angel9507: I'm glad you like Bloom so much. Hopefully, the next chapters will be no less interesting :)

CosmicDevil: Wolfram and Eldara can learn a lot from each other. I understand your reservations about Wolfram x OC, but it's more about Wolfram finding himself than their relationship.

demon89: It is serious whatever is happening between Eldara and Wolfram. I advise you stop reading Bloom. Just to avoid any more disappointments.

gdzwolfram: I'm glad you figured your account since you obviously had much fun while reading Bloom :)

Yes, it will be difficult to bring Yuuri back into the picture – as he is now, he can't compete with Eldara. There's no chance he would win. He will have to grow some serious backbone.

You can read the sex scenes if you want, some of them are funny and can make you laugh as well.

Now "Delusion is sweeter than rejection" is not for everyone. I think it's always better to burn once and stop hurting for the rest of the time. Wolfram was a coward, he was afraid to admit that Yuuri felt nothing for him as a lover. It's more as if Wolfram has tortured himself and not Yuuri tortured him. Yuuri has never said he loved Wolfram in that way. It was Wolfram's own delusion.

I did put in a lot of effort into this story to make it tasteful as you say. It's a pretty honest story as well – characters are trying to be as honest in their actions as they can. They get embarrassed, they get angry, they get silly.

I hope you had time to read those book you told me about and you made some time to meet your friends. After a long wait, here is a new chapter for you. I'm not sure how much of it you'll read since more than half of it is one big sex scene.

SweetHeaven: I love these long comments of yours :)

I understand what you're saying about Eldara x Wolfram. That was my intention all along – to make them likeable but to be wary of Eldara. Eldara has a motive for being with Wolfram, and the motive is different from "just because it feels good". I'll just leave this here XD

Both Eldara and Wolfram have lowered their guard around each other. Wolfram more so than Eldara but it works both ways. No matter what Eldara's intentions are, he's working as a healing spell on Wolfram. Wolfram realizes that.

If we talk about how canon people see Wolfram… I think it's more about the anime or manga. At the beginning of Bloom, Wolfram was seen like a spoiled man, but it wasn't as bad as in the anime/manga. I somehow made Wolfram older and more mature and the other characters around him are aware of that. The current Wolfram in Bloom has to be taken seriously – he's an experienced man already. He still needs to learn many things, but he's made a huge leap forward.

I didn't mean the scene with the ring to sound so symbolic, but I'm glad you saw it that way. Very insightful of you :)

Yes, it would have been very hypocritical of Cecilie not to encourage Wolfram to pursue his luck/love. Cecilie knows how Eldara is and also knows that Eldara is honest with his lovers. Eldara doesn't crap where he sleeps so to speak, haha

Indeed, Eldara is not going to let go of Wolfram so easily ;)

UnknownYmouScYcLoNe05: I'm surprised myself that I'm still hanging there and still writing. Seems like it's a real long-term hobby. It's been over a decade – I still enjoy it. Seems you do as well :)

Sharp Ronny – he's good for Eldara. Eldara granted him his life and now can order him around just like his navy. In other words, Sharp Ronny works for Eldara now.

Concerning the stated pairing, I normally don't change what was stated in the summary, but I myself am curious as well how I'll play it out XD So many chapters with Eldara and Wolfram… I can't have Yuuri and Wolfram in one chapter suddenly realize they are meant for each other after all. A pain, such a pain in the ass, this poor Yuuri and his indecision and fears.

Don't worry, no one is going to die in Bloom. I don't normally kill off important people.

Thank you for returning to read my fanfics :)

Guest: Yes, Eldara and Wolfram can certainly give a lot to each other. They already have. As you say, Eldara allayed Wolfram's fears about himself being somehow faulty, about wanting something wrong from Yuuri.

Eldara is a bit a different matter, but Wolfram makes him be more honest with himself and surrounding people. His walls are cracking as you said :)

Raywolf Shibelt: I'm glad you liked the chapter :)

alguien22792: Cecilie would be a real hypocrite if she forbade Wolfram to look for his fulfillment/love. After all, she is looking for it all the time. She experienced so many journeys to find love :)

Zafira: You're welcome :)

Emiko hime-sama: I can also understand Yuuri with his youth insecurities and reservations. That's why it's very hard for me to condemn his actions. Wolfram can condemn them because Wolfram is young as well and he doesn't have much understanding of Yuuri's different upbringing. But I can't condemn Yuuri.

I must say your suspicions are right concerning both Eldara and Yuuri. Eldara, though, has already given a lot to Wolfram. All the little things are big things for Wolfram even though he might not realize. Yuuri has left scars in his mind and Eldara is helping to heal those.

Krapo: I hope you like this chapter as well. Wolfram finally gets some long-awaited action.

xxxxx

Disclaimer: I don't own Kyou Kara Maou! – It belongs to its respective owners. This fan fiction is not a commercial project, and I'm not making any money from writing it.

Warnings: yaoi (male x male), violence, swearing, angst, drama. Wolfram-centric, out of character, original character.

Summary: With Yuuri's upcoming birthday, Wolfram makes his decision. Where will it lead him and what is to become of them? Should eventually be Yuuri x Wolfram.

A/N 1: Yuuri – 18 years old. Wolfram – 21. Eldara – 32. Halea – 20. Athara – 18.

A/N 2: Greta doesn't exist.

A/N 3: European/American/Japanese standards all at once depending on the plot requirements.

A/N 4: A tendency to ignore the anime/manga and supplement the story with my own imagined facts.

A/N 5: Season III is not taken into consideration, except for the fact that Wolfram's uncle exists.

A/N 6: The umlaut in Gunter's name is a bother.

A/N 7: This chapter contains a sex scene. To comply with FanFiction net's policy, I cut it. If you want to read the scene, go to AdultFanFiction org or ArchiveofOurOwn org.

Bloom

by chayron (lttomb yahoo com), beta-read by bishie82

Part 29

Wolfram kept waving until the familiar figures on board merged with the breaking dawn and he wasn't able to tell them apart. After that, he climbed back on Rendar and turned her around. The guards followed his example. Athara, Halea, and her fiancé climbed back into the carriage and the procession started moving towards home. The duke, though, motioned for them to stop and urged his horse towards one of the dock workers who were still unloading the goods from the moored ship. Wolfram had noticed Eldara eyeing the heavy trunks and sacks earlier; the duke obviously wanted to ascertain himself that everything was being done with his approval. Eldara talked to a man, then to a few other workers and lastly to one of the guards. Then, seemingly satisfied, he turned his horse around and sided with Wolfram. A two-hour journey for home awaited them.

"There aren't many ships," Wolfram noted.

They were passing by fishmongers and he was looking around, interested in the goods on the stalls and in barrels. Various smells were floating in the air, some of them forcing Wolfram to hold his breath.

Eldara gave him a long askance look. "They are on patrol," he said finally.

Wolfram didn't miss a suspecting glance that the duke threw towards Yozak. They were passing a stall with smoked fish and the blond pointed at tasty looking bundles of smoked mackerel.

"Let's get this for lunch, Yozak."

The captain turned his head to inspect the fish and nodded approvingly. "They should taste good, Sir." He motioned for one of his men to buy the goods. The soldier urged his horse towards the stall.

Suppressing a sigh, Wolfram rolled his eyes at his unsuccessful attempt to send Yozak off on the short quest. Yozak was such a pest. The blond turned back to the duke.

"All Shin Makoku has is a few trade ships and a few hundred fishing boats," he said. "That's a common knowledge and one would think you wouldn't need to worry about giving your navy's routine out."

Eldara offered him a smile that was anything but amused. "It's not only Shin Makoku I'm worried about."

Wolfram decided that Yozak being a spy through and through was also a common knowledge.

"Well, yes," the blond agreed. "Kardera did have a lot of enemies throughout history. And if anything, it's we who should be worried about your navy," he pointed out.

"Shin Makoku doesn't have a navy because you don't need one," Eldara said. "If enemy comes, you throw fireballs and create storms."

"But not having a navy also means we aren't planning on usurping any other lands," Wolfram pointed out.

"That's only as long as your King decides to play a pacifist."

"Yuuri is not playing a pacifist!" Wolfram spat. "He really hates war. He's always done everything to avoid bloodshed."

Eldara watched him with a thoughtful look in his eyes. "That's what everyone says," he said finally. "But a Demon's life is a long one and no one knows what will happen in the future."

Wolfram stared at him angrily then turned away. "You really do hate us, Demons," he muttered.

"I don't, Wolfram," Eldara denied. "Demons or Humans, all of us have the same nature. It's just that Demons are harder to fend off."

"To kill, you mean?" Wolfram growled.

Eldara sighed. "Why are we talking about this? We are not at war. We aren't even considering starting a war. "And it's such a fine morning," he added with a motion at the brightening sky.

Wolfram glared at the sky but could already feel the anger leaving him, the tension in his shoulders bleeding away. Now he felt annoyed with himself. He had defended Yuuri. He had done it automatically and with such fervor that the duke had looked at him with surprise. When was it going to end?

The soldier whom Yozak had sent for fish returned with a bagful. The pleasant smell of smoked mackerel reached Eldara's nostrils and his mouth started watering. He thought that it would be a good idea to buy more of it for everyone to share during lunch. He sent one of his guards back to the stalls to get a few different kinds.

Wolfram was quietly riding next to the duke, seemingly still angry. The morose face didn't fit to his playful hat with floppy ears. Eldara lowered his gaze to the sword at the blond's side. King Shibuya was, undoubtedly, a strange man. The lack of experience and the young age must have also taken their toll on Shibuya's judgment. If anything, he should have married Wolfram the first best chance he had. On the other hand, everyone had their likes and dislikes. All the better.

Before leaving for the harbor, the duke had ordered to heat the water in the baths. Once they arrived back in the castle, everyone went for a soak. It felt good to relax and warm up after the trip. When they left the baths, the lunch was already on the tables. The smoked fish was the main attraction even though it was not a rarity on the household's menu.

Since today had been meant for farewells, the duke hadn't planned any appointments. Everyone took their time enjoying the meal and each other's company.

After lunch, Wolfram left for his room to rest. Thoughtfully, Gunter had brought him a few books from Shin Makoku and the blond wanted to use the few hours of sunlight he still had. He had two books. One was called The Wartime, the second – The Story of Milkmaid Clarista. Even though Wolfram knew he should read the first one that would help him prepare for his future exams in order to gain the title of an officer, today he was more interested in knowing what happened to Clarista.

Wolfram pushed the armchair closer to the window, brushed the curtain aside and sat down to start reading. Four pages into the story, Wolfram took a mistrustful look at the book's cover again. He was overtaken by a nagging suspicion that there was more to Clarista's story than he had first presumed. Three more pages later he stumbled upon an orgy that included Clarista, a fat miller and someone named Billy Goat. The sensible thing to do was to throw the book into a fireplace. The problem was that he had no fireplace and, frankly, he could not resist reading further.

Wolfram was so engrossed into the milkmaid's loose lifestyle on her father's farm that he was caught off guard when a sudden knock on the door was heard. A small gasp escaped his lips. He hadn't even noticed that it had become dimmer in the room, and that the sun was in its final stage of setting. He realized that he could barely see the letters now. Quickly closing the book, he lit a few candles with a flick of his wrist. He sat still trying to will his awkward erection away. He wasn't even certain what made him react since he found the milkmaid's story more disturbing than erotic.

When Wolfram went to answer the door, he wasn't surprised to see the duke. Moving out of the doorway, the blond motioned towards the table where the usual carafe with water and a bowl of apples stood. While Eldara was walking towards the table, his eyes caught the sight of a book on the windowsill. Interested in where the blond's tastes lay, he walked over to look at the cover. He grinned and took the book. He thought it was somewhat strange that Wolfram read this kind of literature when his preferences leaned towards men so clearly. Yet, real life and sexual fantasies was not the same thing.

"I didn't know you were a fan of Clarista," he said, turning around. Wolfram appeared to be flustered and Eldara laughed. He waved the book in the air. "Have you read the part where she steals his savings and he can't complain to anyone because his wife would find out he's been cheating on her?"

"Have you read it?"

That was already more of a statement than a question, but Eldara shook his head. "No, I haven't. Halea told me all about it. A long time ago she and Athara found it amongst our father's belongings. I imagine it had caused quite a few giggles." He lowered the book onto the table next to the carafe. "It still seems to be pretty popular," he said with a wink.

"It's not mine," Wolfram said, blushing lightly. "I think it belongs to Gunter. He must have accidentally switched one of those he had intended to give me with one from his precious collection."

Eldara grinned. "Hmm… Accidentally, you say?" he drawled, putting the book back down on the windowsill.

Wolfram gave an uncertain shrug.

"Are you still upset over our conversation?" the duke asked when they sat down at the table. During lunch Wolfram had been quieter than usual and now he also seemed to be subdued.

Wolfram shook his head. "No, I'm not. I…" He shrugged. "I think I feel somehow nostalgic with Mother and Gunter gone."

"Oh, I see." Eldara reached out for the carafe with water. "Well, with von Christ gone, your life will be easier."

Wolfram laughed softly. "So will be yours."

Smiling, Eldara shrugged. He filled a glass, pushed it over to Wolfram and took another one for himself. "I do understand him, don't think I don't," he told Wolfram. "He's worried that I'm a bad influence on you, and I probably am."

Wolfram tapped his fingers against the glass. "He's right. You do influence me." He raised his eyes to look at Eldara's face. "But it's a welcome influence. We think differently but there are many things I admire you for and many things I want to learn from you."

Eldara's face acquired an expression of uncertainty. "This sounds like…"

Wolfram laughed softly. He shook his head. "No, this is not a love confession. But… Would it be bad if it were?" he wondered.

The duke chuckled at the curious look in the emerald eyes. Wolfram didn't even seem to realize how seductive and cunning he sounded. Or maybe he did. Sometimes Eldara couldn't tell with the blond. He reached out for Wolfram's face and brushed his fingers over the smooth cheek.

"No, Wolfram, it wouldn't," he said, leaning in to press their mouths together.

It wasn't comfortable to kiss while leaning forward in their chairs and they broke it off quickly. Eldara stood up, Wolfram followed his suit and they kissed again. Wolfram felt more relaxed than the previous times and the blond suspected that this indeed was due to Gunter's absence. He wondered what von Christ would think if he knew that.

"Mm?" the duke wondered when he felt Wolfram grinning against his lips.

The blond shook his head. "It's nothing," he muttered, leaning in again for yet another kiss. Wolfram's arms wrapped around Eldara's shoulders and stayed there until he had his fill of the duke's mouth.

Feeling those arms slide down his back and slip under his jacket, Eldara's lips settled on the side of the blond's neck to pamper the sensitive area. Wolfram let out an appreciative hum and cocked his head sideways to give the other man a better access. The blond's fingers started making their way through the buttons on the duke's shirt and the older man felt himself being maneuvered backwards, to where the bed stood.

"Clarista seems to work wonders on you," Eldara said, grinning against the blond's neck. He cupped Wolfram through his trousers.

"Yes, I don't know why," Wolfram admitted, ignoring the teasing. He closed his eyes as the older man continued to massage him through the fabric.

"In that case, I can share my collection of similar booklets with you," Eldara said, turning them around and seating the blond on the bed. He immediately leaned in to steal a quick kiss.

Wolfram laughed against his lips. "Are you offering me your precious pornography stash?"

Eldara grinned at him. "Yes, I do. It's not a big collection, though."

"Oh my, what would Gunter say?" Wolfram said in a reproachful voice.

"I think he would ask to borrow it."

Wolfram burst out laughing and flopped down onto the bed. Eldara followed him and stretched next to the blond sideways. Their eyes met and the amusement on Wolfram's face turned into a look of lust. Their mouths locked again and hands tugged at the clothes impatiently.

To comply with FanFiction net's policy, I cut the following sex scene. If you want to read it, go to AdultFanFiction org or ArchiveofOurOwn org.

Eldara freed the blond's hand and rolled off him. He lay still for a few moments, enjoying the afterglow. Then he started searching the nightstand cabinet for tissues or napkins. Once he found some, he went to the carafe with water.

Sprawled, Wolfram lay on the bed, dazed by the experience. It had been completely different to what he had imagined. Sex appeared to be a quite messy affair. There was pleasure, of course, just as anticipated, but there was a lot of awkwardness too. Now, when the endorphins dissipated, his anus felt itchy and there was mild irritation too.

Wolfram gasped at the unexpected coldness that suddenly spread over his stomach.

"Are you alright?" Eldara asked him, continuing to clean the blond with a wet handkerchief. He chuckled when Wolfram gave him a sleepy nod. "Next time will be better," he promised. "Always is." Wolfram nodded again, and Eldara was struck by how young he looked. He could not help reaching out to stroke the blond hair even though he knew that Wolfram's appearance was deceiving.

Before the blond could fall asleep, Eldara found another jar in the pockets of his trousers and brought it to bed.

"This should take away the sting," he said, his fingers slipping in between Wolfram's legs and up his butt.

The feeling of them moving inside him, suddenly made Wolfram so embarrassed that he nearly kicked the duke in the face. The man probably sensed his discomfort since he removed his hand quickly. Curious, he watched the blond's flushed face.

"Is there something wrong?"

Wolfram glared at him, his face becoming even redder. He then shifted sideways and groped around for the blankets. "Not as such," he muttered angrily.

Eldara couldn't prevent a chuckle that escaped his lips. "There's no need to be so embarrassed."

"Shut up."

TBC