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owned_by_a_cat) wrote2015-09-13 11:23 am
Glass and Steel #7
Rating: NC-17
Pairing: HoMin
Genre: Sci-fi / Fantasy, AU
Summary: Changmin is dying. And he won't let just anyone save his life.
A celebrated artist on the brink of death. A warrior determined to save him. Meddling politicians and a city in the clouds.
Part 1: Glass | Part 2: Steel | Part 3: Confession | Part 4: Slow Seduction | Part 5: Buying Time | Part 6: Night and Morning |
Renounced
Yunho watched Changmin over the next three days as closely as a miser watched his hoard of gold. Like a general scouting enemy positions he took careful note of every tiny sign of improving health he spotted. Changmin's pallor was slowly giving way to a more wholesome bloom. His appetite increased. And as Yunho made sure that fresh fruit, treats and well-cooked meals were constantly on offer the sharp angles of his lover's face softened ever so slightly. It would take longer for Changmin to gain back all the weight he'd lost at the start of his illness, but Yunho was well pleased with the improvements he saw. Changmin's breathing, too, grew less laboured and he spent longer periods sketching or designing before he needed to rest. He wasn't recovered. Far from it. But he was looking, and clearly feeling, much better than he had when Yunho had come to the floating city seven days earlier.
He was also getting grouchy.
"I wish I could make glass today," Changmin sighed. "It's hard work, but I miss it. Is that strange?"
"It's what you do best. What you love doing. Why should it be strange?" Yunho mumbled into the pile of cushions he was buried in. It was barely past sunrise and the walls in Changmin's bedroom reflected the sky's enticing shades of rose and cream. Yunho struggled to keep his eyes open, and yet Changmin was awake and fussing in a way that was oddly endearing. "You've lived far too disciplined a life to take pleasure in spending the whole day in bed, I daresay."
"You want to spend the day in bed?"
"Only if I can entice you to keep me company."
Making Changmin blush had grown into Yunho's second favourite pastime. Four days as lovers hadn't yet dulled the appeal, and while Changmin was becoming used to being shown affection, and returning it, he'd not yet lost all of his shyness. The caress that outlined Yunho's firm stomach thus came as a surprise, as did the edge of teeth that traced the shell of Yunho's ear until shivers washed his skin.
"Is that something warriors are trained to do? Staying in bed all day?"
Yunho turned his head in the hope to escape the teasing touch, only for hot breath to fan across his sensitive nape. The shivers grew and he bit down on a groan. Changmin might be inexperienced, but he was damn fast at learning all the small things that got Yunho riled.
Changmin's fingers quested lower. They circled his navel, followed Yunho's treasure trail and traced the outline of his hipbone, all the while Changmin's lips were a whispered promise on the delicate skin of Yunho's neck.
"We're trained to take our rest where we find it, my Min," Yunho husked, twisting his body away from the teasing sensations and into the touches he craved. "When you're in the field, being alert keeps you alive. But constantly looking over your shoulder drains your strength faster than a long battle. So all warriors are trained to make the most of their rest."
Teeth found his earlobe, just as Changmin's fingers found the heft of his sex. A sharp bite and a long, firm stroke sent lightning up and down his spine, confusing both Yunho's body and his mind. "Changmin!"
"Yes?" To Yunho's everlasting annoyance the hand withdrew, though Min's breath still ghosted teasingly over Yunho's neck. "You're in need of rest, warrior?"
"I'm in need of—" Yunho was definitely awake now, good and ready to remind the little tease of the consequences of his actions. Two quick moves pinned Changmin's lanky form to the bed, held down by Yunho's bulk and the subtle friction of soft skin sliding against soft skin—a sensation Changmin cherished and sought out as often as he could.
"You're in need of?" Changmin prompted with a smile.
Yunho didn't reply with words. He bent and took that lush mouth that could tease and rile and soothe, tasting peach juice and a hint of thyme before he found the bite of spice and honey that was forever Changmin to him. The deep kiss turned softer, grew into a long and drugging exploration, each drinking deeply from the other without urgency. Changmin loved to kiss and Yunho would be content to spend all day in bed kissing Changmin.
The fates had other ideas, though. The knock that sounded through the suite was loud and insistent enough to draw the lovers from their heated encounter.
"I'll go." Yunho disentangled himself reluctantly, found loose pants and an even loser robe and hastily smoothed his hair with his fingers. He had no idea who had come to disturb their morning, but the Master of the Craft Guild was not whom he'd expected to see at Changmin's door at dawn.
"Forgive me for keeping you waiting, Guild Master," Yunho bowed and held the door wide for Salia to enter. A bright flush burned in his cheeks. Changmin's taste lay heavy on his tongue… and Yunho fought to calm his breathing and other riled parts of his body.
"Forgive me for intruding so early." The lady Salia swept past him in a swish of robes and the hair stood up on the back of Yunho's neck. He closed the door, looked for the threat, enemies, a weapon… and found Changmin's eyes across the room, wide with dread as he watched his mentor pace. Salia's agitation had clearly sent him the same message.
"My lady…what is wrong?" It was Changmin asking the question, his manners and form impeccable but the strain apparent in his voice. The light washed intriguing patterns over the shiny surface of his deep blue robe as he stood in the doorway, every inch a prince despite his bare feet. Shimmering reflections bloomed along the hem and down the endless, straight column of Changmin's thigh. Bright flashes glanced off the elegant line of his shoulders before shadows danced and caught in the folds of fabric over his chest and around the hastily cinched belt.
Yunho swallowed and closed his eyes against the temptation. If there was a threat here that needed dealing with then he couldn't allow himself to be distracted. The agitated swish of robes slowed until it came to a halt by the terrace doors. And as if choreographed, Changmin and Yunho assumed their appropriate places, side by side in the centre of the room.
Standing in the unforgiving light of an early morning, the lady Salia looked her age. She also looked as if she'd not slept. And as if she'd been angered beyond forgiveness. "I hate to come bearing bad news, but the council has truly lost its mind," she told them. "Last night, the councillors passed an edict that will force Changmin to be paired."
"What?" Yunho didn't think he'd heard correctly. They were expecting Changmin to simply hand himself over to a partner he didn't want? In his book, that was tantamount to the council condoning rape and if—
"Yunho. Calm down."
It was only when Changmin's arm wrapped around his waist and he was pulled back against the robed form and felt the slither and slide of smooth silk against his back that Yunho realised he had been pacing. And swearing. And threatening the council.
"Go on," Changmin urged his Guild Master as he slipped his hand into Yunho's. "Tell us the rest."
"You have two weeks to decide who to be paired with or accept one of the men who have offered themselves," Salia replied almost too softly for them to hear. "If after that time you've made no choice, the council will decide for you."
Yunho wanted to hit something. Had the councillors forgotten how stubborn Changmin was? That it was possible to convince him with reason, but that trying to push him would always backfire in the most spectacular fashion? They'd bargained with the Warrior's Guild for Yunho to come help save Changmin's life. So why couldn't they let him do so? Yunho sighed. He understood about obligations and fees and the delicate business of barter and bargain that kept their world in balance, but this…forcing a man into an unwanted bond…disregarding personal choice…especially now he knew why Changmin had feared intimacy and had rather chosen death… Yunho's blood boiled at the idea, but he kept himself still and waited.
Changmin's eyes narrowed and his hand gripped Yunho's almost painfully. "They realise that they can't force me to work, right? And that there are other ways to die than the lung evil?"
"They clearly don't," Salia said bitterly. "That edict breaks every single rule we've ever governed ourselves by. The guarantee of personal choices and the freedom to express them were the reasons the Craft Guild took up residence in Cloud City. Now the council behaves no differently than the tyrants we fled from four generations ago."
All of a sudden Changmin's arms were a vice around Yunho. His breath hitched in Yunho's ear, Yunho's name on a soft exhale. And then it appeared as if the time they'd spent together had synchronised their thoughts. He knew what Changmin was going to say. He laced their fingers together in silent support and waited.
This, after all, was still Changmin's choice.
Changmin didn't make him wait for long. He straightened and took a deep breath. Then he squared his shoulders and stepped around Yunho, standing beside him again.
"I, Craft Master Changmin, herewith declare my independence from the Craft Guild."
"I, Warrior Captain Yunho, witness this declaration."
Salia's face was ice white. Her eyes brimmed with tears of sorrow, but her stance was proud and upright as she completed the ritual phrases. "I, Craft Master Salia, Guild Master of the Craft Guild, hear and accept your declaration. Forthwith, you are no longer under the rule of the Craft Guild."
The tight hug the three shared was full of desperation. But there was also a tiny kernel of hope. Changmin disappeared into his workroom and returned moments later with a velvet-lined box. It contained what Yunho knew Changmin thought his best piece yet. The carafe he'd wrought when he'd been told of his illness, that he'd thought would be his final piece.
"To remember me by," he said as he held it out. "For joy. For peace. For strength."
"Right now, the Craft Guild needs my guidance," Salia said and there was no hint of doubt in her voice or her direct gaze. By bending the rules to serve their own purposes the council had lost one of their staunchest, most valuable allies. And whether they knew it yet or not, they had effectively lost the Craft Guild. "But one day I will follow you."
"The council still owes a bargain to the Warrior's Guild," Yunho reminded softly. "They urged my Master to choose a product of Changmin's skill. Since that's no longer theirs to barter, they better offer something adequate. Unless they wish to start a war."
Salia found a tiny smile. "Thank you, Yunho. I will be sure to remind them." She looked up at the two of them with a last soft smile and raised a hand in blessing. "Travel in safety until we meet again," she said. And turned for the door.
***
Changmin's breath caught in his chest as he watched the door close behind the woman he considered his closest friend and surrogate mother. Never once did he have to wonder if she'd stand by him and once more she'd supported him when he most needed it. When he made the choice to cut himself loose from everything he'd ever known.
His knees shook as the enormity of what he'd done dawned on him. He was now officially without a home and affiliation, in a world where such things determined everything from the food you ate to the clothes you wore to the respect you showed or commanded. He had made the only choice he could make when faced with the council's edict, but only now did he think on the consequences of that choice.
"You are still the best living Craft Master, my Min," Yunho reminded him. An arm wrapped around his waist, offering warmth and comfort along with the support and Changmin curled himself around his friend and allowed himself a moment to grieve. "The most sought after, too. The Warrior's Guild will be honoured to extend you their protections."
"Because my aunt is married to the Master?" Changmin sniffled.
"No, you oaf. Because we know and love you. You will be staying with me, yes? I've always wanted the chance to watch the sunrise with you."
"So you've told me. Repeatedly." Changmin straightened in Yunho's hold, but he didn't step away. He had thought of asking Yunho to pair with him, had been turning the matter over in his mind with the same seriousness he gave his designs… only for the council to snatch the option out of his grasp. His eyes burned and he blinked, hoping to forestall the tears. Asking now would cheapen what he wanted to offer. Would make it look as if he considered Yunho the lesser evil, thought him simply a means to defeat the council's edict. When it was nothing like that to Changmin.
"Rest for a few moments, my Min. I will call for breakfast."
His back hit the mattress and he blinked, unsure how he'd gotten to the bedroom. Or why Yunho stood over him with so much concern in his eyes that the tight knot in his chest drew even tighter.
"You're in shock," Yunho explained gently. "Not surprising. You'll feel better once you've eaten."
"Yunho." Changmin couldn't bear the idea of being alone. Not now. Not for a while. He needed his friend to keep the darkness at bay. Needed the comfort that was found in Yunho's warm form and strong embrace. "Hold me?"
Yunho climbed back into bed without demur, stretched out and pulled Changmin close. Changmin buried his face in Yunho's chest, comforted by his scent. He felt Yunho nuzzle into his hair, felt the steady caress of Yunho's broad palms on his back and for just a little while the madness around him calmed. The fear receded and Changmin gave himself over to Yunho's care. To feeling wanted, protected and safe.
Part 8: Leaving and Arriving |
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I really enjoy reading this story :-)
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How you entice us with plot and fate!
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i was thinking that we'd get some more sex
and instead there is drama
but i'm glad that Changmin stood up for himself and for Yunho
and now they get to go to the Warriors realm
I hope
what if they are detained?
*glares at you* do not let them be detained why can't they be happy oh my god sun
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One of these days I will get back to completing the next chapter of Intoxication. However, keeping myself from feeling embarrassed during Korean language class is going to take many hours of practice I can tell already. OTL And I'm trying to get more exercise by walking regularly, and I've started taking voice lessons again, and we've reactivated my Voices of Gaia singing group, and I'm still working on setting up a Montessori elementary classroom, etc., etc.
I am tremendously appreciative of everyone who continues to write stories. Reading them is one of my dearest pleasures.