if we went to a halloween party dressed as batman and robin...

[insinerate]

WHO: Yuri Petrov and Will Graham
WHERE: Yuri's apartment
WHEN: Backdated to October 2nd
WHAT: A true test of friendship
WARNINGS: Dumb cut text apparently, thanks Cyn


[Some things stay the same while others change. Take Yuri's apartment for example. Upon his arrival and being permitted inside, it should be obvious to Will that nothing about it is different. It is as well-lit and clean as usual, everything in its place, plants tended to (with the expected addition of one or two others) and not even a picture on the wall at an off angle. There's a word for that. Orderly. But for this world, and now Yuri's own life, the same word no longer applies.

Beyond a shadow of a doubt, chaotic seems to fit a little better these days.

And all thanks to Tony Stark—no, to Superior Iron Man—who has changed the playing field. There are ordinary people out there now with powers they know very little about, ordinary people capable of extraordinary things, and given enough time or introduced to the right incentive or brand of manipulation, many of them will prove dangerous. Yuri knows this to be true not only because he's seen it happen before, but because many of the 'enhanced' citizens have already chosen the wrong path.

That's why he's called Will here. He can no longer allow himself to exist in a state of chaos, and the only way to regain control is to confront his problems head on.

He locks the door behind his guest—his friend—and deliberately stands between him and the exit.]

Thank you for coming, Will.

Comments

[infomodder]

[Nothing out of place is good. Hopefully it's not because Yuri did some heavy duty cleaning, refused to let Will have any say over getting rid of bloody messes. He notices that first of all. Environment is important. But it's a simple cursory glance, nothing obvious or lingering. He doesn't turn quickly when he hears the lock, either. That's expected. He's just casually moving in when he notices Yuri's steps aren't. He's probably tired and in some state of distress. It's to be expected. Nothing for Will to become uneasy over. Not yet, anyway.

He doesn't look over his shoulder, doesn't look back. Instead he moves to the newest plant so he can lean down and get a real good look at it. He's rather at ease, feeling comfortable, as "safe" as he tends to get short of smooching April.]

'Course. [Didn't have a reason not to, he thinks, but never makes it out. He has every reason not to. But he has reason to come, too, and that's just because he has issues running the other way when it comes to Certain Types. Chilton knew. April knew. As long as he was sort of safe, as safe as possible, capable of handling things...maybe...then that's all anyone could ask. Right?] What's on your mind?

[Still looking at that plant, lips finally twitching upwards a bit.

He approves.

He likes this plant. It is a good plant.]

[insinerate]

[The significance of the way in which Will enters into his home and immediately takes notice of what has and hasn't changed isn't lost on Yuri. Their friendship has in many ways bred that kind of familiarity, and it isn't entirely unpleasant. Least of all when it has given birth to an often unspoken understanding between them. But there is danger, too. They are both of them killers. They are both of them men with limits that are uniquely their own. Not unlike a cat and a dog. Each capable of existing in the same environment, but there is always the risk of violence...]

Something you said, if I'm to be perfectly honest.

[There's truth in that. He often speaks truthfully with Will, holding little back. Hiding things from him is seldom necessary. For now, at least. While they still remain capable of coexistence. But there is a very real possibility of destroying that here, of taking the fine thread of trust that has been woven between them and setting it ablaze from both ends.]

I've decided that you were right. [Yuri takes a few steps away from the door and in Will's direction.] I don't need the costume to be who I am meant to be and to do what I must.

[infomodder]

[Something he said. Yuri found Will was right about something. This isn't too surprising (there are a few things he tends to be right about, after all) but there is a shift in his shoulders to show that little surprise; plants receive the slight change in facial expression, nothing and no one else. He hears those steps and instinctively takes a breath. As if he could smell...what? Intent? Potentials? Hah. They had a similarity when it came to violence, as far as Will could tell, and that was the ability to do so without heart rate skyrocketing, without their body becoming upset. Just calm, quiet acceptance of what needed to be done and doing so if the situation allowed it.

But why oh why would Yuri call him to his place, alone, to discuss this? Surely he didn't want to get into anything. Not in his neat, clean living space. Would the smell ever leave? Yuri could always move, but. But, but, but...

Will stands back up properly and turns to face Yuri, eyebrows lifted, amused and curious and pushing away more than that.]

I do have some experience with these things. [Light, his smile small but not strained.] So what does that mean? For you.

[A return or a retirement? Or something else?]