Title: Secrets: Best Left Untold?

Summary: After a certain event in Ginnungagap, Flavio is relieved to have his best friend back. But the Week of Celebrations for the Duchess' birthday and upcoming Christmas is the least of his worries; he seems to have a stalker or two, of which he wants to keep secret so not to worry anyone. But how long will he be able to keep everything to himself?

Pairings: Fafnir/Flavio, very mild onesided Fafnir/Arianna

Genres: Romance, Mystery, Suspense, Drama, Angst, Everyone Loves Flavio, Everyone Is Protective of Flavio, Flavio Needs A Hug

AN: I had decided to start writing this project because I believed my operation wouldn't happen for a while. But lo and behold, I finally got a new date! Anyway, it's probably best I have something to work on during my recovery.

A few things before we start, however. At the beginning, it will appear that Flavio and Arianna are competing for Fafnir's affections, but they are still close friends, so it's superficial at best. And the restaurant is not beloved by the public. In fact, it's rather disliked for how it came onto the scene, and by extension, so is Regina. Before anyone accuses me of this, I am NOT bashing Regina. I just imagine the hard workers, business owners, and explorers would take exception to someone of Regina's class waltzing in, getting everything handed to her on a silver platter while they have to struggle to survive. And after living a life of privilege and wealth, I image Regina would struggle with people not reacting positively to her. That is all I'm doing. It is something that the Antagonist tries to use to put doubt in Flavio's mind.

With that said, I'm sure I'll get some idiot throwing untrue accusations at me. They'll be laughed at and ignored. But for the rest of my intelligent readers, you'll know that above is all for the drama and the angst. And, oh, there will be drama and angst for poor Flavio :'D

Ok, with all of that out of the way, this story will probably be about 25 chapters long. So a medium project for me. Hope you enjoy reading~!

Chapter 1:

Fate. Destiny. Kismet. Divine timing.

Fafnir was tired of it all. He hated it. To be nothing more than a puppet, having someone else pulling at the strings, forcing him to dance at their commands, at the demands of another.

Was that how his life was meant to be? To be told, ordered, commanded what to do? To be sacrificed at the word of another?

One chance meeting during his childhood was all it took to condemn his life to one of servitude. And eventual to one of ultimate sacrifice.

Ginnungagap was a very cold, dark place. Empty. Silence. Devoid of…anything.

Why he listened to that disembodied voice, he still did not know. Was it a choice? His choice? Was it the pressure to do what was right and expected of him? Guilt? Blackmail? Or was he just plain gutless? It was easier to just give in. To do as he was told. To blame the ever-faceless fate for his troubles.

Flavio was not content with that, however. He and the others. Storming Ginnungagap. Interfering with the ritual. Interfering with fate. With how "things" had worked for generations.

It was the wake-up call that Fafnir needed. That, and the light jab to the stomach Flavio delivered before telling him to never, ever do something like that again.

Flavio would rather face this Yggdrasil Core in battle than allow Fafnir to sacrifice his life in a ritual that may not even last. The seal had grown significantly weaker. It may not even last until the next Fafnir Knight.

"Tell me what you want for once, Faf, please…"

What he wanted? He was not sure. What he did not want was for Flavio to be in danger because of him. And he would have been if he continued on the path he was.

But Flavio made his decision. His own decision. He was not content with making someone else dance upon the strings of fate. He did not want to have to rip someone else's heart out. Tear apart love ones. All for a ritual, a seal that may not even last. For an entity that will eventually rise to the surface anyway. It was only a matter of time.

He also wished to put an end to the pointless sacrifices. Knights were not deposable. Expendable. They were not something to be sacrifice at someone else's command. They had hopes and dreams all of their own. And they had a right to live them. To live their lives as they wish.

Just like Fafnir did.

And Flavio had a point. He was always right.

So, just like the way Flavio and the others fought their way through Ginnungagap to get to him, Fafnir chose to fight as well.

That was his decision.

From all that he had heard about the Yggdrasil Core, facing it in battle would not be easy. He would need to grow stronger. He would need to find powerful enemies in Yggdrasil labyrinth to defeat.

But turning Flavio away after all he said and done was impossible.

Fafnir truly was a fool. How could he have left Flavio alone? He was the one person in his life who had tried to make his life easier. The one who watched over him. He was his impulse control. His calming presence. His peace. His guiding light in the dark.

He took him for granted.

Never again.

Flavio had asked him what he wanted to do. Back then Fafnir did not know the answer. But as Christmas approached and as he grew accustomed to the city of High Lagaard, he finally figured it out.

He wanted Flavio to know just how much he truly meant to him. Just how special he was. And he wanted to spend as much time with him as possible.

That was his decision. And he was going to see it through, no matter what.

… … … … …

It was a bright, sunny day in High Lagaard. It was, however, cold. No surprise as it was a few weeks away from Christmas. As magical as that season was, it was still cold. And Flavio was not a fan of the cold. At all.

Flavio attempted to tug his jacket closer as he juggled his shopping in his arms. He was so distracted with guarding himself from the icy cold wind and keeping his packages that he stumbled wildly when someone bumped into him. A hand grasping him by the elbow prevented him from falling over.

"Do pardon me," a masculine voice stated, subtly concerned. "Are you all right?"

Taking a moment to ensure that he had a firm grip on his shopping, Flavio turned his head toward the one gripping his arm. A young man. Perhaps only a few years older than himself, but a head taller. Short dark black hair, choppy yet somehow still neat at the back with bangs styled to dance over his right eye while the other half was neatly slicked back behind his left ear. The most striking thing about him, however, was that he had most intensely dark emerald green eyes.

They were honestly mesmerising.

Flavio quickly realised that he was staring and snapped himself out of it, plastering a smile on his lips. "Whew, yeah, thanks. The streets sure are busy today."

The other man, however, stared at him in return, his deep green eyes focused entirely on him. Searching his face. Looking him up and down. Inspecting him in such a way that it felt as though the other man could not quite comprehend the sight before him.

It was a little, ok really uncomfortable.

"…Wioleta…?"

Flavio blinked. "I'm sorry?"

The man shook his head sharply, as though snapping himself from a trance. He turned his green eyes back toward Flavio once more and a smile, quite practiced but charming nonetheless, appeared on his lips. "F-forgive me. You…look remarkably like my deceased wife."

That surprised Flavio greatly and a wave of great sympathy fell over him. The man had to be no older than Fafnir or himself, yet he was already a widower? That was terrible!

"Oh, I'm sorry," Flavio said on reflex. What else could he say?

It was not until he felt something tighten around his bicep that Flavio realised that the man still had a firm, but not overly aggressive grip on his arm.

"It's uncanny." The man suddenly slipped a finger under Flavio's chin and tilted his head back slightly. The touch was unexpected, so much so that Flavio tensed, mind going blank, unsure of how to react.

"Same hair. Same beautiful eyes. You even have her mannerisms," the man continued, leaning forward uncomfortably close. "If I didn't know any better, you could very well be my long-lost love. Wouldn't that be some grand divine intervention?"

O-okay, things have gotten weird!

Flavio took a shaky step backwards, successfully pulling himself from the man's grip. Thankfully, the man did not resist. "A-ah, excuse me," he said as he clutched his bag of shopping against his chest. "I have to go. Sorry for your loss."

The man smiled and presented him with a slight nod of his head. "Until we meet again, beautiful stranger."

Flavio flushed at the strange nickname and simply spun on his heel and hurried away. What a strange guy. But he might still be grieving. He was still young, after all.

Still, better not mention him to Fafnir. He had gotten very protective of him lately. He had always been protective, but more so than usual. Not that Flavio was complaining, of course. But what had occurred in Ginnungagap was the likely cause.

Ginnungagap…

No, he must not think about that. They had agreed not to talk about the events that had transpired there recently. The decisions that had been made, or lack thereof.

It was with a huge sigh of relief that Flavio walked into the restaurant. And it was not just the cold he was grateful to be away from. "I'm back! Regina, I got the items you wanted."

"Ah, thanks!" Regina's voice echoed somewhere from the kitchen, where she was usually found. "I appreciate it, just place them on the bar!"

Flavio set the bags atop of the bar and unwound the scarf around his neck. He idly folded the piece of clothing as he looked around the dining area of the restaurant. A few regular customers were situated at the tables near the windows, enjoying both the warmth from the sun and the heating the restaurant provided. Otherwise, things were pretty quiet.

That was not much of a surprise, to be honest. Though cold, it was a sunny day. They have had a few snowy days, but nothing of the rumoured brutal blizzards that Flavio had been warned about. One days like today, it would be wise to prepare for both the snow and Christmas.

Speaking of Christmas, that was about…two weeks away, if he recalled correctly. And he still needed to find Fafnir a gift. He was not entirely sure what to get him. Fafnir dodged all inquiries, offering instead a sly smirk and a cryptic "I'm working on it."

Fine. Be mysterious, Faf. Flavio will figure it out eventually.

"There you are."

Ah, speak of the devil.

Fafnir appeared from the back of the restaurant, where they kept their items in storage. He was not alone, however. Just a step or so behind him was Arianna. A common sight the last few days.

He did not want to use the word 'clingy' as it had negative connotations, but she tried to be in Fafnir's presence whenever possible.

He understood why. She was also heavily affected by what had transpired in Ginnungagap. She blamed herself. But how was she to know? She was only a child when she chose Fafnir. No one told her the truth of her heritage. Of her burdens.

But it was kinda hard to simply hang out with Fafnir, just the two of them like old times with Arianna insisting on joining them.

Sometimes…sometimes he just wanted to hang out with Fafnir and Fafnir alone, ya know?

"You were gone for a while," Fafnir said as he walked over to him.

Flavio smiled. "Were you timing me?" he jokingly asked before he shrugged. "Everyone is taking advantage of the clear weather, apparently."

Fafnir leaned against the bar and next to him. He raised his left hand and gently brushed his knuckles against Flavio cheek. The touch was light, gently dancing over the skin of Flavio's cheek. But it brought a flutter to Flavio's chest.

"Your cheeks are red."

And Flavio felt them redden further from a blush. "Y-yeah, well, it's cold outside. You know I can't stand the cold."

Ever since Ginnungagap, Fafnir had grown more attentive and, well, touchy-feely for a lack of a better description. Again, not that Flavio was complaining. How could he? The touches were just sometimes…surprising. Like the gentle one brushing against his cheek.

Arianna suddenly popped up into their line of sight, her attention focused upon Fafnir. "Oh, but it is such a bright and sunny day," she said, cheerfully. "It would be such a delight to wander the streets and enjoy the sunlight, wouldn't you agree, Sir Fafnir?"

Fafnir let his hand drop to his side listlessly as he turned his gaze toward the princess. "I'm not all that fond of the cold either. Besides, Flavio just came in from the cold. He needs to warm up."

Arianna's cheeriness deflated subtly. "O-oh, that is true. Um, perhaps, the two of us could take a relaxing stroll then?"

Flavio felt a prang of…something suddenly hit him in the chest. He had the inclination that the first request was not extended to him. But the second made it obvious. He should not be bitter as it was clear, as obvious as the nose on his face that Arianna had quite the crush on Fafnir. He could not blame her for doing so.

He…

He also…

Anyway, it appeared that after what had occurred at Ginnungagap, Arianna was intent on spending time with her crush.

He wondered how Fafnir felt, though.

Fafnir leaned back against the bar and folded his arms across his chest. "Hmm, I take plenty of strolls in the labyrinth. I'm feeling lazy today."

Ah Fafnir, on the other hand, seemed oblivious to the young lady's crush.

Huh…Flavio felt a sense of relief at that. He…shouldn't. It would be rude of him. Especially when Arianna looked obviously disappointed, and maybe even a bit frustrated. But determined all the same.

Yet, he still found himself leaning forward to rest against the bar next to Fafnir, taking a casual stance of his own. "The streets are full of people anyway. You'll spend more time dodging than walking. Besides, we're heading into the labyrinth tomorrow, right? Better preserve our energy."

Fafnir turned his head toward him. "You're looking forward to getting away from the cold."

Flavio laughed. "Of course. Petal Bridge feels like spring compared to the winter wonderland we have here and Frozen Woods."

"We might have to camp out there for a while."

"For three months? No thanks!"

It was nice to have a sense of normalcy again.

He just…hoped it lasted.