S-CRY-ed Fan Fiction ❯ Lost Ground, Lost Souls ❯ Chapter 6 ( Chapter 6 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

A/N: Okay...from this chapter on, things are going to get a little weird... Hn... probably a lot weird. Also, not much going on here plotwise; just lots of smut. I'll get back to the actual plot in the next chapter, but for now... Smut ahoy!

Thanks again to all of you who read and review!

Lost Ground, Lost Souls

Chapter 6

By the end of the week, Ryuhou was able to perceive a definite improvement in Kazuma's condition: the younger man seemed to be a little stronger now, no longer tired as easily or as often as he had during their journey. Of course, he was still a long way from a full recovery, but he was at least strong enough to occasionally accompany Ryuhou when he went out to run one errand or another. There had been other changes as well...Kazuma seemed...happier now, more at peace. The younger man smiled more now, and didn't seem as witdrawn or indifferent as he had before. He took more of an interest in his surroundings, and in the day-to-day activities of village life going on around him. The changes in his companion, small as they might be, had given Ryuhou hope. This place was good for the younger Alter, and as Kazuma seemed to feel at home here, Ryuhou decided that perhaps he should provide the other man with a real home: something neither of them had had for a very long time.

Having kept their room at the inn for a second week, the former HOLY officer had ample time to effect his plan. The first step was to find a reasonably reliable vehicle to allow him a bit more mobility. As the village was a prosperous one, this fortunately proved to be easier than he had hoped, and after a single day of searching, he was able to find a small jeep similar to his old one.

That...had been a good day. When he had returned to the inn with his prize, he had gone up to the room to get Kazuma and had taken his companion out for a ride into the desert, where they had parked to watch the sunset and consume the small picnic lunch that Ryuhou had purchased for them in the village. As the last vestiges of light faded from the sky, the pink, orange and violet hues deepening to a velvety indigo, Ryuhou had reached out for the other man, pulling Kazuma close as his lips sought out his companion's for a deep, passionate kiss, which the other man returned with equal enthusiasm. A good day, indeed.

Of course...not all the days were so good. Kazuma was still quite ill, and there were days when the younger man could barely move—or even get out of bed in the morning. On those days, Ryuhou would stay home, torn between wanting to take care of and comfort the other man...and wanting to beat him senseless for being such a pain in the ass. And then he would feel guilty for becoming annoyed with his companion when he was obviously still so ill.

And then there were other days...days when Kazuma was able to get up and move around with relative ease, but seemed somehow...lost. Days when Kazuma would look at Ryuhou with no sign of recognition in the clouded amber eyes. Days when he seemed to have forgotten the past few weeks entirely or seemed to believe he was back in his own past, somewhere during the time he had been living with Kanami; sometime before the events leading up to his first encounter with HOLY. A time when he had been happy...and relatively innocent.

Those were the hardest days for Ryuhou to face. It was bad enough to see the once vital man physically weakened to such an extent, but seeing his former rival reduced to such a childlike, dependent state was almost unbearable. On those days, the former HOLY member stayed close as well, afraid that if he strayed far from Kazuma, the younger man would wander off, and Ryuhou would return to find only an empty room.

For the most part, however, the good—or at least tolerable—days outnumbered the bad, and within a relatively short time, Ryuhou was able to put his plan into effect. The hardest part, of course, had been keeping it a secret from Kazuma. Of course, his companion knew that something was up—with Ryuhou going out for long periods of time every day, he could hardly fail to notice, after all. As Ryuhou wanted his gift to be a surprise, however, he responded to Kazuma's almost relentless questions with only the comment that he would find out once everything was ready.

Looking back, it had been too easy—almost frighteningly so—to accomplish his purpose, but by the end of the week, he had found and purchased a modest sized house on a small parcel of land, far enough away from the center of things to allow for privacy when they desired it, but near enough that they weren't totally isolated. Not only that; he had also managed to gather enough furniture together to make the place habitable. What repairs needed to be made were, for the most part, simple enough for him to do himself; the few he couldn't handle, he hired out to a few of the skilled laborers in the village.

While the repairs were being made, they'd had to stay another two weeks at the inn, but finally, by the end of the fourth week, everything was ready. Returning from the house where he'd just finished making a final check to ensure that all was in readiness, he parked the jeep outside the inn. As he climbed out of the vehicle, a small smile lit his face at the sight of Kazuma, a little dusty and disheveled, playing ball with several of the village children. Although it was a welcome sight to see his companion smiling and laughing as well as taking an interest in things again, Ryuhou couldn't help being a little concerned as well. Kazuma was still weak and far from well, and he was afraid the younger man would exhaust himself.

As Ryuhou moved towards the group, Kazuma happened to glance up, a bright smile breaking over his face as he spotted the other man. Leaving his companions, he jogged up to Ryuhou—who struggled to hide his concern upon seeing how out of breath the younger Alter was.

“Hey... you're back!”

Smiling faintly, Ryuhou nodded, “Yes...” Reaching out, he lightly gripped Kazuma's shoulder, “I'm sorry to break up your game...but it's time to leave now. Go on up to the room and get your things. I'll be up in a minute, after I've settled our bill.”

“We're...leaving?” A slight frown furrowed the younger man's brow as he blinked up at Ryuhou. “But I thought...”

“We're only leaving the inn,” Ryuhou assured him, “And we're not going far.”

“Then where...?”

Reaching up, Ryuhou gently caressed Kazuma's cheek. “You'll see in a few minutes,” he promised, “Like I said, it's not far...Now, go on; I'll be up in a minute..”

Still frowning a little, Kazuma looked up at Ryuhou for a long moment. Finally, he nodded and then turned, heading back to the inn, occasionally pausing to glance back at Ryuhou, his confusion evident as he slowly moved across the yard before disappearing through the door.

* * * * * * * * * *

“Well...?” Ryuhou asked, a trifle nervously as he watched Kazuma slowly make his way from room to room within the small bungalow. “Do you like it?”

Dazedly, Kazuma lifted his gaze to meet Ryuhou's, his head nodding slowly in the affirmative, “Yeah...it's great, Ryuhou... but...I don't get it...” Glancing around the kitchen where they currently stood, he gesture vaguely at their surroundings, “Why all this? I mean, the inn was fine...”

Smiling, Ryuhou moved toward the other man, his arms wrapping around Kazuma as he pulled his former rival into a gentle embrace. “Well...you seemed to like this village so much,” he murmured, nuzzling his cheek against the younger man's. “I...just thought it might be nice to have a place of our own...” Pausing a moment, he pressed a kiss to Kazuma's cheek. “So...do you like the idea?”

Kazuma nodded slowly, although the frown never left his face. “Yeah...sure I do, but... I dunno...it seems like a lot of trouble to go through...considering I...probably don't have a whole lot longer.

Ryuhou couldn't help but be a little disheartened by the other man's somewhat lukewarm reception of his gift...and the fact that Kazuma still seemed to be intent on dying...on leaving him...Getting angry or impatient with the ailing man would serve no purpose, however—and as he quickly reminded himself, Kazuma was still quite ill. The younger man had also improved, however—perhaps he simply didn't realize how much better he was now.

“Well...for the time you have left, then,” Ryuhou replied, trying to keep his tone light. Forcing a smile, he pressed another kiss to his companion's cheek before pulling back. “Come on, you haven't even seen the bedroom yet. You can rest there for a bit while I make us something to eat.” Taking Kazuma's hand into his own, he gave the other man's fingers a gentle squeeze as he led his companion further back into the house.

* * * * * * * * * *

After dinner, Ryuhou took heart as despite his earlier remark, Kazuma seemed to be in good spirits. During their stay in the village, the younger man had regained something of his prodigous appetite—and now that they had removed to their own place, that hadn't changed...and Ryuhou watched with some satisfaction as his companion enthusiastically polished off a second helping of the simple stir-fry he had prepared.

With the other man in such a good mood, Ryuhou thought that this might be as good a time as any to broach the second part of his plan. During a lull in the conversation, he glanced up at the other man, “Kazuma...” he began hesitantly, “I've been thinking...about...your condition...”

Halting the almost relentless shovelling of food from his plate to his mouth for a moment, Kazuma paused, his laden chopsticks poised halfway between. Looking over at his companion, the younger raised an eyebrow. “Yeah?”

Taking a deep breath, Ryuhou pressed on, “Well...I still think your condition isn't as hopeless as you think...” Raising a hand as the other man opened his mouth to protest, Ryuhou cut him off, “Please, just hear me out.”

“I already told you, I don't want any fucking cages or any fucking hospitals. I just want to enjoy what time I got left...”

Slamming his own chopsticks down onto the table, Ryuhou glared across the table at the other Alter. “Damn it! Will you just listen to me, Kazuma? I'm not talking about putting you in a hospital!”

Kazuma scowled back across the table at Ryuhou, but after a lengthy pause, he shrugged. “Go on...”

Somewhat mollified, Ryuhou continued, “Well... you remember Tachibana?” At the other man's brief nod, he added, “Well, his Alter has other aspects than just mind-control, you know. It has healing abilities as well.

With a soft grunt, Kazuma went back to inhaling his dinner, “Yeah... so?”

Pushing back his own impatience, Ryuhou reminded himself that in all likelihood, Kazuma wasn't really trying to be an annoying, obnoxious jerk...the other man had simply been one for so long that it was second nature to him now. “So...” he continued, forcing a faint smile, “I think he might be able to help you...”

Kazuma was silent for a long moment, his gaze focused upon his half-empty plate. Finally, he looked back up to Ryuhou, his shoulders rolling in a small shrug. “I dunno... I don't really like the idea of someone else poking around in my head... It's already fucked up enough, don't you think?”

“I don't think it would be like that,” Ryuhou assured him. “It wouldn't be the same as when the two of you fought—he wouldn't be trying to control you.”

After another lengthy silence from the other side of the table, Kauzma made another concommittal grunt before once again turning his attention to his food. “So...you know where to find him, then?”

With a faint, relieved smile, Ryuhou raised a bite of stirfry to his own lips. “Yes, I believe so.”

After dinner, while Ryuhou tidied the kitchen—Kazuma, surprisingly enough, even volunteering to assist him—the younger man suddenly turned to him, asking the question that seemed to be the only one on his lips whenever Ryuhou did...well...anything for him.

“Why...?”

Placing the last of the dishes into the cupboard, Ryuhou slowly turned to face his companion. Truth be told, he wasn't quite sure of his motives, himself. It made no sense, really. Even when he and Kazuma had worked together to expel the Mainland forces from the Lost Ground, they hadn't exactly been the best of friends. And in the four years since their final, all-out battle, he had carried on with his self-imposed duty, rarely giving the other man a thought from one month's end to the next. But now...having once again fallen in with his long-time rival, he realized that...without the other man as a daily fixture in his life...something...had been missing. He didn't know what that something was, but he simply couldn't let the other man go before he found out.

“I...dont' know if I can explain it, really,” Ryuhou replied with a vaguely sheepish smile. “I just...can't let you die—not without a fight. If I did...I feel like part of me would die as well.” Blushing darkly, he lowered his gaze, nervously shifting his weight from one foot to the other. “I...can't give up on you, Kazuma... I won't...”

Again, Kazuma was silent, and when the other man still hadn't spoken after several minutes, Ryuhou forced himself to look up, his eyes widening slightly at the sight of the other man standing before him, visibly trembling, pale-faced...and looking almost as ill as he'd been when Ryuhou had first found him. As their gazes once again meshed, Kazuma strode forward, covering the short distance between them in a few strides. Reaching out, he desperately clutched at the front of Ryuhou's shirt, yanking the older man closer.

“I'm not worth saving!” he spat, his face a mask of agony as he pressed in close to the other man. “Everything I've done... I deserve this—what's happening to me—I deserve it! I've fucking earned it!”

“No!” Reaching out, Ryuhou wrapped his arms tightly around Kazuma, pulling the younger Alter into a protective embrace. “You don't deserve this...” he murmured, brushing soothing kisses over Kazuma's hair, his neck and the side of his face. “You don't...I promise... So please, let me help you see that...”

Leaning down slightly, his lips found Kazuma's own as he engaged the other man in a searing kiss. Of their own volition, his hands moved restlessly over his rival's body, impatiently tugging at the bottom of his shirt before greedily caressing over the warm, scarred skin of the other man's back. He could feel Kazuma responding in kind, the other man's hands tugging at his own clothing, roughened palms rasping over his own suddenly feverish feeling skin.

By mutual consent, the two men moved toward the bedroom, their frenzied hands leaving a trail of discarded clothing in their wake. Together, they tumbled onto the bed, limbs tangling in a lover's knot as their bodies meshed together. In the darkness, lips sought out their mates, as hands reached out, caressing, kneading, needing...

* * * * * * * * * *

Sitting crosswise on the bed, his thighs spread wide apart, Mujou Kyoji leaned back on his elbows, a very satisfied smirk on his face as he watched the brown-haired young man kneeling on the floor between his spread legs, the youth's lips currently wrapped most pleasantly around Mujou's cock, sucking for all he was worth. The boy was certainly...talented; it was easy to see why Kazuma had been so fond of him—although he seriously doubted that the auburn-haired Alter had utilized—or even known of—one tenth of his former lover's talents. This, of course, only made his possession of Kimishima, body and soul, just that much more delicious.

Of course, it wasn't really Kimishima that Mujou had wanted, but Kazuma himself. Many times during his exile he had imagine the brat occupying the exact same spot where Kimishima now knelt, the punk's obnoxious mouth finally silent for once as Mujou gave him something better to do with it than trash-talking. If all went as planned, he would soon have the chance to see that idle daydream become a reality. With Kimishima's help, it would be a simple matter to break his nemesis, and once that had been accomplished, he could amuse himself with the younger man's humiliation until that ceased to be entertaining...and then he could have the final pleasure of destroying him. Or...he might even give his young companion that pleasure.

Although it had been an incredible stroke of luck finding the boy on the Other Side, it had been child's play to pretend to befriend him. The task of providing the youth with a material body had proven to be a little more difficult—it had taken him almost two years after his banishment by Ryuhou and Kazuma to regain enough strength to do so. Once that had been accomplished, the rest was fairly simple: blocking out the majority of Kimishima's memories was accomplished by a simple adjustment to his old Absorption Alter. Transforming Kimishima into an Alter was simply a matter of taking him to the Alter forest.

Oh...but the most amusing thing of all had been the story he'd fed the youth once he'd awakened from his ordeal. According to Mujou's highly edited version, Kazuma was the vilest of betrayers who had used Kimishima—and everyone else he cared for—in a quest for more power, and then callously sacrificed Kimishima when it became convenient, leaving him for dead when the youth had been injured and slowed him down. Fortunately, Mujou had found him in time and was able to nurse him back to health.

During the younger man's convalescence, Mujou had painted a very different portrait of his own involvement with the Shell Bullet than what had actually occurred. According to Mujou's revisionist version of history, he had been one of the few Alters to take a stand against Kazuma and Ryuhou during their reign of terror, and as a result of their repeated clashes, he'd lost most of his power—and almost his life, as well.

It was truly a pity that he'd been unable to find Ryuhou's annoying little blue-haired girlfriend as well—that would have truly made his triumph complete. Unfortunately, he had been unable to locate her during his exile...or, perhaps, she had hidden herself from him...but it didn't really matter; he'd find a way to avenge himself on the former HOLY officer as well; it was simply a matter of time...and patience. Both of which he had in abundance.

In the meantime, he had Kazuma's beloved one to toy with—and Kimishima was, indeed, a pleasant diversion. The younger man was only too happy to do anything that Mujou asked of him, and the Mainland Alter had taken great pleasure in degrading and humiliating his enemy's former lover—not that Kimishima was aware of what he was doing, of course. But when they were ready to...go public, as it were, he would make sure that Kazuma had a ringside seat to witness just how completely he now possessed the fiery Alter's ex-lover.

Of course, his plan had evolved over the two years since his return from exile. Originally, he'd planned to simply destroy Kimishima after the youth had served his purpose of luring Kazuma to him—after their little demonstration, of course. But...over the time they'd been together, he'd become rather fond of his companion—the young man was indeed talented—and he had altered his plans to accommodate that change of heart. Once Kimishima brought Kazuma to him, he would keep both men with him. He and his playmate would have such fun breaking their quarry—and Mujou was quite looking forward to the day when he would have Kazuma broken and kneeling before him. Perhaps he'd even allow Kimishima to take the other man for old time's sake. It wasn't necessary, of course...but Mujou had always been something of a sentimentalist.

Allowing his head to fall back, Mujou's eyes slowly fluttered closed, his thighs trembling, his body tensing and arching as he finally surrendered himself to the amazing sensations that Kimishima's mouth sent flooding through him. Reaching down with one hand, he gripped the short, spikey brown hair, holding the younger man's head in place as he thrust hard and fast into that incredible mouth. After only a few thrusts, he arched suddenly, an almost triumphant shout tearing itself from his throat as the hot rush of his orgasm swept over him, his seed spilling from him into the younger man's waiting mouth.

Panting heavily, Mujou collapsed back onto the bed, shuddering slightly as Kimishima's lips and tongue continued to pleasure him until he was drained and sated. As the other man's hot, slick mouth slid away from his waning erection, a low moan broke past Mujou's lips.

“Did I please you, Mujou-sama?”

Smiling broadly, Mujou sat up, reaching out a hand to coax the younger man up onto the bed beside him. “Yes, very much—as you always do, Kimishima.” Reaching out, he caressed the side of the younge rman's face, his gaze raking over the muscular body so close to his own, finally coming to rest on the rampant arousal bobbing up between the other man's legs. “That looks...most uncomfortable, pet...” he purred, reaching down to trace one fingertip lightly along the quivering length, a soft chuckle rising from his throat as a visible shudder wracked the other man's body. “Would you like to take care of that now, Kimishima?”

“If that pleases you, Mujou-sama,” came the prompt reply.

Smiling broadly, Mujou leaned in to press an effectionate kiss to Kimishima's cheek. “Such a good, obedient boy...” Laying back on the bed, he propped his head up on the pillows, his gaze resting possessively on his companion. “Yes, it pleases me... You know how much I enjoy watching you...enjoy yourself...”

Smiling, Kimishima crawled over the bed to stand on his knees, straddling Mujou's legs, exposing himself fully to the older man's view. A faint blush colored his cheeks as warm brown eyes rose to meet Mujou's gaze and after a moment, the younger man reached down, his fingers curling around hot, hard flesh, his eyelids fluttering as the muscular body arched, a low moan rising from his throat.

From his vantage point, Mujou continued to watch his companion avidly, drinking in every tremor, every moan and gasp, every blissful expression that flickered over the younger man's face. The boy really was beautiful like this, completely shameless and wanton, willing—even eager—to debase himself for Mujou's pleasure. Not for the first time, Mujou was glad that he'd decided to spare the younger man even after he'd served his purpose. Once they had disposed of Kazuma, he could amuse himself with the other man indefinitely...or for as long as Kimishima continued to divert him, at any rate.

“What are you thinking about, Kimishima?” Just watching the other man, knowing his past, his former devotion to his bothersome lover...and seeing the control he had over Kimishima now...all served to fan the flames of his own desires. Every time he took the other man, every time he made him gasp or scream in pleasure it was a blow to Kazuma's pride—even if his nemesis was unaware of it as yet.

“You...” Kimishima murmured, his unoccupied hand moving, sliding up over taut, tanned skin, releasing a small gasp as his fingers played over his chest, toying with his own nipples. “Only you... Mujou-sama...”

The power...the control that he held over his creation inflamed him more completely than the most powerful aphrodisiac, and Mujou felt a restless stirring between his own legs as he once again began to grow hard. “Do you want me, pet? Do you want me to touch you, Kimishima...? To take you...?”

“If...If that pleases you...” Kimishima replied humbly, his hands continuing to move restlessly over his lean, hard body, his face flushed with pleasure, the soft brown eyes bright with lust.

Sitting up, Mujou rose up onto his own knees, moving over the bed to kneel close behind the other man. Wrapping his arms around Kimishima's waist from behind, he leaned down, scatter moist, open-mouth kisses over one broad shoulder. “But...does that please you, my pet?” Sliding his hands up over the flat stomach to caress over the planes of the broad chest, rolling the pebble hard nipples between the thumb and forefinger of each hand. “Tell me...” he whispered, his lips playing sinfully over the side of Kimishima's neck, “Tell me what you want...”

Moaning loudly, Kimishima's head fell back to rest on Mujou's shoulder, his body trembling with need as he arched into Mujou's touch. “Take me...” he gasped, writhing wantonly against the older man, “Fuck me...hard and fast...until I scream...”

Again, images of Kazuma crowded into Mujou's mind. The Shell Bullet, on his knees before him, broken, weeping with need, begging Mujou to take him, to touch him, to possess him. That strong, vibrantly alive body trembling against his own, that foul mouth pleading with him for release—and he would oblige the younger man, oh yes, indeed, and he would definitely allow his charming Kimishima to help him. How exciting it would be to observe over Kazuma's shoulder while Kimishima wrapped those incredible lips around the younger man's cock, devouring him like a piece of candy while Mujou fucked him from behind. And once he had sated himself, he'd allow Kimishima to take his old lover as well while he watched them both.

Pleased with Kimishima's answer, Mujou smiled, one arm tightening around the other man as his other hand moved down to encircle his own cock, guiding it to the younger man's entrance, rubbing the tip teasingly against the quivering ring of muscle. Pressing a kiss to the back of Kimishima's neck, he thrust up hard, abruptly entering his unprepared partner, a broad grin forming upon his lips at the other man's cry of mingled pleasure and pain. “Hmm... so you liked that, did you, my Kimishima...?” Without giving the younger man a chance to adjust, he began to rock his hips furiously, pounding into the other hard and fast, as he had asked for.

Trembling violently, Kimishima arched back against his lover, his own hips rocking rapidly as he matched the other man's pace. “Nnng... y-yes, Mujou-sama...”

* * * * * * * * * *

Much later, after they had both sated themselves, Kimishima lay awake beside his beloved master. Although he was weary, the sharp—but oddly pleasant—ache that radiated up along his spine kept him awake. Kimishima minded neither the pain nor his inability to sleep—he had pleased Mujou-sama yet again, that was all that really mattered, after all.

Smiling faintly, he drank in the sight of the sleeping man beside him, the pale, silvery hair fanned out around his face, hair that seemed to almost glow as it caught the last few rays of the fading light. The moon-pale skin, the full lips, slightly parted and curved into a faint smile. Gazing upon his lover, Kimishima felt his heart swell with love and adoration...and gratitude. If not for Mujou, he would be dead now. The older man had found him, nearly lifeless in the open desert...and had taken pity on him...something his own lover had failed to do.

By all rights, Mujou should have hated him, should have killed him when he'd stumbled upon him. It would have been no more than he deserved; he had been working with Kazuma at the time, after all. Together, he and his ex-lover had almost destroyed the beautiful man now sleeping peacefully beside him, had burned out Mujou's own Alter, leaving the other man broken, nearly defenseless. Instead of seeking vengeance, however, Mujou had shown compassion; taking him home, binding his wounds, sharing what little he had: food, shelter, and finally...love.

It was...humbling to receive such kindness from one whom he had so grievously wronged—but that was simply the type of man Mujou was. Even now, he didn't seek revenge—but only justice. That was...so typical of the gentle man he loved. Over time, as he slowly began to understand just what he had been a party to, his disgust and self-loathing grew until he believed that the weight of guilt he carried would consume him—as it might well have had Mujou not seen his pain. Speaking to him gently, the older man informed him that he was not truly to blame; he too had been duped, and by the very person he had trusted most. It had all been Kazuma's doing. Kazuma, the Shell Bullet...the Alter who would do anything for money...or power. Still, despite everything he had suffered at the bastard's hands, Mujou didn't seek revenge, only justice...for all of the rogue Alter's victims.

Kimishima, however, wasn't so forgiving.

It had been a long, painful process, but he was becoming stronger every day. Soon, he would seek out his ex-lover and destroy him for what he'd done to Mujou-sama. But before that, he would break the Shell Bullet by taking away everyone and everything he cared for—if the bastard cared about anything other than himself.

It was a pity that he didn't remember more about his time with Kazuma...Mujou had only been able to tell him a little... But his former lover was hardly invisible; he'd be able to find him, to watch him from a distance, and once he found out what the younger man held dearest, he'd take it from him. He'd take it all, everything; just as Kazuma had taken everything.

He could hardly wait.

Smiling faintly, Kimishima rolled onto his side, wincing a little as tender flesh protested the sudden movement. Curling himself around the slender body beside him, he pillowed his head on his lover's shoulder, inhaling the musky scent of sweat and sex that clung to them both. Winding his arms around the fragile-seeming figure, he tipped his face up, pressing a soft kiss to one pale cheek.

“I'll protect you, Mujou-sama...” he whispered to the sleeping man. “I won't let him hurt you again...”

* * * * * * * * * *

Crying out, Kazuma threw his head back, his fingers digging into Ryuhou's shoulders as he rode the firm, searing flesh buried deep within him. Rising up onto his knees, he pulled himself almost completely off the other man before slamming back down onto Ryuhou's lap, grinding his ass against Ryuhou's hips.

This is wrong... I shouldn't...but... oh God, it's been so long...and it feels so good...

Strong arms wrapped tightly around him, holding him close, and Kazuma wound his own arms around Ryuhou's shoulders, his head falling forward to rest in the curve of the other man's neck, his face buried by a spill of soft, forest green hair. Wrong...this is wrong... Oh God... Long, elegant fingers slid through his sweat-drenched hair and soft, wet lips trailed slow, lingering kisses over his shoulder, neck and brow as his long-time rival rocked into him, each thrust sending electric jolts of pleasure singing through him. Oh, God... don't stop...don't ever stop...

Pulling back slightly, Kazuma's back snapped into a sudden, deep arch, another loud, impassioned shout ripping itself from his throat as Ryuhou's cock once again slammed home, ramming squarely into his prostate. Shuddering with pleasure, he could do little but gasp and writhe against the other man. Finally, however, the wave passed long enough for him to grind out, “Harder...Fuck me harder...Ryuhou...”

Kazuma had barely gotten the words out before he found himself suddenly toppled onto his back, his legs hooked over Ryuhou's shoulders. Above him floated the other man's face, flushed with desire and pleasure, sweat-dampened green hair clinging to his brow and cheeks. Bracing himself on one arm, Ryuhou quickly picked up the rhythm they had established, pounding into Kazuma hard and fast.

His own hips bucking wildly to meet Ryuhou's frenzied pace, Kazuma cried out again as a strong, gentle hand encircled his own straining sex. How can I do this? I love Kimishima...not him...So...How can I let him do this? Why can't I stop this?

Above him, Ryuhou leaned down, claiming Kazuma's lips in a rough, possessive kiss, his slick, warm tongue swiping over his lips, demanding entrance. Hating his own weakness, he parted his lips, allowing Ryuhou to explore as he liked, his own tongue welcoming the other man's. It was, however, another pair of lips he yearned to feel pressed against his own, another's warmth, another's heat gliding effortlessly into him, and even though Kimishima was gone, Kazuma couldn't help but feel as if he were betraying his lover. However, not even the loss...the grief...or even the guilt he felt over Kimishima's death could erase the almost unbearable need that now consumed him. The need for contact, for warmth, the need for there to be something in the darkness other than his own haunted dreams.

How had he become so...weak? Even as Ryuhou's mouth claimed his own with hungry kisses, the other man driving into him hard and fast, Kazuma still longed for his lost lover's touch; thoughts, memories of Kimishima filling his mind even as Ryuhou now filled his body. He...shouldn't be doing this...even after all this time, it still felt wrong...but despite the fact that his mind...his soul...his heart cried out for Kimishima, his arms wound themselves more tightly around Ryuhou's shoulders, clinging to the other man as his hips pumped frantically to meet his former enemy's thrusts.

God, you're so pathetic...Nothing but a fucking whore...HOLY's whore.. Ryuhou's whore...

Gasping, Kazuma arched back against the pillows, his fingers clawing desperately at the sheets as Ryuhou drove deeply into his body. His body vibrating with pleasure, he rocked his own hips upwards, grinding his aching sex against his companions' stomach. Wrong...so wrong...but so good...so good that nothing else mattered: not life nor death nor pain, not memory nor loss nor grief...not even love or need or betrayal. Only pleasure mattered, pleasure so intense that everything else fell away, leaving him hollow and empty.

Crying out once more, he shuddered violently as the white-hot bolt of his climax spiked through him. After a few more hard, deep thrusts, Ryuhou came as well, the older man's final thrust striking squarely against Kazuma's pleasure zone as well, sending the younger Alter just that much higher until both men collapsed together in a panting, sweaty tangle, clinging to each other more like shipwreck survivors than like lovers.

After several minutes, Ryuhou rolled off of Kazuma, almost immediately reaching for the other to draw him closer. Crawling into his companion's arms, Kazuma huddled against the older man like a lost child. Winding his own arms around Ryuhou's neck, he hid his face against the other man's shoulder as he wept almost silently in Ryuhou's arms.

* * * * * * * * * *

Hours later, after Kazuma had cried himself to sleep, Ryuhou remained awake, still holding the younger Alter in a protective embrace. He wasn't sure as to the reason for the younger man's tears—Kazuma hadn't been able to explain, and Ryuhou hadn't pressed him...but the incident disturbed him. Had he somehow made things worse by making love to the other man?

This...had been his first real sexual experience. His first with another person, rather than his own hand, at any rate. Although he had received his share of offers in the past, he had always been too busy...or perhaps just too stupid to pursue a relationship with anyone. And in the years since the destruction of HOLY and the nominal freeing of the Lost Ground, there had been no one to really develop a relationship with. Or so he had thought, at any rate. Even now, who could have foreseen that when he did finally enter into a relationship...it would be with Kazuma?

If this is a relationship...and not just a one-time occurrence, that is...

Frowning slightly at the thought, Ryuhou pressed a comforting kiss to Kazuma's temple as the younger man stirred restlessly beside him. Would Kazuma want a relationship with him? The younger man seemed so trapped within the events of his own past that Ryuhou wasn't sure that he would ever break free...or if he even wanted to.

It was almost preposterous—he and Kazuma had never gotten along—they had tried to kill each other on numerous occasions. They were close...but in the way that enemies are close. Even if that weren't the case, Kazuma was...well...to put it bluntly, he was a psychological mess at the moment; a lover was probably the last thing the other man needed.

But...if I can help him...maybe...

Yes...perhaps he could help the other man come to terms with the loss that still haunted him. And once they had dealt with the past, they could work towards finding a way to halt the illness that was rapidly sapping away the younger man's life...and once that had been accomplished...perhaps Kazuma would be able to find a reason to live, after all.

Next to him, Kazuma shuddered, moaning incoherently as if in the grip of some horrendous nightmare. Tightening his arms protectively around the too-thin body, he murmured soft, comforting nothings to the sleeping man as his hands rubbed soothing circles over Kazuma's back.

Please, Kazuma...Live... If you can find no other reason, then...live for me...