[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.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Vale was delighted to be able to push Aika in the stroller, and although he really wanted to sneak in a kiss with Willow, he was mindful of the fiasco with Haruka. He kept a respectful distance from Willow, and behaved as politely as he could as they traveled to the offices where he could obtain his visitor's card.

When they reached the offices, Vale remembered everything Willow had told him on the trip there. The officials all spoke very good English, and Vale was carefully respectful and polite, bowing deeply and thanking everyone in sight. He showed the papers he had created repeatedly, and things were stamped and restamped, until, after paying over the appropriate fees, Vale was handed an official visitor's card in the name of Vale Anorongil, allowing him to reside temporarily in Japan until such time as he could present sufficient justification for permanent residence.

Vale and Willow needed to hurry home to collect Ryuu from his kindergarten, and the four of them proceeded back to the house, Vale still proudly in charge of Aika's stroller.

By now, Aika needed both freshening up, and lunch. Vale scooped her up. "I'll change her, Willow, and then I'll be down to help with lunch." Vale hurried upstairs, got Aika changed and brought her back down, chattering nonsense to her the entire time until she smiled up at him.

Willow looked up, once again struck by how natural Vale seemed as a parent as he tucked Aika into her high chair and then gave Ryuu a hand setting the table for lunch. Since they were home, he had tucked his hair back over one elegant pointed ear, and Willow found herself wishing she could drag him off to the bedroom yet again.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Vale sighed happily, nuzzling Willow a little as he followed her up the stairs. "I certainly need to learn this skill, I think," he laughed, "especially if we have a child as well." He gave Willow a radiant grin. "Elves don't have many children, because we live longer, but we cherish children. Loving you is gift enough, but if we have a child? I can't begin to tell you what that would mean."

Willow laughed at the happy elf. "Tell me that again after your lesson," she teased.

There was a good bit of giggling as Vale got his first lessons in diapering an active one-year old, and getting her dressed again afterward. Still, as enchanted as he was with Aika, Vale could not find anything repellent about her.

"There you are, little one, all sweet and beautiful," Vale murmured, scooping Aika up and nuzzling her. He turned to Willow, his eyes merry. "Shall my two beautiful ladies and I go to make me legal?"

Aika took hold of Vale's hair firmly. Willow looked at Vale for a moment. "You do know that when she walked to you last night, those were her first steps?" Willow was surprised by the tears of joy that formed in Vale's green eyes.

"She came to me?" Vale's voice was barely a whisper, but his eyes were glowing. "Oh, Aika, you are a love song, aren't you?"

[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.