Warning: AU, Fantasy, PG-13, Ran/Ken. :D

Disclaimer: Weiss belongs to Takehito Koyasu and Project Weis.

First Born: Sacred Flame

Chapter 12: The Day After

14 Days after the Summer Solstice

Ran awoke slowly. He felt tired and achy, and he wondered why he had run ten miles dragging a stone before bed. But as his mind cleared he realized he hadn't. Much of the tired, achy feeling was due to the fact that he was pinned under somebody. Someone heavy and unmoving. Ran shifted and groaned and opened his eyes.

The room was bright. Sunlight streamed onto the balcony outside, which meant it was noon or later. The somebody he was under proved to be Ken, who had apparently decided to use Ran's entire body as a pillow rather than just his chest. The former servant had stretched himself out over Ran and tucked his head right up under Ran's chin, making it difficult for him to move his head.

With a soft smile the red-headed Lord brought a hand up to shake his friend awake, but he froze when his fingers encountered warm flesh instead of the lightweight nightshirt he was expecting. Slowly, and with great trepidation, Ran slid his hand across Ken's back, then lower and lower, until it came to rest on the still very bare slope of Ken's buttocks. There he stopped.

Ken was naked.

The thought brought Ran fully awake like a shot of cold water to the face.

Ken was naked and...

Carefully he shifted again, straining to feel his own state against the bed beneath him.

He was naked.

Ken was naked and he was naked.

Ken was on top of him, sleeping soundly well past the hour he usually rose. Ran himself had overslept, and upon further self inspection he had to admit to a certain heavy, lethargic, sated feeling. The implications of that thought caused him to reflexively wrap both arms around the prone body atop his own.

Ran blinked rapidly, searching his memory for the events of the previous evening. They were blurred and hard to get to at first. He recalled dinner and the dancing, the details of the last dance wavered a bit before solidifying, but he remembered Aya switching partners just at the last moment so he and Ken stood face to face when the dance ended. He recalled a heightened awareness of Ken, and his predatory thoughts and feelings. The return to the room came back to him, as did the memory of watching Ken preparing for bed in the dark, the flashes of light from outside, the sound of revelers below, the feel of the sheets against his bare...

He'd initiated it. He'd been the cause of their coupling.

Ran wasn't a blushing virgin by any stretch of the imagination, but he'd never been cast in the role of seducer before. He'd simply never had to be. The women, and men, who'd come to his bed had come willingly and of their own accord. They'd pursued him. Apparently he'd finally given in to the emotions that had been plaguing him for months, and employed the very techniques that others had used on him. And pretty successfully too. It had been a night of firsts. And seconds, thirds and fourths if memory served.

Ran cringed at the turn his thoughts were taking and reflexively tightened his arms around Ken. He was on the verge of panic. He knew his own feelings, but wasn't at all clear about Ken's. They hadn't gotten beyond general physical contact, and had never even discussed the possibility of anything more. So, what had changed? Had there been something in the wine? He'd heard Yohji speak of such things, but would some concoction be enough to drive him to...

Ran was distracted from his thoughts by a groan of protest. He was clutching Ken to him as if the former servant were about to fly out the window. Quickly he collected himself and relaxed his hold. By way of apology he began rubbing gentle circles across Ken's back, marveling as he did at how smooth the younger man's skin felt, and how pleasant the ripples of his muscles were.

Ken released a deep, contented sigh and Ran thought he'd fallen back to sleep.

"Wha...tm...izi?" Ken croaked suddenly into his shoulder.

"Almost noon," Ran answered after silently translating the question. "Judging by the light."

He continued to rub circles over Ken's spine and the brunet sighed again.

"Are you alright? Did you sleep well?" Ran asked softly.

"Mmmm-hmmmm...still tired," Ken replied without moving.

"I didn't...I didn't hurt you...did I?" He had to know, at least that one thing. The rest could come later, after they were both awake, washed and dressed. But he needed to know.

Rather than answer Ken tipped his head up and squinted at him with one heavy lidded brown eye, then tucked his head back under Ran's chin.

"M fine, Ran," he replied and the red-head thought he could hear a smirk. "Felt good...right."

Ran blinked up at the canopy overhead. He could feel the brunet breathing against him and the way their bodies seemed to fit together. It did feel right.

"Tired," Ken stated again, his tone slightly petulant and Ran gathered he had no intention of letting him get up.

Suddenly he felt a wide smile spread across his face and Ran gave the former servant a little squeeze. Ken grunted.

"Then go back to sleep," the fire-haired Lord said and resumed tracing lazy circles along Ken's back. Within moments the former servant's breathing had evened out and deepened. After a bit of time Ran was able to shift him enough to slip out from under him and climb from the bed. Once he was up he leaned back down and placed a lingering kiss to the bit of Ken's forehead that was bared. The former servant nestled down into the dent in the mattress that marked Ran's place with nary a complaint, and began to snore softly.

For a few minutes Ran just watched him, knowing that his face was set in an extremely sappy grin. He found he didn't really care since there was no one there to witness it. He watched Ken and allowed memories from the night before to filter through his mind, and began to wonder how many of them were true.

He'd always considered himself a fairly good lover. Probably not as good as Yohji was reputed to be, certainly not as experienced, but he'd never received any complaints. In fact, more than one of his bed partners had returned for more, so he knew they'd enjoyed themselves. But he'd never displayed the sort of stamina he remembered from his night with Ken.

If his memory was accurate then there had been a faint tint of gray in the sky before they'd finally fallen asleep. That meant they'd literally gone almost all night. The thought was staggering, and left Ran wondering if that was what happened when one clamped down on one's feelings for months on end.

Sighing happily he shook off the thought and walked around the bed to the water closet. On the way he enjoyed the unobstructed view of a prone and naked Ken stretched out on the bed. It was very nice to be able to look appreciatively without guilt. More then nice.

After using the facilities he wandered into the wash area behind the screen and filled the ceramic basin with water from the pitcher. He decided to leave the hot water in the covered tub for Ken, sure that the brunet would enjoy it. When he was thoroughly washed and had managed to get his hair under some control, it had actually been sticking out in every direction, he wrapped himself in his summer robe and called for a servant.

Bertrand arrived at the hall door just as Ran opened it.

"Good afternoon, my Lord," the elderly man said with a stiff bow.

"Bertrand," Ran nodded. "I was expecting a page."

"All the worse for the wine. It seems my Lord's birthday was a cause for celebration even among the staff," the butler informed him.

"Surely you're not the only one up," Ran said, shocked.

"Ursula's manning the kitchen, my Lord."

Ran blinked at him.

"Would you care for some lunch, my Lord?"

"Just something light for now, please. Some tea and bread. Perhaps some cheese," Ran said. "What about the family?"

"Lady Aya was stirring and the Princesses Chiyo and Hanako are about," the butler stated. "Will Master Hidaka be joining you, my Lord?"

Ran eyed him for a moment before deciding the question was innocent.

"No. He's still asleep. I'll call again once he rises," Ran replied and Bertrand bowed stiffly.

"Very good, my Lord."

Ran closed the door behind him and decided to wait for the food in his little library. He didn't want Ken to be disturbed, but while he was waiting he opened the door to their room so he could watch the brunet sleep. Again he felt himself smile and a light, warm feeling suffused his heart.

XXXXXXXXXX

Ran ate his meal on the balcony after he pulled the light weight curtains closed to take the edge off the sun without blocking the fresh air. He spent the rest of the afternoon reading. Ken slept without waking. Occasionally he'd roll over or curl up, but he remained sound asleep. By early evening Ran was beginning to wonder if he was going to sleep the night through when Ken finally stirred. He rolled over, mumbled something, rolled again and reached out an arm that began feeling the bed. When it didn't encounter anything his eyes blinked open and scanned the room.

Ran leaned against one of the bed posts and watched in amusement. When Ken's eyes landed on him his whole face lit up in that smile that always stole Ran's breath. Bright smile in place he rose enough to crawl across the bed to him.

"Good evening," Ran said with a smile of his own.

"Hey, you got up," Ken replied, stopping only a few inches from the red-haired Lord and kneeling to face him.

"Yes, quite a while ago. I was beginning to wonder whether you ever would."

"I was tired," Ken smiled and the look in his eyes said he was interested in getting tired again. "We had sex."

Ran felt his smile broaden.

"Yes, we did," he replied teasingly.

"Does this mean I get to hold you? And kiss you? Whenever I want to?" Ken asked inching his way closer.

"Yes," Ran answered. "Provided we're alone."

"We're alone now," Ken stated huskily, "but you're all covered up." He mocked disappointment and reached out to run one finger along the inside edge of Ran's robe.

"Yes, and I'm going to remain this way until you've had a bath and we've had some dinner," Ran stated, catching the finger which he brought to his lips and kissed.

Ken laughed and hopped off the bed with more agility than Ran had expected to see him capable of. The former servant laughed again and winked as though he'd read the Lord's expression.

"I'm a healer," he chuckled and headed into the water closet.

Ran almost smacked himself for not thinking of that sooner, but instead said he'd order dinner and headed off to do so.

When their dinner arrived it was brought by a page, looking slightly green. He told Ran that everyone was up, though most still kept to their rooms, and left with their dinner order. The red-headed Lord was greatly relieved that he and Ken weren't alone in their day of recovery, otherwise there would be questions, innuendo and teasing, which he'd rather not have to contend with. Of course, there still might be if anyone had figured out that they hadn't been at the bonfire.

By the time their food arrived Ken was happily taking a bath, concealed behind the screen, and Ran had brought some order back to the bed. He had the page carry the large tray out to the balcony's table and gave him the smaller tray of lunch dishes to take away, then quickly shoed him out of the room.

Ran arranged their plates on the table so they could face one another and talk. He also made sure the curtains were closed so no one else who'd be out enjoying the air could see them. Then he resumed reading his book as he waited for Ken to be done with his bath.

The sun was dipping toward the sea and another glorious summer day was coming to a close by the time Ken was finished.

"Well, I'm all nice 'n clean," he announced from the doorway where he stood in all his naked glory, grinning like a happy fool. "But now I smell like soap and not like us," he added, trying to pout but failing miserably.

"That may be remedied," Ran stated archly, and indicated the seat across from him, "after dinner."

Ken literally bounced over to the chair and flopped down into it. Ran was suddenly glad the chairs had cushions. He wasn't as surprised as he thought that Ken was wandering about in the buff. The former servant had proven that unless whatever they were doing involved women he wasn't at all shy. But having him traipsing around o'natural was a test to Ran's self control.

"Let's see what we got," Ken stated rubbing his hands together in anticipation. "I'm starvin'."

"It's no wonder. You slept all day," Ran said removing the covers from the dishes to reveal cold meats, fresh vegetables, whipped squash and potatoes served chilled, a plate of rolls with butter, and bread pudding.

"You wore me out," Ken said eyeing the food.

Ran smiled but tried to think of what he wanted to say as he began loading Ken's plate with food. The brunet started eating without waiting for Ran to finish. He shoveled fork-fulls of food into his mouth as fast as he could swallow them. Ran paused in filling his own plate to watch in awe.

"Ken, slow down and chew," he said setting aside the serving spoon and picking up his fork.

"'M hngwy," Ken stated around a mouthful.

"You'll get indigestion eating that fast. The food isn't going anywhere."

Ken nodded as he scarfed down his last bite and began refilling his plate while still chewing. Ran began eating.

"About last night," the red-head said after having a few bites of dinner and once Ken was halfway through his seconds, but watching Ken eat was distracting him and he couldn't think of anything else to say. When Ken started filling his empty plate with thirds Ran set his fork down. "Should I send for more?"

Ken looked up at him.

"Sorry. Did you want seconds?" he asked sheepishly.

"No," Ran answered.

"Okay, just tell me what to say to get rid of your worry wrinkle," Ken said as he dropped the serving spoon and retrieved his fork.

"What worry wrinkle?" Ran asked.

"The one between your eyebrows. You were sayin' somethin' about last night?" Ken prompted.

"Yes...um..."

"Look," Ken said when Ran floundered, "last night was amazing. It was beautiful and perfect and way overdue. I've been tryin' to get you to do something for a while now, but you always seemed unsure."

"I was unsure. I didn't know how to interpret your responses to my advances," Ran said quickly. "I didn't want to act and then be wrong."

"You weren't wrong," Ken stated.

"I know, but we never even discussed the possibility of this," Ran said. He knew he was pouting but Ken just smiled at him softly.

"You like to have a plan for everything, don't you?" he asked with a chuckle.

Ran shifted in his seat.

"Yes," he answered. "And you've thrown my neatly ordered, routine life into complete disarray and all I want to do is kiss you for it."

Ken's smile broadened.

"Good. Can I eat now?" he asked.

"Yes, you may."

Snickering, Ken dug into his thirds and began devouring them as ravenously as he'd eaten the firsts. Ran shook his head in wonder.

"I'll have to be careful in the future not to reduce you to your baser instincts," he muttered.

Ken smiled around his food and attempted to say something.

"Just eat, please," Ran said and Ken obliged.

When he was finished he wiped his mouth on the napkin Ran had provided and sighed in satisfaction.

"Full?" Ran asked.

"Not quite," Ken said with a smirk.

The former servant stood and came around the table. When he reached Ran's side Ken grabbed the arms of his chair and turned it so he could lean over the Lord. The red-head didn't move, only looked up into Ken's smirking face.

"I have bathed and we have eaten," the brunet said letting one hand drift toward the front of Ran's robe. "That means its time for you to be uncovered."

"When did you become so bold?" Ran asked, still studying Ken's face as a wave of amused affection washed over him.

"As soon as I knew we were an us," Ken answered, pulling the knot in the robe's belt free.

"You're amazing," Ran whispered as Ken slipped his robe open and pushed it off of his shoulders.

"After last night I should be sayin' that to you," the brunet replied, pulling the now naked Ran up into his arms.

As their lips met and parted Ran realized it'd been more than twelve hours since he'd tasted Ken's kisses, and that was twelve hours too long.

XXXXXXXXXX

That night as the moon rode through the sky and the two young men slept undisturbed, a gentle breeze moved the curtains and ruffled the hair which lay across Ken's forehead. Slowly large brown eyes opened and stared unblinking, unseeing.

Source

The former servant sat up and listened a moment. He carefully crawled from bed and crossed to the open balcony doors. When he reached them the breeze became a wind. It whipped around him. It pulled the white curtains aside to reveal the night sky. Just as quickly as it had grown the wind died and all became still once more.

Source

Two halting steps and he was in the center of the balcony where he paused again to listen.

The vessel is ready

It is time for rebirth

Ken slowly raised his hands to his chest and rested them there. A moment later he pulled them forward and drew a tiny light from within him. It poured into his hands and filled the space between them with its orange brilliance. He cradled it there for a moment as though reluctant to let it go. Then released a deep sigh, dropped his hands, and let it fly free. The light soared out over the lawns then up and up, arcing to the right until it disappeared over the Northern wing of the Palace.

Ken rocked where he stood before crumpling to the floor in a heap. At the same moment Ran shot up in bed, fully awake and breathing hard.

"F-fire?" he gasped, searching the room for the sound that had woken him. The last bits of his dream faded from his mind and he found nothing, the room was dark and still. So was the place beside him in the bed. "Ken?" he called, searching the room again. When his eyes landed on an unmoving form on the balcony he scrambled from the bed and bolted outside. "Ken? Ken!"

"Mmm? Bed's hard," the brunet murmured, rolling toward Ran's voice.

"Ken, wake up!" Ran commanded harshly as he dropped to Ken's side. His self control was in tatters and he felt himself slip over the edge into panic.

"Hunh? Wha? What's wrong?" Ken asked, waking abruptly and sitting up. "Why're we outside?"

Ran couldn't stop his arms from wrapping around his lover's shoulders and he didn't try. It was all he could do not to cry and he knew he was shaking. Ken had slept walked again. Outside. How many more steps to the rail? Three? Four? And the drop beyond? How many stories above the ground were they? How could he stop Ken while he was asleep? He had to do something.

"Ran? Ran, it's okay. I'm fine."

The red-head blinked as he registered Ken's voice and he felt strong arms about him. Had he been speaking aloud? Gentle fingers brushed his hair back from his face and lips worked their way along one cheek bone until he calmed down enough to allow himself to be pulled against a lean shoulder, but he couldn't stop clutching at Ken.

"I won't fall," Ken's voice said through lips pressed to his forehead. "I wasn't havin' a nightmare," he said softly, running a hand over Ran's hair.

"Then why were you out here?" Ran demanded, surprising himself at the emotion evident in his rough voice.

"I was having a good dream," Ken said, kissing his forehead again. "I dreamed we planted a seed and I came out here to watch it grow. I won't fall. There's no need to have the servants install bars."

"Bars?" Ran asked, frowning even as he relaxed into Ken's embrace. "Did I say that?"

"Yes."

Ran pulled free and sat up to face Ken in the moonlight. The brunet's smile was plainly visible.

"I think you were panicking," he said. "Now that's somethin' I'd never thought I'd see."

"Shut up," Ran pouted. "You frightened me."

"Sorry. But really, I'm fine. Are you okay?" Ken asked fighting his smile and brushing one hand over Ran's hair again.

"Provided you don't dive off the balcony I'm sure I'll survive," Ran replied, unable to resist leaning into Ken's touch.

"I won't. Promise. No more sleep walkin' or nightmares," Ken stated. He drew back his hand and held it up to pledge his oath. "So, how 'bout we head back to bed 'n I make it up to you?"

Ken waggled his eyebrows and Ran knew he didn't have the strength to fight him, but he narrowed his eyes all the same.

"I intend to hold you to that," he said sternly.

"As long as you hold me," Ken smiled and Ran rolled his eyes.

"Forever," Ran stated. "And I'm never letting go."

XXXXXXXXXX

The next morning they rose and washed at Ran's customary hour. By the time they were dressed Bertrand was knocking on the door to summon them to a private family breakfast. On their way out of the room Ursula and a small army of servants passed them on their way in. They were to begin packing for the trip north which left the following day.

Despite their normal behavior toward each other Ursula seemed to know what they'd been up to before she'd taken two steps inside the room. The tiny woman cast them a glance and said she'd change the sheets while she was at it. Ran merely cleared his throat and nodded in approval before striding as quickly as he could toward the stairs. Ken blushed crimson and followed. Neither saw Ursula pull out her Epiant Amoure card and mark it. She snapped it shut with a satisfied grin and got to work.

And despite their resolve to behave normally and keep their new relationship to themselves neither one was capable of maintaining their customary distance from the other, minute as it was, or keep from indulging in telling glances, teasing touches, or gentle nudges from various parts of their bodies all through breakfast and the morning meetings. They simply couldn't stop themselves regardless of who was watching, or in one instance openly snickering at them.

By lunch Ran was almost certain the entire Palace knew or would know by dinner, and he was mentally kicking himself.

"So things have developed I see," Aya giggled inside his head.

"And we were endeavoring to keep it quiet," Ran replied, chagrined. "I don't think we could've been more obvious if we'd worn painted signs."

"Naw. Signs definitely would've been more obvious," Ken disagreed, his voice loud and clear inside Ran's head.

Both siblings jumped in surprise and turned as one to stare at the former servant who sat eating quietly to Ran's right. He smiled around whatever he was chewing and winked at them.

"You can hear us now?" Ran asked.

"Clearly," Ken answered.

"What did you do to him, Niisan?" Aya asked.

"I beg your pardon?" Ran demanded, turning to glare at his sister.

"Did you share magic again?" she asked more specifically.

"Not that I'm aware of," Ran said thoughtfully.

"We shared everythin' else though," Ken noted with a smirk.

Ran whipped back around to glare at his lover.

"My sister does not need to know that," he thought scowling.

"Relax. I was joking," Ken replied with a shrug.

"Don't," Ran commanded and Ken frowned at him.

"I think they're having their first fight as a couple," Chiyo's voice cut through their mental exchange. They turned to find every eye in the dining room trained on them and watching with great interest. Ran scowled down at his food, and Ken blushed to the roots of his hair.

"An argument without words," Yohji drawled. "How quaint."

"Oh, there were words," Aya stated without thinking, "you just couldn't hear them."

The silence of the room took on a peculiar edge and King Renjiro leaned forward until he could see the three of them clearly.

"Explain that statement please, Aya," he said.

"Your Majesty...it seems that Ken can hear us now...when we send...telepathically," Aya stammered. "And...well...I could hear him too."

The King dropped his fork.

XXXXXXXXXX

Author's Note: Ooooooo!

Thanks to Cat in the web! Thank you. I'm glad you're enjoying it!

Thanks to boXx! Thank you! Someone else told me they'd been waiting 30 chapters, counting the last story, so it has been a while, hasn't it? Yes, it was the perfect birthday gift. I'm glad you can't stop grinning. That's exactly what I was going for!

Thanks to silverfrost! Yay!