|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Wed Jan 24, 2018 5:48 pm
Lauri was asleep, and Yuuri had his face in his hands as he sat in the chair on the far side of the room. The nurse said they’d given Lauri plenty of drugs for the pain, and that he just needed to rest now.
He felt utterly helpless. And exhausted. Teleporting and his own match were taking their toll on him. But even if he tried to sleep, he doubted that he could. He was too amped up, the too fresh memories of Aue’s matches in his mind, how he’d fought the Captain with the blades, and then the one with the snake youma.
What was even worse was that these were just spars. If Aue had been caught in a confrontation with a knight or senshi and they were able to do this amount of damage on him, there wouldn’t have been anyone around to help him. Yuuri knew better than to expect Tiberius to show up at every convenient moment when he was most needed.
Miseribly, Yuuri dragged his hands down his face so he could look through his fingers at Lauri’s prone form on the bed. He had fought well. If the Captain during the second round had been injured the same amount Aue had been, Yuuri was sure Aue would have won. So he should be glad that he’d lost and was in the hospital.
Yuuri glared at him in frustration, but his expression soon evened out and the tension faded. He was doing his best not to be angry with Lauri because Yuuri knew he didn’t have a choice but to go onto the next round, even if he wished he hadn’t.
He didn’t hear the door quietly open and shut, but looked up as the curtains were rustled, and was immediately on his feet at the sight of a dark and pink haired woman. Yuuri sputtered in surprise, not sure where to run as she was blocking the only exit.
General Tourmaline as a normal civilian, also the woman named Kat, whom he hid from any time they were both at the warehouse, so they’d never actually spoken.
And still not speaking, because all Yuuri could do was wordlessly gape at her, wishing he could disappear. Maybe she would ignore him. He could only hope.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jan 30, 2018 10:14 am
"At ease, soldier." The lightest quirk of a grin was on her lips, softening the severity of her overall haggard appearance. Her words were spoken softly as she remained still, reacting to Yuuri's sudden start the way one might react to a wild animal that had just been cornered. She didn't want him to go away, wouldn't force him to leave. Her only concern at the moment, now that the fights were over and she knew that Kian was safely elsewhere, was Lauri. Katrina reached out to snag the chart at the foot of Lauri's bed, noting words and numbers she knew little to nothing about. Some things she understood, though, and none of them stood out as being anything she had to concern herself with immediately. Setting the chart back down she stepped up alongside the bed, reaching up to gently brush a strand of hair away from Lauri's face. She leaned in to brush a chaste kiss to his temple, swallowing back the swell of emotion that brought a sinking feeling to her stomach and a a sheen of tears to her eyes. "You've been with him this whole time?" The question was directed to Yuuri as she straightened herself out, fingers resting lightly on Lauri's wrist as she spoke. If she could keep that little bit of contact she could reassure herself that he was alright. She could feel his pulse beneath her fingertips just as well as she could hear the blips and beeps of the machines. If he was alright she could keep her own composure enough to see to the young man who'd been holding himself together on his own. If he could then she could, certainly. "Have they said how long they'll be keeping him?" She had a dozen questions that she could ask, but she didn't want to bombard the mouse and make him feel as though he were under attack. Her tone softened as she followed the question with other words instead. "Thank you... For taking care of him. He'd disagree, but he needs others to look out for him."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Feb 04, 2018 8:37 pm
Yuuri remained frozen in place, watching as the woman walked around Lauri’s bed to first pick up the chart at the end, and then around to Lauri’s side to kiss his forehead and touch his hand. He felt the hair on the back of his neck bristle. A stupid reaction because she was obviously not there to hurt Lauri, but he couldn’t help the surge of protectiveness for the sleeping man.
Nervously, Yuuri tugged at the hem of the shirt he wore. He didn’t know how to talk to her, or what to say. She’d sat with him during Aue’s first match, had even held his hand when it was obvious that he was getting upset, but that didn’t mean he knew what was okay and what wasn’t.
The question about whether he’d been with Lauri the whole time made his throat tighten with emotion that he’d been somehow managing to hold back. Would she dismiss him if he said he had been with him the whole time? Would she insist that he leave and go home? Would she stay with him instead?
“A few days,” he said, barely above a whisper, and was surprised when she thanked him.
Maybe she wouldn’t dismiss him…
“I can’t leave him,” he choked out, hands curling into the fabric of his shirt, feet still frozen to the ground where he stood. “Please… I’d like to stay.” Lauri had said he could, but an order from a General couldn’t be ignored, civilian or not. If she wanted him to leave, he would have no choice.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2018 7:46 pm
"Of course you'll stay. Someone has to remain here to make certain that he doesn't try to check himself out should he wake up and decide he doesn't like tubes and needles." Tough s**t on him if he did decide that, as far as she was concerned. Lauri would stay in the hospital until the doctors released him or she would drag his a** right back in by any means necessary. "You won't be staying with him in here, though... Not in that chair, or on that thing." Katrina made a vague gesture at the cot she assumed Yuuri had been sleeping on. It didn't look like it would be comfortable for someone of her height to sleep on and Kamacite was at least as tall as she was when she was wearing Tourmaline's armored boots. "Now that I know you've been staying here with him, that's even more of a reason to insist that he be moved to a private room. I can make a call or two and have some things brought up for you as well-- change of clothes? Toothbrush? Extra pillow?" If she couldn't persuade Otto or Vi to do it she was certain she could leverage something against Halston. Katrina released Lauri's wrist, making her way around the bed once more to pause beside Yuuri's chair. She extended her hand, gently reaching out to brush a lock of hair away from his face. "Have you eaten anything today? Is there anything else you need if you're to stay here with him?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2018 8:20 pm
Of course you’ll stay.
Yuuri heard the words come from her mouth, but he couldn’t quite believe them. He’d been preparing himself for being told he had to leave. Had been trying to determine how desperate he would seem if he woke Lauri up to get him to confirm that it was okay that he stayed with him. He felt like every fiber of his being was tensed, knotted and making him feel sick.
So when Katrina essentially approved of Yuuri staying… he had to remind himself that he needed to breathe.
He let out the breath he was holding, his hands still gripping tight to the fabric of his shirt. It was very difficult to not to become overwhelmed. More so than he already was. He’d been terrified Lauri would have been too injured to fully recover, or worse. But now she was talking about moving him to a private room, and getting clothing and a toothbrush for him and --
Yuuri took a nervous step backwards as she let go of Lauri’s wrist and moved towards him, the back of his knees hitting the edge of the chair so he had no choice but to sit. He stared up at her with wide eyes, a hand compulsively releasing the fabric of his shirt so he could instead press it over his too quickly beating heart.
A glance was spared towards Lauri as he slept, and he tried not to flinch away as she raised a hand to brush at his hair.
“I’m fine,” he said softly, and then quickly shifted his gaze to the floor. He knew he should say more, maybe take her up on her offer, but he didn’t know what was in it for her. He knew that she and Lauri were close, but this was the most she and Yuuri had spoken with each other. She had no reason to concern herself over him, and he had no reason to need anything, other than to be allowed to stay with Lauri.
“You love him…” Yuuri quietly observed, only to immediately regret the words that came from his mouth, feeling the heat rise in his cheeks and absolutely avoid looking at her. Or Lauri. “I’m sorry, that was out of line. It’s none of my business…”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2018 8:40 pm
"I do." Katrina was surprised by how quickly those two words came from her mouth. There was no sense in denying it, although she was uncertain that love was a strong enough word to explain the bond she shared with the Finn. Love was sickeningly sweet, candy hearts with ribbons and swirls. It was light and airy-- fat cherubs with tiny wings-- when boiled down to its essence when most were concerned. For Katrina it was blood, sweat and tears. It was strength of heart and stubborn determination. It was refusing to give up on someone else because they were too weak to stand on their own. It was more. It was Pack. It was family. "Lauri was there for me during a time when I was utterly useless to myself, and to those who needed me. I was a s**t friend and not much of a person worth being around... Which, of course, meant that he felt compelled to look out for me." The corners of her mouth twitched as the slightest trace of a smirk touched her lips. "I didn't make it easy on him. I... Assume it's something akin to what it would be like to have a sibling, if one was also raised by a pack of wild dogs." Katrina pondered touching his hair again, in part for the softness and the rest because she wondered if the contact would soothe him. She didn't, respecting his boundaries instead by taking a small step back. "You may speak freely. If you have questions I would rather you ask them than make answers up in your own mind. Our minds can be dark, dangerous places when we are cornered or concerned for others... And you didn't tell me if you've eaten today. An answer for an answer?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2018 9:18 pm
Yuuri didn’t know what he expected to gain or lose from hearing the words he already know she’d say. He could tell that she loved him. That it was more than just companionship. More than how he’d felt for Adrien, possibly.
And it ate at him.
It tore into him with no reasoning, just the simple fact that he felt so horribly inadequate when compared to Lauri and Katrina and what they were to each other. Lauri took care of her when she needed help, and she looked after him.
Of course Lauri would take care of her. Lauri took care of everyone.
Lauri saved him from when he’d gotten stuck in that stupid fence, and when he’d freaked out over spilling coffee on him at the cafe, and when he’d run into him before he wore black, and trapped in a mirror together when he finally started to learn what exactly this pack was.
And Yuuri sat there, barely able to take care of himself, watching over someone who meant more to him and his very existence than he could ever admit out loud, and not being able to do a damn thing to help.
He forgot he needed to breathe again.
The breath was released slowly, his throat tight and heart beating too fast.
“Why are you telling me these things?” he finally asked when she gave him permission to speak. “You know nothing about me, but you’re trusting me to stay?”
He pursed his lips together for a moment, then said, “I had some apple sauce.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2018 9:35 pm
"I am telling you these things because he sees something in you, and obviously trusts you if he's invited you into his home." Again her answer was given freely, plainly spoken as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. She trusted Lauri with her life, as he had trusted her with his in turn. If Lauri believed that Yuuri was worth looking out for than she would as well without question until given reason to do so. "If you are one of us you deserve to know where we've come from and what we have been through. Sometimes it makes things easier to understand..." Other times it made things infinitely more difficult, especially when it came to that prickling feeling that maybe one didn't belong. "I am trusting you to stay because you've not left yet. You brought him here. You asked to stay... Are you telling me that was for show?" She didn't believe it was. He didn't seem to be cut from the same ruthless, manipulative mold as the wolf; the fear and anxiousness too real to be anything but an honest reaction. "He'll need help once he's out of here as well, you know. You should eat more than applesauce. You'll need your strength to put up with him."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2018 9:55 pm
Whatever Lauri saw in him, Yuuri didn’t see.
“I’m pack…” he said quietly, choking on the words as his eyes strung with the weight of how convenient it was for him to worm his way into the lives of people who normally wouldn’t give him a second glance, much less talk to him, and even less invite him into their home.
If he hadn’t been one of Wolfeite’s recruits, where would he even be at that moment? Dead, probably. Who else would have looked at him and by some miracle seen something in him. Yes, he’d been training with Aue, had been trying to improve himself a little bit at a time, but that wasn’t good enough.
He wasn’t sure if he would ever be good enough.
And then whatever it was that Lauri and even Wolfeite saw in him would wither and die and he would be nothing. He could remember the words Elex spoke to him, could see the expression on his face as he looked down his nose at Yuuri as he bandaged his foot. How overwhelmed he’d become when asked how it felt to be trusted by Lauri. To have access to his home and everything in it. To be able to stay by his side as he recovered in the hospital.
“I can’t leave him…” he repeated when she questioned him, wishing he could melt into the chair or floor or anything. She would be just like Elex and look down at him for being emotional in response to a simple question. Exasperated like he knew Lauri got with him for his inability to keep his anxieties under control.
And he was exhausted.
It wasn’t a good enough excuse, so he simply nodded his head to show he understood, trying to rub his face against his shoulder without making it too obvious that was what he was trying to do. He wasn’t sure how much Lauri would allow him to help him, but he knew he couldn’t… wouldn’t have Lauri wasting energy on trying to make sure he knew how to take care of himself.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Feb 07, 2018 7:08 am
" Pack isn't a word we use lightly. It means something to those of us that it applies to, so if Lauri used that word then do not take it lightly. It means you're worth whatever effort he's putting into you; whatever he's trying to get you to see for yourself." Her voice remained soft, tone as gentle as she could keep it despite the seriousness of it all. The meaning of 'pack' had been driven into them, beaten sometimes literally. Fight. Protect. Serve. Show your teeth. Let nothing keep you down. "One day I hope you'll say that you are part of our pack with pride. Until then, know that Lauri isn't the only one here for you." Katrina reached out once more, lightly resting her hand on Yuuri's shoulder and giving it a firm but gentle squeeze. "Will you be alright while I talk to the nurses to see about having the two of you moved? Or would you like a moment to yourself-- I can sit with him until you've returned."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Feb 07, 2018 8:18 pm
He was not used to belonging to something, so it was difficult for him to wrap his mind around the idea. She and Lauri might not take using the word pack lightly, but Yuuri hadn’t even heard about what the pack was until months after he’d been part of the Negaverse.
After doing everything alone for so long, including his duties as a senshi of the Negaverse, how was he supposed to believe that Lauri saw something in him when their own General didn’t think it important to tell Yuuri anything, even his name.
The irony that he was kept in the dark on so many things was not lost on him. For being the senshi of flares, he was the only one who was truly blind, whether by his own ignorance or purposefully by his superiors.
Wolfeite only cared about himself. He’d made that clear many times. He’d made it very clear that he didn’t trust Kamacite to be able to handle himself by following him around and having his youma keep an eye on him without his knowledge.
So yes, maybe one day Kamacite would like to be able to say he was part of their pack with pride, but it was difficult for him to convince himself that he truly belonged. Aue and Tourmaline were incredibly strong and relied on each other and trusted each other.
He could hear the words, feel her hand on his shoulder, but as much as he wanted to believe her, there was nothing for him to offer them. Aue was trying to get him into shape, and he’d been too afraid of General Tourmaline to speak to her outside of uniform, and barely while she was in uniform.
But…
Even though she promised that he had more than Lauri there for him, Yuuri couldn’t bring himself to believe it. And one day his need to stand beside Lauri and make sure he was okay would turn against him. Clingy. Needy. Mediocre at best. He’d given up his relationship with Adrien to protect him, and he knew Wolfeite wouldn’t tolerate distractions like a boyfriend.
Which meant he had no one. No one who needed him, like he needed them. Like he needed Lauri, who’d taken more time than Yuuri thought he was worth to try and make things better for him. But that was also who Lauri was. It wasn’t unique to Yuuri. Lauri did what he had to, and it was lucky for Yuuri he was Wolfeite’s recruit, otherwise…
He knew it was his anxiety talking. Whispering cruel things into his ear. Twisting everything into the worst possible outcome.
“I’m fine,” he said again, his voice quiet as he reminded himself, once more, to breathe. Carefully, he pushed himself from his chair, glancing towards Lauri as he slept and avoiding eye contact with the woman who loved him. The same woman who was also his superior.
“Thank you,” Yuuri mumbled quietly, but it was said more out of politeness than being heartfelt, the emotion carefully removed from the words. “Lauri has been good to me when he didn’t have to be, and I would do anything for him.”
His heart was going a thousand miles a minute. He felt faint. But she was giving him a chance to leave and hide his flaws, hide his inadequacies that were unacceptable for someone in their pack. If he wasn’t strong… he might end up being devoured.
“Please… I leave him in your hands until I return,” he said quietly, turning to Katrina then to offer her a small, but polite bow before taking a step towards the door. “I will get something to eat.” Something to eat, and a chance to hide to have his anxiety attack in peace without having to disturb Lauri or change Katrina’s mind about him.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Feb 25, 2018 5:47 pm
Katrina waited until Yuuri had left before rising to her feet again, slowly making her way back to Lauri's bedside. Her fingers brushed lightly along his wrist again before she slid her hand into his, giving it a gentle squeeze and smiling softly as he squeezed back. "You've got your work cut out for you with that one, perse," she spoke fondly to the Finn, filling him in on the way the tournament had ended and making sure he was aware they would be moving him to a private room on Professor Cappello's dime. Was there anything he wanted? Anything he needed? His laptop? Change of clothes? No, she would not bring him a beer. Yes, she would see about getting him another dose of pain medication. Had he heard the question that Yuuri had asked and her answer so quickly spoken? Most likely, but she cared not. Katrina Halloran was fairly certain that Lauri Virtainen knew how important he was to her. Those she cared for knew that she did so fiercely and there was no hiding that-- not from him, not from anyone. When Yuuri returned she took her leave, reassuring him that she would return with provisions for both of them once everything was settled. She only had to stay strong for just a little bit longer-- just until she made it home. Then she could crumple. Then she could fall. [Fin] xxxxSyrie With your permission, prod me if I need to change anything. <3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
