Kyou Kara Maou Fan Fiction ❯ Working out the Paradox ❯ Part 9 ( Chapter 9 )

Thanks for the nice reviews!

 

Disclaimer: I don't own Kyou Kara Maou! I'm not making any money.

Warnings: Yaoi (male x male), Yuuri x Wolfram.

Summary: Ehhh… I think the title should speak for itself. The main goal of this fic is to make a completely straight guy fall in love with a boy… Will I reach that goal? - I don't know that yet.

 

A/N 1: I hate Greta; she is nonexistent in this story, and Yuuri has never adopted her.

A/N 2: beta-read by punkin02. Check out her gallery on y!Gallery: http://yaoi.y-gallery.net/user/punkin02/

 

Working out the Paradox

 

by chayron (lttomb@yahoo.com)

 

Part 9

 

It was getting late, and Kyota was thinking that it was about time to take Wolfram upstairs to their rooms and go to sleep.

 

Kyota watched Wolfram from the corner of his eye. Even if he knew that there were no two identical persons in the world, he knew there was some truth in Wolfram's words - they were really similar, but otherwise…Wolfram was wrong. They spent their entire childhood together, and he knew the blonde perfectly well. The same as Wolfram knew him, and that was giving Wolfram the impression of them being nearly identical. It wasn't true.

 

But Wolfram matured and became more serious and open about his feelings while he was away. However, Kyota also knew that some of it was only on the outside. Normally the blonde wouldn't have talked like this, but Wolfram was open because he was bitter, and the bitterness was making him spill his frustration. He hadn't been insulted by anything Wolfram said, it wasn't that it was something new all that Wolfram had said. In one way or another he had already encountered that earlier during the conversations they had when he had been trying to court Wolfram.

 

“C'mon, let's go to sleep,” Kyota stood up when Wolfram lowered his emptied mug onto the table. The blonde reluctantly let go of his mug and stood up, too. He maneuvered through table and people, following Kyota who was leading the way upstairs. They climbed up to the second floor and started walking down a corridor.

 

“Here,” Kyota showed Wolfram the door that led to the blonde's room. “I'd advise to station a guard at your door. At least not to get robbed. Our suites will be here, and here,” he motioned at the doors opposite theirs. He held out the key for Wolfram who took it. Kyota turned to the door that was next to Wolfram's room.

 

“Kyota…”

 

The blue-haired man turned to Wolfram who was looking at him, the key already inserted in the lock.

 

“Thanks. For everything,” Wolfram said. Then he opened the door, motioned for his bodyguard to follow him in and closed it behind them.

 

Kyota sighed inwardly and started unlocking his room.

 

XXXXX

 

Wolfram slept poorly. In spite of being pleasantly buzzed, it took about two hours to fall asleep finally. And then he was attacked by images and dreams and tossed in his bed nonstop, hardly discerning between dreams and reality. It was until his own bodyguard shook him awake.

 

“Your Highness?”

 

Wolfram's fickle look concentrated on the man's face. “What?” Panting, the blonde let his head fall back onto the pillow. He rubbed his face dizzily. Alarmed, he raised his eyes to the man, as a cool palm pressed to his forehead.

 

“His Highness seems to have a slight fever…” his bodyguard murmured, removing his hand.

 

Wolfram pressed his own hand to his forehead. “It seems fine to me,” he said, groping around for his cover that he had kicked off while tossing around.

 

“Maybe bring some hot tea?”

 

Wolfram snuggled back between the sheets and tucked himself in. He yawned. The bodyguard was not that much older than him and not once acted warmly and with care towards him. At first Wolfram had been worried that the guy might have a crush on him, but then it appeared that he already had a lover. That was genuine, and that's why Wolfram liked the boy at his side.

 

“Fine, if it will make your conscience lighter,” Wolfram muttered, already falling asleep.

 

The boy watched the blonde sleeping, his breathing becoming slower then just shook his head and went back to sleep on the couch.

 

XXXXX

 

“Wolfram?”

 

“Uhmm?” the blonde turned to his other side at the same time throwing the covers over his head to block all noises.

 

“Your bodyguard said that you have a slight fever. Do you want us to stay here for several days?” Kyota asked the bundle. “Wolfram,” the long-haired man frowned as there was no answer. He peeled the sheet off Wolfram's head. Unceremoniously turning the blonde around with the rest of the covers, he pressed his palm to Wolfram's forehead. It wasn't all that hot.

 

Snorting, Wolfram smacked the hand away. He sat up and yawned loudly. Kyota was the only one allowed such familiarity with him.

 

Kyota chuckled at the rumpled blonde on the bed. “It's only a slight fever. I'm sure you'll sleep it off in a few hours.” A forced laugh left Kyota's throat again. Wolfram didn't look funny a bit…all that rumpled hair, creasy pajamas and sleepy looks in his emerald eyes…delectable. He simply wanted to eat Wolfram alive.

 

“I'm fine,” Wolfram yawned again. “Just a little bit lack of sleep. I'll catch up with it in the carriage. Just take some more pillows.”

 

Wolfram blushed brightly as after raising his eyes he met Kyota's sapphire ones that were blazing with lust. He felt the urge to cover himself with his arms but at the same time the gaze made him hot.

 

Kyota shook himself off the trance. He slightly inclined his head at Wolfram's blushing face. “I'll leave you to dress then,” he said before walking off the door.

 

Wolfram stared at the door that had closed behind Kyota's back. Many stared at him like Kyota did, but only Kyota wanted all of him. Kyota saw him as one entity, with his looks and his character, with his bright smile and his running nose when he had a cold, with his temper and the stupidities he did from time to time, with all of his good and bad days.

 

Wolfram fell with his back onto the bed. Why couldn't Yuuri want him like that? A deep frown set on Wolfram's face at the thought. He smacked the thought away. He had promised himself not to think about Yuuri anymore. Wasn't that's why he had gone together with Kyota? Wasn't that's why he was giving Kyota and himself another chance?

 

XXXXX

 

The tavern was at the other end of the town, and Yuuri with Yozak rode down the empty and muddy road to get there. Everyone was staying indoors.

 

Yozak and Yuuri left their horses to a sleepy watcher of the small stables of the tavern and went inside the tavern. It was hot and noisy inside, a mass of people celebrating something. Ale was streaming, strong song sounds raising here and there, cheers to the chief of the town and his newborn son were profusely offered.

 

Yozak and Yuuri fought their way through the swinging and drinking people to the counter. The owner claimed that there were no free rooms. Yozak could easily believe that it was truth, but he also knew that it was not exactly like this. After the owner saw a golden coin sparkle between Yozak's fingers, the keeper suddenly remembered that he had one room spare.

 

After getting the room, putting all of their belongings there and locking the room, Yuuri and Yozak came back into the hall to have their late dinner. The revels were rocking at full go. The two of them were having trouble while looking for free places to sit down. Yuuri jumped back as a suddenly raised mug sloshed the third of its contents on the floor, just nearly missing him.

 

Finally they found where to land and Yozak went to get some food.

 

Yuuri looked around in the tavern once again. It was really packed inside. The smell of alcohol, sweat and unwashed bodies was overflowing his senses.

 

Yuuri's eyes rose to the man who wanted to sit down in Yozak's seat. Yuuri shook his head. “It's taken - my friend will be back soon,” he said to the blond man who had spoken to him. His brown-haired friend was standing at his side, not looking particularly interested, his eyes skimming over the tavern further.

 

“Get lost, youngster,” the blond man snarled, not even thinking about leaving the table.

 

Yuuri glared at the blond. “Get lost yourself.”

 

The blond wanted to grab Yuuri by his front, and very likely to simply throw Yuuri off his seat, but it took Yuuri only a swift glance, and the man flew away from him, hitting the men at the table behind him. A bedlam followed but it calmed down pretty soon, and the man joined his newfound friends at the table. The four other men who had been sitting at the table together with Yuuri were gone in seconds.

 

Yuuri shrugged at the questioning and quite disturbed gaze Yozak gave him. The man set their plates with food on the table that had turned into one for two. He went off again to bring the rest of the food then sat down himself.

 

“I didn't know His Majesty was able to control the power…” Yozak drawled while shoveling some of his soup into his mouth.

 

“I'm not adept yet,” Yuuri said. “I think what happened was that after the original king finally left us in peace and stopped digging in my head, I automatically gained and merged the ability of the soul as it was supposed to be in first place without interference of the original king. I just wonder why it's not only water that I can control. It seems that those are all four elements.” Yuuri fell silent. “Actually I haven't said this to anyone… But I suppose everyone knows it anyway. I was told I used to do some pretty weird stuff after turning into that being… But I suppose Gunter didn't inform me about the details because he thought it's obvious…”

 

Yozak finished eating his soup and grabbed the chunk of fried meat. “Yes, His Majesty is right. Actually Gunter didn't say anything to His Majesty not because he thought it's obvious and His Majesty knows it,” he shook his head. “The soul is unique because it has the contract with all powers: water, earth, fire and air. The main and most developed power is that of water.

 

“There are more than several people who are able to make contract with several elements,” Yozak continued. “But there's one thing. It's an anomaly, an illness,” he nodded at Yuuri's wide eyes. “Such souls, people, are unstable or turn unstable after making the contracts. People go mad. The same is with His Majesty's soul - it's unstable. That's why Conrad and others are worried and are on their guard. Nothing has happened so far but there's always a possibility that… There had been incidents with the previous kings that…” Yozak shrugged, not finishing the thought.

 

Yuuri finished his soup silently. So this was why nobody had ever explained that to him. “Does Wolfram know?”

 

Yozak looked at the rest of the meat on the bone he had in his hand. “Wolfram? I wonder… No, I don't think so,” he shook his head. “He's already too…oversensitive to everything what concerns His Majesty, so probably nobody bothered to tell him. You know, they were very reluctant to let His Majesty go on this journey. After His Majesty destroyed the army… Let's say that they think that it might be a sign of His Majesty starting to…”

 

Yuuri raised his currently brown eyes at Yozak. “But you don't think so?”

 

Yozak shrugged. He threw the picked bone back into his plate. “I think His Majesty did what he had to do, and they are acting like a bunch of cows.”

 

“Yozak?! Is that really you, Yozak?!”

 

Yozak and Yuuri whipped their heads around to spot two men standing a bit farther on the right.

 

“Armano! Kadira!” Yozak jumped from his seat and ran up to hug the two. “Goddamn, how many years have passed?!” he laughed, hugging his friends.

 

Soon the three of them came back to the table.

 

“And who is this pretty thing?” the brown-haired man whom Yozak had addressed “Armano” asked after looking at Yuuri. “I always knew you had a thing for young ones,” he turned to wink at Yozak who, noticing Yuuri's wide eyes, waved his hands against himself in defense.

 

The king refused to say a word and continued his meal.

 

“It's Yuuri,” Yozak introduced him. “Armano,” he pointed at a quite handsome, brown-haired man. “Kadira,” he motioned towards the lavender-haired man, whose hair was tied up in a high ponytail and who actually reminded Yuuri of Gunter. “The two are good friends of mine. Long ago we served in the army together and later were comrades in arms.”

 

“So what are you up to?” Armano asked, plopping down at Yozak's side. Kadira settled next to Yuuri.

 

“Just escorting Yuuri to his parents,” Yozak said. “There were more of us but in the middle of the journey we got attacked and the other guards were killed.”

 

Armano gave Yuuri a sympathetic glance.

 

“I have heard you serve the King now…” Kadira, who hadn't said a word until now, spoke, his blue eyes giving Yozak a sardonic look. “You have time to run around with kids…?”

 

Yozak grinned. Kadira was a silent man but had a sharp mind. “It's a special mission.”

 

Kadira shrugged. He stood up. “I'll get something to eat for us,” he said to Armano and left for the counter.

 

Yozak's eyes followed the sway of long lavender hair then turned to Armano. “You two still together? How many years now? Seven, eight?” he laughed.

 

“Nine,” Armano grinned widely. “It seems I still have it,” he winked at Yozak then turned to Yuuri who had an unreadable expression on his face. “So who is this kid? Now, now,” Armano waved his hands apologetically after Yuuri's grim look given to him, “I was only joking at first.”

 

“He's a son of one of the counts in Shin Makoku. He had been visiting his grandparents. As he's friends with the King, the King decided to send me together with him,” Yozak proceeded with his tale.

 

Yuuri rolled his eyes inwardly. Yozak didn't ever miss a beat.

 

“I bet the King has just gotten fed up with you,” Armano laughed at Yozak.

 

“Might be,” Yozak, agreed, chuckling.

 

"He's shy, isn't he?” Armano looked at silent Yuuri who finished picking his bone and put it back on his plate.

 

“Not really,” Yozak shook his head in denial. “Rather the opposite…”

 

“Seriously?”

 

“Will you two stop talking about me like I'm an empty place?” Yuuri glared at the two.

 

“Oh, I get what you mean,” Armano nodded at Yozak. “He's the same type as Kadira - silent but doesn't let anyone trample over his head. I love that type.”

 

“Sure you do,” Yozak nodded, sipping his ale. “I rather go for feisty ones.”

 

Yuuri closed his eyes. Goddamn, he thought, is this for real?

 

“Oh right, you had a crush on that… Annissina or what's the woman's name?” Armano thought a moment.

 

Yozak went pale at the lethal look, Yuuri's now open eyes were emanating. “Heh, heh-heh,” Yozak swallowed dryly. “I think it was you who had a crush on her…”

 

“Oh,” Armano nodded, “that's right. See…I've already forgotten. What?” he looked at Yuuri, whose eyes now went to Armano to give the same killing look to him as they had been giving to Yozak. “You have a crush on her, too?”

 

Yuuri choked on his own saliva. “No,” he spluttered after several seconds, “I really don't… Besides, she's a lesbian,” he added.

 

“A lesbian?” Armano mouthed around the new word. “What's that?”

 

Yuuri painted deep red. He had not a faintest idea why he went with the topic at all. He muttered quickly under his breath.

 

“What?” Armano leaned closer to hear better. “Didn't hear a thing. What did you say that was?”

 

“He said it's when a woman does that with a woman,” Yozak, who sat closer to Yuuri, translated.

 

“Does what? Ohhhh…” Armano drawled. “Got it. Seriously? Have never noticed… You seem to be a rather sharp lad,” he smacked his hand on Yuuri's shoulder. “So have you ever seen that? Whom did she do it with?” he leaned even closer to Yuuri.

 

“Already molesting the kid, I see…” with one strong tug on Armano's shoulder, Kadira hauled Armano away from Yuuri. The lavender-haired man set the plates on the table. “The eggs will be done in five minutes,” he informed his friend before sitting back at Yuuri's side.

 

“He was about to tell some yummy stuff about Annissina,” Armano waved his hands about excitedly.

 

“Who is Annissina?” Kadira asked, digging in his soup.

 

“Ehh…” Armano shrugged. Kadira was a rather jealous person. “Yozak has a crush on her.”

 

“Seriously?” Kadira's sapphire eyes locked on Yozak. “A woman? Didn't know you swing both ways… Ah well,” he shrugged, going back to his soup.

 

Yuuri's head started hurting. “Can we change the topic?”

 

“You'd rather talk about boys, wouldn't you?” Armano winked at him.

 

“I'd rather talk about weather,” Yuuri glared at him.

 

“Yuuri has a fiancé,” Yozak interrupted. He only grinned when Yuuri glared daggers at him.

 

“Oh my, so young and already a fiancé?” Armano wondered, slurping on his soup. “I think one needs to run wild before getting a fiancé… Don't you think it's too soon?” he looked at Yuuri.

 

“Nobody asked me, in first place,” Yuuri grunted out at the brown-haired man.

 

“No wild running for you anymore,” Kadira said to Armano around spoonful of soup. “If I catch you running, you won't run anymore because I'll tear your legs off.”

 

“Okay, okay,” Armano waved that off dismissively. “So is it a boy or a girl?” he turned to Yuuri.

 

“A boy,” Yozak answered instead of Yuuri. “And a pretty one at that.” He grinned at Yuuri's promising glare again.

 

Armano clicked his tongue. “So you go for that type? All that pretty faces, eyelashes batting, cross-dressing, fragile poses?” he looked at Yuuri, interested. “Actually I think that's the worst kind, worst than women, no good for anything…”

 

Yuuri's eyes crossed. He could feel smoke coming from his ears. “Fragile?!” he shouted, agitated. “Wolfram would roll your head off your shoulders in one stroke. And after that he'd burn you to crisp! And he'd…” Yuuri shut his mouth. Confused, he looked at the two grinning men. Even Kadira was giving him a contemplative blue-eyed gaze.

 

“He seriously loves that Wolfram, doesn't he?” Armano sighed dreamily. “I wish someone would defend my honor like that,” he gave an alluding glance at Kadira's side.

 

“You have no honor, to BEGIN WITH,” Kadira said calmly, shoveling the last spoonful into his mouth.

 

“Touché,” Armano chuckled.

 

Yuuri sank deeper into his chair and didn't stick his head out anymore.

 

XXXXX

 

Kyota watched Wolfram's body jolting and shaking on the seat while the carriage was wheeling over bumps and holes. Wolfram was curled, his head lying on a pile of pillows, his feet thrust against the sideboard of the carriage. The prince was trying to sleep or sleeping - it was hard to tell while with such heavy movements - on and under the covers that were arranged on the seat.

 

The soft tap was heard all around the carriage. Kyota looked through the small window at the rainy and misty landscape. The glistening leaves and grass were enjoying the last warmth before the fall. Some of the bushes by the roadside were spruced up with varicolored berries.

 

Being a wielder of fire he didn't like rain. Yuuri must love it. Sure the guy did. Wolfram liked rain, too. Well, actually Wolfram told him once that he liked rain…to be where it was supposed to be - behind the window and outside. Wolfram liked to sit by the window and watch the rain. They used to quietly sit together and watch. He didn't like rain as Wolfram did, he simply liked being beside the blonde. While Wolfram watched the rain, he would watch Wolfram's unguarded expressions while his emerald melancholy eyes would be steeped deep in the garden seen through the window.

 

Wolfram roused from his unsettled sleep as after one big bump, which the carriage went through, the pile of pillows shattered from under his head and to the bottom of the carriage. He winced in pain as his head smacked loudly against the bare seat desk.

 

“Well, had some sleep?” Kyota asked, sighing.

 

Wolfram rubbed the place where he had hit his head. “A little,” he nodded. “I'm okay,” he said after Kyota's questioning look. “I'm not ill, it's just that I was tired and had a bit to drink. Well, add to that that weird food and all…”

 

Kyota shrugged. Wolfram really didn't look ill. Just a little tired and sleepy. One, as sensitive as Wolfram, really had no chance of sleeping like that. An amusing thought about suggesting Wolfram using him as a pillow had crossed Kyota's mind, but there was still quite some way to Delam, and he didn't want to create any unnecessary friction between himself and Wolfram.

 

“What?” Wolfram's brow rose at Kyota's face as a strange shimmer appeared in the blue-haired man's eyes, watching him from the other side of the carriage.

 

Kyota coughed, “Nothing. Just can't believe how handsome you are.” He grinned at Wolfram. Smooth move, Kyota grunted at himself mentally.

 

Wolfram cocked his head to the side, smiling, wondering what Kyota had really been thinking about. “You are not too bad yourself,” Wolfram grinned at his friend. This was how Kyota played, and he was used to that long ago, but by Kyota's current reaction he knew that the other boy had expected him to wave it off dismissively or roll his eyes as usually instead of… Wolfram's emerald eyes widened when the realization quickly flew past Kyota's face. He couldn't believe that… How? The older boy read him like an open book!

 

“This is the first time I saw you flirt,” Kyota said seriously.

 

Wolfram's eyes widened even more and became the size of saucers. “I…didn't…” he stammered. “I really… Ummm… Did I?” the prince blinked at Kyota, flushed and flustered. He really didn't think he would be THAT obvious.

 

Kyota just shrugged and leaned back on the back of the carriage and, surprising Wolfram greatly, he didn't proceed with the topic. They were silent for several minutes, then Kyota started relating about his brother's and mother's current lives.

 

XXXXX

 

The next several days Wolfram and Kyota spent peacefully, talking and playing cards, staying at inns at night or going through the night and then sleeping at an inn during the day. And then they were finally in Delam, both boys being relieved after the long and tiring journey.

 

Katarina, Kyota's mother met her son and Wolfram as soon as their carriage wheeled into the yard of the castle. The blue-haired and blue-eyed woman approached the carriage and welcomed Wolfram with a bright smile as soon as the door of the carriage opened, and Wolfram jumped down the steps.

 

She quickly approached Wolfram, and Wolfram suddenly found his face between two soft and welting globes. The warmth coming from them made his face even hotter. He hated when his mother did that, but when this familiar and completely blood-unrelated woman acted like this, it always freaked him out.

 

“So Kyota has finally succeeded in stealing your heart, Wolfie!” the woman squealed in delight. “Oh, I'm so happy he has brought you here!”

 

“Mom, you'll suffocate him,” Kyota remarked at Wolfram's red face between his mother's breasts. “And you know he hates when you call him “Wolfie”,” the blue-haired boy said, standing at their side and watching the whole ordeal with a soft smile on his lips. “And it's not that clear about his heart. But I do try my best, you know…” he chuckled when Wolfram was finally freed and started gasping for precious air to fill his lungs.

 

“My mother is sending you a gift,” Wolfram said after he had composed himself. “She had succeeded in breeding several interesting flower kinds and wanted to share them with you. I have brought some seeds and bulbs.”

 

The blue-haired woman clasped her hands in delight. “Wonderful! I especially want to see “The King's Glory"! Cecilie had written so much about it!”

 

“And this is from me,” Wolfram said, motioning for one of his guards to come closer. The guard held out a small nicely wrapped bundle to Wolfram. Wolfram took it and presented it for Katarina who took it and started to unwrap it curiously. With pleasure, Wolfram watched the woman's blue eyes lighten in delight.

 

Katarina tossed the wrapping to Kyota. She turned over the encrusted statue of a cat in her hands. Goddess of Fertility. She was moved that Wolfram still remembered that she collected her statues.

 

Next second Wolfram found himself in a crushing embrace. Teary-eyed, Katarina let go of Wolfram. She flustered. “Sorry, crying here like a stupid hen…” she wiped her tears away.

 

The sound of hooves smashing against the muddy ground was heard and was coming closer. After several seconds, Kyota's brother, Arisu, rode into the yard. The younger man drew the reins, jumped off the horse, stumbled on the muddy and slippery ground and almost fell over but managed to catch himself, quickly regained his cool, threw the reins to one of the awaiting servants and ran off to Wolfram to grab the blonde in a fierce hug.

 

“Wolfram!” the boy screamed almost deafening the blonde. “Wolfram, you're here!”

 

“Hey, Arisu,” Wolfram returned the hug.

 

“So what, you are now my brother-in-law?” he shook Wolfram by his shoulders so that the blond locks flew all over Wolfram's face.

 

“A-a-a-ariii-su! For gggodsss' sssaa-ake, qu-u-u-uuit it!” Wolfram finally freed himself from that hyperactive jolting, shaking and jumping mass of a boy. He had been used to that long ago. Everyone in the Docharo family was sure that one day Kyota and he would marry. That didn't even bother him anymore.

 

“I have a gift for you, too,” Wolfram smiled at the smaller copy of Kyota. Excited, blue eyes widened at him. The boy grabbed the box Wolfram held out to him.

 

“Hurunas!” the boy screamed, picking up one of the violet fruits and nearly deafening Wolfram again. “Hurunas! You brought me hurunas!”

 

Wolfram grinned at the rejoiced boy. “I'd have brought the apple pie you love so much, but the way is too long.”

 

After several more hugs, greeting words and smiles, they all went inside the castle.

 

TBC