Summary: Clara's attempt to break Yukiya's contract does not go as expected. Set ten years in the future. Yukiya x MC.

She had told herself that she wasn't going to cry. Particularly not in front of the wolf, who had judged her and found her unworthy from the minute they'd met. Years of cohabitation seemed not to have changed a thing, despite Clara's best efforts. Now, she held onto her composure by mere threads, watching the magical beast stalk away, as regal and indifferent as he'd ever been.

When he was completely out of sight, she stood and turned, taking slow, deliberate steps before she suddenly felt the stinging high in her nose that signaled imminent tears. She quickened her pace, managing to duck into the house and into the bedroom before she lost control entirely.

Yukiya found her later, sobbing under a layer of blankets. She tried to recompose herself when she felt the weight of him sinking onto the bed, but one look into his eyes and she'd fallen apart again.

Within moments she felt herself lifted onto his lap. There, he curled one arm around her waist and the other around her head, tucking her into the crook of his neck.

"I-I'm s-sorry," she gasped, between sobs. "I c-couldn't…"

"Shhh…it's alright." Yukiya began to rock her against him, his fingers pressing against her scalp to rub gently. Clara's eyes fluttered closed for a moment, enjoying the sensation despite herself. Then, she shuddered in shame. She'd failed him so utterly, and now here he was, taking the time to comfort her.

She didn't deserve him at all.

They sat together until her sobs finally subsided from exhaustion. Then Yukiya pulled her down against him, until they were both lying on the bed, with Clara tucked into his arms as he pulled their blankets over them.

"Y-Yukiya," she began, voice shaking.

"What is it?"

"W-what…" She took a breath, and began again. "What does the wolf want from us?"

She could no longer bring herself to call him Wolfy, a nickname given to the creature during a time when she'd naively believed he could one day be a friend.

Yukiya was silent for a long moment. "I've never known," he said, finally.

"He won't agree to break the contract," she confessed. "Ever. All these years…and there's never been any hope of it."

Yukiya's arms tightened around her briefly.

"I'm sorry…" she gulped, the shame rising again. "I f-failed you."

"No." His voice was deep and firm. "Clara. You've never failed me. Not a single day since we first met."

"But…" She thought of all the hours they'd spent together in the library researching magical contracts, and the days spent perfecting her magic under his steady encouragement until the mistakes of her first year were nothing but memories. The advanced classes for magical beast tamers; the long discussions with Headmaster Randolph their senior year. The blue sash that she'd worn at their graduation signifying her specialty in Magical Creature Ecology, and Yukiya standing proudly beside her. She'd been so confident, so sure, that this was within reach, if she just worked hard enough.

Throughout it all, Yukiya's wolf had been there, watching wordlessly. Had he been laughing at them the whole time?

What sort of creature was this, that they had living in their home with them? Why had he appeared, and why was he still here? What was he trying to achieve?

And what had she been working for, all these years?

"I feel like such a fool," she whispered against the warm skin of his throat. "I feel like I've wasted so much of my time, chasing something that wasn't real."

"Don't say that." Yukiya's hand found hers. "Nothing you did was a waste. You found the motivation you needed to improve your magic, build your knowledge, and graduate. Don't sell yourself short. You're wonderful." He hugged her tightly. "I'm so proud of you."

She clenched her eyes shut, feeling tears anew, but for a different reason now, as a tender ache blossomed and throbbed in her chest. How had she been blessed with this man? "Yukiya…" She turned, seeking him out, and he met her lips halfway, kissing her until they both gasped for air.

When their heartbeats had finally slowed, he looked around the room, cocking his head slightly the way he did whenever he was listening to make sure they were alone. "Besides, it's probably for the best."

Clara stared up at his face, confused.

Yukiya's expression was somber. "If we'd broken the contract, I would have lost my magic. And now, I need it more than ever. To keep you safe." His voice wavered tenderly, and his hands lowered to cover the slight curve of her abdomen. "Both of you."

She shuddered, thinking of the dream she'd once had, of a beautiful little boy that looked just like his papa, running along the beach alongside the two familiars. Had that been a deception as well?

Would they need to fight someday, in order to keep their family safe?

As if he'd read her thoughts, Yukiya began to pat her head, as he had always liked to do. "It's okay," he said. "We'll be alright. I won't let anything happen." And then he smiled faintly. "Besides, it's been a long time since I've wished my magic gone. You showed me, remember?"

She thought of a shower of Aruenaristies, falling like snowflakes. "I remember."

"Mmm." He stared out the window, expression distant, before he turned back to regard her, his mismatched eyes seeming to have darkened with resolve. His voice dropped low. "Let me show you some of the other ways I've come to appreciate my magic. Lie back against the pillows, Clara."

He was trying to distract her. Even as she complied, she knew that the problem at hand was far from over.

But for now, she would let him.