http://clampfix.fanworks.net/ss-fix/afortiori.txt </head><body><pre>I know. What a title. >_< I'm sorry. The muse dumped me at the last minute. Anyway, if there's some confusion about the 'slight yaoi' part (if such a thing was possible), there aren't any graphic bits. Not hints either, just plain facts that they're gonna do the dirty. ^^ I thought pretty long and hard about it, whether to label it this way, and eventually for the sake of the weak-hearted out there, I stuck it on. Right, I know I'm babbling. But I'm kinda edgy. Are you people sick of me writing S/S all the time? Yes, of course you are..... T_T Disclaimer: Subby and Sei, however much they belong together, are really the property of CLAMP. ~A Fortiori~ They found each other as easily as they had, nine years ago. Sakurazuka Seishirou walked into the quaint café, taking a moment to shake his overcoat free of raindrops and to pocket his ever-present shades. A little bell had chimed when he'd entered, the deliciously sweet ringing still echoing through the cosy interior. As he passed by the serving counter he flashed a quick, warm smile at the lady manning it, ever the gracious gentleman. Her plump cheeks flushed; her gaze dropped shyly to the red-and- white towel in her hand, and with a self-conscious smile she resumed wiping the countertop. Genially nodding to anyone who looked his way, Seishirou smoothly veered to the very last table, nestled close in the corner. The tall, slender figure who sat there didn't move when the assassin slid into the opposite seat, but something in his aura indicated the subtlest acknowledgement of the other's arrival. "You've finished your coffee," Seishirou said, gesturing to the empty cup. "Want me to get another?" A slight, graceful tilt of his head. Cool, appraising gaze. "You're all wet, Seishirou-san," Subaru murmured. He shrugged. "It couldn't be helped, Subaru-kun. I don't control the weather." But as he stood to purchase Subaru's coffee and something for himself, the Sumeragi's slender fingers closed around his wrist, effectively but gently stopping him. He glanced down, only slightly surprised, and saw the measured green eyes gazing up at him. Seishirou bent his ear to the other's lips. "We both know what we want," Subaru whispered. Without a word Seishirou drew himself up, staring intently at his opposite. Then, finding the serene gaze unwavering, he finally twined his fingers with Subaru's. "Let's go," he murmured. ~~ He touched his cheek to Subaru's, relishing the very smoothness and softness of the other's skin. Ignoring the ticklish curl of Subaru's fringe, he nosed the other's tender stretch of neck, deeply breathing in the perpetual sweet scent emanating from the Sumeragi. Subaru gasped softly when Seishirou touched his lips to the slender curve of skin. For quite some time now it had just been that – touches, caresses, light presses of lips, nothing more. Seishirou knew Subaru would never have plunged headlong into this, but even when he'd slipped their garments off and finally held the other's lean, slight form, he felt a minute shudder run through Subaru, though his returned embrace was similarly feverish, gripped with longing. It was as if he was deliberately stopping the outpour of affection, however painful it might be. Seishirou had tried getting around the mental dam, coaxing ever so gently for the other to bloom. Tenderly he'd peeled back the velvet petals of his lover, determined to reach Subaru's pure core and drain the soaring love that dwelt there. For he had none, and the Sumeragi had enough for the both of them. Twice he thought he had succeeded, those hazy green eyes suddenly filling with their brilliant, anguished light, but twice that had vanished in an instant, even before Seishirou could have been sure of their presence in the first place. But he had patience, and time was on his side – he would /not/ give this up, he would get what he wanted without breaking his precious toy. A faint whimper drew his attention, Subaru's pliant body shifting beneath his. Seishirou withdrew just enough to gaze down on the Sumeragi's face, somewhat anxious to see if his efforts had yielded something, and there it was again, the distressed radiance in Subaru's deep emeralds. And just as Seishirou thought it would surely elude him as it had the first few times, Subaru's lids closed slowly, and when he opened them the light was still there, so bright in its own tortured brilliance. Seishirou lost himself in that sad gaze, until Subaru's delicate touch brought him stumbling back to reality. "Ah..." the onmyouji breathed, soft fingertips stroking a gentle pattern down the side of Seishirou's face, "why do you gaze on me with such an expression.....when in fact you feel nothing? Nothing at all......" The slender fingers dropped to his shoulder, continuing their silent, loving dance. And before the Sakurazukamori could give voice to the other's name, the softest sigh broke the quiet, and Subaru embraced him tightly, tears falling at last, released along with the intensity of his infinite devotion. After a while the glittering rivulets stopped. Only when Seishirou felt Subaru's lips seeking his did he relent, and finally commenced to give the pleasure both sought after, if only for the briefest of moments in the dark. ~~ He'd allowed Subaru to sleep afterward, tucked close to himself. So warm still, as if their shared passion had seared itself into the atmosphere, and when the sensual fire had faded, the embers still remained, tranquilly supplying warmth. Seishirou hadn't dozed off almost immediately, watching instead as the rain outside debated on whether to pound or simply drizzle. For hours it switched between the two, until with a detached sullenness Seishirou decided if he could have controlled the weather, he would have slapped the rain himself. Then he'd smiled at the absurdity of it, and the rain, as if it had felt his threat, meekly decided on drizzling. But gradually the rhythmic patter of droplets against the glass and Subaru's peaceful, even breathing had worked their soothing magic, and he didn't remember giving up his consciousness to dreams. ~~ He awoke sometime shortly before dawn roused the city. Subaru's lean warmth had disappeared. He sat up, not quite alarmed, but with a faint glimmer of hope that perhaps the Sumeragi hadn't really left. But the apartment was quiet, save for the normal household sounds – the hushed tick of the clock, the gentle purr of the fridge. Then a familiar scent touched his nose, and he turned. A cup of coffee stood on the nightstand, placidly waiting on the pristine white saucer. A spoon rested on it as well, angled perfectly so that it would have been of no inconvenience should Seishirou want to stir the beverage. He picked the cup up thoughtfully and felt the welcoming warmth flowing through the ceramic confines. His clothes were neatly folded, placed at the foot of the bed. As he noted this and sipped his coffee, his mind gradually sifted through his unconscious moments, leaving him to pick out which he chose were significant, and cast the rest aside. And yes, Subaru had murmured a farewell in his ear, and gently dropped a kiss on his brow. But what had followed the goodbye? Seishirou stopped drinking, deep in thought. What was it? The other, softer whisper? "If you'd ask," Subaru had said, just before he left, "I would come back." Seishirou smiled to himself. He swept the room with his gaze now, taking in all the telltale signs of Subaru's presence. He felt extremely pleased. Should he ask? ~~~~ Errm. Btw, here's my fic site. http://geocities.com/sapphire_pearls Enjoy, kay? --</pre><p><a href="./">Back</a></p><p><a href=http://www.dreamhost.com/donate.cgi?id=216><img border=0 alt="Donate towards our web hosting bill!" src=https://secure.newdream.net/donate1.gif></a></p></body></html>