It was late afternoon. The smile on Yuri's face refused to wane even for a moment during their flight. As soon as Ba'ul descended low enough for the Fierta to touch the ground Karol was the first to flit down the ramp. Yuri asked Tokunaga to look after Repede before he followed everyone. Karol could barely contain his excitement, after impatiently waiting for the rest of the gang to disembark the vessel the little powerhouse lead them through the forest, careful to avoid the roaming monsters. Eventually they rediscovered the serene pathway leading up to Yumanju's entrance sparkling in the radiant sunlight. The usual receptionist was there to greet them; she bowed as soon as they approached the desk.
"Welcome to the fountain of warmth, will you be staying the night?"
"Staying the night?" said Yuri. His heart skipped a beat at the prospect.
"Yes sir, we've received numerous complaints about our prices so it was decided that paying customers can spend the night if they wish"
"How convenient..." Judith smiled with her gaze firmly fixed on Yuri.
Before the hero could say anything Karol piped up.
"That sounds awesome! Can we Yuri, please can we?"
Hopeful anticipation burned within his large hazel eyes as he fidgeted on the spot.
"Well...It would make a change from sleeping in the Fierta or a boring inn" he replied calmly.
"Sounds good to me" said Judith knowing that Raven would instantly agree; all for Yuri's benefit of course.
Estelle agreed to the idea immediately. Rita seemed hesitant but as soon as the receptionist mentioned the free breakfast and massage included, she instantly got on board with the idea. The group parted with a large amount of their gald; not without a few glances being exchanged amongst each other when Yuri offered to pay for Vesperia leader's fee.
"Are you sure? I can pay for myself"
"I'm sure captain; consider it a treat for running the guild so well" he laughed whilst tousling the boy's hair.
The genius mage rolled her eyes at Yuri's compliment. Even though it was clear that Karol was trying his best to run the guild he still lacked the skill and experience of a great leader but because of his early start he had the potential to become one of the greatest guild leaders of all-time.
"Thanks Yuri, you're the greatest!"
Once all payments had been taken, the receptionist handed each of them a set of towels. Estelle gripped Rita's wrist and rushed through the red curtain. Judith closed her elegant eyes and smiled at the princess's childishness but not before giving Raven a quick wink when she noticed him staring in her direction, as usual. He couldn't be too sure if it was his hopeful imagination playing tricks on him or not but he was going to do his best to find out this evening.
Yuri hadn't noticed any of this because all he could stare at was Karol leading the way to the men's area; the thought of him wearing nothing but a towel drove him insane. The fact that Karol was completely oblivious to being relentlessly fucked in his hero's mind seemed to strengthen Yuri's desire to do just that.
The traditional Japanese room was perfect. A kotatsu had been strategically placed amidst two beige doubled seated sofas. The older boys checked the rest of their room whilst Karol opened the fusuma leading to the hot spring. Yuri felt his spirit deflate when he discovered that the sleeping area was one room with three single shiki futons in separate corners. At least he knew it was probable that the boy would like to share a bed with him once more; Raven was the only problem.
"Not bad at all" said Raven once Yuri re-entered the living area.
"Can't complain" he lied. "Is Karol in the hot spring yet?"
"Heh, yeah he's waitin for ya" he winked.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing, he's probably getting bored on his own, that's all" The seasoned veteran continued to smile at the young swordsman, momentarily enjoying the look of anxiety in his eyes. "Better not keep the boss waiting"
Without saying a word Yuri retreated back to the bedroom and quickly stripped from his usual attire and wrapped a pure white towel around his lower abdomen. When he returned once more the room was empty. He went to open the fusama that hid the hot spring and when he did he was shocked to see Raven already in the steamy spring, leaning on the rocks letting Karol examine the blastia embedded into his chest rather closely. Yuri couldn't deny that he did feel a pang of anger mixed with jealousy; although irrational he knew these emotions to be, he couldn't help it.
"Does it hurt if you touch it?" Karol asked with genuine interest.
"Why don't you find out?" he grinned whilst looking over at Yuri.
The boy gently pressed the glowing core with the tips of his fingers.
"It's warm..."
He was about to ask Raven if he was hurting him when he felt the older man tremble but he became startled when he burst into a fit of laughter.
"I bet you're glad you were this side of the door!" he giggled.
"Hilarious, old man..." Yuri replied in an un-amused tone as he stepped into the inviting water.
Karol looked highly confused as he had no idea what was so funny but didn't really give it much thought because he was pleased to see Yuri finally join them. He moved away from Raven and waded over to his hero.
Yuri hoped it was the rising steam that made his face seem flushed as Karol moved closer. His pale, skinny torso, the sheen of moisture across his forehead, that mesmerising smile; Yuri wasn't confident that he could suppress his urges for very long. He quickly submerged his body for obvious reasons; lucky for him the water came up just above his navel. The water came up to Karol's navel as well, only because he was standing but because the water was clear he could see a towel shielding his lower torso much to his disappointment. The semi-naked boy seated himself next to Yuri's side; the calm water now came up to just above his collar bone.
"Thanks again for bringing me here Yuri" he smiled.
"Heh, don't mention it captain you deserve it" he replied as he tousled Karol's soft damp hair.
He sometimes worried that Karol just tolerated him doing this but the look of content displayed on his face when he closed his eyes erased those concerns. A comfortable silence followed; Yuri continued to run his fingers through his mane of hair.
Raven still remained opposite his young friends relaxing his war ravaged body against the rocks. Feeling mischievous, Raven decided to break the silence.
"So...when are you two gonna do it?"
The little powerhouse instantly opened his angelic hazel eyes and blushed immensely.
"Wh...What do you mean?"
Yuri's first reaction was to come to the boy's defence but every time the boy blushed he felt an almost sadistic need to prolong his embarrassment.
"Heh, we haven't reached that stage yet but just you wait"
"Wha...What?"
"Don't worry captain, I'll be gentle" Yuri winked.
Karol just looked up at his hero, lips trembling; his little cheeks couldn't possibly burn any brighter. Raven couldn't deny he found the boy's embarrassment amusing. He knew it would be cruel to continue but he also knew stopping now would spoil his fun.
"Aww, you two make such a cute couple" he grinned.
"What can I say?" Yuri smiled. "I'm a lucky guy"
There wasn't much Karol could say. He knew he'd have to endure their comments until they were satisfied.
"Q...Quit it you guys..." he whimpered.
"Sorry Karol, I just can't help myself around you"
The Brave Vesperia leader buried his face in the palms of his hands in an attempt to hide his humiliation but yelped in surprise when Yuri's strong arms hoisted him onto his submerged lap. Due to the unexpectedness of this act he involuntarily tried to wriggle out of his grip but when Yuri bent over and breathed on the right side of his neck he froze.
"Woah, save something for the bedroom"
"Come on old man. Could you resist such a cute face?" he lifted Karol's chin up to show him off like a prized possession but he quickly hid his face again with his hands.
"Pfft, I'm more interested in what the ladies are up to, to be perfectly honest with ya. Might try and sneak a peek actually" he grinned whilst caressing his stubble.
"Go ahead. By all means take your time"
Raven wondered whether it was safe to take his eyes off of Yuri but the idea of having a chance to get a glimpse of Judith without anything on would always cloud his sense of morality. Karol looked on helplessly as the warrior quietly waded over to the bamboo wall blocking off the two hot springs. Lucky for him the small hole Karol discovered last time had not been sealed up yet; it's not like any male would make it known to the staff if they also discovered it.
Sure enough, the three girls were well within his sight. He silently cursed because Judith sat with her back to him so all he could see was from her shoulder blades upwards. Rita and Estelle were sat opposite each other, towels were also covering their lower halves but that was it. He was very disinterested in their underdeveloped bodies; the Krityan's on the other hand was the prize that he'd have to wait for.
"He's such a perv" Yuri laughed, even though he knew he didn't have a leg to stand on right now if he was also branded a pervert.
Karol's embarrassment had calmed slightly to the point where he lowered his hands and placed them on the towel covering his small lap.
"I...I don't get him" he said softly. "Why are some people so obsessed with girls bodies Yuri?"
"Heh, I've never understood it myself captain" he replied as he wrapped his hands around Karol's stomach and rested his chin in the boys shaggy hair.
"Yuri..."
"Hmm?"
"Um...I...I've never done it before"
"Done what?"
"Wh...What you and Raven were talking about..."
The boy's heart began to pound harder. He knew there was no way he could have said that if he was looking his hero in the face.
"Oh! Err...don't listen to us, we were only teasing. Besides, I'd be worried if you had" he laughed.
"But...I thought you wanted to...y'know, do stuff like that with me...?"
Yuri felt his growing erection push against his towel. Not wanting to scare Karol, he slid him forward slightly, just enough so that he wouldn't be prodded by it.
"It's not about what I want. I won't do anything until I know you're comfortable with it" his words had the ring of truth. "Even if it is hard to control myself around you"
"...Why do you like me? Like that I mean" sadness laced his words.
"Are you kidding? You're the most amazing person I've ever met. What's not to like about you?"
"...Well...you know about my history of being in so many guilds because I'm a coward..."
"So?" he replied in a louder tone. "I don't give a crap about that and neither should you. That's all in the past. You're the leader of your own guild now so screw the rest of them! Brave Vesperia is gonna come out on top as long as you're there to lead it"
"You're just being nice..."
With that said, Yuri pulled the boy back towards him so his small back came into contact with his toned chest. He grabbed his chin and pulled Karol's head back to the point where their eyes met. Yuri ignored his erection pressing against the base of Karol's back, for now.
"Stop putting yourself down, I wouldn't be a part of Brave Vesperia unless I thought you had the ability to run it and that's the truth!"
Karol's eyes began to fill with tears. He attempted to pull away but Yuri's grip proved to be too strong so all he could do was look away; a stray tear fell onto Yuri's hand. The long haired hero quickly looked over at Raven who was still taking advantage of the hole in the wall. He then leaned over and smothered Karol's lips with his own. Again, it was extremely difficult for Yuri to restrain his tongue but he forced himself too, solely because he was unsure whether the boy was ready for that or not. They muffled each other's moans. Yuri's member became harder against Karol's impossibly smooth skin. He knew there was absolutely no way he could wait another day; tonight, Yuri would make sure his bed would be used for reasons other than sleep, only if the angelic boy allowed it of course.