Author's Notes: Sorry for another short chapter. I'm really glad you guys seemed to enjoy the last chapter. I've fixed the end author's note of chapter 37 in hopes of making the pun a little clearer, but it's not that big a deal if you didn't get it. It was just me being dumb. But if you enjoyed chapter 37, just wait. :D

Tales of Vesperia is the property of Namco Bandai.

Chapter 38 - Ready

He woke to the door shutting, creaking as ever. He looked down at the floor. Flynn's uniform and black shirt were gone, and his own dark shirt, vest, and belt were neatly folded on his chair.

"Damn it, Flynn."

He sat up. Today was different. It was very early still, the sun having just risen. He felt better today then he had in a long time. He didn't ache from his hard training. He wasn't tired from having woken during the night due to the nightmares. In fact, he couldn't recall even having any. He didn't feel sluggish. Most of all, he didn't feel hollow. That emptiness he dreaded waking up to had not crept in even though Flynn was gone.

Yuri felt well rested and energetic. Was this what being happy felt like? He knew now that he wouldn't be able to stop even if he wanted to.

Even Repede, who was lying in the corner, seemed to notice.

"Up for some warm ups before this final test?"

The dog wuffed and then got up and stretched.

Yuri dressed and headed downstairs. The Comet was full of its regular early morning customers at this point, but Judith and Karol were not there yet. They were probably still sleeping. He grabbed a quick breakfast and then he and Repede were off.

It was a beautiful day. It was sunny and cool and a little windy. The Lower Quarter was abuzz with activity today. It was market day. As they ran, the people became merely obstacles. Yuri weaved and dodged through them, and he knew that they mostly wrote it off as Yuri being Yuri. He liked that.

"Hey there, Yuri!" Hanks called to him from the window of his home as he passed.

"Hey, Hanks." He slowed to a jog in place.

"Looking better today. I hope this doesn't mean you're gonna be making trouble."

"Me? Trouble? Never!"

The old man sighed, knowing that Yuri was indeed planning trouble as was his norm. "Just don't get arrested this time!"

Yuri pulled away from the conversation with a wave, and moved back to running, Repede in tow. They worked their way to the exit of the Lower Quarter that up to the public market, where Adecor and Boccos were posted for the day. They tried to ignore him as he approached, but he was not having that today. They were going to provide him with at least a little fun.

He scooped up a couple of pebbles from the road and began to launch them one at a time. They bounced off the two knights' armor, proving to be annoying as opposed to injuring them.

"I say, desist, Yuri Lowell!"

"Make me."

Their faces both grew red with anger. They were after him as fast as their legs could carry them. It felt so wonderfully familiar being chased by the knights. They weren't much of a challenge, but he felt like maybe they could use a little training, too. Flynn couldn't let his troops get flabby.

By the time they had finished chasing him through the Lower Quarter, he met up with Karol and Judith and jetted out of town. He had some monsters to fight in order to finish warming up for his duel.

He thought about Yuri. He hadn't stopped thinking about Yuri.

It had been a challenge to stop when they had last night. He had wanted to keep touching Yuri, since he no longer objected to the hungry kisses and wandering hands. But he had promised Judith that he would not deplete all of the dark haired man's energy on the night before their duel. Tonight, however, was another matter entirely.

Flynn felt a sense of accomplishment. He'd been able to touch Yuri, and fluster him for the first time in a long time. He was glad to see that he had been eager for it, and hoped that he would be eager again tonight, and every night after this. He was satisfied by the fact that he could get reactions out of Yuri that no one else could. He relished every little moan and movement he had made the night before, and enjoyed thinking about all the lovely sounds he would be making tonight. He loved the way those fiery charcoal eyes stared up at him and that voice called out his name. No dream could compare to that. It made him shiver with anticipation for the coming fight, and the night of passion that was sure to follow, provided Yuri wasn't too upset with him for hiding all of this.

He had satisfied Yuri, even if only briefly, and that had satisfied him. Every now and then he felt a little bit of a pervert and like he should be ashamed, but Yuri had obviously enjoyed it. The book that he had found in the castle library proved to be helpful after all.

Flynn picked at his collar a little. It felt uncomfortably close to his warm neck. He thought once more how nice his uniform looked lying on the floor of Yuri's bedroom.

"Hey, Commandant."

Raven trotted into his state room, breaking him out of his heated thoughts.

He had been trying to work, but had quickly become distracted by thoughts of the night before and the night that was to come. Hopefully, Raven had information for him regarding his surveillance. He was still waiting on the report from Captain Frings to come in.

"How are things?" He wanted to ask outright about the information he may or may not have had, but that seemed ill advised. Neither of them knew what ears might have been pressed against walls, desperate to hear whatever information they may have had. He still had to be suspicious of so many people.

Raven shrugged. "Same old same old."

No knew information then. That was disheartening, even though he was kind of glad that things were so quiet right now. He didn't want anything ruining today. It was too important to him.

"Dear Judith sent me."

He perked up a little at that.

"It's time."