Magic Gone Wrong! Chapter 3
Title: Magic Gone Wrong!
Chapter: 3/?
Previous Chapters: One, Two
Authors:
lucklessmallory and
chinesethorn
Rating: NC-17
Pairing: LeexGaara
Summary: Tentacles, ftw?! Gaara is a sorcerer outside of the small town where Lee works as a smith. When Lee sits in on one of Gaara's ritual summonings, something starts to go terribly wrong...
~*~*~*~
Lee stood by the bed provided for him in the ballroom, and kept his eyes firmly locked onto the dusty gilded ceiling. He could believe that Gaara was the true owner of the mansion with the sculptures of demons and paintings of arcane symbols filling the ceiling, with a surprisingly beautiful frame of gold foil.
Of course, it still didn’t take away the fact that he was stripping for Gaara. Unhooking the last of his shirt buttons, he cleared his throat as the fabric fell away to reveal a toned and tanned chest, burn marks marring one side of his abs and a network of scars erupting from his shoulder down to his chest. “Can you examine me with my pants on?” He asked weakly as one of the remaining gremlins who’d stayed snickered in a high pitched voice. Apparently, the little creatures were taking their revenge on him by sadistically staying through the whole examination process.
“I do not think you will find anything different below my waist other than that my legs are longer. I should know, it is my body!” There was a slight manic edge to his voice as he could practically feel Gaara’s gaze on his bare chest as he shrugged off his shirt.
“You can keep your pants on for now.” Gaara consented, trying not to roll his eyes or smirk. Was that because he was attracted to Gaara after all? Or the opposite?
“I suppose this will be my first opportunity to teach you about different methods of magic, as well.” Gaara rubbed his hands together briefly and felt the edge of energy make his hair stick up with static again. He took Lee’s right hand and lifted it palm up, furrowing his brow as he studied the lines there, deciphering their meaning. “First of all, there is never one specific way that a person can or cannot use magic. You’ve seen me mix potions before- that is one method. The art of summoning is its own subject, as well as spell casting, divination, quite a few others. What I am about to do for you is very physical kind of magic, that you can learn to do with practice as well.”
The sorcerer dropped Lee’s hand, satisfied for now with what he’d read. He pushed against Lee’s chest, making the smith sit on the edge of his bed. He held the man in place with a hand on his shoulder, and placed his right hand in the middle of Lee’s chest. He could feel the rough hairs and scars under his palm, but kept the interest they made him feel to himself. Gaara closed his eyes and probed his power past his fingertips, feeling the beat of Lee’s heart and the strong tide of his breaths for a moment as if they were his own.
The touch of Gaara's hand against his own brought his gaze down to the redhead, a hot breath leaving his lips as magic coursed between them. Thankfully it didn't encourage anything more than a flush crawling up his neck. "How will I know that I am performing magic?" He asked, letting Gaara push him back to the bed. Looking up at Gaara, he noted how green the man's eyes were even with the dim lighting in the ballroom. They were catlike, narrow and seemed to hold so many secrets. And many promises. A voice whispered to him.
He held still as both of Gaara's hands rested against his skin. Suddenly he could feel a small surge of power connecting them, could feel the sorcerer's breath synchronize with his. For a moment, he just felt peace and a oneness with the sorcerer, before the demon's tendrils entwined with that connection. Lee shut his eyes as he reached out and gently clasped the hand on his shoulder, trying to draw strength so he wouldn’t lose consciousness to the demon once again.
Gaara frowned, feeling the darkness of the demon’s tendrils as well. They were heavy, dragging on Lee’s willpower and threatening control. Lee was stronger however, and Gaara recognized that with a small note of respect. Gaara probed deeper, tasting the marrow of Lee’s bones and the intricate texture of his muscles.
“You have the heart of an ox.” Gaara reported in a small murmur, keeping his eyes closed. He slid his hand lower, feeling the energy in Lee’s liver, abs, and stomach. He tilted his head a fraction, feeling the way the blood rushed in a steady, strong circuit of his body. The sorcerer gave a light sigh, enjoying the peace in the powerful, healthy simplicity of Lee’s body as he felt it in his own. “No wonder the demon wanted you.”
Gaara’s words elicited a rush of pride despite how factual and simple the sorcerer said them. Out of all the animals, Lee could identify with the stubborn, strong and willful ox. The muscles of his abdomen and stomach fluttered as Gaara’s hands moved over them. The magic probing him felt nothing like the demon’s cold touch, but more like a flickering mild force flowing from one part of his body to another.
Unconsciously, his hand had moved higher up Gaara’s hand to rest on his inner upper arm. “It is nothing compared to yours.” He murmured, legs twitching when Gaara’s hand grazed over the trail of pubic hair sprouting from just below his navel and cut off by the hem of his trousers. “Everything about you is beyond anything I have ever seen or imagined. And you do not turn me away even when I make a fool of myself.”
His eyes opened slightly, peeking at Gaara’s face to find the other at a rare calm state. Lips pulling into a small grin, he couldn’t help thinking how attractive the sorcerer was with his constantly static-spiked hair and the dark rings of his eyes. The townswomen were pretty in their own way, but they paled in comparison to Gaara.
“I try to never turn away people with pure intentions.” Gaara slid his hand slowly back up the center of Lee’s torso before releasing their connection with a slow, deep intake of breath. He blinked quickly as he opened his eyes and came back to his own body. He caught Lee’s eye and allowed a smirk. He clasped Lee’s hand on his arm and squeezed approvingly as he began to straighten. “Your organs are very healthy. They expanded a bit to accommodate your new height, but they grew well. It was a good potion. The demon hasn’t seemed to made a negative effect on your body, but that could change over time as you learn to channel it’s energy. Then again, it might never be a problem either.”
Gaara had ignored Lee’s earlier question when he’d begun to concentrate, but he answered it now. “You’ll know when you are performing magic because I will teach you to recognize it. People exchange energy every day in small ways, and have more senses than can honestly be counted. Magic is just a matter of heightening those senses and increasing that energy.” Gaara squeezed Lee’s hand again and rubbed the skin of his knuckles as he spoke. “The physical energy in a person’s body- such as what I just used- is channeled strongest in a person’s hands. That is why exchanging touches with other people can feel so strong.”
The sorcerer thought briefly back to his own training with a slight downward quirk of his lips. His master had waited two years before teaching him that much. Most teachings of this sort were done gradually over time, conveying an entire lifestyle through practice and discipline. Lee’s possession was an emergency, however.
As the connection ebbed away, Lee swallowed at the tinge of need he felt just then. If it wasn’t for Gaara smirking at him and looking him in the eye, he was sure that he’d have asked the other to keep the connection between them. A part of it was from the demon gravitating towards Gaara’s magic, but it was also the closest he had ever gotten to his friend. “Thank you. I try very hard to eat healthy and take good care of my body.” He said, breath hitching when Gaara squeezed his hand again and rubbed at his knuckles.
While Gaara seemed to reflect internally for a moment, Lee thought about the last thing Gaara said. “So that is why just touching you feels like a burst of energy. I have always wondered why there is so much sensation in my hands when I touch you, but I cannot feel anything with other people. If I am to learn this kind of magic, will I also be able to send out energy or do what we just did?” He observed, looking down at their joint hands and turning his palm around so that he was clasping Gaara’s then cupping it as well with his other hand. The smith’s palms were rough and calloused from the work he did, but he could distinctly feel the sparks practically surrounding Gaara’s skin. In contrast, Gaara’s hands were smooth and long- truly the hands of a researcher of arts. Idly, Lee began to run his thumbs firmly down Gaara’s palm, massaging it like he usually did his own hands when he was tired.
“The demon spoke to me about how it would use my body to carry out any of your orders. When you say I will learn to channel its energy, do you mean I will also be the one consciously performing whatever you ask of it?” While he trusted Gaara’s intentions, he was also well aware that sometimes magic required offerings of blood and even the sacrifice of innocents.
“That depends on a number of variables.” Gaara tilted his head and watched the way Lee rubbed his fingers over the sorcerer’s hand. The smith obviously knew how to relax the tendons and encourage the blood flow in his fingers. Gaara hummed briefly, enjoying the feeling. “When I say that you can channel the demon’s energy, I am not talking about anytime in the near future. Don’t try anytime soon. Handling a force that corrupt and powerful is something that takes years of practice, and your demon is more powerful than most. I’m going to try teaching you much more basic things before that, such as physical magic to heal.”
Gaara used his free hand to touch his face as he thought about the demon’s servitude that Lee mentioned. Having Lee involved made things more complicated than if the summoning had happened the way he’d originally attempted. “I will not lie to you, Lee; there are going to be times that I call to the demon and you will not be aware of what is happening or why. If I need a task performed that you are capable of handling yourself, I will ask you to perform it directly. However, most of the time that will not be the case.”
The sorcerer ran a hand through his red hair briefly, making the static electricity there crackle. He sighed and looked away for a few seconds. “I have goals and ambitions that extend beyond this town, you know. I wish I could say that I won’t use you to meet my ends, but I can’t. I have control of the demon, but only through your body.”
Lee smiled at the thought of doing magic. It was better to remain optimistic than to dwell on the consequences of his deal with the demon. “You may have a hard time teaching me.” He teased, moving up Gaara’s hand to knead on his wrist and arm. He doubted the sorcerer ever had time to do this for himself with the way Gaara always seemed occupied with a book or poring over his next potion. Since the redhead wasn’t objecting to the contact, Lee freely enjoyed the permission to do this for him. “I can make you the most intricate of blades with a hilt welded with precious gems, but I am more likely to cause something to blow up like I usually do. I understand that you need to call on the demon. I will do my best not to let it overpower me when you do not need its power.”
Looking up at the sorcerer’s face, Lee recognized the far away look of one who dreamt big. It was one of the things he admired about the other man. “You always did aim for higher goals, Master Gaara. Since the time you came to this town, I have witnessed you continue to strive hard in your studies and spells. I am very proud to have known someone with your persistence and hard work!” He grinned at the sorcerer, stilling his hands for a moment as he looked up with obvious adoration.
“I used to believe I would become a knight one day and win some great battle in a far off land. But when I took up my father’s trade, I decided that I would be the greatest blacksmith this kingdom has ever seen. If you decide to leave the town, please consider letting me come with you to see the world. There is much I still need to know before I can perfect my craft.”
Gaara examined Lee’s smile for a moment, tilting his head before returning it with a wry upturn of his own mouth as well. Lee was a good, strong soul. He was resilient. Gaara wouldn’t need to tip-toe around him as he might have had to do with a more sensitive or weak individual. He nodded in approval of Lee’s words. When Lee’s thumbs massaged the tendons and cartilage in his wrist, the redhead gave a small sigh of appreciation as it drained the stressed lymph nodes.
“If you were to move away from the town with me, wouldn’t Sakura miss you? I thought you were attempting to woo her.”
Lee blinked at the sudden turn of their conversation before his cheeks turned pink at recalling how crazy he’d been for the town healer before. “Th-That was a long time ago already! She and I are just good friends. And...she has always been infatuated with the mayor’s son.” He stammered, slapping a hand on his forehead in mortification. Gaara had definitely borne the brunt of his non-stop praising of Sakura back when he’d still been in love with her. Looking back, the sorcerer had been more than patient with him. Well, unless he’d simply tuned Lee out.
“Miss Sakura has her own dreams to fulfill. I will not stand in her way.” He said, rubbing the back of his neck with his gaze turned towards his makeshift smithy in the hall. It was actually a jarring wake-up call when he’d admitted he could never be the man Sakura needed. But he was happy for the healer and wished her well wherever her future took her. Finally letting go of Gaara’s arm, he sat back against his bed and rubbed a sore spot on his shoulder from his work that morning.
“What about you, Master Gaara? You have never talked about what your life was like before the town. Was there anyone special to you?” He asked, willing away the blush from his cheeks as he steered the conversation away from himself.
Gaara felt his brows raise when he understood that Lee was no longer pursuing the pink haired healer in town. Lee had never mentioned it whenever he’d finally given up on her. Or perhaps Gaara should have suspected as much when Lee finally stopped raving about the girl every time they saw each other. The sorcerer tucked that piece of information in the back of his mind for later and payed attention to Lee’s new change in conversation.
“I have had lovers,” the redhead answered thoughtfully. He flexed the hand that Lee had worked on as he spoke, noticing the clear difference he felt in each side of his body. Lee had a talent. “I avoided contact with others during my years of training so that I could focus on developing my power. When I ventured out on my own however, I indulged with some of the more... interesting people I met. It was purely passion. The closest I ever came to an emotional attachment was when I partnered with another sorcerer. His ambitions were different from mine however, so we parted as friends and went our separate ways.”
Gaara extended his senses outside the mansion briefly, tasting the air and feeling the darkness in the sky. “It is getting late now. I still have a few tasks left in the tower before I can sleep. If you need anything tonight, you can send a gremlin or find me.”
“Alright, Master Gaara. I hope you will get a restful sleep tonight and have youthful dreams.” Lee smiled, giving Gaara a thumbs up. Learning that Gaara had had many lovers wasn’t surprising in this day, especially with the sorcerer outside of the church’s influence. It still gave him something to digest just as any piece of information Gaara ever shared about himself. The redhead really was an enigmatic mystery.
“Thank you for speaking with me and letting me stay here! Perhaps these circumstances were meant to happen and will lead to a greater good.” His eyes crinkled as the gremlins who’d been listening in on them began filing out with tired yawns. “Goodnight, Master Gaara.”
The sorcerer nodded and turned away. Today had been productive for the both of them. Lee’s possession had been a dramatic and life changing turn of events for both him and Gaara, but the sorcerer was content for now that they were in the right direction for handling the situation. Now that Lee was settled into the mansion and warmed up to the concept of having magic in his life, Gaara was going to do some research on how best to use a demon in Asmodeus’ position.
Chapter: 3/?
Previous Chapters: One, Two
Authors:
lucklessmallory and
chinesethorn
Rating: NC-17
Pairing: LeexGaara
Summary: Tentacles, ftw?! Gaara is a sorcerer outside of the small town where Lee works as a smith. When Lee sits in on one of Gaara's ritual summonings, something starts to go terribly wrong...
~*~*~*~
Lee stood by the bed provided for him in the ballroom, and kept his eyes firmly locked onto the dusty gilded ceiling. He could believe that Gaara was the true owner of the mansion with the sculptures of demons and paintings of arcane symbols filling the ceiling, with a surprisingly beautiful frame of gold foil.
Of course, it still didn’t take away the fact that he was stripping for Gaara. Unhooking the last of his shirt buttons, he cleared his throat as the fabric fell away to reveal a toned and tanned chest, burn marks marring one side of his abs and a network of scars erupting from his shoulder down to his chest. “Can you examine me with my pants on?” He asked weakly as one of the remaining gremlins who’d stayed snickered in a high pitched voice. Apparently, the little creatures were taking their revenge on him by sadistically staying through the whole examination process.
“I do not think you will find anything different below my waist other than that my legs are longer. I should know, it is my body!” There was a slight manic edge to his voice as he could practically feel Gaara’s gaze on his bare chest as he shrugged off his shirt.
“You can keep your pants on for now.” Gaara consented, trying not to roll his eyes or smirk. Was that because he was attracted to Gaara after all? Or the opposite?
“I suppose this will be my first opportunity to teach you about different methods of magic, as well.” Gaara rubbed his hands together briefly and felt the edge of energy make his hair stick up with static again. He took Lee’s right hand and lifted it palm up, furrowing his brow as he studied the lines there, deciphering their meaning. “First of all, there is never one specific way that a person can or cannot use magic. You’ve seen me mix potions before- that is one method. The art of summoning is its own subject, as well as spell casting, divination, quite a few others. What I am about to do for you is very physical kind of magic, that you can learn to do with practice as well.”
The sorcerer dropped Lee’s hand, satisfied for now with what he’d read. He pushed against Lee’s chest, making the smith sit on the edge of his bed. He held the man in place with a hand on his shoulder, and placed his right hand in the middle of Lee’s chest. He could feel the rough hairs and scars under his palm, but kept the interest they made him feel to himself. Gaara closed his eyes and probed his power past his fingertips, feeling the beat of Lee’s heart and the strong tide of his breaths for a moment as if they were his own.
The touch of Gaara's hand against his own brought his gaze down to the redhead, a hot breath leaving his lips as magic coursed between them. Thankfully it didn't encourage anything more than a flush crawling up his neck. "How will I know that I am performing magic?" He asked, letting Gaara push him back to the bed. Looking up at Gaara, he noted how green the man's eyes were even with the dim lighting in the ballroom. They were catlike, narrow and seemed to hold so many secrets. And many promises. A voice whispered to him.
He held still as both of Gaara's hands rested against his skin. Suddenly he could feel a small surge of power connecting them, could feel the sorcerer's breath synchronize with his. For a moment, he just felt peace and a oneness with the sorcerer, before the demon's tendrils entwined with that connection. Lee shut his eyes as he reached out and gently clasped the hand on his shoulder, trying to draw strength so he wouldn’t lose consciousness to the demon once again.
Gaara frowned, feeling the darkness of the demon’s tendrils as well. They were heavy, dragging on Lee’s willpower and threatening control. Lee was stronger however, and Gaara recognized that with a small note of respect. Gaara probed deeper, tasting the marrow of Lee’s bones and the intricate texture of his muscles.
“You have the heart of an ox.” Gaara reported in a small murmur, keeping his eyes closed. He slid his hand lower, feeling the energy in Lee’s liver, abs, and stomach. He tilted his head a fraction, feeling the way the blood rushed in a steady, strong circuit of his body. The sorcerer gave a light sigh, enjoying the peace in the powerful, healthy simplicity of Lee’s body as he felt it in his own. “No wonder the demon wanted you.”
Gaara’s words elicited a rush of pride despite how factual and simple the sorcerer said them. Out of all the animals, Lee could identify with the stubborn, strong and willful ox. The muscles of his abdomen and stomach fluttered as Gaara’s hands moved over them. The magic probing him felt nothing like the demon’s cold touch, but more like a flickering mild force flowing from one part of his body to another.
Unconsciously, his hand had moved higher up Gaara’s hand to rest on his inner upper arm. “It is nothing compared to yours.” He murmured, legs twitching when Gaara’s hand grazed over the trail of pubic hair sprouting from just below his navel and cut off by the hem of his trousers. “Everything about you is beyond anything I have ever seen or imagined. And you do not turn me away even when I make a fool of myself.”
His eyes opened slightly, peeking at Gaara’s face to find the other at a rare calm state. Lips pulling into a small grin, he couldn’t help thinking how attractive the sorcerer was with his constantly static-spiked hair and the dark rings of his eyes. The townswomen were pretty in their own way, but they paled in comparison to Gaara.
“I try to never turn away people with pure intentions.” Gaara slid his hand slowly back up the center of Lee’s torso before releasing their connection with a slow, deep intake of breath. He blinked quickly as he opened his eyes and came back to his own body. He caught Lee’s eye and allowed a smirk. He clasped Lee’s hand on his arm and squeezed approvingly as he began to straighten. “Your organs are very healthy. They expanded a bit to accommodate your new height, but they grew well. It was a good potion. The demon hasn’t seemed to made a negative effect on your body, but that could change over time as you learn to channel it’s energy. Then again, it might never be a problem either.”
Gaara had ignored Lee’s earlier question when he’d begun to concentrate, but he answered it now. “You’ll know when you are performing magic because I will teach you to recognize it. People exchange energy every day in small ways, and have more senses than can honestly be counted. Magic is just a matter of heightening those senses and increasing that energy.” Gaara squeezed Lee’s hand again and rubbed the skin of his knuckles as he spoke. “The physical energy in a person’s body- such as what I just used- is channeled strongest in a person’s hands. That is why exchanging touches with other people can feel so strong.”
The sorcerer thought briefly back to his own training with a slight downward quirk of his lips. His master had waited two years before teaching him that much. Most teachings of this sort were done gradually over time, conveying an entire lifestyle through practice and discipline. Lee’s possession was an emergency, however.
As the connection ebbed away, Lee swallowed at the tinge of need he felt just then. If it wasn’t for Gaara smirking at him and looking him in the eye, he was sure that he’d have asked the other to keep the connection between them. A part of it was from the demon gravitating towards Gaara’s magic, but it was also the closest he had ever gotten to his friend. “Thank you. I try very hard to eat healthy and take good care of my body.” He said, breath hitching when Gaara squeezed his hand again and rubbed at his knuckles.
While Gaara seemed to reflect internally for a moment, Lee thought about the last thing Gaara said. “So that is why just touching you feels like a burst of energy. I have always wondered why there is so much sensation in my hands when I touch you, but I cannot feel anything with other people. If I am to learn this kind of magic, will I also be able to send out energy or do what we just did?” He observed, looking down at their joint hands and turning his palm around so that he was clasping Gaara’s then cupping it as well with his other hand. The smith’s palms were rough and calloused from the work he did, but he could distinctly feel the sparks practically surrounding Gaara’s skin. In contrast, Gaara’s hands were smooth and long- truly the hands of a researcher of arts. Idly, Lee began to run his thumbs firmly down Gaara’s palm, massaging it like he usually did his own hands when he was tired.
“The demon spoke to me about how it would use my body to carry out any of your orders. When you say I will learn to channel its energy, do you mean I will also be the one consciously performing whatever you ask of it?” While he trusted Gaara’s intentions, he was also well aware that sometimes magic required offerings of blood and even the sacrifice of innocents.
“That depends on a number of variables.” Gaara tilted his head and watched the way Lee rubbed his fingers over the sorcerer’s hand. The smith obviously knew how to relax the tendons and encourage the blood flow in his fingers. Gaara hummed briefly, enjoying the feeling. “When I say that you can channel the demon’s energy, I am not talking about anytime in the near future. Don’t try anytime soon. Handling a force that corrupt and powerful is something that takes years of practice, and your demon is more powerful than most. I’m going to try teaching you much more basic things before that, such as physical magic to heal.”
Gaara used his free hand to touch his face as he thought about the demon’s servitude that Lee mentioned. Having Lee involved made things more complicated than if the summoning had happened the way he’d originally attempted. “I will not lie to you, Lee; there are going to be times that I call to the demon and you will not be aware of what is happening or why. If I need a task performed that you are capable of handling yourself, I will ask you to perform it directly. However, most of the time that will not be the case.”
The sorcerer ran a hand through his red hair briefly, making the static electricity there crackle. He sighed and looked away for a few seconds. “I have goals and ambitions that extend beyond this town, you know. I wish I could say that I won’t use you to meet my ends, but I can’t. I have control of the demon, but only through your body.”
Lee smiled at the thought of doing magic. It was better to remain optimistic than to dwell on the consequences of his deal with the demon. “You may have a hard time teaching me.” He teased, moving up Gaara’s hand to knead on his wrist and arm. He doubted the sorcerer ever had time to do this for himself with the way Gaara always seemed occupied with a book or poring over his next potion. Since the redhead wasn’t objecting to the contact, Lee freely enjoyed the permission to do this for him. “I can make you the most intricate of blades with a hilt welded with precious gems, but I am more likely to cause something to blow up like I usually do. I understand that you need to call on the demon. I will do my best not to let it overpower me when you do not need its power.”
Looking up at the sorcerer’s face, Lee recognized the far away look of one who dreamt big. It was one of the things he admired about the other man. “You always did aim for higher goals, Master Gaara. Since the time you came to this town, I have witnessed you continue to strive hard in your studies and spells. I am very proud to have known someone with your persistence and hard work!” He grinned at the sorcerer, stilling his hands for a moment as he looked up with obvious adoration.
“I used to believe I would become a knight one day and win some great battle in a far off land. But when I took up my father’s trade, I decided that I would be the greatest blacksmith this kingdom has ever seen. If you decide to leave the town, please consider letting me come with you to see the world. There is much I still need to know before I can perfect my craft.”
Gaara examined Lee’s smile for a moment, tilting his head before returning it with a wry upturn of his own mouth as well. Lee was a good, strong soul. He was resilient. Gaara wouldn’t need to tip-toe around him as he might have had to do with a more sensitive or weak individual. He nodded in approval of Lee’s words. When Lee’s thumbs massaged the tendons and cartilage in his wrist, the redhead gave a small sigh of appreciation as it drained the stressed lymph nodes.
“If you were to move away from the town with me, wouldn’t Sakura miss you? I thought you were attempting to woo her.”
Lee blinked at the sudden turn of their conversation before his cheeks turned pink at recalling how crazy he’d been for the town healer before. “Th-That was a long time ago already! She and I are just good friends. And...she has always been infatuated with the mayor’s son.” He stammered, slapping a hand on his forehead in mortification. Gaara had definitely borne the brunt of his non-stop praising of Sakura back when he’d still been in love with her. Looking back, the sorcerer had been more than patient with him. Well, unless he’d simply tuned Lee out.
“Miss Sakura has her own dreams to fulfill. I will not stand in her way.” He said, rubbing the back of his neck with his gaze turned towards his makeshift smithy in the hall. It was actually a jarring wake-up call when he’d admitted he could never be the man Sakura needed. But he was happy for the healer and wished her well wherever her future took her. Finally letting go of Gaara’s arm, he sat back against his bed and rubbed a sore spot on his shoulder from his work that morning.
“What about you, Master Gaara? You have never talked about what your life was like before the town. Was there anyone special to you?” He asked, willing away the blush from his cheeks as he steered the conversation away from himself.
Gaara felt his brows raise when he understood that Lee was no longer pursuing the pink haired healer in town. Lee had never mentioned it whenever he’d finally given up on her. Or perhaps Gaara should have suspected as much when Lee finally stopped raving about the girl every time they saw each other. The sorcerer tucked that piece of information in the back of his mind for later and payed attention to Lee’s new change in conversation.
“I have had lovers,” the redhead answered thoughtfully. He flexed the hand that Lee had worked on as he spoke, noticing the clear difference he felt in each side of his body. Lee had a talent. “I avoided contact with others during my years of training so that I could focus on developing my power. When I ventured out on my own however, I indulged with some of the more... interesting people I met. It was purely passion. The closest I ever came to an emotional attachment was when I partnered with another sorcerer. His ambitions were different from mine however, so we parted as friends and went our separate ways.”
Gaara extended his senses outside the mansion briefly, tasting the air and feeling the darkness in the sky. “It is getting late now. I still have a few tasks left in the tower before I can sleep. If you need anything tonight, you can send a gremlin or find me.”
“Alright, Master Gaara. I hope you will get a restful sleep tonight and have youthful dreams.” Lee smiled, giving Gaara a thumbs up. Learning that Gaara had had many lovers wasn’t surprising in this day, especially with the sorcerer outside of the church’s influence. It still gave him something to digest just as any piece of information Gaara ever shared about himself. The redhead really was an enigmatic mystery.
“Thank you for speaking with me and letting me stay here! Perhaps these circumstances were meant to happen and will lead to a greater good.” His eyes crinkled as the gremlins who’d been listening in on them began filing out with tired yawns. “Goodnight, Master Gaara.”
The sorcerer nodded and turned away. Today had been productive for the both of them. Lee’s possession had been a dramatic and life changing turn of events for both him and Gaara, but the sorcerer was content for now that they were in the right direction for handling the situation. Now that Lee was settled into the mansion and warmed up to the concept of having magic in his life, Gaara was going to do some research on how best to use a demon in Asmodeus’ position.