Silver Tinted Love

And I have returned once again!! And with no reviews!! T.T I don\'t know if I should be sad or not. Oh well, I personally like this fic, no matter how long it takes me to finish it. So you people will just have to read and deal with my long windedness. So nya^^

Now then, on a different note, after some careful delibaration with myself and rereading this several times, I\'ve decided to add a new warning. THIS STORY CONTAINS ROMANCE AND SEXUAL SITUATIONS WITH A MINOR!!!!!!! Because, after all, Pegasus is only 15 years old so he is still a minor according to the standards of today. Also, because of his character himself and his massive naievity, Pegasus can be considered have some of the mental capacities of a child. So I am now adding that. This story contains a minor in it!!!!!

Disclaimer: I do not own dragon knights at all. I only own pegasus and my own warped ideas.

Warnings for this chapter: Violence, language, mass confusion, and a more serious and lengthy M/M Scene!! Do not read if you do not like since I do not appreciate flames!!!

Chapter 4:

Pegasus sat absently on the couch by the bay window in Kai-stern’s old room. He looked out onto the gray and depressing day. It had been several days, almost two weeks, since he his fever broke. And almost three weeks since Rath, Rune, and Thatz left for Kainaldia.

There had been no predictions coming to him. But that did not mean that Pegasus wasn’t nervous. He was, terrified in fact, because of the deep foreboding feelings that gripped him when he thought of what could possibly happen to Rath. Kai-stern was gone to him…and now he could lose Rath before he even had the chance to explain the truth. Not that Rath was going to listen to him anyway.

Sighing, Pegasus leaned his head against the glass. Kai-stern had sat like this many times, staring out onto better days, resting against the cold glass, thinking. Questioning. Wondering. Missing. Pegasus pulled himself away from the new memory and paced about the room. His eyes passed over the clothes that had been left neatly folded on the chair. Ruwalk had brought them. Since Pegasus didn’t plan on going back to the Citadel he didn’t have any clothing other than the torn things that he had come in with. Ruwalk had given these new clothes to him. They had belonged to Alfeegi, since, though Alfeegi was taller, Pegasus was about the same build.

Pegasus set about to putting the clothes away. They were very nice clothes. Soft to the touch and pleasing to the eye. If not a little elaborate for his taste. His clothing had always been very simple, elegant but simple. Solid grays, whites, and silvers with simple embroidery of black threads. These were different. They were somewhat simple, just in a different way. Bright colors instead of dark ones or plain ones. Complicated stitch work that was bright and vibrant. They were lovely and Pegasus liked them. He was wearing some now but still he had his simple silver and gray cowl, the hood pushed back off his face. Finished, he sat back on the desk chair, looking about the clean room. He wasn’t going to change a thing about it. Its Kai-stern’s room. I don’t have the right to.

He rested his head back against the chair. Pegasus was somewhat bored but there was really nothing he could do about it. Ruwalk was busy with his numerous duties as acting Lord. Tetheus was always patrolling the halls with the Dragon fighters and Tetheus didn’t seem to like to be around Pegasus much. Cernozura was with the Lord and Lady most of the time. And every one else…well they just ignored him. Pegasus knew why. Part of his power. He made people feel strangely at peace, let their minds quiet so that they could question the strangest parts of themselves. And many found Pegasus to be attractive because of that. So perhaps it was best that they didn’t come around. Don’t need more people acting like Ruwalk did.

Bored, Pegasus kicked the edge of the desk a little with his foot. It was hollow. Startled, Pegasus got down onto the carpeted floor and investigated the portion he had kicked. It was loose. Growing more and more curious he played with the piece till it fell away. With a graceful movement Pegasus set the board down. It was a secret compartment. But what did Kai-stern have to hide? He couldn’t fight down his curiosity and began to search it with his hand.

Now what is this?

It was a book. A black leather book with some interesting etchings on the cover. It seemed rather beaten up. The book must have seen a lot of use over the years. But why in the world would Kai-stern hide this old book? Pegasus flipped it over in his hands a few times before deciding to fully open it. Just to the first page. He couldn’t help being so curious. A fine, thin, if not a little messy, script stared up at him. Dark and vibrant against the warn pages.

Kai-stern’s journal.

Pegasus felt rather special to have stumbled upon it. Alfeegi said that Kai-stern wrote about him in there. A lot. And Kai-stern seemed to have written in this journal often. Almost all the pages were filled with words. And Kai-stern had very small hand writing. Flipping through the pages to almost the back of the book, a couple words caught his eyes. He just couldn’t help himself.

August 13


His name is Pegasus. Well…wait maybe I should explain a little better.

I met him…almost three months ago I think. Its been about a month since we had to part but more about that later. He ran into me, literally, on the road. I still have the bruise to prove it. Guardians from the Citadel (The Mages I believe) were chasing. The poor kid. The bastards…but I got rid of them. Pegasus. He’s a sweet kid. I wasn’t about to let him go back to the Citadel. They treated him like shit…he was practically their prisoner, their slave. So we traveled together. I mean, sure I was suppose to be doing my job but what was I suppose to do? Let him get dragged back there in a noose? Besides I did my job and looked after him.

Poor kid. He didn’t know much of anything. Spent a good deal of time teaching him about the basics of life. But I have to admit, Pegasus is a quick study. And so willing to learn. He’s like a child sometimes, but I like that about him…

No…I love that about him. I really do. The kid’s a magnet for trouble and some of the things he’s asked me to explain are odd. I mean, trying to explain love and hate were easy. Sex and rape? Not so much. But I love him…so very much.

Problem is that I love Rath too. Its not like I don’t love them both. I do, equally. Its pretty much because of Pegasus too. He questioned the idea of only having one soul mate and so did I. It can’t be so simple, since love itself isn’t simple. I love them both, I think they’re both pieces of my soul mate. But the problem is I don’t know how they’re going to react to one another. Pegasus is cute, very, well, accepting and willing (I think he might be in love with Rath…even though he hasn’t met him yet. The way his eyes look when I start talking about him…same way they get when he looks at me.) So I really don’t think Pegasus will have a problem with this. But Rath…I don’t want to hurt him. And I’m kinda scared that when I try to tell him…he’ll find me unfaithful. But I’m not unfaithful, I love them both. Somehow I have to get Rath to understand that. Maybe if I get Pegasus and Rath together…

Well that’s after he comes back. Damn it, I didn’t want him to go…but that place was steeped in magic. So he was probably right in not fighting against it. It probably would’ve killed him to try. Stull, I wish I could’ve stayed…but that’s not how it went. And he did say that he would start trying to break the bonds again. And of course nature will be on his side. So I’m sure I’ll see him again. True love doesn’t stop for anything, right? Well that’s what I’ve been told and I believe.

Shit…Alfeegi…Just what I need. More to say not enough time. The bastard is really starting to piss me off. I know for a fact that he’s going to go insane because of my expense report. And he’d never believe me if I told him about Pegasus.

He needs to get laid. BADLY. Maybe that’ll get the stick out of his ass. Hm…maybe I should go pair him and Ruwalk up…they’d make a cute couple and Alfeegi would finally stop acting like an insane time bomb. Hm, that might work.


It stopped rather abruptly. Pegasus guessed that Alfeegi probably interrupted and Kai-stern left the entry unfinished. Closing the book, Pegasus clutched the worn thing to his chest. A blush painted his cheeks. Kai-stern…I love you…So that is why you didn’t tell him. You were scared…oh Kai-stern…

Pegasus’ musing was interrupted with a violent tug on all of his senses. Balance abandoned him and the carpet didn’t feel at all soft as his body hit it with full force. Everything was silent. Pegasus felt nothing around him and stared into a nothingness as his whole body shut down. He waited, patient.

There in the waiting place he waited and watched. Thousands upon thousands of moments sped past. The problem was that now he had to pick out exactly what he was suppose to see. Not always an easy challenge. The moments that he was suppose to see were tainted with a strange glow. So Pegasus had to be alert enough to pick them out. He watched attentive. In the waiting place, he saw the future. Rath, Thatz and Rune in Kainaldia, traveling in different directions from being separated. A fight between Rath and someone else, a fight that ended with the second person being abandoned. Fedelta, the fire demon, capturing someone for Nadil. Saabel’s jealousy. Pain, abandonment, fear. Resurrections. Pegasus was getting a headache from it all.

He saw it then. Kai-stern and Rath. And himself. The three of them together on the floor of someplace. Pegasus resting weakly in the arms of Rath and Kai-stern…a blinding glow, a scream…silence.

Pegasus blinked. The world came back into focus quickly and Pegasus finally realized exactly how badly his body was aching from hitting the floor. Staring up from the floor, he sorted out the strange things. There was violence and death coming. Soon. People were going to get hurt. People were going to die.

Rath. Kai-stern. They were together again. Which meant that somehow, Kai-stern would be brought back from the dead. Pegasus’ heart leapt at the thought of it. But the position…laying on the ground with the two of them on either side. The three of them practically clinging to one another. The bright light and scream. This worried him.

Something’s going to happen, Pegasus thought as he pulled himself off the ground. I have to go to Kainaldia. I have to warn them. Kai-stern’s coming back…I have to tell Rath. I must make him understand. Nodding mainly to himself, Pegasus opened the journal to the final page. With a quick and decisive moments, he wrote.

Dear Ruwalk, Sir,

I’m very sorry but I must go now. I have to go to Kainaldia, I have to warn Rath. I have to tell them what I have seen. I thank you so very much for the kindness you have shown me and I shall not forget it. Hopefully, I will return, with more people than when I left. Good bye Ruwalk sir. I will see you again, I hope.

Pegasus

He read over the note once or twice before putting the pen down on the page to hold it in place. He was certain that Ruwalk would see it. With a heavy heart, Pegasus picked up his staff and pulled the hood of his cowl over his hair. The wind was cold as he stood on the balcony rail. Winter would be coming in a few weeks. Slowly, he let his arms spread. Eyes closed and for a moment, he simply stood, arms stretched out in the air, wind pulling at the cloth. If he couldn’t feel the rail beneath his feet, Pegasus could’ve sworn he was flying.

He jumped.

The wind’s invisible hands cradled him. He trembled slightly as the cool air rushed about him, enveloped him in wind cocoon. It shielded him from the eyes of others. For good reason to because how else was Pegasus going to get to Kainaldia? The wind was going to take him, fly him to the land of the Yokai lord.

Sighing quietly, he let himself rest. Float between being awake and asleep, flying above the ground, dozing in the arms of the wind. It whispered softly to him. It shushed him further and further into his rest. Only through sleep did he not question when the wind flew him and only through sleep would he not notice how long it took. Or how cold or warm he felt. So he slept with the wind’s assurance of his safety. I trust you, wind…I trust the aspects of Nature fully…

No sooner did he feel like he had fully fallen asleep did the rocks scrap against his back. Rock and earth held his body, warm to the touch and comforting. The wind whistled around him. It quieted little by little as its protective spell slowly vanished. Before it was fully gone Pegasus roused from his sleep and looked up into the vague face etched in the wind. It smiled down at him before dissipating.

“…Thank you. For my safe passage.” Pegasus said softly. He sat up and stretched. The earth underneath him felt warm and soft to the touch. Even if it was in Kainaldia, the wasteland. “I should go…I must find them. But where is Rath?”

The earth answered him. Almost instantly after the words passed his lips did the soil of the earth begin to move. It etched a line for him to follow, leading off into the distance at a leisurely pace. Gripping his staff for guidance, he followed it, mindful of whatever could leap out at him. Pegasus was not a fighter, and never would be. He depended on nature to protect him. And nature was willing to do it. At least for now.

The line rose over steep rocks. Pegasus stared up at them apprehensively. He didn’t think they could hold much weight but he had to try. With staff in hand, he clambered up the unsteady rocks. Pegasus slipped several times. His blood pooled from gashes the sharp rocks gave him and spilled onto the stones. Ignoring it, he kept finding his feet and continuing. Stopping was not an option. He had to find Rath.

He climbed and traveled for hours, following the path the earth gave him. Demons had attacked him more than once but the power of nature drove them off. Still, Pegasus was not doing well. His heart raced a mile a minute. Demons who managed to get a hand on him tore at his flesh. He was scared now and aching.

“Where are you Rath…” Pegasus asked softly as he continued on. The path of the earth spun a little ahead of him. “Rath…”

Almost as quickly as it appeared, the path vanished. Pegasus looked sleepily at the ground then about. Rath was close. But where? He wandered a little more, looking down at the ground underneath his feet.

“What the hell are you doing here?!” Rath snapped. Pegasus brought his head up and smiled inwardly. Rath was well. Pissed but well. He was alone at the moment but Pegasus could see the vague form of Thatz dozing safely in the shadows. His body stirred at the sound of Rath’s rage.

“I had to find you.” Pegasus started. Rath cut him off.

“How the hell did you get here?!”

“…The wind carried me. And then the earth led me to you.” Pegasus answered. Rath stared rather blankly at him for a moment. Thatz seemed to still be resting. “I had to find you…so nature helped me.”

“…You’re insane aren’t you.” Rath said softly, simply staring at Pegasus as though he had never met him before in his life. Pegasus panted, clung to him. He had to make Rath listen. Rath had to understand.

Pegasus found himself on his knees. His wrist was aching badly and his knees scraped against the rocks on the ground. Blood seeped into the cloth of his cloak. Frightened, he stared up at Rath who glared down at him in response. In a rage, Rath released his hand, letting him drop to the ground fully. Pegasus took the aching limb in his other hand and cradled it. But…But why?

“Don’t you dare touch me.” Rath hissed. Behind him Thatz eyes watched entranced. “I don’t care who you think you are but don’t you dare touch me.”

“Rath please…please listen to me.” Pegasus begged. Rath growled at him.

“Not a word. I’m not going to listen to a damn word you say, you little whore.” he snapped. Pegasus trembled at his words. “I don’t care what you have to say but I’m not going to hear it. Get the hell out of here you fucking whore. I don’t want to look into your face again!”

“Rath…please…” Pegasus pleaded. Tears threatened to fall from his eyes but Rath paid them no mind and Pegasus refused to let them fall. “Please Rath…let me explain. Don’t hate me, please…I want to help you understand. Kai-stern, he-” Pegasus stopped, recoiling. Rath’s hand had come so close to his face. It stung. Hurt. It hurt to feel Rath hit him. His heart ached for acceptance.

“Don’t you ever say his name!!” Rath yelled. Pegasus’ eyes closed timidly. “Don’t you ever taint his name! I don’t care what you thought you had or what you have to say! I won’t forgive you for wrapping him around your finger like that!”

“But…that’s not the way it was…” Pegasus answered. Rath stepped away from, half torn from abandoning Pegasus and striking him. “Please Rath…he’d want me to explain…he’d want this to be all better…”

“Get away from me. Don’t ever come near me again.” Rath hissed quietly. “If you do…I’ll…I’ll kill you. I swear it.” Pegasus trembled at the sound of his words. He stood on trembling legs, clutching his staff to hold himself up. Eyes closed and he forced his tears and sobs back down into the depths of himself. Nodding slightly he turned and stumbled back down the path that had been laid out for him.

Oh Kai-stern, I’m sorry. I’m sorry I drove everything to this…Rath hates me and maybe you. I never should have fallen for you, Kai-stern. I shouldn’t have tried to question something I did not understand. We shouldn’t have done any of it. You should’ve stayed Rath’s, only Rath’s. Maybe then he would have listened to me. I’m sorry Kai-stern. He won’t let me help…and now he’s going to get hurt. I failed you Kai-stern! Failed!

He toppled down the steep rocks. Pain blacked out his vision and he stared blindly up into the dark sky. Stared up into the trees that bent down to look at him worriedly. Footsteps came close to him and for a moment Pegasus’ heart leapt. Perhaps Rath’s rage had cooled and he was coming to help Pegasus to find his feet. I don’t think I can stand…please help me Rath. I cannot get up. He looked to the sounds of the footsteps. Looked and choked.

Fedelta. Fedelta, the fire demon. One of Nadil’s demons. Shydeman’s demon. He smirked as he crossed to the fallen Pegasus. Dark hair fell down his face and neck, the black cloak swishing slightly as he walked. Fedelta reeked of power and malice. It made Pegasus’ stomach turn.

“You must be Pegasus.” Fedelta said. There was a vile smirk on his thin lips. “I’ve been waiting.” He chuckled softly. “Well no. I’m just the messenger.”

“…Who wants me?” Pegasus managed to squeak. Fedelta smiled a little at him.

“Nadil has been waiting to meet you, Pegasus. We shouldn’t keep him waiting.” Fedelta sneered. Pegasus tried to scramble away, tried to back himself as far away as he could. Fedelta moved. Faster than he had ever seen anyone move before. Pain engulfed him as Fedelta’s fingers encased his neck. “Now you can’t scream. So come, child. You’re wanted at the palace.”

“Let…go…of…me…” Pegasus ordered in a weak and raspy voice. Fedelta frowned somewhat at that. Pegasus didn’t even realize until his vision failed that he had been struck into blindness.

Around him, nature hissed and explode with rage. Pegasus could feel the trees’ anger. They launched themselves at Fedelta; Pegasus could feel the sturdy branches trying to pull him away. Fedelta cursed and attacked. The trees shrieked in pain. Not the forest…please don’t hurt nature…they only want to help me. Clawed hands lifted him and swung Pegasus’ limp body over a shoulder. No I don’t want to go…help me Rath. Help!

“Lets get back to the Lord, shall we?” Fedelta said. Fire whipped at Pegasus’ skin. It hurt to feel the fire’s tainted touch as it whisked them away. NO, RATH!!!!! RATH!!!

*-----*-----*


\"RATH!!” Thatz yelled at him. Rath had been deliberately making a point to ignore the Dragon Knight of Earth’s bothersome questions and prodding. He didn’t want to talk about it. Not at all. But Thatz knew about the yelling and wasn’t about to leave Rath alone about it.

Around him, as he sat nuzzled in the shadows that glowed against the oncoming dark, the trees hissed and moaned. Almost as though they were in a rage. Fitting scenery for how Rath was feeling. He continued to ignore Thatz, hugging his knees and thinking. Pegasus.

That little whore. How dare he touch him, try to reason with him. After what he had done. Turning his Kai-stern into a cheater. Rath felt filthy for just being touched by him. He wasn’t kidding when he threatened to end Pegasus’ life. If he ever spoke to him again, he would. And yet…

And yet when he looked into those eyes, Rath still felt a strange sense of peace. There were tears in the boy’s eyes as he looked up at Rath. And no matter what Rath did he still held that pleading look. Not angry or frightened. Timid, quiet. Longing for him to understand whatever it was he had wanted to tell him. But why? Why do I still feel strange around him? He pulled Kai-stern away from me, turned his love against me. What is this strange feeling I get around him that overlaps my anger…I don’t want to feel peace. I want to stay angry at him…I have to…don’t I?

“RATH!! LOOK AT ME DAMN IT!!!” Thatz yelled in his ear. Rath blinked, pulling himself from his thoughts and finally looked at him. His confused eyes reflected in Thatz’s worried and angry ones. Rath’s eyes were as black as the midnight sky. No, perhaps blacker. “…Do I have your attention now?” He simply nodded. “Good then tell me what the hell that was all about!”

“…I don’t want to talk about it…” Rath said softly.

“Well too bad! Why did you yell at him like that! God, you hit him! I mean sure the kid’s a little weird and I guess the following you around could get a little annoying but you didn’t have to blow up at the kid and smack him! I mean come on, how old is he, 12?!”

“15.”

“Whatever! That doesn’t warrant hitting him!” Thatz snapped. He grabbed Rath roughly by the shoulder and forced him to look into his face. “What did the kid ever do to you!? Nothing, you hear me!? Nothing!!”

“Bull shit!!” Rath yelled back. Thatz took a small step back away from him. “You have no fucking clue what he did to me!”

“What did he do?” Thatz asked calmly. A flood opened up inside him. Rage, fear, confusion, and desperation rushed through him, searing him. With every passing second that he sat with Thatz he felt the truth dawning on him. Becoming more and more real. How could he had done that? How could Kai-stern do that…to him?

“…He…He was cheating…” Rath said quietly. Thatz’s head cocked to one side.

“Who was cheating?”

“…He was cheating on me…with that…child…” Rath whispered. A small shiver went through him. It dawned on Thatz. He sat close to Rath and looked at him, worried.

“…Kai-stern?”

“How could he do that to me? How could he cheat on me…with a child?” Rath asked. He held his head and shuddered. I want to cry. I wish I could cry…

“…I’m certain its not that simple Rath…Kai-stern wasn’t like that. He adored you, you know that. That’s why he gave his life for you. He loved you that much.” Thatz insisted. This was suppose to comfort him.

Too bad it didn’t.

No…No he gave his life for me because of it. He was…unhappy with me…He gave his life up because he didn’t want to be in the same plane as me. Even if he hadn’t, Cesia probably would’ve done it. Kai-stern didn’t want to be around me…He wanted Pegasus, not me. He didn’t love me, not anymore. And he’d rather be dead than be with me…yes…that…that has to be it…no one loves me. No one.

“Rath…hey say something will ya?” Thatz said. Rath hadn’t realized he had been silence for so long. He sighed softly to himself.

“…I don’t know Thatz…and now I never will…”

“…Why don’t we get some sleep? It’ll clear up our heads. Can’t fight if the mind is all muddled.”

“That’s your answer to everything, sleep,” Rath sighed. Thatz smiled.

“No food is the answer to everything. But we’re out of rations. Good night Rath.” Thatz was down on the ground, snoring loudly before Rath got a word in edge wise. He sighed loudly, unsure of what to do. They were sheltered enough in this place. But sleeping in Kainaldia, surrounded by demons. That made Rath a little apprehensive. But its not like there’s anything else to do… Reluctantly, Rath laid down in the dirt, forcing his eyes to close and his mind and body to rest.

Kai-stern…

Rath looked about the dark void he now found himself in. He wasn’t sure if he was awake or asleep anymore. The only thing he was sure of was that this place was important. It was warm, even in the dark, and steeped with powers he couldn’t begin to understand. Spinning around slowly, Rath looked for something different. Darkness and power greeted him on all sides.

“…Where am I?” Rath asked softly. He spun about for another moment or two, wondering who or what brought him to this warm void. But whatever or whoever brought him here, it was for an important reason. Rath could feel it in his soul. He had to be here.

“…Rath…” A voice called behind him. His body went rigid. Rath knew this voice. Knew it better than he knew himself. He loved that voice. Timidly he turned to its source. “…Hello Rath.”

“Kai-stern.” Rath said softly, staring gapingly at the former dead Blue Dragon Officer. It was him. The same white hair, the same white eyes. The same pale complexion, the same thin and silver glasses. The same vague smile that told everything and nothing at the same time. Kai-stern. His Kai-stern. Back from the dead. “Kai-stern!!” He couldn’t even remember running to him. All Rath could remember was how wonderful it felt to feel Kai-stern’s body in his arms and how sweet the man’s heart sounded in his ears. “You’re back, you’re back!”

Something was off. Normally, whenever Rath wrapped his arms around Kai-stern, he returned the gesture. Captured Rath in a hug of the same strength or more. Rath felt nothing. Kai-stern’s hands hung down at his sides, unwilling to wrap around him. That bothered Rath. With a worried face, he looked up into Kai-stern’s eyes and was frightened by what he saw there. Anguish, depression…and disappointment.

“What…What’s wrong…” Rath asked softly. Kai-stern looked down at him sadly.

“…How could you Rath?” Kai-stern asked in a quiet and tired voice. “How could you treat him like that…”

Rath pulled away. They stared at each other for a moment. Kai-stern’s eyes tired and sad. Rath’s wide, alert, and surprised. How could Rath treat him like that? Him, what him? Kai-stern’s couldn’t have meant Pegasus could he? No…its true…isn’t it Kai-stern…you…you didn’t love me…at all…

“…How could I? How could you!” Rath yelled. He gripped himself. “You said you loved me!!”

“Rath…” Kai-stern started.

“How could you do that to me!? How could you lie like that!? You said you loved me and you cheated on me with some kid! Why didn’t you just tell me that you didn’t love me?! Why did you have to hurt me like this!?” Rath demanded. Kai-stern gripped his shoulder softly. Rath trembled. “Why, why!?”

“Please listen to me…Its complicated.”

“No its not!” Rath yelled. He yanked himself away and glared at him. Kai-stern looked slightly shocked at him. “Its not complicated!! You hurt me, like everyone else! You lied to me! You cheated with some fucking little male whore you found! You never loved me, no one did!!”

“RATH!!!” Kai-stern yelled. It was a rare sound and Rath silenced under its echo. Kai-stern looked utterly furious. “Don’t you dare call him a whore!! You don’t know him so you don’t have the right!”

“…Why…” Rath asked meekly. He sank to his knees. “Why didn’t you love me…why?”

“…I did love you Rath. I still love you.” Kai-stern sighed. His arms draped gently about Rath’s shoulders and rested there. He simply stared into the black ground, devoid of all feeling now.

“Then…you loved him better. More than me…is that it?” Rath asked.

“No, that’s not it Rath. Listen to me ok?”

“But Kai-stern-”

“Rath, listen and don’t talk. If what we had meant anything, please just listen to me.” Kai-stern asked. Rath silenced and listened to him. “I love you Rath, I always have and always will. And that will never change, no matter happens. But I love him too. I love you both the same…I should have told you about him. I know I should have but I didn’t and I’m sorry. But don’t ever doubt my affection to you. Its just…I…I was afraid…”

“Afraid…”

“…Of how you two would react to each other. I loved you both the same but I didn’t know what would happen if you two got together. I was scared…that you wouldn’t understand it…Its not an excuse I know, but I was scared to lose either one of you. Scared that you’d hate each other…” He drifted into silence. His head rest against Rath’s shoulder. With good reason… “Please…”

“Please what…”

“Don’t hate him…please. There’s still so much you don’t understand.” Kai-stern begged. Rath sighed and buried his face in his hands. “Say something Rath…”

“I don’t understand…help me Kai-stern…I feel strange…I don’t understand it…I feel…”

“At peace? Calm?” Kai-stern asked. Rath looked up at him, wishing that there were tears on his cheeks like a normal person. He smiled down into Rath’s eyes and ran a finger across his cheek. “He does that…to everyone. But its different for us…we feel different.”

“…Like how I feel around you?” Rath asked. Kai-stern nodded somewhat and kissed his forehead. “But what’s it mean?”

“That maybe love isn’t as simple as two people…” Kai-stern sighed. Rath thought about it. Life wasn’t simple. So how could love be? Was it possible, to love two people equally? To have true love for two people? Perhaps. It would explain some things wouldn’t it. But there were still questions.

“Kai-stern…what-”

Rath never finished his thought. The void around them turned burning hot then icy cold. Rath gripped Kai-stern’s shirt, terrified of the winter air on his skin. He whimpered softly and buried his head against Kai-stern. No make it stop…no snow, please… Kai-stern’s arms held him close against the ice’s bite. Something was angry…or possibly hurt. The power of the place changed, weakened…as though it were dying.

“Pegasus…” Kai-stern said softly. Almost on command, Rath could see Pegasus laying on the ground. He was broken, bleeding and frightened. A dead look in his eyes and whatever gave him such strange abilities shattering. A weak hand reached for them. He was crying.

“H…Help…p…please…I…I can’t…” Pegasus begged. Blood dribbled from under the matted down bangs, slipped along that cracking and crying face. Rath trembled as the boy steadily broke into a thousand pieces. “Pl…please…help!” He was gone.

“Pegasus!!” They cried it at the same time. Rath was unsure of why he called out the boy’s name but at the sight of his blood. At hearing the boy’s pleas, he felt compelled to cry something. Though he wasn’t exactly sure why. Kai-stern stood, eyes half closed, listening.

“…He’s in trouble…he’s hurt…” Kai-stern said softly. Rath stood on shaky legs and looked about warily. “…We have to find him.”

“…You mean I do.” Rath said softly. Kai-stern smiled sadly and nodded. “…Okay…I will…I need some answers from him…I’ll find him.” Kai-stern wrapped his arms around him. Rath sighed softly and let him.

“Thank you Rath…”

“I miss you Kai-stern…I want you back…”

“I want to be back…” Kai-stern placed a soft kiss on his lips. Rath smiled softly. “I love you…”

“I love you too Kai-stern…I’ll get you back some how…and I’ll get him back some how…” Rath told him. Kai-stern nodded with a vague smile.

Rath woke. The sky was still dark. Thatz was still asleep. Rath looked around for a moment, wondering if it had just been a dream. There was a tingling on his lips. No, it had been real. Whatever that was had been real. That place existed somewhere and Kai-stern had met him there. Standing, he roused Thatz.

“Come on…” Rath insisted.

“What…”

“We have to go.” Rath insisted. Thatz turned over and stared at him.

“Go where? Its dark.” Thatz yawned. “Go back to bed…” And with that he turned back away from Rath and slept. Rath growled softly and contemplated kicking him. Then thought better of it. Fine let him sleep. I’ll find him myself. Just leave him a note and go. Rath sketched a note into the ground for Thatz. And then with only a short look back to Thatz, left to search. Not that he even knew where he was going.

But he had to find Pegasus. He promised.

*-----*-----*

Pegasus sighed up in the room as the night came on slowly. They were in another part of Deus, which part Pegasus wasn’t sure about. Kai-stern was out doing something and Pegasus was resisting the urge to go out and follow him. After the last time he knew better.

Yet Pegasus was worried. Worried that Kai-stern wasn’t going to come back at all. It had been a few weeks since that night. Since Pegasus admitted that he believed he loved him and questioned the ideas of love. And in that time, he noticed something. Noticed how quiet Kai-stern got when the two of them were alone. How he would seem nervous and his eyes would seem lost, distant. There would be times that he shut himself off completely and Pegasus would be left looking into his back, wondering.

It’s my fault…He doesn’t like me anymore. I shouldn’t have said anything.

He hugged the book to his chest, feeling a tear slip. The book felt cold against him. Kai-stern had given it to him, to keep him occupied while Kai-stern was away. And it did a good job to keep his mind occupied. Still, Pegasus was free to let his mind wander over what was transpiring during the days. Kai-stern’s steadily growing reclusive behavior worried him. His lost eyes, his unanswered questions. His sadness, his silence. All these things worried Pegasus gravely. He couldn’t help but think that all this was his doing.

So he made a decision. He was causing Kai-stern pain, somehow he had done it though he wasn’t sure how exactly. Yet Pegasus decided that he should distance himself from Kai-stern. That would stop the pain for him. He had been putting distance between them when he first realized it but didn’t know that he was doing it. They were small things. Awkward silences to end conversations. Engrossing himself in his book when Kai-stern was around. Moving further and further away from him as the slept. Pegasus was sleeping at the edge of the bed now. Soon, the second bed of the room wouldn’t be perfectly made. But its for the best. I don’t want to cause Kai-stern any pain…He’s done so much for me and I’ve caused him nothing but trouble and pain. Its not fair to him.

Sighing, Pegasus tried to return to his book. He had been enjoying it, very much. It was a strange sort of story. A mix of magic and adventure with a little romance thrown in for good measure. It was a typical romance. Man and a woman, the damsel in distress sort of deal. But Pegasus had never heard of something called “Sappy Romance” and he was finding out that he kind of liked it. It was strange and he wondered if things really happened like that. People falling in love after the oddest of circumstances but Pegasus liked the idea. He returned to the passage he was on. Malkar was fighting his way through a demon invested city to find his lost love, his Angili.

But he couldn’t focus. His sight blurred with tears as his thoughts reverted back to how much he had been hurting Kai-stern. At how much trouble he had caused him. Pegasus wiped them away with a soft sniffle and closed the book. His tears would ruin the pages. Sighing shakily, he left it on the chair and paced for a moment before deciding to bathe. Perhaps that could calm him down. The feeling of warm pure water on his skin.

Closing the door behind him, Pegasus ran the water, watching it fill for a moment before stripping himself of his clothing. He folded them neatly and set them on the ground by the door. A small shiver ran through him as he waited for the water to finish filling. It was finally done and Pegasus sighed happily as he eased himself into it. Resting his eyes, he dozed for a moment. The water soothed his muscles, the heat helped him relax and eased his mind. For a bit anyway.

His own guilt encased his mind again, pulling him from the peace he had thought he had found. Sighing, Pegasus opened his eyes and sat up straight. The water felt so good encasing him. He brushed wet strands of hair from his saddened eyes. With a heavy sigh, he cleaned himself. The soap smelled vaguely of a mint. It was an interesting scent, not exactly pleasing but not unbearable. Whatever he was using for his hair, that was what he liked. It smelled of nature. Of the trees and flowers, of the wind. Pegasus loved the idea of the essence of nature being added to such a simple thing. He loved the feeling of it.

Fully cleaned and with his silky hair flowing down his shoulders, Pegasus drained the bath. The room was surprisingly cold now and Pegasus found the warmth of a soft towel did little to change that. He dried himself off and dressed as quickly as he could, desperate for warmth. Sitting on the wooden floor, he took the towel and began the slow process of drying his hair in the only way that he knew how. A slow, tedious process of wringing all moisture from the strands. It always took so long.

Twenty minutes later, Pegasus was folding up the soaked towel and leaving it on the floor by the wall. He was fully dry now but his hair was in knots. Frustration had forced him to get a little angry with his hair. The knotted hair fell down to his shoulders; it had gotten longer since he had been with Kai-stern. I should brush it. Pegasus picked up the simple hairbrush and headed for the door. Brushing the tangles from his hair would help pass time till Kai-stern returned.

Pegasus got a surprise as he stepped back out into the bedroom. Kai-stern was lounging back on the bed staring into the plain ceiling intently. When the door opened, he looked over at him and smiled. That same tired and sad smile he had been giving for weeks. Pegasus returned it softly and sat on the chair away from him.

“…When did you get back?” He asked quietly, parting some of the knotted strands and beginning to brush.

“A little while ago. You were still in the bathroom.” Kai-stern said without sitting up. He watched Pegasus brush his hair for a moment.

“Oh.” Pegasus said. Their eyes didn’t meet. “Did you finish whatever you were doing?”

“Mhm, at least as much as I could.” Kai-stern answered, entranced by the movements. Pegasus nodded somewhat. “And you? Were you bored back here?”

“…Somewhat. But I read for a while and bathed. Thank you very much for the book.”

“Its alright. I didn’t want you to be too bored as you sat here and waited…” Kai-stern said. Pegasus nodded and tried to focus on his hair instead of Kai-stern. The brush caught in a particularly large clump of knots. His hair pulled and ached as he tried to undo it.

“Ow…” Pegasus hissed softly. Kai-stern sat up and watched him. “Owowowowow.”

“…Come here.” Kai-stern sighed. Pegasus looked up at him for a moment, nervous. Finally, he got off the chair and went to him. “Sit.” He obeyed, sitting on the floor by the bed. With gentle and experienced hands, Kai-stern pulled the brush from his tangled hair. It hurt but only slightly.

He started brushing his hair quietly, pulling the silky strands apart slowly to minimize the knots and straighten them. It didn’t hurt, at all. Kai-stern had obviously done this before. Probably many times before. Pegasus relaxed under it, letting his head fall forward a bit, hypnotized by the gentle motions. Kai-stern was quiet the entire time as he worked. Pegasus wondered what he could possibly be thinking about. The hair finally came untangled and still Kai-stern brushed it, as though trying to soothe him. Pegasus didn’t bother to say anything about it. Not like there was anything to complain about.

It stopped. Kai-stern’s fingers gently stroked a couple of the silver strands. Pegasus shivered slightly. Confused. He looked up at Kai-stern for a moment. Softness was in his eyes. A strange looked mingled with it, something Pegasus could not describe. It was almost like the look he got when he spoke of Rath.

“…You’re very good at that, Kai-stern sir.” Pegasus said after a moment. He felt the glossy, freshly brushed strands.

“I’ve done it before…”

“For Rath?”

“…When he was younger, yes. He wouldn’t let anyone else do it, save for the lady Raseleane. So whenever I was at the palace, he would beg me to brush it.” Kai-stern sighed quietly. Pegasus looked down at the ground. He had been thinking of Rath. Of course. That was why he seemed so peaceful. He was thinking of Rath.

“That must have been nice.” said Pegasus, trying to mask the sadness he felt. Kai-stern looked down into his blue eyes. His thumb ran over the side of his face. It felt strangely nice.

“…Your hair is so soft…” Kai-stern told him gently. Pegasus swallowed slightly. This felt very good.

“Thank you, Kai-stern, sir.” A blush started to creep across his face. Kai-stern pulled him up a bit so Pegasus was seated quietly on the edge of the bed beside him. His eyes looked over his face with a tender awe.

“…Its so beautiful…so is your skin…and your eyes…everything about you is so beautiful, Pegasus.” Kai-stern sighed. Pegasus’ eyes closed and his breathing slowed somewhat, comfortable.

“Thank you, Kai-stern sir…”

“You’re so beautiful Pegasus, so lovely…” They were very close now. Pegasus could feel his soft breath on his skin. It made him blush more to feel that soft heat. He fidgeted somewhat, anxious, restless. “…You asked me something…a while ago…”

“I have asked you many things.”

“Yes heh you have. But you asked me before…if love was just restricted to two people.” Kai-stern reminded him. How could Pegasus forget that conversation? He had started Kai-stern’s sadness. “…I think it isn’t.”

“What do you mean, Kai-stern, sir?”

“…You asked if I loved you the same way I love Rath. Well I’ve been thinking about that, for a while now.” So that’s what was plaguing his mind all this time. I knew it was my fault. Kai-stern’s fingers traced the curves of Pegasus’ face. “And I think I have my answer.” Soft lips rested against the smooth strands of silver hair. Pegasus felt himself tremble for a moment as Kai-stern remained there. “…This has to be so. It feels right…doesn’t it?”

“…You love Rath.” Pegasus said softly. His eyes closed, trying to figure out how he could understand. To be loved didn’t seem possible to Pegasus anymore. “…You must just see things of Rath in me. That is why you think you love me…”

“Don’t say things like that, Pegasus.” Kai-stern insisted almost harshly. His hand cupped his chin and Pegasus was looking again into the white eyes. “I love Rath yes, but I don’t see Rath in you. All I see is you, the way that all I see is Rath. I see you both, just you both, separate but equal.”

“But you said-”

“I said before that I wasn’t sure. And now I am…you do believe me don’t you?” Kai-stern asked. Pegasus searched his eyes for a moment. If it had been anyone else, Pegasus probably would not. In that time when Kai-stern had been silent, thinking, Pegasus had thought himself. Not just about how he could cause less pain for Kai-stern but about his own life. After discovering exactly what sex, rape, and whore were, Pegasus took a very hard look at his life before coming into contact with Kai-stern. He made a sickening discovery.

He had had sex…many times before.

But he couldn’t really remember how or why it happened. Who he was with or what they did. Just that it had happened because Pegasus had said yes. But rape was sex without consent and Pegasus had never enjoyed those moments and regretted being there. So…perhaps he had been raped or perhaps he was a whore. They did not give him much respect for his acceptance. They did not treat him kindly. Pegasus felt as though they were only using him. And Kai-stern had said before that there were dangers for him out in this world. That other people could use him as well.

Kai-stern wasn’t one of those people. He waited, quietly, as Pegasus searched his eyes and face. There was honesty there. Pegasus had seen it many times before. He meant what he said, that he loved him equally. He did believe him when Kai-stern said he loved him equally and, perhaps for the first time, if this led to a coupling, Pegasus would truly not mind. Consent with happiness.

Slowly, Pegasus pushed himself closer to Kai-stern, resting somewhat in his lap with his head against Kai-stern’s shoulder. He was shocked for a moment, but only a moment. Warm arms wrapped around Pegasus’ shoulders and waist. Pegasus sighed pleasantly. This felt very right, being like this and Pegasus wondered for a moment that if he got the chance to meet Rath, would it be the same. He hoped it would.

The kiss was soft, smooth as fine silk, warm like a powerful fire. He hadn’t even been expecting it but Pegasus accepted it willingly. It felt so good, so right. Pegasus let his fingers slip up and through Kai-stern’s hair. It was so soft. Kai-stern smiled a bit and the kiss became a little harder. The arms that held him tightened just a bit. Fingers slid along the cloth of his shirt and up his back. Pegasus trembled, broke the kiss to let out a sweet, shaking sigh. So wonderful it all felt so wonderful. So warm. Everything about him felt like it was on fire. A fever.

With trembling skin, Pegasus let Kai-stern lay him gently down on the bed. The pillows felt like ice against his burning skin. He laid himself against Pegasus, adjusted his weight so that Pegasus believed that Kai-stern was light as air. The kiss continued, growing more and more fierce as the moments wore on. But still Pegasus felt no worry. He felt nothing but the honest love that was filling him and Kai-stern both.

He returned the kisses with a passion he never even knew he had. Their tongues danced together. He wanted this. For the first time, Pegasus truly wanted this to happen. Not just to make someone else happy, but to make himself happy as well. Happiness was a rarity. He wanted this happiness. Panting slightly, he broke the kiss again to breathe. Kai-stern panted as well before starting to gently kiss the skin of his neck. With closed eyes, Pegasus tensed slightly, feeling all the heat rush between his legs. What an unexpected feeling. But I love it.

“…Pegasus…” Kai-stern said softly, abandoning his neck to look into his hazed eyes. As he listened, Pegasus’ legs wrapped slightly about Kai-stern’s. He couldn’t remember if he had ever done that before. Typically he laid as still as he could, succumbing when his body made him move but other wise stagnant. This was different.

“…Yes Kai-stern?” Kai-stern gave him a soft kiss. His fingers were pulling at the laces of Pegasus’s shirt tenderly.

“If you get uncomfortable…or things don’t feel right, tell me, alright? I want you to be okay with this…okay?”

“Okay Kai-stern…”

With that, the gently passionate kissing resumed. Kai-stern was so tender, it surprised Pegasus slightly. How gentle another person could possibly be. The laces of his shirt pulled apart completely finally, the cloth hung loosely off his torso and shoulders. Pegasus let Kai-stern pull him up, his knees straddling his thin hips and his hands gripping the edges of the shirt. The kissing broke only for a moment or two so Kai-stern could pull the soft shirt over Pegasus’ head. Panting slightly, he watched Kai-stern shed his own shirt and toss both of them to the floor.

Pegasus fell back onto the bed, looking with a sense of awe at Kai-stern’s chest. Though he had always seemed somewhat thin to Pegasus, there was a strength to him. Pegasus could see the thin muscles of his chest; he blushed. There were a few small, white scars on his pale skin. Probably from some battle but they only seemed to enhance the notion that Kai-stern was far stronger than others believed. They made him look very wonderful.

Kai-stern stared down at him. His legs still straddled him as he stared down at Pegasus’ pale white chest. Eyes searched the smooth skin, the marred skin. Pure white skin that was riddled with dark scars. A web of memories, of previous encounters. Kai-stern had not noticed before; Pegasus didn’t want him to notice them before. But now that he was willingly on his back, wanting this, the shields wouldn’t work and Kai-stern could see all that those experiences had left him with. Living and dead, white and dark skin. Numbness.

Callused fingers made their way across them, tracing them as though they were searching for the memories themselves. Pegasus shivered slightly under their touch. He broke his gaze from Kai-stern and closed his eyes quietly. The fingers rested on the darkest, the scar that was deep and still ached on occasion. The one cut into the thin skin over his heart. He trembled. Kai-stern’s lips brushed against his again.

“Shh…” He whispered before Pegasus could say a word.

“Kai-stern…” Pegasus sighed, kissing the tips of the fingers that pressed against his lips. He was smiling down at him, a vaguely sad smile.

“Even those scars are beautiful.” He laughed softly. A ghost of a smile came to Pegasus. Kai-stern laid against him again with a gentle sigh. “Something so painful…and it still makes you beautiful.” The kiss was very soft.

“Mmm…” Pegasus sighed softly. An arm wrapped under his back and pulled him up a bit. His arms snaked their way around Kai-stern’s shoulders, pressing against them, feeling warm skin. They trembled together. Warmed themselves with powerful kisses. With one hand pressed against the center of Pegasus’ back, Kai-stern let his other hand wander across his skin. His tongue slipped past Pegasus’ lips and teeth again, pressing back into his mouth. Pegasus moaned slightly and tensed underneath it. Kai-stern’s hand fell between his legs, rose, undoing the ties and pulling slightly at the pants. A delightful shudder went through Pegasus as they fell away.

“K…Kai-stern…” Pegasus gasped softly. Kai-stern came up to him. He looked only slightly worried. Pegasus linked his fingers with Kai-stern’s and smiled dazed.

“Yes Pegasus?” His body froze above Pegasus’.

“…Please…don’t stop…”

Kai-stern smiled softly down at him, nodded a bit. He slipped off his own pants and returned to kissing him. Their arms wrapped around each other. Pegasus blushed when he realized that Kai-stern shared the same heat that he did. He trembled slightly. Blinking, Kai-stern mistook the shiver for coldness and wrapped them both in a warm sheet.

“Pegasus…you still…want to do this…right?” Kai-stern asked in a pant, amid kissing and caressing. Hazed eyes opened again and smiled up at the Dragon Officer.

“Yes…” Pegasus managed to say, letting his panting calm just a bit. He captured Pegasus’ lips again. He moaned softly. His fingers skated through Kai-stern’s hair. There was a rummaging sound; Pegasus looked towards the drawer of the nightstand. He was rooting through it, searching blindly with his hand, unwillingly to let the kiss end. Forgetting his curiosity, he succumbed back into the kiss. Kai-stern must have found whatever he was looking for. The attention he gave Pegasus now was more focused than it had been. He pulled back again. Pegasus watched him as he worked the lid off of a small jar.

“Pegasus.”

“Yes?”

“…I don’t want this to hurt you, ok?” Kai-stern said, running a hand along his cheek. “You’ll let me know if it hurts, or is too much for you, won’t you?”

“If you want me to.” Pegasus answered. He laughed a bit, smiling down at Pegasus.

“No, it’s if you want to.”

“Me?”

“Yeah, it’s up to you, not me. It’s up to you if you’re comfortable with this. This isn’t just for me, it’s for you too.” Pegasus stared up slightly shocked. “It’s for both of us, Pegasus. And I want you to be okay and happy with it.” He couldn’t remember for the life of him if anyone had ever shown him such kindness and concern. That was because no one ever had before. Arms wrapped around Kai-stern’s body again so he could nuzzle into the elder’s warm chest. Kai-stern smiled softly. “I don’t want you to hurt…”

“…I won’t Kai-stern, I promise…but I’ll tell you if it does.” Pegasus insisted in a sigh.

With a brilliant smile, Kai-stern eased Pegasus back down onto the bed. He let his eyes close slightly, listening to the gentle rustling as Kai-stern moved about. Warm hands spread his legs slowly, softly. Pegasus spread them slightly wider on his own accord. There was a round of soft and sweet laughter followed with some tender words that Pegasus hardly understood. Too far gone in happiness to understand anything except for the fact that Kai-stern loved him, wanted him to be pleased, happy. Kai-stern, I will be happy with you. With you and with him, I will be so very happy. Because you actually love me. Me.

It was cool, just barely warm enough to keep him from trembling even more. Whatever was coated on Kai-stern’s finger, slicking him, was cool and warm. It felt awkward to feel such a strange, still pressure inside him. He writhed slightly, trying to adjust himself to the feeling of it, and just when he thought he had, another finger pressed inside him. He winced, unwillingly, let a small gasp pass through his lips, trying to settle himself. It wasn’t until after Pegasus sighed complacently that Kai-stern kissed his lips again. The fingers started to move.

If it had been anyone else, Pegasus was certain that it would have hurt terribly. No one else had ever been as kind or concerned as Kai-stern and few people ever would. Most were rough or too impatient to gently stretch him Anyone else and Pegasus would have been crying softly by now. But this was Kai-stern. He was gentle, soothing, slow. The fingers moved leisurely, scissoring with the utmost care. There was nothing to feel but a gentle pulling, a gentle stretching, and the heat and pleasure that such care gave. Tensing slightly, he wriggled under him and his movements. It just felt so good.

The fingers retracted. Pegasus felt strangely unhappy to lose that feeling. He sighed quietly, wondering if something was wrong. But those thoughts were pushed to farthest reaches of his mind when Kai-stern kissed him patiently and pushed into him.

He didn’t get a chance to hold the kiss for very long. A loud moan escaped him, his back arched, his head fell back and Kai-stern took the opportunity to nibbled softly on the skin of his neck. The pace was even, slow and as soft as he could make it. Thin fingers dug themselves into the skin of Kai-stern’s back. He took the sign right and moved progressively harder and faster, mindful of the changes in Pegasus’ demeanor to denote what was pleasure and what was pain.

What was pain now? Pain was non existent to Pegasus now. A vile illusion. There was nothing but a sweet pleasure and love that consumed almost all of Pegasus’ thoughts. His hips bucked and moved with him, trying to get the most out of this moment of bliss. Arms snaked around the other, kisses were given willingly. Words were broken by loud moans and panting, time suspended for this. For this endless bliss.

Inside, he pressed against the smallest of points in Pegasus‘ being. A mini fire that had been stagnant for so long. It erupted at Kai-stern’s touch, a sudden inferno that flowed through him. His nails dug into Kai-stern’s skin as he went, arching as far as he could. Whatever that fire was it writhed in him, restless and scorching, pleased to be free after many emotionless encounters. It was far too much for him to stand after an endless time. It all left in a rush, his voice reaching a pitch he would never think possible before. Kai-stern’s body lurched at the feel of it. It became so warm…so warm and sticky; Pegasus gasped.

They panted; Kai-stern eased himself back and rested beside him. A warm arm wrapped about Pegasus’ hips and pulled him against his chest. On his side, Pegasus breathed heavily into the cool pillows. Kai-stern was chuckling softly, bathing his neck with soft kisses. Smiling, Pegasus nuzzled further against him, trying to fight off the sleep that threatened to consume him.

“…Are you alright Pegasus?” Kai-stern asked between kisses.

“Mhm…are you?”

“Of course…I wasn’t too rough with you?”

“No…of course not Kai-stern…that was…wonderful.” Pegasus sighed happily.

“Good…I didn’t want you to be hurt.” Kai-stern sighed. They rested together, silent and smiling softly. Sleepily. Pegasus fought the hold sleep had over him. “Go on and sleep…”

“Mmm…” Pegasus mumbled already halfway there. Another few moments of silence then Pegasus forced his eyes open again. He looked up at Kai-stern tired. “…Kai-stern?”

“Hm?”

“…Will he like me?”

“…Of course Pegasus…I’m sure he will…He’ll love you like I love you both, I’m certain of it.” Kai-stern said. A small kiss fell onto his cooling skin. “We’ll be happy…now sleep…”

“…Mmm…I love you…Kai-stern, sir.” And Pegasus was too far gone with sleep to know if he had said anything back, or to feel his warm arms holding him close.

TBC

well there\'s chapter 4. honestly...I have to say writing my little parts for rath are hard. I don\'t feel like I\'m doing it right...I mean it\'s okay...but it seems like he\'s ooc. Eh maybe he is in this but I kinda like it...not that there is anything wrong with Rath\'s character at all. But oh well. Anyways!! REVIEW FOR ME PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!