Moar drama, enjoy XD

Chapter 15

Tseng swallowed silently but then composed himself. Yes, everyone could see it, he was a pervert indeed. "I am 28. I do feel that I am a bit old for Yazoo but I would really like the chance to know him. Is there anything I can do to prove to you that I mean well by this, sir?"

"No. There is not," Sephiroth dead-panned.

"Brother!" Yazoo protested, narrowing his eyes and clenching his teeth, because really, Sephiroth wasn't even trying and Yazoo felt betrayed and helpless because he didn't know what to do about it.

Sephiroth held up his hand though, looking a bit thoughtful and indicating that he had to add something. Yazoo relaxed a bit. Maybe there was still hope? He briefly squeezed Tseng's hand under the table reassuringly.

"Let me correct myself. There actually is a thing you can do to prove to me that you mean well. Leave my brother alone and never show yourself before him or our family again."

Tseng's jaw clenched but he had no opportunity to answer as the moment was spared by a wary "What are we talking about?"

Vincent asked as he came in, oven-mitted hands holding a large pot of Chicken Tikka Masala, which he set on a clay centerplate on the table in between the flowers. "Playing well together I hope?"

Tseng's eyes drifted toward their host again and he ran his thumb over Yazoo's hand. His flower was trying to protect him now and it struck a deep chord inside him. No one had ever stood up for him in this way.

Yazoo had never been happier to see Vincent. He was the only one who could keep his imbecile bastard of a brother in check.

"Of course," Sephiroth affirmed casually. "That smells delicious."

"Thank you, Seph," Vincent replied, walking over to give his beloved a soft kiss, only one, before he sat down across from Yazoo and Tseng with Sephiroth on his right. "So catch me up. Tell us about yourself, Tseng." He smiled over at their guest with more than a bit of caution in his eyes, mentally preparing himself for any warning signs.

"Well," Tseng cleared his throat, "As I told Sephiroth, I am 28 years old and I work in real estate mostly. I am part of a property management conglomerate, who also owns in Wutai. That is how my family came to move here. The company also has agents in shipping antiques and bringing Wutaian supplies to Midgar and the surrounding cities. What do you two do?"

"I am a retired bounty hunter actually," Vincent replied, suddenly aware of his own credentials. Once he had moved in with Sephiroth, there wasn't much need for it anymore as it was highly dangerous and wasn't good to expose Yazoo to in his tender age. However, it had given him much excitement and plenty of independence in his single days.

"When I am not working as a consultant for the military I have my hands full being a parent, a teacher and a babysitter," Sephiroth replied wryly, handing his plate to Vincent so he could fill it. He wasn't impressed by Tseng's job. It made him even more fishy. What would a man, who seemed perfectly able to have a mate his own age want to do with a little boy like Yazoo?!

"How did you meet?" he asked, taking his full plate back.

"Yazoo was crossing the street one day and a van nearly hit him. The driver was speeding. We got to talking after that," Tseng offered quietly.

"Oh, well that's nice, isn't it, Seph?" Vincent tried, spooning out the next serving for their guest and then the youngest. "As you might realize, we are very protective of our little one, aren't we?"

"That is certainly understandable," Tseng smiled at them both, giving the youth's hand his own squeeze.

Sephiroth didn't smile back. Tseng's story was consistent with Yazoo's, but that didn't prove anything but that they should never have let Yazoo go outside in the first place.

"Yes, that was very nice of him, I am grateful," Yazoo emphasized with a glare towards his brother before he started eating.

"Where do you intend to take this relationship?" Sephiroth asked suddenly, because he wanted to take Tseng off-guard.

"Well," Tseng replied, "It really depends on what Yazoo is comfortable with. I do realize that I am plenty older than he is and his needs are important to me. I do like to see him happy. Yazoo, do you know how far you want this to go? Would you want to think of something long-term with me? Your brother is right. You have your whole life ahead of you so I want you to feel free to experience everything you would like to, and date other people if you want to." He couldn't help that he felt sad saying that but it was the truth.

Before Yazoo even got the chance to answer, Sephioth was interrupting him. "My little brother is in no condition to make such a decision. He is underage. You are aware that there will be no bodily contact whatsoever, aren't you?"

Yazoo looked at Vincent for help. It was unfair, because he had no foundation to argue; if he protested his brother would see that as a reason to just forbid him contact with Tseng altogether. Apparently this hadn't been such a brilliant idea after all.

Vincent cleared his throat and dutifully spoke up. "Seph," he asserted, "Someone his own age might as well have the same intentions we don't condone… might still want to engage in activities with our little one that might compromise him. I think the dangers are equally as worrisome with someone of his own age group." He spoke openly to Tseng now. "The only thing we can really do is give Yazoo the freedom to make the same mistakes as other children his age as well as make a full investigation into your character so that we can be sure he is safe. Will you agree to that, Tseng?"

Tseng sat stiffly in his chair but he nodded. Fuck…"I will," he complied. He was surely in for it now. The two of them would find him out and Yazoo would be wrenched out of his arms forever.

"And that makes it all right? I will not agree to anything like that. I have seen enough. I want that pervert out of my house, now." Sephiroth had stood from the table, his palms flat on the surface, because otherwise he would have punched that man into a bloody pulp. He spoke through gritted teeth.

"I forbid you to meet again expressively and heed my warning: if you ever come within eyesight of my kin I will kill you in the most agonizing way mankind has ever witnessed."

"Seph," Vincent objected, but he couldn't rationalize in his own mind why it would be alright to let Yazoo keep seeing him. He said no more for the moment, inwardly wondering if this would breach their contract. Yazoo was allowed to have a boyfriend... but did this mean, this boyfriend?

"Yes, sir," Tseng replied, standing slowly, heart pounding in his chest. He was not afraid of the silver haired man exactly... He was more afraid of how his life would be with Yazoo no longer in it. However, these men were right. He was a pervert and they had seen him for exactly what he was... How was he to fight that? "Yazoo, I'm sorry, love... I must go." He gave the youth a look that was hopeful, as if to beg him silently, 'keep the phone? 'Call me?'

"Vincent!"

Finally, Yazoo stood too. He had been surprised by the outburst, though he shouldn't have been. Tseng had done everything right; he'd been charming, nice, calm even after he got attacked like that. At least Yazoo had expected more support from his stupid brother's boyfriend but it seemed that Vincent was just as much of a traitor. Sephiroth ignored the look he got from his little brother.

"Get out of my house," he said to Tseng, then turning to Yazoo ""And you go to your room. We talk later."

Vincent's jaw tightened. He knew that it wasn't what Yazoo wanted, though he wasn't sure of what the boy needed at this point. Could he condone a boyfriend that much older than the teen? It was too early to fight for the relationship too... as they knew next to nothing about Tseng at all. "I'm sorry, Yazoo. I'm not sure what is right in this case. I do want you to have friends and have more people in your life but I hadn't counted on Tseng being so much older than you, love."

Tseng nodded but instead of bowing to either Vincent or Sephiroth, for he couldn't bring himself to bow again, he only did so to Yazoo. It was the best he could manage under his guardians' watchful eyes in lieu of giving his flower one last kiss.

Sephiroth watched with steely eyes as Tseng turned to leave. His hand shot out to grab Yazoo by the wrist, deterring him from following the man. Yazoo hissed and pulled, but Sephiroth wouldn't let go, even after Yazoo bit into his hand. They fought for a bit and it was ugly, though silent. Yazoo clawed and kicked and glared and Sephiroth held him wordlessly, his face showing no emotion whatsoever, waiting for his brother to tire. Blood was running from his hand, and eventually he had to wrap his arm around the youth, embracing him in an iron grip against his chest like an owner of a hyperactive puppy.

Vincent frowned as he heard the front door closing. At least the man had left peacefully, quietly... Yazoo was still young. He will get over this, he told himself silently, but his heart didn't feel good about what was happening, to see their baby so hurt and angry. If anyone hurt Yazoo, it really wasn't supposed to be them, was it? The ones who were supposed to love him most?

Tseng remained on the doorstep. The full moon got his attention and he looked up to it. The full moon always brought him comfort, for it was the same moon that hung full over his home in Wutai. It didn't help tonight... for in it, he could see his flower's pale face, that moonlight hair... He couldn't bring himself to leave the perimeter though. He would linger here for a while, if nothing more than to sneak a glimpse of Yazoo in his room up there. With a look up at the second floor, he headed over to stand in the shadows beneath the teen's window.

"That's enough now!" Sephiroth finally held the youth still, panting slightly. Yazoo didn't say anything, he just glared, long hair disheveled, eyes glowing green with ire. Sephiroth let go and the teen instantly brought some distance between them, looking at both of them before he left the room to go upstairs.

Words couldn't describe how much he hated them right now. Sephiroth fell back into his chair, grabbing his white napkin to clean his bloody hand, then throwing it at the the table. "We should call the police and inform them about that guy. To make sure he doesn't get close again."

"He left peacefully. Leave him be now," Vincent replied, not moving from where he stood. "We have failed Yazoo in this, you know... I'm not sure it's a real breach but we have failed him." The dark man would not take anymore action against Yazoo's boyfriend. The man was respectful and kind and they had treated him like a common pedophile... which... maybe he was, but Vincent was not convinced that he was of the same ilk.

"We have not failed him, we just saved him," Sephiroth barked, narrowing his eyes. "Don't tell me you didn't find that guy highly suspicious. What is he thinking, trying to get close to a 16 year old boy!"

"I..." Vincent started, all logic and reason stacked against him now. For once, it seemed that their roles were reversed and Sephiroth was the one acting logically now... when did that happen? "You are right," he sighed, his hand coming up to his forehead wearily. "I just don't like to see him so unhappy, Seph."

"He doesn't understand yet, but he will." Sephiroth clenched his jaw. His hand was still hurting. "Maybe you should go talk to him or something."

Vincent's hackles went up. "Why don't you? You want me to soften that? I was ready to have a civilized dinner with the man."

"Well you saw him, he is being petulant and won't speak to me for at least a week," Sephiroth snorted, but he finally got up, laying a hand on Vincent's shoulder as he stepped behind him and lowered his head to nibble at his ear. "He will listen to you, though..."

"I don't think so, Seph, not this time, he won't," Vincent objected but his brain was already becoming muddled with waking desire. It didn't take much of Sephiroth touching him... "He might believe that our whole plan to give him more independence was a sham..."

"Then tell him about our concerns. He may be a hormonal, irrational teenager, but you are so good at making him understand what is best for him." Sephiroth closed his eyes, letting his lips brush up the length of Vincent's slender neck, his thumb stroking gently over the man's collar bone.

The dark man sighed, letting himself be touched... persuaded... "Damn it..." he gave in with a sigh, "Alright, I will speak to him... but I don't think I can stand to see that hurt look again, Seph. If I see it, I am coming down to get you." He said it in warning but as he turned to kiss his love, his eyes were sparkling. Sighing, he chuckled and shook his head.

"You do that," Sephiroth replied, but he was confident that Vincent would manage. It would spare him another confrontation... He gave Vincent a long kiss, relaxing a bit.

Drawing back finally, Vincent sighed, a little peeved at how he had installed himself as the official mess cleaner-upper, but it was his role and if he didn't do it, he wouldn't have been able to become so close to Yazoo in the first place and there would be no buffer between the two silver hairs to get them talking, just a whole lot more arguing. For that, Vincent assumed his role with grace and gratitude, because he loved these two men more than he had loved anyone and they had softened him away from his life before... a harsh, lonely life of penal justice. To him, it was not so unusual for a dark, quiet man to fall head over heels for an aloof, slightly socially awkward silver haired man at all... so on that score, he could relate to Tseng if the man had felt overcome with affection and fascination for Yazoo...

Making his way up the staircase, he paused in front of Yazoo's bedroom door and knocked.

"Yazoo, may I please come in?" he asked gently.

"No. Go away. I hate you," came the muffled reply from inside. Yazoo was pacing the room, unnerved, restless. He wanted to do something, wanted to vent off his anger and he was currently contemplating running away from this horrible place and these horrible people that would never let him do anything fun!

Quietly, Vincent made the conscious decision to thwart Yazoo's boundary and enter. "I'm sorry," he offered gently. "I'm sorry, Yazoo, for everything. We want to allow you more freedoms but when a man Tseng's age likes a boy under the age of 18 like you... it can lead to trouble. We want you to be free but we don't want to allow others to hurt you, my darling." His ruby eyes shifted back and forth as he watched Yazoo pacing.

"Don't call me that," Yazoo snapped. He was not in the mood for talking or reasoning. He was angry, disappointed, frustrated. "He's not hurting me. You don't know him." He made a decision, pulling open his wardrobe and searching through it for a blue bag.

"Yazoo, please," Vincent raised his voice, close to desperation, but not letting his voice show it. "If you are so sure about him, then prove me wrong." He stopped there to make sure the youth would listen, for he had just taken the conversation to a place that he was dreading but maybe it would be enough of a temptation that he could persuade their baby to stay.

The youth stopped indeed, gritting his teeth. He didn't turn to Vincent because he didn't want to see his face right now. "I'm so sick of you and your damn paranoia. I thought you were different but you are just like him! I brought Tseng here so you get to know him, but you didn't even want to. I'm done trying."

"I'm sorry," Vincent said, "I was afraid. I just... don't want to lose you and neither does your brother. We love you too much." He thought carefully for a moment before he went ahead and said what he had been tempted to say. "Remember our contract, Yazoo. You are allowed 3 days a week to go out and do as you please as long as you remain out of danger. If you believe Tseng's intentions to be noble, then you are free to see him as much as you like." His fist clenched because he wasn't sure if he had made the right decision in sharing that. "We wanted you to spend time with young people your own age but if it is Tseng you want to see, then we cannot stop you... Just... don' t mention it to your brother."

Yazoo's shoulders slumped a bit. It was a compromise, he had forgotten about that. But he didn't like to be sneaky. He wanted to be like normal young people his age who didn't have to hide. At least Yazoo assumed that they didn't... On the other hand, Sephiroth didn't deserve honesty if he kicked it with feet like that. "I still hate you," he muttered, listlessly rummaging through his things for good measure.

"You are entitled," Vincent replied softly, but he walked up behind the youth and took Yazoo in his arms, kissing his little one's hair. Oh how quickly they grew up...

From outside the window, Tseng had moved back further on the lawn to perhaps try to see inside the teen's room. It was very difficult for the barren branches of the tree outside the window were indeed many but fortunately, they were bare and it wasn't impossible with his keen, near perfect eyesight. He envied Vincent, getting to hold the youth whenever he liked.

Yazoo remained stiff and didn't react to the affectionate gesture, though some of his anger melted. It was hard to stay mad at Vincent when the man just tried to mediate. He was in a tough place too, always inbetween Sephiroth and Yazoo when they fought...

"I will bring your plate up to you shortly," Vincent smiled into Yazoo's hair, so happy that the youth wasn't going to leave for now... He often wondered what would happen in two years when Yazoo was free to be on his own. Would he leave then? It was obvious that that had not been in his lover's plans. Sephiroth would be crushed... but like a true soldier, as Sephiroth loved best, Vincent didn't dwell on it and just tried to keep life moving until then.

"I'm not hungry." Yazoo freed himself of the embrace and went to the window, turning his back on Vincent as a sure sign that the man should leave him alone. He noticed a shadow under the trees, seeing Tseng, but he kept quiet about it. He was happy to see the man though. After that disaster of a dinner he wasn't sure Tseng even wanted to see him ever again.

Nodding quietly, Vincent closed the door and returned to the dining room downstairs.

Tseng's heart skipped a beat when he saw his flower at the window. Slowly, he raised a hand in a small greeting, not sure what to do. He was just happy that Yazoo hadn't caught him in the tree, as the thought had crossed Tseng's mind, but he was already enough of a deviant as it was.

Yazoo lifted his hand too. He didn't dare calling Tseng, lest Sephiroth or Vincent invaded his private space again, surprising them, but he quickly send a text message. 'I'm sorry. My brother is crazy, I should have known.'

Tseng chuckled softly and returned with, 'It's alright. The truth is that he is right to be wary of strangers. He might be right about me, Yazoo... Am I wrong to want to be close to you?' He shot a worried look up at the window, unsure of himself and what he was doing here... but he did not want to stay away.

'No, he really is just crazy.' Yazoo didn't know what to answer to that. Tseng was the adult here, he was the one to live outside and know what was normal. How was Yazoo supposed to know? It didn't feel wrong, but Tseng's uncertainty upset him a bit and made him nervous.

With a strange new inspiration, Tseng set his jaw and texted, 'You know what... I don't really care about what the world thinks. I want to be with you in whatever way you like, Yazoo.'

He pressed send but then quickly added as an afterthought. 'Do you want to still be with me after tonight, love?' His dark eyes were full of hope as he gazed back up at the window.*

Yazoo's heart raced a bit when he read the messages, and a weight was lifted from his shoulders. 'I do. I am still having an agreement with my brother. I think I can meet you at the teahouse in two days, if you like.' At least Vincent had said that they still had it...

Smiling, Tseng texted back. 'Wonderful. I will be there waiting for you. If you should need anything at all before then, please contact me. I will get away and come to you immediately.' With that, he blew a kiss and gave his flower one last look before disappearing into the darkness.

tbc?