Disclaimer: I do not own KKM or it's characters, just what I do to them in my stories. I hope you enjoy the story!
The next day, footsteps could be heard coming down the hallway. Yuri scrambled back to his desk. Whoever it was, he wanted them to see him hard at work, not draped across the couch with video games, though he was very happy that they worked in Shin Makoku. A knock sounded softly on the door. Yuri gulped back the fear that Anissina had come to get him for another one of her experiments. She had been using him a lot lately.
"C-come in."
Yuri breathed a momentary sigh of relief that it was his general. Gwendal noticed Yuri working at his desk and a rarely seen twitch of a smile flashed on his face. Yuri's heart skipped a beat at that almost smile. He was 22 and single now and, up until two years ago, he had still feared Gwendal. Two years ago, however, everything changed. After that event, Yuri wanted to spend more time with Gwendal. The older mazoku had a calming presence that Yuri had never notice about him until what had happened. Every so often, he'd even go and do his paperwork with the older mazoku, spending hours longer than he ever used to. He tried to be subtle with his nearness, but his godfather had taken notice, even though he said nothing. Yuri was falling hard for the older mazoku, and Conrad would do nothing to come between his brother, his godson, and true happiness.
Gwendal cleared his throat. "Heika, is something wrong?"
"No, no, heh heh, uh why do you ask?"
"Your face is flushed. Are you feeling well? Should I call for Gisela?"
Yuri's face fell a little. Was Gwendal really that oblivious? He sighed. "I'm fine. What did you need?"
"I just wanted to discuss with you about the dignitaries coming to the castle next week. Because these will be peace negotiations, I was wanting to go over some protocol that we should follow and to see if you have any questions about how things should go."
Yuri shook his head. "All the time I've been king I've been doing peace negotiations. I really know how things should go. Well, or at least how I like them to go: quick, painless, and everyone agreeing with me."
Gwendal scowled and sat down across from Yuri. The king gave him a sheepish grin. It was Gwendal's turn for his heart to skip. He really liked that smile, even if it meant that Yuri had done something irritating. He wanted to lean over and kiss the younger man. Boy would that surprise him. Gwendal mentally shook his head. Yuri would never go for it. He still seemed terrified at times of the general, and for that Gwendal was sad. He really did have strong feelings for the king, though it had taken what happened two years ago for Gwendal to realize just what he felt for the king. Gwendal shifted in the chair and set a few documents on the desk. It was a list of the dignitaries. The pair began to discuss who was going to be there. Gwendal knew that Yuri understood and remembered all of the protocol, but this discussion was his way of being subtle about being close to Yuri. The general had never been good with words, and knew if he tried to tell Yuri how he felt he would just trip over his tongue and look like an idiot.
It took all of Yuri's strength to not shiver when Gwendal's hand brushed his as they looked over the documents. Gwendal noticed Yuri's unusual silence and was a little worried about his king. He almost brushed it off as the Maou's usual reluctance at being formal for dignitaries, but something in his eyes made Gwendal go ahead and ask the question.
"Heika, are you sure you're alright?"
"Well, I..." Go for it, just tell him that you like him. "I have had a really bad headache for quite a long time now." Crap, that went great.
"Oh, Heika, I'm sorry. Why didn't you say that before? You really should get some rest before the dignitaries get here. I will leave you in peace and send one of the maids with some hot tea. It always seems to help my headaches. Please, rest for a while. I'll come back to get you when the time comes." Gwendal packed up the papers and left the office. Yuri felt a keen sadness from Gwendal's absence. How was he ever going to tell that man how he felt? It wouldn't matter, though. Gwendal didn't feel the same way about him. The king didn't know how wrong he was.
Gwendal walked away from the Maou's office feeling a bit let down. He had wanted to spend more time in the younger man's company, but Yuri was clearly not feeling well. Maybe it was all for the better. Gwendal cracked half a smile and thought: the more time I spend with him, the weaker my defenses get. Pretty soon it will be all I can do to not confess my love to him. He shook his head and continued on to his own office. Yozak would be waiting for him with the most recent reports.
Upon entering his office, he found it eerily silent. Yozak should be here, he thought to himself. Then every nerve when on edge. The spy liked to keep his general on his toes and would attack every so often. Yuri always thought this was hilarious because it reminded him of an earth movie. Gwendal found it stressful and irritating, though he had to admit since the spy started this tradition, he'd been more alert than he had ever been before.
"Yozak? I know you're in here. In fact, I think you are behind the… curtains!" Gwendal threw them back and saw only the windows. He was about to turn around when he felt the tip of a knife pressed into his neck.
"Excellency, you didn't find me. You've gotten better. I was actually expecting you to find me today, but you seem very distracted. Is it Yuri-Heika? I know you just came from his office."
Gwendal growled and shoved the knife away. "It's nothing. Now, what information do you have for me this time?"
"Alls quiet in the field. Talks of the negotiations are spreading, but everyone seems excited. So, you mean to tell me that you feel nothing for the kiddo?"
"Leave it alone, Yozak, or you'll be looking for me hiding in the shadows."
"Oh, I don't think you could pull it off, Excellency." Yozak chuckled. "I think you should tell Heika how you feel about him. He might appreciate knowing."
Gwendal gave the spy a withering look, sat down at his desk, and started going through the letters he had to finish that day. Yozak grinned and sat down on the desk.
"Sir, you really should tell him. He's a wonderful kid and deserves to know."
"He's not a kid," Gwendal shot out. He realized what he said and his face burned in embarrassment.
"You're right, he's not. He's a wonderful young man, gorgeous, sexy, sweet… It's a wonder that someone hasn't snapped him up yet. Hell, I might pretty soon if no one else is going to show interest."
On that comment, the spy ducked out of the office before Gwendal could thrash him. Gwendal sat at his desk, staring blankly at the wall. Yozak wouldn't dare, would he, Gwendal thought to himself? Maybe I should say something to Yuri. He's not the type to be malicious if he doesn't feel the same way.
"AH-HEM!"
Gwendal's head snapped up. Gunter stood in the doorway, a smirk on his face. "If who doesn't feel the same way?"
The grim mazoku dropped his head onto his desk with ill-concealed embarrassment. That last sentence had been spoken aloud. He would have to tell the truth of his feelings to his best friend. Gunter would never let him get away with a lie, and always seemed to know when he was telling one. He heard his friend take a chair on the opposite side of the desk and took a deep breath. Dinner was hours away, and he'd have plenty of time to unload onto the slim mazoku across from him.
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After his disastrous meeting with Gwendal and some hot tea, Yuri went in search of Conrad. He had some serious things to discuss with his godfather, if he could even get the words past his throat. Yuri had always been able to talk to Conrad about anything, but it would be a little uncomfortable to tell him he had a thing for his brother. They grabbed gloves and a ball and went outside to play catch.
"So, Yuri, I know there is something on your mind or you would not have been so insistent to play catch. What's going on?"
Yuri's face turned three shades of red. His heart pounded. Conrad gave him a strange look but said nothing, knowing that if Yuri could talk about it he would. After a few minutes of throwing the ball back and forth, Yuri paused, took a deep breath, and spoke.
"I have a confession to make, but I'm not sure how to go about it. It's a little strange to try to talk to you about. I mean, I have talked to someone, well Yozak, but it's not the same." Yuri moved to sit down next to one of the fountains and Conrad followed. He pushed a hand against his head before he spoke. His head had been killing him off and on for the last several weeks, and today was no different. "It's just that there's this person that I have really strong feelings for, but they are totally clueless. I-I don't even know how to tell them or if they even share the same feelings. How do you tell someone you are in love with them without sounding like a fool? What if they don't share the same feelings? It would make everything so uncomfortable."
Conrad looked at his godson. "Yuri, I think the person you are talking about would be very happy to know that you care for them. In fact if I could tell you a little known secret, this person loves you very much. They wouldn't have helped you out two years ago if they didn't."
How Conrad always seemed to read his mind, Yuri would never know, but he didn't mind that he wouldn't have to come out and say specifically who it was. "I don't know if you're right about that. He doesn't seem to notice me that way. Besides, you... you don't mind that I have feelings for your brother?"
"Yuri, Gwendal is very dear to me. We have been through a lot together and I wish him all the happiness in the world. You also mean a lot to me. If it would make the two of you happy to be together, I wouldn't stop it if my life depended on it. And yes, Yuri, he notices you. His eyes barely leave you when you're in the room."
"I...really? Well, uh, wow! So, how do I go about telling him?"
"I think you'll figure that out when the time is right. Now, let's play catch for a little bit longer. Dinner should be coming soon." The two men stood and moved to an open space. "Even so, Yuri, if I'm wrong and Gwendal doesn't love you, he is the soul of discretion. It will be taken as an honor for the Maou to have feelings for him. He won't spread it around or be snide or malicious."
His godfather's words so closely echoed those of Yozak that he paused for a moment. Maybe he really should say something to Gwendal. It couldn't hurt, right? What's the worst that could happen? A refusal?
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A few days later, Yuri's head still throbbed as he sat down for dinner. Another long day of peace talks had worn him down to a frazzle. Gunter and Conrad exchanged worried glances while Gwendal merely raised an eyebrow. When Yuri made eye contact with him, the king could see that Gwendal was more worried about him than he seemed. Yuri looked like he was about to faint into his plate of food, but tried to smile reassuringly at the group around the table. After thirty minutes of uncomfortable silence spent watching Yuri pick at his food, everyone stood.
"Heika, you should head on to bed." Gunter's worried voice called out.
"Yes, Heika, I'll walk you back to your room."
Gwendal stood and took Yuri's arm. Yuri nodded, apologized to everyone, and allowed himself to be led away. Normally he would be excited that Gwendal was touching him, but his head hurt too bad to be too excited. The pair was silent as they walked to Yuri's room. When they arrived, Gwendal opened the door and turned to leave, but Yuri grabbed his sleeve.
"Please come inside Gwendal. I need to talk to you." Yuri swallowed his nervousness. Where had the sudden bravery come from? Could he actually follow through with it?
"Okay, Heika." Gwendal looked very confused. Has my conduct been reprehensible lately, he wondered?
Yuri's heart pounded as he pulled his general inside and over to his couch. He licked his lips nervously, his mouth suddenly dry.
"Gwendal, I," Yuri took a deep breath. "I was... wondering what you... thought of me."
Gwendal's eyebrow arched. He needed to tread very lightly with his comments or risk embarrassment and expose his true feelings. "Well, Heika, I think you have grown into a fine young man and a capable ruler. I feel comfortable leaving the country in your hands. You have proven your worth time and again- Heika, what is it?"
Yuri had a frustrated look on his face. "That's not what I mean. I mean me personally." Yuri's face burned with embarrassment. When realization finally struck Gwendal, his did too. "I want to know how you feel about me in that way."
"Heika," Gwendal almost stuttered, not knowing quite what to do. He watched as Yuri flinched and grabbed his head. "Yuri, are you okay?"
"Yes, Gwendal. Just answer the question. Please." He loved hearing Gwendal use his actual name instead of being so formal.
Gwendal cleared his throat nervously. His king was truly asking him this. He wanted to declare himself, but is that what Yuri wanted to hear? Surely the younger man didn't love him like that… did he? Gwendal decided to avoid the question as neatly as possible. Yuri deserved better than what he could give him, someone younger, at the very least. "I think you are a very good-looking young man. You are kind, sweet, and caring. I think you will make someone a fine husband someday."
"But not you?"
The look of vulnerability and longing was almost too much for Gwendal. Maybe Yuri did love him. "I actually hadn't thought about it before. I always thought your affections lay elsewhere." Lies, it was a pack of lies, but Gwendal couldn't let Yuri fall for him.
"W-what would you do if I said I was interested in you? That, well," Yuri cleared his throat and looked Gwendal square in the eyes, "that I'm in love with you?"
Gwendal was floored. He had to stop Yuri before this got out of hand. "Heika, I'm flattered you would even think something like that, but I think you need to get some sleep. We'll see how you feel about it in the morning."
Gwendal stood to leave, but paused when he saw how upset Yuri looked. He reached a hand down to help his king to his feet and realized as Yuri stood that he shouldn't have done it. Yuri stood faster than the general thought he should have. Before he could react, Yuri had thrown his arms around his neck, kissing him passionately. Gwendal thought at first about pulling away, but the kiss just felt... right. He couldn't resist sliding his arms around Yuri, pulling the younger man tighter against him and deepening the kiss. Gwendal growled and pushed Yuri up against the wall. Yuri moaned into the kiss, pressing himself tighter still against the older mazoku. He pulled back a few minutes later with a lopsided grin on his face. Both men were breathless. He opened his mouth to say something, but then a look of severe pain crossed his face. He grabbed his head as his legs buckled.
"Yuri! Yuri, what's wrong?" Gwendal quickly carried his semi-unconscious king to his bed. "Guards!" his voice thundered across the room. Two guards burst in, swords drawn. "Quickly get Gisela and Conrad. The Heika is hurt."
The guards rushed out without a single word. Gwendal knelt beside Yuri. He looked at Yuri's pain filled face and made a decision. His Heika deserved to know the truth. He summoned up all his courage, took a deep breath, and spoke.
"Yuri, you deserve someone better than me. I... I've loved you for a long time, but you always seemed too afraid of me to even think about caring for me. Then after what happened with Wolfram, I knew you weren't as afraid of me, but I was sure I'd remind you of my brother. I would never in a million years have imagined that you would share my feelings." Gwendal let out a huge sigh. "No, that part's not true. I didn't pursue you because I thought you had feelings for Conrad. And I thought you were too scared of me. But now," Yuri cut him off with a finger over his lips. The younger man smiled weakly before passing out, his outstretched hand dropping with a thump onto the bed. "Yuri, please be okay," Gwendal whispered.
Gwendal felt a hand on his shoulder, and he turned. He knew Gisela had heard his speech by the look on her face.
"Don't worry Gwendal. We'll fix the Heika in no time."
Gwendal moved back as Gisela pushed her maryoku to her hands and held them over Yuri.
"Where was he hurt?"
"His head seemed to be bothering him. He was mostly awake until a second ago, and then he passed out completely."
"Ah, okay."
As Gisela moved her hands to his head, Conrad and Murata walked in and stood silently beside Gwendal. Not ten seconds passed before Gisela yelped and yanked her hands back as if she'd been burned.
"There's something in there. A, a mass of some sort. It's not alive, it's not even magic, but it's still seeming to try to eat at his brain. I can't do anything about it." The men had never seen Gisela that close to tears. A thought struck Murata and he gulped. "Gisela, let me have a look."
She moved away and Murata placed his hands on either side of Yuri's head. Everyone was silent as the Great Sage tried to work his magic. After a few minutes, he too yanked his hands back. He couldn't make eye contact with the occupants of the room. Tears pooled in his eyes. How could this happen to his best friend?
"What he has is what we on Earth call a brain tumor." Conrad gasped. He had spent enough time on earth to know what that meant. Gisela and Gwendal stood in confusion. "I'll explain on the way to the temple. We have to get him to Earth quickly. Conrad, if you could carry him."
Conrad moved to get Yuri, but Gwendal beat him to the young man. He watched as his older brother kissed Yuri softly before picking him up. The other two in the room looked at each other, surprised. Conrad bit back a worried smile. Yuri must have overcome his shyness and talked to Gwendal. The soldier hoped Yuri wasn't going to be sicker than he could be. Dear Shino, let it be just a simple tumor. For Gwendal's sake, at least.
Murata spoke quickly on the ride to the temple. "Sometimes the tumor isn't bad. It can be removed and the person survives. Sometimes, especially if too much time has passed, the person will die."
Gwendal gripped Yuri tighter to his chest on those last words. Heika had been complaining of a headache for several weeks now. Could it be too late? He swallowed back the lump in his throat and set his jaw. Geika seemed pretty convinced that these earth doctors would be able to take care of him.
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News spread like wildfire that the king's life was in danger. Gunter insisted that he join them for the trip to his Heika's world. He needed to be near him and make sure that he would be well taken care of. Ulrike knew the group was headed her direction and had already made preparations for the journey. Just as they were about to jump into the water, she kissed the king on his forehead and whispered a word of prayer. Gwendal was the last to go through. Ulrike grabbed his arm.
"Gwendal von Voltaire. Never underestimate your value. You are worth more than all the gold in the world, especially to the person who loves you. Yuri Heika already understands this. Now that you hold his heart in your hands, please take care and don't break it."
Gwendal shook his head sadly. "Heika deserves so much better than me. I should never have let my guard down. Now I have made a mess of things and I don't know if it can ever be fixed."
Ulrike watched Gwendal disappear in the fountain and prayed, "Great Shino, please show him how wrong he is."
Well, that's chapter 2! Let me know what you think. Chapter 3 is written, just need to do some editing. This story seems to be coming together better than any I've written. I hope everyone enjoys reading it as much as I have enjoyed writing it.