Chapter 2:

Genuine- Truth hurts, but lies kills...

"He's finally back… Now it is finally time for us to take up that plan. If we succeed, we'll be the new rulers of both worlds! What would await us will be more than this shabby situation. Yuuri Heika, he will not escape from my hands…" In the darkness of the throne room, he let out a sly smile. He was certainly pleased by what his messenger had said. They had waited far too long, spent too much time hiding in the dark just for this one chance. And he will do whatever it takes for him to succeed…

"Yuuri heika!" Gunter ran with tears in his eyes as he engulfed the poor King in a bear hug. "I've missed you so~"

"Gunter… your nose…" Yuuri laughed awkwardly as he felt his garments soaked through by Gunter's tears. Finally home… he sighed. No matter how much he deny, Shin Makoku is definitely his home now.

"Heika. Welcome back."

Yuuri cringed at the deep voice that rang from behind. Turning around he almost let out a groan when he saw Gwendal approaching from a distance. He knew what Gwendal was going to say next.

It is good to be graced by your presence again-

"-but there's more to be done." Gwendal said, mimicking the voice in Yuuri's mind. What was that about all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy? Or was it Jill? Yuuri made a mental note to brush up on his language as he submits himself to the fate of being a king at such a reluctant age.

"Yes yes, I get it Gwendal. More papers to sign, more lessons to learn, more meetings to be held. Is there anything that I missed out during the time I wasn't here?" Yuuri walked towards his study as Gwendal followed closely behind.

"There has been a… disturbance in the village near south. Quite near from where you appeared. It has yet to be investigated. But we believe it to be merely a small group of riot makers, nothing more than what we can handle."

Again, Yuuri felt that Gwendal had excluded many details and was tempted to push for more, but he decided to let it slide. After all, if it were important, Gwendal would surely tell him.

So he spent the whole day in his study, catching up on what have or have not been done. And by the time he finished, he was shocked to realize that the sun was already setting, sending rays of yellow through his large windows.

Feeling rather proud of his achievements, he dismissed himself to the bath for a relaxing time to himself.

"Ah~ this feels so good…it's been a while since I get to enjoy such a large bath to myself…"

But sooner than he said it, he realizes that he was not alone. Appalled, he stood up, only to realize he was buck-naked and dived into the water again, cheeks flaring.

"W-who's there?"

"It only me you wimp. You should have seen you face. I would not be able to live it down if I was caught so unaware."

Yuuri relaxed as soon as he heard the all familiar voice of Wolfram hidden behind the mist.

"So it's only you… Don't scare me like that. You should have told me you were here." The young king pouted and swam to the edge of the bath. He heard a snort followed by a splash of water and then that mob of golden hair was gone.

"Huh? Wolfram? Where are you?" A slight panic rose as Yuuri imagined Wolfram falling into the water, not rising. He swam towards the mist, looking for the other boy when suddenly he felt a tap on his shoulder.

"I'm here stupid."

Shocked, Yuuri whipped around, only to loose his balance in the water and fall… towards open arms. He gasped at the contact of skin on skin as he felt Wolfram supporting his weight with an embrace.

Yuuri couldn't help but blush at their proximity.

Oh my god… too close. Too hot… too wet…

It was too suffocating as the silence enveloped them, neither knowing what they should say. He who loves the other and him who rejects he now felt as though none could move, or none should move.

It was only after a long while that they slowly unwrapped from each other, skin still tingling from contact.

Calm down Yuuri, he's just a pretty boy. A good friend and I do not wish for that status to change.

Wolfram knew that even though Yuuri react positively, it only made things worse as the boy would again try to convince himself otherwise of their relationship.

I wish time would stop. Then I wouldn't have to face the reality of rejection again and again. Yuuri... Yuuri… God, what should I do to make you mine?

It was an awkward night after that. Dinner was served without Yuuri making any form of contact with Wolfram and an oppressing silence loomed over the dining hall, not going unnoticed by Conrad and the others as their usually chatty King became a whole lot quieter this evening.

Greta, being the naïve little girl, thought that her favorite father has just overworked himself and gave him a pat on the shoulder. "Papa. Are you okay? Sick?" Large brown eyes, full of worry, stared at black guilty ones.

Yuuri swallowed a nervous laughter and shook his head. "N-no Greta. I'm fine. No worries. Come, today's dinner is your favorite roasted pike! Eat up Greta, don't want you growing too thin…" Yuuri was suddenly reminded of how slim Wolfram had felt in his arms and blushed to his utmost horror.

Gahh! What's wrong with me?

He downed his wine, trying to mask his beetroot face as an excuse of being drowsy. Everyone stared at him, surprised at his sudden fancy and tolerance for wine. What is wrong with their King today?

Wolfram only looked on with an unchanging face. He clearly knew what was wrong with the king and was positive that it has everything to do with what happened in the bath.

Soon, he will give me the classic rejection again… by avoiding me for a week before acting like nothing had happened. Yuuri…Please…Look at me…

Yuuri tried not to glance back as he changed into his blue pajamas. Even in the huge bedchamber of his, he felt claustrophobic as he felt Wolfram moved behind him. He gulped in nervous anxiety as the sounds of wrinkled clothing discarded on the floor invade their way into his ears. He blushed and fumbled with his clothing before making an almost mad scramble to the huge bed.

Wolfram had expected the silent treatment, but it still hurts. The way Yuuri had dashed to the bed, avoiding him completely, lying on the side so as not to face him. So completely… rejected. Wolfram glanced down at his pink nightgown and grimaced. What was the use of the nightgown if it cannot serve its purpose. Yuuri had often comment on his ridiculous pajamas, not knowing that it was Wolfram's attempt to seduce him. His pride did not allow him to discard it afterwards and from then on, it became an outfit to remind him of his wounded heart. His body might be desirable to everyone in the nation, but what good was it when his intended is immune to it?

He watched from the vanity as Yuuri's chest rise and fall, becoming slower as the young king fell into a deep sleep. Tonight will be another sleepless night yet again…

Special thanks to eclst for the very first comment. i hope you continue to find my fanfic worth reading and interesting!

*Re-edited version: realized the italics for thoughts were gone... Sigh. the 'wonders' of microsoft...*

That's all for chapter 2 of Genuine. I hoped you guys liked the small WxY moment. It's incredibly sad for Wolfram right now but he'll just have to wait. And chapter 3 is in the middle of being written, it'll probably be update in about one to two weeks. Or even by tomorrow depending on my mood and inspirations. Thanks you for reading chapter 2 and PLEASE DO NOT FORGET TO REVIEW. Every single review is special and encouraging to me.