Your Soul Shines Brighter than the Night Sky

A cold breeze swept through the courtyard of Barsburg Church, small waves rippling in the fountain where Frau sat. He watched the movement briefly, before letting out a deep sigh and turning his gaze up towards the deep blue of the night sky. What is this feeling that I can't shake...? He wondered. The feeling in question nagged at him from the back of his head, enough so to push him to restlessly wander the empty church as he was now.

He couldn't sense any ill intent from anywhere which would signify the presence of a Kor, nor was there anybody who had been trapped inside the church by the gates closing. And yet, something still troubled him. He stood up, making his way towards the garden - maybe he could attempt to replicate the tea Labrador made for him the last time he had trouble sleeping.

To his surprise, when he entered the garden, he found the white-haired Bishop already there, crouching before a rose bush with concern in his eyes. The flowers swayed in the breeze, and Labrador's brows furrowed before he finally noticed Frau's presence.

"What are the flowers saying?" Frau asked, moving to stand next to him. Labrador shook his head, tracing one of the petals with a finger.

"They're troubled. It's Teito... he's not in any danger, but..."

Frau's eyes widened. "Teito? I'll go to him. You stay here."

"Frau, if you just wait I can make him some tea- ...ah, he's already gone..." Labrador mumbled, laughing softly to himself and turning his attention back on the roses. "That Frau... always acting like such a tough guy, and yet he's such a softie for Teito... don't you agree?"

Frau ran down the hallway that led to Teito's room, silently cursing. "Who the hell decided to make these hallways so damn long..." he growled. He could see the door coming up, reaching out and swinging it open. "Teito!"

He found Teito curled up in his bed, hugging a pillow with his face buried into it. He jumped with Frau's sudden entrance, turning his head slightly towards him, just enough for Frau to notice the glint of tears threatening to fall. "F-Frau? What did I tell you about coming in without permission, stupid..." He shoved his face back into his pillow, grabbing the other pillow on the bed and throwing it at Frau. "Go away."

The pillow smacked into the wall, sliding down to the floor. Frau closed the door behind him before sitting on the edge of the bed, running a hand through Teito's brown hair, and asking, "are you okay?"

Teito remained silent, but Frau didn't push him any further, simply continuing to pet his hair. Teito slowly eased into his touch, relaxing his tight grip on the pillow and glancing up at Frau again. Frau's eyes held nothing but a sincere, fond look, and he smiled gently down at him. "What is it? Can't keep yourself from staring at my handsome face?"

Teito snorted, rolling his eyes. "In your dreams." However, he pushed himself up and wrapped his arms around Frau. "...why did you come see me?"

"I couldn't sleep, and Labrador said that the flowers were worried about you. So I got worried too. Wanted to make sure you were okay."

Teito was quiet for a minute, shifting to move closer to Frau and grip at the back of his jacket, like he couldn't bear the thought of him leaving. "I... I had a nightmare. I was reliving that night... the night that Mikage..." his voice trembled enough for him to stop, biting his lip. Frau wrapped one arm securely around his waist, his free hand moving to hold the back of his head.

"It's okay. Go ahead and cry, if you need to... it's all a part of healing." Teito shoved his face into Frau's shoulder, attempting to stifle any noise as he cried against him. "It hurts a lot right now, I know... but I promise you, it'll get better. It will take time, but one day, it won't hurt as bad."

"Wh-what do you know..." Teito snapped, although the tears dulled the usual venom.

Frau sighed, looking out the window towards the moon. "When I was a kid, before I came to the church, I wasn't nearly as popular as I am now. Hard to believe, I know." He saw Teito smile a bit out of the corner of his eye. "I had a really close friend. We did everything together, and we never left each other's side. But there was darkness in his heart. The darkness, and his childhood innocence, made him the perfect victim to a Kor. And before anything could be done for him, his soul was taken away.

"That's when I was brought here, to the church. And I was in the same state you are now. I felt broken, and alone, like God either didn't exist or didn't care enough to save my friend. But over the years, I've come to terms with my friends death. You'll overcome it too. It just takes time, Teito."

Teito cupped Frau's face in his hands, leaning up and softly pressing their lips together. The kiss was uncertain and hesitant, and when Teito pulled away, he was tense, almost fearful. "I...I'm sorry, I-"

"Don't be sorry." Frau quickly assured. Teito's eyes lit up, and he quickly moved to kiss him again, but Frau placed his hands on his shoulders to stop him. Teito frowned, pushing out his bottom lip like an upset child.

"What's wrong?"

"As much as I would really... really love to kiss you right now, it wouldn't be right. You're upset and vulnerable. I don't want to do anything that you might end up regretting."

"Frau..."

"I'm sorry, but that's the right thing to do in this situation." He released Teito, standing up. "I should go. You need to get some rest." The blonde turned, heading towards the door, until he felt a hand tugging at the back of his jacket. Looking back he saw Teito, on his hands and knees and reaching desperately to hold onto Frau before he could leave.

"Please don't go... at least stay with me for the night..."

Frau stared, then let out a soft sigh, shaking his head in disbelief. "You really are a stupid kid..." He shrugged off his jacket and climbed into bed with Teito, wrapping them up in the covers. Teito curled up against him, his brilliant green eyes peering up at the bishop as he got himself situated.

"You promise you won't leave?"

"As if you'd let me."

Teito laughed, resting his head against Frau's chest. "...Frau?"

"Mm?"

"I'm really... really glad that I met you. I don't know where I'd be if I had crashed into anybody else. So really... thank you. Good night."

Frau couldn't help the smile that slowly spread across his face as he ran his fingers through Teito's hair once more. You amaze me more and more every day, Teito Klein... he leaned down, planting a kiss to his forehead. I'll never let anything happen to you. I'll keep protecting you until the day I die, so please, never stop looking at me like that...