more every day, and it doesn't seem possible."

They lay curled against each other for a while longer, neither wanting to be the first to move, even though Sand knew that Satoshi wanted to see Eryn again. It was peaceful and warm and they fit so perfectly together, but finally Satoshi stirred, and they untangled themselves with a dozen sweet kisses. Satoshi saw their clothing just outside the grove, and he began to laugh.

"We have a guardian imp, I think," Satoshi grinned.

They dressed, and with arms around each others' waists, they strolled off to the temple of Corellon to find Eryn.

Ryuu roared with laughter as he rode on Erion's strong young shoulders, his small fists tangled in the thick silver hair. "Go faster!" Erion obliged, holding tightly to Ryuu's legs as he raced in circles around Kansas and Falon, lithe and swift. On one circle, Ryuu pretended to be rounding up Falon, and the younger elf immediately pretended to veer off, sparking more shrieks of laughter. The elves passing them all smiled and laughed as well, Ryuu's bright laughter music to their ears.

It was something Kansas found amazing, how elves adored children without reservation. Elflings were loved and treated gently, and yet seemed to grow up well without harsh discipline. It made Kansas all the more determined to make his dream a reality, to work with children who had no idea that such love could exist. He caught Erion's eye, and knew immediately that his lover knew his thoughts and shared his dream, and Kansas smiled, his heart full of love for his elf.

Falon chose that moment to swoop in and pluck Ryuu from Erion's shoulders, giggling himself as he spun around with Ryuu. "Come on, Ryuu! Let's fly like buronzudoragon," Falon laughed, and he swung Ryuu up and onto his own strong shoulders. Then he raced off, leaping over absolutely nothing, simply for the joy of being briefly airborne, Ryuu safely held as the elfling gave in to a burst of high spirits. Erion slipped his hand in Kansas's hand and leaned in to steal a kiss, his face radiant.

"When we get home to Tokyo, I want to ask Cho about that tattoo artist she and Kai know, and I want to start on my tattoo. I want to make sure Nim'Cath is well bound," Erion said. "And I know, 'lokiamin, no pestering Sand for magical healing. I have to heal naturally for the tattoo's own magic to take hold."

Kansas kissed Erion in return. "It will be beautiful on you, isilmeamin."

"And we can go to a club. I want to wear garters and a corset and heels." Erion gave Kansas a sidelong look full of mischief. "I want to be so pretty that no one knows if I'm male or female."

Kansas moaned a little, feeling his cock jump at the thought. "We can get Satoshi to do your make-up. He's a fucking genius."

Hawk was delighted by the company of the boisterous youngsters, and Eryn let them take Hawk out into the garden for a bit, to everyone's delight. Ryuu told Hawk about how buronzudoragon was splashing him in the Pond, and flicking water off his wings just everywhere, and then he ate two whole sandwiches all by himself because he was a growing dragon and very hungry. Eryn watched for a moment from the wide window, seeing how Hawk thrived on the company. He had been alone for far too long, her eldest, and this exposure to a large and loving family, no matter how unusual it was, could be the best healing for Hawk.

Eryn turned when she heard Sand and Satoshi arrive, and she greeted them both with warm hugs and kisses on their cheeks. "It looks like you both enjoyed your swim," Eryn teased gently, and for once, Satoshi did not blush in embarrassment. Instead, he looked over at Sand with boundless love.

"It was perfect," Satoshi said, and it was Sand who colored a little, his ear tips a little rosy.

"Hawk is in the garden with Ryuu, and his devoted following." Eryn laughed with pure joy in her voice. "Falon is his devoted servant, you know. He loves a chance to be an older brother. But I'm going on about what you already know, and you are here to see if I can help a little more, I hope."

"Yes, I am," Satoshi said. There was a faint tremor of nervousness in his voice, and Sand reached out and held Satoshi's hand reassuringly. "I'm not sure how far I can open up, though. It's hard for me."

Eryn kissed Satoshi's forehead with great affection and love. "I understand completely. I won't go further than you're comfortable with me going." She led them to a comfortable padded sofa, and pulled a bench up in front of them, sitting so that she faced Satoshi. "May I take your hand?"

Eryn held one of Satoshi's hands while Sand held the other, one arm around Satoshi. Satoshi leaned into his husband's embrace, taking comfort in Sand's nearness. Eryn gently eased her way into Satoshi's mind, delighted to find that most of the pain she had lifted away yesterday had not come back. Only a few strands had crept back in, and they were weak and pitiful things compared to what she had teased away before. Eryn carefully lifted away a few thicker strands of pain, and then she fell into the rhythm of it, following the threads of pain and tugging them free where they were weakest, turning every so often to shed the pain into the brazier at her side, the healing blue of the flames letting her know that Corellon was lifting those burdens away.

Satoshi was beginning to resist slightly, and Eryn paused for a moment, debating ending the healing session, but she had been working on a stubborn clump, and she nearly had one thick strand loose enough to tug free. Eryn had avoided opening any memories, but this one had almost a presence to it. It made her think of heat and smoke and great physical pain when she lifted it, and Eryn suddenly realized that this strand was tied to however Satoshi had received his burn scars. Eryn was healer enough to know how the scars were made, but she had never asked Satoshi, and truthfully, it was not something she would have asked so soon. It seemed a thing that would come with trust, and time, and she had more than enough time to wait until trust was there.

Eryn worked a little harder on loosening that thick strand. It wanted to come away, and Eryn could feel that, but there was something else holding it there, something that felt almost like Satoshi had needed to hold onto that pain. It was then that it dawned on Eryn. She had gathered that Satoshi thought Yuji got sick while nursing him, perhaps when he was burned? She was not sure, but it did not matter as much as knowing that this piece was held by guilt. Eryn went to work, loosening the strand of guilt and lifting that away first. Once that was gone, the rest of the strand came away easily.

By now, Satoshi was trembling a little, and Eryn knew she had gone as far as she could for now. There was time, years ahead of them, and Eryn could wait until Satoshi was ready to pry at the next layer. With the grace of the Seldarine, those layers would loosen a bit without the crushing weight of the other pain heaped on top. Eryn eased out as gently as she had entered, and leaned in to kiss Satoshi's forehead.

"How does that feel, my dearest?" Eryn asked.

[The Great Sue Hunt]

BW grinned as Simi enjoyed a snack of Tzu in barbeque sauce, feeling a certain solidarity with the perky Goth teen. Pouring a fresh bourbon, BW stepped up next to Foe.

"So, now what?" BW asked, sipping her bourbon. One thing she could say for Sanctuary, the liquor was top shelf.

“Well, now-“

“WHAT THE FUCK DID YOU PEOPLE DO TO MY BAR?!?” Savitar demanded.

“-now we run!” Foe finished. BW followed Foe, Savitar flinging bolts of energy after them. The notion of surviving a pack of Tzus only to be taken down by a pissed-off god in a loud Hawaiian shirt just did not bear thinking about, at least not tonight.

"He's doing a fine job of finishing what we started," BW muttered, diving out the door and heading for a beat-up looking station wagon. She tumbled through the door after Foe and wound up on a meadow.

"Interesting upholstery job," BW said, bemused. The silver dragon statue was not quite as disconcerting, even when it spoke, but when the world went sideways, BW began to rethink the advisability of jumping into strange station wagons.

BW wound up next to Apollo and Astraea, her head spinning a little. "I can think of better ways to travel," BW said, looking to see if her friends were alright. That was when the sky broke, and a man in blue spandex and a red cape flew in, in hot pursuit of some sort of machine. Other outlandishly dressed figures followed, and BW just watched in amazement as she overheard Foe tell Apollo that he thought they were on Earth-1, and their garishly outfitted new friends were the Justice League.

BW stood carefully and dusted off her drow leathers, examining a small scorch mark where Savitar had winged her. On the whole, though, she was unharmed, and she strolled over to join Foe and Apollo. They had wound up here for a reason, and it could prove to be an interesting stop, if a little distracting with all this spandex around.

[Week 27: 4-10-11]

Pen Name: BronxWench

Story link: http://games.adult-fanfiction.org/story.php?no=600086515

Type of fic: Drabble

Rating: Adult

Fandom: Games > Dragon Age: Origins

Warnings: AFFO, ChallengeFic, NoSex

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Sand and Satoshi stopped long enough to gather towels and a basket of food that Taren had sent over before heading to the Pond. It was well past the nooning, and the Pond was empty as Sand chose a comfortable spot with enough shade to keep the food cool while they swam. Sand stripped eagerly, and to Satoshi's surprise he flashed Satoshi a mischievous grin before running up the path and diving gracefully off the cliffs. Satoshi's breath caught in his throat as he watched Sand plummet in a smooth arc, diving cleanly into the water with hardly a ripple, and then breaking the surface again with an exuberant shout. Sand swam over to the shallows and caught Satoshi in a wet hug, sneaking in a quick nibble of Satoshi's lower lip while he was there.

"Now, cormamin, I will not do what Hawk did to me, which was to toss me and urge me to swim to him." Sand kissed Satoshi when Satoshi looked a bit nervous. "But having a goal is good, and perhaps we can try something a bit later on that line. For now, why don't we just go in further until you need to stop. The Pond slopes very gradually here."

Satoshi managed to get above his waist in the water, with Sand beside him. The water was warm and calm, and Satoshi relaxed enough to crouch a bit, although he stood quickly. Sand stayed very close, his smile radiant.

"The first thing to master is floating, my heart, which is much easier than it sounds," Sand said. "You already know how to relax and let your mind drift, I think? When you meditate?"

"Yes, I do," Satoshi confirmed. It had been part of the Zen training Satoshi had mastered with Kenji when he was still very young.

"It is very like that. You simply relax and allow the water to do the job of lifting you." Sand's hand was resting on Satoshi's hip lightly and he leaned in for a kiss. Satoshi's arms went around Sand's neck, and Sand slid his arms around Satoshi's waist, delighting in Satoshi's relaxed mood. They spent a lazy few minutes kissing, just enjoying the sun and warm water. Satoshi finally broke the kiss, his smile so young and carefree that Sand's heart soared to see it.

"I want to try that floating thing, poldoramin," Satoshi said.

"Mm, let us get a bit closer to the shore," Sand said, and they moved in until Satoshi was only waist deep in the water. "Now, lean back and my arm will be there. I will not let you fall."

Satoshi leaned backwards, feeling Sand's arm below him, and he lifted his legs and let himself relax. Much to Satoshi's delight, the water did lift him, and with Sand's arm not quite touching him, Satoshi floated for a couple of minutes, relaxing even more. Satoshi even let his eyes close for almost a minute, just listening to the birds and smelling the sweet fragrance of the flowers that seemed to be everywhere. When Satoshi opened his eyes, Sand was still right there, his arm not quite touching Satoshi.

"Do you want to try something else?" Sand asked, as Satoshi stood back up, feeling surprisingly refreshed.

"What were you thinking?" Satoshi asked.

"This," Sand replied, laying down in the water, propped up on his elbows so that his face and shoulders were above the water. "Try to hold yourself up on the surface of the water, on your extended arms, and then glide to me."

Satoshi laughed, but he did as Sand suggested, and when he managed to glide over the elf, he wound up straddling Sand and stealing a kiss as his reward. It was such a fine game that Satoshi tried again, each time moving a bit further from Sand before gliding toward him, even using his arms a bit and kicking his feet. The reward of being able to plunder Sand's mouth seemed a fine incentive to Satoshi, and as Satoshi gained confidence, the kisses grew more heated.

Sand was very close to drawing Satoshi over to a submerged ledge for some further exploration when a small cannonball landed near them, and Ryuu's excited face popped up out of the water. Falon had entered the water beside Ryuu, and he hovered close to Ryuu as Ryuu swam over to his fathers with a giggle.

"Did you see me? I jumped with Falon!" Ryuu flung himself into Satoshi's arms, a wriggling armful of happy wet boy, rubbing noses with Satoshi.

Sand shot Falon an incredulous look,and Falon grinned a little. "It's alright, Uncle Sand. We held hands until the last moment, and I never took my eyes off him." Falon slicked his long brown hair back, his blue eyes merry. "Don't tell me you never talked Uncle Hawk into that yourself."

Sand snorted a little. "Hardly. He required little persuasion." Sand looked up in time to see Erion and Kansas dive in, side by side, sleek and gorgeous as they slid into the water like young sea elves, utterly at home. "We were thinking of having a bite to eat," Sand said, and Falon waved them off.

"Go, eat something. I'll be here with Ryuu," Falon insisted.

Ryuu wriggled free and flung himself into a shallow dive, swimming out toward Erion and Kansas. "Catch me, Falon!" Ryuu called, and Falon hooted, swimming after Ryuu.

"Let them play," Satoshi murmured, pulling Sand out of the Pond. They wrapped up in thick towels and helped themselves to some of Taren's excellent sandwiches, as well as flasks of hot tea, and they settled together to watch Ryuu as he persuaded Falon to toss him into the air a few times.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

There was a small noise as Sand seated himself beside Satoshi, his arms going around his husband protectively. "Oh, my love" Sand opened his bond wide, pouring out his love for Satoshi in an endless wave. "Let atara help, cormamin. I am right here, beside you, where I will always be."

"Are you sure, my dear?" Eryn asked, looking into Satoshi's eyes. "How foolish of me to ask. Of course you are sure."

Eryn placed her slim hands on either side of Satoshi's face. Her hands felt cool and soft, her skin silky, and she reached out with the sure touch of a healer, as Satoshi allowed her in, Sand's arms around him. Eryn teased her way through Satoshi's memories, lifting away the emotions that were so tangled within him, reaching for the very core. Satoshi was blocking those memories, though, and Eryn was reluctant to increase his pain by pushing. Instead she paused, and withdrew a bit.

"Satoshi, my dear, I do not need to see the memories to lift away the pain that is wrapped around them." Eryn smiled gently. "I am only seeking to lift away the pain, to untangle it like a weed in a garden."

Satoshi looked at Eryn, his eyes still brimming. "I don't know... Please, just take some of it away, for his sake."

Eryn looked over at Sand, who nodded before pressing a kiss to Satoshi's temple. Then Eryn took a deep breath, touching Satoshi's mind much more gently this time, only dipping into the surface pain, teasing away the new growth and absorbing it into herself. She looked over at Ryuu, and she could see his small body relaxing as some of the pain stopped leaking from Satoshi. For every bit she was able to absorb, though, there was so much more remaining, and Eryn grieved a bit as she pruned away more of the pain. Each strand seemed to lead to four more, and Eryn patiently tugged those loose until she simply could hold no more.

Eryn eased out of Satoshi's mind as gently as a breeze, slightly paler, and she turned to a small brazier burning nearby. She focused on the flame intently, casting the pain she had absorbed into the flames, watching as they flared slightly and burned a cool blue. She could hear Sand murmuring endearments behind her, and Satoshi's answering whisper, astonishment in his voice as he realized that he did feel stronger and less anguished. Ryuu, too, was smiling from his heart once again, his sweet brown eyes clear and bright as he felt his chichi's pain lessen.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Eryn put her arms around Satoshi, and with a small silent prayer, she stretched out her own empathic skills and eased away some of Satoshi's pain. "We are a pushy lot, we of House Iradil, have you noticed that? I did not mean to cause more pain, my dear." Eryn stroked Satoshi's thick hair, each stroke seeming to wipe away a little more pain and sorrow. "Such pretty hair, but you are so like Sand and Hawk." Eryn's voice was loving and kind, the voice of a mother comforting her child. "Bright plumage and all, pretty little birds that you all are. How lucky I am to have such beautiful sons and daughters, hmm?"

Eryn lifted Satoshi's face, wiping at his tears with a soft linen cloth. "Your pain comes out as rage, my sweet Satoshi, because you are angry, but what angers you is so long ago that it is easy to brush it aside. It is the root of your pain. But Satoshi, my dearest child, you can look forward to a long life now, at least five hundred years before you, if my Sand stops being an idiot. You do not need to heal all of it today, nor do you need to feel guilty. None of your pain was your doing. I know that, not just because you are my son now, but because I am an empath myself. It is how I recognized you and Ryuu, after all. So do this for me, my dear. Give over some of that pain to me, and let me cast it off where it belongs. And when you are ready, I will teach you how to cast it off yourself, to shed that which is poison to your soul."

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Vale curled up on the couch next to Yuji, sipping the last of his whiskey, his gold and green head resting on Yuji's shoulder. "Yuji? Can we talk a bit?" Vale sat up and turned to face Yuji, but his eyes were clear and calm, and Yuji relaxed a bit.

"Of course we can talk, love," Yuji assured Vale, reaching out to take one slim hand in his.

"What Sora hibaba told us tonight, about Sand, and what he did," Vale said, his voice sounding more confused than angry. "I know what he did. It's the kind of magic only he'd be crazy enough to do alone. I could have helped him, though, and I still don't know what to think about his not taking me."

Yuji looked at his elf, and he pulled him into a hug, glad that Vale was actually talking and not just brooding. "I don't think he meant it to hurt you, Vale. I think, if anything, he was protecting you. That's what I would have done."

Vale nuzzled into Yuji's neck. "You're a lot alike, you and Sand. You both do what you think is best for your family."

Yuji chuckled a little, his hand moving to stroke Vale's back. "I suppose we do. We both sometimes act without discussing things, too, and I can see how that might be hard to understand, but I think we have the right intentions."

"I do, too." Vale snuggled in a bit closer. "I realized I was furious with Sand. Maybe it was the way we argued before he left, and then thinking that he took risks to prove me wrong. I felt a bit guilty, that I provoked him to even greater acts of stupidity than he'd normally be capable of." Vale sighed a little. "Do you think I did that?"

Yuji tilted Vale's face up, stealing a nibbling kiss from those plump lips. "I think Sand did what he thought best when he saw what he was up against. I don't think he took extra risks just to prove to you that he could do something."

Yuji could feel Vale relaxing, the tension leaving his lean body. They sat in silence for a moment, Vale untangling himself and reaching for his whiskey. "I was planning on yelling at him when he came back." Vale gave a rueful chuckle, swirling the last of the whiskey in his glass. "Maybe I'm just a little jealous that I can't pull off something like that. High magic is not something I can use." Vale tossed back the last of his whiskey. "In any event, I'm just going to be glad that he's alright, and Hawk is alright, and everyone is alright." Vale leaned in and kissed Yuji sweetly. "I'm going to rinse my glass and put it in the dishwasher. Should I take yours?"

There was a sultry note in Vale's voice, and Yuji smiled as he handed Vale his glass after drinking the last of his whiskey. "Why don't you just refill those and bring them up with you?" Yuji stood and started to walk up the stairs, his hips swaying in exactly the way that Yuji knew Vale found most enticing. He had to bite back a chuckle when he heard Vale's breath hitch, and then the clink of the whiskey bottle against a glass.

Eryn stroked Satoshi's face, the loving touch of a mother stroking a dear child. "It matters, Satoshi, because you matter. I'm a parent as well, and I understand what a gift it is to be able to take away your child's pain. I am also a healer, a priestess of our foremost god." Eryn tugged Satoshi gently over to a low padded bench, where Ryuu was clearly in sight, but out of earshot. "As a parent, it pains me to see how little you ask for yourself, Satoshi. You have given my Sand everything he has ever wanted, and the love between the two of you shines as brightly as the moon. Lean on Sand, my dear. You are an empath yourself, and you only harm yourself by holding all that pain within." She nodded at Ryuu. "He feels your pain, even when it is merely the pain you have lifted from his shoulders. And he learns from watching you."

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Vale kissed Yuji tenderly, his bond wide open as he let Yuji feel how completely Vale loved him. "Amin mela lle, ten'oio, yassen ilya tanya amin naa, coiamin," Vale whispered. "I love you, forever, with all that I am, my life." Vale felt a deep soaring peace as he held Yuji, feeling their hearts beating together, and Vale resolved to grab Satoshi for a quiet talk when he got back to Tokyo. There was so much he wanted to ask Satoshi, and so much he wanted to explore with Yuji before Vale would feel comfortable with Yuji's expression of utter trust. But there was time now, so much time, and Vale nuzzled Yuji and nibbled at his lips, seeking another kiss.

"I like when we love like this, too," Vale murmured into the kiss, his arms wrapped around Yuji. "I'm so sorry I scared you, a'maelamin. No more stupid brooding, I promise. Do you think we have time for a shower before Willow and the babies are up?"

Yuji looked at Vale tenderly. "Don't you want to rest? You were up all night, love."

Vale shook his head. "It's okay. I've gone for several days without taking full reverie. I'll be fine for today, and I actually feel so much better now that we talked and loved." He gave Yuji a radiant smile, his green eyes back to their normal brilliance and sparkle. "I'll put up more tea and start the rice, and we can shower really quickly."

Yuji stole a last kiss before they got up, content to have his elf back to normal once again. Now all Yuji needed was the rest of his family back home safely.

Eryn looked at Hawk, her face wreathed in a radiant smile. "I can't believe how well you're healing, utinuamin. There will be some scarring, but you are so much stronger already."

Hawk was sitting up, propped against an extravagant pile of pillows, the linen sheets snowy against his skin as Eryn checked the healing wounds on his chest. He smiled back at his mother as she sat beside him on the bed, smoothing his hair as though he were still an elfling. "I feel much better, ataramin. It would be lovely to get up for a bit."

"Later, I think," Eryn agreed. "Your hair is so long, Hawk. You and Sand both, such foolish little birds flaunting your bright plumage. At least Sand is settled down now, and married."

"How many times was that again?" Hawk laughed, and Eryn gave his hair a gentle tug. "I'll settle down one day, I promise." Hawk's eyes grew slightly unfocused as he thought about Sora. He had admitted to loving her, and he wondered if she still had any feelings left for him after all she had done and lived, so far away on that other Prime. She had loved there, and married, and borne a child. She had worked hard, and cared for her family, and seen her son marry, held grandchildren and then great-grandchildren. It had been a lifetime compressed into so few years, and then she had found her way home, and back into his heart as though she had never left. It was too much to hope that she could find it in her heart to love him, though. Hawk had heard the old hurt in her voice when she told him how the small glass flower had gotten chipped, when he had sent her away for reasons he still was shamed to recall.

Eryn watched as Hawk was lost in thought, wondering if he would reach out to Sora. She had seen the quick glances, the small touches and hidden blushes between Hawk and Sora, both trying not to let the other see anything, and forgetting that Eryn was there. In her heart, Eryn could only offer a small prayer to Hanali Celanil that love would grow if it was meant to be. Sora would be a fine daughter, if she and Hawk ever found their way back to each other. But that was in hands other than hers right now, and Eryn gave Hawk's hair a last stroke before standing.

"I need to see to a few things. I'll be back shortly, utinuamin, and we'll get you out of bed for a bit." Eryn pressed a kiss to her eldest's brow and left, hoping to find Satoshi.

Kansas stood bathed in the dawn light, his arms raised to the new sun, Erion wrapped around his back with his hand firmly closed around Kansas's cock and stroking languidly. Erion's own hard cock was pressed firmly against Kansas's ass, and he buried his face in Kansas's thick hair and breathed in the scent of his lover, his heart light. Erion could feel the sun's first rays replenishing Kansas, restoring his beloved's strength and he offered his own prayers of thanks to Corellon Larethian for his grace, and to Rillifane Rallathil for the glories of the world around them, and to Aerdrie Faenya for the gentle breeze that caressed them as they each worshiped in their own way. When the sun was fully over the horizon, Kansas turned and pulled Erion into a heated kiss, guiding him back to their bed to complete their worship, their bodies already twining together in the familiar way as they made love, Erion crying out in bliss as he rode Kansas's cock, Kansas stroking Erion's cock lovingly, until they spilled together, their souls one.

Satoshi woke when Ryuu pounced on the bed, his beautiful brown eyes bright as he launched himself into his chichi. Sand was pressed against Satoshi's back, and Ryuu peered over Satoshi's shoulder at his tousan as Sand's blue eyes blinked and then focused on Ryuu, his lips immediately curving into a smile. Sand shifted, and Satoshi rolled over with Ryuu in his arms, and they made a small warm place between them for Ryuu to nestle as the room brightened in the growing sunlight. Ryuu was happy to snuggle quietly for a few minutes, and then his stomach growled very loudly.

"Now I know you are a dragon," Sand laughed. "You have a mighty roar already," he teased gently, nuzzling Ryuu's hair.

Satoshi laughed as well, kissing Ryuu. "Go find Taren and have some breakfast, watashi no ryu. Tousan and I will be right down."

"You better hurry, because I think buronzudoragon might eat everything up today," Ryuu giggled as he slid out of bed and ran down to the kitchen for hugs and food from Taren.

Sand pulled Satoshi into a tender kiss once Ryuu had left, his fingers stroking through Satoshi's amethyst hair. "Good morning, cormamin. I do not think I will ever get enough of waking beside you, and seeing you bathed in the light like this."

Satoshi blushed furiously, but he returned the kiss. "Keep telling me that, and one day my head will blow up from being so swollen," Satoshi mumbled, but he gave Sand such a perfectly beautiful smile, just grateful to have Sand safely beside him. "We should hurry downstairs. Ryuu will want to see Hawk, I'm sure, and we all have to bathe first."

"Mmm, yes," Sand agreed, his fingers straying down to toy with Satoshi's nipple rings as he nibbled on Satoshi's pierced lower lip. "We should hurry." Sand pressed his hips forward, his thick cock pressing against Satoshi's groin.

Satoshi moaned and reached down to grab Sand's ass, strong fingers gripping the cheeks firmly as Satoshi ground back into Sand, his cock just as hard as he wrapped his leg over Sand's hip. Satoshi moaned as Sand's fingers breached his ass, coaxing his tight little pucker to loosen. Sand kissed Satoshi, plundering his mouth as he he groped for lube, slicking his cock before pressing it against Satoshi's pucker. Satoshi mewled as Sand pressed in, slowly and steadily, working his thick cock into Satoshi's sweet ass with loving care and giving Satoshi a moment to adjust before Sand began to move. Satoshi's cock lay between them, and Sand let one hand drift down to stroke Satoshi, watching as Satoshi flushed in arousal. Sand was tender but relentless, his cock gliding over Satoshi's prostate with every thrust, his fingers deft on Satoshi's cock, and Satoshi felt his balls tighten and draw up. Satoshi moaned into Sand's mouth as they kissed, and then he came, painting their bellies with cum as Sand let out a soft cry and filled Satoshi's ass, both of them reveling in the sweet bliss of their release.

"So much for hurrying," Satoshi managed to get out, his breathing still a bit ragged.

"Oh? I thought that was practically hasty, for us," Sand replied, and he kissed Satoshi with all his love, celebrating another day with his beloved husband.

When they got to the temple, Ryuu made a beeline for Hawk, who was sitting in a comfortable chair near an open window, enjoying the scented breezes. Hawk's face lit up when he saw Ryuu, and he made room for Ryuu on his lap, letting Ryuu check his wound and plant several healing kisses on Hawk's clean white bandages.

Eryn came up behind Satoshi and laid a slim hand on his shoulder. "Ryuu has quite a gift for healing, you know."

Satoshi turned and looked at Eryn, a little wide-eyed. "He's only three, Eryn. Who knows what he'll be when he grows up?" But Satoshi felt a huge surge of pride as he looked at Ryuu, his fingers surprisingly gentle as he peered at one of Hawk's smaller unbandaged wounds.

Eryn chuckled a little. "I know, it seems so young an age to me as well. But Satoshi, my dear son by marriage, Ryuu reached out and connected with Hawk, and held him back from fading by speaking to him. He kept it up for so long, and that is why he nearly faded away himself afterward. He gave far too much of himself, but he never faltered. That is a healer's gift, and I only mention it because if he is interested in being a healer, I think he'd be extraordinary at it. His empathy and compassion are boundless."

"Are you thinking he should be trained here?" Satoshi was both elated and terrified of the answer. He loved Evereska, with its kind people and its easy acceptance, but his heart was Japanese, and he knew he would never be able to give up his life in Japan so easily.

"Oh, my dear, only if that was his wish, and not until he is grown." Eryn looked at Satoshi with great love for this man who loved her son so well, and who had brought such joy into her life. "Ryuu could train in your world as well, you know." Eryn patted his arm lightly. "Ryuu is an empath, and I suspect you are as well. Ryuu senses what people feel and need, and he takes their pain into himself, doesn't he? As you take the pain from him in turn. But tell me, Satoshi, who takes your pain?"

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Vale threw his arms around Yuji, burying his face in Yuji's thick hair. "Oh, a'maelamin, I am still yours, and I'm not ashamed of that, and I don't want to take off my collar. I'm proud to be yours." Vale sat back and covered Yuji's lips and cheeks with a wild flurry of kisses. "Oh, Seldarine, Yuji, I don't want to leave you."

Vale rubbed at his eyes again. "I just... I wasn't thinking, or at least I wasn't thinking about the right things. I know Sand. He's not the kind to walk away from something because it's risky. And you're right, we would have heard if something went wrong. But what he did, Yuji... it wasn't just risky. It was fucking insane. It's hard to explain when you've never been a magic user, but what he did takes at least ten High Mages working together, linked mind to mind. And even then, the one that winds up as part of the Weave usually dies."

"Oh, fuck, Vale," Yuji said, pulling his elf close. "I'd have been fucking terrified, too, but why didn't you tell me?"

"Because," Vale murmured. "I wasn't sure after what he said. We were angry and we weren't watching what we said, but sometimes that's when it's most honest, when you're not thinking about what you say. And because it was right after the onsen..."

Vale took Yuji's face between his hands, his green eyes locked on Yuji's perfect eyes. "Sometimes, the line between Vale and Akira blurs when I'm with you, and that's fine. It doesn't matter. But I don't want to be Akira for anyone else, at least not yet, not until I figure out how this works and learn to talk to you when I should. It was good that they witnessed my collaring, and I really did like the sex. Don't think I regret anything, because I don't. I just don't always know how it's supposed to work, and I'll be better about asking, even if I have to stop the game to ask."

Yuji looked into Vale's eyes, seeing nothing but love and trust shining back at him, and he realized that he could feel more of Vale through his bond, the shields slowly coming down.

"There's just one more thing, Yuji. When Sand was a part of the Weave? He made a new telkiira, and some of what he saw or touched in the Weave is in that telkiira. He's not just a High Mage or even an archmage anymore." Vale looked very serious for a moment. "For a few brief seconds, he was a fucking god."

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Vale looked at Yuji, startled, his green eyes wide. "I was trying to find stars. It's so hard to see the stars here." Vale looked around and seemed to finally realize that it was light out. "Hikaru! Oh, no," Vale moaned, starting to get up. His green eyes grew even wider when Yuji grabbed him and held him down.

"Willow's got the babies this morning. We need to talk, Vale. You've been out here all night in the cold with practically nothing on. You're like fucking ice," Yuji said, choking back a sob.

Vale reached out and touched Yuji's tears, his fingers icy. "I'm sorry." His own eyes welled and he threw his arms around Yuji. "You're cold, we should go in."

"I'm cold? You're fucking frozen!" Yuji clung to Vale, his heart pounding. "Talk to me, Vale. No more bullshit."

"Can we go get some tea?" Vale asked plaintively. "I promise, Yuji. I'll talk to you."

Yuji led Vale back into the house, sitting him down and bringing him a cup of hot tea. Vale wrapped his long fingers around the mug and looked at Yuji, his green eyes dark.

"I told you about the Weave, right? That's the source of all magic, and I can feel it, all the time, even here." Vale took a sip of tea. "I felt Sand when he was pulling on the Weave, doing whatever it was that he was doing yesterday."

Yuji reached out and put a hand on Vale's arm.

Vale took a deep breath. "Then, for just a few seconds, I could feel Sand in the Weave. Not just using it, but part of it. Yuji, that's not something a mortal being can handle. Only the gods can touch the Weave like that." Tears slid down Vale's cheeks. "I don't know if he made it out fast enough, whatever he was doing."

"I think we would have heard if something was wrong," Yuji said gently, trying to reassure his elf.

"That's not it!" Vale shook his head, his fingers tightening around his cup. "Why didn't he take me? I'm a fucking archmage, too, or did he forget that? He said I was acting like a Dockside trollop, he called me a great fuck." Vale dashed the back of his hand across his eyes. "Did he forget what I am, now that he found out I can take two cocks at once?"

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Sand had seen the way Ryuu's eyes lit up when Kansas mentioned swimming. He caught Satoshi's eye and lifted an elegant eyebrow, already becoming quite fluent in the sort of silent communication that parents used across the Multiverse. Satoshi responded with a quick nod, and scooped Ryuu up, reminding the small dragon that he needed a bath, and suggesting that perhaps the Pond would be quiet enough for a swim as well.

Ryuu was suddenly more than eager for a bath, and Sand and Satoshi were able to get him bathed and dressed in record time. Ryuu insisted on walking between his fathers, holding hands and chattering non-stop about the Pond and Hawk and the joke he had played on Eryn that morning in his usual mixture of English, Japanese and elven. Almost everyone who passed had to smile at Ryuu's obvious joy, and the quiet looks of pride on his fathers' faces.

When they reached the Pond, it was nearly empty, only one couple lazing at the far end, and Sand quickly stripped and helped Ryuu to undress as well. Satoshi was a little slower to undress fully, and he did slip into the water very quickly, but he beamed as Ryuu jumped in eagerly, swimming like a little fish as Sand dove after Ryuu, cutting cleanly through the water and coming up beside the delighted boy. Ryuu quickly pounced on Sand, and they fell into a game of water tag, giggling and splashing merrily. Satoshi had found a comfortable spot to sit, submerged to just above his waist, laughing at the antics of his husband and son. A few times Ryuu got a mouthful of water, but when Sand showed him how to make a whale's spout, even that became part of the game.

The couple at the far end had left while Sand and Ryuu were playing, smiling and waving farewell, and Ryuu challenged Sand to a race to see who could reach Satoshi first. Ryuu tried to dunk Sand, and Sand scooped Ryuu up and Tossed him into the air, letting him come down with a wonderful splash while Sand made sure he did not go too deep under the water. They finally did make it over to Satoshi, and Sand gave his husband a breathless kiss, his face radiant.

"Will you come swim with us, cormamin?" Sand asked, sluicing back his streaming mane of hair.

Satoshi just smiled a little. "I'm not really a swimmer."

Sand just leaned in and kissed Satoshi again. "Just float with me a bit, right here, where it is not so deep. It is quite like your Zen meditation, you know. You just relax and let everything float away as the water lifts you."

Satoshi let Sand lead him in a few more steps, and then he leaned back as Sand directed, feeling Sand's strong arm beneath his shoulders. Satoshi reached for his inner calm, taking deep breath and letting it out, and he felt the water begin to lift him up a little. Sand floated beside him, one arm still beneath Satoshi in a silent gesture of support, and they floated in the shallow water in perfect harmony for a few minutes, until Ryuu decided that there had been enough tranquility. Ryuu pounced on Sand with a shriek of glee, pointing up at the cliffs.

"I can jump from there!" Ryuu squinted up at the cliffs, his eyes glowing. Satoshi was standing again, and he looked up with trepidation.

"Well, then, come with me, sochi-chan. We will see if you are tall enough yet." Sand scooped Ryuu up and made his way out of the Pond, stopping by a beautiful blue-green column of stone. There was a shimmering blaze of crystals that traveled horizontally across the stone, and Sand set Ryuu down so that his back was against the column. "Stand very tall, now."

Ryuu stood as tall as he could, and Sand placed the side of his hand against the stone. Ryuu jumped back to look, and his face fell. Sand's hand was well below the line of crystal.

"Very soon, my dragon," Sand said. "You are growing so fast, and you will be that tall quite soon."

Ryuu looked a little mutinous, and Sand scooped him up again and took him up the path to the tops of the cliffs. When Ryuu looked over the edge, the water seemed very, very far away, and his grip on Sand's neck tightened just a little.

"It is a long way down, is it not? Those crystals are how we tell when an elfling is ready to jump off the cliffs and into the Pond. Your sobo measured me there, when I was an elfling." Sand nuzzled Ryuu. "But I do know some very nice rocks that make a good place to dive off. Hawk showed me these rocks when I was not quite tall enough to reach the crystals myself."

"I can jump there!" Ryuu decided with glee, and Sand took him back down the path and over to some flat rocks that were perfect for diving off if one was a small dragon. Ryuu shrieked and dove and swam some more, until even he was too exhausted to swim any longer. Satoshi dried him off and helped him to dress, and Sand and Satoshi followed suit. Ryuu wanted Satoshi to carry him, nuzzling into Satoshi's neck with a barely hidden yawn as he announced, "When I am bigger, I will dive off the cliffs. I am one-third elf so I can do it."

Sand and Satoshi managed not to laugh, not even a giggle.

Sora had packed quickly, not needing much beyond a few dresses, some small toiletries and her favorite brush. Santhiel walked her to the Academy of Magic, hugging her as she prepared to go through the portal to Neverwinter. So many of Sora's life changes had come about because of portals, and it seemed only fitting that another portal heralded change. Sora smiled a little to herself, confounding the mage who waited patiently for her to step into the shimmering opening. Lifting her chin. Sora stepped through.

Sora emerged in the Cloaktower, blinking a little at the brighter room. Nathe was standing there, and bowed respectfully.

"My lady Sora, how very nice to meet you. I am Nathe, Vale's second. I'd be delighted to escort you to the house here in Neverwinter, and from there, you can access the portal to Tokyo at your leisure." Nathe offered his arm, and Sora took it with a bemused smile as Nathe continued. "My wife asked Beredir, proprietor of The Greymist, to have a meal waiting for you at the house should you wish to eat. Beredir grew up with Master Sand."

Sora looked at the moon elf. "Oh, that seems a lot of trouble to go to."

"Beredir was delighted to help. If you are ever here in Neverwinter, Beredir looks after the house when everyone is away. He has a key for you to keep, since you a part of the family." Nathe led Sora down the stairs and out into the busy afternoon streets of Neverwinter, so many more people that she had become accustomed to seeing in Evereska, but still far less than Tokyo. Sora smiled a little, both excited and nervous about returning to the place where she had spent more than half her years thus far.

Sora blinked a little when Nathe stopped in front of a large house with extensive gardens. "This is the little place in Neverwinter?" Sora asked, using Sand's casual description with more than a touch of sarcasm. Granted, Eryn's home was larger, but that was an ancestral home, and Eryn barely used half of it most of the time. Sora could not imagine rattling around this place by herself.

Nathe opened the door and handed Sora the key with another smile. Then he showed Sora where the portal was, and how to use the portal key to open it, and departed. Sora wandered into the kitchen, and found the meal Beredir had left for her. Her habit of not wasting things led her to sit and eat, although she was so deep in thought that she barely tasted a bite. So many changes, and perhaps new challenges lay on the other side of the portal, and Sora was ready for whatever awaited her.

Yuji woke, surprised to find himself alone in bed. Vale had been in bed when Yuji fell asleep, but although it was still dark, the elf was gone and the bed was cold. Yuji reached for his pajama pants and a t-shirt, and padded off in search of his elf. Vale's reaction to Sand's decision to go without him had worried Yuji, but he had thought Vale was feeling better.

Yuji found Vale in the garden, wearing only his pajama bottoms, oblivious to the chill in the air. Vale was smoking a cigarette, and he looked up with a small smile when Yuji sat beside him, reaching for the cigarettes and lighting one.

"What's wrong, a'maelamin?" Yuji asked, blowing out a plume of smoke. "Did you have trouble reaching reverie?" He reached out through their bond, but Vale felt curiously muted, as though Vale had raised his shields a bit. Yuji knew Vale had felt his probing, but the elf did not lower his shields as he normally would have done. Yuji looked down at the ashtray, even more uneasy when he saw the number of spent cigarettes crushed out in it. He laid a hand on Vale's shoulder, shocked to find that the elf felt ice cold.

"How long have you been out here?" Yuji asked, putting his arms around Vale.

Vale's small smile did not waver. "I don't know, really. I couldn't reverie just yet, so I thought I would stargaze a bit." Vale stubbed out his cigarette. He immediately lit another, to Yuji's chagrin.

"Something is wrong," Yuji insisted. "You're freezing, and you're smoking worse than I do."

"I'm alright, really. I just needed a few minutes to think, I suppose." Vale inhaled deeply, holding the smoke in his lungs before exhaling. "Go back to bed, love. I'll be there in a bit."

"Are you sure?" Yuji ran his hand along Vale's cheek, looking into Vale's eyes, but the gloom of the night made them unreadable.

"I'm sure." Vale pressed a kiss into the palm of Yuji's hand. Yuji looked at Vale for a moment longer, but the elf had turned his face back to the sky, searching for stars.

But in the morning, Yuji was still alone in the bed, and when he looked out the window, Vale was still in the garden, his face turned up to the sky.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Eryn woke as Ryuu padded off, and she smiled a little as she watched him go. Here, in Corellon's temple, no harm would come to him, and anyone who met him would treat him with gentle respect and kindness. There was no need to fear, and Eryn tossed back the quilts, giggling at little as the remnants of Ryuu's awakening drifted up to her. Eryn found it oddly comforting to realize that small boys were no different from small elflings in most respects.

Eryn bathed quickly, brushed her sensibly shoulder-length hair briskly and dressed in her robes of office. She knew Hawk had to be doing better, or she would have been roused from her reverie, and she was fairly sure Ryuu was on his way to find Hawk. He had the soul of a healer, and was as devoted as any of her clerics when it came to caring for his charge. She smiled as she headed out to find breakfast and relieve Sora, offering a quick prayer of thanks to Hanali for her devoted child. Sora was a dear and trusted friend, and her help was both welcomed and deeply cherished.

Eryn broke her fast with her customary brisk efficiency, tea and some bread with honey sufficient to restore Eryn's energy. She made her way to Hawk's room, running into Kansas and Erion on the way.

"Good morning, my darlings." Eryn hugged and kissed them both, and then looked at Kansas with a small frown. "Sochi-chan, forgive me but you look like rothe shit. Did you sleep at all?"

Kansas flushed a little, and gave Eryn a sheepish grin. "I'm a little tired, jitsubo, that's all. It was hard to unwind enough to sleep."

Eryn arched a delicate eyebrow. "Then Erion's falling down on the job, yes?" She laid a hand on Kansas's forehead, and the headache eased a bit. Eryn then gave Erion a small swat on the arm. "Wear him out tonight, would you? In fact, why don't you eat, take a peek at Hawk, and then go swim? It'll do you both good. Food is through that door, and then follow this hall to the end and turn left. Hawk is in the first room."

Erion and Kansas headed in to find breakfast, Erion's stomach growling at the smells of food. He all but moaned with happiness as he inhaled, smelling fried celarta with browned-honey sauce, and secirna porridge with ram berries and sweet cream. Kansas was feeling well enough to eat something after Eryn's quick healing, and he let Erion talk him into some grilled trout with rice and some of the salty red dakesi that Kansas liked so much. Erion fetched them both tea and large glasses of chilled juice. Kansas ate a bit, watching Erion devour his meal with the appetite reserved for young elves, and he even tried some of Erion's celarta, which tasted a lot like apple. After Erion had polished off a second bowl of porridge and two sweet rolls, they headed down the hall in search of Hawk's room, Kansas still quiet and subdued, and Erion watching him carefully.

Hawk's eyes focused a bit, losing the dreaminess that marked reverie, and he shifted a little in the bed. A very subdued shriek greeted his movement, and Hawk turned his head to see a beaming Ryuu, and Hawk smiled, his face lighting up.

"Hawk otooji!" Ryuu managed not to quite pounce on Hawk, but he did wriggle closer, his sweet hand resting on Hawk's forehead for a moment.

"I see you're still watching out for me," Hawk said. "Thank you, my little dragon."

Ryuu's face got very stern for a moment. "You scared us, otooji. I was very worried, and so was chichi and tousan and both my oniisan and sobo and Sora hibaba. It's good that gifu and keifu and mama and imouto and otoutu didn't come to be worried too."

Hawk exchanged a very quick look with Sora and then arranged his face in a suitably repentant manner. "I am very sorry, Ryuu, for worrying so many people. I promise I won't be so silly anymore."

Ryuu broke into a sunny grin, flinging his arms around Hawk. "It's okay, otooji. I saved you some breakfast."

Eryn walked in as Sora and Ryuu were helping Hawk to sit up, Ryuu fluffing the pillows with a vigor and enthusiasm that was most impressive. Eryn's smile was radiant as she looked at her firstborn, his color so much better and his face not nearly as drawn as it had been. The sheets had slipped down, and the wounds on his chest still looked tender, but there was no sign of infection, and Hawk's breathing was steady and not strained. Sora looked surprisingly alert as well, the night sitting up with Hawk seeming to have done her no harm. Eryn looked at Sora for a moment, and then shook her head, sure she was just imagining the slightly pink tinge to Sora's cheeks, and the way Hawk's eyes seemed drawn to Sora. All those weddings had addled her, Eryn decided briskly.

"You look much better, utinuamin," Eryn said, leaning in to kiss Hawk's cheek. She gently probed his wounds, well pleased with the healing thus far. "I'd prefer to let this heal a bit naturally, and then perhaps the springs to deal with any scarring."

Hawk kissed Eryn's cheek in his turn. "And anything that keeps me in bed and off patrol for a while works for you, atara." Hawk's eyes were bright. "I have a new personal healer, though, don't I, Ryuu?"

"Has your brother been by yet?" Eryn asked, her busy fingers teasing through Hawk's hair, coaxing out a few tangles from the raven silk.

Hawk chuckled a bit. "Sand? Up before mid-morning? Atara, he's a slug before the nooning, you know that."

"So's Satoshi," Sora said lightly. "They're well suited that way as well."

"Chichi and tousan always try to stay in bed. I wake them up every morning," Ryuu confirmed brightly.

Hawk chuckled again, pulling Ryuu into a hug. "So, atara, I know you well enough to know you've already been plotting where I should recuperate, since you want me to heal gradually."

Eryn smiled at Hawk. "Always cheeky, you and Sand both. But yes, I have been thinking about that very thing. Evereska is not the place for you to rest. You'll be pestering Santhiel for news and being restless and irritable at not being allowed to return to patrols."

Sora looked a little surprised. The Hawk she remembered would have been more upset at not being able to flit from tavern to tavern, making conquests among the younger elves without effort. Still, it had been a long time that she was away, and even Hawk could have changed, a little.

"I've been thinking about asking Sand to take you to Tokyo. I think that's far enough away from the Anauroch for my comfort." Eryn waited for the explosion she was sure would follow. Instead, Hawk looked thoughtful.

"I'm not sure that's such a bad idea," Hawk admitted. "Even in Neverwinter, I'd hear what was going on in Evereska. And to tell you the truth, I wouldn't mind putting some distance between me and the Anauroch for a time."

"I wouldn't mind going with Hawk, to keep an eye on his healing." Sora could not believe those words had actually left her lips, but she continued gamely. "I know the language and the city. I lived more of my life there than here, after all. I could be a lot more useful than someone who didn't know their way around."

Eryn looked at Sora, mildly surprised. "That is very true, my dear, but are you sure? You still have family there, and not all of them know you are still alive."

Sora made a dismissive gesture. "I'd love to see Hideko and Tsutomo, and Tomio and little Sora. And I do miss Yuji and Willow and the children. The rest don't need to know a thing."

"I think it is a marvelous idea, atara." Sand stood in the doorway, his arm around Satoshi, looking remarkably well rested and refreshed. "Do you agree, cormamin?"

Satoshi smiled at Sora. "I think it's perfect. Yuji and Willow and Vale will be so happy, Sora hibaba, and I know we have more than enough room for you and for Hawk."

Ryuu gave a happy yelp of agreement and flung himself into Satoshi's arms, pulling Sand over for a hug as well. "Otooji can share my room!"

Eryn gave Sand and Satoshi a radiant smile. "Wonderful! I think Hawk will need a couple more days before he can travel back, if you can stay."

Kansas and Erion walked in, and Erion looked delighted to see Hawk sitting up. The young elf bounded over to his uncle and hugged him carefully.

"You will love Tokyo, Uncle Hawk! Oh, wait until you see my bike," Erion grinned. "I don't have a license yet, but Satoshi has a bike, too, and it's amazingly..." Erion stopped, blushed, and started to laugh. "It's fast!"

Kansas smiled a little, still looking tired and pale. "I think I could use a couple of days here myself."

Erion turned around, looking instantly concerned. "Are you still having a headache, 'lokiamin? Atararim, is there anything you can do for Kansas?"

Eryn looked at Kansas, holding out her arms. "Oh, sochi-chan. Drink this, my dearest." She offered Kansas a healing potion as she pulled him into a loving hug, reaching up to kiss his forehead. "Then go swim a bit with Erion. It helps to soak a bit in the warm water."

Kansas returned the hug, reveling for a moment in the feeling of being so thoroughly loved and of belonging so completely to a family. He did not think he would ever get so used to this that he would take it for granted, but it was just as good as being in Erion's arms every night.

"Thank you, jitsubo," Kansas said, hugging Eryn back tightly. "I will. I'm feeling better already." He looked at Eryn, his smile a little stronger this time, and then he took his turn in giving Hawk a hug. "It's good to see you in one piece."

"Thank you." Hawk pulled Kansas in for a tight hug. "You pulled me out, and I owe you so much, toror'amin, my brother. I love you."

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Sand and Satoshi wandered off to the room Eryn had told them to use, Sand's good arm around Satoshi. Eryn was utterly beyond healing anyone at this point, and Sand had insisted on a healing potion instead of waking another cleric, but the wound had been deep enough that even with the potion, it would leave some new scars. Sand seemed utterly unconcerned, but Satoshi shivered a bit when he remembered how deeply the phaerimm had torn into Sand.

It was over, though, and Sand had managed to pull off whatever it was he had pulled off. Satoshi was still not entirely sure about what he had seen, other than watching Sand battle the phaerimm with sword and spells. The rest, well, Satoshi did not quite understand what had happened, other than thinking he had lost Sand for a few minutes, when the column of light had seemed to consume Sand. The only thing that had kept Satoshi from losing his mind entirely was that Sand's body was warm and breathing steadily in his arms the entire time.

"So," Sand murmured, amused. "I am a bat shit crazy idiot mage, am I?"

Satoshi blushed a little, but his arm tightened around Sand. "That's my bat shit crazy idiot mage. Get it right," he said with a small giggle.

Sand laughed, such a bright sound that Satoshi's heart soared. "I am actually quite surprised that went as well as it did. I had a few small concerns about getting back out of the telkiira, and it seems Santhiel was right after all."

"What?" Satoshi stopped walking for a moment, looking at Sand with a mixture of indignation and horror. "What was Santhiel right about? What concerns?"

Sand stroked Satoshi's cheek gently, his blue eyes full of love. "I was, for a brief moment, a living mythal. A most peculiar sensation, actually, to be a part of the Weave itself. I do not know how it appeared to you, though."

Satoshi actually could not speak for a moment, and he tugged Sand forward again, leading him into the room. Sand was still in just his breeches and boots, and Satoshi was wearing only his cargos and boxers, so undressing took moments. Sand pulled back the quilts and fluffed the pillows, sliding onto the bed with a sigh of contentment.

Satoshi sat crosslegged on the bed, looking at Sand while he tried to find the words he needed. "You fought the phaerimm, and you were magnificent, poldoramin. I only saw your defense before, never when you were on the attack. It was incredible. But then you split the telkiira and you crushed it, and there was a column of white light and you were gone. All I could do was ask you to come home." Satoshi's eyes welled, and the tears spilled down his cheeks.

Sand sat up, wrapping his arms around Satoshi, kissing away the tears. "I felt you the entire time, cormamin. I felt your love around me like the strongest shield imaginable. As incredible as it was to be part of the Weave, it was not home, and it was not you. I shed all that with joy, knowing you were waiting for me."

Satoshi sobbed, his mouth finding Sand's mouth, and he kissed Sand with all the love he had for his elf. Sand opened into the kiss eagerly, letting Satoshi plunder his mouth, his long fingers buried in Satoshi's amethyst hair and his tongue teasing the piercings of Satoshi's lower lip. Satoshi ran his hands along Sand's back, over the thick and faded scars, feeling the silken heat of Sand against him, and his cock ached with the need to be buried in Sand.

Sand fell back onto the bed, pulling Satoshi on top of him, his own cock just as hard and needy as he parted his thighs, letting Satoshi grind against him as he arched into Satoshi. "Love me?" Sand asked, breathless from their kiss, his bond wide open and Satoshi moaned, rubbing his cock against Sand's cock. He could feel Sand's weariness through the bond, but most of all Satoshi felt that burning love, and Sand's desire to be taken by his husband.

Satoshi nibbled the shell of Sand's ear, letting his pierced lip scrap along the sensitive edge, and Sand moaned in delight, his cock jumping a little where it pressed against Satoshi. Sand's head fell back, and Satoshi quickly turned his attention to the pale skin under Sand's jaw, licking the spot where his pulse beat steadily under translucent skin. Satoshi seized the spot in his teeth, worrying it and sucking hard, until he tasted the faint tang of Sand's blood, Sand purring in delight as he was claimed and marked.

Sand's fingers had found Satoshi's nipple rings, and Sand tugged and twisted until he had guided Satoshi over him, Sand's mouth covering one tender nipple and sucking as his tongue toyed with the nipple ring. Satoshi mewled in pleasure when Sand caught the ring between his teeth and tugged sharply, the sensation running straight to Satoshi's cock, and a small amount of precum spilled onto Sand's belly. Sand switched his attention to the other nipple, teasing it to hardness.

Satoshi moved higher, his cock pressing against Sand's lips and demanding entrance, and Sand parted his lips, his tongue dancing out to swipe at the head of Satoshi's cock, the tongue stud teasing at the slit as Sand laved away the precum. Sand slid his mouth over Satoshi's cock, his tongue flattening as his tongue stud pressed against the tender cleft first, and then along the underside of Satoshi's cock as he slicked his husband. At the same time, Sand reached behind himself, pressing two long fingers into his own ass, loosening himself a bit.

Satoshi reluctantly pulled out of Sand's mouth, knowing that both of them were far too exhausted for prolonged play and wanting to love Sand before they both fell into much needed rest. Satoshi pressed a little on the base of his cock, feeling the urgency recede a bit, and he moved between Sand's legs after retrieving a tube of lube from the pocket of his cargoes. Satoshi slicked his cock quickly, and hooked his arms beneath Sand's knees, bringing the elf's legs up and back, parting his thighs and leaving him wide open. Sand moaned a little as Satoshi pressed the head of his cock against Sand's tight pucker, and Sand bucked his hips a bit to urge Satoshi on. Satoshi pressed forward, the head of his cock stretching Sand open as Satoshi pressed into the heat of Sand's ass with a groan of utter bliss.

Sand was tight, and eager, his hips bucking to take Satoshi in to the very hilt, and Sand wriggled as Satoshi's balls snugged up against his ass. Satoshi looked down at the flushed cheeks of his husband, Sand's ear tips rosy with his arousal, and his lips parted in a wanton little moan, and Satoshi withdrew a little before slamming home, hitting Sand's prostate dead on and making Sand gasp and arch beneath him. It was not often that Sand was this yielding, and Satoshi found that he enjoyed the chance to plunder his elf. Satoshi set a steady pace, not pounding Sand through the mattress, but fast enough to have Sand writhing beneath him, Sand's cock weeping precum liberally onto his own belly.

"Touch yourself for me," Satoshi murmured, watching Sand's face and reveling in the joy he saw there. Satoshi was close, his belly already tight with heat, and he watched as Sand wrapped long fingers around his own cock, stroking it firmly, his blue eyes fixed on Satoshi's gorgeous brown eyes. Through their bond, Satoshi could feel how close Sand was, his balls tight and heavy, and then he was flooded with the ecstasy of Sand's orgasm as Sand gasped, thick ropes of cum splattering both their chests and stomachs liberally. Sand's ass, already tight, closed around Satoshi's cock even more, and Satoshi moaned loudly as his balls drew up sharply. Satoshi shuddered as he spilled, spurt after spurt of cum filling Sand's ass, Sand clamped around Satoshi's cock like a velvet vise.

Satoshi slumped forward, releasing Sand's legs and letting himself rest on that strong chest, feeling their hearts hammering into each other. Sand nudged Satoshi's head up, kissing Satoshi with fierce passion, breaking the kiss only long enough to murmur, "Amin mela lle, ten'oio, cormamin, iluveamin."

"Amin mela lle, ten'oio, poldoramin, coiamin," Satoshi replied, feeling all the tension gone and the sweet urge to sleep stealing over him. Satoshi waited, though, until Sand had slipped into reverie, a blissful smile on his lips and his arms around Satoshi. Satoshi watched for a few moments until his eyes closed, and he slept curled tightly against Sand.

Ryuu barely stirred as Eryn scooped him up, heading to the bedroom she kept at the temple. She slipped behind a screen and put on a nightshift, and then carefully eased Ryuu's shirt and pants off, letting him curl up beneath the quilts in his t-shirt and underpants. Eryn slipped in beside him and gathered her beloved grandson close, holding the small warm body tenderly and pressing a kiss to his thick hair. He had been so brave and so strong, her Ryuu, and Eryn made a mental note to speak to Satoshi in the morning about Ryuu's abilities. But Eryn knew, in her heart, that Hawk would have been lost to them if Ryuu had not reached out and touched his soul, and she held this most precious child close as she fell into reverie, smiling as she heard the sound of a small bronze dragon sucking the tip of his tail in his sleep.

Sora sat beside Hawk, looking at the sharp planes of his face, so familiar even after all the years that had passed. Reverie had smoothed some of the lines of pain away, and Eryn's healing prayers had closed the worst of the wounds, but Hawk would be weak for some time to come. Sora wondered if Hawk would stay here in Evereska to recuperate, or if he would head to Neverwinter, or even to Tokyo. The thought of Hawk leaving made Sora's throat tighten a bit, and her cheeks flushed as she imagined Eryn's reaction if she asked to go with Hawk. Sora shook her head a little, amused at the turn her thoughts were taking, and she gently wiped Hawk's forehead with the cool water, scented with the healing herbs that had been infused in it. Hawk stirred slightly, and smiled a little, his reverie taking him to better places than where he had been so recently, and for that Sora was grateful.

Her thoughts turned to Satoshi, and how magnificently he had supported Sand as Sand fought the phaerimm for his brother's soul. Satoshi had changed, even since the wedding, and he was stronger and much more confident than he had been since she left Tokyo. He was as much hers as Yuji or Hideko, and to see him like this made her heart soar. Eryn's youngest had always been kind, and she had remembered him with affection for his friendship when she was young. What made her happy was how well Sand loved her Satoshi, and how happy Satoshi was with Sand.

On that pleasant thought, Sora settled in with a cup of hot tea, and prepared to watch over Hawk as he lay in his reverie. When Hawk's hand crept across the bed, she reached out without thinking and held it, feeling an unexpected surge of emotion as his fingers closed gently around her hand.