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 6

Oh. Right. Ryuhou waited patiently for him to return, reaching to press his fingers gingerly against his lips. He could still feel them tingling a little, filled with Tachibana’s taste. He had to smile again, however slightly. We really did it. He felt unusually small all of a sudden, and he curled up a little beneath the blankets, drawing his hand over his chest and stomach as if testing the feel of a new body.

Tachibana found he grew even shyer once the lights were off, and he approached the bed slowly, barely able to make out the glow of Ryuhou’s pale skin. We actually did it. And now…I get to stay. He crawled slowly onto the mattress, feeling his way up and brushing against the other’s body beneath the blankets. I get to sleep with him. For a moment he paused, hovering just over the other, eyes slowly adjusting so that he could make out faint features. Tachibana reached out again, touching the face that…somehow looked different in the darkness.

Ryuhou closed his eyes as he tilted his head into that soft touch, his lips parting again. He couldn’t explain why this meant so much to him; he’d heard soldier after soldier laugh about their sexual exploits, had always claimed such talk unnecessary and maybe even foolish. But here, being touched with such tender affection in the dark, he couldn’t help but be captivated by it. He slipped easily onto his back and pulled Tachibana down, meeting him in a kiss. My first lover.

Tachibana shivered as he was drawn in, settling half over the other. Ryuhou…. He continued to kiss the other, pulling away briefly, breathing across warm lips, before bringing them back together. After several long minutes he stopped them with two fingers pressed to Ryuhou’s mouth. “Keep this up,” he whispered, head spinning a bit, “and we won’t be up tomorrow until noon.” Not…that I think I really care….

“I’m off duty tomorrow,” Ryuhou replied, as if that solved the problem. He really was exhausted, but whenever Tachibana moved against him he was convinced he could do all of it over again. It had just felt so good… I want to do it again. But I’m still tired, and…I don’t want to hurt him. He tugged Tachibana’s fingertips into his mouth, sucking gently. I wonder if I could…like he did for me before…even if I’m probably no good at something like that.

Smiling, Tachibana sighed at the feel of Ryuhou’s lips. Maybe I could…but…. “I guess I’ll just have to pretend I was ill,” he murmured, sliding his free hand through fine, damp hair. He leaned close to play his mouth over the other’s neck. “Or we could save our strength for the morning…spend all day just…like this….” Tachibana flushed at his own words—what was he saying? Those were the kind of wishes he’d always teased others about having. But…with Ryuhou…. He licked faintly at the other’s ear as if to dispel the serious thoughts. “Keep doing that,” he encouraged instead in a whisper, moving his fingers slightly.

It seemed like such a ridiculous thing to be doing, but Ryuhou didn’t protest. He used his tongue to urge the slender fingers into his mouth, sucking in a slow, steady rhythm. He might have even been…practicing a little, wondering what it might have been like to have more of Tachibana inside him. To feel these same hands on his body, entering him… He gasped quietly and pressed his hand to the small of Tachibana’s back, holding them together. He released the other just long enough to reply, “I don’t think it’s really necessary to save our strength,” before devoting his attentions to Tachibana’s ring finger. All he needed was a little sleep, and then he was confident he could do this forever.

How weird…that something like this is…. He shifted a little, pressing against Ryuhou’s hipbone. He seems to like it, though, he observed, suddenly encouraged. Tachibana knew he enjoyed what they had done earlier, liking the feeling and taste of hot flesh, but also knew that many of his previous lovers hadn’t. If Ryuhou did…. He straightened, continuing to move his free hand through the elder’s hair, same as if they were doing something…a bit different. He began to move his hand in slow pulses, rubbing at lips and tongue and letting his imagination run. God he…he would feel so good…. Tachibana sighed, almost a moan, hoping to encourage Ryuhou’s attentions.

It almost felt like they were playing some kind of game, and it was just suggesting enough to keep Ryuhou interested. He continued to suck at Tachibana’s fingers, harder than before. Though Ryuhou wasn’t much for imagination in most respects he only had to remember what it had felt like for him earlier; he groaned softly against the moist digits as he trapped them against the inside of his mouth with his tongue. His hands, meanwhile, encouraged Tachibana’s hips to shift against him, the way he had been kept from doing when their positions were reversed.

Tachibana closed his eyes, shifting faintly, though knowing something like this wouldn’t be enough for either of them. Even if…his arm was trembling slightly. But Ryuhou seemed to be enjoying it, and he moved his hand with a bit more strength, matching it with the gentle pumping of his hips. His other hand freed itself from Ryuhou’s hair to gradually work its way down the elder’s body, over the outside of his shorts to rub him through the material. “Harder,” he hissed into his ear. Maybe, later, we can do this for real. “Feels…so good, Ryuhou.”

Ryuhou’s eyes fluttered open, but he caught only a glimpse of damp hair and flushed skin. Thrilled by the sound of Tachibana’s voice--and even more so by the press of his hand--he continued to rub his tongue firmly against him. His body had grown hot and anxious by now, and it took only a bit more imagination to picture Tachibana’s hands--Tachibana himself--inside him, moving with such deliberate pulses, moaning his name. It spread warm pleasure all through him, and he curled his hands around Tachibana’s buttocks, massaging tense muscle. I can’t possibly...again…. He arched his back, bringing the slender body more tightly against him and encouraging his firm fingers.

It’s the voice, he realized with some surprise. Whenever I…. A moan escaped without his meaning to--Ryuhou’s hands were wonderfully strong, and the rising of his voice only seemed to encourage them more. There was still a slight pain within him, but Ryuhou was gradually stealing that from him. “Don’t stop,” he groaned, not having to pretend as much. He moved both hands a bit faster, and his hips followed without instruction. “God, that feels good…Ryuhou….”

Yes--like that. Just like that…. Ryuhou bent one of his knees, fitting Tachibana more firmly to his hip. There was just something about hearing Tachibana’s voice, so deep and so close, that made his pulse race. He tried to stay quiet so he could hear it better, which did nothing to stop the ragged panting of his breath. Already exhausted, he knew he wouldn’t last much longer; it crossed his mind, briefly and ridiculously, that maybe they should stop and save him the trouble of changing his clothing again. But it was too late, and he clutched Tachibana to him with a strained whimper as he climaxed again.

Tachibana winced both at the harshness of Ryuhou’s hands and the sudden bite of teeth. Drawing his hand up, he brushed and nuzzled at the elder’s jaw, hoping to coax him into releasing his fingers. I’ll have to remember he does that, or…. The image was too frightening to keep thinking about, and he settled for whispering his lips against Ryuhou’s ear. “You’re so amazing,” he nearly purred, gradually working his sore fingers loose. He brought them to his own lips for a brief taste before wiping them on the blankets. “Ryuhou? Did you pass out already?”

Ryuhou moaned softly; he did feel a little faint, and it took a moment to call his senses back to him. With a weak sigh he relaxed into his mattress. “I’m tired,” he declared, breathing in the scent of Tachibana’s hair. He was also in need of new boxers, and though he frowned slightly he didn’t feel like getting up to find some. It was an annoying dilemma. “Did…you…?” He swiped his fingers against Tachibana’s back. He’s done so much for me already….

He smiled. “I’m fine,” he assured--his exhaustion was already taking over, sweeping away any lack of fulfillment he might have felt. Tachibana gradually rolled off the other, watching the expressions flickering across his face. “Do you…want to change?” he asked, guessing that was the hint of disgust twisting his lips. He chuckled suddenly. “I can bring you something, if you don’t want to move.”

Though he was tempted to suggest it, what remained of Ryuhou’s pride at this point refused. “It’s all right.” He pushed himself up--maybe a little too quickly, as his head swam a moment--and stood, slowly. He hadn’t realized something like this would take so much out of him, and it made his movements slow as he fetched a fresh pair of shorts from his drawer. He was too tired to worry about privacy as he changed into them and deposited the former pair with the rest of his clothing to be washed. He let out a full breath. “I didn’t think it’d be so tiring,” he remarked as he dropped eagerly back into bed. He could barely keep his eyes open.

Tachibana chuckled, curled on his stomach as he watched the other. He was tempted to point out that though Ryuhou was probably the more exhausted of the two, he would be the one wincing when he walked the next day. “We didn’t exactly pause to breathe,” he remarked instead, making sure Ryuhou had enough room before closing his eyes. Tachibana wiggled about to make himself more comfortable, and he sighed as he finally settled. “I like your bed,” he murmured, fingers curling against the mattress.

“…Thank you.” Ryuhou settled on his side, realizing with another small frown that Tachibana was still on the right side of the bed. It didn’t really matter—they were so close that even if their positions were reversed he’d still be able to feel the warmth of his body. He closed his eyes as he took up his usual sleeping position, with one arm tucked beneath his pillow and the other stretched out on the mattress.

Tachibana peeked at the other briefly before closing his eyes again. Oh well. He rolled onto his back, head turned away from his lover and one arm draped over his stomach. At least I’m here. Maybe later on I’ll get to see what it’s like actually sleeping with him. He sighed, fingers curling near his head. “Good night, Ryuhou,” he said quietly, half afraid of disturbing the silence that had settled around them.

Ryuhou, already half asleep, barely heard him. He shifted slightly against his pillow and murmured a tired, “Good night, Tachi.” It’s warm…. He sighed contentedly, running his fingertips over Tachibana’s shoulder before he was finally, deeply asleep.

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Tachibana slipped into the gym, still surprised to see Ryuhou training there though he’d almost had hoped to find him. Nearly a month after their first kiss, Tachibana found himself suddenly hesitant to approach his lover. Things…had changed lately. True, they were both increasingly distracted by the state of the island and the mixed signals from the mainland, but….

It’s not even like we don’t see each other. We just…haven’t been together very often. And he hated it. He hated that it had been almost a week since they had touched. He hated the way his chest would tighten whenever he caught a glimpse of the other, and how his stomach cramped when Ryuhou slipped away to some other business. He hated not having the same aloof control he’d worked so hard to achieve.

But he’s here now, he reminded himself, moving towards his locker while trying to keep his eyes turned away. Maybe if we just workout a bit…it won’t be as bad as all that. Maybe things won’t have changed all that much. “Hey,” he called, dropping his bag and beginning to change. “Been a while.”

Ryuhou straightened at the sound of the other’s voice. He was breathing hard from an unusually vigorous exercise, and he paused only long enough to wipe the sweat from his eyes with a dry corner of his shirt. “It has been.” He didn’t turn to face the other just yet, not sure what expression to make or what to say. He…didn’t feel sure about a lot of things, lately. And though just being around the younger man always lifted a certain heat into his stomach, now he could only hear the echoes of his commander’s reprimand.

“I haven’t been seeing your best work lately, Ryuhou.”

Scowling, he returned to his workout of beating the punching bag before him.

Tachibana watched as he changed, frowning himself. He’s not focused. Or he’s concentrating too hard. What’s going on? Once he was finished he approached, but slowly, waiting for Ryuhou to choose his own moment to stop. Up close, it was even more obvious that his lover was under stress, and he licked his lips faintly in worry as that familiar cramp entered his stomach.

Ryuhou studiously ignored him. I haven’t been getting stronger, he mind continued to throw back at him, making his punches increasingly vicious. Everything’s finally starting to come together--HOLY is being recognized all over the Lost Ground, and instead of devoting myself to my duties I’ve been screwing around with-- He stopped abruptly, fists tight, as he watched the punching bag sway. In a fit of childish frustration he imagined it was taunting him, and gave it one more strike with the back of his hand, as if to teach it a lesson. “What is it?” he asked abruptly, as if having just noticed Tachibana were there.

He flinched at the tone--that wasn’t like Ryuhou at all. His approach paused, uncertain now as to whether he should stay or…slip away. “You’re upset,” he pointed out. Tachibana swept his hair back from his eyes. “Did something happen? You’ve been….” His shoulders tightened. “You’ve been distant lately.”

“I’ve been busy,” Ryuhou contradicted. He didn’t like the sound of Tachibana’s voice just then, and he struck out suddenly, making the punching bag sway once more. It wasn’t very satisfying. “And I’m not upset. I’m just…focused.” I need to feel like I’m doing something again. That I’m living up to all my potential, or what has it all been worth? What am I doing here, if not to be strong?

Tachibana folded his arms. Idiot, you are upset. You think I can’t tell, after how close we’ve been? He waited a few more moments, watching the other’s random assaults on the punching bag before speaking up again. Though, by suggesting this, I’m probably just offering myself for a beating. “You wanna spar? That bag isn’t much of an opponent, though I’m probably not much better.”

“No, you’re not.” He hadn’t meant to say that--was disgusted with himself for having said that, and he sighed as he at last turned over his shoulder to meet Tachibana’s eyes. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean that. But it’s probably not a good idea right now, anyway.” I’d hurt him. He turned away again. Because he’s too weak. What can I gain from training with him anymore, anyway? He hated such reasoning, but he wasn’t thinking straight, and somehow Tachibana’s presence was putting him on edge.

He frowned harder, the twisting in his gut making him strangely anxious. “Well, what did you mean?” he asked lowly, tone chilling a bit. Not even a week ago he was saying how glad he was I was willing to work with him, how no one else really offered. What the hell’s wrong with him? He was getting unreasonably upset by the whole thing, and he should have dropped it and given Ryuhou his space, but damnit, they were lovers! Maybe it didn’t mean much, but it certainly meant something.

Ryuhou pursed his lips. I don’t want to talk about this with him. But he owed him the truth at least, and he turned again to face him. “I’ve decided it necessary to intensify my training,” he explained shortly. “Commander Zigmar suggested he might need me for a higher position in HOLY.” If I’m strong enough. It was almost enough to make him sneer again, but he kept his face carefully even. “I’m sorry I haven’t seen you lately, but it’s important that I take my duty seriously. I’m sure you understand.”

Tachibana shifted his weight to one foot, still frowning. “I take my duty seriously,” he pointed out. “That doesn’t mean I still didn’t find time for you.” That’s what he’s saying, isn’t it? He…doesn’t want to…. His fingers curled. “So? Should I just go then? Stop coming over unless you call?” Not that he ever has; it…was always me. I’m the one that always came to him, that kept doing this…. The direction his thoughts were going was one he wasn’t sure he liked, and his stomach complained bitterly.

He didn’t want to answer that. It wasn’t that he didn’t want… His brow furrowed as he tried to come to a decision. In the end he could only say what he knew, however little that may be. “I don’t know. But it’s been making me careless.” Making me weak. That’s why I never pursued things like this to begin with--because it makes people foolish and complacent. A tremor ran through him that twisted in his chest. He forced his lips to form the words. “Maybe it would be better if we stopped.”

That struck him deeper than he would have liked to believe. He even took a step back without meaning to. “Stop….” His arms fell to his sides, fists still curled and body tense. “So that’s it? Just ‘stop?’” Damnit, you can’t just decide like that. That…it’s not fair! Tachibana bit his lip until he winced. “I’ve made you careless? What, did someone find out? Someone found out you like screwing other boys, and you’re trying to cover it up? What is it?”

“That’s not it!” Ryuhou snapped, spinning around. Not…exactly like that. Zigmar didn’t know--not yet. “We’re fighting a war out there and they need me to be stronger than this. I shouldn’t be wasting time fucking around, and neither should you.”

Tachibana flinched, face darkening. “Fucking around….” I…I thought…. It wasn’t fair--it wasn’t supposed to be like this. Ryuhou…Ryuhou had wanted this, hadn’t he? They both had wanted to be together, had needed it, even. Just fucking around?

“Fuck you!” he snapped suddenly, stomping his foot in frustration. “Wasting time? I’ve been wasting your time? What about my time? Damnit, you said you wanted me--” He cut off; his stomach was threatening to revolt. It shouldn’t hurt like this. We just had sex. A lot. It…it’s not as if it meant anything…. But he didn’t believe that, deep down. He didn’t want to believe it.

I didn’t mean to say that. Ryuhou’s eyes narrowed, his jaw clenching as if it would help banish the tremor in his limbs. “Maybe I did--maybe I do. But I can’t let myself become weak over something like this, don’t you understand?” I didn’t want this. But what can I do? Tachi, I….

“Weak?” His voice broke on the word. Of all the reasons Ryuhou could have given him…. Something like…me caring about you, wanting to be near you…. The pressure building in his stomach needed an outlet, and he felt that strange flexing at the back of his head. Ryuhou, you…. He heard the hum of his Alter in the air, but luckily it didn’t head for the other officer; the eight spheres impacted, one after another, against the wall, shattering after making several sizable dents. Even as the last one hit, Tachibana had already spun away, marching towards his bag and clothing. “Weak….” You could have just said you were done with me. You could have said the sex wasn’t good. You could have said you’d found someone else. But weak? I make you weak?

Ryuhou stared after him, stunned by the outburst. He had never seen Tachibana like that, and it shook something inside him to the point it hurt. He started to speak, but he couldn’t find any way to explain himself. Because it’s true. Being with him makes me…content. It makes me forget about what I should be doing, and I can’t have that. His fists trembled. I can’t. “Tachi….”

“Don’t,” he snapped, hating the way his voice sounded so raw. Damnit, it shouldn’t be a big deal. It’s not like…I haven’t broken up with people before. Tachibana snatched up his uniform, not bothering to change into it as he stuffed it into his bag--he wanted a shower. No. No, not a shower. Damnit Ryuhou-- He slammed the door of his locker. “It’s not like you call me that outside of your bedroom,” he added, heading for the door.

“Wait--” He didn’t want it to end like this. I don’t want it to end. Without thinking his Alter had materialized in front of the boy to halt his escape. “Wait,” he said again, his voice softer than it should have been. “Tachi…I’m sorry.” It was all he could bring himself to offer.

Tachibana glared at Zetsuei’s feet, trying to keep from shaking. Sorry. Sorry that I make you weak. Sorry that I’m in your way. Sorry you don’t…want me. His chest twisted painfully, and it didn’t make sense. They had only been together for a month--almost no time at all. Just off and on meetings, private and secluded and mostly filled with sex. Great, amazing sex, but….

He clenched his eyes and fists, but all he could see was Ryuhou’s quiet, sleeping face. “I’d better go,” he muttered, still not looking up. “I wouldn’t want to get in the way of your training.”

Ryuhou’s shoulders sagged, and Zetsuei dissipated into nothing. I didn’t want this. I didn’t want this at all. But…. He took a step back, though he didn’t expect such a slight added distance would solve or ease anything. “Fine.” Ryuhou turned away, back towards the equipment. This is why I don’t get into these things to begin with. He ground his teeth in frustration. Tachi…I didn’t mean for this.

He remained still for another moment, silently telling his legs to just move, damnit. Tachibana finally resumed his pace to the door, though he paused once more to glance over his shoulder. Ryuhou…. Do I really…get in your way? His jaw tightened to keep his chin from shaking, and he quickly slipped from the room as his breath came in a gasp. Head lowered, he marched as quickly as he could without running back to his small, silent room.

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