We hope you enjoy the chapter, lovely readers!
A note on names:
Sebastian - Yao's butler. (Black Butler cameo)
Grell - Ivan's guard. (Black Butler cameo)
Chapter Summary: The confrontation between Ivan Braginski and Yao Wang does not go as expected.
Disclaimer: Don't own Hetalia or Black Butler.
Ch. 20: The Dragon
Ivan is at the end of what he has always considered to be a remarkable amount of patience. One of his best drivers turned up dead, his shipment nowhere to be found. To make matters worse, Raivis has also disappeared from his room, by all accounts headed off in Kaoru's car. He really needs to get a permanent guardian for the boys; perhaps Toris would like the job, when he's not busy with…other tasks. For the moment, it is time for Ivan to confront the source of his frustrations.
He brings some of his best employees with him. They are dangerous men and women; smart enough to keep up but not so much as to question him. Armed with his pipe and plenty of guns beneath his coat, Ivan steps out of his car and glares at the gates to Yao Wang's home. They're terribly gaudy; there are even dragons with wide mouths and lots of teeth mounted on the fence. He smiles for the security camera, aims his gun at the guard on duty, and shoots. The man falls onto the buttons, and the gate swings open for them.
Yao's butler, one Sebastian Michaelis, is surprised to find Ivan Braginski making his way toward their doorstep, but not overly worried and not at all sorry to see the lazy guard go. Pressing the call button on his wristwatch, he catches his master's attention. "Sir. It appears the gun fellows have arrived for a chat."
After hearing an easy, "Welcome them!", he presses the button for the outside intercom. "Good evening, gentlemen. We are certainly glad to welcome you. Please, discard your weapons and allow me to escort you inside."
"Eh, do you think it's fair that we have to drop our weapons, when they must have some inside?" Ivan asks one of his men.
"No, sir." The big man cocks his weapon. It's unnecessarily large, but its purpose is more intimidation than practicality.
"You see?" Ivan says to the little monitor. "My companions are thinking that is unfair. You leave all of your weapons outside, and we will leave ours."
Sebastian smiles easily, enjoying the banter from someone who is so calmly furious. "Fairness is not yours to decide when you barge onto someone else's property, sir." He presses a button, alerting the snipers hidden in the upper slant of the roof. They don't use laser sights. They don't need them. One fires, and the first gunman hits the ground.
Ivan stares at the dead man. This is why he did not bring Natalia. Or Toris. Or anyone he particularly likes. Granted, that's a very short list. He turns to another comrade. "Do you think that's right?"
"Sir, we don't need weapons to kill little snakes," she replies, squeezing her fist.
Ivan grins. "Alright then! But I will not part with my walking stick. An old injury, you know." He leans on the waterpipe, even as he opens his coat and begins pulling guns, knives, and ammunition from under it. His comrades follow suit.
Sebastian waits until they are finished disarming – at least, as much as he expects them to disarm - before he opens the door. "Thank you for your cooperation." He smiles at them, especially the red-headed girl who deposited a chainsaw on the doorstep and is now openly ogling him. He is a striking figure; tall in his neatly pressed black suit. "Please come in. The master is in the parlor."
Ivan elbows the girl. He likes Grell; she's got a bloodlust to rival his own and hair the color of a beating heart. But sometimes she's a bit too enthusiastic. He never should have okayed the chain saw. The only thing that seems to ease her parting with it is the butler in the door. He draws himself up as he enters, still leaning slightly on the pipe. It makes a nice ring every time it taps against the floor. "Excellent. There will be vodka, da?"
"Indeed," says Sebastian. He walks alongside the red-head, giving her a glance or two out of the corner of his eye. "We have an excellent bartender on staff. He can mix whatever you would like. Or, perhaps the lady would like some wine?" He offers her his arm when they reach the steps.
Grell pushes a pair of outlandish glasses up her nose and winks at the butler. "Vodka, darling."
Sebastian smiles, eyes flashing from beneath wisps of black hair. "As the lady wishes."
Ivan growls under his breath. At least he has a few other companions who are not so easily swayed by the butler. He barges his way into the parlor, pausing a moment to observe from the doorway. Yao's 'friends' are all around, talking, smoking, playing some game with tiles. Most are armed, but even from here he can tell the quality of their weapons is only so-so. Yao Wang himself is lounging across a couch, toying with a gun that is very familiar. It belonged, until recently, to his best driver. "Good evening. So nice to see someone with time to play," says Ivan.
Yao glares at the butler who did not offer them a proper entrance, and therefore did not give him time to make his men more alert. Sebastian is too busy escorting a lovely little thug to the nearest settee. Ivan Braginski himself is a sight to behold. Silver hair, violet eyes. A wicked smile, to be sure. Their eyes meet, and there is a moment when it is hard to remember who he is. They have seen each other before, but only in passing; this is the first time that Ivan has actually come to see him in person.
"I have done my share of working today. As, I am sure, have you. The night is when people play." Yao smirks, waving his new favorite gun. "Why do your men get all the best toys?"
"Because I know how to get them, and because my comrades know how to use them. I would be careful with that particular model; it has a nasty backfire." The Dragon is as beautiful as they say, with long hair spilling over the edge of the couch, black as midnight and smooth as silk, and brown eyes that make it hard to look away. So Ivan doesn't. Most are uncomfortable when he stares, anyway, and it's fun to watch them squirm.
Yao looks down at the gun, frowning a little. "Really? I did not feel it when I used it this morning." He aims it at the Russian. "Should I try it again?" He smiles easily, because they both know he won't shoot. Not unless Ivan is extremely stupid.
Ivan shrugs. "If you would like to put a hole in your walls. I am not here to play. I have received some messages from you, and as you have just one nephew I thought it best to deliver my response in person."
Yao's jaw sets. "You delivered one already. I have replied. We have nothing more to discuss, unless your business continues to encroach on mine." It is imperative that he make this clear. His dealers want to obey him, but they fear Ivan like he is some boogie man from their nightmares. The man's gun sellers often strong-arm drugs from the dealers and refuse to pay. He wants them gone.
Ivan chuckles, a sound that is more like ice cracking - kolkolkol. "Is not my fault if your business is bad. Besides, is your business that is encroaching on mine. The next time your nephew corrupts my son, I will send him home in a box, piece by piece." He reaches into his pocket and tosses a small box into Yao's lap. It contains a set of eyes; they do not belong to the nephew, but they are the same color as his.
Yao looks in the box, and smiles. He knows it is a trick, for more than one reason. First, Kaoru's eyes are not that shade of brown. Second, if someone had removed Kaoru's eyes, he would've heard about it much sooner. He has the boy so closely followed these days it's a wonder he has anyone left to sell drugs. "You shouldn't have. They're lovely." He sets the box aside and leans on his hand. "Kaoru does not intend to keep your little boy for long. But they do make an adorable couple. I am sure you had some young man to tongue your balls when you were his age. Surely, you know this is normal for boys like them."
"Of course. You had your brother, da? Then again, so has everyone else." That is a lovely shade of pink on Yao. The rise of color in his cheeks just brings out how lovely his complexion is. He's going to have to see if he can make it burn brighter. "Raivis, however, deserves better. Someone less...annoying. Is a shame you taught your nephew nothing of good manners."
Yao's smile fades. How dare he mention Kiku? Of course, he is correct – on every level. Still, he will not allow this man to have the upper hand. "I am sorry you taught your son nothing of virtue. Apparently asking him out for coffee has him ass-up in the back of a car ten minutes later."
Ivan is going to have to hit something now. Otherwise he will explode, and that will end badly for everyone. Thankfully, one of Yao's friends is trying to inch closer to him, perhaps with the intention to do him harm. It's a good enough excuse to whip his pipe sideways and slam it into the man's chest. He'll never get tired of listening to ribs crack like that. It makes him feel much better.
Yao watches the man crumple, impressed and a little worried. He does not need this to turn into a war. In fact, something in his blood is calling for things that are very much at the opposite end of that spectrum. He looks to Sebastian, who is talking to the gunwoman over her vodka. "I want everyone out. Leave us. Alone." The 'alone' pertains to cameras. If he's going to kill or be killed, he doesn't want anything recording it. His men file out, and Sebastian herds Ivan's thugs with them. Soon the doors slam, and he lets his eyes climb back to Ivan.
"Your nephew takes advantage," says Ivan. "Is not gentlemanly at all." Not like Emil, who took a month to kiss Eduard, and still hasn't gone all the way. There's a gentleman! Though he does wish they would hurry things along at this point. He needs to be sure they are compatible enough for his future plans, and really, if Eddie's still a virgin when he turns eighteen next month he's going to have to hire someone to fix that. It's like vodka; you have to learn to hold your own in order to make certain business ventures.
"My nephew takes advantage. And so do you," says Yao.
"Not of little boys. Not like that." He takes a seat next to Yao on the couch, so close they are nearly touching. It makes most people uncomfortable, yet with Yao he also wants to be closer. When Yao's hand brushes up against his it is just as soft as he expected, although he notes the fingers are stained from Yao's recreations.
The closeness does not bother Yao; quite the opposite. He lets his hand brush over the back of Ivan's scarf as he rests an arm around his shoulder. "It is true, they are young for such things. But they know that they are not in love. They will break up very soon without your help. You will see."
"Really?" Ivan asks seriously, almost encouraged by this. Raivis is certainly not a fool. The boy probably sees that Kaoru is playing him for sex just as well as anyone else. Perhaps the manipulation is, in fact, the other way around. His heart swells with pride. "Good. I do not like your nephew."
Yao smiles tepidly, their bodies pressing together just enough for him to feel every inch of Ivan's side. Ivan is warm, and up close his face is sweet. "Good. Making people dislike you is a fine trait to master." His hand drags almost affectionately over Ivan's shoulders. "I can only guess what you think of me."
Ivan grins, running his hand up Yao's leg. "If you knew what I thought it would be very bad for business."
"Or very good," Yao replies, slowly hooking his leg over Ivan's. His hand moves too, carefully sliding around to touch beneath the Russian's chin. He leans in and presses their lips together, soft and whisper-quick, giving him the chance to back out, to push him away, hit him with that pipe. "Am I on the right track?"
The kiss is unexpected - dangerous, even. It definitely pushes at boundaries that should not be crossed. Ivan likes dangerous things. He has learned caution, though, and he is not fool enough to be seduced into complacency. He stands, pipe in hand, and fast as lightning jabs the end of it between Yao's legs, less than an inch from some very sensitive organs. "I am seeing where your nephew gets it from. Your intentions?"
Yao is surprised by the move, and even more surprised at the way it drags at his nerves, making him want to push back. He's never been turned down before. This is new and enthralling. "With business, or with you?" he asks, sliding his pelvis beneath the pipe and holding it against himself. This is dangerous. He's charmed, like a snake by the piper. However, this manipulation can work both ways His hips rock once against the metal. "I am not a whore. I do not mix my business with my love affairs, even if they connect from time to time."
"Nor I. But this is not a love affair. I hate you," Ivan says matter-of-factly. They've killed and maimed each other's men, and stolen property and customers for years now, all without meeting for more than a few moments. Ivan had always expected that when they did meet like this, one of them would die. This alternative is very strange.
Yao rolls his eyes, leaning back on the couch and crossing his legs to trap the pipe. He could probably get it out of Ivan's hands if he needed to. "You've never met me. You've only dealt with me in business, which, I can assure you, is nothing like taking me to bed. I did not get where I am by spreading my legs. But if you believe that is who I am, allow me to apologize and return to the business at hand."
Ivan could say many things here regarding the Wangs' history. He could talk about the sister, Mai, who begot a bastard, the bastard brother who is a whore, the eccentric, rarely seen youngest brother who...well, actually, Ivan knows very little of Im Yong Soo, other than the fact that Yao avoids him. Supposedly there is another sister as well, but she keeps herself well away from the others. He knows they are Chinese immigrants, that the family was rich but came under some sort of dishonor at home - likely named Kiku. He could rattle off details about their business successes and failures. Yet now, none of it seems to apply. He is stunned to silence, and that in itself is so rare a feat that he has to be impressed. "You are a curious study, Mr. Wang. I am not sure if you mean to kill me or invite me to bed. Or both."
Yao shakes his head slowly, trying not to smile. Ivan Braginski saying such things is like the pot calling the kettle black. Such an utterly lethal man, with a reputation like the one he's been branded with, is a rare man indeed. Of the those Yao has encountered, this is the first that makes his stomach quiver. "That depends on you." He twists, pulling the pipe from Ivan's grasp and grabbing the hooked end to lean on. "I want you dead for what your men do to mine, and for what you did to my nephew. But that is business that we can take care of right now."
"I am thinking your more romantic interests would not benefit from that, unless you enjoy fucking corpses." Ivan smiles widely. This is more fun than he's had in ages. "I would see you pay for what you and yours have done to my men, and for the corruption of my son. But I like talking to you. Is a problem."
"I will not pay for what my men have done. Yours have done worse. As for your son... I apologize." He offers a hand, not really caring if Ivan shakes it or chooses to break his fingers instead. "I will see to it that Kaoru learns to be a gentleman."
Ivan eyes the hand, taking a moment to consider things. Kaoru a gentleman? Unlikely. But still, it might mean one less plague around his house. "Very well. I will talk to my men and tell them to play nice – and if they do not, I will send them to you for punishment. Is good deal?"
Yao smiles wider. "As long as they pay for what they need, and keep their hands to themselves, we will be happy. Perhaps this would be a good time to arm my dealers. Small weapons, concealable. Do you offer anything along those lines?" A hefty sale should soothe any ruffled feathers in Ivan's crew. It will also cement the end to their bad blood. He would very much like to seal that deal with a kiss.
This is not at all the way Ivan expected things to go. There are only two dead between them, and that with very little bloodshed. Perhaps that's for the best. He takes Yao's hand and pulls him in with it, smashing their mouths together. The pipe is still caught between them, cool metal and a smell of iron that reminds him of blood.
Yao gasps. The kiss is hard, urgent, and makes his eyes blow wide in shock. Yet it only takes that second for him to sink into it, pulling Ivan back to the couch and pressing their bodies together point for point. The pipe is stuck between them, separating the most sensitive places, yet stimulating them as well. He groans, digging his hands into Ivan's hips and letting their bodies fall into sync. It's surprisingly easy.
Ivan rocks forward against the pipe, groaning into Yao's mouth. Bozhe moi, if he doesn't stop soon he will probably begin something he could regret. Pulling away is torture, and he can only hope that it frustrates Yao just as much.
Yao groans, letting the man pull away and sitting up to compose himself. He tucks a long black strand of hair behind his ear, glancing toward Ivan to find him just as rumpled. Good. "Leaving already?" he asks, although he already knows the answer. A man like Ivan won't give everything away. Yet. Yao needs to think, anyway; to sort things out, to undo the complications his mind is putting in the way.
If he stays any longer, the temptation of those pretty, full lips will be more than Ivan can handle. He stands and smooths out the front of his coat, a vestment that has managed to remain pristine despite the amount of stains it usually takes. He has a very good dry cleaner. It would not do for his comrades to see him looking slovenly.
"I think that is best. Though if I visit your brother tonight, I do not think it is him I will be seeing," says Ivan. He presses the pipe against Yao before pulling it back to his side, then takes Yao's hand and kisses it. "I will not forget our deal. We shall meet again, once business is settled."
The touch of those lips to his hand makes Yao's whole body flare, his eyes turning dark in spite of his every instinct to remain composed. He grips Ivan's hand and uses it to leverage himself to his feet, stepping in close and holding his gaze. "If you visit my brother tonight, I will be very lonely. I hope our next meeting is very, very soon."
Ivan kisses him chastely: once on the lips and then on each cheek. "I am sure you know where to find me, should you get too cold. Now call for your butler. It will be more fun if we are subtle, da? A surprise."
Yao slips from his touch and presses the button on his watch that connects him to Sebastian. "Let them in."
A long moment of silence follows, and he frowns down at the watch. "Sebastian?" Nothing. "Huh."
Yao opens the door himself, frowning as he finds very few of Ivan's minions and his own remain in the foyer where he'd told his butler to escort them. The rest are across the hall in the dining area, where there is a full bar and a bartender, drinking, smoking, and glaring at each other. Strange noises are coming from the coat closet. He opens the door.
Inside, Sebastian is grinding against the red-headed gunwoman's ass, one hand down the front of her pants. They had stolen away to the coat closet, where their kisses got out of hand. The lovely lady had turned out to be a bit different than he'd been expecting, anatomically speaking, but Sebastian quickly decided he didn't care. His lips find a spot on her neck that make her nearly swoon, and he holds tight around her middle as he works his hand over her, whispering against her skin. How could he be blamed for missing his master's call, or the fact that the door is now open?
Ivan stares for a good, long moment, Yao by his side. That explains a thing or two. He turns to Yao, raising an eyebrow. "It's your butler."
Yao almost laughs, startling the two from their embrace. It seems lust is in the air tonight. "If you don't mind giving your girl the night off, I believe someone in this house should be satisfied with the evening's events." His eyes spark as he turns to Ivan, offering him the kind of smirk that most men fear. It doesn't surprise him that the man smirks back.
"Have breakfast ready by nine," Yao adds to Sebastian, not even looking at him as he closes the door. He then turns to one of his other boys, speaking in Chinese. "Gather Ivan's men. It is time for them to leave."
Ivan smiles and claps his hands together. "We go now. Much to discuss."
Yao watches Ivan's companions gather by the door, giving him wary/drunken looks. That makes sense. He needs to remember to tell his bartender that 'vodka' does not mean 'vodka and xanax' anymore. "I am assuming we will be in touch?" he asks, keeping his face carefully blank.
"Da." That is all that needs to be said. Ivan sweeps the end of his scarf over his shoulder and marches out the door with his comrades, minus Grell, following - some rather dazedly. He doesn't pity them at all. They should know better than to take a drink from the drug lord.
A muffled groan floats out from the closet. "You are one hell of a butler, Bassie!"
Sebastian chuckles. "It's what I live for."