[ sometimes in life, you're born an omega (it happens more often than you think). it is, usually, something of an unfair world when this occurs, but sometimes you're born an omega and also something almost princely in status (this happens significantly less often than) and the world becomes way less unfair than it would have been otherwise. and then, sometimes, you get a younger sibling, a sister, who is born an alpha (even less often than the last thing) and suddenly all attention shifts to her and you're free to pursue the things you want to do in life, free from most of your familial obligations.
and then, sometimes, your younger alpha sister dies, and suddenly all eyes are back on you again (this happens the absolute least number of times).
yuri had never expected to be caught up in the sudden whirlwind of his parents finding him a mate. he should have, he thinks, because even if he was his own person for a time he's still valuable as an... asset, so to speak, and blah blah forging ties blah. but there was less concern for him, and more concern for his sister, and so he got comfortable.
but now. well. now, here he is, sitting in his carriage, all of his worldly belongings packed into a small number of trunks strapped to the top of it and pulling up to a-- well, the manor is impressive, he'll give it that. and he's here to meet his betrothed.
his betrothed. someone he knows only by a name (finn) and absolutely nothing else. solidifying this betrothal had taken months with no chance for either of them to meet before all lines were signed and all hands were shaken. he hopes his parents got a good deal for him, at least. a whole herd of cattle, or some champion horse stock, or something. he chews on the inside of his lip as his carriage door is pulled open and he slides out, smoothing down the light silken fabric of his top to try to ease out any wrinkles that may have formed while traveling.
yuri swallows as what he can only assume is the manor's head butler comes down the steps with a smile and gestures for yuri to follow him without a word. the doors to the manor seem to swallow yuri whole as they swing closed behind them once they've entered, and he looks up to see--
well, she's beautiful. yuri marks her immediately as the woman of the house and so he bows, appropriately, though his fingers curl a little into the fabric of his pants. ]
Hello, madam. I am Yuri of house Han. It's an honor to be invited into both your home and your family.
[ he stays angled into his bow, mind racing the rehearsed words on repeat. had he said them right? did he sound sincere? he's going to be calling this woman mother soon, right?? gods, help him. ]
( this is what one might call an act of desperation.
finn tries not to think of it that way, but that's how it is. his father, who had done his best to raise and protect him as a single (beta) father, was disappointed to see them sweep him away. for the first tie, his father, who was always a cheery presence in his life, looked terribly sad. the kind of sad that stays with you for a long, long time. finn doesn't have a selfish bone in his body, but a part of him doesn't want this to work out so he can return to a quiet life in their little apartment with the fire escape garden. the manor is nice and all, but it's nothing compared to the coziness of their home.
he might be an adult, but he would have been happy living out the rest of his days with dad, tending to the flowers long after his dad had left his mortal form. unfortunately, life his unfair sometimes.
he can't blame either of his parents for this happy accident, though. haneul nam is still as soft and handsome as he was when he met his mother at a bar, looking fierce and untouchable as she does right now. he was had in secret and his father had taken responsibility. until finn served a purpose to a family in need, anyway. an alliance, they said, after the death of a patriarch.
lady aurora, house of jeong, cuts an imposing figure as she waits for the carriage to arrive. finn, nervous and hidden away (there are so many places to hide in this strange mix of traditional korean and beaux arts), admires her from a distance, dressed in delicate lace and a bow to close the collar of his blouse. it doesn't suit him, he thinks, but it's what the family wears since he is supposedly part of the family now. he can't yet see his fiance and maybe that's for the best right now because none of this can truly be real. finally -
Allow me introduce you to my son, Finn.
shyly, with a posture unbecoming to the son of a lady, finn shuffles out from where he had been trying to hide all six plus feet of himself in the shadows. he clears his throat before finally lifting his eyes off the ground to finally look at yuri. despite his duller scent and senses, he just knows everyone can smell how shaken and anxious he is. )
[ gods she's kind of intimidating, isn't she? like yuri feels like there's a gentleness in there somewhere but right now she-- ]
Oh.
[ yuri's eyes snap straight over to finn as he stands up again, the matron immediately forgotten once his gaze lands on him. he's handsome. like-- really handsome. like yuri doesn't think he's seen a more handsome man in his entire life. he's tall (yuri's tall, but finn is tall, if that makes sense to anyone but him), broader than him, and with such a kind and open face...
yuri can feel his scent spiking. the blockers he had put on at the heavy recommendation of everyone (he's always been rather... fragrant) were doing their absolute best to keep it at bay, but hints of his orange blossom and vanilla were still managing to seep through. he has to fight the urge to reach up and slap a hand over the patch at his neck, so he just fusses with his sleeves to pull them further down over the ones on his wrists instead. ]
Hi.
[ is he blushing. oh, fuck, he's blushing, isn't he. ]
You, too. I mean. It's nice to meet you, too. Finally.
( normally guileless and pleasant, finn doesn't have a hateful bone in his body, but he does look upon his mother warily as she smiles at him. it's difficult, learning to accept all of this after happily being ignored and living out his life as a normal kid in the city.
she even takes his hand to guide him forward, giving it a small squeeze of encouragement. no, she isn't heartless, but she is determined to make this work. this is, after all, going to be pretty permanent. not that he had a choice in the matter, having her blood and all, but they did give him the courtesy of a proper visit, sitting him down with his father.
besides, dad will be coming to the wedding and will be back regularly for visits.
besides ... yuri is quite pretty. he smells nice and his clothes are pretty, too. finn manages a small smile, dimples on full display. he doesn't have a mean bone in his body, and he can certainly imagine how scary this all must be for yuri, being even more of a stranger in this home than finn already is.
he thrusts his hand out for a friendly shake, not really graceful and probably too familiar. but, hey, he wasn't exactly trained in this sort of thing. )
[ oh, no, he has dimples. yuri catches himself staring and blinks a few times as a hand is thrust out in front of him and he smiles as he places his hand into it.
a solid three seconds pass before yuri realizes that it wasn't so finn can kiss the back of his hand and so he shifts his hold in order to grip the hand in his and shake it instead. this meeting is off to a rousing, not at all embarrassing start on yuri's end. he wonders if finn even noticed what happened. of course, now that their hands are together like this, yuri's newly distracted by how absolutely large finn's hand is. his own feels fully enveloped.
he's so on board with this arrangement already.
with his cheeks feeling helplessly warm, yuri pulls his hand away and lightly folds both of them together in front of him. ]
Is there somewhere I could, um, freshen up? It was kind of a long ride...
[ and he's picking a little at the patch on one of his wrists, itching to peel it off and replace it with a new one. ]
( finn's eyes widen. his turn to be embarrassed! that should have been the next thing out of his mouth. yuri's stress over his blockers goes right over his head.
he looks to his mother first before gesturing to the east wing. after some time going over and over the layout of the house with his assigned servants, he thinks (?) he has a handle on where things are. hopefully. )
Before dinner, they thought, uh. They thought I could show you around before we all sit down together. So I can do that unless you want the rest of the time to yourself.
( finn exhales. he had also rehearsed the instructions several times in his head.
the lady of the house nods, satisfied at what she sees so far. after telling yuri she is looking forward to get to know him a little better, she and her own servants take their leave, leaving only finn's small team. )
[ yuri watches as people slide out of the room after bowing once more toward finn's mother, the servants disappearing as shadows following the one that cast them. he turns his gaze to those who are left, appropriately trained to pretend like they're not listening to every word being exchanged between the two of them. his lips twitch a little in memory; he and his sister had both had a personal nanny from birth, someone who raised them more than their own parents did, but that was the extent of their personal servants.
still, it's reminiscent.
he turns his gaze back toward finn and he smiles softly, nodding his head. ]
No, please, I'd-- like that. Spending time together. We have so much of it, now.
[ and yet so little at the same time. now that they've met, the wedding planning will really kick into high gear.
he sucks in a breath and steps closer, reaching out wrap a gentle hand into the crook of finn's elbow. ]
( finn smiles, surprised to see yuri taking his arm so quickly. but then again, that's how things are supposed to be, right? with people about to wed? )
Sorry if I - mess up a little. I'm kind of new to this whole way of life. I don't know how much they told you about me!
( he looks even more apologetic than he sounds, his wrinkled brow standing out in contrast to the tiniest grin on his face in an attempt to be friendly. finn isn't comfortable with any of this, but at least he has a good feeling about yuri. he seems gentle and kind. )
I usually live with my dad. Used to, I guess. I guess they had to tell you as much information as they could to make sure the engagement went through.
( he leads them both down the corridors lined with portraits and fine works of art until they reach yuri's quarters. skipping ahead of a servant, finn opens the door for him. ) My suite's just next door!
[ yuri shakes his head and laughs a little as they start walking, his grip tightening just a bit. ]
They didn't-- I didn't get to hear much of anything about you, actually. My parents handled all of the negotiations; I only got to be at one of the meetings, so your mother could... see me, I guess. I know your name, and that you're a beta and... well, that's it.
[ he pauses for a moment and turns his head so that he can smile at finn directly. there's a light in his eyes, something excited, and he grins. ]
I think I'll like getting to know you, Finn.
[ yuri lets finn pull away so that he can open the door and he steps inside, his mouth forming a little 'o' shape as he looks around. it's big, to say the very least. it's not as though his own family wasn't living in its own luxury, but this room was more on par with what his parents hand versus what he did back home. he can only imagine the kind of opulence the lady of the house lives in.
he wanders inside, glad to see that his trunks have already been deposited into his room. yuri immediately darts over to one of them to swing it open, pulling a few things out of it. his pack of patches is first but next is a stuffed rabbit that he immediately places in the center of the bed, resting against the pillows.
his hand hovers for a moment and he whirls around, eyes wide as he clutches the patches to his chest. ]
Um-- make yourself comfortable, I guess? This won't take long.
[ let him just run to the ensuite bathroom and shove the door closed. ]
( finn bows politely to the servants standing on either side of the door, shooting them a grin before closing the door. they all know finn well enough to trust that they won't get into any shenanigans first thing; no chaperone needed today.
he perches himself on the most comfortable-looking chair by the window, unable to stop himself from watching yuri curiously, wondering what he could be looking for. then - oh. duh. the patches.
but then the rabbit draws his attention away from yuri's hasty changeover and he gets up to inspect it, grinning down at the little toy from where he stands on the edge of the bed. )
[ yuri's trying his hardest not to curse in the bathroom but the second he's taken the patches off he manages to overwhelm himself with his own scent. he hastily opens the bathroom window and starts flapping his hands toward it, as if that's going to help air the room out faster. he quickly reapplies a new set of patches before splashing some cold water over his face in an attempt to get himself to calm down.
finn's doing things to him, though. fluttery things. it's those damn dimples.
he comes back out once he's managed to even out the pace of his heart and his eyes land on the rabbit with a smile. ]
( finn brightens when yuri reenters the main room, having taken a shine to him at the presence of the bunny. )
Feel bet - oh, ah! I see.
( not the time to talk about his fondness for rabbits. finn's expression turns somber, nodding and swallowing. loss is diffucult. finn hardly ever knows what to say in such instances and empty words never make anyone feel better.
he decides against offering condolences, bowing his head in greeting instead. )
It's nice to meet you, Hana. I'm glad you're also here with Yuri.
( he smiles over at yuri before plopping into the seat by the window again. )
[ oh. oh, no, yuri's in trouble. no pity, no meaningless platitudes, just letting the information sink in and moving on. yuri watches him introduce himself to the little rabbit and frankly? he could cry. he feels his eyes start to well up, even, and he turns his head to blink it away before he's noticed. ]
You're very sweet, aren't you?
[ yuri sounds happy about it as he says it, and he lifts a hand to hide his smile behind it as he moves over to the bed as well. he leans down over hana and turns his head to put his ear near her like he's listening to something and he nods as he looks in finn's direction. ]
Mmhm, and handsome, too, you're right.
[ just a little pink around the ears, yuri stands back up again and nods. ]
Some tea would be wonderful, and then you can show me around.
( finn beams and pulls the floral rotary phone on the table closer to it, rolling to 1 to call the kitchens. ) Hullo, hi. Hi, yes it's Finn. Can you bring my favorite tea up to Yuri's quarters? ( after some talk from the kitchen staff his voice drops to a whisper. ) The creme brulee oolong. Yes. Thank you!
( he sets the phone down and smiles at yuri, beckoning him to come to the window as well. pulling the corded rope to lift the drapes slightly, he points to the lush gardens below. )
Apparently, a love of flowers runs in the family. We have the best view from the gardens from our rooms.
[ an eyebrow lifts at the conversation and yuri's lips twitch just a little bit in amusement before he makes his way over to the little setup by the window. he's halfway to sitting down when he pauses, hand on the back of the chair and body in a half-crouch to stare out of the window.
his mouth drops and his eyes widen and he stands up again so that he can lean in to peer closer at the gardens beneath his window. ]
Oh. It's stunning.
[ yuri slowly sinks into the chair, eyes still out of the window, and he lets out a breath. ]
Half of the staff must be made up of gardeners.
[ he laughs and looks back to finn again, the corners of his eyes crinkling. ]
Speaking of the staff, is there... always someone in the kitchen? I mean overnight, too. I have trouble sleeping sometimes and find that a midnight snack can often ease me into it. If not, I'm fine going and getting it myself, but it doesn't hurt to ask.
Not late at night, but I always want something sweet. I'll go with you if you wanted. ( he makes the offer openly, without hesitation. if anything, he at least wants to make yuri feel welcome, complicated feelings about the arrangement aside.
is isn't long before there is a knock at the door and an announcement that the tea service has arrived. it seems someone anticipated that they would want an afternoon snack. finn beams and calls for them to let themselves in. the staff roll a cart into the room, the tea already fragrant though still in the steeping process. arranged on a silver tray are a collection of pastries and tea sandwiches set upon doilies. )
Oh, that was so fast!
( the server chuckles, mentioning his mother. of course. he leans forward in the chair as they pour the tea for them, nudging the sugar and milk into view. )
[ yuri takes a small amount of time just letting his gaze move between finn and the view outside, trying to figure out which one inspires more awe inside of him. he hates that he can already feel himself falling; he wanted to resist longer, wanted to put up something of a fight against this whole arrangement.
damn him.
his head turns toward the door at the knock and he sits up a little straighter, tucking a bit of stray hair behind his ear as the cart gets wheeled in. the scent is... nice, sweet, and yuri's suddenly curious about how much sugar finn's going to put into his cup. probably more than he anticipates.
yuri nods his head in thanks to the server before they turn and exit the room, leaving behind the treat-laden tray and the steaming cups. he adds just a bit of milk to his own and stirs it in silence before setting the spoon down and leaning back, giving the tea a chance to cool. ]
Tell me something fun about yourself, Finn. Something... something only a close friend would know.
( there's a door between their suites as well in hopes that they would spend their time in finn's but giving yuri the opportunity to retreat and have a space of his own. the arrangement isn't ideal for either of them, but at least the family has seen to making yuri as comfortable as they possibly can.
he drops just one sugar heart into yuri's tea... and three into his own cup, looking up briefly with a light laugh. he knows what kind of guy he is. )
It's best like this. With the creme brulee and everything.
( at his question, finn leans back and holds the cup between both his hands, appearing much smaller than he truly is. he purses his lips thoughtfully, forming a little bud with them as he hums. taking a sip first, he finally responds, ) Well, I like learning about flowers. I guess that runs on both sides of the family! I like baking - well, I'm learning how to bake. And I like really long walks outside, maybe listening to music while I do it.
[ there's an amused spark in yuri's eye as he stirs the tea once more to help the sugar cube dissolve. he lifts the cup to take a sip and-- ok, yes, it's definitely good like that. yuri thinks he would have still enjoyed it without the extra sweetness, but there's something to the sugar that helps settle him.
maybe it's a bonding thing. who knows.
he pulls over one of the little sandwiches for himself and lifts it to take a nibble as finn talks, lips still curled upward in a smile. the flowers thing isn't all that surprising, but that finn is actively taking an interest in baking is. instead of just enjoying sweets, he wants to make them, too...
yuri hums and tilts his head back, smiling up at the ceiling for a moment. ]
I like dancing. I know all of the proper festivity dances, of course, but... in private, I like to move how I want, however the music is telling me to.
[ when he brings his head back down to look over at finn there's a mischievous glint to his eye. ]
Maybe in ways that aren't... wholly appropriate for public consumption.
( he closes his eyes to savor the tea, humming happily and licking his lips like a little kid might. he is extra pleased that yuri seems to enjoy the tea as well, feeling closer to him already.
with that boost of confidence, he leans forward to take a pistachio macaron from the tray, taking a little nibble before popping the whole thing into his mouth. )
Oh? ( he doesn't fully process it, but yuri's tone makes him blush all the way down his neck. )
Are - were you taking lessons or something? We can definitely arrange for more here!
[ he's so... cute. he's so cute? isn't yuri supposed to be the stereotyped cute one here??
yuri nods at the question, tearing off a piece of the sandwich before popping it in his mouth. ]
I was taking lessons for a while, though I stopped when. ...Well, when everything happened. Starting them up again would be fun. Maybe you could join me?
[ yuri's head tilts as he smiles. ]
I'll need to get used to my dancing partner sooner or later, after all. And then we could treat ourselves with a dessert after.
( but he hasn't said no yet! just ... maybe. it could be a nice bonding activity. even if yuri will clearly be levels ahead of him.
wait, wasn't he dreading this a second ago? )
I'd be a good audience for you! ( oh, finn. he pops a bite of a jellyroll into his mouth and puffs his cheeks out as he eats ) Mm! You gotta try some of that one. Want a piece of mine?
I'll help you find the right one somewhere along the way.
[ look at them, making plans for things to do together. maybe... maybe this won't be so bad. maybe yuri will actually find himself looking forward to it. he's already been looking forward to maybe holding that large hand so...
his eyebrows lift just a little and he pauses for a second, thinking. maybe too hard. but then all thought of holding himself dissipates and yuri leans forward across the table with a smile before opening his mouth with an expectant little aaaah. ]
( mmaybe this won't be so bad. if they're locked into this deal - and finn certainly won't try to put anyone's family at risk, even if he hadn't been thrilled about being plucked out of obscurity.
yuri seems sweet and he seems interested in getting to know finn. he doesn't think his hobbies are silly and they're already talking about engaging in each other's interests. that's not a bad start at all.
he cuts a small piece of his slice of jellyroll and offers it to yuri without thinking much of it, holding it up to his lips for him to taste. )
[ oh he's actually doing it. yuri would have been just as fine if finn had simply sliced a piece off and put it onto his little plate in front of him but-- ok. ok!
yuri leans in and takes the bite of jellyroll before he settles back against his seat again, his eyebrows lifting as he chews. he makes a happy noise and nods with a thumbs up before swallowing, covering his mouth as he grins. ]
Delicious! There's really a fantastic team working here.
[ he smiles and tilts his head just a bit. ]
Though, I wonder if certain present parties aren't what inspired the hiring of a particularly talented patissier.
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2023-09-27 04:58 am (UTC)[ sometimes in life, you're born an omega (it happens more often than you think). it is, usually, something of an unfair world when this occurs, but sometimes you're born an omega and also something almost princely in status (this happens significantly less often than) and the world becomes way less unfair than it would have been otherwise. and then, sometimes, you get a younger sibling, a sister, who is born an alpha (even less often than the last thing) and suddenly all attention shifts to her and you're free to pursue the things you want to do in life, free from most of your familial obligations.
and then, sometimes, your younger alpha sister dies, and suddenly all eyes are back on you again (this happens the absolute least number of times).
yuri had never expected to be caught up in the sudden whirlwind of his parents finding him a mate. he should have, he thinks, because even if he was his own person for a time he's still valuable as an... asset, so to speak, and blah blah forging ties blah. but there was less concern for him, and more concern for his sister, and so he got comfortable.
but now. well. now, here he is, sitting in his carriage, all of his worldly belongings packed into a small number of trunks strapped to the top of it and pulling up to a-- well, the manor is impressive, he'll give it that. and he's here to meet his betrothed.
his betrothed. someone he knows only by a name (finn) and absolutely nothing else. solidifying this betrothal had taken months with no chance for either of them to meet before all lines were signed and all hands were shaken. he hopes his parents got a good deal for him, at least. a whole herd of cattle, or some champion horse stock, or something. he chews on the inside of his lip as his carriage door is pulled open and he slides out, smoothing down the light silken fabric of his top to try to ease out any wrinkles that may have formed while traveling.
yuri swallows as what he can only assume is the manor's head butler comes down the steps with a smile and gestures for yuri to follow him without a word. the doors to the manor seem to swallow yuri whole as they swing closed behind them once they've entered, and he looks up to see--
well, she's beautiful. yuri marks her immediately as the woman of the house and so he bows, appropriately, though his fingers curl a little into the fabric of his pants. ]
Hello, madam. I am Yuri of house Han. It's an honor to be invited into both your home and your family.
[ he stays angled into his bow, mind racing the rehearsed words on repeat. had he said them right? did he sound sincere? he's going to be calling this woman mother soon, right?? gods, help him. ]
no subject
Date: 2023-09-27 05:32 am (UTC)finn tries not to think of it that way, but that's how it is. his father, who had done his best to raise and protect him as a single (beta) father, was disappointed to see them sweep him away. for the first tie, his father, who was always a cheery presence in his life, looked terribly sad. the kind of sad that stays with you for a long, long time. finn doesn't have a selfish bone in his body, but a part of him doesn't want this to work out so he can return to a quiet life in their little apartment with the fire escape garden. the manor is nice and all, but it's nothing compared to the coziness of their home.
he might be an adult, but he would have been happy living out the rest of his days with dad, tending to the flowers long after his dad had left his mortal form. unfortunately, life his unfair sometimes.
he can't blame either of his parents for this happy accident, though. haneul nam is still as soft and handsome as he was when he met his mother at a bar, looking fierce and untouchable as she does right now. he was had in secret and his father had taken responsibility. until finn served a purpose to a family in need, anyway. an alliance, they said, after the death of a patriarch.
lady aurora, house of jeong, cuts an imposing figure as she waits for the carriage to arrive. finn, nervous and hidden away (there are so many places to hide in this strange mix of traditional korean and beaux arts), admires her from a distance, dressed in delicate lace and a bow to close the collar of his blouse. it doesn't suit him, he thinks, but it's what the family wears since he is supposedly part of the family now. he can't yet see his fiance and maybe that's for the best right now because none of this can truly be real. finally -
Allow me introduce you to my son, Finn.
shyly, with a posture unbecoming to the son of a lady, finn shuffles out from where he had been trying to hide all six plus feet of himself in the shadows. he clears his throat before finally lifting his eyes off the ground to finally look at yuri. despite his duller scent and senses, he just knows everyone can smell how shaken and anxious he is. )
Hi - hello. Nice t'meet you.
no subject
Date: 2023-09-27 12:29 pm (UTC)Oh.
[ yuri's eyes snap straight over to finn as he stands up again, the matron immediately forgotten once his gaze lands on him. he's handsome. like-- really handsome. like yuri doesn't think he's seen a more handsome man in his entire life. he's tall (yuri's tall, but finn is tall, if that makes sense to anyone but him), broader than him, and with such a kind and open face...
yuri can feel his scent spiking. the blockers he had put on at the heavy recommendation of everyone (he's always been rather... fragrant) were doing their absolute best to keep it at bay, but hints of his orange blossom and vanilla were still managing to seep through. he has to fight the urge to reach up and slap a hand over the patch at his neck, so he just fusses with his sleeves to pull them further down over the ones on his wrists instead. ]
Hi.
[ is he blushing. oh, fuck, he's blushing, isn't he. ]
You, too. I mean. It's nice to meet you, too. Finally.
no subject
Date: 2023-09-27 06:17 pm (UTC)she even takes his hand to guide him forward, giving it a small squeeze of encouragement. no, she isn't heartless, but she is determined to make this work. this is, after all, going to be pretty permanent. not that he had a choice in the matter, having her blood and all, but they did give him the courtesy of a proper visit, sitting him down with his father.
besides, dad will be coming to the wedding and will be back regularly for visits.
besides ... yuri is quite pretty. he smells nice and his clothes are pretty, too. finn manages a small smile, dimples on full display. he doesn't have a mean bone in his body, and he can certainly imagine how scary this all must be for yuri, being even more of a stranger in this home than finn already is.
he thrusts his hand out for a friendly shake, not really graceful and probably too familiar. but, hey, he wasn't exactly trained in this sort of thing. )
no subject
Date: 2023-09-27 09:47 pm (UTC)a solid three seconds pass before yuri realizes that it wasn't so finn can kiss the back of his hand and so he shifts his hold in order to grip the hand in his and shake it instead. this meeting is off to a rousing, not at all embarrassing start on yuri's end. he wonders if finn even noticed what happened. of course, now that their hands are together like this, yuri's newly distracted by how absolutely large finn's hand is. his own feels fully enveloped.
he's so on board with this arrangement already.
with his cheeks feeling helplessly warm, yuri pulls his hand away and lightly folds both of them together in front of him. ]
Is there somewhere I could, um, freshen up? It was kind of a long ride...
[ and he's picking a little at the patch on one of his wrists, itching to peel it off and replace it with a new one. ]
no subject
Date: 2023-09-28 12:14 am (UTC)( finn's eyes widen. his turn to be embarrassed! that should have been the next thing out of his mouth. yuri's stress over his blockers goes right over his head.
he looks to his mother first before gesturing to the east wing. after some time going over and over the layout of the house with his assigned servants, he thinks (?) he has a handle on where things are. hopefully. )
Before dinner, they thought, uh. They thought I could show you around before we all sit down together. So I can do that unless you want the rest of the time to yourself.
( finn exhales. he had also rehearsed the instructions several times in his head.
the lady of the house nods, satisfied at what she sees so far. after telling yuri she is looking forward to get to know him a little better, she and her own servants take their leave, leaving only finn's small team. )
no subject
Date: 2023-09-28 01:04 am (UTC)still, it's reminiscent.
he turns his gaze back toward finn and he smiles softly, nodding his head. ]
No, please, I'd-- like that. Spending time together. We have so much of it, now.
[ and yet so little at the same time. now that they've met, the wedding planning will really kick into high gear.
he sucks in a breath and steps closer, reaching out wrap a gentle hand into the crook of finn's elbow. ]
Lead the way.
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Date: 2023-09-28 02:51 am (UTC)Sorry if I - mess up a little. I'm kind of new to this whole way of life. I don't know how much they told you about me!
( he looks even more apologetic than he sounds, his wrinkled brow standing out in contrast to the tiniest grin on his face in an attempt to be friendly. finn isn't comfortable with any of this, but at least he has a good feeling about yuri. he seems gentle and kind. )
I usually live with my dad. Used to, I guess. I guess they had to tell you as much information as they could to make sure the engagement went through.
( he leads them both down the corridors lined with portraits and fine works of art until they reach yuri's quarters. skipping ahead of a servant, finn opens the door for him. ) My suite's just next door!
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Date: 2023-09-28 03:22 am (UTC)They didn't-- I didn't get to hear much of anything about you, actually. My parents handled all of the negotiations; I only got to be at one of the meetings, so your mother could... see me, I guess. I know your name, and that you're a beta and... well, that's it.
[ he pauses for a moment and turns his head so that he can smile at finn directly. there's a light in his eyes, something excited, and he grins. ]
I think I'll like getting to know you, Finn.
[ yuri lets finn pull away so that he can open the door and he steps inside, his mouth forming a little 'o' shape as he looks around. it's big, to say the very least. it's not as though his own family wasn't living in its own luxury, but this room was more on par with what his parents hand versus what he did back home. he can only imagine the kind of opulence the lady of the house lives in.
he wanders inside, glad to see that his trunks have already been deposited into his room. yuri immediately darts over to one of them to swing it open, pulling a few things out of it. his pack of patches is first but next is a stuffed rabbit that he immediately places in the center of the bed, resting against the pillows.
his hand hovers for a moment and he whirls around, eyes wide as he clutches the patches to his chest. ]
Um-- make yourself comfortable, I guess? This won't take long.
[ let him just run to the ensuite bathroom and shove the door closed. ]
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Date: 2023-09-28 04:04 am (UTC)he perches himself on the most comfortable-looking chair by the window, unable to stop himself from watching yuri curiously, wondering what he could be looking for. then - oh. duh. the patches.
but then the rabbit draws his attention away from yuri's hasty changeover and he gets up to inspect it, grinning down at the little toy from where he stands on the edge of the bed. )
Oh, how cute! What's their name?
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Date: 2023-09-28 04:13 am (UTC)finn's doing things to him, though. fluttery things. it's those damn dimples.
he comes back out once he's managed to even out the pace of his heart and his eyes land on the rabbit with a smile. ]
Her name's Hana. She... she was my sister's.
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Date: 2023-09-28 04:41 am (UTC)Feel bet - oh, ah! I see.
( not the time to talk about his fondness for rabbits. finn's expression turns somber, nodding and swallowing. loss is diffucult. finn hardly ever knows what to say in such instances and empty words never make anyone feel better.
he decides against offering condolences, bowing his head in greeting instead. )
It's nice to meet you, Hana. I'm glad you're also here with Yuri.
( he smiles over at yuri before plopping into the seat by the window again. )
Do - do you want me to order tea or something?
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Date: 2023-09-28 03:14 pm (UTC)You're very sweet, aren't you?
[ yuri sounds happy about it as he says it, and he lifts a hand to hide his smile behind it as he moves over to the bed as well. he leans down over hana and turns his head to put his ear near her like he's listening to something and he nods as he looks in finn's direction. ]
Mmhm, and handsome, too, you're right.
[ just a little pink around the ears, yuri stands back up again and nods. ]
Some tea would be wonderful, and then you can show me around.
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Date: 2023-09-28 03:48 pm (UTC)( he sets the phone down and smiles at yuri, beckoning him to come to the window as well. pulling the corded rope to lift the drapes slightly, he points to the lush gardens below. )
Apparently, a love of flowers runs in the family. We have the best view from the gardens from our rooms.
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Date: 2023-09-29 02:57 am (UTC)his mouth drops and his eyes widen and he stands up again so that he can lean in to peer closer at the gardens beneath his window. ]
Oh. It's stunning.
[ yuri slowly sinks into the chair, eyes still out of the window, and he lets out a breath. ]
Half of the staff must be made up of gardeners.
[ he laughs and looks back to finn again, the corners of his eyes crinkling. ]
Speaking of the staff, is there... always someone in the kitchen? I mean overnight, too. I have trouble sleeping sometimes and find that a midnight snack can often ease me into it. If not, I'm fine going and getting it myself, but it doesn't hurt to ask.
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Date: 2023-09-29 03:50 pm (UTC)Not late at night, but I always want something sweet. I'll go with you if you wanted. ( he makes the offer openly, without hesitation. if anything, he at least wants to make yuri feel welcome, complicated feelings about the arrangement aside.
is isn't long before there is a knock at the door and an announcement that the tea service has arrived. it seems someone anticipated that they would want an afternoon snack. finn beams and calls for them to let themselves in. the staff roll a cart into the room, the tea already fragrant though still in the steeping process. arranged on a silver tray are a collection of pastries and tea sandwiches set upon doilies. )
Oh, that was so fast!
( the server chuckles, mentioning his mother. of course. he leans forward in the chair as they pour the tea for them, nudging the sugar and milk into view. )
Thank you!
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Date: 2023-09-29 09:31 pm (UTC)[ yuri takes a small amount of time just letting his gaze move between finn and the view outside, trying to figure out which one inspires more awe inside of him. he hates that he can already feel himself falling; he wanted to resist longer, wanted to put up something of a fight against this whole arrangement.
damn him.
his head turns toward the door at the knock and he sits up a little straighter, tucking a bit of stray hair behind his ear as the cart gets wheeled in. the scent is... nice, sweet, and yuri's suddenly curious about how much sugar finn's going to put into his cup. probably more than he anticipates.
yuri nods his head in thanks to the server before they turn and exit the room, leaving behind the treat-laden tray and the steaming cups. he adds just a bit of milk to his own and stirs it in silence before setting the spoon down and leaning back, giving the tea a chance to cool. ]
Tell me something fun about yourself, Finn. Something... something only a close friend would know.
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Date: 2023-09-30 02:33 am (UTC)he drops just one sugar heart into yuri's tea... and three into his own cup, looking up briefly with a light laugh. he knows what kind of guy he is. )
It's best like this. With the creme brulee and everything.
( at his question, finn leans back and holds the cup between both his hands, appearing much smaller than he truly is. he purses his lips thoughtfully, forming a little bud with them as he hums. taking a sip first, he finally responds, ) Well, I like learning about flowers. I guess that runs on both sides of the family! I like baking - well, I'm learning how to bake. And I like really long walks outside, maybe listening to music while I do it.
( he lifts his cup to yuri. ) What about you?
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Date: 2023-09-30 03:13 am (UTC)[ there's an amused spark in yuri's eye as he stirs the tea once more to help the sugar cube dissolve. he lifts the cup to take a sip and-- ok, yes, it's definitely good like that. yuri thinks he would have still enjoyed it without the extra sweetness, but there's something to the sugar that helps settle him.
maybe it's a bonding thing. who knows.
he pulls over one of the little sandwiches for himself and lifts it to take a nibble as finn talks, lips still curled upward in a smile. the flowers thing isn't all that surprising, but that finn is actively taking an interest in baking is. instead of just enjoying sweets, he wants to make them, too...
yuri hums and tilts his head back, smiling up at the ceiling for a moment. ]
I like dancing. I know all of the proper festivity dances, of course, but... in private, I like to move how I want, however the music is telling me to.
[ when he brings his head back down to look over at finn there's a mischievous glint to his eye. ]
Maybe in ways that aren't... wholly appropriate for public consumption.
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Date: 2023-09-30 03:58 am (UTC)with that boost of confidence, he leans forward to take a pistachio macaron from the tray, taking a little nibble before popping the whole thing into his mouth. )
Oh? ( he doesn't fully process it, but yuri's tone makes him blush all the way down his neck. )
Are - were you taking lessons or something? We can definitely arrange for more here!
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Date: 2023-09-30 04:32 am (UTC)yuri nods at the question, tearing off a piece of the sandwich before popping it in his mouth. ]
I was taking lessons for a while, though I stopped when. ...Well, when everything happened. Starting them up again would be fun. Maybe you could join me?
[ yuri's head tilts as he smiles. ]
I'll need to get used to my dancing partner sooner or later, after all. And then we could treat ourselves with a dessert after.
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Date: 2023-09-30 05:36 am (UTC)( but he hasn't said no yet! just ... maybe. it could be a nice bonding activity. even if yuri will clearly be levels ahead of him.
wait, wasn't he dreading this a second ago? )
I'd be a good audience for you! ( oh, finn. he pops a bite of a jellyroll into his mouth and puffs his cheeks out as he eats ) Mm! You gotta try some of that one. Want a piece of mine?
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Date: 2023-09-30 07:41 pm (UTC)[ look at them, making plans for things to do together. maybe... maybe this won't be so bad. maybe yuri will actually find himself looking forward to it. he's already been looking forward to maybe holding that large hand so...
his eyebrows lift just a little and he pauses for a second, thinking. maybe too hard. but then all thought of holding himself dissipates and yuri leans forward across the table with a smile before opening his mouth with an expectant little aaaah. ]
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Date: 2023-09-30 09:28 pm (UTC)yuri seems sweet and he seems interested in getting to know finn. he doesn't think his hobbies are silly and they're already talking about engaging in each other's interests. that's not a bad start at all.
he cuts a small piece of his slice of jellyroll and offers it to yuri without thinking much of it, holding it up to his lips for him to taste. )
There!
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Date: 2023-10-12 03:59 am (UTC)yuri leans in and takes the bite of jellyroll before he settles back against his seat again, his eyebrows lifting as he chews. he makes a happy noise and nods with a thumbs up before swallowing, covering his mouth as he grins. ]
Delicious! There's really a fantastic team working here.
[ he smiles and tilts his head just a bit. ]
Though, I wonder if certain present parties aren't what inspired the hiring of a particularly talented patissier.
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