Enamored 2/?
Title: Enamored 2/?
Pairing: Jaejoong/Heechul (Changmin/Yunho, Kai/Taemin)
Rating: NC-17
Disclaimer: This much pretty can only happen in fanfics. I think if these two were a couple in real life the world would explode.
Summary: War with the Hawks is imminent. The Ravens do not want to fight, but no one is willing to back them despite being allies. The Swans have their own plans: marry off their last prince to the Ravens and then they'll think of siding with the Ravens if they need to. It's all very manipulative, especially to Jaejoong who is suddenly forced into the idea of an arranged marriage with a snobby nobel.
A/N: This fic is in the same universe as Nevermore and Forever More. This happens about three years after the events in Forever More.
Fanfic poster by me!
Part 2: The Complicated Beauty
Jaejoong personally took Heechul and his bodyguards to their guest rooms. He sent Taemin ahead to tell the Raven King and Queen that Heechul was not feeling well from the trip and that he will relax for the day and appear before them the following day.
The guestrooms were not nearly as warm as Jaejoong’s own or those of the Royals, but it was the middle of the summer, and the cool air felt good. It was one of the largest guestrooms with a giant bed, large closet, and private bathing room. It even had a balcony that stretched out over the cliff.
Heechul sank into a armchair, long legs spread out. Jaejoong turned away from them, too afraid he would take the position as an invitation. He sent one of his guards to the kitchens for a light snack and another to the well for some cool water. Heechul’s guards brought in his trunks and bags and went right to closet to unpack it all.
“How long do you plan on keeping me?” Heechul asked.
Jaejoong shrugged without turning to him. He went around the walls and activated the magic on the torches.
“Blue,” Heechul said.
“Huh?”
“The flames. Can you make them blue?”
Jaejoong pondered him without replying.
Heechul sighed. “The torches in our nest burn blue.”
It was probably the only time that Heechul would admit to missing home. And it was an easy spell, one that Jaejoong had no problems fulfilling. The soft blue light that filled the room had even Jaejoong smiling. It was something to think about, especially for those moments when firelight was too bright, too glaring, too much.
“Thank you,” Heechul whispered.
“Do you want to be alone?” Jaejoong asked.
“Do you have to be somewhere?”
Jaejoong made a face. “No. By order of the Raven Prince, my only duty is to serve you. Kyuhyun is in charge today.”
Heechul chuckled. “Serve me? I thought we were not tumbling into bed right away.”
“I’m sure Changmin-ah wants us to. He is certain that sex will cause us to fall madly in love with each other.”
“I’m sure it won’t hurt.”
Jaejoong shook his head with a smile. “I am going to respectfully decline.”
Heechul shrugged. “For now?”
“Yes, for now.”
“Very well.” Heechul stood up and stretched. “These are better rooms than the last ones I stayed in.”
“Last time we had many more important guests.”
“Ouch,” Heechul said.
“Don’t be offended when you know something is true.”
Heechul flicked his fingers in dismissal. “You should lie to please me.”
“You should know me better than that.”
Heechul lifted his arms and started removing the adornments in his hair. The metal clips went into a pile on the chair, the white feathers in another next to it. Heechul’s hair was much longer than Jaejoong expected, the ends brushing his lower back. The blue light from the torches caught deeper shades of blue within the dark locks.
“Make sure I got them all,” Heechul said. An order. Not a request.
Jaejoong bristled, but did as he was told and moved in close to the other. His hair was softer than it looked, slipping through Jaejoong’s fingers. He carded his fingers close to Heechul’s scalp and found one errant metal clip.
“Your hair is beautiful.”
“I know,” Heechul said, “and you are still playing with it.”
“I know,” Jaejoong returned easily and tugged on a handful.
Heechul chuckled and said nothing else, letting Jaejoong play with his hair until their food and water arrived.
^/\-v-/\^
“I have to go check on Yunho,” Jaejoong said, rising from the wooden bench on the balcony outside of Heechul’s rooms. “Would you like to accompany me?”
Heechul lounged back, one leg bent, an arm above his head, the other hanging from the bench. Jaejoong had to admit he had spent more time staring at Heechul’s body than he had the view of his own clan. Heechul had expressed polite awe at how the sunset brightened the stronghold. He did not want to go anywhere, so Jaejoong went nowhere also. It felt nice to relax for a day, but he also felt restless. He was not used to sitting still.
Heechul sighed. “That means I have to get up.”
“Indeed.”
“Carry me,” Heechul demanded.
Jaejoong rolled his eyes. “I will break your leg first so I have a reason to.”
“Which leg?” Heechul asked, running his fingertip over his own knee and up his thigh.
Jaejoong flushed and cleared his throat.
Heechul laughed.
He held out a hand to help Heechul up. “You do not have to point out different characteristics of your beauty. I am well aware of everything about you.”
Heechul let himself be pulled up and leaned in close. “You do not know what I taste like.”
Jaejoong stepped back. “Probably bitter, like the film of scum upon a pond.”
Heechul’s mouth opened at the severe insult and then he spun around, long hair flying around him, and stomped into the room.
Jaejoong laughed and followed him.
Heechul tugged on his hair, yanking it up and pulling it into a bun with more adornments, ones that sparkled red in the light.
With a smile, Jaejoong moved behind him and wrapped his arms around his waist before he could move. Heechul struggled in his arms until Jaejoong pressed his face to Heechul’s neck.
“That was rude,” Heechul snapped, though his voice wavered. “Apologize.”
Jaejoong breathed against his ear. “I apologize.”
Heechul huffed and shimmied away from him. “Is Yunho bedridden?”
“Yes. He is in his six month that I can tell.”
“Poor thing. He is famous in my clan, and I’m supposed to do all I can to be friends with him since he’s the prince’s husband.”
“Which makes him a prince.”
Heechul waved his hand at him in dismissal. He did that a lot. If Heechul’s hands and fingers were not so very beautiful and delicate, Jaejoong would be constantly insulted.
“Just remember that he is stubbornly monogamous.”
Heechul laughed as he finally turned around. Part of his hair was up and part down, held in place by the metal clasps and pins.
“Your hair is beautiful down, but your neck is also beautiful,” Jaejoong said. “I cannot decide which I like more.”
Heechul chuckled and turned his head enough to show off the long column of his neck. The silvery chain had been removed long ago but the ones in his ears still sparkled in the fading sunlight. Jaejoong licked his lips.
“Beautiful,” Jaejoong said, voice softer than he meant though Heechul’s smile was worth it. He cleared his throat and moved to the other man. He held out his arm, and said nothing else as Heechul took the offering, and let himself be led through the room.
Taemin and Kai were at the entrance, laughing about something. But both straightened when they appeared. Taemin pressed a hand to his chest and bowed. Kai watched him, and then copied him.
“Tae, run ahead, and tell Changmin and Yunho that we are on our way. Make sure they aren’t fucking.”
Taemin smiled. “Yes, sir.”
Heechul did not let go of his arm, and Jaejoong wondered if it would be rude to do it for him. He did not want those that he passed to think they were already best friends and ready to be married. But nice, he had to be nice. He left it and escorted Heechul through the rock hallways.
“You Ravens are so bleak,” Heechul said. “You need decorations, not just torches.”
“Decorations are for people, not walls.”
“And you need no decorations,” he said and ran his hand down Jaejoong’s side. “Why adorn something already so close to perfect?”
“Close?”
Heechul smirked, not looking at him. “Yes, I have yet to see you naked, so I cannot judge a body by its coverings.”
Jaejoong hummed in amusement. “But do I care? Am I supposed to cater for your approval of my body?”
“If you want to be married, yes.”
“Do you want to be married?”
Heechul shrugged. “Eventually. My parents have not given me much of a choice. If not to you, then to someone else.”
“But to me for the alliance.”
Heechul snorted.
Jaejoong said nothing else for the rest of the walk. Taemin stood outside Changmin’s room with Kyuhyun. Both pressed their fists to their chests and bowed.
“They are not busy,” Taemin said with a smile.
“Or they weren’t two minutes ago,” Kyuhyun corrected.
“A lot can change in two minutes,” Jaejoong said. “Let’s not push our luck.”
Heechul smirked. “I do not think I would mind seeing Changmin and Yunho naked and fucking.”
“They are amazing.”
There were no sounds of sex as they entered the room. Yunho still reclined on the chair, and he was not naked, though barely. The sweatpants got shorter everyday. Yunho’s body radiated heat. Again, the baby boy was fine, so Jaejoong was not too worried. His legs were thrown over Changmin’s lap, and Changmin was rubbing his thighs in firm circles. Changmin too was topless, but he had on a pair of loose black pants.
“Hi Heechul,” Changmin said first, and Yunho’s eyes fluttered open and he smiled.
Heechul let go of Jaejoong’s arm and kneeled beside Yunho’s side and took his hand. “How are you?”
Yunho shrugged. “Marry Jaejoong?” he managed and winced.
Heechul rolled his eyes. “Ask him that.”
Yunho looked over at Jaejoong with a mussed eyebrow raised.
Jaejoong crossed his arms and leaned against the rock pillar. “Maybe.”
Yunho smiled. His eyes shut with a quiet moan.
Jaejoong quickly moved to him and pressed a hand to his belly. He concentrated on the baby and the pain, relieving it for both of them. Yunho sighed and relaxed.
“The rumors said you were having many problems, but not like this.” Heechul looked up at Jaejoong from his knees. “The baby is okay?”
Jaejoong nodded, adding a few more spells to keep Yunho’s stomach settled and his muscles from cramping.
“Changho,” Yunho gasped.
“What?”
“His name,” Changmin said with a smile. He rubbed his hand softly on Yunho’s belly. “We’re going to name him Changho.”
“I like that name, a perfect combination of you both,” Heechul said. “With two fathers like you, he’ll be nothing but gorgeous and with wings ready to fly.”
High praise, coming from a Swan, Jaejoong knew. He frowned and met Changmin’s eyes. He wanted Changmin to know exactly what he was thinking, but Yunho shifted with a moan, and Changmin looked away.
Then again, Jaejoong was not even sure what he was thinking.
Heechul stayed on his knees, but a hand curled around Jaejoong’s leg, at his knee, just above his boot.
“How long until the baby is due?”
“A couple more months,” Jaejoong said. “Sooner if the pain is too much. He is growing quickly.”
“Maybe I will still be here,” Heechul said and looked up at Jaejoong.
Jaejoong smiled. “M-maybe.”
^/\-v-/\^
That night, Jaejoong lit a cigarette, leaning against the railing of his private balcony. He could not sleep, though he had been more or less ordered to by the Raven King. He needed to sleep. The sky flared with the moon as it moved across the sky, bathing leaves in white.
He felt something shimmering within his magic, a presence, in his room. It did not feel malicious. It felt like no one in the stronghold. It felt of flight, of majesty, and arrogance. It felt of pride and purpose. Loyalty. Perseverance. Command.
Heechul.
Jaejoong wanted to discover him with his magic, feel him from the inside out. The man was only arrogant in the face of those he felt he needed to be arrogant with. He ordered Jaejoong around because Jaejoong let him. There was always an underlying current of humor when they spoke.
He stayed put and took a drag on his cigarette. Soft footfalls brushed over the wood of his balcony. Like feathers on his skin. He shivered and hid the movement by turning around and leaning against the thick railing.
Heechul stopped and stared at him. He wore a pair of loose pants, and a billowy top that gaped open around his chest. His skin almost glowed in the moonlight. His black hair was loose, brushing against his shoulders in the wind.
“I fear I may have to ask you to stop being so utterly beautiful,” Jaejoong said.
“And I fear I may have to ask you to continue telling me how beautiful I am.”
Jaejoong chuckled. “What are you doing here?”
“Can’t sleep. It is difficult. I am used to the movement of the water.” He walked closer and Jaejoong let him move in close. A burst of wind had Heechul shivering, and Jaejoong lifted an arm. He took one more drag off a cigarette before tossing it to the ground and stubbing it out. Heechul’s arms went around his waist, and Jaejoong put his arms around his shoulders.
“I can’t sleep either,” Jaejoong said. “It is difficult to sleep when the Hawks hunt and attack by night. I must always be ready.”
“Even though you have Kyuhyun in charge and more than enough of the best warriors of our world?”
Jaejoong smiled. “They are pretty great.”
“So are you,” Heechul said and squeezed him. He shivered again and Jaejoong mumbled a spell into his ear, warming the air around them.
“Beautiful,” Heechul whispered.
Jaejoong did not know if he was talking about him or about their clan. It did not matter because Jaejoong was not expecting it. Despite being haughty during dinner with the Raven King and Queen, Heechul had almost been gracious. He ate the Raven food and complimented the cooks. He laughed with Changmin’s sisters, and promised a hair day where they would play and experiment with hairstyles.
“You are not as much of an arrogant water fowl as I was expecting,” Jaejoong said a few minutes later.
Heechul leaned back with an insulted look on his face.
Jaejoong laughed. “You’re incredibly arrogant, but you’re kind, sincere, and loyal.”
“I act the way that people need me to be. During festivals I am a Swan prince who must act like a Swan prince. But with you,” Heechul leaned back against him, breath soft on his neck again, “I get to be myself and I just hope that you like me.”
Jaejoong smiled. “So far so good.”
“Good.” Heechul grinned and tilted his head just enough to press a kiss to Jaejoong’s lips. A peck. That was all.
And not enough.
Jaejoong moved his hands, running his fingers through Heechul’s long hair for a moment before cupping his cheeks and leaning in for another, longer kiss. He touched his tongue to Heechul’s lower lip and smiled at the happy sigh that twisted through their energy. He smirked and pulsed a wave of magic, no spell, no words, just himself, just his soul, along Heechul’s skin.
Heechul shivered with a moan and his mouth opened and their tongues touched and then retreated, over and over. Heechul pushed against him, his hands digging into Jaejoong’s back.
When they eventually pulled away from each other, Jaejoong could not breathe, could not think. His head was light, his body too heavy. And his lips were connected, drawn, pulled back to Heechul’s and then to his neck, to the pale column of delicious skin. He ran his tongue down its length and added a small bite to the base. Heechul whimpered, hands tangling in Jaejoong’s short blond hair.
“We ... stop ... need ...”
Heechul pulled away and pouted. “Why?”
Jaejoong kept his eyes shut and then looked at him. “I already know that the two of us will be amazing in bed together, but it has to be more than that. It has to be.”
Heechul stuck his tongue out. “Fine. Be reasonable.”
Jaejoong chuckled and ran his fingers over Heechul’s skin. “Still, there’s no reason why we can’t share a bed.”
Heechul smiled. “Even though we both can’t sleep?”
“I’d rather not sleep with company than not sleep alone.”
“In your bed? It is closer than mine and I already walked all the way down here.”
Jaejoong laughed and put his arm around Heechul’s waist. He led him into his room, dimming all but two of the torches. He also made them flare a brighter shade of blue.
“So, this bed sharing thing, am I expected to keep my hands to myself?”
Jaejoong chuckled and climbed into his bed. Before he had gone to bed naked, only putting on night pants to smoke a cigarette. But he did not trust himself to be naked next to Heechul, especially when the beautiful Swan sat on the edge and slipped his own pants off, leaving him in nothing but the billowy white shirt.
“I had planned on being good, but your tattoos are amazing and I want to touch them with my tongue.”
Jaejoong propped up on an elbow and looked over at him. “Tongue? What about your hands?”
“Both are just fine. I am being greedy.”
Jaejoong chuckled. “You are. I do not mind that in bed. I am more than willing to give you whatever you want.”
Heechul climbed under Jaejoong’s blanket and moaned. “Your bed is much softer than mine.”
Jaejoong shuffled closer to him. Heechul’s hair spread out around him, and Jaejoong lifted a few strands of it, letting it slither through his fingers. Heechul smiled and curled on his side so they were facing each other, close but far enough away to still stare at each other.
“My mother is hoping that you will make me cut my hair once we are married.”
Jaejoong smiled. “I fear I must disappoint my future mother-in-law.”
“Why is that?”
Jaejoong chuckled. “You really do love hearing me tell you how beautiful you are?”
“Of course. Tell me.”
“I will not make you cut your hair because it is beautiful just like you are beautiful.”
Heechul hummed in contentment.
Jaejoong continued playing with his hair, running his fingers through and around it. Heechul trailed a finger over Jaejoong’s bicep. He yawned.
“What of your parents?” Heechul asked. “No one in my clan knew anything about them.”
Jaejoong took a very deep breath. “My family was killed by the Eagles during the fight after Yunho had been stolen away. The only reason I was not killed is because my mother hid me, wrapped magic around me, and left to draw the Eagles away. The Raven Warriors found me, and I swore my life and my magic to the Royal Family. Changmin and I had similar notions of revenge.”
“I’m sorry,” Heechul whispered.
Jaejoong nodded. “Not your fault.”
“It is, a little,” Heechul said, “just because the Swans don’t ever do anything. We are your allies until you need us, and then we have reasons why we cannot help.”
“Definitely not true. This is the only time since then that we have asked.” Jaejoong lay on his back and put his arms behind his head. “Our alliance was made after the Eagles tried to destroy us. We did not want a war with any clan. We still do not. We do not want to fight with the Hawks. As you said, we have the best warriors, we have the best intelligence, we have the best magicians, the largest and most complicated stronghold. We do not want to fight because then we will kill more people.”
Heechul propped up on his elbow and moved close enough to press their legs together. His arm landed on Jaejoong’s chest, fingers tracing scrolls of ink across his muscles. “And how will the Swans help you?”
“We are hoping that with both of us, the Hawks will rethink their ideas of attacking and just sign another peace treaty. We all rely on trade with each other too much to be fighting.”
“The Hawks should already be aware of our alliance.”
Jaejoong smiled. “They are, but like you said, they do not believe the Swans will fight.”
Heechul sighed, fingers tugging at Jaejoong’s nipple. A spread wing curled around it, the tip just above the nipple. The wing spread out over his pec, up into his shoulder, feathers seemed to float down his side. He leaned over and traced the edge of the wing with his tongue, ending at the budded nipple. Jaejoong moaned and moved one arm, curling it around Heechul’s neck and using it to pull their mouths together again for a heavy kiss.
“If you marry me,” Heechul said, their lips just barely together, “my father and brothers will be more than willing to fight with you.”
Jaejoong smiled and kissed him again. “I know, but that is not a good enough reason to marry you.”
“What is a good reason to marry me?”
Jaejoong ran his fingers over Heechul’s cheek. “You are beautiful.”
Heechul smiled. “And what reason do I have to marry you?”
“I cannot tell if you just insinuated that I am not beautiful or if you are trying to get me to have sex with you.”
Heechul laughed. “Both.”
“I am not beautiful?”
Heechul smirked. “Not nearly as beautiful as I am.”
“Agreed.”
Their lips met again in a kiss, and then again, and Jaejoong fought the urge to topple Heechul to his back and lift up the thin shirt, or tear it off, and memorize the moans Heechul made while being properly worshiped.
Instead, he broke away, out of breath and horny, and pulled Heechul against him. He felt the other laugh, a low rumble in his chest, but after a few more moments of touching his skin, Heechul’s breathing steadied with sleep, and Jaejoong dimmed all the torches but one and tried to relax.
Part 3: The Ferocious Warrior
Part 1: The Impossible Proposition
.
Pairing: Jaejoong/Heechul (Changmin/Yunho, Kai/Taemin)
Rating: NC-17
Disclaimer: This much pretty can only happen in fanfics. I think if these two were a couple in real life the world would explode.
Summary: War with the Hawks is imminent. The Ravens do not want to fight, but no one is willing to back them despite being allies. The Swans have their own plans: marry off their last prince to the Ravens and then they'll think of siding with the Ravens if they need to. It's all very manipulative, especially to Jaejoong who is suddenly forced into the idea of an arranged marriage with a snobby nobel.
A/N: This fic is in the same universe as Nevermore and Forever More. This happens about three years after the events in Forever More.
Fanfic poster by me!
Part 2: The Complicated Beauty
Jaejoong personally took Heechul and his bodyguards to their guest rooms. He sent Taemin ahead to tell the Raven King and Queen that Heechul was not feeling well from the trip and that he will relax for the day and appear before them the following day.
The guestrooms were not nearly as warm as Jaejoong’s own or those of the Royals, but it was the middle of the summer, and the cool air felt good. It was one of the largest guestrooms with a giant bed, large closet, and private bathing room. It even had a balcony that stretched out over the cliff.
Heechul sank into a armchair, long legs spread out. Jaejoong turned away from them, too afraid he would take the position as an invitation. He sent one of his guards to the kitchens for a light snack and another to the well for some cool water. Heechul’s guards brought in his trunks and bags and went right to closet to unpack it all.
“How long do you plan on keeping me?” Heechul asked.
Jaejoong shrugged without turning to him. He went around the walls and activated the magic on the torches.
“Blue,” Heechul said.
“Huh?”
“The flames. Can you make them blue?”
Jaejoong pondered him without replying.
Heechul sighed. “The torches in our nest burn blue.”
It was probably the only time that Heechul would admit to missing home. And it was an easy spell, one that Jaejoong had no problems fulfilling. The soft blue light that filled the room had even Jaejoong smiling. It was something to think about, especially for those moments when firelight was too bright, too glaring, too much.
“Thank you,” Heechul whispered.
“Do you want to be alone?” Jaejoong asked.
“Do you have to be somewhere?”
Jaejoong made a face. “No. By order of the Raven Prince, my only duty is to serve you. Kyuhyun is in charge today.”
Heechul chuckled. “Serve me? I thought we were not tumbling into bed right away.”
“I’m sure Changmin-ah wants us to. He is certain that sex will cause us to fall madly in love with each other.”
“I’m sure it won’t hurt.”
Jaejoong shook his head with a smile. “I am going to respectfully decline.”
Heechul shrugged. “For now?”
“Yes, for now.”
“Very well.” Heechul stood up and stretched. “These are better rooms than the last ones I stayed in.”
“Last time we had many more important guests.”
“Ouch,” Heechul said.
“Don’t be offended when you know something is true.”
Heechul flicked his fingers in dismissal. “You should lie to please me.”
“You should know me better than that.”
Heechul lifted his arms and started removing the adornments in his hair. The metal clips went into a pile on the chair, the white feathers in another next to it. Heechul’s hair was much longer than Jaejoong expected, the ends brushing his lower back. The blue light from the torches caught deeper shades of blue within the dark locks.
“Make sure I got them all,” Heechul said. An order. Not a request.
Jaejoong bristled, but did as he was told and moved in close to the other. His hair was softer than it looked, slipping through Jaejoong’s fingers. He carded his fingers close to Heechul’s scalp and found one errant metal clip.
“Your hair is beautiful.”
“I know,” Heechul said, “and you are still playing with it.”
“I know,” Jaejoong returned easily and tugged on a handful.
Heechul chuckled and said nothing else, letting Jaejoong play with his hair until their food and water arrived.
^/\-v-/\^
“I have to go check on Yunho,” Jaejoong said, rising from the wooden bench on the balcony outside of Heechul’s rooms. “Would you like to accompany me?”
Heechul lounged back, one leg bent, an arm above his head, the other hanging from the bench. Jaejoong had to admit he had spent more time staring at Heechul’s body than he had the view of his own clan. Heechul had expressed polite awe at how the sunset brightened the stronghold. He did not want to go anywhere, so Jaejoong went nowhere also. It felt nice to relax for a day, but he also felt restless. He was not used to sitting still.
Heechul sighed. “That means I have to get up.”
“Indeed.”
“Carry me,” Heechul demanded.
Jaejoong rolled his eyes. “I will break your leg first so I have a reason to.”
“Which leg?” Heechul asked, running his fingertip over his own knee and up his thigh.
Jaejoong flushed and cleared his throat.
Heechul laughed.
He held out a hand to help Heechul up. “You do not have to point out different characteristics of your beauty. I am well aware of everything about you.”
Heechul let himself be pulled up and leaned in close. “You do not know what I taste like.”
Jaejoong stepped back. “Probably bitter, like the film of scum upon a pond.”
Heechul’s mouth opened at the severe insult and then he spun around, long hair flying around him, and stomped into the room.
Jaejoong laughed and followed him.
Heechul tugged on his hair, yanking it up and pulling it into a bun with more adornments, ones that sparkled red in the light.
With a smile, Jaejoong moved behind him and wrapped his arms around his waist before he could move. Heechul struggled in his arms until Jaejoong pressed his face to Heechul’s neck.
“That was rude,” Heechul snapped, though his voice wavered. “Apologize.”
Jaejoong breathed against his ear. “I apologize.”
Heechul huffed and shimmied away from him. “Is Yunho bedridden?”
“Yes. He is in his six month that I can tell.”
“Poor thing. He is famous in my clan, and I’m supposed to do all I can to be friends with him since he’s the prince’s husband.”
“Which makes him a prince.”
Heechul waved his hand at him in dismissal. He did that a lot. If Heechul’s hands and fingers were not so very beautiful and delicate, Jaejoong would be constantly insulted.
“Just remember that he is stubbornly monogamous.”
Heechul laughed as he finally turned around. Part of his hair was up and part down, held in place by the metal clasps and pins.
“Your hair is beautiful down, but your neck is also beautiful,” Jaejoong said. “I cannot decide which I like more.”
Heechul chuckled and turned his head enough to show off the long column of his neck. The silvery chain had been removed long ago but the ones in his ears still sparkled in the fading sunlight. Jaejoong licked his lips.
“Beautiful,” Jaejoong said, voice softer than he meant though Heechul’s smile was worth it. He cleared his throat and moved to the other man. He held out his arm, and said nothing else as Heechul took the offering, and let himself be led through the room.
Taemin and Kai were at the entrance, laughing about something. But both straightened when they appeared. Taemin pressed a hand to his chest and bowed. Kai watched him, and then copied him.
“Tae, run ahead, and tell Changmin and Yunho that we are on our way. Make sure they aren’t fucking.”
Taemin smiled. “Yes, sir.”
Heechul did not let go of his arm, and Jaejoong wondered if it would be rude to do it for him. He did not want those that he passed to think they were already best friends and ready to be married. But nice, he had to be nice. He left it and escorted Heechul through the rock hallways.
“You Ravens are so bleak,” Heechul said. “You need decorations, not just torches.”
“Decorations are for people, not walls.”
“And you need no decorations,” he said and ran his hand down Jaejoong’s side. “Why adorn something already so close to perfect?”
“Close?”
Heechul smirked, not looking at him. “Yes, I have yet to see you naked, so I cannot judge a body by its coverings.”
Jaejoong hummed in amusement. “But do I care? Am I supposed to cater for your approval of my body?”
“If you want to be married, yes.”
“Do you want to be married?”
Heechul shrugged. “Eventually. My parents have not given me much of a choice. If not to you, then to someone else.”
“But to me for the alliance.”
Heechul snorted.
Jaejoong said nothing else for the rest of the walk. Taemin stood outside Changmin’s room with Kyuhyun. Both pressed their fists to their chests and bowed.
“They are not busy,” Taemin said with a smile.
“Or they weren’t two minutes ago,” Kyuhyun corrected.
“A lot can change in two minutes,” Jaejoong said. “Let’s not push our luck.”
Heechul smirked. “I do not think I would mind seeing Changmin and Yunho naked and fucking.”
“They are amazing.”
There were no sounds of sex as they entered the room. Yunho still reclined on the chair, and he was not naked, though barely. The sweatpants got shorter everyday. Yunho’s body radiated heat. Again, the baby boy was fine, so Jaejoong was not too worried. His legs were thrown over Changmin’s lap, and Changmin was rubbing his thighs in firm circles. Changmin too was topless, but he had on a pair of loose black pants.
“Hi Heechul,” Changmin said first, and Yunho’s eyes fluttered open and he smiled.
Heechul let go of Jaejoong’s arm and kneeled beside Yunho’s side and took his hand. “How are you?”
Yunho shrugged. “Marry Jaejoong?” he managed and winced.
Heechul rolled his eyes. “Ask him that.”
Yunho looked over at Jaejoong with a mussed eyebrow raised.
Jaejoong crossed his arms and leaned against the rock pillar. “Maybe.”
Yunho smiled. His eyes shut with a quiet moan.
Jaejoong quickly moved to him and pressed a hand to his belly. He concentrated on the baby and the pain, relieving it for both of them. Yunho sighed and relaxed.
“The rumors said you were having many problems, but not like this.” Heechul looked up at Jaejoong from his knees. “The baby is okay?”
Jaejoong nodded, adding a few more spells to keep Yunho’s stomach settled and his muscles from cramping.
“Changho,” Yunho gasped.
“What?”
“His name,” Changmin said with a smile. He rubbed his hand softly on Yunho’s belly. “We’re going to name him Changho.”
“I like that name, a perfect combination of you both,” Heechul said. “With two fathers like you, he’ll be nothing but gorgeous and with wings ready to fly.”
High praise, coming from a Swan, Jaejoong knew. He frowned and met Changmin’s eyes. He wanted Changmin to know exactly what he was thinking, but Yunho shifted with a moan, and Changmin looked away.
Then again, Jaejoong was not even sure what he was thinking.
Heechul stayed on his knees, but a hand curled around Jaejoong’s leg, at his knee, just above his boot.
“How long until the baby is due?”
“A couple more months,” Jaejoong said. “Sooner if the pain is too much. He is growing quickly.”
“Maybe I will still be here,” Heechul said and looked up at Jaejoong.
Jaejoong smiled. “M-maybe.”
^/\-v-/\^
That night, Jaejoong lit a cigarette, leaning against the railing of his private balcony. He could not sleep, though he had been more or less ordered to by the Raven King. He needed to sleep. The sky flared with the moon as it moved across the sky, bathing leaves in white.
He felt something shimmering within his magic, a presence, in his room. It did not feel malicious. It felt like no one in the stronghold. It felt of flight, of majesty, and arrogance. It felt of pride and purpose. Loyalty. Perseverance. Command.
Heechul.
Jaejoong wanted to discover him with his magic, feel him from the inside out. The man was only arrogant in the face of those he felt he needed to be arrogant with. He ordered Jaejoong around because Jaejoong let him. There was always an underlying current of humor when they spoke.
He stayed put and took a drag on his cigarette. Soft footfalls brushed over the wood of his balcony. Like feathers on his skin. He shivered and hid the movement by turning around and leaning against the thick railing.
Heechul stopped and stared at him. He wore a pair of loose pants, and a billowy top that gaped open around his chest. His skin almost glowed in the moonlight. His black hair was loose, brushing against his shoulders in the wind.
“I fear I may have to ask you to stop being so utterly beautiful,” Jaejoong said.
“And I fear I may have to ask you to continue telling me how beautiful I am.”
Jaejoong chuckled. “What are you doing here?”
“Can’t sleep. It is difficult. I am used to the movement of the water.” He walked closer and Jaejoong let him move in close. A burst of wind had Heechul shivering, and Jaejoong lifted an arm. He took one more drag off a cigarette before tossing it to the ground and stubbing it out. Heechul’s arms went around his waist, and Jaejoong put his arms around his shoulders.
“I can’t sleep either,” Jaejoong said. “It is difficult to sleep when the Hawks hunt and attack by night. I must always be ready.”
“Even though you have Kyuhyun in charge and more than enough of the best warriors of our world?”
Jaejoong smiled. “They are pretty great.”
“So are you,” Heechul said and squeezed him. He shivered again and Jaejoong mumbled a spell into his ear, warming the air around them.
“Beautiful,” Heechul whispered.
Jaejoong did not know if he was talking about him or about their clan. It did not matter because Jaejoong was not expecting it. Despite being haughty during dinner with the Raven King and Queen, Heechul had almost been gracious. He ate the Raven food and complimented the cooks. He laughed with Changmin’s sisters, and promised a hair day where they would play and experiment with hairstyles.
“You are not as much of an arrogant water fowl as I was expecting,” Jaejoong said a few minutes later.
Heechul leaned back with an insulted look on his face.
Jaejoong laughed. “You’re incredibly arrogant, but you’re kind, sincere, and loyal.”
“I act the way that people need me to be. During festivals I am a Swan prince who must act like a Swan prince. But with you,” Heechul leaned back against him, breath soft on his neck again, “I get to be myself and I just hope that you like me.”
Jaejoong smiled. “So far so good.”
“Good.” Heechul grinned and tilted his head just enough to press a kiss to Jaejoong’s lips. A peck. That was all.
And not enough.
Jaejoong moved his hands, running his fingers through Heechul’s long hair for a moment before cupping his cheeks and leaning in for another, longer kiss. He touched his tongue to Heechul’s lower lip and smiled at the happy sigh that twisted through their energy. He smirked and pulsed a wave of magic, no spell, no words, just himself, just his soul, along Heechul’s skin.
Heechul shivered with a moan and his mouth opened and their tongues touched and then retreated, over and over. Heechul pushed against him, his hands digging into Jaejoong’s back.
When they eventually pulled away from each other, Jaejoong could not breathe, could not think. His head was light, his body too heavy. And his lips were connected, drawn, pulled back to Heechul’s and then to his neck, to the pale column of delicious skin. He ran his tongue down its length and added a small bite to the base. Heechul whimpered, hands tangling in Jaejoong’s short blond hair.
“We ... stop ... need ...”
Heechul pulled away and pouted. “Why?”
Jaejoong kept his eyes shut and then looked at him. “I already know that the two of us will be amazing in bed together, but it has to be more than that. It has to be.”
Heechul stuck his tongue out. “Fine. Be reasonable.”
Jaejoong chuckled and ran his fingers over Heechul’s skin. “Still, there’s no reason why we can’t share a bed.”
Heechul smiled. “Even though we both can’t sleep?”
“I’d rather not sleep with company than not sleep alone.”
“In your bed? It is closer than mine and I already walked all the way down here.”
Jaejoong laughed and put his arm around Heechul’s waist. He led him into his room, dimming all but two of the torches. He also made them flare a brighter shade of blue.
“So, this bed sharing thing, am I expected to keep my hands to myself?”
Jaejoong chuckled and climbed into his bed. Before he had gone to bed naked, only putting on night pants to smoke a cigarette. But he did not trust himself to be naked next to Heechul, especially when the beautiful Swan sat on the edge and slipped his own pants off, leaving him in nothing but the billowy white shirt.
“I had planned on being good, but your tattoos are amazing and I want to touch them with my tongue.”
Jaejoong propped up on an elbow and looked over at him. “Tongue? What about your hands?”
“Both are just fine. I am being greedy.”
Jaejoong chuckled. “You are. I do not mind that in bed. I am more than willing to give you whatever you want.”
Heechul climbed under Jaejoong’s blanket and moaned. “Your bed is much softer than mine.”
Jaejoong shuffled closer to him. Heechul’s hair spread out around him, and Jaejoong lifted a few strands of it, letting it slither through his fingers. Heechul smiled and curled on his side so they were facing each other, close but far enough away to still stare at each other.
“My mother is hoping that you will make me cut my hair once we are married.”
Jaejoong smiled. “I fear I must disappoint my future mother-in-law.”
“Why is that?”
Jaejoong chuckled. “You really do love hearing me tell you how beautiful you are?”
“Of course. Tell me.”
“I will not make you cut your hair because it is beautiful just like you are beautiful.”
Heechul hummed in contentment.
Jaejoong continued playing with his hair, running his fingers through and around it. Heechul trailed a finger over Jaejoong’s bicep. He yawned.
“What of your parents?” Heechul asked. “No one in my clan knew anything about them.”
Jaejoong took a very deep breath. “My family was killed by the Eagles during the fight after Yunho had been stolen away. The only reason I was not killed is because my mother hid me, wrapped magic around me, and left to draw the Eagles away. The Raven Warriors found me, and I swore my life and my magic to the Royal Family. Changmin and I had similar notions of revenge.”
“I’m sorry,” Heechul whispered.
Jaejoong nodded. “Not your fault.”
“It is, a little,” Heechul said, “just because the Swans don’t ever do anything. We are your allies until you need us, and then we have reasons why we cannot help.”
“Definitely not true. This is the only time since then that we have asked.” Jaejoong lay on his back and put his arms behind his head. “Our alliance was made after the Eagles tried to destroy us. We did not want a war with any clan. We still do not. We do not want to fight with the Hawks. As you said, we have the best warriors, we have the best intelligence, we have the best magicians, the largest and most complicated stronghold. We do not want to fight because then we will kill more people.”
Heechul propped up on his elbow and moved close enough to press their legs together. His arm landed on Jaejoong’s chest, fingers tracing scrolls of ink across his muscles. “And how will the Swans help you?”
“We are hoping that with both of us, the Hawks will rethink their ideas of attacking and just sign another peace treaty. We all rely on trade with each other too much to be fighting.”
“The Hawks should already be aware of our alliance.”
Jaejoong smiled. “They are, but like you said, they do not believe the Swans will fight.”
Heechul sighed, fingers tugging at Jaejoong’s nipple. A spread wing curled around it, the tip just above the nipple. The wing spread out over his pec, up into his shoulder, feathers seemed to float down his side. He leaned over and traced the edge of the wing with his tongue, ending at the budded nipple. Jaejoong moaned and moved one arm, curling it around Heechul’s neck and using it to pull their mouths together again for a heavy kiss.
“If you marry me,” Heechul said, their lips just barely together, “my father and brothers will be more than willing to fight with you.”
Jaejoong smiled and kissed him again. “I know, but that is not a good enough reason to marry you.”
“What is a good reason to marry me?”
Jaejoong ran his fingers over Heechul’s cheek. “You are beautiful.”
Heechul smiled. “And what reason do I have to marry you?”
“I cannot tell if you just insinuated that I am not beautiful or if you are trying to get me to have sex with you.”
Heechul laughed. “Both.”
“I am not beautiful?”
Heechul smirked. “Not nearly as beautiful as I am.”
“Agreed.”
Their lips met again in a kiss, and then again, and Jaejoong fought the urge to topple Heechul to his back and lift up the thin shirt, or tear it off, and memorize the moans Heechul made while being properly worshiped.
Instead, he broke away, out of breath and horny, and pulled Heechul against him. He felt the other laugh, a low rumble in his chest, but after a few more moments of touching his skin, Heechul’s breathing steadied with sleep, and Jaejoong dimmed all the torches but one and tried to relax.
Part 3: The Ferocious Warrior
Part 1: The Impossible Proposition
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