(no subject)

[ran-mouri.livejournal.com]

Title:Star Crossed
Author/Artist: ran_mouri 
Pairing(s): Harry/Draco
*Summary: As a desperated attempt to get his family back, Harry decides to go to therapy with Scorpius Malfoy himself. There he will begin a journy to a better understanding of his psyche and the obsession that has marked his life and the ones before this one.
*Genre: .... I dunno,
Rating: R
Length: so far, about 4000+
Warnings/Switching?: No switching, guaranteed
A/N: This time I'm using prompts from           : enlessness, lake and vulnerability

Kyousuke woke up with a start and slowly got up from his futon. It was late at night, he knew, but the nightmares kept plaguing his sleep with hideous images of his own doing.

Specially those bright silver eyes, endlessly mocking his every step. The way they danced before him but always skipped away when he reached out his hand.

He growled, low on his throat, his eyes set on the small lake by the house.

He hated those eyes for their beauty, and at the same time he loved them for their intensity.

“Kyousuke-sama,” called a soft voice. The man turned to regard his petit wife. Hanako was a good woman, obedient to a fault and so beautiful. “Aren’t you coming to bed?”

The man shook his head, ebony locks caressing his forehead.

“The spirits are waiting for me in my dreams,” he whispered, kissing his wife’s hand politely. “They won’t let me rest. He won’t let me rest.”

Hanako stared at him for a second, her coal black eyes worried.

“Perhaps we should look for help, my lord,” she said finally, her cheeks flushed. “An onmyouji?”

Kyousuke kept silent once more, his eyes set onto his wife’s own.

Her eyes were the only feature of her he didn’t like. Had he a choice he would have chose to marry Mimasaka-san, who lived far south from them. Though he knew Mimasaka-san wasn’t as talented or virtuous as Hanako, at least her eyes were a clear grey that under the correct light would sparkle silver.

He frowned.

Hanako would never understand what he was going through, her black eyes would never compare to his personal demon’s.

Yes, the silver eyed beauty that danced before him in his dreams would forever be the holder of his heart. The way his long hair caressed his naked skin, and those eyes sparkling with glee, tempting him, calling out the siren call.

“Come to me,” they seemed to say. “Come to me and let’s be together forever in this kingdom of you and I.”

And Kyousuke wanted to.

So very badly.

He wanted to tangle his hands into those locks and bury himself into that devil who tempted his whole body with just laughter and music.

Every time he reached out in his dreams, mindless of all danger or instincts, ready to wrap his arms around the small waist, pale hands got in his way, and playful silver eyes mocked him.

“Say my name and own me,” a singing voice laughed. “If not, let me go.”

Kyousuke had tried all the names he knew, of course. The sole idea of owning that beautiful creature had inflamed his desire beyond belief.

Yet, every night the beautiful man shook his head and laughed, dancing around him, teasing his senses, before disappearing into thin air.

Kyousuke would wake up, soaking in cold sweat; stare at his wife’s sleeping body by his side, and roll away from her.

She would open her eyes, should he try anything. And whatever desire he felt for her would vanish with the fluttering movement of her eyelashes.

“Go to bed, Hanako-san,” he said suddenly, his eyes hardening. Just the sight of her bland eyes made him feel ill.

The woman stared at him for a moment, sensing danger in his gaze, before bowing lightly, out of respect, and silently padding away.

Her husband would not need her that night either.

Kyousuke leaned against a wall and stared into the night sky. Searching for answers.

And as any other man chosen for greatness, his pleas would be answered that very same night.

“Sir,” a voice called in the darkness. Kyousuke stood up, his pose straightening.

“What is it, Asano?” he asked softly, easily recognizing his most loyal servant’s voice. The older man stepped out of the shadows silently and bowed to his lord in deference.

“My lord, a group of travelers are asking for asylum for the night,” he said, no emotion reflected on his face. “Of course, in exchange, they offer their services.”

“Services?” Kyousuke asked with a frown. He was not in the mood to stand ridiculous performers tonight.

Asano nodded.

“They say the house drew them near because of their talents, and that they can help with your insomnia, sir.” With thin fingers, Asano signaled to a couple sitting patiently by the door.

Of course their clothes gave them away immediately.

“Onmyouji, huh?” he asked out loud, feeling both, relief and anticipation at the new arrivals. “Bring them to my presence.”

Asano nodded.

“As you wish it, my lord.”

----

Etsuji looked up as the stoic man came back. Carefully, he shook his sister’s shoulder and stood up.

“Yurika,” he whispered softly, rousing the older girl up.

The man stopped before them, his eyes hard, lifeless. Etsuji felt sorrow, staring into those eyes. Hardened eyes of a warrior.

“Kyousuke-sama has agreed to let you rest for the night,” the man said then, eyes locked with Etsuji’s. “He wants to meet you, also.”

The smaller man felt a thrill run down his spine. Behind the tall man, the house spirits were waving their arms, shaking their heads and almost screaming at him to turn around and run, to forget this accursed place before he got hurt.

But Yurika was shivering by his side, and he knew her health would not stand another night outside.

With a resigned smile he nodded towards the man, who introduced himself as Asano-san, and took hold of Yurika’s hand in his own.

---

When the travelers entered his house, Kyousuke knew the gods had been hearing his pleas. The woman was ordinary at best, her dull brown eyes and cropped black hair made her undistinguishable between the women of his own household.

But the man.

He was taller than expected, and his hair color was wrong.

But those eyes.

The same silver color that haunted his rest was staring back at him now from a very human face. The face of an angel.

Kyousuke realized he had irrevocably fallen in love.

“Thank you so much for letting us stay, my lord,” the young man said, eyes curious. And the young lord felt his heart speeding up in his chest. It was hard, staring into those eyes, getting lost in that lovely creature’s beauty.

Asano coughed discreetly besides him.

“You don’t need to thank me, ah,” and just like a fool, he hadn’t even asked for the onmyouji’s name. Kyousuke felt his cheeks flush in embarrassment and distress, not even two minutes into their first encounter and he must be looking like an idiot.

The onmyouji smiled lightly, confused by the sudden silence.

Yurika elbowed him lightly.

“Your name, baka,” she whispered good naturedly.

Etsuji blushed then, realizing his sudden rudeness.

“A-…” he said, looking down. “Akimoto Etsuji. And this is my sister, Yurika.”

At his cue, both he and his sister bowed low in respect to their host, but the man kept silent, his fierce black eyes almost piercing them.

“Akimoto-san,” Kyousuke finally whispered, his lips trembling. “You don’t need to thank me at all. I think the gods heard my pleas when they put you on your way towards my home.”

Asano blinked for a moment, then sighed in distress at his lord’s dazed smile. It had been years since he had served under Kyousuke-sama, but this was the first time he had seen the man so happy. Slowly, he turned towards the newcomers, examining them with his eyes.

Nothing special about them, he guessed.

When Kyousuke-sama stopped talking, the taller servant decided he might as well intervene.

“Akimoto-san, this household seems to be haunted,” he explained, his eyes locked onto the young onmyouji’s. He had unusually colored eyes, he had to give him that.

Etsuji nodded, his smile growing kind in his face.

“I must say I noticed an enormous disturbance as we came in, and I was hoping you’d allow me to help,” he said softly, eyes straying between the lord and his servant. They seemed close, almost in a brotherly fashion. Though he had to admit he was worried whenever the other servants stared at their lord, almost all of them held a deep rooter fear in their eyes.

This lord must be strong, to be feared. And he also must be just, to be adored.

Yurika stared at her younger brother from the corner of her eye.

She didn’t like the way those men were examining her little Etsuji so closely, like he was an animal. Something valuable and dangerous at the same time.

She frowned, deliberately swaying on her feet to rest her side against her brother’s.

His eyes immediately turned to her, full of concern.

Both men frowned then.

Yurika felt slightly afraid. But then turned to her brother with a small smile on her tired face.

“I’m ok, Etsuji,” she whispered, wrapping her hand around his own.

Etsuji was not convinced, she could tell, but he smiled back and nodded to her before turning back to their host.

“I’m sorry, my lord, but my sister is ill and…” he muttered.

Kyousuke was immediately on his feet.

“Not another word, Akimoto-san, it was inconsiderate of me to keep you standing here. Asano, please escort our guests to their rooms. We can discuss the matter further tomorrow morning after they have rested.”

Asano nodded silently and walked the onmyouji and his sister towards a guest room. His concern ever growing for the sanity of his lord.

----

The following days were quiet and peaceful for the household. Yurika-san stayed mostly in her rooms, recovering from an unexpected fever, while Asano followed Etsuji-san around as he worked on the old house and heirlooms.

Kyousuke watched it all with interested eyes and spent most of his day working and training, looking forward to dinnertime when Etsuji-san would sit with him to eat and chat. His soft voice and sunny smile enough to warm the lord’s heart.

Currently he was peering into an old, unused room as Etsuji-san placed ofudas over most corners, effectively trapping whatever was hidden in there.

Asano looked uncomfortable.

“Are you sure this is the correct room?” he asked, staring around. Etsuji turned to him with a wide grin.

“Of course I’m sure. Zashiki-warashi(1) has been pointing to this room all week, Asano-san! Whoever is trapped in this room needs my help!”

Kyousuke could see that Asano was scared of the old storeroom. He had never been a believer of spirits and guardians, believing more in his sword than his battle comrades than anything beyond human control.

Now that Etsuji had graced their household, however, Asano had been introduced first-hand to all the little spirits that had graced their home for centuries. How could he have known that the stone dogs that guarded the temple were actual creatures that moved at night? And those dogs would love to play with Etsuji-san, and therefore himself, whenever they caught them outside?

Or that a Yuki-Onna(2) had been their cook for years because she had a crush on Mimato-san, their gardener?

Not to mention the Kappa(3) that currently resided on their lake.

Life around Etsuji-san was never boring, it seemed.

However, Asano was slowly discovering that been around their young guest was as dangerous as it was exciting. Whenever he had to kick a harmful spirit from the house, Etsuji-san would spend hours reflecting on its fate and he would even cry for their souls. He enjoyed playing around with their Koma-inu(4) and encouraged the Yuki-Onna to seek out her love.

And those eyes.

Now Asano understood why Kyousuke-sama enjoyed staring into Etsuji-san’s eyes so much. They were unusual, that much was obvious. The silvery color of those eyes easily reflected sunlight and even could gain different shades from his moods.

But then again, that wasn’t what drew Asano to those eyes.

It was the utter happiness in them.

The way they stared into someone’s soul and made them feel like only they mattered in the world. Like they were chosen by the gods to receive one of the most precious gifts in existence.

Etsuji-san could make someone feel like that with just a light glance and one of his usual happy smiles.

Asano felt he could stare into those eyes forever and be content.

Just like now, that Etsuji-san chanted a spell over and over again, his eyes full of concentration and hidden power.

The ofudas on the walls started trembling, the wind blew wildly.

Asano unsheathed his sword, ready for any attack.

Etsuji-san walked back a few steps, to stand by his side, his chants continued.

A shadowy figure started to twist and turn, shrieks of agony escaping its monstrous mouth.

“Don’t!” the figure cried. “This is my home! MY HOME!!”

Asano stared at Etsuji-san, whose eyes were full of tears and regret.

“I’m sorry, but you must let go,” he whispered sadly. The figure twisted anew, the wind was so strong that the beads around Etsuji-san’s wrists rattled noisily.

“NO!! MY HOME!!” the figure snapped, attacking both men.

“Etsuji-san!” Asano yelled, eyes narrowed, ready to defend the man.

Etsuji took only one second to stare at Asano before placing a protective charm onto his chest and pushing him out of the way, just when the claws of the creature pierced into the onmyouji’s shoulder and the stench of its miasma filled the room.

Etsuji closed his eyes tightly, a cry of pain piercing his throat.

Still hiding, Kyousuke was ready to jump out and rip the head of that monster when Asano did just that, a yell of rage stating his intent.

“DIE!” he roared, stabbing the unmoving figure over and over.

Etsuji stood then, holding his bloodied shoulder with a hand.

“Asano-san!” he said softly. “Please stop, it’s ok. I’m ok!”

Asano turned towards the other man, his eyes wild.

“Idiot!” he snapped, sizing him by the arms. “Don’t you ever do something so dangerous!”

Etsuji stared at him, wide eyed.

“Asano-san…” he whispered. “I didn’t want you to get hurt.”

Asano roared again.

“And then YOU got hurt! How do you think I feel!” Without thinking, Asano wrapped his arms around Etsuji-san and captured those pink lips in his and plunged the sweet mouth with his tongue. Just like he had been wanting to do for days now.

Etsuji’s eyes widened, his hands immediately raising to push Asano away. Kyousuke’s eyes filled with hope.

Etsuji would push Asano away, he would reject those impure feelings and then…

…then Etsuji’s hands tangled on Asano’s hair and those wonderful eyes closed with a sigh of pleasure.

Kyousuke felt something tighten inside of him before bursting into a million pieces, each little piece stabbing into his skin from the inside and making his whole body tremble and ache. He was bleeding, he knew it, he was dying, and the more he stared at the pair the more he hurt.

But he couldn’t tear his eyes away from Etsuji and his beauty.

With clenched hands that soon teared into his skin he stalked away. Let Asano have him for a while, but Etsuji-san belonged to him and him alone.

----

That night, Etsuji sat happily to dine with Kyousuke-sama, his shoulder newly bandaged caused him little discomfort compared to the happiness of being loved by someone as wonderful as Asano-san.

The way he looked at him, the way he held him in his strong arms as if he was a treasure. He knew Yurika would not be pleased, but she would eventually understand he wanted to remain here, with Asano-san.

Kyousuke-sama was staring at him with a gentle smile on his handsome face.

“So, you tell me the spirit plaguing that wing of the house is no longer a threat?” he asked, sipping his sake. Etsuji nodded enthusiastically, his own eyes set on his sake cup.

He hadn’t dared to touch it yet.

“Asano told me you got injured because of it,” Kyousuke-sama continued. “Are you sure you are ok?”

Etsuji blushed under the intensity of Kyousuke-sama’s stare and nodded meekly.

“I am, sire, it was just a scratch, besides the creature suffered far worse than I did.”

Kyousuke nodded, satisfied, and raised his cup towards Etsuji.

“Akimoto-san, I’m glad you are ok and that the purification of this house is going so well. Shall we toast for it?” he suggested, his tone sweet.

Etsuji nodded again, his cheeks aflame. He always had that kind of reaction when around Kyousuke-sama.

Slowly, he grabbed his own cup and put it on his lips. Outside he could hear Zashiki-warashi screaming his name but he thought it might be the Koma-inu chasing him again. Kyousuke-sama grinned at him as he took the first sip of sake, and laughed in delight when his hand fell limp at his side and his vision swam.

“K-Kyousuke-sama?” he asked weakly. The lord’s hands grasped his own softly, almost reverently, and in his weakened state, Etsuji felt the man’s lips on his skin.

“Akimoto-san. No, Etsuji-kun,” Kyousuke whispered, slowly crawling over the tatami towards his beloved. “It was fate you came to this world. The gods brought you to me at last.”

Those soulful silver eyes stared at him in confusion, the fear and dizziness made him conscious of the other man’s vulnerability.

“Don’t worry, my beloved Etsuji-kun,” Kyousuke whispered, kissing the trembling lips softly. Almost reverently so. Etsuji tasted like sake and sweetness.

Perfect for him.

Those endless eyes were shaking, full of tears.

“Kyou… suke…. Sama,” he managed to choke out, but the other man just closed his lips with tender hands.

“Not a word, beloved,” he said, his smile growing. “You said so yourself, didn’t you? Say my name and own me or let me go. I can’t let you go, I love you, therefore I must say your name, my precious Akimoto Etsuji-kun.”

Etsuji’s eyes widened.

The man was insane for sure. But he spoke of the ancient contracts between wizards and their lords.

Was he contracting one?

“No… please,” he sobbed softly. “Don’t..”

‘Don’t tie my soul to yours, Kyousuke-sama, don’t take me away!’ he had wanted to scream, but even opening his eyes was an effort his tired body was struggling with.

“Together forever, Etsuji-kun,” Kyousuke grinned, taking the other man in his arms and walking calmly out of the house. “Nothing will force us apart now. Not fate, nor spirits, and certainly not Asano.”

Etsuji tried to struggle, he tried with all his might to move, even to call out for help. He knew someone would have answered. But he couldn’t.

The only reaction he could muster was the lone tear travelling down his cheek.

Asano-san would not be able to help him then.

Suddenly something cold was touching his feet and spreading towards his legs. Something slippery and wet.

A whimper made it past his lips as he realized where Kyousuke-sama was taking him.

‘The Lake, he’s taking me INTO the lake!’ he thought frantically.

Kyousuke smiled at him, kissing his lips over and over again.

“Don’t worry, you won’t feel a thing,” he said, downing a second cup of sake. “We won’t feel a thing but our love, Etsuji-kun.”

‘No! Please! I don’t want to die!! PLEASE!!’

The water was by his shoulders now, but Kyousuke kept walking into the lake, his arms secured around Etsuji’s waist. He smiled and fused his lips with his beloved’s one more time.

The water covered them.

And together, they disappeared.

--------

This time, when they came to, Hermione and Ron were too far apart to comfort eachother nor Harry. Not that Hermione’s thoughts were anywhere near comforting her best friend.

“YOU BASTARD!” she cried. “YOU KILLED HIM!! I LOVED HIM AND YOU TOOK HIM AWAY FROM ME!”

Ron ran towards her then, only to hold her down as she tried to lunge at Harry.

“Hermione!” he yelled, grabbing her arms. “It’s not us anymore!! YOU SAID SO YOURSELF!!”

“YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND, RON!! HE TOOK HIM AWAY FROM ME!! WE WERE SO HAPPY!!”

“I UNDERSTAND!” he said, wrapping both arms around her. “HE KILLED MY LITTLE BROTHER, HERMIONE! I WAS THERE TOO!!”

That seemed to calm her down. With tearful eyes she turned to him, her face red.

“You were Yurika-san?” she asked weakly.

Ron nodded.

“I was the one to discover your corpse and theirs the following morning,” he sighed, caressing his wife’s cheek. “Hanako-san was a very big help, but it was never the same without him.”

Both of them immediately turned to Harry, curling in a corner.

“Oh, mate,” Ron said, kneeling by his side.

“Harry, I’m sorry,” Hermione sobbed, wrapping her arms around him. “It wasn’t your fault, you didn’t do that. It was him, he was sick.”

Harry was staring at his hands, his face blank.

“Scorpius?” he asked weakly.

“Yes, Mr. Potter?” came the young man’s voice.

“It was him again, wasn’t it? Caedyrn, Etsuji, it’s the same person, right?”

There was a long silence.

“Yes, Mr. Potter,” Scorpius said finally. “Caedyrn back in Gaul, then Etsuji in Japan, it’s always the same person.”

Harry felt tears running down his cheeks.

“So, next one we will meet again,” he stated hollowly.

“Yes, Mr. Potter, you will.”

“Will I hurt him again?”

Another silence, long.

“I’m sorry Mr. Potter. We can stop if you want…”

Harry shook his head.

“I want to see why I couldn’t stop myself. Why I couldn’t let him go,” his words were weak, as weak as he felt. But his determination shone in his eyes. “I can’t let it happen again, should we meet now.”

Scorpius let out a soft sigh, one that Harry couldn’t discern.

“Why was Hermione the guy’s lover?” Ron asked suddenly. “Why was I his sister?”

Hermione answered this time, her forehead pressed against Harry’s shoulder.

“Because Quirinus never understood how Marcus Leontius lost his head over another man. So this time I fell in love with him too, and I was insane enough over him to kill myself in his name.”

Harry embraced her tenderly, sensing her distress.

“As for you, Ron,” she continued. “I remember Ainia asking me about Caedyrn, she had wanted to see what made him so special.”

“Then I came back his sister, to know him,” Ron surmised, feeling miserable. Slowly, he walked towards his best friend and wife and sat by their side. “At least tell me my brother fought back next time, huh, Malfoy?”

Scorpius didn’t speak then.

“Dad, Aunt Hermione, Uncle Ron,” spoke Albus, his voice concerned. “Are you really sure you want to keep going with this?”

Harry frowned.

“Yes, son,” he said. “I need to know.”

“Ok,” the boy said softly. “I’ll guide you now, Scorpius is… he had an emergency.”

Before any of the adults could ask about it, darkness enveloped them and they were on their way once more.

To be continued

(1) Zashiki-warashi: a protective child-like house spirit.
(2)Yuki-Onna: a snow woman.
(3) Kappa: a famous water monster with a water-filled head and a love of cucumbers.
(4) Koma-inu: another name for the shishi, the pair of lion-dogs that guard the entrances of temples.

.