Endling – Chapter 10
"Yes! Yes! She's the one we need!" Prima cackled with delight, making the sulfuric smell even more potent. The stench gave Kaito a very good reason to be glad that this time around he wasn't the center of her attention. The dragon was leaning over one of the stone slabs, examining the still unconscious mouse girl.
"This is so unbelievable," Mr. Fuuga whispered into his ear. Meeting Goya had been amazing enough for him, but now his father seemed about to pass out from sheer excitement. It would've made Kaito smile if he didn't have other things claiming his attention.
Like Gakupo's behavior, for instance. He seemed almost back to normal when Goya hugged him on the way to the hideout, but now he was staring forlornly into space next to the wolf-man. Even Goya could tell something was wrong, given the concerned look he was giving his adoptive son.
It was clear that something had in fact happened to him during his time in the Pale Line. Despite his best efforts, Kaito couldn't help but picture what it was, and it made him want to burn down the whole world. The fact that he was in part to blame made him all the more furious. Gakupo didn't know better, but he did. And yet Kaito had agreed to go to the museum taking basically no precautions, because he needed Gakupo to be pleased with him…Because he was scared of what Gakupo might do if he ever said 'no'.
"Are you ok?" His father asked.
Kaito nodded, forcing a smile. He had no right to be upset, considering what Gakupo had gone through.
"I'm sure your friend just needs some time. It was quite an intense experience," his father said.
"I hope it's that simple. I'm afraid they..." No, he couldn't say such a horrible thing aloud.
His father ruffled his hair, nodding in understanding.
Kaito's eyes once more focused on the endling, examining his posture and expression. Prima had easily destroyed the collars IA and he wore with a magic spell, but there was still an air about him, as if heavy chains were weighting him down.
They needed to talk. At the very least, Gakupo needed to know he could confide in Kaito, or even use him to vent his anger if it helped in any measure. Kaito was more than ready to do or say anything to make things better for him.
Prima finished her examination and ordered Goya to carry IA to the bedchamber they had prepared for Titania. The wolf-man gave his son a last look of worry before he obeyed the command, but Gakupo didn't even seem to notice.
"Humans, come forward," Prima said. "You too, Gakupo."
Mr. Fuuga gasped and Kaito felt some of the initial nervousness of his first encounter with Prima return as they walked until they were between her front claws. As for Gakupo, he finally seemed to return to the present and calmly knelt by Kaito's side.
"You have saved the future of those that breathe magic," the dragon began. "Once she ascends to the throne, Titania will open the door for us. For this, I must reward you appropriately."
Kaito and his father looked at each with uncertainty. Books often warned about accepting gifts from non-humans, especially dragons. However, Prima sounded very sincere for once.
"I just want to keep helping Gakupo," Kaito said cautiously. "Being with him is reward enough."
Next to him, he heard Gakupo mutter in his native language. Kaito peeked in his direction but the fae evaded his eyes.
"As for me…" Mr. Fuuga chuckled nervously. "I wasn't going to let my son walk into that place on his own, not that I helped that much. However, I deeply appreciate your generosity, lady dragon."
"How modest. That makes things simpler for us, though. Gakupo, the young human wishes for you as his reward, aren't you glad?"
Gakupo lowered his head, letting his hair mask his expression. Something about the silent gesture disheartened Kaito more than an outright refusal. But it was the proper response for a lousy defender like him.
Prima paused, likely noticing Gakupo's strange behavior for the first time. But she evidently didn't care enough to ask about its cause. "Take the humans back to the upper level, I had the dwellers clean a few more rooms. Then go see Yuki, she's waiting in the overlook for you."
"Yes, Prima." Gakupo stood up mechanically and started walking, without waiting to see if Mr. Fuuga and Kaito were following him or not. He quickly entered one of the many tunnels, and father and son were forced to jog after the retreating silhouette, lest they lose their way. It almost seemed like he was running away from the light of Kaito's flashlight.
Once they reached the lake, Kaito managed to catch up and grab Gakupo's hand. The endling looked at him with some trepidation, but said nothing.
"Those must be the rooms for my dad and me," Kaito pointed to the two lit doorways at ground level.
Gakupo nodded.
"Dad, can you go on ahead? Gakupo and I need to talk."
"I believe I can handle things by myself, yes." Mr. Fuuga replied. "Good night, Gakupo, son." He waved his hand and went into the closest room, giving the dancing flames a wide berth.
"Well, here we are," Kaito said after his father disappeared from view. Instead of replying or even looking at him, Gakupo extended an arm and one of the flames approached him, until it was floating above his hand. It burnt white like a phosphorus flame, reducing Gakupo's pupils into tiny diamonds. A moment passed, with nothing but the creaking of the flame to fill the silence.
Kaito run his hand through his hair, frustrated. "Gakupo, I know that you don't want to talk to me right now. But please, please I need to know what you're thinking. Talk to me."
Gakupo kept his gaze fixed on the dark waters of the lake, lips pressed together as if wanting to fuse his mouth shut.
"If you…if you want me to go away after that, I'll do it," Kaito finally added, defeated.
"Kaito…" Gakupo's face crumpled. "I don't want that." He said in a barely audible tone of voice. But it was enough to raise Kaito's spirits. "Come with me to the overlook. Then…" The endling trailed off.
"Then we'll talk," Kaito concluded in an upbeat tone.
Gakupo nodded and opened his arms, in a familiar gesture. Kaito smiled and wrapped his arms around him; Gakupo leaped into the air, singing his spell song in with a shaky voice. The flame followed them upwards.
At first, Kaito thought Gakupo was taking them to one of the rooms high on the cavern walls. But they kept ascending and went through the hole in the ceiling. It was connected to a gorge covered in abundant vegetation. Gakupo kept rising, following the jagged lines of the sloped terrain, until they reached a peculiar outcropping: columns and a slanted ceiling had been carved out of the rock itself, creating a sort of balcony that jutted out from the side of the mountain. Icicles and snow decorated the overlook, clearly identifying it as Yuki's abode.
She sat reading on a white divan, aided by the soft light of blue crystals strewn all around the balcony. No other furniture was visible, but then Kaito saw an opening on the rock behind them. In all likelihood, she had a set of rooms to herself, kept at a temperature that suited her nature.
As soon as she saw then, Yuki put down the book and rose to greet them. "Gakupo, Kaito, you're back! Did you accomplish your mission?" Her eyes widened when she looked at Gakupo's face more closely. "Oh my, what happened?"
"Titania is displeased with me," Gakupo stated curtly.
"Oh…" Yuki blinked. "May I know the reason?"
"That little brat liked her golden cage, it seems. She didn't want to be brought here," Kaito interjected scornfully.
Yuki examined the expressions of the two young men before her with curiosity. But then she shook her head. "You'll have to tell me more later. I need to tend to Gakupo's face first. Follow me." She went past the opening in the side of the mountain. A blueish light emitted from the inside, as abruptly as if she had turned on a switch. The white flame remained hovering over the divan while the pair followed her.
As Kaito had expected, the walls and everything inside was covered by a layer of frost. At one point in history, it seemed to have been a luxurious residence, perhaps the dwelling of the ruler of the dark fae that used to inhabit the hideout. Now a lot of the rooms were in disuse and dark. Only the path they were following had the blue light; walls and ceiling seemed to react to Yuki's presence with that brilliance. It reminded him of the huge ice statues and palaces his countrymen liked to construct every winter.
The room that Yuki used as infirmary was full of disparate pieces of furniture, clearly taken from all over the hideout, and full of boxes, baskets and bundles of roots, herbs and less identifiable objects. Two beds with their matching nightstands waited near one corner, a desk covered in curious equipment on the other.
Without prompting, Gakupo sat on one of the beds, hands folded on his lap. Yuki nodded in approval and went to retrieve a couple of jars of mysterious paste from one of the shelves, and clean rags from another.
Humming a little tune, she first smeared Gakupo with the mixture of one of the jars. She left it there for a couple of minutes, while she asked about the Pale Line and the new Titania. Then, she wiped it off and used the second jar, this time only covering the red gashes with a thin film of paste.
"Leave that there until you go to bed and sing the hymn of Iled tomorrow just before sunrise. You'll be as good as new before you know it."
"Thank you, Yuki," Gakupo answered, just a notch or two below his usual tone in terms of energy.
The snow woman frowned, hesitant. "…I don't like to bring this up, but I need to know if you need treatment. You know what I mean?"
"Kaito got there before things got worse," Gakupo muttered.
Kaito almost sank to his knees, so great was his relief hearing this.
"Prima and I argued a lot about the plan, because of its cost...I'm glad you're safe now." She turned to Kaito and added, "And I'm glad you're here, Kaito. We needed someone as capable as you."
Kaito blushed. "No, that's- I had the means and the time to attempt a rescue, that's all."
"If it weren't for you, we would've lost Gakupo and Titania. Don't diminish your accomplishment." Yuki smiled impishly as she went to return the jars to their place on the shelf. "We should act grateful to our hero, right?"
Gakupo lowered his face, the strange reticence of before back in full force. From behind the long locks of hair, he studied Kaito for a moment before replying, "I should."
"Well, we're done here. You can go," Yuki dismissed them in a light tone, as she jotted down some notes on a parchment on the desk.
"Yes, Yuki. Thank you for healing."
"No need to thank me. Go have fun, both of you."
Gakupo nodded and grabbed Kaito's hand. In silence, they retraced their steps through the corridors, now much dimmer without Yuki's presence. The white flame was still waiting for them in the stone balcony. Soon enough, the three of them were back in the night air, tracing the dark silhouette of the mountain.
Just as they reached the gorge, Kaito gathered his courage and said, "We're going to have a talk, remember?" Maybe Gakupo would be more forthcoming if they discussed things outside in the open air, instead of the dusty, oppressive environment of the cavern.
Gakupo let an indistinct sound of acknowledgement. Adjusting his trajectory, he landed on a ledge that had all the signs of being a private space for the fae: dry herbs were piled on a corner protected from the elements by protruding rocks and crooked trees. Next to them, a small weathered chest surely guarded some cherished trinkets. Finally, a damaged painting leaned against the rocky wall; the castle depicted seemed to float insubstantially in the midst of a thick fog.
Gakupo sat on the edge of the rocky surface, balancing his legs in the night air. His figure was almost as silvery and weightless as the painted castle behind him, wrapped as he was in the ruined tunic from the Pale Line and illuminated by the twin sources of the moon and the magical flame.
Kaito carefully knelt beside him and removed his omnipresent muffler to wrap it around Gakupo's neck. The fae looked at him with surprise.
"I should've let you go change clothes, your skin is cold," Kaito said rubbing his neck, feeling a bit chilly himself. "I'm sorry I was so forceful about this…" He took one of Gakupo's hands between his. "Look, I'm here for you. Whatever happened back there, I'll do whatever it takes to help you overcome it."
"Whatever happened?" Gakupo repeated, tilting his head.
"You know what I mean," Kaito replied, although the fae was sporting a very blank expression. And yet, even if his worst fears hadn't come to pass, wasn't it obvious that those men had abused him in some fashion? Besides, being hunted and treated like an object was bad enough on itself.
Gakupo's turquoise gaze examined their hands, then travelled downwards and to the left, thinking. "I…think I do." His lips curved in an odd, unhappy smile. "Do I still have value for you?"
"Of course! Why would you ask that?!" Kaito cupped Gakupo's face in his hands, trying to divine what was going on behind his cryptic expression.
"You're always so kind to me." The words sounded oddly accusatory; Gakupo's expression darkened, reminding Kaito of their first encounter. "Why, you ask? Because when I'm beside you I'm nothing!" Gakupo spat.
Kaito's hands dropped to his sides like two stones. He watched in stunned silence as Gakupo rose and began pacing from one end of the ledge to the other, hugging himself and muttering angrily in his language. His tail lashed the air so violently that Kaito could swear he could feel the touch of displaced air on his face.
Suddenly, Prima's voice was projected from the white flame. She used the dialect of the wind fae, obviously to keep Kaito out of the conversation, not that it was hard to guess that she was scolding Gakupo, given his mortified expression.
"It's ok, really-," Kaito tried to interrupt.
"Titania's court is in your debt, human. Your reward will conduct himself in a proper fashion," Prima answered arrogantly.
It's no big surprise Gakupo has low self-esteem, given how you treat him, Kaito thought, rolling his eyes.
Gakupo returned to his side meekly, looking completely drained. It made sense given the late hour and the events of the day. "Prima is right; I behave in a shameful way."
"I'm the one that should be ashamed, pushing you like this." Kaito stood and gingerly placed a hand on Gakupo's shoulder. "Let's go to bed, ok? I just want to feel you close to me."
The fae nodded with noticeable relief in his features, enough for Kaito to leave aside his odd, bitter words. Although the insecure part of Kaito wanted to blame himself for the situation, another side wanted to feel like a champion from the old tales, celebrated and adored by the lovely prince he had rescued. That foolish side was quick to excuse Gakupo's behavior, and assume it would pass given time.
A conciliatory smile graced Gakupo's features, enough for Kaito to anticipate the hours to come. "My room or yours?"
"Yours." Kaito blushed at the mere thought of his dad walking in while they were together in bed. It was one thing for Mr. Fuuga to accept that his son had a 'special friend', another completely different to see them kissing or more.
Gakupo and him descended into the great cavern and passed through one of the illuminated doorways halfway between the lake and the ceiling. Thankfully, the white flame went back to its slow dance above the waters.
Like the space Kaito had previously occupied next to the lake, this room was roundish, with carved walls. It was bare except for a bench, a chest and a wide bed, with barely any indication that anyone used it regularly.
"I prefer my parent's cave," Gakupo explained. "Living with Prima is tiring."
"I bet," Kaito said with a snicker. He took off the fancy jacket and folded it, then sat on the bed to untie his shoes.
While Kaito undressed, Gakupo took off the ornate jewelry decorating his body, examining each piece with an ambivalent expression on his face, until the only accessory left was Kaito's muffler around his neck.
"I shouldn't like these things." The fae muttered as he piled everything on a shelf carved into the stone wall. "All that sound, very uncomfortable. And they belong to that man."
"The way I see it, you should do whatever you want with them. Chuck them into the lake, melt them or wear them if you want. They are yours now."
Gakupo acknowledged this with a small nod. In the end, he left everything but a ring on the shelf, a simple platinum band with a small sapphire. Then, he slipped out of the tunic, carelessly throwing it away across the room. "That one I'm not keeping."
Kaito laughed softly. The fae had looked very enticing in that outfit, although he didn't want to say it, given its origin. The thin fabric had contrasted wonderfully with his dark wings. Together with the jewelry, it almost seemed like a god had descended from the skies in front of Kaito. A god just for him.
While he sat there over the covers enjoying the idea, Gakupo climbed the bed and laid face down by his side. The end of his tail tickled Kaito's thigh playfully, but before Kaito could bent down for a kiss, the endling let out a huge yawn.
"Yes, it looks like I need to let my reward sleep a few hours," Kaito grinned and laid down tapping his chest. He wasn't altogether pleased with the way Prima spoke of it, as if Gakupo was a gift to be given away, but he decided to treat it as a joke.
As intended, the fae climbed on top of him. He gave out a little hum of satisfaction as he caressed the skin of Kaito' chest, before planting a kiss over his heart. "I missed your shape, when I was back there."
"Me too."
"I'm very glad you came for me, despite...how I acted before." Gakupo laid his head down on Kaito's chest, hiding his expression behind a curtain of hair.
"You've been through a lot."
"No excuse."
"Don't worry about it," Kaito replied lightly, twirling a strand of purple hair around his fingers. Although, to be honest, Gakupo's words did worry him. What did he mean by 'when I'm beside you I'm nothing'? It didn't make sense, no matter how he analyzed it.
"Say you love me," the voice begged, heavy with tiredness.
"I love you. I love everything about you."
"More…"
"I love you, I love you, I'll always love you." He kissed the top of head of Gakupo's head with reverence. He said it again and again, each time closer to a whisper, as he felt the endling sink into sleep. Finally, the breathing of the body above his became slow and deep. Kaito grinned happily; Gakupo was beginning to open up to him, and he clearly needed him. What more could he ask for?
Morning in Prima's hideout was hard to distinguish from any other part of the day, when you weren't by the underground lake, looking upwards. From the bed, all Kaito could see was the darkness between the opening of Gakupo's room and the wall all the way across the waters.
Nevertheless, there was something in the air that suggested the fresh atmosphere just before sunrise, contrasting with the warmth of the mattress and the purple-trimmed white cape draped above him.
Wait a moment… Finally, the absence of the fae pierced through Kaito's grogginess and made him look around, searching fruitlessly for Gakupo. He rolled out of bed and approached the door; very cautiously, he leaned outwards to see if there was a way for him to get down to ground level without help. There was, if he could swallow his vertigo: a narrow ledge hugged the stone wall, slowly descending towards his left.
Then again, he probably needed to get dressed first.
The elegant suit he had used to attend to the auction was folded over the bench, next to his muffler. The only clothes I have with me now, Kaito thought. Unfortunately, neither he nor his father could carry bags with them when they attended the auction; all he had now was the contents of his pockets.
"I really wish I could clean up first…" Nevertheless, he didn't feel like waiting to see if Gakupo returned on his own. He wasn't exactly sure why; Gakupo seemed much calmer before falling asleep, so he probably wouldn't avoid him anymore. Even so, he wanted to keep the fae close.
Just as Kaito was zipping up his pants, the endling flew in, carrying a large basket in his hands and back in his modest off-white pants and cape. He appeared somewhat surprised to see Kaito up and about, but not displeased at the fact. "Good morning!" In one fluid motion, he dropped the basket on the ground and then grabbed Kaito in his arms. One leap later, they landed on the bed, with Gakupo on top.
Kaito let out something between a breathless yelp and a giggle. Before he could recover his breath, Gakupo bent down and began to kiss his neck and jaw repeatedly. Kaito's own 'good morning' became lost in more laughter, as his heart overflowed with happiness. There was almost a manic quality to the way Gakupo was touching his body with his mouth and hands, like a strong wind pushing him off his feet and away from his consciousness.
"What's gotten into you?" Kaito asked between gasps, as Gakupo began to pull down his pants. Not that he minded, but it was a complete departure from Gakupo's attitude the night before.
"You want this." His hands continued to tug at Kaito's clothing until he was completely naked. Gakupo's wings caressed his sides, two heavy curtains separating them from the world.
"I do…" Like a snake crawling through tall grass, a nameless, atavistic urge stirred inside him at the thought of being defenseless and exposed on Gakupo's hands.
"I must act grateful." The frantic energy of before still shone in the fae's eyes, although his movements became maddeningly languid as his head sank between Kaito's legs. His dark feathers tickled Kaito's thighs in capricious patterns, up and down and up again, as Kaito cried out.
Gakupo pulled back, scaling down his attentions to just a touch of his fingers. He observed Kaito's squirming form with a look of dark satisfaction: the face of someone confirming a sour theory.
"Gakupo…?" The haze of pleasure muddled his thoughts, but Kaito finally noticed the strange expression on his lover's face. "What is it?"
"I was wrong before. I'm not nothing."
Kaito sat up, suddenly alert. The melancholic tone of Gakupo's words was like cold water dousing his body. "What do you mean?"
Gakupo grimaced. "I shouldn't have spoken. I have to keep you happy."
"I told you last night, I want to know how you feel, no matter what."
"I mean…" He paused, with the look of someone mentally preparing himself for a big jump. "I'm a reward, a toy."
"No, no! That's was-," Kaito cupped Gakupo's face in his hands, horrified. "I didn't mean like that!"
"I know. I mean it like that." Gakupo inhaled a large gulp of air. "I do everything wrong, except this." He moved his hand in a wide arc, encompassing the bed and both of them. "I can't help, I can't save. All I do is get rescued! I might as well be a shameful toy!"
Kaito just stared, completely at a loss on what to say.
Gakupo squeezed his eyes shut, spitting his next words, "You say Prima treats like dirt. But she's right, Goya is right. But you…" He opened his eyes and added, "You're the worst of all."
"W-what?!"
"You love me and take care of me; I should be grateful and make you happy in return. And I am grateful, I do love you…but…but…I see you and I feel bad that I don't have what you have, that I don't do what you do. I don't know how to explain it."
"You're jealous of me." Kaito said quietly, wiping one eye. He could scarcely believe it, but there it was: his beautiful endling, jealous of an awkward idiot like him. Of course, it wasn't exactly that he was jealous of those charming qualities; most likely, he was unconsciously jealous of all the opportunities Kaito had been given since birth. Being rescued twice by someone he saw as superior was just exacerbating the feeling.
"Don't hate me. I'm trying not to act like this," Gakupo begged pitifully.
"Of course I won't hate you," Kaito hugged him. If I could give you every advantage I had, I would.
Gakupo shakily reciprocated the gesture, pressing Kaito almost too hard against him. His wings unfurled and cocooned them; Kaito once more had the impression that they were alone together in a completely different reality. It would've been very pleasant if Gakupo wasn't so upset.
Seconds and then minutes went by, as they stayed in each other's arms. Kaito racked his brains trying to find the proper words to say. The more he thought about it, the more he realized how ill-prepared he was to help Gakupo. And that lead to another idea, bitterly ironic: he wasn't all that different from the fae, really. They saw in each other qualities and gifts they wanted, they both were used to self-deprecation and doubt. Kaito usually ran from the world while Gakupo wanted to prove himself worthy of it.
"Listen…" Kaito began softly. "We need to look at this in a different way. I'm not a hero, or even particularly brave. I'm not even all that strong physically. But that's ok- there are other things I can do."
"The same goes for you. Don't tell me you can't see you have good qualities. That's not true and you know it. You aren't perfect, but neither am I. That's why I'm not letting go of you: we can be more together."
Gakupo pulled away to look Kaito in the eye, almost cartoonishly surprised. Gradually, a smile illuminated his features. "Do you really believe that?"
"I do," Kaito replied. Being persuasive wasn't part of what he considered his good qualities, without question. But as with everything else, Gakupo managed to push him into achieving things he normally wasn't able to do. "Even Hiroshi and Dad could tell how much I've changed lately, all because I wanted to be by your side."
"I'm not sure I can stop thinking like this so easily." Gakupo played with Kaito's hair, not exactly looking him in the eye anymore. If anything, his gaze seemed to have turned inwards, examining his own preconceptions. "There's so many things..."
"I'm not so arrogant as to think I can demolish your problems with a couple of words," Kaito replied. "But I'm here for you. We need to be patient with each other, remember?"
"I remember," Gakupo's smile widened, and he pulled Kaito close again, to rest his head on his shoulder. However, not a minute passed before he lifted his head again.
"What's wrong?"
"I forgot I brought breakfast." His left wing moved out of the way to display the basket lying on the ground next to the bed.
"You didn't bring anything breakable, did you? You dropped that in a hurry."
Gakupo's mouth dropped and he sheepishly nodded. "I just saw you and thought that I had to make it up to you for yesterday…" He eyed the basket skittishly. "I should look."
By some miracle, the teapot and crude clay cups inside were intact, although the hot liquid inside the pot had spilled in part, dampening the cookies and fruit. Before Gakupo could begin apologizing, Kaito picked one of the cookies and ate it in one big bite, before it could crumble. "Not bad, I like dunking cookies in milk."
The fae laughed gratefully.
"How about we eat all these on that ledge with the painting? I'd like to feel the morning air," Kaito suggested. "Let me get cleaned and dressed while you bring the stuff there. And bring some blankets too, for later..."
Gakupo laughed again, longer and more mischievously than before. "You were enjoying yourself quite a bit, yes?"
Kaito rubbed his neck, red-faced. "...Yeah."
"I want to keep going too." Gakupo nodded, as impervious to embarrassment as always, at least when it came to intimate matters. He rose, tapping his chin. "There's a mountain river nearby. Perhaps you prefer bathing there."
"Sure. Let me get my things."
By the time they were back on the ledge, the morning had already heated somewhat, promising a beautiful sunny day. Nevertheless, the crooked trees allowed for some cool shade as they sat over an ancient-looking tablecloth, part of Gakupo's collection of human things. The food was neatly arranged between them.
"I've been wondering about something," Kaito started. "Prima mentioned a door, what's that about?"
"Titania in museum, she and her Oberon created a path to another land, for us to leave here. Oberon and his closest went to prepare the new home while Titania fought."
"Oberon? I thought he had died long before Titania."
Gakupo shook his head. "Went away. Perhaps now he is dead. We haven't heard in years about him."
"So…" An unwelcomed thought crossed Kaito's mind. "If you married IA, you'd be the next Oberon?"
"Eh?!" Gakupo seemed completely flabbergasted at the idea.
"Don't look so surprised. Yuki at least seems to believe you'll be the next king. And I bet Goya would prefer her to me."
"But…"
"I'm not saying I want you to marry her, of course." Kaito waved around his hand, causing the cookie in his fingers to completely disintegrate into milky clumps. "Oh. Well, I'm just asking to learn how this works. For all I know, maybe IA is now married to the old Oberon."
"No, he belongs to old Titania, if alive."
"I see. Another question," And much more important in his mind, since it seemed unlikely that IA would consent to such a marriage in the first place. "If Titania opens the path, all of you will leave Earth?"
"Yes." Gakupo hesitated for a bit. "I could stay with you, if you want."
"What about Goya and the others? Won't they have a problem with that?" Not to mention, would Gakupo be okay with severing ties with all of them? Besides, did he have a right to keep Gakupo from going in the first place? It was a chance to finally live without the threat of persecution. And there was another option… "Never mind, we don't need to worry about that just yet. Who knows if IA can even open the door in the first place."
"True." Gakupo obviously appreciated the chance to steer away from the topic. "It's a strange choice to wield the power. She's nothing like old Titania."
"You can say that again," Kaito chuckled. He could hardly imagine the beautiful teal-haired girl in the museum engaging in tantrums or insulting anyone.
"But it's not her fault. She was...how do you say? She grew inside the Pale Line." Gakupo shuddered in sympathy.
"She was brought up in there? Ugh." It did make him a bit regretful about being so rough with her. Not that he would condone anyone hurting Gakupo in any way.
"Awful place." Gakupo toyed with the cookie pieces littering the tablecloth.
"Let's not speak of them again, they aren't worth our time."
Gakupo nodded. He rose his eyes and examined Kaito with a twinkle in his eyes. "Are you done with breakfast?"
"Hm? Oh, oh yeah." Kaito's heart began pounding with anticipation.
Gakupo crawled to his side and began to unbutton Kaito's shirt. Not even one 'here I come', thought Kaito jokingly. It didn't matter. His own hands began to fumble with his belt, eager to give himself to the fae.
The shirt slid off his shoulders, his pants were tossed away and almost went off the edge. Gakupo picked him up and carried him to the pile of dry herbs, now covered with a couple of blankets. Kaito lied down in his back, docile.
But instead of leaning over him as Kaito expected, Gakupo returned to the tablecloth and picked up the jug. His embarrassment flared up as he realized what Gakupo was going to do. "Uh...that's…"
"I'm dunking Kaito in milk," Gakupo stated nonchalantly. He tipped the jug over Kaito, letting the liquid splash all over his chest and groin. He placed the jug aside as if he had done nothing out of the ordinary and bent down to lick Kaito's skin.
Kaito sputtered incoherently, squirming under Gakupo's touch. A firm hand landed in the middle of his chest and kept him pinned in place, unable to do anything but moan. Gakupo's mouth teased his chest without a single trace of hesitation, while his other hand caressed him below.
"It... It feels good," Kaito let out between gasps. Despite how embarrassing it was to hear the lust in his own voice, he felt incredibly anxious for more.
Gakupo grunted and went lower, making Kaito arch his back with complete abandon. Not only was his mouth pleasuring him, his fingers were expertly pushing him into madness. To top it off, his soft hair and feathers travelled over his skin following Gakupo's movements. All he could do was to surrender to the many sensations claiming his attention, screaming the fae's name. All too soon, reality crumbled into bits, jagged little fragments that tore at him as he reached his limit. He shut his eyes and sank deep into the torrent of heat and wanting.
As his breathing gradually calmed down, he felt Gakupo laid down in his usual position, resting his head on Kaito's chest. "What…what about you?"
"In a while," Gakupo replied. "We have all day."
Kaito's heart skipped a bit. That was true, wasn't it? He had Gakupo for himself for the rest of the day.
And not just today, he's going to be there every day to come.