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This is “Brothers and More”, a fic I’m consolidating off of LJ. It’s Taiga/Wataru, and very very AU.

Title: Brothers and More (consolidating 1-4 of original)
Fandom: Kamen Rider Kiva, AU to Queen’s Gambit AU
Rating: For now, PG-13. Later, possible R.
Summary: A young man finds out that he has a great destiny.
Note: I’m using the same AU as [info]gem_of_queen (whose player is kindly letting me play in their universe). This is actually an AU to that AU. Wataru’s Fangire name comes from the [info]kamendressing RP.
Warnings: Taiga and Wataru are (unknowning) half-brothers, so there is an incestuous relationship in here.

“Falling Leaves.”

He looked up at his mother’s gentle call. Quickly, he mentally switched himself from being “Wataru” as he’d had to be that morning with the customer, and back to “Falling Leaves”.

“Yes, mom?” The shop was closed, he could see. Kivat was hovering by his side. He’d been hoping to spend time with Taiga-kun, but if his mom needed him, she needed him.

She was sitting down at the table, and he joined her there. “I thought it’s time to tell you a little bit of the history of the King and Queen of the Checkmate Four.”

He had heard of the Checkmate Four, the most powerful Fangire, the rulers of the Fangire. His mother kept them from noticing him and killing him, and he knew better than to be around any of them. And he didn’t know if he really wanted a history of them, but she was his mother, and she knew best.

“You want to be with Taiga, don’t you?” his mother teased him. “You can see him tomorrow. You can live with one day, right?” Then her expression became serious. “Right?”

“Um. One day. Yes.” Taiga-kun was Fangire, full unlike him. But he didn’t know what his mother was so worried about. Though he did have to wonder if she thought he was spending too much time with Taiga-kun.

His mother gave him a small smile. “Let me tell you what I know….”

* * *

There were few things less exciting than hearing about the relationship between King and Queen, and Falling Leaves honestly didn’t care about how the Royal Couple felt about each other and how their own powers forced them to be together, and the fact that incest happened, even if the Fangire had a law against two children. It wasn’t like it was anything that would ever affect him.

But his mother had to have a reason to keep him there instead of spending time with Taiga-kun, so he listened.

“There’s a reason I’m telling you this, Falling Leaves. Do you know why?” She looked at him, in her own patient way, and it was up to him to try to figure out why… or quickly profess ignorance.

“No,” he admitted, hoping to get things over quickly.

“Because these Kings and Queens are your ancestors,” she said. She took off her glove, concentrating, and Falling Leaves saw a blurry mark materialize on her palm. A minute later, and it was gone. “That is the Queen’s mark; much to our Bishop’s consternation, I am still Queen. If he finds me, he will certainly kill me to force Queen’s succession.”

Falling Leaves wanted to clutch at his mother, but she was too dignified for him to do that. “So… I-I’m half Royal?”

His mother smiled. “You’re more than that, Falling Leaves.”

Falling Leaves could not imagine anything more than that. His mother had been one of the Checkmate Four, once responsible for upholding law and protecting Fangire society. “The Queen executes traitors, right?”

She smiled even more. “That’s right. And is King’s partner.” She put her chin on her hand, obviously remembering things. “Queens and Kings do not exist well without each other. There is technically a King now, but no Queen. Bishop considers me dead.”

“But you’re not,” he pointed out. “So, the King has no Queen?”

“He *will* have a Queen,” his mother said. “Soon, if I’m not mistaken. Eventually, Bishop will find me.”

Falling Leaves nodded a bit numbly. He couldn’t imagine being without his mother, his regal mother who he could easily see being a Queen.

“What Bishop does not know,” she said, “is that I know who my successor will be.”

He didn’t want to really know who his mother’s successor would be, but she deemed it important, so he leaned forward. “Who? Who is it?”

His mother smiled once more, and took his left palm. “My successor, Falling Leaves, is you.” She rubbed his palm. “Someday, you will manifest Queen’s Mark, and become Queen. A male Queen is rare, but not unheard of. And then you will join with your King.”

“But I have Taiga-kun,” Falling Leaves blurted out. “Taiga-kun is-”

“Your King,” she finished gently. “Why do you think I encouraged your relationship, my son? You had to get to know your King and be prepared to act as his Queen.”

Falling Leaves blanched. “But I-I’m half-human! I can’t be Taiga-kun’s Queen!” This was something that Did Not Happen.

“You certainly didn’t have any problems being his boyfriend,” his mother said, raising her eyebrows.

“That’s being his boyfriend, not his Queen,” Falling Leaves objected. Couldn’t his mother see the difference? Taiga-kun and Wataru being together was far different than the King and Queen being together. The King and Queen were powerful and represented the Fangire; how could he be that?

“You’ll be fine,” his mother said, letting go of his palm. “Why do you think I approved of my son with a man?”

Falling Leaves shrugged. “Because you did?”

“Because I knew that Taiga-kun was going to be King, and you needed to be ready for your role,” she said. She was still smiling. “I thought it would be easier for you if you got to know him prior to getting your powers.”

Falling Leaves doubted he was getting the awesome powers of the Queen, but he didn’t want to disappoint his mother, so he just nodded.

“There is something you should know about Taiga, though,” his mother said, folding her hands. “It does not make you any less his Queen.”

He nodded again, wanting to not contradict his mother. “What is that?” he asked.

She grasped his hand. “You and Taiga are half-brothers.”

Falling Leaves could only stare at her.

“You are his Queen, Falling Leaves,” his mother said, as if to get him out of his shock. “When I die, you will manifest your mark and the attraction that you have will grow.” She smiled. “I know you’re not a virgin, Falling Leaves. You can’t be, not as a Queen with a King.”

“Um….” Well, he wasn’t, and Taiga-kun had seen to that, but….

“Even if you’re not awakened as a Queen, your bodies know,” she said, in her gentle-yet-sharp tone. “And your Mark will bind you even closer. You will need your King, Falling Leaves, and you will want him more than you ever thought possible.”

Falling Leaves shivered. “But I don’t deserve to be Queen,” he said plaintively. “Taiga-kun doesn’t deserve me as Queen.”

His mother smiled gently. “I made you my successor before you were born, Falling Leaves,” she said. “You don’t have a choice in the matter. When I die, you have to prepare yourself to be his Queen. But there are some things you can do to make it easier on yourself.”

Falling Leaves had his own ideas on how to make it easier on himself, getting far away was one of them, but he sat there and listened.

“Once you’re wedded and you’ve had your formal consummation,” she said, “Kill Bishop. Because if you don’t… he’ll find a way to kill you first. Make his successor share the values I gave you.”

“Kill Bishop,” he repeated. It made sense, and yet… “How?”

“You’re going to be a Queen, Wataru,” she told him. “Use your powers.”

“Oh, okay,” he said doubtfully. It wasn’t like he was really going to be Queen anyway.

“You’ll feel your palm begin to itch, before you manifest your mark,” his mother said. “That’s you starting to come into the Queen’s powers. Then when you feel tingling and burning, it’s time to go to your King.”

“And if I don’t?” he asked. Maybe if he didn’t, Taiga would go and find a proper girl Queen who was fullbred.

His mother looked over at him with the look she always gave him when he was being stupid. “Then it will become worse. You’ll feel the burn more and more, and it eventually won’t go away. And Taiga will hunt you down, because he’ll want his Queen very badly.”

Falling Leaves gulped. “But-”

“No buts, Falling Leaves,” his mother said. “You and he are no different than the people you were five minutes ago. It’s merely that you can prepare now, for the inevitable.”

He gulped again. “Mother.”

“Now, I think you should call your King and arrange a date,” his mother said, leaning back. “I’ve felt Bishop near; I’d rather he not discover that you exist. Yet.” She smiled. “Please don’t come home before tomorrow.”

Falling Leaves nodded, and picked up his cell phone.

* * *

“Wataru-kun?” Taiga-kun folded his hands and looked at Wataru. “Are you okay?”

Falling Leaves smiled. While he knew Taiga-kun’s real name, he didn’t use it in public. He knew Fangire etiquette. “I’m okay.” If he worked hard enough at it, he really would be.

“No, you’re not,” Taiga-kun said, peering at him. Falling Leaves found it hard not to shiver, knowing what Taiga-kun was. Taiga-kun was a member of the Checkmate Four, Falling Leaves’ King and half brother. Someday he would, if Falling Leaves had anything to do with it, find a good woman to be his Queen. “Something’s got you spooked.”

Taiga-kun knew him far too well, the result of knowing each other for so many years. Falling Leaves smiled. “I….” But he couldn’t bring himself to say that he would be Taiga’s Queen. For one thing, maybe it wouldn’t happen, and for another, he’d be trapped if it did happen.

“Wataru-kun?” Taiga-kun asked, reaching out to take his hand. “You can tell me.”

“Have your parents ever told you you need to find a girl?” Falling Leaves asked, head down. He’d feel much better if Taiga’s family did, so that his friend would find a good Queen.

“My guardian has,” Taiga-kun said, leaning back. “But after we got into the argument about you last year, he hasn’t said anything about me dating you. I think he hopes I’ll grow out of it when I come into full power.”

Falling Leaves shivered again. “Mom thinks I should find someone. Soon.” He didn’t mention that the ’someone’ was Taiga-kun. “I… I want to….”

He wanted to run far away from Taiga-kun, really. Taiga-kun was part older brother and part lover, an inescapable part of his life. But Taiga-kun had to find a female Queen. He had to.

“I thought your mom approved of me,” Taiga-kun said, frowning. “At least that’s what she told me last time. Has something changed?”

His mother had said that it hadn’t changed, but Falling Leaves couldn’t see how it couldn’t have changed. “I’m just… growing up, I guess. She still likes you.”

Taiga-kun smiled. “That’s because she knows she can trust me.”

“It’s just… I heard rumors that you’re going to be pressured to find a girl,” Falling Leaves said in one long rush of words. “Mom doesn’t want to lose you, so she wants us to spend the night together.”

“My guardian does not approve,” Taiga-kun said, looking at him, “But who cares? If you’re free tonight, he’ll be out on some kind of mission. We can spend as much time as we want together.”

Falling Leaves tried to smile. Taiga-kun reached over and squeezed his hand. “Whatever it is, maybe you’ll tell me, sometime soon.”

* * *

Falling Leaves returned home. It had been actually not too bad, spending time with Taiga-kun. They’d ended up in bed as they always did (though they usually didn’t dare that at Taiga-kun’s house; usually, they stuck to Falling Leaves’ bedroom, because his mother *did* approve), talking in the afterglow. But he still hadn’t revealed his future role as Queen, on the chance that his mother was wrong.

Kivat met him as he came in the gate, halting him, and nodding in the direction of a pile of rainbow glass shards. “She… Bishop came after you left.”

“Mother!?!” he rushed to the pile. He’d known it was coming, and yet….

Now she was gone, and it wasn’t like he could tell the police she’d been killed. His mother would have to disappear, and he’d have to take over the shop. At least he was used to dealing with the customers, and while he wasn’t as good as his mother, he could make a decent violin.

“Wataru,” Kivat said, “Your mother said not to worry. She knew this was going to happen.” The little bat hovered close by. “She wanted you to be happy. And safe.”

And ready, though neither he nor Kivat said that. He straightened up. “What do I do?” he asked.

“Dispose of her remains. Make violins. And… prepare yourself for becoming Queen.” Kivat was practical, but he wasn’t. And he was not going to be a Queen. He was going to be the best violin-maker ever. For his mother.

* * *

With his mother dead, Falling Leaves knew that his boyfriend’s Queen was due to awaken. And despite his mother’s words, it was not going to be him. Taiga-kun had left four messages on his cellphone over the previous three days, but he’d ignored them. Taiga would thank him for it later, when he found his real Queen, a Queen that he could have heirs with, not his half-human half-brother. He worked on a repair, humming to himself. In a box beside his father’s violin was some of his mother’s remains; at least they’d be together in death.

Repairs were easier than dealing with Taiga-kun.

His cellphone rang again. Taiga-kun. He sighed. Yes, Taiga-kun would be happier – and easier to deal with – once he found his Queen. He hoped it was soon. Kivat flew to the window. “Taiga is at your gate,” he said. “You might want to answer that call.”

Falling Leaves sighed. He answered the ringing cellphone just in time. “Taiga-kun.”

“Wataru-kun,” his boyfriend – well, King, had to think King, Taiga-kun was now his King not his boyfriend – answered. “Are you okay?”

“I-I will be,” Wataru stammered. “I-I….”

“What happened, Wataru-kun?” his King’s voice was full of concern. “Why haven’t you been answering your phone?”

“I-it’s… come in the gate and look to your left,” Falling Leaves said, going up to the window, repair forgotten for the moment. He watched as Ta-his King did so. His King straightened up, and looked up to where his window was.

“I’m so sorry, Wataru-kun,” His King said, and looked down at the remainders of his mother. Their mother, Falling Leaves grimly reminded himself. “Please, let me come in.”

Taiga-kun – for Falling Leaves resigned himself to calling him that for the moment – would probably not go away, so the best thing he could do was let him in and let him worry. Then Taiga-kun could start chasing after his Queen in peace and not worry about him. “Please, come upstairs.”

* * *

“When did she die?” Taiga-kun asked. He was sitting at the table downstairs, sipping some tea.

“Three days ago,” Falling Leaves told him, drinking some of the tea himself. “I came back from your house, and she was dead. I needed to be alone. I’m sorry I made you worry.” Slight bow towards his King, because he had to force himself to think that way. “I d-dont know how she died.”

Taiga-kun took his hand with his gloved one. Falling Leaves knew now why the other man kept it gloved, and the knowledge made him shiver. The fact that Taiga-kun took his left hand was not a good sign. He was not going to be Taiga-kun’s Queen, was not, was not, was not. “It’s probably that human-made system,” Taiga-kun said. “Don’t worry, we’ll kill the impudent human someday.” He frowned. “Why are you bowing at me? We’ve known each other since we were kids.” His friend understandably sounded puzzled, and Falling Leaves couldn’t blame him.

“Taiga-kun,” Falling Leaves said, “I… I also know you’re King. I… found out about the same time my mother died.”

“I’m still yours,” Taiga-kun said, squeezing his hand. “Your best friend, your lover… I’ve been King for the last two years, and we’re still boyfriends.”

“But you have a Queen,” Falling Leaves said. “I shouldn’t stop you from finding her.” He looked down. Breaking up would be hard. But he had to do it for Taiga-kun’s sake.

Taiga-kun frowned. “Falling Leaves,” he said, emphasizing the name, “Up until a day or two ago, the old Queen still lived in hiding. I had no Queen to look for.”

“But you do now,” Falling Leaves said. “I don’t think I have a right to interfere in you finding her.” His head was still bowed. “Mother told me once that Kings and Queens are driven together by their Marks. That you’ll go crazy if you resist finding her.”

He looked up to see the painful expression on Taiga-kun’s face. “I know,” Taiga-kun said. “But I still love you. I’ll want to have sex with her, but… you’ll still be my best friend even if you’re not my boyfriend. She can’t change that.” He looked at Falling Leaves. “I was going to tell you, but I was more concerned about you.”

“You don’t have to worry about me,” Falling Leaves said. “I’ll be fine.” He tried to smile, but it was forced. “I hope to come to your wedding.”

“Of course you’re invited,” Taiga-kun answered. “I’m told by Bishop it’s long and involved; I’m not looking forward to it. But your presence will make it far easier.”

Falling Leaves smiled a little more at that. “I hope so,” he said. “Can you sense your Queen yet?”

Taiga-kun shook his head. “No,” he said. “Bishop said it might be anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, depending on proximity and other factors, for the new Queen to awaken.” He smiled. “I’m apparently going to become distracted and irrational until I find her. And the first thing I’m going to want to do is bed her. I guess it was a good thing we got into bed that night, wasn’t it?”

Or him, Falling Leaves thought. “Do you know how to do it with a girl?” he asked curiously.

“I’ll be finding out,” his King said, with a smile. “Can I trust you to help me in case I have to chase her? I know I can trust you to help me out.”

Falling Leaves nodded. “I hope she doesn’t run for long.”

Taiga-kun shrugged. “The longer she runs, the worse it’ll be. She’ll bring it on herself. The longer we’re apart, the longer and messier our consummation will be.”

Trying not to shiver, Falling Leaves hoped that it wouldn’t be too bad if he waited a while.

“I’m sorry,” his boyfriend said. “To bring you bad news on top of the loss of your mother. And I know I’ll probably be a bit difficult to deal with for a while.”

“You’ll find your Queen fast,” Falling Leaves said, smiling.

“I hope so,” Taiga-kun said.

* * *

A few days after that, Falling Leaves’ palm began to itch, and it was an itch that seemed to want to echo throughout his body. “It’s happening, isn’t it?” he asked Kivat. “I’m becoming… Queen.”

His Kivat flapped around. “Your mother told me what to look for,” Kivat admitted. “It does look like you’re becoming Queen.”

Falling Leaves ran a hand through his hair. “How long before Taiga-kun knows his Queen is awakened?” he asked. Taiga-kun called him daily, but hadn’t visited him.

“I… don’t know,” the Kivat admitted. “But your mother did tell me Bishop of the Checkmate Four would be aware of your awakening too. And he is sometimes the one to approach awakening Queens… Especially the ones that ignore the signal.”

Falling Leaves shivered. “But I don’t wanna get married to Taiga-kun,” he said.

“Shh, Wataru,” Kivat said. “It’ll be all right. Taiga loves you.”

Falling Leaves nodded uncertainly.

* * *

He was cleaning the yard when the man approached the gate. Freezing in place, he hoped that he could be left unnoticed and unmolested. Something inside him told him this was a Fangire, a very powerful one, a member of the Checkmate Four. Someone to stay far, far away from. From his clothes, he had to be Bishop.

“Interesting,” the man said. “I look for our Queen, and what do I find? Our traitorous Queen’s halfbreed son.”

Falling Leaves backed up. He’d distract Bishop somehow, and then he’d pack up and run away. He didn’t care how much he’d be drawn to Taiga, he was not going to let Bishop kill him. “I’m sorry.” Maybe if he backed up slowly enough to get to his door, he could flee inside.

Bishop pushed the gate open, and then adjusted his glasses. “She was clever, putting you with Taiga. I personally do not want to face our King when he’s angry. On the other hand, it might be a mercy to him and to you to just put you out of your misery.” He raised his hand, his Mark forming.

Kivat flew in to disrupt Bishop, and Falling Leaves took the opportunity to dash to his door, slam it, lock it, and run upstairs. His mother had always had him leave a suitcase packed, just in case. He’d pack the Bloody Rose and some food, and then he’d be out of there.

He packed, and sat down to clear his head. At that point, Kivat flew in. “He left,” Kivat said. “But I don’t think he’ll be gone very long.”

Falling Leaves nodded and hefted the suitcase and the violin case. “Then let’s get out of here,” he said. His Kivat nodded.

The two of them ran, together.

* * *

Falling Leaves played his violin as part of the room and board he got at the restaurant. The owner had liked the thought of hiring someone cheap, and Wataru didn’t mind as long as he got a little money. Subaki-san was really nice, too.

People seemed to like him, and everything seemed to be working out well. His Mark had barely twinged. Probably Taiga-kun was out of range, especially since he’d moved to Yokohama. The tiny place was far different from his house, but it wasn’t like he could go home.

Taiga-kun had called a few times, but he didn’t seem to have any clue that Falling Leaves was his missing Queen. Bishop didn’t seem to be in any hurry to tell the King about Falling Leaves being his Queen, for which he was very grateful.

He dreaded the day when Taiga would call him up and ask where in the hell he was and why he wasn’t with his King.

He resolved not to answer Taiga’s calls until he know whether his King knew the truth. Or at least try not to. He had a feeling it wouldn’t work too well.

The Mark in his Palm burned as he was practicing for an evening performance. Taiga-kun must have had business in Yokohama. He was probably making Taiga’s Mark twinge too. Poor Taiga-kun would be running about looking for a female Fangire.

He winced, rubbed his palm, and hoped that Taiga-kun would give up. He didn’t hold much hope, but he did hope.

His cellphone rang. “Taiga-kun,” he muttered. Out of habit, he answered the phone.

“Wataru-kun,” Taiga-kun said. “How well do you know Yokohama?”

“Yokohama?” Falling Leaves asked. But it made sense; he was in Taiga-kun’s range, and Taiga-kun was looking for his Queen. “I… know it exists,” he said, lying to Taiga-kun.

“I think I might know where my Queen’s run to,” Taiga-kun said. “He ran, I have to catch him.”

“Oh.” Falling Leaves comprehended Taiga-kun’s words a few seconds later. “He?”

“Male Queen,” Taiga-kun said, sounding happy. “Bishop told me.”

“Congratulations,” Falling Leaves said. “But – ran?”

“Bishop won’t tell me the details,” Taiga-kun said. “I intend to ask him as soon as I consummate with him… you remember me saying things might be a bit messy if the Queen resisted?”

“Yes,” Falling Leaves said. “If the Queen ran.” Somebody was walking in the hallway, he could tell.

“You’re not very good at listening, are you?” Taiga-kun asked. There was a knock on the door.

Falling Leaves opened it, only to reveal Taiga-kun, who stepped through and abruptly closed it, locking it behind him.

And he looked far less happy than he sounded on the phone. “Taiga-kun,” Falling Leaves said, bowing his head.

“Falling Leaves Ignited By A Bitter Wind,” Taiga-kun said, and Falling Leaves winced at Taiga-kun’s recitation of his entire Fangire name. “Did you know you were my Queen when we talked face to face last?”

Falling Leaves winced once more. “Mother told me, before she sent me off to you,” Falling Leaves said. “I… I wanted you to find someone better.”

“As far as I’m concerned, there is nobody better,” Taiga-kun said, still scowling.

“I would have come home if you asked,” Falling Leaves said plaintively. “It’s just… just… I was deluding myself.” He bowed his head. “How did you find me, anyway?”

“Had someone figure out where you were by tracking the towers you were using, and then had somebody conduct surveillance,” Taiga-kun said, scrubbing a hand through his hair. “I thought you would run if I yelled at you over the phone. Why didn’t you come to me? We’ve known each other for years.”

“I… did Bishop tell you about my ancestry?” Falling Leaves asked. “About how I’m half human? I didn’t deserve to be your Queen, I don’t care that mother made me one.”

“Maybe, but you’re still my Falling Leaves, and you shouldn’t have run,” Taiga said, putting a hand on his shoulder. “Sit down. No, lie down.” It wasn’t a suggestion, it was a command. Falling Leaves lay down, knowing what was going to happen next. Taiga-kun was going to claim his Queen, and he had a feeling it was going to be in as rough a way as possible.



Crossposted from Ramblings Yet Once More here.

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