Temple of the Winds 11
By: sagelibra
Pairing: Yuuram
Rating: PG-13
Summary: There's one more custom Yuuri doesn't know about.
Disclaimer: Don't own any of them.
-o0o-
Grey. The color was everywhere that day, from the overcast skies outside his window, to the robes that the old monk held in his hands, all the way to the heaviness that weighed down Wolfram's heart.
"It is time." The old monk said simply, when Wolfram opened the door at his knock.
Over the monk's shoulder Wolfram saw Yuuri's ashen features, the desperate glitter in his dark gaze, and the blond knight's stomach twisted anew. He swallowed back the lump in his throat. /You're doing the right thing. The only thing./ Silently, he stepped back to allow the monk entrance to his room. In the act of shutting the door, a hand all but slammed into its surface, forcing it still.
"Wolfram, please don't do this." Yuuri begged hoarsely. "Please!"
Wolfram let his eyes slide away, unable to hold the other boy's gaze, unwilling to look into the desperate plea in the expressive features. He was so close now; he could not let Yuuri's misguided conscience deter him from doing the right thing. A little bit more and he would be starting afresh, and Yuuri would be free from the mess he had unwittingly gotten both of them into a year ago.
He knew that Yuuri had spent the night outside his door. He could pretend not to care, but he couldn't pretend not to know. He had spent the night sitting on his bed, staring at the door, certain that Yuuri was staring at that same door from the opposite side. Several times he had almost gotten up to open the door, to try and convince Yuuri to just go away, he told himself. But in the end he had not. Partly because he knew nothing he said would convince the bull-headed king to walk away from this, and partly, he admitted to himself honestly, because he was afraid that he might be the one persuaded into giving in. Just as he had given in over and over in the past, letting Yuuri's passion sway his better judgment, letting his feelings for Yuuri overwhelm his reason.
Not this time. He was a knight, sworn to protect the king from all harm, even at the cost of his own life. Had he remained true to his oath he should have ended this farce the moment he realized that Yuuri could never return his feelings. But he had let his selfishness take over and let the situation come to this. This was all his fault. His. And it was time he did the right thing. Did his sworn duty. Whatever the cost to himself.
Taking a deep breath, he ignored Yuuri's pleas and pushed steadily until the door shut close.
"Wolf!" Yuuri's fist slammed against the door's surface. "I love you!"
/I love you/
Wolfram stared at the door, white-faced. A deer caught in the headlights of a car he had never seen coming.
A gentle hand settled on his shoulder, and numbly, he let himself be turned. His eyes locked with the old monk's. Dark, knowing eyes swept over his face, read the anguish in his eyes.
"You can still change your mind, young Wolfram, should you wish to." He said softly.
But Wolfram's brain had caught up with him, and he shook his head. "It isn't real." He whispered. "It isn't."
The old monk gazed at him consideringly, then nodded.
"Let us begin then."
-o0o-
He was running out of time.
Yuuri groaned, fear and desperation making him hot and cold in turns. He had been in a lot of tight spots before, but he had never felt the way he did now, like he was in a nightmare, watching helplessly as Wolfram slowly headed into certain danger. And the more he tried to help, the worse it got. Gods, what was he supposed to do now?
/Remember that Wolfram may not be himself…../
Conrad's words echoed in his thoughts, and Yuuri's eyes widened.
/…there is only one truth you need to keep in mind when you see him. That Wolfram loves you…/
Yuuri straightened.
/… you must be strong for him…/
Yes.
/You must be prepared to do what is best for him, and for you…/
And then, just like that, he knew what he had to do.
The door opened, and the old monk stepped out, followed closely by Wolfram. The blond was wearing the grey robes of the monks.
A hard lump in his throat made it difficult to speak. But he had to say it. "Wolfram…." His voice was soft and heavy with regret. "I'm so sorry." For the past and for what he was about to do.
But Wolfram merely shook his head, the brilliant green orbs strangely gentle as they alighted on him. "It's okay, Yuuri." He said. "It really isn't your fault. And even if it is, I forgive you."
Yuuri watched numbly as the monk led his fiancé away. Inside, he was utterly calm, all doubt and uncertainty swept away by the strength of his determination.
/You'll hate me for this, Wolfram, but that's alright. I'd rather have your hate now than lose you forever./
As he followed them to the Great Hall, he prepared himself.
-o0o-
All the monks were present on this momentous occasion. They formed two lines leading up to the altar, their heads bent in reverence, their eyes closed in prayer.
Wolfram walked slowly down the line, his eyes fixed on the altar and the pool of tranquil waters. His mind was curiously blank, his emotions perfectly still. Finally, he was ready.
The old monk began speaking, his tone solemn as he addressed his brethren. "Brothers, today we rejoice –"
"Wait!"
Yuuri ignored the eyes and the muttering that followed him as he strode up to Wolfram and the old monk.
"Heika Maou…" The old monk began in a long-suffering voice.
Yuuri noted that Wolfram didn't even spare him a glance, and his determination heightened.
He had to get Wolfram away from this place before it was too late.
"I can't watch you do this." He said quietly to the still figure before him, real pain making his voice slightly uneven.
"Ah…" The old monk nodded, bowing his head obediently. He stepped back, allowing Yuuri to step up to the altar beside Wolfram.
The pool waters began to swirl gently.
Yuuri turned to Wolfram. "Are we still friends, Wolfram?" He asked softly.
Wolfram tore his eyes away from the altar to gaze at his king. He nodded. "I will always be your friend, Yuuri." He assured the dark-haired boy.
"Great." Yuuri forced himself to smile. He held out his hand. "On earth people shake hands to greet each other and – and to say goodbye." He drew a deep breath. "Goodbye, Wolfram."
Wolfram's gaze moved from the proffered hand to the dark eyes. He hesitated, then reached out to place his hand over Yuuri's. "Goodbye Yuuri."
"Wolf…"
/…do you love Wolfram?/
/Then bring him home.../
The swirling quickened.
Now!
It happened in the blink of an eye. One moment Wolfram was shaking Yuuri's hand, the next Yuuri had thrown himself at him, forcing him to lose his balance.
Wolfram opened his mouth to shout, but he was already falling.
Falling.
Straight into the swirling waters.
"YUU-!"
-o0o-
"-RI!"
He was spluttering, coughing violently. Then there were hands pulling him out of the pool, and familiar voices calling his name.
"Wolfram! Oh my baby!" Yes, that suffocating feeling was familiar too.
"Mother, do let him come up for air sometime soon."
"Good job, Yuuri!"
Yuuri.
And suddenly, anger such as he had never known before rose in him. He whirled on the other boy, his eyes blazing.
Yuuri stood before him, his face pale, his eyes beseeching.
"Wolfram –ooof!"
But whatever it was he had intended to say was cut off by the fist that caught his jaw squarely.
Wolfram would have followed through with another swing but he was grabbed from behind and unceremoniously dragged off the king.
"Wolfram!" Gwendal hollered. "Are you out of your mind?!"
"You had no right!" Wolfram shrieked at the silent king. "No right, you bastard!" He struggled fiercely against his brothers.
"Wolf –" Tears slipped down Yuuri's cheeks at the hatred that twisted Wolfram's features.
"I HATE YOU!" The blond prince screamed. "I hate you!"
"WOLFRAM!" Gwendal's roar cut through Wolfram's ranting. "Enough!"
Wolfram's mouth clamped shut and he stopped struggling.
"Let me go." He got out hoarsely.
Gwendal and Conrad's eyes met over the blond head, and at Gwendal's nod, they released their youngest brother.
Wolfram staggered, but a baleful glare kept his brothers at bay, and he slowly pulled himself to his feet.
"I'm sorry." Yuuri whispered, his eyes begging Wolfram to understand.
"Shut up." Wolfram's voice shook with fury and disgust. Slowly, he backed away from them all. "Shut up."
Yuuri bit his lip to keep from sobbing when Wolfram turned and fled.
Grim gazes were exchanged all around.
Finally, seeing that Yuuri was not going to snap out of it on his own, Murata heaved a great sigh and spoke up.
"Alright Shibuya, how did you mess up this time?"
-o0o-
End of Chapter