Van scanned his grey little room and lowered his head, to the sword
at his bed side. He looked at it. He looked at the hilt, a small
grey knick in the metal, where he had pounded the poultice that saved
Merle's life. A little smudge. That was the only evidence besides
his own dreams that any of that had happened, his life before.
He remembered smiling the day she cut herself.
"Dah. I know what you are doing Van-sama. I have power. I'd know
if you were hurt or smashed up or sword cut. I'd know and I'd come
and save ya."
Van looked over his shoulder. He could almost see Merle over his
shoulder.
But it was Merle over his shoulder. It was Merle.
"Merle."
"Van-sama." She glomped onto his head.
"I was just thinking about you."
"I'll never leave you Van. You know that, right?"
He held Merle tight against him. Her little girl joy bringing a
peace in his heart. "Yes Merle. I love you."
"When that happens, you know. You know when the ones you love are in
pain."
"I've been so sick, Merle."
"I know. They drugged you. They made you think all kinds of silly
things. Like about being with Dilandau and your brother. Your
brother died fighting the dragon."
"Merle, Is Fanelia-"?
"It's waiting for you. Your mama is mad. She missed you."
"Mama?"
"Come with me. Leave this place."
"I didn't know where you are. I miss you and Hitomi. Is she safe?
Even with Allen Schezar. Can you take me to them?"
"Hitomi. Who's she?"
Van shook his head. Why was Merle doing this? Why did everyone try
to keep them apart?
"Merle. Is she with Allen Schezar?"
Merle stared at him "She's not with Allen. She is somewhere else."
"Well you can take me to them right?"
Merle steps back.
"I have to go."
"Don't go Merle. Tell me where I can find Hitomi first."
Merle latched onto him fearfully trying to smile "Hitomi is gone. You'll never find her. Come back. I'll protect
you."
Van looked at his sword, because he knew what he would do then if he
didn't find out.
"Please tell me where Hitomi is."
Merle shakes her head, "No you must say goodbye to Hitomi. She will
hurt you. Stay with me."
Van hugs her and while she's not looking, the glint of steel.
The sword fell quickly, before she knew it.
Van woke up, screaming.
But the scream never came out
He felt soft fingers on his mouth and against his face.
Hands, Dilandau's hands.
"Van. Are you trying to kill me? No one knows I'm here.
Don't scream"
Dilandau tugged on Van's ear.
"It's all right. Go to sleep. A dream can't hurt you."
Van curled up "I thought you were my dream. You've managed
to do a lot."
Dilandau sat up. He rubbed his slender white neck and
squinted his eyes. Dilandau was very cute if scruffy as he slept,
like a lazy old dog. The picture of Dilandau's wild hair and soft
light blue pajama bottoms, was far from erotic. It looked silly and
comfortable. He really had come to sleep, of all things.
"Why are you here, anyway?"
"To sleep. You looked lonely in your bed and I was alone in
mine."
"You just came to sleep?"
"I have trouble sleeping alone. It's too quiet. I didn't
know what sleep was until you came around"
"Well now you know…" Van ripped off the blanket. "Get out
of my room."
"I wasn't finished yet." Van closed his eyes.
"Are you sure you would not want me here? Otherwise you'll be up all
night too. I don't think you sleep well either without someone
around." Dilandau yawned "You dream too much."
"No thank you. I'll not waste my time with liars. I can't trust
myself with my eyes closed around you." Van said.
"Come on. Sleep with me." Dilandau said hugging him, his
arms around his neck. He set Van against the bed. Van's spine
coiled in fear, waiting for him to…
Dilandau rested his lips against his chin and dosed.
"Dilandau." Van asked.
"Hmm?" Dilandau purred.
"Dilandau?"
"I like to sleep with you." Dilandau said.
"You're crushing me." Van said.
Dilandau yawned.
"Go away. I can't sleep with you crushing my lungs."
"Didn't you tell me you needed me to take your bad dreams
away?"
"I was just trying to have-" Van looked at his sleeping face.
He couldn't believe Dilandau was so innocent to think that was what
he meant? He didn't know that he was being manipulated.
"You said that Folken would be gone for the night. As long as
you don't scream like that again." The dragonslayer smiled.
Dilandau only snuggled like a vicious long clawed kitten,
tearing out a place for himself to sleep in his flesh, unaware how
heavy his arms were.
"You wake me up again and I'll bite you."
In the woods of Astoria.
A woman walked alone on the road.
"All right Lady. You've walked into the wrong place. Lie on
the ground and we won't stab you"
"Leave me and I'll let you live. I did not see your faces.
I see very little in the night."
They had surrounded her.
"She can't see shit. She's as blind as a bat. Don't listen
to her guff.
And yet in the dark, she could here them approach
And from her bag she pulled something they could not make out.
"Hey you girlie. What you got there?"
"Nothing you'd like." The witch said.
"Show us what you got baby."
She held up a grey box, half silver half black. She passed
her hand over it.
"Now, are you going to leave me alone?"
The Bandits growled and laughed.
"Abra cadabra. Go Baby Awesome!"
In the air music came out. The wind played the music of a
thousand flutes. A woman's voice rose and fell.
The men fled at the noise.
"Leave now. Or I will destroy you. I'll put you in my box where you will never escape."
"It's just a trick..." The bandit leader shouted.
All of a sudden the screech of a cat cut into the rhythm of
the song, as if a monster were singing in the great orchestra of
sound. It was a great screeching beast that had to approach them.
"WITCH!!!!"
The lady stood alone, smelling the chill night, alone
She took out her witch bag, placing the box inside. She had
been lucky to stay on the path she could not see. She did not have
to try anything. She continued on. Astoria would not be reached that
night.
***
Van sat at the desk in his brothers room.
The guards Dallet and Guimel were fooling around. They had left him
alone to read and examine some of the paper work on his brother's
desk. It was getting harder and harder to read it, as the two
continued to whisper to each other.
Van looked at the two of them. They were more than mere friends. It
was the way that Guimel let Dallet touch him, his fingers dancing
along his thigh. Dallet was whispering in his ear, bringing the
blond to tears with laughter.
"Hmm I wonder what we could…"
They were probably bored to tears by regular guard duty, and were
glad to get out of it. Especially in the privacy of the king's room
they could actually speak and spend time together.
"You know you two, you won't have long to wait. Gatti should get
back here any second. You don't need to humor the Prince much
longer."
Guimel smiled "I don't mind. You are not as uptight as F…" Guimel bit his lip.
"What is that?" Van laughed, "I still have to apologize for your
head."
"Oh it's only a dent. I got plenty of those." It was a lot easier
to win Guimel over than he thought.
Dallet disengaged from Guimel, trying to appear professional. Van did
enjoy watching them together. They were very sweet to one another.
"What are you reading your majesty?"
"Folken's appointment book. I'm going to Sonopolis."
"Really? Will you see the Emperor, your majesty?" Dallet asked.
Van blinked "I don't know. I'd have to ask my brother. I suppose…"
"What on Gaea are you going to wear?"
Van screwed up his eyes, "What does that matter?"
Guimel laughed "It always matters. What will the journals say if you
should go to Astoria shabby and ill kempt? Hmm. Only the most
fashionable people attend Court."
"I can't believe you haven't thought about it. I'd be planning a
week ago."
"I don't really have anything."
"Pah. Your brother has a closet. Though probably everything your
size is 4 years gone." Dallet said. He shook his head, "He'll be
laughed at."
"Oh come now Dallet. He doesn't have anything to start with. Just
think, we're helping him get ready to see the Emperor. Of course he
can get his own clothes when he's in Sonopolis." Guimel said,
stroking Dallet's chest.
"We could help you, couldn't we, your majesty?" Dallet said
springing up. Guimel shook his head, after losing his darling's
interest.
"My master Dallet the fashion hound." Guimel stroked his face. Van
turned his head. He could pretend he didn't see the warmth and
affection between them. Their love could harm none, if they both
seemed so happy together.
"Well, it helps to have a dog when you are amoung wild beasts." Van
said, "My brother's closets are over there."
"I've never done anything like this before. I don't know how we're
going to do anything with only Folken-sama's clothes."
"Folken is very stylish." Guimel said
"Yes, his clothes are dark and dowdy. He doesn't really need it
though. He's just so naturally graceful and elegant."
Van crossed his arms "And I am not?"
"Of course you are too. But you are so much more glamorous. You're
a barbarian king, Folken-sama is only a Madoushi."
"You realize Folken is my brother."
Dallet shook his head "I keep forgetting. You just are so
different from him."
They looked at the closet. Van strangely began to become afraid.
"Nothing for you in here. This will take forever."
"There are more clothes in here then all my ancestors ever had. How
could there be nothing to wear?" Van asked.
"Your majesty, I will need silence to work."
"Okay, but I won't wear anything yellow. I know I have to wear green
but I won't wear anything yellow."
"Okay. No yellow, for your majesty." Dallet laughed.
"It used to be all my state robes were green and yellow. Those are
the colors of my family crest. They make me look sickly." Van said.
"Hmm. There are lots of green coats in here. I wonder if any of
them fit you. Your brother is much more broad shouldered and taller
then you."
"I hate clothes." Van grumbled as he rifled through the
wardrobe. "It's a wonder every girl on the planet doesn't go mad
with these fripperies. If I have a daughter I'll make sure she
doesn't see silk until she's married."
"You will look handsome no matter what you wear, Van-sama." Guimel
said happily, "Dallet will see to that."
"That's what I worry about."
"I am cursed to be fashionable, and this is your blessing. That's
all you can care about these days. We don't have much nobility left
in Zaibach. It's hard to tell the merchants from the Lords you
know. I made Miguel pass for a lord once at a ball. We dressed him
up in some of my brother's cast offs. Everyone wanted to know who he
was. Anyone can make it in Zaibach with their fashion."
"Miguel was frightened. He thought it was S-iden trying to arrest
him. For Sumptuary Laws. See in These days my lord, only lords and ladies may wear silk, he was sure the
whole night that people were staring at his cravat. No one ever knew
he was just a soldier."
"I can't believe that." Van said. Guimel helped him with the green
coat. He buttoned it up till he felt like he would choke.
"If I can make a Lord out of Miguel I can make a king out of you."
"I hate green." Van grumbled.
Gatti came into the room, crossing his arms "What are you
doing to the prince?"
"We're finding him clothes to wear. He's going to the city." Guimel
smiled.
"That coat is too long. That kind of coat is supposed to show your
hips off." Gatti approached. "Might I your majesty?"
Van nodded his head. Gatti lifted up the coat only about three
inches.
"Up here." Gatti smiled.
"That is so tacky. It should be longer, over the hips. That's the
way you're supposed to wear it."
Van could barely breath through the collar. His face was reddening.
"It should be higher. It's-"
"Lower." Dallet insisted.
"Come on. That's so old fashioned." Gatti said "The ladies
certainly favor this style. And he has fine legs. It's a shame to
cover them."
"Oh brother. Is that all you can think about? He has to look
respectable."
"It got me that darkly Silveria Vixen." He smiled beginning to beam, "When was the last time I called upon her?"
"Like I said, you should just."
"And we all know how well you do with the ladies…"
"You dog." Dallet neighed with righteous rage at Gatti "I could have
any woman in the world I want. I don't have to throw myself at every
flirt and coquette."
Guimel snapped off Van's button, in rage, his eyes leered in rage.
"Of course I have Guimel." Dallet petted his curly head quickly
before Guimel snapped something much more important off.
"Damn right..."
"Looks like a girl anyway…."
Guimel growled "I'll be the girl who tosses you down the ship you,
preening cock."
"Jah, you bitch eyed goddess. Just keep out of it. I know…" Gatti sluffed Guimel off.
Dallet growled and tossed himself on Gatti. Guimel joined the fray
trying to hold Dallet from drawing and getting his butt whooped.
Van held his hand over his mouth to prevent from laughing too hard.
Two boys were rolling around wrestling over the debate on how long a
coat should be.
"Take it back-" Dallet said. Van For a soldier he was certainly thin
skinned and hot tempered. Even if he was a bit of a fop, Van would
never try to upset him.
"I think I'll listen to Dallet. He's obviously more adamant on how I
should wear my coat. Besides I am meeting the emperor. I wouldn't
want him to favor my legs."
"Of course your majesty." Gatti bowed.
"Now let's calm ourselves and continue."
***
Folken went to talk to his brother, and make sure he was all right.
He had not seen his brother all morning, despite the fact he had
stayed in Folken's room. He had been on suicide watch. Folken
insisted that Van should stay in his room. Though he hated to admit
it some of the Dragon Slayers were helpful. He refused to let
Dilandau or his favorite guard, Miguel. But Van insisted to see
Miguel. The boy had inadvertently saved his life. Dilandau would
not come down. He sent to of his men Dallet and Guimel often to call
upon Van. The Dragon Slayers streamed in and out of his room never
giving him a chance to be alone.
Folken noticed Van buried in his closet. Tossing clothes out piling
them, to fit some logic that only was apparent to his brothers mind.
"Van are you…"
Van didn't answer. He was grumbling to himself.
"Van. Are you well?" Could it be that the drug was having a
relapse resulting in such eccentric behavior?
He kicked an older vest of his over the privacy screen.
"What are you doing in there?"
"Looking at your clothes. Trying to determine what I should wear."
"Wear?"
"You heard me. It seems that all these Zaibachs seem to care about
is their fashion. Worse than Astorians. I'm going to need more
clothes than holy to look decent for them. They have more clothes
than all of our ancestors combined. I hate all this."
He tossed a blue cape out onto the bed
Van called out from the closet "How are your men treating you after-"
"I… I must say I was embarrassed." Van put down the clothes, chuckling lightly. As if he had tripped on his cape.
"Van…."
"You have nothing to worry about. I was the one who said Dilandau fucked me. I am sorry I took too
many of those pills. I really wasn't thinking. How was I supposed to know? I never had pills before."
The boy smiled, "They probably think I'm just a silly barbarian. Who
else would take a whole bottle? I'm going to have to learn a lot if
I am going to deal with you people. Even if you do wear too damn
many clothes."
Van laughed lightly, continuing to burrow and dig into
Folken's closet deeper.
"Van what if I said I didn't believe you? You've been
through so much-"
A green shirt came zooming out of the closet in anger.
Van stuck his head out. He glared at Folken. His face
looked cold, as if Folken had betrayed him. Van tightened his mouth.
But before Folken could react he laughed.
"I'm too busy now. I have to get ready to go to Sonopolis.
We can talk later if you'd like. When I have the time. You can tell
me about medicines and everything I need to learn."
"Yes of course…" Folken backed away, Van was not ready to
talk. "How did you know about-"
"You left your books open." Van smiled to lessen the impact
of the phrase. "You really shouldn't do that."
Van laughed to himself and went back into the closet.
"My men are faithful. Besides I rarely let anyone in my
room. It's locked for most of the time. You're the only person I
gave a key. I don't think Narya has a head for such paperwork, as
nosey as she is."
Folken smiled.
"I want you in proper hands while I am away. Narya shall come to
pick you up. It will be a good chance to get to know each other.
She is a wonderful girl if you can gain her trust."
"She seems to trust so few."
"Unless you want to come with me."
Van shook his head. "I have no wish to go to Astoria with you. The only person I know
there is Allen Schezar, and I may have to break his jaw. I don't
know what I should do. It's best if I never see him again."
Tossing the yellow shirt into the trash.
"It would be…"
"I could see it. That prick-less coward would probably say I
was being reckless. I never want to see him again. Screw him and
Astoria. I don't need to waste my time caring what your going to do
to those foppish gadflies. They think they are sooo-"
He looked at his hand "Well at least they probably sent Merle
and the Moon girl back to the Ruganhall. Maybe even some sorceror in
Palas got her back to the Moon."
"Merle wouldn't be happy there. She's to go back to the
Ruganhall. Ruhm and Rusta said they would keep an eye on her, if..."
"You will not be forced to go to Astoria." Folken said. It
would be best to get Van used to his new life in Zaibach before
leaving his new home.
Van continued digging back into the closet.
"Folken, I am in need of a new set of armour. If I will address the
Generals of Zaibach before I go to Sonopolis."
Folken blinked.
"I can't very well convince them anything. I look like a child. How
will anyone ever recognize me?"
"Van." Folken asked.
"And nothing like that old stuff. I looked like a boy hiding in a
cabinet with a pot on my head."
Van looked at himself, "I think black would be a suitable color.
I've noticed all your armies have their colors. Except for the
Dragon Slayers they are in blue."
Folken stared at Van. "You can't be serious. Addressing the
generals, by yourself?"
"Yes." Van said.
"Why?"
"It's what Father would have done." Van looked at the shirt on his body. "I still haven't declared formal
surrender. I think they expect me to roll over on my stomach, split
my legs open and beg for my life."
"Well-"
"They won't get that out of me. I will go as Dornkirk's equal not
his slave." Van looked into his eyes in the mirror, deep caramel eyes, light but
cold. "You realize that only you and I remain of our house. We are the
only people in Zaibach who care there is a Fanelia. We are her only
champions."
Folken placed his hand on his shoulder. Van started and pulled it
off.
"There is only one king of Fanelia, however many generals you have.
Two-three-"
"Four generals."
"I'm still fuzzy on how that. I cannot understand how you can figure
out an army thus. I could never imagine a kingdom where a king isn't
a general. That's how it is in Astoria and look at how they changed."
Folken caught the capes Van was throwing out of the closet.
"Why isn't Dornkirk general?"
"The Four Generals rule the army."
"So he handles affairs of State?"
"No most of them are handled by Political parties in the Parliament.
There are twenty factions. The Liberals, the Fundamentalists, The
Deists, the Anti-Sexuals…"
Van stared at him. "Anti-sexuals?"
"Each party has a cause which they represent. All citizens of
Zaibach vote for one party."
"So in other words your emperor sets these factions against each
other so they will not usurp his power, but still have them run the
country. They are so busy fighting each other that no one ever
realizes that they should rebel against him. Very clever."
Folken froze. He had never heard such a simple way to explain how
the parliament worked in reality. Van had a way to clear it up.
"That is one way to put it."
"He maybe onto something."
"The Parliament has it's own Board of Science and Identity, to
control the population, fight crime and prevent sedition and such."
"S-iden. Hmm. I've heard the soldiers badmouth it a lot. Something
about Purges… they have the authority to jail. I'll need more
reading material on them." Van looked at the shirt he lifted.
"S-iden is the most powerful angency in Zaibach. They seek to
civilize and culture the people. To bring them out of superstions
and religion. To help build the great cities-"
"And a green cape." Van said interupting him "Something of
distinction." He smiled at his image. "I hate green." Van said growling "It looks sick."
Van was beginning to scare him. How could he even consider this?
One boy to speak to all the Generals of Zaibach. He would burst from
fear. Why did his brother act like this, as if he were an oak in a
hailstorm? Why wouldn't Van let him take care of everything?
"Van you have not been well, let me deal with such matters of state
until-"
"Until what? Folken, it is my decision. I am the king and it is
time that I deal with this situation."
"But Van is it not too-"
"Folken." Van grasped his hand, "You should let me handle this."
"Van-"
"You aren't the King of Fanelia. You will never be king. You cannot
do this. It is something I must do. The Gods placed the Kingship
upon me. If I am not Fanelia's king then there is no king. And with
no king our people might as well let these heartless bastards fuck
them up the ass."
Folken pulled back his hand.
"Van, I apologize. If you feel it is best.…"
"I'm sorry. I'm not used to letting people take control. I'm not
used to having the Strategos of Zaibach as my big brother."
"I'm not used to having a king as my little one. I will support
you. I will do anything. I will not lose you again, I won't let
anything-"
Van lowered his eyes.
"Now, I will be busy preparing my address. I still don't know if-"
He let the doubt stay in his mind never sharing it, "You will need
to clarify the structure of your army, to me."
"I'll be happy to help."
"Thank you Folken. You are most kind and helpful. When I return to
Fanelia we will not be enemies. Now I have more business to attend
to. If I need your help I shall call you, if you aren't too busy."
Van sat down, it was good to do things again. He would have
a lot of work to do. More than he ever would have done. How could a
King with no palace, no people and no property talk to an Emperor?
He would do it.
Dilandau could hear Gatti was talking about his date with one
of the younger comm Officers to Miguel as they walked down the hall.
"So I have this box of like Arcadian ciocolates, for her. Right, right and the little tart says, `Oh why
didn't you get me those.' I told her, bloody Militariettes. I hate
a girl with a gun, thinks she can tell me what to do. And 8 out of 6
are bloody Anti-sexuals. Give me a civilian anyday."
"Wow. Come on I think she's cute."
"Yeah but you get to know her. She's a real-"
Dilandau smiled as Gatti and Miguel approached.
They stopped.
"Dilandau-sama." they bowed. Dilandau seemed to be in a
lighter mood.
"So how is young Master Fanel doing?"
"His Majesty is fine."
"I have yet to pay call to him yet, since his relapse."
Dilandau said, "I think I must see him today, or I would never
forgive myself. It's just criminal how callous I have been."
"Master Dilandau, Perhaps you should wait. Master Folken-"
Gatti didn't blink before Dilandau's fist hit his face.
"I'm not worried about Folken's paranoia. I will visit Van
today. I have a gift that may smooth over the tensions between his
brother and myself. He is a very remarkable young man, barbarian or
not."
"Of course you are free to come Miguel and watch him."
Miguel blushed and lowered his head, immediately embarassed.
"I... I... I feel I would be too embarrassed to… I thought
he was of my…station... and I said such- I couldn't-"
"I'll go then." Gatti rolled his eyes.
"Good then." Dilandau glared at Gatti "I shall make my
amends with that Prince."
"I'll meet you down there Dilandau-sama."
As soon as Dilandau was an improbable distance away they began talking again.
"Well he got under your skin tonight." Gatti said smiling, "Why are
you afraid? We all thought he was just a slave. He's a good natured
fellow. He won't be mad for you deception."
Miguel shook his head, "I just don't trust him. He's-"
"I'd think you were getting a little green and bitter. Why should
you care what a Prince is doing here?" Gatti said. "He's not one of us"
"Gatti, do you not find it odd that he should find such an interest
in Van?"
"I figured he wants to dally with the young prince," Gatti said.
"What?" Miguel glared.
"Be just like our Captain. Prince Van is that kind a pretty boy, not
like Guimel or Chesta, but still very lovely. Fine dark hair and a
handsome face. You must have seen how Dilandau stared at his big
brown eyes."
"What are you talking about?" Miguel frowned
"Only Dilandau would dare himself into the arms of a Prince.
Dilandau, I think would tolerate nothing less."
"You wouldn't know anything." Miguel defended.
"It would also prod him that it was Folken's brother. Trying to steal
the lion cub from under the Leopard's nose. He would do such a
thing. Such a boy would steal his heart." Gatti said.
"Stop talking about such nonsense. What would Dilandau say?"
"Who would have thought that his heart would remain so long dead then
to wake up in his enemy's arms? I don't know whether I would envy
that prince or pity him. Dilandau Albatou has never been in love."
Miguel walked away "You're so full of shit."
Gatti laughed. "You are too serious Miguel. It's just an affair. Like you haven't…"
"You can't speak that way about Dilandau. Not as if he was-"
Gatti brushed Miguel's head "You like him too. He's as pretty a piece of flesh anywhere. I
wouldn't be talking to ya here if I knew you didn't have something of
a fancy to him."
Miguel didn't say anything. Gatti shook his head.
"Don't lose your head boyo. He's Dilandau-sama. Nothing you can do
will ever change him to make him act any different. He's a heartless
bastard. If you haven't realized we all are. There are other boys
around here for a bit of sport. At least most of the blokes here on
the ship aren't too particular. Malliel. Heh? He's that sweet
little red head, very impressionable, eager to impress us Dragon
Slayers."
"Shut up. It doesn't go away like that. Every time I close my eyes
he is the one I see." Miguel said.
"Just find yourself a nice pretty one and a hot night. Girls, boys
doesn't matter, help me get over Kat. Let the Prince have his fun.
Before you know it we'll be off and Dilandau won't remember a thing
of it."
Miguel lowered his head.
"I'll handle it. Probably the Prince will just toss him away.
Prince Van knows it would kill Folken to carry on like that, even if
he did fancy Dilandau. He probably send Dilandau on his way after no
more than a handshake."
"Maybe you're right. Maybe now that Folken knows... You are right."
***
Dilandau came in, launching his lips forward into Van's face. "I've
got a treat for you tonight."
"What is it?" Van asked. Dilandau took out a thin box. "I
just happen to find these. Still good."
"Sweets to the Sweet." Dilandau said, holding out a white
box. "These ones are nice. They have Caramel, and this kind is some
kind of pulova. They have different shapes for each one." Dilandau
smiled, "This here is dark ciocolate with honey inside. Taste that
and tell me it's not wonderful, and you don't think I'm marvelous."
Van chewed through the surface.
"Gods that's horrible. " Van squeezed his eyes. It was so
disgustingly sweet.
Dilandau shook his head "What those are the best-"
Van swallowed the candy "I feel like I'm going to faint."
"What? These are my favorite."
"Vile. My tongue is burning."
"Well you don't like those then?" Dilandau popped one on his tongue
and swallowed, "Here I was with a lovely new box of New Arcadian
ciocolates and I couldn't even touch them. The Madoushi say I should
not eat it, that the caffeine will affect my growth and the sugar and
the saturated fat will affect my precious system. But it tastes so
good." He licked one of the round ones. "I really do wish I could
eat these things."
Van shook his head. Dilandau licked the ciocolate off his fingers.
"I'd hate to see you eat them. You've eaten three already." Van
pulled the box away.
"Why shouldn't I share?" Dilandau said sucking on his finger "It's
the perfect opportunity to be sweet and generous and try to talk my
way into your bed again."
Van felt Dilandau's hand against his inner thigh, fingers trailing
and naughty.
"You never know when to stop do you?"
Dilandau leaned so close for a kiss and pulled away to eat another
one of the dark pieces.
"So can I come in?"
"May it wait? I have an address to write…" Van asked.
"You don't like ciocolates?"
"No." Van said.
Dilandau stared at him.
"Give them to Folken, I'm sure he'd appreciate an apology." Van
smirked. He never went ten minutes without mentioning his brother.
It might have scared him, if he wasn't feeling in such a good mood.
"Why would I waste my ciocolate on him? I don't think I like being
nice to Folken as much as I like being nice to you."
"Why?"
"Pah." Dilandau kissed Van's chin with the traces of the ciocolate
against his lips. He was so transparent, nibbling on the ciocolates
he had brought for a gift. It was against his nature to do anything
that wasn't selfish. He couldn't even give a gift in the appropriate
way. It was almost sweet, in a way that burned him like honey.
"You got ciocolate on your face." Dilandau brushed his face.
"That's because you eat like a hog." Van said.
Just the tip of his tongue skated over the chocolate scar of melted
chocolate. The Prince coiled back. Immediately Dilandau changed,
from this sweet playful rather clever boy into that same creature of
lust.
"See. All gone, no more. My, aren't you tasty."
"Dilandau…" Van said. He tried to pull away before Dilandau would
kiss him and they would end as they always did.
"You are very tasty today."
Barely the tip of his tongue effected a reaction in Van. He felt
like his heart was like a flapping dove.
"Take off your clothes, I want to taste more." Dilandau smiled.
"Are you sure you have time?"
"I make time for you Van."
Van stilled his squirming and let Dilandau touch him.
Van never did dress in much: A shirt for he hated vests and he didn't
like full coats, and cloth breeches of a peasant. Though they did
flatter him. He was still that skinny fawn of a boy, like the
gazelle that ran along the plain. They have died out in Zaibach
except for him, the prince in his arms.
His throat was pulsing and quivering. His jaw tight, denying himself
the comfort of his touch. Van clenched his teeth as Dilandau kissed
him.
Dilandau had him sprawled over the bed once his shirt was off. He
threw it over the door. Dilandau wished he could capture that wanton
and wild barbarian who had given him bloody ribbons across his
flesh. What was it he sought in those caramel eyes? Was it their
shame? The light that made his eyes seem to breath. His shame was sweet and rich.
He wanted to taste it under his tongue too.
He had no desire to hurt this boy. He was so beautiful like this.
Vulnerable, weak and sweet. Even Van's usual foul temper was
allayed. He was skittish and clumsy, unaware of his desires, wanting
to suppress them.
His lips shivered. His teeth moved as if he was covered in ice.
"No."
"Come now Van. You know you-"
Van closed his eyes.
Dilandau dragged his tongue against of his chin, over his lips. Van
panted deeper as Dilandau increased his attention towards him, his
kisses gentle and unending. Van tasted him back. As if it had been
a tonic of passion. Dilandau loved every moment of it. Van tried to
maintain his princely composure and reserve, but he was hungered by
Dilandau's embrace. He hated to enjoy this.
Everything about Van was wonderful. He wanted to worship his body
and bring out the blush in his dark skin, to leave him panting and
moaning and cumming again and again. He wanted Van to say his name,
instead of those hushed silent mutters to his duty and his gods. It
was so much. How could he be blind to it?
Dilandau kissed his nipples. He had wanted to try this on him for a
long time since Van bit his chest so beautifully. Van whimpered like
a disappointed child as he did this, forgetting everything but
Dilandau.
"Hmmm. Yes."
Van pushed him, but could only manage to stroke his face, his resolve
so battered by his passions.
"Please just…"
Dilandau looked up.
"Why don't you stop? Why are you doing this to me?"
"I want to." Dilandau smiled. "I wanted to see if it would work on
you like that. I think I want to kiss every single inch of your
body."
Dilandau rolled down his pants. Nibbling below the crook of his
navel. Van was blushing redder than anyone he had ever seen.
"No." Van shook his head, "You're bewitching me. I won't-"
"Be quiet my sweet Tenshi."
Van leaned back against the bed, prostrate and vulnerable.
"Just get it over with. Please just do it and leave me alone."
He split his legs apart suggestively. Dilandau's eyes grew as wide
as his grin, as Van wrapped his legs around him. But Dilandau closed
his knees.
"Slow down. I'm not done kissing you."
"Why?" Van pushed him away.
Dilandau pinned back his arms.
Van wept, the tears in his eyes "I didn't say you could do this. Why are you making me feel so-"
"You don't like this? I'm trying to make you feel good." Dilandau smiled, trying to calm him back into kissing.
"I can handle the pain. Just please-" Van squirmed away.
"What did you think I want your body for? An place to store my sword?"
"So you could ravage me? You want to dishonor me."
"Do you have half an idea what that means?" Dilandau blew his hair
out of his eyes. "I want to have sex with you. And it can be very
sweet. Just as long as we don't get silly, and make it about more
than it is. I want your pretty little body, and you want me to fuck
you. That's all. Why shouldn't we have some fun?"
Van swallowed his reaction before he cried again.
"I have no interest in torturing a worthless barbarian captive.
Especially not one who laid himself at my feet. You have no value
except to me. Only I can see you for what you are."
"What about Folken? Folken-"
Dilandau smiled to quietly. "and Folken, then."
Van's eyes lowered. Could he really say Folken had been any help?
He had drugged him like a beast and stole his guymelef. Dilandau
could see parts of him that only were in his dreams.
"Who else?"
"I- " Van said.
Dilandau softly left a kiss against his throat under
his ear.
"I'm not your punishment. I'm myself. I have no interest in
punishing you. But you are mine, and I won't hesitate to do anything
to make you honor me as I deserve."
"You don't deserve anything. Death would be too good for you."
"And what do you deserve? Fanelia-ko"
Van was very still, he closed his eyes.
"I deserve you."
"You're such a strange thing Van Fanel." Dilandau kissed him.
Van broke his lips away, "Why are you doing this to me?"
Dilandau said "I take what I want."
Van shuddered at the touch. It felt so warm and deep, it coursed beyond thought deep into
himself. The passion this bastard was unfolding in him. It burned
away his guilt, his hatred, he could see cool fire and stars behind
his eyes; even the air became too sweet to breathe as Dilandau
touched him. He didn't have time to think. He should have died then.
Dilandau disappeared. His own mind disappear.
Van grabbed Dilandau and ripped apart his tiara, a silvery cascade of
hair plummeted in front of his face and against Van's body. It was
beautiful.
All the while he had forgotten all but scarlet eyes and cream skin
and silver hair, and warmth and heartbeat. Dilandau looked at him.
His eyes were only alive in this world he had created.
There would be nothing outside. No war, no Folken, no pain. Just
this and here forever.
"Dilandau-sama." It was a strong voice. It couldn't have been most
of the dragon slayers.
Gatti stared in. His eyebrows jumped in the air for a second. But
only long enough so Dilandau pulled his hair together. Pinning it
back with his comb. Gatti had assumed in was a diadem. Not a shag
of barbarian curls. He hadn't realized how much longer his hair had
become since they left the Centers.
Van was stripped already, sweat or maybe a trail of saliva against
his chest.
"I see why Miguel wanted me to give you this, instead of handling it
himself."
Dilandau narrowed his eyes against Gatti.
"What do you want now?" Dilandau said, shielding Van's nudity with
his shirtless body.
"Um. Nothing." Gatti was sweating, still not quaking.
Dilandau raised his hand and smacked Gatti. He did roll with it, as
if he was used to getting hit.
"Forgive me, Van. I didn't know you were so busy. It's a wonder you
have anytime to practice at all."
Dilandau got out of the bed and pulled his shirt around him.
"Dilandau-sama what are you doing? Folken will kill you if he
catches you with his little brother." Gatti whispered.
"I thought I told you to mind your business." Dilandau hissed.
"It's one thing to romance him if you want, but if you would lie with him, Folken would surely-"
Dilandau knew he would never shut Gatti up, so he stared at
him. "Gatti." Dilandau twirled his blond hairs around his finger "Do
you want to join us? You can be on top, if you suck me down first.
We can tie Van to the bed and-"
Gatti's face dropped. "Ewww. No no. I-"
Dilandau slapped him.
"Leave then. Don't come back until I tell you."
Gatti pursed up his lips, as if he tasted something bitter.
"Hai Dilandau-sama." Gatti bowed.
The Dragon Slayer snuck out.
Van sat back on the bed
"Gatti is such an idiot. He thinks with his. He thinks I want him
around. It prickles his envy that he can't impress me, even if he
doesn't want me."
Van panted breath escaping his face. Van looked with heat against his pale skin.
"I'll have to continue this later." Dilandau said. "I have business."
"What?" Van placed his arms around him.
Dilandau stopped and looked at him. Van's face flushed and eyes
shining. He was perfect like this. The way his arms reached out for
him. Dilandau grinned.
He finally realized that this was what he wanted, Van's desire. It
was so sweet. He never thought he could feel so good. This was it.
"It's best to leave you when you are hungry, tenshi. Like this."
Dilandau brushed his face.
"But…" Van asked confusion and passion clouding his eyes.
Dilandau smiled at him. "Yes that's it." Van felt his hands curl
around his fingers. "That's what I want of you."
"Please Dilandau…."
"I'll return Tenshi."
The words died in Van's ear as Dilandau drifted away. And it became
clear to Van. The tears fell out of his eyes.
Van was sure what it was. This was his punishment. That he would be
dishonored like this, for leaving Balgus to die, for his kingdom to
burn. He'd have to lie here in the dark with this dark hearted boy.
The worst of it all was he never knew how he felt about it. If
Dilandau was raping him it was only torture. Something that his body
could heal from and his mind forget.
But this torture was not pure. Why couldn't it just hurt? His brain
flooded with him, his heart gasping and pounding in his chest, and
those kisses. They couldn't be described as anything but sweet.
Why couldn't it be torture? This inquietude of passion was filling
him burning inside of him worse then any pain in his body. There
were a thousand things even Van could think would have hurt worse.
Dilandau was innocent as a forest fire. He didn't feel this. All he
felt was the pleasure and the excitement of curbing him.
Dilandau could sleep afterwards. Dilandau could nuzzle him and thank
him, genuinely for his stolen pleasure, drifting into sleep unaware
of his arms clasping around Van possessively unaware of anything
other then his sated pleasure. He might even have developed an
attachment to Van. He wouldn't think about it. As long as Fanelia
lay in peril this would be his debt, whoring himself before Zaibach
until he could build it again.
He wanted Dilandau to just die or stop, or in his darker moments go
away and bother someone else. He had seen the way Dilandau looked at
Miguel. Like the way a schoolgirl looks at her secret beloved, sweet
and curious. Of course he would never touch Miguel. He cared about
him too much. Dilandau looked at him with lust. A lot. With none
of the warmth he did with Miguel.
Van couldn't even imagine Dilandau looking with any warmth. He was
not a warm person. He was too passionate. But Miguel, he was a
passion he would never partake. It was forbidden to him by law and
by choice.
Dilandau found comfort in his arms. The way to ease the
suffering and the lust. Dilandau was just using him.
