126 A Hug, A Blanket and A Book

***Heyu's point of view ***

Night had fallen and I had just finished packing my fake travel bags. Each item had been set inside according to weight, shape and height. I nodded as I looked around my workshop and sighed.

[ This place... I am going to miss it]

It was hard enough explaining to my apprentice that I would be leaving tomorrow. She seemed rather sad but I am sure she will become an excellent blacksmith when I am gone. I willed some small golems to appear and did one last clean of my area before I did my final checks.

As I went to shut down the store I saw a little note on the front desk along with some rations and a necklace. I looked down at the necklace and held it in my hand as I read the note. I couldn't help but become a little emotional.

It seemed like everyone had pulled together to make the necklace for me and the note was very kind. Thanking me for all my hard work. I couldn't help but smile as I tightened the clasp around my neck.

The necklace was shaped like a sword with a shield in front of it. The shield has small black gems that had been melted into it. It was very beautiful and on the sword hilt was a small earth gem.

I looked into the distance and thought about how I would face Vance again…

[ The prince... He has probably changed quite a bit.]

I nodded to my self as I clenched my fist.

[ I guess I couldn't live in dreamland forever. ]

I found myself absentmindedly walking through the village and talking in the views. The farmlands, the medical hut, the shopping areas. Since it was dark the whole area was rather barren. It wasn't long until I realised I had stopped myself in front of Yuki's house.

[ He was pretty sick today… I should probably check up on him ]

I had let myself in as I normally did and saw Airi and Loki playing a board game. I looked over and smiled awkwardly. It wasn't long until my bag was slowly placed near the side of the room and I made small talk with the pair.

The conversation finally made its way to what would be happening tomorrow. I had steeled myself and decided to go. It was a decision I made after I watched the weak and pale looking Yuki try his hardest until he was almost collapsing to try and get us to come with him and save Ren.

What he didn't know was that the day he had first told me everything about himself I had been unable to look away. I wasn't the only one. Four long years Loki, Sora, Nathan and myself had had a quiet and unspoken rule.

Yuki was off limits.

It seemed we had each found him endearing in our own way. For me, it was when he had shown his soul to all of us. A boy who had gone through so much had still found a way to get people from the enemies side to cherish him enough to follow him into what we thought was death.

I didn't want to tell him… he had been through too much already. I also didn't want to start a fight with anyone. I sighed as I looked over at Loki. His lips parted slightly and he shone his perfectly white teeth.

[ That jerk... Seems to know more about Yuki then the rest of us.]

I tried my best to remove the uneasiness from the pit of my stomach as I smiled back before I mentioned that I was going to check up on the patient. Loki frowned slightly but Yuki's blissfully unaware mother was all smiles. I honestly couldn't be bothered bickering with the guy who would heal me if I got stabbed hard enough and I decided to slowly made my way upstairs.

Yuki was sitting in bed with a candle next to him reading. It seems that Kibbles was probably playing with Sora as per usual so it was finally a moment where I could just spend time with Yuki.

I was a little excited and my heart began to throb.

[ Deep breaths ]

" Yuki" I said as casually as possible.

I watched as Yuki slowly put down his book. His pale skin seemed to radiant in the candlelight I couldn't help but take a breath in as he looked in my direction and smiled.

" Heyu, I am glad I could see you again," Yuki said sweetly. He voice calling my name tingled the backs of my hairs like a small electrical shock.

[ Keep it together damn it! ]

He motioned to the foot of his bed with a smile. I couldn't help but wonder if Yuki was even aware that his so-called friends had all been eying him like a wolf and keeping each other at bay for the past several years.

I took to the seat of his bed and his foot lightly grazed against my back. I smiled as I asked him about how he was feeling and did my best to seem my usual self. Self-control had been instilled in me due to my formal military training and I was never more grateful then now.

He, as usual, was positive about it but seemed slightly worried when tomorrow's events came up.

" You know I will be there to help you... And everyone else too" I said before nodding.

" I'm.. sorry" Yuki said before coughing.

I moved closer and wrapped my arms around him. He was a little warm due to his flu. I clutched him tightly and firmly placed him on my chest. Yuki seemed tense for a moment but then loosened up and let hold him.

[ It's only because he is sick. It is only because he is sick.]

The mantra ran through my head and I held his little frame in my arms. The smell of his hair entered my nostrils igniting the sensors in my brain. I couldn't help myself as I rested my chin on his head and rubbed his back.

" You don't need to apologise. I know Ren will be safe and sound." I said in my usually cool tone.

[ Great another competitor ]

It was at that moment that two sets of footsteps made their way up the stairs. I sighed as I gently let Yuki go and placed him on his pillows before standing. The first one to make their way upstairs was Nathan.

He seemed to have some soup and a book in his hand. I sighed inwardly as I realised he had just one-upped me.

[ Why didn't I bring soup? ]

I started cursing inwardly as Nathan gave me a smile that was not a smile before nervously making his way towards Yuki.

" I thought you would still be a little unwell. So I brought you some soup." Nathan said.

He sweetly walked over and checked Yuki's forehead before placing the book down and mentioning the book that he had brought. It was a picture book that Nathan had made filled with different drawings of plants and their uses.

If that wasn't bad enough, It wasn't long before Sora too had made his way upstairs with a blanket.

[ Even Sora?!]

I tried my best not to curse out loud as I watched Sora eye off Nathan and then myself. The tactic understanding was there in full force and I had to take a step back while Nathan spent a few minutes with Yuki before Sora did.

Yuki seemed to brighten quite a bit as we all took turns cheering him up and reassuring him. To be honest none of us wanted to leave. It was safe here and we didn't have to be who we were back in our respective countries. If it wasn't for a sense of honour and duty that we all carried we would not want to have Yuki be put back in the line of fire.

Sora had gone so far as to argue with him constantly in a bid to keep him safe even had the cost of his relationship. We were all pretty glad that Yuki was romantically dense but in moments like this…

[ I want to kick them out! ]

A man cannot be kind forever. I may have lost this battle but I will win the war. I will continue to bide my time until Yuki is truly ready and when he is… no one will blame me if I am finally honest with him.

I snapped out of my thoughts and looked over at Yuki. I had seen that he had received his gifts from those two traitors and decided my dual swords were still the best gift. My chest puffed up a little as I looked over at the wild red-haired boy and walked over.

" Yuki, you leave everything to us. No matter what I am here for you" I said quietly.

" Mm should be a long trip don't forget I have got your back" Nathan replied.

" Of course we will save Ren" Sora said beaming.

[ Damn Show Stealers! ]

" Hey you three best be leaving we had a long day tomorrow," A fourth voice said.

Of course, Loki had to come….