He looked out the window at the flickering lights that spread their way across the night sky. The lanterns in remembrance of that night so long ago lit up the sky like a million stars in the sky. The steps that sounded in behind him made a smile curl upon his lips. He turned slightly to see his lover place his chin upon his shoulder and wrap him in a warm embrace.

"You are wanted in the throne room, my love." He intoned gently in the shell of his ear after a few quiet moments staring out the window. The prince hummed and hugged the man's arms to his waist comfortably.

"Do I have to go? We could stay here and... celebrate." He licked his lips and turned into the man's arms suggestively. Emperor Jimmu chuckled and kissed his nose.

"I would love to my dearest, but we must do our duty first." He pulled the reluctant prince down the stairs and through the corridors full of revelers and guards. Ayumu eyesight was caught in the dances of the lords and ladies as they laughed, talked, and spun about the gardens. The shadow guards followed them carefully though as protection.

"Long live the Emperor!" The calls rang out in the throne room from the various guests. Jimmu waved regally as he walked through the crowd, pulling the prince beside him as he went. Ayumu nodded respectfully to all the well-wishes and allowed his lover to drag him about cheerfully.

"Thank you all for coming tonight!" Emperor Jimmu called out imperiously when he reached the front of the room. The crowd cheered for him and raised their cups of wine.

"May you reign in peace and happiness!" The others called back cheerfully. Ayumu smiled at the toast which had replaced the old traditional one. He went to grab a cup of wine from a passing servant, but his hand was grabbed by Jimmu instead.

"I have an announcement to make!" He said in a booming voice, and spinning Ayumu to face him as the room quieted down.

"What are..." The prince blushed as all eyes focused on him and his lover.

"Ayumu, my most loyal prisoner and lover..." Jimmu started with a twinkle in his eyes. The crowd chuckled amongst themselves. "Will you marry me?" Ayumu's eyes widened dramatically as he looked upon his lover's happy face. He could not have heard him correctly. He tilted his head in confusion.

"Eh?" He blurted awkwardly. "What's this?" Jimmu laughed at his shocked face and patted his face like he was waking him up.

"Ayumu. Marry me." He said demandingly. The prince blinked his eyes and a smile broke out on his face.

"Really? I can marry you?" He said stupidly. The Emperor scoffed at him and kissed him right in front of all the guests.

"Say you will. Promise me." He commanded imperiously.

"Yes. I will." Ayumu blushed and nodded shyly, prompting the crowd to cheer in drunken good humour. Jimmu and the prince cuddled close during the revelry. The lords and ladies came forward and wished them well along with their personal thanks during the night.

When it had been long enough, the two escaped into the night. Jimmu pulled his soon to be wife to his own palace and kissed him until he could hardly breathe. Ayumu looked up at the man that the gods had blessed, and sent a silent thank you to the stars for letting him find his way into his arms... and heart. The longer he stayed with the new Emperor, the more he loved him.

There were times when he was angered by him, times when he wanted to run away in shame from it all, but each time he looked into this man's sparkling eyes... he knew he was right where he was supposed to be. The gentle caresses brought him back to himself, and he smiled as Jimmu carefully untied his robes and laid him down on his bed.

He laid out, arms open to receive his lover. The soft kisses upon his throat making him moan were nothing compared to the warm hands that could make him cry out in passion. They wrung his passion out of him until he was begging for release. His back arched and a sheen of sweat coated his forehead as the talented man got him yet again to bow upon his knees.

This time was in fiery passion though, and to receive his lover in the most intimate way. Enclosed in Jimmu's arms, he felt safe and loved. Whispered promises were repeated into the shell of his ears, making him shiver. The hard thrusting of his lover's stiff jade stick made him cry out his promises back. A warm hand enveloping his already sensitive little brother had him exploding at the same time as he felt himself filling up with love.

Then he would fall back into strong arms, curl into each other's warmth, and murmur to each other until they fell into a deep and dreamy sleep. It was a dance they would repeat over many years together, and despite all the odds, Ayumu would keep his promise to never leave the Emperor's side. He would marry his once enemy and he would call him husband. But more interesting than all of that...

Is that he would sit next to him on the throne.

The End.

A/N- sometimes we forget that the paths to our dreams can be so much different than we expect. with patience and perseverance, we can overcome or trials and be who we were meant to be.