Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ Restoration ❯ Coronation ( Chapter 12 )

"I don't know. Should I wear red or light pink honey?" Lee asked and Ryo stared at him. It was the dawn of the day of coronation and Lee was trying to figure out what he should wear. Ryo had been forced to get up early and he was still suffering the early morning grogginess. Ryo blinked his eyes a couple of times as Lee stood awaiting his answer.

"What the hell are you talking about?" Ryo asked as Lee held up a pair of lipstick containers. He stared at Lee with his mouth wide open as Lee waited patiently for his answer.

"Well?"

"You never cease to amaze me."

"I'm only asking for your opinion."

"Personally Lee, I don't care."

"You wouldn't. You care nothing about presentation."

"I've got other things to worry about than how I look."

"I'll go with pink. It'll go better with the teal."

"That stuff doesn't smear does it?"

Lee said nothing as he walked into the bathroom. He took the cap off of the lipstick and pursed his lips. Ryo walked into the bathroom and watched as Lee picked up some mascara. He shook his head and picked up a wire hairbrush. Lee glanced in his direction and grinned.

"You scare me," Ryo said as Lee set the lipstick on the counter.

"Why, baby?" Lee asked as he picked up a container of nail polish.

"You just do. Especially when you get like this."

"Are you insulting me?"

"I'm just saying you scare me. God that stuff smells. I hate the fact that I picked up human slang. I can't get it out of my vocabulary now."

"The smell isn't that bad. It's a nicer smell than some of the things you've been forced to breathe."

"Whatever. Where are my rings?"

"Which ones?"

"The ones for my tail."

"Right there. I still don't know if I like you with one."

"Well I'm not going to cut it off. Let me have them will you?"

"I can't. My nails are wet."

"You are a nut."

"I've brought your shirt my lord," D said as he walked into the bathroom. "What is that smell?"

"It's Lee."

"Lee usually doesn't stink."

"Shut up D," Lee hissed as he turned away from the mirror.

"My god you look so cute," D said and Lee blushed.

"He won't need blush now," Ryo said and Lee glared at him.

"Shut up. Baby…" Lee said as Ryo's tail wrapped around his waist.

"Embarrassed, aren't we?"

"No. I don't like to be teased."

"Lighten up, Lee."

"You need to get dressed your highness," D said and Ryo loosened his tail around Lee's waist.

"I'm going. I'll be back," Ryo said and walked out of the room. He picked up a pair of red pleated pants and slipped them on, pulling his tail through the slit in back. He stood up and stretched.

"I knew there was a reason why we dunked him in the well," D said as he walked into the other room.

"When did you do that?" Ryo asked as he picked up a shirt.

"You wouldn't remember. You were only five years old."

"You were cruel to him," Ryo said.

"I know. Besides, you weren't all that fond of him back then," D said as he helped Ryo put his shirt on.
"I was young."

"You still are."

"Not as young as you were," Lee said as he walked out of the bathroom.

"You look just like you did that one night," Ryo said as D straightened his wings.

"It was a job and it paid."

"Cross dresser," D said and Lee bared his teeth in anger.

"Shut up," he growled.

"He's pissed off," Ryo said as he picked up a hairbrush.

"Let me brush your hair my lord," D said.

"What do you think, love?" Lee asked and Ryo glanced at him.

"It's fine," Ryo said.

"You really don't care, do you?"

"No I don't."

"You're a bastard."

"Not technically."

"Speaking of children…"D said and Ryo looked at him.

"I wasn't aware we were talking about offspring," Ryo said.

"What do you want to know?" Lee asked.

"When are you two going to get some?" D asked.

"What?" Ryo asked.

"Aren't you rushing things a bit?" Lee asked.

"I was just asking," D said.

"My baby isn't ready for small ones," Lee said as he embraced Ryo.
"What the hell are you talking about?" Ryo asked.

"Forget it honey."

"Are you ready for your flowers?" D asked and Lee looked at him.

"Yes. Is he ready?" Lee asked as he ran his hands down Ryo's legs.

"Stop it Lee. We'll do that later," Ryo said as he watched Lee's hands.

"I'm going to love it."

"Where's my sword?"

"You left it downstairs, my lord," D said. "I'll get it with the crown."

"Thank you D," Ryo said as D walked out of the room.

"What were you talking about?" Ryo asked.

"Children honey," Lee said and Ryo stared at him.

"Children?"

"Yes dear."

"Why?"

"Don't worry about it, love."

"I swear you scare me."

"You love me anyway."

"True. I wish I didn't have to wear these damned bracelets."

"I like the medallion."

"D found it in my father's room. Did you ever check out your parent's room?"

"I'd prefer not to, considering what my father did."

"Oh yeah. Sorry."

"That's all right. At least his death was more humane than your father's. At least I hope it was. I know he killed himself as soon as he found the king's body..."

Ryo's eyes darkened at the memory and Lee stepped away from him. Ryo glanced in his direction and sighed, remembering what his hanger had done to Lee when the image of what Levin had done to his father was still fresh in his mind. His tail twitched, the rings rattling as it moved. Lee glanced at Ryo and took his hand. Ryo looked at Lee's blue fingernails and shook his head. Lee smiled as he kissed Ryo's cheek.

"I'm not going to make a habit of this," Lee said.

"Good. I really don't know what to make of you when you get like this," Ryo said as D walked into the room. He handed Ryo his sword and Lee his crown made of daisies. Lee drew away from Ryo and walked into the bathroom.

"I can't wait to see him in full attire," D said as Ryo unsheathed his sword and swung it.

"Thanks for sharpening it," Ryo said as he swung it a few more times.

"You're welcome. It's almost time for you two to go on down to the courtyard."

"Is Lee ready?"

"I don't know. Ask him."

"I'm ready darling," Lee said and Ryo looked at him.

"Now I know why that thing looks like a dress," Ryo said as Lee put on his sandals.

"You weren't a woman at one point in your life, were you?" D asked.

"I've already asked him that."

"Let's just go," Lee said as he opened the door.

***
"Too bad our parents aren't here to see this," Lee said as they walked into the courtyard.

"Would you let go of my hand?" Ryo asked.

"Sorry. I'm just really nervous."

"Yes I know, but if you squeeze my hand any tighter, you're going to cut it."

"You like pain."

"Not now. Not while we're in public."

Come your highness. Everyone's waiting," Karu said as he directed Ryo to a gazebo. Lee let go of Ryo's hand and watched as Ryo walked up the stairs with Karu behind him.

"Nervous?" D asked and Lee looked at him.

"Not really," Lee said.

"Your hands are shaking."

"I've never had to look like this for so many people."

"How many did you get in the bar?"

"Not many. Maybe around forty to fifty patrons on a good night."

"Did you get offers?"

"Quite a few, actually."

"Did you accept any?"

"They were humans."

"Okay, you've said enough. You didn't…did you?"

"Are you insane?"

"Good. That eases my mind. I just can't picture a human and a demon…"

"I'm not sick-minded."

"Looks like Karu's ready to start. Hey, isn't that the one guy we ran into at the castle gate?"

"Where?" Lee asked as he scanned the crowd. There, off to the side, stood Freon and Aquarion. Lee frowned at the sight and quickly glanced away. He still didn't trust that creature, even though Ryo seemed to.

"Over there," D replied.

"I saw them. Yeah, they're the ones we ran into when we left the castle to search for Ryo. These ribbons are annoying."

"But you look cute in them."

"D please."

"Well you do."

"Quiet. It's starting."

"Since the crowning of the original ruler, there has not been a demon more suited for this position," Karu said as Ryo ran his fingers over his sword. He hoped it wouldn't take long. He hated being made a fuss of. "Despite numerous trials, he has...."

"He looks so beautiful," Lee commented as he brought a hand to his face. He wiped a tear from his eye and D glanced at him.

"Are you crying?" he asked.

"No."

"Yes you are."

"He's gone through so much to accept this."

"You're sounding like his mother or something."

Lee said nothing as he watched the ceremony. He lowered his head in respect as Karu pronounced Ryo king. Ryo gazed at Lee and smiled. He could get so emotional at times. He raised his head and gazed upon his people as Lee ran up to him. Ryo glanced at him and shook his head.

"You're an idiot," he whispered and Lee smiled.

"Come on honey, let's lead everyone into the dining room," Lee said as he took Ryo's hand.

"Were you crying?"

"Why do you ask?"

"Your eyes are red."

"Well this whole thing is very emotional."

"Lee I swear you are something else."

"Is that good or bad?"

"I'll tell you later."

"When?"

Lee glanced at the crimson trail on his hand and then at Ryo's face. His eyes glinted dangerously and Lee grinned. He knew when he would get an answer and he was looking forward to it. Ryo licked his lips and Lee's eyes grew wide as he watched the tip of Ryo's tongue.

"Forgive my ignorance but why is he dressed like a woman?" Ikara asked and Ryo grinned.

"It's the traditional ensemble," Lee replied.

"He's sharp with you because D and I have been giving him a hard time about his outfit," Ryo said as D opened the dining room door. Ryo's ears twitched and he glanced past Lee to where Freon stood with his beloved creation.

"I'll be right back," Ryo said and let go of Lee's hand.

"What? But baby..."

"I want to talk to him."

"No. Remember what happened the last time we ran into him?"

"I'll be fine, Lee. I want to talk to him. Besides if I don't, I'm not doing my duty."

Ryo walked up to where Freon stood and Freon bowed his head in respect. Aquarion watched him for a moment then followed his creator's example. Ryo returned the gesture then took Freon's hand and shook it. Freon smiled for a moment then withdrew his hand.

"I understand that you were instrumental in the rebuilding of the castle," Ryo said as Freon pushed up his glasses.

"I figured it was a way that I could repay you for all the things that happened," Freon replied.

"I do have a question for you. Your creation visited me earlier."

"Really? I was not aware of this. I'm afraid it's been extremely difficult to keep track of him. I've had so much to do that I haven't been able to keep proper track of him. I hope he did not harm you in any way."

"He didn't. I do have some questions to ask you about him."

"Such as...?"

"He mentioned that he wanted to learn more about me. Why me?"

"While I was creating him, I put a lot of your information within his brain cells. You see, he was initially created as an assassin underneath Levin's orders. He was initially designed to kill you. However, something went wrong during his incubation. When his body matured enough for me to take him out of his holding tank, I found out that he was nothing like I had planned him to be. I'm surprised that you understood him."

"It wasn't that hard. He said something about wanting to help me. Do you know what he meant?"

"No I don't. He hasn't said anything to me. You've been keeping things from me, haven't you dear one?" Freon asked and Aquarion lowered his head.

"Please don't scold him. I am just as curious about him as he is about me. Perhaps..." Ryo said, his voice trailing off as he glanced at Lee, who was greeting guests and glaring at Ryo at every chance he got.

"Perhaps what?"

"Perhaps he could stay here. He could work in the castle. He seems to like plants so he could work in the greenhouse."

"Just a minute Ryo," Lee said as he walked up to Ryo. Ryo held up his hand and Lee glared at him.

"You don't have to decide right now. Think it over. And I want you to keep this," Ryo said as he handed the necklace back to Aquarion. Aquarion cautiously took it, his eyes on Lee the entire time. "Now you are welcome to join the festivities inside."

"I'll take care of them. Right this way, please," D said as he stepped in front of Ryo.

"Thank you D. Now let's go somewhere where we can talk," Ryo said and took Lee's hand.