As interesting as Otabek found his area of study, Yuri was struggling not to doze off into a drunken nap as he spoke. Tanned fingers pointed excitedly to different texts on the large screen of his computer while Otabek explained when they meant and how the languages evolved to that point. He had selected his favorite texts to show his new blond friend, though in his current state Otabek was struggling to be as eloquent as he typically could be.

Once they had gotten into Otabek's dorm Yuri had spotted the several bottles of alcohol within the clear door of his small refrigerator. The blond insisted that he try the imports and Otabek, in an attempt to be a good host, obliged with a smile. Together they had drained his supply of Line Brew beer that he had snuck in with him and now he was hoping that Yuri did not notice the bottles of Kumis on the bottom shelf. While he enjoyed drinking, as most of the people he knew in his country did, Otabek was finding it hard to focus on the lesson that Yuri had asked for. He neglected to notice that Yuri was currently struggling to keep even a polite interest in his state.

A soft touch to Otabek's shoulder caused a pause in his speech as he looked back at the red-faced Russian only to feel a pair of silky lips on his cheek. Otabek froze, unblinking. What was happening? Very slowly in his drunken mind did it began to dawn on him that Yuri was, in fact, kissing him. It was over before he really processed how to feel about it, leaving the young Kazakh to stare in wonder at Yuri.

"Sorry," Yuri said, smiling the slightest bit, "You just looked really cute just then. You're really passionate, you know?"

Otabek's face darkened in shade as the Russian's breath tickled at his ear, a shiver running down his spine. He found himself at a loss for words, unknowing of how to handle this situation. A pair of slender arms wrapped around his neck, bringing the smaller male closer to him, nearly in his lap at this point. Otabek could hardly hear the other over the heartbeat that was pounding in his ears and at this point he was sure that Yuri could hear it.

"Beka…" Yuri breathed, resting his head on the broad shoulder beside him. Pale lips brushed the tawny flesh of Otabek's neck as he spoke, "You know, it's unbelievable that we used to go to class together. The odds of that, right? You were always so nice…"

Otabek's lips trembled as he tried to speak but all that came out was a very slight and confused moan. He hesitated, unsure of if he should be enjoying this as much as he was. He had never once found himself attracted to men before, so what was this feeling in his chest? Furthermore, what was going on in his lap? Quietly, Otabek cleared his throat, trying out a small laugh as he craned his neck to look at Yuri. "Thanks? I t-try to make it a habit to be kind to others." Otabek swallowed heavily, placing a tentative hand on Yuri's far shoulder. "I am glad to have made a friend in you again," he said, hoping that Yuri would back up a little with the stress he placed on the word friend. He was feeling warm suddenly, and not the typical warmth that he felt when drinking. This warmth was confusing, at best.

Yuri made a face and pulled back suddenly, causing Otabek to retract his hand with a relieved face. "You're… Straight, aren't you?" He asked, raising a brow.

Otabek nodded, though right now he was questioning that. Maybe it had just been the alcohol, he tried to tell himself, though looking at Yuri now he was unsure. His heart was still racing as he looked over the disheveled male. Yuri had stripped himself of the jacket he had been wearing once they had gotten inside and the black t-shirt he was wearing had a wide opening for the neck. It left his collarbones exposed, beautifully unblemished skin simply begging for Otabek's touch. As Yuri leaned back a shoulder of the shirt slid down, exposing more flesh. Otabek averted his eyes, chuckling a little and silently cursing the burning sensation in his lap. "Sorry, yeah… But I still want to be friends."

Yuri sighed and picked up his last beer bottle, tossing back the small amount that had been left at the bottom. "No, it's okay," he said, laughing a little, albeit the slightest bit resentful. Not at Otabek of course, but simply at the situation. "That was my mistake, actually," Yuri explained, "I think I misinterpreted how you were looking at me at the party. I thought you were checking me out."

Otabek laughed shakily. "Ah, no, sorry, I just had been thinking that you look familiar. I didn't mean to confuse you." Otabek was grateful that the Russian seemed to genuinely not be offended by his decline. "Anyway… Uh…"

"Want to go have a smoke?" Yuri interjected, smiling reassuringly at Otabek.

Otabek blinked. "You smoke?"

"Don't all danseurs?" Yuri asked, rummaging around in his hoodie before finally pulling out a blue and gold colored box. "Anyway, I'll bum you one if you don't have any… But do you want to stand with me? I doubt you want me to smoke in your room, they charge a hell of a cleaning fee for smoking. It's ridiculous."

Otabek nodded begrudgingly. "I don't really need one, thanks. I quit about a year ago. But we could just go sit on the fire escape if you promise not to fall off," he suggested with a small, jovial smile. He pointed a thumb towards the window. "It's closer."

Yuri chuckled a little at Otabek before speaking, "Oh, yeah, that'll work. I forgot about that. My room is on the first floor so I didn't even think of it." Yuri stood up, lipping a cigarette out of the slightly crushed box before holding out a hand to the Kazakh. He helped Otabek to his feet and smiled. "And seriously don't worry about turning me down. I'm not some petty asshole who can't understand why someone isn't into him. So really, just forget it. I swear I won't come onto you again."

Otabek smiled softly. "I really appreciate that. I was nervous that you would be upset." In truth, Otabek was relieved. Confronting those sensations right away before having time to think about them was something he really couldn't imagine. Striding forward, Otabek unlocked and slid the window to the side before climbing through and onto the fire escape. He quickly turned back and held out a hand, grinning at his blond friend. "Be careful, the railing looks weak."

Yuri's heart leapt as he took in the sight before him. Otabek's raven-wing hair shone in the moonlight causing a halo effect around his head and the light from the dorm room made his curiously deep sorrel eyes twinkle. This simply wasn't fair. "I guess it's true that all of the best guys are straight or taken," he thought to himself before taking Otabek's hand in his own, leaning into him as he climbed out onto the rusting platform. Yuri looked up again at the other man as he straightened up. Slowly, after several moments holding onto him, the blond retracted his hand from Otabek, shoving that very hand into his jeans to retrieve his lighter. The flash of flame made their faces glow in the late night, their eyes meeting and holding for quite some time.

It was the taller of the two who broke the eye contact first, letting out a soft laugh as Yuri puffed out a plume of smoke. "You know, you really don't look terribly different than you did back then. You make me feel nostalgic," Otabek said quietly as he turned to face the road, dark eyes watching the forms of students stumbling home after a long night. "So what have you been up to? Can't have just been doing ballet exclusively all this time…"

Bluish white smoke wafted around Yuri's head as he took another drag and blew it through his nose, humming in thought. "Well… I started competing shortly after you left. Won a ton of competitions and eventually worked my way into scholarships for it. I'm hardly paying anything to be here. My grandfather and I moved here when I was in secondary school. I never really got along with the other students, most of the people around here don't take things seriously like they should. All they want to do is screw around and party. I mean, I'm not adverse to having some drinks and whatnot but oppa! It's crazy!" Yuri brushed his hair back from his face, light viridian eyes searching for something in the darkness that was not there.

"You don't get along with the other students?" Otabek questioned, eyes curious. Yuri seemed friendly enough to him. Otabek would even go so far as to say that he liked him, and he wasn't the most social of people. "Why would you say that?"

A long drag of the cigarette made the embers at the end of the white paper glow all the brighter. Yuri flicked ash from the end as he blew out, the smoke rolling back into his form as the breeze picked it up. "Well… I guess because I don't like typical guy things. It's absolutely asinine, I know. They picked on me for ballet; even the guy who also is a ballerino did. Or, rather, he still does. That's the guy I messed with tonight," Yuri gestured towards the large home they had come from not too long before and then to the boxers that hung like a tail from his back pocket. "And… Well I guess they played a prank one me this one time and it ended up outing me before I was ready."

Otabek made a pained expression as Yuri explained the situation to him. He was not certain what the term "outed" meant but from the context he assumed it to have something to do with the smaller man's sexual preference. He was right. "Well… If it's any consolation, I'll always stand by you. No one should be mocked for their preferences. I hate that, really. There's nothing worse than someone treating someone else badly over things they can't control." Something about Yuri being bullied by the other students at the college made Otabek angry, much to his mystification. He had only known this man for a short time as children and only for roughly three hours now. He chalked it up to the fact that he really didn't know anyone in this area. He must just be clinging onto anything that's familiar. But still…

Prussian green orbs shifted to inspect the man beside him. "That's… progressive of you," he said, really just finding himself at a lack for words. The blond really didn't know why he was being so open with Otabek, nor did he understand why Otabek was being what felt very much like protective over him. "You know, you're pretty easy to talk to."

A nod of acknowledgement came from the taller man. "I've… actually heard that before," he admitted in a mutter. It was true, he had often found that once he allowed someone in that they tended to spill their life story to him whether he wanted to hear it or not. He often wondered why that was but had never come to realize the answer. "But I really don't mind listening to you. Most people make me feel almost irritated but you're not bad. I actually think I like listening to you."

Yuri laughed, snubbing the last of his cigarette out on the wobbly railing. "Gee, thanks."

"I meant it as a compliment!" Otabek said, throwing up his hands with a laugh.

Pale arms crossed Yuri's chest, a shapely hip cocking to the side in a mock irritated fashion. "Oh sure! I bet you're not just saying that! Tell me I'm funny and charming too!" He teased before nudging the other with his elbow sharply. "You idiot."

Otabek grinned down at the other. "Forgive me, little prince," he said, bowing his head for a moment before breaking out in a laugh. Yuri soon followed, leaning against the dusty bricking of the building. Otabek followed suit a moment later, putting an arm around the other and giving him a gentle squeeze. "Yura…" he said, making the other look up towards him, "How about I let you try a Kazakh speciality?"

A thin blond brow rose. "Oh?"

Otabek grinned slyly at the other. "Have you ever tried Kumis?"