Title: Looking Back
Author: Infectious Mike
Prompt: Young
Category: Fire Emblem
Genre: Romance, Hurt/Comfort, Angst
Character/Pairing: Ranulf/Kyza
Warning(s): Homophobic parents. Sad Ranulf. Sexual content

A/N: Plot bunnies took over again. Sorry for the oh so long 3-4 day wait. I was busy cosplaying Abarai Renji from Bleach. And to make up for the wait I made this one longer than all the rest. Enjoy it.

Herr Wozzeck: Yesh we do love Ranulf when he's more cheery. And they do, I support almost any pairing with Ranulf...

Rayestar Ikina: Depressed Ranulf is like the end of the world cause he's always so smiley, unless Skrimir does something stupid, like trying to take on the (insert spoiler alert) Begnion Central Army. Ranulf was right to try to smack him a few times.

forgotten hyoshi: Yeah I know...damn summer reading projects. Thanks.

bitbyboth: I'm glad you think so because out of all the 60+ characters, Ranulf is the ONLY single character I really love adore and want to kidnap. Sorry for the long update but it's here finally I hope you like it.

Okay so on the last chapter I said it'd be two weeks. I lied cause I already finished what I needed to do which I thought would be two weeks, but ended up being a few days. Which is why I took so long with this one. ANYWAYS, point being I will not be gone for two weeks and I will continue with this as planned unless something happens to my computer which would suck...a lot. Also, school starts for me next friday (shit fuck damn) SO That being said I won't be able to write as much as I'd like until about November-December cause thats when I get my laptop that I can bring to school. So, basically I'll be writing a lot until school starts, then taking breaks every so often, and then writing a lot more from November till next school year. 3

Ranulf sighed, his palm holding his head up as he sat in front of his house on the stairs with the door cracked open. He could hear yelling from inside. His parents were having another argument concerning the information Ranulf just told them. He'd have thought after 37 years, almost 38 of living with them they would catch on to his sexuality. Once he told them his father had immediately sent him outside so they could 'discuss what to do with him.' He didn't quite understand what the big deal was about being attracted to the same gender, but then again, he was only about 13 in beorc years. His mother seemed to be defending him and his father didn't like the idea at all and began coming up with crazy ideas like giving him away, or even abandoning him. He shivered at the thought and the cold night his father had thrown him into.

He tugged on the red band holding his shoulder length blue hair together and looked at his feet his hair draping over his face. The cat sighed to himself once again before his small ears perked up and he caught the sound of his father yelling.

"We'll send him to the damn military; they'll straighten out his affliction. They start taking kids around that age now anyway."

Ranulf got the sudden urge to illegally transform and attack his father for saying something like that but it turned into a grunt of frustration. He took some Olivi Grass out of his pocket and began angrily chewing on it. The stuff always did help him calm down even though its purpose was to quicken the transforming process. He then suddenly stood up and spit the grass out once he heard footsteps coming towards the door. It opened to show a splitting image of Ranulf except a lot older. A blue marking, like the ones on Ranulf's cheeks, was in a triangle shape on his father's nose. He also bore mismatching eyes except of red and blue. His hair was a bright blue but much longer than Ranulf's, reaching his mid back. Clad in a short sleeved shirt and cotton pants he stood there with his arms folded, "We're sending you to the army," he said solemnly.

"Whatever you say father," Ranulf said cynically, turning to look at his father, green and purple eyes meeting red and blue ones. Ranulf stood up and walked past his father. He immediately grabbed Ranulf's arm and jerked him towards him.

"Do not speak to me like that again, understand? Now get inside," he said harshly.

"Understood father," Ranulf said forcefully then walked into the house and went into the kitchen where his mother was leaning over the counter next to the sink. She looked like she was writing something "Mom, I need to speak with you, privately," he muttered the last word. She quickly turned and the relaxed realizing who it was.

"Okay Ranulf, let's go out back," she said moving off the counter. The two walked out of the house into their small backyard. "Listen, sweetie, I don't care what your father thinks. I still love you, I hope you understand. Honestly, I don't want you to leave, you are still so young Ranulf," she said grabbing her only son's shoulders her dark blue hair coming over her shoulders.

"I know that mother, but dad is making me feel like...one of them. Like I've been cursed with the same blood as a Branded," he said looking at his feet. She pulled Ranulf into a tight hug.

"Leave in the middle of the night and go to Kyza's. Give this to his parents. They'll surely understand," she whispered while covertly giving Ranulf a slip of paper which was then quickly pushed it up his dark-green long-sleeved shirt. "You can stay there as long as you like or as long as they let you either one, but be prepared to go to army when you get back," she sniffed then let a tear run down her face. "One more thing, I'm sure you know this but the law forbids you to transform."

"Yes I know that, I'm going to bed," Ranulf gave her a big hug before entering the house once again the heading upstairs into his room. He closed the door quietly behind him. Ranulf threw himself on his bed face first into his single pillow and began crying which eventually turned into a light sleep.

Late in the night Ranulf heard the door creak open then remembered what he was supposed to be doing. His mother walked inside the room in her animal form not making a sound. She blended in with the night perfectly; her fur color was that of a black panther. Once she reached the bed she nudged Ranulf gently. Ranulf already awake rubbed his eyes clear of sleep and sat up looking at his camouflaged mother. "So why are you allowed to break the law and I'm not?" he asked reaching under his bed for a small brown handbag. Taking it in his hands he took out a small patch of Olivi Grass and began chewing it.

The cat purred gently which he translated roughly into, "Because I'm your mother." Ranulf then wrapped his arms around his mother's body pressing his head to the top of hers. "Bye mom, I love you," he said before opening his window and transforming briefly to jump out and land effortlessly and unscathed. Then he quickly reverted and looked up at the window to see his mother staring and scowling. He mouthed, "I'm sorry for breaking the law but how else did you want me to get out," he smiled and then felt someone tap his shoulder. He quickly turned around then gave a sigh of relief when he noticed it was Kyza.

"Breaking the law is bad Ranulf, you know that, now let's get going," he whispered pulling the smaller cat towards him. Kyza lowered himself to place a small kiss on Ranulf's lips.

"Not in front of my mother you idiot," he hissed then waved to his mother who was still sitting perched on the window watching them skeptically with her yellow eyes. The two then began walking away from the house and started the thirty minute walk to Kyza's living space "Why are you here anyway?"

"Our mothers are best friends, it's only natural that they tell one another everything so my mom sent me to come and get you once she received a call from yours telling her basically everything. That includes our sexual orientation. Why do you think she seemed prepared for this when you told them? Because they tell each other everything. My mom gave yours a warning of what could be coming her way is basically it," he heard Ranulf laugh briefly. "My mom also told me...what your father was saying. I'm sorry," he wrapped an arm around Ranulf's waist, brushing against his small tail briefly.

Ranulf shook his head then moved closer to Kyza. "It's fine; don't worry about it..." he said trying to rest his head on Kyza's shoulder but he failed miserably. "Blast your tallness," he laughed.

"Maybe you're just really short? He said quizzically.

"Shut up, you…" he retaliated but couldn't quite come up with a comeback.

"Dumbass?" Kyza supplied.

"Yeah, shut up you dumbass," Ranulf laughed then stopped and stood on his toes to kiss the tiger. Kyza suddenly purred then blushed madly. "I am not going to bother asking…" he said shaking his head.

"Yeah…sometimes it is better not to ask," he said quickly, coughing and then turning away absently grabbing Ranulf's hand and lacing his fingers with the cat's own. Ranulf looked down at his hand and blushed. "You're 38 soon right?" Kyza asked.

"Yeah," came Ranulf's answer, "In three days, what about it?"

"You'll be 6 years older than me," Kyza stated looking down.

"So? What does that have to do with anything?" Ranulf asked fumbling with the hand he was holding.

"Nothing, just stating a fact," he said suddenly stopping. He looked over at Ranulf meeting amethyst and emerald eyes looking into his own.

"Ranulf I-"

"Hey Kyza-"

Both of them stopped and then started again at the same time, "Go ahead, Kyza," Ranulf said finally ending that dilemma.

"I was thinking that we should join the army..." he said solemnly.

Ranulf sighed, definitely not expecting that to come out of Kyza's mouth. "Why?" was all he could say.

"I think it'd be great if we were to do what we can to help Gallia. Besides I hear they're recruiting even 30 year olds so the both of us could easily enter."

"You do realize that there is a high chance of us getting split up and possibly never seeing each other again? And the whole death thing, I don't think I'm ready for that at 37 so I don't know how you can do it at 32."

"Who's to say that we die, as long as we watch each other's back the fear of death is nothing," he said proudly.

"Yeah but who's to say we'll be watching each others backs? Who's to say we're even near each other on the battlefield? It's good to help out your country but it's stupid if all that awaits you is disappointment," he said letting go of Kyza's hand and bringing it to his side. "There is no point in doing something if it isn't something you really want to do."

"But it is something I really want to do!!" Kyza yelled, "You're just being a jerk because that's what your father wanted you to do," Kyza suddenly stopped realizing what he had said.

"You're absolutely right!!" Ranulf screamed, "I'm being a jerk and against this entire idea because that...fiend wanted me to Kyza. You're being the same way as he is, foolish, stubborn, and worst of all, selfish!!" He turned away from Kyza.

"Ranulf wait I--"

"Shut up," Ranulf transformed and then ran away into the dark woods leaving Kyza by himself. After a few minutes of sprinting Ranulf suddenly stopped and reverted to his human form. Clutching his shirt where his heart was he doubled over and began coughing up blood. His body couldn't handle the strenuous task of transforming twice in a short time and running that quickly at that young an age when the laguz body was still frail. He eventually fell into unconsciousness blood dripping from his lips.

"Captain, Captain...Captain Ranulf!!" someone yelled. Ranulf immediately sat up at his desk and wiped the drool from his face.

"Whazappening?" he slurred rubbing his eyes then looking at who was disturbing his sle-work.

"Nothing sir, which is exactly why I'm here to tell you to get back to work. General Skrimir expects those reports by nightfall," they said seriously.

"Loosen up Kyza, there's no one here but me and you and we both know you'd find any excuse to see me," Ranulf said standing up and kissing the tiger pulling them closer to Ranulf's desk. His back arched to prevent the desk from digging into his spine. "Guess what I just had a dream about..." Ranulf said seductively whispering in his ear.

"What...Captain?" Kyza shuddered; he always did when Ranulf spoke like that.

"That night 30 years ago when you had convinced me to join the army with you, and now that I am here working with you, I'm really glad that I did, I'm also really glad that you didn't leave me...I would be dead right now if not for you. Thank you..."

"You're killing the mood but that's great because you have reports to do. As for that, you've thanked me plenty of times already now get to work," he said pulling himself from the grip of his captain.

"Yeah but it's really easy to get you back in the mood, as both you and I know," Ranulf nipped at Kyza's ear which immediately earned him a groan of approval which led to Ranulf unbuttoning Kyza's shirt which was a task in itself since the buttons were so huge. Kyza easily peeled Ranulf's sleeveless shirt off and ran his hands over the lean abs that had recently formed on Ranulf's stomach. Ranulf moved to Kyza's neck sucking and biting what wasn't covered by the collar of Kyza's shirt which was proving to be difficult to remove for Ranulf's single hand. Kyza eventually had to help Ranulf in taking it off and undid the buttons for him the slipped out of it showing a toned chest marked down with the same purple marks that were on his face.

Ranulf moaned when Kyza had slipped his hand into the cat's pants to pump his hardening member. Ranulf wrapped his arms around Kyza's neck and began kissing him again slipping his tongue past Kyza's already parted lips effortlessly taking dominance as Kyza still pumped the cat's hard shaft. The tiger removed his hand and undid his cat's pants which left Ranulf pouting but was soon replaced with Kyza's mouth over the head of his cock. Ranulf moaned as he was taken by the hot cavern that was Kyza.

Kyza began sucking lightly swirling his tongue over the head of Ranulf's cock then taking it in his mouth to the base, his tongue rubbing along the bottom of the pulsing member. The cat nearly screamed the tiger's name when he picked up the pace. He felt his release coming soon and continued moaning Kyza's name until he finally did. He shot his seed deep into the throat of Kyza who swallowed it all hungrily. He even continued to lick at the head to see if he could get any more out of it. He stood up once he realized nothing was happening then kissed the cat feverishly.

Suddenly he pulled away and said, "Now get back to work slacker."