August Bonding

[sleight_of_hand]

WHO: Tohru Adachi (with some open prompts)
WHERE: Largely Heropa this month
WHEN: Through the month of August
WHAT: The last two months were hell on wheels for Adachi, and he's determined to focus on work getting his schedule back on track.
WARNINGS: None yet.

[ Early Morning | Heropa Streets | Viktor ]
[ Though he had promised he wouldn't be running away from Viktor that... didn't end up being the case. Once the rains had abated and allowed for him to go back home and recover from his cold, the horror of what he did finally set in. He had kissed a drunk man. If said drunk man hadn't been sober enough to push him away... well, he wouldn't have gone that far, but he certainly would have done a little more than just a kiss. How he felt about Viktor was getting way out of hand, and was definitely probably the reason for 90% of his problems. ]

[ Dammit, why did he have to be engaged? Or why did he have to be so free with his affections? This wouldn't be as much of a problem if either of those weren't a thing. Though as soon as such a though occurred to him, he had to smack himself. He wouldn't want to wish Yuuri into non-existence! Nor did he want Viktor to change the kind of person he was; that was part of what made him so damn likable! Why the hell was this so complicated?! ]

[ He knew he couldn't avoid Viktor forever, but he didn't want the chance of running into the others when he did either. So, Adachi opted for meeting him at the early morning workouts he had been missing out on for various reasons over the last couple months; seriously, if he managed to get through this month without any kind of serious injury, he'd be impressed. ]

[ Adachi stood there awkwardly once he approached, not sure what to even say after over a week of avoiding him. He rubbed at the back of his neck, before sheepishly raising his hand in greeting. ]

Y-yo!

[ Nailed it. ]

[ Night | Heropa Ice Rink | Open ]
Why are you still paying for this?

[ Adachi looked up from where he was writing out a check, raising an eyebrow at the ice rink owner. He was "awake" for once, staring up at him from around his "I rather be fishing" hat. ]

Your friends aren't coming around, you know.

[ A sour look came to Adachi's face at that, and he ripped out the check, slapping it down. ]

Just take my money, and let me get my skates.

[ He was out on the ice before long, blades cutting along the surface as he started on his circles, but he wasn't really focused on it. He really didn't need the reminder that the others weren't around that much, that him trying to learn this was probably going to be for nothing. But, dammit, he wanted to do this; there was so much he wanted to say and didn't have a lot of time to say it, or the words to say it. He had to do this now. ]

[ Adachi went drifting from circles to some attempt at a program, not that it was very much of anything. There was still a lot he didn't understand, especially how things were supposed flow together. Anyone that came in would be able to see he made an attempt at trying to understand, though. A small notebook was sticking out from his dufflebag where he dropped it, with the names of moves and positions along with scribbled stick figure drawings giving an idea of what they were supposed to look like. There were a lot of notes on the margins as well, mostly consisting of, "Hands go where!??!?!" ]

[ He's trying at it! A little harder than he tries at anything else at least. ]

[ Private Communication to Persona Users ]
So uh...

I know there's like.

A lot.

That we need to talk about with each other and all that? But uh... we've all got the same power, and we're all more or less on the same side. It's probably best if we at least prepare ourselves to fight like a team if we need to.

So uh

I'm totally up for training with any one of you guys. I need to find a new place to do it now that my old one's been compromised, but we should try to get to know each other's skills better.

[ He really hoped that sounded sincere, because he was definitely trying to be. ]

[ Wild Card ]
[ When Adachi isn't busy with others, he'll be all around the porter cities working various cases for his native clients. He's up for being stopped for just about anything. ]

Comments

[sleight_of_hand]

[ Adachi paused at the offer, wanted to object. Really, it was just the start of August! They were all way more amazing than he ever would be; they could probably get in the training they needed! ]

[ ...but he still felt that warm feeling taking over his face. Yuuri seemed to instinctively know how to hit all the points that made him happy, and it was almost frightening. He didn't know how to deal with the emotions that came with it, but... compared to how much he had been hurting with Viktor, this was a welcome change. ]

Otabek-kun offered too. I'm... well, I'm as old as Viktor and an amature. If you're okay with helping a nobody like me... I-I'd like that.

[ Adachi paused a moment, ducking his head as he squeezed Yuuri's hand, a faint smile coming to his face. ]

Um... y-you were with me.

[ He peered over at him, quietly judging if Yuuri was going to be okay hearing this, before he continued. ]

You had just walked in for some night time practice, and you carried me all the way to the hospital.

[wonts]

[He brightens with that acceptance, squeezing his hand in return before nodding. As if he would ever pass up the opportunity to offer some input, especially for someone who seemed to have a genuine interest in skating. That, and... well, his relationship with Adachi feels complicated. He's sure his relationship with Viktor is no better, and he doesn't know how else they're supposed to get through this besides spending time together and figuring it out. Yet, that isn't something he's just going to outright volunteer. ]

I want to help. [ His smile is completely genuine before it sort of feels stuck on his face, and he tries to pull his hand away. It didn't have much to do with what Adachi was saying in comparison to how he felt like he needed space so suddenly. ] Ah... I don't remember.

[ If the expression on his face is anything to go by, he clearly feels guilty for it. ]

But if I'm here with you, we shouldn't have to repeat that all over again. I won't let you fall. [ There's a pause, rewording his statement carefully. ] I mean, I won't let you fall and break anything.

[sleight_of_hand]

[ Adachi gave his hand a squeeze, before loosening his grip, silently telling him it was absolutely okay if he wanted to pull away. ]

It's fine that you don't remember. [ He paused, tossing him a wink. ] We can make new memories.

[ ...really, only Viktor and Yuuri can get him to be a shameless flirt. It's kind of refreshing, though that doesn't keep his face from turning a little more pink. ]

S-so, how do you do a jump?

[wonts]

[ The insinuation, unfortunately, goes a little over his head despite the fact his wink gets an awkward sort of look from him before he blushes and turns away, and Yuuri pushes back from Adachi to create some space between them. It takes a moment for him to think, rubbing at his nose a bit as he glances over at Adachi. ]

We won't start with a salchow. [ His smile is faint; really, all he wants to do is tease him for trying something a lot more complicated than what he should have started with, but he keeps quiet because he had said no one was coaching him at the time. It makes him wonder exactly what had happened between him and Viktor then. Still, he doesn't ask. ] Um... it's called a toe loop. I'll do it once, but we can always record it so you can watch it as many times as you want.

[ He means with one of their phones, which is with their stuff on the opposite side of the rink, at least he's assuming Adachi had left his there, but he doesn't elaborate, momentarily abandoning Adachi so he can move to get the momentum he needs for the jump. The rhythm is easy to get into, digging in with his left pick and completing a single rotation just for the sake of example. He lands easily, skating back to him after circling a few times. ]

What do you think?

[sleight_of_hand]

[ Adachi was watching him intently the moment he parted from him, eyes narrowed as he focused on what his feet were doing. So that's when you dug the toe pick in! Viktor had mentioned there was a time when you did it, but he hadn't been specific about it. ]

[ ...wow, he really made the landing look so easy too. Adachi felt a nervous twinge in his gut, and he rubbed at the back of his neck, turning red. Oh boy... ]

W-well, I can try.

[ What's the worst that could happen? He break a leg this time? ]

[wonts]

[ Yuuri shakes his head almost as soon as he speaks, slowing to a stop beside Adachi. He hadn't asked that question to prompt him into immediately trying a jump. Besides, maybe he was reading into the situation a little too much, but he didn't think Adachi was quite ready to try again so soon. ]

You don't have to do it right now. I just wanted you to see what it looked like. [ He wasn't very good at this coaching thing, was he? ] Can you remember, or should we record it too?

[ He's already prepared to go skating across the rink to get his phone if Adachi doesn't stop him. ]

[sleight_of_hand]

[ Adachi shook his head, tapping his fingers against his lips. ]

No... how about do it again, and then I'll try.

[ If he could see it again, he's pretty sure he could get it? Maybe... ]

[wonts]

Okay.

[ Yuuri's smile is slight, but he doesn't waste much time on arguing the specifics of it if Adachi really wants to try. So, he gives himself more space and repeats the jump, trying to slow it down as best he can manage without causing himself to fall. He thinks he does a pretty good job of it, though he takes a few more small laps around him before returning to Adachi. He's missed this sort of freedom so much, and yet... ]

Was that better? [ He's going to feel so guilty if Adachi breaks something else this time. ]

[sleight_of_hand]

[ Adachi watched him intently, taking in the whole picture this time, and privately grateful Yuuri slowed it down a little. It gave him an idea of how slow he could go and still actually get the height needed to complete the jump. Really, the landing just seemed like the hardest part, but he still nodded at his question, giving him a faint smile. ]

Any tips you can offer for landings? That seems like the hardest thing.

[wonts]

[ He stops to think about it for a second, unsure how to answer that question. Yuuri doesn't feel like a good enough coach to be giving those sorts of pointers, but also... it's been so long since he'd had to think about the simplicity of a jump rather than its complexity and whether or not he could actually do it. Even now, it's not as if he hasn't flubbed a jump or taken a fall; that isn't even the worst thing someone could do during a competition. But this isn't a competition, and Yuuri feels torn about what to say. ]

You shouldn't fight it. [ But that's not specific enough, is it? Yuuri skates to Adachi and slows, carefully kneeling down in front of him to touch his left knee before resting his hand atop his skate. ] For this one, you land on the same foot you take off with. Use the other one for balance, and if you fall... [ Ah, well... He looks up at him with a sheepish smile. ] I'll help you get up. Okay?

[sleight_of_hand]

[ Adachi was definitely paying attention, being quiet and listening intently to what Yuuri had to say. The only time he moved was to give him an encouraging smile, and to watch as he knelt down in front of him. There was just one thing, though... the fact that Yuuri was so damn cute. No wonder Viktor was crazy about him. ]

[ He reached down after a moment, gently running his fingers through Yuuri's hair. ]

I know you will.

[ He finally pushed himself away then, turning in a wide arc so he could lap around the rink and get some speed going. ]

[wonts]

[ For just the briefest moment, his heart squeezes itself in his chest and he can't breathe. The touch is too gentle, speaking something that Yuuri isn't exactly sure how to process, and before he can even find the words to voice it, Adachi is moving away from him. He presses a hand to chest and frowns, shaking it off to pay attention to what's happening on the rink. He'll have more time to consider this later. Right now, he needs to focus.

So, even though they're really the only ones at the rink, he cups his hands together to make his voice louder. ] Davai! [ He cheers him on a few times more, keeping a close eye on him in case he needs to rush over if he happens to fall after he jumps. ]

[sleight_of_hand]

[ Adachi couldn't help but smile at the cheering (and it was really kind of cute that he was saying it in Russian), but he kept himself focused on the ice ahead and the speed he was going at. He just... needed to dig the toe in as he launched, and... ]

[ Well. He got that part right. ]

[ He wasn't sure if he got a rotation in or not. He felt his body twist around, certainly, but it was disorienting, and he just barely got his foot out like he was supposed to. It was way too late, though; the leg he landed on wobbled precariously, before he was deposited on the ice, rolling a little until he was sliding back a small distance on his butt. ]

[ Adachi sat there blinking for a moment once he stopped, before he let out a faint laugh. Well, at least he didn't break anything that time. ]