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Balance Factor Chapter 34.5

Year Five

Light and Dark

A/N: This is a LEMON! For those who want it. If not, you can skip to the next chapter! You're not missing out.

This takes place right after Ryuuko finishes sealing the veil, before Shirogane visits Harry.

Dumbledore smiled as he led Ryuuko and Shirogane to a guest room in Hogwarts. Shirogane seemed to be completely attached to Ryuuko at this point, his hands sliding around Ryuuko's waist and through his hair. Ryuuko didn't seem to mind, or push him away.

"This is where you will be staying," Dumbledore said, glancing at the pair. Ryuuko smiled and said his thanks, but Shirogane was too distracted. Dumbledore looked into Shirogane's eyes very briefly and was startled a little by the amount of tenderness and longing that was in the crystal blue eyes.

Love. It was, without doubt, the deepest, purest form of love.

Dumbledore wondered if Ryuuko knew how much Shirogane loved him. He wondered if Ryuuko felt the same, or even the slightest bit of affection beyond friendship, as Ryuuko seemed oblivious to Shirogane's touching. Dumbledore fully relaxed. If Shirogane was capable of such a pure feeling, surely he wouldn't do anything to displease the pacifist Ryuuko.

Shirogane pulled Ryuuko into the room and shut the door. Ryuuko laughed, half from delight, half from nervousness.

"It's been too long, Ryuuko, too long," Shirogane whispered, pressing his forehead against Ryuuko's shoulder. "Too long."

Ryuuko slid his hands over Shirogane's strong back, letting out a soft breath of relief. "Yes. It has. How is Akira-kun?" In his voice, there was not a hint of anger, jealousy, or disapproval. Ryuuko knew.

"…Not like you. He prefers being taken," Shirogane said softly, hiding nothing. "We are equals… He… is not…" Ryuuko nodded slowly.

Shirogane seemed to pause again and then spoke. "I… Shouldn't have hit you…" He brought his lips to Ryuuko's cheek, right where his hand had struck, kissing it lightly. "I… apologize."

Ryuuko blinked, surprised. He then gave Shirogane a smile and embraced him tightly.

Sex, in short terms, was always the easiest way to shift the equilibrium. Although that is how they has started years ago, it slowly became more than that. Instead of a power play, it was sensual. The bitter, half-forced kisses became sweet over the centuries and the touches smooth and tender.

Almost always though, it was Shirogane who initiated, though Shirogane wasn't always on the top. In fact, their first time was Shirogane's suggestion. Unused to the sensation and attracted by the calm, peaceful nature of his Light, Shirogane had climbed into Ryuuko's bed and kissed him. Their first coupling session had been painful on Ryuuko's receiving end. Ryuuko didn't complain, but Shirogane could tell from the way Ryuuko moved the next day. His graceful movements were slightly pained.

Shirogane was gentler after that.

Shirogane kissed Ryuuko on the neck, undoing the clasps that held Ryuuko's cape up. It slid to the floor, pooling around Ryuuko's ankles and the ends of his hair. Ryuuko smiled and removed his gloves, sliding them through Shirogane's long silvery hair. The shiver of pleasure that ran through Shirogane's body was enough to make Ryuuko smile.

"Still so sensitive," Ryuuko said warmly, calmly. Shirogane glared, though it was missing its usual bite. Ryuuko laughed softly, tilting his head and kissing him. Shirogane's eyes closed and he relaxed.

"I'll be gentle," Shirogane promised.

"I have no doubt," Ryuuko said softly, sliding his hands up to Shirogane's shoulders and then moving to undo the black cape. Shirogane pulled Ryuuko down onto the large bed, kissing him fiercely on the lips. Ryuuko allowed this and placed his hands over Shirogane's clothed hips, fingering the bone there.

Shirogane gasped into his mouth, sliding his hand up and unzipping Ryuuko's coat. Ryuuko's raven black hair pooled on the bed, making a rather sensual blanket under them.

Lifting Ryuuko so he could remove his coat was somewhat hard, since the arm bands were in the way. Ryuuko smiled at Shirogane's struggle and slid out of them before Shirogane got impatient enough where he would just decompose the Light molecules.

Shirogane threw kisses down Ryuuko's warm, muscular chest, listening to Ryuuko's soft moans of pleasure. Ryuuko's hands were still in his hair, stroking it, pulling the hair over Shirogane's shoulder and sliding it onto the bed where it mixed with his. Shirogane paused when he reached Ryuuko's nipples and then took one into his mouth, sucking and licking.

Ryuuko's gasp was satisfying to hear, Shirogane decided as he swirled his tongue over the nub. His pants seemed to be too tight, but he resisted a little, wanting to hear Ryuuko's soft cries of pleasure a little longer.

Ryuuko was completely unguarded against him. His ruby red eyes were shining with pleasure and his body completely slumped against the covers.

Shirogane smiled, pulling away looking down at Ryuuko. Ryuuko's cheeks flushed a little, knowing that he was in a very vulnerable position, but also knowing that Shirogane wouldn't do anything to hurt him on purpose. It was the trust between Dark and Light that forged the treaty.

"Ryuuko…" Shirogane said softly, burying his hand in Ryuuko's soft, cat-like hair. Ryuuko leaned up and kissed Shirogane on the cheek before settling back.

"You can't wait?" Ryuuko asked, his hands moving up to undress Shirogane. Shirogane pulled his hands away and pinned them against the bed. Ryuuko didn't resist.

"Too long," Shirogane said. Ryuuko gave a small start as their clothes faded away; Shirogane using his power to decompose the Light and scatter his own Darkness. Ryuuko hadn't expected that, although he supposed it was because Shirogane had been waiting many years.

"Then why don't you start? You wish to take me, do you not?"

It was an invitation that Ryuuko had made to Shirogane only twice before. It made it very clear that, although Ryuuko was on the receiving end, he was the one to control the pace. Shirogane gave a soft groan of pleasure as the words tumbled over his senses, his erection brushing Ryuuko's inner thigh. Ryuuko had a way of controlling him with his voice.

The kisses became quicker and hot. Shirogane traced a path down to Ryuuko's pelvis and then over his erection. Ryuuko's moans turned into rough pants as Shirogane slid his mouth over his cock.

Ryuuko moaned, face flushed, hands gripping the covers. Shirogane looked at him warmly, fingers brushing Ryuuko's inner thighs and sliding up, pushing past the ring of muscles. Ryuuko's head tipped back and a soft puff of air escaped his lips. Fire was pooling down his body and up his spine.

"Shiro…gane…" Ryuuko whispered, pleasure lacing every syllable. Shirogane sucked harder, his fingers moving faster, wanting to hear Ryuuko whisper his name again and again.

Ryuuko moaned, his voice shivering with pleasure. Shirogane slid off him and started kissing up his body again, making Ryuuko shift a little with the loss of heat. Shirogane pressed kisses into every smooth surface he could find, dipping his tongue out to taste the skin. The skin of the purest Light.

Ryuuko gave a small chuckle as Shirogane moaned into each kiss on his body. It was a little unusual that Shirogane found pleasure in giving him pleasure. Shirogane liked it more when he was clearly in power, dominating over Ryuuko.

"Ryuu…ko," Shirogane purred out, sending a shiver down Ryuuko's spine.

"Mm?" Ryuuko felt obligated to respond, though he didn't think Shirogane was looking for an answer. There was a sudden hardness against his opening and Ryuuko groaned at the sensation of Shirogane pressing inside him. It was painful.

Shirogane stilled, his body shaking a little with the sensation of Ryuuko wrapped around his erection. He had missed this. Missed it more than Ryuuko's laugh, his smile, his senselessness, and even his lack of punctuality. The atmosphere was heated and, although Ryuuko's warm body was pressed against his, he was shivering.

Ryuuko wrapped his arms around Shirogane's waist, his ruby eyes sliding shut. He let out a soft breath of relief as the pain dulled and then pushed back. Shirogane withdrew and slid back in slowly, making Ryuuko wince a little. Pressing his face against Shirogane's shoulder, Ryuuko let out several pained gasps, the friction burning him.

"Shirogane…?" Ryuuko murmured, a little curious about his counterpart's behavior. Shirogane was impatient enough where he had decomposed their clothes than undressing them but patient enough to be gentle? It was an unusual combination; most likely one that Akira had influenced.

"Be still, Ryuuko," Shirogane murmured, kissing Ryuuko's neck. Ryuuko smiled, tilting his head up so Shirogane could have more space.

"You're being quite kind today," Ryuuko murmured. Shirogane pulled up on his elbows, flexing his hips just a little, watching the flash of pain cross Ryuuko's face.

"I want to savor this," Shirogane said quietly. He reached down between them with his left hand and stroked Ryuuko's erection as he moved once more, sliding in and then out. The resulting moan was satisfying to hear.

Ryuuko arched when Shirogane struck something deep inside him. His moan was swallowed by Shirogane's mouth as his hands slid to the bed again, gripping the covers. Shirogane paused for a minute, his hand moving from Ryuuko's erection to grab one of Ryuuko's wrists and pin it against the bed, next to his head. Shirogane's other hand did the same with Ryuuko's other wrist, leaving Ryuuko completely trapped against him.

Shirogane's mouth was hot against his skin. Everywhere he touched was burning as if Shirogane had infused a part of himself into Ryuuko. Ryuuko gasped and moaned when Shirogane sped up, his body moving against his, inside and out.

Ryuuko wasn't sure how much more he could take, but it seemed like Shirogane was nearing his end as well. The curtain of silver hair glinted in the candlelight every time Shirogane moved and Ryuuko was rather powerless to stop him. Considering that Shirogane was hitting the place deep inside him that made him see stars of pleasure, Ryuuko wasn't sure he wanted to stop the other.

"Ryuuko…" Shirogane purred. "Ryuuko… My Ryuuko…"

"Yours…" Ryuuko murmured back through the haze of pleasure. "Yours… Always yours. Shirogane…" He whispered his counterpart's name like it was the most sacred thing in the world. "Shirogane… Please…!"

Shirogane's lips quirked and he sped up, grunting with effort. Ryuuko groaned loudly, pressing back as much as Shirogane would allow. Their movements became hot, fast, and wild.

"Together?" Shirogane asked, although the question wasn't meant to be answered. They were intertwined, Light and Dark, moving in perfect harmony as they came.

Shirogane slid onto Ryuuko's chest, his ear pressed against Ryuuko's heart. It was still beating quickly from their coupling, but was slowing down. Ryuuko was panting, trying to catch his breath, giving a small laugh as he wrapped his arms around Shirogane's form.

"Mm," Ryuuko said contently. Shirogane's eyelids drooped, feeling exhausted, happy, and warm. Ryuuko smiled, burying his nose into Shirogane's hair. "Shirogane… I'm surprised you were so expressive…"

"I don't need to hide my love for you," Shirogane said calmly. "You are my counterpart. Akira-kun is too… Why should I be ashamed of that?"

"True," Ryuuko replied, one hand moving to shift through Shirogane's hair. "But still a surprise. You didn't used to be that expressive."

"It's been a while," Shirogane said in a tone that left no room for argument. Ryuuko laughed, kissing Shirogane's hair.

"Do you mind moving then?" Ryuuko murmured. "I think I'm going to take a quick bath."

Shirogane lifted his head and looked at Ryuuko. "Not yet… This time, I want you on your knees."

Ryuuko let out a soft sigh that could have easily been mistaken as boredom. But to Shirogane who knew Ryuuko well, it was a sigh of acceptance. He moved from inside Ryuuko, sliding out of his body and watched with a glint of hunger as Ryuuko rolled over on the bed, raising himself to his hands and knees.

"Beautiful…" Shirogane commented, pressing back into Ryuuko's body. Ryuuko gasped, Shirogane's mouth moving against his neck. Ryuuko's hair was still trailing on the bed, but propped mostly to one side.

Ryuuko keened loudly, Shirogane striking in all the right places inside him. The second time was definitely rougher than the first, but Ryuuko was well prepared for it already. When they came, Light and Dark bound together so tight that both might shatter, Ryuuko couldn't even remember why he wanted to leave the bed in the first place.

-0-

Ryuuko leaned against the pillows on the bed, propped up, dressed, but only loosely. He had gathered light to cover him with his coat and pants, but his cape was still on the floor. Recalling the hot bath he had with Shirogane with a level of fondness, he disregarded the fact that his body slightly sore. Instead, his mind was clear and content. He smiled up at Shirogane as Shirogane served him a cup of tea that Dobby had brought up for them.

"Thank you," Ryuuko said, taking the cup and brushing their fingers together. Shirogane nodded and sat on the bed, looking at his counterpart.

"You're as I remember you," Shirogane said softly. "Infuriatingly gentle." He reached over, trailing a finger over Ryuuko's cheek, brushing a couple strands of hair away from his mouth. "And yet… radiating power."

Ryuuko didn't respond to that, his eyes closing gently as he inhaled his tea.

Shirogane sighed, closing his eyes and looking away. "The thought that you would manifest through Kazuki didn't cross my mind at all… I knew Kazuki would create a second Light tuner inshi, but I didn't think that you could utilize that power freely."

"I can't," Ryuuko said honestly. "I can only use as much as he allows me access to." He placed his tea down on his lap, still holding it between his hands. "Thankfully, Kazuki allows me full access of the light inside him. After Akira inherited my inshi… my presence became less scattered between Akira and Kazuki and I was able to focus all my energy into Kazuki. Akira no longer needs my support. He has you… And Kou." He summoned the Limiter potion from his Light and dropped three drops into his tea.

Eyeing the potion with a bit of distrust, Shirogane hesitated before placing his hand on top of Ryuuko's tea cup to prevent him from drinking it. Ryuuko paused, looking at Shirogane.

"What is it, Shirogane?" Ryuuko asked. Shirogane frowned.

"If we remove the light inshi from Kazuki and store it in your body…" Shirogane started. Ryuuko frowned suddenly, clearly disapproving.

"It would probably kill Kazuki and shatter the inshi. It's still incomplete. And I would disappear without a chance of coming back, as I don't have a vessel," Ryuuko said calmly. Shirogane hesitated, but nodded. Ryuuko's ruby eyes softened.

"Shirogane… May I remind you that I am already dead? It's time for you to let me go…" Ryuuko said softly, reaching up and cupping one of Shirogane's cheeks. Shirogane hesitated, but shook his head.

"Don't ask for the impossible. I can't do that," Shirogane said softly. "The first thing I saw when I woke was you. I hold onto the belief that we are the core of this world's existence." He raised his hand and slid his fingers around Ryuuko's, gripping his hand. "How do you expect me to live without the other half of myself?"

"Shirogane…" Ryuuko whispered, his eyes pained. "If it is you, you can definitely live on." He smiled weakly, lowering his hand, but Shirogane held onto it tightly, lacing their fingers together. "Don't be afraid to face the future. You can do it. I believe in you."

Shirogane smiled, his eyes shining with unshed tears. The recollection of the events that led up to Ryuuko's death was painful. He could still remember how angry he was at the other for being late and then how it had turned to panic when Ryuuko stumbled in and then absolute despair when he realized that Ryuuko's wounds were too deep for him to heal.

"I can… but I don't want to do it alone. I want you with me. By my side," Shirogane murmured, lowering his head onto Ryuuko's shoulder. Ryuuko laughed lightly.

"You have Akira," Ryuuko spoke gently into his ear. "And Kazuki. And Kou."

"Don't mention that stupid mutt in front of me," Shirogane grumbled. Ryuuko laughed, draining his tea in one swallow and feeling the effects almost immediately. He started the shrink, his clothes vanishing into a soft white light. He had summoned small sized clothes for himself.

Shirogane picked up the small Ryuuko and kissed it on the head. Ryuuko gave a contented murmur and laid on Shirogane's palm, his ruby eyes closing in a contented fashion.

Shirogane let the little Ryuuko cling onto his silvery white hair while he slept that night.