FIC: Aftermaths, Part 88

[geri_chan]

Title: Aftermaths, Part 88
Rating: NC-17 overall, but most chapters are closer to PG-13
Pairing: Snape/Lupin, Theodore/Blaise, and a few other minor pairings
Word count: ~6,325
Warning: AU; written pre-HBP
Author's notes: {} Indicates character's unspoken thoughts
Disclaimer: No money is being made off this story; consider it a little wish fulfillment on my part.
Sequel to: Always, Summer Vacation, For Old Time's Sake, Three's a Crowd, Return of the Raven, Phoenix Reborn, Phoenix Rising
Summary: Aric moves into Takeshi's flat, and Lupin has a "facts of life" talk with Takeshi.

Part 87 (Previous chapters can be found under the aftermaths tag.)

***

Lupin had decided that they would help Aric move into Takeshi's flat and throw the pair a housewarming party; Snape had realized that this was a fight that he couldn't win, and gave in with only minimal grumbling.

Actually, Aric didn't need much help in moving, since he had only the possessions he'd brought with him to Hogwarts, mainly clothes and books. He had more belongings at home, of course, but he was reluctant to face his family, so Erika had promised to pack up his things and send them to him later. Takeshi had been living at his flat for over two years, so he didn't really need any housewarming gifts, but he knew that Aric could use the moral support, so he cheerfully went along with Lupin's plan.

So after the wedding celebration was over, they helped Aric pack up his belongings and move them directly through the Floo to Takeshi's flat. (Snape had flat-out refused to ride the train with a bunch of noisy brats.) Cabal was left behind in the care of Hagrid, since Takeshi had diffidently suggested that perhaps the flat was a little too small to accommodate a large dog. The flat consisted of a living room, kitchen, bathroom, master bedroom, and a smaller bedroom that Takeshi used as a study, and was spacious enough for one or two people, but a little crowded with four guests, so it was probably just as well that they'd left the dog behind. Cabal had not seemed to mind, and Hagrid's dog Fang had seemed pleased to make a new friend.

Takeshi went to the kitchen to start dinner ("I did promise you a home-cooked meal when you got out of the hospital," he told Aric with a smile), while Lupin, Theodore, and Dylan helped Aric unpack. Snape declined to help with the unpacking, and retreated to the kitchen to discuss potions with his former student.

Aric, Theodore, and Dylan did as much gawking as they did unpacking. There was a beautiful painting of a flock of cranes in flight hanging above the fireplace, and there were shelves filled with books on potions and spells, which seemed normal enough, but there were also a number of Muggle devices: a stereo with compact disc player and tape deck; a television hooked up to video tape and DVD players, as well as a video game system; and a rack filled with compact discs, games, videos, and DVDs in the living room. There was also a computer in study. The boys all came from very traditional wizarding families, and despite their Muggle Studies classes, Lupin had to explain to them what some of the devices were.

"You never told me that you had so many Muggle devices!" Aric exclaimed, staring at them with an expression of combined horror and fascination on his face.

The kitchen was separated from the living room only by a countertop, and Takeshi laughed and smiled at them good-naturedly over it. "The Japanese wizards are a little less phobic about Muggle technology," he said cheerfully. "And sometimes it's easier for me to communicate with my brother or Professor Kamiyama through e-mail on the computer rather than by owl, Floo, or mirror. It was much more secure, too, at least while the war was still going on. None of the Death Eaters or their Ministry pawns would have had any idea how to use a computer, let alone hack into someone's e-mail account."

"Hack?" Aric asked, looking completely bewildered. He didn't exactly understand what "e-mail" was either, but he vaguely knew that it was possible for Muggles to send messages to each other through the computers somehow.

"It's a bit complicated," Takeshi said. "I'll explain it to you some other time. Suffice it to say that a Death Eater would have had no way to intercept messages sent through the computer."

"Clever," Dylan said, sounding impressed.

"Perhaps," Snape said doubtfully, eyeing the Muggle devices with an air of distaste, his upper lip curling slightly. "But do the other devices have some practical use or redeeming value?"

"Not really," Takeshi said, still smiling pleasantly. "They're mainly for entertainment purposes." He called out to the boys, "We can watch a movie if you'd like." He glanced at Snape's scowling face. "Well, perhaps not tonight, but you can come over some other time to visit us. I'll even make popcorn."

Dylan's and Theodore's eyes gleamed with excitement. The wizarding world had live plays, and moving pictures in books and magazines, but it didn't really have anything equivalent to Muggle movies. However, it was not just the novelty of the idea, but also the thrill of the forbidden that appealed to them.

Snape sighed irritably. "You may live your life as you see fit, Mr. Kimura, but please try not to corrupt my sons."

"None of these devices are proscribed by the Ministry, Professor," Takeshi said politely. "And if I am not mistaken, Dylan is in a serious relationship with a Muggle-born girl. At some point, he will probably have to venture into the Muggle world to meet her family, and in that case, wouldn't it be better for him to be familiar with Muggle technology so that he does not arouse suspicion by appearing ignorant of things that most Muggles consider commonplace?"

"I suppose," Snape said grumpily. "Although I think it would be better if he did not venture into the Muggle world at all."

Lupin and the boys continued unpacking and exploring Aric's new home. As Aric hung up his robes in the bedroom closet, his gaze couldn't help but fall on the bed, and he felt a flush of heat rush through his body as he anticipated what might happen when he and Takeshi were alone. And although he had been glad for their company just a moment ago, he suddenly wished that Lupin and the others were gone. He had to duck into the bathroom for a minute to splash some cold water on his face and regain his composure. He could really have used a cold shower, but that would be difficult to explain to the others. So he firmly reined in his libido, telling himself that it wouldn't kill him to wait a couple of hours to be alone with his lover, and went back out to face his guests.

Soon Takeshi was serving dinner, along with Lupin's housewarming gift, a bottle of wine. It was a simple and mostly Japanese-style meal of rice, fish, and vegetables, but he had also cooked a couple of thick, juicy steaks and sliced the meat into thin, bite-sized strips. The meat was browned on the outside and pink and juicy-looking on the inside. Aric suddenly found himself salivating; it was all he could do to keep from drooling, and he remembered what Takeshi had said about the wolf craving meat.

Lupin and Aric ate the bulk of the meat, with Takeshi laughing at the expression of ecstasy on Aric's face as he chewed and swallowed.

"You're a great cook, Takeshi!" Aric said between bites. "I've never had a steak this good! Or does it taste better than it normally would, because of what you said about the wolf craving meat?"

"It tastes good to me, too," Theodore said with a smile. "Is that true, Remus, that a werewolf craves meat? I never noticed you having any particular cravings."

Lupin grinned. "Well, when I'm actually in wolf form, I suppose I do. Severus can tell you about the time that I nearly snatched a joint of beef off the dinner table during one full moon when we were staying at Sirius's house. Molly swatted me on the nose with her apron and told me to get down, like I was a pet dog!"

Takeshi and the boys laughed, and Snape said, "Well, you were acting like one, Lupin. Cabal is a good deal more well-mannered than you are."

"And also," Lupin continued, "I never had much money up until recently. I got used to eating whatever I could afford, which was usually soup or stew, since it could stretch the meat farther, and I could grow vegetables in my garden. If I had cravings, I suppose I learned to ignore them."

The mood instantly sobered, and an awkward silence fell over the dinner table, until Snape said sarcastically, "Well, you're just the life of the party, Lupin," and everyone laughed, including Lupin.

"Sorry, didn't mean to put a damper on things," Lupin said cheerfully. "I don't need anyone to feel sorry for me. I may have been poor, but I had a family and friends that loved me and accepted me as I was, so I was happy enough. And even happier now that I have a family of my own in Severus, Theo, and Dylan. Oh, and Cabal, of course." He smiled tenderly at Snape, who just grunted, looking embarrassed, and bent his head over his plate, concentrating intently on his food.

"I suppose it varies from person to person," Takeshi said. "But most of Lukas's pack members have told me that they've noticed a craving for meat, particularly near the full moon. It seems logical enough; in addition to the wolf being a predator, the transformation uses up a lot of energy, and meat replenishes energy faster than vegetables or fruit or bread. Sugar gives one a quick energy rush, but it doesn't last very long."

"Would that explain your fondness for sweets?" Dylan asked Lupin with a grin.

"Perhaps," Lupin replied, grinning back at him. "But then how would you explain Severus's sweet-tooth? He's not a werewolf."

Snape muttered something under his breath that only Lupin and Aric could hear, about needing a lot of energy to keep up with a certain werewolf. Lupin grinned lasciviously and Aric blushed, which caused Snape to regard him with narrowed eyes and mutter, "I'll have to remember that there are two of you from now on."

They talked about their plans for the summer over dinner. Takeshi, of course, was taking Aric with him to Japan to meet his relatives and attend Chizuru's wedding to Karasu. Snape and Lupin had also been invited to the wedding, but were not sure if they would be able to attend. Snape was negotiating an apprenticeship for Theodore with a Master of Rune Lore, and he wanted to see his son properly settled in his new position before leaving England. Dylan wanted to visit Rosier Manor, his father's ancestral home, and possibly clean up and reopen the mansion. He also said that he had been invited to spend a couple of weeks with Hermione's family, who were eager to meet their daughter's boyfriend, which caused Snape to groan out loud.

"Just think, Severus," Lupin said in a chirpy voice, "they'll be our in-laws after Dylan and Hermione get married!"

Snape glared at Lupin. "I really think that a wolfskin rug would improve the decor of my office," he growled.

"Don't worry, Professor," Dylan laughed. "I'm sure we'll spend most of our time in the wizarding world, since Hermione will be apprenticed to Mr. Jigger, and then we'll be taking over the Apothecary shop after I graduate."

"Just don't expect me to spend any time in the Muggle world," Snape grumbled, not looking very mollified.

"Oh, and of course there will be Lukas's formal wedding reception, and Lady Selima wanted to throw a graduation party for Theodore," Lupin said. "I imagine that we'll spend most of the summer at Snape Manor."

"I don't suppose that we can convince her to combine the two parties," Snape sighed. "I really hate formal parties."

"But they make Grandmother happy," Theodore said.

Lupin smiled at him approvingly. "Yes, Lady Selima is in her element when hosting a party. I suppose she must miss all the socializing she did when your father still worked at Ministry, Severus."

"I suppose," Snape said grudgingly.

"It won't hurt to humor her a little," Lupin said. "And perhaps she'll be too busy arranging Lukas's entry into high society to pester you about behaving like a 'proper' Lord."

"Yes," Snape said, brightening at that thought. "His being appointed Lord is her personal victory, after all. And he'll need a great deal of help reopening the family mansion, which Amos had closed up, and in managing the estate finances..."

"Poor Lukas," Takeshi said, but his eyes were sparkling mischievously.

Lupin offered to help Takeshi clean up after dinner was over, and waved off offers of help from Theodore and Dylan. "Just relax," Lupin said. "We can manage. Do you mind if I put on some music, Takeshi?"

"Go right ahead," Takeshi replied.

Lupin turned on the stereo and put in a compact disc, ignoring the annoyed look on Snape's face. The Potions Master braced himself for some raucous music similar to the Weird Sisters, but it turned out to be classical music, and he relaxed a little, sipping at his wine.

The boys stared in fascination at the stereo, then began looking through Takeshi's CD collection, but eventually Aric grew curious about the conversation Lupin and Takeshi were having in the kitchen. He strained to listen with his keen werewolf hearing, but they were speaking softly, and the music prevented him from picking up anything more than an indistinct murmur, which made him suspicious that Lupin had put on the music exactly for that purpose--especially when he heard laughter coming from the kitchen.

Snape was glaring at the pair, and Aric hesitantly asked, "What do you think they're talking about, Professor?"

"In a case like this, you'll find that it's generally better not to know, Dietrich," Snape said sourly.

Dylan grinned and said, "That probably means that they're talking about you." Takeshi let out a startled exclamation, glanced at Snape, then quickly looked away when Snape glared at him. "Or about the Professor," Dylan added.

"Most likely both," Snape said with a sigh of resignation. "But as I said, I'd rather not know."

***

"I thought perhaps I should give you the 'facts of life' speech," Lupin told Takeshi as they washed the dishes, with a mischievous little twinkle in his eyes.

"Aren't I a little old for that, Remus?" Takeshi asked, looking amused.

"I meant the werewolf facts of life," Lupin clarified. He lowered his voice nearly to a whisper, obviously not wanting the others to overhear him in the living room. "I know that you're an expert on treating werewolves, Takeshi, but I don't think that your knowledge extends to...er...werewolf mating habits. There are a few things you should know, so that you won't be surprised." Lupin smiled nostalgically. "Well, some things came as a pleasant surprise to Severus and myself, but some people might be taken aback by them..."

Takeshi blushed and murmured, "Actually, Remus, you can save the speech. I've...ah...been with werewolves before, so I'm not nervous about being with Aric. Well, no more so than I would be about any new lover. I won't go into a panic if Aric starts howling or something, if that's what you're worried about."

"I see," Lupin said, raising his eyebrows in surprise. "I don't mean to pry, but were these serious relationships?"

"No," Takeshi replied as his blush deepened. "Just a couple of one-night stands." He hastily added, "I don't usually do that sort of thing, but, well..."

"You don't need to explain," Lupin assured him. "You're a consenting adult, and your lovelife is none of my business. The only reason that I ask is because I suspect things might be a little different with a lifemate than with a casual lover."

"You 'suspect'?" Takeshi asked curiously, wondering if that meant what it sounded like.

Lupin smiled. "Severus is the only lover I've ever had," he confirmed. "So my experience is obviously somewhat limited. But I can tell you that a werewolf has...er...remarkable stamina."

Takeshi giggled. "That, I know."

"Severus says that I'm insatiable," Lupin said with a wicked grin that was worthy of a Slytherin, and Takeshi laughed and blushed again. "And I'm not sure if you know this, but the wolf's desires seem to grow stronger the closer it gets to the full moon." He leaned over and whispered something into Takeshi's ear.

"HOW many times in one night?!" Takeshi exclaimed softly, staring at the Potions Master with mingled shock and awe.

"Shh!" Lupin hissed, looking like he was trying not to laugh, and Takeshi quickly looked away as Snape glared at them.

Takeshi giggled, his face flaming red by now. "I know that werewolves have more than human strength, but how does the poor Professor manage? He must need a Strengthening Solution to keep up with you!"

"Oh, Severus has remarkable stamina himself," Lupin said proudly. "I'm not sure if the wolf's desire is contagious, or if I'm just lucky in my choice of lovers. Even so, sometimes the wolf is still...um...frisky...even when Severus's strength has run out. But he does his best to...er...satisfy me in other ways. I just wanted to warn you that you might find the nights leading up to the full moon rather exhausting."

"I look forward to it," Takeshi laughed, still blushing. He was mortified, and yet at the same time he couldn't wait to experiment with Aric and see if Lupin's "facts of life" were really true. As much as he liked Remus, and as glad as he was that Aric and Theodore were growing closer, Takeshi really hoped that his guests would not be staying much longer.

Looking a little more serious, Lupin said, "And, at least in my own personal experience, the wolf seems to feel a need to mark and claim its mate. So don't be alarmed if Aric tries to bite you during lovemaking. He won't hurt you."

Takeshi remembered the dream he'd had where his wolf lover had bitten him on the back of his neck, and he remembered the sensation of Ash's teeth brushing against his throat the time that they had made love. He remembered wanting to be bitten and claimed, only not by Ash, but by his dream lover--who was real now, and no longer a dream.

"I am not afraid of being bitten," Takeshi said softly.

"Good," Lupin said quietly, a gentle smile on his face. "I'm sorry if I embarrassed you, Takeshi. I'm sure you and Aric will do quite well together."

Takeshi laughed, his blush finally beginning to ease a bit. "Perhaps I should have you teach a class at the clinic: Sex Education for Werewolves."

They both laughed so loudly that it carried over the music, causing the boys to gaze at them curiously and Snape to glower at them fiercely.

***

After the dishes were done, Lupin said they should be going. He gave Aric a hug and told him to stop by and see them at his cottage or Snape Manor anytime, and Takeshi likewise extended an invitation for them to stop by his flat for another visit.

{Finally!} Aric thought to himself as Lupin and the others vanished through the Floo. Not that he wasn't grateful for their friendship, but it seemed like he had been waiting forever to be alone with Takeshi. And finally they were alone, with no nurses, Healers, students, or teachers to intrude on them.

He smiled nervously at Takeshi, suddenly feeling a little shy, but Takeshi reached out to take his hand, saying in a husky voice, "Come, Aric. I have been waiting a very long time to be alone with you, my wolf."

Aric let Takeshi lead him into the bedroom, feeling a little dazed, and watched entranced as Takeshi took out his wand and cast a silence spell on the room with a murmured charm and a graceful flick of his wrist. He laid his wand on the nightstand and then took off his glasses, carefully set them down beside his wand, and removed the band of elastic holding his braid together, letting his hair fall free to cascade over his shoulders and down his back like a river of black silk. Aric sighed and moved closer, unable to resist the impulse to reach out and run his fingers through his lover's hair. It really did feel like silk as it slid between his fingers, and he noticed something curious, that Takeshi's hair was perfectly smooth and straight, although he would have expected it to be wavy or crinkled from being bound in the braid all day. Maybe it had something to do with his crane blood. He wrapped his arms around his lover, holding him tightly, and also noticed that while Takeshi's dress robe was made of high quality silk, it still did not feel as smooth or soft as his hair did.

"You're so beautiful, 'Keshi," Aric whispered, burying his face in Takeshi's hair, feeling cool silk against his cheek and beneath his lips, then pulled back slightly and pushed Takeshi's hair away from his face so that he could lean in again and kiss him on the mouth. Takeshi's lips were warm, soft, and yielding, and parted with a small sigh, allowing Aric's tongue to slide between them. He felt Takeshi's tongue reach out to touch his, almost hesitantly, and their tongues lightly stroked each other, then began caressing and entwining with growing enthusiasm. Takeshi moaned, the sound muffled by Aric's mouth covering his, but it was enough to ignite a sharp flare of desire in Aric.

Aric tore his mouth from Takeshi's, enjoying the little moan of protest that his lover uttered. "I want you," he growled.

"And I want you, my wolf," Takeshi gasped. "Oh Merlin, I've been waiting for so long..."

It took every ounce of self-control that Aric had not to just rip the robes off his lover's body. As it was, his hands were shaking, and he felt clumsy and ham-fisted as he tried to undress Takeshi, a low growl of frustration forming in his throat.

"Careful," Takeshi laughed. "This robe was a gift from my brother; please don't tear it. Here, let me." He very gently pushed Aric's hands away, and few moments later the robe slipped off his shoulders and fell to the floor in a puddle of blue silk; he wore no shirt beneath it. Then in one smooth, fluid movement, he stripped off his trousers and underwear and stood before Aric, a glorious vision of white skin and black hair that made Aric want to melt into a puddle himself.

The fastenings on his own robe were a gold hook-and-eye combination, very shiny and pretty but much harder to undo than regular buttons, at least when your hands were trembling with desire. He cursed as he fumbled with the fastenings, but Takeshi laughed again and reached out to deftly undo them for him. Bemused, he thought to himself that he had never before noticed how long and graceful Takeshi's fingers were. He shivered as he imagined them moving across his body instead of his robe.

Finally--finally!--they were both nude, and stumbling towards the bed, kissing and caressing urgently. Not really watching were they were going, they fell down onto the bed in an ungraceful heap together, Takeshi landing atop Aric and momentarily knocking the breath out of him. And then Takeshi began trailing kisses across Aric's chest, and the sensation of his long hair sliding across Aric's skin made it even more difficult to breathe. He heard a low, rumbling growl and realized that it was coming from himself. Alarmed, he pushed Takeshi away from him, wondering if the wolf's presence should still be so strong in him after the full moon had already passed.

"Aric?" Takeshi asked, sounding puzzled and a little hurt.

"Sorry, 'Keshi," Aric said, trying to smile at him reassuringly. "I just need to catch my breath for a minute. This is so intense...I've been waiting for this moment for so long...I feel like I'm going to melt--or maybe explode--when you touch me."

Takeshi laughed, sounding relieved. "We have all the time in the world, my love. There's no rush."

"Just let me look at you for a minute," Aric whispered, and he did, drinking in the sight of his beloved. If the crane women were as beautiful as Takeshi, he didn't doubt that human men would have wanted to steal them to become their wives. But Takeshi belonged to Aric, had willingly consented to become his lover. Aric was filled with a sense of mingled wonder, tenderness, and fierce, possessive pride.

Takeshi smiled at him, and lay back and stretched out in a languid, sensual manner, as if basking in the heat of Aric's gaze. Aric's mouth suddenly felt dry, and his tongue darted out to lick his lips. He was filled with a sudden urge to cover every inch of his lover's body with kisses, so he started by planting light kisses all over Takeshi's face, then a longer, deeper kiss on the mouth. Then he reluctantly pulled his lips away as Takeshi moaned in protest, and traced the curves of Takeshi's ears with his tongue, evoking another groan from his lover. Then he kissed his way down Takeshi's neck and chest, pausing to lightly run his tongue across Takeshi's nipples until they hardened, and Takeshi gasped. Then Aric took first one nipple and then the other in his mouth, sucking, licking, and gently nibbling on each one in turn until Takeshi was moaning out loud.

Aric delighted in the sound, but he still had the rest of his lover's body to explore, so with a little sigh of regret, he moved on, kissing his way down Takeshi's chest. As his lips made their way across Takeshi's belly, he heard the mediwizard's breath catch in his throat. But he hesitated before continuing his progression, both out of nervousness and a desire to prolong things a little longer. He gently pushed apart Takeshi's legs and began kissing the inside of one thigh, planting a trail of wet kisses that continued down his calf. Takeshi moaned in desire and frustration, then giggled as Aric lightly kissed the sole of each foot.

"That tickles!"

Aric moved to the other leg, reversing his path and kissing his way up from ankle to thigh. He let his mouth linger awhile on Takeshi's thigh--a stalling tactic, because there was one part of his lover's body that he had deliberately been avoiding. He had done some casual fooling around with boys at Durmstrang, but he had never taken a guy into his mouth before. He had never done anything that might be conceivably be construed as a passive or female role because, well...he had his pride as a pureblood heir, and the pureblood elite were mindful of their status and rank even in bed. But, to be completely honest, it was mostly because he had been afraid to take things too far with his male paramours, because then he might have had to admit to himself that he found much more pleasure with them than he did with his female lovers--and that was unacceptable for a pureblood heir who would be expected to take a wife and sire children someday. But he was no longer heir, so now there was no need to take a wife. He could love whom, and how, he pleased.

And he did want to please his lover, who was moaning, his body trembling with need and desire. Takeshi was already half-erect, and Aric tentatively ran his tongue across the head of his lover's penis and down the shaft, feeling it twitch slightly as Takeshi cried out in surprise and pleasure.

"Ah! Oh, Aric, please..."

Aric smiled, feeling a little more confident now. He enjoyed seeing seeing the normally calm and self-assured mediwizard lose a little of his composure. He slowly took his lover into his mouth, letting his lips and tongue slide up and down the shaft. He knew that his ministrations were inexperienced and a little awkward, but Takeshi was clearly enjoying them, judging by the way he was moaning and--more importantly--by the way he was hardening and swelling in Aric's mouth. Aric felt an echoing throb between his own legs; he was enjoying this far more than he'd thought he would, and felt a brief, furtive flicker of shame, the last vestiges of his pureblood prejudice. And then he let go of his shame, giving himself up to the moment, delighting in the sound of his lover's moans and his scent and touch and taste, growing increasingly excited by the undeniable evidence of how much Takeshi wanted him. He began to suckle harder, with more enthusiasm, and Takeshi's moans grew louder.

Aric felt Takeshi's body tense, and he glanced down and saw Takeshi's fingers curl into fists, clutching a double handful of the bedsheets as if he were trying to anchor himself down. And then he realized that Takeshi was fighting to hold himself still and not thrust into Aric's mouth, no doubt aware of his inexperience and not wanting to choke or startle him. He also suddenly became aware that Takeshi was still wearing the jade bracelet that Aric had given him, and Aric was filled with a profound sense of love that brought tears to his eyes. At the same time, seeing Takeshi naked except for the bracelet on his wrist was somehow even more intoxicating than simple nudity, and a dizzying wave of lust rushed through Aric's body, causing him to moan around the hard flesh in his mouth.

And then Takeshi's hands released the sheets and gently but firmly closed around his face, pulling him up. "What?" Aric asked anxiously. "Am I doing it wrong?" Maybe he should have spent a little more time reading Theo's book.

"Oh no, love, you're perfect," Takeshi assured him, and his voice sounded sincere. "It's just that...well..." His face, which was already flushed, grew a little redder. "I don't want to come yet. I want you to make love to me."

"Ah!" Aric exclaimed, his expression brightening, feeling relieved that he wasn't such an inept lover after all. And perhaps because he had already been thinking about Theo's book, the next thought that sprang to mind was the joking comment that Takeshi had made when he had spotted it in Aric's hospital room. "Page fifty-two, right?"

Takeshi burst into laughter. The old Aric, the pureblood heir, would have been offended by a lover laughing at him in bed, but he was no longer the old Aric. There was no malice in Takeshi's eyes or voice, and his laughter was so infectious, his smile so delightful, that Aric could not help but laugh along with him--and think to himself how beautiful Takeshi looked when he laughed.

"Yes, my wolf," Takeshi laughed. "Page fifty-two." He wound his arms around Aric's neck and pulled him down for a kiss. "Such a studious scholar," he said, his brown eyes still sparkling with merriment. "I take it you know what to do, then."

"Er...yes," Aric said. "I mean, I know what to do, but I've never actually done it before. That is...I've been with girls, and I've fooled around a bit with a few boys at Durmstrang, but I've never gone all the way with a guy before..." He blushed hotly, biting his lower lip to force himself to shut up, aware that he was babbling like an idiot and sounded like an inexperienced schoolboy--like some naive Gryffindor virgin.

"Then I'm glad that I shall be your first," was all Takeshi said, although there was a hint of barely suppressed laughter in his voice. "You'll need to prepare me. There's some lubricant in the nightstand drawer."

Aric reached inside the drawer, his face still burning. He started to lift out a small glass jar half-filled with oil, but Takeshi said, "No, not that one; the other one." Aric put the first jar back and pulled out another, this one filled with a white cream. He opened the lid and smelled a sharp, but not unpleasant, herbal scent mixed with the slighter sweeter scent of mint.

"Smells nice," he said, his werewolf senses having made him more aware of such things. "What is it?"

Takeshi smiled, looking pleased with himself. "A base for healing salve, a recipe that Chizuru taught me, that doesn't use lavender. I thought that the lavender oil might be too overwhelming and perfumey for a werewolf's tastes."

At first, Aric was pleased that his lover had been so considerate of him, to have whipped up a special batch of cream for him to use. Then he felt a little stab of jealousy, as he realized that Takeshi's words, along with the other jar in the drawer, implied that he had used lavender oil in the past with another lover--or lovers. He hated the thought of anyone else touching his beloved, hated the idea that someone else might have had Takeshi before him. He wanted his lover to belong only to him. He frowned at the jar in his hand, as if it were the source of his problems.

"Aric," Takeshi moaned impatiently, mistaking the reason for his preoccupation. "What are you waiting for? We can exchange potion recipes later!"

Aric laughed, reassured by the urgency in Takeshi's voice. His jealousy eased slightly, transforming into a determined sense of resolve to claim his mate, as if by making love to Takeshi, he could erase the touch of those previous lovers from his body. No, he wanted more than to just make love to him--he wanted to drive Takeshi to such heights of ecstasy that he would forget that he'd ever had another lover before Aric.

It fleetingly occurred to Aric that perhaps that was a pretty lofty goal for someone whose past experience with men was severely limited, but his need to claim his mate was too strong for him to stop and think about it logically. Besides, it didn't seem so impossible with his lover lying naked on the bed, moaning and telling Aric to hurry up and make love to him.

"I thought you said we had all the time in the world," Aric teased, although he was just as eager as Takeshi was, if not more so.

"I changed my mind," Takeshi groaned. "Are you going to sit there analyzing that salve all night, or are you going to make love to me?"

"You're awfully demanding for a Ravenclaw," Aric said with a grin, dipping his fingers into the jar; the cream felt cool and pleasant on his skin, smooth and slick without feeling too greasy. "Maybe you should have been a Slytherin. You do look awfully good in green."

Takeshi opened his mouth, as if to make some sort of rebuke, but all that came out was a gasp, as Aric's fingers reached down between his legs, gently exploring and stroking, seeking the entrance to his body. Aric let his fingers circle that small, puckered opening (so different from a girl's), then slowly pushed one finger inside Takeshi, who whimpered softly. Aric hesitated, but Takeshi raised his hips slightly, encouraging the movement, so Aric pushed in a little deeper, then withdrew and pushed in again.

"More," Takeshi whispered, his voice breathless and a little hoarse.

Aric took that as a good sign, and moved with more confidence, probing deeper and seeking the spot he'd read about in Theo's very helpful manual. Takeshi cried out and raised his hips off the bed again, pushing upwards to drive Aric's finger deeper inside of him. Ah, that must be it. Just to be sure, he brushed his finger against that same spot again; Takeshi groaned loudly. Yes, that was definitely it, Aric thought to himself with a sense of satisfaction.

"More," Takeshi moaned, and Aric eased a second finger inside him. He felt just a little resistance at first, then Takeshi's body seemed to relax and open up to him, and he began thrusting with his fingers. He moved slowly at first, and Takeshi closed his eyes and made little mewling noises of pleasure, which made Aric chuckle because he sounded just like a kitten. And like a kitten waiting to be fed, his voice soon took on a plaintive, demanding note as he began shoving his hips up into the thrusts impatiently, obviously urging Aric to pick up the pace. With a bit of Slytherin wickedness, Aric deliberately slowed down, causing his lover to whimper in frustration, then sped up his thrusts, and Takeshi moaned urgently.

Aric felt his own desire rapidly growing, making it difficult to think straight, but he vaguely recalled that he was supposed to be stretching and preparing his lover. He began scissoring his fingers apart, and Takeshi cried out, his hips bucking and thrashing, his hands frantically clawing at the sheets.

Aric couldn't take it any longer; he pulled his hand away, and before Takeshi had a chance to protest, roughly shoved his lover's legs apart and knelt between them, filled with an overwhelming need to possess his mate. Takeshi moaned, tilting his head back, and Aric leaned forward, instinctively drawn by the sight of his lover's throat. He pressed his lips to the smooth, unmarked skin there, could feel the blood pulsing in the vein beneath his mouth. Aric snarled and opened his mouth, baring his teeth, ready to claim his mate and mark him, so that everyone would know that he belonged to Aric.

Just as he was about to sink his teeth into Takeshi's neck, he suddenly came to his senses and cried out in horror, flinging himself away from his lover with such force that he fell off the bed and hit the floor with a loud thump.

Part 89