I meant to write more, but this chapter was already starting to feel unwieldy. Hopefully you all enjoy.

Yuuri let Yozak lead him back towards the inn, towards Conrad, and he tried his best to put his emotions into some sort of order.

He'd been to the past before. The demon mirror had seen to that. But the only time he'd been able to effect real change had been at Shinou's will. Otherwise, he was only an observer, looking into the past.

This was something entirely different. There had been no demon mirror. No Shinou. That much he knew. This had been an attack. One directed at him. And he had a sinking suspicion that sending him into the past had been an accident. After all, why would anyone have bothered doing something that would do this? What purpose could his enemies have in sending him back in time?

Seeing Conrad now was a blow. Conrad was Conrad, that much was true. Yuuri knew that at his core, Conrad was the same. He was still the man who told terrible jokes and was far too quick to sacrifice himself, especially for Yuuri. Incredibly protective, and incredibly skilled.

But this was not his Godfather. This was the Lion of Ruttenberg, though he hadn't earned that title yet. It had come as a shock, to look up and find himself face-to-face with a man he'd only ever heard stories about.

Because this Conrad didn't smile to cover up the pain that Yuuri knew lurked deep in his heart. This Conrad wore it on his face for all to see.

Yuuri wanted nothing more than to do whatever it took to see that smile again. Not the one that meant he was trying to hide something, but a real one. The kind that had his eyes crinkled up in the corners, his mouth in that gentle curve. The subtle hints of silver dancing in his eyes.

Conrad should always be smiling, as far as Yuuri was concerned.

Time had healed some of the wounds that Conrad carried. But for this Conrad? They were still open and raw. It was all Yuuri could do not to reach out and soothe them.

He couldn't though. This was the past. And he was terrified that if he changed it, something terrible would happen, destroying the future he and his friends had worked so hard for. Could he really let all the sacrifices they had all made go to waste like that?

But Yuuri knew himself better than that. He couldn't stand by and let people stuffer. Not when there was something he could do about it. Anything he could do about it. And he knew, that, if pressed, he would intervene. Would do whatever it took to save this country that had become his home, to spare these people to who meant everything to him.

And he couldn't let Conrad sacrifice anything for him. Not ever again, if he had a choice.

So he had left. But Yozak knew. Yozak had found him out. And as good an actor as Yozak was, Yuuri knew the man from his time had never met him before. If he knew Yuuri at all, he wouldn't have been worried about half the things he had been.

So, the future had already been changed. That was obvious. And while Yuuri would do what he could to keep the changes to a minimum, he couldn't stand by and let people be hurt. Especially the people he cared about. Not if there was something he could do about it.

Yozak stopped, and Yuuri was so caught up in his thoughts that he nearly ran into the man's back. As it was he still stumbled a little when it came time to stop.

"Hey, Conrart!" Yozak called.

Standing in front of the inn, sure enough, was a man Yuuri would always know anywhere, a very familiar frantic expression on his face. Yuuri winced. The last thing he'd wanted to do was worry Conrad. He'd been hoping to leave before the man felt responsible for him. It seemed like he'd been too late. The look on his face was on Yuuri was intimately familiar with. It was the one Conrad wore whenever Yuuri somehow managed to slip away from Conrad and the rest of his guard without the other man knowing about it. It wasn't an expression Yuuri saw often. Sometimes it fel like his godfather knew him better than he knew himself.

"Yozak!" Conrart said, practically sprinting to close the distance between them, a desperate look on his face.

"Found him," Yozak said, stepping aside to reveal Yuuri before Conrad could say a word.

Conrad stared at him, and Yuuri felt every hair on his body stand on end. Crap, that was a scary face. Yuuri almost never saw Conrad mad, but when he did, it was this face he wore.

"Conrad," Yuuri stuttered out. "I'm so..."

Before he had a chance to finish his apology, familiar arms wrapped around him, dragging him close as Conrad pulled him against his chest. Yuuri let his eyes fall closed, resting his head against the familiar chest, a feeling of safety he'd found nowhere else calming his racing heart.

"Yuuri," Conrad said, his voice raw and desperate. "Yuuri."

He'd been thoughtless, hadn't he? In trying not to create trouble, he'd only hurt the man he cared for most in the world.

"I'm sorry," Yuuri said, wrapping his arms around Conrad and holding him tightly. "I didn't mean to make you worry."

"Don't," Conrart said, his voice harsh. "Don't do that to me again."

Yuuri closed his eyes, a bittersweet smile on his face. Conrad was Conrad. Always.

"I promise," he said, leaning further against the other man's chest.

Yuuri wasn't sure how long he stood there, taking comfort in Conrad's embrace. When he was here, nothing else seemed to matter. But it was long enough that when Yozak spoke, Yuuri felt himself start. He'd forgotten the other man was there.

"We should head inside," Yozak said. "As heartwarming as this is, we're starting to get some looks."

Yuuri felt Conrad's chest shift beneath his ear as the man took a deep breath.

"Right," he said, pulling back at last. "Inside then."

Yuuri felt his heart clench uncomfortably as Conrad pulled away, already missing his warmth. But instead of withdrawing completely, as Yuuri was afraid he would, Conrad left one arm draped around his shoulder. To keep him close, Yuuri realized. To make sure he didn't stray again. After all, it would only take a twist of his hand to have the fabric of Yuuri's shirt clenched in his fist, carting him around like a lion would transport an unruly cub.

Yuuri felt a shiver go through him at the thought of the strength in Conrad's muscles, of what it would feel like to be carried around as if he weighed nothing. But he quickly shoved the thought aside, fighting the flush on his face. He'd caused enough trouble. He shouldn't cause any more.

The three of them made their way back into the Inn, trading a few words with the innkeeper before they made their way upstairs. Conrad gestured with his head towards the door to their room, and Yozak pulled it open. They all made their way inside.

Conrad didn't let go of him when they crossed the threshold, the way Yuuri expected. Instead he steered him over to the bed, pushing him down onto the straw matress. For a long moment, Conrad stood there, staring down at Yuuri with an insense expression on his face, sparks of silver flashing in his eyes with barely reigned in emotion.

"Why?" he asked at last, his hand gripping the hilt of his sword tightly. "Why did you run, Yuuri? Do you not trust me?"

"No!" Yuuri said, shooting to his feet without meaning to, his hands coming to rest on Conrad's shoulders. "No, that's not it at all!"

"Then what?" Conrad asked, staring at him with flashing eyes. "If not that, then what?"

Yuuri closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

"I don't trust myself," he said, voice soft.

Conrad's brow furrowed in confusion, and Yuuri took a deep breath. He knew if he didn't say anything, Yozak would.

"This is going to sound crazy," he said, fighting to keep his voice from trembling. "But...I..."

He couldn't do it. No matter how much he tried, he could force the words past his lips. He shot Yozak a desperate look, hoping that the other man would help.

"The young master here is from the future," Yozak said, a bright smile on his face where he leaned against the wall.

Conrad jerked back a step, and Yuuri let himself sit on the bed once more, staring at the wooden floor between his feet. He didn't want to see the expression on Conrad's face. He didn't think he could stand to see the man he trusted most in the world doubting him. After all, Conrad had always believed in him. Even when Yuuri didn't believe in himself. He was barely holding himself together now. If he looked up at Conrad now, saw that the support he counted on most was gone, he thought he might shatter.

"Yeah," Yuuri said, reaching up to rub at his face. "Yeah, I'm from the future."

He winced as his fist dug into his eye, letting out a small "ow!" He'd grown used to wearing contacts, but that didn't make them any more comfortable. It still felt like he had grit in his eye. But it was always so much worse after falling asleep in them, a bit of sand turning into gravel. It really spoke to how distracted he'd been before now that he hadn't noticed.

"Ouch," he said again.

With a heavy sigh, he reached towards his eye, fighting the urge to flinch as he did. Putting the contacts on and taking them off was always the worst part. He knew as irrirated as his eye was now it would be even worse than usual.

He was right. As soon as he touched the small lens, he fliched.

"Crap," he whispered to himself. He knew the longer he left them in, the worse it would be, but the thought of toucing the contact long enough to take it out had him seriously unhappy.

The floor creaked and Yuuri looked up to find Conrad kneeling before him. His expression was still dark, but his features seemed softer somehow, as if the sharp edges and angles of his face were somehow blunted

"Here," he said. "Let me."

Yuuri smiled at him, eyes watering with gratitude. Not just for the help with the contacts, though the familiarity of the scene was enough to make his chest ache. But if Conrad would do this for him, even after what Yozak had just said...

Conrad was Conrad. Always. No matter how far from home he was, how crazy things were, Yuuri could count on that.

"Look up," Conrad told him.

Yuuri did, fighting his blink reflex as Conrad pulled down his lower eyelid before the man's finger filled his field of view. Yuuri could feel the contact slide down before the pressure was gone, the small lens resting on Conrad's finger.

"Got it," Conrad said. He looked down at the lens and frowned. "It's too dry," he said. "I think it's probably a loss." He looked up at Yuuri only to freeze when their eyes met, his eyes widening.

"Black eyes," he said, his surprise obvious.

Yuuri sighed. He'd never had this reaction from Conrad. His time on earth had ensured that his godfather wasn't as awed by his appearance, as common as it was there. But Yuuri was used to dealing with these reactions. Reverance was better than revulsion, though he wasn't fond of either. Still, he knew Conrad wouldn't treat him differently once he knew.

"Black hair too," Yuuri said. Might as well get everything out of the way at once.

Yozak whistled from the corner.

"Double-black, huh?" he said.

Yuuri turned and gave him a weak smile. "Yep. Double black."

Conrad said nothing, and Yuuri chanced a glance up at him, feeling awkward. He needed to change the subject before things got worse.

"Can you help me with the other one?" he asked.

Conrad just reached forward and brushed his hand against Yuuri's chest. When he pulled it back, Yuuri could see the small circle resting against one finger.

"They're totally dried out," he said with a frown before his gaze fixed on a point over Yuuri's shoulder. "Yozak, do you have any?"

"Of course," Yozak said, sounding affronted. "Who do you take me for?"

"Different hair color too," Conrad said thoughtfully, reaching up and brushing a strand out of Yuuri's face before twirling it between his fingers. "The more we can change his appearance the better."

"I'll have something ready tomorrow, no problem," Yozak said.

"No drag!" Yuuri said at once, visions of the maid costume he'd been forced dancing behind his eyes. "I absolutely refuse!"

"Aw," Yozak said, walking until he was standing where Yuuri could see him, an exaggerated frown on his face. "You're no fun, young master. You'd make such a cute girl, too!"

"No drag," Yuuri said again, giving him a hard look.

"Fine," Yozak said, leaning against the wall.

Conrad stood from his crouch suddenly, stalking across the room before he grabbed the chair by the fireplace and dragged it across from the bed.

"So," he said, his voice soft, "the future, huh?"

Yuuri nodded. Taking a deep breath, he rubbed his palms against his trousers as he stared at the floor again.

"Yes," he said. "I'm sorry."

"We know each other," Conrad said again. "That's why you ran to me. Why you knew my name."

"Yes," Yuuri said again, forcing his voice past the tightness in his throat.

"How far? How far into the future are you from."

Yuuri bit his lip, glancing up at Conrad from under his eyes before he shook his head.

"I...I'm sorry. The future...I don't want to risk changing anything. Not anything else."

There was a creaking sound, and Yuuri looked up to find that Conrad had leaned back in his chair.

"That's why you ran," he said, understanding dawning. "To try and keep anything from changing."

"Yes," Yuuri said, before he cast a look at Yozak. "I trust you, Conrad. I trust you with everything. And I can't lie to you. So I knew if I stayed..." Yuuri trailed off and shrugged his shoulders. "But it's too late for that now. Still...I need to change as little as possible. So, I'm sorry. But please don't ask me any questions," he said. "Becuase I'll answer you. Even if I know I shouldn't. I can't do anything else."

Conrad reached out and placed a hand on Yuuri's thigh, his expression serious.

"Alright, Yuuri," he said. "I understand. And I promise I'll do whatever it takes to get you home."

The sun had been setting when Yozak had brought Yuuri back. An hour later twilight was beginning to fade into nightfall, and the group had taken supper in the room, discussing their plans for the coming days.

"So, Conrad, kiddo," Yozak said once the door was shut firmly behind the maid. "Where to?"

"I was planning to go to the Von Wincott estate," Conrad said, noting with interest the way Yuuri stiffened at the name. So he'd been right, then. The pendant Yuuri wore did bear the Von Wincott crest, as he had thought. "There are some side effects from whatever brought you here, Yuuri, and I Lady Suzana Julia to examine you. She's the best healer there is."

"Julia?" Yuuri said, his face lighting up, eyes soft before he seemed to catch himself. "I..."

"She'll need to know," Conrad said, leaning forward. "I don't think she could properly treat you, if she didn't know."

Yuuri bit his lip, his conflict written plainly on his face.

No wonder he had thought running would be the only way to keep things from Conrart. His face was an open book.

"We'll explain things, kiddo," Yozak said, reading Yuuri's expression easily before giving Conrart a look from the corner of his eyes, and Conrart could see his own thoughts mirrored there. "You don't have to worry about it."

Yuuri heaved out a sigh, an expression of serious thought on his face before his shoulders slumped and he nodded.

"Okay," he said. "Yeah, that...that's the only way, huh?"

"Yes," Conrart said firmly.

"What about after that?" Yozak asked. "How are we going to get the young master home?"

"Shinou," Yuuri said, and Conrart found himself glancing sharply at him out of the corner of his eye.

The great one was a fact of life in Shin Makoku. Conrart owed his life to His Majesty Shinou. After all, he had approved the marriage of his mother, the 26th Maou, and the human swordsman, Dan Hiri Weller.

But he'd never heard anyone refer to His Majesty Shinou in the tone of voice Yuuri had used. Like the first Maou who defeated the originators was a pesky sibling.

"Even if he can't send me back, he should at least have some advice or a starting point," Yuuri said. " And I guess we should probably talk to Anissina," he said, like the words were being dragged out of him. "But I really don't want to."

Conrart has no doubts about where Yuuri was from. Or, more accurately, when Yuuri was from. But every minute only served as more confirmation. Only someone who knew Anissina personally would react like that.

Conrart couldn't help but smile. The expression on Yuuri's face was one he'd seen often enough on Gwendal's growing up as his brother tried to escape from the inventor. Some things, it would seem, never changed.

Dinner should have been awkward. Conrart was not one for small talk, and Yuuri had made it clear that he wouldn't answer questions about his past - about their future. It should have been filled with meaningless chatter, lead by Yozak, whose job it was to put people at ease.

He was wrong.

Yuuri was full of questions, his enthusiasm evident and impossible to curb. Yet he was still so cautious of the feelings of those around him, wary of stepping on any toes.

They talked almost entirely of human country, Yuuri carefully avoiding providing specifics about how he had ended up so traveled, but sharing stories of his own misadventures in exchange for tales about Conrart's time on the road with his father, and his time on the road traveling by himself after the man had died.

Conrart found himself feeling more relaxed than he had in a long time, and when Yuuri told a particularly bad pun, he actually burst into laughter.

It stopped as soon as it had started, Conrart actually startled by the sound. When was the last time he had actually let himself laugh? How long had it been, since the resentment coiled deep inside him had been loosened enough that he could?

Yozak looked just as startled as Conrart, if not more so. He schooled his expression quickly, but Conrart had caught the way his friend was gaping.

The only one not surprised by the outburst was Yuuri.

"I'm glad it worked," he said with a smile. "You have a terrible sense of humor, you know."

"You're the one who told the joke," Conrart pointed out. "Isn't your sense of humor to blame?"

"I just wanted to make you smile," Yuuri said, dark eyes filled with warm, a small, soft smile on his face. "I missed your smile. And you're always trying to cheer me up. It's only fair that I returned the favor."

Conrart felt his heart beat sharply against his chest, warm coursing through his veins.

Taking a deep breath, he forced himself to be calm. To show nothing. It shouldn't have been hard. After all, he'd been told more than once that he had a sour disposition.

Taking a deep breath, he smiled, looking at Yuuri with a warmth that was far too real for comfort.

"Thank you, Yuuri. I'll do my best to keep smiling from now on."

Somehow, Conrart didn't think it would be as hard as he had imagined.

ladies and gentlemen, smitten disaster Conrart Weller