Disclaimer: I don't own Dr. STONE. And that's all I have to say on that.

Authoress' Note: Another fandom week is upon us! This time, for TKS' Ryusui Celebration, in honor of his anime debut. And so, I feel compelled to write something for this week, featuring my favorite Ryusui ship! Please enjoy!

Prompt: Desire

My Greatest Desire

Francois tossed and turned on their makeshift cot, unable to find any sort of rest. It didn't help that the evening was hot, as would be expected for a summer night, but it wasn't the temperature that was keeping them up. Not entirely, at least. No, there was a different type of heat keeping them awake, a heat that the butler had realized was becoming more and more bothersome than they had ever wanted it to be.

'This is wrong... this is not of my duty. And yet, I...' thoughts trailed off, and an uncharacteristic, quiet growl escaped umber lips as they turned around again, fighting back the urge to cover their head with the pillow.

Stormy eyes opened, despite not being able to see well in the darkness, and they groaned softly again. Moonlight poured through the window that had little cover over it, and it practically shone down on the source of their misery like a light from the heavens.

'Although the light seems to not bother him none... I both envy yet spite this light.'

Francois turned one more time, laying upon their back and staring up at the thatched roof, ungloved hands clawing at the scratchy blanket that they laid upon, fighting back another urge, this time to not nibble on their bottom lip in order to hold back another noise. They were already making enough of a disturbance as it was, and the last thing they wanted to do was to awake their master from his slumber.

They also don't want him to see them in such a state of disarray, lest questions and judgment comes, and that was something they weren't sure they could handle at the moment.

'Why... why must I be consumed by this? It is wrong... very wrong. I should not feel such overwhelming desire, such intense feelings of want and love... not for him. Not for Master Ryusui.'

Eyes shut tight as they took in a long, steady breath, trying to use techniques to calm their racing heartbeat, letting go of tension that had built up throughout their petite form, fingers releasing the cloth and body going somewhat limp. They reopened their eyes to the room, a little calmer this time, yet still feeling too hot for their own good. Sleep was not going to be coming again for awhile, and so all they could do at the moment was stare and focus on their breathing, hoping that it would come sooner than later.

Logically, they could suppose that their feelings made sense. After all, they had spent much of their life devoted to the care and needs of the Nanami Corporation heir, and spending so much time together was bound to cause feelings to build. However, the feelings had been always professional. Respect and admiration, along with a nurturing yet firm spirit. They loved him, but as one would love a good friend or a close coworker, and that was only natural. They devoted their life to serving their master's every need, so it would only be natural for their heart to be devoted as well. That feeling of love that was always there... it was entirely understandable that it would shift and become a stronger, more overwhelming feeling. It was only logical, yet it didn't make the feelings easier to accept.

'If we had not been encased in the stone... if our world had not been reset... would these feelings had ever come to be?'

That was a question they often asked themselves as they realized that the emotions they felt were not simply those of dedicated master and servant. It wasn't as though their relationship had changed so drastically since being awaken from the stone, although their duties became more dedicated to the entire Kingdom of Science than just the Nanami family. Yet, somehow in this new world, the bounds that kept their roles separated were murkier and less defined. Although it wasn't so obvious, if one were to look from the outside at the pair of them. No, it was in the more private moments where this became more prominent.

Moments in where their master would let down a bit of their boisterous personality, showing a softer side to the captain than what he would put on display. In these moments, when it was only the two of them together, Francois would listen to his concerns, his comments, his compliments. Not only for them, but the entirety of the Kingdom. The tone of his voice was softer, the look in his vibrant blue eyes more muted, his body more relaxed. It was refreshing, wonderful even, when he let slip his outgoing mask for one that was more subdued, yet never out of character.

Although, it wasn't just in his words, but in his actions as well. In the quiet calm of the evenings, he would invite Francois to join him for a game or two of cards or chess. While the butler had many skills, playing such games were not something they were perfect in, although they wouldn't dare say it wasn't without trying. They always gave their all, despite losing practically every game. And Ryusui was always a kind winner, never gloating in his victory and praising Francois for the challenge. They couldn't deny the feeling of happiness that fluttered in their chest upon hearing the praise and seeing their master's bright grin. It was like an honor, being able to play games like this with him, something that wasn't imaginable thousands of years ago, and they looked forward to the invitations no matter how tired they were and how much work was still needed to be done.

During these times, there would be times of silence, allowing for moves to be calculated carefully, and Francois would notice how often he would stare. It felt somewhat unnerving at first, with how his gaze would be focused upon them, but they would rationalize that it was a part of a strategy to rattle their concentration. Although not entirely wrong, as he would admit to when questioned, there was more to these stares than what the butler could grasp. Stares that would be accompanied by inquiries of their well-being, of what they thought of current events, of compliments spoken in a voice too sultry and soft for one's own good, of faint physical brushes of hands or tucking in a wayward curl behind their ear. Crossed lines that would've never been in the modern world, yet were done in the stone world.

Too many of these moments made Francois blush subtly, and they knew that he had seen the tinge more than a handful of times, never acknowledged with words but always with a knowing smirk. They ignored the fluttering heartbeat, the heat that burned their skin, at least while in their master's presence, but once the lights had gone out and they were left to their bed, it would return with vengeance. At first, nothing more than pondering thoughts as to the whys and reasons, but then came to the haunting of their sleeping mind. Dreams of chivalrous acts, of hands being held as the pair would gaze upon the stars, of whispers that proclaimed confessions of love... innocent dreams, however bothersome they could be. If it were merely those dreams, Francois could live with it, rationalizing that perhaps they harbored a minor yet understandable crush upon their master that would soon go away as they become too enthralled with the Kingdom's many needs to focus on such frivolities.

However, it wasn't such dreams that plagued their mind, but ones that went deeper, the ones that were fueling their desire and had caused other sleepless nights such as this. Dreams that went to a forbidden territory, of lustful groans and throaty screams, of overwhelming kisses and words too spicy to repeat. Dreams that sparked fire deep in their bones, too powerful to just ignore. There was both feelings of dark shame and pleasurable relief when the ache became too much, knowing that there was only one real way to deal with the aftermath of their active subconscious, taking advantage of private and shadow-covered corners where prying eyes couldn't see anxious fingers playing below their hemline and curious ears couldn't hear sinful calls of their master's name as climax neared.

It was one of those dreams that had caused them to wake up from a restless slumber on this hot evening. A dream more intense than any other that had come before it, filled with visions of strong arms around their slender waist, of thrusts so powerful that it made their knees buckle, of heated whispers upon their ear telling them all sorts of naughty innuendo and begging cries that made their throat go dry. It had caused that all-too-familiar stirring in their loins, the rush of blood to their cheeks, and the heavy thumping in their chest, forcing themselves awake and to where they are now. Staring up at the ceiling in the dark of the night, trying to resist the urge to leave their cot in order to find shelter to where they could treat themselves of the sensual malady. Pondering again why they felt so intensely for the one man in all the world they shouldn't feel such things for.

They are master and servant. That is their roles, their standing. This wasn't some sort of romantic Victorian novel where the forbidden line is erased by the plot of the tale where master and servant could live in harmony by the end. That was ideals of fantasy, but this was real life. Even in the stone world where the line only exists by loyalty alone, it was something that couldn't be snipped. No matter how much the images in their head drove them insane and the fuels of desire pushed them into realms that were never meant to be. No matter how it seemed like, in those moments alone, he seemed almost inviting to them to cross over that line.

Eyes burned with the rare sting of tears. It had been quite a long time, indeed, that they felt such a thing. Crying was not befitting of a Nanami butler, as were most emotions that were unrelated to their duties. Yet this is what they had been reduced to, struggling to contain how much they yearned to be more than his loyal servant. That they wanted to be as much of a desire to him as was his dreams for a ship he could helm and to obtain the stars and galaxies above as his own, to hear the words of "I desire you" to come from his lips, knowing that would be every bit as meaningful and powerful as an "I love you". As much as they screamed and demeaned themselves for holding such an impossible want, they knew within their heart of hearts that this was the reality. They had fallen impossibly for their master, and all they could do was treat the symptoms of their feelings as there was no way in the world could they ever be cured. Not until their final breath, knowing that they would never falter from his side, even if they were to be dismissed. The line that kept them separated from their master's world was also what bound them to his world as well, and that loyalty could never be severed, no matter how much pain it was now causing their soul to feel.

Body shifted and fingers clenched the cloth again, trying their best to hide away the tears and quell the heat that had built up, turning once again and close their eyes so tightly, yelling "go to sleep" over and over again, ignoring once again every fiber of being that wanted so desperately to give in to temptation and fulfill a temporary void.

"Francois."

Eyes shot opened again at the call of their name, and without hesitation, they arose from the cot, turning back around and noticing their master sitting upright upon his own bed, arms on his knees and a toothy grin stretch upon his face. His shirt was partly undone, showing a large, v-shaped amount of skin that was hard not to stare at as he practically glowed in the moonlight. Like an angel sent from the depths of hell to further torture the butler in their wanton state.

"Yes, Master Ryusui?" they responded evenly as could be, ignoring how parched their throat was feeling, "Are you feeling unwell?"

He didn't reply, staring straight into Francois' soul with expressions hard to tell in the faint light but nevertheless was effective in making their heart continue to thump at a rapid pace. He extended out one hand towards them, elbow now resting upon his lap in a way that was more arousing than what should've been. "Come here," he requested, and their breath hitched in their throat at the thick tone that encased his words.

Slender legs did as what was told, socked feet touching the cool, granite ground, only needing to take three steps to reach a comfortable distance between the two. "Yes?" they responded again, "What is it that you require of me?"

This time, the words elicited a chuckle. They did all they could not to buckle from how that caused a bubble to form in the pit of their stomach. They cursed themselves again; if it weren't for those damned dreams of theirs and the feelings that continued to torment, none of this would have any sort of affect on them. This would be like any other call in the middle of the night, and oh how they so wanted to slink away to deal with this problem so they could go back to their normal selves for at least a little while longer.

"Tell me, Francois... what is your greatest desire?"

They blinked. "My greatest desire?"

Confusion etched their face. What was this all about now? He wished to discuss such a subject now, in the middle of the night? What brought this upon all the sudden? Did he notice their struggle tonight? Were they not so clever in hiding their troubles away from view? Was there something said that made him question their loyalty? Perhaps he was also unable to sleep and took notice of them struggling to do the same thing, and the idea of a personal talk sounded like a good way to pass the time until dawn? As much as that last thought made little sense, it was much better than the alternatives that were running through their head.

They hummed, as if trying to give the question thought as well as using the seconds it gave time for them to settle their unease, before they stood up a little straighter than before. They brought one hand up to their chest, fingers formed in their typical salute, and giving a slight bow towards their master, "My greatest desire is to serve you, Master Ryusui, providing you with the support and means to pursue your every desire."

The grin didn't falter, and if anything, it seemingly grew a fraction and dripped more into the devilish side. The same sort of smirk he held when he had his mind set upon something that he wanted, and signaled that the gears were turning that would make sure he would gain whatever that thing was. "Is that so?" he questioned, "That is your greatest desire?"

They blinked again, their lungs becoming tight as the breaths they were taking were suddenly not enough. "Yes, of course," they replied, hoping that their nerves wouldn't cause their voice to shake, "Just as it was the day I was assigned to be your faithful servant. Whatever it is that you desire, if it is mine to assist or give, I will gladly do whatever it takes."

'It is true... I desire nothing more than to be by your side. Even if doing so sends me to hell every single night, even if I know that what I truly feel can never come to be, I will do everything and anything for you, my beloved Master Ryusui. It is truly my greatest desire. For I am yours, and all I wish is to be yours forever more.'

Ryusui's gaze narrowed only slightly, and Francois' body subtly shook. Was the answer not what he wanted to hear? They tried to analyze the expression, trying to find the answers – any answers – as to why he was asking them such questions. There was a reason somewhere beneath the demonic grin and teasing spark, yet like when they played their games, they are unable to find a crack within their clever poker face.

He emitted a low laugh, barely a rumble, as he shot out a hand towards Francois, fiercely grabbing at the wrist that rested against their chest, pulling them towards him. They let out a small yelp, surprised by the motion, falling forward until they met with his broad chest, fingers curling against bare skin as they tried to stop their collapse. One strong arm wrapped its way around their slender waist, the other at their chin, forcing them to keep their gaze upon their master's face, umber lips agape and quivering, eyes as wide as the full moon.

"M-master Ryusui!?" the stutter couldn't be controlled this time, breath catching in their throat as they tried to understand what had just transpired, "What... what are you...?"

"Do you know what I desire in this moment, Francois?" he asked, tone sultry and lustful, flashing his toothy grin like a vampire ready to sink his fangs into his victim, "I can give you a hint: I know it's what you desire as well. What you truly desire."

Francois could feel their knees buckling again, fingers shaking against his skin. They could feel the steady thumping of his heartbeat against the pads. It was elevated a bit, they had to assume, but not in the same way that their own was pounding. They could hear their own loudly in their ears, Ryusui's whispers being the only thing louder. Tongue darted out to wet parched lips, and they swore that he was eyeing that move very carefully, analyzing it and being satisfied by what he had seen.

"I... I am afraid I do not understand..." they were cautious with their words, trying to calculate their next move, treating this unusual situation like a game of chess.

However, they had never once won a game of chess against him. No matter how much they had tried, victory always fell short of their grasp. They were at a disadvantage here, and they knew it, yet they still aimed to play this game until the end, and let the pieces fall where they may.

The gleam in his eyes indicated that he knew exactly what they were trying to do, and he was all-too-willing to play along.

He motioned for their head to lean to one side, lips scoring a sweet spot by their ear. "Oh, I think you understand perfectly well, Francois," he chided playfully, releasing their chin as his hand lowered painfully slow, leaving ghostly whispers of touches down their uncovered arms.

Sparks went up Francois' spine as calloused tips laid their path, and the heat that had built up in their loins was coming back full force. Lids lowered slightly as they subtly nipped at their bottom lip, and they shifted again in a futile attempt to hide their obvious arousal. They wanted to pinch themselves; this had to be some sort of dream again, right? It had to be. There was no way that this could be happening. That the man they loved most, that they desired most of all above all else, was seductively hold them close, fingers teasing their skin, ruffling their clothes as they made their way towards their hemline... this had to be a dream. Only a dream, and they would wake up any moment now to the sunlight of a new day.

"You're thinking this is a dream, aren't you?"

Francois was shaken, but didn't back down. "How... how can it not be? This... is not proper. We are... you are..." their words were coming out in jumbled messes, distracted by the phantom touches of fingers and devilish nibbles on their ear, "Only in a dream could this ever be plausible."

He chuckled again before trailing his lips further down, to the column of their neck, reaching a spot where it and the collarbone met. Teeth nipped at the skin in a playful manner, and Francois let out a sharp and pleasing "ah!" in response. Their eyes shot wide open again, shaking all over as he licked at the wound he made, and they realized that they were wide awake. This was real, all of it was real... tears threatened to make their way down their cheeks upon realization, but they wouldn't allow for such a thing to happen. He didn't seem to notice, too busy with his ministrations as he lazily played with a couple of buttons on Francois' bodice.

"Think this is a dream now?"

They shivered, letting out a wispy "no".

He laughed, pulling his head back and forcing their eyes meet his gaze again. Hand left its place by their waist, leaving the buttons undone in knowing that he would be going back later, albeit with a far more sinful intention. Fingers embedded themselves into Francois' messy curls, palm against sweaty skin, grin once again giving off that hungry vibe and they were so ready for him to take his bite. They shifted to bring their body a bit closer, hands making their way behind his neck, clinging to him and waiting with baited breath as to what was going to come next.

"I'll ask again... do you know what I desire in this moment?"

The pair leaned in closer, lips barely a centimeter apart, being able to feel one another's breath. Francois' eyes began to close, vision blurring from the darkness and the tears, swallowing a lump in their throat that threatened to choke them. All of the hell they had gone through, the feelings they had fought so hard to repress, were now coming out and becoming something tangible. Even if this was just one fleeting moment and come morning it'd be just a memory, they could at least look back upon it fondly, knowing that what they had thought impossible was, indeed, possible.

"I believe that I do... but to be sure, will you tell me? What is it that you desire, Master Ryusui?"

They smirked as they spoke, knowing that they had moved their piece directly in the right place. He released one final laugh before he took the bait, lips meeting theirs in a fiery blaze, pouring every ounce of passion and need into the affection that was just as eagerly returned. It was checkmate, and at long last, Francois had finally won, and now was able to experience the victory they had sought, given to them with the whisper of three simple words against bruised lips...

"I desire you."

- end -