Author's Note: Last chapter! I really enjoyed writing this fic! It was such fun to write out a little story idea that turned out to be a little longer than I originally planned. I hope you enjoyed it!

Disclaimer: Own nothing but 'The House'

Dedicated to CRSG, Such a brilliant writer.

Covenant Castle, The Great Demon Kingdom

"I thought you would greet your own brother-in-law a little better than this, Gwen." Cecilie Von Spitzweg stood in the doorway, her surprisingly serious green eyes sweeping over the pallid features of the future Maou and the fact that he was quite literally swaying on his feet. "Sit down, Yuuri Dear." Her hand was soon under one of his elbows helping to ease him back down onto the bed he had just vacated. "I just came from Conrart's side and he's still asleep at the moment, so do not rush yourself."

"Mother."

"Gwen, I will not have you interrogating the man that brought your brother back to us."

Now that made both charcoal grey eyebrows lift in shock, clearly not even accepting the notion that they were now part of the same rather odd family. "Mother... this man is..."

"My husband." A rough voice answered from behind Cecilie, cinnamon eyes were dazed a little from the clear effort it had taken the wounded man to get as far as he had. "Yuuri..." One hand reached out towards the dark haired young man.

The smaller man was immediately darting off the bed, throwing his arms around Conrart, his face buried in against the curve of his lover's neck. Both palms were sliding down over the strong body, feeling the bulk of bandages coiled around the man's back and seeing the white cotton around his temples just beneath the fall of wild hair. "Con... you should be in bed." Concern laced his tone, his expression worried and loving as he drew the man back with him towards the bed he had been in.

"While you are alone somewhere? No." With a relieved groan, he sagged onto the bedding, quite willingly accepting aide from his lover and was soon stretched out. Hand curling lightly around Yuuri's wrist, he drew the man's hand up against his lips before tucking it lightly against his cheek. "Were you hurt?"

"I'm fine... just feeling like a drained battery."

Gwendal stood there, one eyebrow twitching rapidly, his expression almost comical in that moment as he watched the conversation unfold between the two men who now seemed as if not to notice the rest of the world when they were together.

"You love me..." Conrart breathed out softly, a smile soon lighting up his entire face, his head twisting around to study his features. "You... you really do love me..."

"Of course I do, you gorgeous lump." Yuuri leaned over his husband, ducking his head and pressing a heated kiss against warm lips, settling himself down and looking blissful right at that moment beside his companion. "How could I not love you?" A fingertip brushed languidly over Conrart's cheek before snuggling up beside his lover. "You are all I've ever wanted."

The soldier let out a rather pleased sound at that, arm coiling around his lover's waist and drawing him back even closer against his side. Neither of them noticing the pair that watched them with avid interest as sleep rose up and consumed the two exhausted half-breeds.

"Are you going to stare at me all afternoon, Gwendal?" One brown brow lifted in silent question as Conrart sat on the couch, Yuuri curled up beside him, head resting in his lap. His hand continued to stroke over the mane of raven locks that pooled across his thighs and knees, the soft sleepy murmur of contentment reassuring the soldier that it would be some time yet before his lover stirred again from sleep.

"Married."

"Yes." And that thought made Conrart's lips twitch upwards from a small smile to a full out grin of delight. "I never thought I would be the first of us to do so, but I can say there is much to be said about such things."

"Is he human?"

"No. He is like me. I will not have to fear loosing him to old age..." Something he was deeply grateful for. "He carries Julia's soul, but it is not the reason I love him. I love Yuuri for who he is... and what he has done for me." Eyes closing, he let out a contented smile, content that there was no more threat from Adalbert and soon enough more of the familiar faces of his friends would once more be around him and Yuuri. "He brings me such happiness, Gwendal, such contentment within my heart." Letting out a soft sound, he settled himself back onto the couch, no longer restless.

"You do realise the implications of what it will mean to our people that you are married to the future Maou."

"It can mean so many good things, Big Brother." And Conrart's expression had softened, his lips turning upwards at the corners, his happiness radiating out of him in that moment. "There is a change for people like me... there is more than just sacrifice."

"You found your reason to live." Gwendal whispered softly, just staring at his brother and feeling as if a heavy weight had been lifted up off his heart, his body sagging just a little into his own chair. "If he is indeed my brother-in-law, tell me of him."

"Yuuri is determined and serious but he also has a smile that can warm you through until you can't help but smile back." His own smile remained as he gathered Yuuri just a little more closely to his side, longing to feel those warm hands on his body, the sensual reminder of what they shared. "He cares about all those around him, but he is protective."

"Of you apparently."

Conrart nodded once, remembering the look Gunter had shot him when he had told him earlier about the threat that had been made against anyone that would harm him. It had shocked him to find out about exactly what Yuuri had done to Adalbert, it had been beyond what he thought his small lover capable of... Though considering the fact he was still alive and not currently a broken body in a grave, Yuuri was far more powerful then anyone had so far given him credit for.

"I will accept him as your husband, but if he ever..." Gwendal's jaw clenched sharply, his head turning away as his eyes stared out of the window and the slowly falling snow unwilling or maybe unable to finish that particular comment.

"Yuuri wouldn't."

"Wolfram might not take well to this."

"And you have?" Conrart teased softly, but shrugged a little. "In time... everything takes time."

"Did... I fall asleep again?" Yuuri yawned a little, his dark eyes blinking slightly, letting out a low sound of pleasure as Conrart continued to rub his fingers through Yuuri's hair. "Oh..."

"Rest."

"Shouldn't... you be?" Attempting to fight against the wonderful warmth of sleep that wanted to draw him back under.

"I will in a little while."

"Hi... Gwendal..." Yuuri's dark gaze flickered over the face of the dower Chief-Of-State, before offering a small disarming smile before promptly drifting back into sleep without another word.

Gwendal blinked.

Conrart chuckled.

"Mother appears to like him." Gwendal commented offhandedly.

The younger of the two brothers almost couldn't stifle the sudden urge to burst out into laughter at that. "More true than you realise... she was going to engage him in her 'free love' pursuits in the bath."

A frown creased Gwendal's brow and turned his fine lips downwards. "Explain."

"Mother arrived home early before word could be sent about our own arrival... well... Gunter didn't see any harm allowing Yuuri and myself using the private bath. Yuuri arrived ahead of me..."

"Oh... dear..."

"Yes. The first meeting between the two and my own mother wants to seduce my husband. I fear Mother now knows exactly the reason why I can't seem to keep my hands to myself while Yuuri is around."

Now that actually did colour Gwendal's cheeks slightly, the man's face flushing ever so slightly at exactly what Conrart was suggesting.

Now that had Conrart grinning widely, winking once at his brother before letting out a happy sound. "I am happy, Brother. I've never felt like this... I've never... felt like there is a place in this world where I truly belong. Yet with Yuuri, wherever he is, I am happy as long as I can be with him."

"I am glad for that."

"So am I. So... am I."

The snowball thumped against the back of Gwendal's head, making the noble turn and growl low in his throat at the dark haired man who was hidden by one of the snow drifts. "Yuuri."

Another snowball suddenly thumped into Gwendal from the other side, the massive Demon Tribesman spinning on his heel and glaring towards the other side of the garden walkway, sensing more than seeing his brother amongst the branches of one of the massive trees.

"This behaviour is..."

SPLAT!

Gwendal ended up with a mouthful of snow and white ice crystals clinging to his clothing as he brushed it away with one hand and glared back in the direction of his brother-in-law.

Suddenly a flurry of snowballs were peppering the exposed Demon, covering him from head to toe in giant globs of packed snow. Laughter filling the air, before he was finally able to throw up a protective barrier around himself, determined to prevent himself from looking even more ridiculous.

"You will stop this childish behaviour at once."

"Well... its your fault for ending up right in the middle of our battlefield." Yuuri's dark eyes peeked over the top of where he had settled himself in though it was only then that Gwendal became aware of the fact that Yuuri and Conrart were not alone in their mock battle, but there were at least a dozen others on either side of the garden path. "I would suggest running..."

"I do not run from battle."

"Then pick a side, Brother! We are at war." Conrart grinned at Gwendal when he lifted his head just enough over the edge of a snow covered hedge to stare into his brother's face. However, Conrart was forced to duck when a snowball almost caught him full in the face as it had Gwendal. "Damn, Yuu, I didn't know you had such good aim."

"I did play baseball." The other man responded, before flinging another snowball.

It truly was a battle, one that had the maids cheering from the sidelines as even Cecilie became involved, everyone unable to help themselves when Yuuri flashed them his sweet grin and a plea to join in the fight.

Conrart had bided his time and finally had his lover cornered, pouncing on the smaller man the moment he turned his back to run. His strong arm coiled around the slender body of his lover, holding the squirming body close to his own, his hands eagerly sliding beneath the thick coat Yuuri wore. His palm found the warm belly, his chilled fingers teasing across hot skin. A whimper escaped Yuuri, his body jerking in surprised pleasure at the contact between the two of them.

"Caught you." The half-breed whispered against his lover's ear, face nuzzling against the warm curve of his throat, lips nibbling over it slowly, delighting in the way Yuuri arched and relaxed in his grip. "Surrender." Teeth nipping at that ear, he held his lover closer, desperate to just hold him close and reassure himself all was truly right with the world once more.

"Never." Yuuri squirmed, hips rubbing back against the rather hard bulge in his lover's woollen pants, groaning softly with clear interest. "I'll never..."

"You'll never what?" A hand had slipped down into Yuuri's pants, fingertips eagerly finding the hardening flesh and smiling in amusement at how his lover squirmed in response to his touches.

"They... see..."

"Get a room!" Someone yelled good-naturedly from somewhere to their right and they heard the mutter of Gwendal over 'love-sick fools'.

Conrart chuckled low in his throat when a flush of colour actually did slide up his lover's throat and he couldn't help but dip his head down and rub his lips over the hot skin. Reluctantly he slipped his hand free of his lover's clothing, smoothing it back down into place lightly, before setting Yuuri back down onto his feet.

The man actually almost stumbled, his legs not quite wanting to hold him up as he staggered away from his lover, glancing back over his shoulder at Conrart with a look that promised the other man revenge for what he had done. However, it was the kind of revenge that would leave both men screaming in pleasure.

Though they soon both found themselves targets for more flying snowballs from both sides that send the Castle up into bouts of laughter that rang wonderfully through the halls.

"Sit! Eat." Yuuri was grinning widely, his obsidian eyes flashing as he regarded all those who had come to join them for dinner. Instead of something extremely formal, the round table was crammed full of people that Yuuri had charmed by just being himself.

Even Gwendal couldn't help the small smile that tugged at his lips as he regarded his younger brother and his husband and felt some part of him truly relaxing for the first time in so long.

"This place needs life in it." His head tipped back as Conrart stood just behind him, one large calloused hand stroking against the side of his neck in a tender little caress. "Don't you think, Con?"

The man nodded slightly, before dropping a kiss against the Maou's upturned lips, the pair unable to hide the vibrant power of the love they felt for one another. "You bring life to all those around you, my Love."

"Flatterer."

Though the entire room seemed to still when a striking blonde entered the room, his green eyes blazing as he regarded the usually silent and composed dining that was now thrumming with so much life and music that it seemed it wanted to burst out into the rest of the castle. The young blonde quickly moved to seat himself at the last remaining empty chair, his chin jerking up in disgust at the fact that some of those who sat at the table were obviously not of the aristocracy, such as Yozak.

Conrart moved around the table, a smile on his lips at the sight of his younger half-brother. "Yuuri, I would like to introduce you to my younger brother." His eyes remaining fixed on his lover's face for a moment before gazing down at Wolfram, desperately hoping that time had allowed something to change between them. His hand dropped to lightly touch against his brother's shoulder.

SLAP!

The entire room froze at the sound of Conrart's hand being slapped fiercely away from Wolfram, the boy's expression turning to one of utter disgust. "Take that hand off me! I've told you not to touch me with those filthy human fingers. I've never thought of you as my big brother, the very notion makes my skin crawl."

"As you wish." Conrart whispered, though there was a startling pain in those brilliant cinnamon eyes, his head turning away slightly as his hand dropped to his side, fingers curling slightly, the skin bright red across one.

Rage flashed in Yuuri's dark eyes, his fingers clenching on top of the tablecloth, his previously jovial and light-hearted personality disappearing in a flash of anger. "You will not insult Conrart like that." His voice was low, but the warning was clear. Not even Conrart's brother had any right to insult his lover like that, especially not in front of him.

Everyone silenced completely at that, knowing exactly what had happened to the last person who had dared to injure the one person who made their new Maou happy.

Wolfram surged to his feet, resisting Gwendal's hand that attempted to still his rise. Dark navy eyes closed with a sigh, knowing that Wolfram would more than likely learn the hard way just how protective Yuuri Shibuya Weller was of his husband. "Who do you think you are speaking to me with such disrespect? You appear and suddenly the world revolves around you. You act as if..." A sneer broke across those soft lips. "You stink of humans."

"Wolfram." Gwendal warned the young blonde, but the explosion was just waiting to come out.

"What right do you have to enter this Castle? What right do you have to sit there and act as if you own this place. This is an outrage. I will not stand to be touched by filthy humans in my own home." His eyes darted back towards Conrart when he said it.

Suddenly Wolfram's head had jerked back and redness was spreading across his right cheek, Yuuri standing before him, anger blazing in his eyes. "You ever insult Conrart again and you'll learn exactly what angry means."

"Yuuri..." Conrart's fingers lightly stroked against one of his lover's warm cheeks, attempting to draw him away from Wolfram, distract him. "It is alright. They are only words."

"It hurts you." The man hissed out, jaw clenching sharply. His gaze dropping to Conrart's reddened hand with a frown. "His words hurt you, Con."

"What is this?" Wolfram snarled, gazing between the pair with something close to shock.

"Wolfram, sit down."

The blonde visibly paled as he regarded his eldest brother with something akin to shock over the fact that Gwendal was clearly siding with Yuuri over this matter and not him. "Brother..."

"You will sit down and treat those around you with the respect they have earned, Wolfram. Conrart is just as much my brother as he is yours and Yuuri is part of this family." Dark blue eyes regarded the black haired man with something almost akin to affection, having warmed up to Yuuri after seeing exactly how much good he had done for his brother and for the castle. It soothed his soul to see Conrart so content and wanting to actually live a life with them. "We have all made mistakes and I for one will not have them repeated."

Wolfram slumped back into his chair, his green eyes blazing at Gwendal before ending up staring at his food, for once set back into his place and realising that he had just screwed himself up in front of many important people within the Castle walls.

"Yuuri..." Soft strokes of Conrart's fingers were all it took to get his lover back down into his seat and soothed enough to consider smiling a little again. "Thank you." His lips grazed against his lover's temple, just resting his cheek there for a long moment and feeling content for the first time in a very long time to have all his family around him and friends filling the space with warm cheer.

This was what home was meant to be.

The House, The Great Demon Kingdom

"Lovely." Yuuri sighed in happiness as his gaze followed the tight rear of his lover as he moved, watching the muscles play underneath the firm tawny skin. Sprawled on his back, he was delighted by the fact Conrart saw no need to even consider putting on clothes within the warmth of the house's fire warmed sitting room. Every inch of glorious skin was uncovered and lit by the glow of candles and firelight. "I never get tired of this view."

Conrart's eyebrow lifted as he glanced over his shoulder at his lover sprawled out over the thick soft rug he had recently added to what had become their home. There was no big mansion, no masses of servants, though there were guards along the perimeter, they were fully alone in the modest house, allowed to cook their own meals and just enjoy being people again. "What view is that?"

"The one of your tight ass when you stalk across the room like you own it." Yuuri's laughter was throaty and almost teasing, the man's head tipping to the side so he could consider his husband for one long moment before a smile tugged at his lips again. "Are you happy?"

Conrart paused at that question, turning around fully and setting the glass of wine on a nearby table before slowly crouching down beside his beloved and lightly brushed the wild raven locks away from Yuuri's flushed face. "What makes you ask that, Love?"

"It's just... the work we both do... it takes up so much of our time... and they ask you to... as my consort..." Shaking his head, he released a soft sigh, his head twisting upwards to follow the warm fingers that stroked against his skin, soaking up the warm attention. "Does it make you unhappy? Some people still... comment..." Lips pressing together, he didn't want to say the words about some of the more racist comments that had come up from some of the lesser nobles that had come to serve in the court.

"You make me deliriously happy, Yuuri." Kissing his lover upside-down, their lips clung for a moment, tongues brushing sensuously before he was sitting down and drawing Yuuri's head up onto one bare thigh, delighting in the soft sound of happiness that escaped the new Maou. "I don't mind the work, I know it's all important and you always make time for us. You... you always come back each night no matter how tired you are. You always come back to me."

"Can't sleep without you." The man murmured softly, turning his head and nuzzling his cheek against one firm thigh. "You are my strength, my heart."

"This place..." Conrart's head tipped back and he regarded the home they had made for themselves, a place they spent time in at least every second weekend. "You've given me a home, a real home." He had always wanted this since he had been a child and had both of his parents together... the few summers that they had been happy. He would never know the same fear of loss, their love was something so precious.

"I could not have asked for something more perfect."

The soldier made a sound of agreement, his eyes drifting closed as he just inhaled the scent of wood smoke and their roasting dinner in the kitchen. "I never thought... I would have something like this."

"Why not?"

Pausing for a moment, he considered his words carefully. "I thought all I was good for was for making a mark on this world... for making a name for those like me... those who are half human. I thought... no one could ever love me... accept me for who I am despite my faults. I never dreamed I would ever meet someone like you and that I would find a love like this."

"I felt a little of the same thing." Yuuri admitted softly. "I thought I would never find someone that would... see me. I've always been a little selfish... but right now I can't help but want you all to myself."

"You will never be alone, Yuuri."

"I love you, Conrart Weller." The man slowly sat up and wrapped both arms around the strong body of his lover, slipping his fingers into the silky brown locks at his nape, drawing his head forwards. "I love you more than life itself. My heart, my soul, my body are all yours. There will never be another." Foreheads touching lightly, their mouths met in a burning hot kiss that scorched them both all the way down to their souls, branding them with what lay between them.

"I have always been yours, Yuuri Shibuya Weller, since the first time you said hello."

I've already half written the first chapter for 'The Dark Road', a story that writes about the history of Shinou's Death, the origins of the Maou spirit and Yuuri and Conrart falling in love slowly after the events of the TV series. I hope that you all might read it when I finish the first chapter!

I hope you liked this story! I did. Though... poor Gwendal...