[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Vale looked at Ryuu, his green eyes bright. "Chichi and mama are very pretty," the elf agreed. "And otooji thinks you're very smart." Vale laughed as Ryuu launched himself at Kansas, delighted to see the smile on the imp's face as he caught Ryuu with his good arm.

And then Kansas was in Vale's arms, and Vale was dizzy with love as Kansas kissed him thoroughly. "I owe you, Kansas. You showed me how, and I love you, too, always."

They all sat down to breakfast, chatting amiably about plans for the day, and laughing a little as Kansas charmed his way into a day off from schoolwork. Kansas reached for his chopsticks, but with his right hand in a cast, they were impossible. The imp immediately pouted and complained loudly, and Vale looked up.

"Kansas, love, you can drink your miso soup, and I'll get you a spoon for the rice." Vale pressed a kiss to the top of Kansas's head as he went into the kitchen, and came back with a spoon.

"Onii-san, I help," Ryuu offered, looking at Kansas with absolute love in his eyes. It was impossible for Kansas to refuse, and Vale marveled at how like Satoshi Ryuu was, with his open heart and profound kindness. Ryuu stroked Kansas's cheek and gave him a beautiful smile.

Kansas turned his eyes on Vale. "Isn't there anything you can do?" He lifted the cast, looking as dejected as he could.

Vale sighed a little. He had several healing potions tucked away with his things, but it would look completely suspicious if Kansas were suddenly healed. Fortunately for Vale, who was feeling slightly uncomfortable, Satoshi interjected quickly.

"As soon as we can, Kansas. Be patient." Satoshi also stroked Kansas's cheek, and because the imp could not bear to see Satoshi upset again, he subsided.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

"Oh, love," Vale sighed. "I wanted to give you what you said you needed, but I'm not very good at being rough." He kissed Satoshi tenderly. "I can be strong for you, but I'm better at this." Vale nibbled on Satoshi's lower lip, stroking his back and reveling in their closeness as he let his love flow outward. "I love to hold you close and feel you against me, and to take my time and show you how much you mean to me. We're learning what we can be, and sometimes we'll get it a little wrong, but it doesn't matter as long as we love each other."

Vale lifted his head a little, listening. "I think Willow is waking up. We'd better make sure there's tea ready when she comes down." Vale scooped up a giggling Aika and nuzzled her, sending her into peals of laughter. Ryuu just shook his head at their antics.

"Otooji is very silly sometimes," Ryuu informed Satoshi, and then started giggling himself.

Satoshi picked up his son, and they all headed into the kitchen to make sure there was plenty of tea for Willow. Satoshi started heating some miso soup for her breakfast while Ryuu got napkins and chopsticks and some bowls. By the time Willow got downstairs, she walked into a scene of happy domesticity, two of her husbands and her children smiling and chattering.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Vale looked at Yuji, willing himself not to start laughing with Satoshi. Then he turned back to Ryuu. "Well, you can still call me otooji, can't you? If it makes it easier?" Vale smiled at Ryuu. "The important thing is that we are all a family, right? And we all love each other." Vale held out an arm, and scooped Ryuu up to cuddle him between the three men. "I love your chichi, and your tousan, and your onii-san and your mama, and I love you and Aika. This is good, right?"

Vale looked at Satoshi over Ryuu's head, his eyes warm. He returned that wonderful wave of love, singling out how he felt about Satoshi and letting all of it show just for his green haired husband. Then Vale did the same thing for Yuji,marveling at how much he loved both men, and yet how different each sweet emotion could feel. His love for Kansas, and for Willow, were also unique, and he took comfort in that. Vale found himself wondering what it would be like when he and Willow had a child. He suppressed a laugh thinking that it would not take a paternity test to know if he was the father, especially if the child had pointed ears.

Vale's amusement flowed over onto his husbands, and he shifted Ryuu to Yuji's arms. "If I'm not mistaken, your sister needs some attention upstairs." Vale went and scooped up Aika. "Come, my lady, let's get you smelling sweetly again, shall we?" He laughed when her arms went around his neck.

[Week 15: 1-16-11]

Pen Name: BronxWench

Story link: Story: Sand

Review Replies: Review Replies - AFF Prompt/Sand - AFF Community Forums

Type of fic: FlashFic

Rating: Adult

Fandom: Dragon Age:Origins

Pairing: N/A

Warnings: AFFO, Challenge Fic, Complete, NoSex, One-Shot, OC

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Vale looked at Satoshi for a long moment, feeling what lay beneath the words, and then he nodded. "Yes. I can do it, and make sure it's never traced back to us. It's what I do best." The gentle elf that was their husband was gone, replaced for a moment by the battle mage who had served his Guild for three centuries. "They'll live, and regret every day that they do. if it happens too soon, though, it's suspicious. A week or so, and then I'll take care of it."

Satoshi nodded, satisfied, and Vale leaned in and kissed him, and then turned to Yuji. "I won't let us be harmed, love, I swear it, but I can't bear thinking they might hurt Kansas again. They're already going to be looking for retribution, because of the police. I'm not giving them a chance. Until then, though, Kansas stays home. Have his professors send his work home over the computer, tell them he's still not ready for the strain of moving around all day."

Vale looked over at the tatami room, and all of the sudden, the gentle elf was back. "Ryuu is teaching me Japanese," he told Satoshi, his face radiant. "I'm his student, and he thinks I'm silly but I try hard." The love in Vale's voice made Satoshi smile. "Oh, I would love it if we could all visit my home. My sister would adore the children. She has just one of her own, a son who's, gods, fifty years older than me. "

Vale looked at his husbands, realizing something. "I know you saw it, Satoshi, but did everyone see Evermeet?" When Yuji nodded, Vale grinned. "I didn't know if it would work, but it does!" He sounded elated.

"What worked?" Yuji asked, unable to hold back a smile.

"When we take reverie, sometimes we share our dreams. I was pretty sure I could do it with Kansas, but I was thrilled when you seemed to see it, Satoshi." Vale's eyes were bright. "What I didn't know was if I could share it with all of you at once, and it seems like I can. That means I can replace Kansas's nightmares with gentler things, and you can all be with us. It's perfect!" He threw his arms around his husbands. "Or any of us, when we feel like we need to share something or just need the comfort." He gave them both a rueful look. "I keep forgetting that a lot of what I am or can do is strange to you, as strange as cars and trains are to me. Just ask if I'm being obscure, okay? I have no secrets from you, either of you, and I don't want any more than this one from Willow and Kansas."

[Review Replies - AFF Prompt/Pillow]

FairySlayer:

Lunging with his sword... twice in one flashfic, how sweet. Actually that demon deserves thanks for creating such a real and lovely scene between the two men, especially after such wonderful friendship had blossomed between the men. For a quick scene you did a terrific job describing it and making it real.

Of course, "taking away" that friendship that he valued so much is more than good enough reason to send the demon to the kind of Hell even Hell Dwellers fear. (Probably being stuck in a theater that plays only Twilight movies.)

Thank you! I figured since Alistair is slow on th euptake, Wraith had to have some action. And gods, a theater playing nothing but Twilight movies? That's hell anywhere!!!

Techno-Ninja:

Ah, what a twist!

The sex scene was beautiful. It was emotional without being corny. Well done!

Thank you! I'm glad it worked.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

"Ah, gods, Yuji," Vale murmured, leaning in to steal a kiss from his husband. "I thought we lost him. Thank you, love." He gave Yuji a radiant smile and turned to look at the children. Ryuu was spooning in his miso soup happily, and Vale dipped up another spoon of soup for Aika, holding to her lips.

"I couldn't reach him for a moment. I don't think I've ever been so afraid in my life." Vale chuckled a little, his eyes growing distant as he reached out to touch his sleeping spouses, all still curled around each other and at peace. "I've faced demon lords and not turned a hair, but that pain. I don't understand, love. What does he blame himself for?"

Vale ran a slim hand through his tousled hair. "He wanted pain, and I tried, but it's not really in me to give him that. I felt like I was punishing him for being him." Vale looked at Yuji, his eyes dark as he remembered. "All I had left was love, and showing him a place where no one would hurt him, or Kansas."

Vale reached up and touched his pendant, and then touched Yuji's. "You're all a part of my house now. Evermeet is as much your home as mine." He grinned as he realized Yuji hadn't known what that place was. "That's my homeland, one of the few remaining elven cities. Sand is from another, Evereska. Then there's Suldanessallar, hidden in the Tethir Forest, and Myth Drannor, once a ruin and now being reclaimed."

Vale's grin widened. "Did you hear the music? It's everywhere in Evermeet. You'd love that, and you'd be honored there. Satoshi, too. And from there, I can take Kansas to meet Adalon, the silver dragon I know."

Vale let the words hang for a moment, savoring all the good memories and joy they invoked. "So what do we do now, love? It's so frustrating for me, because I don't know how your justice works. I know Kansas was provoked beyond endurance, because I felt it. He may have struck first, but they left him no choice. And yet, I can't tell anyone that, because how would I know? I wasn't there yet." Vale sighed, and fed Aika the last of her soup, kissing her soft hair. "By the time I was seen, he was down and they were beating him, so that's all I can say." He lifted his chin defiantly. "I won't let him be hurt again, Yuji."

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

"No," Vale murmured, reaching up and undoing the restraints with one hand while he held on to Satoshi tightly with the other. "No, my love, please... we are not alone anymore, none of us. Lean on me and take strength from me." Vale ruthlessly shoved his own anguish to the side, and instead called on the fierce love he had for his spouses, letting that flood over Satoshi as he turned his husband to face him, letting Satoshi bury his face in Vale's strong shoulder.

"Kansas needs us all, even our pain," Vale said, nuzzling his face in Satoshi's hair. "Don't give up on yourself. He needs you. I need you." Vale's voice broke, and his breath hitched. "I need you, Satoshi. Don't leave me. I can be strong enough with you by my side, but I can't do this without you." He felt the burn of his own tears, and he tightened his hold on Satoshi. "Please, my love, my husband, my soulmate."

Vale could only think of one thing to try. He focused all of his will and created a mental image of his homeland, Evermeet, green with forests and at the heart of them a city unlike any other. Graceful towers that looked almost too fragile to stand soared above streets that wove gracefully around plazas and fountains. There was music everywhere, from the soft lilt of the priests in their temples, to the merry laughter of children playing among the columns of elegant homes. "One day, my love, you will walk there with me, and I will show you such things as you have never seen, and your music will make the children clap and dance for you. And Kansas will meet a dragon, and such a beautiful dragon is Adalon. Just don't leave me..."

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Vale released Satoshi's chest, sliding his hand up to wrap around his husband's throat. He wrapped his fingers firmly around it, tightening his grip carefuly, and constricted Satoshi's breathing just enough to make the man's eyes close in complete ecstasy.

Satoshi howled as Vale squeezed, and his balls drew up, ropes of cum erupting to coat Vale's hand and spatter against the sheets. His ass clamped so tightly on Vale's cock that the elf howled as well, burying himself all the way in that velvet vise, his own release almost painful in its intensity.

Vale released Satoshi's throat, catching him around the chest again as he thrust a few more times, shuddering with the force of his orgasm. "Fuck, Satoshi," the elf gasped, and nipped at the back of his husband's neck. He eased Satoshi onto the mattress, still buried in his husband's ass, and Val wrapped himself around Satoshi's back and held him tightly.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Vale could feel the heat pouring off Satoshi, and he knew that his husband needed this more than any soft caresses, and so he pulled back out of that hot and wanton mouth, growling a little once again. Satoshi's eyes begged for more, and Vale moved to one side and tugged on Satoshi to turn him around. He watched as his husband gripped the headboard, knuckles white with desire and anticipation.

Vale moved behind Satoshi, grabbing his hips and pulling him back so that his sweet ass bumped Vale's aching cock. Satoshi let out a wanton moan, and Vale slapped him hard, watching his ass turn red. Vale leaned over Satoshi's back and bit him again on the back of the shoulder, reaching around him to yank on his nipples rings. Then the elf straightened up and grabbed Satoshi's hips, gripping tightly, and he rubbed the weeping head of his cock against the puckered opening.

"Say it," Vale growled, pressing a little.

"Fuck me," Satoshi moaned, trying to press back against Vale, but the elf's grip held him firmly in place. "Hard, I want it hard..."

Someplace very deep inside, Vale flinched, but he could not refuse Satoshi, and so he thrust himself into his husband, burying himself up to the balls in that tight ass. Satoshi screamed at the abrupt intrusion, but he shoved himself back onto Vale's cock at the same time, relishing the oblivion provided by the pain.

Vale set a hard pace, slamming himself into Satoshi so hard that his balls ached from slapping against his husband's ass. He changed angles to pummel Satoshi's prostate, reaching around to pull the green haired man upright so Vale could play with his nipple rings with one hand, while the other wrapped around Satoshi's chest and held him tightly. Vale's reluctance to inflict pain had the effect of slowing down his release, and he just kept pounding Satoshi relentlessly until he finally felt the tingling in his balls as they drew up. Vale sank his teeth into Satoshi's shoulder, and wrapped agile fingers around his husband's cock, stroking it firmly in time with his own rough thrusts.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

"My love, this is what you need?" Vale asked softly. Satoshi's wet eyes and blush answered the elf, and his own green eyes fluttered shut for a moment as he took a deep breath. Vale played certain games with Sand, explored his own thresholds with his elven bondmate, but Vale was not adept at causing pain. Still, he loved Satoshi so very much, and he wanted to ease his husband's pain, and if this was the way...

Vale growled a little, deep in his throat, and straddled Satoshi, moving with a swift and predatory grace. He leaned forward and pulled Satoshi's hands above his head, closing the restraints around his wrists. As he did, he swooped in and bit Satoshi's shoulder hard, not quite enough to break the skin, but hard enough to bruise. Satoshi moaned, and bucked his hips, grinding himself against Vale, the pain of the bite already pulling him into the place he needed to be. Vale's fingers seized the rings in Satoshi's nipples, and he pulled and twisted them sharply, another growl escaping the elf, and he nipped and tugged at Satoshi's lower lip.

"Mine," Vale told Satoshi, his green eyes glittering, and he pulled on the chain to raise Satoshi up. Propping his husband against the headboard, Vale knelt in front of him, long thighs taut as he brought his cock to Satoshi's small mouth. One slim hand fisted in Satoshi's hair, and the other twisted an ear sharply. "I want your mouth. Let me fuck your mouth."

Satoshi's lips parted eagerly, and Vale pressed past those delicious lips into the warm, wet cavern of his husband's mouth. The ball stud through Satoshi's tongue played along the underside of Vale's cock, delving into the slit and pressing against the cleft underneath, and Vale moaned, pressing himself in further until his cock bumped the back of Satoshi's throat. "Fuck, Satoshi, you feel so good," Vale groaned, twisting a nipple ring savagely, one hand still buried in Satoshi's hair.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

As he listened to Yuji's words, Vale's heart sank. It was as bad as it could possibly be, and this was only going to push Kansas further down that dark path, where he saw himself deserving nothing more than pain. For the briefest of moments, Vale wanted to pull up his own shields to protect his spouses from the emotions raging through him, but he had promised Kansas that he would not hide.

"Don't worry about the police questioning me. I can deal with that." Vale was confident of his ability to pull off any necessary interview, and his confidence was apparent. He did not tell Yuji that Wench had explained certain aspects of her world to him, the web of information that could be accessed electronically. Vale had reached out and found that it worked very much like the Weave, the web of magic that he tapped. It had been simple enough for Vale to reach into the Web, and make small adjustments that would record the information he had placed on his identification. He was not a senior mage of the Many-Starred Cloaks and a member of its governing Council for nothing, His skills in subterfuge were superior. The police could check all they wanted, and he would appear to be exactly what he claimed to be.

Yuji's kiss when he left to watch television with Willow and the children was so lost, so forlorn that Vale felt a physical ache. He knew that Yuji would come to him if there was any way the elf could help, though, and Willow needed Yuji with her and the children right now. The ache turned into a wave of love for his spouses as he watched Yuji leave. They would get through this by being united. Kansas was right.

Vale looked at Satoshi, still perched on the counter, and Satoshi tugged Vale to him, kissing him with a desperate need. Vale returned his kiss with equal hunger, needing the feel of his husband in his arms, and the taste of his on his lips. When Satoshi pushed him away to hop down, Vale was almost dizzy with desire for this gentle man of his. Satoshi headed for the stairs, and Vale followed, nodding to Yuji and Willow as he began to climb the stairs.

Satoshi was already waiting at the top of the stairs when Vale got there, and Vale immediately pulled the green haired man into a searing kiss, licking at his pierced lower lip with raw hunger. The elf did not bother to hide the need he felt, and he moaned into the kiss with abandon. Still kissing, they half stumbled into Satoshi's room, Vale's fingers already unbuttoning his husband's shirt. Vale had half expected Kansas to be there, but Satoshi answered the elf's unspoken inquiry with a jerk of his head in the direction of the master bedroom.

"We're all going to wind up int there again tonight anyway," Satoshi mumbled, tugging off Vale's shirt and tank top.

Vale toed off his socks as he finished removing Satoshi's shirt, bending in to nibble his husband's neck as he pulled away Satoshi's undershirt. Neither of them could wait, and they broke apart long enough to lose their pants and boxers, and then Satoshi was on Vale again, grinding his cock against Vale as Vale's fingers found his pierced nipples and tugged on the rings.

"Tell me," Vale murmured, pulling Satoshi toward the bed. "Tell me what you need. Let me love you." His green eyes were gentle as he pulled Satoshi into another hungry kiss.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Yuji, Satoshi and Willow were dressed and ready to leave with Kansas, who looked slightly nervous. Vale walked them all to the foyer, and kissed them goodbye.

"Do you remember where the park is?" Willow asked, smoothing her jacket. "Ryuu and Aika could use the fresh air."

Vale nodded. "I remember, love, and I'll make sure they're dressed warmly enough." He smiled as Willow gave his a dubious look. Vale did not feel cold or heat as quickly, and had been more than comfortable in just his wool jacket. It was entirely another thing for the children, however, and Willow had shown Vale three times where she had their warm coats. "We'll be fine. Go, and hurry back."

His four spouses left, and Vale turned to look at the children. "What do you think, Ryuu? Shall we take Aika to the park?" Vale picked Aika up and balanced her on his hip, an action that was increasingly more natural to the elf. "I think we'll pack a little fruit and maybe some rice crackers to take with us, in case we get hungry while we're at the park."

Vale went into the kitchen, and packed a bento box with snacks, and then filled a thermos flask with tea.

"Now, I think we'll change our love song's diaper, and put on our coats, and go out to the park." Ryuu scampered up the stairs ahead of Vale, and ran into his room to get his coat and his dragon. Vale turned into the nursery and changed a giggling, wiggly Aika, and then redressed her and put her warm coat and hat on.

Vale tucked Aika into her stroller, and put the bento box and thermos into the carrying pouch on the back. Ryuu had done up his own coat already, and pulled on his hat, and Vale beamed at him. "Look at you, my little dragon! You're very smart, aren't you?"

"Otooji, I am big gyaruson," Ryuu said proudly. When Vale looked briefly confused, Ryuu pointed to Aika. "Aika is shoujo. I is gyaruson. Otooji is gyaruson," Ryuu explained, and Vale smiled happily.

"Thank you, Ryuu, I understand now," Vale grinned. He tucked Aika in her stroller, making sure the straps were securely fastened, and they left the house to go to the park.

Ryuu kept up a constant stream of chatter along the way, mixing English and Japanese with happy abandon as he pointed out everything they passed. Aika let out happy shrieks and giggled at Ryuu's antics, and Vale felt some of his anxiety lessening. While he knew he would have been no help today, it did not make it any easier to be waiting to find out how everything went. Vale had no idea how justice worked here, although as captain of the Cloaktower Guard at home, he would have been the one administering justice. Still, it was hard to remain anxious around the children. Their enthusiasm for everything was infectious, and Aika even managed a few steps at the park.

One or two people who recognized Ryuu and Aika stopped to greet them, and Ryuu proudly introduced Vale as his otooji. Vale bowed politely and explained that he was Willow's relative, and was visiting, and any doubts they may have had were settled when Aika threw her small arms around Vale's neck and cuddled with him. After that, they had their snacks, and Aika insisted on feeding Vale again. Aika was sleepy after eating and snuggled close to Vale, her beautiful eyes, so like Yuji's, starting to close.

Vale picked Aika up and kissed her soft head. "Maybe we should go home, and I can make some lunch for us. I think our Aika needs her nap, don't you, Ryuu?"

"Hai, otooji," Ryuu said, pleased to be consulted.

Back at home, Vale made rice and found some cooked fish that he warmed for lunch. Then he tucked both children in for naps after changing Aika again, and settled back to wait, reading his book of kanji to try and distract himself.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Vale held on to Kansas gently. "You're right. You've all been brave enough to share yourselves with me fully, and you deserve the same from me. If I'm upset, or hurt, I'll share it." He smiled into the embrace. "You're wiser than I am, Kansas. But the thing I did, raising my shields? You're the only one who would have noticed this early in the bond. Eventually, they'll all be able to tell."

Vale walked back to the bedroom to dress, his arm still around Kansas. As Vale dressed, he talked. "I'm going to teach you how to do what I did, though. Not so you can hide from us, but your gift makes you vulnerable to things outside of us. Those dark places that call you, the people you hear? The shields will help keep that out."

"But they'll keep you out, too," Kansas said, his face tilted up to watch Vale.

"We'll all know why, though, and we'll know to be there to help. When you lower them, you'll feel us again and you'll know how much we love you." Vale gave Kansas his radiant smile. "Ryuu and Aika did a good job," he said, gesturing at the colorful bandages on Kansas's good arm. "Ryuu thinks we're all idiots for not doing it ourselves." He looked at Kansas, letting his love wash over him.

"I'll never leave you, Kansas. You can't lose me," Vale told him. "I promise you that, on my life. Now, let's go have some breakfast. All I've had so far was some banana that Aika fed her otooji."

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

The three adults just held each other for a moment as Ryuu went back into the living room with the first aid kit to let Kansas choose a colorful bandaid. Vale nuzzled his cheek against Yuji and Willow. "We'll do it together, my loves," he murmured. "Together we're strong."

Willow poured herself more tea, grateful that Yuji had asked Vale to make it. Mornings were hard enough, but without tea, they were impossible.

Vale looked at Yuji. "I'm not going to be any help today with what you need to do. I don't know enough about the proper procedures, and I don't speak Japanese yet. I'll take care of the kids at home." He smiled at them, letting them know he did not mind, and that part of being a family was taking care of what you could do best. "Just give me a moment to shower and get dressed." He gave them both a kiss, and hurried upstairs to collect clothing and shower.

Once under the water, Vale carefully raised his mental shields so he would not leak his emotions to his spouses, and he let his tears fall. Just seeing Kansas, so battered, and with the cast on his hand, made Vale want to punish his attackers in painful ways. There was also the guilt of knowing that his anger had made it harder for his beloved imp. He had frightened Kansas, not only with the depth of his rage, but with something deeper, and Vale was afraid to ask about it. He felt like he would only blunder about and make it worse, again. He was not like Sand. He could not keep a cool head and deal with the immediate needs, and then see what else needed doing. Vale plunged headlong into things, much as he had plunged headlong into this extraordinary marriage. But this, this was perhaps the best plunge he had ever taken. He shuddered a bit, washed his face again, and dropped his shields, calmer and ready to cope with whatever would happen.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Vale chuckled a little at Yuji's comment. "Oh, love, I'm hardly perfect. Yesterday should prove that." Vale paused for a moment, watching Aika try to feed Ryuu a piece of banana. Her brother was giggling too much to eat the fruit, and Aika was beginning to pout.

"Aika, feed otooji." Vale leaned down and let Aika feed him the banana, her face brightening. She turned back to her brother, babbling something that he seemed to understand, and Vale turned back to Yuji.

"I scared the hells out of Willow yesterday when I went to Kansas. I scared the hells out of Kansas when I let him see what I wanted to do to those," Vale paused, looking at the children. "Those three," he finished. "I'm not always gentle. I've got a wicked temper, and I'm rash, and I'm prone to rushing into things. But the one thing I do have is love, so I suppose I'm not totally a waste."

Yuji looked dismayed. "We were all angry and upset yesterday. We all said things we shouldn't have."

Vale shook his head, his green eyes warm. "A lot of what we said yesterday was what we should have said. What you told me on the roof? That's between us, until you want the others to know. But it's going to be a little harder to have secrets now." Vale chuckled again. "I don't know what you're thinking. It doesn't work that way. But I know what you feel, and what they feel, so it's harder to hide things. What's going to be hardest for us all is our Kansas."

Vale reached out and wiped a bit of strawberry from Aika's cheek and sighed softly. "I hate that he has to go through this today. Sand's better at this sort of thing. I'd rather just reduce them to ash and move on, but that won't help, will it? And I just scare Kansas when he feels that side of me."

The two men were silent for a few minutes, just watching the children and enjoying the awareness of each other that marked their bond. Vale's hand found Yuji's hand, and their fingers tangled together comfortably.

Yuji broke the silence. "When did you start smoking?"

Vale laughed at the teasing, and leaned over to kiss Yuji. "I'm never doing that again, no matter how much I want to get through to you." Vale grinned. "I'm going to clean up from breakfast and get dressed." He gestured at his outfit. "I raided your closet, I'm afraid. You go have your smoke while I do the dishes, and then you can watch our little ones for a minute while I change."

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Vale looked at his family, and he felt the love that shone through the pain, the love that would endure past the pain. He looked at the rings in their boxes, and he looked at the band already on his finger. His shoulder ached where Yuji had brought his fist down on it, but that was insignificant in the face of what was before him. This family, his family... Yuji was right. None of them, not even Vale, was strong enough to stand alone, but together they would heal, and together they would make a safe place for all of them.

Vale knelt in front of Yuji, graceful as ever, and took Yuji's face between his hands. "Hayashi Yuji, my husband, my love," the elf said. "I already wear your ring, as you wear mine. Now open your heart and feel my heart."

Vale leaned forward, his forehead resting against Yuji's forehead. "I love you, with all that I am." Vale pressed a soft kiss on Yuji's lips, and reached out with his very soul, feeling Yuji's love like a warm current washing over him. He bound his soul to that warmth, and accepted its flow, and watched as Yuji felt Vale's love alongside his own, two hearts bound together. Yuji's eyes widened, and from Satoshi's lap, Kansas watched with a small smile on his swollen lips.

Vale then knelt in front of Satoshi. "Mori Satoshi, my love, and now my husband. I take this ring that you offer, and I offer you all that I am in return." Vale leaned in and kissed Satoshi, and bound his soul to the green-haired man as Satoshi slid the thin red gold band on Vale's left ring finger. "I love you."

Vale leaned in further, and feathered a kiss on Kansas's swollen lips, barely touching him. "Hayashi Tatsuya, my love, and my husband." Vale voice broke slightly. "Oh, Kansas, my dragon becoming, my soul is already yours, and I take this ring that you offer with all my heart." Kansas slipped his thin yellow gold band next to Satoshi's band.

Finally, Vale turned to Willow, cupping her face between slim hands. "Hayashi Willow, my love and now my wife. I take this ring that you offer, and I offer you all that I am in return." Vale reached out and bound his soul to Willow, his kiss gentle and loving as she slid her white gold band on his finger. "One day we will hold our child in our arms, and welcome a new member of our family, all of us, together. That is my dearest wish."

"I love you all so much, and with your love filling me, I'm complete." Vale looked at his family, his husbands, his wife, and he let all the joy of their union fill him and them. There were no words after that, just the five of them sharing the bond that would bind their hearts as one for as long as they lived. Tomorrow would bring what it would, but for tonight, this would be their beginning.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Vale looked at Satoshi for a long moment. "Take care of Kansas, and you, love."

Vale ran lightly up the stairs, following behind Yuji. He opened the door to the roof terrace and glided out, sitting next to his furiously smoking husband. Every muscle in Yuji's body was tense, and Vale could feel waves of rage emanating from him. Vale reached out and put a hand on Yuji's shoulder, and Yuji pushed it off angrily.

"It took every bit of self control I had not to tear those three smirking bastards to shreds." Vale's voice was calm, almost conversational. "Then I remembered what I could do to them with magic. I considered everything from summoning a demon to devour their entrails, to just shoving a fireball up their asses and having done with it. It would have been a lot more satisfying to use my hands, though."

Vale reached out and took a cigarette from Yuji, lighting it with a brief flare. He inhaled deeply, letting the smoke trickle out slowly. Yuji looked startled at the sight of the elf calmly puffing away. "Do you know what he said to me? 'I could've taken it.' I have no idea why I didn't kill them right then."

Vale looked over at Yuji. "I screwed up. I let Kansas know what I was feeling. I should have controlled my temper more, but I didn't. I saw him and I panicked. What's your excuse?"

"Don't, Vale," Yuji growled.

"Don't what? Don't care? Don't hate myself for not protecting him better? Don't wish I could go back in time and rescue him before he was broken?" Vale turned blazing eyes on Yuji. "And if I, who's just met him, feel that way, how much more are you hurting?"

Vale pulled his husband into a tight embrace, his voice cracking only slightly. "Punching Satoshi didn't help. Scaring Kansas didn't help. Willow's going to use all our heads for soup, and the kids will have nightmares. Fuck, Yuji!" He pulled Yuji's face up and kissed him hard, tears spilling from green eyes. "Don't try and do this alone. None of us are strong enough, but together, if we love each other, we can fix it."

It was probably the worst time in the world, but Vale took another drag on the cigarette, and looked at Yuji. "I knew Kansas was in trouble, but not for the reason you're probably thinking. I formed a bond, a link between Kansas and me, like the one I have with Sand." Vale's gaze did not waver, despite the tears that still glittered on his lashes. "I intended to form the first bond with you, but I thought I could help Kansas. I thought I could ease his pain. I wanted to tell you but there wasn't time." Vale lifted his chin a little. "If you feel the need to hit me, I won't stop you."

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Vale's eyes widened as Kansas used the link to scream at him. He was able to remain outwardly calm, not a single flicker in his expression to indicate what had just happened. He straightened up almost casually, turning slightly to face the imp.

"I'll be right back," Vale murmured. "I need to freshen up. Yuji is here now." He looked at Kansas for a long moment, trying to convey that he was not going to do anything rash. The tiniest flicker in Kansas's eyes told vale that he had been heard.

Vale stepped outside to where the receptionist sat, and asked her very politely where he could freshen up. She directed him to a bathroom, and Vale thanked her with a bow and walked away, his back ramrod straight. He walked into the bathroom, entered a stall, and promptly knelt and vomited.

It took a few minutes for Vale to purge himself, and he made sure to use a cleaning cantrip to ensure that no trace of sickness was left behind. He left the stall and washed his face and hands thoroughly, and rinsed his mouth with cool water.

On his way back to the examination room, Vale passed a machine that dispensed mints, and he fumbled in his pant's pocket for the small coins necessary. He sucked a mint almost greedily to cleanse his mouth of the last taste of sickness, and then he took a few deep breaths before reentering the room. The first thing he did was to go over to Kansas.

"Tatsuya?" Vale waited until the imp looked up. "I'm sorry. Your way, not mine." Vale sent a wave of contrition and love to Kansas. Then he stepped back and waited to hear what would happen next.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Vale took the cellphone, his hand trembling slightly. "Yuji? We're on our way to the campus infirmary." Vale had to hold the phone away from his ear for a moment as Yuji's voice exploded out of it.

"Vale? What happened? Is he alright?" Yuji sounded as frantic as Vale felt.

"He's been beaten," Vale said, his voice clipped as he tried to master his emotions. "The persons responsible are being interviewed by campus security. I'm going with him to the infirmary. Can you meet us?"

"Persons?" Yuji said, his voice shaking.

"It appears that there were three of them," Vale replied. "Yuji, I can't talk about this right now. Please, just get here as soon as you can." Vale bit back what he wanted to say. He looked at the phone and pressed what looked like the right button to end the call. Shoving the broken thing in his pocket, Vale turned his attention back to Kansas, trying to send his love through to Kansas. He had seen the imp's face crumble when Vale reacted so strongly to his few words, but Vale just could not beat the thought that Kansas felt like he deserved such a thing as that beating.

"Tatsuya?" Vale said gently. "Yuji is on his way. I'm not leaving you, not for a minute, alright?"

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Vale looked at Kansas as he fell to his knees. "It's alright, Tatsuya." Vale didn't even dare touch his imp. Between the damage Kansas had sustained, and the two men sitting beside him, it would have been very unwise to show anything private, and Vale was not sure he could touch Kansas and not want to hold him and cover him in kisses.

Vale stood slowly and bowed to the men sitting on either side of Kansas. "My name is Anorongil, and I am acquainted with Hayashi Tatsuya and his guardian, Hayashi Yuji. I am related to Hayashi-san's wife." The men nodded, relaxing slightly as the elf continued, exerting the force of his charming personality. "Please, I happened to be passing and thought I might see if Tatsuya wished company on the journey home. Is there anything I can do?"

Vale looked over at where the three other youths had been detained, and his expression hardened. A man in what looked like some sort of official uniform was speaking harshly to the youths. He turned back to Kansas, and projected as much love and strength as he could through his link, absorbing the pain he felt radiating from Kansas's anguished frame. Vale knew this was so much deeper than the physical beating. This struck at the broken core of Kansas, the part that still thought he did not deserve anything other than to be beaten. If Vale had not been warned by Willow, he would cheerfully have reduced those three bastards to something their mothers would never recognize.

Vale looked at the bullies again, and let Kansas feel a very tiny bit of his rage at them. The he turned back to Kansas and poured out love and acceptance. It was about as subtle as a dragon coming for tea, but Vale did not think Kansas needed subtle. Kansas needed to be home.

The men were looking at each other. Finally one spoke to Kansas. "Hayashi Tatsuya, do you know this man?"

Kansas managed a nod, a few drops of blood rolling down his forehead.

"Do you wish to see the doctor here on campus?" The questions were being asked in English, so that Vale could not later say that he misunderstood anything, he realized. The correct manners, the precise formality was a thin veneer over a recently brutal culture of utter conformity. Kansas dared to be different, and these people were only protecting him because there were witnesses. Vale felt every nerve in his body come awake.

Kansas was shaking his head in negation, and he looked up at Vale. "I could've taken it." His voice was slurred, and Vale's heart nearly broke.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Vale was nuzzling Willow, planting soft kisses on her shoulders and neck. "Willow," he murmured, completely unable to put together anything more coherent than that. They cradled each other for a few sweet moments, before Willow gave him a little shove.

"We'd better shower and get dressed, before the kids wake up," Willow murmured, just as Vale stiffened, his green eyes wide with dismay. "What? Did you hear something?"

"It's Kansas," Vale said, the tone of his voice galvanizing Willow. He knew she had no idea what he was talking about, or how he could know, but he felt raw anger, followed by a sharp pain, and then more pain. "Something's wrong with Kansas! Willow, I need to go to him, now." Vale wriggled free and started snatching at his clothing.

"Wait! You don't even know where you're going," Willow protested. She grabbed Vale's arm, frightened by what the elf might do.

"I don't need to know," Vale said, pulling on his shirt and buttoning it. "I can just teleport to him."

"Vale! You can't do anything," Willow said, her voice nearly frantic. "The laws here, it's not like where you're from. Magic doesn't exist here, not like it does for you."

Vale nodded, understanding her warning. Maybe he could not use magic, but Vale was battle hardened over centuries, and he was quite sure he could handle whatever awaited. He leaned in and kissed Willow with sudden passion. "I'm sorry, love. I'm sorry, but the imp..."

Willow nodded, her throat tight. She loved Kansas, too, but she wasn't ready to lose Vale the moment she had found him.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Vale moaned as Willow's hands tugged at the waistband of his pants, her thighs straddling him and pinning him to the couch. He bucked his hips upward, letting her feel how hard he was, rubbing his cock against her wantonly. One hand cupped the soft globe of her breast, his thumb teasing her nipple until it stood out, hard and aching. His other hand was working at the waistband of her pants, opening them and sliding down to slip into her panties and cup her sweet ass.

Vale managed to break the kiss long enough to gasp out, "Let me..." He released her breast and pushed her pants down over her hips, stroking the velvety skin and gripping her tightly as he bucked upward again to press his aching cock against her. With something close to a growl, he sat up, swinging his legs off the couch and standing, his hands cupping her ass as he lifted her. He shimmied his hips, his own pants sliding down, and he toed his socks off as he stepped out of his pants.

Vale lowered Willow so that she could stand, and he swiftly stripped off her pants and socks, and her panties followed a moment later. Vale dropped to his knees in a single graceful move, and buried his face in the auburn curls between her thighs, his tongue snaking out to lap at the folds of her, probing between them until he was able to flick at her clit with the tip of his tongue. Willow moaned louder, her hands fisted in his hair and her head flung back.

Vale tugged at her hips, urging her to sit on the couch, and he parted her thighs reverently as he buried his face in the damp curls, tongue plying her clit with firm strokes as one long finger slipped inside her. Vale could feel her thighs trembling, and he added a second finger, turning then and stroking the walls of her tight passage until he found the little ridged spot he was seeking. He sucked harder at her clit as he stroked her sweet spot, and within moments, he was answered with a throaty moan as her walls convulsed around his fingers so tightly that Vale gasped. He let his tongue press firmly on her clit as he rode out her shuddering orgasm with her, tasting the sweetness of her as she came.

Willow's eyes were dark with desire as she looked at Vale. He stood, and let her tug off his tight boxers, his aching cock finally freed, precum beading the head and gleaming in the afternoon sunlight. Willow pushed him down to the rug, and he lay supine as she straddled him again, positioning herself above his cock. His strong fingers gripped her hips, and he guided her downward, moaning happily as she took him into the wet heat of her, sliding downward until her soft auburn curls were pressed against his groin.

Vale watched Willow's face as she rode him, her cheeks flushed and the hair as her temples sweetly dampened with sweat. He matched her with his own upward thrusts, driving himself into her with wanton abandon, until he saw her back arch and felt her thighs tremble against him. Vale released one hip, using his hand to propel himself into a sitting position and wrapping his arms around Willow as she came again, the rippling muscles of her wet passage gripping Vale cock like a velvet vise. He growled, into her neck, his balls drawing up almost painfully as he erupted, emptying himself within her with a strangled moan.

[Funny Typos]

Muchrooms: n. slang A term referring to the excessively loose morals of an individual. i.e., She's such a muchrooms! Did you see her with the whole football team last night?

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Vale sat down on the couch, and ran his fingers through Willow's gorgeous hair. "Thank you," Vale murmured, leaning forward to bury his face in her hair for a moment, inhaling the sweet scent of the shampoo she had used.

"For what?" Willow asked, her voice slightly muffled.

"For everything," Vale replied. He lifted her hair away from her back, letting it cascade over her shoulder, and did not hesitate, sliding his fingers onto the warm silk of her where her shirt had ridden up. Vale let his fingers slide upward, under her shirt, the scent of her intoxicating and the feel of her arousing him painfully.

Vale could bear no more waiting. He leaned down and kissed her, his tongue gently teasing her mouth open as he dove into the sweetness of it. Willow responded with a languid heat that made him gasp with pleasure, and he stretched out alongside her on the couch, one long leg slipping between her thighs and pressing firmly. Willow's slender fingers found his ear, pinching the tip and dragging a soft moan from Vale as she stroked the shell of his ear. Willow pressed against him with a wanton moan of her own, and Vale deepened the kiss, plundering that sweet mouth. His cock was rock hard, pressed against the heat of her thigh, and he ground himself against her as his fingers undid the buttons of her shirt.

Vale slid the shirt off her shoulders, kissing the newly exposed skin and nibbling gently along her collarbone until he reached the hollow of her white throat. His hands stroked downward, dipping into her bra to cradle the soft mounds of her breasts as he lifted them free of their lacy confines. His mouth moved down, and wet heat replaced the teasing strokes of his tongue as he tasted her nipples, laving them with his tongue and suckling them eagerly.