Author's Note: chapter title is from the title of the song; Love on Fire by Tim McMorris! Readers can find it on youtube and listen during this final chapter if you wish ;D
Disclaimer: lyrics are at the end of chapter; they are not mine, no money is being made by me and all credit goes to Tim McMorris! And possibly YouTube?
WARNINGS: ALL plot NO porn! Underage, Mpreg, pregnancy scare and unplanned pregnancy! Incorrect Interpretation of Intersex! I don't wish to offend anyone! I tried my best but while 'the talk' is happening everyone is in a bit of a bad mood so the tone might make it sound offensive, just a heads up! I really hope it doesn't, I tried hard but if it does just let me know and I can edit it again until the tone is right!
To All YuuRam fans everywhere: HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!ღ
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The Fifth Evening: Love on Fire!
°o.O°Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ°O.o°
Well…this was awkward.
Sitting around the dinning table – because apparently it was important that Wolfram and Yuuri fill their empty stomachs with lean proteins as soon as possible by order of Gisela – with people who knew he and Wolfram had been fucking like The Great Demon Kingdom's national foxtail-rabbits, was perhaps the most awkward situation Yuuri had ever had to sit through.
Which was saying something.
The double black stared into his soup bowl and seriously thought about whether it was at all possible he could transport himself to earth by face-planting into the creamy surface or (as a last resort) drown himself trying.
It would save Wolfram's brothers the trouble of trying themselves that's for sure.
He didn't know how Wolfram could stomach eating right now, but his fiancé was guzzling down soup, his spork never touching the sides of the bowl and mopping anything he missed with thick slices of still-warm bread. His angel certainly had a healthy glow to him this evening, his skin had a strange vibrant hue Yuuri had assumed would leave him now his heat was over, and the filling of his belly was had a smoothing affect on all his more angular features. He was beauty becoming ethereal before his very eyes. And he was on his third helping while Yuuri was slow to choke down his first with not nearly as much enthusiasm.
Conrad was making sure Wolfram had a new bowl waiting before he'd even polished off the last one, ladling the soup himself from the huge pot kept hot where it hung from an iron hook over the blazing fireplace – while the maids dashed around, collecting Wolfram's discarded dinnerware and taking it back towards the kitchen – for reasons that seemed to be his need for something to do with his hands.
Yuuri very much preferred Conrad's hands were distracted from the noticeable twitch towards hip where his sword had been removed and was at present leaning against the wall beside the doorway.
The double black didn't need to ask why.
It was clear to him the temptation was too much for his godfather at this moment. And standing between the open fireplace and behind the double black's chair (at the head of the dining table) was temptation enough.
Gwendal sat with his back to Yuuri, side-eying Wolfram from where he sat across the table, his right elbow propped heavily on the table, his forefingers digging into his temple like he had a persistent headache and was using the pressure to ground himself.
Gunter stood at the bottom of the long dining table, nervous, seemingly there just to observe the three half-brothers' behavior and (hopefully) intervene if the Maou's life was in danger.
The Great Sage, Murata Ken and Yuuri's supposed 'best friend' was at his usual place on the Maou's left side. He had his fingers threaded under his chin and both his elbows perched on the shiny top of the table, watching Wolfram eat with more interest than Yuuri was comfortable with right now.
The double black Maou really considered kicking the Great Sage's shin under the table to get him to just stop it, whatever he was doing, was thinking. Wolfram wasn't his to look at or think about.
Black eyes through reflective glass flicked over to meet his glower. The Maou beginning to pant as his irrational fury intensified. Yuuri could feel the Maou's spirit vibrating just under his skin waiting for Yuuri to crack like a whip so he could enact justice on those who seek what is his, all the while Yuuri fought to think judiciously.
The growing smirk on Murata's face wasn't helping his friend's chances.
Meanwhile, Wolfram was beginning to slow down, taking longer pauses between mouthfuls. Panting but sated, his cheeks somehow rounder and cherub-like with only a few serving of soup. It had Yuuri pushing away his own bowl suspicious of what fattening ingredients were in it and why. However, Yuuri was distracted by the sight of Wolfram's tea quiescent at the same level as when they had sat down and it had first been poured.
The double black frowned, displeased.
He tapped the porcelain teacup with his index finger with an insistent ting, ting, ting. Everyone looked to him in silent question and he blushed to the roots of his black hair, but he was determined when he caught Wolfram's eyes in a glare.
"You should drink your tea. It's just as hydrating as water." Yuuri advised, careful to lighten his command to a plea. He didn't want to give Gwendal or Conrad any excuse to attack.
The double black could feel Conrad's eyes on the right side of his face, cheek prickling white-hot under the awareness while Wolfram looked as if he were about to argue before he swallowed, rolled his eyes and plucked up the delicate cup, sipping gingerly at the milky-brown brew.
A sudden, loud BANG! had everyone tensing and staring around at Gwendal who had slammed his fist against the hard wood table.
Yuuri could see what little patience the Military Chief had was now gone nearly a full hour after the long forty minute wait in silence for Gisela's examination of Wolfram to be conducted, just to receive a cryptic nod from the healer when she sent from off in the end, then during the stiff march from the Maou's bedchamber to the dinning room and throughout Wolfram's replenishing of all the energy he'd lost over the past few days…Now, he was done.
To be honest, Yuuri was surprised he'd lasted as long as he had.
"We need to discuss the significance of our situation." Gwendal pronounced through gritted teeth, rubbing his free hand over his left eye to sooth away the incessant twitching.
Wolfram dropped his spork with a clutter, folding his arms over his hastily thrown on pink bathrobe, matching slippers on his feet, his face pinking too.
"I don't see there's anything to discuss. What happens between Yuuri and I should stay between us as an engaged pair." Wolfram grumbled, glaring fierce into his near-empty soup bowl like he was seriously contemplating setting fire to it.
Yuuri stared at the scene, wary, picking up on the ominous vibes permitting the room. He wondered how far he could run in his blue pajamas underneath his blue woolen bathroom and slippers on his feet, followed by the consideration of whether this was a good time to put his soup-dive plan into action.
Gwendal heaved a deep sigh from the very bottom of his where the soles of his shoes pressed into the stone floor, pinching the bridge of his nose between harsh knuckles. Gunter flailed a little in his urgency to explain before anymore acts of aggression can happen. His lilac hair fluttering like a silk curtain behind him and his white cloak-hem sweeping out as he ran up the length of the table to stand closer to where Wolfram was pouting.
"The situation concerns all of the Great Demon Kingdom since His Majesty, Yuuri is the Maou and you, Wolfram are his future Prince Consort. Which is why we must now make hast, an illegitimate child would tarnish the naivety of His Majesty's reputation…!" Gunter babbled, breathless and jittery with nerves.
"…What?" Yuuri intercepted, dumbly.
Wolfram gazed around to focus on each of his brothers' somber faces.
Conrad cleared his throat, his brown eyes remained flat but his voice was milder than it had been an hour previously with a tenor of apology as if to make up for his coldness from before. "Gisela confirmed that the flow of Wolfram's magical energy has been interrupted, so it's highly likely he will fall pregnant."
"PREGNANT!?" Yuuri and Wolfram gape owlishly at Conrad, Gwendal and Gunter.
Wolfram spluttered, face simmering cherry-red. "You can't know that!"
When nobody else said anything, unwilling to put the Royal couple out of their misery just yet and at length Murata scoffed, addressing his friend's distress and uncertainty.
"You have to understand, Shibuya. There's a reason the demon race has a longer lifespan than humans and why they mature slower too. All demons are intersex. Even half-demons like Sir Weller often develop both sexes but it is rare for both to function as they do on a full-blooded demon. In fact some half-demons or less are born without genitalia at all." Murata informed to Yuuri's horror.
Blood drained from the Maou's face and he used gentle palms to cup himself, aghast. He could have been born without what?!
"In the Glorious Era when my original life was young, the demon race struggled to procreate because of this biological flaw. You see, outside of heats demons are habitually barren and our numbers were diminishing by the year which was only aided by the humans' determination to wipe out our race for good." Murata said. His expression becoming grave and his eyes glazed for a fraction of a second, caught up in a memory he hurried to shake off before continuing.
Yuuri felt his heart ache in an echo of pain, seeing that look on his friend's face. It was sobering to think of a time when his people where abused and hunted just for being born different.
"When Shinou rose to power, he did more than defeat and capture Soushu. He made the first pact with the elemental spirit on the very land we thrive upon today, and prayed for a way to save his people. Since that fateful day, the spirit is always listening to our hearts call and gifts us with fertility when we come of age and every twenty one months thereafter as long as we are standing upon the Great Demon Kingdom soil."
Silence filled the room once again while the numb Maou was slow to absorb this life-changing revelation. Yuuri collapsed in his chair, the warmth of the fireplace soaking through the wool and cotton on his back. He just took a moment to breathe, his mind whirling.
"I know all of that…" Wolfram argued, voice weak, his eyes desperately darting around the room at the other inhabitants. "None of it means I'm – I'm pregnant. It's impossible to know this early!" he fumed.
Conrad shook his head, resting a hand on one pink-clad shoulder, taking pity on his distraught baby brother.
"Heats are regular depending on the amount of time spent abroad. However, ruts only occur if two people are biologically compatible. And heats almost always result in progeny without the complement of activated ruts." Conrad surmised, his brown eyes finally showing a hint of emotion: worry.
Yuuri rapid-blinked as echoes from the past week flashed behind his eyes…
…"Eh? What's a 'heat week'?"
"It's an important time for every carrier in the demon race, above all males, and something the Maou should be aware of when his fiancé is ready to carry."
"…Carry what?"
"The next generation, of course."…
"So with the addition of His Majesty going into rut…" Conrad continued in a far away voice.
…"Wolf?" Yuuri whispered, too sleepy to be puzzled.
"I know what you need." Wolfram whispered, brushing his lips along the double black's jaw while Yuuri tilted up into the tantalizingly tender touch. "Let me take good care of you like you've been taking care of me."…
…"Wha?" Yuuri questioned it, bewildered and verging on scared until Wolfram gently embraced him from the inside, distracting him with how good he felt even now and the promise of even more before the fire mage wiggled around onto his back to confront the double black with his smoldering gaze.
"You're in rut, Yuuri." Wolfram told him, bright with satisfaction. He playfully thumbed the slippery head of his wimp's steel, watching as Yuuri shuddered his breath hitching almost painfully through dark and hungry green eyes. "My heat triggered your demon biology, Yuuri. It means we have compatible blood. Your body wants to fill me up."…
"…I'm afraid there is no biological way you two haven't conceived."
The room spun into focus and Yuuri felt faint.
"But…" Wolfram protested, mystified. "I thought there was no guarantee of heats spent with partners resulting in a pregnancy. What about the time Gunter had his heat and you, brother had disappeared at the same time? The only reason you would ever spend a heat with someone was if you were in rut and yet, that was over three years ago and no child came from it!"
In utter symmetry Gunter and Gwendal blushed, speechless with their lips pressed tightly together like Wolfram had jabbed at a particularly sore spot on each of them.
Conrad stepped in again to save them all from the sudden sizzling spectacle. "There is an old herbal remedy Gisela adds to sweetened tea for each day of a shared heat to repress the flow of energy long enough that conception doesn't take. Although it extends the number of Heat days, because they have a partner any unpleasant feelings are more bearable than it would be without."
Gwendal's voice was harder, icier when he spoke to his brother this time. "If you had paid attention to your mating ritual studies thus we wouldn't be in this mess."
Chided, Wolfram became so tightly wound his whole body was trembling. "Maybe I would have if mother hadn't insisted on 'educating' me on the 'lessons of love' by regaling her every sexual exploit in excruciating, crass detail! I spent what time I wasn't escaping her, with my eyes closed tight and my fingers stuck in my ears." he defended in a splutter of outrage.
Together Gwendal and Conrad winced while Gunter lifted and dropped his chin, indolent. It seemed they agreed with Wolfram on that one.
Yuuri felt sympathy for them all.
However, Gwendal remained conspicuously cross with his brother, not about to let Wolfram have his excuses. "Mother's teaching methods were insensitive but informative. There are a lot of matters people can learn for themselves but on this one you should have listened to mother and trusted her wisdom. She was your teacher for a reason, Wolfram. Your ignorance now was your own fault back then." He scolded, blunt.
Wolfram's green eyes shined in a way that had Yuuri's heart clenching.
"It's my fault too." He blurted and everyone looked to him as if abruptly remembering his presence. His cheeks burned but he persisted. "Conrad told me I had the same lessons but I think I ignored Gunter at the time. I'm sorry. I promise to do better in future." He said, sincere.
Gunter looked shocked at first, and a second later overcome with adoration. "Your Majesty." He whispered.
Yuuri looked to his right side and caught Conrad's eye for an instant before the half-human soldier dropped his gaze to the stone floor, his eyebrows furrowed. Yuuri felt his heart sink a little at the disappointment there.
A timid knock interrupted the extended and uneasy quiet.
"Enter!" Gwendal commanded gruffly.
The doors opened to reveal Dakoskos standing as stiff as a board and visibly sweating, anxious about disturbing the surreptitious and mysterious, evening conference between the Maou and his companions which already had the whole castle buzzing and taking down bets.
After all, word had quickly spread about the debauched evidence found by the maids during their 'Post-Heat-Inspection' of the Maou's bedsheets.
Dakoskos panicked. "Excuse me, your Majesty, your Grace, your Highness, my Lords –"
Gunter exhaled noisily. "Please, Dakoskos. What is the meaning of this disruption?"
"Yes! I, Dakoskos Ririto Rach Nanatan Mikotan –"
"Dakoskos!" Gwendal snapped.
The shiny-head solider stuttered to a halt before bowing low. "Announcing the Royal arrival of Princess Greta-chan returned from her voyage to the country of Zorashia…!"
Yuuri and Wolfram were on their feet at the same time a curly brown-haired youth ran into the room, a huge smile adorned her rose-cheeked face visible for a brief moment before she was barreling into Wolfram's arms (because he was closest to the doorway).
Dakosko bid a speedy retreat, the dinning room door slamming shut behind him.
"Yuuri! Wolfram!" Greta exuded joy up at them both, now well on her way to becoming chest-height beside her fathers.
"Greta!" Yuuri called, elated.
"Did you enjoy your visit to your birth-country?" Wolfram asked, entirely distracted from the previous revelation.
Greta nodded, her chestnut curls bouncing. "Yes!" Her burnt umber eyes took in everyone else, waving at them all. "Hi, everyone!"
Everyone returned her warm expression, waving in return or greeting with a charming bow in Gunter and Conrad's case. Gwendal's face distinctly appeared much less severe now his cute niece had returned home.
"What's with the soup?" Greta questioned, taking in the odd sight of the pot hanging over the open fireplace and the now cool bowls only where on front of Yuuri and Wolfram's place at the table.
Her curious eyes swept the room as everyone shuffled uncomfortably and said nothing. She looked again to Yuuri and Wolfram.
"Is someone sick? Greta only eats soup outside of mealtimes when Greta's sick!" She eyed them both, apprehensive.
Yuuri rushed to shake his head. "No, Greta, nobody's sick." He soothed.
Wolfram bit his bottom lip, eyes anxious. "Nothing is for certain yet, but…" he hesitated.
Greta bounced on his heels, her eyes wide and beginning to glitter with upset the longer she was kept waiting. "Wolfram?" she whimpered, her bottom lip trembling.
Yuuri put his arms around both his daughter's and his fiancé's shoulders, pulling them into a comforting hug his smile soft.
"It's okay, Greta. We're just in shock because something unexpected happened while you were away but it's actually pretty exciting news." He reassured her. Both Greta and Wolfram looked up at him through their lashes, hopeful. He grinned, uncaring of their audience. "Greta…do you still want a little sibling?" he asked, teasing.
Greta gasped, her eyes flying incredibly wide. She looked between her adopted fathers so fast her curls whipped against her rosy cheeks. "Really?" she breathed.
Wolfram's green eyes were sparkling when he nodded, a bright smile pulling at his mouth.
"Yes, we think so."
Greta squealed, throwing her arms around her fathers' necks, hugging them close as she jumped up and down in her delight. Yuuri and Wolfram laughed along with her, relieved and happy, together.
"You're really okay with this?" Wolfram asked her when they came up for air a short time after, the room at once filled with sound and the gloom from before evaporated.
"Is Wolfram kidding? Greta is excited to have a baby sibling! Where is the baby now?" She jumped on the spot, eyes sweeping the room again as if an infant would appear now she was scanning for one.
"Eh…" Yuuri hesitated audibly while Wolfram frowned at their daughter's odd question until they both froze with understanding, exchanging a panicked look.
"Greta…" Wolfram called her attention only to trail off unhelpfully.
Gwendal was their unexpected savior.
"You misunderstand, Greta." Gwendal said in a velvety voice. He got on his feet, opening his arms and Greta giggled, running around the table to face-plant into his wide sternum, hugging tight and pearl-white teeth gleaming up at her uncle. "You remember how Eru came from Nicola's belly?"
She frowned up at him, her mouth turning down at the corners but nodded readily.
"Of course, Greta remembers."
Conrad joined in, sharing in the responsibility. "Like Eru was inside Nicola's belly, your little sibling is inside Wolfram's belly for now." He paused as Greta frowned harder at Wolfram, brushing a mistrustful eye over his flat abdominal like she thought everyone was tricking her. "It will be a few months yet until the baby grows bigger and his belly with get bigger too."
Wolfram paled at that and Yuuri hid his smirk behind his palm before his fiery fiancé could take offense to it.
Greta pouted her lips in thought. "But…Nicola is a mother…Is Wolfram a mother too?" she asked, bewildered.
Wolfram choked on his sharp inhalation and Yuuri blushed, rubbing at the nape of his neck as he broke out in a hot sweat. He was relieved when Gunter took over.
"In a way." Gunter allowed with a patient tilt of his head. "Wolfram is a boy but he can also be a mother. It is because he is a demon that he can be both, so it's not the same for humans."
"Oh." She blinked next she beamed. "Okay!"
Yuuri and Wolfram shared a startled look.
"Are you sure? You don't have any questions?" Yuuri asked.
Greta shook her head, beaming around the room. "Greta is happy Wolfram is having a baby! Now Greta can call Wolfram 'mother' too!"
Wolfram blushed from the roots of his hair, down his neck and Yuuri swore his hands and legs were scarlet too while Greta ran back around the table and threw her arms around his middle, squeezing him tight.
Yuuri's heart warmed to the point of melting, pooling love in his belly, and down all four limbs. Greta's excitement about finally having a sibling was infectious. He could feel the wide grin on his face, echoed in the startled upwards curl of Wolfram's pink mouth, green eyes glittering at black with barely contained exhilaration over chestnut curls while their daughter continued to babble, excited about all the things she could teach her cute baby sibling. (She was so glad she'd left and returned to this news).
He was happy with how everything had worked out. He and Wolfram were closer than ever and they were giving Greta a sibling to love and care for too.
What could be more perfect?
Conrad had moved away from the happy family and was watching the scene from the window with a sad grimace, disappointment a distant but present shimmer in his eyes. Yuuri stared at his godfather who refused to meet his eyes, until the double black could take it no more.
He took a step away from his fiancé and daughter, cautious as he approached the half-human soldier.
"I understand why you're angry at me." Yuuri said, low to his godfather.
"I don't think you do." Conrad replied briskly, turning his head to stare out the window instead, the crimson sun had almost set beyond the distant shadowed grassy hills and the navy blue of the sky overhead was punctured by the glint of white stars.
The double black scratched his cheek, feeling as awkward and clumsy as expected of his seventeen years before dropping his hand and groaned. "You're hurt because I lied to you."
After a tense moment Conrad relented, confronting his godson at last. "So why did you?" His brown eyes pieced his godson with his silent screaming-plea causing Yuuri to flinch a little.
The double black shrugged. "You were so serious at the time, I panicked." He shrugged again, unable to express himself any other way. "I didn't want to disappoint you by admitting I'd already done what you asked me to promise not to do."
Conrad dropped his gaze and released a long lungful of air, defeated. "I suppose it was a lot to ask of you so suddenly."
Yuuri braced, ducking his own head to lock resolute black eyes with brown. "I'm sorry I made a promise I couldn't keep…but I'm not sorry for doing what I promised not to do." He proclaimed so fierce it was Conrad's turn to flinch a little.
Conrad stared at him for two heartbeats and then twisted his mouth in a grudging but genuine way. "I forgive you, Yuuri…and I'm happy for you."
Yuuri returned his protector's contentment, his heart filling with love and acceptance. The future was bright indeed.
Murata's voice interrupted the carefree atmosphere.
"We still haven't discussed what to do about our situation."
Wolfram arched his eyebrows at the Great Sage, Greta calmed and Yuuri frowned in confusion. However, Gwendal, Conrad and Gunter had determined expressions again, each nodding in tandem.
Wolfram huffed and rolled his eyes.
"What do you mean?" Yuuri questioned his friend.
Gwendal sighed. "What his Grace means is there will be a child of Royal bloodline for the first time in our Country's history, the first legitimate Crown Prince or Princess and heir to the Great Demon Kingdom's throne."
"…Okay?" Yuuri said, not following as usual.
Murata shook his head at his naive friend, some things never changed.
"Shibuya, there needs to be an Official Crown Wedding." He smirked.
The double black gawped as Greta squealed and Wolfram laughed, startled. Looking around the room, everyone looked bright and eager to set things in order without delay.
Yuuri shut his mouth with a loud clack of his teeth, exhaled the inhalation he had been holding…and grinned.
He was ready.
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Take a look into my eyes and see the fire, that burns slow
Put your hands upon my face and promise me you'll never let go
Falling down into the depths of my heart, touching my soul
I'm only half alive without you, you're the other half that makes me whole
Some have tried to tell me in this world there simply are no guarantees
But like the smell of flowers on the wind, I catch your scent upon the breeze
We're not the normal kind of lovers, we go deep and yet, deeper still
We're like a flame that always burns, like a city set on top a hill
We've got, love on fire
Come on baby, let's show em' we're here to stay
You've won my desire
And no one can ever take that away
We've got love on fire
You gave me the world, and still you give me more
And now we're going higher
Higher than we've ever, been before
Love on fire
You're just the kind of (boy) that I was dreaming, I've been dreaming of
And I wish there was a deeper kind of word that could describe our love
Close your arms around me tight, and hold on, let me stay here a while
And softly kiss me like you do, the kind of kiss that forces my lips to smile
We've got, love on fire
Come on baby, let's show em' we're here to stay
You've won my desire
And no one can ever take that away
We've got love on fire
You gave me the world, and still you give me more
And now we're going higher
Higher than we've ever, been before
Love on fire
by Tim McMorris
°o.O°Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ°O.o°
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Foxtail-rabbitsare what I figured best described the cute floppy-eared creatures in episode 17: "Invitation to Small Cimaron" during the Demon Noble game of Kotsuhizoku hunting because after some digging I couldn't find a canon-name for them. ^_^'
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Chase3136: Thank you so much to everyone who reviewed, alerted and favoured Wolf in Heat! This story has carried/dragged me (kicking and screaming, lol) through a really rough time and it means so much that there are readers who want me to keep writing and posting. Please keep them coming! Every show of support warms me from the inside and is always greatly cherished, so Thank youღ
NEXT I will be putting all my spare time and energy into the completion of Yūri's Fears (because it was the first sequel I ever posted still ongoing) which will be approximately 18 chapters long. Chapter 4 should be updated within the next couple of weeks depending on how quickly I can write it. Before Halloween 2015, I was updating every two weeks fairly regularly, I'd like to update every week but it depends on the amount of time between the first couple of chapters what timeframe I'll be working within, but this time around I am determined to see this through to the end!
*fingers crossed* Wish me luck!