Tell Me What Your Heart's Been Through

The journey to Otabek's estate is ten days, which is only made with the good fortune of favorable weather and empty roads. His lordship chooses to ride alongside their small caravan on horseback, leaving Yuri alone for much of the trip; twiddling his thumbs or pretending to read the novel he brought with him. There isn't much to look at, the plains are mostly barren with some small villages and farms occupying the otherwise desolate landscape.

The further south they go the more oppressive the air becomes; there's no flora to shield the caravan from the vicious heat of the sun and the days seem to stretch further than Yuri has ever known them to. At night, the stars are plentiful and so bright that Yuri finds himself staring in wonder. He and Otabek do not speak much to one another, though they share a tent or a room when they're lucky enough to reach town. By then, however, they're both tired from the day's travel and anxious to find sleep.

Regardless, their actual arrival seems to sneak up on his highness. It seems like the estate materializes out of nothingness, suddenly the fine building towers over the barren steppe land. In its shadow lies a village of a respectable size and at the very edge of the horizon, a small collection of mountains rest.

The building is large and ornate in a style that he's never seen before; there's a wall that lends itself to looking more like a fortress than Yuri might have otherwise been comfortable. However, once they're inside the walls he can see more of the estate itself. The structure is blockier than Yuri is used to, made of some kind of material that looks almost sterile white. The towers are angular and just barely crest the height of the surrounding fortifications.

Yuri notes, with a tinge of embarrassment at having had the assumption to begin with, that the building shows no signs of the war it witnessed. There's no crumbling brick or scorched remains of a brutal invasion. The worst feature of the home is that it looks, for the most part, uninhabited. In spite of the fleet of staff standing at attention, awaiting their master's return, this place seems to lack some element of liveliness.

An anxious energy swirls inside of Yuri as the carriage comes to a stop. He stills completely, waiting for the carriage door to open; he goes through a ridiculous amount of mental jumps as he tries to decide who he should become. What sort of consort is he going to be?

To his surprise, Otabek is the one who opens the door for him, a small smile resting pleasantly on his lips. A swell of relief floods his chest as he takes his husband's hand to exit the carriage. He is then presented to the staff in short order by his lordship; it's a quick, nearly clinical procedure that Yuri struggles to keep up with.

The military man has come out of Otabek upon their arrival. He wears a stony expression and gives commands brusquely. It's a side of him that Yuri is intrigued by, if a little wary of. Otabek instructs the steward of the home to take Yuri on a tour of the estate and then into town. The servant seems to balk at the idea before realizing the seriousness of his lordship's request.

Yuri allows himself to be pulled inside the foyer by his husband, not quite listening as they go. He isn't totally convinced Otabek is addressing him, considering the stern edge of his tone and the succinct tenacity with which he speaks. Then his lordship turns to him expectantly and Yuri feels his back straighten just a hair more.

"Yes?"

"I have business to attend to for the day but if you'd like to have a formal dinner, I can make such arrangements," his lordship says with a smirk.

"Oh, we can um… we can have an informal meal… but I would like to dine together." Yuri kicks himself for the stuttering uncertainty of his words.

"And so we will." Otabek assures him; he hesitates so briefly Yuri thinks he might have imagined it. Otabek leaves him alone then, and his highness takes in a deep breath before turning towards the head housekeeper for his tour.

It's a grand place, and in many ways it reminds Yuri of the eastern palaces he's found himself in. It's somehow both more clinical and more ornate than the prince had expected. The halls are immaculately kept, and the rooms are full of art from every corner of the continent.

There's a gilded quality to everything that leaves Yuri feeling… perhaps not out of place, but certainly like he should be holding his breath. Still, in every room there hangs this air of discontentment, this feeling like there's a lack of vitality. A lack of purpose or life that leaves him feeling unsettled.

Truly it's a relief when the tour is over, and the steward turns to him.

"His lordship indicated that you would like to see the village. That cannot be true, can it your highness?"

"It is, indeed; I am not entirely certain I will require company, but if any of your-"

"But is that appropriate? For a person of your station to be… visiting the village?"

"Why would it not be?" Yuri asks.

"Well… the people of the village are… a rougher sort," the steward explains cautiously.

"Should I be worried for my safety? Is that what you are insinuating?"

"You are different from us, highness, you are not one of us and our people know that." There's a stab of guilt in Yuri's chest at the thought. "I would advise against it."

Before he can affirm the warning, an idea pops into Yuri's mind. "Would you send Mr. Igelsia to my chambers please? I have a few instructions for him."

"Of course, your highness." The steward looks relieved by the change of plans and scurries off.

Having been left for the time being in his own chambers, Yuri takes a moment to survey the room. He glances over the decorations and the large bed. The window in particular piques his interest and he looks out into the gardens with pursed lips. There isn't much in the way of flora below him; there's a large empty field and a lake that stretches the distance between the estate and the village.

The sun beats down furiously against the open space and Yuri tries to imagine what sorts of scenes might take place here. He imagines horseback riding competitions and an expanse of snow in the wintertime. He wants to fill this space with something, but he can't quite decide what that is.

"Your highness? You sent for me." Leo enters the room with a bow.

"Are you settling in well?" Yuri asks, casting a gentle look over his shoulder.

"I am, thank you."

"Is this your home? Not now, of course. I mean from before you found employment with his lordship?" Yuri moves away from the window.

"It… it is, why do you ask?"

"I'd like to go into town and I was wondering what you thought of the notion."

Leo looks taken aback by the question, "Oh… uh, well… if that is what you desire, then yes absolutely that can be arranged."

"What is your opinion on it? It has been brought to my attention that I would be unwelcome. Or worse yet, unsafe."

"That's not true." The valet rolls his eyes, "The head of this house's staff has come from his lordship's father's employ. People in the capital have some… rather disdainful views of us here in the north."

"Such as?" Yuri tries not to laugh at Leo's obvious annoyance.

"Our village has endured much hardship in the last… couple of decades, really. We've seen strife and war in a constant cycle. The people are good, but they do not like being so… We don't like to feel like our very existence is controversial."

"No one does." Yuri notes softly.

"Indeed, it will not be an issue for you to go. The villagers might take to you better if they meet you directly, in fact."

"Really? You seemed surprised by my asking the question at all."

Leo blushes slightly, "Well I… I had assumed that… forgive me, your highness. Your former attendant made it quite clear that you have a deep investment in the people you serve. I had not anticipated that interest to continue upon your arrival."

"This village is my home now; I don't see why I should not embrace it… And perhaps you might accompany me there."

"If that is what you desire, your highness." Leo nods to him, a playful smile tugging at his lips.

"I'd appreciate it. I'd like to see the marketplace and the post more specifically. It's my intention to write a letter to my father before we depart."

"Of course, in an hour or so then?"

"That sounds fine." Yuri nods, "And Leo, if you've written to my former attendant, we can send that off as well."

Leo's smile falters as he gives a nervous laugh. "Oh I… I don't-"

"I'm certain he'd appreciate it."

"Then… perhaps I'll do that… I'll have your new attendant sent up soon," Leo says with a bow.

Yuri turns towards the writing table in the corner and gives a pensive sigh. He takes a seat and produces a small ream of parchment. He sits in silence for a moment, uncertain what to write about and who to write to. He feels like he should have more of a desire to write to his father, or even to Viktor or Yuuri for that matter. But he finds he has nothing of importance to say.

It's sad, he thinks, that there's so little for him to address, but he doesn't want them to worry. Truth be told, he is overwhelmed and worried about stepping out of line. The words of King Hakan still haunt him, now more than ever that he is in the southern kingdom.

He ends up penning a short letter to his father; the contents are sparse and much more hopeful than Yuri actually feels within. Shortly after sealing the letter, an impassive man enters the room with a blunt explanation accompanying him. Seung-Gil Lee is his new attendant, though he doesn't seem to be too thrilled by that idea.

Yuri extends the offer to go into the village to Seung-Gil but the man denies him outright. Having decided his feathers are plenty ruffled, Yuri sets off towards the servant's quarters. Many of the scullery maids look shocked and the cook is in downright disbelief as Yuri asks after the valet.

Leo smiles graciously at the prince, leading him out of the house and down towards the village. Yuri spends much of the journey griping about his new attendant and teasing Leo about the situation. Because surely, the valet would also much prefer Guang-Hong's gentleness to Seung-Gil's abrasion.

The village is alive with activity when they arrive; the sun is past its highest point, but the air is still sweltering. Leo doesn't seem bothered by it, but Yuri is very nearly faint.

"Perhaps you might find one of the shops to be a suitable resting place, your highness." Leo says when he finally noticed the breathlessness of his companion.

"Is the post much further?" Yuri asks, trying to even out his speech.

"It's at the end of the street here. I can make the journey, your highness; please take a moment." Leo gestures towards one of the shops whose door hangs ajar.

"Very well, I'll be here." Yuri nods, turning towards the shop and entering.

It is a small shop with ribbons and other fine materials strewn about the room, and it is blissfully cool out of the sun's gaze. Yuri takes a moment to look through the wares before the shopkeeper emerges from the backroom. The two of them fall into a comfortable conversation wherein Yuri inquires about the town and recent events.

The man who owns the establishment is polite and excited to see a new face. He shows Yuri a few of his wares and the prince finds himself particularly charmed by a small stuffed bear. After purchasing the toy, he asks about a flower seller and is pointed to a stall across the street. Yuri thanks the shopkeeper and walks to the stall.

The stand is full of bright, colorful flowers and Yuri is instantly taken by it. The store owner gives him a warm greeting and implores him about his favorite types of blooms. Yuri asks about lion's heart lilies, and the shopkeeper beams at him as he moves into the backroom to create a bouquet.

"These are a bit of a specialty for us." The store owner returns with a full arrangement of the beautiful exotic flowers. Yuri is captivated by them immediately; there are two variants of the flower within the arrangement, both have dark almost black centers, but some have red tips while others have bright yellow.

"They're incredible." Yuri mutters with a smile.

"Are they for someone special? Or just a treat for yourself?"

"They're for… yes, they're for someone very special," Yuri agrees with a nod, blushing fiercely as he's paying for the bouquet. Leo approaches just as the exchange is made.

"Ah! Your highness, sorry to have made you wait."

"Your-… Oh my god, I'm so sorry, your highness." The owner looks at him with wide, almost fearful eyes.

"It's quite alright," Yuri assures him with a smile. "Thank you very much."

"Of course, please accept my sincerest apologies for my impropriety." He bows deeply.

"I-… That is not necessary. Please, I have not been offended." Yuri tries not to feel too upset by the display.

"Perhaps we should we get going, your highness; best not be late for your evening plans." Leo takes the prince from the stall and sets them on the path back towards the estate.

"Leo, what just happened?" Yuri asks, baffled by the scene he's just witnessed.

"Apologies, your highness. I should have warned you… You see, many of our people are still quite… uncertain about your lord husband." Leo looks embarrassed by his lack of forethought.

"How do you mean?"

"His lordship is… has something of a reputation."

"You mean to say they fear him."

"Yes, your highness."

"And then… where does that leave me?"

"Well, it seems you've made a good impression. Perhaps now they will feel more at ease with you as their liaison to his lordship."

"Perhaps…" Yuri mutters to himself, "Our letters have been sent out?"

"Yes, your highness."

"Good."

The pair walk in silence back towards the estate. Yuri's mind still lingers on the frightened look of the shopkeeper from before and plans to visit again sometime soon. In the meantime, the prince readies himself for his meeting with his lordship. He chastises himself for the use of 'meeting' instead of dinner. He's had plenty of meals that were meetings to know the difference and Otabek… Otabek wouldn't do that.

The steward of the house seems a bit perturbed by Yuri's disregard of his warnings but still ushers him towards the terrace for supper. Yuri sets up his purchased flowers in a vase in the center of the table and props the bear on Otabek's plate. He has a moment where he wonders if that's inappropriate; to gift his husband a stuffed toy and to leave it on the plate as if to imply it's game meat.

He picks it up with a grimace, but before he can decide what to do with it, he turns to see his husband entering the veranda.

"Good evening-… what's that?" Otabek pauses in the doorway gawking at his husband.

Yuri swallows his pride as he presents it to him. "I saw it in the marketplace and… well, I thought of you."

"Of me?"

"He has your eyebrows," Yuri teases, and laughs when Otabek's cheeks pinken in response. "I also found your favorite flowers. There's a particular seller that had an incredible assortment, perhaps I can take you some time."

Otabek's features soften significantly. "They're beautiful."

"Are you hungry? It's been a long day," Yuri chuckles.

"Indeed." His lordship approaches and tucks a strand of Yuri's hair behind his ear. "Are you well?"

"Hm? Yes, I am."

"You're blushing."

Yuri rolls his eyes, "I believe the sun has not been too kind to me. I'll be covered in freckles by noon tomorrow I'm certain. I'll have my attendant make up a salve for it…"

Otabek grimaces, "I suppose I'll have to scold the sun for assaulting my husband."

"I'd like to see that."

"Although, I'll have to be lenient… I imagine you'll look particularly sweet with freckles," Otabek teases. The comment does make Yuri blush.

The pair sit for their meal. It's comfortable and easy; the setting sun provides enough warmth to keep them sitting together long after the food is finished. Yuri does most of the talking, although he does get Otabek to indulge him with some facts about himself.

Namely, and most egregiously in Yuri's opinion, that his lordship doesn't know how to swim. After a thorough round of teasing, the prince promises to teach his husband the skill. It's the strangest thing when nearly two hours into their dinner, Mr. Igelsia emerges from the estate.

"Pardon me, your highness. Your attendant is asking if you'd like separate chambers prepared for you tonight."

"Separate?" Yuri asks.

"Yes, would you like to have your rooms set up?"

"Why would I?" Yuri inquires earnestly.

Leo gives something of a half-smile, his eyes darting briefly over to Otabek. "I don't know. I'll be sure to tell him as much."

"Perhaps I might leave the option open, it will be my safe haven should you make the bed too hot," Yuri teases Otabek.

"Have you had any complaints?" Otabek chuckles.

"I suppose that remains to be seen."

Otabek nods to dismiss Leo and the pair resume their discussion. Yuri finds his evening to be nothing short of pleasant. Even if the bed is too hot that night and the sunburnt skin across his nose and ears give him a bit of a headache.

It's a nice day and it's followed by several more nice days wherein Yuri learns a very valuable lesson. He likes his husband, beyond immediate attraction or a need to get along because of their situation. He finds Otabek to be interesting and funny, he admires his thoughtfulness and the genuine care he has for others.

Yuri likes their evening meals; they're informal and long, but Yuri gets to talk without a worry of saying the wrong thing. And he likes that they have fallen into their own routine as the summer comes closer to its end. His highness has made quite an impression on the villagers and has started up some improvement projects with the help of his husband.

Although, Otabek does not venture into town nearly so much, which is to say Yuri hasn't seen him go into the village at all since their arrival. When he mentions it to his lordship, however, he is quickly brushed off. Some excuse about there not being enough time in the day flows off of his tongue and besides, he's glad to see Yuri have something of his own here.

The prince attempts to corner the valet one day into explaining the oddity in his husband's behavior, but for once Leo seems to keep his wits about him. His highness takes to asking the townspeople directly what their thoughts on the man are. Whenever his lordship is mentioned, people tend to still and offer little more than nervous laughter in response.

The only ones who give him a straight answer are the various children he speaks on his routes; the ones who play games and sit outside their parents' shops lazing about. When he asks the children about his lord husband, he's told various outlandish tales. Always to the effect of: He's dangerous, he came into their village with the ashes of another still stuck to his boots, and the blood of the former lord dripping from his sword.

Not being one to take such tales on their face, Yuri goes to several members of the community to ask about the occurrence. It's not until he is visibly frustrated that Seung-Gil seems to take pity on him.

"What is it?" the attendant asks with a sigh.

"What is what?" Yuri snaps back, taking a seat at his vanity table.

"You're huffy," Seung-Gil notes, his tone completely unamused.

"Excuse you." Yuri gapes at the man.

"What's wrong?" The man approaches with a brush.

"Well if you must know, no one will give me a straight answer about my husband." Yuri steals the brush from his hand and begins to untangle his hair.

"You want to know why the village fears him, then?" Seung-Gil asks, turning back towards the outfit picked for his highness's dinner.

"So they do fear him." Yuri pauses at the confirmation.

"You would too if you saw how he brutalized the last lord of this house." The attendant scoffs as he presses the garment.

"Is that… right?" Yuri asks cautiously.

"Indeed, I won't say that the late lord did not deserve such cruelty, but it was a spectacle to be sure."

"Were you there?"

"I was in Lord Altin's army as a field nurse." Seung-Gil nods.

"Was everyone in the army?"

"Everyone who had a desire to live."

Yuri sucks in a sharp breath. "What did he do? To the late lord of this house?"

"Well, he demanded that they surrender, as one is always inclined to do. And when he was denied it, his lordship stormed the estate, slaughtered their troops, and carried out the execution rather publicly."

"Was… what does that entail?"

"Do you know what quartering is, your highness?"

Yuri swallows thickly, "I do."

"Well, imagine that but the corpse is then fed to the hounds." Seung-Gil returns to his highness, offering a jewelry box.

"And you said… that the previous lord of this estate deserved such treatment?"

"I would say so, considering his… propensities."

"Which were?"

The attendant looks his highness dead in the eye. "Among other things, he bled his people dry of everything his could. Resources, food, and sometimes… sometimes even their children."

"Oh." Yuri's voice wavers.

"The world is much darker here than I believe you're used to."

"So then… in your opinion do the people of the village fear my husband because of who he was then? Or because they do not know him truly?"

"If I were to hazard a guess, I would say it's because he is something of a mythic creature. A hero to be both feared and respected."

Yuri nods mutely.

"Would you like a coat for tonight's dinner?" Seung-Gil asks conversationally.

"No." Yuri snaps back into the present. "That will be all."

The attendant bows and exits the room as if nothing has happened. Yuri takes a breath and looks at his reflection; he's had the privilege of living a life unmarred by war or other such difficulties. Coming into this marriage he knew next to nothing and that has yet to be resolved. It's frustrating and he's coming to realize that there's a fundamental key to that frustration.

He likes Otabek, yes, but does he trust him?

Yuri sighs as he gathers himself for dinner; his thoughts are an empty spiral of questions without answers and he hates it. Really, truly hates it.

When he emerges on the veranda, he sees his husband looking out onto the green beneath them. There's a new arrangement of roses and tulips in the center of the table; it's become something of a tradition between them; trading off who picks the flowers for the table.

Yuri touches a few of the petals thoughtfully, his eyes glazing over as he thinks about Seung-Gil's words. Then he hears a sharp intake of breath that forces him to look up.

"Good evening," Yuri says softly.

"You startled me," Otabek chuckles fondly.

"My apologies." Yuri forces a bit of a smile.

"Are you hungry?" his lordship asks.

Yuri nods as he takes a seat. "The roses are a bit closed still."

"Hm? I suppose they are." Otabek sits across from him. "I'll have to scold Leo for his choice."

"So you did not make them yourself? I'm disappointed," Yuri teases.

"Would you like me to plant a garden for you?" Otabek chuckles.

"Hm… no, that will take much too long, but perhaps I could take you into town to show you how to pick better blooms."

His lordship drops his gaze, "Another time. I am quite busy preparing for my brothers' arrival."

"They're not due in for another fortnight, an afternoon off should not be so detrimental to your schedule," Yuri pushes further, but Otabek merely shrugs in response. "Is there a problem, Otabek?"

"Why would there be?"

"I think it strange that you never seem to want to go into town with me."

"Well, I'd hate to take away something that you have adopted as your own," Otabek says.

"But there's more than that, isn't there?" Otabek gives Yuri a quizzical look as the prince continues to speak. "You know, I find it a bit odd; I'm the one from a far away place, I'm the one who left everything behind by coming here, and I feel like I have been left in the dark. I feel like you're trying to hide me from something, which would be fine if I didn't notice but I have. You won't go into the village, and you won't tell me why. I don't like that."

His lordship's jaw sets as he adjusts in his seat. "Is that what you've decided?"

"Am I wrong to say it?" Yuri watches Otabek's hand flex as he continues to speak. "And perhaps you don't need to tell me what's wrong at all, but I think it should bother you that I know you're lying."

"I have never lied to you."

"Haven't you?"

"No."

Yuri huffs, "By omission then?"

"You don't seem to know for certain what you're accusing me of."

"I know more than you think."

"Do you?"

"Do you trust me? Or do you think I'm a frail thing that is easily broken?"

"I should think both are true," Otabek says coldly.

"But you don't trust me, do you? You didn't tell me that this place was a part of your conquest," Yuri accuses harshly.

"You knew that when we were wed," Otabek says boredly.

"I cannot rely upon you to tell me directly then? I must make inferences?"

"The past is the past."

"Do you think the villagers fear you?" Otabek does not respond to that. "Do you think they should?"

A silence hangs over the table and Yuri notices that Otabek's knuckles have gone white as he clutches the arm of his chair.

"Because I can answer both of those questions for you." Yuri's statement causes Otabek's gaze to narrow at him. "I think they do fear you, but I don't think they should."

Otabek gives a rueful chuckle at that.

"It's true." Yuri stands from the table and approaches him. "You were a conqueror for so long, now you've been recast as their leader and that is the part you should play. It would be cruel of you to act differently."

"Cruel?" Otabek looks truly taken aback by the notion.

"Yes." Yuri affirms gruffly, "You're their leader now, to make them fear you… to let them keep seeing you as a man who… I don't know, trampled their elderly to death with reindeer instead of the man who will help their lands recover. I can think of nothing worse."

Otabek lets a smirk grace his features, "Is that what I did?"

"One of the children in town said as much. Am I to take him at his word? Or will you confirm such a rumor?"

His lordship shakes his head, "I did not trample the elderly with reindeer."

"Then what did you do that is so unforgivable?"

"I… I don't… I don't want you to see me in a different light."

"I should hope to see you in a new light every day, the sun never stays in the same place anyhow." Yuri kneels before his husband. "And isn't that the point of all this? I know you and they do not. We want them to see you differently, yes? We want them to know who leads them."

"And you have to know what I've done to make this happen?"

"I'm your husband, I think of anyone I have a right to know." Yuri takes his husband's hand from the arm rest. "Please?"

Otabek gives a heavy sigh before relaying a similar story to Seung-Gil's. Some of the details have changed, the execution of the late lord is particularly brutal, and the siege of the village is more devastating. Yuri doesn't flinch and he doesn't release his hold on Otabek's hand.

"It's not so terrible a thing," Yuri says when the story has concluded.

Otabek looks truly perplexed by this response. "It isn't?"

"No… my imagination seems to be a more vicious beast than you," Yuri assures him, taking his hand and kissing the back of it.

"You thought me capable of worse?"

"If you were to keep the truth from me, I thought the truth must be something horrible."

"And it is."

"Sure, but not to the extent you think it is." Yuri rises from the ground. "You're a better person than you think you are, Otabek."

Otabek blushes fiercely at that while Yuri chuckles and leans in for a kiss. He has a surprising thought then, that this is the first time they've kissed since the morning after their wedding. The action lights something warm in his stomach and makes him feel… something close to powerful.

"Now, you'll come with me to the village tomorrow morning. Perhaps we'll even teach you to swim."

"Oh no." Otabek shakes his head with a chuckle.

"It will humanize you to your people," Yuri assures with a smirk.

"You mean to humiliate me," Otabek claims weakly.

"Shame is a good way to build character."

"Maybe you are a crueler beast than I."

"Indeed I am," Yuri teases, retaking his seat. The pair fall into a fine conversation, an air of tension hanging on their shoulders that Yuri refuses to acknowledge.

When the morning comes, Yuri is insistent about bringing his lordship with him to the village. Otabek attempts to get out of the trip one last time, but Yuri isn't having any of it. In fact, he makes a point of telling Mr. Iglesia not to let Otabek weasel out of the venture as a way of cementing their plans.

The sun is already high in the sky when the pair reach town. Some of the villagers give their customary greeting to his highness, others shrink back when they notice his lordship standing beside him. Yuri checks in on his projects and pops into the stores he frequents, attempting to get Otabek to open up. At the very least Yuri would appreciate it if his lordship would smile some.

It isn't until Yuri gets roped into a game with a group of children that Otabek seems to drop his stony exterior. Yuri passes his husband his walking cloak and runs into the game, kicking the ball towards a haphazard goal post with renewed vigor. When the prince looks back towards him, Otabek seems to be having a conversation with a few of the shop keeps; his eyes are soft, and he looks to be laughing.

One of the children from the other team rushes over to the group of adults halfway through the game and brings his lordship into the fray. Yuri laughs at the way Otabek is quickly bullied into joining the fun and playfully eggs him on as they go. His lordship is an excellent opponent, although he does lift Yuri over his shoulder as a way of taking the ball back for his team; Yuri claims this is cheating and Otabek pretends not to hear that.

The heat of the day starts to get to them, and the prince suggests a swim in the lake. Otabek begins to protest, but the group (including some of the adults that have gathered for the spectacle) start off towards the water at the very mention of it.

The young prince spends a solid portion of the walk there cajoling his husband into attempting to swim. Otabek tries his best to deny it, but the social pressure of the thing must get to him.

"Just try to relax, Otabek, it's not so hard," Yuri promises, wading into the water until it kisses his knees. The water is refreshingly cool and the sun reflects off the mirror-like pool so pleasantly it reminds Yuri of a fairytale.

"I'm sure it's not… for you," Otabek grumbles, taking a few tentative steps into the water but stopping closer to the shore.

Yuri chuckles, "Don't be nervous."

"I will remind you that people die doing this." Otabek gives him an exasperated look.

"Yeah, when they're afraid and don't know what they're doing." Yuri pushes himself deeper into the water until he's waist deep in the lake, then he turns around with an extended hand. "See, you can still stand here. Come to me."

Otabek, feeling a bit more reassured, walks further until he grabs Yuri's hand.

"Perfect, now take a deep breath."

"You're not-"

"To relax; god, I'm not going to push you under. Besides, even if I were to attempt it, you're much too strong for me," Yuri assures him. Otabek does take a deep breath and the prince begins to walk backwards.

His lordship gasps when Yuri begins to float, the sand bank finally dropping off to its deeper point.

"It's okay," Yuri says. "Kick your legs back, like I told you."

"Yuri-"

"You can do it, I believe in you," Yuri encourages. "You're a strong, noble warlord who will not be felled by such a simple skill. I promise."

"But I… If I can't do it, you're much smaller than me and-"

Yuri floats back towards the sand bank, pressing his body as close to his husband as possible, and kisses him.

"It's okay, you're okay, you can do it," Yuri reiterates. He laughs lightly when he sees Otabek's flushed cheeks. The prince pushes back off the bank and pulls Otabek into the deep.

His lordship splashes a bit frantically with his legs at first and Yuri does his best to keep from teasing him too much. Somewhere in the realm of twenty minutes into the excursion, Otabek seems to have gotten a handle on the activity, though he still clings tightly onto Yuri's hands.

"See, simple as that." Yuri encourages him with a laugh. Otabek gives him a nervous smile that is interrupted by a wave crashing over them.

Yuri reaches forward to make sure Otabek remains afloat and once he is certain of his safety, Yuri turns towards the source of the disruption. The children from before seem to be ready to resume their games. Otabek stays closer to the shallows while Yuri takes to splashing and tackling the little ones in kind. At one point, Yuri manages to convince Otabek back into the depths of the water and the pair float together briefly.

The day is rapidly coming to a close and Yuri can't help but be a little grateful. His shoulders and arms are an unflattering shade of crimson, and the sun still has some hours to go until she disappears for the day.

Otabek does not bite back his amusement as they say their goodbyes to the villagers. He offers to carry the prince back to the palace as it, "Seems you may have difficulty doing it on your own, my northern fairy."

"Don't tease me so," Yuri complains, wrinkling his nose at his husband. Otabek kisses his nose with a laugh.

"I'll tease you however I see fit."

"The sun is already cruel to me; I won't have you doing the same."

"You won't?"

"No."

"And how do you intend to stop me?" Otabek implores.

Yuri, fully aware of the eyes on them and knowing that the goal of all of this is to make Otabek more approachable to his people, choose to do something he actively tries to avoid. He attempts to be cute.

The prince reaches up and taps the tip of Otabek's nose, making his lordship blush fiercely in response.

"Ask nicely?" Yuri gives his husband a sweet smile that he can tell disarms the man before him.

"Well…" Otabek clearly doesn't have a response to that.

"Let's go home now, darling, I think I'm in need of a salve," Yuri chuckles nervously. Otabek nods as Yuri turns to say his goodbyes. The townspeople seem to find the scene either hilarious or extremely sweet as they all bite back grins and chuckles with their salutations.

Yuri takes his husband up to the estate; by the time they're back he's thoroughly winded and Otabek has taken it upon himself to carry the prince up to their chambers.

"I think you did too much today," Otabek says gently.

"Nonsense, it's the sign of a good day if you can barely walk by the end of it," Yuri assures him.

"Well, I hope you'll take the next few days a bit easier. I don't want you getting sunstroke, especially not with the burns you already have." Otabek sits his husband on the edge of their bed.

"I'm not so delicate as that."

"No, but you aren't used to the summers here. They're much harsher than you've experienced."

"And they're worse in the capital too, I take it?"

"Oh yes, even further south than we are now. The sun is unrelenting the further you go. I'm afraid my fairy would be burnt to a crisp there."

"I'm not a fairy." Yuri manages to chuckle as he pushes his lordship's hands away from him.

"Hm, aren't you? My winter fairy from the north."

"And you'll be in for a surprise with northern winters to be sure," Yuri counters.

"Indeed I will. Can I get you anything else?" Otabek asks, placing a soft hand against Yuri's hot cheek.

"You could stay… unless your work is very pressing."

Otabek says nothing as he takes up a seat beside him. "It's dangerous of you to ask for things I cannot deny you."

"Then I shall continue to press my luck," Yuri teases. "And I hope you will too."

"You do?"

"I hope that I've earned more of your trust so that I might give you more of mine."

Otabek's gaze becomes a bit more serious at that. "That is… a valiant thing to want."

"And will you give it to me?"

"I-… yes, I will."

"Good." Yuri leans forward and rests his head against Otabek's chest. "Now if you won't be offended, I may sleep in my own chambers tonight. My skin is on fire."

Otabek laughs, "Oh you poor darling."

His lordship kisses the back of Yuri's head and chuckles again as they wait for Seung-Gil to bring up a cooling salve. Despite the discomfort of Yuri's sunburnt skin, he likes having Otabek by his side. He enjoys the feeling of his husband by his side.

More than that, he likes the idea of trusting him without question. And perhaps he will, simply because he can.

Tell me what your heart's been through; Tell me where you're goin' to;

Tell me all the things you'd like to do but you can't; 'Cause you're scared that you're goin' to hell.