Price of your Heart - Nu #30: No good deed ever goes unpunished (Orchid's bloom))

[manaika]

No.: #30.
Name: Orchid's bloom
Author: manaika
Series: Hakuoki
Pairing: Shinpachi/Sanosuke
Rating: (M, R) Adults. But I think a 17 years old could cope.
Warnings: heavy lemon, yaoi. Fluff. Western customes. Multilated english for purpose of the fanfic.
Summary: Made for 30kisses , list Nu/acquisition. Shinpachi and Sanosuke deal with their love, their lives and with the changing times. #30. Do you need fancy restaurants and foreign customes to express your love?

Disclaimer: I do not own Hakuoki, or any of it’s characters. The creators do. My muse owns the idea of the fic, myself the work and the time I put into writing it. Credit me at least those, ok?

This was supposed to be a short drabble, a cute little fluffy piece. Now look at it. *sigh* But still, it would be a such a waste to write just a little drabble on them. I want this challenge be worth it.

Author’s notes

I'm not entirely sure where this idea came from. But suddenly I had this striking urge to write it, so I did. I hope you like it. But first, there are things you should know. Don't ask, you'll see why.

1. Ran means Orchid in japanese.
2. When I write „5 in the morning“, please don’t imagine 5 o’clock. The time meassure mentioned in this fic is all taken from this entry, for which I thank the wonderfull tokio_fujita, who has hellped me a lot with this shot. You’re the best! *hugs*
3. Juban is the undercloth for a kimono, fundoshi si the underwear, or loincloth. Ryotei are fancy restaurants. The „procedure“ as it is written out was also explained to me by tokio_fujita. I owe her really much for this shot.
4. The foreign word that Sano uses, „saya“, is my japanese transcription of the english world „sire“.

Set shortly after Shinpachi and Sano got together, which would make it sometime during episode 8. Let's say end of July 1866. (They got together that summer).


Orchid's bloom
#30. No good deed ever goes unpunished

„We should go out sometimes.“
It was a hot summer day and a heat wave was currently ruling over Kyoto that left everyone, even the most obstinate individuals unable to move and go out untill evening as his lover threw these words between them. Harada Sanosuke looked up from inspecting his spear, the only task that wasn't in the current conditions that hard to accomplish, one eyebrow raised. He saw that his friend, his partner and lover Nagakura Shinpachi has stoped polishing his sword and those brigt blue saphhires that were his eyes were watching him intently.
„Seriously, all we ever do is fuck.“
Sano raised a second eyebrow and Shinpachi hurried to elaborate. „Not that it's bad, it's just that...I thought it could be refreshing to go out and do stuff together.“
The two of them had gotten together this summer and so far, Sano found nothing to complain about. Even if Shinpachi was rough around the edges, to Sano's surprise, he proved to be a good and attentive boyfriend. He was treating Sano like he was the only human in the whole world and gave him all of his undying attention. Even Heisuke, his previous lover, didn't seem to matter. It seemed that for Shinpachi everything was about Sano.

Like now.

It was true, they hadn't gotten much time together lately, even though nothing essential was going on. Maybe it was because of that damned heat wave that hit the city and not even the Choushu dogs had a sliver of energy to cause an uproar.
„It's a custom in the west, I forgott how it's called. Something with orchid.“
„Wait, I think I heard of it. I believe it's called ran-no-deboo.“
„Yeah, that's it. Ran-no-deboo. People dress up, go out, eat dinner in a fancy establishment, hang out and do stuff together, have a good time... How about it?“
Sano eyed him for a few moments. „Just the two of us?“
„Yeah, just you and me.“
Why not, Sano thought to himself as he watched Shinpachi look at his half-polished sword. He himself was getting more tired of these days of doing nothing than of the actual heat and a bit of change would sure do him good. Go out into the city and relax. With Shinpachi.
He smiled. „Sure, I would love to.“
Shinpachi's head snapped up and blue eyes sparked.
„Really?“
„Yeah.“
„That's perfect! Are you free tonight?“
„I have no plans so far, no.“
„Wonderfull. We could meet at six at dusk? Then we have a plenty of time untill curfew and can do a lot of stuff.“
„Fine with me. We can meet by the gates.“
For some reason, Shinpachi looked very pleased with himself. „Alright. By the gates at six.“
And with that he went back to polishinig his sword and all that was left for Sano to do was watch the happy face of his lover, softened by the expression of simple joy into innocent, almost child-like features. He shook his head and went back to inspecting his spear. He'd better finish this quickly. He had some other duties he had to tend to and he had to finish them in less than four hours. Better get started.


X*-ox*xo-*x


With everything he had to do and with the enormous heat, the day passed very fast and it almost seemed like it hurried to see the evening, rushing toward it like the wind. At least Sano got that feeling, as he suddenly found himself in his room, duties finished, pulling out his blue kimono and couldn’t supress a mischievous smile from spreading across his face. Shinpachi said dress up, so he would.
He smirked. He knew he looked good in the garment, the dark blue accenting his hair and bringing out his sharp features. It had been a long time since he'd last worn it, but it still seemed to be in a perfect shape.
He dropped his doufuku, hakama and fundoshi and undid his bandages. Tonight he would go without them. Tonight there would be no memories binding him. Tonight he would be Harada Sanosuke, plain and simple, loved and held in Shinpachi's arms.
He put on the juban, then pulled the kimono over and paused a little, enjoying the feel of it on his body. He had almost forgotten how comfortable it was. Then he took the beige obi and tied it around himself, fastening the garment, while noting that the color complimented his eyes. Good to know that even back then when he had been buying it, he had a good taste.

Now only the final adjustement and he would be ready.

He reached behind himself and his hands found the white band holding his hair together. He tightened his hold around it, pulling it down and he felt a few strands fall into the left side of his face, softening his accented, sharp features. All-in-all it gave the effect of a chiselled, strong man, hidden behind an invisible curtain of something that could have been mystery, secret, past, but also something entirely else, left for the other's imagination. In other words, the perfect outfit to meet Shinpachi.
Now.
He slipped into his sandals and headed out.

On his way to the gates he met Heisuke.

When the kid saw him, his mouth fell open and a sound of surprise left it.
„Sano-san!“
Sano mentally patted himself.
„Heisuke. Nice evening, isn't it.“
The boy was unable to reply but with another dumbfounded „Sano-san!“
„Yes, Heisuke?“
The expression the kid wore was really starting to get amusing. Totally out of it, like struck by a lightning, Sano found himself comparing. He smiled just a bit.
„Sano-san!!!“
He resisted the urge to laugh. He could have stood there and watched Heisuke the whole evening, if he wasn't supposed to meet Shinpachi. Time was playing a prank on him, he decided.
„Heisuke, if you don't close your mouth, something might fly into it.“
With that Heisuke finally regained his composure and closed his mouth. The next thing that followed was that his eyes wandered Sano up and down and the again untill they stoped at his face and wide tyrquise eyes met his own sparkling golden. And the only thing Heisuke was capable of saying...
„What's with the get-up?“
„I and Shinpachi are going out. On a ran-no-deboo. It's a western custom.“
„Oh, really?“ Heisuke checked him out again. „Yeah, well, have fun.“
Sano supressed a laugh and winked at him. „We sure gonna! 'Till then!“ And with a casual wave of his hand, he ressumed his way to the main entrance.

He met the next person right before the corner to the courtyard, only this one drew Sano's attention to him as he let out a low whistle. It was Souji.
„You look like sex on legs, Sano-san!“ he exclaimed loudly enough to be heard in the offices nearby, but it didn't bother him the slightest. Sano laughed. „Like a walking bundle of pheromones, or something. Do you think Shinpa-san would allow me to borrow you once in a while?“ Sano flashed him a smile, not wasting his breath to ask if he already didn't have Hijikata-san for these things.
„Why don't you ask him?“
And with that simple reply he turned the corner.

The final thing that convinced him that he was dressed for the occassion perfectly, happened, as he passed Saito, who was training in the courtyard.
The otherwise stoic, silent and composed man Sano knew him to be, stoped training and turned to take a second look as his fellow unit captain passed him on his way to the gates. His expression remained unchanged, but it still made Sano grin from ear to ear. Now he was convinced that Shinpachi would like his outfit.

Sure enough, as he arrived at the main entrance and Shinpachi, who was already waiting there, spotted him, his eyes widened and he eyed Sano with the expression he had, when he was being treated to good food and expensive sake and the main course had been just laid in front of him.

Sano's smile widened.

„Like what you see?“ he asked as he was close enough to be heard and he saw Shinpachi gulp. He took his sweet time to answer the question, so Sano used it to take a close look at his lover, as he came near.

A beige kimono, a few shades lighter than Sano's obi and light, greyish-brown hakama covered the muscular frame. Also, he skipped the bandana and the brown hair fell freely into his face in an unruly mess. And as he came to stand right in front of him, Sano noticed that he had to look up to meet those dazzling blue eyes,- a thing that was not necessary this morning. He looked at Shinpachi's feet and frowned.
„Geta?“ he looked up to meet the sparkling blue eyes. „Aren't you tall enough?“
This tore Shinpachi out of his dream-like daze and he grinned impishly.
„Not for you. Come on...At least tonight I want to be above you Just a bit.“
Sano shook his head, smiling in spite of himself.
„You're horrible.“
„And yet you still agreed to go out with me.“ Shinpachi said as he leaned down to brush their noses together and laid his hands on Sano's hips to pull him near, just by a bit, teasing.
Sano contemplated telling Shinpachi that he wasn't wearing a fundoshi, but decided against it. It was meant to be a bit of a surprise, since he was sure Shinpachi would expect that he would put one on. He still had enough controll over his body not to give himself away just yet.
He smirked and opened his mouth to make a smug reply, but a high voice from beside them interrupted him.

„Oh my.“

Sano tensed up immediately as he recognized it.
„Is this supposed to be a ran-no-deboo?“
With a deep breath to calm himself down, Sano turned to meet grey eyes.
„Is there a problem with it, Ito-san?“
„No-no, of course not!“ The man waved his hands frantically. „I heard about this custom of the western worlds, but I've never seen it myself. I've never thought I would see someone of the shinsengumi practicing it.“
„Since it's a western custom, it might be apropriate.“
„I never said it wasn't. Please excuse me now, I wouldn't want to disturb you and I have some duties to attend to. Do have fun.“ And with that he left. Sano scowled as he watched the military advisor walk away and muttered a silent „Tanuki.“
„You don't like him much, do you?“ he heard Shinpachi ask, but he didn't turn around, just continued to watch the retreating form.
„I just have a bad feeling about him. He's up to something, I know it.“ He watched the figure of the slender man untill it disappeared behind a corner. Only then did he turn around to face Shinpachi. „Ah well, who cares? Let's get going before you tear this kimono off of me. They way you were eyeing me earlier said you weren't really far from it.“
Shinpachi gave an embarassed chuckle. „Yeah. Let's go.“

They headed for the city.
It was a nice, warm evening, the heat of the day faded away and the moon cooling down the air with it's calming presence. People were on the streets, giving the evening life and rush. Everything was peacefull.
„Where are we headed?“ Sano asked as he walked next to Shinpachi, flushed against his side, their hands intertvined.
„You'll see.“
Sano gave him a quizzical look. Shinpachi smiled.
„Oh, I'm sure you'll like it. It's not that much farther away, anyway.“
Sano decided not to ask.
They were in the commercial area of Kyoto, full of nice places with fine food and establishments made for the people to enjoy themselves. As they walked, they passed several ryotei and the smell of fine food made Sano’s stomach churn.

Fancy establishments like that, with such a long tradition were known to serve good food and they never ceased to remind Sano that his budget was way too low, in spite of him saving up. Another wave of wonderfull smells alerted Sano that they were nearing another one and he instantly knew which it was. It was considered one of the best ryotei in town. He had never eaten there, because it wasn't something in his price range, but judging by the smells, he chose to believe the people who actually had the necessary money. They said that the food was delicious and the sake like a king's.

As Shinpachi turned to head inside, Sano froze.

„Shinpachi.“
„What is it?“
Golden eyes locked with azure pools as Sano spoke. „Do you know how much this costs?“
Shinpachi waved it of. „It's gonna be okay, don't worry.“
„I don't have enough money.“
„Who said you'd be paying?“
„You are not making any sense.“
Shinpachi raised an eyebrow. „I'm treating you to dinner here. What doesn't make sense?“

For a moment it felt like Sano's mind stoped. Shinpachi couldn't seriously have said that he would pay two dinners at this expensive place, could he?
But before he could have the oportunity to think it over, he was pulled inside.
„It's alright, it's alright, don't you worry about anything.“ He heard Shinpachi saying, but he wasn't really paying attention. As they set their foot in, instantly a hostess was by their side, greeting them and gesturing one of the annai. They were led into one of the private rooms and seated and in his state of mild shock, Sano only vagually heard the question if they would fancy company, or enjoy themselves alone and Shinpachi’s answer that they were fine like this. The following sentences went past him, but the clinking of coins brought him back to reality as Shinpachi dropped a money-bag onto the table. A huge money-bag. A really heavy one. Sano didn’t even notice he was gapig.
„The best your establishment can give us for this.“ He heard Shinpachi say and his words finally tore him out of his mindless state.
„Shinpachi!“ he hissed as he watched the annai bow and take the money-bag. „That’s a fortune!“
Shinpachi scowled and crossed his arms over his chest. „So?“
Sano frowned at the carelessness. It bordered arrogance and he didn’t like it. „If you have enough money to pay for two dinners here, you should maybe spend it more wisely.“

„Even if I was saving it up for this special occassion?“

Sano's head snapped to stare at Shinpachi wide-eyed.
Shinpachi sighed heavily. „Listen. It's custom that on these ran-no-deboos one person treats the other. And it's not polite for the other person to inquire how much it costs.“ Sano didn’t have any reply to that. „So. Are you willing to enjoy the dinner, or are you going to continue bitchin' over shit?“

For a few moments Sano stared at him like he'd just fallen from the skies to his feet. Then, figuring that it was the best thing he could do, he laughed richly.
„Alright, alright. I'll be enjoying myself.“ He leaned forward, eyes sparkling like diamonds and whispered huskily: „Any other requests, saya?“
The way the foreign word sounded, rolling from Sano's lips like that, chased goosebumps over Shinpachi's skin and he had to gulp as his throat went suddenly very dry. All he managed to reply was a weak: „Not for the moment, no.“
„Just let me now, if there's anything I can do for you.“ Sano said in a deep, velvety voice, throwing him one subtle wink as their food arrived.
Shinpachi gulped again and wriggled in his seat. This would be a long evening.


X*-ox*xo-*x


The dinner had been one of the best in his entire life, Sano reflected later on, as they left the place. The food had been delicious, melting on his tongue as he ate and the sake...he couldn't stop drinking. He had no idea how much of it he'd consumed, he lost count somewhere after the fifth bottle they drank together. His head was now pleasently empty and an occassional chuckle left him as he walked next to Shinpachi, leaning slightly on him.
„It's a beautiful night, isn't it?“
„Yeah, yeah, very beautiful.“
„The stars are so bright...“
„Your eyes are brighter.“
„The moon's happy.“
„What?“
„The moon's happy.“
„Sano, how much cups did you have?“
„Don't know...many. Why do you ask?“
„Because you're more drunk than I am.“
„Oh, really?“ he smirked and golden eyes sparkled at him from behind a drunken haze. „Be glad. It means I'm more open now...“ He stoped and turned to stand before Shinpachi, looking at him with those bright, sunlight golden eyes, his smirk widening into a full-blown grin as he leaned in, just a tiny bit.

Teasing.

Challenging.

Shinpachi's lips curved upwards into a sultry smirk and he tilted his head down. „Open...?“
„U-huh...“ The challenge was still there in those bright eyes.

Daring.

Inviting.

„Shall we test that theory out?“ Shinpachi's voice was rough, laced with want as his hand traced down the back, his finger feeling the soft fabric, moving downwards and traced the rim of the obi, giving it a small tug, and stoping to rest there. Sano found himself wishing they would move a bit lower, just a few inches, just a little bit... He didn't even notice how he licked his lips.
„As you please, saya.“ Although he felt his lips moving and heard himself speaking, his own words sounded so far far away... But everything stoped to matter then and there as Shinpachi's lips descended on his own.

Sano clutched the beige kimono, trying to hold onto the last bit of reality as temptation flooded through him, urging him to let go, let himself be swept away...
He felt himself stirr as a surge of pleasure went straight to his gut.
Gasping, he broke the kiss, remembering where he was and what he was, or rather wasn't, wearing.

„I think...“ he took a deep breath, calming his senses with the fresh late evening air, „We should start heading back.“

„Nonsense.“ Sano's eyes widened as he heard the unexpected reply and already opened his mouth to protest, but Shinpachi interrupted him before he could let out a single syllable. „The night is young! And the crufew isn't anytime close.“ his partner grinned, then gestured to the nearby stairs. „Look, there's the beach. Wanna take a walk?“
Honestly, Sano didn't know what to think of it. So he just stood there, lips still moist, from the intimate touch, slightly parted, gaping at his partner. The only thing he managed was a pathetic „What...?“, but Shinpachi didn't let him continue even that, as he seized his wrist.
„Come on, I'm sure the stars you were just adoring are even brighter there!“

And with that he headed towards the stairs leading down to the beach, pulling the dumbfounded Sano along.

„Wait, what are you...“
„It's alright, it's alright, just follow me...“

A cool breeze of carressed them and they both involuntarily shivered. Shinpachi pulled Sano near, and a pleasent tremble went through him, as the warmth of Shinpachi's body, contrasting with the ocean's chilly air, wrapped around him. He leaned in, seeking more of the warmth.

Then he gazed up into the nightsky and smiled.

„You were right.“
Shinpachi looked at him questioningly.
„The stars are even brighter here.“
Shinpachi smiled. „See? Told you so. But I know about something even more bright, brighter than any star up there, brighter than the Sun itself.“
„Really?“ Sano looked at him, a soft smile on his face, already guessing the answer, but asking anyway. „And what would that be?“
„Your eyes.“ He leaned down and their lips met again, hot and wet, wanting.

Sano gasped as strong arms snuck around his waist and flushed him against an equally strong body and he moaned as one of those large, calloused hands stroked his back with light touches, but never went bellow the obi. He was panting harsh breaths into Shinpachi's mouth and he felt pleasure building up in his gut. He reminded himself that he was on a public beach in nothing but a kimono, a garment which was known to hide the absolute minimum of an arousal, so he summonned every remaining bit of his willpower and struggled in the warm embrace, trying to break away.
Only, his lover wouldn't let him.
Shinpachi pulled him even more near, almost crushing his chest and all Sano could do was clutching the back of the kimono, like it was the only bit of sanity left in the world.

„Shinpachi...“
„Yes, say my name like that...“

And then there was a burst of white behind his eyes and he screamed in pleasure, just as at the same time Shinpachi broke away from him, wide eyes staring in shock at him. Sano was panting harshly, torn between embarassment over losing controll like that and tearing Shinpachi's clothes off of him now, not caring about any consequences. Shinpachi looked between their bodies, to where he grind them together a moment ago and stared in awe. Then slowly a predatory smile settled on his face.

„Why, Sano...no underwear?“
„Shut up. Get us back. Now.“
„Why back?“

Now it was Sano's turn to give Shinpachi a surprised look and startle at the mischief in the azure eyes, wondering what his lover was up to. And then there was a hand between his legs and rational thought bid him sayonara.

„Look, no one's here.“ Shinpachi whispered in a husky voice and Sano's legs shook. „We're on an empty beach, in a secluded part, at night, with just the stars watching. What does that make you think of?“
Though Sano's rationality already left him, he still had enough mind to decipher the message and if his body wasn't flushed with the heat of passion, he would have paled.
Oh no...
Shinpachi's hand found the neckline of his kimono and went to stroke what was underneath it.

Sano stoped caring.

He leaned into the touch, while soft gasps passed his lips. He felt the obi being untied and heard how it fell to the ground as cool breeze hit the exposed skin of his chest as the kimono fluttered open. As Sano felt the soft fabric of Shinpachi's kimono, the tought that it wasn't fair, passed through his intoxicated mind and his hands went to work on the knot on the sash of the hakama eagerly.
Finally the pants fell to the ground and the kimono unfolded, revealing the muscular body, the strong abs, and the rock-hard length. Sano licked his lips as his eyes settled on it and a sneaky hand went to stroke it, earning a soft moan and a small arch of the back from Shinpachi.

Suddenly a wicked idea came to him and Sano sunk to his knees.

Shinpachi watched him through dazed eyes confusedly, but Sano ignored it. And without much ado, he took Shinpachi into his mouth.

The reaction was immediate. Shinpachi groaned in pleasure and threw his head back as a hot sensation pulsed through his gut. Scorching fire was everywhere, around him, inside him, burning everything he was into ashes.
Sano sucked on him and his hips moved by themselves, thrusting into the warmth of the wet cavern. A skilled tongue swirled around him and then there was low pressure pulsing through his veins. He groaned and he felt his legs shaking, barely standing upright. Then there were Sano's strong, calloused hands supporting him, but it just burned more, like a blazing fire.

„Sa-no...“

There was low rumble around him as Sano chuckled, and a tremble shook Shinpachi as he felt the vibrations from deep inside the throat of his lover. Then there were sharp teeth gently biting down and a scream errupted from Shinpachi as a flash of white blindness rushed through him.

„Sa...no...“

Another swirl of tongue and Shinpachi gasped. He felt a strange pull bellow his waistline and pressure was building up, his muscles slowly tightening. He struggled for the remains of his sanity, as he tried to pull away from that hot, inviting mouth, but to his clouded surprise, Sano pulled him back and took him in even deeper.

„Sano...“ he spoke in a desperate, broken voice, „Please...I need...I will...you...have...to...“

Ignoring his halfway coherent mumblings, Sano sucked hard on him and it was almost too much. But Shinpachi held back in the last second, clutching desperately at what was left of his mind and cried out a desperate cry.

„Sa......no...pl......ea...se...I......am...go...na...“

Shinpachi vagually realized there was a smile around his length and then Sano bit down again, sinking his teeth into the hard flesh, biting gently at the blood-filled vein and the pressure was too much. Shinpachi didn't know anymore as his world went white from searing pleasure and burning passion and it felt like he was being torn apart. His hips moved frantically, thrusting hard and fast into the hot wetness...

When he came to himself he was lying in the sand, his hakama around his ankles, kimono dishelved underneath his back, feeling pleasently empty. The first thing that came to his mind was, that it had been one of the strongest releases he ever had. He didn't even know that Sano was so skilled at that... It was then that he realized there were choking sounds coming from just beside him. He bolted, every relaxed muscle coming to life in the blink of an eye.

„Sano!“

Indeed, is redheaded lover, the one who gave him the single most amazing blow-job ever, was holding a hand in from of his mouth, coughing.

„Oh fuck, I'm so sorry!“

He hurried to sit next to his lover, putting a hand gently onto the broad shoulder.

„You jerk...“

„I'm sorry, I'm so-“

Golden eyes cut him off as they looked up at him. There was laughter in them. Then he noticed the upwards curl of the lips and heard the soft chuckles behind the coughs.

„It's alright, you just startled me.“ Sano said between coughs and before Shinpachi could reply, the swollen lips were claiming his.

It was maddening, feeling the hard lips, tasting himself in the hot mouth with the tinge of fine sake in the background...Shinpachi wanted more of it, wanted more of this man here in front of him. He seized the hips in a bruising grip and pulled Sano into his lap, pressing their chests tightly together, feeling him.
The hardness of Sano's erection was pressing against his muscles and he felt himself getting hard again. The the kimono ghosted around his hands and without any second thought, Shinpachi brushed it off and it slid to the ground, into a pile of soft fabric.

Naked, Sano seeked warmth in the strong embrace. Even though the night was warm, the seawind carressing his body, was cold, chilling the heated skin. Shinpachi stood up, hakama and kimono falling into the sand, right next to Sano’s as he pulled him upwards. He pulled away and found golden eyes, the sunlight in them clouded with mists of lust and darkend to the shade of sunset.
„We need a bath.“ He said, voice roughened through screaming, calling out for the one he was yearning for.
The spark returned to the clouded eyes and Sano smiled crookedly, ignoring the fact that he himself was still painfully hard, instead looking forward to what was to come. „Good idea, saya.“
His own voice was roughened, deformed by the swell of his throat and lips and the sound of it made Shinpachi's breath hitch and heart spead up.
„Then let's go.“ He spoke, bt his voice sounded so far away and so foreign to him, so he said no more.

A few moments later they were bathing in the salty waves of the sea, cooling their bodies down, cleaning themselves. Neither of them said a thing, just basking in the other's presence, untill Shinpachi spoke, something occuring to him.
„Say, Sano?“ his voice was back to normal, the abuse wearing off, leaving it just a bit rough.
„Hm?“ Sano asked as he sunk his whole body up to the chin into the water, cooling himself.
„Where did you learn that? You know...uh...“
Sano blinked.
„I mean, no way you were doing that for the first time in your life.“
Sano regarded him with a blank expression for several moments. Then he spoke. „Remember? I told you I had a few boyfriends a long time ago.“
Shinpachi remembered. „Yeah, you have mentioned that.“ He hesitated for a heartbeat. „Who were they?“
„Are you asking me to tell you about my past flames?“
Shinpachi looked away. „I know this might not be the best oportune moment to ask this, but I would like to know. You don't have to answer though.“

For a while there was silence and Shinpachi already thought that Sano chose the second option, but then he spoke up, suprising him.

„I was sixteen when I first came to Edo. I was sent in the service of the Naitos family to work as a maintenance man at the daimyo's second residence. Untill then I was living at Matsuyama. You can imagine how much expierience I had to have.“
„Minute?“
„Next to zero, actually. So the first thing my comrades did, was to take me to the red-light district.“ He looked away, but Shinpachi knew, he wasn’t avoiding eye contact. It felt more like reminiscence and in the next moment, he was proven right. „She was young. Didn't have much more expierience than me. She was charming.“
„Your first time?“
„I still blush when I remember that. She was so sweet and her skin was so soft...I visited her several times. I thought it was a destined love.“
„What happened?“
„I grew up.“ Was the simple answer and Shinpachi didn't press. „But that wasn't your question, was it?“
Shinpaci nodded.
„The first guy...was actually the daimyo himself.“
„What?!“
Sano smiled smugly. „Hey, I was an attractive man, full of the charm of youth. Who could ever resist? But to be fair, he startled me with it. He called me to himself one night. I didn't think much of it at first, even though I was surprised. He treated me to sake and poured cup after cup. As you can imagine, my tolerance was way lower than it is now. I was quite loose by the time he started touching me.“
„Touching...“
„I was quite surprised, but it felt pleasent. Actually, I was even flattered that I'm attractive enough to wake such desires in him. But what was between us, were just touches and realeases on nights when the pleasure district was too far. It never went all the way. By then I was sure I prefered woman.“ He smirked. „But I learned several good things while I was with him, like the one I applied on you earlier. He was an old, expierienced fox and I was in the age when your basic desires take over your body. It went like that for a year. Then my service was over and I went back home, where I had just a few girls. I stayed there a while, but I got tired of it soon enough. Also, the air was becoming thick there. So I went on a journey and after a while I arrived at Osaka and met Tani-sensei.“ There was an innuendo in that sentence that was hard to miss.
Shinpachi’s eyes widened. „You and that...bastard?!“
Sano frowned at him, indignantly. „Hey!“
„What?! It's true!“
Sano sighed again. „I know how you think about him, Shinpachi, but I owe him a lot. If he hadn't taught me to fight with the spear, I would have never come so far. You know where my sword skills stand.“
„Yeah, well, they are better than that bastard's were.“ Shinpachi sneered.
„No, they are not.“ Sano tried to cut him off, but Shinpachi ignored him in his outrage.
„And you have been shacking with him!“ the last part came out almost accusingly.

Sano shook his head. „I knew you would see it like this.“

Shinpachi froze.
„I had no one else to go to when I was itching for a bit of love and for some reason or another couldn't go to the pleasure district. He was my friend and my teacher. Besides, it's all in the past. It's not like I can change it. Don't try to say you were a saint for your entire life. You aren't a saint even now, Shinpachi. So don't go accusing me.“
Golden eyes met his azure ones in an intense look, that lasted for a long while, like they were meassuring his heart and his soul, until Shinpachi broke it, sighing. „Alright, point taken. And what was then?“
„You know it. After all it’s not so long ago. He died. And now I have you.“
„Don't tell me these are your only expieriences with the same gender.“
„Why couldn't they be?“
„It's just that...“
„You imaging under 'a few boyfriends' more than two persons?“
Shinpachi nodded.
„Well, there aren't.“
They were silent for a while.
„Say Sano? And who did you let...“ Shinpachi searched for words.
„Let do what you are doing? Spreading my legs and pounding me through the matt?“
Shinpachi just nodded, his throat oddly tight, his insides clenching in anxiousness about the answer he could already guess. But what came surprised him.
„None.“ Shinpachi's eyes widened and his mind didn’t even process the next words. „That is, if you don’t count fingers.“
„But you said...“

„I lied.“

The simple admition made Shinpachi stare in utter shock. Sano didn’t meet his eyes and this time, Shinpachi knew, he was avoiding them.
„I don't know what made me do that, but I lied. Not that I didn't have plenty of oportunities to let myself be taken the way you take me, but when the decisive moment came, I always asked myself if I want to give my virtue really that cheap.“
„And yet you had your first time with a geisha.“
„I loved her! At least back then, those were my emotions. It was different. If I was with a man it was just to let off steam. And for that purpose a hand or a mouth were enough. To submit myself only for it to finally happen? That wasn't enough of a reason for me.“
„So that means...“
„That you are special, yes.“
Their eyes met and Sano smiled. After a few heartbeats, Shinpachi smiled back and took Sano into his arms, pulling him up from the water.
„One last question.“
Sani sighed heavily, but encouraged him anyway.
„Were you struggling for real, or just for fun?“
„A bit of both. I wasn't afraid, if that's what you're asking. It was more along the lines of stalling. I needed to think it over for one last time, before it was too late and this was the best way I came up with to gain a few more moments. It wouldn't give me away, it would be fun and it would get us excited for whatever would follow. But at that point I had already made my decision. I wanted to be with you.“ Golden eyes bore themselves into blue hues and Shinpachi's breath hitched. Without any other word, Sano's lips locked with his and a skilled tongue demanded entrance.

Shinpachi obliged.

Their tongues danced together, swirling around each other, sucking gently, making their bodies shiver from want. They both felt getting hard again and as Shinpachi grind their hips together, Sano moaned into his mouth. The ocean was gradually cooling against their skin as it was heating up with passion, the contrast of heat and cold waking sensations inside them that made their knees weak and bodies melt.
Sano felt a hand squeezing his ass and he gasped as two fingers found his entrance, pressing against it.
„Shinpachi...“
One finger pushed in, moving forward just by an inch, but nonetheless, the sensation was overwhelming and Sano moaned loudly as his head fell back. Teeth found his neck and bit down gently, then sucking on the abused spot, drawing sharp pants from him as he gasped for air. A tongue licked it's way up his neck and lips nipped gently on his earlobe before they carressed his ear and he felt hot breath come in a sultry voice as Shinpachi spoke: „You can let it all out tonight. We're alone, and no one can hear us here. You can moan from want and groan from pleasure, you don't have to bite your lips, making them bleed. I want you to scream my name as loudly as you can when you come for me, Sano.“

The sound of his name, said in a low whisper, overflowing with lust and want, was too much for Sano to bear and he let out a desperate cry as jolts of pleasure pulsed through him, one by one.

Suddenly he found himself on his back, wet sand rough underneath his skin as waves were washing over him. Through half-lidded eyes he watched Shinpachi descend on him and he spread his legs further, in an invitation for the pressure he felt between them.

First one then two fingers stretched him, preparing him, curling inside of him and then there was pure bliss. He heard himself groan, but his voice sounded allien to him and he felt his knees bend in pleasure. And then he was empty and it felt so wrong, so bad, it almost hurt and he didn't even care as a desperate whine passed his lips. But then he felt a press, sure and firm against him and he was being filled again, no longer wrong, but right, as an inferno errupted within him, the cold waves around him, in a futile effort to extinguish.
Shinpachi was fully inside him, filling him to the core, filling his entire being, possessing him with his endless passion. And then there was another jolt, stronger than any before as their skin rubbed together as Shinpachi drew back and thrust forward, moving in a slow pace, along with the waves, letting the flood drive him.
Sano groaned as sheer lust washed through him like the waves around him. He didn't even feel their coldness anymore, just the sensation of being swept away remained. Suddenly white pleasure exploaded behind his eyes and he didn't even hear himself scream, not being able to feel anything but the force of sheer pleasure as Shinpachi hit that one spot with the precisity of a swordsman.
And just as it faded away it was there again and again and again and Sano was screaming, crying and sobbing and strong hands were roaming his body, as if trying to soothe him, but bringing just more of that raging passion with them.
It lasted longer than they were able to bear and when the end came it was like a strike of a lightning, strong, fast and deathly.

The next thing Sano knew, they were lying in the ocean and the waves were cleaning them, as if wanting to feel at least a little of the scorching passion, to warm their coldness and to fill the emptiness of the sea. Or were they just doing them a favor in a silent thank you for blessing them with their love?

At this point, Sano didn't care as long as they got clean without needing to do a thing for it. He absolutely refused to move. Next to him Shinpachi was panting like he’d run up the Mount Tennozan and back.
„Sano?“ he asked between gasps and Sano grunted a response. „Do you think Hijikata-san would mind too much if we spent the night outside the headquarters?“
That made Sano bark a laugh. „Why not try it?“ He couldn’t believe how hoarse his voice was. Had he really screamed himself raw?
„I don’t want to commit seppuku just yet.“
„You weren’t protesting a few weeks ago.“
„At that time I didn’t feel so good like now.“

Sano’s laugh faded into a cough at the light implication. Shinpachi was always an, as the westerners called it, genoterumanno about their coupling. Easy and light, but not ignoring it. He smiled.
„Yeah, back then you were out for blood, that’s true.“
Shinpachi scoffed. „I mean, Hijikata-san was bitchin‘ over everything and the three of us couldn’t even go celebrate without him ruining the mood. I couldn’t even be happy about a wonderfull lover without him spoiling it.“
„Ah, yes...we were celebrating with Heisuke the...newest developement in our relationship, weren’t we?“
„And he treated us.“
„I don’t even remember the half of what happened.“
„Yeah, you drunk plenty of sake that night. Less than tonight though...“
Sano’s eyes sparked. „Tonight is special.“ Came the simple reply. „Back then I was in a good mood. And it’s not like you were any better. You were more drunk than I was.“
„And Hijikata-san had to deal with that.“
Sano chuckled. „I admire his patience. Sometimes I wonder how he manages to cope with us.“

„Hey.“

„Hm?“

„Maybe we should be back before crufew at least tonight.“
Sano nodded, then looked at the skies. „We still have a little time untill then.“ He turned to look at Shinpachi, eyes twinkling. Shinpachi grinned.
„I guess so...“ he leaned down and Sano wrapped his arms around the broad shoulders, burrying his hand, salty and wet from the sea, in the bush of hair, pulling his lover close.
He felt and equally wet hand carress his face, wander into his half-undone hair and pulling the hairband out, then tossed it somewhere behind them. Sano could only imagine how his hair would look like in the morning, but he found he couldn’t care less.

Suddenly, a look Sano couldn’t quite place passed through Shinpachi’s eyes and they became serious.
„Sano?“
„What is it, Shinpachi?“
„Something just came to me.“
„Yes?“
„Considering everything, I’m your first serious same-gender relationship, ain’t I?“
Sano raised an eyebrow to conceal the small smile curling around the corners of his mouth. „Got a problem with that?“
„No, by the name of the gods, no! It’s just...another motivation for me to make everything right.“
Sano smirked. „Sounds good.“
Shinpachi grinned back. „It does, doesn’t it?“ dropping his voice an octave, he leaned down more, their noses brushing.
„Why don’t you start?“ Sano asked in a whisper, parting his lips ever so slightly.
Without any other word, Shinpachi closed what little was left of the distance between them.

X*x

It felt like a whole night of lovemaking.

They ended up doing it two more times, while the sea washed over them, the water getting higher and higher by the flood, untill it was washing their faces, making their eyes burn with salt.
Shinpachi lifted himself up on one arm and looked at the man bellow him. Sano’s body was relaxed, seemingly asleep.
„We should move higher, or else we’ll drown.“
Lazy eyes opened and another wave washed Sano’s face. He nodded.
Somehow they managed to drag themselves several feet away and the dry sand stuck to their bodies, rough against the skin softened by water.

Sano’s head was resting on his shoulder, his body pressed against him, his breathing calm and the rhytmical beating of his heart softly beating against Shinpachi’s chest. The ruby hair was almost black, darkened with wetness and heavy by water as it reached his backside. Shinpachi couldn't help himself as he reached out and fingered one of those damp locks.
„It has really grown long.“
„Yeah...But I still can't beat Hijikata-san or Saito with it.“
„You actually grow it out for that purpose?“
„No. I like it long.“
„Well, it suits you.“
Shinpachi felt a smile form against his chest where Sano's head was nestled. As he watched the handsom face so peacefull, his hands started absentmindedly roam the strong body. Oh, how he loved this man... It made him crazy, it made him insane, it drove him mad and yet he couldn't let go. Harada Sanosuke was addictive and loving him meant loving him for an eternity.
His hand went lower, massaged the small of the back, the moved downwards, ghosted over the round backside, stroked the shaped thigh untill it came to the poples and traced circles into it.

He didn't even notice what he was doing untill a small moan escaped Sano and he stirred against Shinpachi.
Shinpachi startled, his hand stoping momentarily, coaxing a discontent whine out of the georgeous man. Shinpachi grinned and pressed the spot. Sano whined softly. And as his hand started rubbing circles into the knee and Sano moaned louder, Shinpachi had to supress a victorious scream.

He found a weak spot!

He felt the hardness of a growing arousal press against his hip and his grin widened. Sano’s hand clenched into a fist and two golden, lust clouded eyes looked up at him.
„Get. Us. Back.“
Shinpachi smirked.
„Why should I? As far as I can tell we’re very comfortable. And... I still owe you a favor for earlier.“
Sano raised an eyebrow, a silent question in his hazy eyes.
Shinpachi didn’t answer.
Instead, he shifted his body and gently guided Sano to lie back in the sand. Sparkling azure eyes locked with sunlight golden and his lips descended on the hardened, pulsing member of his lover.
Sano cried out in pleasure as hot wetness enveloped him whole.

It felt like eternity.

Those amazing things Shinpachi did to him, seemed not to have an end, the burning sensation all over his body lasting forever and when the end came it had him turned into a breathless pile of muscle, bones and hair.

It wasn’t untill much later that they returned to the headquarters.
The Moon was already descending from his zenite, a sign that the Sun was chasing his transculent light away, bringing the brightness of a new day.


X*-ox*xo-*x


When they walked the empty streets, Sano was leaning his whole weight onto Shinpachi, drained and exhausted, unable to walk properly. Because of their current height difference, Sano’s head was resting against Shinpachi’s shoulder, while his arm was perched comfortably across the broad shoulders. It actually felt nice. Like two lovers in a gentle embrace, resting together after a long day.
Shinpachi grinned as he thought back to earlier the evening. How wonderfull Sano looked in the light of the candles in the ryoutei and how nice he smelt as they walked side by side. And then those sounds he made as he squirmed underneath him...And all Shinpachi could do was take him again and again and again, until neither of them could take it anymore. Needless to say, while Shinpachi felt immensely satisfied with himself, the more gentle and caring part of him worried about the flaming redhead. Had he tired him out too much? Had he overdone it?

As if reading his thoughts, from beside him Sano gave a grunt.
„Shinpachi?“ his voice was rough, a shadow of the resonating baritone that commanded his soldiers in fights.
„Yeah?“ he asked, worry coloring his voice.
„This was the best night of my life. We should repeat it sometime soon.“
Shinpachi smiled and planted a kiss into those ruby locks. „Yeah.“

X*x

When they passed the main entrance to the headquarters, they found someone waiting for them.

„Good evening.“
„Sannan-san?“ Shinpachi asked in mild surprise and Sano raised his head.
„It looks like you had fun.“ Sannan-san smiled and his glasses glinted mischievously.
Sano smirked, but the tiredness in his eyes made it look gentle, like a smile. „How’s Hijikata-san doing?“
Sannan-san gave a strained chuckle. „I guess you could say he’s boiling.“
Shinpachi scratched the back of his head sheepishly.
„But he said, that due to the circumstances, he’ll let it slide this time.“
Shinpachi’s sigh of relief was audible in the empty court yard.
„I’m glad.“
Sannan-san inspected them with sharp eyes.
„You two should go rest. I was informed that you both are on patrol five in morning.“
Shinpachi smiled crookedly. „That resembles him.“
Sannan-san didn’t waste his breath agreeing.
Shinpachi glanced at Sano, who was half-asleep against his side. And when he thought about it, he himself was pretty tired.
„You’re sleeping in my room tonight.“
Sano just nodded.
Then he bowed to Sannan-san. „Thanks for waiting for us.“
„It’s nothing. Go and lie down for at least a little.“

They trotted away and Shinpachi half-dragged Sano to his room. The redhead was asleep as soon as his head touched the matt.


X*-ox*xo-*x

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