Title: Golden Lotus 2

Authors: BMIK and Chephren

Summary: Sequel to Golden Lotus... A year has passed since the fateful nigh in the tower in which many lives were changed. Now the Golden Lotus is in trouble. Will Yazoo go back and resume his position as former top whore to help his friends?

Rating: M, most definitely!

Warning: This fic is extremely AU. We have thrown our favorite bishis into the situation to see what will happen, but had great fun doing so, and we hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: Squeenix owns them, not us *sigh* but we did make the story! XD

A/N: We are so eager to thank you, our readers, for all the wonderful encouragement you gave us throughout Golden Lotus. We were sad to see it end, and have more plans so we hope you enjoy the continuing saga! XD

Chephren: Yazoo, Angeal, Kadaj, Loz

BMIK: Vincent Valentine, Sephiroth, Genesis

And now, enjoy!

Chapter 1

An expensive black car rounded the country bend, slowing to pull up to Gainsboro-...er, Hewley Manor. It was still an old castle, overrun by moss, but the crumbling of the walls had been restored. Sitting in the passenger seat, the middle Hewley child, Yazoo Gainsborough, an eighteen year old young man with long silver hair and fine pale features sat next to his beloved, one Vincent Valentine.

Vincent possessed long flowing raven hair to his mid back, just a bit longer than Yazoo's, and was gifted with striking crimson eyes that could bore searing holes into the most shrewd businessman's ego as much as they could warm his Yazoo's heart. The silver haired youth anxiously slipped his hand, which had grown rather sweaty, into his lover's, feeling apprehensive about what was to come. They were going to have a nice family breakfast with Yazoo's family. A nice family breakfast that included his brother Sephiroth, who Yazoo hadn't seen since he was hauled off to a mental institution the previous year on the boy's last night at the Golden Lotus, the most posh, glamorous bordello of the Red Light District in town.

He had no idea what to expect from today, no idea...

"Are you all right?" Vincent asked quietly,allowing his eyes to stray from the road for a moment, as he squeezed his beloved´s slightly trembling hand. Quite frankly, he wasn´t happy about this meeting; he hated Sephiroth´s guts and would rather not have the two meet, but he didn´t want to upset Yazoo. It was hard enough for him already... Still, Vincent tried his luck, saying casually and with sympathy, "If you'd rather not go, we don´t have to..."

The sun was shining through the impeccable front window as the black Mercedes slowed a bit, ready to turn around if Yazoo said so, the gravel crunching beneath the heavy wheels.

Yazoo squeezed the hand in his and looked up with adoration at his lover's face, "No, it's fine, I'm alright, just a bit nervous... I can't back out on this one, but if it doesn't go well, we don't have to see him again for a while."

The silver haired youth knew that this was not something his lover would like to be doing with his day, and it was so kind of Vincent to come along and be with him. Frankly, he needed the support. He didn't trust himself yet to be in Big Brother's presence and just be cool. He had been that night, when Brother had pushed the envelope as far as it would go, but that was adrenaline. Could Yazoo keep that up? He knew he was capable of standing on his own two feet and had on many occasions with Brother, so he mentally reminded himself that he could handle anything, both alone and especially now with his beloved by his side.

Vincent just nodded and with an inward sigh, drove into the front yard. He turned off the engine and gathered himself, relaxing his dark features into a neutral expression. He was set on being polite but he certainly would maintain his distance and if Hewley junior did only so much as throw Yazoo an awkward look, he´d be a bloody smear all over the garden!

Inwardly shaking his head, Vincent leaned over to place a sweet kiss onto Yazoo lips. He wasn´t prone to violence, usually, and he was a pretty calm and collected guy, but some people just drove him right beyond his limits of the tolerable.

"Very well, let´s do this. If you feel uncomfortable we will leave right away. I´m here for you, don´t you worry. We can do this." he whispered into Yazoo´s ear, placing a quick kiss there too, before he straightened because Angeal Hewley, new old lord of the manor was coming down the stairs to greet them already.

"Welcome, welcome!" the older gentleman approached with a smile on his face, arms outstretched as if wanting to hug his middle child, but he stiffened as he saw Yazoo look at him blankly. The nobleman had forgotten that this look, which most Hewleys used in guarded defense, had become Yazoo's standard expression, or non-expression, over the last years, at least during his time at the Golden Lotus. He was taken even more aback when his child did move to hug him gently and gave him a small smile.

"Hello Father," Yazoo replied gently, "how are you this morning?"

It wasn't the Yazoo he had first met, of course. That was a serious misunderstanding when the boy had turned on the charms to seduce a perfect stranger for his work. Now that they really knew each other, his son was more guarded, as if wary that his father might leave or disappoint them all again. Sighing, Angeal knew that he could ask for no more than this, though Yazoo was always pleasant and considerate with him, especially since that day Vincent and Angeal had freed him from the Golden Lotus a year ago. It was getting better all the time too, so the dark, bronze-skinned man knew he must be patient and accepting.

"Doing well, can't complain, thank you, and you, my child?" He said, feeling moved to lay a hand on Yazoo's shoulder, and after a second of mental debate, he decidedly did so, a bit hesitantly, as if he were afraid his child would bite him... but that had only been the one time and Angeal couldn't say he hadn't deserved it.

"I am very well, thank you..." Yazoo graciously answered, and out of habit, he didn't tell his father the part about his nerves, only instantly remembering Angeal's past 'stiff upper lip' policy.

"You sure?" Angeal bent his head down to look into those emerald cat eyes seriously.

Yazoo smirked, feeling like Angeal thought he was five again and had read his mind somehow. "I am fine, but a bit nervous maybe... Is he...?" Yazoo didn't know what to ask. Was his big brother alright? Was he stable? Feeling good and sane today?

"He seems quite well actually. He is nothing like that night. He seems quite humble and happy to be home and I know he will be glad to see you, Yazoo." Angeal squeezed Yazoo's shoulder, then ruffled silver hair, which Yazoo immediately ran his hand through afterwards, but the smirk remained, and the boy squeezed his lover's hand.

Angeal's gaze shifted to Yazoo's lover, "Vincent, how are you today?" He reached out to clap a hand on Vincent's arm, offering the other one to shake.

"I am good, thank you. You look well," Vincent offered. He found the exchange between his boyfriend and Angeal quite amusing, actually. He could tell that the older man was trying hard to be a good father now, to make up for all the mistakes of the past... and compared to his own parents, Angeal did an amazing job. Vincent´s mother was still not talking to him, and had tried to push her husband into disowning her son, but Grimoire Valentine was a much more 'patient' man; he was sitting it out, hoping Vincent would come around soon enough and discard Yazoo. This was not going to happen of course, but as long as his father still payed the bills... It wouldn´t be needed soon enough, because Vincent was highly educated himself, and they wouldn´t need their parents' hospitality anymore once they were set.

"Shall we?" Vincent finally asked, his hand supportively lying on the small of Yazoo´s back. He´d rather get this over with sooner than later...

"Quiche? Again?" Kadaj asked, with a bit of a petulant tone, "... this is awfully familiar..." He poked at it with his fork.

Loz sighed, resigned, but then rushed over to loom behind Kadaj's chair, swooping that little neck up in a super-noogie.

"Yes! And you will like it, squirt! It went over rather well last time, but this time, I have added cheddar cheese to yours, Dajy, and there is a special cheddar portion for anyone else who would prefer it," he said, glancing around, remembering his table manners and releasing the squirming boy, whose noises of protest had surpassed dining table etiquette a good moment ago.

"What goes on here?" Angeal looked stern, but his eyes were smiling and the tone to his voice was warm. "No horseplay within five feet of the table please." He had all but given up trying to stifle them into the orderly order he would have expected long ago. Indeed, Angeal didn't truly feel like he had earned full parental authority back yet, especially with Sephiroth sitting at the table as well, but he would never give any clues to his eldest son that he felt that way.

Yazoo rounded the corner to see a guilty-looking Loz and a snickering Kadaj, who pulled his chair up next to Genesis and.... For a moment, Yazoo's heart stopped.

"Hello Br-... Sephiroth."

He tried to call his big brother by the name everyone else called him. He was advised by the hospital specialists that worked on his brother's case that Yazoo should think on things that would remind the eldest of their time together, and cease all references to them, at least until they were certain that Sephiroth was stable enough that he wouldn't be set off by any emotional triggers. A rather strong attendant in white stood by in wait, but his posture was nothing like that of the bodyguards at the Lotus. Instead, it was as if he wanted to remind Sephiroth he was there in a non-threatening capacity, though the energy he put off had a bit of a coercive surveillance tone to it.

Vincent´s eyes immediately settled on the long haired, former lord of the manor as they entered through the kitchen into the sunbathed garden; he couldn´t help it. He was so very suspicious and he wouldn´t take any chances.

The redhead was with him, affectionately laying his hand on the other man´s arm, quietly asking something, apparently, but Sephiroth just shook his head slightly.

He did look... different.

The shadows under his eyes had lightened, and his pale, almost waxy skin color seemed much more healthy now. His eyes were strangely dull, and his movements seemed slow and a bit sluggish. He was on drugs, probably - or at least Vincent hoped so. Maybe it was just the sharp edge of crazy having vanished from his bright, green orbs, but Vincent didn´t want to think that. The redhead -Genesis- looked up at them, a small smile, that appeared a bit anxious brightening his features, but he didn´t say anything, keeping in the background for now. Still Vincent noticed the supportive and calming gesture with which Genesis held Sephiroth´s shoulder. They seemed familiar with each other; maybe they were together or something. Vincent didn´t know, but it was a relieving thought. Not that it´d make the aristocrat lower his guard, though. Never with this man.

Sephiroth´s eyes shifted up as well, and they settled on Yazoo almost hesitantly. For a moment, time seemed to stop and it was as if everyone was holding their breath. The atmosphere was so very tense that even the birds in the trees and the bees in the high grass had ceased singing and humming, or that was at least the impression Vincent was under. Then the moment passed however, when Sephiroth opened his mouth, and said in that deep and calm voice of his, "Hello." Just this one word, nothing more, and then he averted his eyes in obvious discomfort.

Yazoo relaxed visibly when he was sure Sephiroth was no longer looking at him and assumed a seat beside Angeal which Vincent pulled out for him. He loved that, in spite of how comfortable they had grown with each other, his beloved wasn't any less courteous than he had been from day one; in fact, he was a bit moreso. He was seated directly across from Kadaj and Genesis and he tried not to look at his brother too often. Yazoo was a bit unsettled by the way things felt, but really, could he expect anything different? He was lucky his brother even acknowledged him today at all.

Fortunately, Angeal was the one seated directly across from Sephiroth and Vincent was across from Loz, so his beloved would have adult company that was not Sephiroth's, thank Shiva. Kadaj tended to ask Vincent strange questions, like if he went out in the daytime much. The boy seemed surprised to see him here today as if Vincent's skin would melt in the sun. It was absurd of course, Kadaj had only ever seen the spectral beauty in bright daylight. Yazoo noticed that he was staring.

"Kadaj," he said, a bit awkwardly, "do you like your quiche?"

Not having taken a bite yet, his fork frozen halfway, his mouth open, Kadaj remembered himself at once and shoveled it in unceremoniously before adopting his table manners once again. "Yes, it is very good, Yazzy, thank you."

"Good," Yazoo smirked at him, his hand finding Vincent's knee under the tablecloth, giving it a squeeze.

Genesis smirked at the boys and then faced his own plate. Kadaj had grown a lot during the last year, not only physically, but emotionally as well. In the redhead´s eyes, he was still a brat, but he had matured and he was still frequenting the Golden Lotus. Genesis had his own suspicions as to why Kadaj did that, and they included a certain blond, but he wasn´t much up to date as to what was going on. When the redhead didn´t work, he spent all his time with Sephiroth at the hospital, so he hadn´t even gotten to know the new top floor prostitutes that much. Not that he cared, he was the top whore now and had nothing to fear from a bunch of kids...

Also, his priorities had changed, quite remarkably so. His own career and well-being weren´t that important any longer; spending time with the man he loved and seeing him make progress, every day a little more, was what counted.

And Sephiroth had gotten better, in a way. The more he realized what exactly he had done, the more he became aware of the guilt that weighted down on his shoulders though. The others may not see it, but Genesis knew that today, this very moment, was very, very hard on Sephiroth. The man had come to acknowledge his mistakes and now he was confronted by all of them at once, wrapped up in the beautiful form of his brother sitting at the other side of the table...

"Are you not hungry?" Genesis softly asked into Sephiroth´s direction, his voice low, because he didn´t want to attract attention. Sephiroth hadn´t lifted a finger yet, just kept staring at his plate as if he was in a trance or deep in thought, but then he just shook his head again and wordlessly started to eat small bits of his quiche.

Genesis inwardly sighed, and turned towards Yazoo, asking with a small, cocky smirk, "And how are you doing? Missing work?"

He professionally ignored the dark look Yazoo´s stuck-up boyfriend shot him. Yes, he could understand why Kadaj thought him to be an undead blood sucker, that guy was far too gloomy to be real...

Yazoo smirked back, unfazed, "Mm, no, not really, Gen, but I hear you are sensational there. Great work! But then... you always were." He winked at Genesis appreciatively, remembering that certain allure that Genesis had that attracted practically everyone.

Kadaj was eyeing Genesis' hand on their big brother's arm suspiciously. He had felt like Genesis was with Big Brother now, but that didn't stop him from giving Genesis the eye every now and again either, only he wouldn't allow Big Brother to see...

Not that Sephiroth's attentions were too focused these days and there simply wasn't the same commanding presence there used to be. Hm, Big Brother might really be sick then... When he had asked Sephiroth why he was sick, the first time he had only visited the manor, everyone had looked at him strangely and he retracted his question when Big Brother only looked at him... clearly unsure of what to say. Sephiroth was never unclear on what to say!

"Here we are! Hope you all like crepes! And chocolate cake of course, Yazzy!" Loz returned from the kitchen, hands full with two crepe trays, followed by Betty, who held a very rich looking chocolate cake for Yazoo.

"Thank you, Loz." At first, Yazoo answered awkwardly. This was a trigger, and Loz had unknowingly pulled it. How could he have known though? It was a tradition for them now to have chocolate cake for Yaz when he came home to visit, but before... Before it had always been Sephiroth who had brought and fed him cake. He shifted uncomfortably in his seat and watched the teasing confection, longing for it but unsure how openly he should desire it. Everyone else however knew his desire plainly, as usual.

"Hm, thank you, Loz," Angeal piped up as the second child sat down to serve himself up some breakfast while Betty began to refresh the family's drinks.

After eyeing the crepes suspiciously as well, Kadaj chirped, "Ooh! Can I have some cake too, Yazzy?" Already though, he was reaching for a piece.

"Of course," Yazoo smiled, but he only worked on finishing his quiche and fruit, trying to downplay the cake as best he could this time.

If Sephiroth was fazed by the appearance of the cake, he didn´t show it. Actually, he didn´t show much at all, Vincent found, and it unnerved him. They were sitting here, feeling weird and awkward and it was all Sephiroth´s fault, wasn´t it? They were tiptoeing around the man that had caused them so much grief, trying to be understanding and considerate when, in Vincent´s eyes, Sephiroth deserved none of it.

Delicately pushing his food around, the dark haired aristocrat therefore looked up, his eyes steely and his voice laced just with the faintest hint of tight annoyance, when he outright spoke to Sephiroth.

"And how have you been doing?"

At the question, it felt like a silent gasp was going around the table and everyone froze in their actions. Beside him, Yazoo visibly stiffened, and Vincent almost regretted his bold approach.

Sephiroth however just calmly looked up, replying, "I think I am getting better, thank you."

Genesis shot Vincent a glare of his own, but the dark haired man ignored it.

"And how have you been doing?" Sephiroth asked, making polite, civilized conversation that seemed a bit off, given the circumstances. Genesis was still very proud of his... boyfriend. Well, they hadn´t had any sex and not even another kiss, but they had started something on a deeper, emotional level and bit by bit, Sephiroth was letting him in... The question was also directed at Yazoo, the redhead noticed, as Sephiroth forced his eyes on his brother as well, before they drifted off between the couple.

"I am doing very well, thank you," Yazoo smiled warmly, when he realized it and he beloved didn't answer but he held back any excessive enthusiasm. Sephiroth had hurt him and he didn't trust Big Brother with his true feelings right now. This was so uncomfortable, but really, they were trying.

"Have you been home very long?" He refrained from calling him 'Sephiroth' again, it was just too weird.

Kadaj was watching the two of them the way he would watch a tennis match.

"Only a few weeks," Sephiroth replied, very well aware that all eyes were on him. Maybe that hadn´t been such a good idea after all, to come here... Straightening his back a bit, the silver haired man added calmly, "I am glad you are good," before he reached for his glass of water (no more alcohol for him, or so his therapist had said,) noticing the encouraging, warm smile from Genesis from the corner of his eye. His other spotted the hostile, narrow-eyed glare from Valentine, but there was nothing to be done about it, so Sephiroth ignored it.

"...I am glad you are good too." Yazoo couldn't help the happy smile that crossed his lips now. Brother really was trying to get better. It took a lot of courage to come here actually, where he had hurt and angered so many. Slipping his fingertips underneath Vincent's slim thigh, Yazoo finished his meal, looking forward to that cake a little bit more now.

Loz wasn't paying Sephiroth any mind right now whatsoever. He was still very hurt by all that had happened, and he was taking his pal Tseng's advice, not giving him any more time nor attention until he was ready, if ever. Even though Sephiroth had been more of a father than Angeal had been before he came back, the eldest had lost their trust and treated Loz like something beneath his lofty notice. Now Loz felt that it was time that the eldest got some of the same treatment back for a while at least until the second child got his head together.

Angeal cleared his throat and tried to make conversation, "So Vincent, I hear you have contacts in the oil business now?" Unfortunately, he picked a stodgy topic that wasn't over anyone's head necessarily; it was simply not one that would engage too many other people. Kadaj sectioned off a piece of cake with his fork, holding it up to Genesis' mouth, "Want some?"

What could he do? He was bored.

"I have my own cake, but thank you," Genesis refused the offer, but he did spare the boy a quick wink, as he added, "You should have brought Cloud, I´m sure he´d have been delighted to have your cake."

It should be enough to keep the runt occupied, he´d be busy hiding his blush.

Sephiroth had just nodded at Yazoo´s words and gone back to eating his quiché, appearing like a bystander and out of the picture. He was ignored and barely tolerated by half of the people sitting around the table, and who could blame them? While Vincent and Angeal started their boring conversation about some guy named Wallace, Sephiroth´s watch gave a tiny beep, and the man stood, the male nurse behind him discreetly moving. It was time for Sephiroth´s meds, and Genesis half-stood as well, murmuring, "Do you need help?"

Sephiroth dismissed it with another shaking of his head, "No, I am fine. I will be right back." He left the table with a brief, apologetic nod, to go to his room and take his various pills that would deal with his depression and whatnot.

They had opened a can of worms once they had started to treat him and there was still so very much they would have to deal with... The cool, dark hall soothed the silver haired man´s eyes, as they were not yet used to the bright light outside and once he was back in his room, he heavily sat down on the bed, the nurse waiting just outside to check on him in case... Well, Sephiroth had no idea what they expected him to do, it wasn´t like he was going to run amok or something.

Outside Kadaj reached for his orange juice, embarrassed, trying to pretend like Genesis hadn't just mentioned Cloud in front of everyone. They had been writing letters back and forth and the correspondence had taken a somewhat more... intimate turn. It was beginning to delve into feelings Kadaj knew almost nothing about, though he knew very well Genesis knew everything. He had seen as much with his own eyes. When Kadaj had asked Angeal if he would explain things to him, Angeal had simply cleared his throat and changed the subject. How was he supposed to learn for himself if no one would tell him anything?

The glass slipped from his fingertips though and splashed over the fine white linen tablecloth. Horrified, Kadaj couldn't look at anyone, he had just been humiliated beyond anything he had ever experienced in like, ever! Only a couple of seconds passed before he heard Yazoo gasp in surprise as the cold juice flowed over into the middle child's lap and he stood up reflexively.

"I'm... sorry," his face was completely hidden by his hair now to hide his shame.

"It's alright, Dajy," Yazoo said after a moment. "I always keep extra clothes here anyway." He reached for Kadaj's hand, leading him away from the table. "Excuse us please," he smiled at his beloved and the others before he led him into the house. "Don't worry about that, Kadaj. These things happen, really..." He didn't quite understand how Kadaj felt as a teen trying to project a cool grown-up image, but he did understand feeling severely out of your element and the desire to just try to fit in and be accepted. He had felt that way himself when he had first gone to work at the Lotus actually. The girls there were very competitive and Yazoo had found when he simply stopped caring, that things flowed much more naturally. It didn't take him very long either to figure this out. He simply realized that he was never going to be just like anyone else... and he never quite understood why, but now that his past had been brought to light, he realized why he had little in common with most people. "You go freshen up and I will see you out there."

"O-Okay..." Kadaj felt free to hug his brother now that they were alone. He had just blown his more mature stature out of the water, but Yazoo's words soothed him a bit anyway and he gave a small smile before he ran off to his room.

Yazoo found a rather plain black pullover and pants, which fit him very well, and wasn't like anything he would wear for work before leaving his room. As he entered the hallway, he saw Sephiroth's shadow moving about in his new room. Yazoo would not go in there. It was clear why the eldest wasn't allowed in his own room and Yazoo had not gone back in either. Too many memories, and being alone with Big Brother in a bedroom... Perhaps it would not hurt to talk a bit when Big Brother came out. The attendant had come inside with him after all and the man knew the situation, so it was worth a try...

Walking out of the shadowy hallway, to the grand staircase above the entrance hall, where it was open and there were no dark corners, Yazoo awaited his brother.

tbc

So, what do you think? Like it, hate it? We´d love to know!