[open] cancel your reservations

[franciscoramon]

who: cisco + anyone!
what: catch-all, amnesia event
when: august
where: anywhere; if you want a starter, please hit me up!
warnings: discussion of murder, use of alcohol to cope, will add more as needed

i. pre-amnesia (august 5-10)

[ Cisco knows that he is probably opening himself up to a world of headaches and unnecessary trouble, but there have been plenty of new arrivals, and more and more he is noticing that people who show up from non-technologically advanced worlds simply have no support system to really teach them all the cool things they can do even with their phones, not to mention other machines and devices. So, one day when there's a lull between projects for the RPD and other emergency services, he goes to a print shop and has flyers made:

TECHNOLOGICAL CULTURE SHOCK??? NEED LESSONS ON HOW TO USE YOUR PHONE, LAPTOP, OR OTHER ELECTRONIC GADGET??? STOP BY THE ADDRESS BELOW FOR A FREE INFORMAL LESSON!!!

Normally it's the kind of announcement he would make over the network, but what if someone is really struggling and can't even get on there? No, flyers seem like the way to go for this crowd. Cisco adds some fine print at the bottom, below the address for his workshop, but all it says is:

*NO HIDDEN AGENDA JUST A HELPFUL DUDE WANTING TO SHARE THE WONDERS OF TECHNOLOGY, LESSONS ARE FREE BUT TRIBUTE PAID IN CANDY IS ALWAYS ACCEPTED]

ii. amnesia (august 12-19)

[ The changes in Cisco are not, at first, as obvious as they may be in other people. He remembers Riverview, and everyone he has met here, and all the details of his life in this place. He remembers his name, all the movies and video games that he loves, all the technical skills and scientific know-how necessary for his job. He even remembers most stuff about his own past - that he worked at S.T.A.R. Labs, that he's a member of Team Flash and friend to Barry Allen. That he is a metahuman, with various abilities tied to manipulating multidimensional energy.

The only thing that has been carved away from his memory is, in fact, Eobard Thawne. Cisco doesn't remember his mentor's betrayal, or being murdered, or the circumstances that surrounded him discovering his powers. All of the shame and dread he's been carrying about his powers, because of Eobard and the things he'd said and done, has just vanished. In addition, Cisco's trauma over that whole experience is, for the moment, covered over. To anyone who knows him even a little he will seem inexplicably younger. Quicker to smile and laugh, volumes more trusting, and also a lot more inclined to talk about some guy named Dr. Wells in a positive, even devoted manner.

Cisco will spend this week doing what he usually does - working at his workshop (still offering those lessons), trying out new restaurants, shopping for graphic tees and games and movies, exploring the safe parts of the city a little - but with an extra spring in his step. If you've wanted your character to find out about him being a metahuman, now would be a good time for it! ]

iii. post-amnesia (august 20-31)

[ The not-remembering? Had been good. But when that's done, and all of Cisco's memories are restored to him, the transition is... rough. Putting it mildly. Back when all of it had happened, there had been so much going on - one life-or-death situation after the other - that he hadn't had time to linger too much on how he was changing, being shaped into an older, sadder, more broken version of himself.

Now, though, there is no big crisis, no distraction to divert his attention. One minute he is the old, sunny Cisco - the one he still thinks of as the person he was supposed to be - and the next, it all comes rushing back. The contrast is stark, and it's kind of fucking him up a little. Or, rather, a lot.

He goes back to having nightmares almost as often as he did in those first weeks after his death, which means he isn't getting a whole lot of sleep, and it shows in the dark circles under his eyes. Cisco withdraws somewhat - not enough to worry that he's abandoning anyone, but he takes longer to answer texts, doesn't reach out to people first, doesn't go out and about in the evenings. He is quieter, with considerably more strain behind his smiles. He throws himself into his work, staying in his workshop long hours, sometimes falling asleep there, for a few fitful hours. When he can't work any more, he spends a little more time than he should in some nearby bars, drinking a little more than he ought to, trying not to think about the person he is now compared to the person he was the week before. ]

iv. misc

[ Come plot something! ]

Comments

[bespredel]

[ Fully awake might have been a generous description of Yuri right then. He was curled underneath one of his favourite blankets, it draped over his shoulders as he burrito'd into it, leaning against the arm of the couch with his head resting on it, gazing vacantly at the television's glow with the sound so low it couldn't even really be heard. Just moving colours and pictures that didn't mean really mean anything to Yuri. It just... sometimes, it helped him fall back asleep. Gave him something to focus on, other than the noise in his own head. Potya was curled up behind the bend of his knees, where Yuri had folded them close to his own body, making him look even smaller than usual.

He'd heard the other screaming on more than one occasion, and although it had startled him tonight at first- at least he knew what it was. (Cisco had better not go and get axe murdered any time soon, Yuri thought one night absently. He wouldn't really know whether or not he ought to check on him.)

Lifting his head a little, Yuri turned slightly to look at the other, dark bags beneath his own lidded eyes, his hair just as rumpled as he huffed out a breath, and brought his hand out of his blanket to scratch his head, before tucking it away once more and dropping his head back down on the arm of the couch. ]

Apparently. We'll have to make membership cards. [ The comment was made lowly, as though Yuri didn't quite want to break the silence in the half-lit room. Closing his eyes for a moment, Yuri sighed, before tucking his head into one of his blanket covered arms to rub an itch on his nose. ]

Not that I care- [ Yuri's eyes clipped back to Cisco, his lips pursing. ] But... are you all right?

[franciscoramon]

[ When Yuri doesn't immediately launch into a complaint about Cisco waking him up, he starts walking again, past the couch and into the kitchen, quietly filling the kettle and setting it on the stove. He wanders back to where Yuri is all curled up, Petya pressed close to him. Even in the dim flickering light from the TV, Cisco can tell that Yuri looks like he's not doing so great, either. Eddie really did love taking in strays, didn't he? ]

And t-shirts. 'Sleep is for the weak' or something like that. I'll make sure yours is leopard print.

[ It's like all the components for a joke are there, but there's no energy or humor behind it. Cisco perches on the arm of the couch, near to Yuri but not too near, staring at the TV, not really taking in whatever is on it.

When Yuri asks if he is alright, Cisco grimaces. That answered that question; Yuri had definitely heard. Probably more than once. Cisco really needs to get that soundproofing squared away as soon as possible. His face feels hot with embarrassment, and he rubs at the back of his neck, not answering right away. He can't imagine how it must sound, to Yuri. Cisco can't tell if Yuri is annoyed or concerned or maybe both. ]

I'm fine. Sorry about... [ Cisco swallows, looking away. His hands twist together in his lap as he weighs the costs and benefits, wonders how much he ought to explain. ] I know it probably sounds like a full on horror movie upstairs. Just. Really bad dreams. Did I, um. Wake you up?

[ Even though he asks it as a question, Cisco is pretty sure the answer is 'no'. Yuri looks like he's been here for a while, and it wouldn't be the first time Cisco has found Yuri awake at all hours. ]

[bespredel]

[ To be fair, Eddie hadn't taken in Yuri thank you very much!!! They had just. Been partnered in communal living and it had... well, continued from there. ]

Mmm. If it's leopard print you have a deal. Should we include a secret handshake? [ Yuri smiled a little humorlessly, though knew Cisco couldn't see it, since he could hear where the other was filling the kettle. ] Oi, whatever you're making, make me one too. [ He muttered, huffing out a breath before shifting to roll onto his back, his knees still up against his chest, winding his arms around them, before rolling to sit up as the other came back towards the couch. ]

You don't need to apologize. Shit happens, I was up anyway. [ Yuri shrugged, sliding a hand out of his blankets and rubbing his eyes and sighing. ] Sounds really shitty, though. ...Sorry you have to go through that. Nightmares, n'stuff.

[franciscoramon]

I'm thinking code word, rather than handshake. Handshakes are impossible to keep secret for long. If you ever do it in public? Not a secret anymore. And even if you aren't in public, there might be hidden cameras. Probably are. At least a code you can whisper, and cover your mouth.

[ It is possible he is taking this joke a little bit too far, out of sleepiness and the desire to just distract himself from his own awful thoughts. Then again, him just assuming and planning for constant surveillance in his own home - even in the context of a joke - probably sounds pretty nuts to Yuri. Fuck. ]

You're up in the middle of the night a lot.

[ It's an observation, rather than an accusation - nothing that either of them don't know, and don't know that the other knows. There's a touch of concern in Cisco's voice when he says it, but hopefully not enough to get Yuri's hackles up. Not that Yuri seems in a particularly combative mood. Quite the opposite. Curled up tightly as he is, Yuri mostly looks... young, and tired.

When Yuri actually says he's sorry Cisco has to go through it, Cisco's gaze drops at once. He gnaws a little at a fingernail, a bad habit, but one he doesn't have the willpower to really care about right now. Cisco gives a tiny shrug, because he doesn't even know what to say. There is stuff he knows he will not tell Yuri - about his powers, mainly - but he feels that he owes Yuri some explanation, even if he said Cisco doesn't need to apologize. He swallows, and in a low voice, sketches out the very basics: ]

Some bad stuff happened to me. Back in Central City, before I came here. And my brain apparently decided the best response is to wait 'til I'm asleep and do reruns. 'Cause why not?

[ It's still almost impossible for Cisco to actually say 'PTSD', to apply that label to himself, no matter how stereotypical his symptoms. Besides, he doesn't know how familiar Yuri might even be with the term. ]

Anyway, I was kinda starting to do better, but that amnesia shit did a number on me. Gotta start back from zero. But I'm gonna get a guy to soundproof my room, so you don't have to worry.

[bespredel]

Smart. I like the idea of a code word. [ Yuri smiled a little tiredly, clearly amused and not really thinking Cisco was going too far at all. If one was going to make such a joke, commit, right?

His smile faded though at the others observation, and Yuri blew out a soft breath, blowing his bangs briefly from his face as he drew his knees in closer, resting his cheek against them and staring away. ]

I guess. [ He murmured softly, picking at one of the blankets threads as Potya meowed in complaint about how much Yuri has moved, stretching herself out and hopping up onto the back of the couch, curling up there instead. ]

Just can't sleep sometimes. Don't even really have an excuse. [ He shrugged, before lifting his head to look at the other, a frown on his features. ]

It doesn't bother me that much you know. The screaming. You dont- I mean more it... [ He fumbled for the right words, trying to explain himself, to say that he cared without saying he cared. ]

...Its okay. We all wear our scars in different ways. You don't have to be so... worried about hiding yours. This house- were roommates but. [ He grimaced a little, scowling at himself for getting so touchy feely about it. ] Were more than friends too. We look out for each other.

[franciscoramon]

[ A small crease forms between Cisco's brows, just for a moment, when Yuri talks about his trouble sleeping and says he doesn't have an excuse. The choice of word is telling; not 'reason', but 'excuse'. Like he's breaking some kind of rule, just by being awake in the middle of the night.

Before Cisco can say anything about that, though, he hears the kettle getting close to whistling, and he gets up immediately, so he can catch it before it grows shrill. He brews himself up a cup of chamomile, makes the same for Yuri, and comes back to the couch with the two steaming mugs. This time, rather than just perch on the very end of the arm of the couch, Cisco sits down properly. He tucks himself onto the opposite side of the couch as Yuri, sitting cross-legged, hands tucked under his ankles as he waits for his tea to steep. ]

Thinking too much counts as a reason, you know.

[ It's a guess - maybe Yuri has some kind of actual sleep phase thing going on, or it's hormones, or some other physiological cause. But Cisco thinks that's unlikely. More likely, something is bothering him - something more nebulous and difficult to unpack than Cisco's flashbacks and nightmares, which are, if nothing else, painfully straightforward. ]

Maybe it's homesickness? Gotta be hard... being so far from your family and friends.

[ With anyone else Cisco probably would have prefaced by saying that he's available to talk about the serious and painful stuff. But he thinks that giving that kind of preamble might startle Yuri away from sharing what's troubling him. Some people could only have that sort of serious talk if they didn't think of it as a Category 1 Serious Talk About Emotions.

And if there were ever a time when Yuri might open up, this seems like it. There is something about those small hours in the night that lends itself to confessions, and truths that are hard to access at other times of day. Cisco reaches for his mug of chamomile tea, holding it between his two hands to warm them. ]

I guess... I just got used to hiding stuff. But you're right. We are more than that, and we do look out for each other. Or - I want to. [ Cisco swallows; Yuri's talk about scars, though he knows it was metaphorical, has him thinking about Eddie's actual scars. About how he hadn't known what they were from, while he had amnesia. Had actually asked. He blurts: ] Eddie gets nightmares, too. His are just... quieter.

[ It's possible that none of this is a revelation, to Yuri. It's also possible that he is revealing something Eddie would prefer to be kept secret, right now - but all Yuri's talk about them all being more than friends had affected Cisco a lot. ]

Lotta bad stuff happened to Eddie, too. Same guy that gave me my nightmares gave him some of his.

[bespredel]

[ Yuri had always felt as though his personal faults- being unable to sleep, allowing himself to be hurt by other's actions- were weaknesses meant to be squashed or learned to be dismissed. That he had such deep attachments sometimes had only ever seemed to make him suffer, and his recent insomnia was no different, especially given that he hadn't allowed him to slacken his training regime from home at all. If anything he had only made it more taxing, adding volunteering with the perimeter guard and learning under Bucky's wing to the regime. Sometimes it was a wonder Yuri had any free time at all.

Thinking too much.

Yuri supposed that he could be considered guilty of that, but didn't say anything to Cisco's observation. Just made a soft, noncommittal noise against his knee. If he didn't agree out loud, that made it not necessarily true, right? ]

It isn't homesickness. [ Yuri murmured lowly, his expression darkening as his fingers dug into his legs beneath the blankets, nails leaving crescent marks in his bare skin for how he hung on to himself as his lips pursed. ] I mean- it is, a little, yeah, but-

[ But more so, it was the memory of the friends that he'd had here. It was Viktor's flippancy to his efforts. It was Yuuri's words about them not being able to go home, and Viktor's comments about Yuri 'not being the same as theirs' at his own birthday party. If Yuri looked at those thoughts too deeply, too strongly- he had already shed enough tears over that, damn it.

He never finished his sentence where it cut off, instead accepting the mug of tea from the other with a soft murmur of thanks. Blowing on it softly and staring into the porcelain cup, his expression darker and more aching than it had been before. A note of longing in it, as he stared into the mug as though it would hold the answers for him. ]

I know. I mean, I don't know the details about Eddie- that's his choice. To talk about it, or not. But... I know he bottles things up. Tries to put on a good face about it. But he's more fragile than he'd like to let on.

[ And in too many ways... so was Yuri. ]

[franciscoramon]

[ Cisco thinks that the lack of scoffing and dismissal are a sign that, perhaps, Yuri is willing to talk about what's bothering him. That perhaps, whether he realizes it or not, he might urgently need to talk about it. Certainly, the way he is hugging himself so tightly, that dark and lost look in his eyes, the vagueness in his voice... all of those point to some deep hurt. ]

But...?

[ He prompts Yuri gently, because he doesn't know what else might be at the end of that sentence, but he wants to know. Wants to offer comfort and advice, if he can, or at the very least to listen. ]

What is it, then? You can tell me. I think it's pretty obvious I'm a hot fucking mess over here, so whatever it is, not like I'm gonna judge.

[ Cisco sips at his tea as Yuri gives his assessment of Eddie, and it's pretty much spot on. Sure, he might not know about the kidnapping, and the rest of it, but it's obvious that he can see through Eddie's façade, that he knows there's more going on under the surface that Eddie tries to hide behind pleasantness and smiles. ]

That's him, alright. But it's okay. He doesn't need to know that we know. We'll just do our best to keep him safe, right?

[bespredel]

[ He had never been one to open up easily, and even in the wee hours of the morning when his exhaustion was it's highest and his guards at their lowest... he wanted to be open to Cisco; as open as Cisco was being to him anyway. How could he say that they were more than roommates- that they were something close to a family if he wasn't willing to share? It was a hard balance to maintain.

He sighed, shoulders shrugging stiffly as he shook his head. ]

Yeah, you're a pretty hot mess. [ He agreed, sticking out his tongue at the other for a moment, before taking a sip of his tea, frowning into it. ]

It's... the people I had from home. Or I thought they were from home. I guess they weren't really- alternate realities. That bullshit- but then they acted like. Like they didn't care about me. Because I wasn't their Yuri and now they're gone and t hey couldn't go home and it's just total bullshit. [ Yuri squeezed his eyes shut, pulling his knees tighter to his chest, leaning forward to hide his head between his knees. ] Not like it matters. [ He mumbled, shuffling uncomfortably and shaking his head. ] That stupid pig- he left behind his stupid onsen to me. Keys and everything. [ And Yuri snarled, like he was really insulted about the gift. About everything- and not just hurt and missing them terribly. ]

Yeah. Eddie's too good. Deserves better than this. [ And sometimes, Yuri wondered if Eddie deserved better than even Yuri. ]

[franciscoramon]

[ Cisco is quiet while Yuri speaks. He can see the effort it takes, getting the words out, and how much they hurt. It's there in the harshness of Yuri's tone, the way he tosses out insults like stupid pig which absolutely don't do enough to cover over the rejection and sadness. Cisco can see it in the way Yuri is hugging his knees to himself, like if he curls up into a tight enough ball he can crush the bad feelings out of his body. ]

That's awful.

[ His voice is hushed as he says it, and he only speaks once he is absolutely sure that Yuri is done. It doesn't take much, to imagine himself in Yuri's position. If Barry and Caitlin turned up, but then claimed that he wasn't their Cisco, acted strangely towards him, and then vanished again. It would break his heart all over again - the way they had after the singularity.

And he remembers the feeling from that time - how every unanswered text and one-word response had whittled away at him until he felt less, felt paper-thin and invisible, like Wells had actually killed him. Like he was a ghost. To think of someone making Yuri feel like that... ]

Doppelgangers and the portal and everything - it is all kind of bullshit. But it matters that they treated you that way. It matters. And it sounds to me like it's not your fault.

[ If they had some stupid idea in their heads about this Yuri not being the same one from their exact universe, then chances were they were never going to give him a chance. Which is shitty, and makes Cisco kind of wish he could give them a piece of his mind. But he can immediately guess what Yuri must be thinking - that the flaw was in him, somehow. That there was something in him that was not worthy of care, or attachment, or love. ]

But I gotta admit... I've got no clue what an onsen is, or why that's a bad thing.

[ The comment about Eddie being too good earns a solemn nod, from Cisco. There was a lot that had happened to Eddie that he didn't deserve - a lot that Cisco couldn't undo. All he can do is try to make sure that better things happen for him in the future. It's good, to hear that Yuri agrees. ]

[bespredel]

I mean, it's- [ Yuri started, and then had to stop, his throat feeling tight, eyes stinging. He scowled, squeezing them shut and folding in on himself again, hiding his face away, because the last thing he wanted to do was be caught crying. He didn't cry, not over this shit. Not anymore. He refused to be so hurt by it-

But if only telling himself that was enough to make it stop hurting. ] It's not like it matters. They're gone. So fuck it, right? [ Yuri forced himself to laugh, hoping that it didn't sound as soft, as sad and broken as it felt. Cisco was right, maybe too right. Yuri did feel like the flaw was with him. That he hadn't been something he should have been, and it left him flawed. No wonder Viktor and Yuuri hadn't wanted him, no wonder Viktor hadn't wanted to stay on as his coach like he had promised. No wonder they all left-

No wonder, because not even his mother had wanted him around. ]

It's a- like a hotel. Built over a natural hot spring, but Japanese style, obviously. [ Yuri's throat was still too tight, his emotions too close to his sleeve for his liking. It made him want to scream, want to rage and shout and get angry... if only so that he wouldn't burst into tears. ]

Stupid asshole, I don't even want it. A business is too much work. Th'hell am I going to do with it, I'm not like that fat pig who grew up in the stupid place. I wouldn't even know where to start.

[franciscoramon]

Well... it matters to me that they did that. 'Cause... I mean, I hope you don't mind me saying this but I'm gonna say it anyway, fuck them.

[ He can see how hard Yuri is working not to cry, to convince Cisco - and maybe himself - that he's hard and tough and invulnerable. Cisco doesn't buy it. Not for a second. But he knows that if he says anything about how it's okay to cry, and own up to that hurt, Yuri will probably react with hostility. So instead, he just gets up and moves over on the couch, closer to where Yuri is curled up. ]

I'm gonna hug you, okay?

[ Cisco might phrase it like a question, but he doesn't wait for permission, and he clearly isn't really about to accept a refusal. Not when Yuri is so hurt, and so guarded, and so clearly in need of being held. He's such a small person, and sitting so compactly, that it is easy for Cisco to wrap his arms around him, draw him in close and not let go. ]

I know it's not exactly the same, but you got people here who care about you, okay? There's Eddie, and... me, too.

[ He's sure there are others, too - that DJ guy Yuri is always spending so much time with, and his friends. But what's important right now, Cisco thinks, is making sure Yuri knows that this is his home. That the people who live with him are invested in him, and his happiness. ]

That sounds way fucking complicated. I wouldn't know what to do with a business, either. Maybe, like, you can... sell it? Or find somebody willing to run the business and just pass some profits off to you? I don't know... maybe ask Eddie, he seems like he'd know more about that kind of thing than I would.

[ It's not much, by way of advice, but at least it's something. ]

[bespredel]

[ The soft noise of protest that slipped from him at the other's words said it all about how Yuri felt in regards of Cisco saying that it mattered. Mostly because Yuri was trying so hard to act like it just didn't matter, and damn it, if he was going to sell that he was going to go all out and stick to his guns. Do everything he could to act like he wasn't hurt. No matter how much that was a lie.

Yuri squashed his face in against his knees, squeezing his eyes shut and curling his toes so tight that he could feel the muscles in his feet begin to charlie horse; cramping them purposefully for the grounding ache of it. At the other's shift, Yuri huffed, getting ready to tell the other not to, that he didn't even like hugs-! But before he could even get it out, Cisco had already wrapped his arms around him, and what could Yuri do?

He gave a cursory, protesting squirm, at least. He had an image to uphold, after all. ]

I don't need to be babied. [ He mumbled, lifting his head out of his knees, enough to rest his head on Cisco's shoulder, not even making a half-hearted attempt to push the other away. ] Like I said- it doesn't matter. [ But the way Yuri was shaking a little, the tremor in his voice- that said all too much that it did. That Yuri had been hurt deeply by Viktor and Yuuri's actions- and frankly, Yuri didn't know where to start with moving on. ]

Ugh, don't get all sappy on me. [ Yuri complained, hiding his face against the other's chest a minute, before hedging to squirm a little, pouting at the extended hug. At the talk of people who cared about him. Sometimes Yuri still worried that what the other said about the people who liked him wasn't quite true- but none of them had let him down, yet. So he... he was still trying to have faith. To trust them, like they deserved. ]

I don't want to sell it, I mean... I guess... Katsudon must have left it to me for a reason, right? Wanted me to take care of it? It's... [ as much as it hurt, it was still important to him. Taking care of something that Yuuri had given him. It was why he hadn't thrown away the stupid white tiger training chopsticks they had gotten him for his birthday- the night everything had gone to shit. ]

I dunno, I guess I'll figure something out. I don't want to ask Otabek because he's just... he's so busy lately. He's becoming a way bigger fucking deal than he wants to admit and he has a lot on his plate and he's gonna burn out and I don't want to add to that stress. Maybe I'll ask Eddie, but- same sort of problem. He already has so much shit to deal with... I don't want to add to it. I don't want him to think I'm a burden.

[franciscoramon]

[ It's taken them a while, to get this close, partly because Cisco and Yuri are so different. But now that he knows Yuri a bit better, Cisco doesn't worry about that tiny wriggle of supposed unhappiness, when he first hugs Yuri. He has no doubt in his mind that if Yuri really wanted his space, he would not hesitate to yell and elbow his way out of Cisco's hug. Since he doesn't, and since he lays his head on Cisco's shoulder that way, he guesses that it was the right call.

Cisco doesn't know what it was, that made Yuri like this - so prickly, so insistent that he doesn't need anything from anyone, ever. Nothing good, he imagines. There is such a sweetness to Yuri, sometimes, when he thinks no one is watching. Cisco wonders why he insists on pretending to be so much harder and sharper than he really is. ]

Can't help it. I was born with an incurable sap disease, and I am condemned to live out the rest of my life like this.

[ When Yuri starts squirming again, Cisco gives him a brief squeeze and then lets him go. His breathing seems a little steadier, at least - a little less like he's about to burst into tears at any moment. Cisco's not going to kid himself that he's made that big of a difference, but he hopes he's at least lightened the weight a little. And it's certainly gotten his own mind off his awful nightmares, talking to Yuri like this, trying to care for him. ]

I get that. Easier not to ask, than to ask and get told no, right? Or even worse, to ask and get told yes but then to find out they resent you for it.

[ Cisco knows that exact line of thought all too well. He's felt that way many times in his life - most recently when his powers started manifesting and he didn't understand what was going on, thought he was crazy, but didn't reach out for help. He looks Yuri right in the eyes and says: ]

Sometimes asking for help is the scariest thing in the whole world. And... I don't know about Otabek, 'cause I don't really know him, but I know Eddie pretty well. He's busy, sure, but he'd never think of you as a burden. If you ask me, it can't hurt just to ask.