Chapter titles are getting more and more ridiculous.
Together with Vicchan!
16. Excuses
On the following day, they go out together for a morning run. When Viktor offers to help with his stretches, Yuuri agrees without batting an eyelash, only to blush when Viktor leans a bit too closely.
He returns the gesture afterwards.
Now that the truth is out, Viktor starts training in earnest for his next season. Sometimes, Yuuri sits down and watches him. At other times, they practice together. With a few pointers, his landing rate rises to three in four.
They're just finishing for the day, when Yuuri spots his glasses on a table. He shrugs and pockets it.
17. Vengeance
"You didn't!" He lunges at Yuuri.
"Even if you take my phone, it's no use. I have back-ups!"
"Noooooooo…" He slumps on the bed, defeated. Viktor rolls around to face him, while hiding his face behind Vicchan and sniffling. "Why are you doing this to me?
"Payback for deceiving me!" After putting the phone on his desk, away from Russian skaters who want to delete video evidence, he sits on the bed and eases his poodle away from the other's chokehold.
"Meanie" Viktor pouts.
"I'll delete it on one condition."
"Anything!"
Yuuri blushes. "Promise we'll go out again, someday."
"Oh."
18. Love
Going to the beach becomes their post-practice tradition.
Under the blue sky, the breeze is warm on their skin. Viktor hops out of his leggings and stuffs his T-shirt in the bag. After tying his hair in a messy bun, he hesitates. He's never had any trouble applying sunscreen to his own back, but…
"Yuuuri, help!"
Yuuri's hands linger long enough that dry sunscreen lotion starts peeling from Viktor's back.
They are mid-race when he stops, entranced: Yuuri is water itself when he swims.
He has no name for this. He only knows his time here has been his happiest.
19. Tears
His lease ends next Monday. Today is Tuesday.
He gets up and brews some coffee, then browses his phone for new messages. Viktor smiles after finding none. Yuuri is probably still sleeping.
Foregoing elaborate hairdos, he hastily ties his hair in a ponytail and puts on the first clean clothes he finds. He finishes the coffee in one gulp and heads towards Yuuri's house.
He slides the door open and tiptoes to the bed. Yuuri is so serene he can't bring himself to press the trigger on the spray bottle. Instead, he sprays himself in the face.
Viktor won't cry.
20. My Inspiration
"Are you sure this is video game music?"
"Yes…?"
He vaguely remembers playing Morskoi Boi, back when he was a kid. "For real?"
Yuuri's eyes brighten. "I can show you?" He turns pensieve. "Why don't we start with this one, with the song you liked best? I have the English version!"
"Sounds good to me!"
Before Yuuri hands him the controller, Vicchan snuggles on his lap. Viktor shrugs and settles down.
"Ooh, lego terrorists!" Then: "...why didn't they use phoenix downs to revive her?"
"I think they ran out."
After finishing the game, Viktor can already visualize his next program.
Yes yes. It's Final Fantasy VII. Originally, it was supposed to be Natsu no Album (aka the Japanese version of Eyes on Me from FF8, with 1000% more puppy love). But then, Ameagari, Sanpomichi started playing as I was writing and this happened instead… haha… Sorry. Ah, the album they're listening to is FF Songbook Mahoroba.