Vision Of Escaflowne Fan Fiction ❯ Behind Enemy Lines ❯ The Lost Chapter ( Chapter 10 )

Behind Enemy Lines

By: rainjewel

The Lost Chapter: In Which rainjewel Finally Gets Her Act Together

A/N: I bet you all are wondering, "The Lost Chapter?" What's wrong with this rainjewel chick? The answer to that question: a lot. I have a whole closet full of problems (along with plot-bunnies…*shivers* Beware the plot-bunny). But the reason this chapter is called the lost chapter is because it originally didn't exist in this story. Why? Maybe it's because I didn't have the guts to do a full on lemon scene (yes, this is the chapter that grants this story the NC-17 rating) but it's also because…I'm a dork. I'm glad that I'm going to add it because it makes the entire story flow more smoothly. YAY! Enjoy.

PS~ This chapter is dedicated to Miraba for all her helpfulness and ego-stroking reviews and to Milo-kun because he rescued me from being locked in a trunk, wrapped like a burrito, and a million other things. *Glares at Trowa* And because he's a sweetheart (yes, you'd better be blushing). Also, I am pleased to report that I never used the dreaded "S" word in writing this.

~*~

The evening was going along perfectly. Dilandau had returned from shopping unscathed, and Celena was practically euphoric. Van had taken advantage of the albino's absence and had prepared an elaborate dinner. He figured it was a perfect compliment to an almost perfect day (Merle was still in her room).

"Alright Dilandau-chan, show Van the next one!" Celena called, clapping her hands. She and Van were sitting in the king's office, and Dilandau kept running in and out, showing off his new outfits. Dinner was almost ready and the delightful smell of Asturian crab fettuccine alfredo wafted through the halls.

"Hey, what did I tell you about ordering me around?" Dilandau said with a mock look of anger.

"That only I'm allowed to do it," Van offered. Dilandau's eyes twinkled.

"Yeah, that's it," he replied dryly. He rolled his eyes and ducked out of the room.

Celena smiled as he left. "He's so happy."

"Really?" Van asked. He was stretched out on the couch and Celena sat on the floor, her head resting against his legs.

"Yes. I can…" she trailed off and blushed. "I can…feel his happiness."

Van frowned at that statement…if she could feel what Dilandau felt…what about this afternoon? He squirmed a little.

"How so?" he asked.

Celena turned to look at him. "We feel each other's emotions. That sounds funny, huh? It's like reaching out and touching his heart. I just begin to wonder about him and…I don't know. It's very weird."

Van scratched his head, trying to fathom this idea. He knew it was possible-he was the one who used to talk to a person on another planet. But he'd never actually felt what Hitomi was feeling.

"Do you talk to him?" Van asked.

"I…I've tried, but he doesn't like it," Celena said. "He says he doesn't like me poking around in his head."

Van nodded. Of course not.

The door opened and a very suave Dilandau walked through it. He was wearing black pants and a dark green shirt that he'd decided he didn't need to button.

"Feast your eyes and satisfy your sweet tooth for this is the last viewing of Dilandau Albatou, the Ultimate Eye Candy," said the ruby-eyed boy. He lifted an eyebrow, folded his arms, and assumed a very sexy pose.

Celena giggled hysterically as Dilandau began swaggering about the imaginary runway. Van tried his best to control…impulses. Dilandau pouted in his general direction and waved a finger.

"Close your mouth you naughty boy," Dilandau said, his voice like spun sugar. "We can't have a king who supports exhibitionism."

Van rubbed his chin. "I haven't seen enough to support a damn thing."

"Well…the night is young," Dilandau replied with a sigh.

Celena frowned. "What's 'eks-heh-bish-un-esm?'"

"Dinner's ready!"

~*~

Van had never noticed how utterly adorable Dilandau was when he ate. Everything had been cut into an almost perfect square and the boy ate only a little at a time. He wondered at how a soldier could eat so delicately. He even took small sips of the wine, as if savoring it.

Celena, on the other hand, discovered that vino tasted very good and was getting very drunk. Her cheeks were rosy and her eyes starry. She kept playing with her hair and petting Dilandau's silvery head, chattering away about random things. The albino was patient and gently batted her hand away time and time again.

Van was awed at the strange affection Dilandau held for Celena. Actually, he was surprised at the entirely new personality the boy possessed. Dilandau was warm, caring, somewhat patient, and-of course-delightfully mischievous. It was a total 180 from his usual sadistic, violent, and moody homicidal self. But, Van supposed, this was the other extreme of Dilandau. The kind, gentle-hearted individual that had been smashed inside him so many years ago had finally pulled itself together. It was a wonderful thing.

And he's-what the?

Celena had a spoon on her nose and huge goofy smile on her face.

Van's thoughts ceased immediately and let out a laugh that ran through the palace. Dilandau swung around to look at him with a cocked eyebrow. On his nose was a spoon as well.

"What?" he asked. Van laughed harder and almost fell over. Celena began laughing. After a few moments of cackling, Dilandau sighed. "I was hoping I wouldn't have to do this."

Dilandau calmly raised his glass and dumped it over Van's head. The black-haired boy abruptly stopped laughing, composed himself and said in his most regal tone:

"I think that was highly uncalled for."

Then he promptly grabbed the spoon off of Dilandau's nose and flicked the better half of his peas in the soldier's face.

"That does it!" Dilandau yelled. He took the bread loaf and whacked Van over the head. Celena helped out by tossing her salad on the king.

Needless to say, a major food fight ensued. Celena and Dilandau tag-teamed Van who quickly ran out of food. However, the game soon became more interesting as Celena sought deadlier prey and dumped her entire plate of pasta on Dilandau's head. She was immediately tackled-all the food was gone-and was put through the most torturous tickle attack. Van, luckily, saved her by pouncing on Dilandau and tickling him. Dilandau, having tickled Celena into incapacitation, rounded on Van.

"I'm not ticklish," Van smirked at him.

Dilandau truly wasn't ticklish (a weakness in a soldier), but he wasn't going to let an opportunity like this pass. "We'll see about that," he said. He twisted his body and grabbed Van's foot.

"No!" Van cried. He desperately tried to wrench his foot away from Dilandau's fingers.

"I knew it!" said the pale boy. Van laughed until he cried. At one point he shrieked and a servant poked his head in.

"Could we get some dessert?" Dilandau asked.

~*~

Dilandau slunk through the palace hallways. He had just put Celena to bed (the poor girl had fallen asleep during dessert) and was making his way back to his room. The blonde girl still had peas in her hair, but Dilandau wasn't going to give her a bath.

Speaking of baths, he could really use one himself. After all, he was wearing plate of crab fettuccine for a hat.

He paused at his door and glanced to Van's room. The king had gone to clean up after dinner. Perhaps…

Dilandau shook his head and swallowed hard. Although the wine had made him lose most of his moody demeanor, a hand of fear still grabbed and twisted his insides when he thought of…yeah.

It took him almost ten minutes to get the noodles out of his hair. Dilandau scrubbed his body and head until his skin was as red as his eyes. He didn't want to smell like crab. Feeling anxious to get back to Van, he grabbed only a pair of boxers and a ratty white tank top as he rubbed his head dry. He knew that if he stayed by himself too long he'd revert back to his other, meaner self.

Chucking the towel over his shoulder, Dilandau padded over to Van's room and poked his head through the door. Much to his surprise, the boy-king wasn't there. Frowning, he checked the bathroom but Van wasn't there either. He began searching.

Five minutes later, after checking the office, throne room, guymelef hangar, kitchen, and ballroom, Dilandau finally found his quarry in the library.

"There you are," he said, walking through the door. Van was sitting in a large red armchair, wearing a soft white shirt and light blue pajama pants. His hair was light and fluffy from air-drying.

Van quickly shut the book he was reading. "Hey there Angel," he said softly. He motioned for Dilandau to come closer. "What are you doing in here?"

Dilandau felt himself freeze. Suddenly he couldn't remember why he was here. Fear ran rampant and his eyes glazed over. It was unexplainable and spontaneous. A cloaked form rose in his mind's eye and he heard a hissing sound. He almost screamed.

Van caught the change in Dilandau. Rising smoothly, he walked over to where the pale soldier stood. Dilandau felt strong hands slide across his hips and around his back and then he felt gentle lips pressed against his. The fear melted instantly and he felt at peace.

Van pulled away. "You okay?"

Dilandau smiled blandly. "Yeah. Hey Pigeon?"

"Yeah?" Van asked.

"Thank you for…for…" Dilandau trailed off and looked away.

Van nodded with complete understanding. "Like I said, any time."

Dilandau looked back to him and ran a hand down Van's scar. "Sorry."

"Don't worry about it," Van said. He raised a tentative hand and traced a finger down Dilandau's own, more prominent scar. For one of the first times in his life Dilandau didn't flinch. He leaned in and kissed Van full on the mouth, his lips demanding. The Fanelian responded instantly and pressed against him, kissing him back with equal force. Dilandau moaned into his mouth and sank to the floor, taking Van with him. His back bumped against the easy chair and his hand came down on the book Van had been reading. He broke off the kiss.

"What's this?" he asked, picking up the book. He remembered how the boy had snapped it shut the minute he'd entered the room. His curiosity sparked.

Van sighed. He sat back and took the book from Dilandau. He ran his hands over it like a lover. The cover was smooth and polished, but the binding was weak from use.

"It's the book my brother used to read to me when I was little. I found it in my room and I brought it back here," he explained.

"Really?" Dilandau asked. The image of Folken reading a book to anyone was a totally alien concept. His curiosity increased. "Van, what was Folken like?"

"Gentle. Perfect. He never did anything to get in trouble," Van said cryptically. He drew his legs up to his chest. "But he never wanted to go through with the Dragon Rite. He didn't see the logic in killing such a wonderful and beautiful creature as a way to gain the title of a monarch. He always had new ideas in the works. After Father died though, he became very quiet. He stopped his 'revolutionary' thinking and tried to become more like Father than himself. He thought it'd be better for the populace, I guess."

Dilandau listened attentively to Van's voice. His tone alternated back and forth from lighthearted to dark, and for the most part he sounded happy, but sometimes he sounded saddened and angry. Interesting.

Suddenly Van stood up. He walked over to a bookshelf and raised his arm to put the book away, but then changed his mind. He walked back over to his the chair and extended a hand to Dilandau who took it.

The minute he was on his feet, Van sat down on the chair. "Come here," he said.

Dilandau looked at him in bewilderment. Van reached out and wrapped an arm around the pale boy's waist and pulled him into his lap. Dilandau was surprised but he complied. He stretched himself out across the Fanelian's lap, resting his head on one of the chair's arms and dangling his feet over the other.

Taking a slightly shaky breath, Van opened the book and began to read aloud.

Dilandau closed his eyes. The story was simple but long. It didn't really matter what the tale was about, he just liked to listen to Van's voice. Halfway through the story his hand found its way to Van's lower leg and he stroked the boy's calf while he read.

When Van finished reading he sighed and threw the book on the floor. Dilandau opened his eyes and looked at him, seeing the tears in the Draconian's eyes. He sat up and wiped one stray tear away from Van's cheek. He lay his head down on the older boy's shoulder.

"I'm sorry," Van said, catching Dilandau's hand. "This evening was going so well too. I guess I'm just feeling a little guilty."

Dilandau furrowed his eyebrows. "What?"

"I…I miss Folken sometimes," Van said, his eyes growing distant. "I wish I hadn't been so mean and resentful towards him. It's not his fault he was Mother's favorite." The boy-king clenched his fist. "I should be mad at her, not him. I…I am mad at her."

"What? How can you say that?" Dilandau asked lightly. He felt very confused. He didn't understand how Folken could be anyone's favorite.

"Because she left me!" Van said, misinterpreting Dilandau's words. His body tensed. "She loved him more! Even when I was little she was always with him while I was with Balgus! She only criticized me! I never did anything right! Folken…Folken was perfect."

Van looked away. Dilandau felt stunned.

"That's why I'm mad," Van whispered. "I'm envious of him and I'm mad at her. She never gave me a chance. I really never had a chance though. Folken was smarter, Folken was kinder, Folken was even more beautiful than I was. Folken was a leader and a diplomat. I am nothing but a naïve warrior."

He fell silent. Dilandau noticed that Van had started talking about Folken as a boy and ended up talking about Folken during the war. He realized that the dark-haired boy felt like an insufficient king; a warrior leading civilians, not soldiers. He'd never heard Van talk so much about himself.

Dilandau smiled inwardly. The boy had opened up to him.

Gently, like a mother might, Dilandau wrapped his arms around Van's shoulders. Sitting up fully he pulled the black head to him and rested it on his chest. Van suddenly stirred, wrapping his arms around Dilandau so tightly that the albino thought he heard his ribs crack. The Fanelian shuddered violently but didn't cry.

After a moment, Dilandau decided it was all right to speak. "I don't agree with you at all. First of all, there is no one on this planet that is more beautiful than you, Van Fanel. It's not physically possible. Second, I never met your mother so I can't speak for her, but I knew Folken. I served under him and yes, he was"-Dilandau grimaced-"a good leader. But so are you. In fact, you're better. Folken never could control me, but you certainly seemed to have got that one down. He was my superior in title only. And I always disregarded him."

Van's lips grinned against his collarbone. "You disregard me too."

Dilandau nuzzled him. "Yeah, but that's different."

"How so?" Van asked, his tone still melancholy.

"Because you are my Pigeon King," he answered. And idea caught in Dilandau's head. He paused, looked it over in his head. No fear came.

Dilandau wriggled out of Van's grasp and jumped to his feet. He pulled Van out of the chair.

"What are you doing?" Van asked. Dilandau kissed him.

"You mean what are we doing. We're going to your room," he replied. Taking a hold of Van's hand, he pulled him out the door.

"Why?" Van asked, allowing himself to be led. Dilandau almost ran down the hallway, making it to the bedrooms in record time.

Why do you think?

"Because," Dilandau said, stopping in front of the boy-king's door, "You have helped me when I needed it most and it's the least I can do is repay you with some kindness of my own."

Van's eyes seemed to snap into focus and Dilandau grinned.

"You mean…"

Dilandau kissed Van full on the lips. His hand groped for the doorknob, found it, and he pushed his way through, pulling Van along.

"You bet."

~*~

The world seemed to sparkle. Suddenly life seemed a lot more beautiful.

Van stood in a daze as Dilandau slipped away from him and shut the door. Then the pale boy went to the windows and closed the curtains. Immediately the room was plunged into darkness.

"Angel?" Van questioned, straining to see.

"Shh," whispered Dilandau from somewhere in the room. "Be still. Don't move."

Van smiled into the darkness as he felt a hand brush against his back. The fingers traced across his shoulder blades with the lightness of a whisper. They traveled to the nape of his neck only to be replaced with lips that kissed and suckled his skin. Van shuddered and tilted his head to the side, giving Dilandau more room.

But then the sensation was gone. Van held back a moan. He felt two arms snake around his waist and lightly unbuttoned his shirt from behind. Then they slipped underneath the cloth and ran across his stomach and chest.

He raised a hand to stroke Dilandau's arm, but was stopped by the soldier's voice. "Patience, dear one. Patience. Close your eyes."

Van groaned in the back of his throat and complied. He felt Dilandau move around his body and kiss his eyelids. He felt hands on his shoulders, gently pushing his shirt off of his body. Dilandau's mouth kissed his earlobe, his chin, and then moved down his neck to gently nip the bared shoulder. Van breathed in deeply, trying to keep his resolve. He felt Dilandau's lips move down and begin gently suckling a nipple, then the other.

His eyes flew open and he moaned. Gods, he'd never imagined that could feel so good. Reflexively his back arched ever-so-slightly.

"Like that?" Dilandau said, licking his way back up to Van's neck.

Unable to bear the sweet torture Dilandau was putting him through any longer, Van pressed the boy against his body and ducked his head down to find his Angel's lips. The albino's mouth opened in a small "O" of surprise as Van suddenly moved and the Draconian took advantage of it, thrusting his tongue in and meeting Dilandau's own. Unsurprisingly the soldier challenged him, his tongue lapping at his own, seeking domination. After a moment's struggle Van let him have it.

Moaning into Dilandau's mouth, he removed one of his hands from Dilandau's waist and grabbed the boy's collar. Pulling down he ripped the thin tank top to pieces. He slid his hands down and around Dilandau's lower back, kneading his buttocks, thighs, and hips.

Dilandau moaned in the back of his throat. His hands were running through Van's long black hair, caressing it. Van broke the kiss and began avidly sucking on boy's throat.

"Oh Gods," Dilandau breathed. Taking this as a good sign, Van smiled and picked the soldier up. Dilandau complied and wrapped his legs around Van's waist, kissing him deeply. The Fanelian king walked to his bed, his eyes now adjusted to the darkness.

He laid Dilandau down on the bed, not quite believing what was happening. He didn't care. The pale boy broke off the kiss and cupped Van's face with his hands, their noses almost touching.

"I have a better idea," he said. With one fluid move, Van found himself being flipped over and Dilandau on top of him. The pale boy smiled at him. "Much better."

Van raised an eyebrow. "I thought I was the king around here."

"Be quiet and enjoy yourself, your Highness," Dilandau admonished. He leaned down and captured Van's mouth in a searing kiss. He skillfully reached down with one hand and quickly slid the Fanelian's pajama pants down to his knees.

Van gasped as he felt the cool night air hit him.

"Gods!"

Dilandau smiled at him. "Peek-a-boo."

Van put his hands on Dilandau's hips, sliding the boy's boxers down. "There needs to be a whole lot less talking around here," he growled. He pulled the boy close to him, shuddering violently as their erections brushed against each other.

"Definitely," Dilandau murmured, "Definitely." He lowered his head and kissed Van's collarbone. Then his head ducked down lower and Van gasped as he felt Dilandau take him in his mouth. For a second the world dissolved and he thought he might just let go right then and there, but he kept himself together. Dilandau's tongue wound around the base of his erection and slid its way up, then down, sucking and pumping at the same time. Just as Van thought he could stand no more, suddenly Dilandau pulled away.

"Please, d-don't stop," he panted.

Dilandau looked at him, his eyes a little big. He kissed Van's bruised lips. "Of course not."

Then, with hardly any ado at all, Dilandau scooted his body forward and seated himself. His eyes lit up with a passion Van had never seen before and he bit back a cry of pleasure and pain. Van gasped and arched upwards, grabbing Dilandau's waist. His hips began to thrust almost instantly and Dilandau answered him, his thrusts countering his. A wonderful friction began growing inside him.

Van, almost blinded by his pleasure, decided to take one more step. Generously he licked his hand, and then reached out and wrapped his hand around Dilandau's erection. The pale boy threw his head back and cried out, his back arching as Van's fingers worked little miracles. Van decided he'd never seen anything more beautiful.

Suddenly Dilandau cried out, digging his nails into Van's thighs. Van arched up and wrapped his arms around his lover, half kissing, half moaning into his mouth. Seconds later he felt Dilandau shudder as he peaked and Van joined him, his wings sprouting as the two of them flew away together.

~*~

Dilandau woke up in Van's arms, feeling full and happy. Feathers covered everything. A custom feather bed. He laughed softly.

Moving slowly, so as not to wake Van, he turned around on the bed. The sheets wrapped weirdly around his legs, but it didn't matter because they'd been tangled anyway. Through half-lidded eyes he watched Van sleep.

He looks like he's five years old. Gods he's cute. My cute, beautiful Pigeon

Dilandau ran a hand through his lover's disheveled black locks. Gently he kissed the boy's nose.

"I love you, Van," he whispered. He felt a tear run down his cheek and for once he didn't mind. "I really do."

~*~

rainjewel: *dances insanely* I did it! I really freakin' did it! God, you two are so sweet.

Dilandau: Sweet? That is not the word I'd use to describe myself.

Van: Me neither. I was thinking more along the lines of "Psychotic-albino-arrogant-pyromaniac-gender-bending-bastard."

Diland au: That's seven words, baka. Besides, that's not what you said last night.

Van: …

rainjewel: I knew it! I knew it!

~*~