Wow, thanks for all your comments Tina Caps, Meowzy-chan, koorimechick, stupid-gizka, AncientSilverYouko, Lady Dusk -Raku-, GaBo0 and littlefiction. Sorry for the amazingly long wait.

Hopes

Timeline: Post Yuuri's return, before he leaves to find Morgif.

"You seem a mess today, love."

Gunter almost didn't catch the words, far too enjoying the message he was being given. Firm hands never stopped as they went up and down his back, pressing just enough, easing out the tension left there from the rather stressful day.

Really, it was a wonder he was still in such good health, after being jumped, and then the whole matter with Anissina's experiments... Gunter was still thanking the Great One that his lover was so good with his hands.

"Blame those... creatures Yozak tends to keep company with at times, and Anissina. I think I'm going to slip a document in stating experiments created by her are to be banned before being tested on helpless demons," Gunter stated, before moaning slightly as one tense spot unraveled.

An amused rumble above him, those gentle hands pressed in a bit more, going lower, "Mother didn't go for it. I suppose you'll be taking advantage of the fact that the king won't read what he signs."

"Of course," it was a rare thing for Gunter to ever think of taking advantage of his beloved Majesty, but that was a matter of life and death, so he could forgive himself for it once.

Another chuckle, rough lips upon his right shoulder, worshiping an old scar there.

Such casualness, on the brink of what could lead to chaos. He knew neither of them wanted to acknowledge it, not within the safety of their bedroom. Not when it was just the two of them, and the rest of the world was locked away a few hours before.

They had had enough of the rest of the world, facing another war was something neither of them wanted. Even if it was needed...

"Do you think he'll make it?" a quiet question, it slipped his lips before he could hold it back.

Gwendal's hands paused on his hips, holding there, tight along his skin, almost hard enough to cause bruises. He didn't complain, he waited instead for his answer.

"I don't know," it was an honest answer, the younger didn't. Neither of them did.

"We'll have to go to war again if he fails," and though there was such a hatred in his chest at the humans, at how they kept forcing things... He still didn't want to go to war again. They had lost so much the last time.

"I know," grim, Gwendal understood everything he would never say. They had lived through it, they remembered it, they had watched lives destroyed and taken because of it.

Neither wanted it again, even if it was obvious that they were willing to do it again. They wouldn't let the humans overrun their land, their people. It was their duty...

"I want to have faith in him, Gwendal," Gunter stated softly, words muffled as he buried his face into his arms, "I desperately want him to succeed. I know he's just a child, as you said, and he knows so little right now... But I want to have faith in the peace he wants to bring. Even if it is a hopeless cause."

Those hands moved again, slow, in even circles along his hips, staying there, "In some part of me, I do as well. But I won't put true faith until he proves he can start doing it. Wanting something, and being able to do something to get it, are different things."

"I know, but he has such faith we can avoid war. If he gets Morgif..." Gwendal cut his lover off.

"If he gets it. He's still struggling with the fact that it's a demon sword," mild disdain.

A very faded chuckle from Gunter, "He's adjusting..."

"Very slowly. Let us hope if he gets it, he doesn't destroy the world with it on accident," a return to lighter things, to avoid the worry weighing in both their hearts.

"I don't think he can do that, Gwendal," a light chide, Gunter shifted under him.

"I wouldn't be surprised," the comment was very dry, as those hands made to work back up, finally weaving into silver locks.

An almost purr from Gunter, "Finally going to tend to my hair, are you?"

"I feel sorry for how misused it is. I'm going to have to tell them to keep their hands off you from now on," another tender kiss, between his shoulder blades this time, "You're mine after all, and this is my castle. And no one touches what's mine without my say so."

A faint shiver went through Gunter, "I'll be sure to ask you before we... make ourselves at home next time."

"You don't have to. The King however," a nip at his left shoulder, "I might make you beg to let him use my castle."

A tremble then, "I'll gladly do anything for his Majesty."

A smirk against his skin, "I expect to take full advantage of that."

They would avoid the world for one more night. Tomorrow, Yuuri would ride out to find Morgif, and their hopes would go with him. But for the night, they could avoid thoughts of war, of what might come if he failed.

For one last night, they had to shut the world out, in case chaos came again.