Shuuei made a note to himself to remember that drink unhinged Kouyuu’s knees as well as his tongue. “Come on,” he murmured to his friend, hitching Kouyuu’s weight up a bit more comfortably. “Just one more crossing.”
“We should go back for the bottle,” Kouyuu declared.
“No, no, not a good idea.” Shuuei caught his arm a little tighter around Kouyuu’s waist, tugging him along.
He was just thankful that Kouyuu was easier to steer when drunk than he was when sober. If his stubbornness had gotten any worse they really wouldn’t have made it back to Kou Reishin’s residence.
He was also thankful that the servants silently opened doors and directed them to Kouyuu’s rooms without waking the master of the house. Considering the unrestraint with which Kouyuu had spoken to both the emperor and Seiran, Shuuei thought it was probably part of his duty as a friend to prevent Kouyuu from saying whatever he might say to his father in this condition.
“We’re home,” he informed Kouyuu as a quietly amused servant closed the bedroom door softly behind them.
“I’m home,” Kouyuu growled, hanging from his shoulder. “You’re just annoying.”
“And I’ll be more annoying tomorrow, when you have a headache,” Shuuei promised, with a smile.
Kouyuu slumped back against the wall, the arm still thrown around Shuuei’s neck taking Shuuei with him. “You tease too much,” he muttered. “Haven’t any of those idiot women ever told you that?” And he pulled Shuuei down to a sloppy, off-center kiss.
Quite startled, Shuuei let him. Of the many possible responses to his teasing, this was one Shuuei had not expected out of Kouyuu. For one thing, if he were going to do this, shouldn’t he have done it months ago? For another, whenever Shuuei teased him or, in fact, anyone nearby with innuendo, Kouyuu blushed. It was charming, really; Shuuei had done it sometimes just to see what pretty shade of red Kouyuu would turn next.
Kouyuu wasn’t blushing now. And if his mouth seemed a little uncertain, the hand at the back of Shuuei’s neck was warm and steady.
Shuuei was still bemused when Kouyuu let him go. “I haven’t noticed any of the ladies are upset by teasing, actually,” he managed.
Kouyuu snorted. “Unperceptive and a tease.” He hauled Shuuei back down.
This time, at least, Shuuei was prepared enough to soften the kiss, to catch Kouyuu’s mouth properly and taste the sake on his lips, one hand curving around the back of Kouyuu’s head. He still wasn’t ready for Kouyuu’s mouth to open under his, and a ribbon of heat curled down his spine. Shuuei wasn’t entirely sure Kouyuu had found truth in the bottom of his bottle, but he’d certainly found courage there. If the bottle was where it had come from, though… “I wonder,” he murmured, resting his temple against Kouyuu’s, “if this is another of those times it’s my duty to restrain your extremes.”
Kouyuu’s fingers tightened sharply in the front of Shuuei’s robes. “Are you saying you were never serious?” he asked very quietly.
Shuuei hesitated; in a normal encounter, this really would be the time for a little teasing and hedging, to make sure no one got their heart broken. But it was Kouyuu pressed up against him, quiet and waiting. He closed his eyes, a tiny smile quirking his lips as he gave in to his friend’s unrelenting directness. “No, I’m not saying that.”
“Then the answer is ‘no’, you idiot.” Kouyuu’s voice was irate, even when this soft. “Honestly, use your brain.”
“What, now? Shouldn’t you be distracting me from that?” Shuuei laughed at Kouyuu’s growl, equilibrium restored by their usual roles. He plucked loose Kouyuu’s hair wrap, letting unruly, moonlight colored hair spill down the back of Kouyuu’s neck, the way it always seemed to want to.
Kouyuu made a lazy sound in his throat, swinging back to mellowness again—really, Shuuei would have to remember the effect sake had on him. “It’s not fair if it’s just mine.” He reached up and undid Shuuei’s hair clasp so delicately Shuuei barely felt it. He was reminded of how many long afternoons he’d spent in the archives, admiring the lightness of Kouyuu’s fingers on a brush. “Mm. Better.”
As Shuuei coaxed Kouyuu away from the wall and over to the bed, attempting not to step on any books along the way, he wondered how Kouyuu’s graceless approval could so easily make him smile for real. That was Kouyuu’s talent, though, wasn’t it? To make things real in a world built of deception and unspoken thoughts. His father had named him well.
Abstract thoughts were blown away on a gasp of breath as Kouyuu sprawled back on the bed and yanked Shuuei along with him. Kouyuu made a small oof.
“You’re heavy for someone who looks so thin.”
“It’s called refined, not thin.” Shuuei’s attempt at a dignified tone unraveled in a shiver as Kouyuu’s open mouth found his neck and Kouyuu’s tongue moved over his skin. “Kouyuu,” he murmured, voice rougher.
Kouyuu relaxed under him with a sudden, open smile. “You do mean it.”
Shuuei had to swallow hard at the unadulterated relief in Kouyuu’s voice. He stroked back Kouyuu’s hair gently. “Yes, I mean it.” He brushed a kiss over Kouyuu’s lips and added, “Honestly.”
“Don’t steal my lines,” Kouyuu instructed him, and Shuuei laughed.
A flush crept over Kouyuu’s face as Shuuei’s hands loosened sashes and ties and found Kouyuu’s skin. Kouyuu’s own hands were rougher, pulling open Shuuei’s robes, creasing the fabric as they clenched every now and then. Shuuei stroked his fingers up the inside of Kouyuu’s thigh just to watch him do it again, and chuckled softly.
“Yes, I thought you were new at this.”
“Oh shut up,” Kouyuu growled, color darkening on his cheekbones, and wound his fingers in Shuuei’s hair to pull him down to a silencing kiss.
The admonition was rather blunted when Shuuei closed his hand around the hard heat between Kouyuu’s legs and Kouyuu moaned openly into his mouth. And that was Kouyuu too—clear and pure in everything he did.
“It’s all right, Kouyuu,” Shuuei whispered, entranced by the flow of response and emotion across Kouyuu’s face. He hesitated a moment and added, against Kouyuu’s ear, “It’s real.”
A breath of a laugh answered him and Kouyuu’s hands slid up his back, pressing him closer. “Yes.”
Shuuei made a low, pleased sound as those hands slid back down, brushing slowly over his ribs, stomach, thighs, and then it was his turn to gasp and laugh as one found it’s way between his legs. No one had ever accused Li Kouyuu of being a slow learner.
As well they shouldn’t. Shuuei rested his forehead on Kouyuu’s shoulder, panting as those deft fingers explored and stroked and teased, and pleasure shivered down his nerves. “Kouyuu…”
“Hm?” Kouyuu sounded rather too amused, Shuuei decided distractedly.
His own hands on Kouyuu’s body faltered, tightened as lapping heat stole away his concentration and left nothing but feeling. Gentle fingers stroked his head and then closed firmly around him. “Kou— Ahh!” Pleasure tightened fiercely all through his body and rushed down to a single point of heat and he arched taut over Kouyuu, pulling him close to hold onto through the hot, wild surge of sensation.
It took him a few moments to recover his breath and remember what he was about and lean up on an elbow to look down at Kouyuu. When he did, he couldn’t help a snort of laughter; Kouyuu looked exceedingly smug. “Pleased with yourself?” he asked.
“Yes.” The smugness didn’t fade in the slightest.
The corners of Shuuei’s mouth curled. “Well then. I think it’s my turn.” He smoothed his hands down Kouyuu’s body, palms sliding over skin, slow and coaxing. Kouyuu unwound under his hands bit by bit until Shuuei almost expected him to start purring. Who would have thought someone so emphatically stand-offish enjoyed being touched so much?
Color crept over Kouyuu’s face as Shuuei’s hands slipped between his thighs, easing them apart. “Shuuei…”
Shuuei pressed soft kisses down the curve of Kouyuu’s neck. “It’s all right,” he murmured. Kouyuu made a noncommittal sound but settled back against the bed with a low sigh as Shuuei’s tongue traced his collar bone.
Shuuei kissed his way down Kouyuu’s body, and Kouyuu stretched under him with such thoughtless sensuality he couldn’t resist nipping gently at the smooth skin of Kouyuu’s stomach just to see whether he’d like it.
Judging from the way he arched up and his fingers tightened on Shuuei’s neck and shoulder, he did.
Shuuei felt half drunk himself on the openness of Kouyuu’s response, the low, rough sounds he made as Shuuei’s open mouth moved down his thigh. Shuuei was almost as breathless as Kouyuu, just watching him. The quick gasp when Shuuei closed his mouth around Kouyuu’s length drew a small, satisfied sound out of the back of his throat.
“Shuuei…” Kouyuu’s fingers stroked over his shoulders and down his arms, seeking and restless. Shuuei let his tongue find its own way over Kouyuu’s smooth, hot skin, watching Kouyuu from under his lashes as Kouyuu’s body relaxed and tautened. The edge of breathless want in Kouyuu’s moans made him shiver, and when Kouyuu finally arched and cried out, long shudders of pleasure raking down his body, Shuuei couldn’t help laughing softly in delighted answer.
He slid back up and settled himself comfortably along Kouyuu’s side, head propped in one hand so he could watch Kouyuu catch his breath and see his eyes when they opened again.
A little to his surprise, those clear, sharp eyes were only a little hazy, and the softness he had expected in them went deeper than he had thought it would. He contemplated that for a moment.
“You aren’t nearly as drunk as all that, are you?” he asked, finally.
The softness vanished in a grumpy glare. “Oh shut up.” Kouyuu rolled onto his side, turning his back as well as one could while lying in bed with someone.
Shuuei laughed and curled himself up against Kouyuu’s back, fitting their bodies snugly together and sliding an arm around Kouyuu’s waist. He took note of the fact that Kouyuu relaxed immediately and his smile gentled. Kouyuu was so prickly in defense of that pure heart of his. It was really rather adorable. Shuuei tucked the thought away to use later, when he wanted to tease Kouyuu.
For now, it was far more pleasant to feel how Kouyuu calmed, tucked in his arms like this. He pressed a kiss to the back of Kouyuu’s neck, still smiling.
His smile lingered in the morning as he left some water and an ice pack beside the snoring Kouyuu and tiptoed out. It lingered right up until the moment he stepped out the doors to find Kou Reishin “casually” enjoying the clean air on the walk outside his son’s rooms. The glint in the Secretary’s eye as he turned to look at Shuuei was enough to make even a warrior pause and swallow a little hard.
“Ran-shougun,” Kou greeted him. “I hear that you brought Kouyuu home last night.” Kou’s fan flicked open, sharp as a knife. “How good it is to know my son has such a solicitous and careful friend.”
Shuuei knew an order when he heard one, no matter how indirectly it might be given, and bowed. “Yes, Kou-shousho.”
Kou smiled, folding his fan gracefully. “Good.”
Next time, Shuuei reflected as he made for the gate as quickly as possible without actually running, it might be his turn to need a drink first.
End
Oh, they are so sweet. And so very, very cute. And eeeee Kouyuu. And Reishin. Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.
Aren’t they adorable? *pets them* And Reishin, who lets everyone /except/ Kouyuu know how he feels about Kouyuu. *amused*
*grin* Mmmm. Oh, that’s nice.
Thank you! They really are just the most /married/ working couple I have seen in a long time.
That was lovely…just what I needed. Thank you for you yummy writting.
Glad you liked it! These two are awfully sweet to write; it was fun. ^_^
I am SO happy you’re writing Saiunkoku fic – first Pollen, now this.
*contented sigh*
*hearts* Great to hear you liked it! I’m having great fun with this fandom.
Hot, adorable and absolutely in character! XD *saves for later re-reading* 😀
Thank you! *grins* These two are just so much fun to play with.
Ha! Awesome! What a great first-time fic. I’d really been hoping to read one, too. I loved how careful Shuuei was with Kouyuu, it was really sweet. And the ending rocked my socks =D
Thank you! I really loved the idea of Shuuei having to deal with Kouyuu being all drunk and unreserved and… well, vulnerable. I truly believe Shuuei is a sweetie at heart, for all his evilness. ^_^
Wow! This is one of the best Saiunkoku fics I’ve read. And it’s exactly the scene I would have loved to have happen. The whole thing was sweet and affectionate and OMGSOVERYHOT! And Reishin at the end was just perfect. Putting this in memories for my next round of Saiunkoku rec’ing!
Thank you so much! It’s been a while since I wrote some good, solid smut, and these two were just so very ripe for it. *grins*
*______* It’s lovely to see Kouyuu making the first move in seduction~
And it never fails to amuse me to see Reishin to be so ahead of things, esp when it comes to matters about his beloved son. XDXDXD
Glad you liked it! *snerks* I thought Shuuei deserved to deal with Kouyuu being a bit aggressive.
*hearts Reishin mightily* Man, if Kouyuu and Shuurei really do wind up betrothed I think Reishin will have a meltdown, not knowing who to be protective of first.
I like aggressive!Kouyuu~ Mainly because that’ll shut Shuuei up and poke him into action more rather than just teasing with words…XDXDXD
If Kouyuu and Shuurei really got betrothed, Reishin would be over-protective with Shuurei mostly, then he’d say or do sth really way too direct and perhaps hurtful to Kouyuu and later feel bad about it. In the end, he will sekritly do sth to make up for it in the most roundabout manner ever. Especially after he gets happily scolded by niece/brother.
XD
Oh my that was some good smut! I really enjoy your stories anyway, so to see you do a Saiunkoku fic with my favorite pairing made me really happy. Also, Kouyuu had a very “take-charge” kinda attitude, and I enjoyed reading that as well.
Of course, I like seeing Reishin in anything, so that was an added smile to my face. XD
*looks around* Did I not thank you for this comment? I could have sworn I did. *frowns*
Well, anyway! I’m glad to hear you liked it! *laughing* I just couldn’t see Kouyuu being all that shy, especially the way he seems to get when he drinks. And there simply /had/ to be Reishin; I’m convinced he would know what was happening. ^_^
This story made me go giddy inside. <3 I LOVE KOUYUU!!!!! And I especially love this pairing! I hope you make more stories about them! =D
*beams* Thank you! The two of them are so adorable together; I’m sure there will be more bunnies for them coming along some time. ^_^
You know, I *really* like it the first time I read this, but now, actually *knowing* who Reishin is….?
^____________^
I think this one is my favorites out of all the ones you’ve written so far. Seriously.
*cackles* Knowing Reishin really does /make/ the end.
Thank you, hon!
Knowing Reishin really does /make/ the end.
[grins] If I absolutely *had* to chose just one character to adore from this series, it would have to be him. He’s just… so much fun! ^__^ And… [frowns] He hasn’t heard of little brother’s plan to marry Kouyuu and Shuurei yet, has he? we didn’t get to see his reaction to Shuurei becoming the Emperor’s consort for three months, either…
The only ones who know about Seiran’s birth-idenity are Ryuuki, Shouka, Shuuei, Kouyuu, and the two advisors, right? Oh, well, and now the Sa-boy, Sakujun. [frowns] *does* Ensei know?
Why *didn’t* he go back when the civil wars started again?
Was his vow to protect Shouka’s family that strong, or was it something else? I wonder if maybe the fact that he was part of that one group–the Satsujinzoku. If that doesn’t make him feel… tarnished or something? Unworthy to be emperor? Or maybe he just never really wanted to be the top honcho…
Well, since he and Kurou don’t seem on the best of terms, I’m assuming Reishin doesn’t know about those plans yet. Figure, he’ll either go /double/ ballistic, or think they’re the only ones who are worthy of each other. Possibly both at once.
I think those are the only ones who know so far, yeah. Ensei doesn’t seem to; as far as we know, Seien didn’t tell anyone from that year who he was.
And that’s the sixty-four dollar question, isn’t it? I’m actually writing the AU arc partially to try to answer it for myself–how someone who’s that protective could have left Ryuuki. Maybe he really was the scarred by the year with the bandits. Maybe he doesn’t beleive he can or has any right to try to take the throne.
Oh! Couldn’t you just see Reishin ranting to his mask-friend about it? [gets all giggly] he’d be contradicting himself like crazy! Which way do you think he’d finally fall? The, obviously they’re the only ones good enough for each other =or= they have the right to chose their own happiness/marriage partner?
Well, it’s just… Sakujun *knew*, and he’s from that time period. How did *he* know?
It is… strange. Because there’s no question about his being overly-protective. Still, that said, if it came down to a decision between Ryuuki and Shuurei, I think he’d chose to protect Shuurei first, but that’s mostly because of the female-standard. When it comes down to it, Ryuuki was trained in fighting and court-life/duplicity, even if he doesn’t seem to understand women so well. Whereas, Shuurei wasn’t. She’s learning, at least about duplicity, but… And she’s younger, too, so that makes her at least a little bit more less able to “protect” herself…
Still…
To not even *try* to make contact with Ryuuki…. Did he think Ryuuki was better off without him? Even after the way Ryuuki reacted when he figured out the truth? The way he still acts (*so* loved the Kouyuu drinking episode when Ryuuki comes running in calling “Anue”).
Also makes me wonder how Ryuuki would react if he ever learns that Seiran propositioned Shuurei, even considering the cause. ^__^;; They might share toys/swords, but somehow I don’t see Ryuuki, at least, as being so willing to share Shuurei. ^__^
Which brings me back to the wondering how Reishin reacted to Shuurei’s “marriage”–we haven’t even seen him over this whole Sa-mess… [sighs] I guess he’s going to remain a very minor character. [fights off sulk]
Sakujun is a son of one of the Eight families, and, on top of that, a son of the Family who ruled the province a prince had just been banished to. I’m not surprised he knew who Seien was.
*chuckles* Reishin has more parts to play; but he’s attached to the court so we’ll probably only see him again when Shuurei gets back.
I’m just butting into your conversation here. I think that Seiran left Ryuuki alone because he knows the upheaval that his presence would cause the Imperial Court. Remember what Sa tried to do when he learned of Seiran’s identity.
Seiran would not want to be a puppet even at such a young age and he would not want Ryuuki hurt (he would be forced to fight or execute his brother)
I’m thinking also that Ryuuki’s naivete is part of the reason. He constantly calls Seiran Seien and aniue and he is an adult imagine him as a child^^
Well, there’s that… but this is the one person who Seiran loved most in the world, and now he’s so near….he doesn’t ever try and sneak a peek to see if Ryuuki’s still all right? [shrugs] I guess that just seems…. off to me.
Wonderful!
I so love this pairing and Reishin as well.
Thank you! They’re definitely among my favorite characters.
I can’t believe no one has commented!
Totally loved this fic….Kouyuu should get drunk more often!
*hearts* Thank you! *grins* My Shuuei definitely agrees with you.
Love the ending. Well done.
*laughing* Always figured Reishin would be a major stumbling block in their relationship.
This is very sweet and fits them perfectly. *quietly fangirls in the corner*
Thank you! I do love the two of them together, and really Shuuei deserves to have to deal with someone as perceptive as Kouyuu can be.
*squeaks!!!* I love ShuuKyou!! What a precious story, too! I love how they mostly just touched one another, and how inexperienced but eager Kouyuu was. And Shuuei was so sweet with him … it’s obvious how much they love one another 🙂
Please consider writing more lovely SaiMono fics like this one!! <333
Thank you, it’s great to hear you liked it!
Very nice! It’s very rare to find stories with Kouyuu and Shuuei together. I really like how you kept them in character. It seems a lot of writers have that problem. The more in character they are, the more believable the story.
Thanks! I was always fond of how these two snark at each other.