It had been four days since Ceodore and Kain fled Baron; it was only on the second day that Cecil finally realised they were gone, and for a few moments he seemed genuinely panicked, but then he had just sighed and gone about his business as usual. He and Rosa were still barely speaking and still slept apart from each other. Rosa was so pure of heart that she had never hated anybody, but she felt close to hating her own husband for his disgraceful actions. She had not yet told him that her pregnancy was planned so Ceodore would be spared unhappiness later in life, being forced to wed a woman he would never love. She only wanted the best for her Ceodore, and right now, the best was Kain.

But where had they gone? Rosa stood looking out of the window of West Tower, hoping to see something that might help her figure out where her son had run off to. The only way he and Kain could have gone was north, but they would never get further than Mist unless they scaled the mountains, which Rosa thought would be unlikely, since Ceodore was not confident with climbing. She came to the conclusion they were either in the woods or taking refuge in Mist; either way, Cecil showed no interest in finding them at all. She had yelled at him for this, but all he did was continue with his paperwork.

I hope they're safe…

Rosa was jolted out of her reverie by the sound of the door opening, though she did not turn round as Cecil strode in. He blinked a few times when he saw her. "So you finally see fit to grace our room," he said.

"Cut the sarcasm," she replied coldly, placing her hands on the window ledge. "I didn't come up here to be sneered at."

"So what did you come up here for?"

"To be a good mother and keep an eye out for my child!" she cried as she whirled round, making Cecil flinch. "I don't know what's gotten into you these past few days, but it's almost like you're not the Cecil I married!"

"I'm still the same person," he replied harshly, still stood near the door with folded arms.

"The Cecil I know and love is not a close-minded hypocrite."

Cecil's jaw clenched. "Will you stop calling me a hypocrite, Rosa? I tire of your repeated insults."

"Repeated truths!" Rosa turned to the window again and held back a gasp as she saw a little plume of smoke rising from the mountains near Mist. Are they there? Oh, thank goodness they're close to home! "Cecil, when you became King, do you know what the townspeople gossiped about? You and Kain! Some had seen you two together when you were younger, but did they judge you for it? No! What makes you think they will do the same for Ceodore? Or is Kain right, and you are just jealous of your own son?"

Cecil's face drained of the little colour it had. "I never knew they talked about that…" he whispered.

"Well, they did! And now you toss your son and best friend aside, as if to replace Ceodore with our future child!" Rosa spun round to face her husband and lay a hand on her stomach. "Do you know the reason I fell pregnant?"

Cecil frowned. "You desired a second child. That much I can deduce."

"Partly that, and partly because you cannot force Ceodore to have children of his own! I'm giving you another heir! Are you happy now, Cecil? Or does nothing make you happy these days?" Cecil turned even whiter at this news, his blue eyes so wide they looked close to popping out. He reached for a chair and collapsed into it, head in his hands. "You did this…for Ceodore?" he whispered.

"Yes. I would rather carry on our family name in an appropriate way, and forcing Ceodore to marry is not acceptable. I told Ceodore I would try for another baby, both to satisfy my broody urges and to make his life easier, not to mention he often tells me he would like a sibling." Rosa sat down on the bed and leaned forward, hoping Cecil was beginning to understand. "Do you see now? I knew how you felt for Kain, but it never stopped me loving you. Likewise, you can still love Ceodore as your son. Don't carry this on any longer, Cecil…please. I want my boy to come home. How can he do that, knowing his father resents him?"

"I don't resent him," Cecil muttered through clenched teeth. "I did not ask him to run away. The Red Wings were due to fly again soon, and without Kain, they cannot. I have had to put word out that they are both ill, which is why nobody has seen them. I suppose you heard from the castle staff, since you have not spoken to me for two days."

"Yes, I did. Nobody seems to be suspicious."

"That, I am thankful for. They cannot have gone far, which is why I haven't worried myself half to death, unlike you. Ceodore cannot stay away much longer; he will run out of supplies before long. He will have to come home."

"Will you punish him?" Rosa asked, an edge of panic creeping into her voice.

"No…what good would come of it? He would hate me, and Kain would most likely attack me again." He rubbed the welt on his cheek that had sprung up after Kain struck him. Rosa suddenly felt a twinge of sympathy and rose to approach Cecil, threading a hand through his hair. He sighed and turned his head, leaning in and resting it in her bosom, his arms slowly winding round her waist. "I have missed your touch these past few days…"

"I would not have had to withhold it from you had you not turned on Ceodore and Kain. You should be happy for them."

"It's just…Kain is so much older than Ceodore! I worry he will take advantage of our son."

"Kain is not like that. Ceodore already gave me his word that he and Kain would not engage in such acts till Ceodore turns seventeen." Rosa stroked a few candyfloss strands back from Cecil's face and tucked them behind his ear. "I think I know where they are; I will go in the morning to see them."

"You will do no such thing," Cecil replied, shaking his head. "I can't have you traipsing around after them while you carry our child."

Rosa rolled her eyes. "Cecil, you idiot. I'm only two months pregnant; I can handle a little trip."

"I would rather you-"

"Listen to me for once! I want to see my son, and nothing you say will sway me, understand? In the morning I am going to go and look for him and Kain."

Cecil sighed, but then he nodded and nestled closer to his wife. "Very well…then you had best get some sleep. Will you return to Ceodore's room?"

"If you want me to stay with you tonight, I will."

"Please do…I hate sleeping alone."

"Okay…I'll stay." Rosa let go of Cecil and went back to the window, scanning the mountains for the plume of smoke she spotted earlier. She had no trouble finding it, and she also thought she saw a flicker of a fire. Near the waterfall…okay, I know where to go.

"Still looking?" Cecil asked mildly, in the process of removing his armour.

"Just memorising where I need to go."

"Have you done so?"

"I think so."

"Why don't you come to bed then?"

"I'll be there in a minute." Rosa continued to watch the mountains, but saw no sign of Ceodore or Kain, just the smoke and occasional flash of orange. She turned away from the window with a sigh and crossed the room to rummage in a drawer for her nightdress, vaguely aware of Cecil's eyes on her the whole time. "Don't get any ideas," she said over her shoulder.

"I wasn't," he replied. "Can't a man look at his wife?"

"I'll give you that one," she said in a muffled voice, her dress halfway over her head. Cecil chuckled and deposited his armour at the foot of their bed, then pulled off his tunic and clambered into bed, still watching Rosa. He had tried to hide it, but he had missed not seeing her as much over the past four days (not to mention he was horny as hell!). Rosa eventually came over to the bed and slid in with her husband; he smiled warmly and tugged her closer. Rosa noticed Cecil had not apologised for his behaviour towards Ceodore, but if he was letting her see him in the morning, it looked like he was going to accept his son's relationship. With that thought in her mind, Rosa drifted off to sleep in her husband's arms.

Ceodore woke early next morning, startled by the warm breath on the back of his neck. What the…? He turned round, then smiled, remembering Kain lay next him, deep in slumber. He and Ceodore had slept in the same room or tent before, during their travels last year, and admittedly, once they had woken up nestled into each other, but they passed it off as a silly mistake, though even then they were both in love with each other.

Ceodore pushed a little hair back from Kain's face and examined his sleeping partner. Kain's eyelashes fluttered every now and then, his breathing deep and even and lips slightly parted. The younger boy couldn't resist the temptation to kiss those beautiful lips, and he did so, a fleeting brush, but it was enough to wake light sleeper Kain, who raised a hand to the back of Ceodore's head, pulling him in for another kiss. "Good morning," he mumbled against Ceodore's lips. Ceodore chuckled and settled down in Kain's arms, stroking the older man's chest with soft fingers. "Did you sleep well?" Ceodore asked him.

"Not so bad…you had a nightmare, though. Your shouts woke me in the night." Ceodore shivered; he remembered his nightmare all too well. He had returned home, only to find that his father had still refused to accept his love for Kain and sent him away so they would never see each other again. Ceodore quickly blinked back tears and shook his head. "It's okay," he muttered. "I'm fine. Did I keep you up for ages?"

"No…you settled down after a few minutes, though you continued to cry. I felt so sorry for you…" Kain hugged Ceodore's shivering body closer. "Don't worry, nothing will touch you while I'm with you."

"Thank you, Kain…" Ceodore smiled. "I feel so safe when I'm with you…"

"I would rather have my body torn apart before anything could even get near you. Now I have something to protect, I'll fight to ensure I still can. You mean the world to me, Ceodore. I love you."

"And I you." Ceodore leaned up to capture Kain's lips in a soft, passionate kiss, gasping against the older man's mouth when he shifted their positions, gently laying Ceodore on his back so he could lean over him and kiss him with more ferocity. Though Kain was mindful of Ceodore's age, he could not help his hands wandering over his body, slipping up his tunic to brush over toned muscles; warm, smooth skin. Ceodore groaned softly; he loved it when Kain touched him, though he respected Rosa's wish and never ventured where he shouldn't. Eventually Kain pulled his mouth from Ceodore's and smiled down at him gently. "You really are beautiful," he murmured. "Fate smiled upon me when I met you."

"You're too kind, Kain." Ceodore could feel himself blushing, as he always did when Kain commented on his so-called 'beauty.' He couldn't see it himself, but when he looked at Kain, he found him beautiful. He barely noticed his scarred face and greying hair. Kain had aged well despite the trauma he had endured in his life, acquiring only a few lines across his forehead, and he had retained his youthful features and the glittering brown eyes Ceodore had fallen in love with when they first met. At first, they were all he could see of Kain, since he kept his face covered, but of course he removed his headgear whenever they slept and Ceodore had instantly been drawn to Kain and the aura of mystery that surrounded him.

"Ceodore…?"

"Huh? What?"

"You've gone off with the fairies."

"Oh…sorry." Ceodore shook his head with a grin. He loved thinking back to their travels together. Kain chuckled at his partner and lifted a flap of the tent, peering out. "Nice morning," he murmured. "Are you hungry, Ceodore?"

"Ravenous!"

"Come on then." He took Ceodore's hand and led him out of the tent- they were fully dressed as the night had been cold- towards the dying embers of the fire, over which still hung the pot Kain had been cooking in previously. Kain set about ladling the stew into bowls while Ceodore went over to the waterfall and splashed water over his face to refresh himself. Despite what had happened four days ago, he was content and happy now, and Kain seemed right at home as well. Kain called him back over and they sat down to eat. "What should we do today?" Ceodore asked. "I mean, what did you do, holed up in mountains?"

"A lot of things, surprisingly," Kain laughed. "We can go for a little trek later, if you want. I'll show you a few little places I know."

"That sounds nice…wait!" Ceodore's head snapped up sharply. "Did you hear that?" It was like a rock had fallen somewhere.

"Stay where you are." Kain reached for his bow, moving very slowly. He stood and fitted an arrow onto the string, peering round the mouth of the cave. There was a crunch of gravel and a short cry. "Who's there?" Kain called.

"Oh, thank goodness!" a voice cried. "I've found you!"

Ceodore gasped. "Mother!" He stood and hurried to the edge of the mountain, holding out a hand to Rosa. A few moments later she clambered over, looking a little worse for wear and tired out, but very pleased. "What are you doing here?" Ceodore asked, giving her a tight hug. Kain smiled and lowered his bow, breathing a sigh of relief.

"I couldn't just sit at home and twiddle my thumbs!" Rosa replied, patting Ceodore on the head. "I just had to come and find you, and make sure you and Kain were okay."

"How's Father?"

"He's fine. He seems to have cheered up a little." Rosa looked over to the ashy remains of the fire and the two bowls. "Oh! Did I disturb anything?"

"We were just having breakfast," Kain said, in the process of putting his bow away. "Are you hungry?"

"A little," Rosa admitted, "but I couldn't-"

"Be quiet," laughed Ceodore. He took his mother's arm and led her over to where they had sat. "You need to eat all you can for your baby!"

"Well, I suppose…yes." Ceodore sat her down and Kain passed her a bowl. "So, how are you two holding up? I've been so worried!"

"We're doing okay," Ceodore grinned. "Kain's showed me a lot about mountain life, and it's pretty comfy up here!"

"Are you sleeping well?"

"Yeah." Ceodore smiled at Kain. "I've got Kain to keep me safe."

"I'm glad." Rosa paused to have a few mouthfuls of stew, wiping her mouth afterwards. "It really isn't the same without you two at home. I said Cecil has cheered up, but he's still pretty annoying. I didn't have to sneak out to come here though; he let me come of my own free will."

"Does that mean he's any closer to accepting us?" Kain asked.

"I can't say for sure…but what will you do if he doesn't?"

Kain sighed. "We've talked about it. Ceodore cannot stay away forever, as he has a duty to his kingdom, but if Cecil continues to be hostile towards us…I couldn't stay, knowing Cecil will not allow me to be with Ceodore, so we decided I will leave if the problem escalates." Kain looked over at Ceodore, whose eyes were watery and fixed firmly on the floor. "It's not a pleasant thought, but what else could we do? It would be best for me to leave Baron altogether."

"I won't allow that to happen," Rosa said firmly. "I can see how happy you make Ceodore, and it would be inhuman to force you apart. Rest assured, I will beat some sense into Cecil if it comes to it."

Kain nodded. Ceodore murmured, "Thanks, Mother…"

"That's okay, son."

"When do you think we are able to come home?" Kain asked, pushing his now empty bowl aside.

"I'm not sure, but Ceodore's birthday is in less than two weeks now and I'll not have you two stuck up here for that. You'll be home by then, hopefully much sooner." Rosa smiled at the couple. "I'm glad you've coped so well up here, though don't you think running away was a little unnecessary?"

"I didn't want to stay where Father would come down on me like a ton of bricks!"

"And I can't imagine he was too happy with me hitting him."

"Actually, he hasn't said anything about it, though you left him with a big lump on his cheek!"

"Whoops."

"He deserved it," Rosa replied, waving a hand. "I may sound harsh, but he did deserve it. And about the running away…I suppose I do see where you're coming from, but you caused a great deal of trouble for your father, Ceodore, coming up with a cover story! Word's out that you're both ill, so when you come home, act as if you were!"

"Oh, man." Ceodore rubbed a hand over his face. "So he's pretending me and Kain are- oh, what an idiot. That means we can't even go into town for supplies now."

"Not to worry," his mother said brightly, "I brought some things up with me to keep you going awhile." She slid her pack off her shoulder and opened the top of it. "Now, I know you've got enough blankets because when I checked both your rooms, they were bare…so I thought I'd bring up a lamp, with some oil as well…you can hunt well up here?"

"Yes."

"Okay, good, otherwise I would have gone back home and wrapped up some meat, but I realised you'd have nothing to go with whatever you're eating here, so I brought a good supply of vegetables and seasoning as well- oh, there's two loaves of bread here and some cheese- the head chef was very generous, though I didn't tell him what I needed them for!" She laughed lightly. "What else did I bring…oh yes, some Potion and Ether, just in case you're hurt…and I swiped one of Cecil's wine bottles, though Ceodore's only allowed a little!"

"Awww, Mother! I'm almost-"

"Yes, almost. So, Kain, he's only to have a little, okay?"

"No problem."

"I think that's it…" She closed the pack and shoved it against the wall.

"Thanks a lot," Ceodore grinned. "What would we do without you, eh?"

"Well, you were doing brilliantly, just the two of you, but I couldn't leave my baby without something from his mother!"

"You really are too kind, Rosa," Kain said gratefully. "What you've brought will make our stay much more enjoyable."

"Oh, it's my pleasure!" Rosa giggled. "You know I just love to help!" She fiddled in an inside pocket of her cloak and withdrew a small package, which she proceeded to unwrap. "Just excuse me while I feed the addiction…"

Ceodore fell about laughing. "You brought potato sticks up here with you?" Rosa just smirked and crunched one with a shrug.