17. Choking Back Tears

It had been a very big day.

Yuuri sat back in his chair and stretched, his feet and legs sore from hours of dancing. The party was still whirling around him, but he had groped his way back to the table so that he could get some rest and a much-needed drink of water. He sighed happily into his cup.

"Long day?" an amused voice asked from somewhere behind him.

He turned and grinned. "Conrad."

The older man smiled back and joined him at the table. "You seem happy."

"Well, it's not every day a man gets to watch his daughter get married."

Conrad chuckled. "True enough. She looks lovely, doesn't she?" Both men turned their attention to the dance floor, where Greta was twirling gracefully with her new husband, a tall half-Mazoku man by the name of Jens. White and pink ribbons were woven into her hair, the long twisted ends tumbling down her back and waving gently as she danced. Yuuri nodded wistfully.

"I can't believe how fast she grew up." He looked down thoughtfully. "I feel a bit weird about it, actually. I barely look older than she does."

"Don't worry, Your Majesty. People here are accustomed to such things." Conrad reached for an abandoned wine cup. "It's all a part of life between humans and Mazoku. Your efforts to unite the world have put those differences behind us." He smiled warmly. "Even if it is a bit bittersweet."

Yuuri look back at Conrad, his expression softening. "You're right. I should just be grateful for the time that I do get to share with her." He rested one arm on the table and toyed with a napkin. "Fatherhood is hard," he pouted.

Conrad laughed. "If you say so."

"I'm going to... miss her." Yuuri murmured, turning his gaze back to his daughter. She had stopped dancing and seemed to be chatting with a small group of people. Her cheeks were flushed prettily from the excitement and the wine, and at some point she had taken off her shoes. Yuuri chuckled. "She always hated heels."

Conrad finished off his wine and stood up from the table. His eyes slid past Yuuri to settle on another friendly face. He waved jovially, then bowed to excuse himself. "I think I'll let you two have this moment," he said with a wink as he disappeared into the crowd. Yuuri gave him a curious look before turning to see Wolfram approaching the table.

He stood fluidly and held out his hand. Wolfram took it gratefully and leaned in to kiss his cheek. "You look exhausted," he said, a concerned note in his voice.

Yuuri smiled and nudged his lover gently. "I do? You look about ready to pass out yourself. I guess it's been a long day, huh?"

Wolfram nodded and rolled his shoulders stiffly. "The party doesn't look like it's even slowing down," he grumbled. "And if I have to dance with one more fawning human girl, I swear..."

Yuuri laughed. "Dancing with human girls?" He turned and gave Wolfram a mock pout. "Cheater."

"Oh, like you're one to talk."

"I'm-! Now wait, you're not starting up with that again, are you?"

"Daddies, are you bickering again?" The two men turned and found themselves peering into their daughter's smiling face. "Can't you two at least try to get along for my wedding day?" She put her hands on her hips sternly.

"Yes, princess," they said simultaneously, which drew a laugh from Greta and embarrassed looks from both of them.

"Now which one of you handsome men is going to dance with me?" she asked, stepping between them and threading her arms through theirs.

They both opened their mouths to volunteer the other, but Wolfram was quicker. "Yuuri will," he said hastily, extracting himself and nudging them towards the dance floor. "I'll sit this one out, thanks."

Yuuri shot him an exasperated look, but allowed himself to be dragged back into the crowd by his enthusiastic daughter. "It's okay," she said conspiratorially, once they were out of range of Wolfram. "I'll get him later."

"And make sure to step on his feet a lot while you're at it, okay?" Yuuri grinned and took her by the hand, easily spinning her into his arms. "Shall we?"

She nodded and the two of them took off into an easy two-step. Though Yuuri was indeed exhausted, he managed to muster the energy for this last dance with his daughter. Greta was a magnificent dancer, probably thanks to Wolfram's lessons, and it took everything he had just to keep up with her. When the music changed, he placed a hand on her shoulder and drew her into a slower pace.

"Tired already? You're getting old," she laughed, but happily complied, easing into a simple back-and-forth pattern.

Yuuri smiled warmly. "I'd have more stamina if I hadn't been up all night from nervous anxiety."

Greta flushed. "Why were you nervous?"

"Because I had to give my daughter away today," he replied. "And I'm going to miss her very much."

She smiled prettily. "I won't be far away at all, you know. You can see me any time."

"I know." He clutched her hand tightly and looked down into her face. She looks so happy, he thought, and he suddenly felt silly and selfish for wanting her to stay with him. His feet stilled and he wrapped his arms around her in a tight hug.

"Dad? What's wrong?" she asked, her voice muffled against his shoulder.

"Nothing, princess," he whispered, blinking back tears. He pulled back and beamed down at her. "I'm just proud of you. You have a great life ahead of you."

She smiled back. "I know," she said. "And I promise I won't forget that."

Just then, Jens approached from the side. He greeted Yuuri with a deferential bow, which was met with a scoff and a big bear hug. "You don't have to bow to me," he insisted, despite the man's obvious discomfort with the idea. "I'm your dad now!"

Greta smirked and slipped her hand into her husband's. "See? I told you he was difficult," she said. Yuuri gave her a stern look and she shook her head, laughing lightly. "Just kidding, dad. I'm going to go dance with Jens, okay?" She leaned forward and planted a kiss on his cheek. "Go take care of your own husband before he falls asleep at the table."

Yuuri turned to see that Wolfram had slumped in his chair, his chin nodding closer and closer to his chest. He sighed. "Well, I guess he was up all night too," he said.

"Nervousness?" Greta asked.

"Well... not exactly... generally, we're either both asleep or both awake, if you catch my meaning." He grinned devilishly.

"Dad!" she exclaimed, her nose wrinkling. "Too much information!"

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry," he said, laughing. "Couldn't resist." He turned back toward Wolfram. "I guess I'll go get the loafer up then. Enjoy your party, sweetheart." He gave her a quick hug and patted Jens on the back before slipping back to the table.

"Hey Wolf," he murmured, nudging the man gently.

Wolfram raised his head and blinked slowly. "Did I fall asleep?"

Yuuri smiled. "Probably."

Wolfram shook his head. "Sorry. I must have been really out of it." He stretched. "Can we sneak out yet?"

"Oh no. You have to serve your time too." Yuuri looked pointedly at Greta. "She's going to want a dance from her other father."

A look of annoyance passed over Wolfram's face, but it quickly melted into a warm smile. "I guess you're right. I don't want to miss this."

"No," Yuuri agreed, taking Wolfram's hand into his own. "You don't."

They sat together that way for some time, watching their daughter in her happiest moments. By the time she came back for Wolfram, Yuuri's eyes were full of tears again. But this time, he didn't try to hold them back. He just watched the man he loved and the woman they had raised dance like angels around the crowded room, his cheeks wet and salty and his heart absolutely full of joy.