Conrart had just settled down to breakfast with a cup of coffee, when Yuuri and Wolfram appeared from upstairs, looking more than slightly flustered. Conrart wished them both a good morning and noted with great satisfaction that the boys held hands under the table. Wolfram had a look of dazed happiness, that Conrart didn't remember ever seeing on his little brother's eyes before. His king looked a little sheepish and kept shooting sideways glances at Wolfram, as if to make sure he was still there.

The doorbell rang and a minute later Yuuri's mothers excited squeel of "Ken-chan!" announced the arrival of Murata. The Sage joined them at the breakfast table and Conrart noticed that Wolfram's face fell a little. Yuuri had let go of his hand under the table.

"Good morning, Shibuya!" Murata said cheerfully, sitting down next to Conrart, facing Yuuri and Wolfram. "Conrad. Wolfram."

"Good morning," Conrart replied amicably, Wolfram nodded his head slightly, but Yuuri glared daggers at his friend.

"If you can call it good, after last night," Yuuri said icily.

Murata sighed.

"Look, I know you're still mad, but just hear me out, okay? We got to Wolfram in time and you clearly managed to punch some sense into Tanaka. He was very remorseful when he came to."

"Oh really?" Yuuri leered.

"You punched him?" Wolfram asked Yuuri, disbelief evident in his voice.

"Yeah, I punched him. The creep deserved it," Yuuri replied. "I told you I'm not a wimp."

"Oh, bye the way, I think this might be yours, Wolfram," Murata said reaching out his hand and opening it, showing an ear-piece on his palm.

Wolfram took it, looking confused.

"It is, but where was it?" he asked, placing the device back in his ear.

"I found it in the locker room, while I was waiting for Tanaka to wake up. It must have dropped during the...excitement," Murata said carefully. "It might explain why Tanaka didn't stop despite your protests. He might have not understood you, especially when he too had had quite a lot to drink. Matsuri told me, that someone had spiked the punch with at least a bottle of tequila."

Yuuri shot Murata another death-glare.

"That's ridiculous!"

Murata looked at Yuuri levelly in the eye.

"You probably didn't notice, but Wolfram was not speaking Japanese when we rescued him," he said.

"Yes, he was!"

"No, Yuuri, he wasn't," Conrart said quietly. "I remember thinking that it was odd."

"Well, even if Tanaka didn't understand what Wolfram was saying, he still should have realized that his advances weren't welcome. You cannot seriously be defending him," Yuuri growled.

"I'm not. I'm only pointing out, that what happened might be more due to many unfortunate circumstances rather than just Tanaka's evilness."

Yuuri didn't look convinced, but Wolfram looked thoughtful.

"He didn't seem like a bad guy," Wolfram said. "And... we were both drunk. And I guess I didn't put up much of a fight after I'd tried to summon my powers. I just didn't have any strength left."

"Wolf!" Yuuri cried, looking astonished.

Wolfram turned his green eyes towards his fiancé.

"I'm not saying that he didn't do anything wrong. I just... I want to forgive him."

"Why?" Yuuri asked, looking dumbfounded.

"Because it's what you would do," Wolfram answered simply.

Yuuri seemed to lose his ability to speak and just stared at Wolfram with his mouth opening and closing like a fish.

Murata smirked.

"Well said, Wolfram," he said sounding satisfied. "And with that thought, why don't you both pop outside for a bit? I told Tanaka to wait there in case you'd want to sort this out."

"You WHAT?" Yuuri shrieked, but Wolfram looked pleased.

"Yes, we'd like to see him," the blonde said and rose from the table.

Yuuri let out an angry huff, but rose as well.

Conrart rose too and followed his king and brother to the front door.

Tanaka stood outside in the street and looked relieved when all four of them came into view. He was nursing a black eye and obviously hadn't had much sleep. He bowed immediately as low as possible in front of Wolfram and Yuuri and launched into a string of apologies.

Yuuri listened to him with an impassive face and Wolfram looked wary at first, but then his expression turned rather sympathetic. Conrart thought that for a boy who had as much pride as Wolfram, that was quite a remarkable feat.

When Tanaka was done, he stayed in the bow-position, keeping his eyes strictly on his shoes.

"I accept your apology," Wolfram said clearly after a moments silence and Tanaka lifted his head in astonishment to look at the blonde. "I'm sorry if I... lead you on."

Yuuri sighed a bit irritably and crossed his hands.

"I'm sorry that I hit you," he mumbled, not sounding very sincere.

Tanaka straightened out and smiled.

"It's all right, I deserved it. I should thank you really. I couldn't have lived with myself if..." he shot a nervous glance at Wolfram. "You deserve so much better than that."

"He does," Yuuri agreed and grabbed hold of Wolfram's hand, who looked startled. "I'm also sorry, that I lied to you yesterday. The truth is, that Wolfram and I..." Yuuri paused a bit for dramatic effect. Conrart covered his smile behind his coffee cup. "...are engaged to be married."

Tanaka's eyebrows shot up to his hairline and he let out a small whistle.

"Oh, wow! No wonder you punched me then! Well, congratulations!"

Yuuri nodded his thanks and Wolfram blushed very prettily.

"Don't let anyone steal him, okay?" Tanaka told Yuuri, looking at Wolfram longingly.

"I wont," Yuuri replied a little sharply and Conrart saw his grip on Wolfram's hand tighten.

"Good. I hope you'll be very happy. Well, goodbye then!" Tanaka said and started to walk away.

"Bye," Yuuri said, with relief.

"It was nice to meet you, Daiki," Wolfram called.

Tanaka turned with a smile and waved, before continuing on.

"Well, I'd say you're officially out of the closet now," Murata commented when they stepped back inside.

Yuuri didn't seem to hear. He glared at his fiancé, still holding his hand tightly.

"Daiki? You called him Daiki?" he hissed.

"Yes. That's his name, isn't it?" Wolfram replied. "Ow, you're crushing my hand!"

Yuuri unceremoniously dragged Wolfram upstairs again, where the conversation continued with quite a bit more volume. The shouting finally came to an end by the time Conrart had gotten his second cup of coffee, and Murata gave him a knowing smirk.

A few minutes later, a sleepy looking Shori came down and complained being awakened by the shouting.

"Why don't you go tell them to keep it down?" Murata suggested innocently.

Shori nodded blearily and headed back upstairs.

Murata snickered and winked at Conrart, who rolled his eyes. It didn't take long before they heard it, and even Murata gave a little shudder at the sound.

The scream of a man scarred for life is truly a terrifying one.

THE END