Seeking Eternity

Like a Whirlwind of Fire in the Darkness

"Yuuri, my light,  can you stand?"  

Victor hoped his words and the emotions behind them were reaching his lover.   Yuuri had not reacted to his first attempts adding to his concerns.  His senses insisted they move sooner rather than later,  that despite their efforts at least some of the council's soldiers had broken through.  Fighting in such a confined area as this small open area would not be ideal and if what he felt was truth they faced more than just others of their kind.  Victor had already decided that if things went far beyond anything they could hope to control he would do everything possible to get Yuuri out and exist forever in hiding if necessary.  He didn't tell Yuuri or the others,  it wasn't what they wanted or needed to hear,  but Yuuri meant more to him than anything.  

Victor would gladly sacrifice everyone and anything to keep them safe and together.  

Slowly the dark haired head rose, chocolate eyes regarding him with a gaze he would only give Victor.  It was a privilege  seeing this side of his lover,  reserved for Victor alone, the echoes of that lost and frightened boy of so many decades ago.   Victor helped him to his feet carefully, doing his best to remain calm.  

"it's just a little further,  "Victor told him quietly  "I'm sorry but we have to leave here.  You understand?"

Yuuri nodded, forcing calm into his own body and mind.  He'd known from the beginning that  all of them were most likely not returning, he'd simply miscalculated the effect such losses might have on him.  Minami, no, Kenjirou  had been his first charge and the severing of that bond struck him to the core.   

It seemed that no matter how much time one received to exist it was never quite enough, always things to say or do that were left undone.  The people whose bones remained here shouted it at him,  proof of things left behind and most likely forgotten as time passed.  He hoped he would never forget, but even the memories of his ages ago dead family were becoming so very faint lately.  

"I'm fine."  Yuuri  was lying of course.  "They're using werewolves against us as well.  It's how they-" he hesitated, unable to continue, what he experienced too fresh, too clear.

Victor cursed in various languages before going to the entrances of both tunnels to gauge their best route.  Chris knew how to deal with them but the others, probably not.   These creatures couldn't turn one of his kind into one of them but they  were the only beings capable of taking a vampire on and win.   He and Yuuri  definitely could not remain here any longer, their enemies knew enough to focus their attention on removing Yuuri.   Victor would not allow that to happen.  They'd come so far these past months and he held no desire to give up his quest to prove himself worthy of Yuuri.  There was so much left he wanted them to share.

"We'll manage." Victor assured him.  "You know I meant it, I'm not leaving your side no matter what happens.  If it comes to it there is nothing more important to me than you."

Yuuri's hand found his and the eyes meeting Victor's now were almost completely devoid of any evidence regarding that little boy, his resolve once more returning to the surface.   Victor thought it amazing how his lover's eyes could be so bright even in this place of deep shadows.  Why had it taken him so long to understand?  

"I know."  Yuuri said, his tone more certain now.  

"When this is over we can celebrate with some private time in that room again?"   Victor offered.

The ghost of a smile touched Yuuri's lips,  "You'd like that."

"So will you."  Victor smiled, winking before turning his attention to their predicament.