Finally, the last part of Moonlit! I hope you have enjoyed my first finished multi-part fanfiction!

WARNING: IMPLIED sexual intercourse. The scene is not included so I personally feel rating 'T' is enough, but if you think I should change the rating to M, someone just inform me and I will.

This takes place soon after the game ends; spoilers, though somewhat obvious ones, till then.

All characters, locations and declined honors rightfully Yuri's (and or Brave Vesperia's) mentioned are (c) Bamco.

The sounds of laughter, talking, screams of joy or surprise, amused giggling and any other noise one could imagine of a saving-the-world-party filled the air and mixed into a mess of relief and happiness, echoing through the air. The smallest of monsters would rather stay away from such roaring human noise, and strangely enough, the guards posted outside Aurnion, to keep watch for the night, came across very few larger ones. It was as if even nature was offering the united people one night free of worry and fear before they would have to face the hardships of their new reality.

Sitting outside the newly formed village yet within its protective charms and border of guardsmen was the star of the party, Yuri Lowell. While he had explained how it had been a joint effort, everybody joining together with Rita especially working hard, he had still been praised by anyone who knew of his efforts behind Flynn's supposed acts . He quickly grew tired of the, to him, baseless adoration, and his plan to try to hide within the party failing him, the swordsman had decided to sneak away. Sitting on the grass, Yuri found peace looking at the sky, finally free of the menace of Adephagos.

"Oi! Yuri! Watcha doin' out here, o savior of the world?" rand a sudden yet familiar voice behind him. Yuri didn't have to bother to turn to see the person calling out to him, and just listened to the soft footsteps on the grass before Raven appeared beside him.

The swordsman sighed. "Escaping honor that's not mine."

A glimpse in the older man's direction told Yuri he was still standing, but the swordsman turned away from the man anyway and continued. "I'm surprised to see you away from the party this early, old man. What with the booze flowing and all the ladies…" Yuri listed, emphasizing the last two words like Raven oft did.

The archer sat down fast as an arrow he'd shot and breathed out heavily like he'd just been punched in the stomach. "Ouch, Yuri, that hurt. Don't ya know I've pledged my soul an' body only to ya?" Raven claimed, placing a hand in the middle of his upper chest to enchant his words. Yuri shrugged.

"Right. It's real hard to tell, you know, what with you being… you", the swordsman complained. Raven looked at Yuri's face, only to see the usual mostly neutral poker face dominating it. His own had a slight grin plastered on it.

"Aww, ya were jealous? No worries, I have turned down ev'ry lady seekin' my company like a true gentleman. But should ya ever need me, ya need but call my name and I shall be there!", the archer exclaimed as if he was a prince on a white horse, and had the shining armor to go with it. Yuri thought to question the man which name should he use, but decided against it.

"Sure, if you don't die of old age first", the younger man joked, with a small smirk. Raven's carefree talk had successfully brought it out.

The smirk was quickly gone as Yuri listened to the ruckus of the party raging around the whole town. Raven immediately took note of the change, experienced in reading the group's 'lone wolf's' body language. He leaned to Yuri's side and shoulder.

"…What is it?" he asked, abandoning their playful bickering. Yuri was neither surprised by the question, nor in the belief that Raven would believe him for a second if he tried to pass it as nothing.

"It's nothing that big… Just… the people. Now, they claim the will be all right without blastia, and they thank us for saving the world… but who knows about tomorrow. They will face the new world with all its hardships and downsides. I can tell by experience; not everyone can take that easily…" Raven listened quietly, then rose his head.

"Ya starting ta have second thoughts now?" Yuri's left eye met with the older man's, and despite the man's tone, Yuri knew he wasn't all that serious.

"Hell no. We've met all kinds of people on this journey; strong, weak, cowardly, natural leaders, some with extreme beliefs, despaired, or some that always see the silver lining. But despite all our flaws, together, everyone will make it. It's gonna be tough, but… It'll be all right", Yuri said, and the archer couldn't help but admire the conviction and heroic tone the young man had. But thinking back on the two things the boy had said…

"Wait, so if ya do believe in people, what was the problem to begin with?" Yuri was surprised by the question. "I told you it wasn't a big deal." As he paused, he again seemed very serious, but notably less brooding. "I was just thinking about the challenges to come." Raven sighed, and an honest, somewhat content smile crept on his features.

"This journey has given ya a lot, eh" he commented. The swordsman again looks at the older man, his expression going from thoughtful to a smile, and then hardly noticeably to a kind of gentle smirk.

"Yeah. The friends I've gained, fighting experience, seeing the world… and learning I could actually like you." Raven acted hurt very briefly before abandoning it.

"Well, I've changed during this journey as well. I'm… alive again." The old man looked at the starry sky; Yuri wondered what was he thinking about.

"Ya know, the night before we went ta fight Duke… Me an' Karol had a little chat. Told him I'm gonna hafta learn to dream all over again… But I think I got a pretty good wish already. More than enough for some old man like me." Raven was first serious, but after pausing he turned to his companion and smiled, lovingly. He placed his hand gently on Yuri's and held onto it. "I want ta stay with you."

Yuri wasn't surprised, and answered to the smile a little. "Yeah. I'd like that. Though… I'm not entirely sure what am I going to do, anyway." The archer chuckled. "Doesn't matter. I'm gonna be there with ya."

Suddenly, Yuri swiftly got on to his feet and before the older man could ask why the sudden rise, the youth was straddling him.

"…promise? I won't… I can't take it if you'd betray my trust again…" The swordsman had always been one to say things straight, but somehow, the very thought of Raven not being by his side caused him pain. The man understood him perfectly. Despite the serious situation, he smiled as he spoke: he had made up his mind, his heart. He would never hurt his companions again… he could never hurt Yuri again.

"I promise", he vowed, looking into Yuri's serious, demanding eyes. The sincerity in the man's voice, honesty in his eyes, whole being so open and truthful… Yuri relaxed, smiled. The youth caressed Raven's cheek, slid his hand lower and felt the rough bristle, then leaned in to kiss the man. The archer softly parted his lips, Yuri tasted alcohol in his mouth. He felt a wave of warmth and pleasure all over his body. "Mm…"

A sudden new sensation caused Yuri to twitch and pull away. Only then he realized what had happened: Raven was grabbing his behind, squeezing a little. The older man definitely hadn't expected that kind of reaction.

Eh? Is something wrong? I thought ya were mine ta have", the man started out worried, but grinned as he finished. The swordsman snorted, but was quick to come back with something.

"No. The opposite." With the advantage of surprise on his side, the long-haired youth pushed down his love and leaned over him.

"You are mine, Raven", he whispered in the man's ear. Yuri acting so possessive sent pleasant shivers down the man's back. He wrapped his arms around Yuri's back, feeling all the muscle the relatively slim-built man had acquired, and answered the dominating kiss placed on his lips.

Raven was at first slightly hesitant to move his hands lower as Yuri had retreated once already. The swordsman kissed him more passionately , their tongues meeting. Raven slid his hands slowly along Yuri's back until he reached the fabric belt and undid it with ease after having seen the youth tie it. The gray vest's edges fell on Raven after he unwrapped the whole belt.

Yuri gently broke their kiss and got up on his knees. He moved some wilder strands of his long hair to his back, his smile openly seductive. He slowly opened the zipper on his shirt and revealed his muscled chest. Yuri took off both his vest and shirt, and threw them aside, leaning in on his lover again. The youth demandingly kissed the man, and got the passionate response he sought.

Yuri started to undo the buttons on Raven's shirt when he felt the man grab his shoulders and gently push him a little away. He stared at Raven, confused and disappointed; but the man soon explained himself.

"I jus'… Do ya really think this is a good place?" Yuri glanced around the empty grass area.

"Why not? Everything's here… You and me." He kissed Raven once again and showed the man just how deeply he felt for him.

xoxo

The two men were lying on the grass, Raven cuddling up against Yuri with but the older man's purple jacket covering them. With the starry sky above them and a hint of both peacefulness and the challenge of the days to come in the air, and his beloved by his side, Yuri felt like everything was perfect. He whispered three words, only for Raven to hear.

"I love you."