Shuuei was on his last round for the night, making sure his imperial charge was in his room, alone, asleep, and not gallivanting off into the night to pick peonies for Shuurei or anything equally foolish, when he spotted the shadow lingering under the trees that shaded the pavilion in summer.
The shadow had silver hair.
Shuuei did his best to sneak up on Seiran and was mildly disappointed when the man didn’t even start at Shuuei’s voice breathing in his ear. “Watching over both of them, are you?”
Seiran didn’t look around. Nor did he show any signs that he’d been up since before dawn, following Shuurei, and had probably just jogged back from Kou Shouka’s residence after seeing her home. “It’s my duty,” he answered, calmly.
Shuuei chuckled. “And here I thought it was mine, at least where the Emperor is concerned.”
“Is it?” Seiran murmured, turning his head at last to regard Shuuei. In the half light his eyes were far less soft than they were by day. They gleamed, sharp and piercing. Shuuei straightened quickly.
“Of course it is.” And why did he sound as though he was acknowledging an order?
“For a son of the Ran clan?” Seiran tipped his head to the side. “It was an unusual involvement in politics, wasn’t it, for you to accept his flower? I suppose joining the military reconciled your bothers to you coming to the capital. At least long enough for you to get your foot in the door.” It was Seiran’s turn to lean against the tree, crossing his arms. “A Ran dancing the dance of the Court. Who could have predicted?” Those gleaming eyes narrowed. “Probably not even Ryuuki.”
The weight of Shuuei’s armor pressed over his shoulders, and it still felt like he was being stripped naked. And not in a pleasant way. His voice was low as he answered. “I did accept his flower, though. And I will serve him.”
Seiran’s smile was fierce, completely at odds with the formal courtesy of his words. “I’m sure you will serve him very well, Ran-shogun.” His steps were absolutely silent as he slipped away through the trees, and Shuuei stood for a long time, looking after him.
When Shuuei got up the next day, he lit an extra stick of incense for his ancestors’ spirits.
“For the fact that Ryuuki is my Emperor, and not Seien,” he murmured. “Deeply thankful. Truly.”
He did rather hope it wasn’t really his grandfather’s voice he heard in the back of his head snorting, It’s your own damn fault for getting involved, boy!
He knew that. And he’d been prepared, really he had. It just seemed prudent to show his gratitude that he was serving a sweet and sometimes silly, though quite intelligent, boy, instead of facing those cool, assessing eyes he’d seen last night.
Really, quite thankful.
End
A/N: Peony is for shyness, and Ryuuki giving it to Shuurei would be as unsuitable as all of his extravagant presents to her are.
*is giddy and silly over this* Seiran being awesome and Shuuei being taken off balance? Two of my favourite things in one fic! Hee. I love the way the balance of power shifts between them so easily and quickly. Shuuei would be run ragged if Seien was his Emperor; no time for lounging about indolently and attractively.
*hearts* Glad you liked it! Really, Shuuei spends so much time being cool and collected, he /needs/ the ficcers to poke him.
*Shuuei-muse looks disgruntled*
Is it “brothers” instead of bothers, or am I too sleepy to get that line?
Loved the idea – and adored the closing scene, because you KNOW that Seiran would not be anywhere near as merciful as Ryuuki when things got difficult.
*looks* *falls down laughing until she has to hold her stomach* Oh my god! It /is/ supposed to be “brothers”, thought I imagine Shuuei might disagree! *gigging*
Thank you! And, yeah, I bet Seiran would get all glinty when the going got tough and make everyone hop.
oh but yes, I second this most strongly. Am creating an entire fic universe based on the entire concept, actually. oh so much glee.
Also agree that the closing scene is awesome. Shuuei’s prayer is beautifully stated.
Am creating an entire fic universe based on the entire concept, actually
Really? *sparkles* So much coolness. Seiran in charge… *happy sigh*
*_* Seiran is so coooooool.
Shuuei, you had damn well better be grateful. Light some more incense, eh?
Shuuei: *considers this and nods* You’re right. *lights more*
*hearts* I just love it so much when Seiran shows his edge. *wry* I’m just a sucker for these kinds of characters, aren’t I?
Just dropping a line to say I really enjoyed reading this fic. Much love and huzzahs for well written Seiran, and truly Shuuei should be grateful that he didn’t get Mr. Perfectionist for an Emperor. ^^
I look forward to anything else you might write.
Majo
Great to hear you liked it! I think Seiran is probably my favorite. Especially when he drops out of desu-masu and gets tough. ^_^
Any time when Seiran drops the honorifics and the polite language awesome is sure to follow. ::nodnod::
It does! Just about all the moments I most adore have to do with Seiran’s other side showing. Such yumminess.
I loved Seiran even before I got my hands on the novels and realized that there’s a DARK SIDE to Mr.I’m-kind-and-gentle-don’t-mind-my-non-p
He doesn’t need pairings…just put up some threat to Ryuuki or Shuurei and watch him go into full overblown protective mode. It’s a thing of beauty, I say.
Majo
If there is anything that will make me finally buckle down and work on learning to actually read kanji and kana, I think it’s the novels. I want so /badly/ to know how the story goes in them!
I envy the people who can read Japanese, yes. As it is I live vicariously through the chinese releases of the novels. Am currently irritated with my brother for not coming home on-time to bring me translated vol.7….
There are various translations on the comm, and the manga is sticking rather faithfully to the novels. The disadvantage of the first is that it’s not complete, and the second is that it’s release is slower than a snail. *much woe* Therefore, the need for fic.
Much love for lazulisong as well. Ah, it’s been a good Saiunkoku day…
Majo
Hey, at least you get to read the translations. I just leech off your kindness and the kindness of others with similarly l337 language abilities.
A most excellent Saiunkoku day indeed.
I feel your pain. I dropped by the bookstore the other day for a glance at the novels, and . . . well, they’re way beyond my reading level, that’s for sure. ::siiiighs:: Back to the elementary-school kanji textbooks I go.
Clearly I need to be checking out these novels. (Hey, I need the kanji practice… at least, that’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it!) So… I gather the series title is “Saiankoku monogatari” or something like that? Who’s the author?
*looks around* Well, since I’m awake…
Saiunkoku Monogatari (彩雲国物語), by Yukino Sai. There are twelve volumes out so far, and it’s serialized in The Beans. It is /huge/ amounts of fun, even in transation or summary *takes a moment to love on Shadow, fandom goddess* and should not be missed.
::joins in the love for Shadow, awesome poster of translations and summaries::
Mmmmm, evilly protective Seiran. Yum. Also, I like Shuuei’s flippant prayer.
*hearts* Isn’t Seiran hot when he gets protective?
*laughing* Even when he’s dead serious, Shuuei’s still Shuuei. *pets him*
Isn’t Seiran hot when he gets protective? And all the rest of the time, too! It’s the two together that make him hot, I think. All “ojou-sama,” all the time would be boring, and so would 24/7 fanatic bodyguard.
I will totally drink to that. It’s definitely the contrast that makes me squee whenever he gets edgy.
♥♥♥
^_^V
If this is![[livejournal.com profile]](http://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
lazulisong‘s fault, then I owe thanks to both of you. It’s absolutely wonderful– well written, and on a subject that makes me bubble over with glee. I’m very impressed with the characterization, and the atmosphere that you create.
Am also most fascinated by your descriptions of the Ran family.
Perhaps shall bubble more later when I’m able to think coherently. Extreme glee!
*hearts* Glee is a wonderful thing! Thank you!
We’ve seen so little of the Ran family so far, but what we do know fascinates me. The way they divide up the prestige and duties of the clan head, the bit about not getting into politics, the implication that they frequently have geniuses crop up in the family… it makes them rather mysterious. And fun to poke at!
ohh, this was really cool! i really like that seiran was, well, Seien and not Seiran. and that he’s so cold and sharp…really awesome. it’s rare that shuuei’s the one i feel sorry for, but this was definitely one of those times ^^
i laughed at the final scene =D
Thank you! I really like the times when Seien shows clearly, and can’t resist writing him like that.
*giggling* Poor Shuuei. I think I just have this uncontrollable urge to poke characters who are always calm and collected, and tease everyone else. I did this to Roy, too, come to think of it.
^________^
I’d never really thought of it that way, the servants being thankful for who they are serving. Interesting take on this, I like it!
*nodnod* It was Meg who suggested the thought, and the plotbunny just about tackled me. Glad you liked it!
Oh, Seiran. Managing to scare Shuuei, how brilliant 😀
Much love for this fic!
Thank you! Seiran has taken over my brain, I think. *hearts him*
*pats pats*
I know the feeling. Ryuuren has taken over my brain… *plays the flute all over this comment thread*
Read this last night but was far too tired, and appreciated it much more on re-reading this morning. *g* Wonderful stuff!
*hearts* Thank you, dear! I am just loving this fandom, really.
^^ Lovely that you wrote this fic! I like how Seiran is actually equally over-protective over his cute little Ryuuki as he is with Shuurei~XD
Thank you! Over-protective!Seiran is probably my favorite flavor of him. ^_^
There are precious few Saiunkoku stories out there and I am so glad I found these. Your writing is spot on character wise and thoroughly enjoyable to read.
Thank you! I dearly love SaiMono and am hoping for more canon soon to feed my plotbunnies. Especially about people like Shuuei, who are great fun to write.
Ahahaha!
*dies*
*wants to make serious commentary, but keeps getting stuck on Shuuei lighting incense for Ryuuki being his emperor and not Seien.* Seriously. I lol’d.
*giggling* For serious, Shuuei is /really/ lucky to have Ryuuki. I always figured he’d be smart enough to know it.
Haha, yes, Seiran can be scary but we love him for it.
*wicked grin* Oh yeah. I have to admit, I love how he browbeats Shuuei in canon. Wallet Number One indeed.