mind the gap
part 1
He slipped in his earphones and tuned everything out. Almost.
Yuuri had the routine down by now. Walk into West Brompton station at exactly 9:24 AM, swipe his card, walk down onto the platform, wait approximately seven minutes, hop the train going eastbound towards Edgware Road, wait sixteen minutes, get off at Paddington station at approximately 9:47 AM, then take a four-minute walk to the little café he took pride in working at. A café in London—go figure. To be fair, it was the only job he found where he didn't need to interact with many people, thank Christ. Could he have picked a café closer to where he lived? He sure could have, but nobody's ever asked him why not so he's never felt the need to explain.
(He wasn't sure if he should proudly announce he only works at that café in particular in that area of London mainly because one of his favourite Indian restaurants was just next door.)
As a matter of fact, he worked in Paddington station, where crowds of people rushed in and out, tourists galore and immigrants and stressed businessmen and rude businessmen and wide-eyed children and it was kind of funny seeing the confused tourists because they made Yuuri want to say you know all the attractions are the other way, right? But he never did, because nobody asked for his opinion, because he was the guy who made you your coffee and never talked.
At least the walk to West Brompton station was always lovely. He passed by interesting little shops and flowers and aesthetically pleasing young people smoking cigarettes and it might not always be warm outside but Yuuri sought comfort in here, in the busy area of West Brompton, where nobody talks to you or makes any eye contact. Yuuri quite liked that bit.
And then he was on the slightly crowded train towards Edgware Road. The male robotic voice reminded him to mind the gap between the train and the platform and Yuuri decided to take a seat since he'd be on his feet all day. So he did, and seconds later the train closed the doors, creaked to life, and started on its way.
If somebody had told Yuuri he would be in a lot of mental anguish just by going on this train ride alone, he'd have started taking the bus a long time ago.
The train pulled up to Earl's Court station, a quite busy station as it intersected with a few other trains coming this way and that. A few people got off, and several came aboard. They all squished together, somebody took the seat next to Yuuri which made him inch closer to the wall, and Yuuri was again reminded to mind the gap between the train and the platform.
Making sure his earphones were shoved in as far as possible and that they were clearly visible to anyone looking, he leaned his head against the wall and considered closing his eyes. He was only on this train for about fourteen more minutes, but he was up all night last night reading about conspiracy theories, terracotta soldiers, Dan Brown, and texting Phichit, his best friend from Thailand who was currently living in Liverpool. Yuuri figured a minute or two of shut-eye would be alright. Just a minute. Or two. Or five. Or ten.
The train slowed to a stop at the next station. The doors slid open and more people shuffled in and out. Yuuri remained where he was and felt his eyelids lower slowly, slowly, slowly—
Somebody tapped his shoulder. Ah, shit. Yuuri blinked his eyes open and peered up at whoever just disturbed him—
—sweet niblets. His tongue fell out of his mouth.
Short platinum hair, creamy white skin, tall and slender and elegant and graceful and whoa what the fuck look at those fuckin' eyes and this perfect stranger was also...confused? Embarrassed? Whatever he was, it was no secret that he was possibly the most beautiful man Yuuri had ever seen up close in his entire life.
The young man bent over slightly and his full lips started moving so Yuuri hurriedly plucked out his earphones. "—sorry to bother you, could you maybe help me with directions?" His smooth voice was laced with an accent, probably Eastern European.
Yuuri blushed and shrieked internally—NO, his brain screamed—but he decided to suck it up. This guy was obviously confused and it was pretty much Yuuri's duty as a British citizen to help (beautiful) tourists and alike. Unfortunately. Groan. He picked his tongue up off the floor before speaking, cringing at the squeakiness of his voice. "Sure."
"Thanks!" The man sidled next to Yuuri and pulled out an enormous map. "I'm trying to get to the London Eye and Big Ben, and so I got on at Earl's Court but I'm not sure where I'm supposed to get off from here."
Yuuri couldn't help but smile a bit. He remembers when he was a lowly tourist, too, all confused by the tube system and hopelessly lost. Good times. "You're on the wrong train."
The man's face fell. "I am?"
"Yep." Yuuri gestured to the map above their heads, behind him on the wall. "We're on the train towards Edgware Road, so we're going that way, but you want to go to London Eye which is on that train going towards Upminster."
"Oh no, really? Ugh—" The man put a hand to his face in shame. "I thought I could read a map, but I guess I can't. Any idea how to get there from here?"
"When you get off from here," Yuuri said. "at the next stop or whatever, then you need to find the Circle line train heading towards Hammersmith—if you want to see it on a map, it's the yellow line. This is the District line towards Edgware Road. So when you're going to Big Ben from Earl's Court, you have to find the District line going towards Upminster. From there you get off at Westminster Station."
The man's face lit up. "Wow, that is very informative, thank you very much! So I take the Circle line towards…"
"Hammersmith."
"Hammersmith, and then get off at…"
"Westminster," Yuuri said.
"Westminster, okay. And how far would it be from there to Big Ben and London Eye?"
Yuuri smiled again. "As soon as you get out of the station you'll see Big Ben right away, and if you just hang a left and cross the bridge, you'll see the London Eye, too."
The man smiled and Yuuri's knees buckled—and he wasn't even standing up, for God's sake. "Thank you so very, very much, you've been wonderful help," gushed the man, which made Yuuri's face blush even hotter than it already was. He heard mind the gap and the train's doors opened. "So I can just get off here?"
"Exactly."
"Okay! Thank you very much! Bye now!" The man stuffed the map back in his pocket and squeezed his way off the train before the doors closed on him.
Yuuri turned to watch him scurry off onto the platform, looking for the signs that'll direct him to the Circle line. Eventually he disappeared completely from view, and Yuuri's heart sank a little. It wasn't everyday you see somebody so outrageously gorgeous on the train, much less have them speak to you. For a second Yuuri truly believed that he was touched by the hand of God Himself. While it was weird that that guy singled him out of everyone on board, Yuuri guessed it was just a coincidence. Either way Yuuri was sure he'd never see that beautiful stranger ever again.
He hopped off the train at Paddington and his day at work carried on as usual.
The next day, Yuuri got on the train at West Brompton and headed eastbound towards Edgware Road. The train stopped at Earl's Court station and a swarm of people piled on. Yuuri stuffed his earphones in further and flipped through his newspaper.
A tap on his shoulder. A muffled "Hello!" made Yuuri look up and take out his earphones.
He was never one to be too religious but now he knew there was a god. The same beautiful stranger from yesterday beamed down at him like a gorgeous beacon. "Sorry to bother you, but would you help me out with directions again?"
"Um, okay." With a heavy blush, Yuuri tucked away his newspaper and turned off his music. "Did you manage to get to London Eye okay?"
"Oh, yes, I did, and all thanks to your help," praised the man, his cerulean eyes glimmering. "Big Ben is so beautiful and...big! And the London Eye is not as tall as I thought it would be."
Yuuri laughed softly. "Looks bigger on TV."
"Yes!" the man exclaimed, and it looked like he was going to continue but he stopped himself and got back on track. "Anyways, I was recommended by a friend of mine to check out the Wimbledon tennis museum, or something…?" Yuuri nodded and the man sighed in relief. "Oh, perfect. Would you know how to get there? I assume you get off at Wimbledon Park?"
"You could, but I wouldn't recommend it. Unless you feel like walking for half an hour. Your best bet is to get off at Southfields. Fifteen minute walk, then all you need to do is look for the signs, they'll point you in the right direction."
"Great!" the man exclaimed. "Southfields, okay. And is this the District line?"
"Yes, it is."
"Wonderful," the man said, and started to get comfortable where he was standing.
"But this train is going eastbound," said Yuuri.
"Right."
"And Southfields is westbound."
The man's face fell, and Yuuri had to stifle a giggle. "Oh, God," the man groaned. "I swear, without your help I think I'd be all the way in Scotland. So I should get off at this next stop?"
"Yep." Yuuri smiled.
"Thank you again," said the man. Then he promptly stuck out his hand. "I'm Viktor."
Yuuri hesitantly shook the man's (soft, smooth, gentle, warm) hand. "I'm Yuuri."
"Yuuri?" the man—Viktor—asked. Yuuri nodded. Viktor grinned. "Well, nice to meet you, Yuuri." The words you, too were on Yuuri's lips but he didn't get to say them as Viktor adjusted his bag over his shoulder and said, "I guess this is my stop! Bye bye, and thank you!" And then he bounced out the doors—when had they stopped?—and disappeared.
Yuuri was still smiling as the train pulled away from the platform.
The next day, Yuuri decided his luck had run out. There was no way he was going to see Viktor today, not three days in a row. Yuuri wasn't superstitious or by any means influenced by ideologies such as karma or luck, but he was absolutely positive all his luck ran out, in whatever...non-specific unit of measurement luck came in. Anyways, he wasn't going to see Viktor, that's the important part, he was sure of it.
The train going from West Brompton wasn't nearly as crowded as it usually was. Yuuri took an empty seat by an empty row and let his legs spread a bit to get more comfortable. He pulled out his phone and began the strenuous process of picking a playlist to listen to this morning. The train stopped at Earl's Court, a couple of people got on. The train waited only a couple a seconds before lurching forward. Yuuri reclined and relaxed, playlist ready to be listened to—
—he found himself with a lapful of...somebody.
A gasp. Then, "Whoops!" The person had fallen literally right over his lap, legs flying this way and that, and Yuuri would've laughed if he weren't too busy blushing with all the blood in his body.
Whoever was in his lap whipped around with lightning speed. "Oh, God, I'm so s—" Viktor blinked back at Yuuri with those thick, gloriously long eyelashes before he broke out into a grin. "Oh! Hello, Yuuri!"
Jesus Christ, he was close. Too close. Yuuri thought he felt embarrassment dripping off his face but it might've just been sweat. Gross. "Uh, hi." He was almost nose-to-nose with this guy. Yuuri wasn't even chewing gum. Did he forget to brush his teeth this morning? He sure as fuck hoped not. He really fucking hoped not.
Viktor smiled apologetically. "I'm so sorry, are you alright?"
Yuuri gulped. "Y-Yeah. Um, how about you?"
"Oh, I'm fine," Viktor said kindly. "I'm just happy I landed on you and not some poor, sweet old lady."
Yuuri raised an eyebrow. Viktor's smile turned playful. "Not to say I want to fall on you, I'm just saying I'm glad it was you."
"Right," said Yuuri, pretending to understand what that meant. Viktor slid off his lap and onto the seat beside him. Yuuri was still blushing. "Did you get to the tennis museum?"
"I did," Viktor said. "It was interesting. Have you been?"
"I have."
"Yes, it was quite nice. I imagined it to be a lot bigger but I'm afraid that wasn't the case. Tennis is fine and all, but not my cup of tea. Do you like sports?"
One time Yuuri got a bloody nose from trying to land a basketball in the hoop except it bounced off the backboard and landed right in his face. Another time he was passed a football during a game and he kicked it right towards his own team's goal. Don't forget that one time he tried out for volleyball and ended up serving the ball right at the back of his teammate's head. "Well, I like a sport. I like figure skating."
Viktor blossomed. "Really? I do, too!"
"Oh, really?" Yuuri's eyebrows lifted and he smiled softly. "Nice." Viktor beamed at him so sweetly oh my god Yuuri sincerely hoped he had a good dentist because good Lord he felt those cavities forming. He cleared his throat. "Where are you off to this morning?"
"Kensington Palace," replied Viktor. The train slowed to a stop and the doors opened. "And I'm on the right train this time, aren't I?"
"You are, actually. Good job."
"Thank you."
"You know this is your stop, right?"
Viktor gave him a blank look before glancing out the window at the HIGH STREET KENSINGTON sign. "Oh!" He scrambled to his feet. "Thanks, Yuuri! See ya!" And then he was gone.
Yuuri watched him leave again, and a teeny part of him felt empty, like he was missing something.
He brushed it off, because that just sounded stupid, and popped his earphones back in.
"Yuuri, you cannot make a claim such as 'God is real' without explaining yourself," Phichit said calmly. "What's going on?"
"Peach, there's this guy on the train, and I've seen him three days in a row—three! Days! In a row! And he's talked to me all three days! In a row!" Two years ago an Irish girl mispronounced Phichit's name as Peach-it and it's been his nickname ever since.
"Go on."
"He's kinda really sweet. Super friendly, super nice. And he's got this hair, and his smile? And his eyes? His eyes, Peach." Yuuri sighed into his pillow. "God is real."
"Wow," Phichit said.
"I know!" Yuuri said a bit too loudly.
"Next time you see him, get a picture," Phichit said. "Pics or it didn't happen."
"Isn't that a little creepy?"
"Yuuri, it's only creepy if you make it creepy. Ask him to take a selfie with you."
"Phichit, I've only seen him three times. I barely even know him."
"Think of it as an opportunity to get to know him better."
"I dunno, isn't that a bit...too...you know? Like, I don't even know if I'm going to see him tomorrow. I'm not that lucky. Honestly, how lucky can I get?"
"Sure, fine. But if you do see him tomorrow, you know what to do."
"Peach."
"If you do," Phichit insisted. "because I bet you will. How much do you wanna bet?"
"Phichit, no."
"How much?"
"Phich—"
"Ten quid you see him tomorrow. Ten."
"No."
"Fine, fifteen. Twenty?"
"No! Whatever, just—ugh," Yuuri groaned. "You have to see him. He's like a Greek god. Apollo, or Achilles, or Zeus, or something."
"Pulling out the big names, wow, Yuuri, he must be a total babe," Phichit said. "I see you got over your infatuation with Dane DeHaan rather quick."
"Oh, my God." Yuuri blushed and shook his head. "I mean, yes, but I mean—and what infatuation are you talking about? That one time we watched Spiderman and I said he was cute?"
"You were drooling in the theatre, Yuuri, you bad bitch. You slobbered all over the popcorn. And you definitely do have an infatuation with him because I know you still follow him on Insta. And 'like' every single fuckin' picture."
"Regardless," Yuuri said, exasperated. "No, Phichit, I'm not going to get a picture of him. Just imagine what he looks like based off of what I've told you."
"Wait, all you said was that he was like a Greek god. You never said what colour his hair is, what colour are his eyes, how tall he is, how big his package is, if his butt is perky or flat, nothing."
"Okay, first of all, that's disgusting, and second of all, he's kinda blonde-ish, blue eyes, a couple inches taller than me. That's it."
"That's it?"
"Um...he's a white guy? Russian, I think. What else do you want from me? Gosh."
"So I guess he's," Phichit started slowly. "pretty fly for a white guy?"
"Shut the fuck up, Peach, that meme is dead. Nobody even knows that song anymore, let it die."
"2009 memes never die, you lame-o," Phichit groaned. "Whatever, I bet you'll see him tomorrow. Anyways, I'll let you go. Text me when you see him again, I wanna know all the deets."
"I always tell you the deets, you're the only person I talk to," Yuuri said, smiling a bit, and took off his glasses. "Goodnight, Peach."
"Goodnight, sweets."
Yuuri got on the train at West Brompton and took up one of the two-seaters next to the sliding doors.
He has his earphones in, except he doesn't plan on listening to anything. He has his newspaper out on his lap, except he's not reading it. The words are all a blur to him. He sees them but they don't process. Because he's too distracted to be reading right now, or...any other athletic shit like that.
The butterflies in his stomach turned into full-out frogs that jumped into his throat as the train pulled up in front of Earl's Court. The doors slid open and people piled on and Yuuri held his breath and scanned the crowd for platinum hair using his peripheral because he liked to think he was good at pretending to act normal and oh so casual.
He scanned some more, nonchalantly tucking some of his dark hair behind his ear as he perused the train goers (and briefly wondered if any of them knew who he was looking for). He waited for something. A flash of a smile. A flicky little wave. Maybe even a call of his name.
High hopes, maybe? Too high of expectations? Maybe a little too much of god, Yuuri, not everything revolves around you, the guy just wanted some directions WOW you are self-centered, perhaps? Yuuri's face grew warm as he realized his own disappointment. Now that's just sad.
He hooked his ankle over his knee, turned on his music, and shoved his nose back into his newspaper. Stupid.
"Hello! What are you listening to?"
Yuuri gasped and nearly leapt out of his seat. He scrambled for the nearest pole to keep his balance, and he felt his heart racing. He whipped his head to his right and lo and behold Viktor just so happened to have taken the seat next to him.
The (beautiful, beautiful) man was smiling at him, a little sheepishly. "Did I scare you?"
"Yeah, a little," Yuuri managed to huff, and actually put a hand to his chest like he could just reach in and stop his heart from fluttering.
"Sorry. I came through the other doors. Thought you felt me sit down." Viktor tilted his head. "Is this seat taken?"
"Uh, no." Yuuri furrowed his brows a bit. "Why?"
Viktor shrugged. "It seemed like you were looking for someone, but you're alone, aren't you?"
Yuuri looked away, pushing his glasses further up the bridge of his nose. "Yup."
Viktor hummed and leaned back. "Well, anyways, what are you listening to?"
Ariana Grande, but there was no way in hell Yuuri was going to say that. "Um...music?"
Viktor huffed out a laugh. "Yes, but what kind?"
"Uh," Yuuri said. "some...new music." Viktor tilted his head again so he quickly added, "Like, pop?"
"Okay," Viktor said. "Like the Top 20?"
Oh my god. That's so basic. Basic but true. Yuuri nodded a bit guiltily. "Yup."
"Okay," Viktor said again, except it wasn't. "I listen to that, too, sometimes, but I really like old music. The Beatles, of course, ABBA, Elton John, you know?"
"Oh, nice," Yuuri squeaked, except it really was but he was just sounding like an idiot. He willed himself to say more but nothing came out.
Viktor nodded with a smile, holding eye contact with Yuuri until Jesus Christ I am seriously sweating out of every pore was Yuuri's main thought and he forced himself to look away. They fell into an awkward silence, and finally Yuuri said something. "So, um," he tried in a wobbly voice. "Where are you going today?"
"Just going shopping at Edgware Road," Viktor replied. "I heard they have nice stores there."
"They do," Yuuri said. "Super expensive, though."
"Eh." Viktor waved his hand dismissively. "It's England, what do you expect." He tilted his head for the third time and looked at Yuuri through his lashes. "Hey, maybe if you're not busy, you and I could go shopping together."
Yuuri pretty much swallowed his own tongue. "What?"
Viktor pouted. "What, you don't want to?"
"N-No, it's not that, it's just," Yuuri stammered. "We...I don't even know you." It came out a lot ruder than he'd bargained for as he watched Viktor's face fall even more. "I mean," Yuuri said a little too loudly in an effort to make things better. "um, don't you—want to see all the attractions first?"
And just like that Viktor's face lit back up like a flashlight. "Oh, will you take me?"
"That's not what I me—"
"I would love to go to the Sherlock Holmes Museum, will you take me there? Please?"
What the fuck is going on, Yuuri's brain whispered frantically to him, and Yuuri mentally shrugged. But Viktor was looking at him in a way he couldn't deny—if anyone could deny that face, they probably weren't human—pouty lips, hopeful eyes, the whole package. Dammit, Yuuri just wanted to go to work.
"O...Okay," he said eventually. WHY WAS HE AGREEING TO THIS
"Perfect!" Viktor flashed him a killer smile so bright it put the actual hologram that was the Moon to shame. "When are you free?"
"Uh."
"Tomorrow?"
Yes, actually. "Um."
"Tomorrow at nine? Tomorrow at nine. Yes?"
Viktor intensified his gaze. Yuuri felt both intimidated and aroused. "Yes…"
"At Earl's Court?"
"Yes."
"Wonderful." Viktor pushed back his sleeve to check the time on his watch, the cost of which, by the looks of it, could've funded the entire children's hospital including the medicine. At that very moment, the train's doors opened. "Well, see you tomorrow, Yuuri!" Viktor hopped out of his seat and slipped off the train, not before beaming and offering Yuuri a wave.
Yuuri thought he weakly waved back but he realized a second later that he most likely did not. Then he remembered a vital piece of information. He gasped and scrambled to the doors, abandoning his backpack momentarily, to boldly yell out, "Viktor, wait, wait, I thought you were going to Edgware! This isn't your—"
Viktor had already disappeared. Out of thin air. Like Swiss fucking cheese in a rat's nest.
Yuuri stood there, even as the doors closed, both embarrassed that people had turned to stare at him and boggled by the fact that Viktor just up and left.
He wondered what he was getting himself into.
He hesitantly sat back down as the train carried on. He took his bag as he exited the train at Paddington and headed to work.
y: Peach the guy just asked me to take him to the sherlock museum tomorrow
(Sent at: 9:40 PM)
(Delivered. ✔️)
(Read at: 9:42 PM)
p: What guy
(Sent at: 10:02 PM)
(Delivered. ✔️)
(Read at: 10:02 PM)
y: THE GUY ON THE TRAIN
y: HE WANTS ME TO BE HIS TOUR GUIDE
y: KIND OF SORT OF
y: WHAT DO
(Sent at: 10:03 PM)
(Delivered. ✔️)
(Read at: 10:04 PM)
p: Succ the dicc, obv 🍆
p: eat the booty like groceries🍑
p: in the museum bathroom💦💦💦
p: after the tour👅🔥
(Sent at: 10:07 PM)
(Delivered. ✔️)
(Read at: 10:07 PM)
y: Fine, fuck you
y: Thanks for your help shithead
(Sent at: 10:08 PM)
(Delivered. ✔️)
(Read at: 10:10 PM)
p: lol
p: Thats pretty cool tbh, just be yourself don't think about it too much,, just b natural u is perfect babe
p: i'm rooting for u sweaty! have fun✨
(Sent at: 10:13 PM)
(Delivered. ✔️)
(Read at: 10:13 PM)
y: Ugh
y: well...thanks peach
y: ❤️
y: wish me luck! lol
(Sent at: 10:14 PM)
(Delivered. ✔️)
(Read at: 9:11 AM)
p: BYE BABY HOPE IT GOES WELL
p: SRY FOR LATE REPLY LOL LOVE U MISS U GOOD LUCK
(Sent at: 9:12 AM)
(Delivered. ✔️)
(Read at: 9:13 AM)
The text from Phichit actually made Yuuri smile a bit, which was saying a lot since he was feeling pretty shit at the moment.
It was almost a quarter past nine AM, Yuuri had gotten up at six-thirty exactly to prepare himself for this, choosing clothes that looked slightly less 'little old bag lady'-esque and more 'Phichit would approve since this is the twenty-first century and Yuuri was two pairs of Crocs away from turning into 1999 folk music that your grandpa does the two-step to with other old ladies'. Not that Yuuri was ready to snap a heavily-filtered selfie and post it under the hashtag #OOTD but he was feeling pretty good. It was sunny but chilly which meant he didn't have to show a lot of skin which meant Yuuri could let his tummy breathe in an over-sized hoodie which meant there wasn't a whole lot to worry about today.
Except it was almost a quarter past nine and there was still no sign of Viktor at Earl's Court station, which made Yuuri both nervous and pissed off. (Was I stood up? he wondered.)
(You know, I wouldn't be surprised if I was.) Yuuri chewed his lip and held his train card in his hand in his pocket, ready to turn on his heel and get on the first train back home.
And he did, almost. Almost.
"Yuuri! Hey, Yuuri, where you going?"
Yuuri slowly turned back around. Viktor was trying to maneuver his way through the flock of traintakers, waving his arms—well, looked more like flailing—like a madman. It was a pretty silly sight so Yuuri felt the corners of his lips lift.
Viktor stopped in front of him. Grinned. "Hi."
"Hi," said Yuuri.
"Am I late?" Viktor asked.
Yuuri checked the time on his phone. "By exactly fifteen minutes. Miss the train or something?"
"Ha," Viktor laughed sheepishly. "Nope. Just bad memory."
"Right," said Yuuri.
Viktor grinned with possibly all his teeth at Yuuri. While definitely not as big, Yuuri actually grinned back. Willingly. And enjoyed it. He just couldn't be annoyed with this guy.
"Anyways," Viktor said. "Shall we?" Without waiting for a response he reached for Yuuri's wrist, and his fingers were cool against Yuuri's warm skin. Yuuri blushed. Viktor stared blankly at the underground map for a maximum of three seconds before turning back to Yuuri. "On second thought, perhaps I'll just follow you."
Yuuri snickered. "Good idea."
They went to the museum. Viktor admitted he knew shit all about Sherlock but he still loved the trip. Yuuri was glad he did, and he also managed to be only semi-awkward the whole time. Viktor talked for maybe ninety-eight percent of the time, mainly gushing over the cool rooms filled with cool trinkets and creepy mannequins. Yuuri didn't mind.
The day ended with them getting off at Earl's Court and Viktor waving goodbye before taking off.
Oh, but not before asking are you free tomorrow? How about Buckingham Palace?
Okay, Yuuri'd said. Sure.
They went to Buckingham Palace. Viktor was thrilled to see the golden gates and shimmering fountain and they were lucky enough to catch the changing of the guard.
And after that, somehow...they became pretty good friends.
And then, just about everyday after that they got to see each other, either on Yuuri's train to work or from work, since Viktor was always going somewhere. And each time they just sat next to each other and asked the other questions.
What's your favourite colour? Blue, Viktor had said. And purple, and gold, and green, and red.
I asked for one colour, Yuuri had teased. Viktor had said he couldn't pick just one above the others. Yuuri had said his favourite was black.
Favourite food? Some obscure Russian dish, Viktor had said. Some obscure Japanese dish, Yuuri had said.
Favourite movie? The Fugitive, Viktor had said. Some Japanese neo-realist film from the 1970s, Yuuri had said as a joke, but at Viktor's boggled face he changed his answer to The Shawshank Redemption, probably.
Age, sex, location? Twenty-eight, male, Russia, originally, said Viktor. Twenty-four, male, Japan, originally, said Yuuri. You're twenty-four? asked Viktor with big eyes. Yuuri blushed and nodded. Viktor raised his eyebrows and said in an astonished tone he thought Yuuri was younger. Yuuri rolled his eyes and cleverly said he thought Viktor was older, in which Viktor playfully shoved him. Then Viktor stood closer to Yuuri, probably since they were on a crowded train, and they held onto the same yellow pole, and then Viktor accidentally ('accidentally') let their hands brush as he leaned in to whisper to Yuuri that he just beared witness of a guy who licked the newspaper page instead of his thumb before turning it. Yuuri giggled and would've said more but he was too busy blushing down to his toes because Viktor hadn't moved his hand away yet.
Together they went to the British Museum, Abbey Road Studios, Madame Tussauds, St. Paul's Cathedral, Shakespeare Globe Theatre, Westminster Abbey, and the London Eye three times. They also had a meal together every other night, taking turns in paying the bill even though Yuuri felt bad each time Viktor paid.
(Yuuri fails to bring to mind that one time Viktor slung an arm around his waist at the British Museum in an attempt not to let the other get pushed around by the throng of people.)
(Or that one time Viktor licked his thumb and then brushed over the corner of Yuuri's mouth, and then LICKED HIS THUMB AGAIN, explaining in a nonchalant manner that Yuuri had a smidge of ketchup. Yuuri was beet-red for the rest of the evening.)
(Or how after the third outing, Viktor decided to greet Yuuri each and every time with a kiss on both cheeks, like Europeans do sometimes. Except Yuuri was pretty sure Russians didn't do it that often, especially from one man to another. He decided to Google it later that night but only got search results of Socialist fraternal kiss. Um—no. But that wasn't the point. The point is that now Yuuri is seriously considering going to therapy after the first time Viktor dropped a kiss on him. He couldn't couldn't COULD FUCKING NOT get rid of the feeling of Viktor's lips on his skin, holy fucking shit.)
And this carried on for weeks. (And Yuuri got used to the cheek kisses, somehow.)
The first time Yuuri suspected Viktor was coming onto him was when he asked how long he was staying.
"I never asked, but how long are you staying in London for?" Yuuri asked once.
Viktor checked his expensive watch. "Another month or so."
"Where are you going after that?"
Viktor smiled and reached with his fork out to snatch a piece of broccoli from Yuuri's plate and stuff it in his mouth. "Home."
"Oh. Nice."
"It is." Viktor waved his fork at Yuuri. "Have you been?"
"Hm? Oh, no, never."
"You should. It's very lovely."
"I dunno," Yuuri said. "Too cold."
Viktor rolled his eyes and continued waving his fork at Yuuri. "That's what they all say, but it's not true. In the summertime you'll find it to be very warm." When Yuuri mimicked his fork-waving he chuckled. "But," he said. "Even if it is cold, there are many ways to keep warm." He smirked and reached over again to pluck a cooked carrot from the plate opposite.
Yuuri stopped the fork-wiggling. Paused. Blushed. Um, what. He glared suspiciously at Viktor when he wasn't looking. What was that, exactly?
He poked at his roast chicken. Teasing? Maybe.
"Yuuri, look."
Mocking? He hoped not.
"Look, Yuuri."
Was that flirting? It—well. (He hoped so.) He hoped not. He can't remember the last time anyone's flirted with him, because why would they?
Why would Viktor? Oh, boy.
His tummy wriggled nervously (and excitedly).
"Yuuri."
Yuuri glanced up.
Viktor was balancing a spoon on his nose.
"Wonderful," Yuuri said. Stared at Viktor. Then giggled. "What are you doing?"
"This is a revolutionary moment," Viktor whispered, going cross-eyed as he tried to look at the spoon on his nose. "I have never accomplished this before in my entire life. Take a picture."
Yuuri did. Saved it. Sent it to Viktor. Saw the opportunity and took it. "Very knifely done, Viktor."
Viktor laughed a bit too enthusiastically at that which made the spoon fall into his soup and splash onto the tablecloth. Even Yuuri couldn't stop a smile as he helped pat-dry with his own napkins.
"Okay, Viktor, chill out, it wasn't even that funny."
"It was funny. Just executed a bit too spoon for my likings." Viktor winked again and pistol-pointed.
Yuuri rolled his eyes but snickered nonetheless and went back to his chicken. "You're so silly."
y: Look at us
y: Aren't we the cutest
y: Isnt he the cutest
(Sent: 7 Photos)
(Sent at: 10:34 PM)
(Delivered. ✔️)
(Read at: 10:38 PM)
y: ANSWER ME
y: I SEE THE READ RECEIPTS AND YOU ARE ALWAYS ON YOUR PHONE I KNOW YOU'RE READING THIS
(Sent at: 10:39 PM)
(Delivered. ✔️)
(Read at: 10:39 PM)
p: wow yuuri like dude….chill lmao
p: oh mY GOD HOLY SHIT
p: ? ? ? ?
p: im
p: ? ? ? ? ? ?
p: ahhhh
(Sent at: 10:40 PM)
(Delivered. ✔️)
(Read at: 10:40 PM)
y: Omg ikr. He's seriously stunning.
y: It's been like twelve weeks and everytime i look at him my heart just
y: Plus he kisses my cheeks every time i see him
y: twice!
y: Europeans are...interesting
(Sent at: 10:41 PM)
(Delivered. ✔️)
(Read at: 10:41 PM)
p: oh no honey i wasnt talking about him. seung just accidentally spoiled the latest ep of GoT for me
p: like i know he didnt mean to but what the actual fuck ! ! ! i hate this show
(Sent at: 10:43 PM)
(Delivered. ✔️)
(Read at: 10:43 PM)
y: 😡
y: Who is seung and why are you not telling me we're cute
(Sent at: 10:43 PM)
(Delivered. ✔️)
(Read at: 10:44 PM)
p: lol seung is my bae we're in the same film class and he is the love of my life
p: not before u tho 💕
p: anyways oh my fucking god u werent kidding he is gorgeous
p: ouuu yuuri u look so fine too thooo 😍
p: damnnn das my baby 👅
(Sent at: 10:45 PM)
(Delivered. ✔️)
(Read at: 10:45 PM)
y: Omg peach stoppp you're so embarrassing ughh / / /
y: and look at viktor not me
y: Peach i really like him, he's so fun and nice and sweet, but he's leaving in two weeks and i don't know what to do
y: He's going back to russia and i'm actually really really sad, i'm going to miss him a lot.
y: Idk i think he's
y: idk
(Sent at: 10:47 PM)
(Delivered. ✔️)
(Read at: 10:47 PM)
p: Yuuri listen to me
p: Stop being a low-tier faggot and ask him out
(Sent at: 10:48 PM)
(Delivered. ✔️)
(Read at: 10:48 PM)
y: ...what
(Sent at: 10:48 PM)
(Delivered. ✔️)
(Read at: 10:49 PM)
p: Ask him out and when he says yes then you can have an online relationship
p: Skype, facetime, whatsapp, whatever
p: it'll work out so well there have been ppl who got married in online relationships
p: like you have to ask him, seriously im not kidding i havent seen u this happy in so long
p: if he makes u happy then u have to go for it
p: im here for u always and if u need me to go to london whenever u know i'll come to u
p: i gotchu fam. I gotchu and i want u to be happy so try your best please
p: i know he'll say yes❤️
(Sent at: 10:52 PM)
(Delivered. ✔️)
(Read at: 10:52 PM)
y: aww :') This is why you're my best friend
y: tysm peach, i don't know what i would do without you.
y: okay
y: i'm think going to try, i hope it works, thx peach ❤️miss you
(Sent at: 10:55 PM)
(Delivered. ✔️)
(Read at: 10:56 PM)
p: No problem babe i miss u too wish u were here hope it all goes well
(Sent at: 10:56 PM)
(Delivered. ✔️)
(Read at: 10:56 PM)
end of part 1 of 3.
my very first contribution to the YOI fandom! ! ! !
stupid dumb stupid shitty idea I came up with while I was in England. spent way too much time on this but i had to get it out before uni started again.
part 2 coming out in exactly a week, wrote it drunk and half-edited it sober, not even a fucking lie but whatevs i love this show a little too much so i mean what can ya do ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
see ya in a week! :-)