I apologize, I said I would update soon instead it took more time
If people checked my profile I explained what happened, I'm so sorry! Thank you for the incredible feed back, it helped me a lot in writing faster! For the ones that didn't check it, I updated my profile with some links, I hope you'll like them and added also a picture of Wolfram's slap to Yuuri, that was taken from the novels.
For the questions left in the review, novels are not manga, they have like..3 or 4 pictures and then the rest is text.

Ok now here we go with the chapter, I hope you'll like it!

Usual disclaimers apply

This chapter is still from Yuuri's POV, thoughts are in italics.

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The wind's voice was nothing more than a whisper passing through the trees; the same trees from that, the first night Yuuri met Wolfram again, had scared him with their noises. But now he couldn't care less. All that mattered were Damien's words, those few words that managed to shock him so much. Yuuri didn't expect the man to hate him so much and couldn't find any good reason for that.

Damien told Wolfram that he wanted for Yuuri to leave?

It was unbelievable, but apparently Yuuri was not the only one that was shocked. Yuuri saw Wolfram's emerald eyes go wide at Damien's statement and even though a part of him wanted to run away, he needed to know what Wolfram was going to say.

If Wolfram agreed, then what about him?

"Damien, what the hell are you talking about?" the blond asked, surprised.

"Exactly what I said, I want him to leave! I...I don't trust him," Damien replied, looking more serious than ever.

Now, this was new. Yuuri tried to remember if he'd done something wrong. Maybe...maybe Damien found out that he was hiding something? Maybe Damien saw him take the candies? If that's the case, why didn't he say anything earlier?

So many questions were running through Yuuri's mind...

"What do you mean, you don't trust him?" Wolfram tried again. He obviously wasn't convinced, even though Yuuri could see that Damien's last words caught his interest.

"You don't understand? Don't you think it's weird, how he suddenly shows up here and decides to stop right in this forest? And the way he looks at you..." Damien seemed so involved in what he was saying, that it scared Yuuri.

"You're joking, right? He's really innocuous, a wimp, why would you doubt him?" Wolfram was trying hard to take seriously what Damien was saying, but Yuuri could see that he didn't believe him. Or maybe Wolfram didn't want to believe him?

Yuuri, or to be precise, Chris and Wolfram had established a nice relationship during this time. They were friends, maybe not in the way that Yuuri wanted, which gave Yuuri a partially inexplicable feeling of hurt, but they were good friends. What if someone would come to you telling you that they wanted your friend to leave?

"I don't like the way he looks at you! I don't like the way he acts with you, and honestly, I couldn't even understand why you were okay with him sharing your house and your bed!" Damien was trying hard not to scream.

Now Yuuri understood: jealousy, that's what was moving Damien. Although, after hearing the words 'sharing your bed' Yuuri blushed.

"Damien, seriously, I don't know what you're talking about," Wolfram seemed to completely miss the implications of his friend's words.

How come Wolfram is so oblivious? Yuuri thought to himself, when they were at the castle...

When we were at the castle Wolf didn't even try once to jump on me, he never tried anything funny, it was always me who made up problemshe really never did anything...

Wolfram had always respected him. And apart from wanting to sleep in the same bed and maybe being too loud in voicing his displeasure when he thought Yuuri was 'cheating on him,' the blond never even once tried to do anything more...physical, or that could be seen in a romantic way. He didn't even touch Yuuri. In fact, he had touched Chris more times during this month, with his pats on the shoulders, than he had touched Yuuri for all the time they had known each other.

Yuuri realized he had gotten lost in his own thoughts and tried to pay attention to the conversation again, but he could only hear the wind's voice now. Looking at the scene, he saw that Damien was silent, as if he was thinking about something.

"I don't like seeing you two together," Damien said, looking directly at Wolfram. "I don't like the way you two seem so familiar, I don't like the way you are overprotective with him..." He added, "Yeah, I noticed that, are you surprised?"

Wolfram's eyes were a little wider than before, but he didn't answer.

"He is in love with you, I can see it. I'm sure he was going to confess tonight..." he paused briefly uncertain whether to continue, "and you feel something for him, don't you?"

What a stupid idea! Yuuri thought. I'm not in love with Wolfram, not at all! For God's sake, we are two boys, it's not possible! Why is Damien continuing with this story? Can't he see I'm not interested in that way?

Wolfram's eyes were back to normal, his face serious. Yuuri saw him take a deep breath before answering.

"You're completely wrong. I'm not in love with him and I highly doubt he's in love with me."

See? Even Wolfram denied it...but then, why did that knot in Yuuri's stomach remain?

"But the way you two act..." Damien tried again.

"He...he reminds me of someone, that's why I took care of him, but I'm not in love with Chris," Wolfram said calmly.

How long would it take for Damien to understand that they didn't have that kind of relationship? It was clear like the blue sky, Wolfram said it too... Now, Yuuri only wondered why, hearing the blond's words, he felt a little disappointed.

"If you're done and we have settled this, I'm going now," Wolfram continued, but a hand stopped him.

"Wolf, I'm not finished," Damien seemed calm again. "I still don't want you two to be so close."

"You have no right to tell me what to do, Damien!" Wolfram got angry at the request.

The old Wolfram was back at full force with his fiery personality. Listening to the blond raise his voice, brought back many memories to Yuuri and even though the situation was far from being a happy one, he had a small smile on his face. Turning his back to the two and leaning on a tree, Yuuri closed his eyes to listen to that familiar tone better.

Oh yes, that old tone Wolfram used when he was angry...

"But I care for you! I…I would do anything for you. I'm in love with you, how is it possible that you didn't realize it? I'm jealous of him!" Damien said all that on one breath and Yuuri's eyes opened suddenly and turned back to watch the scene.

So that's it, he really wanted to confess! I knew it, I knew it!

Wolfram's eyes were shocked, but then Yuuri saw the blond looking at the ground with a serious face.

"I'll pretend I didn't hear anything," he said, almost coldly.

"Why? Wolf, I..." Damien tried hopefully, before being interrupted by the blond's stare.

"You don't know anything about me, how can you claim to love me? I came here not even two months ago... I can't take this nonsense seriously," he paused and then continued, "but even if it was true, I'm sorry, I don't feel the same."

Damien's hand, which had been resting on Wolfram's shoulder, dropped down to his side.

The young man turned around, his face pained.

Yuuri felt as if he was watching some drama, or a romantic movie. At this point, usually one of the two would act on an impulse, hug and kiss. Then the other that wouldn't answer at the beginning, but would eventually kiss back...

Stop stop stop! Wolfram would never do that, never, never and in any case, I don't want to see that, stupid brain of mine, why do you work in this way?

"Is there someone else?" Damien tentatively asked.

"Would it make any difference?" Wolfram answered, without showing in his voice any feeling at all. But he was looking at Damien intently, as to show him that there were no doubts in what he was saying.

Damien didn't answer him immediately.

"I...I don't know, I guess I'll have to ponder on this a little on my own...I feel so stupid," he said, walking away from Wolfram and heading back towards the village.

The blond looked at the retreating shape with a hint of sadness in his eyes and maybe, also regret?

Yuuri remained hidden between the bushes for the whole time, not knowing what to do.

His mind was full of thoughts, trying to process everything he had heard. Wolfram didn't feel the same way, Wolfram didn't love Damien, and then, then he didn't answer when Damien asked him if he was in love with someone else.

Could it be that Wolfram was in love with someone else? But who?

Yuuri's trail of thoughts was interrupted when he felt a hand on his head. Looking up, he saw the green eyes of Wolfram. The blond had a serious face.

"Did you find the conversation interesting?" he asked, but his voice was flat.

Feeling trapped, Yuuri didn't know how to answer. He just stayed there, silent, looking at Wolfram with wide eyes. Then, realizing that he was completely discovered he looked at his feet, with a little blush of embarrassment on his face.

He didn't want Wolfram to think badly of him, but there was no excuse for what he did. "I'm sorry!" Yuuri whispered. "I didn't mean to eavesdrop, I..."

He heard Wolfram sit down next to him, feeling reassured that the blond didn't seem too mad.

"Don't worry, its ok," Wolfram's tone was a little softer now.

This shocked Yuuri a lot; how come Wolfram was okay with what he did? He wanted to apologize again, to justify himself. But when Yuuri turned around to look at the blond near him, he couldn't find his voice.

Wolfram had a really sad expression on his face, his eyes were so distant that Yuuri doubted anything he would say could reach him.

He felt bad. Was Wolfram really regretting his answer to Damien?

Did he reject him for some reason but was actually in love with him?

What would he do in this case? And why would it matter so much to him if Wolfram was in love with Damien?

"Chris, do you think I was too hard on him?" That must have been the first time Wolfram asked him something that was related to himself.

"I don't know..." Yuuri answered earnestly. He felt bad that he couldn't help his friend, when Wolfram had always tried to cheer him up the times he felt down. But at the same time, there was a question that he wanted to ask the blond but didn't dare to.

"I think it's better to state things clearly...from the beginning," Wolfram said. "The more you wait, the more it hurts in the end," he added, and Yuuri could hear a little distress in his voice.

"Why did you reject him? Don't you like him?" There, Yuuri said it, the question he wanted an answer to but almost didn't dare to ask.

He saw the blond still keeping the same sad expression, but there was a hint of a flame in those eyes now.

Wolfram was probably debating on whether he should answer or not, Yuuri thought to himself. He knew the blond wasn't open about his feelings, but he didn't want to back out. He needed an answer, even if he didn't know why it was so important to him.

"I like him, just...not the way he wants to be liked," then a little smile formed on Wolfram's lips. "When I first met him, he reminded me of my brother..."

Is he talking about Conrad?

Yuuri had to admit he had noticed some resemblance between Conrad and Damien too. Could this be the reason why Wolfram felt so at ease with the young human man? But then, Wolfram talking about Conrad was a rare thing... He really wanted to know more at this point.

"My brother has his same attitude on a lot of things," but then Yuuri saw the smile disappear. "But Damien took me seriously, while my brother rarely did. I was always the cute young little brother," he stopped, "I doubt he took my feelings seriously in certain situations too."

Was it bitterness Yuuri could hear in those words? What feelings was he talking about?

"Do you think you ruined the relationship with Damien?" Yuuri asked, trying to better understand what was happening in Wolfram's heart.

"I don't know, Chris, but trust me: between finding out early on that you don't have any chance, and finding it out after a while, the first option is definitely the best one. It hurts less," he answered sadly, looking at the sky.

"If you keep leading them on, if you look unsure or just decide to let it be, the other one would think there is hope after all," Wolfram turned around looking at Yuuri. "Can you imagine how much more it would hurt when they discovered the truth?"

Yuuri was at loss for words. It was the first time he and Wolfram talked about relationships, and while the blond was speaking, he could feel his heart tighten.

How come you know all of this Wolfram? You are so handsome, you could have anyone, why do you talk as if you knew exactly what it means? Is there something in your past that you never told me?

"You talk as if you know how it feels, Wolf," Yuuri tentatively tried, seeking an answer to his thoughts.

And in a matter of seconds, the air around them completely changed, and that dreamlike moment where Wolfram was opening up to Yuuri just disappeared like the wind that finally stopped.

"How could I know? I'm just supposing Chris, but it doesn't take a genius to understand what the best option is," the blond said, standing up.

Then he offered his hand to Yuuri. "Come on, you've been there for a while, I bet you're cold now," he said smiling.

When Yuuri took it, he realized that the grasp and the push were not as strong as usual, actually. Plus, Wolfram's face was a little paler than normal.

"Wolf, are you ok?" he asked worried.

"Sure, I've only been eating less lately, which made me a little weaker," he assured.

Together, in silence, they went back home.

Yuuri couldn't pinpoint what Wolfram was feeling. He himself felt funny, happy on one part, and strangely sad on another. His stomach was in knots and his mind was fogged by so many thoughts, he doubted he could form a proper sentence.

It was late, probably around ten in the evening. It was time for people in the village to sleep, because another day would bring more work and they needed to wake up early.

Stripping silently, Yuuri noticed that Wolfram's face seemed a little more relaxed than before.

In the meantime, Damien's words about sharing the bed were again ringing in his mind.

During the previous month, after the first night that was a little awkward, having the blond sharing the bed with him became routine. It wasn't a surprise anymore finding himself spending at least half an hour before falling asleep just staring at Wolfram's sleeping form, or seeking his warmth, getting near his body just right before falling asleep. It was after all, like going back in time, when they used to sleep in the same bed at the castle.

But all those words Damien said that night made him feel weird. He didn't want to think about that, Wolfram was his friend and he was used to him, that it was only natural to do what he did...wasn't it? They'd been sleeping together for so long he couldn't even remember the first time.

And this trail of thoughts brought him to the original problem. He needed to tell Wolfram the truth about himself soon, because the more he was delaying the more the blond would be upset at him. Yuuri was sure of that, so when they were already in bed and Wolfram was about to turn off the candle on the table, he resolved to speak.

"Wolfram..." he started, "there is still something I wanted to tell you."

He saw the blond looking at him with a curious expression now.

"Oh yeah, what was that Chris?" he asked.

"Okay well, I know that maybe you will be angry at me, after I tell you..." hearing these words peeked Wolfram's interest. Yuuri could see it from the glint in his eyes, but he just gulped and continued.

"But..."

knock knock

Someone was at the door.

On no, I can't believe this, it's the second time it happened, just why? I swear it's impossible!

Yuuri's frustration was reaching points never reached before.

Wolfram got up and opened the door to reveal Damien again.

Oh yeah, whatever, I can't believe he's still here, wasn't he supposed to go sulk somewhere?

Yuuri had to admit his thoughts were very unfriendly, but he couldn't help it.

He was always being interrupted, was there some kind of universal plan that was preventing him from telling Wolfram the truth?

"I'm sorry to bother you guys, but I just found this injured bird, and it seems that he has a letter for you, Wolfram," he said in an apologetic tone, a little embarrassed in talking to Wolfram. Probably because he was rejected, since he was trying not to look at the blond in the eyes.

At the mention of a bird and a letter Wolfram's eyes grew wide again and took the little bird in his hands.

Putting it on the table, he first healed the apparently broken wing, and then took out the letter.

Both Yuuri and Damien looked at him with a curious face. Yuuri, of course, knew where the letter was from, and was waiting with a certain anticipation and worry. It wasn't good to get a letter this late, that meant it was urgent and usually brought bad news.

He saw Wolfram become even paler than before and took Damien by his shoulders and said, "Damien, open the stable, I need my horse, NOW!"

The words were not a request; those were the orders of a captain. His eyes were so full of feelings and worry that Yuuri panicked too, fearing that something bad had happened at the castle.

Maybe Greta was sick? Wolfram's face seemed so scared...

"Wolfram, what are you talking about? It's late; you know it's dangerous to go in the forest now, why do you want to go?" Damien asked, a little shocked by the blond's request.

"You don't understand, I have to go!" Wolfram answered, screaming. "If you won't help me, I'll do it myself."

There was only one stable and it kept all the horses of the villagers. It was closed during the night to prevent wild beasts from attacking the horses. Yuuri saw Wolfram running there and Damien following him, his mind was in turmoil.

What was happening?

Looking around in panic, Yuuri realized that the letter, which Wolfram had put in his pocket, fell from it since the blond was in a hurry, and without thinking too much he took it.

With trembling hands, he opened it and his eyes went wide.

It was a letter sent on that same night, from Gwendal.

Wolfram,

The Great Sage has only just informed us that His Majesty never went back to Earth, as we had previously been told. On the same evening that we refused to allow His Majesty to leave to search for you, he fled the castle in secret and we have heard nothing since then. The Great Sage told His Majesty of your whereabouts, so we suspect that he might be somewhere on the mountain.

I'm sure you can understand that the castle is in an uproar with worry; His Majesty has been missing nearly a month, and if he has not found you, then we have no idea as to whether he is safe. His Majesty lacks the skills necessary to protect himself, and if he has not been recognized, we fear that some ill will may have befallen him.

We are preparing to send out all available troops to search, and they will be arriving as soon as possible; however, due to the logistics of preparing and moving the army, it will take some time. Our best estimate is that the troops will be there in a week's time.

In the meantime, it is your duty to search for His Majesty. Send word when you find him – whether he is still alive or not.

Gwendal

Just in that moment, after reading those words, he realized the big mistake he had made; and he also wanted to strangle Murata: why, just why did he have to say anything?

The noise from outside was growing louder; he could hear Wolfram and Damien fighting.

He ran outside and it took him less than three minutes to get to the stable where Wolfram was taking his horse.

Damien was beyond angry. "Wolfram, what the hell happened? Stop it!" he even tried to stop the blond with his arms, but Wolfram seemed to have regained all his previous strength and pushed Damien away.

"You don't understand, I have to go, I have to look for him!" he answered, and without further explanation he got on the horse.

"Him? Who? Wolfram, I don't recognize you, what's happened? Who is him? Is he the person you love? Wolfram, answer me!" Damien was screaming and putting himself in front of Wolfram's horse as if he wanted to stop it.

Yuuri decided that it was now or never.

"Wolfram, stop please, get off the horse! I have to tell y.."

"Whatever it is, you can tell me when I come back Chris, I'm in a hurry now," and without even waiting for another word he left, fast like the wind, not listening to Yuuri nor to Damien, basically ignoring anyone.

He just disappeared into the forest.

No, I can't believe it, he left, he left without listening to me, he went looking for me...but I'm here, Wolfram, I've always been here!

"Wolfram! Please, wait, wait!" he screamed, trying to run after the horse, but two strong arms stopped him, and he was left looking at Damien's stern face.

"You're not going anywhere, boy," the young man's cold voice froze him.

"Let me go, Damien! I have to talk to him!" Yuuri tried to get free, but those arms felt as if they were made of iron.

"Wolfram would never forgive me if I let you go into the forest alone. You're staying here, and if I have to tie you up I will, though I hope you won't make me do it," he warned, and then looked at the forest.

"He will be back, I'm sure he'll be back by the morning..." Yuuri could almost believe in those words.

But sadly, Damien's prediction was wrong, and the following morning there was still no trace of Wolfram.

Yuuri wanted go to the forest and tried to leave more than once, but Damien always found a way to check on him and tried to stick with him. It was evident that he, too, was worried, but he managed to tell Yuuri always, that everything would end up okay and that Wolfram would come back soon. Even though Yuuri wanted to go look for the blond he knew perfectly that the forest was not a pleasant place for someone so inexperienced as him and chances were that he wouldn't be able to make it very far before Damien would find him and bring him back to the village.

The only thing Yuuri could do was believe in those words Damien kept telling him, and be hopeful that, when Wolfram came back, he wouldn't be so angry at Yuuri for lying to him during all this time.

Little did Yuuri know that three days later, he would find himself praying and begging for Wolfram to be angry at him, or for that matter, simply hoping for those emerald eyes to look at him again.

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And here we stop!
How was that? Did you like it? I sure do hope you'll tell me what you think, also because I need to know if you're liking the direction the fanfic is taking.
I know that for a lot of you, Yuuri in this fanfic is too slow and it's frustrating to read him but, Yuuri is a japanese young boy who doesn't accept maleXmale relationships and thinks he is straight, so...the process needs to be slow in order to be plausible ne?We'll get eventually there...maybe.
Thing is, I'm trying to stick with the original Yuuri who is a person that says things without actually understanding how important those things are to other people's ears.

Feed back is loved, and the more I get the more I 'll write faster.

Chapter 7 is half done, I hope someone is still interested in this fic, let me know ok? So I know if I can continue it or not.

Much love to all of you!