Emperor Dragon for Feihu!
Title: Emperor Dragon (Part I)
Author: sagely_sea
Recipient: Feihu
Pairing/Characters: Sanada/Tezuka, Tezuka/Atobe, Niou, Yagyuu
Rating: NC-17
Warnings: Small hints of mpreg existing in this universe near the very end of the story.
Disclaimer: Prince of Tennis is owned by Konomi.
Summary: When Atobe’s merchant expedition leads Tezuka to the Rikkai empire he didn’t think he would be the object that Emperor Sanada wants most.
Notes: Feihu, I hope you enjoy it. I tried to work in most of your requests though they often ended up being milder forms of the original. I hope that if you look closely you can see the hints of them all.
Also, a big thanks to my beta quelleperedhil who did a fabulous job.
“Welcome to the empire,” Sanada greeted his guests, who were bowing so deeply that he could not yet get a good look at them. “Rise and explain to me why you have come here.” The Rikkai empire was strong and fierce and often got visitors of varying kinds. From nearby peasants who had qualms with each other to nobles that wished to garner his favour or to submit a complaint about his military or some such. It was not his fault that nobles stupidly got in the way of his general. Any idiot that thought to come between Yukimura and his goals deserved what they got. Though he hoped that with Yanagi now sent off to advise Yukimura on battle tactics, his general and army would decide to go around noble strongholds who were loyal to the crown and not through them. Expansion and victory were good. But dealing with whining nobles made his head hurt and made him want to hurt someone.
But this entourage did not look like either peasants or annoyed nobles. They were certainly well dressed enough to be nobles and the man in the front had a large enough entourage. But there were just a number of small things that pegged him for something else.
“Thank you for having us, your majesty,” the man said as he rose. “My name is Atobe Keigo, of the Atobe merchant family. We deal with especially rare and exquisite materials and jewels. Having heard of the empire’s wealth and discerning taste, I was of the belief that my services could be of use to you.”
“I see,” Sanada said. He eyed up Atobe and then glanced at his still bowing entourage. He had heard of the Atobe name, it was hard not to when it seemed that every province and kingdom they had incorporated into the empire had dealt with the man and his family. Yes, the goods that he had been shown were exquisite, but he had plenty of such things around the castle and throughout the kingdom. He did not see the need to do business with a foreigner, no matter how handsome he may be. “And what can you offer that my own merchants and traders cannot procure?”
“My family has been in business a long time, your majesty, and we have built up a large collection of unbelievable goods, and have numerous contacts and favours that other traders can only dream of having. Anything you can think of and desire can be yours,” Atobe said. It was obvious he was good at his job, and even Sanada was becoming intrigued.
“And if I am bored of jewels and fancy cloth?” Sanada asked. He had an excess of that. “And I said that you can rise, this includes your entourage.” He gestured once more for them all to rise and hoped that they would understand. He demanded respect from his citizens and visitors, but he considered himself fair and did not need people simpering and bowing to a nauseating extent around him. He knew he was strong and powerful, he did not need an excessive show of deference to prove it.
“Then perhaps you are interested in near mythical weapons, old books filled with stories of the world, or various spices and foods from around the globe,” Atobe said.
Sanada thought he might have gone on listing more things that he could offer, but his entourage was finally rising and, as he skimmed the faces and the outfits, he noticed that the one closest to Atobe seemed to be wearing what could be described as a military type outfit. He was unarmed - as a guest in the kingdom, it would be quite rude to go before the emperor armed - but he held himself like someone used to the weight of a sword on his hip. But it wasn’t the fact that he was a soldier that drew his eye. As a merchant, it would make sense for the Atobe family to employ a fairly large military contingent to make sure goods were transported safely and deals were followed through. So it wasn’t the fact that Atobe had guards that was curious. And as the emperor, he personally saw soldiers everywhere on a daily basis. Even now the room was dotted with highly trained soldiers acting as his guard.
No. It was something else entirely that drew his eyes to the man and kept his attention solely focused on him. When the man looked his way, obviously feeling the sting of his gaze, he felt his breath catch.
He had never felt such an instant attraction to a person in his life. And all he could think of was that he would pay Atobe his whole fortune if he would sell him that man like one of his beautiful goods.
“What if I told you that I wanted your guard,” Sanada said, cutting off whatever Atobe was still saying to him.
He had obviously startled the man, but much to his credit, and undoubtedly to his years of training in the business, he recovered swiftly. “I thank you for acknowledging my guard’s appeal, but I’m afraid he’s not for sale.”
“But you said you can get me anything,” Sanada countered.
“Anything. Not anyone. And he’s currently under contract to me and not for sale,” Atobe said.
Sanada glared at him and then shifted his look over to the guard. He hadn’t reacted at all to the exchange, other than a quick glance to Atobe at the start of it. He wanted to know what the man was thinking about this. If he had offended him, he was confident in his ability to set things right later. But at the moment, he needed to ensure the other stayed here in his empire, in his city and preferably in his castle.
“I will pay any price,” Sanada said, with emphasis. It was a bold and somewhat unwise offer to make. Atobe could ask for quite a lot, and right now, Sanada would be tempted to give it to him.
Sanada could see Atobe hesitate at the offer, but one glance at the guard had him turning back to Sanada with a firm look. “I’m afraid that he’s too rare and special to sell. Even to a glorious emperor like yourself,” Atobe said.
“Rare?” Sanada asked. “He seems a common enough soldier.”
“If he were so common, why would a great and powerful man like yourself desire him so much, your majesty?”
Sanada frowned. He supposed that Atobe had a point. Stopping to think about it a moment, he doubted that a normal human guard would draw his attention like the man had. “Then what makes him so rare?”
Surprisingly, it wasn’t Atobe that answered, but the taller man beside him. “I am a shifter, your majesty.” At the low and smooth voice, Sanada felt himself growing hard. Fortunately, the layers and cut of his clothes would hide it. But it was odd for someone, even a shifter, to have an effect like that on him with such casual words. It just made the man all the more intriguing.
“Of what variety?” Sanada asked.
“Your majesty,” Atobe interrupted before the guard could answer, “As my guard is not for sale, why don’t we bring our talks to more productive topics.”
Sanada was annoyed at being thwarted at every step. But Atobe was a man of business, and he could play that game well enough to make sure that the merchant had no reason to leave his city anytime soon. And in that time, he was quite sure of his ability to get close to the guard and get what he wanted through other means. Just because he wasn’t used to being patient didn’t mean he didn’t how to be.
“As you say…. Then I require you for other services,” Sanada said. His accountants may not like this plan if he ended up buying too many frivolous things from Atobe, but right now he didn’t care. And as emperor there was, fortunately, nobody around who could tell him to stop being foolish over a guard. Though perhaps he would see what seeds and bulbs Atobe could procure for him just to make sure that at least Yukimura would be on his side.
-----
Tezuka panted as he pulled out of Atobe’s hot body and rolled to the side. The sex had been satisfying, as always, but it hadn’t sated Tezuka’s desire like he would have wanted. Much to his shame, it had not been Atobe’s deep blue eyes that he had seen in front of him as he had headed toward completion. Instead, he had pictured the deep brown, hard gaze of the emperor.
The man unnerved him. And he certainly didn’t like that he seemed to think that he could buy Tezuka, as if he were property. But even with that, he could not deny that he felt some strange, strong attraction to the man.
But Tezuka knew that those were dangerous thoughts. And he was thankful for Atobe’s ability to keep his head around the strong man and firmly tell him no. Unfortunately, that did not seem to deter the emperor, and Atobe was too savvy a businessman to miss out on the opportunity that having an emperor who wanted them close could bring. Not only would it be bad for business to leave now, it could also be bad for their health if the emperor decided to use force instead of his wallet to get Atobe and his entourage to stay.
It was worrisome, and that worry combined with the need to convince himself that he felt nothing for the emperor had led him into Atobe’s bed. It was not his first time here. He had been Atobe’s body guard for quite some time and his casual lover for nearly all of it. There were no expectations or sentiment between them, though they certainly respected and liked each other.
Fortunately, they were both hard workers, not sentimental types. So it wasn’t odd for either of them to leave the bed shortly after coupling. In fact, they both only tended to stay the night when they had drunk a bit too much at a party, or they planned on enjoying each other a few more times before morning.
"I should check on the supplies,” Tezuka said.
"You worry far too much about the competence of my other guards. But if it makes you feel better, it certainly won’t hurt,” Atobe said, still sprawled comfortably on the bed.
"It’s our first time here and we don’t know how our reception will be after the meeting earlier.” The emperor taking such a keen interest in him, and Atobe being so unhelpful about it, could cause any type of reaction. It never hurt to take extra precautions.
"True. And I imagine that you will be familiarizing yourself with the city after?”
"Of course. Knowledge is power, and your safety and the success of your trading requires both.”
"You are far too good for me,” Atobe said, giving Tezuka a small smile. "Which is why I will never sell your contract to the emperor. But he’s a powerful man, and you know I can’t disrespect him by sending you away.”
Tezuka frowned. They had already gone over this - If they should stay or go, or if Tezuka himself should stay or go. He didn’t like the choices or the reasons, but he understood them. And as much as he was reluctant to do so, he would play the part required of him and do his job to the best of his ability, as always. "Just try to keep me away from him as much as possible. He seems the type to be very focused on what he wants.”
"I’ll do the best I can. Though you shouldn’t let him get to you. You’re strong enough to resist him, and if he tries to be forceful, it will harm his reputation and we would leave immediately.”
Tezuka nodded. That was more than he expected from Atobe and it pleased him to know that Atobe would put his safety ahead of a good deal. Even if it had to get to an extreme before that happened. But as a strong shifter trained in fighting, there was no need to worry for him until it reached that point.
Though, this wasn't helping him to not think about the emperor and how he wasn’t sure that Sanada would be forcing him into anything if he were put into a compromising position. What he needed was to clear his head of sex and strange emperors. Checking in on their guards and going for a walk in the city would hopefully help with that.
"Let me get you a cloth to clean you up. And then I’ll go,” Tezuka said. He moved from the bed and went into the bathroom to clean himself off and prepare a warm cloth for Atobe. He returned and gently cleaned him. “There you go.”
“Thank you.”
“Will you be getting any more work done today?” Tezuka asked.
“No. I think it best I get a full night’s rest and an early start tomorrow. I feel the emperor will be keeping me busy and on my toes.”
“Alright. Then sleep well.” Tezuka pulled the blankets up back around Atobe and gave him a light kiss. Just because his thoughts were all over the place and he had thought about inappropriate things during their coupling did not mean that he held any hard feelings toward Atobe, or that he didn’t care for him. Kindness towards Atobe cost him nothing.
He returned the cloth to the bathroom and cleaned it before putting his clothes back on. Sure that he was presentable, he first went to check on their goods and the guards. Satisfied that everything was in order and there were no concerns, he headed to the gate that would take him from the royal grounds, where their lodgings were, and into the city. It was fortunate that this city didn’t seem to employ a curfew like most seemed to. Or perhaps as a guest he was exempt. Either way, he found that nobody stopped him from leaving or warned him of when he needed to be back.
The city was mostly quiet and dark at this time of night, but Tezuka made his way easily down the streets. He doubted that there was anything lurking in the dark that could truly harm him. And with it being too dark to properly admire the architecture of a new kingdom and to take in the details, there was no reason to move slowly. Tonight was just about familiarizing himself with streets and the general layout of the city. He could work on the details later.
As he turned a corner to head to what seemed to be the the seedy, nightlife filled district, he felt a presence nearby. He had felt slightly as if he were being watched for a while now, but had dismissed it, as he had not seen nor heard anyone. But now it was stronger and he paused in the street and turned around to see the vague hints of a figure.
“Skulking around mister?” A voice asked from a shadowed area across the way.
Tezuka was of a mind to ignore him and keep going to the more populated area before the shadowed figure spoke again.
“It’d be a shame if the emperor’s new toy was up to no good.”
That made Tezuka frown. He was not the emperor’s new toy. And he disliked that such gossip had started already. Annoyed at such talk, he had no patience to play with people he couldn’t see. “Perhaps you are the one who should stop lurking in the shadows,” Tezuka said.
“It’s night time. I’m afraid it’s really nothing but darkness and shadows right now. The perfect setting to get up to no good,” the figure said. He then stepped away from the shadowed path and further into the light. The man was smiling far too broadly for Tezuka’s comfort. But then, he thought that he recognized him. Just with a more serious look on his face.
“I’m just going for a walk,” Tezuka said.
“At this hour? Something on your mind?”
“Nothing that concerns you.” He much prefered being an anonymous guard in Atobe’s employment to having the emperor’s, and what seemed to be one of his own guard’s, attention on him. Because now he could remember where he had seen the man before. It had been in the throne room of the emperor. Though he had been in an uniform then, and while he had not been on the dias, he had been close enough to it to be of a fairly decent rank in the guard.
“On the contrary, everything that happens in this kingdom concerns me. Even the thoughts going through your head.”
With that as the only warning, Tezuka felt a jolt of magic as the man moved from the shadows and poked his forehead. His own innate magic instantly reacted, repelling the man back away from him and onto the ground. But it was obvious from this that this guard was just no ordinary foot soldier.
“Interesting…” the man said as he stood and dusted off his clothes.
“I don’t appreciate being attacked by strangers,” Tezuka said.
“I’m not a stranger. I’m Niou. We met in the hall. Well… we saw each other in the hall,” Niou said, giving him another grin.
Tezuka did not consider briefly seeing someone in the same room meeting them. And even if he had, that show of magic would still not have been welcome. “It is still inexcusable to look into someone else’s mind.”
“Maybe…. but it’s not like it mattered, right?” Niou asked.
“That is beside the point.”
“Well either way, I guess I’ll just believe that you aren’t skulking for now. Things to do, people to see and all that. I’ll see you around, Tezuka. Probably before you see me.” And with that, Niou slunk back into the shadows.
Though Tezuka could still feel the eyes on him. He knew he could probably lose the man in the crowds if he wanted to venture into a tavern or two. But suddenly his desire to explore the city was gone. With one last look at the direction Niou had disappeared in, he turned and started making his way back to the castle.
------
The situation with Sanada had only compounded his dislike for this kingdom and his desire to leave, so it was with great reluctance that Tezuka put on his uniform and prepared to stay close to Atobe.
He knew that Atobe had meetings planned with various nobles of the court, which may or may not require his presence at Atobe’s discretion. But he also knew that the emperor had asked Atobe to join him for afternoon tea to discuss acquiring various things, and there would be no way he wouldn’t be forced into attending.
The morning’s meetings went by far too quickly for once, and before he had figured out what to feel or think, Tezuka found himself waiting a few paces away from Atobe on a balcony that overlooked beautiful gardens. The table was already prepared for the afternoon tea and the only thing missing was Sanada.
Tezuka was thankful that he had always been good at holding a neutral expression, his stoic appearance had rarely failed him over the years. Because when Sanada came marching through the doors, Tezuka felt a myriad of emotions flow through him, none he felt comfortable letting others read on his face.
He bowed along with Atobe and straightened when told to do so. As Atobe and the emperor took their seats, he moved further back toward the door and out of the way, where he hoped to be forgotten.
“Will your guard not join us?” Sanada asked, as he reached for a quiche and moved it to his plate. Tezuka noted that it looked vaguely comical, with how large Sanada’s hands were compared to the small quiche and the delicate looking finery around him. So distracted by the contradictions, it took him a second to realize what Sanada’s question meant.
“It’s not customary, your highness,” Atobe said. “He’s trained to stand guard and protect me.”
“You have nothing to fear when in the heart of my castle,” Sanada said, then gestured to the empty third chair at the table. Tezuka had seen the chair there earlier, but had hoped that it was a common fixture or that Sanada would be bringing a guest.
As to having nothing to fear, Tezuka begged to differ. Yes, Atobe may be safe from assassination or angry merchants, but Tezuka doubted that he could say the same about himself. Especially when the emperor looked at him as if he wanted to devour him in various ways.
“Then I’m sure that Tezuka would be willing to cede my protection to your own guards for a time,” Atobe said. He glanced his way, obviously in apology for not being able to get him out of this, but Tezuka had expected as much. He just didn’t know if the feeling was dread or delight as he moved to take the seat with them.
“Thank you for the honour,” Tezuka said politely. He gave another small bow before sitting.
Tezuka poured himself tea and did his best to ignore the eyes of the emperor on him. Thankfully, Atobe got right down to business and Sanada was forced to look away.
“I’m afraid you weren’t overly specific in what you may be looking for. So I prepared a portfolio of some of the more interesting things currently with us,” Atobe said, and opened up the folder he had brought. “Of course, if there’s anything you’re looking for that we don’t have with us now, I’m sure we could procure it for you.”
“Would you and your entourage be required to leave for that, or would you send a messenger to retrieve it?” Sanada asked.
“It would depend on the item. If it is Atobe possession, a messenger would suffice. If it required travel and careful negotiation to get for you, then my personal attention would be necessary,” Atobe said.
And right away, Tezuka knew exactly which items the emperor would want from Atobe, and he was sure that Sanada was clever enough to drag out the process as long as it took for him to get what he wanted from Tezuka, or to grow bored of the game.
The meeting went on for quite some time, though thankfully, besides an odd input into how the food was or what he thought of a certain item or two, his opinion was not required, and he was almost able to relax despite being so close to the emperor. Of course, it would have been easier if the emperor did not insist on finding any excuse to lean into his personal space, brush fingers against his when passing things, or stare at him.
Still, it had been mostly painless for him and quite lucrative for Atobe.
“That was quite the successful meeting,” Atobe said, walking back to their rooms as he reviewed the notes he took. “Thank you for behaving yourself.”
“I’m not a child, Atobe. I know how to do my job.” And he knew how to do it well. Even when it required things typically outside of his job description.
“I know. But I also know that the emperor makes you uncomfortable. And I can’t say I approve of his fixation on you,” Atobe said as he entered the room that he had set up as his receiving room and office. The emperor was not the only client Atobe planned on having in Rikkai, even if he seemed to be to the most lucrative.
“I’m sure that it’s a passing fancy. You of all people should know how those with wealth and power change tastes quickly,” Tezuka said.
Atobe looked at him for a long moment. “I will choose to take that as a comment on my business, which relies on ever changing and fickle tastes of nobles, and not on me directly,” Atobe said. He undid his jacket and slid it off before tossing it on the back of a sofa. He then moved behind his desk and sat down to look at the stack of papers he had to get through. “It seems that I’ll be preoccupied here for rest of the afternoon. If you wanted to check on other things, now would be a good time.”
Tezuka gave a nod. He could explore more of the city or even more of the palace grounds. Both would help to clear his head. What he would really have liked to do was find a secluded spot to shift and stretch, but that was risky at the best of times, and in a foreign city where he wasn’t yet familiar with all the rules and nuances of the culture would make it too dangerous.
“I’ll be back in time to see you safely to dinner,” Tezuka said. And with a small bow excused himself from Atobe’s presence.
------
Tezuka was walking down a corridor when several women in ornate dresses headed towards him. Not wanting to get in their way, he stepped off to the side and into the alcove of a window. As they passed, he looked outside, over the large grounds around the castle. He noticed an extensive maze that seemed interesting and worth exploring. It had been a long time since he’d done one of those. And if things went bad here, it might be wise to know how to use the maze to their advantage. Or at least not be foolish enough to get lost in it.
That now in mind, he made his way to the main level and out of the back door. It was still hot outside, as it was a clear and sunny day, and there weren’t many brave enough to be out walking the gardens. Tezuka took advantage of the quiet and headed to the maze. There were a few guards posted here and there, but as he was a welcomed guest and up to no mischief, they let him pass with a small nod of acknowledgement.
Once inside of the maze, Tezuka relaxed slightly once he was away from the eyes of the guards, the nobles of the castle, and most importantly, the emperor. Feeling a little like a child, he started exploring the different paths.
He wasn’t sure in what circumstances he and Atobe may end up here while trying to avoid harm, but he had found that being overly prepared had saved them from difficult and deadly situations more than once in the past.
As he continued wandering, his thoughts drifted to from other travels with Atobe to the afternoon tea spent with Sanada. He growled to himself and continued walking through various paths. It didn’t take him long to realise that he had gotten himself lost in the maze by letting his thoughts wander.
There was no point getting upset though. Learning the various routes of the maze was why he was here. And well, if he were to start while lost, it would only further ensure that he knew all of the details of the maze. Now focused on the maze, Tezuka looked around and frowned when all paths looked the same. He would just have to go about this methodically, and surely the center of the maze as well as its entrance and exit would come to him.
--
Sanada was working his way through a large stack of paperwork that Yagyuu had brought him when a flash of white moving across the grounds outside his window had caught his eye. Looking more closely, he easily recognized the white and pale blue uniform as belonging to the man of his desires.
While he had given Atobe and his entourage the privilege of being his special guests and access to all public area within the castle he had not expected to see Tezuka heading towards the hedge maze. Watching him enter, he wondered just what he was up to. But before he could watch his progress, Yagyuu placed another paper in front of him.
“This would go faster if you focused and stopped day dreaming,” Yagyuu said.
While Tezuka may have seemed like something out of his dreams, if he had been day dreaming it would certainly have been of more than just watching Tezuka wander through the maze. It would probably involve him cornering Tezuka in the maze and ravishing him in a dead end where he couldn’t escape.
He was just starting to smile at the thought when Yagyuu sighed loudly next to him. “Really… I don’t know how Yanagi puts up with you. What is it you’re looking at?” Yagyuu asked as he leaned over to look out the window.
“Nothing. What’s the next paper about.”
Yagyuu didn’t seem convinced but started explaining the next stack of papers and explained what needed his attention and where he should sign.
Sanada made it through several more documents before his attention drifted outside again to where Tezuka was still wandering.
“You know, if you’d rather go play with the merchant’s guard, I can sign what needs to be done and just fill you in on what has been approved or denied later,” Yagyuu said. He then pushed up his glasses making them catch the light ominously.
It reminded Sanada just how much he regretted sending Yanagi off to watch over Yukimura even if it was the prudent decision. But if Yanagi had been here instead of Yagyuu, he would have trusted him with the paperwork without question.
However, when it came to Yagyuu, Yanagi’s chosen replacement, he always felt extra cautious. Yagyuu was certainly proficient and knowledgeable and the empire would not run half as well without him. But he also had a mischievous nearly cruel side to him. So it was best to not leave major decisions up to him. Who knew what disaster he may come back to.
“No. It’s fine. I’ll work on it a bit longer before I take my afternoon break,” Sanada finally said. Though what he really wanted to do was just set the paperwork on fire and go see what Tezuka was up to in the maze.
Unfortunately, the emperor in him had to ignore the desires of the man and the dragon and focus on work. At least for the next thirty minutes. Then, if Tezuka was still out wandering he would go join him and rescue him from the evils of the Rikkai shrubbery.
-----
Tezuka cursed as he took another wrong turn and ended up at a dead end. He should be better at this, but today his thoughts just wouldn't stay focused long enough to put the maze together. He was being beyond careless and it was bothering him more than he’d like.
He took another turn, sure that this one would lead him somewhere useful, where he could get his bearings, when he heard a familiar voice from behind him.
“May I assist you?”
Tezuka turned and masked all emotion on his face as he did so. “Not at all,” Tezuka said. He was startled by the emperor’s sudden appearance and wondered why he hadn’t felt the man’s approach. Perhaps he had been wandering around for longer than he realized.
“Then you intended to walk past this spot several times?”
“Merely admiring the architecture.” He was sure he would have been able to defeat this puzzle handily if his thoughts weren’t so distracted by the man in front of him.
“I think you’ve admired enough. Any more and you run the risk of starving in my gardens. And as a good host, I simply can’t have that.”
“Have you been watching me?” Tezuka asked.
“My office affords a lovely view of the garden. And I’m afraid that you wandering around aimlessly in the maze was hard to miss.”
Tezuka blushed slightly and looked away. That was embarrassing, and he hoped that it was only Sanada who had noticed his carelessness. “I’m sorry to have been a distraction,” Tezuka eventually said.
“No need. You were most definitely a pleasant distraction.”
“I didn’t realize that the emperor enjoyed watching his guests suffer,” Tezuka said, and then regretted it.
“I don’t,” Sanada said swifty and moved toward Tezuka. “It was having a chance to watch you, however far away you were, that I enjoyed.”
“I’m sure that will pass.” And maybe it was that belief that made Tezuka dislike all of the attention from the emperor. Giving in to any sort of desire on his end would only lead to suffering when Sanada’s attention turned elsewhere..
“I doubt it. I have never known such attraction before. Tell me, Tezuka. Do you feel nothing between us?” Sanada was only an arm’s length away as he stared into Tezuka’s eyes, waiting for his answer.
“No. I apologize.” It was a lie. And one Tezuka wasn’t comfortable with saying, but it seemed safer than the alternative. He was worried that if he let any of his guard down, he would find himself in a precarious situation. There was just something about Sanada that made his dragon side want to curl up at Sanada’s feet and get ear scratches.
“I don’t believe you,” Sanada said. He closed the space between them and brushed his fingers along Tezuka’s jaw, then used that touch to lift up his chin so he could better look at him. “You shouldn’t lie to your emperor.”
There was no point in reminding Sanada that he was not Tezuka’s emperor, because that was not the point of this conversation and, as a guest in the empire, it wasn’t something that would be wise to denounce. But that didn’t mean he had to make things easy on him either.
“What kind of shifter are you?” Sanada asked after Tezuka hadn’t replied for some time.
While slightly thrown by the sudden change in topic, Tezuka was thankful enough that Sanada was pursuing a different line of questioning to answer honestly and share what he really was. “Dragon.”
Sanada’s eyes widened a bit at that, and it was clear to Tezuka that he was surprised by his answer. “Impressive. No wonder Atobe is so determined to keep you,” Sanada said.
“Is it so surprising?” Tezuka asked.
“I suppose not. Considering your position as a guard and the way you carry yourself, there are few other shifters that you could be. But still… dragon shifters are rare and I did not expect to find one wandering my gardens.”
“You’re taking it quite well, considering,” Tezuka said. He was used to any number of reactions, but Sanada’s calm acceptance and continued fascination with him was not the usual one.
“Why shouldn’t I? In fact. Finding out that you’re a dragon explains so much to me.”
“It does?”
“I’m attracted to you, Tezuka. Learning that you are a rare and powerful dragon only makes you that much more alluring to me.”
It was Tezuka’s turn to be surprised by the straightforward honesty of the emperor. But before he could phrase a proper reply, Sanada was leaning in to close the final distance between their lips.
Tezuka had a split second to decide what to do and to lean back if he didn't want the kiss. Instead, he pressed forward and initiated the kiss while gripping the fabric of Sanada’s jacket. If he was going to be careless and give in to curiosity and lust he would not let Sanada decide everything.
The kiss was too long in coming to be gentle and slow. Instead, it was filled with passion as they pressed their mouths together roughly and quickly, parting their lips to explore each other’s tastes and warmth more thoroughly.
Tezuka found himself weak to the forcefulness of Sanada’s passion, but as a hand moved down to shamelessly grope his ass, he remembered just where they were; he pulled his mouth away from Sanada’s and gave him a small push away.
“Stop.”
“Why?” Sanada asked. He was panting and clearly aroused, but he held back from touching or kissing Tezuka for the moment.
“We shouldn’t be doing this,” Tezuka said.
“Why not? I’ve been drawn to you from the moment I saw you, and I want you. Surely you feel it, too.”
Tezuka did. And that was the problem and the reason they shouldn’t be doing anything. “That doesn’t matter.”
“And why does it not matter? If we both want each other, there’s no reason to hold back.”
“You’re an emperor and I’m a common guard for hire. It is a horrible combination.”
“You’re not merely a guard. You’re a shifter.”
“That’s even more of a reason to stay away. Relationships with shifters can be complicated,” Tezuka said. He could not see how this coupling could lead to a relationship or anything good. A shifter had a hard enough time blending in with society without being the consort to a powerful emperor. A kiss to sate their curiosity would just have to suffice for them.
“Perhaps it would be in other places you’ve travelled. But you’re in Rikkai …and I’m not exactly a human emperor.”
“What do you mean?” Tezuka asked, eyeing him up and wondering just what he had missed.
Sanada gave a chuckle, but it wasn’t unkind. He leaned back into Tezuka’s personal space, but instead of pressing his lips to Tezuka’s, he brushed them against his ear. “I’m a dragon, too.”
The warm breath against his ear combined with those words caused a shiver to run down Tezuka’s spine. If it were true, it would explain so much. The instant recognition and desire. And perhaps even why someone as strong as himself would have such a strong urge to do the emperor’s bidding.
“And I will be your dragon if you’ll have me. I need you, Tezuka,” Sanada said, sincerity and lust shining in his eyes.
Tezuka felt himself responding to that look on an instinctual level, and was so overwhelmed by it that he had to look away. Still, he found himself correcting Sanada even before he really registered the words. “It’s Kunimitsu.”
“Look at me,” Sanada said.
Tezuka hesitated for a moment before lifting his eyes to look back up at Sanada.
When their eyes locked, the desire in Sanada’s eyes only grew stronger. Tezuka found himself drowning in it. There was a raw energy and fire in his gaze that was not just from Sanada’s dragon powers.
“Kunimitsu,” Sanada said. One of them, Tezuka couldn’t be sure who, let out a growl of need before their lips locked once more. They struggled for dominance over it for only a moment before Tezuka submitted to Sanada, allowing him to lead the kiss and pull him close to his body again.
This time when Sanada groped his ass, Tezuka let out a breathy moan and ran his fingers through the Sanada’s hair, tugging it lightly. The move made Sanada growl and kiss him harder, which only encouraged Tezuka to do it again.
-----
Sanada lost track of how long they were kissing, but when they finally broke apart, they were breathless. Even then, Sanada couldn’t keep his hands from wandering all over Tezuka, exploring as much of his clothed body as he could reach.
Looking at Tezuka, a pale blush staining his cheeks and his lips swollen from his aggressive kisses, Sanada wanted nothing more than to explore Tezuka’s unclothed body, too. It would be fun to see just where else that pink blush spread when Tezuka was lain out before him in the nude.
He was tempted to strip where they were, but he knew that the maze was overlooked by too many windows in the castle to get careless. There was the gazebo in the center of the maze that would offer them enough privacy, especially since his guards would not let others enter the maze to disturb them. But it wasn’t the most comfortable of places, and Sanada, despite lusting after Tezuka these last days, had not yet taken to carrying oil around in his pocket. That left one solution.
“Would you care to retire to my rooms for refreshments?” he asked. He wanted to be more direct, but worried about scaring Tezuka off again. As he asked the question, he watched Tezuka blink away the fog of arousal as he contemplated the words and wondered if he had been too indirect. “It would be more comfortable,” he hastily added.
“Comfortable would be nice,” Tezuka finally said, his voice a little gravelly and breathless. It was doing all sorts of things to Sanada’s libido and making him reconsider sneaking in a bit more foreplay where they were.
Somehow, he managed to pull himself away from Tezuka without groping or kissing him again. Though he did take his hand. “I wouldn’t want you to wander off and get lost again,” he said.
“I wasn’t lost.” Tezuka’s flush deepened with embarrassment and Sanada had to turn his gaze back to the path to not watch as it moved beneath his collar. He would have time to explore that later.
Having been running around the maze for as long as he could remember, Sanada quickly led them out of it without error. Tezuka looked only slightly put out about that, but quickly recovered his usual look when he saw the guards nearby. Though he gently tugged his hand away from Sanada’s, he made no indication that he had changed his mind about continuing to follow Sanada to his rooms.
“Tezuka and I will be having iced tea and refreshments in my personal receiving room,” Sanada said to the nearest runner. The man bowed low, then ran off toward the kitchens. Sanada knew that if they kept a slow pace, the exact opposite of what he wanted right now, the requested drinks and food would be waiting for them when they arrived. As he did not wish to earn a lecture from Yagyuu on proper decorum by breaking down and dragging Tezuka through the corridors, occasionally stopping to kiss and molest him, he forced his feet to keep the leisurely pace.
“Perhaps you could explain some of the art as we walk,” Tezuka suggested.
Since Sanada doubted that Tezuka really wanted to think about artwork right now, he figured that Tezuka was also just trying to ignore the sexual tension and give them both something else to focus on. It was easier said than done. But Sanada paused in front of a larger family portrait just off of the main hall. “This was the last extended family portrait that my family had done.”
Tezuka’s eyes scanned the painting, likely looking for Sanada while taking in details of the others. “Which one are you?” he asked eventually.
“It was made some time ago. I’m afraid that we’re overdue for another. But that’s me and my parents,” Sanada said, gesturing first to the lovely woman holding an overly dressed baby, and then to the man standing proudly beside her, holding the hand of another young boy.
“Your mother looks lovely in this painting. I assume you’ve had other portraits done since this one?”
Sanada gave a small chuckle. “Of course. But none with the cousins and various other relatives. Perhaps when I wed, I will find the time and motivation to get another commissioned.” He watched Tezuka as he spoke, but didn’t get any reaction. Only a neutral nod as if it made perfect sense. Which it probably did to Tezuka. Just because Sanada was slowly dragging him to his chambers to ravish him before either could second guess this, it didn’t mean that it would lead to anything. At least to Tezuka. For his part, he was already imagining family portraits done with Tezuka standing beside him.
In Tezuka’s mind, this was probably just a passing fancy to Sanada, who had several ladies vying for his affections and for the title of his bride. But Sanada wasn’t traditional like that and he had no desire for a wife, or for the soft curves of a woman. Just like he had no desire to let Tezuka leave Rikkai.
It didn’t matter that they had only met and didn’t really know each other. Sanada knew that this was the man he wanted to spend his life with. And just the thought of it made his animalistic side very happy. His inner dragon was counting down the moments until he could pin Tezuka naked underneath him and claim him as his.
“Shall we carry on,” he asked, when he noticed his thoughts drifting into dangerous territory.
There must have been something in his voice, as Tezuka eyed him a moment before nodding. They continued walking down halls and up stairs, and with each stop in front of a statue or painting, Sanada cursed not only the size of his castle but also the amount of decorations between the entrance and his room.
Eventually, they made it to his quarters, where they passed the ever present guards stationed at the entrance to finally enter the receiving room. As expected, a light spread of food and iced tea awaited them, along with a staff member happy and ready to serve them.
“We’ll serve ourselves, thank you,” Sanada said, and waited for the servant to bow and exit before gesturing to Tezuka to sit if he’d like. “Please, help yourself.”
Tezuka looked at the food, and while he poured himself a glass of iced tea and took a sip, he didn’t sit. Sanada watched the man drink, half hypnotized as he drained half of the glass and put it back on the table.
“I didn’t think you were serious about the refreshments,” Tezuka said.
“Even an emperor has to keep up appearances. And I figured wandering around the maze for so long must have been thirsty work.”
“Must you keep bringing that up?” Tezuka asked, the rosy tint returning to his cheeks. And Sanada decided that as long as Tezuka kept reacting so prettily, he would just have to keep teasing him.
“I’m willing to be distracted…” he trailed off as he moved closer to Tezuka. Some of the passion from the maze had cooled over their walk to his rooms, like he feared it would. But he was confident that they could reignite it quickly, as long as Tezuka put up no more resistance.
“I’m not sure it’s wise to distract the emperor of the Rikkai. I’m sure he’s quite busy,” Tezuka said. But he held his ground, and there was something in his eyes that made Sanada move into his personal space.
“Not for you,” Sanada said, moving a hand around Tezuka’s back to pull him close. “Never for you.” He pressed his lips back against Tezuka’s and it felt right and perfect. Especially when the strong dragon in his arms relaxed and let him take over, trusting him to lead the dance between them without fight.
Tezuka submitting so beautifully to him made his inner dragon roar with pure possessiveness. They needed to get out of their clothes now.
He let go of Tezuka to move his hands between them, getting started on their numerous buttons while trying to keep the kiss going as best he could. “Too many damned buttons,” he growled in complaint.
“Wait… let me,” Tezuka said, brushing away Sanada’s hands to undo his own buttons. Sanada took a moment to watch those long and strong fingers skillfully move down Tezuka’s tunic before realizing that he was still fully clothed. He tugged off more than unbuttoned his own outfit and, in mere moments, was stripped bare and ready to go.
Tezuka chuckled, then licked kiss-swollen lips as he took in the sight of Sanada’s proud member standing tall between his legs. Liking the way that Tezuka was looking at him, Sanada struck a manly pose. He knew he had nothing to be ashamed of and was quite pleased to see that Tezuka seemed to think the same.
Tossing his jacket and shirt onto the loveseat, Tezuka stepped close to Sanada and wrapped his hand around Sanada’s length. Sanada moaned at the bold action and moved his hand back to the small of Tezuka’s back, where it felt like it belonged, and pulled him close to whisper in his ear. “You are such a tease.”
Tezuka didn’t reply and gave him a look that Sanada could only interpret along the lines of ‘don’t pose like that if you don’t want to be touched.’ And truth be told, he enjoyed being touched by Tezuka’s warm hand, but he also was annoyed that his would be lover was not yet nude like him. He wanted to see and touch all of him.
He gave him a kiss and then slowly started moving them toward his bedroom. He did promise Tezuka comfort and it would be quite foolish to have come all this way to climax from a handjob on his receiving room floor.
Once in the bedroom, Sanada plucked Tezuka’s glasses from his face and placed them carefully on a table before going for his pants. With some effort and help from Tezuka, they were finally both nude and Sanada drank in the sight of his fellow dragon shifter. He was thinner than Sanada, but just as toned, and he appreciated every inch of Tezuka’s body. When he noticed the scars, he reached out to touch them first with his fingers, and then his mouth.
He was rewarded for his thorough inspection of all the scars he could find by Tezuka’s breathy moans and a hand tangled in his hair. He could spend hours worshipping the body in front of him, memorizing every little mark on Tezuka’s body, but right now, he wanted to claim the man.
“On the bed. Get comfortable,” Sanada said, and swatted Tezuka’s ass to get him moving. He walked to a bedside table and opened the drawer to retrieve the oil he used for such occasions.
Turning to the bed, Sanada let out a moan as he saw that Tezuka had crawled onto the large bed on his hands and knees and was waiting for him like that. He licked his lips hungrily as he prowled to the bed and climbed on it. “Perfect.”
“It would be if you hurried,” Tezuka countered, his eyes focused on Sanada’s hard and leaking erection.
“Be careful what you wish for,” Sanada said and gave Tezuka’s ass another light smack as he moved behind him. He rather liked the way that the skin of Tezuka’s bottom pinkened at his touch. For being a strong dragon shifter, it did seem that Tezuka’s body reacted beautifully to his own. He gave another light smack to his other cheek to balance out the look, and then one more when Tezuka gasped so beautifully for it.
He poured oil directly onto Tezuka’s ass and over his crack, watching it slide down to his opening. He then slid a finger through it before gently pressing in. He moaned at the feel of Tezuka’s hot, tight heat around his finger and watched, completely captivated, as Tezuka’s ass hungrily swallowed up his finger. Not wanting to wait, he quickly added a second; while Tezuka was tight, his body continued to accept his fingers easily.
Sanada had known that he wanted Tezuka from the moment he saw him, but now that he also knew him to be dragon shifter, and that his body so willingly submitted and opened up to his own, just confirmed to him that Tezuka was the man meant to be his mate.
As he moved his fingers in and out of Tezuka, he reached around to stroke Tezuka’s erection and really make him moan. “Don’t hold back,” he told him, when he noticed Tezuka biting his lip in an attempt to be quiet. “I want to hear you.” And if his guards heard, he didn’t care. A part of him wanted them - and all of the kingdom - to know that Tezuka was his and that he had claimed him and made him moan so beautifully.
“I want to feel you,” Tezuka said, after he gave in and let out a pretty moan. And since Sanada had no idea how any man could resist such a request, he pulled his fingers out and quickly coated himself in the oil.
“Brace yourself,” he warned before moving in close behind Tezuka. He took a moment to bend down and trail a few kisses along his back and shoulders, then guided himself to Tezuka’s entrance. With a snap of his hips, he thrust all of the way in and paused as he panted, trying to collect himself.
Tezuka was so hot and tight around him and the man wasn’t giving Sanada any time to recover from it. “More,” Tezuka said as he rocked slightly, causing Sanada’s cock to move within that sinful heat.
Not needing further encouragement, and somewhat worried he might embarrass himself if he just stayed still and watch Tezuka fuck himself on his cock, he grabbed Tezuka’s hips hard and pulled nearly all of the way out before slamming back in. Tezuka arched back and let out a moan that made Sanada’s balls tingle. “Yes,” he encouraged as he started thrusting into Tezuka hard and fast.
He knew instinctively that Tezuka could handle it, and his dragon side was telling him to claim Tezuka, to make him his and to not hold back. And with every moan and gasp of pleasure, Sanada tried to thrust even harder and faster than before.
“Sanada! Please!! More!” Tezuka half begged and half demanded as he writhed as much as he could in Sanada’s grip.
“Touch yourself,” Sanada said, then gave Tezuka’s ass a harder slap than he had before. It caused Tezuka to moan and Sanada promised he would explore that particular kink of his partner’s sometime in the near future.
Tezuka managed to pull himself together enough to sneak a hand under his body and stroke himself; Sanada also made plans to get Tezuka to do that for his viewing pleasure, too. But then all thought was taken right out of his head as Tezuka yelled out his name while he came. Tezuka found release through the pleasure that Sanada had given him, and the sound of his name on Tezuka lips pushed the emperor to his own. He gave one last hard thrust and released his seed deep inside of Tezuka with a mighty and possessive roar.
His hips jerked sporadically a few more times before he all but collapsed on Tezuka’s back, both of them sweaty and panting. He managed to fall to his side and take Tezuka with him, so he was holding the other man close as they relaxed on the bed and caught their breath. To say that the sex had been intense would have been an understatement. But as sated and tired as Sanada currently was by it, he was already planning all of the different things that he wanted to try with Tezuka as soon as they were recovered.
He was sure Yagyuu could keep the kingdom running well enough while he locked himself in his chambers with Tezuka for a day… or a week. He supposed a whole month would be pushing it, but he may get away with a fortnight before Yukimura and Yanagi heard about it and returned to kick his ass back to the throne room.
Bemused by the thought of his friends and advisors having to come back from waging wars to physically pull him away from the dragon in his arms so he would get back to work, he easily gave into post-coital bliss and nodded off. His last thought was of how pleased he was that Tezuka trusted him enough to have fallen asleep already. Either that or sex with him was just that mind blowing.
Go to Part II
Author: sagely_sea
Recipient: Feihu
Pairing/Characters: Sanada/Tezuka, Tezuka/Atobe, Niou, Yagyuu
Rating: NC-17
Warnings: Small hints of mpreg existing in this universe near the very end of the story.
Disclaimer: Prince of Tennis is owned by Konomi.
Summary: When Atobe’s merchant expedition leads Tezuka to the Rikkai empire he didn’t think he would be the object that Emperor Sanada wants most.
Notes: Feihu, I hope you enjoy it. I tried to work in most of your requests though they often ended up being milder forms of the original. I hope that if you look closely you can see the hints of them all.
Also, a big thanks to my beta quelleperedhil who did a fabulous job.
“Welcome to the empire,” Sanada greeted his guests, who were bowing so deeply that he could not yet get a good look at them. “Rise and explain to me why you have come here.” The Rikkai empire was strong and fierce and often got visitors of varying kinds. From nearby peasants who had qualms with each other to nobles that wished to garner his favour or to submit a complaint about his military or some such. It was not his fault that nobles stupidly got in the way of his general. Any idiot that thought to come between Yukimura and his goals deserved what they got. Though he hoped that with Yanagi now sent off to advise Yukimura on battle tactics, his general and army would decide to go around noble strongholds who were loyal to the crown and not through them. Expansion and victory were good. But dealing with whining nobles made his head hurt and made him want to hurt someone.
But this entourage did not look like either peasants or annoyed nobles. They were certainly well dressed enough to be nobles and the man in the front had a large enough entourage. But there were just a number of small things that pegged him for something else.
“Thank you for having us, your majesty,” the man said as he rose. “My name is Atobe Keigo, of the Atobe merchant family. We deal with especially rare and exquisite materials and jewels. Having heard of the empire’s wealth and discerning taste, I was of the belief that my services could be of use to you.”
“I see,” Sanada said. He eyed up Atobe and then glanced at his still bowing entourage. He had heard of the Atobe name, it was hard not to when it seemed that every province and kingdom they had incorporated into the empire had dealt with the man and his family. Yes, the goods that he had been shown were exquisite, but he had plenty of such things around the castle and throughout the kingdom. He did not see the need to do business with a foreigner, no matter how handsome he may be. “And what can you offer that my own merchants and traders cannot procure?”
“My family has been in business a long time, your majesty, and we have built up a large collection of unbelievable goods, and have numerous contacts and favours that other traders can only dream of having. Anything you can think of and desire can be yours,” Atobe said. It was obvious he was good at his job, and even Sanada was becoming intrigued.
“And if I am bored of jewels and fancy cloth?” Sanada asked. He had an excess of that. “And I said that you can rise, this includes your entourage.” He gestured once more for them all to rise and hoped that they would understand. He demanded respect from his citizens and visitors, but he considered himself fair and did not need people simpering and bowing to a nauseating extent around him. He knew he was strong and powerful, he did not need an excessive show of deference to prove it.
“Then perhaps you are interested in near mythical weapons, old books filled with stories of the world, or various spices and foods from around the globe,” Atobe said.
Sanada thought he might have gone on listing more things that he could offer, but his entourage was finally rising and, as he skimmed the faces and the outfits, he noticed that the one closest to Atobe seemed to be wearing what could be described as a military type outfit. He was unarmed - as a guest in the kingdom, it would be quite rude to go before the emperor armed - but he held himself like someone used to the weight of a sword on his hip. But it wasn’t the fact that he was a soldier that drew his eye. As a merchant, it would make sense for the Atobe family to employ a fairly large military contingent to make sure goods were transported safely and deals were followed through. So it wasn’t the fact that Atobe had guards that was curious. And as the emperor, he personally saw soldiers everywhere on a daily basis. Even now the room was dotted with highly trained soldiers acting as his guard.
No. It was something else entirely that drew his eyes to the man and kept his attention solely focused on him. When the man looked his way, obviously feeling the sting of his gaze, he felt his breath catch.
He had never felt such an instant attraction to a person in his life. And all he could think of was that he would pay Atobe his whole fortune if he would sell him that man like one of his beautiful goods.
“What if I told you that I wanted your guard,” Sanada said, cutting off whatever Atobe was still saying to him.
He had obviously startled the man, but much to his credit, and undoubtedly to his years of training in the business, he recovered swiftly. “I thank you for acknowledging my guard’s appeal, but I’m afraid he’s not for sale.”
“But you said you can get me anything,” Sanada countered.
“Anything. Not anyone. And he’s currently under contract to me and not for sale,” Atobe said.
Sanada glared at him and then shifted his look over to the guard. He hadn’t reacted at all to the exchange, other than a quick glance to Atobe at the start of it. He wanted to know what the man was thinking about this. If he had offended him, he was confident in his ability to set things right later. But at the moment, he needed to ensure the other stayed here in his empire, in his city and preferably in his castle.
“I will pay any price,” Sanada said, with emphasis. It was a bold and somewhat unwise offer to make. Atobe could ask for quite a lot, and right now, Sanada would be tempted to give it to him.
Sanada could see Atobe hesitate at the offer, but one glance at the guard had him turning back to Sanada with a firm look. “I’m afraid that he’s too rare and special to sell. Even to a glorious emperor like yourself,” Atobe said.
“Rare?” Sanada asked. “He seems a common enough soldier.”
“If he were so common, why would a great and powerful man like yourself desire him so much, your majesty?”
Sanada frowned. He supposed that Atobe had a point. Stopping to think about it a moment, he doubted that a normal human guard would draw his attention like the man had. “Then what makes him so rare?”
Surprisingly, it wasn’t Atobe that answered, but the taller man beside him. “I am a shifter, your majesty.” At the low and smooth voice, Sanada felt himself growing hard. Fortunately, the layers and cut of his clothes would hide it. But it was odd for someone, even a shifter, to have an effect like that on him with such casual words. It just made the man all the more intriguing.
“Of what variety?” Sanada asked.
“Your majesty,” Atobe interrupted before the guard could answer, “As my guard is not for sale, why don’t we bring our talks to more productive topics.”
Sanada was annoyed at being thwarted at every step. But Atobe was a man of business, and he could play that game well enough to make sure that the merchant had no reason to leave his city anytime soon. And in that time, he was quite sure of his ability to get close to the guard and get what he wanted through other means. Just because he wasn’t used to being patient didn’t mean he didn’t how to be.
“As you say…. Then I require you for other services,” Sanada said. His accountants may not like this plan if he ended up buying too many frivolous things from Atobe, but right now he didn’t care. And as emperor there was, fortunately, nobody around who could tell him to stop being foolish over a guard. Though perhaps he would see what seeds and bulbs Atobe could procure for him just to make sure that at least Yukimura would be on his side.
-----
Tezuka panted as he pulled out of Atobe’s hot body and rolled to the side. The sex had been satisfying, as always, but it hadn’t sated Tezuka’s desire like he would have wanted. Much to his shame, it had not been Atobe’s deep blue eyes that he had seen in front of him as he had headed toward completion. Instead, he had pictured the deep brown, hard gaze of the emperor.
The man unnerved him. And he certainly didn’t like that he seemed to think that he could buy Tezuka, as if he were property. But even with that, he could not deny that he felt some strange, strong attraction to the man.
But Tezuka knew that those were dangerous thoughts. And he was thankful for Atobe’s ability to keep his head around the strong man and firmly tell him no. Unfortunately, that did not seem to deter the emperor, and Atobe was too savvy a businessman to miss out on the opportunity that having an emperor who wanted them close could bring. Not only would it be bad for business to leave now, it could also be bad for their health if the emperor decided to use force instead of his wallet to get Atobe and his entourage to stay.
It was worrisome, and that worry combined with the need to convince himself that he felt nothing for the emperor had led him into Atobe’s bed. It was not his first time here. He had been Atobe’s body guard for quite some time and his casual lover for nearly all of it. There were no expectations or sentiment between them, though they certainly respected and liked each other.
Fortunately, they were both hard workers, not sentimental types. So it wasn’t odd for either of them to leave the bed shortly after coupling. In fact, they both only tended to stay the night when they had drunk a bit too much at a party, or they planned on enjoying each other a few more times before morning.
"I should check on the supplies,” Tezuka said.
"You worry far too much about the competence of my other guards. But if it makes you feel better, it certainly won’t hurt,” Atobe said, still sprawled comfortably on the bed.
"It’s our first time here and we don’t know how our reception will be after the meeting earlier.” The emperor taking such a keen interest in him, and Atobe being so unhelpful about it, could cause any type of reaction. It never hurt to take extra precautions.
"True. And I imagine that you will be familiarizing yourself with the city after?”
"Of course. Knowledge is power, and your safety and the success of your trading requires both.”
"You are far too good for me,” Atobe said, giving Tezuka a small smile. "Which is why I will never sell your contract to the emperor. But he’s a powerful man, and you know I can’t disrespect him by sending you away.”
Tezuka frowned. They had already gone over this - If they should stay or go, or if Tezuka himself should stay or go. He didn’t like the choices or the reasons, but he understood them. And as much as he was reluctant to do so, he would play the part required of him and do his job to the best of his ability, as always. "Just try to keep me away from him as much as possible. He seems the type to be very focused on what he wants.”
"I’ll do the best I can. Though you shouldn’t let him get to you. You’re strong enough to resist him, and if he tries to be forceful, it will harm his reputation and we would leave immediately.”
Tezuka nodded. That was more than he expected from Atobe and it pleased him to know that Atobe would put his safety ahead of a good deal. Even if it had to get to an extreme before that happened. But as a strong shifter trained in fighting, there was no need to worry for him until it reached that point.
Though, this wasn't helping him to not think about the emperor and how he wasn’t sure that Sanada would be forcing him into anything if he were put into a compromising position. What he needed was to clear his head of sex and strange emperors. Checking in on their guards and going for a walk in the city would hopefully help with that.
"Let me get you a cloth to clean you up. And then I’ll go,” Tezuka said. He moved from the bed and went into the bathroom to clean himself off and prepare a warm cloth for Atobe. He returned and gently cleaned him. “There you go.”
“Thank you.”
“Will you be getting any more work done today?” Tezuka asked.
“No. I think it best I get a full night’s rest and an early start tomorrow. I feel the emperor will be keeping me busy and on my toes.”
“Alright. Then sleep well.” Tezuka pulled the blankets up back around Atobe and gave him a light kiss. Just because his thoughts were all over the place and he had thought about inappropriate things during their coupling did not mean that he held any hard feelings toward Atobe, or that he didn’t care for him. Kindness towards Atobe cost him nothing.
He returned the cloth to the bathroom and cleaned it before putting his clothes back on. Sure that he was presentable, he first went to check on their goods and the guards. Satisfied that everything was in order and there were no concerns, he headed to the gate that would take him from the royal grounds, where their lodgings were, and into the city. It was fortunate that this city didn’t seem to employ a curfew like most seemed to. Or perhaps as a guest he was exempt. Either way, he found that nobody stopped him from leaving or warned him of when he needed to be back.
The city was mostly quiet and dark at this time of night, but Tezuka made his way easily down the streets. He doubted that there was anything lurking in the dark that could truly harm him. And with it being too dark to properly admire the architecture of a new kingdom and to take in the details, there was no reason to move slowly. Tonight was just about familiarizing himself with streets and the general layout of the city. He could work on the details later.
As he turned a corner to head to what seemed to be the the seedy, nightlife filled district, he felt a presence nearby. He had felt slightly as if he were being watched for a while now, but had dismissed it, as he had not seen nor heard anyone. But now it was stronger and he paused in the street and turned around to see the vague hints of a figure.
“Skulking around mister?” A voice asked from a shadowed area across the way.
Tezuka was of a mind to ignore him and keep going to the more populated area before the shadowed figure spoke again.
“It’d be a shame if the emperor’s new toy was up to no good.”
That made Tezuka frown. He was not the emperor’s new toy. And he disliked that such gossip had started already. Annoyed at such talk, he had no patience to play with people he couldn’t see. “Perhaps you are the one who should stop lurking in the shadows,” Tezuka said.
“It’s night time. I’m afraid it’s really nothing but darkness and shadows right now. The perfect setting to get up to no good,” the figure said. He then stepped away from the shadowed path and further into the light. The man was smiling far too broadly for Tezuka’s comfort. But then, he thought that he recognized him. Just with a more serious look on his face.
“I’m just going for a walk,” Tezuka said.
“At this hour? Something on your mind?”
“Nothing that concerns you.” He much prefered being an anonymous guard in Atobe’s employment to having the emperor’s, and what seemed to be one of his own guard’s, attention on him. Because now he could remember where he had seen the man before. It had been in the throne room of the emperor. Though he had been in an uniform then, and while he had not been on the dias, he had been close enough to it to be of a fairly decent rank in the guard.
“On the contrary, everything that happens in this kingdom concerns me. Even the thoughts going through your head.”
With that as the only warning, Tezuka felt a jolt of magic as the man moved from the shadows and poked his forehead. His own innate magic instantly reacted, repelling the man back away from him and onto the ground. But it was obvious from this that this guard was just no ordinary foot soldier.
“Interesting…” the man said as he stood and dusted off his clothes.
“I don’t appreciate being attacked by strangers,” Tezuka said.
“I’m not a stranger. I’m Niou. We met in the hall. Well… we saw each other in the hall,” Niou said, giving him another grin.
Tezuka did not consider briefly seeing someone in the same room meeting them. And even if he had, that show of magic would still not have been welcome. “It is still inexcusable to look into someone else’s mind.”
“Maybe…. but it’s not like it mattered, right?” Niou asked.
“That is beside the point.”
“Well either way, I guess I’ll just believe that you aren’t skulking for now. Things to do, people to see and all that. I’ll see you around, Tezuka. Probably before you see me.” And with that, Niou slunk back into the shadows.
Though Tezuka could still feel the eyes on him. He knew he could probably lose the man in the crowds if he wanted to venture into a tavern or two. But suddenly his desire to explore the city was gone. With one last look at the direction Niou had disappeared in, he turned and started making his way back to the castle.
------
The situation with Sanada had only compounded his dislike for this kingdom and his desire to leave, so it was with great reluctance that Tezuka put on his uniform and prepared to stay close to Atobe.
He knew that Atobe had meetings planned with various nobles of the court, which may or may not require his presence at Atobe’s discretion. But he also knew that the emperor had asked Atobe to join him for afternoon tea to discuss acquiring various things, and there would be no way he wouldn’t be forced into attending.
The morning’s meetings went by far too quickly for once, and before he had figured out what to feel or think, Tezuka found himself waiting a few paces away from Atobe on a balcony that overlooked beautiful gardens. The table was already prepared for the afternoon tea and the only thing missing was Sanada.
Tezuka was thankful that he had always been good at holding a neutral expression, his stoic appearance had rarely failed him over the years. Because when Sanada came marching through the doors, Tezuka felt a myriad of emotions flow through him, none he felt comfortable letting others read on his face.
He bowed along with Atobe and straightened when told to do so. As Atobe and the emperor took their seats, he moved further back toward the door and out of the way, where he hoped to be forgotten.
“Will your guard not join us?” Sanada asked, as he reached for a quiche and moved it to his plate. Tezuka noted that it looked vaguely comical, with how large Sanada’s hands were compared to the small quiche and the delicate looking finery around him. So distracted by the contradictions, it took him a second to realize what Sanada’s question meant.
“It’s not customary, your highness,” Atobe said. “He’s trained to stand guard and protect me.”
“You have nothing to fear when in the heart of my castle,” Sanada said, then gestured to the empty third chair at the table. Tezuka had seen the chair there earlier, but had hoped that it was a common fixture or that Sanada would be bringing a guest.
As to having nothing to fear, Tezuka begged to differ. Yes, Atobe may be safe from assassination or angry merchants, but Tezuka doubted that he could say the same about himself. Especially when the emperor looked at him as if he wanted to devour him in various ways.
“Then I’m sure that Tezuka would be willing to cede my protection to your own guards for a time,” Atobe said. He glanced his way, obviously in apology for not being able to get him out of this, but Tezuka had expected as much. He just didn’t know if the feeling was dread or delight as he moved to take the seat with them.
“Thank you for the honour,” Tezuka said politely. He gave another small bow before sitting.
Tezuka poured himself tea and did his best to ignore the eyes of the emperor on him. Thankfully, Atobe got right down to business and Sanada was forced to look away.
“I’m afraid you weren’t overly specific in what you may be looking for. So I prepared a portfolio of some of the more interesting things currently with us,” Atobe said, and opened up the folder he had brought. “Of course, if there’s anything you’re looking for that we don’t have with us now, I’m sure we could procure it for you.”
“Would you and your entourage be required to leave for that, or would you send a messenger to retrieve it?” Sanada asked.
“It would depend on the item. If it is Atobe possession, a messenger would suffice. If it required travel and careful negotiation to get for you, then my personal attention would be necessary,” Atobe said.
And right away, Tezuka knew exactly which items the emperor would want from Atobe, and he was sure that Sanada was clever enough to drag out the process as long as it took for him to get what he wanted from Tezuka, or to grow bored of the game.
The meeting went on for quite some time, though thankfully, besides an odd input into how the food was or what he thought of a certain item or two, his opinion was not required, and he was almost able to relax despite being so close to the emperor. Of course, it would have been easier if the emperor did not insist on finding any excuse to lean into his personal space, brush fingers against his when passing things, or stare at him.
Still, it had been mostly painless for him and quite lucrative for Atobe.
“That was quite the successful meeting,” Atobe said, walking back to their rooms as he reviewed the notes he took. “Thank you for behaving yourself.”
“I’m not a child, Atobe. I know how to do my job.” And he knew how to do it well. Even when it required things typically outside of his job description.
“I know. But I also know that the emperor makes you uncomfortable. And I can’t say I approve of his fixation on you,” Atobe said as he entered the room that he had set up as his receiving room and office. The emperor was not the only client Atobe planned on having in Rikkai, even if he seemed to be to the most lucrative.
“I’m sure that it’s a passing fancy. You of all people should know how those with wealth and power change tastes quickly,” Tezuka said.
Atobe looked at him for a long moment. “I will choose to take that as a comment on my business, which relies on ever changing and fickle tastes of nobles, and not on me directly,” Atobe said. He undid his jacket and slid it off before tossing it on the back of a sofa. He then moved behind his desk and sat down to look at the stack of papers he had to get through. “It seems that I’ll be preoccupied here for rest of the afternoon. If you wanted to check on other things, now would be a good time.”
Tezuka gave a nod. He could explore more of the city or even more of the palace grounds. Both would help to clear his head. What he would really have liked to do was find a secluded spot to shift and stretch, but that was risky at the best of times, and in a foreign city where he wasn’t yet familiar with all the rules and nuances of the culture would make it too dangerous.
“I’ll be back in time to see you safely to dinner,” Tezuka said. And with a small bow excused himself from Atobe’s presence.
------
Tezuka was walking down a corridor when several women in ornate dresses headed towards him. Not wanting to get in their way, he stepped off to the side and into the alcove of a window. As they passed, he looked outside, over the large grounds around the castle. He noticed an extensive maze that seemed interesting and worth exploring. It had been a long time since he’d done one of those. And if things went bad here, it might be wise to know how to use the maze to their advantage. Or at least not be foolish enough to get lost in it.
That now in mind, he made his way to the main level and out of the back door. It was still hot outside, as it was a clear and sunny day, and there weren’t many brave enough to be out walking the gardens. Tezuka took advantage of the quiet and headed to the maze. There were a few guards posted here and there, but as he was a welcomed guest and up to no mischief, they let him pass with a small nod of acknowledgement.
Once inside of the maze, Tezuka relaxed slightly once he was away from the eyes of the guards, the nobles of the castle, and most importantly, the emperor. Feeling a little like a child, he started exploring the different paths.
He wasn’t sure in what circumstances he and Atobe may end up here while trying to avoid harm, but he had found that being overly prepared had saved them from difficult and deadly situations more than once in the past.
As he continued wandering, his thoughts drifted to from other travels with Atobe to the afternoon tea spent with Sanada. He growled to himself and continued walking through various paths. It didn’t take him long to realise that he had gotten himself lost in the maze by letting his thoughts wander.
There was no point getting upset though. Learning the various routes of the maze was why he was here. And well, if he were to start while lost, it would only further ensure that he knew all of the details of the maze. Now focused on the maze, Tezuka looked around and frowned when all paths looked the same. He would just have to go about this methodically, and surely the center of the maze as well as its entrance and exit would come to him.
--
Sanada was working his way through a large stack of paperwork that Yagyuu had brought him when a flash of white moving across the grounds outside his window had caught his eye. Looking more closely, he easily recognized the white and pale blue uniform as belonging to the man of his desires.
While he had given Atobe and his entourage the privilege of being his special guests and access to all public area within the castle he had not expected to see Tezuka heading towards the hedge maze. Watching him enter, he wondered just what he was up to. But before he could watch his progress, Yagyuu placed another paper in front of him.
“This would go faster if you focused and stopped day dreaming,” Yagyuu said.
While Tezuka may have seemed like something out of his dreams, if he had been day dreaming it would certainly have been of more than just watching Tezuka wander through the maze. It would probably involve him cornering Tezuka in the maze and ravishing him in a dead end where he couldn’t escape.
He was just starting to smile at the thought when Yagyuu sighed loudly next to him. “Really… I don’t know how Yanagi puts up with you. What is it you’re looking at?” Yagyuu asked as he leaned over to look out the window.
“Nothing. What’s the next paper about.”
Yagyuu didn’t seem convinced but started explaining the next stack of papers and explained what needed his attention and where he should sign.
Sanada made it through several more documents before his attention drifted outside again to where Tezuka was still wandering.
“You know, if you’d rather go play with the merchant’s guard, I can sign what needs to be done and just fill you in on what has been approved or denied later,” Yagyuu said. He then pushed up his glasses making them catch the light ominously.
It reminded Sanada just how much he regretted sending Yanagi off to watch over Yukimura even if it was the prudent decision. But if Yanagi had been here instead of Yagyuu, he would have trusted him with the paperwork without question.
However, when it came to Yagyuu, Yanagi’s chosen replacement, he always felt extra cautious. Yagyuu was certainly proficient and knowledgeable and the empire would not run half as well without him. But he also had a mischievous nearly cruel side to him. So it was best to not leave major decisions up to him. Who knew what disaster he may come back to.
“No. It’s fine. I’ll work on it a bit longer before I take my afternoon break,” Sanada finally said. Though what he really wanted to do was just set the paperwork on fire and go see what Tezuka was up to in the maze.
Unfortunately, the emperor in him had to ignore the desires of the man and the dragon and focus on work. At least for the next thirty minutes. Then, if Tezuka was still out wandering he would go join him and rescue him from the evils of the Rikkai shrubbery.
-----
Tezuka cursed as he took another wrong turn and ended up at a dead end. He should be better at this, but today his thoughts just wouldn't stay focused long enough to put the maze together. He was being beyond careless and it was bothering him more than he’d like.
He took another turn, sure that this one would lead him somewhere useful, where he could get his bearings, when he heard a familiar voice from behind him.
“May I assist you?”
Tezuka turned and masked all emotion on his face as he did so. “Not at all,” Tezuka said. He was startled by the emperor’s sudden appearance and wondered why he hadn’t felt the man’s approach. Perhaps he had been wandering around for longer than he realized.
“Then you intended to walk past this spot several times?”
“Merely admiring the architecture.” He was sure he would have been able to defeat this puzzle handily if his thoughts weren’t so distracted by the man in front of him.
“I think you’ve admired enough. Any more and you run the risk of starving in my gardens. And as a good host, I simply can’t have that.”
“Have you been watching me?” Tezuka asked.
“My office affords a lovely view of the garden. And I’m afraid that you wandering around aimlessly in the maze was hard to miss.”
Tezuka blushed slightly and looked away. That was embarrassing, and he hoped that it was only Sanada who had noticed his carelessness. “I’m sorry to have been a distraction,” Tezuka eventually said.
“No need. You were most definitely a pleasant distraction.”
“I didn’t realize that the emperor enjoyed watching his guests suffer,” Tezuka said, and then regretted it.
“I don’t,” Sanada said swifty and moved toward Tezuka. “It was having a chance to watch you, however far away you were, that I enjoyed.”
“I’m sure that will pass.” And maybe it was that belief that made Tezuka dislike all of the attention from the emperor. Giving in to any sort of desire on his end would only lead to suffering when Sanada’s attention turned elsewhere..
“I doubt it. I have never known such attraction before. Tell me, Tezuka. Do you feel nothing between us?” Sanada was only an arm’s length away as he stared into Tezuka’s eyes, waiting for his answer.
“No. I apologize.” It was a lie. And one Tezuka wasn’t comfortable with saying, but it seemed safer than the alternative. He was worried that if he let any of his guard down, he would find himself in a precarious situation. There was just something about Sanada that made his dragon side want to curl up at Sanada’s feet and get ear scratches.
“I don’t believe you,” Sanada said. He closed the space between them and brushed his fingers along Tezuka’s jaw, then used that touch to lift up his chin so he could better look at him. “You shouldn’t lie to your emperor.”
There was no point in reminding Sanada that he was not Tezuka’s emperor, because that was not the point of this conversation and, as a guest in the empire, it wasn’t something that would be wise to denounce. But that didn’t mean he had to make things easy on him either.
“What kind of shifter are you?” Sanada asked after Tezuka hadn’t replied for some time.
While slightly thrown by the sudden change in topic, Tezuka was thankful enough that Sanada was pursuing a different line of questioning to answer honestly and share what he really was. “Dragon.”
Sanada’s eyes widened a bit at that, and it was clear to Tezuka that he was surprised by his answer. “Impressive. No wonder Atobe is so determined to keep you,” Sanada said.
“Is it so surprising?” Tezuka asked.
“I suppose not. Considering your position as a guard and the way you carry yourself, there are few other shifters that you could be. But still… dragon shifters are rare and I did not expect to find one wandering my gardens.”
“You’re taking it quite well, considering,” Tezuka said. He was used to any number of reactions, but Sanada’s calm acceptance and continued fascination with him was not the usual one.
“Why shouldn’t I? In fact. Finding out that you’re a dragon explains so much to me.”
“It does?”
“I’m attracted to you, Tezuka. Learning that you are a rare and powerful dragon only makes you that much more alluring to me.”
It was Tezuka’s turn to be surprised by the straightforward honesty of the emperor. But before he could phrase a proper reply, Sanada was leaning in to close the final distance between their lips.
Tezuka had a split second to decide what to do and to lean back if he didn't want the kiss. Instead, he pressed forward and initiated the kiss while gripping the fabric of Sanada’s jacket. If he was going to be careless and give in to curiosity and lust he would not let Sanada decide everything.
The kiss was too long in coming to be gentle and slow. Instead, it was filled with passion as they pressed their mouths together roughly and quickly, parting their lips to explore each other’s tastes and warmth more thoroughly.
Tezuka found himself weak to the forcefulness of Sanada’s passion, but as a hand moved down to shamelessly grope his ass, he remembered just where they were; he pulled his mouth away from Sanada’s and gave him a small push away.
“Stop.”
“Why?” Sanada asked. He was panting and clearly aroused, but he held back from touching or kissing Tezuka for the moment.
“We shouldn’t be doing this,” Tezuka said.
“Why not? I’ve been drawn to you from the moment I saw you, and I want you. Surely you feel it, too.”
Tezuka did. And that was the problem and the reason they shouldn’t be doing anything. “That doesn’t matter.”
“And why does it not matter? If we both want each other, there’s no reason to hold back.”
“You’re an emperor and I’m a common guard for hire. It is a horrible combination.”
“You’re not merely a guard. You’re a shifter.”
“That’s even more of a reason to stay away. Relationships with shifters can be complicated,” Tezuka said. He could not see how this coupling could lead to a relationship or anything good. A shifter had a hard enough time blending in with society without being the consort to a powerful emperor. A kiss to sate their curiosity would just have to suffice for them.
“Perhaps it would be in other places you’ve travelled. But you’re in Rikkai …and I’m not exactly a human emperor.”
“What do you mean?” Tezuka asked, eyeing him up and wondering just what he had missed.
Sanada gave a chuckle, but it wasn’t unkind. He leaned back into Tezuka’s personal space, but instead of pressing his lips to Tezuka’s, he brushed them against his ear. “I’m a dragon, too.”
The warm breath against his ear combined with those words caused a shiver to run down Tezuka’s spine. If it were true, it would explain so much. The instant recognition and desire. And perhaps even why someone as strong as himself would have such a strong urge to do the emperor’s bidding.
“And I will be your dragon if you’ll have me. I need you, Tezuka,” Sanada said, sincerity and lust shining in his eyes.
Tezuka felt himself responding to that look on an instinctual level, and was so overwhelmed by it that he had to look away. Still, he found himself correcting Sanada even before he really registered the words. “It’s Kunimitsu.”
“Look at me,” Sanada said.
Tezuka hesitated for a moment before lifting his eyes to look back up at Sanada.
When their eyes locked, the desire in Sanada’s eyes only grew stronger. Tezuka found himself drowning in it. There was a raw energy and fire in his gaze that was not just from Sanada’s dragon powers.
“Kunimitsu,” Sanada said. One of them, Tezuka couldn’t be sure who, let out a growl of need before their lips locked once more. They struggled for dominance over it for only a moment before Tezuka submitted to Sanada, allowing him to lead the kiss and pull him close to his body again.
This time when Sanada groped his ass, Tezuka let out a breathy moan and ran his fingers through the Sanada’s hair, tugging it lightly. The move made Sanada growl and kiss him harder, which only encouraged Tezuka to do it again.
-----
Sanada lost track of how long they were kissing, but when they finally broke apart, they were breathless. Even then, Sanada couldn’t keep his hands from wandering all over Tezuka, exploring as much of his clothed body as he could reach.
Looking at Tezuka, a pale blush staining his cheeks and his lips swollen from his aggressive kisses, Sanada wanted nothing more than to explore Tezuka’s unclothed body, too. It would be fun to see just where else that pink blush spread when Tezuka was lain out before him in the nude.
He was tempted to strip where they were, but he knew that the maze was overlooked by too many windows in the castle to get careless. There was the gazebo in the center of the maze that would offer them enough privacy, especially since his guards would not let others enter the maze to disturb them. But it wasn’t the most comfortable of places, and Sanada, despite lusting after Tezuka these last days, had not yet taken to carrying oil around in his pocket. That left one solution.
“Would you care to retire to my rooms for refreshments?” he asked. He wanted to be more direct, but worried about scaring Tezuka off again. As he asked the question, he watched Tezuka blink away the fog of arousal as he contemplated the words and wondered if he had been too indirect. “It would be more comfortable,” he hastily added.
“Comfortable would be nice,” Tezuka finally said, his voice a little gravelly and breathless. It was doing all sorts of things to Sanada’s libido and making him reconsider sneaking in a bit more foreplay where they were.
Somehow, he managed to pull himself away from Tezuka without groping or kissing him again. Though he did take his hand. “I wouldn’t want you to wander off and get lost again,” he said.
“I wasn’t lost.” Tezuka’s flush deepened with embarrassment and Sanada had to turn his gaze back to the path to not watch as it moved beneath his collar. He would have time to explore that later.
Having been running around the maze for as long as he could remember, Sanada quickly led them out of it without error. Tezuka looked only slightly put out about that, but quickly recovered his usual look when he saw the guards nearby. Though he gently tugged his hand away from Sanada’s, he made no indication that he had changed his mind about continuing to follow Sanada to his rooms.
“Tezuka and I will be having iced tea and refreshments in my personal receiving room,” Sanada said to the nearest runner. The man bowed low, then ran off toward the kitchens. Sanada knew that if they kept a slow pace, the exact opposite of what he wanted right now, the requested drinks and food would be waiting for them when they arrived. As he did not wish to earn a lecture from Yagyuu on proper decorum by breaking down and dragging Tezuka through the corridors, occasionally stopping to kiss and molest him, he forced his feet to keep the leisurely pace.
“Perhaps you could explain some of the art as we walk,” Tezuka suggested.
Since Sanada doubted that Tezuka really wanted to think about artwork right now, he figured that Tezuka was also just trying to ignore the sexual tension and give them both something else to focus on. It was easier said than done. But Sanada paused in front of a larger family portrait just off of the main hall. “This was the last extended family portrait that my family had done.”
Tezuka’s eyes scanned the painting, likely looking for Sanada while taking in details of the others. “Which one are you?” he asked eventually.
“It was made some time ago. I’m afraid that we’re overdue for another. But that’s me and my parents,” Sanada said, gesturing first to the lovely woman holding an overly dressed baby, and then to the man standing proudly beside her, holding the hand of another young boy.
“Your mother looks lovely in this painting. I assume you’ve had other portraits done since this one?”
Sanada gave a small chuckle. “Of course. But none with the cousins and various other relatives. Perhaps when I wed, I will find the time and motivation to get another commissioned.” He watched Tezuka as he spoke, but didn’t get any reaction. Only a neutral nod as if it made perfect sense. Which it probably did to Tezuka. Just because Sanada was slowly dragging him to his chambers to ravish him before either could second guess this, it didn’t mean that it would lead to anything. At least to Tezuka. For his part, he was already imagining family portraits done with Tezuka standing beside him.
In Tezuka’s mind, this was probably just a passing fancy to Sanada, who had several ladies vying for his affections and for the title of his bride. But Sanada wasn’t traditional like that and he had no desire for a wife, or for the soft curves of a woman. Just like he had no desire to let Tezuka leave Rikkai.
It didn’t matter that they had only met and didn’t really know each other. Sanada knew that this was the man he wanted to spend his life with. And just the thought of it made his animalistic side very happy. His inner dragon was counting down the moments until he could pin Tezuka naked underneath him and claim him as his.
“Shall we carry on,” he asked, when he noticed his thoughts drifting into dangerous territory.
There must have been something in his voice, as Tezuka eyed him a moment before nodding. They continued walking down halls and up stairs, and with each stop in front of a statue or painting, Sanada cursed not only the size of his castle but also the amount of decorations between the entrance and his room.
Eventually, they made it to his quarters, where they passed the ever present guards stationed at the entrance to finally enter the receiving room. As expected, a light spread of food and iced tea awaited them, along with a staff member happy and ready to serve them.
“We’ll serve ourselves, thank you,” Sanada said, and waited for the servant to bow and exit before gesturing to Tezuka to sit if he’d like. “Please, help yourself.”
Tezuka looked at the food, and while he poured himself a glass of iced tea and took a sip, he didn’t sit. Sanada watched the man drink, half hypnotized as he drained half of the glass and put it back on the table.
“I didn’t think you were serious about the refreshments,” Tezuka said.
“Even an emperor has to keep up appearances. And I figured wandering around the maze for so long must have been thirsty work.”
“Must you keep bringing that up?” Tezuka asked, the rosy tint returning to his cheeks. And Sanada decided that as long as Tezuka kept reacting so prettily, he would just have to keep teasing him.
“I’m willing to be distracted…” he trailed off as he moved closer to Tezuka. Some of the passion from the maze had cooled over their walk to his rooms, like he feared it would. But he was confident that they could reignite it quickly, as long as Tezuka put up no more resistance.
“I’m not sure it’s wise to distract the emperor of the Rikkai. I’m sure he’s quite busy,” Tezuka said. But he held his ground, and there was something in his eyes that made Sanada move into his personal space.
“Not for you,” Sanada said, moving a hand around Tezuka’s back to pull him close. “Never for you.” He pressed his lips back against Tezuka’s and it felt right and perfect. Especially when the strong dragon in his arms relaxed and let him take over, trusting him to lead the dance between them without fight.
Tezuka submitting so beautifully to him made his inner dragon roar with pure possessiveness. They needed to get out of their clothes now.
He let go of Tezuka to move his hands between them, getting started on their numerous buttons while trying to keep the kiss going as best he could. “Too many damned buttons,” he growled in complaint.
“Wait… let me,” Tezuka said, brushing away Sanada’s hands to undo his own buttons. Sanada took a moment to watch those long and strong fingers skillfully move down Tezuka’s tunic before realizing that he was still fully clothed. He tugged off more than unbuttoned his own outfit and, in mere moments, was stripped bare and ready to go.
Tezuka chuckled, then licked kiss-swollen lips as he took in the sight of Sanada’s proud member standing tall between his legs. Liking the way that Tezuka was looking at him, Sanada struck a manly pose. He knew he had nothing to be ashamed of and was quite pleased to see that Tezuka seemed to think the same.
Tossing his jacket and shirt onto the loveseat, Tezuka stepped close to Sanada and wrapped his hand around Sanada’s length. Sanada moaned at the bold action and moved his hand back to the small of Tezuka’s back, where it felt like it belonged, and pulled him close to whisper in his ear. “You are such a tease.”
Tezuka didn’t reply and gave him a look that Sanada could only interpret along the lines of ‘don’t pose like that if you don’t want to be touched.’ And truth be told, he enjoyed being touched by Tezuka’s warm hand, but he also was annoyed that his would be lover was not yet nude like him. He wanted to see and touch all of him.
He gave him a kiss and then slowly started moving them toward his bedroom. He did promise Tezuka comfort and it would be quite foolish to have come all this way to climax from a handjob on his receiving room floor.
Once in the bedroom, Sanada plucked Tezuka’s glasses from his face and placed them carefully on a table before going for his pants. With some effort and help from Tezuka, they were finally both nude and Sanada drank in the sight of his fellow dragon shifter. He was thinner than Sanada, but just as toned, and he appreciated every inch of Tezuka’s body. When he noticed the scars, he reached out to touch them first with his fingers, and then his mouth.
He was rewarded for his thorough inspection of all the scars he could find by Tezuka’s breathy moans and a hand tangled in his hair. He could spend hours worshipping the body in front of him, memorizing every little mark on Tezuka’s body, but right now, he wanted to claim the man.
“On the bed. Get comfortable,” Sanada said, and swatted Tezuka’s ass to get him moving. He walked to a bedside table and opened the drawer to retrieve the oil he used for such occasions.
Turning to the bed, Sanada let out a moan as he saw that Tezuka had crawled onto the large bed on his hands and knees and was waiting for him like that. He licked his lips hungrily as he prowled to the bed and climbed on it. “Perfect.”
“It would be if you hurried,” Tezuka countered, his eyes focused on Sanada’s hard and leaking erection.
“Be careful what you wish for,” Sanada said and gave Tezuka’s ass another light smack as he moved behind him. He rather liked the way that the skin of Tezuka’s bottom pinkened at his touch. For being a strong dragon shifter, it did seem that Tezuka’s body reacted beautifully to his own. He gave another light smack to his other cheek to balance out the look, and then one more when Tezuka gasped so beautifully for it.
He poured oil directly onto Tezuka’s ass and over his crack, watching it slide down to his opening. He then slid a finger through it before gently pressing in. He moaned at the feel of Tezuka’s hot, tight heat around his finger and watched, completely captivated, as Tezuka’s ass hungrily swallowed up his finger. Not wanting to wait, he quickly added a second; while Tezuka was tight, his body continued to accept his fingers easily.
Sanada had known that he wanted Tezuka from the moment he saw him, but now that he also knew him to be dragon shifter, and that his body so willingly submitted and opened up to his own, just confirmed to him that Tezuka was the man meant to be his mate.
As he moved his fingers in and out of Tezuka, he reached around to stroke Tezuka’s erection and really make him moan. “Don’t hold back,” he told him, when he noticed Tezuka biting his lip in an attempt to be quiet. “I want to hear you.” And if his guards heard, he didn’t care. A part of him wanted them - and all of the kingdom - to know that Tezuka was his and that he had claimed him and made him moan so beautifully.
“I want to feel you,” Tezuka said, after he gave in and let out a pretty moan. And since Sanada had no idea how any man could resist such a request, he pulled his fingers out and quickly coated himself in the oil.
“Brace yourself,” he warned before moving in close behind Tezuka. He took a moment to bend down and trail a few kisses along his back and shoulders, then guided himself to Tezuka’s entrance. With a snap of his hips, he thrust all of the way in and paused as he panted, trying to collect himself.
Tezuka was so hot and tight around him and the man wasn’t giving Sanada any time to recover from it. “More,” Tezuka said as he rocked slightly, causing Sanada’s cock to move within that sinful heat.
Not needing further encouragement, and somewhat worried he might embarrass himself if he just stayed still and watch Tezuka fuck himself on his cock, he grabbed Tezuka’s hips hard and pulled nearly all of the way out before slamming back in. Tezuka arched back and let out a moan that made Sanada’s balls tingle. “Yes,” he encouraged as he started thrusting into Tezuka hard and fast.
He knew instinctively that Tezuka could handle it, and his dragon side was telling him to claim Tezuka, to make him his and to not hold back. And with every moan and gasp of pleasure, Sanada tried to thrust even harder and faster than before.
“Sanada! Please!! More!” Tezuka half begged and half demanded as he writhed as much as he could in Sanada’s grip.
“Touch yourself,” Sanada said, then gave Tezuka’s ass a harder slap than he had before. It caused Tezuka to moan and Sanada promised he would explore that particular kink of his partner’s sometime in the near future.
Tezuka managed to pull himself together enough to sneak a hand under his body and stroke himself; Sanada also made plans to get Tezuka to do that for his viewing pleasure, too. But then all thought was taken right out of his head as Tezuka yelled out his name while he came. Tezuka found release through the pleasure that Sanada had given him, and the sound of his name on Tezuka lips pushed the emperor to his own. He gave one last hard thrust and released his seed deep inside of Tezuka with a mighty and possessive roar.
His hips jerked sporadically a few more times before he all but collapsed on Tezuka’s back, both of them sweaty and panting. He managed to fall to his side and take Tezuka with him, so he was holding the other man close as they relaxed on the bed and caught their breath. To say that the sex had been intense would have been an understatement. But as sated and tired as Sanada currently was by it, he was already planning all of the different things that he wanted to try with Tezuka as soon as they were recovered.
He was sure Yagyuu could keep the kingdom running well enough while he locked himself in his chambers with Tezuka for a day… or a week. He supposed a whole month would be pushing it, but he may get away with a fortnight before Yukimura and Yanagi heard about it and returned to kick his ass back to the throne room.
Bemused by the thought of his friends and advisors having to come back from waging wars to physically pull him away from the dragon in his arms so he would get back to work, he easily gave into post-coital bliss and nodded off. His last thought was of how pleased he was that Tezuka trusted him enough to have fallen asleep already. Either that or sex with him was just that mind blowing.
Go to Part II