Striking

Chapter 1

For my dearest Tae,

My dearest Tae, are you surprised to find that the story I've been bitching about to you for three months is for you? xD In all seriousness, though, I love this fic so very much, and you've been such a huge help to me in its creation. From listening to my ranting about why chapter three is evil (it's no longer evil, thanks to you), to helping me sort out the plot, to encouraging me at every step of the way, to commiserating with me about NaNo goals, you've been so wonderful, and absolutely instrumental to this process. I haven't loved a fic this much since Shattering Glass, and my joy in finally posting this story all goes to you. Happy birthday, my dear. ♥

Hey, guys! Back by popular demand, I give you, Striking! I think literally every single comment asked for a sequel, and, nearly a year later, I deliver! xD

I'd like to say, early on, that this story is not a model for a healthy relationship. At least not yet. There are many flaws, and much potential for badness later on with the initial Otayuri relationship, but please don't think I'm promoting this standard. These issues (that you'll find yourselves noting soon enough) are purposeful and real; please don't harass me about championing this as an ideal relationship. Thank you.

Additionally, I'd like to draw your attention to the "rape/noncon" tag at the top. This tag will only be featured in chapter five (and parts of six, in reference only), and there will be appropriate warnings in the beginnings of those chapters. For readers who may be upset by this, please exercise your best judgement in picking up this story, and know that, if you choose to follow it, the attempted rape scene can be easily skipped, and will be summarized in the endnotes of the chapter. (Neither Otabek nor Yuri is the attempted rapist.)

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The first two months of life in San Piter, life at the Plisetsky Manor, life with Yuri, were a whirlwind. Every day, there was something to do and while, at home, Otabek had never been lazy, he had been accustomed to taking a few days out of the month off, as he knew all royalty did. Or, at least, as he had thought all royalty did; for, it seemed, here, no one ever stopped. And, more specifically, a certain blond no one never wasted a moment on leisure-- a custom which he expected of Otabek, too, the man soon found.

As the ambassador of Almatia, Otabek worked closely with Yuri, their countries each other's fondest allies and neighbors. They did everything from surveying land to researching how to fix potential problems; from establishing safer routes for travel between their countries to discussing social reforms they hoped to implement; from slowly devising a new economic system with joint currency to spending hours in the library, pouring over writings and figuring out exactly how best to finagle trade partnerships out of more hesitant nations, together. In due course, relatively unsurprisingly, they spent a lot of time with each other. They ate together, worked together-- their chambers were in the same wing, for god's sake!

And yet, despite all their time spent in each other's company, Otabek had made just about as much progress worming his way into Yuri's good books as he had during the first week he'd known him. Initially, following their discussion at the archery range at the end of the social party, Otabek had been optimistic, if realistic, in hoping that Yuri had begun to accept him. And while it was certainly true that Yuri was no longer foaming at the mouth to insult him whenever they were within a six-meter radius, Otabek couldn't say that the civilities extended further than that. It seemed, at least to him, that Yuri's slight softening in demeanor was a product of their ostensibly close relationship; if they were to continually be in each other's company, outright hostility would make things (especially the more diplomatic things) very difficult. And, for all his mischievous pain-in-the-assholery, Yuri wasn't one to make life harder than it had to be-- especially not when it jeopardized possible improvements to the lives of his people.