The last few days had felt like a dream to Wolfram, despite Yuuri surprising him with pinches every now and then. Yuuri loved him back! It was honestly more than he'd ever hoped for, even before Yuuri had been dragged back to Earth. Gwendal had finally given up on holding Yuuri captive, so he was actually present at meals again. Conrart had restarted taking Yuuri on morning runs, but Wolfram couldn't even mind that too terribly since he slept through them and Yuuri had started a habit of waking him with kisses when he'd returned.

Wolfram's own duties kept him busy enough while Yuuri was with Gwendal or Gunter, but at the moment he had nothing to do and was heading back to his old room to work through some paperwork of his own.

Yuuri was suddenly barreling down a cross hallway Wolfram had been passing, arms swinging around Wolfram's shoulders as the King used him to bring himself to a halt. "Quick, Wolfram, hide me!" He said breathlessly.

Wolfram instantly tensed, hand already moving toward his sword-

"Just from Gunter!" Yuuri quickly assured, pushing Wolfram's hand away from the hilt.

Wolfram raised an eyebrow at him. "Shirking your duties again?"

Yuuri gave him a bashful smile even as Gunter's voice echoed down the hall Yuuri had just come from. "Your Majesty?!"

"Please?" Yuuri pleaded in a whisper, tugging on Wolfram's arm.

He sighed. He really shouldn't give into this, but Yuuri wanting to spend time with him over Gunter was too good of a feeling to pass up. "Come on," he said, grabbing Yuuri's hand and taking off at a run. They weren't exactly being sneaky as they ran past several maids and guards, but the grin Yuuri had flashed him had a thrill running through him. Wolfram ducked into the Solarium just as Gunter's voice echoed down the halls again. They both fell back against the door, breathing heavy.

"Wolf," Yuuri panted, looking around at all the rose bushes. "Doesn't Gunter spend a lot of time here?"

Wolfram gave him a shrug. "But you don't, so he won't think to look here. Probably." he said before tugging him further into the room. "We should still hide, though, in case someone pokes their head in." Yuuri followed him happily as they tucked themselves in between two rose bushes.

"It's lucky roses here don't have thorns." Yuuri mused, running a hand over his nearest bush.

"Why would they have thorns?" Wolfram asked, brow creasing in confusion.

Yuuri shrugged. "I donno. But Earth roses do. I think that's why they can be expensive. It makes them harder to pick."

"And people still use them for courting rituals?"

"Mm. Sometimes, at least. It's kinda the default if you don't know someone's favorite." black eyes looked back at him suddenly. "Do you have one? A favorite flower, I mean."

Wolfram blinked, feeling his cheeks heat. "I-um, have one named after me."

Yuuri's eyes went wide and he leaned toward him in excitement. "You do?!"

"Mm. Mother likes to breed new varieties. All three of us have one. Mine's 'Beautiful Wolfram.'"

"Do we have some here?"

"Of course. They're out in the garden."

Yuuri smiled and Wolfram half expected him to go charging out there right now to see them. "Are they your favorite, then?"

"I don't know. I guess? I don't often think about flowers much." Wolfram shrugged. "What about you? Do you have one?"

Yuuri put on his thinking face even as he leaned against him. Wolfram snuck his arm around Yuuri's back, gripping his opposite hip and pulling the King flush against him. The happy lift to Yuuri's lips was so much nicer than the scramble to get away from him that Wolfram had grown so used to.

"I donno. I guess I don't think about flowers much, either. My mom likes daisies."

"Daisies?!" Wolfram asked, alarmed.

"What's wrong with daisies?"

"They have thorns that are poisonous!"

"Daisies?!"

"Yes!"

Yuuri seemed to collapse against him. "How is it possible for our two worlds to be so different? Sharks are vegetarian, Pandas live in the desert, and daisies have poisonous thorns." he said, shaking his head.

Wolfram really had no insight on that. Everything about Earth seemed so strange and backwards to him. He really didn't understand why Yuuri loved it so fell quiet for a bit, listening to Gunter's muffled search. At least none of the maids or guards had told on them.

"Hey," Yuuri said after a minute, one hand wrapped around the stem of a rose. "Can I see your sword?"

"What? Why?"

"I want to pick this one, but it won't break with just my fingers."

"You're more likely to cut off your hand using a sword for that, idiot." Wolfram scolded but pulled out the small knife he kept in his boot and offered it to him handle first.

Yuuri blinked at it. "Have you always kept that there?"

Wolfram gave him a look to inform him that he was, in fact, an idiot. Yuuri just gave him his sheepish grin and accepted the knife. "I don't wear boots this high just because they look good, you know."

"But they do look very good." Yuuri said, not even looking at him as he cut the rose free.

Wolfram felt his cheeks heat and mentally cursed himself for letting Yuuri get another point. He'd been racking up far to many lately. Then Yuuri was fussing with his hair and something slid behind his right ear, the feeling of soft petals pressing against his temple. Wolfram turned to gape at him, only to find him wearing a warm smile and carefully offering the knife back to him.

"It looks good on you." Yuuri whispered.

"Y-Yuuri," he breathed, reaching up to make sure there was indeed a rose behind his right ear. "This means-"

"I remember." Yuuri interrupted, still wearing the same warm smile.

Wolfram bit his lip, wanting to just believe him. But the thought of this somehow being another misunderstanding… He shifted around to face him properly. "Prove it."

"I do actually listen to things you tell me, you know." Yuuri said with a sigh, but shifted in turn so they were facing each other now. "I know our engagement wasn't exactly an arranged one, but I think it probably fits close enough. So, then, it means… that I've fallen for you." he said, blush rising on his cheeks but he held Wolfram's gaze. "That- that this relationship is wanted and I don't want anyone to contest it."

Wolfram stared at him. Despite mentioning their engagement in the beginning, he had said the relationship was wanted in his explanation. But he knew Yuuri was still uncomfortable about the engagement. He'd told him so as they left Hilvera. So then it was their newfound relationship he was trying to cement? It did still fit the ritual, but Yuuri had also said he didn't want anyone to contest it. Did that mean the engagement or the relationship?

Did it even matter? Yuuri loved him. Had been reassuring him of the fact continuously since his first night back. He kissed him and held him and constantly wanted him close. Yuuri loved him, and now he wanted everyone else to know.

Yuuri's face gradually grew more nervous as the time stretched on. "You're not going to hang me out to dry, are you?" he asked. Wolfram frowned and it was only then that he realized he had closed off his expression in fear of Yuuri's reply. He could retroactively identify the cold spot that had formed in his stomach at the thought of Yuuri not understanding. "I didn't get it wrong, did I?" Yuuri asked, suddenly sounding worried.

Wolfram shook his head, finally giving him a smile. "No, you're right." he said softly, wondering briefly what Yuuri would even do if someone tried to challenge him for Wolfram's hand. He had been so reluctant with Elizabeth's challenge, surely that'd be different now?

Yuuri tilted his head. "Do you not want to do it, then?"

Wolfram blinked at him before scowling. "Of course I do! It's not my fault you surprised me!" he said, snatching the blade away. "It's a red one?" he double checked, eyes already searching for a rose worthy of Yuuri.

"Mm." Yuuri hummed.

Wolfram nodded, spotting one suitable and reaching up to cut it free. He slipped the knife back into his boot before turning to Yuuri, heart beating fast even though Yuuri was the one who knowingly initiated this. He ran his fingers over his right ear, smoothing back the short black hairs there before carefully setting the rose in place. "We have to keep them on the rest of the day." Wolfram whispered, running his finger over the shell of Yuuri's ear and admiring how beautiful the rose looked placed there. "And we should make ourselves seen. This is usually a more public thing."

"Oh, sorry." Yuuri said, turning his head and placing a kiss against Wolfram's wrist, making him shiver. "Is it really bad if it falls out? You have training later, right?"

"It's not a huge deal as long as-" the door to the solarium opening cut him off and they exchanged wide eyed looks. Gunter's wail didn't follow the sound, but after a moment there was the sound of footsteps approaching them.

Yuuri mouthed something at him but Wolfram couldn't make it out. Then Conrart was leaning over to see them beneath the bushes. "You realize your feet are showing?"

Wolfram cursed, pulling them back from where they had ended up sticking out when he'd turned to face Yuuri. Conrart chuckled. If he had any reaction to their matching flowers, he wasn't showing it. "You've left Gunter in quite a state. I'm going to have to go inform him that I've found you so that he doesn't activate the castle guard."

"Conrad," Yuuri whined at him. His brother just gave him a smile.

"There should be about a five minute window before he makes it back here." Conrart said as he straightened and headed back to the door. "But don't expect to continue getting away with stunts like this, Your Majesty."

"It's Yuuri!" Yuuri called, but he was beaming. "Come on," he said, taking Wolfram's hand and pulling them both to their feet. "I have an idea!" They gave Conrad a moment to leave before slipping down the hall. They still weren't being sneaky, and were, in fact, gaining even more attention as the castle staff took in their matching flowers. If Yuuri noticed the wide eyed looks or the whispers they left in their wake, he didn't show any sign of it. Was it obliviousness, or was his wimp actually just that comfortable with this particular ritual?

When they arrived at Yuuri's destination, Wolfram pulled him back before he could open the door. "What are you doing?!" He hissed. "We can't hide here!"

"You said we should hide in places Gunter wouldn't think I'd go, right?"

"Well, yes, but-"

"It'll be fine! And, if it's not, we'll just run away again." Yuuri assured before pushing open the door to Gwendal's office and pulling him inside.

Gwendal looked up and Wolfram suddenly felt nervous about their flowers for the first time. He was behind Yuuri since his Fiance had entered first and Wolfram took a half step to the side to more firmly hide behind him. This was Yuuri's stupid idea, afterall.

Gwendal took them in, eyes catching on the roses behind their ears. "What is this?"

"If you let us hide here, I'll finish off that stack of papers from this morning!" Yuuri said, letting go of Wolfram's hand to press the palms of his hands together in front of his face.

"Hide?"

"From Gunter!" Yuuri said with a grin. "Please?"

A muscle in one of Gwendal's eyes twitched and he closed both to take a deep breath. "Fine. as long as you work quietly and aren't disruptive."

Yuuri beamed, shooting that spotlight of a smile over his shoulder at Wolfram, leaving him blinded as he took his hand again and pulled him over to the table in the center of the room, depositing him in a chair before going to his desk to gather up papers.

Gwendal was staring at him when Wolfram tore his eyes away from Yuuri. Blue eyes shifted purposefully to the rose behind his ear before moving back to his eyes. Gwendal raised an eyebrow in question.

Wolfram felt his cheeks go red and he looked down at the table, but he couldn't help the small smile that pulled at his lips. Yuuri had initiated this. Yuuri had! Half the castle had to know by now, with the way the staff whispered about every little thing. Conrart had seen, and now Gwendal had, too. Was that why Yuuri had brought them here, of all places? His dopey idiot couldn't have thought this through that much, could he?

"Will you help me read them?" Yuuri was back, setting the stack of papers down and pulling a chair right up against Wolfram's and sitting down. "I'm getting better at it, but I'm still pretty slow."

"Sure." Wolfram agreed, feeling a bit breathless as the side of Yuuri's leg pressed up against his own. The smile Yuuri gave him was so warm…

They steadily worked through the pile for a while. Wolfram quietly reading the documents to Yuuri and answering questions or comments he had. Then Yuuri would either sign it or bring up issues he had with Gwendal. It was more fascinating than paperwork had any right to be. Yuuri's expression was different then when he read other things. A quiet seriousness. He even kept it when talking things out with Gwendal. It was different from how he looked when he went Maoh, but Wolfram couldn't help but classify it as a 'Kingly' look.

"What?" Yuuri asked, catching him staring and giving him a small smile.

Wolfram shook his head, feeling the rose bounce slightly against his temple. "I'm proud of you." he whispered.

Yuuri blushed, a line of pink going over his cheeks and nose. "For signing papers?"

"For gradually becoming less of a wimpy King."

Wolfram could see his chest swell with pride. "You really think so?" he asked, still in a whisper to not disturb Gwendal. "I am currently in hiding from one of my advisers."

"Hm, that is true." Wolfram said, smile shifting to more of a teasing smirk. "Maybe I judged too quickly."

Yuuri gave a soft snort before leaning over and kissing his cheek.

Wolfram's face went bright red, very aware of Gwendal sitting not ten feet away. "Stop that!" he scolded in a hiss. "We're supposed to be focusing!"

Yuuri pouted. "You didn't care about cheek kisses around Conrad."

"Well- that's Weller!" he said, praying that Gwendal was actually as absorbed in his work as he looked. "And we are supposed to be working! That was part of the deal. Besides, you're the one that gets nervous about public displays of affection!"

Yuuri bit his lip and looked away, making Wolfram instantly feel bad. "Well, yeah, but… this doesn't feel public."

Wolfram bit the inside of his lip hard, willing himself not to give in. "Just- no kisses while working!" Gwendal shifted in his seat and Wolfram felt his face get hotter.

Yuuri gave a heavy sigh. "Fine." he said, sounding sulky. "While I'm working, right? Cause it could be argued you're always working, being one of my bodyguards and all."

Wolfram groaned and rubbed at one of his eyes. Did they have to have this discussion here? "Yes, you. Unless I'm performing some other duties, then it counts for me, too."

Yuuri gave a small huff, clearly not thrilled with the new rule but not arguing anymore. Wolfram chanced a glance up at Gwendal but his brother was staring hard at the paper in front of him. How embarrassing, having a discussion about relationship boundaries in front of his eldest brother.

Yuuri shifted slightly so he was even further pressed against Wolfram's side. He sent his King a glare that went ignored. He had to be doing it on purpose. Yuuri still had a pout on his face as he looked over the last paper Wolfram had read. He could be such a flirty little brat!

Yuuri gave the paper a nod and signed his name at the bottom before moving it to their 'completed' pile and pulled another from the dwindling 'to do' pile. There was a pause before Yuuri looked back at him, pout increasing. "Do you not want to read anymore?"

Wolfram blinked "What? Oh, right." he leaned forward a bit, trying to ignore how adorable Yuuri looked with that expression, how the movement made their legs rub, and how he could still feel where Yuuri had kissed his cheek. He was the one that had just set down the rule of no kissing while working, and Gwendal was still RIGHT THERE but he was still having trouble resisting the urge to kiss him back now that Yuuri had broken the seal.

Yuuri's pout slowly faded back into his look of concentration and Wolfram felt a flash of irrational jealousy toward the documents. At least he was able to recognize it as irrational. He supposed that was an improvement. But it didn't stop the sudden need to draw Yuuri's attention back to him. Even though he was the one that had just insisted they were meant to be focusing.

With a quick glance up at Gwendal to make sure he wasn't watching, Wolfram slid his arm over the back of Yuuri's chair before letting it fall against his shoulders. Yuuri leaned back into it, expression shifting slightly. His small frown of concentration smoothing out to the slightest of smiles. Black eyes flicked up to his face and Wolfram knew he would find another light blush there. This was stupid, and childish, and greedy, and-

Yuuri shifted, arm slipping around Wolfram's shoulders in turn, his fingers briefly toying with the end of the rose behind his ear, like Yuuri was reminding him it was there, before continuing on. This wasn't the proper way to go over documents, especially not in the presence of Gwendal. Sitting as close as they were was already a stretch. But Wolfram couldn't find it in him to correct the situation. His need for Yuuri's attention felt sated for the moment, but if he pulled away he was sure he'd feel cold and hollow.

They continued to go through papers, Wolfram's flower brushing Yuuri's temple at times, they were so close. Yuuri was just signing the last on the pile when Gunter threw open the office door.

"Gwendal! I cannot-" the man froze, taking him and Yuuri in in shocked silence.

"Er- Hi Gunter." Yuuri said, voice sounding both bashful and guilty. "Um, sorry."

Gunter continued to stare for another full minute before letting out a wail, turning on his heel and running from the room.

Yuuri winced. "I really upset him, didn't I?"

"It was probably the flowers more than anything else." Wolfram said with a shrug, not particularly bothered by the older man's antics.

"It was likely a combination of both." Gwendal said, setting down his quill. "He'll be fine once he recovers. Don't let it worry you, Your Majesty."

"Are you sure?" Yuuri asked, still looking out the open door uneasily.

"Why were you hiding from him in the first place?" Wolfram asked, absently lifting his hand to toy with the hair on the back of Yuuri's head to try and comfort him.

"Well, he started going on about teaching me the detailed history and meanings of different fine tableware!" Yuuri said, giving Wolfram a pleading look even though he'd clearly already decided to allow his shenanigans. "And then I saw you crossing the other hallway and… this seemed like a much better idea. I mean, why would I even need to know about different kinds of tableware?!"

"It's probably set up for you making decisions about your Annuallary Ball." Wolfram said, tilting his head back in thought. "It's coming up soon."

"Annuallary Ball?" Yuuri asked, looking at him with pinched eyebrows.

"To celebrate the anniversary of your coronation." Wolfram explained. "You missed your first one. It's likely already mostly planned out and he'll want your input on final details."

"Oh. But why should I care what kind of tableware is used? I don't have an eye for that kind of thing." he sulked. "When is this Annually thing, anyway?"

"Annuallary." Wolfram corrected, lightly tugging on a strand of Yuuri's hair in reprimand. "It's only a few weeks away, now."

"Ow," Yuuri whined. "If you're going to be mean about it I won't let you play with it at all anymore."

"If you wouldn't mind." Gwendal interrupted, making Wolfram blush and drop his hand from Yuuri's hair. "Closing the door on your way out?"

"Er, right." Yuuri said with a nervous chuckle, straightening the pile of papers as he stood. "Thanks for letting us hide here, Gwendal."

Gwendal just gave them a hum of acknowledgement and Wolfram dragged Yuuri from the room, feeling mortified. For some reason Gwendal's judgment specifically made him nervous. He had always wanted to impress his eldest brother and make him proud. Acting like a love struck fool wasn't likely to help in that regard. But, still, how could he possibly deny Yuuri's affections? The small boundaries he'd just placed were already hard to follow.

"Hey," Yuuri said, tugging him to a stop once they were a ways down the hall. "When do you have training?"

"I have about another hour. Why?" he replied, looking back at him.

Yuuri gave him a smirk that immediately had butterflies going in his stomach. "So neither of us are working right now."

Wolfram felt his face heat and his body tingled a bit at the implication. He had to look away. "No, I guess we're not…"

Yuuri stepped up close to him and Wolfram swallowed hard.

"Yuuri, we're just in a hallway!" he hissed.

"But no one's around!"

"Maybe not right this second, but there's always someone around! It's not proper…"

"Let's find not a hallway, then."

Wolfram chanced a glance back up at him. Yuuri was so close and his eyes were dark. He still hadn't let them go past kissing and some light touching, but even that felt like heaven, despite Wolfram trying to push for more. Even just 'making out' as Yuuri had called it, for an hour would be bliss.

"You're impossible." Wolfram grumbled, grabbing Yuuri's hand again and quickly setting off toward their room. Yuuri chuckled and it was deep enough that it sent a shiver down Wolfram's spine.

His Second had given him a questioning look when he'd arrived at training with his flower in place. So the whispers hadn't spread to the barracks yet. He had refused to acknowledge Steth's unspoken question and immediately started running his men through warm up drills.

Yuuri had come down to watch the last fifteen or so minutes, which filled Wolfram with happy butterflies, but made it exceptionally difficult for both him and his men to focus. The King's matching rose didn't go unnoticed and two of his men nearly stabbed each other, too busy quietly gossiping to pay attention. Wolfram gave them both a verbal lashing before making them run laps and calling training early.

Steth was grinning at him after he'd dismissed the rest of the troop. "You look even less intimidating with that in your hair, you know."

"I will burn you to a crisp, Levinstone."

Steth just continued to grin. "Hey, I'm happy for you. You've only been driving the rest of us nuts for years now with your mooning-"

"I have not been-!" He shouted, cutting himself off before he could yell that across the entire yard. Steth was still grinning at him, even in the face of his glare. "Make sure those two fools finish their laps."

"Sir, yes sir."

"Why does that sound so disrespectful when you say it."

Steth just gave him a salute in reply and Wolfram gave up, walking over to where Yuuri was waiting. "I thought you were spending time with Greta?" He greeted, leaning forward to press a kiss to his cheek.

Yuuri raised an eyebrow at him. "So outside is okay but not a hallway?"

Wolfram glared at him. "You were not just wanting a kiss on the cheek in the hallway."

Yuuri grinned. "Fair enough. Greta wanted to go play with Anissina and I chickened out."

"Wimp. It would only have been till dinner."

"You're welcome to go join them."

"No thanks."

Yuuri stuck his tongue out at him.

"One of these days I'm going to bite it if you keep doing that."

Yuuri blinked before his eyes went a shade darker. "Really?"

"Stop that." Wolfram said, forcibly turning Yuuri around and shoving him toward the castle.

"Quit being so enticing if you don't want me to be enticed!"

"You quit being an obnoxious flirt in public!"

"I feel like you're the pot calling the kettle black."

"What does that even mean?!"

"Oh, come on, you don't have that one here?"

"No!"

"It's basically-"

"He's calling you a hypocrite, Lord von Bielefeld."

Yuuri froze, his whole body tensing and Wolfram instinctually stepped in front of him only to see it was the Great Sage who had spoken. "Your Eminence?" He said before looking back at Yuuri, confused by his reaction. Yuuri was giving the Sage a steely glare, though. Wolfram didn't think he had ever seen Yuuri look at his friend in such a way.

"Relax, Shibuya. I just came to invite myself to dinner. You have nothing to worry about."

"I don't, do I?" Yuuri asked, voice sounding completely distrustful. It made something in Wolfram's gut twist.

"You just got here. He wouldn't send you back already."

Green eyes widened and he looked back at the Sage. Was that what this was about? Yuuri had said he had been really upset with the Sage after returning to Earth, even alluded to fighting him. But Wolfram had been so overwhelmed by Yuuri's return and acceptance that he hadn't given it much thought. And the man hadn't come up again in conversation.

"Congratulations, by the way." The Sage pressed on with an impressive amount of cheer considering the look Yuuri continued to give him. He gestured to his own right ear. "You do know that the flowers-"

"I'm aware." Yuuri interrupted. The tone he was using was starting to make Wolfram nervous. It felt like a precursor to the Maoh. Yuuri was always so friendly to the Sage, to the point where he'd often had to hold back his jealousy. For him to be acting this way towards him now felt… wrong. It hadn't been this tense between them at the temple when they first came back!

"Right." The Sage said, cheerful front fumbling for the first time as he scratched the back of his head. "Shall we, then?" When Yuuri didn't respond, the Sage just sighed. "I guess I'll see you inside." He said before turning and walking up the stairs.

"Yuuri…" Wolfram said, reaching out to touch his arm.

Yuuri looked away, face a mix of emotions that Wolfram couldn't quite puzzle out. "I don't want to talk about it right now."

"But, Yuuri-"

"Not right now," he said again, looking up at him with pleading eyes. "Later," one hand reached up and cupped Wolfram's cheek. "When we're safe in our bed and it doesn't feel like anything else can touch us."

The description of their late night talks made Wolfram gasp softly. That was how Yuuri viewed them? The description was apt, even for as far back as their talks in the tent when it was significantly less true.

"Okay." Wolfram breathed. "But you're going to have to get it together. If you treat His Eminence like that at dinner, you'll make everyone worry."

Yuuri scrunched up his nose. "I kinda hate that you call him that."

"It's the proper honorific!" Wolfram said defensively. "What would you have me call him?"

"I donno, Murata?"

"I couldn't be so informal!" Wolfram cried in outrage.

"You've always called me by my first name!"

"Because we've been engaged since before you officially became Demon King!"

"Oh. I guess that makes sense."

"You guess?!"

"It just feels like it goes to his head."

Wolfram stared at him for a moment. "He is the Great Sage, Yuuri." He said slowly, as if he was explaining something complicated to Greta. "He has over 4000 years in his head and he walked with Shinrou. I think he's earned the title."

Yuuri scowled a bit and looked at the ground. "But he's just- well, not just, but… he's Murata."

"To you." Wolfram said, a bit more gently now. "Which is fine. You're the King and on equal footing. You're allowed that level of familiarity. But he isn't 'Murata' to the rest of us."

Yuuri frowned, looking up at the stairs the Sage had just climbed. "That seems lonely." He said quietly before looking back at him. "At least I have you. And Greta. And even though the others always call me Majesty, they still treat me like me. Most of the time."

Wolfram shrugged. He grew up with titles and honorifics being a deserved sign of respect. But, perhaps to someone as open and free with affection as Yuuri, it was something that would chafe. "He has you."

"Yeah…" his expression became unreadable again.

Wolfram studied him for several moments, before sighing. "Come on, I need to get ready for dinner."

Yuuri followed him to wash up, but he was too distracted for anything fun to come of it. They were due at dinner soon, anyway. Once Wolfram was clean and changed, Yuuri pulled him into a kiss, fingers lightly touching the rose still behind his ear. "I want to keep them, after today." he said in a whisper, even though they were alone in their room. "Someone must know the best way to preserve them, right?"

Wolfram smiled, pressing his forehead against Yuuri's "I didn't know you were so sentimental."

Yuuri's smile was warm and bashful. "Don't think I've forgotten my drawing, either. You still have it, right?"

Wolfram blushed. "Mm. It's still in the sketchbook."

"Good." Yuuri said, wrapping his arms around his waist. "I should get it framed. That's a thing, here, right?"

"Y-you want to frame it?!" Wolfram said, feeling his entire face heat. "I- but- it's-"

"Don't talk down your work!" Yuuri scolded.

"But- that's not the kind of thing that gets framed!" Wolfram protested. Frames were for grand pictures and the like, not simple drawings! "It's small- and a pencil drawing-" he said, trying hard not to diminish it. How could Yuuri think it was worth something like that?

Yuuri huffed. "I don't understand why you're so anxious about it. Your drawings are amazing. You should want to show them off!"

"I…" Wolfram trailed off, eyes looking away, flustered. "I love that you love them. That's more than enough for me. More than I ever even hoped for."

Yuuri sighed, pulling him closer. "Alright. We won't make a big deal out of it. But I'm still going to bring a little frame from home. We can just keep it here."

Wolfram still felt his face go hotter. He wasn't sure what the difference was, but if it was what Yuuri wanted…

They stood in silence for a long moment, just enjoying each other's presence while Wolfram got his blushing under control. "We should go down to dinner. We'll be late."

"... I don't want to go." Yuuri confessed quietly.

Wolfram frowned, pulling back just enough to look at him properly. "Yuuri, I know you said you wanted to wait, but this isn't like you. What's going on?"

Yuuri looked down and away, face in a grimace. Wolfram could feel his hands fisting in the back of his jacket.

"Yuuri." he pressed. "Tell me what's wrong."

"He took me away from you!" Yuuri finally blurted, squeezing his eyes shut. "He made me break my promises. He made me hurt you! And he did it just because he thought it'd be funny! I'm so sick of being yanked in and out of my lives, with no say so. He could have said something. He knew it was coming. He could have given me the chance to say goodbye. Instead he dragged me into the fountain, dragged me back to Earth. And then tried to laugh about it!"

"Yuuri…" it was rare to hear him so upset. It was usually under much more dire circumstances. "He- he probably didn't know. About your promises. Or about what had changed."

"I don't care!" Yuuri shook his head. "He still had no right!" Yuuri finally opened his eyes and looked back at him, black eyes filled with anger and grief. "You thought you'd been right all along, didn't you? You thought I'd run away."

Wolfram's eyes widened and he looked away, feeling ashamed of letting his doubts rule him.

"How can I forgive him for that? For letting that happen? How can I trust him not to do it again?!"

"It won't happen again!" Wolfram said, looking back up at him. "I won't doubt you anymore, I swear it!"

That seemed to startle Yuuri out of his anger as he looked at him with wide eyes. "Really? Does that mean you won't call me a cheater anymore?"

Wolfram bit his lip, looking down. He knew he had a jealous heart. But, Yuuri loved him, and he believed it. They were in an official relationship now. One that Yuuri had knowingly and purposefully initiated. And he knew, now, that Yuuri had never intentionally flirted with all of those people. "... I already swore it, didn't I? Do you not believe me?"

Yuuri pulled him close and pressed a kiss to his forehead. "... he could still drag me away again."

"Then, I'll be here waiting for you." Wolfram said, looking back up at him. "Just like always."

Yuuri finally smiled again. "Just like always." he agreed. "I can always count on you."

Wolfram smiled in return, leaning forward to kiss him chastely. "We still have to go to dinner."

Yuuri gave a heavy sigh but nodded, unclenching his grip on Wolfram's jacket. "Okay. Sorry. For worrying you."

"I'm always worried about you." He said, but took his hand to lead him to the dining room. "Because you're such a Wimp."

Dinner wasn't as awkward as it could have been. The Sage was doing an admirable job of keeping up a fairly light hearted conversation with Gwendall and Gunter, but it felt obvious that he was avoiding pulling Yuuri into it. Yuuri, in turn, focused most of his attention on Greta, acting as if the Sage wasn't even there. Wolfram sighed but didn't feel like it was his place to attempt to bridge the gap. That was more of a Yuuri thing, anyway.

"Things seem strained," Conrart said quietly from his other side. Greta was seated between him and Yuuri, so he wasn't likely to overhear. "Between them. I noticed at the temple, but it seems worse tonight."

Wolfram bit his lip, wondering if it would be breaking Yuuri's confidence to confide in Conrart. But, surely if it was Conrart, he wouldn't care? And maybe his brother would have a better idea on how to fix it, and make Yuuri happy again. "He blames His Eminence for making him leave, before." he whispered back, glancing over at Yuuri to make sure he was thoroughly enthralled with whatever story Greta was telling. "He says he's not sure how to forgive him for making him break his promises or trust him not to do it again."

Conrart frowned, glancing briefly between the double blacks. "It's Shinrou's will that causes Yuuri to come and go."

Wolfram shrugged. "He says his Eminence knew it was coming and should have warned him. But that he instead dragged him into the fountain to be funny." Conrart continued to frown, but didn't offer any further insight. "It doesn't feel right," he confessed, "Seeing Yuuri so angry at His Eminence. They've always been close. But, I don't know how…"

"It isn't your job to fix it, Wolfram." Conrart assured. "This may have to be something they settle for themselves." Wolfram scowled down at his plate, not happy with that answer. Conrart chuckled. "Just be there for him. Nudge him in the right direction if he's open to it. I can't imagine Yuuri staying angry with someone he cares about for long."

Wolfram sighed. "Fine."

"I'm happy for you, you know." When Wolfram looked at him quizzically, he gave a subtle nod to the rose and Wolfram felt himself blush. "Was it you, or His Majesty?"

Wolfram's cheeks grew hotter and he looked back at his plate. "Yuuri initiated it. I made sure he remembered what it meant before I gave him his."

Conrart nodded and his smile seemed genuine. "As long as you're both happy, I couldn't ask for more."

Wolfram felt a small smile tug at his mouth as he fidgeted with his spork. "Thanks, Conrart."

Dessert had just been served when the Great Sage cleared his throat. "Your Majesty?"

If felt like the air had been sucked out of the room at the Sage's use of the honorific for Yuuri. He was only ever so formal with the King when there were foriegn diplomats present, and even then it was sparingly. Wolfram immediately looked to Yuuri. He had tensed and his face looked like he was trying to hold the expression he used when signing papers or discussing important things with Gwendal. "Yes?"

"Did you still wish to move forward with the Majutsu lessons you requested?"

The whole conversation felt wrong. The Sage was far better at keeping on his mask, but that either of them were using them on the other was unsettling.

"Majutsu lessons?" Gunter asked, turning his head toward Yuuri. "If I had known Your Majesty wished it, I would have been happy to oblige you myself, Your Majesty!"

"Your abilities are very commendable, Lord von Christ," The Sage replied before Yuuri could even open his mouth. "But what His Majesty has requested is much more my area of expertise."

Gunter seemed caught between the praise of the Great Sage and the disappointment at not being allowed to train Yuuri himself. "Of course, Your Eminence."

"Yes." Yuuri said firmly. "I still want them."

The Sage nodded. "We can begin tomorrow, if that's agreeable?"

Yuuri's eyes turned to Gwendal and Gunter.

"I'm sure we can free up a few hours, Your Majesty." Gunter assured. "But we really must be getting the final details of your Annuallary Ball finalized."

"Right, that." Yuuri said, and, just like that, he was Yuuri again, rubbing the back of his head and looking awkward. "I really don't care what kind of tableware you use."

"But Your Majesty! It is a very important decision! It indicates…" and Gunter was off in a speech Wolfram could already see Yuuri zoning out from.

Wolfram looked back to the Sage. His mask was still in place, black eyes locked on Yuuri. Yuuri had said the Sage's position sounded lonely. Wolfram wasn't sure how. He was surrounded by Shrine Maidens all day. Even Yuuri had expressed jealousy over the arrangement. He was one of the two most important people in the land. Yuuri never seemed lonely.

-At least I have you.-

The Sage didn't have a devoted fiance, or a Godfather who looked after him like family and knew at least a little about Earth. The closest equivalent seemed to be Yozak and the spy was rarely around. Ulrike treated the man more like Gunter treated Yuuri but with less perversion. Surely the other Maidens followed suit. The only friend the Sage had was-

Black eyes shifted to him and the Great Sage smirked. It was only then Wolfram realized he'd been staring and quickly looked away. What in the world had the smirk been about? Maybe he wasn't as torn up about Yuuri's anger as he had expected.

"...dance lessons at least twice a week to make sure you are properly prepared-" Gunter was saying as Wolfram tuned back in.

"I can do that." Wolfram cut in.

"There it is." The Sage said, still smirking. "Getting rusty, Lord von Bielefeld?"

Wolfram straightened in surprise at being addressed by the Sage in such a way.

"Stop it." Yuuri cut in before Wolfram could come up with a response. His expression was similar to the one he wore in the yard.

"What?" The Sage had straightened in his chair and the tension in the room rose again.

"Yuuri," Wolfram tried, wishing now that their daughter wasn't between them.

"Don't tease him like that."

"I meant no ill intent-"

"No, you never mean any 'ill intent', do you?"

Irritation flickered across the Great Sage's face for the first time. "What more do you want from me, Yuuri?" The tension in the room became even greater. The Sage using Yuuri's first name was even rarer than him saying 'Your Majesty'.

Greta tugged on his sleeve, clearly getting uncomfortable with the atmosphere. Wolfram wordlessly scooped her up, kissed the top of her head in reassurance before passing her to Conrart so he could move into her seat. Yuuri didn't seem to notice.

"How many more ways must I apologize for something I had a limited role in?"

"Limited?!" Yuuri said, clearly outraged as he jumped to his feet.

"Yes, limited!" The Sage shouted over him. "I had no say in Shinrou sending us back. I just did my duty in making sure you were ferried back safely. Yet I've done everything you've asked of me despite this and I plan on fulfilling your request. What more do you want from me?!"

Yuuri didn't respond. He was looking away with the same sort of grimace he had had in their room.

"I think," The Sage said, rising to his feet as well. "That you need to stop projecting your self hatred onto me. It isn't my fault you insisted on being oblivious for so long. I don't deserve your anger and I refuse to put up with it any longer."

"Get out." Yuuri growled, not looking up at all.

The Sage stepped back from the table, gave them all a nod, before turning and leaving the room.

The silence hung for a moment before Wolfram stood, forcibly turning Yuuri away from the table and pushing him to the other door. "Come on." It was the longer way to their room but there was significantly less chance of catching up to the Great Sage. He marched Yuuri with his hands on the King's shoulders the entire way. He was filled with a strange kind of fury. He wasn't sure who he was furious at. Yuuri snapping at the Sage like that seemed like a large over reaction. He wasn't sure if the words the Sage had thrown in reply were accurate but they had been intended to cut. And if they were accurate…

He shoved Yuuri into their room and slammed the door behind them. "What was that?!"

"I don't know."

"What do you mean you don't know?!"

"I don't know!"

Wolfram clenched his jaw and moved to the front of him. Yuuri's eyes were squeezed shut and his hands had come up to grip the hair at his temples. "That's not good enough, Yuuri." He said, struggling to make his voice calmer. "You just kicked the Great Sage and your friend out of the castle. I need you to make me understand."

Yuuri flinched when he said 'your friend' and Wolfram sighed, taking hold of his wrists and pulling his hands from his hair as gently as possible.

"I don't know why I'm so angry at him." Yuuri quietly confessed through what sounded like held back sobs as Wolfram quietly started unbuttoning his black jacket. "Everything you said earlier, and what he said about just doing his duty, makes sense. And yet-" he cut himself off, eyes squeezing even tighter.

"Was he right about the rest of it?" Wolfram asked, finishing the last button and sliding the jacket off his shoulders.

"What are you doing?" He asked, finally opening his eyes. They were shining with unshed tears.

"Focus on the conversation, Yuuri." He instructed, tossing the jacket to the side. Someone else could worry about wrinkles. "Are you really just mad at yourself?" He asked as he untucked Yuuri's undershirt.

"I-I don't know." He said as Wolfram manhandled the shirt over his head.

Wolfram gave him a look as soon as his eyes were visible again. "Don't be a wimp. You're making me face it with Conrart."

Yuuri winced and looked away. He fell quiet, even as Wolfram undid his belt. "Take your shoes off." He instructed quietly. He expected some further questions or protests as he undid the button on Yuuri's pants, but none came. He just quietly wiggled out of his shoes. Maybe even his idiot was able to tell they were both still too upset for this to be sexual.

Once he got Yuuri to step out of his pants, he pulled his love over to the dresser where he kept his pajamas, one hand undoing his own cravat. Yuuri's expression was one of pained thoughtfulness so he didn't push him yet.

Wolfram pulled the night shirt over Yuuri's arms and gently pushed him against the bed so he could have him step into the pants. Once the waist band was firmly around Yuuri's hips, Wolfram pressed a kiss to his forehead and slipped the flower from behind Yuuri's ear. Yuuri made a soft sound of protest that made Wolfram smile but he shushed him with another forehead kiss.

He moved across the room to finish changing himself, letting Yuuri button the shirt. A small vase had appeared on his vanity and he wondered who had been thoughtful enough to leave it there as he took off his own rose and placed them both in the vase.

Yuuri had slid beneath the covers by the time Wolfram let the nightgown fall over his body. Yuuri was watching when he turned back, but he was still too worried and annoyed to blush.

"Thank you," Yuuri whispered as Wolfram slipped in beside him. He seemed calmer, at least, so Wolfram counted himself successful.

"Talk to me." He replied, wrapping his arms around his Fiance and pulling his head to his chest.

There was another pause before Yuuri let out a heavy sigh, wrapping his arms around him as well and nuzzling his chest. "I… I don't think I'd realized it'd been so long, here." Yuuri said, only slightly muffled by the fabric of the nightgown. "Two years… you spent two years putting up with me. Me hurting you, over and over again."

Wolfram frowned at that and tugged on Yuuri's hair until he looked up at him. "It's not like the last two years have been some extreme torture. I've loved spending time with you. Getting to know you and falling in love with you. I was happy for whatever you were willing to give me or let me take. You made me feel special, too."

Yuuri bit his lip, looking up at him. "But you still didn't deserve all the times I was an idiot and hurt you."

"It was a price I willingly paid, Yuuri. If I couldn't take it, I wouldn't have stayed."

"You shouldn't have had to pay it!"

"Your guilt about it isn't going to change the past." He said simply and Yuuri looked down again. "Besides, I have no delusions about how easy I was to deal with."

A small smile flickered over Yuuri's face. "You weren't that bad."

Wolfram raised an eyebrow. "I think our current relationship is clouding your hindsight."

The small smile stayed this time and Yuuri pressed his face back into his chest. "You were always there. That's all that really matters."

Wolfram smiled and carded his fingers through his dark hair. "So, the Sage?"

Yuuri sighed. "He's probably right. He always is. His teasing you over your possessiveness bothered me because… it felt like my own fault you had to act that way all the time."

Wolfram raised an eyebrow at the top of his head. "I'm going to be possessive, actual relationship or not. It's just who I am."

He felt Yuuri give a small chuckle. "Fair enough."

Wolfram just carded his fingers through his hair for a few minutes. "Are you still mad at him?"

Yuuri tried to bury his face further into his chest. "I don't know. Logically I get that I shouldn't be. He's apologized plenty and is going to help me learn to tell when it's time to go. He's done more than enough to deserve forgiveness and I hate being mad at him. But…"

"But you need to forgive yourself so you can forgive him." Wolfram supplied, tilting his head down to kiss Yuuri's messy black hair. "I've forgiven you, Yuuri. Continuing to beat yourself up for the past won't make me happy now. Pushing the blame onto the Sage is just going to destroy that relationship and make you feel worse."

Yuuri sagged against him. "How are both my best friend and my boyfriend so much smarter than me?"

"Boy friend?" He asked, confused. He thought he'd heard Yuuri throw the term out in different rants against him before, but he'd never figured out what it was supposed to mean.

Yuuri looked up at him, startled. "You don't have that word here?"

"...We have the words boy and friend?"

Yuuri shook his head. "What would you call us then?"

"...Fiances?" Wolfram replied, feeling like this was a trick question.

"No, if we weren't engaged. And just did the flower thing?"

Wolfram's frown deepened in thought. "Intended, I guess? Mother would probably call us Beau." He said, wrinkling his nose at the word.

"What's that?"

Wolfram sighed "It's like a gossipy term for a rich, male admirer. Mother always went on about how many I supposedly had."

"Mmm that doesn't really fit Boyfriend either. It's just the person you're dating. Though, I guess you can't really do dinner and a movie here… the person you're in a committed relationship with? Girlfriend for girls, Boyfriend for boys."

"So… that's what we'd be, on Earth?"

Yuuri smiled and nodded "Yeah. I mean, I think it fits here, too, even if we are already engaged… everything else about our relationship has been backwards so…"

"Hm." Wolfram hummed. They'd gotten off track. Yuuri was good at doing that. But… "Can I… ask you something?"

"Anything."

"You sure?"

Yuuri frowned at him. "What is it?"

"Do you intend on marrying me, now?"

Yuuri's face went red, but his arms tightened rather than pushing him away. "Wolfram," he said, eyes moving down to stare at his chest. "I know it's something you've wanted for a while now, but… to me it feels like this relationship is just beginning. And, I guess it's not unheard of for people my age to get married on Earth, but it's not exactly common. I-I mean!" He looked back up at him, eyes almost pleading. "I can't imagine being with anyone else. I love you, and I always want you by my side. You're Greta's other dad."

Wolfram sighed, doing his best not to let his frustration grow. "If all that is true, I don't see what the problem is."

Yuuri bit his lip and pressed a kiss to his chest like he was trying to appease him.

"I'll wait for you as long as it takes, Yuuri. I just want to know if it's in vain or not."

"It's not in vain." Yuuri whispered, arms tightening even more around him. "Listen, I… I have been thinking about this, believe it or not… I feel like you deserve a better proposal than a misunderstanding where I hit you out of anger. I was going to check with Gunter, eventually to make sure there wasn't some weird cultural issue, but… I was thinking I'd purpose the Earth way, once I was ready." Wolfram felt the air leave his lungs. "I don't know when that'll be!" He stressed, looking back up at him, but not even that could tarnish this moment. Yuuri wanted to marry him, someday! "But, yeah…"

"What's the Earth way?" He breathed, running his fingers through Yuuri's hair again.

"Well, the person proposing goes down on one knee and offers the person they want to marry an engagement ring. Then the person being proposed to either says yes or no. If it's yes, the person proposing puts the ring on their Fiance's left ring finger." He said, raising one of his hands to wiggle the correct digit. "I think Conansia might have the same. Nicola had a ring on when Gwendal and I broke up that wedding."

"They exchange rings as part of their wedding ceremonies." Wolfram shrugged. "I'm not sure what their engagement rituals are like."

"Mazoku don't do that?"

"It's not common among nobles, but you're the King, so we can do whatever you want."

Yuuri smiled at that and nodded.

Wolfram let them float in the quiet happiness of vague plans for the future for several long minutes until he noticed Yuuri's eyes starting to drift close. He tapped his fingers against the top of his head and Yuuri gave a grumpy noise and looked back up at him with a pout. "What are you going to do about the Majutsu training tomorrow?"

Yuuri groaned louder, pulling the covers up over his head. Wolfram rolled his eyes, having to lift his chin to avoid being smothered. "...I should apologize." He said, already sounding like he was in pain.

Wolfram sighed, pulling the blanket back down despite Yuuri's weak attempts to thwart him. "I'll make you a deal." He said, "If you apologize to the Great Sage, I'll…" Wolfram had to pause to swallow his own nerves. Yuuri looked up at him curiously. "I'll apologize to Conrart."

Black eyes went wide and Yuuri sat up a bit. "Really? Are you sure? I mean, I think you should but the gravity of the situations doesn't seem all that even."

"I don't want you to destroy a relationship with your friend because of the guilt you feel about me." Wolfram said, reaching up to cup his cheek. "And, besides that, the country needs you two to remain in sync."

"You really feel up to facing everything with Conrad, though?"

"The longer I put it off, the more cowardly I become." An ugly emotion twisted in his gut. It wasn't quite the cold, slimy thing that he had lived with until Yuuri returned, but it was close. "And, you're right. I've already wasted enough time."

Yuuri's eyes warmed and he leaned over, capturing Wolfram's lips with his own. Yuuri had given him a couple kisses with this same intensity to them since coming home, but they still left him gasping for breath. He didn't understand how they could be so good with as chaste as they were. Just lips moving against each other, the rest of their bodys didn't even have to be touching. But still, these kinds of kisses set his every nerve ending on fire and he wanted it to go on forever.

Then Yuuri was pulling up again and Wolfram's brain felt too fried to pull him back into it like he wanted to. "You are the bravest person I know."

Wolfram swallowed, trying to get his mouth to work. That couldn't possibly be true. Not when he constantly stood beside the likes of Conrart. Yuuri himself constantly ran into impossible situations without a second thought to himself. Sure, Wolfram yelled at him for the stupidity of such actions, but were they not also brave? Wolfram only felt truly brave when standing between Yuuri and danger.

Yuuri kissed him again before he could work out how to put any of that into words, though, and it felt like the moment had unspokenly passed. He was gently pushing Wolfram onto his back and settling himself overtop of him in what seemed to have become his favorite sleeping position. He said it helped keep Wolfram's nightmares away, and since he hadn't had any since they had started sleeping this way, Wolfram had no argument. Yuuri also said he liked how warm it made him feel and the weight of his love's body was comforting on its own.

"I love you," he finally managed to say as Yuuri finally stilled. "More than anything."

"I love you too." Yuuri replied and it still filled Wolfram's stomach with butterflies. Yuuri reached out and pulled one of Wolfram's hands to his lips, sprinkling the back of his fingers with light little kisses. "You know, it's been awhile since you've fed me anything." He said, licking the tip of Wolfram's middle finger, making him gasp. "We should fix that soon."

AN: There will, in theory, someday, be a side fic on A03 of the sexy bits that happen after this chapter end.
And will contain any other naughty bits that may come up later. Please find me over there as KiokoYasu.