Disclaimer: I own the dog. That's it
A/N: An interesting pairing to be sure. This came up one day when Devlinn Reiko-Sama and I were talking about weird pairings. Ritter is German for knight and falke is German for falcon. I hope you all enjoy the first Bryan/Robert on Fanfiction
Lightning flared and Bryan looked up from his book, intrigued by the sudden storm. Only minutes before the sky had been a crisp clear blue, slightly reminiscent of Tala's eyes. He wondered where the redhead was. The last he'd heard from his friend he'd been in Rome with Kai, Rei and Li. It didn't take a genius to figure out what they were doing.
He didn't care however. All that mattered was that the redhead was happy. And from the numerous letters he'd received over the years, the other Russian was completely happy. But then, Tala was happy as long as he people that loved him around.
Thunder rattled the huge set of windows and was quickly followed by more lightning. Bryan set his book aside as he got up and crossed to the windows so he could watch the storm. He'd always loved storms, even when he was a small child. When he'd lived in the Abbey he'd been all but cut off from them because a majority of the complex was underground.
However, Boris had believed in special rewards for his top bladers if they performed well. Bryan's had been to go up into the highest point in the building and watch the blizzards or the infrequent thunderstorms that Moscow received.
The bottom of the dark grey clouds finally dropped out and released the water they'd been carrying. The rain fell straight down, the sound of the drops hitting the stone balcony audible.
The door to the room creaked open and Bryan turned to find the butler standing in the door, looking as though he was upset about being used as a messenger. "His Lordship wishes to see you."
The Russian rolled his eyes. "Okay. Now leave. I think I can manage to get to his office myself. And I certainly don't need an escort. I promise I'm not going to steal anything."
The older man glared at the lavender haired man, not even trying to hide his distaste. "As you wish Master Bryan." He turned on his heel and strode off, back ramrod straight.
Bryan waited until he could no longer hear the man's footsteps before leaving the room. The hallway was decorated with tapestries and suits of armor, making it seem even darker then it was. The Russian didn't mind though. He'd always preferred the dark.
The door to the office was ajar and Bryan slipped it and closed the door without a sound, silver eyes focused on the figure at the desk. Robert was wearing black boots and a pair of black slacks that were belted with a black belt with a silver gryphon button. His shirt was blood red and the sleeves were rolled up. A heavy silver signet ring encircled his right ring finger and a glass circle filled with small red beads hung from a leather thong around his neck.
He was arguing on the phone with someone in German, his red eyes flashing. The man was perched on the corner of his mahogany desk, legs crossed at the ankle in front of him with a sheaf of papers in his free hand.
Bryan locked the door and strode across the room to stand in front of the other man, a slight smirk on his lips. The German looked up from the papers, his eyes softening when he saw the Russian. He pulled the phone away from his ear slightly. "I'll be just a moment."
The lavender haired man sat in one of the leather chairs in front of Robert. Generally the German was true to his word but Bryan wasn't going to put much on it. Business deals tended to drag on and on. He could barely make out yelling on the other end of line but couldn't quite make out Robert's reply. For one he barely understood German and the other man was talking about twenty miles a minute.
After another two minutes of talking Robert dropped the papers behind him on the desk and hung the phone up. "That man is utterly deplorable."
The Russian laughed and ran a hand through his short spiked hair. "That's a step up. Generally your business contacts are just uncouth."
"I realize that. However, Lictman deserves his own category. That man is unscrupulous at the best of times."
Bryan leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees, chin cupped in one hand as he looked up at Robert. "And Lord Jurgen is doing business with him? How interesting,"
Robert rolled his eyes and toyed with his signet ring. "I'm not doing business with him because I want to. My father started it. Actually I'm trying to get him to sell out to Biovolt. I'd rather deal with them the Lictman anymore."
"Does Kai know about this whole thing?"
The German nodded and reached around him to pull an envelope from underneath a paperweight. "Yes. And speaking of him this letter came for you yesterday."
Bryan snatched it from the older man's hand and ripped it open, silver eyes quickly scanning the letter. He looked at the postage and noticed the date. "I should have gotten this yesterday. Why didn't I?"
Robert smiled and stood up. "I forgot about it. You have to remember how much mail I get in one day."
"I refuse to believe that you forgot. You have a mind like a steel trap."
The purple haired man smiled. "True. I just wanted to have a little more time with you before you decided that you needed to run off to Toronto to go see everyone. After all, you've only been back since your last jaunt for two days."
Bryan slipped the letter back into its envelope and set it in the other chair before standing up. He was several inches taller then the noble and it was times like this that he used it to his advantage. He tilted Robert's head back with one hand until they were looking at each other.
"Robert, you know that I love you but I can't stay here all the time. Because of the Abbey I can't stay in anyone place for too long. That's why Kai and Tala are dragging the neko-jins with them despite their protests that they want to settle down."
The older man stretched up and pressed a gentle kiss to Bryan's lips. "I realize that but it doesn't make me happy. "
"I know it doesn't make you happy. Now let's go outside. You've been in here all day." The Russian grabbed his lover's hand and pulled him towards the patio doors where the noble could see the pouring rain.
"Are you seriously expecting me to go outside in that without any protection?" Robert said as he managed to free his hand from Bryan's.
The lavender haired man nodded and opened the doors before stepping outside where his black t-shirt was soaked through in seconds. "Come on Ritter. I promise you won't melt." He smirked in challenge as he folded his arms across his chest. "You aren't that sweet."
Robert rolled his eyes and took his signet ring and necklace off before hesitantly stepping out into the ice-cold rain. He shivered and immediately found himself pulled against Bryan's warm body. The Russian was always warm, even when he had been outside in the snow for ten minutes.
Bryan pressed a kiss to Robert's cheeks before claiming the noble's mouth in a demanding kiss. One of Bryan's hands tangled in the older man's hair and the other rested low on his back, holding the German tight against the Russian's broad body.
A sigh of pleasure bubbled up from Robert's throat and one of his hands curled in his lover's shirt as the younger man deepened the kiss, his fingers tightening in the noble's dark purple hair.
The sound of someone clearing their throat broke the two men apart and Robert turned to find Gustav standing in the doorway, looking unhappy. "Master Robert you have a call on line two."
Robert slowly released Bryan's shirt although he didn't move away from his partner's warmth. "Who is it?"
"Lady Kilchberg. She said that she wanted to talk to you about next week's dinner party." Gustav stared at a point straight over his employer's shoulder, his disapproval nearly palpable.
Bryan looked down at the noble, one pale eyebrow raised in question. "Lady Kilchberg? Do I know her?"
The noble nodded as he shivered. "Yes. She's the one that plans all of my parties since mother has decided that she's too old to plan them."
"Your mother is only 25 years older then you. I don't think she's to be planning a party." The Russian pushed Robert past the butler and into the warmth of the study, ignoring the dirty look the butler sent him.
"Gustav, tell Helga that I'll call her back in about two hours. I need to get into some dry clothes."
The butler nodded in understanding before picking up the phone on the desk."
Robert slipped from in front of Bryan and slipped his arm through his lover's as they walked back to their room in the south wing. "I know and she knows. She's just letting Helga plan the parties because that's what a Jurgen wife is supposed to do." He looked up at his lover, red eyes bright. "And since I can't really see you planning any parties, I don't mind letting her set everything up."
"Very fun. Now get in the shower. You getting sick is the last thing that I want to deal with." Bryan practically thrust Robert into the bathroom before starting a fire in the massive fireplace.
By the time the noble was out of the shower the fire was crackling merrily and the room smelled of pine. Bryan was stretched out on the chaise lounger, wrapped in a sky blue robe. Robert stretched out between the Russian's legs, his head resting on the younger man's broad chest. "What ever happened to calling her back?"
The German slipped one hand into Bryan's robe, comforted by the warmth of the smooth skin. "I said two hours. And she'll call back if I don't."
Bryan smiled as his lover slowly drifted to sleep, the heat lulling him to sleep.
Robert slid into the bed and pressed a kiss to Bryan's back before curling against the warm body, his exhaustion catching up with him. Lictman had called back after dinner and had just hung up on the purple haired German after three hours of arguing.
Bryan had been in the same room reading; a pair of silver rimmed wire glasses balanced on his nose. The Russian had left the room about half an hour ago with nothing more then a light kiss. After his lover had left Robert's patience had started to disappear. He'd been planning on spending the night with his lover since Bryan was leaving tomorrow for Toronto.
"I don't know why you don't just buy him out yourself Robert. Not like you couldn't afford it."
The German jerked back from his lover, his heart beating double time. "I hadn't realized you were still awake."
Bryan laughed, the sound rumbling low in his chest. "I was dozing. Answer my question." His hand brushed over Robert's stomach and the older man slowly relaxed, his eyes slightly hooded.
"Because I…I don't have a good reason for not buying the bastard out."
The Russian rolled over slightly and pressed a kiss to the sensitive skin that covered Robert's pulse point. "You know Ritter, you don't always have to have a reason for everything you do. I'll love you even when you're being indecisive."
Robert shuddered and turned to rest his head on Bryan's chest, one leg sliding between the Russian's. "I know. It's a holdover from having so much etiquette beaten into my head when I was younger."
Bryan shook his head and pulled the blankets up, tucking them firmly around his German lover. "We'll have to do something about that. Now sleep, I can feel how tired you are."
"I want you to take my jet tomorrow."
The younger man nuzzled his partner's neck, one hand resting on Robert's stomach. "Why?"
Robert yawned. "Because I want you to bring them all back with you tomorrow. They're your friends and they deserve to know about us."
If Bryan was surprised he didn't show it. "As you wish."
-----
Bryan barely dropped his bag before he found himself with an armful of neko-jin. Rei stretched up and planted a kiss on his cheek before latching onto his arm. The Russian picked his bag up and allowed the smaller man to drag him through the crowded airport. Rei was talking a mile minute and making wild movements with his free arm. There were several times that he nearly hit a passerby.
"Those three certainly trained you well. It's almost like you don't have to breathe anymore."
The neko-jin stopped and glanced back at the taller man, golden eyes bright. "Wouldn't you like to know."
Bryan shook his head. "Actually I'd rather not. I don't need to know what kind of kinky things Tala has you three doing to him. He's always been a little sex fiend." As he finished speaking a hand grabbed his ass and squeezed before releasing him.
The tall Russian whipped around and found himself face to face with Tala. He dropped his bag and shook Rei off his arm before pulling the redhead into a hug. Tala rested his head on Bryan's shoulder, his soft breath whispering over the other Russian's neck. "How's his highness doing?"
"He's doing great. Does anyone else know?"
The redhead shook his head and slowly pulled away from his friend. "No. I never really mentioned to anyone that you'd settled down. Well, as much as anyone from the Abbey can settle down. Now let's go. Kai's at the office fighting with someone and we need to go rescue him if you ever want to see him before you leave again."
Bryan took the glass of vodka Kai handed him and allowed his eyes to wander around the penthouse. A set of sliding glass doors looked out over the city, the curtains pulled back to show the sunset. The Russian could hear Rei and Li fighting in the kitchen while Tala was back in the bathroom doing something.
Kai sank into the couch, a glass of vodka in his own hand. "How'd you get here? It seems like it should have taken you longer to get here if you were on a commercial flight."
The older Russian took a drink of the clear alcohol, enjoying the burn. "Because I didn't take a commercial flight. I flew over on a private jet."
"Really? And who do you know that has a private jet. I thought you were living under a bridge."
Bryan rolled his eyes and took another drink. "Very funny Kai. Actually I know several people with jets. How do you feel about a vacation?"
At the word vacation Rei came out of the kitchen, his eyes bright. "Come on Kai. Let's go. I want to go. I want to see how the special person in Bryan's life is."
"And how do you know that I have anyone?"
The neko-jin plopped down on the arm of Bryan's chair and picked up his left hand to look more closely at the silver ring that circled his left finger. It was akin to a signet ring with a sitting gryphon on it. "Obviously you have someone. No one wears a ring on that finger unless they have someone."
Bryan smiled at the neko-jin. "You'll just have to wait and see."
Rei snuggled closer to Li, the two neko-jin asleep between Tala and Kai. It was a two-hour drive from the nearest airport to Robert's castle and jet lag was catching up with everyone. Kai was drifting off, his head resting against Li's. Tala waited until he was sure his Russian lover was asleep before turning his attention to Bryan.
"Was this his idea or yours?"
Bryan shifted slightly in his seat, silver eyes barely open. "His. And I didn't push him. I think he's tired of hiding. Even if it means damaging the Jurgen name. For once he's letting something besides upbringing speak for him."
Tala gently rubbed Rei's hand, smiling when the neko-jin began to purr. "Are you serious that no one knows about you two?"
The lavender haired Russian nodded and took a drink from his bottle of water. "Yeah. To the media I'm just a friend that comes to visit periodically. He still takes his mom to any public affairs where a date is expected."
The redhead arched a sharp eyebrow. "And what does Lady Jurgen have to say about her son's choice in bed partners?"
"She could care less. She never liked Robert's father. She just wants him to be happy, even if it's with that Russian bastard as she calls me."
Tala laughed. "And no one is worried about the fact that he doesn't have an heir?"
Bryan shot a disgruntled look at his friend. "He's only 25 Tal. He's not worried about it and neither is the media. Now shut up and go to sleep. We still have an hour."
Rei looked up at the huge castle, golden eyes wide. "What the hell Bry. Are you pimping half of the country to pay for this?"
Bryan shut the door to the limousine knowing that the chauffeur would make sure that the bags made it to where they belonged. "No. I'm just extremely lucky."
The sound of toenails clicking on the ground drew everyone's attention to the huge tan and black stripped creature that was running towards them, pink tongue lolling out. Bryan caught the massive brindle Great Dane just as it jumped up in an attempt to lick the Russian's face. "Damnit Corcoran. I swear I'm going to turn you into slippers some day."
The dog completely ignored him and wriggled free of Bryan to sniff the other four men. Once the monster was certain that the others were no danger to his masters he went back to Bryan's side and slobbered all over the Russian's hand.
Bryan shook his head and scratched the dog's ears. "Stop pushing me Cor or we'll be short a dog. Come on you four. I'm sure you're ready for some food."
Rei took Bryan's other hand as he followed him to the castle's door. "So, do we get to meet your lover?"
The taller man shook his head. "Eventually. And if you're not careful and stop being so damn curious I'm going to lock you in a dungeon where no one can hear all of your questions."
Just as they reached the door the butler pulled it open and sketched a short bow, disapproval obvious on his wrinkled features. "The master isn't home right now. He's dealing with some issues that came up."
Bryan rolled his eyes. "I figured he wasn't here Gustav. And no, I'm not bringing home ruffians. He wanted them to come over."
The old man drew himself up. "I wasn't implying anything. And that beast isn't allowed in the house."
"Don't push me. And yes he is. You're just saying that because he drools all over your shoes. He's only unruly if we aren't home so as long as I'm here he can stay in. Now go back to playing solitaire."
Li watched the old man disappear before he looked at Bryan. "Are you always like that with the hired help?"
The taller man shook his head. "No. Just to him. He's hated me ever since the first time I was here. I'm sure he thinks I'm going to pocket some priceless heirloom and make off with it. And he thinks I've corrupted his master."
He led them to the huge kitchen, which was completely devoid of human life. Crossing to the fridge he pulled the door open and removed a huge bone wrapped in plastic. Unwrapping it he handed it to Corcoran and the Great Dane curled in a corner near the oven to gnaw on it. "I take it Kai hasn't spoiled you three to much and you can actually make your own food?
Tala crossed to the fridge and started pulling stuff out. "I'm starting to remember why we always called you a bastard. And no Kai hasn't spoiled us. The only staff we ever have is a maid. You're the one who seems to have the staff at your beck and call."
Kai, Li and Rei took seats at the small table where the servants generally took their meals and let the two Russians prepare lunch and bicker.
Corcoran lifted his head from the bone between his feet, sharp eyes pricked forward. With a groan he got to his feet and padded to the half-open kitchen door, his tail waving lazily. "Falke, Gustav said that-" Robert stopped talking as he stepped into the kitchen, barely managing to hide his surprise.
The German scratched Corcoran's ears, his eyes focused on the table. "Welcome to Stratholm everyone."
Bryan smiled at his lover. "I suppose I should have called but I left my cell phone in my room and Gustav neglected to mention when you would be home. I'm starting to think he's trying to get me in trouble with you."
"I wouldn't be overly surprised. He's never been very fond of you and your attitude certainly isn't helping any. If you'll excuse me I need to change." He disappeared out of the kitchen, his dog following him.
The Russian turned back to face his friends and took a drink of his beer.
Rei and Li were staring at him like he'd grown a second head and Kai was shaking his head, mahogany eyes bright. "I should have figured it out. I mean, your ring is a gryphon. He's the only one with a gryphon on his coat of arms. I'm feeling stupid."
Bryan smirked at the slate haired Russian. "I thought that feeling stupid was a normal occurance for you. And now you can stop asking questions Rei."
The neko-jin lightly kicked Bryan in the shin under the table. "You're being a bastard again Bryan. And you and Robert. I really didn't see it happening."
"It was more of an attack." Tala mumbled into his glass. When he felt Bryan's eyes on him the redhead looked up. "What? It was. Admit it. When you came here you weren't expecting to end up falling in love with a German lord, and especially not one that you never even talked to 8 years ago. Not to mention the fact that he pretty much hated you after the World Championship."
Rei leaned forward slightly, his arms folded on the table. "How exactly did you two get together?"
Robert reappeared in the kitchen, looking much more at ease then when he had left. He'd changed out of his suit and was wearing black slacks and a light blue shirt with a slight lavender tinge to it. "That is a tale for another time. It a rather long story and you all look like you need sometime to rest. Bryan will show you to your room since Gustav seems to have disappeared." He shot a look at Bryan but his mate simply smiled.
After showing the four men to their room which contained a queen sized bed Bryan made his way up two flights of stairs and to another wing of the castle to where his and Robert's room was. Corcoran was asleep in one corner of the room, his legs twitching as he chased something
Robert was sitting in a leather wing back chair near the fireplace with a bottle of bourbon on the small table and a glass of the golden alcohol in his hands. Bryan sank to the floor at the German's feet and rested his head on the older man's knee. "I'm sorry I didn't think to call and let you know I was bringing them back today."
"Don't worry about it falke. I shouldn't have been so surprised. And it was my suggestion that you bring them so it is really no one's fault but my own."
Bryan smiled wanly and relaxed as Robert's fingers combed through his hair. "I know. Although I'm sure everyone was more shocked about you and I then you were to see them here. Rei about had a heart attack after you left."
The older man laughed and set his glass on the table. "Somehow I'm not overly surprised. Everyone that knows has had that reaction." He stood and offered Bryan a hand, which the Russian took looking slightly confused. Robert pressed a kiss to the back of his lover's captured hand. "I thought we could go for a ride. We haven't been out for awhile and I'm sure those four will be putting the bed to good use."
"I really didn't need to hear that coming from you. I already know more about their personal lives from the one night I spent in the penthouse. I don't need to imagine what they're doing under the roof where I live."
Bryan reluctantly released Robert's hand and crossed the room to the wardrobe that was between a set of windows. Rooting through the depths of the wardrobe he found two sheepskin jackets and two sets of riding boots that were still covered in mud from the last time they'd gone out.
"You do realize-" He pulled his head out of the wardrobe and turned around to find Robert slipping the last button of his riding pants through its hole. The tan pants were old and clung to the German. The knees were worn smooth and they had seen better days.
Robert smiled at his lover. "Why are you so surprised falke? You didn't really expect me to ride in my slacks did you?"
The Russian shook his head and handed the brown boots to his lover before sitting on the bed to slip his shoes off. "No, but I wish you wouldn't wear that particular pair." He pulled on one of his boots, eyes never leaving the older man.
Robert settled on the edge of the bed and slipped his pants on. "Why don't you like this pair? They're the most comfortable pair I own."
Bryan stood up and stripped out of his T-shirt before pulling open one of the drawers on the dresser that was across from their bed. He pulled a long sleeve shirt on and turned to face Robert, arms folded across his chest and a wicked smirk on his lips. "I like that pair plenty. I just don't like trying to get you out of them."
"I seem to remember you having that complaint once before." The noble shrugged into his sheepskin and reached into his pocket. A frown of confusion curled his lips and he pulled out a bottle of lube. "Why is there a bottle of lube in my pocket?"
The Russian slipped his coat on and pulled gloves out of his pocket before putting them on. "Because we used it last time we went out and I stuck it in your pocket so we wouldn't leave it behind. After all, it's pretty much full."
Robert shook his head and tossed the lube onto the bed before finding his own gloves. "I see. We'll have to see about using the rest later."