Hello! You thought I abandoned this thing, didn't you? I admit I have neglected this for some time because college is just killing me AND on top of it, my laptop isn't freaking working.

Anyway, here is a new chapter hopefully to answer some of your questions and some of my own. I think there is going to be like maybe two more chapters to wrap this all up? Maybe not? I'm not sure, so hopefully y'all stick around to see whats up. Enjoy!

Trigger warning: Rape

Berwald stood in front of the old wooden door with intricate designs carved into it. It was as if he was seeing it for the first time and realized after a few moments that it was his hand tracing over the wood. He stared at his hand, it didn't feel like it was his own and he heard a small bark on the other side of the door. Tino must have let Hana into the room. He stared at the door a few more moments and then forced himself to knock, but his hand felt heavy and unwilling to go through with it. He didn't wait for a reply and walked in seeing Tino sitting up in bed with a coy smile when he realized Berwald had walked in. "Sorry, she was whining to get in," Tino chuckled his face becoming flushed as he glanced off to the side then down at Hana who stood on the bed wagging her tail quickly. She jumped around in a circle seeing Berwald as he closed the door behind him.

He walked over seeing Tino pick up a small toy and throw it on the bed that Hana then chased and brought back to him. He chuckled and pet her head taking it from her and Berwald's chest tightened. He cleared his throat sitting at the edge of the bed while Hana walked over to him and licked his hand rubbing her head against it. He ran his fingers through her fur absently and stared down at his lap.

"Everything okay?" Tino asked noticing how stiff Berwald seemed.

Berwald wanted to lie.

"It's Oleo," he replied as calmly as possible. The mere name passing through his lips already agitated didn't look up to see Tino's reaction, but by how the bed shifted he could tell he became uncomfortable. "Elizabeta said he's shown himself in town. He's managed to convince the village that I'm some sort of monster," he muttered recalling what Elizabeta had told him. Ludwig didn't give much detail other than he was trying to rally people against him. "He is asking for me to return you," he murmured.

"I'm not going," Tino said quickly and gripped fist fulls of the blanket. "I'm..I'm not going."

Berwald looked over at him and could see the panic rising in him. He still had no idea what had happened between the two of them. He hadn't felt the need to ask, but it seemed like every time Oleo was involved Tino would panic beyond comprehension.

Tino glanced up from the bed and he tried to swallow the lump in his throat, "You're...not going to take me? Right?"

"I wouldn't," Berwald replied and Tino sighed out softly relaxing a little and even reaching over to pet Hana. "Can you answer me something, however?" Tino nodded glancing back up at Berwald meeting his eyes. "What happened between the two of you? You and Oleo that is."

Tino quickly averted his eyes back down to the blankets, "Nothing happened, why do you think something happened?" Tino asked forcing a smile. His words were heavy and something felt lodged in his throat as he tried to clear it away.

"You panic around him," Berwald pointed out.

"I just don't like him," Tino shrugged and pulled his hand away from Hana slowly scratching his wrist. "His dad is rude and nearly left my father to die. I just don't like him."

Berwald watched him scratch. There was something more. But now the question was, is he going to push it? "Tino," he said wondering how to string these words together. "I want to know what really happened-"

"You think I'm lying?" Tino asked and furrowed his eyebrows looking up at Berwald.

It was obvious he was lying, "Tino, I can see you are."

Tino's gaze faltered, but his hand wouldn't stop already he could see he was scratching himself raw. "It's...it's hard to explain," Tino whispered. "I don't know how to tell you."

Berwald reached over taking his hand away from his wrist. "You don't have to be afraid of telling me, Tino. I'm...I'm your husband." The words felt odd on his lips not really having said out loud himself before this. He didn't dislike the sound of it at all in fact, but in the moment he pushed aside the thought seeing how Tino was already curling in on himself. "I want to be there for you."

"I know...I know…" Tino said trying not to let his voice waver. "I just...he…" his hands turned into fists pulling away from Berwald. "He touched me…?" Tino formed it into a question unsure on how to properly explain himself.

"Touched you?" Berwald repeated and he looked over Tino. His mind wandered back to the conversation he had with Taisto. "He forced it, didn't he?"

Tino hugged himself and looked back down at the blankets. "Please don't be mad at me," he whispered.

Berwald's jaw tightened, "Why would I be mad at you?" he whispered.

"I..I couldn't fight back," Tino replied. "I was scared..and he did whatever he wanted too until…" Berwald raised an eyebrow. "Until the roses…" Tino replied.

"The roses?"

'I don't know," Tino said and Hana was whining trying to squeeze her way onto Tino's lap until he reluctantly let her. He hugged the smaller dog close to his body and felt his nose and eyes stinging. "I was really scared," he whispered.

Berwald observed Tino and the usually bright colors of his aura had gone mute. It was a near clear gray completely devouring him and he looked away not being able to stare at it a moment longer. "It's not your fault," Berwald said after a moment of thick silence and he reached over to gingerly lay his hand over Tino's once more. "I'm not mad at you either."

Tino didn't dare look up but he tried desperately to blink away the tears. It was no use, as soon as Berwald placed his hand over his the tears were spilling down his face. His body was shaking and he covered his face with his arm. "I-I'm pathetic!" he nearly shouted. "I couldn't do a-an-anything!" Hana had begun to whine louder trying to lean up and lick away his tears but he pulled his face away pushing Hana away.

Berwald didn't hesitate as he moved closer towards him and pulling Tino right into his chest. Tino stiffened only for a moment before he relaxed and squeezed his eyes shut. Berwald ran his hand up and down Tino's back trying to comfort him. "It's hard to say something like that," Berwald whispered. Tino bit down on his bottom lip before he broke out into sobs once again, his entire body shaking with each sharp breath he took and his fingers clung to Berwald's shirt. "You aren't pathetic either," he said more forcefully squeezing Tino tighter. "You were scared, it's understandable." Tino nodded with each word and wrapped his arms around Berwald a few moments later.

Although Tino couldn't tell, Berwald was livid. He closed his eyes trying to calm his breathing. He had wanted to give Oleo a chance to live. But now, any chance that there was for Oleo actually surviving was gone without a second thought.

Berwald could imagine his teeth tearing into his flesh and ripping him apart piece by piece. His jaw hurting as he tried to suppress the urge to shift and he was conscious of how tightly he held Tino without hurting him. His own hands were shaking as he slowly opened them to stare at the blank wall.

He craved blood.

He craved revenge.

Tino pulled back slightly and wiped at his eyes looking down at the space between them. "I...my dad…" he tried saying but his mouth felt like thick syrup. "He is the only one who knew," he whispered. His lips began to tremble again, "I'm sorry...I didn't tell you sooner."

"You don't need to apologize," Berwald said and pushed the violent thoughts to the side. He wiped a few tears that streamed down Tino's face. "None of this is your fault."

Tino didn't reply, but leaned into his hand and closed his eyes. He sat there for a few moments before he looked up at Berwald, fear suddenly overcoming him. "What...what about my dad? My uncle-"

"He has them," Berwald said as calmly as he could. It was like ripping off a band-aid and he could see Tino's shoulders drop and his expression change completely.

"Has...them?" Tino repeated his brows knitted and the swelling lump from earlier returning twice as big now.

"Oleo, he has them hostage."

Tino was still staring at Berwald and he felt like heart had dropped to his stomach. He covered his mouth shaking his head slowly, "No, no, now I have to go," Tino said trying to untangle himself from Berwald. He nearly fell to the floor if Berwald hadn't caught him by his arm. Hana raised her ears slightly as she whined.

"Tino we can handle this. Rasmus and I-"

"No!" Tino snapped with wide eyes and his breathing was quick and uneven,"What-What if that makes things worse? What if he decides to hurt them because I don't show up?" Tino asked feeling his heart beating against his chest. The room felt too close, Berwald felt too close. "I can't...I can't let that happen." He pulled away from Berwald and staggered towards his room with Berwald close behind him.

"We're not going to let that happen." Berwald wanted to do something. Anything. But Tino kept shaking his head.

"No, no I have to go. I have to go. I have to go."

Berwald watched Tino, he could deny him. He could force him to stay here in the mansion where he knows it will be safe. He could handle this all by himself, but what would that accomplish? He watched as Tino forced the door that connected their rooms open and stumbled inside. Berwald stood in the doorway for a few minutes before he turned and left deciding to give Tino room to breathe.

Tino ran his hands through his hair. He needed to change. He needed to get going. There wasn't any time to lose. His lips were shaking and as his eyes dashed back and forth in the room he saw the faint glimmering light of the moon rose. Without a second thought, he walked over to it, kneeling in front of the window sill where it rested. He looked at the growing plant and its silver leaves and the small bud that looked like it was going to burst open at any second. He took the pot into his hands, "I don't know what to do right now," he whispered with shaky lips. He watched the plant waiting for something to happen.

Anything.

Nothing happened.

He squeezed the small pot a little tighter feeling the tears pouring over like a waterfall. Why was he wishing on a plant? What was a plant going to help him? He let the pot rest on his lap and he shook his head feeling like a fool. There was nothing a plant could do.

Who was he kidding? He was just as useful as a potted plant - useless. Pathetic. Incapable.

He set the pot back on the window sill staring at it for a few seconds and reached up touching the silver leaves gently. He shouldn't be mad at the small plant. It had done nothing "I'm sorry," he whispered to the small plant. He could laugh at himself at this very moment. Here he was speaking to a plant as if it had feelings. Could he be any more pathetic?

The next few moments the rose itself began to glow into a brighter light. The small bud opening up and soon was in full bloom within seconds. Tino stared unsure of how to react and pulled his hand away from it. That's when a single petal fell down from the rose and as if carried by an invisible wind it went straight towards Tino. He extended his hand catching the silk petal and looked at the rose then down at the petal. "I, um, I don't understand?" he whispered knitting his eyebrows together. Once again finding himself talking to a plant. The rose swayed gently and the petal itself rose up once more this time gently gliding against his lips in which Tino pulled the petal away.

The rose itself began to sway with the invisible wind, back and forth it went. He looked back down at the petal recalling what his aunt had told him when he was younger. "A moon rose my darling boys," Helena started as she reached for her spade, "Is a wonderful magical rose. It can heal almost anything and all it takes is a few silver leaves with some warm water and honey to cure the sick person." But, this was not a silver leaf, nor was Tino sick. As if reading his thoughts the petal once again rose up and brushed against his lips.

He pulled it away again and stared at the rose that continued to sway. He got the message alright. He hesitantly plopped the small rose petal into his mouth. The petal itself seemed to melt on his tongue and he closed his eyes. It didn't taste like anything at first, then a rush of euphoria hit him all at once. He could taste his aunt's cooking. His father's barely passable porridge. The first meal he and Lukas made together. He could taste the dinners he shared with Berwald. But most importantly, he felt the love and affection that came with each passing taste. The memories that made him smile and his heart swell. This was his reason not to give up.

He isn't pathetic. He isn't useless. He isn't incapable. He is simply him - and that is enough.

Hana watched quietly from the door, her small tail tucked between her silver leaves started to curl inwards and it seemed Tino had no idea what was taking place. Slowly, Hana could see, the flower growing much bigger. It's leaves extending into new leaves as more buds began to appear. She whined lowly pressing her small ears to her head, unsure how to feel. She barked softly, finally grabbing Tino's attention.

Tino opened his eyes, expecting to see the small potted plant before him, but instead, vines of roses and silver leaves were pouring over. He watched as the vines slowly began to crawl their way to the floor, then like arms extended to the wall. Each vine-like a hand that clung to the wall, making its place. Tino watched, yes it was frightening, but he wasn't scared. More shocked than anything else. He was silently watching these leaves and roses extend themselves. Covering the wall, but never the window. The roots slowly came to a stop just toward the edges of the wall. The silver leaves glimmered in the dim lit room, the moon roses in full bloom. Compared the bleakness of his room, it was like watching the stars, and the moon roses like tiny moons splayed across his wall. His eyes traced each vine slowly connecting itself to the single pot where it all started from.

The moon rose itself was the biggest rose he had ever seen. It was tall, almost leaning over towards Tino and several leaves reaching out. His hand trembled, but carefully he brushed his hand against the rose and then against the slightly smaller silver leaves. The leaves curled around his fingers, but he didn't move his hand away. The sensation was familiar, like someone holding his hand. The warmth traveling from his hand to his chest, and then through his whole body. His eyelids lowered looking at the small rose that gently swayed back and forth. There was no breeze, but the leaves and roses all swayed.

"He hasn't said anything else," Elizaveta murmured as she poured some tea onto a tray. "I don't think he plans on doing anything until you arrive."

"He said three days, no?" Rasmus asked sitting across from where she stood. Berwald sitting beside her and watched the tea fill up his cup.

She nodded, "We don't know why."

"Obviously it's a sign," Rasmus said and leaned forward in the chair. "He's giving us three days to respond and if we don't, I can only assume he will start killing people himself." Elizaveta stood still and glanced at Berwald who had said nothing since they sat down.

"I don't doubt that can be a possibility," Berwald said after some time staring at his reflection in the brown liquid. "However, I don't think that would be his first choice."

"Why is that?" Ramsus asked his fingers tapping the wooden table. "We've met plenty of people like him, driven by lust and greed. There is no denying that he'll snap if we don't give him what he wants."

Lust. Was that what was ticking through Oleo's mind? Was he lusting after Tino? He furrowed his eyebrows at the thought. Was it lust when he forced himself upon Tino? Or was that simply a game he was playing? He clenched his jaw and touched the rim of the teacup causing small ripples and disfiguring his reflection. "I don't know him that well," Berwald admitted. "I moved here not giving a single thought about him."

Ramsus pressed his lips into a thin line. The mood had shifted suddenly within Berwald and it was concerning "You've been moving around for two years, Berwald." He leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms, "You never were the type to do something without reason."

Berwald knew where this was heading, and he wasn't about to lose track at the main problem at hand. "What I've done is not of concern right now." He looked up at Ramsus, he was eyeing him and he knew he what could possibly be running through his head. "We just need to focus on how to…" he sat there staring at his brother. They both were silent, but visibly he could see Ramsus tense and then wince. He himself felt a throbbing at the back of his head that slowly reared up closer towards his temple.

'Do you feel that?" Elizaveta whispered setting down the teacup and glancing towards the door. Neither brother answered trying to figure out what they were feeling, and Elizaveta smiled, "It's Tino." She headed straight for the door not giving a second glance at the brothers.

"What does she mean it's Tino?" Ramsus snarled out and gripped the edge of the table. His head felt like a heavyweight was being pressed upon it, and he laid his head down on the wooden table.

Berwald got up, his vision fading a little as he stumbled for the door. He didn't understand what she meant. Although her voice didn't sound panicked, he still felt the need to reassure himself by heading towards his room. However, as he headed outside of the dining room his headache became a splintering migraine. He had made it to the stairs gripping the railing and breathing heavily. What was going on?

"Tino?" Elizaveta called out knocking on the door lightly before entering the room. Her words caught in her throat as she stared at the sprawled out roses that swayed on the wall. She covered her mouth and looked down at Tino who seemed to be in a Trance staring at all the roses and she slowly entered the room. "Tino," she said softly trying to break him of the trance without startling him.

Tino blinked a few times and then glanced over to see Elizaveta. "I...I don't know what's going on." He looked down at the leaves that still curled around his fingers as he felt Elizaveta settle herself on the floor next to him.

"You mean, you didn't do this on purpose?" Elizaveta asked quietly knitting her eyebrows together and glancing down at the pot where the largest moon rose swayed.

"What? No...no I…." he quickly pulled his hand away from the moon rose holding it to his chest. He looked down at the flower whose leaf slowly uncurled itself and seemed to fall into the rhythmic swaying of everything else. "What's going on?" he whispered.

"Tino, it's your magic," Elizaveta said gently and took his hand away from his chest holding it between hers. "You have clear magic."

"Clear magic?" Tino whispered frowning and then glanced at the roses. "I don't understand."

"You...didn't know?" She blinked a few times and her head tilted to the side a bit. "But, you've always been able to grow these roses, yes?"

Tino nodded slowly, "I don't know what clear magic is though." he whispered.

"Well, clear magic is the purest form of white magic." Elizaveta was saying as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"Form? There are different forms of magic?" Tino asked. How was he supposed to know all of this? He was supposed to be the son of a miner, a regular person so to speak. He wasn't supposed to possess any magic. He was supposed to have his magic hidden, or not be born with any. "I don't get it, I'm not supposed to have magic." Tino pulled away his hand shaking his head, none of this was making sense.

"I don't understand either," Elizaveta said softly. "But I promise what I'm telling you is true. You have clear magic."

"What is that even supposed to mean?" Tino asked. "Am I going to die or something?"

Elizaveta quickly shook her head, "Oh god no, Tino, it just means you have special abilities. If you learn to use your magic well enough you can learn how to use the abilities." Tino didn't look like he was still understanding any of this and Elizaveta sighed out trying to come up with a better way to explain. She's never had to break it to anyone that they have magic, it was just sort of a thing where she came from. Either you had magic, or you didn't. There was really no rules to tell her on how to break it to someone. "Well, um, clear magic is when you can see things clearly. You can't be deceived in other words." He raised an eyebrow and she chewed the inside of her lip. She was sure if both Berwald and Ramsus weren't suffering right now they could explain a lot better. "Magic tends to be made up of a lot of things, and one of those things can be illusions. Clear magic lets you see through that."

Tino sat there staring at the roses and then tried to swallow the lump in his throat.

"You remember that day you passed out? When both Duke Berwald and Duke Rasmus were fighting?" Tino glanced at her and nodded, but she was staring at the moon roses. "You passed out because their magic was strong. It was overwhelming, even for most of us. We don't usually come in contact with that level of magic."

"What...what kind of magic do they have?" he asked quietly.

"Black magic, but more specifically they have Death magic," she looked down at her lap pretending to smooth out the creases. "There are several levels of dark magic, Death magic being only the second most dangerous."

"Second? What's the first?"

"Resurrection magic," she replied and took in a deep breath. Speaking of such magic was even hard for her, although she had never run into a user of such dark magic she was sure they were out there. "It's forbidden, even during the time where magic wasn't outlawed. Resurrection magic is when you bring the dead back to life. But...there is always unspeakable consequences to this."

Tino nodded quietly and stared back at the roses, and then looked down at his hands. "I never...knew I had clear magic. I just thought the roses grew."

Elizaveta shook her head, "No, moon roses are rare." Her hand reached out to gingerly touch the petals of the rose. "There are few if none who can grow these roses without the pureness of Clear magic. It takes a clear and gentle soul to grow these roses as they reflect the soul." She turned to Tino, "I heard you used to have a whole garden full of these, right?" Tino nodded. "Perhaps while you grew the roses your magic grew as well. Your magic grows along with a person, if you intended it to or not."

"But...I still," he was at a loss for words.

"Relax," she said softly and took his hand. "There is also one other thing I need to mention," she chuckled. "You unknowingly just used a huge amount of magic and it really affects Black magic users."

"Affects them?" he asked and his eyebrows raised slightly as he covered his mouth. "I-Is Berwald okay?" he asked quickly.

"I need you to relax," Elizaveta said softly and took both his hands. "Close your eyes and breath in and out."

He did as she said and squeezed her hands for a moment before relaxing trying to focus on her voice.

"Just like that, in and out. Slowly breathing and recollecting yourself." Elizaveta watched as Tino slowly relaxed and when she glanced at the roses themselves they slowly stopped swaying. They were growing dimmer with each passing second and her smile brightened at the sight.

Tino opened his eyes after a few more breaths and looked at her worriedly, "Better?' he whispered.

"Much better," she hummed letting go of his hands. "May I ask...what happened?" Tino raised an eyebrow at her. "I mean, for this," she waved her hand over the wall.

"Oh," Tino whispered and shrugged slightly as he turned to look at the muted moon roses that no longer swayed to an invisible breeze. "The rose," he began reaching over to touch the largest rose and it's silk-like petals. "It, it wanted me to eat a petal?" He shook his head and chuckled realizing how crazy he sounded.

"Ah," Elizaveta said nodding as if everything now made sense. "You consumed your own magic."

"I what?"

"Consumed your own magic," Elizaveta repeated. "It's nothing bad," she laughed seeing Tino's slightly horrified expression. "The rose, in other words, helped you reach a point where you can use your magic freely."

"So...anyone who eats…?"

"Oh gosh no," she quickly shook her head. "Everyone comes upon their magic in different ways. For most, it's a coming of age process - although there are always the late bloomers." She hummed and gave a small wink his way.

Tino chuckled and that's when Hana barked at him and ran over quickly. She pushed her head against his chest before leaning up and licking him. Tino laughed hugging the small dog with a thought dawned on him. "I passed out when Berwald and Ramsus used Black magic the first time...why didn't I pass out when he shifted? Wasn't he using Black magic?" he asked looking over at Elizaveta.

"You probably could feel his intentions subconsciously," she explained reaching out to pet Hana as well. "I think your heart knew who he was, even before you consciously understood what was going on." Tino looked back down at Hana once more as she enjoyed the attention from them both.

"I knew...in my heart?" He glanced up only to see her nod and he felt a warm feeling go through his chest.

A few minutes later there was a soft knock on the door and Tino turned to see Berwald walking in, "Tino?"

"Berwald…" Tino stood up, although his legs felt stiff underneath him. "I-I'm sorry," he began and walked closer toward Berwald. However, he was wrapped in a hug before he could continue with his apology.

"I'm glad you're okay," Berwald whispered. There was still a dull thud in the back of his head but at least now it was bearable.

"But...but didn't I hurt you? Didn't it hurt?" Tino said trying to keep his voice even and calm. "I-I had no idea...I'm sorry," he whispered.

"It was an accident," Berwald replied running his fingers through Tino's hair. He looked down at Tino who hesitantly wrapped his arms around him. He could feel him grab fist-fulls of his shirt and sniffle. "I know you didn't mean it."

Tino kept his eyes squeezed tightly and nodded hugging Berwald tighter. He didn't mean to hurt him, to hurt anybody for that fact. After a few more moments he pulled away and wiped the already forming tears in his eyes. "Is Rasmus okay? Your parents?"

"They'll be fine," Berwald said. He was sure they would understand and he turned toward Elizaveta who stood up.

"I told him what I could," she said and turned once more to glance at the wall full of roses. That is when Berwald realized all of the roses that had overtaken the wall and was speechless. It was an amazing sight, but he couldn't stand there for much longer.

"We should be leaving soon," Berwald said looking back at Tino.

Tino tensed a little, then nodded. "Right…" he whispered and remembered why this had all happened in the first place. He closed his eyes taking a deep breath and nodded, "Let me get ready then." He turned looking up at Berwald, his usual glare softened to a look of concern. He leaned up, having to go on his tippy toes, and placed a gentle kiss on his cheek.

Berwald quickly looked away his cheeks becoming hot and he cleared his throat. "Right, I'll be downstairs," he said.

Tino watched Berwald leave the room and he felt his own cheeks become flushed, he couldn't believe he had kissed him! Even if it was just on the cheek. He covered his face with his hands hiding a large smile.

Elizaveta covered her own mouth to stifle her laugh before she stood up. "I'll leave you then," she said and bowed towards Tino heading for the door.

Tino hesitated before he called her attention once more. "I still don't know how to use my magic. What if...what if I end up hurting them again?"

Elizaveta smiled softly, "Magic is based on intention, Tino. When first obtaining your magic it's hard to control, especially with a powerful form of magic like yours, and accidents happen." She placed a hand gingerly on Tino's shoulder. "Your intentions are what makes magic work, if you do not intend to hurt them then it won't happen."

Tino nodded gently and she left the room only leaving him and Hana. Hana wagged her tail as she looked up at him and Tino forced a smile, he wasn't sure how this was going to work, but he was sure of one thing:

He was going to get his family back.

A bit dramatic there at the end isn't it? Also, don't you just love the fluff between those two? Honestly, they are so sweet I'm going to give myself diabetes. I hope you enjoyed this and leave a review telling me why you did or didn't. Either way, feedback would be great. Thanks!