Yuuri pushed the bridge of his glasses up and yawned as he opened the door to the campus library with the hand that wasn't carrying textbooks. Due to another shockingly vivid dream, he was up at the crack of dawn. Deciding that instead of waking up Phichit or trying to unsuccessfully fall back asleep, he hoped to get some studying in that he had been neglecting as of lately. Yuuri took a right past the main lobby and entered a bigger room that held dangling chandeliers and long windows. Every few feet was another elongated wooden desk that had three lamps stationed along them. The room held shelves upon shelves of books ranging from hundreds of different topics. As Yuuri walked farther into the room, he noticed someone in particular that he knew from another class, Christophe Giacometti. Chris noticed him and flagged him down, making a gesture for Yuuri to join him. They weren't that close, but they did talk every now and then. Chris was one of the closest people to Viktor, which made him hard to approach, so Yuuri tended to keep his distance. But Chris being Chris, that didn't work out well, and his personal space was always ignored when he arrived to class after him.
Yuuri hesitantly pulled a chair out across from him and set his books down on the table, giving him a shy smile. "Hello, Chris." He sat down and opened the first of three textbooks. "I didn't think I'd see you here."
"You don't think I study, Yuuri? I'm almost offended." Chris gave him an look over, which made Yuuri squirm. He noticed and laughed at Yuuri's discomfort.
"Sorry..." He pushed up his glasses again and tried to focus on the book in front of him. Chris wasn't making it easy by continuing to stare him down. "Is there something wrong?" He glanced up from the textbook to meet green eyes turned in amusement.
"What kind of late-night activities have you been partaking in?"
Yuuri turned beet red at the comment and shoved his glasses up his face as he cowered closer to the book. Considering this was Chris, it wasn't surprising at all to hear that kind of question from him. "W-What exactly do you mean?"
"What's been keeping you up?" Chris leaned forward and propped his right hand up, setting his chin on it. "You look like a mess."
Yuuri sighed and tilted his head back against the chair. "I had trouble sleeping last night. It's not that big of a deal."
"Hmm? Could it be Vitya's fault?" Chris leaned forward more, a smile of amusement playing on his lips. "He's been having a few sleepless nights as well. I must've missed the party you two decided to go to." Yuuri's cheeks seemed unable to lose the color on them.
Curiously, Yuuri leaned forward, the books all but forgotten along with Chris's jokes. "He has? He never looks like there's anything wrong..." He recalled the match he watched just yesterday and how excited about everything Viktor seemed. Imagining him exhausted and up all night like Yuuri was just didn't seem fit. As he started to lose himself in thought, Chris spoke up again.
"He's good at pretending. I told him if becoming the number one tennis player in the world doesn't work out, then he should become an actor. He has the looks for it, too. I think you would agree, no?" His thick accent fell through on the last line, embarrassing Yuuri further. "Don't tell him I told you that. Although I don't think he would mind telling you about it. Or anything in general." Chris laughed and settled back into his chair.
Yuuri sat and thought of the words, realizing how well Viktor hid everything. Then it hit him. How good of an actor was Viktor? The thoughts he had been suppressing since his last talk with Phichit returned, and they were all he could think about. What if Viktor forgot to ask him about the jacket on purpose? What if he had a plan to mess with him and this was just a part of it? He was never really in the spotlight, more in the background where he liked to be. That would explain why Viktor Nikiforov of all people had started talking to him in the first place. He was just acting blind because he happened to have a crush on him. Maybe Viktor already knew that.
Chris stared at him in confusion as different emotions flickered across his face. After a moment of his internal panic, Yuuri stood up and picked up his books. "Thanks, Chris. I'll see you in class on Tuesday." Chris could only watch as he practically ran out of the library.
Yuuri kept his down as he walked, praying he didn't run into anyone else he knew. He regretted going to the library now and headed in the opposite direction towards the back of the campus, where a gazebo overlooking a small pond stood. It was a nice little place, even though sometimes it was ruined by the few students who smoked on campus. It was somewhere he liked to go to clear his mind and get work done if he had the chance to. His only regret about the walk was how you had to take a path past the tennis courts to get to it. Most of the sports fields were towards the back of the campus. If you took a right instead of going straight to the gazebo, you'd make it to the football field and sports complex. The tennis courts were separated by the other sports buildings and fields by a newer building that housed the upperclassmen's dorms. The dorms were where the biggest parties were held and more obviously where Viktor stayed. Phichit had gone to one of the parties there and had told him all about it. It definitely was not his kind of crowd, which made him think of what Chris said again. It wasn't until he heard someone calling out his name that he realized he zoned out again.
"uuri! Yuuri! Hey, Yuuri!"
Yuuri turned towards the sound of the noise and saw Viktor running down from the hill the tennis courts stood at. His internal panic began again, not really feeling up to talk to the one his thoughts were focused on. His mind was a mess and unsure if Viktor really meant anything. They had only spent one day together, but it was enough to make him think in every different direction. He hurried his pace to avoid the tennis player, hoping to be left alone if he didn't face Viktor longer than he already had. Clutching his books tightly, he walked faster, only to be stopped by the hand on his shoulder. He whipped his head around to face Viktor's own.
"I thought you heard me, Yuuri. You must be pretty busy if you didn't hear me. I accidently hit a tennis ball outside the court and was hoping you could get it for me. I got in anyway." Viktor smiled and held up the object he was talking about. "I was playing against Georgi - Do you remember Georgi? He plays second singles - and got a little too cocky. I smashed the ball on him, but then it went over the fence and Yakov started to yell at me for goofing off and made me get it. Not that I mind anymore, since I got to see you this early in the morning, which reminds me. Why are you up so early today?" Viktor released his grip on Yuuri's shoulder and stared at him with curiosity.
"I went to study for a bit." Yuuri avoided his gaze and stepped back a bit, not really ready to face him at the moment. Not with his mind going in so many different places since his little meeting with Chris.
Viktor seemed to notice him being stand-offish. "Is everything alright? You don't look okay. Are you sick?"
Yuuri opened his mouth to speak but didn't really know what to say. After a moment of delay, he finally spoke. "I'm fine, just in a hurry. I have to go." He turned around and began in the direction of the gazebo again, only to be stopped by Viktor's hand on his shoulder again.
"Are you sure? You could watch my practice if you wanted. You don't have to, though! I just thought that since you were done studying, you would like to. If you don't feel up to it, that's fine too. I get it. I completely understand. You can always stop by and watch, though, if that's something you want to do. I don't really do much at practice anyway. I only play against the others, and Yakov yells at me for no reason and-"
"I have to go. Thanks, though." Yuuri yanked his shoulder out of Viktor's grasp and walked faster along the path. Later, he promised. He would talk to him later, after he organized his thoughts. Now was not the time of that just yet.
"Alright, that's fine. I get it. Definitely. Bye, Yuuri!"
Yuuri didn't dare turn around to look at him. If he did, he might've broke and said he'd stay instead of doing what he said he would.
Later. Not now.
.
. . .
.
"Chris! Finally! Where were you?!" It had been an hour since Viktor's practice ended, and he had been dying to talk to Chris about what happened. It had left him uneasy, and he wasn't sure what to do for the first time. Yuuri had flat-out ignored him and ran away from him. Viktor threw himself off his bed and practically ran to meet his roommate at the door.
"I was exactly where I told you I would be. Did you miss me that much, Vitya?" Chris grinned as he pushed past him and set a textbook down on his desk. "I was at the library studying for a Political Science test coming up. It's the class your little boyfriend is in. In speaking of which, he showed up for a few minutes before running out. I guess he remembered about his hot date for tonight." He dumped his bag on the floor and sat down in his desk chair, spinning around to face Viktor.
"Yuuri was with you? What did you tell him? Why did he run out? Did he say anything before he that?" Viktor leaned against Chris's desk, staring straight at him expectantly.
Chris quirked an eyebrow at him. "You haven't seen him in twenty-four hours, and you're already having withdrawals. If you want to talk to him, you could just-"
"I have talked to him. That's why I'm asking you these questions." When Chris said nothing, Viktor gave an exasperated sigh and started to pace back and forth in the small space that was their room. "I saw him walking, so I launched a tennis ball in his direction to talk to him. When I called out to him, he didn't answer, so I just thought that he was busy or thinking. He turned to look at me, but then looked away and walked faster. It felt like he was trying to avoid me!" Viktor started to use obnoxious hand motions. "He barely even answered me when I stopped and started talking to him. He said he had to go and ran away from me. Or at least that's what it looked like. Does he hate me? Why would he run away from me? I'm so confused, Chris. I thought things were going well. Was I being selfish?" Viktor ran his left hand through the fringe of his hair, pulling at the strands lightly in frustration and utter confusion.
"I don't know, Vitya. He ran away from me, too." Chris shrugged and faced a paper that was sitting on his desk. "He acts like this every once in awhile. It happens when he over thinks about something. I don't think much of it anymore."
"How do you know that?" Viktor squinted at Chris in suspicion.
"I've been sitting next to him in my Political Sciences class since the beginning of the term. He's very easy to figure out after awhile. He has some of the most adorable little quirks. Just wait until you figure them out." Chris winked at Viktor before getting back to the paper he started to write.
Viktor crossed his arms in response and leaned up against the wall next to Chris's desk. "I think I'm annoyed you know more about him than I do. What did you say to him? I doubt you didn't say anything that would make him run."
"How cold of you. First Yuuri and now you." That made Viktor raise an eyebrow of his own, but he let Chris continue anyway. "I only gave him a little insider tip about you. Nothing that would've made him run like he did. Why are you so worried?"
Shouldn't he be worried? "Why wouldn't I be? He ran away from me, Chris. He didn't want to talk to me at all. I must've done something that he hates."
"Maybe he accidentally just shrunk your jacket and doesn't want to tell you." Chris laughed as Viktor deadpanned from where he was standing.
"What if that's why?"
"Vitya, I was jo-"
"That makes so much sense! If that's what it is, I'm a little upset, but I don't care too much. Maybe it'll fit him better now. Chris, I'd have an excuse to give it to him now. He can keep the jacket because it won't fit me. He can wear it whenever he wants to because it'll be his. We'll be already sharing clothes! You're brilliant, Chris!" Viktor bent down and hugged Chris before backing away and throwing himself onto his bed. "I can't wait to see him in Advanced Public Speaking tomorrow now. This is going to be great! He's going to get really embarrassed and turn red again. Chris, he turns a beautiful shade of red when he gets embarrassed or cold. I just want to wrap my arms around him, but that would be too much. I might scare him that way. But he'll be wearing my jacket after tomorrow! Oh god, how am I going to function with him in it? Oh god, Chris. What am I going to do?" Viktor shot up straight on the bed, staring at the wall it was backed up against in horror. "I won't be able to breathe. How am I going to breathe?"
Chris spun his chair around and looked at how disheveled Viktor looked. "You already look like you can't breathe. I was joking, Vitya. I doubt he shrunk your jacket."
"I'm still going to let him keep it."
"Don't you need it for games?"
"Nope. I'm the only one who still wears that jacket. Everyone either wears the blue and white one or the vest. Yakov will be happy that I'll actually be matching the team now, though. See? That's another reason why I should let Yuuri Katsuki keep it." Viktor excitedly faced Chris.
Chris rolled his eyes and settled back into writing his paper. "Tell me how it goes tomorrow, lover boy."
"Sure thing!"
.
. . .
.
Today is it. I know today's my last day because the guards who usually sit at my door enter my cell and tell me to get up. This is it. I try not to think of him because I know I will break like I did when he visited me. As the guards haul me down hallway after hallway and finally into the light, I'm unsurprised to find that they've set up a stage for this event. The King, his Queen, and he are there standing. Waiting. His gaze locks with mine, and I give him a smile regardless of the situation we're in right now. The whole city is here to watch me perish. I'm once again unsurprised. Events like public executions are always in front of everyone. It's morbid and terrible. He tells me all the time how much he hates it. He's going to be such a kind king. I told him that everyday when we met. I told him my last night with him, too. And I told him the time we got caught, which started this whole catastrophe. I'm lucky they didn't catch us when we were being more intimate. He's lucky. We both are. Although the results might have been the same. We'll never know, which might be a good thing.
As the guards hoist me onto the stage, another two take my arms and force me onto my knees in front of the crowd. I know how this is supposed to go. I've seen it hundreds of times.
"Admit to your crimes, you worthless peasant."
I suck in a deep breath and glance once at him before turning back towards the crowds. He's in pain. I don't want him to be in pain, but there's nothing I can do. I wish he skipped this. I wish he was told not to come, but the king would never let him. He's a stubborn man, and he thinks he knows loyalty and honour and justice. But the king doesn't. My love does. He knows everything about everything on how to properly rule a kingdom such as this. I'm so proud of him. I'll watch over him as he rules. That I promise.
"I am guilty of attempting to end the life of the Prince. I would've done so with the deed if I had not been caught." I catch him out of the corner of my eye shaking his head. How can he still be telling me no? He knows this is what I've chosen. This is my selfish desire. For one last time, I want to have one. I want him to accept it however it ends up.
The King looks smug, but he spits in my direction. I take it without so much as a flinch.
"Bow your head."
I do as I'm told and shiver as freezing cold hands harshly push my hair away from the nape of my neck. I glance over at him, this time longer. We hold eye contact for a moment, a single tear slides down his cheek. He tries to make it look unnoticeable, which almost makes me laugh. He used to do that a lot whenever we were intimate. It was so endearing, and I'm going to miss it. I mouth I love you to him, hoping he understands the words. as he seems to because the tears keep rolling down his cheeks. Then he takes out a miniscule vial. I would've missed it if it wasn't for the gleam of sun that streaks along it. My eyes go wide with the realization. It's poison. I know it is. And I know exactly what he's going to do. He mouths I love you too back, and now I can feel the tears in my own eyes. I try to shake my head slightly, so no one else sees it. No. He needs to become a better king. He needs to continue to live. I don't want him choosing such a decision like death. I scream as he tips the vial back and discards it in the sleeve of his garments. He smiles as blood begins to fall from his nose, signalling the start of the poison flowing in his system. No! My screams are cut short. Something cold and sharp hits the back of my neck, and pain begins to sear through me for a second. And then I'm enveloped in darkness.
Nothing but darkness.
.
. . .
.
"Phichit, there's no way I'm wearing this to class! Viktor's going to think I'm a creep. He'll probably just laugh at me with his friends. There's no way I'm going to walk through the doors of that classroom wearing his jacket." Yuuri turned away from the mirror to look at Phichit. He was wearing Viktor's jacket upon his friend's suggestion, but as he continued to gaze at his reflection in the mirror, the worse the idea seemed. "I'm not doing it."
"You're right. You might kill him if you walk in wearing it. I feel bad for the poor janitor that'll have to clean his nosebleed off the desk and floor. His friends might hate you because Viktor will be too busy staring at you to even hold a normal conversation with him. I wish I had that class now just to see poor Viktor's reaction." Phichit started laughing as Yuuri rolled his eyes at him. "Please, please, please wear the jacket to class! I won't ask anything of you ever again! You can even tell him it was all my fault! I'll take the blame for this. I'm so proud of it after all." His smug grin was back as he studied Yuuri staring at his reflection again.
"I don't know, Phichit..."
"Pleeeeaaaase? With a cherry on top?"
"This isn't a good idea..."
"I'll make you katsudon." Phichit pointed a finger at him and smiled, hoping his friend would cave.
"You don't even know how to make that." Yuuri laughed and glanced down at the red jacket he was currently wearing.
"I can FaceTime your sister and ask. I know she speaks English, too. I'll get it, buy the ingredients, and make it especially for you." Phichit began to excitedly bounce on his bed.
Yuuri mumbled something as he stared at his reflection for what felt like the millionth time that morning. The thought of katsudon did sound good. When Phichit put a hand behind his ear and leaned forward on the bed, he spoke just a bit louder. "I said fine I'll do it." Before his roommate could party any louder, Yuuri interrupted him. "BUT I am telling him you made me do this. I am not getting in trouble with him because of this." He turned away from the mirror and flushed at the idea of him walking in and wearing Viktor's jacket. "You owe me katsudon."
"I knew that would make you give in."
Yuuri took a deep breath and closed his eyes. This was either going to go really well or ruin the rest of his college career. He opened his eyes and grabbed his backpack, heading for the door. "If I'm alive by the end of the class, I'll see you then."
"Or if Viktor isn't shoving you up against a wall." He grinned again as Yuuri became crimson red.
"Bye." He hurried out of the room and towards his Advanced Public Speaking class.
It felt like as soon as he stepped out of the dorms, everyone who passed was staring at him. Whether it was his paranoia or it was actually happening, the thought wasn't making him feel any better. He nearly ran all the way to the building the lecture hall was located in. He debated whether or not to take it off almost the whole way. As he pushed open the door, he immediately regretted agreeing to such a dumb decision. All conversation in the room ceased as he made his way to his seat towards the right top of the hall and sat down, pulling out a notebook and a pencil as well. He tried to shrink down into his seat as he felt all the eyes on him, especially his. Viktor was definitely the one person he did not want to make eye contact with. His reaction was the only one that would tell him if this idea was a good one or a terrible, terrible one. The professor walked in moments later and began the class. Yuuri tried his best to pay attention, but the eyes on him were making it impossible to focus. There was one point in the lecture he glanced up from his notes to whatever the teacher was displaying on the board, and he made the mistake of sneaking a peek at Viktor. He seemed to be having a hard time on his side of the classroom. Yuuri found himself staring for longer once Viktor dropped his pencil after the third time. And then they made eye contact. And Yuuri began to regret it again. He could feel the heat on his face, but for some reason, kept staring. Viktor was the first to break away as the teacher called on him. He snickered as Viktor seemed completely dumbfounded by whatever the question was. Viktor looked back at him and opened his mouth to speak but no words came out. He turned back towards the teacher, who gave up on him and moved on to ask another student the same question. Yuuri snickered again, and Viktor looked back over at him. He grinned and Viktor's mouth turned slack-jawed. Yuuri put a hand over his mouth to keep himself from laughing as loud as he wanted to. From across the room, Viktor sharply turned his attention back to his notebook and kept glancing at Yuuri every now and then during the class.
By the time the class had ended, Yuuri spent longer time than usual putting his materials back into his bag. Viktor seemed to slow up his movements, making them some of the last few people left in the room. As Yuuri made his way down the steps towards the door, he noticed Viktor practically stumbling down them parallel to him, eyes still trained on Yuuri. He broke through the door and kept walking, until he heard Viktor's voice trail after him.
"Yuuri! Wait!" Viktor was out of breath by the time he caught up to the other, much to his enjoyment.
Yuuri smiled and turned around. "Hi, Viktor."
Viktor's mouth was parted slightly and his eyes flicked from the jacket to Yuuri's face and then back to the jacket. Yuuri suppressed the laugh that was bubbling up in him from Viktor's reaction. He would have to thank Phichit for this.
"I... you... my jacket..." Viktor said the last part a little breathlessly, adding to the giddiness Yuuri was now feeling.
Pretending to not notice, Yuuri glanced down at the jacket and pulled at the front a bit. "Oh, this. I couldn't find my sweatshirt, so I grabbed the first jacket I could find. I like the color of it I guess." He looked back up to find Viktor's blue eyes still blown wide. A small giggle escaped him.
"You guess...?" Viktor ran a hand through his hair harshly, eyes still moving up and down Yuuri's figure.
"It's okay. A little bright for me, but I guess it's meant for a tennis all star who own pink Cadillacs." Yuuri started laughing harder when Viktor's jaw dropped lower than it had in the class. Yuuri put one of his hands over his mouth, the sleeve of the jacket almost covering his hand with its length.
"You... you're unbelievable." Viktor shook his head as he released his hair from the vice grip he kept it in. "Yuuri Katsuki, you are something else."
"I'm sorry." He spoke between giggles, while Viktor was still trying to process what was happening. Then the embarrassment started to sink in, and all of a sudden, Yuuri felt self-conscious again like he had this morning. "I'm really sorry. I wanted to just hand the jacket back to you, but Phichit said to do this. I wasn't sure about it, but then I saw the way you looked and-"
"No."
Yuuri stopped rambling and stared curiously at Viktor.
"I mean don't be sorry. This was... you're so... keep the jacket." Viktor glanced at the jacket on him again. "Please."
Yuuri turned red and cast his eyes on the ground, bringing the hand in front of his mouth closer to himself. "Are you sure?"
"Absolutely. You can wear it to my matches if you're ever able to come again." Viktor beamed at the thought, his own cheeks inflamed still. Yuuri peeked up from the ground and caught his smile, giving one of his own.
"O-Okay."
They stared at each other for a moment, before Viktor broke the silence.
"I uh- I have to-" Viktor fumbled around with his bag.
"No, right. I have-" Yuuri hurriedly pointed in the direction of his dorm room.
"Of course."
"Right."
The silence returned, both just staring at each other again.
"Okay. Bye."
"Bye."
Neither moved. It took Viktor a full minute before he finally ran off and waved obnoxiously. Yuuri waved back more timidly, waiting for Viktor to step out of his line of view before breaking into a jog himself.
.
. . .
.
"So you're still wearing the jacket. That's a good sign." Phichit's smile was only half as bright as Yuuri's own lopsided one as he entered the room and threw his backpack near the entrance of the dorm room.
"Thank you." Yuuri tackled him into a hug from where Phichit was sitting on his own bed. "Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you."
"Yuuri, relax." Phichit laughed as he hugged him back. "Did you two make out or something? What did Viktor say? Was he able to say anything?" Phichit sat them upright and let go of the other, staring impatiently into coffee-colored eyes.
"He was a mess during class." Yuuri laughed at the memory. "Then after class, he tried to speak, but he looked completely lost. I probably teased him more than I should've, but he didn't seem mad."
"You did what? I almost pity the poor man now." Phichit laughed along with Yuuri for a moment. "What else happened? Your class ended a while ago, so I can't imagine that's all there was to it. Plus you came back this happy."
Yuuri sat with his legs crossed in front of Phichit, hands leaning forward on the bed in front of himself while his smile never faded. As Yuuri explained the rest of his conversation with Viktor, Phichit's grin began to match the size of Yuuri's.
"Okay. Okay. Okay. Now you have to go to his next match, but don't tell him you're going! Say you have plans with me that day, and then surprise him. It would be so cute if you brought him something, too! Maybe like a small gift or chocolates or I don't know anything to give him when he wins his match. He would love that!"
"That wouldn't seem like too much? What would he even like? I don't want to give him something he hates."
Phichit and Yuuri sat and thought in silence before Phichit seemed to have come up with an idea. "I've got it!" He leaned forward and whispered what he was thinking to Yuuri before pulling away and examined his roommate's now reddened face.
"I-I don't know about that... That's a little..."
"It's perfect! He'll melt in your hands if he hasn't already! I'll even help you if you want. Time to take a trip to the craft store, my friend!" Phichit threw his legs over the side of the bed and stood up abruptly. "Come on. You know more about him than I do. I'm going to need an expert's help!"
Yuuri took a deep breath and followed his leave, the burn on his face threatened to stay. "F-Fine. But nothing over the top! Just a small one."
"Aye, aye captain!" Phichit saluted him, grabbed his jacket, and shoved his shoes on.
Yuuri went to take the red jacket off but was stopped by Phichit's hand.
"Keep it on! It'll be helpful, too."
Yuuri's face darkened as he slipped his shoes on and fell behind Phichit as they made their way out of the dorm room.
.
. . .
.
"He wore the jacket. Holy shit, he wore the jacket. My jacket. He wore my jacket to class! Not just that, but he knew what he was doing, too!" Viktor threw himself onto his Chris's bed as his roommate continued to work on the paper he had started yesterday. Viktor groaned into the pillow. "He's out to kill me."
Chris whistled and turned towards the mess that was his friend on his bed. "Wow. Impressive. I would've loved to see that. I never pictured Yuuri as one to do that. I should ask him about it in class tomorrow."
"Don't. No, wait." Viktor flung his platinum hair up off the pillow. "Please do. I want to know what he was thinking. Or maybe I want to hear it from him."
"I'm asking him anyway. If you want to know, just ask me."
"I told you I don't like you knowing more about him than I do. Don't ask." Viktor glared the Swiss, who chuckled in response.
"It's not my fault you didn't sit next to him at the start of the semester like I did. He's quite entertaining." He waggled his eyebrows.
Viktor smiled threateningly at him. If looks could kill, Chris would've been dead. "If you even touch him, I will break your fingers one by one."
Chris whistled again. "So territorial. How cute~" He turned back to the paper in front of him, bringing the pen to paper again.
"Don't think I won't."
"I believe you~ The way you talk about him speaks for itself. I'm not going to take him from you, trust me, but if you somehow lose interest, I'll be the first to swoop in." Chris looked up and winked at him before focusing again.
"I won't."
"I know. I'm just saying."
"I won't." Viktor practically hissed at the other, much to Chris's amusement.
"So when are you going to ask him out?"
Viktor spaced out, unsure of what to think or even say. "What?"
This garnered a raised eyebrow from Chris as he set down his pen, this time for good since apparently work wasn't going to be a thing as long as Viktor was gushing about the Japanese man. "You're all over him already. I'm surprised you haven't asked him to marry you."
Viktor's cheeks lit up a bright pink at the new image he was greeted with. "I want to see him in a tux now."
"Don't get ahead of yourself, but seriously. Have you really not asked him out, Vitya?" When Viktor shook his head, Chris all but groaned himself. "Vitya, how have you not? He's all you've been talking about since last week. I'm embarrassed for you."
"We've only talked five times. It would feel too soon if I asked him out."
"Didn't you go on a date with him?"
Viktor thought back to them hanging out in the small cafétogether. Alone. Just the two of them. Did Yuuri think it was a date? Did he think that himself? Was that considered a date. "Was it a date?"
"How are you this dense? What happened to the number one most eligible bachelor on campus?"
"Yuuri Katsuki happened."
"You might want to figure out what to do about him not being your boyfriend yet."
Viktor went pale suddenly at the reminder of something else he hadn't done yet. "Chris, I've screwed up."
"I've been telling you that for a few minutes now. I'm glad you stopped thinking about him for five seconds to finally process what I've said."
"I forgot to invite him to my next match. Oh god, I'm a mess!" Viktor threw his head back down into the pillow and made noises that were similar to an animal dying. "It's on Wednesday. I don't see him before Wednesday. I was going to, but I forgot. I'm so dumb, Chris. How could I have let him wearing my jacket make me forget. I can't do anything right."
"You used to be able to. That's alright. I can tell his friend to pass on the message later today."
"His friend?" Viktor looked up from the pillows in confusion.
"I have a class with his friend at six-thirty tonight. We don't sit near each other, but I think I can figure it out."
Viktor had to try not to jump at his friend in happiness. "You're a lifesaver, Chris."
"What would you do without me~"
"Sleep better at night."
Chris laughed and returned to his paper.
.
. . .
.
By the time of Phichit's class for the night, he had to excuse himself from the disorder that was his and Yuuri's room. After they had returned from the store, they had immediately gone to work on Viktor's surprise, and Phichit was impressed with their progress. Unfortunately, he had a class to attend, so he had to leave, much to his dismay. He tried to talk Yuuri into letting him skip, but he wouldn't hear it. They did compromise on stopping their work on it until Phichit got back. The Thai was now sitting in a small classroom, writing up notes for their project and what to add to it when he got back, when a man he was all-too-familiar with walked in and set his belongings next to him. Phichit glanced up from his notebook and gave him a questioning look. The man known as Chris, Viktor's best friend and roommate, sat down with a smile that hid his true intent for his new seat. Phichit was going to ask why when the teacher suddenly walked in. Chris jotted something down on the notebook in front of him and pushed it towards the edge of his desk for Phichit to see. He casually leaned onto his left arm and read the note directed to him.
I have a message for your little friend
Phichit looked up at him and rose an eyebrow before jotting down an answer on his own notebook. Chris turned back to the front of the room, pretending to listen to whatever the teacher was saying, but clearly was more focused on the pencil in the Thai's hand. Phichit pushed the notebook towards Chris and tapped his index finger against it. Chris caught the sound and quickly glanced down at it.
who and what is it
Chris smiled and began scribbling back his answer. As if sensing what they were doing, the teacher called on Phichit to answer, who was able to say the correct thing. The teacher nodded and went back to the lecture and asking more questions to the other students in the room. Chris tapped back a minute later when he had written his response and pushed the notebook towards the edge of the desk.
Vitya wants Yuuri to come to his match on wednesday 3 can he make it
Phichit grinned at the paper, giddy now that his and Yuuri's surprise could go into action. It was almost perfect the way things were going. Phichit pulled his notebook closer to himself and pretended to think of an answer, counting on his fingers for no reason at all but to prolong his response. After a moment of hesitation, Phichit wrote in reply, scribbled something out, and wrote again, finally pushing the notebook towards Chris.
idk he has a class around that time ill check w/ him
Chris looked up from the paper to give Phichit a sideways glance. It was brief, but Phichit could tell Chris knew what he was doing. He didn't care in the least bit. Chris seemed to hesitate as well in his response this time, purposely drawing out the seconds before sliding the paper in the other's direction.
ill let Vitya know - hes going to be p disappointed
Phichit shrugged his shoulders enough for Chris to notice before writing something down. If Chris was going to keep up their little game, then he wasn't going to slack now. Once he was done, he pushed the notebook onto the edge of his desk. Chris leaned forward and grinned.
so will Yuuri - they may just have to do something afterwards instead if his class lets out on time this week Ms Baranovskaya really lives up to her nickname Ms B
Chris gave him a look before dropping his notebook to the ground and signaled for Phichit to pick it up. Phichit caught on and leaned down to get it, Chris's voice low in his ear.
"I know what you're doing. Very funny, but I don't like messing with Vitya when he's already a mess himself. Pass on the message to Yuuri. I see him Wednesday and will get the answer from him then."
Phichit stood up, dropped the notebook on Chris's desk, and grinned at. "Deal." He said it loud enough for Chris to hear, but quietly, so no one around them would.
When the class let out, Chris shoved the notebook into his back and cast one more look at Phichit, who was still grinning at him. "I suppose you'll do what's best for your friend."
"Always more, nothing less." Phichit picked up his back and bound towards the front of the room where the door was. "Tell Viktor I said hi, and I'll hurt myself if he tries anything funny!" The Thai waved and and sauntered out of the classroom, leaving Chris behind.
.
. . .
.
"So?" Viktor leaned forward on Chris's bed, not having moved since their conversation before Chris's class.
"Well," Chris walked past the entryway and tossed his backpack onto the ground, "he was having a little fun playing hard to get. He claims that Yuuri has a class that day, but I don't know how true that is."
"I'll go verify that." Viktor went to stand up, but Chris shook his head.
"You look desperate, Vitya."
"Chris, I am desperate."
Chris shook his head and sat down on Viktor's bed. "Could you at least try to act like yourself? Vitya, he's going to come. You invited him. Phichit is just trying to make him look hard to get."
"He is hard to get." Viktor threw his back onto the bed and sighed, long and loudly. "I hope he comes."
"That won't be hard if you actually get down on him." Chris grinned, clearly proud of his joke while Viktor groaned in frustration.
"Not helping."
"Nor is lying on my bed all day."
Viktor couldn't help but think about what Phichit had apparently told Chris. At least he didn't say no. That was a start. Even if he didn't come, then Viktor would see him in class on Friday. That was doable at least. He could wait. What if he showed up outside one of Yuuri's classes this week? Would that be okay? "Chris, what class do you have with him?" He could pretend to meet up with Chris and be surprised when Yuuri walks out. They could walk together, maybe get something to eat together, or maybe he could give Yuuri a ride in his Cadillac again. He liked making fun of him for it after all. That would be fun, even if Yuuri mocked him the entire ride. He could just bring up the jacket. Maybe get Yuuri to blush again. That would be-
"Political Science. Why? Are you going to transfer in?" Chris smirked at him.
"No, but I'd like to visit after class."
Chris's smirk widened. "I knew it had to do with him. It's in the main building on the second floor, third room on the right. Maybe I won't bring up the match in class if you plan on showing up." Chris scooted back against the wall.
"Good. Don't. I will." Viktor smiled, excited for Wednesday to come around.
.
. . .
.
I hold my sword steadily in front of me and wave to the crowd proudly. It's my third time in the coliseum, and I'm currently undefeated. I can tell everyone is excited for the match, for I am as well. The feeling of having the entire stadium cheering with me is incredible. They announce my name as the crowd roars it back to me. I thrust my sword into the air, enjoying the thrill my audience gets out of it. The sand beneath me spins as I turn in every direction, exciting the crowd further. Even though I enjoy the attention the crowd gives me, all I can think of is seeing the excitement in my lover's eyes. He never likes coming to the arena out of fear for my life, but he does so anyway to support me. He's everything I could ask for and so much more. And then they announce the name of my opponent. And my heart drops and eyes are drawn to the gate my challenger is walking out of.
It's him.
Why is it him?
Why is he here?
He's shaking his head, tears are streaming down my face. The sword he holds is thin and wiry, not meant to do anything. I look in the direction of the emperor, who seems to grin maliciously. I'm too terrified to move, but I turn my attention back to him. He's shaking his head, the tears are apparent. My legs are ready to give out underneath me at the impossibility of him being here, him standing in the arena with me as my challenger. The crowd keeps cheering, waiting for me to make the one strike that would end his life. But I can't find it in myself to make it. Instead I shout throughout the arena, calling for silence.
"You dare give me an opponent not worth my time?! This is an outrage!"
The crowd is all but silenced as the emperor stands from his seat and raises his hands. "It's a change of tides. I will accept the change, and let it stay. Continue the fight!" The crowd roars back to life, and I watch his petrified expression as he takes it all in. I frustratedly lunge at him, clanging my sword against his and holding the position so we can talk. He doesn't seem to realize that until I stay where I am. He gazes back at me terrified of what is happening.
"I'm not going to hurt you. Please look at me, love."
His eyes find mine. They're bleary and exhausted and I only want to hold him close. I wonder if this is to be our fate forever. I can only hope for the better in the coming future.
"You need to defeat me." My own tears are beginning to fall, but I can't let the audience see. Not now. Not like this.
"I can't. I can't do that. You know I could never-"
"They won't be satisfied until one of us is gone. If it's to be one of us, I want it to be me. I've lived long enough. I got to meet you. Please do this for me. I know you do a lot for me, but this will be the last thing. I promise. Do me the honor of dying by your hands."
He shoves me away, breaking the contact of our swords. "I won't do that. How could you ask that of me?" He's on the verge of breaking, I can see it, so I take this into my own hands.
I throw down my sword and turn towards the emperor. "I yield!"
"What are you doing?" He gazes at me with love and admiration and fear. Fear is more present in his eyes now.
"I give up this match!"
The emperor stands up and controls the cheers of the crowd again. "I will not stand for this! You are not to yield! Now fight! If there is not fight, I will take matters into my own hands!"
I stare back at my love and find fresh tears brimming in my eyes and his own. "I yield!" I know what'll happen, but I don't care. As long as he's safe.
And then the unthinkable happens. An arrow is shot and lands in his chest. I can only watch in horror as he crumples to ground, so fast it hurts. I throw myself at him, the sand rubbing unbearably against my bare knees. "No, no, no, no, no. No! Please. Please talk to me!"
"I-I... lo-love..." His head goes limp my arms, and the arm he was reaching up towards me falls back onto his body.
I can hardly think, hardly breathe. The voices calling out around the stadium are pounding and swimming in my head. I can hardly feel what's happening until I feel arms pulling against me. Four of the guards that stood at one of the gates are now trying to restrain me, pulling me away from my love. I start swinging as I see two guards begin to drag his lifeless body away. I manage to hit one of the guards, giving myself leverage against them. I pull away and run for the sword, bracing it in front of my body. They've taken him from me, and I will make them pay. The guards draw their swords, and my dance with them begin. It isn't long before more join the battle, knocking more hits on me. The sharp point of one of their swords drags along my back, and I let myself fall. The tears are more apparent than they were, and I count on bated breaths as a guard lifts his sword and brings it down on me. The pain is excruciating, but now I know what he felt. I will see him soon again.
I haven't left him for long. I hope he won't be upset with me for too long.
I will get to see my love once more.
.
. . .
.
Viktor woke up with a start, head pulsing and heart racing. As sweat began on his forehead, he turned around, opened the top drawer in his desk, and pulled out a journal that held a pen along the side of it. Quickly, he flipped open to the page that held a a bookmark and began writing down notes. After a few minutes of writing, Viktor finally put down the pen and examined the notes he had written. He had been getting these pretty crazy dreams since a year ago. They've gotten worse in the past week, so Viktor had started taking notes of every dream. He had yet to tell Chris, but he didn't really want to. The dreams somehow felt too personal to share with him, so he kept them written down in a journal safe in his desk drawer. He sighed and closed the journal, setting it back in the drawer he had pulled it out of. Gently, he laid back down and closed his eyes, letting sleep take him once more. If there was one thing he appreciated about the dreams, it was that they only made an appearance once a night, which meant he could fall back asleep without a problem. And he did just that. Within a minute, he let the thoughts drift away along with his consciousness as he let sleep overtake him.