OoO-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-OoO
yawaraka na hizashi ga furisosogeba
The gentle sunlight is pouring down
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Wolfram wasn't hard to find, curled up in one of the studies with a book and a cup of tea and a plate of dainties. Yuuri's stomach grumbled, reminding him he hadn't eaten yet that day. Wolfram looked up at the noise. "Yuuri?"

"Hey." Yuuri sat next to Wolfram, eyeing the dainties. "Mind if I…?"

"Oh, go ahead." Wolfram pushed the plate over to him. "Would you like some tea as well?"

"Mf pweef." Yuuri nodded around a mouthful of food, spraying the occasional crumb.

Wolfram stared at him for a moment, then smiled in, as far as Yuuri could tell, genuine amusement. "I'll be right back."

As Wolfram prepared another cup of tea, Yuuri ran through some things to say. Wolfram wasn't in as bad a mood as he'd feared, so starting off with an abject apology probably wasn't the best idea. Probably wasn't necessary either. He wanted to bring up the thing with Wolfram's soldiers in the courtyard, but he had the feeling that would start a fight and he'd rather not. At least not right after Wolfram made him tea.

The tea was too strong, as usual, but Yuuri just added some milk and enjoyed it anyway. "What're you reading?"

"A treatise on the various levels of majutsu and how to train them." Wolfram shrugged. "You'd probably find it boring, since your power came to you so intuitively."

Well, that was half true. It had come to The Maou intuitively. Yuuri was still struggling to separate his healing and water powers from each other. He was getting better, though. He reached out and touched the book's cover. "Are these useful?"

"Mmm." Wolfram nodded. "Very. A rank amateur could train himself from this, if he was willing to put a great deal of effort and time into it." Wolfram smiled. "It's a lot easier having someone train you and classmates to practise with."

Yuuri leaned back and munched on some more dainties. "Hey, why don't you write something like that?"

Wolfram shrugged. "This is beyond my scope. I work better one-on-one where I can adapt to individual needs."

Yuuri shook his head. The idea sounded better the more he thought of it. "But you can use books like that as a base, right?"

"Well…" Wolfram pursed his lips. "Yes. And with input from the right people… Gunter… Clark-sensei…" Wolfram seemed to be actually considering Yuuri's proposal. Yuuri grinned.

"Hey, I know… you can use this week to do it! You have it off anyways, you might as well." Wolfram looked a little miffed at the reminder. Yuuri plowed on, if Wolfram was already miffed adding a little extra push couldn't hurt. "And it would make Gwendal happy, seeing you do something that doesn't use your maryoku." Wolfram had practically closed down at that. Yuuri poked him. "C'mon, the faster you two make up, the sooner he'll listen to you about your discovery."

Wolfram grunted but refused to answer, acting like the typical Wolfram after he was told something he didn't like but knew was true. Yuuri poked him again, playfully. Wolfram swatted him away, playing right back. His mood seemed to be just right – a little annoyed but recovering – for Yuuri to bring up this morning.

"Speaking of…" Yuuri said, gingerly. "I had a talk with Dietger this morning." Wolfram froze, not meeting Yuuri's eyes. So he was embarrassed by his men's (and his own) immaturity. Yuuri took that as a good sign. "He's agreed to let me talk to Gwendal on their behalf and they went home." He took a deep breath. "You probably should have just talked to them."

Wolfram looked like he was going to snap something at Yuuri, then managed to stop himself. "I… I know. But if I said anything, I probably would have just encouraged them. I was still pretty… I mean… I…" He looked at Yuuri out of the corner of his eyes. "I didn't sleep well last night."

God, he was so pretty. "I didn't either." Yuuri took the opportunity to move closer to Wolfram. "I was worried about you."

Wolfram scoffed at that. "I can take care of myself, wimp."

Yuuri refused to be distracted. "I know." He placed his hand on the back of Wolfram's. "I was still worried."

Wolfram flushed. "Yuuri…"

That was too tempting to resist. Yuuri leaned over and closed the distance between them, kissing Wolfram firmly, with more confidence and less desperation than the night before. After a small sound of protest, easily silenced by shifting his lips against Wolfram's, Wolfram sighed lightly and returned the kiss, bringing one hand up to cup Yuuri's cheek.

Yuuri grinned as Wolfram kissed him back. He knew his idea was a good one, and everything else would fall into place, and now he and Wolfram could focus on the more important stuff. Like adding tongue.

Unfortunately, the kiss didn't last long. Wolfram pulled back and frowned. "What are you doing, Yuuri?"

Yuuri pouted. "Kissing my fiancé." It was amazing how easy that was to say.

"Kissing your…" Wolfram actually looked mad. Yuuri leaned forward and pecked his lips to stop him from getting upset. It either worked, or simply shocked Wolfram into silence.

"Listen, everyone's been talking to me about how much you've changed since I've come, so I just thought maybe it was my turn to change." Yuuri said in a rush. Wolfram looked sceptical.

"You're using this as a meter of how you've grown as a person?" he asked. Yuuri nodded.

"But why? And how?" Wolfram sighed sadly. "It's not like you'd marry me. You made that perfectly clear last night."

"But guys don't marry other guys. I know that happens here, but that doesn't make it right," Yuuri defended himself.

Wolfram wanted to bang his head through a wall. Or Yuuri's. "…you kissed me, Yuuri."

"Kissing and… stuff is different."

Wolfram's eyes widened. "Oh. Oh I see." It wasn't what he'd expected from the prudish Yuuri, but 'friends-with-benefits' was certainly something he could work with. At least it didn't have any emotional baggage associated with it. He had quite enough of that on his own, thank you very much. He nodded firmly. "In that case, I will do my best, you have my word."

"Umm. Okay. Great. Thanks?" Yuuri wasn't sure what Wolfram meant, but when Wolfram leaned in to resume the kiss, he was sure they were at least on the same page.

Wolfram pulled back and smiled a bright smile. Yuuri felt himself returning the smile sappily. Wolfram tugged at his sleeve. "Did you want to continue this in our room?"

Yes. "Y-yeah…" Yuuri breathed. "That's a good idea."

They walked side-by-side down the castle's corridors, not quite touching. The nearness of Wolfram and the delay in gratification was driving Yuuri crazy by the time they reached the bedroom. The moment the door closed behind them, he pinned Wolfram against it and kissed him, hard.

Wolfram returned the kiss in kind, fisting his hand in Yuuri's hair and pulling him closer. The small pain from Wolfram pulling his hair shot down Yuuri's back, making even the underside of his toes tingle. This was by far the most aggressive either of them had been with each other, and eventually Yuuri ended up on his back on the bed with one of Wolfram's hands holding his wrists over his head and the other skilfully undoing his uniform buttons. Yuuri squirmed, testing Wolfram's hold and Wolfram retaliated by abandoning Yuuri's mouth and nipping sharply at his neck. Yuuri yelped and stilled.

Once Yuuri's shirt was fully open, Wolfram drew back, still straddling Yuuri's supine body. He took one of Yuuri's hands and kissed the fingertips.

"There are parts of people's bodies that are more sensitive than others." Wolfram said, taking two of Yuuri's fingers and sucking lightly on them. Yuuri tried to focus around the sharp shock to his gut this action provoked in him in order to pay attention to Wolfram's words. They sounded important. "It varies from person to person, but ears, neck, fingers, and nipples are usually safe bets."

Wait, this reminded Yuuri of Gunter's lectures. Well, it wasn't exactly like one of Gunter's lectures, perhaps. Particularly when Wolfram leaned over and demonstrated the sensitivities of each of the body parts he'd mentioned. Gunter had never been that into practical demonstrations, but Wolfram clearly was quite into them.

When Wolfram finished sucking and lightly nipping Yuuri's nipples, Yuuri was a moaning, writhing mess. He had never been so hard in his life, and would have offered anything if Wolfram would just finish him already. He wondered if Wolfram had left any marks while he was working on his neck, and was unsurprised to find that he didn't really care. Wolfram pulled back again, fingers lightly dancing over Yuuri's lower abdomen, skirting the top of his pants. Yuuri tried to beg, but couldn't form coherent enough words even for that. He arched his back, emphasising his obvious arousal, hoping that would be request enough.

"I think that's enough for today," Wolfram said firmly, "after all we still have a month." Yuuri gaped. "I'll leave you alone, then. I have a paper to write."

Yuuri watched wordlessly as Wolfram hurried out of the room, looking as collected as ever. Once the door closed, he flipped over and screamed into the pillow in frustration.

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Normally, a visit from The Great Sage would be a source of anticipation and, likely, amusement for the inhabitants of Covenant Castle. The Great Sage was venerated second only to Shinou himself and Murata was generally great fun. Even his unannounced visits were usually greeted warmly. Usually.

No one could remember seeing Murata like this. Ever. Even when he'd sided with Soushu against Yuuri, he'd been cold, calculating. Evil, maybe, but controlled. Not like this.

Murata was furious.

Wolfram was in his study when Murata barged in, followed by an anxious Gunter and confused Yuuri. He hadn't spoken to either. "Wolfram. Get up. Shinou would like a word."

Wolfram blinked in disbelief. He barely managed to get himself together to stutter, "I-is this an official summons?"

Murata grabbed Wolfram by the arm and bodily dragged him out. "You bet it is." Wolfram bit back his squawk of protest as he tried to keep up.

Yuuri followed, worried. "Murata, you don't have to drag him…"

"Keep quiet, Shibuya. This is beyond you." Murata's voice stopped Yuuri's protests cold. Wolfram's eyes met his and Wolfram desperately shook his head, not wanting Yuuri involved with whatever had made The Great Sage so upset with him. Yuuri set his jaw and caught up to them.

"I'm coming with you."

Murata barely glanced at him. "As you will, Heika. Just don't interfere."

The temple seemed rather more foreboding than usual, Ulrike shivering slightly as she greeted Murata and the others and showed them into the main chamber where Shinou was waiting. Shinou's face was an attempt at impassivity, but Yuuri could see why the man was considered passionate when he was alive. The anger and annoyance was all too apparent, even with Shinou trying to hide them. Murata left Wolfram in the middle of the room and crossed to stand by Shinou. Yuuri moved closer to Wolfram, offering the protection of his proximity. Surely Shinou wouldn't risk blowing up his chosen Maou… right?

"Wolfram," Shinou said keeping his voice gently annoyed for now. "Do you have any idea why you're here?"

Wolfram's eyes shot to Yuuri and Yuuri had a terrible thought. What if Shinou was punishing Wolfram for last night? Oh, and this morning. What if it was all Yuuri's fault? Yuuri was about to protest Wolfram's (relative) innocence when Wolfram stood straight and faced Shinou.

"I do not, Shinou-heika." His voice was steady and measured, no sign of the frightened boy Murata had pulled all the way to the temple.

Murata barked out a laugh. "Of course not. Because your life has been full of significant discoveries lately…"

Well, in a way it had. There was the way Yuuri kissed, the way Yuuri tasted, the sounds Yuuri made…

Oh, and how to use maryoku outside Shin Makoku. Wolfram's eyes widened. "But… I did nothing wrong."

"You're half right," Shinou agreed. "You did nothing wrong that you know of. But in reality you've violated a law so important it couldn't be made a law for fear that it would induce people to try."

Yuuri caught up. "You mean… the maryoku thing?"

Shinou nodded. "You see, Yuuri, the whole reason no one uses maryoku outside Shin Makoku is because I don't want them to. In fact, if forbidding it didn't imply that it was possible, I would have forbidden it long ago."

Murata picked up the thread. "This has happened before, of course. Von Bielefeld-kaka is hardly the first person to have such an idea. However fewer people have tried than you might expect since Shinou altered the history before our time, making it clear that it was impossible to use maryoku outside Shin Makoku. Also, every time someone figured out or came close to figuring out how to, he ordered them to lie and say it's impossible."

Wolfram looked at the two figures standing in judgement over him. "Why?"

"The main concern is something of an arms race if mazoku are able to wield maryoku outside Shin Makoku," Shinou explained. "There are already humans terrified at the idea that we can wield maryoku at all, think of how frightened they'd be if they knew we could wield it in their homes as well." He shook his head. "A terrified human is a dangerous human; a perfect recipe for war and escalation." He shrugged. "Not that mazoku are much better."

"But… but if they knew we could fight back on their land with majutsu, wouldn't they be too afraid to start a war?" Wolfram asked.

Murata shook his head. "There have always been countries that have thought that way – 'If we have the ultimate weapon there will be peace because everyone else will be too afraid to fight and we would never start a war.' But all that leads to is the development of even stronger weapons and more destruction."

Yuuri thought back to his classes on World War II, run by men on both sides who thought that exact thing.

Murata continued. "If we have stronger maryoku, they will create stronger houseki and hojutsu, or work on projectile weapons that can harm us from a distance outside the reach of our maryoku. Your way of thinking isn't uncommon, Wolfram, but it's wrong." He frowned at the ex-prince in irritation. "Is it too much to ask people to learn from the mistakes of history?"

That was rather unfair. It wasn't as if Wolfram knew about nuclear weapons. Yuuri spoke up. "If you were so worried about this, why did you let Wolfram succeed? After all you stopped all the others, why not Wolfram?"

"Ah…" If it was possible for spirits to blush, Shinou was blushing. "I had been keeping an eye on him, but after… going too far at one point, my dear Sage instructed me to stay away from him."

What was he talking abou– oh yeah. That thing in the bed with the kissing. Yuuri glared at him. "But that was months ago!"

"Well, yes," Shinou agreed. "At that time, it didn't look like Wolfram was going to get very far. Are you aware that one of the definitions of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results?"

Wolfram flushed. "I got it eventually, didn't I?"

"Well, yes you did," Shinou agreed, bringing his attention back to Wolfram and dropping his teasing voice for a more serious tone. "And now it's up to you to un-get it."

Wolfram looked sulky. "I don't see how…"

"Wolfram." Yuuri looked seriously at his fiancé. "It's really important. If this gets out then it'll be a lot harder to maintain the peace we've worked so hard for." He could explain to Wolfram about the biggest war ever, with casualties numbering around half a hundred million, later.

Wolfram felt vaguely betrayed by Yuuri siding with Shinou, although he wasn't entirely sure why. He certainly wasn't surprised, on any level. "I still…" He took a deep breath. "I will instruct my men not to share their abilities or use them outside of Shin Makoku. However, I reserve the right to use the abilities myself, in order to help Greta regain her throne." If he couldn't even do that, the past year would have had no point.

Murata looked unimpressed. "I don't think so, von Bielefeld-kaka." He switched back to the formal address, hoping no one noticed the slips he'd made in his anger.

"Why not?" Wolfram challenged him. "Yuuri has always been able to use his maryoku in human territory. As one of the most powerful mazoku alive, it's not inconceivable that I could do so as well." Even though it wasn't Yuuri's power that made his abilities so flexible, but his ignorance. No one had to know that.

"I see you take after me in modesty as well as looks," Shinou commented. "Very well, Wolfram. Keep your men silent and keep your abilities hidden and you can use them for that one thing."

Murata looked like he disagreed, but kept silent. Yuuri predicted a pretty big argument once he and Wolfram left. And Wolfram and him leaving was Yuuri's main priority. "In that case, it was really nice seeing you again. We'll catch up later, kay? C'mon, Wolfram."

Wolfram followed Yuuri obediently back to the castle, ignoring Yuuri's attempts at conversation and distraction. By the time they'd arrived, Yuuri had given up and was ready for a full session of signing papers if only to find something to do that made sense.

The same soldier that had come to Gunter with the story about Wolfram's men ran up to Yuuri and Wolfram as soon as he caught sight of them.

"Heika, Kaka. I have some bad news." Yuuri motioned for him to continue. He turned to Wolfram. "Kaka, when your men heard what had happened, they… grew agitated. Von Voltaire-kaka has them confined to quarters and Weller-kyou is attempting to mediate, but both parties are being… uncooperative." He looked hopefully at Yuuri. "Would you like me to take you to them?"

Yuuri sighed. "Yes please." He grabbed Wolfram's hand. "You're coming too."

Wolfram snorted. "Of course," he said, the first words he'd spoken to Yuuri since they left the temple. "After all, I have a message I am required to relay."

Wolfram's soldiers were all housed in one barracks, so that made it easier. Wolfram gathered them all together in the common area while Yuuri fetched Gwendal and Conrad. After a moment, Wolfram sent Conrad's man to fetch Gunter, Cheri, Anissina, and Greta as well. Might as well get it all over with at once.

When everyone was gathered together, Wolfram explained the limits that Shinou put on their new abilities. Namely that they weren't to use them, talk about them, or even acknowledge they existed. Yuuri backed him up with all the sincerity he could muster. Oddly enough, the most put-out person was Anissina, irritated that the truth was going to be hidden, even for the good of the country. Wolfram, in a rare, oddly affectionate gesture, patted her shoulder comfortingly and suggested that perhaps, if the peace lasted, the truth could come out. Yuuri, even being the eternal optimist that he was, didn't think that likely.

Gwendal removed the order to confine Wolfram's men to their quarters, but enforced the week-long leave. With pay, however. Wolfram took that as the peace gesture it was meant to be and thanked him. Gwendal didn't make any out-of-character affectionate gestures, but Yuuri could see him wanting to.

Once everyone but Yuuri, Wolfram, and Wolfram's men had left, Dietger and a few others approached Wolfram to commiserate. Considering how Wolfram was about people getting too close to Yuuri, he sure didn't seem to have the same sort of problem with his soldiers getting close to him, Yuuri noticed. Then wondered why he noticed. Dietger kept shooting glances his way, but kept his focus on Wolfram and the small group around him. When one of the men rested his hand of Wolfram's shoulder for a bit too long, Yuuri butted in as cheerfully as possible.

"Wolfram, there's still a couple of things I'd like to talk to you about, if you have a moment free?" While Wolfram might have refused him in private, in public, particularly in front of his men, Wolfram was very aware of his place.

"Of course, Yuuri," Wolfram agreed easily, pulling away from the group.

Dietger let them get a few steps, then called out to Wolfram. "Wolfram-kaka. A few of us are planning to return to Bielefeld for the week. Would you like to come?"

Wolfram stopped, clearly considering the proposal. "I'll think about it."

"Sure." Dietger grinned. "We're leaving tomorrow after breakfast, Kaka."

Wolfram nodded once and swept past Yuuri. Yuuri hurried behind him.

"What was that all about, Wolfram? Why do you let them call you by your first name?"

Wolfram shrugged. "I suppose that 'von Bielefeld-kaka' is my uncle to many of them. It doesn't matter."

It mattered. Yuuri didn't know why, but it mattered. "Are you seriously considering going" home "to Bielefeld for the week?"

Wolfram nodded. "It would… there's nothing for me here, Yuuri. To do, that is. I haven't visited my uncle in an almost rude amount of time. It's a good plan.

Yuuri disagreed. "But you're leaving… planning to leave Covenant Castle in a few months, Greta…"

"Greta isn't everything," Wolfram snapped. "In any case, she can do without me for a week. Everyone can do without me for a week."

Yuuri didn't like how depressed that sounded. He tried another tactic. "How about me? I mean, I know it ended abruptly, but yesterday and this morning… they were pretty good… weren't they?"

Wolfram sighed. There was nothing good about the last few days and Yuuri was just one of the problems, a duty and obligation for a few minutes a day, then nothing. Wolfram had almost managed to convince himself. "I'm glad you decided that you have hormones Yuuri, and I'm honoured that you chose me to explore them with you, but I need to have something to do with the rest of my time."

"Explore my…" Yuuri frowned, confused. "That's not it! That's not what I want you to stay for. Well," he added sheepishly but honestly, "that's not all I want you to stay for."

"Then what do you want with me, Yuuri?" Wolfram asked, bluntly. He didn't expect to be surprised by the answer. Greta, his duty, his family… That was all Yuuri would ask of him, that was all Covenant Castle had to offer him, apparently, last night and this morning proved that beyond a doubt. Not that Wolfram had doubted it before. Much.

"I want…" Yuuri trailed off. The kissing and… stuff… was great, but Yuuri really didn't want just that. He wanted to eat lunch with Greta and Wolfram on the patio. He wanted to argue the relative merits of painting versus music and baseball versus fencing. He wanted to fall asleep to Wolfram's snoring and wake up halfway off the bed with Wolfram's knee in his side. He wanted Wolfram to call him a wimp and stand by him in his wimpiness. He wanted… "please stay?"

It was probably the 'please' that threw Wolfram off. He visibly wavered. Yuuri gave him the puppy-dog eyes that usually got him whatever he wanted. Wolfram wavered more. Yuuri grinned inwardly and took a step forward, reaching his hand out for Wolfram to take. Wolfram took a step back, suddenly looking stricken. "I… I can't. I'm sorry, Yuuri."

If Yuuri's 'please' had thrown Wolfram off, Wolfram's 'I'm sorry' stopped Yuuri dead in his tracks. Wolfram turned and marched away, not quite running. Yuuri let him go with a feeling of déjà vu. Somehow it seemed he was constantly letting Wolfram go.