hauntedking | [KENOS] IC Inbox

[ Oh. Yuri doesn't say the word so much as think it, caught off guard by that simple, genuine appreciation. It isn't the sort of sentiment he's accustomed to hearing from...well, anyone, really. Simple as those words might sound to another, they aren't to him.

They may not be to Dimitri either, considering how he is. ]

...You're welcome to more of it if you like, then.

[ He shouldn't be embarrassed by it, yet here he is, palming the back of his neck and feeling out of his depth. It's difficult to imagine someone feeling that way about him, but at the same time, Dimitri's company has come to be important to him too. Uniquely so. In what way? Don't ask him, he hasn't asked himself. ]

I'd like that.

[ It's a few simple words, spoken with the sincerity and warmth that Dimitri usually uses - but also touched by a deeper sense of pleasure and maybe relief. ]

...I feel a touch selfish asking for so much of your attention. But I'd be lying if I said it didn't please me.

[ The tea is still steeping so he turns back to him again. ]

I don't think I can quite explain it.

[ There's a depth of emotion there that surprises him. A complexity. Yuri regards him in thoughtful silence for a beat before he offers Dimitri an easy smile. ]

You could stand to be more selfish, Dimitri.

[ He really, truly could. Dimitri puts others before himself always, or damn near it. That the thing he'd want for would be Yuri's attention surprises him, but he can't say he dislikes it. Quite the contrary. ]

I mean that. [ He tips his head, peering up at Dimitri from that slightly different angle. ] You've hardly ever asked me for anything.

[ More of his time is such a very modest request, and Yuri's quite sure it's still more him offering than Dimitri asking. ]

[ The space between them seems both very far and very close at the same time. Dimitri's weight shifts a little as he listens, laughter bubbling out of him. Their eyes meet and he trails off, as if he's thinking. It lasts for a heartbeat. Then another. ]

I suppose I haven't.

[ He says that slowly, like he's thinking about something. Dimitri - Dimitri is realizing something as they talk. ]

Then-

[ It's impulsive. A thought that comes out before he can properly reign it in. He holds his hand out. ]

Might I have your hand for a moment?

[ Of all the things Dimitri might ask him for, his hand...? Yuri regards him with open curiosity for a moment, unsure what the thought behind the request could be, but he sees no reason to decline.

It's Dimitri, why would he? Especially after encouraging him to be less reserved with him. ]

...Alright.

[ He finds himself with a distinct lack of clever things to say in the moment, far too occupied with wondering where Dimitri is going with this, but lifting a hand just the same to hold it out like he's expecting a handshake. ]

[ There's a moment of silence, as if Dimitri is mulling something over. He's debating on this, really. But he thinks he knows his feelings - and he doesn't want to sit on them for longer than he has. Not when it's finally beginning to click into place, piece by piece. He carefully takes Yuri's hand in both of his, regarding him with an expression that's a bit serious but also very fond. ]

Yuri. Would you stay by side for as long as you can? Or rather... allow me to do so to you? I know this... is foolish, perhaps. Sudden. But...

[ He exhales, slow and soft. ]

I don't think anything would please me more.

[ So this is it. This is how Yuri meets his end.

Staring at Dimitri and turning a very festive shade of pink while debating if there's some other way he's meant to interpret those words beyond the glaringly obvious one.

Is Dimitri really saying what it sounds like he's saying? Could that truly be the case, or is he hearing something...

Something he'd want to hear? ]

[ Dimitri regards him for a moment and his own face starts to flush. Maybe be said something wrong. There's silence and then a little almost cough. ]

...I will understand if your answer is - not perhaps what I wish to hear.

[ Yuri's still trying to decide whether he's interpreting correctly or reaching for something that isn't actually there just because he'd like it to be true. The realization that he would catches him off guard, for that matter, but— ]

It's not that, I just...

[ He looks down at their hands. For all Dimitri's formidable strength, his hold on him is a gentle thing. Caring, for that matter. When he looks up at Dimitri's face again, he sees that in his visible eye, too. That and the deepening blush on his cheeks.

So then, he really...? ]

...Am I really the first thing you're actually asking me for?

...yes. If I've overstepped, please forgive me... forget all about it if you must.

[ His hold doesn't waver. ]

But... you make me very happy, Yuri. And... I know that in the end, if we win... we have different places to return to. But while we're here...

[ He trails off. ]

Edited 2024-03-12 04:45 (UTC)

[ That last part is the reason he'd fended off Byleth's enthusiasm toward trying to matchmake for him. With little exception, they'd inevitably have to part with all those they come to know in this place, and he doesn't want to be so close to someone only to lose them. All this time, he's told himself that.

And yet... ]

That's not the sort of thing a man forgets hearing.

[ He lifts his free hand to touch Dimitri's cheek, just as he'd done once before. This isn't a situation he imagined himself being in, and the prospect of inevitable loss is an unavoidable reality Dimitri has already acknowledged. Maybe there's something for that, and maybe there isn't, but— ]

Not that I'd want to. [ Wait, how does that sound? ] Forget, I mean.

Oh. I see.

[ The first thing that comes out of his mouth. His thoughts are racing as he tries to process what's happening - what this answer is. His head tilts into the gentle touch from Yuri's hand and he takes another slow breath. He doesn't want to live fearing the future - so perhaps pressing on is simply the only alternative. ]

Then... you'll allow me?

[ His hands squeeze gently. ]

[ The smile he offers Dimitri in turn is a soft one, fond. In his time here, he's spent so much time with this man. He's gotten to know him not as some other version of the king he followed back home, but as a man who has fought his way through so much and come out the other side of that no less caring or kindhearted.

For some time now, despite the difference in their physical strength, he's wanted to protect this man. He didn't really question why that was, even when he'd thrown himself between Dimitri and an attack that would have bounced off his armor.

But he thinks he knows now. ]

So long as you'll allow me to do the same.

[ Dimitri freels his heart flutter and there's a rush of excitement and warmth into his chest. Like Yuri, he's come to know this Yuri as an intelligent, kind person - one who has a great deal of thoughtufl intelligence behind everything he does. Someone who wants to help others. He takes a moment, a low little laugh rushing out of him and then he manages his reply. ]

With all my heart.

[ He squeezes Yuri's hand gently, quite sure that the smile on his face is going to start hurting soon. ]

[ To think he'd hear such words spoken so sincerely... Yuri had harbored hope for it, but it was difficult to believe such a thing would ever happen. He'd seen so many transactional, hollow relationships that it was hard to imagine he'd be fit for anything else.

Hard to imagine he'd be wanted for anything else. ]

Then I've got you, and you've got me.

[ Almost a surreal thought, but such a very warm one. Yuri could simply bask in that, but a thought occurs to him. ]

...I can't imagine you've not heard it around town, but it seems proper I tell you my name.

[ It's different, isn't it? Being told. ]

For as long as we can.

[ Dimitri affirms. It may be the middle of his sleep cycle, but he feels incredibly awake in the moment. Full of warmth and a soft joy that washes away any other worries - at least for now. ]

...your name is Yuri, isn't it? I know that.

[ With his hands rather occupied, Yuri can only duck his head when he quietly chuckles, seized by a buoyant sense of relief. Here he'd thought everyone and their mother had heard his name after the Harbinger Oracle.

But it's oddly pleasing to know Dimitri can hear it from him and not some random gossip. ]

While it is what I go by, it isn't the name my mother gave me.

Oh... should I be calling you something else then?

[ He seems very sincere about that question. And very serious. ]

Only if you'd like to.

[ It's not as though Dimitri has to, really, and he half-wonders whether it really bore mentioning now that he's voicing it. But he'd like Dimitri to know, even if nothing comes of that knowledge. ]

When it's just the two of us, I thought you might, anyway. I'm not all that used to hearing it from anyone but my mother, but...

[ How to offer a small measure of intimacy to a man. ]

...I'd be happy to call you whatever you prefer, in the end.

[ Dimitri's thumb rubs a small circle against the back of Yuri's hand. ]

But if you're willing to offer such a thing to me... I'll happily accept it.

[ Dimitri is terribly sweet. For an instant, Yuri wonders how he'll survive, but— ]

My mother named me Regulus. A little ostentatious for a commoner, but I'm sure she put care into choosing it.

[ She'd named him for the brightest star in a constellation visible during the month of his birth. Its ancient name, of course. ]

I've not told many people that.

[ Because he wants people who know that very real part of him to remain a part of his life. Wants to be sure of it. He doesn't know how long he may have with Dimitri, but still, he wanted him to hear it. ]

Regulus...

[ Dimitri repeats the name slowly, as if he's seeing how it rolls off of the tongue. Then he carefully lifts Yuri's hand to press a gentle kiss against his knuckles. ]

Then, Regulus... I would be honored to keep this part of you close. Thank you for entrusting me with it.

[ Yuri has been on the receiving end of the gesture before, but never from someone he actually felt anything for. Not combined with his true name. His blush comes back in force, and he knows it, because his face is burning.

Goddess help him. ]

You don't need to thank me, I— [ He pauses, considering how to say it. Buys himself a moment by brushing some of Dimitri's golden hair from his handsome face. ] I just wanted you to know.

[ Simple seems best. ]

How could I not thank you for trusting me with it?

[ Dimitri smiles - and while his face is likewise burning, it's probably not as badly as Yuri's. He gives his hand another squeeze. ]

It's... important to you. So it must likewise be important to me.

I'll never know how any man can be so charming without trying.

[ Yuri has thought this more than once, but he didn't quite mean to blurt it out just now. Oops.

He just moves right along before he can dwell on it. ]

...Of course I trust you with it.

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