Taming the Lion

It hurts.

The sun is setting ever so slowly, coloring the mountains in a fiery orange. But I barely notice any of it. Propped against a rock, out of sight of prying eyes, I clutch my thighs.

It hurts so much.

What has happened here? To the Sanctuary I love and which is my home? The change has come slowly, creeping. Once, the cradle of Athena's Saints had been filled with good vibes and eager trainees going about their daily training. Now, however, it is filled with countless cries of pain – and even death. I've seen it. Young men, with heavy stones tied to their waists, climbing a steep rock wall. And those who lost their grip, fell to their death. Impaled on stone spikes.

For some reason, the trainers have begun to speak of strenght, and of eradicating weakness. Whoever showed any sign of what they perceived as weakness, the punishment was severe. Something that two years ago would have been unimaginable to me

Even at my young age, I sense that something is wrong.

I myself have an afternoon of brutal beating behind me. A Silver Saint has taken over the training of a group of us female trainees. And his methods… they're brutal, to say it mildly. He called each one of us forward to a sparring match, and with glee beat each and everyone of us to a pulp. The stonger ones of our group might have had a chance to fend him off. However… he had worn his Cloth.

After the training, I had just managed to get away and hide behind a large boulder before my strenght gave out. Now, my body is still hurting all over, and I know exactly that by tomorrow, I am going to have some large and very nasty bruises.

„Damn it…"

I don't even have the strenght to get up and get to my cabin. Do I really have to stay out here tonight? It is warm, yes, but sitting against a rock is not the most comfortable of ways to sleep.

It is then I hear a noise. Metallic footsteps. The soft rustling of fabric in the wind.

I curl into a ball. This is a Saint approaching. And only the gods knew what is going to happen to me if any of them find me here, on the ground like this, in an obvious display of weakness.

The footsteps get closer. My entire body shivers in fear of the punishment. Oh Athena, why are you allowing this? Why are you putting your servants through such agony? Are you testing our resolve?

When the footsteps halt for a moment, my heart gives a little leap. Have I been noticed? I pray to all of the gods that I haven't.

A second later, the footsteps approach me. I close my eyes. So that's it then. I am set for a world of pain out of which I don't even now I'll ever come out again.

The Saint rounds the boulder, and when I see gold flashing in the light of the setting sun, a sense of resignation comes over me. I sigh inwardly.

A Gold Saint. It couldn't have gotten worse. Now I guess it needs my for me to get away with my life.

„Hey… are you okay?"

The question and the concern in the voice are not at all what I expected. Surprised, I look up.

The Gold Saint who found me is Leo Aiolia. He's about three years older than me, yet he already carries such a heavy burden. His brother, the once highly admired Sagittarius Gold Saint Aiolos, had tried to kill Athena two years ago. The shadow of that treason was lying on Aiolia ever since then. A boy at only eight years of age.

When in my bewilderment I fail to answer, Aiolia sighs, walks over and kneels down next to me, inspecting my injuries.

„That looks nasty", he remarks calmly. „Who did it?"

Again I hesitate. I've seen what happened to others who tried to report their superiors' cruel behaviour.

Aiolia sighs a second time. „You can be honest with me. I won't punish you for anything you say, nor will I tell you off. It was your trainer, wasn't it?"

I actually struggle to keep my jaw from dropping.

It is known that Aiolia is trying to make up for his brother's treason. That he tries everything he can to prove he's no traitor. Because of that, he sticks to the rules absolutely and chastises those who break them. So of course I thought he was going to report me or punish me severely on the spot.

But even at my young age, I feel that I can believe him.

I nod in response to his question. „Y-yes… it was him."

Aiolia closes his eyes for a moment. Then he stands and scoops me up from the ground.

„What was he thinking?", the Leo Saint murmurs as he starts walking, me in his arms. „Yes, us Saints need to be strong. But this is just cruelty."

I stare into his sapphire blue eyes, which he kept fixed on the path ahead.

Could it be… could it be that despite everything going in Sanctuary and that has happened to him… that despite all that, he had been able to retain some goodness and humanity in his heart?

I wake in the gloom of my cabin. Sleepily rubbing my eyes, I recall what I just had been dreaming.

For some reason, I had that dream about that day from years ago several times during the past two weeks. Why, I have no idea.

As I start my day, memories of my time as trainee play before my eyes, woken by the dream of the past. It had been a cruel and a harsh time – but one that in the end had paid off. Today, I am the Volans Silver Saint, and one of the strongest in my rank, besting even many of my male comrades.

During the day, I supervise the training of some Bronze Saints. Fortunately, after Athena reclaimed Sanctuary from the usurpor Saga, the old cruel ways have been abolished.I mysel do my best to be unlike those who trained me, and to lead by example, not by fear or violence. There is a lot of rebuilding to do in Sanctuary, and many new Saints to train. However, I am very happy to be able to make the new Sanctuary a better place. Like Athena always meant it to be.

Has it really been only a week since then?

My thoughts wander to Aiolia. For him, it has been a particularly turmoiled time. Especially since it has been revealed that his brother had never been a traitor, but instead had saved Athena's life at the cost of his own.

How is he feeling right now? I hope he's fine, but I guess I can't even begin to fathom what he's gone through. Heck, it hasn't even been easy for the rest of us to digest thirteen years of deception.

Until today, I have left him mostly alone. I know that he needed some time to himself, to get over it all. But today, I decide to pay him a visit. I'm certain that any more of solitary brooding won't do him any good. Actually I am a tiny bit worried for him – despite knowing how strong he is mentally and physically.

When late afternoon arrives, I end the training. Back at my cabin, I freshen myself and have a little dinner. After that, I head for the Twelve Palaces.

Of the first four temples, only two remain occupied. Aries Mu and Taurus Aldebaran greet me friendly enough when I ask for passage through their temples. I don't know Mu too well; he had returned from his self-imposed exile in Jamir just prior to the battle. Aldebaran, on the other hand, had always been one of the kindest Gold Saints. He greets me with a big grin, which I can't help but reply.

Then come Gemini and Cancer. I hurry through both of them. On the Third House, the deeds and absence of its guardian lie like a heavy blanket. And Cancer… I have always dreaded this place with its innumerable death masks everywhere. Cancer Deathmask, the late Cancer Gold Saint, was one of the most cruel persons I have ever known. I'm glad he's gone now.

Then, finally, the Fifth House appears above me.

I find Aiolia standing in front of it, his hair and white cloak flapping in the strong wind. The sun's last rays gleam on his armor and his hair. In this light, he almost seems to glow golden.

For a moment, my steps falter. Like that, he looks like an ancient sun god. Like Helios or Apollo.

He is staring into the distance. But after a few moments, he must have sensed my presence, because his sapphire blue eyes suddenly meet mine and he smiles at me.

„Ah, it's you. Good evening."

„Hey there, Aiolia."

His smile is as bright as always. However, I have known him too long for him to fool me. I can sense that the storm beneath that happy exterior hasn't calmed yet.

I stand next to him, and together we look down at the landscape spreading out in front of us. Neither of us talks. Instead, we enjoy each other's presence in silence for a while.

„How are you, Aiolia?", I eventually break the silence.

The Leo Saint gives me another of his warm smiles that make me feel all fuzzy inside.

„I'm better than I've been in years. Besides, Athena has returned and Sanctuary is finally at peace. Could it get any better?"

I study him closely. He is telling me the truth, but not all of it.

At my expectant silence, he lifts an eyebrow. „What?"

I resist punching him in the shoulder. With the Leo Cloth covering him, I'd rather hurt myself than him. Instead I grab his arm and pull at it. „Come now, Aiolia. If I know you, you've been standing guard here for hours without any break. Take a rest now. You won't do anyone any good if you overexert yourself."

„But I'm not…"

„No buts from you, sir. I know you too well."

He sighs in a defeated way that almost makes me laugh. „Guilty as charged. Alright, alright. I'm coming."

Minutes later, we sit in what passes as living room of the Fifth House. A servant brings us two steaming cups of tea.

„So tell me, Aiolia", I say after a first sip. „How are you really?"

He raises an eyebrow at me, but I can see a shadow flash through his eyes. „I told you before, I'm great. After all, my brother…"

That's enough. With a bang, I put the cup back on the table and glare at him angrily.

„How much longer do you intend to eat it all in? Stop acting tough for once!"

Something flashed in his eyes that I cannot clearly describe. But he doesn't say a single word. Instead, he simply stares at me.

I sigh, stand, walk over to him, bend down and slap my hand against his cheek. I lock my eyes with his and gaze deeply into them.

„Look", I continue in a softer tone. It's important he understands. „I worry about you, just as much as your brother would. You won't do any good if you push yourself to the point of collapse. I understand if you are in turmoil, though I won't tell you that I understand how you feel. I don't. However, you have to stand up and take over the task your brother left to you."

It's probably unfair of me to play the brother card on Aiolia. And he promptly throws me a dark glance. However, I just can't think of any other way of getting my point through to him.

He doesn't say a word.

I sigh and stand up. „You silly, stubborn lion." With that, I walk over to him and embrace him tightly. His head rests on my chest. After a few moments, he lifts his arms and embraces me as well – tightly.

It's this embrace that makes me realise how much he really needed it. How much he needed someone to hold on to.

And this embrace also tells me how much he cares for me. A small part of my heart melts. I knew he cared for me, but having confirmation of it still gives me a warm feeling.

For a long while, we remain like that, drawing strenght from our closeness. I want him to know that I am there for him whenever he needs me. Because I know that beneath his tough exterior, there lies a deeply hurt soul.

When he says my name, there is a tenderness in his voice that I've never heard there before. Then he adds in a quiet tone: „Thank you so much. For staying with me. And for believing in my brother and me even when I didn't. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you."

By. The. Gods. I really don't know what to reply to that. All I can do is to hug him even tighter.

Aiolia looks up at me. When his blue eyes meet mine, a jolt courses through my body. They're so full of emotions. And there's something in them that I've never seen them before. A… hunger of sorts. I can't think of any other word to describe it. It even frightens me a tiny bit.

„Aiolia…"

Something inside me seems to react to that gaze. So, when he slowly lifts a hand and removes my mask, I don't resist it. Never mind that law which forces a female Saint to either love or kill the man who sees her face. For me, it isn't even a choice. Because I already know the answer.

The Leo Saint studies my face for a long while. Then he lifts a hand and gently traces a finger along the lines of my jaw. A shiver runs through my body at his touch.

„You're so beautiful", he whispers. Right. He never has seen my face ever before, as we both had stuck to the rules.

The compliment pulls at a string that had never been pulled before. My heart begins to beat a little faster with joy. Happiness even. After all, the man I admire has called me beautiful.

Admire? As Aiolia's lips meet mine in a brief kiss, I wonder if that's all there is to it. But when has admiration turned into something more?

Ever since that day he found me injured in the rain, we have been close to each other, comforting, supporting one another. We have been there for each other, the only ones we could tell each other's innermost thoughts and pains. I always imagined it to be what having a brother must feel like. Someone closer to you than anyone else, someone you could just talk about anything with. Two hurt children, clinging to one another.

I can't even tell when our sentiments had started to change. All I know is that it has grown far beyond simple affection.

It's become love.

That thought makes me pause. However, it's undeniable: I've actually fallen in love with Aiolia. Without me even noticing. Not only me, but Aiolia seems to have grown stronger feelings for me as well. And to my surprise, I feel the same hunger inside me that I've seen in Aiolia's eyes.

I don't resist it. Instead, I lean forward and give a kiss myself, feeling more daring than ever before. Heat slowly begins to spread through my body as our tongues played with each other. And somehow, the two of us understand each other without any words. We know what the other wants – and it's exactly the same.

„Let's go somewhere more comfortable", he says in an oddly husky voice.

I nod, incapable of any words in this moment. Aiolia takes my hand and gently pulls me along. I follow willingly.

The farther we walk, the more the heat and excitement inside me grow. We were really going to do it. It, which we both have craved for who knows how long. The mere imagination of Aiolia's bronze skin lying bare in front of me makes my heart go faster.

On our way, we meet barely any servants, which is just as well. Finally we reach the door to his bedchamber. I've been here only a handful of times, visiting when Aiolia had been injured. So I recognise the hallways and the wooden door in front of which we end up.

Aiolia pushes it open and we head inside.

Once the door closes behind us, I can feel Aiolia's Cosmos ignite. He seems to have sealed the door so nobody can get inside. And no sooner than that's done, Aiolia cups my face with his hands and kisses me again. Hungrier than before. His fingers slide down my neck, along my shoulders, begin to undo buttons and strings that hold my clothes. I do the same, loosening his belt and pulling at the leather that's covering his torso.

We break the kiss and almost impatiently get rid of our clothes. We then pause, taking in the view of each other. After all, this is the first time we see each other completely naked. Yes, I have seen him without shirt before, have been able to marvel at his muscular, broad chest and belly. Now however, I can finally have a look at him in his entire glory. And my opinion that he looks like a Greek god is only cemented. His arms and legs are as muscular and chiseled as his chest. Strenght forged through years of training. Then, with cheeks burning, I lower my eyes.

Wow… His member proudly presents itself, standing upright like a soldier at attention. And it's big, too. As perfect as everything else on Aiolia's body.

My musings are interrupted when the Leo Saint gently traces a finger across my breast. From here his skin touches mine, a pleasant shiver is sent through my body.

„So beautiful", he repeats his earlier words in a low voice.

I admit that I am relieved hearing him say that. I haven't been naked in front of a man ever before, and it looks like subconsciously I've been worried he wouldn't want me. Wouldn't find me looking pretty enough. Well, that worry is now proven unwarranted.

Aiolia's lips find mine again and locked together like that, we stumble towards the bed.

As soon as I feel the wood against my skin, I let myself fall backwards. Aiolia's lips detatch from mine, but the Leo Saint follows me. He looms over me, hands planted next to my head.

He looks so gorgeous, hovering over me like that. My eyes lock with his. They were so blue… blue as the Agaean Sea, with a fire burning just beneath the surface.

A fire that burns its way right into me. Beneath his gaze and the caress of his fingers that explore each curve an of my body, I simply melt. My hands are on exploration themselves, streaking across his firm chest and tense muscles. I can feel the power brimming just beneath the skin.

Another heated, passionate kiss. For a moment, Aiolia's eyes seem to turn golden and his pupils become vertical slits. What was this? A hallucination? It happened so fast that I can't tell for sure. But I can sense a wildness and strenght in Aiolia, so that for a second, the image of a lion flashes before my eyes. He is, after all, the Leo Saint.

The heat of his body joins the one of mine, an the room seems to gradually grow warmer. With every stroke of his fingers and every touch of his lips against my skin, my body seems to become hotter and hotter.

When his fingers streak across my abdomen, and even lower from there, a feeling begins to form between my legs I can't even describe. It makes me squirm like nothing before.

Aiolia's movements become somewhat impatient, I too feel how the lust inside me is building to a point where it's getting unbearable. Wetness begins to spread between my legs, too. I've never done this before, but I know what I want.

„Aiolia", I beg him. „Please. Do it now."

The Leo Saint hesitates for the slightest of moments, as if he was unsure wether he should proceed or not. Right, this is as new for him as for me. But then he grins, leans forward and nibbles at my ear.

The he lowers his body, and for the first time, I feel his hard member press against my core. When he teasingly moves his hips so it slides across my clit the wave of lust and heat makes me moan loudly.

„You ready?", he whispers into my ear.

By the gods, I am more than ready. „Yes", I manage to say. „Please. I want you inside me." In anticipation, I spread my legs as wide as possible.

Aiolia doesn't need a second invitation. The tip of his member touches against my entrance. With a swift movement, he pushes inside me.

An involuntary cry escapes my lips and my back arches upwards. It is a cry of both pleasure and pain. Aiolia had pushed in so hard, that he had broken my maidenhead. And my inner muscles protested against being spread so unusually wide so suddenly.

Luckily Aiolia waits, not moving an inch until I had accustomed. I love him even more now. And… I love how it feels when his member filling me. So, so good.

When I begin to squirm a little, he asks: „You okay?"

„Y-yeah."

More words aren't needed. The Leo Saint begins to move. Pulls back, but not entirely out of me. Pushes in again. Pulls out. Pushes in. My body adapts to his rhythm, rising to meet his. I want to take him in as deeply as possible.

Everytime he pushes in, his member touches a spot inside my core that makes stars explode in front of my eyes. I notice that everytime it happens, I make a strange, whimpering sound. Even through the building lust, I feel ashamed.

But Aiolia just smiles. „It's cute when you make that sound."

I don't even have time to process those words. The Leo Saint has gradually increased the speed of his movements. Now he picks up an almost wild pace, his hips rising and lowering rapidly. My body can't even keep up anymore. I can only lie beneath him as he pumps away.

With every push, he seems to enter even deeper. The knot of lust between my legs grows and grows, and before my eyes, an actual firework explodes. By the gods. Aiolia truly lives up to his constellation. For the briefest of moments, the thought crosses my mind wether I ought to be afraid of him. All this leonine wildness exploding out of him… But I let things happen. Even if Aiolia's love turns out to be a bit rough, it is still love. And I know that he would never willingly, actually hurt me. I also have a feeling that I am perhaps the only one who can handle it. So I sling my legs around his hips, open as wide as I can and take him in deeper and deeper. Take all that wildness of his. All the emotions he had contained for years. When Aiolia leans down to nibble at my neck, a growl escapes his lips. A primal sound that reverberate straight down to my bones.

A lion's growl.

Suddenly, the sensation begins to change subtly. It grows step-wise, with every push of Aiolia's member.

„Nh… ngh… ah… A-Aiolia… Aiolia!"

I fall. The orgasm washes through me with thundering force. My back arches more than before, and a deep, long, guttural moan escapes my mouth. My inner walls convulse as they never had before. I hadn't even known they could do that.

Aiolia doesn't delay too much. As the waves of the orgasm run through me, he too comes. Hot semen fills me. And as his member twitches, releasing its load, my inner walls respond. As the waves of the orgasm intensify once more, we ride them together to the end. I can even sense his cum beginning drip out of me because he fills me up to the brim.

When it's over, Aiolia withdraws with a wet sound. Panting, we lie next to each other. The Leo Saint suddenly reaches over and whipes a strand of hair out of my sweat-covered face. He smiles. There's still a fire in his eyes, but is has dimmed, isn't as wild as before.

As for myself, I feel a bit sore between my legs. But it's a good kind of sore. One I don't mind at all.

„Do you… feel better now?", I get out through my panting.

„Yeah." He kisses my forehead. „Thank you."

A weak grin curves my lips upwards. „That was… incredible, Aiolia."

„Back at you."

„Aiolia?"

„Hm?"

„… I love you. Don't ever leave me."

A short, warm laugh. And a hand that streaks across my hair. „I love you too. We belong to each other. Forever."

„Forever."

And that is a promise.

Author's note: Yay! Finally another chapter done! After Aiolos, I thought I might as well do his brother next. Those two sexy, sexy brothers. Also, the idea came rather easily, so I just went along and let the words flow. I hope you enjoy!

Who'll be next I don't know yet. Currently in work are stories for Shaka and the Gemini twins. With Shaka's, I'm much farther, so he might well be the next. Oh, and votes are still open. So, if you want a certain story done as quickly as possible, just vote for the corresponding Saint. I'll get to work on the name I read the most.

Read ya!