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Yuri grimaces as he steps out of the forest, the ruins in the distance coming into view. It’s a sight he remembers even now, so many years later- the long stone bridge leading across the lake, the half-crumbled castle at its end. And it’s not a sight he ever wanted to see again.
He comes to a stop. It’s a guild request that brought them out here, Karol and Judith and Yuri and Repede, but it’s a request from a friend for the first time in a while. When Rita said she needed to investigate some disturbances in Western Hypionia, Yuri didn’t think she would lead them here of all places.
“Hey, Rita,” he says, glancing back. “You sure this is the place?”
Rita - crouching on the ground with some magic device or other, humming and hawing - doesn’t respond.
“Rita!” Yuri calls again, louder this time.
Rita jerks up. “What, geez?”
“Is this the place?”
“Seems to be.” Rita finally gets up, hooking her device back onto her belt. She casts a look towards the ruins as she walks over. “The readings here resemble aer disturbances from blastia pre-Adephagos. It’s even worse close up.”
“Any idea why?” Yuri asks. “Would be good to know what we’re getting into.”
“No hypotheses just yet,” says Rita, shaking her head. “I went through our calculations three times with Witcher before I reached out to you guys. There’s no way any blastia could’ve escaped the spirit conversion, even in a place like this in the middle of nowhere.”
“Oh?” Judith says. “But Shizontonia is right around the corner, is it not?”
Shizontonia was abandoned six years ago when its barrier blastia malfunctioned- but in this new world, where spirits replaced blastia and barriers were no more, it’s no surprise that its residents decided to return. It’s a decent-sized town nowadays.
“Well, it is now, but- ah, whatever,” Rita grumbles. “Point is, I need a closer look. Isn’t Ba’ul sensing anything?”
Judith shifts her shoulders, light. “He said the disturbances were too minor to take note of.”
“It’s definitely minor,” Rita agrees, “Probably less of an issue than even an aque blastia used to be. But when there shouldn’t be any blastia at all anymore…”
“Something’s not right, eh?” Yuri hoists his sword onto his shoulder. “Alright. Let’s get g-”
But then he cuts himself off. “There’s people coming out of the ruins.”
Everyone stiffens, readying their weapons as they squint into the distance. There’s a good dozen or so people leaving the ruins- but after a moment, Yuri thinks he recognizes what they are.
“Looks like they’re just knights,” Yuri says, relaxing a little.
“They’re wearing blue, so they’re Flynn Squad, right?” notes Karol.
“Ugh. I guess Witcher might’ve reported it to Flynn,” Rita complains. “That brat. Could’ve at least warned me.”
“Well, no big deal,” Yuri says with a shrug. “Not like we can’t still go in. I can follow up with Flynn later.”
“Making full use of your position?” teases Judith, eyes falling to Yuri’s hand.
It’s been a good year since he’s gotten married- he’s mostly used to it by now. So Yuri just flashes her a grin. “What’s the point of being the Commandant’s husband if I don’t make full use of it?”
“Oh, I’m sure you’re getting plenty of other benefits.”
“Aw, shut up.” Yuri snorts, waving a dismissive hand. “Let’s just go already.”
They’re a quarter of the way across the bridge when Yuri finally realizes there’s something odd about the knights heading their way. It’s still hard to tell at this distance, but-
It almost looks as though the knights are wearing Niren Squad uniforms.
“You okay, Yuri?” Karol asks.
“Sorry,” says Yuri, “Just thinking.”
Maybe he’s seeing things. It isn’t as though he has the best memories of these ruins. That’s what he tells himself- but as they near the squad, it becomes clearer and clearer that’s not the case.
“Hey,” Rita says, sharp. “Is it just me, or is that Flynn with those knights?”
Yuri grimaces.
“It’s not just you,” he says, “And- it’s definitely not just Flynn who’s over there.”
What happened in these ruins - the stupid, pointless death of Captain Niren - isn’t something Yuri wants to discuss, even with Brave Vesperia and its honorary members. But explaining he and Flynn had been stationed in Shizontonia as cadets is easy enough to do, and saying he recognizes the knights as his old squad is even easier.
Rita twirls, mana glowing around her in bright streaks before dispersing with a pop.
“So?” Yuri asks. But Rita shakes her head.
“I’m not detecting any spiritual energy from them,” she says, “Their aer signatures seem human, and there’s not enough mana around them to fuel an illusion.” She frowns, looking troubled. “And they definitely have bodhi blastia. It’s what I’ve been detecting from scans for days. But that shouldn’t be…”
Yuri doesn’t like this, not at all.
“So they aren’t ghosts?” asks Karol. He looks over at the ever-approaching knights- they’re close enough now that all of them can see what looks to be a not-Yuri among the squad.
“Ghosts don’t exist!” snaps Rita.
“…Some of those knights should be dead. You sure about that?” Yuri demands.
Rita breathes out an annoyed sigh- then frowns again, like she’s swallowed something unpleasant.
“Time travel is theoretically possible,” answers Rita. “Dimension travel, really- it’s been a while since I read up on it. Not a fan, since the mana usage for practical applications is infeasible. But- the theory is sound.”
“Woah,” mumbles Karol, “I never thought Rita would ever suggest something so fantasy-like…”
He yelps with pain as Rita jabs her foot into his ankle.
“The theory is sound,” Rita repeats through gritted teeth. “Unlike something as unscientific as ghosts.”
“Time or dimension travel?” asks Judith, smiling as she raises a thin eyebrow. “You seem to have mentioned both.”
“It’s the same thing,” Rita explains. “If someone travels between times, it spawns a new dimension. The past is immutable and can’t be changed, per Ludran’s Second Law of Chronodynamics. Since-”
“-Right, alright,” Yuri cuts in before Rita can get too into it- they wouldn’t understand her explanation anyway, and the knights would reach them sooner than later. “Rita. You’re sure that’s the only possible answer?”
“Positive,” Rita insists. “Nothing else would explain their blastia. It just doesn’t exist on Terca Lumireis anymore.”
“Then that’s good enough for me,” Yuri says- only to grimace. “The problem is what we’re gonna do about it.”
“Dimensional magic has always been a purely theoretical field until now,” Rita says, shaking her head. “Maybe I could find a way to send them back, but I’d need time to research it first.”
“We’re a guild, are we not?” Judith says mildly. “I would say we should leave knight matters to the Empire.”
“So, throw them at Zaphias?” Yuri can’t help but wince. It makes sense, it does, but…
“We can’t do that, Judy!” Karol exclaims. “Yuri’s already worried about Flynn overworking himself.”
“Says who?” Yuri says, quick. His arms cross. “Sure, let’s throw them at Zaphias. Sounds good.”
Karol frowns, Judy gives him a look, Repede whines at his feet, but Yuri ignores them all. Besides, it does make sense to leave knights to knights, and Flynn would want to know about this either way.
(If only to see Captain Niren again. Flynn took his death as hard as Yuri did, in the end.
He was absolutely gonna drag Flynn out on a vacation as soon as this was all dealt with.)
“That’d work best for me too, funding-wise,” Rita says. “Considering the mana costs, dimensional research is gonna be expensive and, well-” she flushes a little, “-I don’t wanna be such a burden on Estelle.”
Judith smiles. “So we’re all in agreement then?”
“Yuri?” Karol asks.
“I said it sounded good already, yeah?” Yuri grumbles. “C’mon. They’re gonna get here soon. Let’s just figure out what we’re gonna say.”
They end up stopping in the middle of the bridge, waiting for the Niren Squad to come to them. The squad, on their side, comes to a halt some metres away from their little group.
“Yuri?” The Flynn who isn’t Flynn is the one who speaks first, brow furrowed. He steps forward- only to be stopped by the other Yuri, whose gaze is filled with suspicion.
Can’t really blame him. Yuri would be just as suspicious if he ran into his own doppelgänger out of nowhere.
“Is that- Rita Mordio?” Niren speaks next, sounding equally mystified. “You’ve grown up.”
“Huh? Who are…” Rita frowns for a moment, two- then her eyes widen in recognition. “Hey! I remember you! You’re that knight who destroyed my research cabin. I had to move back to Aspio after that, you know!”
“What?” exclaims a knight- whose name Yuri has long forgotten. Oops. “You destroyed your own cabin when you threw a fireball at us out of nowhere!”
“Oh. Did I?”
“You did,” Niren says, voice dry. “But I don’t think that’s really important right now, is it?” His gaze turns to Yuri, whose eyes flit away.
(Seeing Niren hurts more than he expected.)
Niren continues- “Who are you people?”
“Yuri Lowell,” Yuri says, giving them all a little wave. “Just a few years ahead.” His voice takes a sardonic edge. “Welcome to the future. You’re in a whole new world.”
“You can’t be serious,” mutters the other Yuri.
“Never been more serious, Lowell.” Yuri flashes a grin. “I can prove it.”
“We don’t have time for this,” says another knight, impatient. “We need to get back to Shizontonia.”
“We can waste an hour or so walking back to Shizontonia just so the knights there can direct you to report to Zaphias,” Yuri drawls, “Or you can let me take five minutes to prove I am who I am, and head straight to Zaphias after. Your choice.”
Niren glances around, face unreadable - at the sky, at the bridge, at Brave Vesperia - then hums. A moment passes, two.
“Captain?” asks Hisca- or maybe Chastel. It’s been a while since Yuri has seen either of them. “What should we do?”
“We’ll humour them,” Niren decides. “The aer’s gone now anyway- we’re in no hurry to get back. And there’s definitely something strange going on here.”
“Glad you’re as understanding as ever, Captain,” Yuri chirps. He casts a glance at Lowell- and Flynn, who stands right next to him. “A childhood memory should be good enough proof, yeah?”
“Depends on the memory,” replies Lowell.
“I’ve got a good one in mind,” Yuri says easily. “See, back when we were eleven - or twelve, maybe? - some rich nobleman got ganked in his fancy mansion. Heard his brother got arrested for it in the end, but at first, the knights thought it was a burglary gone wrong. And for some reason, one lieutenant got it in his mind that we were hiding the culprit down in the Lower Quarter.”
Flynn shifts on his feet, a nervous gesture. He’s probably cottoned onto which story Yuri is planning to tell.
“You know how it was with knights back then,” continues Yuri. “They couldn’t give less of a shit about us- we never saw a knight’s protection, but we sure did see their abuses all the fucking time.”
“Watch your tongue,” snaps a knight, but Niren holds a hand in the air to still him. He nods at Yuri to continue.
Yuri complies. “Anyway, this lieutenant… he’d march down into the Lower Quarter every morning and scream at anyone in sight about how we needed to hand over the criminal.” He smiles wryly. “I wanted to run in and kick his ass the very first day he showed up, but Flynn never let me. He went on and on about how I needed to hold it in, how I’d just be getting myself killed.”
“You two have literally never changed, have you?” Rita rolls her eyes.
“Hey, I’m not done yet,” says Yuri. “One day, this asshole decided to get violent- when Hanks told him he didn’t know anything, the lieutenant apparently punched him in the stomach. A seventy year old. We had to skip a few meals to pay for a doctor.”
That lieutenant is long gone now- he was a member of the Royal Guard who followed Alexei, and was sentenced to prison for treason. It doesn’t make thinking about the bastard any less infuriating though.
“That very afternoon, when he was heading back to his fancy-schmancy house, someone poured an entire bucket of toilet sewage on his head from a rooftop,” Yuri continues. “We lucked out, because he looked down on us so much he didn’t even consider it could’ve been intentional. From what I heard, he assumed that toilet sewage being poured out on roads was just normal in the Lower Quarter, screamed for a while, then stomped his way up the stairs. Never came back.”
Niren snorts. “Always like a happy ending. So?” He looks back at Lowell. “Yuri. Was that good enough? Sure does sound like you.”
Lowell meets Yuri’s eyes, face set- and just as expected, says- “No.”
Most everyone seems surprised, Brave Vesperia included- but Flynn just nods.
“Everyone knows that story back in the Lower Quarter,” Flynn explains. “If that man truly were Yuri, he would’ve mentioned-” he hesitates, “-more details.”
Yuri just snorts. “I still never said I was done. The story continues.”
“Oh?” Niren raises an eyebrow.
“See, after the lieutenant was dunked in sewage, I was scolded like crazy. Hanks wouldn’t let me out of his sight for a month,” Yuri drawls. “I was so pissed off I refused to talk to Flynn at all- until he finally came to me sobbing with an apology. The end.”
“I didn’t sob!” sputters Flynn.
“No, he’s got that part right,” Lowell says, nodding sagely. “You did sob.”
“Stop exaggerating,” Flynn grumbles. “Besides, it was unfair of you to be so angry in the first place! It wasn’t my fault that no one would-”
He cuts himself off, shifting awkwardly.
“You could’ve tried harder to convince people that you were the real culprit,” Yuri says.
“You really could’ve,” agrees Lowell.
“The harder I tried, the more convinced everyone was that I was trying to cover for you,” Flynn bites out. “And-” his hand rubs his forehead. “No. We’re not arguing about this again. It’s been years.”
“Flynn poured sewage onto a lieutenant?“ one of the twins asks, disbelieving. “Flynn?”
“Believe me or not, I don’t care,” Yuri says, flippant as can be. “The important thing is that no one else did. Right?”
He looks pointedly at Flynn and Lowell- Flynn grimaces, Lowell shrugs.
“He’s me, or he can read minds,” Lowell admits. “No one but us knew Flynn came to me sobbing at the end of it all.”
“No one but Yuri would claim I came to him sobbing,” Flynn says with a smile. “So I suppose he’s Yuri.”
Then they glare at each other, because of course they do. Yuri almost laughs.
“So, Captain?” Yuri asks. “Convinced yet?”
Niren hums. “Have you got a way to Zaphias?”
“We’ve got a ship,” Yuri replies, “And a friend who can pilot it.”
“Alright then,” Niren says. “We’ll come along. Your story’s unbelievable- but something’s not right here. That monster cracked this bridge open just a few hours ago, but where are the marks? It looks like it’s been untouched for years.” He snorts. “And if you try anything, well- I think you’ll find it takes more than a bucket of sewage to defeat a whole squad of knights.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” says Yuri, voice dry. “Judy, is Ba’ul safe to land here?”
They walked here from a little ways away so Rita could take her readings, but the lake is fairly large. It seems wide enough for Ba’ul to fit.
“I’ll call him,” Judith says easily.
“Thanks,” says Yuri, “Tell Ba’ul thanks as well. And-” he glances over at the squad, “-tell him we’re sorry in advance for the crowd.”
It’s a couple hours’ journey to fly from the western end of Hypionia to Zaphias. Most of the knights seem ill at ease- they’ve gathered in a group on the deck, some staring incredulously at the land zooming down below as they fly along.
Lowell - the other Yuri - isn’t one of them. It’s no surprise when not five minutes into their trip, Lowell wanders away from the rest of the knights- over to the other side of the ship, to Yuri.
Yuri just leans back against the ship’s ledge, waiting.
(It’s also no surprise when the younger Flynn wanders a little closer too. More than close enough to eavesdrop.)
“Hey,” Lowell says, “I got questions.”
Yuri shrugs. “Can’t promise I’ll answer, but shoot.”
“You’re not a knight,” Lowell says. It’s a statement, not a question. Yuri decides to answer it anyway.
“Nah.” Yuri flashes him a grin. “I think we both know it’s always been more Flynn’s style. I’m a guildsman now.” He shrugs. “Suits me way better.”
Lowell looks more contemplative than anything, but Flynn looks downright stricken. Yuri isn’t surprised- he took Yuri leaving the knights pretty badly. There’s a reason why they barely talked for years until circumstances forced them to.
“Second question,” Lowell continues- then nods at Yuri’s hand. “Are you seriously married, or is that ring- what. Just an accessory?”
Behind him, Yuri sees Flynn’s ears perk. It’s kinda cute.
(Ah, who is he kidding? It’s definitely cute. He’s always liked seeing Flynn all jealous.)
“What, can’t imagine yourself tied down?” Yuri teases.
Lowell rolls his eyes. “Maybe. Mostly, never really seen the point in getting officials involved in my personal business.”
“Well, that hasn’t changed,” Yuri says with a shrug. “But what can I say? My spouse can be pretty convincing.” He waves a hand dismissively. “They’re also kinda in a position where it’s a lot better to have a husband than a lover. Nips political marriages in the bud. I can be helpful when I wanna be, y’know.”
“There’s no way you’re married!” Flynn finally sputters, stomping his way over, and Yuri has to stop himself from laughing. He was wondering when Flynn would step in.
“Huh? What the hell, Flynn- you were listening?” Lowell snaps. Then his eyes narrow. “And what’s that supposed to mean?”
“Come on,” insists Flynn, “He’s obviously messing with you.”
Lowell just glares at him. “What? You think I’m such a fuck-up I can’t even get married?”
“That’s not what I…” Flynn looks frustrated. “I didn’t- I mean, can you really see yourself married to some noble?”
“Didn’t say I was married to a noble,” Yuri says dryly.
“Who else has to worry about political marriages?” Flynn demands, and well- that’s fair. His Flynn is admittedly in a bit of a unique situation.
“You really think a noble could marry a Lower Quarter guildsman?” Yuri points out, “Hell, they raised enough of a stink just because I was marrying-” he pauses, “-my spouse.”
He doesn’t want to let the cat out of the bag just yet. There’s no way it’s staying a secret once they get to Zaphias, so he wants to have his fun while he still can.
“Then what? Some rich merchant’s daughter?” Lowell sounds incredulous. “Seriously?”
“Right?” Flynn insists, gathering himself together all prim and proper like he isn’t just jealous. “That isn’t like you.”
Lowell clicks his tongue. “Hate to admit it, but- yeah.” He turns a frown to Yuri. “What gives?“
“Well, say I just was screwing around,” Yuri says cheerfully. “Maybe I’m just married to some nice, normal Lower Quarter girl. Do you think that still doesn’t sound like me? Flynn?”
“What? Me?” Flynn’s face twists. “I don’t…”
“You really think I’m such a fuck-up I couldn’t ever get married?” Yuri leans in, grin wide. “You think I’m not marriage material?”
“That’s not… I mean, well…”
Yuri’s grin just grows wider. Flynn really did like him even back then, huh? He’s clearly struggling between articulating yes, I very much think you’re marriage material without admitting yes, I very much have dreamed sometimes about marrying you. It’s the funniest thing he’s seen in weeks.
“Oh no.” Lowell’s horrified voice cuts into his thoughts. “You didn’t.”
Yuri straightens himself back up, smoothing out his face. “What do you mean?”
“You didn’t marry- you did, didn’t you?” Lowell looks utterly done. He takes a pointed step away from Flynn. “Seriously? H- Them?”
It’s not too much of a surprise that Lowell figured it out so easily. He did have a bit of an on-off crush on Flynn for years, and Yuri was admittedly laying it on a bit thick with the teasing.
Besides, he always had faith in Flynn, even back when Flynn had a stick up his ass the size of a tree. Flynn is the one person he’s always believed could crawl his way up the ranks of the knights. Even into a position that would have nobles lining up to marry him.
He still doesn’t think he’s worthy of Flynn, not at all. He doesn’t think even the him in front of him is, even the him who hasn’t yet stained his hands red with (much) blood.
But Flynn has always been just as stubborn as him, and he’s made it more than clear what he thinks of Yuri ‘not being worthy of him.’ And with Flynn insisting so fervently that it’s Yuri he wants by his side, no one else-
Yuri isn’t so selfless as to say no.
Besides, it is admittedly pretty satisfying to be the one to ensure the nobles never get their claws into Flynn. One of the most powerful people in the nation is a Lower Quarter nobody married to Lower Quarter criminal trash. He hopes they’re all still incensed about it.
He smiles at Lowell, who shudders in response. Rude.
Yuri weighs the potential embarrassment if this ever got back to Flynn versus the immediate gratification of severely embarrassing his teenage self, and decides on the latter without hesitation.
“I’ve been in love for years,” Yuri says cheerily, “So I can’t imagine it’s much of a surprise to you.”
“Shut up,” mutters Lowell, while Flynn looks rather as though the world is crumbling around him.
“Yuri, you- have someone you like?” asks Flynn.
“I never said that,” Lowell says with a scowl.
There’s an entire cornucopia of emotions shifting over Flynn’s face. “I’ve… never thought you wouldn't be able to find a lover, you know. Whoever it is, I promise, I fully-”
“-Flynn, I’m begging you,” Lowell groans, “Drop it. You’re embarrassing yourself.”
“I’ve always considered us best friends,” Flynn continues regardless, woefully genuine. It’s almost touching. “I’d like to think you trust me enough to know you’ll always have my support.”
“Yeah, fine, I get it,” Lowell snaps, “So just shut up. You’re playing right into his hands!”
Yuri raises his hands in front of him, defensive. “Hey, don’t blame me. Besides, y’know-” he grins again, “-we’re gonna be seeing my spouse soon enough. So, just saying- you might wanna get any awkward conversations out of the way sooner than later.”
Lowell looks half-horrified. “There’s no way we have to meet your spouse.”
“We do, actually,” Yuri says with a shrug. “Since we’re gonna talk with the Knights about what to do with you all, and I’m married to the Commandant.”
“What?!” Lowell and Flynn both exclaim- Lowell in disbelief, Flynn with horror.
“Commandant… Alexei?” Flynn demands, but Yuri shakes his head, making a face.
“No. There’s been a new Commandant for a few years now,” Yuri explains- then with no little pride, “Youngest Commandant of all time, actually.”
“That’s- seriously?” Lowell seems torn between joy and doubt. “There’s no way… for a few years? There’s no way.”
Flynn frowns at him. “Yuri? You know who it is, don’t you.”
“I… he’s screwing with us,” Lowell insists, scowling.
“Hey, it’s no skin off my back whether you believe me or not,” Yuri says cheerfully. “Just remember what I said about awkward conversations.”
“I’ll deal with it if it happens,” says Lowell, dismissive.
Yuri just snorts. “It’s your grave.”
“You get anything out of big Yuri?” Niren calls when they finally make their way to the squad.
Yuri scowls. “Not like he’s any bigger than me.”
“You know what Captain Niren means,” chides Flynn, and annoyance builds in Yuri’s chest.
“Can’t you get off my case for one day?” snaps Yuri.
Flynn’s hackles rise. “I’m trying to tell you how a knight should act!”
“Well, you obviously didn’t have much effect on the other me.” Yuri sneers. “So you might as well give up now.”
“Why are you always so- ow!”
Niren knocks them both on their heads with a sharp fist, successfully shutting them up- Yuri rubs at his head, gazing up at Niren with a mournful look. He receives no mercy.
“Both of you need to learn to get along,” Niren says, exasperated. “Yuri. Report. What did big Yuri tell you?”
Big Yuri, Yuri mouths, sullen, but he still responds. “Nothing useful. Just a bunch of lies.”
“We don’t know he was lying…” Flynn objects. Always with the objections. Like Flynn hadn’t been the first one to accuse that other Yuri of messing with them. Sometimes, Yuri really wishes Flynn could just say straight-out that he hates him now, that he regrets joining the knights with Yuri by his side. Then, maybe, Yuri could leave the knights with no regrets.
(That’s a lie. Yuri knows Flynn still cares, but sometimes that just hurts more.)
“Fine. He probably wasn’t lying about being a guildsman,” Yuri concedes. “He was definitely lying about everything else.”
“Everything else?” Niren prods.
“He said that- there’s a new Commandant now,” explains Yuri, “And implied it was, well- someone I knew.” He shakes his head. “That other me- he doesn’t look that old. There’s no way it’s been long enough for, uh, that person I know to reach that position.”
Sure, Flynn as Commandant someday? He could see that, no problem. That would fulfill all their childish dreams to change things, to fix the world. But they’re what- a decade in the future, maybe? Flynn’s probably not even thirty yet, and the other him implied he had already been Commandant for years. Even for Flynn, that’s crazy.
“Why are you dancing around the name?” Niren says with a snort. “I’m sure we’ll find out soon enough.”
“Because he was lying to get a rise out of me. And Flynn too, probably,” Yuri grumbles. “I’m not playing his game and embarrassing myself.”
“The other Yuri said he was married to the current Commandant,” Flynn says unhelpfully.
A laugh escapes Niren’s mouth, loud and amused- and he’s not alone. Most of the squad seems to find the idea funny, and Chastel is even giggling.
“Yuri? To a commandant?” she asks.
“Yeah, yeah, laugh away,” Yuri scowls. “That’s the whole problem. It’s unbelievable.”
“Unbelievable doesn’t mean untrue,” says Flynn. His eyes bore uncomfortably into Yuri’s face. “You didn’t think he was lying about who he was married to until he said they were the Commandant.”
“Because it’s so fake, it’s obvious he was screwing around about everything else too,” Yuri insists, “Besides, even if- they became the Commandant, why the fuck would they still be slumming it around with me?”
“Slummin- what are you even talking about?” Flynn demands, and he has the audacity to sound incredulous.
“Like you aren’t thinking it every time you see my face.”
“What are you talking about?” Flynn demands again. He sounds annoyed now, the bastard.
Yuri clicks his tongue. “Whatever. Does my personal life really matter right now?” His fists clench. “What matters is getting back.”
They had set off to deal with the aer disturbance, to save the town. But halfway through their incursion into the ruins, the red aer glowing around them disappeared without a sound. Niren had still led them deeper into the ruins, but soon enough, they reached a dead end of collapsed stone.
So they had returned the way they came, mystified but pleased enough- only to run into strangers who insisted this was the future, or another world, or something.
Regardless, this clearly wasn’t the world they knew. So then- what about their Shizontonia? Was it safe, or did they still need to deal with the aer imbalance before the barrier blastia broke down entirely?
“You’re not wrong,” Niren says, “Rita Mordio came by while you two were gone- she wanted my bodhi blastia for her preliminary investigations. I cooperated, since it was half-broken already.” His smile is wry. “We can only hope she’ll find something- I’m no researcher.”
Sitting around and doing nothing isn’t Yuri’s style- but as much as it galls him, Niren’s right. He’s no researcher - hell, he can’t even use magic - and whatever happened was definitely the result of some spell.
Ugh.
“I’d rather have a monster to beat up,” mutters Yuri.
Niren laughs again, booming. “Can’t say I disagree.”
The flying ship was enough of a shock on its own, but the sight of Zaphias with no barrier in its sky is even more of one. The explanation Mordio gives them about spirits raises more questions than it answers, but at least Flynn looks as confused as Yuri does.
They land in the plains near Zaphias, only to end up stuck on the ship a while longer- Lowell and Mordio claiming they need to go ‘talk things out with Flynn.’
“I could always sneak you guys in,” Lowell says, flippant, “But I figure you shining paragons of justice wouldn’t be down for that.”
“We would prefer to enter Zaphias legally, yes,” Niren says dryly, as Flynn buries his face in his hands with a groan.
Yuri is genuinely tempted to sneak into Zaphias like Lowell so kindly suggested- but half the squad is watching him like a hawk, probably expecting him to do just that. So- reluctantly, he abandons the idea and waits instead.
“I was thinking,” Hisca says suddenly, arms crossed. “Aren’t they expecting too much of you, Flynn?”
“What do you mean?” asks Flynn.
“Of the other you, I mean,” clarifies Hisca, “The way they’ve been talking, it’s like they think you’d be able to manage everything for us. But even if you believed Yuri in the first place, you’d have to get authorization from your captain, right? And there’s no way they would trust Yuri as much. He’s not even a knight anymore…”
“I was concerned about that as well,” admits Flynn, “But I’d like to hope their trust isn’t unfounded. Perhaps I have an understanding captain.”
“Or maybe you’re a captain,” Niren calls back with a grin.
Flynn looks rather flustered. “I wouldn’t think…”
Yuri rolls his eyes. “You don’t have to fake humility.” He finds a sneer spreading over his face. “I’m sure you’re a shining knight captain who wouldn’t dare let dirt stain his boots by now.”
For once, Flynn doesn’t take the bait. Yuri supposes he might’ve been a little too obvious about riling him up.
“…I understand you’re not happy about what the other Yuri told us,” Flynn says finally, shooting him a withering glare. “But it’s childish to take it out on me.”
“Can’t be helped,” chirps Yuri, “I’m a child to you, aren’t I? You sure do treat me like one.”
Flynn takes a deep breath, and ignores him. Boring.
“Ugh,” mutters Yuri.
This was fucking unfair. Flynn didn’t have to deal with his other self teasing him about something he’s desperately wanted since their mid-teens. Flynn’s future self probably wouldn’t even do that in the first place.
Whatever.
Yuri leans back against the ship’s ledge, and doesn’t think.
At long last - an hour or so, though it feels like longer - Lowell and Mordio come back.
They bring the other Flynn Scifo with them.
He’s definitely no foot soldier at least, not anymore. The blue tunic he wears is in a style Yuri doesn’t recognize, and his armour really is shining, bright and ivory in the sun.
…though his boots are a little splattered with mud, probably from the trek to the ship. Yuri doesn’t know whether to be pleased or annoyed about that.
Scifo’s eyes pass over Flynn, pause over Yuri, then finally stop at Captain Niren, something painful flickering in his gaze.
Yuri doesn’t like the sign of that, not at all.
“You know, Yuri,” says Scifo. His voice is identical to Flynn’s, if a little more amused and a little less constantly pissed. “I was really hoping you two were pranking me.”
“I wouldn’t use Captain Niren for a prank,” Lowell mutters.
Scifo’s mouth twists. “Yes. I did figure.” He takes a step forward, hand thumping against his chest in a salute. “It’s a great pleasure to see you again, Captain Niren. Yuri tells me you’ve been stranded.”
“‘Fraid so,” says Niren, “Don’t suppose you’ve got a solution for us.”
“I’m afraid I’m as clueless as you are,” Scifo apologizes, “But Rita has volunteered to take on your case- provided we source the funding, which shouldn’t be an issue. It’s a concern for us too if there’s dimensional rifts opening out there.”
“That’s something at least,” Niren says, voice dry. “Do the Knights know what they’re doing with us in the meanwhile?”
“Your priority will, of course, be cooperating with anything Rita requires of you,” says Scifo. “However, if you’d be amenable, we would be most appreciative if you could join the Zaphias knights in our patrols- after some preliminary training, naturally. Given how weak the monsters in Southern Illycia are, Zaphias is rather low priority.” His expression is apologetic. “We’re constantly short on hands here- your aid, even for a brief time, would be very much welcome.”
Yuri’s brow furrows. “What?” Flynn jabs an elbow into his side, but Yuri just ignores him. He continues, louder- “That doesn’t make sense.”
“What is it?” Scifo asks, perfectly polite. It’s admittedly starting to get on Yuri’s nerves a little.
“Zaphias, low priority?” Yuri demands. “Most of the Empire’s nobles live here. Those bastards don’t care if other places are struggling more- their problems come first. Their fun comes first.”
He sees Flynn’s fists clench beside him, not even bothering to contradict him for once- and no wonder. It was Flynn who tried to convince Zaphias to send reinforcements to Shizontonia after all, only to fail because of something as idiotic as a banquet. Now that wound is a little less tender, Yuri can admit it wasn’t really Flynn’s fault.
It was the fault of this whole rotten country. It always was.
“Certainly, the nobility raised their complaints when we first began routing knights to other towns,” Scifo says with a nod. “As they did when we began regular patrols of the Citizen’s and Lower Quarters. However, this was a decision the Imperial Knights made as an organization, with the full approval of his Majesty Emperor Ioder. The Council had little ground to stand on- their purview is governance.”
Lowell walks up, slinging an arm over Scifo’s shoulder.
“Basically, Flynn told them to shove it,” he chirps.
Scifo just sighs. “I most certainly did not.”
“Sorry, my bad,” continues Lowell, voice cheery. “He told them to fuck off.”
“Yuri,” Scifo says, exasperated, and ah- there’s the Flynn that Yuri knows and l- that he knows.
“What? I’m just giving valuable context.”
Scifo opens his mouth- but before he can inevitably dress Lowell down, he’s cut off by Niren.
“Flynn,” Niren comments, hand rubbing at his chin. “You never actually reintroduced yourself, you know. I have to admit, I’m starting to get curious just how much you’ve been promoted in the last, what. Ten years? Fifteen?”
“Ah, it’s been six,” Scifo says, as if that isn’t the most ludicrous thing Yuri has ever heard. Six years would be a speedy promotion to captain for a commoner, let alone to…
Fuck. Flynn really is the Commandant, isn’t he?
“And I apologize,” continues Scifo, “I assumed that Yuri would’ve filled you in some extent, but I see now I should’ve known better.”
There’s no bite to his voice- he’s smiling as he shakes Lowell off, bringing his hand to his chest in another military salute.
“My name is Flynn Lowell,” he says, “Commandant of the Imperial Knights.”
There’s choked gasps around him, mutters and stares hitting the back of his head. He can see Captain Niren looking genuinely taken aback for once, his eyes blinking.
But all Yuri can hear is the sound of blood rushing in his ears.
No one says anything to them while they’re still in front of Lowell and Scifo. Or, well- Yuri supposes that other Flynn isn’t a Scifo anymore. But thinking about that for too long is making his brain break down, so he chooses to stick with Scifo for now.
The worst part, Yuri decides, is that Lowell is draped all over Scifo. It’s one thing when he’s the one jokingly flirting with Flynn, riling him up until he’s tackling Yuri to the ground, beautifully infuriated. It’s another when Yuri is forced to watch someone with his face attach himself like a limpet to a Flynn because they’re openly married and in love. It’s downright horrifying.
Especially when Scifo is just- letting him. Lowell’s arm is around Scifo’s waist the whole stupid march down to Zaphias, and he doesn’t even mouth a single word of complaint.
Flynn, meanwhile, is stomping stiffly on the grass right next to him. Yuri hasn’t managed to steal a glance at his face since the moment Scifo introduced himself as Flynn Lowell.
Whatever.
They’re brought to barracks - in the Citizen’s Quarter, because “Commandant Flynn” has apparently insisted upon more of a knight presence outside the Noble Quarter - and much to his relief, both Lowell and Scifo finally leave. Mordio interrogates them about what happened, snatches up the rest of their blastia despite their objections, then disappears soon enough as well.
Their current orders are to integrate themselves with the knights here, but that’s easier said than done. Of course everyone recognizes the oh-so-famous Commandant Flynn- and unfortunately, plenty recognize Yuri as well. Yuri doesn’t know how Scifo explained things to the knights, but it’s done nothing to stem the whispers.
Yuri really wants to beat something up.
In the end though, their day passes by with nothing but dull training. The captain here - a Captain Leblanc who exclaimed “Yuri Lowell!” in horror when he first spotted him - dismisses them early.
“We aren’t so shorthanded we’d need to throw newcomers onto patrols on day one,” Leblanc barks, then hands out thin booklets that Yuri promptly decides to ignore. “Review this primer on mana for the rest of the night.”
But it’s when they’ve finally been freed that Yuri’s luck runs out.
“Flynn. Yuri,” Niren calls, waving them over in the hallway.
They walk over in complete silence. Yuri can’t even read Flynn’s expression, and the other boy is usually an open book- at least to him. It makes his stomach turn, but Yuri would be damned before he lets it show.
“Yes, sir?” Flynn says, once they’re both lined up in front of Niren.
“You know,” Niren says with a snort. “I never would’ve thought the problem between you two was teenage love drama. Explains a lot though.”
Flynn chokes, going bright red- mortification rises in Yuri’s throat, though he manages to hold it back. He hopes.
“Captain,” Yuri manages, “Didn’t Lowell say this was a new world?” He shrugs, purposefully casual. “I’m sure this is just one of the differences between our world and theirs.”
“…You did agree,” Flynn says for some inexplicable reason. It’s the first thing he’s said to him in hours. “When the other Yuri said he’d been in love for years.”
“I didn’t- I never agreed,” Yuri snaps.
“I suppose not,” Flynn says. His gaze is steady, even with his cheeks still a bit flushed. “You simply told him to shut up.”
And, well… crap. You don’t even need to know Yuri as well as Flynn does to realize that ‘Shut up!’ is nothing but a pathetic redirection.
“You two,” Niren cuts back in. He points at the door, looking none-too-pleased. “Go outside and talk it out like the adults you technically are. What you two do on your own time is none of my business- but both of you are letting this affect team unity. Deal with it.”
Which is how Yuri and Flynn find themselves standing outside the barracks in the chill night air, full moon shining bright above them.
It’s Yuri who breaks the silence first in the end.
“Let’s go to the Lower Quarter.”
There’s nowhere more comfortable than the Lower Quarter for Yuri- and for Flynn too, Yuri hopes. If they’re really going to have this stupid, obnoxious conversation instead of leaving sleeping dogs lie, then he would rather do it there than anywhere else.
But Flynn draws himself together in righteous indignation. “We shouldn’t go too far- we might cause problems for our future selves.”
“Oh, please.” Yuri rolls his eyes. “There’s no way they expected me to stick around at the barracks all night like a good boy. If they really wanted me to stay put, they would’ve at least tried to lock me up.”
“That’s, well…”
“What are you so worried about anyway?” Yuri snarks. “Scandal: the illustrious Commandant was spotted fraternizing with his husband in the Lower Quarter. What a shocker.”
It’s not like they’re still in their armour anymore- they’re just in their undertunics, which shouldn’t look too obviously Imperial Knights-provisioned. Anyone who spots them probably wouldn’t look at them too strangely. Their older selves don't look much older at all.
Even in this dim streetlight, Yuri can see Flynn going a little pink. “We aren’t married.”
“But they are,” Yuri says, voice flat. “Isn’t that the whole problem?”
Flynn winces.
“Fine,” he concedes at last. “Let’s go to the Lower Quarter.”
The Lower Quarter looks simultaneously both better and worse than it’s ever been. Better, because the buildings still standing are looking newer than Yuri’s ever seen them, wood and brick free from familiar grime. Worse, because too many buildings are gone- empty lots, or even collapsed into piles of rubble no one’s ever bothered to clear.
Flynn looks as disturbed as Yuri feels.
“What happened here?” mutters Flynn.
“There’s no barrier anymore,” Yuri says, bitter. “Could be monster attacks- the Lower Quarter would get hit first.”
“…At least there’s knights down here now,” Flynn finally says.
“Have you seen any?” demands Yuri, a sneer twisting his face.
But he really shouldn’t have opened his mouth, because of course the universe would deem it necessary to prove him wrong. A knight turns the corner up ahead, torch in hand.
So Flynn promptly yanks him by his arm, dragging him into an alley to flee before they’re spotted. Yuri doesn’t really think they need to, but he also doesn’t give enough of a crap to stop him.
“You were saying?” Flynn says, once they’re far enough to be safe from sight. This little shit.
“Shut it,” grumbles Yuri. “And let go of me already.”
Flynn drops his arm like it’s a hot poker- Yuri’s fairly sure he’s blushing, though it’s too dark to really see.
His chest most definitely doesn’t warm at the thought.
“Where are we, anyway?” he asks, squinting around them. They’ve gone from an alley to a side street at some point, but there’s still no street lamps around- it doesn’t seem like they’re in a residential area. The buildings are too close, too tall to let much moonlight shine through onto the street below.
“Who knows?” answers Flynn, unhelpful as ever. Yuri rolls his eyes.
“I’m getting a higher vantage point,” Yuri decides, and runs his hands over the closest wall, searching for handholds.
“Wait, Yuri- you can’t just-”
“Maybe you can’t,” chirps Yuri, “But I sure can.” He grabs at a loose brick on the wall, pulling himself up onto exposed pipes higher up.
“Yuri, you-” Flynn makes an unintelligible noise- but then, just as Yuri expects, follows right after him. “I can’t believe you, you know?”
“Yeah, yeah.”
The building Yuri climbs is a warehouse of some kind- the roof is shingled, but not very angled. It’s not too uncomfortable to sit on, so that’s what Yuri does- lay back and stare up at the bright moon as he waits for Flynn to join him.
Soon enough, Flynn hoists himself over the ledge of the roof with a grunt.
“Took you long enough,” Yuri calls out.
“I almost fell and broke my neck, you ass,” Flynn just grumbles. He raises an eyebrow. “Why are you lying down?”
“Because it’s comfortable. C’mon.” Yuri slaps the shingles next to him. “Get on over already.”
“I should’ve known you were planning to just stay up here,” Flynn says with a sigh- but he still inches his way over, and he still lies himself down on the roof next to Yuri.
Their shoulders brush.
It shouldn’t bother Yuri. They’ve known each other for as long as Yuri can remember, and maybe because of that, personal space hasn’t really been a thing for Yuri when it comes to Flynn. But after everything that’s happened today, after watching that annoying bastard press himself into his Flynn for way too long, after the bombshell of Flynn Lowell…
Yuri feels heat rising in his cheeks. He strangles it down immediately, and thankfully succeeds- only to be taken off-guard by the foul, unfair move of Flynn slipping his hand around Yuri’s.
“Flynn?” he says, sharp.
He turns to glare at Flynn, but Flynn just smiles at him. Not smug, like whenever he wins against him in yet another duel. It’s soft, too soft- and Yuri is overwhelmed with the urge to run. Coming up onto this roof was a mistake.
“Yuri.”
Flynn’s hand squeezes, warm and comfortable, and Yuri’s heart is beating in doubletime like he’s a fucking child staring at his first crush. He hates it, so he does what he’s always done best- deflects.
“What, that’s it? You’re not gonna lecture me for an hour about how a proper knight wouldn’t crawl like a rat up onto a roof?”
“I don’t believe that’s what we came up here to discuss,” Flynn says mildly.
“Like you give a shit about that.” Yuri sneers. “Ever since we joined the knights, all you’ve had to say to me are insults.”
Flynn grimaces. “I do wish sometimes that you’d put some token effort into pretending to conform to the Knights.”
“Of course you do,” Yuri says, derisive. “Since that’s what you’re always doing, isn’t it?” Anger rises up in his throat, all the words he’s thought but never said. “That’s what pisses me off the most, you know? You acting like you actually give a shit about any of the noble bullshit in ‘knightly’ standards.”
Flynn’s gaze is a bit guilty. “I don’t think all of it is nonsense.”
“Well- fine, yeah,” Yuri concedes, deflating a little. Flynn has always been more idealistic than him, more attached to that dream of a shining knight of justice. “Still pisses me off. The way you act like you’re better than me.”
And the way Flynn is better than him, in so many ways Yuri couldn’t possibly count them all. His ideals, his optimism, even his skill with the sword. He’s never won a duel against Flynn, not ever.
(If it had been Flynn left in Shizontonia, with Yuri the one sent off to the capital- would Repede still have his father with him today?)
Flynn is already the perfect knight. He’s always been, to Yuri. That’s why it pisses him off that Flynn thinks he needs to somehow put Yuri down to prove it.
Something seems to dawn in Flynn’s eyes, and his face goes set.
“Yuri,” he says, “I’ve never once thought I was better than you. I’ve never once thought that being your best friend was slumming it either.”
“Don’t fucking lie to-”
“-Yuri,” Flynn snaps, frustrated, “All I’ve ever wanted is to have you at my back. But I’ve been worried, ever since we joined the knights, that I might lose you out of nowhere just because some idiotic noble decides he doesn’t like your attitude and throws you into jail.”
“Heh. I can see that happening,” Yuri says with a snort. “Maybe that’s why the me here left the Knights.”
Flynn just glares.
“Why are you so flippant about everything?” he demands, sounding genuinely upset. “Stop pushing me away just because you think I’m planning to do it first. For heaven’s sake, I love you. You think I don’t want to have you by my side?”
It’s said so casually, so matter-of-fact, it takes a moment for Yuri to even process the words. It seems to have taken a moment for Flynn to process them too, because by the time’s Yuri’s recovered from his stupor, Flynn’s face is buried in his free hand.
He’s still holding Yuri’s though.
“Forget what I just said,” Flynn says, voice mumbled. He sounds horribly embarrassed, which is perfect, really. Yuri can work with embarrassed.
“You mean, you saying that you lov-”
“-Forget it, please!” Flynn begs. His ears are flushed a dark red in the moonlight. “It’s been overwhelming my mind since this morning, and it just slipped out. Let me redo it.”
Yuri laughs. “Pretty sure that’s not how it works.”
“It can if you let m-”
“-Nah, it can’t,” Yuri says- then, ever-so-casually, “You already admitted you love me back. No takebacks.”
Flynn falls silent, hand slowly falling from his face. Hesitant, he turns his gaze back towards Yuri- though Yuri’s already shifting his eyes away.
“…Back?”
“That’s the best you’re getting,” Yuri informs him. “Take it or leave it.”
“I’ll take it, of course,” Flynn says, smile broad. “But could we at least discuss whether you’d like to date?”
No, Yuri would like to say, because this is already enough talking and enough emotions to last a lifetime. But Yuri would, in fact, very much like to date. So- he responds. Reluctantly.
“I’ll consider it if you stop being such a hardass,” he says, then pauses, contemplative. “Then again, I guess getting laid might loosen you up anyway. The illustrious Commandant did seem less high-strung.”
“Yuri!” sputters Flynn. The scandalized flush on Flynn’s face is hilarious, but Yuri’s amusement doesn’t last for too long.
“I’m serious, you know,” Yuri says. “I’m sick of you acting like I’m twelve. I know what a knight’s supposed to do- I just don’t give a shit.”
“Perhaps you should avoid acting like a child if you’d prefer not to be treated as one,” Flynn says, biting, and fury blooms in Yuri’s throat- but then Flynn suddenly deflates. “Sorry.”
Yuri blinks, thrown off-kilter. “Huh?”
“I don’t want to lose you, but it’s true that’s only half of it,” admits Flynn. “I’m not perfect- but it’s easier to pretend, when there’s someone else to chide for being worse.”
“Glad you’re admitting it at least,” sneers Yuri. “But you’re still not forgiven.”
“I am still genuinely concerned for you, Yuri,” Flynn says fervently, face open and genuine. That’s worse, in a way. “If you continue the way you are, you really will be kicked out of the knights. Or worse. You know that too, don’t you?”
“Maybe. But it’s not like it turned out so bad for the other me, yeah?” Yuri points out, and Flynn flinches.
“…I still wouldn’t want you to leave the Knights,” mutters Flynn, mulish.
“Now who’s being childish?”
“I am,” Flynn says easily. “I never claimed not to be a hypocrite.”
Yuri laughs. “You’re an ass.”
But that’s the Flynn he knows and loves, in the end.
“I can’t say I’ll stay with the Knights forever,” he continues bluntly. “But I don’t want to leave just because another me did. I’ll make my own decisions in life. So- I’m not letting anyone kick me out. You’re gonna be stuck with me for a little while longer at least.”
Flynn perks up almost immediately, smile wide and bright. It’s more than enough to make his heart flutter.
(Yuri has always thought it unfair that Flynn’s smile is so utterly beautiful.)
“Just lay off of me from now on, yeah?” Yuri demands. “You’re already way more of a perfect knight than any other knight I’ve met. You don’t need to worry about pretending so hard.”
“I will,” Flynn promises, a pleased flush reddening his cheeks. And while Yuri is sure Flynn will still slip up from time to time, he’s also sure that Flynn will try. That’s the kinda guy he’s always been.
“Good,” Yuri says- and finally smiles right back.
“I guess that bastard Lowell wasn’t that bad in the end,” Yuri muses, right as they’re walking their way back to the barracks. “He did help get me a date.”
“Yuri, please,” says Flynn, amused.
“Guess as far as alternate futures to get thrown into, this one could be worse.”
It’s just casual banter. Yuri doesn’t expect Flynn to really react. But for some reason, a shadow passes over Flynn’s face.
“I don’t believe this world is as kind as it seems,” he murmurs.
Yuri frowns. “What do you mean?”
“I’m Commandant at twenty-four, Yuri,” Flynn says, shaking his head. “Nobody should be in that position that young. I don’t want to be in that position that young.”
“You’re better off in that seat than anyone else,” says Yuri, waving a dismissive hand. “Isn’t that the whole reason why you wanted us to join the Knights?”
“Yes, always- but I never wanted people to die for our dream,” Flynn says, voice bitter. “Think about everyone who must be gone. Commandant Alexei first and foremost, of course- but not just him.” Worry furrows his brow. “Captain Niren, Captain Cumore, Captain Schwann- even if I did make captain too by the time Alexei died, any one of them would’ve been promoted over me. The fact that they weren’t…”
“You saying you think Commandant Flynn has some skeletons in his closet?” Yuri snorts. “What, did he hire some assassin to slice through Alexei and Cumore and Schwann and guarantee his promotion?”
“Don’t be ridiculous.” Flynn shoots Yuri an exasperated look. “As if any assassin could kill all those knights with ease.” His gaze turns towards the sky- the clear, barrierless sky. “No, I suspect it has something to do with the loss of blastia.”
“…Yeah,” says Yuri, quiet. “I was thinking that too.”
“Let’s find out what we can while we’re still here,” Flynn decides. “We have the opportunity- we can make our world turn out even better.”
“Always the idealist,” Yuri teases. He bumps their shoulders together. “Well, I don’t hate that.”
“You’ll help, won’t you?”
There’s hesitance in Flynn’s voice, sudden uncertainty of where he stands. Stupid. As if Yuri wasn’t already ready to do anything for him, even before they confessed to each other like stupid lovestruck teens.
“Of course,” Yuri says, throwing him an arrogant smirk. “We’re gonna change the world, yeah?”
Flynn’s eyes go soft, his smile bright bright bright, and Yuri melts a little on the inside.
“Yes,” Flynn says, uncertainty gone like the wind. “We will.”
The house Yuri shares with Flynn is in the Citizen’s Quarter, though closer to the Lower Quarter than the Noble. A compromise, between both of their desires versus the realities of Flynn’s position. Both of them don’t spend as much time there as others would expect of them- Yuri’s off on guild requests more often than not, and Flynn still has chambers in the castle he uses whenever his work runs too late.
But it’s still nice, having a home together. A place where Yuri can step in and always feel Flynn’s presence- in the bed made ridiculously neatly, the chilli spices tucked away in the cupboard, the laundry folded carefully in the drawers.
(Yuri tries to leave his own presence behind too whenever he comes home, if only through restocking their icebox with Salisbury steaks and beef stew for Flynn to later defrost.
Though he would rather die than admit it, even if Flynn probably already knows.)
When he comes home late that night, he half-expects it to be empty. Flynn really has been overworking himself lately, and Yuri probably hasn’t helped by dragging him out of work this afternoon for his minor emergency. Seriously, he needs to force a vacation on Flynn as soon as this nonsense with dimensional rifts is dealt with.
Distracted, he doesn’t notice there’s light coming from inside until he’s already climbing onto the balcony and through the windows.
“Oh, Yuri!” Flynn’s voice is delighted, and Yuri’s chest warms despite himself. “Welcome home.”
“Hey. I’m back,” says Yuri, smiling helplessly.
Flynn is sitting in the lounge chair by the fireplace, book in hand- though he’s already putting it down on the coffee table. Honestly. Yuri will never understand how so many of his friends enjoy reading for fun.
“You do realize there’s a door downstairs,” Flynn says. He’s trying for chiding, but the effect is rather ruined by the grin on his face.
“You do realize I’m never gonna use it,” Yuri drawls.
Yuri walks his way over, slips his way into Flynn’s lap- Flynn’s arms wrap around him, warm, like there’s nowhere else they’re meant to be.
“Besides,” he continues, his mouth twisting up into a smirk. “You like having me at your window.”
“It’s our window,” corrects Flynn. “And besides, I never claimed I didn’t. I simply think we do have a very nice door as well.”
“That’s good to hear,” Yuri says, voice mild. “I’m sure my dearest husband is getting plenty of use out of it.”
“Incorrigible,” says Flynn, fond. He pecks a chaste kiss against Yuri’s smile.
“Like you don’t love me for it.”
“Again,” Flynn says, “I never claimed I didn’t.” He pecks another kiss onto Yuri, on his neck this time, nuzzling his nose in. “There’s no one I love more than my dearest husband.”
And Yuri takes in a ragged breath, feeling heat rise up on his cheeks.
“Oh, shut it,” he grumbles.
His hand still goes to thread through Flynn’s hair, caressing it, light.
They’ve been together for three years, married for one, but Yuri’s still not sure if he’ll ever quite get used to this- Flynn responding to his teasing flirtations with painfully genuine love.
(That’s not to say he dislikes it, not at all.)
“I don’t think I shall,” Flynn says, like the asshole he is. Still, he leans back a little. “How long are you in Zaphias for?”
“Rita’s our client right now. We’ll be in on and off until she’s done investigating,” Yuri replies. “We’re heading off to Halure first thing tomorrow morning to talk with Estelle. She’ll know if the spirits noticed anything.”
They returned to the ruins by Shizontonia in the afternoon. But even after hours of searching, Rita hadn’t found anything to explain the Niren Squad’s sudden appearance- or the aer disturbances she had detected days before they apparently arrived.
“Well, it’s Rita we’re talking about here,” Yuri says with a snort. “I’m sure she’ll figure it out sooner or later.”
“I do hope so,” Flynn says, voice dry. “I don’t think the world is ready for another Yuri Lowell.”
“But it’s perfectly fine with another Flynn Scifo?”
“I’m afraid there’s only one Flynn Scifo in the world right now,” Flynn says- then squeezes Yuri a little tighter, chest pressing warm into his own. “I’ve already become Flynn Lowell, after all.”
Yuri pretends his stomach doesn’t still do a happy little swoop whenever he hears that name.
“Taking my name was still a stupid idea, y’know,” he says. “All you did was make more work for yourself.”
“It was an excellent idea,” says Flynn. A grin spreads on his face, wide and obnoxious. “A few days of paperwork was a small price to pay to make it exceedingly clear I never plan to leave your side.” His hand trails down Yuri’s back, soft. “I couldn’t risk you thinking that I married you just to ward off suitors- or any other nonsense along those lines.”
“I wouldn’t have thought that,” Yuri insists.
“You would’ve considered it.”
A pause, two. Yuri refuses to respond, looking anywhere but Flynn.
“Anyway,” he continues, “I should go get ready for bed.”
Flynn just laughs, far too knowingly. Ugh. “Whatever you’d like.”
He pecks one last kiss on Yuri’s nose before letting go, Yuri slipping off his lap and back onto his feet.
“Yuri,” Flynn calls, before Yuri can make his way into the bathroom.
“What?” Yuri throws a glance back.
“I love you, you know.”
Yuri promptly whips his face back to the bathroom door.
“Yeah, I do know. You don’t need to keep saying it,” he grumbles.
“I rather think I do,” Flynn says, unrepentant. Bastard.
“…I do too, you know.”
“Yeah.” There’s a smile to Flynn’s voice. “I know.”
And in the end-
That’s all that ever mattered between them, no matter the weeks they spend apart, no matter their over-dedication to their work.
There’s a small smile on Yuri’s face as he opens the door, heads into the bathroom. He’s sure Flynn probably knows that too.
But Yuri finds he doesn’t mind, not at all.
(And he hopes his younger self can reach that same acceptance.)