WARNING: this is a YAOI fic as it maleXmale relationships and if you don't like that then buzz off.

Oh and I don't own Dragon Knights I'm just using them to fulfill my own sick fantasy. Hey, at least I addmit it.

If you have any confusions feel free to e-mail me and I will try to clear it up.

And thank you all for the rewiews, I don't think I could keep going with out the support. So thank you again.

Oh and I'm geting this wrapped up on Chapter 18. If you want me to write to chapter 20 you need to tell me. Okay?

Triangles can be fun

Chapter 13

They looked so contented like that that Kharl wondered if Rath knew how good he had it. "I'm sorry about my behavior earlier," Rune said starting the conversation.

Kharl waved it off, "You are ill and concerned for a friend, that is quite enough justification." He started pouring tea for the pair and had to stifle a smirk, "So how are you feeling?"

"You know it's odd," Thatz said after a gulp of tea, "I know it may sound corny, but I feel better when I'm touching them," He punctuated his statement by rubbing his cheek to Rune's and putting out a hand to strokes Rath's head.

"And you?" Kharl asked passing a cup to the water knight.

With a sip he nodded, "It's the same with me, but," he blushed, "I felt almost normal when Rath kissed me."

"Hm.. I'm have try that," Thatz grinned ruffling the sleeping knight's hair.

Kharl nodded seriously, "Curious," inside his smirk grew. It was great being right, "Well since you are feeling better we'll hold off the tests until tomorrow. You'll need your strength." He stood putting the teapot and a third cup by the tray. "When Rath wakes, have him drink a cup too, it's a special herb mix to regain strength and vitality, And the poor boy worked himself into the ground." Heading to the door the alchemist said, "Excused me but I have a few matters to attend to. This section is normally empty if you need any thing use the servant's bell." He pointed to the corner of the room between the fireplace and the window where a tasseled rope hung. "I've instructed the kitchen staff to alert me immediately."

"Thank you," Rune said pouring another cup of tea.

"Your welcome and get some rest," Kharl answered with a wave closing the door behind him.

"Crawford-san is very nice," Rune said passing a refilled cup to Thatz.

"He's okay, but something is off," Thatz said and took a sip, "One minute a feel I can trust him and the next I don't. Maybe I'm just being paranoid. Rath did bring us here for help after all." Suddenly the ex-thief started feeling warm and debated taking off his shirt. Sure Rune had seen him naked before, hell it's not like there are private bathing facilities in the middle of now where. But circumstances were different and now he was a little shy about the physical evidence of his hard life left behind.

The earth knight's thoughts were stopped short when his wandering gaze landed on opening rubies. "Good morning," Rath smiled sleepily. The other knights smiled back.

"You look like you had a good dream," Rune said carefully poring another cup.

The fire knight nodded happily and Thatz helped him to sit up against himself despite how warm he felt.

"Here this will help you wake up," The blond said trying to give the dark haired youth the cup, "I know you did it for us, but Rath you shouldn't work yourself so hard."

"But I don't want to wake up," mumbled the sleepy knight turning to rub his cheek against Thatz's shoulder, "If I do you'll hate me and go away."

Thatz shared a confused look with Rune and said reassuringly, "We're not going anywhere." With his words he gave in to the temptation to wrap his arms around the other. "Rune and I have a great surprise for you, but you won't get it unless you wake up."

"And you won't go away?" Rath asked biting his lip and looking like a lonely child.

Rune ran his fingers through Rath's hair leaning forward to kiss the nervous knight's forehead, "We will always be here for you."

Rath was having the most wonderful dream. He was just laying around with the two people that meant the most to him. Their combined smell was relaxing, intoxicating, and invigorating all at once. But now they wanted him to wake up. It was probably for the best, he didn't deserve this happiness anyway. The fire knight took a sip and inhaled the warm herbs. The smell brought his thoughts to his arrival at the castle.

(Yet another flashback)

Kharl sat sipping tea in his sitting room as Rath glared out the window. "The internal battle of your friends has already put a lot of strain on their bodies. It might even result in those lovely souls being pushed out and I don't need to tell you the result," carefully he set the cup and saucer aside, "Here is the part you came for but will not agree to."

"If it is to save them I'll do anything," the fire knight vowed.

The alchemist's icy violet eyes shot up to his own and he sat down from the shear intensity, "Don't make such tempting offers without knowing the stakes," he warned. "This can be done between two at a time but all three of you would be better. Energy needs to flow freely between you all. The darker elements will be attracted into you where they belong. This must be done on a deep level and the easiest and quickest way in intercourse."

"NO WAY!!" Rath's shout almost qualified as a scream.

"Told you so," Kharl said picking up his tea again, almost conversationally he continued, "I've never seen a dragon or elf become a wrath. Why don't you ask your friends how they would like to float around unable to touch until they go mad and pull the living energy from the kingdom they died in the service of. Oh wait the dragon lord has a few spirit masters at his command, they can be brought back into service. Oh good happy ending."

Rath took a shaky breath, "Fine," he looked away his face coloring from embarrassment and self anger, "I'll do it."

(And this one is over)

A brush of skin against his forehead brought him back to the present. Thatz had his own wrist to Rath's forehead. The dark haired young man blushed swatting at the red head lightly. The earth knight grinned, "Glad to see you awake, Rune and I have something to tell you."

Inching to the side Rath got a perfect view of the loving gaze between his two love interests. That made him overjoyed and depressed at the same time. In perfect harmony the two turned to look at him and said, "We love you Rath."

Rath froze. It couldn't be true. It had to be some weird dream or something. The fire knight took the rest of his tea in one gulp and as it hit the back of his throat he recognized the mellow flavor that was not in the tea Kharl offered earlier. It was an ingredient in aphrodisiacs and temporary love potions.

The joy fell leaving hate and depression. Hate for Kharl's constant manipulations and depression over the proof that the confession wasn't true.

Rath smiled sadly into green and blue eyes. Reaching out he pulled them both close.

"What's wrong?" Rune asked with a hint of sadness and confusion in his eyes.

The fire knight felt himself shaking and the reason didn't matter. Kharl had probably figured he needed a little 'help' with the 'cure'. Well damn that feather haired freak! He would do it, but only with their complete and sober consent. If later they opted for the potion then so be it. But not now, not like this. It was practically rape. "Nothing, it's just so overwhelming. I don't know what to say."

"I know what you mean." Thatz smiled, "Dreams like this don't come true every day," and the red head kissed the side of his mouth, "but this is a whole lot better than dreams."

Rath took a deep breath and instantly regretted it, their sent seemed to trigger the tea. His skin started to tingle and warm, he needed to do something before it went into full effect. "I'm still not convinced I'm not dreaming, I'm so tired," he lied.

Thatz nodded, "Yea this place seems to do that to you. I'm still not sure if you came into my room and chased out a hair ball," he laughed, "and I could have sworn it was a puppy before."

"Well a good nights sleep is a good thing for all of us," Rune said pulling the remaining meat buns and rice balls closer, "So I suggest we all get some, but not on an empty stomach."

They ate in comfortable silence and he managed to stop them from having more tea. And as they lay down Rath nearly came to his undoing. Thatz wrapped an arm around his waist curling up against his back causing tingles of pleasure as Rune curled up facing the fire knight with his face only a breath away causing his skin to tingle in maddening anticipation.

"Good night," Rune closed the distance and pecked him on the lips, "love you both," he leaned up and the fire knight could hear the earth knight get his kiss.

"Love you too," Thatz said sounding sleepy already.

"Same here," Rath said closing his eyes so Rune couldn't see his heart shatter. Kharl had given him his dream for a night, and in the morning he just knew it would be ripped away.

~~ TBC ~~