bravewolfvesperia

[bravewolfvesperia]

What cycle do you keep repeating?

the ghost of you You’ve learned how to disappear in plain sight. You avoid conflict. You numb out. You scroll, deflect, joke. You disconnect from your own feelings before anyone else can see them. It's not that you don't care — you just don't want to feel it all. Because once you do, what if it floods you? There’s a version of you that feels so distant now — more vibrant, more alive, maybe even more chaotic. You didn’t mean to lose them. You just kept choosing safety, and somewhere along the way, safety became silence.

tagged by: @ofstarsandskies who suggested I come out of the hole for a minute. (i deed it)

[bravewolfvesperia]

“I think he’s very lonely. Lonelier than he lets on. Maybe lonelier than he even realizes.”

— The Royal Tenenbaums.

[bravewolfvesperia]

““Saying goodbye to you wasn’t the hardest part.” “Then what was?” “Learning to live without you.””

—

[bravewolfvesperia]

Maybe that wasn't the answer he wanted to hear, but he had asked. It wasn't like he was entitled to Flynn all these years, even if there was always something there for the blond. There was nothing he could do about the past though, and fretting over it would just bother them both. He could regret not saying anything for the rest of his life, but he'd been steeped in negativity for years already. They were together now, and... Yuri wanted to move on and really be able to call himself happy.

But still, Yuri was Yuri, and he leaned over with a small grin. "We can go slow if you're nervous. I'm not delicate or anything, y'know. Plus, you're good at eeeverything, right? I bet you're good at this, too." At this point he'd mentally committed anyway, but it was probably a fair enough point that they shouldn't just dive into it without being careful.

Not that even Yuri was confident he could do that. As much as he wanted to, there was a tinge of nervousness. He could deal with it, but it was no doubt just from trying to be intimate with Flynn. They could figure it out as they went. The first time had to be sometime. He didn't want to just call it off now. And, while not ready to admit it, maybe some sentimental part of him cared about it, too.

As Flynn could have expected, Yuri didn't match Flynn's slow speed. Removing his shirt was hasty, and he held onto Flynn's shoulders to pull him down onto him. He lifted his hips to slide his pants off, tossing them to the side onto his shirt. But then he paused, looking at Flynn, realizing where they were. Out. En route on shared work. In a way it was just like them, but years ago Yuri wouldn't have expected it. To be away from home so much at all, but for them to be doing this outside those walls. Out in the world.

When Yuri spoke again, his voice was low. Soft. "It's really okay. I want to. I... do wanna do this with you."

Yuri's answer surprised Flynn. If anyone compared the two of them, the guess would have easily been that Yuri was the more experienced one between the two of them. He was the outlaw, the one who did whatever he thought was right without worrying about what the law said. Flynn would have been the straight-laced, inexperienced one who had never dared to think about touching another person, especially if they weren't in a relationship together.

He was done undressing, now left in just a sleep-shirt and underpants. This wasn't the first time that Yuri had ever seen him like this, but this moment was a little more... charged than normal.

Briefly Flynn thought about lying, but decided against it; if this relationship was going to last then the truth would come out eventually.

"Yes." Flynn spoke with a shrug as he moved to sit down on the sleeping mat on the floor of the tent. "Not sex, no, but fooled around some." It was how he had found out for sure that women weren't... what he liked, and also how he also knew that he did like men more than some people would have found appropriate.

"... we can go slow." They didn't have to have sex. "Unless you're upset I didn't wait for you." And that was clearly him just teasin.g

[bravewolfvesperia]

RATE YOUR MUSE'S TRAITS 0-10 ! repost and rate your muse’s traits, then tag your followers

tagged by @ervaurem!

compassion : 10/10

bitterness : 5/10 (his bitterness is powerful, but reserved for evil people)

happiness : 5/10 pre-game, 7/10 in game timeline, 9/10 post game. 10/10 in verses where he's in a relationship with/married to Flynn.

politeness : 5/10 (his politeness is in his tone, not his words. he's a rough, informal, casual speaker, but when he's being polite, you'll hear it in his voice)

chivalry : 8/10 (not the typical way people would expect, but it's there!)

pride : 2/10 😬

honesty: 7/10 (sometimes he might dodge the full truth or downplay something, but he tries not to lie unless he feels it's really necessary)

bravery : 10/10

recklessness : 10/10 in game and pre-game, 7/10 post game, 5/10 in verses he's in a relationship with/married to Flynn.

ambition : 8/10

loyalty : 10/10

love : 10/10

sense of family : 10/10

attractiveness : 10/10

agility : 10/10

sex drive: 2/10 normally, 6/10 with Flynn... 10/10 if Flynn's being a little devil.

tagging: @ednaeflowers, @ofstarsandskies, @agloryofuniicorns for Flynn, @tenebriism for Flynn!

[bravewolfvesperia]

/ same context as before lol, it's just been a couple weeks... I've felt sad and lonely not having Yuri doing stuff a lot! I have some one off asks left and a few active threads in drafts, but I might want to also start new stuff soon or when I'm more active again (though I don't have plans to drop anything). it's possible I just need a big break for a bit, bc my interest in Yuri is veeeery much not the issue.

that said, like I said last time, consider this a semi-hiatus if not a full hiatus. I'll still reply to some stuff, even if it takes a bit bc of motivation and energy, I'm just mainly updating that I'm still around and lurking. I haven't posted much so I know it might look like I've just disappeared. I haven't!

[bravewolfvesperia]

“It hurts every day, the absence of someone who was once there.”

— Marie Lu, Champion

[bravewolfvesperia]

/ just wanted to give an update: I'm still here, I've just been working more on translating stuff and also, the Tales end of RP has been basically dead lately, so I haven't had much motivation to be active. I'll still get to things here and there, so I guess this is a sort of semi-hiatus? if anyone wants my Discord, feel free to message me for it. I don't log out of this blog so messages on Tumblr are fine too. I haven't lost my muse, I'm just not really motivated to write a lot of the time with how quiet it is atm.

[bravewolfvesperia]

As he continued to catch his breath, he paused at the request. (Was it a request?) Had he made a mistake in seeking Flynn out for help? Had the knights gotten to him first and convinced him Yuri was guilty? Surely Flynn wouldn't realized Yuri could not mess this up? That if Yuri had any doubt, he knew his life was basically over one way or another if he actually got arrested and turned in.

He didn't know what the feeling of anxiety was from as it creeped into him. It could have been the concern that Flynn was trying to lure him into a trap, but it also could've been... the fact hat he was doubting Flynn at all. The one thing he hated doing above anything else. Maybe some of it was Yuri's own fault from his behavior the past few years, but... surely that didn't amount to murdering a guy who had done nothing to anyone in Flynn's mind?

Even with his back already against the wall, he slid up a bit further as if trying to get farther back to put more distance between them. He knew this could just waste time and risk them getting caught, and if he got caught like this... he'd have to likely resort to violence to get away just to save himself, which would just make his charges worse. It felt like everything was a risk right now. Heck, it was a risk sitting here because it was a matter of time before Repede sniffed him out and followed him here and ended up in possible danger.

"...I can still be 'under your supervision' without having handcuffs on me. Sounds more like guilty until proven innocent." Even if he was safer with Flynn than by himself, he was also very cornered right now. In his weakened state of exhaustion and lack of energy, Flynn could easily overpower him and arrest him. Then again, even if he didn't do it right now and played along, he could still do it the second Yuri inevitably passed out. No matter what he did, he was stuck.

Most of the time, he didn't make a fuss when he was arrested. Most of the time, he knew he deserved it. But right now, when it could kill him or get him stuck behind bars for the rest of his life? Or years and years until he was proven innocent if he ever even was? Besides, didn't he deserve a fair questioning before being arrested? Especially in a case like this? The knights didn't like him, evidently, so of course they wouldn't do that... but Flynn too? But he really couldn't afford to keep running for another day... Eventually he would just pass out somewhere. Even if his hands weren't cuffed, they sure were tied. No matter what he did right now, he still felt like he was losing.

Excuses, excuses, excuses- though the part of Flynn who knew Yuri and who didn't want to believe that he could be capable of something so awful knew that there would always be an excuse in a situation like this. An 'explanation'.

One that so conveniently meant that Yuri was innocent and he was just being framed again.

-- But it had happened once. Which meant...?

"You need someone to hide you." It wasn't what he had asked; Yuri had said he specifically didn't want to ask Flynn to hide him. But that still meant it was what he was looking for. A place to be able to stay out of sight while he figured everything out. That was... a somewhat reasonable request. One that was definitely going against the orders that Flynn had been given, but it wasn't like Yuri was asking for Flynn to cover up a murder.

It was just one singular moment of thought, but after a long pause Flynn finally nodded. "Hold out your hands." There had been a thought to try to pull the cuffs out and snap them on without telling Yuri what he was going to do, but that would have just been a bigger mess than. "I'll do what you want. I'll give you time to stay hidden. We can even look into this together. But only if you are under arrest and under my supervision."

If Yuri was telling the truth then Flynn could deal with figuring out how to apologize for this later. And, despite whatever Yuri might have thought of him, Flynn did hope he was telling the truth.

-- but what if he wasn't? Or, what if he was, but that still wasn't good enough? It was a bridge that Flynn would have to cross if he came to it; for now, he just needed to handle the situation that Yuri had dumped into his lap.

[bravewolfvesperia]

"Ohhh, Mister Victor is very prepared and generous." It was said in jest, but surely by now Victor knew to expect some sort of spunk from him. "Lemme just lock up and I'll be good to go." To be honest, he didn't really know where he and Victor stood right now. Even as he kept up his ordinary behavior, it was still a little weird not being able to pinpoint a specific... dynamic. Relationship. But then, he wasn't sure what else he could expect from, well, someone who'd hired him for assassination.

Which perhaps made this even more odd. Here they were, shopping together. Maybe not "together", more like Victor was simply existing there, but... going on any shopping trip alongside him was not something Yuri would've ever... expected to be doing. Usually he did it alone or went with one of his guild members. After he'd ended his contract with Victor, he'd mostly just expected the man to ignore him entirely.

Curiously, Yuri leaned over slightly as Victor's attention was fully on the merchandise for a while. Frankly, he didn't know Victor's tastes at all when it came to any area of shopping. When he saw what Victor was looking at, his eyes just ever so slightly widened... and then Victor promptly made his case. Yuri drawled out a slightly lengthy "hmmm" in question, side-eying him as he stood straight again.

A little farther along and Yuri stopped, attention immediately shifting to a somewhat familiar store. He hadn't been here long enough to know all the stores, but... he could at least say he'd been around a few of them, wanting to see what this place far from home offered. "Hair store, hair store." It was more than a hair store, but that had been what he'd first entered the store for and what he'd come to know it for. He went right to the shampoo and conditioner area after grabbing a basket, staring down his choices and reading information on some of them before settling on one of each.

And then he saw it. "Hair dryer..." He picked it up. He stared at it. He read the information. On button? Off button? Heat? Power level? Did they even have these back home? If they did, they definitely weren't accessible to people of his... status, for one reason or another. Probably several, really. "Does it really dry your hair really fast? Mine takes forever sometimes, I guess 'cause it's so long... ...I want the magical hair dryer..."

As expected, the 'plan' for what Yuri wanted to purchase only partially existed. A few definitive items were reserved for his guild members and a future luncheon, but after that? They'd be browsing for whatever Yuri thought would let him upkeep his self-care. Which if he learned from his trips with Elle, those can be bizarre, numerous, and debated at random points in time.

"I predicted we'd be out long enough to stop for a meal, so I already prepared lunch," Victor lifted the lid of his shopping basket and sure enough, multiple storage boxes lined the bottom. Less space meant less room for impulse purchases, so he packed plenty. "You're free to choose when and where we take our lunch break. Or should you choose not to, Elle won't complain about leftovers."

As the strolled the streets of Trigleph, one of the shops' display windows had Bunnykins & Friends merchandise. Dolls, key chains, stress toys... even though Ludger's dimension hadn't caught up to Victor's original time yet, the brand's reaching the height of popularity he remembers.

"..." The whole time they walked by, Victor kept ogling the Bunnykins display until he forced himself to turn away. He's not Ludger-- he doesn't care for dolls. He doesn't want one. He doesn't want one. "--I don't understand how such a simple rabbit doll got so popular. Suppose Elympios is depressing enough to accept anything cute," His remark's to save face, but Yuri wouldn't tell the difference surely.

[bravewolfvesperia]

She is fed up with looking between the two gifts and thinking about it for this long, so she frowns and finally asks, ❛ What's the difference between a hat and a 'beanie'? ❜

@ednaeflowers

Was she... still thinking about that? An amused smile slipped onto his face, and he sighed softly - mainly out of surprise. Didn't she travel with a human? How much did she still not know after all her travels, and after being around other humans? Maybe it was because the difference was relatively small and more of a detail...

"A beanie is a type of hat, but it's made of more specific material and is meant to keep your head and ears warm. They're popular in the cold. Normally you just plop a hat on your head for whatever the reason - usually for fashion. Beanies are generally used with more of a... purpose, I guess you'd say? Though a lot of people wear them as a fashion statement too, like 'cause they're cute... but people are more likely to have a beanie on in cold weather. Not that I know if the cold even bothers you, but... well, it's cute, and you seem to like cute things. Figured I'd just get you one of each."

[bravewolfvesperia]

At first, Yuri was... honestly, a bit shocked to see Victor show up at his door. Even with the call ahead of time, Yuri didn't entirely expect the guy to actually show up. On top of that, the fact that Victor picked him to go with was almost baffling. They weren't enemies or anything, at least as far as Yuri knew, but things could be a little strained because of Victor's... grudge? Really, Yuri didn't know what to call it with how confusing he was.

It was the question of Yuri's shopping list that damn near made his eyes light up. Usual necessity shopping was just the same old shopping, but he'd planned to go out today for... frankly, excess. The "unnecessary" stuff. He tried to hold back though, lest Victor immediately back off. As much as things were a little weird between them, part of Yuri was stubbornly determined to get Victor to stop being so cynical. Probably a losing battle, but once he was gonna be stubborn about it, he would at least do his best to see it through.

"Some of it is picking up stuff for my guild, but otherwise, it's really just, self-care stuff, I guess you'd say? Probably gonna pick up some food or something while I'm out anyway, so kinda just assorted stuff. I'll probably be out for a while, but we can stop and eat somewhere if you want. I know you'd probably rather spend as little time out in public as possible, but I'm gonna get hungry at some point."

@bravewolfvesperia || Victor having to social interact, ohnoooo--

In light of him withdrawing more into his shell lately, Elle put another requirement on his socialization list: "Go shopping for fun with someone else that isn't me or Zig". The latter statement didn't need to be there since he wouldn't anyway, but that left very few options to pull from. Ludger had work (and Victor still resented him), Julius' teasing will just make it a complete chore, and Milla's busy taking care of Elle.

That left just two people he had names to faces for: Yuri, and Ludger's little techy friend from across the street, Atsuro. He wasn't in a mood to stalk computer part stores all morning, so the choice was obvious-- one call using his personal GHS, and now he's facing Yuri from beyond a doorway in a place well away from his home.

"What's on your shopping list if I might ask?" Victor has a feeling what answer he'll get, but it's a conversation starter if nothing else. "I can still remember some of Nova's recommendations if you want some variety; she loved to shop at stores nobody's heard of."

[bravewolfvesperia]

Yuri held back a groan at the cheap tactic. Sure, yeah, spill state secrets and all that so "they" could "both" get some rest. If this guy had any intelligence at all, he knew better. Well, if they pushed Yuri far enough, he'd just pass out anyway... Not that he preferred to get to that point, because that would mean being so exhausted he wouldn't be able to be aware of his surroundings at all.

"You can say it's for the innocents all you want, but your guys started this whole mess." For the most part, he'd mainly just frustrated the last guys who questioned him by not saying anything. In the instances they got something out of him, it was never what they wanted. Granted, that in mind, Yuri knew he was reaching his limit as far as how much longer he could stay awake and alert. Fatigue would set in soon, and even if that didn't help them either, they could just decide Yuri wasn't worth it, off him and get another captive.

Tiredly, Yuri flopped back against the wall, a loud sigh getting past him. "Ask your questions or whatever, but I'm not promising I'm answering them. I can't just blab off everything I might know." Especially when most of the questions so far pertained to the top power - to Ioder. Everything they wanted to know threatened his safety, and Yuri wouldn't give them that. He was one of the innocents in this situation.

Still, Yuri's eyes slipped closed and he sighed. It did Ioder no good either if he was killed for being deemed useless and someone else spouted off anything they could think of to save their own neck. So, Yuri opened one eye and set his gaze on Flynn. "Well, you're kinda cute, so... maybe I'll give you an actual answer if you ask the right questions. Like about the council instead of the emperor."

He knows if HE has to be called in, this particular prisoner must be QUITE the individual. If not the agonizing routine of being backed into a corner and being brutally questioned, then the LENGTH at which these interrogations went on usually ushered these captives swiftly to their limits.

This one... this one was STUBBORN.

" Flynn Scifo, " he begins, IGNORING the stranger's flippant attitude just long enough to take his seat. " And you wouldn't be, as you say, ' STUCK WITH ME ' if you'd just cooperate. I don't like anything that jeopardizes the safety of the innocents, either, so all I'm asking is that you WORK with me so we can prevent that. "

The most righteous knight ever to have served, or so the rumors claim. Flynn Scifo had quickly built a name for himself as an upstanding citizen and protector of society, NEVER doing wrong and sooner throwing himself into the line of danger if it meant the sparing of someone else. Some thought him unbearable -- too lawful, too much of a goody two shoes -- but that's PRECISELY why he was scaling the ranks and they sat at the bottom, in it more for the COIN than what he knights were TRULY meant to represent.

Raising a hand, the blond pinches the bridge of his nose and sighs in exasperation. " It's been... a long day, and I would like nothing better than to attempt a few hours of rest myself. Just... make this easier on us both, and we can both go to sleep. "

[bravewolfvesperia]

Even if Yuri didn't understand the terms Ludger was using, all he needed to understand was that Yuri had no place in criticizing Ludger for his reaction. As much as he thought killing everyone involved was extreme, Ludger was probably feeling pushed and forced. If he reacted then the way he had just now, perhaps his emotions were unstable to a degree... but he wasn't wrong for feeling betrayed in that scenario.

Maybe some people would think so. It was just that Yuri understood better than most. Most people wouldn't understand something so extreme unless they'd been in that position. Unless they at least considered how they'd feel in that position. It wasn't like Yuri had never reacted in blind rage. Even as a teenager, he'd nearly gone to that god awful noble's mansion with intent to kill. To get revenge for his people and brother, regardless of the consequences or if he was truly ready for any and all of that. He'd been blinded by rage enough that thoughtfulness and reason simply didn't exist at the time.

In that sense, how could he refuse Ludger's offer to remain friends? If he understood so well, why did he feel like he was the villain here? It was always easier when forgiving others, but almost impossible when it meant forgiving himself. Taking that hand was difficult, but only because of himself, rather than because of Ludger. Still, he looked to the hand offered and scoffed softly. "You coulda wiped your hand first." That he took the hand at all felt he had to accept himself as well as Ludger, but for now, he gave in, if only for Ludger's sake.

He didn't look at Ludger when he spoke again, finding it easier to rest his eyes on the otherwise empty room. "Look, I... didn't end up doing it, but... I've tried to kill people before for my brother's death, too. I only didn't because someone stopped me. Our... mom. The night it happened, I tried to go alone to kill the people who took him from me. Not just him, but several others. She... took on that burden for me instead. Killed them. But before that, all I could think about was... how I wanted to kill the people who deceived my brother and then took his life when he caught on."

Maybe it didn't mean much... but Ludger deserved to at least have the comfort in knowing Yuri really wouldn't harm Julius. That he couldn't, or he was just a hypocrite. A liar. Someone who wouldn't stick to his own morals. "And then, later in my life, I'd met people who I could've sacrificed to save things. I said I won't hurt your brother because... I've had the option to sacrifice people for the supposed good of everyone and everything. I chose not to. I decided it wasn't fair for anyone to have to die just so others could live. Nobody wants to be the person who has to die. Everyone gets to live and be happy, but that person doesn't? Maybe it's too idealistic, but... I wouldn't have chosen your brother or the world. I'd have looked for a different way out. Even if there wasn't one."

Part of him did wish he could've been there to do something about it. To help Ludger's friends and stop them from dying, while not giving up Julius. They probably weren't bad people at all. Just desperate. Afraid that they were all going to die. Most people did react desperately in some fashion when they feared impending death. Heck, even Cumore offering Yuri anything he wanted within Cumore's own power out of fear and desperation was enough of an example of that. But he... really just wanted to Ludger to understand properly that Yuri meant what he said. That Julius wasn't in danger because of the story Ludger had told Yuri.

It wouldn't be right away, but... he really did hope they could go back to "normal". Whatever... "normal" was, given what this relationship was based off of.

"I can't..." be too sure. Yuri sounded sincere, though so did Jude. "Jude promised me they were going to talk to my brother. But he lied! If I hadn't shown up, my brother would've slit his own throat to become the Soul Bridge! And I guess I was just supposed to find out my brother died after I stayed at home thinking he and my 'friends' were coming back! All of them--even my brother--were complete liars!"

Ludger slammed the table hard enough even Flynn would hear him through the soundproofing. As much as Ludger loved his brother, he never fully forgave him for concocting that stupid plan. That double layered betrayal forever poisoned the well in extending his trust to others (although he still retained his habit of sympathizing with anyone who treated him a little kindly). He wanted to get past it, but life keeps handing him reasons to retreat further into his shell.

Including now.

But... this wasn't the time nor place to let his emotions run wild. Letting them get out of hand is how Ludger murdered his friends in cold blood with no regrets until after the fact. So Ludger forced himself to sit back, steady his breathing, and let Yuri explain himself. From there, he'd... just have to hope Yuri wasn't secretly planning to sell him out for a crime he did indeed commit and/or out Victor for almost setting him up to kill Spirius' CEO.

Back home, Yuri hunted and killed monstrous people. Which given Ludger's sins and Victor's evidence, he fit the bill perfectly. Then Yuri got to know him and questioned if someone like him really was a monster (he was as all Kresniks are, but he won't burden Yuri with the Trial's cruelty). Thus, by the time this confrontation took place, he just wanted to know the truth for peace of mind, burying this mess forever.

From the sound of it, despite Ludger's guilt and Victor's plotting, Yuri didn't hate either of them. He hated himself for lulling a stranger into a false security so he could later kill him. Especially when he came to know and genuinely like Ludger. And thus, Yuri wanted to leave it up to him: if he wanted Yuri to leave him alone for good, he would. But if Ludger wanted to stay friends, Yuri wouldn't say no.

Ludger already had his answer.

"I don't want you to break contact with me," The calm, friendly Ludger Yuri knew smiled back at him. "I'm also not upset with you. I probably should be, but Kazuya always said I'm too forgiving for my own good."

To show he wasn't saying all of this on another emotional whim, Ludger stood up from his chair and walked over to Yuri's side and offers his sweaty yet steady hand, "Regardless of your intentions for sticking around me, I still liked spending time with you. So if it's not too much to ask... Yuri, I'd like us to be friends. For real this time."

[bravewolfvesperia]

/ sooo tl;dr my TV that acted as a monitor damn near exploded last night. this has been the third (and there's a potential maybe related fourth) electrical issue that's happened in my room since October, so I'm kind of worried about using the power in my room right now. I prob won't be on very much here unless I can get my ancient laptop working. There's a possible part that needs replacing which I'm gonna try to do, but barring that I'm not sure what the issue is with it so that's my only chance of using the very very old laptop.

I've talked with ppl who think there may be an issue with my electric wiring and the circuits in my room bc of the pattern of issues, and because it's not normal for a TV to screech and overheat when turned on, esp when there's not bad weather. that TV was a fire hazard so I'm not sure what isn't atm.

unfortunately I can't afford to have an electrician look at anything, and since this is teeechnically my aunt's house, I'm gonna talk to her about it bc I spoke with my parents and they're Entirely Not Concerned About This Electrical Pattern, Feat "It's Not Possible For A Power Surge In A Single Outlet And I Know My Electricity". so yeah, I... don't know what's gonna happen from here but uhhh, hopefully the house doesn't burn down and I don't die in a fire??? preferably??? hoping my aunt will be willing to call a professional to deal with this which may or may be one of my uncles, I have no idea how it'll go. but. yeah.

[bravewolfvesperia]

There was... something in his voice. Flynn was teasing him, wasn't he? Yuri's voice dropped to no short of a pout, realizing that Flynn must have realized Yuri had asked because it was something he would hoping would happen. Made it perfectly clear that Yuri wanted Flynn's attention. "I-I'm just making sure." After all, if Flynn realized any of those times Yuri acted like things weren't a big deal between them was just hot air, Yuri was susceptible to--

--that. Yuri puffed out a cheek briefly to amplify the pout, but he took the hand and allowed Flynn to lead him to the tent. He could get back at Flynn for that thought another day. In fact, he could get back at him in bed, too, but he would wait until he was more confident about that. Maybe one day he wouldn't feel quite so reserved about it. For now it was a sort of... unknown area. Once they were both more familiar with where each other stood on that, Yuri could adjust accordingly.

As Flynn was slow about removing everything, Yuri lifted an eyebrow in recognition. If that was the game Flynn was going to play, Yuri would wait. He directed his attention to the bedding, setting it up for better comfort for, well, not sleeping. These were the highest quality tents and tent bedding they could've gotten though, so he wasn't really too worried about that aspect. He just wasn't going to let Flynn win.

Which was, unfortunately, difficult, because when Yuri looked back at him to answer him, he still had to contend with the fact that yes, Flynn was attractive. Flynn had a very nice body. Flynn was making it very difficult and probably knew he was. Flynn was near unquestionably doing this on purpose. At least the question was genuinely something that threw him off a bit. "Uh- I... no, I... haven't. Have you?"

"And what do you think I mean by that?" Flynn glanced over at Yuri, fighting against the urge to just grin at Yuri. They both were very clearly on the same page, but there was just a touch of hesitancy in the other's tone that was almost... well.

Would it be wrong of him to say it was cute? Because it was a cute.

"If I was meaner I would leave you to squirm just a little longer, but that wouldn't leave us with a lot of time to have any fun." And, to make sure that his meaning was crystal clear, Flynn reached out to take hold of Yuri's hand.

He didn't tug the other along to the tent, but if Yuri chose to follow along then Flynn wouldn't let him go. Not until they got inside. The tent was large enough for them to stand inside, though if either of them was any taller they wouldn't have been able to. Boots were kicked off outside of the tent; inside was where the slow and methodical removal of armor pieces, of shirts, of pants, every piece carefully folded and tucked away.

"I don't... want to make any assumptions Yuri, but have you ever been with someone before?" Man or woman, though Flynn didn't voice that part out loud.

[bravewolfvesperia]

"Huh?" For a second, completely out of breath, Yuri hadn't connected the dots about crossing the law. His mind had been too engaged in the present. After a moment, it occurred to him that he'd been involved in petty issues back home, but... the whole thing with Estelle? By now he knew that was false. So... what else was there besides the dumb nonsense back home?

As he tried to catch his breath, his head ducked onto Flynn's shoulder. "I told you... I'm... being chased. There was... a murder... some top official... but... they pinned it on me... 'cause I was... the closest one there... but... it was... planned like that... The killer... saw another person... in this case, me... Guy was big... grabbed the body so it'd... make enough contact with me... to get... blood on me... 'cause the knights were close... I guess they... got alerted that a guy was planning to kill an official...? But... by the time the... knights got there... they just saw... a body... at my feet... with blood on me... and I couldn't... convince them it wasn't me..."

He pulled away from Flynn and let his back hit the wall somewhat hard as he tried to steady his breath and let his heart slow down. Truthfully, he didn't know how Flynn would react to this. Lately, it seemed like Flynn was neck deep with "law and order". Even Flynn might not be safe right now... but if even he wasn't, how was he supposed to convince anyone in the knights? His next best bet would be... Leblanc, if only because he was more reasonable than the rest outside of Flynn, and even that seemed like a stretch.

As much as he would have preferred to explain this somewhere else, given that he could barely get a sentence out, he really didn't know if Flynn would listen right away to get to that point. Still, they couldn't stay here forever. "Look, I really don't... wanna ask you to hide me, but... I need to stay outta public for a bit... There's no way I'm gonna be able to explain myself and be believed if they catch me."

The notice that one Yuri Lowell was supposed to be arrested on sight had already reached Flynn's ears. It wasn't the first time, but this time there was no easy explanation on hand. No Imperial Princess waiting to eager provide her version of the story that made clear that Yuri was just being framed.

He didn't want to believe that Yuri could actually be capable of doing something so... wrong.

There was no excuse for murder. No rationalizing it. Nothing that made it better.

Even if the man killed was responsible of hurting people himself?

Seeing Yuri racing toward him felt like it must have been some sort of dream at first, ad Flynn found he wasn't even sure if he was actually awake. It was only when he found himself being pulled to the side, dragged into a small nearby alleyway, that he felt ice-cold reality sinking down into him. He didn't fight against it, but he found himself becoming keenly aware of where his sword, and Yuri's, were being held.

"... Being chased?" Flynn stared back at Yuri with a flat expression. "Yuri... is that really what's happening? Or did you cross the law. Again."