Title : Behind the paper doors
Author:
rainbowdots888Pairings: Ryo x Ohkura; Ohkura Tadayoshi x Tamaki Hiroshi; hinted Yoko x Hina
Rating: NC -17
Length: Multi-chapter (5)
Words: 2889
Genre: Romance, angst, AU
Disclaimer: Too bad for me, I am not owning these men...just this story.
Summary: Ooku AU. Ohkura is a young man struggling to earn a position in the Ooku. Just for the background, in case you don't know about these manga and movie (go watch it !!), the roles are reversed and the Shogun is a woman, as men are decimated by a terrible disease outside of the walls of the palace. Young and beautiful men are sent to live at the Ooku by their families in the hope they can become someone important and escape the disease.
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He was already dressed when Ryo entered the room with his breakfast that morning. It seemed to him that a century had passed between the two days, after the sleepless night he had spent, thinking about everything and weighing the pros and the cons of each situation. They were not alone in the room as many young servants were arranging the place and they couldn't go far. Ryo had placed a Camphor flower on the tray, next to the kettle. Seeing it, Ohkura lifted his eyes to catch the other's. They looked at each other smiling, in silence, comfortable with the message that was conveyed by this very simple token.
The squire helped him to brush his hair and apply his kohl, slowly, stressing every movement with gentleness to get a maximum of contact without being found out. When Ohkura had to leave, Ryo slid the door open for him and has he walked by, whispered.
"Whatever happens in that room, remember. I love you."
The young man's heart exploded in his chest and all the efforts he had made to forget about what had happened the day before shattered. The other had sure chosen his moment for such a declaration. His right hand found the way out of his immense sleeves and with the tip of his fingers, he caressed Ryo's palm. This light touch was an assent, a confirmation but vowed them also to an eternal struggle in the palace.
Ohkura left slowly, not looking behind, as the door of his room slid back into position.
****************
He arrived in the main hall of the palace wearing a triumphant smile on his face. Everyone had bowed before him on his way, complimenting his attire or his beauty. Courtmen were known for being volatile but this was rather surprising. How did his protector managed such a miracle ?
The main hall was splendid, covered in rare woods sculptures and gold. Food had been put on laquered ebony tables all around the central space and gentlemen were seated in small groups everywhere, chatting happily. The Shogun seemed to be present, seated behind the traditional vails that hid her face to the lower ranks of her men. On her sides were seated the favorites, Murakami-sama hiding his anger behind a fake and wide smile, and his protector, shining with glee.
Ohkura proceeded to the throne, bowed deeply and on a sudden inspiration went to Murakami.
"My lord, I'm deeply sorry for what happened during the duels. The temperature was awfully high and the blood tends to boil in such circumstances. I hope Yokoyama-sama is doing well."
The older man looked down at him, his eyes filled with hatred. But what his face couldn't hide, his words could. And in a somewhat broken voice he stated :
"Don't worry, child. A duel is a duel and wounds are bound to happen. I'm glad you both made it alive."
The young man bowed again and came closer to his master, who had kept a seat for him. He was glad the other favorite had not slapped him in the face in front of everyone and considered it a victory. But Tamaki-sama was not ready to end the humiliation there. He bent a bit and looked at his rival, asking him loudly:
"By the way, where's Yokoyama ? We've not seen him for a while."
"Resting I suppose, he suffers incredible migraines these days."
"The boy's a bit fragile... Anyway, as long as Her Grace is not offended by his absence, I've got nothing to say."
At Ohkura's surprise a voice came out from behind the vails. It was shaking, almost childish and terribly weak.
"I don't want to see him anymore. He's ugly now."
The small group seated around the dais froze. It was the first time they could clearly hear the voice of the Shogun for most of them and its frailty came as a surprise. She couldn't be more than fourteen or even less. Way younger than what they had imagined. Past the surprise, conversations resumed quickly as they knew better than to look destabilised in front of others.
The time passed slowly for him, being congratulated by everyone for his skills in the duel and his toughness. All those hypocrites could go to hell, his conflicted feelings were transforming his heart into a battlefield. He let his body and habits answer them while his mind was floating somewhere between Ryo's embrace under a white tree and Tamaki's powerful arms. He had to choose. Quickly.
****************
His head was spinning due to the large quantity of alcohol he had drunk that day. Tamaki-sama saw him to his door, taking advantage of the situation to steal some kisses. He pressed Ohkura for more, already untying the clothes concealing his lover's body. They tumbled inside the young man's apartments, their minds clouded by the sake shared during the reception. His body was demanding more action, actually craving for friction, caresses and sweet release. But when the other's hand made its way under his kimono, the touch seemed off. Those fingers were rough despite their beauty and the kisses they shared were just raw lust. He opened his eyes and desire vanished once again as it had come, violently, like a hailstorm devastating everything in its way.
He pushed the other back with force, eliciting a cry of frustration.
"What ? Ohkura ! Why are you... ?"
"I... I don't want to. Not tonight."
"This is something new. Since when do you dare refusing me ?"
"I'm drunk. And you are too..."
"Not so long ago you didn't care about that. Come here, let me give you what you missed so much lately..."
The older man had a naughty smile and crazy eyes that definitely put him off. The spell cast by alcohol broke and he quickly put as much distance as he could between them.
"Leave, please. Leave... " he said in a small voice. His heart had clearly made a choice but he didn't know where it could lead him. His protector seemed hurt and mad but as an expert at hiding his emotions, he stood up with dignity, rearranging his clothes.
"When you'll be decided, let me know. But don't think for too long, my patience has its limits and I may find someone more... complying. I don't need to say what it would mean for you."
****************
The night fell quickly on the palace and Ohkura's head hurt. Too much thinking and frustration, the pending threat over his head.... his brain was about to explode. He got rid of his clothes, slipped in his futon and closed his eyes, hoping to sleep heavily enough to avoid dreams. He was woken up suddenly by a noise coming from the outside of his room. Someone was walking swiftly on the engawa and approached his doors. The clouds in his mind had not been cleared yet and an irrational fear seized him. What if someone had sent a cutthroat to get rid of him fast and clean ? He left his bed and stood next to the panels, waiting for an attacker. The person behind the paper doors had a weak light in hand and started sliding the panel slowly, trying to be extremely discreet. Ohkura jumped on the silhouette, twisted an arm and put his dagger under the other's throat.
“Owww. That hurts ! What are you doing ?”
“Ryo ?”
“Yes. Who do you think it could be in the middle of the night, seriously ?”
“I don't know, I was scared... You could have said something...”
“Just... release my arm first, it hurts, I swear. And put down that knife, I already shaved today.”
“Oh. Yes, sorry.” He let his arms fall, and slid slowly on the floor. His tension had plummeted in a second and his legs could no longer support him. The other sat beside, with a concerned frown.
“You look so down. What happened ? I've heard your return to court was a success, I wanted to congratulate you and you're almost killing me out of fright. I'm not sure I understand...”
“I don't know, everything's so confused right now... He wanted to sleep with me. I refused. He was so mad, I thought he could kill me. Or maybe Yokoyama.. or the Shogun... because I'm not...”
“Ssshhhhhhh. I'm sorry to say that but you're not the center of the world and as of now, no one needs you dead to keep complotting. So calm down, it's just me, and I'm sorry I didn't warn you. I thought you were still out and I wanted to wait for you here.”
“But he could have been with me ! If he finds you here, you'll be... you may be killed.”
“I'm your squire remember ? Don't worry with that. Come here.” And Ryo opened his arms for him. He plunged in this embrace he had longed for without waiting. They stayed like this for a while, the other soothing his mind with light kisses on the head.
“Y'know, I'm not the kind of guy to get jealous easily but... I'm glad you rejected him. It makes me sick just imagining his hands on you.”
“I hate his hands now, I hate his smell, I hate his breath. I can't sleep with him anymore.”
“Great. I'm kinda relieved. I'm all for your rise to power but i'd rather you to sleep only with me from now on.”
“Oh really ?” Feeling a lot better, Ohkura allowed himself a mischievious smile. “And if the Shogun chooses me ?”
“C'mon. Everyone knows she's a child. It's disgusting...”
“So you knew ! I found out this afternoon ! How come ?”
“You ought to listen to the little birds of the palace my lord, sometimes they say some very interesting things.”
“Stop calling me my lord... It's ridiculous, I'm lying half naked in your arms.”
“I don't even know your first name though. You never told me.”
“It's Tadayoshi... I don't like it. And it's been years since I've been called like this.”
“Mmm. Mind if I stick to your last name ?”
“Hey !” Ohkura elbowed the other with a smile, breaking their embrace. They fought playfully for few seconds before Ryo could manage to immobilize him.
“Mind if I kiss you my lord ?” His voice was deep and voluptuous. Those amazing eyes were hypnotizing him again, bending his mind and body to the other's will. Without waiting for a response, Ryo closed the distance between them and kissed him slowly. This time no panic seized him, no disgust but an incredible sensation of wellness radiated from his belly. They found themselves fast enough on Ohkura's futons discovering each other's body a bit more at each caress. The young man started where they left off the day before, sliding his hand under the other's clothes, removing the layers patiently one by one. Ryo let him, lying on his back and breathing in short inspirations, devouring his lover with his eyes. When they were finally perfectly naked, their skins joined together, Ryo broke their kiss. He looked embarassed and about to stop him again.
“What's happening ?” Ohkura whispered in his lowest voice.
“... I... don't laugh, okay ? It's... well, it's the first time for me.” His cheeks were red and he couldn't look at the other in the eyes. The confident and manly Ryo he'd met had vanished in a second, giving up its place to another intriguing personality.
“The first time ? You mean... With a man ?”
“No. The very first time. Like... now. I couldn't tell you before. What if you laughed at me ? That's why... I interrupted you under the tree... It was too fresh, I freaked out.”
“Damn. I really want to say that you're incredibly cute but you'd certainly punch me for that.”
“You can still try... I know you are a man of challenges.” He had finally lifted his eyes and looked at the other. Ohkura smiled to him, one of those smiles he hoped could convey how much he loved him. It seemed to work as Ryo smiled back a beautiful and honest grin.
“You're cute. I love you.”
Ryo lifted the right fist to his face as if to punch him, but the hand opened and the movement changed to a caress on the way. His eyes were humid with small tears stopping their course in insanely long eyelashes.
“Are you crying ? Did I say something wrong ?” Ohkura was puzzled by his lover's reaction. When he expected them to keep teasing and laughing their worries away, the atmosphere seemed to change into some serious confession time.
“ … Just kiss me, you idiot.”
And so he did. His arousal was extreme and he couldn't stay still anymore. He let his mouth taste every single part of Ryo's body, nibbling the soft and golden skin occasionally. He could feel under his lips the crazy beating of the other's heart, giving up how he was nervous. The loud vibration echoed in his own body, his blood flow harmonizing. He had never felt such union with another being and very fast his lover's skin felt like his, every caress and every touch enjoyed twice, sensations enhanced by the prohibition over their relationship. If they were discovered now, it would be the end of their story, of their lives even.
Ryo was responding to his actions in a bolder way every second, regaining composure as his desire grew. When Ohkura took him in his mouth after a long teasing he moaned loudly, biting his lips to avoid any other sound that would pass through the paper walls and expose them. His hands were caught in the long hair of his partner, clenching the luxurious curls strongly enough to elicit some cries from the other. When he felt his lover's body shaking, on the verge of his release, he stopped suddenly and instead went up, kissing his way back to Ryo's lips. Who let out a weak complaint, too caught in the intense kissing session he was put through. Ohkura couldn't have enough of those amazing lips and breaking the embrace just for a second, murmured against them.
I want you inside me.
As he resumed his kissing he moved on the other's body, which was still lying, back against the futon. His moves were deliberately slow and caressing, to guarantee a maximum of friction between them. His long legs crawled along Ryo's and he straddled his lover in a supple movement that made them shiver. He was in charge in this, showing the other man how it's done. He knew the art of pleasure by heart and for once was really eager to demonstrate his skills. The young man lowered himself on his lover's member, slowly, letting the other feel every second of it. Ryo struggled to keep his eyes opened, his look firmly plunging in Ohkura's clouded eyes as he was sinking on him. His hands surged forward and grabbed his lover thighs, digging his fingers deeply in the white flesh.
His palms resting on Ryo's perfect stomach, Ohkura paused a second, waiting for the other to catch his breath. The fascinating black irises were focused on him, as if asking what was to come, the time around them slowed and their world was reduced solely to those animal sensations. Mere seconds passed but it felt like they spent a lifetime contemplating each other, connected in the most intimate way. The young man finally moved upwards just a bit, breaking the spell and sending them again in a whirlwind of pleasure. He was moving his hips up and down, faster and faster feeling tremendously empty each time the other was not into him anymore. He would have wanted to keep him there, forever, between his legs, their bodies melting together in the most beautiful embrace he had ever experienced. He felt an incredible warmth building in his stomach when Ryo started to move under him, joining his dance in small but firm thrusts. The emotions were now too difficult to contain and in a blissful oblivion he moaned his pleasure without any restraint. The other sat up then, passing his thin but strong arms around his waist, caressing his back as they kept moving in rhythm. They were out of breath but their mouths found each other again wildly as they were reaching their release. When they came, their physical fusion was perfect, every inch of their skins sharing what the other felt.
Ohkura was shaking in Ryo's arms, overwhelmed by an orgasm he had never known before. The other, still holding his hips, swung them both delicately on the side and they fell back on the futon, embraced. None of them could speak, nor release his grip on the other's body. They were just looking at each other in an unbroken eye contact, drinking the feelings directly from the living pools that were their pupils. They fell asleep like this, together, not caring about tomorrow, when they would have to entangle themselves from the other and walk, breathe, live, separately.
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Ok. Long chapter this time, I had to ! It was difficult to write, the scene with Tamaki wouldn't come out of my head and slowed me a bit. Seems like our "hero" made a choice. But we're not done with them yet ;)