Disclaimer: I don't own Kyou Kara Maou!
No profit made from this fanfiction.
A/N: This is a short fanfiction; I count on writing only a few chapters (3 to 5).
Warning: Yuuri's "impulsiveness".
ABRUPT
"Help! Help! Lord von Bielefeld! I'm gon-gonna drown!"
"Hold on! Wait!"
Wolfram, jaws tightly clenched together, quickly scanned the area. During a mission with Yuuri and Conrad near a village attacked by bandits, villagers had tried to run away by every escape possible: the near forest, the small paths along the fields, and the river. Unfortunately for that man, now, who was begging Wolfram's help, he had probably missed swimming lessons and he was an awful, pitiful swimmer.
Don't nag, Wolfram! He's your childhood friend; his boat broke at the worst moment! Don't let him go!
Yes, it was his former friend, Alexandrion with whom he used to play when his father, a silk merchant, often came to the castle to sell his fabrics to queen Celi. In his memories, Alexandrion was a nice, petulant boy who would often let Wolfram win their games so that the capricious blond would not throw a tantrum. He also remembered they used to get along so well that his other friend, lady Elisabeth would get jealous and challenge an innocent Alexandrion for a duel.
Stop thinking, idiot! GO!
Ah, spotted. That low branch, over there, hanging above the river. He prayed that the branch would support his weight as he jumped off his horse and rushed like a mad man over the bending piece of wood. Untying his belt and keeping it prisoner between his teeth, Wolf crawled over the branch and, smoothly, slid under it, one arm clenching the firm branch. With his other arm, Wolfram took his belt and hanged it over Alexandrion.
"Catch it! I will pull you up!"
"All right!"
Alexandrion could hear his heart beat with folly, feeling it ready to burst out of his chest. Lord von Bielefeld. His beautiful lord von Bielefeld! There, to save him! Alexandrion looked around, his fear rising at the sight of the sly current which was ready to swallow him. He had to! Gathering the little of courage left in him, Alexandrion let go of the viscous rock and, giving a kick against an underwater rock, propelled himself towards the dangling belt and Wolfram.
"Ah! Well done, Al! Hold on!" Alexandrion was tightly clinging unto the belt.
With a superhuman strength, Wolfram tugged his friend, upwards to the branch, while his legs, firmly trained by all those years of horse riding (and wrestling with a king) and tied around the branch, were preventing him from falling. Ah, at last, Alexandrion took a hold of the thick branch, climbing on it.
He crawled over the near river bank, as his lungs spat back water. He was shaking like a leaf, after what seemed hours of struggle into a cold water. His body could barely support itself. Exhausted, realizing he had just escaped death, Alexandrion collapsed on the dusty floor. A warm presence loomed over him, a hand placed on his shoulder. Soon, he found himself cuddled into a warm embrace within Wolfram's arms.
"Hey, Alexandrion, are you all right?!" Wolfram asked. Alexandrion looked up, dazzled.
Wolfram, yes, the same Wolfram von Bielefeld who he used to play and argue with when he was a child, which whom the best memories of his childhood had been created. For a moment, it seemed the same memories were shared through their minds and their eyes, and the world around had disappeared. Wolfram barely heard his name being called by a worrying king running towards them.
An expression of a despaired happiness plastered against Alexandrion's tanned face.
He took a hold of Wolfram's jacket and kissed him.
Wolfram's eyes bulged at the action. Yet...yet, something of an indescribable softness mellowed any harsh protest that his heart and his reason were screaming at him. A flow of nostalgia poured in his heart. However, still, stupefaction was the emotion that dominated. They slowly pulled apart, staring at each other.
"Al...Alexandrion...What are you...?"
"Wolfram...You rescued me..."
"Hum...Are you all right, both of you?"
Yuuri's voice suddenly snapped Wolfram back to reality. A dazed king with large round eyes was staring at them with mild curiosity and something else. Conrad had just joined them and was looking at them, too, with surprise.
"We're fine, sorry," Wolfram said in a whisper.
XXX
The village was safe, the bandits arrested and peace back. Yuuri, Wolfram and Conrad headed back to Blood Pledge Castle at the end of the day, after making sure everyone had received enough care. The villagers were assured for their safety as royal soldiers remained there, for the duration of a few weeks. Wolfram couldn't help looking over his shoulder, Yuuri noticed with worry, often lingering his gaze over the house where Alexandrion had been left with his parents.
They had talked for hours after the rescue, and Wolfram had made sure that a doctor had taken care of his friend. His evening talk only seemed to find interest in Alexandrion and the village. He would tell Conrad memories that Yuuri, of course, didn't share. A long remote past in which Yuuri had no placed in. This was a face that Yuuri had never seen on Wolfram.
"I'll come back tomorrow," Wolfram said, scratching very slightly his lips, and again giving a glance that became a long stare towards the village as they moved farther and farther away. Conrad noticed the longing nostalgia and reflection in his brother's eyes. Eventually, Wolfram tore his eyes away from the houses below the hill and looked at their road ahead.
At the castle, Wolfram talked to Gwendal and Celi with such an unusual vividness that they had to take a double take on his behaviour. Wolfram, excitedly talking about someone who was not Yuuri, the king, for once?! Nevertheless, soon, as the conversation went on, softness relaxed their features. They knew who he was speaking about.
Did I just meet the Messiah? Yuuri wondered, eyebrows frowned in curiosity as he looked at the trio reminiscing of that Alexandrion. Did he just miss something? That man was, yes, handsome, but...
"They remember Alexandrion well," Conrad finally informed Yuuri as the godfather and godson remained isolated from the other group. "Beside being an awesome friend to Wolfram, he saved Wolfram, once, when they were younger. That's why mother is fond of him."
"Oh, I see. How...?"
"Wolfram had disobeyed mother and went to the mountains. There was a deep crevasse and Wolfram fell. We searched for him and Alexandrion was the one to find him. Had it been more days, Wolfram would have died of dehydration. His two ankles were broken so Alexandrion carried him on his back until he found us back."
"Oh I see. I get it."
"He was a very nice person. I'm pretty sure he has remained the same all this time. Wolfram's reaction doesn't surprise me. He's always got a soft spot for Alexandrion. You should go with Wolfram tomorrow, your majesty, to get to know him."
"...Yeah...I don't know..." Wolfram had completely looked enthralled earlier during his reunion with Alexandrion. He'd feel like an intruder between those two childhood friends. Conrad didn't look concerned by Yuuri's hesitation, or didn't even seem to notice it.
"It's been a while since I saw Wolfram so happy and eager to meet an old friend," Conrad added, looking warmly at his brother.
After a while, Yuuri tore his eyes away from Wolfram, nodding, and bit his lip. Uncertain, he asked, (pretty sure, though, he would not get the answer he wanted):
"Were they lovers?"
Conrad too tore his eyes away from the other group to look weirdly at Yuuri. Before an answer could even slip from his lips, Gunter burst into the hall and squeezed the young king.
"Ooh your majesty I was sooo scared! Oh my God, are you all right? I've heard you fought bravely as expected from you! Now come, we have lessons to plan for tomorrow morning."
XXXXXX
When Yuuri went to bed, he was still waiting for Wolfram past 10pm. With a sigh, he gave a last look at the clock. Then, slowly, the door opened, a ray of light coming in before it gently shut close again.
"Wolfram!" Yuuri shouted out, springing into a sitting position.
The door opened again.
"You're not asleep?" asked the blond as he stood still on the threshold, his hand resting on the door's handle.
"No...I was waiting for you. Don't you come to bed?"
"I will sleep in my bedroom, tonight. I will leave very early in the morning and I don't want to disturb you and to wake you. That's the reason why."
"W-where do you leave?"
"To the village of Vaqaria."
Something went cold inside Yuuri. His gaze trailed over the forlorn blanket.
"Are you going to see Alexandrion?"
"Yes."
"Can I come with you?"
"I guess I can't say no to my king."
Yuuri thought he perceived annoyance in Wolfram's voice even though the blond hid it well enough to make it unheard into unfamiliar ears.
"You want to see him by yourself?"
"He needs rest, I don't think he will do well if he sees too many visitors; he's a loner... but a good person."
"...Fine," Yuuri finally answered after giving a long lasting stare at Wolfram's silhouette and indistinguishable features in the dim light. "Good night, and have fun." Wolfram only nodded and then, slowly but surely shut the door.
When Yuuri woke up, it was with a pinch to the heart. When all the memories of the previous events hit his mind, like venom, he looked at the other side of the bed, empty and cold. At this moment, a knock on the door startled him; he bolted into a standing position, the ground fresh under his feet, and rushed towards the door.
He opened, "Wolfr-" and stopped. His eyes met Conrad's friendly face.
"Good morning, your Majesty...I'm sorry, I'm not Wolfram."
"Where is he?"
"He left, as expected. He will come back tonight."
"Aah..."
Yuuri smiled and went to shower before joining his daughter and the rest for breakfast.
XXX
He found himself thinking about Wolfram, wondering what the blond man was doing. And then he thought about himself. He was hurt, there was no need to deny that. But did he feel hurt because he could see trace of a past love in the mysterious green eyes or because...because...Wolfram treated him like that? Yuuri pondered and then a feeling of shame and guilt washed over him. He put down his pen and sank deeper into his seat.
"I shouldn't accuse him of something he didn't do...Do I really love him? Why am I so upset?...It's perfectly normal for him to want to spend time with old friends just like I did when I first became king."
He had to calm down his own ego.
Scratching his nose, his eyes settled on the pack of letters he had received this morning from fellow kings. One in particular.
Wolfram came back at night, indeed. The blond went to the near bathroom first, then after changing into his pyjamas crawled into the bed.
"W-Wolfram?"
"What? You're not sleeping?"
"I was waiting and probably fell asleep."
"Then go back sleeping. I'm tired, too."
In the dark, Yuuri blinked in surprise.
"Sorry for bothering you...I was just worrying."
"I went to see a friend, I didn't go on a mission. Everything was fine, Yuuri, okay? Good night."
And rolling on his side, Wolfram closed his eyes.
XXX
But the days went by, the same. Wolfram left in the morning, and came back in the evening. When he didn't, he would spend time with his daughter and his mother or trained his soldiers. Yuuri thanked his duties as a king that allowed him not to mull over Wolfram's growing absence too much. Yet, it pained him in a real, cruel way. When he caught sight of Wolfram's sparkling eyes, he knew it was because of someone else. Nonetheless, their relationship remained cordial until one day.
Yuuri went on a walk that day with Conrad and coming back by the outer gardens, he saw Wolfram sword training with his troop. His eyes grew bigger as he spotted Alexandrion standing by. He was wearing the same blue outfit of Wolf's regiment, and holding a sword, as if waiting for his turn to be trained. He was observing, smiling, the other soldiers fighting (and for some of them, trying to impress their green-eyed master).
"W...what is he doing here?
"Oh," Conrad said after figuring out what (who) made Yuuri stunned. He pondered as he watched, with a hand cupping his chin, the tall silhouette of Alexandrion among the soldiers. "Wolfram must have recruited him."
"Really?"
"This was him I probably saw yester night after dinner, around Wolfram's regiment's quarters. Wolfram must have brought him back from the village after his visit. I wasn't sure but yes, indeed, that's him."
WHAT? Why...Why didn't he tell me about it right away, yesterday?...Did he hide it from me...like that?
At that moment, soldiers spotted Yuuri and bowed at the same time. Wolfram turned his gaze towards his fiancé and finding him, sighed and trotted towards him.
"Yuuri, you're here, finally."
"Yes and-"
"Do you remember Alexandrion?"
Wolfram beckoned his friend to approach them, and when the handsome, fine-featured man was only a few centimetres away from Yuuri and Wolfram, the blond announced:
"This is my new soldier; he will train here from now onward. He's very promising. I trust him to be a good defender of the kingdom. Are you happy with my recruit, Yuuri?"
Yuuri felt too befuddled to answer right away. He ended up nodding, not sure what to say or if his answer would be satisfying enough. Wolfram smiled contentedly.
"Then, it is settled."
"Thank you, your majesty, I promise to do my best," said Alexandrion with a deep bow.
As it was expected, from that day, Wolfram's time was shared between his duties, his family...and Alexandrion. This was what Yuuri had secretly feared. Changes were taking place and subtly, little by little, he could feel the consequences of this new situation. Sometimes, during his work, he would take a break, get up and watch through his vast window. There, outside, he would see Wolfram and Alexandrion walking around together. Only a fool would not notice the complicity that transpired between the two of them.
When he went on missions, Wolfram would take Alexandrion with him. But what hurt Yuuri the most was seeing, one day, Wolfram going on a walk, alone with Greta and Alexandrion. "Hey this is my daughter," Yuuri found himself muttering as he watched them leave the castle. The time Wolfram could have spent with his little family was then spent with his childhood friend. This one friend who had privileges like no any other of Wolfram's acquaintances or friends had had so far.
Alexandrion was special in a way that no one else, not even Yuuri had been. Yuuri felt powerless. In what right would he forbid Wolf to have a life beside his life as the king's soldier and fiancé? Yet, now, he wished Wolfram would come back to him and they'd go on adventures again, together...like before, Yuuri, thought, his heart swelling with pain. He missed him, and he realized that even when he travelled to Earth, he couldn't help thinking of the blond and the things that would make him smile if he was there, with him, in Japan.
There were also instances when Wolfram would just nod or roll his eyes at Yuuri's words when the king would talk to him, happy to have his attention and to be with him. But as expected since it became the norm, Wolfram would cut the conversation short and run to his troop and his training. "We're not kids any more, Yuuri, we can't go on adventures any time we want. My men need me and I can't always spend time away from them. See you later." Yuuri watched him leave, in silence, and telling himself Wolfram was probably right.
He received a letter that day. Yuuri sat by the window and quietly read the letter. The content of it perturbed him. But, at the same time, as if for the first time a real friend was listening to him, it brought him a bit of comfort, and his heartbeat calmed down. He thought for hours about this and, trying to make up his mind, re-read the letter until the evening when no one else was there. He frowned. Should he go or...?
That night, after a dinner in his office (the amount of paperwork just made him sick), he headed towards his bedroom. He stretched his arms and, a savage yawn escaping his mouth, thought with delight about the looong rest he was about to take and that he deserved! Surprisingly, the doors were opened...Someone was fussing about inside.
Yuuri, with a growing worry, slid inside his bedroom, a big frown marring his forehead.
What he saw made him jump.
"What are you doing? What's happening?"
Rummaging through the big royal wardrobe, the maids were folding Wolfram's clothes and putting them upon a large trolley.
"Oh, your majesty, we apologize for the inconvenience but lord Wolfram von Bielefeld has ordered us to move his clothes and personal items back to his chambers."
"What?" Yuuri asked, eyes blinking. At a loss for words, he spotted the big baskets containing Wolf's clothes placed upon the trolley. On top, the pretty night gown, the one Yuuri would feel at night, against him, when times grew colder and darker.
"He did, you didn't know?" said one of them, surprised.
"Yuuri," a voice made Yuuri look at the door of his personal bathroom. Wolfram appeared, with his bathroom items in hands. "Oh you're here."
"That's my bedroom."
"Fine, I think it should be yours only from now on. I have decided to move back to my former bedroom."
"Is there something that made you take this decision?"
"My schedule. I'm working harder and I need to have room for me only and I don't want to steal from your bedtime."
"Oh, really?"
Upon seeing and hearing Yuuri's dead serious tone and spotting his narrowing black eyes, Wolfram tensed and without looking at the maids, ordered them to leave them alone. Without a sound and as quickly as possible, the three maids went out, gazes lowered towards the ground. The sound of the door shutting behind reached Yuuri's ears. Wolfram left the stuff he was carrying upon the trolley.
"What's wrong, Yuuri?"
"It's rather you, Wolfram, what's wrong?" Yuuri could not hide his anxiety, it vibrated through his voice and he felt a lump forming inside his throat. It blocked there, ad his chest narrowed, and it hurt, it hurt. Wolfram crossed his arms, becoming more defiant than Yuuri had feared.
"I beg your pardon. I don't think I really, really understand what you mean. I'm moving to my bedroom. What's the problem with that? Isn't it what you wanted at the beginning, Yuuri?"
Well, Yuuri thought it was time to stop beating around the bush.
"What's happening with Alexandrion? Since he...he came back into your life, you've changed. Things have changed. I barely recognize you. I barely spend time with you. What's wrong with you?"
Wolfram seemed to freeze for a few seconds, even if a worried frown ruined his face. He released a long breath before shrugging.
"I'm just working more. And yes I do spend more time with my friends, now."
"You mean your friend. Is he that important to you to-"
Before Yuuri could even say more, Wolfram's face turned red with indignation and he glared daggers at his fiancé.
"Of course, he's important! What the heck is this question? Aren't your friends important? Is the great sage Murata not important to you?"
"Do...Do you really think I can compare my friendship with Murata to what you have with Alexandrion?"
Wolfram remained silent, only staring at Yuuri.
"What exactly do you accuse me of, Yuuri?"
"Do you love Alexandrion? Because he does look more than like a friend. What is the truth? I just want to know!"
Wolfram bit his lips then said:
"When we were young, I was in love with him, yes," he emphasized, locking his gaze with Yuuri's, "but I never really said it. I never told him. He's a friend, and I love him as such. If you were not so stupid, you wouldn't accuse me of what I think you're accusing me of."
"You're cheating, Wolfram...With your heart. Where I live, on earth, some people call it emotional cheating. This is exactly...what you're doing."
In front of Wolf's incredulous face, Yuuri sighed but he was quite serious. Not a trace of joking on his demeanour. The memory of Alexandrion's kiss and how little bothered Wolfram had been, haunted him, too. If Yuuri had done the same with someone else, no doubt that Wolfram would have been fuming and seething with rage. And all those strollings together, alone, far away, what did they hide? "Yes, Wolfram, that's a thing, that exists. But yes, keep telling he's just a friend. Keep calling me stupid."
Wolfram uncrossed his arms, hands turning into shaking fists.
"Of course, that's stupid! I do like him, he's my friend, and I've missed him and I want him by my side! You're accused me of being a cheater when I have had to endure your endless flirting with everything wearing a skirt! Maybe, maybe yes, YES, I should have called off the engagement when I met Alex again; I wanted to marry him when we were young! After all, he has always been everything someone could hope for into a partner; you wouldn't know, Yuuri, because you don't know him! But I decided to make him a friend, and you're being an asshole to me! Yes, you are stupid! If you want to compare that much with Alexandrion, stop being such an insufferable smug wimp!"
Yuuri's chest heaved but then the breathing became slower as he calmed down. There was one thing he hadn't expected from this confrontation...The amount of insults and disrespect towards him when he was genuinely concerned. He came closer to Wolfram who was about to burst another one but, voice firm and strangely composed, Yuuri just said:
"Okay, case closed. I'm sincerely sorry for hurting you. Seriously and sincerely, believe me. The engagement is over. I have already prepared the document for that. Have fun with him," Yuuri smiled and headed towards the bathroom. A dumbfounded Wolfram followed him after a second or two of stunned silence, his legs feeling like they were about to stagger and make him fall. However Yuuri didn't turn around, didn't say anything and he jumped into the pool as Wolfram reached for his hand but found nothing but the surface of the water. Wolfram was like a piece of crystal that had broken, into thousands of shards.
XXX
Yuuri swam towards the surface.
When he reached the air, he looked around, and smiling recognized the bathroom. Memories rushed to his mind; he got up and went out the big bathtub. At the moment, a maid entered the place. She gasped, turned white with fear before scanning him with more courage and attention. She finally seemed to remember the dark-haired visitor and a blush and a smile adorned her face.
"Hi," Yuuri said, trying to remain joyful, "please, tell your master that king Yuuri has arrived."
"Y-yes, your majesty."
Yuuri was escorted to his guest bedroom and after drying up and changing into new clothes was led to the throne room.
A slender young man with silky hair that would make Celi jealous, smiled at Yuuri as he turned away from the window, the sun setting low.
"Hi, Yuuri, I didn't expect to see you so soon."
"I'm sorry. I was eager to see you. I apologize I spoilt your invitation," Yuuri said with a laugh, showing the letter he had received that day. It was funnily drying off from the rough travel by water. However, ink was visibly smudging all over the paper.
The slender blond man smiled at him with warmth.
"Welcome to my castle, king Yuuri."
Yuuri moved closer and returned a genuine and calm smile.
"Thank you. I'm happy to be here.
With you, Saralegui.
...Can we talk?"
XXX