To Dance By Moonlight

Chapter Fourteen

In the gray light of early morning, Kei eased his eyes open and stretched. The movement stirred Kuroo, who wound his arms tighter around his waist, and pressed his hot mouth against Kei's nape.

"Good morning, love," Kuroo's grumbly morning voice said softly. "Sleep well?"
"I did, in fact," Kei replied quietly. "And you?"
"Like a baby," Kuroo answered, his hands slowly roaming over Kei's naked skin. "My dreams, though..."
"What about them?"
"They were far from childlike."

One of those wandering hands pressed against Kei's belly, bringing his body flush against Kuroo's. And his... hot and hard arousal. Kei moaned, already rocking against him, ready for whatever he wanted to do. Kuroo moved Kei's body where he wanted, lifted his leg enough so that he could fit himself perfectly where he most desired to be.

And in the gray light of early morning, they loved again and again until they fell asleep in each other's arms.

~*~

They managed to wake up a second time around mid-morning, and before either of them could entice the other (not like that was difficult), Kuroo rolled out of bed, dressed in a pair of red silk pants, and came back to sit on the bed beside Kei, who was on his side, hand propping his head up, and watching Kuroo's every move.

"Keep staring at me like that, and we might never leave the tent," he said after a lengthy kiss.
"I love that idea," Kei replied. "Let's do that."
"Once we get home, we can do what we want for as long as we want." He kissed Kei again, and stood up. "Besides, we have to get ready to leave tomorrow morning, so we need to prepare for another few days' travel."
"I guess so," Kei said. "When will we get there?"
"The next oasis is the last one before we reach the outskirts of the palace town. So, a week at most."
"Alright."

Kuroo was about to ask why Tsuki sounded so glum, especially after the night they had, when he heard the loud, and boisterous voice of his best friend. It was a wonder he hadn't heard it until now; Bokuto was usually up with the sun. There was also the fact that neither he, nor Akaashi, had come inside the tent at all last night. Not that he was looking for them, of course.

"It's about time you two were awake!" Bokuto cried out as he walked right in the room. "Breakfast is almost over, and I'm..." his voice trailed away, and sounded half-strangled. Kuroo looked over at him. Bokuto's mouth was open, and his eyes were wide and fixed on Kei, who had quickly covered up with one of the blankets they'd thrown off overnight.
"Tsuki," Bokuto said quietly. "You're..."
"Embarrassed? Mortified? A permanent fixture under this blanket for the next hundred years?"
"Now that's an idea I like," Kuroo grinned, winking at him. Tsuki glared back.
"You're beautiful," Bokuto finally finished his sentence.
"He is, isn't he?" another voice added, and Keiji came into the room, only stopping when he sat on the bed next to Kei. "Might take you a while to convince him, though," he added. "OW! That hurt!" he cried out seconds after, rubbing his side where Kei pinched him.
"You didn't need to say that!"
"Well, it's true! You barely even believe me when I tell you you're..."
Kei's hand covered Ji's mouth. "Not another word." A few seconds later, "Ew! What's wrong with you?" and the hand that covered Ji's mouth was now sliding across the bed, wiping away Ji's spit.

Kuroo and Bokuto both looked at each other, and then at the two squabbling on the bed, and started laughing. They were in stitches by the time Kei and Ji noticed them. Realizing they sounded childish, Ji stood up and went around the room, picking up his friend's clothes, and bringing them back to the bed.

"Here. Be quick about it, Bokuto is hungry."
Kei perked an eyebrow at Ji's use of the Emir's name, but said nothing. With practiced ease, he was quickly clothed and out from under the blanket.
"Any idea what they're serving for breakfast?"
"Millet with honey. I think Fatima made bread, too."
"Sounds good," Kei said, though it was obvious he was hungry for more.
"Come on," Ji took his hand and dragged him to his feet. "Maybe if you're sweet, she'll give you a bigger portion."
"I'm always sweet."
Ji snorted. "Riiight."

Kuroo and Bokuto watched the two as they left them behind, and then smiled at each other. Kuroo finished dressing, but decided to leave his turban off. He slung an arm around Bokuto's shoulders and they left the room after Tsuki and Akaashi.

"I really like them, Kuro," Bokuto said as they went.
"I do too."
"I doubt we'll ever have a single dull moment with them around."
"Not even a little bit."
Bokuto looked at his friend and grinned. "You're in love, aren't you?"
"I could ask you the same."
"Head over heels, my dear. Head over heels."
"Same here, sweetheart."

They laughed the rest of the way out of the tent, and caught up with Tsuki and Akaashi. Parting from each other, they took the hands of the men they'd fallen in love with, and walked to where Fatima and her staff were serving breakfast.

~*~

Later in the day, Bokuto stole Akaashi away for lunch and a rest. They went back to the water, and walked around the shore line until they came to a shady spot. Smiling at his love, hitched up the legs of his pants, and waded calf-deep into the cool water. He sighed heavily, stretched, and then held his hand out to Akaashi.

"Come on! The water's fresh and cool."
After a moment's hesitation, Keiji copied Bokuto, and waded in to stand in front of him. He smiled and sighed with relief.
"It feels good," he said softly. Bokuto moved so that his hands rested on Keiji's hips, bringing them closer.
"You feel good." Bokuto bent to kiss him softly. "Taste good, too."

Keiji felt the heat of his blush, and set his slightly shaky hands on Bokuto's upper arms. The same strong arms that held him last night. Both at the bonfire, and later, when they loved by the glowing light of the banked fire. The strange thing was, being with Bokuto had made him feel like he was new to being loved. He'd been nervous, and almost denied him once, even with alcohol coursing through his system, loosening his inhibitions. But Bokuto had been patient; he waited until Keiji was truly ready. It hadn't taken much time after that for him to surrender.

"Are you okay, my love?"
"Yeah, fine. Why do you ask?"
Bokuto put one of his hands over Keiji's. "You're shaking."
"The water's cooler than I thought."
"Liar," he said gently, without heat. Keiji sighed and rested his head on Bokuto's shoulder.
"This is still new to me."
"Even after last night?"
Keiji nodded. "I've only ever had Kei in my life. You're the only other one..."
"That's good, right?" Bokuto's quiet voice tickled his ear. Keiji cringed reflexively, and leaned back so he could see Bokuto.
"Yeah. It's good."
"Akaashi, I..."
"My name is Keiji. You can call me Ji, if you want."
"I'm Koutaro. Kou to my friends."
"Am I your friend?"
"No," Kou replied honestly, and held onto Keiji as he tried to back away. "You're so much more than that. And I'll wait for you to trust me completely. I'm not going to hurt you."
"I know. I promise not to take too long."
"Doesn't matter if it's today or years from now. I'll wait."
"Thank you."
"You're welcome. Now, I brought some lunch. Let's eat."

Huddled together under the trees, they fed each other the food Kou brought, and shared water from his canteen. Then, with Keiji relaxed and leaning back against Kou's chest, he closed his eyes and fell asleep.