Damn, I wish I was your lover

By RaVen0us

Note: A lot of OOCness ahead, short and precise---but still mushiness o.o I'm a sucker for happy endings *sweatdrops*

|Raven and Van: What about OUR story?|

|Ravenous: *eye twitch* OKAY!! I already had an ending; it's the middle part I'm confused at!|

|Alter-ego, Ori: try putting Van in a French maid uniform. Does that inspires you?|

|Ravenous: X_X; shut up, voice in my head---hey--hehehe|
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Final Chapter

Irvine sat at his worktable, trying to put the hammer back into an army revolver. This was a simple job, but the damned thing kept slipping. His frustration was such that he had to stop himself from hurling the entire work through the front window. Instead he dropped it on tabletop and rubbed his gritty eyes with the heels of his hands.

He hadn't slept or eaten since Karl lured him out to the social hall yesterday to tell him of his decision. He still wasn't sure what part Thomas had to play in all of this. He couldn't imagine why he'd pretended that they were still lovers, but Karl had sure been quick to believe it. He'd seen it in his eyes, in his accusing, condemning expression. Then to invite him to the departure. A grim chuckle rumbled up from his chest. Nothing like pouring salt in the wound.

After he'd left that happy scene, he walked aimlessly around town, trying to understand how the man who'd rested so easily and comfortably in his arms just as easily believed that he'd played him for a fool. He'd even gone to Schubaltz mansion last night, like a goddamned idiot, to try and talk to Karl, to tell him that Thomas made up the whole strange story. But he'd stood outside and knocked on the door for ten minutes, and no one answered. Not even when he called to the darkened windows. It was hard to believe that neither brother was home. Finally, he wondered what the use was, and walked out to the foothills beyond the mansion. From there, the little town looked peaceful as it slept under the blanket of night. No one would guess the trials and troubles that lay under those roofs.

He put his elbows on the tabletop and rested his forehead in his hands. Maybe if he'd told him he loved him, he thought with an edge of desperation. He'd never told him that. Maybe he didn't know. It didn't matter now. Lease or no, once he finished the work he promised, he'd be moving on. He was looking for a home when he arrived here, and he could find another one.

From outside he heard the muffled sound of celebration, and he wearily pushed himself to his feet to go see what was happening. It was good to get out of that chair; he'd sitting in it since he got back at three this morning and his legs felt dead.

He wandered out of the sidewalk and glanced down the street. In Zi's name, the entire folk must be down there, he thought, as he watched the crowd move away from the hangar. Leon and his companion, in a gray decorated uniform dazzling in the summer sun, were surrounded by the throng of well- wishers. They were coming this way, he realized, probably on their way for the refreshments before they ride the whale king.

Sighing, he went back inside, unable to endure the sight of the man he loved, a man he'd come to think of as his companion, lost forever to another man. He returned to his worktable, trying for the fifth time to put the damned hammer back in the army Colt. The party was passing the store, and Irvine kept his eyes on his work, trying to ignore the pain in his tight throat.

Suddenly, the door to his shop swung open, and he looked up to see Karl standing before him. He looked so handsome, so radiant; it took him a moment to realize that he wasn't wearing gray, but violet. He rose from his chair again. Beyond the window, Thomas, in that different uniform, led the crowd on with companion----Leon?

"W-what---" It was all he could manage.

Karl laughed, weak with relief at seeing him again. "Irvine! Thank God you're here. When we couldn't find you last night, I was worried that you'd left. Will you come and have refreshments before the departure?"

"What the hell is going on?" he demanded.

The colonel came forward and took his hands. He looked so haggard and worn- out, his heart ached for him. This had been hard on all of them. "First you have to tell me that you forgive me for not believing you, and for jumping to the very worst conclusion."

He still looked baffled. "Well, I guess---"

"It must be true about the brooch the doctor gave me, Irvine. It worked for us and it for Thomas and Leon."

"Karl, what are you talking about?"

"You already know our part of it. Doctor Dee told me the brooch would draw my true love."

Irvine nodded impatiently.

"The night of the last social event at New Helix, Thomas borrowed the brooch and when he went outside under the full moon it drew Leon to him. Heavens, I even saw them in the shadows of the big oak and didn't realize who they were. I wish I had known." He said. "It could have saved us a lot of trouble. So they've been sneaking around for the last two weeks just like we were. That's why poor Tommy has been so miserable. He felt guilty and angry that he was in love with a man who was engaged to his brother."

Irvine shook his head. "That doesn't really explain why he claimed that the two of us were involved."

Karl squeezed his hands. "He'd sent a note to Leon, just like I sent a note to you, telling him to meet him there because he was going to tell him goodbye. But when we all got there, he thought he was protecting Leon by telling us that he's still interested with you. He came here to tell me about it last night. When I learned the truth, I looked everywhere for you. I even sent my men to scout the whole area. I was so afraid you'd left."

"God, what a complicated mess." He muttered. "It makes my head hurt to think about it. So now what?"

"Well," Karl said shyly, "now Thomas had taken up my leave and the journey with Leon. I'm staying here to do what I know best."

Irvine leveled his gray gaze on him. The tone of his voice change subtly. "And what's that?"

"Love you, and still continue to be an Imperial officer."

He smiled at Karl, a rare, sweet poignant smile, "You know, I thought that maybe the reason you'd decided to go with Leon was because I'd never told you how much I love you. And for that, I'm sorry."

He pulled the colonel into his arms and kissed him with the same tenderness, the same urgency, that he had that first night. Oh, how Karl missed the feel of his strong embrace, and the place on his shoulder where his cheek rested so well.

Irvine backed up slightly and looked at his uniform. "I see you're wearing my favorite uniform."

He raised his brows, "I haven't worn this for a long time, unless for special occasions. You've never seen it before."

"Yes I have. I've unbuttoned it in my dreams lots of times."

Karl gasped. "I had that dream, too."

"Did you let me make love to you?" he murmured, removing his cap, then proceeds to kiss him tenderly to his throat.

His voice was no more than a whisper. "I asked you to. But in my dream I wore a ring, and I was worried sick that I was engaged to Leon and committing adultery."

"You were wearing a ring because you were engaged to me." He lifted the brooch to look at the stone. "And you've put this on again?" he asked.

He couldn't help but laugh. "Who am I to argue with Midsummer's Eve magic?"
@--}---THE END ---{--@

o.o Huh, no lemon?