Family Affair

Chapter 1 ~ Birthday Surprise

“Manta, can you hear me? Manta-chan!”

Manta’s eyes fluttered open. He blinked when he found Yoh cradling him, then looked around in confusion.

“I told you,” Shizuka said with annoyance, then walked over and smiled at Manta. “Would you like anything to drink?”

Slowly Manta nodded, then looked with confusion at the other people in the room.

“Well... It was supposed to be a surprise birthday party,” Ryu explained to the blonde. I guess if it had that reaction, it could be considered a surprise alright.

“I’m sorry, Manta,” Yoh said as he hugged him. “I thought you were ready.” He blinked feeling one hand rest on his face. He looked at Manta curiously, then found forgiveness moments later in the blue eyes. He smiled some while hugging Manta again. “Sankyuu,” he said quietly.

“I guess that means the party is off,” Kibo said with annoyance.

Manta shook his head some, then looked at the others with a smile.

Yoh grinned. “So you’re up to it? There’s lots of people here,” he said in a childish voice.

Manta nodded slowly, secretly deciding it would help him forget the nightmares that were daring to enter his mind.

“YEAS!” Yoh cried and hugged Manta tightly while nuzzling his face into the silky locks that over the years had tinted red.

“Shizuka, could you help me in the kitchen?” Ryu asked with a hopeful smile.

“Eh? Sure,” she replied, then followed him.

As the night progressed, many activities took place mimicking a party that teenagers may have. As it turned out, Yoh had deliberately set up the activities like “Spin-The-Bottle” and several board games, trying to make Manta’s first official birthday party enjoyable and a chance for him to experience some of the normal things in life the blonde missed out on.

Many of the guests, including Macho-Punch, Bili and Elly left around ten in the evening, leaving a half-drunk Horo, a tired Shizuka and Kibo, a playful Yoh, and ever friendly Ryu and Faust alone in the hotel, save the spirits.

Manta hadn’t participated in many of the activities, but he seemed to have enjoyed it, nonetheless, but not used to being up late, he began to nod off on the couch.

“Hey, don’t fall asleep there,” Horo said as he stumbled over and smiled at Manta. “You’re supposed to go sleep in your bed.”

Manta looked at Horo sleepily, then nodded slowly.

“You know... I saw this dress the other day in a store, and it would look totally adorable on you,” Horo said with a lopsided grin.

Manta looked at him with confusion, then blinked as Horo scooped him up. He looked nervously at the blunette, who walked out of the living room and towards his bedroom.

Horo walked into Manta’s room and closed the door, then walked over and laid Manta on the bed, then climbed over him and smiled. “Manta, ever wish things could have been different for us?”

Manta stared nervously at Horo, then shook his head while sitting up.

“Oh, don’t be shy,” Horo said as he pushed Manta down and began to kiss the seemingly eternal childlike face while sliding a hand up Manta’s shirt.

Manta shook his head and began squirming away while trying to push Horo’s invasive hand away, then let out an inaudible whimper when the shaman pinned his arms over his head with one hand and began to kiss the thin lips passionately.

Horo smiled some, finding Manta’s mouth still tasted of the chocolate and raspberry cake Ryu had made for the blonde’s birthday, then slid his hand from Manta’s chest to the back of his neck, careful not to harm the smaller of the two.

“Shh... I’m not going to hurt you,” Horo whispered in Manta ear feeling him beginning to shake. “It’ll feel good. Just go with it.”

Manta squeezed his eyes closed tightly as Horo’s hand wandered his body, then blinked in confusion when he started feeling weird. He shook his head and began trying to pull away from the Ainu, then became still upon hearing the door open.

“Huh? HORO?!” Yoh yelled. “What the hell are you doing?!”

Horo looked up, then yelped while quickly jumping off of Manta. “I... Uh... Well..”

Yoh walked over and punched Horo hard in the stomach, then pushed him out of the way and scooped Manta up quickly. “Manta-chan? Are you okay?”

Manta nodded while shaking, then hid his face in Yoh’s shoulder.

“Horo, don’t ever touch Manta again,” Yoh said angrily, then took Manta to his room. “Manta, I’m just going to go make sure Kibo gets to bed,” Yoh said as he laid Manta in his futon. “Is that okay?”

Manta nodded some as he curled up on his side, then closed his eyes as Yoh walked out.

Minutes later the shaman returned and saw Manta sitting up, holding the blanket close to his chest with a confused expression. “Manta-chan?” Yoh asked as he sat next to the blonde. “Is everything okay?”

Manta nodded slowly, staring where his feet were hidden under the blanket.

“Did he hurt you?”

Manta shook his head.

“Did he scare you?” He frowned when the blonde nodded, then placed a gentle hand on one small shoulder. “It’s okay, Manta. He won’t hurt you.” He tilted Manta’s head up a little, and was about to kiss him when Manta pulled away. “Manta, are you okay?”

Manta held his finger in front of his mouth and made a circular motion to show Yoh he was going to brush his teeth, then walked out.

Yoh sighed and looked at the ground quietly. ”Real nice,” he thought. ”All that planning, and Horo has to go and have one to many to drink...” He looked up hearing Manta come in, then smiled slightly. “Hey.”

Manta smiled some at Yoh, then looked at the floor thoughtfully for a moment while keeping his hands behind his back. Slowly he looked up again at Yoh, blushing softly.

“Oh! Okay, I’ll turn, Yoh said, realizing Manta still had to change for bed, then he became particularly curious when Manta shook his head. “Manta?” When the blonde looked up, Yoh studied the body language, then smiled. “Oh. You want to do something for me?”

Manta nodded while blushing.

“What’ve you got there.”

Manta held one hand up to tell him to stay put, then slowly brought his hands around. Yoh eyed the white material in his husband’s hands curiously, then blinked when Manta nervously took off his shirt, then his shorts.

“Manta...” Yoh said with a slight blush. After a moment he noticed his nose felt a little runny. He watched as Manta continued on nervously, pulling on the garment, which turned out to be a silk night gown. Yoh turned a deeper shade of crimson as thoughts came to mind, then he giggled nervously knowing his nose was bleeding.

“Hang on a sec, Manta,” Yoh said childishly, tgot got up and left the room. He returned minutes later and saw Manta had curled up under the covers of the futon, then he walked over and laid down beside him. “You look good, Manta,” Yoh said sheepishly. He rolled on his side and watched as Manta cuddled up to him with a shy expression. “You did this for me?”

Manta nodded slowly, then looked up. He became stock still as Yoh gently captured his lips in a passionate kiss, then slowly his eyes fluttered shut. He tensed as Yoh brought his upper body over him, then gathered his courage and timidly returned Yoh’s kiss while placing his hands on the shaman’s shoulders.

“Manta,” Yoh said in surprise as he broke the kiss. He stared at the embarrassed blonde for a moment, then smiled. “You... Do you like that?”

Manta nodded some while blushing furiously, then his eyes widened as Yoh wrapped one arm under his waist, then began to kiss him in an aggressive, yet entrancing form. The blonde’s breathing became shaky as Yoh’s free hand slid up the nightgown and gently rubbed Manta’s side, then after a few minutes he finally lost his courage and lay still under Yoh.

“Huh? Manta?” Yoh asked worriedly, immediately feeling how Manta’s body became slack. “Manta-chan, are you okay?”

Manta nodded some, a few tears escaping, but were not followed by other tears. Once Yoh had returned to his side, he curled up to the shaman and nuzzled his face against Yoh’s chest sleepily, then soon fell asleep.

“Manta-chan...” Yoh said quietly, then he smiled brightly. ”Maybe... This is a sign,” he thought happily, then cuddled his beloved, soon falling asleep.