They were on the cusp of victory, and the entire city knew it. They were simply waiting for Zaphias to wave the flag of surrender at this point; their navy had fallen, and although they fiercely defended what land they still held, bit by bit Dahngrest was gaining ground. It was saddening to see dedicated soldiers fall for a hopeless cause and for a careless king, but either they died or joined them. Raven knew better than to feel more than pity and extend more than cursory mercy.

At least he did when he was able to take to the battlefield, but these days it seemed he did more lordly things than fighting. The fact made him uneasy, simply because this was a responsibility he had little to no interest in. Normally, he let his wife handle the affairs of the house simply because she was attentive enough to while he handled the soldiers and went to war. But since that battle years ago…

Raven shook his head, trying to dispel the memory. He can't even begin to wonder why Emperor Alexei spared his life and let him crawl out of that hellhole of a battlefield with just a stab wound to his heart. Some said he did it in hopes Raven would bleed out and die slowly, but Raven was skeptical of that. Something made Alexei hold back, and that look on the Emperor's face was something Raven would never forget.

Not that he ever could, and he absently rubbed over his chest, feeling the hard jeweled surface of his blastia heart.

He had just taken up his pen again when he heard the commotion downstairs—a chorus of cheers and clapping. He knew what it was, and straightening his desk up a bit, got to his feet and carefully made his way out. If he stepped just right, he won't have to limp.

He waited at the top of the stairs as his wife strolled through the foyer and into the open room into view, her armor and lance still dirty and bloodied, but she herself smirking. Raven took the chance he had to gaze her over, enjoying the fierce beauty as she let the steward take some of her easier to remove layers and weapon. When she gazed up the stairs, her smirk became a softer smile.

"I take it you've kept up with your work," Judith joked as she undid the straps of her helmet, pulling it off so her hair could fall free, the bindings that once held it in a bun having long since loosened.

"For the most part," Raven replied, carefully making his way down the dozens of steps. Honestly, why the hell did they have so many stairs? "Is the boy not with you?"

"Of course not," Judith laughed, handing the helmet off. "He gave report and took off with the prince."

Raven sighed once he made it to the bottom of the stairs, rubbing the back of his neck. "That boy's going to get in trouble with the Don if he keeps acting like no one realizes what's going on."

Judith stepped up to him, offering her arm to him even if she knew Raven wouldn't take it. "They're only eighteen, let them fool around," she admonished him lightly. "Besides, they're a powerful pair. Not once did we lose when they fought with the armies. And the Don has turned a blind eye to it—given Prince Yuri isn't really in line to the throne unless some freak accident occurs, he really isn't all that upset."

"I don't think he'd have the right to be anyway," Raven replied, of course refusing her offer of support. He could stand a while yet. "Flynn's practically won this war for him. And I don't think it's any secret he's stronger than the Don as well… if Flynn was any less than how we raised him…"

Judith began to walk back up the stairs, and Raven followed her, mentally cursing the stairs but at the same time grateful he could still even climb stairs. "It'd be good for our family anyway to have strong ties to the Don's line. You're not all that upset yourself, either."

Raven laughed. "I wouldn't mind Flynn continuin' the line, but if he's happy like this well… I can't tell him no either."

"Exactly. Anyway, let's not worry about the boys. You're going to help me get out of this armor."

"Is that an order?"

"Yes."

Raven laughed, but he wasn't going to refuse.

And thus, the hectic days went on.
One day, God's Child met the Prince by chance.

Dahngrest really was a cramped city, something Flynn found himself cursing almost every time he returned from the open battlefield. But it was home, the place he returned to and cherished, the country he swore to protect. Every month he left it, ever since he was a paltry fifteen, to fight in a war that had raged longer than he had been alive. At first, even if he had proven to be a powerful asset, he resented everything about it. The war, the loss of good men and women for seeming no reason… well. He still resented it of course, but the older he got, he realized he truly had to protect his home. If he didn't… if the Zaphians reached it…

Well, better them than his homeland. And most certainly better them than Yuri.

He did not like the fact the youngest prince insisted on fighting in the war as well, but it wasn't like anyone could stop him. The rumor was Yuri was also blessed, much like Flynn, with great power and fortitude. Flynn could win battles on his own, but when Yuri had officially joined forces with him their side suffered even fewer losses. This led to each battle being won with more good men and women going home to their families… like his mother.

"I still can't thank you enough." Flynn whispered, holding Yuri tight in his arms. "You saved my mother. I was… I would have been…"

"I said you're welcome about fifty-four hundred times, Flynn," Yuri laughed softly, pushing at Flynn to loosen up a bit. Being held was nice… but not against armor. "We're all on the same side; we all got each other's backs."

"Just let me thank you." Flynn huffed, but he did let Yuri go.

The prince slipped out of his arms and toward the door, making sure it was properly locked. Not that anyone dared entered his quarters uninvited. Not even his older siblings. Henry had learned that lesson the hard way. That finished, Yuri will then proceed to nonchalantly strip out of his armor, letting the pieces fall to the floor.

Flynn felt the urge to snap at the blatant disregard for his armor and uniform, but that was just how Yuri was. Ever since they were little, Flynn could remember Yuri did what he wanted; the man didn't even have to be a prince to do it either. By the time Yuri spoke again, he was stripped down to the underclothes.

"I think you've thanked me enough." Yuri pushed the pile aside with his foot, walking up to Flynn in that usual proud stride of his. "We've other things to do than you thanking me over and over."

Flynn leaned back just slightly as Yuri's hands began to unlatch his armor, but he won't stop him. "Like what?"

"Well, celebrate victory for one."

"A victory we knew we'd have."

Yuri rolled his eyes, yanking off Flynn's gloves. "Hey, don't trivialize what we've accomplished. We're a step closer to winning." He tossed the gloves to his pile, and Flynn fought the urge to go after them. "And we're going to officially tell my dad about us."

"What?" Flynn felt his eyes widen, and he grabbed Yuri's hands before they went for his belt. "Yuri… isn't it too soon?"

Yuri's eyes narrowed. "How is it too soon? I should tell him as soon as possible. We're eighteen… marriageable age. The sooner the better, otherwise him and your own old man might try to marry us off."

"But…"

"Plus we just won a major battle. This'll put everyone in a good mood, and not even us coming out will dampen it. Hell they might be even happier! You're becoming a hero to Dahngrest, and everyone knows when a hero finds a soulmate it's something to celebrate."

Flynn could feel the heat rise to his cheeks. Yuri hadn't referred to him as a soulmate before, but it truly did feel like that. He felt close to Yuri… closer than anyone. They fought together, laughed together, and suffered together all their lives. But something didn't feel right about telling the world just yet. He wanted to—he wanted to shout to gods how much he adored the man in front of him, even if sometimes he found himself punching him on bad days. Or being punched by.

"Not yet." Flynn insisted. At Yuri's soured look, Flynn tried to kiss him, but the prince turned his head. "Yuri… I know. But even if we're winning, we can't relax yet. When I tell the world… I want…" He could feel his cheeks darken more, but unless he gave a good reason, Yuri would not listen to him. "When we tell the world, Yuri, I want to turn to you and ask you to marry me. In the same breath even."

That snapped Yuri back to look at him, his own eyes wide. "Wh-what? Wait a minute, Flynn—"

"But after the war. And we both know that's soon."

"You're just assuming I'm going to say yes?"

Flynn smiled confidently. "We're soulmates."

Having his own word tossed back at him threatened to embarrass him, but even if he purposely flunked it, Yuri did pay attention in his old etiquette classes. He managed to not blush, but he did have to glance away. "Are you promising that?"

Flynn never made promises. That was something he just didn't feel comfortable doing, never knowing if he could keep his word. He had refused even the Don when it came to promising, so such a statement made Flynn pause. The war was slowly ending, yes, and Dahngrest stood to be the victor. His country would triumph within a few years' time he figured, and he had resolved to lead it to victory when he was promoted to Commandant of the main forces. But for all his power, Flynn was still human. He could die by the end.

Even still…

"Yes." He decided. "I promise you, Yuri. When the war ends… I'll stand with you. And then I'm going to tell the world I plan to marry you." He paused, then chuckled. "I'll ask properly, too."

Yuri huffed. "Yeah, sure you will. I might say yes, if you do." But the prince was smiling, and Flynn knew he would.

He let Yuri's hands go, and didn't stop him from removing the rest of his armor off him. When the metal was cast aside, excess cloth followed, and when Flynn's hands reached for Yuri, all cloth was soon tossed aside.

They might not tell the Don officially yet, but they could still celebrate today's victory.

Was that blessing, was that disaster?
The Prince and God's Child learned the color of love.
He wished his happy days together would continue on forever…