[FIC] [ROUND 9] IN THE WAKE OF BATTLE, PG
Author/Artist: sora_ishida
Characters/Pairings: Gwendal/Wolfram
Word Count: 530
Rating: T/PG-13
Any Warnings: Final version un-beta'd, AU, heavily implied incest, uh...vampires? ^,,^
Theme/Prompt being used: Anger
Notes: Part of a massive AU-arc I've been working on-and-off on for 2 years. I thought I might use this community to help me get a bit more of it done, since I don't motivate myself to work on it nearly enough. :D Very loosely based upon the events occuring in episode 2 of the anime (well, their aftermath, anyway). Probably also a little on the unfinished side...deadlines, y'know. XD
Background Info: It has been suggested that a bit of background info might be a good idea, seeing as it's AU and not even the start of said AU. In short, Yuuri has just been introduced as the world's new Vampire Lord! But there's not a whole lot of joy about this amongst the greater vampiric community, especially since he's only a sired one, not even pure-blood! Wolfram is about as happy about it at first as he is about Yuuri being Maou in the anime. Instead of the accidental proposal and duel - he still ends up 'dueling' Yuuri, and losing, but by Yuuri's refusal to take his life as reward, Wolfram's life now 'belongs' to Yuuri....
In the Wake of Battle
Strike, strike, strike, strike, slide.
Arms folded and expression stern, Gwendal concentrated on the sound of Wolfram's boot heels as the younger man stalked back and forth across the room.
Strike, strike, strike, strike, slide.
The arguments had long ago become circular and monotonous, and it was almost an improvement to tune them out in favour of the more calming paces. Almost.
Strike, strike, strike, strike, slide.
"Would you rather he had taken your life?" He interjected at last, halting his brother's furious tirade before it could turn the faint throbbing at his temple into a migraine. Momentarily surprised by the reminder that he had an audience, Wolfram flinched and looked up. Then, scowling, slammed his fist into the hard wood of one of the posts at the end of his bed. The frame rattled ominously, but held; even under such inhuman strength.
"It would have been the honourable thing!" The blond snapped back; eyes flashing and teeth bared in a snarl.
"Honour comes in many forms, Wolfram." Gwendal reasoned calmly. Sometimes, it seemed impossible that they could be related, even if only by half. The differences between them were visibly as great as chalk and cheese. Yet for all Gwendal's apparent peace, he was equally as displeased as his brother with the whole affair. "To be bested by one's...leader is hardly shameful. In fact, you should feel privileged to be the first among us to show your loyalty to the new Lord thus."
Wolfram's glare did not diminish in the slightest. Gwendal met it evenly, and something in his eyes must have conveyed a measure of what he actually felt.
The younger noble's shoulders slumped. He did not reply, but curled his hand about the abused bedpost and rested his forehead sullenly against the smooth grain of the wood. When his half-brother approached, Wolfram neither moved away from, nor acknowledged him.
"I know it is hard." Gwendal's gruff voice fell onto crown of the blonde's dipped head. "I do not much like the look of this new Lord, either. But the First Lord has chosen him, and we all must respect that." Gwendal's hands closed firmly on his brother's shoulders and Wolfram finally tilted his head away from the bedpost, slanting a skeptical look upwards. "Illogical as the choice may seem."
"Would you accept this?" A touch of petulance still lingered in Wolfram's voice and the frown lines that perpetually creased Gwendal's temple deepened ever so slightly.
"If he had also bested me fairly, then yes, I would undoubtedly give him my complete and undivided loyalty." Wolfram made a small, disgusted sound at that response.
"How can you be so certain? How can you have such willingness to throw away your life and freedom?"
Gwendal sighed, a note of exasperation colouring his reply. "Because, Wolfram. I am not ruled by my emotions, as you are. I know my place and my duty to both my family," a gentle hand swept aside the soft curls of gold at Wolfram's neck to expose the place where Yuuri's fangs had sunk deep beneath the skin. "And my Lord." Gwendal concluded, brushing light fingertips across the now-flawless skin.
(EDIT: to fix Word Count)
Characters/Pairings: Gwendal/Wolfram
Word Count: 530
Rating: T/PG-13
Any Warnings: Final version un-beta'd, AU, heavily implied incest, uh...vampires? ^,,^
Theme/Prompt being used: Anger
Notes: Part of a massive AU-arc I've been working on-and-off on for 2 years. I thought I might use this community to help me get a bit more of it done, since I don't motivate myself to work on it nearly enough. :D Very loosely based upon the events occuring in episode 2 of the anime (well, their aftermath, anyway). Probably also a little on the unfinished side...deadlines, y'know. XD
Background Info: It has been suggested that a bit of background info might be a good idea, seeing as it's AU and not even the start of said AU. In short, Yuuri has just been introduced as the world's new Vampire Lord! But there's not a whole lot of joy about this amongst the greater vampiric community, especially since he's only a sired one, not even pure-blood! Wolfram is about as happy about it at first as he is about Yuuri being Maou in the anime. Instead of the accidental proposal and duel - he still ends up 'dueling' Yuuri, and losing, but by Yuuri's refusal to take his life as reward, Wolfram's life now 'belongs' to Yuuri....
In the Wake of Battle
Strike, strike, strike, strike, slide.
Arms folded and expression stern, Gwendal concentrated on the sound of Wolfram's boot heels as the younger man stalked back and forth across the room.
Strike, strike, strike, strike, slide.
The arguments had long ago become circular and monotonous, and it was almost an improvement to tune them out in favour of the more calming paces. Almost.
Strike, strike, strike, strike, slide.
"Would you rather he had taken your life?" He interjected at last, halting his brother's furious tirade before it could turn the faint throbbing at his temple into a migraine. Momentarily surprised by the reminder that he had an audience, Wolfram flinched and looked up. Then, scowling, slammed his fist into the hard wood of one of the posts at the end of his bed. The frame rattled ominously, but held; even under such inhuman strength.
"It would have been the honourable thing!" The blond snapped back; eyes flashing and teeth bared in a snarl.
"Honour comes in many forms, Wolfram." Gwendal reasoned calmly. Sometimes, it seemed impossible that they could be related, even if only by half. The differences between them were visibly as great as chalk and cheese. Yet for all Gwendal's apparent peace, he was equally as displeased as his brother with the whole affair. "To be bested by one's...leader is hardly shameful. In fact, you should feel privileged to be the first among us to show your loyalty to the new Lord thus."
Wolfram's glare did not diminish in the slightest. Gwendal met it evenly, and something in his eyes must have conveyed a measure of what he actually felt.
The younger noble's shoulders slumped. He did not reply, but curled his hand about the abused bedpost and rested his forehead sullenly against the smooth grain of the wood. When his half-brother approached, Wolfram neither moved away from, nor acknowledged him.
"I know it is hard." Gwendal's gruff voice fell onto crown of the blonde's dipped head. "I do not much like the look of this new Lord, either. But the First Lord has chosen him, and we all must respect that." Gwendal's hands closed firmly on his brother's shoulders and Wolfram finally tilted his head away from the bedpost, slanting a skeptical look upwards. "Illogical as the choice may seem."
"Would you accept this?" A touch of petulance still lingered in Wolfram's voice and the frown lines that perpetually creased Gwendal's temple deepened ever so slightly.
"If he had also bested me fairly, then yes, I would undoubtedly give him my complete and undivided loyalty." Wolfram made a small, disgusted sound at that response.
"How can you be so certain? How can you have such willingness to throw away your life and freedom?"
Gwendal sighed, a note of exasperation colouring his reply. "Because, Wolfram. I am not ruled by my emotions, as you are. I know my place and my duty to both my family," a gentle hand swept aside the soft curls of gold at Wolfram's neck to expose the place where Yuuri's fangs had sunk deep beneath the skin. "And my Lord." Gwendal concluded, brushing light fingertips across the now-flawless skin.
(EDIT: to fix Word Count)