Yuri curled his fingers into his palm, trapping some of the beach's coarse sand between digits. A cool, gentle breeze brushed against his hair and the strings of his hoodie. The sky was dark and grey, strands of golden sunlight protruding in various crannies of the giant clouds looming above. He sighed sadly and buried his face into his folded arms which were propped up by his legs. He was all alone with only the company of the dark, black birds flying away in the sky. Yuri always enjoyed moments like this throughout his life.
The ocean especially was where he liked to relax and rub off some of his social anxiety. Yuri was surprised when Victor suggested they visit there even though they had just "met". Yuri sighed again. It felt like so long ago that Victor first walked into his life and decided to become his coach. Ever since that day, he learned so much about his talents in skating, and more importantly, what was holding him back and caused him to falter during his routines.
He had loved Victor his whole life, but when they finally became close, Yuri realized it had immediately started becoming something more than just him admiring a skating superstar. Victor brought so much out of him, his newfound pride, confidence, and love for socializing with friends. Yuri had made so many friends and was able to speak his mind much easier since Victor had taught him how. Yuri wanted to feel this way for the rest of his life. Which was why he would never leave Victor's side again. Yuri began to imagine how wonderful it was going to be to move to Russia to live with Victor afar.
His face went from a delighted, girlish smile to immediate regret. Yuri thought a lot about how fast his relationship with Victor was going. At first, he gradually came to like it and was so happy to feel this way with someone, but now he wondered if they were going too far. It had taken so much courage to put that ring on his hand not too long ago. The sheer bliss and overwhelming excitement he felt when he knew Victor wanted to stay with him too was too much for words.
Only now did Yuri begin to see that his love for Victor kept him from paying attention to how little he knew about Victor's life. Yuri spent his life figuring out every detail of Victor's, from his skating abilities, to his personality, to his friendships, and so on. But what about Victor's past, and his family? Victor had told him before small things about his culture, such as Russia's lack of Christmas celebration and how he had a prior love life. Tears started to well up in his eyes.
He wimpily slammed a fist into the sand. He felt so weak and feeble; why couldn't he ask Victor more questions about him? He felt like he had failed him and whenever Victor wanted to talk about his life, he had rejected him. Suddenly, Yuri stood up and rubbed the tears off his face, which now had a look of defiance. No longer would he let himself feel scared and alone like this.
Victor taught him to be brave and to stay strong. Even if there were some holes in the database on Victor's life Yuri had been formulating in his mind for over a decade, that didn't make him care about him any less. It wasn't until Yuri began to start spending time with Victor that he began to realize he had the same aspirations as him and he never wanted to be away from him again. Even if it was hard to say out loud, Yuri knew that he wanted to eat katsudon with Victor, sleep with him, walk with him, skate with him, EVERYTHING. Yuri clenched his fists and looked up at the wide expanse of the ocean in front of him. A powerful wind swept his hair out of his face. Nothing was going to get in his and Victor's way. He was going to leave to Russia with him, and maybe then he would finally get to know everything about him at his home.
"CHRIIIIIS!", Victor shouted as he waved over his Swiss friend.
Christophe was only in Japan for one weekend so Victor could show him the hot springs before he left for Switzerland to practice new routines for next year's competitions. Before he would leave the next day, Victor was taking him out for some shopping at the mall.
"These shops are so cute. Hasetsu sure is a quaint little town. Almost makes it boring", Chris remarked with his heavy accent.
"I think it's peaceful", Victor replied with a big smile.
Readjusting the vegetables in the paper bag of groceries he was holding, he started walking up to multiple storefronts, looking at each store's selection.
"Need something special?" Chris questioned.
"I wonder if they have anything Yuri would like", he replied as he frowned while staring down a booth of souvenirs.
"Maybe you two could use something a little more sensual", Chris flirted.
"Heavens, nothing like that", Victor waved off, "he would have a heart attack".
"Speaking of the love birds, when's the wedding?" Chris asked, peering over Victor's shoulder.
"We haven't really discussed much, but I'm sure everything will turn out fine", Victor chuckled.
"Really…. how exactly did you two get engaged? I'd be too bored for monogamy, but what got this power couple to finally seal the deal? Was it you who proposed?"
"Actually he did! I think…. really, it was at the same time, you could say. Yuri bought my ring, and I bought his. We get along so perfectly!" "Did either one of you say anything? Anyone get on a knee? Something?"
"I guess we've never talked about it", Victor pondered as he tapped his lip, reflecting. "WHAT?!" Chris remarked in shock.
"Yuri's Japanese, not to mention he's so shy. He's not used to telling his feelings with words. I try not to force anything with him, it happened in our own way."
"Never mind, let's continue shopping, shall we?"
Chris adjusted his sunglasses and began to walk off. Victor sighed and followed close behind. He shifted his bag of groceries onto one arm and pulled out his phone with the other. He checked to make sure Yuri didn't leave him any messages or a call. He sighed again when he saw his box was empty.
He resolved to ease his mind with Instagram. Scrolling through his social media, he suddenly came across a particular link. It was an article titled "How to Make Your Relationship Last!". "Chris, I'll meet you back at the hot springs!" Victor shouted.
"Huh? Leaving me all alone in a foreign country?"
"Sorry, friend. I'll meet up with you shortly", Victor laughed.
Chris waved him off and continued on throughout the mall. Victor quickly found a bench and set down his groceries. He scrolled through the article, just out of curiosity. Want to know how to make your S/O feel special? Here are a few easy tips, the clickbait-ing article promised.
Victor began skimming. Actually, the article had a point. it talked about how to tell what makes your S/O feel loved, not what you think will make them feel that way. Everyone needs something different in order to feel appreciated. Some need to be given presents, some need hugs, some…. Victor nearly gasped.
He remembered back to Yuri's program at the Cup of China. Victor had crushed Yuri's heart with just his words alone when he had threatened to no longer be his coach. It was then that Yuri told him of the only true motivation for him, which was for Victor to believe in him more than he did himself. Although it had always been hard for Yuri to state his intentions, it now seemed quite apparent to Victor that Yuri needed to receive words more than give them. Victor felt ashamed of himself.
All of this time he spent their moments together trying to get them to bond and learn more about each other when the only way to truly enrapture Yuri was to tell him how he felt. Yuri's emotions were so sensitive, but just a few words of true love had always been all of the motivation he needed. Victor tucked away his phone, grabbed his groceries and raced off back to Yu-topia Katsuki.
"Victor?" Yuri shouted as he took his shoes off at the genkan.
He threw off his hoodie and headed upstairs. "Here!" Victor's disembodied voice replied.
Yuri opened the door to Victor's room to see him standing in front of his bed with a big smile on his face and his hands behind his back.
"Um, Victor… what are you doing?"
"I have a present for you! Come see."
Yuri blushed. Sheepishly, he began walking forward. Sweat beaded his face as he looked behind Victor at his bed. What was he planning? Frankly, Yuri was incredibly scared and embarrassed at this point.
His whole life he had trouble getting close to people he didn't know well. Every time he got caught in an uncomfortable hug, Yuri became rash and overprotective of his space. Victor was the one who helped him learn how to reach out to other people and be more inviting. It took some time, but Yuri learned how easy it was for him to touch Victor, too. But still, there were some boundaries in their relationship, things Yuri had never experienced before, and honestly was still scared to even try.
Yuri looked into Victor's big puppy eyes. Puppy eyes were definitely the right way to describe them. Victor was the living definition of "dog boyfriend". Victor had limited physical boundaries with others and he absolutely loved hugs. Victor was always looking for an embrace and a cuddle from Yuri.
Was Yuri holding Victor back? Victor had mentioned having lovers before; was Yuri not helping Victor feel loved by rejecting physical contact? Yuri thought back to all the times he jumped into Victor's arms and pulled him close, even snuggling him more often these days. Victor was the only one who ever had brought that side out of him. And Yuri loved it, every moment.
Yuri relaxed his body and approached Victor, a little less reluctant. I'm ready, he thought to himself. Yuri stopped in his tracks once Victor whipped his arms out from behind him. Victor held up a white envelope with Yuri written on it in beautiful cursive. "Go on, read it!" Victor said as he tilted his head to the side, his smile somehow even bigger now. Yuri, still in shock from the sudden surprise, shakily reached up and took the envelope. He opened it to find yellow parchment inside. He opened the note and began reading.
Yuri,
I've come to realize there is much I still need to tell you. Ever since I met you, I knew you were someone special. I know you were very embarrassed about not remembering that night, and I'll admit, I was a little upset at first. But when I came to Hasetsu to be your coach, I realized I was wrong to expect to see that side of you when I arrived. You were so shy, so bashful, my little piggy! I got to know who you really were and there wasn't one second where I felt I preferred the silly, drunken you over the true Yuri. You've opened up so much these last months, and now it's my turn to open up to you. I never want to stop watching you perform, seeing you grow. I've never been good with words, especially when someone is crying, as you know! But I thought I should try. Please stay by my side.
Yours Always,
Victor
For the second time that day, Yuri began to cry.
"Ah! I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you upset, I understand if it wasn't good enough-"
Yuri dropped the card and threw his arms around Victor's neck. The two tumbled back onto the bed, still embracing, and there was silence for a few seconds. Yuri buried his face into Victor's shoulder. Finally, Yuri looked back up and stared at Victor's surprised face.
"I want to be with you, Victor. I want to know everything there is to know about you. I want to go to Russia with you and… have a home together."
Victor nearly started crying himself. Victor placed his hand behind Yuri's head and brought it back down to his shoulder. Yuri grinned and listened to Victor's gentle heartbeat. Victor rubbed his hand up Yuri's back, sending chills across his spine. Yuri got up and crawled all the way onto the bed, Victor following his example.
Yuri laid down on his back and Victor hovered above him. Yuri pushed Victor's bangs aside and brushed them behind his ear. Victor grabbed his hand as he began to withdraw it and kissed it, tenderly. He then pushed Yuri's hand down above his head onto a pillow, locking it in place. Yuri used his other hand to grab Victor's chin and pulled him down.
Victor's eyes widened as Yuri suddenly kissed him. Victor closed his eyes and the two passionately locked lips. The two weren't erotic lovers. They were so much more, each other's family even. They were going to be the most powerful skating couple of all time. And eventually, they would finally be the greatest husbands in the world.