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The name that left his subordinate’s mouth had been enough to finally shift his attention entirely away from the knights currently directing their swords according to his former order. He would have questioned the credibility of the information, considering the likelihood of the mentioned man suddenly visiting there after months of inactivity, after that day where Asgard was left in ruins. Albeit, he knew that the many Rankers stationed near the gate wouldn’t have misjudged such a proficient figure of the Tower, especially with the male now recognized as a single-digit High-Ranker.
His hand then gestured for one of his proficient servers to reach him a cloak, to which they easily complied as it only claimed a minute of his time until he found himself grabbing the garment. He gazed back towards the direction of the knights he was training, who he could note to still meet his eyes in determination despite the interruption. Though, Siegfried himself was incapable of reciprocating their disappointment, already agitated by the fact that someone with Kim Yuwon’s own reputation visiting his country, “You will continue training next time. Disperse for now”
He turned his back to them, now making his ways towards the direction of the entrance of his kingdom - familiar treads he countlessly walked on now seemingly intent on pressing onto him, his mind filled only of the stranger. It had only been years since the man first entered the tower, yet stood here the same man that carved a history as the fastest player to conquer this cruel, unforgiving tower. The occupants of the tower were well aware of the many feats of this man, aspiring and impressing many of its residents, Siegfried himself not excluded. As a High-Ranker himself, he was quite looking forward to finally encountering the man - whom clearly was the symbol of the start of another era, as it was referred as from the countless articles he had scrolled to.
Albeit, he was a king of a country - which he couldn’t help but noted to end disastrously shall a man of that duty associate themselves with this infamous man. Many of his informants kept him notified of the ongoings of the tower they resided - the absurd things this one man had achieved, all which seemed an exaggeration nonetheless the amount of time he had heard of his name. He knew the man had a major role in the downfall of Olympus - the disbelief the entire Tower had been at being informed of Zeus’ capture was still ringing evident. Not to mention, Odin’s own reluctance on starting Ragnarok, only for a single man to start a war that Siegfried himself can’t decide whether it was pure luck or not that it did not end as disastrously as it should be - and many more he couldn’t even start fathoming.
‘What is his intentions,’ he inquired himself, evaluating through the possible reasons the man had presented himself there. He had a good assumption on what the male was aiming to achieve, if the connections he had managed to correlate together were legitimate as he had thought it to be. Still, this particular man was a ranker that he shouldn’t carelessly behave towards, even if he entered this nation with the intent of scourging it.
He firmed his steps upon catching his figure, an unfamiliar face standing amongst his knights - an unfitting embodiment for the welcoming of an uncertain doom or rise of this nation. Regardless of the man’s intentions, he would certainly oppose the man should his words be spoken with the intent of harming him, no matter how futile his resistance would be.
The man’s gaze was turned away from himself, a sort of commotion had seemingly transpired - considering the disordered stances the knights guarding the gate had been in. The man’s hair is black as Siegfried remembered him for - gleaming radiant under the bright sun of the floor, complementing the feature that was as rigid as it appeared of in the many news the man was being discussed in. The man was evidently shorter than himself, but Siegfried could not rid the judgement that the man was a figure far significant than himself just by his presence alone.
Then, finally acknowledging the king’s presence, the man redirected his head his way - and Siegfried was finally able to gaze onto his eyes. The black shade of his eyes seemed to par nicely with the infamous enigmatic demeanor that was associated with the rumors of that man. The stories he was informed of also aided in nothing in lowering the distrust he has conjured since the fall of Olympus’ ruler. Albeit, what greeted Siegfried the moment he studied the sentiments that lingered behind those eyes was not those commonly associated expressions he had heard the man would wear.
He would have convinced himself that it was his mind that was playing its funny tricks on him - but never in a million years would he be able to conjure that melancholy on a man so capable and unyielding by nothing. The thought alone seemed ridiculous - for a stoically rumored man to display such a vivid sorrow, one that Siegfried himself couldn’t help but felt pity for, especially when it seemed to imply that the reason for the said sadness was sourced by Siegfried himself.
Alas, the sight had lasted as shortly, now replaced by the very expression Siegfried had expected to be greeted with. Siegfried doubted any of his subordinates had noted them, considering the compliance they displayed at the presence of their king. He simply let his subordinates to offer him their greetings, as he collected himself - before finally addressing this peculiar stranger. The unperturbed stance of the man that had just stirred his mind into a frenzy being the only indication that his fate had been sealed.
The click of the door rang too loudly to the now silent room - a finality that signaled for the dread that had been pooling in his abdomen to churn intensely. Albeit, his gaze remained fixed to the figure seated across himself, who returned his stare with the same indifference he had displayed throughout their seating in the negotiation room. Yet, Siegfried once again sighted that hesitation and uncertainty that swam behind those eyes - accompanied by a hint of sadness that Siegfried still could not help but ponder the reason for.
Then, it came again - the resolution that sparked just as instantly as if those prior sentiments had been nothing but a falsified vision he just happened to mistake upon. But Siegfried sculpted his way through the Tower relying on his exceptional perception and experience - so he knew he didn’t imagine any of the former expressions displayed by the man, not twice in a row. Siegfried, however, had no other option than to simply observe the strange man.
“The Dragon War,” the man started, meeting Siegfried’s own gaze with persistence, visibly observing him for the slightest of shifts in his expression. It was strange, for the man to gaze at him like he knew what he would be looking for - like he knew Siegfried not as the king of Nibelung, but as someone as intimate as a close friend. Seemingly uncaring for Siegfried’s own displeasure, the young ranker then continued his words, “Do you really intend to start it?”
Siegfried knew whatever emotion he tried to conceal by lowering his eyes was dismantled by the knowing gaze of the man, of an absent skill Siegfried prayed to finally appear its notification of. But there was nothing, only Siegfried’s own heart beatings at the secret uncovered - in addition to the invisible trickles of a remorse to an unfulfilled promise he didn’t remember swearing his allegiance of. It strongly insisted against the evident words already prepared at the tip of his tongue for reasons unapparent to the King of Nibelung himself.
Albeit, his own persistence as a High-Ranker still thrums stubbornly in addition to the rage he had towards the Dragons race, denying the truth he knew was inevitable, “What’s that?”
Yet again, there comes that cruel acknowledgement - the face of someone expecting a disappointment they themselves had wished against, of someone that seemed to already know Siegfried intimately and silently wishing for casual conversations that was unweighted by lies instead. It was an unfair realization, absurd even - the man across from him was a Ranker that had just entered the Tower just years before, a man he had never even encountered until today. To tell him that Kim Yuwon was able to comprehend him like a lifelong partner would was like telling him that someone was able to catch the wind in a net.
“A war among the Dragons, Humans and Dwarves. You intend to eradicate the Dragons,” the man explained, but Siegfried barely had the right mind to properly register those words - his mind too jumbled, so unlike the righteous, capable king act he had been putting up with. He still could not deny the recognition of this man of himself, still could not grasp the extent of his understanding of himself - what Siegfried had witnessed was irrefutable, despite how much his logical self had insisted him to refuse to acknowledge it.
Those same sentiments pulsed insistently on his capable mind, taking apart whatever rationality of good judgement for him to simply trust the man - let ruin whatever his original plan had been. It was such a dangerous circumstance to be involved in, despite how every instinct of his body was screaming at him to not upset the man further. It had nudged Siegfried to a point of escape, of searching for a safe alternative away from the situation, lest he would make a pick he would surely come to regret.
Yet, his own body easily betrayed him, as his lips moved to answer the man despite the raging battles still ongoing in his head, commencing a beginning that he knew would be more rigorous to end. Siegfried would blame it all on that sentimental judgement of the emotions displayed on the man’s gaze, however certain he is to never reveal the story to just anyone. But Siegfried knew he was waging a losing war, considering the knowing stare of the man across of him, “And if I do intend to start the war, how would it even benefit you if it were put to end?”
“It’s quite luxurious for a meal,” Yuwon greeted, reaching for the fork as soon as he seated himself - the varieties of foods placed onto the table seemingly an excessive gesture, judging by the dazed expression of the man. Siegfried simply fed himself the sliced piece of meat into his mouth, his gaze still intent on the man across of him - who soon mirrored his own gestures, eating the steak he had prepared him for. The man barely conveyed any of his opinions on his features, but the hand soon reaching to cut another piece of meat was enough indication.
“Do you like the dish? Does it suit your taste?” Siegfried questioned, his hand unintentionally still, undivided attention now on the man. Yuwon simply hummed, his gaze now turned towards Siegfried, “It’s a tasty luxurious meal like few I’ve had”
Siegfried smiled in pleasance, “I’m glad you find them pleasant. I put in a little effort for this,” he soon returned his attention back to his food, now mindful of the hands that had briefly halted their former gesture.
The silence that followed was one that Siegfried had anticipated, filled only with the sounds of the cutlery meeting the plate. However so, no matter how hard Siegfried tried to ignore the other’s gaze on him, he couldn’t help the discomfort that lingered in his mind - considering the emotions he briefly caught sight of behind those eyes. He didn’t quite dare to meet them yet, lest he would find himself staring too intently in hope of dismantling the riddles of his familiar demeanor.
“Thank you,” the man suddenly expressed, the words unforeseen by the king of Nibelung, who was formerly too immersed with the fake interest towards his steak. In a moment of astonishment, Siegfried lifted his head to meet the very eyes he had shied away from, only for him to be met with the total, ingenuous gratitude that shone evidently on the gaze of the man across of him. Which was a fault he wished he wouldn’t stumble upon as often in the future - the sheer satisfaction upon seeing those sentiments having melted whatever regret he had remaining.
“What for?” Siegfried was completely aware of what the man was implying on, he just couldn’t find it in himself to rummage through his brain as properly - not when he was already straining against himself. Kim Yuwon, who Siegfried hoped remain oblivious to his suffering, was still wearing that deadly soft smile of his, “For trusting me with this”
Siegfried would have diverted his gaze away - but his body decided that it was no longer his own, still persistently facing the man’s gaze. His still logical part of self had convinced him that it was with the intent of searching for the slightest indication of a deceit, but Siegfried already knew he was treading a hopeless path. So he resignedly replied the man as adequately as he would have, “It was me who should be thanking you”
Even if it involves a future he had yet predicted, Siegfried would have added, but decided against it. The man, nonetheless, seemed to have envisioned those words - as he suppressed an amused smile, redirecting his gaze back towards his own meal, allowing Siegfried the very much needed shift from the unwavering encounter of their eyes. Siegfried, however, simply huffed in response to the man’s actions, unexpectedly fond in that ruthless recollections that hadn’t even belonged to him.
And foolishly, Siegfried was too distracted with the fierce need to disassemble the still unfamiliar occurrence of those sentiments that he momentarily forgot that he was still staring into the man’s direction. It was not until Kim Yuwon returned his gaze to confront his own eyes yet again that Siegfried was finally snapped of his stupor, now dragging Siegfried further down his damnation.
“Siegfried?” the man called softly. It was rude, it was an insult to call a king of a nation by only his name, his brain would protest. But Siegfried was not in his right mind to even answer the man, simply humming in that hopeless way that would bring him shame if any of his knights were there. The man in front of him, however, simply offered him a look that Siegfried had forgotten attributes of, especially since his coronation as a king.
“Really. I mean it,” there reflected the very sentiment that he no longer denied was the very reason of his undoing. Like he had penned countless of tales with this very man, like they shared their unsaid secrets just through their glances alone, like they laid in one another’s arms and finally felt the shelter both of them had never truly been honored of. The rational part of himself wanted to deny it, that it was yet another skill of the capable man, but Siegfried had never heard of such a skill. He would certainly be alerted against such a powerful skill, being able to put a high-ranker like himself to such state.
They stared at one another for a long time, one man directing the strange, tender sentiments of a compassionate partner, the other trying to comprehend those said emotions, despite his own inability to deny the man with equal look of longing.
Not one man had ever bestowed him that honor - not since his entire family had been annihilated by the race of the Dragons. Siegfried had been too absorbed with his vengeance against the Dragons he so loathed - too worried that a brief emotional respite would influence poorly on his path for revenge. Yet, here is a man that disrupted the very defense he had cultivated since thousands of years ago - a man he now wouldn’t have believed anyone who would remind him that they had just met a few days before.
A ridiculous theory presented itself in Siegfried's mind - an assumption so unreasonable that Siegfried himself couldn’t deny its absurdity. But he was also aware that this very theory aligned with what he had experienced, that it would make possible the unexplainable things the man had attained, of words that would come from someone who completely understands him. He blinked a beat, eyes still locked with the high-ranker in front of him.
Kim Yuwon, he wanted to call - to question the man that foolish question of his, a joke he would blame himself his whole life for if the man had denied him. Albeit, his tongue remained heavy of the fear of that same refusal - that he was painfully aware he would reject over and over again. Then, as if in response to Siegfried’s sole desperation, Yuwon broke the intense hold of their gaze, as he erratically returned to his meal, the moment of realization hitting the man between his examination, of recollections the man already seemed to acknowledge he would never ever repeat again.
Siegfried wanted to deny him, that what he was speculating about was untrue - it even had Siegfried forgetting the very events that triggered the man into this point. His sane mind, unfortunately, had also been incapable of forming the words of consolation for the man, his lack of knowledge regarding the matter no doubt would only discourage the man even further. Siegfried would only be proving the man's definite truth - so, he stayed silent, despite the vividly distressed expression he was wearing.
The other man then simply offered them an exit from the awkward scenario, one Siegfried didn't find the capability to even resist, “We should finish our meals. A battle might ensue anytime soon”
He stared intently at the man, who already changed himself into the outfit he was infamously climbing the Tower through - no longer the color that Siegfried had come to associate with the palace he had dwelled over for thousands of years. Siegfried didn’t deny it that the man looked good in both fits, just that he preferred one over another - simply because the other one would mean his incoming departure from the city, away from him. It had felt brief, too brief that had spent thousands of years living in the Tower that was now his home - too little time to actually discover the mystery his heart had insisted on.
In a way, it was supposed to be good - for his body to no longer resist against his own will and act foolishly in front of the man. But the acknowledgement of the man soon leaving made him involuntarily think that it would be better so, than having the man away from his sight. It was yet another insane idea of his own again, but Siegfried was barely moved by that moment. Even then, with the very man of his predicament now clarifying the compensations Olympus would offer his guild - Siegfried had been absent-minded, barely capable of responding to any of his subordinates, which soon left them relying on Wagner, his capable knight, for instructions.
He didn’t even mind correcting them when they accused him of being so distraught by the destruction Nibelung was subjected to that he couldn’t properly think for himself, not when it had ended with him left alone with the true reason of his agitation. Susanoo, who Kim Yuwon had summoned alongside Arthur and Ares to inspect the area for any remaining danger, had only spared him a glance that very much screamed about how pathetic he was being. Siegfried didn’t even respond to the taunt, he too admitted to that very allegation.
Yuwon himself was staring worryingly at him - now confirming the uncharacteristic, stretched silence of his. Siegfried hadn’t even been capable of answering the question evidently laced with concern, despite the clear vocals that was registered into his brain just appropriately. He simply stared the man, the words he achingly wanted to convey still remained unspoken, remaining heavier on his tongue the longer the time ticked by. Possibly, the only thing still anchoring him to this room was the fact that the man before him was the same man he had abandoned the plan he had painstakingly forged thousands of years for - that he knew he was very deserving of the truth.
It was when Siegfried found himself staring onto the male in the extended stillness, insisting the imminent departure of the man that he finally gathered his courage with great difficulty. He tried hard not to stare into the man as he operated them, fearing another round of hesitation if he were to meet his eyes again.
“Do we know one another?” Siegfried finally managed, the query sounding too calm to even his ears, as if he knew whatever it is that would roll off the other’s words, that he would still remain firm to his belief. Though, Siegfried supposed he hadn’t needed to fuss over that denial he expected - seeing how Yuwon replied to his gaze with an unfazed look, staring at him with that stare of familiarity, now more evident with the glimmers of his yearning. It basically is a confirmation to his question, which had Siegfried inhaling a deep, noisy breath in whatever complicated emotions he was experiencing.
“We do know one another,” the man finally admitted the apparent circumstances that were kept secret from him - a reality he wasn’t made aware of that should have him questioning the impossibility of such occurrence. But, all that colored Siegfried’s whole being was relief, disregarding the very logic of the situation.
Yuwon then explains to him a future so far away from this moment, of a world where the Tower had fallen against the threat of the Outers. He told him the incredible stories of the joining of the leaders of the Major Guilds, of sacrifices made to send a chosen one to fix the past and prevent the Outers from annihilating the residents of the Tower. The whole time, Siegfried listened attentively - the missing pieces of the puzzle finally clicking in place, answering every possible question Siegfried may have had regarding the man. All, except for one.
It was a preposterous line of thought, to easily disregard the impending catastrophe the Tower would be left in, especially with how the evidence of those Outers already vividly staining their home. It was as if the king of Nibelung Siegfried is was simply a thing of the past, the man now stripped bare of the capable, brilliant leader he is. Even then, it still didn’t stop Siegfried from hoping the man would finally address their relationship as his words dragged on longer undisturbed.
Thus, it quite disappointed him when the man finally ceased his words, his eyes now observing the very shifts of his expression - undoubtedly met only with the clear dismay at the unspoken words of the only matter that seemed to matter to him. Unfortunately for the man facing him, he was now devoid of that indecision of his former self - replaced by the resolute demand of the story he already knew aligned with his own speculations.
“In that future, are we?” Siegfried knew he didn’t need to finish the question, the vividly intimate interactions the two had been involved in despite the short time of their acquaintance, was enough indication. The man shifted his head towards the supposedly uninteresting scrapes of the wooden table - the seconds at that moment expanding longer than Siegfried would have appreciated, but the silent nod the man gave extinguished the impatience as soon as it appeared.
The man’s gaze was still turned away from himself, but Siegfried vividly noted those sorrowful look of his - which was laughable, had the man lifted his head even the slightest, he would come confronting with that ravenous, yearning look of his.
“But you don’t need to worry about it. I don’t intend to unsettl-” Siegfried didn’t even let him finish the words, already crashing his lips onto the man with impressive haste. His kiss was reflective in that desperate need he had been spending days unraveling, frantic and demanding in ways Siegfried wasn’t even aware he was capable of being degraded to. The other man hadn’t been as immediate to finally respond to his kiss, but when his supposed lover did return his desperation with mirroring amount - Siegfried’s hand that had unknowingly wrapped itself on the man’s waist wrapped itself closer to him.
By then, all that Siegfried could distinguish was the sounds of the man’s ragged breath, of the comforting scent of Kim Yuwon, of the way their wet lips had met as intensely as his insatiable desire - and most of all, how every instincts of his body was screaming about how it felt right. He finally let go when he found himself desiring more of the man, of a slip of his hand he barely managed to stop from travelling up onto the man’s upper garment. It was a reckless mistake, because what greeted Siegfried when he finally opened his eyes was the distraught sight of the man.
Yuwon’s eyes blinked at him with that dreamy, enticing reflection of his eyes, so full of want that Siegfried barely found it in his frantic mind to strain himself to press onto his lips once again. His eyes remained languid in display of trust that he felt was undeserved of himself, but could not refuse the honor of all the same. Siegfried now filled with the complicated emotions towards this future self of his, being grateful of him for the invaluable gift he had been left with but also feeling pity for a version of himself that he practically heisted his lover of.
“Forgive me,” Siegfried simply admitted, despite how his erratic mind couldn’t even decide the grounds of his apology for, his many sins burdening him too heavily. It could be for the kiss he had stolen despite having no honor to act so, or for the lover he had lost that Siegfried could never return him to, or for the hurtful words he had left the man with. Pondering deeper into those thoughts, he now noted how unworthy he is for the man in his hold. Though, just before Siegfried could concern himself further with such thoughts, Yuwon immediately dispelled them away - firming their pressed body together, as he wrapped his arms around his neck.
“I could never hate you, Siegfried,” he confessed, that overwhelming sincerity displayed in his eyes being the only support Siegfried had needed to trust his claim. He simply tightened the formerly languishing hold of his waist, insisting the man of his unquestioned faith in him. Yuwon smiled softly at the gesture, unwavering honesty still evident on his eyes, “In that future, you already told me the kind of man you are”
“I had fallen for you the same way as I did then,” he assured, and Siegfried was not a fool who would deny the man’s declaration, especially not when the man had been content enough. He couldn’t even begin to fathom what he would’ve done had the man wished to instead deny him away, the secure figure in his hold dissipating those thoughts before they could even formulate. Siegfried simply pressed a gentle kiss onto the man’s temple, earning him a fond huff, “Plus, you two might be more similar than you think you would be”
Siegfried merely hummed into their embrace in acknowledgement, his gestures being a sufficient incentive of a future promising the man’s happiness - but Siegfried was intent on making the man be aware of every inch of his devotion towards him. He held the man’s hand in a firm grip, squeezing it in testament of the weight of the words he intended to make proclaim, “I am indeed a fortunate man to have been graced by a treasure such as yourself. I make pledge to fill our future with only joy and smiles”
“No matter how irritating I might be?” his lover humored, a playful smile on his lips - but Siegfried just smiled in adoration, taking the hand in his hold to plant it a long kiss. It held much of the promises he never aspired to break, of a start of what he knew would be more joyous as time nurtured on - if the strong beatings of his heart was any indication to that future. He would never ever neglect this one evidence of the sacrifice of the other version of himself, would never let waste the gift he hadn’t even acknowledged he had wanted, but very much needed.
“After all that has happened to my guild, I myself could only question the limit of my devotion, love,” Siegfried humored back, very content with the pink coloring the man’s cheeks. He could certainly see himself spending most of his time trying to uncover the many ways to earn him this very visage in the near future - but all that Siegfried focused on at the time was the suffocating affection thrumming against his chest, of a satisfaction unmatched to any concern the world has to agitate him with.