Altered Threesome

This fic starts during Ryuhou and Tachibana’s time in HOLY, before Kazuma started making himself a threat. Later, the story will jump ahead in the timeline. Typical fanfiction disclaimers--I don’t own the boys, but please don’t sue me. ^.^

Italics for thoughts

Sorry about the recent troubles with parts of the fic being erased. I don’t have an answer, but I hope within the next few days to have everything fixed. Thanks for your patience!


Altered Threesome
Chapter 2

Despite their agreement, it wasn’t until several days later that Ryuhou and Tachibana met again at the training room. They had crossed paths a few times—it was admittedly a small academy—but it was never more than a moment in a corridor, or in and out of their commander’s office. But it was more than usual, and Ryuhou wondered if wasn’t just him being able to pick him out more effectively, now that they’d really met. It left him with that same strange feeling from the night before—a kind of tension he hadn’t felt in a while, that he hadn’t been able to identify until long thoughts on it later.

It’s been…a long time since I’ve been close to anyone, he thought idly as he entered the training room that evening to find Tachibana already there. He straightened a little. There aren’t even many others that will train with me any more. I suppose they’re intimidated, but…. Without offering a greeting he began to change out of his uniform. I like knowing I may have found someone to practice with.

It wasn’t until Ryuhou’s locker opened with a soft clang that Tachibana realized he wasn’t alone, and he spun about eagerly to see that it was indeed the older soldier. “You’re here—good. I’ve been working on something.” ing ing in some anticipation, he turned away, not wanting the other to see his expression when it was so raw. His fingers curled as he continued his stretching exercises.

Ryuhou felt something in his chest swell at those sincere words, but he quickly fought the feeling down. This isn’t like you. “Oh?” He tugged on his usual sleeveless shirt and gym pants before moving to join him at the room’s center. But…he was hoping I’d be here.

Tachibana nodded and turned, adjusting the sweatbands on his wrists. “I don’t have a problem calling my Alter,” he quickly explained. “It’s never been about that. It’s just hard to get all eight of them to do something, because I keep thinking of them individually.” His words were coming quickly, he knew, but he was too excited to test his new theory to try and calm himself. Raising his hands, he called the eight spheres to him--they hovered just over his head in a swarm. “I think if I try to work on keeping them all together, to work with them as a single unit, I may be able to get better control over them.”

“Oh?” Ryuhou wasn’t sure what else to say; his Alter was completely different than Tachibana’s, so there wasn’t much he could offer in terms of blatant usage. “Have you any ideas, in that respect?” he suggested, wondering if he could be somewhat helpful. “They say imagination more than anything else is important in managing Alter.”

He nodded again. “Yes. In fact, it was after our previous ‘duel’ that I started getting ideas.” A brief smile curled his lips as he slowly backedy. y. “Would you call your Alter? I’d rather try this against Zetsuei than your fragile face.” He…looks good today.

Ryuhou lifted an elegant eyebrow, but he nodded shortly and stepped back, calling Zetsuei into life at his side. “You won’t have to worry about that,” he replied easily. Zetsuei snapped her ribbons in an almost teasing show of strength. “Whenever you’re ready.”

Tachibana smiled briefly before closing his eyes to concentrate. A moment later he could hear own own Alter hovering softly around him. He raised his arms, palms out facing his companion. It took a moment longer than he would have liked, though before he could become too discouraged he felt two of the spheres settle against each hand. Opening his eyes, Tachibana brightened to see the eight balls of energy had lined themselves up, and he closed his right hand around them, hefting them like a sword. Perfect--the weight, the balance. He gave it an experimental swing. This is a start.

Ryuhou blinked, a little surprised but noticeably pleased; he hadn't thought of using spheres in such a way, and though he had yet to be proven of the weapon's effectiveness, it was a testimony to Tachibana's creativity, if nothing else. "So, you've trained with a sword before?" he hazarded. If so, that would make his decision much more reliable.

"Yes, when I was younger," he replied, slipping easily into a ready stance--sphere-sword held before him, left arm behind him for balance. "I didn't learn any hand-to-hand until I came here, but no one teaches sword skills." Tachibana shifted his weight slightly to prepare for his attack.

Ryuhou, realizing that he indeed wished to duel this way, took a few steps back so that Zetsuei was before him. "It is a little unusual, as far as Alter abilities go," he admitted, though he was immensely interested to see what the boy could demonstrate for him. He was even somewhat inexplicably proud. "Whenever you're ready."

Tachibana only nodded, and after another moment leapt forward. He knew, even like this, he was no match for Ryuhou and Zetsuei, but as the white Alter swung around in a counter attack, he was pleased to find he could defend much easier against the ribbons in this way.

Yes--this style of fighting suits him much more. He nodded vaguely in approval as Tachibana continued to defend against his Alter's attacks, even launching a few of his own. Even though it was obvious from the start he had little--if any--chance of besting Ryuhou's by now almost famous Alter, the gap between them seemed to have been shortened. And I'm sure there are other tricks that might be even more effective. It was almost exciting, to think that with a simple change of technique Tachibana had gained that much strength.

They continued until Tachibana began to run out of breath. He pulled back, raising a hand to signal he was stopping. "Can we break a moment? I need a rest." Though he was sweating and winded while Ryuhou remained as fresh as when he'd started, Tachibana couldn't help a brief swell of accomplishment--already he had fewer bruises than the beginning of their previous bouts. It was encouraging.

Ryuhou nodded. "Of course." I do have something of an unfair advantage over him, after all. He recalled Zetsuei, and moved purposefully to the side to retrieve a pair of water bottles he'd brought along with him, just in case. He tossed one to Tachibana. "That was excellent--I have to admit, I was surprised."

He nearly dropped the bottle at those words, glancing at the elder boy with uncertainty. "You were?" Tachibana took a long drink, though he still watched the other out of the corner of his eye. He...was surprised? I suppose that's a compliment, but.... Tilting his head back, he dumped some of the water over his head to better cool off, shaking the droplets from his hair.

Ryuhou paused nearly in mid-step, a bit taken aback by the action. He wasn't quite used to people behaving so casually around him, after all, and was maybe even a little envious. He shook his head slightly and continued back. "In a good way," he elaborated on his earlier comments. "Not everyone here is able to come up with such creative techniques."

Snorting lightly, Tachibana wiped his forehead with his wristband, letting his Alter continue to hover around him--he wasn't ready to let it go yet, not when his control was so improved. "It just made sense once I thought about it," he stated. "I need to learn control, so why not make them hold still and move only with my hand? I don't fist-fight, so...." He gulped some more water, enjoying the coolness and the way Ryuhou was watching him.

"You were doing all right the other day," Ryuhou offered politely. He'd seen better, of course, but he felt strangely compelled not to discourage the other in that regard. He would have liked to have another match with him. "It's a good strategy, though. All I can suggest is that you work on your stamina--fighting like that against an Alter like mine, where the user doesn't have to involve themselves physically, is bound to wear you out quickly."

He nodded. "As we've already obviously demonstrated," he said gesturing to his tired body and Ryuhou's relatively untouched state. "Though...." Tachibana straightened a bit, putting the top back on his bottle. "I...would still like to get stronger. I'm just about rested, if you wanted to have a match like before." Not that he probably will, he thought to himself, given how weak I am compared to him. Maybe I'm just looking for an excuse to touch-- He cut himself off quickly. "I mean, I know it won't be much 'training' for you, but...."

"I don't mind," Ryuhou replied a little too quickly. He pursed his lips slightly in embarrassment at his behavior. Stop it. You can't...take advantage of him like that. "Every fight is training; you don't have to worry about me." He took a sip from his own bottle before setting it on the floor and rolling it away with his foot. "Though I'm sorry to have such an advantage over you; I haven't done much of anything all day, let alone fight."

You can take advantage of me any-- He cut himself off again. "It's fine," he replied. "So long as you don't bruise me too badly." Tachibana tossed his water aside and banished his Alter, taking up a ready position. He met Ryuhou's eyes and had to bite his lip to keep from grinning stupidly--the elder boy was just so....

It's that tension again. Now that Ryuhou was beginning to realize the cause it was making him hesitate; he had never known clearly how to deal with situations like this. But Tachibana's eyes were bright and filled with energy, and he couldn't help but be attracted to that eagerness. Maybe...he feels it, too, then. With a deep breath he answered only with the beginning of an attack, something easier than he normally would have attempted so he could at least test where Tachibana's endurance was at. So that Tbanabana would be able to block....

He recognized the leniency for what it was, and was grateful. Blocking and dodging as best he could, Tachibana easily settled into a comfortable pace, pushing the other until they were at the same speed. And though he would never be a really good hand-to-hand fighter, there was something too exciting about the twisting of their limbs, the impacting of flesh and the sweat dripping down his back. Damnit, the last thing I need is to be distracted like this, he internally scolded.

Ryuhou’s eyes widened a little as they fought, as if wanting to take the entire scene in. He almost wished he could have viewed the fight from outside; it occurred to him, bizarrely, that they must have looked magnificent. They weren’t fighting very hard, by his standards, but they seemed to move so well together. At one point he managed to snag Tachibana’s arm, and he spun him about, intending to twist his arm behind his back and immobilize him. But in that short pause they were so close that his chest brushed up against Tachibana’s shoulder blades, and he gasped quietly, allowing the other to slip free.

Tachibana squirmed away and drove the other back. What was that? He had me, but…. Taking the chance for what it was, he managed to gain some ground, forcing them towards the wall. Maybe I could-- But Ryuhou was too quick, and he found himself fighting to defend once more.

The elder man seemed determined to make up for his brief lapse, and soon Tachibana found he was being backed into the corner once more. Damnit, but…. He ground his teeth, sensing the wall behind him….

And he couldn’t help it. He felt that strange almost flexing of muscle in the back of his head that meant he was calling his Alter. Instinct guided the spheres to snap into a circle around Ryuhou’s waist, pinning his arms to his sides. Tachibana grabbed the other’s shoulders and pulled him around, using hands and Alter to keep the elder in place against the wall as he tried to gain back his breath.

Ryuhou was still for a moment, as if having not realized what had happened. He stared down at the Alter holding him, then at the younger man himself. He had a slight instinct to use his own Alter in response but he held it back to see what Tachibana would do. “Are you all right?”

Blinking, Tachibana glanced down at the Alter. “Yeah. Yeah, fine, I just….” He frowned, then looked up a bit sheepishly. “I didn’t mean to do that--it just happened.” It only took a moment to banish the spheres, but…his hands wouldn’t move. Glancing at them, he watched as his fingers flexed slightly, almost testing the thick muscles of Ryuhou’s shoulders.

Ryuhou tipped his chin up slightly, almost…intrigued by the curious touch. As before, he was beginning to realize how rare it was that someone touched him this deliberately, and that he wasn’t about to make him stop. “It’s okay,” he replied easily, relaxing a little against the corner. He found himself oddly captivated by the gleam in Tachibana’s eyes.

He glanced up quickly, and it took a moment for him to remember what exactly was “okay.” I…I’m not really doing this, am I? He’s a senior officer--I don’t even know if he’s…. But he still wasn’t letting go, and he even found himself almost leaning closer. It’s wrong…but…. “Okay….”

Ryuhou was still watching him very carefully, his eyes a little wider, his breath almost held. This can’t be right, but…. He lifted his hands to close gently around Tachibana’s elbows; he himself wasn’t sure what the gesture was supposed to be, to either draw the man in or urge him back, but his head was tilting down once more. God, this is….

Tachibana straightened. He’s…. He hesitated another moment, watching the other intensely, half expecting to be shoved away. But Ryuhou’s face was too close, and he just…needed….

Reaching up, he caught the elder’s head in his hands, pulling dow down for a harsh kiss. Please just let this…. Tachibana held him close, frightened of any repercussions.

Ryuhou flinched, startled by the forcefulness of Tachibana’s sudden affections. For a moment he started to pull back, blinking, but the mouth on his was warm, sending a shudder through him down to his toes. Slowly, he parted his lips, as if testing himself after so long without this kind of contact. At the same time his hands slid down to Tachibana’s shoulders, hesitant but encouraging.

Tachibana sighed in relief. It’s okay--it wasn’t just me. He hadn’t thought anyone else in HOLY had been like him, but here, this man…. Leaning closer, he slowed his desperate lips, wanting to enjoy the sharp taste of the other and the heat of his thin lips. He could feel that familiar, lonely ache in his stomach ease a bit as he gently pressed Ryuhou further into the corner.

We’re really…. Ryuhou gasped raggedly between their mouths before devoting himself to another deep kiss. It had been too long, and he was desperate for something greater, something warmer; he turned abruptly, reversing their positions so he could push Tachibana into the corner instead. They were both still damp with sweat from their exercise, muscles warmed and weary, but it only encouraged his sudden excitement. Kiss me again.

Tachibana held his breath as he was spun around, shivering at the sudden showing of strength. He welcomed Ryuhou eagerly with arms tight around his neck. “I don’t believe this,” he muttered before pulling the elder boy’s lips back to his. God, I don’t believe this. We’re really doing this--he’s really like me. He wanted to laugh, but he wanted even more to keep kissing him.

“You kissed me first,” Ryuhou reminded him breathlessly. He pressed the smaller form further back into the corner, dragging his hands over Tachibana’s ribs to his hips. Shivering, he rubbed their bodies firmly together, thrilled at the feeling of their scraping muscle. “You feel good,” he murmured, but simply, as if delivering no greater compliment than he had when they were fighting.

Moaning softly, Tachibana let his head bang lightly against the wall; Ryuhou was wonderfully strong, and it had been such a long time since he’d been near someone, had been touched like this. Just don’t stop—it’s almost too much, he thought as he wrapped his leg around the other's waist, moaning very softly. "So...are we staying here?" he asked, suddenly wanting to be someplace...a little more private.

Ryuhou nodded, though he probably would have nodded to whatever Tachibana said, as it wasn’t until a moment later that he understood the question. "Oh--we don't have to." Getting himself to pull back, however, was another option. Licking his lips, he slowly stepped away, untangling them. The prospect of somewhere more private--of a bed beneath them--made his breath come a little faster, and he tugged Tachibana out of the corner. "We can...go to my quarters...?"

Tachibana grinned. Perfect. "That would be fine, since yours are closer and probably much nicer than mine." He allowed Ryuhou to lead him a bit, then made a more aggressive move, tugging them back together briefly for a sharp kiss. I can't wait to get him somewhere with a lockable door.

Ryuhou's shoulders crept up, for a moment igniting the heat in his stomach once more. He was tempted to stay just where they were, with their sweat still mingling, their breath meeting in the humid air. He shook himself and pulled away. "Come on." The sooner they got there, the sooner…. Blushing, he turned to retrieve his things.

Letting the other go, Tachibana gathered his own clothing and uniform, though he couldn't stop grinning. Someone...finally I found someone like me here. The people here are such loners, and they ignore me most of the time, but now.... He glanced back at Ryuhou as he bent over to retrieve his shoes.

Ryuhou glanced back as well, and was granted a not quite flattering view of his companion--he looked quickly away in embarrassment. He couldn't break old habit, however, and still changed into his uniform jacket before meeting Tachibana at the door. Now...can I possibly look inconspicuous, or should I not even bother? His fingers curled around his duffle bag.

Tachibana easily left the room, trying not to laugh at his elder's obviously uncomfortable expression. Not that I blame him from wanting to keep this a secret. "If anyone stops us," he said casually, "just tell them you’re helping me with HOLD policy--everyone knows I can't memorize that stuff for shit." Lighten up already.

Ryuhou's eyes thinned, but he nodded, and sped up his pace a little. If that's the case, I should be the lea leading…. "I'm fine," he said without being prompted, lifting his chin. He was, however, grateful for Tachibana's discretion--he couldn't imagine what he'd do if anyone had caught them.... Suddenly anxious to find privacy all the sooner he tried not to speed up any more.

Tachibana only shook his head. "Man, you are a tightass," he muttered beneath his breath, half joking. But he wasn't annoyed--horny, maybe, but not annoyed. "Shiiris follows you everywhere, and no one says anything about the two of you."

"That's completely different," Ryuhou replied. He frowned slightly when he realized what Tachibana really meant--he and Shiiris? How...odd. He swept self-consciously at his hair. "I'm sorry, I'm not trying to be rude." Just...careful. I'm not ashamed. I just wouldn't know how to explain it.

"Then loosen up," he said. Since no one was around, he playfully slapped the other right on his left buttcheek. "You look guilty enough for the both of us." Tachibana slung his bag casually over his shoulder, eyes glowing at his own boldness.

Ryuhou jumped at the contact and gave him a glare, though he couldn't hold onto his annoyance at all. "Sorry," he offered, turning his gaze forward. "We're almost there."

They rounded the corner, bringing them to his personal quarters. As a higher ranking officer he was allowed to keep a small apartment, though it lacked a working kitchen; a living space, a bathroom, a bedroom, and a few cupboards to keep any food that didn't need extra preparation. He had insisted on getting no more than the other soldiers of his rank, despite his social status. He led the way inside, still blushing a little; he couldn't remember having ever brought anyone here. "It's not much," he said reflexively.

Tachibana snorted as he took in the spacious quarters. "I'd hate to see what your home looked like, then, if you call this 'not much.'" He dropped his things near the door, toeing out of his shoes. He's starting to spoil my mood. Frowning thoughtfully, he relieved himself of his burdens, then purposefully approached the older man. He took his face in his hands and pulled him down for a strong, thorough kiss. Don't go all cold on me now.

Ryuhou, caught off guard again, drew Tachibana slowly into his arms. Yes--let's just go where we left off. It's easier than trying to figure too much out, anyway. He kissed him back, hoping to regain their earlier momentum.

Well, that’s a little better. Determined that he wasn’t going to lose this chance, he strengthened the contact between them, arms sliding around a strong neck and pulling him tightly close. “Is it safe enough for you now?” he lightly teased, hoping to brighten the mood again.

“You’re the one who suggested we leave to begin with,” he reminded his company, but he really did feel better now that they were in privacy. He was glad when he felt the heat sliding back up his spine, provoked by the soft but insistent press of Tachibana’s lips, the fitting of their bodies together. “In any case, I’m…all right.” He was a little disappointed, however, that they weren’t by the wall anymore--he’d liked having that stability to lean against. I suppose that leaves…. “Do you…” He hesitated only a moment. “…want to go to the bedroom?”

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TBC