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Blood. Lust. Family. - Chapter 3
Pairing: Sakumoto
Genre: Vampire AU, fantasy, drama, mpreg
Rating: NC-17
Warning: Contains violence, gore, blood.
Summary: Satoshi reacts to Sho’s news, Nino grows closer to Jun, and there are reports of trouble between Vampires and Humans.
Previously: Chapter 1, Chapter 2
Nino looked up, ever alert, as a light knock sounded on the door to Satoshi's private rooms. Satoshi had been pacing restlessly since their arrival from the hospital, occasionally emitting quiet hissing sounds under his breath. Nino meanwhile, was sitting in silence, tucked unobtrusively into a chair in the corner using a small whetstone to sharpen the multiple blades of a black pocket knife.
“WHAT?” Satoshi shouted in the direction of the door, as he checked his phone once again for any messages regarding Jun.
A guard opened the door and stuck his head cautiously around the door jamb, swallowing nervously before speaking. “Prince Sakurai has arrived and wishes to speak with you. I repeatedly told him that you had asked to not be disturbed, but he is most insistent…”
The remainder of the guard’s words were cut off by a gurgle, as Satoshi gripped him by the throat and tugged him into the room, growling angrily and shaking him slightly.
Nino sighed, and carefully placed his knife back into his pocket, before standing up and walking over to Satoshi and the unfortunate human, who was in the process of turning blue. “Satoshi let him go. He only just came on duty and he doesn’t know what’s going on. Plus if you kill him, I will have to arrest you as part of my duties, and I am definitely not in the mood to fill in that much paperwork.”
Satoshi glared at Nino with blazing blue eyes which gradually dimmed as he came to his senses. He released the beefy man who wobbled dangerously, before finally managing to stand upright.
“I apologise for Prince Ohno’s behaviour; he has things on his mind,” Nino said, as he steered the stunned man from the room. Before they crossed the threshold, Nino turned the guard to face him and his eyes flared with golden sparks. The human froze in place as Nino held his gaze, and a smile gradually replaced the fear which had been there moments earlier. “Please send in Prince Sakurai.”
The guard nodded and rushed off up the corridor, eager to do Nino’s bidding, seeming to have forgotten his earlier trauma.
When he was gone Nino glared at Satoshi. “Control yourself. I’m not going to hypnotise people every time you lose your temper. The Vampire Council has strict rules regarding vampire interactions with humans and you just broke about seven of them.”
“Sorry. I’m just so worried about Jun.” Satoshi rubbed his eyes tiredly. “I will make arrangements for the human to have a holiday at my expense as a reward for his good service.”
“There’s no need to go that far. He doesn’t remember a thing,” Nino replied with a dismissive shake of his head.
“But I do. I am the heir to the Matsumoto Royal House and I shouldn’t lose control of my emotions in that way.”
Nino looked as if he wanted to argue further but their conversation was interrupted by the arrival of Sho, whose face bore an expression that neither Nino nor Satoshi could decipher.
****
Nino gripped Satoshi’s arm in warning as he took a step in Sho’s direction, but Satoshi shrugged him off and made his way to where Sho was hesitating in the doorway. “Please come in,” Satoshi said neutrally.
“Thank you,” Sho replied, with a slight bow. In the fifteen years since he and Jun were mated, this was the first time he had visited Satoshi’s private quarters.
“May I offer you some refreshments?” Satoshi asked stiltedly.
“No thank you,” Sho replied equally as stiffly.
“So, how is he?” Nino asked, ignoring formalities and getting straight to the point.
“Who?” Sho replied dazedly as he sat staring at the far wall with unfocused eyes.
Satoshi growled, but Nino shushed him, picking up on Sho’s oddly detached demeanour. “Jun of course. Is he still in hospital?”
Sho blinked slowly and then somehow pulled himself together. “Yes. Oguri-sensei wants to keep him there for a couple of days to rehydrate him and make sure he can keep down some nourishment. He is looking much better already after being on an IV and drinking a small amount from me.”
“So as we all suspected, he has been sick for weeks and not telling us?” Nino asked.
“More like, some of us are unable to see the signs of serious illness in people we supposedly love, even when they are right under their nose,” Satoshi hissed.
Sho flinched but remained calm. “Jun isn’t ill.”
“Then why has he been hospitalized? Stop messing around and tell us what’s wrong.”
“He isn’t ill. He is breeding.” Sho looked Satoshi in the eyes for the first time, searching them for Satoshi’s reaction to his words. “He is seven weeks pregnant with my youngling.”
In a movement which was too fast for even Nino to prevent, Satoshi slapped Sho hard across the face, raking his nails across the skin as he did so, before storming out of the room without saying a word.
“You accidentally knocked up Jun-kun?” Nino’s eyes were wide with disbelief. “I’m not sure that even the power of the Vampire Council is strong enough to prevent Satoshi from ripping your dick off.”
Sho nodded and slumped down in his seat, dabbing at the healing scratches on his cheek with a tissue. He knew that Satoshi would immediately rush to Jun’s bedside, but held no fears that Satoshi would take his anger out on his younger brother. Sho just hoped that Jun would be able to convince Satoshi that this was something which was a consequence of their unusually strong mating bond, and not the result of Sho forcing his mate into breeding too soon. The thought of facing the next few centuries dealing with the anger of his brother-in-law and the rest of Jun’s family, was definitely something which Sho didn’t wish to even begin to contemplate.
****
Roused from a deep sleep, Jun sensed the presence of someone else in his room long before he spotted the familiar blue glow of his brother’s eyes. This particular shade only came out when Satoshi was particularly enraged, and Jun had rarely ever seen it directed at him.
“Satoshi?” Jun struggled to sit up, fighting a losing battle with the mound of pillows at the top of the bed. “I was going to thank you for coming to see me, but it seems as if you came here because you have something to say.”
“Your mate came to see me,” Satoshi said, spitting out the word ‘mate’ as if it left a bad taste in his mouth. “He told me that you’re carrying his young.”
“So I was wrong, and you're here to congratulate me?” Jun asked with mild sarcasm.
Jun could feel disapproval leaking from every pore of Satoshi's being, and he was determined to stand up to him. Satoshi loved him, and while growing up, Satoshi had also thought he knew what was best for Jun. Jun had readily agreed with his older and wiser brother, allowing him to steer his decisions, trusting Satoshi to guide him in the right direction. But now Jun’s protective instincts had been awakened by the knowledge that he was carrying a tiny and fragile life, and he was ready to defend both his vampling and mate from anything and anyone; even his beloved brother.
“How could you be so weak? Are you so enthralled by him? So under his control?” Satoshi hissed the words out as he loomed over Jun. “Since it seems you were too stupid to prevent him from forcing you into breeding, then I will have to do something about it myself. The Vampire Council forbids a dominant mate from using his power against his submissive in such a way.”
Anger flowed through Jun’s veins. “You have no right to speak about Sho in that way. He is my mate and he would willingly die for me, as I would for him. Do you think I am so weak? Do you see me as some helpless puppet?”
“He tricked you, and you are either still under his influence, or too stupid to even notice. You shouldn't be capable of breeding for at least a century, and I am sure that your young will suffer for it.”
Jun clutched his belly in a protective gesture, horrified by Satoshi's words. “If you can't accept this then get out, and I don't just mean out of this room. I don't want you in my life if you are going to speak of my vampling in that way. Sho and I can defend ourselves, but my young one is a tiny helpless, and utterly defenceless speck. You are my brother and I love you, but I love Sho and this vampling with every fibre of my being. I mean it Satoshi, if you can't accept this, then you won’t be allowed to ever see me again.”
Satoshi stood as if frozen to the spot, as Jun glared at him with defiant eyes ablaze with a bright purple fire, before wordlessly turning and stalking from the room.
****
Jun’s anger sustained him through the next few minutes as he stared at the closed door. His heart was pounding and he could hear the rasping gasp of his own breathing as he clenched his fists. The thought of never speaking to his brother again made Jun more scared than he had ever been; even after being abducted he hadn’t been this terrified. Satoshi had been there from the day of his birth, supporting him, caring for him, loving him, and he wanted his vampling to experience the same support.
Jun’s vision blurred as tears welled in his eyes, but he found comfort as he stroked his belly, imagining that his miniscule youngling could hear him speak. “Don't fret, my little one, your Papa and I will make sure that you are happy and loved, even if we have to do it alone.”
“You won't be alone.”
Jun wiped his eyes and looked up at Satoshi who had come back into the room, wearing a contrite expression. “Satoshi?”
“I’m sorry Jun. Please forgive me. What I said was cruel and uncalled for,” Satoshi said as he slowly approached Jun, as if unsure of his welcome. “It was a knee-jerk reaction and I didn’t think before I spoke.”
“I meant every word Satoshi.” Jun pulled himself a little higher in the bed and wiped his eyes. “Don’t test me on this. If you can’t accept that Sho and I are breeding then I don’t want you around.”
Satoshi bowed deeply and his voice was husky as he replied. “I forget that you are a mature vampire now and you don’t need me to look after you any longer. You have your mate now to care for you. ”
“I didn’t expect you to be pleased at this news, and to be perfectly honest, I was angry too when I found out. But things can’t be changed, and now that I am used to the idea it means everything to me, and I hope that you can be happy for me too.”
“I promise not to interfere, and I shall inform Father on your behalf. I imagine that he will not be pleased, but I will find a way to calm him,” Satoshi said formally, as he straightened up. “I will leave now and allow you to get some rest.”
Satoshi turned and headed towards the door. His slumped shoulders and hunched figure signalling defeat.
“Satoshi, wait!” Jun struggled to rise off the bed and prevent his brother from leaving. “You don’t have to leave.”
“You want me to stay? Is that all right?”
“Please. Just because I want my independence, it doesn’t mean that I don’t need your love.”
Satoshi practically flew across the room to hug his brother. “You will never lose my love. We are brothers for life, Jun.”
To Jun’s astonishment Satoshi began to cry, sitting on the edge of the bed clutching Jun tightly to his chest and soaking the collar of Jun’s pyjamas with his tears. It was the first time Jun had ever seen his brother cry, and he couldn't help the moisture which welled in his own eyes in response. “Satoshi, please don't think that I am not truly grateful for everything that you have done for me. Father had no time for me and Mother simply couldn’t cope. You were the one who I could rely on. That’s why I want you to offer that same love and protection to my vampling. You will make the best Uncle that my youngling could hope for, so I hope that you can find at least a tiny bit of room in your heart for them too.”
Satoshi surreptitiously wiped his eyes and cleared his throat before replying. “If this youngling and any future vamplings take after you, my experience will be sorely needed. You were such a handful growing up.”
Jun huffed indignantly and glared at his older brother. “How dare you. I was the perfect vampling.”
“Perfectly spoilt, you mean,” Satoshi laughed.
“Only by you, Satoshi. You made up for the indifference of our parents.”
“Our parents are foolish. By their coldness to you they have missed out on experiencing all that I have shared with you. They missed watching you turn into the strong and loving vampire you are today.”
Jun swallowed hard and burrowed tighter into Satoshi’s chest. He felt far from the strong vampire that his brother believed him to be. “And Sho? You aren't going to hold a grudge? This wasn't his fault.”
“I have realized that I haven't given him much of a chance to prove himself.” Satoshi rubbed Jun’s back soothingly as he had done when Jun was tiny. “And since you are such a strong-willed creature, I doubt that he could make you do anything that you didn't wish for anyway.
“Then let me prove myself now.” Sho’s voice was deep and serious as he unexpectedly hovered in the doorway. “Allow me to work with you to bring our families together.”
“Sho!” Jun immediately pulled back from Satoshi’s embrace and held out his arms needily in Sho’s direction.
Satoshi abandoned his spot and moved over to one of the chairs, allowing Sho to take his place. “How do you feel now my love?” Sho sniffed Jun’s nape, becoming used to the slight alteration in his mate’s scent. Oguri-sensei had told them that Jun’s scent would remain sweeter while he carried their vampling.
“Satoshi and I have sorted out our issues and for our youngling’s sake I hope that you two can do the same,” Jun said softly as he took Sho’s hand and pressed it to his perfectly flat belly.
“In that case I shall take up Sho’s offer to bring our families together,” Satoshi replied. “But first I shall leave you two alone to allow the news to sink in.”
After Satoshi’s departure Sho settled himself on the bed beside Jun, embracing him and speaking words of love to their unborn youngling until silence settled over the room as they slept.
****
Jun picked at a loose thread on the seam of the sheet and sighed. He still had one more day to spend in hospital, and Jun was already bored. There was nothing worth watching on television, and the book he was currently reading failed to hold his attention. He missed Sho even though he had only left a few minutes earlier to attend to important family business. It was hard for Jun to allow Sho out of his sight and even harder for Sho to leave. All of his instincts had told Sho to stay with his mate in a protective stance and only Jun’s insistence had spurred him to go.
Picking up his chopsticks, Jun prodded at the unappealing omurice congealing on the plate resting on the tray table in front of him. It was important to eat and provide nourishment for his miniscule youngling, but Jun’s stomach rebelled at the odour of the rapidly cooling food.
“Good thing I picked up some takeaway on the way over.”
“Nino?”
Nino placed the cover over the omurice and removed the tray. “I thought you were supposed to be building up your strength, not building castles out of egg.”
“It doesn't appeal to me right now,” Jun pouted. “It’s not the right season for omurice.”
“Perhaps this will appeal to you more.” Nino pulled various containers out of the bag and arranged them on the tray in front of Jun, who immediately perked up.
“Soba!” Jun eagerly sprinkled the noodles with spring onion before dipping a mound of them into the sauce. His happy slurps filled the room as Nino made himself comfortable, sitting down on a visitor chair and casually crossing his legs. His newest sneakers were green with vivid orange stripes along the sides.
“Those shoes are…” Jun’s words trailed off as nausea swirled in his stomach. He breathed deeply in an attempt to quell his rising sickness.
“No need to throw up just to make a point. My shoes aren't that bad,” Nino said as he hovered nervously near the bed.
Jun swallowed and closed his eyes. “They really are awful.”
“But cheap and absolutely silent when I walk,” Nino replied with a smirk. He didn't need to elaborate the importance of this feature any further to Jun.
“Thank you for the food. I really appreciate it even if I’m not doing justice to it,” Jun said as he took another cautious mouthful of soba.
“My pleasure. Are you sure you're okay?”
“You can tell Sho that I’m fine.”
“Sho?” Nino blinked in feigned innocence.
“I can smell him on you. He obviously asked you to keep watch over me,” Jun replied blandly.
“Is there any point in trying to deny it?”
Jun raised an eyebrow in reply and offered Nino some noodles out of politeness, sure to be refused since nobody had ever seen human food touch Nino’s lips. “He’s my mate. I know that he wouldn't leave me alone if he thinks I can't protect myself.”
“I’m not just here because he asked me to. I wanted to see for myself that you are looking better. You looked terrible when Sho carried you down to the car.”
“Thanks.
“It is my duty to ensure your safety, Prince Jun. Once before I failed and you and Prince Sho suffered for it. This time I intend to make sure that you aren't hurt.”
“Nino, I appreciate your sense of duty, but I’m breeding, not fighting a war.” Jun knew that if Nino was using titles then he was feeling particularly emotional. “All that I require is your friendship, and maybe to intervene when Sho and Satoshi inevitably smother me with overprotectiveness.”
“We all know that they do it out of love, and because the pair of them sometimes act like idiots, but mostly because of the love part,” Nino replied gruffly as he pushed the noodles away. The thought of Jun counting him as a friend made him feel warm all over and it wasn’t something he was used to.
A soft smile graced Jun’s face as he retrieved the soba, and as his wave of nausea receded, he once again dug into the noodles with enthusiasm. He could feel Sho’s love embracing him even though his mate was absent. Due to their bond, Jun was never alone and he was filled with strength by just that knowledge.
****
“Satoshi, why are we here? Jun is still hospitalised and he needs my support.” Sho shifted uncomfortably in his chair and drummed his fingers impatiently on the desk, all the while searching for Jun’s feelings with his mind. He was only slightly reassured by the tendrils of warmth he received in return. Eventually, as Jun’s pregnancy progressed, he hoped to become calmer and less on edge, but right now his protective instincts were on overdrive.
“There are reports that a gang of humans with connections within both of our kingdoms are attacking lesser vampires.” Satoshi’s forehead creased as he paced across the carpet. His office was decorated to his father’s taste, not Satoshi's own, but he barely noticed the heavy furniture and oriental carpets anyway. He usually preferred to work from his bedroom but nobody but Jun or his lovers were allowed into his inner sanctum.
“Is the Council aware of this?”
“They are the ones who asked me to investigate. You know that they try to interfere as little as possible within the Royal Families if possible,” Satoshi replied with a frown.
“Really? They haven’t shown that recently,” Sho replied, thinking of his own arranged mating with Jun. The fact that it had turned out well didn’t absolve the Council from forcing them together in the first place. “Do we know why this is occurring?”
“The humans claim that vampires are being unfairly favoured when it comes to jobs and contracts within the Kingdoms. But Nino believes that they are nothing more than criminals and thugs who are attempting to take away the livelihood of innocent vampires.”
King Matsumoto had dismissed the problem, passing it over to his eldest son to deal with. The fate of a few lesser vampires did not overly concern him. To Satoshi however, it felt as if the peaceful accord between humankind and vampires might be endangered. Most vampires did not lead a life of luxury and privilege as those members of the Royal Family, working for a wage just the same as humans.
“What do we need to do?” Sho had enough worries of his own to contend with. Jun’s health and wellbeing was of prime importance, along with that of his youngling. He appreciated Satoshi’s effort to include him, but he hoped that the matter could be resolved without too much involvement on his part.
“For the moment we do nothing. Nino is going to look into it and send out his agents. The important thing is for us to be alert. If they are attacking vampires, then there is nothing to prevent them from attacking highborn vampires too.”
Sho’s eyes glowed from deep within as he realized that there was no way that he could allow Satoshi to handle this problem alone. “So Jun may be in danger?”
“We all may be targets, not just Jun. But whereas we can take care of ourselves he will need our protection. He is especially vulnerable right now, due to his pregnancy.” Satoshi was unable to keep the bitterness out of his voice, at the thought of his baby brother being in such a condition. Although he had come to terms with Sho as Jun’s mate, Satoshi couldn’t help but to worry about his brother. He was far too young to be breeding for the first time, especially considering the difficulties surrounding vampire pregnancies in general.
For once Sho was in complete agreement. “Then, with your help we must rid our Kingdoms of these humans as soon as we can. And in the meantime I will not let Jun out of my sight. He is mine to protect.”
Genre: Vampire AU, fantasy, drama, mpreg
Rating: NC-17
Warning: Contains violence, gore, blood.
Summary: Satoshi reacts to Sho’s news, Nino grows closer to Jun, and there are reports of trouble between Vampires and Humans.
Previously: Chapter 1, Chapter 2
Nino looked up, ever alert, as a light knock sounded on the door to Satoshi's private rooms. Satoshi had been pacing restlessly since their arrival from the hospital, occasionally emitting quiet hissing sounds under his breath. Nino meanwhile, was sitting in silence, tucked unobtrusively into a chair in the corner using a small whetstone to sharpen the multiple blades of a black pocket knife.
“WHAT?” Satoshi shouted in the direction of the door, as he checked his phone once again for any messages regarding Jun.
A guard opened the door and stuck his head cautiously around the door jamb, swallowing nervously before speaking. “Prince Sakurai has arrived and wishes to speak with you. I repeatedly told him that you had asked to not be disturbed, but he is most insistent…”
The remainder of the guard’s words were cut off by a gurgle, as Satoshi gripped him by the throat and tugged him into the room, growling angrily and shaking him slightly.
Nino sighed, and carefully placed his knife back into his pocket, before standing up and walking over to Satoshi and the unfortunate human, who was in the process of turning blue. “Satoshi let him go. He only just came on duty and he doesn’t know what’s going on. Plus if you kill him, I will have to arrest you as part of my duties, and I am definitely not in the mood to fill in that much paperwork.”
Satoshi glared at Nino with blazing blue eyes which gradually dimmed as he came to his senses. He released the beefy man who wobbled dangerously, before finally managing to stand upright.
“I apologise for Prince Ohno’s behaviour; he has things on his mind,” Nino said, as he steered the stunned man from the room. Before they crossed the threshold, Nino turned the guard to face him and his eyes flared with golden sparks. The human froze in place as Nino held his gaze, and a smile gradually replaced the fear which had been there moments earlier. “Please send in Prince Sakurai.”
The guard nodded and rushed off up the corridor, eager to do Nino’s bidding, seeming to have forgotten his earlier trauma.
When he was gone Nino glared at Satoshi. “Control yourself. I’m not going to hypnotise people every time you lose your temper. The Vampire Council has strict rules regarding vampire interactions with humans and you just broke about seven of them.”
“Sorry. I’m just so worried about Jun.” Satoshi rubbed his eyes tiredly. “I will make arrangements for the human to have a holiday at my expense as a reward for his good service.”
“There’s no need to go that far. He doesn’t remember a thing,” Nino replied with a dismissive shake of his head.
“But I do. I am the heir to the Matsumoto Royal House and I shouldn’t lose control of my emotions in that way.”
Nino looked as if he wanted to argue further but their conversation was interrupted by the arrival of Sho, whose face bore an expression that neither Nino nor Satoshi could decipher.
****
Nino gripped Satoshi’s arm in warning as he took a step in Sho’s direction, but Satoshi shrugged him off and made his way to where Sho was hesitating in the doorway. “Please come in,” Satoshi said neutrally.
“Thank you,” Sho replied, with a slight bow. In the fifteen years since he and Jun were mated, this was the first time he had visited Satoshi’s private quarters.
“May I offer you some refreshments?” Satoshi asked stiltedly.
“No thank you,” Sho replied equally as stiffly.
“So, how is he?” Nino asked, ignoring formalities and getting straight to the point.
“Who?” Sho replied dazedly as he sat staring at the far wall with unfocused eyes.
Satoshi growled, but Nino shushed him, picking up on Sho’s oddly detached demeanour. “Jun of course. Is he still in hospital?”
Sho blinked slowly and then somehow pulled himself together. “Yes. Oguri-sensei wants to keep him there for a couple of days to rehydrate him and make sure he can keep down some nourishment. He is looking much better already after being on an IV and drinking a small amount from me.”
“So as we all suspected, he has been sick for weeks and not telling us?” Nino asked.
“More like, some of us are unable to see the signs of serious illness in people we supposedly love, even when they are right under their nose,” Satoshi hissed.
Sho flinched but remained calm. “Jun isn’t ill.”
“Then why has he been hospitalized? Stop messing around and tell us what’s wrong.”
“He isn’t ill. He is breeding.” Sho looked Satoshi in the eyes for the first time, searching them for Satoshi’s reaction to his words. “He is seven weeks pregnant with my youngling.”
In a movement which was too fast for even Nino to prevent, Satoshi slapped Sho hard across the face, raking his nails across the skin as he did so, before storming out of the room without saying a word.
“You accidentally knocked up Jun-kun?” Nino’s eyes were wide with disbelief. “I’m not sure that even the power of the Vampire Council is strong enough to prevent Satoshi from ripping your dick off.”
Sho nodded and slumped down in his seat, dabbing at the healing scratches on his cheek with a tissue. He knew that Satoshi would immediately rush to Jun’s bedside, but held no fears that Satoshi would take his anger out on his younger brother. Sho just hoped that Jun would be able to convince Satoshi that this was something which was a consequence of their unusually strong mating bond, and not the result of Sho forcing his mate into breeding too soon. The thought of facing the next few centuries dealing with the anger of his brother-in-law and the rest of Jun’s family, was definitely something which Sho didn’t wish to even begin to contemplate.
****
Roused from a deep sleep, Jun sensed the presence of someone else in his room long before he spotted the familiar blue glow of his brother’s eyes. This particular shade only came out when Satoshi was particularly enraged, and Jun had rarely ever seen it directed at him.
“Satoshi?” Jun struggled to sit up, fighting a losing battle with the mound of pillows at the top of the bed. “I was going to thank you for coming to see me, but it seems as if you came here because you have something to say.”
“Your mate came to see me,” Satoshi said, spitting out the word ‘mate’ as if it left a bad taste in his mouth. “He told me that you’re carrying his young.”
“So I was wrong, and you're here to congratulate me?” Jun asked with mild sarcasm.
Jun could feel disapproval leaking from every pore of Satoshi's being, and he was determined to stand up to him. Satoshi loved him, and while growing up, Satoshi had also thought he knew what was best for Jun. Jun had readily agreed with his older and wiser brother, allowing him to steer his decisions, trusting Satoshi to guide him in the right direction. But now Jun’s protective instincts had been awakened by the knowledge that he was carrying a tiny and fragile life, and he was ready to defend both his vampling and mate from anything and anyone; even his beloved brother.
“How could you be so weak? Are you so enthralled by him? So under his control?” Satoshi hissed the words out as he loomed over Jun. “Since it seems you were too stupid to prevent him from forcing you into breeding, then I will have to do something about it myself. The Vampire Council forbids a dominant mate from using his power against his submissive in such a way.”
Anger flowed through Jun’s veins. “You have no right to speak about Sho in that way. He is my mate and he would willingly die for me, as I would for him. Do you think I am so weak? Do you see me as some helpless puppet?”
“He tricked you, and you are either still under his influence, or too stupid to even notice. You shouldn't be capable of breeding for at least a century, and I am sure that your young will suffer for it.”
Jun clutched his belly in a protective gesture, horrified by Satoshi's words. “If you can't accept this then get out, and I don't just mean out of this room. I don't want you in my life if you are going to speak of my vampling in that way. Sho and I can defend ourselves, but my young one is a tiny helpless, and utterly defenceless speck. You are my brother and I love you, but I love Sho and this vampling with every fibre of my being. I mean it Satoshi, if you can't accept this, then you won’t be allowed to ever see me again.”
Satoshi stood as if frozen to the spot, as Jun glared at him with defiant eyes ablaze with a bright purple fire, before wordlessly turning and stalking from the room.
****
Jun’s anger sustained him through the next few minutes as he stared at the closed door. His heart was pounding and he could hear the rasping gasp of his own breathing as he clenched his fists. The thought of never speaking to his brother again made Jun more scared than he had ever been; even after being abducted he hadn’t been this terrified. Satoshi had been there from the day of his birth, supporting him, caring for him, loving him, and he wanted his vampling to experience the same support.
Jun’s vision blurred as tears welled in his eyes, but he found comfort as he stroked his belly, imagining that his miniscule youngling could hear him speak. “Don't fret, my little one, your Papa and I will make sure that you are happy and loved, even if we have to do it alone.”
“You won't be alone.”
Jun wiped his eyes and looked up at Satoshi who had come back into the room, wearing a contrite expression. “Satoshi?”
“I’m sorry Jun. Please forgive me. What I said was cruel and uncalled for,” Satoshi said as he slowly approached Jun, as if unsure of his welcome. “It was a knee-jerk reaction and I didn’t think before I spoke.”
“I meant every word Satoshi.” Jun pulled himself a little higher in the bed and wiped his eyes. “Don’t test me on this. If you can’t accept that Sho and I are breeding then I don’t want you around.”
Satoshi bowed deeply and his voice was husky as he replied. “I forget that you are a mature vampire now and you don’t need me to look after you any longer. You have your mate now to care for you. ”
“I didn’t expect you to be pleased at this news, and to be perfectly honest, I was angry too when I found out. But things can’t be changed, and now that I am used to the idea it means everything to me, and I hope that you can be happy for me too.”
“I promise not to interfere, and I shall inform Father on your behalf. I imagine that he will not be pleased, but I will find a way to calm him,” Satoshi said formally, as he straightened up. “I will leave now and allow you to get some rest.”
Satoshi turned and headed towards the door. His slumped shoulders and hunched figure signalling defeat.
“Satoshi, wait!” Jun struggled to rise off the bed and prevent his brother from leaving. “You don’t have to leave.”
“You want me to stay? Is that all right?”
“Please. Just because I want my independence, it doesn’t mean that I don’t need your love.”
Satoshi practically flew across the room to hug his brother. “You will never lose my love. We are brothers for life, Jun.”
To Jun’s astonishment Satoshi began to cry, sitting on the edge of the bed clutching Jun tightly to his chest and soaking the collar of Jun’s pyjamas with his tears. It was the first time Jun had ever seen his brother cry, and he couldn't help the moisture which welled in his own eyes in response. “Satoshi, please don't think that I am not truly grateful for everything that you have done for me. Father had no time for me and Mother simply couldn’t cope. You were the one who I could rely on. That’s why I want you to offer that same love and protection to my vampling. You will make the best Uncle that my youngling could hope for, so I hope that you can find at least a tiny bit of room in your heart for them too.”
Satoshi surreptitiously wiped his eyes and cleared his throat before replying. “If this youngling and any future vamplings take after you, my experience will be sorely needed. You were such a handful growing up.”
Jun huffed indignantly and glared at his older brother. “How dare you. I was the perfect vampling.”
“Perfectly spoilt, you mean,” Satoshi laughed.
“Only by you, Satoshi. You made up for the indifference of our parents.”
“Our parents are foolish. By their coldness to you they have missed out on experiencing all that I have shared with you. They missed watching you turn into the strong and loving vampire you are today.”
Jun swallowed hard and burrowed tighter into Satoshi’s chest. He felt far from the strong vampire that his brother believed him to be. “And Sho? You aren't going to hold a grudge? This wasn't his fault.”
“I have realized that I haven't given him much of a chance to prove himself.” Satoshi rubbed Jun’s back soothingly as he had done when Jun was tiny. “And since you are such a strong-willed creature, I doubt that he could make you do anything that you didn't wish for anyway.
“Then let me prove myself now.” Sho’s voice was deep and serious as he unexpectedly hovered in the doorway. “Allow me to work with you to bring our families together.”
“Sho!” Jun immediately pulled back from Satoshi’s embrace and held out his arms needily in Sho’s direction.
Satoshi abandoned his spot and moved over to one of the chairs, allowing Sho to take his place. “How do you feel now my love?” Sho sniffed Jun’s nape, becoming used to the slight alteration in his mate’s scent. Oguri-sensei had told them that Jun’s scent would remain sweeter while he carried their vampling.
“Satoshi and I have sorted out our issues and for our youngling’s sake I hope that you two can do the same,” Jun said softly as he took Sho’s hand and pressed it to his perfectly flat belly.
“In that case I shall take up Sho’s offer to bring our families together,” Satoshi replied. “But first I shall leave you two alone to allow the news to sink in.”
After Satoshi’s departure Sho settled himself on the bed beside Jun, embracing him and speaking words of love to their unborn youngling until silence settled over the room as they slept.
****
Jun picked at a loose thread on the seam of the sheet and sighed. He still had one more day to spend in hospital, and Jun was already bored. There was nothing worth watching on television, and the book he was currently reading failed to hold his attention. He missed Sho even though he had only left a few minutes earlier to attend to important family business. It was hard for Jun to allow Sho out of his sight and even harder for Sho to leave. All of his instincts had told Sho to stay with his mate in a protective stance and only Jun’s insistence had spurred him to go.
Picking up his chopsticks, Jun prodded at the unappealing omurice congealing on the plate resting on the tray table in front of him. It was important to eat and provide nourishment for his miniscule youngling, but Jun’s stomach rebelled at the odour of the rapidly cooling food.
“Good thing I picked up some takeaway on the way over.”
“Nino?”
Nino placed the cover over the omurice and removed the tray. “I thought you were supposed to be building up your strength, not building castles out of egg.”
“It doesn't appeal to me right now,” Jun pouted. “It’s not the right season for omurice.”
“Perhaps this will appeal to you more.” Nino pulled various containers out of the bag and arranged them on the tray in front of Jun, who immediately perked up.
“Soba!” Jun eagerly sprinkled the noodles with spring onion before dipping a mound of them into the sauce. His happy slurps filled the room as Nino made himself comfortable, sitting down on a visitor chair and casually crossing his legs. His newest sneakers were green with vivid orange stripes along the sides.
“Those shoes are…” Jun’s words trailed off as nausea swirled in his stomach. He breathed deeply in an attempt to quell his rising sickness.
“No need to throw up just to make a point. My shoes aren't that bad,” Nino said as he hovered nervously near the bed.
Jun swallowed and closed his eyes. “They really are awful.”
“But cheap and absolutely silent when I walk,” Nino replied with a smirk. He didn't need to elaborate the importance of this feature any further to Jun.
“Thank you for the food. I really appreciate it even if I’m not doing justice to it,” Jun said as he took another cautious mouthful of soba.
“My pleasure. Are you sure you're okay?”
“You can tell Sho that I’m fine.”
“Sho?” Nino blinked in feigned innocence.
“I can smell him on you. He obviously asked you to keep watch over me,” Jun replied blandly.
“Is there any point in trying to deny it?”
Jun raised an eyebrow in reply and offered Nino some noodles out of politeness, sure to be refused since nobody had ever seen human food touch Nino’s lips. “He’s my mate. I know that he wouldn't leave me alone if he thinks I can't protect myself.”
“I’m not just here because he asked me to. I wanted to see for myself that you are looking better. You looked terrible when Sho carried you down to the car.”
“Thanks.
“It is my duty to ensure your safety, Prince Jun. Once before I failed and you and Prince Sho suffered for it. This time I intend to make sure that you aren't hurt.”
“Nino, I appreciate your sense of duty, but I’m breeding, not fighting a war.” Jun knew that if Nino was using titles then he was feeling particularly emotional. “All that I require is your friendship, and maybe to intervene when Sho and Satoshi inevitably smother me with overprotectiveness.”
“We all know that they do it out of love, and because the pair of them sometimes act like idiots, but mostly because of the love part,” Nino replied gruffly as he pushed the noodles away. The thought of Jun counting him as a friend made him feel warm all over and it wasn’t something he was used to.
A soft smile graced Jun’s face as he retrieved the soba, and as his wave of nausea receded, he once again dug into the noodles with enthusiasm. He could feel Sho’s love embracing him even though his mate was absent. Due to their bond, Jun was never alone and he was filled with strength by just that knowledge.
****
“Satoshi, why are we here? Jun is still hospitalised and he needs my support.” Sho shifted uncomfortably in his chair and drummed his fingers impatiently on the desk, all the while searching for Jun’s feelings with his mind. He was only slightly reassured by the tendrils of warmth he received in return. Eventually, as Jun’s pregnancy progressed, he hoped to become calmer and less on edge, but right now his protective instincts were on overdrive.
“There are reports that a gang of humans with connections within both of our kingdoms are attacking lesser vampires.” Satoshi’s forehead creased as he paced across the carpet. His office was decorated to his father’s taste, not Satoshi's own, but he barely noticed the heavy furniture and oriental carpets anyway. He usually preferred to work from his bedroom but nobody but Jun or his lovers were allowed into his inner sanctum.
“Is the Council aware of this?”
“They are the ones who asked me to investigate. You know that they try to interfere as little as possible within the Royal Families if possible,” Satoshi replied with a frown.
“Really? They haven’t shown that recently,” Sho replied, thinking of his own arranged mating with Jun. The fact that it had turned out well didn’t absolve the Council from forcing them together in the first place. “Do we know why this is occurring?”
“The humans claim that vampires are being unfairly favoured when it comes to jobs and contracts within the Kingdoms. But Nino believes that they are nothing more than criminals and thugs who are attempting to take away the livelihood of innocent vampires.”
King Matsumoto had dismissed the problem, passing it over to his eldest son to deal with. The fate of a few lesser vampires did not overly concern him. To Satoshi however, it felt as if the peaceful accord between humankind and vampires might be endangered. Most vampires did not lead a life of luxury and privilege as those members of the Royal Family, working for a wage just the same as humans.
“What do we need to do?” Sho had enough worries of his own to contend with. Jun’s health and wellbeing was of prime importance, along with that of his youngling. He appreciated Satoshi’s effort to include him, but he hoped that the matter could be resolved without too much involvement on his part.
“For the moment we do nothing. Nino is going to look into it and send out his agents. The important thing is for us to be alert. If they are attacking vampires, then there is nothing to prevent them from attacking highborn vampires too.”
Sho’s eyes glowed from deep within as he realized that there was no way that he could allow Satoshi to handle this problem alone. “So Jun may be in danger?”
“We all may be targets, not just Jun. But whereas we can take care of ourselves he will need our protection. He is especially vulnerable right now, due to his pregnancy.” Satoshi was unable to keep the bitterness out of his voice, at the thought of his baby brother being in such a condition. Although he had come to terms with Sho as Jun’s mate, Satoshi couldn’t help but to worry about his brother. He was far too young to be breeding for the first time, especially considering the difficulties surrounding vampire pregnancies in general.
For once Sho was in complete agreement. “Then, with your help we must rid our Kingdoms of these humans as soon as we can. And in the meantime I will not let Jun out of my sight. He is mine to protect.”
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