Since receiving his mother's blessing, Ceodore put all his effort into finding out if Kain really did feel the same way, as Rosa had said. He sparred with him regularly and assisted him round the castle in any way he could, but Kain let on absolutely nothing. Of course, Rosa was right, and Kain had fallen head over heels in love with Ceodore, but because he was so young, he refused to even indicate his feelings for the prince, for fear of hurting him and provoking Cecil's wrath. However, there was only so much he could take, and every time Ceodore came up to him with that gorgeous smile, those sparkling eyes, he wanted to hold him close and kiss him till they were both breathless. Kain knew what Ceodore was trying to do, and it hurt so much to brush him aside.

After two months, Ceodore eventually gave up and reverted to his usual friendly self, though he tended to droop whenever Kain was around. At this point he was still dismissed from the Red Wings as well, so he was constantly bored. He perked up a little if Kain and the Red Wings went out on a mission, for it meant he could freely roam the castle without bumping into Kain and having his heart flutter, then sink, but at the same time he missed Kain when he wasn't around. At that particular moment, Kain had left Baron to visit Mist with Cecil, and Ceodore had watched them leave with a heavy heart. How he wanted Kain, wanted him to hold him tightly, but to him, it seemed like his mother was wrong. It was now late evening, and he could see his father out of the window, laughing at whatever Kain had said.

It was too much for Ceodore. He buried his face in his hands and wept.

"That was eventful!" Cecil chuckled as he pushed open the castle doors and stood aside to let Kain through first. "I swear Edge is supposed to live in Eblan, not cling to Rydia's skirts all the time!"

Kain laughed out loud. "I don't think he'll ever leave her alone!"

"When will he get the hint that she doesn't like him like that?"

"Never! This is Edge we're talking about!"

"Good point. Cuore has certainly grown as well."

"I barely recognised her, to be honest with you."

"Yes, it took me a while to realise who she was also." Cecil yawned. "I'm a little weary…I would return to my tower for the night. Will I see you tomorrow?"

"Most likely. I'm always around." Cecil smiled at Kain and nodded, then clasped his hand.

"Goodnight, old friend."

"Night, Cecil," Kain replied; Cecil released his hand and swept away. Kain removed his helm and pulled his hair free of its ponytail, letting it tumble over his shoulders. What should I do now…? I suppose I should go back to my room for a while. He started off back to his room, which was quite close to Ceodore's, and he debated looking in to check on him, since Rosa had told him he hadn't been himself recently. When he reached the door, he lifted his hand to knock, then paused. He could hear sobbing from within. This struck Kain as odd; Ceodore was strong, so what would give him reason to cry? Feeling nosy, he knocked on the door and called, "Ceodore? Are you okay?"

The cries ceased at once, though he heard a few sniffles. Then Ceodore said in a cracked voice, "W-What do you want, Kain?"

"I want to check on you. Can I come in?"

"…Yes." Kain opened the door and he gasped at the sight of Ceodore curled up on his bed, his eyes red and puffy and his cheeks wet with tears. "Oh, Ceodore…" he breathed, approaching and sitting next to him on the bed. "What's wrong? You never cry."

"I-I…" was all that the prince managed to stammer before he broke down again, rendering him incoherent. Kain wanted to badly to reach out to him, to hold his hand, but he couldn't. He was far too young. So he settled for rubbing his back soothingly till the flow of tears subsided a little and Ceodore was able to speak properly, pushing himself up into a sitting position. "Tell me what's wrong," Kain murmured. "You can tell me, right?"

"I wish I could…" Ceodore whispered.

"I won't judge you, promise. Hand on heart, I won't judge you." Kain placed a hand on his chest and smiled. "See?"

"You'd hate me."

"I could never hate you."

"I…Kain, I…" Ceodore trembled with the effort of trying to tell Kain the truth, and his eyes filled up again. This time Kain couldn't hold back, and he reached out with both hands to wipe the boy's tears away gently. Ceodore's breath caught in his chest and he stared at Kain, mouth slightly open. His own hands closed around Kain's wrists, as if trying to feel if it was real; that Kain had touched his face with such gentle ministrations. "Kain…" he whispered. Kain smiled at him and withdrew his hands, placing them in his lap.

"You stopped crying, at least."

"Why…did you just do that?"

"I don't like seeing you cry," Kain replied. "Please tell me what's wrong. Your mother says you've been depressed recently."

"I'm just…I'm sorry." Ceodore shook his head. "You should ask her what's wrong. She knows."

"I don't want to hear it from Rosa. I want to hear it from you." Kain hesitantly put an arm round Ceodore's shoulders and was surprised when he leaned against him with a sigh. "Can I hazard a guess?"

"Sure," sniffled Ceodore.

"Is it because I kept rejecting your advances?"

Ceodore gasped. "Y-You-?"

"Of course I knew what you were doing," Kain replied. "I didn't want to hurt you…and you're so young, Ceodore…you don't know what you'd be getting yourself into."

"I don't care," Ceodore replied firmly, suddenly feeling strong enough to admit it to him. "I love you, Kain. I love you so much it hurts! Mother told me everything about what you used to do with Father, and I got so jealous…"

"I never loved Cecil," Kain sighed. "We were young, and liked to mess about with each other. The thing is, Cecil fell in love with me, and I knew it couldn't be, so we stopped eventually. It was fun, but it never went to anything else other than kissing. You, though…you're different…"

"What are you trying to say?" whispered Ceodore, his eyes wide.

"I'm trying to say I love you too…you were the reason I left. I felt so guilty…I was in love with a fifteen year old boy, and I felt sickened by it, so I had to run away for another year to get my head straight."

"Oh, Kain…you should have just told me."

"I couldn't. You were too young, and you're still too young now. Even then, what could we do? Your father will have an absolute fit."

"I don't care!" Ceodore repeated, grabbing Kain's hands. "I'm almost seventeen, and I'll be a man! Father can't stop me then, and Mother says she's helping me!"

"What do you mean?" Kain looked down at their linked hands and repressed the urge to stroke the back of Ceodore's with his thumbs.

"You didn't know? Mother's trying for another baby so I don't have to have children. I've always wanted a little sister or brother. It'd be awesome!"

"I didn't think she'd do so much for you," Kain admitted, "and I know she gets broody sometimes…what a lovely surprise! But still…Ceodore, I am so much older than you…"

"It doesn't bother me one jot," Ceodore smiled; he released one of Kain's hands to cup the dragoon's cheek. "Please don't resist me…I want to be with you. I think you're beautiful, and you make me smile, and you've been a good friend to me. I…I love you…" Ceodore sniffled, a single tear dripping down his cheek. Kain wiped it away with his thumb, gazing into Ceodore's glistening blue eyes. "You're not making this any easier for me," he chuckled softly. Ceodore just continued to look at him, a pink blush dusting his cheeks. He was too scared to make a move. He had never had a relationship or even kissed anyone. All he knew was that he wanted Kain to kiss him, and the older man seemed to be nearing him, ever so slowly, and when he was mere centimetres away Ceodore's eyes slipped closed involuntarily and his breathing turned shallow in anticipation. He felt Kain's calloused hand brush against his cheek and he whimpered softly in response; this did it for Kain and he finally closed the gap, sealing their mouths and making Ceodore moan in bliss. Kain's lips were so much softer than he had ever imagined and when they opened their mouths, allowing their tongues to meet, Ceodore tasted the strong tang of some unknown spirit, and he delved in deeper, wanting more, wrapping his arms round Kain and tugging him even closer.

Kain was in utter heaven; Ceodore proved to be quite a capable kisser, and eventually Ceodore fell back onto the bed, pulling Kain with him so he lay on top, kissing and kissing him like his life depended on it. Ceodore moaned again, more softly this time, his hands wandering over Kain's armoured back and threading through the silky strands of his hair. Suddenly Kain gasped against his mouth, and he jumped back quickly, his eyes wide and hands over his mouth. "What's wrong?" Ceodore frowned, reaching a hand out to Kain, relieved when he did not draw away. "Did I do something I shouldn't?"

"N-No," Kain murmured, shaking his head, "I just felt I was going to lose control…you're so young…"

"I'm seventeen in two months!" Ceodore groaned. "When will anyone see I'm going to be a man soon?"

"You have a baby face," Kain chuckled. "You're always going to look so young even when you become a man. But if you want to take this any further-" his voice became serious, "it has to wait, understand? At the moment, we stick to kissing and nothing more, lest anybody find out and have me clapped in irons."

"Yes, Captain," Ceodore smirked. "I understand. I wouldn't make you do that anyway, I'd be way too shy at the moment! Not that…I haven't thought about it…" He flashed Kain a slightly seductive look. "Dreamt about it…"

"Don't," Kain groaned. "You're not going to tempt me, Ceodore."

"I'm only messing…so, does that mean we're together now?" Ceodore's big blue eyes became hopeful, glittering expectantly. Kain pretended to think about it, then held out his arms so the younger boy could snuggle up to him. "If you're willing to brave your father's anger-"

"Which I am!"

"…Then I don't see why not," Kain said softly. He reached up a hand to sift through Ceodore's short spiky hair; he closed his eyes and let out a happy sigh in response. "Will you tell him?" Kain added.

"I don't know," admitted Ceodore. "I know he'll be mad at me, and probably even madder when he finds out Mother is trying to get pregnant to save my ass, but…if he gets too angry, I'm out of here. He's so restrictive and protective! I'll run away for a while and see how he likes it then."

"I'd come with you, of course," Kain said. "I can't say I agree with running away, but (and I'm not trying to sound shallow) I'd rather not get my ass kicked by Cecil twice as hard because you legged it out of Baron. Besides, I'd have to look after you, wouldn't I?" He rubbed noses with his new partner affectionately, then kissed the tip, making Ceodore squeal. "So, that's settled?"

"Yeah," Ceodore murmured happily. "You're, like, my new boyfriend and all that."

Kain laughed. "I'm thirty-nine! I'm a bit too old to be called a boyfriend!"

"Well, I'm sixteen and I'm not calling you my partner, or I'll sound as old as you!"

"Lovely," Kain chuckled. He leaned down to peck Ceodore on the lips, and just as he pulled away there was a tap on the door. They jumped apart at once as Rosa's excited voice called out, "Sweetie? Are you in there?"

"Come in!" Ceodore called back. His mother rushed in, her face radiating happiness and joy. "Hey, what happened?" he laughed, standing up to greet his mother; Kain inclined his head to her and smiled. Rosa touched her stomach with a giggle. Ceodore's jaw dropped. "R-Really? You're pregnant?"

"Yes!" she squealed, throwing her arms round her son. "You should have seen your father's face!"

"How did he react?" Kain asked, laughing as he stood to embrace Rosa also and kiss her cheek in congratulations.

"He fainted!" All three burst out laughing. "Well," Rosa added, "he woke up about a minute later and thought he'd been dreaming, but then he got really excited like he was twenty again! Oh, it was so cute! He's really excited; I can't wait to tell everyone else!"

"Baron's going to love it!" Ceodore crowed, hugging his mother again. "This is brilliant! I get a sibling and you saved my bacon!"

"Well," Rosa smiled, "I've yet to tell Cecil that, and I'm saying nothing till you come out to him. Speaking of which…" Her eyes darted between Kain and Ceodore, who noticed and blushed, "how are you two getting on?"

"Fine!" Ceodore blurted out quickly, giving the game away immediately. Kain groaned and covered his face with a hand. "Um, I mean," gabbled the younger boy, "everything's fine! He just came to check on me and-" Rosa raised an eyebrow, and Ceodore sighed. "Ugh…okay, jig's up. Kain and I are together now." Kain stared at him, mouth slightly open, blinking rapidly, but Rosa clapped her hands together and smiled at her son. "Good, good," she said. "I knew it'd only be a matter of time. Now, I have to get back to Cecil or he'll come looking for me, so all I'll say is look after each other! As I said to you before, Ceodore, be mindful of the age gap, okay?"

"Okay."

"Be good to him, Kain," she murmured, turning to her childhood friend. "Maybe, if Cecil sees how much you'll come to care for each other, he won't be as shocked."

"I'll do my very best, Rosa. I could never harm Ceodore any more than I could harm you or Cecil. I promise I'll be good to him."

"Oh, Kain…" Ceodore breathed, his hands clasped to his chest. "That's so sweet…thank you."

"He's always been a hopeless romantic," Rosa giggled. "Right, look after yourselves. I'm off back to my room." She turned to go, then seemed to think of something. "Oh, and Ceodore…?"

"Yes?" he asked.

"Nothing sexual till you turn seventeen, understand?"

"Course!" he replied cheerfully. "I can live with that."

"Good boy." Rosa opened the door and left. Once she was gone, Ceodore sat down heavily on the bed and wiped a hand across his face with a sigh. "Phew…that went well."

"I had no idea she knew about your feelings for me," Kain muttered. "She could have told me!"

"I asked her not to. I wanted to do it myself or it wouldn't have really had the desired effect. She said you might feel the same way cos you never stop talking about me."

"Well," the dragoon laughed, "there are a lot of stories to tell about you!"

When Rosa returned to the tower, she found Cecil sat on the bed, leafing through what looked like a photo album. "What's that you've got there?" she asked, sitting down next to him. Cecil showed her the photos he was thumbing through; they were mostly of Ceodore when he was a baby. "Happy memories," he smiled. "I haven't looked at these in a while…and think, we shall be able to add more in due time…"

"You really are excited, aren't you?" the Queen giggled.

Cecil nodded enthusiastically. "It'll be lovely to have a second child. Plus, when you were pregnant with Ceodore you positively glowed, you were so beautiful. It will be lovely to see you like that again."

"Thank you," she smiled. Her pregnancy with Ceodore had been a very easy, happy one, and with an equally happy husband by her side, it made it even better. Not to mention that Cecil seemed to find her body incredibly sexy during that time, and it had made for a rather adventurous sex life that hadn't seemed to have diminished, as even now Cecil was putting away the photo album and sliding his arms round his wife, trailing soft kisses down her slim neck. "What are you trying to tell me?" Rosa half giggled, half panted as she gripped Cecil's shoulders gently.

"Actions speak louder than words, my love," he whispered.