Sesshomaru and the Tangled Ties
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Sounga.
Sesshomaru stood statue still in front of the wicked blade, slowly, vertically spinning in the brilliant, star studded abyss. His gaze never broke from the sword, but that wasn't why he planted himself like a glacier in the middle of what he now had come to somewhat understand as the Astral Plane.
He had tried to see the positions of the other vessels, however aside from the Aethon, he was unable to locate them. The Aethon stalled on the dark side of this world's only moon, perhaps with its alleged sister ship, the Nycteus. He vowed to become stronger to fully master this new skill of his.
He was within arms-reach of Sounga's hilt. The spherical pommel, which Sesshomaru had always known to be a bit odd and off-balance for a such a slender tang and blade, now made sense. It's over-sized pommel housed one half of the Soul Gem of the Greater Cosmos.
His birthright was now nothing more than a cumbersome burden. How fitting.
Sesshomaru rarely debated, but he debated here. Yet, it wasn't the power of Soul Gem that caused him to linger in inner turmoil.
"Father. Let's get out of here already. You aren't used to having your spirit leave your body yet! It's just going to be harder for you to find your body the longer you stare at this stupid, weak, blade." Bakusaiga protested petulantly and he hardened his mouth. Her palpable jealousy of his father's lauded and yet scorned sword wasn't making what he was trying to do easy.
"Bakusaiga, quiet." Sesshomaru disciplined lightly, for it was only through her guidance and the leyline that he was able to instruct Jaken on what to do to aid a most manic and crazed Loki. Sesshomaru had never seen Loki act so sporadically and with such misplaced and confused passion. Barton had indeed told the truth about the scepter; it drove Loki to madness. The scepter was a weapon indeed to be treated with vigilance.
It would be good to dispose of it altogether.
But the scepter wasn't his primary concern, nor was Hakudoshi appearing and causing Loki some amount of grief. It didn't surprise Sesshomaru in the least another Demonic Spirit had been sent to assist in the capture of the scepter. In so far, the ones that had been chosen were ones familiar to him, but not ones that he had any direct contact or conflict with. None of his father's family who he slew to keep his title of Lord, or any of countless Demons he exterminated with Loki.
It must assuredly be they were chosen in hopes they could defeat him. Since he himself had not personally sent them to the underworld, Mephisto must hope that ones that Inuyasha, or another Demon killed would have a better chance. Pure Folly.
But again. That was not his primary concern.
Sounga called to him. That was his concern.
And it was not the same sort of call that he heard from Bakusaiga, nor Tenseiga, or even Tessaiga. In fact, the calls were not from Sounga itself.
The voices were a teeming, despairing, clamoring, insisting, pleading, terrifying cacophony of shrieks, shouts, wails, and cries.
All imploring one request.
"Free us."
They even screamed his name. They sensed his presence.
If the moniker of the Soul Gem of the Greater Cosmos was accurate (which evidence had indeed been proven true through that disgraceful Mephisto's mishandling of the Meido Stone) what he heard were the souls of Demons.
These were the howls of souls of the Demons apparently sealed away in ice and snow by that disreputable Odin and his foolhardy mother five hundred or so years ago.
The souls of the frozen Demons resided in Sounga; the souls of the previously deceased Demons resided in the Meido Stone.
"Father, you cannot be possibly thinking about replacing me with that….that shifty, flimsy sword! It's probably not even sentient, and it's way creepy. I don't care what sort of gem it has in it, in no way is it better than me! You, me, and Tenseiga are the strongest being in the whole cosmos! And I'll get stronger, and so will Tensei—" Sesshomaru cut Bakusaiga off with a clawed hand. Her ramblings could not be father from what was going through his mind.
"Bakusaiga, do not entice me to put you in your true form." Sesshomaru leveled a chilling glare at Bakusaiga. He needed her silence.
"Sesshomaru!" Sesshomaru's ears pricked up instantly. He heard it. Just then. He knew that infuriating tone anywhere, and not many Demons dared to not call him by his honorific title.
Inuyasha.
It was true, all of it. Inuyasha managed to get himself sealed away yet again, this time in the blade his father fought so hard to not be a slave to. Yet again, he was being cajoled into cleaning up his family's mess. His father with his burdensome gathering of some trinket, the Soul Gem, his mother with her steering him to a destiny meant for her Eternal Demonic bloodline, and Inuyasha with his getting himself magically imprisoned again!
His birth into this family was indeed lamentable.
All of it ignited a dull, grinding fire deep in Sesshomaru's chest. Why were the fates attempting to foist this responsibility onto him? Did he somehow subconsciously guide his path towards liberating an entire race of Demons to rule them as their sovereign?
Ruling over a realm and a populous had always Loki's desire, not his.
He reached out to Sounga's hilt, what would happen if he destroyed it? He very much disliked even the thought of being burdened with it. He cracked his knuckles to release his toxin and heard a soft sound next to him.
"Father….please….I know Sounga is older than me, and it was supposed to be your sword. I know that grandfather was feared by even the Odin for having it….but I'm…your daughter and I'll grow up and….we are supposed to be together. You, me and Tenseiga. Forever." Bakusaiga had his back to him, but he smelled the salt and heard the waiver in her voice. His head tilted to the side and he sighed softly.
"Bakusaiga. You are my one and only progeny. I will not wield Sounga, nor will I employ the skill and talent of any other Demons outside of you and Tenseiga. It is as you say: we shall slay this Titan together." Sesshomaru reassured, a touch more warmly than he intended. Bakusaiga's silver twin tails whipped around and a gleaming smile spread across her childlike face.
He brought down his hand down to the crown of her small head. It was to reassure her, and his instincts flared inside him to not destroy the sword.
"Yeah, of course I'm right! This titan doesn't stand a chance! Nyah, Nyah, Sounga take that! We don't need you or your stupid, weirdo powers." Bakusaiga punched her small fist in the air and jumped in victory. He had forgotten how pup's emotions could sway from one extreme to another so quickly. He inwardly smiled, though she physically resembled him almost exactly, in very little way was she alike him in temperament. That was most likely a fortunate thing.
Tenseiga at his hip thrummed with contentment. He apparently struggled with appearing on the Astral Plane and would need training to become stronger to so do.
"But then…why are you still here bothering with this second-rate sword when you could be training…" Bakusaiga sighed, hearing Tenseiga. "Geez Tenseiga when did you turn into such a sap?! If you want to tell my father to see his intended go ahead, but count me out." Bakusaiga glared at Tenseiga who simply pulsed a blue wave back at her.
'Telling Bakusaiga about the souls will change nothing as of this moment. Something is telling me this will not be the last time I will have to deal with Sounga. And even as I wish it not true, something within me beckons that leaving Sounga here indefinitely leaves much undone and much potentially to chance. Even if I didn't set any of this into motion, perhaps it would be wise to finish it.' Sesshomaru's mouth hardened as he took one last look at the sword before turning his back on it.
He had other, more urgent matters to attend to. If Inuyasha and the other Demons had been frozen for this long, then surely they could wait until he cleaved the head off that Titan. Or they could wait even longer, he was no servant to their pleas.
The most urgent matter was to have his way with every inch of Stark to dissuade another to ever think of touching his intended again. He could converse with Loki about the impending armada later.
"Let's return." Sesshomaru glanced down at a placated Bakusaiga who was positively alit with energy. The white leyline on her left arm glowed as she took both her hands and grabbed Sesshomaru's left and swung up.
In a flash of darting stars he streaked back to where his physical body had laid, yet in the process he heard a dark, rumble.
"Sesshomaru, you cowardly bastard!" He definitely heard those words. 'Inuyasha has always been impatient. He would have to simply wait till I figure out what to do with yet another mess my family has thrusted upon me.' Sesshomaru frowned.
Seshomaru's skin shone with a sheen of sweat in the bright spotlights of the well maintained grass he had been practicing his katas on. This strange amphitheater was bereft of any humans and large enough for him to practice his katas bounding up and across various benches and seats as well as containing Bakusaiga's slowly steadying youki.
His training with Bakusaiga had indeed come a long way since he first summoned her, but he still had much to achieve.
Chest heaving from exertion, he glanced straight up at the overcast night sky.
Not a portal to the Astral Plane in sight.
He had unintentionally summoned a small, muddled one when Fury had provoked him, but despite his hours of training in the amphitheater, he had yet to recreate it. Not even a blip of the power manifested, and he was now supposed to have ample power to harness and bend to his will!
Confounding.
His mother, much weaker of a Demon than he, had managed to perform intricate techniques such as her Astral Bind and Astral Lagoon, yet he couldn't even get a small window to appear. How bothersome. At least her spirit now had come to be silenced and she no longer could pester him.
He heard Stark's propulsion suit approach. He had indeed informed Stark of his whereabouts, and that he had to come here to train. Stark could not accuse him of running away or fleeing, even though he never ran from anything or anyone.
Sesshomaru sheathed Bakusaiga as Stark's suit flamed across the deep night sky and landed with a solid thud in front of him.
He remembered vaguely how Stark looked when he awoke from his scry to Jaken.
Sesshomaru's eyes flashed open, almost as if he had been asleep and awoke suddenly. He didn't even have the chance to straighten himself before Stark darted in front of him and grabbed his left shoulder and the right side of his face tilting it up slightly to meet his. His hand was shaking slightly.
"You're such a pain in the ass. Do you know what you put me through? Toady, Reindeer Games, and the rest of Captain Communism's team have been back for forty-three minutes and you were just still slumped here like you ran out of batteries or something!" Stark's brown eyes, usually confident, or angry brimmed with an emotion that he had not truly seen before. Worry.
A warmth pooled in Sesshomaru's chest. His intended cared for his well-being, and it had nothing to do with him defending or protecting anything because he truly did nothing at all. He cared for him. He saw him.
Another emotion darkened his ribs inward, Sesshomaru had not intended to have left his physical body for that extended length of time and worry his intended so. Though Sesshomaru guessed Stark's intellect had known he would eventually return, it seemed his emotions overrode this. Sesshomaru decided to believe that Stark didn't in fact underestimate him, and instead this wasn't a reaction based solely in logic.
They were alone in Stark's quarters. He was in the red chair in the corner which struck Sesshomaru as odd since he was most certainly not in Stark's quarters when he scryed. Did Stark move him?
"This Sesshomaru was unaware that time spent on the Astral Plane flows more rapidly than here. I had not meant to…." He paused and his eyes widened and his body went rigid. Liability. Could he have been a liability when his physical form was incapacitated? Did something occur?
Stark's lips met his needily, hotly, but not harshly.
"Well, you're certainly better than Point Break and his trips in Asgard, he has absolutely no concept of time. And you can ask Pep, I have no leg to stand on when it comes to punctuality." Stark leaned back and Sesshomaru had half a mind to growl and throw the human into his quarters and remind him that the other humans that littered this earth had nothing on him.
Poof.
"Grand. Your Astral Spirit is finally back in your physical body. Indeed your trip to see your grating mother had paid off." Sesshomaru smelled Loki's magic behind him and the palpable frustration wafted off Stark in waves. Something was amiss. Sesshomaru smoothly rose to a standing position as Stark's worn, warm hands slid off him. Loki was pacing about again, and how he loathed that.
"I managed to glean much information from her, despite some difficulty." Sesshomaru leveled a calculating stare at Loki. He was hiding something. Sesshomaru lamented that as well. While he was guiding Jaken he could not make out much of his exchange with Hakudoshi. It most likely had something to do with their exchange and any spawn of Naraku could not be trusted unless they had something to gain from it. He probably spouted some nonsense to Loki to cause him to overthink something, again.
"Well then, hopefully you can assist in destroying the scepter that should have been disposed of three Midgardian years ago. It is a weapon that surely serves no purpose in this realm, or any for that matter." Loki's hands fidgeted and motioned towards the main living quarters. So that was it. He wanted the scepter gone and he couldn't do it himself.
Just then Rin rushed in.
"Lord Sesshomaru! You're up! Rin ate some more pizza, it had pepperoni on it, but Storm God isn't here, so I ate what Barton ate! I put the flowers in a cup Banner gave me. Well, all except one, Fury looked like he wanted one. He was really annoyed he had to ask for help! Can we visit Polly again tomorrow?" Rin greeted him as usual and Sesshomaru relaxed some in relief that she had been properly cared of.
Sesshomaru nodded, noting he did smell Fury's faded presence. It was inopportune he was on the Astral Plane when he visited. He would have liked to torture that particular human a bit.
"I still think we could get more information from it, but why listen to the genius inventor and by some, blacksmith. With the containment field we would have time to study it and figure out the Other's magic signature." Stark pondered as they made their way out of Stark's quarters. Sesshomaru's arm began to throb, ache, then positively jolt in pain. Sesshomaru fought the red pooling at his eyes and his fangs lengthening, but just barely.
The pain crept quickly like serpents, or wires up his shoulder, his neck and pricked the back of his head. Rin looked up to him, curiously.
His vision began to darken at the edges and Tenseiga and Bakusaiga both began to protest and hum.
It was when they entered the main living quarters to reveal Jaken perched on the sofa with the scepter firmly in his grasp did Sesshomaru understand exactly what his mother meant when he had been marked by the other. He knew at some base instinctual level he could not get any closer to the scepter, in Jaken's grasp or not, without some dire consequences.
"We've tried everything, and I mean everything, to destroy this thing, Bruce's ideas, my shield. Even Natasha's weapons. Nothing can even nick it. Thor is still off in England, we thought maybe…" Rogers' trailed off, arms crossed almost sheepishly and Sesshomaru used every ounce of willpower in him to not reveal any of the pain racking through his body.
"Mjolnir would be most ineffective against it being made of uru. It would absorb the magic, making matters worse. Sesshomaru's Bakusaiga is the only one capable of fully obliterating the Other's magicked weapons." Loki bit out, and it sounded from Sesshomaru's perspective not the first time he explained it.
Sesshomaru cut his eyes over to Barton, he looked upon him in apprehension. Of course. His mother revealed to him as well that he could not destroy the Other's magic without further training. He would prove Barton wrong. He went to unsheathe Bakusaiga but found his arm's nerves jolting with crisp, lancing pain. It was as if his body was being shackled, or prohibited to be used.
"Well Pretty Boy, let's be on with it. Despite what Tony says, I agree with Glow Stick and think this is best disposed of. Discreetly if possible, so maybe tone down the death ray or you might fry Frogger. We do owe him one." Romanoff had a slight smile on her face, and looked healthy enough after surviving Hakudoshi's miasma. He had saved Inuyasha's annoying companions from Mukotsu's miasma before and they had not looked so lively after.
They all had their eyes on them.
Sesshomaru fought the lava hot wires cramping his muscles to grasp Bakusaiga's hilt.
As soon as he did, a thunderbolt of agony fired through him and Tenseiga hummed to allay some of the pain. Using Tenseiga's momentary relief he pulled on Bakusaiga's hilt from her scabbard.
"Lord Sesshomaru?" Rin tilted her head to the side, eyebrows furrowed. Bakusaiga wouldn't budge.
So. This was how it was to be. Together, currently, they were not strong enough to overcome the Other's curse. He couldn't have any of the others, especially Stark, know that he was afflicted with an inability to destroy a mere toy of their foe.
"This Sesshomaru does no one's dirty work. If you wish the destruction of this wand, find your own methods. I have other urgent training to attend to in the sporting amphitheater. Rin, behave, I will be back soon." Sesshomaru turned around quickly and left the living quarters. He heard Stark behind him huff.
"So, how's batting practice going?" Stark, fully armored, questioned and Sesshomaru crossed over to him. He was in a way relieved to see Stark, and in a way, cautious. His voice held that had that certain cadence and tenor to it that displayed he knew something that he couldn't wait to reveal.
"…" Sesshomaru opted to not respond initially, it obviously was not going as well as expected.
"I figured it out." Stark led and Sesshomaru's ears lifted. So, he and Jaken were successful.
"The containment field is stable? Impressive. I will reward Jaken for this achievement." Sesshomaru began to think of what Jaken would prefer most. More meat? He did lose those ear devices of his to Barton in that archery wager….
"Well, that yeah. But I already knew how to do that. I figured out why you didn't destroy the scepter from the get-go." Stark paused for effect and Sesshomaru's knuckled cracked and his spine stiffened. A shimmer of youki shot out from his feet unintentionally.
He couldn't know. Barton wouldn't have said anything, of that he was most certain. He trusted the human to not reveal his weaknesses.
"Rin's concern caused Nat to remember something from her study abroad trip to Asgard. Something that apparently Bambi forgot, or just thought wasn't high priority enough to tell us. His mother, Frigga, the smart one of the family, mentioned you may have been cursed. That and Loki going full-tilt big diva brother on you during crabocalypse for being seen by the Other… let's say we put two and two together. The Other, that freakshow sorcerer, did some big bad voodoo to you." Stark had suddenly become too close to Sesshomaru for his liking but dared not move. He stood frozen, just like he had in front of Sounga. He didn't dare blink nor breathe.
Liability. Who else knew? Would Loki remember and nag him until the end of the cosmos? Would their captain worry needlessly more? Would Stark still trust him to protect him and his fortress from harm?
'Perhaps not. I cannot even destroy one gaudy artifact. I forced my mate to house a weapon of unknown origin and power in his fortress.' Sesshomaru's ears flattened against his head, but nothing else betrayed his turbulent thoughts.
"You wanted to destroy it, but you couldn't, right?" Stark's voice got softer as he lifted the mask on his face, not accusing or triumphant as he usually would be in unravelling a mystery or solving a puzzle. Sesshomaru still didn't dare move, aside from the breeze toying with this long hair. He couldn't lie to Stark, but he was unsure how to articulate himself.
So instead, slowly and fluidly, he lifted his left arm and pushed down his yukata sleeve, revealing what he had been unable to properly heal. Well, it at least he had managed to staunch the bleeding and the mend the blistering.
The welted burn 'The Other', raised pink and rough, stood out against his usually pale skin. Stark would have seen it eventually if they had coupled, it was another reason he sought to train was to heal it anew, but it was a far slower process than anticipated. Not even Tenseiga could assist him, and he knew he wanted to.
"…." Stark wordlessly took his wrist and looked at his upper underarm.
Sesshomaru attempted to smell the emotions coming off Stark but his suit always made it more difficult. The soot smell always overtook it and he couldn't get a good bearing on what to expect from him.
Anger? Disappointment? Confusion? Frustration? Which human emotion would reign over Stark?
Sesshomaru ears lowered some. Stark still remained silent, studying the mark and absently tracing his wrist marking with his armored thumb.
"Of all the fucking nerve…Does it hurt?" Stark sounded miles away, as if he wasn't saying what was truly on his mind.
"…" Sesshomaru opted for silence again. It burned and stung yes, but he figured it would until he was either strong enough to overcome this bothersome hindrance or Loki slew the Other. He obviously preferred the former to occur first, Loki was known to drawing out a kill.
"OK, question game. Again. Three for three." Stark finally brought his eyes up from the scrawl in on his arm to his eyes. His brown eyes were tempests on the sea.
Rage. Was it directed at the Other or himself for succumbing to such a ploy?
"…I acquiesce." Sesshomaru still let Stark rub his crimson wrist marking with his armored hand, it… was pleasant in a…foreign way. His youki buzzed through his veins, it wasn't the typical feeling of lust, or distant anxiety Stark put into the gesture.
Was Stark trying to comfort him? Comfort him, the Lord of the Western Lands, the strongest of the Demons? As if he would entertain such a notion over such a trivial matter!
Sessshomaru fought a snarl, but didn't yank his wrist back because it was then Stark spoke up.
"First thing's first, I'm gonna try my hand at healing this, Cuz seeing this on you really, really pisses me off." Stark's voice rolled out like rocks down a mountainside. The rest of his helmet collapsed away.
Sesshomaru continued to stand stock still. For some unfathomable reason he couldn't name, he felt apprehensive to move. As if he did move Stark would act out in some way he couldn't predict.
Stark took his other armored hand and the glowing youki flowed from his hand and onto the brand. It really should have occurred to him sooner that he had begun the mating process with Stark. If humans in this time didn't know of Demons, then they certainly wouldn't know of mating.
Sesshomaru slowly eased out a breath he had been holding in through his nose.
Slowly, gradually, the mark lost most of its discoloration and seeped back into the smooth underarm skin. Even the jagged pain subdued down to a far more tolerable scraping itch.
It wasn't fully gone, Sesshomaru suspected a trace would remain, but his ears went up regardless.
"Not a home run, but I'll take the infield double." Stark sighed out, his expressive mouth twisting into a frown. "First question, do you know what this curse does?" Stark asked, rubbing the back of his neck. He did that when he was uncomfortable.
"… as I understand it, I am unable to destroy the Other's magic, lest…something inconvenient would occur." Sesshomaru explained to the best of his ability, then thought he should elaborate. "This Sesshomaru can overcome this curse with further training. I will expel his presence from my person." Sesshomaru cut the most convincing look into Stark's eyes. Stark's face remaining grim and dark, didn't lighten by much.
"So that's why you're here exhausting yourself after already a shit day instead of lying in between my silk sheets." Stark grinned. It didn't quite reach his eyes but it pleased him. Sesshomaru eyes gleamed at him and he flashed a quick fang.
"Clint filled me in on some of what your mother said to you, that the rest of your race was sealed away by Odin and that she wanted you to rule them. You also said earlier your father wanted you to be perfect and to rule his lands or whatever. What do you want?" Stark continued seriously and a touch foreboding. He hadn't expected that question. Just what did Barton tell Stark? Surely Stark wouldn't have gone and shared this information with Loki. No. If he had, Loki would thrown another tantrum he'd have to listen to.
'Strange. Barton had asked me the same question in the Quinjet. Even Polly had asked me if I wanted friends in this realm or not. I have never had anyone truly ask me this, not even Loki.' Sesshomaru sliced his gaze through Stark and he stared back, unaffected.
"I wish…" Sesshomaru hesitated, unsure of what he wanted in which order. He was shy of mating age, but he had unintentionally initiated it anyway. How puzzling when he now truly thought about it. He was not due to be ready to mate for another Demon year, but he was mating with a human, not a Demon. "I wish to battle the most powerful beings, including our foe, and protect what is mine. Then…" He hesitated again. Why? Was he this wary of Stark's reaction? This Sesshomaru feared no such thing.
"Then…" Stark prompted, impatient.
"This Sesshomaru has…begun a mating ritual with you. It is why my markings have shifted their color from magenta to crimson. I wish to complete it and be your mate." Sesshomaru knew his voiced sounded a touch hard and a little low, but he didn't dare break eye contact with Stark. If he were to be honest with himself, it was precisely what he wanted. He didn't yearn any longer to return to his lands to stay, though he would have to return to visit. Much was left incomplete when Loki spirited him away.
He also had to retrieve Ah-Un. He had to ensure Prince Kouga was adjusting to his new role as Lord of the Western lands.
It was peculiar to think he would no longer be a Lord. Peculiar he had a difficult time imagining himself without his title even though he didn't particularly enjoy its responsibilities in the first place.
Stark laughed heartily, his expressive mouth opening into a wide smile.
"I gotta say, 4/10 proposal score. No flowery speech about how great, amazing, and handsome I am, or how we make a great team or some typical 'be my partner in crime' monologue. I will say the whole Yankee Stadium lit up at night thing is a good touch for ambiance. But no rock? You lose technical points on that one. What's a guy supposed to show off at Sunday brunch, or on Instagram?" Stark chuckled, and Sesshomaru's ears went up. Proposal! And what was this rock? Did he wish for a crystal? Why?
Sesshomaru had understood mating rituals between Demons as a thoroughly mutual affair. Their markings changed color, and in rare occasions morphed or changed shape to reflect their partner. Of course with humans they had no markings, so there was no discernible way to see if the mating ritual was actually mutual with Stark. Sesshomaru had already had his doubts of Stark's fidelity, though it seemed like he had the chance to couple with a human, but decided against it.
He had thought that meant Stark reciprocated his intentions. Was he wrong again? He grew tired of these games. He never liked doubt and he wanted answers, but he doubted that Stark would be direct with him. Sesshomaru's ears flattened against his head; maybe Stark was indeed mocking him.
Sesshomaru allowed his eyes to close. He had to have initiated a mating ritual with the most infernal human to eve—
The warmth of Stark's lips capturing his shocked his eyes open. His mouth always tasted like electricity and the urgency of his kiss surprised him. Sesshomaru reciprocated, he wanted to devour Stark for making him this soft, this unsure, this consistently exposed.
A wave of sudden frustration surged through him, pushing his tongue into Stark's mouth, thrashing it and kneading his lips onto his. His facial hair scratched his face but he didn't care as he took the back of Stark's head, bringing him up and closer. He carefully raked his claws down the back of his neck until he reached the metal of his suit.
They broke apart a little breathlessly.
"I think now is the time you ask your first question." Stark's eyes positively danced. Sesshomaru sighed. He was going to make him ask?
"Do you accept my offer Stark, to mate with me?" Sesshomaru scorched his gaze into Stark's. He didn't feel exposed at the moment, instead he felt determined. This would finally clear everything up.
He stood straight as the arrow he shot from the bow not days earlier.
"You have to know by now I never do anything half-assed, and I know you don't either. I'm in. Shhhhhhhoooooooooooo I never thought this would happen. Yeah." Stark smirked and let loose a deep breath, fussing with fur his pelt left on his armor.
"…I as well." Sesshomaru admitted lightly. He never thought he would take a mate, let alone a human. He had thought a mate would just hold him back, or want his lands, or acclaim. But Stark wanted him, not what he possessed.
"Good, you've stopped with that 'this Sesshomaru' nonsense you only do when you're pissy, nervous, or possibly hormonal. Weeks ago we didn't even know you guys existed, and so I do like being the first to do something." Stark raised his eyebrows suggestively and Sesshomaru frowned. He was not some conquest, but he sensed only humor from Stark, not condescension.
"Horns mentioned the whole mating thing, It's nothing Tony Stark can't handle. I even told Rhodey we were in a relationship, so that would have been awkward if we weren't on the same page….I draw the lines at blood vials though, Angelina Jolie and Billy Bob sorta already did that and I think Steve might not come to the wedding if there really was a séance. " Stark said laughing, happy. Stark even smelled relieved. He didn't know exactly what he meant by those names however.
And wedding? That was a human ritual. Sesshomaru wasn't enthusiastic about participating in such a…ceremony. He didn't even want to think about how the custom had changed since his time.
"You won't regret staying, you know." Stark's voice changed pitch. It was supposed to sound arrogant, but he smelled anxiety.
"I have, in the past, made some missteps. Promising to stay in this realm with you is not among them." Sesshomaru's gaze burned into Stark and Stark cleared his throat and cheeks flushed a shade usually reserved during their couplings. His face, for a human, was very entertaining in how lively he expressed his emotions.
Sesshomaru would count Stark's reaction as a slight win.
"Ok, last question, we all saw Jaken's true form, yet another bet I lost. Damn Reindeer Games is pretty stoked about that one bet. Can you show me yours? Tell me you're bigger than Clifford, and please tell me you're fluffy like that stupid pelt. I have a bet going with Natasha, she thinks your're short-haired, like some doberman or something. I'm thinking like, big fluffy husky." Stark asked and Sesshomaru stiffened a bit, he didn't really understand what he was talking about.
"Oh. Yeah, I don't think those breeds were in Japan at that time…but eh. Closest without going over." Stark continued, he must have sensed his confusion. He didn't particularly care what Barton thought of his true form, though he was pleased he didn't attack him.
Though, if his mate couldn't stay composed saying his true form, then he wasn't worthy. It would be a test of sorts. Still, he wondered why Stark was suddenly so interested in his form. He also didn't know if this amphitheater would properly conceal his form or not, however he did decide to play the game with Stark.
Sesshomaru took his arm back from Stark's grasp.
"It'd be best if you donned your helmet, Stark, the wind here is not favorable for my toxin." Sesshomaru warned and his eyes bled red and his youki sparked red and swirled around him. His mouth split wide and his facial markings bled together and his ears morphed long along with his face and his pelt fluffed out and unfurled around him and before he knew it he was on all fours.
Sesshomaru barked and showed his teeth and curled his tail around him, straightening up. His ears up, awaiting Stark's reaction. He tried his best to staunch the toxic miasma that naturally accompanied his form better than he thought. Hardly any mist leeched through his fangs. His fur billowed out all around him and he dug his claws into the neat, trimmed grass. He fought the insatiable urge to roll about in it.
Stark boosted his suit up to about his eye level.
"Holy shit, I'll be damned. You defy every law of physics I've ever known. Is this who you really are? Does this mean every position is doggy style?" Stark rambled and Sesshomaru, to his credit really did try to focus on what his intended mate was saying, but in this form he didn't really comprehend it fully. Much like when Loki creature shifted, his mind became muddled by his canine instincts. It is why Loki didn't creature shift in battle, and he himself transform as a last resort.
So when he cocked his head to the side and pricked up his ears, Stark must have laughed because he realized he didn't quite understand.
Sesshomaru barked at him again and swept his tail from side to side, barely missing the seats behind him.
"Bruce has got to be kicking himself now. I remember him saying you had no idea what it was like to transform into something. You're terrific, in both senses of the word. I mean, this explains the pelt deal. Christ, I called it at Husky…and Jaken said you aren't even fully grown, you're enormous. How your joints aren't compressed under your weight is beyond me." Sesshomaru ears lowered some and he growled despite himself. Jaken would go and mouth off over things about his person. He didn't need him gossiping about him, even if it was something that seemed to come naturally.
"Whoa, didn't mean anything by it, please don't make me a chew toy." Stark meant this humorously, Sesshomaru was almost certain of this. He didn't eat humans, and he vaguely remembered promising that. He had enough being a bit of a spectacle, and he suddenly had the incredible urge to take the sky and bound away from this stinking metropolis. His senses were all on high alert.
Running about in this form would be unwise. He decided to transform into his typical humanoid form. He slowly glowed and for the second time that day took to his light form. He paused in his transformation and instead chose to play with Stark a bit.
He circled Stark twice then shot as a streaming, luminous light and shot to the south.
And in predictable fashion Stark gave chase. His suit was indeed swift, he caught up to him in no time. Sesshomaru was unsure if he or Stark would be faster, but the competition of speed wasn't why he was doing this.
A small smile tugged at the corners of his illuminated, semi formed mouth. He soared past the tall skyscraper he favored, which actually had the name of Chrysler, a moniker of someone who apparently made the vehicles he loathed so. Maybe he would cease to sit upon it.
"….you can't play hard to get after you propose. That's not how this works." He heard Stark and he merely picked up his pace. He could tell Stark had been intrigued by his flight ability and he supposed that now would be a good time to show him each of his forms.
He zagged quick to the right and swooped down at a steep, almost vertical angle low through one of the human streets, sparkling just over their vehicles he despised. He smelled that Stark was still hot on his crackling, bright trail.
"I guess you can't say anything while you're in tinkerbell form, but I bet you're having fun." Stark laughed again, and Sesshomaru simply sped up, looping over a red and green light signal. A smirk played on his features.
It had been decades, maybe even a full century since he had raced with someone that was both enjoyable and a challenge. Well, he supposed he had raced the metal dragons, but this was different. This mattered more. He could go full tilt speed with Stark and he could keep up. He knew not a single Demon in his time who could, aside from that one Phoenix Demon, Suzaku, he once slew, and his sister, Suzuka, the one who tormented Loki so.
He didn't count Kouga when he has those jewel shards, that wasn't his own prowess.
He pushed his limit, and like a comet he skimmed the surface of the water where he last sunk the vessel. He smelled the soot and fire of Stark's suit behind him and heard the continuous splash of seawater.
"…This beats Monaco. Well, at least before the whole Ivan Vanko part. I know this had to be better than the salt flats. Horns told me you wanted me to go with you, did you have this in mind? Flying there together like this?" Stark challenged as he came up beside him. So, Stark seemed envious of Barton's and his trek to his mother's tomb, did he? Unreasonable human. He had that in mind, in a way. He wasn't planning on flying initially but the more he thought about it, maybe he would have been impulsed to do so.
He spiraled up and around the giant green statue of which he still had not figured out the significance of, and doubled backed to the city.
He was indeed having fun. Sesshomaru smiled softly and the light of his youki shimmered brighter, like a thunder Demon's ultimate attack.
Tenseiga hummed all alongside him and surprisingly he even heard a warble of something from Bakusaiga. So, she wasn't completely dissatisfied.
Sesshomaru glanced to his left, and saw Stark match his pace, blue afterburners sparking with his own youki.
"You. Me. My sheets. Now." Stark announced and Sesshomaru smiled all the way to the back to his tower. Sesshomaru sparked his radiant youki faster. Usually he would be quite drained, but connecting with Stark had replenished some of his reserves. Perhaps it was the healing of his curse mark? Perhaps it was something more.
Sesshomaru had anticipated and he dared looked forward to this. They had never coupled in Stark's quarters before and they knew they would be uninterrupted he felt Loki's magic signature vanish while he was sparring. Loki may have magicked away Barton to another realm, for he was always able to feel his presence and priest presences if they were near. He knew Loki was emotional and needed support, and Barton would be more than suitable to provide it.
When they landed on the roof of the tower Sesshomaru smelled for Rin. It was not too late but with all the going's on...
"Don't worry, Jaken put Little Miss Sunshine to bed. I haven't heard a peep out of Loki either and the rest are on different levels." It was then Sesshomaru noticed something important.
"You are referring to Jaken by his name." Sesshomaru levelled curiously. Stark ran a hand on the back of his neck.
"Yeah, well, he proved himself useful. Gotta hand it to the green guys of the Avengers, they're full of surprises." Sesshomaru raised his eyebrows. So, he thought of Jaken as one of his comrades? How unexpected.
"And yet you referred to me as….tinkerbell….I have a feeling that is yet another reference I am unfamiliar with. Is she too another yellow haired woman drawn in your time?" Sesshomaru, half serious crossed the small distance between them as Stark's armor disassembled.
"I actually didn't mean for that to happen. Coincidence! I swear on Dum-e." Stark swallowed and grinned.
"I will have to punish you for this offense. You refer to Jaken by his name, but your intended as various fictional blonde women…unacceptable." Sesshomaru maintained his impassive features as he ran the backs of his claws down the side of Stark's neck. His ears were up in mirth however and Stark caught it. He could be exceptionally efficient at reading his intentions.
"Does this punishment involve the whip becau—" Sesshomaru answered Stark's question by looping his whip of light around his wrists. "You know you never did use your other two questions from our game." Sesshomaru cocked his head to the side and flashed a fang.
"I lack a pertinent question." Sesshomaru indeed had some questions, but they could wait for later. Like, what exactly were the terms of the bet he made with Loki? Something told Sesshomaru it would be something of great mischief. But that didn't matter now.
He slung Stark, still tied up, over his shoulder.
"Hey! I'm not a sack of potatoes, or goat heads or whatever you're used to carrying. Well, at least I can't complain about the view." Sesshomaru ignored Starks futile protests as he left Tenseiga and Bakusaiga us outside Starks quarters. entered his chambers.
He threw Stark on his own bed, enjoying watching him bounce off the creaking mattress. He was going to ravish him.
"I want you, like yesterday. Don't keep me waiting gorgeous." Sesshomaru, again, ignored his demand. He was going to decide when and how he'd behave.
He glanced around the room and looped his whip around the frame of his bed, securing him there.
"Oh so that's how this is going to be. OK my safe word is 'language'." Sesshomaru withdrew his pelt and armor and looked down at Stark, expectant, aroused, and curious on his bed.
Sesshomaru relinquished the end of his whip and with maximum agility he shredded the shirt off Stark and tore the button off Stark pants.
"If you are to be my intended, only I will be intimate with you. Unlike other Demons I will not tolerate polyamory. This is not up for debate. Can you abide by these terms?" Sesshomaru's placid yet stern voice blanketed the room. 'A fickle harlot' Loki referred to him as, and Romanoff definitely agreed with that assessment of his character. He would somehow convince this human that he was more than enough. That there was no need to stray, he could and would satisify…no. More than satisfy him. He would make him unspool, loose and unbound, warm and undone at his feet. He would make him understand that there was no one else like him, no one else that could ever desire him as much as he does.
He unintentionally dropped the temperature in the room. As a result, Starks nipples went pert.
"I think you did just voice a pertinent question and yeah, as long as it's the same for you. Against everything I wanted to believe about myself, I'm pretty possessive of you. Thinking you were banging Clint, wearing his stupid ugly clothes….it….it was like pumping my veins with jet fuel. Your hair in his bed before mine…." Stark revealed darkly and Sesshomaru's ears pricked up and his eyes went wide.
The four lands?! Barton? His hair?
'That explains the previous morning when I resembled a human and he refused to tell me what he wanted ask me. That explains his unfounded jealousy. That clarifies why he returned intoxicated and smelling of another, female human. He had thought I had strayed from our arrangement with the archer. I had been in Barton's quarters. I had allowed him to touch me when we practiced archery. Archery. Stark had been irate then as well, and not at that hanging sack that Jaken destroyed. He had been angry that I had been too close to Barton. He was hurt over my apparent infidelity yet chose not to confront me about it.' Sesshomaru reached a belated epiphany. He would most certainly correct Stark's hasty assumption.
Sesshomaru pounced on the bed and tore off the rest of Stark's clothes, eyes glittering in revelation.
"Humans have always been so foolish. I only desire you. Barton is but a platonic relation and furthermore I'd never try to seduce a mortal Loki covets so. You are and will be the only human this Sesshomaru has given himself to." Sesshomaru lengthened his fangs and ran them down Stark's neck to his clavicle, sucking the flesh there. He smelled a different emotion on Stark's skin. Relief? Solace?
"Yeah, whatever. I get the bro code now….geez you're a damn tease." Sesshomaru continued to travel down Stark's toned torso, nipping here and there. He left slight goosebumps on Stark's skin where his tongue slid down. Stark was especially responsive this evening.
He was enjoying this. He was enjoying exploring his skin, the way it smelled like spice, the way he tasted like electricity. He was enjoying mapping out Stark's body with his tongue.
"I want to blow you." Stark voiced, voice husky and full of desire and need. This caught Sesshomaru's attention. Perhaps he'd grant his request, but he wanted to take his time. He raised his head to meet Stark's eyes and began to shed his clothes. He then realized Stark still had on his shoes and sliced through the laces to remove them. Stark rolled his eyes but he could tell he didn't particularly care.
"Prove it." Seshomaru murmured and his eyes lit up as he straddled a now semi-hard Stark and dove upon his mouth with his own, claiming it. He had wanted Stark to know that their coupling was no mere dalliance. This was a bond now and he was to be treated a more than a mere tryst.
Starks torso bucked up and his wrists wriggled. Sesshomaru hungered for Stark and cupped the side of his face while grazing his talons down his opposite side. Stark shivered and Sesshomaru rumbled a deep growl through his chest as he finished the kiss and lifted back up. Stark glared, flushed and desperate beneath him. His muscles flexed and his arc reactor gleamed an icy blue that casted shadows around his face. He was breathtaking, and the inventor wanted him. Stark caused his entire nervous system to flood with youki and his own cock wet.
"Give it to me." Stark demanded, but it also sounded a touch like a plea. Stark wanted to be submissive. He would grant that. He didn't just want someone to overpower him, he wanted him in particular to overpower him. And he could. And he would. Over and over if necessary.
Sesshomaru flashed his fangs and instead began to suck and knead Stark's neck eliciting gasps and curses. He showed him his true form, he could show him exactly who he was mating with. The pinnacle of Demonic power.
"Please damn it, you're torturing me here. You can't tie me up and expe—" Sesshomaru, quick as an Eagle Demon thrusted his body up and presented the tip of his length to Stark's open mouth. It was already oozing because he eager to see just how much Stark wanted to taste him.
"About time you shut me up. I'll sign the number three if you're too greedy and I need air." Stark winked and Sesshomaru rocked his hips forward and he sharply inhaled as he entered Stark's hot, spicy mouth. He was unlike any other physical conquest he has ever experienced before but he couldn't quite place why. It was as if Stark could swallow him whole, soul and all.
Sesshomaru continued to push slowly into Stark's emploring mouth, angling to achieve the most of him entering Stark as possible. Stark sucked him down like a twister and Sesshomaru yipped, biting his own lip. It drew blood.
He could smell the fluid building on Stark's own cock and knew that he was enjoying being owned as much as he enjoyed owning him.
Sesshomaru shoved all the way in, Stark protests came as a muffled grunt, mouth full of him. He pulled out slowly and Stark made sure he sucked the whole way. Sesshomaru knees weakened as he pulled all the way out and Stark flicked the tip of his cock with his tongue.
"I can take more than that, I thought you wanted to punish me, not fee—" Stark taunted and Sesshomaru knew a challenge when he heard one.
He smirked and slung himself fully inside his hot wet mouth, earning a muffled response.
"You will take, what I bestow upon you." Sesshomaru continuously rocked back and thrusted forward into Stark's mouth, his hands opening and fisting with each hard, deep thrust. If he was to be his mate, he would take this. Stark hummed his lips and the vibrations caused him to shudder and his balls to tighten. Stark was talented, skilled, it almost ached it felt so good.
His youki began to seep out and flood the floor, and his marking began to morph and dance.
He pounded harder into Stark's mouth, over and over. The back of Stark's head hitting the pillow which echoed against the headboard. Sesshomaru let out a low, growling moan.
Stark muffled something and Sesshomaru retracted out on instinct. He didn't want to hurt him, truly. Stark sputtered a bit as he retreated back farther down his torso.
Their eyes locked and Sesshomaru saw it. It was the same look Stark gave him when they were in his laboratory and he called him his anomaly. He truly saw him, he wanted him. He withdrew the whip binding Stark and with a speed usually reserved for Demons, Stark bolted upright and his mouth crashed down onto his. He tasted himself on Stark's tongue coupled with the faint metallic taste of his own blood.
Stark moaned into the kiss as he fisted his hand in Sesshomaru's long silver hair. Stark shoved into his mouth and molded his lips over his. Sesshomaru blipped some youki into his mouth which absolutely sent Stark over the edge. He threw Sesshomaru to his right and the bed creaked in protest.
They grasped at each other and twisted and tumbled across the bed in a heated frenzy. Stark bit his ear, and sucked on it. He sucked on Stark's neck and scratched down his back. The crystal blue youki swirled around the room punctuated by the twirling, sometimes muffled light of Stark's arc reactor enveloped the room. They flipped off the bed and Sesshomaru landed on his back hard with Stark on top of him. Sesshomaru timed it that way so that he wouldn't incidentally crush him.
He may have been a little overzealous though, when he withdrew his hands his talons had blood on them. Sesshomaru's lips parted.
"It's fine, gorgeous. I've been through literal worse scrapes, besides, tit for tat, your lip isn't looking too good." Stark grinned and bent over to kiss him again. Sesshomaru blipped youki Stark's mouth again anyway. If Stark could heal him, he could do the same in return. He tasted all electricity and metal and he wanted him so ardently. Did he know? Could he tell? He had to understand, to know that those weren't just words he said. That Stark mattered so much to him he'd give up his title, his lands, his life as he knew it.
Stark pulled back and he ran a hand through his hair. He positively glowed blue and the youki in the arc reactor was harmonizing with his youki.
"You…fuck me. Now, I…need, want...God, you're blistering hot. Fuck me please, or I fuck you, or fuck." Stark sounded so heady, and his eyes so deep.
Sesshomaru in a second flipped their positions on the floor, his silver hair pooled down and hung around them, shielding them from everything besides themselves.
Stark was special, he could succeed where he could not. He constantly challenged him and thought of creative ways to solve problems that he couldn't on his own. He was everything the opposite that he had thought a mate was supposed to be. Stark strengthened him, healed him, had his best interests in mind. He called Jaken by his name, took care of Rin, was even impressed by his true form. He wanted to know everything about him. No one ever wanted to know him this well, this thoroughly. No one had ever thought he was worth the effort.
"Stark. Your yapping is unnecessary." Sesshomaru flashed his fangs in a predatory smile. His golden eyes held a wickedly salacious gleam. Stark below him smiled in return.
"That. I liked that smile. I want more of those." Stark taunted, placing his hand on the side of Sesshomaru's face, cupping in a way that mirrored the way Sesshomaru typically did to him. Stark raised his hips and Sesshomaru lined himself up, he didn't prep Stark this time, but he didn't seem to want it. Stark must have sensed his hesitation.
"Go. Already!" And with that, with no hesitation he eased into Stark and it was too tight, the friction and heat! Sesshomaru let loose a growl and yip as he heard a string of unpronounceable syllables from Stark. He slowly eased in. Even though Stark wanted it fast and hard, he was not going to acquiesce to that request, at least not at first. Could he even last?
"Stark…" Sesshomaru started, but he wasn't sure how to continue. Instead he continued to ease in taking his time. He wanted to take in the delight of the moment. It was so warm and it filled him with such zeal. Lust. Want. Passion. Ardor. His markings danced again and his mouth went slack. Beneath him Stark began to fully relax then hinge up so the tip of his length grazed Sesshomaru's torso, dampening it.
"Sesshomaru…damn." Stark managed to come up and capture his mouth in a soft kiss. A softer kiss than he would have expected from Stark. Sesshomaru cupped the back of his head with his left hand and planted his right on the floor next to Stark.
His Youki danced in the room and swirled like a savage typhoon on the great sea.
He began to languidly, almost gently move in and out of Stark's entry, keeping an almost calm pace. Something deep in Sesshomaru's chest almost ached, and swelled to a bursting point. Why did he feel almost…somber? Stark began to pepper soft kisses across his right cheek and bit down his neck as Sesshomaru moved his own head past Stark's, closing his eyes tight.
His mother's words echoed in his head. 'Don't be like your father. Don't die in a battle over your lover.'
'Why in the four lands did that particular quote come to my mind? I am nothing like my father, and I am nothing like my mother. I do as I please and I will achieve glory and protect who and what is mine!' Sesshomaru growled and sped up his slow pace, slamming harder eliciting a moan from Stark. Subconsciously the markings that arced over his hips and curved up his chest hue shifted to crimson.
The somber, almost tender melancholy broke loose into an overwhelming bliss and he leaned back to make eye contact with Stark who had his head down, leaving what was surely to be a bruise from his mouth on his collarbone.
"Know this, you are mine." Sesshomaru's eyes bled crimson in the corners. The thought 'to protect and to couple with' was left unsaid. He took his hand and ringed his fingers around Stark's cock and began to pump up and down in an erratic rhythm.
"Right back at ya, and we still have to work on your dirty talk." Stark gasped out as he quivered when Sesshomaru found just the right angle to hit his pleasure spot inside of him. He was so close, he trembled as well and his own ball sack tightened. Sesshomaru sped up, knowing Stark had to be near as well.
"I'm gonna…OH." Stark came all over his hand abruptly over hand and Stark fell back onto the youki flooded floor, adrift in the glow. Sesshomaru smiled down upon him and in that instant a warmth filled his groin that curled and grew down his length. He only had to thrust a few more times before times before his eyes flooded red at the edges and his skin tingled and all his muscles shook and softened. He came into Stark with a yip and a gasp.
As he slowly withdrew from Stark, he used his youki to banish most of his semen and slowly Stark stood up and offered his hand.
"Whew that was….well, that wore me out, let's actually now get between my sheets." Sesshomaru nodded at Stark's request and Stark slid across the bed and bent over the opposite side. Sesshomaru sat on the edge of the bed, debating if he could fully relax and lay down. He took a deep breath, it was strange, to betray an instinct he had since he was a pup, but he would for Stark since it truly bothered him the last time.
He, tentatively, slid down to a mostly lying down position, head propped up on his left arm, which still itched.
"I got Pepper to get you a…wedge pillow? I think it's for old people, and you're definitely old. I am not the Silver Fox, you are. I don't care if you are a teenager in Demon years." Stark produced a pillow that allowed him to sit up…somewhat. So, his age had become a topic among the humans? He knew he was a shade young, but he had no idea why it would matter. He instead focused on the 'wedge pillow'. Had he really fallen so low that his intended mate had Lady Potts get him something so he could sleep? He would prove his strength here. It wasn't necessary. He could sleep laying down. He could.
"…This Sesshomaru will endeavor to sleep as you do. Though the gift is appreciated." Sesshomaru placidly admitted. Yet another gift, something he had not asked for that his intended thought of.
"Oh uh, good, You sure?" Stark hesitated putting the cushion down and Sesshomaru merely narrowed his eyes. Stark relented and instead flopped back over.
"Your chest and sexy hip stripes are red now. I'm literally growing on you. Oh. Wait, am I going to get racing stripes too?" Stark traced Sesshomaru's markings which made the youki in his skin hum.
"No. Only full blooded Demons have markings, and even then not all have them." Sesshomaru explained, which he anticipated would relieve Stark, but instead Stark furrowed his eyebrows.
"That's not exactly fair, your body is changing and, well I'm still me. I guess you can't improve upon this." Stark smiled broadly, but it rang a little false. Sesshomaru breathed through his nose. Was Stark so blind?
"My youki has entered your…arc reactor." Sesshomaru had hoped that was the real name of his power device. "It will eventually ebb into your bloodstream, thus altering your body. That will occur." Sesshomaru positively knew that is what would occur if they were to strengthen, or complete their mating ritual.
"…what do you mean alter?" Stark suddenly stopped tracing his markings. Sesshomaru brought a curled finger to his lips.
"I am unsure. I did not fraternize with any Demons who have…had mated with a human, and Bokuseno does not exist in this time to ask such an inquiry to. You will most certainly stay human, though it is in the realm of possibility you may get enhanced instincts or faculties." Sesshomaru answered honestly, but left out a crucial detail. Stark's lifespan could increase to that of close to a hanyou if he calculated the math correctly. One of his cousins, who he also had to cut down, had mated with a grating hanyou and her lifespan increased to that closer to a full-blooded Demon. It was possible, but he had little idea if it would happen. He wasn't sure if Stark wanted it to happen.
He'd rather not think about it altogether.
"Ha. Take that Legolas, I'm gonna get super vision too." Stark smirked and Sesshomaru resisted the urge to roll his eyes. It didn't work in that manner.
"I have a pertinent question." Sesshomaru stated and that got Stark's attention. "You asked me what I desired. What do you desire Stark?" Sesshomaru reached out and grabbed Stark's wrist which had skirted a bit below to the silvery trail of hair that led down to his cock. He wanted Stark to focus.
"You. For one. But you're not a what. I want to kick Fury's ass, still. I did get to throw him out of my house today and pull rank, which was still fun. Aside from protecting the people I care about from this invasion, I want to get back to Malibu. You'd totally love it, less 'stinking humans' and more sand and waves. Even though Jaken says there will always be a need to make weapons, that's not what I want to do. I like the whole clean energy thing. Save the planet from invaders and ourselves. Oh, and I want to set fire to Justin Hammer's hair and throw him back in jail. He made those guns that the Chitauri have, I hacked his database. It'd be nice for things to get back to normal." Stark's rambling's ended in a yawn. He was tired as well. Sesshomaru hadn't expected Stark to go into so earnest detail. He had also heard this place Malibu before, it was the place Polly stated he looked like he was from when they first met. Perhaps he would enjoy it.
"I cannot be this normalcy you desire. You know this Stark." Sesshomaru murmured, finally laying his head down on the soft cushion. Maybe he could fall asleep like this after all. Stark slid across the bed on his side, his exact mirror on the bed.
"Jesus, you're not still on that, are you? You're my prissy, pissy, exhausting, sulking, brooding, teenage agnsty, incredible, gorgeous, physics defying, super-powered anomaly who can apparently turn into light, pilot a quinjet, and all while being a teenage single father. Besides, you've been here long enough to know that I'm far from normal myself. I'm extraordinary and so is my life, I could just deal with less war-mongering space titans." Stark rolled his eyes and glared half-heartedly at Sesshomaru who blinked.
Stark bit down on Sesshomaru's ear, and Sesshomaru flicked it.
"Got it?" Stark reinforced, eyes playful.
Sesshomaru let loose a small smile.
"Get some sleep beautiful. We got a hell of a day tomorrow. Again." Stark yawned again and closed his eyes. Sesshomaru hummed in response. He did not look forward to dealing with Loki and his pacing and nervous ramblings but it would have to be done.
The official war assembly.
Sesshomaru slept some, but it did not come easily and did not stay long. He awoke still at a late hour. Stark lay sprawled on his back soundly. Good no sign of a night terror.
Sesshomaru silently and swiftly dressed and made his way down to his former quarters, which now housed the whirling youki containment field, and more importantly the scepter.
Maybe where Bakusaiga could not, his toxin could? Sesshomaru unspooled his whip and arced it back and with every inch of torque he spun. An immense bolt of pain lanced from his left arm, though his torso down his right arm. His right arm, as if possessed by wires or snakes, slung the whip safely wide of its target, causing an empty loop. Cursed indeed.
Muffled footsteps.
Rogers almost soundlessly padded to a position behind him. So, there was a witness in his failure. Sesshomaru turned to eye the vigilant human who was fully clothed as if he never attempted sleep. Maybe his talons could melt the scepter directly. However, then Sesshomaru remembered Rogers had already tried to destroy the scepter with his shield. If his toxin had no effect on Rogers' shield, it would most likely be just as ineffective against the scepter as well.
His arm throbbed, stinging.
They stood together, side by side in a comfortable, though stern silence. Sesshomaru could easily smell the emotion of frustration and unease wafting off Rogers. They both disliked this situation, yet had no power to change it.
"This is my responsibility. Not yours. I'm the leader of the Avengers, but I haven't been acting like it. Leaders prepare. They lead from the front. They don't…do whatever I did today." Rogers admitted and Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes. What was this sleep deprived human prattling on about now? Was this some sort of…confession? Sesshomaru thought of the actions Rogers' took thus far: he protected Stark from harm during the ploy with Loki, he attempted to break up his spar with Thor, he accompanied a very unstable Loki to another metropolis to retrieve a hostile weapon. He did what he had the power to do, and had been in the dark for many a decision.
Pause.
"You tolerate Loki's indirectness and secrecy far better than most would in your position. You have never acted against the best interest of your army, nor have you allowed your emotions to take control and act rashly. That is what a true general does." Sesshomaru articulated impassively and Rogers rocked back on his heels.
"…huh. Um. Wasn't expecting a compliment. I guess you'd know, too." Rogers pursed his lips, deep in thought, watching the scepter. Sesshomaru could smell the smoldering thoughts smoking in Rogers' mind.
Pause.
"I had a best friend once, Bucky. He always had my back and looked after me, not unlike Loki to you. He died on a mission I led, I still feel responsible. If this scepter…" Rogers trailed off, distracted by Sesshomaru turning to him abruptly, talons extended.
"If what you are implying occurs, I will cut Loki down myself. That, Rogers, is my responsibility." Sesshomaru stated retracting his claws to make a point. He did not need this human thinking that he would need or allow someone else to kill Loki if his mind was fully lost to the Other's scepter.
However, the scenario seemed unrealistic. If Loki could untangle his mind from the scepter before, Sesshomaru had faith he could do so again.
Pause.
"What about Thor?" Rogers question and Sesshomaru's eyes flashed.
"Storm God may seek his revenge upon me if I were to kill Loki, but he would fail." Sesshomaru on no certain terms would allow Thor to kill him like he had seen in his false-scrys.
"That's not really what I meant..." Rogers trailed off and Sesshomaru caught on. Four Lands forbid Thor be handed such a task. Thor, the soft-hearted Aesir, could never be asked to shoulder such a burden to kill Loki. It was also, in some way, an unspoken agreement between the two, that they would slay each other if necessary.
"I'll do everything in my power to prevent something like that from happening. And not just to protect Earth, but also to repay him for saving Natasha and I." Rogers sighed. He sounded tired, but the kind of fatigued that sleep could not alleviate. So, he wished to repay Loki for healing him from Hakudoshi's miasma? Honorable, though it should not be his priority.
Sesshomaru turned to leave the scepter room, there was nothing else he could do here and he had a feeling if Stark awoke and he was not in his quarters he would come find him. Stark needed his rest.
"Goodnight, Rogers." Sesshomaru decided to formally bid farewell to the troubled captain who merely just waved him off. He arrived back into Stark's quarters to see Stark toss and then turn on the bed, sheets tangled in his legs. Sesshomaru sighed through his nose and removed his clothes and slipped back into bed. He truly wasn't used to sleeping in such finery, not since the war.
Sesshomaru wordlessly reached over and misted his calming youki over Stark, much like he did the shellfish he returned with, and Stark's thrashing eventually ceased. Sesshomaru laid down on his side, watching Stark's chest rise up and down, and the arc reactor's blue light with it. It was hypnotic in a way….
"Rise and shine, prince—" Sesshomaru's eyes shot open and utilizing his full speed he flashed to a standing position, senses on full alert, talons long. On instinct he summoned he flashed his youki out in a wave. He had NOT meant to fall back asleep. He had NOT meant to be unprepared for action. This was inopportune, he should have been the first to rise, if he had gone back to sleep at all.
Was he the last to rise?
"Whoa. Shit. I'm not a morning person either, but did you have to…like break everything? I guess it's good we have the roombas now." Sesshomaru calmed his senses and saw that the room had been knocked into complete disarray from his youki, paintings off the wall, mirror shattered, various odds and ends blown off the small tables and some broken. Stark's hair also stuck up at odd angles, but that could have been from his sleeping position. No, he smelled sweat, like Stark had been active or overheated.
"…" Sesshomaru surveyed Stark who appeared a bit stunned from his reaction. His ears stuck almost straight up and his spine froze in place as Stark sighed and maneuvered across the bed to stand up next to him, stretching.
"Look, you feeling like you always have to be 'on' is just going to stress me out, and it obviously isn't good on your heartrate. Have faith in D.E.M.O.N.S., your own spidey senses, me, and the rest of us. You're safe here, and it's not your responsibility to defend the tower anyway, it's mine." Stark grinned, bending down to touch his toes. His statement eerily mirrored the one he and Rogers had earlier.
When he came back up, Stark wound back and slapped Sesshomaru's ass. Sesshomaru growled back half-heartedly. He wasn't against such foreplay but it caught him off guard. Again. Catching him off guard was an activity Stark certainly reveled in doing.
"You growled once in your sleep, you know, it was hot. Let's take a shower, we got plenty of time. Dr. Foster is still teaching Thor how to skype, Steve is still sounding off on Fury, Natasha is attempting to teach Jaken jo-kata…something….and Reindeer games and his 'Artemis turned Aphrodite' just got back from a Greek myth themed orgy based on the bow and hickeys that Clint has now." Stark winked at him and motioned for him to follow him into the bathroom.
"You're the one that needs bathing. Not me." It wasn't that he was opposed to the idea entirely, however Rin would require some form of meal in the morning. Judging by the sun it had to be close to nine in the morning.
"After last night, and the way your hair looks right now, doubt it. Bruce is on Little Miss Sunshine duty. He got guilted into it, so you definitely have time. Let's have one more for the road before what could be the battle strategy session to decide the fate of the word, alright?" Stark jutted his chin up and gestured to himself as a whole. At times Sesshomaru wondered if Stark had some sort of telepathic capabilities, or if he had become just that easy to read. Soft.
He wondered if Stark was getting smarter, or perhaps, he was losing his edge. Both?
'The worst threat to have, is one too close to kill.' His father once admitted.
'Wine cannot get you drunk, but passion still can. Tread lightly my son, as you are quite the lure.' His mother once taunted.
'The most outrageous rumor being that the enchanted blade could resurrect the dead. What madness to craft a weapon that humans would squabble over indefinitely! They'd stop at nothing to possess it!' Loki had chuckled on the roof of Stark's tower when he first arrived.
'We should leave, my Lord. We should leave and not look back.' Jaken had advised while eating meat on the antenna of the Chrysler Tower.
'These Gods, these humans will only bring harm to my Father!' Bakusaiga had accused of Tenseiga in his mother's tomb.
Since when, exactly, had he gone from completely ignoring Tensiga's counsel, to his being the only voice he listened to?
Was he leaning too solely on Tenseiga? Was everyone else in his life mistaken and only Tenseiga correct? Loki himself stated that if Tenseiga's true nature had been revealed to the humans, they would come for him. As so far, only Lady Potts knew of Tenseiga. How long would that last? Was it merely a matter of time before all the humans that Loki, Banner, and Stark had told him had harkened to him so, to turn?
Would a relatively simple defense mission turn sour due to Tenseiga, ironically the counsel he was solely listening to?
Stark wouldn't turn on him.
'You have to know by now I never do anything half-assed, and I know you don't either. I'm in.' Stark had just confirmed.
However…
'Don't be like your father. Don't die in a battle over your lover.' His mother had implored in her tomb.
Yet…
'It was blessed by the divine, intended to protect its wielder and guide him.' Loki forged Tenseiga to guide him. He knew Loki would brag, exaggerate lie about many things, but he wouldn't lie about Tenseiga even if he didn't fully understand him.
Sesshomaru understood Tenseiga, even if he didn't really care to, or want to listen to his opinion much before.
'His destiny, entwined with those of the humans and the Gods, point to a victory.' Tenseiga had also reassured him in his mother's tomb. Taking advice from a Hanyou, he truly hadn't seen it coming.
"C'mon, you know you want me to wash your rapunsel hair again, among other things." Stark snapped him out of his revelry. Stark then gave him an odd look.
"This Rapunzel, is yet another fictional yellow-haired maiden I take it?" Sesshomaru cracked his knuckles, mind finally slowing down. He hadn't realized his inner thoughts had gotten so complicated that even Stark picked up on it.
"Join me and find out, hot stuff." Stark's eyes glimmered. He had already made up his mind.
He had always made a decision, and stuck by it. Sesshomaru had no room for doubt. He would simply let things play out.
'Play out to a victory, that is.' Sesshomaru smirked as he followed Stark into the bath.
Here is the latest chapter!
Poor Sesshomaru, full of doubts about what he actually wants. Do any of us ever really figure it out?
Thanks to all who have stuck by me in my writing rut. And especially a fabulous shout out to Demonic-Otaku!
-TL