[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Yuji chuckled when Vale screamed into the mattress, the elf's howl of pleasure barely muffled by the many cushions and silk quilts strewn all over the bed. "I'm beginning to think you're breaking the rules on purpose, my love." Yuji admired the red stripe across the pale ass of his elf. "I was going to give you five stripes, one for each noise, but now we're up to six."

Vale shivered, the combination of sensations and stimuli incredibly intense. The feel of the silk scarf pinioning his arms behind him was decadent and wicked, and kneeling with his ass in the air, fully exposed, was even more so. His own cum was smeared across his cheek and lips, and his ass stung wonderfully where Yuji had smacked him. Vale managed not to moan by virtue of biting the quilt beneath him as his keen ears registered the sound of something moving through the air. He was not quite as unprepared when the second blow landed, and he thrust his ass up slightly to meet the leather belt, pain exploding into pleasure.

Yuji watched as Vale's ass moved to meet the belt, utterly amazed and captivated by Vale's eager response. Yuji had not been sure how Vale would respond to this part of the game, and he certainly never expected this level of eager participation. To draw out the anticipation, Yuji ran a hand over the red stripes on the elf's firm ass, feeling the heat radiating from the inflamed skin. Vale swayed slightly, the movement utterly provocative, and Yuji pressed a little harder, teasing out a wanton mewl at the elf pressed back.

"Another sound?" Yuji stepped back and applied the belt, fast and precisely placed. The elf mastered his urge to scream as a third stripe appeared on his ass

"That's seven now, my pet." Yuji considered the gorgeous display in front of him.

Vale was trying desperately to maintain silence, but it was increasingly hard. The sharp blows had aroused him all over again, his cock once again hard and Vale longed to grind it into the mattress, or rub it along Yuji. anything for contact to relieve the throbbing ache. He let his hips sway again, as suggestively as he could manage, and he parted his knees a little more to better display his asshole.

Yuji walked over to the nightstand, and Vale heard the sound of wine being poured. Then his keen ears registered the soft sounds of Yuji walking back and forth, pausing to look at Vale's shameless display. Vale's cock jumped in anticipation every time Yuji paused, and Vale was not sure if he wanted another blow or to be plundered where he crouched. He had gotten three of his seven blows, and the elf was not sure he would be able to be silent through the next four at all.

Apparently, Yuji had the same reservation, because Vale heard the wine glass being put down, and then his head was lifted while a small leather-wrapped ball in a harness of sorts was placed between his lips and fastened behind his head. Vale shivered in pleasure and gratitude that Yuji was not going to make it impossible for him to comply. The Yuji picked up the wine glass and resumed his nearly silent pacing.

The fourth blow took Vale's breath away, and he made no noise to increase his punishment. The fifth blow followed so fast that Vale managed an audible whimper around the ball in his mouth, his back arching as he heard Yuji's voice.

"Eight, my love. You are so beautiful right now that I am almost tempted to forgo the rest of your punishment and just fuck that gorgeous ass now." Yuji patted Vale's inflamed cheeks. "But that would be breaking my own rules, wouldn't it?"

Vale waggled his ass as enticingly as he could, turning his head to send Yuji a searing look of naked lust. Three more blows...Vale wanted them, and then he wanted Yuji to fuck him until he couldn't walk straight, but with the gag in place, all he could do to convey his desire was to comply.

"It seems to me that you want your spanking, my pet. If you do, show me," Yuji said, and Vale thrust his ass up as high as he could. The belt impacted Vale almost instantly, and the elf shivered silently. "That's a good little slut. Two more, and we're done."

By now, tears were leaking from the corners of Vale's eyes, his ass was stinging non-stop, and he was fairly sure that he had never been quite this hard in his entire life. His entire focus had narrowed down to two more smacks, and then, hopefully, the kind of fucking that would render him incoherent. Vale let himself drift off into a quasi-daydream as he thought about the feel of Yuji's cock buried balls-deep in his ass. With that image in the forefront of his mind, Vale almost didn't register the final two blows until he felt Yuji's lips ghosting over the reddened skin of his ass.

"What a gorgeous sight," Yuji said admiringly. "I'm very proud of you." He removed the gag and held the wine glass to Vale's lips, stroked the sweat-damp locks. Vale took a mouthful and swallowed gratefully, his entire body tingling in anticipation of finally feeling Yuji's cock buried deep in him.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Vale dropped to his knees with liquid grace, his green eyes nearly black with need. He moved over until he was kneeling in front of Yuji, his eyes fixed on that long, hard cock and his mouth filling with saliva. Vale swallowed thickly, his head dipping down towards Yuji's cock. Vale was stopped abruptly when Yuji fisted a hand in his hair again, pulling the elf's head back.

Yuji looked into Vale's green eyes, a wicked smile curving his lips. "I want you to take a mouthful of wine, but you are not allowed to swallow it yet."

Vale took a sharp hissing breath, but managed to bite back any further sound.

Yuji's smile grew more predatory. "Second slip, my elf." His fingers tightened in Vale's hair. "I want you to suck my cock with the wine still in your mouth until I push you down on my cock. Then I want you to swallow me to the balls, and only then can you swallow the wine. Do you understand?"

Vale inclined his head gracefully, and took a deep mouthful of wine when Yuji held the glass to his lips. Then he lowered his head, Yuji's hand holding his cock steady as the elf carefully slid his lips over the head, a few drops of wine dripping down his chin. He swirled his tongue around the head, the tip caressing the cleft underneath before teasing the slit and coaxing a groan from Yuji. The taste of Yuji mixed with the wine was maddeningly delicious, and Vale flattened his tongue to press along the underside of Yuji's cock as he slid his lips down the shaft.

"Very good," Yuji said, his voice thick with lust. "Now put that talented mouth to good use, but do not take me in all the way yet."

Vale brought his lips back up, swirling his tongue through the wine to stroke Yuji's cock, sucking as hard as he could without swallowing. He kept it up for a couple of minutes, listening to Yuji's small grunts of pleasure, until he felt Yuji press firmly on the back of his head. Vale relaxed his muscles as Yuji's cock hit the back of his throat, and he swallowed both the wine and Yuji's cock, his nose pressed to the dark curls of Yuji's groin. The elf swallowed again, and Yuji groaned louder as the tight muscles rippled along his cock, Vale's tongue pressing against the base. The elf hummed softly, the vibration shooting right to Yuji's belly and making his balls tighten abruptly.

Yuji growled and yanked back on Vale's hair, and the elf sucked as hard as he could, his cheeks hollowed, as he was dragged off Yuji's cock, the head coming free with an audible pop. Yuji moaned loudly as his balls emptied, cum spattering Vale's face and chest. Yuji quickly brought the glass of wine down, squeezing out a few last spurts into the glass, the cum swirling with the wine.

Vale waited, his breath ragged, his tongue snaking out to lick the cum from his lips, his green eyes fixed on Yuji.

"Three slips, my elf," Yuji said, his own breathing a little unsteady. "I told you absolute silence, not even a moan or sigh."

Vale shivered a little, waiting to see what his punishment would be, knowing that Yuji would be inventive. Yuji leaned forward a little, wiping some of the cum from Vale's chest with a long finger, and then he slid the finger past Vale's lips for the elf to suck it clean. Then Yuji held out the wine glass, the ropes of cum white against the crimson of the wine.

"Drink," Yuji said, and held the glass to Vale's lips. Vale parted his lips, his eyes heated, and he drank, savoring the taste of his husband's cum as it mingled with the wine on his tongue, his own cock aching as he waited for his next instructions.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Willow stopped Vale as he was about to follow Eryn out of the room. "Vale, sweets? I need a favor," Willow said, her eyes so blue that Vale had to lean in and kiss her.

"Anything, lirimaer." Vale cupped her face in on hand, his green eyes full of love.

"Take Yuji and fuck until you both howl tonight," Willow told the elf, laughing at his expression. "After I have our baby, and I'm ready for it, you can all fuck me bowlegged to make up for this, but tonight, you two need each other."

Vale began to laugh. "How can I refuse?" He kissed Willow lovingly. "And how did I get so lucky?"

Willow smacked him on the arm lightly. "Go find our husband and let me hear his screams tonight."

Vale left the room, grinning to himself. He was just about to pass his room on the way downstairs, when Yuji opened the door and tugged Vale in. Yuji slammed Vale against the door and fisted one hand in Vale's hair, plundering his mouth ruthlessly. Vale moaned, his arms around Yuji and his fingers busy tugging Yuji's shirt out of the waistband of his jeans. The kiss went on so long that Vale was almost dizzy, held fast by the hand in his hair and his own need to let Yuji take the lead tonight, at least at first.

"You taste so fucking good," Yuji murmured when they finally broke apart to breathe. He looked into Vale's eyes, his own perfect brown eyes warm with his love for his elf.

"I missed this," Vale replied, his lips already kiss-swollen and his ears flushed with arousal. He was wearing elven clothing for a change, in Eryn's honor, and he moaned again as Yuji opened the silver clasp at his collar to bare his neck and chest. Yuji pulled on Vale's hair, exposing the long column of his throat, and he bit and sucked a livid mark on the elf's pale skin.

Vale had wasted no time in unbuttoning Yuji's shirt, not needing to see, his fingers deft and quick. He ran his hands along Yuji's chest, slipping them under his tank top and feeling the familiar muscle beginning to form under the golden skin. His cock was straining the laces of his breeches as he ground himself against Yuji, feeling the answering hardness of Yuji's cock.

Yuji released Vale and pulled the silken tunic over his head with an appreciative grin for the gold rings decorating the elf's tight nipples. Vale tried to tug Yuji's shirt off his shoulders, but Yuji brushed his hands away.

"I want those pants off, now," Yuji growled, his voice thick with lust.

Vale let out a wanton groan, and he began to unlace his breeches, taking his time and making a small show of it as he tugged them down past slim hips to allow his cock to spring free. He kicked them off and stood there, gloriously naked. holding out his arms to Yuji.

"I am yours," Vale whispered, his green eyes nearly black with desire, a few beads of precum already glistening on the head of his cock.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Sand caught up with Satoshi and Kansas at the kitchen door, and leaned in between them. "Oh, yes," he purred, "I do want to play." His eyes glittered with desire as one hand dipped down to cup Satoshi's ass, squeezing it firmly. The other hand slid up Kansas's oversized sweater to stroke the silky skin above his waistband.

Yuji was sitting on the couch, Willow on one side of him, and Vale curled up on the other. Aika was still fascinated by the movement of Willow's belly, giggling uncontrollably as she traced the swell with a small hand. Ryuu jumped up and charged at Satoshi, who caught him and swung him up to kiss his cheeks soundly, eliciting happy shrieks. Eryn was curled up on a chaise longue, watching with a radiant smile.

Sand grabbed a few large silk cushions from near the fountain, and curled up on the floor, managing to make even his sprawl look somehow elegant. He helped himself to some iced tea and a few small sweets. He looked up at Yuji and Vale expectantly, Satoshi curling up beside him and Kansas flopping down half on top of Satoshi.

"What is it, love?" Satoshi asked, looking at Yuji.

Yuji just grinned. "It isn't me who wanted you."

Vale blushed a little, but his smile was bright. "Actually, I have to thank Satoshi for this, because he and Tomo were thinking when I wasn't. So, thank you, my love!" Vale laughed and reached into his shirt pocket. "A while back, and a few planes of existence away from here, I was honored by receiving rings for three people who have come to mean so much to me that there really aren't words to convey all I feel. I didn't have rings to offer in return at that time, but I do now, and I'd really like to finish what we started that night."

Vale gave Yuji a quick look, and Yuji leaned in and kissed him softly. "You're perfect, my love. Keep going."

"So, I'm going to start with Satoshi." Vale hopped off the couch, and curled up on the floor in front of Satoshi, who was blushing furiously. "Mela en' coiamin, you are our quiet strength, the one that holds us all together. I can't imagine my life without you in it, and I wear your ring with joy. Now I'm asking. Will you wear my ring?"

Satoshi grinned and pulled Vale in for a kiss. "Yes, I will, my love." Vale slid the thin platinum band onto Satoshi's finger, beaming.

"Kansas." Vale looked at his beloved imp. "You're our innocence, alasse'amin, and the one that reminds us of what is best and pure in the world. You gave me your ring, and I wear it with joy. My dragon becoming, will you wear my ring?"

Kansas flung himself into Vale's arms and devoured his mouth. The he held out his hand with a radiant smile, all the answer Vale needed as he slid the platinum band onto Kansas's finger.

Finally, Vale knelt in front of Willow. "Oh, lirimaer, how do I ever thank you for this gift?" He laid a hand on her belly. "You are our future, and our son is your promise. I wear your ring with joy, and now I ask. Will you wear my ring?"

Willow pulled Vale onto the couch, and tugged his head down so she could kiss him, he eyes bright with tears. "I'll wear your ring, Vale, and you'll be there when I bring our son into the world."

Vale slid the platinum band onto Willow's finger, his face radiant.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Sand pulled Satoshi down and plundered his mouth, fingers sliding through black and amethyst hair. He did not break the kiss until they were both slightly dizzy, and he gave Satoshi a dazzling smile. "My mother always wanted a large family. I do believe this is Corellon's answer to her prayers." He chuckled a little, delighted by the emotions Kansas was feeling as well at the peace it brought to Satoshi. "I love you, my heart, forever."

Vale let himself fall into Yuji's kiss, a small moan escaping him. When their rings scraped together, Yuji smiled and asked quietly, "You have decided not to share these with the others?"

Vale's eyes widened as he remembered what Satoshi had done, and he looked at Yuji, his green eyes bright. "I forgot! In all the excitement of settling in, and seeing you respond so well to the healing, amaelamin, I completely forgot!" Vale started to laugh, and he kissed Yuji happily. "Satoshi went to the jeweler's before we left, with Tomo. He picked up rings for me." His eyes widened. "But when should we do this? Should we wait until after Willow has the baby?"

Yuji chuckled, his fingers straying to Vale's ears, coaxing another wanton moan from the elf. "I think, my love, you should give them their rings now. You've accepted their rings already, so why wait?"

Vale started to get up, but Yuji tugged him back down, pulling Vale in and ravishing his mouth. Vale surrendered happily, his fingers sliding through Yuji's hair as he pressed his cock into Yuji's thigh.

"Tomorrow is good, too," Yuji said, and then chuckled. "Or at least after dinner, since I think we missed lunch."

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Eryn reached out and with surprising ease, she pulled Kansas into a tight embrace, kissing his forehead. "My dragon becoming, you are part of my family as well. As we elves reckon things, Vale is now my son through his marriage to Sand. And Vale wears your ring, and if I am not mistaken, you wear the symbol of his house around your neck. That makes you my son's husband, and therefore my son as well." Eryn tilted his chin up, meeting his pale eyes with her own warm gaze.

"I cannot imagine that I would not want you in my family. You are more than worthy, Kansas." Eryn watched as his eyes grew stormy, the grey darkening.

"But that's just you," Kansas sobbed, not daring to let the small flicker of hope within him grow.

Eryn smiled again. "I lead my house, and I say that you are my son. Your name will be added to the house rolls, and we are honored to call you ours."

"It can't be that easy," Kansas wailed, but he clung to Eryn as if he was afraid someone would take her away. His sobs wracked his slim frame, and Eryn held him tighter, stroking his back gently through the oversized sweater.

"Not all things must be hard or painful, utinuamin, my son," Eryn murmured. "You are part of three families now, and you are loved and wanted by us all. Loving you was not very hard at all. Your heart is fierce, and loyal, and so very full of love to be shared. I do not have your gift, but my gift is to see hearts clearly, and you have the heart of a noble man."

Eryn sat there, cradling Kansas against her until his tears finally ran out, offering him a mother's love and a mother's arms.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

"Willow called you Tatsuya," Eryn began, taking a sip of tea. "It's a beautiful name. Does it have a meaning?"

Kansas looked up through thick lashes, his eyes a little pale, but not silvery. "It means dragon becoming." His voice was still low. "Satoshi and Yuji say it fits me."

"Do you think so, too?" Eryn tilted her head a little to one side in an inquisitive gesture. It was unlike Sand, but still so like him in a way that Kansas tittered a little.

"I suppose. It's taking a long time, though." Kansas squirmed a little in the chair, and dared a direct look at Eryn. "Vale says he knows a dragon."

Eryn's smile was warm and radiant. "He does. I'm sure you'll meet her while you're here. She enjoys meeting the people Vale thinks will appreciate her." Eryn reached out and touched Kansas's blue and black hair lightly. "Another little bird with bright plumage, I see. I must say, Vale's hair is surprisingly attractive. I was a bit startled at first, I will admit. He was such a quiet elf when I first met him."

Kansas could not help the grin that crept over his face when he thought about his night with Vale, right after they had arrived in Neverwinter. To his surprise, Eryn chuckled.

"It's done him a world of good, becoming a part of your family. That must have been hard for you at first." Eryn sounded sympathetic.

Kansas sighed a little. "It was hard. We could see how much he and Yuji loved each other, but then he was there for me and Satoshi, too. I got upset, kind of crazy mad and hurt, and he came after me, and he talked to me. Not at me, like some people do, but to me, like what I thought mattered." Kansas still sounded surprised by that. "He told me he'd never lie to me, and he doesn't. Yuji and Satoshi and Willow, they don't lie to me, either. That's how we work in our family."

"It sounds like a very wise arrangement," Eryn said calmly. "I wish others would learn from your example. But you love Vale, now."

Kansas nodded. "He loves me. I mean, really loves me. I didn't think anyone but Satoshi and Yuji and Willow could love me like that."

"I don't see why not," Eryn said. "You're certainly easy to like, and I can't imagine it would be hard to love you." She paused. "Ryuu loves you as well."

Kansas's smile was genuinely warm. "Yeah, he does, and I love him too. He's another dragon, did you know that?" Kansas sat up a little straighter. "So I guess we belong together. And Aika's just, well, she's Aika. She's the one we spoil like our princess, even Ryuu." Kansas snickered. "Ryuu knocked Sand down today, and pounced all over him, but he never pounces Aika." Then Kansas grew serious. "What if I can't love the new baby?"

"I think you might surprise yourself, Kansas," Eryn said. "But if it starts to get hard, I'll still be here, and I will help you."

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

"Perfect as I am, am I?" Sand murmured, kissing Satoshi tenderly. "Remember those words the next time I fail spectacularly."

Vale looked at Satoshi, his green eyes widening as he remembered what Satoshi had told him right after he had arrived in Tokyo. He immediately clamped down on his dismay, ruthlessly shoving it to one side with the ease of long practice, instead letting a gentle love travel outward. Vale turned and kissed Yuji, wiping away his tears, before turning back to Eryn.

"You need to understand something, Eryn," Vale began, his voice utterly calm. "What makes this family work is that failure is not unwelcome. We are allowed to fail, and in fact we are expected to fail. None of us are perfect." He laced his fingers through Yuji's fingers. "Kansas was sold by his parents to an evil man. He was less than a slave. He was treated as less than human. Not one person showed him any kindness until Satoshi bought him, freed him and took him home. It took years to win a measure of trust, and it wasn't perfect."

Vale sighed. looking at Satoshi and letting their bond convey his unquestioning love. Yuji's fingers tightened around his, and Sand gathered Satoshi closer.

"When Willow was pregnant with Ryuu, Kansas ran away because he felt he had lost his place in the family, that the baby would replace him and he would go back to being something less than human. It took three weeks to find him, and even after he was brought home, he was in such pain that he lashed out at every turn." Vale looked at the kitchen, wanting so much to hold Willow. "When Willow was pregnant with Aika, Kansas jumped off the roof when he found out. Kansas was badly injured, and it was that stress that led to Willow delivering prematurely."

Eryn reached out and took both Yuji and Satoshi's hands, a wave of energy flowing outward from her, cleansing and soothing. "Corellon's peace to you, my dears," she said, her eyes showing nothing but gentle understanding. "How has Kansas reacted to this pregnancy?"

"So far, he's been fine, but we have reached the stage of Willow's pregnancy when Kansas began to feel threatened, and we've had the added stress of Yuji's illness." Vale looked at Eryn seriously. "It doesn't matter whose child she's carrying. What we all want is for her to have an uncomplicated pregnancy followed by a safe delivery of a healthy child."

Eryn nodded. "I'm glad you told me, Vale. This is exactly what I needed to know, and I can take appropriate measures." She looked at all of them, two men and two elves, all with their hearts wide open, bound by ties of love for each other and for the woman in the kitchen. "The child being half-elven should present no problem. Many half-elven children are born here, so you can dismiss that worry. But the stress is a factor, indeed." She stood decisively. "I will be back."

Eryn went into the kitchen, and put a gentle hand on Willow's arm. "I know Vale has been able to forge a bond with you, so I know you can open your heart to me and let me feel what you feel. I won't be forming a permanent connection, but I will form a healer's link with you, to allow me to monitor your condition at all times." Eryn gave Willow a sidelong look. "Of course, there are times when I will not pay attention to you, but your husbands will be busy monitoring you in their own way." Her grin was mischievous.

Willow looked at her, her face tear-stained. "Can you promise me there won't be any problems? Because if I lose this baby, I'll lose my fucking mind. I can't go through that."

"Of course I can't promise that," Eryn replied. "What I can promise is that I will fix anything that goes wrong." She patted Willow's hand. "We have a living room full of anxious males who probably could use a little consoling, or we could hide in here for a bit and have a cup of tea alone while you tell me how you prefer to deliver."

Willow felt a small upswelling of hope. Eryn sounded so damned sure of herself, and Willow wanted to believe that this delicate-looking elven woman could do exactly what she said.

As if reading Willow's mind, Eryn pulled her into a gentle motherly hug. "I've never lost a babe or mother, and I've been doing this for nearly six hundred years."

Willow grinned suddenly, feeling a weight lift from her shoulders. "Then why don't we have some tea?"

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

"Oh, Seldarine!" Sand moaned, feeling Satoshi's distress like a knife in his own heart. "Atara, I have to go to him."

Sand did not even wait for a reply, sprinting out the door with surprising speed, his thoughts only on finding Satoshi. He found Satoshi hiding in a distant corner of the garden, smoking furiously.

"Satoshi!" Sand's voice was filled with grief and pain. "Please, can we talk?"

Satoshi sat there, trembling, his eyes awash with tears, but he did not push Sand away when the elf touched his cheek.

"I failed you, spectacularly, it seems." Sand looked utterly despondent. "I did not mean to embarrass you. I was just so proud of you, and us, and, oh gods, I am so used to my mother seeing me looking bedraggled and I never thought..." He brushed away some of the tears on Satoshi's cheeks. "Please, my heart, will you forgive me?"

Satoshi shook his head sadly. "I failed you, by running away from your mother. I embarrassed you, and myself. What will she think of me, running away like that?"

Sand shook his head, dismayed. "Oh, my heart, never. You could never embarrass me, and you certainly did not embarrass yourself. We were playing with the children. My mother would understand that, having three of her own. My brother is older than me, and yet he would come home as grubby as me when I was very young."

"But you just told her we were lovers, and bonded, just like that." Satoshi looked miserable as he lit another cigarette.

Sand caught Satoshi's face between slim, faintly scarred fingers. "I am so very proud of our bond, and our love, and my mother was overjoyed for us. Really, she was. But I went about it the wrong way, and I am so very sorry." Sand kissed Satoshi, letting his love wash over him. "I know magic makes you nervous, but I can cast a cleaning cantrip on us, and another to mend our clothes. Then I can present you properly to my mother, and I won't even kiss you again, no matter how much I want to kiss you."

Satoshi looked at Sand, feeling the elf's tremendous love and sincere regret, and he managed a smile. "Just not too much magic?"

"I swear it," Sand vowed, and murmured something sweetly lilting. He and Satoshi were instantly clean and presentable, and their clothes were mended. Even the tears on Satoshi's cheeks were smoothed away.

"You look very beautiful, my heart," Sand assured him. He stood and held out his hand. "Please?"

Satoshi took a deep breath, and took Sand's hand, and they walked back towards the house sedately.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Eryn was regarding both Ryuu and Kansas with delight. "Willow, tell me that this handsome child is yours," she said, smiling. She looked up as Aika toddled over. "And this beautiful little girl as well?" She looked over at Kansas, and her expression changed to concern. "Oh, my dear, you've hurt yourself. Will you let me attend to that?"

Kansas looked a little taken aback, and dropped his eyes, suddenly shy. Behind him, Sand let out a rather wanton moan as Satoshi stroked his ears and plundered his mouth.

Eryn raised an elegant eyebrow. "Ah, my son is home, I gather."

Vale and Yuji walked in to the living room with the tea and fruit, just in time to hear the moan, and Kansas hurried over to Yuji, his cheeks bright red.

"You're scraped up, imp. Ryuu getting lively?" Yuji asked, putting the fruit down and hugging Kansas.

"Really, I would be very happy to attend to that," Eryn said, ignoring the sounds from the entry way.

Yuji looked at Kansas and led him over to Eryn, who looked at Vale.

"Right," Vale said. "Warm water, clean linen." He hurried off, cutting through the entry way to hiss at Sand, "Your mother is here." Vale then teleported to the large bathroom upstairs, and quickly filled a small basin with warm water and grabbed the roll of bandaging linen before teleporting back to the entry way. He handed the basin and roll to Eryn, who smiled at him warmly.

"Thank you, Vale. Now, my dear, let me see that knee." Eryn dabbed very gently, cleaning the grit and grime from Kansas's knee, her touch deft. The imp squeezed Yuji's hand, but Eryn managed to make it fairly painless. Once the knee was clean, she murmured a small prayer, and the wound closed, healing perfectly.

"There you are." Eryn patted Kansas on the arm kindly.

"Thank you," Kansas said softly, peering up at her through thick lashes.

In the meantime, Aika had gone to Yuji, holding her hands up in a request to be held, and Yuji had swung her on to his lap. Now she leaned over to pat Kansas on the leg, her small face serious. Kansas leaned down to her, and Aika planted a kiss on his cheek, making the imp smile.

"She has your eyes," Eryn said, looking at Yuji with a smile. "Willow, your children are so very beautiful."

Ryuu was looking at Eryn curiously. "You are Sand-chan's mama?"

"I am," Eryn confirmed, smiling at him. "Sand is my youngest child. He has a brother and a sister. You are the oldest, yes? Like my son Hawk."

"Sand-chan plays with me," Ryuu said, and then hid in Willow's skirts shyly.

"Atara! Mother!" Sand hurried in, dusty, grimy and with leaves in his rapidly unraveling braid, Satoshi's hand held firmly in his hand. He held out his free hand to Eryn, who started to laugh as she stood to greet her son.

"Why is it that every time I see you, you manage to look like an elfling?" Eryn kissed Sand fondly, and looked at Satoshi, still held captive by Sand. "And who is this? Is this the one you told me about?"

Satoshi turned bright red as he heard Eryn's words. Sand's next words made him blush even harder.

"Yes, atara, this is Satoshi, my lover, and with whom I have bonded." Sand kissed Satoshi sweetly. "Satoshi, my heart, this is my mother, Eryn."

Eryn looked delighted as she embraced Satoshi. "Oh, I am so glad to meet you! Welcome to our family, Satoshi."

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Vale looked at Sand, smoothing a few sweat-dampened tendrils of hair from his forehead. Sand's eyes were closed, but he looked radiant, his ears rosy from both arousal and Vale's assault on them, his lips kiss-swollen. "Do you think you can walk, ithilamin?"

Sand chuckled, trying to shift a little in the cushions. "I do not know." He opened his eyes and looked up at Vale. "I do think you have become quite adept at rendering your lovers useless after you are through with them."

"Oh, you're not useless," Vale smirked, kissing Sand and nipping his lip. "You're just out of practice."

Sand began to laugh. "And you have been doing nothing else, I warrant. No, no, anoramin, I am only teasing. I am glad for all the joy you have found, and that you have brought here to share with me." He looked at Vale for a moment. "I do love him, you know."

"I know, and I'm happy for you both." Vale stood, wincing a little. He started to pull on his clothing, and Sand sat up, hissing as his ass made contact with the couch.

"Teleport us," Sand moaned, reaching for his breeches. He managed those, but simply gathered up the rest of his clothing and his boots.

Vale managed his jeans and tank top, and just grabbed the rest of his own clothing. Then he pulled Sand in to a hug, and teleported them to the living room of their home.

The sight in front of the fountain stopped both elves with its beauty. Satoshi and Kansas were curled into each other, the imp's tattoos beautiful in the pre-dawn light, and Satoshi looked so peaceful and happy as he cradled the imp. Satoshi's large hoodie had been draped over them, but had slipped off, and Sand could not suppress a wave of love as he looked at his heart's mate. He knelt and gave Satoshi a kiss, smiling as the beautiful eyes opened.

"Come, my heart. Come upstairs and we'll curl up in my bed, you and your beautiful imp." Sand stood, trying not to wince, and it seemed Satoshi was feeling just as ragged. Vale scooped up Kansas easily, and placed him in Satoshi's arms, and they made their way upstairs. Satoshi laid Kansas on the bed after Sand had pulled down the quilt, and then crawled in himself, sighing happily as the fine linen sheets caressed his skin. Sand stripped off his breeches and slid in behind Satoshi, cradling his lover as Satoshi cradled Kansas. Vale pulled up the quilt and grinned at the three in the bed.

"I'm going to my room to shower. Aika will be up soon, and I'll look in on Ryuu, too." Vale kissed them all sweetly, and slipped out, closing the door quietly.

It had been nearly a month since Vale had returned to Neverwinter, and he paced anxiously in the living room. Yuji had finished with the healers, and was pronounced completely cured, with no possibility of a recurrence of his cancer, and he was gaining weight again. He looked more and more like himself every day, and his happiness was infectious, even Willow being less snappish then she had been.

Now Vale was anxious about Willow. Sand had promised to find a proper healer who could act as a midwife for Willow, and today was the day that healer was to arrive. It was already mid-morning, and Vale groaned. Sand, Satoshi and Kansas had taken Aika and Ryuu to the park again, but would be home for lunch. Yuji was helping Willow shower, and Vale was attempting to wear out the thick carpet in the living room.

Yuji came down with Willow, who was wearing one of her gowns from Sand's tailor, a light silk perfect for the Neverwinter summer weather, and high-waisted. Vale stopped pacing when he heard Yuji's laughter.

"If you're this nervous now, what are you going to be like when she has the baby, love?" Yuji asked, crossing over to kiss Vale, who blushed.

"The healer should have been here by now," Vale complained, gathering Willow in for a kiss as well. "I want to make sure everything is going well."

"We all do, my love," Yuji said.

"I'm fine. I feel fine," Willow said, giving her two husbands a sharp look. It was one thing to be fussed over a little, but lately even Sand had been giving her anxious looks. "Bunch of fucking mother hens," she grumbled under her breath.

There was a knock at the door, and Vale jumped a little and then hurried to the door, flinging it open. He made an odd, strangled sort of sound and stepped back to allow a small party to enter. The first one in the room was a slight elven woman with jet black hair that hung just to her shoulder blades, and beautifully tilted blue eyes. She wore a white sleeveless gown with a sheer blue robe over it, and a gold belt with a crescent moon buckle. Two male elves in similar garb stood behind her at a respectful distance.

"That is hardly a proper greeting, Vale," the elven woman said, looking at him sharply. "And what have you done to your hair? Foolish little birds, flaunting your bright plumage, you and Sand both. Is he here? No, never mind, he would have been here to greet me if he were. Where is my patient?"

Vale turned slightly to indicate Willow, who was looking at the elven woman with the beginnings of a smile.

"This is Hayashi Akane-chan, my wife, and Hayashi Yuji-sama, my husband," Vale said in a very small voice. "Willow, Yuji, this is Lady Eryn en Nosse Iradil, senior priestess of Corellon Larethian, First of the Seldarine, and head of his temple in Evereska."

The elven woman made a most unladylike noise. "I'm Eryn, thank you. I'm here to act as healer and midwife to Willow. Lovely name, dear, by the way. Vale is a little overawed by titles, but sun elves tend to be." There was an unmistakable fondness in her tone, and a loving glint in her eyes as she looked at Vale. "Where is my son, by the way?"

"He's out with my other two husbands, and our son and daughter," Vale said, recovering his composure a little.

"You've been busy," Eryn observed, and this time Willow snickered a little. Yuji was giving Eryn the same slightly wide-eyed look as Vale, and the two men moved a little closer to each other.

Eryn turned to look at the two elves that had accompanied her. "I'm here, safe and well. Go on, find someone else to haunt. Go back to Evereska, actually. Go!" She made a shooing gesture, and the elves bowed deeply and fled.

"Now, why don't you two lads go fetch some tea for us, while I get to know Willow?" Eryn said, her smile bright.

Vale grabbed Yuji and dragged him to the kitchen. Once safely there, they looked at each other.

"I'm going to fucking kill him," Vale muttered, starting the tea maker.

"Is that..." Yuji asked.

Vale nodded. "Sand's mother. She's wonderful, really, but she's a lot like Willow when we've screwed up and she's yelling at us."

"Oh, fuck," Yuji muttered, and then started to laugh, his sweet goofy laugh. "Oh, well, it's too late to pretend we're not home. I'll get some fruit and chocolate while you get the tea."

[Brainstorming the Initial Plot]

for Bench: as a rogue, do I just have a "Knowledge: Poisons" or do I have to make up a unique cunning school for it? because there's no school for it right now, and I don't really... want to you know, blow a focus on that if I don't have to.

Poison is not listed as a separate focus, so I'm going to go with the assumption that rogues have an inherent knowledge of poisons and how to use them. I know that in the CRPG, it is treated as a skill, but since the player's handbook is silent, I'm making a judgment call in favor of the rogue knowing this without having to use a focus. However, since there is no skill tree for advancement or improvement, I'm inclined to treat the use of poison as a basic test, with the difficulty determined by the type of target for the poison.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Vale looked into Yuji's eyes, seeing everything that Yuji offered shining in those perfect eyes, and he smiled, a radiant smile. "Oh, my love, now I know you're getting better, because you're back to taking care of all of us." He dipped in to steal a kiss, savoring the sweetness of his husband. "I promise you, I will make him howl."

Yuji smiled back at Vale, satisfied, and they walked back into the house, the love between them obvious for all to see.

As Vale walked past Sand, he stopped for a moment and murmured to him in elven, "Tonight, my moon, you are mine. Alone, just the two of us."

Sand looked at Vale, and the answering heat in his eyes was all that Vale needed to see. Vale slid one hand into Sand's silky hair and pulled the darker elf into a searing kiss, eliciting a moan from Sand. Sand nipped at Vale's lower lip as they broke, the promise of a very long night in his blue eyes.

After lunch was finished, Sand and Satoshi were in the kitchen doing the dishes, Sand decided he needed to be very honest with Satoshi, as he had promised Yuji, and so, when they were done, he pulled Satoshi into a kiss, and cradled his face between slim hands.

"Oh, my heart, you are so very beautiful." Sand looked into Satoshi's eyes. "I need to ask something of you."

"What is it, love?" Satoshi asked, slightly alarmed.

"I would like to spend tonight getting reacquainted with Vale," Sand began. "You know that I love you, with everything that I am. But I would like to spend tonight getting reacquainted with Vale. We had been apart for some time now, and I have missed him."

Satoshi kissed Sand, his piercings tickling the elf's lips, relieved that it was this simple a thing. "I understand completely, love. You go and love him tonight, and I'll be here when you return. That's what this family is about."

Sand held Satoshi close, letting his love shine through their bond. "How did I get so lucky, my heart, that you could love me so?"

Satoshi blushed deeply, still unable to believe the depth of the love Sand had for him. He could not think of anything to say to that, so he just pulled Sand into another lingering kiss. That seemed to be answer enough for the elf, and they walked back into the living room, fingers entwined.

The afternoon was another new experience, as Sand's tailor arrived to take measurements. Kansas was a little dubious, but Yuji pointed out that the imp would want at least one elven outfit, and he subsided. The tailor promised to return in a few days with the clothing, and he left before anyone had a chance to ask about fabrics or colors.

"Trust him. He is quite good," Sand said. He was waiting for Vale to come down, having asked specifically that he wear his non-elven garb. There was something about the sight of the blond elf in tight jeans and a tank top that made Sand's knees slightly weak.

The elves left, and Vale was greet warmly at The Greymist before they were whisked away to a private room. Food and wine were left, and then they were alone.

Vale pulled Sand into a searing kiss, his unusual directness making Sand shiver a little with anticipation. He let Vale pull off his long outer robe and tug on the clasp of his tunic, and then Sand let his head fall back, inviting Vale to mark his throat. Vale obliged, licking the pulse point before biting it sharply and sucking hard enough to taste a little blood. Sand gasped, Vale's fingers teasing his ears as he bit again, sharper this time.

Sand was unbuttoning Vale's shirt, his fingers flying over the buttons and he tugged it off with increasing impatience. Being alone with Vale was maddening, and Sand needed to touch that golden skin. Vale's bare shoulders were warm under his fingers, and Sand groaned and ground his cock into Vale's groin.

Vale half pushed, half tugged Sand over to the reverie couch, and pulled off his tunic, bending in to nip at one peaked nipple. He toed off his boots as he reached for the laces on Sand's breeches, tugging them down past slim hips until the moon elf, laughing, pushed him away.

"My boots, anoramin," Sand laughed, his blue eyes bright. Vale made a rude noise and tugged the offending boots off, tossing them aside and stripping off the breeches before pulling the now naked moon elf into his arms.

"Oh, ithilamin, how I've missed this," Vale murmured, nipping sharply at Sand's ear. Then he pushed Sand back onto the couch, his green eyes bright with mischief. "I'm too dressed."

Sand just watched as Vale peeled off the tight tank top, revealing his pierced nipples, and Sand moaned a little at the sight of his wanton sun elf. The time away had changed Vale in subtle ways, bringing out a wilder side of him, a side that reveled in the sensual. Sand moaned again as Vale opened his jeans and slid them down, shimmying a little to get them past his hips. Underneath, he wore skin tight boxers, his cock outlined perfectly as it stretched the fabric. Sand reached out and palmed that cock, feeling Vale's need through their bond as clearly as he felt it under his hand. Vale stripped off the boxers as well, and he straddled Sand's thighs, his eyes dark with hunger.

"OIl," Vale growled, his need almost beyond words. He needed Sand in him, now, and he slicked Sand's thick cock with oil quickly as Sand's mouth latched onto a pierced nipple, biting and tugging the ring with his teeth. "Fuck," Vale groaned, and positioned his ass over Sand's cock, not willing to take the time to be loosened. Sand was dismayed, and Vale soothed his distress through the bond. He lowered himself, feeling the head of Sand's cock press through his asshole, Sand gasping as the heat and tightness surrounded him. Vale shuddered and slammed himself down, taking Sand to the balls in one plunge and howling in ecstasy as he was filled with that familiar cock.

Sand growled, his hips bucking into that welcoming heat, feeling Vale's intense pleasure at being so thoroughly filled even as the sun elf lifted himself and plunged again. Vale's cock was weeping beads of precum, and Sand reached for it, only to have his hand slapped away.

"Not yet," Vale hissed. "In you, I want to come in you. But fill me first, ithilamin." Vale picked up the pace, Sand's hips rising to meet him each time he plunged down, both elves nearly blind with lust and love and hunger. Sand felt his balls tightening, and he latched on to the other nipple, tugging the golden ring sharply as Vale fisted one hand in his hair. Sand felt himself explode, his cum as hot as magma and Vale's ass tightened around him to milk every drop as he shuddered and howled.

Sand had barely caught his breath before Vale was off him, pulling him to turn him around and gripping his hips in strong hands. Sand moaned in abandon as he felt Vale's cock slide along the cleft of his ass, finding the tight ring of muscle and breaching it in a single fluid thrust until vale's balls slapped his ass.

"Fuck, Sand, you're so tight!" Vale cried out as Sand arched his back, the feeling of Vale's cock within him dizzying in its perfection.

"Hard, take me hard," Sand demanded, shoving back onto Vale's cock, wanting every bit within him. He was still riding the last wave of his own orgasm, and when Vale slammed into his prostate, Sand screamed. Vale set up a hard rhythm, Sand encouraging him with wanton moans, and it did not take long until Vale was moaning nearly continuously as Sand clenched around his cock on every thrust. Vale's balls felt as heavy as lead, and he leaned forward to bite Sand's shoulder as he spilled into that tight ass, Sand mewling in pleasure.

The two elves collapsed in a boneless heap on the couch, gasping and shivering, each one savoring the mingled pleasure of their furious fuck. Sand started to laugh, looking at his wanton sun elf, Vale grinning back at him.

"Wine?" Sand asked.

"You," Vale replied, and plundered Sand's mouth, feeling Sand's cock hardening against his belly.

"Oh, fuck," Sand moaned happily.

Vale chuckled. "I intend to, until we can't walk."

[Brainstorming the Initial Plot]

I'm fine with everyone rolling for their background tables! Do you all need me to post the pertinent rules for that, or are you all good?

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Vale walked with Yuji out to the garden, stealing a few more kisses on the way. They wandered until they were far enough away from the house, and then Yuji pulled Vale's face down for one more kiss. Vale nibbled Yuji's lips for a moment longer and then looked at his husband.

"Amaelamin, you didn't have to drag me out here for a kiss, you know," Vale teased, his green eyes all but glowing with love.

Yuji chuckled. "I know, but I wanted to talk to you alone for a moment." He sat on a bench and pulled Vale down beside him. "I love you, more than I can say. You've held us together and given me a chance to have those sixty years with all of you. But I need you to do one more thing for me, my love."

"Just ask," Vale replied. "I am yours."

Those words made Yuji shiver a little, knowing as he did just how much the elf meant them. He reached up to stroke Vale's cheek, his love pouring out through their bond.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Sand's smile was radiant as he looked at Yuji. "I can make that promise. I will love Satoshi with great abandon. I will care for him and help him heal, and oh, Seldarine, I will fail him as spectacularly as I love him. I will drive him batshit crazy, and when he returns it threefold, I will love him all the more. And I will feel nothing but joy when he loves you, and Kansas, and Willow, and Vale, because his love for all of you is so pure and so much a part of him." Sand looked at Yuji, willing this man to understand. "I encouraged Vale to follow you to your world because he loves you with all his heart, and because I love him far too much to ask him not to love. He understands my love for Satoshi in the same way. And I too hope to extend that love to whoever in your family would have me."

"But there is something else, Yuji. This great grandmother of yours..." Sand trailed off, trying to find the right words. "This box is elven made, and so is the comb that appeared when Satoshi shook it. And the photograph..."

Sand shifted to sit beside Yuji for a moment, opening the box and taking out the photograph and handing it to Yuji. Then he tucked his silky black hair behind his ear, and turned his head so that Yuji could see his ear clearly. "If someone were to cut my ear, like so..." Sand covered the elegant tip of his ear with his fingers, blunting it. "Do you see?"

Yuji looked at Sand's ear, and then at the photograph of his great grandmother. Then Yuji began to laugh, his sweet goofy laugh. "Oh, fuck! Wait until I tell Hideko this! She wasn't batshit crazy after all!"

Sand just stared at Yuji, utterly confused by his reaction.

Yuji wiped tears of laughter from his eyes. "My great grandmother told us she was an elf! That's why the family thought she was fucking nuts!"

Sand looked at Yuji, and suddenly it clicked. It explained why Vale had been so drawn to Yuji, and why Vale had been able to form a multiple bond that would be almost impossible among elves with this group of humans. He began to smile, and then to laugh as he looked at Yuji. Anyone would have thought the two of them mad as they laughed together, stopping for a moment, and then bursting out in gales of laughter again.

When they finally sobered a bit, Sand looked at Yuji, his eyes warm. "I would like to speak with Kansas and Willow, and make sure that they are also comfortable with the bond between Satoshi and me." He reached out and took Yuji's hand. "I swear this to you, on all that I am. I will not lie to him, or hurt him, or break his heart."

"I believe you, Sand. I wouldn't have given you my blessing if I didn't." Yuji grinned, his eyes bright with his joy for Satoshi. "I want you to do one more thing for me."

Sand raised an eyebrow in inquiry.

"I want you to make sure Willow sees someone. to make sure the pregnancy is going okay." Yuji grinned. "Now, I think I feel good enough to get my ass out of this bed for a bit. I'll walk down with you."

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Sand looked at the box, his eyes widening with surprise. He reached out and touched the lid with a finger, tracing the carvings with a rapt expression. Kansas looked up at him, his chin resting on Ryuu's thick black hair.

"What?" Kansas asked, puzzled by Sand's expression.

"The carvings on this box," Sand said. "They are night lotus blossoms." The elf looked up, bewildered. "They grow in Evereska, but nowhere else that I know of."

Sand watched as Yuji lifted several things out of the box reverently. There was a piece of jewelry, that looked as if it had been made by inexpert hands, perhaps by a child, and lovingly kept. There were a pair of wedding bands, showing signs of having been worn for many years. There was a delicate shell, faintly peach and pick under the glossy white, looking polished as if by someone touching it. A lock of hair was lifted out next, carefully tied with a black velvet ribbon. Some letters, creased and folded were also in the box, and a single photograph.

Yuji looked at the photograph fondly for a moment, and then handed it to Satoshi, who grinned and showed it to Kansas before passing it to Sand. It was a picture of an older woman, with jet black hair and the same beautifully tilted eyes as Yuji. She looked stern, a woman who was accustomed to getting her way, a woman who was not afraid to do things for herself. Her ears looked odd, and Sand looked more closely at them, his face greatly puzzled. He knew he was mad for even thinking it, but her ears looked very much like someone had cut away part of the shell, at the top.

Sand handed the photograph back to Yuji. "Who was she?"

Yuji smiled, his beautiful eyes warm as he looked at the picture. "This is my great grandmother, Sora. The family thought she was batshit crazy, but I loved her. She could tell stories for hours about all sorts of crazy things. Hideko, my little sister, and I could listen to her for days. She was tough as old boots, and you didn't want to piss her off, but we loved her." Yuji smiled fondly as he touched the photograph gently.

"She seems formidable," Sand said, with a gentle smile. "What became of her?"

"We never really knew. One day, she was just gone." Yuji looked at Sand. "She left this box, with its little trinkets, and a letter saying goodbye to her children. This photograph was taken not too long before she left. She had to be in her nineties, and her hair was still jet black." Yuji shook his head a little, and Satoshi leaned in closer. The love between Satoshi and Yuji and Kansas was tangible, and Sand relaxed as it washed over him, delighted that Satoshi was so well loved by his husbands.

"Didn't your grandfather have it, love?" Satoshi asked.

Yuji nodded. "He did but no one really wanted it, because they all thought she was loopier than a doughnut." Yuji chuckled a little. "My grandmother wound up with it after my grandfather died, and she gave it to Hideko. Hideko was doing her nursing training, and I took the box. She had started talking like the rest of them, called our great gran crazy." Yuji blushed a little. "I took the box and kept it, until Hideko married Tsutomo. Then, when she found her own crazy again, I gave it to her. I kept one thing, though."

Satoshi looked at Yuji, his eyes widening. "The necklace? The one you gave to Vale?"

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Vale looked at Aika, and then at Willow, his green eyes wide. Then he smiled, his radiant smile that made everything feel like it would be alright. "Aika is wiser than both of us," he said to Willow, feeling tears of joy sting his eyes. "Hope, indeed, my lady. You are very, very, very smart." Vale caught Aika in his arms and nuzzled her, loving the sound of her giggles when his hair tickled her.

Willow gasped a little as the baby moved, and Aika looked at her in surprise. She took Aika's hand and laid it gently on the swell of her belly. "Do you feel your brother? I think he knows you're here and wants to say hello." Willow laughed as the baby moved again, and Aika shrieked with delight.

"Do you feel up to a walk around the market?" Vale asked Willow, stroking her hair. "We can go once the healers have come. Maybe we can find something special for dinner to tempt Yuji to eat more."

Willow looked at Vale and laughed. "You're worse than I am, sweets. You fuss like a mother hen."

Vale looked mildly indignant. "I'm not fussing. I'm just... I want to... Oh, fuck a balor, I'm fussing." The elf started to laugh as well, and from upstairs he felt a sleepy wave of amusement and pleasure at the merriment. "Alright, since I'm fussing, do you want to shower? I'll get my very wise lady cleaned up and dressed and then we can go out for a bit before lunch. The fresh air and exercise will do us all good."

Willow pulled Vale into a long and lingering kiss, the elf almost dizzy by the time she pulled away. "I love you, Vale Anorongil," she told him. "Don't you dare change."

"What do you say, Aika? After the doctors talk to chichi, do you want to go out with mama and otooji?" Vale kissed Aika's soft hair, and stood gracefully, Aika on one hip as he reached out his free hand to Willow.

Willow took his hand and let him help her up, not really needing the assistance, but enjoying the feeling of being spoiled a little. Yuji and Satoshi had been the same way when she was pregnant with Ryuu and then with Aika, the two of them going out of their way to bring her small treats, or massage her back and feet. It was one of the nicest parts of being pregnant, aside from the joy of feeling the baby inside her. And now Vale, her newest husband, just fell right into the same behavior. She looked up at the elf and just smiled, feeling his love like a warm shawl around her. She put an extra sway in her hips as she walked up the stairs, feeling the heat in his eyes as he followed behind her with Aika still on his hip. It was a little bit mean, but she hoped he'd take the hint for when the children were napping. She looked over her shoulder and grinned when she saw the look in his eyes. Sometimes it was too easy.

Willow was still showering in Vale's room when the healers arrived. Vale and Aika took them upstairs to where Yuji napped, Kansas curled against him. They looked so incredibly perfect that Vale hated to wake them, but one of the healers stopped him with a gentle shake of his head.

"Let him rest. We don't need him to be awake," the healer told Vale, smiling a little. "It won't harm your other husband, and it won't weaken the effectiveness of the healing."

Vale nodded and watched as four times the blue healing glow enveloped Yuji, and after the last glow had faded, Yuji opened his eyes, a beautiful smile on his lips.

"Amaelamin, how do you feel?" Vale asked, sitting on the other side of the bed from Kansas and stroking Yuji's hair.

"I'm feeling better, my overprotective elf," Yuji answered, his eyes filled with love. He looked over at the healers. "How is this treatment going?"

To Yuji's surprise, the healer just nodded and answered him without hesitating. "We've been able to grasp what the disease is doing to your body. By that, I mean that we understand how it progresses, and knowing that, we've halted its progression. We've also begun to repair the damage it did to your body. I think, Master Yuji, that we may need to continue the healings twice daily for at least a tenday, and you should be taking the potions that Master Sand prepared for you." The healer turned to Vale expectantly, and he reached into a small chest on a table and pulled out a vial, handing it to the healer. The healer opened it and gave it to Yuji, who looked at Vale, a twinkle in his eye.

Vale chuckled. "It's surprisingly nice. I think Sand's losing his touch."

Yuji grinned at that, and tipped back the vial, his eyes widening a little. "It tastes like dragonfruit!" He finished the potion, and handed the vial to the healer. "Do you have a name? I'd like to be able to thank you properly."

The healer grinned, his formal demeanor dropping away. "I'm Petrus and this is Ranin." He cocked an eyebrow. "I'd like to just see how that potion is working, if I can just lay my hands on you for a moment."

Yuji nodded, and Petrus laid one hand on his forehead, and the other on his chest. He seemed to be listening for a moment or two, and then stepped back with a broad smile.

"You're really responding very well. You've very strong-willed, aren't you?" Petrus did not wait for an answer. "The best and worst of patients. You do heal well, but you get impatient and rush the treatment."

Yuji laughed, his endearing goofy laugh that made Vale's knees get a little wobbly. Kansas caught Vale's eye and the two of them just grinned, that laugh doing as much to heal them as the healers were doing for Yuji.

[Stupid Laws still on the books!]

Not exactly my state, or even this country, but in London, black cabs (the ubiquitous London taxis) are required by law to have a bale of hay in their trunk.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Vale shook his head ruefully as he watched Satoshi, Sand and Ryuu head out to spend the morning in the park. Kansas came up behind him and wrapped his arms around the elf, nuzzling his neck.

"My ass hurts," Kansas murmured into Vale's ear. "We have to do that again."

Vale turned his head, laughing, and kissed Kansas soundly. "I love you, alasse'amin. You may be the death of me, but what a way to go!" He hugged the imp and ruffled his hair.

Yuji looked a bit better today, but Vale still was eager for the healers to come. He wanted to hear that the disease was completely cured before he would truly begin to relax. He had a batch of the potions Sand had made up according to the healers' formulations, and he was hoping those would move things along faster. But Yuji had eaten more than he usually did, and he had enjoyed the egg, and that made Vale feel somewhat better.

Willow, on the other hand, looked radiant. The pregnancy seemed to be progressing well, and Vale impulsively went over to her, kissed her thoroughly, and laid a hand on her belly to feel their son moving about. "He's busy today," Vale grinned, and Willow smacked him lightly on the arm.

"I noticed," Willow said dryly. "He's been kicking me all through breakfast."

Vale knelt and put his face alongside Willow's belly. "What are you doing to mama, utinu'amin? Hmm? Let's give mama a rest, my lively one."

Willow started to giggle. "You're so fucking nuts, sweets, but I love you."

Vale stood up, grinning despite the twinge in his ass. "The healers should be here shortly. Yuji, my love, you want to shower? I'll be happy to help, if you want a hand."

"Thank you, my love." Yuji's gorgeous eyes were warm. "I think I'd like that." He stood, slowly but without the grimace of pain that had been far too common. Vale slipped an arm around Yuji's waist, and they walked slowly upstairs.

Kansas had been busy amusing Aika, and he watched Vale head upstairs. He sighed, and brought Aika over to Willow. "Sit with mama, and onii-san will get your pegasus."

Willow was quite sure that Kansas wanted to check on Yuji as well, so she said nothing as she watched the imp pad up the stairs. Yuji had not been hiding behind his shields anymore, but he still tried to only project his love for his family, and although no one had challenged him on that, it was clear from the expressions on her husbands' faces that they were not yet convinced that the healings were working. Even Vale was not yet sold on the power of the healings, and this magic was commonplace for him.

"What do you think, Aika?" Willow asked, snuggling her daughter. "Are we helping chichi?" Aika just giggled and snuggled her mother.

Vale carefully helped Yuji off with his pajamas and was pleased to note that the healing prayers had at least done away with the awful bruises from Yuji's treatments at home. Yuji was so painfully thin, though, and Vale could not help the small sigh that escaped his lips.

"Not looking so good, am I?" Yuji said with a small, sad smile.

"You are always beautiful to me, verno'amin," Vale replied, cradling Yuji's face between his hands and kissing him gently. "I just want you to be well, because I want those sixty years. We all do."

Vale helped Yuji to wash, shampooing his hair and then helping him to dry off. Yuji dressed in clean pajamas, and decided he would wait for the healers in bed, so Vale turned down the quilts and fluffed the pillows. Kansas was sitting on the foot of the bed, his eyes serious but at least not silvery, and Vale gave his imp a lingering kiss, nibbling his lower lip.

"You're staying with him?" Vale asked.

"Yes. You go talk to Willow," Kansas said, moving to curl up beside Yuji, who rested a thin hand on the imp's hair. "Vale? Bring Aika her pegasus, too."

Vale smiled at his husbands. "I'll be back with the healers when they get here."

Vale stopped by the nursery and collected the pegasus for Aika, and then returned to Willow and Aika to wait for the healers to arrive.

[Review Replies - AFF Prompt/Moon]

Shadow Knight:

Very interesting, very nice use of the prompt. Finally, they kissed! It was nice. A kiss born of grief, of taint, just like everything good in the game. Nothing comes without a price and all that. I liked the tone of the game. In fact, I think this might be my favourite of all the prompts. I sincerely cannot think of anything to say. Perhaps I'm simply dazzled by your artistry.

"Words were treacherous things, slippery and painful." That, right there, my favourite line. That has made my soul burn with untold envy, to the point where I fear it might consume my very flesh. You are a talented wordsmith, wench. Very talented indeed.

So, in short, I think my reaction can be summed up by Alistair's reaction to a gift: "WOW!"

Thank you! I'm actually somewhat speechless, and extraordinarily pleased that you liked this as much as you did. That, for me, is reward enough.

[Review Replies - AFF Prompt/Sand]

Anesor: Thank you! Yes, as authors we can be so much more evil to our hapless characters...and it was temptation indeed.

Shadow Knight: Thank you! Every time I write one of these, I mutter to myself, "Five hundred more words. Just give me five hundred more words, and I can make this coherent." Alas... Wraith's mood throughout is changeable. He's not entirely reflective until his outburst, but I do think I could have made that a stronger transition in retrospect. And yes, while Alistair's normal defense mechanism is humor, he's also aware that he's on shaky ground, pushing Wraith past an unspoken comfort zone, but again, that could have been clearer. But this is good! These are things I can watch out for, so thank you!

[Review Replies - AFF Prompt/Pillow]

Shadowknight12:

I very much like the name you picked for Wraith. Sounds elven, but at the same time, strong (and ominous) and with just a hint of approachable. Much like the character himself! The scene was amazingly hot, and ah, sadly all too short (curse you, word limit!). There is some minor repetition near the climax (someone was a bit distracted, eh? ), but nothing too terrible. The only concrit I'd give you, which, of course, has the evil Word Limit to blame, is exploring the transition between dream and reality, the crushing realisation in Wraith's mind that his beloved Tamlen is dead gone, and that it was all a cruel, cruel illusion. Oh, and, of course, it would've been nice to know if Wraith has or hasn't been tempted by such an offer. After all, it would be rather tempting. Other than that, excellent job, as always.

Thank you! Wraith's name, Samahlen, means laughter in the elven language. And ack to the repetition... :facepalm: As to whether or not Wraith was tempted by the offer, he may or may not choose to reveal that. It's largely up to him...

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Sand felt Satoshi's acceptance of his bond, and his heart soared. He sent an answering wave of love to Satoshi, watching as Satoshi smiled and whispered his name. Sand breathed in deeply, inhaling the scent of his lover, tasting the sweetness of his soul. Vale loved with his whole heart, open and generous. Sand loved with wild abandon, with every fiber of his soul, nothing held back. It was that wanton explosion of love that washed over the drowsing Satoshi as Sand settled to his reverie, his face filled with bliss as he curled around his lover.

The next morning Vale woke just before dawn, tangled up with a bed-hogging imp and delightfully sore. If he thought about it, his ass felt like it did after his union with Yuji, and that made Vale grin as he carefully untangled himself from Kansas, kissing his beautiful imp softly and tucking the quilts around him. Vale limped into the shower in his room, reveling in the hot water and feeling some of the aches fading away. He finished quickly, not wanting Aika to wake alone in her new nursery, and rummaged in his wardrobe for clothing. Sand had brought all his elven clothing into the room, and Vale had his clothing from Japan as well, which he had become quite accustomed to by now. He compromised, slipping into a pair of loose linen sleep pants and pulling a t-shirt over his head before hurrying in to Aika.

Aika was just stirring, and Vale leaned over and nuzzled her, chuckling as she gave him a sleepy, slightly damp kiss on his cheek. He changed her and got her dressed, and stopped by to check Ryuu on his way to the kitchen. Ryuu was still sleeping. Like Satoshi, he was not an early riser, and needed to be woken for kindergarten each day, full of sleepy protests. Vale closed the door gently and headed down to the kitchen, murmuring, "Let's let onii-san sleep, shall we? You and I will start the tea, and the rice, and I have some lovely fruit for you." Aika giggled and nestled into his shoulder.

Vale set Aika on a chair and gave her a small dish of sweet ram berries. Then he set up the rice cooker and tea maker, and found a proper cooking pot for the miso soup. He diced some tofu into chunks to add to the soup, hoping to coax Yuji into eating a bit this morning. He looked in the cold chest, and brought out a couple of eggs as well, in the hopes that Satoshi would show him again how to get that just right. Vale chuckled, and Aika looked at him curiously.

"I think tousan will be late today, my lady," Vale informed the toddler. Vale was quite sure that Satoshi and Sand would still be asleep, since Sand was no fonder of rising early than Satoshi or Ryuu. "So for right now, it's just us, my sweet girl. Who will come and see us first, do you think? Hmm?"

Aika giggled again as Vale poured himself a mug of tea and joined her at the table, nibbling on a few ram berries himself.

[tempest.]

Sand was watching Samantha as she sat up, trembling, trying to keep from sobbing. He laid a gentle hand on her back, rubbing a little to ease her tension.

"Nights must be the very Hells," Sand murmured. His voice was soft and filled with tenderness. "Come and rest beside me, and let me hold you. You have endured this alone for too long, and no one can be so strong forever, not alone."

Sand eased Samantha back down and cradled her close to him, her head on his shoulder while he placed soft kisses on her head. "If it helps to talk, I am always here to listen. There is little that would frighten me, and nothing I would not face for your sake."

He could feel Samantha beginning to relax a little, but there was something else, a feeling that they were not alone. Sand's eyes detected nothing, but every arcane ability he had was screaming. Only a fool would ignore that, and Sand was no fool. Whatever it was, it was strong, very strong indeed. If it was the demon that was within Samantha, it would be formidable, but not beyond his abilities, of that Sand was sure. What he was not sure of, and what gave him the most cause for concern, was whether or not he could lure this demon into releasing Samantha. He would not risk her life in a battle with such a creature.