5 Years Later

Yogi – 21 years of age, Gareki – 17 years of age.

The entire area around them was dimly lit, a few candles illuminated the large table in the center of the room and the dozens of people that crowded around it. There were only whispers slowly spreading through the room until sound grew in the waiting. Gareki wasn't seated at the table, no, he was standing in the background with his arms draped over the bannister of the staircase, pale optics quickly darting from the table and then back to the staircase.

Minutes went by as everyone waited until the familiar blonde made his way up the stairs. Gareki stayed hidden in the back of the crowd so that yogi couldn't see him.

"Sorry I'm late!" boasted the male before them, sitting down at the head of the table. Looking up, he noticed the raven lurking in the background and for a split second his eyes displayed a flash of anger before turning to smile at everyone that filled the room.

"Yogi, why aren't you taking this more seriously? Be on time; this is important, this is war!" A young man, about Yogi's age named Jiki interjected before anyone else could speak up, wanting to make sure that the free spirited blonde was properly disciplined.

"Because I don't wanna do it..." The blonde whined before pouting, sharing a quick glance with Gareki. "It's dangerous."

"Well of course it's going to be dangerous, but this is our country and we as men have a duty to the people." Jiki spoke once again, followed by the cheering and clapping from the men around them, except for Gareki and Yogi, who stayed completely silent. "N-no offense to many of you men but... I think that only those who have experience and proper training should fight..." Amethyst hues met with the ravens as he spoke. "Some of you are so young... It would be so awful if you Gar- guys! It'd be awful if you guys were to die like that!" Yogi's last words came out in a panic to cover up his mistake. Luckily, most thought he was just being silly but Gareki lowered his head quickly as he could due to him feeling his cheeks beginning to warm up.

"All of these men and boys are here because they want to be – Not because they have to be, yogi. They want to fight for their country." Again, the crowd of people hipped and hollered in agreement when Jiki spoke, this time Gareki joined in for the cheering.

Quickly, Yogi stood up in a fit of anger and the room went silent, "Enough!" he yelled before looking apologetic for raising his voice. "S-say we do... go through with this... When? How?"

"We blow up the second ship as it leaves port." Jiki said in a matter-of-fact type of tone.

"You don't know how to make bombs!" the blonde quickly retaliated.

'No, I don't... But he does." Jiki then pointed to Gareki, who was leaning against the bannister with his arms crossed as all eyes in the room, including the wide-eyed Yogi's landed on him.

"I-is that true? You'll kill all those people though...!" Gareki just nodded as Yogi panicked.

"They deserve it; no big deal." Unnoticeable to all in the room except for Yogi, who knew him so well, the ravens hands were trembling.

"he will pain the walls red!" Jiki shouted and began cheering as everyone else joined in, cheering on the young boy. Everyone except Yogi, who gave the other a pleading look as he mouthed the words 'please... no.' Gareki simply averted the others eyes.

"so, Yogi, are you in?" Jiki finally asked.

I have to protect Gareki. Was all that the blonde could think. "I.. I'm in! I'll fight!" he finally said as the group of men erupted with excitement once more.

Time skip to later that night -

2 am on Yogi's roof top. -

It was unusual for Yogi to be quiet... The two boys sat in silence as an awkward atmosphere with high tensions took over their once peaceful place.

"Gareki, I-"

"Stop. I know what you're going to say and you won't change my mind."

"but it's suicide! If one person sees you, you'll be killed! I can't let you...!"

"Why the fuck not? You aren't my dad. This is my choice. Why does it matter to you?"

"Because I-" he stopped, changing his words. "I care about my friend!"

Garekis face sunk, looking rather sad. "You think I don't? I'm scared... terrified.. but not for me, for you!" He laid his head in his palms and clenched at his dark locks.

G-Gareki really does care...? Yogi, overwhelmed with emotion lept at the boy to tightly pull him into an embrace. "If you care about me then please don't do it!" he begged.

The younger stayed completely still. Silence over came them as Yogi remained desperately clinging until Gareki finally spoke in a whispered voice. "That's not fair." his words held a hint of malice. "You can't do that. I finally can make use of myself to someone – don't take that away from me." For what Yogi didn't know was that ever since Gareki hit the age of sixteen, he finally realized why he was so very attached to Yogi.

Love. That stupid, disgusting emotion.

Instantly w hen he had found out, he felt sick to his stomach. He knew that the one thing he ever wanted was soemthing he could never have. It made his entire existence just feel meaningless. He knew that Yogi wasn't like that... He had a really pretty girlfriend once named Iva, too. He could have anyone really with how nice he was... and Gareki was nothing. And from then on the raven decided that he would take these emotions with him to his grave.

Which, if he messed up, would be rather soon.

"I have something to protect! You won't stop me." I'm protecting you, the thief internally pleaded.

"I have something to protect too... Let me protect you, Gareki. Please." Yogi's voice when in such a begging tone, something low for a noble.

"Stop talking like that..." Please. Gareki's voice was harder than his internal thoughts. In truth, he wanted nothing more than to return that embrace but he knew that if he just had a little... he would never be able to let go. Just this made his heart ache.

What Gareki didn't know, as he was keeping his secret, as was Yogi at the same time. Yogi realized his love far sooner in life though. Being the elder, he had found out his dependance and love for the younger much earlier. For him it was love at first sight. He had never seen someone so cute yet so hurt... he wanted nothing more than give Gareki the world. But he knew he had duties being of nobility... He would have to marry a noble woman and produce someone to carry along his lineage. Getting involved with a man would be pointless...

But it was what he wanted. It was what they wanted, but they would never know.

"S-stop.."Gareki stammered out.

"Stop what...?"

"Hugging me!" In a quick motion, the raven threw off the taller male with one quick outstretch of his arm and light slap.

Yogi pouted, obviously upset. "I don't need protection!" Gareki yelled at the other, his eyes stinging slightly, "I'm not a child, I don't need anyone's protection! I don't need you!" His eyes widened when he realized what he had just said. The blondes eyes were wide and the hurt on his face was becoming more and more apparent. Amethyst eyes began to water, tears beginning to streak porcelain cheeks.

"Y-you don't mean that..." Yogi's words drifted off, trying to reassure himself.

"I mean it." Gareki quickly retaliated but in reality he couldn't be lying more. He didn't want to need Yogi anymore. It hurt to much, but he just couldn't let go.

"So you'll support the revolution?" Yogi questioned again.

"Until I come back in a body bag." Gareki stated as if it were nothing.

"Don't say that! You have other options! You're so young!"

"Oh shut up!" The raven yelled back. "That's such bullshit! Other options? Like what? Let you go to war while I wait to die in the streets? What sort of life is that? Tears were beginning to prick at his eyes.

"So let's run away together!" Yogi blurted out without thinking.

"... I thought you of all people would know that running won't solve anything."

"I can't let you do this!"

"Why?" the question simply, finally asked.

"Because I-" He paused, knowing what he wanted to say was something that he shouldn't and couldn't. He had a duty to his family to uphold. "You're my... property!" He finally came up with a bullshit reason.

"EXCUSE ME?" Gareki looked incredibly offended. "So sorry, wasn't aware that after all this time I was only property."

Oops, wrong choice of words Yogi, just go with it.

"No, Gareki is a friend! But also mine." the blonde was actually starting to get kind of annoyed with the whole situation.

"How the hell am I property?"

"Well... I take care of you... Get you out of trouble and you always come back home, here!"

Shit I sound like a dog. Property. The raven though before sighing. Is this what I have to accept? Just letting Yogi do with me what he pleases? Yes. I'm his already...

All I will ever be is his property. Gareki clenched at the others shirt.

"G-generally people are more cruel to their property..."

"Would Gareki like me to be mean to him...?"

Yes, abuse me to your hearts content. "- No."

"- Let me try to be." Yogi stated before he turned Gareki around so they were facing each other. Pale blue eyes widened as the blondes face neared his own until the distance no long existed. Their lips touched with a spark sending a shiver through their bodies.

You really are so cruel...

Authors Note: Sorry I keep putting out shorter chapters than I would like to or normally would. It's just one of those things where I'd rather update a little bit more frequently than one big one like every 3 or 4 weeks. Thank you all for the kind feedback, favorites and follows!