Of all the things to make for breakfast, Victor had chosen pancakes. Yuri rubbed his eyes as he watched him, inhaling the scent of them and of the much-needed coffee that had just finished brewing. They both had a long day of training ahead, and both were operating on very little sleep. Even Makkachin seemed tired, and hadn't budged when Yuri had rolled out of bed, fumbling for his glasses, a shirt, and a warm pair of socks.

The lack of sleep seemed to be affecting Victor as well. He was quiet as he worked–so quiet that Yuri doubted he knew he was there, leaning against the island only a few feet away. With a sigh, he crossed the small distance and wrapped his arms around his waist, causing Victor to jump.

"Yuri," he said with a small, tired laugh. "You scared me."

"Hm." Yuri hummed in response and buried his face into the soft fabric of his fiance's shirt. Somehow Victor was always warm, even on the rainy autumn mornings when the apartment got cold despite the heater's best efforts. It was during these mornings when Yuri would latch onto the other skater to make up for it, unconcerned with whether or not Victor understood his reasons.

"Are you hungry?"

"Mm-hm."

Victor flipped the contents of the pan before briefly placing a hand over the space where Yuri's fingertips met. He turned then, the corners of his lips playing at a smile as his eyes took in his fiance for the first time. Yuri felt his cheeks growing warm as Victor's eyes traced his body, locking onto his chest for a moment before meeting his gaze. "Is that my shirt?"

"Oh, I…" Yuri's voice faded as his face grew hotter. "It looked warm."

Victor didn't respond. Instead, he reached out and brushed Yuri's bangs aside with his fingertips, his hand trailing down and resting on the side of his face. His thumb rested on his lower lip, and without thinking, Yuri leaned into his touch. It seemed to be second nature to him these days, as much a part of his life as skating ever had been. In some ways, being with Victor seemed as familiar as the sport he'd dedicated his life to; as the sport, as Hasetsu, as his friends and family. He'd wondered once if that was just a result of the duration of their relationship, but…

He placed his ring hand over Victor's, watching the blue eyes that stared back into his. He'd known those eyes for a long time. He'd admired them, loved them. He watched them soften as he turned, gently pressing his lips against the tender skin beneath Victor's palm. He kept them there for a bit before dropping his gaze and letting Victor pull him into a hug.

"Yuri…" he murmured so quietly Yuri could barely hear him. Slowly, Yuri wrapped his arms around his fiance's waist again, his hands resting just above the waistband of his sweatpants. He turned his head, resting it against Victor's collarbone, feeling his chest rise and fall with slow, peaceful breaths.

Yuri thought he understood. His eyelids grew heavy again and he allowed himself to close them, just for a moment. Just for now.

And now was all that mattered.