Yuri had never been on a train before. He stared at the sleek black train, the dark smoke it pumped into the air as it churned heat through the cabins, the cars, whatever they were called. It seemed counterproductive to have it warm before they left, as Notos was still in the throes of its summer heat, albeit moving into autumn soon. Then again, he supposed, Isklan was in the north and might already be quite cold this time of year. He shifted on his feet as the servants bustled around, putting the trunks of his, Yuki's, and the rest of the entourage's into storage.
Yuki, he knew, had run ahead into the train. On occasion he could see her flash by the windows, looking happy as a clam as she explored. She must have been excited to be traveling, and on a train no less. They would arrive in two days' time, as opposed to the week-long travel it had taken in order to get him to Austuri for his small ceremony and wedding. It made him wonder if he was motion sick -- carriages had not been so bad for the trip, but a high speed metal train?
"Getting nervous?" Mirai's voice sent a shudder up Yuri's spine, probably felt by the man's hand. He turned his head, meeting the other's gaze, before looking back to the train and politely stepping out of the fellow's reach. Understanding, Mirai merely tucked his hands into his overcoat's pockets, clicking his tongue as a warm breeze blew. "You really shouldn't. You can't even feel the movement unless you sit by a window and try to focus on the moving scenery."
Damn. Yuri really didn't want that to happen. A shame, since that was how he had passed the time in the travel to Austuri. He swallowed, but forced himself to raise his shoulders and nod. No need to look like a deflated bird or anything like that. "I'll keep that in mind."
A stretch of silence passed between them, Yuri kneading his hands along his bag's straps as he did his best not to stare at his brother-in-law beside him. It was difficult to do so, knowing the man was staring openly at him. If he was a cat, Yuri figured he would have a quivering tail… almost like a predator stalking its prey.
"You are family, you know." Mirai's words had Yuri look at him like a startled deer, before looking back at the train. "You'll be treated as such."
A sigh. "I know. I just…" The train blared its horn, and several crew members stepped out, waving for Yuri and Mirai and others to board finally. As the horn made its second call, Yuri answered, purposely to be drowned out by the sound. "Haven't been away from home in a while…"
"Pardon?" Mirai cupped his hand around his ear. Yuri glanced at it, noticing that it was ever so slightly pointed, just like his and Yuki's. Interesting.
"Nothing. Let's go, before they try to drag us on by force." Glad for an excuse to evacuate the conversation, if only for a little while, Yuri rushed over to the beckoning service worker, hopping up onto the stair and stepping up further.
In a grand fashion, however, the poor prince miscalculated how steep the steps into the train were, tripping and smashing his shin into the stair above. He caught himself with his hands in front of him, and immediately people were rushing over to lift him and help him up. As he settled into one of the compartment seats and someone rushed off to get the onboard medic, Mirai followed in, sliding the door shut behind him.
"You've never ridden a train before, have you?" Moving forward like a cool shadow, he pulled the shades down over the window, shielding them from the exterior. Beneath his feet, the train began to hum, starting to pull forward on the trek. Yuri watched him through watery eyes and a copper tasting mouth, feeling as though he had bit through his cheek and into the open air. His leg was throbbing, his head was pounding from the rush, and he wheezed softly.
"Mno."
"Ah, nothing to be embarrassed about then." Mirai sat beside Yuri and pulled his hurt leg onto his lap. What a shock of color differences, as Yuri was wearing white that was turning faintly red from the gash he likely had underneath his pantleg. "I think everyone takes a spill like that, the first time they board."
Discomforted by the tending and wondering where Yuki was -- desperately hoping that she would come and drag her husband away -- Yuri turned his head to peer behind the shades on the window. It was just as Mirai had said: dizzying. Everything was passing by in glimpses and glances of color that had his head almost hurt more by trying to stare at them all passing by.
He almost, almost missed the soft orange glow coming from something aside from the outside of the window, until he had to move his gaze away for fear of making himself sick. That was how he caught Mirai's hands holding onto his leg, directly over the wound that was bleeding. It didn't hurt. Unfortunately the blood did not magically disappear from the fabric, but the wound likely had. Once the orange had faded, Yuri yanked his foot over, knee bent up, and immediately rolled up the pantleg.
Well, there was a scar. A reminder of his stumble and fall. "Um… thank you-"
Just as he was about to finish off the thanks stiffly and nearly forgetting Mirai's title, the compartment's door opened. Both he and Mirai looked over, Mirai the picture of ease with his legs extended and crossed at the ankle and Yuri with his leg bare and showing to the onlookers. "Yuri!" Yuki rushed in, hugging her elder brother immediately. "I heard you were hurt! But you're not?"
The medic glanced in, glanced around, saw nothing to be alarmed about, and exited.
Yuri realized he was breathing easier, although he still had a throbbing cheek. He opened his mouth to explain, wiggling to get his pantleg rolled down, but Mirai beat him to it with a drawl. "He's fine, darling. I took care of him." He spoke so conversationally, it was a wonder to Yuri, especially as the blond could see the faint glistening of perspiration along his face and hairline. However, the movement of his hands drew attention to the braiding of his streaked hair for Yuki, rather than his exhaustion.
"Ooooh." Yuki looked between Yuri and Mirai, then grabbed Yuri's hand with both of hers. There was a strange look on her face, distant and calculating all at once. Yuri himself wasn't sure he liked the look on her face, though he couldn't place why. "Come, Yuri! I want to show you to our room!"
"Ah- our?"
He didn't miss Mirai's little grin as Yuki nodded, eyes bright. "Yeah! This is the last time I get to share a room with you, my big brother, so I want to make it count! Just wait until you see it." As she dragged him to the door, she perkily spoke, "Husband-"
"I thought we talked about that?"
"...Your Highness! You're welcome to spend the night with us too, if you like."
Yuri blanched, but mutely followed behind Yuki before Mirai even responded.