CHAPTER 1
Leo dropped his bag on the floor, slowly taking in the small white-walled room he'd been assigned to. He was a king, and he'd been reduced to living as nothing more than a lowly servant. Was this what he had to look forward to as an ally of the Guild? If so, there was no way in hell he was going to stay...
There was a knock at the door. Leo turned to find a male Anima waiting to greet him.
"Morning!" The daemon chirped, executing a poorly coordinated bow. "I'm Odairi. Master Akasha sent me to check on you. You settling in okay? Have everything you need?"
Leo ground his teeth, finding the male's bright-toothed smile more than a little irritating. Not to mention he couldn't tell if the Anima's bow was out of respect or some veiled form of mockery. Leo took a deep breath and did his best to remain calm.
"I'm comfortable enough." He replied tightly.
Odairi chuckled, his eyes alight with amusement. "These quarters are only temporary," he explained. "Master Akasha doesn't usually house transient daemons, so there wasn't much time to prepare a proper room for you."
"Ah, I see. Will I be relocated soon then?"
"I believe so. Mira is having one of the rooms in the Divina wing cleaned and aired for you as we speak. Do you know how long you're planning to stay?"
"I haven't decided yet. The professor at the Guild said I could take as much time as I needed."
"Good advice." Odairi agreed. "Choosing a master is a life-altering decision. In order to form a bond with your human, there must be trust and mutual understanding. That takes time. If I'm not mistaken, this will be your first, correct?"
"Yes." Leo replied, unwilling to divulge his revolution at the concept of having a master.
Professor Yata had done his best to convince him otherwise. In fact, Leo was inclined to believe him. But sadly, it was hard to trust anything the Anima said on the subject, since Yata himself had chosen a life without a master.
"Then you definitely should take your time." Odairi continued. "The summoning process is quite intense, so it's best to pick a human that you feel completely comfortable with."
"Is that how you feel about this Akasha woman? Comfortable?"
"Absolutely! After our last master died, I didn't think Hina and I would ever find another. I'm happy to admit we were wrong."
"Hina?"
"It's Ohina actually." Odairi answered with flushed cheeks. "She's my soon-to-be wife. I'm sure you'll meet her soon. She's very friendly."
Leo nodded in reply, wondering if the female daemon was as chipper as her male counterpart. If so, he'd make sure to avoid them both during his visit.
"Is that all you brought with you?" Odairi asked, pointing to the bag on the floor.
"It is."
Odairi frowned, but didn't question him further. "Why don't you wash up? I'll give you a tour of the mansion then take you down to grab an early lunch."
"That won't be necessary, I can…"
"Nonsense! Master Akasha said to take care of you, so that's what I plan to do. I'll wait for you outside."
Leo didn't get the chance to protest. Odairi shut the door, leaving him alone in the depressing room once more. Leo sighed, grabbing his bag and heading to the bathroom to get cleaned up. No, this certainly wasn't the welcome he expected from the Guild; it didn't even come close. The king in him railed against such piteous treatment. But the daemon; the tried and weary daemon was ready for a change. A change the Professor had promised Leo would find at the Guild. For his own sake, and the sake of Professor Yata, Leo hoped the Anima was right.
CHAPTER 2
Leo followed Odairi around, trying to summon enough energy to care about what the Anima was saying. He was introduced to a flurry of daemons; all of whom he'd promptly forgotten, and he'd been dragged to virtually every nook and cranny of the entire mansion. He was tired and irritated, and it was taking every ounce of his restraint not to kill the babbling Anima.
"And this is Barbatos." Odairi replied, gesturing to a large, angry looking Phantom. "Barbatos this is Leo. He's new to the Guild and will be staying with us for a while."
"Nice to meet you." The Phantom replied without looking at either of them.
Barbatos' gaze was fixed on two daemons chatting in the garden outside. Leo had the distinct impression that the Phantom disliked either one or both of them.
"You two fighting again?" Odairi asked warily; notably taking a step back from the Phantom.
"No." Barbatos replied sharply.
"Then why are you staring at Ikutachi like you want to kill him?" The Anima countered.
The Phantom's eye twitched and Leo noticed that his claws were extended. Leo looked back at the two daemons, examining them more closely. There was a white-haired Anima having a lively conversation with a dark-haired Divina. Leo couldn't see the face of the Divina, but the Anima was turned slightly towards where the three of them stood.
He was a beautiful specimen; milky skin, bright amber eyes, and hair that looked so soft and silky that Leo ached to run his hand through it. But the Anima's most striking feature was his smile. Pure and unguarded; it was literally breathtaking. Leo snickered softly, finally realizing that Barbatos wasn't angry at all. He was jealous…
"You know, he never smiles at me like that." Barbatos said absently. "I've seen that smile maybe… three, four times total. And laughing! Pffft! I can't even remember what his laugh sounds like!"
"Who is the Divina he's with?" Leo asked casually.
Barbatos hissed; his hands clenching into fists.
"That's Bunchu." Odairi replied softly. "He and Ikutachi have become quite close recently. Which I thought was a good thing." The Anima said more loudly; his words directed at Barbatos.
Barbatos huffed in irritation. "It is. I want him to open up more and make friends."
"You just don't want him to smile, laugh or enjoy himself while he does it." Odairi finished for him.
"That's not true, I just…" The Phantom blew out a long breath. "I wish he'd do those things with me, too. There's this wall around him, and every time I think I've managed to knock it down, I wake up to find that he's not only built it higher, but he's reinforced it with steal!"
"Love isn't easy." Odairi replied with a helpless shrug.
"Your Anima friend is right." Leo added; his gaze now on the Divina called Bunchu. "The question is whether or not you're willing to put in the necessary effort to make it work."
Odairi turned to Leo, his eyes wide with shock. "This is the most you've talked all day!"
Leo rolled his eyes. "I wonder why that is?" He shot back, giving the Anima a bored look.
"Quick hide!" Barbatos whispered loudly, pulling Odairi around the corner.
Leo frowned, giving the two daemons a look that said. "I don't hide."
Ikutachi stepped into the mansion, glancing back at Bunchu who followed closely behind him. The Divina finally came into view, giving Leo a clear shot of his confident yet delicate smile. It wasn't quite as awe-inspiring as Ikutachi's, but there was something hidden behind the quiet expression. Bunchu took that moment to glance in Leo's direction. Blue eyes; intelligent and curious, pierced Leo like a spear to the chest.
Ikutachi made a comment that drew Bunchu's attention away from Leo. The moment was lost, and Leo found that he was desperate to get it back. Without a second thought, he walked up to both Bunchu and Ikutachi.
"Greetings." Leo said regally; his focus completely on the Divina. "I'm King Leo, Celestial Guardian of the Heavens, Divina Ruler of the Lion Constellation and Warden of the Northern Skies."
"Good afternoon," Bunchu replied slowly, exchanging a bewildered look with Ikutachi. "I'm Bunchu and this is Ikutachi."
"Should we call you King Leo," Ikutachi asked, nodding a hello, "or do you expect us to use that title every time we say hello to you?"
Ikutachi's voice dripped with sarcasm, but Leo chose to ignore the Anima's disrespect and focus on Bunchu.
"You have my permission to call me Leo."
"Oh," Ikutachi replied sweetly. "We have his permission. Aren't we the lucky ones?"
"Not you, Anima." Leo said coldly.
Ikutachi laughed, completely unruffled. "Bunchu, if you'll excuse. I think I see my idiot lover trying to hide in the corner over there."
"Of course, Ikutachi, please tell him and Odairi I said hello."
"Goodbye King Leo, Celestial Guardian of the… something or other, Divine Ruler of the… whatever you called it and Warden of the… I really don't care."
The Anima walked gracefully away, leaving Leo alone with Bunchu.
"It was nice meeting you, Leo." Bunchu said. "But I'm afraid I must be leaving as well."
"Then I shall escort you."
"It's kind of you to offer, but that won't be necessary."
"Yes, but I've decided that I will do so anyway."
Bunchu frowned, his effort to remain polite obvious. "As I said, your offer is appreciated, but I must decline. Master Akasha has requested to see me. Alone."
"Then you will come to me after your meeting is done. Find the little Anima over there and he will show you to my room."
It wasn't a request. It was a command. And it was one that did not sit well with the Divina.
"I will do no such thing." Bunchu said; his tone as cold as ice. "Odairi is not your servant and neither am I. You may be a king, but you're not my king. I will not take orders from you."
Bunchu turned sharply on his heels, marching angrily down the hall. Leo's hands clenched at his sides, unable to believe the insubordination the Divina had just shown. He wasn't used to his orders being refused, and he found the whole experience quite unpleasant. When Leo came to his senses once more, he stormed after Bunchu. He hadn't made it two steps before someone caught his arm. Leo reared back, snatching Odairi off the ground by his neck and slamming him into the nearest wall.
"You are entirely too familiar, Anima. We are not friends, you and I. Touch me again without permission and I will end you."
Odairi kicked his feet, clawing at Leo's hand. The Anima couldn't even gasp for air as his face turned an alarming shade of blue. It had been so long since Leo had held the existence of another in his hands. Felt the rush that came with watching a life slowly slip away. His hand tightened around Odairi's neck; his heart racing with excitement as the life drained from the Anima's eyes. He was so enthralled by the sight that he completely forgot Barbatos was still there. The Phantom rammed him in the side, sending both Leo and Odairi crashing to the floor.
"What the hell is wrong with you?!" Barbatos roared, his nostril flaring with rage as he took a defensive position between Leo and Odairi. Ikutachi rushed to help the Anima from the ground then moved to stand at the Phantom's side.
"Your… friend," Leo snapped angrily, jumping to his feet, "needs to learn how to treat a king!"
"You are no king here!" Ikutachi snapped.
"Everyone just relax." Odairi demanded, stepping right into the middle of the fray. "Leo's new to the mansion and to the Guild. He's not used to how we do things here, so he needs our help, not our anger."
"I don't need anything from you." Leo hissed. "Any of you!"
Leo shoved past them all, ignoring Odairi's cries for him to come back. He was officially done with all this. He was a king and he'd just been placed on the same level as those he should be ruling! It was beyond insulting! He hadn't spent his entire existence fighting his way to the top just so that he could be "equals" with those who were clearly inferior to him. He was a fool to come here. A weak, pathetic fool…
CHAPTER 3
Bunchu was furious! Of all the things for his master to ask…Argh! He stormed down the hall in search of Mira, nearly running the poor Anima over when she flew out of one of the bedrooms.
"Oh, Bunchu!" She exclaimed. "Master said you'd be coming to help, but I wasn't expecting you so soon. Leo's room is ready, so feel free to bring him up." She wiped her brow then placed her hands on her hips. "This is the largest room we have in the Divina wing, so hopefully it'll do."
Bunchu snorted. "I doubt anything is good enough for the king."
"Ah, so you've met him." Mira replied with a knowing smile. "I hope you'll give him a chance, Bunchu. He's a bit rough around the edges, but it's only because he's not used to this kind of social interaction."
"Clearly," Bunchu muttered. "He's got this absurd idea that he's a king and we should all bow to him."
"Well, he is a king, you know? And he's used to people bowing and scraping to him, so it's not surprising that he expects us all to do the same. We must remember that Leo is in the process of a delicate transition, and he needs our help if he's going to so successfully."
"I understand that, but I don't see why I have to be the one to help him."
"There is no one more qualified than you." Mira said, smiling warmly. "Leo needs a tutor with an abundance of patience and exceptional social skills; someone who can teach him the importance of the master/daemon relationship."
"Anyone daemon in this house could do that." Bunchu insisted.
"You say that, but I can tell by the look on your face that you don't believe it." Mira took his hands in hers, squeezing them reassuringly. "Leo needs you. He lacks a rudimentary understanding of how the Guild works, which means starting from scratch. Everything from item usage to battle etiquette; he needs to learn it all." She paused thoughtfully. "And perhaps a few lessons on basic manners would be helpful."
"Mira, I…"
"You can do this."
Bunchu sighed. "I know, and I will. But still don't understand why Leo's even here. While I was waiting to choose my master, I stayed in the daemon facilities provided by the Guild. Why isn't Leo doing the same? Surely there are more qualified tutors there."
"Because Professor Yata believes Leo is in need of closer supervision. He wants him under the care of an experienced ghost agent, and personally instructed by a daemon who is both competent and trustworthy. In fact, the professor specifically requested Master Akasha appoint you as Leo's tutor."
"He did?" Bunchu asked; unable to hide the fire suddenly burning in his cheeks.
Bunchu adored Professor Yata. Worshiped the ground he walked on. Bunchu had worked closely with the Council member, and, in his short time at the Guild headquarters, had fallen hopelessly in love him. When it came time for Bunchu to choose a master, he'd initially refused. He'd even confessed his love to Yata, swearing to stay and serve the Anima for the rest of his existence.
But it was not to be. Professor Yata could not accept Bunchu's affections, and though the Anima had never given a reason why, it was clear to Bunchu that Yata's heart was already filled with someone else.
Bunchu had left the Guild the next day, taking his place in Master Akasha's household. It was the best decision he'd ever made, and despite his broken heart, he'd managed to find solace in his service to the female ghost agent.
"Professor Yata thinks very highly of you." Mira continued. "And both master and I agree that you are the perfect choice for this difficult task."
Bunchu sighed. He was flattered to have been hand-selected by Professor Yata, and honored that his master believed him up to the challenge. But something about Leo rubbed Bunchu the wrong way. The Divina wasn't the kind of daemon Bunchu would ever associate with.
Bunchu preferred the company of someone like Ikutachi: Insightful and intellectual; capable of thought-provoking conversations and lively debates. Leo, on the other hand, appeared to be nothing more than a tyrant; uninterested in the thoughts and opinions of others unless they matched his own.
"I guess there's no escaping it then." Bunchu groaned.
"Don't think of it as a punishment." Mira said encouragingly. "Professor Yata says it's crucial that we bring Leo under the Guild's influence. This is a special mission that he and Master Akasha have placed in your capable hands, and you must do whatever it takes to keep Leo on our side."
"Yes, yes, I know." Bunchu sighed again. "I'll go ahead and bring him up."
"Perfect," Mira replied, smiling triumphantly. "I'll be out of here by the time you get back. And good luck. I know you can do it!"
Bunchu smiled weakly at the Anima then started off towards the temporary lodging.
"Luck," he muttered to himself. He was going to need more than luck if he was going to survive the Divina King.
CHAPTER 4
Bunchu knocked on the door, waiting impatiently for Leo to answer. He was anxious to get the Divina settled into his room, so he could get on with the rest of his day. When there was no answer, he knocked again. After the third time, Bunchu tried the handle. Finding it unlocked, he pushed the door open.
The room was empty. No Leo and no sign that he'd ever been there. He doubled-checked the number outside the door to make sure he had the right room then stepped inside. He made sure to check every inch of the room before he let his panic set in.
"Damn it!"
He'd been assigned to the mission for less than 30 minutes, and he'd already managed to let his charge escape.
"Good morning, Bunchu-sama. Are you looking for that king?"
Bunchu turned to find one of the maids pushing a large linen cart towards him. She was an older woman, with laugh lines that framed a pair of lovely gray eyes which matched the color of her closely cropped hair.
"Good morning, Linda." He replied. There were several maids who lived and worked in the mansion, but Linda was Bunchu's favorite. "Do you know where he went?"
"He left about 10 minutes ago," she answered, "out that door right there. He looked angry, so I thought it best to leave him alone."
"A wise decision," Bunchu said with an apologetic smile. "Any idea where he might have gone?"
"Afraid not."
"No worries, Linda. Thank you for your help."
She smiled, gave him a quick curtsy, and then continued down the hall. Bunchu raced toward the exit Linda had indicated, sprinting to the main road. Master Akasha's estate was large and un-gated, allowing any and all to wander the grounds freely. Luckily, there was only one road leading into town, and that was likely where Leo was heading. As expected, the Divina King came into view just as Bunchu approached the gate.
"Hey! Where do you think you're going?!" Bunchu shouted after him, jogging to catch up.
Leo spun around; his sword immediately appearing in his hand. Only when he realized it was Bunchu did he let it disappear.
"Why are you here?" Leo demanded in his irritatingly regal tone.
"Why are you leaving?" Bunchu retorted.
"Because I have no place here. Not in your mansion and not in your Guild."
"And you know all that based on what? The whole hour you've spent here. You haven't even given it a chance, and already you're running away like a dog with its tail between its legs."
Leo was in front of Bunchu in the time it took for him to blink. The Divina King's hand grabbed the front of Bunchu's shirt, yanking him forward until their noses were almost touching.
Leo's hand shook with the force of his restraint; his power saturating the air around them. "Speak to me like that again and I will kill you where you stand."
"I'd love to see you try."
Bunchu could see the rage in Leo's eyes; watching as the lavender spheres swirled with a power that both excited and terrified him. The Divina King was like a ticking time bomb, and Bunchu was struck with the sudden desire to watch him explode…
Leo must have noticed his sudden interest, searching Bunchu's face as if trying to gauge his reaction to the sudden change in atmosphere. He leaned in closer; his mouth hovering above Bunchu's parted lips, but just before they touched, Bunchu pushed him away.
"If it's a fight you want, then I'm happy to oblige." Bunchu smiled challengingly. "But first you have to come back to the mansion."
Leo snickered, adjusting his bag on his shoulder. "I can find a good fight anywhere, and as tempting as it would be to put you in your place, it's not enough to keep me here."
Leo turned to leave, but Bunchu pulled him back. "What would be enough?"
The Divina stared at Bunchu for a moment before a slow smile spread across his face. "You."
"I don't understand." Bunchu replied, feigning ignorance.
"You understand perfectly." Leo replied, desire now burning in his eyes. "I want you. All of you. In every way possible."
Bunchu studied Leo closely. The Divina king was fearless. There was no hesitation in his voice or body language. Leo knew what he wanted, and what he wanted was Bunchu.
"Alright," Bunchu agreed, deciding to change tactics. "You can have me, but only if you can defeat me in battle."
Leo immediately radiated triumph. In his mind the battle was already won. "Easy enough," he replied confidently.
"I'm glad you think so." Bunchu replied. "That means you won't disagree to the rest of my terms."
"And what would those be?"
"If I win, not only do you have to stay here in the mansion, but you have to obey me in all things."
"Done." Leo said without a second thought.
This time it was Bunchu's turn to radiate triumph. "Then it's a deal."
CHAPTER 5
The sound of metal striking metal echoed through the cool morning air. The sun had barely found its way over the horizon and Leo was already past the point of exhaustion. The same could be said for his opponent. Bunchu was soaked with sweat; the blood from his wounds mixing with it and dripping to the ground. The Divina had to be in pain, but nothing in his stance showed any sign of discomfort.
Leo swirled the sword in his hand, circling Bunchu while he looked for an opening. The Divina moved with him; the clarity and focus in his eyes undiminished. And when Leo charged forward; his sword angled at his side, Bunchu moved in the same moment, blocking Leo's well-aimed blow.
Their swords clashed violently; the metal vibrating in Leo's hands. He barely had time think before Bunchu swirled their blades out of the way, stepping into Leo's stance and head-butting him in the same motion. Leo staggered back; his vision shattering into a thousand shards of light. He brought up his sword just in time to block Bunchu's next swing, but not fast enough to stop the swift kick to his left knee.
Leo cried out in pain, barely holding onto his weapon. Bunchu wasted no time, bringing the hilt of his sword down on Leo's face. Leo staggered back; his sword slipping from his grasp as blood poured from his nose.
"You know what your problem is, King." Bunchu said mockingly. "You fight with too much honor." The Divina brought a fist across the other side of Leo's face. Blood sprayed from Leo's mouth as he fought to remain standing. "Real battle is ugly." He continued in a vicious hiss. "No shiny swords or pretty armor."
Bunchu grabbed Leo by the shoulders, pulling him forward as he thrust his knee into Leo's stomach. The moment Leo's knees hit the ground, Bunchu grabbed him by the front of his armor, raining blow after blow down upon Leo's face. He lost count of how many times Bunchu hit him, and it wasn't long before Leo slid into a place where pain no longer existed. Even still, when the darkness finally came for him, Leo welcomed it with open arms.
CHAPTER 6
"What part of 'take care of him' did you not understand?!" Master Akasha's voice nearly shattered both of Bunchu's ear drums. She was in a rare form, and although he'd seen her angry before, it had never been at him. "I tell you to look after him; help him find a place in our household, and instead you beat the living crap out of him!"
"Master, I…"
"Silence!" She shrieked. "Do you have any idea the kind of position you've put me in?! We've brought all the other Celestial rulers under the Guild's control except Leo! He's the only one who has the power to unite the Celestials and bring war upon our heads! We need him on our side!"
"Master, if you'd just let me explain!"
"Explain? EXPLAIN?! Right now Leo is unconscious in the medical wing. His injuries are so severe; Nightingale has decided to keep him in a drug-induced coma until his body has healed! How the hell do intend to explain that?!"
"He deserved everything he got." Bunchu said firmly. "Someone needed to knock him off that high horse of his! He may be a king, but he is a piss-poor one! Loyalty and respect must be earned, yet he thinks his "royal status" guarantees him these things! A king in name only is nothing more than a bloody coward! A coward who believes his title gives him power! You asked me to teach him, master, and that's exactly what I'm trying to do. But if Leo is to learn anything, he must be broken first."
"Well, you certainly did a good job of that, didn't you?" Master Akasha hissed. "He's got an IV of divine nectar hooked up to him and he's still in bad shape! I suggested taking him back into the spirit world, but Nightingale said he wouldn't survive the loss of spirit to get there!"
A wave of guilt washed over Bunchu. Until that moment, he hadn't realized how much damage he'd actually done. In fact, he'd somehow managed to convince himself that Leo deserved it. But to hear just how badly the Divina King was injured…
"Forgive me, Master." Bunchu replied, genuinely remorseful. "Perhaps I got a bit… carried away."
"A bit? If Barbatos hadn't pulled you off of him, your little battle would've turned into an execution! Now I have to explain to the Council why the daemon they've placed in my charge is desperately clinging to life under my roof!"
"I am sorry." Bunchu said with a bow. "If there is anything I can do, please…"
"Oh, there is plenty you can do, starting with explaining your behavior to Professor Yata yourself. Now go and get the car ready. We'll be heading to HQ immediately."
CHAPTER 7
Leo had been confined to his new room for nearly a week. He been moved there shortly after he'd regained consciousness. His body was close to recovered; his spirit as well, but Master Akasha insisted he remain bed-ridden for a few more days. He'd had a few visitors throughout the week, but none of them were who he wanted to see.
Bunchu…
The Divina was clearly avoiding him, but Leo couldn't figure out why. Bunchu had won the fight; all the glory was his. But the Divina had yet to come and boast of his victory. Leo still found it odd since most men would relish in such a thing.
"How you feeling?"
Leo looked up to find Barbatos standing just inside the doorway. The Phantom's arms were crossed over his chest; a broad smile on his face.
"Fine," Leo replied shortly, throwing the covers off and climbing out of the bed. "Although no one seems to believe me."
"Well, you did take quite a beating." Barbatos replied. "Not that you didn't deserve it."
Leo grunted in response, heading straight to the pitcher of water and pouring himself a glass. "Is he always so..."
"Brutal? Callous? In battle, yes. Even I'm hesitant to fight Bunchu. The first time we fought, he broke through my defense in under 5 minutes. Iku said it's gotta be some kind of record. All I know is by the end of it I had a fractured skull and several broken ribs."
Leo laughed snidely. "So he is capable of mercy. I suppose that's something."
"Yeah, just not towards you," Barbatos added with a chuckle. "If you want, I can find you something stronger to drink than that water."
"That would be most welcome." Leo replied in genuine thanks.
About an hour or so later, Leo and Barbatos had made it halfway through their second bottle of bourbon. The Phantom certainly wouldn't be his first choice for a drinking partner, so Leo was surprised to find that he and the demon lord had a lot in common.
It had been such a long time since Leo had been able to let his guard down with anyone. His life until then had been nothing more than a game of lies and intrigue. Surviving the Celestial Court meant keeping your guard up at all times. Emotions are a weakness and weakness gets you killed. But to be able to relax and share a laugh over a drink… there were no words to express the joy such a simple act brought him.
"You know, you're not as bad I thought you were." Barbatos said, filling his glass with once more. "Perhaps all you needed was a good ass-kicking."
Leo laughed loudly. He knew he should be outraged by Barbatos' remark, but he was riding the high of his buzz. "Perhaps Phantom, but it's a good thing I'm drunk right now, otherwise, I'd kick your ass."
Barbatos joined in his laughter. "Come and find me when you get out of this prison of yours, and we'll test that theory."
"It's no theory." Leo snorted. "Phantoms are my specialty. I'll bet you a pound of gold right now that I can break Bunchu's record, and shatter that defense of yours in under a minute."
"You're on."
"What's this? Suddenly you two are best friends."
Both males turned at the sound of Bunchu's voice. The Divina strolled into the room; arms laced behind his back. Leo's heart began to race at the sight of the daemon. He was dressed formally with his dark hair brushed back and out of his face. His eyes were bright with amusement, and he was wearing the same mysterious smile Leo had fallen in love with the day they'd met.
By all accounts, Leo should hate the Divina. But having seen what Bunchu was capable of, and felt the power and rage the Divina held so tightly in check, Leo found that it made him want the daemon even more.
"You know me." Barbatos replied playfully, slapping Leo on the leg. "I can make a friend out of anyone."
"So it would seem." Bunchu replied. "By the way, Ikutachi is looking for you. And he seems pretty angry about something."
Barbatos sat up in his seat, chewing his lip as he tried figure out why his Anima lover would be upset. When realization finally dawned, Barbatos downed the rest of his drink and practically ran from the room. He'd been gone all of 2 seconds before he poked his head back into the doorway.
"Leo, it was a pleasure drinking with you. We'll have to do this again sometime."
Barbatos disappeared again without giving Leo a chance to respond. Leo looked over at Bunchu who had taken up a spot by the foot of the bed. The Divina was staring at him; a flicker of curiosity burning in his beautiful blue eyes.
"He and Ikutachi are…?" Leo asked the question even though he already knew the answer. It seemed to be the easiest way to start a conversation with the daemon.
"Yes, for quite some time now."
"And happily?"
Bunchu's brow furrowed. "Why do you ask?"
"No reason." Leo answered, taking a deep pull from his glass. "Just curious."
"Are you interested in Barbatos?" Bunchu asked with mild accusation.
"And if I was?" Leo countered, surprised to find a hint of anger in the Divina's voice.
"Then I'd warn you to stay away. Ikutachi isn't the kind of daemon you want to cross. If he believes you are after his lover, he will not hesitate to end you."
"Thanks for the warning."
"My pleasure."
An awkward silence fell between them. Bunchu stood silently by the bed while Leo sipped lazily from his glass.
Bunchu cleared his throat nervously. "How do you like the room? Master Akasha made sure to give you the largest accommodation in the Divina wing."
"It's very… charming."
Bunchu snickered. "You don't have to lie. I'm sure it's nowhere close to what you're used to."
"I'm not lying." Leo insisted, gulping down the rest of his drink. "Your master has gone to great lengths to ensure my comfort. I am grateful."
Leo stood, swaying violently from a loss of balance. He gripped the arm of the chair, bracing his other hand against the window for support. He'd had far too much liquor in too short a time, and the sudden movement had sent his world spinning. He grunted, leaning heavily against the window frame as he patiently waited for the floor to stop moving beneath his feet.
"Here let me help you."
"I think you've done enough for me." Leo replied. Was he slurring his words? Obviously, he'd misjudged his alcohol tolerance.
Bunchu let out a shaky breath. "Yes, I suppose I have. That's actually why I stopped by. I wanted to apologize for my behavior during our battle. You were already down and I…"
"Don't apologize." Leo said, cutting him off. "It taints the victory. You won. I lost. It's as simple as that. You may think I'm arrogant and vain, but I have integrity whether you wish to believe it or not. We made a bet and I intend to honor it."
Bunchu was genuinely surprised, looking as though he wished to speak, but not sure what to say. It was an amusing sight, but Leo was far too woozy to enjoy it. Bunchu watched from a far as Leo stumbled to the bed. It was clear the Divina wanted to help, but he remained rooted in his spot. Leo dropped onto the mattress, letting out a long sigh.
"I was under the impression you were better." Bunchu said helplessly. "Nightingale said you were anxious to get out of bed, so I assumed that I you…"
"I'm perfectly fine." Leo answered, settling onto the mattress. "I'm just tired."
"That would be the alcohol kicking in."
"Mhmm."
CHAPTER 8
Bunchu frowned at the sleeping daemon. Their encounter hadn't gone as he'd anticipated. But then again, he hadn't expected to find Leo getting drunk with Barbatos. Oddly enough, Leo's slightly inebriated state made the whole process of apologizing much easier. He'd come under order of his master, and although he was truly remorseful for his actions, Bunchu had been dreading his encounter with the Divina King.
If only Leo could be like this all the time...
The thought skittered across Bunchu's mind as he set about cleaning up the mess Leo and Barbatos had made. It's often said that a person's true nature comes out when their drunk. If that was true, then perhaps Leo wasn't the jerk Bunchu originally thought he was.
Leo mumbled something incoherent, drawing Bunchu's attention back to the bed. He'd propped up his knee, tucking one hand behind his head while using the other to absently rub his exposed belly. Bunchu couldn't help but smile. Leo tried so hard to portray his kingly image, but with his guard down, the daemon was decidedly… normal.
Bunchu grabbed a spare blanket from the wardrobe and walked over to the bed. Straightening Leo's leg, he spread the cover over him. As Bunchu finished adjusting the blanket, a flutter of movement caught his eye. He glanced over at Leo's face, startled to find a pair of glazed lavender eyes staring back at him.
"I thought you were asleep." Bunchu said.
He started to move away, but Leo grabbed his hand to stop him. Taking his other hand, he grabbed Bunchu by the back of his neck and pulled him to the bed.
Perhaps it was the warmth of Leo's skin, or the intoxicating scent of his freshly washed hair. Maybe it was the way the sunlight shone through the window, giving the room a romantic sort of glow. Either way, Bunchu let himself go. He let the moment take him, allowing himself to fall helplessly into the depths of those dark lavender eyes.
When their lips met, it was as if every inch of Bunchu's body was set ablaze. Leo's lips moved with a skill Bunchu hadn't expected, drawing out of him moan after moan. Leo threw the covers off as Bunchu climbed onto the bed.
"Do you want this?" Leo asked breathlessly, feathering a trail of kisses across, Bunchu's chin and neck.
In all honestly, Bunchu wasn't sure what he wanted. But whatever was happening between them, he wasn't about to stop it. All he could think about was the taste of Leo's lips; the sound of his labored breathing as his body responded to Bunchu's demanding kiss.
Leo wrapped his arms around Bunchu, pressing their bodies together and rolling them over so that Bunchu lay beneath him. It was a tangle of arms and fabric as they fought to remove their clothes.
Soon they were skin to skin; their lips finding each other once more. Bunchu could hardly catch his breath; his body on the edge of climax from nothing more than a simple kiss. It was exquisite and maddening, and when Leo's hand wrapped around his pulsing cock, Bunchu immediately came in the Divina's hand.
The deep rumble of Leo's satisfied laughter resonated through Bunchu's convulsing body. He could hear the arrogant triumph in Divina King's tone, but as much as he wanted to be angry, his body wouldn't cooperate. It wanted more… Even as the last remnants of his orgasm trickled from his body, Leo had already started the glorious process once more. Bunchu clung to the Divina, gasping for air as he grew hard in the king's hand once more.
Leo leaned down to kiss him, stroking Bunchu's length while his other hand slid lower. It wasn't until wet sticky fingers invaded his body that Bunchu realized what was happening. The haze of lust evaporated instantly. Bunchu threw Leo off of him, sending the Divina tumbling to the floor.
Leo grunted in pain as he hit the ground. "What the hell?!" He roared; his naked body sprawled across the floor.
Bunchu scrambled of the bed, grabbing his pants and hurrying to put them on.
"What's wrong?!" Leo asked, holding onto the bed for support as he climbed to his feet. You said you wanted it!"
Bunchu stayed silent, his teeth clenched tightly in anger and pain. The dull ache in his backside made it difficult to put his pants on, which only succeeded in making him more upset.
"Will you please say something?!" Leo shouted, clutching his head and rubbing his temples.
"This isn't going to work." Bunchu replied sharply.
"What do you mean? It was working just fine a minute ago. I have proof right here!" Leo held up his hand, showing Bunchu the evidence of his orgasm only moments ago. "You could be on the way to your second one right now if you hadn't interrupted me!"
"I'm not a bottom." Bunchu hissed through gritted teeth. "I should've thought that was obvious."
Leo frowned; his expression truly perplexed. "Really? But you seem so… so…"
"What?!" Bunchu asked heatedly. "I seem so what?!"
"Well, you're so… pretty. More so than you are handsome. And your mannerisms are kind of… you know… feminine. Not to mention you hang with daemons like that Anima Ikutachi. Who, by the way, is literally the quintessential Uke. I just assumed…"
"You've been here for what? Two weeks?! Half of which you were unconscious for! Tell me, exactly when did you become such an expert on me and the people I hang out with?! Is there no limit to your arrogance?!"
"Oh please, it doesn't take a genius to you figure you out, Bunchu! Let me guess," he continued in his signature condescending tone. "You like stimulating conversations about politics and economics and every other mind-numbingly boring topic in the universe. You enjoy the company of others, but if you had to choose, you'd curl up with a book instead. As a matter of fact, I bet you can count on one hand how many real friends you've ever had; people you've actually made a connection with that wasn't shallow and superficial!" Leo smiled cruelly. "I bet you fit right in at every social gathering, but no matter what you do or who you befriend, you remain trapped in your shell of loneliness and despair."
Bunchu's eyes narrowed on the Leo, his anger matched only by his shame. Leo had hit the proverbial nail on the head, summing up the whole of Bunchu's existence in a few crude sentences.
"I'm right, aren't I?" Leo asked; his smile turning sickly sweet. "Like I said, it doesn't take a genius."
"Fuck you."
"I don't think so," he said with a wink, "but I'd be happy to fuck you instead."
"You're an asshole, you know that?"
"No, I'm a fucking king. And sooner you figure that out, the sooner we can get back to the part where you're cumming blissfully in my arms."
"Huh, some king you are. Letting a lowly peasant like me beat you in battle. Those are big words for someone who was clinging to life just a few days ago!"
Leo closed the distance between them, moving as if he were clothed in the finest of garments rather than being stark naked. The Divina stood before Bunchu, just as proud and regal as the day they'd met.
"Arrogance is the downfall of the common man. If I cannot shoulder the disgrace that comes with losing a single battle, how can I ever expect to win the war? Do you remember what you said to me during our fight?"
Bunchu tried to recall his words that day, but he found himself completely entranced by Leo's swirling lavender eyes.
"You said real battle is ugly." Leo reminded him. "But you, as most arrogant men do, only see the immediacy of your conquest. War is ugly. And it is war that I have experienced for every waking moment of my existence. It has made me a patient man; one who can accept a loss if it means a greater reward is within my grasp. We are at war, you and I. And when the dust settles, it will be me who is the ultimate victor. It's not a matter of if you'll be mine, Bunchu. It's a matter when."