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“What do you mean you’re leaving?” Wolfram shouted loud enough that the guards outside the room, and probably the maids halfway across the castle as well, could surely hear him.
“It’s not a big deal,” Yuuri said calmly, trying to placate him.
Well, Wolfram wasn’t having it, especially not this early in the morning. His arms were crossed and the scowl on his face was unforgiving. “I get that you both need to go to Earth every once in a while, but why the hell do both of you need to go together?”
“You can just admit you’ll miss us,” Ken teased.
Wolfram turned his scowl solely on him. “Of course, I’ll miss you! I’d miss either of you anyway, but leaving me here alone is just unfair.”
Ken wasn’t swayed by the show of anger. He was actually grinning as if he didn’t think for a second that Wolfram would do anything about the anger. “You’re adorable when you’re angry.”
Wolfram groaned. Maybe he wouldn’t burn his face off, but he was definitely not against chucking a pillow at his face.
“As much as I’d like to stay here with you,” Ken continued, “I really have to go this time.”
“He’s right,” Yuuri added. “You know my mom’s always going on about how I don’t visit often enough, so it’s not like I can skip. But then Ken hardly ever visits his family since they are practically never home…” He trailed off. Wolfram guessed the pause was because he was coming up with some lie on the spot. “Apparently, they found out he hasn’t been home in nearly a year and called my mom about it.”
It was definitely an excuse. He had learned by now how to tell when Yuuri was hiding something. Wolfram hated it when he was hiding something. “That still doesn’t make sense,” he pressed. “Ken could go first, and you could go after. I’m sure Mama won’t mind that much.”
“Well…” Yuuri gave a cheeky grin and scratched his cheek. “Ken’s parents will probably blow up at him over moving out without telling them. So, I should go and support him, you know?”
“Fine, but I’m going, too,” Wolfram said. “I should support him as his husband, too.”
“You can’t!” Yuuri exclaimed. Definitely a guilty response.
Wolfram narrowed his gaze further. If they wanted to go to Earth, he wasn’t going to stop them, but screw them for lying about the reason.
Quickly, Yuuri backpedaled. “Someone needs to run things while we’re gone.”
“Brother can do it. I’m sure he won’t mind. He’s done it plenty of times before.”
“Yeah…” Yuuri agreed. “But we were dealing with important matters. There are three of us. We shouldn’t just throw work on him just on a whim. That’s unfair to him.”
Wolfram grumbled. He hated that Yuuri made a good point. “You know, sometimes I hate that you take being Maoh seriously.”
Yuuri chuckled. “I never thought I'd hear you say that. Before, you'd always call me a wimp for not working hard enough.”
Wolfram scoffed, turning to the side. “Yeah, well, you shouldn't neglect your husband either.”
Yuuri pulled him into a hug and kissed the top of his head.
“Don't pout. It will only be for a day or two. We'll make it up to you when we get back.”
Wolfram eyed Ken who was still grinning. “You better.”
Ken crouched down with a gleam shining over his glasses. “We could also make it up to you now if you'd like.”
“Jeez,” Wolfram complained. Didn’t they ever stop? “It's not like that's why I'm annoyed. I can handle a few days without sex.” Unlike two specific someones.
He thought that, but he didn't protest when Ken moved closer to him
After saying a “proper goodbye,” his husbands took their leave. Since it was still mid-morning, this left Wolfram in charge of all paperwork for the day. Both his head and his hand hurt by the time he made it through the entire stack of papers. At least he was able to relax in a nice hot bath, but just as he feared, it was hard to get any sleep alone anymore. The bed was too big and cold without his husbands. As much as he hated himself for waking her, he ended up slipping into Greta’s room to sleep there. It still wasn't the same, but it was better.
It was now morning. He was still tired, but at least he had managed to get a little bit of sleep. As much as he did not want to, he figured he should get up and start on the stupid paperwork. Then maybe the day would pass sooner and his husbands would return and he could actually get a good night's sleep
As soon as he sat up, Greta opened her eyes
“Papa? Are you going to work already?”
Wolf smiled and brushed her cheek. “Yeah. Sorry. I think Yuuri and Ken will be back today. Then I can shove the work onto Yuuri and play with you.”
Greta puffed her cheeks out. “I want to play with Daddy, too.”
He chuckled. “Alright. I'll work hard to get everything done so he can play.”
Greta smiled and latched onto his side.
Getting through the paperwork today was easier since he was doing it for Greta instead of Yuuri.
Still, that wasn’t enough to stop him from feeling annoyed that he was the one stuck doing this while his husbands were off doing whatever. If they wanted time alone they should have just said so. He could have stayed in his old room for a day and would have even offered to help with the paperwork. He would have hated it, but he would have done it. For them. Because they asked. Leaving him like this with an excuse was just rude. This didn’t only affect him either. They should have thought about Greta. If they had just wanted time together, they could have stayed here and at least seen her for a little bit during the day.
They were both being selfish as far as he was concerned. If either of them thought he was giving them any tonight, they were sorely mistaken. And if they weren't back today, well, they better get used to the hottest cold shoulder imaginable.
He worked all the way until dinner, only stopping for a short lunch with Greta in the garden. By the time he was finished with dinner, he had a permanent glare. He was not going to appreciate another night of poor sleep.
Yet somehow, Yuuri and Ken managed to promptly return right after he was finished eating. Greta raced ahead of him to the fountain while he walked casually. He was far too tired, full, and disgruntled to put in any unneeded effort.
Much to his annoyance, his irritation mostly evaporated when he spotted their goofy grins. Yuuri's was expected. That hopeless romantic seemed to lose his shit every time he reunited with him regardless of the circumstances. Ken’s, however, was interesting. It was only two days. Normally, he'd be met with a more reserved smile or maybe a smirk. This made him realize they must have been up to something.
"Wolf!" Yuuri cried ridiculously. He was hugging Greta, but he gently stepped away from her so that he could launch himself at Wolfram.
Greta looked a little disappointed but she smiled at the display anyway and moved on to giving Ken his hug.
“It was only two days, wimp,” Wolfram said but he hugged him back anyway.
After a long moment, Yuuri pulled back so that Murata could hug him this time.
“Greta,” Yuuri said, “Can you go play in the garden? Your daddies need a bit of privacy, then we'll come play with you. Promise.”
Greta glared. “You better keep that promise.”
Yuuri laughed. “Cross my heart and hope to die.”
“No!” She exclaimed, honestly looking frightened by the statement. “Don't die.”
Yuuri just smiled, unfazed by Greta’s worry. “I won't because I won't break the promise.”
“Alright,” she said still looking a little worried
Shaking his head fondly, Wolfram watched her run off. “You shouldn’t make promises you might not be able to keep.”
Yuuri brushed his thumb over his cheek. “But I will keep it.”
Wolfram could feel himself softening but pushed it away. “You can’t promise what I will do, wimp.”
Yuuri just smiled. “Because I’m sure you want to go off by yourself we’ve been gone.”
Wolfram steeled his face into coyness. “Maybe I do.”
“But we came bearing gifts!” Ken announced, holding up a cutely decorated purple felt bag.
Wolfram eyed it in suspicion. Then he realized that Yuuri had one identical except that it was yellow instead of purple. “What did you bring me?” he asked trying to hide his anticipation.
The twinkle in Ken’s eye showed that he did a poor job of hiding it. “Chocolates.”
Wolfram furrowed his brow but snatched both of the bags. “Why did you bring me chocolates?”
“What?” Yuuri asked. “We can’t just treat our husband?”
Wolfram gave him a look. “This is a lot for a simple treat. Besides, I know you two planned this. What exactly is this about?”
Ken chuckled. “I told you he’d catch on, Yuuri.”
Yuuri sighed. “Oh well. I was going to tell anyway.”
“You see,” Ken started, “today is what we call on Earth Valentine’s Day.”
“Valin Tines Day?”
Ken grinned and repeated the name slower this time. “It’s a day when people give each other chocolate as a sign of affection. Then in Japan, we have another day called White Day where those that received gifts return gifts.”
Wolfram licked his lips. “So, I need to return a gift on this White Day.”
“No,” Yuuri said immediately.
Wolfram tossed his head. “Why’s that?”
“We did this because we wanted to, not because we wanted you to give us anything.”
Wolfram planted his hands on his hips, making sure he kept a good hold on each of the bags as he did so. “Yeah, well, maybe I want to do this for you guys too. I don’t see any chocolates for each other.”
“We did this for you, Wolf,” Yuuri said.”
Wolfram glared. “You’re going to explain to me how to do this White Day, or else I’m going to make you both split these with me.”
“No!” Yuuri cried as if that was a horrible fate. Wolfram had to suppress a smile.
Ken sighed. “Okay, fine. Traditionally, in Japan, girls give boys homemade chocolates on Valentine’s Day, and then on White Day, the boys give girls white colored items.”
“Like marshmallows?”
Ken chuckled. “Yes, you could give those. It doesn’t have to be food, though. It also doesn’t have to be white-colored, just like how it doesn’t have to be girls giving gifts on Valentine’s Day and boys giving gifts on White Day.”
Wolfram nodded his head taking this all in. Then his eyes bulged. “Wait, you made these handmade?”
“Yep!” Ken stated proudly.
Wolfram clutched them to his chest. “I changed my mind. No way am I sharing these with you.” They were precious once-in-a-lifetime treasures. “You can go on ahead of me.”
“Why?” asked Yuuri.
“Because I have to go hide these before Greta asks me to share.”
Both of his husbands chuckled at him, but he didn’t care. He was going to eat all of these chocolates and savor every bite of them.
The chocolates weren't the most extravagant dessert he had ever eaten, but to Wolfram, they were the best thing ever. Yuuri claimed that was to be expected because they "made them with love." Well, Wolfram wasn’t about to be outdone. He could make his own goodies “made with love.”
He didn’t know how to make chocolate. Maybe a cake would be better. No, that seemed too easy. Besides, neither of them were huge on sweets. He’d either have to make one joint cake or he’d end up having to eat some, which was not what he wanted at all. It was all for them! Weren’t there tiny ones you could make called cupcakes? That could work. He could even write little messages in the frosting. Oh! And he could make white cake with vanilla frosting to match this White Day tradition. It was perfect.
Even though he had no clue when this White Day wis, he set to work inside the kitchen the next day. With Yuuri back, he had the day free and he needed to perfect his recipe in time. Of course, his plan didn’t move along without any issues. The maids were not exactly thrilled to have him taking up space and ingredients on his little “experiments.” Plus, it only took a few hours for Greta to track him down.
“What are you making, Papa?”
Wolfram wiped flour off his hands. “Just something for your dads.”
The girl perked up. “Can I help?”
“I…” Wolfram wanted to say no. These were his gifts after all. But looking at her hopeful smile, he knew he couldn’t say no. She was his precious little girl after all. And he was sure his husbands would eat the cakes up even more knowing that Geta helped as well. “Yeah, okay. You can mix the ingredients, and I’ll pour.”
It took 15 batches before they seemed “good enough.” They still weren’t up to the standards the maids would have produced, but they were surely better now. As much as it hurt his pride, most of the success was due to Greta’s help. She had caught that he had turned the oven up a tad too high and wasn’t pouring the batter evenly enough. She had even suggested that they add sprinkles to the mix, which inspired him to add some cut-up fruit as well.
The icing was all up to him, though. That was a job he put his foot down on. He remembered once when Yuuri gave him these little heart-shaped candies on Earth that said cheesy lines like “Sugar is sweet and so are you.” He took inspiration from that, adding little messages in pink icing. Classier messages, mind you. Classy, thoughtful, and personal. His favorite just said “WIMP” in bold lettering. He was sure Yuuri would love that one, too.
There was a skip in his step as he carried the tray of cupcakes down the hall. The guards gave him looks, but he ignored them. They should mind their own business.
“You seem really happy, Papa,” Greta said.
“Of course, I am,” he said proudly. “I get to show them that I am just as capable of giving meaningful desserts.”
Greta giggled. “They’re going to be so happy. I bet they’ll give us both really big hugs.”
Wolfram held back a laugh. Knowing them, he’d be getting a lot more than a hug for this. “Yeah, I’m sure they will.”
He knocked once before opening the door to Yuuri’s office.
Yuuri looked up, and immediately stood up. “Wolf? Is that–”
Wolfram puffed his chest out. “You bet it is!”
An enormous grin broke over Yuuri’s face and he rushed over to them. “You made these?” he asked incredulously.
“Don’t sound so surprised. I can bake when I want to.” Wolfram smacked Yuuri when he pursed his lips.
“I helped!” Greta chimed in from beside him.
Yuuri looked down at her. It didn’t seem like he had even noticed she was there. He crouched to her level and put a hand on her head. “Thanks, Greta. I’m guessing you didn’t come up with any of these cheesy sayings did you?”
“Hey!” Wolfram exclaimed. “They aren’t cheesy. They’re heartfelt.”
Yuuri stood up and stared closer at the cupcakes. “Baseball boy?” he asked, holding the cupcake up.
Wolfram turned his head to the side. “Yeah, well you are one.”
“You got me.” He chuckled. Then his voice fell into seriousness. “Ooh…Wolf….”
Wolfram looked to see which one he was holding up now. Till the End of Time . “It’s true,” he said.
Yuuri pulled him into a hug. “Thank you. I love them.”
Wolfram returned the hug, pushing his head into the crook of his neck. “You’re welcome.”
The hug lingered until Greta eventually tugged on Yuuri’s pants. “I want a hug, too.”
Yuuri shook like he was exiting a trance. “Right, sorry, Greta.” He wrapped his arms around her. “Thank you so much, Greta. I’m sure they taste delicious. Do you want anything special next time I go to the market or to Earth?”
“Nuh-uh,” she said, shaking her head. “I only helped cause I love you and Papa.”
Yuuri squeezed her tighter. “You are such a good girl!”
She giggled. “Ow, Daddy, that kind of hurts.”
“Sorry, sorry!”
Wolfram smiled and set the tray down on the bit of empty space on the desk. “I’m going to go find Ken to give him his. Meet us later?”
Yuuri met his eyes. “Always.”
Wolfram shook his head at the overflowing sappiness on his way out.
Ken had returned to the shrine to make sure everything was okay after his absence. It took about two hours to get there by carriage. Horse would have been faster, but he wouldn’t have been able to make sure the cakes weren’t messed up during the trip. He could have waited until that night when he returned to give them to him, but he was too excited.
Now that they were married, he was allowed free access to the shrine, so he didn’t have to worry about any shrine maidens spying on his beautiful cupcakes. He found Ken in the back room rehanging a giant portrait of Shinou.
Wolfram grimaced at the sight of it.
“Hey!” Ken said when he spotted him.
“Hey, can we go somewhere else?” Wolfram asked, gesturing to the door. He didn’t want to do this under Shinou’s watchful gaze.
Ken gave him a look, then looked suspiciously at the covered tray. “Sure, follow me.”
He led them to a cozier room with plush seats. “What brings you here?”
“I come bearing gifts obviously.” Wolfram shoved the tray into his hands. “Happy White Day.”
Ken laughed. “White Day isn’t for practically a month.”
Wolfram wasn’t amused. “Yeah, well, whatever. No one told me that part. Are you going to accept them or not?”
“Oh, I’ll definitely accept them.” Ken uncovered the tray so that the decorated cupcakes were on display. “Wow.”
“Greta helped some,” Wolfram said. “I didn’t think I should bring her all the way here, but you owe her a hug when we get home.”
“Of course…But you,” he looked back at him, “deserve a kiss for this.”
Wolfram tossed his head. “I would hope so.”
Ken snickered. “I don’t even know if I can bring myself to eat these.”
“You have to!”
He smiled wider at Wolfram’s insistence. “If only I could take a photograph first.”
“Photo graph?” Why would he want a graph of photos?
“It’s an image that you can keep. Sort of like a painting.”
“Oh,” Wolfram said even though he did not really understand. “You want to remember what they say?”
“Yeah. These actually mean a lot.”
Wolfram took his hand in his. “You don’t need a photo graph. Yuuri and I will keep saying these things to you forever.”
Something passed over Ken’s face. Maybe sadness, maybe relief, or maybe something else. Possibly it was a mix of all of it.
“And if you really want,” Wolfram continued, “I can write down a list of everything I wrote for you to keep.”
“Would you do that?”
“I’d do anything for you, Ken. You just have to ask.”
Ken sighed and squeezed his hand back. “I love you.”
Wolfram smiled and leaned in, stopping just short of his lips. “I love you, too.”
Ken sealed the kiss. It was laced with desperation, and Wolfram pulled back quickly.
“Set them down before you ruin them,” he demanded.
As soon as Ken did, he pulled him back into the kiss. With his hands free, Ken seized the opportunity to hold his waist. Soon they were meshed together on one of the chairs. They kept kissing until Ken broke it to mouth at his neck instead.
The Great Sage unbuttoned the top of his dress shirt so that he could get easier assess. He licked a stripe over his skin and Wolfram couldn’t help laughing at the ticklish sensation.
“I’m really glad we left that other room,” he said.
“Why’s that?” Ken asked as his hands reached lower to Wolfram’s behind.
“Because I wouldn’t have let you go this far in front of our Almighty Shinou.”
Ken chuckled into his neck. “I’m sure he would have loved that.”
Wolfram held his head closer to him. “I’m not even going to let him look at you anymore.”
“He saw me just earlier, you know,” Ken said right before biting down.
“You know what I mean. You’re mine and Yuuri’s. I meant everything I put on those cupcakes.”
Ken lifted his head. “I know…And I am. Yours.”
They stared at each other for a long moment before he pushed Wolfram back into the next seat. Ken got up and picked up one of the cupcakes. “How about we share one?”
“I made them for you two alone.”
“Come on, please?” He made that pouty face he learned from Yuuri. Damn them for always wearing him down.
“Fine.”
Grinning, Ken dipped his finger into the frosting and stuck his finger out. Wolfram knew what he wanted, so he opened his mouth so Ken could feed it to him. He couldn’t see well enough to know for sure, but he guessed the cupcake Ken was holding was the one that said “My whole life.”
The frosting was sweet and melted on his tongue. He sucked on Ken’s finger even after the frosting was gone.
When he extracted his finger, Ken dipped it back into the frosting and stuck his finger into his own mouth. He sighed at the taste. “It’s sweet just like you.”
“Isn’t Yuuri the sweet one?”
“Why can’t you both be sweet?”
“Because I’m the hot one.”
Ken gave a hearty laugh. “I can’t argue with that.” He took a proper bite out of the cupcake and Wolfram held onto every second it took him to chew.
“Is it alright?”
Ken shoved the rest of the cupcake into his mouth. “I don’t think I need that list. I won't ever forget these cupcakes.”
Wolfram’s chest felt like it was about to burst. Somehow he still felt like he received the real gift from this holiday.