[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Sand watched as Satoshi held the paper bag over his mouth and breathed into it, mystified. He gently rubbed Satoshi's back, looking ay Yuji gratefully as Satoshi's breathing started to even out.

"Cormamin, you were perfect. All of you were. That was like listening to a chorus of solars, performing on Mount Celestia. It was the perfect gift for all your friends, my heart." Sand looked at Yuji and smiled. "You are most talented as well. I have heard you play the piano, of course, but the bass? That was marvelous."

Vale poked his head out. "Is everything alright, a'maelamin?"

"It's fine, love," Yuji told him. Vale smiled radiantly, and went back inside to mingle with the guests some more.

Satoshi lowered the paper back, looking at Yuji and Sand apologetically. "I'm sorry, my loves. I just got a little overwhelmed, I think."

Yuji took Satoshi's face between his hands and kissed him tenderly. "I can't believe you did that, baby, You were amazing. I think Matsu almost fell off the couch when you started to sing."

Satoshi began to blush furiously, but he managed a smile for his two husbands. "That's not making it any easier to go back inside." He lit a cigarette shakily, and Yuji lit one as well.

"The song for Ryuu," Sand said, his eyes glowing with love. "Matsu was translating for me, and it was the most beautiful love song. Have you sung it to him?"

Satoshi leaned into Sand a little, enjoying the feel of Sand's strong arm as it rested around his back. "I wrote it the year he was born, and I've sung it to him, but that was the first time I sang it like that."

"We're lucky, Ryuu and I. You have written such exquisite love songs for us. I wish I could offer the same to you, but I am no musician." Sand cocked his head. "It sounds like the karaoke has begun, my heart. Shall we slip inside and watch a bit, when you are finished with your cigarette?"

Inside the house, Erion was tugging on Vale's arm, dragging him to where the karaoke was set up. Vale was laughing, his green eyes bright.

"I can't sing that," Vale protested, laughing at Erion's eager expression.

Erion pouted a little, but his giggling ruined his attempts to persuade Vale. "At least the chorus. Come on, Vale, your Japanese is so good, and you can cover my mistakes."

Vale allowed himself to be dragged over to the karaoke, and Erion pressed a few buttons, waiting for his cue to launch into a new song by one of the Jrock bands that he and Kansas loved. Erion's Japanese was a little awkward, but his voice was pure and clear, and he never took his eyes off Kansas as he sang. Vale did join in for the choruses, his voice pleasant but nowhere as lovely as Satoshi's or Erion's voices. Matsu was watching Erion, the young elf both beautiful and talented as he sang and swayed to the song. The two elves finished to applause and laughter, and Erion bounced over to Kansas, his eyes shining.

Matsu stopped Vale as he headed to the bar table. "He's very good," Matsu said, nodding at Erion. "Has he ever thought about recording?"

Vale gave Matsu a radiant grin, handing him a fresh drink. "Erion's going back to uni in April. He and Kansas want to work with abused children." Vale's grin widened. "We're really proud of the two of them."

Matsu grinned back. "That's a terrific goal, and I'd be proud, too." He leaned a little closer to Vale. "I have to tell you, I still have chills from hearing Satoshi sing. Man, if he could only get over his stage fright... he could teach some of these young wannabes what it means to really open up and sing." He watched for a moment as Willow and Hideko dragged Haruka up to the front of the room, and the three women sang with much giggling and hugging, Kiyoshi's face lit up with happiness at seeing Haruka a part of the group again.

The three women were the perfect distraction as Sand and Satoshi slipped back in, staying in the back of the room. Yuji followed, heading over to watch the three women, making comical faces at Hideko and Willow, his arm around Kiyoshi's shoulders. Sand gave Satoshi's hand a quick squeeze, and moved forward as well, applauding and smiling.

It was another couple of hours before the last guests left, and Yuji pulled Vale and Willow into a hug, kissing them both thoroughly. "Now that was a New Year's party."

Erion and Kansas were tidying up, collecting glasses and bringing things to the kitchen, sneaking kisses and giggling happily. Sand and Satoshi came over to join Willow, Vale and Yuji for a moment, both looking pleased.

"It really was marvelous," Sand agreed. "I enjoyed talking to your colleague, Umeko, and of course to Hideko. Intelligent and lovely, the both of them."

"Are you all going to talk or help us clean?" Kansas called, and then yipped as Erion nipped his ear.

The others laughed, and joined in the cleaning up, and then Yuji poured a last drink for everyone as they flopped onto the couches, content with the evening's success. It took a few minutes before Sand looked around and asked, "Where have Kansas and Erion gone?"

Vale looked at Yuji, and then at Satoshi, and then began to snicker. "You don't think..."

"It's Kansas," Yuji replied. "You know how he loves it when we have the house to ourselves like this."

Sand looked at Satoshi, puzzled. Satoshi grinned at Sand, realizing that the elf had never been part of a tatami room night. "You have a bottle of that Elverquisst handy, poldoramin?"

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Sand looked at Satoshi with great love. "It is a shame, really. He even looks like an angel when he sings."

"Masato-san, you've seen Satoshi sing?" Matsu looked astonished, and Satoshi blushed a little.

"It was nothing, Matsu, I was just fooling around," Satoshi protested.

Matsu shook his head, astonished. "I've only ever heard him on tape, when he stays late and is fooling around with the equipment. Sometimes he'll sing a bit, and then I have to bug him for days to let me hear it, and then bug him some more to let me play it for the other producers.." Matsu grinned at Sand. "You got a rare treat."

Sand looked at Satoshi, and despite Satoshi's blushes, the look that passed between them made Matsu feel much better about his old friend's husband. Satoshi did look happy, and that was what mattered most to Matsu.

Across the room, Vale laughed happily about something, and Sand turned his head to see Vale and Tsutomo, arm in arm, obviously sharing a fine joke. Vale was in his element, socializing happily and moving from guest to guest, his Japanese nearly perfect, and his manners impeccable. Hideko was chattering happily with one of Yuji's colleagues, the female teacher who had been introduced to Sand as Miura Umeko. She and her husband Katsu had greeted Yuji very warmly, and had been very happy to see Willow as well. There was another music teacher from Yuji's school there as well, Kondo Noburu, who had brought his girlfriend, a lovely young woman named Endo Midori. Kiyoshi was there as well, with his wife Haruka, and she had greeted everyone very shyly before Willow had whisked her off, Haruka looking much happier when they returned. Kai was there with Cho as well, and they had hugged Sand enthusiastically.

Yuji looked happy and at ease as well, glowing with good health and delighted to be surrounded by people he liked and loved, and who accepted him for who he was. Willow was relaxed and enjoying herself as well, and Sand smiled to see her laughing and joking. Erion and Kansas were holding hands and circulating as well, and looking so happy that Sand had to smile at them as well. Erion was trying out his few words of Japanese, and Kansas was laughing and filling in the gaps for him, but they were so cheerful that everyone was laughing with them.

Sand settled in next to Satoshi, wondering if he might be able to persuade Yuji to play the piano, and coax Satoshi into at least accompanying him on the guitar. It would be a lovely treat, and Sand knew he would not be the only one to enjoy it.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Sand stirred a little, his reverie lifting as he felt Satoshi's pain, and he reached out, Sand's soul wrapping itself around Satoshi's soul and drawing him into Sand's reverie. Satoshi struggled a little against the pull, wanting to let the darkness cover him and wash him away, but the elf's touch was gently insistent, and Sand's arms tightened a little as well. Satoshi gave up the struggle, letting Sand pull him along, into that strange joining of dreams that the elves managed so effortlessly.

Sand was indeed revisiting memories, as elves so often did in reverie, but Satoshi was surprised by the memories that Sand had chosen. He was talking to a slender woman, her skin very pale and her hair stark white and streaked with a pale blue. Her eyes were distant, her expression curiously flat, although Sand's dream self seemed quite animated. Satoshi listened as they spoke, knowing that it was elven that he was hearing, but hearing it in flawless Japanese.

"Do not push me away, my windwalker," Sand insisted, reaching out to touch the woman's shoulder.

The woman flinched. "What would you have me do? I remember loving you. I remember thinking I would spend my life with you, and the hells take everything else. But that's gone, my wizard, gone and devoured by a bitter dead god, and the woman who loved you died with him."

"Tae'uomi," Sand sighed. His hand lifted, and then fell back to his side, his face stricken. "How can you ask me to walk away?"

Tae turned to him. "Once I saw the spirits so clearly, and I can still see yours, bound to all the wrong places. For all your intelligence, for all your mastery of the arcane, you are still blind, my wizard. I am not the one who holds your heart. I never was, not even before I lost myself. The one you left in Neverwinter, for all that you love him, is only a shadow of the one who holds your heart."

Sand looked at her, lines of sorrow creasing his smooth forehead. "Did you see this writ? In Kelemvor's grey city, was this something you read?"

"It's written on your heart." Tae looked at Sand, her face still impassive. "He was always the one. You just haven't met him yet, but you will. And knowing you, you'll need a good hard whack to realize it." She managed something that could have been a smile, and for an instant, she looked almost young.

"Most likely," Sand replied, and there was a note of wry humor in his voice. "I suppose you cannot tell me more, can you?"

Tae looked at him, the smile faltering and fading. "I shouldn't have said that much, but you need to let me go. It hurts too much to stay, my wizard. I remember it all, but I can't feel a thing."

The scene shifted slightly, and Satoshi felt Sand's arms around him, warm and reassuring.

Sand and another elf placed the last few river-smoothed stones on a cairn. The other elf bowed his head, but Sand lifted his, the wind picking up and lifting his glossy black hair. It seemed to dance around Sand, this breeze, teasing at his robes and Sand smiled as he whispered, "Is it better, my windwalker? Does Akadi welcome you home?" The breeze tugged at his hair playfully, and Sand smiled even as a tear traced its way down his cheek. "I will find him, I promise."

Satoshi realized that Sand was guiding him back out of reverie, and he looked at Sand, those blue eyes wide open and focused on him.

"I did need a good hard whack, did I not? But I have found you, and I will not let you fall away from me." Sand stroked Satoshi's cheek tenderly. "You are not a burden, you were never a burden. You are all that I want, and everything that I need. I will not let those who do not know you convince you otherwise, the idiots in Yuji's family, your own parents. They have no idea who you are, cormamin. They do not see your beauty, or the purity of your love, nor do they know how you complete me. I love you, Satoshi, and with our souls linked, so that no lies are possible between us, I will love you more every day as we spend the rest of our lives together."

Sand leaned in and kissed Satoshi tenderly, swiping his tongue across Satoshi's pierced lower lip, his own tongue stud clicking a little as it teased at Satoshi's lip. Sand kissed away the tracks of Satoshi's tears, nibbling along Satoshi's jawline and down his throat, careful not to leave a mark that would show in public. Sand did nip and suck a dark mark to the side of Satoshi's neck, just below the collarbone, where it would be hidden by a shirt, and Satoshi moaned a little, loving being marked by his husband.

Sand continued his way down, tugging on one of Satoshi's nipple rings with his teeth and making Satoshi hiss a little, and then carefully laving the tender nub with his tongue. Sand played a moment longer before switching his attention to the other nipple, and Satoshi's hands crept up to fist in Sand's hair. All the while, Sand was lavishing his profound love for Satoshi through his bond, a gentle connection that demanded nothing but offered everything, the elf's soul laid bare before his cherished husband.

Sand kissed and licked his way down Satoshi's tight stomach, his deft hands sliding down Satoshi's sides to rest along his hips as Sand turned his attention to Satoshi's cock, teasing the tender cleft with his tongue stud as Satoshi writhed in pleasure, his moans sweet music in Sand's ears. Sand swiped his tongue stud over the sensitive slit, tasting the first few drops of precum that had beaded there, relishing the flavor of his husband. Then Sand flattened his tongue and slid it down the length of Satoshi's cock, his throat already relaxed as he engulfed Satoshi to the root, humming lightly as Satoshi's moans grew louder. Sand pulled back and slid down again, this time swallowing hard a few times, and Satoshi keened as his hips bucked, striving to get every bit of his cock into the elf's eager mouth. Sand drew back again, sucking hard and teasing his tongue stud up along the underside of Satoshi's cock until Satoshi shuddered, his balls drawing up as he howled and came, his thick cum filling Sand's mouth as the elf drank him down happily.

Satoshi relaxed, still shivering a bit as Sand lapped lazily at his now flaccid cock and then looked up, his blue eyes dark with desire.

"You are so very beautiful, my heart. I love it when you come for me." Sand moved, lithe and sinuous, and found the tube of lube in the low nightstand beside their new futon bed. He crouched between Satoshi's parted thighs, his tongue dancing along the tender flesh behind Satoshi's sac until he reached the puckered muscle. Sand teased the tight ring with his tongue, swiping the stud over it a few times, and then pressed his tongue in past the muscle as Satoshi whined in pleasure. Sand continued thrusting for a few minutes, feeling the tight pucker beginning to relax, and then he coated his fingers in lube and slid one past the ring, pressing in firmly as Satoshi's hands tightened in Sand's hair. Sand chuckled a little, adding a second finger as he lapped at Satoshi's sac, hooking his fingers to press on Satoshi's prostate and making Satoshi howl again. A third finger joined the play, and Sand thrust, still lapping, until Satoshi was writhing in need.

"Please, poldoramin, let me feel you in me," Satoshi whispered, his voice trembling. "Make me yours, let me know I'm yours."

Sand rose up, slicking the remaining lube along his cock, and pulled Satoshi's strong thighs over his own, lining up his cock with Satoshi's relaxed pucker. "You are mine, cormamin, always mine, forever mine, and I will love you until time itself ends," Sand promised, and Satoshi felt the truth of those words wash over him.

Sand pressed the head of his cock past the tight ring, delving into Satoshi's sweet ass in a single steady thrust, watching as Satoshi's cheeks flushed and he mewled at the intrusion. Sand pressed in until his balls were snug against Satoshi's ass, and then he leaned forward, capturing Satoshi's sweet little mouth in a searing kiss, plundering his mouth with abandon. Satoshi moaned into the kiss, and Sand could feel the rush of love form Satoshi as he surrendered to Sand's tender ministrations.

Sand slid his arms beneath Satoshi and guided him upright, letting Satoshi set the pace as he straddled Sand's thighs, Sand's thick cock buried in his ass. Satoshi's muscular thighs flexed, raising him easily, and Satoshi shivered a little as he felt Sand's cock piercing slide along his tight passage enticingly, pressing on his prostate as he lifted himself up until only the head of Sand's cock remained within him. Then Satoshi let himself fall, but this was the fall he wanted, falling into Sand's arms, and impaling himself on Sand's cock, caught by the elf who adored him beyond measure. Satoshi's lips found sand's and they kissed sweetly as Satoshi rocked, Sand's cock churning within him, and Satoshi's cock pressed tightly between their flat bellies. Sand's strong arms supported Satoshi, and it did not take very long for Satoshi to feel the heat building in his belly again, his balls tight as his cock was rolled between hard muscle, his ass clenching around Sand's cock in anticipation.

Sand was moaning as well, his own balls heavy and aching, and his cock was bathed in the heat of Satoshi's sweet ass as they moved, slow and tender, tongues dancing together as they kissed with unhurried passion. Sand felt the first hot spurts as Satoshi moaned loudly and came, painting their chests and bellies with his cum, and then Sand followed, his own balls emptying as he filled Satoshi's tight little ass with his own prodigious load of cum, crying out into Satoshi's mouth as he kissed his husband, his strong arms cradling the imp as he shuddered. Sand thrust a few last times, erratic and fierce, and then he sighed sweetly, his breath hot against Satoshi's ear as their hearts beat against each other.

"My love, my perfect husband," Sand murmured. "How lucky I am to have found you, even if I did need a good whack to know you were my heart."

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Vale's knees were a bit wobbly, but when Yuji rammed into his ass, the elf arched his back and pushed backward, Yuji's strong hands around his hips and holding Vale upright. The beads had done a wonderful job of arousing Vale, but they had not done much to stretch him, and the burn as Yuji slammed his cock home was nothing short of delicious. Vale ground his hips against Yuji's groin, the feeling of being stretched and filled so perfect that his eyes fluttered closed for a moment, until he felt Yuji nibble on his back.

Vale held the chain tightly, his knuckles white as Yuji pounded his ass, grateful for the cock ring that kept him from spilling as Yuji found his sweet spot and proceeded to assault his prostate vigorously. Vale wriggled a bit, Yuji reaching around every so often to tug his Y-chain to make his cock jump and tug his nipples, the pain just the right side of pleasurable. Vale was panting a bit, holding back his desire to moan, concentrating on the incredible sensation of being fucked fast and hard. Yuji was growling, his own breathing harsh and fast, and he gripped Vale's hips hard enough to bruise, which only made the elf wriggle a little more as he ground himself against Yuji.

The chains were nearly cutting into Vale's hands, he was gripping them so tightly, and his knees were beginning to feel wobbly, but Vale did not want this to end yet. Still, he could not help his own body's response, which was to seek as much of Yuji's cock on each thrust, to angle so that Yuji rode his prostate hard every time he slammed home, the slapping of skin on skin reddening the elf's ass even more than the whipping. Vale was dizzy from panting, and he could feel the heat in his belly begging for release, a release held back by the cock ring. Vale was quite sure he would pass out rather soon, when Yuji growled and bit a fast string of marks down Vale's back, and then pulled out of Vale's ass.

Vale was trying to make sense of that, when Yuji pulled him upright by his braid, unhooking his wrists with the other hand, and turning Vale to face him.

"On your knees, Akira. Finish me with your mouth, and I want you to drink every drop," Yuji ordered, his voice stern.

Vale shivered, his pucker twitching at the abrupt departure of Yuji's cock, but he dropped to his knees gracefully, and took Yuji in his mouth as Yuji unfastened his cock ring, tossing it onto the bed and gripping Vale's braid tightly. Vale pressed his tongue stud against Yuji's cleft, and then ran his tongue down the length of Yuji's cock, one slim hand cupping Yuji's sac and massaging it gently. Yuji moaned, his balls tightening, and he pulled back until only the head of his cock was in Vale's mouth.

"All of it, Akira, every drop," Yuji reminded, his voice thick, and then he howled as his balls emptied themselves, his long delayed orgasm manifesting in spurt after spurt of thick white cum, filling Vale's mouth as the elf swallowed hungrily, his tongue swiping at any stray drops, his green eyes hooded with pleasure. Yuji thought he would never stop cumming, the stud in Vale's tongue tickling his cleft and the sight of Vale eagerly gobbling his cum making him shiver a little. Finally, when Vale had milked every last drop of cum from Yuji, Yuji pulled his now flaccid cock from the elf's mouth with a soft pop, and pulled him to his feet, helping him over to the bed and removing the spreader from between his thighs before taking Vale's face between his hands.

"Beautiful, Akira. You are beautiful when you submit, and please me," Yuji murmured, brushing a few sweat-damp tendrils of hair from Vale's face as the elf looked up at him, his eyes bright with joy.

[Fandoms]

I'm always game for any of the Forgotten Realms settings, which are a fertile hunting ground for Sues. I'm good with Neverwinter, Baldur's Gate and Waterdeep, where they tend to cluster, waving, for some reason, maces and chanting feeble cheers that are supposed to be battle cries...

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Vale all but purred as Yuji told him he was worthy, his green eyes sparkling with desire as he spoke the words that Yuji wanted to hear. "I am Akira. I am yours."

Vale shivered a little as Yuji commanded his silence again, and moved him closer to the bed, on his knees. Vale watched as Yuji spread his thighs with the small spreader bar, and then fastened his wrist cuffs to his ankle cuffs. Then Yuji demanded to fuck Vale's mouth and Vale parted his lips quickly, his eyes dark with hunger as he swirled his tongue around the head of Yuji's cock, pressing his tongue stud against the sensitive cleft and rubbing it up and across the slit on top. Yuji flicked the remote again, this time on the lowest setting, and Vale felt a delicious ripple of sensation spreading through him as the beads vibrated gently against his prostate.

Yuji had Vale's braid wrapped around his hand, holding Vale's head right where he wanted it, and Yuji began to fuck Vale's mouth, the elf flattening his tongue and pressing the stud along the underside of Yuji's cock, eliciting a moan of pleasure from Yuji. Yuji's cock hit the back of Vale's throat and he relaxed and tilted his head a little, allowing Yuji to bury his cock to the root in Vale's hot mouth. Vale pressed the stud against the base of Yuji's cock, just above the cock ring, as firmly as he could while swallowing hard several times. Yuji's moan of pleasure ran through Vale like a current, and Vale could feel his own cock beginning to harden again as Yuji pulled his head back and then shoved in again, fucking Vale's willing throat. The beads were doing their work as well, and Vale writhed a little as the sensations in his ass grew stronger, small bursts of white light behind his eyes hastening his arousal.

Vale sucked in a sharp breath through his nose, using his tongue stud each time Yuji pulled back, managing a few more swipes along the sensitive cleft, loving the way Yuji's cock jumped a little in his mouth each time he did. It was getting harder to breathe, but Vale could have cared less, the feel of Yuji in his mouth and the moans Yuji made more than enough to make Vale suck harder, his cheeks hollowing with the effort. Vale very nearly moaned as Yuji pulled back almost all the way, not wanting to lose that glorious cock, but he caught himself before he actually did moan, and instead swallowed harder when Yuji plunged back into his throat.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Vale watched Yuji's face as he nodded in approval, his perfect eyes warm and then Yuji leaned back a bit, warning sternly, "Remember, not a sound."

Vale's eyes widened slightly, and his tongue flicked out briefly to moisten his lips, and then Yuji's hand moved and the elf's back arched sharply as the beads in his ass began to vibrate. The sensation was so much more than Vale expected, and the stimulation to his prostate was overwhelming. As Yuji watched, Vale's eyes fluttered closed and he screamed, a full throated howl of purest pleasure as his cock was tugged firmly by the Y-chain. Vale's head was back, his gold and green braid nearly touching his ass from the curve of his spine, and his balls drew up sharply as spurt after spurt of cum spattered the elf's pale chest and belly.

Vale howled, writhing from the relentless assault on his prostate, his nipples jerked savagely by the Y-chain as he bent backwards, the waves of sensations overriding everything else, including Yuji's instructions to remain silent. The elf was all but sobbing as his cock jerked a final time, a last dribble of cum sliding down the shaft, and were it not for the ongoing vibrations in his ass, Vale would have collapsed in a boneless heap, tears streaming down his cheeks. A very small part of him that had clung to coherence was shrieking that he had disobeyed, and Vale sobbed harder, disappointment at failing Yuji overtaking him.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Vale looked at the golden beads, and bit his lip hard to keep from moaning in sheer delight. He took the beads from Yuji, feeling their weight and admiring the cool smooth finish for just a brief moment. Then he turned, just enough to present his ass to Yuji as he bent forward, the reddened cheeks seeming to glow a little with heat. Snaking one slim hand between his own thighs, Vale reached up and positioned the first bead at his tight pucker. Vale pressed on the bead, pushing it past the muscle, and his back arched a little as it disappeared into his ass, although Vale was careful not to let his finger enter with the bead.

Vale pressed each bead in, his back arching a little more and his face flushed with his arousal. The Y-chain tugged on his nipples as he arched and Vale could not help a small shiver as the added sensation made his cock weep a little more precum. Vale's hips swayed enticingly as he pressed the last few beads in, his ass full and the beads pressing on his prostate maddeningly, and Vale panted a little as he lined up the last bead, struggling not to let a moan escape his lips as he pressed the last bead in and straightened up to look at Yuji, his cheeks pink and his cock so hard that it hurt.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Vale stood perfectly still, casting a sidelong glance at the cat-o-nine-tails on the bed, his nostrils flaring slightly. Yuji looked at the direction of Vale's glance and gripped the elf's jaw firmly, turning Vale to face him.

"That is for play, Akira, because it pleases me to decorate your ass with red stripes, and to watch you take it silently." Yuji's dark eyes were locked on Vale's wide green eyes, and he saw the emerald darken with desire.

Yuji released Vale's jaw and reached for a set of chains that were dangling from one of the ceiling hooks. He fastened a chain to each of Vale's wrist cuffs, making sure that they were secure and then he tightened the chains, watching as Vale's arms rose above his head, the long lines of the elf's body stretching a bit until he was just slightly on tiptoe. The position made Vale's back arch slightly, his cock jutting out proudly, and Yuji paused to admire the way Vale looked, sleek and lithe.

Yuji still had his towel around his hips, and he stalked around Vale, a predatory gleam in his perfect eyes as he watched Vale try to remain perfectly still despite being a little off balance.

"How many strokes shall I give you, my Akira?" Yuji picked up the cat-o-nine-tails, and gently laid the knotted ends over Vale's shoulder, dragging it slowly to let the elf feel the leather against that pale golden skin. "How many will it take until that ass of yours looks completely fuckable?"

Vale's ear tips were rosy with arousal, and his nostrils flared again as a drop of precum slowly formed and glistened on the head of his cock. The feeling of being slightly off balance was deliciously risky, and Vale knew he might not be able to remain entirely still if that was what would be required, but his entire body was tingling with anticipation. Whatever came, he would submit, and in submitting, he would find new heights of pleasure at Yuji's hands.

[Funny Typos]

From the archive...

He was deafly afraid of what would happen.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Vale murmured the cantrip that dried his hair, and then braided it deftly into a single braid down his back, no beads, only a simple elastic to tie off the end. He opened the plastic box and grinned when he saw the captive ball ring, and reached for the bottle of alcohol he now kept handy, rinsing the ring before removing the barbell that decorated his cock and replacing it with the ring. Vale shivered a little as he examined the way it looked in the mirror, the ring hanging just beneath the head of his cock, below the cleft.

Vale walked into the bedroom, his pale golden skin glowing, his cock proudly erect, and he caught his breath at Yuji sitting on the edge of the bed, his towel still around his hips, and the green velvet bag beside him. Vale smiled radiantly, his green eyes darkening with desire, but instead of going right to Yuji as he would normally have done, he crossed to his dresser first and reached into the top drawer, pulling out an inlaid wooden box. Then he crossed to Yuji and stood before him, the box on his open palms.

"This is my present to you, for us alone, a'maelamin." Vale offered the box to Yuji, who took it and opened it.

Inside, on a bed of emerald green velvet, were delicate mithral chains. One was actually three chains linked in a "Y" with small clasps at each end, and Yuji held it up, looking at Vale. The other chain had a small clasp on one end, and a thin leather handle on the other.

"Show me," Yuji ordered, and Vale took the "Y" chain first. He fastened the clasps of each short end to his nipple rings, and then fastened the third clasp to the ring threaded through his cock. Yuji handed him the second chain wordlessly, and Vale handed back the end with the handle, hooking the clasp to the ring in his cock. Yuji tugged the leash and Vale stepped forward, shivering with anticipation as he waited for Yuji to begin the game.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Before Sand could whisk Ryuu away, Vale stopped him. "Ryuu," Vale said, crouching down to be on eye level with him. "Ayame-chan gave me something to give to you." He handed Ryuu the envelope, exactly like the ones Norio had been handing out. "She did not want you to be forgotten, so maybe she's not so much of a witch, neh?" Vale kissed Ryuu on the cheek, and turned him over to Sand again.

"Tousan, look!" Ryuu showed Sand the envelope, torn between his hurt feelings from earlier and the excitement of getting yen of his own.

"It is wonderful, sochi-chan. We can put it away in your room, in the box where you keep Adalon's scale, yes? It will be safe there until you talk to chichi about what you should do with it." Sand scooped Ryuu up with a brilliant smile and nuzzled him. "Now, let us go and read, shall we? Do you remember where we left off in our story?"

Yuji looked at Vale as Sand went upstairs with Ryuu, the little boy chattering a mile a minute, having decided that excitement was more fun than sulking. Vale's cheeks pinked a bit, but he sat next to Yuji.

"Ayame-chan stopped me on the way out, and gave me envelopes for Ryuu and Hikaru." Vale shrugged a little. "She told me that Hikaru is adorable. I thanked her. I think she was sincere, a'maelamin."

Yuji waved his hand dismissively. "I don't want to talk about them. I want to enjoy tonight." In the next breath he contradicted himself. "Did you hear what happened with Sand and Satoshi?"

"No," Vale replied, "but Sand was furious, I know that much. When he gets that tone in his voice, look out." Vale leaned in and kissed Yuji lightly. "I'd better get these two tucked in. Aika-chan, you want to help me put Hikaru to bed?"

"Uma," Aika agreed, lisping a little as she took Vale's hand. "Hikaru kaima."

Yuji followed Vale upstairs, smiling at how easily Vale fell into his role as a father. He and Aika chattered in elven, Aika occasionally switching to Japanese if she did not know the word in elven, and Vale replied easily, teaching her the word with gentle love. He had them both changed and tucked into bed, kissing them and nuzzling Aika, and then he left quietly, falling into Yuji's arms contentedly.

Sand finished reading with Ryuu, and they marked their place for the following night, Ryuu hugging Sand and kissing him good night. Then Sand tucked Ryuu in, and left quietly, closing the door gently behind him and heading to his bedroom to take off his suit.

Satoshi was sitting on the bed, his cheeks wet, his fingers stuffed into his mouth to stifle his sobs. Sand dropped onto the bed beside Satoshi, wrapping his arms around his husband, his heart aching to see Satoshi in tears.

"What is it, cormamin?" Sand asked gently.

The reply was a little muffled, but Satoshi choked out, "I hate this. I hate him... I'm so scared of him. I know I'm stupid to be so afraid, but he always threatens me, he scares me." He sobbed a little. "I have nightmares. Nightmares of him coming to get me again."

"You are not alone, my heart, not now, not ever," Sand soothed. "I will not let him hurt you, and he cannot hurt me."

"But you don't understand... he hurts me every time," Satoshi said, his voice forlorn. "I have to see him many times every year... it's been more than ten years since he did that, and I must face him again and again and again... it's not fair that I want to die because of what he did to me."

Sand stroked Satoshi's back lovingly. "We will not be seeing them again, I would think. Yuji was furious and argued with his father before walking out. I do think we may be unwelcome in future."

Satoshi's sobs slowed down, and he looked at Sand. "He did?" He hiccuped a little. "I won't have to meet him again?"

"No, cormamin, you will not." Sand pressed a soft kiss to the top of Satoshi's head.

"He grabbed me in the garden," Satoshi said, his voice faint. "He said he was going to come and fuck me again, because Yuji was sharing me around."

"Shhh, my heart," Sand said. "I heard him. You know how well we elves can hear."

Satoshi flushed and began to squirm a bit, his fingers flying to his mouth, but Sand caught Satoshi's hands in his and drew them to his chest.

"It is not your fault, my heart. You did nothing to encourage him, nothing at all. He is just a coward, who seeks to use your fear to make himself feel less afraid, and he will not come near you again." Sand held Satoshi and rubbed his back gently.

"You didn't do anything..." Satoshi let his voice trail off and he looked at Sand, his eyes wet and swollen behind his glasses.

"I had words with him," Sand admitted calmly. "I told him that he was welcome to come here, and I would then ruin him by making it public that he is a rapist. I would cheerfully ruin his name, and that of his father, and watch that bitch of a wife leave him in an instant, and I would enjoy it. He would lose his job, and his license, everything that he needs to keep up his precious image."

Satoshi looked at Sand, his eyes wide, and Sand gently took off Satoshi's glasses and wiped his tears away. Then Sand dried Satoshi's glasses and put them back on.

"May I tell you something?" Sand held Satoshi's face between his hands, a sweet small smile on his face. "You have had to face him, over and over, all these years, and still you did not break. I do not know if I would have had that strength, if Vale had not killed that bastard who raped me, if he had sailed off with me still locked below, to be used by him over and over until I broke."

"No, you're strong, you wouldn't have broken," Satoshi protested. Sand kissed him very gently, nibbling a little at his piercings.

"I very nearly did." Sand nuzzled Satoshi's hair. "He took me repeatedly, making sure that I never had enough time to replenish my spells, never enough reverie. He broke my bones and chewed my flesh, because my pain was what he craved, more than the sex. My screams were his nectar. What Taro did to you, though, was so much worse. He tore at your soul. Flesh heals, but he hurt you where you could not heal."

Sand pulled Satoshi in and held him tightly. Satoshi's voice was a little muffled, but Sand heard him clearly. "But you got over it. You got past it. Why can't I?"

"I got past it because Vale killed the bastard. Do you know, he offered to resurrect him and kill him again if it would help." Sand smiled at the memory. "You have had to face Taro over and over. It has never ended for you, until now. It has ended now, my heart, because I will not let him do that anymore."

Satoshi clung tightly for a moment longer, and then his whole body seemed to relax. "I used to fantasize about killing him," Satoshi admitted. "In all sorts of bloody ways. But I could never do that to Yuji. He doesn't know, no one does but you. Kenji knows I was raped, but not who did it."

Sand kissed Satoshi lovingly. "They will never learn it from me. It is yours to tell. But I am always here, Satoshi. You hold my heart within you, and I will never let him touch you again."

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Vale looked down at Hikaru, wide eyed and awake in his car seat, and he stroked his son's cheek lovingly. "It's alright, utinuamin. You are our light, always." He smiled at Willow and Yuji, his head up proudly. Willow was helping Aika with her slippers and coat, and Yuji was already outside and opening up the mini-bus. Kansas and Erion were giving Ryuu a hand, and Vale stooped to kiss Ryuu's head fleetingly. "Are you alright, sochi-chan?"

Ryuu's eyes widened, and he ducked behind Kansas and Erion, and Vale felt someone touch his arm. He turned to see Ayame standing there, her expression quite determined. In the background, Vale could hear Sand's precise enunciation, a sure sign of his anger, and Vale sighed a little, resigned to one last round of insult.

"Yes, Ayame-chan?" Vale asked, his tone neutral. Kansas and Erion quickly left with Ryuu, and Willow and Aika followed behind them.

"I wanted to give you these." Ayame slipped two small envelopes into Vale's free hand, exactly like the ones Norio had been handing out earlier. Ayame looked down at Hikaru, and touched his golden cheek gently. "He is adorable, Vale-san. I am sorry that this has come to such a state, but I wanted to tell you that, at least."

Vale's tone was considerably warmer as he bowed respectfully. "Thank you, Ayame-chan. I'm sorry as well, although probably for different reasons."

Ayame looked down at Hikaru again, and the small half-elf chose that moment to smile up at her, the sweet guileless smile of an infant, and Ayame touched his cheek again softly before turning away, her eyes bright with tears. Vale watched her for a moment before walking out to join the others at the mini-bus to wait for Sand and Satoshi.

In the meantime,Sand had turned around, his blue eyes icy as he regarded Norio. "While I realize anything I say falls on deaf ears, I trust you understand what you have just done here. You could not have lost your son any more completely, and I doubt that we will meet again. You may not understand what we have, but we are a family above all else, and we do not allow any one person to carry the burden alone. I could quite easily support our family myself. I, however, would not insult any of my family by suggesting that I do so, since it seems that I understand honor and dignity far beyond what you can grasp. I also cherish the love that binds us together, something you will never know or even miss until it is far too late, until you are old and alone and afraid."

Sand's keen hearing picked up something from the garden, and he paused for a moment, listening. The voice was Taro's and since the only other person missing was Satoshi, that had to be who Taro addressed, his tone as malevolent as anything Sand had ever heard. Sand looked, and his eyes adjusted to the gloom to reveal Taro, his hand at Satoshi's throat, and Sand had to force himself not to act in a moment of blinding rage.

"Look at you," Taro hissed. "Not Yuji's favorite anymore, are you? Does that gaijin give it to you hard like Yuji did? Do you scream for Yuji when that gaijin fucks you into the mattress, uke? Maybe I should visit you again soon. Since Yuji doesn't mind sharing you around like that, maybe I should take my turn again."

Taro released Satoshi, who fled into the house, his eyes swimming behind his glasses. Satoshi dove into the powder room, locking the door and running water in the basin.

Sand was about to excuse himself when he realized that Norio was distracted by watching Ayame in conversation with Vale. Sand slipped out into the garden, silent and swift, and came up behind Taro much as Taro had done to Satoshi, his slender but strong fingers wrapping around Taro's throat.

Sand's voice was low and deadly. "I heard what you said to my husband. How will your father like it when his name is dragged through the mud, when it is revealed that his precious son is a rapist? Will your beautiful wife stand by you, holding the hands of your children? Will your colleagues rush to your side, or enjoy seeing your arrogance reap its rewards? So please, do attempt to make good your threat, and I will turn your perfect life into a living hell, you worthless bastard." Sand tightened his fingers a little and then let go, shoving Taro from him with utter contempt.

Sand turned and slipped back into the house, in time to intercept Satoshi as he came out of the powder room. "There you are," Sand said, giving Satoshi a smile as he opened his bond to send love and reassurance to his beloved husband. "The others have gone to the car already. Shall we join them?" Sand let one hand rest on Satoshi's shoulder, a gesture that was discreet enough not to embarrass the already shaken imp, but was contact enough to be comforting. "There's no need to say goodbye. I've quite taken care of that."

Sand swept Satoshi past Norio without a glance, and they headed out to join the rest of the family, Sand's hand never once leaving his husband's shoulder.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Sand and Vale and Erion had all greeted Hideko and Tsutomo warmly, and Vale and Tomio chattered happily for a moment about a game while Sand admired the infant Sora. Then they were led to the dining room.

This time Sand did let his eyebrow fly up all the way, an expression of well-bred puzzlement on his face. He looked at the two separate dining tables, and heaved the very slightest of sighs.

"I had not realized we would be putting you out like this. Had I known we would be too large a gathering for your dining table, I would have suggested that we have it at our home." Sand smiled at Norio and Ayame pleasantly. "Ah, well, it is not to be helped."

Gritting his teeth a little, Norio inquired, "Is there a problem?"

"It seems that we are short two seats at the high table, hmm?" Sand replied. "Erion, could I impose on you to sit with the children at the low table tonight? It will be an amusing story to tell back home, no doubt, since it might very well be the first time any Sulandorn has done so."

"Oh, it might be fun at that," Erion replied, giving Kansas's hand a tight squeeze. "We could help Aika, couldn't we, Tatsuya?"

Kansas's eyes had darkened a little at the sound of Norio's teeth grinding, and now they darkened even more. "Of course we could," Kansas said. "What do you think, princess? Do you want your two best knights to help you?"

Aika laughed, her sweet voice ringing like a pure bell. She held out her hands imperiously to Kansas and Erion, and Willow let her go with a smile for the young lovers.

"Mine," she informed the room, the English word decisive.

They seated themselves around the table, Satoshi very happy to see that Sand was a suitable distance from Taro, although Sand still regarded Taro with a slightly predatory gleam in his eyes.

Yuji caught Sand's sudden focus on Taro, and had to bite back a snicker as he realized that Taro would have entirely the wrong idea about what that look meant, and Taro's discomfort at being admired by a foreigner was even better than if he knew the truth. Yuji was not sure what Taro had done to piss Sand off, but Yuji knew damned well that Sand was feeling more than a little homicidal at the moment, and Yuji could not help hoping that Taro would somehow manage to screw up and let that perfect facade slip.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Sand had supervised the clothing for Vale and Erion, especially after Vale had told him about meeting Yuji's family previously. Sand knew full well that clothing in social situations spoke volumes, and this was a battlefield he knew well. That was precisely how he approached this dinner, as a battle of wits and words and manners, and he prepared with his usual attention to detail.

The three elves wore suits from Armani, elegant and understated, the cut of the fabric exquisite. Sand wore charcoal grey, while Vale wore black, and Erion an indigo blue. Their shirts were the finest Egyptian cotton, as smooth as silk. Sand's was a pale grey the color of fog, while Vale's was snow white, making his skin look even more golden. Erion's shirt was the palest of blues, just a hint of color. Sand had insisted on ties as well, over Erion's protests, and even those were chosen with great care. Sand wore an amethyst silk tie, and his tie pie was also an amethyst set in platinum. Vale's tie was emerald green, deep and rich, and his tie pie was a cabuchon emerald set in gold. Erion's tie was a silvery grey, the silk seeming to shift color slightly as he moved, and his tie pin was a cabuchon moonstone, its depths as mysterious as the young elf's eyes. They all wore dress loafers of the finest leather, polished to a mirror-like gloss, with delicate tassels, and their socks were black silk.

Standing in the entryway to Norio-sama's home, and feeling the cold waves of disapproval from the man, Sand was grimly pleased by his preparations. He had greeted Norio-sama with all due respect, and although he had expected the rebuff, it stung when he saw Erion's face fall slightly. Sand also felt a surge of outrage when he saw how stiff Willow was, and how ill at ease she seemed. Even the children were greeted coldly, Ryuu adorable in his suit, and Aika the image of a small princess in her beautiful dress and matching patent slippers which she carefully left by the door in imitation of the adults. Hikaru was awake in his portable car seat, his wide green eyes taking everything in, silent in the face of the tension in the adults. Hideko and Tsutomo had not yet arrived, and Sand wondered briefly how they would be received.

When Sand was introduced to Taro and Naomi, and Taro barely bowed, Sand merely inclined his head slightly in return, arching an elegant eyebrow fractionally to show that he had registered the insult. He offered a silent prayer of thanks to the Seldarine a moment later, when he successfully managed to hide his reaction to the look Taro gave Satoshi, a dark and predatory look that made Sand's eyes darken. It did not help that Sand could feel Vale's anxiety, the blond elf not willing to show any disrespect for Yuji's sake despite the insults offered. Sand heard Vale say something in his nearly fluent Japanese, his tone respectful and pleasant, and Ayame said something in an icy tone, and Vale froze.

Sand cleared his throat very discreetly. "I do beg pardon," he began, his voice soft and deceptively polite. "I find I must apologize for my lack of fluency in your lovely language, and I beg your indulgence in requesting that we converse in English so that I might participate?" He watched Ayame stiffen slightly, torn between her desire to be rude to the presumptuous foreigner, and her role as a gracious hostess. The hostess won, but it was a narrow victory, and Sand smiled inwardly.

"I have been admiring your charming little home," Sand continued. "My lady mother would love the garden, and it would be easier to manage with less staff."

Vale looked over at Sand, the twinkle back in his green eyes. "How has Lady Eryn been? Remind her that if there is anything she requires from the Governing Council, she has only to use my name. My assistant has strict instructions to see to anything she needs done."

Sand smiled brightly at Norio and Ayame. "It always pays to have friends in positions of authority, does it not?"

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Sand kissed Yuji, laughing as he put the watch on. Vale snickered, and Sand pulled his elven husband in for a kiss as well. "We do not all live for the dawn, anoramin."

"Some of us do get up before noon, ithilamin," Vale replied, the love in his tone evident.

Then Vale looked at the last couple of presents on the table. He picked up the first one and handed it to Satoshi. It was hakama, a snow-white juban, and a a kimono with his kanji for the dojo, in his perfect size. Satoshi kissed Vale sweetly, delighted with the thoughtful gift. Then Vale handed the last box to Kansas.

"This seems oddly appropriate," Vale said with a smile. Kansas opened the box, and found charcoal sticks in every imaginable shade, ink blocks, brushes, tubes of watercolors, and pads of paper for charcoal and for watercolor as well as rice paper. It was all packed inside a traveling art desk, which even had a small bottle to hold water for the ink blocks.

Vale leaned back on the couch, curled against Yuji, knowing that he had one last gift to give, but that would keep until he and Yuji were alone tonight.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Vale looked at the watch from Satoshi, and beamed, his face radiant. "It's gorgeous, mela en' coiamin." He put it on, admiring the gleam of the gold and the glitter of the emeralds, and kissed Satoshi lingeringly.

Sand caught Kansas in a tight embrace, kissing him sweetly. "This is perfect, my love. This is exactly what I need for the dojo, and I will think of you when I wear them." He held the imp close for a moment longer. "Thank you."

Vale held the simple silver frame, and looked at the charcoal sketch of Yuji holding him, and the tears began to roll down his cheeks as he looked at Kansas, his eyes wide. "Oh, alasse'amin, my joy, this is so very perfect." He laid the frame down carefully, and pulled Kansas to him, kissing him tenderly. "I remember that moment. It was the exact moment when I knew I was home. I love you, thank you." He gave a sob of pure joy as he hugged Kansas.

Sand reached over to the pile, and picked up the last of his gifts. He handed Erion a box, and the younger elf squealed as he pulled out a backpack filled with school supplies, exactly like Kansas carried. "It's perfect!"

Sand handed Kansas a small box, containing a Swiss Army diving watch, suitable for everyday. Then he handed Willow a delicate blue box, containing a necklace and kissed her forehead before she opened it.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Erion stroked the drawing of the white tiger in awe, shivering a little as he thought about going back into Kansas's world to master the majestic tiger. But when he did...

"'Lokiamin, this is gorgeous. You drew this for me?" Erion kissed Kansas happily, his eyes shining. "I can't wait until I've earned the right to have this tattooed on my body!"

Then Kansas took Erion outside after handing him keys, and Erion's shriek could have woken the dead as he looked at the motorcycle. He flung himself into Kansas, wrapping his arms around Kansas's neck, and his legs around Kansas's hips as he dove into a kiss, plundering Kansas's mouth on the spot. When Erion finally came up for air, he looked at Kansas with such a radiant grin that Kansas laughed.

"Oh, I can't wait to learn how to ride it and get my license and everything, and I'm going to take you somewhere and we are going to fuck until we can't walk!" Erion crowed, and dove into another kiss until Sand stuck his head out.

"Aier, you might wish to let Kansas breathe, and there are yet more gifts," Sand called, laughing at the joy on the faces of the two young lovers.

Vale gave both Sand and Erion laptops, laughing when Sand teased him about not wanting to share his anymore. Sand gave Vale a pair of black leather pants, supple and sleek, that looked like they would appear painted on, and Vale shivered a little at the look in Yuji's eyes when he saw them.

Then Erion dove back into the pile, and shyly handed Willow a silk-wrapped box and then handed Satoshi a box wrapped in hand painted rice paper.

Willow opened her box, to reveal a dozen leatherbound journals, the blank pages begging to be filled.

Satoshi carefully opened the paper, not wanting to tear it, and opened the box inside to reveal a beautiful leather guitar case.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Vale bit back a sob and looked up at Yuji, his eyes shining. "It's so beautiful, Yuji. I'll feel like the Emperor himself in something so beautiful." Vale threw his arms around Yuji and kissed him, tears trailing down his cheeks. "A'maelamin, it is the most perfect gift."

While Vale was reverently placing everything carefully back in the box to keep it protected, Erion jumped up and ran to the table. He picked up a few things and then returned to the group.

"Uncle Sand?" Erion handed Sand a small box wrapped in beautiful rice paper, and Sand opened it carefully to reveal a new iPhone.

Sand threw back his head and laughed, pulling Erion into a hug. "It is wonderful, aier. Now I will not need to bother Kansas anymore to borrow his."

Erion grinned and handed his next box to Vale, who opened it to pull out a leather frock coat, nipped in at the waist and flaring out over his hips.

"Erion! This is gorgeous," Vale said, hugging the young elf happily.

Then Erion walked over to Kansas, his silver eyes shining. "This is for you, 'lokiamin." He handed Kansas a small wrapped box shyly.

Kansas opened it carefully, and took out a leather case. Lifting the lid, he revealed a pocket watch in yellow gold with a long chain. The face of the watch was set with diamonds and sapphires, and a diamond and sapphire fob swung at the other end of the chain.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Sand looked at the katana, his eyes tearing as he touched it reverently. Then he pulled Satoshi to him and kissed he passionately, not caring that everyone was watching.

"It is beautiful, cormamin, the most perfect gift, and I will use it with all the respect and care it deserves," Sand said, lifting it out of the box and stroking it lovingly. He drew it out part way, admiring the rippled steel of the blade, and feeling the perfect balance. It was a warrior's weapon, and Sand carefully slid it back into its sheath and laid it in the box. "One day, when I have mastered kenjutsu sufficiently, I hope you will honor me by allowing me to spar with you with this weapon."

Satoshi beamed, delighted that Sand was so pleased.

Vale stood up and crossed to the pile of presents, and carefully selected a box wrapped in a delicate silk scarf, which he brought over to Willow with a smile. "Happy New Year, lirimaer."

Willow smiled at the elf, and untied the scarf. Inside was a box from Christian Louboutin, and she opened it to reveal a gorgeous pair of high heeled boots just perfect for the Tokyo winter, as well as for driving her husbands insane.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Everyone took turns hugging Yuji and kissing him, and then Vale urged him to sit and try the piano. Yuji wiped the tears from his eyes and sat on the bench, his fingers trembling as he caressed the keys before beginning to play. Satoshi gasped a little, tears forming in his eyes as he listened to the gorgeous music that Yuji coaxed from the piano. Sand wrapped an arm around Satoshi, and kissed his forehead. Erion grabbed Kansas's arm, his silver eyes wide and shining. Vale leaned into Willow, his heart leaping as he fell in love with Yuji all over again, remembering that moment at the vacation house when he had seen Yuji at the piano, angelic music tugging at him then as it did now. Aika clung to Vale, smiling as she listened, and Hikaru, snuggled in Willow's arms, was wide-eyed and entranced.

Yuji finally stopped playing after a few minutes, his eyes damp but his face radiant. "This is the perfect present. I can't believe you all did this, and I love you all forever."

"Just play for us," Satoshi said, his own tearstained face radiant. He and Yuji exchanged a long look, so many memories between them, and so much love.

It was Willow, slightly damp-eyed herself, who got them all moving. "Are we doing our presents in here? We need to get a move on. We do have plans for later."

Sand started off the present exchange, wanting to give Satoshi the gift he had found for him. He handed over the large box, his eyes shining as Satoshi opened it carefully to reveal a new electric guitar. "I hope it is the one you wanted, cormamin," Sand said.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Vale was positively giddy as he greeted Kai, the Japanese flowing off his tongue easily. "I know, I'm a mess, but no one can do my hair like you can." He gave Kai a hug, his green eyes dancing.

Sand watched as Kai greeted his husbands, smiling at their enthusiasm, and at the easy friendship between them all. Then Kai noticed him, and hurried over, his eyes wide as he spoke rapidly, Kansas translating for Sand. Kai touched Sand's hair, running his fingers through the black silk of it, and offered Sand a chance to think about what he wanted to do, while Kansas offered suggestions until the door opened again and Erion raced in to fling himself into Kansas's arms, his silvery eyes wide with excitement. Sand looked at Satoshi, his face flushed with pleasure, and he crossed over to kiss his husband lightly before Kai swept Satoshi into a wild embrace.

Everything came to a crashing halt when Kansas lifted the helmet from Erion's head, and the young elf's silvery hair cascaded free. Kai looked like he had seen a miracle, and he touched Erion's hair reverently as Erion giggled.

"I told you it was moonbeam colored," Erion laughed. He gave Kai an impulsive hug, full of boundless energy, and then planted a wild kiss on Satoshi. "I love the bike! Kansas, we have to get one!"

"Alright," Kai said briskly, looking at the six men clustered in his shop. "Who's first?"

Vale hopped into the chair. "I want to go bother Cho as well, so can I go first?"

"Trust me, you're no bother to Cho," Kai laughed, and set to work on the blond elf.

Sand watched for a moment, and then waited until Satoshi was suitably distracted to catch Yuji's eye. "I want to surprise Satoshi. Could you perhaps translate?"

Yuji grinned and led Sand through the door to Cho's. "Hey, Cho," he called in English. "This is Sand, one of our new members of the family," he said when Cho hurried over. "Sand, meet Cho. She's done Satoshi's piercings, and Vale's as well."

Sand smiled at Cho. "I am glad to meet you. Vale has spoken of you fondly. I want to surprise Satoshi. I would like to have my tongue pierced, I think, and perhaps an additional piercing, if we could."

Cho grinned widely. "Surprising Satoshi, are we? Come right on in here, and let's see what we can do."

Back in Kai's shop, Vale had been trimmed, and while his hair was bleaching, Kai turned to see who was next. Yuji elected to get his hair trimmed, his usual one inch off, and Kai set to work, still thrilled to see Yuji so well and strong again.

Then it was time to get Satoshi trimmed, and bleach his hair, and Kansas as well.

"Hey, Kai," Kansas said. "This time, can we do one silver streak and the rest blue?"

Kai looked at Erion and then at Kansas, and smiled. "Of course we can."

Kai was busy and happy, dancing from one to another, back to Vale to set his color, and then to Kansas and Satoshi. Satoshi had decided on a change this time around. Instead of just coloring the tips of his hair, he had decided to do the top in amethyst, and leave his natural black underneath. Kai approved, and set about preparing Satoshi's hair for the color.

Erion was watching all of this with huge eyes. Kai looked over at the young elf and winked, working his magic with the ease of long practice. Kansas grinned at Erion.

"Are you going to get a trim, isilmeamin?" Kansas asked.

Erion nodded. "It's too long, and I want to have some color in it."

Kai looked alarmed. "Not too much color, baby. Your hair is too gorgeous as it is!"

"Maybe a few little strands of blue?" Erion pleaded. "I want blue for Kansas. And can you cut it to the middle of my back?"

Kai sighed. "Okay, but just a few strands. That hair is too marvelous, and I can't stand the thought of hiding it with lots of color."

Sand wandered back in, his eyes bright, and chuckled at his nephew. "I have to agree," he said, delighted to hear Kai speaking English.

Kai looked over at Sand. "Have you thought about what you want?"

"A trim, to be sure," Sand said. "Tell me, can you do something very subtle with my hair? Just a touch of color, something that might only show in certain light?"

Kai smiled happily. "I can and that's exactly what I'd have recommended for you, too. How short did you want to go?"

"Perhaps mid back," Sand replied. "Any shorter and it would feel like I was in mourning, which I most certainly am not." He shot Satoshi a quick glance, his eyes brimming with love, and Satoshi turned slightly pink as he smiled back.

Vale's color was done, and he danced out of the chair with a huge smile. "Kai, you are the best! It's perfect!" Vale hugged Kai and hurried over to Cho's shop, his beautiful green and gold hair swinging around his shoulders perfectly.

Cho greeted him with a hug. "Shopping for jewelry today?"

"Oh, that, and I want a couple of piercings, if you have time," Vale replied. "I want a tongue stud and a frenulum bar."

Cho's eyes widened slightly, but she led Vale to the room she used for her work. It did not take her long, and she looked at him when she was done. "No wild sex until that's healed, okay?"

Vale grinned. "I know, Cho." He kissed her cheek. "Now, some jewelry!" He selected a few pieces, including a captive ball ring for his cock, and a vibrating stud for his tongue. He paid Cho and hugged her again before heading back to Kai's shop, going to sit with Yuji. Leaning over, his mouth right next to Yuji's ear, Vale murmured, "My word is faarea. It means enough in elven, because I'm afraid that if I'm that far gone, I'll forget all my English and Japanese."

Yuji shivered just a little, looking at Vale with a combination of love and lust that made the elf weak-kneed.

[Week 24: 3-20-11]

Pen Name: BronxWench

Story link: http://games.adult-fanfiction.org/story.php?no=600086441

Type of fic: Flash fic

Rating: Adult+

Fandom: Dragon Age: Origins

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

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Vale opened his eyes, and looked in the mirror, and his eyes widened. Around his neck was a thin leather collar in an emerald green, almost the exact shade of his eyes. In the front there was a gold o-ring, and to the right, a gold name plate with the kanji that Vale knew spelled his Japanese name. He knew, from the sensation when Yuji had touched him, that there was a buckle in the back, but the entire collar was so soft that the buckle did not rub at all.

Yuji had not told him that he could touch, so Vale kept his hands by his sides as he answered. "I accept. I am Akira, and you are my master, and I wear your collar proudly." His green eyes glowed with love and happiness as the words left his lips, and he knew that this was the moment he had hoped for since the first night he had let Yuji take control. He waited with perfect patience and love for his master's next command.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

It took Satoshi a few moments to regain his composure, and Sand merely held him, stroking his back and allowing his husband a chance to recover. When Satoshi lifted his head, taking off his glasses for a moment to scrub the back of his hand across his eyes, Sand just offered a small smile.

"I am so sorry, cormamin. I seem to have a tendency to touch on things that are painful for us both." Sand crossed to a vending machine, and purchased more bottles of tea, sorting through the bills in his billfold with more confidence. He came back and handed Satoshi a fresh tea, opening his and drinking a little. "We have all known tragic losses, it seems, and it does not get easier with time. We just get better at coping."

Satoshi lit another cigarette, drinking some of the tea gratefully. "Right after that was when I was hurt. Yori and I just understood each other after that. We didn't have to pretend with each other."

"I suppose one must be grateful that Kenji and Yori were able to keep their love alive." There was something sad in Sand's eyes, and then he smiled at Satoshi, a gentle smile. "If you are feeling ready, perhaps we should get home. I feel the need to hold our son, and kiss his cheek, and to live in the moment." Sand got into the car, and Satoshi got behind the wheel.

~ x x ~

Vale snuggled closer to Yuji, grinding his ass into Yuji's groin as he twisted a bit to slip a breath mint into Yuji's mouth. Yuji chuckled a little and gave his elf a light slap on the ass.

"Hikaru will be waking in a minute. We don't have time." Yuji chuckled again as Vale pouted a little.

"I just fed and changed Hikaru, and he's sleeping again." Vale wriggled around to face Yuji, nuzzling in for a kiss as his fingers slid into Yuji's hair to stroke his ear. He pressed his hard cock into Yuji's thigh, bucking his hips a little to rub it against the hard muscle of his husband's leg. His green eyes sparkled as he felt Yuji's cock against his belly, as hard as his own.

Yuji growled a little, but he nipped at Vale's lower lip before plundering the willing mouth that pressed so sweetly against his, feeling Vale's nipple rings brush against his nipples. Vale moaned happily into the kiss as Yuji's hands moved down to grab his ass, squeezing the pert cheeks.

They broke apart for a moment, Vale's lips already a little swollen from the searing kiss, and Yuji looked into his elf's bright eyes. "You're such a little cockwhore lately." Yuji nuzzled Vale's ear, making the elf gasp.

"But only for you," Vale murmured, rubbing his cock against Yuji's cock. "I'm your cockwhore."

"Mine, eh? Then turn over and put that sweet ass in the air for me," Yuji growled, and Vale complied eagerly, his torso pressed against the bed, his ass raised and his legs parted to reveal the tight pucker. Yuji reached over to the nightstand and grabbed the lube, smearing a little on Vale's asshole and working it in a little roughly with his thumb. The cold lube made Vale moan, and Yuji gave the inviting ass a stinging slap, watching the skin redden a little. Yuji pushed himself between Vale's legs and pressed the head of his cock against the slick muscle and pushed in, sinking himself to the hilt on his first thrust.

Vale howled into the bedcovers, his hips bucking as he shoved backwards into Yuji's cock, his own cock leaking precum. Yuji grabbed a handful of gold and green hair, and yanked Vale upright, rocking his hips to withdraw a little before slamming his cock back into that tight ass. Vale mewled, his head falling back against Yuji's shoulder and his fingers tugging on his own nipple rings, pulling and twisting as Yuji began to punish Vale's ass with strong thrusts.

"Let me see you play with your cock," Yuji ordered, his voice stern, and Vale wrapped his fingers around his cock, stroking firmly and dragging his thumb across the weeping head on every upstroke. Yuji gripped Vale's hip with his free hand, the other wrapped around the elf's slim waist and he proceeded to fuck Vale hard, pounding his prostate as Vale mewled and ground himself down onto Yuji's cock.

It did not take long for Yuji to start to feel himself approaching release. Vale's wanton moans and his utter compliance with Yuji's orders were a potent combination, and Yuji turned his head so that he could reach the long throat laid so invitingly open. Vale shifted to give Yuji better access, and Yuji bit at the sweet pale flesh, sucking hard until he could taste the metallic tang of blood. Yuji licked where he had bitten, knowing the mark would be livid for at least the next couple of days and also knowing that the sight of it would rouse Vale even more than it did him.

Vale's breathing was a little ragged and he worked his cock faster, his green eyes fluttering closed as he let out a howl, cum spattering his chest and belly. His ass gripped Yuji's cock like a velvet vise, and Yuji sank his teeth in Vale's shoulder as his balls drew up sharply. It felt like magma when he came, his cum even hotter than the hot ass it was filling, and Vale howled against, writhing against Yuji and milking every last drop of cum from him.

They collapsed onto the bed in a boneless heap, Vale shivering as his ass clenched and unclenched a few more times. Yuji eased his cock out of Vale's ass, and turned the elf around to face him, capturing his mouth in a searing kiss.

"You're going to be the fucking death of me," Yuji muttered, his perfect eyes bright with love.

Vale's green eyes were equally bright. "Can you think of a better way to go?"

Yuji started to laugh. "Not at the moment," he admitted, and Vale sighed happily and nestled closer.

They lay curled up together for a few minutes longer, Yuji stroking Vale's silky hair. Then Yuji gave Vale another light smack on the ass.

"Aren't we supposed to go see Kai today, and get our hair done before the holidays?" Yuji grinned as Vale's face lit up, but then Vale's expression changed, the elf looking uncharacteristically uncertain.

"I was thinking, Yuji, that while we're there, I might stop and see Cho," Vale began hesitantly.

"Is this about the tongue stud? You know that's fine with me," Yuji said reassuringly, amused by Vale's sudden desire for approval.

Vale took a deep breath. 'I know that, a'maelamin. I was thinking about another piercing, a barbell right here." Vale indicated the shaft of his cock, right below the cleft at the back of the head. He looked up at Yuji, his green eyes utterly serious. "What do you think? I won't do it if you don't like it."