Author's Note 1: Since I am alive, it means that nobody killed me after being so late with the previous chapter. Well, if somebody did kill me, the story will end too abruptly we would not find out how it ends. Haha. But really, guys, thank you for your continuous support for this story and my other works for that matter, despite the blasted delay.

Author's Note 2: With that said, I bring you the longest chappy of the story. HOWEVER, this is not yet the end, nor even close to. There are still some things to find out. Don't forget to take note of the little details. This is to help you see the connection of what's happening and everything else. Haha. I'm so telling now, ain't I? haha.

Author's Note 3: Oh, by the way. I'm now accepting works for beta. This would really push me to be more active with my stories and reading in the network. You can view my profile to know how I work around it. Thanks!

Author's Note 4/Disclaimer: You know how it goes. I do not own the characters or the original context of these characters. The story is simply inspired from the series and by those who continue to read and review this work.

Warning: Soft boy to boy love.

Acceptance and Denial

Chapter 6

Yuuri's eyes were heavy through the first few miles from home. He even tried stretching his back ever so often to keep his blood running. He inflicted little pain in his palms by pressing his nails into them as he held onto Ao's reins. He would have started a conversation with companions, if there wasn't an air of oddity floating above them. He never had the training Conrad and Wolfram had concerning discipline of the body, and he could not help but nod a couple of times.

"Are you alright, your Majesty?" Conrad asked.

Yuuri violently shook his head to wake his senses. "Yes. I'm just a little sleepy." He laughed nervously. He doesn't wish to show his weakness.

"We could camp now, if you wish."

"No!" he said a little too loudly. He controlled himself before continuing on saying, "I mean, there's still daylight. We can cover a few more miles." He smiled at his godfather before returning his gaze to the path.

His vision blurred for a second, then shook his head again. He blinked rapidly, which added weight on his lids.

No. I am not weak! If I show any more sign, the whole militia might return to Covenant Caslte and out finding this Lady Katsumi will be further delayed! Everything else follows!

I should have slept when I went back to Japan.

How could you have slept, Shibuya? You were thinking about the blonde the whole night remember? Try explaining that to him.

He doesn't listen.

He will

How can you be certain?

What will he listen to the last time, eh? You did not have an answer.

And I do now?

You've always had it in you, actually. You just never admitted it.

He shook his head again. The world spun a little too fast for his liking. He slipped off his horse.

To Wolfram's ready arms.

Conrad tooks Ao's reigns when their horses stopped. Wolfram pulled Yuuri to his front, both the king's legs dangling off at one side of the saddle. Yuuri cuddled close to Wolfram's chest, liking the sudden warmth. "Hmmm." The king purred!

Wolfram did not know if he should blush due to embarrassment or frustration. He blushed nonetheless. He clears his throat, "Maybe we should camp now." It sounded more like a statement than a suggestion.

Conrad nodded. "I'll scout for a good location."

When the older borhter left, Wolfram looked down at the sleeping form in his arms. "You should have rested, Wimp. Look at you now."

"I'm not a wimp." Yuuri mumbled, but cuddled closer. He wrapped his arms around the blonde's waist. "You're so warm."

Yes. That he felt on his cheeks, too. No one was around, but he did not think the blush was due to embarrassment. Then he thought that Yuuri should constantly be in such a state. It made him say what he would like to hear. If only it did not have such ill effects on his body.

With his legs, Wolfram motioned his horse to a shade under a tree. He gently pressed the king's head firmer against his chest, holding him in place.

Yuuri listened to the calming beat before darkness consumed all consciousness.

Yuuri opened his eyes, slowly adjusting it to the darkness of a tent. He was relieved that it was not the "Royal Chamber". He signed heavily and pulled himself to a sitting position. He immediately noticed the absence of a blonde beside him. He was somewhat disappointed.

But then again, remembering bits and pieces before falling asleep came rushing back. Maybe they should not see each other now. Well, I don't know what to say, Yuuri thought.

You've always had it in you, actually. You just never admitted it.

He reached to open the flap of his tent, and was amazed by the silhouette he saw. A bon fire, he observed, was at the center of a circle of tents.

Wolfram was seated, leaning on his hand behind him. One of his legs was stretched, the other bent at the knee. He was looking up at the sky.

The fire danced with the wind, making the blonde's silhouette seem to move. It was breath taking and Yuuri just stared.

Then he noticed something glimmering on the blonde's cheek and temple. It was a cool night; could not have been sweat. His chest tightened at the realization.

Tears. Those were tears.

Yuuri moved out of instinct. He went out of his tent, surprised that the blonde was not alerted by the sounds he made. But that did not stop him. He walked to the blonde, and knelt beside his outstretched leg. He extended both his arms and pulled Wolfram to him, buying his face at the crook of the blonde's neck.

Wolfram gasped at the impact of his body against Yuuri's. But he rested his head against the black mane only this demon king sported. He did not wipe the tears away.

"I don't want us to be in such a sour note, Wolfram." He breath tickled the sensitive nerves of a very fair neck.

Wolfram stifled a moan by biting his lips. He placed his arms gently around the double black boy's waist. "Yuuri."

"Let me adust to all these, Wolfram. Confusion still has control over me. I don't really know what I'm going to do about us as of the moment. But I don't want us fighting. I don't want having doubt about each other, but sometimes I can't blame you. But please, Never think you mean so little to me. If you think of me that way, I can accuse of the same thing for thinking so low of me. " He laughed nervously, pulling back to see those emerald eyes. "You see, it hurts both ways although we don't mean to. I don't want that anymore."

"And what do you want?" Wolfram asked. Inside he prepared himself for the worse.

But never for the embrace Yuuri resumed. The hold was even tighter. "This. Just this."

Wolfram smiled softly, but the king did not see that.

"On Earth, people would be frowning at us. But I was thinking. I wanted a world where both the demon tribe and humans can mingle together. Why not what we have as well?" he smiled broadly after the realization. "I'm getting there, Wolfram. Perhaps one day."

Wolfram was smiling until those last words, "One day you might realize you don't love me after all."

"Maybe, maybe not. I can't give you an assurance." Yuuri trailed off sadly.

The blonde bit his lips and attempted to smile again. He nodded instead. "But I have now."

"We have now." Yuuri corrected. He rested a shaky palm on Wolfram;s cheek. "I slapped you here. Who would have thought we'd go this far?"

"I hated you then."

"I know. You might hate me again one day. But even I don't know about tomorrow. "

Wolfram returned the caress, "I wish to freeze this moment."

"Yeah, this I could get used to."

Wolfram smiled nervously, "Yuuri?" He looked at the king's lips. It never looked so inviting before. It might be the fire close by. He looked back up at those black orbs. No, it was not the fire.

"I'm curious as well." Yuuri bit his lower lip.

"Can I?"

"Maybe we should."

"Just one."