The days bled as readily as the soldiers did, forming ruddy pools of days and weeks; flowing into the rivers of months. Time dripped on steadily, and the war raged just as long. Although victory was all but ascertained, it seemed it would yet be a bit more.

Flynn wished it would end now, so he could take his place off the battlefield and join his hands with Yuri's officially.

Although the rumors continued to fly, they had yet to outright confirm or deny their relationship. Flynn did not like to keep secrets from the Don or his father, and he knew they knew, but he also knew they thought of it as temporary, a fling. How far from the truth they were! If not for this war, Flynn would have asked for Yuri's hand long ago.

But then again, if not for this war, he'd have no chance with such a demand. And he would not earn Yuri's love with his father's blood.

Maybe it was a young fool's plan, but Flynn had one. He would win this war for Dahngrest, and once he was made a hero publically, he would refuse any and all monetary rewards. Instead, taking Yuri's advice, when all were high off his achievements he planned to ask the Don then and there for his blessing for them to be wed.

Maybe it would work. Maybe it won't. But he would wait until they got there. The one thing that gave him solace was the fact, come what may, he and Yuri would be together somehow. In this land torn by war, it was the only thing that drove him to victory now.

Flynn won every battle he was placed in. He led the troops, he saved as many as possible and he devised strategies that always resulted in victory. When Yuri fought with him they were completely unstoppable; Flynn figured by the time he was twenty-three, Alexei would be dead and Zaphias fallen.

And he would be married to the man he loved above all else.

"Not just yet, young man," Judith grabbed him by the back of his uniform collar before Flynn could escape to his tent. "You and I are going to have a talk."

"Captain…" Flynn started, but Judith smacked the back of his head.

"Not that sort of talk." She said, grabbing his arm and pulling him away. Flynn looked back to his tent helplessly, barely seeing Yuri peeking out and looking highly amused.

It was so like him to let Flynn go off into the jaws of death…

Some soldiers snickered as they watched the mother and son duo march across the camp—or, Judith was marching, and Flynn was dragged along like the chagrined boy he was. When they finally reached the captain's tent and it was closed off to the world, Flynn dropped the military formality and gave his mother his best puppy eyes to avoid whatever might have incurred her wrath.

The laugh he got reminded him that puppy eyes worked on Raven, not Judith.

"Chin up, boy," Judith said as she flicked at his chin to make him do just that. "I'm not here to yell at you."

"When someone, especially a woman, says 'we're going to have a talk'…"

"Like you actually know what that means," the lancer sauntered across her tent, peeling off armored gloves so she could grab a disposable cup to fill with water. "No, we're going to talk about the prince."

Flynn frowned. "I know they say to treat him like any soldier, but he's the prince! I can't let him get hurt—"

Judith splashed the cupful of water at him, hitting Flynn in the face with it. He yelped in surprise, sitting up straighter. "What did I tell you about assuming?" she scolded him. "Everyone here is expected to support Prince Yuri and keep him from recklessly killing himself, that's a given. No, we're going to talk about your affair."

Flynn grumbled under his breath, swiping at his face to push aside the water from his eyes. "What affair?"

Judith was already pouring another cup of water, not to drink but to throw at him in case he smart-mouthed her again. "Don't play stupid, Flynn. You might keep your father guessing, but do you really think you can hide things from me?"

And that was the cincher. Flynn knew he could hide absolutely nothing from his mother, so he settled into his seat and sighed. "It's not an affair." He said after a moment. "Affairs are brief… often emotionless. It is… so much more than that."

Pleased he was finally coming clean with it, Judith actually began to drink the water. "You are in love?" she questioned. "You're sure? You've only just turned nineteen, Flynn."

"What's that have to do with anything?" Flynn frowned even more deeply. "I would think by now you'd realize age is nothing when it comes to me, mother."

Fair enough. The boy was winning battles at fifteen after all. And even younger, his own father took his advice, when Raven was able to fight. "And the prince?" she went on.

"I trust Yuri with my heart and life. He says he loves me and I'll believe him, gods damn my soul."

Judith finished her cup and set it aside, crossing her arms carefully. "It's not as hidden as you think," she finally said after several silent moments. "The Don has approached your father, and our House will move within one of the wings of the castle in a fortnight, just before our battalion returns to Dahngrest proper."

Flynn's eyes widened. "What? That's… But that only happens when…"

"When a noble family has done something damn amazing or to accommodate a royal's married family." Judith finished for him. "Flynn, you two are as obvious as the sun. It's gotten to the point we know it's there, but it's been there so long we've come to expect it. This move all but confirms two things: the Don knows you are the catalyst that gives us the advantage in this war, thus allowing us to win… and that Prince Yuri will have you and no one else."

Flynn's face colored, both from how she phrased that and from the underlying admittance she left unspoken. The Don was a practical man, and awards did not come from him lightly—he could easily just give Flynn and his family several honors and coffers if he was just going to thank him for his role in the war. But to move their family into the castle meant the Don knew, and that he was approving. He was expecting Flynn to approach him with his request.

Everything was going right. Flynn didn't even have to outright win this war single-handedly to do it.

"I have to tell Yuri," Flynn blurted out excitedly, standing out of his chair quickly only to be pushed back down by Judith. "But…!"

"Later." She insisted. "This is in part, according to your father, the Don's birthday gift to Yuri. Before we sail back to Dahngrest, we'll stop by the Temple of Zaude, and that's when we'll get the official notice."

Flynn smiled widely. The Temple of Zaude was a conquered city-island that he and Yuri himself had led their forces to win. In the center was a massive temple, and they were the only ones who ever dared to reach the very top. It had become their favorite place, and each time they docked there for a few days, the couple always ascended the temple to spend time alone together.

That would be the perfect place. And Judith knew it.

"Not a word," she warned him before motioning with her hands for him to go. "If Yuri asked we talked about your father or something."

That was hardly a good excuse, but Flynn really didn't care. Yuri'll see through it no matter what, but this was a secret he could keep.

Yuri loved the view from Zaude. He could see the world, it felt like, and the endless ocean that stretched before him would forever be a sight to behold. Especially now, with the sun beginning to set and coloring the sky and sea the color of fire. In the distance, he could see the top spires of Zaphias—in another direction, he could make out the outline of Dahngrest. This was the center of the world, and at the height of it where no one else dared were him and his soulmate.

"Okay," Yuri laughed, spinning around under the massive Apatheia core that powered the temple. Flynn came up close to him, grasping his arms before Yuri's temporary dizziness made him fall. "What's been on your mind these past few days?"

Flynn had intercepted the royal missive in his excitement, withholding the present from Yuri for a bit longer. Of course he'd give the Don his proper due, but he thought it'd be a bit more… impacting if Yuri heard it from him, received the official word from him.

"Remember my promise?" Flynn asked, his hands sliding down Yuri's arms to his hands and grasping there.

"Which one?" Yuri teased, smirking. "You've promised me the world at this point."

Flynn glanced out to the horizon, grinning almost smugly. "Well, here's the world," he quipped, and Yuri laughed.

"That's one promise. What one are you thinking of?"

Flynn raised one of Yuri's hands to his lips, kissing the back of it. "At the end of this war, I'm going to ask for your hand in marriage," he recounted, smiling once he lowered Yuri's hand. "And then I'm going to make you the happiest man in the world."

"I think you've already done that last bit," Yuri chuckled, bringing Flynn's hand up to return the gesture. As always, between them, things must be even and equal. "So, what about it? You're not about to ask now, are you? The war's still going on…"

"I know." Flynn stepped closer to him, keeping their hands clasped and pressing his forehead to Yuri's. He lowered his voice as his eyes stared intently into Yuri's own. "But it's going to happen."

"You sound so sure. I mean I'll make it happen of course, but my father might protest some."

Flynn smiled brilliantly, lightly kissing Yuri's lips for a brief moment. "He won't." he whispered. "When we get back to Dahngrest… you'll find my family has moved into the east castle wing."

Yuri's eyes widened, his lips parting slightly, like he meant to say something; yet Flynn's excitement was too much to contain. He was so close, and Yuri's lips were just too tempting, so before Yuri could utter a word Flynn locked their lips together. He let Yuri's hands go just to embrace him, pulling the dark-haired man closer to him.

Flynn's arms became a prison, and Yuri leaned closer to his warm as he got over his shock and returned the kiss. With some maneuvering, he was able to get his own arms around Flynn, imprisoning him just the same. For them both, it was a prison they were happy to remain trapped in.

When their lips pulled away, they didn't go far. Flynn opened his eyes just slightly, as did Yuri, and soon they were caught in a gaze that held more beauty and amazement then the view of Zaude and the world. In Flynn's arms, in those dark eyes, he held his world and source of happiness. He could feel it in every fiber of his being as he was mesmerized by Yuri's eyes, the love between them and the bond they had forged over years and battles. They belonged together.

And soon they'll have made every possibly bond together, locked together forever. He could hardly wait.

Words remained scarce between them as they stayed like that; staring into each other's eyes and holding each other close. Over and over their lips met in kisses and parted only centimeters for passing breaths. As Yuri looked into Flynn's blue eyes, he realized he truly was looking at the other part of his soul. This man would become his… and he himself, Flynn's. In that moment of realization, the war didn't exist. Royalty, military, titles… the mundane world itself faded in that moment. Right here was everything. It was terrifying, but at the same time, Yuri found something perfect in this balance of being empowered and vulnerable in Flynn's arms.

That was love, he had learned.

But, ah, how unfortunate…
Such was a wish never to be granted.