#lastteaparty

Dear Fireball,

It's been nearly a year since your arrival, and sometimes I still don't believe that you are truly here. As I write this, you are sleeping next to me, deep in your slumber after our enjoyable first Valentine's Day together. The concept of a day purposely for lovers to enjoy one another seemed so strange, but after having your devoted attention all day, I don't believe that I could survive a day without you showering me in your attentions and affections. 

To watch how you stirred the whole castle and town up into excitement was adorable. Though you would get so focused on everyone else and making sure that the celebrations were going ahead on schedule that you would become too busy to spend any time with your boyfriend. 

I made sure that this was corrected on our special day, since it is a celebration for lovers. 

Mitsuhide was sent on an errand to find uni, which was then specially prepared for you and you alone. Along with a herbal brew of tea from the knowledgeable women of the town. I was glad to see that this combination had the desired effect on you during the feast since you consumed them quickly without thinking. It was most satisfying to have you drag me away from the feast in the main hall because you could not wait for me any moment longer. 

Your mouth was hot and domineering, demanding my attention and begging for me to sate the fire that was threatening to consume you entirely. You were needy, and only I could satisfy you. You even tore my kimono in your eagerness to undress me. Every part of you is always so soft and receptive to my touch. Though the image of you naked and straddling my lap as you took my fingers deeply is something that will remained burned into my mind for eternity. Especially the manner in which you would sing my name, the whole of Japan certainly knows that it is my bed which you warm at night. Your skin invited for me to lay my claims on it, and to do so in places that any other man can only dream of. Your cries were so sweet as I coaxed the next climax out of you, your body arching into the air as you begged for my cock to finally bury itself inside of you. The sweat was shining over your body in the moonlight as we made love on the futon in the nighttime, there was always one more climax to be had as your body screamed for mine before sleep finally claimed you. 

To watch you after our lovemaking brings me such peace I have never known before. My eyes linger on your body, proud to see you bearing my markings, though I am certain it is only a matter of time before you are carrying my child. I seek to unify Japan so that our children will know peace and that they will be safe to grow up happy, and that we can grow old together to witness such scenes. 

Forever yours,

"Of course, my goddess."

Mai entered the room, carrying a small tray with her as she sat beside him. "The maids told me that you've been here for a while and I thought you might need a break."

There was a plate of his favorite sweets sliced in halves and a cup of tea on the tray she brought. Shingen picked up a piece and ate it, savoring the flavors in his mouth. The bread was nice and soft while the chestnut filling was the right amount of sweetness for him. "It's delicious."

"Really? I'm glad you like it."

"Would you like a taste?" He picked up another piece, holding it out in front of her.

She laughed and shook her head. "I'll have to refuse for now. I need to deliver my commissions and make a trip to the textiles shop before it gets dark."

"I see. Be careful on your way out."

"I will." She smiled, giving him a kiss on the cheek before leaving the room.

Once the snacks were all gone, Shingen resumed with his writing. It was probably an hour or so when a loud rumble caught his attention, noticing the grey sky outside through the windows. Even though it was summer, there would still be days when it would unexpectedly rain over the province. He closed up all his books and stored the documents away, heading to her workroom to check if she was there. It was dark and empty when he looked inside.

"Oh, Lord Shingen." Yukimura, who came to visit them for a few days, came up to him. "Were you looking for Mai?"

"Yes. I was hoping she'd be back by now." He sighed, turning around as his vassal followed him to the exit. "I'm going to look for her in town."

Before he could step outside, an umbrella was thrust into his hands. "Take this with you, my lord. And try not to get too wet if it does rain, okay?"

"Thanks, Yuki." He smiled and gave him a pat on the shoulder. "I'll be back soon."

It was always a delight to see the town bustling with energy. People were busy setting up street lanterns to illuminate the roads while restaurants were filling up with hungry customers. Several shops were decorated with lively colors that were trying to attract potential buyers. As he turned at the next intersection, he spotted the textiles shop up ahead. In a stroke of good luck, Mai was still there when he entered the building, animatedly talking to a female shop attendant about the fabric she was holding.

The elderly shopkeeper noticed him immediately, standing up from her seat behind the counter. "Welcome, Lord Shingen! I suppose you've come here to fetch her?"

"Is it that obvious?" He laughed.

"It's written all over your face, my lord. But I think it's sweet of you." She nodded, turning her gaze towards the two women. "She's a very talented young lady."

"Yes, she is."

"And pretty as well. She's quite lucky to have you."

He could only smile. He felt that it was the opposite way around--that it was him who was lucky to have her.

Mai had spotted him as she finished her conversation, waving at him as she approached. When she stopped by the shopkeeper to pay, she shook her head and urged her to come back tomorrow for her supplies. The two thanked her and exited the shop, holding hands as they headed back to the castle. It had begun to drizzle shortly after they left.

"I'm sorry it took me so long." She frowned, moving closer to him as he opened the umbrella. "I didn't think I'd have a hard time deciding on what fabrics I should use."

"There's no need to apologize, my love. I'm glad I found you right away."

Several of the townspeople were surprised with the sudden downpour, taking shelter under the nearest spot they could find while a few decided to rush back to their homes. The umbrella was quite small for two people to share, which certainly couldn't keep them dry for long in this kind of weather. Shingen pulled her even closer, hoping to keep her warm with his own body heat. At least the lanterns were holding up well enough to illuminate the roads.

"This rain isn't letting up at all, is it?" She sighed, holding her hair back to keep it away from her face. "The castle is just up ahead though."

An idea popped in his head, one that Yukimura would most likely disagree with. "Shall we make a run for it?"

When he looked at her, she already had a grin on her face. Mai took his hand in hers and broke out into a run. He was quick to respond, matching her pace with relative ease.

He should've been worried. The rain had always been his enemy, leaving him sick if he stood in it for too long. In the beginning he would be bedridden for days with a nasty fever, his coughing fits making it difficult for him to breathe well. Often times they were severe enough to draw blood and cause chest pains that would last for hours. He had eventually learned to hide his symptoms in front of others to keep them from worrying.

Shingen didn't think that he could come to truly appreciate the experience of it. The consequences were too damaging to his precarious health if he stayed to observe its wonders.

But things were different now. There was no longer that immediate sense of dread he usually felt. In its absence, he found her bright smile. Her laughter drowned out the sound of the rain as she pulled on his hand, the look of joy on her face filling him with warmth.

If the rain had always looked like this, maybe he would come to love it just as much as he loves her.

They were soaked by the time they got to the castle entrance. A couple of maids were waiting by the doorway, handing them towels and helping them to dry off as much as they can. Yukimura came stomping from down the hallway with an irritated look on his face. "Lord Shingen! Didn’t I tell you to be careful?!"

"I'm sorry Yuki. I didn't think it would rain this hard." He held his hands up in defeat, hoping to appease his vassal as he looked at her. "Don't worry. We'll take a bath immediately, won't we?"

She caught his gaze, coughed quite loudly as her cheeks flushed red. He could see the gears in her head turning when she bit her lip. "You know, that sounds like a really good idea.."

"Good, because the two of you are taking one right now. Separately."

He shouldn't have been that disappointed. "Yuki.."

"No. No buts, my lord." Yukimura's eyebrows furrowed and ushered him along, intentionally ignoring his protest. He could only sigh and move along with his vassal. The maids giggled as they led Mai the other way.

Warmed from their bath and dinner, the two had retired to their bedroom for the day. It was still raining as they settled down together on the futon, the cool winds now a refreshing break from the summer nights.

She snuggled up to him, resting her head on his chest as she let out a yawn. "Yukimura can get scary when it comes to you. He must have been really worried."

Shingen had expected the reaction. If this had happened months before, Yukimura would have scolded him a lot more. "He worries a lot."

"I mean, it was reckless of us to run in the rain like that."

"Really? I thought it was quite fun."

"It won't be that fun if we both got sick the next morning, you know." She laughed softly, moving close to give him a kiss on the cheek. "Which is why we need to rest up."

Wrapping his arm around her waist, he pulled her even closer until their faces were inches apart. "I'll only agree if I get another kiss."

Her head tilted; eyes wide with surprise. The voice lighter, not as gruff as their other companion, pitched even higher than normal. Alice bit down on her lip, tingling with excitement.

Turning the handle as quietly as possible, the door opened soundlessly to the darkened room, allowing her to slip in unnoticed. Flickering candles were illuminating the pair lounged on the couch. Remnants of a shared bottle of wine scattered around the floor, two empty glasses stained with droplets of red. 

Mousse flat against the couch, stripped completely. His hands entangled in dark red locks of the doctor attentively focused on his length, mouth expert in drawing out the sounds he wanted to hear.

The door held her up, Alice tugged the band of her skirt. The material too tight to allow her proper access to herself now pooled at her feet. Her hand slid between her legs; eyes focused on the scrunched features of the mouse caught in Kyle’s trap.

“You’re giving her quite the good show." Kyle switched to his hand, golden eyes falling on the half-naked woman pleasuring herself just a few feet away. A twinkle of mischief reflected, beckoning for her to join him.

Alice popped each button, allowing it to fall away, off her shoulders onto the floor. Her clothes stripped away when she'd reached the pair. "I see you started without me."

"When you're late and we've finished the entire bottle of wine, you just miss out on all the fun," Kyle teased, rising to wrap his arm around her waist, pulling her to him for a heated kiss.

The whine that left Mousse's lips at the lack of attention broke them apart, matching amused smiles. "Unfair, I want a kiss from the lovely Alice," Mousse said, reaching out to take her free hand to pepper kisses across her knuckles.

Alice dropped soundlessly to her knees, ghosting a kiss over his lips. Delight danced in her eyes at having the full attention, the desperate need for more etched into his features.

Chocolate eyes widened in anticipation and a small flicker of pain. Kyle had begun to ease himself into him, moving with purposeful, easy movements. "Ah-" Mousse gave a breathy cry.

"Look at me," Alice's gentle voice called, hand caressing his cheek. She held his trembling gaze, her voice reassuring, praise falling from her lips like sweet honey.

Kyle gave a groan of contentment when he had fully sunk in, relishing the tightness throbbing around his cock. “Mm, you feel so good, Mousse.” A wicked grin spread across his lips. “Why don’t you service Alice as well? Make her feel as good as me.”

The eager nod of his head beat the fragile yes that passed his lips. Mousse began to trace with his tongue, waiting for her to position herself over top of him, facing their other partner.

“Mousse, is this alri-- ah fuck--” Alice squeaked, the explicit escaping when the assault on her core began. His hot mouth lapping and licking, finding her clit to flick his tongue over, setting her nerves alight with electricity.

Kyle chuckled, beginning a slow pace of thrusts to adjust the man to his size. He hooked a finger under Alice’s chin and lifted her dropped head to bring her gaze up to his. “Mousse, you can’t cum until you’ve given Alice an orgasm. She’d better be a mess once you’re finished with her.”

The diplomat hummed in response, not letting up. His fingers digging into her soft thighs promising to leave bruises in order to hold her against his face. Each moan and breathy cry of pleasure at how he worked his mouth and tongue fueled him to bring those sounds from her more.

Sloppy kisses were shared between the doctor and woman, mutterings of praise mingling with their hot breaths. Kyle’s pace rocked all three of them, growing in speed with his need to bring himself to the edge of release. His hand entangled in her locks, pushing her down.

Alice understood the silent request. Her hand wrapped loosely around Mousse’s cock, guiding her mouth to the tip. Dragging her tongue languidly over it, licking the precum away before taking him in her mouth. She received a guttural moan that vibrated against her own core.

His focus began to waver with Kyle and Alice working in tandem to overstimulate him.

“Make her cum, Mousse.” The doctor reminded, holding back himself from finishing. His favorite view was watching the dominoes fall as the other two collapsed into their own state of bliss.

Alice had to pull off, afraid of accidentally sinking her teeth into his sensitive flesh. Her body shivered, hips rocking against his face to give the extra stimulation she needed to fall over the edge. Her hand continued to work his cock in gentle motions. 

At the silence from Kyle, Alice managed to force out the words that she knew Mousse most wanted to hear. “You can cum now.” Her eyes rolled back at his unrelenting tongue between her folds, lapping up her juices.

Between Kyle’s thrusts quickening once again, and Alice’s caressing hand, the diplomat came crashing down. His legs trembled, and he clenched around Kyle’s cock sending the doctor into a bliss at the same moment.

A cacophony of moans and names mingled with expletives filled the infirmary, not bothering to keep their voices down. The outside no longer existing, only the three drowning each other in ecstasy.

Between heavy breaths, Kyle focused his attention down on the other two. “I’ve got plenty more ideas for the evening.” His lips quirked up into a sly smirk.

“Alice surely deserves a punishment for being late.”

Kyle’s promised words reigniting their desire to have each other many more time throughout the night.

The evening had begun to grow dull. Edgar’s only entertainment deriving from flashing Alice elegant smiles and seeing her bite down on her lip in response. His thoughts overturned many plans of how she might react to him whisking her away for a dance, in front of all these people. How might Alice amuse him with that?

The Jack of Hearts stood straight, no longer using the pillar to lean against. “How easily persuaded you are, Alice,” he muttered under his breath, setting off after the man who’d talked the young woman into accompanying him out to the balcony. 

“Are you sure you’re alright?” The male voice asked, his hand on her back.

Alice held tightly to the railing with both hands, chest rising and falling with heavy breaths. “I’m sure. Please don’t trouble yourself anymore.”

“It’s no trouble-”

“If there is anything I can do to be of assistance, Alice-” Edgar interrupted, startling both of them with his sudden presence. He spoke to her, but his gaze never broke from the man who had yet to remove his hand from her.

The younger man took a moment to read the situation, gave a sigh but smiled at Alice. “Have a nice night. I think you drank a little too much.” His footsteps echoed until drowned out by the waltz beginning to play from inside the ballroom.

“Peculiar, I could have sworn you never drank a single drop since arriving,” Edgar said, approaching her side. He chuckled as she turned her head away from him. No matter, she’d simply given him access to her neck.

His index finger tickled the nape of her neck, tracing across her bare shoulder. The woman shivered, still refusing to meet his gaze. “You know,” Edgar started, dipping down to place a kiss against her exposed neck, receiving a soft gasp. “You’re quite bad at hiding how turned on you are.”

Alice stepped away, only to be met with him following her, almost dancing to their own waltz on the balcony. Her back hit a pillar, giving her nowhere else to run. She reached up and gripped his jacket with both hands. A defiant gaze reflecting in her eyes. “Well, it’s your fault! You’re the one who-” Her cheeks flushed redder, and she stumbled over her words. “In the carriage!”

“Ah yes, the carriage.” He responded as if he’d nearly forgotten.

As if he could.

Alice had arranged for Zero and Jonah to accompany them, but by mysterious circumstances, neither had arrived. They’d left a bit earlier, of their own accord, the letter assured. That had left just him and Alice together, as he preferred. 

Her disappointment in not being able to attend together had to be washed away. Naturally, he had to shower her with love before arriving, a prelude of a promise to end her night with her thoughts only of him. There were only so many options for his lips to explore when she refused to disrobe from the dress.

His choice to leave marks on her thighs had been most satisfying. Never reaching where she ached for, no matter how much she had tugged against his brown locks. Hearing her beg and squirm on that bench seat…

Edgar’s lips tugged up into a knowing smirk. It thrilled him to know that she had succumbed to this state from a little bit of foreplay. He twisted a lock of her soft hair between his fingers, gazing down at her with mischief in his eyes. “What shall we do about that?”

“Edgar-” Alice nearly broke him with one word, his name. It fell from her parted lips as if the only word she could speak, gently yet full of desperate yearning.

To his surprise and pleasure, the woman rose up suddenly, stealing a kiss. Eyes filled with determination and intent. Alice took his hand, demanding him to follow her, away from the entry to the balcony and down the corridor to an alcove, just out of view.

Alice gasped when turned completely around, palms pressing against the cool wall. Her body caged against it, back pressed against her lover’s chest. His warm lips against her heated skin.

“What a naughty Alice. Distracting an officer on duty and taking him to a darkened corner for her own desires.” His teasing tone only fueled her need to have his touch.

The cool night air swirled around her bared legs; the hem now pulled up around her waist. Feather touches of clothed fingertips trailing across the marks left from his earlier excursion.

Voices floated across the wind; a couple had strayed out onto the balcony to refresh themselves. They’d caught the Jack’s attention, a problem that might need to be dealt with.

“Don’t stop,” Alice whispered, bending her knees just enough to have his fingers swipe against her core, beckoning him back to her. Trembling eyes were begging to continue as they were. “I’ll be quiet.”

“Well, that won’t do. I quite enjoy hearing your sweet voice.” He pondered their predicament, languidly sliding his index finger over her clothed clit. It would be advantageous to escort her to a carriage and continue this there.

Alice whined, unable to tear her gaze away from him. Her mouth parted, as if she wanted to speak but the words caught in her throat as one digit slipped past her panties and into her slick core.

Edgar traced his tongue across his dry lips. “Oh, I do adore that expression, Alice.” The flickering of many things she wanted crossed her features, eyes following his tongue, longing for a kiss. Her hips rocking ever so slightly, as not to alert him to her desire to feel more between her legs.

He wouldn’t fall for the same trick twice. His free hand entwined in her locks, steadily keeping her so. Her breath mingled with his, but their lips never touched.

Another gloved finger slid into her, earning a gaspy moan, despite her promise to stay quiet. Edgar tilted his head to the side, studying her features. If he teased her much more, she might grow angry with him and that would ruin his plans for the rest of the night.

He pressed a kiss to her ear. “I’ll hear that sweet voice soon. In the meantime, open your legs a little wider and do keep very quiet.” His hot tongue traced the shell of her ear, keeping to his promise of giving her what she needed.

Alice did as told, shifting her shaky legs to allow much easier access. The smooth material of his gloves still covering his fingers deep within her drove her mad. Her own hands were clasped over her mouth, forehead resting against the cool wall.

Her eyes squeezed closed yet still flooded white as she was overcome with pleasure, igniting her nerves all over her body. Her lover never failed to bring her the most intoxicating feelings. Expertly finding her more sensitive places and toying with them until all she wanted and needed was his touch.

Edgar spun her around, capturing her lips in a demanding kiss. “Let’s go home, shall we?” He attentively straightened her dress, lest anyone see them leave together. No one could see her in this state except him.

“You’re wrong,” Alice spoke, sheepishly peeking at him from under her lashed, head bowed down slightly.

The Jack of Hearts nearly didn’t hear her soft remark. “Hmm?”

“I’m incredibly drunk, utterly hopelessly drunk-” She paused, as if hoping that he understood, yet his silence forced the words from her. Jade irises alight with amusement. She took his hand, bringing it to her lips to swipe her tongue over the fingers dampened with her own juices.

Alice would never tire of how Edgar made her completely weak with a simple glance, how he could speak her to her knees, make her an utter mess of needy desire for only him. Her confession that followed ignited the night with renewed passion.

“I’m drunk on you, Edgar.”

She threw her arms around his neck, and he was worried about how little she was eating. That was something else to address later on as the two men picked up the pace now that the princess was being carried. Nico was definitely cursing the choice of floofy dress; the skirts were not designed for anything other than looking good on the dance floor as parts of it were continually snagging on items. She wasn’t going to look very princess-like after they escaped from this, the skirt was going to be a state. 

The princess was trembling as the three of them reached the safe spot, a carriage on the outskirts of the palace grounds where Leo was waiting. The idea had been to send the princess one way, and Nico was to return to Stein if things turned nasty. Neither Leo or Albert were in the least surprised when he jumped into the carriage with her. Albert sighed dramatically and waved off the Wysterian bureaucrat, acknowledging that he would be reporting to King Byron alone. 

She was shaking as Nico drew her into him, her make up was probably streaked down her face, but that didn’t matter to him in that instant. They had expected to take longer to escape because the princess was in heels, so they had a head start now on all of the plans. Leo was cracking the whip to rush them away to the safe space near the border with Laurelia. 

Masanari was sat at his desk and grinned at my huffy expression.

“I can’t believe you made me do that,” I complained bitterly, taking a seat on a cushion opposite him and then getting the chopsticks out of my obi.

“We bet, and you lost, so you have to do this,” Hanzo smiled, pouring out some sake for us both.

“I hate you,” I added on before taking a large mouthful of the alcohol. “I should learn to not bet with you, then Lord Ieyasu starts pissing me off and it’s a cycle all over!”

“It’s fun to see you not learning,” Hanzo replied, sipping calmly at his sake as my hand was swatted away from the bottle.

It didn’t take too long. Lord Ieyasu had set mealtimes and his retainers were loyal enough to persuade him to eat regularly despite his weak stomach, but instead of his preferred set, there was just a ‘normal’ set for him. I had heard the maids all panicking because they couldn’t find the ones that were currently tucked in my obi as I began to set out some tea. The little Lord would likely come storming our way since the castle knew all over what sort of tricks that Hanzo would pull when he was bored. Masanari would insist on keeping us both in the same room so that Lord Ieyasu would not need to strain himself to find either of us, or that was the warped logic he used. Both of us knew that he was lying, he just liked me to be near him so he could watch me work as I began to sort through some of the new herbs that I had gathered that morning.

His soft lips pressed against my cheek, startling me out of my focus, and making my skin light up red before the door was thrown open. Lord Ieyasu wasn’t the biggest warlord known to anyone, but he contained so much anger per inch that I didn’t believe there was an angrier person to exist. More so as we had been ‘caught in a compromising position’ if you would ask Masanari.

“I told you two that I was to be excused from your antics,” he snapped, holding his hand out for the chopsticks.

“Why? Whatever could you be referring to, Lord Ieyasu?” The snake-like smile came so naturally to the chief ninja, amusement clearly present in him as my arm was held firmly by his fingers. His strength was unparalleled by my own, and when it was held against me in situations like this. I wasn’t able to even fight his control.

“You know exactly what I mean,” Ieyasu was bristling like a cat, I was half-expecting to see his hair begin to stand on edge as Hanzo’s grip finally relinquished enough for me to get the chopsticks out of my obi. “Disgusting place to keep them,” he spat, snatching them as soon as he could out of my hand.

“I believe many men would give anything to be kept in her obi,” Masanari’s tone had dropped an octave, bringing the attention back to him before Lord Ieyasu loudly scoffed behind us.

“Keep. Me. Out. Of. Your. Antics.”

The door slammed on his exit, making Hanzo chuckle with delight before his gaze rested back on me.

“No way. I am not making a bet with you again,” I shook my head, already trying to scoop up my herbs to take to a different room.

“You disappoint me,” he was like a child at times. He used his speed to slip behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist and planted another kiss on my other cheek. “I do also believe there was a second part to that bet, where you would do as I told you for the night in our chambers,” he murmured down my ear before sucking on my ear.

“This is not our chambers, I am under no obligation-” I began, trying to pull away.