fantastisk | ( the brewing love one )

( while Yuri is on a date wondering how little fall into dating and how impossible it is for him, Victor's delighting in the way Yuri engages back in light flirtations. Victor has to smile wider, eyes crinkling in his better humour. )

I'd prefer a good one, really. ( he winks, clearly not serious. the intensity that comes into his gaze after focuses on Yuri, though he studies Yuri's features instead of logging gaze. ) In all the time it took to convince you to come out with me, I couldn't imagine anything more worthwhile. Come! If I must be good, then there's only one way I know how to be anything of the kind.

( he stands, brushing off his rear and then hands against his hips. dirt and grass fall back to the ground; Victor has his camera slung back over a shoulder. he holds both his hands out to Yuri, eyes shining with a simple happiness. )

Help me find Makkachin's best angle!

( she's up and prancing around, tail wagging a mile a minute. )

Do we have enough time to make it across the dunes, or do I need to give you back sooner than that?

( Yuri doesn't really think a whole five minutes counts as 'all that time' but if that's the way Victor wants to play the game, sure. he sniffs with false hauteur, hiding his amusement as he rolls to his knees and back onto his heels, ready to stand. taking Victor's hands is still nerve-wracking, of course, but at least this way Yuri's still taking most of his own weight. that makes for a slight relief. )

For Makkachin, I'll do anything.

( there; that ought to keep Victor in his place. Yuri has to fight back another smile at the thought. )

How long does it usually take? I have to be at work in...let's see, ( squinting at his watch, Yuri does the math, ) a little over two and a half hours, which means I need to be home in about two. Does that leave us time to get over the dunes and back? And dessert, of course, ( Yuri finally lets that smile out, keeping it bright and obviously saccharine, ) providing that you earn it.

( as if he could ever actually turn Victor down. on any front. )

( he makes a small huffing sound when Yuri says what he does about Makkachin -- not one he means, considering what he himself would deny Makkachin mostly comes down to health concerns only. but as he half turns, sending Yuri a wink and tugging him asking, Victor's only let go of one hand. not that the hold he keeps is too firm. Yuri could break free with minimal effort. )

Plenty of time! Even if we made this a long, romantic walk where we stare into each other's eyes instead of watching where we're walking.

( he turns his head to blink too fast, too comically, at Yuri. it's a joking kind of coy that Victor doesn't take far, just far enough to make the tease about something he wouldn't mind in the least. )

I suggest we take a jaunt down this way at exactly the speed of walking from earlier. Makkachin! Drop it!

( she reluctantly lets the root she's picked up in her mouth drop, bee lining back toward Victor and Yuri and circling around them with a happy bark. )

( a long, romantic walk sounds as terrifying and dangerous as it does thrilling. Yuri pulls a face he hops indicates his quietly amused exasperation at Victor's antics rather than any particular disinclination to take a lover's stroll with him.

he even briefly entertains the idea of maintaining this handhold, despite the fact the he's sweaty and sticky and generally a disaster. Victor's hands are lovely - like all of him, obviously - and the wistfully self-destructive part of Yuri that harbours all his greed would really like to take the chance to get to know them better. instead Yuri reluctantly pulls away to give their picnic a cursory tidy-up. he packs the plates and emptied dishes into one side of the cooler.

topping off his water bottle Yuri stands, swinging his backpack over his shoulders once more and giving Victor a little nod. )

All right, let's jaunt away. ( he hesitates for a second, nose scrunching up in thought. ) --Is 'jaunt' a verb, too?

English is my second language.

( Victor says, all careless shrugs and bouncing steps as he tosses a smile toward Yuri. )

In my opinion, why not? English has all sorts of strange rules that make no sense. I declare jaunt is also a verb. Done! We're jaunting!

( a toss of his hand encompasses the flowers as they dip and twirl and weave with the breezes blowing in off the water. Makkachin prances through and bolts down the way, Victor stopping periodically to kneel and adjust his focus, snapping photographs as Makkachin disturbs a snowy plover and jumps almost as high as the bird has flown by the time Victor's camera captures the moment. when she comes barreling back their way, checking in with Victor and Yuri, Victor takes candids of Yuri and Makkachin together. Makkachin butts her head up under Yuri's hand, licking at his fingers, dancing around him and barking once, twice, then running forward. she stops, tail wagging, looking back at Yuri. she knows Victor too well, when he has his camera out like this. she's trying to see if Yuri can be enticed into playing her games while her primary food human is engaged in his odd activities she accepts as part of her alpha's lifestyle choices.

Victor laughs, shaking his head and cradling his camera against his chest as he slides back down from where he'd jaunted up the side of a dune for a better shot of Makkachin amidst the grasses and sand. )

She's hoping you'll chase her! It's one of her favourite games after retrieving her toys and leaving them at your feet. You'll need to turn your shoes over when you visit if you don't want to accidentally end up stepping on some small object she's dropped in them while you were there. Silly girl, Makkachin! Burying things in people's shoes.

( still casually feeling Yuri out, making suggestions like these and listening for how Yuri receives them. much like he's not going to try and take Yuri's hand again right now unless he has a viable excuse -- helping him down part of the unstable pathway through the dunes would be perfect, but Victor knows the area well enough to not want to be a jerk about which pathway he takes. he's heading toward one of the smoothest when Makkachin barks and trots on down toward one of Victor's favourites: the footing's worse, but it's a beautiful angle down the coast, and the path between those dunes coming to the short cliffside they'd then walk down is almost magic, the way it curves and the ocean peers between, unfolding like some magnificent gift. Victor hesitates, pursing his lips. )

Makkachin! Girl, we're not going that way today, sorry.

Mine too, ( Yuri admits, smothering a little laugh at Victor's airy proclamations. ) If anyone tells me this is wrong I'm blaming you.

( it's hard not to feel lighthearted, messing around with Makkachin, the sun high and as invigorating as the sea air. Yuri temporarily forgets to second-guess himself about every little thing. he laughs and ruffles Makkachin's fur fondly, shading his eyes with one hand to watch her as she jukes off again. )

Maybe I want to keep her presents, unlike certain ingrates I could name. Makkachin! Are you sure you don't want to come home with me instead? I'll cook for you, every night.

( the look he cuts to Victor is sly and teasing, ripe with mischief. it fades into a vaguely-concerned sort of curiosity, turning back to the path Makkachin wants to take. )

Why not that way? Is it dangerous or something?

Dangerous? Oh no, not — hah, nothing like that! The path's less well maintained, that's all.

( he nods his head that direction, gesturing with one hand. )

It's a more dramatic reveal of the water, but you end up scaling down one side of the dunes getting there, and not everyone's up for things like that.

( particularly when they admit to not hiking much, and ending up with sand in shoes might not be everyone's idea of fun? Makkachin continues to wag her tail and cock her head to the side, not understanding why they're breaking from their pattern. Victor sighs, fondly, glancing Yuri's way. )

If you want to, we can head out that way, but I didn't want to drag you along where we usually go just because you were kind enough to say yes when I asked.

Edited 2017-09-19 03:36 (UTC)

Oh, I see.

( that makes sense; Yuri supposes he had been a little reluctant when Victor had first proposed the idea, and really he's not the athletic type at all, but when he'd been told 'hiking' he'd had a mental image more of...he's not really sure. mountain trails and steep inclined and maybe a compass involved, somehow.

this has turned out to be along the lines of a gentle nature walk, even by Yuri's standards. Makkachin's preferred path seems to be a more dramatic version of some of his own boyhood haunts.

flashing Victor a sudden and wide grin, Yuri takes off at a jog, slapping his thigh as he draws abreast of Makkachin. ). Race you to the bottom! Makka, ko mne! You're my guide; I'm counting on you!

( pleased to be indulged in her game Makkachin barks with excitement, bounding along as Yuri laughs in her wake. he's dying to know what kind of surprise Victor's wearing on his face and twists to wink over his shoulder before focusing on his descent. it actually isn't too bad; Yuri ends up with sand in his shoes, of course, but he reaches the bottom without turning an ankle or embarrassing himself any more than usual. the view is as stunning as promised. he takes a moment to appreciate it, eyes wide and sparkling. )

Wow. ( with Makkachin dancing around him he looks back up the path, hands on his hips, still wearing his shitty grin. ) C'mon, slowpoke! We don't have all day!

Edited 2017-09-19 03:59 (UTC)

( Victor does that actual backpacking, but he'd... be gentle introducing Yuri to overnight hiking and camping, under the stars, out to one of the natural springs, where they could bathe and enjoy the solitude in each other's company. but he also knows those are things that he likes, not necessarily ones Yuri does; and he knows things are supposed to be about compromise. right? all the wedding vows he's heard, that's the one consistent theme after love and facing hardships and being partners, through good and bad. that life isn't all rewards.

it's dark times as much as it's these light, effervescent moments, Victor startled and laughing as he brings his camera up to capture it on pixel memory. he tucks his camera close to his chest, the surprised faded into pleasure and his own excitement as he takes off after Yuri, stumbling up the rise. he's not as graceful as Yuri; he hits the top and loses his balance as the sand slides out from under his feet. with a startled yelp, Victor falls flat on his bum, arms reflexively cradling his camera to his chest as he starts sliding down the dune in a cascade of sand. his legs thrust out in front of him help him slow down when he's not using his hands, making sure to keep his camera sand free. it ends with him some two metres from Yuri, sitting down and legs and shoes covered in sand, blinking and laughing helplessly, Makkachin prancing over to nose at his face and bark in her excitement for this new game. she jaunts off again, looking toward the water: she wants to play. )

I came as fast as I could?

( Yuri laughs so hard he has to double over, hands on his knees, lungs sore from the force of it all. eventually he manages to subside it to effervescent giggling, wiping his eyes before extending his hands to Victor in a reversal of earlier. )

Well done. Very dramatic. Is that what I should have been doing? ( he barely realises what he's doing as he moves to brush sand from Victor's clothes, still too busy laughing at him. ) The etiquette here is very different here than what I'm used to, then. Unless it's just a Russian thing.

( Yuri's seen enough weird Russian Vines that he'd just about believe anything at this point. )

( is there anything more enchanting and heartwarming than the sight of Yuri laughing until his eyes are watering up? Victor doesn't think so, grinning stupidly at Yuri and giving him both his hands with his camera resting against his chest, strap around his neck. )

Oh, I don't know. Sand sliding is a very complicated artform. One that often ends with getting sand in unfortunate places; definitely not a sport for the wise.

( Victor obligingly holds still as Yuri brushes sand off him, feeling delightful little frissons of awareness with each point of contact. he chuckles again, making no move to step away, barely even helping brush sand off his front. )

Less of a Russian thing. More of a graceful Vitya thing.

So that's it. ( Yuri grins up at him, full of mischief. ) Who's this Graceful Vitya and when do I get to meet him? Does he have a dog, too?

( clearly this is his first priority. smoothing some stubborn grit from Victor's hip Yuri pauses suddenly, the easiness of his teasing dropping immediately into self-conscious fluster with enough force that he gasos. )

Oh -- sorry, I wasn't even thinking --

( he backpedals, red with embarrassment at his high-handedness (literally), only to find Makkachin at the back of his knees. all of Yuri's chances at making a good impression fly off towards the horizon as he lets out an undignified squawk and ends up on his butt, a confused but pleased poodle taking full advantage to lick his face. Yuri groans and covers his burning cheeks with sandy hands. eventually he recovers enough to peek between his fingers at Victor's expression. )

Oops. I guess I kind of deserved that, didn't I?

( and Yuri laughs again, a little resigned but mostly just genuinely amused. of course he can't manage to play it cool around Victor. he has Yuri off-balance on a near daily basis; in all honesty Yuri wouldn't have it any other way. it makes life a little more exciting.

he carefully coaxes Makkachin off him and gets to his feet. )

Up, up, Makkachin! No, that's-- stop that. You can kiss me again later, I promise, but let's go play first.

( his retort is slowed down by the way his heart leaps into his throat when Yuri parrots back his nickname, realising his own mistake far too late to do anything about it. Victor feels his blush bloom across his cheeks, touching the back of his neck and the tips of his ears as his nose burns with it too. Vitya is too intimate, really, too much something he'd like to hear and knows he shouldn't be right now.

it's all that saves Yuri from immediate comebacks, Victor's own being flustered and caught off guard through his own glibness. by the time he's trying to form a response, laughing low in his throat, Yuri's realising what he's doing and is backing up. Victor reaches out on reflex, seeing Makkachin out of the corner of an eye, but Yuri's already upending and Makkachin thrusting herself between them, leaving Victor with his hands out and catching air. )

Ah-! ( he laughs because he has no other response, giving Yuri a helplessly amused look as Makkachin goes for the licking kill and Victor's left picking up his camera and snapping a few candids instead of helping his hoped for boyfriend up off the ground. ) Maybe. Maybe not. As for Graceful Vitya, ( please, don't say his name like that again; please, say it that way forever ) he'll be making a guest appearance at the farmer's market, sadly bereft of Makkachin. Service animals only.

( it's one of the few times Victor's almost jealous of Makkachin, when Yuri's reassuring her she can kiss him again later; but he shakes off the ridiculousness of the thought with a laugh, kicking off his shoes and leaving them near the dune while he jogs off toward the water. Makkachin races past, heading straight for the waves, Victor kneeling down and focusing his camera to try and capture her in her gleeful rejoicing in the cresting waves. )

No dogs? ( Yuri ruffles Makkachin's fur before she dashes off again, dusting himself down briskly. ) Graceful Vitya is off to a bad start, then. I think I like Goofy Victor better.

( at no point does it occur to Yuri that this is heavy flirting. not even when he gives Victor a return to his teasing look, lashes dipping down into what isn't quite a wink.

paddling barefoot through the shallows is singularly lovely. Yuri rolls his pants up his calves despite being already resigned to wet jeans, and gives chase as Makkachin cavorts along. unless Victor directs him otherwise Yuri will just have fun, splashing and kicking like a kid half his age. when a large and very damp poodle tackles him Yuri only sits in the lapping waves and laughs as hard as he had when Victor had slipped. )

Okay, okay, ( he wheezes, holding hands out to prevent Makkachin climbing on him like she seems to want to, ) I give up. You win. C'mon, let's go get Victor messy, too!

( at least Yuri will wait to flick water at him until the camera's safe. )

( he has to swallow again, and swallow down a whining objection that it's Goofy Vitya, only because a small, needy part of himself wants to hear Yuri say Vitya again and again. but it's insidious, and inappropriate, and he knows that, so he laughs, swallowing down his own worst impulses. patience, patience. it doesn't mean a thing in the world until Yuri knows what it might mean; until Victor extends an invitation that Yuri accepts knowingly.

wanting something doesn't make it true. it's somehow easier to shake off the jitters and the unexpected heat of his nickname on Yuri's lips when he can simply flirt right on back, uncomplicated. )

He'll have to make up for it with charm. In the meantime, Goofy Victor likes Goofy Yuri. Sounds like everyone's winning here.

( he winks in turn, heart thudding fast and happy in his chest, joining Yuri and Makkachin at the water; but he doesn't direct either one of them once he's there. man and dog are left to their own devices, Victor balancing the duality of his own gaze and the world seen through the lens of his camera to capture the candid shots of both Yuri and Makkachin. more and more he finds himself tracking Yuri through the lens, adjusting his focus, the aperture, playing with light and exposure time with a distracted, second nature air; lowering the camera so that he sees Yuri with only his own eyes. there's something wonderful in watching him have fun; in watching Makkachin and Yuri play for the sake of playing.

it fills his heart in a way he doesn't have words to describe. pictures, certainly: like the fields of sunflowers he's done a shoot in before, like the curling force of the waves crashing in against the shores of the Hawaiian islands in their dangerous beauty, like the soft light in the photographs he took of Makkachin sleeping on the porch of the lakeside mountain cabin Victor had been to five years ago. a contentedness, a happiness, a fullness; and the urge, strong and compelling, to catch Yuri up in his arms and press a kiss to his full lips, curled up into the smile of his laughter.

Victor does none of this, instead shaking himself out of a revelry he didn't know had caught him. laughing as Yuri laughs, calling out in not quite reprimand: )

Makka! Behave!

( not that his dog or Yuri seem interested in doing so, based on Yuri's exclamation. Victor takes a few steps higher, onto the soft sands where the water won't reach, pulling his camera off from around his neck. he balances his camera between his thighs, pulling his shirt off over his head and bundling his camera with a practiced ease, leaving the whole sitting neatly on the sand even as he turns around and is met with water flicked his way as he rejoins them in the surf.

all bets are off at that point, Makkachin a riot of movement and happy barking as she tears through the water and the sand and runs and runs like a much younger dog, tongue flying out of her mouth as she cuts back across, splashing them both as she goes. Victor sends water arcing across a retreating wave, grinning as he dances backward, water splashing up his calves. )

You'll have to try harder than that!

( comes the laughing challenge, Victor yelping and bolting down the beach when the challenge is met, laughing as he goes. )

( Yuri would really like to say something witty about Graceful Vitya starting a severe charm deficit if he's turning up dogless, but he's pretty stuck on the part where Victor mentioned the L-word. sure, it doesn't really count, but Yuri can feel his heart beating wildly all the same.

he needs to stop reading all those shoujo comics Yuko keeps recommending to him. they're starting to have an adverse affect on his perception of reality.

nothing gets any better as Victor jukes away from their so-called attack. Yuri takes the chance to smooth his hair back out of his eyes and attempt to dry off his glasses. he settles them back on his nose just in time to see Victor turn back, unnecessarily shirtless and statuesque in all his glorious perfection. an appropriately rom-com backing track plays loudly through Yuri's head as he stares with the shamelessness of shock before realising what he's doing and has to save himself by splashing Victor.

hopefully Victor didn't notice. oh, god, now every time Yuri shuts his eyes he's going to see Victor's naked chest. he can't even be mad about it, because it's beautiful and he wants to touch it to make sure it's real and--

--he gives chase, ducking down to slough a double handful of water across at him. the seawater glistening off Victor's pectorals really isn't helping Yuri's cause at all but at least this gives him something to do with his hands before they get him into serious trouble. )

I hope you bought towels, ( he pants, and squeals as Victor sluices him back, cold water soaking his shirt. ) I didn't think this was on the agenda!

( Victor pushes his bangs of his forehead, leaving his palm pressed against his face as he grins, flicking water drops from the fingers of his other hand. he's cooled down with the water, but the exercise keeps his blood pumping; keeps him warm. )

It's a pleasant surprise to me, too! I've got towels back in the car, though fair warning: they might smell a little liked Makkachin, even though they're clean. Hazard of dog ownership when carrying supplies in the car.

( a larger wave catches him by surprise, Victor dancing closer to Yuri and ducking behind him, hands briefly touching his shoulders. )

Wah! Big wave, big wave!

I can think of worse things to smell like than a poodle princess...

( thankfully Victor hasn't had a whiff of Yuri after one of the twice-annual Whole Cafe Total Spring Clean days. cleaning fat drains would make roses smell gagworthy.

more surprising than the wave is Victor, and Yuri freezes in place for a moment as he's used as a shield to virtually nothing. he'd happily bear the brunt of a tsunami right now if it meant protecting this strange reality where he's skipping along a beach with quite possibly the hottest man in existence who somehow, against all odds, seems to be enjoying Yuri's paltry company.

but he can't let Victor know that. it'll go to his head. )

Hmmm, ( Yuri props one hand on his hip, the other shading his eyes as he makes a show of scanning the horizon. both ways. just to be sure. ) A big wave, huh? Oh -- I think I see it. Quick, Victor, we'd better get to higher ground before it makes landfall in a decade or two.

Edited 2017-09-20 08:57 (UTC)

Yuri...

( Victor peers over Yuri's shoulder on the side where his hand rests on his hip, fingertips touching his shoulder light enough to steady Victor, but easy for Yuri to shrug off simply by dipping his shoulder down. it isn't the contact that matters so much in that moment. it's a way to direct attention. Victor's eyes seem to be sparkling with amusement, the warring impulses to tease or pout leaning toward a wide eyed teasing as he asks: )

Are you working on a minor in oceanography, or are you just precognisant?

( if Yuri were richer he'd seriously consider paying Victor just to say his name in that warmly-teasing tone on the daily. hourly, even, or more. it's almost as dangerous as his nearness, or the too-powerful fact of his shirtlessness. Yuri doesn't have to peek to know what Victor's bare chest must look like behind him.

he has to save himself before he does something acutely embarrassing like dissolve into a wash of gay foam on the water. the only plausible way to accomplish this without begging Victor to redress (which would be both sad and rude) is to duck down and swipe sea at him, smiling his fakest Customer Service smile. )

Oops, sorry, ( Yuri says completely unapologetically, ) I guess that wave arrived earlier than I thought.

( Victor gasps, having thrown his arms up in a fruitless measure to keep the seawater off him; failing horribly, but hardly seeming to mind, he tucks his chin in and gives Yuri very little warning. simply his name, as all bets have slipped off the table and he's giving Yuri a too sweet smile paired with a spark of heat in his eyes: )

Yuri...

( before he moves forward, not even bothering to splash Yuri in retaliation. Victor ducks down and scoops Yuri up in his arms with a grunt, heading out toward the breaking waves. )

I think you need to take a closer look!

( it seems entirely likely this will end in both of them falling down in the water and ending up entirely soaked. )

Edited 2017-09-21 03:58 (UTC)

( oh no. this is unexpected and uncomfortable: Yuri gasps and clutches very briefly at Victor's shoulders before batting at them urgently, utterly dismayed. )

No, no, no, no, no! Victor, put me down! ( there isn't any joking or fun in his tone, not room for argument. this is a demand laced with anxiety and upset. ) Now. Put me down.

( perhaps the greatest tragedy in all this is that Yuri can't even bring himself to appreciate being tucked so nicely against Victor's perfect naked chest. )

Edited 2017-09-21 04:33 (UTC)

( to Victor's credit, he responds immediately, even if the first feeling that strikes home is confusion, followed by the sharp edge of concern: that he's crossed a boundary, that Yuri is not okay, that? Victor doesn't know, but he complies, setting Yuri back down on his feet and holding his hands up, palms out, in a peace offering. )

I'm sorry, Yuri.

( he even takes a few steps away, because he doesn't know what specifically it is, but distance is usually what most people want when they sound upset. or closeness, but he's never been good at guessing which, and it doesn't matter: Victor's not panicked, just concerned. visibly concerned, and contrite on top of it. )

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to...

( he makes a small gesture with his hands. cause this? )

( Yuri takes a deep breath, the water lapping at his legs a reassurance, gaze downcast until he's slightly more composed. )

It's okay, ( he says quietly and glances back up. Victor had obliged him without hesitating or asking for an explanation, which counts for a lot in Yuri's book even if he weren't predisposed to forgive him almost anything. ) I'm okay. Just...

( how does he explain this without sounding totally pathetic? he is pathetic, Yuri knows, but it'd be nice not to wear it on his sleeve so easily. sighing, he changes tack mid-sentence. )

Don't hurt yourself, that's all.

( the smile he gives Victor is lopsided and without sharp edges but still just as fake as anything more arch he's previously worn. Yuri fidgets and looks to his watch for a timely distraction before he can ruin the tone of the day any further. )

Oh...we've been out here longer than I thought. Maybe we should head back? ( his smile firms a little at the sides, still uncertain and self-conscious but more real. ) Unless you've changed your mind about dessert, of course.

( Victor blinks, managing not to blurt out his initial confusion; because Yuri is not svelte, but his first thought when he sees the other man has everything to do with attractive and very little to do with his weight. it only registers belatedly what Yuri might mean as he's halfway through speaking his truncated confusion: )

I won't?

( when it does register, he doesn't say anything at first, only breathes in and amiably splashes through the waters toward the higher part of the shore. )

I should show you what I cart around for a full on photoshoot sometime. You won't let me out of the house without a backbrace then.

( he winks, Makkachin choosing that moment to jump up on his side, sandy wet paws scraping against his hip with unthought affection. Victor catches her like that, laughing in startlement and ignoring the red welts that lift against his skin in response to her blunted nails scraping against skin. )

You're getting hosed off before we put you in the car, girl, yes you are.

( he wrinkles his nose a little as he brushes sand off himself, noting a few speckles of red in the welting across his hip, Makkachin back on the ground and barking as she wags her tail with less furiosity than earlier. she's wearing herself out, which is perfectly fine by Victor. )

Yuuri, are you teasing me with dessert? ( he threw a pouting look toward him over his shoulder, starting back toward his bundled camera and shoes. it's followed by an equally quick grin: ) If we really don't have the time, you could always feed me in the car.

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