Yuuri vs. OC in the fight for Wolfram's heart!

This story starts off a little slow as Yuuri reflects on some events from season 3 as well as what happened in the prequel: The Dry Wind Future but it picks up speed once he returns to Shin Mazoku and the OC is formally introduced.

Flashbacks are in italics.

'It is never safe to look into the future with eyes of fear.' ~E. H. Harriman

°o.O°ƸӫƷ°O.o°

The Most Feared Future

Chapter One

Yūri chewed on the end of his ballpoint pen as he stared at the clock on the wall behind his history teacher, Professor Weinberg's lecturing posture whilst Yūri pondered over how much more interesting Shin Makoku's history sounded and found himself missing Günter's overenthusiastic nattering despite himself, for at least that made a soothing background noise to his inner musings.

He sighed deeply, thinking back over his love of historical dramas and how that had never extended to his history classes, much to Shōri's continued displeasure.

Thinking about Shin Makoku led to thinking about his friends and family there. Yes, he had family there, which is something he had not thought he would have away from his parents for a very long time, and yet he had Greta. S cute little daughter already a Princess of her own country before he even adopted her and he was proud in the knowledge that she would make a good Queen once she turned sixteen.

And then, there was Wolfram. No matter how many times Yūri had hinted that he was less than happy with their engagement, Wolfram had clung to him even more determinedly than before.

But lately, Yūri found that he did not mind so much and supposed that he was used to it by then, but he knew deep down that he had come close to accepting his feelings for his fiancé, it had been so gradual that he had barely noticed, although, if he had to put a date on his revelation, he would have to say a few months back (in Shin Mazoku), with that whole Dry Wind incident.

There was no wake-up call that was more effective than seeing the beautiful boy that is completely and irrevocably for you suddenly with some strange blue-haired man. And by "with" he meant with. It had been like a bucket of ice cold water thrown on him whilst still half-asleep, and he had not been able to deny his attraction to Wolfram since.

Yūri had found himself contemplating Wolfram's peculiar behavior more and more lately. Since almost a year ago in Shin Makoku when Wolfram had been on the brink of death and then Yūri had thought that he would never be able to return to his Kingdom and friends again, he had come to except Wolfram and even the engagement to an extent, going so far as to openly call Conrad his big bother.

Yūri had almost lost Wolfram three times in such quick succession that it had shaken him to the core. He had felt uneasy when he had eventually realized that Wolfram had not been sleeping in his room for quite a while, it made him recognize that the nagging feeling that he had forgotten something had been the absence of Wolfram's constant and warm presence. It had confused him, and still did but he had had no time to scrutinize it.

He had been terrified and determined to save Wolfram when his heart had been taken by Soushu (as Shinou) and then, he had not even known that Wolfram was alright until he had defeated Soushu by finding himself, ironically, but when he finally had been within reaching distance of Wolfram, just seconds of seeing him alive and strong again, he was told by Murata that he would never be able to return once he got back to Earth.

Stepping through that portal when Wolfram called out his name, his voice hoarse with repressed agony and desperation, even though, he had been the first to tell Yūri to go home, was the hardest thing that he had ever done.

And he had realized at some point afterwards during his stay on earth that Wolfram was the only person in his life that he could not bring himself to say goodbye to. He remembers feeling a great sense of loss and sadness as he wondered through his day to day life on Earth, thinking that he would never see Greta or Wolfram or Conrad and the others again, and the feeling of elation and utter relief he felt on his journey back was almost overwhelming. To see Wolfram standing over him, tears and anger barely suppressed at the sight of him… the emotions that had coursed through him had been frightening.

But even that reprieve had been short lived. Wolfram had avoided and been short with him after what was, for them, a warm and ordinary greeting. Wolfram had disappeared and then came back exhausted and hurt and no one would tell Yūri what was wrong.

And then, he was gone again, the engagement had been called off, which had confused Yūri terribly after all the times he had hinted heavily that he had not wanted the engagement and complained that Wolfram was a hindrance to him, but when it was actually over and Wolfram was safe but far away, he had felt that overwhelming sense of loss once again.

Cecilie had said something, he remembered that it had made his chest ache curiously, something about Wolfram being kept away from the one he loved most and Yūri had wondered at the time whether that was true; he had never considered that Wolfram might actually, truly be in love with him before, and then Greta had cried, hardening Yūri's resolve to bring Wolfram back.

He had felt betrayed and angered when Wolfram had challenged him, to the point where he actually wanted to cause him serious pain; he had been unprepared not having thought that Wolfram had wanted to oppose him and, of course, he had been right. Wolfram had staged the whole thing so that Yūri could prove that he was worthy of the throne and, at the same time, get rid of the opposition. Yūri had rebounded his attack on the blond onto himself, unable to hurt Wolfram after all.

That was so like Wolfram, Yūri realized. He thought like a soldier and saw life as a battlefield. He could never hold back, not with his words or actions and he was quite sure that he had no handle on his emotions whatsoever, he had always been upfront and fiercely honest, and Yūri had come to admire him for it. Of course, Yūri was just as honest and emotional, although, he lacked the sharp wit and biting intelligence that came so naturally to Wolfram, not to mention the fierceness.

Once Wolfram was back in Blood Pledge Castle, he remained distant but respectfully so and Yūri was still missing the blond Mazoku's fiery persistence. Wanting to put things right between them, Yūri had tried his damnedest to put what he was feeling into words.

And that was how he became re-engaged.

He had not even known that Wolfram could take it back so easily. Of course, that was not how he had meant it to go but somehow it was alright because everything was back to normal again. Wolfram was once again irrevocably his, and Yūri was surprisingly okay with that.

Yūri had noticed that Wolfram had reframed from his jealous outbursts more and more often after that, although, Yūri admitted to himself (but nobody else) that Wolfram might have had a reason to have one of his infamous fits of violence over his time spent with Sara. But Wolfram had wholly believed in him (more or less).

Realizing this, Yūri had cautiously recounted over his fumbling speech to the blond after his return from Wolfram's Uncle's castle over and over in his mind, only to conclude that he had somehow conveyed an assurance of Wolfram's position in his life by his side and Wolfram had taken it completely to heart.

Yūri did not know how he felt about that, he had noticed that he had come to rely on Wolfram's constant companionship over their past two years together and that he even feels assured by his warmth beside him during the night, which was a sobering notion.

The more he thought about it, the more afraid he was that he was getting too comfortable around Wolfram. They had adopted a daughter together, they were (still!) engaged and Yūri was pretty certain that everyone in the Kingdom actually expected them to be married at some point in the future. And the insufferable blond had won over his family without any trouble whatsoever; he had completely immersed himself into Yūri's life and Yūri had not even noticed until it was too late, which he was quite confident should be cause for alarm.

He was not gay.

At least… that is what he had been certain of before Wolfram had charged into his life. And what were his senses playing at when he had been hiding in that coffin with Sara? He could admit to himself that he had noticed that Wolfram was beautiful, how could he not? There was no question of Wolfram's attraction but Yūri had resolutely ignored his growing affection towards the boisterous blond; he was just a good friend.

A very good friend.

In fact in many ways Wolfram was more his best friend than Murata, they had certainly been through more together and come through even stronger than before. However, his reaction to Sara in such close proximity had thrown him through a loop.

Yūri admitted that Wolfram and Sara both had a certain femininity about them that enhanced their already stunning beauty, Sara more so than Wolfram, (perhaps it was something about blond hair?), but that was no excuse.

And Wolfram would surely kill him if he ever found out that Yuri thought of him as anything less than absolutely masculine, or that Yūri had compared him to the human King, even if Wolfram had been the most superior in his mind, although, Yūri would never admit to it out loud. It was just that Wolfram was so passionate about everything that the intensity of the blond unsettled Yūri more than he felt he could deal with.

As if in response to his thoughts, he could clearly see Wolfram's disgruntled expression in his mind's eye as he uttered "wimp" in disgust.

"Don't call me a wimp!" Yūri muttered angrily, immediately defensive (as usual), and was startled when the girl sitting at the next desk on his right looked at him curiously.

Yūri blushed scarlet, his sweaty palm smoothing back his hair as he chucked nervously at the pretty brunette's attention. The girl – Yūri remembered that her name was Suki – frowned with disinterest as she refocused her attention on Professor Weinberg who continued his lengthy monologue, oblivious to everything beyond his lecture (much like Günter if Yuri thought about it, which he didn't).

Yūri sighed in relief, even though, he was a little disappointed that he had not held Suki's awareness longer, but then, she did not know that he was King of a Demon Kingdom in another world. Oh well, she wouldn't have believed it anyway.

Still, it would have been a stroke to his ego if she had, however, he felt himself deflate at the insight that he was more accustomed to interacting with men than pretty girls… although, Wolfram was annoyingly pretty… but that was beside the point.

The bell finally rang out and Yūri was drawn back to Earth (figuratively speaking) and his history lesson, which was apparently over from the sight of his classmates making haste for the door and their freedom. He felt a bit guilty that he had not paid nearly enough attention to the lecture and knew that his grades would suffer for it, but he was just as quick to leave the classroom as his fellow students, never one to be held captive by academic means for very long (much to Günter's displeasure).

As it was the end of classes for another day, Yūri eagerly stepped out into the afternoon sunlight, which had dulled since autumn was well on the way, and swept his black gaze over the flood of people leaving the large pale building. It took him a while but he eventually caught sight of Murata, who was waiting patiently by the tall iron gates at the front of the school grounds, his book bag slung casually over one shoulder.

"Hey! Shibuya!" Yūri could hear him shout over the top of the crowd, waving his free arm vigorously and Yūri quickened his pace to reach his friend. "How was History?" Murata asked at once when Yūri reached his side and they turned as one towards Yūri's house as was their routine. "Learn anything interesting?"

Yūri shook his head sheepishly, his guilt rushing back. "I kinda zone out for a bit. I know there was something to do with a War though, but I'm not sure which one. There are too many Wars anyway, they should teach us how to stop them rather than give us ideas of how to start one." Yūri grumbled.

Murata gave a bark of laughter. "Something a King might use in times of conflict, you mean?" he asked with a knowing smile. "Or is it that you're just trying to justify your ignorance during class, Shibuya?"

Yūri could not hold back his ashamed blush no matter how hard he tried. "The first one." he answered pitifully.

"Aah…ha," Murata agreed slowly, sounding less than sincere with a smirk firmly plastered on his face. "So what was on your mind that was more important than your History grade?"

Yūri hesitated a moment before speaking. "I was thinking about Shin Makoku and how everyone might be, I did leave kind of suddenly… again." He was not lying that had been one of his concerns he mentally assured his overly zealous conscience.

"Hmm, I'm sure everyone understands. Although, Lord von Bielefeld might give you a hard time once you get back." Yūri could not help but smile at that. Wolfram had been chasing him down with the word "cheater!" curving his full lips at the time he had departed 'a hard time' was an understatement. He was going to get hell, it was a guarantee. "So, you intend to marry him, then?"

Yūri's eyes snapped to Murata's as cold shock filled him. Murata was looking at him with amusement. With his heart lodged in his throat he managed to squeak out.

"What?!"

"Oh, come on." his friend laughed lightly, clearly enjoying Yūri's horror-stricken expression. "He's been your fiancé for almost three years in Shin Makoku, as I understand it you proposed as soon as you met and you've been nearly inseparable since. Are you telling me that you have no interested in him in a romantic sense, at all?" he finished incredulously.

Yūri panicked. "I didn't know that slapping someone on their left cheek was a proposal, if I had I would have punched him! …Or maybe slapped him on his right cheek, instead. And he's the one that follows me around everywhere not the other way around! Of course, I don't intend to actually marry him; he's a guy!"

"Okay, okay." Murata waved his hand at him as if to bat away a bothersome fly. That snapped Yūri out of his panic long enough to frown in annoyance. "You take this whole same-gender-thing too seriously. Lord von Bielefeld is beautiful, high-maintenance, not to mention very hard to please, the fact that you gained his attention at all is extremely fortunate on your part. If you haven't noticed, Shibuya, you are not all that eye-catching."

"What's any of that got to do with anything?" Yūri grumbled, not liking Murata's matter-of-fact tone. As if he didn't know what Wolfram was like!

"Now, Shibuya, no need to get touché." he said with obvious amusement. "All I'm saying is that you take von Bielefeld for granted. A lot of mazoku men want what you have gained so easily and without trying at all. So, before you throw that away, all I'm saying is; give it an honest chance."

"What do you mean?" Yūri asked warily, his voice shaking ever so slightly. That had been a little too close to the mark. The fact that Murata had pacifically stressed the imposing word 'men' had Yūri wondering whether the absence of the included 'women' that he knew gushed over Wolfram on a regular basis was deliberate.

Could Murata know what Yūri had seen in the Dry Wind machine? Could he know Yūri's worst fear? But there was no way, Yūri had been just as stubborn as Wolfram on keeping that piece of information strictly to himself, which had resulted in the biggest argument between him and Wolfram ever since their duel when they first met, and ended with Wolfram not sleeping in his room for three nights before he was apparently, silently forgiven. Neither had brought up the subject since and Yūri would really like to keep it that way.

Murata gave him a serious look. "I mean that it might be nigh-impossible to dissuade him but if you succeed in calling off the engagement, for good, no matter what his feelings, he won't stay single for long, not after he has shown such an eagerness to settle down. And then, it would be too late for you to change your mind because I have no doubt that he is not the type to forgive and forget so easily."

Yūri flinched. Why couldn't Murata just leave it alone? He was all too aware of Wolfram's appeal and that was the problem. He knew in his head that a guy attracted to another guy was wrong, but his heart… his heart had let Wolfram in with little resistance and it seemed that there was not enough logic in the world to push the beautiful boy back out. And now, he was torn between not wanting to want his friend and not wanting anyone else to want him either.

"Shibuya?" Murata's voice had a note of curiosity to it and it was with great reluctance that Yūri met his eyes. As predicted Murata's eyes alighted with knowledge, almost instantaneously making Yūri scowl a scowl that could rival Gwendal's.

"Don't say anything." Yūri snapped before his friend could do just that. "I know what you're going to say and you can save it." Murata raised his eyebrows at his offensiveness and Yūri calmed himself, sighing heavily. "Look, I'm too confused to talk about it right now. I need some time to figure out what I want. I'm not even sure how I really feel about him, yet."

Murata gave him a long, searching look before he shrugged just as they turned the corner into Yūri's home street; suddenly seeming disinterested in the conversation, which Yūri knew was for his benefit, and he almost felt grateful. "Of course, it's your decision to make. It always has been. The fact that you've finally acknowledged that there is something more to your relationship with Lord von Bielefeld is a gallant start. And perhaps, just in time too."

"What do you mean by that?" Yūri asked worriedly. Murata said nothing. Yūri was a little miffed that his friend had chosen now to get cryptic, and when he said as much Murata rubbed at the nape of his neck and laughed unhelpfully, leaving Yūri to stew over his words as he opened the front door of his home for them both.

"Mom, I'm back!" he called out distractedly as he and Murata took off their shoes.

"Its mama, Yū-chan!" was the predictable reply from the kitchen and Yūri sighed in exasperation. Would she ever give that a rest?

"I'm here too, mama-san!" Murata shouted in greeting as he walked casually past Yūri, like he lives here, Yūri thought with mild annoyance, following him into the kitchen where Miko already had a pot bubbling on the stove. Curry, no doubt.

"Ken-chan!" Miko cried as she threw her arms around Yūri's friend, and Yūri unsuccessfully tried not to roll his eyes at the affectionate display. "You're staying for dinner, right, Ken-chan?" she queried with anticipation, pulling back to hold him at arms-length.

"Of course, mama-san. I wouldn't miss a chance to taste your cooking."

"Oooh!" Miko squeezed Murata in a tight hug as he laughed embarrassedly over her shoulder before she let him go in favor of stirring the contents of the pot. "You boys wash up! Dinner will be ready soon." she told them without further ado.

"Right!" Murata agreed eagerly. "Come on, Shibuya!" he said in a business-like tone, grabbing Yūri by the wrist as he passed him. Yūri let out a startled yelp as he was suddenly dragged through the dining room, down the hall and up the stairs, sidelong.

Murata didn't let go until they reached the top landing, in which he headed straight for the bathroom with Yūri trailing warily behind whilst rubbing at the red print around his wrist. Sometimes his mother and Murata's enthusiasm scared him just a little, and he was sure he heard a suspiciously familiar voice mutter "wimp!" somewhere in his subconscious. Yūri sighed internally, knowing he was lost.

When Yūri went into the bathroom behind Murata, he saw him stand beside the bathtub which he realized with apprehension was full to the brim with cooling water, and Murata was looking at him expectantly.

"Oh no." Yūri said at once, shaking his head in the negative. "I'm not ready yet!" he exclaimed when Murata's expression did not change.

"It's been three weeks, Shibuya." Murata remanded him as if he had forgotten. "Three months have passed in Shin Makoku. Are you really going to keep Lord von Bielefeld waiting?"

Yūri glared at him. "I said I'm not ready. I just got back after thinking that I'd never visit Earth again. And don't bring Wolfram into this."

"Well, it's him that you're trying to avoid, isn't it?" Murata questioned in that matter-of-fact tone that Yūri found so grating. "What are you so afraid of, Shibuya?"

"I'm not afraid." Yūri snapped back immediately but then realized that was not quite true, however, what he was afraid of was not Wolfram either.

Murata sighed as if carrying a huge burden. Yūri continued to glare. "You're going to have to deal with your feelings sometime, Shibuya. After all the evils you have faced, after all the lives you have saved. Why are you so afraid to give in to your own heart?" Yūri took a step back, feeling like he had just been slapped. Ironic really, considering that was what had gotten him into this mess in the first place.

Murata's glasses gleamed with the pale yellow light of the setting sun illuminating the bathroom, making it impossible to read his expression. "Can you honestly say after everything you have been through with Lord von Bielefeld you feel nothing but friendship towards him?" he paused to allow Yūri his chance to do just that but no such response came.

They both knew Yūri honestly couldn't and Murata had just confirmed it. "What are you so afraid of, Shibuya?" Murata queried once again but Yūri's strained silence stretched on, not even trying to deny it this time. "You've said in defense your constant companionship was all on his part, but you had forgotten the times when you have chased him across the country. And there were times when Lord von Bielefeld didn't seek your companionship and it was you who sought him out. And then, there are the times when the only reason that you or your majutsu got involved was because he was hurt or in danger."

"Why are you telling me this?" Yūri finally interrupted. He knew it all had thought about it. Sometimes, it was all he could think about when he was on Earth, lying in his cool and lonely bed, staring blindly up at his strangely clinical white ceiling. There was no need to tell him any of this.

"Because you can't seem to accept that what you feel is natural just because you and your fiancé are both male, which is ridiculous since no one in your life is opposed to it other than yourself. I told you earlier that perhaps you had realized your feelings just in time." Murata reminded him in a tone which told Yūri what he was saying was of the utmost importance. The assertion sent a chill down Yūri's spine. "And for your sake, Shibuya, I really do hope so."

"What's happening in Shin Mazoku?" Yūri thought out loud, his voice derived of emotion; he did not want to believe what was being said. The whole ordeal had come about too quickly for him to fully grasp and he wanted it all to be a very longwinded, very bad joke.

But when Murata lowered his head enough so that the light no longer hid his eyes, Yūri regrettably saw not a hint of humor in those black depths.

"Which would you rather face, the truth of your heart… or your worst fear?" his friend uttered softly and to Yūri it sounded like a challenge.

Yūri felt himself grow tense and his heart began to pound loudly in his ears. He wet his dry lips with his barely moist tongue as his eyes flickered from Murata's still form to the filled bathtub.

He was being goaded, he was sure of it and yet he still dived into the rapidly swirling water, racing towards the portal at the bottom knowing that Murata was close behind him. He knew it and yet he still took the challenge even though he was entirely sure that he was still not ready.

He gasped in a lungful of the fresh earthy air of Shin Makoku when he resurfaced on the other side, Murata appearing just seconds after him, spluttering. He was almost afraid to look around but instantly realized that it was well into the night.

He had delivered them right into the water fountain in the middle of the courtyard in Shinou's Temple. However, instead of the usual welcome party there were only two figures standing in the near darkness with a lit touch between them. Yūri beamed up at Conrad and Jozak as he felt relief wash over him at not having to deal with Wolfram so soon after arriving so suddenly.

"You're late, your Majesty, your Holiness." Conrad commented as he handed over fresh towels to Yūri and Murata each once they had climbed out of the fountain.

"Conrad." Yūri almost whined, "Stop doing that, you're the one who named me remember? Call me Yūri … and that's an order." He finished firmly as the thought abruptly occurred to him. He was in no mood for routine banter, and he did not know why he had never thought to do that before.

Conrad blinked at him owlishly in the silence which followed, clearly shocked speechless. Jozak laughed heartily. "Now you've done it, young Master! The Captain knows that he can't go against orders. Nicely done by the way." he added with a cheeky wink, at which point Conrad came out of his stupor enough to chuckle softly at his friend's behavior.

Yūri felt his cheeks heat slightly, wondering if perhaps he had been too harsh in his greeting but the gentle smile that Conrad sent him, banished any worry that he had.

Everything was as it should be.

°o.O°ƸӫƷ°O.o°

Murata had only stuck around long enough to bid them all goodnight with an unreadable glance sent in Yūri's direction, before heading into the Temple, no doubt towards his personal rooms. Yūri watched him go, feeling as if his stomach was twisted in knots; his friend's softly spoken words resounding in his mind.

"Which would you rather face, the truth of your heart…, or your worst fear?"

Yūri contemplated that on the carriage ride to Blood Pledge Castle, the comfortable silence between his companions and the peaceful landscape with only the carriages progress forwards and the soft falls of the horses' hooves rippling in the silence, offering the perfect atmosphere for him to reassess his current situation.

Was what he had seen in the Dry Wind machine really his worst fear? He was not sure. Certainly there were worse things? Of course there were! However thinking about it, Yūri admitted that this was the area of his life that he felt the most helpless.

He had the power to crush entire armies with one strike, not that he would, of course, but he still possessed the option if there was no other, which comforted him and scared him all at once. However, in matters of the heart, he was at a complete loss. If someone else did manage to steal his devoted fiancé away from him, what would he do?

He knew instinctively that his life without Wolfram would be terribly bleak in contrast to the past three years with the fiery blond within his grasp, if only he would reach out to him. And now that he knew his true feelings (sort of) he was more inclined to close the distance he had always made a point to keep between them, before now.

So, then why did he feel a terrible sense of foreboding? He felt chilled to the bone, even though the night breeze was comfortably warm against his skin. It was clear to him that he had not wanted to hear Murata's assertion, which not only did not help him resolve any of his confusion but also added to the growing list of questions that was plaguing his mind.

What did it matter to him who Wolfram was with… as long as he was happy?

Why did the thought of Wolfram being happy with someone else hurt so much?

When had his feelings changed so drastically?

He was even further away from solving his emotional dilemma when the carriage pulled up in front of the grand entrance to the castle. Jozak and Conrad jumped down from the front of his carriage where they had been steering the horses.

Yūri found it strange that Conrad had not sat in the carriage with him now that he thought about it. But he supposed he might have communicated his need to be alone with his thoughts by his unguarded expression. And Conrad, being the attentive man he was, immediately complied with his unspoken wish.

Conrad opened the carriage door for him and Yūri smiled a bit sheepishly. He had not meant for his friend to realize his strange mood, afraid he would get questioned on it but as usual Conrad did not pry. He stepped aside for Yūri to exit the carriage and then followed a step behind him into the castle. Not a word was needed to be spoken between them.

Yūri valued that quality in Conrad even more than his older brother-like protectiveness. Although, that was nice too and, thankfully, it was much easier to deal with than when it was coming from Shōri. Yūri mentally rolled his eyes when the vivid image of Shōri's disgruntled face came instantly to mind. "Call me Big Brother, Yū-chan!"

Jozak paused in the huge hall entrance, stopping Yūri and Conrad in their tracks as well. "Well, you made it safely back home, your Majesty!" he announced cheerfully. He bowed deeply, lifting his head to grin up at Yūri. "As you're in no more need of my talents, I'll leave you in the Captain's capable hands." he winked at Conrad, and Yūri was almost certain that Conrad's lips twitched upwards in a half-smile.

"Bye." Jozak waved gaily as he headed back outside of the castle, probably in the direction of the soldiers quarters round back, although, one never new with Jozak. Yūri waved a little distractedly at the Spy's retreating back, wondering absently just how late into the night it was. Jozak and Conrad must be eager to get their rest if they want to make it to breakfast on time in the morning.

"I'll walk you to your chambers." Conrad said and Yūri smiled in appreciation as they turned as one down the nearest corridor.

"Everything's so quiet here during the night." Yūri thought out loud, wanting to fill the heavy silence that had fallen with Jozak's absence. "In Japan even the nights are never this still. There are always cars still driving by or people still up and about for some reason or other. But then, on Earth there are very few places without cities or streets. So, I suppose it's normal that I'm still not used to this total peace at night after spending fifteen years of my life accustomed to the constant noise back home."

"Hm, it will seem more natural over time, but I understand how unusual it may seem to you. When I visited Earth for the first time the experience was very overwhelming." Yūri looked to his friend only to see the familiar calm and unreadable expression on the older man's face.

Yūri nodded slightly as he turned forwards again. His bedchamber was only two corridors away and a mixture of dread and anticipation was churning his stomach; he knew that Wolfram would be there, waiting for him.

"It must have been harder for you to have gone from the quiet nights to the din of the city." Yūri said in a lower voice, trying almost desperately to keep Conrad talking to delay the inevitable just a little longer. He really was not ready for this.

"Hum, yes it was quite an experience that I'm sure will never leave me, and for that I am grateful." Yūri stopped outside his chamber's double doors that looked more imposing to him now then when he had first visited Blood Pledge Castle. He gulped audibly; peering up at Conrad with what he was sure must have been a beseeching look plastered across his face.

"And why's that?" Conrad smiled down at him the smile that Yūri was sure could melt even the most unfeeling hearts.

"Because it was the first time that I met your Maj– oh, forgive me – the first time I met you, Yūri." Yūri grinned remembering his mom's justification of how he had been named. He was glad that he meant so much to Conrad. "Well then, I wish you a goodnight's rest, Yūri."

Yūri's face immediately fell. "Wait! Um." he stammered when Conrad looked at him in slight alarm at his outburst. "I, um, what I mean is… that." Ok, so he really had no idea what he could say to make this situation any better. "That is… well…"

"Is there something the matter, Yūri?" Conrad frowned softly in concern.

"Yes! I mean, no. I don't know!" he growled in frustration. Why was he even trying to delay this? Wolfram was probably – no – most definitely fast asleep at this point. There was no excuse for his unreasonable behavior. And now, Conrad was watching him intently. Well, crap.

"Do you want to talk about it?" was the carefully voiced question, and Yūri was convinced that he already knew what his dilemma was. Or, at least, that Wolfram had a big part in it. Yūri hung his head in defeat. He'd been caught.

"No." he replied sulkily. It did not matter that Conrad was his godfather and most cherished friend he just could not talk on this right now, he was too confused for that. And the fact Conrad was Wolfram's older brother made it a forbidden subject in Yūri's mind. How could he tell Conrad that he may be on the brink of wanting his little brother? Or rather on the brink of admitting that he wanted his youngest sibling? Nope. Not going to happen.

Conrad stood in front of him in silence and Yūri really wanted to know what he was thinking, or maybe he really didn't. Anyway, he could not bring himself to look the older man in the eye. Yūri was sure his guilt was written all over his face and he really did not want to admit to anything, so he settled for staring fretfully at Conrad's clean leather boots instead.

Finally, Conrad shifted into a more relaxed stance than that of a soldier. His voice was low and soothing when he saved Yūri from the ominous silence at long last. "If I am no longer needed then I'd suggest that you get some rest." Yūri was felt a wash of relief when he cautiously lifted his eyes to met Conrad's warm brown. There was no hostility there. Thank god. "I want to remind you though, Yūri that I am your friend and you can confide in me whenever you wish."

Yūri flushed with guilt at Conrad's soft smile. He gave a low bow and uttered a respectful "Goodnight, Yūri." before turning on his heel and heading for his own quarters. Yūri did not feel any better once he was out of sight.

Taking a deep breath, Yūri gripped the golden door handle with determination. He was being stupid, really. And before he could convince himself otherwise he opened the door, hurried inside and then shut it tightly behind him, denying him any escape. It took a moment before he realized his eyes were squeezed shut and that was why it was completely dark, rather than it being caused by the drapes being drawn closed or the like, which of course they wouldn't be. Wolfram liked the soft glow of the moon at night so Yūri's thick velvet drapes were barely stirred anymore.

With a disgruntled huff, Yūri pried his eyelids apart and peeked into the moonlit room, in that very instant he wished he hadn't.

It was not that the image was unpleasant. In fact it was the complete opposite. It was beautiful. Wolfram was spread-eagled across the huge bed, his rumpled golden locks streaming over the pillows in pale golden waves. His porcelain white skin had a silvery hue in the moonlight making him appear every bit the angel that he envisioned whenever he heard Wolfram's name. And that ridiculous frilly, pink nightgown was riding high and low in all the wrong places making Wolfram look absolutely… indecent. Yūri turned his eyes away from the one long, slender leg that had fought free of the comforter, feeling the blood drain hotly from his head to pool low in his belly which was definitely not good. It was bad. Very, very bad. Stupid hormones.

With his back to the bed and – mercifully – Wolfram, he ignored his unwanted pheromones washing over him and pulled out his pajamas from the wardrobe he unwittingly shared with his ever persistent Fiancé. He undressed and tugged them on quickly, not trusting himself enough to chance a look over his shoulder. But once ready for bed there was no where left to hide.

Breathing deliberately slow, Yūri made the short journey towards the bed and climbed in on the right side. His side. Wolfram was stretched out over more than half of the bed which Yūri considered impossible for everyone other than the fidgety tyrant since the bed was so huge. He was instantly engulfed by Wolfram's warmth as he tucked himself under the comforter and a pleasured shiver ran through him like electricity. He did not know why Wolfram was always so hot in bed (heat wise!), but he had assumed it was because Wolfram was a fire mage and had left it at that. Yūri had to admit the heat the blond emanated was very pleasant. He thought it was like slipping into a hot bath after a long day of baseball practice. In short it was the closest to heaven Yūri had ever known.

Yūri sighed in contentment with his eyes already drooping as sleep called his name. The familiar sound of Wolfram's cute little snores brought an involuntary curve to his lips just before he plunged into a deep, sated slumber. He was home.

°o.O°ƸӫƷ°O.o°

...To Be Continued...

°o.O°ƸӫƷ°O.o°

The first chapter of 2nd Sequel in this series is also NOW POSTED!

The two Sequels are alternative stories following the end of THE DRY WIND FUTURE, which is why I can update them both at the same time. I think of them as Alternate Realities. Yuuri seeing into the future in the Dry Wind episode split the Timeline and in this fic he has a chance to change the outcome.

I hope that clears up everything. ^_^