KKM:

Shorts::Quest

Affection Much

By: Lotus Curtiss

(Michelle)

It had to be a mere coincidence that forced him to blink multiple times, the weather anomaly that blew in, the tight space being forced into, pressed against each other. A quest for a few days out camping, away from the castle, getting away from the paperwork and demands of those around them. Needless to say a certain someone was called home for reasons unknown. Now with his charge on day five of the outing, trapped in a slender cave barely big enough to fit them both; they were abreast as a storm raged outside the mouth.

"Your Majesty, are you comfortable?" He was ready to press himself into the cave wall if need be.

"Yuuri. Just fine Conrad." Came a corrective response and reassurance.

"Not too tight?"

"Yes." Earning a laugh. "This is adventure after all."

He smiled. "Until the weather lets up, lets take a break and rest our legs."

"Agreed." With some shifting they managed to sit down on the floor, he took out some rations and the water skin.

"Thanks Conrad." His Majesty took the food from him and the skin.

They conversed over matters relating to the kingdom, baseball and life in general.

"This storm really isn't letting up." His Majesty had mentioned to the unforgiving rains and winds that whistled beyond among the darkened sky that was becoming blacker and more ominous. The sun had been sinking unbeknownst to them.

"We'll be staying here tonight." He moved to unpack the sleeping rolls and stopped short. "Yuuri, we'll have to sleep back to back."

"Don't worry about it Conrad. Something's can't be helped." He simply grinned.

"Alright." Having the go-ahead, he continued with unrolling sleeping rolls where the long sides overlapped each other by a foot and curled along the cave wall.

"At least the ground is soft." He could see His Majesty rub a hand over-petting a spongy texture.

"That's Amaritta Moss. A type of moss that is durable and retain moisture, makes for perfect bedding when camping and it had medicinal properties."

"That's nice, beats having to sleep on the hard ground." He smiled then took a long stretch with a yawn before shimmying past him to layout on the rolls. "We need to pack some and give it to Gisela, I'm sure she would love to have it."

He watched for some time, making sure that there was no threat that he could feel before resting on his side with his back to His Majesty, hand gripping the scabbard of his sword. Too much storm for a threat to arise really.

And so, they were trapped in the small cave. It not worth taking a risk and leaving when there were galling winds the forced the rain to wash horizontally and made the trees bend to there breaking points. Not safe indeed.

"Conrad!" He looked over to Yuuri waving at him from a small bend in the caves throat. "Look what I found!" His Majesty was laughing.

With out ado, he followed after, taking a few turns till the cave bellied to show a pool of steaming water illuminated by the glowing Amaritta Moss, "It's a hot spring!"

"And fresh water." Pointing to a small tricking stream coming from open crack in the wall.

"Awesome. Come on. This is an adventure, we found a hot spring. Let's get in!" Motivated by the excitement of his charge, he followed suit in stripping his own cloths and slipping into the pool.

It was quiet, he could hear the torrent echoing down the hall and the threading of the springs feed and the illuminated glow of Amaritta Moss giving it a ethereal feeling. The stress melted away so easily. A silent and long and slow sigh escaped. He wasn't expecting His Majesty to receive permission from his Elder Brother to explore his lands along the backside of the mountain range near his cousins manor and also receiving permission from Cousin Hube at the same time. All to learn the geographical layout of his kingdom. He glanced at the smiling face next to him. This seventeen year old, expanding his knowledge base.

"Yuuri, after we return, what location would you like to see next?"

"That, Conrad, will have to wait as you know I have piles of paperwork to finish once I return." He laughed about it.

"A job waits for no one." A failed pun on a scale of zero.

"Hm? Adventure will always be out there, waiting for someone to walk its path to someplace new." He smiled. "I know, why don't we sleep in here tonight and away from the opening, we can still hear the storm though."

Granted though being closer to the back of the cave would provide more protection if the wind changed direction and closer to a fresh water source to drink. It seems as though every creature had tucked themselves away into what shelter they had, like them. "Very well, given that the moss also is in here." Mentioning to the bed that grew plump and thick in a two inch layer on top of the stony ground.

Later that night with the bedrolls moved to the interior of the cave, though there was a little more space, they were back to back. Or rather, His Majesties back was slumped against his own. Glancing over his shoulder to see His Majesty smiling in his sleep. Well, though it was slightly warmer deeper inside, nothing could beat the companionship of one back against another. He settled down to sleep.

The onslaught of raging weather continued and he had checked on it every morning and before going to bed, though the weather didn't dampen His Majesties mood, the teen was enamored with every detail of the cave. And seemed to be enjoying every hour that he was away from his desk.

It was a total of fourteen days to his record when he woke up, still trapped by the storm down the corridor, well, no use worrying. Shifting to curl back asleep for a few more moments, he breathed deep, a soft scent brushing his nose. It was nice. There was the weight of his sword still clutched and twisted the hand in to stretch the wrist, knuckles caressing warmth. A gentle warmth and sought to pull it closer. Letting out a deep and slow sigh, the warmth was comforting, seeping, running along from his chin to his shins. Curved around his torso and up his spine. And it seemed that the warmth was drawing closer to him.

There was a still quietness in the caves belly, a sweet gentle quiet. A time forgotten world.

"Conrad...I can't breathe...can you let me go?" He could hear a question beyond. "Please...Conrad..." He woke slowly. "Your grip is too tight...let go...Conrad..."

"Yuuri?" He looked down to see eyes pleading at him, he smiled at the king below.

"Conrad! You-you're still asleep!" He gasped. "Can you please let go?!"

"Yuuri. You just feel so comfortable." There was a response of a clearly flushed face.

"Just wake up already! I am not sure if you're pulling something here." The King struggled.

He rolled onto his back and brushed the black strands. "No. Not something."

"You have cabin fever! We have been stuck in here too long." How cute to see him panic.

"Yuuri, there was another reason why I agreed to this trip. To finally tell you with out hiding it behind a sentence." His thumb caressed soft and smaller lips before leaning his head up and capturing them in a kiss. "I love you."

"W-well...uh..." The king simmered and looked away. "I...I...ub...o...wo..." It was a low moan.

"Yuuri?"

"Damn it!" He festered in frustrations. "I love you too!"

"Please kiss me?" A simple request.

"Uh...Conrad..." Hands curled above his chest and he smiled sweetly, arms just pulling him closer. "Fine."

It was an innocent, quivering light kiss as sun filtered down the corridor, the clouds had left.

Upon Returning to Covenant Castle...

"CHEATER!" His Majesty dodged a blow from his younger brother. "You two timer!"

"Hold it! Would you calm down and hear me out first?!" Trying to quell the fighter then took off towards the courtyard. "It's not helping anything when you get like this!" Was a shout back.

Curious as to where this was going, he followed the two, a gentle smile on his face. In the center yard, His Majesty was dodging every attack and had retreated to the fountains rim as in hopes of having higher ground.

"Don't think I will let you go back to Earth with out turning you to char first!"

"Wolfram, just chill out!" Yuuri had this look like he was cornered and he felt remorse course through him. "I told you as soon as Conrad and I got back from the travels in the von Voltaire lands that "I am permanently breaking up the engagement between us."" He took a step forwards from the sidelines.

"Me chill out?! You cheated on me!"

"And that's why your temper gets in the way of everything!" He shouted back, taking a stand.

"Yuuri! I am going to make you regret those words!" And with that, the youngest brother lunged towards the king.

It was slow motion, as Yuuri, his beloved leapt backwards, the water was the in the path of the boys; he swept in with a large step and swooped Yuuri into his arms, placing a tender yet passionate kiss on the lips as a look of relief and joy spread over the face. From the corner of his eye he could see Wolfram snarling at first, changing into confusion then shock. There was a splash behind him as he landed on the other side of the fountain rim.

"I love Yuuri. And." He gave a solid slap along the left cheek. "I will not be taking this back. Ever. Wolfram, he is mine and I will not let anyone else or even you have him. Will you marry me, Yuuri?" There was squealing from the housekeep after the stunned silence that filled the air

"About time you made a move! Yes!" He grinned then turned his attention to Wolfram who was sitting in the pool of water, soaked from head to toe. "I still want a friend, I still want you in my courts, I will apologize for not breaking it off in the first day and for letting it go as long as it did but I will not apologize for my feelings and the will of my heart leading me to Conrad. How much I want and need him by my side. Someday, you will forgive me, that is all I ask from you."

There was a look of quietness as his younger brother stood. "I have always known but I have been unable to accept it, and you better be expecting me to keep you straying from the path you have decided to walk with my brother." He crossed his arms with attitude. "Or I will be stealing you back."

"He's just giving us his blessing." He chuckled at Wolframs defense to the comment then felt Yuuri kiss him.

There was more squealing from the housekeep and clapping from those around.