Author's Note: Hey all! I know you all are waiting for the next installment of DJF, but I heard the song Every Day by Rascal Flatts the other day and just had to write this down! Let me know what you think. Keep in mind that I do not own anything about this song by Rascal Flatts, nor do I own the characters and universe of Kyou Kara Maou. All rights reserved.
P.S., This is NOT in the Demon Kingdom. This is just your average day Japan (I tried to stay as accurate with the culture as possible so let me know if I goofed up). Anyways, please review and let me know if it's a keeper, alright? Thanks! ^_^
NOTE!: Okay, so I just got an email saying that I couldn't put lyrics with this fic, so every time you see a symbol like this: ~*(&)*~, it's a line from the lyrics. I would highly recommend looking them up and filling in the blanks, otherwise the fic might not flow well. Sorry for the trouble! :( If you want to hear the song though, here's the music video! the story flows better with the lyrics in and though the law has changed the guidelines here haven't so what can you do. watch?v=ABgnivE-caU
Like most cliché teenage stories start, mine starts with my first year of high school. More specifically, the day I met the high maintenance nut job that is Wolfram von Bielefeld.
~*(&)*~
I met Wolfram on the first day of school.
We were all in the assembly hall, getting our class assignments when I accidently bumped into him. As my luck would have it, the trip landed both Wolfram and I on the floor.
"Ouch! What the hell do you think you're doing?" He all but shouted. It was my fault, so I tried to make up for it by helping him up.
"Sorry. I'm kinda clumsy." I apologized, reaching my hand out to help him up. He ignored it and just hoisted himself off of the floor.
"How can I accept a wimpy apology like that? Honestly." He huffed, brushing his uniform off. "Do you even know who I am?" I stared at him blankly, wondering why in the hell should I know him. We just met!
"Uh... Should I?" I asked, completely baffled. The boy huffed in annoyance, his hands on his hips
"Idiot, I'm Wolfram von Bielefeld." he replied snidely and I swear I could just feel the waves of that high and mighty air around him. He was starting to irritate me with that attitude, but I ignored it to really get a good look at the kid.
He was an inch or so shorter than I was, with curly blond hair that hung in his face ever so slightly. His pale skin made the color of his eyes seem like emeralds. I had to admit, the kid was a looker.
Even with all the analyzing I still couldn't figure out why that name was important until my friend Murata happily explained to me later that Wolfram was the third son of a very wealthy and prestigious family from Germany. His mother Cecilie von Spitzweg was an ex model, who now spent her days in a professional agency for aspiring actors. His eldest half-brother Gwendal von Voltaire was a ruthless businessman who could make any small investment into a huge pay off. His second older half-brother Conrart Weller (who goes by Conrad) was a famous baseball player, the very same one that I idolized all those years until he got a nasty shoulder injury that ended his career. Now he spent his early retirement coaching little league (how such a nice guy could be related to a snob like Wolfram is beyond me).
However, I didn't receive this information until later, so I just stood there like and idiot trying to figure out when I would have met this kid. "I'm sorry, but I don't know who you are."
"What? Were you raised in a barn? Or are you so poor that you can't afford a television?" he demanded to know, getting all up in my face with accusations. I backed away slightly, not liking the invasion of personal space one bit. "Honestly, I don't know why I even bothered coming to a run of the mill school like this. If I wanted to mix with commoners I would have gone to that god-awful shack you call a supermarket."
"Hey, what's your problem?" Okay now he was really starting to piss me off. What gave this punk the gal to talk down to people like that? Honestly! If he didn't like it here then he could just pick up his things and get out!
"You are my problem! People like you who walk around in a stupor thinking that they can just do what they please without thinking of the consequences." Okay, this kid was really starting to piss me off.
"Look, I said I was sorry, so-"
"Didn't your mother teach you how to act in front your superior? Or was she too busy being a hu-"
He never got to finish his sentence, I made sure of that. Nobody and I mean nobody got away with trash talking my family, especially my mother. I was so angry I didn't realize I had hit him until he was staring up at me in shock from the floor, holding his already swelling cheek. Oddly enough, the pacifist in me felt a sort of pride in causing the developing bruise.
"You need to get off that high horse you got yourself on before someone knocks you off." I said, walking away from him to get my class assignments.
And with that, our friendship was sealed.
~*(&)*~
"Damn it Yuuri! Can't you be on time for once? Honestly, why do I even bother with you if you're just going to run around like a mad man?" Was Wolfram's every so kind greeting as soon as I walked through the door of our last class of the day our third term. Fortunately for me I was used to his banter by now, so I wasn't fazed.
"Sorry. The coach caught me as I was heading over here." And it was true. Coach had pulled me aside and told me that there was a talent scout from the minor leagues coming to our game on Saturday. This was the opportunity I had been dreaming about since I was five! I was so excited, the teacher had to remind me twice to keep it down. The bell couldn't ring soon enough.
"What in the world are you so excited about?" Wolfram couldn't help but ask after class and I couldn't blame him. I must have seemed like a kid at a candy store. I was so excited. So, I told him everything. When I was finished, he just gave me an unreadable look before he surprised me with a small smile. "Good. It's about time you got some respect for your talent."
I was so shocked by his little comment that I actually stopped walking to gawk at him. He raised his eyebrow at me. "What? Am I not allowed to compliment my friend?"
If I wasn't surprised by his first statement, I was positively floored with that last one. "... Did you just admit that we were friends?"
Wolfram gave me an odd look, "That's what we are, aren't we?"
"Well yeah, I just never thought that you would admit it." As soon as the words left my mouth I instantly regretted it.
"What are you saying? That I can't recognize friendship? That I'm not a worthy friend? Or..." Thankfully in the months I had known Wolfram I had learned to tune him out when he went on rants like this, making sure I respond at all the right times and assure him that I didn't mean any harm. For us, this was our normal.
~*(&)*~
Okay, I'll admit it. That weekend I was a nervous wreck. I was so on edge Wolfram decided that he should invite himself over Friday to my house to spend the night. Normally I would get annoyed when he would do that, but this time I was grateful for his company. It's thanks to him that I stayed calm enough to sleep the rest of that night. The next morning was a whole different story.
~*(&)*~
"Yuu-chan, aren't you hungry?" Mom probed gently that fateful morning.
"I guess not..." I replied weakly, not looking up from my plate. Truth be told I couldn't even think about eating, that's how nervous I was. Wolfram eyed me from across the table, obviously not buying it.
"Are you sure? I even made your favorite kind of eggs..." Mom trailed off, looking disappointed. I immediately felt like a jerk, but I would feel even worse if I ate the food then threw it up so I just shrugged and was about to get up to take my plate to the sink when Wolfram stopped me.
~*(&)*~
Without a word he kicked my leg and glared at me. I shrank back, not feeling up to the banter that we usually exchanged, but Wolfram was having none of that.
"What a wimp. The one time a talent scout decides to show up at our school you want to run away with your tail tucked in between your legs. How pathetic." He commented rudely, eyeing me over his glass of water.
"Excuse me? This is a talent scout for the minor leagues! This could be my one shot!" I replied, cursing how terrified I sounded, "If I mess this up..."
"Then don't mess it up." He replied matter-of-factly, turning back to his plate of food. I slammed my fist on the table in frustration. If looks could kill, Wolfram would have been a pile of ashes.
~*(&)*~
"Damn it Wolfram, don't you get it?! This is what I've been dreaming about since before I can remember!" I shouted, startling my Mom who had been washing some dishes in the kitchen.
"So? What's the point of dreaming about something if you're just gonna sit there and whine about how hard it is?" He retorted, the challenge in his voice could be heard all the way from America.
"I'm not whining about it!" I insisted, and yes, I know that probably just proved Wolfram's point, but shut up; I was a mess that day.
"Then take it like a man and face it head on." Wolfram replied simply, pointing his fork at me before taking a bite. I attacked my plate with a vengeance, too annoyed and frustrated to even look at him.
I finished breakfast in record time and tossed my dishes in the dishwasher. I turned around only to find Wolfram leaning against the wall, an unreadable expression on his face.
"Feel better?" he asked softly, his gaze never leaving my face.
I froze.
~*(&)*~
I did feel better. Focusing on my anger at Wolfram had made me lose focus on the baseball game. I don't know how he knew that would help me but somehow he did, and for that I was grateful.
"Yeah..." I trailed off, not really knowing what to say. So I just settled for an awkward scratch of the back of my head (a habit, I found out, I would never outgrow). "Thanks."
Wolfram eyed me for a second, looking for something before nodding slowly, pushing off the wall and heading up stairs to change out of his pajamas (and by pajamas I mean a really frilly pink oversized night shirt with matching pink short shorts. Why he owns pajamas like that is a mystery to me.). I followed him up the stairs, still amazed that all the anxiety that was threatening to swallow me whole was gone.
~*(&)*~
It still was my big shot at a professional career, but somehow Wolfram made me see just how capable I was of playing a good game with just a few words. In fact, if it wasn't for Wolfram, I never would have played like I did that day. If it wasn't for Wolfram, I never would have gotten that letter a week later.
~*(&)*~
"What does it say?" my Mom asked, just as excited as I was. My brother Shouri and my Dad were calm, but it was obvious they were hoping I would succeed just as much as my Mom.
I tore open the envelope, my eyes reading and rereading the page.
~*(&)*~
I didn't get in. Looking back now I realize that it was probably for the best since I was so young, but I have to admit I was positively crushed at the time. I could have even fallen into a mild depression, but Wolfram wouldn't allow that to happen.
~*(&)*~
A few days after I got the rejection letter, Wolfram dragged me away from school to a really nice sports car and told me to get in.
"Where are you taking me?" I asked, completely in awe of the car. I wasn't much of a car enthusiast, but even I had to admit that it was amazing.
"We're going to my house." He replied simply, "Put your seatbelt on."
Too surprised to argue, I did as I was told and waited for him to start the car. In all the time I've known Wolfram he had never invited me to his house. I never pushed the issue because I didn't want to give him the impression that I was only in this friendship for his money.
The drive there was silent, the only sounds coming from the radio playing softly. I knew I should be excited that Wolfram was actually inviting me to stay at his place, but I just couldn't get rid of that nasty cloud that had been hanging over my head all week.
We arrived sooner than I had anticipated. Without a word we got out of the car, heading to the front door. I tried not to gawk at the giant house in front of us before following him to the door. I still couldn't figure out why the heck he dragged me out here in the first place. Trying to figure out Wolfram's thought process was next to impossible though. Whatever he wanted was going to happen as he saw fit regardless if I was prepared or not.
Wolfram unlocked the door and ushered me inside, commanded me to take my shoes off as he walked inside. I scowled at the tone in his voice, but decided that it would be best to just drop it for now and did as I was told.
"I'm home!" he shouted in the huge open space. A brunette head popped around the archway that I assumed led to the kitchen. I froze when I recognized who it was.
"Welcome home." Conrad replied with an easy going smile. He walked over to us and extended his hand to me. "You must be Yuuri. Wolfram has told me a lot about you."
I tried to speak, but no sound would come out. Instead, I just nodded dumbly. He just kept smiling and led us to the kitchen.
"Are you hungry? I was just finishing making some jagariko." He said, pulling the delicious looking potato sticks out of the oven.
"You made those from scratch?" I couldn't help but ask. Wolframs rolled his eyes at my stupid question, but give me a break! I was sitting in the kitchen with my best friend's brother who just happened to be my idol!
Conrad just smiled and nodded his head, getting out a big plate from the cabinet. "I find cooking to be quite relaxing, so I tend to make my own snacks that most people would buy."
"Oh..." I replied, not really knowing what else to say. I quietly munched on one of the sticks, enjoying the spicy pepper flavor.
"Excuse me." Wolfram mumbled, standing up from his stool.
"Where are you going?" I asked, feeling my nerves kick in.
"I wanted to get some painting done while I was home." He replied simply, snagging a few potato sticks and placing them on a small plate before heading up the stairs. I couldn't help but think that was just his excuse to leave Conrad and I alone. I nervously turned back to Conrad, not having the slightest clue on how to start a conversation with him.
"So," He started, pouring us both a glass of water, which I took gratefully. "I heard that you got a letter from the minor leagues."
I winced and looked down, suddenly finding the pattern of the granite countertops fascinating. I could feel Conrad's eyes on me, but I didn't want to look at him, fearing that I would be laughed at.
"You know, I was rejected the first time I tried out for the minor leagues." My head shot up.
"What?! But you're... You're you!" I stammered. There was no way someone so talented could ever be rejected. Conrad laughed good-naturedly.
"That may be true, but I wasn't born with the talent. I had to grow into it. I practiced day and night throughout my childhood and even through high school to get to where I am today." He explained, taking a small sip from his glass before continuing. "In fact, I was about your age when I got the letter. I found out later that the letter meant that they were interested, but felt that I needed more experience before I actually joined the league."
"Wait, but I thought it was a rejection letter?" I was definitely not seeing where he was going.
"True, it is, but most people don't even get a letter." I could feel my eyes widen in shock. "The fact that you got a letter means that they recognize your talent, but they just want you to grow a little more before officially joining the league."
"You really think so?" I asked quietly, the hope that had been missing in my heart slowly returning.
"From what Wolfram says about you, I know so." He replied, his kind smile returning. I looked at his face. I don't know what exactly I was looking for, but whatever it was it gave me great comfort. The joy I hadn't felt all week had returned, and I couldn't help but thank Wolfram in my head at that moment.
I talked to Conrad about baseball for lord knows how long, and somehow I was able to make plans to train with Conrad every other weekend. Every time we met, I was reminded of how grateful I was to have a friend like Wolfram. Not for introducing me to Conrad, but for being there for me and knowing what I needed to hear, even when I didn't want to hear it. Little did I know that as time went by, my view of Wolfram would change.
~*(&)*~
Our second year in high school I was called in to the office. My chemistry teacher gave me an odd look, though I didn't understand why he looked so concerned. That should have been my first clue that something was wrong.
Wolfram insisted that he go with me, much to the dismay of both me and our teacher. Of course Wolfram won, and we both ended up heading to the office together. I remember thinking that I was in trouble or something. How naïve I was.
I looked at Wolfram in silent acknowledgement before stepping into the principal's office. I was surprised to see my Dad sitting in one of the chairs, the principal sitting solemnly behind his desk. Dad's face was guarded to the untrained eye, but I could tell something was horribly, horribly wrong. Millions of scenarios flew through my head, but none of them prepared me for what I heard next.
"Yuuri." My Dad began, his voice wavering slightly. "It's your brother."
My body went cold. "Wh-what happened?"
"He got into a car accident this morning on the way back to school." My heart clenched. The drive from our house to the college that Shouri went to wasn't very far, but you had to take the highway to get there. By the way Dad had said it, I knew the outcome wasn't good.
"Is he okay?" I asked, knowing that I didn't want to hear the answer.
"He just arrived at the hospital in critical condition... Yuuri, they don't think he's going to make it."
Everything in my world in that moment shattered. I didn't speak. I didn't even breathe. How could this happen? Just a few hours ago Shouri was sitting next to me at the table eating breakfast, the both of us talking about random things and he was... He could...
I didn't realize I was running until I heard Wolfram and Dad call after me, but I didn't stop. I didn't know where I was going, all I knew was that I had to get out of that office.
I came to a stop eventually. I had no idea how long I had been running from the way my leg muscles were screaming at me, I knew I had gotten pretty far. I looked around and realized that I was at the baseball field of the elementary school, the very same baseball field that Shouri took me to when he helped to teach me about baseball.
I collapsed on one of the benches, still panting from earlier, when it all hit me at once. What if Shouri really didn't make it? What was I supposed to do then? He was my big brother! I couldn't accept it, and the naivety in me prayed that it was all a horrible nightmare that I would wake up from soon. I felt the tears streaming down my face as I looked out into the field, not really knowing what to do.
~*(&)*~
I had no idea how long I had been there, only that it had been long enough for the sun to start setting in the sky. The tears had dried by now, but I felt hollow. My mind was completely blank, or maybe it was racing so fast I just couldn't catch up. I didn't really care, I just felt so hollow.
I heard someone's voice call for me, and I knew immediately who it was before I even turned around. I was however surprised by the hard slap I got on the cheek.
"Do you have any idea how long we've been looking for you?" Wolfram yelled, gripping the collar of my school uniform. "How could you run away from your family at a time like this? Are you so pathetic that you can't even be there for your brother when he needs you most?"
I glared at him. "You don't know anything."
"I know that your parents are worried sick about you. You've been missing for hours! What the hell were you thinking?!" I glared at him with all the fury I could muster and shoved his hands off of me.
"This is my brother we're talking about! If I lose him I don't know what I'll do!" I yelled, feeling the anger bubble in my stomach
"And you thought running away was the answer? You are the biggest wimp I have ever seen in my entire life!" He countered, the fury in his eyes blazing as he got up in my face.. I felt a cold dark rage build inside of me. Before I knew what was happening we were in an all-out brawl, exchanging punches and kicks right and left. Finally I managed to pin Wolfram against the chain link fence, my arm pressed against his throat.
"Don't you get it? Shouri is on his deathbed right now, and I can't do a thing! He's my big brother and all I can do is just sit there and watch him suffer until the very end. I-I can't... I can't do this Wolfram... I just can't..." the anger that had once filled me immediately deflated. I felt a new wave of tears hit me like a ton of bricks, making me collapse to the ground. I broke into a series of pathetic sobs. I immediately felt a pair of arms circle around me, cradling me gently.
~*(&)*~
For a while Wolfram said nothing, but continued to gently rub circles in my back. The sobs began to slow until I could speak again with just a small waver in my voice.
"You know, he always wanted me to call him Onii-chan, and now..." I trailed off, gripping the back of Wolfram's uniform tightly, refusing to move my head from the crook of his neck. I didn't want to face him, because if I did I would have to face it, and I just wasn't ready. "There's just so much that I should've said, but..."
"You're talking as if Shouri's already gone." Wolfram pointed out gently.
"But he's-"
"He's still alive Yuuri, and right now he needs you to be there." Wolfram interrupted, pushing me away just enough so that we could look at each other, his hands resting on my shoulders. My breath hitched when I finally met his gaze.
"I don't think I can." I mumbled, my voice cracking with emotion.
~*(&)*~
"Yes you can Yuuri," Wolfram said firmly, "and I'll be there to help you, okay?"
I nodded, not trusting my mouth to say anything else. We both stood up and brushed ourselves off before heading to his car. Once again I found myself grateful for Wolfram's company. I didn't know why, but just by him being next to me I felt a wave of calm wash over me, keeping me grounded.
~*(&)*~
As we got closer and closer to the hospital, I could feel my body tensing in anticipation. My fists had balled up so tight I almost drew blood. I was so scared of what I was about to face I almost didn't feel the hand that covered mine. I looked down to find a pale hand gently unwinding my own and holding it. I turned to Wolfram to ask, but found that he wasn't even looking at me. I was about to pull away, but found that I really didn't want to. It felt just... Right for his hand to be in mine.
~*(&)*~
We got to the hospital with no problems. That is, until we had to get out of the car.
"Yuuri, we're here." Wolfram said, breaking the silence first.
"I know." I replied, refusing to look at him.
"We have to get out of the car now." He persisted, but I just wouldn't budge.
"I know." I replied again. I didn't have to look at him to know that he was getting annoyed with me.
"Yuuri-"
"I know!" I shouted, finally looking up. I realized how startled he was and immediately felt bad for yelling at him. It wasn't his fault that I was forced into this situation. "Sorry."
To his credit Wolfram didn't take any offense. He did, however, proceed to force me out of the car and through the hospital doors.
I didn't realize I was shaking until he took my quivering hand in his again. He squeezed my hand in reassurance, getting the message to me loud and clear; I'm here.
Every day
My parents were already there, and I was immediately pulled into a tight embrace by my mother. Neither of my parents scolded me for running away and they never questioned why Wolfram and I were holding hands. To be honest they probably already knew what was happening between us long before we did.
"How is he?" I asked, having a sinking feeling that I already knew the answer.
"He's about to go into surgery." My Dad replied, gripping my shoulder. "You should go see him now."
I swallowed the lump in my throat and nodded, squeezing Wolfram's hand one more time before letting go. I walked in solemnly, edging closer to Shouri's bed.
"Yuuri? Is that you?" he rasped through dulled eyes. Mom had warned me that the pain medication they had him on was really strong.
"It's me, Onii-chan."
~*(&)*~
My brother died on the operating table.
I was absolutely devastated. The funeral was held that weekend. I almost couldn't bear to watch Shouri's coffin slowly make its way into the ground. I don't know what I would have done if Wolfram hadn't been standing right next to me that day.
For weeks I couldn't eat, I couldn't sleep, I even lost my passion for baseball for a while, but once again Wolfram saved me from the darkness. One day he marched into my house and not only did he kick me out of my own bed, he force fed me and even made me play catch with him. He wasn't very good at it, but the fact that he was doing it for me meant so much, and that feeling jogged me out of my grief long enough to make me realize how I was acting wasn't right.
~*(&)*~
Yes, Shouri's death had been horrible, but in truth, if he had survived the doctors said that he would have been severely handicapped because of all the brain damage he had sustained. I knew deep in my heart that Shouri wouldn't want that, so I was finally able to slowly let him go. I still to this day am saddened whenever he's not there for a family get together or when it's his birthday, but thanks to Wolfram, I was able to heal the wound in my heart.
~*(&)*~
A few years later, I was taking my college entrance exams for the University of Tokyo. I had been wrestling ideas of what I wanted to study and whether or not I wanted to pursue a career in baseball. In the end I had decided to go into politics. I know it's weird, but I had always wanted to help people. I knew that if I became a better person and studied hard, I could become a great Prime Minister for all of Japan.
Wolfram and I had been looking for a good apartment between T.U. and his art college, but so far most of them were out of our price range (considering how Wolfram had cut himself off of his family money and we both had part time jobs).
We had been dating for about awhile. When it started, I couldn't quite pinpoint, but by the time I realized it, we were already together. I guess you could say my heart knew it before my brain did.
~*(&)*~
A month later Wolfram and I were unpacking our stuff in our new apartment when I thought occurred to me. "Hey Wolf?"
He turned away from the dishes he was putting in the cabinet and gave me a questioning look.
"How long have we been together now?" Wolfram glared at me.
"Seriously Yuuri? You can't even remember when we started dating?" I felt really bad at that statement, but I pressed on cause I just felt like I needed to confirm something.
"I'm sorry Wolf, it's just… I don't know, didn't feel like there was a moment where we were like 'We are now officially together', it just felt so... Natural I guess that I…" I trailed off, feeling a blush creeping onto my cheeks.
Wolfram sighed in exasperation, "You really are the biggest wimp I have ever met"
I scowled at that and turned back to the box I had been unpacking. "Well if I'm such a wimp, then why bother. Isn't it annoying to stay with someone you think is a coward?"
Wolfram shook his head at that and pulled me away from the box, making me face him "You aren't a coward Yuuri, you're a wimp, there's a difference"
I wasn't following his logic "What's the difference? If it means I chicken out of everything then why stay with me?"
Wolfram chuckled at that and pulled me into a hug "Now that's a dumb question." I was about to retort but he beat me to it, pulling away just far enough so we made eye contact. "I stay because I love you."
~*(&)*~
I froze. "What did you say?"
Wolfram smiled and rested his forehead against mine. "I love you Yuuri. I've been in love with you since day one."
~*(&)*~
I was flabbergasted. To be honest I don't know what kind of answer I was looking for but I never expected him to say it first. "I love you too."
~*(&)*~
"Oh good, you finally admitted it. I knew it all along though." Wolfram joked. I laughed and together we continued to put our apartment together, the home that we would share for the next four years.
~*(&)*~
After we finished everything even though we were dead tired, the moment he looked at me with that smile of satisfaction I was gone. Apparently he was feeling the same way since he dragged me into the bedroom and shoved me onto the newly made bed. This wasn't the first time we had had sex, but this time, after confirming everything in our relationship made it so much more intense than usual. That feeling of euphoria swiftly ended an hour later when Wolfram smacked me upside the head when I pointed out the funny way he was walking when we got up out of bed. He must have still been in a good mood too though cause he laughed along with me.
~*(&)*~
I discovered something about Wolfram our sophomore year that I wished I had realized sooner. If you wanted Wolfram to shut up and calm down, all you had to do was kiss him. Example;
"Yuuri, did you call your mother?" Wolfram asked me, handing me another screw as I was fixing the cabinet in our kitchen.
"No, not yet." I said, checking to make sure the door was secure before hopping off of the chair.
"Yuuri! I told you three times to do it. Were you not listening? Or are your ears clogged with all the-"
I interrupted his rant to kiss him. It wasn't very long, but the feelings were still there. "I promise I will call her as soon as I put this stuff away, okay?"
Wolfram nodded dumbly, obviously caught off guard. I smiled and kissed his cheek before leaving him to put all of my tools away. I kept berating myself for not thinking of the idea sooner, but what can you do.
~*(&)*~
"How long do I have to sit here again?" I asked (and no, I didn't whine). Wolfram had asked me to pose for him for one of his art projects and of course being the good boyfriend that I was, I agreed to do it. Little did I know that posing for Wolfram was going to be a pain in the neck. Literally.
He had me posing in the most awkward position imaginable. My shoulders were facing him, but he had my hips turned so that my lower body was pointing to the right. My head was facing the same way my lower body was facing, except that my chin was tilted up. And don't even get me started on how he had my arms.
"As long as it takes me to finish this last bit." Replied, not looking up from his work. "Now for the last time hold still!"
Apparently that last bit was bigger than he let on, because it took him another hour to finish it. I sighed in relief, rubbing the stiffness out of my neck as I looked at the painting.
Once again I was amazed at Wolfram's abilities. He not only painted me perfectly, he had changed the scenery completely, making me on top of a hill looking out towards a huge meadow.
"That's really good Wolfram." I said, relieved that it wasn't one of his Picasso inspired pieces. "You're sure to get an A with that one."
"And then some." He replied, that old prideful spark still alive and kicking. I chuckled at his antics and kissed his cheek before I started dinner. It was the least I could do after he painted me so beautifully.
~*(&)*~
I took the steps two at a time, nearly running into our elderly neighbor in my rush. I had exactly three hours to hide Wolfram's present and cook dinner for our three year anniversary. I eyed the ring, the nerves I had been holding down all week bubbling up to the surface. I immediately squashed them down. I didn't have time to dwell on what I was about to do. I quickly closed the little box and stuffed it into my pocket. Our mini Australian Shepherd T-Zou looked at me as if he knew what I was planning. I scratched him affectionately behind the ear before I went to go and fix dinner.
~*(&)*~
I paced in the kitchen as I waited for the curry to finish stewing. Was it too soon to pop the question? What if he said no? What if he broke up with me? Those questions kept swirling around in my head until I heard Wolfram walk in through the door. I put all of my worries aside to properly finish setting the table before he walked in and saw my surprise.
~*(&)*~
"Yuuri, what is all of this? Our anniversary isn't until Tuesday." Wolfram asked, sitting down at his usual spot at the table.
"I know, but I wanted this to be a surprise." I replied, smiling through my nerves. I set the curry and rice on the table and served the both of us before taking a seat as well. We ate in a comfortable silence. Or, at least, what would have been a comfortable silence if I wasn't a nervous wreck on the inside.
I made it through dinner without him suspecting anything, and once the dishes were taken care of I ushered him into the living room, which I had decorated with flowers and candles.
"Yuuri, what in the world has gotten into you?" Wolfram demanded, though I could tell that he wasn't really annoyed with me.
"Wolfram, there's been something I've been meaning to ask you."
~*(&)*~
"I know we aren't finished with school yet, and we don't have stable jobs right now, but..."
I slowly got down on one knee. He stared at me with wide eyes, and I couldn't help but smile. "Will you marry me?"
At first he didn't say anything, which really made me nervous. Was he not ready?
"I'm sorry, I guess I was-" before I could finish my sentence I was tackled to the ground in a fierce hug.
"Don't you dare take that back, do you hear me?" Wolfram growled, but it was hard to be intimidated when he was crying like that. I whipped the tears from his eyes.
"Is that a yes?" I couldn't help but ask, wanting to hear it straight from his mouth.
"Of course it is you idiot." He growled, but we both knew that he was happy.
I just knew I had the goofiest grin on my face, but at that moment I didn't care. Instead I hugged Wolfram back with all my might, only pulling away when I remembered the ring in my pocket. My hands were rather clumsy, but I managed to get the ring out without dropping it before slipping onto his finger. He looked at it and then threw his arms around my neck.
"I guess you're not as big of a wimp as I thought" He said, making me laugh.
~*(&)*~
A year after we graduated college we were standing at the altar, listening to the pastor prattle on and on. I chanced a glance at Wolfram, who was positively stunning in his off white tux. When I caught his eyes, he gave me a small smile before he turned his gaze back to the pastor. I couldn't tear my gaze from Wolfram even if I wanted to.
"Do you, Yuuri Shibuya, take Wolfram von Bielefeld to be your lawfully wedded husband?" Oops, nearly missed my cue.
"I do." I said, giving Wolfram's hand a light squeeze before I slid the ring on his finger.
"I now pronounce you legal partners." The pastor said with a smile. I grinned before pulling Wolfram in a heady kiss. When we pulled away and I looked into those emerald eyes I had come to love, I couldn't help but think back to all of the time we've been together.
~*(&)*~
We've been through it all together; heart break, sorrow, joy, success. What started as friendship grew into something I never thought it could.
~*(&)*~
I'm grateful for a lot of things, but the thing I'm most grateful for is Wolfram von Bielefeld, or Shibuya as it is now. If it wasn't for him... Well... Who knows how I would have turned out.
~*(&)*~
To this day I still don't know how he knew the things that he knew about me. Heck, I think that half of the time he knew me better than I knew myself. He was able to take my heart and pick the layers apart until he got to the core of who I was. He knew that meeting up with Conrad back in high school would help me get over the rejection letter. He not only knew where I was hiding, but he also knew exactly what I needed to hear the day Shouri died. He knows how to make me smile, laugh, cry, and make me so mad that I swear steam comes rolling out of my ears.
As I sit here now a few years later on the bed in our house, with our newly adopted daughter Greta down the hall asleep in her room with T-Zou watching over her and a dozing blonde lying beside me, I can't help but thank every almighty power for bringing Wolfram into my life. He became everything to me, and for that I will forever be grateful.
And to think, all of this would have never happened if I had never punched Wolfram that fateful day back in high school.
~*(&)*~