by Michalyn
Fandom: Saiunkoku
Pairing:Shuuei x Kouyuu
Rating:PG13
Warnings:angst; mild spoilers for 2nd season.
Summary: For the yaoi_challenge prompt: “Ran Shuuei/Li Kouyuu. Romance, mild angst, a bit of sex, and a happy ending are all I want for this couple. Kouyuu gets lost, and Shuuei has to find him(either physically or metaphorically)”.
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It was still early when Shuuei knocked on the door to the Kou residence. The sky was pale and there was a lingering chill in the air that was slowly evaporating as the world awakened. Shuuei hated to call upon Kouyuu so soon after a night of drinking, but their work in the archives awaited them and if they did not get there on time they would be up until the wee hours of the morning. Shuuei supposed it was his fault for teasing Kouyuu about his inability to hold his alcohol, especially when he knew Kouyuu was incapable of backing down from a challenge. The younger man had been quite drunk when he left him. A tipsy Kouyuu was an adorable one, not the least because he was much more affectionate than usual. Now that morning was here though, Shuuei only hoped the alcohol hadn’t taken too much of a toll on his lover. He knocked again on the door and heard the measured sound of footsteps. Straightening his robes, Shuuei waited for the servant to let him in.
“Yes?” Reishin loomed in the doorway. He snapped his fan against his palm.
Shuuei forced a smile. “Good morning, Kou-sama.”
No matter how many years passed, only Reishin had the power to reduce Shuuei to the boy he had once been with a single glance. Internally, Shuuei cringed. For Reishin to answer the door instead of a servant meant Kouyuu’s hangover must be worse than he thought. The cold glint in Reishin’s eye also made it perfectly clear whom he was holding responsible for that unfortunate situation, and for a moment, it did not seem the older man would let Shuuei in. Casting another disapproving look down his nose at Shuuei, Reishin abruptly turned on his heel, his footsteps ringing on the tile. It was as much of a welcome as Shuuei expected to get, and not only because of the effect his influence had had on Kouyuu last evening. Shuuei always had the distinct impression that Reishin did not trust him.
The corridor to Kouyuu’s room was still dark when Shuuei stepped into the hall but light spilled from beneath his door. Kouyuu was awake at least. Shuuei rapped gently on the screen. “Kouyuu?”
“Yes?” A rather disheveled Kouyuu poked his head around the door. Shuuei tried not to stare at the pale wedge of skin revealed through his parted robes. “Shuuei. Sorry, I’m almost ready,” Kouyuu said gruffly.
Shuuei smiled. “No need to apologize. I’ll wait while you finish up.” There was some rustling inside then Kouyuu emerged looking for the most part like himself.
“How are you feeling?” Shuuei asked once they’d left Kou manor and were on their way to the palace.
“Fine,” Kouyuu murmured. In truth, he looked a little green around the gills but Shuuei thought it best not to say anything. A hung-over Kouyuu was an embarrassed hotheaded Kouyuu, and Shuuei held back his usual teasing for the moment. There’d be time enough for that once they’d had their morning tea. If they were lucky Shouka would not be about to brew it.
Shouka was nowhere to be found when they entered the library, which meant that Shuuei was left to prepare the tea. He brought the tray over to where Kouyuu was sitting and poured a cup for each of them. They drank quietly at first with Shuuei expecting Kouyuu to regain his usual vigor once he’d gotten something hot into his system. He became worried, though when Kouyuu remained quiet even after his second cup and Shuuei couldn’t help noticing that the younger man’s brow was furrowed in thought. So intent was he that he barely noticed when Shuuei leaned across the table. Shuuei frowned. This was definitely more than the after-effects of a hang-over.
“Kouyuu.”
“Huh?” The younger man started.
Shuuei smiled. “Was my performance last night so spectacular that it occupies your thoughts even this morning?” he rumbled, pretending a levity he didn’t feel. It did have its intended effect, however. Kouyuu jerked up, two bright red spots appearing on his cheeks.
“What?! Of course not!” he hissed. “I’d never—” Kouyuu spluttered, unable to go on.
Shuuei’s lashes lowered. “Then tell me what really has you so worried.”
Kouyuu pressed his lips together. “It’s nothing.”
“Oh?”
“Well….”
“Hmm?”
“You know that Uncle Kurou wants to arrange an engagement between me and Shuurei, right?”
An icy hand gripped Shuuei’s heart. He knew this day was bound to come but he had hoped to put it off a little longer (forever, if he was honest with himself). “Yes,” Shuuei managed to say much more calmly than he felt. Inside, though he was raging against fate and the bonds of duty that would push him and Kouyuu apart.
“Well, last night, Reishin-sama gave it his endorsement. I don’t know what to do,” Kouyuu was murmuring. “Besides the fact that I am not even sure what I feel for Shuurei, there’s the emperor to consider … and Seiran…. But Reishin-sama would be so pleased to have Shuurei as a daughter-in-law. It’s the least I can do—not that I would ever be able to repay the debt I owe,” Kouyuu amended, his eyes clouded with worry.
A hot wave of possessiveness washed over Shuuei. ‘And what about me?‘ he wanted to demand but Shuuei knew better than that. It would get him nowhere. He’d known from the beginning that Kouyuu was completely his—except for the one man who would always eclipse Shuuei in his heart. He was the moon and Reishin … Reishin would forever be the sun.
Shuuei looked at Kouyuu who was seized with guilt and confusion. He often teased his lover about his poor sense of direction, but it was only because he never feared for Kouyuu truly becoming lost. If that day ever came Shuuei had promised himself long ago that he would help Kouyuu find his path again, no matter the cost. It seemed that moment was finally upon him. Shuuei stifled a bitter laugh. He’d just never expected the cost to be his own happiness.
Shuuei walked around the desk and rested his hand on Kouyuu’s shoulder. Standing so close to the younger man, he ached to kiss the pale skin just above his collar, to stroke his silken hair. Kouyuu looked so vulnerable, that Shuuei wanted to hold him and comfort him in the best way he knew how. Those sweet times were over, though. It took all of his will power, but Shuuei managed to rein himself in. Gently, he pulled his hand away.
“Come,” he told Kouyuu. “Now, let’s talk about this engagement plan….”
End
Tags: angst, drama, non-gw, shuuei x kouyuu, yaoi_challenge