[open] Tyger tyger

[bespredel]

who: Yuri Plisetsky bespredel and You!
what: Various prompts throughout September and Dragosta
when: Throughout September
where: All throughout Riverview
warnings: A boy turns into a tiger, swears a lot, and is madly in love with his dumb boyfriend.
other: General prompts below the cut, individual prompts to follow. If you would like a personalized prompt hit me up at oresteia!

I. Tyger Tyger, burning bright » Throughout Riverview

[ Yuri had had his new powers for all two days, and having shown what he could do now to everyone who mattered most, it was time to take these new skills of his out on the town. That was to say- it was time for an adolescent tiger to skulk around... Or, a part-boy, part-tiger sometimes. Look- it wasn't so easy to hold his wicked awesome new form, okay? He had to get the hang of it. He seemed to do best when he was really, really excited- it had been no big deal to pounce on Otabek and Eddie in this form, but holding it for more than a couple of minutes? Still tricky. He could keep his ears, paws, and tails for seemingly as long as he wanted to- when he got angry (which was often, realistically speaking) his fangs would grow in, teeth becoming sharp and dangerous as his claws formed too. But it wouldn't be the super cool rad awesome power it could be until he could figure out how to master it, right?

It would be clear if anyone got close enough, that he wasn't exactly a full grown tiger. lithe and lanky, the adolescent boy was also an adolescent tiger- but that didn't matter to him. With all his white fur and black stripes, he just thought that he looked badass. He tried to stick to places that people wouldn't notice him- alleyways, empty parks, quiet places as he got used to bounding around on four paws, getting a feel for heightened senses and so much muscle. Yuri leaped into trees teen feet high just because he could. He was having an absolute blast-

Not really thinking how it might have looked to the average person to have a white tiger just roaming around the city like it was no big deal. Maybe you heard a commotion, someone screaming in fright because of a sighting of Yuri- or maybe you caught him playing, chasing butterflies and birds as he got a feel for his four legged form. Maybe you caught him mid-transformation, half boy and half tiger and no clue how to control going back to one or the other- so far, it sort of seemed like luck. Whatever the reason, Yuri was doing his best to have fun. ]

II. In the forests of the night » Faerie Lights

[ Honestly, the little gnat-like baubles of light were beginning to become an extremely huge annoyance. There was only one person Yuri wanted to kiss, and that wasn't usually who he was nearby when he caught sight of those horrible little balls. He wondered if taking a fly swatter to them would have kept them away; it was tempting to carry one around in his back pocket just to find out. For the most part, Yuri had been lucky. Dodging and avoiding the stupid little faeries on his way around the city; to and from the gym or the rink, Otabek's apartment and his own. But even with all the grace of a prima ballerina, the focus of a professional athlete- even Yuri's luck was bound to run out.

Now he's trapped in a bubble, and man does he look pissed. ]

You have got to be kidding me. This is shit- no offense [ (Full offense.) ] But I am not kissing you. I don't just pucker up because some dumb ass bugs floating above my head have said I have to. Forget that; I have a boyfriend!

[ His ears were out, now. Rounded soft tufted white tiger ears, flat against his head in annoyance as he banged on the invisible barrier. ] HEY. TAKE THIS STUPID SHIT DOWN!

[ It was going to be a long hour, if he kept shouting like that. ]

III. What immortal hand or eye » Skating Rink

[ As fun as it was to run around as a tiger, Yuri wouldn't for one second let himself slack on his career. Just because Riverview paused time back home, didn't mean he could just let himself take an extended break. He didn't want to go home sloppy. No, Yuri spent almost as much time on the ice as he did training at the gym, and certainly more time on the ice than he did doing his school work. That was all right, though. He was ahead of his own grade already.
That was the nice thing of not attending public school; he could do his classes at his own pace, even if that meant beasting through as much maths as possible, just to get it out of the way.

He missed his tutor, though. Missed Michael- the lab wasn't the same without him, and it hurt to know that Yuri had lost someone else. He shouldn't have been angry about it, Michael had a home to go to, people who weren't Yuri that were depending on him. It was fine. Just because he was gone didn't mean Yuri would stop working hard. But Yuri had always found that, when he needed to take his mind off of something, skating was his answer.

He was working on a new routine, had been at it for days. Smoothing out choreography during public skates, attracting a growing crowd and a dozen offers and requests for him to teach his skills.
But right then, Yuri really wasn't interested. First, he had other plans- wanted to see if he could get some sort of competitive skating or ice show going as a larger thing in Riverview. He missed the competitive edge that Figure Skating allowed, and while Otabek was great company, he was also Yuri's only real competition. That was kind of... boring. Sure, there were plenty of Riverviewites who knew how to skate. Some of them even had basic skills to get better at what Yuri did- but actual bred and practiced figure skaters? Not so much. Not yet. Throwing himself into a vicious triple axel, Yuri did his best to put his thoughts on his routine. Land, slide, step sequence- one, two, three. Arms up, arms down, twist- get ready for a toe loop, followed by a lutz. The choreography seemed wrong, especially when Yuri's hand touched the ice, and he snarled.

Would go at it all afternoon, practice until he couldn't stand, unless someone wanted to interrupt him. ]

IV. Could frame thy fearful symmetry?

[ooc; Choose your own adventure! Want to do something with soulmates? Other tiger prompts? Something I didn't think of? Hit up this prompt! ]

Comments

In what distant deeps or skies » Treasure Hunt » For Otabek

[bespredel]

The day was fairly usual. Dragosta was in full swing. Yuri had spent the night, but had left that morning saying that he had to meet up with James for training. That wasn't unusual; he and Bucky met often. To keep up Yuri's lessons in self-defense, to run, to work off steam. Usual sorts of things. More and more often, Yuri had been inviting Otabek along, but- sometimes he liked it to be just him and James, too. Yuri was lucky in that it was something Otabek understood. Except, Yuri hadn't really gone to meet up with Bucky.

Plans were already in place; by now the friends he had roped into making this all happen would have been in position. Out of sight, Yuri waited, and watched as Otabek left his apartment for the morning. Pleased that he knew his boyfriend's schedule well enough to know when he would have a window of opportunity to sneak in, and set his plan in motion.

This was such a good idea. Yuri reminded himself to thank Cisco again later. Maybe. If he didn't screw his part up. That was important. He wanted this to be perfect for Otabek; and fun. So with his key, he snuck back into the apartment to find his baby girl; his accomplice. His favourite partner in crime.

It only took seconds for Inzhu to realize who had come back, her little white paws bounding towards him, climbing up the leg of his pants and meowing eagerly. Plucking her gently off of his pant leg, Yuri smiled, glowing softly as he stroked his fingers over her little head, listening to her wobbly rumble of a purr begin.

"You going to help me out little girl? Hm?" he asked, smiling faintly as he fished out the length of ribbon from his pocket- the message already written there, "I know you will. Don't pull it off before he can see it, okay? Or it'll mess everything up," but he had tested this on her a few days prior. So long as he secured the bow on the collar behind her head, she didn't seem to notice it at all. That was good, since he really, really needed Otabek to find it. Bow in place, and task complete, Yuri stopped in the bathroom, just to make sure he looked okay. To run a brush through his hair, and to try and quell the nervous beating of his heart. With a shaky smile at his own reflection, he gave himself a thumbs up, whispering, "Davai," before heading for the door to head back out.

Like any day when Yuri left, Inzhu had followed him right to the door. It was something that Yuri had been counting on, as he tied the red bow around her little leopard print collar, booping her on the nose and then kissing her little forehead, promising in a hushed voice to see her later, before setting her down to leave. It would probably be awhile before she sulkingly slunk back to Otabek. Sure to give Yuri just enough time to get into his position, and everyone else, too.

When Otabek finally found the ribbon, unwound it from Inzhu's collar, he would see Yuri's familiar scribble on the inside of it- the game on, the hint clear.

"Follow the clues, and find the answer. We devote our lives to the pursuit of gold, and it all starts here."

it starts here - hint 1

[anotheroldsoldier]

If Otabek makes it to the ice rink, he'll find Bucky there, hanging out in the bleacher seats behind the boards, watching kids skate across the ice on wobbly legs. The cold doesn't seem to bother Yuri's stocky trainer; he isn't wearing a jacket, but he doesn't seem to be freezing. He leans back on the metal arm, smiling a little wryly. He had agreed, of course, when Yuri had asked him to be part of this, so now he's waiting to hand off the next hint.

[bringbackgold]

He had managed to make it through showering, and dressing himself before Inzhu had approached him. She was crying, crying because she wanted Yuri. So, Otabek took a short video of her and sent it to Yuri before kneeling and petting her gently. That was when he had uncovered the bow and the note. The clue had been pretty straight forward. He wasn't sure what he was going to expect from this, but Yuri was clearly sending him somewhere. So, he double checked what he was wearing - making sure he looked nice - just in case.

So he made his way to the rink - taking his motorcycle there. He looked around, not sure what he was supposed to be looking for once he got there. He was keeping his eyes open for Yuri specifically. He made his way past the entrance, smiling to the girl behind the counter. She was someone he saw basically every day, when he came to train, and headed towards the rink itself. He looked around, approaching the ice and glancing around. He saw Bucky in passing, in the bleachers, so he glanced back at the ice again in case he had missed Yuri.

It was the only reason he could imagine that Bucky was here. He approached him.

[anotheroldsoldier]

It is unusual to see Bucky here when Yuri isn't. The only reason he'd have to come to the ice rink is to watch him skate, which he's done a time or two, but he's not very into the sport, even as just recreational. So his presence here pretty much definitely has something to do with Yuri's little scavenger hunt. Once Otabek spots him, he waves him over with a slight smile. "You found me."

Second verse, same as the first - hint 2

[ragnarsson]

Ivar couldn't believe he'd agreed to do this for his friend. When he'd heard what he wanted to do, Ivar had called him a big, dumb, pathetic sap in love. That had gotten him a punch in the arm and a 'Shut the fuck up' from Yuri, but the smile on his face told it all. He'd yelled at Ivar to 'Get it right, asshole!'.

So that had led to Ivar be outside the perimeter guard near the training grounds, waiting for Otabek to show up. He was sitting there, slowly sharpening a dagger he had with a stag-horn handle on a grinding stone. It made for a fairly ominous sight and most everyone was giving the teenage Viking a wide berth. He sat there patiently, his hands, making slow, smooth movements as he ran the blade across the stone.

[bringbackgold]

Otabek didn't forget anything - especially not his times with Yuri. He didn't forget about the time he went and picked up Yuri. He remembered lifting his friend up, and getting him on the back of his motorcycle and taking him home. He remembered cuddling up with Yuri and his cat, and sleeping there. He pulled up to the place on his motorcycle, much like he had before. He hopped off, pulling off his helmet.

He had figured from the last time that he was supposed to be looking for someone, and since he didn't spot Yuri immediately, it wasn't him. He wasn't sure who he had been looking for.

He was sure he had seen him around, but wasn't sure, so his approach was a little unsure. Especially considering he was...sharpening a dagger. "Are you...here for Yuri?" he asked.

[ragnarsson]

Ivar stopped sharpening his knife, flipping it around gracefully into a reverse grip so that he was pointing the handle at the man rather than the more ominous blade. "No, I just like sitting out here, deciding who's going to be my next victim." Wait a minute, Otabek might have actually taken that seriously. Yuri would skin him if he messed this up, so he hurriedly added on. "Yes, the idiot has somehow roped me into this madness."

As he sat there, he was looking Otabek over, taking him in. Yuri was one of his best friends, so he was going to be judging the hell out of his boyfriend. If he wasn't good enough for Yuri, well...there was a lot of space beyond the fence for someone to disappear.

hint 3

[franciscoramon]

[ Cisco is very invested in this whole thing going smoothly. If it's a disaster, he's going to feel at least half responsible, since it was his suggestion that had gotten the ball rolling in the first place. He's tried to anticipate potential snags, to give Yuri whatever advice he can to make the whole thing work according to plan. But there are always variables that can't be accounted for.

So he's bouncing his leg with nerves, sitting at a table near to the door of the restaurant, staring at the door with his hands folded together and sitting up a little straighter every time the door is pulled open. He knows that he's most of the way towards the end of the game, that Otabek will be working for a while before he gets here, but Cisco's never been great at just relaxing.

When the door opens and it is, finally, Otabek on the other side of it, Cisco quickly gets to his feet, grinning from ear to ear. ]

[bringbackgold]

[ Otabek hopes he is nearing the end. By now, he'd love to see Yuri, and thank him for this walk through their memories. It was nice to revisit the places he had been with Yuri. Their memories here together, added to the things they had done at home. They had known each other here longer, and spent more time together here. Being here had given them the chance to have this time. These memories.

He gets to the restaurant, remembering it clearly. He even remembers what they ate. What they talked about. He remembers when they arrived and he helped Yuri off of his motorcycle. This was the first place they went on a date.

A real, legitimate date.

He arrived there, knowing exactly where to go when he got the clue. And when he walked in, he recognized Cisco. He recognized him as Yuri's roommate. It had been more obvious than the previous to him. He seems rather...happy. He just - jumps right in. ]

Here for Yuri?

[franciscoramon]

I sure am.

[ Cisco does, indeed, have the next clue, and he will be more than happy to hand it over. He knows how important it was to Yuri that this all go according to plan, and he's not going to hold things up very long as a result.

But there is just one thing he's gotta do, first.

He pulls out the next clue, all wrapped up neatly in a ribbon as they all had been. But instead of handing it over to Otabek, he holds it back, meeting the young man's gaze and saying: ]

So I know I'm a little late on this, but I just want you to know... I may look adorable and harmless, but if you hurt Yuri, you better believe I will kick your ass from here to the next solar system. Mmkay?

[ Cisco's voice remains light as he says it, so it's difficult to tell how much this is a joke and how much it is very not a joke. Cisco isn't a violent dude by any stretch of the imagination, but he is overprotective of his friends, and Yuri definitely falls under that umbrella. He raises his eyebrows, clearly having no intention of handing over the clue until Otabek responds. ]

Burnt the fire of thine eyes? » For Eddie

[bespredel]

[ Tiger powers. They had given him. Yuri Plisetsky. Tiger powers. He could turn into a tiger! It was literally the greatest moment of Yuri Plisetsky's life- well, almost. Maybe second to winning gold over Katsuki- but god damn, it was close.

He could hardly wait to show it off. It had been a struggle to avoid Eddie until he could show it properly. It was too easy for his excitement to get the better of him; for him to pop ears or a tail or fur along his cheeks, because he couldn't quite get the hang of not doing it unintentionally. But that was fine, it was worth all the pains of figuring it out if just because turning into a god damn tiger! Seriously. One of the greatest days of Yuri's whole life.

He'd hardly been able to sleep, although last night, he had managed to confine himself to his room. Near vibrating out of his skin with excitement as he watched the clock tick down until he knew Eddie's alarm usually went off- wanted to be awake just before that.

At quarter to, he couldn't stand it any longer. Slipped from his bed on silent feet- slipped into his second skin, as well. Breathing out, he wobbled a little as he slid from bipedal to quadrupedal, landing a little heavier than he had meant to on his front paws. The 'thump' seemed to echo too loudly through the house, Yuri's ears high on alert, swivelling for any other sound as he held his breath, his heart pounding.

Nothing.

It was still quiet.

Good.

Tiptoeing forward on pink paw pads, Yuri carefully edged Eddie's door open, slipping inside. In this form, the morning light was enough for him to catch every detail- the slight flicker of reflection off the glass along the floor momentarily distracting him, his tail twitching as the itch to catchplayfight passed through his mind- but he managed to push it down. If only just. He had bigger things to catch. ]

Eddie, hey, Eddie! WAKE UP! [ Yuri's tail twitched, and that was all the warning Eddie would have, before a hundred plus pounds of adolescent tiger crashed into his chest on the bed. ]

On what wings dare he aspire? » For Bucky

[bespredel]

[ The thing about having the ability to turn into a tiger, was that now Yuri wanted to show it off to everyone. Or at least, everyone cool. The sorts of people that he actually genuinely liked, and wanted to spend time with. Other people? Pah. They could figure it out for themselves. Having a secret like this could have its uses, after all. ...Well, that was if he could ever get the proper hang of it, anyway. And stop popping ears and a tail and teeth every time I started to shout at someone for being a dumbass, like the woman in front of him at the coffee shop the other day who had made it all the way up to the counter before Yuri without knowing what the hell she wanted to order. Who did that?! Especially in a busy place during a rush! He had yelled at her, yeah- told her to either make up her god damn mind or get the hell out of the way for customers who weren't going to waste everyone else's time. But usually, when Yuri started roaring at people for one reason or another he didn't, well... literally roar.

She had stared at him, dumbstruck as his teeth snarled at her, his tiger ears poking up his hoodie, stripes of fur splitting across his cheeks as he snarled. She'd been too shocked to say anything else, so Yuri had huffed out a breath, stomped up to the counter, and ordered what he wanted. Snarked at the still stunned woman that that was how you kept things moving, before paying and moving to wait for his drink.

The coffee shop had been dead silent until he'd left, and Yuri still wasn't sure how he felt about that.

As much as he had wanted to show off his new found powers in a surprising way, so too did he know better to pull on James what he had done to Eddie, or even Otabek. He didn't think the other would react in such a playful way to being pounced on by a hundred plus pounds of adolescent tiger in the same way that they had; it could have been a hell of a lot more violent, and Yuri didn't want to get himself hurt, or give James anything that he might have had to regret.

So instead, Yuri did his best to keep himself as calm as possible, his excitement simmering lowly as he entered the gym in his training clothes to meet up with the other for their usual bought, grin splitting his face despite himself as he spotted the other, before coughing and forcing himself to quell it. ]

Hey, James. So what are we doing today? [ He asked, hoping that he sounded more nonchalant than he felt, like he wasn't looking for an opening. For a good way to show off. ]

[anotheroldsoldier]

[Bucky has been at the gym since the early hours of the morning - even earlier than usual, working out his feelings the way he's prone to. He'd just needed to get himself into a level enough mood to teach, because he wouldn't just skip Yuri's training. He might not be the best influence on the kid (thankfully he's got Eddie, who seems normal and sane and stable), but the least he can do is be present and be reliable. So he's already there when Yuri arrives, his thin shirt a bit damp with sweat, hair pushed back. He's spent about the last hour running through acrobatics routines to keep himself flexible, and he's settled, mentally.

He spots Yuri's brief, sunshiney grin, and raises an eyebrow slightly. He can practically feel that he's happy about something, it radiates off him in waves to a man who's been intensely trained to read body language and facial microexpressions.] Well, my plans are flexible. I figured I'd see what you felt like working on today and go from there.

[bespredel]

[ It's not like he hasn't noticed that James hasn't been the same lately, it's just that... that has never been their relationship. They don't talk about those sorts of things- they just work it out. Well, sometimes Yuri talks- but usually only after it has all boiled over. Getting James to talk to him about what is bothering him? Yuri wouldn't... even know where to start. He tries to do his best, though, to at least be a bright spot in the other's day- not more of a burden. But he can't quite help his excitement this morning, either. It's a pretty cool thing to show off, after all.

It is really, really hard to contain himself. And not just throw himself at the other and transform into a tiger and try and tackle him to the floor like he had the others he had surprised with this. But he feels like he ought to try and contain himself a little more for James; do something really cool to show it off- he just doesn't know what that is yet. ]

I don't know- maybe some hand to hand stuff? [ And he gave the other a coy, mischievous expression. It was subtle- but it was definitely there. ]

[anotheroldsoldier]

[Bucky wouldn't want to worry him anyway. He tends to internalize all his own issues. It's easier to focus on other people like this, on outside things that are important. Yuri is someone he's fond enough of to not want to let him down by bailing on his training or by not really being present during it, so this is centering. It's also a little distracting how eager he seems this morning. Granted, if Yuri didn't want to be here for their training sessions, he wouldn't show up, and that's fine, but today he seems...

Extra eager. For some reason. He catches that coy little look, and his eyebrow quirks up a little higher in question.] Sure, we can do that. We should work on your take-downs anyway. Ready to get started?

I (this meeting seems somehow appropriate)

[verflair]

[ X’rhun is trying his best to get acclimated, which means that when he goes out for something as mundane as errands, he does it without his usual Duelist garb. He acquired a plain pair of jeans at one point, and a t-shirt (in red, unsurprisingly), and he would almost pass for average if not for the fact that he still wore his rapier on one hip, and the crystal focus he uses for casting spells on the other.

Without all the frills and the fancy hat, his ears and tail are much more visible, and have so far garnered him as much questions as the sword has. He doesn’t mind it overmuch, considering no one has been rude about it, and no one has pestered him once he answered their questions.

That’s just how it is, considering there doesn’t seem to be any other miqo’te in the Quarantine.

He’s on his way home from a bit of shopping when he hears a cry of alarm. Never one to ignore a cry for help of any kind, he races towards the source, plastic shopping bag in hand. What he finds when he reaches the small park is, of all things, a tiger. The people around seem caught between frightened and fascinated, but the tiger doesn’t seem to notice.

X’rhun sets his mouth in a determined line, and after leaving his groceries on a nearby bench, he slowly approaches the creature. His hands are raised, but he's ready and able to grab for his weapon at a moment's notice. ]

My, my, but you’re a long way from home, aren’t you?

[bespredel]

[ Yuri still really hadn't gotten the hang of his new instincts; of picking apart one smell from another. The footsteps grew closer though, and Yuri's tufted white ears swivelled to the source, before he sprung around, wheeling to face the other in a half crouch, his hind legs raised in an almost playful position. He had been chasing bugs and birds in the park just to get the hang of rhings- but now his attention was drawn to the stranger, and Yuri huffed, rolling onto his back to roll around on the grass, feeling how nice it felt against his fur. ]

I mean I guess. But you could say that about everyone in the Quarantine. That said... back home I wouldn't get to do this, so- [ Flopping back over Yuri stood on his paws, shaking himself out and letting out a pleased chuff of breath.

Oh yeah, this tiger talked, too. ] it's not so bad.

[verflair]

[ what in the name of the Twelve?? X'rhun actually takes half a step back, he's so caught off guard. ]

I... You speak?

[ usually he's much more eloquent than this. ]

[bespredel]

[ Was it normally possible for tigers to roll their eyes? Well, it seemed this one definitely did. Because oh, how he rolled them at the other's comment. As if his talking was the most normal thing in the world, and not something to get so twisted up and surprised about. Honestly, he was easily bored by anything that was something of an expected reaction. ]

I mean, duh. What do I look like, some sort of wild animal? [ And he sounded just peevish enough to have had it come across seriously. Even though he was very much making fun of the other. Oh yeah, he definitely knew what he looked like. But with all of the other weird stuff in the Quarantine? Like acid rain and giant dragons and lizard monsters? A talking tiger was practically normal. ]

And better than you do, apparently. Careful you don't swallow your tongue, for that way with words of yours.

What the hand, dare seize the fire? » For Otabek

[bespredel]

[ Having sprung his new trick on Eddie that morning, Yuri's next target was obviously the most important person to Yuri in all of Riverview: Otabek. Honestly, he was the person that Yuri would have shared this gift with first, if not for the fact that he lived with Eddie, and he just couldn't contain himself long enough to wait to make it to Otabek's apartment. And then, waiting for the approximation of when he knew Otabek would be home from his run- finished his shower- but before heading to the rink? Waiting for that was hard, too.

But he figured he knew the other's schedule well enough now that well, he hoped he had it down. His excitement brimming, he was maybe even a little bit early- but Otabek's motorcycle was still there, so he knew the other hadn't left just yet. Either he would catch Yuri in his hallway- which would work, too- or Otabek was home. And god damn if Yuri wasn't nearly dancing on his feet with excitement at the oncoming prospect.

In front of the other's door, Yuri started to pound his fist against it's surface, shouting the other's name as he excitedly beat down the other's door. Bouncing from foot to foot, it was all Yuri could do to wait. To not just keep hitting the door until Otabek finally answered him, or came around the corner of the hallway to greet him, that way. ]

[bringbackgold]

[ Otabek had woken up early to run. He had gotten back to his apartment early enough that he was able to spend some time with Taza and the kittens. He brushed his fingers over their soft fur. Inzhu mewled in protest, wishing he was Yuri. He gently scratched behind an ear and then headed off to take a shower. He was barely in his pants when he heard the knocking at the door. The way that the door was being pounded into made him think that it was probably an emergency.

His hair was wet, and he was a little damp still. He went running towards the door, nearly sliding across the tile of his kitchen and dining area before he made it to the door.

He tugged it open quickly. ]

[bespredel]

[ As soon as the door's lock had clinked, Yuri had shifted into his alternate form. Excitement at it's peak as he cried out, in alarm and excitement both- shouting the other's name as he sprung forward on his paws, slamming into the other's chest- all lithe fur covered muscle and black and white stripes. He kept his claws in check, not wanting to hurt the other in the least. Just wanting to hit Otabek back to the floor, and show off just how badass he looked. How cool his new trick was.

Noticing that Otabek was half-naked would come later. Right then, he was focused on sitting on the other's chest, tail twitching in excitement as Yuri's green eyes sparked mischief from behind his muzzle, a loud, rumbling purr beginning to pervade the space around them. ] Otabek!! Isn't it cool?!

[ Could tigers grin? Well, this one seemed like it was. ]

[bringbackgold]

[ Years of figure skating has taught him how to fall. So, he's down on the ground safely. There's a brief moment where he's startled by what has just happened. Though he catches Yuri's voice, it isn't as though he's expecting Yuri to be a tiger. He takes a few moments, blinking and looking at him. He let his eyes drift, taking him in entirely before he'd say anything.

He tried to find words after a few moments, and finally, all that came out. ]

You look really cool.

[ He thinks it really is. He never imagined that this would be something that could come from being here in Riverview. He hesitates a moment, but he reaches up a hand, and as if he were petting one of his other cats, he gently moved it over Yuri's cheeks, feeling the fur. From not far off, having caught his voice, Inzhu comes bolting into the room, mewing loudly and excitedly. ]

iv.

[causational]

[It's the evening after he'd officially asked Cisco out, and it's time to talk to Yuri about it. Eddie's been nervous about this conversation in the back of his mind all day, because he knows that Yuri is still insecure and vulnerable, and probably always will be.

The last thing Eddie wants is to hurt Yuri, to make things worse for him.

When Yuri gets home, Eddie's in the kitchen cooking up some dumplings with meat and vegetables, Shadow dozing on the edge of the counter and getting away with it despite there being a 'no cats on the counter' rule, not that either of the cats respects it much. Eddie glances over his shoulder as Yuri closes the door behind him.]

Hey, Yuri. Did you have dinner already?

[bespredel]

[ Yuri isn't a stupid kid; he might be a little dense sometimes- but even he couldn't deny that around the house, something had been changing. He'd seen Eddie come out of Cisco's room or Cisco come out of Eddie's room enough times to put two and two together. Eddie and Cisco had something- going on, and Yuri didn't want to admit how afraid of that fact that he was. But god, he was afraid. It was likely only a matter of time before they figured their shit out, and then... where did Yuri fit? Would he even belong anymore?

He was trying hard not to think about it, to worry about it when it came- but at the same time, he just... wanted to nip it in the bud. Wanted... To make it easier, to nip it in the bud before it could hurt him. He was just trying to find the right time. The right moment to burn his bridges and find his out. He just hadn't expected it to come up so soon.

Yuri didn't really know anything was up, though. Not yet anyway. He'd been at the ice rink, working himself hard, trying to figure out... what he was even doing there anymore. It was hard without a proper coach, he could only take himself so far. Could only see his own faults if he could watch it later, and then it was harder to correct. It was getting frustrating, and Yuri still hadn't found a great solution for it. That was what was on his mind when he came in, when Eddie addressed him. His hoodie was pulled up- the one Otabek had gotten him for his birthday, black with cat ears on the hood, his hair down over his eye. It was getting long- a little unruly. Maybe it was time for a trim, but... Yuri also liked growing it out. He also thought he might have been getting a little taller, too- not by much, not yet, but...

Blinking out of his thoughts as Eddie addressed him, he shrugged, sliding his backpack with his skates onto the floor, and toeing out of his sneakers. ]

Not yet, no. What are you making? Smells good. [ Coming into the kitchen, Yuri pulled out one of the chairs and flopped himself down, propping his head up on his hands and raising an eyebrow at the other. ]