To Tame the Beauties
Disclaimer : all characters belonged to the highly respected Masami Kurumada. No infringement intended.
Warning : slight lemon, yaoi.
A/N : I am a proud Scorpion and I give all respect for Kardia. He's so funny and reading him in the manga just literally made my day. So here's a little tribute for him. I really hope this okay. Enjoy!
Raix : thank you. Wrote this day and night as per your request :D Hope this'll do.
The Beauty of Immaturity
It was already late at night when Sisyphus walked down the enormous land of Sanctuary's training ground. It had been a long and hectic day, and if it was his choice, he would prefer not to be in this place at this time of night. As being a Commander required him to do night patrol once in a while, checking the guards and their overall defense to be as impeccable as he would like them to be, especially with the war coming their way.
The darkness surrounding him made him see the path only by an aid from the moonlight. As to be expected, everywhere as empty, everyone had left to their own compounds to rest before re-starting their routine the next day. Sisyphus too had decided to call it a day. Bath and bed seemed so tempting, aside from one more thing he needed desperately at the moment.
A small smile appeared on the gorgeous man's lips. Albafica was not on any mission. Being a busy Leader, he didn't have the chance to see him every day and as of now, Sisyphus kind of missed him a lot. He longed to see the pretty face, to feel the silken blue strands upon his fingertips, to feel the soft, warm lips on his own…
Oh well, perhaps a short visit to the Pisces temple might refresh him a little. He knew so much they could do and…
And his steps died.
He was walking rounding a corner near a condemned, small building, nearly fully destroyed similar like the other ruins scattered around, when he was sure he heard something, and sensed a cosmos. No, not a cosmos, but two. Very faint, as if the owners were trying to hide them, but were still too strong to go unnoticed by his trained senses.
Being a highly skilled warrior, Sisyphus went on alert immediately and sharpened his inner senses. Those cosmos came from inside that ruined building, just on his left side. He couldn't believe it was possible for any enemy to hide there or even to penetrate through the Land passing the sharp eyes of the guards, but of course the possibility was always there. Sisyphus braced himself for any incoming battle and entered the building, masking his steps and own cosmos, preparing an ambush. Should it was a real enemy, then he would delightfully give them an unpleasant surprise.
Never Sisyphus would've thought that it was him who would be surprised.
Slithering skillfully behind some huge pillars and boulders, Sisyphus could already feel their presences, even stronger in this distance. Whoever they were, they were located in the far corner of the room, nearly hidden among the many ruins and huge boulders scattered everywhere. The closer he got, the more he could vaguely discern the cosmos he detected, wondering why on earth did they feel familiar?
And then the answer came to him.
If according to the usual procedure when dealing with enemy, Sisyphus should launch his attack now when the enemy was yet to discover him. But he had to cancel the plan because what he was facing right now was not an enemy. No intruder would make those kinds of indications or… sounds, so clear for a Gold saint to notice. Sisyphus keen ears could hear them; muffled moaning, groaning, panting, and various other kinds of very, very suspicious sounds. It was not a sound of an enemy trying to infiltrate Sanctuary, it was more like a sound made by people who…
Sisyphus swallowed. From behind the pillar he was hiding, he risked taking a peek and saw trails of armors, Gold Clothes to be exact, lying scattered on the ground, an indication that they had been taken off in haste. And then there was no need to question just what in God's name was happening in that corner.
How dare….
Then to finally make his day, Sisyphus, with lots of dread, could essentially detect whose cosmos belonged to whom. It made him feel like all the blood was drained from his body.
"Kardia, not here…. Everyone might mmppff…"
The words, came from a male undoubtedly, were muffled, probably with a fierce kiss. Afterwards there came even heavier panting, and the Sagittarius saint mood darkened quickly.
O yes he surely had heard of Kardia's reputation, the man whom the people often nicknamed as the Casanova of Sanctuary. Whether or not Kardia was aware of that title, Sisyphus couldn't really tell, but he had seen the handful of men and women, saints or civilians alike, who had fallen victim to the Scorpio's lust. Not once Sisyphus had ever impressed with it.
Now, this kind of thing supposedly shouldn't be any of Sisyphus business. There had never been any rule prohibited a saint to have any fun, even someone as twisted as Kardia had all the right to manage his. But, and that was a very big but, when that Scorpio decided to do this kind of activity in a considerably public place like this, then Sisyphus had no other choice but to make it official. Not to mention the very big question that was now nagging in his head : how in the name of Athena had Kardia managed to lure that certain person, the one whom Sisyphus had known to be the second most virtuous after Asmita, into doing that? With him nonetheless?
Because the man who was with him now was certainly not Kardia's type, he was far too innocent. Sisyphus just refused to assume that what he was witnessing right now was an assault. That shouldn't be possible, because even the Scorpio was constantly deemed as a sadistic individual, he would not dare to molest anyone, especially a fellow saint.
So?
Sisyphus suddenly felt a very strong urge to just turn around and leave, having no whatsoever clue of how to handle this kind of thing. But based on every principle he had with him, he knew he couldn't. He needed to check what was really going on and if necessary, to deliver some forms of punishment to those two shameless saints. Or most probably, to one of them who he deemed the most responsible.
What a burden to be a Leader, and the Greek man could feel the tightened of his muscles as he gritted.
O Scorpio you are so going to get it…
It was but a moment before he reached a decision. Leaning further onto the wide pillar, Sisyphus did the first thing that came into his mind. He closed his eyes and flared his cosmos, simply to let them know he was there.
The effect took place exactly as he had wished, as in an instant, all noises were ceased and the air went deadly silence. Then his mouth moved.
"Does ten seconds enough for you two to don your clothes properly, my dear comrades?"
"Shit!"
That was Kardia, undeniably. The other man kept his silence, but Sisyphus almost smirked at the shock he smelled radiating from him. He didn't need to repeat his order. That young saint, as well as the imprudent Scorpio, definitely knew what to do. Satisfied, he heard the clanking sound as the two swiftly summoned back their clothes and armors. It felt weird, but this whole situation could be deemed as rather funny, and at the moment Sisyphus was really torn between the need to laugh or to get angry.
Everything went quiet and by that, the Sagittarius knew the two were finished. Squaring his shoulders and making sure that no smile came upon his lips, the Commander of Sanctuary then came out from his hiding place, walking slowly to approach the two.
As there was no lighting, the only light in the place came from the moon, coming inside through the holes in the destroyed roof. Bathing in moonlight from above, the blue haired Scorpio saint Kardia was leaning casually on a small boulder behind him, dressed in his sacred Gold cloth, both hands folded in front of his chest. As usual his face betrayed nothing, no guilt or embarrassment could be read from there. Instead, was that a little smirk on his face?
However, Sisyphus couldn't say the same thing for his partner. Even though he was a mighty warrior, but was still very young compared to the others, and getting caught by his Commander in the middle of such an indecent act was something he couldn't seem to handle. Even though he managed to stand straight, his gaze was fixed to the ground. Long, silken green hair fell around his face as if he was wishing for them to hide him from Sisyphus scrutinizing eyes, while his long, trembling fingers were playing absentmindedly with the edges of his cape, an unconcealed confession of his nervousness.
As the three saints gathered together, the situation became so awkward and tensed. Fixing his gaze to the youngest of the three, Sisyphus feverishly hoped for that young saint to not suddenly break down and cry. O how the Sagittarius couldn't figure out what to do should that ever happened.
Luckily, after some silent moment, Kardia was the first to break the tensed atmosphere as he greeted his elder, "Evening, Sisyphus."
"Kardia," he nodded grimly, determined to give him a piece of his mind. Turning back to the other saint, Sisyphus then remarked slowly, "And Shion."
The young Aries saint, the Guardian of the First Zodiacal House, lifted his head in a movement so slow and measured, Sisyphus was momentarily afraid his head would fall down. His cute face was tight with shame and went even whiter at the mention of his name, "Sisyphus…"
His small mouth was slightly opened as if wishing to say something, but then the shame took a better of him, and at the end he quieted totally.
Sisyphus took sometimes to think of what words he should let out. In normal circumstances, he would've already screaming endlessly to the two, despite their ranks as his fellow Gold saints. But looking at the helpless Shion, the faint tremor that raking through his lithe body, suddenly Sisyphus just didn't have a heart to do so. Sighing, the older man then spoke up, "If you don't mind, Aries, I would have to kindly ask you to leave. I need to have a word with Kardia, privately?"
The relief on Shion's face was so evident. Once again his mouth opened, this time was brave enough to let out some words, "Yes Sisyphus…"
His nervous eyes moved to Kardia, silently asking for approval. The blue haired sent him his nod, "Go on, Ram. I will catch up with you later."
Shion returned his nod, started to walk and stumbled, hard. He would definitely fall down face first should Kardia was not flying to his side and took hold of him. Sisyphus stared bewildered, and not only from witnessing the slight intimacy between the two. He couldn't really make out their low whispers, but saw the intimate gesture of how the Scorpio lovingly hugged Shion's small waist.
He didn't have enough time to think further, as Kardia turned to face him, "Umm Sisyphus, if we may ask for you to grant a permission for Shion to just teleport to his temple? Just for this once."
His brows rose up, "Is he injured or some kind?"
"No, not exactly…" Kardia bit his lower lip, looking agitated, "Just…"
Oh crap, right…. Sisyphus nearly choked. He gazed at Shion's now heavily blushing face, once again the youngster was avoiding his gaze. By all the mighty Gods in the sky, Sisyphus felt incredulously stupid for even asking. He was the one who had interrupted their session anyway.
He cleared his throat and replied in haste, "Yes, yes… you have my permission, Aries.."
Shion had this look as if he could explode at any second by the mounting shame he had in him. Giving Sisyphus one and very nervous glance, he was only able to mutter incoherently, "Thank you Sisyphus…"
It was amazing how in the peak of all that, the Lemurian could still concentrate on his cosmos. A faint glow of yellow cosmos swirling around his body and in the next second, he disappeared in a blink of an eye.
The air went quiet once more as Sisyphus then turned his gaze to the remaining Gold saint. At the disappearance of his lover, Kardia then descended himself on a low rock, sitting on it rather lazily and keeping his gaze to the eldest. The two then stared at each other.
For all the years of knowing Kardia, Sisyphus had known him to be a good saint. He was exceptionally brave, smart and loyal, all those characteristics that suited a Gold saint. However Kardia was also well known for his strange attitude. The Pope Sage once had described him as emotionally unstable, kind as well as ruthless, and always very much preferred to have things done by his own way, an attitude that mostly could only be rivaled by the Cancer saint Manigoldo. Outside of duty, it was almost useless to try talking some sense into him. You could literally roar on his face, and you would only be faced with two choices : either he would scream back at you or he would simply ignore you.
Sisyphus vaguely wondered which of the two he would receive upon bringing up the subject on hand.
An exhausted Sisyphus wouldn't dream to end this bizarre conversation with a fight, and thus he was thinking carefully on the wise choice of words. Although he saw no challenge in Kardia's eyes, still the chance was there.
As the staring contest continued, Kardia finally reached a point where his impatience took its toll. Shrugging his broad shoulders in a rather innocent gesture, he then stated, "Alright, Sisyphus, you may begin…"
Sisyphus chin lifted, "Begin? To do what exactly?"
"You wish to scold me, do you not?" He replied, "So go ahead already."
"If you already know what I intend to say, why do I bother to say them anyway?"
The man flashed him a small grin, "My point precisely, my beloved Commander. So may I be excused too then?"
"No."
The reply was straight and the Scorpio sighed impatiently, "Oh come now, Sisyphus. Please don't tell me that you don't allow any commitment between your own comrades. There is no rule against that and so far we break none…"
"And you're saying by performing an act of obscenity in public was not against the rule?"
"This isn't a public place…"
"Kardia…"
"Fine," Kardia inhaled, "I admit that we did go a little overboard. It was just that tomorrow he has to report to the Pope very early in the morning for a special mission, and I, well, kind of miss him already. We were so busy these last few days, we didn't see each other much, so I went to look for him and found him here, and umm…" He shrugged, "Perhaps I just lost it… a little…"
"A little?" Sisyphus eyes narrowed, "Tell me you two didn't getting intimate in any time and any place you could find regardless of the other inhabitant?"
"No, of course not," the Scorpio rejected, already knowing that he had no choice but to endure the interrogation. "This is the first time, honestly. You may ask him, he would speak of the same thing."
As if. Should there would be a next time, Sisyphus would vote to no never again handle the same matter. He only wished for this to be over soon and nodded slightly, "Alright, I believe you. However I really have to inquire you two to please do not do that again. As you know, there are many young trainees around. The last thing I wish is for them to witness that kind of thing."
"But of course," Kardia countered calmly, "I apologize for that. But Sisyphus…"
"Yeah?"
"If I may ask, again," he gazed up at him in an almost begging gesture, "If you decide to reprimand anyone, please kindly note that it was solely my mistake. I was the one who asked for it, so kindly spare him?"
The request had him by surprise. Sisyphus could decipher the caring tone Kardia used when speaking the words, it almost seemed he was truthfully caring for Shion. Almost, as coming from a man like Kardia, that was hardly to believe. Slowly the hazel haired walked to the nearest rock and copying Kardia, sat himself on it. He didn't know where it came from, but now he was slightly curious.
"So, Kardia," he started again, "Shion. You're saying you have been with him for quite sometimes. May I know for how long?"
Smirking, he answered, "I think more less the same as when you have started banging that pretty Pisces…"
"Hey!"
Kardia snorted, obviously straining to kick out the laugh for the sake of not losing his life in the hands of the furious Sagittarius. "I'm sorry. I mean, yes, a few months I believe…"
Sisyphus released his breath. Patience, patience, and considering Kardia, he needed a remarkably huge amount of it. For some passing moment, Sisyphus went quiet in silent astonishment. He had never heard of them and had never heard anyone speak of them either.
Folding his hands before his chest, he went to remark, "Well, in that case, I really hope you do know what you are doing."
He thought he saw a flash of menace in Kardia's blue irises before it gone completely and the man countered, "Yes I do. Why you ask?"
Sisyphus gazed at him with the look as if the Scorpio had suddenly just possessed a second head, "Kardia…. he's seventeen..?"
"Oh…" He blinked a few times, keeping his expression blank even though he understood completely where the other was heading, "I thought… Well, seventeen is noticeably a mature age, no? And furthermore he's a legitimate Gold saint…"
"Kardia, what I meant to say has nothing to do with him being a Gold saint. I mean yes we could consider him an adult at that age, especially that he is one of us, but when it comes to relationship, I think…well…"
"You mean he's too young for a commitment?"
"I mean Kardia…" the eldest almost stammered, regretting for having started this conversation at all. What he would trade to have a change in topic. Inhaling lots of quantity of air, the Commander tried once more, "He is probably too young for any sexual intercourse…?"
This time it was Kardia's brows which were lifted and his mouth formed a small 'o'. He held that composure for a while, then went to ask back, "And you only say that because he's been having it with me.."
"No, no…"
"Yes you do," the man shot back, "He's the Sanctuary's angel and I'm a scum. Tell me, if I'm not who I am, you wouldn't be sitting there pressing things to me right now, right, Sagittarius?"
"You're entirely missing the point here…."
"Do I?"
Sisyphus eyes widened in amusement, "Do you think I'm that kind of person who judge the book only by its cover?"
The cynical smirk re-appeared, "I think, that you being our Commander, you are compelled to be the wisest among us."
"If that so, why don't you start speaking then?"
A bitter chuckle was emitted from the throat of the younger Greek man, it made Sisyphus focused his whole attention to the man's expression. There was again the flash of indefinable something in Kardia's eyes, and this time, it stayed.
Kardia shrugged, "I have no whatsoever obligation to explain myself to you, do I not, Sisyphus? But then again, it will be a pity to let the Sanctuary's Viceroy to think so ill of me, because that would just be so absurd and improper…"
"And since when Kardia the eminent Scorpio saint started to care whether something is or is not improper?" Sisyphus smiled politely.
"Since I have a reputation to keep, and I'm not speaking of mine." The smirk on his face deliberately changed into a feature of seriousness that could only be found on his face during such things as battle, and Sisyphus nodded, comprehending.
"I'm listening, Scorpio."
"I never forced anything to him, Sisyphus, if that is what you asked," the Scorpio started, sitting straight as to make his point, "It just came one time when I started to notice him. It's true that he is still young compare to most of us Gold saints, but you do aware that in his age, he already possessed such great patience and kind attitude that even that Virgo is nothing compares to him. Shion has those qualities that could fill the emptiness in me, I just felt that he could be my perfect equal, a spouse sent by heaven. So I went on with what my heart was telling me. It took months for me to approach him, and some more months afterward to befriend him, before I finally could gather a courage to tell him of my feeling. And he accepted. Do you know that even now I'm still struggling to keep this relationship with him. I can't yet to be the person he wishes for me to be, but at least I'm trying. But you know what? It doesn't matter because so far both of us are content and happy. Just have him near is enough for me. He's the most enchanting person I have ever met and I think…. I think I have fallen for him. "
Sisyphus listened quietly, feeling amazed at every word came out from the other's mouth. It was like the one speaking to him was not even Kardia. He nodded slightly as his respect for the younger man just went up a notch and asked carefully, "So it is for real then?"
"Yes it is for real," the blue haired smiled thinly in return, "I love my little Ram. I care for him and I'd like to keep him. You know I would care less of what others might think of us, but at the end, I would highly appreciate should you or anyone else to mind your own business and leave us alone." He moved forward a bit in the older man's direction and spoke in low tone, "You, would hate it too should anyone ever intervene anything between you and that adorable Dutch beauty, would you not, Commander?"
Sisyphus read clearly the warning in those words, a perfect understanding, that separating Kardia from Shion would undoubtedly resulting in an unnecessary and terrifying bloodbath. Kardia didn't need to say anything else though, the honesty on his face was solid and considerably enough for the Sagittarius to comprehend every feeling he was having for Shion.
That Scorpio was clearly in love, and when it came to that, it was no longer Sisyphus territory.
He stated, with lighter heart this time, "By all means, Scorpio, why not? Are we not always fighting for those we love?"
"Always."
SS
As he was passing the Aries temple on his way back to his temple later that night, Sisyphus had half expected to see Shion blocking his way.
His prediction was proved correct as the teen saint was waiting for him at the other end of the hallway. He wasn't gazing onto the stars and wasn't looking at any other than to Sisyphus. He was clearly waiting for him, and so the Sagittarius stopped near him.
As soon as he done that, the Aries lips moved, "Sisyphus, about before….I… have to apologize.."
"I know, Shion, I spoke with Kardia," the elder cut gently, giving him a small smile, "I will let you both off the hook this time. Only, please do not allow the same thing to repeat."
"Of course not. You have my words," he answered very fast.
Sisyphus nodded and continued to watch him. Dressed in his night robe, Shion's face was illuminated by the soft light of the moon, making him looked so innocent and young. He was undeniably pretty, no wonder that Scorpio saint fell for him.
Shion's mouth opened, an indication that he had something more to say. Sisyphus could take a very good guess of what the subject would be. "Shion, have you something else you wish to say to me?"
His fingers were playing with the sides of his robe and he replied very carefully, "I… I love him, Sisyphus… I know what you all think of him, but he is nothing but kind to me. I do not really expect any of you to understand the nature of our commitment, but…"
"What if I do?" Again he cut him gently, the smile remained.
Shion tilted his head. He couldn't yet return the smile, but at some point the tenseness in his feature lessened, "You are our Leader, Sisyphus, the eldest among us and I respect you greatly. If you do understand us, then I know I should be more than grateful."
Sisyphus chuckled, hoping by doing so he could ease the nervousness within the other's mind, "Shion, I do understand. But the most important thing, Shion, that your life is yours to handle. You are smart and wise, if you truly love him and you think that is a good thing, then you may do what your heart is telling you to do. No one will ever have a say about it, not even me." He moved one step, watching as the younger saint gazing up at him in amazement and spoke, "Both of you, as well as the other saints, are my comrades. I know that all knights of Athena are always true to their words, and I know that all of you are good people. Regardless of what others are saying, Kardia is an honest and good person, and I believe my feeling just told me that you are in good hands. Do you also wish to believe in that?"
It took a moment before the Aries nodded, "I do, Sisyphus."
Still smiling, Sisyphus touched the younger's chin and tilted it, asking in a playful tone, "So why can't I see that famous smile of yours?"
In the faint moonlight, he could see the blush spreading all over Shion's pale face, before the small lips twitched into a shy, tiny smile, "It's here."
"Good." Sisyphus lowered down his hand and started to walk away, "Then I wish you a nice evening, Shion of Aries."
"The same goes for you, Sisyphus of Sagittarius."
As he started climbing the stairs, Sisyphus knew Kardia was already there, probably had heard all his conversation with his young lover. There was no need to turn around to see how the Scorpio curled both his hands around the Aries torso and kissed the top of the green hair, while Shion hugged him back and nuzzled contentedly into his neck. He didn't need to see them with his own eyes, he could already feel them breathing their loves into the silent air, letting the cold night be the witness to their endless passion.
No matter how much threats they would face in the upcoming war, at least at the moment his friends were happy.
SS
Next : Albafica