Yuuri was all grins as he headed back to his room after his run with Conrad. He was so full of energy today and he was pretty confident that his and Wolfram's 'game' last night was the cause. Not that he could tell Conrad that letting Wolf get further than their makeout sessions was the cause of his high spirits when his guardian asked. Saying anything to him about where his little brother's mouth had been the night before… no, no thank you. He wasn't sure even Conrad would be able to resist drawing his sword on him. The only downside to him getting braver was that he had to face both of Wolfram's brothers the next day. Definitely the biggest drawback to working with your boyfriend's family. Not that they had any reason to know, but...

When he opened the door to his room, he was surprised to see Wolfram sitting up against the headboard with the sketch book Yuuri had gotten him propped up against his legs. "You're already awake?" he said, torn between disappointment over not getting to wake him and excitement over him drawing.

Wolfram blinked before turning his attention to him and gracing him with one of his warm smiles. "Morning."

Yuuri couldn't help but smile back, hopping up onto the bed and stealing a kiss from him. "What has you up so early?" he asked, worried he might have had a nightmare after he had left for his run. But Wolfram just shrugged.

"I got up to use the bathroom. Then the way the roses looked in the sunshine caught my attention." he said, gesturing to the sketchbook. Yuuri took that as permission to look and couldn't hold back a gasp. Wolfram had clearly been testing out the colored pencils as well. The drawing of the two roses in their blue vase, surrounded by rays of sunshine, might as well have been a photo. "Wolf…" he breathed, Reaching out to hover his fingers over it, scared he might mess it up somehow if he actually touched it.

"You like it?" Wolf asked quietly and Yuuri looked back at him to see him blushing, bottom lip caught between his teeth and green eyes staring at him, hopeful.

"It's amazing, Wolf. I love it." Yuuri said, moving his hand instead to cup the blonde's cheek. "I can't get over how good you are at this."

Wolfram's blush increased, but his nervous lip biting turned into a smile. "I really like the pencils. They blend really well." He said, dropping his hand to the metal tin that Yuuri hadn't noticed was against his other hip. "I was just going to darken some shadows a bit and call it done, but you can watch, if you like?"

"Always." Yuuri agreed, shifting to sit beside him.

"Did you have a good run?" Wolfram asked as he got back to work.

"Mm." Yuuri hummed, kissing his shoulder before resting his chin on the spot.

"You should talk to Greta before breakfast." Wolfram said, eyes still focused on his work. "You scared her last night at dinner."

Guilt instantly twisted in Yuuri's gut. "I did?"

"You facing down the Great Sage is pretty intimidating." Wolfram said with a nod. "Even if the reason was stupid."

"I don't want her to be scared of me." he said, pulling his legs up to his chest.

"That sounds like a conversation you should have with her before breakfast, then." Wolfram said, a hint of a smile on his face. "But I think it was more the tension in the room that bothered her, rather than you personally."

"Right." Yuuri's shoulders slumped. "I didn't even notice she was upset."

"Well, your obliviousness is well known."

"Gee, thanks."

"You are going to keep your side of our bargain today, right?"

"If Murata even shows up."

"So send him an official request for his presence."

"Isn't that cheating?"

"I don't think so. Besides, he's probably the only one that could get away with declining if he really didn't want to come." Wolfram said, putting down the last colored pencil and holding the sketchbook out away from himself, tilting his head as he examined it. "It will at least let him know that you still want him to come after you kicked him out last night."

Yuuri sighed. "I hate mixing friendship and politics. I only feel like I'm good at one of them."

Wolfram set the sketchbook down and kissed the top of Yuuri's head. "My love, your friendships are always going to have a political aspect. You're the King."

Something light and fluttery filled Yuuri's chest at the way Wolfram addressed him and he sat up to look at him. "Your love?"

Green eyes went wide and a blush spread across his cheeks but he raised his chin. "It's what you are."

Yuuri grinned, leaning forward to kiss his nose. "I liked it."

"You better." he said, snapping the tin of pencils shut and flipping the sketchbook closed. "Are you going to bathe before breakfast or spend the day a sweaty mess?"

Yuuri was finding it significantly more difficult to focus on the paperwork Gwendal had set before him this morning. His talk with Greta had gone well. He had apologized and promised to try and be better behaved in the future. He had checked with Gunter to make sure there was time in his schedule today before taking Wolfram's advice and sending Murata a formal request to begin his lessons after lunch today. Assuming he actually came, Yuuri would have to make good on the pact he and Wolfram had made last night. The thought made his stomach twist so his mind was focusing on something tangentially related: his talks with Wolfram on the way back from Hilvera about how him feeling warm could be Yuuri sensing his Maryoku. They had both forgotten about the idea of testing it in the wake of all the more emotional things that had happened, but now the thought wouldn't leave him alone.

"Gwendal?" he finally asked, looking up at the older man. He gave him a preemptive bashful smile. "Sorry, this question has nothing to do with this," he said, waving a hand at the paperwork. "But, could you help me with an experiment?"

Gwendal's whole face twitched and Yuuri's eyes widened.

"Nothing like Anissina's, I swear!" he promised. "It's just that- Wolf and I have a theory that I might be developing an ability to sense Maryoku, but we didn't have anyone but him to test it on, on the way back so… could I try on you?"

Gwendal frowned at him for a long moment. "What exactly is it you're wanting to do?"

"Er, just touch your hand, I guess? See if I feel anything?"

Gwendal eventually just sighed and held out his hand. Yuuri gave him a bit of an awkward smile before taking it, vaguely hoping Wolfram wouldn't decide to barge in again. How well would his oath to not doubt him anymore withstand him walking in on Yuuri holding hands with his oldest brother? He shook his head, trying to focus on the actual point of all of this.

Gwendal wasn't warm like Wolfram, he actually felt rather cool. Did he just have poor circulation? Maybe he just had to try harder, since it wasn't Wolfram? Yuuri closed his eyes, focusing on the cool hand he held. It was kind of like running his hand across smooth, cool stone. Then, quite suddenly, it felt like he was burying his hands into soft, damp earth. It was comforting in the same way digging your toes into dirt as a kid could be-

Gwendal yanked his hand from Yuuri's grip, making him blink his eyes open. "What was that?" the older man demanded.

"I'm… not entirely sure?" Yuuri confessed. It was very similar to the times he had 'fallen into' Wolfram's warmth while kissing him. Maybe all those times hadn't just been his vivid imagination like he thought. "...Did it hurt?" Wolfram had always seemed to enjoy those particular kisses…

"It… was uncomfortable." Gwendal frowned. "Are you satisfied?"

"I'm pretty sure I was able to sense your Maryoku. It- it felt like stone and earth. That's your element, right?"

"... It is." Gwendal said, giving him an unsettled look.

"Is… is that weird to know?"

"I am not particularly knowledgeable in the art of sensing Maryoku." He said, looking back to the paperwork pile. "Perhaps you should discuss it with Gunter, or the Great Sage when you meet with him this afternoon. In the meantime…"

"Right, right." Yuuri sighed, pulling a paper closer, wishing yet again that he had Wolfram there to cuddle against and read for him.

Yuuri's nerves just kept growing all through lunch. Murata didn't invite himself to the meal, which was understandable. He hadn't received a refusal, though, so it was safe to assume the Sage was coming.

Wolfram walked out of lunch with him and he was thankful for the quiet support. As they reached the hall that was open to the courtyard on one side, the back of a familiar black head of hair could be seen waiting at the bottom of the main stairs. Yuuri froze, staring at his friend. His posture was stiff, hands clasped behind his back. Murata could be impossible to read when he wanted to be, and Yuuri wasn't even sure what he was trying to get when he couldn't see the other teen's face. Yuuri had kicked him out last night, so he hadn't stepped foot in the castle proper, but he had still come.

"Enjoy your lesson, Your Majesty." Conrad said, giving his back a pat as he passed them to continue down the hall.

Wolfram grabbed Yuuri's hand and squeezed. "We made a pact, right?"

Yuuri looked over at him, black eyes locking with green. Together they both took a deep, bracing breath before letting it out slowly. It felt like they were trying to crush each other's fingers as they both gave the other a squeeze for luck before letting go at the same time. Wolfram held his gaze for a heartbeat more before turning and running after his brother. "Conrart!"

Right. Now it was his turn. He could face this. If he had even a fraction of Wolfram's bravery, he could do this. With a small nod to himself he started down the stairs. "Murata?"

He had to know Yuuri was there already, but he didn't turn until his name was called. There was a brief glimpse of his eyes, too quick for Yuuri to read them. Then Murata was tilting his head just right to reflect the light off his lenses. The amount of times Yuuri had had the urge to rip the glasses off his stupid face was honestly uncountable. "Your Majesty?"

Yuuri fought back a frown, waiting till he was level with him before speaking. "I'm sorry." He said, pouring as much sincerity into the words as he could. "You're right. I've been taking things out on you I shouldn't have. You were just the easiest to blame and I'm sorry for doing that to you." He bowed low at his waist. "Please, forgive me."

Murata didn't say anything for a moment. Yuuri could just barely see him turn his head toward the top of the stairs. "I assume you talked this over with Lord von Bielefeld?"

"Er, yes." He said, feeling his ears warm. "He helped me figure out I was acting like an idiot, yeah."

"Hm. You would have gotten there eventually." Murata said, looking back down at him. "Though I'm thankful I didn't have to wait as long as he did. Did you tell him how stupid you were when we went back to Earth?"

Yuuri turned his head away, still bowed. "...no."

"Good. It gives me something to blackmail you with later."

Yuuri stood up, startled. "M-Murata!"

Murata grinned, lens glare gone so Yuuri could see his happily crinkled eyes. "You're forgiven, Shibuya, as long as I am."

Yuuri's shoulders relaxed. "Yeah," he said softly. "I forgive you."

"Good!" Murata said, throwing his arm over Yuuri's shoulder and dragging him towards the training yard. "Then let's see about these magic lessons."

Yuuri couldn't stop his smile. He hadn't realized how much he missed this. Even when he had started talking to Murata again, there had been this distance that he had enforced. His anger had made their relationship feel completely different, and it had been lonely. Even after he had come back and reunited with Wolfram, that bit of loneliness had still been there, buried by his misplaced anger. He hoped one day he really could grow up and be less of a Wimp.

"Oh, hey, I did an experiment I wanted to ask you about." Yuuri said, determined to follow Murata's lead and step right back into their usual friendship.

"You? Running experiments? I thought you had been sleeping with von Bielefeld these last few days, not von Karbelnikoff."

"Murata!" Yuuri said, face going red.

Murata's face brightened with mischievous glee. "So there has been progress on that front!"

"S-stop getting off topic!" Yuuri said, desperately trying to calm his blush and not think about what he and Wolfram had gotten up to last night.

"Ugh, you're so boring, Shibuya." Murata said with a dramatic sigh. "Fine, fine. What's this experiment?"

"Er, well." And now he had to start from the beginning, since he'd given Murata as few details as possible about Hilvera. Really just enough to have him help him untangle his feelings for Wolfram. So he told him about Wolfram feeling warm and their guess at it being his Maryoku, and not remembering to test the theory until that morning with Gwendal.

"And I thought he kinda felt like stone, but then changed to dirt, and then he pulled away- Murata?"

His friend had stopped and was staring at him with creased brows. "How did you say it felt? The transition?"

"Like- like I was following the coolness down into him, or something."

"Have you done this with Lord von Bielefeld as well?"

Yuuri blushed, remembering all the kisses where he'd let himself fall into that imagery of a fire. "Yeah, but I didn't realize I was doing it. I thought it was my imagination romanticizing."

Murata frowned. "It sounds like you connected to their raw Maryoku."

"Oh." Yuuri said, wondering why he looked so worried. "That proves the theory then, right?"

"I mean, yes, technically, but that's not the point, Shibuya. Their Maryoku is bonded to their souls."

Yuuri's eyes went so wide he thought they'd pop out of his head. "I touched their souls?!"

"You shouldn't be able to do that." Murata continued to frown, crossing his arms but bringing one fist up to hold his chin. "You're very powerful, Shibuya, but this is the kind of thing only I should be capable of, and it took 4,000 years worth of lifetimes to get here."

"You touch people's souls?!"

"It's how I'm able to amplify your power. And it really only works on you. Our souls were essentially designed to be compatible."

"A-are you calling us soul mates?" Yuuri asked, bewildered. "Wait, what's my soul like?"

"Your Maryoku isn't nearly as simple as Bielefeld or Voltaire." Murata said with an absent wave. "If pressed I'd say it's essentially raw power."

What exactly did 'raw power' visualize as?

"I don't know why you're suddenly able to do this, Shibuya, but it's an ability you shouldn't use."

"What? Why?!" He asked, mind immediately going to the kisses and how much both of them enjoyed them.

"Because, if you aren't careful, you could damage someone's very soul. If you try to do it to someone without the buffer of Maryoku, you're guaranteed to damage it. Souls aren't meant to be touched."

"But you touch mine?!"

"I can directly empower your Maryoku." Murata corrected. "But, like I said, our souls were crafted to be as compatible as possible. So even if I somehow got through your wall of Maryoku, it probably wouldn't be that big of a deal. You, however-" he reached out suddenly and flicked Yuuri's forehead. "Have no idea what you're doing. That's incredibly dangerous. Not only for the people you're doing it to, but you, too."

"Me?"

"You could get lost. If something happens you could get stuck in someone else's soul, eventually losing who you are. It's not safe all around Shibuya. I have no idea why you're suddenly able to do something like this."

Yuuri frowned, thinking of how he felt every time he had visited Wolfram's fire. How tempted he'd been each time to just curl up and stay, surrounded by warmth, love, and safety. The very essence of Wolfram. He could see how that could be a danger, but at the same time, never visiting that place again left him feeling cold to his core.

"Shibuya, are you listening to me?"

"But… I've come back every time so far." he said, staring hard at the ground, trying to push past the pure want to try and figure out how stupid he was acting right now. But it seemed impossible. His very soul was begging for permission to connect to Wolfram's again. "I know not to push now, or stay too long, so it should be fine!"

"Why are you fighting me on this? It isn't safe, Shibuya! You can't!"

"I won't do it to anyone else, okay? But I…"

Murata's eyes narrowed on him. He could tell without looking up. "I would think Lord von Bielefeld would prefer your soul stay in your own body."

Yuuri looked up, matching Murata's frustrated look with his own defiant one. "Just because you don't know why I can, doesn't mean it's not important! I must have this ability for a reason! Just like everything else I can do!"

Murata held his stare for a moment more before looking away to give the ground the most terrifying death glare. "If this is his doing, I swear…"

"What?" Yuuri blinked.

Murata ignored him, continuing to glare at the ground. It was like he could see the gears whirling in his friend's brain. What would Murata's soul look like? Or, his Maryoku, rather. Would him being able to remember all of his lifetimes affect what it looked like? He didn't have a pact with an element, as far as Yuuri knew, and couldn't fling magic around like everyone else. But Murata was still undeniably powerful.

"You say it's strongest with Lord von Bielefeld?"

Yuuri jerked himself out of his thoughts. Murata had his arms crossed tightly over his chest now, but was looking back up at him with a serious expression. "Er, yeah, as far as I know. It just- happens, with him. I had to really try with Gwendal. And I haven't even noticed anything different with anyone else."

Murata's frown deepened. "I don't like this at all. But I know that look. You're going to be an idiot no matter what I say." he dropped his arms. "I want to see it happen, so I can better judge what's going on."

Heat immediately rose in Yuuri's face. "Y-you what?!"

Murata's eyes widened. "Yuuri! Tell me you don't do it when you two are-"

"It happens when I kiss him, sometimes!" Yuuri cut him off, flailing his hands in front of his friend's face. "That's all!"

Murata's eyes went back to their narrowed look. "... Fine. Where is he?"

"We can't interrupt him now!" Yuuri said, straightening defensively. "He's talking with Conrad about something important. Besides, you're supposed to be teaching me!"

Murata gave a heavy sigh. "Fine, fine. Come on."

"Wolf!" Yuuri beamed once he caught sight of the blonde walking across the yard towards them. He wondered if the sudden rush of happiness he felt every time he saw Wolfram after being apart for any amount of time was what people called the 'honeymoon phase.' He couldn't imagine it ever not being his reaction, though, so maybe that was just how love worked. "How'd it go?"

"W-well." He replied, green eyes on Murata when he said it. Right, it was a pact just between them. He'd ask him more later. "You?" Wolfram finally looked back at him, raising an eyebrow in question.

Yuuri gave him his best reassuring smile and nodded. "Good." He reached for Wolfram's hand as soon the blonde was close enough and tugged until Wolfram joined them on the grass with a sigh.

"Are you done with your training already?"

Yuuri shrugged, looking at Murata. He wasn't even sure why Murata had even guided him to the training yard. They'd just sat and talked the whole time.

"I've started with theory lessons, since I know it's Shibuya's favorite." Murata grinned.

Yuuri pouted at his teasing but knew better than to try and say anything back. "I'm apparently going to have to start meditating." Yuuri informed Wolfram, nose scrunched up in distaste.

Wolf obviously had no sympathy for him. "So? I had to do the same thing to fully come into my elemental pact." He said before looking at Murata. "Is it similar? Whatever it is you're trying to do?"

"Hm," Murata tilted his head in thought. "I guess this part isn't dissimilar. Shibuya needs to get more in touch with his Maryoku in order to begin noticing the draw of an approaching trip. So going through a pact stabilizing ritual certainly wouldn't hurt."

Wolfram hummed, leaning back on his palms. Something about Wolf's marginally more relaxed posture around Murata made Yuuri happy. It was weird when your boyfriend saw your best friend as the equivalent of the Pope or something. He wasn't sure if the two could ever become friends, but Yuuri thought it might be nice for Murata to have more than just him, over here. Actually, did Murata even have other friends on Earth? "I could help with that, if you like." Wolfram offered. "I've guided other people through it before."

Murata chuckled "Yes, because you wouldn't be distracting to him at all, Lord von Bielefeld."

Yuuri gave him a scowl that just made Murata full on laugh. "Come on, Shibuya. He distracts you when he's not even around. You really think you'll be able to focus with him tutoring you?"

Yuuri honestly had no defense to this, so he just threw grass at his friend instead.

"It wouldn't be the first time I helped someone who was attracted to me." Wolfram said with a small shrug.

That made Yuuri stop and look at the blonde. He had expected some level of blushing at Murata's teasing, but he seemed completely indifferent. He trained people who were attracted to him? Well, that was a dumb question. Wolfram was gorgeous and everyone, including Wolf, knew it. Who wouldn't be attracted to him? So then why did the thought make him feel uneasy? It had happened in the past, but would likely happen again in the future. But even Yuuri knew it'd be dumb to worry about that. Wolfram clearly only had eyes for him and was more than equipped to handle any unwanted advances.

Then, was it the fact that Wolfram had compared him to those random admirers that he cared nothing about? That seemed stupid, too. He knew Wolfram loved him. He'd felt it in the blonde's very soul…

A finger jab to the forehead brought him back to reality, Wolfram's hand falling back to the ground. "That's what's going to be your biggest obstacle." Wolfram said in his haughty know it all voice as Yuuri rubbed his forehead. "I don't know what it is, but you're thinking about it too much."

Yuuri gave him a sheepish grin. "You're probably right."

"I'm fairly sure that proves my point." Murata said, but waved his hand. "But if you two want to try it as part of Yuuri's homework, feel free."

"You're giving me homework now?"

Murata just smirked. "If you want to be able to notice when it's time to go, you're going to have to get used to being aware of your powers all the time. Not just for a couple hours with me."

Yuuri groaned. Homework was still homework.

"Don't be such a Wimp."

Yuuri sighed. On second thought, Wolfram and Murata becoming friends would probably be bad for his health. They were both way smarter than him. "Oh!" He said, remembering what he and Murata had discussed earlier. "This'll probably sound weird, but Murata wants to see us kiss."

Wolfram's face went red and he immediately sat up straight, staring at Murata with alarmed eyes. "He what?!"

"Shibuya," Murata groaned, lifting his glasses to rub at one of his eyes. "Please don't say things that make your boyfriend want to roast me alive."

"You said you needed to see!"

"Just because that's how you tend to do it doesn't mean that's how you have to do it. Like with Gwendal."

"What?"

Yuuri's eyes widened, recognizing the dangerous sound in Wolfram's voice. "I didn't kiss Gwendal!" He said immediately, looking back at the blonde. There was a war of emotions going on in Wolfram's eyes and Yuuri hated it. "No, no," he insisted, putting his hands on Wolfram's shoulders. "You remember us talking about testing the theory that I was feeling your Maryoku?" He asked, moving his hands closer together to hold Wolfram's neck when the mess of emotion did clear right away. "That's what we're talking about. I finally thought to test it on Gwendal this morning. Just by touching him!" He reiterated.

There was another beat before confusion seemed to win Wolfram's internal war. "Then, what about kissing…?"

Yuuri blushed a bit, but didn't let go of Wolfram, wanting to be sure he was completely reassured before he did. "Er, well, I've apparently been accidentally, um, pushing deeper with you, without realizing it?" That still sounded weird, but he didn't know how else to say it. So he explained what happened with Gwendal, and then, trying very hard to ignore Murata's presence beside them, confessed what he experienced sometimes when they kissed.

Wolfram finally seemed calm, reaching up to take Yuuri's wrists and gently pulling them away from his neck. "So, what does that mean? That doesn't sound like any kind of sensing I've heard of."

"I believe he is touching the raw source of your Maryoku." Murata supplied.

Wolfram sat up even straighter. "But that's-"

"Attached to your soul, yes."

Wolfram gave Yuuri a look that he wasn't entirely sure how to read. "You touched Gwen's soul?"

"I didn't know that's what I was doing!" Yuuri defended, making Wolfram sigh. Also, why wasn't he concerned about his own soul being touched? "It doesn't hurt, when I do it to you, does it? Gwendal said it was uncomfortable."

"I don't- when?"

Yuuri bit his lip, pulling one hand down from where Wolfram was still holding his wrists in his lap to take his hand. Then he closed his eyes and let himself slip into that comforting warmth that felt more and more like home each time. He heard Wolfram gasp as Yuuri was surrounded in a beautifully burning fire. Getting used to this kind of imagery was probably bad for his instinctual fire safety. He took one more moment to enjoy this feeling, in case it was the last time he was allowed. When he opened his eyes, Wolfram had the same dazed look as he did after their kisses.

"Oh," he breathed, blinking a couple times before his eyes managed to focus again. "N-no." Wolfram said softly with a light blush. "It- it doesn't hurt."

Yuuri smiled in relief, petting the back of his hand with his thumb.

"Lord von Bielefeld," Murata said, making both of them jump at the reminder that he was there. "When Shibuya's done this before, he's still active and seems aware?"

Wolfram's blush darkened as he looked back at Murata. "He doesn't stop moving, or anything, if that's what you mean."

Murata sighed, rubbing at the back of his head with one hand while looking away. "This is a really stupid thing to keep doing just because you like it, Shibuya."

"What do you mean?" Wolfram asked, brow furrowing. Before tacking on as an afterthought, "Your Eminence."

Murata looked back at Wolfram specifically. "This isn't something he should be capable of. He's using his own Maryoku to touch yours. If he pushes too much, he could damage your soul, or lose his own in you."

"So I won't push any further!" Yuuri protested. "Not like that's an impulse I have anyway. And I don't get how I could get 'lost' when I'm clearly still in my body."

"Yuuri, if it's that dangerous…" Wolfram said, but even he sounded reluctant. He liked the feeling, too.

"And, like I said before," he said, ignoring Wolfram's contribution outside of giving his hand a squeeze. "I have all my other abilities for a reason! There must be a reason for this, too."

"Even if that's true," Murata argued. "It's not like I want you running around playing with your Maoh form either!"

"It's not-!" But could he really say it wasn't frivolous? He was doing it simply because he enjoyed it. Because it felt good there. When even Wolfram's soul welcomed him with open arms, how could he be expected to say no? "It's not that big of a deal. I can handle it."

Murata looked to Wolfram, maybe hoping for an ally. But he apparently didn't find one as he scowled and stood, grumbling something about 'Maryoku' and 'Addicts'. Was that a thing? Was he addicted to Wolfram's Maryoku? "No one else, Shibuya, do you hear me?" he said sternly, looking at Yuuri with light glinting off his glasses. "And don't you ever try to do it to me. Swear it."

Yuuri flinched back a bit at the sudden fierceness in his friend's voice. "Okay, okay! I swear!"

"Good. I'll be back next week." he said before turning to leave.

"M-Murata!" Yuuri scrambled to his feet. Wolfram let go of his wrist but Yuuri kept hold of his hand. Had he managed to mess things up again with his friend already? After they'd just made up? Was Murata angry at him, now? Murata stopped at his name but didn't turn and it made Yuuri's gut twist. "You… don't have to stay away that long."

The tension in Murata's body dropped away like a string had been cut. His shoulders sagged and he half turned back to Yuuri with a small smile. "Just be careful, Shibuya. I'm really worried about this."

"Yeah, yeah, you don't like not knowing why something's happening." Yuuri said, waving his hand. Making light of his 'Great Sage'-ness almost always made Murata feel better. Sure enough, he was rewarded with a small laugh. "You sure you don't want to stay for dinner?"

"I think I'll let the rest of the castle recover a bit more before I attend again." Murata said with his usual grin. "Besides, you've given me some research to do."

Yuuri tilted his head, thinking of late night confessions during one of Murata's many sleepovers at his house. "Are you going to go yell at God again? One of these days I'm going to make good on my threat to get you an 'old man yells at cloud' shirt."

Murata's eyes widened before he doubled over laughing, clutching at his sides. Yuuri grinned, feeling quite proud of himself. "S-something like that." Murata gasped once he was able, wiping tears from his eyes. He gave Yuuri a smile, and he could read the thankful reassurance in it. "Have a good night, Shibuya."

"Mm." Yuuri nodded. "You be careful, too."

That made Murata snort. He turned back around and headed off, waving as he went.

"... I don't understand you two." Wolfram said after a beat.

Yuuri grinned, flopping back down beside him and raising the hand still clasped in his to his lips. "What's to get?"

Wolfram just sighed heavily, doing his best to ignore his own blush as he shook his head. "Listen," He said, wearing his serious face and Yuuri sighed softly, guessing at what was coming. "If this is really that big of a deal, you shouldn't do it anymore."

"What does it feel like, to you?" Yuuri asked, tilting his head.

The pink on Wolfram's cheeks shifted to red. "It doesn't matter if I like it, too. Not if it could put you in danger!

"That wasn't what I asked." Yuuri said, soft but firm. "Tell me."

Wolfram seemed a bit taken aback before looking away, blush spreading. "Like… like my every nerve is lit up in the best way possible." he said quietly. "Like there's just… a power coursing through me? It's hard to describe."

"Huh." Yuuri said, looking up to the sky. It kinda sounded like how he felt right before going Maoh, but he was always so angry when it happened that it was hard to connect it to 'the best way possible'. "I wonder if you're feeling my Maryoku then. Murata says it's basically just raw power."

"Really?" Wolfram breathed. "What… does mine feel like?"

"Well, fire, obviously." Yuuri said with a smile, tilting his head sideways to look at him. Those pretty green eyes were staring at him like he was transfixed. "It's so warm," Yuuri whispered, reaching out to cup Wolfram's cheek. "Love and comfort and safety. That's why I don't think it's really dangerous. I've never felt more safe than when I'm there. And every time it just feels stronger."

"Y-Yuuri…"

They were leaning towards each other like they were magnetized, their lips meeting in a much gentler way then how Wolfram usually kissed. He could feel that warmth, and could easily slip into it again. But Wolfram hadn't said he was okay with it, so Yuuri held back, just enjoying the physical feelings of love, comfort, and safety instead.

When they pulled back, Yuuri pressed his forehead to Wolfram's, enjoying this closeness before either of them could remember that they were sitting in the middle of one of the training fields, with soldiers practicing several yards away. "Everything really went well with Conrad?" Yuuri finally whispered.

"Mm. He said there was nothing to apologize for, but I did it anyway." Wolfram said, green eyes closed. "He said he never blamed me. I told him that was stupid and he should have. Then he hugged me." Wolf's nose wrinkled adorably. "I've let him, once or twice, recently. But it still felt weird."

"Bad weird or good weird?"

"Just… weird. Good weird, I guess? I think he was trying to comfort me, but I didn't feel like I should be comforted."

"He gives good hugs." Yuuri said with a smile. "You should just accept them. It's nice."

"Ugh." Wolfram groaned. "I don't just hug people. I'm not Mother."

Yuuri chuckled. "I'm not saying you need to be like that." The idea of Wolf suddenly acting like Lady Celi honestly made him feel a bit queasy. "But accepting hugs from Conrad isn't a bad idea. He's probably missed you a lot."

"I've been right here." Wolfram grumbled, but Yuuri still thought he understood. "I'm… not sure I know how to go back to being his baby brother. It was so long ago…"

"You never stopped being his baby brother, Wolf. I don't think you really have to change anything. Just trust him enough to let him actually see you."

"What do you mean, actually see me? He sees me all the time."

"Yeah, but you always try to put on a front for him, don't you?" Yuuri reasoned, reaching up to tuck some of Wolfram's hair behind his ear. "That you're too strong to need his help, that you're better than him. All the stuff you've been doing to push him away. You don't have to anymore."

"I guess…" Wolfram said, sounding a bit pouty. "I am strong enough."

Yuuri chuckled. "Of course you are." he agreed. "It'd make him happy, though, if you still let him help you."

Wolfram sighed, finally opening his eyes. "Is that what you do with your brother?"

Yuuri grinned. "Shori likes to baby me a lot. Sometimes just putting up with the smaller stuff is worth it to make him happy. It can be annoying, but it all comes from a good place."

"It never feels this hard with Gwendal."

"You haven't pushed Gwendal away like Conrad. You just have to find a new normal, that's all."

"It's still unnerving to hear you sounding so smart." Wolfram said, sitting up and making Yuuri pout for multiple reasons. "But… you have always been good when it comes to people."

"Thanks? Don't combine compliments with insults, it's confusing!"

"Wimp."

"Brat!"

Wolfram blinked in surprise. "... not jerk?"

Yuuri bit his lip and looked away. "I've been calling Murata a jerk sincerely for long enough that it feels weird to go back to calling you that. If you don't like it I'll come up with something else."

"Does that mean you like being called Wimp now?"

Yuuri smiled softly, looking back up at him. "It's grown on me."

Wolfram smiled and pulled him into a kiss. This one was more of his usual, demanding kisses. His tongue didn't make an appearance, but the kiss clearly said 'pay attention to me and only me!'

Yuuri couldn't argue.

"I'm okay with being your brat." Wolfram said as he pulled away, Yuuri chasing after his lips because he knew it would make him smile. "Just don't add 'poo' to it."

"Ew." Yuuri said, scrunching up his nose. "Why would I? You're way too pretty to ever be called 'poo'."

Dance lessons had surprisingly rocketed to nearly the top of his favorite things to do list almost as soon as they had begun. Yuuri was far too embarrassed to have anyone come play for them just so he could learn, so Wolfram had settled with half singing the correct beat with a 'Ba-bum bum bum, bum bum bum…" That combined with a perfectly valid excuse to stay in Wolfram's arms and listen to his voice gently correcting his footwork, it was surprisingly blissful.

He had kinda expected Wolfram to be a more quick to anger teacher, snapping at him everytime he did something wrong. And maybe he would be, if Yuuri were anyone else. Or even the Yuuri from a month ago. But he was pretty sure Wolfram was enjoying this private closeness as much as Yuuri was. He did his best not to step on his boyfriend's toes and the soft corrections between the 'bum bum bum's were easy to follow. Yuuri realized with a light blush that it wasn't entirely dissimilar to the 'game' they'd played the other night. Just trust Wolfram and follow his orders and he'd get him where he needed to be.

Yuuri enjoyed the lessons so much, Wolfram had even started bribing him with extra ones to make him focus on Murata's 'homework.' Not that he felt like he was getting anywhere. Both Wolfram and Murata were right. He thought too much for this to be easy, and his thoughts tended to be focused on the blonde glaring at him from the other side of his eyelids.

"Yuur. Ri." Wolfram growled. "You're not even trying!"

There was the quick to anger teacher. "Yes I am!"

"Just sitting there with your eyes closed isn't trying!" A pillow connected hard with the side of his head, nearly making him topple over.

"Wolfram!" Yuuri whined, giving up and opening his eyes. He wasn't sure if he was pouting or glaring at his boyfriend, but either way the angry green eyes didn't change. "I don't know what I'm supposed to do!"

"You're not supposed to do anything! That's the point! You're supposed to sit there and reflect inwards!"

"But how?! I don't get it."

Wolfram growled again, running a hand through his perfect hair in frustration. They were quiet for a moment, Yuuri pouting and Wolfram glaring off to the side.

Finally Wolf closed his eyes, taking his own deep breath. "Listen, Yuuri." He said, voice sounding calmer even though Yuuri doubted his actual frustration level had lowered much. "It should be like what you do with me, right? Just to yourself."

"That makes sense, I guess." Yuuri frowned. "But I can't feel my own Maryoku like I can yours. That's sort of the whole point of doing this."

"You've managed to use it before without going Maoh."

"Only when I'm really upset!"

"But, do you remember what it felt like?" Wolfram pressed. "You said you thought what I described feeling when you - soul touch me-" he was blushing again but pushed through it amicably. "Sounded like your Maryoku, right? So you must have some idea of what it feels like."

"Is that what we're calling it?" Yuuri asked, and could see a vein starting to throb in Wolfram's temple. "I mean, yeah. What you said kinda sounds like what it feels like when I go Maoh."

Wolfram took a deep breath through his nose before speaking again. Really, he should get an award for his effort. "So focus on the memory of the feeling and see if you can pull it up again."

"But it only happens when I'm really angry!"

"Yuuri," Wolfram said, sounding genuinely more calm now. "I know anger can be an easy trigger. I use it more often than I don't. But it's not something you have to rely on." He reached out a hand and ran his fingers through Yuuri's hair, making him melt a bit. "Just close your eyes and relax. Focus on the memory of that feeling and try to find it in yourself."

Yuuri sighed. "Do you play with all your students-who-are-attracted-to-you's hair?"

Wolfram rolled his eyes. "Don't get distracted."

"If you want me to relax you should let me put my head on your lap."

"No, because then you'll focus on my Maryoku instead of your own." Wolfram crossed his arms. "You can lay back if you want, but if you fall asleep I swear I will smother you with this pillow."

"Well that seems counterproductive." Yuuri complained but flopped back onto their bed. Just relax and focus on the memory of the feeling, huh? It was hard to pick up his own memory and not the memory of Wolfram's description. None of his memories had a pleasant lead up. Still, he felt like he managed it. But, how did he then 'find the feeling in himself'?

Yuuri focused on the memory and tried not to let his mind wander. Focused and focused until it felt like he was pushing on the memory with all his might and then-

A soft gasp from Wolfram let him know he wasn't imagining things. Yuuri blinked his eyes open, taking note of the blue glow bouncing off the canopy above. Lifting up his hand, he saw it was covered in blue light that flickered upward as if it were a flame. "Huh."

Wolfram leaned over him, green eyes anxious, but he immediately relaxed when their eyes locked.

"No slits, then?"

"MmMm." Wolfram shook his head.

"You never glow like this when you use your powers."

"I'm not the Maoh."

Yuuri blinked up at him. He was used to being called King, but 'the Maoh' had always been talked about like he was another entity entirely. If he followed Murata's lesson plan, would he be able to control the Maoh as well as tell when it was time to go home? "Does this count as playing with my Maoh powers? Cause then Murata really will be mad."

"Stop daydreaming, Yuuri." Wolfram ordered, sounding exasperated. "Hurry up and focus before your energy runs out."

"Right, what am I supposed to do now?"

"Focus on the feeling of your Maryoku and try to trace it back to its source."

Like he did with Wolfram, right. Yuuri closed his eyes again, taking a moment to examine how it felt since he wasn't in dire circumstances or about to lose consciousness. His whole body felt tingly, like a limb waking up after it's circulation had been cut off too long. It wasn't exactly 'every nerve on fire' but then his body was probably more used to his own power.

Yuuri took a deep breath the way Wolfram had shown him before they started and tried to follow his Maryoku. It felt vaguely similar to when he was being dragged between worlds, but he kept getting looped back up to his surface thoughts. This was his own damn power, shouldn't it be easier than falling into Wolfram's? Or even following Gwendal's?

"Yuuri?" Wolfram whispered and he finally gave up, opening his eyes and letting the Maryoku go. He was starting to feel the drain of it, anyway.

"It didn't work." He said, rubbing his face in frustration. "I don't get it. It's so easy to do with you. It'd feel like I'd start to go, but then I just ended up back on the surface. I don't know what I'm doing wrong."

Wolfram started running his fingers through his hair and Yuuri felt the frustrated tension slowly melt away. "I don't know why it's so easy for you to follow mine." He said softly. "But it's not unusual for people to have difficulty finding their way to their cores."

Yuuri sighed, rolling over and shuffling until his head found Wolfram's lap. The blonde sighed, shifting his position so they could both be more comfortable. Yuuri looked up at him, admiring how warm his green eyes were as Wolfram looked down at him, still running his fingers through his hair. He had the sudden urge to go back in time and punch his past self for daring to turn his nose up at such a beautiful creature who was willing to love him so fully with all his heart and soul. "Can I keep you forever?" Yuuri whispered.

Wolfram raised an eyebrow. "You know that's what marriage is supposed to be, right?"

"Yeah, yeah." Yuuri sighed, feeling like Wolfram had popped the romantic bubble he'd been trying to start. "We'll get there eventually."

Wolfram smiled, fingers detouring to run behind his right ear, making Yuuri shiver at the tickle. "My heart belongs to you." He said softly. "Marriage or not, it will always be yours."

Yuuri felt butterflies start up in his stomach at such a sincere declaration. "Always?"

"Mm."

Yuuri smiled, leaning forward to kiss his stomach through the layers of his uniform. "I love you, so much…"

"So much you'd risk brain and soul damage just to cuddle me?"

That made Yuuri laugh. "Pretty much, yeah."

Wolfram sighed. "What am I going to do with you."

"Love me always, duh. We just went over this." That earned him a pinch on the cheek. Yuuri tried to turn his head to snap at his fingers with his teeth but Wolfram was too fast for him so he reached up to pinch his side. This devolved into a tangled-up tickle wrestling match that had them rolling around their enormous bed, only stopping when Wolfram almost fell off.

"That was so childish," Wolfram said as the both struggled to catch their breaths. "Why am I always so childish when I'm with you? From the very beginning…"

"What's wrong with being childish?" Yuuri asked, pushing some of Wolfram's golden hair back behind his ear. "It's fun."

"I suppose." Wolfram sighed with a smile, eyes closed. "We should get ready for bed."

Yuuri hummed in agreement, fingers moving down to unclasp the small chain that connected either side of Wolfram's collar. It wasn't until he started undoing his cravat that Wolfram opened his eyes again. "What are you doing?"

"Helping!" Yuuri said cheerfully, pulling the white cloth away, feeling overly victorious. "Seriously, Wolf, how do you manage to do all your training and stuff with all this on? You'll get heat stroke one of these days."

"I'm not a Wimp like you." Wolfram argued, but let him start unbuttoning his jacket.

"Yeah, yeah, you're 10 thousand times cooler than me, I get it."

Wolfram raised an eyebrow at him. "Where in the world did you get that from?"

"Cause you are."

"Yuuri," Wolfram said in a voice that said he was being dumb again. "You are the King of Shin Makoku who is single handedly bringing peace to our world-"

"It's not single handed!" Yuuri protested. Wolfram ignored him.

"Who can wield an insane amount of elemental power, even in human lands. You've mastered the Demon sword-"

"Can you really call it mastered, though?"

"And the flute. You're an amazing King who is leading us into an entirely new age. You are significantly more like those 'super heros' you tell Greta about than I am."

Yuuri's face reddened and he had to look away. "It doesn't feel like I'm all that grand. Most of all that stuff is just other people working really hard on my say so."

Wolfram sighed. "I keep telling myself that it's a good thing you're so humble, but it makes it really frustrating when you undervalue your own worth."

Yuuri smiled. He'd worked half way through the buttons of Wolf's undershirt by now, so he leaned over and placed a kiss on Wolfram's bare chest. It wasn't something he had gotten to do before now. Wolfram let out a gasp so he did it again, fingers still working through the remaining buttons. "I guess I must have done something good enough to deserve the way you love me so brightly." He whispered, hands finally able to slide up and push both shirt and jacket off Wolfram's shoulders. He was still laying down, so he couldn't get it much more off than that, but it was still enough to improve Yuuri's view.

It wasn't like Wolfram had a bodybuilder level of muscle or something. The only person here who might have that was Yozak. But, still. Everything Wolf did have was lean and toned from all the years he put into his sword training. And Yuuri was finally able to run his hand down all of it with no fabric in between. "You're amazing…" Yuuri breathed in awe.

"Not half as amazing as you."

"I don't believe you." Yuuri said simply, leaning down and kissing Wolfram's stomach before the blonde could argue. The muscles twitched beneath his lips and it made Yuuri smile, reminding him that they had just finished a tickle fight. He was probably still sensitive.

Black eyes shifted to look down at Wolfram's pants, lips still pressed just above his navel. Did he have the guts to take those off, too? He'd technically already touched Wolf there thanks to the game they had played before, but that had been under Wolf's careful instruction. Was he brave enough to tackle it on his own?

He must have hesitated too long, because now there were comforting fingers running through his hair. "You could at least mark me if you're going to stay in one place so long."

Yuuri blinked, lifting his head to look at him again. "Like a hickey?"

"Hick E?" Wolfram asked, brows pinching in confusion.

"Er, yeah. I don't know what they'd be called here. A love bite, maybe?"

Wolfram sighed. "We're probably talking about the same thing."

"Do you want me to? I've never done one before."

Wolfram shrugged. "I'd be fine with it, but it's not something I find overly enjoyable." He tilted his head "Do you want me to give you one?"

Yuuri blushed and shrugged. "I wouldn't mind trying it, sometime. But it doesn't have to be right now." Wolfram nodded. "...have other people given you hickeys before?"

Wolfram raised an eyebrow at him before smirking slightly. "Are you feeling jealous, Yuuri?"

Yuuri couldn't help but squirm a bit under that gaze. "...maybe a little."

Wolfram chuckled, lightly pinching Yuuri's cheek. "You have nothing to worry about."

"I know." Because he did. "But I… still want to know. For some reason." it had been tugging at the back of his mind since Wolf's comment about training people who had been attracted to him. He didn't know why he was suddenly curious about Wolfram's past experience

Wolfram sighed, moving the hand on his cheek up into Yuuri's hair. "I have had multiple sexual partners of both genders, before." He confessed quietly and Yuuri was surprised at having some kind of emotion twist up in his gut at the words. He wasn't entirely sure yet what the emotion was. "Some of them were more enthusiastic about marking than others, but I never really cared for it. None of them really meant anything. Or, rather, they weren't after anything more than my looks. I ended up giving up on all of it as pointless."

"Wolf…" Yuuri said, leaning up to give him a brief kiss.

"It doesn't change the way you feel about me, does it?"

"Of course not!" Yuuri said immediately. "How could you even think that! If anything, it just makes me nervous. You have so much more experience than I do. I don't have a clue what I'm doing."

"That's because you overthink everything, I keep telling you. The one time I want you to charge in without thinking and you adamantly refuse."

"Shuddup." Yuuri mumbled, burying his face in his boyfriend's neck to hide his embarrassment. Wolfram chuckled, letting him hide as he brought a hand up to toy with his hair. "Is- is that why your fantasies are better than mine?"

"What makes you think mine are better?" Wolfram asked without missing a beat. "You haven't even asked me about them again."

Yuuri shrugged. "I just… don't think mine are very good." He said, feeling his face heat up. "I never know what to actually think about…"

Wolfram sighed but his fingers never stopped moving through Yuuri's hair so he didn't think the blonde was upset. "Is that why you're so hesitant to do anything? Because you think you don't know how?"

"N-no! That's not...exactly it… is it?"

"You don't have to know everything about sex to have it." Did he have to be so blunt and calm about it?! "You have good instincts about literally everything else, aside from not getting yourself killed."

"Hey!"

"I can't imagine this would be much different." he continued, ignoring him. "And, besides, you have me to teach you anything you're not sure about." Wolfram's fingers left his hair just long enough for his arm to give Yuuri a squeeze. Yuuri couldn't help but smile against the blonde's neck at the gesture. Did anyone else, aside from Greta, get to enjoy Wolfram hugs? He had said he didn't give them out often. Would they feel as warm and comforting to anyone else? "Either way, you're not going to learn by avoiding it. And once you figure out what you like, fantasies will come on their own."

"Is that how it works?"

"I could start sleeping naked again if you think that would help."

"UWAH?!" Yuuri exclaimed, shooting back up into a sitting position. "Wha-But- What if Greta has a nightmare and comes in?!"

Wolfram just shrugged, casual as you please. "So we start locking the door. Then we have time to get dressed once she knocks."

"Are we both being naked now?!"

Wolfram smirked slightly. "I can get you your own gown if you like. They're much faster to put on."

Yuuri sputtered, brain short circuiting. For lack of coherent thought he flailed his arms, face tomato red.

Wolfram snorted, then fell into full on laughter. "It's been awhile since I've managed to get you this flustered. At least you aren't trying to kick me out of the bed."

Yuuri dropped his hands to his lap, pouting as he looked away. "Of course I'm not. How can I cuddle you if I kick you out?"

Wolfram sat up, shoulders of his shirt and jacket sliding down his arms. He shook them off before sliding one hand behind Yuuri's neck and pulling him into a kiss, tongue licking into Yuuri's mouth. Yuuri made a contented sound, closing his eyes and bringing his hands up to explore Wolf's bare chest and back.

"...Yuuri…" Wolfram breathed once he finally pulled back. Yuuri only seemed to be able to open his eyes half way to look at him. "... give me one of those soul kisses?"

Yuuri gave him a bright smile, happily capturing his lips again and letting himself fall.