"Hey mom, dad, everything is goin' fine," Berwald spoke to the statues. He was currently deep beneath the castle in the catacombs of the Kings. Both of his parents were buried here, with life like statue carvings of them where they were buried. There was line upon line of Kings and Queens. Berwald had always felt inferior to these great men and women, loved by all.

The current King turned to his father and bowed his head, "'M sorry dad, but I can't stay hidden m' whole life. I can't rule tha' way." He gazed up at his father's stone, aged face. The stone eyes stared at him, almost gazing through him. Berwald turned away, feeling unworthy of his Father's wise and great gaze, even only in stone.

He walked a few steps to his mother. Her face was softer, kinder, with a gentle smile that always sent warmth through him. The statues were always exact, including in height and size.

He towered over his mother's petite figure. He wished his mother could have seen him grow to be taller than her as his father had.

He gently reached and cupped his mother's stone face softly, "Hello, mother. I miss you, as 'lways. I met someone, name's Tino, he's great," Berald smiled widely, "He's smart and funny and kind, not t' mention adorable." Berwald's smile weakened and fell, "But, he's afraid of me too. Just like everybody is.

He bent down and rested his forehead against his stone mother's, "I 'lways feel alone mother. Nobody wants t' be near me or around me. 'M always by meself," a droplet of water rolled off his nose and onto the statue. It seemed almost like his mother was crying as well. "I don' want t' be alone anymore." He bit his shaking lip, "I sometimes, wonder if it's really worth it, living." More tears pour from his eyes and cascade down his mother's face. "But I 'lways 'member what ya told me," He opened his eyes and smiled, "I would find someone. Someone who wasn't affected by the curse. Someone who saw me for me." Berwald's smile widened, "I think I may have found him. Tino dosen't seem to be 'fraid of me all the time. Sometimes, maybe, but I think he may be gettin' over it. That's even faster than Alfred or Matt or Lukas got over it." He closed his eyes again, thinking. "I never told ya this, ma, but I could fell the fear everyone felt. Yers, dad's Matt's, Al's, Lukas'. They bury it, but even so, I can still feel it. They're still terrified of me." He pulled away, "But not Tino. When 'm with him, I don't feel fear. He's not really 'fraid of me. I don't want him to fear me, I like him so much." He leaned close and kissed his mother's forehead, "I miss ya mum."

Only a few feet away, behind a corner, Tino covered his mouth as tears cascaded down his cheeks and over his fingers. He had to hold himself back from sobbing. His heart broke for the King and he couldn't continued to pretend like this.

He squared his shoulders and ran up the stairs. He needed to speak with Lukas.

/?/

Lukas, was sitting quietly in his room alone, flipping through one of his books to see if he could find a reason for Tino's immunity.

He jumped back when his door was suddenly flung open, followed by hurried yelling from the younger knight, "Lukas! I can't keep pretending anymore!" Tino cried.

Lukas stood carefully and reached out to Tino, "Why not?"

Tino pulled away, "It is killing him!" The knight seemed close to tears.

Lukas frowned and looked down, "What do you mean?" He asked quietly.

Tino took a deep breath trying to calm himself, "I was looking for Berwald to ask him something and someone told me that they saw him heading down to the catacombs. So I went down and saw him talking to his mother's statue." Tino seemed to forget himself for a moment because he sobbed, "He's so heart broken and lonely. He knows that I'm not afraid of him," Tino said, and continued when he saw Lukas' surprised face, "He can feel everyone's fear, when it's directed towards him."

Lukas' face morphed into one of horror, "So, all these years...we thought we were hiding it so well, when he could tell the whole time," he whispered wretchedly.

He turned away and slammed his fist on the table, exclaiming a curse. "Dammit!"

He leaned against the desk heavily and shook his head, "Alright Tino, you can tell him. Just...please be careful," he paused, "I don't want him getting hurt."

Tino squared his shoulders, "I would never hurt him," he said and excused himself quietly.

Lukas sat down with an exhausted sigh, "How am I going to tell Matt and Alfred?"

/?/

The King was speaking to the party planner when Tino found him. "I sent out the invitations and I've already got one confirmation back, though it's, like, a little strange," Feliks said nervously.

Berwald frowned, "Strange?"

Feliks coughed uncomfortably, "Well, like, King Francis requested that he be the one to prepare the food for the ball."

Berwald narrowed his eyes, "What?"

Feliks squeaked and attempted to hide behind his clip bored, "That's just what he sent back, your Majesty. He like, insisted on it and he was, like, pretty clear in his letter. He also said that he would, like, refuse to come unless he was aloud to."

Berwald thought for a moment and shrugged his shoulders, "It's a strange request, but who 'm I to deny what King Francis wants. Send word t' the King that he may do as he wishes."

Feilks nodded and hurried away, glad to be out of the King's presence.

Berwald turned and almost ran Tino over. He stepped back in surprise, "Tino? Is there something wrong?" Berwald's voice was soft, almost as if he wasn't trying to scare him.

Tino shook his head and smiled up at the King, "No, nothing's wrong, but I do need to speak with you." he glanced around him at the bustling people trying to clean and polish the ball room that hadn't been used in many years. "Is there somewhere private we can talk?"

Berwald frowned in confusion but nodded, "M room?"

Tino nodded and followed the King as he walked to his room.

They walked in relative silence each glancing at the other until they reached the royal chambers.

They entered in silence and Berwald went and sat in his chair and waited patiently for Tino to tell him what was wrong.

Tino fiddled with the hem of his shirt for a moment before he took a calming breath. "I'm not afraid!" He blurted.

Berwald looked taken aback at the sudden exclamation. He stood up, "What do ya mean?" He asked quietly.

Tino swallowed, he paused but squared his shoulders, "I am not afraid of you," The way he spoke wasn't rude or threatening, it was said with passion and hope.

Berwald seemed frozen, his expression was totally blank. Slowly he walked up to the tiny knight and towered over him. His hand came up slowly and cupped Tino's cheek.

Tino felt a spark of warmth and happiness send shock waves through him, causing small trembles.

Berwald bent down so close, their noses almost touching. Their breath mingled and spread between them. Pools of sea green stared into pools of amethyst.

"Are you sure," Berwald's voice was deep and sultry. It rumbled between them. The words hung in the air heavily. The words holding more meaning than one.

Tino paused for a moment. His next words could make or break the King. As he stared in Berwald's eyes he couldn't believe he could ever hurt this gentle giant. He still felt the Ruler's hand on his cheek and he wanted to feel the rest of the king.

This thought brought a lite blush to his face, but he pushed it down. He leaned up on his toes and nearly closed the distance between them, their lips only a hair's breath apart.

"Yes," he whispered into the heavy air. He surged into the King, their lips colliding, filling them with such warmth.

There was a loud bang from the door and they sprang apart, panting for air.

Alfred, Matthaius, and Lukas walked into the room, just as Berwald collected himself and looked as regal as ever.

While Tino was still gasping, not believing what had just happened.

Alfred walked up to him and patted him on the back, "Geez, dude, did ya run all the way here?" he asked with a laugh.

Tino smiled softly and nodded. He straightened and turned his eyes to the King who's face was now stained with a heavy blush and refused to meet Tino's eye.

Lukas looked suspiciously between them, "I take it you told him?"

Berwald coughed and cleared his throat, "Yes he did," this time Tino blushed as well. "Do you know how or why he's immune?"

Lukas shook his head, "No but I will continued to look into it. As for now, I still think it should be kept a secret, at least from everybody else," he said. His eyes narrowed and he looked suspiciously between the two of them. Neither the King nor the Knight would look him in the eye.

Sudden understanding dawned on the man and he took hold of the other two. Alfred and Matt were talking obliviously about nothing in particular.

They both squawked indignantly at being suddenly hauled out of the room with no explanation.

"Good evening your Majesty, Tino," he said with a suspicious hint of smugness and he slammed the door shut.

The two stood in the room, heavy with awkward silence. Neither looked at each other but they both had a large amount of their face colored by blush.

"Tino," the small knight jumped, "'M sorry about that, it wasn't right," Berwald said quietly.

Tino shook his head, "No, I'm the one who initiated it, I should be sorry." He wrung his hands nervously. He hadn't disliked the kiss. If he was being honest with himself, he would say he absolutely loved it. The electric feeling that had shocked it's way through his system had been fantastic, he wanted to do it again.

He looked up and squeaked in surprise, Berwald was standing right in front of him. Almost as close as they had been before being interrupted.

"Tino... I like ya," Berwald whispered.

Tino's eyes widened and he swallowed hard. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Berwald's hand shaking as he raised it.

Finally the King's soft hand cupped his cheek again, and Tino couldn't help the shivers that ran through him.

Suddenly Berwald drew away, as if Tino had burned him.

Tino lamented the loss of the touch and frowned when he saw the King practically drawing into himself. His hand was held in his other one, almost as if it was poisoned. His eyes were downcast and his lips trembled.

When he spoke, his voice was scratchy and rough, "'M sorry," he choked out.

Tino shook his head not understanding.

"I...I scare ya," Berwald's voice was heart breaking and heart broken.

Tino felt himself moving before he could stop. He lunged foreword and cupped Berwald's shocked face in his hands. "I already told you. You don't scare me," Tino whispered sternly.

Berwald was to utterly shocked to respond than with a small nod.

"Now, what if I told you, that I liked you too," Tino said.

Berwald's eyes widened further, "You do?"

Tino laughed a little at the child-like hope that filled the king's eyes.

"Yes Berwald I do, I like you a lot," he said.

Berwald reached up and cupped Tino's hands and brought them down. "Alright," he said, "But...if we're gonna be together, I want t' court ya first."

Tino blinked in surprise, "Court me?"

"Yes," there was a set determination to Berwald's eyes.

"But, why?"

"'M mother 'lways told me I'd meet somebody. She 'lways said, 'Berwald, you must do it well. If you meet the right person, you have to court them properly.'"

Tino laughed, "Well, if you're set on it, then I can't dissuade you."

Berwald's lips lifted and his eyes wrinkled.

Tino couldn't help but stare at the smile. It was something so simple and beautiful, like a rainbow, only happening at rare and opportune moments.

Tino couldn't help himself when he lent foreword and kissed the king again.

Berwald melted against the soft, welcoming mouth. Reluctantly he pulled away, "You should head to bed. It's gettin' late," he said softly.

Tino smiled and nodded, "I look forward to tomorrow, Berwald. Goodnight," he said just as softly and closed the door behind him.

Berwald stood frozen in the dim lighting of his room until he suddenly exploded into motion. He paced back and forth, back and forth.

Sure, his mother had told him he had to court the person of his choice but she had died before she could tell him exactly how to do that.

He wanted to do it right, for Tino. Tino was just so special and important, Berwald did not want to mess this up, but he really didn't know how this type of thing was done. It's not like he had many chances to court or even fall in love with someone.

Berwald stopped dead in his tracks. He ran a hand over his face and through his hair.

Oh, God. Was this love?

This excitement? This hope?

Was love the reason for the butterflies in his stomach every time he saw Tino laugh. Or when Tino smiled it just seemed to brighten Berwald's day.

He put a hand to his chin in deep concentration. Maybe he could ask Matthaius and Lukas. They were both in a successful relationship.

Berwald sighed, suddenly feeling exhausted, he stripped of his day cloths and climbed into bed.

He closed his eyes and decided he would speak to the couple tomorrow.

The King was unaware, however, of the shadow like form that slipped into his bedroom and crept ever closer.