Every few days, Rosa would come back up the mountains to check on Ceodore and Kain, ensure they had everything they needed, and bring up more supplies if they needed it. It was now five days to Ceodore's birthday, and Cecil was still mute as to the situation or whether he wanted the couple home (though he had noticed he was one bottle of wine down and there were some raised eyebrows, but when Rosa told him she had given it to Kain he relaxed; it seemed he was more worried she had drank it, since she shouldn't have been drinking while pregnant). Ceodore was becoming more and more agitated with each passing day, afraid he would never be let home. Kain had to hold him back several times to prevent him running back to the castle, though it pained him to do so. They both knew they had to wait till Cecil gave the all-clear, but it didn't seem to be stopping Ceodore from trying to return.

However, this particular night, he had calmed down, and he and Kain sat on the edge of the slope in comfortable silence. Ceodore had been learning more about the stars and spent the time locating them and naming the ones he knew while Kain sat to his right with a frown creasing his brow as he whittled down a set of bamboo stalks. He had been working on it all day, though Ceodore had no idea what he planned to do with them, and hadn't asked, for Kain disliked being interrupted. After growing bored with the midnight sky, Ceodore pulled his legs up to his chest and turned a little, watching Kain work away. The younger boy then realised that every hollow stalk was of a different length, and Kain kept measuring them to ensure the length increased by the same amount every time. He couldn't help asking, "Are you making panpipes, Kain?"

"Something of the sort," he said in a muffled voice as three of the stalks were halfway out of his mouth. "I'm almost done…"

"Looking good." Ceodore then frowned, suddenly feeling as though he were being watched. He whipped round and scanned his surroundings, but the only thing that moved was a leaf blowing around with the breeze. "Huh…must be imagining things."

"Are you okay?" Kain asked.

"Yeah…I thought there was someone nearby, but Mother wouldn't come up here this late, would she?"

"No, she needs her rest. Think nothing of it; you're just a little paranoid." Kain's voice betrayed his slight irritability at being distracted from his work, and Ceodore wisely held his tongue, going back to watching him work; he had finished whittling the stalks and set about blocking off one end of them all with little pieces of bark held in place by sticky sap he had collected earlier. Finally he fixed all the pipes together with more sap and wound reeds round them to make them more secure. "I honestly have no idea why I started making this thing," Kain admitted, holding out the finished panpipes to Ceodore, who turned them over carefully in his hands.

"Are you musical, Kain?"

"I appreciate music, but I'm useless when it comes to everything musical. Your father had a lovely singing voice when he was younger; he was quite proud of it."

"I never knew that," Ceodore said in an awed voice. "Do you think he can still sing now?"

Kain shrugged. "The only musical king I know of is Edward. You'll have to ask Cecil when we go home- well, maybe when you go home."

"I don't want you to have to leave though," Ceodore moaned. "If I go back home, I want you to come with me."

"Ceodore, my love…" Kain gathered Ceodore in his arms and stroked his back comfortingly. "Some things are best not spoken about, but when you and I live the lives we do, other things must be taken into consideration. You are a prince, and though I am older than you, I am naught but a lowly Dragoon. You have an entire kingdom to inherit, whereas all I have is my command over the Red Wings…not only that, you are expected to carry on the family bloodline. How can you do that, when you say your heart belongs to me? You must listen to your father, even if he decides he wants you and I to have nothing more to do with each other."

"B-But…" Ceodore sniffled. "Kain…I don't want you to leave me. And Father can't make me do anything…I refuse to be bound in a loveless marriage and have the children I never wanted. What sort of family would I produce? Not even Father would fathom it. I love him, I love my father so much, but at the same time I'm scared of him…w-what will I d-do w-without you?" He broke down sobbing in Kain's arms, clutching the older man's tunic tightly between shaking hands. Kain held him silently, though his own emotions betrayed him and a single glistening tear slid down his cheek, falling into Ceodore's hair; the sudden wetness made Ceodore look up, and he gasped. He had never, ever seen Kain cry. "K-Kain…"

Kain smiled, though the tears continued to fall. "It's okay," he whispered, sounding choked up. He bowed his head and sighed, leaving Ceodore to wipe his eyes on his scarf. He still felt he was being watched, and this time, when he looked round, he saw a flash of gleaming white vanish behind a rock. He jumped up and scrabbled for his sword; Kain looked confused and got to his feet also, reaching warily for his bow. "Come out!" Ceodore cried. "Don't try anything; we're armed."

There was a sigh. "Well…you caught me. Well done, son."

Ceodore dropped his sword and ran to Kain's side, eyes wide and fearful. "Father-!"

Cecil emerged from behind the rock and ran a hand through his hair. "I had hoped you would not notice me…"

"What are you doing here?" Kain growled. He lowered his bow and wound an arm round Ceodore's waist protectively. Cecil held his hands up, as if in surrender, his face expressionless. "We must talk," he said.

"What is there to say?" Kain snorted. "I refuse to stand here and be insulted once more."

"Sit then, if it pleases you, but I came not to insult you."

Ceodore raised his head, curious. "Then…why did you come?" Cecil began to speak, but then he raised a hand to his forehead and he swayed dangerously; Ceodore darted forward and grabbed his father before he toppled over. "What's the matter?" he asked worriedly.

"Nothing," Cecil murmured. "I have been watching you all day…I'm just a little dizzy and tired…"

"Sit down, Father." Ceodore helped Cecil over to the dying fire and sat him down before it, sitting down also a little way away from him. Kain however, remained standing close to Ceodore, never letting go of his bow, though it hung limp in his hand. "Why have you been watching us all day?" he demanded. "Thought you'd see if you'd brought misery upon us?"

"Peace, Kain." Cecil held up a hand to silence him; it was only out of respect for his sovereign that Kain held his tongue. "I thought it about time to pay you a visit myself, since Rosa has spent most of the day in bed today; she has overexerted herself as of late. I knew not when to reveal myself to you, as when I came up, you were still sleeping, so I decided to watch how you went about your day and check that you were coping."

"We've been fine," Kain said in a clipped tone, "no thanks to you."

"Do you want to hear what I have to say or not?" Kain rolled his eyes but said nothing more. "As I was saying," Cecil carried on, "I watched how you two were during the day, and I was satisfied that you got along okay, but I couldn't help noticing your conversations…all you seemed to do was talk about me. And just now, when Ceodore was crying…I was all set to come out from my hiding place and…" he dipped his head, "and say I was sorry." The last part came out as a whisper, and Kain did not catch what he said, but Ceodore did, and his face split into a wide grin. "Oh, Father!" he breathed, clasping his hands. "Do you mean that?"

"I do," Cecil nodded. "Watching you today, I saw how deeply in love you two really are. I could not live with myself if I took that away from you now. I have never seen you happier, Ceodore. To see you so happy made me happy…in fact, I shed a few tears today. I…I do not expect you to forgive me, either of you, but…" His voice cracked as he said, "Won't you come home?"

"Father…" Ceodore approached Cecil and knelt in front of him, taking his freezing cold hands in his own. "When you opposed my relationship, it hurt. It hurt so much…I just wanted you to be as happy as I was. I couldn't stay where our love wasn't welcome."

"I was jealous," Cecil whispered. "I admit it, I was jealous…and I am disgusted with myself for it. I thought myself over Kain…and then I saw you with him, and…" Cecil shook his head, his breathing shallow. "W-What…what have I done?" He buried his face in his hands and groaned. Ceodore looked up at Kain; his face had gone white when Cecil admitted he was still in love with him. He took a step back, looking horrified. "Kain?" Ceodore reached out a hand to Kain. "What's wrong?"

"Everything," Kain muttered. "Everything's wrong…" He turned on his heel and hurried away as fast as he could; Ceodore began to get up but Cecil laid a hand on his arm. "No, leave him be."

"But-!"

"He needs to think about what I just said." Cecil's eyes were full of hurt, and they shimmered as if full of tears too. "It may have shocked him, but he had a right to know, and so did you. Everything must be said before you come home." He held a hand to his head. "Still dizzy," he sighed.

"Have you eaten at all?"

"Not a thing." Ceodore rolled his eyes and got up to rummage in the tent, where he and Kain had been eating bread and cold meat a few hours before. He returned with the rest of it and sat down again, placing it between himself and Cecil. "Here. We already had our fill." Cecil smiled gratefully, and Ceodore turned away to see if Kain was still nearby. He could see him on the other side of the waterfall, sat on a rock with his legs tucked up to his chest, shivering, but Ceodore would not be able to reach him as he could not jump as Kain could. "Leave him be," Cecil said again, with a little sigh.

"I know, but…I worry when he goes off all silent like this."

"Does he do it often?"

"Every now and then. I always worry when he does…do you think he'll come back soon?"

"He always does." Cecil picked at the piece of bread he had torn off the loaf. "Rosa has been desperate for me to come and visit you, you know."

"Really?"

"Yes. She wanted you back for your birthday and was not sure if I would relent, but eventually I did. I really have missed you and Kain. It wasn't the same without you…oh by the way, did your mother tell you my excuse for your absence?"

"She said something about me and Kain being ill."

"That's not the case anymore. You and Kain have gone on a little holiday because you think there could be a romantic connection. At least, that's what people who have asked have been told, because Cid cannot keep his mouth shut."

"Then why did you tell him that?"

"Because," Cecil smiled, "I can count on him to spread the word. By the time you get back, you will have to hide nothing."

"That's great! Thanks, Father."

"It's okay…" Cecil yawned widely. "I should be getting back soon…"

"Don't be ridiculous; you're not walking back to Baron at this time!"

"I couldn't impose-"

"You're staying with us tonight, and we'll all go back in the morning, okay?"

Cecil sighed. "Okay. I can't fight you, can I?"

"No. If you're tired, go get comfortable in the tent. There's plenty of room. I'll see if I can bring Kain back."

Cecil nodded and got stiffly to his feet, stretching. He made his way over to the cave while Ceodore approached the waterfall and called Kain. He looked up and frowned, but did not move. "Come back over," Ceodore pleaded. "Please, Kain!" Kain grimaced, but he unfolded his legs and stood up before leaping into the air and landing on the other side, beside Ceodore. "Is everything okay?" he asked.

"Yeah. Dad's staying with us tonight; I'm not letting him go back at this time. Do you mind?"

"I can't say anything, can I?" Kain shrugged. "I'm sorry, Ceodore. I'm just a little freaked out that Cecil still loves me. If things are uncomfortable with me and him for a while, you know why."

"No problem." Ceodore took Kain's hand and squeezed gently. "Come to bed. We can go back home tomorrow."

"Really?"

"Of course. Come on…" Kain nodded and allowed Ceodore to take him back to the tent. Cecil had already found himself a spot and had curled up under a blanket; his eyes half-opened at the sound of Ceodore and Kain approaching and he smiled at them, then closed his eyes again. It had grown cold, so Ceodore and Kain lay down fully dressed and huddled closer for more warmth. Deep breathing on Ceodore's left told him that his father was already sound asleep. Ceodore leaned in and kissed Kain's lips, allowing the older man to slide an arm under his shoulders and hold him close. "Goodnight, Kain."

His eyes already closed, Kain smiled. "I love you, Ceodore. Goodnight."

I wonder when Cecil will come home...

Rosa hated being bed-bound. Her morning sickness had escalated to the point where she felt dizzy constantly and could not stand for fear of passing out, so a worried Cecil insisted she remain in bed till she felt better. A good night's sleep and a decent breakfast in the morning left Rosa feeling well enough to leave her tower and head off to her private chamber for a bathe.

She was glad Cecil had stayed the night with Ceodore and Kain; of course, where else would he be if he had not come home for the night? He was strong enough to fend for himself outside of Baron. If he had stayed up in the mountains, hopefully it meant he, Ceodore and Kain had put their differences aside. Well, Rosa thought as she washed her lustrous golden hair, I hope there will be no more nasty arguments like last time...

She shuddered at the memory. Her heart had gone out to Ceodore that day, when Cecil had refused to accept their son's happiness with Kain. She hoped her husband had made the right decision; he had seemed happy enough to make the journey up into the Mist Mountains, anyway, parting from Rosa with a tender kiss and a few loving words, nothing betraying possible bitterness or anger. Boys, Rosa smirked, finishing her bathe and climbing out to dry and redress. She had nothing to do for the day and felt bored, so she returned to her tower and retrieved her bow and quiver of cockatrice-fletched arrows, intent on a spot of archery. There was a place in the castle where she could practise, but she wanted to be positioned where she would be able to see Cecil returning to Baron, so she left the castle altogether and slipped into the outskirts of the town, lightly scratching a target into the bark of a dead tree. She had not practised her archery since falling pregnant, but the Queen was feeling confident as she nocked an arrow and sighted down the shaft, her tongue between her teeth in deep concentration. Everything around her faded out of vision, leaving only the gnarled tree with its twisted branches; the target stood out against the grey bark. Rosa released the arrow, and swore under her breath as it missed by a hair's breadth, burying itself just outside the target. With a heavy sigh, Rosa stumped over and retrieved her arrow, then resumed her previous position, moving ever so slightly over to the left so the wind would not hamper the arrow's path so much.

This time the arrow found its mark; the Queen laughed merrily, thankful she was not totally out of practise. This was the way it went for half an hour till her stock of arrows were completed, and she headed back into town to purchase some more, bumping into her mother Joanna as she came out. "Mother!" Rosa cried, rushing to embrace her. "How have you been?"

"I'm fine, dear," Joanna smiled. "How's your baby?"

"Which one?" the Queen giggled. "Ceodore is still my baby too!"

Joanna poked her daughter's stomach. "This one. I heard you fell ill recently."

"Just morning sickness, nothing to worry about. I was just practising my archery; I'm waiting for Cecil to come home."

"Ah...yes, I saw him leaving early yesterday." Joanna brushed down her blue dress and readjusted the bag of potions she had bought a few minutes earlier. "Why don't you come back for a cup of tea, dear?"

"That would be lovely, Mother." They made their way back to the old house Rosa had grown up in and Joanna continued to live in. The old mage was now sixty years old, but the townspeople oft said it was the powerful white magic running through her veins that kept her strong and attractive for her age. They reached the house and Joanna put the kettle on while Rosa carefully deposited her bow and quiver of new arrows in a corner. "White mage and Dragoon," Joanna murmured, causing Rosa to look up in surprise. "Sound familiar?"

"Yes. You and Father, of course."

"Ceodore and Captain Highwind too!" Joanna exclaimed, sitting down and folding her hands in her lap. "I could hardly believe my ears when dear old Cid dropped by and told me! So, is it true? Have they really fallen in love with one another?"

Rosa nodded her head. "Yes, it's true. You remember how Kain just up and left last year?"

"Yes, I remember. We were all very sad. Is...is this why?"

"He couldn't for the life of him understand why he had fallen for Ceodore, so he left. But now they couldn't be happier. I'm so glad for them." Rosa turned her head as she heard the kettle start to whistle, and Joanna got up to pour the tea. "They're due to come back soon, too. The whole 'holiday thing' is just a rumour Cecil started to cover up the fact they-"

"I saw them," Joanna interrupted, pushing a hot cup into her daughter's hand. "I saw them running off towards the mountains over a week back now."

"You saw?"

"Yes."

"And...you didn't tell me?"

"I thought nothing of it at the time," her mother shrugged. "But now I know!" She took a small sip of tea. "I take it Cecil's gone to drag Ceodore back home?"

"No, he only went to visit. If all goes well, all three of them should return later today."

"Hmmm." Joanna put her cup down and started counting on her fingers. "Remind me of Captain Highwind's age, dear."

Rosa giggled. "He's thirty-nine, Mother."

Joanna looked shocked. "That's a very large age gap! What does Ceodore think he's doing?"

"In his eyes, the right thing...I went to visit them every now and then and they're so happy with each other, they get along and can work together when they need to. I think, despite their difference in age, Kain will be good for Ceodore, because he can look after him. It's true that Ceodore won't carry on the family name now, but that's where our little unborn comes in!" Rosa touched her stomach. "In Ceodore's words, I saved his ass."

"Boys..." muttered Joanna, sipping her drink. "Well, if they're happy I'm happy. That's all there is to it, and nothing else really left to say."

"I'm glad you understand, Mother."

"I always will," she smiled. They finished off their drinks, then Rosa reluctantly stood, apologising profusely about having to return to the castle. Joanna waved her away with a laugh, helping her with her bow and quiver. "Look after yourself, Rosa," she said. "It's been lovely to see you again."
"I'll come visit again soon," she promised as she left. She turned to head to the castle, but before she could take so much as a step she heard a voice call out, "Rosa!"

Looking round sharply, she inhaled sharply, a hand jumping to her chest and a warm smile making its way onto her face. A rather tired looking Cecil was making his way towards her, with Kain and Ceodore hand in hand, close behind. "Oh, thank goodness!" Rosa cried, rushing forward and embracing her husband. "You brought them back!"

"There was no need to worry," laughed Cecil, hugging Rosa back just as tightly. Rosa snuggled into him and sighed happily when he stroked her hair back and pressed a kiss to her brow. Ceodore and Kain reached them and Ceodore squeezed his mother's shoulder with a smile. "Feeling better now?" he asked. "Father said you were ill."

"I'm fine now. I'm just so glad you're all back!" She released Cecil and moved to hug Ceodore, then Kain. "Shall we go home now?"

Cecil nodded. "Yes. There are a few things we must talk about, now we are all here." He gestured, and they all traipsed back to the castle, with Kain and Ceodore holding hands again, drawing a few curious glances, but they paid them no mind; they just looked at each other and laughed. Cecil exchanged a few words with the Chancellor in the throne room, who nodded briskly, then left everyone to talk. Cecil and Rosa seated themselves on their respective thrones and Ceodore sat down on the raised platform while Kain flopped down into a chair set to the side. "Right," Cecil murmured, resting an ankle on the opposite knee, "now we are all back home...I didn't want to speak of these things while up in the mountains, Ceodore, as we had only just established a common footing again, but these subjects should be addressed, particularly now your mother is well again and present."

"Go on," Ceodore nodded. Kain looked vaguely uninterested and gazed around the room.

Cecil assumed a stern expression. "Your seventeenth birthday may only be days away, but you understand there must be no sexual interaction whatsoever between you and Kain, till then or afterwards. Understand?"

"Mother already went over that with me," Ceodore replied. "Honestly, Father. I'm not a boy."

"You are a boy for another four days, and you would do well to remember that."

Rosa sighed. "Cecil, please try not to lose your temper again..."

"I am not losing my temper, but my point must be put across." He took a few deep breaths, then looked over to Kain, who was still looking blankly at the opposite wall. "Kain, are you even listening?"

"I'm listening," he murmured. "Carry on."

"Look at me then." Cecil rolled his eyes at Kain's behaviour; he assumed it was probably due to his revelation last night. Kain looked up at him with raised eyebrows. "Thank you...and my other point to address is sleeping arrangements. I would prefer it if you would keep to your own rooms now." Ceodore began to protest, but Cecil held up a hand to silence him. "I know that in the time you spent in the mountains, you slept together (in a literal sense, of course), and it was practical in terms of extra warmth, so I will turn a blind eye to that, but now you are back home, things are different."

"Father!" Ceodore groaned. "I'm seventeen in four days! There's not much you can do after that."

"Be that as it may," growled Cecil, "I am still your guardian, as is Rosa, and you live in the castle with us, so we still have a certain amount of authority over you even after you become a man. Also, you are of royal blood and are expected to uphold family honour. I won't have you tarnish that by running amok like a child for the next few years, even if I have relented and allowed you to remain with Kain."

Ceodore's face had gone red with anger. "Actually," he said quietly, "I'm not of royal blood, and neither are you. You only became King because you were adopted by the previous one, so don't lecture me about royal blood!"

"Ceodore-" Cecil began in a threatening tone, but Rosa got up from her throne and laid a hand on his arm, shaking her head. He sighed and wrapped an arm round his wife's waist. "I understand how you feel, Ceodore," he said in a calmer voice. "Had we not been expecting another child, there would have been no chance of you staying with Kain. You don't realise how kind I have been by allowing your relationship to carry on, risking a backlash from the entire kingdom. Fortunately for us, most people have responded positively. All I am asking is that you keep to your room at night, for the next four days, so you do not become overly attached to Kain and risk your chances of love. Use your chances well."

Ceodore grimaced. "Just for four days?"

"Yes. After that, you are officially a man, and you are free to share a bed and...well, you know. I won't speak of such matters with my son. Do you find this any more agreeable now I have explained myself?"

"...It'll do."

"And Kain?"

Kain nodded. "It's a mature decision, and I understand perfectly. Thank you for being so kind, Cecil."

The King sighed heavily. "It has cost me a lot to be so." Kain clenched his jaw, knowing what he was getting at, and Rosa pointedly looked away with another shake of her head. Ceodore was a little slow to catch on, but when he did, his face reddened again. "Father..."

"I will behave," murmured Cecil. "You have my word."

"Shake on it?"

Cecil chuckled and extended his hand down to Ceodore, who grasped it. "It's good to have you home, son."