Saiunkoku Monogatari Standalone

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Branch

Stories of hidden moments and might-have-beens, especially for Seiran and Ryuuki.

Ink Burns

This is a work of fiction. All characters and events portrayed in this book are fictional, and any resemblance to real people or incidents is purely coincidental.

This is a work of fanfiction, produced according to the principles of transformative fair use as put forward in US copyright law, and abiding by the custom and practice of fan-produced work in Japan, where the source texts were created. No author is in any way affiliated with any of the creators of the source texts, nor with the companies who distribute their products, nor any other rights holder, and these stories were not authorized by either the creators or the producers. Ink Burns is a fan site and the material here is freely provided for the enjoyment of fellow fan-community members; there is no commercial infringement.

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 US license at the Ink Burns fanfiction archive (http://www.branchandroot.net/archive/).

"Pollen for Dreams" published on 2007-01-26 22:09:32.

"Truth and Courage" published on 2007-01-31 12:40:37.

"May We Be Truly Thankful" published on 2007-02-19 12:43:38.

"Still Air" published on 2007-03-01 12:46:21.

"Comfort" published on 2008-04-11 15:27:30.

"If Only" published on 2008-04-11 15:36:44.

"Deeper than Love" published on 2008-10-02 14:28:56.

"A Brighter Shade of Red" published on 2009-02-04 11:49:53.

Attributions can be made by author's name and a link to the archive.

This ebook edition was published on September 6, 2019 by the Ink Burns fanfiction archive.

Cover illustration is "View 32" by Uragawa Hiroshige, public domain (http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Vue_32.jpg).

Cover design by Branch.

Pollen for Dreams

A quiet moment between Ryuuki and Seiran, balancing between truth and pretending. Drama with Unspoken Romance, I-3

"If you sent me a flower, what would it be?"

"Majesty." Seiran said his brother's title gently, an unspoken scolding, reminding Ryuuki that they shouldn't speak of these things. His heart still turned over when Ryuuki lifted his head from Seiran's knee and looked up at him, eyes pleading.

"Let me play pretend? Just for a little bit?" Ryuuki begged, and Seiran's resistance fell all in a heap.

Really, it was himself he should be scolding, more often than not.

He could, at least, phrase things a little less dangerously, though. "If your brother had grown to rule," he said softly, "when he sent you a flower I think it would be a daisy."

Ryuuki's breath caught and his words were husky. "Yes." He caught up Seiran's hand and his lips brushed Seiran's fingers as he whispered, "If things had gone the way they should. If Seien had become my lord..." One hot tear splashed on the back of Seiran's hand. "I would have been faithful to you all my life."

Seiran looked down at Ryuuki's bowed head and didn't chide him for his slip. He rested his free hand on his brother's shaking shoulders, quietly.

After a few gulps, Ryuuki's voice came out steadier. "It hasn't been time, yet, for the Emperor to send a flower to Seiran of the guards. But if I did... when I do..." He looked up, lips trembling but curved in a tiny smile. "When I do, will you be horribly embarrassed if it's lavender?"

The jumble of Seiran's emotions stopped his voice for a moment: tenderness for the sweet, vulnerable boy his little brother had always been; pleasure that Ryuuki still loved him, and fear for the same reason; shining pride in the mind that retained a ruler's awareness, even while the man's heart tugged in another direction. He lifted a hand to stroke Ryuuki's silky-straight hair back from his damp cheek. "I will always be honored to be held in your heart, my Emperor," he said softly, and leaned down to press a kiss to his brother's forehead. After a moment he added, teasing, "Better that than a sunflower, after all."

Ryuuki burst out laughing, probably at the image of Seiran marching blank-faced through the palace with a large and obtrusive yellow flower proclaiming someone's love and respect for him. He rose on his knees to throw his arms around Seiran and pressed his cheek into Seiran's shoulder. "Aniue," he whispered. And, more softly still, "Seiran."

Seiran rested a hand on his brother's head, smiling, and refrained from protesting this time, either.

If he was honest, he would admit he was very happy to be both.

End

A/N: Flowers referenced: Daisy for faithfulness, Lavender for being held in the giver's heart, Sunflower for admiration and love.

Truth and Courage

A might-have-been set during Ep. 15, as Shuuei takes a drunk Kouyuu home. Porn with Characterization, I-3

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

May We Be Truly Thankful

Shuuei has an encounter with Seiran, one evening and comes away with a new appreciation of the Emperor he has. Drama, I-4

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.

Still Air

Seiran wakes Ryuuki from a nightmare and is convinced to stay and comfort him. Smut ensues. Porn with Characterization, I-4

Notes: Contains consensual sibling incest.

Darkness.

Stifling darkness and the almost-silence that meant there was no one near him, no one with him, but people nevertheless. People beyond his reach, walking around out in the light, forgetting him, leaving him.

"Haa!" Ryuuki started up with a harsh gasp, eyes wide trying to see something other than darkness.

And there was light.

Light and warm, strong hands on his shoulders.

"Majesty, wake up, it's all right." Seien was sitting on the edge of the bed, calling him, eyes dark with worry. A tiny lamp was lit, glowing just beyond the curtains.

Tension washed out of him so fast it left him shaking. "Aniue." Here, with the darkness pressing so close, Ryuuki didn't want to hold back or bite his lip and bear it all. He kicked away the tangle of his covers and burrowed into his brother's chest. Seien caught him with a soft, rueful sigh.

"All right, Ryuuki." The usual, maddening formality dropped from Seien's voice and he leaned back against the alcove wall and gathered Ryuuki close.

Ryuuki had to blink back wetness from his eyes, shivering a little with relief that Seien would be Seien for him, tonight, and hold him until the fear went away. He crept a little closer, almost into his brother's lap and sighed as a strong, comforting hand petted his hair. Cold years melted away and left just the two of them, and the warm assurance of his brother's touch.

"You should have someone stay with you, since she has other work, now," Seien murmured. "Not those girls you spend time with, either," he added, in a sharper tone. "Someone you can trust."

"They did keep my secret," Ryuuki offered, blushing a little with the pleasure of hearing that protective edge in his brother's voice.

Seien tapped Ryuuki's nose with a finger. "If they were interested in helping you, they'd have told you a little more about women and you wouldn't keep making yourself so foolish in front of Shuurei."

Ryuuki was blushing for real, now, half with embarrassment and half with sneaking enjoyment of Seien scolding him properly, the way an older brother should. "Oh." He curled up against his brother's shoulder, pensive. "I wish it could be you. I wish..." old pain and newer knowledge tangled in his heart and mind and he closed his eyes and whispered. "I wish it could have been you all along; instead of them."

Seien's hand on his hair stilled. "Ryuuki?"

Ryuuki looked up at the brilliant, beautiful older brother who had been first and only in his heart for so long. "You would have shown me. It would all have been right, with you." It would have been safe and right and good, and not a string of masks the way it had been with all the other men and women in his bed.

After a long moment, Seien's eyes softened and his palm cupped Ryuuki's cheek, thumb stroking gently over his cheekbone. Ryuuki's eyes widened.

"Seien-aniue?" Hesitantly, not sure he was reading that softness right, he reached up and touched Seien's lips with his fingertips. "You... Would you?"

Seien looked down at him for a long breath, eyes dark, before he lifted Ryuuki's chin and kissed him slowly. "If it's what you want, Ryuuki," he murmured against Ryuuki's mouth.

Ryuuki relaxed against Seien's chest, lightheaded with the feeling of being held and touched by the one person he knew, knew without a second's question, he could trust absolutely. His voice shook a little with it. "Please."

Seien's arm tightened around him in answer, and his fingers threaded into Ryuuki's hair, tipping his head back to deepen the kiss. A soft, wanting sound caught in Ryuuki's throat as he opened his mouth for Seien. It was so good to be sheltered by this strength again. And Seien understood that, the way he understood everything, Ryuuki knew he did, because he held Ryuuki firm and close even as his other hand eased Ryuuki's robe down his shoulder and Seien's mouth moved down Ryuuki's throat and over the bared skin. Heat threaded through him. "Ohhh..."

"Easy," Seien murmured in his ear. "Ryuuki."

Ryuuki shivered with the quick cascade of sensation as Seien brushed the robe off his other shoulder and it slid down to tangle softly around his arms, and the coolness of Ryuuki's hair swept over his bare back in contrast to the warm strength of Seien's hand sliding up it. "Seien-aniue," he whispered, his own hands spreading against Seien's chest.

Having cloth under his hands was starting to be annoying.

He looked up at Seien, pouting a bit just for effect, and tugged on the shirt. "Seien-aniue..."

Seien laughed, low and husky, and the sound was enough to make Ryuuki's breath go a little faster. "You want to touch?" Seien set Ryuuki back a little and slid out of bed to stand beside it, smiling. Ryuuki's lips parted soundlessly as sky-bright eyes captured and held him while Seien stripped off his clothes, not really hurrying about it. Ryuuki's mouth was dry; the tiny quirk of his brother's lips made his stomach do strange things. He reached out as Seien slid back onto the bed, wanting to follow the sweep of all that sleek, powerful muscle with his fingers. Seien gathered him back up, and this time his kiss turned Ryuuki's bones to water. Ryuuki was perfectly happy to melt against Seien's chest, now bare and warm, and let his brother take his mouth, one slow, wet kiss at a time.

"You're warm," Seien murmured to him. Ryuuki made an agreeing sound against Seien's lips and then a more breathless one as Seien's fingers slid down his back, under the robe still draped off Ryuuki's arms, and between his cheeks. His brother's lips curved.

"Oh... Seien-aniue..." Ryuuki let his head fall to Seien's shoulder, panting softly against his brother's neck as Seien's fingers stroked him slow and gentle. It was really going to happen; Seien-aniue was really going to let him be this close.

"Ryuuki?" Seien's tongue slid over Ryuuki's ear making him shiver. "We need something..."

It took Ryuuki a few moments to gather his wits enough to point at one of the tiny alcoves behind the bed curtains. "The blue jar."

Seien's fingers pressed into him, slick and slow, and his breath turned into gasps; he was glad for the solidity of Seien's shoulders under his hands, because he needed something to hold onto while his body stretched hot and open. Seien touched him gently until Ryuuki was draped against him, panting.

"Ready?" Seien finally asked, voice low but somehow not soft.

Ryuuki looked up at his brother, flushed, hearing a layer of darkness in his brother's voice, deeper than he'd ever heard it while they were both children. This was Seien grown and fiercer, stronger—strong enough to hold and shelter even the Emperor, and that thought made his breath catch. Even he could hear the yearning in his voice when he whispered "Yes."

Seien drew him closer, until Ryuuki was pressed against him, legs spread over his lap. Ryuuki shivered a little as Seien's hands swept down his back, firm and slow, over his rear and down his thighs, pulling him closer still. It was exactly what he wanted. Seien's lips moved down Ryuuki's throat as his hands gripped Ryuuki's rear and tilted his hips up until Ryuuki laughed and had to clasp his hands behind Seien's neck to keep from falling backwards. The feeling of Seien's mouth curving against his skin made heat curl in Ryuuki's stomach.

"We could just lie down," he suggested, breathless.

"Mm. I want to hold you, though." Seien lifted his head to smile at Ryuuki, and Ryuuki softened helplessly in the warmth of it. In his brother's arms was definitely one of the best possible places to be.

Seien shifted against him and Ryuuki stopped thinking and just felt as Seien pushed into him, slow and hard, hard enough to leave him gasping as his brother slid inside.

"Aniue!"

Seien's hands moved up his back, strong and gentle, palms stroking and soothing. "All right?"

Ryuuki relaxed into the support of his brother's hands, moaning. "Oh yes. Aniue..." It was so good to feel Seien this close, so right to be held this gently, this powerfully. Seien rocked against him and Ryuuki let himself go into the heat of his brother moving inside him.

Threads of memory twined themselves around the rush of sensation as Seien took him, so slow and sure: the straight stillness of his brother, standing beside the water; the sudden brilliance of his smile and the quick, warm pleasure, in Ryuuki's chest, of having that smile shown to him—only to him; the way Seien's swift, fierce grace with a sword could set Ryuuki trembling; the sweetness of his brother's hand on his hair as he was folded into the safety of his brother's arms.

With that last memory, past and present met and ran into each other, and the feeling of Seien's fingers running through Ryuuki's hair made him cry out, body drawing taut in his brother's arms. Another thrust, strong and deep, and pleasure spilled over. Shudders of heat raked through Ryuuki's body, and the low, rough sound of his brother's voice, calling his name, made him so breathless with the joy of it all that he had to laugh.

The strength of Seien's arms, drawing him in tighter, and the force of Seien's last thrusts, were soothing. He was safe and cared for and held by the one person he knew loved him. He could relax.

For a while they just leaned against each other, breathing deep and slow, and Ryuuki thought he might never stop smiling. When his brother finally laid him back down against the sheets, Seien was smiling too.

"Think you can sleep now?" Seien asked, petting back Ryuuki's hair.

"Yes." The bubble of happiness in Ryuuki's chest made him feel warm and peaceful. He reached up to touch Seien's cheek. "Will you stay with me?" he begged.

Seien sighed, but he was still smiling as he placed a soft kiss on Ryuuki's forehead. "Yes. I'll stay the night." He settled down beside Ryuuki and tucked him snuggly into the curve of Seien's body. "Sleep, Ryuuki."

Ryuuki obediently closed his eyes. "Yes, Aniue."

Tonight, he was sure, his dreams would be good.

End

Comfort

Seiran helps Ryuuki relax from his responsibilities. Written for Porn Battle, with the prompt: Seiran/Ryuuki, Domination/submission, “If things had gone as they should…if Seien had been my Lord…” (Yes, it's rather circular for me to write it; oh well.) Porn with Characterization, I-4, D/s

Notes: Contains consensual sibling incest.

By late afternoon, Ryuuki was drooping over his work. "Is it very bad of me to wish that Aniue had become Emperor instead of me?" he asked, mournfully.

Seiran looked up from the tea he had brought, laughing softly. "It isn't bad of you." He tilted his head, hands stilling as he regarded Ryuuki thoughtfully. "Do you need to take a break?"

Ryuuki made a wistful noise and Seiran smiled. "Very well, then." He set aside the tea set and settled comfortably on the raised seat under the windows. Ryuuki's eyes widened a little as his brother's whole bearing changed, turning straight and open and confident, the way it had been years ago.

"Come here, Ryuuki." Seiran held his hand out, and the command in his voice made Ryuuki's breath catch. He came, obediently, and laid his hand in his brother's, kneeling on the seat beside him. Seiran smiled, slow and pleased, and pulled, and Ryuuki gasped as he was tumbled down into Seiran's lap in a dishevelled sprawl.

"Aniue..."

"Stay right there," Seiran said softly, in his ear.

Ryuuki shivered and did as he was told, leaning against Seiran's chest with his robe falling open over his parted legs. A moan caught in his throat as Seiran's fingers slid over his bared thighs, stroking them further apart. He panted for breath, leaning his head on his brother's shoulder as Seiran's hands pulled his robes further open, baring more of him to be touched by sunlight and his brother. This was the way it should be. "If things had been the way they should," he whispered, "I would have served you. Obeyed you always."

Seiran's lips curved, against Ryuuki's throat. "You obey me now, little brother."

Ryuuki moaned again as Seiran's hand closed on his cock, strong and knowing. It was the middle of the day and this was his outer room. Anyone might come and see him, spread out and disordered over Seiran's lap and being fondled so openly. But Seiran's order held him where he was as Seiran's hand worked between his legs and heat curled through him.

And that was as it should be. For a little while, they could set the world right again.

Seien ruled him absolutely, and always would, and that was just the way Ryuuki liked it.

End

If Only

Seiran can't really help giving Ryuuki anything he needs. Second fic written for Porn Battle, with the prompt: Seiran/Ryuuki, Domination/submission, “If things had gone as they should…if Seien had been my Lord…” Porn with Fluff, I-4, D/s

Notes: Contains consensual sibling incest.

"Ryuuki? You shouldn't be out here in nothing but a sleeping robe."

Ryuuki looked up from watching the dark water over the rail of the pavilion and had to smile. Seiran wasn't wearing any more than he was. "Doesn't that go for you, too?"

"I only came looking for you, not to stand out, contemplating the reflection of the moon." Seiran came to stand beside him, winding a warm arm around him.

"I just couldn't sleep," Ryuuki murmured, leaning into his brother. "Do you ever think... what if everything had gone like it should?"

For a long moment there was no answer; when it came it made Ryuuki shiver because the voice beside him was Seien's, sure and firm, the voice of a leader. "You rule well. Don't doubt that."

Ryuuki ducked his head. "I don't." At least not too often. "I just..." He turned, resting his hands against Seiran's chest, head bowed. "I wish I could have seen you rule. Served you as my Emperor." Demonstrated, every day, what his brother meant to him.

"Ryuuki." Seiran's voice was husky in the silvery dark. Intimate, and Ryuuki flushed a little to think that. He looked up with wide eyes as Seiran's arm tightened around him, pulling him close.

"Aniue..."

Seiran's hand cupped his cheek, thumb brushing over Ryuuki's lips. "Be still."

A shiver of heat ran down Ryuuki's spine and he swallowed, silent, as his brother ordered. He couldn't help a small, breathless moan, though, as Seiran tipped his chin up and took thorough possession of his mouth. He could see Seiran was smiling as he drew back.

"Turn around."

A swift shudder ran through Ryuuki as he did, and found himself caught between a pillar of the pavilion and the breadth of Seiran's chest against his back. Another shook him harder as Seiran's hands moved slowly over his body, loosening his robe, sliding down his stomach to take him firmly in hand.

"Perhaps you can see enough, this way, to satisfy you," Seiran purred against Ryuuki's bare shoulder, gathering Ryuuki's robe up over his hips.

Ryuuki moaned, clinging to the pillar for support at the feeling of Seiran's cock sliding between his cheeks. He made a wordless, entreating sound, flushed in the darkness.

"Stay there," Seiran commanded softly, stepping away toward the benches and the table with it's unlit lamp. Ryuuki did as his brother said, breathless and heated as he stood exposed to the night breeze and his brother's pleasure. And then Seiran was pressing against his back again, hands closing on Ryuuki's hips, and his cock was pushing into Ryuuki, slick and hard and relentless.

Ryuuki moaned, unable to catch his breath as Seiran thrust into him again and again, strong hands holding Ryuuki still for it. The warmth of his brother's body, caging him against the pillar, the coolness of the breeze on his bare skin, the heat of Seiran's cock stretching him open and filling him over and over, they all twined together into pleasure that wrung him out mercilessly and left him panting. He made soft, pleading sounds as Seiran drove him up against the pillar harder, tiny shocks of heat still dancing down his nerves.

Seiran groaned against Ryuuki's shoulder, his last thrusts so hard they made Ryuuki's breath catch. Even once he stilled, he held Ryuuki in place, hands stroking over him. "Sometimes," he murmured at last, "I wish this could be all there was. Just you and me."

"Yes," Ryuuki whispered, husky and wanting.

Seiran's arms closed around him, drawing him back snugly into the shelter of his brother's chest. "Since we can't have this all the time, remember that we can have it some of the time." He turned Ryuuki to face him and kissed him, slow and deep.

Ryuuki leaned into it, mouth open and soft under his brother's. "Yes, Aniue."

End

Deeper than Love

Ryuuki is still pining for Shuurei and Ensei talks sense to him. In the wake of this, Seiran makes his final choice of loyalty. Drama with Fluff, I-3

Friendship

The evening was lovely, out in the pavilions by the water. Clear and warm, a perfect evening for drinking.

Ensei felt very in need of the drink.

"Of course she loves you." He leaned back on the pavilion bench and passed the sake bottle back over to his Emperor. "Thing is... you're asking her to not love all of you."

"Huh?" Ryuuki blinked eyes that were a little redder than the alcohol could account for at him and Ensei sighed. He wished Seiran would hurry up and get back from Kou province. This was a big brother's job, wasn't it?

"Look," he said, lacing his hands around one knee, "you want her to see you as just Ryuuki, right? Not as the Emperor at all?"

Ryuuki nodded vigorously and Ensei snagged the bottle back for another swig.

"But the fact is, you are the Emperor. So 'just Ryuuki'... well, that isn't all of you, is it? Do you really want her to just love part of you?"

"Well, no, but..." Ryuuki chewed his lip.

"Besides, this is Shuurei we're talking about," Ensei pressed on. "Would you want her to forget everything outside the Inner Courts? Would you want her to never talk to you about policy and which bureaus are doing what, and what she thinks you should do about the great families?"

Ryuuki shook his head even more vigorously than he'd nodded, hair swishing wildly. "No, no! That's what makes her so wonderful! The things she sees and thinks about and how determined she is and all the good things she dreams to do and—"

"And," Ensei cut in firmly, "those are all the things that remind her you're the Emperor." And the things that made her Shuurei, and it would be a crime to take those away, in his informed opinion.

Ryuuki looked stricken, and Ensei winced. Okay, maybe it was a good thing Seiran wasn't back yet, to throw him into the lake for making Ryuuki look like that, no matter how good the cause. More gently, he added, "If those are all the things that make you love her, then you don't really want her to stop being and doing all of them, right?"

"Oh." Ryuuki's voice was a whisper, and his hair hid his face when he lowered his head.

Ensei sighed. He really hated to do this, but better him than Shuurei, who, he would bet all his fancy certifications, wouldn't be able to lay it out plainly enough, and then the two silly children would just go dancing around the whole mess again. "Come on." He tucked the bottle away, pretty sure he'd want it again later, and pulled his Emperor's arm over his shoulders, steering him back toward his bedroom. "Time to sleep. Sleep will make you feel better."

He hoped he wasn't lying.

Ryuuki stumbled along beside him, and Ensei barely caught the whisper, "Not her. Then who?"

He pressed his lips together tight. He really, really hoped Seiran got back soon.

Blood

Seiran didn't like leaving the court, these days. Things always seemed to get cluttered and messy in his absence, and then he had to spend days on end cleaning them up.

This time, though, he didn't think he'd be able to fix things just by throwing Ensei in the lake or looming over Shuurei's newest suitor until he was suitably intimidated. Not that he didn't dunk Ensei anyway on general principles, once he heard the story.

After the third time Ryuuki insisted, with a painful smile, that everything was fine, Seiran decided it was time for drastic measures and went to find that old goat Shou.

The old goat gave him a surprised look. "And what business could a guardsman have with me?"

"Don't give me that nonsense," Seiran rapped out, staring straight ahead as they paced down the breezeway. "Tell me. Is Ryuuki secure enough on the throne for my identity to be known?"

Shou's eyes sharpened. "Hm." After several long moments he said, "You would make yourself the target of intrigue. But for those who suspect, you are that already. I think it would have no worse effect than your observed behavior toward the Emperor has already led to."

Seiran stifled a snarl at that not very veiled accusation of carelessness. "You already have your assurance, then, that I have only my brother's good in mind," he returned, instead, coolly.

Shou had the nerve to smirk. "Indeed."

One of these days, Seiran swore, he was going to strangle the manipulative old goat. "Prepare for it then," he ordered and turned abruptly aside, making for Ryuuki's office.

Seiran stood outside the doors of the audience hall and listened to the faint murmurs from within as the nobles and officials whispered to each other. It was a typical Court, so far, decrees and trifles of acclaim for this or that service, and only those most involved paid attention.

That was about to change.

Ryuuki's voice rose again. "Last, We summon Seiran of the Guard to come before Us."

Seiran allowed himself a grim smile at the inquiring hitch to the murmurs, before smoothing his expression and stepping inside. Silence spread out behind him as he made his way to the foot of the Imperial dais, where Ryuuki stood, with measured steps. Today he did not wear the armor of the Guard. His armor today was chased and enameled.

The colors were purple.

Passing the last rank of courtiers, he allowed himself a tiny encouraging smile up at Ryuuki before kneeling, just enough to get them both through this, and was relieved. The gold threads of the Imperial finery winked faintly, as if Ryuuki trembled, but his eyes were steady.

"We would have it known," Ryuuki announced into the silence, voice clear and ringing, "that the one known as Shi Seiran, of the Guard, is also Shi Seien, Our brother. We are pleased to welcome him home, to stand at Our side."

As Seiran raised his head, Ryuuki held out his hands, offering, summoning, and Seiran had to swallow back a catch in his throat as he rose and climbed the stairs. He knelt again, smiling up at Ryuuki, and took his hands.

"It is my honor to stand at your side, my Emperor," he declared in just the same carrying voice they had both been taught for official occasions. "It is my honor to serve you."

Ryuuki nodded and stepped back to resume his throne, and Seiran stood and turned, taking his place beside and behind the throne, planned and smooth. They stood, looking out over the Court as whispers rose again, a united icon.

All this, Seiran reflected to himself, only to prepare for his real goal.

He stood calm and stoic through the end of court, joined the little cavalcade of Emperor and advisors as Ryuuki left, and let the courtiers look their fill. When the gossip about the brilliant second prince revived, he wanted it to run straight into this image, of him armed and armored and not in any formal robes, guarding his younger brother's back.

Let them remember that.

He wasn't really accustomed to this game anymore, though, and sighed with relief as he pulled the door of Ryuuki's office shut behind them all. Ryuuki looked around at that, and Seiran's heart squeezed at the fragile hope in Ryuuki's face, the hesitant, silent way his lips formed the word, "Aniue."

"Ryuuki." Seiran smiled and held out his arms, bracing himself to catch his brother as Ryuuki positively dove into them. "Ryuuki," he repeated, softly, cradling his brother close and protective, savoring the fierce rightness of it.

"Aniue." It was out loud, this time, shaking like Ryuuki's whole body was.

"I'm here," Seiran soothed, petting his brother's hair. He lifted his eyes for a moment to check on Ryuuki's advisors; if they couldn't accept this, there would be trouble. Shuuei looked amused, which Seiran supposed he might have expected, and Kouyuu looked a little uncomfortable and a little envious, but his smile was soft. That would do. Seiran gave Shuuei a cold, warning look, and Shuuei stopped looking amused and looked rueful instead, possibly remembering the expression from his visits to Shuurei. That would do also. Seiran turned his attention back to his brother and murmured against his bright hair, "I'm proud of you."

Ryuuki looked up, flushed and happy, eyes bright. "Aniue." Seiran smiled and kissed his forehead gently, and wiped Ryuuki's face with the end of his sash, the way he used to do, which made Ryuuki laugh.

"I'll always be here," Seiran told his brother. "Now. There's work to do, yes?"

"Mm." Ryuuki nodded, smiling, and turned willingly enough to his desk.

Seiran settled by the door, watching as the day's work picked up, waiting to see how he should fit himself into it. Ensei was right, he reflected, he had made his choice and, in the end, it was not for Shuurei.

Seeing his brother smile properly again, he didn't regret it.

End

A Brighter Shade of Red

Crossover of Saiunkoku Monogatari and Fushigi Yuugi. Shuurei has a friend and advisor who is apart from the capital's politics; Yui has a place for her abilities and a lover who reminds her of them. Drama with Romance and Porn, I-4

Yui curled up on the bed, one hand propping up her head, and watched Shuurei pace the room, sleeping robe fluttering around her ankles.

"And then! And then! He said we couldn't do anything about Haruki, even if he is taking bribes, because he has a patron from the Heki clan, and I should know that the Heki are going to be the deciding voice in the land redistribution this year!" Her brown eyes snapped like sparks; Yui felt she might warm her hands at that fire of Shuurei's, melt the ice out of her bones, where it had settled years ago.

In any case, she could help feed it. She pursed her lips, paging, in her mind, through the scrolls she had read—she'd thought at first just to have something to do. "Well, you know I haven't gotten through as much of your historical law as I'd like, so there may be a contradictory precedent I don't know about..."

Shuurei turned to her with wide, hopeful eyes, and Yui chuckled.

"The Heki own a lot of land rights outside their province, yes, but isn't it all subsoil rights? If another block were to buy up the topsoil leases, then that would take effective control of the land away from the Heki, wouldn't it? I'm sure I read about this just a little while ago."

Shuurei stood still, clasped hands pressed against her lips, eyes suddenly wide. "Oh. Oh yes. And then it wouldn't matter how the redistribution went, because the usage rights would already be tied up. I wonder... if the Emperor could regain control of that land this way it would pull more power back from the great families... " She nodded decisively. "I'll write to Uncle, tomorrow, about supporting that."

"Always thinking about the bigger picture." Yui smiled at her. "That's why you're a politician and I'm not." Actually, the political tangles here still made Yui's head spin sometimes.

Shuurei snorted at this, impatient as always with anything that sniffed of self-deprecation. "Just one of the best law scholars in the capital. Even if almost no one but me knows it yet." Shuurei picked up her discarded hairbrush to finish brushing out her hair.

Yui shrugged, smiling. "I always thought I might want to go into law, when I was younger. I like having the chance to do it, now."

Shuurei looked over her shoulder, gentle now. "Maybe that's why you came here."

Yui turned over on her back, looking up at the ceiling. "Maybe. Who knows." Her mouth quirked. "Besides, possibly, Riou." Who she tried to stay away from. She dealt with mysticism even worse than politics, these days.

Shuurei sighed, running her fingers through her loose hair. "Riou came to talk to me again yesterday. He thinks I'll stop caring for politics and such 'little things' sooner or later." She sat down on the edge of the bed with a glum sigh. "Probably sooner, according to him."

"I think he's dreaming," Yui said dryly. "I'm grateful enough he placed me with you, when I first came here, but honestly. I can't imagine you ever not caring about this." More softly, "About your people." It was one of the things that fascinated her enough to stay here with Shuurei—her care, her idealism and ruthlessness, each passing effortlessly through her hands in its time, like juggled balls.

Shuurei tangled her fingers together. "I can't either," she said to them, "but... I'm..."

Yui silently cursed Riou for stirring up Shuurei's doubts again. She reached out and pulled Shuurei down to her. "Shhh. Whatever your mother was, you're you." She kissed Shuurei softly and smiled. "See?"

Shuurei laughed, finally relaxing, winding her arms around Yui. "I'm so glad you came," she said, muffled, against Yui's shoulder.

"I think I am, too," Yui whispered into the darkness of her hair.

Shuurei leaned up on an elbow, eyes wide with mock alarm and sparkling. "You think? That won't do at all!" She pressed closer against Yui and kissed her back, considerably more sensually, open and unselfconscious.

Yui made a soft sound, lips parting, hands sliding down the full curves of Shuurei's body under the robe. "Going to convince me to be more enthusiastic?" she asked, husky.

Shuurei, who was always at her best with a challenge, downright grinned, hands busy with the tie of Yui's sleeping robe. "I think so, yes."

Yui laughed. Having met Kochou she didn't wonder any more at Shuurei's boldness and humor about this. And then she moaned softly as Shuurei's hands stroked over her skin.

She had never told Shuurei, and she never would, that whatever Shuurei's heritage was, it did change her. Her hands reminded Yui a little, just a little, of being touched by a god, a glow of rightness and presence that wasn't physical but still heated Yui's body.

Just enough to calm Yui's lingering hunger and let her feel this world properly.

"Ahh..." Yui's breath deepened and she arched up into the wet heat of Shuurei's mouth on her breast. "Very convincing," she gasped.

"Mm?" Shuurei's tongue stroked her nipple. "And this?" Slim fingers slid down between Yui's legs, touching her gently.

Yui was losing track of the game in the pleasure, but managed to whisper, "Very glad to be here," before the sweetness curling down her nerves distracted her entirely. She spread her legs wider, lifting up into the touch, and Shuurei kissed her, murmuring soothing half words, fingers rubbing slow and easy, coaxing and gentle, the way she'd always touched Yui from the first moment they'd met and Shuurei had gathered up her hands in welcome.

Shuurei's fingers dipped into her and slid back up, bold and slick, and Yui gasped, hips rocking up. She loved Shuurei's ease with their bodies. It sank her down into the heat, into a feeling of safety as Shuurei's familiar, mortal and human curves pressed against her and dark hair slipped down to brush her cheek like another caress. "Shuurei," she breathed, arms tightening around her as pleasure curled tighter and tighter and finally broke through her, hot and strong and open.

Shuurei held her close until she sighed and relaxed back against the sheets. Yui nuzzled the curve of Shuurei's neck and murmured, "You know I'll stay with you." She hadn't missed the tiny flicker of darkness in Shuurei's eyes before teasing covered it.

Shuurei blushed a little, soft and happy, and snuggled up against her. "I know. It's wonderful; thank you."

"Mm, thank you," Yui returned, and they laughed together, light and breathless.

Sometimes, when Yui ran her fingers through Shuurei's sleek, dark hair, she remembered Miaka leaning against her, Miaka's hands reaching toward her. But when Shuurei smiled, warm as the sun and twice as brilliant, dragons and gods and the dimmed day-to-day world that came after washed out of Yui's mind, and she, too, was very glad she had come to this place. A place where the eyes of the person who touched her saw beauty and wisdom, not fragments and foolishness. It made her think she might become what Shuurei saw.

She held Shuurei closer and murmured against her ear, "Do I get a bedtime story tonight?"

"Of course." Shuurei hooked a leg comfortably around Yui's. "What do you want to hear about?"

"Tell me more about the Chancellery..."

End

A/N: The author would like to note that this story is entirely the fault of Lys ap Adin, fic enabler extraorinaire.