[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Vale looked at Willow, his smile oddly shy. "Willow," he began, and then stopped, and laughed. "I feel like an elfling here. I'm as nervous as a mouse with a cat next to it." He ran a slim hand through his hair.

"How do I say this?" Vale began again. "I fell in love with Yuji first, yes. I didn't know you were his wife. I thought it was like what Sand and I have with Wench, a friendship and sometimes love affair that we all enjoy. Sand and I were happy to be Wench's pets for the vacation. But Yuji was unexpected, and I will never regret what's happened between us." Vale reached out to stroke Willow's cheek. "And yes, I've extended that love to encompass Kansas and Satoshi as well. The imps are beautiful, and so much a part of Yuji that I can't help but love them. That also applies to you."

Vale let his fingers drift into Willow's hair. "You're Yuji's wife, and I've seen the love in his eyes when he looks at you. I love that about him, how easily he can love, and how well. I can also see why he loves you, and it's as easy for me to feel love for you as it is for him. You're a very special woman, Willow. You've opened your heart and your life to all these men, and I'd be very happy if you found room in there for an elf." Vale leaned in to kiss Willow very softly. "There is one complication, though, for you and me. You do know that you could have a child with me, don't you?" Vale shook his head a little. "I'll be guided by you in this. Tell me what you want, Willow."

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Vale came back over to Willow and Aika, his eyes warm as his lips still tingled with Yuji's kiss.

"You both look lovely," Vale said, giving Willow a kiss on the cheek. "I'm sorry I woke late today. I think I was more tired than I expected." He kissed Aika again. "I'll do better tomorrow, won't I?"

Willow sat back and looked at Vale. "The suit's a good touch. You look respectable, even with the long hair. Let me do most of the talking to start."

Vale nodded. "I will," he agreed. "Will we need money?"

"There are some fees, but you should have enough left from your shopping trip." Willow looked at the elf again. "Where'd the money come from?"

Vale smiled. Willow was so fiercely protective of her family, and her concerns were understandable. She also knew, far better than anyone else, exactly where he had come from, and Vale did not need to mince words with her. "Sand and I sold a couple of gems through Wench. The gems were from a dragon's hoard." Vale touched her hand gently. "I'm not using magic frivolously, Willow. I want to do things the right way, so no one gets hurt."

Willow nodded, and Vale could see that she was reassured, at least on that count. "Just keep it that way."

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Vale looked at Yuji. "Would you mind if I opted for dishes? I'm not sure I could manage dressing Aika today." He bent down to plant a kiss on her soft hair. "Tomorrow you can teach me how you like to be dressed, alright?"

Yuji just laughed and kissed Vale before taking Aika upstairs. Vale cleared the table quickly, and began to wash the dishes. He was amused to think that Sand probably would have had a handy cantrip for this, but Vale found the chore comforting. It was part of this whole family routine, and the simplicity and perfection made Vale feel like he belonged, a new and delicious feeling for the elf. It made Vale chuckle to think of how Sand would react to his new domesticity, and he was still chuckling as he put away the last of the dry dishes in time to see Kansas and Ryuu come down.

Kansas still seemed a little quiet, but Vale could not sense any pain. Rather, the imp seemed uneasy, and Vale had a good idea of why. He would have to make time to talk to Yuji tonight, and tell him about the bond before any more time passed. The elf could only hope that Yuji would understand why he had bonded with Kansas first.

"Go up to the roof with him when he smokes," Kansas muttered, and Vale nodded.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Vale dried himself off while Yuji brushed his teeth, muttering a cantrip to dry his long hair. When Yuji was done brushing, Vale took his turn, smiling as he listened to the happy moans from the shower while Kansas finished up. The imp bounced out quickly, grabbing his towel and kissing Yuji as he hurried back to his room to dress.

"You're going to take care of the paperwork with Willow today?" Yuji asked.

"Mm, that's the plan," Vale agreed. He finished brushing and joined Yuji in the bedroom to dress. He paused for a moment to watch Yuji, thinking that it was a shame to cover his gorgeous golden skin with clothing. The elf chuckled at the lascivious turn his thoughts were taking lately, and finished his own dressing. Yuji's grinned back, his sweet goofy grin that let Vale know he was not the only one having such wanton impulses.

Vale had decided to wear a suit today, to look serious for his paperwork. Sand had drummed into Vale which tie went with which shirt, and Vale had opted for a pale blue dress shirt, with a darker blue tie threaded with a pale golden motif. Vale hung the tie around his neck, trying to remember how to knot it, nibbling his lower lip.

"Come here, my love." Yuji deftly knotted the tie for Vale, and then used it to tug Vale down for a kiss, the love in his eyes making Vale practically glow.

"No fooling around, you two!" Kansas stuck his head in and grinned sweetly.

"Let's go eat," Yuji said, slipping his hand in Vale's and they walked down the stairs to the kitchen.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Vale came out of reverie with a guilty start, hearing Willow's voice and Aika's wails, and he leaned over to kiss Yuji lightly before scrambling into his clothing, green eyes wide. He hurried out into the hallway and almost collided with Willow as she came out of the nursery, Aika howling her desire for for food.

"Let me take her, Willow, and I'll get her something to eat," Vale offered, holding out his arms. Willow gladly surrendered her screaming daughter with only a small glare for the slightly disheveled elf. "What do I need to do for breakfast?"

"Turn on the rice cooker," Willow said dryly, and turned into Ryuu's bedroom to wake her son.

"Alright, my little one," Vale said to Aika. "Let's see if we can find you something to eat while the rice is cooking, shall we?" He nuzzled her cheek, chuckling a little at her fury and indignation. "I'm taking this very seriously, Aika, really I am."

Vale hurried downstairs and into the kitchen, finding some fruit from the night before and tucking Aika into her high chair. "Now, my lady, you start on this while I get the rice cooking for Mama." He gave her the small bits of fruit on her plastic plate, offering her a bite of pitted and sliced cherry to settle her for a moment. Then Vale switched on the rice cooker, and began to set the table for breakfast. He stopped to offer Aika more fruit, and this time she gave him a very small smile as she ate the tidbit of strawberry.

Vale looked around to see if there was anything else he needed to do, and then realized he should have set the kettle on for the tea. He took care of that as well, and then scrubbed a hand through his hair, mentally chastising himself for not rising earlier. Normally, Vale was up before dawn. He supposed the excitement of the past two days had caught up with him, for his reverie had been deep and peaceful as he walked in the memories of his reunion with his beloved Yuji.

Willow came down with a sleepy Ryuu, and looked at Vale with a grin. "I did tell you I'm not a morning person, didn't I?" She paused to give Vale a light kiss before heading into the kitchen to check on the rice. "Go get Yuji up and in the shower, and see if you can get the imp moving."

Vale grinned and hurried upstairs to comply, Willow's voice following him as she yelled, "And no fooling around!"

Vale stopped first at Satoshi's room, bending over the bed and kissing Kansas awake. "Good morning, love. Willow says it's time to get up."

Kansas wriggled a little, and pulled Vale back down for a longer kiss, nibbling at the elf's lips. "Don't go yet."

Vale returned the kiss for a moment, and then broke away regretfully. "I have to get Yuji moving, or Willow will use us all for soup." He grinned at Kansas. "I'm learning quickly. Don't piss Willow off, right?"

Kansas grinned ruefully. "Yeah, that's about right. Go wake Yuji."

Vale hurried into the master bedroom, where Yuji was stirring. "Come on, my love. We need to shower and get down to breakfast."

Yuji reached for a breath mint and popped it into his mouth before pulling Vale into a kiss. "Go get clothes. I'll make the bed."

Vale grinned and went to the spare room to collect clean clothing, unable to stop smiling.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Vale shivered with pure joy as the words tumbled from Yuji's lips, and the elf repeated them just as sweetly as he returned the slow and delicious kisses. "I love you, Yuji. My love. My husband. Always mine."

Yuji's reassurance about the mattress made Vale chuckle a little and he wrapped his arms around Yuji as Yuji settled his head on the elf's shoulder and fell asleep almost instantly. Vale did not enter reverie right away, content to nuzzle his face in Yuji's hair and listen to the deep and even breathing of his husband.

Finally, Vale let himself slide into his memories, a smile playing on his lips as he let reverie claim him.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

"Mm, yes," Vale groaned, wriggling his hips as he slammed back against Yuji, feeling his love's balls slap his ass with every thrust. He could feel Yuji's muscles quivering already, and he knew Yuji would not last much longer. Vale tightened his ass muscles deliberately, adding pressure as Yuji thrust in, and he felt the man's balls draw up on the next slap against his ass.

Yuji howled and let loose a spate of Japanese as he filled Vale's ass with hot cum, and the elf howled with him, his own cock aching. He bucked backwards, making sure he wrung every drop from Yuji, until Yuji slumped forward against Vale's back, gasping. Vale moaned again and wriggled, sliding off Yuji's softening cock and tumbling Yuji to the bed, nipping at his lips and plundering his mouth.

"My turn," Vale rasped, his green eyes bright with lust as he grabbed the lube. He coated his cock quickly , and slid his wet fingers between Yuji's cheeks, probing deftly and sliding the first finger into Yuji's ass. Yuji looked up at Vale, his beautiful eyes dark with need, and Vale nodded. "I know, my love, I know."

Vale grabbed Yuji's legs and hooked the man's ankles over his shoulders. Looking into Yuji's eyes, Vale breached that tight ass, moaning wantonly as he sank into the heat. He set a steady pace, flinging his head back as he drove his cock into Yuji, flaunting Yuji's bite mark on his long pale throat. It did not take long for Vale to feel his own balls tighten, and he nearly howled as he felt the beginnings of a powerful orgasm.

"Oh, fuck, Yuji!" Vale cried out and he spilled, surge after surge of cum pumping into Yuji's ass. Vale moaned again as he finally finished spilling, and he eased Yuji's legs down. leaning forward to steal more kisses from his love. Then he slid out of Yuji's ass carefully, and held out his hand to help the man up.

"Shower or sleep?" Vale asked, holding on to Yuji and nuzzling his neck in utter contentment.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Vale moaned happily as Yuji's tongue pushed into his ass, wriggling a little as he felt his love's blunt nails raking down his back lightly. He pushed back a little to try and encourage Yuji, which was largely unnecessary, but the elf enjoyed it anyway. Yuji rubbed Vale's ass as he licked, feeling the tight muscle under the smooth skin.

"Please," Vale groaned, wanting nothing more than to feel Yuji drive into his ass. He remembered his new word, and tried it out, knowing how he loved hearing it himself. "Please, just fuck me now."

Yuji groaned at hearing those words leave the elf's lips. Truthfully, he needed to get some sleep tonight if he was going to be able to function at work tomorrow, and Vale's own eagerness was welcome.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Vale made the bed quickly, and hung the new robe he had purchased on the back of the door of the ensuite bathroom for morning. Then he brushed his teeth, peering out when he heard Yuji burst out laughing.

Yuji was holding a small slip of paper and a tube, which Vale guessed was lube. He grinned as he pulled his head back into the bathroom, having a very good idea who had left it, and he finished brushing his teeth quickly. Considering that his ass was still a little sore, the lube would feel good.

Returning to the bedroom, Vale peeled his own high-necked sweater off with a sigh of relief. He all but purred when Yuji ran an appreciative hand over his chest, tugging at a nipple as he nipped at the already livid mark on Vale's neck that had been hidden by the sweater. Vale unbuttoned his jeans quickly, shimmying out of them while Yuji moved from the elf's neck to his mouth, fingers already playing with Vale's sensitive ears.

Vale arched his back and pressed himself against Yuji, his cock already hard and barely confined by his tight boxers. He balanced easily on one foot as he peeled off first one sock and then the other, his fingers tightening in Yuji's silky hair. He was utterly shameless in his desire for Yuji, grinding his cock against his love's groin with eager abandon. He nibbled happily on Yuji's ears and yelped in pleasure when Yuji seized his ass in both hands and backed Vale to the bed.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

By the time Vale and Willow were done, Vale had a complete set of papers. Once Willow explained the holographic images embedded in the paper, Vale was able to reproduce them easily. The only problem would come if these were ever checked against a central database, but Willow was fairly sure that it would not be an issue.

By now, the children were asleep, and Kansas had gone upstairs to sleep in Satoshi's room. Yuji looked tired as well, and Willow stood, gathering the documents.

"Just put these in the safe and close it," Willow told Vale. "We'll take them with us tomorrow and get everything taken care of while Ryuu's still in school."

Vale looked at Willow for a moment, and she leaned in to give him a soft kiss. "You're sleeping with Yuji tonight. No arguments."

Vale sighed, feeling awkward for the moment. He had seen the heat between Willow and Yuji, and the love they shared was plain for anyone to see. Vale felt like an interloper, not for the first time. It must have shown on his face, because Willow patted his cheek lightly, like she would a child. "Don't worry about it. I don't." She gave the elf a light slap on his ass. "Go to bed, you two. I have something I want to finish."

Yuji took Vale's hand and they went upstairs. "She'll write for a while. She says it's easier when we're all asleep and out of her hair." He pulled Vale into a kiss. "Let's get some sleep."

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Vale looked at Aika, making her unsteady way toward him and holding out her silk pegasus, and he could not suppress a radiant smile as he held out his hands to her. He lifted her gently and sat her in his lap. "Thank you, Aika," he said, nuzzling the silky fuzz of her hair. She patted his cheek gravely, and then squirmed to go to Yuji, and Vale passed her to her father.

Willow stood up and nodded briskly. "You'd better come with me, Vale, and I'll show you the papers we need to get you the visitor's card. Do you drive?"

The look of terror that flitted across Vale's face made Willow laugh. "I'll take that as a no," she said dryly. "Come on, the papers are in the safe."

Willow took Vale upstairs to the master bedroom, and opened the safe in the closet. She saw the fat manila envelope Vale had given her, and sighed a little. She reached underneath it and pulled out the envelope that held her important papers. "We'll take this downstairs for now. The light's better."

"Willow." Vale laid a hand on her arm lightly. "Whatever's in that envelope, well, take what you think is fair for my share of the household expenses. I'm very serious. I can't stay if I'm a burden."

Willow looked away for a moment, and then looked back at Vale. "Alright. I won't take as much as Satoshi or Yuji earn, but I'll take some, for the household."

Vale did not need Willow to say that this was between them for the moment.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Vale nodded when Yuji told him to let Satoshi go, and work things out his own way. Then Yuji directed Vale to the couch, and began to explain to Vale how he could help Willow, and that he would need papers to prove his identity.

Vale nodded when Yuji mentioned helping Willow. "I'm more than happy to help out however I can. I can help with housework, get up with the children, and do the shopping. I'd rather be useful." Vale spread his hands in a rueful gesture. "I've spent so many years working that I don't really know what to do without it." He smiled at Willow. "So you can put me to work, and we'll both be happy."

Vale listened closely to Yuji's remarks about identity papers. "One of the things I did for my Guild was to create false identity documents so our agents could infiltrate the enemy's mage tower. Those documents had a magical seal that we couldn't reproduce, but the rest was easy enough. If I can see Willow's, and she can help me with some details, I can make what we need to get the visitor's card. I don't want any of you getting in trouble for my being here."

Yuji looked relieved at at Vale's willingness to do what was needed for the legalities, and then he reached up to touch Vale's by now messy braids. Vale turned a little pink.

"I forgot last night, for all the right reasons, but still," the elf began, suddenly feeling oddly shy. "It's a tradition that the wedding braids get undone by one's spouse." He turned his head a little so Yuji could see where the jade beads ended the thin braids. Willow couldn't help giggling.

"You have no idea what you're in for," she said, giving Yuji a teasing look. "This is going to hurt."

Vale just grinned, and managed not to yelp even once as Yuji nervously undid his braids. He took the jade beads, and poured them into Willow's hand. "When Aika gets bigger, these will look beautiful in her hair. That's part of the tradition as well. The beads from the wedding braids go to your first child, and Aika is Yuji's daughter."

[Funny Typos]

One of my very own, and I very nearly missed it...

"He deftly brained her hair..."

[Review Replies - AFF Prompt/Pillow]

pittwitch:

aaaaacccckkkkk ... it's all a dream, an illusion. Evil demon. Evil wench. Evil, evil, evil. Such a beautiful moment too! Well done. Thanks for sharing, Pitt

I am a very evil wench, but the demon was more evil by far... poor Wraith....

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Vale laughed in delight as Kansas was able to repeat the complex snippet of music, his fingers deft and assured as he finished the tune himself, somehow knowing what needed to come next. As he played, the puffs of smoke released by the imp box coalesced to create a dragon that flew up and dove back down to swirl around Kansas before dissipating.

Inside the box, nestled in velvet, was a shimmering silver scale. Kansas looked up at Vale, wide-eyed, and the elf nodded.

"Adalon gave me that one. Silvers are among the noblest of dragons, and it's said that whoever has a silver dragon's scale is very lucky, because they can only be obtained as a gift, either from the dragon itself, or from someone the dragon has trusted." Vale grinned. "I think Adalon would be pleased that you have it now."

Ryuu and Aika had been entranced by the smoke dragon, and Kansas carefully closed the box and played the tune again, releasing another dragon and making Aika giggle happily.

Vale returned to the table, laying a hand on Satoshi's shoulder. "Are you all right?" the elf asked, concerned. "You've barely eaten."

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Vale was conjuring small puffs of magical smoke in bright colors when Satoshi came down, and Ryuu jumped up and ran to his father. Vale stood quickly, scooping Aika up since she still had a firm grip on his hair.

"Tea, of course! Are you both hungry? You must be!" Vale chattered happily as he settled Aika into her high chair and began setting the table with Ryuu, letting Ryuu explain to him where things were supposed to go. When they had finished, Vale went back into the kitchen, letting Satoshi direct him to the next task.

Kansas came in while Vale was trying to help Satoshi, with Ryuu's eager instructions, and Vale watched as the imp put away the tea set, so he would know for the next time. Vale noticed the imp box in his pocket, and began humming a brief snatch of something under his breath. Kansas almost did not catch it, and Vale switched to singing something else in his own language, sweet and lilting, and Aika giggled as she watched the strange man with the pretty hair helping Ryuu's father and his friend.

Finally, Yuji and Willow came down, her eyes still a bit damp and red, but she smiled for Aika and went to hug Satoshi and Kansas again, while Vale watched, his heart soaring.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Vale looked at Yuji for a long moment, and then pulled him into an embrace, resting his forehead against Yuji's forehead. "I'm sorry, love. He's a good man, but that woman was poison. Willow looked so hurt, and I couldn't stand it. Now go to her, love. She needs you." Vale gave Yuji a quick kiss, and turned to the children.

"Ryuu? I'm going to clean the tea things up quickly, so Mama doesn't need to do it, okay? Then I have a present for you, and one for Aika." Vale smiled at the little boy, so serious as he watched his baby sister.

Vale cleared away the tea things, washing them and drying them carefully. He was not sure where they belonged, but he could ask Kansas to show him later. The elf hurried back into the living room and found the presents where Willow had put them.

Vale sat on the floor cross-legged, laughing when Aika crawled into his lap to tug on his long hair. "Just like Mama's hair, little one?" He pressed a kiss on the top of her head and gave her the silk pegasus doll. "For you, little love song. A magical horse with wings, so you can soar into the clouds." Aika cuddled the soft toy happily, and Vale turned to Ryuu. "You look so much like your father, little dragon. This is for you." He held out the wooden dragon, its scales glittering in the sunlight. Ryuu took it, wide-eyed and giggled when Vale showed him how the wings and head and legs all moved. "Now you can soar into the clouds like a dragon."

Aika was still tugging on Vale's hair, fascinated by the bright wavy locks, and Vale turned to her with a merry laugh.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Greatly relieved, Vale hurried into Satoshi's room, and all but dove onto the bed and pulled Kansas into his arms. "I love you," he said, and kissed the imp fiercely. "I don't think we have to worry about Haruka coming back here any more. I got a little angry."

Kansas just snuggled into Vale for a moment, letting the elf hold him tightly, and then he wriggled free, wiping his eyes on his sleeve. "We better wake Satoshi, or he'll be a mess tonight," Kansas said, his voice a little shaky. He was not used to this yet, and feeling Vale's fierce protective love through the link was a little overwhelming.

Vale let Kansas go, and together they turned to wake Satoshi. The green haired man stirred and woke, looking around blearily until Kansas handed him his glasses.

"Time to wake up, love, or you won't be able to sleep tonight." Vale kissed him gently. "I have to go clean up the tea things and watch Ryuu and Aika for a bit. You two come on down when you're ready."

Vale kissed them both again, and hurried downstairs to give Yuji a break to see to Willow.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Vale led Willow up the stairs, bending his head forward to speak quietly in her ear. "I'm sorry, but I had to say something,or I would have exploded. She hurts you, and Kansas, and I won't stand by and watch her spit her poison at you." Vale let his hand fall to her shoulder. "At least I didn't shove a fireball up her ass."

Willow snorted at that, some of the tension leaving her.

"Her husband, Kiyoshi, seems quite pleasant. How did he wind up with that harpy?" Vale mused. He stopped outside the door to Satoshi's room, and gave Willow a soft kiss on the lips. "I need to see Kansas, and I meant it about cleaning up and the children. I'll hurry and send Yuji back up to you."

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Vale looked at Haruka, his face still a pleasant mask. "I am afraid I do not understand your meaning, Haruka." Vale might not have known the word, but he knew exactly what she meant, and he was seething inside. He managed to clamp down on that anger, however, not wanting any of it to seep back to Kansas.

"Willow, my dear, are you all right?" Vale let his genuine concern show in his voice. He was, after all, supposed to be a relative, and one on good enough terms to have traveled to visit her. "Tell me, is there anything I can do for you?"

Willow waved him off as Yuji rubbed her back, her face pale with anger.

Vale turned his attention back to Haruka. "I am not quite sure of all of the customs and manners of your most splendid country, and so I do not wish to offend, but in my land, it is not considered at all good manners to give offense when a guest." Vale let a delicate frown wrinkle his forehead. "My esteemed relative was in good spirits when I went up to attend to Satoshi for a moment, and when I returned, she was most profoundly unhappy. Since we are family, her concerns are mine." It was as delicately threatening as Sand could have done, not at all Vale's more direct style. "Perhaps I am mistaken, and in that case I offer my profound regrets for my misunderstanding." His eyes were green ice, and he exuded a very subtle air of great menace as he rose in a fluid motion, his eyes never wavering in that pleasant mask he wore.

"Yuji, perhaps Willow would like to rest for a moment? I would be pleased to help her upstairs while you bid goodbye to your guests, and then I will attend to the cleaning up and to the children while you attend to your wife. I have not yet given them the presents I brought them." Vale bowed politely and held his hand out to Willow, hoping she would go along with him, since he was seriously close to loosing something nasty on Haruka. He was also desperate to check on Kansas, and hold his beloved imp tightly for a moment.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Vale gave Satoshi a last nuzzle, and kissed Kansas as he slid out of bed. He found a sweater with a high neck that Wench had insisted he might need, clean jeans and socks and underwear, and hurried into the shower. He washed quickly but thoroughly, leaving his braids intact, and dressed in the bathroom, making sure his ears were covered and his bite marks hidden. Then he padded downstairs, his most charming grin at the ready, having pocketed something from his collection of things he had brought that he thought might be useful.

Vale found everyone in the living room, Aika settled in Yuji's arms, and Ryuu holding onto Willow's legs. He smiled his brightest, and bowed deeply and respectfully. "Good morning. I apologize for not being polite and greeting you when you arrived. I hope you can forgive my bad manners." Vale turned the full force of his smile on Haruka. "I did not thank you enough for your graciousness in allowing my esteemed relative and her husband to show me some of the sights of your marvelous city." He knew that she probably understood him quite well, but would pretend not to understand. Vale did not particularly care either way, since his point was made. Haruka would need to stop poking Willow, or she would be the rude one in front of this foreigner. But Vale was not done with Haruka yet.

"It is only a simple thing, and perhaps not worthy, but may I offer you a small token of my gratitude?" Wench had explained the idea of gift-giving in Japan, and Vale now held out a delicate wooden box with inlays of a dozen kinds of wood forming a single graceful branch. The interior was lined in silk, and would hold a few rings or a treasured necklace. Vale bowed very deeply again as he offered the box to Haruka, cradled on outstretched hands.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

"I felt it, and Satoshi explained your gift," Vale said calmly. "Where I'm from, we understand it a little more. We're not afraid of things that can't be explained, but then again, I talk to dragons." He gave Kansas a decidedly impish grin, which somehow looked right on the elf's face. "I don't see what you see, but I do feel how it makes you feel. There are ways to block them, though, and we'll practice every day. I can add a little of my strength of will to yours until you're ready to do it on your own. That's why I wanted to join with you. It's easier through the bond, and you already own my heart, all of you."

Vale snuggled closer to Satoshi. "I'm glad if he's finding peace. Like I said to him, maybe that's why I'm here. Maybe I'm what can fill the hollow places. I'd like that, if it's true." He grinned at Kansas. "There are similar marriages where I'm from, when sometimes two isn't enough. Sand and I even talked about it a bit, finding a woman and maybe adding an elfling or two." Vale looked slightly startled. "That reminds me! I never gave Ryuu of Aika their presents!" He looked dismayed. "Well, it can't be helped for now. I'm not leaving Satoshi or you, even if that woman wasn't down there. He seems nicer, though." Vale gave a tiny shrug. "As long as she isn't rude in front of me to any of you."

Vale settled in comfortably, his arm around Satoshi and Kansas. "This feels so good. But I'm going to enjoy a nice hot shower later." He flashed Kansas the impish grin again. "Truthfully, my ass hurts, but that was the best wedding I've been to. Ugh, and I need Yuji to undo my braids. It's a tradition. But tell me, do we celebrate like that every time we exchange rings? I hope so!"

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Vale held on to Satoshi, murmuring soft assurances until the man fell asleep from sheer exhaustion. Satoshi had taken on such an impossible task, and how he had lasted this long without breaking down was beyond Vale. It explained a great deal to the elf, however, especially about the state Yuji had been in that morning in the exercise room, when Vale had realized how much Yuji meant to him.

Vale was not at all startled when Kansas crept in. He had been wondering when the imp would arrive, having heard the bustle down below; Vale watched as Kansas crept onto the bed, wrapping himself around Satoshi's back, as protective of the green haired man as Vale was.

"Kiyoshi and Haruka are coming with the kids. I don't feel comfortable going to any of the other rooms when they come here. Is Satoshi alright?" Kansas looked at Vale, trusting the elf to tell him the truth.

"Satoshi needed to fall, and I was here to catch him," Vale replied. "He can't be strong all the time. None of us can, but we'll hold him and let him know we love him, and we'll be strong for him for a bit."

Kansas nodded, but his expression was still troubled. "This thing we did. I can feel stuff, about you."

Vale smiled. " And I can feel you as well. Our souls touched, Kansas. I can't think of a better way to say it. But it means we are linked forever, and we'll always sense each other." Vale paused, and then decided it was better to broach this all now. "You're what we'd call a seer where I come from, Kansas. I can help you learn how to block some of what you see all the time, and that will help with the darkness. What you can't block, we can share. I've seen things even darker, my dragon, and I'm not afraid."

Kansas was wide-eyed as he looked at the elf. "Forever?"

"Forever," Vale agreed, looking quite complacent. "Unless you decide you've had enough of me, but breaking the link will break my heart, you know. That's how much you mean to me. You know I'm going to offer to join with Yuji and Satoshi as well."

Kansas looked briefly upset, and then his eyes cleared. "It doesn't change us, right?"

Vale gave Kansas a radiant smile. "It doesn't change us at all. Our link won't get weaker, or broken. I'll always be here for you, Kansas. I promised, and I won't break my promise. They won't feel you unless I share what you feel with them. I'm sort of the common link for us all." Vale reached out and touched Kansas's cheek. "I can handle it, my dragon. Don't look so worried. I've learned a few tricks in my life."

"How old are you?" Kansas asked, his own eyes starting to close a bit. The imp forces them back open, though.

Vale's smile got wider. "A little more than four hundred years old." He bit back a chuckle at Kansas's expression, not wanting to wake Satoshi. "I look pretty good for my age, right? But now, let's cuddle our Satoshi, and make sure he knows we'll always catch him, and hide from that Haruka." Vale wrinkled his nose. "I got the feeling that she really doesn't like me, or Willow. She's like ice, that one."

[Review Replies - AFF Prompt/Pillow]

Apollo:

I totally thought it was a flashback, until the end. It would have worked perfectly for a PWP flashback, but I love the twist at the end!

Thank you! I love a good twist at the end...

JayDee:

As a really minor totally anal bit of feedback to start, characters has a typo in your disclaimer. I know, I know, but I'd like it if someone told me So, reading the story now...

...you wrote the sex scene and it was totally hotter than I'd imagined reading the other part. Really good erotic description for the oral and then the sex was so passionate in so few lines. Great stuff.

Then the ending - not being familiar with the fandom, I assume from the dialogue the demon is able to either bring the memories up as a dream or stick them in his head? Certainly an unexpected ending, and it's sad how Wraith's crying over it. Makes me wonder if having this put solidly in his mind could affect him wanting to continue with Alistair.

Thank you, especially for catching the typo in the disclaimer! I'm glad the sex was hot enough. It's not easy in the shorter formats when you're as wordy as I tend to be!

And yes, the demon enslaves people and feeds off their life essence by trapping them within dreams it creates from their memories. Wraith breaks free of the demon's control, and this is what he's offered as a second chance to give in to the demon.

As to Alistair, we'll have to see...

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Vale covered Satoshi's face with a wild flurry of kisses. "Then lean on me, let me help you, too," Vale pleaded. "Maybe that's why I'm here. Maybe I'm the last piece, the one who fills in the hollow places. The gods have a sense of humor sometimes." Vale rubbed his cheek against Satoshi's cheek. "Please, my love. You told me it was when, not if, so can I presume a little? Even before we join, lean on me. I won't let you fall."

Vale tipped Satoshi's face up, letting him see the tears in his green eyes. "Please, my love." He kissed Satoshi, a chaste kiss. "You're so beautiful to me, and I wish you could see what I see. When we join, if you want to join with me, maybe you'll know."