The moonlight was bright, the breeze slight and warm, as I stealthily made my way through the inner courtyard of the palace. The low sleepy chirps of crickets the only sound in the normally bustling grounds. I have a purpose tonight as I strode towards the private sector. I am out to prove that my good friend and this country's Advisor, needs a personal bodyguard.

I have to suppress the mirth that threatens to break loose recalling the brush off Narsus had given an infuriated Arislan earlier in the day. I can't ever recall Arislan using language of the gutter as he did when they'd left Narsus to his work in his private salon, painting gods only know what. "That arrogant son of a bitch! How dare he brush off this matter? Daryun, with your last breath I want you to prove him wrong."

Getting over the initial shock of Arislan's choice of words, I replied, "I'd be delighted, your Highness."

The look on my face must have conveyed exactly what I was feeling after the shock wore off. Delight in matching wits with Narsus again, an old game of ours when we were younger. I left Arislan opened mouthed at what I could possibly plan to do as a rare mischievous chuckle escaped my lips. Although, quite honestly, I'd had no clue at the time as to what I was going to do. I agree that Narsus needed to be knocked down a few notches in the cockiness department and I was just the man to do it.

I must admit plans hardly come quickly to me. I am more a man of action. Planning and shrewdness has always been Narsus' area of expertise. I'd spent the remainder of the afternoon thinking about it, watching him, thinking some more. Early on I'd come to the realization that not just anyone could carry anything of this magnitude off. The responsibility definitely could not be entrusted into just anyone's hands.

Coming to the brick wall that surrounds Narsus' private gardens I curse at the moon for being so bright tonight. It does afford me light in which to see by but it also makes me very visible to watching eyes and Narsus' supposed antics were always being watched. I still vividly recall Narsus' comment made a few months back while they and Quishward had been enjoying ale at an Inn on the outskirts of Palse. They'd just settled in after a long expedition on the border, and talked of many things that night. All three of them had consumed great amounts of ale, but Narsus' comment regarding the inner-court and gossip seemed to have stuck with him the most.

'Damn! If I wanted to take a lover, everyone would know about it by sunup.' On one hand Narsus damned court life for its knowledge, but on the other, he condoned it for the information one could freely get from it. 'Court life has a purpose. If you ever want to know something, just open your ears and you'll discover all you want to know. So, if you want a private life, stay away from it. It makes you fair game to just walk into the room with someone.'

Climbing the wall, I thanked every deity I knew for not allowing my physical self to go to pot despite the peace that had settled over the country. The wall was old and held grooves wide enough for footing and hands. Easily I pulled my weight up and over the wall. I suddenly couldn't help but wonder if the previous occupant of these rooms had a lover that had intentionally created these grooves for a night of passion. The grooves were too smooth for any other use.

Passion. Court Life. The echoing of Narsus' words about taking a lover. All echoed through my head of late. I'd been brushing it off as boredom, not yet ready to accept what it really was. Loneliness. Narsus. What we once had.

Pushing thoughts aside, something I've trained myself to do over the years, I place my back to the hard stone of the outer wall, listening intently for any sounds that would indicate restlessness from Narsus or a possible late night servant moving about.

Deciding it was safe, I moved, keeping to the shadows as I slip my darkly clad figure past the doorframe so that I now stood in the very corner of Narsus' bedchamber. The silver light reveals to me a slumbering occupant in the bed. The trick will be to not break the silver stream of light that filters through the open balcony doors of Narsus' inner sanctuary, creating a path through the center of the room and across his bed. I do not fool myself. Narsus is just as battle ready as I am. Through extra sensory perception, warriors of our caliber tended to see and feel things with a sixth sense.

Surveying the room, searching out any sharp objects, particularly his sword, I am satisfied that I might be able to carry this through. Finally paying attention to the occupant in the bed, I am suddenly mesmerized by what I see. The moonlight makes a thin stream across his bed, revealing exposed legs tangled in sheets and thrown casually across a lump in the bed. Stupid me, to think he would be alone.

Unexpectedly something begins to burn in my chest, an unexplained deep rooted anger mixed with a sharp pang of jealousy. Clamping my lips in tight silence I can not resist the urge to move forward to seem who it was that shared Narsus' bed.

Elam? No. Definitely not. He was but a child in Narsus eyes, his adopted son whom he'd already made arrangements for. Narsus may very well be the devil's strategist, but he most definitely wasn't a stealer of a child's virtue.

Quishward? They tended to flirt outrageously together, something that even Arislan had remarked on, but Quishward was a ladies man through and through. Or at least I hoped he was.

Perhaps a lady? Doubtful. I know the answer to that without asking. I know the answer to that from first hand experience.

Arislan? Now that would be preposterous. Narsus had nothing but respect for the young monarch. But Arislan had an underlying tone to his voice when he remarked on Quishward and Narsus behaviour at court. Could it be?

Shaking my head, I have resolved to find out versus' the guessing game I stand here playing with myself. Stepping forward, I softly continued my silent trek to the foot of the bed. The lighting is no better from this stand point but it affords me more knowledge of the fact that the person in Narsus' bed is very short.

Be it the will or Misra or the devil himself I do not know, but suddenly the moonlight seems to brighten the room even more. A cloud passing perhaps? Either way it shows me my error in thinking. It is nothing more then a pillow.

A pillow that Narsus has his leg thrown across. A bared leg thrown across. I think that is a detail I've mentioned several times to myself. Appreciatively I allow my eyes to travel up his bare leg to note his night shirt had worked up his thighs revealing long slender legs tangled in bed cloth and pillow.

He is sleeping on his side. The arm under him pulling the pillow closer to himself, the other curled just under his chin, giving him a look of innocence while he sleeps. I snorted at my own thoughts. There was nothing innocent about Narsus, other than his sweet looks.

His untied chestnut hair is spread out behind him in a rather sexy tangled mess. Through years of observation, I've noted that his hair has lightened through the years, perhaps by exposure to the sun during our escapades with Arislan. I have never been able to pinpoint Narsus' exact hair color to begin with. It is a rich cascade of chestnut, with a hint of red that kissed his middle back, tied or untied. The sun, always a deceptive source for colors, reflects blond tendrils streaked throughout if one looked closely enough and, shamefully, I do, if given the opportunity. Funny, I've never really realized until now just how much I watch him when no one is about.

The next thought to hit my mind brought on a rush of memories of days gone by. No...make that years gone by. Somehow the absence of another body's imprint in Narsus' bed warms my heart more than it deserves.

As young men, we were lovers. I was rather a jealous lover, always wondering what he was about, who he was with, did they make him happier then I ever could? Thoughts like those could bust a career such as mine. I had not realized how possessive I'd become of him until he left court, banished by his disrespectful words to our King. Granted, he never complained to me about my obsessive behaviour that often times led to quarrels. As adults, responsibility of war and Arislan has kept our thoughts away from it, him. At least mine anyway. One can never speak for Narsus.

Suppressing an audible sigh, I allow myself these few moments to remember things. The laughter, the nights and even the days. It has been a long time since I'd looked at Narsus beyond his mind. His body always invoked delicious thoughts in me that I'd trained myself to push aside for the safety of Arislan. We have been too busy to even consider returning to that avenue that he and I once shared as young men.

What has kept me from pursuing it now?

My Pride. Pride invoking a hesitation fed by the possibility that Narsus may not feel the same way as he once did.

Duty. Duty that kept me occupied for the past three hell bent years. Duty that has prevented me from giving someone like Narsus the attention he so deserves. Perhaps it is my underlying reasoning behind protecting him.

Protecting. Preserving him for the day that I could give him what he deserves. Someone who loves him, solely. Someone who would put his needs above another. Things I can not give him at this time.

Then when? What is my excuse now for not attempting to recover some of what we once shared? A question I ask of myself, every time I've stumbled upon Narsus unawares and his natural beauty takes hold of my senses and I remember. And I yearn. And I want.

There were several places to observe Narsus without him or others realizing this. The maps room, always a great place for observation. He has the most intense hazel eyes I've ever seen when his mind is occupied. Hazel eyes that, if memory serves me correctly, turns to a bright green in the heat of passion. A color I've never forgotten. The same hazel eyes that change to reflect an earthy brown when he is angered and even sad. Hazel eyes can tell you much if one paid close enough attention. Fleeting memories again of so long ago.

The dining hall is another great point of observation. It never escapes me that Narsus never lacks a dinner companion, be it male or female. But neither do I. Shaking my head of wayward thoughts and memories, I return to the task at hand, beating Narsus at a game that only he knows how to play.

Weighing all the options at hand, I decide upon the direct approach as I move silently towards the side of the bed he faces. I'll give him honor; I will not creep up from behind as a dishonorable man may do, so I will at least give him that advantage.

Reaching a steady hand out, I grasp the sheer curtain that surrounds the bed and the occupant within. There is a slight shifting of his body as he seems to murmur something in his sleep, only to nestle his head even further into the softness of his pillow. If only it was my body he nestled against right at this moment. Just watching him in sleep brings back the memories of watching him in the past. I could never get enough of him and his beauty.

Swallowing back the rising lust that seems to have sprouted a life of it's own suddenly, I move in quickly. Before Narsus even knows what has hit him, I practically leap on him, grasping his wrists with my bare hands, my body pinning him to the bed. I thought ahead and managed to wedge myself between his legs versus straddling him. No since providing him a golden opportunity.

Narsus is a silent fighter. I'll give him a negative score for that. One should make a lot noise when overpowered. When the dust finally settled, I see his angry eyes glaring at me through tangled locks of hair. He did put up quite a struggle.

"Daryun what the hell are you about?" Narsus voice hisses an inquiry as he realizes who holds him down. I have completely caught him off guard and I see this before he replaces his fear with anger.

"What do you think Narsus?"

Confusion crosses his features once again as he peers up into mine. Our wrestling match has scooted us both further down on the large bed so that now said moonlight reveals his angry features. He attempts to fling off the long strands of hair that has covered his throat and mouth When that did not give him the results he wanted, he flung his head sharply to get some of it from his face.

"I don't know. What game?"

"No game, Narsus, I assure you. The King said prove Lord Narsus needs a guard and I believe I have."

Before I can even relish the feelings of victory, I find myself being flipped over onto my back so that I now lay beneath him. Narsus had me straddled about the hips. I push back the delicious feelings arising in my groin at the realization of it, because this game isn't over yet. I still hold Narsus' wrists in a tight grip.

"I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself." His breathing is slightly labored from the exertion of flipping me over. I outweigh him by some 25 pounds, if not more. I can tell he's exhausted almost all his strength, court life was not suiting him physically.

Making the sudden move of yanking our arms out, Narsus found himself slammed against my chest, with an indignant 'oof', Narsus' full weight was now pleasantly upon me. I have got to get rid of these thoughts!

"Oh, really? I do believe that I still have the upper hand." I politely state as I twist his arms behind his back so that it gives the appearance of me hugging him. His face is now pressed into the groove of my neck. He is now panting from the shock. Narsus isn't above using less than honorable tactics to get himself out of a predicament and I am perfectly aware that a head butt will hurt if he uses such force on me. My only hope is that he is not that desperate.

"Daryun, release me now."

"Have I proven my point? Tomorrow you will accept Arislan's choice of guard for you?"

"This is preposterous. I can't believe the two of you would stoop this low in proving a point."

As I hear him speak, something sensual begins to take hold of me. Having Narsus' arms pinned behind his back, his heart pounding frantically against my chest, with the lump of fabric built up behind him where his night shirt is way above his hips, exposing his bare backside to the night air, I can't help but wonder how much of him is exposed in the front. I can not resist an experimental squirm of my hips against him. I am immediately aroused by his response when my action invokes a gasp.

"Daryun, please. Release me."

Funny, his voice is laced with a begging undertone. My pride suddenly remembers a time when I had the Great Lord Narsus begging me quite a bit for a different type of release.

Using this to my shameful advantage, in one quick roll he is now beneath me again. My breathing is hardly labored. "Tell me first, Narsus, do you agree to the terms?"

His eyes are closed as he concentrates hard on his response. Passion begins to singe my veins as I watch him lick his lips nervously. Narsus has never been one to accept defeat, not without planning a victory for later.

"Dammit Daryun!" His hazel eyes flash open to reveal something I hadn't seen in years, a reflection of his rising passion. Something he is desperate in trying to cover up as he looks away from me.

"Hmm? Well, I do believe before I accept defeat from you, I need a boon in which to seal it."

"Who said I admit defeat?" Defiant to the end, my Narsus.

I do chuckle at his challenge. I can't help myself. He is not in a position to win this one. Not while his arms are pinned uncomfortably behind him and his thighs are spread to either side of me. The position most definitely invokes even more memories in me. I always liked taking him in this position. A position where I could watch his face as he responded to the pleasures I gave him. It is a position I most definitely liked when we were lovers.

"Daryun?" Arching a brow at his calling of my name, I wait for him to continue. "Could you please release my arms at least? It is rather painful."

There could be plenty of harm in affording him this small victory, but it was not my intentions to hurt him, but to prevent any future harm to him. Slowly I release his arms, but made sure to increase my body weight upon him. He arches up closer to me as he moves his arms from beneath him. The movement against me is quite pleasurable.

"Better?" I inquire.

"Much. Thank you. Now do you mind telling me why this sudden concern about my well being before I agree to anything?"

I intentionally give him a hard stare and, if I am not mistaken, he begins to squirm slightly under my scrutiny, for I know my dark eyes are intensely looking into his. Clearly I've already decided seduction was in store for the night. It is inevitable. My body was slowly taking control, but I will handle business first.

"That simple?" I ask, he shrugs as best he can under my weight. "There have been rumors coming from the south that you are a target. Arislan believes them, considering the source, and even I and Quishward are concerned."

"And? That's it?" I can see the rolling of the eyes motion. Already he is playing if off. "Come off it, Daryun. We are all targets. From Arislan to you to Quishward. Even Elam can be a target. Hell, Daryun, if you really, really thought about it, we won a war. We retained a country and ousted a mad King and, believe me Daryun, we didn't give a damn about anyone's feelings while we did it. So of course we are all targets. We've possibly pissed off quite a few individuals and their followings. If anything, King Arislan needs reinforced guards not me."

"You are such a ditz for an intelligent man!" I am growing frustrated now. This conversation is going to take a little longer then planned, but,then again,nothing was black and white with Narsus. "Everyone in their right mind knows that if it hadn't been for you the campaign would still be going on or, even worse, Arislan could be dead right now at the hands of his cousin. Thoughts are abuzz with the fact that if they want another shot they will have to do away with you first."

There. Said. I do believe something is sinking into his thick skull as his eyes turn thoughtful. Releasing a heavy sigh he quite simply stated, "I admit defeat. You and Arislan can smother me with guards if it gives you both peace of mind."

He frowns as he looks at my lower face, somewhere in the vicinity of my lips. His voice seems to drop a tad as he asks me, "What boon is it you ask for Daryun?"

Ah! Now I might be able to appease the beast that has silently plagued me these past few months. Now that I know for sure what it has been, since I am holding that object in my arms.

"For starters?" I seem to be thoughtful. I truly am not use to games, but I've learned a lot watching Narsus. Despite that, would my friend appreciate me trying to mimic him in that department? Sighing, I just ask, "Straight up?"

"Yes. Flat out tell me, Daryun. Games don't suit you, but I must say you've played this one rather well."

Deciding that I much prefer being a man of action I moved in for the kill. I laid claim to something that once belonged to me.

I can feel his startlement through his soft pliable lips where I have staked my claim. The tension of his battle weary body from our wrestling match increases slightly, but a sigh emanates from his body as he begins to relax and soften against me. His now free hands move into my hair pulling me closer to him, if that were even possible.

His lips part and grant my seeking tongue access to his hot moist mouth. As I begin to deepen the kiss, his legs tighten about my thighs, giving me all that I need, encouragement.

Reluctantly I break the kiss to allow him at least the luxury of breathing, since once again I'd caught him off guard, my lips refuse to leave his body as I trail my kisses to his ear and then his slender throat. As my lips leave trails, my hand has begun to do the same. It is an automatic gesture of a man seeking comfort from his lover's body.

I begin by unlacing the nightshirt a few notches first to make room for all the little kisses I plan to leave there. When I am satisfied with that much fabric being parted, I move my kisses to their target and my hands go even lower, lifting up and under the bottom hem of the shirt.

"Daryun." I can hear his gasped breath, his need crying out to me as my sword callused hands lay claim to his hardening shaft and my teeth lay claim to a straining nipple I'd brought to life. I can feel the moisture built up on the tip of his cock. He would not hold out long, his body acting as deprived as I have been of him.

It is true that a man can train his body to hold out, he and I had been like that once. I may not have been ever able to control his mouth but, by the gods, I had control of his body and he seemed to crave me all the more for it.

I feel some remorse in speeding this along to get to his release and then mine. It has been such a long time since I held him, but I need him now, this minute. I need him panting my name over and over. I need him to scream his release and surrender to me. I need him period. I would most definitely make it up to him later, if he didn't kill me for my deception later. When I have gathered enough moisture upon my fingers, I slowly trail them over his solidified twin sac to the hidden valley beneath them as my lips move from the hardened nubs of flesh on his chest to engulf the now straining shaft. Simultaneously, I slowly insert my fingers at the same speed as my lips move down his enflamed cock. With a cry, he arches his slender body, his fingers still buried in my hair and my name on his lips. I have quickly set a matching rhythm, finding and stroking that fire inside of him. His cry of pleasure, each time I hit the spot deep within him, is music to my ears.

He rode that tidal wave I invoked with tongue and fingers, his head thrashing, his fingers tightening in my unruly hair as he tries to pull me away. It does take a few seconds for me to realize that he craves the same thing as I when I finally hear the desperation in his voice, "Daryun...please?"

Those two words tell me he wants us united from the waist down. He wants us coming together; I can give him that. Already my erection is painfully tight, begging for him. Slowly removing my lips from him and my fingers from inside him I quickly move to free my straining organ as I rise up on my knees. I look down on his face, at his hooded eyes, as they watch me. His thighs are still to either side of me.

Once I have freed myself from my hindering clothing, I grasp his hips and yank him roughly up for a much better angle. I do not bother with removing my pants. I can't! I don't have that much staying power.

He knows my needs. He knows my moods just from my actions. I watch as his fingers grasps the sheets, preparing for the rough entry. He is desperate. I am desperate. He knows the pain will not last. I won't let it.

"You've left me waiting long enough, Commander." He whispers to me through those kissable lips, promising much in those words. Telling me he still wanted me. Wanted us.

Guiding myself to his sweet entrance, I press forward, taking it slower then my body wanted, but I was not going to hurt him. Not if I could help it. Once my cockhead had broken through that tight ring of muscle, I push forward as slow as I can, until I am plunged to the hilt in his tight sensual body. Opening eyes I had no idea I closed, I look down into his face to see the single tear that runs from his closed lashes. The moonlight casts a silver glow to it.

"Did I hurt you?"

"No, love, you didn't." He smiles up at me, not opening his eyes up yet. "Hold still only for a moment so I may savor you." Oh, I want to savor him too. Every tight glorious inch of his hot passage. He is hot. He is tight. Like a virgin on her wedding bed. Not that I really ever had a virgin other than Narsus in my bed...I can not stop the question that forms on my lips. I want to know.

"Narsus, when was the last time you had intercourse?" Arrogant question, that. What transpired in his life while we were not together should not be my business, but something tells my arrogant self that it is something I want to hear. Something I should hear.

"With you."

With me?!? Closing my eyes, I savor his words as I savor his heat. Slowly I feel his hands creep up to my face, bringing me down for a light feathery kiss. He whispers against my lips, "I have never stopped loving you."

There is a part of me that knows those words cost Narsus a lot to say and admit. He is a prideful man, possibly more so then I am and, by all appearances, I have not exactly been his best friend since he first left court all those many years ago. Seeing him that first time on the steps of his cottage, the coldness he threw in my direction, and the lack of respect he showed Arislan had set a very bad pace in the beginning. But things improved. He more then made up for it during the campaign and I? I have always been at a loss for words to begin with, to make it up to him. It is those words that became the driving force behind all that transpired for the rest of the late night hours.

I developed this sudden power of control over my body. Love and respect does that to a man. I begin a slower rhythm inside his body, putting him first. I enjoy feeling the movements of his hands as he works himself slowly. Narsus has never been a shy one in the bedroom since our first love session. I delight in watching the play of pleasure as he finally closes his eyes and loses himself in our rhythm. It is then that I know he is being pleasured in all the right places as I begin the movements that will insure mine.

My rhythm increases, my strokes harder, and my breathing more labored. It doesn't take long before I feel him stiffen, signaling his coming release, a gasp caught in his throat. He arches as his seed coats his hands. In his release he has tightened himself around me. I gasp from the sheer pleasure of it. The combination of the smell of his release, his tightened muscles and his moans of pleasure bring me to the peak. The peak that makes one slam even harder into the source of pleasure. The peak that invokes a craving and awakens a savage animalistic need in one to find it fast.

Relentlessly I pound into him. He exercises those glorious muscles, helping me along, encouraging me by pulling his knees tighter against himself. Opening himself wider so I may have free reign over his luscious body. Until, finally, I am granted release tenfold as stars blur my vision and a humming reaches my ears. I am fairly close to blacking out as I fall forward on my lover, saying his name over and over as I reward him with small kisses to his brow and cheek. Until, finally, I rest my head on his shoulder trying not to place too much weight upon him, yet reluctant to withdraw just yet.

We lay in this position for quite a few minutes. He strokes my back as he breathes softly against my sweaty brow. I am still in uniform. Black and cum. What a combination. I feel him shift slightly as he tries to move a leg that I know has to be uncomfortable. I murmur an apology as I use what little strength I have remaining to ease out of him. He shushes me but does not hinder my movements as I move us so that he is tightly wrapped in my arms as I roll on my back, him now resting against my shoulder.

"Gods, your beautiful Narsus." Realizing a wish had been granted.

A snort and a well known smirk I know has touched a face I can not see. But I know him so well. He turns so that his chin rests on my shoulder and he looks into my eyes. "I've missed you, Daryun. Please don't leave me waiting this long ever again."

There is raw honesty in those hazel eyes as he looks upon me. I can see a touch of fear there as well. I think in the back of his mind he fears that this may only be a one night payment of a boon I requested. Admittedly, there was a time I could have been capable of such cruelty with him back when I was angry at him. But not now. Not ever again. Now that I've matured, now that I know how his complicated mind works, I will never let anything drive us apart as it once did.

"You will be hard pressed to get rid me now, Narsus. The problem is how are you going to explain my presence to Elam in the morning, because I do not intend to leave this bed for the remainder of this night." And hopefully I'll be here every night.

"Well?" He seems thoughtful, "I suppose it is time for Elam to learn the facts of life."

"Narsus? Narsus...you deceive yourself if you think Elam has not been exposed to the facts of life."

"Well, I can only hope he's retained some innocence. Well then, what of Arislan? I forewarned you once and I can guarantee you now that, come morning, we will be the talk over the breakfast table."

I chuckled gleefully. I already have Arislan's approval so I really don't give a damn about what anyone else thinks. But I'm not going to tell him that, not just yet anyway. Let him fret awhile. "We'll cross that bridge tomorrow, for now, we sleep."

"Only if you get that uniform off. I don't want you surly come morning because you're all wrinkly and smelly."

Change we did. Right into our birthday suits. We never even got dressed. Imagine Elam's surprise the next morning, ne?