I'm looking for a place to start

[bespredel]

who: Yuri Plisetsky and you!
what: A catchall; Rainbow Fireflies, an escapee cat, and more! Prompts under the jump; some closed thread headers to follow
when: Any time after April 29th
where: All over Riverview
warnings: Will update as needed!
Note: Feel free to reply in whatever format you're most comfortable with; I'll match!

I. April 30th » A Cat on the Lam » Open

[ Yuri had been back from his mission barely a day, and everything had already gone to shit.

He knew she'd been there when he'd gotten home, because he had crawled in, exhausted and filthy, and she had been winding around his legs meowing and excited. Sure, Eddie was all right company, but Petya had her loyalties, and there was little the small feline liked more than sleeping with her real owner. That was something Yuri had always loved about her, how she never seemed to lose her sense of excitement at seeing Yuri when he came home. He'd showered, given her treats, and then crawled into bed, feeling like he could sleep for a week.

Of course, his body wasn't so kind as to ever allow such a thing. His internal clock was so well trained that he could barely even manage to sleep in. It wasn't his usually 4:30am start, but six rolled around, and Yuri found himself finally stumbling out of bed. That was where the details became a little... confused. He knew he had put down Petya's breakfast, like he always did. He'd helped himself to what Eddie had left for him, and then had done a few groggy morning stretches. Had he seen Petya then? He didn't know.

He'd decided to take the day as a day of rest, but that didn't mean he was going to be completely lazy. He still wanted to go for a run, if shorter than usual. Had he seen her then? Yuri had come back, showered, and headed out once more. Heading upstairs to find out if Otabek was in, to let him know that he was back. Not finding him, Yuri had decided to head out and do some grocery shopping instead, seeing as he still wasn't bothering with public school.

By the time he returned to the apartment, it was well into the afternoon. And then, only then- did he realize that she was gone. His heart skipped a beat, before launching into his throat. He wouldn't panic, he couldn't. She'd turn up, surely. He just had to look. She was probably napping somewhere weird, right? She was a cat!

So Yuri had started looking.

First, he turned the apartment upside down. But when it became clear she wasn't there, he'd expanded his search- making his way down the hall of the third floor, and starting to knock on doors. ]

Hey- have you seen my cat? Small, white and black. Fluffy as shit. Awesome. She's not in my apartment.

[ And if that didn't turn up any answers, then he started looking along the other floors, as well. Not really caring if he disturbed anyone- it was the middle of the afternoon, for fuck's sakes. He just needed to find her. ]

II. May 1st to 20th » See All The Colours in Disguise » Open

[ Throughout the month of May Yuri will be keeping to his usual schedule (and doing his best to avoid Viktor and Yuuri lololol). He can be found running in the very early mornings, at the gym, rink, or on the barre until the afternoon, and then usually some city based wandering and possibly more personal training in one of the things he hasn't done. He does quite a bit of shopping and wandering, just for fun and to familiarize himself with more of Riverview. He'll always stop to try and coax any cats he comes across (stray or otherwise) to give him a sniff, and maybe get a pet if he can manage it. He also stops at the library about once a week, occasionally goes out to a movie, and other teenager time killers. All the selfies. All of them. While out of the apartment, it's possible for him to be bitten by any of the following fireflies:

Rᴇᴅ
      Yuri is already prone to anger, so this will amplify his feelings of rage to 11. Looking for fights, being an intentional asshole, having absolutely no filter whatsoever- okay, so it sounds like an average day that ends in 'y'. But trust me, he'll be a lot worse than usual.
Oʀᴀɴɢᴇ
      Being a very guarded young man has it's downfalls. Especially when Yuri literally can't bring himself to tell anything but the truth. While normally he's a pretty honest kid when it comes to dealing with other people, it's also usually layered with his usual acerbic defense mechanisms. When he's a lot more open, and honest? Well, his true, soft and squishy insides reveal themselves to all. He doesn't like it.
Yᴇʟʟᴏᴡ
      Being an internationally renowned figure skater, Yuri is no stranger to self doubt. To the occasional, but rare, panic attack. Yuri's greatest fears are what will happen to him when he hits puberty, and how much his body will change. If he'll only ever be the best he can be now, and if it's only downhill from here. If you want to deal with a freaking out, angry, anxious and vulnerable teen, this is the option for you.
Gʀᴇᴇɴ
      As a naturally green eyed boy, it shouldn't come as any surprise that Yuri has a green eyed monster. If you have something he wants when he's in this state, he will find a way to try and take it from you. This could lead to shouting, fighting, and being an absolute menace.
Bʟᴜᴇ
      Still not having dealt with his sense of homesickness, Yuri's grief and sense of loneliness aren't usually allowed to manifest themselves. He keeps such things buried deeply, but under the influence of the blue fireflies, it'll all become just a little too much, and leave him crippled emotionally for a little while. If this happens in public, Yuri will do his best to find the quietest place he can, to hide away from others. He's not prone to crying, but if you'd like to see that or make it happen, this is the option.
Vɪᴏʟᴇᴛ
      Yuri is very private with his physical affections, but under the influence of this firefly he'll seek touch. Like a cat, he might ask you to help him braiding his hair, and lean into it with a soft hum, or god forbid- not run away from a hug, for once. He'll bump shoulders, and act like it's no big deal, even though he normally wouldn't do that sort of thing at all.

Given that these are all extremely vague prompts, feel free to set your character up in any of the aforementioned open spaces, with your preferred firefly (or a blend of two) in the subject line and I'll reply with Yuri. If you'd like a more specific starter from Yuri, feel free to hit me up on plurk oresteia, on Discord (Orestes#9562) or via PM for a little more plotting and we can hash out a specific starter!

Comments

» Closed to Ivar

[bespredel]

[ This was an absolutely fuckin' brilliant idea, Yuri was convinced.

He'd seen them the day before, while out wandering and killing time. His heart rate had picked up, his eyes widening in sheer, utter delight, a whole world of possibility opening before him. And oh. Oh. He knew exactly who he wanted to share this discovery with.

So that was what lead him up to the fifth floor, kicking his way in like he owned the place, his backpack slung haphazardly over one arm, eyes blazing with determination. ]

IVAR!! [ He shouted, giving exactly no shits about who he might have been disturbing. ] Get your ass out here! I have the best thing ever! And if you don't hurry the fuck up I WON'T SHARE!!!

[ragnarsson]

[Ivar had been lying on his bed after pulling a night shift on the Perimeter Guard. He very nearly fell off the bed when a maniac burst through the door. Oh, it was just Yuri. Of course it was him.

He slid off, picked up his axe, and put it on his back. Then he got into his wheelchair, rolling over to his friend.]

Shout a little louder, idiot. I don't think the entire floor has heard you yet.

[bespredel]

Forget the entire floor, I was aiming for the entire god damn building! [ Yuri's exclamation still wasn't using much of an 'indoor' voice, but that didn't seem to matter to the blond. He grinned wickedly, cocking his head and jerking his shoulder to bounce the backpack he was carrying. ]

Ever blown shit up before? [ He asked, eyes glinting with a wild mischief. ] Because if not, my friend, allow me to introduce you to the wonderful, magical world of black powder.

[ragnarsson]

[A slow smile spread its way across Ivar's features. He eagerly wheeled himself over to where Yuri was standing.]

That sounds like a glorious idea. [He has no idea how powder figures into the mix, but he figures Yuri will explain that part while they move.] Come on. Move it! [He butts Yuri's legs lightly with the wheels of the chair.]

» Closed to Michael

[bespredel]

[ It's a school day. Not that Yuri has ever really noticed, or cared. So far as he was concerned, he had better things to do than sit miserably in a too-small desk feeling claustrophobic and unfocused. What did he need bullshit like trigonometry or geography for anyway? He could already speak three languages, well on his way to hopefully picking up a fourth. Sure, skating didn't have the same sort of hold here that it did back home- but that could change. Someone on the network had suggested that he make that change; that he bring professional figure skating to Riverview in a way that made it a thing... and, well. It wasn't a half bad idea.

He had been on the rink all morning, creating a program for the fun of it. To keep himself on his toes, keep himself in practice. He always drew a bit of a crowd when he really got into it; at least- so much of a crowd as a public rink ever gathered, anyway.

What he hadn't expected though, was that that afternoon he shared the ice with a group of high schoolers brought from the local school for their physical education; to try something different outside of the school itself. They were a group of students older than he was, and while normally that didn't bother him- Yuri couldn't shake the feeling that when they watched, it wasn't with awe. He could hear them sniggering when he did some fantastic air splits, but thankfully it was loud enough with the other skaters on the rink that he couldn't hear the brunt of their insults. That, and their teacher- the adult chaperone present- probably had something to do with them holding their tongues.

At the time, Yuri hadn't worried about it. They'd left, gone back to school. Probably to pack up their things. Yuri made a mental note to avoid the rink during this block of time for the next little while. He thought that would be that.

But then it wasn't.

He hadn't really been paying attention, just walking along looking at his phone after dropping his things off back at the apartment, after showering. He figured he'd go out, wander around for awhile- off his guard.

Later, he would berate himself for this. For not knowing better, for not being better, doing better. Hadn't James been teaching him better than this?

But when the hands connected with his back, the leg sweeping his feet out from under him, Yuri didn't see it coming. All he had time for was a startled gasp, and then he was hitting the concrete with a grunt, his phone skittering down the sidewalk. ]

What the fuck- [ He grit out, only to have a boot meet the middle of his back, forcing him back down. ]

Hey there, faerie boy. Hadn't seen you around before. No wonder- I wouldn't show my face if I were as nancy as you, either. [ The teen above him sneered, an ugly, twisted expression, and Yuri scowled. ]

Let me the fuck up, you piece of shit, and I'll show you just what this faerie can do.

[prisonking]

I wouldn't test him, if I were you.

[ Michael stands with both arms folded over his chest just a few feet away. He's tall, when he wants to be. At his full height of six foot two, Michael looks down his nose at the gaggle of rowdy teens with open, adult disapproval.

He'd been on his way to work when he'd heard the ruckus, and stopped to check it out. Michael Scofield has never excelled at minding his own business. He can't, and won't, tolerate bullying.

Michael knows Yuri can take care of himself, the kid fights like an animal, but he shouldn't have to. Even in Riverview, kids still deserve the chance to be kids.

His eyes flicker to Yuri's face, and then back to the teens again. ]

I've only got two arms, I can't carry all of you to the hospital. Go find another street to play in. I hear there's traffic over on Fifth Ave.

[bespredel]

[ It wasn't as if Yuri couldn't have gotten out of his current position, if he wanted to- it was that he'd promised James he wouldn't use his skills to hurt people unnecessarily. And sure, he was kicked down, but they hadn't really hurt him enough to warrant a broken arm or leg, no matter how tempted Yuri was to deliver them.

But he wasn't just going to lay there and take it, either.

If Michael hadn't shown up when he did, Yuri would have shown those boys just how hard he could lay them on the floor.

The teens around Yuri seemed to hesitate, the one with his shoe on the back of Yuri's sweater stepping off. ]

We were just playing around. [ He grumbled, before gesturing to his friends. ] C'mon. Lets go. [ They didn't seem to want to mess with Michael, that was for sure. And so after a moment of hesitation, the group of boys took off. ] See you around, faerie. [ One of the boys spat, nudging Yuri's foot with his own as the blond started to get up. By way of reply Yuri just snarled, and flipped the boys off. ]

I could have handled them. [ Yuri shot to Micheal, green eyes narrowing on the other's face for a moment, before flicking away as he scowled. ]

[prisonking]

I know. That's the problem. You would've wiped the floor with them, and the would've gone crying to their parents, or a teacher-

[ Michael busies himself wiping the dirt off Yuri's clothing.

All of this is far too familiar for his comfort, except Michael had never fought back. He had never been strong enough. At the end of the day, Lincoln had always been the one to pick him up and clean him off. If it weren't for his brother, he would've suffered a lot more than the occasional locker-stuff or bloody nose.

He turns Yuri around by his shoulders to give him a once over, his eyes scanning him for any signs of injury. ]

We're new here. Sometimes it's safer, better, to keep your head down until you've got a leg to stand on. Preferably two.

» Closed to Otabek

[bespredel]

Yuri had promised Otabek that as soon as he was back, he would absolutely be hitting up the other's club. He needed to see Otabek DJ; needed it like he needed air in his lungs. It wasn't as though it were the first time- not really; but this time he wouldn't have to sneak in.

He had dressed to kill. He wanted to impress Otabek; wanted to stand out in a crowd. So he had chosen a pair of what he liked to call 'shit kicking combat boots', some stylishly ripped sheer pantyhose, leopard print shorts, and an open backed ripped shirt with a sheer black fabric layered underneath the front to keep it from showing too much skin. He completed the look by making his hair look artfully messy, and sliding on the fingerless gloves Otabek had given him for his birthday.

Otabek had to go early to set up, so Yuri had promised to meet the other there. He was trying not to feel nervous, as he walked up to the bouncer and flashed the VIP card Otabek had given him, sneering at the line behind him, at a pair of girls' complaints over his cutting through the line.

He was let in, and the hot air of the club washed over him, the base already pounding- feeling like it was filling him up. Almost overwhelming- and yet so, so good.

His first order of business was a drink. He'd been intending to have just water, but at the last minute, changed his mind. Ordering something fruity and sweet that disguised the alcohol lacing it. Something just to loosen up, he told himself. So he would stop feeling so damn nervous about this. It wasn't like it was a date, or anything. Hell no- it was just two friends getting together, one there to listen to the other spin. To see Otabek at a passion besides figure skating.

[bringbackgold]

Otabek was looking forward to seeing Yuri in the club. He really wanted to use this opportunity to show Yuri all about what he did beyond figure skating. It would be different from Barcelona- really different. He wasn't really anticipating that the other would have been present at that. He hoped the other liked it, too. He was glad that they were meeting there. He used his early arrival to rearrange some songs in the set and add some new pieces. He wanted to make sure everything flowed perfectly.

Like Yuri, he had dressed to impress. He wore leather pants. They fit him snugly and laced up on the outside of his legs, from the knees up, and tied neatly at his hips. He wore a black belt with a silver buckle. The boots came halfway up his calves - straps and lace creating them. Sure, he did typically dress nice when he worked, but nothing quite this nice. Underneath his leather jacket, which he discarded not long after the club became flooded with people, he wore a black v-neck tee. It was loosely fitting and comfortable.

He moved with ease as he worked, occasionally shifting to get a drink of water that he kept off to the side. He didn't really drink as he worked (it got far too hot, and he'd get dehydrated and drunk), but maybe once he was done and joining Yuri - he'd grab himself something and help put himself at ease. Why was he so nervous?

The club filled, the people were moving and enjoying his work, and he spotted Yuri. He was easy to Otabek to find. Always. Yuri looked good - and part of Otabek knew that he shouldn't be thinking that.

He had to focus.

Focusing was difficult, though. So, he waited until his friend was looking in his direction, and his eyes locked on him. He lifted up his hand and gave a thumbs-up. He had a couple more songs to do before he'd get an opportunity to meet his friend.

The more he looked at Yuri, the more he knew it would be difficult for him to keep focus. And he knew it'd be good that he intended to hand most of his work over to what he had set up and planned with the laptop he had settled on the deck.

[bespredel]

Knowing that Otabek was busy genuinely working meant that Yuri also knew he would have to entertain himself for awhile. He didn't want to come across as too eager, after all, and head up to the DJ booth right away. Even though that was really all he wanted to do, to see up close and personal just how the other did what he did. He looked good up there, Yuri noted. Comfortable, and focused.

Something about seeing him with such an intensity made Yuri blush, but he did his best not to focus too much on the fluttering in his stomach, of how seeing Otabek looking so good suddenly caused his mouth to go dry. These were feelings that Yuri didn't know how to explain, and therefore wasn't really ready to examine.

He sipped his drink instead, closing his eyes and letting his hips sway. He wasn't used to this style of dancing; wasn't quite sure what to do with it. People flailed limbs and rocked as though they were teetering across the deck of a ship, not on the steady floor surrounded by the heavy thrum of bass. Still, Yuri would try. Rocking from side to side and following the rhythm of the music, letting it move him as it would.

[bringbackgold]

Otabek only managed to appear focused, but his mind was drifting. It kept landing on his friend. On Yuri's outfit. On Yuri's dancing. On Yuri. His brows furrowed, his look intense, it was the only way that he wouldn't look like his mind was somewhere else. He had to hope that it was working. As he worked, he would catch himself looking up, watching his friend moving on the dance floor. He wasn't sure how Yuri did it always. He was just so good. Otabek had never been good at dance, and even the dancing you did in the club, so drastically different from classical styles, felt (and looked) awkward and stiff when he did it. It wasn't the case with Yuri.

He was blushing - but more than that, really - his entire face was flushed pink. He caught himself swaying a little as he watched his friend dance, knowing that before the end of the night he would be dancing with him. He was excited for it. There was guilty part in his brain that thought maybe, maybe he was thinking too much about it. He felt awkward, thinking maybe for a moment others would know what was going through his mind - as the thoughts became far more than casual and fun dancing (although to the observer, he just seemed to be a DJ who was enjoying his work, and nothing more).

The last of his newer remixes came on, before it would hit a playlist he made for the latter part of the evening. He could step away from the DJ booth. He needed to take a break. He was feeling uncomfortable, awkward, and overheated. His body wasn't cooperating, and he so badly wanted it to. To save himself any embarrassment of being seen like this, he moved towards the employee bathrooms.

It would be about ten minutes before Yuri would see him again, stepping out of there, face still flushed, but visibly more relaxed. He had also taken to splashing his face with a little cold water, as well.

» Closed to Katsudon

[bespredel]

[ Yuri had been back from his mission at the springs for a few days now- and he still hadn't bothered to reply to Katsudon's messages. He should have, he knew it. Even just two words- 'I'm fine.' But he doesn't, because he doesn't want to open that door. Doesn't want Yuuri barging down his door, doesn't want to face him or his idiot partner, doesn't want to think about space and alternate realities and the fact that Yuuri and Viktor can't go home.

So he avoids them. Avoids the discussion, tries to avoid the things that remind him of them. Because if he doesn't, the guilt eats at him. Gnawing through, vicious and consuming.

That was in part why he was awake now. Why he was where he was. When his head was too wild, too loud, there only ever seemed to be one thing that could calm him down. Or at least, exhaust himself enough to sleep.

It wasn't the first time he'd helped himself into the rink after skating hours. It wasn't even like it was hard. There was no night guard, no alarm system to worry about. Sure, he had to be careful about which lights he flipped on to make sure no one outside might notice what he was up to- but he was used to skating in low light, so that didn't really matter, either.

It was just after eleven, and Yuri had been on the ice for almost an hour, now. He was feeling the tremor of sore, tired muscles- and yet still he refused to quit. Circling the rink backwards, his earbuds plugged in and his phone strapped to his arm, Yuri launched into a vicious quad. He'd been doing them all night; pushing himself as hard as he could, trying to quiet his mind.

He popped the landing, hand touching ice to keep himself on his feet, legs shaking with exertion as he snarled to himself, gliding backwards- twisting into a spin for the hell of it. Squeezing his eyes shut. Trying not to think. ]

[yokunaru]

[The ice, unforgiving as it can be at times, is something familiar and soothing to Yuuri. When the stress of Yurio's radio silence begins to really get to him, making it hard to fall into a fitful sleep one night, Yuuri quietly slips out of bed and changes into his comfortable workout clothes. Just as quietly, he grabs his duffel bag and closes the door behind him. The last thing he wants to do is deprive Viktor of his sleep when he's the one feeling restless.

There's a flicker of a shadow in the corner of his eyes, but all Yuuri does is sigh and pay the pokemon tailing him no attention. After nearly a week of its constant presence, Yuuri's just about used to it popping up whenever it likes. And, well, if having the ghost around makes him feel a little safer as he meanders through the dark and silent roads in the middle of the night, he's not about to say anything.

It's unexpected when Yuuri finds the rink already occupied when he gets there, and by the person he's been hoping to see for a while now. Though Yuuri would like nothing more than to lace up his own skates and join Yurio, he hesitates, wondering if his presence would simply aggravate the other skater further. So he stands off to the side, leaning against the boards as he watches Yurio throw himself into each jump and spin. He says nothing now, does nothing to draw Yurio's attention, but Yuuri knows that he'll eventually be spotted once Yurio turns in his direction.]

[bespredel]

[ Yuri came out of his spin just as dramatically as he had launched himself into it; throwing himself out of it and panting for breath, jerking to launch himself into the air for another salchow- and landing badly. His knee buckled from exhaustion, his hand snapping out to break his fall as he grunted, landing hard and going sliding across the ice.

Shaking, panting, Yuri let out a frustrated noise and slammed his fist angrily into the ice below it, the fingers of his other hand digging into the unforgiving surface. Snarling and breathless, Yuri finally looked up- realizing that he wasn't alone, after all.

For a moment he froze, flushing in shame. Realizing that the other had probably seen him spill himself over the ice like an amateur. Baring his teeth at the other, Yuri pushed himself onto his feet, furiously skating across the rink towards the other. ]

What the hell are you doing here, asshole? Piggy couldn't find some mud to wallow in instead? [ He snapped out, words like the crack of a whip between them, aiming to hurt. Wanting to deter the other-

Wanting to keep him away. ]

[yokunaru]

[Ah, so they're back to "piggy" now? Yuuri simply sighs instead of rising to the bait.]

I came here to skate, just like you. [The rink is empty except for them, and Yuuri keeps his voice quiet, reluctant to raise his voice when the quiet atmosphere feels almost tangible at this hour.] I didn't know that you'd be here.

[The pause stretches into something more fragile as Yuuri hesitates. Part of him suspects that Yurio's like him in some ways, especially in their desire to cover up anything that might be taken as weakness in front of other people. That fall and burst of emotion on the ice--Yuuri doesn't want to ignore it, but he knows he risks Yurio's anger if he does bring it up.]

That fall just now looked pretty bad. [Yuuri says finally, worry winning out this time.] You didn't injure yourself, did you?

I.

[nikolaievich]

[Illya is still getting used to living so close by to so many people. It’s not that he’s always lived alone, the opposite really- but everyone always kept to themselves and this kind of interaction is not exactly… common. He hasn’t seen the kid around so that probably means he isn’t from the same floor, he must have been looking for his cat for a while.]

Do you have a picture? That’d make it easier.

[bespredel]

[ Does he have a picture. Please. Yuri snorted by way of reply, raising an eyebrow at the other. Was that another Russian accent he detected? What the hell was with Riverview drawing in all of the Russian speakers? Not that he knew for sure whether Illya did or not, but... The accent was familiar anyway. ]

Who doesn't have pictures of their cat? God damn. [ Yuri pulled his phone from his back pocket, heading into his gallery with a few taps, before holding the phone out for the other to see. ] Cutest cat in Riverview. Her name is Petya, she's got a black collar with a bell on it, and her name on a tag with my number. She's got an inner ear tattoo too, but fat load of good that does in this shithole.

[nikolaievich]

[Illya glances at the picture without pointing out that calling her ‘the cutest cat in riverview’ is probably the kid’s biased opinion. Just because he’s blunt and to the point doesn’t mean he can’t have a modicum of tact.]

I have not seen her. [He admits after taking a look at her. She is a cute cat.]

For how long has she been missing? Is she an indoor cat?

[bespredel]

[ He doesn't give a shit that it's his biased opinion, she's the cutest to him, and that was really all that mattered.

He tried not to look disappointed over the fact Illya hadn't seen her, either, a slow breath shuddering out of him as his shoulders slumped a little, his posture deflating. ]

Yeah, she's an indoor cat. Just a few hours, I think? And look- I know what you're going to say, that she'll come back when she's hungry or some bullshit like that, but shut the hell up, I know my cat. She can be a bit of an escape artist, and if I were home I wouldn't worry about it- but with the guy on the fifth floor who has the fucking weird 'kill it with fire or it will eat you' dietary restrictions, I'd rather not having her wandering around.

✪ orange firefly

[causational]

[It's getting toward the end of the month, and Eddie thinks it's about time to start looking for a place that isn't...well, here. The communal apartments. It isn't that he dislikes them all that much, and it isn't that they're terrible; everything is functional if not terribly stylish, and it's in a convenient location.

The truth is, Eddie knows he can't leave this place, that this is his new home, his second chance. Staying in the community housing seems like holding out hope that he can find a way to go home, like this is temporary, and it's about time he gave up the last thread tying him to home and everything he misses there. He needs to make a new place for himself, here, one that he can decorate the way he likes and where he can start collecting all the pieces to make a new life.

It's a pleasant day, so the window to the living room is open as he drags through the apartment, finding any of his things and gathering them together - it isn't much, but he's got them stacked on the table. His favourite mug, the upgraded coffee machine he bought, a couch cushion he purchased. He doesn't notice the orange firefly until it nips him on the back of the neck, and then he jerks, yelping a little. Right as Yuri comes in the door.

He can see it happening almost in slow motion - the firefly looping through the air toward Yuri as Yuri closes the door, not even looking up to see it.]

Yuri! Watch out, there's a bug...

[Too late.]

[bespredel]

[ On any average day, Yuri came home tired. If he wasn't practicing at the rink, or hitting the gym, he was putting himself through his paces with Bucky and learning more self-defense. And if not that, he was volunteering with the Perimeter guard, putting himself through voluntary drills, and learning to do better with the spear he had so taken a shine to on his very first day in Riverview.

No amount of having being stolen from his own planet could stop Yuri from being an active young man, and so he made sure to put himself through his paces every day. Sometimes, just for the sake of something to do. Yuri couldn't tolerate stillness; couldn't stand the idea of his life without meaning or purpose. His life without figure skating.

Finding the way he fit into Riverview hadn't been easy, and he still wasn't sure that he had found it. But at least training with Bucky gave him a sense that he was doing something worthwhile. That maybe, just maybe, he was making the right decision. It wasn't as though he'd quit skating entirely, after all. If anything, keeping it and ballet up only helped to hone the skills he was developing as a fighter; as a defender of the wall and the people of Riverview. Or at least, these were the things he was telling himself.

Eddie and Yuri had settled into something of a routine. On nights when Eddie returned home before Yuri, Eddie tended to cook. On nights when Yuri made it home first... well, Eddie still tended to cook. For himself, at least. So it was unusual to come home and find Eddie there, without the smell of something cooking. At first, Yuri really couldn't understand it, and his gaze slid to the kitchen table where Eddie's meagre belongings were piled up. ]

Th'hell is this? [ Yuri groused, scowling and shooting a demanding glare at Eddie, raising an eyebrow as he came the rest of the way into their apartment, kicking off his shoes, but leaving his cat eared black hoodie on, knocking the hood back off his head as he went. Before he could say more, or make more inquiries as to the nature of what was piled on the table, he was receiving the other's warning.

Too little too late, it seemed.

Yuri flailed at the little firefly, already having seen what they could do from other members of Riverview's society. His arms flailed at the air, a string of expletives in half a dozen languages flowing from his mouth as he tried to knock the bug out of the air, but missed on every attempt. Only when it made it's landing on the juncture of Yuri's exposed neck did he manage to catch it, the sharp 'CRACK' of skin meeting skin echoing through the room as Yuri crushed it beneath his palm. ]

Grooooss! [ He complained, making a face as he drew his palm away from his neck, revealing the smear of orange that had previously been a firefly. ] Damn it, that hurt. I think that little fuck bit me!

Wildcard

[anotheroldsoldier]

[After that day in the gym in early April, Bucky had decided to start Yuri on firearms training. One of the berettas he purchased here became the kid's practice gun, and he taught him how to take it apart, how to clean it, how to put it back together practically in his sleep. He started teaching him how to shoot, though of course he'll need more practice at the range, he's at least proficient in not shooting himself in the foot, or shooting anyone else by accident.

(Bucky made sure to stress how the safety works, how never to point it at anything he isn't 100% comfortable shooting, how never to point it at another person period, how he should never wave it around to prove a point or to make himself bigger. These lessons come with a lot of serious lectures - he won't train any more killers.)

Today, they skip training at the gym. Instead, Bucky leads him to a small office attached to one of the gun ranges.]

People under a certain age need to have a youth weapons license to carry in Riverview. I hope you've paid attention, I scheduled a time slot for you to take the test today.

[bespredel]

[ He had taken to this gun training with the same enthusiasm that he had leaped at the other's self-defense training with. He wanted to make Bucky proud- wanted to show him that he was capable. He had been a good student, for that reason. While he had never handled a gun for himself in his life, he was keen to know how. A gun, he knew, would probably serve him a lot better than his goofy spear did in combat. Provided he used it with the care, and respect that that sort of weapon deserved.

Yuri had thought a lot about it as he had disassembled, and reassembled the weapon Bucky had given him to practice with. Going from fumbling and awkward, to smooth and fluid in almost no time at all. The repetitive act of it was calming, and for some odd reason helped him to gain clarity within the heaving noise of his mind.

As he had snapped apart the gun, and snapped it together again, he thought of the vicious brutality of such a sleek, and almost innocuous looking weapon. It had no sharp edges, no deadly blades or obvious threat in the traditional way of weapons. It was small, compact compared to the wicked death dealing AK-47s of World War II, or the bulky obtrusive presence of a shotgun. Yet, it was still heavier than it looked. And in part, Yuri wondered if that was the weight of it's own responsibility.

It was too easy to kill someone with a gun, he knew. An accident could stop a heart in a second.

The more Yuri pulled apart the beretta, put it back together- the more he knew that this was not the kind of person he wanted to be. He wanted to protect, not posture. For him, the idea of a gun was a last resort, and not a first. He had said as much to Bucky, the third time they had gone to the shooting range, and Yuri's aim had steadily improved.

When James had told him that they were skipping the gym that morning Yuri had been confused, but had accepted the other's words easily enough. He'd shoved his hands into the pockets of his cat-eared hoodie (a birthday gift from Otabek) and had shrugged his shoulders, with that off-put teenage drawl of 'Whatever,' growled from low in his throat as he had followed Bucky along. Curious as to what the other had planned instead, though refusing to ask.

His eyes had gone saucer wide at the explanation, though. Mouth falling open just a little, a spark of pride racing through him at the prospect. That James thought him ready for this, worthy of a firearms license- it meant a lot to him. ]

You're shitting me. [ He deadpanned, trying not to look too excited- but then he snarled, kicking the other lightly in the shin. ] You asshole! If you had told me I was going to be taking a test I would have actually studied, or some shit!

[anotheroldsoldier]

[Yuri has definitely worked hard since the first time he plunked a handgun down in front of him. He treated the subject with appropriate respect and dedication - of course he does, honestly, because if he didn't, Bucky sure as hell wouldn't continue the lessons. He's not trying to teach the kid to kill. He only wants him to be able to protect himself and others; it isn't off-limits, to shoot hostile monsters beyond the fence, or it won't be when he's good enough that he won't accidentally shoot a teammate. Bucky is careful about this. Even the paper targets he puts up for them in the range aren't shaped like human beings, generally they're shaped like various sorts of monsters and creatures.

He figures he's ready enough to get his license by now. From what he's heard, the test isn't that difficult, mostly the basics to make sure the kid isn't likely to shoot someone on accident, that the kid knows what he's doing with a weapon. A short written test, an observed practical exam. He's pretty confident that Yuri can pass.

If he does, then Bucky can give him the box stashed away in his gym bag underneath his track jacket.

He watches with an amused little smirk as Yuri's eyes widen, though it quickly contorts into a wince as he's kicked in the shin. He could have blocked the blow or side-stepped it, but he doesn't.] What do you think you've been doing every time I put a gun in front of you? It won't be anything we haven't covered.