BITTERSWEET CRYSTAL

Author's Note:

This is an introduction I wrote for the second part of Bittersweet Crystal. What's wrong between me and sad-ending one-shots lately? I mean, I suddenly found myself writing them far too often…. Oh, well, enjoy! Warning for OOC-ness, character's death, and tragedy ahead….

Disclaimer: Don't own KKM.

PART 1: FALLING PETALS

It was just another spring day in Shin Makoku, bright and beautiful, serene and filled with joy. As if peace had suddenly settled comfortably upon the kingdom. Flowers were blooming in the garden of Blood-Pledge Castle, much to a certain Maou's delight.

He watched, arms folded in a posture of annoyance, leaning on a pillar. His eyes never left the black-haired boy, observing in amusement as the boy ran around and laughed among the white roses. It was amazing, how a person like that could affect him so much, how Yuuri's presence could work its way right into his heart with no difficulties at all. Absurd, but believable.

A soft, honest smile tugged on his lips when the Maou tripped over a stone, sending himself right onto the soft green carpet of grass. There was some mild cursing while Yuuri rubbed his jaw, which had hit the ground unceremoniously. The golden sunrays fell onto his slightly tanned skin, jet-black hair, and onyx eyes, causing him to look as if he were glowing on his own light.

To Wolfram, he was.

"Wimp!" he called over, striding toward the Maou. Yuuri looked up in protests, but the blonde prince was already standing next to him, a hand extended, offering help. Yuuri accepted it hesitantly, letting Wolfram pull him up onto his feet.

"Thanks, Wolf," he said, smiling sheepishly. There was a grunt as his response, and then: silence.

The silence was awkward, overwhelming. Yuuri gulped. Wolfram merely stared at him, head cocked to one side, as if waiting for him to say something, anything.

Wolfram, seeing that the Maou had nothing to say, was going to turn and left when Yuuri grabbed his arm. "Wait!" the Maou said hurriedly. "Why don't we just…uh…chat? Or have a walk? I mean, we rarely talk. Besides, better this than facing Gunther's endless paperwork…." The Maou winced slightly, waiting for anything to come.

'He is just trying to escape from the paperwork….' "Fine with me, Wimp," Wolfram said, shrugging. He plopped down on the grass, patting the spot next to him. "What are you waiting for?" he asked, eyebrows raised.

Yuuri smiled at the blond knowingly, earning some sharp comments for that, filled with words such as 'wimp' and 'don't do that to your fiancée!' He laughed, sitting down next to the fuming Wolfram.

"Aren't they beautiful?" he asked, sighing contently as he kept his gaze fixed at the roses around them. "And they smell nice, too."

Wolfram gave a glance at the roses. "They are," he whispered softly. "Mother loves red roses, however."

Yuuri turned to look at his eyes. "How about you?" he asked curiously. "Which one do you prefer: white roses or red ones?"

Wolfram shrugged. "White, I think," he said uncaringly, looking up at the sky. "White for unreturned love that is so pure."

"Be optimistic, Wolf," Yuuri argued, putting up a pout. "Don't you know that white means innocence?"

Wolfram frowned, and for a minute, Yuuri could feel his own heart, beating strangely against its ribcage, telling him something, a feeling he had not registered yet.

Or…perhaps a feeling he did not want to feel, he did not want to know, he did not want to register.

A soldier rushed toward them, shouting all the way in hurry and panic, interrupting the serene silence. "Wolfram-kaka! There is an emergency situation at the south of the city!" the soldier reported, panting so much that he had forgotten that Yuuri was there.

Both boys were immediately on their feet, Wolfram with eyes alert while Yuuri with concern shining in his onyx black eyes. Wolfram turned at Yuuri, eyes serious, a newly lit fire burning in his emerald green eyes. Yuuri registered the feeling in his eyes. Determination. And…was it love that he saw?

"Stay here," Wolfram ordered. "Don't be a wimp for once and wait patiently with Greta and the others." Right when he was going to walk away, Yuuri called him.

"Wolfram!"

He turned in surprise, feeling his heart soared a little. "Yes, Wimp?" he asked, rough words but with gentle tone.

Yuuri's eyes were serious, deep, and suddenly he found himself staring at a different person. The old Yuuri would never have stared at him like that. Then, slowly, Yuuri said, nearly in a whisper, "Promise me that you'll be back soon."

Wolfram's green eyes widened for a second, and then he smiled, a genuine smile, soft, painful, and filled with something that was too deep to be understood. "I promise," he said, holding out his little finger. Yuuri hooked his own finger with his, and they shared a knowing smile before Wolfram walked away.

For a second, Yuuri thought he saw Wolfram disappearing into the rays of the glowing red sunset.

XXX

It was late at night, and the rain was pouring mercilessly outside his bedroom window. He stared blankly at the canopy of his bed, alone in the darkness, contemplating about the feeling he felt when he saw Wolfram bathed in the sunset rays. His head was in turmoil, all of the logical part of his mind refusing to admit something. Yet a voice echoed from deep within his heart, calm, serene, and as clear as the white petals of the roses in the garden of the Blood-Pledge Castle.

'White for innocence….'

Innocent love.

Hesitation and fear consumed his whole heart upon those two words. Were those feelings real? Did he like Wolfram truly?

Then, from somewhere in the darkness of his room, his mother's song drifted slowly, softly, lulling him into its assurance. It was a song his mother liked so much that when he was little she always sang it to him as a bedtime lullaby before he went to sleep.

"The sunset rays that fall on your hair is sacred nectar

And I feel that I am blessed with you at my side

Sing a melody from our past, have a piece of

The forgotten paradise, far in the horizon

Feelings that are innocent are the pure white roses

The petals that bloom in spring like white wings

The heavenly scent is enveloping me in its

Embrace of love and pain deep within

White petals are falling from my palms

White shower of purity and innocence

Then I know that this is love

Pure love, innocent love

Let the falling petals be my sign of

Happiness and sorrow, joy and grief

Wishes and broken dreams

Death within life, and pain within love

Spread your wings and fly away as far as you can

I will be watching you from my place on the ground

Smile that heavenly smile of yours and I'll

Willingly put myself into hell below

Don't question further about my deeds to you

This is all I can do for you in my cursed life

You are my miracle, you are my blessing

This one-sided wish is mine forever

White petals are falling from my palms

White shower of purity and innocence

Then I know that this is love

Pure love, innocent love

Let the falling petals be my sign of

Happiness and sorrow, joy and grief

Wishes and broken dreams

Death within life, and pain within love

Let the pure white petals fall

Since they are the sign of my innocent love"

He sighed, closing his eyes, picturing Wolfram in his head. Those golden tresses, emerald green eyes under the crimson light of the setting sun…. He would be smiling—not his usual smirk, but his real, warm, and genuine smile—in the lush garden, laughing along with Yuuri under the shower of falling petals. He could just see the light the blonde boy would radiate….that love which shone with such tenderness and determination….

Commotion rose outside in a sudden, and Yuuri immediately sat up on his bed in surprise. He heard Gisela shouted in…was that fear? "Wolfram-kaka! You must not do that!"

The door of his bedroom flung open, and a figure stumbled in. Yuuri was on his feet before his mind could know what was happening, his eyes wide in piercing emotions that flooded his heart when he saw the sight in front of him.

Wolfram, blood dripping from various parts of his body and gashes nearly everywhere on his smooth white skin and blue uniform, managed a weak smile. "Yuuri," he whispered, before his legs gave out beneath him. Yuuri held out his hands, resting the prince's head on his shoulder, supporting the smaller boy's body with his own. Blood stained his clothes, but he simply stared ahead, eyes unseeing.

"Wol…fram?"

"I've promised, haven't I?" Wolfram coughed weakly, his body starting to slide out of Yuuri's embrace. "I am back, Yuuri. I am home…."

Yuuri could feel it, his body slipping out from his grip, right onto the cold stone floor. For a brief moment, images flashed in his mind, blinding him, turning him oblivious to his surroundings.

White petals, falling as a shower from his palms…

Wolfram….

Then he saw it, the painful reality, burning the images at the back of his eyes. Conrad, Gwendal, Anissinna, Gisela, and Gunther were at the door…, while on his feet was…..

He fell onto his knees, tears falling like the rain outside uncontrollably. Then, as lightning struck, as the thunder roared, he let out a shout, a prayer, a sign of death within life, and pain within love.

"WOLFRAM!"

"I love you, Wolf… If only you had known…."

"If only I had known sooner…."

XXX

There! Finished! The second part (the climax and also the romance part) will be out very soon. Look out for it, folks! Before leaving, don't forget to press that review button below! Critics are welcomed, flamers are…uh…well, accepted, but not actually welcomed friendly. Anyway, review!

Aqua Alta

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