When the morning comes Yuri feels lighter than he had previously expected. His head is fuzzy and the morning light creeps in from the cracks in the curtains. The staff have yet to rouse them, but Yuri is unable to coax himself back to sleep. He sits up to better gaze upon his husband's features when he notices Otabek's bruised shoulders and neck.
In a moment of unbridled worry, Yuri cups Otabek's face and turns his head to observe the marks, waking his husband in the process.
"Hmm?" Otabek groans, his eyelids cracking open.
"Beka are you alright?" Yuri asks.
"Why?"
"You're covered in bruises, darling," Yuri notes with a tone tinged in concern.
Otabek squints up at his husband for a moment, then a laugh rumbles in his chest. "Do you know what you did to me last night?"
"W-what?" Yuri asks, taken aback.
"You seemed to have a particular fascination with my neck if I recall," Otabek teases.
"I did this?" Yuri asks in a whisper.
"Are you not proud of your work?"
"I-… did you like it?" Yuri finds himself asking it before he can halt the words from leaving his mouth.
"I did." Otabek sits up, caressing his husband's face before kissing his forehead. "Very much."
"Oh…" Yuri bites his lip in response. "Should I not offer apologies then?"
"You may if you wish, but do not do so on my behalf. I am quite satisfied," Otabek chuckles.
"Might I say, then, that you have a predilection for this sort of thing?" Yuri asks; a surge of boldness spurs his fingers into grazing the purpled skin.
"You should," Otabek agrees with a smirk.
"Then I should have to indulge you from time to time," Yuri snickers.
"I must know, then, what you prefer so that I might respond in kind," Otabek murmurs, pressing their foreheads together.
"Well, in order for me to do that… I believe we must do some experimenting, don't you agree?"
"Indeed I do," Otabek agrees, lowering his lips so that he might kiss his husband.
It's a tender kiss that steals the breath from their lungs; it's intimate and all consuming. So much so that when their attendants enter the room, they are none the wiser until the curtains are pulled away and they are bathed in sunlight.
"I take it our duties are imminent." Otabek seems to cast a glare at the servants.
"We only have a few days until our departure for the capital. Take heart husband, they mean you no personal offense." Yuri chuckles as he moves to stand from the bed.
Otabek steals him for one more kiss but not before Yuri sees the gleeful look Leo gives Seung-Gil. The smack he hears clues the prince into the rest of the interaction without needing to look their way.
"I almost forgot to mention, we're having a guest for dinner tonight," Otabek tells him sweetly.
"Oh? When we're so close to our own departure?" Yuri looks at him quizzically.
"Indeed, I'm afraid I've only just received word from him."
"I suppose, then, I will dress well and hope for the best," Yuri chuckles, leaning in for yet another kiss.
Yuri takes himself to the washroom and gets away with saying no more about the previous night's activities. Except for the humble 'thank you' that falls from his lips when he and Seung-Gil are alone.
It is true that the prince and his husband will begin their journey south in the coming days. Perhaps Yuri is haughty for having no fear of it; it may be the case that his comfort is misguided or that he has forgotten the weight of Otabek's family. Regardless, he finds himself easing into the idea and preparing for their winter travels with no trace of displeasure. They'll be gone for most of the winter; between this visit, Yuuri and Viktor's wedding in the new year, and Phichit's baby shower their schedule is quite full.
As the afternoon stretches out, Yuri finds himself growing rather bored of his work. Not that it is unfulfilling in any way; it is simply the repetitive nature of it that spurs his disinterest. There comes a point in the day when he pulls himself away from the monotony to instruct his attendant on their travel plans.
It is in the midst of such a conversation that Yuri happens to glance out the window, only to be taken aback by what he sees. There's a moment in which a previous scene plays in his mind, one where Lord JJ Leroy is absconding from the palace after his humiliating debasement. However, the scene before him is not that; it is his husband and Lord Leroy sparing in the courtyard.
The complete and utter gall of that man.
"Highness? Your Highness are you listening?" Seung-Gil asks, sounding rather miffed at his charge's lack of attention.
Yuri swiftly turns on his heel and struts out of the estate, his steps thundering as he goes. The sound of Seung-Gil's begrudging steps echo his as the pair stalk down towards the courtyard.
Upon their arrival Yuri watches for a moment, his cheeks flushed red with rage and his hands trembling. Otabek expertly disarms his opponent (for what must be the hundredth or so time given their breathlessness and sweat soaked clothing) and shoves Lord Leroy to the ground. There's a particularly loud thud as Otabek stakes his sparring weapon into the ground beside JJ's head.
"Bested again, Leroy." Otabek smirks at him.
"Indeed," JJ chuckles, resting his head back in the dirt, resigned to his defeat.
"Perhaps in the next round I might brandish a real weapon, huh? Keep you firmly on your toes?" Otabek continues to tease, but something about that sentence feels decidedly threatening.
JJ holds out his hand and Otabek clasps his arm to pull the man to his feet.
"Your highness, is something the matter?" Seung-Gil asks.
Yuri says nothing as Otabek peels his sweat-soaked shirt, his mouth suddenly running dry. He almost doesn't hear Otabek's next statement.
"You are, of course, welcome to die on my land anytime you like, Leroy." Otabek says it so casually Yuri's blood doesn't immediately curdle at the insinuation.
"Would you like that, old friend?" JJ teases, mirroring Otabek's removal of clothing.
"Who are you calling old?" Otabek brandishes his sparring weapon.
The prince stands with bated breath, staring – rather, ogling if he were to be totally honest but he's not in the business of rejecting all propriety – at his husband.
"Your highness, are you well?" Seung-Gil asks again, this time a tinge of worry hangs in his tone that startles Yuri into looking at his attendant.
"Indeed. I-… I simply…" Yuri looks back at his husband and is struck again with the mesmerizing sight of Otabek without a damn shirt on. His taut, muscular back glistening with sweat and sunlight, his eyes bright with a competitive fury Yuri has not yet borne witness to. It is… in a word, bewitching. He finds himself utterly and irrevocably besotted with the image. In spite of his internal fury, which still ripples inside of him, he cannot help but stay firmly planted where he is.
Otabek once again decisively and conclusively bests JJ, his sword nearly clipping Lord Leroy's head. Then Otabek's knee raises towards JJ's groin, causing the man to jerk away. Otabek takes the opportunity to shove an elbow into JJ's ribs and sends him tumbling to the ground.
"If I didn't know any better, my lord, I'd accuse you of being upset with me." JJ laughs as he puts a hand to the back of his neck. The statement wavers, however slightly, and Yuri feels his jaw drop just the slightest bit.
Otabek kneels to JJ's level and taps his chin, "Why would I be?"
The challenge sends a shiver down Yuri's spine as he watches the interaction. His heart beats faster and perhaps it is inappropriate to be enthralled by it, but he cannot deny the thrill in his chest.
Then he catches JJ's eye and the two of them are caught in the midst of a memory. They both know, they both remember, and neither of them is certain how to act.
Otabek turns to investigate what has taken JJ's breath away and he smiles at the prince. It's cold and almost cruel, but it sends a sharp tingle through his veins regardless.
"Darling, come here, I'd like you to meet our dinner guest." Otabek stands and holds out a hand towards him.
Yuri steels himself before approaching, his hand snakes into Otabek's as JJ scrambles to his feet.
Otabek kisses the side of Yuri's head before speaking. "Yura this is Lord Jean-Jacques Leroy of the western nation. He was a ward of my father for… oh how many years were you with us?"
"Eighteen," JJ says, looking pained as he speaks.
"Ah, yes, how could I forget? We were raised together. It wasn't that long ago that you were released back to your country. Apologies for the tangent; he was at our wedding, though in all the commotion I did not have time to introduce you properly."
"My lord." Yuri nods to him.
"Your highness." JJ averts his gaze.
"I'm certain you'll get along well, though it is a pity you can only stay through the night," Otabek chuckles.
"I hope I am not interrupting." Yuri swallows thickly.
"You are always welcome, love." Otabek presses another kiss to his temple.
"You're unsightly," Yuri chuckles. "Taking off your shirt in the middle of autumn like this, you'll catch a chill. And I draw the line at meeting your family alone."
"Forgive me." Otabek returns the laugh, nuzzling Yuri's hair.
"Stop! You're soaked! Beka!" Yuri cannot fight back against his laughter as Otabek pulls the prince further into his arms. It is then that Yuri catches sight again of JJ. He feels a swell of pride within him at the look of discomfort the lord wears. Perhaps their intimate playfulness is unbecoming of their stations – Yuri can practically hear Mr. Katsuki's admonishment in his mind – but making JJ squirm feels too good for him to relent.
"You need a bath," Yuri finally says, halting his husband's advances.
"I suppose you're correct," Otabek agrees. "I'll show you to your rooms, old friend; my husband has put together quite the dinner for us and I would hate for you to slight his efforts to do right by you."
Yuri bites back a chortle as JJ fumbles to agree; the pair of them redress before the prince can escort the group back towards the estate. Otabek's hand rests on the small of Yuri's back as they go, leaving their guest in his chambers. Once the door is closed, Yuri grasps Otabek's collar and drags him to their chambers, slamming the door behind them before their attendants can follow them in.
"What the hell, Beka!?" Yuri hisses at him, "JJ is our guest? JJ? And why are you acting like you have something to prove?"
Otabek, for his part, is undeterred. "I do have something to prove, Yura. I have to show him that he was a fool to have treated you so poorly."
Yuri stutters in his response, "W-well I-… I don't-"
"Let me be frank, if he even has a minute part to play in your unhappiness, I will make him feel like the fool he is." Otabek takes Yuri's hand in his. "If he is at all responsible for your low opinion of yourself… that is irreparable damage, and he should be treated thusly for the crime against you he has committed. There is not a soul on Earth who will ever cause you harm again, my darling. That is a promise I will keep, and it starts with reminding that pompous asshole that he is not infallible."
The prince is certain that Otabek will continue his crusade to say such ruthless, perfect things to defend Yuri's honor. It is, undoubtedly, the most devoted anyone has ever been to him. He is touched and taken aback, so much so that all of his restraint flies out the window as he throws himself into a kiss.
Otabek, too, seems shocked by the gesture but leans into him nonetheless, his hands curling into the fabric of Yuri's shirt. The prince wraps his legs around his husband and before he can stop to think about his actions, he's grinding his hips aggressively against Otabek's.
All of this was for him, the showboating and the thinly veiled threats, Otabek is defending his honor. Moreover, he is holding firm to the promise he gave on their wedding night. To protect him, to defend him, and some few nights ago he also vowed to uplift him. To rehabilitate his spirt and bring him new life in the form of kindness.
In this moment he has never loved so deeply nor felt so loved in return. It is so startling and all-consuming that he has no other instinct than to grind his hips and whimper for more of his husband's touch.
It's a faster excursion than their previous escapade into intimacy. Too fast, one might say, but they would not be Yuri himself. It seems like he merely loses his pants and feels the lithe stroke of his husband's hands along his ribcage before he's coming undone. He doesn't know exactly what happens after that, he feels cum leaking down his thighs and the strangled groaning from Otabek.
Otabek's head thuds on the door behind them and Yuri threads his fingers through the soft fuzz at the base of his neck. His breath disperses pleasantly on the back of Yuri's shoulder as he peppers it with kisses.
"Now I suppose I need a bath as well." Yuri mutters thoughtlessly.
A true to form snort breaks out of Otabek. "Was that all a part of your ploy? To share a bath with me?"
"Not immediately no, but I cannot say I mind it." Yuri smirks.
The pair dismount after another moment, their legs wavering as they call for their attendants. Leo looks pleased, Seung-Gil looks tired, and the rest of the staff avert their gazes and snickers. They bathe together but dress separately, Yuri taking the time to delicately brush his hair. His gaze far away as he mindlessly tends to the knots.
"Your highness, I am concerned for your wellbeing," Seung-Gil huffs when they are properly alone.
"Hm?" Yuri turns to look at him.
"You're listless and unfocused, if I didn't know any better I would say you're coming down with something severe." Seung-Gil approaches and takes Yuri's face in his hands, tilting him as if to give a rudimentary exam.
Yuri smacks his hand away, "I'm well, Seung-Gil, goodness."
"It would do you well to remember that I am a medically trained individual. You are acting most unlike yourself."
"You mean to tell me you do not know of Lord Leroy?" Yuri asks, truly taken aback that the staff have been kept in the dark.
"I know he was a ward of King Hakan. That he was raised here in Astana while his father and older brother fought against His Majesty. Lord Leroy and Lord Otabek were good friends growing up. He only recently returned to his family, some four or so years ago, I believe. But I fail to see why that should bother you to such a degree."
Yuri shakes his head. "Lord Leroy was previously my betrothed."
Seung-Gil looks at him with a disbelieving gaze.
"It's the truth, he and I were arranged to be married and the night of King Christophe's wedding I found him balls deep in my cousin. Lord Otabek has recently come to know such information and is… handling it as he sees fit. I was unaware of his intentions to bring him to our home and invite him to dinner, but here we are."
Seung-Gil nods slowly, "I see."
"You really mean to say you did not know? I told the same story to Khan and Nazim not long ago. I assumed that gossip would run rampant."
"I suppose no servants were present for it, or perhaps we did not understand the lengths of the insult."
Yuri stands to dress. "Well, he is… our relationship with him is complex at best."
"Indeed."
"Dinner will be interesting."
"I hope for the cook's sake you are wrong." Seung-Gil sighs as he retrieves the jewelry box.
The prince makes his way down to the sitting room wherein JJ and Otabek are already chatting.
"Perhaps unseemliness is a good look on me, but I quite enjoyed the activities that led to it," Otabek chuckles, halting Yuri in his tracks.
"Indeed, you've no shame in flaunting the signs of your intimate, marital relations," JJ laughs in return. It is then that Yuri reminds himself of the scattering of love marks across the plane of Otabek's chest. He is duly mortified at the thought. "I see not everything changes."
Otabek laughs again, "Oh, JJ, I hope that marriage is half as satisfying for you as it is for me. I know you had a tendency to become bored with your conquests."
Yuri tries not to choke on his next breath as he hears that.
"My husband is not a conquest, I expressed as much to you on the night of my wedding. I am certain you feel the same." JJ's voice sounds quite impatient.
"Well, whereas I paid for my pleasure and then washed my hands of it, you pursued it quite vigorously. I believe you spoke of enjoying the chase more than the relations that followed." Otabek pauses before adding, "Although, if I recall, you did also quite enjoy the sex that inevitably followed."
"That is the way of it." JJ's tone has become tense. "Make no mistake, I love my husband deeply, more than I have loved any other I might have chased in my wanton youth."
"For your sake and that of Gosha's, I am glad of it."
Yuri is more confused than anything by the use of Georgi's diminutive (being used by his husband no less), but he decides then is a good time to interrupt.
"My apologies for my tardiness, might we go in?" Yuri asks.
Otabek's gaze fixates on him as he approaches. "You, my dearest one, are never late."
Yuri blushes as he steps aside to take them to the dining hall. Otabek sits at the head of the table whilst Yuri and JJ sit across from one another. There's a wash of silence as the first course is served. Yuri isn't certain how the thick awkwardness will be broken so he chooses to focus on the food before him.
"How is your husband, JJ? I haven't heard from you since my wedding," Otabek asks.
"He's well, he has taken to our estate like it was always his own."
"And how have your parents adjusted to him? I know they were not the most avid admirers of his."
"They are happy, I am happy." Yuri unsuccessfully bites back a snort, and JJ bites his tongue in turn. "Have you something to say, your highness?"
"Not at all." Yuri shakes his head. "I had merely wondered if you and your husband had any plans for travel in the near future."
"Not at the present no, I am to stay with him for the winter months in our home."
"You'll not be going to Prince Viktor's wedding then? How unusual," Otabek muses a bit too thoughtfully. "You don't think that will be seen in poor taste? Considering he is to be the next monarch."
JJ steels himself as he answers, "Our presence will not be missed."
"Nonsense, they're family," Otabek continues to pry.
"Our business is our own," JJ says.
"Is that how you felt about your intention to commit adultery?" Otabek asks with a cutting edge to his tone.
"So you do know." Lord Leroy shakes his head.
"Of course I know, you dolt." Otabek gives him a vicious stare.
"Then why the pageantry? Why not out and say it the second I stepped foot in this house?"
"I was hoping you would be wise enough to admit your fault and apologize on your own accord. Instead, I have had to resort to childish bullying tactics to get you to see the error of your ways."
"I would not say-"
"Think about that sentence before it concludes."
The unrelenting tension in the room is palpable… even if Yuri is the only one eating.
"Your happiness is a result of my… I am remiss to say errors because I do not believe them to be, but you are in your situation because of me, my friend." Lord Leroy leans forward just a touch, a challenge that Yuri cannot believe he has the gall to make.
"Yes, yes, I'm thankful you are an idiot, but I want to know if you understand the depth of your cruelty?"
"Is there depth when you think me so shallow?"
"I did not ask you for an analysis of my opinion, I asked for yours." Otabek waves him off.
"No, I have no regrets."
"I did not ask for regrets," Otabek snarls at him.
"You sound much like your father in this instance," JJ says, clearly to get a rise out of him. Yuri clutches his fork as the red-hot rage surges through Otabek.
Still, the man remains calm as he speaks. "Let me be very clear for you. You are and have always been a dear friend to me, JJ. Almost a brother in some regards and I do not want to cast that relationship aside. But you have been woefully and dreadfully cruel to my husband. I will not tolerate such an insult."
JJ says nothing more, sitting back in his chair as he glances towards Yuri. There's a pink flush that the prince feels dusting his cheeks but he's too frightened to look Lord Leroy in the eye.
"You can either apologize to him or you can sleep in the stables," Otabek says as a final, flippant warning.
After a few seconds of uncertainty, Lord Leroy adjusts his position. "I am sorry if I hurt you, Your Highness."
"That," Otabek corrects him.
"That I hurt you." JJ gives his friend a snide shake of the head.
"Th-thank you..." Yuri finds himself speaking without his own consent. "The soup is divine."
JJ nods awkwardly and their dinner continues in an uneasy truce. When the two lords retire to their after-dinner drinks, Yuri slips away for a moment to himself. He knows that JJ doesn't mean what he says, at least, he feels like that is true. Otabek is a truly devoted partner, and the prince would not want to sully any of his relations… but what a display that was.
He approaches the door to re-enter his role as host when he hears them speaking.
"You know that your husband made mine cry, yes?" JJ asks.
"Good for him," Otabek chuckles.
"Should I demand satisfaction as you have?"
"Only if you've a death wish."
"He humiliated my beloved."
"And you were going to subject Yura to a broken marriage in which you had no devotion to him. No fidelity, trust, love, or even friendship. You humiliated him, you belittled him, and you cast him aside without a second thought. My husband merely insinuated your pre-marital relations in public, which you don't give a fuck about. Do you truly see these crimes as equal?"
"I think my devotion to my beloved is just as strong as yours."
"I doubt that," Otabek chuckles, and a sound like a playful smack reaches Yuri's ears.
"You're a prick."
"So are you."
"It's why we get on so well."
Yuri decides then to tell a nearby servant to make his excuses as he heads up to bed. He changes and sits on his bed awaiting his husband's arrival. When Otabek does finally make his way to the prince, he has a swagger in his step and a smile that is indicative of his inebriated state.
"My Yura." He beams at the prince.
Yuri shakes his head as he laughs, "My Beka, you are intoxicated."
"I am, every inch of me is, and you're to blame." Otabek approaches and kisses his forehead.
"Am I?"
"Every time I'm near you it's like I'm falling in love all over again."
The prince stands and guides his husband to bed, "You are too sweet when you're liquored up."
"I love you."
"And I you." Yuri tucks his lordship into bed.
Otabek falls asleep quickly and Yuri takes to brushing Otabek's hair back with his fingers. He marvels at the man who has so swiftly and totally taken over his heart. That pours all of his boundless strength into the sanctity of their marriage. That wants to inspire and instill confidence into Yuri. For the first time in a very long time, Yuri indulges in the warmth of being wanted.
The next morning Yuri is up and about the house before Otabek awakens. He concludes the work that had previously been interrupted and then finds himself alone in the breakfast hall. Until, of course, he is joined by one Lord Leroy. JJ pauses at the door, but Yuri merely waves him in.
"I won't stay long if I frighten you so easily," Yuri remarks.
"I am not frightened of you." JJ shakes his head.
"Should I remedy that?" Yuri mutters to himself and has to keep from blushing when he sees the wide-eyed look JJ gives him.
"I did not… I would have acted as I did with you regardless of who it was."
"That is not a comfort." Yuri is shocked that he has to say so.
JJ nods. "It was not a personal slight, is all I meant by it. Forgive me."
"You called me vain… Said I was vapid, selfish, and unworthy of being loved. I have not stopped hearing those word since you spoke them," Yuri admits weakly.
"I had no idea I'd made such an impression." JJ looks truly taken aback; one might even say wounded.
"You had… made me feel like I could expect a fine arrangement between us. We danced and you told me about your parents… I… You made me feel small."
"I'm sorry," JJ breathes the sentiment.
"I'm not small anymore." Yuri's gaze is something like ice, hard and fridged as he speaks. "I will not be small for you. I am not a victim of yours or anyone else's… I hope that you can live with your own cowardice for how you conducted yourself."
Lord Leroy looks very much like a child being scolded.
"As for Georgi, I said my piece and that is that. I will not stand in the way of your continued friendship with my husband, as I can see you are dear to him. Make no mistake, my lord, I do despise you. I do detest your very presence, but I think you should know what it is like to be treated like you are nothing."
"You think I don't know that feeling, your highness?" JJ scowls at him. "I was brought to this place when I was but four years old. I was raised by my father's enemy, in a foreign land, knowing that I was as good as dead. Hate me all you like, but we are much more alike than you want to believe."
"And yet you were not alone. You had Otabek."
"I suppose that is why he was sent to the front to kill my uncle."
Yuri does not falter at the revelation. "If we are so similar… why then did you treat me in such a manner?"
"Need I spell it out for you?" JJ asks softly. "Perhaps I felt the kiss of power for the first time in my life, or I saw so much of myself in you that I acted as I felt I ought to. It doesn't matter why, does it?"
The pair sit with that sentiment for a moment, thinking and feeling emotions that are unspeakable.
"Should I believe that you love my cousin?" Yuri asks.
"You should, because it is true."
"Why?"
"Because he sees me." JJ tilts his glass to the prince, "There is no greater gift than that. I might ask of you why you love your husband?"
Yuri doesn't respond at first, not thinking his lordship was earnest in his question until the man gestured for him to do so.
"Beka loves me and I him."
"Why?"
"He… He is good to me… it is so rare a thing to find in this world. He makes me feel safe and wanted… cared for."
JJ nods. "You are, without a doubt, the only thing I have ever seen him fight for."
"Not even his country? Or his family?" Yuri scoffs.
"No, he did those things out of obligation. For you? It was not duty, it was a primal need."
Yuri isn't sure how to respond to that. "I hope your journey home will be swift and smooth, your lordship."
"As do I."
Yuri leaves then; he does not say goodbye, nor does he attempt to ask after their guest's departure when he sees his husband later on. In a strange turn of events, Otabek finds his way into Yuri's orbit throughout the day, not that the prince minds his attentiveness. He's quite chuffed, actually, that he's lured his husband away from his study for the time being.
That night they lie with one another again, a tangled heap of limbs and love. It's quiet, in spite of the syncopated breaths and rustling wind outside their room. Yuri looks at Otabek with reverent eyes and a deep sense of adoration. Otabek does not comment on it; he merely kisses his husband sweetly and often until they are resigned to find their slumber.
Yuri is struck with a deep sense of longing for the man that he loves. It is positively demanding, the feeling in his chest; he cannot breathe with the weight of it. He thinks, with pride, that now he has yet another way to show his devotion to Otabek. By way of their love making, he can gift him pleasure and attention in any way he can imagine.
Every night leading up to their departure they give into the temptations of intimacy. Working their way through the awkwardness and allowing touch to transcend conversation. Yuri speaks more candidly, asks for more parts of him to be discovered. Otabek releases his previous tension and melts into each instruction with renewed passions.
By the time they leave for the capital, Otabek's neck is yellowed with healing and the first frost has kissed the land. A part of Yuri feels guilty for leaving when he knows the anxieties their people face with the changing season. The other knows how important it is for him to make appearances with the royal family.
Of course, Otabek also seems anxious to show him off and his excitement is infectious. Yuri holds his hand and makes conversation for much of the nine days it takes for them to arrive in the capital. The city is warm, as was to be expected; the coastline glitters as it comes into view, and the strong, sturdy structures loom over the land.
"Don't be nervous, Yura," Otabek encourages him as the carriage takes them ever closer to their destination.
"I'm… merely looking forward to meeting the rest of your family," Yuri says.
"If my father says anything untoward you let me know," Otabek says, ignoring that blatant lie.
Yuri agrees with a nod, nestling his head into the crook of Otabek's neck.
Their arrival is imminent and soon the fortress of a castle comes into view.
"Have courage, love," Otabek chuckles upon seeing the look on Yuri's face.
Yuri nods as they step out of the carriage. Two children instantly leap onto Otabek the second their feet are planted firmly on the ground.
"Beka! Beka! We missed you!" The children chuckle as Otabek wrestles with them.
"I missed you too," Otabek laughs.
"Kemal! Rashad! What did I say about waiting in line!?" Prince Aysel's aggressive tones startle the boys (Otabek included).
Yuri turns his attention to the rest of the family, all lined up in order with the staff behind them. Aysel walks toward the couple, looking stern if a bit amused.
"Sorry Mama." The two boys hang their heads.
Aysel puts his hands on Otabek's face, "Welcome home, dear."
Otabek kisses his mother's face before Aysel turns to Yuri. "And welcome for the first time. I hope the roads treated you well."
"Indeed," Yuri assures him with a breathy laugh.
"Come, please. Let me introduce you to my children." Aysel wraps an arm around Yuri's shoulders. Otabek is already chatting with Khan and their father, one of the littles still hangs off his sleeve. "You've met Khan and Nazim. This is Khan's husband, Soli."
A man who looks different from the rest of the Altins bows to Yuri; he's leaner than the rest of them, though his coloring is the same.
"My fourth oldest, Manhal, his husband Batir, and their son Shaheer." Yuri smiles at the couple, recalling that Otabek spoke fondly of Manhal and seeing their son squirm against his mother's hold.
"Then we have Timur, Ender, Rashad… and the little rascal disobeying me is Kemal." Aysel shakes his head towards the little boy clinging to his brother.
"It's a pleasure to meet you all." Yuri swallows his nerves.
"Now repeat our names back to us," Batir jests, immediately earning a pointed look from his husband.
"Never mind him, he's just pleased to have more in-laws for mother and father to focus on," Manhal chuckles.
"You're really pretty," Ender blurts out.
"Thank you." Yuri smiles at the boy.
"Did you really come from the northern woods? I didn't think people could live there!" Rashad says excitedly. "I thought papa killed everyone in the north!"
"Rashad." Aysel pinches the bridge of his nose.
"He's from another country, that means he's a foreigner." Timur seems to think he whispers the statement to his brother.
"That is quite enough." Aysel's sternness returns. All the children straighten their backs; Yuri notes the spouses even stand a bit taller. "We want his highness to feel welcomed here because he's our family. Yes?"
"Yes, Mama." The boys nod.
"Darling, perhaps I can take you upstairs," Otabek offers.
"No need for that, your mother will suffice," King Hakan intercedes.
"I-"
"Beka, your father has much to discuss with you." As Aysel speaks, Yuri finds it odd that he recognizes the signet ring Hakan wears. It gives him pause but he says nothing as Aysel returns his hand to Yuri's arm.
"Your rooms then, your highness?"
"Certainly."
Close your eyes and breathe it in; Let the shadows fall away.
Yesterday's a closing door; You don't live there anymore
Say goodbye to where you've been; And tell your heart to beat again
