Spring festival
Yurio
Flittering, fluttering about the little fae prepared for the festival. Had Yuuri not been going, he wouldn’t have worked so hard, let alone help set up. His day was spent, not with his friend, but instead putting up stalls and stringing lanterns overhead. He was given coin for his work, the workers all but having to force him to leave before the event started. It has to be perfect… he thought. Quickly he made himself presentable and made his way to the river in which he was to meet Yuuri. His wings fluttered anxiously as he walked, gently gracing his feet off the ground, only for them to touch again moments later. The sun had already begin to set, streaks of purple and orange emboldening the sky.
At present the god arrived, clothed in fabric dark as his night sky and upon it stars and constellations dance akin to lovers. His raven hair cascaded down his back, his face illuminated by his circlet of stars. For the first time in many years, tonight Yuuri truly looked like a king. Yurio’s cheeks flushed at the beauty of him. For all Victors harsh, illuminating beauty, he could not hold a candle to the demanding presence of him in Yurio’s eyes.
“Hey! Sorry I’m late- Yuuko was fussing-w-what are you staring at?” The god poised, examining the flush twirling upon Yurio’s cheeks.
“N-Nothing!! Y-your crown’s just crooked is all. Jeez didn’t anyone teach you to dress yourself?” YUrio stammered, desperately attempting to hide behind a mask of indifference. Carefully he straightened the gods crown, ever too aware of the closeness he shared to him. “there. Now you look presentable…Uh, don’t be too surprised if lot’s of people want to talk with you.”
Slowly the two walked, night now overtaking the sky. “why would anyone want to talk to me”
“Because…You’re sort of a god, dumbass...Besides...Night’s different now.”
“Different…Hasn’t it always been like this?” the god walked on, ignoring Yurio’s brash comments.
“well…not exactly.” The fae pondered how to reply to the god, saying “Well for one the nights used to be longer. That’s not your fault though, you’re still growing. Besides there are new constellations and stars now. “
“Did you like the old ones better? I-I can try to remember them-“
Yurio frowned, fear flooding his chest at the thought of Yuuri remembering his past. “No no I like these very much. I have good memories about the old ones…My grandfather would Show me the constellations and tell me what they were named, but now I get to show him the stars and constellations…So, thanks I guess”
“Oh- uh y-yeah” Yurio’s heart jumped in his chest as he could have sworn the god had blushed. Silently the two walked, though they did not speak there was no discomfort between them. Shortly the pair arrived at the festival.
“wow…Yurio look at all the people!” Yuuri exclaimed, gazing upon the crowd. Before them stood the spring festival. Stalls set up in perfect lines decorated the meadow. From somewhere within the crowd fiddles played. Yurio stood, adoring the smile which graced his counterparts face. He outshines all the stars… He thought.
The fae laughed at the innocence of Yuuri’s amazement. “Yeah there’s a lot. Come on let’s go explore. “
Grabbing his hand, Yurio pulled him through the festival, making sure to stave off curious flocks of people as to not overwhelm him. Though even as Yurio shooed people away, Yuuri was always gracious, kind, and accepting to the people he met, answering whatever questions of theirs he could.
Presently the fae found himself sitting, eyes trained upon Yuuri as he danced with a young girl, no older than seven. The music ended, he watched Yuuri bow to the girl, listening as she whispered something to him. Inquisitively he watched as Yuuri threw his head back in laughter, presumably agreeing to the girls request.
“W-what are you doing-?” the fae cried as he was unwillingly dragged out to dance “Yuuri, I can’t dance!”
“Sure you can! Come on it’s easy, everyone’s doing it!”
Hesitantly the fae began to dance, his heart soon livening to the music. For what seemed like a brief eternity the two danced almost as if they were one, and for those minutes Yurio’s heart soared., overflowing with happiness. He laughed, wishing the song would never end, though when it did he was scarce wanting to let go of Yuuri, his hand reluctantly leaving his counterparts.
However; his happiness was short lived as he laid his eyes upon the unmistakable figure of Victor, his eyes locked in pure astonishment upon Yuuri, whom had not yet noticed Victors staring.
“Hey Yuuri, we…we gotta go.” Taking his hand, he ran, pulling yuuri from the festivities before he’d even had a chance to protest. Yurio didn’t slow down until they’d returned to the river, panting he released Yuuri’s hand, sure in his mind that he was now away from Victor.
“yurio, what’s wrong? Why did we have to leave?” Yuuri asked, bending down to make sure the fae was alright.
“I just..” His mind racing for an answer, yurio stammered “ I-I just didn’t want to get in trouble with Yuuko again…Anyways, I-I got this for you. So-so you could remember the festival.” Removing the circlet of stars from upon Yuuri’s brow, he instead placed a crown of flowers. Bright roses and baby’s breath woven together beautifully contrasted the deep pitch of the gods hair and the pale cast of his cheeks. He placed the circlet in yuuri’s hands, and stood back to admire him.
“But Yurio I didn’t get you anything-“
“You coming with me was enough.- i-I mean I wasn’t gonna go if you weren’t-“ Before he could finish, he was embraced by the god, the hug nearly crushing his small frame.
“thank you Yurio. I’ll treasure it always” With that he gave Yurio his true gift; a smile, and ran off towards his home. Still glowing with the warmth of the hug, yurio watched him disappear before leaving. As he walked home he glanced his eyes towards the heavens, counting each new star as he went, reminiscing on a time where there existed so many stars that one could not count them all. Fresh memories of laughter echoed in his head as he went. Upon arriving home his heart dropped at the sight of Victor awaiting his return.
“yurio, we need to talk” Victor said, his eyes piercing into the young advisor. He invited the god inside, entirely unsure of how the words spoken next would change him.