Warnings: Lemon (or extremely heavy Citrus, depending on your point of view) of the Yaoi variety. Oh yeah, and Sap. Lots and lots of Sap.

Disclaimer: I do not own Fushigi Yuugi or Tasuki or Chichiri. I do not own the song "I Burn For You" included below…that's by Sting. However, if any of the above bishies are interested (especially the three-dimensional one), he can email me at sailrneptune@hotmail.com.

AN: This should be a songfic, except my one attempt at a songfic was a miserable failure. Not only that but: 1) the song itself is written about a woman, 2) it really needs the music to get the mood across, and 3) it's pretty obscure so I doubt many people have heard it. Anyway, I figured I'd be better off just including the lyrics at the end for the interested. If you're not, go ahead and skip 'em.

Again, Chichiri's mostly left the 'no da' out of his speech - he's pretty serious through most of this.

Finally, this is a blanketfic…it's not exactly filled with plot twists or anything new or creative or different. It's also a lot longer than I originally intended, but I'd rather keep it whole than break it up…gomen! Anyway, thanks for wading through this stuff…I hope you find the fic pretty.

Solace

by Xellas M.

Tasuki lay on his side, wide awake and watching restless waves curl endlessly, glossy black rising and falling in wild rhythm under the dark velvet sky. The stars shone exceptionally brightly under the new moon and for the first time the restive seishi wished he had let Chiriko teach him to find all of the constellations that he and his friends represented. Had represented. Now there was only his own and one other and that one was the reason for his sleeplessness.

Although the fire seishi hated and feared water, he was grateful for it's presence nearby. This way he could pretend that the turmoil that kept him awake had everything to do with the ocean and nothing at all to do with the man lying behind him.

The Wing seishi had not moved for hours, he did not dare. The problem he was trying so hard not to think about was too close; he simply could not trust himself. Constantly being around the older man in the daytime was hard enough. Harder still was that tonight the pair had been forced to share their blankets as protection from the cooling sand of this godforsaken beach. A fire would have taken care of the problem, but not so much as a single stick of firewood lay anywhere in sight. Chichiri had curled up on his side and dropped off to sleep immediately, his back barely a few inches from Tasuki's. The mage slept peacefully, completely unaware that this had left his only friend awake and hurting.

Things hadn't always been this difficult. The pair had been traveling together for the three years since their trip to the Miko's world and although Tasuki had realized very early on the nature of his feelings for his companion, he had been content to simply enjoy the cheerful seishi's soothing presence. The redhead occasionally enjoyed vivid fantasies of what it would be like to have his feelings returned, but he generally preferred to spend most of his time in the real world. He had never seen the point in wasting time or energy thinking about things that did not call for direct action and the monk's oath of chastity made direct action dishonorable - even for an ex-bandit. He had accepted the way things were and convinced himself that he was happy with what he had.

* * * * *

That illusion had been shattered only one week before. The pair were staying overnight in a town for once and had taken separate rooms, the privacy meant to be a rare and special treat. Dusk found them together anyway, settled comfortably in Chichiri's room and chatting animatedly. Tasuki had begun by reminiscing about his old life as a bandit leader, which had led to several stories of his and Kouji's sexual conquests. After one particularly lewd tale, he had finally noticed that his friend was blushing so badly that even the paper mask was turning pink. The ex-bandit broke off his monologue with a very sheepish apology.

"Fuck, I'm sorry Chiri, I shoulda known better than ta tell that story to a monk."

Something almost imperceptible darkened behind the mage's smiling mask. "What does my being a monk have to do with it no da?" Tasuki recognized that overly bright tone of voice as the natural warning signal before one of Chichiri's very rare displays of temper.

"Um, well, it's not like ya can really relate, right?" Tasuki had responded, honestly intending to restore the peace but betrayed by the edge prolonged frustration and denial slipped into his tone. The storm broke.

The monk removed his mask to glare at his friend. "So I'm not human? Is that what you think? That because I am a monk I don't know what it is like to want someone?"

The fire seishi struggled to come up with a good reply. After all, it wasn't the older man's fault he was the most beautiful creature Tasuki had ever seen. He really hadn't meant to set Chichiri off like that and the conversation was taking a very dangerous turn. "But, Chiri, ya can't - I mean, I met a monk once when I was young an' I asked him what bein' a monk was about an' he said 'Poverty, chastity and obedience'. So I know ya aren't supposed ta sleep with anyone."

The redhead was relieved to see the anger suddenly drain from his friend even as his single eye widened in surprise.. "I thought Nuriko would have told you, she must not have had a chance before… Taiitskun told me that Suzaku rejected my vow of chastity. She would not tell me why, but there has to be a reason. So not only do I have those feelings but logic says that someday I will…" Here the monk's voice failed him. He looked down and was silent.

It was Tasuki's turn to stare in shock. When the monk finally looked up and their gazes collided, the younger man knew his tendency to speak without thinking was about to get him in serious trouble. Deciding discretion was the better part of valor in this case, he left as quickly as he could. He broke the uncomfortable silence, swallowing visibly and blurting out rapidly "Shit, I'm sorry, Chiri. I didn't know. I'm probably botherin' ya here anyways. Goodnight!"

Tasuki was already out the door when his sharp ears caught Chichiri's soft whisper, "Now I know how Hikou must have felt."

The statement didn't make sense to the younger man, so he concluded that he must have heard incorrectly.

* * * * *

Ever since that night life had become hell for Tasuki. It was one thing to want someone that was completely out of reach; it was another thing entirely to know that one day someone else would hold Chichiri, kiss him, touch him, be filled by him. The redhead tried very hard not to think about it but couldn't make himself stop.

What was worse, it had started to seem like the monk was teasing him on purpose. The blue-haired man hadn't worn his mask at all, not even once, since they had left that little town. Then, two or three days into their trip, a small book had fallen from the monk's pack which Tasuki immediately recognized through long association as extremely suggestive literature - complete with pictures. To top it all off, the blue-haired man appeared to be taking every opportunity available to touch the frustrated seishi. They were only simple, friendly gestures, nothing that crossed the line, but it had still managed to keep the younger man in a continuous state of sexual arousal and dissatisfaction. It was unbearable.

After all, as much as Tasuki wanted to believe that he had a chance, he had never seen any indication in all the time they had spent together that the blue-haired mage liked men in general or ex-bandits in particular. The fire seishi had to constantly remind himself that whatever Suzaku's plans for his friend were, they almost certainly did not include a lovesick ex-thief.

More probably, the God of Fire and Love was planning to return the monk's dead fiancé. If Kouran had been reborn right away, she would be of marriageable age in another ten or fifteen years. Chichiri would meet her, fall in love and be blissfully happy and Tasuki would have to pretend to be happy for them.

Sitting up abruptly and shaking his head in a futile attempt to deny his thoughts, the fire seishi found himself staring down at his sleeping friend. The planes and angles of the older man's face were brought into sharp contrast by the cold magical light Chichiri had created against the fireless night. The mage looked peaceful in his sleep, completely relaxed and lips curved in a gentle smile that the monk never wore when he was awake. The redhead was always fascinated by that particular expression; it made him wonder how those lips would taste.

The Wing seishi could not tear his eyes away from his friend's soft smile, so he closed them tightly. It didn't help: Chichiri was too close. Tasuki could still hear the other man's light breathing, could even faintly smell the sandalwood incense the monk often burned while praying. It was worse than looking had been. Images flickered through the younger man's mind and his heart began to pound, trying to pump blood that was rapidly becoming liquid fire, the rhythmic sound louder in his ears than the sea. He felt that if this continued any longer he might die. He had to do something, so he opened his eyes once more only to be confronted again with that beautiful, maddening, tempting smile.

Tasuki's mind began slowly shutting down, his entire being held in thrall. He had once been a bandit, why couldn't he steal just one small kiss? He was hurting; those lips could make it better, would make everything better. His body moved for him, sat up and placed an arm on the other side of his companion, then began leaning in closer, so close…too close.

He stopped himself just in time, barely an inch or two above his sleeping friend. It would be wrong like this, he realized. Chichiri had to be awake to be kissed and the fire seishi could not wake him. The knowledge of almost certain rejection was enough to hold his trembling body still, unable to move closer, but equally unable to back away. Trapped, Tasuki began praying that his friend would wake up on his own. The redhead silently swore a promise to Suzaku that if only the mage would open his beautiful eye, he would close the distance between them and would do his best to keep the monk happy for the rest of his life. The fire seishi swore he would do anything, even if that meant watching his love marry another or worse, leaving. It was the hope he couldn't seem to bury that was killing him and he would be better off without it.

Somewhere, wherever his rational mind hid at times like this, it began whispering insistently, telling him that he was only playing games with himself. Chichiri was not going to wake up, nothing was going to change and the onetime bandit was just going to have to find a way to live with things the way they really were. That part gradually began to win and he started to move away.

Then it happened. A single mahogany eye fluttered open and an unfocused gaze locked with intense amber. Tasuki shivered. It was impossible, but he felt that the calm presence of his friend had answered him, had heard him crying soundlessly and had answered.

Tasuki moved very slowly, carefully. He leaned in closer and gently moved a few stray strands of sky blue hair from a pale cheek. The mage's body shifted in response until he was lying on his back looking up at the younger man. The Wing seishi closed the remaining distance between them and gently brushed his lips against his friend's in the faintest suggestion of an embrace once, then twice, before finally allowing himself to linger in the coolness of the mage's kiss for a few short moments.

Then Tasuki pulled away, heart pounding and face serious, waiting for his friend's rejection. Instead, Chichiri's eye fluttered shut as the monk sighed and murmured softly in resignation, "Just another dream."

The fire seishi replied in wonder, his voice equally hushed. "You dream about me?"

"Even when I'm awake."

Tasuki was overwhelmed, his hopes had been nothing compared to those words. Before he could recover, Chichiri's arm snaked around the younger man's neck, palm settling lightly on the back of the other's head, elegant fingers entwining with soft red hair. That slight smile reappeared on the monk's face as he whispered apologetically "I shouldn't complain no da. Dreams can be wonderful too." With those words he gently guided the redhead's lips back to his own.

The kiss Chichiri then gave Tasuki was full, passionate and delicate at the same time. It was everything the younger man loved about Chichiri all at once. It was taste and touch and feeling all complete and filled the entire world. This was perfection, paradise, and the fire seishi lost himself in it completely.

Tasuki was jolted back to earth abruptly when his partner pushed him back suddenly, roughly.

"This is real." The mage's tone was accusing, although his anger did not appear to be directed at his friend. The monk didn't wait for an answer, just closed his eye in pain. "What have I done? I'm so sorry, I won't do it again, please don't go. Don't leave me." Chichiri began shaking as he said this, panic stricken.

The last thing in the world the ex-bandit wanted was for the mage to feel badly about that kiss. It had been the most beautiful experience in the younger man's entire life. He was just so used to depending on his friend's strength that he had forgotten that the monk was just as capable of being hurt as anyone else. The redhead realized that he had been so wrapped up in self-pity, so convinced his friend wouldn't be interested, that he had never allowed himself to consider the alternative and had acted without thinking.

Tasuki knew that he belonged to Chichiri, that he always had, and now that he knew his feelings were returned he refused to let either of them suffer ever again.

"Sssshhh. Chiri, it's alright. Hell, I started it…I thought you were awake. I'll never leave ya, I promise." The ex-bandit proved his point by kissing his partner lightly, quickly.

The mage sighed when Tasuki released him. "You really want me?" he asked, uncertainty and hope mingled in his voice. The ex-bandit knew his friend well enough to understand that being allowed to see those emotions was the greatest gift of trust imaginable.

Words failing him, the redhead allowed the weight of his lower body to rest gently onto his partner, intending to show the monk physically just how much he was wanted. What the fire seishi did not expect, however, was that he would lower his own erection right against Chichiri's. It felt delicious. Tasuki began rubbing himself against his partner, reveling in the sensual reality, the proof that finally would release him from the desire that had been slowly turning his own fire against him.

The monk's arms wrapped around the redhead and pulled him closer. They kissed, all restraint gone, stripped of everything that had kept them apart. There was nothing neat or quiet between them now. Teeth bumped almost unnoticed in their efforts to deepen the kiss past the level of physical possibility, passionate groans issued from restricted throats. Their lower bodies moved against each other roughly, desperately trying to fuck each other through the barrier of their clothing.

Almost as one they realized that they would have to separate to continue, to achieve completion. Tasuki pulled away reluctantly and began getting undressed. When he was nearly finished, he looked up and saw Chichiri watching him intently, already naked and visibly wanting. The blue-haired man was gorgeous. That soft smile had returned to his face and for the first time the fire seishi truly understood it's meaning, that it was all for him. This insight dazed the younger man, slowed his movements until, with a small noise of frustration, the monk finished the job himself by knocking the ex-bandit onto his back and practically ripping off his pants.

The monk began to touch the younger man, stroking his arms, chest and stomach, watching the redhead's face intently the entire time, caresses returning to the areas that had brought the best reaction and intensifying. Blue bangs, still managing somehow to stand upright, brushed Tasuki's cheek as the older man brought his lips to within an inch of his partner's exposed neck and blew lightly, then kissed the cooled area. When the mage's lips began to travel downward and he began nipping at the spot just above the redhead's navel, Tasuki began shifting his legs, his hips moving upward involuntarily.

He wanted to touch Chichiri, wanted to explore the other man's body as intently as his own was being explored, wanted to feel more of that glorious, warm, naked skin against his own. He reached down and stroked the monk's shoulders, then tilted the blue-haired man's face up, forcing the older man to leave off for a second until their passion clouded gazes met. The redhead tried to pull Chichiri back up to meet his lips, but with a wicked grin, the older man refused. Instead, he moved even lower, out of Tasuki's reach, and ran his tongue slowly up the inside of the younger man's thigh, effectively putting an end to any further resistance.

Tasuki's head fell back until he was staring right at his friend's constellation, but he saw nothing. A tiny portion of his mind was wondering where Chichiri would have ever learned to do things like that with his tongue. Was the man just a natural born tease? Even those thoughts were stymied when the mage skipped over his aching hardness and instead began licking his sacs, each light stroke increasing the already senseless redhead's desire. The mage's tongue moved downward, his head resting gently between thighs that shifted open of their own accord to accommodate him, never stopping the sweet torture. Tasuki knew he was crying out, but his own pulse stopped the sound before it could reach his ears. The invading tongue prodded at his opening, circled it and plunged in.

The redhead's eyes flew fully open and he began pleading, phrases coming in short, staccato bursts, "Please, Chichiri. Gods… Please…"

Finally his lover took pity on him, pulling away long enough to moisten a finger, then taking the head of Tasuki's cock in his mouth even as the finger sought his entrance. The redhead cried out sharply as he was engulfed and invaded simultaneously. In sweet and perfect rhythm, the older man made love to the man beneath him with hands and mouth.

The teasing had gone on too long, months of pent up frustration wouldn't be denied. It was over quickly. The fire seishi tensed, an exclamation of warning issuing from his lips as he was consumed by ecstasy, finally achieving the release he had needed so desperately. He saw and felt Chichiri swallowing eagerly, image and sensation searing into the redhead's memory, experience so much more intense than any fantasy.

Slowly Tasuki came back to himself, body and mind in a state of utter bliss. He thought he wanted nothing more than to sleep forever, until he felt the mage's lips on his again and on tasting himself, realized that the best part was still to come. He was finally free to touch Chichiri as much as he wanted.

The fire seishi wasted no time. He began devouring his lover's mouth, rolling them over until the smaller man was beneath him once more. His hands fervently explored the slender body he had watched for so long. When a casual brush against one of the mage's nipples made the older man gasp and deepened the flush that was working through the pale skin, Tasuki was quick to focus his attentions on that area. He pulled, licked and nipped at each of the hardened pieces of flesh until the sight of the blue-haired man lost in passion overwhelmed the redhead's self-control. The younger man reached down and grasped his partner's erection. Stroking firmly, he considered his options.

Much as he wanted to straddle his partner and feel the older man inside his body, the redhead knew that unprepared for this as they were neither of them would enjoy it. Undeterred, the Wing seishi chose the closest thing. Without warning, he dropped his head from his partner's chest, relaxed his throat and swallowed Chichiri's length completely. Slowly, the redhead moved up, releasing his prize inch by inch until he had reached the head. He paused for a moment to nibble the sensitive underside, then lap at the tiny opening at the top before plunging his head down again. He quickly settled into the fastest rhythm he could stand. He loved every second of it, the way his partner was moaning and squirming beneath him, the taste of the cock that was filling his throat completely and bringing tears to his eyes. With one hand the fire seishi held his lover's hips down, with the other he continued to stroke smooth pale flesh, occasionally reaching up to gently pull at a sensitized nipple. Eventually the redhead felt the monk tense beneath him and drew back, swallowing the reward of his efforts, finally finding true satisfaction.

For a long time neither spoke. Tasuki raised his head to nuzzle Chichiri's lips and face in silent gratitude for what they had shared. Eventually it was the monk who broke the comfortable silence.

"I love you." The words were simple, heartfelt.

For the first time in his life, Tasuki wept out of pure happiness. Chichiri seemed to understand; he simply held the redhead tightly until his trembling stopped. When the younger man finally looked up, the tears he saw in the single deep eye of his partner finally enabled him to find his voice. "Chiri, I love ya too. I always have."

There was nothing more to say. Chichiri quickly drifted off to sleep, curled up on his side as before, except now his head rested on Tasuki's chest. The taller seishi's arms wrapped around his blue-haired lover securely, love and warmth flowing freely between them.

The exhausted ex-bandit fought to stay awake and enjoy the moment. He looked out again over the raging sea and laughed, remembering how it had disturbed him earlier. It would take more than a little bit of water to scare him! He was the great Tasuki, ex-leader of the feared Mt. Reikaku bandits, one of Suzaku's Seven Celestial Warriors, and most importantly, the man who had captured Chichiri's heart. He would damn well burn the whole fucking ocean dry if it got in their way.

~Owari

* * * * *

"I Burn For You" - Music and Lyrics by StingReleased on the Brimstone and Treacle Soundtrack (great movie!) and Bring Home the Night Now that I have found youAnd the cool thought of your evening smileThe shade of your parasolAnd your love flows through meThough I drink at your poolI burn for you, I burn for You and I are loversWhen night time folds around our bedIn peace we sleep entwinedAnd your love flows through meThough an ocean soothes my headI burn for you, I burn for Stars will fall from dark skiesAs ancient rocks are turningQuiet fills the roomAnd your love flows through meThough I lie here so stillI burn for you, I burn for you

I burn...