'cause this is what a love song sounds like

[genice]

WHO: Victor Nikiforov & Eichi, Carolina, Yuuri, & OPEN heading in this log
WHERE: Eluvio; from the ice rink to the residential levels and beyond.
WHEN: February 14th, 0800 onward.
WHAT: Victor and friends deal with the fallout from the critical systems failure onboard the Eluvio.
WARNINGS: Warning for anxiety and panic attacks.

( ooc: individual starters are below; I should have an open one up later tonight or in the next day or so! )

Comments

[yokunaru]

[The coffee starts kicking in as they eat, and Yuuri smiles as Makkachin bumps against his leg with a soft whuff. He looks much more awake when he leans down to ruffle the poodle's fur gently.]

Why didn't you sleep in? [Yuuri sets the fork down on the plate, eyeing Viktor carefully.] You must've been exhausted yesterday after all the running around you did when the power went out. [A pause, then musingly--] Can it still be called running around when you're floating in the air?

[genice]

Floating around? Coasting? Maybe cruising?

( he waves this off as he sets down his own fork, plate cleared. who knows what the proper term is? anything they agree on is good enough. )

I felt restless. I got up to be productive instead, even if it cut down on cuddle time.

( even in this light, his mock pout is fairly evident, with how close they're sitting. he smiles after, moving to pick up his plate. )

Done?

[yokunaru]

Done. [With one last affectionate pat to Makkachin's head, Yuuri collects his utensils and plate, then stands.]

I understand the feeling. [Yuuri tilts his head back to squint at the emergency lights.] It's really strange seeing the ship lit up like this. Do you think they'll get it fixed soon?

[He can't imagine the crew and the rest of the civilians on board would want to deal with poor lighting like this for too long.]

[genice]

( heading for the sink, he waits for Yuuri and his dishes to set them collectively to the side. Washing will happen all at once or not at all; it's his way of thinking ahead should gravity cut out again.

Minimize the mess. And... )

I imagine it's what they've been working on since getting life support and gravity back on. Whatever else the crew may be or may know, they can't enjoy hurtling through space with no control anymore than we do.

( he'll set both their plates and utensils into the sink, reaching out to hook Yuuri into a hug. )

This ship's built to make sure her passengers survive. Everyone has said the same thing when I've talked with them. The power situation will be resolved.

[yokunaru]

Guess so. [Leaning into the hug and resting his chin on Viktor's shoulder, Yuuri sighs.]

It's just unnerving to sit here and wait for things to get fixed. Even if it might not take that long.

[It's ridiculous, the restless need to do something, when he has no experience with this level of technology in the first place. No experience with space, either. All he wants is something to distract him from the wait--waiting just leaves more time for the doubts and uncertainties to creep in.]

[genice]

( They both want to be proactive; Viktor handles himself in the ways he can, and it's in trying to talk with the others and piece together their situation that he still feels in control. It's hard, in this world so far outside of their norms. Adjusting to it is a constant struggle.

He keeps his arms around Yuuri, letting his eyes close for a moment. If he could protect him from the harshness of their lives here, he would. But he knows Yuuri can handle it; handle as much as any of them need to. He's never been a weak person. He hasn't suddenly become weak now. )

I know.

( He leans back, one hand rubbing at Yuuri's back as he peers into his lover's face. Slips one hand around to run over Yuuri's shoulder, down to his elbow. )

These are the things we're not going to know everything about. There's no way. The lives we're building here are different than anything I expected. We can focus on learning what works with our strength, yes?

( both his hands are on Yuuri's upper arms, now at his elbows. his heart feels too big for his chest, and he smiles, wanting to crush Yuuri against his chest once again. instead, he starts to go down into a kneeling position, hand sliding along Yuuri's forearms until he's left holding his lover's hands. )

We can focus on what's most important to us still. Yuuri... There are so many ways I've imagined a life with you, and the impossibility of a life without you. Here in space or wherever else we find ourselves, will you stay with me?

( he studies his lover's face, smiling, heart beating faster than it should, blue eyes lost in the shadows of their room. there are no extraneous dramatics here. there is no performance; there is no crowd. there is no church, no rink, no sanctuary aside from the closed circle of their arms and their bodies. there is the dog, sitting to their left, and there is the stretch of blank space stretching ever onward outside their window, hidden behind curtains that disguise that vast emptiness. here in their room, surrounded by what they've made for themselves in the last month and a half, almost two months. their room. not just his: theirs. )

Yuuri Katsuki, will you marry me?

[yokunaru]

[It's frighteningly easy to stay within the circle of Viktor's arms and simply drawing what warmth and sense of belonging he needs while giving the same in return. He's never let anyone in so far before, and though the thought sometimes scares him, Yuuri also knows that without Viktor, he never would've really seen the love that had surrounded him all his life. These are the thoughts that trickle through his mind as Viktor continues to murmur to him.]

I thought that's what we were already trying to do? [It's a half-hearted quip, more of a sign that he's trying to adjust to the changing in their lives to the best of his ability. Then, Viktor's holding his hands and kneeling, and Yuuri's thoughts abruptly screech to a halt.] V-Viktor....

[The question had been dropped so suddenly, Yuuri had wondered for a moment if he'd heard wrong. But it's difficult to misinterpret Viktor's intent when he's still on his knees waiting for an answer. Yuuri realizes something then: after the miscommunication the first time around, is it really a surprise that Viktor would choose to be as straightforward as possible?

The beginnings of a shaky, warm smile already forming on his lips, Yuuri tugs Viktor up onto his feet again. He's trembling, blush spreading to his ears--though the darkness helps him hide that little detail--when he replies softly.] Yes.

[genice]

( Viktor realises he hadn't been holding his breath. It's a small detail, but it's a deeper certainty, the belief that they probably hadn't needed the words in order to be bound together as tightly as they are. It's a formality. A formality he appreciates, even if he has no rings to offer here; even if all he has is the intent to keep working hard in a situation he's keeping up with through determination rather than talent.

He moves back up to his feet at Yuuri's tug, bringing their hands up as he does. Viktor's lips find Yuuri's right hand, kissing the ring that he'd slid on there as a good luck charm a few months earlier. If he can do nothing more than empower that charm for Yuuri, then he hopes to do so every day of his life here on this crazy ride they call their life. )

Yuuri...

( he had no need or desire to hold back after that, letting his happiness bubble up and overflow, letting go of both hands so abruptly because he's throwing himself forward and crushing Yuuri in another hug. )

You've made me the happiest man in the universe!

( Think Big. they're not just on one planet now! Viktor nuzzles his face into the crook of Yuuri's neck, just wanting to hold on to him and this moment and that certainty for as long as he can. it's such a warmth he doesn't know how to really let it go.

even if everything else is falling to pieces around them, little by little, this much, this piece of peace, is theirs. )

[yokunaru]

[Smiling helplessly, Yuuri melts into that embrace, shivering just so as Viktor's hair tickles at his neck. He doesn't know how long they stand there, wrapped around each other like that, but Yuuri takes his time in drawing back slightly. With a gentle tug, Yuuri brings Viktor's right hand to his lips to kiss Viktor's ring in turn--an exchange of luck and belief that connects them.

Without letting go of Viktor's hand, which he clasps between his own, Yuuri studies his face in the room's dim lighting.]

Not that I'm complaining, but... why did you decide to ask now?

[genice]

( Viktor leans in again, resting his forehead against Yuuri's. In this dim lighting, it puts him into sharper contrast; leaves enough room for them both to breathe without adding in a distance Viktor doesn't want right now. His fingers curl around Yuuri's hands, warmth radiating up his arm from where those tender lips pressed down over his ring. Empowering what they both can give to each other, in that quiet space, in that love he doesn't doubt. a bond that goes beyond it, even, so deep as to be unshakeable even if the details are left murky time to time.

he smiles, eyes closing as he breathes out in a soft huff of amusement. the best laid plans of both god and man... )

I was going to ask yesterday. Things got a little off track.

( He's a big romantic sap, even if most would never have guessed, once upon a dream. )

[yokunaru]

You were going to ask on Valentine's Day.

[A hint of amusement mixed with fondness laces his words now, and he chuckles softly. That does sound like something Viktor would do, now that he thinks about it.]

Were you going to wait until after the exhibition? [Prepping for a performance, even one that wouldn't be scored and judged, would've been hectic and leave no time for a proposal--at least, he that's what he assumes.]

[genice]

Mm... Did I ever play my exhibition music for you?

( he knows he hasn't, at least not for the new routine he had been planning to skate. it's also his answer, on several levels: not quite after and of course I was going to ask then.

He figures Chris would have excused the re-appropriation of his birthday. )

[yokunaru]

[That's not...an answer. Yuuri narrows his eyes, mentally replaying Viktor's words and searching for what he might've missed the first time.

There's a suspicion growing in his mind now.]

No... you didn't. [He says slowly, almost warily.] What was it?

[genice]

Oh, "Death of a Bachelor." I should really play it for you.

( For a man who could choose to be subtle, Viktor just often chooses to be anything but. )

[yokunaru]

[Yuuri chokes. That...is definitely not subtle.] There's actually a song by that name?

[Speaking of not subtle though...Yuuri stiffens when something occurs to him.]

Wait...you weren't...going to do something during this song, were you?

[genice]

( Ahahaha... he laughs, rubbing at the back of his head. )

During it? I was planning on skating.

( AFTER............ THOUGH..................................... )