Betaed by Blind Alchemist Sama! Thank you so much !

(I think my english skill decreased after the holiday.)

Enjoy!

He'd never played before with fire.

Before all of the craziness happened, before he'd ever met that rich British man, Yao had been a hermit. A solitary student. A silent worker. He needed money, so he worked. He needed a degree to find steady work, and so he eventually went to university. He slept with people, not in pursuit of companionship, but only because he wanted or needed something specific from them. And he was careful never play to with fire, because he only had himself to depend on. He couldn't risk anything. He only had himself, and on top of that, his mother needed him. So Yao never played with fire because he didn't have anything to back him up if anything horrible happened.

And yet there he was, standing against the wall, with the Russian all over him, trying to kiss his lips. Ivan's hand caught Yao's wrists tightly, and their differences in both strength and size clearly showed. Meanwhile, Ivan's other hand was rubbing his spine, kneading the tight muscle of Yao's bottom. His thigh was placed in between Yao's legs, trying to arouse the boy. Everything that Ivan emitted reeked of sensuality.

Overwhelmed with all the sensations, Yao suddenly realized that he had no idea how he ended up in this position. Yes, the Russian had asked him to dinner. Yao had refused it, because he didn't want to complicate things further. He had complicated his relationship with Kiku, and the last thing he needed now was to further complicate another relationship, because the payback was always a hassle. And of course, the part of the contract with Arthur that clearly stated that he wasn't to date other people.

And now he was beneath the giant, trying his best to avoid the man's lips. God, the Russian was a pushy man. Yao had been cornered without realizing it and now Ivan was all over him, breathing heavily and ready to rape if he must. They were behind a screen, and it seemed as though everyone was avoiding the spot they were standing (maybe Ivan had ordered them to), but Yao knew he couldn't count on other people to save him.

And from the look of their position, Yao was sure he would be the bottom.

Hell, ever since he'd become the "model Yao", everybody looked down upon him. Everybody thought of him as a woman. It was very different compared to when he was a medical student, as back then everybody regarded him with in respect and didn't expect him to be the "bottom."

"Ivan, let me go. This is sexual harassment!" he hissed impatiently. "I need to get back soon."

"I can make you want this too, Yao." He smiled. His breath smelled a bit like vodka and mint. Yao closed his eyes. Weird. Different. He had slept with many, and each of his partners had their own distinct smell. But now, his mind automatically compared the smell with Arthur's scent. Upon realizing the pattern of his behaviour, Yao wanted to kick himself. Maybe he was infatuated with Arthur more than he cared to admit.

"No, Ivan. I am not doing this with you."

"Oh, how faithful you are to your master. So cute. Is he that good in bed? Did he fulfil you to the brim? But width wise, I have no comparison. My size definitely will stretch you and give you the deepest pleasure you will ever experience."

"Stop saying so such vulgar filth. I am not doing this for him. I just don't like being courted like this! I am not cheap!"

"Ah." Ivan Braginski, the Russian photographer who always got whatever he wanted, came to a simple conclusion. "You want to be properly courted."

"It's not that, you fool." Yao sighed tiredly. "Just let me go, I don't want to complicate things, I have enough troubles without you contributing to them."

"How about meeting me at the Russian restaurant on George Street this weekend? Eight pm?"

"Ivan..." Yao sighed. "I didn't want to resort to this, but if you don't let me go within the next ten seconds, I am going to make you regret it."

"How so?"

"I am a medical student. I know where to hit to merely hurt someone and where to hit to permanently disable. I promise you that what I'm about to do is going to be very hurtful."

"Oh yeah?"

"Five... four..." Yao started counting backwards.

"Hmm... has it slipped your mind that you are way smaller than I am, Yao? You sure you can take me down? And I hope you are aware of the particular etiquette that as a fellow man, kicking me in the balls is not permitted, yeah?"

"... One... yes." Yao sighed and he put his palm up, hitting it hard against Ivan's nose. A cracking sound was heard, and Ivan moved away, holding his bleeding nose.

"I know the rules of etiquette and I don't need to hit your balls to hurt you, sir." Yao smiled warmly. "Next time you try pulling this on me, I'll break your neck, or dig your purple irises out. By the way, from the sound of it, your nose is likely only bruised, but it's a good idea to check anyway with an x-ray. See you."

"You!" the man roared in real anger. Yao ignored him and walked away from the corner. He was startled when he saw Kiku standing behind the screen with his phone camera on.

"What are you doing?"

"I am recording what just happened between you and him."

"...Can't you help me, instead of doing such a silly thing?"

"It's not silly. I have this recording in case I need to pit you against Arthur, you know." Kiku smirked and crossed his arms in front of his chest. "It's against the contract, you being a flirty whore with everyone."

"Yeah, yeah." Yao sighed. "Whatever. I didn't accept his offer. I didn't break the contract."

"Yao!" the Russian man roared. "Come back here, you!"

"Let's go. Don't prolong the problem," Kiku hissed and started to walk away, but Yao turned back and went to the Russian. Kiku saw what happened and grimaced in disbelief.

"Let me look at it," Yao whispered softly, but professionally. Ivan initially refused, but in the end he let the model-doctor examine him.

Kiku gave him an earful once they were in the car.

"What is wrong with you? You have the most irrational and backwards responses to everything, you know? You can't stand luxury, you can't pose but the photographers love you, you break a man's nose and then you turn around and treat the injury that you just inflicted! You are just... weird, Yao. What's wrong with you?"

"I bruised—not broke—his nose, because he asked for it, but he asked for help too. I am a med student; I want to help wherever I can."

"...I don't get your logic."

"I don't expect you to." Yao looked away. The buildings around them passed slowly; they were in the middle of the city, and the car was going barely under the speed limit. Yao watched the scenery crawl by outside his window. Everything had changed. He'd never sat in a private vehicle that many times in a single week before. He had always taken public transportation and acted nonchalantly, so that nobody would engage him in any casual conversation. Yet now he was inside a private car and Kiku for some reason wanted to keep talking about everything.

"Yeah, maybe you are right. I should not expect any type of behaviour reflecting rationality and common sense from a person who was bad enough in the first place to play with other people's feelings. You know what, Yao? You've always said that Mr. Arthur was only playing with you and everything, but I think you are the same. You play, you flirt, you make people think you like them. And then when they start to get close to you, you push them away. And then you blame them. Or Mr. Arthur. You are a selfish bitch, you know what?"

Trying to filter Kiku's voice from his head, Yao grimaced. What Kiku said actually hit home.

"And then you expect that everything should come together exactly the way you want. Do you think modelling is easy? People kill for these kinds of opportunities. And you treat this job like trash. You think being a medical student is better than modelling. I just want to remind you that without Arthur's influence, you are nothing. Nothing!"

Yao inhaled slowly. Patience...

"You will get your share of karma one day. Just when you least expect it," Kiku hissed, trying to enforce his points. "You will see that people who you think you were using are actually using you."

Yao flinched, but he didn't show any changes in emotion.

"And if you think you can play with everyone the way you can play with us, you are wrong. Ivan Braginski is not someone you should play with! And furthermore, if you dare to play with Mr. Arthur's feelings again, I'll show him the recording."

"Now, you are blackmailing me?"

"Sure I can!' Kiku smugly answered. "Just you wait and see. I am your manager, I know your schedule better than anyone else. So if you make any secret meetings with any other guys, I swear Mr. Arthur will know about it the next day."

"I wonder..." Yao turned back to the Japanese boy beside him. Kiku stopped talking and waited cautiously as Yao came nearer to him. "This... This whole talking shit and blackmailing me... is it for Arthur? For your hatred towards me? Or is it for me?"

"Wh..What...?" The boy started to flush. "What are you talking about?"

"Look, I am really sorry and I am not proud of what I did last time. But I have my reasons. I was very shameful of my selfish act. I don't expect you to understand my reasons. But we are going to have to work together in the near future, for at least another five months. Can't we just... be civil towards each other? I can usually stand your hatred, but with you talking all the time like that, this is becoming quite hard."

"...I don't have any intention of being friends with you! Even the thought of being your friend disgusts me."

Kiku's words were cut off when Yao pulled his face nearer and their lips met for a brief second.

It was a soft, apologetic kiss.

"Wh...What was that?" Kiku blushed furiously, hands over his lips. "What did...?"

"I can't apologize by offering you money or help. You have everything at your disposal, more than I could possibly ever have. You are a very good and responsible worker. I honour those traits. I want to be able to accept your help in the future too. So that kiss... is my way of apologizing. Accepted?"

Yao's serene smile made Kiku hold his breath. The bitch really knew how to use people, how to use his own charms to make people forgive him, submit them to the way Yao wanted them to act. The Chinese boy, although younger than him, had shown some signs of maturity, some level of control over himself, that could only have been developed after much life experience. And now, as Kiku watched how Yao looked away and stared outside the window, he realized how awkward Yao was, trying to adapt to his new life the best he could.

And Kiku realized if he were to hold onto his grudge, he would be the childish one in this relationship, or whatever it was.

"...accepted," he whispered.

Yao smiled thinly and watched the scenery fly by outside his window in serenely. So he had apologized. One problem gone. A million more to go. Kiku's hateful words also went around and around in his head. He was playing games and blaming everything on Arthur. Then suddenly, Kiku's warning made him afraid. No, he didn't want to lose Arthur's faith in him.

He was tired and strangely, he wanted Arthur beside him so much.

He wanted Arthur so bloody much.

Now.

When the apartment door was opened and Arthur was standing inside just as he always had been in the past, naked sans branded briefs, drinking mineral water from the bottle; Yao felt nothing but the urge to rush to his side and hug him tight. And so, he did.

"Yao? Hey? What happened?" Arthur smirked. "Miss me?"

Yao shook his head, but his arms weren't letting Arthur go. The British man threw the water bottle with great accuracy into the sink; and then he returned the hug, slightly accommodating Yao's face in the crook of his neck.

"What happened today?" he whispered, gently.

"Nothing," Kiku answered for Yao, and Yao was thankful for it. "He is just tired. By the way, Mr. Kirkland, the preparation is complete, so the rest will be done right on time."

Arthur smiled. "Thank you, Kiku."

The Japanese boy nodded. "Then, I'll see you tomorrow."

Arthur nodded as the boy left. He turned down towards his small princess, who was hugging him tightly as though Arthur was his pillow. He gently patted Yao's silky hair.

"What happened, Yao? Anything I can help you with?"

"I am sorry," Yao whispered. Arthur's arms around him felt so good. And he had been blaming the man for not valuing him. "I am so sorry."

"What is this? You're apologizing? Hell must have frozen over."

"I want to be with you so much."

Arthur smirked. "So is that a sign of permission? A green light for my bed tonight?"

"Arthur, promise me one thing."

"Yao?"

"Can I depend on you?"

Arthur was silent. Yao's question was something he had never anticipated. Yao wasn't like this… he wasn't this weak. Something must have happened.

"What is wrong, Yao?"

"Promise me, I can always trust you. I can depend on you, can't I?"

Confronted with the soft, pleading tone of weakness, Arthur couldn't say no.

Yao looked up. On top of him, Arthur was gritting his teeth, in the height of his full release. Yao held his breath, feeling his stomach and arse contracting in pleasure as he was filled with Arthur's seed.

Looking up to someone, being the bottom, was not a familiar concept for Yao. But now he could feel the difference.

He was loved.

Arthur opened his eyes and smirked down at him.

Yao smiled back.

When he woke up, he found a bouquet of red roses placed on top of the blanket, right on his lap. Yao stretched himself before looked closer at the roses.

Beside him, Arthur lazily spread himself, smirking like he was so proud of himself.

"Morning, love."

"Morning my ass." Yao laughed. "Are you that desperate for your next time, that you need to bribe me with this after our coitus?"

"You are really dense for someone who claims to be a medical student, sometimes." Arthur sighed. He rose from the bed, and planted a kiss on the crown of Yao's head. "You can stop pretending. Of course you know why I gave you this."

"Oh yeah? Why? Because I gave you the best orgasm of your life?"

"Happy birthday."

"Happy… what?" Yao asked, not quite catching on. But a second later he realized what Arthur meant. "…Birthday? Oh. I just remembered. Today is mine, isn't it?"

"You really didn't remember, did you?"

"Not really. It was never important," Yao nonchalantly answered. "Hey, would you mind if I put this in one of your expensive vases? You have lots of them but they're never filled with the flowers, you know."

"Whatever suits you. Ok, come out of bed. We need to eat."

"Ah, roses for breakfast, is it?" Yao sighed. His mouth twitched playfully. "I need to cook breakfast even on my birthday, eh?"

Arthur smiled. "You are really dense at this kind of stuff, Yao."

"Thank you for reminding me, Arthur."

They rose from the bed, and Arthur reached over Yao's shoulder to cling to him. Their naked bodies ground against each other; Yao felt his back against Arthur's chest. Arthur rubbed himself onto Yao, reminding him of what happened last night.

"You smell like me." Arthur spoke against Yao's skin.

Feeling ticklish, Yao answered, "But you smell like me too."

"Hmm… That's not bad too." Arthur smirked. "I want to have you now. So bad…"

"Breakfast first, sire."

"Fine, fine." Arthur let his arms go, and they dressed up. Yao stole a glimpse in the mirror, and he noticed how his body showed the evidence of last night's activity. Furthermore, they both reeked of sex. He needed his bath as quickly as possible.

But when he opened his door, another surprise was waiting for him.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY YAO!" Everybody was shouting on the top of their lungs. Yao was amazed. Since when had he had friends, and this many, enough to shake the whole building with only their voices? He took a better look and realized that there were actually only ten people there. The deafening voices came from a loudspeaker.

Apparently the Oresama Gilbert thought that his voice was so awesome that it needed to be amplified by the loudspeaker and mike. Beside him, Matthew tried his best to be noticed. The rest of the party consisted of everyone in Arthur's company: Francis with Seychelles, Antonio with Romano, Belgium with another long haired beauty and Kiku with a blonde who shouted every word he spoke and was definitely the loudest of all.

"..W…what should I do…?" Yao asked awkwardly, since he was clueless about social formalities in this type of situation. Every year, he'd always forgotten his birthday until it had already passed. And since nobody else had really cared anyway, Yao learned to ignore it too.

"You can start by saying 'thank you'," Kiku hissed and gave Yao a glass of champagne. "Don't drink too much; hangovers are is not good for the skin."

"Is this your birthday present for me?" Yao smirked. "A glass of champagne?"

"O..Of course yes! Who cares about getting you a birthday present…"

"He is just being shy, of course!" the jolly blonde man chirped up. "Kiku has prepared another special present for you! Right, Kiku?"

"Don't 'right' me, Alfred!"

Yao left the two of them interacting with each other and saw Belgium smiling at him.

"Happy birthday, Yao," she congratulated him. Yao nodded, receiving a box of chocolates covered with a very pretty ribbon. "By the way, this chocolate is handmade. We made it."

"We?"

"This is my partner, Elizabetha." Belgium introduced the beautiful long haired lady beside her. Elizabetha smiled and introduced herself to Yao. They shook hands, and Yao was being passed onto Antonio for another set of congratulations when suddenly a childish voice shouted out;

"Yao Ge! Yao Ge!"

Yao turned back to see his little half brother smiling at him; in his hands was a present wrapped in green paper.

"Happy birthday, Yao ge!"

Yao was more surprised to see the appearance of the boy than anything else. "Why are you here?"

"I heard from Miss Belgium that they were throwing the surprise party for you today! I asked father if I could go, over and over and he finally let me!"

"…Is he here with you?"

"No. He just dropped me off before he went to work." The boy shrugged, but his arms were still opened wide. "Gege, let me give you a hug!"

"I…I am not your gege, Kaoru."

"Stop refusing and just give the boy what he wants, Yao," Arthur smirked behind a glass of champagne. "He is as stubborn as you and you wouldn't believe how hard he begged us to let him in."

So Yao compelled and he kneeled down, to hug the boy. The boy smelled like musk powder. His small arms twined around Yao's neck, and the warmth was not uncomfortable. The small boy smirked and whispered in Yao's ear.

"I picked the present myself. It's a pair of socks. Has Harry Potter's face on it. Very warm!"

It was the most touching one out of all the presents, and Yao couldn't contain himself. He hugged the boy tighter.

"Thank you, thank you so much."

People around them smiled gently.

Review?

Seriously, recently the number of people reading my stories has decreased, so I think maybe it's time to move on.

Thank you for reading!