After writing 'The Art of Rejection and Restraint' I kind of fell in love with the Ceodore/Kain pairing, so I've churned out another. I love putting people in drunken situations, so here you go! Enjoy, hopefully.

"You first!"

"No, you!"

"Hey, ladies first!"

"Sexist!"

"How on earth is that sexist?"

"Oh, shut it." Ursula Fang Lieden smoothed down her dress and rolled her eyes at her godbrother Ceodore. He and his parents had journeyed to Fabul to visit Yang and the family; they had not seen each other since work on the towns ruined by meteorites had finally been completed. At this moment in time, Ursula and Ceodore sat in Ursula's bedroom (which, for a High Monk's daughter's, was surprisingly girly), with a bottle of wine that Ursula had swiped from her mother Sheila while she was cooking. Said bottle was currently in Ursula's hand as she struggled to open it. "Ugh, how does anyone do this?" she grumbled.

"Here, you'll cork it at that rate." Ceodore reached out a hand and twisted the cork out easily. "How did she not see you?"

"No idea, but thank goodness she was using the frying pan at the time, so there was no chance of a walloping with it!" Ursula fetched two glasses and poured the deep red liquid into them, handing one to Ceodore. "So, go on. You have to tell me that secret you promised me ages ago!"

"You suck," Ceodore sighed. "I don't know what I was thinking at that time, telling you that. Can't you just tell me yours first? Then I won't feel so embarrassed, I hope..."

The Fabul princess tossed her hair back and snorted. "You, embarrassed? You're supposed to be the crown prince of Baron!"

"Doesn't stop me from being embarrassed!" Ceodore took a sip of wine. "Please, Ursula. Mine is so much worse than yours."

"Oh, okay...fine." Ursula drained half her drink and wiped her lips. "We're still on romance, right?"

"Yeah."

"Right, well mine is that I've been secretly seeing someone." She laughed at Ceodore's shocked expression. "What?"

"You said you'd never go for any of the monks!"

"He's not a monk, he's one of the servant's sons. Don't look at me like that, Ceodore! We go out every now and then and just...talk, I suppose."

"Talk?" Ceodore raised a blonde eyebrow. Ursula blushed.

"Well...maybe more than that."

Ceodore collapsed into spluttering laughter. "Oh, Ursula! You're so naughty!"

"I know, I know..." She fidgeted uncomfortably. "I shouldn't be doing it, I know. Master- I mean, Father will go mad, but I can't help it. He's so nice to me, and I think I might be in love already."

"Just be careful, okay? I don't want anything happening to you."

"I can look after myself," she smiled, topping up her glass and Ceodore's. "Okay, you tell me yours now. It can't be that bad."

"I..." Ceodore stared at the liquid in his glass and bit his lip. Almost half a year ago, when on the True Moon, Ceodore had let slip that he had a deep secret, and since then Ursula had been nagging him to tell her. He was so embarrassed about it that it made her want to know more. "Go on," urged Ursula. "Maybe I need to get you drunk first."

"No, no...I'll tell you in a minute." Ceodore drained his glass and shuddered. He wasn't a wine fan, but Ursula had insisted they have a drink, as teenagers do. "Promise you won't tell anyone?"

"As long as you don't tell anyone about what I told you!"

"I promise. Do you?"

"I do. Now tell me, idiot! You've got me on tenterhooks!" Ursula leaned forwards eagerly and twisted her hair round her fingers. "Please? I promise I won't get mad or laugh or anything."

"I...well, I'm in love too."

"I figured. Who's the lucky lady?"

"...No lady." Ceodore blushed bright red as he said this. "There never has been one, and never will be..."

"Ohhh. You're coming out of the closet."

"If you want to put it that way, yes. I'm coming out of the closet. I didn't want to, ever, but there's only so much I can take. I feel so ashamed of myself, Ursula."

"Why?" Ursula frowned. "Why should you be ashamed of being gay?"

"It's a bad thing, I know it. Nobody else I know is the same as me."

"Nobody at all? Not even your mystery man?"

"I'm pretty sure he's about as straight as they come. Besides, age would be a major problem."

"Oooh, he's an older man! Is he dishy?"

"I think so, of course."

"What does he look like?"

Ceodore thought about this, trying to word it so Ursula wouldn't twig. "...Um...blonde, brown eyes. That's all I'll say."

"...You know, you're crap at trying to hide things. I know perfectly well who you're talking about."

"Y-You do?" Ceodore smacked his forehead with the heel of his hand, but Ursula just giggled shrilly, pleased with herself.

"How many guys do I know who are older than you, blonde and have brown eyes? I suppose you're now going to tell me he's Uncle Cecil's best friend and he's the captain of the Red Wings?"

"U-Ursula! Please be quiet!"

"Oh, loosen up!" She flapped a hand at him and took another sip of wine. "Right, let me piece this together. You love Captain Highwind, but you think that being gay is bad. Why is it bad? You didn't really answer that."

"I just know," Ceodore muttered. "I have to carry on my family's name, and to do that I must have a child. I was told that from an early age. To not do so would bring shame on my family."

"You can always adopt."

"Yes, but then they would not be of royal blood and they would have to marry a prince or princess. It would be the only right way to do it. I...I don't know what to do. There's only so much I can take of seeing him and not being able to say anything."

"He came with you here, right? Tell him now, or I could do it for you!"

"No, thank you!" Ceodore went white at Ursula's cheeky expression. "Please don't!"

"But you have to say something eventually, or it'll tear you up inside!"

"Ursula, I'm scared! The guy could never love me, I'm just a boy! Boy being the operative word! If Kain were the same as me I'm sure I'd know by now!"

"Maybe he's just as scared as you are. Talk to him."

"I can't."

Ursula cocked her head to the side, then raised an eyebrow. "In that case, let us get wasted!"

Kain hadn't really wanted to come along to Fabul. He still felt guilty for his actions all those years ago and did not completely accept the monks' heartfelt acceptance that he had changed. How could anyone forgive me? he thought as he sat down on the bed in the room he had been staying in for the last few days. The only reason he came was to watch over Ceodore at Cecil's request, as the King would be very busy and would not be able to spare the time. Kain hadn't seen the young prince for most of the day and he wasn't in his own room, so the weary Dragoon heaved himself up to go look for him. It was about ten o'clock at night and Cecil and Rosa had already gone to bed. If I were Ceodore, where would I be...? Probably with Ursula, knowing him-

He was cut off by a loud shout of laughter and the sound of a door slamming before Ceodore and Ursula stumbled into view, giggling incessantly. Kain wrinkled his nose as he detected the strong scent of alcohol on them, and he stepped forward, gripping Ceodore by the shoulders firmly. "You need to lie down," he told him. "What do you think you're doing, drinking where anyone could see you?"

Pfft!" Ceodore burst into another fit of giggles. "So what?"

"You're coming with me. Ursula, go back to your room."

"Whatever," she grinned. "I'll give you two some, um, alone time!" She staggered away, laughing to herself; Kain rolled his eyes and started back to his room, practically steering the very drunk prince. He always had Ursula down as one to start trouble and wasn't altogether surprised that she had dragged Ceodore into it; he was so easily influenced. Kain barged open the door to his room and sat Ceodore down on the bed. The prince grinned to himself and flopped back, arms behind his head. Kain rolled his eyes again. "Where did you get alcohol from?" he asked.

"Aunt Sheila," Ceodore slurred.

"It's wrong to steal, Ceodore."

"I didn't steal anything...um...Ursula did it, and, um...I forget."

"I'll have to inform your father."

"Oh, no...please don't. I'll do anything for you as long as you don't tell him!" Ceodore whined. Kain, from his position at the other end of the room, leaning against the door, raised a fine eyebrow.

"What do you mean, you'll do anything for me?"

"Anything," Ceodore replied, sitting up and giving Kain a smouldering look. Kain bit his lip and forced himself to look away. He hated how he felt for the prince. He, the Red Wings captain, had fallen for Ceodore a good few months ago, but he wisely said nothing. Ceodore was only just sixteen; he could not risk anything, and besides, who said Ceodore swung the same way? No, it would never happen. He was just drunk and didn't know what he was doing.

Ceodore began to rise from the bed, and Kain said firmly, "Ceodore, sit down," but Ceodore ignored him and shakily walked over to Kain, standing in front of him and smiling up at the Dragoon.

"You have nice eyes," he murmured.

"I'm s-sorry?" Kain stammered.

"I said you have nice eyes- whoa!" Ceodore swayed and would have fallen had Kain not caught him quickly. "Mmm...you're warm..." The prince snuggled into Kain, who suddenly stiffened and threw Ceodore's arms off him in a panic.

"N-No," he insisted. "I'd best take you back to your room, Ceo-"

"I want to stay with you," Ceodore purred. He stepped towards Kain again, who shook his head and quickly sidestepped him. Ceodore scowled. "Stop it. Stop moving away from me!"

"This isn't right, Ceodore! Look, let me just take you back to your room, and you can sleep it off, and-"

"No!" Ceodore shouted, making Kain jump in surprise. "Why can't you just let me...let me...oh, forget it!" He stormed back to Kain's bed and sat down on it, putting his head in his hands. Kain breathed a sigh of relief and moved to sit on a chair, feeling his cheeks to assure himself he wasn't blushing.

Ceodore didn't move for a good while, and eventually Kain grew worried, and he rose from his chair to approach the trembling prince and kneel in front of him. "You should sleep," he murmured. "You have no idea what you're doing right now. Go back to your room, get some sleep, and you'll feel much better in the morning, hopefully."

Ceodore raised his head, his eyes a little unfocused. Kain forced a smile onto his face. "You okay?"

Ceodore said nothing, but leaned in a little. "Ceodore-" Kain warned, but before he could finish, Ceodore's lips had collided with his own forcefully and he had grabbed the Dragoon's head to prevent him moving away.

All Kain's thoughts of restraint melted away and he kissed back just as hungrily. Ceodore moaned in response and thrust his tongue into Kain's mouth, tightening his grip on Kain's hair. Kain winced as his hair was pulled a little, but he concentrated on Ceodore; his hot mouth, his moans. He knew it was so wrong, but he couldn't pull away. It felt too good. Despite being drunk, Ceodore was a brilliant kisser.

He only pulled away when he felt one of the prince's hands move out of his hair and down his body, eventually trying to slip down the waistband of his leggings. "I don't think so," Kain said, shaking his head. "You're drunk. This...this shouldn't have happened."

"Then what's this?" Ceodore ran a hand over the straining bulge between Kain's legs, making the older man shiver. "I think you want more, Kain..." he murmured in his ear. Kain shivered pleasantly at the sensation.

"C-Ceodore, please...you're so young. You don't know what you're doing."

"I know what I'm doing," Ceodore murmured. "Now, my ass isn't gonna fuck itself, so what are we doing about this?"

Kain spluttered incoherently at Ceodore's frighteningly bold statement. He felt his pants tighten considerably and bit his lip. "I can't," he insisted. "I'll admit, I like you a hell of a lot, but I can't go and do that, Ceodore-" He stopped speaking and gasped as Ceodore leaned in and kissed his neck softly. "Oh, fuck it!" Kain groaned, surging up and pinning Ceodore to the bed. Ceodore let out a drunken chuckle and kissed Kain again, shoving up the Dragoon's tunic to reveal his firm muscles and tanned skin. "We're going to regret this in the morning," Kain murmured against Ceodore's lips, shivering at the touch of the prince's warm hands to his chest.

"I won't," Ceodore whispered.

"You're so young..."

"You don't care."

Kain thought about this for a moment. Then he nodded slightly. "I suppose I don't, do I?"

"Kiss me again," Ceodore begged. He tugged Kain down again for another deep kiss and ran his fingers through the Dragoon's hair, loosening the band holding it in place and letting the lustrous golden locks tumble down his back, his shoulders. Drunk as he was, he was vaguely aware of wanting to be gentle; he had waited a long time to do this with Kain. "Please," he whispered, "I want more..."

"I know," Kain whispered back. "It's just...hard. You don't know what you're doing. Can't this wait till the morning? If you still feel the same way...then maybe, we'll-"

"I don't want to wait!" pined the prince, batting his eyelashes.

"Tough." Kain had made his mind up. His momentary lapse of keeping his lust in check had passed and he knew it was wrong to take advantage of Ceodore right now. "You can stay in here, if you want." He moved off Ceodore and tugged his tunic back down, smoothing it out. "Stay where you are; you can have the bed. I'll-"

"Stay with me?"

"W-What?"

"Stay with me...please?" Ceodore stuck his bottom lip out.

"No, I'll sleep on the floor. It's fine."

"Kain..."

"Sleep, Ceodore." Kain rolled his eyes and crossed the room to open a door leading into an adjoining bathroom when he heard a gasp; he turned round quickly to see Ceodore had gone white and had a hand to his mouth. Kain rolled his eyes again. "In here," he said, gesturing to the bathroom, and Ceodore stumbled past him, just getting there in time. Oh dear...I'll have to tell Cecil. He'll kill me if he finds out and I never said anything. Once Ceodore had finished, Kain put him to bed, then left the room to find the one Cecil and Rosa were staying in. Um...oh, yes. I remember. They were in the room below Yang and Sheila's.

He reached it in a few minutes and tapped gently on the door. There was no answer, so he pushed it open quietly and poked his head round, whispering, "Cecil? Are you awake? Cecil...?"

"Kain?" The soft voice behind Kain made him jump. He turned round, rubbing his chest, to see a sleepy-looking Cecil pushing his hair back from his eyes. The King cocked his head to the side in a curious fashion. "Is everything okay?"

"Where on earth did you come from?"

"I heard noises...I thought it might be Ceodore, so I got out of bed to look..." He yawned. "I can't find him, though."

"That's what I wanted to talk about. He's in my room."

"Why?"

"He's...well, to put it bluntly, he's wasted. Ursula had somehow gotten hold of some wine." Cecil groaned and rolled his eyes. "Don't worry too much," Kain assured him, "he's in bed now, not in the best state, but in bed at least. I have no idea about Ursula."

"I hope nobody saw him," Cecil murmured. "It wouldn't do at all to have him embarrassing us in front of anybody."

"There was nobody around."

"I can be thankful for that...ugh. He causes me no end of trouble. I'll give him a warning, but no more, since this is his first time. Please look after him for the night. Thank you, Kain. You really are a valuable friend."

You wouldn't think that if you knew how strongly I felt for your son... "You're too kind, Cecil."

Cecil smiled gently. "I should let you go back and check on Ceodore, shouldn't I? And I am tired..."

"Get back to bed then. I'll see you in the morning."

"Indeed. Goodnight, Kain." Cecil touched him on the arm as he passed him, a fleeting smile still on his lips. Oh...he took that well. Best get back to Ceodore...

The prince was sound asleep when Kain returned, lay on his front with a little smile on his face, hugging the blankets to his chest. I know I said I would sleep on the floor, but...he looks so cute lying there. I'd love to cuddle up to him...fuck it. The floor doesn't look too comfortable.

Ceodore stirred as Kain slid into bed behind him and draped an arm over his waist. "Mmm...hello."

"Shhh...sleep." Kain kissed the back of Ceodore's neck and chuckled when Ceodore turned round, snuggling up to him. "Goodnight, Ceodore."

When Ceodore woke up, his head felt fuzzy and his mouth was incredibly dry. What on earth happened? I remember drinking, but-

He opened his eyes and yelped in surprise, jumping backwards and falling out of bed. He landed on the floor with a thump. "K-Kain?" he spluttered.

Kain raised his head from the pillow, frowning. "Are you okay?"

"What am I doing in bed with you?"

"Oh, don't sound so mortified," the Dragoon grumbled, propping himself up on an elbow. "You got drunk last night and you came onto me."

"I what?"

"Yep. You came onto me...and I went along with it."

"Did we...did we...you know...?"

Kain shook his head. "No, we just kissed. If we did have sex, we wouldn't be clothed." He tapped the space on the bed and Ceodore hesitantly sat down. "Don't worry. We don't have to do anything. You pretty much threw yourself at me last night, but if you'd rather forget about it all, that's fine."

"Is that your way of saying you don't like me?"

"No, of course not! I do like you, Ceodore. I like you a lot. I have done for a while. I shouldn't, I know I shouldn't...I mean, you're only sixteen and I'm thirty-nine! But I can't deny my feelings for you, and I don't know if you only acted that way because you were drunk or...I should stop. I'm rambling."

"No, it's fine." Ceodore reached out with a shaking hand and touched Kain's cheek. The Dragoon froze in surprise but did not pull away. "I don't remember anything I did last night, and whatever it was I did, I'm very sorry. Thanks for telling me how you feel. I've always felt the same way about you. The question is, would my father allow it? I'm the heir to the throne, so it's expected of me to have a child..."

Kain sighed. "You're right. It would be best to forget this."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. Last night shouldn't have happened. I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry too." Ceodore stood up and grimaced. "I'll go back to my room now." He sighed, then left the room without a backwards glance.

Well, that went well, Kain thought to himself, rubbing a hand over his face. How he had wanted Ceodore to stay with him, and possibly take things from last night further...but Ceodore was right. Cecil would most likely oppose it. The King was by no means homophobic, but it was true that it was in Ceodore's best interests to marry a woman and have a child. Ugh...such is life. Still, it looked easy enough for Ceodore to just walk out.

In fact, the only reason Ceodore didn't look back was to disguise his tears. He had walked out in floods.