Disclaimer: I don't own Kyou Kara Maou.
Not money made from this fanfiction. For free entertainment purposes only.
9. Struggling
She
They all observed Gwendal who was sitting in front of his desk, his elbows firmly set on the desk, hands clasped before his closed-eyed face, index fingers rubbing the skin between his eyebrows.
"So...Aren't we going to stop them?" Celi asked, her anger still boiling her.
"Mother, your son and the king already left and have arrived on Earth. They are under king Shouri's protection now. Furthermore, knowing Wolfram...he probably left on his free will."
She closed her eyes in exasperation.
"It can't be possible! He was so sick, and so weak...I'm sure the king took advantage of his sickness to convince him to go."
"My lady," Gunter said, "your son has still very much deep feelings for our king. It is perfectly possible to conjecture he decided he wanted some free time with him to sort their problems."
"This is what I thought," Gwendal said, then, "even though I don't think it was a good idea for Wolfram to be blinded by his feelings, again. He should never have followed the king, in my opinion."
Keeping his mouth as closed as he could, his anger and his resentment were tightly kept under control. However, his fist had nearly broken his desk once the fully realisation of Yuuri's act had hit him. Conrad raked his hair with a hazy hand. He was tired and deeply concerned about his godson's actions and what they meant towards Wolf. He would have been happy in other circumstances...yet, Yuuri had been so erratic the last few weeks that Conrad didn't think he realized the way his behaviour appeared to other people.
"You are the king, for the time being," he finally said. Gwendal quickly rose on his feet, weary, and turned to the window, his shadow plastering over his desk.
"He didn't even ask for your opinion," Celi said, her fist shaking. "And now he has Wolfram...And to think Wolfram was getting used to the idea of CANCELLING the engagement and move on! I have had enough of the king manipulating his heart the way he has always done!"
"He did a lot of research for the affairs of the kingdom, from Wolfram's sickness to what is happening on the West," Gunter replied as he finally looked at the ex-Queen whose face still wore a mortified expression. "He suggested Wolfram might have been the target of assassins. For the moment...He may be safer on Earth than here."
"Mph!" Celi lifted her nose in the air, arms crossing elegantly on her belly, "oh, because he would do that solely to protect Wolfram? After the way he treated him! I'm not upset that the king has given me a position in the royal council that could strengthen my own powers: I can help more people and maybe try to salvage a little the damages the king has done recently with his absence and the way he treated his fiancé, so publicly! However, the fact he never consulted us and then ran away like a thief make me hard to believe this was the boy we once rooted for!"
"Mother, you're being harsh against the king," Conrad said, frowning.
"I agree with you, mother," Gwendal retorted, barely looking over his shoulder to address an undecipherable glance at his brother. Conrad sighed.
XXX
Yuuri stepped into the living-room. "Are you ready, Wolf?"
Wolfram inspired a long breath than nodded.
"I am."
He wanted to heal by himself, to recover by his own merit; however the healing was going to be way too long, all things considered. So, putting his pride aside, the ex-prince was ready to welcome Yuuri's healing powers once again in order to go back to his former self.
A genuine smile lit up Yuuri's face. This was a proof of Wolfram opening to him again. He knelt before Wolfram, who sank deeper into the sofa. Yuuri lay his hands above his fiancé's knees. His magic manifested as his usual scintillating blue light: rolling around Wolfram's limbs, it lingered there, a few seconds that he counted carefully. Wolfram's lips let out a sigh of relief and of contentment. He felt his legs again, as though the half of his body had been reattached to the torso. Yuuri pulled back as he scrutinized Wolfram's face, anxiety shaping his features.
"So?...Do you feel better?"
Wolfram shook his legs, apprehensive. "I'd like to walk..."
For three days, the blond had tried to walk, to no avail. Providing him a rolling chair and two canes, Yuuri had covered up his own guiltiness by staying by Wolf's side and aiding him in everything he needed to do.
"Let me help you," Yuuri suggested, raising to a standing position. He held out his forearm. Wolfram looked at him, blinking with surprise, before his eyes dropped on the offered arm. This was a first step to forgiveness for both of them. He rested a shaking hand on Yuuri's arm and against his will, sighed nervously when Yuuri's fingers from his other hand gently rested around his. His skin was so warm! "We're going to use the whole living-room to help you exercising..." Wolfram nodded, flexing his legs and appreciating to feel his knees bending, and have his muscles regaining sensations. Unstable, still quivering, he stood up, slowly but with determination. Yuuri's arm was more than a welcoming help at that point. Wanting to be independent the best he could, Wolfram refused Yuuri holding his two hands.
One, two steps. One for recovering their relationship. Three, four steps. Again to let their feelings being known to each other. A dozen of steps later, and they both very silently thought that there was hope for a new beginning. Without daring to look at one another, the two men kept focusing (maybe a bit with exaggeration) on Wolfram's progress, their cheeks blushing a tiny bit, guessing what the other was thinking, knowing well how much they wanted to say to one another. The courage lacked...but there definitely existed a desire to fix things up and they held on this hope, silently.
"It's great, Wolfram, you seem to recover so well!"
"Thanks, I'm a soldier after all."
"I haven't forgotten."
"You better not. I'd like to run miles now, like I used to...I guess I have to wait a little more."
Just as we must wait for more...between us...I can't believe it...Is it really happening...between me and Yuuri? He glanced at their entangled arms and hands. What a simple gesture but for us, it...
"We can still walk a little before taking the bus for the university and then after giving all the docs for your inscription, we'll buy some food for dinner tonight."
I said "yes" because I want to try again. With Yuuri...Why? After seeing so much relief and even...happiness in his eyes when I agreed to reconcile with him, I won't be able to go back.
"What are we going to eat?"
"I can prepare sushis...and other very traditional Japanese dishes."
"I'd love to taste them! I've seen so many pretty pictures of Japanese food in your mother's books. Your mother promised to teach me to do some of them; I'm eager to cook for the family."
"Okay, next time, we'll do groceries shopping together for a big dinner, would you love that?"
"Yes."
They pulled on their shoes as Wolfram's heart tickled with lightness and even contained joy. The feel of peace of mind and pure happiness had nearly been forgotten. He still could barely smile since life had brought to him disappointment after disappointment lately, yet, for the first time, things seemed to reorganise in a hopeful way for him. Yuuri's attitude had a lot to do in that.
He just wanted to believe it was not fake and not made out of guiltiness only and mostly, not out of pity. However, his memories (Conrad's) kept him from entirely forgiving and believing Yuuri.
They opened the door. The sky was blue, the sun still present and generous in warm rays. Nevertheless there was something autumnal in the air that made Wolfam shiver a little. He was still fragile after all. He did one step and realised with horror and chagrin that he was struggling to even do that without a stick or someone else's hand.
Yuuri observed him from the corner of his eyes. A slow realisation came to his mind. He checked his neighbourhood. He did nothing until they were out of the front yard and unto the pavement.
"Wolf...give me your hand."
Wolfram's green eyes widened and darted around.
"It's all right, Yuuri.I can walk on my own."
"You're struggling to make simple steps; we aren't going to reach the bus station before midnight...I mean I love turtles but we are busy, aren't we-"
Yuuri braced himself, laughing when Wolfram gently punched his upper arm.
"Wimp! You're bragging but wait when I'm healthy and strong again. I will run faster than you."
"Then it'll make me happy again, Wolf," Yuuri said, somewhat seriously before holding out a shaking hand. Wolfram let out a long sigh, softly rubbed Yuuri's upper arm to apologize, and considered his hand.
"Yuuri..." he said, his gaze dropping. "I want to be someone who's self-confident again...and I want to be someone you can rely on, too. For me it has often meant handling things on my own, minding my own business and ask as little help as possible. For years I've told you to resort to our presence, our experiences and our advice to become the king Shin Makoku deserved. We wanted you to become strong by asking our help as much as possible, and letting us to take care of ourselves without receiving any concern from any one else. Today, it's me who needs your help and asking for your help," his eyes took a very pensive shade, "this feels strange to me."
Yuuri pinched his lips against each other. He had lowered his hand during Wolfram's confession but his fingers remained at reach. Wolfram locked their fingers together before they started their stroll.
Yuuri felt his own nervousness reaching new levels when they started to pass in front of his neighbours' houses. He was scared and many questions passed on his mind, like an ever spinning carousel.
What if people saw them? What would they think of Shibuya Yuuri walking hand in hand with another man? Would it explain why they'd never seen Yuuri with a girl before? Their laughter resonated in his imagination. His heart pumping hard in his chest, he kept his eyes on the ground.
Stop being so nervous, Wolfram is going to feel your embarrassment...
The more they walked, the more, though, he didn't care about what people may mutter. Seeing Wolfram struggling to walk at a normal pace made his mind weigh with guiltiness. Somehow, he forgot that he'd thought just a minute earlier that the walk towards the bus station was going to last way too long.
XXX
"Here's your tea, Wolfram," Yuuri handed him a cup full with warm lemon tea. Seating beside the blond man, he was about to enjoy his own cappuccino. The tea's smell made Wolfram smile with delight as he reclined against the step of the staircase he was sitting on. He looked again at the university Yuuri attended, and that himself was about to frequent now that he was officially registered as one of its students. With interest, he noticed students' clubs' stands in the court. He would learn more Japanese and catch up for his short-comings.
"Is this a baseball stand, here?" Wolfram pointed out towards a table surrounded by young men wearing sport uniforms, holding bats, handing tracts to passer-bys.
Yuuri smirked.
"Yep, you're right. In fact they're our rival. My team and theirs have played against one another from time to time. We're getting popular and I think that pisses them off a little. One of them even tried to sabotage my personal locker in the locker room after a match where I made my team win."
Wolfram chuckled, sipping his tea again. "I want to learn about baseball, too, so that I can play against them. They won't dare to attack you ever again."
"You want to learn how to practice baseball," Yuuri asked with a smile. Wolfram raised his eyes, a little smile on the lips.
Yuuri looked at him. Wolfram was breathtakingly handsome. The way his whole face captured the sunlight, the way his features carried relief and a certain amount of calmness made his whole being glow with beauty.
He averted his gaze away, conscious of his act, and not wanting Wolfram to see how deep an impression he left on Yuuri. A thing, there, in the middle of his chest, started to pierce, both painfully...and beautifully. The Earthen world wouldn't set him free, though.
Stupid...You are trying to solve your issues with your relationship. You even want to have more with and from Wolfram...and yet, you're still scared to show him how much he physically...
Their time together was about to be a whole part of Yuuri's life from now onwards. Wolfram would meet his friends, attend some of his parties, go to the same classes. It was exciting and terrifying at the same time. How would Wolfram integrate in his group?...And how would people react to Wolfram? And his sexuality?
The nature of his relationship with Wolfram was not something he wanted to flaunt. He refused to picture people's reactions if they knew the bound that tied them together. At home...he would have to make it clear to Wolf that they couldn't openly speak about their engagement with his friends. Somewhere inside, Yuuri felt like suffocating.
He lifted his gaze towards the cheerful crowd of students and inwardly chuckled: no matter where they were, the same circus started all over again; people gaped at Wolfram's beauty, tapping on their shoulders' friends to make them check the green-eyed man, a lot of whispers. It was amazing the way Wolfram remained completely oblivious to amorous attention; perhaps, he just ignored it.
Yuuri sipped on his drink. This thought pleased him more than he wanted to admit to himself. His gaze drifted towards his fiancé, again, his skin remembering the warmth they had shared.
"Your parents have been very kind to me," Wolfram said, snapping him out of this daydreaming, "I want to buy them presents."
"I'll bring you to an o-miyage shop...I'm still pissed that my brother has given you more money than he has, to me!" Yuuri fainted a sulk.
"Ahah, that's my Earth allowance that I've never used up till now, and the money I have as your fiancé."
They chatted again, with much more lightness when Yuuri's phone rang. Hana. He was about to turn off his cellphone when a familiar silhouette made his heart skip a beat.
She was waving at him from afar, standing near an animated tent sheltering the golf club members.
"Wolf, can you please check your books?" Yuuri said as he handed the books to Wolfram. "I just have something to do over there, I won't be long."
Wolfram shrugged. "Fine, I'll wait you here."
XXX
The space that separated them was quickly shortened. Thanks to the crowd, he was certain Wolfram hadn't seen her. For more precaution, he pushed her behind the tent, which surprised Hana. She didn't let it stop her, though; jumping at Yuuri's neck, she hugged him.
"Yuuri! Hey! It's been a long time!"
Three days actually.
"How are you?" He asked as her perfume bewitched him, as always. She had curled her hair that day, and the wavy style suited her very well.
"Fine! But what about you? Have you been avoiding me? I've tried to call you since the party but you haven't answered to any of my calls."
"I'm sorry...family stuff..."
"Oh really?" she asked, worried. "I hope everything's fine. If I'm of any help, let me know it."
"Thanks, that's so nice. But don't worry, things are getting better."
"Great! Well, I wanted to speak about it: the party was quite horrid, you were not there, and Mikari looked so off during the whole night. Definitely not the best party I've been," she pouted as she took her phone again. "I'll write to Mikari I found you. I drove him here for something he has to look for with a teacher."
"Oh that's why you're here. I was surprised since you don't study in our university," Yuuri said.
"Yeah. Mikari is a bit late with some of his homework. You should talk with him by the way; he's been kind of weird. Anyway," she looked at him again, after finishing her message. "Will you come to my party this Friday? It'll be a lot more intimate, just a few people. Plus, in a few weeks, it's Halloween so the friends and the both of us could plan a special night-out for it."
"Yeah, that sounds great, I'll definitely come. Can I just bring a few friends, though?" he said, eyeing Wolfram as he leaned slightly backward to spot him.
"Of course, but just a few, otherwise it won't be an intimate party any more!" she added, mischievous. "The girls and I want to attend your team's training on Friday a few hours before the party. You better rock that new shirt I bought you the other day."
She shivered as the wind blew stronger this time. Yuuri noticed the goosebumps on her bare arm and shoulder. He slightly stroked it.
"It's going to be autumn soon, take something warm."
"Aw, can I have your scarf then?" she said laughing as she grabbed his silk scarf and rolled it around her shoulders. "Mh, it really looks nice. I don't have a lot in this colour."
"Mhh, okay," Yuuri said jokingly, "I'll lend it to you until Friday."
"Done deal!"
Her phone announced a new message she quickly browsed. She sighed with visible annoyance:
"Mikari won't even greet you, he says he doesn't have time. Well, he's in a hurry so I better go then. See you on Friday, Yuuri," she said, kissing him on the cheek. She winked at him as he smiled at her and watched her leave.
Her friendship was priceless; if Yuuri ever decided to open his heart about his relationship with Wolf and the feelings he had for the blond to someone of his friends' group...he felt that Hana would be the first he'd confide in.
TBC
Thanks for the reviews...I usually don't give spoilers but I just wanted to "answer" some comment in the review section: I wanted to tell Wolfram is not going to flirt with anyone else. He wants to be with Yuuri. Yuuri might get a little bit jealous at some point but that's all, I'm not going to exceed these limits; since they have already too many issues to deal with and Yuuri is still struggling to accept his attraction to Wolfram, they both don't want to add fuel to the fire. In any case, thank you everyone for your attention.
