It was still dark when he woke - well, it wasn't daylight yet; the city was never actually dark as such… He rubbed his eyes and stretched, luxuriating in the soft smooth fabric of the bedding…
He froze, suddenly disorientated and coldly apprehensive. This room was a rich deep blue. Not his room. Where was he?
The shape beside him sighed in sleep, and with a huge sense of relief he remembered where he was, what had happened. He moved slowly, careful not to wake Benten, making his way to the daidokoro to set everything in readiness for tea, in case the albino wanted it when he woke.
Sliding back into the bed, he nestled down beside his friend, close enough to feel his warmth, and watched him sleeping. A short while later the crimson eyes fluttered open, and Jade felt himself melt at the sweet, sleepy smile Benten offered.
"How do you feel?" He kept his voice soft and low. "Do you need anything?"
Benten stretched a hand a hand to stroke Jade's face, wincing as his ribs complained.
"Water. And the bathroom."
"I'll help you…"
Benten shook his head.
"Let me see if I can manage. But if you could get the water…?"
"Of course."
It took him a prolonged, painful effort, but the albino managed to ease himself to his feet and limp slowly towards the bathroom: Jade hurriedly brought spring water to the bedroom then hovered, ready to dive to the rescue should Benten require assistance. But after a couple of minutes he returned, moving very carefully, and Jade helped him back into the bed.
"OK?"
"Yes." It was a somewhat breathless sigh, and Jade bit his lip. The next few days were going to be very painful for Benten.
"Do you think you need medical help?"
"No. Though if I could prevail upon you to apply more of the gel…"
Jade smiled and leaned forwards to kiss Benten's cheek.
"Of course."
It gave him a chance to check on the injuries, make an informed decision about whether the albino needed more experienced care than was possible here. Pulling back the quilt and switching on a bedside lamp, Jade watched as Benten rolled onto his back as slowly as he could, flinching as healing weals came into contact with the sheet but finally able to relax with a sigh. Jade knelt beside him, fingers coated with the medical gel cool over the pale abused body. The stuff healed small wounds swiftly: the burns and cuts on and around his groin were almost gone, the delicate new skin shiny and pink. Jade leaned forwards and kissed the penis before gently smoothing on a thin layer of the lotion, easing it around the albino's balls: its analgesic effect would soothe any lingering discomfort.
The bruises over Benten's ribs were a dark, violent purple, but - he assured Jade - the pain was much less than it had been. Jade nodded distractedly, then gestured to the albino to roll over so his back could be treated - happy to note that while still very painful, the gashes there were healing well and shouldn't leave any noticeable scars. Then, taking a deep breath, he gently eased the gel into Benten's body…
The albino gasped once then held his breath, trembling hands clenched on the pillow as he fought to keep himself relaxed. Jade was as fast and efficient as possible, sitting back on his heels afterwards.
"There's no infection, Merill, but you're healing more slowly inside. I really think you should see a medic."
Benten shook his head. Jade wasn't surprised - the albino could be very stubborn when he chose.
"Very well. But I will try to get some fast-heal, later."
Benten shuddered. The stuff was legal - just - and bonded torn flesh and skin together very fast, but it hurt like fuck and its use was strictly regulated by the medical services. Of course, that meant little to the underworld.
"You are not to place yourself at risk…" A fit of coughing stopped him, and he rolled onto his side, arms wrapping around his ribs protectively. Jade hurriedly grabbed for the water, raising Benten slightly and holding the bottle to his lips.
"I won't, I promise. But the gel is going to take days to heal you. I know the other will hurt, but only for a little while…"
The albino nodded resignedly.
"Money…" he gestured with his chin towards the main room. "… cards in the desk there…"
Jade nodded, gently nuzzling the frosty hair.
"I could go now. The sooner we get you medicated the better. Will you sleep for a while? I'll be as quick as I can."
"Yes…" In fact his eyes were already closing; he was exhausted. Jade eased him back down onto the bed and pulled up the quilt.
"I won't be long."
Benten nodded drowsily, and was asleep by the time Jade had dressed, grabbed a credit card and key, and let himself out of the apartment.
Benten stirred slightly, eyelids flickering as he woke. By the light streaming through the window it was mid-morning - a nice morning too, brightly sunny. He stretched carefully and rolled onto his back, pleased that the pain was growing less all the time.
But where was Jade? He frowned. His friend must have been gone for three hours or more…
He pushed anxiety to the back of his mind. Fast-heal wasn't that easy to come by - and Jade was hardly an innocent when it came to the city and taking care of himself. Though it might be a very good idea if he gave his friend a few lessons in self-defence, once he was on his feet again…
He reached for the water bottle, taking a couple of sips, then lay back again. It felt very strange to be resting. He was usually busy doing something, even on those occasions when he'd been hurt and couldn't work. It was quite pleasant, actually. Though it would be nicer if Jade was here… Jade, lovely loving friend…
He frowned to himself: his mind was wandering. Love wasn't an option in their business.
Though he was very fond of the younger man. And to think he very nearly hadn't gone to that Damune exhibition…
The door clicked quietly open, then shut again, and moments later Jade appeared at the door, his face lighting up with a brilliant smile when he saw that Benten was awake.
"Merill… how are you feeling?"
Benten smiled back.
"A little better. Thank you."
Jade sat on the edge of the futon and pulled a small package from the pocket of the jacket he'd borrowed from the albino's wardrobe.
"I'm afraid it was rather expensive."
Benten shook his head.
"I can afford it… You know how to apply it?"
"Yes… the side effects should last about an hour, two at most… you might be more comfortable in the bath." He eyed the albino pensively. "I'll be with you. I'll make sure you're safe."
Benten considered the idea and nodded: it would hurt less under water. Jade rose gracefully to his feet and moved to the bathroom to start the tub filling, throwing in a handful of jasmine-scented crystals and setting a large bottle of water and a glass ready at the side of the tub: one of fast-heal's lesser side effects was dehydration and an accompanying raging thirst. Placing a pile of large soft towels within easy reach, Jade returned to the bedroom, stripped and helped the albino into the bath...
Benten was shaking, kneeling on the floor of the tub between Jade's legs, his arms tightly around the younger man's body, his eyes screwed shut and teeth gritted. This was by no means the first time he'd had to use fast-heal, but it wasn't the sort of pain to which anyone could become accustomed. Acid on an open wound was mild in comparison. As fire speared through him, he clung to his companion, trying to focus on the distracting voice murmuring to him, the gentle hand stroking his neck and shoulders, but it was hard…
The relief when the pain began to ebb was enough to make him light-headed, and he slumped against Jade, gasping. The younger man kissed his hair.
"Better?"
Benten nodded, then reached weakly for the water. Jade helped him drink - the entire bottle - then pulled the albino's face up to his own.
"Rest now?"
"Please…"
… warmth, and wetness… his cock in a talented mouth, lips and tongue and teeth working him slowly closer and closer to orgasm…
Jade woke with a jerk to find Benten's face in his groin, licking and sucking luxuriously. He groaned, then frowned and tugged gently on the albino's hair. Crimson eyes looked up at him enquiringly.
"Merill, much as I love what you're doing, you should be resting…"
Benten smiled.
"Consider it - an instalment of my thanks."
Jade slid down the bed until he was face to face with the albino, expression serious.
"There's no need. It's a pleasure tending to you. I wish I could do more."
Benten reached down to wrap long fingers around his erection, and the younger man shivered.
"But I want to…"
Jade wanted it, too. He eyed Benten for a moment, then grinned.
"Together, then."
Swivelling until they were both face to groin, Jade pressed his palms to Benten's tight buttocks then very slowly, very carefully, sucked the albino's pale, swollen, quivering cock into his mouth, sighing as he felt his own penis taken back between Benten's lips…
They played with each other, delaying orgasm until their arousal was almost painful, then with a moan Jade pushed his head forwards, taking Benten's cock deep into his throat, feeling the albino do the same. They came together, licking and swallowing and kissing as both cocks slackened, and Jade shivered with satisfaction and happiness. This was as he'd dreamed…
Benten had nestled against the younger man, exhausted both from the effects of the fast-heal and their lovemaking, dozing contentedly. Jade stroked his hair, smiling into space, simply enjoying being here, with his idol. A little later, when Benten woke, he'd check the daidokoro, see if he could rustle up something for them to eat that was more substantial than ramen but didn't involve too much cooking… on second thoughts, it would be easier to order in.
The thought of feeding Benten was erotic, and had him hardening again. He sighed happily and wriggled slightly wondering how soon his companion would feel like fucking again. And how long he could be persuaded to take time off to recover.
Jade readied himself to be persuasive when Benten awoke…
Jade and Benten - my birthday card 2005 from Valkyrie! (This is a small version...)
Read Jade's journal here
Stories
Oedo Index
The Zone
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