A/N: Thumana, I did this for YOOOOOU. Enjoy iiiiit.

It had been a pain in the rear but it had been worth it, in the end.

Or at least, that was what Stefan was telling him. Soren eyed himself in the mirror and couldn't see a major difference. Mist had insisted that he wear something better than the robes he fought in and he had grudgingly agreed, letting her cart him through the marketplace until she'd found a green fabric that she said brought out his eyes. Then she'd spent all of her gold on it. A waste, really.

But she'd spent an hour fitting him and another three with Titania and Elincia helping sew and then they had finally let Soren look at himself in a mirror. The robes fell on him the same way his regular ones did and apart from the colour there was no difference. And for robes that he would probably only wear once, it seemed like a waste. But it hadn't been his gold, so at this point it didn't matter.

Stefan had appeared at that point and ushered the girls out. He had given Soren the up-and-down and smiled. And now his hands were working the tension out of Soren's neck, thumbs moving expertly over his tense muscles.

"You need to relax," he was murmuring. "You don't look like it but you're nervous all the same. Go out there and smile and have a good time. You're getting married." The swordmaster's hands slowed only briefly. "That's more than any of us would have ever hoped to accomplish."

"Ike is the one who proposed. I merely said yes."

Stefan shook his head and turned Soren around to face him. Gently he pressed their Brands together. "Ike knows what you are. He has seen my mark and I'm sure he suspects that I am the same. And instead of condemning us he has taken lessons from me and loved you all the more. The Branded simply don't get married, Soren. And here you are, doing just that. It's inspiring."

Soren looked away. "You have Mordecai. He knows and if he cared then I'm sure you would have been either mauled or abandoned by now."

Stefan chuckled. "I suppose." He turned Soren back around and tutted. "Really, you plan to go out like this? Your hair is a mess."

Soren protested but Stefan ignored him, pulling his hair loose and running his fingers through it until it was untangled. Then the other man was pulling it together, retying it in one loose tail that flowed to the small of his back. Soren sighed; was this going to end at any point?

"I'm happy for you," Stefan breathed, chin settling onto Soren's shoulder. "It sounds stupid but I do look up to you, even though I've got forty-some years on you. You are everything that one of us should not be."

"Oh?"

"Alive and not starving, not being beaten in the streets. Happy and in love with and getting married to the most kind-hearted beorc in all of Tellius."

Soren couldn't help chuckling at that, and Stefan squeezed him from behind before pulling away. The sage turned and looked at him expectantly, because it was Stefan and if there was anyone he even half-trusted aside from Ike, it was this man with matching scars and an equally ugly Brand and a past that was just as horrifying. Stefan's lips curved into a half-smirk.

"You're still missing something," he murmured to himself. Then he snapped his fingers. "Ah! Give me one moment and I'll be right back."

Soren didn't have time to ask; Stefan was out of the tent in an instant. He sighed and sat down on a crate, folding his hands in his lap. His finger felt naked without the ring on it, and even though he knew that he would have it back within the hour it still felt strange. Ike's fingers had been laced together with his when they had made love the previous night, pressing it into his skin until it felt like a part of his own body rather than an accessory. And Ike had kissed it and then his Brand and finally his lips, murmuring how happy and in love he was the entire time.

"Close your eyes."

And that would be Stefan, both hands behind his back and still giving him that grin. Soren couldn't help but smile; he had a suspicion that he knew what the other man was hiding but chose to say nothing. He obeyed and Stefan moved forward. The other man's lips pressed against his Brand and Soren's eyes shot open. Stefan pulled away and smiled.

"I'm happy for you," he breathed. He held flowers in one hand. Roses and lilies, crimson standing out vividly against a soft white background. "Ashera bless you both on this day, now and forever. No matter where you go, may you be happy. And remember what I said. You will always have a place in Grann." He smiled. "Both of you."

Soren gave in. Wary of thorns, he reached forward and pulled Stefan close. The older man buried his face in Soren's neck and sighed, murmuring something that he didn't quite catch. Soren sighed. Annoying or not, Stefan understood how important this was. How significant a Branded getting married would be. Soren still didn't fully understand how Stefan could look up to him but it didn't matter at this point. Stefan had supported him from a distance ever since Ike's near-death in Daein, touching him only when they were alone together. They had talked and compared scars and examined one another's Brands. It had been nothing short of relief for him and he was sure that Stefan felt the same way. But Stefan had needed him less and less since he and Mordecai had (finally) gotten together. Not that it would be missed. There were better things to be doing. Inventory and a rations check and injury reports, finances and the weapons count. He repeated it over and over in his head until he believed it.

Stefan gently kissed his Brand again. "You know, I'm going to miss you. Even when we were just sitting there and not speaking. There is an understanding that I cannot have with any other person in this camp. We share the same scars and stories and we both hate people. And I'm going to miss seeing your mark. Even though I'm taken. What we are….nobody can truly understand but another one of the Branded."

"Ike does." He said it without hesitation because he simply knew. Ike knew how much it hurt to not belong anywhere, even though he had been blessed his entire life with a family that loved him and would never starve him, sell him, beat him.

Stefan chuckled and pulled away, handing the flowers to Soren. "If he didn't, you wouldn't be going through with this. I'm proud of you and I'm happy for you. In a weird, twisted way, I love you."

"Stefan—"

"Not the way I love Mordecai, or the way you love Ike. I love you as a companion and an ally and a friend. Someone I can talk to and write to and not have to worry about being abandoned at any given moment. You are the only one, even though I have everyone who lives in Grann. I've thought long and hard about it and I know in my heart that I love you."

"You are speaking nonsense."

Stefan shrugged. "I'm learning to speak my heart. And we've only got a few days left together. Shouldn't I be honest before you disappear from my life forever? Even if I write to you, I'm sure you won't write back." He leaned forward and kissed Soren's mark one last time. Slowly, tenderly. A whisper of what might have been. "I am madly in love with Mordecai but I feel for you as though you are family. And you are getting married. This is just as exciting for me." He paused, and then chuckled. "Well. You don't seem that excited. But I know you are."

"I most certainly am not." But he knew deep down that he was. Butterflies had been flitting through his stomach ever since Titania had taken their rings and Ike had kissed him goodbye. Some nonsense about it being bad luck to see each other before the ceremony. And Soren had fallen for it because Ike was being romantic and had promised him a good honeymoon, even if it didn't happen until after this whole war mess was over. Promises of going somewhere together, just the two of them, eating good food and drinking wine (something that Soren, admittedly, loved) and making love thousands of times. And Soren had reluctantly handed his ring over (that gorgeous, gorgeous ring) and walked off to get changed.

"You are," Stefan chuckled. Then he held out an elbow. "Come on, then. I'm your escort."

"Escort?"

"You've got to walk down the aisle with someone," Stefan replied. "Your parents are…absent. And considering what happened between us, Ike and I thought it fitting that I walk you."

"Ike agreed?"

Stefan smiled. "Well, I asked. And he told me that since you and I are so alike, and since we've become friends, and since I ended up giving you over to him once anyways that I'm the only one who could escort you and then hand you over to him."

"You make it seem like a business deal. I have no dowry and you get nothing out of this."

They chuckled softly at that. Soren bit his lip and then caught Stefan's elbow, the flowers clutched in his other hand. Stefan pulled him in until they were pressed together, hip to hip. His hand slid overtop of Soren's. The sage couldn't help smiling. He was getting married to the man of his dreams in less than a quarter of a mark, despite his past and his bloodline. He could smile. Just this once.

"You look wonderful," Stefan murmured. "Ike's going to love it."

"Thank you." It was so soft that Stefan couldn't have heard it. "Thank you so very much."

A gentle squeeze on his hand. They stepped out of the tent.

())CRAYOLA))

"You look astounding."

Ike flushed and looked at Oscar. It wasn't that fancy; Mist had polished what little armour he had and fixed the tears in his cape and shirt and nothing more. His hair was still as messy as it always was, but Soren had told him that he liked it that way anyways. "Don't exaggerate. I look just like I always do."

The paladin chuckled from where he was perched on Ike's desk. "Come now. I don't do flattery. You look very handsome. Soren is going to love it. He'll fall for you even harder." Oscar paused and then stood. "Are you alright?"

Ike didn't speak for a moment. The knot in his stomach tightened. "Was this the right thing to do?"

"What do you mean? Of course it was."

"And after all this is over, will everyone still take orders from me? Begnion has been avoiding me like the plague ever since word got out. I haven't seen hair nor hide of General Zelgius since the morning before the battle in Castle Nados. If he's up and left because I'm marrying another man then that means that we've lost a good chunk of our fighting power and—"

Oscar punched him. Not hard enough to leave a mark. Ike staggered and then eyed him incredulously. "You would strike your commander?"

"I would strike my brother, knowing full well that he could handle such a gentle blow." Oscar smiled and placed his hands on Ike's shoulders. "Do you love Soren?"

"More than anything in this world."

"And would making this public, letting everyone know that you are together and in love and happier than you would ever be otherwise, make you both happy?"

"I…I think so."

"Ike."

"Yes."

"And at the end of the day when you're wearing that ring and holding him after a round or two of completely mind-blowing sex and knowing that you will be with him forever, will you regret anything?"

"No."

Oscar smiled. "Then that's all that matters. And you still have me, at the very least. And Kieran will fight with me until the bitter end. And Rhys with him, and Ulki with him, etcetera. If nothing else, you have the men and women you have personally hired. We all look up to you and trust you. It doesn't matter that you're gay. It makes you no less of a man, no less of a swordsman. You are a capable commander and you have led us all through Crimea and Gallia and Begnion and Daein. And now we're days away from finally getting our homeland back and it is all thanks to you." The paladin squeezed his shoulders and then let go. "Now, are you going to go in there worried about all this or are you going to let yourself be happy and damn whatever Begnion does?"

"Damn whatever Begnion does." Ike grinned. The knot untwisted and disappeared. "Thank you. I chose a good best man."

Oscar clapped him on the shoulder and picked up his lance. "Good. Now let's get out there. Everyone's waiting." He struck a pose with his weapon. "And I'll be prepared to fend off anyone who dares try and take Soren from you."

Ike couldn't help laughing. Oscar had always been able to settle his nerves, ever since the beginning of this whole ordeal. When his father had died and when Soren had cheated on him and during battle when Ike had been sure he would be overwhelmed. And now the paladin was looking quite prepared to spear anyone who dared try and take this happiness away from them.

Ike held out a fist. Oscar smiled and bumped his own against it. "Goddess bless you, Ike. I am proud to call you my commander. I'm so happy for you."

"Thank you," Ike replied. "Shall we?"

"Yes, commander."

())CRAYOLA))

Goddess, but this was beautiful.

Rhys couldn't help it. His breath caught in his throat and for a moment he couldn't move. He simply took it all in. Lilies and roses and everything that a church would have had. If they had been anywhere near one, of course. It wasn't entirely perfect; everyone who wanted to attend would have to stand in rows rather than sit. Then Ulki kissed the nape of his neck and drew him close, pulling him from his thoughts.

"Will it do?" the hawk asked.

Rhys turned and kissed him. "Of course. This is beautiful. It's exactly the way the chapel in my village is. Or at least, the way I remember it. Ike and Soren will love it. If nothing else, I love it."

"I'm glad. We've spent the past few marks setting everything up." Ulki chuckled. "Your mercenaries are something else."

"We want our commander to be happy. And he and Soren are practically married anyways. This is just a more public way of showing it, I suppose." Rhys smiled. "And I'm honoured that Ike asked me to marry them."

"Your heart is pounding."

"I'm nervous." He laughed when Ulki kissed him. "But I'm far more happy than I am nervous. Over three years they've been together and finally they're making it official."

"Good luck. You'll do a wonderful job with the ceremony and then we can get on to the reception."

The bishop's eyes widened. "We're having a reception?"

Ulki gave him a half-smile. "Well, not entirely. There have been dinner arrangements made and one of the local bakers has made a cake. We've got wine and champagne. It will be a small celebration."

"And do Ike and Soren know about any of this?"

Ulki laughed. "Ike does. Soren…will find out soon."

Rhys couldn't help laughing and Ulki squeezed him. "Thank you for helping organize this. It would have been hell to do by myself."

"I do what I can for the man I love." Ulki's hands wandered down to his rear and he squeezed appreciatively; Rhys squeaked and looked at the ground. "And, if you're interested, I'd like to reward you later for a job well done."

"Oh? And how would you do that?"

"With a good night of just us. Some champagne and good food and just the two of us."

"And will it end with us both naked and holding each other?" Rhys flushed; asking this was too embarrassing.

"Anything you want." Ulki caught his chin and tilted his face up. He smiled. "I love you." Gentle kisses on his lips, cheeks, forehead. Rhys smiled.

"I love you too, Ulki." He pulled away reluctantly. "I see Ike. That means we're getting started."

"Good luck. I'll see you afterwards." He kissed Rhys one last time. The bishop smiled and hurried off.

())CRAYOLA))

It wasn't quite as nerve-wracking as Soren had initially thought. A little cliché, perhaps, what with the flowers everywhere and the way they'd set up the camp to look like a church. But it was the thought that counted, or so he kept telling himself.

And it went by all too quickly. One moment he was handing his flowers off to Stefan and joining hands with Ike; the next he was promising forever in front of everybody that knew him; then the ring was slipping onto his finger and then Rhys was telling them to kiss, for the love of each other and the Goddess, kiss and make it final.

And then Ike was pulling him close and looking him in the eye and smirking, and Soren knew that he was really in for it now unless he did something. And the only rational thing to do was beat Ike to the punch so he threw his arms around Ike's neck and kissed him, open-mouthed, tongues fighting for dominance, Ike finally giving in and letting Soren's tongue ravage his mouth. Catcalls and whistles came from (GatrieJanaffKie ranMiaMarciaRan ulf) their audience. Soren didn't care. He was married. To Ike. The idiot who had left his boots out in the rain and forgot to shave every few days and had promised him forever in front of everybody.

"I love you," Ike breathed. His arms didn't loosen around Soren. His breath was hot against Soren's lips and the sage smiled.

"I love you," he replied. "Je t'aime, maita kisu liie. In every language I know, I love you."

"A third one now?" Ike kissed him again. A gentle press of lips. "Where did you learn that?"

"Bastian allowed me to borrow several books." Soren kissed him, tongue trailing a languid line across Ike's lower lip. He pulled away before Ike could deepen the kiss. "I love you so much, Ike."

"Enough to have dinner and celebrate this with everyone? Because someone has let slip that they've prepared a dinner for us."

"Dinner?"

"Well, for everyone. And supposedly there's cake, and champagne, and a few bottles of your favourite red wine."

"You didn't—"

"I did." Ike smiled and finally pulled away slightly. "Come on. Let's go have some time together and then eat."

"You don't mean—"

"I want to get you out of those robes and have a nap with you. Nothing more until tonight. You're a patient man, aren't you?"

"Only when it comes to you." Soren smiled and took Ike's hand. It would never be complete without his ring, now. Gently he lifted it and kissed it. More catcalls. He ignored them. "To bed, then?"

Ike eyed him contemplatively. Then he scooped Soren up. Stereotypical bridal carry. Of course. Soren gave him a look but Ike just laughed and kissed him again, murmuring that it was romantic.

())CRAYOLA))

The evening was, by far, the highlight of the day.

For once in his life, Ike was completely, without a doubt, absolutely full. There seemed to be no end to the amount of food that came pouring in. And the cake was alright, even if it was cake. And the wine still wasn't his favourite, but it was good, at least, and between them he and Soren finished a bottle each. Soren was no lightweight despite his small stature; his cheeks were flushed but other than that he was behaving normally, if not a touch more giddy than usual. Even Ike felt a touch tipsy, but it was lost in the congratulations and people patting him on the back and the thousands of words said to him.

Ranulf had given them something that night, too. He'd said nothing about what it was, just that they should each take a sip and save the rest for some other time. And Ike had looked at Soren, shrugged, and taken an experimental taste. Not bad. Sweet, but not too terrible. Soren had taken just a touch more and then they had capped the bottle and placed it in one of Ike's pouches. Ranulf had grinned knowingly and told them to enjoy every last mark of their evening and then disappeared into the crowd.

A mark later, Ike was feeling it. Because Soren looked so damned good right now, flushed and starting their third bottle of wine. Garnet eyes caught his and the sage smirked.

"You too?" he breathed. Ike couldn't do anything but nod, and Soren chuckled. "That bastard. It's used in Gallia when it's not the right season. Keeps you…interested…for a very long time and takes perhaps a mark to kick in."

"S-so—"

"We're experiencing what would be the equivalent of a good Gallian heat." Soren was leaning over now, trailing his fingers up Ike's thigh. "To bed, then?"

"Please."

And for the second time in two days, Soren was dragging him to their tent. They'd set it up a ways out of camp so nobody would hear; they'd known that they would be wanting sex afterward, but like this? Ike felt like he could go all night, one, two, five times, until Soren was shaking and sweating and begging for him to stop.

He let Soren push him down on their bed (Elincia had insisted that they have a proper bed, just for their wedding night), let the sage kiss him and undress them both until they were naked and their erections rubbing together every time they moved. Ike couldn't help groaning.

"Do you trust me?" Soren murmured.

"Always," Ike replied.

"Good. Shut your eyes."

Ike grinned; this was nothing new. Soren would kiss him and tease his body differently every time and Ike would have no idea what was happening until finally Soren let him open his eyes again just in time to see the sage sliding down onto his cock. It was straightforward from there, Soren riding him hard until he came, the sage coming to completion soon afterward. Still, he obeyed.

Soren was gone for a moment and Ike nearly opened his eyes. What was going on?

Then Soren's hand caught his wrist and pulled it upward, over his head. Leather met his arm and tightened; a buckle slid shut. Experimentally he tried moving his arm. Very little give. He cracked one eye open and looked at Soren.

"Tying me up? Really?" he asked. He wasn't entirely sure he liked this. "And with our belts?"

Soren smirked. "You'll like it. And you deserve it, too, after what you did last night."

"You liked it," Ike replied, even as Soren tied his other arm up to the other bedpost. "You ended up begging me to fuck you."

"Because you tormented me beyond anything that anyone should have to bear," Soren replied. He was spreading Ike's legs now, kissing his thighs, slowly and gently binding his ankles. "Move."

A brief struggle. Soren had him completely tied down. His knees were bent just enough to give him some movement. There would be no release until Soren undid his bindings. He still wasn't sure about this.

"Soren…"

The sage straddled his hips. Hands slid over his chest and came to rest on the lowest of his ribs. He smiled and his eyes met Ike's. "Ike. I love you. I will never, ever hurt you and if this is truly not something you want, then say so right now and we never have to speak of it again. But I believe that you will enjoy this, if you give it a chance. You've let me take you before and I have always been gentle. The only difference is that this time you cannot hold me and cannot force me in any harder or faster than I choose."

"Let me see you," Ike murmured. "I need to see what you're doing."

"As you wish."

Soren kissed him gently and that was all it took for the uncertainty to fly away. Soren would never hurt him. That was all there was to it.

Gently, the sage deepened the kiss. Open-mouthed, tongues touching. His hands slid back upward and he thumbed over Ike's nipples, flicking with his nails. Ike groaned softly and Soren chuckled. His tongue traced along Ike's bottom lip and Ike briefly thought of pulling Soren close and kissing him as deeply as he could. His right arm pulled against the leather and was stopped after not even a half-inch. Soren pulled away and cocked an eyebrow, smirking.

"Oh? Fighting your restraints already? This will be fun," he purred. His mouth met Ike's neck and he licked a long, slow line up to Ike's earlobe. Ike stretched as much as he could to give Soren as much access as was possible and Soren obliged, pressing hot, open-mouthed kisses against the skin just behind his ear. Gentle nips on his earlobe and then Soren was sucking, fingers still flicking and pinching Ike's nipples and sending jolts of pleasure shooting through him. Ike struggled briefly again and Soren pulled away.

"Every time you struggle, I take a step backward," he murmured. Ike frowned.

"I don't understand."

"You will." Soren returned to his lips, kissing him slowly and gently. Every time Ike tried for more, Soren would pull away for a moment, and then lean back in. Eventually Ike settled against his pillows, lips parted and every ounce of his willpower being used to not kiss Soren back. The sage's tongue trailed slow, teasing lines across his lips, over his tongue and back again. Then he smirked.

"Kiss me," he growled, and that was all it took. Ike leaned upward as much as he could and kissed Soren hard, tongue forcing its way into the other man's mouth. Soren groaned and pulled him close, one hand fisting into his hair and the other trailing down his stomach, ghosting over his erection and then coming to rest on his hip. Finally Soren pulled away, still smirking.

"Do you trust me?" he asked again.

"Of course," Ike panted.

"Shut your eyes," Soren replied. Ike hesitated only briefly before obeying. Soren leaned up and gently kissed his eyelids. Then the tenderness was gone and he leaned down to Ike's neck, scraping his teeth along his skin before biting down sharply. Ike let out a soft cry. Blood trickled over his collarbone and he felt Soren licking it away. Goddess, what had happened? Soren was never like this. Not that he wasn't enjoying himself, of course. But—

Soren's tongue and teeth met one of Ike's nipples and he groaned. All thought was reduced to nothing. All that existed was Soren's tongue teasing him and his fingers still ghosting over Ike's dripping erection. He made as though to push Soren's head down but was stopped again by the leather. Abruptly Soren's fingers stopped their teasing trail. He pulled off of Ike's nipple with a slow, hard suck and then sighed.

"You were doing so well, too." His fingers replaced his tongue and he leaned up, gently kissing Ike's neck. "This hurts me just as much as it hurts you, you know."

"Then why?"

"Because you're being punished for what you did last night." Soren was grinning, Ike was sure of it. He always grinned when he knew he was going to get his way in the end, even if Ike wasn't happy about it. "Don't fight your restraints."

Ike said nothing. Soren kissed his throat gently. His fingers were still flicking against Ike's nipple and he briefly thought that he might be sore in the morning from all of this. But it all started again and the sage leaned down a second time and his mouth was just as gentle as it had been on his throat, tongue soothing away any pain. A hand trailed down Ike's stomach again and a single finger ran over Ike's erection. He groaned but didn't struggle. Soren hummed softly. He pulled away and settled against Ike's side, one hand finally wrapping around Ike's cock. He palmed the head, spreading precum and making the movement slick and easy. Then he was squeezing, moving slowly at first, thumbing over the most sensitive spot he knew of. Ike couldn't help the movement at that point; his entire body was trembling and every time Soren moved that way it would send a tremor through him.

Soren just chuckled. "It's terrible, isn't it? Do you have anything to say?"

It took him a moment to find words; this was just so damned good. His throat was dry and he was sweating and he knew his face was flushed and it was getting harder and harder to ignore the fact that he was going to come, and soon.

"I—ah! S-Soren…!" The sage's hand slowed briefly, just long enough for him to find words. "Please, please stop tormenting me." An increase in speed. "Please, please, please." He was begging and if it were to anyone else it would be humiliating. But it was Soren, and the sage was right; he did deserve this because he'd made Soren do the exact same thing the night before. "J-just like that, Soren, please, just a bit more…"

Abruptly Soren stopped. Ike couldn't help opening his eyes and glaring. Soren smirked and said nothing. He turned and found their oil and Ike couldn't help the relief that flooded over him. Now he'd at least be able to get off, because once Soren was inside him the sage had a tendency to not want to stop until they were both completely sated.

But Soren seemed to have a different idea. He said nothing about Ike having his eyes open and slicked oil onto his erection. Instead of making any move to reposition himself, however, he simply touched himself, becoming more and more lost in pleasure as the seconds ticked by. After a moment he moved his hand and Ike realized he had fingers inside himself. Soren's cheeks were flushed and he let out a soft, breathy moan, spreading his legs more, thrusting his fingers in as deeply as he could.

This was downright unfair.

Ike started begging again, pleading for Soren to stop (not that it wasn't a wonderful sight) and just fuck him already, as hard and fast and deep as he could, forgetting any possible pain he might cause. And Soren had hummed and then leaned over him, cock pressing into Ike's thigh. His fingers were still slick and he slid a single digit in a slow circle around Ike's entrance. Ike cursed under his breath and arched upward just slightly, just enough to give Soren as much access as he physically could. Soren paused for a moment, presumably contemplating whether this was worth stepping backward for, and then kissed his stomach and eased that single finger into him. Not enough to satisfy him, but it was better than nothing. After a moment he slid in a second and third finger at the same time, stretching him wide rather abruptly. It bordered on pain and Soren froze when Ike gasped.

"Are you hurt?" he breathed.

Ike shook his head and thanked Ashera that Soren had slender fingers. Anyone else would have hurt him. "No. Just pleasantly surprised. Please, Soren."

Soren was still set upon teasing him, though. The sage knew how to move his fingers to make Ike quiver with pleasure but he refused to do it properly, instead leaving Ike frustrated and begging once more. Oh, if he'd had control of his limbs, things would be going differently. But he didn't voice that either, because goddess knew what Soren would do if he said that. And eventually the sage curled his fingers properly, stroking his inner walls gently, fingertips firmly pressing over the bundle of nerves that made Ike cry out in pleasure and jerk uncontrollably. For one horrifying moment Soren stopped moving, and then he hummed and continued.

Ike swallowed and spread his legs ever more, arching upward, inviting the sage. "Soren."

"Mm?" Soren's languid pace didn't stop and for that, Ike was thankful. "What is it you want now?"

"Soren, please, please make love to me. I need you inside of me so badly I think I might burst from it."

"Ah." Soren shifted. "That's what I wanted to hear. You're free to open your eyes, Ike."

He was smiling. His eyes were gentle and said that Soren loved him far more than words ever would. He positioned himself and smoothed his free hand over Ike's thigh. Slowly he eased in, inch by inch, far gentler than need be. When he was fully sheathed he paused. Goddess, he felt wonderful. Soren just happened to fit him perfectly, stretching him wide but not to the point of pain, filling him far beyond the point of mere satisfaction.

"Do you want me to untie you?"

Ike raised and eyebrow. Then he smiled and gently squeezed Soren's sides with his legs. "I'm being punished, aren't I?" His smile grew cocky. "Go on. Show me what a good Gallian heat feels like."

Soren didn't need to be asked twice; he gripped Ike's cock with one hand and fucked him hard, just the way he loved it. Ike couldn't help groaning. Soren was absolutely perfect and all the torment had been completely worth it, because at this point he was more turned on than he ever had been in his life and Soren was doing everything right, stroking his cock and pounding into him and he was helpless to do anything but gasp in pleasure.

Moments later he came hard, shooting over his chest and stomach. Soren didn't slow in the slightest and seconds later he came to completion as well, groaning Ike's name. Finally he slowed, well after he'd milked out every last drop of his seed. He collapsed against Ike, murmuring something in Ancient as he went. The leather binding Ike's limbs loosened and Ike pulled free. Briefly he thought of vengeance, but Soren was panting and grinning and Ike couldn't be angry about this, not after the most mind-blowing sex he'd ever had. He pulled Soren close and kissed him and inhaled his scent, savouring it.

"I love you," he breathed. "I love you so, so much, Soren."

"And I you," Soren murmured. Their eyes met and he gave Ike a playful smirk. "Tell me, how do you feel?"

"What do you mean?"

"Do you have the strength left to do it again?" Finally Soren flushed, the dominating side of him gone. "Because as much as I love being inside of you, it's not the same as having you hold me and kiss me and…you know."

Ike kissed his brand. "Gently, then? Your arms around me and your breath against my neck as we move together? That state where the world dissolves around us and all I can feel is you? So gently that it surprises you when you come and you don't have time to suppress the way you gasp my name?"

"Strangely poetic, coming from you."

"Poetry could not even begin to describe the way it feels to love you." Ike kissed him. "Nor the way it feels to be so intimate."

"Please, Ike."

His strength was almost completely back at this point and he made a mental note to thank Ranulf for the potion he'd given them. Then he rolled them over and gently kissed Soren. He was hard again (or perhaps his erection simply hadn't softened) and he fumbled for their oil. After a brief search that neither of them could help chuckling at, he smoothed oil over his hand and slid his fingers into the other man. Soren let out a soft, breathy moan and Ike kissed him. After a moment he let his cock replace his fingers and he pulled Soren close. The sage's legs wrapped around him and his nails dug into Ike's back and they kissed, languidly entangling their tongues. Ike's thrusts were slow and gentle and deep and Soren moaned into his mouth.

Ike made to reach in between them, to give some attention to Soren's cock, but the sage shook his head and pulled them ever closer. His cock was firmly pressed between their stomachs and Ike couldn't help but smile. He adjusted the way he was moving just enough to rub against Soren's cock and the sage ground against his stomach. They moved slowly and gently, clinging to each other the way they had their first time, all those years ago. Ike felt his orgasm building again and let their pace increase just slightly. The sage kissed him and Ike bit his lip as he came, fingers digging into Soren's skin. Soren came seconds later with a shuddering gasp, breathing Ike's name as the last waves of pleasure rolled over him. Ike didn't bother pulling out. Instead he pulled Soren closer, pressing into him deeply.

"You feel so right," he murmured. "I love you."

Soren's fingers slid into his hair. "I love you too, Ike." He paused. "Ike."

"Mm?"

"One more time?"

Ike chuckled. He had the strength for one last go, at the very least. "And how would you like it this time?"

"Do…do you remember the night I told you I was Branded? And we made love and you made sure we came at the same time?" Soren's cheeks flushed and Ike kissed them. "I want that again."

"I thought you said it was too cliché."

"I loved it and you know it." Soren kissed him. "Please?"

"Anything for you."

"'Til death?"

Ike kissed him gently. "Far beyond death. I will never leave you, not even in death. I will always watch over you."

"Ike, that's—"

"I promised you forever. And I will give that to you." He buried his face in Soren's neck so the sage wouldn't see the tears in his eyes. Loving Soren was the only thing that mattered. Staying by his side for the rest of their lives, watching over him in the afterlife until finally, decades, perhaps even centuries later, Soren would join him. They both knew it would be that way but it remained unspoken between them. "I am so, so madly in love with you that I can't stand the thought of doing anything else."

"I love you." Soren was choking up now too. "You're so stupid, saying things like that."

"But you love it," Ike murmured. He kissed the side of Soren's neck and gave an experimental thrust. Soren groaned softly and Ike felt the sage's cock already hardening between them. "Let me make love to you one more time. We'll come together this time. Perfect harmony."

"I love you," Soren repeated. He squeezed Ike. "I will always love you, Ike."

"And I will always love you." Gently he kissed Soren's lips. "'Til death and forevermore."

"I am so very lucky to be married to you," Soren breathed. "Let them all have their fantasies about you; I have the real thing."

"I love you," Ike breathed.

"I love you too," Soren replied.

They moved together as they had before. Soren's nails dug into Ike's back and he nipped sharply at the sage's neck every time Soren looked as though he was nearing completion. Twice he nearly came but he forced it back, slowing until he regained control of his senses. Then Soren was groaning his name and Ike let go, thrusting hard and deep and fast. Soren bit down on his shoulder and Ike let out a cry and they finally came together. Ike squeezed Soren and then rolled off of the sage. They were both sticky with sweat and semen and Ike absently reached for his cape, using it to clean them as best he could. Then he curled around Soren and kissed the sage's hair.

"I love you," he murmured. "I love you so very much."

"I love you too," Soren replied. His words were slurring together; he sounded just as tired as Ike felt. Ike breathed in the scent of sweat and sex and Soren, pulled the sage ever closer, and finally drifted off.

())CRAYOLA))

'Til death was coming too quickly.

Not that the morning and afternoon hadn't been, at the very least, pleasant. Even the war meeting hadn't been half-bad, despite the knowledge that Ena would only help them when it seemed to suit her. Nasir was quick to leap to her defence, though, and who could blame him? She was his grandchild, after all.

And they'd found Leanne. The news had been so great that Reyson had done something and they all felt nothing but pure joy for a split second. Then the heron flushed and they had a laugh about it and moved out.

And now, things were looking rather bad.

Because it wasn't bad enough that nightfall was coming and that the reinforcements from Phoenicis would be literally fighting blind once the darkness hit. And it certainly wasn't bad enough that Daein was throwing warped Goldoans at them. And Soren's Elthunder was rapidly running out of spells, his Elfire already discarded some fifty yards behind him. And Ike was wounded and completely surrounded by the Feral. That certainly didn't help matters at all. He was bleeding from a deep gash across his cheeks, one eye bruised. His clothing was burned away in places and his skin was blistered, bleeding. His left wrist didn't look quite right and Soren noted that Ike was favouring it as best he could.

Soren's eyes narrowed; nobody would take Ike away from him.

The spell was strong already and he let the spirits tear through him, stealing his air and strength all in one blow. Then he focussed, willing every last ounce of magic he had in reserve forward. Electricity jumped from his fingertips, crackling in the air around them, making his hair stand on end. Ike ducked just in time to avoid the swipe of a tiger and caught claws from a hawk across his back. He fell and Soren lashed out fully, whispering the spirits' protection over Ike and promising death to the creatures that surrounded him.

When he opened his eyes, there was nothing but charred grass and bare earth surround them. Ike lay in the dirt, bleeding out and straining for breath.

A hand gently touched Soren's shoulder. He turned and saw Rhys smiling, a Mend in one hand.

"I don't know if I can save him by myself," the bishop murmured. Soren nodded and placed his hands over Rhys', just as they had the very first time Soren had used a staff. Magic pushed through him and he focussed on Ike. After a moment Ike's breathing evened and his blue eyes cracked open. Soren smiled at him.

"Idiot," he breathed. "How could you make me worry this much a mere day after you promised me forever?"

Ike sat up and kissed him. He tasted of blood and dirt and lightning. "Because you've sprained an ankle and your Elfire is out of spells. You're making me worry just as badly."

Rhys laughed and left them, saying something about the tower being taken and that Stefan needed healing. Ike wrapped his arms around Soren and dug in his bags for an Elixir. He took a swig and then kissed Soren, sharing the last dosage. There was a heavy snap as Ike's wrist moved back into place and Soren flinched as his sprain healed itself. Then Soren stood and offered a hand to Ike. The swordsman laughed and accepted and Soren dragged him to his feet.

"We've won. We must find Leanne."

But the search proved futile. The only sign they found was a single white feather in a windowless room at the top of the tower. Reyson had clenched his fists and cursed in Ancient and Tibarn had looked just the slightest bit worried as he gathered the heron into his arms and murmured that it would be alright. Soren frowned; something didn't seem right about this.

"Hello, everyone. Having some sort of problem?"

Ike made a face. "King Kilvas. How nice."

The crow sighed heavily. "And here I thought you'd be glad to see me. Haven't I brought who you're looking for?"

Leanne poked her head out from behind him and Naesala grinned. Reyson hurried forward and swept his sister up in his arms, both of them chattering excitedly in Ancient. Soren breathed a sigh of relief; the last thing they needed was for Reyson to be panicking about his sister's condition when he could be using his energy to fight instead.

And then Soren looked away. Tibarn was kissing Naesala in front of everyone, drawing surprised murmurs and a sigh from Reyson and causing Leanne to burst into giggles.

"Are we really that…bad?" Soren asked Ike. The swordsman shrugged and caught his hand.

"In all likelihood."

Nasir chose that moment to appear. His brow was furrowed and his face was pale.

"Would you all come below? We just discovered a hidden staircase."

Ike frowned. "Are you alright?"

Nasir shook his head. "I…I must show you."

As soon as they opened the door to the basement, Lethe took one sharp intake of breath and then fled, Jill following close behind her. Janaff's arm settled around Ranulf and they entered together. The cat tensed but didn't run. His eyes narrowed and he growled.

"What is this?"

"It is…corruption."

"Nasir!" The cat lunged forward and caught Nasir by the collar. Ena smacked his hand away and glared at him defiantly.

"Laguz. At one time, they were laguz. Do you think you are the only one angered by this!"

They started shouting at one another but Soren paid them no mind. It stank of blood, of medicine down here. Corpses twisted beyond recognition, limbs dangling from meat hooks on the ceiling. Stacks of bones, vials of blood and other fluids Soren dared not identify. He felt dizzy and swayed but Ike caught him and pulled him close. Soren buried his face in the other man's chest and inhaled deeply. Anything to cleanse this stench from his nostrils.

"Are you alright?" Ike asked. Soren bit his lip.

"If…if I had been full-blooded, would this have been me? There is no way to justify this. This hatred of another race, enough to tear them to pieces while they still live and set them upon one another. It is far beyond nauseating." He took in a deep breath to steady himself. "You must kill this man. If nothing else, to avenge the lives of all these people.

Ike chuckled. "A year ago, you wouldn't have cared."

"A year ago I had not had to fight alongside another one of my kind, or alongside any of the laguz. And no creature deserves this sort of pain." Soren's nails bit into his palms. "You must end this, Ike. I will do everything in my power to see you through until the end."

"I love you," Ike breathed. "Help me win, Soren."

"As you wish."