Love Me and Me Only

By: Asagi Tsuki

Disclaimer: I don't own Kyou Kara Maou and Fire Emblem: the Sacred Stones

Chapter Three

"Ephraim?" Wolfram asked disbelievingly at the teal blue haired boy in front of him, currently sitting and conversing with his older brother and his supposedly fiancé. He didn't dare to move, he didn't even dare to move a single finger, for he feared that it was only a dream, and if he moved once, it'd be over.

"Yes, Wolfram," Ephraim nodded as he smiled gently at the blond haired boy, "This is me," he added as he stood up from his sitting spot, took his spear, slung it over his shoulder and walked over to Wolfram. "I'm sorry," he said as he proceeded to hug Wolfram close to his chest.

"What for… you dummy," Wolfram muttered before he started crying. He was gone for almost five years, and here he was, waltzing down the hallway to greet him like he was only gone for one hour.

"Didn't I promise to never make you cry?" Ephraim lowered his face and whispered to Wolfram's ear. "So please, I'm sorry, but don't cry," he pleaded as he tightened his hug around the shorter boy, and somehow it tightened a knot in Yuuri's stomach.

"Ephraim," Conrad started softly, "Where were you?" he asked. He knew that Ephraim wasn't the type of irresponsible people who would neglect his own country for trivial matters before giving a report first.

"I was dead," he nodded his head, a flash of pain crossed his feature, "Let's just say that, I came back to life," he added as he unconsciously tightened his hug around Wolfram once again.

"How so?" Conrad was surprised. He hadn't heard of any case of people being resurrected before. "Well, anyway, I guess it'll be better if you go back to your room first, it's a bit dusty, but nothing much," he suggested.

"Alright," Ephraim smiled –or grinned- at Conrad. "Where are you going now?" he asked Wolfram as he let go of the shorter boy. He positioned his spear on his back so it wouldn't slip from his cape.

"I'll help you with the dusting, I guess," Wolfram muttered lowly. "You've probably forgot where your room is," he added.

"You're never good at cracking jokes, you know that?" Ephraim laughed slightly as he ruffled Wolfram's hair. Somehow he acted like his older brother though he isn't.

"I'm not you, clown," Wolfram retorted back. A smile tugged on his lips as he walked out of the room, leading the way to Ephraim's room.

Conrad merely shook his head and sighed as he smiled at the sight of the two. Whenever Ephraim was there, the castle became livelier. A carefree man and cheerful attitude wasn't a clown, but he could act like one.

"Conrad," Yuuri called out, his gaze unwavering, "Is that Ephraim?" he asked as he stared at the big wooden double door, his gaze fixed.

"Yes, that is," Conrad nodded. "It's been a long time since the last time he's here," he added as he sounded a bit wistful. "Anyway, it's nearly dinner time, please get down shortly," he said as he walked out of the room.

Yuuri was left alone in the living room, staring blankly at the ceiling, wondering why hadn't he taken the chance when he could. And now, it was slipping away from his hand.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.

"Ah, Ephraim, still handsome as ever," Cheri squealed at the sight of the teal blue haired man who merely grinned back at the blond haired woman. "I've never expected that we could have a dinner together again," she added as she sighed in a relieved manner.

"Me too," Gwendal muttered as he quietly ate his share of food.

"Maa, you must be happy, na, Wolfram?" Cheri asked as she smiled at her youngest son who merely muttered 'shut up' before he resumed his eating.

"I'm happy to be here with you all," Ephraim bowed his head in a polite way, "It's an honor for me, a mere soldier of this kingdom," he added.

"Hey, didn't I say that you've been considered a family?" Cheri asked, pointing her knife at Ephraim who merely lean back, not wanting the knife to slice his skin.

"A- aa, thank you Cheri-sama," he said as he leaned back, waiting for the knife to be drawn back.

"Have you finished your cleaning, Ephraim?" Conrad asked as he looked at the man expectantly.

"Wha- oh, erm, well," Ephraim started a bit awkwardly, throwing a sideway glance to Wolfram who merely ate his food as if he wasn't involved.

-.-.-.-.-. flashback -.-.-.-.-.

"So what have you been doing the past five years?" Ephraim asked as he started to clean the wardrobe from dust bunnies. He wouldn't be able to put any of his clothes if he didn't take care of that one.

"What about yourself?" Wolfram asked back as he made the bed.

"Staying in a coffin?" Ephraim asked back as he laughed slightly and Wolfram shook his head.

"Nothing really, continuing my training in the military," Wolfram said as he sat on the bed, cleaning the bedside table from dust. "It's so much easier fighting against a sword wielder," he added sarcastically while Ephraim merely laughed uneasily.

"Oh, and since when has the new Maou been here?" Ephraim asked, finished with the wardrobe and was now sitting beside Wolfram who was finished with the bedside table.

"Some months," Wolfram stated, "Not really remember how many," he added.

"Oh? Looks like I missed something important," Ephraim shook his head, "What is he to you?" he asked.

"A wimp," Wolfram stated flatly.

"Only that?" Ephraim asked as he tried to suppress an amused grin, "Really, Wolfram, I know you better than you do," he said as he shook his head in disbelief, "Your fiancé?" he asked.

"How-?"

"From the way he look," Ephraim stated as he smirked, acting like someone who had just found a new formula in mathematics.

"Look or looks?" Wolfram asked doubtfully.

"Hey, at least I haven't forgotten my own language, okay?" Ephraim asked as his eyebrow twitched and his mouth formed a halfway grin, "Of course I mean look," he added.

"Aren't you just guessing?"

"Nope, I'm positively sure," Ephraim shook his head, "I mean, hey, he looked like he was ready to kill me anytime!"

"He didn't,"

"I was just exaggerating things, Wolfram, don't you know hyperbolism?"

Wolfram rolled his eyes and snorted.

"But," Ephraim said, his expression suddenly serious, "Whatever happen, I'm not going to give you up so easily," he said sternly, "At least not until he proved himself,"

"Ephraim…"

And they were soon seen on the bed, kissing each other.

-.-.-.-.-. end of flashback -.-.-.-.-.

"No," Ephraim finished as he sighed, remembering what they had done until the call for dinner came. They had only cleaned the bedside table and the wardrobe. Spider webs were almost everywhere at the ceiling.

"I'm not surprised," Conrad said, "Even three people working together won't be able to get rid of all those dusts and webs in such short amount of time,"

"And of course you two made a small reunion, no?" Cheri asked, "Well, are two going to be bonding tonight? As long as you two keep quiet, we won't complain," Cheri smirked.

"Mother!" Wolfram shouted, his face flushed.

"Ah," Ephraim cleared his throat, "We haven't been to that stage, eh, Wolfram?" he asked as he grinned. "Must be considered, but I don't think someone will be happy if we do," he added as he smirked.

Almost all occupants of the dining table turned their head to look at Yuuri.

"What?" he asked defensively.

"Nothing," they chorused and went back to eating while Ephraim snickered lowly and Wolfram sighed.

End of Chapter Three

Finally finished. Thank you to all reviewers. I didn't pay much attention to you all before, but now I do. Forgive me, please.

Anyway, hope you enjoy this story. And if you do, please leave a review. It'll be highly appreciated