A/N: This chapter contains spoilers. Xbox version of the game, American, up through the construction of Aurnion. So skip this chapter if you haven't gotten there yet.

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Flynn is worried.

He won't tell Yuri. No way. He knows Yuri has enough on his mind as is, and Flynn voicing his fears won't make anything easier on him. Yuri has to go to Tarquaron, has to fight Duke, has to… to save the world.

Flynn just doesn't want him to.

He's used to Yuri straggling in in the dead hours of the morning, when every sane person is asleep, covered in wounds. Flynn's able to treat him, and Yuri has always been content to sit there in silence and allow him to. He knows Yuri is strong. But he's lost Yuri before, once when Yuri abandoned the knights, and once when he fell from Zaude. Against someone as strong as Duke, Flynn isn't sure he can win, and he isn't willing to lose Yuri again.

For Yuri's part, he seems unaffected by stress. He's able to talk calmly with his friends, and he's still able to keep up a smile and his sarcastic attitude. Flynn is surprised to see the façade, if it can even be called that at this point, drop at times with this group. Yuri talks of the upcoming battle in a way Flynn would never have imagined him to even be capable of. He's honest, for once, with this group of strange people. It makes Flynn glad to see him like this, but it makes also him ache for reasons unknown.

As they talk amongst themselves, Flynn slips away to his quiet room in the inn. Once inside, he collapses onto the none-too-soft bed and crosses his arms over his eyes. In mere minutes, he's sorry he decided to leave. Even though he was just watching from a distance, he didn't have to think so much outside.

Yuri. Estelle. Even Schwann—no, Raven—… They're all people he doesn't want to see die. He doesn't want any of Yuri's friends to die, of course, but… them especially. Hell, even Repede is going to fight while Flynn is stuck directing troops, and he doesn't want the dog to die either. Flynn's mission is an important one too, but it's not one that's likely to get him killed.

Flynn just wants to sleep. He won't have to worry then.

"Hey."

Damn it.

"Thought you might like some company," Yuri murmurs. He doesn't need to speak up; his voice is plenty loud in the quiet night air. It feels like the calm before a storm, and, Flynn supposes, that is what it is.

The blonde man lowers his arms but keeps his eyes closed, and he feels the bed sink as Yuri sits on the side. "I would've thought you'd be in bed by now," Flynn says, and his eyes open as Yuri kisses his brow lightly.

"Nope. I couldn't sleep. Too much energy." Still, his body moves slowly as he slides under the sheets with Flynn.

The gears in Flynn's brain click, and he rolls so that he's lying atop Yuri with his elbows on his chest. "Me too. We should fix that," he suggests. Yuri's teeth flash in a quick grin, and he grabs the back of Flynn's neck to pull him into a deep kiss, his tongue winding hot against Flynn's.

Flynn's groan is guttural, and he wants Yuri, needs him, now. He makes no pretenses; clothes are off in a flash and his skin is pressed against the other man's. His nails dig into the small of Yuri's back, causing him to wince, but Flynn clings to him like his life depends on it. He leaves bright bite marks all down Yuri's neck, and the other man leans his head back with a shudder down his whole body.

"B-be gentle," Yuri says breathlessly. He looks up and brushes the side of his hand against Flynn's flushed cheek with a smile. "I have to be able to walk tomorrow, you know."

Flynn just nods and picks up a bottle of oil, and Yuri moans as the fingers enter him one by one. It takes too long and too short before Flynn's cock is pressed against the entrance, and Yuri clenches his teeth as Flynn enters at last. Each thrust seems to go deeper until Yuri is gasping for breath as waves of pleasure rock his body. He spills at last over his stomach, and Flynn leans down and brushes the white away with shaky fingers. His subsequent thrusts are filled with ever more pain and pleasure together.

When Flynn finally comes, all of his thoughts come rushing back, and he falters for a moment before catching himself. To hide it he leans forward and kisses Yuri forcefully, nipping at his lips and turning them red.

But Yuri can taste the salt. Flynn considers slapping him when he licks the tears off of his face, but he knows it would do little good. "I can keep going," the knight hisses, trying to reach down again, but Yuri winds his fingers with his own.

"No," Yuri replies simply, and that one word is all it takes for Flynn's entire body to go limp and for him to bury his face in the crook of Yuri's neck. Yuri can feel tears soaking his skin, and he's willing to hold Flynn for as long as it takes, tonight.

Flynn doesn't cry. It's stupid to mourn the living when they're still among us. The hot tears that force themselves from his eyes are from a fear of losing his best friend and lover. He refuses to call this crying, even if that is what it is.

"Don't die tomorrow," he mutters into Yuri's shoulder, and he isn't even sure if his voice can be understood. "I lost you at Zaude, and I won't lose you again."

He can feel Yuri sigh, and the other man runs his hand through Flynn's hair. "I'm not stupid enough to let myself get killed twice," Yuri replies, and Flynn can feel his chest vibrate with the words. The knight nuzzles against Yuri's neck and tries to breathe as much of him in as possible. Yuri's heart beats steadily against Flynn's cheek, and it isn't long before he drifts off with tears dried on his cheeks.

Yuri glances down, his fingers still playing absentmindedly with the knight's hair. "You know, Flynn, I—" he begins, but when Flynn snores abruptly, he stops midsentence with a resigned chuckle. "Never mind. I'll just tell you when I get back."

And when Flynn awakes, he still has the scent of Yuri on his skin and the memory of the touch on his cheek, and he has confidence Yuri will return alive.