He's gotten to his feet, but doesn't come any closer: even with the progress of the last few minutes, this all feels as fragile as spun sugar, and Yuri has made it as clear what he doesn't want as what he does.
No matter how relieved Victor is feeling, and no matter how much he wants to, he doesn't turn this handshake into a hug ... but there are benefits to this, too. Seeing Yuri's face clearly, and watching the way the worry that had been stamped there melts into a small, but true smile. Like he's as relieved as Victor is, if perhaps for different reasons.
Making Victor laugh, because this went better than he'd expected, and even if he's disappointed – a little, of course – he thinks he understands. That the two of them need to meet where they are, and build from there, because even after over a month, and all his questions, and every interview he'd ever had, neither of them really know that much about each other.
But he's learning. For example: that Yuri's eyes sparkle, when something's on his mind, but that he hasn't found words for yet.
Because they're sparkling now, brimming with all the thoughts and feelings and questions that Victor wants to pull out of him, but that he'll have to earn, instead of just grab for. "Good!"
Letting go of Yuri's hand and casting that satisfied smile out at the ocean – it's a good start, maybe the first real start – before bending to one knee, fingers going to the laces of his runners. "It's so warm out!"
Not much warmer than St. Petersburg would be, but when does he get the chance to walk on the beach with Maccachin when he's at home?
Standing, he toes off the shoes, and lifts first one foot, and then the other, to tug off his socks, before letting his toes sink into the sand with a sigh. "Ahhh – ! It's probably still too cold to swim, but that feels good. My feet get so sore."
All of theirs do: suspending their weight on millimeter-thick steel blades, uppers laced tightly enough he sometimes looses feeling in his toes entirely.
Tucking his socks into his shoes, and tossing them up on the bank, and taking a few steps down toward the water, before turning, eyes bright, simple happiness brilliant. "You know, Yuri, I really like it here."
Sea air, blue sky, silver clouds, Maccachin running, gulls calling.
And finally feeling like they're on the same page.
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No matter how relieved Victor is feeling, and no matter how much he wants to, he doesn't turn this handshake into a hug ... but there are benefits to this, too. Seeing Yuri's face clearly, and watching the way the worry that had been stamped there melts into a small, but true smile. Like he's as relieved as Victor is, if perhaps for different reasons.
Making Victor laugh, because this went better than he'd expected, and even if he's disappointed – a little, of course – he thinks he understands. That the two of them need to meet where they are, and build from there, because even after over a month, and all his questions, and every interview he'd ever had, neither of them really know that much about each other.
But he's learning. For example: that Yuri's eyes sparkle, when something's on his mind, but that he hasn't found words for yet.
Because they're sparkling now, brimming with all the thoughts and feelings and questions that Victor wants to pull out of him, but that he'll have to earn, instead of just grab for. "Good!"
Letting go of Yuri's hand and casting that satisfied smile out at the ocean – it's a good start, maybe the first real start – before bending to one knee, fingers going to the laces of his runners. "It's so warm out!"
Not much warmer than St. Petersburg would be, but when does he get the chance to walk on the beach with Maccachin when he's at home?
Standing, he toes off the shoes, and lifts first one foot, and then the other, to tug off his socks, before letting his toes sink into the sand with a sigh. "Ahhh – ! It's probably still too cold to swim, but that feels good. My feet get so sore."
All of theirs do: suspending their weight on millimeter-thick steel blades, uppers laced tightly enough he sometimes looses feeling in his toes entirely.
Tucking his socks into his shoes, and tossing them up on the bank, and taking a few steps down toward the water, before turning, eyes bright, simple happiness brilliant. "You know, Yuri, I really like it here."
Sea air, blue sky, silver clouds, Maccachin running, gulls calling.
And finally feeling like they're on the same page.
"With you."