Man reading my previous author's notes I've realized how cringey I am about conyuu/fanfiction but sorry-not-sorry. Also, yes, in case you were already thinking this but this story definitely has strayed from my previous plot, but I think that's what makes this storyline even more delicious. Also, prepare your heart and souls people, because something's going to happen next chapter (:
Also y'all can thank AiFire for commenting on this fic and reminding me again of its existence and making me get off my butt and actually post this chapter that I had already half written.
Also also... I love you guys, I hope you're living the best lives out there
Another moment of tense silence goes by. Yuri feels wholly uncomfortable, and wants to look anywhere but at those brown eyes, wants to be anywhere than on his bed. But he can't move, he's just frozen, locked into those warm eyes with his own wide ones. Another minute passes, another hour, another eternity, before a fit of laughter escapes his godfather, catching the king completely off guard, and rendering him also utterly confused before he manages to catch onto what was so funny. But when he does, the knot that was entangled in the king's stomach suddenly dissipates, leaving the teenager feeling light.
Yuri pouted, "Conrad that wasn't funny at all. At. All." He said, deliberately drawling the last two words.
Conrad sat down next to the king on the bed, giving his black hair a good ruffle. "Forgive me hei-Yuri. I suppose it was a bad time to have made a joke." His godfather gave him an apologetic look, asking for his forgiveness.
Yuri's cheeks seemed to have puffed up even more if possible. "Mou, you almost gave me a heart attack! What would've happened if I had died? Or worse what if I had said something like, 'I don't reciprocate your feelings but I'd be willing to give the relationship a try'. That would've been so embarassing on my part, me being all serious about it when you were just kidding."
To Yuri's dismay, that caught the soldier's attention, with his eyebrows raised, Conrad asked, "you would've accepted? You would've dated me even though you don't have feelings for me?"
Yuri turned red, "um-well, you're my godfa- you're very important to me, of course I owe it to you to at-least give it a go and see how it turns out you know? I mean you're an amazing person! Anyone would be lucky to date you, and I mean anyone. Anyone. Now that we're on this topic actually I mean I know we've already talked about this -numerous times- but how do you still not have a girlfriend? Or I mean boyfriend... if that's what you're into. But like you're you! You're basically the ideal! Perfection incarnate! Do you want me to arrange something? I could totally do that, if it was for you. It could even be fun! Playing matchmaker-"
Conrad just shook his head gently, placing his hand on Yuri's knees to get him to ease his ramblings. "I'm happy as is Yuri, but thank you."
Yuri looked down at his hand, at the gentle sign of comfort and normality and everything- that-is-and-should-be-right-is-right-between-them, and he gave Conrad such a bright and untattered smile that it made Conrad's heart break seeing it.
"What... what about Anver? How are you doing Conrad? What about your soldiers? How do they- what do they... are you going to be okay?" Yuri finally asked, giving up his numerous other concerns to voicing his most important one, worried that Conrad might lose the respect of his soldiers just because of some lies that Anver had made up.
Conrad gave Yuri the same reassuring smile that he always does. "Don't worry about Anver. He's taken care of. As for my men... well let's just say I would be ashamed to call them my men if they were to be swayed by something as hearsay as this."
"So you're okay? Everything will be fine?" Yuri asked, his big black eyes looking up to Conrad... so expectant...so innocent and inexperienced... and so painfully young.
Conrad smiled again, but this time it was slightly strained. "Yes."
The moment Yuri left the room, Conrad's face fell, thinking about his exchange with Yuri. Young, too painfully young. No matter in what aspect- Yuri is just a budding flower right now, someone that still needs to be guided, in order to flourish one day, and to become great. Because Conrad knows that Yuri has what it takes to be great. That should be Conrad's priority- protecting his king, and guiding his king when it's needed. Nothing else, nothing more, and nothing less. Conrad sighed, dragging his hand over his face. The conversation with Yuri honestly... scared him: when Yuri said that even though the king didn't have any romantic feelings he would still date the soldier. It made Conrad realize just how easy it would be to take advantage of the king, how easy it would be to lead Yuri astray. It made him feel even more disgusted with himself. It made him realize just how crucial it would be to not let his feelings ever be discovered by the king, or else the teenage would try his best to reciprocate. It was too easy to let the words slip, to let the feelings flood open the gates. It was his mistake. A mistake that would've costed him and Yuri everything. Conrad needed to keep his distance, so as something like this would never happen again.
The moment Yuri left the room, Yuri breathed out a sigh of relief. Thank god... everything is okay. Anver may have been a terrible drunk, but he made Yuri realize one thing- just how important respect was for someone like Conrad who was in charge of entire quadrants of soldiers. He needed to be someone the soldiers could look up to, he needed to be a symbol of strength and honor; he needed to be untouchable, untainted. Yuri couldn't let anything like this happen again to his godfather, in case one of these times it does ruin Conrad. Especially not when Conrad was the one person who deserved the most respect, the most love and care in the world. Yuri would need to be more careful, to keep his distance, so nothing like this would ever happen again. Conrad's integrity will never be questioned again. Never. This event put his previous worries back on Earth into perspective- they almost seemed childish now. Yuri needs to be a king. A king. A king. A king through and through. This was his responsibility to carry, ever since he put the crown on his head. He needs to grow up, and put the worries of the crown and court before himself and any silly worries that he might have.
