The moon was swollen and pale, hanging low in the sky, hovering near the horizon. Her pallid beauty was framed, to one set of slanted amber eyes, by a square sill of thick time-stained wood, which was in turn surrounded by coarse, plaster-smeared walls. It was an old inn, but clean, and there were worse places to gaze at the moon.

Orphen sighed blissfully, lacing his hands behind his head against the rough pillow. It had cost a pretty silver, but once he had made it to this town with his two younger companions dragging behind, he'd ensconced the party in rooms separated by the sexes -- siting Cleo's virtue as the cause for this. Never mind that the girl had run away from home to tag along after the two males, never mind that the three regularly camped out as a group, never mind that Orphen didn't give a fig about any chastity the chit might still possess -- he was free of her nasal whining and loud complaints for an entire night!

Cleo herself had been so pleased by this rather off-handed admission of her femininity that she had put up absolutely no argument. And Majik had been too tired to protest beyond a mumbled worry over Cleo's safety. But the girl had Leki with her, and even the cub of a Deep Dragon was formidable. And as she didn't currently seem to be harboring any crazy ideas or plans -- she was too vocal in all of those for Orphen to even consider she might be able to keep one a secret from him -- really, all things pointed to the girl having a quiet night by herself.... And, even better, the two males she was traveling with having an even quieter night *without* her irritating company!

They all needed it. Orphen had set a grueling pace for the last couple of days, and both his apprentice and the 'excess baggage' were clearly exhausted.

Orphen felt a little bad doing that to Majik -- especially when the boy carried the packs for the entire party -- but he had to toughen the delicate, city-bred wanna-be sorcerer up somehow, and so far Majik had at least fared better than Cleo had.

Although, judging from the rustling sheets and uneven breathing that emerged from the bed beside Orphen's, in spite of his obvious exhaustion Majik was having some difficulty in finding sleep.

Orphen yawned widely. While not exactly reeling with weariness himself, he didn't foresee having any difficulty in dropping into slumber. It had been a long day -- hell, a long journey -- and his lids were heavy, sliding down to close out the cold orb of the moon's face.

"Ousho-sama?" Majik's husky, youthful whisper broke the stillness of the small rented room; perhaps not unexpected, but a little startling.

"Nanda, Majik?" Eyes still closed, Orphen feigned more irritation than he really felt. He was actually very fond of Majik -- or, well, perhaps "fond" was not exactly the right word.... But Majik was his pupil and might someday make quite a decent partner. Besides that, the boy was intelligent and active at the same time he was humble and servile -- not a bad combination in Orphen's opinion! Hell, the kid was good to have around -- unlike that excess baggage, Cleo. Majik was easier on the eyes too. They were both golden-haired and blue-eyed, both rather awkward in those half-formed years between childhood and adulthood.... But Majik carried it off with a certain vulnerable fragility; while Cleo just looked like a disaster half the time. Alike enough to be siblings -- sisters, almost -- Majik was just the better prospect.

And at least Majik's Outo was paying the boy's way -- he wasn't a freeloader like Cleo!

"Why can't I sleep?" came the plaintive question. But, still, Majik whining didn't grate Orphen's teeth together the way Cleo whining did.

With this comparison in mind, Orphen answered civily enough. "Maa, well, sometimes when you're *too* tired, your body won't let you sleep."

"Honto?" Majik sounded slightly skeptical, but not disbelieving.

"Mm." Orphen nodded. "S'happened to me before. The trick is to get your mind on something else, and before you know it you'll drop off."

"All I can think about is how much my shoulders hurt," Majik sighed -- more mournful than complaining. "And my feet, and my calves, and my thighs...."

Orphen wondered for a half-mad moment whether the young blonde was going to continue the catalog any further up, but Majik stopped there.

"Well, isn't there anything else on your mind?" he persisted. "You've been awfully quiet during the last day or two -- what were you thinking about?" He already had an inkling on that one, but he wanted to hear it from Majik's own lips.

There was a long silence, then Majik finally spoke up hesitantly. "Anou.... Ousho-sama.... Was... was Stephanie-san really... a man...?"

Orphen grinned, suspicions confirmed. Poor Majik. His sexuality was so unformed and yet so eager. First spying on Cleo bathing -- Orphen had to admit that it had been a mildly titillating sight; while Cleo did nothing for him, she was far prettier naked than clothed -- then falling for a once-dead miko forbidden from leaving her back-water village... and now this not-surprising fascination with Stephanie.

Majik's hormones had awakened a little late as boys went, but they were in almost complete control now. Though still mastered by that sweet naivete and inherent innocence that only Majik seemed capable of exercising without seeming false.

"Un." Orphen turned his head to meet Majik's eyes, which were bleached to an almost silver hue in the pale moonlight. "Stephan was as good a partner as anyone could ask for. Still would be, if he -- she hadn't lost her powers."

"Oh." Majik blinked slowly, lids heavy but still not showing any sign of sliding down in the first stages of sleep. "I was just wondering...."

After a moment, Orphen prompted the boy. "Wondering how a man could give up his masculinity to live as a woman?"

"No.... I can understand that." Orphen boggled, but Majik's gaze was serene. The boy continued dreamily. "I was just wondering... what Stephanie-- iie, Stephan-san was like while he was still a boy."

Orphen stared. Maybe Majik's sexuality was more confused than he'd thought -- more unformed than even Majik himself realized. He had to admit in the past year he'd occasionally had naughty thoughts about the small blonde. Majik was so pretty and so eager to please, and even though he'd never been approached himself Orphen knew what sort of things went on between some of the teachers and students at Kiva University. But there had always been the fact that he was making a living off of Majik's Outo to take into consideration.

With an internal start Orphen realized that Majik's father was far, far away, and Majik was right here, and... well....

Well, no use getting ahead of himself. Majik had asked a question, in a round-about way. Orphen might as well answer it.

"Maa. He was about the same than as she is now," he drawled, rolling over so he could look Majik in the pretty face more comfortably. "Stephan didn't change that much when he became Stephanie."

"Really?" Majik blinked again, mouth rounding in a full little circle.

"Well, more... male," Orphen qualified. "A little. Less... flowery. But essentially the same." In fact, Stephan had been pretty damn close to flaming; something Orphen had never had a problem with. Unexpectedly -- or perhaps not -- a wicked thought took hold of Orphen's mind and refused to be purged. He decided to act upon it. "Na, Majik. Steph had a sure-fire way to get me to fall asleep when I was wakeful. You want me to demonstrate it for you?"

"Ou-ousho-sama?" To his credit, Majik sounded a little apprehensive.

Orphen shrugged one shoulder -- since he was lying on the other -- and yawned. "Just thought I'd offer. You trust me, don't you, Majik?"

"Mochiron!" Majik sounded almost offended by the question. Orphen felt a little bad for deliberately goading the boy like this, but if things worked out it could be a pleasurable experience for both of them and might open a whole new chapter in their teacher-pupil relationship.

Of course, this might be difficult to maintain with Cleo tailing them everywhere... but Orphen still had hopes of being shed of the girl eventually, and with any luck Majik would be his student for quite some time to come. He wasn't in it only for the money -- he wanted to see Majik develop to his fullest potential. There was raw skill there; the boy just needed some training and tutoring -- okay, a lot of it -- and so Orphen had to do his best to keep Majik's father agreeable for as long as it took Majik to tap his still mostly dormant powers.

After all, it wasn't everyone who could become a sorcerer. If Majik had that potential -- as he did -- Orphen wasn't going to sit by and let him waste it on running a tired inn in a small town for the rest of his life!

But all these were things he already knew. He could be doing much better things than thinking right now, and he had Majik's consent -- in the lack of a negative if not in actual affirmation.

"All right, then." He unfurled lanky limbs and rose from the bed.

"Ousho-sama?" Majik queried, sitting up and rubbing his eyes drowsily. He looked like a sleepy little boy in the pale moonlight, and Orphen felt a momentary qualm. But Majik had proved by his own actions and words that he was no longer a child, and this was too good an opportunity to pass up. Kami only knew when the two of them would next get a moment of uninterrupted privacy. It was practically Orphen's duty to make the best use of this reprieve.

"Stay there." Orphen yawned widely as he stretched, then padded to the twin bed beside his own, ignoring the wide-eyed gaze Majik had fixed upon his face. "Scoot over, ne?"

As Majik obediently hitched over on the narrow mattress, Orphen pulled back the linens and slid under, lounging next to the small blonde. He was immediately assailed with the scent that was unique to Majik; warmth and boy and the faintest trace of wildflowers. Mm, nice.

"Ousho-sama?" Majik quavered, expression open and unguarded.

"Just trust me, Majik," Orphen commanded, reaching behind him to tug the pillow up against the headboard and leaning back. "Come here."

"Is... is it a new spell?" Majik ventured, scooting carefully towards his master.

Orphen grinned as a hard hip and slim thigh cleaved to his own beneath the covers, and locked a deceptively casual arm around the youth's slender waist. "Iya. Something less complex than that. You'll like it, I think."

"Ara?" Majik blinked up at him, round face sharpened slightly in the cold illumination of the moon, hidden half in Orphen's shadow. "How... how does it work, ousho-sama?"

"It's really very simple," Orphen said in his usual "lecturing" voice. "You just let nature take its course."

"Huh?" Majik was evidently stumped.

"Here. Let me show you." The older boy moved his free hand to rest lightly on Majik's flat belly, above the loose breeches the boy wore to sleep in when they weren't camped out of doors.

"Ah?!" A violent start shook Majik's slim body. "Ousho-sama?"

Orphen's mouth curved in a more than slightly wicked smile. "Naa, Majik. Haven't you ever touched yourself?"

"Ou-ousho-sama!" Majik gasped out, the bright blush overtaking his cheeks visible even in the bleaching moonlight.

Orphen decided to assume an answer in the positive, since there were damn few males Majik's age who hadn't, and the boy could hardly be such a stranger to his own body. Even without instructions such as Orphen intended to give him, boys usually discovered the enjoyment certain portions of their body could provide -- well before puberty, in a lot of cases. And while he resembled one, Majik was certainly no angel. Orphen supposed there was the barest chance he might be mistaken... but he'd have been willing to bet money he wasn't.

Hell, he was wagering Majik's trust and respect on it, if it came down to that. But he didn't feel it was too great a risk. Majik was pretty enough to be a girl, but he was all boy.

"Boku... boku wa..." Majik sputtered, his flaming cheeks not fading in the slightest. "Ousho-sama!"

Orphen ignored the plaintive entreaty clear to read in Majik's voice as he slipped his fingers beneath the waistband of Majik's pants.

"Ousho-sama!" It was shock and a touch of panic rather than outrage that colored Majik's husky voice. His fingers locked around Orphen's wrist to arrest further intrusion, and his eyes were huge in his startled pink face. "D-dame!"

"Daijoubu," Orphen breathed gently in the boy's ear, stilling to give Majik a chance to adjust, and to listen to his words. "Saa, Majik, Steph and I did this all the time. Don't you want to give the method a chance?"

It was interesting to hear Majik swallow audibly. "Ou-ousha-sama... you and Stephanie-san...?"

"Well, he was Stephan at the time." Orphen smirked. "But it still works under the same principle. Hell, I'd say it's more fun when you're both boys. You're more familiar with the equipment." He chuckled. "Steph's iinazuke is in for a hell of a wedding night, and Stephan*ie* ought to be able to keep him *very* happy!"

"Ousho-sama!" Majik released Orphen's wrist, clapping hands over his burning ears. Obviously he hadn't been ready to hear Orphen speak so bluntly.

"Heh." Unrepentant, Orphen slid his hand lower beneath Majik's waistband, feeling the tensed muscles of Majik's stomach jump under his fingertips.

"Ah! Ah!" Majik gasped breathlessly, one hand now moving to cover his open mouth while the other dropped, pale fingers clutching at the coverlet over his lap like a lifeline. "Hnn!" He breathed in sharply through his nose.

"Daijoubu, daijoubu." Moderately stricken with guilt, Orphen relented a bit; though not going so far as to remove his hand. "Majik." His voice took on a serious, utterly focused tone. "If you don't want me to do this -- honestly and truly in your heart *don't* want me touching you like this -- just tell me and I'll *stop*. Right away. I won't force you to do anything you don't want to. But if you're only embarrassed or uncertain, then please try to relax. Give yourself; me; give us a chance. Ne?"

Orphen held very, very still. He'd given Majik both a possible out and an ultimatum. Hopefully he would get the boy to *think* rather than simply reacting. Now, whatever Majik did with his words; with the choice Orphen had offered him... well, the next move was entirely up to Majik. Orphen would bide by his decision. Because he knew Majik almost never made rash choices -- especially when urged to think something through.

Majik dropped his one hand to join the other in grasping the coverlet, fingers plucking at the faded material, and sucked in a deep breath, seeming to draw courage along with the cool night air. "Ou-ousho-sama... why are you doing this?" he managed to quaver out.

Orphen decided that in this case honesty would serve him better than any other approach. "Because I like you. Because I want to make you feel good. Because I want you to know how it feels to touch and be touched. Giving you pleasure can be even better, in ways, than receiving pleasure myself. Steph taught me this."

Majik gulped, eyes huge in his bright face. "Did... did Stephan-san really...? Did you and Stephan-san really...?"

"Of course," Orphen answered candidly. "I wouldn't say it if it wasn't true." He grinned unexpectedly. "Maa! Steph would have my hide if she found out I was telling untruths about her!"

"She... her...." Majik's head dropped, golden bangs silver-spun in the moonlight falling into his eyes. "But ousho-sama, you said Stephan-san was a boy when you...?"

Orphen smirked, sensing Majik was becoming easier with the idea. Any time spent talking would serve to lessen Majik's intense embarrassment, and this in turn would bring them both several steps closer to the goal Orphen was working toward. "Hai," he drawled lazily.

"Sou...." Majik looked so cute with his mouth curved in a little circle like that. Orphen fought the sudden, rather unexpected urge to plant his lips over Majik's, to taste the boy's breath, to tease his teeth open with an intrusive tongue. But now was *not* the time to send Majik into further shock! Best to stick to the original plan. Other sorts of mergings could wait until another time.... Or, at least, until he'd gotten Majik more comfortable in the current situation.

"Majik?"

Majik bit at his lower lip, his eyes still rounded to almost impossible widths. Orphen didn't think he'd ever met -- not even Steph -- or would ever meet, another male who looked so very lovely in a delicate, nearly feminine way. But Majik *was* a boy. Orphen was well aware of that fact, and that only made this so much the better. Steph had been pretty too; even before the 'change'. Orphen liked girls and he liked boys, but he never pretended either one was the other. Majik was a male. He was a mesmerizingly beautiful male but he *was* a male. One too pretty to be straight, Orphen had occasionally thought. He'd tried to banish those bubbles of suspicion, and Majik himself had always seemed more fixated on girls than boys.... But sometimes these things needed a little help -- especially when there were expectancies set by society -- and if Orphen could nudge Majik into an open acceptance of his sexuality, so much the better. Somehow, he just couldn't see Majik restricting himself solely to the feminine gender in his future couplings -- he really couldn't.

He wouldn't be pushing Majik to this if he didn't honestly feel this was the direction the youth was heading. He was absolutely certain of this point in his own mind. He'd made the first move. Now, he just needed to await Majik's reaction.

"I think...." Majik gulped, lip still caught, pearly teeth worrying at the full, tender flesh. "I think I... might like...."

Orphen smirked. That was all the affirmation he needed. Now to get on with the good stuff. "You've made the right decision, Majik," he whispered in the boy's ear, feeling Majik shiver in the circle of his arm as humid warmth gusted over the sensitive shell. "Just try to relax, and leave everything else to me. I promise you you'll enjoy this!"

Majik let out a little sigh that sounded almost like a whimper, and collapsed into Orphen's half-embrace, his cheek coming to rest in the curve of Orphen's shoulder. They fit together so neatly -- Orphen was really looking forward to this, and wondered how much more they would be able to explore in the future. With that girl hanging around, not as much as he would have liked... but there were ways around even that problem.

Majik's breath hissed between his teeth and a light trembling shook his delicate frame as Orphen delved without further hesitation into his breeches, but he remained quiescent against Orphen's side.

Fingers moved in gentle circles over the soft flesh of Majik's lower belly as Orphen took a moment to reassure, tease, and promise; all at once. His hand was low enough that he could already feel a few crisp hairs beneath the pads of his fingers, but he was still a safe distance above the point of no return. Majik's breath was coming quick and catching a little, but he didn't seem to be in too much danger of hyperventilating, and he made no move to pull away.

Orphen was a bit startled when he felt slim fingers creep over the hand resting on Majik's waist, but then he smiled and laced their fingers together easily.

"Ousho-sama?"

"Mm?" Orphen turned his face into the soft cap of Majik's golden hair, inhaling the sharp-sweet scent of boy and spring meadows that clung to the silken strands; wondering at the difference in texture from his head to his-- *ahem* Well.

"What can I...? What should I...?" Majik didn't seem to be able to complete the question, but Orphen got the gist of his meaning. From the tension thrumming through Majik's slight body and the tightening of the fingers twined with Orphen's, he was fairly certain that Majik would feel better if given some direction.

Well, he could do that. Nothing too daring to start with, though. Orphen bent closer, his voice soft. "Close your eyes."

Majik shot a startled look upward, his parted lips mere inches from Orphen's own. Once again Orphen was beset with a desire to crush that sweet mouth under his, but again he resisted. Lowering his head, Majik complied, nestling more comfortably in the hollow of Orphen's shoulder as thick lashes slid down over trepidatious azure.

"Now. Just feel," Orphen instructed, listening as Majik sucked in a shaking breath. His own chest felt a little constricted; possibly from anticipation.

Orphen tightened his arm, bracing Majik more firmly against his larger form, then sent his other hand palm-flat and fingers-splayed down the smooth plane of Majik's lower belly.

Majik choked over a strangled gasp as Orphen's fingertips danced lightly through wisping, wiry curls to come to rest against the bare, burgeoning flesh that was set between his taut thighs. "Ousho-sama!"

"Hush!" Orphen's voice was stern, but he nuzzled the boy's temple affectionately. "You don't want to bring that girl in here!"

He kind of doubted Majik was paying any attention to his words. The boy was gripping his arm in an almost painful pinch -- though this time not with the intent to halt Orphen's actions, but rather to try to keep a sense of equilibrium.

Orphen carefully traced the length of Majik's growing erection with one fingertip, drawing a throttled whimper in reaction. Majik wasn't fully hard yet, the flesh only beginning to stiffen against his shivering thighs, but Orphen could tell it would only take a little coaxing to bring Majik to full erection. He *was* a teenage boy, after all. Ever-ready was the best way to describe those years, and Orphen knew the best ways to get the reaction he sought.

Majik was about average in size for his age -- perhaps a little slender but not small. Orphen smirked, sending a gentle palm scooping underneath the rapidly-hardening member and cradling it carefully, his fingers clasped lightly about it.

"Ousho-sama!" Majik stiffened within the curve of Orphen's arm, his head arching back against the older youth's shoulder, both hands flying down to press into the intimate manipulation of his private parts through the coverlet and linens. "Ah!"

Orphen chuckled, brushing his mouth over the softness of Majik's cheek, squeezing ever so gently. "Not quite the same as touching yourself, is it, Majik?"

The boy shook his head, evidently beyond words, his hands bearing down above and legs clasping together below; silently urging Orphen to continue; to hold him tighter, to apply friction, to go *further*....

Orphen had no problem with this, since such had been his intent from the first. The boy's neck stretched in a pale bow as Orphen slowly ran his hand the length of Majik's by this time upright, throbbing erection. The flesh was hot and heavy; silken-soft against his palm.

"You like this, Majik?" he asked, voice curiously husky, tugging with extreme caution at Majik's member. "Tell me whether you like this. Tell me if you want me to stop."

"Ii-iie," Majik gasped out. His soft head bumped up against Orphen's jaw, one leg moving to drape over Orphen's beneath the covers. "I-- I mean, hai. I mean--"

"Heh." Orphen continued rubbing gently. "Too many questions, Majik. Gomen."

"Mm." Majik didn't seem to care. "Ousho-sama... more?"

Orphen licked his lips, glancing off the bed at the pack huddled in the shadows at the base of the wall. For the sake of continued pleasure, he had to be careful not to handle Majik's member too harshly while dry. A problem that could be easily solved with a little of the scented oil Orphen had tucked away in a hidden pocket of the pack. But it would take more than a little willpower to leave the bed -- leave Majik's sweet body -- now, and he hardly thought Majik would let him go without protest.

Still, it would be a good idea....

Orphen sighed, his thumb rubbing at the weeping tip of Majik's erection. Here was at least a little natural lubrication; not to mention proof positive of how much Majik was enjoying these ministrations. Majik moaned in direct response -- though not loudly enough to call another reprimand down on his head -- and gripped at the coverlet with tense fingers.

While it was both comfortable and convenient, Orphen was beginning to chafe at their casual side-by-side posture. It wasn't... close enough. Though he had Majik tucked under his chin, his hand buried deeply in Majik's breeches... he wanted *more* -- just as Majik had urged a moment ago.

Saa. A moonlight-drenched, midnight mutual-masturbation session was quite different than the pursuit of more... personal interactions.... But if Orphen was reading Majik right, the boy was ready to move to the next step. And he already knew he himself wanted it. So, hell, why not go for it?

It hadn't been his intention; really, Orphen had planned to keep things simple. But Majik was like a soft, sweet-scented, seductive spell in the quiet night, and Orphen couldn't find it in himself to resist the temptation.

Majik let out a noise of protest as Orphen released his eager erection and pulled his hand from the loose breeches. "Ousho-sama?" He shifted with a little rustle, eyes opening as he raised his head, a thin line creasing between his brows. Perhaps wondering if he'd done something wrong, knowing Majik. "Naze...?"

Orphen's mouth curled in a smile more affectionate than amused, and his own lids slid down in heavy anticipation as he brought his hand up to his face. The sharp smell of Majik's seed sent a quick throb of pleasure to his own groin. Orphen held Majik's gaze as he slipped his thumb between parted lips, tasting the stickiness that he'd just been smearing about the tip of Majik's cock, feeling the tang burst over his tongue in a heady storm of sensation. It only added to his enjoyment to watch Majik's eyes jump and grow huge as the boy came to realize what he'd just done.

"Ousho-sama!"

Orphen smirked, giving the pad of his thumb one last lick, then removed his hand to reach and cup Majik's soft face.

"Ousho...." Though Majik's voice and eyes expressed confusion, his instincts seemed to understand what Orphen had in mind. His chin tilted upward, lids sliding down to screen hazy blue, and his lips fell open of their own volition.

"Lovely," Orphen breathed, finally giving in to his desires and lowering his head to meet Majik's, his mouth sealing over the boy's.

He was pretty sure Majik had kissed that Feina girl.... But he'd have been willing to lay down money that their kiss had been more chaste than anything else. He intended to teach Majik the full potential of carnality with this meeting of mouths -- show the boy what he had been missing.

Majik let out a muffled sound of startlement and stiffened, but he didn't try to pull away. Small hands clutched at Orphen's shoulders, then, as the older youth tilted his head to take the mouth beneath his more thoroughly, lips moving with tingling pressure over the malleable fullness, the younger boy's arms hesitantly crept up to ring Orphen's neck. Orphen sucked lightly at Majik's pouty lower lip, then flicked his tongue over the lush curve, causing Majik to draw in a throttled breath through his nose. Before the boy had a chance to recover from this assault, Orphen recaptured his mouth and -- as he had wanted to do so many times before this moment -- he plunged his tongue deeply within the welcoming warmth of Majik's mouth.

Perhaps he was rushing things.... But youth adapted quickly, and hormones were not to be discounted either. Majik went taut against him, arms tightening, but it seemed more in shock and overload of sensation than any more alarmed reaction.

Eventually it was going to seep through Majik's brain that this was a *male* kissing him, that it was his teacher-master exploring the cervices of his mouth, twining tongue with his in a lascivious dance... but hopefully by then Orphen would have caved any possibility of protest. And he still thought that after the first shock, Majik would come to regard any joining with a male to be as natural -- if not more so -- as coupling with a female. Some men were just born beautiful, but it wasn't usually without a reason. Majik struck him as the ultimate 'uke' -- which didn't bode well for any future relationships with the feminine gender. Either the boy would drift, unfulfilled, from girl to girl... or he might find himself a powerful, domineering bitch who'd treat him with no respect and little understanding. Better to introduce Majik now to the pleasures of boy-boy loving, and hopefully get the youth to realize that he was destined to look to men for his bed-mates. Some boys were just meant for that, and Majik was so very clearly one of them.

Eventually they had to breathe. Orphen raised his head, licking his lips and watching with hooded eyes as Majik sighed, bruised mouth still hanging lax, lids slivering up to reveal clouded sapphire. The boy's cheeks were stained in the moonlight, and Orphen experienced a momentary wish that they could be doing this in a clearing softly lit with gold sunlight and green leaves, so that he could see the pink that surely colored those full cheeks. Majik really was too beautiful to be real sometimes.

"Ou-ousho-sama..." Majik sighed as he slumped in Orphen's arms, against his chest. "Mm." He licked reddened lips. "I could... I could still taste--" Sudden fire blazed in his cheeks, his gaze focusing and filling with acute embarrassment.

Orphen grinned. "So, did you enjoy that, Majik?"

Majik's blush only increased, his ears burning, but he managed a brief nod. "U-un!" Then he bit sharply into his lower lip. "Ousho-sama--"

"Yes, Steph and I did this too," Orphen reassured. He cocked his head, one hand rubbing over the soft, smooth muscles of Majik's back. "Are you ready for me to continue, Majik?"

Majik swallowed thickly. "Ousho-sama...."

He liked the way the honorific spilled from Majik's lips. Much better than being called by a more informal name -- there was a certain thrill that came with the '-sama- that couldn't be achieved any other way.

Orphen nuzzled a warm cheek, then pressed gentle kisses to Majik's eyelids as the thick lashes fluttered down once again. "Trust me, Majik. You do trust me, don't you?"

"Un." It didn't seem there would *be* any resistance -- all the better.

Orphen paused a moment to consider what would happen if he took Majik in his mouth. The boy would yell, Cleo would come running, and-- Iie!!

Orphen decided devoutly against pursuing that line of thought any further. A full-body shudder ran through his frame.

Still, it might very well be worth the risk.... And it would certainly negate the need for the oil that was all the way across the room -- so very far away from their entwined bodies.

Carefully, Orphen lowered Majik to lie on his back, propped against the pillow, and moved to lie over the boy. Slim thighs parted easily for him, and Majik gasped as Orphen's belly came to rest over the area of heated hardness between them. Orphen recaptured the boy's mouth and treated him to another probing, exploritative kiss. Majik's mouth tasted as sweet as he had expected; was open and wet and willing beneath his own. And now that Majik was becoming more familiar with this merging, he sent his own tongue to writhe about Orphen's in a manner that both impressed and titillated the older youth.

Perhaps Majik was a natural. Though he seemed almost severely shy and modest.... Well, but appearances could be deceiving. After all, it had been all Majik's own idea when Orphen had stumbled over the boy spying on Cleo's bath. And Majik had certainly taken to wooing Fiena with great gusto and more than a little confidence. Either he was learning more from Orphen than just magic, or else his outwardly placid nature belied a boy who was inherently -- if somewhat indirectly -- aggressive and... horny.

Orphen smirked into their kiss. He had no problems with that! This was pleasurable, it felt good, and he was coming to recognize a side to Majik's personality that he had never suspected existed before. Altogether a successful night, and a venture that had been well worth the undertaking!

After all, with Majik now sucking on his tongue, how much better could things be?

Orphen chuckled internally. Time to answer that question himself. He ran a gentle hand through Majik's golden hair, dropped a kiss to the boy's chin, then raised himself on his elbows and looked down, watching Majik's face as he *shifted* between the boy's spread thighs.

This did not fail to garner him the response he was seeking. Majik gasped, head arching back into the pillow, his fingers clutching at Orphen's bare shoulders. "Ousho-sama!"

"Hn." Orphen bent a kiss to Majik's already sweat-dewed brow as he rocked slightly against the boy. It was only enough to tease Majik and didn't even do that much for him, but he wanted to see how Majik would respond to this indirect prodding.

He gained his answer as Majik's hips bucked upwards -- seemingly without the boy's conscious control. "Aah!" Nails bit lightly into the muscles of Orphen's back as Majik thrust up once again, harder this time, using the not inconsiderable strength of his legs to grind the hardness between his thighs into the solid flatness of Orphen's belly. All that walking *had* done the boy some good then.

"Saa," Orphen sighed. Fun though this was, it wasn't very rewarding for either of them. And kisses were all very well when exchanged with girls -- who needed that sort of coaxing -- but even as pretty as he was, Majik was no girl. Time, then, to move things onward.

The question was; how far did he want to take things this first night? It was true that males needed less preparation -- in some matters -- less foreplay at any rate, and reacted more quickly to certain... manipulations.... But this undoubtedly *was* Majik's first time, and Orphen didn't want to push his little student beyond what Majik could handle. While his estimation of Majik's ability to adapt was being pushed ever upward, he still intended to be prudent.

Majik gasped, his head falling back again, as Orphen latched onto the delicate flesh of his neck with lips and teeth. "Aah! Ousho-sama!"

Majik's skin tasted even sweeter than his kisses had, with a slight tang of sweat bathing its surface. Orphen allowed his mouth to move lower, licking his way down the silken line of the boy's pale neck to the double arch of his collarbones.

"You taste good, Majik," he murmured against the delicate dip between winging bones, sending his tongue to play, lapping at the little pool of glistening salt that had gathered there.

"Ousho-sama." Warm lips pressed to his forehead through the thin material of his headband, and one of Majik's hands twined through the hair at the nape of his neck, the other spreading over the merging of Orphen's shoulderblades.

"You're enjoying this, Majik?" Orphen questioned. He knew full well what the answer was, but he wanted to hear it from Majik's own lips.

"H-hai, ousho-sama," the boy gasped. He groaned and stiffened beneath Orphen as the older youth moved further down to lave one tiny pink nipple with his tongue. "Ousho-sama!"

"Then are you ready to move to the next step?" Orphen asked huskily, lifting his head to fix glowing amber eyes on the young blonde. If he warned Majik beforehand, maybe he wouldn't have to worry so much about the boy waking Cleo with a loud reaction.

"N-nani?" Majik blinked down at Orphen, reaching up a shaking hand to brush tousled bangs out of his eyes. Beautiful -- in moonlight... sunlight... at any time... but especially now, flushed with passion and heavy-lidded with lust.

Orphen pressed a finger to his curved lips, then lifted himself to kneel between Majik's thighs, the covers falling down his back to puddle over his bare feet. Majik's eyes rounded again, but he arched his hips obligingly enough when Orphen grasped the waistband of his breeches and tugged down. His breath came sharply as the material caught at the upright proof of his arousal, and those blue eyes slid closed, his head falling back against the pillow. "Ousho-sama...." Pale fingers clutched at the linen sheet under him, digging into the mattress. "Aah!"

"Shush," Orphen reminded, though his attention was mainly focused on the lovely young body exposed to his gaze as he shifted one of Majik's legs over his own lap and pulled the sole piece of clothing Majik had been wearing away from the boy, before shifting the leg back into place. Gods, Majik was beautiful! Steph had been older than Majik was now -- he and Orphen the same age -- and there had never been an opportunity to admire such a lithesome form in their bed-play.

Orphen drank in the sight like fine wine. From the top of his shiny little head to the tips of his toes, Majik was perfection. His blonde hair glowed nearly silver in the moonlight, framing a face that was almost too pretty to belong to a male, but which was saved from utter femininity by the shortness of the cut. Wide blue eyes like lakes under a cloudless sky, full cheeks, a pert nose, and pouty little lips that Orphen could attest to being ultimately kissable filled in the list of features above a pointed chin. Majik's neck was slender and pale below that, leading to the white curves of his shoulders; slim and yet strong above his chest. Pink nipples stood out on gently sloped pectorals like tiny sentinels, the muscles neither nonexistent nor overdeveloped.... Perfect, in a word. Lower still was the flat plane of Majik's belly, saved from uniformity by the little well of his navel, which in turn guided eyes to the trickling trail of golden wisps that converged about his groin. Over this stood his rampant manhood; as already established not small, slender, lovely.... The boy's erection was beginning to flag a bit; most likely a combination of the cool night air, being exposed, and Orphen's unabashed stare. But he had no doubts he could gain a resurgence and reawaken Majik's interest with no more than a moment's effort. Lower still were the smooth thighs that spread to either side of Orphen's kneeling form; those endless legs that it seemed sometimes only youth possessed. Majik had complained earlier of his legs aching, but there was no outward sign of this in their slim lines. As far as the external view was concerned, Majik was... perfection.

"Oh, gods, you're beautiful," Orphen husked out, amber eyes greedily running over the whole image that was Majik. If there was really such a thing as living art, Majik was a prime example.

"Ousho-sama?" Majik blinked up at him, seeming confused by the unwavering attention Orphen was giving his prone form. The boy clearly had no idea how mesmerizing his body was, and Orphen wasn't in a mood to try to convince him.

"Shush." Orphen pressed a finger to his lips again, then lifted a brow. "Majik, if you bring Cleo in here, I'll never forgive you."

Majik's eyes rounded, and he drew a breath, most likely to sputter out a negation, but when Orphen grasped his erection in a warm, all-encompassing grip, he let the air in his lungs out in a quiet explosion, his head thumping against the pillow. "Ousho--!"

"Shush," Orphen warned yet again, caressing the heated flesh gently, feeling -- as he had expected -- the quick return to full hardness at this manipulation. Without giving Majik a chance to recover, he scooted down a little further on the mattress and bent over the little body he had so been admiring a moment ago. He could hear Majik's breath hiss sharply as he lowered his head, and glanced up in time to see the boy's pupils dilate nearly to the point of eclipsing the blue irises as he sent his tongue in a broad sweep over the tip of the boy's throbbing penis.

Majik bit hard into a thin finger to stifle his immediate reaction, his head arching back, shoulders actually leaving the bed with the power of the jolt that surged through him. Orphen felt a moment's compunction, but got over it quickly as the salt and sweet flavor of Majik's weeping cock flooded his senses. He'd only gotten a mild taste before -- this was so much more intense!

Without waiting to give Majik a moment to adjust -- but how much *could* a complete virgin adjust, anyway? -- Orphen moved to engulf Majik's slim cock completely in his mouth. Its head slid down his throat as his lips encircled its base, and Orphen swallowed to avoid choking. The clean yet musky smell of Majik's wispy pubes met his nose, and he was lost. This was an experience of sheer sensuality. Thought and emotion had no place in this -- he just wanted to suck Majik to climax and drink down the seed that would inevitably pump forth with the youth's orgasm. Taste Majik as intimately as one human could taste another.

Majik was letting out little whimpers muffled by the knuckle he had jammed into his mouth. At least he wasn't going to be loud enough to call in unwelcome company, although Orphen spared a moment to hope those straight teeth were not breaking skin before he returned to his ministrations. He pulled back until only the tip of Majik's penis was in his mouth, not yet applying suction, but curling his tongue around the throbbing head in a slow, swirling caress, washing the heated flesh with moist strokes.

"Ousho-- Ousho-sama-- Hah!" Majik was gasping above him, legs rising to press to either side of his chest, fingers twisting through Orphen's dark hair. "Ousho-sama, m-matte...."

Ignoring this entreaty, Orphen drew Majik's penis further into his mouth; now applying pressure. He suckled the burning flesh, feeling the silken stiffness against his tongue, tasting the droplets of desire that spilled free from its tip, his lips forming a seal that slipped up and down over the turgid length.

"Ah!" Majik tugged at Orphen's hair almost painfully, his thighs straining against the twin bonds of Orphen's arms, which he had hooked over them to hold the smaller boy down. "Ousho-sama, I want to-- I want to-- B-boku mo--"

Orphen knew what it was Majik wanted. And while sixty-nine was his favorite number -- being a rather awkward but very satisfying configuration for two bodies to take -- it wasn't what he had in mind right now. He'd meant it when he'd told Majik he wanted to give the boy pleasure, and while having Majik reciprocate upon his own aching cock would be exceptionally nice.... Dame. He didn't want Majik distracted from the intense pleasure he was inflicting on the boy's captive body. Besides, there was his position to maintain. Not in the physical sense; lying between Majik's sprawled thighs; but in their roles as teacher and student. Orphen needed to retain control over the situation for the moment. He was the instructor and Majik the pupil. To grant Majik access to his hard-on while he sucked the boy off would put them on even footing, and that was a concept Orphen wasn't in a huge hurry to bring to their relationship. Not while Majik had so very much yet to learn; both in becoming a sorcerer, and in the bed. It wasn't that he lacked respect for Majik -- that wasn't it at all. It was more that he didn't want to bring about any lessening in Majik's respect for *him*.

Raising his head, Orphen grasped Majik's slickened erection with one hand, lapping at the tip a moment, before meeting the boy's heavy-lidded, beseeching gaze with a wicked smirk.

"Ya~desu," he declared, amber eyes slitting lazily.

"Ousho-sama!" Majik protested, but before he could say any more, Orphen swallowed him down again. "Aah! Aah!"

Orphen worked Majik was finesse, flare, and a deep affection for the subject of his attention. The flesh was sweet in his mouth, silk over steel, throbbing to the accelerated beat of Majik's heart, and leaking a steady trickle of semen that merged with the saliva Orphen laved over the upright column that afforded them this intimate connection. He could feel the muscles of Majik's belly tensing and jerking above him and his ears caught the soft sounds of Majik's muted passion in the form of little sighs, murmurs, and moans as the boy shifted restlessly.

So perfect, so lovely. So delicious. Orphen was certain Majik could not be enjoying this very much more than he was -- his own pleasure came from the sights, sounds, scents, and flavors that were the whole of Majik enthralled.... It was physical as well as psychological, and he only wanted more.

More wasn't a problem. Orphen sucked Majik down to the root, then began a steady rhythm, bobbing up and down. No more teasing, no more testing; it was time to bring Majik to climax. Orphen was dead-sure this was going to be Majik's first orgasm not brought about by his own hand, and he wanted to taste it, swallow it down, experience it to the full. This was a thrill to rival anything he might have gained within Majik's own mouth.

Not that it wouldn't have been even better to bury himself deeply inside the boy's eager young body; drive to the hilt and rock him until they both came in mutual gushing gouts.... But Majik wasn't even close to being ready for that, and there *would* be other opportunities in the future -- Orphen would make certain of that!

Majik's breath was catching in quick, harsh gasps, feet planted, hips grinding up and up, his fingers sunk in his master's chestnut hair -- not tugging as might be expected, but splayed over the curve of Orphen's skull beneath, mutely urging the young man onward, harder, faster, more!

Orphen obeyed, his arms leaving their locked position over Majik's thighs so that he could grasp those lean hips; his fingers standing out dark against pale, paper-thin flesh stretched over sharp bone. He shifted so that he was kneeling, leaning over Majik; this new approach granting him better leverage as he sucked Majik down to the root, over and over, feeling his throat clutching at the head of the boy's penis, doing his best to drive Majik over the edge and into the burst of ecstasy that he knew waited; most likely only moments away, from the sounds Majik was making above his head.

Orphen could feel Majik's fingertips now digging into the muscles of his shoulders, the lovely young body arching beneath him as quiet sobbings for breath interspersed with low moans shook his slender chest. Every muscle in Majik's body was flexing, tensing, his wordless pleas becoming more frantic, and suddenly he froze, feet slipping on the mattress, fingers scrabbling over Orphen's skin, his breath catching. Orphen gave one last pull on his cock, drawing back a little so that his tongue could slip up over the tip, and then the heated flesh jumped, swelling and spewing its load into the welcoming depths of Orphen's mouth.

Thick, hot fluid hit the broad dam of Orphen's tongue; spreading through his palate and flooding him with its unique, intoxicating flavor. Orphen drank it down, taking all Majik had to give, and then draining him dry once his orgasm began to subside. Orphen made sure he got every last drop, but left off before his suction began to pain Majik's now over-sensitized flesh.

Pushing himself up to kneel between Majik's sprawled thighs once more, Orphen licked his lips, taking up the traces of glistening seed that had escaped, then reached up with slightly shaking hands to shove sweat-damp bangs from his face. Stretching his back -- which had been too long in a hunched over position, even if it *had* been worth every moment -- he looked down; surveying his handiwork.

Majik lay in a limp tangle of limbs, pale hair stringing to flushed cheeks, his eyes barely slitted open. His lips were parted as he gasped for breath, the lower bruised and full -- probably from being bitten to stave off loud exclamations. One hand still clung to the tangled, bunched linens beneath the boy's body while the other lifted, pale fingers making a fumbling attempt at shoving sweaty bangs out of heavy-lidded eyes. Though his chest was rising and falling rapidly, breath gusting between his lips, Majik looked totally relaxed -- not to mention a little dazed and not a little exhausted.

Orphen smirked, rather proud of himself for his part in bringing this image about. He leaned over the prone boy and pressed a light kiss to Majik's plush lips -- surprised and pleased both when Majik's chin lifted immediately to give Orphen better access to his mouth.

"Saa. Think you can sleep now, Majik?" he asked quietly.

Majik blinked, much confused, evidently having forgotten the cause of this entire encounter. He looked so beautiful; settling into his satisfaction, limned by moonlight; that Orphen had to kiss him again. It wasn't called for in the script, but sometimes one had to improvise. And Orphen had never before had a lover exactly like Majik; so sweet as to be irresistible.

The young blonde smiled sleepily up at Orphen, thick lashes sliding closed seemingly without his conscious will. Orphen took this for a 'yes' in response to his question, and softly lifted himself away from Majik's naked body.

Swinging his legs over the edge of the bed, Orphen quickly unbound his sleeping breeches and freed his own aching cock. He was so hard it hurt, the material over his crotch already stained and sticky with the fluids that had been seeping out this entire time. While Majik's pleasure had been his first priority, every little sound that boy had made, each driblet of salty seed caught on his tongue had served to send a wild pulse of arousal to his own groin. By this point it was unlikely Orphen could have been any more ready, and he only wanted to bring himself off quickly; ease the explosive pressure building in his balls.

His cock had leaked enough that there was no need for the oil in the pack, and so Orphen took a firm grasp, prepared to finish this fast and hard, then get back to bed.

"Ousho-sama, you didn't--?!" Suddenly Majik was a warm-heavy presence against the bare muscles of his back, and Orphen drew in a sharp breath. He could feel the sweat that layered his skin sliding against the sheen that was cooling off of Majik's body, could feel the boy's breath gusting hot and moist over his ear, and he shuddered as Majik's arms twined about his chest from behind.

Soft lips pressed to his shoulder in a warm-damp kiss, fingers spreading over the powerful curves of his pectorals, and then Majik nuzzled the nape of his neck. "Ousho-sama... *now* can I...?"

Orphen swallowed tightly, tempted above all things. His fingers were still wrapped around his burning erection. It would take him less than five minutes, he was sure, to get off. And, yet, here was Majik, offering to....

Majik took the decision out of Orphen's hands, sliding around and away from Orphen, over the edge of the mattress, falling in a ragdoll jumble of lanky limbs and soft nudity at the older youth's feet. Glancing up at his master with a shy smile, Majik placed a hand on each of Orphen's knees and levered himself into position. His face was sleepy, his eyes heavy with lassitude, but he also looked remarkably determined and in an instant Orphen realized there was going to be no gainsaying the boy. So he might as well give in to what his lust-consumed mind and hard cock were already urging, and allow Majik to do as he willed.

As though he would have had any chance at this point of resisting!

Majik's hands pressed his knees gently but insistently apart and the boy scooted forward, large blue eyes fixing on the erection Orphen was still fisting slowly, rising large and red from a dark thatch of curling hairs.

"Sugoi, ousho-sama!" Majik breathed, a little of the sleepiness leaving his face as he bent even closer. Orphen caught a gulping breath as a soft, pale hand went to the tip of his cock, then two fingertips rubbed over the weeping wetness to be found there. "It's so big!" Majik continued, lashes flickering as he stared at Orphen's manhood, almost unconsciously bringing his fingers to his mouth and popping them inside to taste.

Orphen groaned silently, closing his eyes, his head falling back as he grasped at the coverlet beside his thigh with one hand. Majik was too innocent to be this seductive purposely -- and that made it all the more erotic! To have the boy between his legs, kneeling before him as though in homage, touching him, tasting him... teasing him....

"Majik...." It came out more throttled, less commanding than he would have liked.

"Hai, ousho-sama!"

Orphen's eyes snapped open and his head jolted forward as Majik wrapped sure, small hands around his erection; pushing his own hand aside. He watched, helplessly enthralled, as Majik grasped him, a little awkwardly but with definite intent. His fingers sank into the mattress beneath him, and he shifted, spine stretching back a little as his hips tilted up into Majik's ministrations.

Majik eyed the member in his hands a moment, a bit of trepidation in the crystal blue; perhaps because Orphen's erection was quite a bit larger than his own. But he got over it quickly and raised himself on his knees, folding over in Orphen's lap to lower his lips to the head of Orphen's penis. Orphen groaned as he felt Majik's hot exhalations break over the burning flesh, then bit into his lower lip, hard, when the boy's pink tongue darted out to lap up the beads of milky fluid that leaked in ever-increasing rivulets from the very tip.

Orphen met Majik's eyes with a steamy amber gaze as the boy sat back on his heels, licking his lips, his hands still wrapped around Orphen's cock. If he could catch his breath, Orphen was going to ask Majik if he was doing okay; if this was too much too fast; if he was sure he wanted to continue. But then Majik's pouty little mouth curled up in a definite *smirk*, thick lashes winging down over flashing blue as he gave his master a look that was wicked, seductive, and mischievous all at once. Orphen's eyes widened, his mouth falling open, but then Majik was bending once more over his groin, and he could only sit and *feel*.

Majik didn't have Orphen's experience or Steph's flare, but he did have a great deal of enthusiasm for the subject at... tongue, so to speak. He went down on Orphen as though he was born to suck cock, taking the older boy in further than Orphen had ever managed his first time. Orphen gasped, resisting the urge to bury his fingers in that silken hair and force Majik to his pace; clinging more tightly instead to the coverlet. Majik was already exceeding his wildest expectations -- he didn't want to risk causing the boy to gag.

Majik seemed to read his needs very well, however. He increased both his suction and his speed, taking Orphen as deeply as he could, his fingers tugging at the length below his lips that he couldn't fit in his mouth. His tongue played no tricks, was only used as an aid to the pressure he was exerting, but that was enough and more; especially to know that Majik was tasting him the same way he had tasted the boy mere minutes ago.

Orphen was gaining a new respect for Majik in regards to his ability to remain mostly silent during his own actions upon the boy. It took more willpower than he liked to think of to keep his teeth clamped over loud verbalizations of enjoyment, to restrain himself to harsh gaspings for air and the occasional stifled moan.

Gathering enough control to open his eyes and look down, Orphen was rewarded with a sight that beat out everything this night for sheer erotic imagery. Majik's golden head between his thighs, the boy's little flushed face hovering above his crotch. Majik's eyes were closed, golden lashes brushing pink cheeks, a tiny crease of concentration between his thin brows. His lips were wrapped around the slicked length of Orphen's hardness, their circle pouty and reddened with the pressure the boy was applying.

It was one of the most beautiful sights Orphen had ever seen.

With a mangled groan that he managed to keep mostly contained behind gritted teeth, Orphen at last gave in to the urge to grasp Majik's head, though he had enough sense left not to drive himself deeply into the boy's throat. His hips did twist, and he stiffened, body jolting, as burst after burst of fiery ecstasy coursed through his frame, fountaining from the flesh buried in Majik's mouth.

Not prepared to stave the flow, Majik choked a little, but quickly recovered, doing his best to take Orphen's seed as Orphen had taken his. Small spills escaped his lips and trickled down his chin, but he didn't do too poorly a job for a first-timer with no warning.

Treated to such a mind-blowing climax, Orphen fell back onto the bed, unable for a moment to feel anything but the golden glow he could swear had overtaken the entire surface of his skin. Slowly sensation returned to him. His body was chilling rapidly in the cool air coming in through the open window, and Majik's soft head was leaning against the inside of his left thigh.

It was something of a struggle to sit up, but he wasn't entirely overwhelmed with lethargy. Orphen looked down, a fond smile touching his lips.

Majik was asleep -- or the next closest state to it -- bare-ass naked, hands curled in his lap, with his head tucked against his master's spread leg. His wide eyes were closed, a peaceful expression on his face, his full lips, still shiny with Orphen's seed, curved in a slight smile of his own.

Bending, Orphen lifted the boy and maneuvered him back into his own bed. Majik cooperated sleepily, nestling his head into his pillow with a happy little sigh. His eyes flickered open, however, as Orphen tugged the covers up over his prone body. "Ousho-sama?"

"Oyasumi, Majik," Orphen said softly as he tucked himself belatedly back into his breeches and retied them.

Majik frowned sleepily. "Demo.... Ousho-sama... aren't you going to sleep with me?" His voice was mournful and almost hurt.

Orphen stifled a sigh. It wasn't that it wasn't a tempting idea, but....

"What if Cleo decides to get up early and comes barging in here without knocking?" he asked gently.

"Oh." Majik sounded so disappointed.

Orphen relented a little. He bent over to nuzzle a soft cheek, then whispered in Majik's ear. "It's not that I wouldn't like to, Majik. I just don't think it's the best thing to do."

Majik wriggled a little and giggled, evidently tickled by Orphen's breath in his ear, then he sobered. "All right, ousho-sama." He yawned widely. "Domo argiatou.... I don't think I'll have any trouble falling asleep now."

Orphen grinned down at the boy. Seeing as Majik was soundly asleep by the time Orphen crawled under his own covers, he deemed the venture a success. And now that he knew Majik was not only willing but eager, and ready to take on his own share of any bed-play that they engaged in....

Well. Orphen fell asleep with very pleasurable visions of the future running through his head.

***

"Naaaa~ni?!?!" Cleo boggled.

Orphen sighed in exasperation. "I *said*, we're going to have to stay here in town for a few more days."

"But why?!" Cleo whined. Behind Orphen, Majik was being uncharacteristically silent.

Orphen shook his head, as though the girl were a complete dunce -- even though he'd only just come up with this plan while getting dressed this morning. "There's some important research I have to do in the county library. But their books are in such a mess that it's going to take me a while to find what I'm looking for."

"But that sounds so *boring*!" Cleo's voice was truly reaching an amazing pitch. She stamped a little foot, hands fisting, her sky-blue eyes flashing. "I don't want to hang around some smelly old library! I want to be out *doing* things!"

Orphen hid a smirk. "All right. You run off and play. Majik, you'll help me hunt, won't you?" He turned to fix the golden-haired boy with an expectant stare.

"Mou~!" Cleo was clearly irritated at being brushed off so quickly.

"Ousho-sama...." Majik blinked, then his huge eyes widened, flying up to meet Orphen's dancing amber gaze. "Ousho-sama! H-hai! Of course I'll help you!"

Orphen had a stifle laughter at the eagerness in Majik's voice, and he hoped Cleo was too oblivious to notice the bright blush that had sprung up to color Majik's soft face. The vaults of the county library were maze-like and almost entirely unvisited, even by the curator -- the perfect place to get "lost" for a few hours... several hours... a whole day....

And by night they had their own room at the inn.

"You're hopeless!" Cleo was cranky. "Majik, you oughtn't to let Orphen boss you around like that!"

"He's my teacher," the boy answered mildly, offering Cleo a guileless smile.

"Fu!" Cleo stamped her foot again, hands on her hips. "I wash my hands of the two of you, then!" She spun in a swirl of curly blonde hair. "Orphen! Let me know when you're ready to move on to somewhere more *interesting*! I'll be in the market!"

Orphen chuckled as the girl stormed away.

"Ousho-sama... will Cleo be all right?" Majik asked anxiously.

"Think positive," Orphen encouraged, clapping the boy on a narrow shoulder. Majik squeaked and stumbled. "Now!" Orphen leered. "Shall we go hit the books?!"

"Ousho-sama!" Majik's cheeks bloomed an appealing shade of pink.

Orphen laughed and set off for the library at a brisk pace, Majik darting behind. They had a long day ahead of them, all alone, with no Cleo....

And this time he had the scented oil in his pocket!

*owari da*

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