A Different Fate

by Musal

What if Train didn't know Creed killed Saya? What if he believed it was Chronos? What if Train helped Creed create the Apostles to get revenge on Chronos? What happens when Train learns the truth? CxT

59. The Question

Disclaimer: I do not own Black Cat or its characters

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"Creed… I thought you said we were going to train…"

Creed smiled sweetly at his beloved, and took a step closer to him. "I did. And we are."

Train growled and pointed his putter at his partner's mocking smirk. "SINCE WHEN IS PLAYING MINI GOLF TRAINING?!"

Creed chuckled as he took another step towards his cat, club in hand as he gently grabbed the end of Train's putter and moved it out of his face. His sweet smile remained, but it was clear the gesture was meant to annoy him more.

It's like he's doing it on purpose! And the worst thing is that it's working! I'm very annoyed!

Creed made his syrup expression worse by tilting his head slightly, which was something he knew Train thought was adorable. "Mini golf requires a lot of concentration and precision. On top of that, it gets very frustrating since you're putting the entire time. That, combined with all the traps and tricks hidden through the course, is a great mesh of things I'm sure will make you angry and or annoyed."

Train clutched the club tightly as he stared at his partner, arm holding shaking slightly. "...So, you admit it?"

If it was possible, Creed somehow managed to make his sweet look even sweeter. "Admit what, my Dearest Train?"

Train slammed his putter on the ground. "ADMIT THAT YOU'RE DOING THIS TO ANNOY ME!" When he saw Creed giggle, he felt the warmth his lover never failed to ignite rise again, and he blushed. "And wipe that stupid cute look off your face! It's not working!"

Creed cocked an eyebrow, but kept the same look that was obviously driving his partner insane. "Oh? Is that so? Then explain the color change in your cheeks, my love…"

Train glared at the swordsman then slapped his cheeks and finally turned away from him. "That's from the rage I feel at you lying to me by saying we were going to train…"

Hearing Creed's giggle gave the cat conflicting feelings. Normally, it filled his heart with heat and made his soul feel like it was floating with the clouds like an overinflated balloon, but right now, all he wanted to do was smack Creed as hard as he could to wipe that smile off his handsome face, and it seemed like that was exactly the reaction his partner wanted.

He pretty much just admitted that he brought me here with the soul purpose of pissing me off. Then he adds that infuriating charming look he knows I love to just pour salt in the wounds!

"Is that so? Well then, I guess you'd get even more rageful if I did this."

Train was too lost in his thoughts of irascibility to notice when Creed stepped in front of him and set up his ball for the next hole. He watched as the swordsman tapped it lightly, his golden eyes anxiously following the small sphere as it smoothly reached its destination. Train felt his jaw drop when the ball easily slipped into the elongated pipe that resided in the middle of the greenery, penetrating one end of the pipe and easily withdrawing from the other, landing in the hole on the other side with a quiet thump.

Creed stepped over to the hole as he pulled out a small piece of paper that held their scores, musing teasingly at his love. "Let's see… we're at hole fourteen and since I've sunk a hole in one each time, which puts me at fourteen. Can you remind me what your score is, Love?"

Train clenched his fists and ground his teeth at the man who was clearly doing whatever he could to make the cat mad. "...You know what it is."

Creed put that aggravating candy-coated smile back on his face, making Train's heart beat fast, but his blood boiled hot. "I'm sorry, Kitten, I'm gonna need to hear you say it. Just to make sure I'm not wrong."

Train felt his face get hot with more than one emotion, and he looked away from his partner, mumbling his score under his breath in a very childish manner.

Creed added a little more honey to his smile. "I'm sorry, what was that, my Dear Train?"

Train turned fiercely to his partner and threw the club on the ground. "SIXTY-THREE! THIS STUPID FREAKIN' HOLE PUT ME AT SIXTY-THREE! ARE YOU HAPPY?!"

Creed giggled at Train, and wrote down the number he already knew was correct. "Looks like you're hitting at about an average of five pars per hole."

Train gave him another heated look as he picked his putter up. "It's less than five…"

Creed giggled, picked up his ball, then walked over to Train to pinched his cheek. "I'm rounding up, Train. It makes it easier to keep a number in my head."

Train growled and pushed his partner's hands away, feeling his body sparking slightly with the rage he was feeling at the moment. He always despised mini golf. He thought it was an arduous, tiresome activity, and Creed knew that. Train told his partner a long time ago that he tried it once with his parents as a kid, and he got so angry and impatient, they had to leave before they finished the game.

Did he bring me here with that story in mind? Or is this some sort of twisted date to him?

Train watched as his partner walked to the next hole, the modest, but obvious carefree skip in his step making the gunman even more irked at the entire situation.

I wouldn't put it past him to think this is a date. He loves me when I'm angry or happy. He thinks every emotion I show is endearing. But, if he wanted to go out on a date, he should have just asked me. He knows I would have said yes.

As he followed after Creed, he looked down at his hand and frowned. He had been doing his best to contain the agitated rage building inside him not only from Creed's lies, but from his partner making him do something he knew Train hated. The more they played and the farther ahead in points Creed got, the harder it was to suppress his Tao.

Which is so childish! It's just a game! A stupid game at that! I shouldn't be getting so worked up over losing a stupid game that literally has no consquence on the real world.

His competitive side took over as soon as he found out where Creed was taking him. Train tried to argue mini golf was a bad idea since it infuriated him and even reminded his partner of the story from his childhood, but that seemed to make Creed want to go even more. It almost convinced Creed that what they were doing was a good idea.

And he won't let me use my Tao! He said if I did, I would lose automatically.

Train frowned down at his hand that was still sparking ominously. The fact that he almost lost control of his powers a few times already due to a puerile game meant for juveniles bothered him more than anything else. Which only made it harder for him to control his own abilities.

I'm angering myself into a circle! I get angry a the game for being so stupid, then I get angry at myself for being so immature about a child's game…. AH! I HATE THIS!

Train sighed and flexed his sparking fingers.

I told Creed this was a bad idea. When I lost my temper as a kid, it was cute. But now, I can actually hurt someone.

As Creed merrily set up for the next hole, Train glanced over his shoulder and frowned at the mess he left behind. There were a few burn marks on the fake greenery covering several of the holes, and some of the displays had been knocked down by his wind abilities. There was even a spinosaurus plastic display Train accidentally froze when he turned around too quickly in rage at missing the whole for the fourth time.

I'm really glad we're the only ones here… Otherwise, someone might have gotten hurt.

Train wasn't sure how they managed to get the course to themselves, but he knew Creed had something to do with it, and his instincts were proven right when he saw the way the girl at the counter looked at the silverette. The little wink his partner gave the girl was all the confirmation the Black Cat needed to know how Creed managed to charm his way into getting the place to themselves. And he wasn't surprised by his partner's actions at all.

Creed would do literally anything to reserve a public place for just us. And I don't mind as long as no one's getting hurt, but… why did he have to pick mini golf?

"Train? Are you going to putt?"

Train blinked at his partner, realizing he had been too lost in his thoughts to take his turn. He had been standing in front of his ball, cued up to hit it for what was probably an embarrassingly long time.

Not that it matters… If i keep acting so childishly, my Tao is going to go out of control and I'll end up blowing this stupid dinosaur up.

The cat glared at the plastic brontosaurus, loathing the humanoid smile on his face, as if it were in denial about what it actually was.

Why would the manufacturer make it look so cartoon-like? I know this place is for kids, but don't they know dinosaurs couldn't smile?

Feeling more sparks circle his body, Train groaned in discontent as he looked back at his lover who still had that sacchariferous look on his face.

Doesn't Creed notice how I've been reacting? Why does he seem so calm about it? He's usually the first to react when I have a negative emotion.

Train took a deep breath to calm himself down, then glowered at the molded beast. "Okay, I can do this. I'm better than you. After all, you're the one that went extinct like an idiot!"

Hearing Creed laugh genuinely at his joke helped calm the gunman down a bit. Up until then, all the snickers the silver man was emitting were meant to frustrate Train. However, that one was too authentic to be fake, and when he heard Creed stifle it quickly, Train knew his lover was doing whatever he could to make him mad.

But why...? He knows what happens to me when I get upset. Is he testing to see how far he can push me before I lose control? If that's the case, why didn't he tell me that was his plan?

Train shook his head and looked back to the plastic statue, narrowing his eyes as the counterfeit beast, offended that it called itself something as mighty as a dinosaur. "You just stay still while I putt… no funny business you hear me?!"

Train hardened his glare, then pointed an accusing finger at the beast. "AND STOP GIVING ME THAT LOOK! YOU'RE ALMOST AS BAD AS CREED!"

"Ouch!" Creed said as he dramatically clutched his chest. "That hurts, my love! Why must you be so cruel to me?"

Train turned his glare to his partner. "Sie wissen, was Sie getan haben …" (1)

Creed chuckled and put his hands up defensively. "Du musst nicht so feindselig sein, meine Katze." (2)

Creed heard his beloved mutter a few more unsavory German words under his breath, then lowered his hands and watched Train with interest. He was making sure any time Train looked at him, Creed appeared to be happy and chipper, as if he didn't have a care in the world and had no idea how furious his love was. However, every time Train turned away, Creed watched his body for signs of distress that might push him past his control point.

I know this is a childish way to test how far I can push him, but it's also the safest way. There's no one around to get hurt ,and Train isn't actually fighting anyone except himself.

When he heard Train growl a few curse words in German at the dinosaur, he giggled quietly, hoping his beloved wouldn't notice his guffaw.

Well… maybe himself and that plastic toy he seems to have taken a hating to.

Creed looked back at the frozen spinosaurus and gave it a sympathetic frown. Despite it not being real, he felt bad for the inanimate object, since he really knew the Black Cat's anger was directed at him. When Creed said they were finally going to train, the gunman was ecstatic. The entire ride over to the course Train went on and on about how he was going to wipe the floor with Creed, but his animated demeanor dropped when he realized where they were.

I know it was a dirty trick, but lying was a good way to set him off before the training even started.

Creed knew how much his Kitten hated mini golf and since it required such austerity and concentration, two things he knew Train desperately lacked, he thought that playing a game with the cat was the best way to test how much control of his Tao he really had back. The fact that Creed was actually quite excellent at mini golf for all the reason's Train was bad at it made the whole session that much more rigorous for the gunman.

And Train's naturally competitive nature adds fuel to the fire burning in his gut right now. I hate to put him through this, but I really think this is the best way to show him how much control he still lacks.

Train had been swearing that he was ready to face the Apostles, and Sephiria was even beginning to back up that theory after seeing how well he handled talking to Aliane. But, as proud as Creed was of his kitten, he knew better. He knew Train didn't have as much control of his abilities as he thought, and mini golf was the best way Creed could think of proving that to his beloved since he wouldn't listen.

He's too stubborn and proud to admit he's not one-hundred percent back to himself. But, I can see the hinge of doubt in his eyes. A small part of him that isn't quite certain of himself, which is all the evidence I need to know he's not back to normal.

Along with being proud and stubborn, Train was also confident and a bit egotistical. So, if even a fraction of his heart was feeling doubtful, that meant Train wasn't ready to face the Apostles.

And if I want to live happily ever after with my prince, I need to make sure he's completely ready for the boss fight.

Creed clutched the box in his pocket for comfort, then smiled warmly as his love went to the ball's level in order to properly scold it.

Not only is he not ready to face the Apostles, he's not ready for that psyche evaluation yet. If he met with the doctor now, she wouldn't clear him for duty. And we need him if we're going to win.

Creed slipped his hand into his pocket and clutched the velvety box a little tighter, watching Train slam his club on the ground and thinking of his future with the man he loved, praying it would come to fruition very soon.

I need him…

Creed had more planned for the night than just mini golf and antagonizing his beloved. The second portion of the evening would hopefully lighten his Kitten's mood after hours of the silver man purposely pushing his buttons.

Thinking of what was coming next made Creed feel nauseous. The frolicsome demeanor he was putting on was just a façade meant to set his cat off. In reality, he was shaking in his metaphorical boots over what the second half of the night was going in entail.

I have no idea what his reaction will be since I have no idea how he feels about the idea of marriage. But, I'll never know until I try. What's the worst thing that he could say besides no?

Since the day he met Train, Creed often thought about what it would be like to marry him, but until recently, it had always just been a wild and crazy fantasy the swordsman assumed would never materialize. Even after he and Train had resuscitated their relationship, the thought of marrying the lovable cat still seemed like a far fetched dream his love would never agree to.

And the few passing comments I've made at him were in jest at first, but… joking about it started to cement the idea in my mind and I haven't been able to shake the idea.

Ever since they rescued Train from the Apostles, Creed couldn't stop thinking about marrying the hypnotizing man. There was something about almost losing Train forever that made him want to lock the cat down for good. Even though he knew marriage didn't mean the end of his beloved's independence and Train could still leave at any point he decided he was sick of Creed, the idea of having official documentation that the Black Cat belonged to him was enough to set his heart on fire.

I know it might not mean anything to Train, but it would mean everything to me to know no one could legally take him away from me. If we were married and he left, at least then it would be his choice.

Besides that, the idea of setting up a cliché, cheesy situation in which he could propose to his cat appealed to Creed's romantic side. While he knew he didn't need an excuse to woo his sweet Kitten, that didn't mean he wasn't going to create every possible opportunity that he could.

Creed smiled fondly as he watched his fetching lover threaten the ball with violence and sighed longingly.

Still, Eve's right. This is the one thing I have no idea what Train's thoughts are on it. We've never discussed it. He could see it as something that would tie him down, and I know how much he values his freedom. The last thing I want to do is make Train feel like he's my prisoner.

He smiled warmly and felt his heart beat faster as he watched his beloved grumble and hit the golf ball again.

I should gauge his reaction to the idea before I pop the question. I'd hate to put him in an awkward situation.

Train finally got the ball in the hole and he sighed in relief, bending down to pick it up before turning back around to Creed. "I wasn't counting, so I have no idea how many putts that was. Just put me down for a hole in one and you'll still be ahead by a lot."

Creed quickly slipped his hand out of his pocket when Train started walking towards him and put on an innocent face. "That's cheating, Train. And I will not have a cheater for a lover."

He watched as the cat winced and immediately regretted his words.

I want to make him angry, but I don't want to hurt him. I shouldn't have said that.

Creed frowned at Train and wrapped his arm around the slim man's waist as they walked side by side to the next hole. "I'm sorry, Train. That was a poor choice of words…"

Train sighed. "It's… fine. You'd think after all this time I would have forgiven myself for that…"

Creed deepened his frown, then nuzzled his face against Train's. "You're heart is too sensitive and your soul is too kind to forgive yourself for that. So, unfortunately, I have a feeling this is going to be an ongoing internal war for the rest of your life."

Train pouted. "That's not comforting. You're being very mean tonight. Why are you being so mean?"

Creed sighed and kissed his beloved on the cheek. "I'm just teasing, Train, you know that. That last comment was an accident."

He saw Train sulk and stopped them both so he could stand in front of his cat. Creed placed both his hands on either side of Train's face, waiting for his golden love to make contact with his eyes before he spoke.

He kissed Train's forehead, then spoke. "There will be a lot of things in this life that will torment both of us forever, and as much as I wish I could pluck every painful, haunting memory from that beautiful head of yours, I can't. But, what I can promise you is that you will never be alone with those tormenting thoughts. For every duplicitous nightmare you have, I promise I will give you a truthful paradise to accompany it. For every ounce of pain you feel, I will give you boundless pleasure in hopes that it will at least cancel out the hurt."

Creed pressed their foreheads together as he finished his loving sentiment. "I am by no means a God. In fact I'm pretty sure I'm the farthest thing from it, but if there's one thing I am certain of in this antithetical, strenuous, yet captivating world, it's that as long as I breathe, I will do anything in my meager power that I can to keep you safe from all harm, and that includes harm you do unto yourself."

Train smiled, then shut his eyes as he allowed Creed's breath to sweep across his face. "That's more like the Creed I know…"

Creed found himself, once again, getting lost in the majesty that was Train Heartnet, and was beginning to have a hard time remembering why he was pushing his love's buttons in the first place. However, unable to ever pass up any opportunity to be close to his lover, Creed pressed his lips against Train's, holding the gunman's head steady as they embraced.

Damn him for being so perfect and damn me for so easily forgetting I'm supposed to be making him angry tonight!

After a few minutes of tasting his Kitten, Creed pulled away and smirked at Train. "You also know I enjoy teasing you, so stop pretending I'm acting abnormal."

Train sighed in frustration as Creed stepped towards the new hole, placing his ball on the ground as the cat rubbed his face. "...You're not just teasing me, you're purposefully making me angry. And I want to know why."

Creed shrugged. "I just wanted to go on a date with you, Train. What's wrong with that?"

Seeing the sweet smile back on his Stallion's face, Train growled and stepped next to his partner. "So, this is a date then? I thought you just said we were training."

Again, Creed shrugged, which replaced the pleasure Train was feeling with anger once again. "Creed… If you wanted to go on a date, you should have just asked. Even with everything going on, you know I would have said yes. You know I'll take any opportunity to be alone with you. You know I'd say yes to anything you ask of me!"

Creed hit the ball with his putter, then slipped his hand back into his pocket to clutch the box. "Anything…?"

Train rolled his eyes and pushed Creed aside so he could angrily take his shot. "Anything except mini golf."

He hit the ball, then cursed at how terribly he did. "You know how much I hate this stupid game, and you know how much I hate when people lie to me, and you especially know how much I wanted to trian. You can't stand there with that infuriatingly adorable look on your face and tell me you didn't plan this."

Creed pulled his hand out of his pocket and stepped over to his love. "Adorable, you say?"

Train growled as Creed stepped up behind him and hit his ball again. "Don't even, Creed. I don't care how sweet you were a few moments ago, you're erasing it all with your sudden sourness."

Train felt his body beginning to flare up electricity again, and took another deep breath. "Why are you doing this, Creed…?"

Creed pouted as he watched his lover's body spark, then stepped up behind him, and wrapped his arms around the lithe man's frame. He ignored the minor pain inflicted due to his lover's electrified body and rested his chin on top of Train's shoulder, pressing the sides of their faces together as he spoke. "Maybe I just wanted an excuse to hold you like this…"

Train rolled his eyes again and shrugged Creed off. "Yet another thing I'd say yes to under different circumstances. Just let me take the shot so we can get closer to being done. If we're not going to train, I want to go home."

"Train…" Creed whispered as he watched his cat miss the ball completely and his body flared up again. "You know I have a reason for everything I do, right?"

Train sighed and stood up straight, deciding he needed a minute to regulate his immature emotions before he continued. "Yes… Which is another thing that's pissing me off. I can tell you're making me angry on purpose, but I don't know why."

Creed frowned, then stepped up behind his beloved again, ignoring the lightning shocks he received from wrapping his arms around Train. Instead of wrapping them around his love's waist, he placed his hands on Train's, holding the gunman's robust digits gently as he helped the cat fix his stance.

"In order to putt better, you need to be able to concentrate and focus. You need to have patience with both yourself, and the world around you."

He noticed Train was about to open his mouth, and placed a find on it quickly before setting it back down against his hand.

"You need to block out the noise pollution. You can't let everything around you act as a distraction, which I know is near impossible with all that ruckus going on in your head."

He kissed Train's head as he finished his sentence. "Remember Anastasia's words, 'May all that has been reduced to noise in you become music again'."

Train sighed. "Those aren't Anastasia's words. She took them from David Teems."

Creed rolled his eyes and kissed Train again. "You know what I mean."

Train felt his mind rest easy when Creed kissed him, remembering the old woman's words and able to feel her presence surrounding them. He watched as his partner swung his hands back, then hit the ball gently. His golden eyes followed the small sphere as it fell into the hole, then blinked in shock at how easy it was.

"Okay… But that wasn't really me that did it. That was you helping me. And according to you, that's cheating. Just like apparently everything else is in this stupid game."

Creed sighed as Train left his arms to pick up the ball. "Train, didn't you understand my message?"

Train looked over his shoulder at Creed. "Hm?"

Creed frowned. "You can be so clever, yet so oblivious sometimes. I know you figured out this wasn't intended to be a date, so I won't pretend that's the truth of the night. But, my words must have made you see what I'm really trying to get you to do."

Train stared at his partner for a few moments, then at the ball in his hand. "...You're trying to get me to control my emotions by making me as angry and annoyed as possible."

Creed nodded his head and gestured with his hand for the cat to continue. "And…?"

Train sighed and slumped his shoulders. "...And you're trying to get me to figure it out on my own. You're trying to get me to rely on myself instead of you or anyone else. That's why you haven't been helping me, and that's why you're doing everything you can to make me mad. You want me to be able to control my Tao on my own in a safe, controlled environment."

Creeds stepped over to his love and poked him playfully on the nose. "Bingo."

Train batted the man's hand away. "Doesn't me understanding what you're trying to do defeat the purpose? Isn't that why you weren't telling me your real reason for coming here?"

From what Train just worked out, him understanding why they were there made the whole point sort of moot. If Train knew that Creed was testing to see how well he could control his Tao, then he'd know everything the swordsman was saying and doing was just to get him angry, and the cat could use that knowledge to keep himself calm.

Now that I know what his plan is, everything Creed says and does won't annoy me since I know he's doing it out of love.

Creed shook his head. "No. It may make it harder for me to annoy you, but it won't make you hate this game any less. And, I feel bad about that cheating comment, so I don't want to keep pushing your buttons with my words."

Seeing his beloved perk up, Creed realized he had done too much to improve Train's mood, and knew he needed to change that.

Under any other circumstances, cheering my Kitten up would be a good thing. But right now, he needs to be upset for this unorthodox training session.

Creed saw the irony of agitating his love instead of bringing him joy, and it was difficult for him to see Train in any mood other than utter bliss, pure pleasure, or complete julibition, but he knew he had to. For Train's sake.

I'm doing this for him. I'm making him angry for his own good. He needs to be able to learn to control his negative emotions so his Tao doesn't take over

Creed knew too well how to control the abysmal emotions every human was plagued with at birth, which was why he knew the unconventional training was going to help. His personal connection with dark feelings was also why he wanted to have a training session alone with Train. Creed wanted to make sure his beloved didn't accidentally hurt someone, and he also knew there was no one better to teach the gunman the all important life skill of self control than him.

I'm the best teacher he could ask for on how to keep those… unfavorable thoughts at bay.

Even though Creed's affliction with homicidal tendencies and twisted thoughts was due to Chronos' influence, he still had to learn how to live with them. Chronos didn't give him a choice. They put him in a position where he was forced to master his control over the crepuscular sensations that haunted every second of his existence. If he didn't, the somber overcast that used to follow him like a demented shadow would have taken over and thrown him off the clif he for years had been precariously dangling over.

So, as much as I despise making Train feel any kind of inimical emotion, I have to.

Creed gave his lover another sweet smile, then waved the score sheet in Train's face. "It also won't change what the score is. And I know that competitive side in you won't change even if you figured out my nefarious plan."

Train yelped when Creed hit him on the head with the score sheet. "...You're a terrible person."

Creed giggled and walked to the next hole. "And yet, you still love me. Funny how that works."

Train rubbed the spot his partner hit, even though it didn't hurt, then begrudgingly followed after him, muttering a few more acidic, German words under his breath.

Creed's right. Even though I understand what he's doing, I'm still angry.

Train snickered a little when he noticed his partner missed his first hole. "What's wrong? Feeling fatigued?"

Creed rolled his eyes and stepped over to his ball that was only a few inches away from the hole. "I don't think you're in any position to talk, Train. I can always let you be in charge of the score sheet in case you need a reminder."

Train growled a little when he saw Creed sink the ball in the hole on his second shot. "I'm surprised to hear you'd trust me with that."

Creed shrugged and picked up his ball. "It's not like I don't know the vast difference in our scores. I mean, what are you going to do? Try to somehow convince me that you magically took over thirty strikes off your score?"

Train glared and blushed at his lover's candied smile, surprised that even though he knew what Creed's plan was, the expression still managed to rile him up.

He knows me too well.

A thought suddenly popped into Train's head and his glare turned into a smirk.

...And I know him too well.

Creed tried to step to the side to give Train room to putt, but was halted by his Kitten when the gunman wrapped his arm around his waist and twirled him around slightly. Creed thawed into his beloved sultry embrace immediately, goosebumps decorating his milky white skin the moment he felt Train's tempestuously torrid lips brush voluptuously against his ear.

Train's smirk widened when he felt his lover shiver in his arms and dissipate into the embrace. To further seduce his partner, Train took his other hand and ran it provocatively through Creed's hair, trailing it down to his cheek which he massaged elegantly with his thumb. The chills going down his lover's spine were audible and visible, which made Train have to repress a snicker.

He's too easy…

Using his index finger, he outlined his partner's jawline, then slowly glided it up to Creed's lips, tracing the soft flesh as he pressed his lips harder against the silverette's ear.

"...You know there's a lot I can do to convince you of almost anything. Don't tempt me, my Stallion."

Creed trembled, his brain growing foggier and foggier by the minute as he desperately tried to remember what he was talking about just moments ago. However, he knew whatever it wasn't worth breaking himself out of whatever sweltering spell his bewitching cat had placed him under. He was completely mystified by both Train's words and touch, but the way his breath licentiously brushed against his ear sent a corybantic storm of passionate fever throughout his body, and he knew his Kitten was about to win.

And I don't mean mini golf… With just a few words, he may have persuaded me to call off the whole game and drag him to the next location.

Creed released a lustful moan when Train lightly kissed his ear, astonished at how easily the captivating cat could daze him even after being head over heels in love with him for all of his adult life.

When he felt the hand Train had around his waist lower a little and land mockingly on his hip, Creed nearly pushed his cat to the ground to ravaged his body right on the spot. However, when he felt Train brush his fingers against the small box in his pocket, Creed was thrust out of his thoughts and dug deep within his heart to shove himself out of his beloved's tepid arms.

"D-Don't think you can so easily sway me with your naturally seductive allure. The training session isn't over, and you're still losing."

Train blinked in confusion at the empty space in his arms, thrown off by the small lump he felt in Creed's pocket. Had his hand been a bit lower and centered on the swordsman's body, he would have been sure he knew the source of the bump was. But even then, considering the shape and size of it, there was no way it could have been what Train thought it was.

He also panicked when I touched it. Had it been something else, he definitely wouldn't have pushed himself away so violently.

Train couldn't think of anything sort of a fire that would have made Creed push him away with such force.

Scratch that, even a fire wouldn't have been enough for him. He once left a pot on the stove that set off the fire alarm and I had to pry him off more than once to prevent the house from burning down.

What made the situation all the more confusing was Creed was very much enthralled with what the Black Cat had been doing. He could tell with just a few simple caresses and slightly provocative words, he had successfully made his lover completely disappear in his arms.

And yet somehow my hand brushing by an area I know he loves being fondled was enough to make him leap from my arms as if they were literally on fire.

Just to be sure, Train looked down at his arms to see if his Tao had somehow managed to catch them on fire while he wasn't paying attention. It wouldn't have been the first time he didn't notice he had caused something to be set ablaze due to his occasional carelessness with his powers, and considering he didn't feel temperature changes the same way normal humans did, he wouldn't have been surprised.

Nope. I'm clean. Then what the hell is wrong with him?

Another thought occurred to him and he decided to ask. "Do you have the music box on you?"

Creed had his body turned away from his lover so Train wouldn't see the startled, slightly panicked look on his face as he patted his shirt pocket. "Yes. I always do."

Train frowned and attempted to step over to Creed. "Then what was tha-?"

Creed grabbed Train's shoulder and turned him around, pushing him towards the ball that was still sitting on the ground as he spoke in a shaky voice. "S-Stop trying to distract me with your sexiness and get back to your training."

Train opened his mouth to speak again, but was interrupted as Creed shoved the club back in his hand. The gunman blinked at the object, not sure when he even dropped it, and repositioned himself back behind the ball.

Something's up, I can tell. And he knows I can tell. Why not just come clean? He knows I'll figure it out eventually anyway. And he knows I hate when he keeps things from me.

Train sighed.

Actually, that's probably why he's keeping it from me...

Train shrugged, deciding whatever it was must not have been important enough to involve him, didn't involve him at all, or Creed would tell him eventually. "Whatever…"

Creed glanced over his shoulder at his beloved, watching as Train hit the ball very inelegantly, then sighed in relief as he clutched the box in his pocket. He continued watching his Kitten snarl a few more quiet German curses at his ball, giggling at how much more colorful Train's foreign vocabulary was getting the closer they got to the end of their game.

And the end of the game would lead to the next part of this evening… which I'm growing more and more nervous about…

Keeping his fingers tightly clasped around the box in his pocket, Creed let out a shaky sigh and geared himself up to ask his lover a question. "Train…?"

"Hm?" Was Train's only response as he hit the ball yet again, seemingly incapable of finding the ball's home.

Creed swallowed thickly, then shook himself of his anxious jitters. "What do you think, umm… I mean, how do you feel… about marriage?"

Train hit his ball again, slammed the tip of his putter on the ground when he missed again, and addressed his partner's question without looking at him. "What?"

Creed sighed as he felt another rickety tremble rattle his body.

I'm so stupid...

Creed rubbed his eyes, ran his fingers through his hair, and tried to make his voice sound less fearful. "What… What do you think about marriage?"

Train sighed as he finally sunk his next put, then gave his partner a strange look. "Marriage?"

Creed bit his tongue to prevent the vocal vomit from rocketing out of his mouth. "Yes, marriage. What do you think of it?"

Train blinked in confusion. "What do I think of it?"

Is there an echo in here?

Creed slowly let his breath go, making sure it was quiet enough that Train wouldn't hear him as he responded. "Yes, Train. Marriage. What do you think of it?"

Train opened and closed his mouth a few times, even scratching his head in confusion as he stared off in thought. "I… guess I don't know…"

I've never even thought about it before… Why is he asking me that?

Creed swallowed again, then began walking towards the next hole, hoping that would help alleviate a bit of his stress. "I-I mean… Are you… strictly against it? For it? Ambivalent?"

Train frowned as he followed after his partner, not sure what to say since their topic of conversation was not only peculiar, but quite different from what they were talking about a few minutes ago. "I guess I can't say I'm strictly against it since that would imply I think people who are married are stupid for entering into he pact. But, I also don't think I can say I'm for it since I've literally never thought about it."

Creed sighed a bit dejectedly, making sure his back was facing Train so he wouldn't see how dismal his demeanor had become. "So… Ambivalent?"

Train tapped his chin. "I don't think that's right either. I don't think I can properly answer this question because it's never occurred to me, and I've never experienced it. It's like saying I'm ambivalent to cheesecake cause I've never had it. How can I have an opinion on something I've never had before?"

Creed blinked, briefly forgetting his nervousness at the absurdity of his beloved's words. "You've never had cheesecake?"

Train shook his head and gave his partner a cheeky smile. "Nope! Not by choice, of course. I've just never had it. And since I don't bake, I can't make it myself."

Creed smiled warmly at his love's words since they reminded him of how little of the world his Kitten had actually experienced. "There are no bake recipes for cheesecake, Train."

Train rolled his eyes as Creed sunk another hole in one and took his position where his lover once was. "If I can't even make canned soup without burning it, what makes you think I can make a no bake cheesecake?"

Creed giggled, feeling a bit more at ease with their conversation now that it lightened a little.

However, he still hasn't really answered my question. Although, I guess it seems like he can't

He grabbed the box in his pocket again as he watched Train unsuccessfully putt and spew more curses. "Well, that's certainly something that needs to change. And soon. It's a cream baked dessert, so I'm sure you'd love it."

Train shrugged. "Other than oatmeal, I've yet to find a food I don't-SON OF A BITCH BALL!"

Creed rolled his eyes when Train swung the putter and completely missed his mark. "Don't you remember what I said about putting? Block out all the outside noise."

Train sighed and nodded. "I know, I know…"

That's kind of hard to do when he's asking me such hard hitting questions that I've never thought of before. Why is he doing that?

As he stared at his ball and thought about Creed's question, images of the silverette in a finely pressed suit entered his mind. He smiled as he imagined what his lover's extravagant wedding attire would look like, positive Creed would go as far out of his way as possible to not only look his absolute best, but to make sure the day was perfect and intensely detail oriented.

I don't know how he could possibly outdo the suit he wore on our first date, but I'm sure he'd manage. He could wear a potato sack and he'd look great. But, I wouldn't care what he wore. As long as we're together, nothing else matters.

Train felt his heart racing faster and faster as he played through what he believed a wedding day with Creed Diskenth would look like. He saw thousands of multi-colored roses scattered throughout an ostentatiously pretentious venue with small plaques explaining the symbolic meaning behind each flowers' hue. He saw what had to be the tallest tiered cake in history, positive it was breaking countless world records with an unreasonably gigantic topper of the two of them resting precariously at the highest level.

He'd also probably try to convince me he would make me wear a wedding dress, but actually have a suit that, 'brought out my eyes' or some cheesy crap like that.

Train chuckled when he imagined Creed making him try on countless ties, tossing each one aside as if it were garbage, claiming it had no right gracing the Black Cat's glorious neck until he finally found the perfect match. He imagined Creed ignoring all normal wedding traditions such as not seeing each other before the wedding because he couldn't bear being away from Train for a full twenty-four hours.

Next, he saw their small family filling into the exorbitant hall Creed insisted they rent, watching as Sven and Eve tried to figure out how to make the place seem more full than it actually would have been. Train knew if the imagery was ever going to be a reality, they didn't know enough people to fill the space his lover found and deemed worthy enough to marry him in.

He'd probably still find something wrong with it even after we booked it.

Lastly, he saw himself sharing a first dance with Creed, something they hadn't done since they first became lovers. Since then, they shared so much music together that he wasn't sure which song would be perfect for that moment. There were so many songs he could picture them dancing to, but there was only one he believed they would both be able to agree on was perfect.

He might even try to serenade me while we're dancing… Probably record himself playing the piano then sing to me as we danced…

Train blinked, realizing how fast his heart was racing, how warm his body was getting, and confused what it all meant.

Wait, is this actually something that I want…?

Train smiled zealously as he allowed the warmth to encompass his heart, his earlier feelings of anger and annoyance over the game he was losing to the man he was fantasizing about completely obliterated and replaced with the emblematic emotions of love and adoration he normally felt in regards to Creed.

Huh… Marriage is actually… a rather satisfying thought…

"Train! You did it! You just sunk a hole in one! And you're showing no signs of losing control of your Tao!"

Train jumped a little at Creed's words since they hoisted him out of his dreamlike state, and blinked at the shot he just made. "Huh… Guess I did…"

Creed ran up behind his beloved, wrapping his arms around Train's waist as he squeezed tightly and lifted him in the air slightly. "You look like you went into the zone! What were you thinking that put you in such a zen state?"

Train yelped when Creed spun him in the air, understanding why Eve squealed in embarrassment and shock every time he did to her. When Creed set him back down, he found his footing, stared at his ball, then looked down at his hands to see if he truly wasn't having a negative reaction to the game he hated so much.

...I really am in complete control. And I don't feel an ounce of rage right now.

Train smiled as he stared at the hole, walking over to it as he answered Creed's question. "I was thinking about your question."

Creed's heart skipped a beat and his breath caught in his throat. "Really?!"

Train nodded, too distracted by his own thoughts and the fact that he finally got a hole in one to hear the giddiness in his partner's voice. "Yeah. I think the conclusion I've come to is marriage to me is kind of like what sex was to me."

Creed blinked in confusion, the smile on his face fading and being replaced by a befuddled frown as he spoke. "What do you mean by that?"

Train turned to face his lover, a pleasant smile on his face as he pictured Creed bedizened with a richy ornate suit. His heart filled with yearning as he imagined his lover's long, fine silver hair pulled back into a ponytail, glistening marvelously under the carefully picked lights brusquely endorsed for their special day by Creed himself. The swordsman's suave face completely visible behind the long locks Train adored so much, giving the cat an immaculate view of how his Stallion's translucently azure irises mingled vivaciously with the speckles of lavender he only recently discovered.

The look he envisioned on his partner's face had a cherubic charm that set Train's heart on fire with a resplendent incalescence, giving his body the uncontrollable convulsion to step closer to his lover, reach out and tuck a few strands of his scrupulous hair behind his ear.

Train smiled at the way Creed leaned into his hand, moving forward a bit more to press his head against the silver man's as he spoke. "It's something I never thought about, never even considered as part of my life, yet is now something I can't imagine living without."

He kissed Creed's forehead, removed his hand and walked towards the final hole. "But, like I said before, how can I have an opinion on something I've never had before?"

Even though I now can't get it out of my head now…

Creed's eyes lit up and the thick, opaque air that was once circling him felt as though it had lightened and cleared, making breathing a less arduous task. He clenched the box in his pocket with more confidence, and followed his beloved to the next and final hole with a bit more pep in his step. "Might be something to experience far sooner than you realize, my love…"

"What was that?" Train asked as he glanced over his shoulder at his partner, cocking an eyebrow in confusion at Creed's change in mood.

Creed smirked at his love's bewildered look and gave him another sweet smile. "Nothing."

The silverette had been acting roguish when he was attempting to irk the Black Cat, but his new light-hearted mood seemed more genuine and cheerful. As if something Train said or did had brightened his spirit in a more truthful, natural manner.

I thought I figured out why he's acting so strange when he told me about his training plan, but now I'm confused all over again.

"Okay, Train, this is the last hole. If you can sink a hole in one on this one, I'll call you the winner of the game."

Train blinked at his lover. "Really?"

Creed nodded. "Really."

The gunman frowned. "But you're like, a million points ahead…"

Creed rolled his eyes. "Fifty-four to be exact, Love. Do we need to train you in math as well? Should I set up a tutoring session with Eve?"

Train growled at the man. "Du verursachst mir heute Abend endlose Frustration und Verwirrung…" (3)

Creed winked at his beloved. "Willkommen an jedem Tag meines Lebens mit dir, Kätzchen." (4)

Train stuck his tongue out at Creed when the man turned his back to take his final shot. The cat's eyes then fell on the hole itself, and he sighed in relief at how easy it looked. It appeared as though all they had to do was hit it up a ramp and into a hole that was embedded into a wall decorated with various types of dinosaurs.

I get now why he picked mini golf, but I don't understand why he picked this course. I understand it's a game meant for kids, but the whole prehistoric theme is just an irritating reminder of what they were doing.

Train knew that despite it being a child's game, more adult-like mini golf courses existed, and he wasn't sure why Creed didn't choose one of those.

He blinked, then sighed in defeat.

That's probably why he picked this one… to remind me more of how stupid this game is…

Train watched Creed take his shot, rolling his eyes when the man made yet another hole in one as his ball disappeared into the void in the wall. However, when he saw a giant tyrannosaurus mouth shoot up from the ground and made a grab for the ball that was no longer there, he widened his eyes and gestured wildly at the robotic creature.

"OH COME ON! WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?! THAT'S COMPLETE BULLSHIT!"

Creed chuckled at Train's reaction and stepped away from the hole. "It was a tyrannosaurus rex, Train. Do we need to have Eve give you a paleontology lesson as well?"

Train shot a heated glare at his partner. "Shut up, you know what I meant. I meant why is it here? This is the final hole! It should be a piece of cake!"

Creed chuckled again as he stepped over to his love and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "That's not true. The final hole usually has some sort of nonsensical gimmick meant to throw you off."

Train sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. "But what the hell happens to my ball if that asshole eats it? Don't we have to give it back to them?"

Creed smiled adoringly at his Kitten. "Whether you make a hole in one or the dinosaur eats it, the holes lead to an area where the workers collect all the balls. So, unless you want to win, it doesn't matter if you sink it in one shot."

Train glowered at Creed. "You know I want to win…"

Creed shrugged playfully and pinched Train's cheek. "Then I guess you better make the shot."

Train growled and shoved the man's hands away, eyeing the hole uneasily as he dropped his ball. "...How the hell did you know when it would come up?"

Creed gave Train another sweet smile. "That's cheating, Train. If you want this to be a successful training session, you need to take everything you learned, control your emotions, and figure it out on your own."

Train sighed as he stared at the spot the creature popped out of. "...What makes you think I actually learned something?"

Creed smiled warmly at his beloved's back. "Because you haven't shown any signs of distress since you made that hole-in-one. In fact, your mood has seemed to change completely. That means something must have clicked in your head. Even now, I can tell you're upset, but your Tao is showing no signs of flickering out of control."

Train thought about what Creed said, then looked down at his body again.

He's right, I definitely feel angry right now, but my Tao isn't reacting to it. I feel one-hundred percent in control. Just like how I used to feel before the Apostles took me.

Train knew he was capable of controlling his negative emotions and his Tao, but the trauma the Apostles put him through took that control away from him. It took away his ability to regulate his emotions in a healthy way, and it was something he had been desperately trying to regain over the last several weeks.

They took away my laid back, even-tempered nature. They changed who I was as a person and forced me to be the person I never wanted to be again. The person I left behind so long ago.

As Train wrapped his fingers tightly around his club, he noticed there were no signs of electrical rage whirling around his hands. Without even thinking about it, Train had somehow managed to command his emotions effortlessly, and he smiled at the realization that he finally achieved the seemingly insurmountable goal set before him by Sephiria, Creed, and himself the moment he was no longer in the Taoists clutches.

I can do this. Creed's right. They won't win. I won't let them win.

Train smiled as he thought of his lover and glanced up at the intimidating hole before him. He spread his feet slightly, wiggling his body back and forth as he shook out his arms to relieve himself of the bit of anger he was still feeling. He knew how ridiculous it was for him to be making such a big deal over beating his partner in a child's game, but he didn't care.

There's more on the line than winning a stupid game….

The Black Cat locked his eyes on the spot he knew the dinosaur was going to make its appearance and concentrated on the sound of the gears below the ground, the evenness of the fake grass that covered the mechanical monster's home, and blocked out all the noise pollution as Creed had suggested to him.

The advice wasn't new to him. It was something he was taught by not only Zagine, but Chronos as well. However, his recent traumas made him forget his previous training, and somehow the ridiculous game of mini golf brought it back.

Creed's even more incredible than I thought for being able to figure out how to finally reach me.

His thoughts became enraptured with his Silver Stallion once again, and he felt the smile on his face widen, the heat in his chest expand to the rest of his body, and his head became passive and clear. The lucidity in his mind allowed him to better focus on the motorized horror that was attempting to convince the infamous Black Cat it was simply sleeping and his ball would be safe from his odious maw.

However, Train knew better and waited for the precise moment when he knew it was going to pop up. As soon as it did, he gently tapped his ball, sending it squarely up the ramp and towards the hole, gliding over the behemoth's residence with ease and slipping smoothly into its own habitat.

Train cried out when he was tackled to the ground by his overly enthusiastic lover, his club flying out of his hands as Creed forced his body to be sprawled out on the ground.

"YOU DID IT! And not even a hint at your Tao exploding out of control! I'm so proud of you!"

Train moaned in slight pain and rolled himself over so he could look up at his partner. "Was this reaction necessary? It's just a game, after all…"

Creed smirked, able to hear the delight in his love's voice, knowing instantly Train was just as proud of himself as he was. "A game you just won. I won't renege on my promise."

Train smiled cheekily at the silver man, sending a blitz of splendid heat to cleanse Creed's previously restive body. The cat slid his fingers through the swordsman's satiny hair, pulling his lover closer as he rested his hand on the back of Creed's head.

Creed followed his Kitten's motions without objection and when Train pressed his lips against his, he felt the all too familiar fulmination of fireworks detonate under his skin and rush through every inch of his body.

When Train parted their lips, but not enough that Creed couldn't still feel his cat's supple flesh brush elegantly against his own, his hot breath washing amorously against his pale skin, their eyes met in a acrimonious juncture of passion, and the silverette vanished in the Black Cat's inexcusable beauty.

Train pressed their foreheads together. "Thank you, Creed…"

Creed sighed divinely and melted into his cat's arms that wrapped firmly around his waist. "Anything for you, il mio amore. You know that."

Feeling more confident that he had in aeons, Train placed his hands on either side of Creed's face, squishing his cheeks together as he spoke. "Does this mean I'm ready to train for real?"

Creed wanted to giggle, but his beloved was squishing his face to the point that he found the gesture to be impossible. "Ymes, mI think thmat's-"

Train frowned as Creed tried to talk, his hands still smushing the man's face as he interrupted his illegible sentence. "Creed, I can't understand you."

Creed rolled his eyes and pointed to Train's hand, which made the cat snicker and lessen the pressure. He still held onto Creed's face, but more gentle now.

Creed smiled at his beloved and repeated himself. "Yes, I think that's exactly what it means. But… maybe one-on-one with just me first before we train with Sephiria and the numbers."

Train frowned. As much as he enjoyed training with Creed, he really wanted to work with Chronos since that meant they were really preparing for the final battle. "Why?"

Creed sighed and sat up, wrapping his legs around Train's hips as he took his beloved's hands and kissed him gingerly. "Because it's been a while since you've used you Tao while being in full control, and as much as I love and respect your power, you might be out of practice. It's best to make sure you're in the best shape you can be in before we meet with Sephiria."

Train opened his mouth to protest, and Creed put a finger over his lips to silence his love. "Besides that, Sephiria is still working out her plan for when we meet with E. She's been very clear that when we train, she wants to train for that specific scenario."

Train rolled his eyes and gently pushed his lover's hand away. "Why?"

Creed rolled his eyes. "Here we are trapped in the amber of the moment. There is no why."

Train narrowed his eyes at Creed and leaned on his elbows. "Don't quote wryly satirical novelists at me and answer the question."

Creed sighed and poked Train's forehead. "Because she doesn't want to lose you or anyone else again. She wants to be safe."

Train moped at Creed's response. "Is she really that positive E is being used by Apostles?"

Creed stared at Train for a second, able to tell his Kitten was growing worried about his old time friend and pinched the cat's pouting lips together. "None of us are sure, Train. Like I just said, we're simply being careful. Can you blame us for that?"

Train frowned as best he could behind Creed's affection gesture and shook his head. As much as he didn't want to admit it was possible the Taoists were able to sink their claws into the free spirited woman, he knew they couldn't write it off as totally insane. Not after the last time.

Creed pulled his fingers away and stood up, offering Train his hand to help the cat stand. Train took the limb and allowed Creed to pull him up, then tangled their fingers together as the swordsman led them back to the desk where they had to drop off their clubs.

Train was quiet for a minute, lost in his thoughts about E and decided to ask Creed another question. "Creed… Do you think E's in trouble?"

Creed sighed as he pulled his beloved along with one hand, holding the club in the other. "...I don't know. And I know that's not what you want to hear, especially from me, but I also don't want to lie to you. I… Can't ignore my gut."

Train frowned and walked a little faster so he could catch up to the silverette. "I understand."

If anyone understands trusting your instincts, it's me. I may have doubted them for a while after what happened with Aliane and the others, but I know now it was a learning experience.

However, he knew Creed's instincts were just as reliable if not more reliable than his. The only reason his partner trusted those people was because both Train and Anastasia did. Creed ignored any ill feelings he might have felt towards them because he loved and respected his lover and his mentor far too much to question their faith in the strangers.

I know better now. I actually think I needed to meet those people. I needed to be hurt to understand I have to listen to more than just my gut.

Train looked around the golf course as they passed through it and quaked with anxiety at the damage he had done. "Creed… How the hell are we going to pay for this?"

Creed smirked proudly as he wrapped his arm around Train's waist to pull their bodies closer together. "We won't have to pay anything, Love."

Train blinked. "What? Why?"

Creed turned to kiss Train's cheek before quoting another author. "All knowledge meets an end at the question... Why?"

Train sighed and pushed his partner's face away. "Stop plagiarizing writers. Don't you have any words of your own tonight? Aren't you supposed to be an artist or something?"

Creed giggled at his love's hand pushing him away, never stopping their stride and never taking his hand away from Train's waist. "It's my subtle way of saying you'll see."

Train frowned at his lover, then sighed. He trusted Creed, so if the man said they wouldn't have to pay, then they wouldn't have to pay.

He's never failed me before. Why start questioning him now?

Once they arrived at the front desk, Creed removed his arm from Train's waist and stepped in front of his beloved to address the petite girl behind the counter. She looked like she was a couple years younger than them, short brown hair and hazel eyes that sparkled the moment Creed approached her.

Train rolled his eyes and decided to stay a few steps behind his lover.

Okay, I guess that's how we're getting out of paying.

Train watched as Creed leaned on the counter, pretending to accidentally brush his hand against the girl's arm, chuckling playfully as he gave her a dazzling smile the cat could see right through. Honestly, the entire coquettish display was only hard to watch because Train was easily able to tell it was all ac act on Creed's part.

If anyone knows what the flirtatious side of Creed looks like, it's me. And this embarrassing show is so clearly a performance, I don't understand how this woman is falling for it so easily.

However, when Train saw Creed flash her another suave smile, he felt his own knees get weak and slapped himself to stop acting like a teen girl with a crush.

It's his fault for being so charismatic and handsome, really.

Train jumped when Creed turned around and swiftly took the club from his hand, giving the cat a quick wink before he faced the woman again. After a few more minutes of playful banter, Creed patted the girl's cheek, allowing his hand to linger for a second before slapping some cash on the table and spinning back around to his lover.

Creed offered his hand to Train, bowing slightly as if they were still in the courting stage of their relationship, and gave the golden man an authentically warm smile, a small hint of mischief in his eyes as he spoke. "Are you ready, Darling?"

Train rolled his eyes and took Creed's hand. "Ever the charmer as always… Will you ever find someone who doesn't fall to the whim of Creed Diskenth's allure?"

Creed chuckled as he walked away with his beloved and towards their car. "I certainly hope not. Especially if you continue to trash every place we visit."

Train narrowed his eyes and pushed Creed. "I do not trash every place we visit…"

Creed giggled and kissed Train's ear. "I'll give you a dollar for every place you mention that you didn't trash. And that includes when we were partner's at Chronos."

Train frowned and looked away from his partner. "Shut up…"

Creed laughed a bit louder at the cute blush on his beloved's cheek. "Just admit it, Train. Without my charm, you'd not only be dead ten times over, but probably thousands of dollars in debt. I can't imagine what your life with Sven, Eve, and Kyoko would be like if I wasn't there to either stop you from blowing something up, or sweet talk our way out of the expenses."

Train's frowned slowly turned into a smile when Creed kissed his cheek again. "I certainly would have led a different fate if you weren't with me…"

Creed smiled and ran his fingers through Train's hair. "Anche io amore mio..." (5)

"Sir! You forgot your change!"

Creed and Train stopped as the woman came running up from behind them, flashing some cash in the air as she approached.

Creed repressed the urge to roll his eyes, and smiled magnanimously at her. "I did not forget it. That was a tip for you, my dear."

The woman blushed brightly at Creed's smile, then slowed her light jog to a walk. "O-Oh… Well, thank you… You didn't have to be so generous."

Creed's smile remained as he gently cupped the girl's cheek while still holding Train's hand. "Just remember what we discussed and that will be enough for me."

Train rolled his eyes as the woman swooned at his touch, then tugged on his lover's hand to continue pulling him along. "Come on, Stud. Time to go home."

Creed gave the woman a wink before following after his beloved, leaning into his cat as they stepped into the parking lot. "We're not going home yet, Train. The night is young and the date isn't over yet."

And I have so many plans for you…

Train glanced strangely at his partner, not able to identify the emotion behind the look Creed was giving him, since it conveyed so many. They all flashed across the swordsman's face so quickly that Train couldn't identify them even if he tried. But, the one emotion that stuck out to him the most was one he wasn't used to seeing in his partner's face. Or at least wasn't something he'd seen Creed openly express to Train in a very long time.

Uncertainty? What is he so uncertain about? And why does he also seem so certain at the same time?

Sighing, Train decided he'd learn soon enough and stepped up to the car, unlocking it and stepping into the driver's seat. "By the way, I agree with Sven, you need to get your driver's license. We're both sick of being your chauffeur."

Creed rolled his eyes as he stepped into the passenger seat, tapping his pocket to make sure the box was still there. "Okay, Train, if it means that much to you, I promise I'll get my license."

Train smiled at Creed's sweet look, trying to ignore the plethora of emotions his lover was showing him in favor of asking a question. "Alright, Lova Boy, where to?"

---

Train groaned and repeatedly hit the back of his head against the car seat, unable to see anything due to the blind fold Creed made him put on when they were getting close to their destination.

However, his inability to see wasn't what frightened him the most during the slow, tremulous, last few miles before they reached their goal. What frightened the Black Cat the most was the fact that Creed made him pull over so he could drive the final stretch… And as much as he loved the silverette, Creed was not a good driver.

"DO YOU KNOW WHAT THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE BRAKE AND THE GAS IS?!"

"Of course I do! I just don't understand how much pressure I need to apply to make them work!"

Train clutched the dashboard tightly, positive his knuckles were turning white as he prayed to every God he could for their safe journey. "PRESSURE?! DID YOU JUST SAY YOU DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH PRESSURE TO APPLY?!"

Creed swallowed nervously, completely forgetting how anxious he was about the next part of their night in favor of the dread he felt over driving for the first time. "Yes, that's what I said! I feel like if I tap the gas it goes too fast, and if I tap the break, it stops so suddenly!"

Train felt like he was going to throw up as the car lurched forward violently, then stopped abruptly and nearly made him slam his head against the dashboard. "Yes, Creed, that's how cars work! If you hit the break suddenly, it will stop suddenly! SAME WITH THE GAS!"

Creed glanced at his beloved, seeing how stressed Train was and sighing empathetically. "...Maybe I should have just let you finish the trip."

Train turned to his lover even though he couldn't see him and glared as best he could behind the blind fold. "YA THINK?!"

When they jerked forward again, Train actually did hit his head on the dashboard which made Creed yelp and turn his attention to his Kitten. "TRAIN! ARE YOU OKAY?!"

Train growled and rubbed his forehead. "HOW YOU CAN MEMORIZE ELABORATE PIANO PIECES, BUT HAVE NO IDEA HOW TO HIT THE BRAKE PEDAL IN A CAR?!"

Creed tried to rub his beloved's forehead, but Train smacked his hands away. "You wouldn't have hit your head if you were wearing your seatbelt!"

Train snarled and lowered his head between his knees. "...My seatbelt won't save me from this treacherous situation." He moaned as the car picked up a little speed. "We're gonna die tonight… It's not the Apostles that will kill us, IT'S YOU!"

Creed rolled his eyes again. "You know I would never purposefully hurt you, Train."

Train shot his head up and pointed his finger in the direction of his lover. "PURPOSEFULLY IS THE KEY WORD IN THAT SENTENCE!

The cat stopped suddenly, realizing Creed's hands were still trying to inspect his forehead, yet the car was still moving. "Creed… Is your foot still on the gas pedal?"

Creed frowned again. "No…"

"...Is your foot on the brake pedal?"

Creed deepened his frown. "Also no."

Train shouted unintelligibly and jumped forward to put his hands on the steering wheel. Even though he couldn't see. At that point he felt like even if he couldn't see anything, he'd do a better job keeping them on the road that Creed would.

"THEN YOU NEED TO KEEP YOUR DAMN HANDS ON THE STEERING WHEEL!"

Creed jumped when he realized he almost drove them off the road, then grabbed the wheel and fixed their position. "Why did it keep moving if I wasn't touching the gas…?"

"BECAUSE YOU FOOT ALSO ISN'T ON THE BRAKE AND THE CAR IS IN DRIVE, IDIOT! IT'S CALLED IDLING! DON'T YOU KNOW NEWTON'S LAW OF PHYSICS?!"

Creed pouted at his beloved and straightened the car out. "Are you talking about an object in motion stays in motion?"

Train collapsed in his seat, sweating profusely from anxiety. "Yes! How can someone so smart and so multi-talented be this incompetent when it comes to a basic life skill every adult has?!"

Creed sulked in the driver's seat. "...Not every adult knows how to drive, Train."

Train covered his face with his hands and groaned fearfully. "Oh my God, we're going to die…"

Creed turned a hot glare at his partner. "We're not going to die!"

Train felt the car turn violently when Creed spoke to him and realized the silver man turned the wheel when he turned to talk to him. Again, he leapt over to the wheel he couldn't see and tried to straighten them out.

"KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE ROAD, YA TWIT!"

Train felt his hands still shaking from the ordeal and desperately wanted to get out of the car to lurch up whatever was in his empty stomach. But Creed made him swear to stay in the car and leave the blindfold on while the swordsman did whatever it was he needed to do before Train could get out. As angry as he was at his lover for putting him through that harrowing ride, he would never go back on a promise he made to the man. No matter how big or small.

Honestly, this whole night I've been switching between being deliriously angry at him and delightfully happy with him. But right now, I'm just trying to stay calm while I wait for him.

There was a part of him that was wondering if the ride was still part of the training. Creed's inability to drive would have been the perfect opportunity for Train to lose control of his Tao and potentially kill them both out of fear, but he didn't feel even a flicker of electricity take over. That, combined with the fact that he had no idea where they were, had Train on edge. He also had a feeling if it wasn't for the lesson he learned during their game he'd be sparking like a freshly lit stick of dynamite.

I asked several times during the car ride where we were going, but he said it was a surprise.

Between Creed's strange behavior and giving him conflicting feelings all night, Train was at his wits end and really just wanted to call it a night.

I'm also starving! Why did he have to plan this all so close to dinner time? I'm sure it's part of whatever his surprise is, but still.

Still, as much as Train just wanted to go home, eat as much food as he possibly could, then go to bed, he could tell whatever Creed had planned was really important to him.

I don't want to ruin something he's clearly put a lot of thought into. I just hope he hurries up.

Train's ears perked when he heard the car door open as Creed slipped back into the driver's seat. "Am I permitted my vision back yet?"

Creed rolled his eyes. "No, not yet. They're taking our bags right now."

Train cocked an eyebrow. "Those weren't bags we were bringing to the music school? I thought that's why you told me to pack an overnight bag before we left the sweeper house."

Creed smirked. "I lied. Well, sort of."

Train pouted. "Are you saying I was doing all that packing for no reason?"

Creed shook his head. "No, we do need to pack up our room, the weekend bag just wasn't for what you thought it was for."

Train gave his lover the best confused look he could behind the blindfold. "Just what the hell do you have waiting for me, Creed? After the night you've put me through, I can't help but think I'm walking into a murder suicide pact. If that's the case, I'd very much like to plead my case before you use Hades to shoot yourself and then me."

Creed chuckled a little as he buckled himself in. "Why would someone be taking our bags if I was planning for both of us not to leave here alive?"

Train shrugged. "I don't know. You've surprised me with some pretty strange finds before. I wouldn't be surprised if you found a hotel that specializes in various forms of lethal pacts."

Creed rolled his eyes again, and put his hands on the wheels when he saw their bags being carried away. "Whatever. I need to park the car."

Train shivered at his partner's statement. "I don't like that sentence at all…"

Creed sighed. "I can park the car, Train. I'm not that imcompetent."

Train clutched the dashboard as he felt Creed put the car into drive. "Evidence points to otherwise…"

Just as Creed was about to pull away, Train heard a new voice coming from the driver side of the car. "Sir, part of the package you signed up for includes curbside service not just for your bags, but for your car as well. We can park it for you while you get settled in."

"OH THANK GOD!" Train said as he fell against the seat, clasping his hands together as he looked in the direction of the speaker. "Bless you, Guardian Angel. BLESS YOU!"

Creed rolled his eyes for the millionth time and addressed the man who was leaning into his window. "That sounds lovely, thank you."

The man nodded at Creed and stepped opened the door for him. The swordsman stepped out of the car and walked over to Train's door before the cat could unbuckle himself. He opened the door for his beloved, helped him out, then began walking them towards their destination.

Train sighed when he felt Creed wrap one arm around his waist and the other on his shoulder. "Are you seriously going to make me keep the blind fold on?"

Creed nodded even though Train couldn't see it. "Yes. You don't get to know where we are until we're actually there."

Train lowered his head. "Are you saying we still aren't there?"

Creed smirked. "We are and we aren't. Just be patient, my love."

Train growled and tried to smack Creed's hands away. "I've been patient all night while you've purposely pissed me off, acted secretive, nearly killed me with your terrible driving!"

Creed giggled at his love's frustration. "We made it here in one piece, didn't we?"

Train frowned as he felt Creed slip his arms away and step in front of him to grab his hands. "Considering I haven't been able to see anything and how strangely you've been acting all night, I'm not so sure about that."

Creed sighed as he led his beloved down some stairs. "All will be revealed soon, Kitten. I know it's hard to trust me with everything I've put you through tonight, but please keep trusting me."

Train slowly placed his feet on each step he couldn't see. "You know I'll always trust you…"

Creed smiled warmly at his beloved then kissed his hands. "Thank you, Train. And, I'm sorry for giving you such a fright in the car. Whether you believe me or not, I did not plan for that ride to be so perilous."

Train felt his heart flutter when Creed kissed his hands, angry at himself for not being able to stay angry at his lover. "It's fine... Honestly, it's sort of refreshing to see you fail at something. You're always so perfect at everything you do, and you seem to pick up new traits so easily it's nice to know there is something you're bad at."

Creed blushed as they made their way down some more stairs. "...I wasn't that bad."

Train laughed loudly, nearly losing his footing from the wild gesture he made with his head. "Are you serious?! After that ride, I actually don't know if it's safe to ever teach you how to drive anymore! We might put people at danger if we give you the privilege to operate a vehicle."

Creed pouted and helped Train stabilize himself. "Shut up…"

The cat chuckled and was quiet for a minute so he could concentrate on walking down the stairs. After a few minutes, Train frowned and questioned his partner. "Is the surprise a dungeon? Just how many stairs are you going to take me down?"

Creed giggled and looked behind himself to see how much further they had to go. "Almost there, my love. Trust me, it'll be worth it."

Hopefully…

Creed desperately wanted to check on the box in his pocket, but he needed to keep both his hands on Train's so his beloved wouldn't fall. Thinking about what was about to happen was heightening his anxiety again, and he could feel himself shaking and sweating slightly.

"Are you okay, Creed?"

Creed flinched at Train's, silently cursing himself when he realized his love could sense his nervousness. "Yes, Train, I'm fine."

Or at least I will be fine soon.

Creed continued repeating that to himself as they made their way down the stairs, trying to convince himself it was true no matter what Train's response was going to be.

Even if he says no or laughs at the idea, I'm positive this won't be the end of our relationship. All it will mean is that we continue where we left off, and that's perfectly fine with me.

When they finally reached the bottom, he watched as Train searched for the next step with his foot, then sighed in relief when he realized there was none. "Oh, süßer Jesus, we've finally reached the bottom! I swear, I don't know how many more heart attacks I can take tonight…"

Creed giggled and kissed his beloved's hands again.

No, he won't laugh because this isn't a crazy idea. We deserve to be happy just like every other 'normal' couple.

He knew the legendary Black Cat marrying a former maniacal murder and unstable terrorist leader was absolutely ludicrous, but he didn't care.

We want to have a cheesy ending. It's all we talk about doing when the war is over, and what's cheesier than getting married?

After everything they had been through and after sharing countless conversations about living a cheesy happily ever after with one another, Creed knew offering to enter a legal bond with Train was the perfect, cheesiest way they could end their current story and start their next one.

Marriage won't be the end of us, it'll be the beginning of something better.

With that thought in mind, Creed smiled confidently, leaned forward, and gave his love a kiss on the forehead. "Hopefully you can take at least one more…"

Train opened his mouth to question the man, but was cut off when Creed removed his blind fold. He blinked a few times and rubbed his eyes to help him see better, then looked around curiously. "Where the hell are we?"

They were surrounded by what looked like stone walls with lights embedded in them. However, despite the lights, the walls didn't look man made. In fact, upon closer inspection, he could tell the lights weren't electrical, they were candles that were carefully placed on the natural nooks and crannies of the wall. As if whoever was establishing the light in the room didn't want to disturb the organic beauty the area provided.

And it is quite beautiful despite there being nothing here other than a few candles.

Train stepped closer to the wall and placed his hand on it's chilled surface, the texture of the structure feeling different than any stone wall he had ever touched.

If I didn't know better, I'd way we were in-

"We're in a cave, my Dear Train!"

Train shook his head and gave Creed's beaming face a strange look. "...What?"

Creed smirked and turned to open the door Train didn't notice behind him. "We're at the Chershing Caverns. It's kind of like a hotel, except it's in a cave."

Train frowned at Creed's back as he opened the door and stepped inside. "Okay… But, why?"

Creed giggled and turned around to grab Train's hand. "Because it's romantic."

Train rolled his eyes and allowed his partner to pull him inside. "How the hell is a cave roman-"

His sentence was cut off as soon as he stepped into the room. There were candles scattered throughout the room, each one of them nestled firmly into the wall similar to how they had been in the previous room they were standing in. The flickering flames mixed with the natural darkness of the cave, creating a tangibly amorous aura that somehow still left hints of erotic mystery, which sent a wave of excitement down the Black Cat's back.

As he scanned the room, he noticed there were rose petals of varying colors littering the floor in an unceremoniously manner. Some of the petals were glistening exquisitely while others casted a faint shadow that further echoed the reticence solitude the cave organically held. With each step he took into the room, he saw more candles and petals, making Train's breath catch in his throat as he tried to comprehend what he was seeing.

"Creed… What… How… Why…"

Creed giggled as he took a gentle hold of his love's hand and led him further into the room. He knew what each one of Train's questions were without the golden man finishing his sentences, and decided to answer them one by one.

"As I said before, this is a cave. A natural cave. They haven't done anything to alter the interior design of the room since it's meant to romance us with its natural beauty."

He kissed Train's hand as he walked his love past the rose covered bed and towards the opening at the other end of the room. "And I feel like we've had far too many conversations about the internet and its vastness for you to question how I found it."

Creed watched as his beloved's amber eyes sparked with hints of red and orange, signaling Train was both aroused and elated. "As for why… You'll see in due time…"

Train barely heard the last answer his lover provided him as he gasped when he saw the area Creed was bringing him to. There was a small table adorned with even more rose petals, one tall candle, and a silken red cloth that draped ostentatiously to the ground.

The tail of the cloth cascaded down the slight slope they were currently walking up, its length so great that the couple had to step on it in order to reach the table. Train blinked down at the fabric he walked on, not sure what to make of the velvety object that seemed to be mocking him with its flamboyant length.

"Train, come here."

Train looked up when Creed called him, not sure when the silver man had let go of his hands and stepped away. The cat could only stare in shock as Creed smiled at his awed face, not registering the hand that motioned for him to come closer.

His partner was standing in front of the open space that was behind the table, giving them an ineffably striking view of the atramentous night sky. The stars twinkled buoyantly, their bright animation contrasting the boundless obsidian that acted as Creed's sublime background.

As Train's golden eyes immersed themselves in the majesty of the caliginous heaven behind his partner, he finally settled his gaze onto the silver man himself. Creed's naturally fluorescent complexion made him stand out against the vast aphotic void that was the night sky. The transcendental darkness outlined the swordsman's lean frame gracefully, giving him an ethereal glow as the stars danced wondrously with the specks of lavender in his blue eyes.

Train was both mesmerized by the illustrious vision Creed was blessing his eyes with, and felt compelled to move towards the man even though he wasn't aware an invitation had already been sent. Train felt his body waft over to his partner, his eyes too magnetized by the glorious beauty of Creed Diskenth to realize he wasn't even touching the ground. He was utterly stupefied, and seemed unable to notice Creed was just as entranced with him.

As soon as the cat was in front of Creed, the silverette chuckled and put his hands on Train's shoulders. "Talk about sweeping you off your feet… Are you aware that you're floating, Train?"

Creed's words were nothing more than muddled nonsense in Train's ears, which he knew was due to the pool of boiling water his entire being was swimming in. The hot lagoon surrounding him made it impossible for Train to feel anything other than the unmitigated heat that was quickly engulfing his entire being.

It wasn't until he felt Creed's strong hands push him back down to the ground did he wake up and remember where he was and that his lover had spoken. "Huh? What was that?"

Creed giggled again, positive the heat in his heart was identical to the heat his beloved was experiencing, and felt a little more confident about the decision he had made in regards to their future. He moved one hand from Train's shoulder and to his pocket, wrapping his fingers around the box for strength.

I was going to wait until after dinner, but… I don't think I can. If he keeps looking as beautiful as he does right now, the words will spill out of me before I know what I'm doing.

Creed gestured with his head down to Train's feet and restated his earlier comment. "You lost control of your Tao again. You literally floated over to me."

Train blinked a few times, then looked down at his feet and frowned. "Dammit… I thought I had it under control…"

Creed smiled adoringly at his beloved. "I think you still do. It's natural for your Tao to come out a little when you're experiencing intense emotions. Luckily, this time you were experiencing love, which is a positive feeling and doesn't awaken powers that cause harm. If the worst thing that could happen with you losing control of your Tao is floating into my arms, I'll happily welcome the slip up."

Train returned Creed's smile and stepped into the swordsman's outstretched arms, resting his head against his partner's shoulders. "But, your sword reacts to your emotions as well, and you never seem to lose control of it… Even when you're experiencing extreme forms of love."

Creed kissed Train's head, wrapping one arm around the cat's neck while the other outstretched so he could carefully eye the box he was holding behind his beloved's back. He was starting to feel a bit nervous again, which he was able to push aside long enough to respond to Train.

"That's different, my Tao is external and yours is internal. I need to be holding my Imagine Blade in order for it to read my emotions whereas you literally can't hide from yours. If you're feeling something intense, you need to work twice as hard to keep yourself grounded."

Train nodded as he wrapped his arms around Creed's waist. "We haven't actually spoken a lot about how similar our Taos are, have we?"

Creed shook his head, preoccupied with what he was about to do, but somehow able to maintain their conversation. "No, we haven't. I didn't think it was necessary since while they are similar, they are inherently different in how they're activated. Yes, I need to have control of my emotions as well, but at least I won't blow out of control unless I'm holding my sword."

Train nuzzled his face deeper into his Stallion's shoulder. "Even when you wield it, you have impressive control over yourself."

Creed frowned, remembering the day his Tao leveled up. "That's not true. Don't you remember when we were running the Apostles and I lost control when Sephiria stabbed you? Or when Doctor almost kidnapped you with that wretched beast?"

Train had to take a minute to think about that, then nodded as the memory surfaced. "Yeah, I guess, but you made sure no one else was hurt. The only one who came out of that scathed was you, which proves how much control you have over your emotions."

Creed laughed bitterly. "How ironic I'm now the individual used as an example for how to maintain a level head?"

Train snickered. "As ironic as it may be, you know it's true. Sephiria has said it herself." He squeezed his partner tighter, losing himself in the warm Creed's body provided. "You've come a long way, Creed…"

Creed moaned at his love's strong embrace, and firmed his grasp on Train as well. "We've come a long way… And I hope we can go even further."

Train chuckled. "What's further than this?"

Creed swallowed thickly, pulling his arms away from Train as he stepped away to prepare himself to ask his love the question he had been obsessing about all night. "There's plenty more to life than what we already have, Train…"

As Creed turned his back to Train, he opened the box to make sure the objects were still intact, as if something would have happened to them during the evening.

Stop stalling and just do it! What better time than now?

Creed slammed the box shut and turned around quickly, jumping slightly at the sight of Train floating over the edge of their balcony. "Train, what are you doing?"

Train looked over his shoulder at Creed. "Getting a better look! Did you know there was a spring deeper down?"

Creed sighed and nodded. "Yes, it's fresh water, so it's where we can bathe. This entire place is reserved for us as well, so we don't have to worry about anyone interrupting us."

Train frowned and floated himself a little further out. "How the hell did you afford this?!"

Creed chuckled and walked towards the edge. "I haven't told you yet, but Anastasia's schools generate a stupid amount of revenue. I'm flushed with cash!"

Train smirked mischievously. "So, you decided to treat me to an annoying, but nice night out?"

Creed pouted. "I was hoping this portion of the night would cancel out the first half."

Train's smirk turned into a genuine smile as he hovered back over to Creed. "It does."

As Train approached him, Creed gripped the box tighter and took another deep breath.

Alright, it's now or never…

"Train…" Creed began as he slowly revealed the box he was holding. "Train… I-"

"Wait, if the spring is where we bathe, and they haven't made any changes to the cave itself, where the hell do we use the bathroom?"

Creed covered the box again, refusing to let that be the segway into his question. "What?"

Train gestured to the room around him. "Where the hell do we 'relieve' ourselves? Because I am not going in the spring!"

Despite himself, Creed chuckled. "They have made enough changes to accommodate that, Train. The bathroom was in the room across from this one. You didn't notice it on the way in?"

Train frowned. "No… Hold on wait, they had to add the doors, right?"

Creed rolled his eyes. "Yes…"

Train nodded triumphantly, as if he had caught the business in a lie. "Then they did make changes to the cave! That's false advertisement, Creed! You should get your money back."

Creed chuckled quietly, then stared at his beloved's flawless face that shimmered brilliantly from the radiant stars that waltz around his beautiful frame. His smile was even more resplendent than usual, and Creed couldn't help the poetry that left his mouth.

"The sky was lit

by the splendor of the moon

So powerful

I fell to the ground

Your love

has made me sure

I am ready to forsake

this worldly life

and surrender

to the magnificence

of your Being…"

Train locked unblinking eyes with his lover and felt the heat from moments ago return as Creed smiled at him. He opened his mouth to speak, but was unable to form words which made the silverette chuckle and answer the cat's unspoken question. "Defeated By Love, Mewlana Jalaluddin Rumi. Suits you perfectly, don't you think?"

Train smirked and floated over to Creed, offering his partner his hands. "Maybe in your eyes…"

Creed smiled and took Train's hand with one of his, wrapping the box tightly in his other one as his cat pulled him forward and wrapped his arm around his waist. With one swift movement, Train hoisted Creed into the air and floated them both out to the middle of the open air, hovering them over spring that glimmered silently below.

Train frowned at the slightly panicked look on his lover's face. It wasn't the first time he had flown them both in the air like that, so he wasn't sure why Creed was acting like he was so scared. "What's wrong? Suddenly scared of heights?"

Creed shook his head wildy and fumbled with something in his hand. "N-No, of course not! I just don't want to fall into the spring with my clothes on."

Train rolled his eyes. "I'm not gonna drop y-OH SHIT!"

Creed screamed dramatically when Train loosened his hold on his waist and wrapped both his arms around the Black Cat's neck. When he heard his beloved cackle, Creed punched the back of Train's head. "THAT WAS NOT FUNNY!"

Train continued cackling as Creed hit him over and over again. "Oh, come on! Don't you think you deserve that at least a little after what you put me through tonight?"

After a few seconds of hitting his love and making sure the box was safe, Creed sighed in relief and rested his face against Train's shoulder. "Not if you make my drop this…"

Train blinked. "Drop what?" Not hearing a response from his partner and believing he was referring to himself, the cat decided he wasn't done with his revenge. "Do you mean, THIS?!"

Creed screamed again as Train pretended to almost drop him once more, except that time he was unable to keep his hold on the box. The silver man struggled in Train's arms, trying to reach the velvety square before it got too far away from him, but realized very quickly he wasn't going to be able to reach it without falling himself.

"TRAIN! I NEED THAT BOX!"

Train frowned at his partner. "What box?"

Creed grabbed Train's face and directed it at the box that was falling towards the spring. "THAT BOX!"

Train had no idea what Creed was talking about, but he recognized the panic and fear in his lover's voice and reacted instinctively. Keeping his arms around Creed, he flashed the two of them to the ground that circled the spring, searching the sky for the small box that blended in with the dark sky.

"THERE!"

Creed's shout and finger point brought Train's attention to the box that was about to hit the center of the water, but the cat was able to flash himself to it before it made contact.

Grasping it tightly in his hands, he hovered himself above the spring and eyed it curiously. "What is it?"

Creed ran to the edge of the water, unable to appreciate how beautiful Train looked floating above the sparkling liquid like an angel as he reached out to the gunman. "Just give it to me!"

Train frowned at his partner, then at the box. "Is this what I felt in your pocket earlier?"

Feeling more panicked and like nothing was going according to plan, Creed put a little more force behind his voice. "It's nothing! Just give it back!"

Hearing the way his lover's voice vibrated, Train could tell whatever it was was important. Still, he couldn't resist the urge or mess with his partner.

He deserves it after what he put me through tonight.

"Well, it can't be nothing if it's got you this frazzled. And if it is nothing, then it doesn't matter if I let it fall in the water after all, right?"

Creed screamed like a child when he watched Train pretend to almost drop it in the water. "Train, I'm serious! Give it to me!"

Train laughed and fumbled with the box a few more times, looking very much like a cat playing with a ball of yarn as he spoke. "Sorry, Creed, but the velvet is making it difficult to hold onto! I don't think I can keep a firm grasp on it!"

Creed gasped and walked a few feet into the water, getting to just above his ankles before stopping and shouting at Train. "I MEAN IT, TRAIN! STOP!"

Train threw it in the air one more time before smiling cheekily at his partner. "Can I open it?"

Creed froze, knowing right away from the tone of Train's voice he wasn't asking a question. "NO! WAIT, TRAIN!"

He took a few more steps towards his partner, his knees weak with fright as he stumbled forward and landed face first into the water. He got up immediately and continued trying to reach the curious cat, now practically crawling to stop Train from seeing what was in the box before he was ready. However, he fell again and growled, pushing himself up with his hands to say something else.

"TRAIN, I-"

It was too late. Train was hovering just a few inches above the spring, staring at the set of rings inside the box. One was gold with a black trim, the other silver with a red trim. The golden one also had a little rose that looked like it was hand sketched onto it, the other embellished with the stallion flower Train used to gift Creed.

"Wha…." Train's voice trailed off before he could even finish the word, dumbfounded by what he saw, holding the box close to his face to get a better look at the craftsmanship of the jewelry.

"I craved those flowers myself, Train…"

Train jolted his head up to see Creed kneeling on one knee in the water, his wet clothes clinging tightly to his lean body as his soaked silver locks covered his eyes. Creed brushed his drenched hair out of his face, locking eyes with his beloved as he continued his statement.

"This isn't at all how I wanted it to go, but considering how unpredictable and spontaneous you are, I guess I shouldn't have expected anything less."

Train gawked at his partner, then at the rings. "Creed… What's-"

"It's my fault really. I should have expected you were going to mess up my carefully thought out plans and planned for it. Like I always do."

Train shook his head and stretched out the arm holding the rings to Creed, as if he was offering them as evidence to a jury. "Creed, what is this?"

Creed lowered his head and took a deep breath. "I had a whole speech planned out and now it's just all gone…"

Train was starting to get irritated and he didn't know why. "What the hell is going on, Creed?!"

Creed smiled at his love's tone of voice, able to tell Train was irated because he was confused, but the hint of apprehensive excitement was clear enough to let the swordsman know it was safe to ask his question.

"Train… Will you marry me?"

Train felt his mouth open wide at Creed's question as a million thoughts and emotions rushed through him. His mind instantly became blank before it slowly filled with his earlier thoughts of what it would be like to marry the man kneeling before him.

Wait… Is this just another part of his weird training method…?

"Creed…" Train said as he clutched the box tightly. "What… Are you doing?"

Creed grimaced at his love's words, his heart shattering into a million pieces as he began to search the room for a dark hole he could die in. "I'm… I'm proposing, Train…"

"That's not what I mean…" Train said, his voice shaking as he stared at the rings in the box. "Is this… Is this for real…? Or are you trying to test how my Tao will react under extreme stress?"

Creed flinched at the tone in Train's voice, for once unable to decipher exactly how his love was feeling as he weakly tried to stand. "No, Train! I mean it! I've… I've been thinking about it for a while and I know it's absurd, but… I think we deserve the ending everyone else in the world gets. I think we deserve the cheesy happily ever after we keep talking about…"

Seeing his beloved's vacant eyes locked onto the rings, Creed whimpered and fell to his knee again. "I-It's stupid, Train, I know. I just…"

So stupid… I shouldn't have asked. Of course he doesn't want to. Why would he? Marriage isn't for people like us.

"Just… forget it about it and let's go back up to our room. They've probably brought us dinner by now and if we don't hurry, it'll get co-"

Creed's sentence ended abruptly as Train flew himself at the silver man, wrapped his arms around his neck, and knocked him to the ground. Luckily, Creed was close enough to the edge of the spring that when his back made contact with the water, he wasn't completely immersed in it. However, Train was squeezing him so tightly that he was unable to breathe for a second, clawing at his love's arms in an attempt to get oxygen to his lungs.

Train buried his face into Creed's wet chest, his earlier images of marriage flashing before his eyes as he clung tightly o his partner. "It's not stupid, Creed…"

Creed was finally able to catch his breath when Train let go. He stared lustrously at the silverette for a second, then wrapped his arms more gently around his back and crawled into Creed's lap. As he nestled his face into his lover's neck, Train felt a single tear fall from his eye.

"Yes… Yes, Creed, I will."

Creed blinked a few times, then wrapped his arms tightly around Train's slim frame and pulled the cat against his chest. "Really…?!"

Train nodded, feeling a few more tears fall from his eyes that mixed with the water pooling around Creed's neck. "Yes… Yes, really. You're right, we deserve the same cheesy happy ending everyone else gets. Why wouldn't we?"

The cat squeezed him tighter and buried his face further into Creed's supple skin. "I don't care what our history is or the abnormal life we live, I want to live peacefully and normally just like everyone else."

Creed began sobbing as he held Train in his arms, nodding frantically in agreement before chuckling. "I thought you said you wanted to travel. That you didn't want to stay in one place for too long."

Train laughed as well. "I don't see how getting married would stop that from happening."

Creed gently pet his beloved's hair, tears still falling from his eyes as he spoke. "Traveling isn't something every married couple does. If you really want to be like every other couple, we need to grow old, fat, and bitter together."

Train pulled Creed's hair. "I don't see how we can't do all those things together while traveling." He sighed when he felt his lover kiss his head. "...Except getting fat. That will never happen."

Creed rolled his eyes and secured his beloved in his arms. "If you keep eating the way you do, you won't have a choice. Your metabolism won't last forever, Darling."

Train pulled his head away from Creed's neck, the silver man's breath catching in his throat at the adorably stubborn, yet jubilant look his Kitten gave him. Tears of joy were falling from his eyes that sparkled and blended exultantly with the shimmering stars, his amber iries flickering brightly with excitement of what their future held, and his obstinate pout contradicting the obvious euphoria he was experiencing.

The cat pinched both of Creed's tear stained cheeks as he spoke. "If you're going to keep food from me, then I'll be sure to get a head start on the bitter part of being your husband. Besides, if you actually let me train for real, that won't happen at all."

Creed laughed wildly as he pulled Train back against his chest, wrapping his arms as tightly around the other man as he could and making sure to savor every moment. "I need you like a drum needs a beat, a singer needs a tune, and a harp needs a string… And I know as impossible as it may be, with each passing day, I will love you more than the last. Because each day we spend together will be more beautiful than the day before."

Creed squeezed Train tighter and entombed his face into his love's soggy, dark locks. "Vous emprisonnerez pour toujours mon cœur, mon esprit et mon âme, mon très cher chat chéri." (6)

Creed pulled away so he could look at his Kitten again, brushing the tears falling from his partner's immaculate eyes before pressing their foreheads together. After staring at each other for what seemed like an eternity, Creed placed his lips soundely against Train's, engaging the cat in more than just a marriage pact.

The cat responded to the kiss immediately, opening his mouth to accept Creed's tongue and shivering in delight at the familiar, yet sensational taste of his lover. He wrapped his arms around Creed's neck and allowed the swordsman to push him backwards and into the shallow water, moaning in delight when he felt his partner's skilled fingers beginning to work at Train's damp shirt. The cat slid his hands up slightly so he could press them against the cat of Creed's head, deepening the kiss and purring salaciously as their tongues swirled and twirled together.

Train continued making his gratifying sounds as Creed quickly undressed him, then shook his head slightly as he gently pushed the other man off. "Wait, what about the rings?"

The second Train parted their lips, Creed started kissing his Kitten's neck instead, his hands working on the last few buttons of his love's wet shirt. "What rings?"

Train rolled his eyes and pushed his partner away from him, his sodden chest mostly bare and glistening teasingly against the stars causing Creed to release a carnal moan at the sight. The gunman ignored his partner's libidinous look for a moment in favor of shoving to the small, velvety box he still held in Creed's face.

"These rings you've been going so far out of your way to hide from me all night."

Creed frowned at the box Train presented him, then smiled as he plucked the gold one from its luxurious confines. "Why, they go on our fingers, my Dear Kitten."

Train felt his heart ready to burst as Creed took his hand and gently slipped the ring on his finger. When he saw the swordsman moving to put his own ring on, Train grabbed his wrist and took the jewelry from him. "Isn't that my job?"

Creed emitted an ecstatic squeal and nodded wildly as the cat slid the circular object around his finger. Train then locked their newly bedazzled hands together and smiled profoundly at his lover. "That's better." His loving smile turned into a lewd one as he eyed his partner animalistically. "Now, where were we?"

Creed smirked and threw himself at Train again, pushing the cat back into the water as he finished unbuttoning the shirt that was clinging tightly to the golden man's chiseled chest. Train moaned and arched his back at the feel of his lover's warm fingers brushing against his bare chest, dropping the empty ring box in the spring that surrounded them.

Train grasped firmly onto the buttons on Creed's shirt, his slippery finger working diligently as he began removing the unwanted garment from his lover's body. They moaned into each other's mouths as they slipped one another shirts off, tugging and pulling harshly to get the wet clothing to stop clinging to the highly coveted flesh that resided beneath.

As soon as both of their torsos were exposed, their hands immediately began exploring each other's bodies, as if they had never experienced one another before. Their tongues waltzed and spun together in a heated frenzy as their fingers traveled against each other's bare chests, making sure to massage and caress every inch of the other's hard muscle that they could, moaning wildly as they excitedly licked each other's tongues and nibbled each other's lips.

Train let out a lustful purr when he felt Creed's thumb brush against his nipple, hissing when the swordsman spun his fingers around it, then stopped momentarily to pinch it. The cat repeated the same motions on his Stallion, the calefaction between his legs growing when he heard Creed moan voluptuously against his lips.

Train broke the kiss so he could nibble hungrily at Creed's lower lip, using both of his thumbs to vigorously massage the swordsman's nipples at the same time before locking their lips together once more. As he savored his partner's flavor, the cat slid his hands down Creed's chest, landing resolutely at the hem of the man's pants before traveling just a little lower to rub the area between his legs.

"Train…" Creed gasped, feeling his healthy erection thriving wonderfully inside his pants as the Black Cat moved his hand back and forth. "Oh, Train… Mon délicieux chaton enivrant, je t'aime tellement…" (7)

Train was doing his best to continue rubbing the hard flesh between Creed's legs, but was finding it harder to concentrate on anything other than the intense wave of heated pleasure his lover's lips and fingers were drowning him in. The cat cried out when he felt Creed pinch both his nipples again, the swordsman's soft lips traveling to his neck and shoulder, nipping and sucking at every inch of skin he could as his tongue thirstily lapped up every speck of water that glittered Train's sleek muscles.

"Mmm, Train… Tu as si bon goût…" (8) Creed trailed his tongue along the Black Cat's collar bone down to his chest, bit down harshly on his nipple when his mouth landed on it, then twirled and swirled his tongue eagerly around the protruding bit of flesh. "I can't imagine any entrée that could ever eclipse the piquant flavor your flesh provides me…"

The gunman cried out when he felt Creed's tongue licking at his nipple, arching his back as the man began sucking greedily at it, as if Train would take it away from him at any point. As the silverette's tongue traveled down the rest of his chest, fervently tracing every crevice of the gunman's body, Train cried out, then grasped tightly between his partner's legs, not enough to hurt his Stallion, but enough to let the man know he wanted to speed things up.

Creed hissed pleasantly at his love's aggressive gesture, then slid his hands down to Train's soaked pants and began undoing them quickly. As he fumbled at his beloved's wet clothes, he moved his lips from the cat's chest to his stomach, his tongue outlining every nook and cranny that existed on Train's lower abdomen. He paused for a second at a spot just above the golden man's jeans, sucking enthusiastically at the smooth skin there as he finally managed to unzip and pull his beloved's weighted pants down.

Realizing his lover was struggling to completely remove his clothes, Train began kicking his legs slightly in hopes that would rid him of the unwanted garments faster. With the cat's strong kicks and the swordsman's rough pull, they were able to discard the undesirable apparel, and Creed immediately pulled his beloved's damp boxers off next, the water sloshing around them as they fought with the Black Cat's clothes.

Once Train's lower body was completely exposed, Creed moved his lips lower and lower, tracing the firm muscle of the gunman's hips with his tongue before sliding the warm muscle elegantly against his Kitten's inner thigh. When Train spread his legs, Creed pressed both of his hands on the cat's knees, pushing them apart further so his mouth had more room to work.

However, before he took the Black Cat's trembling shaft in his mouth, Creed outlined every indent in Train's thigh, blowing gently on his quivering cock for a moment before sucking viciously at the base of his member. When he felt Train desperately thrust his hips upwards, Creed smirked and licked his length, taking the tip of his dick in his mouth before licking the other side of it.

Train cried out and bucked his hips up again, determined to get his cock into the other man's hot mouth. He arched his back and moaned wildly as Creed trailed kisses from the bottom of his cock to the top, again sucking gingerly at the tip as his tongue swirled mischievously around the weeping flesh.

"Oh, Creed…" Train moaned as he ran his fingers through the silver man's wet hair, the heat evolving the more Creed's mouth teased his aching cock. "Creed… Hör auf zu necken und mach es schon!" (9)

Creed chuckled at his love's angry German words, and pinned his Kitten's legs down into the water, the liquid splashing subtly at his gesture. "Patience is a virtue, my Dear Train…"

Train growled in frustration as Creed continued tracing his cock with his tongue, but still never taking it into his mouth. When he felt the other man's mouth wrap around his tip again, he bucked his hips up quickly, hoping he'd be permitted entrance, then snarled infrustration when Creed pulled away again.

"Dammit…" Train moaned as he dug his fingers deeper into Creed's hair. "Creed… Please…"

Creed smirked and pulled away, blowing gently at Train's member again before responding to his beloved's request. "Well… Since you asked so nicely…"

Train's eyes widened and he thrust his hips up wildly when Creed finally took his full length into his mouth. He moaned and bucked his hips up again, running his fingers continuously through his lover's hair as he shoved his cock harshly in and out of Creed's sizzling mouth. The heat between his legs was flourishing and expanding to the rest of his body with each upshot of his hips, his hands holding his lover's head still so he could keep vigoursly fucking Creed's mouth.

"Oh, my Stallion…!" Train cried out as his hips seemingly moved on their own, shoving his hard cock in and out of Creed's mouth faster and harder "È così bello… Di più, di più!" (10)

Creed moaned at Train's vigorous thrusts and sucked up a bit of the pre-cum that had escaped his love's throbbing cock. When he felt Train's fingers tangle even tighter into his silver locks, he opened his mouth wider and allowed the golden man to maintain the rough motion of his thrusting hips, giving his love as much access into his heated maw as he desired. Every chance he got, he twirled his tongue around Train's dick, feeling the heat in his own groin grow with each thrust and moan his beloved granted his ears.

"Oh, Creed!" Train cried out as he thrust his hips up and down again and again, moaning with a heated delight as he felt his partner's tongue spin rapidly around his aching cock. "Creed… Creed… Creed…!"

Each time Train said his name Creed wrapped his lips a little tighter and moved his tongue a little faster. He didn't have to move his head at all since his Kitten seemed intent on fucking his mouth on his own. The idea of Train being in control of his head's motions and taking command of his mouth sent a wave of excitement down the silverette's spine. Creed made sure to keep his lips parted as far as they could go so his beloved could fuck every inch of his mouth.

Wanting to give his beloved even more pleasure than he was already experiencing, Creed dipped his fingers in the water to make sure they were properly lubricated, and slipped two of them underneath Train's ass and between his cheeks. He found his golden's love's prostate immediately, and began eagerly massaging it.

"AHHH!" Train shouted when he felt the fingers enter him, lurched forward, then moved his hips even faster in and out of Creed's mouth, the swordsman's tongue and digits matching the motion of the cat's thrusts.

Creed moved his fingers faster, then entered a third one. When he heard Train's cries of bliss, he wrapped his lips tighter around his love's cock, swirling his tongue as rapidly as he could, rubbing his Kitten's pleasurable spot as robustly as possible.

He could tell the heat in his own groin was growing along with his partner's, and Creed was beginning to wonder if he'd explode alongside Train despite the fact nothing was physically being done to his body. No matter how many times he heard them, Train's shouts of revelry were enough to make the silver man feel like he was about to climax.

"CREED! OH, GOD, CREED!" Train's entire body was on fire, his eyes watering at the intense pleasure he was in as Creed's mouth and fingers worked wonders on all his sensitive areas. "FASTER, CREED! FASTER!"

Creed complied with his love's request, caressing Train's prostate as rapidly and firmly as he could, moaning lewdly as the heat between his legs expanded at the symphonious sounds his beloved was gracing his ears with. Knowing he'd need release if he didn't want to burst immediately when he made love to Train, he used his other hand to quickly undo his own pants and slipped the limb inside, massaging the flesh between his legs that howled for release.

The cat let out another powerful cry when he felt another one of Creed's fingers penetrate him, the stars tangoing in the sky blurring as the heat in his groin rose to an inexplicable level, begging for his permission to be released from its prison. He did not grant it freedom just yet as he continued thrusting his hips into Creed's mouth, falling into a sultry daze at the incredible feeling his lover's fingers and mouth were giving him.

"CREED!" Train shouted again as he spread his legs even more, moving his hips faster as his partner stabbed directly into his sweet spot, then wiggled his fingers wildly. "FASTER!"

Creed followed his Kitten's commands and hit Train's prostate dead on, leaving his fingers there for a moment before wiggling them again. He smiled in elation at the way his cat twitched and convulsed with pleasure, able to tell Train was ready to burst his seed and wanted nothing more than to taste the sweet, yet salty spice of his lover.

The heat in his own groin was growing as well and he moved his hand even faster against his pulsating flesh, matching the speed of the fingers he had inside Train. At the rate he was going, Creed knew he was going to cum with his beloved. He didn't see the problem with that, since he knew that would make him last longer when he was actually inside of Train, making harmonious, avid love to him.

"AHH!" Train cried again, feeling more pre-cum escape his dick as he thrust faster and harder into Creed's mouth. "CREED! IT'S COMING!"

Creed prepared himself to take Train's load, his fingers never stopping their magic inside his love's ass or against himself as he wiggled his digits frantically against the golden man's sweet spot and squeezed his own shaft harder. With a few more thrusts from Train and jabs from Creed, the Black Cat threw his body forward, then back, his cries of pleasure echoing boisterously against the cave's vast, empty walls.

"CREED!"

Train's body tightened up as he released his semen into Creed's mouth, the silver man swallowing it eagerly as he continued jerking himself off. He licked every inch of his partner's penis that he could as the gunman collapsed against the wet ground. As he drank his love's essence, Creed let out his own muffled cry behind Train's member and came as well, panting frantically as he felt his body relax a little against his cat.

Train gasped for breath as he ran his fingers through his wet hair, not noticing Creed had lazily removed his fingers from his ass and was already preparing them for the second stage of their intimate embrace.

"Oh, Creed…" Train panted wildly, his body sluggish as he felt the silver man kneel between his legs. "È stato incredibile…" (11)

Creed smiled as he tugged his wet pants off, struggling slightly as they clung to his legs. As he stared down at his Kitten's flushed face and heaving, bare chest, he felt himself getting hard all over again, pleased he had already climaxed since he knew he'd be able to last longer.

He adjusted himself between Train's legs as he spoke. "You say that like it never was before…"

Train laughed as he felt Creed lifting his legs up so his bottom was no longer resting against the ground, putting him in a better position to receive the swordsman's length. "I think there's a different feel behind it now that we're no longer just lovers…"

Creed smirked as he scooted closer to Train, splashing water on his solid cock that he poked teasingly at Train's entrance, shocked at how quickly he was able to get hard after cumming just mere seconds ago. Train just had that kind of effect on his body. "Oh? And what exactly are we now, Train?"

Train rolled his eyes and looked at his lover, moving his rear closer to Creed so he could more readily accept his shaft. "Are you really so needy that you need to hear me say the word?"

Creed smiled innocently. "Only if you want me to show you how I'll make love to you on our wedding night…"

Train frowned at the realization that he did want to experience that. He sat up and wrapped his arms around Creed's neck, pushing the swordsman back slightly so he was sitting on the liquid covered ground and Train's legs were warped around his hips. The cat pulled himself up so he was sitting tentatively on his lover's lap, his ass hovering freely over Creed's throbbing cock as he pressed their foreheads together.

Train smirked at Creed's desperate look, understanding the water had done the trick in lubricating his lover's shaft, but was unwilling to let his partner penetrate him. At least not until he told Creed what he wanted to hear to get the best experience he could out of the silver man.

Train ran the back of his hand against Creed's face. "You're my fiance, Creed Diskenth… And I love you more than anything else in the world."

Creed shivered with a heated frenzy. "And I love you, Train Heartnet… I love you more than life itself and with every passing day, I love you more and more."

Train released a silent cry as he lowered himself onto his Stallion's lap and felt Creed's cock slowly permeate his ass. He gripped tightly to the swordsman's slick back as Creed pushed himself inch by inch into him, gasping and moaning eagerly with each bit of the man's length he felt pulse inside him.

The cat's body clenched up, ready to feel every wet, hot inch of Creed's shaft make forceful, yet tender love to him. Train pressed their chests together, feeling his Stallion's heartbeat against his own as Creed pushed himself further inside the gunman.

"Train…" Creed moaned as he slipped his dick as far as it would go inside the Black Cat. "My precious Kitten… my beautiful fiance…"

Train cried out as Creed thrust inside of him slowly at first, his cock slapping heavily against the swordsman's stomach as he placed his hands on the back of his lover's neck. They remained like that for a moment, enjoying what it felt like to be one with each other before beginning their lively love making.

The cat threw his head back and screamed into the infinite sky when Creed thrust up again, his voice almost getting lost in the expanse of the cave as when his lover rubbed against the sweet spot that resided inside him. He screamed again and again as the silver man thrust into him several more times, holding Creed's head against his shoulder as he gasped desperately for air, each of his lover's thrusts massaging his prostate vigorously.

"Oh, Creed…" Train purred into his partner's ear, unable to think about anything other than being with the man for the rest of his life. "Creed… I want to hear your voice..."

Creed felt a bit of sweat pooling around his forehead as he continued thrusting up into his Kitten, the fire in his crotch scorching his insides as he desperately tried to keep himself from exploding in ecstasy before they had even begun. He thrust upwards into his cat a few more times, basking in the glory of his love's voice as it cried out with each of his motions.

"What should I say, my Dear Train?" Creed thrust up again and again, placing his hands on Train's hips so he could bounce his love on top of him a bit more eagerly.

Train arched his back and screamed as Creed hit his sweet spot dead on with his next few thrusts, the swordsman's hips working faster as he delved as deep into the Black Cat as he could. "Anything! Just talk… please!"

Creed thrust up into his cat again and again, each motion faster and harder than the last, yet somehow smoother and more tender. He brushed his lips against Train's ear, his hips continuing their gradual increase in speed and force as he whispered lovingly to his beloved. "How cheesy do you want me to get, Kitten?"

Train screams became louder with each of Creed's thrusts, knowing he wasn't going to last much longer with how perfectly and precisely his partner was hitting his prostate. He dug his fingers into the back of Creed's head, squeezing the other man's face against his ear as he felt the heat between his legs burning every inch of his body, his cock pleading for release with each of Creed's thrusts. However, Train refused to let the heat go since he wanted to feel as much of his fiance as he could.

Train threw his head back and cried out again and again as Creed continuously fucked his ass. "Just talk! I don't care what it is, I just need to hear your voice right now!"

Creed moaned between his pleasurable grunts, thrusting faster and faster into his beloved, the shallow water circling them splashing faintly as he bobbed his Kitten up and down on his cock. "How about I talk about our wedding? I can see you in a white dress, walking down the aisle towards me with a beautifully innocent smile on your face..."

Train managed to roll his eyes at Creed's words, but cried out again as the silver man's cock stabbed at his sweet spot again, remaining there for a moment as he choked out a few pleasurable words. "I'm going to have to remind you that I'm not a princess at some point…"

"Oh…?" Creed said with interest as he shoved his cock in and out of Train's ass over and over. "Is that so? And when will that be, my Dear Kitten?"

Train screamed on Creed's lap, clinging tightly to his partner as the other man's cock sent an uncontrollable storm of pleasure throughout his body that he desperately needed to contain so he wouldn't accidentally electrocute them both.

As he felt his Stallion dick crash into his prostate over and over again, his mind went blank for a minute as an insurmountable amount of heat consumed his senses. "Soon! I swear!"

Creed laughed as he bobbed Train zealously on his dick, his hips and hands matching each other in rhythm and tempo as he shoved his cock as far, hard, and fast into his beloved as it would go. "Promises, promises! I'm waiting for the day you'll make love to me like this!"

Train moved his hands from Creed's neck to his back, squeezing tightly as he screamed over and over, the heat in his groin expanding to the rest of his body as he clawed frantically at the swordsman's back. Unknowingly, he activated his Nanomachines and lightly lacerated the silverette's flesh, his claws creating shallow cuts in his fiance's flesh as he screamed out the man's name.

"CREED!" Train shouted as he felt his Stallion's cock clash violently with his prostate. "FASTER! FASTER! HARDER, MY STALLION!"

Train's voice was all Creed needed to make him move even faster and harder inside his beloved, making sure each motion hit his love's sweet spot, bouncing the Black Cat on his cock frantically as the heat inside him cultivated and spread throughout his body like a virus. He was so lost in the pleasurable sensation's Train's body was giving him that he didn't feel the gunman's claws digging into his flesh, eliciting bits of blood to fall from his smooth skin.

"TRAIN!" Creed shouted as he thrust as fast and as hard as he could, the heat inside him ready to explode out and into Train's ass. "OH, MY SWEET KITTEN! TIGHTER! TIGHTER!"

Train clenched his ass tighter and cried out again, each thrust Creed made sent him further over the edge and he was sure he wasn't going to last much longer, His dick was slapping senselessly against Creed's stomach, crying for the release Train still refused to give it. However, when he felt his Stallion's fingers wrap around it, the gunman knew he was done.

"OH GOD!" Train cried out as his lover's hand moved vigorously against his cock. "CREED! CREED! OH, MY STALLION!"

Creed screamed as Train began to move his body up and down, matching the violent thrusts of the swordsman's hips along with the jerks of his hand. "OH, TRAIN! TRAIN!"

The silver man pushed Train back and onto the ground, the water splashing around them as he lifted Train's lower body into the air by wrapping his arm around the golden man's lower back ass and pulling him up. The new position allowed Creed to thrust in and out of his lover a bit easier, and he continued fucking every sense out of Train that he could.

Train arched his back as Creed's cock slammed into him over and over again, his hand running through his own hair as he screamed out his partner's name over and over. "OH, CREED! CREED!"

Creed continued shoving his cock in and out of Train as his hand moved faster and faster against his beloved's quivering member. He leaned forward and caught his lover's lips for a quick kiss before pulling away for what he knew were going to be the last few minutes of their intense love making.

"Train…! I can't hold it in anymore…!"

Train screamed again and nodded in agreement. "Same… Same, my Stallion…"

Creed caught his love's lips one more time as he thrust fiercely into Train's entrance again, holding his cock against the cat's sweet spot as he spoke. "Together…?"

Train clawed at his own hair, unaware of the blood his Nanomachine fingers were drawing as he nodded madly at his lover's words. "Yes… Yes…! Always, Creed! Always!"

With those last few words, Creed shoved his dick harshly in and out of Train's ass a few more times, feeling the heat in his cock boiling before bursting out and spilling into his beloved.

"TRAIN!" Creed cried as he writhed wildy on top of Train's thrashing body.

Train felt his fiance's seed fill his ass, the silver man's hand gripping tightly at his cock and squeezed the semen out of him. "CREED!"

The cat exploded out and onto his own chest, his body twitching frantically as he cried out the other man's name. Once they were both relieved entirely of their essence, Creed fell forward and onto his Kitten, the couple sitting in the shallow water, unwilling to break their passionate embrace as they panted for breath.

After giving themselves a few minutes to catch their breath, Creed's shaft still pulsating salaciously inside of the cat, they pressed their foreheads together and nuzzled against one another, their sweat mingling zealously for a moment until they finally let their half lidded eyes meet.

They took in a few more breaths, gazing fervently into each other's souls before locking their lips in a heated, tempestuous, canonized kiss, neither wanting to come up for air. Even something as paramount as oxygen didn't seem as important as sampling and unraveling every inch of the other's mouth.

As they kissed, they both knew there was so much they wanted to say to one another, yet no words needed to be spoken. Their lips expressed the profound level of love they felt for one another, but at the same time wasn't enough to truly allow the other to comprehend just how deep their love flowed.

However, through their kiss, they were able to convey the impossibility of ever wholly fathoming how much they meant to each other, which seemed to be enough to satiate the unquenchable thirst they carried with them every day of their life. Once they finally pulled apart, Train pressed his forehead against Creed's, gazing earnestly into his fiance's eyes before glancing at the ring that gleamed sublimely against the luminous stars.

He smiled, his heart layering with warmth and love as he thought about the destiny he surely shared with the man who was still throbbing inside him. "You know, these rings mean more than just marriage…"

Creed nestled his face against his love as he spoke. "Hm? What do you mean, Love?"

Train wrapped his arms around the silver man's head and pressed him firmly against his face as he spoke. "They represent a promise. A promise that means more than just spending our lives with each other; a promise that means more than guaranteeing we will never stop loving each other and remain faithful until we die…"

Creed smiled as he felt Train's hand's run through his moistened hair, rejoicing at the unambiguous feel of his beloved's metal ring pressing against his skull. "And what is that promise, my dear future husband?"

Train squeezed Creed's head for a moment, then pulled away so their eyes could meet once more. "They're a promise to survive. A promise that neither of us will succumb to the unforgivable war we are about to face. Which is why we need to wait until after the war to get married. So we have something tangible to look forward to. To make sure neither of us breaks this promise we just made."

Creed pegged the audacious resolve in his fiance's eyes, heard the tenacity behind his words and knew that even though Train was speaking of a promise, it wasn't what he was asking for. What the cat was really asking for was an agreement that they would both come out of the fight alive. With just one look and with just a few words, Train was asking Creed for assurance that no matter what, they could come out the other side breathing without any restraints.

Creed smiled affectionately at his love, placing a tender kiss on his lips before pressing their foreheads together. "A warranty on love, is it? Very well then, I'll sign that agreement without vacillation. Train Heartnet, my long beloved partner, my flawless feline, my immaculate fiance…."

He placed his hands on either side of Train's face and made sure his cat could see every bit of his heart, bearing each inch of soul to the man he needed more than the air he breathed. "I promise, that as long as you live and breathe, so will I. As long as you promise to never leave me, physically, mentally, and emotionally, I promise I will never leave you."

Creed tangled their fingers together, making sure their rings touched firmly as he spoke. "Even if I have to bear the rest of my life with a sword through my heart or a bullet in my head, with these rings and with my words, I promise I will continue breathing as long as you do."

Train smiled, pressed his lips against his fiance's, then pulled away and returned his partner's ardent words. "And with this ring and with my words, I make the same promise to you, Creed Diskenth. I will accept whatever the upcoming battle as to offer, as long as I am guaranteed to see your stupid face on the other side."

Creed chuckled and nodded. "Then it's agreed. Together?"

Train smiled and kissed his lover, before finishing their cliche, happy ending quote. "Always…"

There was a moment of silence as they melted in each other's presence until finally Creed broke the silence with a slightly unrelated thought. "We also still need to get evaluated by Chronos before we go through with the war…"

Train leaned back and pinched his partner's cheek. "Why you gotta go ruining the moment with something like that?!"

Creed chuckled. "Just wanted to remind you of the checklist we still have to finish."

Train sighed and let go of Creed's face, falling back against the water as he spoke. "We don't actually have to do it, ya know. She's not our boss anymore."

Creed sighed and snuggled on top of Train. "We do if we want their help. Which I think we can both agree that we don't just want it, we need it."

Train frowned, then wrapped his arms around Creed's back. "Yeah, I know… Hopefully we can get that over with soon so we can get the war over with." The cat smiled warmly when he felt Creed's fingers running lightly up and down his arm. "Then we get the rest of our lives started."

Creed smiled as well and snuggled further into Train. "I couldn't agree with you more, my love."

---

Translations:

(1) "You know what you did…"

(2) "No need to be so hostile, my cat."

(3) "You are causing me endless frustration and confusion tonight…"

(4) "Welcome to every day of my life with you, Kitten."

(5) "Me too, my love…"

(6) "You will forever imprison my heart, mind and soul, my dearest, darling cat."

(7) "My delectable, intoxicating Kitten, I love you so much."

(8) "You taste so good…"

(9) "Stop teasing and do it already!"

(10) "It feels so good… More, more!"

(11) "That was incredible…"