"Setsuya!"
The young teenager smiled softly to himself and ceased walking, clutching his cloak to his slim body with poise as the wind brushed his raven hair against his cheek. He glanced backward, raising his hand in a subtle greeting. At the tender age of sixteen, Setsuya was the envy of every female in the Fire Nation, of which he was blissfully unaware. His slender body, natural grace, and reserved manner drew gazes from men and women alike on the streets. What was most intriguing about the man was the odd violet hue to his eyes, a rare sight to behold for a man of the Fire Nation.
"What took you so long?" he asked quietly as his friend approached him, panting for breath.
"Sorry," the other man huffed in a low voice, straightening up his posture. "I got held up at work." His golden eyes shimmered with amusement, a friendly smile evolving on his narrow face. He brushed his russet hair back with a casual flick of the wrist, smirking as though pleased with himself. In contrast to his friend, this male's demeanor was far more intimidating. His trained form and outgoing personality opposed Setsuya's feminine figure and shy comportment to the greatest extent. One was confident, the other insecure. One was well-built, the other delicate. One was passionate, the other serene. And they couldn't have been better friends.
Setsuya's smile faded as he turned back to viewing the ocean with a sigh, savoring the salty scent and dazzling waves. There were so few places around the coast that weren't lined with fisherman docks or naval bases. Setsuya adored the sea more than anything else in the world, and as he lived in the capital within the heart of the island, he hardly ever got a chance to enjoy the wondrous waters. He breathed a sigh of comfort when he felt a pair of strong arms encompass him around the midsection and a head bury into his neck. His firebending friend was always a handy asset during the winter season.
"Do you want to go back to the shore today?" the man whispered into his flesh, causing a strange red flush to taint the teenager's cheeks.
"No. It's fine, Kuzon," Setsuya responded in a barely audible whisper, although the older man was used to his soft tone.
"You sure?" he asked, and Setsuya could just imagine the other's sly smile. "Aang is coming down today and I think he wants to go down to the beach."
Setsuya chuckled, sending pleasing vibrations down Kuzon's form. "I'm surprised that the monks allow him to leave the temple as often as they do. Or is he a rebel like you?"
"You've got that right," a high-pitched voice interrupted from behind them. "Of course, I'm nowhere near as rebellious as you two lovebirds strive to be."
Kuzon immediately released his friend, jumping back at least five feet. The older teenager growled in warning, grabbing the airbender by the collar. "What have I told you about saying shit like that?!" he hissed, trying to keep his voice low enough to evade Setsuya's acute hearing. The violet-eyed man kept his gaze focused on the ocean, willing away the blush manifesting on his face.
"Sure, sure!" Aang proclaimed heartily, giving Kuzon a secret wink as he retracted his glider. The oldest snarled, ready to beat the brains out of the kid if he made another crack. "How're you doing, Setsu? Keeping warm?"
The young man winced, though chuckled when out of the corner of his eye, he saw Kuzon threaten to set the monk on fire. He finally turned around to address the others with a warm grin. That monk was too damn observant for his own good. "Fine, thank you. Yourself?"
"Decent," the airbender muttered with a casual shrug, surveying the clouds in the sky with skepticism. "You guys are on winter break, right? Planning on heading down to the water?"
Kuzon nodded, still slightly annoyed. "We were just talking about it. You wanna go, Setsuya?" The golden eyes softened as they affixed on the younger man, making his heart skip a beat.
"Yes... Yes, I'd like that," he responded with a nod, causing Aang to let out an enthusiastic cry. Kuzon looked shocked, though incredibly pleased. It wasn't often that he got Setsuya to express his opinions or desires, making this a rather special occasion.
"Alright then," Kuzon said with a sweet smile, tilting his head appreciatively at the airbender. Aang gave him a second sly wink, starting down the rocky overhang that was cast over the sea. Setsuya's eyes sparkled with glee as he pursued their young friend, followed closely by Kuzon. Somewhere along the way, the eldest teen managed to intertwine his hand with the violet-eyed man's. Setsuya's heart beat furiously, unused to such a strange physical contact as his eyes flickered back and forth from the pathway to his comrade.
His pace quickened, earning a soft laugh out of Kuzon. Together, they trampled down the slanted cliff trying their best to surpass each other in the aspect of grace. Naturally, Setsuya prevailed despite the other's superb coordination. Within the last few feet of the drop, Kuzon's hand tightened around his own. This, for some reason, made him very uncomfortable. Setsuya gulped, feeling a pair of intense gold eyes survey him. With a minor misstep, the younger of the two hissed with pain as his ankle swiped across a particularly jagged rock. The world spun and sight faltered as Setsuya let out a soft cry, prepared to plunge head-first into the rocky shore just below them…
With a sudden jerk of the arm, Kuzon pulled him back and spun them both around, so that his petite body was pressed up against his friend's muscular figure. With a grunt, Kuzon's back smacked painfully into the ground and Setsuya atop him. The younger teen inhaled sharply, leaping up from his position and kneeling next to his fallen friend with a look of panic.
"Kuzon? Kuzon, I'm so sorry!" He ran his fingers through the other's hair in a subconscious attempt to check for blood or gashes. "Do you need a doctor?"
The older teenager merely chuckled, shaking his head. "I'm fine, honest." His golden eyes shimmered with amusement, watching his friend dread over him. "Just a bruise or two."
"Where does it hurt?" Setsuya asked quickly, weighing his knowledge of health in his mind. 'Damn, I wish I'd paid better attention in class.' Aang was soon behind him rattling off questions in a panic as he tried to figure out what had happened.
"Right here," Kuzon whispered, taking the other's cold hands into his own and putting it to his chest, where his heart beat steadily. "That is, at the thought of you getting hurt."
"Damn you and your stupid chivalry," Setsuya uncharacteristically cursed, though he kissed Kuzon's palm in gratitude.
Setsuya awoke from his daze with a jolt, his throat feeling oddly dry and constricted. Wiping away the sweat that had formed on his brow, he recaptured his breath despite no longer needing it. It seemed some old habits truly did die hard. Catching sight of his insipid hand, he gently pulled back the sleeve of his cloak to inspect his unnaturally pale skin. Gazing into the blue veins visible to the acute eye, he saw a vision of his former self staring back at him. He let his arm drop with a thud on his office desk, papers shuffling away from him. The dark mahogany seemed to glare at him through the reflection of the lone candle at the edge of his desk.
Setsuya could not deny that his body had hardly changed since his late teenage years. However, his broken spirit accounted for much of the change in his demeanor. After all, there are different types of silence. No longer was he shy and reserved, but silent and cold toward his comrades despite attempted friendships. No one had been through what he had; no one had suffered as much as him. He could look no one in the eye without letting them see the brokenness he sheltered in his heart. The only person who understood this, his master and keeper, was long gone at the hands of scorching flames. As he should be, Setsuya thought bitterly, arms tensing at his sides at the mere thought of the man.
"Lord Setsuya?" a voice called, accompanied by a knock at his door.
Regaining his composure with a swallow, the vampire's eyes reverted to their impassive state. "Enter." His voice seemed a bit harsh, even to his own ears. A rather tall man pressed the sleek metal door open and slipped inside of the spacious room. Although cloaked within the darkness, Setsuya had no trouble deciphering the man's identity. "Hayate. What news do you bring?"
Hayate was physically older than the other by perhaps ten or fifteen years with impressive stature. Nevertheless, the man bowed respectfully and stepped forward to deliver his report in a deep, rumbling voice that seemed built for intimidation. "The hunt was successful, my Lord. There were no interferences and no complications."
Setsuya felt a prick of amusement listening to the disappointment in the vampire's voice. Hayate was the sort of man who'd give his right limbs for a bit of dangerous excitement. "No humans harmed, then?"
"Not to my knowledge sir," Hayate responded truthfully, his brown eyes shifting to the floor. It had surely been difficult to keep tabs on the entire hunting party, which was composed of nearly a quarter of the vampiric population, to ensure that only animal blood had been spilt.
"Well done." The vampire lord's eyes flickered back to the sketch lingering before him. "If you have no more to say, you are dismissed." This constituted a normal conversation one would have with Setsuya outside of the realm of emergencies.
"Of course, my Lord. However..." Hayate's voice faltered in preparation to dive into an edgy subject. "Lately, the strict enforcement of the law is causing some discomfort among the youngest of our people."
Setsuya's violet eyes snapped open as he glared fiercely at the blameless man. His voice severed the tension in the air with chilly haste. "If we expect our civilization to survive, we must abide by what is expected of us." We're lucky the heavens haven't struck us down as it is.
Hayate winced, his shoulders twitching defensively. "I understand sir, but those of us who are not yet accustomed to the lack of human blood are still somewhat restless. The majority of the state supports your decision and recognizes it as the best maneuver. Still, there are a few-"
Setsuya nodded, raising a hand to halt the man's speech. Secretly, the vampire lord could not blame his comrades for their agitation. Compared to the sweet nectar of a human's blood, the fluids of an animal tasted like salty slime. His own lips still tingled from his indulgence at Zuko's expense. "I will accompany tonight's party. Do not feel the need to escort for a while if you do not have the assertiveness to do so."
Hayate's shoulders slumped with relief as he bowed. "Thank you, Master." No vampire with any intellect, however sparse, would disgrace Setsuya's word in his own presence. After all, that would not only earn the lord's disapproval, but the rage of many others who hold the man in such high esteem. With a final bow, Hayate departed as quietly as he had come.
Setsuya thumbed the edge of his quill absently, deep in thought. His eyes scanned over the titles of his multiple bookcases with unnatural speed. All of that information and not a single proposal that could assist him. Setsuya was quite aware of the dangers of philosophical thought. It was what had driven his former master into death, rebirth, and insanity as it could very well do with him. Agni forbid people think for themselves nowadays. Still, whatever would help... He signed his name on a final document in beautiful calligraphy, before slipping over to the shelves and tapping each book on the spine as he pondered their significance in his quest.
I'll understand soon enough.
xXxBloodlustxXx
The ceiling isn't very exciting, Zuko decided as he strung a lazy arm over his forehead. He had worked so hard in the past twelve hours trying to settle his stomach, he refused to move for fear of acquiring that horrid queasy sensation. His left hand shifted unconsciously over to his neck, running a gentle finger across the smooth memento of Setsuya's tender bite. His finger ran up his throat and to his lips, tracing them as they quivered beneath his touch. No matter how hard he tried, Zuko couldn't seem to evict the vampire lord from his mind. After leaving the older man's room in a numb daze, the day (or night for all he knew), ran routinely. He had slipped into his bed, watched the ceiling for a bit, stared at the food that had been slipped into his room, decided to eat the food after it had already grown cold, and stared at the ceiling for a bit more.
"This is ridiculous," he whispered to himself, glancing at the metal door which had been decisively locked. "Hasn't anyone realized I'm gone? Of course, the last place one might search would be underground." A thought struck, causing a sting to course throughout his veins. "Are they even looking for me at all?" And if they are... do I really need rescuing? He traced a finger over his quivering lips with a sigh. The soft knocking at his door hardly even fazed him, as he called out an irritated, "Yes?"
The door crept open to reveal the slightest gap, allowing the darkened magenta eyes of Akane to survey the room. "Sir? Are you-"
"Can you please let me out of here?" Zuko interrupted sharply, swinging his legs over the side of his bunk with a sigh. A strange longing seemed to shred his sane mind to oblivion as the young prince mustered up the most pleading eyes he could. He wasn't quite accustomed to begging for such a privilege. However, if it gained him even the slightest amount of freedom from the surrounding walls, he would most certainly resort to such methods, pride be damned!
"I'm sorry," she murmured with a shake of her head, her fiery hair brushing her shoulders as she spoke. "I don't have the authority to allow that."
"Please? I don't want to wander around too much. Just stretch my legs a bit, that's all." He looked rather hopeful, but Akane's determined gaze refused to falter. Damn. Azula probably could have done it. He took a deep breath, managing to pale his face on command."Akane, I-I don't feel very well. Please, at least take me to see Setsuya. I want to see him." He groaned softly, hunching his shoulders with forged pain.
The vampire began to panic, her eyes wide with fright as she stepped fully into the room. Akane crossed the room and leaned over him, putting a tender hand against his forehead. Surprisingly, her touch was not as chilling as Setsuya's. It was so... motherly. It reminded him of Ursa's touch. "You don't look well," she whispered to herself, stroking a single thumb across his cheek. "Oh, Zuko. I wish that I could-"
The teenager couldn't help but notice the use of his name. I'm making progress.
"-but Lord Setsuya instructed me to keep you safe. I can't permit you to walk into the heart of our city without protection. Of course, master is rather busy with regional matters."
"Oh," he whispered, eyes falling to the floor. "I see."
"I could always bring him here!" Akane exclaimed, her hands fumbling uncomfortably behind her back. "He wouldn't hesitate for a moment if he knew you were feeling ill."
"No," Zuko murmured, curling his arms around his legs pathetically as his eyes dimmed. "It would just kill me to have to disturb him while he's so occupied."
Akane winced, feeling trembles course through her body. If Setsuya returned and the young man was miserable, she would be in terrible trouble. If his lovely prize was physically, mentally, or emotionally injured in any way, he was certain to revert to his petrifying 'I-swear-I'll-kill-you-in-an-instant-regardless-of-whether-you-happen-to-be-immortal-or-not' demeanor. The last thing she wanted was to be turned out of her superior's limited favor. The young child just looked so pale and depressed. "Alright," she sighed, putting a kind hand on his shoulder. "I'll take you to see Lord Setsuya."
Zuko's eyes brightened, though he forced a sickly, insipid expression on his face. "Thank you so much. I won't bother him for too long, I promise." He leapt up rather quickly, pouncing to her side like a poised leopard ready to spring. Golden eyes scanned the door in excitement, while Akane put a somewhat stiff hand on his shoulder.
"We'll be passing into the heart of the city," she whispered in his ear, guiding him through the first unimpressive hallway he had already stolen a glance at. Zuko noted every flame that lit the way was contained with utmost care. "We'll be passing a courtyard or two on the way there, so just keep your head down. I don't think I need to tell you to refrain from entering any closed doors. It's most likely someone's home. Nobody is going to hurt you if you keep your heart rate down. You will not be touched, for our Lord's scent embraces you."
"I'm not worried," Zuko assured her softly. "I live with a few bloodsuckers back at home. In a non-literal sense, of course."
To his utmost surprise, Akane laughed as she gave him a reassuring pat on the back. "I admire your valor." With these words, she reached before him and grasped the handle of the final door of the corridor. Passing through the exit, Zuko couldn't help but allow a deep sigh of amazement pass through his lips. Before him was perhaps what he considered to be an indescribable miracle. Initially the architecture was astounding, consisting of large arching pillars stationed perhaps every twenty around the spherical plaza, which consisted of a good seven thousand square feet. The black steely columns supported the packed earth walls with utmost precision, making it seem as though their enclosing perimeter was built of coffee-colored cement. Between each of the said columns were passageways that no doubt led to a complex map of tunnels and corridors that would baffle the mind of any man. In the center of the room was a great circle drawn in the compact soil, its shallow trenches filled with violet tinted glass melded into a beautiful crystal river that glistened in the light reflected from the dim, oil-lit chandelier above it.
Naturally, while the architectural achievements of the vampire culture were remarkably impressive, the one aspect of the plaza that stood out more than anything, were the vampires themselves. Zuko's eyes were as wide as possible as he surveyed the scene before him, feeling his breath stolen away from him. Men and women of varying physical ages were sprinkled about the room in moderation, ranging from a few elderly citizens, to youthful adults and even a few teenagers not too far from Zuko's age. They could have easily been mistaken for humans were it not for their exquisite beauty that was enough to bring someone to their knees. Each had their own unique trait that stood out among others, making each vampire an image of a sculpture molded by the spirits. About twenty or so vampires populated the court, most clustered in small groups and speaking in soft voices that caressed the walls as though honoring a sacred temple. Others sat gracefully on provided benches, engaging in gracious conversation or simply flipping through a rather long, tedious book. These vampires acted more like the nobility of the Fire Nation than Zuko could ever accomplish. And they did this by merely existing the way they did. Their aura of elegance and honor left him in utter awe, though Akane's hand pressuring his shoulder brought him back to reality.
"This is the first district," Akane whispered, as Zuko eyed the creatures with utter fascination. "Here reside the vampires who have been with us the longest. You will find that they are very protective of Lord Setsuya, seeing as how not many have lived underground long enough to see how much he has done to protect our people. Don't ever travel the west corridors. Both newborn vampires and those under surveillance reside there. If you ever run into trouble, you'll need to find your way here. These people will help you."
"Right," the boy murmured, trying to absorb the women's words. But a small observation tugged at his mind as he spoke. As she pushed him gently forward, he whispered to her, "So... not all vampires smile without truth?"
Akane chuckled to herself, having expected the boy to be this perceptive. "No, not all of them. Some of us are quite content here. Everyone has a different story, and Lord Setsuya's just happens to be a rather dismal one. And yet, I have seen him genuinely smile once." She couldn't help but notice that they had begun attracting more frequent stares among their peers. "Shall we continue on? I'm sure you're still very sick."
Her amused tone made Zuko blush, a halfhearted grin drifting across his face. Naturally within his sense of wonder, he had forgotten that he was feinting illness. He responded shyly, trying not to meet Akane's sparkling eyes. "Erm... Ye-yeah. Sorry." He allowed himself to be led across the room, eying the ground intently as though he thought even glancing into one of the elucidated eyes would provoke unnecessary contact with these intimidating strangers.
Within seconds he was prodded down a hallway, Akane's hands guiding him by the shoulders. They walked in silence for a quarter of an hour, as Zuko attempted to retrieve a decent grip on his situation. The few vampires that passed by took little heed of them, each walking with definite purpose. No matter where Zuko glanced, it seemed as though the entire labyrinth had no exits. How ridiculous. What if there was a cave-in? There must be some way out. His thought process was successfully interrupted by the sudden crushing grip on his shoulder, as one of Akane's slim arms wrapped protectively across his throat. "Akane, what-"
His words faltered immediately as a shadow flickered against the dimly lit ground, a wisp of chilly air brushing against his face. Within a mere moment, two identical scarlet eyes were staring into his own, accompanied by a cold breath caressing the slope between his shoulder and neck. "My, my Akane. What do we have here? Setsuya's new boy-toy?"
Despite its silky, winded tone, the voice held a level of sharpness that drove Zuko over the edge. Pulling back with a growl, he whispered in warning to the steeped man, "I'm nobody's boy-toy, got it?"
The vampire straightened himself up with an eccentric smirk, clicking the heel of his boot into the ground. "Is that right? Forgive me, I've forgotten my place." Even accompanied by his sarcastic and disagreeable humor, this man was alluring. He possessed a narrow, charming face hosting a tender pastel color upon which crimson eyes stared unwaveringly before him. His raven hair had a sleek indigo shine to it, neatly pulled back into a low bun with a single strand curving across his left cheek. The vampire seemed to be at least twenty years of age, cloaked in a dark burgundy tunic beneath a simple outer robe that swayed lazily from his sudden movements.
"If I remember correctly Ryuichi," Akane began sternly, eying the man with great distaste, "You should be sorting through the annual census paperwork for Lord Setsuya."
"You underestimate me," the man said, crossing his gloved arms at his chest. "I completed that task hours ago." His eyes focused solely on the young teenager, his smirk never fading.
She sighed, arm still slung around Zuko's throat. "I'll be sure to inform him. Now if you'll excuse us..."
Ryuichi, however, seemed to have little to no intent on leaving that quickly. "So, you're Setsuya's guest," he carefully addressed the young man, who was sure to respond with a subtle glare. "I'd be careful if I were you. He's not exactly stable. Has he spoken of his past to you?"
Something in the older man's sleek tone made Zuko incline his head in an inquisitive manner. He could feel Akane's grip tighten considerably across his neck in obvious irritation. "Perhaps he has."
Ryuichi shook his head, lifting a finger to the teen's lips and tracing them thoughtfully. "Well, don't let his outward appearance faze you. The man is like a shell waiting to cave in. Another thing: don't be conned into thinking he cares for you. Setsuya cares for no one, got it?" With these words, Ryuichi brushed past them, a bitter glint flashing across his enchanting eyes.
Zuko stared after him in amazement, before slipping out of Akane' grip, which had become almost unbearably tense. "What did he mean by that?" he asked suspiciously, trying not to sound too panicked. It wouldn't surprise him by any means if Setsuya was mentally unstable behind his vigilant guard.
Akane didn't respond for a bit, as they continued through the narrowing hallway. Finally, she spoke in a soft murmur, "Lord Setsuya has encountered many challenges throughout his lifetime concerning relationships with other people. For this reason, he does not allow himself to become emotionally attached to anyone."
Noting that she was already uncomfortable with the information she had dealt out, Zuko remained silent for the rest of their time together. However, the young man couldn't help but ponder the advice he had been given. After more tense minutes of walking, Akane halted in front of a door that resembled every door they had passed by so far, save for the small swirling emblem atop the steel lintel. Zuko waited nervously beside the woman, who knocked politely on the door and paused for a calmed voice to speak, "Enter." Zuko's stomach fluttered as he awaited Akane's introduction.
"Master, Zuko is here to see you. May I let him in?"
"Is something wrong?" The sudden tension in the man's voice was clear, making Akane's next words quake a bit.
"He s-says he's feeling ill, sir. He requested to see you as soon as possible." Something in her voice made the young teenager assume she was offering the vampire lord some sort of meaningful look.
"I see," Setsuya said slowly. "Send him in. He'll stay with me for the rest of the day."
"Yes, Master." Akane gestured him in with a prod on the shoulder and a wink, as she departed from the room. Suddenly, Zuko felt rather abandoned. He craned his neck to peer around the door, leaning hesitantly against the doorframe. When he saw no immediate danger other than Setsuya's calculating gaze, he slipped into the room and reluctantly inclined his head as though asking permission to advance forward.
This is worse than standing in front of Father in the throne room. His heart leapt when he saw the older man's small smile, though he tried not to seem influenced. He walked quietly over to the vampire's desk and sat cross-legged against the side, relieved that he could hear the scratching of a quill as Setsuya continued whatever notes he had been taking before being interrupted. The silence was comfortable, yet questions still nagged at the tip of his tongue like gnats. He refused to speak, surprised when the other chose to break the silence.
"I didn't think you would want to be around me," Setsuya remarked, his voice barely louder than the sound of his writing utensil upon parchment. "After learning about my past, not many can stand being around me."
"That's silly," Zuko murmured, fumbling with the cloth of his shirt. "Why would that influence my decision to be with you?" The teenager swallowed, realizing that he had assented to the fact that he wanted to be around the vampire. But why? How strange- he could deny any reason not to be around the vampire. But when it came time to give a reason for being around the man, he could not form an encompassing response. Curiosity? Intrigue? The desire for information? Zuko knew in his gut that it was none of these things. He leaned against the desk, closing his eyes as he immersed himself in Setsuya's beautiful voice.
"I'm what you'd call an unclean soul," the man remarked almost conversationally, hiding the sorrow in his tone without effort. "I'm broken beyond repair. Even the vampires, the most accepting group in the world, have trouble acknowledging me for who I am."
"And just who are you?"
"A man broken by ties," the man responded cryptically after a pause, setting his quill down with a sigh.
"Why did you kiss me?" Zuko asked softly, opening his eyes as he flipped over to kneel next to the man. His eyes were not accusing, but longing. Longing for what? He wasn't sure.
"Because I'm the vampire lord. I can do whatever I want." Setsuya's eyes seemed to betray him, as they widened in shock at his own proclamation.
Zuko was not oblivious to this, as he tried with all his might not to embarrass the other with his laughter. "You did it because you wanted to? Do you go around kissing anyone at will? Quite frankly, I do believe that's abusing your power."
"Well, nobody gave you permission to be frank," Setsuya snapped, although he brought a tender finger up to Zuko's flushed cheek. It relieved him that the boy did in fact realize that something was out of order here. Going around kissing men? One would think that a mortal teenager might find that a little strange, as it was a blatant contradiction to his culture. "You remind me of someone I knew once."
The teenager caught the chilly hand with his own and whispered, "In a good way, or a bad way?"
The words seemed to sting at Setsuya's conscience as he replied, "Both. He was my closest friend, yet it hurts to remember him. It hurts to be around you." These words struck Zuko's heart like a fierce dagger, as he unconsciously began to back away only to have Setsuya's arm pull him gently into his former position. "I didn't mean that I wanted you to leave," he remarked softly, as he leaned in to kiss the boy's forehead. The younger man shivered, letting a deep breath escape his lips. "You enjoy it when I do this, don't you?"
"Wha-What?" Zuko asked with a strangled voice, feeling his heart pound violently against his chest. He was almost certain that Setsuya had a sadistic fetish.
"Hmmm," the vampire practically purred, and with the swift jerk of his arm he coaxed the young man into straddling his lap. Zuko's blood rushed to his face when he found a pair of affectionate arms supporting him around the waist. "You tied your hair up," Setsuya muttered disapprovingly as he began to untie the cloth that held it together. "Don't do that."
Zuko sighed as his dark hair fluttered across his eyes for a second time that day. He pushed it behind his ears with a grumble, "Fine. Just for now."
Setsuya had the urge to tell him he looked 'adorable', but chose to preserve the remainder of their dignity. His arms snaked up the boy's slender sides and his chilling hands cupped the boy's face gently. "You seem to have a fever. Akane told me you weren't feeling well. Let's see if I can't fix that," he whispered playfully, as he brought the boy down for a far more tender kiss than the first they had shared. Zuko relaxed immediately as though having had years of practice, shyly massaging the pair of lips opposing his own. Shockwaves of ice and fire reigned over his body, leaving him helpless to his emotions as he was slowly seduced into a deeper realm of uncontrolled sensations.
To Setsuya's surprise and satisfaction, Zuko's arms found their way around his neck, as his legs straddled either side of the chair in hopes of achieving additional body contact. The older man let out a soft moan, unable to manage the quivering in his arms. It had been so long since he'd been touched this way. He swallowed hard as Zuko edged forward and pressed their hips together with slight force. Allowing himself a greater luxury, Setsuya plunged his tongue into the divergent mouth without a second thought, shocked by the warming pleasure he received. Zuko sighed softly into the deepened kiss, as Setsuya's hands began to massage his neck with amiable consideration. The teenager began to experiment, caressing the other's tongue with his own and calculating the vampire's reaction. Zuko's heart pounded in his chest, the acceleration of his pulse forcing Setsuya to shirk away with a sharp gasp.
The older man pulled away for a moment, leaving the other breathless in his daze. Setsuya brought a tense hand up to his forehead, feeling his sharpened incisors inevitably protract. He automatically pursed his lips and lowered the hand to his mouth, only to have the younger chuckle and hang back only for a moment to calm his raging heart. Once he regained control of his pulse, Zuko leaned into the chilly body, laying his head on the other's shoulder with a lazy sigh.
"Setsuya..."
Under the hand of Fire Nation Royalty, it is generally frowned upon to engage in sensual touching with any person before you are of marrying status. It is generally frowned upon to romantically associate yourself with anyone who significantly surpasses you by age. It is generally frowned upon to familiarize yourself with a person whom you have only known for a few days. And most of all, it is unheard of to engage yourself in such contact with a person of the same sex. So, naturally, Zuko had just about broken one hundred and fifty laws of orderly conduct and dignified manner. For some reason, he simply couldn't bring himself to care.