Author's Note: Sorry it took so long to finish this chapter, this week has been extremely busy! Hopefully I will be able to get the next chapter up tomorrow! Who knows.
Disclaimer: Own nothing.
Hope you like it.
The Forests, The Great Demon Kingdom
Pain exploded just behind his closed eyelids, searing its way across his temple and into his hairline. His clothes were soaked and crusted with thick layers of mud that was streaked crimson in places with crimson where it trickled down from the deep gash that ran across his temple. With a hiss, obsidian eyes opened sharply, his fingers curling and flexing in the surprisingly cool, dry grass just beneath him.
Warm sunlight flickered through the branches overhead, casting a dappled golden glow over his trembling body. Something surprisingly soft and silky lightly brushed against the back of his fingers, nuzzling against them lightly and the puff of heated air and soft nicker told him that the horse had come through relatively unscathed. Yuuri Shibuya could definitely say his battered and bruised body had been through one experience he didn't ever want to repeat. Every part of him felt as if it had been stretched and yanked painfully apart and stitched back together by someone who had no idea what they were doing.
A light breeze lightly brushed across his cheeks, cooling his already numbed skin and actually drawing a shiver out of him. It was a long time before Yuuri could even consider moving, his entire body protesting his slow movements, his hand lifting to cover the deep gash and felt hot clotted blood leak wetly from between his filthy fingers.
The scents of summer filled the air around him, making Yuuri's brows draw together in utter confusion. It had been early winter, the cold rain numbing against his body, yet now trees stood in bright green swaths around him. To his own surprise as his head turned, he actually recognised his surrounds as being those close to Covenant Castle, the thick Autri Trees clustered around the glade he had ended up in familiar to his dazed mind.
He felt like he was in a drunken daze, nothing quite seeming real to his shattered mind.
Yuuri didn't even realise he had managed to sprawl himself over the saddle of his horse, the mount instinctively heading back towards home, taking the bleeding and filthy Maou with him. Swaying, the young man's fingers curled tightly about the pummel of the saddle, holding onto it as tightly as he could, knuckles white with stress and strain.
Blood soaked through his clothing, the long slashes in his body having been caused by the rough beating he had had when he had been thrown by the blast of his and Shinou's powers colliding. The skin across where he had been exposed on his arms, hands and face was slowly beginning to blister from the heat that had touched them. He looked like something that had just stepped out of a war zone, his clothes still soaked through, water still dripping from his hair despite the heat of the day. Shivers wracked him, his entire body feeling numb still, awareness eluding him.
Yuuri did not see the castle walls as he approached, even though they rose up to overshadow him. His body was jostled by the horse's movements, his chin bouncing against his collarbone, his obsidian eyes half rolled up into his head beneath the cloak that still hung around him.
He did not see the guards beginning to swarm around him, his entire body trembling as crimson droplets spattered the horse's wet coat as it dripped from the deep gash across his brow. The horse almost reared when guards rapidly approached them, its head lifting and pulling away from the hands that reached to catch at the halter. It's whinnying protests almost managed to draw Yuuri out of his stooped, his eyes sweeping across the guards that surrounded him.
"Hold him." One of the guards shouted, attempting to grasp the water slicked leather of the reins.
"What's all this commotion?" A tall man appeared from around the side of the building, his long strides easily carrying him towards the horse and rider that had just arrived.
"Look here." A hand touched against the hilt of the sword buckled visibly at Yuuri's waist, the style close to that of some of Conrart's own men. "We'll call for a doctor."
Yuuri's head lifted at the sound of Conrart's voice, his dark eyes wild, his chest heaving as he struggled to breath. Exhaustion had sapped the last of what strength he had had after the battle with Shinou. Gaze twisting towards the source of the wonderful sound, obsidian met cinnamon for a long moment and a choked sound escaped from between Yuuri's lips, his entire body shaking so hard with the force of his emotions. Tears escaped the corners of his eyes at the sight of the man he loved, whole and uninjured.
"Conrart." He breathed the man's name, one partially blistered and mud streaked hand reaching for the man. The simple motion unbalanced him, his entire body listing sideways and he slipped right back off the saddle of the horse.
Conrart's arms caught the younger man, feeling the slight weight of him resting in his arms as he slowly eased Yuuri a little to the ground. His heart jolted at the sight of wide extremely dark eyes staring up at him with wonder and a soul deep love that nothing could quite explain. Yet, one blink and the emotions evaporated to be replaced by raw pain as it his body trembled with the force of what he had endured. Yuuri's face turned and pressed into the hollow of Conrart's throat, entire body trembling with the force of his longing for the man who held him.
Yuuri's hand curled into the strikingly blue fabric that rested just beneath his cheek, desperate not to let go. His lips brushed against warm skin, tasting the faintest traces of salt that lingered there. His soaked body dampened Conrart's uniform, his raven locks were plastered back with thick mud that disguised the rich raven colour, the usual dye having been washed out by the force of the rain.
"Don't leave me." It was a hoarse plea from Yuuri, tears streaking down his cheeks, stinging his ravaged, blistered skin. "Please..." A rough sob escaped his lips, his fingers trembling, even though his grip was white knuckled, his fingers could barely grasp onto the sodden wool. "I don't want..." Fine black lashes flickered down and hid his dark eyes for a moment. "...love..." And his eyes rolled up into his head, body falling limply into the arms of a man who had long ago won his heart.
Covenant Castle, The Great Demon Kingdom
Cinnamon eyes gazed down into the dirt streaked face of the young man who had fallen straight into his arms, one hand lifted to brush the sopping wet mud streaked locks away from the closed eyes. Swallowing hard, the sight of the young man touched something deep within Conrart that he had never quite felt before, a surge of protectiveness burned up through him, his arms tightening a little more around the stranger. Two mysteries presented themselves for his interest, the first being the identity of the wounded soldier, the second being how had the young man gotten so wet. The river was a far distance and the thick woollen clothes should have started to dry by now, yet they hadn't. Even the horse was smeared with mud and wet soil along its sides and legs, its mane practically dripping.
His gaze dropped down to the hand that was still clutching at his jacket, the fingers clenched white at the knuckles, despite the obvious pain the soldier must be in his grip never wavered in its intensity. Had anyone ever held onto him like that, clinging to him for protection?
Shifting the younger man's weight in his arms, he hooked his free arm beneath the soldier's knees, lifting the surprisingly light weight of him upwards, cradling him close against the warmth of his chest.
"Give him to me, Captain." Yozak approached Conrart, already directing the horse to be taken to the stables, cleaned and checked over. The amber-blonde's arms reached out towards the brown haired officer, offering to take the thin soldier from him. "I'll take him to see Lady Von Wincott."
"No." His voice was sharp and clipped, his jaw clenching as his arms immediately pulled the shivering body more tightly to him. Cinnamon eyes darkened with surprisingly warning when his own gaze met startled azure blue. "I will tend to his wounds, bid Lady Julia see me in my quarters."
"Yes, Captain." Though both of his brows remained lifted right up into his hairline as he watched Conrart retreat without another word of explanation or courtesy, ignoring all who attempted to get in his way. "Well... I never."
Conrart sat on the edge of his bed, one hand brushing back the surprisingly fine raven locks that spread out around a pale face, the long locks curling down to the young man's shoulders in silky waves. One side of the soldier's face was badly blistered, the skin red and extremely tender, the redness extended down over the slender line of his throat, before resuming at his forearms and down across both hands as if they had been lifted to shield his face from the force of whatever had caught him full in the face.
A fingertip lightly touched against the newly tied bandage that wound around the dark head and across the stitched up gash that ran the length of the boy's cheek and up to his temple and hairline. The wounds were surprising, more punctures made by wood and large welting bruises that stripped the now bandaged chest.
"Where did you come from?" Swallowing hard after a moment, he traced his fingertip down across the smoothness of the unburnt cheek, lingering against the corner of those surprisingly inviting lips. Heat scorched the length of Conrart Weller's body, an attraction that seared him from the inside out seeing the half clothed frame stretched out amongst the sheets of his own bed. "Who hurt you?" And if he ever got a name from those lips he would hunt down those responsible and make sure they regretted every laying a hand on this young man.
A soft sleepy sigh escaped Yuuri while his body shifted restlessly amongst the sheets, dark eyes the colour of pitch black onyx slowly drifted open. A half smile tugged at the young man's lips the moment his gaze managed to focus on the handsome face that hovered above his own. "...Conrart..." It was a happy murmur, his body attempting to roll, not quite aware of the pain that would soon be surging back up through still cold numbed limbs. "Missed... you..."
Brows pressed together at that, Conrart's mouth opening to respond to that particular statement, but he couldn't quite find the words to answer the man's statement. Yet, his heart thrilled to hear the sound of his name spoken like that, as if to this stranger he mattered, that he, Conrart Weller, had true value for who and what he was. "Rest." He soothed softly, giving into the temptation of sliding his fingers through the long raven strands, feeling them cling to his fingers. "Close your eyes for me and rest."
A warm thumb traced a path against Yuuri's chilled cheek, his other hand drawing the thick blankets up around the shivering body, being careful of the blistered hands that were lightly applied with salve to help ease the burns.
"You... you won't... leave... will you?" Obsidian eyes drifted shut slowly, the lashes flickering for a moment, parting just slightly to gaze up at him with longing filling their exposed depths. "I've... missed you... I... ached..." A single tear streaked down from the corner of one eye and seared the side of Conrart's thumb.
"I will be here when you awaken again." His heart clenched at the vivid and tantalising emotions that were revealed in those simple words. Those words for him. The look in those obsidian eyes that could see right through him made him very aware that this soldier knew exactly who he was. There was no mistaken identity. "You have my promise."
The young man relaxed at that, lips parting as his breath slowly went from the ragged hitch of slightly broken soundless sobs to the even rise and fall of sleep. The tormented features of the soldier smoothing into a relaxed and contented mask under Conrart's light caresses of those silky strands.
A soft knock sounded at the door made Conrart actually start, his head whipping around as he hastily withdrew his hand, back straightening. "Come."
The door swung open slowly, Lady Susannah Julia Von Wincott standing in the opening, a bowl resting in one elegant hand, her sightless eyes seeming to take in the surroundings even though they could not even catch a glimpse of shadow and air. "Sir Weller." She greeted warmly, though her brows pressed together slightly, concern flickering across her expression.
Reluctantly Conrart stood, his eyes flickering back to where the young man lay sprawled out in the centre of his bed, raven locks striking against the white linins. Crossing over to Julia, he stretched out a hand to taking the one that hovered before the lady, the officer carefully drawing her into the room and allowing the door to shut behind her. "How is he?"
"He awakened a short while ago, he seemed partially lucid." Conrart was disinclined to say more about exactly what the younger man had said, wanting to guard that private moment as jealousy as a lover would. His mind kept those treasured words close, protecting them as he was his charge, standing between Julia and the bed. Large body almost vibrating with his need to do something, anything to protect what had been placed into his care, he forced the fierce emotions back, desperate to calm them.
"That is good news considering that head wound. Were you able to find out who he is?"
Conrart remained silent at that, glancing back towards the bed, his body trembling slightly with the force of his emotions. He didn't understand it, the mere sight of that pale face turned his heart upside down and shook him right to his bones. Privately he wondered exactly what had gotten into him, he had never been possessive about anyone, not a lover or a friend. No one and nothing had ever inspired such... sharp biting feelings from deep within his battered and broken heart.
"Sir Weller?" Julia's fingers lightly touched against his broad chest, encountering the slightly damp cotton of Conrart's shirt, her face turning upwards as if to study his face. "What is it?"
And her honest concern fractured his control which had already been dangerously shaken by the sweet whispers of that warm honey voice that had come from an even more beautiful source. "He said my name... He looked up at me... and..." Shaking his head once, he roughly ran a hand through shaggy brown locks, sending them out wildly across his forehead and cheeks. "Julia... by Shinou... he looked at me as if... I mattered."
Her palm smoothed down in a reassuring touch against his strong solid chest, her lips turning up at the corners. "It's a good feeling, isn't it?"
Conrart's brows lifted at that, his jaw clenching in uncertainty before he finally reached up and covered her hand with his own, squeezing it softly in quiet gratitude for the fact that she could provide such reassurance without mocking him like many others had. "I am not worth of such... yet I want to hold tightly to his words."
"Adalbert is like that for me." Julia's mouth spread into a smile, unable to help the delight that filled her at the thought of her betrothed. For all his brutality at times, there was such a gentleness about Adalbert when he was with her that it touched her heart. There was a piece of Adalbert that was just hers. "There is a part of him that he only shows me... and I treasure that trust that he places in me to never hurt him."
There was a hint of sadness in Julia's expression, as if a silent weight was resting on her soul, a secret that coloured everything she said and did.
"Julia?" He asked softly, but she shook her head, offering him a tender smile.
"Do not worry yourself, Sir Weller. I am well." Proffering the bowl to Conrart, she gave him a reassuring look. "This should have those burns cleared up by morning. They were thankfully not as bad as I thought." And soon she slipped away, leaving Conrart alone with the soldier once more.
"Susannah Julia Von Wincott, she wasn't quite what I expected."
Conrart jerked sharply at the sound of that soft voice, his eyes meeting obsidian ones that studied his every move with such an intensity that it almost sent a shiver skittering up his spine. "What did you expect?"
A flicker of quiet laughter brightened those soulful dark orbs. "I don't quite know." Though his smile faded as quickly as it had come, his hand lifting to lightly touch his head and winced at the painful throb that ran through it as his fingers brushed over the long, deep head wound.
"Can you tell me what happened?" Conrart slowly approached the bed, reaching out one calloused hand to carefully close around the warm fingers and draw they away from the lightly strained bandages that coiled around the younger man's head. An electric shock darted up his arm from where their skin touched, an awareness of each other that left Conrart uncertain as to what to do about the feelings slowly sliding through him. Clenching his jaw, he removed his hand, even though he longed to slide his fingers back into the silky lock and watch that face soften in pleasure at his touch.
"I..." Yuuri's eyes flickered to his surroundings, taking in the room and shifting slowly to sit up, wincing as he did so, but was grateful some of his strength was still left. His magic however had evaporated with the rather short but fierce battle he had had with Shinou. His gaze rested on Conrart, taking in the shirt and pants, and the long silky mass of Conrart's uncropped hair. Eyes flickering over Conrart's face, he looked almost pensive for an instant, before relaxing.
There was no sweeping scar across Conrart's eyebrow and the fact that Julia was alive spoke to the fact that this was not anywhere near the time it had been no more than a handful of hours before.
"I was attacked on my way to the castle." His jaw set, his expression becoming a touch guarded, gaze dropping away from Conrart's face, feeling the burning sting of tears wanting to fall at the sight of the man alive and well no more than a few feet away from him. "I was coming to..."
"A double black on his own... you are something rare..."
The younger man's eyes widened and immediately his hand lifted to the length of his hair, lightly touching the black strands, sighing in quiet frustration over the fact the storm had washed out the dye that he had used. "Trust me that is not the half of it, or at least that's what I think."His fingers lightly pressed against the head wound that throbbed in time with his heartbeat. "I am sorry." Shaking his head, he used his injury as an excuse, anything to prevent any more questions, because he knew that as soon as Conrart asked for more information with that soft voice of his he would crumble. "Everything else..."
Conrart paused at that, sensing that something was being hidden from him, but when those honest obsidian eyes looked back up at him, he couldn't help but swallow and nod in silent understanding of what was being asked of him in that moment. "I understand." Reaching out to squeeze the younger man's unbruised shoulder, his fingers lingered there for a long moment, feeling the skin warm beneath his calloused palm.
And an awkward silence drifted down between them, both unable to speak for all the questions that rattled around in their hearts.
"Do you want an opponent?" Yuuri shifted from within the shadows, the cloak swaying around his body as he moved forwards into the light of the torches that spilled across the training grounds. The entire castle was soundly tucked into sleep, the only people awake being the guards scattered around Covenant Castle and Conrart. His lips almost quirked at the corners as he sensed another presence off to one side watching over Conrart Weller. Yozak was resting in one of the trees surrounding the open gravelled ground, though hidden in the higher branches, Yuuri could feel the tingle of his presence which had come with months of time spent close to the man.
Conrart paused mid-swing, lifting his head to regard Yuuri for one long moment, his cinnamon eyes reflecting something that Yuuri couldn't quite work out. "You should be in bed."
The corners of Yuuri's lips quirked into a slightly wry smile that warmed after a moment as he swept the hood back and rubbed a hand through the newly dyed locks that fell around his still pale face. "So should you, Conrart."
The Captain's lips actually twitched at that, gaze running the length of Yuuri's body with silent interest. "Considering that you have been sleeping in my bed..."
A flicker of banked hunger glittered in obsidian eyes, a promise that if the other man so much as asked, Yuuri would honestly not resist.
"Very well, I would appreciate the challenge." A hand gestured towards the open ground before him and he watched Yuuri with silent interest, his gaze remaining on that still pale face, the dark eyes holding him captive.
Yuuri nodded slightly, before moving to the correct position, his hand easily drawing the blade out of the scabbard that rested at his waist, his slighter frame shifting to be able to take Conrart's strong blows. They bowed to each other in silent acknowledgement.
Conrart was the first to strike, his blade coming down fast and hard on Yuuri's previously bruised side, but abruptly found his blade blocked with surprising deftness. The swordsman was surprised when each and every one of his parries and strikes was matched by Yuuri's blocks and his own attacks, it was as if the younger man was familiar with Conrart's fighting style. Their blades clanged and metal scraping against metal filled the air.
A strange thrill worked its way down through Yuuri's body, a delight at being able to see the flash of interest and delight flare in those cinnamon eyes as their blades met stroke for stroke. He had wanted to see that, he had always wanted to see that particular expression work its way across Conrart's features, be able to stand his ground against one of the best swordsmen in the world. All the long hours of training and strained muscles was worth it to have this one moment with the man he loved, to know that he could share something like this with him.
"You are skilled." Conrart whispered softly, though his cinnamon eyes held a hint of confusion at the fact that Yuuri seemed to know his own fighting style extremely well.
"I owe it to my teachers, they were very patient with my initial ineptitude."
"Who were they?"
The corners of Yuuri's lips twitched up at that, his obsidian eyes glittering as he ducked a powerful slice of the other man's blade, spinning and deflecting. "That I cannot tell you, Conrart."
"You are a mystery and I still want answers."
"As much as you want them, I cannot provide them. There are some things that are better not said." Because time was something that would exact revenge on those that would attempt to change it. All Yuuri Shibuya could do in that moment was bask in the presence of the man he loved and just share some of the darkest moments in Conrart's life. "Just know that I would guard your back with my very life."
"I have no reason to trust you... yet..." Shaking his head slightly, his jaw clenched slightly as their blades met and they were almost nose to nose for a moment before Yuuri sidestepped allowing their blades to twist and drop knowing he didn't have the physical strength to hold that parry. "I cannot help but do so."
"I have always trusted in you." He responded softly, their blades locking again and sliding sideways, the tips burying themselves in the gravel at their feet.
One large hand suddenly slipped into his long locks, coiling around the back of his head and tugging him forwards those last few inches between them. Conrart's mouth descended on Yuuri's with fierce hunger, practically devouring the younger man. Sword clattering to the ground, his other arm coiled around the man's slender waist, practically dragging him off his feet and against the heated length of Conrart's body. Their mouths and tongues danced together, Yuuri's arms coiling around the strong neck, leaning upwards to deepen the contact as his own blade dropped to the ground.
"I can't get you out of my head." Conrart hissed against Yuuri's kiss-bruised lips, nipping at the lower one and biting down on it in an erotic gesture of possession. "Since the moment you came, I can't think, I can't breathe without wanting a taste of you." Fingers coiling a little more into the silk locks, drawing Yuuri's head back and allowing his mouth to slide against the thundering pulse of the smaller man, his heated breaths washing across flushing skin. "How do you know me? Why is it that every time you speak my name it feels as if you are caressing my very soul with your words?"
"I can't tell you." A moan escaped Yuuri, his dark eyes drifting partially closed as pleasure screamed through every inch of his body as he felt the hot arousal of that body pressing against his hip. "But know that there is nothing more in this world that matters to me more than you do."
"I will have answers." The soldier warned, his grip gentling as his mouth stroked tiny kisses across the white column of the smaller man's neck, intoxicated by the scent of him. "Even if I have to pry them out of you using any means at my disposal."
Yuuri's lips twitched upwards into a smile of silent challenge. "I would love to see you try."
YAY! I have plans for this. Next chapter might be sticky and then a bit of battle. What do you think?