Hiya there! This was supposed to be a one-shot, but because reviewers had asked, I'm making a second chapter for the day before, so please enjoy!
Warnings: GwenYuu fluff
Morning came into Shin Makoku, like every other day. But once again, that didn't have to mean it was peaceful.
Now, don't get me wrong. The supposed army was finally confirmed as a rumour, and thanks to Yozak's fast feet, everyone in the castle woke up to the news that they could finally stop and relax a bit. So, the reason it wouldn't be a peaceful day wasn't because of that. In fact, it only wouldn't be peaceful for four people.
The first one starting his morning with a loud shout.
"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING HERE, CHEATER?!"
Yuuri jumped at the sudden voice, falling off the couch he was sleeping in.
'Wait, couch?' He thought, looking around, his mind still half asleep. But wjen he saw a furious blonde glaring at him, he was jolted into full awareness.
"What were you doing yesterday?!" Wolfram continued, stomping his feet in frustration "I was looking for you yesterday when Anissina told me that you went with Gwendal, Conrad and Günter to investigate! I waited for you, but you didn't return to our bedroom! And now I find you here?! WHAT WERE YOU DOING AND WITH WHO?!"
Yuuri gulped, not knowing what to say. Of course, the easiest thing would be tell him the truth, but maybe that would worsen the situation.
'And besides, I don't think those three would like Wolfram to know' He added in his mind 'Thinking about them, I wonder if they're back to normal?'
"Here you are, Heika!" Yozak's cheery voice said, entering the room and making the attention of both males focus on him "It seems the drug I gave you was strong enough, huh?"
"You drugged him?!" Wolfram shouted "You filthy bastard! I'll get Gwendal to torture you after I beat you up! What did you do to my fiancé, you-"
"Wolfram, stop!" Yuuri yelled, seeing where that was going to "It's nothing like that!"
"Heika is right" Yozak said, looking a bit annoyed at how the young prince jumped to conclusions " After returning from their exploration, Heika stayed here doing his work. And because he wasn't going to stop until dying from exhaustion, or worse, ending as wrinkled as like our dear general" That made Yuuri chuckle a bit "I drugged his tea so he fell asleep and laid him in the couch. That's all" Seeing Wolfram relax at the logical explanation, Yozak added "Now, Cheri-sama is looking for you, so if you could please look for her..."
With that, Wolfram was out of the room, making Yuuri sigh with relief.
"Thank you Yozak" He said, smiling at the orange-head "You saved me"
"That's my duty, Heika" Yozak answered, bowing mockingly and making Yuuri chuckle.
"Tell me, are Gwendal, Conrad and Günter back to normal?" The double black asked curiously.
"Don't worry kiddo, the three of them woke up a few hours ago and began their duties as normal"
"That's good" Yuuri sighed "But then, does that mean that they don't remember anything from yesterday?"
"Oh, I wouldn't say that" The spy chuckled, earning a questioning look from the young king "You'll understand when you see them" And with that he also left the room, leaving Yuuri to wonder what he meant.
They remembered.
That was as clear as a day for the Maoh. None of the three could look at him at the face, not even Conrad. And Günter had been trying not to be left alone with him since he saw him, but not after blushing deep red and looking away, tears in his eyes. The reason, Yuuri didn't know.
But the one who avoided the most was Gwendal. He had only seen glimpses of the stiff general, and when their eyes crossed by accident, he always looked away and hurriedly excused himself to go and attend his other duties.
And that was paining the young demon king to no end. And the worse was that he couldn't understand the reason.
"I need Conrad" Yuuri mumbled, looking at the sky "He's the only one I can talk about things like this, and I'm sure he'd have an explanation for all my confusing feelings. But, he's avoiding me like the others" He added with a sigh "What can I do? And what is wrong with everyone?!"
"What's the matter Shibuya?"
Yuuri turned towards the voice, and he smiled at it's owner.
"Hello Murata"
"Long time no see" Greeted the other double black with his usual cheery smile, sitting next to the troubled king "Now tell me, what's making you seen so frustrated?"
"You don't know?" Yuuri asked, rising an eyebrow. In all the years he'd known him (as a Great Sage and not only as Ken Murata), he ad come to the conclusion that there was nothing his friend didn't know about.
"What makes you think I know something" Murata asked innocently. Not in the mood to start a discussion about how he always knew everything (mostly because he would lose), Yuuri explained him all that happened yesterday.
"And now all of them are avoiding me!" He ended, throwing his arms up in frustration " And I have no idea why!"
"You really had an interesting day yesterday" Murata said, greatly amused "What a pity I wasn't there"
"Murataaaa" Yuuri whined "Help meee"
"Okay, okay" The older (by a few lifetimes) mazoku chuckled "Well, I think that they're just embarrassed"
"Embarrassed?" Yuuri asked, confused "Why? They didn't do anything wrong"
'Ah, Yuuri might seem as if he's matured, but he's just as dense as he had always been' The Sage thought with a silent chuckle.
"The only way to know it would be asking them, don't you think?" Murata suggested.
Yuuri thought about it, then grinned. Now there was an idea.
The day hadn't started well for the three nobles. As soon as they opened their eyes, memories of the day before rushed into their minds, causing different reactions in each of them, but with one common factor.
One just froze in embarrassment and shock, mind trying to process his actions. Other, suffered from nosebleeds at some parts of his memories, but mostly shed tears of embarrassment, dramatically thinking that he was now not deserving of the Maoh's presence. And the third reacted pretty much like the first one, but with his face turning into a deep shade of red, shame and embarrassment shining brightly in his azure eyes.
Embarrassment was the common factor. Along with one thought:
'How can I face Heika now?'
And thus, the three spent the day not able to look at their king in the eye, and avoiding him as much as possible. But now, they got an express order from their king (it wasn't an order, that wasn't Yuuri's style; asking was more normal for him), and they couldn't possibly ignore it. So sighing, they made their way to the king's office, where they were greeted with a direct question:
"Why have you been avoiding me?"
Yuuri watched curiously as the three men in front of him shifted uncomfortably in their feet, eyes looking anywhere but at him. He frowned slightly. This was so out of character from them. Normally, Günter would've told him dramatically what was the matter, Conrad would do it calmly with his ever-present smile, and Gwendal would be truthful and straightforward, not hiding anything.
Finally, Yuuri saw in their eyes what Murata suggested they most likely felt: embarrassment.
"So it's true, you're all embarrassed at what happened yesterday" Yuuri said "But why?"
And of course, the straightforward general was the one to answer, as Yuuri expected.
"You're right Heika, we're ashamed of our behavior of yesterday" He said, his tone and face blank from any emotion "We're supposed to protect you and this kingdom, but instead, we gave you trouble and even had to be rescued and consoled by you. It's a shame for any warrior"
'Oh' Yuuri thought as the realization hit him.
"But it wasn't your fault" He protested "You were all turned into kids by Ulrike's powers, so of course you acted like ones! And you didn't give me any problem either!"Yuuri paused, rethinking those words "Okay, so I admit that you scared me a bit when you all ran off" The three cringed visibly at that "And when those guys were bullying you" Conrad and Gwendal winced "But, it was no problem at all! Besides" He added with a sheepish smile "I think it was all my fault"
"Your fault Heika?" Conrad asked, blinking in surprise "How so?"
"It's Yuuri, Nazukeoya" Yuuri corrected him "And about that, well, I may have wished for something to happen so you could all relax, at least for a day. And it seemed that Shinou heard..."
The three let out a sigh. Of course it had to be the former Maoh.
"But what made you wish that Heika" Günter asked curiously.
"I...heard the conversation you had that night in front of my room" Yuuri confessed, looking away "And learned that even though you were busy, Gwendal had been doing most of my job along with his. Also, you were all so busy, while I was not, that it made me feel guilty" Suddenly his face brightened in a grin "That's why while you were having your well deserved rest this night, I finished the majority of the paperwork! I would've finished it all, but Yozak drugged my tea and made me fall asleep" He added, sheepish smile returning.
The three of them blinked at the confession, and then Gwendal blushed a bit while Günter and Conrad looked amusedly at him.
"Are you okay Gwendal?" Asked the Maoh worriedly, dense as ever "Your face is a little bit red. Shall I call Gisela?"
"I don't think that will be necessary Heika" Gwendal answered, a bit too quickly.
Yuuri blinked and nodded, then frowned a bit.
"What happened to you using my name?" He asked. Günter amd Gwendal tensed at that.
"What about it?" Gwendal asked cautiously, blush fading away.
"Well, I did ask you to call me by my name, didn't I?"
"B-but it would be disrespectful from our part to call you like that, Heika!" Günter said nervously.
"I think I went over that with both of you yesterday" Yuuri said softly "Or don't you remember it?"
"How could I forget such kinds words from my dear Heika?" Günter exclaimed dramatically "You banished all my fears! And I sat in your-" He was cut off by a nosebleed that made him turn around with a handkerchief pressed against his nose, apologizing for his 'impure thoughts' and making everyone in the room sweat drop.
"If you remember it" Yuuri continued, ignoring his overdramatic advisor "Then you must also remember the part when I called you 'friends', right?"
"We're honored you consider all us friends, Heika" Gwendal said "But it's still improper to address you so informally"
"Then, do it only in private" The double black suggested "If you feel uncomfortable doing it in public, do it when there's no other one around. Like now"
"I still don't think it's proper" Gwendal retorted stubbornly, pretending that he hadn't understood what the Maoh's two last words meant. Yuuri just gazed at him calmly, then looked at Günter, who had ready finished with his little crisis.
"You know that he won't let you go unless you say his name, don't you?" Conrad chuckled, as usual being the one who understood Yuuri the best "When he has that particular look in his face, no one can change his mind"
Gwendal and Günter knew, of course they did. How couldn't they, when they've seen that look every time their king wanted to do things his way instead of the normal way? Or when he wanted to avoid war at all costs? And once it got in his mind, it was impossible to reason with him. The only thing they could do is sigh and follow his orders.
Like right now.
"Yu-Yuuri" Günter said, tears forming in eyes "Ah, how good is to say your name!" He exclaimed, launching to hug the boy. But to the double black's relief, it was a gentle one, not his usual bone-crushing one.
'So glad he remembers' Yuuri thought with a light smile.
But when he looked up, he saw Gwendal looking strangely at them, his hands closed slightly in fists.
"Huh? What's the matter, Gwendal?" He asked, confused. Gwendal's eyes closed for a second, then his hands relaxed.
"It's nothing, Heika" The stiff general answered, voice cold.
'I don't believe it' Yuuri thought, looking intently at the serious mazoku 'First his face is red and he's uncharacteristically nervous, and now, he's tense and frowning...as if he's annoyed...But why?'
Deciding he needed to know, he got out Günter's embrace and asked to stay alone with his general. He noticed how Günter and Conrad shared a strange look before leaving the room, and tilted his head confusedly.
"Was there a reason you wanted to be alone with me, Heika?"
Gwendal's voice shook him out of his thoughts and he turned, focusing all his attention on him and making Gwendal shift a little on his feet. It was strange to have all of his king's attention focused on only him. Normally Yuuri was distracted by various things when he was in his presence, so this moments were rare.
"Are you really alright, Gwendal?" Yuuri asked, startling the general, who didn't expect the question "You're behaving strangely since I called you three here"
Gwendal remained stoic, but inside he was surprised that he noticed.
'He's really perceptive' He thought, looking at his king 'But really dense and innocent at the same time. Though that's something I like of him...'
While Gwendal was thinking this, Yuuri found himself blushing slightly at the soft look charged with affection the general was sending him. Gwendal might not know, but even though he could control his voice, face and body language to not betray his feelings or thoughts, his eyes always gave him away.
"Those beautiful azure eyes..." Yuuri muttered out loud, unconsciously. Gwendal heard and the lightless of pinks coloured his cheeks for a moment, eyes widening.
That reaction made Yuuri realize what he had said, and he turned tomato red, looking away.
"I-I mean" He stuttered, trying to correct himself "I, er, like blue a-and your eyes are blue, so-so I..." Yuuri paused when he noticed he was going to start rambling and shook his head, looking away again.
There was an awkward silence between the two.
"Is there anything more, Heika?" Gwendal asked, breaking it.
"Yuuri" The king corrected, frowning slightly and thankful for the change in topic "I told you to call me that"
"And I said it's improper" Gwendal retorted.
"But right now there's no one else here!" Yuuri protested "Besides, Günter had already said it! Why is it so difficult for you to say it?"
"And why are you insisting so much that I say your name, Heika?"
That question made Yuuri freeze and look away for the third time.
Gwendal was right, why was he so adamant in hearing his name from his general? Normally he only would insist like that to his Nazukeoya. If any other refused, he normally didn't insist more. In fact, he had been called 'Heika' since he got to Shin Makoku.
'So then, why?' Yuuri asked himself 'Why do I long to hear my name from him again, like he said it yesterday uncountable times? Even though he was a child, I still liked how he said it... Wait, what?'
"Heika?" Gwendal asked, taking him out of his reverie. Yuuri looked at him, and blushed when he saw the small glint of worry in his eyes. He noticed his heart fastening slightly, and the strange and confusing feelings grew to the point that he couldn't stand them one more second.
"What's happening to me?" He asked, black eyes confused and frustrated "Every time I'm with you my heart flutters, I blush and I have this confusing feelings! I-I just don't know what to do!"
Gwendal stared at him, the surprise so big that it even showed in his face. Did Yuuri even know what he had just confessed?
"Do you know what's happening to me?" Yuuri asked. And his eyes were so confused and pleading, and Gwendal found him so cute, that he felt he couldn't repress his feelings more.
'But I must!' Gwendal told himself firmly 'Yuuri already has a fiancé, and it's my own brother! I can't do anything to him!' But glancing again at those eyes, his resolve weakened 'He did just confesses that he had feelings for me...and it doesn't seem he likes my brother much...I wonder...'
"What do you feel for Wolfram" Gwendal asked before he could stop himself.
"For...Wolfram?" Yuuri said, confused "What has-"
"Just answer. Please"
"Okay..." Yuuri answered, thinking for a second "I think he's a great friend, but a little selfish and possessive. He's also a bit too violent, and I find it annoying when he accuses me of cheating every time I'm out of his sight. I don't like him in that way anyway!"
'He doesn't...like him that way...'
"Then why didn't you cancel your engagement?"
Yuuri stared at Gwendal, surprised.
"I can do that?"
"You're the Maoh" Gwendal sighed "You have the right to cancel it if you don't love him"
Those last words made the sudden realizatin hit the double black hard, making him dizzy for a second.
"Love" He whispered, eyes still wide "I love...Gwendal?"
Gwendal froze, warmth flooding him at those words. Yuuri glanced at him and blushed at the shock he saw in his general's normally stoic face, realizing he had said it out loud.
"I-I" He mumbled, not knowing what to say. But Gwendal didn't say anything. The words he jad longed to hear from his dear king since that little adventure in the dessert were finally there, and the weak barrier that was his self control snapped. In two steps, he got near the young king and embraced him.
Yuuri froze. He could smell the general's minty essence, and it was so overwhelming that he felt a little dizzy; everything moving too quickly for him.
"Yuuri" Gwendal whispered, making a shiver travel through Yuuri's body. He said his name with such tenderness and something more he couldn't discern...
But when their eyes locked, Yuuri knew what was. It was love, shining so brightly in his azure eyes that he wondered how he had missed it before.
"Yuuri" Gwendal repeated, feeling himself drown in those dark, innocent pools that were Yuuri's eyes. His eyes went to his soft-looking lips and had an overwhelming desire to taste them.
'I can't' He thought weakly, his rationality slowly returning 'Even if he feels the same as I do, he's still my king. It's not proper..."
His eyes returned to lock themselves with black eyes, trying to control himself.
Yuuri, on the other hand, was staring hypnotified at Gwendal's eyes, heart pounding. He was feeling the urge to get closer to him, and unconsciously he was slowly leaning nearer. Gwendal noticed this, and his own urge grew.
'It's not proper' Gwendal told himself 'It's not proper' He repeated weakly when Yuuri's face got even nearer 'It's not...' Yuuri's lips were just a hairsbreadth away from his, and he finally gave up.
'To hell with that'
And he joined their lips in a soft and sweet kiss, finally tasting those lips he had kissed so many times in his dreams. And when Yuuri began hesitantly to answer, Gwendal felt he was in heaven.
"I see you've finally realized"
The couple froze at that unmistakable voice, both pulling back a quickly as they could to turn towards the door. There was the last person they both wanted to see: Wolfram.
But, there was something odd in him. Instead of being furious and screaming at Yuuri for cheating, he was...smiling.
"Wolfram?" Yuuri asked hesitantly.
"Don't worry, I've known for a long time" Wolfram said, chuckling slightly at the look both gave him "In fact, there are many people that already knew about this. It's so obvious how you two looked at each other, that you had to be blind to miss it"
Both of them blinked, mind processing his words.
"And you're not...angry?" Yuuri asked, confused.
"I'm not" Wolfram answered "I don't like you that way, just like I knew you didn't either. I've also wanted to push you two together for some time, but Conrad insisted that I let you realize on your own, and for me to behave as I normally did" He frowned slightly "It was a bit frustrating, but it seems that it was worth it" He added, smirking "Now, I'll go tell everyone that the engagement in broken...and leave you alone for a bit" And with that, he went out as suddenly as he entered, leaving both staring at him.
"Ugh, this is going too quickly" Yuuri said, pressing a hand on his forehead "A minute ago I was filled with confusing feelings and had a fiancé, and now I discover I'm in love with my general and have no fiancé... It's so strange..."
Gwendal embraced Yuuri again, and the double black leaned in him with a sigh.
"Wait, do you feel the same way?" Yuuri suddenly asked, looking anxiously at the older male. Gwendal couldn't help but chuckle slightly.
"Of course I do" He said, kissing him softly "I love you, Yuuri"
Yuuri smiled brightly at that and hugged him, burying his head on the general's strong chest.
He still felt that things were changing too quickly for him to follow... But for now, he wanted to forget that in Gwendal's gentle embrace. He could think about all that later.
Okay, so that's the end. I'm sorry for the slight OOCness. Review!