Author note: Even someone as even tempered as Fai can lose it sometimes. Syaoran's "Clow" saying on homosexuality is actually mildly corrupted quote from Aristotle in the film 'Alexander' - I couldn't remember the exact line, and in fact, it may genuinely be an Aristotle quote. If someone knows, can you let me know?
Warning: Sex, prostitution, pole dancing, bad language, and Kurogane actually being NICE.
Pair: Kurogane and Fai
Disclaimer: Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicles is not mine, nor has it ever been. It belongs to CLAMP.
While Kurogane walked back to collect Fai, Sakura and Syaoran sat in the kitchenette with Mokona sitting on the tabletop between them.
"Princess Sakura, about Fai and Kurogane. What do you think?" Syaoran asked. The girl shrugged.
"What am I supposed to think? It's kind of sweet that they found each other like this." She blushed lightly and glanced up at him from under her lashes. "What do people do with relationships like theirs back in my country?" Syaoran's blush matched hers.
"In... in Clow Country, it's a spiritual thing." He tried to get into an academic tone, keeping it impersonal. "There's a saying 'two men who lie together for knowledge and wisdom are blessed by the Gods.' I only know of a few men who engage in such a practice." Her gaze was curious, and he blushed darker. "Your brother and the High Priest are two of them."
"Oh." The princess blinked. "So they're in love?"
"Yukito and Touya? Absolutely."
"I meant Fai and Kurogane." Sakura giggled.
"Oh!" Syaoran looked sheepish. "I guess they must. I suppose it's different where they come from..."
"Mokona knows!" Mokona chirped. "Mokona asked Yuuko! On Kurogane's world it's fine, so long as it doesn't affect his work. Fai's home doesn't have a law against it, but it's not encouraged publicly either."
"He doesn't act like it."
"Fai acts like a lot of things," Mokona sounded serious, "but he doesn't do anything without a reason." The door slammed against the wall as it was flung open, and Kurogane stormed in. Fai trailed after him, looking just as angry.
"You said you could handle it!" Kurogane yelled. Fai kicked the door shut behind him.
"We need the goddamn money!" he shouted back. "I'm sick of this... this... possessive, controlling bullshit. I was looking after myself for centuries before you came along, and I can keep doing it!" the kids cowered as the adults fought.
"Looking after yourself? Don't piss about, Fai! What you've been doing is not-"
"Fuck you!" Fai flung a plate at Kurogane's head, and only the warrior's training saved him. "We both chose this, you bastard! You said you didn't care! You told me you were fine with it!" he threw a cup. "I've spent more time with my legs open for you people than I have in years!" a glass this time, and everyone flinched at his words. "Even Ashura didn't ask this of me!"
"Then go back to him!" Kurogane roared.
"I would if I could!" Fai yelled.
"STOP IT!" Syaoran was standing between them, a hand outstretched to each of them, shocking both adults into silence. "Just stop. What the hell is going on? And don't you dare say 'it's nothing' or 'it's none of my business.'" Kurogane turned red and avoided his eyes, ignoring the princess altogether.
"Leave off, kid." He turned away. Fai rolled his eyes.
"They have the right to know where their money is coming from." The blond turned a chair around and straddled it. Syaoran paled as understanding dawned. Sakura looked sick. Mokona was unnaturally quiet. "I've been having sex with people for money. Not often, and only when we're desperate, but I've done it. Kurogane knew and agreed with the whole thing." the black haired man stepped forward, and smacked the blond hard across the face.
"You stupid bastard." He hissed. "Leave them out of this."
"Why?" Fai's grin was back in place, but his eyes were icy. "I'm a whore, you said it yourself. Why should I care who knows it?"
"Dragging the kids into this is childish and petty." Kurogane growled, forcing himself calm. "Yes, I knew you were doing it. Yes, I agreed to it. But when I found you in that alley on your knees, my heart damn near stopped." The fury in Fai's face faded into confusion. "I was terrified you were being forced, and when I realised you were doing it out of choice? I was scared that we had forced you to it; that you felt obligated to do anything you could for the money." The confusion increased tenfold, and Kurogane's heart clenched – no-one should be so baffled by simple human kindness.
"Why would it bother you?" Fai's rage was almost completely gone. "I don't understand. Money's money, right? Why should it matter how I earn it?"
"Don't you have any pride?" Kurogane rubbed a hand across his face tiredly.
"Pride doesn't help you survive." Fai said quietly. "Pride doesn't fill your stomach when you're starving." Kurogane was sharply reminded why Fai started selling himself, and nodded.
"I'm sorry. I was too harsh."
"No." Fai sighed. "I was too hasty. I should have tried to find another way to earn the money first, but that man was offering the last of the money we needed." He pushed the paper bag he'd set on the table towards Sakura. "I bought the feather on the way to meet Kuro-sama." He smiled tiredly as Kurogane lifted him bridal style and set him in the warrior's lap. "We can leave."
TBC
