[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Sand touched Satoshi's cheek tenderly. "Of course I will go with you. Tell me how I should dress for such a ceremony, and what I must do."

Satoshi nodded somberly. "Wear that black suit that you bought, the one that doesn't have any shine to it, and a black tie with no pattern or colors in it. And you need a white shirt."

"Give me just a few moments, saiai." Sand stroked Satoshi's cheek softly and hurried to his closet. He knew exactly the suit that Satoshi was talking about. He had purchased it after Kenji mentioned that Satoshi's mother was ill. Sand had let everyone think he had just liked the fabric, but Vale had looked at Sand a little oddly. Sand had not worn such a stark thing since he had fallen in love with his genasi. He would have preferred the kimono and hakama, but he was not family.

Sand brushed his teeth and changed quickly, his Egyptian cotton shirt blindingly white, and his suit and tie a flat unrelieved black. Sand carried plain leather dress boots to put on downstairs, and his hair was pulled back into a tight neat ponytail that covered most of his ears and was cinched with a plain black elastic. He presented himself to Satoshi, who nodded and touched Sand's cheek in silent thanks.

Satoshi drove in silence, not even smoking, and Sand contented himself with merely opening his own bond and letting his love for Satoshi show. He could feel Satoshi's pain and hurt, but there was nothing to say that would help, and Sand did not want to say the wrong thing and distress his beloved husband further. They paused at a traffic light, and Satoshi took a quick glance over at Sand, elegant and slim, his sculpted cheekbones and delicately tilted eyes making him look almost Japanese, if his eyes had not been that radiant shade of blue.

Satoshi parked at the cemetery, turning off the ignition and lighting a cigarette. Satoshi's hand trembled slightly, but his voice was level when he spoke.

"You don't really have to do anything. I'm not going to speak to anyone. I just want to see the urn put in the grave." Satoshi looked over at Sand. "Just be there next to me."

"Always, saiai." Sand took Satoshi's free hand and held it for a moment out of sight while Satoshi finished his cigarette.

When Satoshi was done, he nodded, and he and Sand got out of the car. Satoshi walked over to the edge of the gathering, staying far back enough to avoid having to speak to anyone. His formal black kimono and hakama and haori marked Satoshi as family, but no one approached him, respecting the boundary he left between himself and the mourners. Sand stood at his side, close enough for Satoshi to feel the heat of Sand's body.

The grave was a simple stone grave, with a carved marker bearing the kanji for the Mori family name. Faded wooden planks marked with the names of those buried within the grave stood behind the stone. The newest one bore the name of Satoshi's mother, but there were also newer ones with the names of his siblings, three barely faded planks. Near the grave, Sand could see an older man dressed in formal mourning clothing, with an astonishing resemblance to Satoshi, and Sand realized that this had to be Satoshi's father. Not far from him was Kenji, also in traditional clothing, and Yori stood beside him in a black suit and tie, and a white shirt as pristine as Sand's shirt. Kenji saw them, and bowed very sllightly in greeting, and Satoshi returned the gesture while Sand nodded slightly in acknowledgment. To Sand's utter delight, Yori waved very discreetly, with his left hand, and his eyes were clear and bright.

The Buddhist monk officiating chanted for a few minutes longer, and then the urn was placed into the grave and the stone cover slab closed over it. As the urn was lowered, the older man looked up and saw Satoshi, his eyes widening. Satoshi trembled beside Sand, who pitched his voice to reach only Satoshi as he murmured, "I am here, saiai. My love and my strength are yours."

A tear shivered on the tips of Satoshi's lashes as his father saw him, and Satoshi bowed quickly and straightened almost immediately. Satoshi's father bowed back, but Satoshi was already turning away to leave, and Sand watched as the older man broke down in tears, Kenji moving to support him. Then Sand turned and walked beside Satoshi, glancing sideways at his husband.

Satoshi sighed heavily, and then he seemed to straighten and stand a little taller, as if some terrible weight had been lifted from his shoulders. Satoshi took a deep breath, and when they got to the car, he unlocked it and looked over the roof of the car at Sand.

"It's over," Satoshi said quietly, but he looked better than he had in days. "The bitch is in the ground, and it's over."

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

"Oh, saiai, I will never be anywhere else other than by your side." Sand looked into Satoshi's sweet, sad eyes seeing the faint glimmer of hope there. "Let me love you, cormamin, as sweetly and as tenderly as you should be loved. Do you know how much I love you, with your great heart that cannot help but love others?"

Sand feathered a tender kiss on Satoshi's mouth, his strong arms supporting his slender husband easily, Satoshi's muscular legs wrapped around Sand's hips. Sand rocked his hips, shallow thrusts at first to make sure that Satoshi was ready for him, and then deep, languid thrusts, infinitely tender, Sand nibbling soft kisses that were returned with shy sweetness. Sand had his bond open wide, asking nothing of Satoshi while letting his vast love for Satoshi wash over his gentle husband.

"Do not ever be sorry for loving, saiai, even for loving those who were too foolish to return your love," Sand whispered, his own eyes bright with unshed tears. "You love so well, and ask so little for yourself. Will you take my love, and my strength? It is yours, until time itself ends, my sweet Satoshi."

Sand could feel the telltale trembling in Satoshi's thighs that signaled that Satoshi was close, and Sand deepened his thrusts, his cock gliding over Satoshi's prostate each time Sand buried himself fully in Satoshi's ass. Satoshi's cock was pressed between them, each of Sand's thrusts creating delicious friction, and Satoshi mewled softly as the heat in his belly built.

"Come for me, saiai," Sand urged. "Let go, and I will catch you."

Satoshi met Sand's eyes again, briefly, but the hope seemed a little stronger in their depths, and Satoshi howled softly as his balls drew up, his cum painting Sand's chest and belly as he sobbed his release. Sand groaned as Satoshi's ass clamped down on his cock like a vise, and his own balls emptied as he filled Satoshi's sweet ass with what felt like a never-ending stream of cum. Sand held Satoshi tightly as Satoshi shivered through the last of his orgasm, a small sob escaping him as Sand angled in to kiss him tenderly.

"I will never let you fall, saiai," Sand promised. "I love you, more with each day, and I will stand by you always as your husband and your lover and your friend."

Sand eased Satoshi off his softening cock, and helped Satoshi to stand, his strong arms supporting Satoshi until his legs had stopped trembling. Sand helped Satoshi finish washing off, and dried him tenderly, toweling his hair lovingly and supporting Satoshi as he brushed his teeth.

Sand led Satoshi into the bedroom, and began to rummage for something warm and comfortable for Satoshi to wear. Satoshi only had cotton pajamas clean, and Sand reached into his own dresser to fish out a pair of flannel pajama pants, soft and warm. Sand found a comfortably worn long sleeved t-shirt, and thick socks, and he helped Satoshi to dress, pleased that Satoshi only needed a small amount of help this time. Sand added a warm hoodie to Satoshi's outfit, still worried that the rain and chill of the night before might have settled in Satoshi's lungs.

"Let us go and see what Ryuu has planned for lunch for us," Sand said with a gentle smile. "I have no doubt that he has cajoled Sora into making her soba for you."

Sand put his arm around Satoshi as they went downstairs, and Sand could smell Sora's delicious soba as they approached the kitchen. Ryuu heard them and popped his head out of the kitchen with a bright smile, hurrying over to hug Satoshi and press a kiss to his cheek. The gate bell rang, and Sand looked over as Willow answered it, Hikaru nestled in her arms. When her face lit up, Sand released the breath he had not even realized he was holding.

Willow came over, kissing Satoshi with great love. "It's Matsu and Kohaku, and Matsu said they have a small surprise."

Sora came out of the kitchen. "We have plenty of food, and they're just in time for lunch." She turned her head to call, "Hawk? Please don't turn on the rice cooker yet. I want to make a little more."

Sand looked at Satoshi, his blue eyes filled with tender love. "Do you feel up to seeing them, saiai? Even for a little while?"

Satoshi nodded, his voice very soft. "Yes, I want to see them. They know about my family."

Sand heard the car pull up outside, and surprisingly, there was a sweet child's voice that carried in to them.

"Chichi, your friend really lives here? This is perfect! Look at all the places to explore!" the sweet little voice exclaimed, followed by Kohaku's laugh.

Willow opened the door, and Matsu bowed and came in, followed by Kohaku and two young girls. "Matsu-san, I'm so glad you came, and Kohaku-san, who are these gorgeous girls?" Willow said with a beautiful smile.

"Ah, Willow-chan, these are the reasons I have to slave my life away in the studio, making album after album," Kohaku giggled. The taller of the two girls tried to look exasperated, but wound up giggling as well, her laugh an exact replica of Kohaku's laugh. "This is Fuji-chan, who will tell you that she's seven, but don't believe her. She's really twenty-seven, by the way she bosses me around. And this is our princess, Kaede-chan, who is three."

"Three and a half, chichi," Fuji corrected, her eyes sparkling. "I am very pleased to meet you, Willow-sama." Fuji bowed and tugged her little sister into a bow as well.

Sand and Satoshi came over, and Matsu embraced Satoshi quickly. Kohaku's embrace was a little longer, and his eyes shone with sympathetic tears.

"Satoshi-san, we were so sorry to hear the news," Matsu said gently. "I know you didn't speak, but it's still bound to be difficult." He turned to Sand and bowed, as Sand returned the bow with a gentle smile. "Masato-san, I wish this was a more pleasant occasion."

Ryuu was watching Fuji with unabashed awe. Fuji was dressed in blue jeans that already had a tiny smudge at one knee, and her t-shirt and hoodie looked comfortable and relaxed. She had a baseball cap on, her hair pulled back into a ponytail. Kaede, by comparison, was wearing a dress and dainty shoes, her hair framing her face in a glossy black curtain, and she stayed close to Kohaku, shy and quiet.

Kohaku looked at Ryuu, and offered him a bow, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "You must be Ryuu-san. I've seen a lot of pictures of you. My favorite is the one of you playing baseball at school."

Ryuu bowed back with a little giggle. "Hello, Kohaku-sama," he said politely. "Yes, I play for my school's team."

Fuji lit up when she heard that. "What position do you play? I'm in the outfield."

Ryuu's eyes widened a little. "You play baseball?" Sand was quite sure he heard admiration in Ryuu's voice. "I'm a pitcher."

"Ryuu has a very good arm," Sand said with pride. He would never admit that baseball utterly befuddled him, at least not in his son's hearing. "Perhaps after lunch you can throw the ball a bit together. In the meantime, sochi-chan, would you like to show Fuji the garden by the house while we finish getting lunch ready?"

"Yes, tousan," Ryuu agreed happily.

Fuji turned to look at Kohaku pleadingly.

"Go on, but don't wander too far away. Otherwise, I'll have to eat all your lunch myself." Kohaku smiled as Ryuu led Fuji out into the garden, the two of them already engrossed in a conversation about baseball.

Satoshi was talking with Matsu, their voices low, but Sand could sense that the conversation was easing Satoshi's mind a bit.

"I don't want you to even think about coming in until after the funeral," Matsu said, looking at Satoshi with great friendship and concern.

"I'm not going to the funeral," Satoshi replied. "I spent enough time going to her, just to get pushed away. Besides, we need to work on the album. The label is in a hurry for us to finish."

"Satoshi-san, trust me, the label will wait." Kohaku looked at Satoshi with a wicked glint in his eyes. "They know I'll only work with you, and I told them I won't work with you when you're not at your best. If they want their album, they need to wait until I say we're ready."

Sand could feel Satoshi's relief and gratitude, and his own smile grew. Satoshi never seemed to understand that people loved him well enough to do such things for him, but so many people did love his sweet husband that much, and Sand understood it thoroughly. For his part, although he was very quiet, Satoshi seemed calmer and a bit stronger for the company.

Sora called them in to lunch then, and Sand called Ryuu and Fuji back in. Kohaku exclaimed over Hikaru, and held the little half-elf while Willow prepared his lunch, and he then amused Hikaru thoroughly while he was eating. Satoshi even smiled a bit, the phone staying blessedly quiet.

Willow excused herself for a short time, taking Hikaru in his stroller down to pick up Aika and when she returned, Aika looked at Kaede with interest. Kaede seemed equally intrigued with Aika's school uniform, although Willow swept Aika upstairs to change. When Aika came down in one of her pretty little dresses, Kaede broke into a dimpled smile.

"I see we're graced with the presence of more royalty," Kohaku teased.

Sand chuckled. "Aika is most assuredly our princess, and we all seem to be her loyal subjects."

Aika giggled a little, and held out her hand to Kaede. "Do you want to see my dollhouse?"

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Sand kept his bond wide open as he slipped into a shallow reverie, Ryuu's small body warm between Satoshi and himself. He remained completely aware of Satoshi, whose shields remained down as he slept deeply, exhausted from the emotional storm. Sand could feel the deep grief emanating from Satoshi even as he took reverie, and Satoshi's pain colored his own memories. It was actually a relief when Ryuu woke and wriggled, bringing Sand out of reverie, and he nuzzled his sweet son with a smile.

"Good morning, my dragon. Did you and buronzudoragon sleep well?" Sand looked into Ryuu's gorgeous eyes, so like Satoshi's eyes, his voice soft so as not to disturb Satoshi.

Ryuu nodded and wriggled tighter into his spot between his fathers. "We were very warm and snuggled. Dragons like to be warm." He looked at Sand very seriously. "I think I should be home today. Chichi might need a dragon, and buronzudoragon doesn't always listen to him."

Sand's face was equally serious as he nodded. "I think it is a good idea for you to be home today. I think chichi will certainly need a great many hugs and your hugs are especially healing."

Ryuu thought for a moment, and then he pulled Sand into a hug. "You need a hug, tousan. It's okay. We can make chichi feel better together."

Sand's throat tightened a little as Ryuu hugged him, his love for his son and his huge heart taking his breath away. "Yes, I think together we can do that."

The door to the room slid open, and Vale glided in with a tray holding a pot of tea, two clean mugs, and a glass of freshly squeezed juice. He put the tray down and leaned over to kiss Sand and Ryuu, handing Ryuu the juice as the small boy sat up.

"Hikaru won't be up for a bit yet. If you two want to grab a shower, I can sit with Satoshi so he won't be alone if he wakes up." Vale brushed a strand of silky hair back from Sand's face, his smile sweet and loving.

"What do you think, my dragon?" Sand asked.

Ryuu looked thoughtfully at Satoshi. "We should be fast." He eyed Sand. "So no scrubbing three times behind my ears, tousan." He handed Vale his now empty glass with a sweet thank you and slid off of the bed, scampering to the ensuite bathroom with Sand right behind him.

Sand and Ryuu washed quickly and thoroughly, and Sand confined himself to only one scrubbing behind Ryuu's ears. When they emerged, clean and wrapped in towels, Satoshi was still asleep, with Vale curled up on the bed next to him so that Satoshi would feel the contact of a warm body.

"Thank you, anoramin," Sand said, kissing Vale as the blond elf stood.

Vale returned the kiss with gentle heat. "I'll feed Hikaru and then make breakfast. If you're not downstairs, I'll bring up a tray. Ryuu, you want to help me with otouto?"

Ryuu nodded, slipping his hand into Vale's hand. "I need to get clotheses, too."

Satoshi woke not long after Vale and Ryuu left to see to Hikaru and breakfast, his eyes red and swollen. Sand was lying next to him, and brushed a bit of amethyst hair off his forehead gently.

"Masato?" Satoshi's voice was ragged, and his eyes welled with fresh tears.

"I am here, saiai," Sand replied, his voice gentle.

"I'm sorry," Satoshi said, and the tears began to fall.

Sand gathered Satoshi in his arms, pressing a kiss to his forehead. "No, saiai, you have nothing to apologize for. I am so very sorry that I was not beside you last night when you got the news. But I am here now, and I am not leaving." He let Satoshi weep for a bit, rubbing his back and letting his love pour out through their bond. He could feel all the terrible conflicting emotions that wracked Satoshi, grief and guilt and anger and pain so tangled up that even Satoshi could not tell where one ended and the next began.

After a couple of minutes, Satoshi's sobs slowed and he lifted his head from Sand's shoulder. Sand reached for a soft linen handkerchief and gently wiped away the tears.

"Will you drink some tea?" Sand asked, helping Satoshi to sit up. Sand listened anxiously for any signs of Satoshi's lungs being compromised, but it was hard to tell with the last few hiccuping sobs. Sand poured the tea and handed it to Satoshi, his slim scarred fingers helping to guide the mug. "Ryuu went to see about breakfast with Vale. I think he wanted to make sure that Vale would prepare your favorites. Do you think you can come downstairs and eat a little bit?"

Satoshi nodded, his emotions muted as they filtered through their bond, and Sand kissed his forehead again and went to get Satoshi's warm robe. He carefully slipped it onto Satoshi, who allowed Sand to dress him like he was Hikaru. Hiding a worried heart behind a gentle smile, Sand wrapped his arm around Satoshi's waist as they headed downstairs.

Vale looked up as Sand and Satoshi walked into the dining room, Hikaru nestled on his hip. Ryuu looked up as well, and hurried over to his father, his arms open and Sand was relieved when Satoshi bent a little to scoop Ryuu up and hold him tightly. Ryuu gave Sand a quick nod over Satoshi's shoulder, and Sand smiled back, letting his love for Ryuu shine forth. It was the closest to normal that Satoshi had been since the phone call the night before, and Sand caught Vale's eye. Vale nodded and began to bring over all of the dishes he and Ryuu had made to tempt Satoshi to eat. Ryuu wriggled to get down, and tugged Satoshi to a seat.

"You should try this, chichi. Keifu made it just right." Ryuu offered Satoshi some sweet omelette, and then some grilled fish as Vale set a bowl of rice and then a bowl of miso soup down in front of Satoshi.

"Eat what you can, mela en' coiamin," Vale murmured, pressing a kiss to Satoshi's cheek. Hikaru cooed from Vale's hip, and Satoshi gave a faint smile for the half-elf. Ryuu climbed up to nestle in Satoshi's lap while he ate, and Sand took some rice and fish for himself, and held his arms out for Hikaru so Vale could eat.

Satoshi managed to eat a little bit with Ryuu's encouragement, but he seemed so distant and so sad that Sand's heart ached. Yuji and Willow came down with Aika, both of them kissing Satoshi tenderly before sitting down to eat as Vale jumped up to get tea for them.

"I talked to Matsu last night," Yuji said quietly as Vale handed him his tea. "He said not to worry about anything. He's going to stop by later, he said."

Satoshi nodded, burying his face in Ryuu's hair for a moment. There was a brief yelp, and then Erion dashed into the kitchen, his silver eyes huge. He threw his arms around Satoshi and hugged him tightly for a moment, nuzzling a little and biting back a small sob of his own. Then he hurried into the kitchen to make up the bentos for him and for Kansas, most of which Vale had already done.

Kansas was right behind Erion, and his eyes were pale and silvery as he threw him arms around Satoshi with a whimper. "I'm sorry, Satoshi," Kansas whispered, kissing Satoshi almost frantically. "I have to go for a bit but I'll be home right after classes, okay? We love you." Then he and Erion raced off to make their train.

Vale looked over at Yuji. "You don't have any lessons or classes this morning, a'maelamin. I'll go in now and open up, and you come later."

"Are you sure?" Yuji asked, looking at Vale.

"I think we can manage for the morning," Vale said with a gentle smile, and kissed Yuji tenderly. "I'll go and get ready. I can take Aika on my way."

Yuji grabbed Vale and kissed him back. "Thank you, love," he murmured. Vale stroked Yuji's cheek and then ran lightly up the stairs to shower and dress while Willow packed the bento Vale had made for Aika in her backpack.

Vale was back down in short order, fixing his tie as he came into the dining room. He bent over Satoshi and kissed him very sweetly. "I love you," Vale murmured. "Forever." He took Aika's hand, and they headed off to their respective schools.

A few minutes later, the phone rang, and Sand felt all his muscles tense as Yuji went to answer it.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

The front door had barely closed when Sand leaped off the couch to take off for the door. Vale made an abortive grab at Sand, and the moon elf turned around, his blue eyes blazing.

"Don't!" Sand snapped, slapping Vale's hand away. Before Vale could even react, Sand was out the door, barefoot and frantic, tearing after Satoshi like an elf possessed.

Bewildered, Vale turned to look at Yuji. "What in the Nine Hells was that about?"

Sand tore down the path leading to the gate, the heavy rain soaking him to the skin almost immediately, his thick hair sopping wet. Sand could not feel Satoshi, only a chilling emptiness where his bond should have been. A small portion of his mind that was still rational reminded him that he would have felt Satoshi's death, and therefore Satoshi must have raised his shields, but Sand's heart was pounding as he raced along, heedless of what was beneath his feet. The heavy rain made it nearly impossible to discern sounds properly, and Sand cursed bitterly under his breath as he ran, swift and reckless, out through the gate and onto the street.

Up ahead, Sand knew, was an intersection that was busy enough to present a danger if Satoshi was running blindly away, as Sand feared he was doing. Utterly terrified, the elf pushed himself past all reason and managed to speed up, half blind himself from the water streaming down his face. Sand had no breath to spare to call out, not that Satoshi would even have heard him, or would have responded if he did. There was nothing for it but to catch him, and Sand knew how fast Satoshi's muscular legs could propel him.

Up ahead, the intersection loomed, and Sand could make out a wavering figure through the streaming rain. Sand's lungs were burning from the effort to suck in enough oxygen, and his heart was pounding so hard that it hurt, but Sand shoved those distractions aside with brutal indifference and pushed even harder, drawing on reserves he barely knew he had. Not quite fifteen meters from the intersection, Sand intercepted Satoshi, dragging him sideways toward the pedestrian walkway.

Satoshi lashed out, doing his best to push Sand away, screaming incoherently as he fought to pry the elf off of him. Sand spat, struggling to draw enough breath to speak, but not about to let Satoshi run off again. Sand managed to spin behind Satoshi, Satoshi's right wrist firmly in Sand's left hand as Sand's right hand shot our to capture Satoshi's left wrist. Satoshi screamed again, struggling against Sand's tight hold, but the elf was implacable and hung on grimly, refusing to let go until Satoshi stiffened, and then collapsed, sagging forward against Sand's arms.

Sand sank to the pavement, Satoshi in his arms, and he wrapped himself around Satoshi as if to shelter him from the rain. "Saiai?" Sand rasped. "I am here, cormamin. Let me in." Sand did his best to cradle Satoshi, the painful sobs now racking his husband's body tearing at Sand's heart. "Satoshi, saiai, please do not do this to yourself. Do not lock me out and try to bear this alone. You are not alone, not anymore, not ever again."

Sand felt Satoshi shudder in his arms, and he held his husband as close as he could. It was several long minutes that they huddled together on the wet pavement. "I am here, cormamin. I will always be here for you. Let me be your strength," Sand pleaded.

"Poldoramin?" The one word, choked out between wracking sobs, restored Sand's heart.

"Yes, saiai, I am here. Come home with me, out of this rain. We will have a hot shower, and I will tuck you up in your thick robe, and we will have some tea." Sand stood, his muscles trembling with fatigue and cold, and held out his hands to Satoshi, helping his beloved husband to stand. Sand wrapped an arm around Satoshi's waist and guided him home, down the rain slick streets to the gate, and down the path to the house.

Sand went around the back with Satoshi, opening the back door to be greeted by Vale, his green eyes pale with worry, Yuji and Willow right behind him.

"He is ice cold and soaked through," Sand said as Vale helped to guide Satoshi in. "We need a hot shower. This will go right to his lungs again, I fear."

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Erion whispered into Kageoshi's ear. "Of course I was serious, and that sounds perfect." Aloud, Erion said, "Is that the last of the dishes, toror'?"

"Yes, it is," Kageoshi said, his cheeks a little pink. He showed Erion where to put the dishes, and they finished tidying the kitchen area quickly. Kageoshi tugged Erion by the hand and led him into Momo's tidy bedroom, closing the door behind them and sitting on the edge of the bed, his cheeks quite pink.

Erion looked at Kageoshi and felt an overwhelming rush of love for his sweet friend. Kageoshi was truly an innocent, despite what he had endured at Taka's hands, and Erion found himself hoping that Kageoshi would find the courage to let Momo know how he felt. Erion was a little embarrassed that he had talked about Momo earlier, but that could not be helped, and Kageoshi had not seemed offended by Erion so blithely discussing the person he loved.

"Hey, toror', we're not in a lecture. You don't have to sit there like you're going to take notes." Erion grinned and sat next to Kageoshi, pulling his legs up to sit cross-legged on the bed. Kageoshi turned around to face Erion, giggling behind his hand.

"I think I'm a little nervous, Yuki-chan." Kageoshi's eyes were bright, though, and Erion took heart.

Erion reached out and took Kageoshi's hand and lifted it to his mouth, guiding Kageoshi's fingers over his lips. Kageoshi looked at Erion, wide-eyed, but he did not pull away, and his fingers traced Erion's lips of their own accord.

"Soft," Kageoshi said, a little breathless.

"Can I touch your lips?" Erion asked. Kageoshi nodded, and Erion gently traced Kageoshi's lips with one slim finger, teasing the plump lower lip a little. "You have beautiful lips. They feel like velvet."

Kageoshi looked at Erion, still wide-eyed. The gentle touch of Erion's finger on his lips was nice, more than nice. It gave Kageoshi a sweet little shiver and Erion smiled at him tenderly.

"Touching is nice, and it's a good way to warm up to kissing," Erion said. "It feels good when you touch my lips, too. And kissing doesn't have to be this whole big frantic mashing together, either. Sometimes you can just press your lips together, and let your lips touch, and that's enough. Kind of like earlier," Erion said.

"Oh!" Kageoshi squeaked, surprised. "That was good?"

"It was," Erion said. "It was sweet and tender, and very perfect. If I was your boyfriend, it would have been such a good kiss."

"Can I try it again?" Kageoshi asked, and Erion smiled and nodded. Kageoshi leaned forward, his knees bumping into Erion's knees, and he pressed his tender lips against Erion's lips, a little more firmly than in the arcade. When he sat back, his eyes were brighter. "That was nice. Really nice. Okay, your turn, Yuki-chan. You kiss me."

Erion leaned forward and pressed his lips against Kageoshi's lips, and very lightly closed his lips around Kageoshi's lower lip, just a brief nibble of the lips, but Kageoshi sighed a little, and his eyes fluttered closed.

"Oohh, the thing you did with my lower lip," Kageoshi said, when Erion had sat back again. "That was nice, too." His cheeks got a little pink. "In the stories, sometimes when people kiss, they use their tongues. Isn't that true?"

Erion nodded. "Yes, it is, and that's very nice, too." He reached out to tuck a bit of hair behind Kageoshi's ear. "You can run your hands through someone's hair when you kiss, too. That feels incredible, and so does stroking their cheek."

"Like this?" Kageoshi leaned in and cupped Erion's cheek in one delicate hand, and pressed his sweet lips against Erion's lips. Erion sighed a little and let his lips part just a little bit, and Kageoshi felt bold enough to let the tip of his tongue slip out and touch Erion's lip. Erion gave an encouraging little moan, and Kageoshi got a little bolder, running his tongue lightly across Erion's lower lip. Then Kageoshi broke the kiss and sat back, giggling and blushing.

"That was nice!" Kageoshi exclaimed, and Erion gave him a radiant smile.

"It was, and you're very good at kissing," Erion said. "Really, I mean it. It's mostly about showing someone that you really care, and letting yourself open up to them a little. When Tatsuya and I first were together, we used to just kiss. We could cuddle and kiss for ages, and it was wonderful."

"But what do I do if he wants to put his tongue in my mouth?" Kageoshi asked, feeling suddenly very bold. "What do I do?"

Erion grinned. "He's not going to just shove his tongue in your mouth, toror'. He'll go slow."

"Show me?" Kageoshi asked.

"Okay, but anytime you want to, you just pull away, okay?" Erion said. "If it feels a little too intense or anything. You're in charge, and you can stop anytime." Erion waited until Kageoshi nodded, his beautiful eyes wide. The Erion leaned in and captured Kageoshi's lips tenderly, his tongue gently teasing Kageoshi's lower lip. Erion pressed soft kisses to Kageoshi's lips until Kageoshi sighed a little and let his lips part, getting caught up in the kisses. Erion nibbled softly at Kageoshi's lower lip, careful not to push too fast, slowly letting Kageoshi get used to the feel of Erion's tongue until Erion felt ready to tease Kageoshi's lips further apart, deepening the kiss as Kageoshi opened up to Erion. Kageoshi sighed a little, and then pulled back, looking at Erion with a slightly dazed expression.

"Um, wow?" Kageoshi said, giggling a little. The trust in his eyes made Erion feel slightly overwhelmed for a moment. "If he kisses me like that, I might forget my own name."

"Do you want to try it?" Erion offered, and Kageoshi blushed a little as he nodded. Kageoshi pulled Erion closer, and kissed Erion sweetly, and Erion could not help but sigh as he let his lips part. Kageoshi was a little hesitant at fist, but he gained confidence as Erion melted a little into the kiss, and Kageoshi deepened it, his tongue exploring Erion's mouth shyly as his hand reached up to touch Erion's cheek. Erion let Kageoshi kiss him until Kageoshi sighed and broke the kiss, sitting back with a sweet smile.

"That was..." Kageoshi started to giggle. "Why don't you and Tatsuya do that all the time?"

Erion started to giggle as well. "We do, at home. Well, not all the time, but yeah. We kiss, a lot."

"I can see why," Kageoshi teased. "Thank you, Yuki-chan!" He flung his arms around Erion, giving him a sweet hug, and Erion hugged Kageoshi back, delighted to see the sparkle in his best friend's eyes. "But you know what? Now I'm going to think about him kissing me, and I'll have another dream."

The two friends looked at each other and burst out laughing until the tears ran down their faces, and they had to hold each other up as they went back outside to get another beer and rejoin their friends.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

"Oh, toror'amin, oh, my poor sweet angel, don't cry," Erion said, flinging his arms around Kageoshi and cradling him close. "Don't say that. Momo isn't the kind who would ever blame you for something that wasn't your fault." Erion pressed a kiss to the top of Kageoshi's head, his heart breaking for his gentle friend. "Tell me what happened, toror'. I won't tell anyone if you don't want me to, but sometimes it helps to talk and let the poison out."

"I can't," Kageoshi whispered. "I can't talk about it." He clung to Erion, his face buried in Erion's shoulder.

"Try for me," Erion coaxed gently. "You'll always be my best friend and my brother. Nothing will ever change that."

Kageoshi shivered as Erion stroked his back tenderly, and his voice was so soft that even Erion had to strain a little to hear it. "Taka touched me. I didn't want him to, but he did, and it hurt so bad." Kageoshi sobbed quietly for a moment, and Erion continued to cradle him close. "I feel so dirty, Yuki-chan, and Momo could never want anyone like me."

"Oh, Kageoshi, please don't think that," Erion whispered, his own eyes welling. "Momo knows Taka's a bastard. He won't blame you at all."

"But I let him," Kageoshi whispered back, his voice breaking. He started to talk, as if he just needed to get it all out, his voice barely audible. "Taka had a party, around christmas-time. His parents were gone, and he was alone, and he invited us. I went there with Momo, and it was fun at first, but I don't know what happened. I didn't think I had that much to drink, but I was really dizzy and feeling out of it all the sudden. Momo just sort of laughed at me, and I wasn't too worried because he didn't sound mad or anything."

Kageoshi stopped for a moment, a sob escaping him, and Erion felt his heart sinking to the pit of his stomach. Erion had seen what Taka had tried with Kansas, and he had an awful feeling that he knew what Taka had done. Erion just continued to hold Kageoshi close and stroke his back lovingly, his cheek resting against the top of Kageoshi's soft hair.

Kageoshi gulped hard and continued in that same broken little voice. "Taka told Momo to put me in his bed, and let me sleep for a bit, so Momo carried me into the bedroom and laid me down. Momo was supposed to meet someone later, a lover, probably, but I figured he'd come and get me before he left, so I just closed my eyes and fell asleep." Kageoshi pressed harder against Erion's shoulder, like the words hurt him. "I woke up when Taka was taking my clothes off. It was dark, and I was still drunk, and I didn't know where I was at first, or why Taka was pulling my clothes off. Then he started to touch me, and I was so scared, but I couldn't do anything. I couldn't even move, Yuki-chan. It was like I was frozen. I wanted to scream, but when I opened my mouth, I couldn't make a sound, and besides, who would have heard me? And then he hurt me. He just kept doing things and saying things, and I couldn't do anything to stop him."

Kageoshi began to sob again, his tears scalding hot against Erion's shoulder. "So, you see, Momo would never want me now. I'm all used up and dirty. I'm not good enough for Momo."

"Oh, toror'," Erion crooned softly, pressing another gentle kiss to the top of Kageoshi's head. "Momo loves you, don't you know that? I've seen how he looks at you, and I know he'd never think you were used up or dirty. What Taka did... you didn't want it, and you didn't ask for it, and it isn't your fault. None of it." Erion lifted Kageoshi's tearstained little face and tenderly wiped away some of the tears with the sleeve of his hoodie. "You're such an angel, do you know that? How can Momo help but love you?" Erion smiled at his beloved friend, none of the rage he felt toward Taka showing in his eyes or his voice. All Kageoshi could see was Erion's friendship and love, and he hiccuped a little as Erion stroked away the mess from his face. "You're my brother and my best friend, Kageoshi, always. Forever."

"Don't say anything to anyone," Kageoshi pleaded. "I don't want them to look at me like... like I'm dirty."

"I won't tell. I promised, toror', and I'll never break that promise," Erion said firmly. "But they'd never look at you like that, you know, and you're not silly. You've been the best friend in the world to me." Erion smiled a little. "Can I tell you something? I didn't know how to kiss when I met Tatsuya. I'd never kissed anyone like that before in my life."

"Really?" Kageoshi sniffled a little, but his sobs had stopped. "But you're so beautiful," he blurted out. "Didn't lots of people want to kiss you?"

"I don't think so," Erion giggled. "If they did, they kept awfully quiet about it. But my first kiss was with Tatsuya, and I was all startled, and I sort of jumped back. Then he got upset and ran off, and I chased after him, and I just... well, I don't know who did it first, but we kissed, really kissed, and it was wonderful."

Erion was momentarily lost in the memory of that first kiss, his silver eyes dreamy and a little bit unfocused, and he was therefore quite surprised when Kageoshi suddenly pressed his plump little lips against Erion's lips in a sweet little kiss. Kageoshi immediately blushed furiously, but Erion just reached out and stroked Kageoshi's hair with a beautiful smile.

"I could teach you how to kiss," Erion whispered. "Oh, not here!" Erion immediately reassured Kageoshi, blushing a little himself. "But sometime, when we're alone and in private, if you want me to, that is."

Kageoshi just ducked his head shyly, his cheeks flaming, but he whispered back, "I'd like that." Than he looked at his watch and yelped a little. "Come with me to the restroom. I have to wash my face, and then we have to meet up with the guys. We can call them and tell them where we are."

[RE: disclaimer issues]

Sorry, but we also need to have you remove the review board chatting... until then, I need to rehide the story.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Erion gave a breathless giggle as he and Kageoshi made good their escape to the arcade. "You have no idea how glad I am to miss that movie, toror'."

"Really?" Kageoshi looked at Erion, his gorgeous eyes widening. "You weren't just saying that, Yuki-chan?"

"I hate horror movies," Erion confessed. "I'd be up half the night, listening for noises outside the windows. I don't mind the action movies so much, but horror movies creep me out for days." He looked around the arcade, his silver eyes bright. "So, what should we do first?"

"Oh! Look, Yuki-chan, a crane machine!" Kageoshi clapped with excitement. "I love these. Did you ever try one?"

Erion giggled. "No, never. You go first and show me how."

The boys fished in their pockets, pulling out coins, and Kageoshi fed some into the machine, moving the crane with deft assurance, the tip of his pink tongue peeking out from between his lips as he concentrated. Erion watched as Kageoshi managed to snare a small plush animal, and he crowed as the animal, a small pink puppy, was dropped into the delivery chute. Kageoshi blushed a little and giggled before spinning around and looking at the people passing. He spotted a small girl walking past with her mother, and Kageoshi bowed very politely and handed the plush puppy to the little girl.

"Oh, how kind!" the mother exclaimed, beaming as the little girl hugged the puppy happily. "Such nice young men! Thank you!"

Kageoshi looked at Erion when the woman and child had gone, and hid a small giggle behind his hand. "I only keep the green teddy bears."

Erion decided that he had to try, and promptly found out that it was not as easy as it looked to snare an animal. After several attempts, Erion managed to bump something into the delivery chute entirely by accident, and he fished out his prize, laughing as hard as Kageoshi. This time the prize was a red bear, and Erion gave it to a little boy in a stroller who was fussing a tiny bit. The little boy stopped fussing immediately, and the grateful mother thanked the young elf as she hurried off on her way home.

Kageoshi spotted an air hockey machine, and grabbed Erion's arm. "We have to play that."

Erion grinned, looking at the machine. This looked a little easier and Erion took his position at the end of the table while Kageoshi fed in the correct coins. Air puffed up through the small holes in the table, and Erion looked amazed as Kageoshi tossed him the flat disc that served as the puck.

"You get to shoot first, and make it good," Kageoshi teased. "I can even beat Momo at this game."

Erion laughed his beautiful laugh. "I don't know, I might be better at this than you think." Erion floated the puck and slapped it at Kageoshi, startled when it hurtled right back at him. He gave a little yelp as the disc flew into the slot and Kageoshi crowed in triumph.

"First goal for me!" Kageoshi waited as Erion fished out the puck, his silver eyes narrowing in concentration.

After several games, they declared a draw. Erion had caught on, and the fast paced game was suited to his quick reflexes. Kageoshi was tough, though, and Erion had to work for each game that he managed to win. By the time they finished the last game, they were breathless with laughter.

"Ice cream," Kageoshi said, linking arms with Erion. "We need ice cream."

"Absolutely," Erion agreed, and they wandered through the arcade until they found a small ice cream stall in the food court.

Kageoshi looked at Erion with a mischievous glint in his gorgeous eyes. "Have you ever tried wasabi ice cream?"

Erion blinked in astonishment. "Wasabi? Really? We always get green tea or red bean ice cream at home when we order take-out dinners. They make wasabi ice cream?"

"They do, and it's the best," Kageoshi grinned, ordering two cones from the vendor.

They found a bench and sat down, Kageoshi taking a bite from his cone with an expression of pure bliss. Erion watched him, and took a small experimental lick, his own face lighting up.

"It's spicy!" Erion giggled. "Spicy ice cream!" He took a bite himself, letting the flavor explode on his tongue, and enjoying the tingling bite.

Kageoshi looked utterly delighted at Erion's reaction. "You're the first one to like it as much as I do. You should see the faces the guys make when I order this."

Erion laughed and took another big lick from his cone. They nibbled for a few minutes, and then Kageoshi looked at Erion shyly.

"Can I ask you something, Yuki-chan?" Kageoshi began, his voice tentative.

"You can ask me anything," Erion replied, nibbling the edge of his cone.

"Was Tatsuya the first person that you ever loved?" Kageoshi's cheeks were pink, and he looked down at his cone.

Erion smiled, his face lighting up. "Actually, yes, he was. Did I ever tell you about the first time we met?"

"Is it romantic?" Kageoshi asked, looking up through his long lashes.

"Very," Erion confirmed. "It was when Yuji-san was so sick, and they brought him to our country to be cured. There was an experimental treatment that they thought might work. Anyway, you know Masato-san is my uncle, right? My mother is his sister. The family was staying at my grandmother's house, and we went over to see them, and there was Tatsuya." Erion paused, smiling so brightly as he remembered.

"And?" Kageoshi prompted, caught up.

"Well, he was wearing his favorite shorts, and this tight little t-shirt and a hoodie, and platform boots. His hair was like it always is, black with those gorgeous blue streaks in it, and he was looking down. Then he looked up, and his eyes were this perfect stormy grey, and he looked right at me, and I felt my heart just jump right up into my throat. I couldn't even talk for a minute." Erion sighed a little. "And then, he smiled. It was like being hit by lightning. I just knew, right there and then, that I wanted to fall into those eyes, and kiss those plump lips and spend the rest of my life with him."

Kageoshi sighed, his face radiant. "That is so romantic. Love at first sight, and he felt the same way?"

Erion laughed. "Oh, yes. We just knew we belonged together. Masato-san says Tatsuya's the only one who can put up with me."

"You're not hard to get along with," Kageoshi protested.

"You didn't hear me whine when I got the outline for my tattoo," Erion giggled. "I was such a brat, and Tatsuya was so sweet anyway." He looked at Kageoshi. "How about you?"

Kageoshi turned bright pink. "How about me what?" He finished his cone quickly, and then looked at Erion. "Okay, there is someone, and I think I do love him. Well, I like him so much, and maybe more than like. I don't know."

Erion used his napkin to brush a crumb of cone away from Kageoshi's mouth. "So, when are you going to tell Momo how you feel about him?"

Kageoshi squeaked in astonishment. "I didn't say it was Momo! Why did you think it was Momo?" His cheeks were flaming red.

"It's okay, toror', I'm not going to say anything to anyone. It's between us, but you're different around him. Maybe because I'm so in love with Tatsuya, I can see it in you." Erion gave Kageoshi a quick hug. "It's our secret, I swear it."

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Erion laughed, his beautiful laugh ringing out as he turned back to his bento. "You hear something? I could have sworn it was just the wind." He sent a powerful wave of love and reassurance out to Kansas. Kansas was watching Kageoshi, and Erion looked at his young friend with a sinking heart.

Kageoshi was visibly trembling despite Eric's reassuring arm around his shoulders, and his beautiful face was deathly pale. He was gnawing on his lip and his eyes brimmed with unshed tears as he choked back a sob. Ryo slid back into his seat on the other side of Kageoshi, nearly as shaken as the younger boy.

Eric cleared his throat a little. "Well, it looks like you two didn't come out for the worse in that little encounter yesterday."

Erion snorted a little. "It's just too bad I forgot what my father taught me, or I'd look better and he'd look worse." He ran his good hand carelessly through his silver hair. "He'd be so pissed at me for forgetting, and letting anger get the better of me. Fighting mad is fighting stupid, he says."

"Ryo filled me in a little on what happened," Eric said softly.

"Let's not waste our breath talking about garbage," Erion said. "I have to get the notes from yesterday afternoon. Ugh, I don't want to fall behind already."

"You're not going to fall behind, Yuki-chan," Kageoshi said, his voice still shaky. Still, he took a deep breath and made an effort to look cheerful. "And you're only here to eat my bento, Eric." He gave the older boy a playful push.

"You're on to me, Rira," Eric grinned. "I guess I'm stuck with my own poor lunch."

"Oh, right," Ryo laughed. "At least yours isn't microwaved like mine."

"You know what we should do?" Kansas spoke up suddenly, his eyes still a little pale but his face calmer. "We should go catch a movie after school."

"That's a great idea!" Erion enthused. "We haven't been to a movie in ages. We could all go. Toror', call your mother and tell her you'll be late."

Kageoshi looked doubtful, but Eric grinned. "I think that sounds perfect. I'll drive you home, Kageoshi, so don't worry about it." Eric shot Erion a quick look of reassurance. It seemed no one had missed the way Taka had looked at Kageoshi.

"We should call Momo, and see if he wants to meet us," Kansas added.

"So, we all meet here after class, right?" Erion stood up. "And Kageoshi and I have to hurry to make our next lecture." He leaned over and kissed Kansas quickly. "Come on, toror', you can call your mother on the way."

Kageoshi tucked his arm through Erion's arm, and they hurried off to their class, Erion chattering about all the notes he needed to copy from Kageoshi, his beautiful bright laugh ringing out.

[Week 32: 5-15-11]

Pen Name: BronxWench

Story link: Ashes to Ashes

Review Replies: Review Replies

Type of fic: Flashfic

Rating: Adult+

Fandom: Games > Dragon Age: Origins

Warnings: Anal, AFFO, ChallengeFic, HJ, M/M

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Erion clung to Kansas, stroking his beautiful black and blue hair with his right hand, not caring about anything beyond holding his beloved in his arms. The horrible pain in his head was easing, and Erion did not feel cold any longer. Instead, he felt gloriously warm and loved, and whole once again, and he realized with a sinking feeling what that migraine had been.

"You have to promise me something, 'lokiamin. No more running away from me like that." Erion pressed a kiss to the top of Kansas's head, not caring about the sting from his split lips. "I love you so much, and we are going to be together forever, okay? Nothing will ever part us, not again, not ever again. I know you didn;t mean any of those things you said, and I know you love me as much as I love you." Erion looked up at Sand. "We need a couple of healing potions, I think."

"Oh, no," Satoshi said, stepping forward. "People saw you like this? At the university?"

"Yes, the gang did, and when we signed out at the office," Erion replied, looking puzzled.

Satoshi sighed. "We don't have healing magic here," he reminded Erion. "You're going to need to go to the hospital, both of you, to be checked and patched up."

"I'm pretty sure your cheekbone is fractured, aier, and your hand as well. How hard did you hit him?" Hawk asked.

Erion blushed a little. "I think I broke his nose," he admitted. "I know I yanked out a good chunk of hair, too."

Hawk grinned wolfishly. "Good job, but next time, forget the hair and incapacitate him faster."

"Hey!" Kansas protested. "There's not going to be a next time." He nuzzled harder into Erion's neck, and Erion snuggled back, his arms wrapped around Kansas protectively as he pressed more kisses on Kansas's soft hair.

"I'll get the car. Will you come with us, poldoramin?" Satoshi asked, looking at Sand. "Officially, you're Erion's guardian, so it might be best if there's anything that needs your consent."

"I will come, of course," Sand replied. "If you two youngsters would be so good at to untangle yourselves? You can cuddle in the car on the way to and from the hospital to your heart's content, but we should get you seen to sooner rather than later." Sand's voice was warm and loving, despite his sharp words. He stopped in the kitchen and packed a cooler bag with cold bottles of sweet tea.

"I want a cigarette," Erion said. "Come on, 'lokiamin, we can have a fast one before we have to get in the car."

Sand raised an eyebrow, but decided not to point out how hard smoking was going to be with split lips. Erion would find out on his own, and he was being quite cooperative about forgoing healing potions. Sand saw no need to make things more difficult.

"I left my boots upstairs," Kansas said. He started to uncurl himself from Erion, the elf stroking his hair as they got to their feet.

"Wear my platforms," Erion said. "I want my boots from Evereska anyway. I can't run so well in platforms." He grabbed Kansas's hand and tugged him to the foyer so they could tug on their boots. "I'm a mess, aren't I?"

Kansas looked at him, not quite sure how to answer that, and Erion giggled, and then winced.

"Okay, that hurt a little," Erion admitted, touching his cheekbone lightly. "I can't believe he got such a good shot in. Atar is going to be disappointed in me. He shouldn't have been able to touch me." Erion tried to frown, and gave that up as too painful as well. He grabbed Kansas again, holding tightly onto Kansas's hand and hurrying outside to light a cigarette.

"Wait for it," Sand muttered, and Hawk grinned as Erion yelped. "Always interesting, this family. Amazing, really, how well we fit in, is it not?"

Hawk laughed and gave Sand a quick hug. "As if we were blood, toror'ai. Go take care of the little miscreants. I'll fill Yuji in and we'll order out for food. Call when you're leaving the hospital."

The car ride was fairly quiet, Kansas and Erion much more interested in cuddling quietly, and Sand send a gentle feed of love and reassurance to Satoshi. At the hospital, both Kansas and Erion simply said that they had gotten into a fight with another student, and since Sand and Satoshi did not seem interested in pressing charges against anyone, the youngsters were cleaned up and assessed. Kansas needed a couple of stitches for the cut above his eye, where Taka's ring had sliced him, and Erion's cheek needed stitching as well. The fracture to his cheekbone was minor enough not to require surgery, and Erion was told to apply and ice pack to reduce the swelling to that and to his black eye, which was covered with an eyepatch to keep out any dust or dirt. Erion's left hand needed a soft cast, and he was given a sling to keep him from moving the arm too much.

Erion appreciated the pain medication he was given in the hospital, and Sand took the prescription for additional pills with a deep bow. He arranged payment with the hospital clerk while Satoshi double-checked the home care instructions, and they were finally ready to return home. Sand helped Erion into the car, Kansas already in the back seat with his arms open to cuddle Erion, who was beginning to feel sleepy from the medication. Sand phoned the house, and Yuji was glad to hear that the injuries were relatively minor, and said he would call for dinner. Satoshi stopped to pick up the pain medications on the way, knowing that Erion would need them in the morning.

Ryuu was suitably impressed with his oniisan and their assorted stitches and bandages, and Erion's sling and eyepatch, and Aika insisted on kissing various owies with extreme gentleness. Dinner was fairly subdued, though, and Erion looked ready to take reverie on the spot. Kansas coaxed him into eating a decent meal, however, since neither Kansas nor Erion had eaten since breakfast, and then the two youngsters went upstairs, Erion hugging everyone before he let Kansas take him up.

Upstairs, Erion took off his sling, and Kansas helped his elf undress and brush his teeth. Erion shook his head at the sleep pants that Kansas took out for him.

"I know I probably can't do anything anyway, but I just want to feel you next to me," Erion said, nuzzling Kansas sweetly.

Kansas held Erion gently, avoiding his injured cheek and eye. "I do, too, baby." He helped Erion under the covers, snuggling up against Erion's back and wrapping his arms around his elf, and it was a toss-up as to whether Erion slipped into reverie or Kansas fell asleep first.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Sand came out of the kitchen, Hikaru in his arms, in time to see Kansas race upstairs, shoving Satoshi out of the way, Erion screaming in helpless rage and confusion in the foyer. Hikaru's green eyes widened, and Sora swooped in to take Hikaru, hurrying up to join Willow and sooth Aika and Ryuu. Sand took one look at his battered nephew, and hurried to his side.

"Erion? What in the Nine Hells is going on?" Sand demanded. Satoshi came downstairs to join his husband, his eyes troubled.

Hawk was right behind Sand, his blue-grey eyes wide as he looked at the extent of Erion's injuries. The young elf's eye was almost swollen shut, and his lips were split. His cheekbone looked fractured to the older elf's seasoned eye, with a nasty cut across the damaged bone, and Erion was favoring his left hand somewhat. He was smeared liberally with dried blood, and not all of it appeared to be Erion's. To Hawk's eye, Erion had given as good as he got, and Hawk nodded as he patted Sand's shoulder and spun away to get warm water and cloths.

Erion looked at Sand, slightly puzzled by the worry in his uncle's eyes. "Fucking Taka... ow!" Erion touched a tooth that appeared quite wobbly. "I'm going to find that bastard, and Shevarash guide my hand, I'm going to feed him his fucking liver, raw!"

"Wonderful," Sand retorted dryly. "Now that you have proved that you can be as vulgar as any Dockside rat, would you mind explaining the events that led to your looking like your Uncle Hawk after a wrestling match with an ogre?"

Hawk returned in time to snort as his brother's words. "Let the lad get inside first, toror'ai. Get your shoes off, Erion, and we'll get you cleaned up and see what's going on."

"Fuck that, I need to go upstairs and find out what the fuck's wrong with Kansas," Erion snapped, trying to push past his uncles.

"Mind your language around the children, if you please," Sand responded, his voice sharp. "Do as Hawk says. You are useless to Kansas in this condition." He looked at the agitated young elf, his voice softening. "We will see to Kansas, I promise."

"Kansas sent me on ahead with Ryo and Kageoshi, and he went to find the bathroom. Taka got on the same train as us, and Kageoshi was upset, so I was worried." Erion winced as he bent over to slip off his doeskin boots. "I was with the guys, and then I felt Kansas, terrified and upset, so I went looking for him. Taka was all over him in the bathroom, groping him, and he actually challenged me, said he was going to take Kansas away from me."

Sand sat Erion down in the dining room, and took the cloth that Hawk had wet, carefully washing away some of the blood. Hawk took another wet cloth and looked at Erion's hand, gently feeling along the fine bones and wincing a little when he found a fracture.

"And so you fought," Sand said quietly.

"I pulled Kansas away, and Taka shoved me, and I shoved back," Erion said. "It went downhill from there, but I sort of remember Kansas trying to pull me away." Erion's eyes widened with dismay. "Fuck... oh, fuck me blind and sideways."

"What?" Hawk asked, his voice very gentle. "You defended yourself and your beloved. Why is that a problem?"

"Why was Kansas pulling me away? Was he trying to protect Taka from me?" Erion's eyes dimmed with grief. "He was so mad at me on the way home. He wasn't even making any sense. He thinks Taka's going to try and hurt the family. He thinks I fucked up, but what was I supposed to do? Taka had Kansas pinned against the wall, and he was kissing Kansas, and Kansas was so fucking scared."

Hawk looked a little confused, but Sand reached out and ran his hand through Erion's tangled hair. "Kansas does not always react as you would expect to such things, because of his past. He does not prefer Taka to you, Erion."

"Sand is right, Erion," Satoshi added, his voice tender. "Don't think he doesn't love you. He does, more than he can say sometimes. Trust me on this."

"I'm so fucking confused," Erion admitted, the sorrow in his voice dragging at Sand's heart as Sand continued to clean Erion's injuries. "Taka was going to do a lot worse, I know it."

Hawk and Sand exchanged glances, and Hawk looked grim as Sand shook his head almost imperceptibly.

Erion, oblivious, continued, his voice trembling. "Too bad there's no way to prove that, but if he comes near Kansas again, I'm going to fucking rip his heart out. I'm not giving that filthy piece of shit a second chance. I don't give a fuck if he's my class rep. I don't even give a fuck if Kansas slaps me again. Kansas is the other half of my soul, and I'll fight for him."

"I am going to go and see to Kansas," Sand said. "I want you to wait here with Hawk and let him finish cleaning your injuries."

Erion nodded. "I'm not going anywhere. My head hurts so bad that it feels like it's going to explode."

"The cheekbone?" Hawk asked, stroking Erion's hair gently.

"Inside my head, and is it cold in here or what?" Erion moaned. Hawk pulled Erion close and held him, and Sand felt his heart sink further. Sand turned to head upstairs, only to see Kansas sitting on the stairs.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Vale returned the kiss, his fingers stroking Yuji's cheek gently as Yuji removed his collar. Vale mouthed something, and then stopped and wrinkled his nose, his eyes bright.

"What is it?" Yuji asked, alarmed.

Vale gave an utterly silent laugh and shrugged a little. His green eyes shone with love and bliss, and he rubbed his throat with a rueful grin. Vale leaned forward and kissed Yuji again, and then he pointed at the bathroom with a pleading expression, his lips quirking into a smile. Vale rose to his feet, surprisingly agile after their session, and held out an imperious hand to Yuji, who stood with a concerned expression on his face.

"I didn't mean for you to scream quite that hard," Yuji said, stroking Vale's face tenderly. He kissed Vale contritely. "The next time, no matter how I phrase it, just scream loudly but not enough to hurt yourself."

Vale gave another silent laugh and leaned in to run his tongue along the shell of Yuji's ear mischievously as he tugged Yuji toward the bathroom, wanting a shower because the wax was beginning to pull a little. Yuji groaned as Vale assaulted his sensitive ear, his cock already beginning to respond, but Yuji let Vale tug him along.

"Let me peel off the largest pieces of wax," Yuji said. Vale wriggled happily as each piece was teased off his skin and he flashed Yuji a radiant grin. Yuji shook his head, since he had expected Vale to be exhausted after their session. Vale let Yuji set the temperature for the shower, since Vale tended to make it too hot for Yuji, and they both stepped in to the spacious stall, Vale letting out a silent moan of appreciation as the hot water sluiced over him.

Yuji washed Vale tenderly, scrubbing the cum and wax from his elf carefully, chuckling a little when Vale's cock hardened under his attentions. "Not satisfied yet?"

Vale responded by crashing his lips into Yuji's lips, kissing him with fierce abandon.

"I'll take that as a yes," Yuji replied when Vale let him up for air. Vale grinned and proceeded to reach for some bath oil, one of Satoshi's natural oils that had mysteriously found its way into the shower. Yuji groaned happily as Vale slicked his fingers and began to tease Yuji's tight pucker, which loosened very quickly. Yuji turned around and bent forward, bracing himself on the shower stall's wall, and Vale slid behind him, slicking the head of his cock and pressing it in with a small shiver. Yuji growled a little and pushed back against Vale's cock, urging him on, and Vale buried himself to the hilt in Yuji's tight ass, his fingers curling around Yuji's hips.

Yuji moaned, grinding back against Vale's groin, his ass feeling deliciously full. Vale gave him a moment to adjust, and then withdrew almost all the way before slamming home hard enough to make Yuji grunt.

"Oh, fuck, yes, like that," Yuji moaned, feeling Vale's cock ring press against his prostate as the elf plundered his ass. Vale set a punishing pace, the only sounds from him panting as he fucked Yuji hard and fast. Yuji howled for both of them, bucking back into Vale's thrusts, his own cock impossibly hard again. Vale reached around Yuji, his agile fingers wrapping around Yuji's cock and stroking in time with his thrusts. Yuji growled as Vale picked up the pace, his arm wrapping around Yuji's waist to support him as Vale continued to plunder that delicious ass. Vale could feel the heat coiling in his belly and he opened his bond with Yuji all the way, letting Yuji feel how close he was, his balls tightening as he threw his head back in a silent howl. Yuji growled as he felt Vale's cum fill him, hot and plentiful, and his own balls drew up and emptied, his ass closing around Vale's cock like a vise and his howl echoing off the walls as he painted the tiles with ropes of cum. Yuji could hear Vale's gasp from behind him as the elf shivered through his orgasm, and Yuji ground back a final time, milking every last drop of cum from the elf.

Vale let himself slip free from Yuji's ass, and Yuji turned around to pull Vale into his arms, the two holding each other under the hot water as they kissed lingeringly. They finished washing and rinsed off, and Yuji wrapped Vale in a towel, rubbing the elf lovingly as Vale snuck small kisses in. Yuji dried himself off and he and Vale went back into the bedroom, Vale pouring himself a small whiskey and holding out the bottle to Yuji with a raised eyebrow.

"You think you should be drinking that with your throat?" Yuji asked, looking concerned again.

Vale grinned, and dug in his nightstand, pulling out a minor healing potion. He mimed the sun rising, and him drinking the potion, and Yuji just shook his head. He took the whiskey and freshened his drink, and sat in his chair, holding out his arms for Vale to curl up in the chair with him. They sipped their whiskeys in companionable silence, in Vale's case silence being less of a choice than a necessity. Vale snuggled in with Yuji, glowing with contentment. When they had finished their drinks, Vale washed the glasses in the bathroom while Yuji got the bed ready, and they slid under the covers, Vale curling up in Yuji's arms with a peaceful sigh. He drifted almost immediately into reverie, Yuji falling asleep only moment later.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Vale held perfectly still as the first drops of wax landed on the middle of his chest, so warm after the cold of the ice, and he gusted a soft breath as his back arched just a fraction more. The movement made the butt plug in his ass press against his prostate in a new and delicious way, and Vale arched even more, his golden chest the perfect canvas for Yuji.

The sinuous movement of his elf made Yuji's cock jump a little and it was all Yuji could do not to moan at the beautiful picture Vale made, spread out and so very eager. Yuji tilted the candle again, dripping wax onto Vale's stomach and watching as a delightful shiver ran through Vale. Vale's cock was rock hard, straining against the cock ring and tenting the gossamer fabric of his harem pants. Yuji ran his long slim fingers over the stippling of hardening wax on Vale's chest as the elf sucked in a breath and pushed upwards to encourage Yuji's stroking.

Yuji considered the perfectly presented chest in front of him, and he let a series of wax droplets fall to form a semi-circle underneath Vale's left nipple. Vale writhed slightly, almost as if he were trying to angle for the droplets to touch his nipple, and Yuji paused, looking at the tight little nub with its golden ring before letting the next hot drop land on the nipple itself. Vale reacted immediately, his lower lip caught gently between his teeth as he suppressed a moan, shivering in eager delight at the warmth coating his cold little nub. Yuji's eyes widened a little as he took in Vale's evident pleasure, and he treated the second nipple to the same tease and coating as Vale ground his ass down on his heels to press the butt plug more firmly against his prostate. Yuji quickly put the candle down and leaning over Vale to plunder that tender mouth, sucking on Vale's plump lower lip and moaning a little when the kiss was returned eagerly.

More ice followed, Yuji tracing the cube around Vale's navel and from just underneath his chin down to the hollow of his throat and watching as the elf shivered. Wax along the line of his collarbones had Vale writhing, his nostrils flaring as he sucked in another breath and let it out in a faint huff. Vale was moving almost non-stop now, his cock fully engorged and Yuji stood with his feet on either side of Vale's knees, looking down at the wanton elf.

"Akira," Yuji moaned, and he lifted Vale's head and guided it to his waiting cock, pressing the leaking head against Vale's plump lips. Vale's lips parted, and his agile tongue darted out to lick the precum from the head of Yuji's cock, his tongue stud pressing against the slit before sliding across the tender cleft under the head. Vale's mouth was hot and eager as Yuji pressed his cock in, his hands tangling in the gold and emerald silk of Vale's hair. Yuji's cock brushed the back of Vale's throat and the elf tilted his head, his throat relaxing to take Yuji in to the root, but he did not swallow hard, waiting for a cue from Yuji. Yuji smiled a little at the blindfolded elf, loving Vale's utter surrender to his control. Yuji pulled his hips back, letting Vale's tongue dance along the underside of his cock, the tongue stud delving into the tender cleft as Vale sucked hard on the head of Yuji's cock. Yuji thrust into Vale's mouth again, letting his cock slide into the elf's tight throat. Yuji's long fingers stroked Vale's throat and Vale swallowed hard, the pressure rippling along the head of Yuji's cock deliciously.

Yuji was so close, and he urged Vale to swallow one more time, the elf's compliance immediate. Yuji felt the tension in his belly reach its highest pitch, and he pulled his cock out of that tight mouth, wrapping his fingers around his cock to guide it as he howled and painted Vale's chest with thick ropes of cum. Vale panted soundlessly, his beautiful face flushed with desire as he ground his ass against his heels, writhing on the butt plug that filled his ass. Yuji shivered as he milked himself of the last drops of cum, his muscles trembling as he sank back into his chair for a moment to take in the sight of his beautiful, perfect elf spread out before him, decorated with tracings of wax and white ribbons of cum.

As soon as Yuji could stand again, he began to release Vale from his restraints, leaving the blindfold on until he was finished. Yuji removed the blindfold and caught Vale's chin in one hand, tilting Vale's chin up to look into those gorgeous emerald eyes, dark with desire.

"You're so fucking perfect, my Akira," Yuji moaned, and bent to crash their lips together in a possessive kiss. "Now, I want you to make me ready again, by giving me a little show." Yuji reached down and tugged at the harem pants, pulling them away from the elf. "Tease yourself with the butt plug. Let me see how much you enjoy having your ass filled, but not a sound, Akira," Yuji ordered. He sank back into his chair, reaching for his tumbler of whiskey and taking a swallow.

Vale's eyes glittered as he straightened to kneel upright, parting his legs and arching backward until he could place one hand behind him, flat on the floor. His cock jutted upward, proud and rock hard as he reached between his legs to grasp the small base in his slim fingers. The tip of his pink tongue darted out to wet his lips as Vale eased the plug out partway and then slid it back in, shivering as he slid it over his prostate. Vale pressed it home fully, and wiggled the base, his eyes fluttering closed as he sucked in a harsh breath, his cock jumping a little from the stimulation of his prostate.

"Akira." Yuji's voice was slightly rough. "Use this." Yuji handed Vale a thick vibrator, keeping the remote himself. "Move if you need to."

Vale nodded, and turned around so that his back was to Yuji. He eased the butt plug out, placing it to one side, and then he leaned forward, sinuous and graceful, and reached between his parted thighs to run the vibrator along the cleft of his ass, teasing his twitching pucker. Yuji looked at the perfect globes of Vale's ass, his nostrils flaring slightly, and he hit the button on the remote, clicking it to the second setting. Vale responded by sliding the tip of it into his ass, thrusting just a little to open himself up and draw out a little lube, and then he slid the vibrator in all the way, his back arching as his already stimulated prostate sent a shock of pleasure up his spine. Vale's breath hitched a little, and he withdrew the vibrator almost all the way and then thrust it forward sharply, fucking his own ass as he writhed.

Yuji looked at the incredibly wanton picture, Vale working the vibrator in and out of his ass, and he reached for the candle, letting a few drops of wax fall onto those golden cheeks. Vale shivered, the heat making him buck harder against the vibrator, and Yuji clicked it up another notch as he trailed was droplets up along Vale's spine. Vale sucked in a breath, and he rose upright again, turning to face Yuji as he settled his ass against his heels, bracing the bottom of the vibrator between his feet and riding it as he tugged on a nipple ring. Nearly breathless with delight, Yuji held out the glass of ice cubes, and Vale took one, his emerald eyes hot with desire as he stroked the ice cube along the underside of his straining cock. Yuji's own cock twitched as it began to thicken and Vale's eyes darkened even more as he watched Yuji's growing arousal. Vale continued to ride the vibrator, teasing his cock with the ice cube and then licking it, as if to taste himself. Yuji swallowed hard, his own eyes locked on Vale as the elf tilted his head back to expose the long column of his throat, running the ice cube along his neck and letting the water droplets collect in the hollow of his throat.

Vale took the ice cube and placed it in his mouth, letting it melt on his tongue as he leaned forward, his ass pressed tightly on the vibrator. His golden head bent over Yuji's lap, and Vale dragged his now-cold tongue over Yuji's hard cock, the icy stud making Yuji moan loudly as his cock jumped. Yuji fisted his hands in Vale's hair and pulled the elf's head up and back, tilting it so he could look into those green eyes, bright with love.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Vale lit a cigarette of his own. "I'm sorry about your grandmother, Yuji. And I do understand why your father needs that reassurance. Of course you should go for the scan and set his mind to rest." Vale took a deep drag on his cigarette and held the smoke in his lungs for a long moment before exhaling. "As far as Taro, well, I'm not exactly unhappy about his getting into trouble myself. I'm glad your father is beginning to see him for what he is." Vale smiled a little. "Your father told me that Hikaru is beautiful."

Yuji looked at Vale, and saw the joy in his eyes. "Our son is beautiful, a'maelamin. But you and my mother seem to be getting along very well."

Vale laughed, his eyes bright. "Your mother is wonderful. And your father apologized to me as well, a very gracious apology. I'm glad that they came today, and saw our school, and that we can see them again."

They finished their cigarettes and tucked the butts away to dispose of inside, and went back in to close the school for the night, and then they walked home, chatting about the day, and the surprise visit from Yuji's parents.

"I'm telling you, Yuji, when I opened the door and saw your parents, I thought I was going to collapse," Vale laughed. "That was the last thing I expected. But I'm so glad. The school is a success, and it's going to stay that way. We'll make sure of it."

"This time last year, who'd have thought we'd be where we are today?" Yuji grinned. "It feels good, Vale, it really does."

"Yes, it does, but to tell you the truth, I think I need a large whiskey for my nerves." Vale laughed again, his face filled with happiness. "Or to celebrate, I don't know which."

They opened the gate to the estate and walked in, strolling through the beautiful grounds. The new green leaves of spring and the crisp air washed away the last of the work day, and Vale felt a sweet tingle of anticipation when Yuji paused and pulled him into a kiss, plundering Vale's mouth and making Vale moan with pleasure. They broke for air, and Yuji laced his fingers through Vale's fingers as they walked to the house, being greeted by a delighted Aika who managed to tell them all about her day at school in the short period of time it took for them to remove their shoes.

Sand came over with Hikaru, and Vale nuzzled the little half-elf happily while Yuji swung Aika up into his arms, complaining loudly about how big and heavy she had gotten now that she was in school. Willow kissed them both, informing them that dinner would be ready shortly if they wanted to freshen up. Vale was already loosening his tie with help from Hikaru, who was trying to eat the end of it.

"That's not food, sochi-chan. Are you going to eat chichi's tie?" Vale nuzzled Hikaru until he burst into giggles and released the tie to fist small chubby hands in his father's shirt instead. Vale carried Hikaru upstairs with him, sitting him on the floor while he changed and washed up, and then he scooped the little half-elf up and headed downstairs for dinner.

Dinner was happy and lively, with Yuji sharing the news about his parents. Erion was full of chatter about his classes, which were going well, and Satoshi told a story about Kohaku pulling a small prank on poor Kiyou over his coffee. After dinner, Sand and Satoshi did the dishes as usual, and then helped Willow with getting the children bathed and ready for bed. Vale poured himself a large whiskey and brought one over for Yuji, and as he leaned over to give Yuji the glass, Yuji reached up and cupped Vale's face in one hand. Vale looked into Yuji's eyes, reading the question there, and he guided Yuji's hand to his collar.

"I am yours," Vale murmured, leaning in to kiss Yuji, pouring out his love and his desire to please Yuji through their bond. Yuji looked up into those sparkling emerald eyes, his own eyes filled with love for his elf.

"We'll finish our drinks first," Yuji replied, pulling Vale down beside him on the couch. "Then, Akira, you are mine."

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Vale bowed again, respectfully deeper than Norio. "Your most gracious apology is accepted, Hayashi-sensei. Please do not give what happened another thought. It is already forgotten." He straightened and smiled, glad he had pulled his hair back without bangs today. Norio did not return Vale's smile, but he was not glowering, either, and Vale took that as an excellent sign.

"Tell me, Hayashi-sama, how is the family? Is everyone well?" Ayame asked with her beautiful smile.

"You are most kind to ask, Ayame-sama. The family is all doing well. Satoshi has been very busy at the studio, and has been working with some well known personalities. Willow is writing her latest book, and she has been helping with some of the paperwork for the school. Tatsuya and Yuki are at university, both with rather daunting course loads, but they are settling in very well. Masato has been most helpful with Hikaru while I assist in my own small way here at the school." Vale opened the door to the office with a small bow, waiting for Ayame and Norio to precede him into the hallway.

"And the children?" Ayame inquired.

"Ryuu and Aika have started at their new school, and are doing marvelously." Vale's smile grew radiant as he spoke about the children. "We enrolled them in the private school near our home, and we are all very pleased. Aika was a little bit nervous at first, but she adjusted almost immediately and now she is eager to attend every day."

Ayame laid her hand on Norio's arm again, and Norio turned to Vale.

"How old is Hikaru now, Hayashi-sama?" Norio asked. He looked directly at Vale as he inquired, and Vale bowed a little almost reflexively.

"Hikaru is almost six months old now, Hayashi-sensei," Vale replied, his voice full of love for his son.

Norio nodded. "He is developing well?"

"Oh, yes, Hayashi-sensei. He sees his pediatrician each month, and we have been assured that he is completely on schedule for his development." Vale was slightly taken aback by Norio's interest, but he was also pleased that Norio would inquire about Hikaru. Ayame gave Vale a reassuring smile as she patted her husband's arm.

"He is a very beautiful boy. You are blessed to have such a beautiful son," Norio said, and the sincerity in Norio's eyes made Vale's heart swell with joy.

"Thank you, Hayashi-sensei. I feel very blessed to know the joy of being a father." Vale's smile was positively incandescent. He paused at the end of the hallway. "May I show you some of our facilities? This is our auditorium, which has a full sound and light system as well as the latest in acoustical tiling to ensure the audience's listening pleasure in every seat." He opened the doors and bowed, his eyes reflecting his complete happiness.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

"No, Yuki-chan, you're holding the cue all wrong," Kageoshi giggled. He adjusted Erion's fingers on the pool cue, his fingers warm and delicate on the elf's hand. "If you squeeze it like that, the cue can't slide through your fingers. It sticks, and then you hit the cue all wrong."

Erion giggled as well. "I keep wanting to grip it tight, like it's a quarterstaff or something."

Kageoshi looked at Erion, a little puzzled. "Do you do martial arts training?"

"Oh, no!" Erion grinned. "But my father is in the guard, like the police here, I suppose, and he was teaching me some things. Satoshi and Masato, now they are something to see when they're training at home. They made a little training ground in the back, and it's awesome to watch. You have to come one day and see them, toror'."

"Oohh, I'd love to," Kageoshi replied, his eyes bright. "What do they use? Katanas?"

Erion nodded. "Katanas, and longswords. Well, Masato's not using a real katana yet, not until Ishikawa-sensei says he can, but he's teaching Satoshi the longsword."

"Let me know when I can come," Kageoshi said, taking a sip of his light beer.

Erion was mildly disappointed at being limited to just one light beer, but he was not about to let that spoil the afternoon. Instead, he sipped his beer to make it last, and then politely ordered a soft drink for himself when he and Kansas went to get a round of drinks.

"You're being good, isilmeamin," Kansas teased.

Erion grinned and shrugged a little. "It was nice enough of the bartender to give us one, since I'm really not supposed to have any. I don't want to make trouble for Momo, either."

Erion and Kageoshi played another game, and then challenged Ryo and Eric to a match. Erion and Ryo wound up laughing so hard over their mistakes that they had to cling to each other to stand up, and Kageoshi pretended to be terribly disappointed in Erion as a pupil. Wiping away the tears from laughing so hard, Erion went back to playing, and concentrated on what Kageoshi had taught him. To his own surprise, he actually made a few decent shots, and sank two balls himself. Kageoshi praised Erion, who turned around and praised Kageoshi's skill as a teacher, and they wound up trying to top each others' compliments until they were helpless with laughter.

Kansas and Momo played with a fierce intensity, unlike the other four boys, and their table was mainly quiet except for the crack of the cue ball as another ball was sunk. It was fast and furious, and Erion finally gave up playing just to watch Kansas and Momo, his silver eyes wide with awe. Ryo wandered over to join Erion, while Kageoshi and Eric played another game. Erion and Ryo maintained a respectful silence, both of them trying to memorize the way Kansas and Momo moved, their graceful, almost careless ease like a ballet. Erion cheered at the end of the match, even though Kansas had lost by one ball to Momo.

They would have stayed longer, but Kageoshi's mother called to see when he would be home, and Eric declared that he would not be able to drive if he stayed longer.

"Come on, Rira, I'll drive you and Ryo home," Eric offered, throwing an arm around each boy. They said their farewells, and Erion promised to call Kageoshi later about an assignment that had them both slightly puzzled. Kansas and Erion took the train, Erion chattering about his classes and the various professors. The young elf was quite serious about his work, though, and he was actually eager to get home and start on some of his assignments, and Kansas felt a surge of pride in how well Erion was adapting.

For his part, Erion bit back the urge to ask about Taka, and why exactly Momo reacted so strongly to the sight of Taka. He decided he would wait and see what he could discover on his own before he asked Kansas.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Erion favored Taka with one of his most radiant smiles. "I hope this isn't going to affect our relationship as freshman and class rep? Me stealing Tatsuya?" Erion looked at his lunch, his accent returning to his normal rapidfire Tokyo accent as he spoke again. "Damn it, 'lokiamin, we need to get up earlier and make bento boxes. When do you think they made this stuff? Last semester?"

Kansas started to laugh. "I get up early enough, isilmeamin, and then you drag me back to bed."

"It's not like you argue too much," Erion retorted, his beautiful laugh ringing out.

"Oh, so how's your tattoo healing, Erion-san?" Eric asked, and Ryo nodded eagerly.

Erion gave a dramatic sigh. "I'm telling you, that bench was a lifesaver. But it feels great now, and I think it needs one more session, right, baby?"

Kansas nodded. "That should be enough, I think. All that's left is highlights and details."

"It's going to be gorgeous, Yuki-chan," Kageoshi said, and then covered his mouth as he giggled nervously. "I'm sorry, I sort of think of you as Yuki-chan in my head and it just slipped out."

Erion threw his arms around Kageoshi and hugged him. "I love it, it's so perfect! Did you remember that was the name I want to take when I become a full citizen? That's the nicest thing. Oh, but now I need to call you something special!" Erion widened his silver eyes, entirely aware that Taka was fuming at the other end of the table. "I know! I used to do a lot of roleplaying back home, and we used to play around with the elvish from Tolkien and try to speak it, or at least our own version of it."

"Oh, really? That is so cool," Ryo said, his own eyes wide.

"So, anyway, there's this word we use, toror', that's just perfect," Erion said, looking right at Kageoshi. "It means brother, and that's how I feel about you. It's like you're my brother."

Kageoshi's eyes were bright, and shining with happiness. "Really?" He threw his arms around Erion, and the two youngsters hugged again.

"Are we eating or hugging?" Eric teased good-naturedly.

"I get Kageoshi's bento!" Ryo shouted, laughing uproariously.

Erion slid his eyes sideways, watching as Taka fumed and Little Taka seemed to fold in on himself a little more. Taka's eyes never left Kansas, and Erion narrowed his own eyes slightly, his skin crawling. There was something about Taka that made the young elf more than wary, and he could sense that Kansas's guard was up as well. Erion remembered how Momo's voice had turned to ice when Taka's name was brought up, and certainly Kageoshi was not comfortable around him. Erion decided to make sure that he was with Kageoshi as much as possible during the school day, and that they would find a way to schedule any appointments with their class representative together, or at least back to back appointments.

Kansas reached out and rubbed Erion's arm lightly, sensing his beloved's uneasy mood, and Erion gave himself a mental shake and pulled out a bright smile. He looked over at Kageoshi's lunch and moaned dramatically. "Oh, that looks so good. That's it, tomorrow I'm making a bento." Kansas started to laugh, and Erion gave him a playful smack on the arm. "Just for that, I'm not making one for you."

"You know you'll get Akira to do it anyway," Kansas teased, and Erion managed a full second of pouting before he gave up and giggled.

"Him or Satoshi," Erion agreed.

"Which means getting your ass out of bed before they leave," Kansas pointed out. Erion mimed utter distress, and everyone laughed and began to eat, chatting about nonsense and their schedules, the older students commenting on the professors that Erion and Kageoshi would have. Taka interjected a few comments, and Little Taka confined himself to giggling whenever Taka laughed.

Erion was finishing his cigarette after eating when Taka stood, and smiled at him.

"You should hurry up and finish. You don't want to be late for your next class," Taka advised, but there was something so cold in his eyes that Erion had to suppress a shudder. "It would look bad to be late on the very first day, and you want to make a good impression."

"We'd better run," Erion agreed. "We'll meet here later, okay?" He snatched a quick kiss from Kansas and shouldered his backpack. "Come on, toror'. I think I remember the way." He grabbed Kageoshi's hand and the two youngsters hurried off before Taka could catch up with them.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Erion was torn between excitement as he sat next to Kageoshi, and boredom as Yoshida Chie droned on. It was not until she began to read out the class representatives that Erion began to pay attention.

The class representative for Sociology was named Ogawa Takahiro, tall and pony-tailed, with a hard look to him that made Erion's hackles rise. Kageoshi was even more upset, gnawing on his backpack strap in agitation.

"Kageoshi-san, what's wrong?" Erion whispered, but Kageoshi just shook his head slightly and pretended to listen to the incredibly boring Yoshida Chie. Erion shifted his backpack to hide his hand as he grabbed onto Kageoshi tightly, trying to reassure his friend. Kageoshi's fingers were cold and clammy in Erion's hand, and Erion cast a worried look at Kageoshi, who was pale and biting at his lip.

Finally, the endless orientation speeches were over, and Erion half-pulled Kageoshi out of his seat to hurry outside. As Erion rose, he saw the class representative, this Ogawa person, look at him speculatively, the kind of look that made Erion want to take a long hot bath. With a small frown, the young elf turned back to his friend.

"What was that about? You looked like you saw a ghost," Erion said, but Kageoshi just waved his hand with a nervous titter.

"It's nothing, Erion-san. I think I'm just a bundle of nerves about school starting," Kageoshi said. He flashed Erion a quick look, almost pleading silently with Erion to drop the subject.

"It's okay, Kageoshi-san. I don't think I slept a wink last night myself. I've been looking forward to this and now I'm completely terrified that I'll make an idiot out of myself in my classes, and say something stupid, and everyone will think I'm an idiot foreigner." Erion laughed, his bright laughter making Kageoshi giggle a little as well.

"That's it exactly! But at least we'll have some classes together, right?" Kageoshi smiled and Erion nodded eagerly, willing to let the topic drop for the moment.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Vale continued to rub Yuji's back, his green eyes serious for a change. "It's always terrifying to start out on your own like this. It's understandable to be anxious. But I want you to do something for me, something that will guarantee our success."

"What is it? How can you guarantee anything like that?" Yuji still had his head resting on the desk, but his knees were almost still.

Vale smiled his beautiful smile. "You are a musician, Yuji. It's what you love, and who you are. It runs so deeply in your soul that you can't be separated from it. So, you make music with your students, the private ones and the group, and leave the day to day details to me. I can't make music, but I can organize schedules, and order supplies, and make sure that instruments are repaired or maintained or tuned. I'll see to it that bills and salaries are paid, and tuition sent in, and parents get all the information they require. I have Willow to help with the paperwork as well, when I need an extra hand, but I'd rather let her write."

Yuji reached out and took Vale's hand, his finger still icy. "That's a lot to drop on you, Vale. Are you sure?"

"Yuji, I love music with every fiber of my being, but I can't coax it out of my soul the way you and Satoshi can." Vale rubbed the icy fingers between his warm hands. "Let me help by taking care of the background stuff. I've been doing things like this for over three hundred years, and the Cloaktower is still around. We can do this together."

Yuji took a deep breath, sitting up slowly. "You're right. I was forgetting that I'm not alone." Yuji smiled at Vale, his eyes brighter and his confidence returning. "The students are amazing, aren't they? I love working with them."

"And it shows, a'maelamin. I've seen your face when you're heading off to work with them. You light up, and your joy is so apparent that they can't help but love you, and work all the harder for it." Vale tweaked Yuji's tie back into place, a skill he was mastering after Sand had devoted a great deal of energy into teaching Vale how to knot a tie perfectly. "You have time before your nest lesson. Let me get us some tea, and you can tell me about how they're doing."

Yuji's face lit up, and Vale hurried off to get them tea from the tearoom off his office. He came back with the tea and some cookies, and listened as Yuji talked about his private students, Yuji's eyes glowing with enthusiasm. The panic was utterly gone, and Yuji found himself looking forward to the student he would be seeing next, a young boy of fifteen who had been studying piano since he was three, and who was as enthusiastic as Yuji. Yuji also had a six year old girl who was a child prodigy, and a new student, a twelve year old girl who had only been studying piano for three years, but who had such potential that Yuji was excited about working with her.

"And I need to get moving," Yuji laughed, looked at the clock. "Thank you for putting things back into perspective, Vale. Now, I'm going to go make music."

"Go, and be brilliant," Vale laughed, gathering the tea things and watching Yuji with love as he hurried off to his lesson.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Sand looked at Satoshi, his eyes brilliant in the starlight. "You weave such magic with your music, saiai. I am bewitched, utterly, and humbled that you have chosen to share this with me." Sand ran his fingers lightly along the back of Satoshi's hand. "I think elves would dream of making such music as this. Will you play a little more for me?"

Satoshi looked at Sand, curled back up on the rug, unselfconsciously naked and watching with love shining in his eyes. "What should I play?"

"Play our song, saiai." Sand's smile was sweet, and in the dim light, he looked as young as Erion.

Satoshi blushed furiously, but his smile was radiant as he bent his head over his guitar for a moment and then began to play, singing the words softly in his beautiful voice. Sand listened, utterly rapt, a single tear tracking slowly down his cheek as he opened his bond fully to share his joy and wonderment.

Sand was not sure where the time went, but the sky above was beginning to brighten all of a sudden. Satoshi was still playing his music, beautiful and perfect, and Sand sat up slowly when Satoshi finished the song, his eyes bright with love.

"What a perfect way to spend a night," Sand laughed as he reached up to stroke Satoshi's cheek. "This was far better than any reverie could have been."

Satoshi looked up, startled, and giggled a little. "I played all night?"

"It was perfect and beautiful," Sand said as Satoshi put his guitar to one side and stood to stretch. Sand stood as well, lithe and graceful, and pulled Satoshi close, leaning in to plunder Satoshi's sweet mouth. "I love you, Satoshi, more each day," Sand murmured into the kiss. Satoshi wrapped his arms around Sand, returning the kiss, grinding himself against Sand and moaning softly.

Sand guided Satoshi back to the bed, and they sank down onto the mattress. Sand's hands slid down Satoshi's sides and around to his back, coming to rest wrapped around the globes of his ass and Satoshi pushed his hips forward, his cock sliding against Sand's thick cock. Sand arched an inquiring brow, and Satoshi mewled and nipped Sand's lower lip, his fingers sliding through Sand's hair to tease his ears. Sand moaned happily, rolling onto his back so Satoshi could straddle him, fingers straying up to tease Satoshi's nipple rings. Satoshi rose up and lined Sand's cock up with his ass, lowering himself until the head of Sand's cock had pushed into his tight little ass. Satoshi mewled a little, and Sand held very still, one hand rubbing Satoshi's back as Satoshi adjusted.

After a few moments, Satoshi pressed himself down, slowly engulfing all of Sand's thick cock until his ass was resting on Sand's thighs. Sand could see the pleasure in Satoshi's eyes, his cheeks flushed as he began to rock his hips, making wanton little sounds as Sand's thick cock churned in his ass. They made love slowly, tenderly, Satoshi leaning forward to lose himself in kissing Sand, his cock pressed between their flat bellies, their bond wide open so that each could feel the others' arousal building. Sand worked one slim hand between then, wrapping his fingers around Satoshi's cock and stroking it firmly as Satoshi mewled into the kiss.

It took another few minutes of the sweet slow pace, and Satoshi could not hold out any longer, his balls aching with the need to empty. Sand increased the pace of his stroking, and Satoshi howled as his balls jumped, his cum coating their bellies with liquid heat as his tight little ass clamped down on Sand's cock. Sand matched Satoshi's howl, his back arching as he pressed himself fully into Satoshi, spurt after spurt of cum filling that sweet ass as he pulled Satoshi into his arms, cradling him as they shuddered through their orgasms.

Sand helped Satoshi ease himself of Sand's softening cock, and then he cradled his beloved husband close as he pulled up the covers again, watching as Satoshi's eyes closed, a blissful smile on that sweet mouth. Sand let himself sink back into reverie for a short time, his heart light and his soul complete.

[BronxWench's Review Replies]

Prompt: Gallimaufry "The Gauntlet"

From JayDee:

Phew! I was looking forward to this - I wanted to see someone who knew what they were doing use the word, seeing as the only one of these prompts I'd heard of so far was Embrocation... They're running a gauntlet of tests, we've got one of prompts, nearly half way now though I guress. So, high dragons - apparantly not dragons that've been hitting the bong from that terrified reaction

Ahem. Sorry. I can feel how much more serious this part is than the last prompt. Alistair's assrtiveness is gentle but firm, I think it really follows your previous parts well. Has Wraith really put his past to rest though? It's easy to say...

I think their gauntlet is easier than ours. At least they get to occasionally whack things with a sword...

We'll see how well Wraith has put his past to rest, but Alistair is certainly stepping forward a bit more, and that's never a bad thing. The shy Chantry boy is staking his claim.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Sand cradled Satoshi in his arms, listening to the sweet song that emanated from his husband, wrapped in a magic that Satoshi alone could create. Sand knew better than to speak, content to let this fragile beauty unfold, a beauty that so perfectly reflected the beauty of Satoshi's soul that Sand was breathless for an instant, his eyes welling with tears of joy. They remained entwined a while longer, unless the bath water had gotten uncomfortably cool, and Sand felt a small shiver run through Satoshi.

"Wait here, saiai," Sand murmured, and slipped behind the screen to bring out more heated water to warm up the bath. As Sand got back in, Satoshi smiled at him so sweetly that Sand felt his already half-hard cock stiffen even more.

"Beautiful," Sand murmured. "You are so very beautiful in starlight, have I told you this?" Sand leaned in and captured Satoshi's lips in a tender kiss, letting his love and desire flow outward to envelope Satoshi.

Satoshi wriggled so that he was straddling Sand, letting Sand feel his own hard cock as it rested against Sand's belly. He dove back into the kiss, slow and sweet, and Sand slid one hand slowly up to toy with Satoshi's nipple rings. Satoshi sighed happily into the kiss, his fingers tangling in Sand's hair as he undulated slowly, grinding against Sand's cock with a slow and deliberately sensuous little wriggle. Sand moaned a little, but he was enjoying this slow teasing far too much to want to hurry things along. Satoshi's fingers found Sand's ears, and stroked lightly along the edge of the shell, sweeping up to the sensitive tips, and Sand moaned again.

"You're beautiful yourself, poldoramin," Satoshi told Sand. "I love it when your eyes get all dark and smoky blue, and your ears get flushed. You're gorgeous when you're hot and bothered." Satoshi giggled a little and teased Sand's lips with his piercings, moaning a little when Sand's tongue flicked out to swipe that delectable little mouth.

"I am, am I?" Sand chuckled. He let his hands slide around Satoshi's back, pulling his husband in for another sweet kiss, teasing his lips apart to delve into that tight little mouth.

Satoshi moaned a little and ground his hips down, feeling Sand's rock-hard cock sliding beneath his own cock. Sand's hands moved lower, coming to rest on Satoshi's hips, and Sand bucked his own hips upward. Satoshi moaned again and wriggled, and Sand let one hand drift to cup a tight round butt cheek. Satoshi arched his back, thrusting his ass backward into Sand's hand while rubbing his cock along Sand's thick cock, and Sand all but purred as he rubbed back. One long finger slid into the tight cleft and teased the quivering pucker between Satoshi's cheeks, feeling the muscle twitch in anticipation of being breached. The slightly oily water provided enough lubrication for Sand's finger to slip easily into Satoshi's tight little ass, and Satoshi moaned and pushed against Sand's finger with a soft mewl as Sand plundered his mouth.

Sand teased Satoshi's ass a bit before adding a second finger, feeling the tight pucker relaxing as he thrust languidly into the inviting heat. Satoshi writhed in pleasure, breaking the kiss breathlessly, his beautiful eyes glowing with joy and love.

"I want you, poldoramin." Satoshi obligingly rose up as Sand withdrew his fingers and wrapped strong hands around Satoshi's hips, guiding him down onto his thick cock. Sand pressed the head of his cock into Satoshi's ass, his own eyes nearly black with desire, and he paused to let Satoshi adjust to the intrusion. It was only a few moments before Satoshi was pressing down, sliding his tight little ass over Sand's thick cock until he had taken it to the root. Satoshi rocked his hips, churning Sand's cock within himself, mewling happily as Sand moaned in pleasure.

"You are always so tight, saiai, so delicious," Sand moaned, his hips bucking as Satoshi rocked and ground himself down. Satoshi was setting a slow pace, and Sand pulled Satoshi into a kiss as they writhed together. Satoshi leaned forward, his pierced nipples rubbing across Sand's tight nubs, and Sand arched into the contact, his tongue toying with Satoshi's pierced lower lip.

Time seemed to become irrelevant as they moved together, Sand stroking Satoshi's cock as Satoshi rocked, the tight heat around Sand's cock utterly maddening and divine. Sand could feel the heat building in his belly, and he could feel Satoshi's arousal as well,and the two blended into a single note as they moved in perfect harmony, their bodies fitting together effortlessly. It pushed Sand close to spilling just to feel Satoshi's pleasure, and Sand stroked a little more firmly, until Satoshi stiffened, his back arching as his balls drew up and he painted both their chests with thick white ropes of cum. Satoshi's sweet ass tightened spasmodically around Sand, and Sand groaned as his own balls emptied, filling Satoshi's ass with a huge load of cum.

Shuddering with the intensity of his orgasm, Sand cried out softly and pulled Satoshi into his arms, holding his beloved husband against him and feathering kisses against his temple and brow as the wind chimes sang all around them.

[Week 31: 5/8/11]

Pen Name: BronxWench

Story link: The Gauntlet

Review Replies: Second Quarter 2011

Type of fic: FlashFic

Rating: Adult

Fandom: Games>Dragon Age: Origins

Warnings: AFFO, ChallengeFic, M/M, NoSex

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Sand leaned in and kissed Satoshi tenderly. "Just keep being yourself, cormamin, because you are perfect." He held Satoshi close for a moment, and then they untangled themselves as Satoshi looked around again in wonder.

Sand slipped his arm around Satoshi's waist, delighted when Satoshi slid his own arm around Sand, not worried about what anyone would think. "The palace is the home of Queen Ellisime, ruler of Suldanessellar, the hidden realm of the wood elves. She is beautiful, and wise, and very kind, and she has been Queen for thousands of years. She is much beloved of Rillifane Rallathil, the Leaflord, who is the patron of this city."

"But why is it hidden?" Satoshi asked. "It's so beautiful, like a vision."

"Ellisime is the Guardian of a very sacred elven treasure, the Tree of Life. It is said that the Seldarine themselves draw their life force from the Tree, and so its home is hidden from those that would seek to misuse its power." Sand started walking toward the small dwelling he had pointed out to Satoshi."Our wood elven cousins are masterful archers and defend this place well, and the Leaflord protects it as well. I have come here before, and I never cease to be astonished by its beauty myself."

As they walked along, the elves that passed them greeted them warmly and many called them selen, which Sand translated as "cousin." These elves had hair in shades ranging from deep chestnut to vibrant copper, with eyes that were moss green or rich golden brown, and their accent was musical and lively. Many wore variations of the green armor of the elf that had greeted them at the hidden entrance, and others wore flowing gowns or tunics of fine linen, in every shade of green and amber and gold.

When they reached the dwelling, after crossing a few of the delicate but surprisingly strong bridges, Sand pushed the door open and led Satoshi into the comfortable interior. "I use this dwelling whenever I am here, and when I am not, it is a guesting house for other visitors from Evereska."

A beautiful table of inlaid woods held a small feast of fruits, berries, nuts, small savory pastries and thin buttery wafers. A bottle of wine and two crystal goblets accompanied the food. There was a wide padded couch and soft rugs underfoot, laid over woven matting that looked quite like tatami mats to Satoshi. Small lanterns cast a soft glow across the room, and a spiral staircase wound around the trunk of the tree that hosted the dwelling.

Up the stairs was the bedroom, and Satoshi gasped a little when he saw that the roof was partially open to the night sky, the stars shining like jewels. A wind chime was suspended form a branch over the opening, and its delicate music made Satoshi's fingers itch to reach for his guitar. A thick padded mattress lay on the floor mats, covered with silken quilts and fluffy pillows, and an arched doorway led into a bathing chamber. A polished wooden tub was filled with fragrant steaming water, and a graceful table held thick towels. A small basin had toothbrushes and toothpaste waiting beside it, and the roof over the tub was also open, another wind chime offering its song.

Sand took Satoshi's bag and his own, and put them aside along with Satoshi's guitar. Sand pulled Satoshi into his arms, kissing him and letting his love for his husband pour forth.

"We did not give you a chance to freshen up after work, saiai. I thought you might want a bath before anything else." Sand nibbled another kiss as he began to unbutton his own shirt, his blue eyes full of adoration for Satoshi.