Title: The Forgotten – Memories and Love

Chapter 18: The kiss

Written by: Lisse08

A/N First warning, as the title stated, this chap is rated PG13. Actually, I had cut short a lot of this kind of scenes. Other than this chap, in chap 17, (between Tesca and Wolf), because even I was feeling disgusted with it so I cut them. Second A/N will be… after you read this. =P

Xx Wolfram xX

Two weeks before Yuuri appeared

It all occurred in a split second. Wolfram unsheathed his sword right after his eyes caught an oncoming attack in flashes. With his metal sword in his hand, he made an upward swing to meet with the other sword. The repercussions created vibration under his grip. All of a sudden, a throbbing pain thumped in his head. He knew what it was, this fight was reminding him of the past. He stole a side glance. Yuuri was still there. He wanted to shout for him to back off, to get support, anything but remain here.

It was too late. A moment of carelessness was all it cost, for the enemy had swayed his sword sideway at Wolfram. He saw it coming, he could have responded to it, if it wasn't for the pain that was threatening to black him out at the moment. But he didn't.

The sword went right through his left, cutting into his flesh. He screamed. The searing pain overwhelmed him as the opened wound came into contact with the cold night. The warm liquid gushed out from there, staining his uniform to a darker blue, the smell of blood thick in the air. His grip on the sword slackened and he dropped it onto the ground.

"Wolfram!"

"Go get help!" Wolfram hissed back. Yuuri's safety was his priority. Whatever happened to him didn't matter, he must ensure that the king would be safe, yet this wimp was staying at where he was, unable to move from his spot ever since the attack came. His vision was blurred in and out, and the pain, both on his sides and the head, was pounding so hard. He could see the blood oozing out. He pressed hard on the injury, trying to stop it from bleeding as he stared dagger at the enemy.

Out of the corner of his eyes, he nearly gasped as he saw another man, with his weapon up high in the sky, ready to swing it over the king's head.

"Yuuri, duck!" Wolfram yelped. Yuuri ducked in time. As the sword swooshed through the empty air, Yuuri looked dumbstruck at the idea of losing his head if he had not done so. Baring his teeth, Wolfram picked up his sword.

"Get out of here!"

His opponent had taken the chance and brought a slash towards the blonde's right arm. This time, he failed to see it. All he was aware of was Yuuri's face. For a moment, he thought that Yuuri had not overcome the shock but he noticed the expression was something more than that. He was still trying to figure it out when the pain answered his question. Blood spurted from the cut.

"ARGH!" The pain doubled, nausea swept over him and consciousness started to slip away.

A strong wind swirled around him, followed by a deep voice saying 'punishment', and everything went out.

"Yuuri, get out of here! Don't let them catch you!" Wolfram shouted as he tried to focus on the oncoming fight.

"But how about you? I can't leave you here." Yuuri said from behind.

"Just go and get Conrad. Anyone. I can take care of this." Wolfram shouted as he swung up his sword at his opponent. He managed to hit the guy's sword off onto the ground. He didn't miss another's enemy's sword that was coming from his back and he dealt with it gracefully. One side glance revealed that his fiancé was still standing behind him, his looked troubled and worried.

"To all the spirits who are affiliated with flame; obey this distinguished Mazoku."

He shouted into the air and a flame beast burst out from his fingertips, it headed straights towards his opponents, burning down everything that obstructed its way.

Within minutes, everything was black. A surge of furious swept through him. 'NO! This is the third one for this week!' He felt himself rising up his fists up, wanting to hit something to vent out his anger. Instead he felt his hand being bounded. He moved a little bit more.

And felt a piercing pain searing through his arm.

With a jolt, he snapped open his eyes in shock.

"Wolfram!" It was Yuuri's voice. He allowed himself a few minutes before letting his eyes to accustom to the sudden brightness. When they finally adjusted themselves, he saw Yuuri was standing besides Gisela who was bandaging his arm.

He tried to move his arm but Gisela had held it down firmly. Now, he knew what was halting him from hitting in his dream.

"Lord Wolfram, please don't move. I just stopped the blood. Just let me finish with this." Gisela said. Wolfram winced as he tried to sit up. He glanced at the cause of the pain and realized that his side was bandaged as well.

"Wolfram, be careful." Yuuri noted. Half-closing his eyes and gritting his teeth out of pain, Wolfram looked at the raven black.

"Are you okay? I mean, I thought I heard the Maou before I passed out."

"Of course I'm." Yuuri smiled. "You should be worrying about yourself, Wolfram." His face darkened, replaced by an apologetic look. "I'm really sorry… I should have let Maou out earlier before you get hurt."

"It's just a scratch. Nothing's to worry about." Wolfram said.

"It's bleeding profusely, how can you say that it's just a scratch?"

"I said that is not your worry, heika," protested Wolfram. Gisela had finished her bandaging. Yuuri looked from Wolfram and averted his gaze at the healer.

"Is it just a scratch?" Gisela startled. She looked at Wolfram for a minute, then turned back to face Yuuri.

"No, it's more than that." She smiled. "But Heika had done it well by stopping the blood from further losing from Lord Wolfram's body by your healing magic, or else, I think Lord Wolfram might not have survived it."

"He what??" All of them turned towards the door, where they heard footsteps were nearing by. Gwendal had showed his face on the doorframe, followed by Conrad and Gunter.

"Wolfram, are you alright?" Conrad said as they walked into the room.

"It's quite a hideous sight," said Gunter.

"Don't make a fuss over it. I'm alright." Wolfram groaned. He did not need any pity from others.

"I'll leave first, and I'll attend to you later. If there's anything that you need, please don't hesitate to tell me." Gisela said as she stood up with her first aid kits with her. Wolfram nodded and Yuuri thanked her. He was lying on the bed already after Gisela left. He closed his eyes, preparing for the expected. Soon, Wolfram was besieged with questions and worries by his brothers and Gunter. He was relieved when Yuuri asked them to leave him some space and let him rest for awhile.

After he heard footsteps diminished, Wolfram reopened his emerald eyes and realized that Yuuri was the only one who stayed back in the room.

"You should be going back too, heika." Wolfram whispered. Somehow, he did not like the idea of being alone with Yuuri.

"I'm staying here tonight." Yuuri said as he started his pace towards the wardrobe. Wolfram's eyes widened.

"And where do you think you're going to sleep?"

"In your bed?" Yuuri asked with a suggesting tone.

"Hey, I thought you hate sleeping with guy."

"Well, yeah. But this is a different story. After all, I'm the one who got you into this situation. It's my fault for letting you being injured to this level; I should have at least accompanied you through tonight."

"It's not that serious. Besides, where can I get a peaceful sleep if you're in my bed?" Wolfram said. He did not like it. He really did not want to have another night sleeping with Yuuri. It was so painful. To be so close to someone you loved but not being able to tell them. Yuuri paused. He seemed to be in a loss of speech.

"Alright… Then get some sleep." Yuuri said after thinking.

"And you?" Wolfram eyed him.

"I'll go back to my room…"

"Good. Because it will be a trouble for me if you're spending your night here." Wolfram said briskly as he used his fine arm to throw his bedcovers over his head. He heard the door closed behind and few moments later, he let himself drifted into his sleep.

Xxxx Wolf xxxX

The trees in the yard that blocked the moonlight had created a shadow inside his room. Awaken due to the pain few moments ago, Wolfram stared at his bed sheets where the shadow landed, his mind long lost. The thoughts were still haunting him.

'Why are these memories disappearing at such a fast rate for these few weeks? Thorough the years, this used to happen once in a week or fortnight but now…'

'Why? What's happening?'

He heard something that drew him back to reality. Astonished, Wolfram turned and felt himself cringed to see the raven black beside his bed.

'When was he here?'

Wolfram gulped. Yuuri was sleeping with his head slumped on one side. It had been too long since he last seen his king's sleeping face. Wolfram looked admiringly at his face. The face was as cute as ever. His eyes traced down his cheek. He reached out his hand, wanting to caress the soft skin of his but stopped dead in the middle.

'Don't give yourself hope. Your love for him should be over long time ago.' He looked sadly at Yuuri's sleeping face and sighed heavily. Slowly, he withdrew his hand.

"Wimp, I told you to go back to your room." He shook his head.

Thirst invaded his throat, pulling the alarm that he needed water. He torn his stare from the boy and looked around for water. There it was, sitting upon the cabinet beside where Yuuri was sleeping.

He reached out his hand, wanting to grab the cup while at the same time, trying as silently as possible not to wake Yuuri up. He looked tentatively at Yuuri below him. 'Good.' He thought as he continued to stretch. It wasn't as easy as he thought, with the pain that was aching each second when he tried to extend his muscle length on his side and the other arm.

'Just a little more…'

His fingertips brushed briefly over the cup but the attempt to take it was not successful. He gave it a second try. Another jerk of his hand had screwed up everything. He felt his hand trembled slightly as the pain shot without forewarning at his side. The cup toppled and crashed onto the floor. Wolfram grabbed onto his side, trying to ease the pain while he watched hopelessly at the water that was flowing out from its content.

Yuuri stirred and opened his eyes at the sudden sound of the cup dropping.

"Wolfram?"

His sleepy face turned alarm immediately when he saw Wolfram in pain.

"Are you alright? Do I need to call Gisela?"

"No." Wolfram said through gritted teeth. Looking at his state, Yuuri turned his gaze down onto the ground. It did not take him long to figure out what Wolfram intended to do. He sighed at the cup and looked up at Wolfram, who had turned his gaze away from him. Ashamed? Sad? Anger? Yuuri did not know what was hidden in the blonde's eyes at the moment. He bended and retrieved it.

"You could have woken me up. I can take it for you." Wolfram did not respond but it seemed to Yuuri that the pain had subsided. Yuuri smiled and got up with the cup. "Wait here. I'm going to take another one for you." Without waiting for the answer, he strode out of the room.

Xxxx Wolf xxxX

Wolfram found his way slowly towards the table and plunged himself down in the chair. He winced slightly. This was the most serious cut that he had received, perhaps in the past twenty years. Even with the maryoku Gisela gave to him, it would still have to take more than three weeks for this to heal. And it was all thanks to that wimp. Grunting, he rummaged through his drawer and found the long abandoned diary. It's been sometime since he last wrote something.

Xxxx Yuuri xxxX

'I guess he's still as stubborn as usual, never wanting to ask for others help.' Yuuri thought as he refilled the glass with water in the kitchen.

After knocking on the door, he entered the room. His glance automatically stopped by the table at the same time when he saw Wolfram hastily stored something out from Yuuri's sight. He approached the prince and set the cup down beside the table. He noticed the thing that Wolfram was hiding. It was a book. 'Was Wolfram reading it or writing in it?' He wondered. Wolfram looked up at him and back at the cup.

Muttering a 'thanks' to Yuuri, he took the glass and sipped the water within with no further words.

"I thought I told you to go back to your room. Why are you here?" Wolfram scowled.

"I did." Yuuri smiled and continued. "But sleep just wouldn't come, I was thinking about your wounds so I came back again."

Wolfram rose from his seat and began to walk. His walks were unsteady. Yuuri got up beside him, offering for help, which seemed to be ignored completely by Wolfram. Yuuri watched at Wolfram staggering towards his bed. His hands stretched out, ready to support him if he falls. And as he was thinking so, Wolfram had reeled to one side. He rushed forward.

Two things occurred almost simultaneously. Wolfram felt himself falling, his mind searching frantically for a way of landing so as to not to get himself further injured. He heard a gasp beside him. He turned a little but did not have time to shout at Yuuri to back off.

Yuuri felt himself advanced towards the blonde. Due to his worries about Wolfram, he tripped himself.

With Wolfram turning, and Yuuri tripping, as a result, they ended up falling together into the bed. Yuuri was on top on Wolfram, staring down into the emerald eyes of his while Wolfram gazed upon those black onyx.

Everything was still. It was as if time had stopped at the moment for them.

Yuuri swallowed hard. Those eyes… Never in his life had he realized that Wolfram owned such a charming eyes. He felt himself spell bounded by them, unable to move for a few seconds.

Shock stole Wolfram's breath, making him momentarily forgotten about his injuries.

'Even his face appeared to be as soft as a baby's.' Yuuri eyes travelled down from the face, down to the neck, down to the milky skin of the blonde and stopped at the flesh where the remaining was hidden beneath the white uniform. Is the touch the same? Yuuri gulped again. What am I thinking? He shook his head mentally, but that still did not stop his urge from touching the beauty lying underneath him. He could feel his heart pumping. This prince is too much of a sight to behold. He was more than an angel. Without knowing what he was doing, Yuuri stretched out his hand and caress the prince's cheek.

Wolfram's whole body went numb under Yuuri's touch.

What is happening? Is this a dream?

He could not bring himself to react for a few minute as he allowed the king to continued exploring. This is not a dream, the sensation were too real…

I must be crazy… His eyes were now staring at the kissable lips of Wolfram. They were irresistible. Those pink lips… he inched forwards and gulped nervously. Why am I so eager trying to claim them mine? He saw the pink shade rising on Wolfram's cheek. He's so cute… so beautiful…

Now, what is he doing? While he still could not respond from the shock, Yuuri had moved forward. His eyes widened with doubt and disbelief. He's not going to do it, is he? Heat was growing stronger and stronger on his cheek. He wondered if Yuuri noticed them or not. He was still holding doubt at Yuuri's behavior. There's no way he's going to kiss me.

Yuuri moved closer, his mind, at the moment was fearing that Wolfram might smack him at his head, pushed him off or even worst, calling him a pervert. But none of those occurred. So, Yuuri allowed himself the thought that Wolfram had given his permission and thus did not stopped.

It was as if his heart stopped beating instead of pounding. Yuuri was so close but… He will stop himself at last minute, I'm sure he—

The wimp did not. Yuuri had put an end to the distance between them and sealed those lips. He felt a convulsive jerk beneath him but he did not withdraw back. Neither did Wolfram. He smiled inwardly as he saw Wolfram closed his eyes. He closed his as well. The first kiss was soft.

Wolfram gasped when he felt Yuuri's lips brushed against his but it swiftly became a muffle when Yuuri pressed hard onto his mouth. This is definitely… not… happening… It was far from convincing.

He smiled slightly as Wolfram finally responded to his. Deciding that it was safe, Yuuri deepened the kiss, his hand gripping into his sleek blond hairs, the other making its way down his slender body. Yuuri experimentally explored the prince, wanting a different reaction. He got it when his hand was halfway down his torso. Wolfram muffled gasp and twisting had Yuuri removed his kisses over to his cheek, his hand not ceasing its job, moving further south.

Wolfram shuddered and let his head fall back at Yuuri's motion, exposing his flesh even more. Reflexively, Yuuri smooched down his neck. His tongue darted out and started nibbling on the skin. Turning aside at the same time, Wolfram took in a sharp breath, a burning sensation spreading through every particle of his body.

Wolfram reached out his hands, pulling Yuuri's head down. A stretch in his right arm sent an alarming pain down his spine.

Wolfram shouted out and Yuuri pulled back almost immediately, breaking free from the kiss. Wolfram held onto his arm, panting. He wasn't sure whether if he was panting for oxygen because of the kiss or because of the pain.

"Sorry. Does it hurt?" He heard the king asked. He shook his head slowly. Yuuri advanced and kissed him lightly on his forehead and brushing away a few strands of the golden hair from his face. Wolfram snapped opened his eyes.

"Yuuri, did you love me?" He asked gingerly. He was scared of denial. He was scared that he would be left alone again. He held his breath waiting for his answer.

Yuuri blushed furiously at Wolfram's question.

"I'm not sure…" stammered Yuuri.

Wolfram opened his mouth but closed again. He flared up the next second, ignoring the pain.

"What? If you don't love me, you shouldn't have done that. Cheater! W--!" Exactly what he would have said, Yuuri did not find out, nor did he wanted to, for at that moment, he had inched closer and reclaimed those lips. Yuuri kissed him reassuringly before breaking apart. Wolfram's face was now at his brightest red.

"This time, it's not just a brush. These are real kisses, am I right?" Yuuri chuckled softly at the blonde and continued.

"May be I did love you."

A/N Gee… that's a little OOC for Yuuri. He wouldn't dare to do sth like this but then… if he didn't start it, we wouldn't have Yuuram in action. XD

Alright, back to the point. Secondly, the chain of sandwiching Wolfram and Yuuri chapters will be broken in the next chap, meaning… the story is coming to an end… Not soon though, =) there will be about six to eight more chapters. I'll see how it goes.

Chapter 19 The betrayal…