Chapter 7
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Wolfram sat on the whitewashed bench, mindlessly twirling a small rose between his thumb and forefinger. It was a white rose with a pink blush in the center. The climbing rose bush had been growing very nicely this year—rambling along the trellis and up the frame of the doorway. It needed some pruning, though. So, when a soft petal brushed against the back of his hand, Wolfram took notice, picked the flower, and found a quiet place to admire it until…
"Oi, Wolf!" Yuuri called, stepping lively to join him.
At the sound of his name, the blond raised his head curiously, lifting his chin up and over his shoulder to see not only Yuuri but Greta coming along with… Now, the blond groaned inwardly.
They had a picnic basket.
"Hi, Wolfram!" Greta said with bubbly enthusiasm. "Sorry, we're late. Yuuri had an important meeting to go to and we had to wait on him."
"He…did?" The blond gave a questioning look to Yuuri. But the double black shifted his attention down to his toes.
Something is going on, Wolfram thought wryly. I wonder if he'll tell me.
"So, now… we are READY!" Greta sounded like a cheerleader. All she needed now were little pompoms and a uniform with belled shoes. The picnic basket rattled with cups and plates inside.
Wolfram sighed openly as he tapped his walking stick on the flagstone under his feet. The blond knew that he could only go so far before fatigue set in. It happened to him almost daily, which was frustrating. And, even if he managed to push himself to go as far as their favorite picnic spot under the old apple tree, it would still be no good. He wouldn't be able to make it back on foot.
"I'm sorry, Greta. This is a wonderful idea, but I just can't do it."
It was really painful to say that. He hated disappointing her. But the truth was the truth. And, in time, she would have figured it out on her own anyway. It was just easier to cut to the chase.
"Yes, you can," Yuuri said cheerfully, taking Wolfram by his free hand and leading him back indoors.
"What are you doing?" Wolfram asked as the hand tugged him merrily along with a swinging motion. He could keep up easy enough but he was still confused…and indoors. Yes, confused and indoors…for a picnic…which made absolutely no sense to him.
Yuuri could see all the way down to the end of the hallway and noticed an unusually large group of people heading in their direction. Maybe, a meeting just let out. But the problem was too many people all wanting a quick word with him. Yuuri just didn't have time for that. Usually, he would make the time to chat and be friendly. But, not now. Too much was going on. The double black looked to the guards stationed on either side of Gwendal's office door and chose the tall, ape-like fellow on the right. "Excuse me," he said and the man suddenly stood at attention, saluting. "Uh…yeah," Yuuri went on, putting a hand behind his head and grinning sheepishly. "I need you to help me go to," and he whispered the rest in a way Wolfram couldn't make out.
"Yes, sir!" and the four of them trudged with purpose down the hall. Well, except for Greta, who scrambled her little legs to keep up. But she was having fun with it and hauling lunch, too. So, it didn't matter.
An adventure, especially with Wolfram and Yuuri, was well worth it.
"It's the king and his fiancé!" and "Yuuri Heikas!" were all chimed in their direction—voices mixed and scrambled as they went along. Yuuri caught a glimpse of Wolfram's men, too—including Chadwick and Luca.
"Gotta go! So sorry! Lunch meeting!" Yuuri returned with a firmer grip on Wolfram's hand. The blond glanced at it but told himself this was nothing. This whole plan, whatever it was, was probably screwed up, too. So, the lower the expectations he had, the better. He just prayed that it would be over soon. Then, he could go on with his life.
Suddenly, Wolfram's hand stopped tugging him forward and he glanced curiously at Yuuri's face. The double black felt smug. Yes, smug. And Wolfram was confused and the look was absolutely adorable. Or, at least, it was from Yuuri's viewpoint.
The guard opened the door. This gave Yuuri the opportunity to, once more, tug the blond along. Once inside, Greta closed the door behind them—rubbing a palm over her perspiring brow.
"It's time for bed," Yuuri laughed and pointed to Greta to set things up.
"Bed? I thought this was supposed to be a picnic," Wolfram pondered out loud as he scanned The Royal Bedroom. Nothing had changed. Everything was the way he'd left it weeks ago. But, still, it felt weird just being here again and even more so as Greta climbed onto the mammoth canopy bed and started spreading out the red and white picnic blanket they always sat on.
"I know you get tired easily," Yuuri explained in a low voice so Greta couldn't hear, "but she needs you right now. She needs to see that you're going to be okay." He toed the antique carpet uncomfortably with his foot. "I'm sorry if I sprung this on you. You're not a big fan of surprises."
"True, I've had very few good ones."
Wolfram glanced over to a very happy child who was humming to herself while placing a full bottle of apple cider on Wolfram's nightstand along with three glasses. Plates of sandwiches, fried chicken, cut veggies, potato salad, and Wolfram-shaped butter cookies were fanned out, ready for the taking.
"This is so great, Yuuri!" She grinned widely, taking out the silverware. "An 'in bed' picnic! And Wolfram's never let us eat in bed before." A happy little wiggle followed.
The blond looked to Yuuri again. "No, actually… I think it will be a lot of fun." Then, with an impish grin, he added, "And you'll have to sleep in the crumbs tonight, Yuuri."
"Always the optimist… huh, Wolfram?"
"That's me," he agreed, propping his walking stick against the wall and hopping over to the side of the bed he used to sleep on. He sat down on the edge and then climbed in to be closer to Greta. "So, my princess, what shall we start with?" Wolfram asked, eyeing the food.
A girlish giggle was followed by the offering of a finger sandwich on a plate.
Yuuri couldn't help but glow inwardly as he approached the bed. It was good to be back together like this—very good.
It was the door closing a bit too firmly that got Yuuri's attention, the sound startling him awake. He woke up groggily, giving the top of his head a good, hard scratch. His stomach was more than full and he had a half glass of his drink still on his nightstand. But the rest of the meal had been cleared away. Apparently, Greta had packed up everything back into the basket and was returning it to the kitchen, closing the door behind her.
Lying peacefully on the bed next to him was Wolfram. Not surprisingly, the blond had a full belly, too, and had drifted off somewhere between the cookies and a conversation between Greta and the double black about the way a turnstile worked in Japan.
A faint snore. Soft breathing.
Wolfram was exactly where he was supposed to be, Yuuri had decided. For the first time in a very long time, the blond was sleeping in their bed, fingers laced together on his chest. Seeing Wolf in his notorious, pink nightie would have put everything back to rights—or, firmly on the path to that—but it could wait. Just knowing that he could bring Wolfram back to this room, back to their family moments together. That would be enough for now.
The double black scooted a little closer when Wolfram mumbled "Yuuri?" in his sleep. Was he having a dream…a dream about them?
He cocked his head to the side, watching.
What kind of dream was it?
Wolfram stretched and rolled over onto his side, now facing the double black as he slept.
"Y-u-u-r-i…"
That was when he noticed that Greta had not taken the red and white picnic blanket—probably because they were both still sleeping on it. Now, the edge draped over the blond's shoulder gracefully.
He looked more than appealing… But, that dream!
Yuuri felt more than a little uncomfortable at the different thoughts which came to mind in answering that question. He wasn't ready for all of that—from anyone. Intimacy. He knew it and that was what he was running away from, wasn't it? It was easier keeping everything in place, in routine, than to take a leap of faith. Change wasn't what he wanted. Worse yet, change was a frightening thing.
What if things don't work out?
What if his feelings weren't real or real enough? What if he pushed Wolfram away, hurting him with promises withdrawn?
What if he wasn't good enough?
Plus, Wolfram having that kind of dream would be awkward for them both—especially if the blond knew that he knew.
Yuuri bit his bottom lip. It would be embarrassing for any guy, ya know?
Wolfram rolled away, onto his back once more, and his head fell heavily to the side. His breathing became more like sobs, mouth turned down. Yuuri looked at him now, troubled.
"Wolf?"
Wolfram's lithe, beautiful form lay before him. There was always an enchanting aura about him. It was something that always drew attention, whether the blond liked it or not. But, now, there was something broken about him, too. It was more than a butterfly with a torn wing.
Much, much more than that.
A large tear fell from the corner of Wolfram's eye and streaked across the bridge of his nose. "…To say…goodbye…" Wolfram sighed.
Yuuri shook his head. "No, Wolf," he whispered back. "We were having so much fun. I wasn't saying 'goodbye.' I was trying to get us together…make new memories… Remember what I said back in the bath?"
Wolfram's pale face had a crying blush to it and Yuuri found himself gently wrapping his arms around Wolfram, repositioning his body to be closer. And, then, he tucked the blanket around them both, trying to be of comfort. "Your dream is a sad one, huh? I don't know whether to wake you or not. You need the sleep, but…"
Wolfram buried his face into Yuuri's chest, tears still falling softly. Yuuri could feel his black jacket soaking through with small, warm droplets.
"Wolf, I'm so sorry… I really thought it was some other kind of dream." And, as he petted and smoothed blond hair, it occurred to him that had it been any other kind of dream, he would probably have left Wolfram alone without giving it a second thought.
"I'm kind of new at this, you know. I've never had to console anyone except Greta. And, if you'll remember, I wasn't all that good in the beginning." He held Wolfram closer to him. "Forgive me for my mistakes…okay? Please?"
And, with that, Yuuri decided to get some sleep on his own. He wouldn't let go of Wolfram, though—not until his dream ended and a new, a better one, came in its place.
The scent was familiar and the warmth a deep comfort. This was the best nap that Wolfram had taken in weeks. Strangely, he had a vague sense that it had not started out that way. There was a sketchy memory of a dream—a dream made up entirely of emotions, one strung after the other like pearls. Mostly, the dream was about his true way of thinking and was candid in many respects, even if he was not ready to face any of them.
But, now that he was awake—maybe, not quite alert, but "awake" nonetheless—everything was fading fast.
Wolfram tried to move only to realize that he was lying on his back with Yuuri half on top of him, nuzzled into his neck with a "cat has cream" smile and an arm slung over his chest. "Wha-?" The ex-prince raised a delicate eyebrow. Yuuri must have rolled over in his sleep and not realized.
Dolt… Once he wakes and sees this, I wonder what kind of expression he will have…?
A cuddle. A snore steaming up his neck leaving behind a prickly feeling.
Green eyes narrowed. "Okay…Let's find out," Wolfram said to himself, patting Yuuri on the back and, then, shaking the shoulder when he didn't open his eyes fast enough. "Yuuri? Yuuri?" He said the name harshly. "Get up. Shinou only knows what time it is. Come on…"
"Hmm?" A mumble of protest followed from the double black as he shifted his body slightly. The red and white blanket which, for some reason, was only covering their legs, slid down a bit more.
"Now!"
With a scowl, Yuuri opened one eye. "Sleeping'…go back to sleep, Wolf. Who cares what time it is."
Wolfram flopped his left arm against the mattress and his head into the goose down pillow, sending up a single feather. "Y-u-u-r-i." He said the name lowly and with dark purpose. "Do you have any idea what you're doing? Hmm?"
Still dozing, he buried his nose in Wolfram's armpit and the blond stiffened immediately, eyes bulging wide. He muffled, "I think I'm sleeping, Wolf…told ya…" He exhaled and the blond felt that, too. He fought the urge to squirm.
"Please remove your nose and the rest of yourself from my person," Wolfram stated in the most formal Mazoku tongue he could muster.
Groggily, Yuuri lifted his head up, lowered it, and pressed his chin on Wolfram's chest. "What's up, Wolf? I'm pretty much awake now…all thanks to you."
The blond would have folded his arms against his chest defensively had that pointy chin not been there, digging in sharply, and the double black's body pressing down. Wolfram pruned his lips together for a moment, gathering his wits. "Look at yourself, Yuuri. Look where you are," he gritted out before wincing.
"Huh?" Yuuri returned stupidly. And, then it hit him—where he was, what he was doing. "Whoa! Sorry, Wolf!"
Black eyes apologetic, aimed only at him.
Wolfram thought he had prepared himself for that reaction. Apparently, his walls weren't thick enough. It was a blow to him and he made a tight fist, digging in his nails. It was for the best, he knew. He'd told himself that a hundred times that his feelings were hopeless, one-sided. But, it still cut him somewhere inside. He glanced away, trying not to show it.
However, Yuuri saw.
"I'm sorry!" He bolted upright, palms waving defensively. "I'm so, so, so…sorry, Wolf!"
Wolfram shook his head at that. "Saying 'I'm sorry' only makes it worse."
Yuuri's jaw dropped a little bit. "Seriously? You mean it?"
Then, to the blond's utter amazement, he could feel fingers unbuttoning the casual white shirt he had on. All Wolfram could do, for that instant, was just lie there—stunned—and wonder "what the hell" had gotten into the double black.
Button.
Button.
Down.
Down.
Fingers fumbling, rushing to get the job done. Fingers brushing against material, opening it more and more.
The last one was unbuttoned and the material unceremoniously thrown back. The shirt was now open and his bare chest revealed. Wolfram could feel a definite chill from the room and shivered. And with the way Yuuri's eyes were taking him in, all the blond could do was blush and look away.
It was too embarrassing.
A gasp of surprise. He arched his back in reflex.
"Y-Yuuri?" Wolfram held his breath when he felt the double black's fingers brush against his skin, exploring it. This was bold, even for Yuuri.
Yuuri traced the pink scar on Wolfram's chest with the tip of a finger. "I didn't mean to hurt you! I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to be rough when I was on you. Is the pain bad?"
Green eyes looked confused. "Eh?"
"Let me help. I really think I can do this now." Hovering his hands over the thick scar, Yuuri produced a green glow. It felt like warm water was being poured onto his skin. A slight tingly feeling sunk deep inside, searching for physical pain. "I wish I could heal this scar, Wolf." Yuuri's voice was sincere, caring. "I wish I could undo everything that happened…make it all go away."
And, then, Wolfram realized. "Oh, I see. I understand now." The confusion was gone and so was the blush that had accompanied it.
"You…do?" The healing glow vanished.
"Yeah," Wolfram said, raising his right hand and brushing away a stray strand of black hair from Yuuri's face. "But, you did your best for me…right? And that's all that matters."
"Not enough," he confessed and dove forward for another hug. He took the blond into his arms again, holding him close.
It felt strange—his bare chest against Yuuri's clothed one.
Still…
Wolfram sighed, patting Yuuri on the back again with much more patience than before. "Since when did you become so clingy…especially with me? I don't seem to remember you being like that."
A hard question with an even more difficult answer. "Since I…y-you know…"
"Almost lost me?" the blond ventured. It was guilt; pure and simple. How many times were they going to go through this? First, in the baths and, now, in bed.
"Umm…yeah."
Wolfram's words were true, he had to admit. That's what started it all…or, at least, it seemed so. But holding onto Wolfram felt right and all was good in the world when he did it. It was a secure feeling not unlike "home" with the exception that, now, he didn't want to take that for granted.
"Well, in time, things will be different. But, they will be okay, too."
Yuuri smiled against Wolfram's neck. "That sounds like something you'd tell Greta."
Wolfram hugged Yuuri back with soft, reassuring pats. "I have…a hundred times…and I've always been right."
"Wolf?"
"Hm?"
He closed his eyes and whispered a sincere "Thank you."
Wolfram's voice was warm, too. "You're welcome."
The room fell into silence for a moment and then:
"Wolf?"
"Yes?"
Yuuri settled down next to the blond but wouldn't think of letting go, arms still possessive. "Would it be okay for us to be like this? Just for a little while, I mean."
The blond struggled to keep from smirking at the request. He wasn't surprised at it—considering the position they were in at the moment. "Sure, if it makes you happy."
"Does it make you…happy?" Yuuri asked reluctantly. "Maybe, kinda…? I mean, I'm fine and all because…if you're fine with it…I think and…you know, if not…"
Wolfram sliced a look at him. "Shut up and hold me, Wimp."
"Thank you!"
"Whatever."
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Author's Note: If you would like the recipe for "Wolfram" cookies, just let me know. Baking is a hobby of mine.
