Youji glanced around himself for the millionth time. God, he was bored. Stuck in this dingy little hallway with nothing to entertain himself, nothing coming over the comm except silence, he paced from end to end restlessly. A glance at his watch told him he had been here for 40 minutes. Another hour and twenty to go. Youji groaned aloud.

“Balinese, is there a problem?”

Shit, Aya. “Damn it, Abyssinian, I’m bored.”

Silence, and then Aya sighed. Youji could hear his exasperation over the comm. “We’ve been over this. Just do your job.”

“Job? What job? You know as well as I do that nothing’s going to happen. There’s no one here, Aya.”

“We have to make sure Omi and Ken get the information.”

“Kritiker was wrong. They’re gone. They’ve set up shop somewhere else, and we’re just wasting our time.”

Aya was bored too; Youji could hear it in his voice. “We have to make sure. We won’t get paid unless we do.”

That was true, but he was still bored. “Entertain me, Aya,” he whined.

“Stop acting like a kid! What do you expect me to do?”

Aya was definitely bored if he was bothering to answer. Youji perked up as an idea crossed his mind. “Tell me a story.”

Aya snorted. “A story? I don’t know any stories.”

“Then make one up.” Anything was better than counting the steps from one door to another. Youji’s voice dropped to a suggestive whisper. “Tell me a dirty story.”

Another silence, and Youji wondered if he had gone too far. Aya was a lot more adventurous than he had expected, but there were a lot of things that his lover was hesitant about. “Youji, I… I can’t tell you a dirty story.”

He should have expected that. “Well, will you listen if I tell you one?”

“We’re on a mission. You’re supposed to be making sure no one comes through there.”

Youji glanced around the deserted hallway. “Believe me, no one’s coming through here. Besides, I am capable of doing more than one thing at once, you know.”

He could see Aya’s eyebrows unbalance, even half a building away. Finally, Aya muttered, “Whatever. I’d rather have you talking than find out you’re sleeping again.”

Youji winced. Trust Aya to make sure he never forgot that little debacle. “I’m hurt.”

Aya grunted in disbelief, but did not say anything.

Youji slumped against an abandoned desk and made himself comfortable. Might as well take advantage of Aya’s attention while he had it. “You’ll listen?”

“I said I would, didn’t I?” Aya sounded annoyed, but Youji could tell it was an act. He was a little surprised at how good he had gotten lately at reading Aya’s moods just through his voice. He supposed it had a lot to do with how many boring missions they’d had lately, with little to pass the time besides annoying the others.

“Okay. Are you sitting down?”

“Why does it matter—”

Youji cut him off. “Just sit down. You can’t enjoy a story if you aren’t comfortable.”

Aya muttered something too quiet to understand. Probably something insulting about the state of Youji’s mental health. “Fine, I’m sitting down. Happy?”

Youji smiled. “Of course. I’m talking with you, aren’t I?”

“Idiot.”

“Yeah, but you love me anyway.”

In the ensuing silence, Youji closed his eyes and pictured Aya, dark coat spread around him as he sat against the wall. He probably had one leg drawn up against his chest, the other curled under him. He would have one hand pressed against the comm in his ear, the other probably resting on his katana by his side. And Youji would be willing to bet that right now he was blushing. The embarrassment bleeding into Aya’s voice confirmed it. “Just get on with it.”

“Ah, now you’re impatient to hear my story? I knew you were perverted.”

“Youji…”

There was genuine threat in his tone, and Youji hurried to comply. “Okay, okay. Any requests?”

“I thought this was your story.”

“Well, I had to ask.” Youji began hurriedly, with no particular direction in mind. “Okay, so there once was a beautiful princess named Aya, and—”

“If you tell me a dirty story about my sister, I’ll kill you. And if you’re trying to make me a princess, I’ll kill you very slowly, and very painfully.”

Youji gulped. “Did I say princess? I meant prince. Slip of the tongue, you know.”

“Uh-huh.”

“Anyway, there once was a beautiful prince named Aya, and he was the most beautiful prince in the whole land. Everyone was in awe of his beauty, and they fell down at his feet just at the sight of him. But while Aya was beautiful, he was also very cold, and everyone feared that he would never love.” Youji could hear Aya scowling.

“Now one day a traveling knight stopped in the capital city, having heard the rumors of the beautiful, cold prince that reigned there. He wanted to know if the rumors were true.”

Aya interrupted him. “And let me guess, the traveling knight was a gorgeous playboy with silky blond locks and sparkling eyes that made everyone love him.”

“Why, Aya, how did you know?”

“… just keep going.”

Youji cleared his throat. “So the knight came to the castle to see the prince and was invited to stay the night by the prince’s friends. Now, he had not had a chance to see the prince yet, but was told that the prince would be down for dinner.

“The knight put on his most attractive clothes-“

“Tight pants and a belly shirt?”

“You know, if you’re going to keep interrupting me, I’ll just stop.”

He thought he heard a muffled laugh from Aya. “I’m so sorry. Please, continue.”

“The knight was very nervous because, while he had heard of the prince’s great beauty, he had also heard about his chilly attitude. When the prince came into the room for dinner, the knight was captivated. The prince was every bit as beautiful as he had heard, and more so. Gorgeous red hair, pale skin, flashing violet eyes; the man was sex on legs.” Youji could sense the satisfaction behind the mild grunt he heard over the comm.

“The knight was instantly smitten with this glorious creature. He tried to catch the prince’s eye, but, sadly enough, found himself completely ignored. He wasn’t alone though; the prince exchanged very few words with anyone, choosing to isolate himself at the end of the table. The knight vowed then and there that he would find out more about this beautiful man, and win his heart.

“After dinner was over, they retired to the library for a drink. The knight tried to get the prince to talk to him, but every time he got near him, the prince turned away, refusing to speak. The knight was hurt that this man he loved could be so rude.”

“Are you trying to get me to hurt you when we get home?”

“Just listen to the story! Sheesh!”

“I’m listening. Don’t forget that. I will see you tonight.” Youji wondered if Aya realized how sexy that deep growl was.

“How could I forget?” The purr in his own voice was a promise without words.

“So the knight went to bed alone that night, and was haunted by dreams of the beautiful prince sprawled over his sheets, red hair fanned across his pillow, lips parted in a moan. He heard the deep voice that had captured his heart with only a few syllables raised in pleasure, heard his own name groaned aloud.” Youji unconsciously reached down to adjust himself, his words conjuring visions of having Aya spread beneath him, panting and wanton.

“Needless to say, the knight didn’t sleep well, and so did not get up until late in the morning. He had missed breakfast and was told that the prince had gone out riding, as was his habit most mornings. Having spent the last few years on a horse, the knight decided to seek his prince and try to catch him alone.

“The knight rode into the woods surrounding the castle, at first despairing of ever finding the prince in this great woodland; but he was an excellent tracker and eventually found marks of the prince’s passing. The knight rode along the path with great speed—”

“Why didn’t he just ask where the prince had gone? I can’t believe the prince of a kingdom could just ride out and no one would know where he was.”

“Who’s telling this story, you or me?”

Aya did not respond, so Youji continued. “The knight rode along the path with great speed until he heard the sound of water. Thinking this might have been the prince’s destination, he slowed his horse and proceeded quietly. A few meters farther along the path, he found the prince’s horse tied to a tree, so he left his own tied there and continued on foot.

“Coming around a bend in the path, he was stunned to see a beautiful waterfall cascading into a small pool, sprays of water creating shimmering rainbows. But the beauty of the location was eclipsed by the man standing in the water with his back to the knight. Even if he had not been looking for him, the knight would have known by the red hair that he had found the prince.

“Striding to the edge of the pool, the knight was ready to declare his love for the prince, when suddenly he found the point of a blade at his throat.

“‘Why are you here?’ the prince demanded.

“The knight was struck silent by the object of his fancy finally speaking to him.

“‘Why did you follow me?’ The prince pressed the blade closer.

“‘I wanted to tell you I love you,’ the knight replied.” Aya’s snicker told Youji he was still listening.

“The prince laughed. ‘How can you love me? You don’t even know me.’

“‘How can I not love you?’ the knight countered. ‘You have entranced me with your beauty. I want you to be mine forever.’”

Aya interrupted again. “So this knight loves the prince only because he’s beautiful? Kind of shallow, isn’t he?”

“Shut up. It’s my fantasy story. I gave you a chance to tell one, and you wouldn’t,” Youji replied.

“I didn’t know you were going to be silly. Besides, I thought you said a dirty story.”

Youji grinned. “I’m getting there. You keep butting in!”

“You’re running out of time.”

Youji glanced at his watch. Aya was right, he had wasted a lot more time than he thought. He rushed on. “The prince was so taken by the beautiful knight that he took a big risk.

“‘I’ll give you until I leave this grove. If you can make me love you by then, I’ll be yours,’ he said.

“It was a daunting task, but the knight was never one to back down from a challenge. Stepping back from the edge, he stripped out of his armor and clothes, then joined the prince in the pool. He gathered the beautiful young man in his arms and pressed their lips together.

“As much as he already loved the prince, this kiss sealed it. As soon as their lips touched, the knight was filled with an incredible desire. He would do whatever it took to make this man love him.

“The knight ran his tongue across the prince’s lips, and they opened to him willingly. He took his time, caressing the prince’s tongue with his own, tasting every part of his mouth. The prince responded with equal hunger, his hands grasping the knight’s back, savoring the feel of hard muscle encased in soft skin. When they finally separated, the prince was moaning quietly.” Youji heard Aya’s breath catch, and smiled to himself.

“Gripping the prince’s chin, the knight turned his head to get access to the long curve of his neck. He worshiped it with his lips, biting gently to make the prince gasp. It was even better than in his dreams. The prince shuddered when the knight’s lips brushed the spot under his ear, and the knight gave it more attention, sucking hard enough to leave a mark, the prince moaning under his attention.

“His hands slid the cool fabric of the prince’s shirt over his head and tossed it back to the bank, taking a moment to admire the pale skin and hard lines of the prince’s body. His prince really was a beauty, a perfect specimen of masculinity. The knight ran his hands cross the prince’s chest, feeling every inch of his skin. The prince could not withhold his gasps as he was caressed.”

Youji’s hand slipped down to his crotch, pressing to ease the pain of containment. He hadn’t originally intended this to be about himself and Aya, but he could not stop the visions that tortured him, the feel of Aya’s skin beneath his hands, the throb of Aya’s pulse quickening under his lips. He was feeling much warmer than he had been, and he did not think it had anything to do with the room temperature. He glanced around. There was not much chance of anyone interrupting him…

Youji sighed as he eased his zipper down, his erection springing into his palm. It sure beat feeling bored.

“Youji?” He had paused for too long. Youji was amused to hear the huskiness in Aya’s voice. Maybe he was not the only one being affected by his fantasy.

“Sorry, just had to adjust.” He left it at that. “The knight longed to see all of his prince, so he took the young man’s hand and led him to the bank. He lay him down on the grass and wasted no time peeling him out of his wet pants. As the pale skin was revealed to his eyes, he felt compelled to touch every inch of it. He placed kisses on the prince’s ankles and stroked his hands up the prince’s legs. Wanting to draw out this experience, he avoided the throbbing erection that called to him and took a nipple into his mouth.

“The prince writhed on the grass, moaning his approval. He arched into the knight’s touch, his back bowing up off the ground. The knight worshiped his body with lips and tongue, scraping lightly with his teeth. The prince was so sensitive, he cried out loudly.”

Youji paused, having heard a distracting sound over the comm. Had Aya moaned? If he listened closely he could hear Aya’s breathing, rushed and uneven. Youji grinned and gripped his erection loosely, sliding his hand up and down slowly. His heart rate sped up with the desire to jump Aya as soon as they got home.

“The knight paid equal attention to both of the prince’s nipples, wanting to hear every little sound he made. When his love was flushed and panting he finally drifted downward, tracing a trail with his tongue, tasting sweat and leather. It was so addicting that he spent a few extra minutes with his tongue buried in the prince’s navel.”

Youji definitely heard a moan this time, which was not surprising since Aya’s navel was one of his erogenous spots. Youji wondered if Aya was touching himself, and the thought nearly undid him. He had to slow his strokes, not wanting to come before the story was over.

“There, bobbing beneath the knight’s chin, was the prize he had sought. Jutting from a neat nest of red curls, the prince’s erection was long and slender, a thing of beauty. The knight ran his fingertips across it, watching it bob to him. He wanted to taste it.”

Youji stopped to wet his lips. His voice had dropped, rough with arousal. There was no way Aya could not hear it, and he tortured himself with another image of Aya on the other end of the comm, head thrown back, hand skimming over himself, eyes closed to focus on Youji’s voice.

“The knight started with a slow swipe of his tongue from root to tip, tasting the precum, then dipped down to take just the head into his mouth. The prince squirmed beneath him, fingers clawing for purchase in the dirt, but there was no relief for him yet. The knight took him all the way into his mouth, sucking gently, pulling back enough to twist his tongue around the head before sliding back down. He kept up the slow, patient pace for a few moments before pulling away entirely.”

A murmur of protest from Aya made Youji grin. His hand had sped up without his realizing it, and he knew he needed to finish this story soon.

“Ignoring the prince’s protests, he leaned down further and stroked his tongue across the prince’s balls, drawn up tight against his body. He took one into his mouth, rolling it gently around, sucking slightly, basking in the prince’s increasing cries.”

Fully immersed in the fantasy, Youji echoed his description with his other hand on his own balls.

“The knight repeated the motion, and then eased back up to his prince’s erection. Wrapping one hand around the base, he twisted as he stroked, keeping up suction on the head. The prince’s moans were almost constant, and one of his hands found a place among the strands of his lover’s long hair. The knight’s hand stroked quickly, his grip firm, and to add to his prince’s pleasure he began to hum.”

Aya’s breath was rapid and heavy, panting into the microphone. Youji sped up his pace even more, ready to explode.

“As the vibrations thrummed through him, the prince threw back his head, his back bowed off the ground. The knight removed his hand and took him down to the root again, sucking hard. The prince’s whole body quivered, and then he exploded, his cry echoing off the trees.”

As he said it, Youji heard Aya’s soft cry, and it was enough to send him over the edge, coating his hand and stomach. He slumped back against the desk and tried to catch his breath enough to finish the story.

Just as his pulse slowed a comm clicked on and Omi spoke into his ear. “Guys, we’ve been here long enough. Siberian and I are leaving. Meet you at the exit.”

“Copy,” Youji said, hoping Omi did not hear the quiver in his voice. He wiped himself off with a strip of one of the bandages they all carried, then walked on slightly shaky legs to the exit, where Aya met him, skin flushed and eyes dark with desire.

He had barely enough time to register Aya’s disheveled appearance before he was pressed into the wall and thoroughly kissed. When he finally pulled away, Aya rested his forehead against Youji’s. “Home. Now.”

Youji was not about to argue; he grabbed Aya’s hand before leading the way out the door.

~~~

They were halfway home before Aya said anything more. “So how does the story end?”

Youji grinned at him. “Well, the prince finds that he’s desperately in love with the handsome knight and begs him to stay with him forever. This was exactly what the knight wanted to hear, so he agrees, of course. And they live happily ever after.”

Aya was silent for a moment, then snorted. “You have quite an imagination.”

“Gotta have a happy ending, Aya.”

“Only in fairy tales, Youji.”

But despite his words, he leaned against Youji, his head on Youji’s shoulder for the rest of the drive home.