Felinis: Why yes I do have a shit ton of hw. This chapter is more giant thing of feels that didn't feel like it should have more tacked on
Yuri passed out much to his shame at some point during the rescue. He remembers Flynn pulling him along and them reaching somewhere high. He blames the exhaustion he'd been feeling prior to the escape and whatever medication Alexei has been giving him. His body gets tired so easily! It has to be something in that stuff.
His eyes creak open to see the inside of a lavish room. It's covered in finery and silks with soft colors. Curved marble pillars and delicate tilework. Sitting upright Yuri looks at his hands and sighs a little. It's getting hard to move his thumbs.
He liked his thumbs!
Instinctively he goes brush hair back behind his ear only to remember… Right. They cut it all off. Yuri's not used to short hair. This may be the shortest it's ever been in his whole life. It's light and… hollow? Yeah, that's a good word for how this whole thing feels. At least it was growing back much to Yuri's relief.
It's not really hair anymore though.
It's true. If Yuri's honest with himself it stopped being hair around Mantaic and became long fur. He doubts it'll grow out the same. Geez, if he grows a mane that'll be weird. Not to mention the white streak has gotten bigger. At least in the sense that his forehead had started turning white and there was now a huge triangular outline. The texture is different from the fur and if he described the feeling he'd say it was close to down feather.
There's a mirror in the corner. When did Yuri last look in one? He decides that he needs to see the damage that a month of time has done.
Horns? Check
Fangs? Check
Tails? Check
Fur? Check
It's actually hard to find places on his body that aren't covered. Yuri's face is mostly clear, and there are a few spots on his back. They almost look unnatural next to the purple fur. The back of his limbs and ass are turning red giving the impression of an awful sunburn. He feels the skin and it feels… leathery? It's hard to tell anything with these hands.
His ears are a joke. They're long, furry, and twitch every now and then. At least they sit where they're supposed to; he can think of that as a small grace. Yuri touches his neck and tries to measure it with his hands. Is it thicker? Hard to tell, but it wouldn't surprise him.
"It could be worse."
It could be worse…
The door squeaks and Yuri recognizes the owner's scent.
"You're awake."
"Got any clothes?"
Flynn tosses him a pile. The top is lovely. It looks like real satin or silk. Not like he knows the difference… Red and gold? Not something Yuri would have picked for himself personally. It's ornate with delicate knots along the sleeves and bottom in silver with a red trim. It's a button up thankfully, so Yuri can avoid the awkwardness of shaving his horns just to put on a shirt. The buttons look like real rubies woven around silver and the collar is cut exceedingly low. This more likely a fancy vest considering how short the sleeves are.
Yuri fumbles with the buttons until Flynn silently comes to help him out.
Pants are an interesting matter. With all the fur he has going on Yuri wonders if he really needs them. They're loose and white cotton chaps that Yuri is more than certain where once normal pants. A gold stripe runs down on the side while the waistband is that same ruby red. His fingers struggle with the buttons again and he lets Flynn help in defeat.
"I'm pathetic."
Flynn doesn't offer assurance. There's sad smirk as he turns around to bring a tray from the dresser. "I brought you some breakfast."
"I can't eat it."
"Give it a try."
Tentatively, he takes a bite of one of the slices of fruit. It's awful and he gags as he tosses it away.
"I see." Flynn sets the tray away. This is Yuri's chance to finally yell every obscene thought he had while trapped in that cage. "You had a minor episode after we were rescued. Khroma thinks it was stress induced."
"Where are we?"
"Myorzo of all places."
It's a shock to think they're in the holy city of the Krytia. Yuri never believed he'd ever see the city let alone visit. Yuri slips on the red slipper shoes that wrap around his deformed feet well. The material is stretchy, but thick making them easy to wear. Good, Yuri doesn't think he'd be comfortable in boots.
"Wow. So I guess we must have flown up here or something."
Flynn pulls Yuri into a tight embrace.
"I'm sorry." Why is Flynn sobbing? Yuri's the one who should be crying. Should but… he can't bring himself to. He's empty. Just empty. "I'm sorry!"
"It's okay." Yuri hugs him back. "You were looking out for me."
"I still haven't forgiven you for what you did to Cumore and Ragou."
Yuri smiles at that small comfort. "If you had I'd be worried. It's not like you to forget a grudge."
Flynn pulls away, his face stern. "I hope you understand what I did in rescuing you. I've lost my position in the knights and my ability to fulfill our promise." Flynn turns his back. "Furthermore, I've let down my entire brigade in doing this! Not to mention the lower quarter." Flynn furiously ruffles his hair and stomps on the floor. He turns in one swift motion his eyes an ocean storm.
"And for what, to save your dumb ugly mug because I love you too much to let you suffer like that… and… and…" Yuri takes the full force of Flynn punching him into the ground. Tears and snot leak from his face as yells, "I hate you so much! I really hate you!"
"My whole life feels like it revolves around you and I hate that! I feel like I'm going to get grey hairs from how much worrying I do! Do you know how exhausting you are Yuri? Really fucking exhausting! I hate that! I hate that caring about you feels this way!"
He's pounding sluggishly against Yuri's chest.
"I had dreams of my own and ambitions. I had things I wanted to do! But, I can't stand the idea of leaving you! And now- NOW you decide you're going to die and leave me alone after all the time I've spent on you! Fuck you! You don't get to walk out of my life after sixteen years!"
Yuri huffs and punches back.
"Oh! So, I'm the awful! I hate you too!" He flips them over and he has his hands on Flynn's throat. "You are always looking at me with those stupid eyes!"
"You know what Flynn, I hate all your pity! You look at me and you see something sad! You see some washed up thing on the street. Newsflash, I hate sympathy and affection! Hate wanna-be-martyrs even more!"
"So I ruined your life? Shut up! You could have walked out whenever if you really felt like it! I'm not gonna pretend I'm a saint. I know I'm awful! I know that everyone around me ends up hurt because of what I am! But… I didn't ask for THIS."
Yuri's voice cracks.
"I didn't ask to turn into a monster. I didn't ask for horns or for… for Mom to die. I didn't ask to live through that plague. I didn't want or need friends! I was fine being on my own and yet… I hate you! You don't get to pretend that you didn't know what you were getting into. You don't get to pretend I'm normal when I'm not just to make yourself feel better."
"You didn't need to throw away your life to rescue me. That's on you! I was fine rotting in that cage if it meant you were able to do what was needed in the end. I've accepted what's happening to me. I've accepted death."
He lets go and stands up walking to the other end of the room. How pathetic… Yuri can't even cry anymore.
"You're right." He hears Flynn straighten his clothes and the sound of magic artes. The throbbing in his face fades as Yuri waits for Flynn's next move. "It was my choice to save you. They were all my choices. I'm sorry I ever made you feel pitied."
Yuri hears Flynn ease onto the bed. "But understand, I have never pitied you, Yuri. I love you. You're my family and I mean that… Mom did too. She never pitied you." Yuri can hear that glum raise in his lips. "She loved you more than anything. I'll admit I got jealous a few times…" He hears the scowl. "But, I can't forgive you for doing reckless and stupid things just because you're dying! I don't care what's going on that's no excuse to do horrific acts. Remember that! You may have accepted it, but I haven't."
Yuri kicks the wall lightly and turns back to Flynn. "I'm sorry." His footsteps pad the silence as he crosses the room. "I mean it. I have trouble thinking things through."
"Yeah, you do."
Yuri joins Flynn on the bed and takes his hand. "I love you too, man."
"I know."
The silence holds for few minutes longer before Yuri can't stand it anymore. "Wanna day drink?"
"Oh god yes."
Getting wine is not hard and getting Myorzo Ambrosia. Yuri just hopes he can actually drink it. It's strange… the Krytians in the city pool around him as he walks through the streets. He thinks it has to do with his Entelexeia heritage and sheer curiosity. The elder gives him careful looks. He's judging Yuri in hopes, or dread, of finding something.
"When you and your friend are ready there is somewhere I'd like to take you."
They drink in the room by the window. It's silent, but at least they're getting drunk bit by bit. Yuri can't wait till he's high as fuck and can stop dealing with all these emotions for a bit. He and Flynn take it all slow. The drinking, the emotions, the silence- everything. They need this peace before they resume. It's a peaceful view of the city. It's hard to see the sun through the dome and the giant jellyfish Entelexeia but he figures it's midday.
Yuri needs to get back to the others soon. He's worried for Estelle and Karol more than anything. Estelle is probably worrying herself senseless.
"You're thinking too hard. Just relax."
"I will. Sorry."
Flynn hasn't been able to look him quite in the eye. "Is it hard to look at me?"
"Yes."
"You don't have to stay. It's going to get worse and worse, Flynn. I may even forget who you are and attack you."
"I'm standing by you, Yuri. That's my choice and I've already made it. "
This guy. Yuri shakes his head and laughs. "You better keep that promise!" He holds up his glass.
Flynn laughs and it's refreshing to hear. He's missed Flynn's bell-like laugh this past month. "As long as you promise to stay alive."
Their glasses chime as they toast to these words.
Felinis:
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