Chapter 3

As he arranged with Murata, the day had come to travel back to earth.

Yuri took his time, cuddling with Greta in their bed in the morning, talking with Wolfram, taking a warm bath. He skipped the morning jog. Conrad wouldn't mind, he would also know well enough that they both were too confused to meet each other now. Conrad, on his side, had skipped dinner yesterday, pretending to have to deal with something concerning the soldiers. He didn't care, it was obvious that he just searched for an excuse. And they hadn't met since... that kiss. Yuri blushed at the mere thought of it.

The worst part of this was that he couldn't talk with anybody about that issue.

He had to leave today, and he didn't want Conrad to feel bad the whole time while he was away. Also, it wouldn't be helpful for himself to get over it, if he left things the way they were. Yuri felt like he had to do something, say something, but he had no clue what was the right way to handle this. How to comfort Conrad that he didn't mind what happened. But that, on the other hand, sounded... just wrong. He didn't want anybody to get that wrong. The chance to meet Conrad alone was equally zero. It had to be something sounding normal enough so the both of them understood, but the others wouldn't think too much about.

I never found myself in such a misery, Yuri thought. He couldn't sort out his feelings towards Conrad. But he would have plenty of time to do that at home.

Still unsure what to do, he left the bathtub and got dressed. It was time for breakfast and he didn't know whether or not to hope that Conrad sat at the table or not.

Conrad was there, completely back to normal as if nothing happened. He never spoke much during the meals, so no one noticed any difference. Except for Yuri, who was all to aware of the soldier's presence. He got him flustered, for whatever reasons.

The usual, friendly smile was still on the captain's face as they all left for the temple.

It was time to say good bye.

Everybody knew this would be a long time for Yuri to leave. He had to learn for his exams, and right now, his head was filled with the history of Shin Makoku, thanks to Gunter, Yuri thought amused. It would take a while. And because the time lag was still there, there would be even more time passing by here in Shin Makoku.

Yuri was hugging Greta tightly.

„I'll be back as soon as I can, I promise," he told his daughter, running his hand through her fluffy brown hair. Greta was crying, but she smiled at the same time.

„I look forward to that!" she said nodding, grabbing Gwendal's hand again who was standing beside her.

The tall mazoku was frowning as always, but his features seemed softer today. He looked directly into Yuri's eyes. „Heika," he nodded. „Good luck."

„Thank you," Yuri smiled at him when he suddenly felt someone pulling him into a firm hug.

„Heeeiiikaaa," Gunter sobbed at his shoulder. „We are going to miss you so much! Please take care of yourself!"

„Don't worry, Gunter, I'll be fine," he padded his counselor's shoulder lightly. „But please don't... break my bones..." he grasped for air as Gunter finally let go, turning around and leaving the room hastily.

„Pff," Wolfram snorted. „Anyway, take care, wimp."

„I told you not to call me that!" Yuri replied angrily, but he couldn't really be mad at his fiancé. Not today. „You take care too, okay?"

Wolfram nodded, his eyes closed.

There was only Conrad left to say goodbye to. Yuri sighed as he approached his soldier. As they stood in front of each other, no one knew what to say. Conrad, usually so self-confident and controlled, seemed like he couldn't make a single move. Yuri wasn't able to speak a word, so he just wrapped his arms around the taller man, hugging him resolutely. Hopefully, he would understand the gesture as a sign, that Yuri wasn't mad at him for the kiss, and that he didn't bother about it too much. It did bother him, of course, but he didn't want Conrad to see that.

The brunette held him tight to his body after successfully getting over the shock of Yuri's attack.

The maou pulled away quickly, not wanting anyone to think of his actions the wrong way.

„Now, now, what was that for?" Wolfram already shouted at them. „Why are you two hugging? Even I don't get a hug!" He pouted as Yuri was trying to calm him down with an excusing smile.

„Murata, are you coming?" he shouted for the Great Sage instead. He didn't want to argue with Wolfram, especially not now.

„Yes, I am! On the way!" he heard his classmate's voice from the hallway beside him.

Grasping for air from all the running, he quickly stood next to Shinou's waterfall.

„Let's go!" he smiled, waving to the others while stepping into the water. Yuri followed him.

His gaze was all focused on Conrad, until the cold water engulfed him, bringing him back to earth.

Conrad's gaze was turned sternly on the waterfall as Yuri disappeared, and he thought he hadn't been that confused since he was a teenager.

That was... unexpected. He had to talk to someone. He had been poring over everything that happened through the whole night. Conrad still hadn't come to any conclusion. The worst part was that Yuri was away for some months, that also made it more difficult.

Here he stood, and had no clue if Yuri was returning his affection or not. The embrace from that few minutes ago had started a fire inside of Conrad's body, a fire which's flame he had considered to have died out long ago. The hope that Yuri someday could love him with the intensity of his own feelings. That they could lead a regular relationship.

He needed to talk, he was totally stuck. This was a one-way-ticket for him, the kiss had changed everything. Both of them wouldn't forget it. At least, that counts for me.

Conrad cleared his throat, turning to his elder brother.

„Gwendal, is Yozak in the castle right now? Or within reach?"

The long-haired mazoku seemed confused about his question. „He was on a mission, but he should return today. Late afternoon, according to his last message," he responded.

It was just noon, so he had to wait a bit. Conrad sighed. „Fine, thank you," he nodded at Gwendal before turning around and leaving the temple. He had to sort out a lot of things.

Yozak liked getting back to Blood Pledge Castle. It was like getting home, even if it wasn't really the place where he lived. He was a wanderer, always traveling, investigating. But coming home to report to Lord von Voltaire was always a special trip.

The sky was burning red because of the setting sun, as he led his horse through the passage to the castle, heading to the stables. But somehow, something seemed different than usual. As he approached the building, Yozak quickly noticed a tall, brown-haired figure standing beside the door, wearing a brown uniform.

Is the commander waiting for me? Then indeed, something is wrong.

„Welcome home, Yozak," Conrad greeted him, smiling, taking a few steps towards him. This isn't the way he usually smiles. Seems like something is bothering him. That would also explain why he's waiting for me.

„Thank you, commander," he bowed his head slightly at his friend before dismounting from his horse. „Why do I have the honor of having you awaiting my recurrence?" Yozak winked.

Conrad chuckled softly. Still, he seemed kind of troubled. „Well, that's a long story. Would you mind coming to my rooms after making your report to my brother?"

„Of course not," Yozak replied. He was curious about the „long story". Whatever happened, it took a huge effort to take Conrad to his current state.

The report was very short. Yozak was kind of thankful for that, so he had the opportunity to visit Conrad as soon as possible.

The spy knocked at the latter's door, earning a gentle „Come in!" from inside the room.

He pushed the door handle down and stepped inside. Conrad was standing beside a window, looking outside. He seemed deeply lost in thought.

Yozak cleared his throat. „Commander," he nodded.

Conrad turned around, and again, that sad smile on his face. „Yozak, please sit down," he pointed at the small table and chairs, „I ordered some wine for us." Taking his seat, he uncorked a bottle of red wine and poured some into two wine glasses.

As the redhead sat down, Conrad handed one of them over to him.

„So, what's the long story you wanted to talk about with me?", Yozak asked, swirling the glass in his hand.

„Well, at first, I rely on your discretion, because this is a very delicate matter of fact."

The spy nodded, wondering what was to come. "Of course."

„Yuri went back to earth today to write some exams. It will take a while," Conrad explained, staring into his glass of wine. „Not that it's a problem. Well, it kind of is, but... Uhm, I have no clue how to begin," he muttered. His head dropped down.

„Just start with what happened in fact. We can discuss afterwards if that's a problem or not."

„Well, okay. The fact is," the brown-haired man sighed deeply, "I kissed Yuri."

Yozak was stunned. That was not only completely unexpected, it was also against everything he thought of the commander. He wasn't the one to kiss somebody just like that.

„You did... what?"

„Kiss him." Conrad emptied his wine at once.

Then he began to tell the whole story.

Yozak was in a complete state of shock.

He never thought something like this would ever occur, considering the highly self-controlled ways of Conrad. That he had feelings for Yuri was not that much a surprise, Yozak had mused about that for a long time. He knew his friend well enough and he was able to recognize a very special smile of his, like the ones only Yuri got from him.

"You see, I was so terrified of myself. I couldn't hold back as our lips touched, I should have just pulled away and pretend it was just an accidental touch. He wouldn't have thought that there was more behind that move. And now, I most likely scared him away from me, the last thing I ever wanted to. I have no idea why I couldn't restrain myself. I ruined so much, and I knew it, but yet I couldn't resist. Hell, if he had responded in any way, I couldn't tell you what I had done to him," Conrad blushed slightly, looking outside the window. Now that was something very unusual.

Silence.

„The point is of course," he continued, „how to handle this in the future..."

Yozak nodded, also lost in thought. „Let's see... most important is obviously, how he thinks about you. You got two opportunities: For once, remain silent, don't tell him anything about your feelings and pretend like nothing happened. That would be the coward's way," he couldn't suppress a grin, „Or, on the other hand, talk to him, explain everything. That way, of course there's the risk of making a fool of yourself if he doesn't return your feelings, but I think that the kiddo could handle it, treating you as kind as he always does. And it includes that maybe he also is in love with you, and you live happily ever after." The grin was still there.

Conrad sighed heavily. „Well, that's as far as I got myself. Therefore I wanted to ask you what to do, because I'm completely lost now."

„I think you should talk to him. Even if this would lead into a disappointment, Yuri-heika could handle it and at least he knows what's up. Because right now, either way, he surely is as uncertain as you are. There's nothing wrong with setting things straight. And what would you actually say if he falls right into your arms, telling you that he loves you too? That would surely be worth the risk. Your chances are fifty-fifty."

The captain nodded thoughtfully, again pouring some wine into his drinking glass. The bottle was empty by now. „But how in the world could I even hope he'll return my feelings? He's the king, and who am I? Just a half-breed mazoku, just the child of the former queen and a human. Apart from that, Yuri is engaged to my brother. I don't want to offend him as well," he answered.

Yozak took a deep breath. „An engagement can be broken, even though that's not an honorable manner. But it was just a misunderstanding in the first place - and to be honest, I don't think that they have a real relationship going right now, you know. Your relation to Yuri is also pretty close. He trusts you so much. Remember when you went to Big Shimaron, when you 'betrayed' us? Everybody was upset, doubting your loyalty. But not Yuri. He was always standing against them, believing no matter what that you would come back for sure."

„Please don't make me remember that one," Conrad shook his head before lying it down on his hands, on the table. „I swear, this boy is tearing me apart. You know, as he embraced me at his departure, all I could think of was how wonderful he fitted into my arms. I didn't want to let him go, I wanted to comfort him, kiss him again, well – at least I should have said something to him. I feel so bad, Yozak. And he will be off for several months..."

The spy padded his shoulder lightly. „Don't you think that you suffered enough? Give it a chance, tell him. He has a right to know about it. I'm sure you won't regret it."

The brown-haired man nodded again. „I will."

I know, it's pretty canon to pair Conrad and Yozak in the past, but I don't want to, so please really think about them as just friends.

But it's also pretty canon to pair Gwendal and Gunter... I like this couple a lot, so maybe that will occur in later chapters. We'll see.

Yay for supporting characters! Really love writing Yozak's character, very refreshing.

And btw, Chapter 3 and only one review? :( Please leave me a review if you liked it! I always like to hear what my readers are thinking, and constructive criticism is also appreciated!