Scorching.
That was the only word Rei could think of to describe the weather right now.
The rays of the sun beat down on his exposed skin with more force than normal, causing his sun-kissed flesh to moisten with sweat. Even though he's skin gleamed slightly in the sun as he walked it was not very noticeable. He kept his appearance as perfect as he could possibly get; his hair combed, uniform clean, and skin flawless. When patrolling down the district streets it was rare for him to not have a pair of eyes following.
Beauty. He strived for it in everything … including himself. And being one of the four chief guards in the land he felt even more obligated to maintain his almost flawless appearance.
Today he had offered to take a long route of patrol in order for the full routine check to be completed (he had done the calculations beforehand and decided to spare his men a break). He was more than half-way through the route and was already parched due to the unusual scalding heat.
Stopping for a moment Rei took his canteen from his side belt and drank the cool liquid inside, which pleased his dry throat and month. This brief stop gave him the opportunity to figure out where he was … from the looks of the buildings he concluded it was the mid-section of the 4th district … he only had a few more streets to go.
With one last gulp of his water Rei set off down the dirt street. He was not entirely familiar with this part of the city but understood his way around for the most part.
Too focused on the road in front of him Rei was not aware of what was happening when he suddenly found himself butt first on the dirty ground. Did someone just push him?
No … someone had knocked into him. There was an overturned weaved basket on ground along with several pieces of cloth scattered in front of him. A young man, probably no older than Rei, was kneeling in the dirt scrambling to collect the fallen fabrics.
"Ahh! This is not good! I just washed these!" the boy mumbled to himself.
He did not look at Rei for a few moments, his focus on the dirtied cloths.
Without much thought Rei crawled on his knees and started picking up the cloths closest to him. Yes, he was getting dirty but there was not much he could do about it now. Reaching his hand out Rei offered the remaining fabric to the clumsy boy. The young man glanced at the hand and back down to his basket, taking the cloths from Rei's hand without looking at him and placing them into the weaved container.
"I'm terribly sorry about that … haha I can be such a clu-" The boy had finally risen his head to see who he had tripped into.
When he saw it was Rei he gasp. He had run into one of the Sultan's guards! But that was not the main reason the blond-haired boy opened his mouth in shock when he saw Rei, causing him to stop mid-sentence.
Rei had almost the same reaction, his mouth open with the same awe-struck effect when the young man lifted his head. The blond was stunning! Rei had never seen anyone like him before.
Upon further observation Rei realized by the green vale atop the boy's head and gold jewelry on his hands, ears, and neck that the blond was a dancer. But the feature that Rei found so intriguing was the dancer's eyes, which were a ruby-like red … they even shinned like the gemstones. Rei observed the young man's appearance for a moment more before snapping back to reality.
"Yes well … watch out next time," he commented, standing up off the ground to dust himself off.
The ruby-eyed boy remained silent as he stood up, his mouth shut but eyes passively staring at Rei. With the basket in one hand the dancer extended his other hand to Rei.
When he did not take it the young man simply gestured for Rei to follow him. To the guard's surprise he followed the dancer who led him to a rather small building off the side of the road, the entrance covered by a red and gold cloth. The small building was nestled snuggly between a pottery and bead store, almost unnoticeable to someone passing by.
Once they reached the entrance the dancer set down the basket and again offered Rei his hand. It took Rei only a few seconds to realize what the honey-blond was implying. Instinctively the guard backed away shaking his head slightly. The dancer took a step forward, his face masked with worry.
"Please your Grace! I must make this up to you … I …" he pleaded, "It won't cost you a thing … just to make up for the trouble."
Rei looked over his shoulder, yes, people were watching him … curious to see what was going on. Rei turned his attention back to the pleading dancer.
"I can't …" he muttered shaking his head.
As much as Rei wanted to he could not go along with this. He would not have these citizens witness a guard of the Sultan going into a dance house on the job! Such an act would spoil his beautiful reputation. He could not do so now … maybe another day… when he had the day off … but that was unlikely …
Sighing heavily to himself Rei looked at the dancer once more. The young blond stared back. Something shifted in his expression as he looked at Rei, the worry seemed to seep out and slowly a smile began to grace the dancer's lips.
Before Rei noticed any other changes he turned around swiftly and resumed his route down the street, not even giving a second glace over his shoulder.
When Rei finished the route and returned home all he could think about was that beautiful ruby-eyed dancer.
Two days after his encounter with the captivating blond-haired dancer Rei was convinced he would never see the boy again. That day had been the first time he had taken that route … his regular line of patrol did not even touch that area of the kingdom. It had been a rare situation that Rei was sure would not be repeated.
On the third day after the confrontation Rei got called in for a talk with the other three chief guards. After almost an hour of discussion the other chiefs convinced Rei to take a break that day. He had been working all year nonstop … despite Rei's protest the other three agreed unanimously that he needed at least one day off...
Slowly Rei walked down a familiar street, his feet kicking up dust as he did so. Three days ago he had been down here … he was sure it was this street. It did not take long before Rei's eyes caught sight of person he had been thinking about for the last three days. The blond dancer was still wearing the same gold jewelry Rei remembered.
The ruby-eyed boy was fixing the red and gold curtain above the entrance when he glanced over his shoulder and saw Rei … a pleased smile stretched across his face as the blue-haired man approached the building. Without a word the dancer stretched out his hand and offered it to Rei.
This time Rei accepted it.
A small giggle escaped the blond's lips as he started to pull Rei into the building, guiding him to a small, dimly lit room. Music played behind the tiny walls and a small straw bed topped with red cushions greeted the two as they entered. The dancer then brought Rei to the pile of cushions and he (Rei) sat down.
"My name is Nagisa your Grace," the honey-blond said quietly before softly kissing Rei's hand.
Nagisa then let go of the guard's hand, turned, and slowly walked to the center of the room, swaying to the music as he went. Rei said nothing during this exchange … he was still surprised he had made it here and that Nagisa remembered him.
He sat almost as stiff as a statue in the red cushions as Nagisa started to dance. The dancer's movements were so fluid and pleasing that Rei found himself captivated. He could not take his eyes off of Nagisa as he danced like swaying liquid to the music. It was beautiful to watch. A few moments in the dance Rei caught the dancer glance at him with a smile.
After a while (Rei was not sure … minutes … hours maybe) Nagisa stopped, his chest rising and falling deeply. The honey-blond then turned to Rei and began to walk toward him, his face covered with an expression that Rei could not understand … all he knew was the boy had a small smile on his lips.
The mood of the room changed. Rei suddenly felt a different charge to the dancer's demeanor as he made his way toward the guard.
Then before he was aware of it Nagisa was in front of him, almost invading his personal space. It caught Rei off guard (no pun intended), causing him to flinch.
The dancer sighed and looked down at Rei. The blond's ruby orbs stared at him with an expression he had never seen. Nagisa looked at Rei with wonder yet sadness lingered in his eyes.
"You know your Grace … you are very beautiful," Nagisa breathed almost solemnly.
Rei's brain attempted to comprehend the situation … he had never been called beautiful before … and the boy was so close to him! The blue-haired guard, however, could not say it did not bother him, seeing that this dancer was by far the most attractive person he had ever laid eyes on.
"I … I- ummhh," was all he could muster.
Nagisa chuckled slightly, finding Rei's stuttering cute.
Slowly the boy brought himself closer to the guard so that his legs were against Rei's knees. The guard stiffened but made no objection. What had gotten into him? Rei and the dancer were merely acquaintances. He should be push the smaller male away for invading his personal space ...
Nagisa continued and brought his legs up so that he sitting on the guard's lap, eyeing Rei as he did so. Now a line had been crossed. As much as Rei knew this to be true he felt a burning desire to see how the situation played out.
Looking into Rei's violet eyes Nagisa said, "Yes, from the first moment I saw you … you truly are the most beautiful thing I have ever seen."
The lust in the dancer's eyes was prevalent now.
Rei was dumbstruck. He could not mentally comprehend what was happening. This stunning dancer who is literally sitting in his lap (almost straddling him) just told him that he was beautiful! Plus, the guard should not be allowing such close contact.
Out of all the years he had served under the Sultan … all the districts he patrolled … all the women and men he had met, this dancer in front of him was unlike anything he had ever seen. Rei had never been so entranced or attracted to someone in is life! Maybe that is why he was allowing the situation to escalate as far as it had.
Unaware of what caused him to suddenly resurface Rei's eyes focused to see Nagisa's face only inches from his. The blue-haired youth could feel the fire in his cheeks starting to burn.
"I … umm … feel the same way about you," Rei managed to say, almost inaudible. The words left his mouth faster than the guard could think.
The smile on Nagisa's lips widen and he leaned up closer to the point where their lips were almost touching. They were so close Rei could feel the other one's hot breath against his lips! He was pretty sure his heart was beating loud and fast enough that Nagisa could hear … not to mention his face was probably as red as the cushions he was sitting on.
Nagisa did not move any further.
The two stayed, lips practically touching, for almost a half a minute before Rei's mind slowly began to break down. He should not be allowing this to happen. The thought circled through his mind as he tried to access his situation. It was proving rather difficult for him, especially with such a beautiful person only centimeters away from his face.
He should not be allowing this to happen. But then again … when would he ever meet someone like this again? Or be a position with someone like this for that matter? The odds of such an event occurring twice where less than favorable (Rei did the calculations in his head as best he could). Nagisa also seemed to be interested as well … that would bring the odds down even more.
Amiss Rei's melting caldron of thoughts he somehow managed to arrive at conclusion … or at least he thought he did.
He could no longer think the situation out by theory or methods. Nagisa was teasing him and he could not stand the anticipation. Rather than pull away Rei closed his eyes and leaned forward so that his and the other's lips connected.
He wanted this. That was his conclusion.
The blond haired boy smiled into the kiss and moved his dry lips against Rei for a few moments before pulling back. With a sly smile Nagisa placed a finger on Rei's lips.
"Ahh ahh ahh," he whispered playfully.
Rei would have pouted if Nagisa's other hand had not landed on his chest, pushing him down so that he was lying on the cushioned bed.
Nagisa moved slightly so that he was now (definitely) straddling Rei's waist … then Rei felt the spectacles he was wearing lift off his face and watched (or at least tried to with his blurred vision) as Nagisa set them safely at the edge of the straw bed. Looking back down at the guard Nagisa slowly bent down so his face was inches from Rei's again. This time the dancer brought their lips together and the blue-haired youth hungrily accepted it.
"You know your Grace- nmph … I don't even- ahhh know your name," Nagisa managed to say in between heated kisses.
They were both enjoying this … but Rei seemed to just a little more.
"Rei," he quickly replied, "It's Rei."
Nagisa smiled into the guard's lips again. Now he finally knew this beautiful man's name.
The blond never did this with any of his other costumers, he was a dancer, nothing more nothing less. However this guard was different. Never before had a person entranced Nagisa like this. The compliments and comfortable gestures were but mere indicators to see if the guard felt the same. Rei's acceptance only boosted the dancer's surety.
Besides … it's not like he would see this handsome guard again.
Now knowing Rei's name Nagisa let himself get lost in the other, playfully biting the guard's lips and earning in a soft moan. The two parted every so often, but solely for air. It got to the point where Rei's finger were entangled in Nagisa's blond locks, keeping his face down so they would not part.
Rei had never experienced anything like this, he felt like he was on a high. And Nagisa was his drug. He hardly knew the dancer yet there they were, locking lips in one hell of a heated kiss. As much as this should have bothered Rei it still did not … in fact it excited him …
Without thinking the Rei's hands moved to the dancer's thin upper clothing and attempted to remove them from the youth's body. The guard had never done anything like this. Nagisa however, stopped and pulled back so that he was looking at Rei's flustered face.
The two stared at each other for a few moments, their breaths heavy. One of Rei's eyebrows slightly raised at the dancer. Had he done something wrong? Then Nagisa started to chuckle.
"Hehe … Rei-chan is making a strange face," he commented giddily. Rei's eye brow only rose up further.
"Rei-chan?"
"Yes, your Grace, it is a nickname … Rei-chan! Rei-chan!" The dancer teased.
Rei sigh, he was not a fan of nicknames, especially ones as cute as 'Rei-chan' … but he could not deny Nagisa. Already the ruby-eyed blond seemed to be having his way with the guard.
Nagisa giggled lightly before focusing back on Rei. With one hand he let it rest on the blue-haired guard's stomach and with the other hand he began to undo the sash around Rei's waist. Rei did not protest … he knew all too well that the sash was getting in the way.
Once Nagisa managed to remove the sash he discarded it onto the floor and began to pull at Rei's upper body clothing, wanting it off. With minimal effort Rei slid out of the clothing … his entire upper body now completely exposed.
Nagisa took a second to admire the guard's toned muscles by running his finger along them. The touch sent a shiver through Rei … he was pretty sure his face was still flowered with a deep red blush … Nagisa was too but it was hardly noticeable.
Their situation had escalated quickly … more quickly than both the guard and dancer had anticipated. But it no longer seemed mattered …
Rei was not pleased with the fact that Nagisa upper body was still clothed… so in attempt to remove the thin article of clothing he sat up from the straw bed, gripping the dancer's thighs so he would not fall.
Their face were ever-so-close again … noses practically touching. Nagisa did not seem too surprised by the sudden action and looked into Rei's violet orbs. The two stared into each other's eyes for a few moments.
Then Rei's hands made their way up from Nagisa's thighs to the thin clothing on his shoulders. At the same time the guard lightly pecked the dancer's lips, the corners of his mouth, chin, and jawline.
In only a few seconds Rei managed to completely remove the unneeded upper clothing from Nagisa's body before the blond could register. With the dancer's upper body completely uncovered Rei let his hands slowly slide down Nagisa's sides, causing the boy to giggle. He was not as toned as Rei but none the less Nagisa's body was beautiful sculpted.
The dancer then looked at Rei with a lustful smile and pushed (almost shoved) him back down onto the red cushions. In an attempt to reposition himself Nagisa shifted his weight onto Rei's hips causing the guard to gasp as they grinded against each other. The dancer looked down at Rei with an apologetic expression … not having meant to cause that kind of reaction in the blue-haired youth. Rei shook his head slightly in order to convey to the other that it was alright, he could not find the words in his head … nor his voice.
Now with a more genuine smile Nagisa nodded in understanding and bent down once more to connect their lips, his green vale slightly moving over his shoulders. Rei was not sure if it was his sudden state of arousal but he kissed the dancer back with such a hunger that a strange noise, almost a growl, erupted from his throat. Nagisa found the noise intriguing and further pressed his lips against the guard's in an effort to hear the noise again.
Unconsciously Rei brought his hands up and gripped the dancer's butt as they continued their passionate kiss … he could feel the other's lips curl into a smile against his. Nagisa then brushed his tongue against Rei's lower lip. Due to the guard inexperience he gasped at the action but could do no more as he felt the dancer's tongue slide into his mouth. Rei had to admit, it felt strange but he quickly gave in and responded with his own tongue … Nagisa moaned slightly as a result.
"Hello Nitori? Nagisa? Is anyone here I have- oh my gosh I am so sorry! I did not mean to intrude!"
Both Nagisa and Rei parted lips with a wet smack and looked up to see a flustered olive-haired man standing in the doorway of the small room. His face was flushed scarlet and he looked mortified that he had just interrupted the two.
"I-I'll just leave and let you guys continue that I'm sorry I'll come back …" the rest was a muttered blur as the tall man quickly turned around and bolted out of the room.
Nagisa sighed. "He won't come back … he only comes once every other week to deliver goods. Sorry but I must stop him before he leaves," the dancer quickly stated before sliding off Rei.
Swiftly Nagisa put back on his thin upper clothing that Rei had tried so hard to remove and ran out of the room after the olive-haired man.
Rei laid in the red cushions on top of the small straw bed processing everything that had just occurred. Suddenly missing the dancer's warm presence Rei no longer felt like waiting in the tiny room for him (Nagisa) to return. Instead he got up from the small bed, put on his upper clothing, found his spectacles, and went out to where he heard Nagisa and the newcomer.
"Wait Mako-chan!" Nagisa called after the taller man just outside of the dancing house, grabbing his arm to stop the man's retreat.
"Nagisa I'm so sorry it was foolish of me to come walking in … but no one was answering! I just wanted to make-"
"It's alright Mako-chan," the dancer reassured, "It wasn't your fault … were you able to bring us the supplies for the next two weeks?"
The merchant's flustered face immediately dissolved from embarrassed to excited, "Ahh yes! I was able to get the majority of the scents you requested as well as some other items."
He then turned around toward his cart of merchandise carried by a brown donkey and began to remove several supplies.
Rei emerged from the building past the red and gold curtain entrance and squinted his eyes in the bright desert light (not used to it after being in a small dimly-lit room). Nagisa noticed the guard appear from within the building and turned toward him.
"Rei-chan! You did not have to come out here! I would have been back in a few minutes!" he whined, flailing his arms in annoyance. Rei simply waved off the dancer's concerns with his hand.
"It's alright. You look like you will need help carrying all those supplies in," he replied matter-o-factly, pushing up his spectacles then pointing at the pile of items Makoto was removed from his cart.
"Yes but Mako-chan usually helps with that," Nagisa muttered. Finished unloading Makoto grabbed a hand full of items and turned towards Nagisa.
"Well that's about it! Shouldn't be too difficult to-" The merchant stopped abruptly when he saw Rei, almost dropping the items in his hands.
Immediately he recognized the blue-haired man's outfit as being one of the chief guards of the land. And he had interrupted him and Nagisa's … well … whatever they had been doing! This guy had the authority to ring Makoto's neck if he wanted to! Or put him in jail!
Feeling himself shaking slightly he attempted to do the only thing he felt possible … apologize.
"Y-your Grace I am deeply sorry for interrupting you two … please I can give you anything in my cart just please …"
"That won't be necessary, you did nothing wrong … Mako is it?"
"Makoto your Grace," the merchant replied.
Rei nodded at the tall olive-haired man and grabbed an arm full of supplies from the pile that had been made, then walked back toward the small building.
"Where do these go Nagisa?" Rei asked.
The dancer grinned and led the guard into the building shouting "This way Rei-chan!" Makoto simply stood there in awe. He had expected Rei to punish him … that was how most of the
guards in the land acted … this one was different.
"Mako-chan are you coming with those scents?" Nagisa yelled from inside the small building, snapping the merchant back into reality.
After all the scents, foods, and water were situated in the dance house the three grouped outside the building in the bright desert sun. While Rei was busy tending to his clothes Nagisa quietly handed Makoto the payment for the supplies. The two smiled at each other and started to talk briefly about how work had been the last couple of days.
Rei finished his tending by dusting off his pants, seeing that Makoto and Nagisa were busy he scanned the scenery around him. Luckily no one seemed to notice him … even if a person did it would be alright, he was not on duty today.
As he scanned the lightly populated crowd of people walking along the street Rei noticed one particular figure who stood out. The key reason this person caught Rei's attention was because of the way the man walked … it was almost like a cross between drunken and exhausted. The strange person was also holding onto the ropes of a camel that trailed alongside him … however he had no other possessions. The guard's eyebrows lifted, questioning the man's odd demeanor.
"What is it Rei-chan?" Nagisa asked, suddenly next to the blue-haired guard.
Rei had not noticed that the two had finished their conversation and where now by his side … trying to figure out what he was so keenly focusing on.
"That man over there … with the camel. He's walking strangely," Rei explained. The dancer and merchant immediately caught sight of the strange person and watched him for a moment.
"Hmmm … maybe he's drunk," Nagisa guessed.
"Or tried," Makoto added.
Maybe. But Rei felt something off about the odd individual and could not take his hawk eyes off the moving figure.
Then suddenly the man stopped, stood still for a couple seconds, and fell practically face-first onto the dusty street floor. The bystanders walking around him did nothing to help the man, no one even looked at him.
"Oh my … he just collapsed we need to help him!" Makoto cried, rushing directly toward the fallen figure, Nagisa followed not even a second after the merchant. It took Rei a few moments to process the situation before he too dashed to the collapsed being.
"It looks like he passed out from heat-exhaustion … or dehydration … either way he needs water! Hurry let's pick him up and bring him into the dance house so he isn't in the sun anymore!" Makoto explained grabbing underneath the youth's head and shoulder.
Nagisa and Rei nodded then proceeded to help lift the fainted human off the ground … but not before the youth groaned and uttered unconsciously, "Makoto."
Notes:
Clandestine means "kept secret or done secretively"
Ugh ... this is my first Free! fic so I hope it was not too bad. (I suck at summaries sorry)
I am in love with the ending AU clothing and Reigisa (which there are not enough fics of in my opinion) so that's why I wrote this.
Also I wanted to mention their ages ... Rei is about 19 and Nagisa is 19.5 (if that even makes sense ... he's almost 20 but not quite)
I've had this story done for about two months did not have the guts to upload it until now ...
Also, I made the coverart ... it got cut off so if anyone wants to see the full version just let message me.
Please tell me what you think of the story if its not too much trouble! Thanks for reading! ;3