#look at this idiot...... he's experiencing having a non-juvenile-delinquent friend for the first time since he was like a 7yo probably

[yuribrd]

@forfodlan​ || [ FEAR ] : sender, out of instinctive fear, grabs receiver's hand for comfort. / from bernie Hand holding.

          Bernadetta had been running about for what must have been hours, with Yuri trailing along after her.  Today, they’re finding interesting-looking plants and leaves.  It’s a silly little game, Yuri thinks.  It’s a stupid—  albeit necessary for his purpose here—  waste of time, is what he tries to convince himself.  Yet, without even realizing, he’s having fun.  Never before in his life would he have imagined he could feel so pleased doing something as pointless as finding a leave covered in weird spots and holes for his friend to see, as he is now.

          Sometimes, he becomes almost aware of it, and it confuses him, but right now?  Right now, he’s trying to figure out where Bernadetta went, so he can hear what she’s got to say about what he’s found.

          Only, when he looks up, he doesn’t see her.  No, he sees the Count, who’s not far off, apparently also looking for his daughter.  Thankfully, the gardener’s assistant looking at a plant in the garden isn’t nearly notable enough to warrant his full attention, and when he doesn’t spot Bernadetta, he moves on.

          When he’s sure the Count isn’t coming back, Yuri sets to looking for Bernadetta again, and after a good few minutes checking all of their favorite places, he eventually finds her at the base of an old tree that’s surrounded by lush bushes, which create a perfect little hiding spot just at the base of the trunk.

          ❝ There you are, ❞    he greets, his voice sing-song with eagerness as he pushes himself partway through the bushes to fetch her.    ❝ Let’s go, we still have time before the gardener will be needing me. ❞    With that, he turns to leave, expecting her to follow, until he feels her hand around his.    ❝ H-hey— ❞    Unexpected, the sudden halting of his exit nearly makes him fall back, but when he looks at her, rather than being upset, he is only concerned; she’s scared, and he can see it clear as day.

          It’s no wonder why either.  Yuri has, a few times now, seen or heard her struggling to avoid being taken.  Witnessing it, even thinking about it, makes him sad and angry all at once.  He thinks of his own mother, and can’t imagine how a parent can bring themselves to make their kid not want to be around them that desperately.

          ❝ Hey, ❞    he repeats, this time soft, quiet,    ❝ Look, you see?  Everything’s fine now, Bernadetta. ❞    Still, he doesn’t try to pull her from their hiding spot.  Instead, he sits beside her  ( on the bare dirt, just for her! ), one hand still in hers, the other reaching into a small pouch at his belt.  From within, he pulls what must have been one of the flight feathers of a small bird, and holds it out to her.    ❝ Here.  It’s pretty much the same color as your hair, so I thought you might like it. ❞    It’s a horrible gift, he thinks, but all he wants is to take her mind off of her father.