Chapter Three

Author Note : This chapter mentions male/male relationships. Nothing graphic, but please be aware. If you do not like such things, hit the back button now : ) Thanks : D

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Zenarith's expression was grim as the City Patrol Officers asked him a few questions about the attack. Byakuya was certainly in no mood to deal with their interrogations, his eyes dark, hands shaking slightly. Zenarith knew they needed to get home, and the sooner the better. He nodded to the officer, and turned, putting an arm around Byakuya's slightly trembling shoulder and pulling him toward the float that would take them home. Byakuya kept up his appearance of being completely self-sufficient until the float was safely out of view of the patrol. It was then that he sank into one of the cushioned seats, crimson hair seemingly less vibrant as it slipped over his shoulder. Zenarith sat next to him, and took one of Byakuya's slender hands in his, thumb caressing the others palm.

“Are you all right?” he asked softly, worried that perhaps his lover had been injured.

Byakuya just shook his head, the silence between the two nearly deafening. It was not unusual for there to be people who were unhappy with council issues, but it was rare and nearly unheard of for assassination attempts. That was most certainly what that had to have been...someone with augmented abilities certainly did not seem to want them around.

He pulled Byakuya into his arms, holding him close against his chest. The other was tense, but melted into the embrace after several moments. His shoulders relaxed and the trembling started to stop.

“Who...and why?” he asked softly. Zenarith shook his head. He didn't really know. It didn't make a great deal of sense. While it was known to the general public that the Council of Cities was holding a meeting, the subject matter of that meeting had not been released to the general public. To be attacked could mean any of two things. Either someone held a personal grudge towards the two of them, or someone did not want them investigating the bio-gen matter. He sighed softly, glancing out the side of the floater at the city as they passed it by.

Byakuya's estate was on the western end of the Residences, near the sea. It was perhaps the second largest estate in the city, and held several gardens and a research center. Byakuya had a liking for relics of the past. Bits of ancient technology and art, history and literature...all of it drew the redhead like a moth to the flame. There were often times when Zenarith would find the other in his library late at night, fast asleep, cheek resting on the worn pages of an ancient text, bits of ancient machinery scattered over a sturdy, well-worn desk. It was moments like those that kept Byakuya close to Zenarith's heart.

He found himself smiling as the float moved past the entrance to the estate, the large gates closing behind them. Byakuya had fallen asleep on the trip home, and Zenarith brushed a stray hair away from the others cheek. His fingers traced the line of Byakuya's lips, wondering at the softness. It still amazed him day after day that they were able to be together like this. So many obstacles had seemed to stand in their way when they were growing up, and now it seemed..perfect. They lived in the same household, trusted each other, spoke with each other...loved each other.

Zenarith remembered a time when they had not been allowed to be anywhere near each other. Byakuya's father, Byakuren, and his mother, Estella, had arranged a marriage for Byakuya with the daughter of another family with a distinguished pedigree reaching back to ancient times. It had been a marriage of convenience, meant to hold no other real meaning besides the alliance it would most certainly cement.

Zenarith had opposed the match, confessing his love to Byakuya, and they'd planned to elope together. Things had not gone as planned. Estelle, Byakuya's mother, had kept Byakuya at the estate for some small party, to which Zenarith was certainly not invited. They'd held the party on an airship, and the pilot, drunk from too much wine, had landed the ship in the Waste on the nearby coast.

Zenarith grimaced at the memory, shaking his head slightly. The Uzech family had lost their eldest daughter, and Byakuya's father had been killed protecting the others. It was a tragic event...the Uzech family still bore a grudge against Byakuya's family, breaking off the alliance. Estelle, overcome with grief, had committed suicide later, blaming Byakuya for the death of his father.

A sigh escaped Zenarith's lips. He wondered why he was thinking about that night in the first place. Perhaps it was because of how tired his lover looked. His face held the same drawn exhaustion it had the weeks after his fathers passing. He shook his head, driving such depressing thoughts from his mind. They were together now, and that was what mattered. Zenarith couldn't ask for anything more.

He pulled Byakuya up into his arms, carrying him through the wide entrance to the great house, the walls a beautiful pale stone with elegant tapestries, tall columns, and a domed glass ceiling, light filtering through the colored glass, casting twinkling lights throughout the entrance. Zenarith loved this house...it held so many memories for him. He nodded at the butler, and made his way up the stairs and down the hall to their room. He carried Byakuya to the bed, and smiled softly when the other resisted being laid down. He brushed Byakuya's cheek softly. The redhead mumbled something that was impossible to understand and Zenarith just smiled, starting to undo the various knots and ties that held Byakuya's elaborate robes on his slender frame. He set the silk clothing aside, pulling a soft blanket up to cover the other. He knew that Byakuya must be exhausted. Summoning flame like that had its prices, and that along with the stress of being attacked, and the long council meeting...it was enough to make anyone tired.

He leaned down, kissing Byakuya's forehead softly before standing, and turning towards the door. He was stopped by a gentle touch on his arm.

“Don't go.”

He turned, surprised, and looked down at his lover. “I thought you were asleep.”

Byakuya's lips curled into a soft smile, that special smile reserved only for Zenarith. “I just wanted you to carry me.”

Zenarith laughed, sitting down next to the redhead, who moved over a bit to share the space. Zenarith ran his fingers through the others silken hair. “You all right?”

Byakuya nodded slowly. “Just a little tired. The fire took more out of me than usual,” he replied, azure eyes studying Zenarith's face. “You look upset...”

Zenarith shook his head. “I'm all right. Just was thinking too much, I guess.” He chuckled, leaning down to brush his lips ever so lightly against Byakuya's.

The redhead pulled from the kiss, eyebrows furrowing as he frowned darkly at Zenarith. “About what?” he asked, sounding concerned.

Zenarith sighed, leaning back and looking up at the ceiling. “Just things. Old memories.” He shrugged, eyes closing. He felt the mattress shift slightly as Byakuya moved, wrapping his arms around Zenarith, leaning against him.

“Memories are just that,” the redhead said softly, warm breath caressing the skin of Zenarith's neck. Goosebumps raised along his skin, tingles shooting down his spine as Byakuya buried his fingers in Zenarith's long hair, deftly untangling the ice-crystals that often found themselves in the strands and laying them aside. Byakuya ran his hands over Zenarith's shoulders, and then his lips were on his neck, kissing softly. “Leave them in the past, Zenarith, “ he whispered. Zenarith could feel Byakuya's lips on his neck as they pulled into a teasing smile. “Now...come to bed with me.”