down below the truth is lying;

[lempereur]

WHO: Yusuke + various
WHERE: AROUND
WHEN: First half of December! Fudged timelines! Make it work!
WHAT: A rescue, an intervention, and ???? hmu baes
WARNINGS: Mild violence?



OTABEK;

[ It was supposed to be a casual coffee date.

But of course, as always, it is not going as planned. Namely because Yusuke isn't there yet, he is running incredibly late because he had not anticipated being stripped of his speed powers, which are his primary method of transportation given that they are a) efficient and b) free. Something about Kaneki and some others breaking the Porter? He hasn't had time to look into it much, he's trying to make his way to Brewed Awakening. He is horribly, impossibly slow, dragging his feet across the pavement, a sharp contrast from his usual shift and graceful way of carrying himself.

But the thing is...this disturbed Porter business appears to have the "take back Heropa" types out in full force. He's across the street from the coffee shop when he sees them, waving their signs and making rude gestures at Otabek. Yusuke doesn't think anything of it, at least not in terms of a threat, until he notices the crackling of electricity between one of their hands. Then, the other one picks up Otabek, minding his own business, by his neck as if he were light as a feather.

Anti-imPort metahumans. Public be damned, Yusuke disappears behind a wall of blue flame anyway. ]

SHINJI + JAIME (and Yuri if Shinji can't behave!!);

[ With everything going on, there's no way they can allow Shinjiro to keep sleeping outside for another night. Whether they have to trick him, or physically trap him, they have to do something. Luckily, Shinji's already given him a perfect excuse. After giving Jaime a fair warning, so that he's prepared for the inevitable grumbling, he sends Shinji a message: ]

Hello, Aragaki-san. Are you busy tonight? I am prepared for my cooking lesson.

[ Nevermind that he's had plenty from Yuri already. ]

Comments

[ Text ] [ Spoilers: Shinji's probably not going to behave ]

[axeboyfriend]

I'm free. You interested in anything in particular?

[lempereur]

Something Japanese? I miss the food from before.

[axeboyfriend]

Let's go with yakisoba, then. I'll be over in an hour.

[ He's gotta go shopping for ingredients first.

It's almost exactly an hour later that there's a knock at Yusuke's place. He's got several bags of groceries with him, mostly from a little Asian grocery store he found hiding in one of the less busy streets of Heropa. He's also picked up something else important for cooking tonight— a face mask, because he's been coughing a lot and he doesn't want to concern anyone about the food. He isn't wearing it yet, though.

He is, despite his circumstances, clean— though his clothes are starting to look a little worn, being the only outfit he currently owns. Still, he's been trying to take care of it. He waits patiently at the door for someone to answer— hoping against hope that it won't be Jaime. He's not sure he's ready to confront him in person. ]

[khajidont]

[ Shinji isn't nearly as lucky as all that. Jaime, for his part, isn't looking great... but he's kind of a slob, so he very often isn't looking that great. Maybe a bit pale, the bags under his eyes a little darker than usual, but nothing that can't be written off as having caught a bit of a cold.

Thankfully, this time he opens the door, he doesn't immediately book it. Yusuke had warned him about this in advance, after all, and he takes Shinji's presence in stride - he even gives the guy a small, thin smile. ]

Shinji, hey. You must be here for Yusuke's cooking lesson. C'mon in.

[ Well, he showed up. So far so good, Yusuke! ]

[axeboyfriend]

[ Of course Jaime answered.

Well, it's his house, it's not as though Shinji can complain. It's that thought that draws Shinjiro inside and placing his bags down so he can slip his boots off at the doorway. He almost doesn't say anything at all to the other man, but he eventually slips out with a small sentence of acknowledgement. ]

There should be enough for you to have something to eat too. If you want.

[ With his shoes removed, he picks up his bags and glances around, trying to remember from the last time he was there as to where the kitchen might be. ]

[lempereur]

[ Yusuke is in the kitchen, putting on a good show of being totally serious about this impromptu cooking class by finishing up the dishes and putting them away. The clinking of silverware should tip him off, and if not, he'll call out towards the living room when he's finished. ]

Over this way!

[axeboyfriend]

[ Shinjiro is definitely fooled by Yusuke's display. He turns in the direction of Yusuke's voice and the clinking dishes and heads over. Without his shoes his footsteps are significantly softer, but the gentle swishing of the bags still gives his movements away. He walks into the kitchen and puts his bags down on the counter. ]

Hey. I wasn't sure if you'd take me up on that offer.

[lempereur]

I figured that now would be the best time, with the Porter acting up. Spending the night doing something normal with minimal risk sounds like the ideal way to wait it out.

[ Or the ideal way to trap someone because you care. ]

[bypasser]

[Their date was officially ruined, he knew that much.

Yusuke is late but that's not the problem. He would wait as long as he had to and he trusted that his boyfriend wasn't blowing him off, there'd be a good reason for it. No, Otabek's current issue was that something was happening in Heropa that didn't look good for any of the ImPorts. There are people yelling and chanting, and he keeps his head down while he stands outside the coffee shop. His attempt to stay out of it lasts for ten minutes before he's approached.

A couple of them had noticed who he was and have a problem. Some choice words are said, which Otabek waves off with the flick of his hand, but as he sidesteps to go past them, a hand clamps around his throat - he's not strong enough to do anything to stop it.

He kicks out but all he hears is laughing, more taunts, and his powers aren't working, he can't go anywhere. As his vision begins to blur, fingers scratching and hitting the man's arms, he thinks of Yusuke and hopes he's far away from all of this still.]

[lempereur]

[ He isn't far.

Across the street, a wall of flame subsides and leaves not Yusuke, but Fox occupying the space where it used to be. This isn't a rational, planned strike, voted on and mapped out weeks ahead of time, it's an immediate danger, and as such, Goemon, the nine foot hulking samurai of legend, springs forth on Fox's immediate command, spinning his pipe and covering him in a green glow that makes him faster and more precise. As soon as his legs will carry him, they do, the superhero that is rarely seen in public shows up behind the coffee shop just as the assailant with the electric hands starts using them to toy with Otabek.

A zap here, a zap there. Like short bursts with a taser, or a shock collar, if the skater dares to yell. There's just enough time to establish a sadistic rhythm before the two of them are pushed aside by a block of ice taller than they are, a masked Yusuke urging it along with incredible speed and a fury in his eyes that he will make sure haunts them. ]

[bypasser]

[He's struggling to breathe but his attacker lessens his grip so that they can taunt him, electricity hitting him from the hands of the stranger's partner. Otabek's feet lash out in surprise, but each hit weakens him, leaving burns on his arms and chest that he doesn't have the ability to heal.

There's a moment when he fears the worst. He's no match for them and there's nobody around to help.

Otabek's eyes fall shut and his arms begin to weaken, when suddenly cold hits him and he's dropped, both the attackers shoved back by a giant wall of ice. He lands on the ground, hard, both hands reaching up to rub at his throat. His eyes flit up to the masked man who'd saved him, eyes bloodshot and wide in amazement.

He tries to ask who they are but the words come out broken and small.]

[lempereur]

[ He's on a mission, laser focused with a treasure to acquire and a target in the way. Yusuke is very much at the mercy of his emotions, but he's different when he's Fox. He's full of righteous anger and rebellion, calculated violence and a thirst for justice. This is a part of Yusuke that Beka has been told about, but hasn't seen - not because it is a secret, not from him at least, but because he is very careful not to abuse it. It's a balancing act, between not giving in to vice and doling out the justice that these cretin deserve.

He will check on Otabek soon, but first, he has to make sure the threat is neutralized. Fox was always the critical striker, not the healer.

Goemon follows hot on his trail, spinning his pipe and mirroring Fox's movements. He spreads his arm out, and his Persona does the same, sending sharp, jagged icicles flying in their path. They're deadly, but his attacks are always, always measured and precise. Just enough force to make them afraid, as they should be after what they've done, but he won't do any lasting damage. As long as they know that he could.

He dodges the stray lightning bolts effortlessly, conjuring enough ice to surround them, to keep them encased in a harrowing cold and facing the other direction while Goemon supervises the two of them. Which is easy, now that the creature's rattled them both on the head with his blunt weapon. ]

Otabek. Are you hurt?

[ The voice should be familiar, even if Beka might not have heard it with quite the same rage-fueled flavor. He crouches next to him to check, concerned eyes scanning him over. ]

[bypasser]

[He knows that voice. It's as familiar to him now as his own is. His eyes are struggling to focus, pupils dilated and shoulders heaving.]

I.. I.

[Otabek's frowning now, looking back and forth between the masked man and Goemon, confused and uncertain as to what's going on. It reminds him of what Yusuke's mentioned before but seeing isn't the same as hearing it. He pulls away from the fox-masked savoir, and pushes himself to his feet.]

Thank you for saving me. [He darts forward and presses a light kiss to Yusuke's cheek, stepping away just as quickly.] I'll tell everyone what you did for me. My boyfriend will be here soon.

[He can play the part. He won't out Yusuke or imply that they're friendlier than a man who is grateful to the person who saved his life.]

[lempereur]

[ A gloved hand extends to help him to his feet, and does not let go until Yusuke is completely sure he's steady. Despite the sword hanging at his side, and the rifle strapped to his back, he's gentle and patient, just like any good samaritan would be, right? ]

Please, there is no need to sing my praises. Those who abuse their power will be met with appropriate force.

[ Which is, in this case, hypothermia. Having everything but your head encased in ice is no walk in the park, but neither is being zapped with lightning bolts. Yusuke had plenty of experience with that in the Metaverse, he doesn't need any repeats here. The point is, these guys should have thought about that before deciding to attack the first person with an imPort tattoo in their path. ]

You should find your boyfriend. He must be worried about you.

[bypasser]

[Otabek isn't sure where to go to wait for Yusuke but he knows that if he wants to see him soon he'll need to break this up quickly. He needs to see him. Touch him. He's mixed with emotions that he needs an outlet for.

Anger, gratitude. Fear, relief.]

I'll wait for him back there.

[He breathes out and takes a step back, eyes flitting across Yusuke one more time. Beka wants to memorize the way he looks right now. He has a million questions but they can all wait.]

If you find him looking for me, tell him that's where I went.

[Heading towards the cafe, he winds his way down the street and around to the alley behind the building. A little bit of privacy and space away from Yusuke so that he can get to his normal clothes however he needs to do it.]

[lempereur]

[ Fox nods, and darts off at lightning fast speed, green light shining with each step of his boots. Goemon disappears with him, leaving only the attackers, suspended in ice and unconscious. He runs a block over before he changes back into his regular clothes. He should go further, and usually, he would, but Yusuke is an impatient man feeling many of the same feelings.

Anger, at the attackers and at himself, for not getting there sooner. Concern for Otabek's well being, and worry that he will be afraid of what he saw. Most of all, relief.

When Otabek sees him again, he's in tightly fitted black pants, and a casual jacket in a charcoal grey that matches his eyes. No kitsune mask or monstrous companions, just Yusuke in a steady slog, slow again without his Persona, but determined to make his way back to his boyfriend. With a weak, weary smile on his face, Yusuke spreads his arms to embrace him as soon as he's within reach. ]

Beka...are you hurt?

[ Don't think Yusuke didn't notice that he dodged the question the first time. ]

VIKTOR;

[lempereur]

[ Even when not dealing with any kind of world ending trauma, Yusuke spends just as much time at skatehouse as he does next door now. He's comfortable...comfortable enough to be a shady little shit, under the guise of helpfully dealing with the dishes while Viktor fixes his post-workout protein shake.

Yusuke washes the dishes for a few minutes and sets them on the rack, long enough to be covincingly helping with the chores. Then, comes the violent clatter of glass breaking against stainless steel and a yelp that's only slightly more dramatic than it needs to be. He's only made a small cut, on the webby flesh between his thumb and forefinger, but it's enough for a dark trickle of blood to slowly lurk down his arm. Yusuke holds it closely in front of him, examining the drip like one might look at a butterfly perched on a finger.

Say something normal, because this is not an idiotic trap. ]

Viktor...I broke your glass. I apologize.

[ Nailed it. That one didn't match the rest of the glasses anyway. ]

[fourlevels]

[ Viktor jumps at the shattering, having turned his back only briefly to out something away, and he makes a distressed noise at seeing the blood slowly drip down his arm. ]

Never mind that! Here, run that under cold water ...

[ He picks up one of the drying towels they used, coming over to wipe up the expanding red trail on his arm. With the towel in hand though, his power isn't kicking in like Yusuke probably wants. Once most of it is wiped off, he directs Yusuke towards the sink, sticking his hand under the faucet to further rinse the blood off. ]

[lempereur]

[ Yusuke is notably less distressed, still watching with fascination, even as...nothing happens? There's a long moment where that's all that he does, and then he jolts, shaking his head as if to keep himself from dozing off. ]

Thank you. I am...distracted. I will clean it up.

[ The blood mixing with water and hitting shards of glass makes for an interesting image that actually distracts him for a moment, but not long enough to forget the mission. The cut is still very much there, meaning Viktor did not use his power, and Yusuke can not draw it. So it's no good, he'll have to try again. After he picks up the glass (safely, it's important to be subtle), he puts a kettle on. Relaxing, scalding hot tea might help his focus.

Start conversation, keep him from wandering off. ]

How do you refer to male genitalia in Russian?

[ Start a conversation Yuri would rather shoot himself into space than stick around for if he wanders into the kitchen, so he doesn't call him out. This is a flawless plan. ]

[fourlevels]

Clean yourself up first! There's no glass shards in the cut is there?

[ He helps with the glass though, bringing the garbage bin right over so they can scoop the bigger pieces right int the trash.

He pauses in getting some gauze and tape for it though, hand literally hovering in mid-air as he starts to hand it over. ]

Ah ... do you mean, like ... in the medical, anatomical sense? Or as an insult?

[lempereur]

[ Yusuke acts like he's thinking very hard about it, like a good student trying to learn the ins and outs of an unfamiliar language. ]

Somewhere between clinical and excessively vulgar. A word that would not sound odd as a request. Though, if there are any other nuances I should be aware of, I shall welcome your guidance.

[ So tactical. ]

[fourlevels]

As a request ... ?

[ Well, it's not the oddest thing he's been asked before. He was friends with Christophe Giacometti after all. It's actually the thought of his friend that makes him realize— ]

[fourlevels]

Oh! You mean like during sex!

[lempereur]

[ Yusuke is not embarrassed, if he were, he would have chosen an alternate method of distraction. Still, there's a slight flush in his cheeks, which is fine. It makes it more convincing that way? ]

Ah...yes. Like during sex.

[fourlevels]

[ Whereas Viktor apparently has no reservations talking to a teenager about this subject at all. ]

Are you trying to impress Yura then? Or is it Otabek? The word might be the same in Kazakh, but I'm not sure.