The gaze of the icy blue eyes wandered across the tavern, stopping at the red-headed young man who had just arrived with his friend. The owner of those eyes smiled to himself, sipping his wine calmly. He had been sitting here for half an hour now, knowing that the redhead would show up eventually. And now, his wait was over.

He studied the two young men, noticing that the other one was wearing a normal guard's uniform. Ah, of course, he thought, almost smiling. Your friend Fei has to leave for duty soon, and then you'll be all alone... Just as I had hoped...

He continued sipping his drink, eyes locked on the redhead. Tonight...

On the other side of the room, Seed took a seat. Fei, his friend and second-in-command, sat across the table, sighing.

"Aw damn, Seed. I barely have time to eat... Whoever got the idea of these night guard things deserves to be killed. And there's that meeting early tomorrow..."

The redhead grinned. "Yup. Well, luckily I'm not the one who has to stay up all night. Hope you slept enough today."

The younger man shrugged. "I guess so. Hey, I'll survive..."

Suddenly, Fei stopped to study the annoyed expression on his friend's face. "What?"

"Nothing. You'll notice what - or who - when you leave..."

His blond-haired friend grinned. "Oh, so Colonel Ice-cold is here again? Is he looking at you?"

Seed smiled a bit, still looking somewhat annoyed. "Looking? No, he's staring. Staring with those cold blue eyes... Almost makes me shiver."

Fei laughed. "So he has that much power over you? Hey, you did admit that he's good in bed..."

"Yes, he is, but that's it! I don't want to go near him. I really don't want a reputation of getting promoted for sleeping with higher-ranking officers... I talked to him about that. He said that it's fine; he doesn't want a reputation of being someone who uses his men to... You know." The young captain shook his head. "But..."

His friend grinned widely. "But... you like him."

Seed glared at him. "Maybe a little. Forget it. Let's just get something to eat before you have to go to work."

The silver-haired colonel, who was still sitting by the counter, ordered another glass of wine. He sipped it calmly, waiting. He watched as the two young officers ordered their meals and ate them, obviously talking about something funny, as they laughed a lot. He smiled slightly, a calm half-smile that suited his cool appearance perfectly.

He just sat there, watching. Finally, the other man got up, said something shortly to the redhead and headed out. At the door, he turned to glance at the silver-haired man, grinning like he knew something that the other man didn't.

Ah, but I do know, dear Fei... I know exactly what you're thinking...

Culgan suppressed the soft chuckle. He knew enough about the redhead's right-hand man, and he also knew that Seed told almost everything to Fei.

You're betting that I'm here to seduce your friend. Maybe you're right. You'll just never learn how right you are...

He raised his eyebrows a little, gaze still locked in the direction of the young red-headed captain. He smiled to himself, turning to stare at his drink for a while. It's about time...

He raised his head and called the bartender.

Seed shook his head, taking a more comfortable position in his chair. He had decided to ignore the silver-haired man; he had better things to do than waste his time thinking about the colonel.

That proved to be a harder task than he'd imagined. He was used to the colonel sitting in the same place where he ate with his friends sometimes, but being alone made him nervous. And usually, Culgan didn't stare at him so openly.

It bothered him, especially when the place was full of young women who were all looking at him. Obviously, a few of them were planning to do something more than just look, but being stared at by women never bothered him like this. And he knew why. With women, he was the one in control. With Culgan...

Damn you to hell, Colonel Ice-cold. You make me nervous. That's because I want you, dammit! See? I know the women are looking at me, but I'm not interested. He sighed, lifted his glass from the table and drank half of the contents. Then he shook his head again and almost laughed to himself.

Screw you, Culgan. I see dreams about you almost every night, do you know? Maybe I should just give up and... Nah.

His thoughts were interrupted when someone placed a glass and a bottle of wine on the table. "Huh? Oh... let me guess. My friend over there is buying?"

The waiter smiled at him. "Yes. He said that he hopes that you have a nice evening."

"That's it? Hmm." Seed turned to look at the silver-haired swordsman. He almost waited for the man to walk over to him, but to his surprise, Culgan just smiled to him and finished his drink. Then he got up and left.

What? The redhead's eyes widened in surprise. So he's not gonna try to seduce me today? That's... well, surprising, at least. Whatever.

He sat there for a while, not sure what to think. Then he slowly picked up the bottle and studied it, starting to feel more surprised. So Culgan was not trying to seduce him, but he surely had some reason for this. The wine was some Kanakan brand, and seemed to be quite expensive, too.

Well, would be a pity to waste good stuff...

He shrugged, picking up the glass that had been brought to him. He tasted the liquid carefully, then smiled to himself. The taste was better than anything he'd drunk for a long time.

Almost an hour later he decided he'd had enough. His glass was empty again, and the bottle on the table was almost empty.

By Highland... What was I thinking?

He shook his head to clear his thoughts a bit, then got up, feeling a bit unstable. He realized that he was talking to some woman who was sitting at his table.

"Er... sorry. I got to go. Work tomorrow and all..." He picked up the wine bottle and left, not caring to notice the cold stare he got from the woman.

He was pretty good with alcohol, and was always careful, as he knew that his temper and alcohol didn't mix too well. And besides, he didn't like drunks, and certainly didn't want to be one himself. But this wine was stronger than he had expected, and he knew he'd had one glass too much.

"Who cares," he mumbled to himself, making his way through the dark streets of L'Renouille, heading towards the military buildings where his small apartment was. He glanced at the sky shortly, noticing the moon that was almost full.

"Great. I also lost my sense of time... It's late... Bhah..."

He stopped to glance at one bigger building near the castle, then shook his head. He knew that Culgan lived there, and didn't want to think about it. Right now, his priority was to drag himself home before he'd end up in trouble.

The redhead sighed, searching through one of his pockets for the key while reaching for the door of his apartment. It took him some time to get the door open. He slipped in and closed the door behind him, not bothering to turn on the lights.

Better just go to bed...

He made it to his bedroom, then noticed that he'd brought the wine bottle with him. He grinned and took a sip, discarded the bottle on the nightstand and concentrated on trying to get his clothes off. Finally he got them all off, and decided just to crawl into the bed naked. Now he only wanted to sleep.

Outside the apartment, a silver-haired figure who was standing hidden in the shadows smiled calmly. He'd waited for Seed to leave and followed him. Now it wouldn't take too long until the young captain would fall asleep, and then...

He walked to the door calmly, reached for his pocket and took out a shiny new key. As a high-ranking officer, it wasn't too hard for him to get his hands on the spare keys of these apartments. And it certainly was no problem for him to get himself a copy of the key.

The key fit perfectly, and he opened the door without making a sound. He closed it behind him, glancing around in the dark apartment.

"Hmm, a bit messy..." He noted to himself, then smiled. Well, didn't expect you to keep your rooms very organized...

He took off the black coat and the white scarf he was wearing and hung them on the rack beside the door. He then shook his head and picked up a cloak from the floor.

"Still, you could take better care of your clothes..." He studied the cloak for a while, then placed it on a nearby chair. "And that one is military property, too. Someone should teach you to take care of your uniforms..."

He smiled to the sound of his own quiet voice in the empty room, and silently walked to the bedroom door. The door was halfway open, and through the darkness, he could see a figure lying on the bed. He walked closer and stopped beside the bed.

His always-so-cold gaze studied the red-headed figure lying on the bed with unusual warmth. Then he leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on the redhead's lips. He could taste the wine on them faintly.

"Ah. I see you liked the wine..." He picked up the nearly empty bottle from the nightstand, and took a sip.

"And that's no wonder. This is good wine... A very fine Kanakan brand. Only has one bad side - drink more than two glasses, and it makes you very sleepy. And now you've gone and drank almost a full bottle of it. Not a good idea, love..."

Seed mumbled something and drew the sheets around him, curling up on his side. He was sleeping, and totally unaware of having an unexpected visitor.

The visitor chuckled softly, placing the wine bottle back on the table. "You, my dear, are going to have a nasty headache tomorrow morning. Sorry about that, but it was necessary. I know you're quite uncertain about your feelings right now, and you've been avoiding me... No need for that, because, until you're sure about how you feel, I won't pressure you. But you can't stop me from wanting you."

He sat on the rim of the bed, and slowly drew his fingers through the younger man's red hair. Seed mumbled something again, then nuzzled against the hand caressing his hair. He sighed, turned on his back and whispered something.

Culgan smiled to himself. He couldn't hear the whisper very well, but recognized the name. "Hmm? Are you calling my name...?"

Slowly, he traced the younger man's face with his fingertips, then moved his hand lower to caress the redhead's chest gently. The young captain sighed again, squirming under the touch. Culgan's fingers stopped to play with one small nub, and that made the redhead arch his back a little.

"...Mmm... Culgan..."

The silver-haired man smiled, amused. "Ah, so you do miss my touch. No worries... I have the whole night tonight, and only for you, my love."

He stood up and undressed slowly. His eyes stayed fixed on the redhead, and he was surely enjoying the view. The room was dark, but a bit of moonlight fell in from between the curtains. The redhead's squirming had made the sheets fall off the bed a bit, and his upper body was exposed to the pale moonlight.

"Beautiful..." Culgan stopped to kiss the younger man's forehead, then removed the rest of his clothes. He lay down on the bed, next to the redhead.

"Now, my little kitten... Where should we start?" He mused, running his fingers down the younger man's body. He pushed the sheets lower, and snickered as he noticed something. "Oh my. Someone's really been missing me for a while now, I see..."

Seed's only reply was a soft whisper. The older man couldn't hear it this time, but he could read it from the redhead's lips.

"Yes, my love, I'm here..." He sighed. "You really are calling me... Can't say I'm surprised, though. Do you have any idea how sweet it sounds…? Probably not."

He kissed the younger man again, this time on the lips. Then he just lay on his side next to the redhead, letting his fingers play on the other man's smooth chest. Seed mumbled something in his sleep and suddenly slipped his hand between his legs to fondle himself.

Culgan couldn't help but laugh silently. "You've really been missing me, haven't you? Here, let me..."

Gently, he pushed the redhead's hand away and started stroking the length. The younger man grabbed the sheets, moaning silently and arching his back off the bed. The silver-haired man smiled, then leaned closer to the pale chest and captured one nipple between his lips. He suckled gently, while stroking the hard member in his hand.

"...Mmmh... ahn... Culgan... mm..."

The redhead's other hand grabbed the older man's hair, tugging weakly. Culgan snickered softly and continued his caresses, feeling quite satisfied as a few more silent mews escaped the younger man's lips.

Only after a short while did the older man feel something wetting his palm, and then the redhead slackened against the sheets. "Already? Haven't you done anything for a long time or what? Well..."

He gave the younger man a passionate kiss, then licked his hand clean. "...That's one." He studied the sleeping redhead's face, noticing a content smile. "And I know you can do better than that. We'll see soon enough."

Seed sighed softly, sprawling on the bed. He opened his eyes a bit, blinked tiredly and closed them again. He mumbled something incoherent and relaxed.

"Just rest, my little kitten. Soon you'll be ready for... this..."

The silver-haired swordsman placed another kiss on the younger man's lips, then shifted to lie between the outspread legs. He kissed the redhead again, then moved lower, caressing the young captain's skin with his lips.

He stopped at the lower abdomen, then leaned back. "Hmm? You're not going to calm down at all? Well, makes my work here easier..."

He started by licking the remains of the redhead's first release off the tip of the half-erect member. He proceeded by taking the tip to his mouth and started to suck carefully.

Seed reacted slowly at first, but soon tensed again. His fingers captured the older man's silvery hair again and clenched tightly.

"...Aaaah... Mmmh!!"

He wrapped one leg around the swordsman's neck, weakly arching off the sheets again and pressing himself against the pleasuring mouth.

Culgan grinned in his mind, congratulating himself on doing a good job.

You're quite easy, my dear...

He wondered if the redhead had really been with anyone after sleeping with him, and found the thought quite interesting. He had kept an eye on the redhead, and hadn't noticed him being interested in women lately.

So, I'll just assume that you miss me... That would be nice. You are calling my name after all, so...

He continued pleasing the younger man, occupying his hands with caressing the redhead's thighs. Seed pulled the silvery hair and moaned silently, but lost his strength after a while and just lay on the bed, writhing powerlessly.

"Mmm... Culgan... Culgan... Aahn... Cul... gan..."

The older man would've laughed if he could. Hearing the redhead repeating the name made him feel very pleased.

And that means something... Something serious.

He had had his eyes on the young captain even before he'd slept with him for the first time. And he'd noticed that he'd lost his heart to the redhead... Not that he minded a bit. But Seed was a bit uncertain, so he'd decided to wait. He knew that the redhead would give up sooner or later.

And I'd say probably 'sooner'... I know how you feel about me. I can feel it when I touch you...

The redhead got some of his strength back and arched again, mewing softly. The silver-haired man could taste the first few drops of the pearly liquid, and knew that the younger man was close to releasing again. He continued, a bit faster now, taking more of the hard member in his mouth.

Seed kicked the sheets, weakly trying to push himself up. Then he cried out, pulling the older man's hair hard and arching his back off the bed when the second orgasm consumed him. After the climax was over, he relaxed again, his hands stroking Culgan's silvery hair tiredly.

"Hmmmh... Culgan..." He mumbled, then yawned and just drifted off to his half-fainted sleep again.

The silver-haired man moved to lie next to him, wrapping his arms around the sleeping redhead. "That's two, then. I still say you can do better, love. And besides, I didn't go through all this trouble to get nothing myself..."

He slipped one hand between the younger man's legs and stopped to caress the soft buttocks. "A pity I can't take this farther... You're still too inexperienced, and would feel quite sore tomorrow..."

He let go of the redhead, pressing him onto his back again. He shifted to lie on top of the younger man, careful not to put his weight on him. He moved his hand to caress the half-erect member again, and smiled to himself.

"Told you. You really can do better than that. You're still almost ready... And reacting quite nicely."

Seed sighed contently, pressing his hips up a bit. The older man chuckled, continuing his gentle caresses.

"I'd really want to take you now... And I'm sure you wouldn't mind, but that's really not a good idea. Besides, I want to do it only when you are aware of what's happening, and really want me. So..."

He lowered himself closer to the redhead, pressing his own erection against the younger man's. Then he continued fondling them both, occupying himself on kissing Seed's neck and shoulders.

The redhead moaned silently, welcoming the touch. He pressed himself against the older man as much as he could, loosely wrapping his arms around Culgan's shoulders. It took only a few moments until he was fully aroused again.

"...Mmm... Culgan..."

"Right here, my love..." The silver-haired man whispered, shifting to kiss the redhead passionately. Seed opened his eyes a bit, and looked at the older man with burning desire.

"Culgan..." He moaned under the kiss, digging his fingernails on the silver-haired man's shoulders. The other man tensed a bit for a moment, then just laughed softly.

"That is going to leave a mark, you know. You really are a little kitten, aren't you? Purring and nuzzling on one moment, scratching on the next..."

Seed just mewed and held his grip on the swordsman's shoulders tightly, squirming under the other man. Culgan continued stroking them both, enjoying the feeling of the redhead's warm body against his own. He captured the younger man's lips for another passionate kiss, and the redhead's response was just as passionate.

"...Culgan... Aah... aaa..."

The young captain fell powerless again, and could only moan softly and let the older man caress him. Culgan silenced the moans with more kisses, coaxing the redhead for a final release.

"There... a little more..." The silver-haired man smiled, closing his eyes. He was very much enjoying this himself, but wanted to keep his control until the redhead had come first.

Seed tightened his grip on his shoulders again, crying out weakly. Then he kicked the sheets for the one last time and gave up.

"...Cul... gan... Aaaaaaaaaah!"

"Much better..." The older man whispered, feeling the redhead's release drenching them both. He covered the redhead's lips for another kiss and let the control slip away for a moment, whispering the younger man's name as he also released.

Feeling a bit tired, he pressed his face against the red hair, letting himself take a moment of rest. When he opened his eyes again and sat up, Seed was already in deep sleep.

"Totally spent, aren't you, my dear..." He smiled tiredly, stroking the red hair. "Well, that's three now. You've earned your rest. Sleep, my little kitten. I'd love to stay here and sleep next to you, but can't do that tonight..."

He got up and left the room, but returned shortly with a bowl of water and a soft cloth. He cleaned both of them, then took the water away. He dumped the cloth into the younger man's laundry.

"Well, that's all, I'm afraid. Wish I could stay here with you..." He smiled while getting his clothes back on. The redhead was deep in his unconscious state now, and the only sound he made was silent breathing.

"Good night, my love. I'll see you tomorrow..." He knelt beside the bed and kissed the redhead's lips.

He watched the younger man sleep peacefully for a while, but finally got up and left the room as silently as he'd entered. He stopped to take his coat from the rack, then opened the door and slipped outside into the night, smiling to himself.

"Seed!! For Highland's sake..."

"Mmmh..." The redhead, awakened by that sudden loud call, drew the sheets over his head, then curled into a ball when someone snatched them off.

Fei dropped the sheets to the floor and dragged his red-haired friend up from the bed. "You're gonna miss that meeting! And it's important, too. Come on, get up, dammit!"

The redhead sighed, falling backwards as the other man let go of him. He sat down on the bed, burying his face into his hands.

"What meeting...? Oh damn... Gah, I have a horrible headache. Let me die..."

His right-hand man shook his head, picking up the wine bottle from the nightstand. "Too much wine last night? Whatever. We got to go, we're late already! Thank heavens you're here, because if you'd gone with Colonel Ice-cold or something last night, I would've never found you and..."

Seed stared at him, as if trying to remember something from last night. "Right... Culgan."

He paused, frowning. A faint image of a passionate night with the silver-haired man haunted his mind, but then he shook his head, unable to remember more right now. "Damn, screw him. Where the hell are my clothes?"

He got dressed quickly. His head was killing him, and his body felt quite weird, like...

The hell? Have I...?

He gritted his teeth. He couldn't afford missing the meeting, so he had to ignore those thoughts for now.

Fei was waiting at the door, obviously quite impatient. "Took you forever... Let's get going already! Here, drink this..."

Seed grabbed the glass of water that his right-hand man was offering, and threw its contents on his face, discarding the empty glass onto the couch. He slipped out of the door and turned to lock it behind him. Then he froze, and blinked for a few times.

Hanging from the rack next to the door was a white scarf. He didn't remember owning such a garment, but knew very well who did have one.

"Seed! Come on!"

"Y-yeah... I'm coming..." He closed the door and turned to follow Fei. He shook his head. Maybe it was just his muddled mind playing tricks on him...

But if that scarf was still there when he got back, he would go kill its owner.

Author's notes:

Started this as a PWP, but I really suck at those, eh? Can't really call it a PWP anymore.

The fic's a sequel to Elmina's "An Unusual Bet". Used that setting, as it fit, and she didn't mind. Got to love CulSee.

- Lady Harken (November, 2001)