AN: Hey, guys! Sorry for the long wait...but I have a longer chapter here to make up for it! Again, I'm going to work on my other story, The Merman Prince (if you haven't tried reading it yet, please do!) next, and then update this story, and so on and so forth. I'm alternating between them basically. Anyways, hope you enjoy this chapter! :)
Edited: 10/11/17 (Wow, this chapter needed SERIOUS editing. It took me forever and it is SO much longer now. Hopefully this chapter is a much smoother read :))
After getting far enough away from the crowd (and, more specifically, Gunter), Yuuri and Wolfram let out a laugh on behalf of their oblivious teacher. This may not have been the first time they tricked Gunter, but it sure wouldn't be the last. And it never did get old. He just made it so easy. They could get away with just about anything. And they both knew this as they grinned deviously at each other.
"Yeah! We lost him!" Yuuri stated, jumping up and down in excitement. They both knew they would never be able to do anything with Gunter around. Unless staring at trees, grass, and looking at a river a mile away counted. Gunter refused to take any unnecessary risks when it came to them. And though Wolfram would hardly listen in those situations, Yuuri would just silently, though disappointedly, obey whatever he was told. He found it incredibly annoying, and knew the only way to get Yuuri to go along with him was if there were no adult figures around.
"Yeah..." Wolfram laughed. "Did you see his face? That was perfect!" Seeming to realize what he was saying, Wolfram flushed. "But I still could have handled it on my own."
Yuuri blinks at him before grinning. "Are you sure? To me it just seemed like you were getting angry. We could have been there for hours."
Wolfram glares at him, his face turning red, as he growls out, "What's that supposed to mean?!"
Yuuri looks him over. "Don't be embarrassed. You know you get angry easily. You would have spent all day yelling and arguing with him."
"I'm not embarrassed!" Wolfram defended.
"Then why are you blushing?" Yuuri asked, confused.
He blushes harder, then growls when Yuuri starts to laugh. "You better not be laughing at me, Wimp!" He snaps at him, anger quickly replacing his embarrassment.
Yuuri put a hand over his mouth, trying to cover up his laughing. "I'm s-sorry, W-olf, I-it's just..." Yuuri was trying to say through his fits of giggles.
"Yuuri..." Wolfram said angrily, through clenched teeth. He started walking closer to Yuuri, his hands in fists. Yuuri's laughter died down, knowing right away what this meant. You really didn't want Wolfram to be angry with you. (Though, in all honesty, Yuuri was a special exception when it came to his anger. Not that he would ever admit it. And on some level, he thinks Yuuri knew it too.)
"Oh, Wolf, do-don't be angry. I'm sorry! Really!" Yuuri pleaded, his eyes widening fearfully. It's not that he thought Wolfram would hurt him or anything, but if anyone had someone looking at them like that, they would be scared too. And after Wolfram took another step towards him, face flushed with anger, Yuuri panicked.
And the next thing Wolfram knew, Yuuri was running. Just like he was running for his life. The Wimp. He knows better than to run off on his own! He remembers what almost happened the last time, his heart squeezed painfully at the thought of that day. It was probably the only time he really got punished, and he didn't care. He thought he deserved worse from what could have happened to Yuuri if their parents hadn't showed up when they did. Lets just say, swimming in a river at it's high season wasn't the highlight of his week. And that scream...
Wolfram shivers. It still gives him nightmares.
"Wimp!" Wolfram called out for him, a tad of anger seeping through. Why would Yuuri willingly run off without him, just like last time? He started chasing after him, not willing there to be a repeat of what happened before. If anyone knew how to find trouble for himself, it was Yuuri. If he didn't know how oblivious he was, Wolfram would think he was some kind of masochist. "Get back here!"
"B-but you're mad at me!" He heard Yuuri give a slight whimper as he turned slightly to glance at him. Wolfram's eyes narrowed. They were so close to the border, and what Yuuri was afraid of was his anger? The wimp really needed to sort out his priorities.
"You're just going to get lost again! Or find trouble! Either way I'll have to fix everything! As usual!" Wolfram yelled at him again.
"B-but- you ar- ahhhhhh!" All of a sudden Yuuri's whimper filled cries turned into a scream of fear. And then he was gone and a struck of terror filled inside Wolfram's body. Time felt as if it had frozen, but he didn't stop running for a second, straight towards the spot that Yuuri had disappeared from. He couldn't breath, but as soon as he reached a cliff he looked down, fearing the worst.
"Yuuri!" Wolfram screamed the second he made it to the edge. Looking down, he saw Yuuri holding onto a branch, desperately clinging to it, only about a foot of the way down. "Yuuri," he breathed out, relief washing over him. "What's wrong with you! Why did you have to go and run off a cliff?!" Wolfram yelled at him. The fear was gone, anger quickly replacing it. He didn't want him to see how worried and scared he actually had been when he saw him disappear.
Yuuri just blinked up at him, and Wolfram could see the fear in his eyes. But as he clutched at the branch even more tightly he said, "You say that like I did it on purpose!"
Wolfram's eyes narrow, slightly annoyed. "Humph!"
"I'm sorry I scared you, Wolf. But could you please help me up now? I'm starting to slip," Yuuri asked, as he fearfully looked down.
"Don't look down!" Wolfram tells him. "Here, take my hand!" He tells him as he sticks his hand out towards him.
Yuuri reaches out for it, but then whimpers and fear and quickly pulls his hand back. "I-I can't!" Yuuri tells him, terrified.
"Yes, you can! You can't just hang there all day. Now grab my hand!" Wolfram yelled as he tried to put his hand out even farther.
"B-but..." Yuuri whimpered as tears started to fill his eyes.
"No buts! I would never let you fall!" Wolfram snapped back at Yuuri.
"Wolf-ram..." Yuuri said, a bit surprised. "B-but if something happened...you would also..."
"Then I'll just have to fall with you, won't I?" Wolfram answered. "Now, come on. Grab my hand."
Yuuri slowly reached out and grasped his hand. "Wolf..."
Wolfram squeezed his hand comfortingly in response. His heart was pounding loudly in his chest, but he refused to show Yuuri how nervous and fearful he really was. So he took a deep breath before saying, "Okay. Now, on the count of three. One, two, th- ahhhhhh!"
His hands clench tightly around the hand in his, even as the sudden weight he's holding suddenly increases and threatens to pull them both over the edge. Yuuri's fearful cry of his name does nothing to help with his nerves, especially as he watches Yuuri's fingers as they slip, losing his grip on the branch. Wolfram was the only thing holding him up now. And the only thing keeping them both from tumbling over the edge. But still, Wolfram refused to let go, even as his knees shook from under him. But then Yuuri quickly grabbed Wolfram's hands that were already holding his left, causing Wolfram to grasp as he felt himself being pulled down even further.
"Yuuri, I-I can't..." He shook as he felt Yuuri slowly slowly slipping from his grasp. "I-I'm going to-ahhhh!"
Wolfram screamed as he felt himself being pulled down by the force of Yuuri's weight. And then before he had time to react, he found himself falling with Yuuri over the ledge. They both screamed together until they let out a gasp as they hit the side of the cliff. They rolled and tumbled down it letting out a few more gasps and "ugs" as they hit parts of hard cliff and a few smaller rocks that tumbled down with them. And they finally let out one last "Oof!" as they both finally landed on their stomachs right next to each other at the bottom.
Yuuri glanced up at the edge of the cliff that was only a few feet above their heads. The fog was thick enough to cover the ground below them. He put a hand to his head and groaned before biting his bottom lip and glancing at Wolfram nervously. "Ummm..." Yuuri started as he looked up to see the ledge of the 'huge cliff'. He chuckled, nervously. "I guess I wasn't actually that far from the ground was I?" he said as he nervously looked at Wolfram.
Wolfram scowled back at him, clearly unimpressed. "Wimp!" he growled out. "And did you really have to be so dramatic up there?"
Yuuri frowned in confusion as he looked at him. He blinked at him with large black eyes. Wolfram hated those eyes. Maybe his puppy dog eyes could get him out of trouble with the grown ups, but it didn't work on him. "I was dramatic? Mr. Then-I'll-just-have-to-fall-with-you."
Wolfram's cheeks tinted pink again. As true as it was when he said it, he thought the situation was much more dangerous than it obviously was. And if he knew that, there was no way he would have ever admitted such a thing. So to cover up his embarrassment, he let out a 'humph'', crossed his arms, and turned his head to the side. "That was-"
But before Wolfram had a chance to defend himself, terror and surprise shot through their bodies as smoke and heat suddenly shot up from beside them. Wolfram gave a jolt as his eyes widened, but otherwise kept his composure. Yuuri, on the other hand, let out a squeaky yelp as he jumped to hide behind Wolfram. He grabbed onto his shoulders as he shook slightly, peeking up over his shoulder to look around.
Wolfram also looked around, blinking at what was around them. This place must have been it. It definitely looked abandoned, with no one around in sight. Plus, it definitely looked inhabitable. If anything, it looked like a barren wasteland. There didn't appear to be anything to eat or drink for miles. Smoke covered the ground. It was so thick you could cut through it. Instead of luscious grass and trees like the ones in the beautiful inner city of Shin Makoku, there was only dust. And instead of Shin Makoku's crystal blue, warm skies, this territories sky looked dark and gloomy from all the smoke, fog, and dust that surrounded it. In fact, it appeared as many animals and even people have died here, if the bones that were scattered across the ground had anything to say about it.
"We're here!" Wolfram exclaimed, a happy grin spreading across his face. Wanting a better look at the territory he's heard so much about, he walks further into it. Yuuri followed him, rather timidly in Wolfram's opinion, as he he glanced around at the place nervously.
"We could get into a lot of trouble for being here..." Yuuri said, apprehensively looking around. Then more smoke and heat shoots up from next to him, spooking him as he jumps and runs up to catch up with Wolfram.
"Don't be such a wimp, Yuuri! Besides, that just makes this whole thing more exciting," Wolfram told him, while rolling his eyes at how wimpy his friend could be.
Yuuri gave him a slight glare, but it was rather unintimidating with his shaking form. He was about to respond, but suddenly a very frantic and fearful voice yelled at them from the edge of the cliff they both had tumbled down not even moments before.
"Young prince!" the annoying voice they both knew very well yelled.
"Oh, great," Wolfram stated with an exasperated sigh. He glanced up to watch as Gunter suddenly jumps down to reach them. He heard him mumbling on about 'what his parents are going to think' and 'how he's really getting too old for this'. Wolfram rolled his eyes before trying to comfort the advisor by saying, "Relax, Gunter. We're just looking around."
"Looking around!" Gunter repeats, exasperated. "Looking around he says!" A frantic Gunter starts to scream. "Look around outside of here then! Do you have any idea how dangerous this place is? We are all in very grave danger! This place-this horrible place- is where Shin Makoku keeps human prisoners with high levels of hygystu!" screeched a terrified Gunter.
"Pr-prisoners?" stuttered a terrified Yuuri, walking closer to Wolfram. He put a hand on his arm and looked at him nervously. "Wolf, don't you think-?"
"Danger?" Wolfram scoffed, interrupting Yuuri as he shrugged his hand off. "I'm not afraid of a bunch of humans! They should be afraid of us. Mazoku are the superior race," Wolfram said as he walks over to the old, abandoned building to prove his point. "Those mongrels should know better than to try and mess with us!"
"Mongrels, huh?" a quiet, velvet voice whispered into his hear. Wolfram froze, but then he heard a growl come from his other side and he lets out a whimper and runs until he's on the other side of Gunter and Yuuri.
"Oh my, now what do we have here?" said a boy with long blond hair. He was smirking as he walked closer to them. Gunter glared at them as he made sure Wolfram and Yuuri where behind him.
Another one, this one with long black hair, hummed as he looked them over. He gave a sadistic grin. "Looks like trespassers to me, Sara."
"Yes, I think you're right Nigel," Sara answered. He glanced at the third, a nervous, timid looking one. "Dorkas?"
Dorkas looks over at them and lets out a nervous laugh from where he stands before skittishly agreeing, "U-um...yes?"
Sara looks back over to them with a smirk. "Quite. Now, whatever should we do with them?"
Wolfram 'humphed' as he crossed his arms, trying to look like the superior prince he was as he puffed out his chest. "You can't do anything to me! I'm the prince!" he said as he glared up at them.
"Well, technically they can," Gunter disagreed as he nervously stepped back. "We are on their land."
"But, Gunter," Wolfram protested as he continuously glares at the three humans. "You said they're our prisoners here!"
Gunter laughed nervously at that, trying to shush him. "No, Young Prince. I didn't say prisoners. I said they were banished here."
Wolfram gives him a look. "You did not."
Gunter glares down at him. But before he has a chance to say anything they heard a ferocious growl. "Who you calling prisoners?" Nigel snarled. "We are no one's prisoners!"
"Relax, Nigel," Sara stated calmly as he places a hand on his chest. "Let's just decide on what to do with them, especially now that we know we are dealing with a prince. Not to mention, the one quivering in the back must also be the sacred double black."
Wolfram suddenly glowered at the both of them as he stepped protectively in front of Yuuri. While Yuuri just looked up at them, fear in his wide, black eyes as he grabbed onto Wolfram's arm, shaking him. When Wolfram glanced back, he saw pleading in Yuuri's eyes. Pleading for him to do something so they could go home. Wolfram all of a sudden felt very guilty. He was the reason Yuuri was in this situation.
"You're right, Sara. And anyone from that kingdom, especially the prince and double black, don't belong here," Nigel growled out in agreement with him, nodding his head.
Sara nods. Then turns to look at Dorkas with a dark glint in his eyes. "What do you think we should do with them, Dorkas? Something painful?"
"W-well, of c-c-course!" stated a very fidgety Dorkas.
"Hey. Did we order our prisoners to go?" Nigel suddenly asked as he turns to face them.
"No, of course not," Sara stated, seriousness washing over his face. "Why?"
"Cause there they go!" exclaimed an angry Nigel.
After Yuuri had turned those wide, fearful eyes on him he knew he couldn't give into his own terrors. Yuuri needed him. He needed him to get them out of here. So while the three humans were distracted, Wolfram took hold of Yuuri's hand and ran as fast they could. They were heading further and further into the abandoned territory, but Wolfram's main concern at this moment, was getting them away from those humans.
They both suddenly stopped, gasping for air as they tried to catch their breaths. He saw Yuuri glance around nervously before looking back at him. "I-I think we lost them."
"Yeah," Wolfram agreed as he looked around to confirm this. But then he paused and looked again. He looked at Yuuri in worry. "Where's Gunter?"
WolfYuu WolfYuu WolfYuu
"Oh, I know you," Sara stated, smirking. "You're the king's stooge, aren't you?"
"Sir!" Gunter gasped, insulted. "I am the king's advisor and also the royal teacher to the young prince!"
"Yes, yes," Sara said, with an unamused roll of his eyes.
Wolfram and Yuuri panted as they went back and found Gunter cornered by the three humans, glaring daggers at them with his eyes. The look admittedly sent shivers down Wolfram's spine and it was the that he understood why his parents had Gunter of all people go with him wherever he goes. But that didn't make Wolfram feel any less guilty for being the one to put him in this position in the first place.
"Gunter!" Wolfram yelled frantically. He, miserably, had no idea what he was supposed to do. Would these humans kill him? He stole a worried glance in Yuuri's direction and his blood ran cold. Them. These humans would kill them. They had absolutely no sympathy for mazoku like them. And he knew he had very little control over his fire maryoku. He could barely protect himself, let alone Yuuri.
He needed Gunter.
"Young Prince!" Gunter yelled, for the first time the sound of worry and fear made its way into his voice."Run! Go, now!"
Wolfram froze as three pair of eyes turned to face them. He could feel Yuuri's trembling form to his right. Sara smirked as he turned around and eyed the two of them.
"Oh, King Shinou's son would be so much more fun to play with. Don't you think so Nigel?" Sara asked, his cold eyes never leaving the the royal and sacred pair.
Nigel chuckled lowly. "Yes, he definitely would be."
"Stay away from them!" Gunter growled, furiously.
Gunters fists clenched before thrusting them out to use his maryoku to fight off the humans before they would get to the children. But just as Gunter was about to use his magic, Sara reacted faster with a counter attack. His strong levels of hygystu took Gunter by surprise as he was suddenly thrown backwards and off the cliff near them.
Wolfram and Yuuri's eyes widened as they watched their teacher and babysitter get thrown aside. Yuuri gave a whimper as the humans gave sudden smirks to each other when Gunter didn't come back right away. When they took a step closer to the fallen man, Wolfram let out a gasp before yelling venomously, "Get away from him!"
The three humans froze, before two of them turned around to look at them with smirks on their faces. Nigel was the first to respond with a sarcastic remark. "Alright, but only because the prince and the double black said so," he said, mocking them.
As the three humans started advancing towards them, Yuuri started to shake as backed away and looked at Wolfram with pleading eyes. "Wolf-" he sounded as if he was about to cry he was so scared. And that's when Wolfram decided to push down his own fears. He needed to be there for Yuuri and be the strong one between the two or neither of them would make it out of this alive. Wolfram took a deep breath before grabbing Yuuri's hand and taking off, Yuuri stumbling behind him as he guided him through the smokey, ash filled abandoned territory. As they come close to a cliff, Wolfram suddenly stops as Yuuri runs into his back with an "oof".
"Wolf!" Yuuri complains through his fear.
Wolfram feels like everything is shaking, but with a glance back at Yuuri he realizes that it is himself that's shaking. He looks back to the humans running closer and closer to them and, in a panic, looks down over the edge of the cliff. A huge gorge was separating both sides of the wasteland. He paused. It was crazy, he knew. But given the choice between the two- the cliff and the humans- he would take the cliff.
He pulled Yuuri closer to him and squeezed his hand almost too tightly. He looked at Yuuri and tried to look more brave and confident than he felt. He whispered, "Trust me." And after Yuuri gave him a slight nod, Wolfram went over to the cliff and jumped- taking Yuuri with him.
All Wolfram could contemplate through the fall was Yuuri's screams, so thankfully it only lasted a few moments before they landed on a ledge right on the side of the cliff. Wolfram gives himself and Yuuri only a moment to breath before squeezing Yuuri's hand again as he pulls him to his feet. He then drags Yuuri along as they walk down the rest of the way to the bottom of the gorge. Yuuri was giving out whimpers along the way as he stumbled over rocks. Wolfram knew he couldn't let Yuuri see how scared he really was. He should never have came here. He should have never brought Yuuri here.
Once they reached the bottom they went to the other side of the gorge. Wolfram took a deep breath and turned to Yuuri. "We have to climb up the side. I can't carry you up all the way. Can you climb up yourself?"
He saw as Yuuri looked up at the tall cliff fearfully before turning his head back towards him and nodding slightly. Wolfram gave his hand one last squeeze before starting to climb. "We have to hurry!" Wolfram urged him as they made their way up the side of the cliff and Wolfram saw that the humans weren't too far behind them, laughing and grinning maniacally.
"Wolfram!"
Yuuri's scream cut right through him as he looked down to find Yuuri hanging on the side by only his hands as his feet struggled to find a place to hold on. His eyes widened as he saw the humans were only a few feet from his best friend that was currently dangling off the side. And suddenly, for a moment, he felt his fear slip away as he climbed back down quickly towards Yuuri. Anger and protectiveness filled him as he got closer. And when the black haired man reached out to grab him Wolfram growled and suddenly, in a fit of rage, his fire burst out of him and straight at Nigel before he had a chance to hurt Yuuri.
Wolfram relaxed slightly when Yuuri finally got his grip back and was able to start climbing again. They both climbed to the top as fast as they could as they heard the snarls coming from his burned victims below them. Once they were at the top Wolfram grabbed Yuuri's arm and dragged him into a nearby cave, determined to keep him as far away from the humans as he possibly could. They slowed to a stop as they made it to the end of the cave, gasping as they tried to catch their breaths. Wolfram looked all around him for another direction to run, but fearfully found that there wasn't one.
Wolfram was terrified and he didn't know what to do. He should never have came here. He thought he would be able to prove himself. Not only to his father, but to himself as well. Oh, how foolish he had been-
Low chuckles where suddenly heard behind him and Wolfram's eyes narrowed as he tried to bury the fear he felt. Yuuri's shaking form reminded him that he has to keep himself together, for both of their sakes. So he grabbed Yuuri's arm as he pulled him behind him protectively. Wolfram told himself he only did this because Yuuri couldn't protect himself, not that there was much he could do either. But he was the one to get them both into this mess.
Wolfram knew that the only thing that could potentially save them was his fire maryoku. But he only used it on accident before. And when he practiced it before he could only use it in spurts. He was never able to quite figure it out. His father said he was still young and it would come with time. It was tied to his emotions which was why it came out in spurts so often. But that didn't help him now. When he needed it.
He closed his eyes and tried to concentrate on the fire maryoku he knows exists inside of him. The fire that he was born with. But when he tried to push it out, only a small flame escaped through, leaving Wolfram breathless. He couldn't help but flush when the humans suddenly burst out laughing at his attempt.
"That's it?" Nigel spoke through a snicker. "What kind of maryoku was that? And he's supposed to be a prince. How pathetic."
Sara chuckles, smirking also. "Yes, he's not the fierce prince I was expecting. Especially not from King Shinou's son. It must be sad that he can't live up to that, isn't it? If I didn't know better, I would never guess he was his son in the first place."
Wolfram started to shake as anger filled him. His eyes glazed over dangerously. How dare these...these...filthy humans say these things about him? Those...disgusting...
Wolfram growled as he could feel his maryoku swirling inside of him. He needed to prove that they were wrong. He wanted to burn them. He was just so angry.
"Oh, he's going to try again. Come on, let's see you be a disappointment again," Nigel said in a fake cooing voice.
Wolfram's fists clenched. And before he knew it they were surrounded by fire. The human eyes widened, shock apparent on their faces. Wolfram's fists unclench in surprise as he looked around him in shock. He didn't do that. Did he?
Then King Shinou burst in, sword in hand, as flames grew and grew around them. There was nowhere left for the three humans to go, as their eyes widened in fear as they stared into the eyes of the furious, snarling king as he cornered them. Shinou glared at them as they cowered together in the corner. There was no doubt of the lengths King Shinou would go to protect his son, and what he would to those would dare even think of harming him.
"If you ever come near my son again..." Shinou started to threaten them.
Sara was the first to speak. Using a feigned calm voice, despite the evident fear in his eyes. "Oh, this is your son King Shinou? We... we didn't know. If we did we never would have even spoken to him. Would we have Nigel?"
Nigel shakes his head in fear as he responds shakily, "Of course we w-wouldn't have, right Dorkas?"
Dorkas shrank even further behind the other two and then snapped out of his fear as he looked towards the others, realizing that they were speaking to him. He hesitated nervously as they all stared at him, not having followed the conversation up to this point. Nigel elbowed him in the side, making him yelp in surprise. Then he turned back to the king in fear.
He chuckled nervously, "U-um...yes?"
Shinou's eyes narrowed angrily and all of a sudden the fire maryoku around them starts to close in on them, before being shot directly at them. The three humans scream in fear before running away as fast as they could, tripping over themselves as they went. Shinou glares after them, not yet turning to face the two cowering children behind him.
Gunter pushes the two children forward, willing them to face whatever consequences are waiting for them. But that's not what Wolfram was afraid of. He gulps before walking towards his father.
"Dad, I-"
"You deliberately disobeyed me," Shinou's cold voice cut him off, effectively silencing him. He glowered down at his son in disappointment. Wolfram's eyes shifted downwards, ashamed. That's what he was afraid of.
"Let's go home."
Wolfram continued to stare at the ground as he followed his father. Yuuri looked at him in worry, but Wolfram avoided his eyes. He saw Yuuri frown out of the corner of his eye as he came closer to him.
"I thought you were very brave, Wolf."
As much as Wolfram appreciated the effort, Yuuri wasn't the one he wanted to hear those words from.
WolfYuu WolfYuu WolfYuu
Wolfram, Shinou, Yuuri, and Gunter were all walking back to Blood Pledge Castle in a dead silence. And the more that silence dragged on the more Wolfram feared it when his father would stop and start talking to him. He couldn't even begin to imagine the things he would say and yet he still flinched at the thought. Yuuri was walking slightly behind him and would send him worried glances every so often. But Wolfram ignored him.
Suddenly, the king stopped and the others froze in their spots as well. Their focus was solely on the king as they waited nervously for what he was going to do next.
"Gunter," King Shinou addresses in a stern voice. Gunter looks at his king intently. "Take Yuuri home. I have to teach my son a lesson."
Gunter nods hesitantly. "Yes, Sire."
He walks back towards the two children as they both shook furiously where they stood. Wolfram didn't want to be left alone, but he reasoned that he pulled Yuuri into enough for one day. Besides, Mama Miko was probably worried. He flinched when he realized that was also his fault.
"Come with me, Sacred Double Black," Gunter states, calmly. He then glances over at Wolfram and sighs. "And Little Prince Brat? Good luck."
Gunter starts walking away, expecting Yuuri to start following him. He hesitates a moment before sending one last worried glance in Wolfram's direction. Then he slowly starts following Gunter's retreating form back home.
._._._._._.
Yuuri couldn't help but worry about Wolfram. He hoped his father didn't give him too much of a hard time. His father's opinion of him had always been more important to him than anyone else's. And Yuuri knows how much he hates it when he can't seem to 'live up to the expectations of being the king's son'. Yuuri thinks this is ridiculous, of course. In his opinion anyway, there wasn't another person besides Wolfram who could actually live up to those expectations. And he proved that every second he was with Yuuri. He smiled at the thought. Wolfram was brave, and loyal, and he protected him. There were reasons Yuuri considered him his best friend. And even if Wolfram could be insecure, which most people didn't know and Wolfram would never admit to, Yuuri knew that there was no reason for him to be. Even if there was no one else who saw it. Yuuri would know. And he wouldn't be surprised when Wolfram grew up to be the best king Shin Makoku's ever had. So he hoped Wolfram didn't take what those humans said too seriously. So what if Wolfram couldn't use his maryoku very well yet? He was still young, he had a lot of time to learn how to control it. And besides, when he did use it, while he was protecting him, he proved just how powerful he actually is. And all the potential he has for being a great king of Shin Makoku. And if anything, Wolfram had proved himself today. Because they both made it out safely. Yuuri wouldn't have been able to have done that on his own. And Wolfram had to protect both of them.
So, in Yuuri's most humble and unbiased opinion, Wolfram is capable of surpassing those expectations of being the king's son. And he planned to make sure Wolfram was aware of this. Because, he may be a Wimp at times, but Wolfram has had his ridiculous moments too.
As soon as Gunter and Yuuri made it back to Blood Pledge Castle, Yuuri heard a squeal and he was then engulfed in a tight embrace and being lifted into the air.
"Oh, Yuu-chan! Where have you been? Do you have any idea how worried mama has been?" Lady Miko squealed as she squeezed her son to death.
"Mama!" Yuuri gasped as he tried to push himself away from her. "You're hurting me!"
Miko's arms don't loosen their grip at all. She catches the eyes of Gunter and asks him seriously. "Gunter? Where has he been?"
"The young double black and the prince went to the abandoned territory, Lady Miko," Gunter answered the lady's questioned.
Yuuri flinched, knowing his mother wouldn't react so well to that. And Gunter hadn't tried ease into it at all. He just said it so bluntly.
"What?! Is this true, Yuu-chan?" Miko asks her son fearfully. And then she continues to scold him. "Don't you ever go to such a horrible place again! Mama forbids it! She doesn't ever want to see her baby hurt, okay?"
"Yes, Mama," Yuuri responded, guiltily. "I'm sorry."
"I know you are, Yuu-chan. It's okay," Lady Miko answered smiling down at her son. "I'm just glad you're alright!"
She holds him to her chest tighter.
Yuuri groans. And then starts to complain, "I'm fine, mama! Let me go! I can't breathe!"
Miko sighs and then puts her son down, pouting. "Fine. Just go to your room now. I mean it, Yuu-chan. Nowhere else tonight."
Yuuri nodded his head. His face the very picture of innocence before taking off towards his room.
WolfYuu WolfYuu WolfYuu
"Wolfram," Shinuo spoke sternly, calling him over.
He flinched at the sound of his father's voice as he takes his eyes away from the place where Yuuri walked away and glances towards his father. He still had his back facing him and Wolfram braced himself for seeing the disappointment etched into his father's face and laced in his voice. He slowly walked towards his father with his head bent down in shame.
Once he reached his father, he braced himself as he looked up at him slowly. Shinou closed his eyes and took a deep breath, and then finally returned his son's gaze.
"Wolfram, I'm very disappointed in you," Shinuo told him, lowly.
"I know," Wolfram answered, sighing as he lowered his head.
"You could have been killed! Not to mention you brought Yuuri into a dangerous situation right along with you. What would you have done if something happened to him?" Shinou scolded angrily, his eyes narrowed down at him.
Wolfram opened his mouth to respond but nothing came out. What would he have done? Wolfram didn't even want to imagine that happening. Instead he shook his head, tears filling his eyes.
"I just wanted to be brave like you," Wolfram answered in a strangled voice.
Shinou's expression suddenly softened at Wolfram's answer. He sighs and states in a much calmer voice, "I'm only brave when I need to be. And that doesn't mean that you should go looking for trouble."
Wolfram looks up at him and says despairingly, "But you're not scared of anything."
Shinou smiles down at him slightly and then shakes his head. "You are wrong about that. I was even scared today."
Wolfram blinks at him in confusion, before asking curiously, "You were?"
Shinou bends down on his knee, closer to Wolfram, and nods. He Whispers, "I thought I might lose you."
Wolfram frowns as he thinks about this, feeling touched like he always does when his father comments on how much he cares about him. Then he smiles as he thinks about the abandoned territory. "Oh. I guess even kings can get scared sometimes, huh?"
Shinou smiles and nods. "Yes, even kings can get scared."
Wolfram smirks at him, "But you know what? I think those humans were even more afraid."
Shinou barks out a laugh. Grabbing Wolfram to him and ruffling his hair. Then he says teasingly, "That's because no one messes with your dad!"
Wolfram laughs along with his dad. A lot happier now than he was moments ago, the seriousness of the conversation turning much more lighthearted. He smiles up at his dad as he finds himself sitting in his lap. He hugs his father's arms to him tighter as he asks him, "We're always going to be together, aren't we dad?"
He feels his father's arms tighten around him, his lips pursed in thought. Wolfram glances up at him in worry, wondering why his father was hesitating with his answer.
"Wolfram, I'm going to tell you something my father told me. Look at the stars. All the Great Kings of the past look down on us from them. So whenever you need guidance, they will be there for you. And so will I," King Shinou explains wisely as he and Wolfram stare up at the stars.
Wolfram may not have known exactly what his father had meant at the time, but he did know that those were words he would never forget.
WolfYuu WolfYuu WolfYuu
Wolfram had just gotten back to his room and was getting ready for bed when he heard a knocking sound. Then a whispered, "Wolf? Are you back yet? Wolf?"
Wolfram realized it was Yuuri's voice and went straight towards a corner of the room were a side table was standing. He pushed it out of the way and found a door. He smiled when he thought back to the day him and Yuuri had first found this door. His parents weren't aware of it, or at least unaware that Wolfram knew about, because it was hidden by the wallpaper of the room. When him and Yuuri had first realized it was a door they had been so excited to find a secret room right in his bedroom! But that wasn't the only surprise, they quickly realized as they found another door that led through a tunnel underneath the castle. And as far as Wolfram was aware, they were the only two who knew about it. So it quickly became their way of seeing each other after bedtime, as Yuuri continuously snuck his way into Wolfram's room, to the exasperation of their parents. It would also be used by Wolfram to sneak out, to the confusion of his parents. To this day, his parents still don't understand how Wolfram is able to get out of his room. Especially since they have guards at his door sometimes.
Wolfram enters the secret room and removes the carpet covering the secret passage.
"Yuuri?" Wolfram asked as he looked down into it.
Yuuri smiled up at him and responded, "Hey, Wolf!"
Yuuri raised his hand, silently asking for help out of the secret passage. Wolfram takes it and pulls him out towards him. Then looks at him curiously.
"What are you doing here, Yuuri?"
"I...I just wanted to make sure you were okay, Wolf," Yuuri said in a soft voice.
Wolfram frowns at him, before responding, "Of course I am. Why wouldn't I be?"
Yuuri looks him over, like he's trying to decipher if Wolfram was lying to him or not. Then his face softens as he responds lightly, "I just know how you are when you feel that you've disappointed your father."
Wolframs eyes narrow as he glares at him. He got enough of that from those humans. He doesn't need it from Yuuri too. Because if Yuuri of all people thought so- "So you think I'm just a disappointment too, do you?"
Yuuri's eyes widen in surprise as he shakes his head frantically. "No! Of course not. I said when you think you are. I don't think you have a reason to feel that way. You are the strongest person I know. And I don't think anyone besides you could be a better prince and son of King Shinou." Yuuri flushes and looks down. "I mean, I at least wouldn't know what to do without you."
Yuuri was smiling warmly at him, if not a bit embarrassingly, and Wolfram was at a loss for words.
"You...do?" Wolfram asked him a in a hesitant, soft tone.
Yuuri's smile becomes bright as he realized he said something good. Then, he nods his head frantically. "Of course I do! Even today... Well, you were the one to save my life today, Wolf. You protected me..."
Shame passes over Wolfram as he shakes his head in disagreement. "I was the reason you were there in the first place..."
"I agreed to go..." Yuuri starts before Wolfram interrupts him.
"So? You could have gotten hurt...and it would have been my fault."
Yuuri rolls his eyes at him. "Don't be stupid, Wolf."
"What?" Wolfram hisses and then glares at him. How dare Yuuri call him stupid! He was trying to apologize...in his own way.
Yuuri cowers a bit, before shaking his head and grabbing onto Wolfram's shirt. He smiles reassuringly. "No, I mean...it's not your job to protect me, Wolfram. I..."
"Yes it is! You're my best friend...and if something happened to you because of me..." Wolfram trailed off. Why can't Yuuri just get this? He knows that Wolfram is terrible at this sort of thing. "I-I'm just sorry, okay?"
Wolfram closes his eyes tightly, not wanting to see Yuuri's reaction to his apology. He really wishes he could be anywhere but here, since apologizing wasn't usually something he was very good at since he rarely ever did. There wasn't much Yuuri was better at than him, but he would at least give the Wimp this one thing. Probably anything having to do with being kind to people honestly, but Wolfram didn't exactly pride himself in that anyways.
His eyes snap open, though, when he feels something slam into him. He blinks at the double black in surprise when he finds Yuuri with his arms around his neck, hugging him tightly. He hesitantly puts his hands on Yuuri's back and looks at him in confusion. But Yuuri has his face pressed into his shoulder, so he doesn't notice.
"It's okay, Wolf. It wasn't your fault. And I'm okay, anyways," Yuuri whispered.
Wolfram starts flushing suddenly, trying with all his might to hold back an embarrassed (and undignified) squeak. Then he quickly pushes Yuuri away from him. He usually doesn't show much physical affection towards Yuuri unless he was the one comforting him. Not the other way around! He decides to quickly change the subject.
"Wimp. Are you sleeping over or what?"
Yuuri smiles brightly at him, like he fully understands what Wolfram was trying to do. Then he nods. They both quickly put the carpet back over the secret passage and left the secret room, pushing the small side table in front of the door before jumping into Wolfram's bed. Yuuri snuggled right in like he's done countless times before.
"I'm going to get into trouble for this," Yuuri mused, through a yawn. "Mama told me not to leave my room tonight."
Wolfram rolls his eyes at the thought. "Yeah, right. Mama Miko never punishes you, Yuuri."
Yuuri huffs. "Okay, maybe I won't. But it's not like your parents ever punish you either."
"Of course not. I'm the prince. I can get out of anything," Wolfram states, his nose stuck in the air with an air of superiority.
Yuuri lets out a laugh and Wolfram smiles at the sound. He would never admit it, but he was happy Yuuri came to visit him tonight. He really did know how to make him feel better.