Y'know, before I showed up here, I think I would've disagreed. My thoughts are my own, but... [ Having Blue in his head, sharing things with him, understanding him on a level he never really expected to find, it's nice. Really nice. ]
There was a time when Flynn and I were always in each other's business. We were a set, him and me, didn't do anything without each other. It was almost like knowing each other's thoughts. Not quite. [ He smiles down at his food. He misses that time more than he likes to admit. He's the one who messed it up, but still, he's nostalgic for it. Yeah, they still fought all the time, but they were a team. It feels different, now. ]
You mean... telling him what I think? [ Yuri glances up at Blue, raising an eyebrow. It's not like it's a revolutionary idea, but-- they did once know everything about each other. He hasn't quite figured out that that isn't true anymore. ]
I... guess so. [ He grimaces at using the same word, then shakes his head. ] I dunno, Blue. We're not really talkers. We usually work things out with swords instead of words.
[ Yuri opens his mouth, then shuts it again. At Aurnion, that last fight they had before everything, it really felt like they'd come to something, that they'd put everything behind them: the people Yuri had killed in the lieu of justice, the mistakes Flynn made with Alexei, the credit that Flynn got for Yuri's accomplishments. They put it to bed with the swing of their swords.
Didn't they?
Yuri, at least, is still plagued by what he did. Maybe Flynn doesn't blame him anymore, but he still blames himself. He knows he had to do it, but he still took men's lives, ended them instead of trying to do more, do better. Flynn still got credit for everything Yuri did, and still has trouble with that.
If that isn't what that fight did, then what did it do? ]
[ It isn't exactly agreement. He's not sure if he'll do it. Talking is so hard, especially with Flynn. Whenever they talk, they tend to argue, and when they argue, they tend to fight. It's not that he doesn't want to fight, but sometimes he doesn't. With something like this, like with the new parts of their relationship, he doesn't really want to know what Flynn really thinks. He's scared, maybe, and being scared usually, again, makes him want to fight, or flee, and neither of those solve anything.
He takes a bite instead. Maybe having a psychic living with him makes this an inevitability, but he didn't really think that Blue would get so much insight into his and Flynn's relationship, but that seems stupid, in retrospect. ]
Uh... you two got enough food, right? [ While he was gone. ]
[perhaps it is best to let them find their own way, but Blue can't help but feel a compulsion to insist, to impose...but that's not how humans work, is it? perhaps if asked, he could offer, but this sort of thing...
Blue exhales, trying to lay that want to rest. it's hard; restlessness is building up in his own heart, the consequence of being able to hear with his heart...but his own heart being unheard. even one-way silence is silence.
he lifts his head at the prompt.]
There was enough. I do not...have much of an appetite anymore. Any longer, then perhaps...there would have been trouble.
I'll make some stuff that'll keep, just in case. [ In case he's gone again, in case he's gone forever. He's seen people leave, going back to the sea, and he doesn't want to do that, not now, but he might not have a choice. That scares him, if he lets himself think about it too much.
But what Blue said is still rattling around in his head. He looks up at Blue again, still weaker than he should be, his body tired from blood loss, his mind exhausted from the sheer horror and nothingness of those day in the tower.
He wets his lips before asking: ]
Does it bother you? Flynn and me?
[ Because now that he's thinking about it, that must be pretty annoying to have to hear all the time. A relationship that Yuri doesn't even know what it is, and he's in it. ]
[the question and what leads to it paints a strained expression on Blue's face. a little hurt, but not solely because of the question.]
It doesn't. You don't. The only bothersome thing is knowing...I have no place there. Because of my nature, because of yours.
It's...differences we cannot reconcile. And I will not...resent either of you for it. No more than I can resent myself. [his mouth pulls briefly on one side.] And I am too old...to start doing that now.
[ He really can't imagine being in Trench without Blue. Even with Flynn, it would be lonely, strange. Blue's opened up his mind, in more ways than one, helped him when he was afraid of what he would do, to others, to himself. ]
The differences-- that we can't hear your thoughts?
I guess, yeah. I... [ He wrinkles his nose, not really wanting to say this, but it's right there ] You could tell us. What you're thinking. I know it's not the same, but that's what you just said, right? It's better if we don't have to guess. And it would, y'know, be more fair, if that's what you're worried about.
But, hey, you don't have to. I'm grateful that you're here, too. [ It is easier, with Blue, to say stuff like that. Blue already probably knows anyway, so what's verbalizing it? Blue was his friend friend in Trench, the first person who took care of him after Flynn's death, a person who wants to stick by him and who is he to say anything about that? ] You have a place here as long as you want it.
[that's just it, isn't it? even though Blue can perceive the thoughts - especially the ones involving Blue himself - it means more to hear them aloud. because that's how it works for humans, and that...means more than simply thinking on them.
it means Yuri is making more of an effort to care.
Blue's smile loses some of that sad tinge, warmed by those words.]
I know it...bothers you. Speaking in this way. So that you went out of your way... [he looks up.] Thank you. I'm grateful you're here. And...I'm sorry I couldn't find you. [he holds up his hand before there can be a chance to dismiss it.] Though I know...it was a long shot. I know you would've tried just as hard...if our positions were reversed.
[ Yuri does want to protest, but, well. He just nods, smiling a little. It always takes him by surprise, when people want to take care of him. It's uncomfortable, strange, but also... nice. Really nice. ]
Yeah, I would. It's... [ Not "fine" but ] I'm just glad it wasn't you, or Flynn. I dunno what this place has against me, but, hell. I'll keep fighting as long as I have to.
[ It settles in him, and it's not like he questioned that Blue cared about him, but it always takes him by surprise, that people do care. When he's presented with the reality, that people want him to be safe and happy, that they'll sacrifice their own safety for his. It's strange, but not unwelcome, and at least Blue doesn't smack him for it like Brave Vesperia does.
He lets out a heavy sigh ]
Man, I'll try. No promises. [ Staying still, these days, isn't a talent of his. It never really was, even when he stuck around the lower quarter: he was still always doing something, helping someone, doing some errand or another. ] Maybe... Maybe I'll just cook a lot. Anything you want, I'll try to make it.
[ At least that sounds fun, for him. Keep his hands and his mind busy, so he can't fall back into thinking about what happened to him ]
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Man, you really get a raw deal, huh? Still have to deal with that stuff, even if you're not there.
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...I think...it would be worse. Not knowing. Having silence.
It's one thing...I can't really understand about humans. Being...alone in your own thoughts. [it's a terrifying notion.]
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There was a time when Flynn and I were always in each other's business. We were a set, him and me, didn't do anything without each other. It was almost like knowing each other's thoughts. Not quite. [ He smiles down at his food. He misses that time more than he likes to admit. He's the one who messed it up, but still, he's nostalgic for it. Yeah, they still fought all the time, but they were a team. It feels different, now. ]
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It would be...better to know each other's thoughts...by words. I think. [talk to each other, you absolute clowns.]
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Otherwise...you can only guess. Right? And your guesses...are based more on yourself...than anyone else. They're yours, after all.
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...How do you know...that the answer you come to...at the end of a blade...is the same as his?
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Didn't they?
Yuri, at least, is still plagued by what he did. Maybe Flynn doesn't blame him anymore, but he still blames himself. He knows he had to do it, but he still took men's lives, ended them instead of trying to do more, do better. Flynn still got credit for everything Yuri did, and still has trouble with that.
If that isn't what that fight did, then what did it do? ]
I-- dunno. It feels like we do.
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at last, he breaks eye contact, looking down at the plate he hadn't even touched yet.]
I think...it is worth asking. If that's true.
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[ It isn't exactly agreement. He's not sure if he'll do it. Talking is so hard, especially with Flynn. Whenever they talk, they tend to argue, and when they argue, they tend to fight. It's not that he doesn't want to fight, but sometimes he doesn't. With something like this, like with the new parts of their relationship, he doesn't really want to know what Flynn really thinks. He's scared, maybe, and being scared usually, again, makes him want to fight, or flee, and neither of those solve anything.
He takes a bite instead. Maybe having a psychic living with him makes this an inevitability, but he didn't really think that Blue would get so much insight into his and Flynn's relationship, but that seems stupid, in retrospect. ]
Uh... you two got enough food, right? [ While he was gone. ]
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Blue exhales, trying to lay that want to rest. it's hard; restlessness is building up in his own heart, the consequence of being able to hear with his heart...but his own heart being unheard. even one-way silence is silence.
he lifts his head at the prompt.]
There was enough. I do not...have much of an appetite anymore. Any longer, then perhaps...there would have been trouble.
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But what Blue said is still rattling around in his head. He looks up at Blue again, still weaker than he should be, his body tired from blood loss, his mind exhausted from the sheer horror and nothingness of those day in the tower.
He wets his lips before asking: ]
Does it bother you? Flynn and me?
[ Because now that he's thinking about it, that must be pretty annoying to have to hear all the time. A relationship that Yuri doesn't even know what it is, and he's in it. ]
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It doesn't. You don't. The only bothersome thing is knowing...I have no place there. Because of my nature, because of yours.
It's...differences we cannot reconcile. And I will not...resent either of you for it. No more than I can resent myself. [his mouth pulls briefly on one side.] And I am too old...to start doing that now.
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[ He really can't imagine being in Trench without Blue. Even with Flynn, it would be lonely, strange. Blue's opened up his mind, in more ways than one, helped him when he was afraid of what he would do, to others, to himself. ]
The differences-- that we can't hear your thoughts?
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It's unfair to you two. And myself, in some way... But if I were alone...I'd be truly lost.
I'm grateful...that you two...accept me. I wish other Mu could...feel this acceptance.
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But, hey, you don't have to. I'm grateful that you're here, too. [ It is easier, with Blue, to say stuff like that. Blue already probably knows anyway, so what's verbalizing it? Blue was his friend friend in Trench, the first person who took care of him after Flynn's death, a person who wants to stick by him and who is he to say anything about that? ] You have a place here as long as you want it.
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it means Yuri is making more of an effort to care.
Blue's smile loses some of that sad tinge, warmed by those words.]
I know it...bothers you. Speaking in this way. So that you went out of your way... [he looks up.] Thank you. I'm grateful you're here. And...I'm sorry I couldn't find you. [he holds up his hand before there can be a chance to dismiss it.] Though I know...it was a long shot. I know you would've tried just as hard...if our positions were reversed.
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Yeah, I would. It's... [ Not "fine" but ] I'm just glad it wasn't you, or Flynn. I dunno what this place has against me, but, hell. I'll keep fighting as long as I have to.
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And...you'll have a place to come back to. Someplace safe.
[Blue can try to make sure of that, can't he? that must be within his power.
and that'll never go poorly.]You should stay in for a while. You look...very worn. [like shit honestly.]
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[ It settles in him, and it's not like he questioned that Blue cared about him, but it always takes him by surprise, that people do care. When he's presented with the reality, that people want him to be safe and happy, that they'll sacrifice their own safety for his. It's strange, but not unwelcome, and at least Blue doesn't smack him for it like Brave Vesperia does.
He lets out a heavy sigh ]
Man, I'll try. No promises. [ Staying still, these days, isn't a talent of his. It never really was, even when he stuck around the lower quarter: he was still always doing something, helping someone, doing some errand or another. ] Maybe... Maybe I'll just cook a lot. Anything you want, I'll try to make it.
[ At least that sounds fun, for him. Keep his hands and his mind busy, so he can't fall back into thinking about what happened to him ]
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[editor add in the horror movie violin screeches.]
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He worried this day would come. He has to steer Blue back toward the light ] What, uh... what did he show you?
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...Sauces to flavor meat. Yuri, why are you so concerned so suddenly?
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[ He's worried about you, Blue. And your tastebuds. And your stomach. ]
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