Disclaimer: I do not own Kyo Kara Maoh or its characters, and I am not making a profit from this fanfiction.

KKM - Speaking

KKM - Thoughts

KKM - Flashbacks

KKM - Thoughts in Flashbacks

Chapter 7

Wolfram gave an annoyed sighed as he stood in the dressing room of a men's formal wear store. This was the fifth suit he tried on this afternoon, and apparently, his mother was nowhere near done.

"I want him to try this tie…. Oh and that hat. No-no, not that one. Yes that…wait no…yes that."

"Ugh, Mother, leave the poor sales person alone. I'm not trying on anymore suits," Wolfram stated.

"Oh, but darling, you would look marvelous in this beautiful green vest and tie."

"What I'm wearing now is green, Mom," Wolfram stated with exaggerated patience.

"Yes, but this green is different…it's a beautiful emerald green with a hint of-."

"No more suits, Mom," Wolfram interrupted before Cheri could finish.

Wolfram did not think he could survive another one his mother's long tangents about the differences of two colors. He was already getting a headache.

"Oh, very well," Cheri relented, "come on out, and let me see."

Wolfram breathed a sigh of relief as he stepped out of the cramped dressing room, and had to restrain himself from rolling his eyes when his mother nearly squealed when she saw him in the suit.

"Oh, Wolfie-chan, you look so handsome. This green and white suit was made for you."

Wolfram turned towards the large mirror behind him. When he first saw his mother's selections, he had thought her fashion sense when out the window; but now that he is seeing everything paired together and on him, he thought the outfit wasn't half bad. The blazer, pants, and shirt combo he was wearing were all white, but the black buttons sewn on his shirt and blazer added a little bit of color to the white garments. The hunter green vest and tie clashed beautifully with the white suit. Wolfram eyes met his mother's in the mirror, and he gave a shy smile.

"You really think so?" Wolfram asked.

"Of course, darling, really brings out your beautiful eyes. Oh, I just can't wait for your boyfriend to see how handsome you look."

"Mother…for the thousandth time…he is not my boyfriend," Wolfram stated tiredly.

"You two still not dating? He seems quite taken with you. You should give him a chance."

Wolfram was silent as he let himself think about what dating Yuri would be like. He imagined that Yuri would be caring and funny, but then Saralegi's words from earlier that day flashed through his mind. No, don't kid yourself Wolf, Wolfram thought.

"Yeah, seems that way now. It always does before the truth is shoved in our faces."

"Pardon?" Cheri frowned at her son's odd statement.

"Isn't that what happened to you? Since I've been old enough to remember, I've watch you get hurt by men who only wanted to use you in some way or another. If I let it, then sooner or later I will be used and then tossed away like trash. I won't let that happen.," Wolfram stated as he frowned down at his feet.

"Hmm…is that what you think of me?" he heard his mother ask.

"What?" Wolfram stated as he quickly looked up and frowned at his mother in confusion.

"Is that what you think of me? That I am trash?" Cheri asked again, with a carefully neutral face.

"No! No, no, of course not, mother," Wolfram rushed to assure his mom, "that's not what I meant at all. I just…," Wolfram plopped down on the couch behind him, "it just seems that is how people look at us sometimes. Like we are some kind of accessory to hang on their arm until they get tired of us. If Yuri treated me like that…I couldn't," Wolfram faltered, but then looked up from his feet, "Why should I set myself up to be hurt?"

There was a moment where Wolfram didn't hear anything from his mom. He was beginning to worry that he hurt her feelings, but then he felt her sit down beside him.

"I guess it makes sense that you would feel this way. You haven't seen me in love. You were just a baby when your father died," Cheri stated softly. Wolfram's guilt began to sink in even more when he noticed his mother get that far-off look in her eyes she always gets whenever she thought about his father. Nice job, Wolf. Should've just kept your mouth shut, Wolfram thought.

"I shouldn't be surprise that you feel I haven't ever felt the happiness you feel when you fall in love, but I have Wolf," Cheri smiled softly, "and it's an amazing feeling. It's almost indescribable, but it's so overwhelming. You can't decide if you want to smile, cry, scream, or laugh. Sometimes you want to do all four. The utter joy you feel is one of the best things you'll ever feel. The only thing better is the love I've felt as a mother," Cheri said as she ran a hand through Wolfram's golden locks, and he smiled softly back at her.

"The point in me telling you all this is so that you know that I have felt that joy. I've felt it with your father, and with your brothers' fathers as well. I will find that happiness again one day, and so will you. Now, I'm not going to lie to you and say you won't be hurt, and I also won't lie and say there aren't people like what you describe because there definitely are, you and I both know that. But that does not mean you let that scare you into not living your life. People like that do not own your life, you do," Cheri finished by giving Wolfram a kiss on top his head.

Wolfram gave his mom a half smile before grasping her hand and softly said, "I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings, Mom."

"Oh, honey, you didn't," Cheri ruffled Wolfram's hair, earning herself a disgruntled look. Cheri was quiet as she watched her son fix his hair. She tilted her head as a thoughtful frown crossed her face. Those were some concerning comments that Wolfram had made. "Where did all that come from anyways?" Cheri asked, attempting to sound curious rather than the concern she was really feeling. Her frown grew when she noticed her son's shoulders stiffen slightly at her question, but they were relaxed again before she could point it out.

"Oh, it's nothing, Mom. Don't worry about it. I'm sorry I upset you," Wolfram apologized again.

"You didn't upset me, honey. Now why don't we finish up here. I think we've both earned ourselves some mint chocolate chip ice cream," Cheri decided to change the subject, but made a note to get Conrad to talk with Wolfram. He always had a way in getting Wolf to open up.

"Sounds good, Mother," Wolfram stated and then headed back into the dressing room to change back into his own clothes.

While his mom was paying for the outfit, Wolfram made himself comfortable in one of plush chairs scattered throughout the store. He decided to distract himself with his phone, and noticed he had a text message from Yuri.

Yuri: Hey Wolf, what color will you be wearing to the dance?

Wolf: White, hunter green, and a little bit of black.

Yuri: Beautiful

Wolf: You haven't even seen it yet. It could be hideous and embarrassing for all you know.

Yuri: Not possible. Nothing could ever be hideous on you, Angel.

Wolf: *eyeroll* Lame

Yuri: You love it ;)

Wolfram looked up as his mom approached, carrying his suit covered by large black bag with the store's logo printed on it.

"Oh, I just can't wait for Friday night to get here. Your brothers are going to love your outfit!"

"Wait, what? Gwendal and Conrad will be there?" Wolfram asked, he could already feel the dread seeping in.

"Of course, I invited them," Cheri admitted.

"You invited them?! Why would you do that?!" Wolfram asked alarmed.

"Why wouldn't I? They wouldn't want to miss seeing you in your new suit."

"Ugh…this is going to be so embarrassing," Wolfram groaned as he buried his face in his hands.

"Oh, don't be so dramatic. They are very excited to meet Yuri," Cheri stated cheerfully.

That did not make Wolfram feel better. He groaned a second time before giving his attention back to his texts with Yuri.

Wolf: I apologize in advance.

Yuri: Um…for what?

Wolf: My brothers will be there when you pick me up.

Yuri: Your brothers, huh? I take it they're a tad over protective?

Wolf: A tad? That's the understatement of the year.

Yuri: Oh…I see…well never fear…I will not run away. Love conquers all…even over protective brothers.

Wolf: You practicing for a Shakespearean play or something?

Yuri: Haha. Very cute. And as I've said before, you know you love it ;)

Wolf: See you tomorrow, Yuri

Yuri: Later, Angel.

Yay! It's finally here! I'm very sorry for the verrrrry long wait! But I hope to make up for it by finishing this and my other story, A Chance at Happiness, within the next couple of weeks. Sorry for the short chapters, but I think I will do better with updates if I keep to shorter chapters from now on. Hope you liked this chapter!