AN : I got a new beta reader, so hope this chapter has fewer mistakes.
"Yuuri!"
Viktor's warm voice floated from his laptop, and Yuuri felt his heart tighten. He had his common heart smile on his face, happiness radiating from him in waves. Yuuri swore he could feel the vibes from across the ocean.
( wait were his eyes red? )
He mentally scolded himself to stop staring and cleared his throat. "Um, did you get my gift?"
Viktor smiled so wide that for a second Yuuri was worried for his face. "I did! Yuuri, it's the most thoughtful, awesome, and wonderful gift I ever got, you are the best!"
Yuuri could not help but blush. How could anyone resist when someone says that with so much sincerity? Really, this man. "U–uhm, thank you Viktor! It was not that good though but I am really glad you like it, it gives me great relief—"
Viktor broke in with a soft laugh. "Yuuri, you're rambling."
"Oh my gosh, I am sorry! I tend to do that when nervous. Sorry!" He flailed his hands, sure that he had screwed up and thought 'Why was Viktor frowning—'
"Nervous?"
Well fuck, he really did screw up. MISSION ABORT! ABORT!
"It's nothing!" Yuuri knew his voice was higher in pitch than normal, this decision of 'acting natural' was going worse than planned. "You really don't need to worry about that Viktor!"
If anything, that just caused the frown to deepen. Yuuri died inside. WHY was he so socially inept? He wished Phichit was here, surely the Thai would know what to do. But he was in the other room, feeding his hamsters.
"Yuuri, please... Was it something I said? I am sorry for making you uncomfortable. Oh god, it was the request for a video call, wasn't it?"
At Viktor's horrified look, ( Yuuri wanted to hide himself, now he had gone and bothered Viktor on top of bothering himself too ), he hastily shook his head. "Of course not Viktor! Believe me, it's just me being stupid."
Yuuri could tell by his face that Viktor, did not in fact, believe him. Though, thankfully, he did not pursue the matter further.
"Please tell me when I do something that bothers you, okay? You remember when I told you that I was not good with—".
Yuuri interrupted him with a smile, "—feelings and didn't understand much about anxiety but want to help. Yes, I remember."
Viktor smiled back, bright and happy. How could anyone not love him? Sure, he had his flaws— he was forgetful, often insensitive, ignores advice more often than not, but he was one of the kindest and sweetest people he had ever met, on par with his family and Phichit and Minako and Yuuko and so many more. At least he tried to help and understand, in his own way.
He really did not deserve someone like Viktor. Yuuri resolutely nodded to himself. Yes, the quicker he crushed his not–so–tiny crush on the Russian, the better.
He suddenly remembered an incident that happened years ago, when Yuuko was in high school. She had confessed to her crush of 7 months, ( some guy from the other class, ) and had gotten rejected. Yuuri had expected her to be very upset, and she was, but she recovered quickly.
"His point blank rejection helped get over it, you know?" She had said over tea. "A clean break. It's done, and that made it easier getting over him."
Maybe…
"A penny for your thoughts?"
Yuuri is started upon hearing aat the voice. He had nearly forgotten about the Skype call!
"Oh it's nothi— actually! Viktor! Can I ask you something?"
Viktor cocked his head to one side curiously and smiled.
"Sure!"
Yuuri blushed to the tips of his ears. There was no going back now. He had to do this. Fight, Yuuri!
"I just wanted to say that… Umm… Would you g–go…"
"Will you marry?"
Huh?' Yuuri thought. 'Did I hear that right?'
Viktor blushed a bright red, ( and Yuuri thought, 'Wow, that was new' ), and shouted "Give me some time to think about it!" Victor then promptly ended the chat.
'This was probably not as good as an idea as he had expected', Phichit thought, watching Yuuri stare at the laptop, shocked.
Then he whirled around to face him, and that was the moment Phichit knew that he fucked up. Really bad.
"Explain", Yuuri hissed.
Now, Yuuri had a temperance that would make monks jealous. At most, he got mildly annoyed. Even if he got a bit angry, he calmed down fairly quickly.
But... Phichit wasn't so sure of that angelic patience after hearing the tone of that one word.
In his defense, he had genuinely thought that would help! He knew Yuuri. When he entered the room and heard what Yuuri was saying, he knew what he was going to say, and he knew that Yuuri would mess up and either end up saying that it was nothing, be unable to say it, or in the worst scenario, his anxiety will make him say some shit like 'let's end this' or 'I can't talk to you anymore', convinced that Viktor deserves better.
Phichit explained that to Yuuri. "—and so I thought that if I broke the tension with that, then you would be able to confess better. Like maybe you would have said it while clearing up the misunderstanding?"
Yuuri just sighed and sat down heavily on the sofa, pinching the bridge of his nose. After a few seconds he opened his eyes and turned his head to look at him. "You know me too well."
Phichit did NOT like how resigned Yuuri's voice was. "Yuuri…"
Yuuri just smiled a little. '( Yes! A real smile! Cheers!' ). Phichit thought. "Come give me a hug, you idiot." Yuuri said while opening his arms.
Phichit grinned back and launched himself at his best friend, hugging him like he would hug a very soft, very adorable, pillow.
( 'Yuuri was absolutely made for cuddling. )' Phichit thought.
Viktor wondered if Yura was really on to something. Or maybe being called 'stupid' too many times can magically turn you into a real idiot?
Because that's what he was, an idiot. He panicked, okay? He was too flustered by the proposal of all things and needed some time to think! It was only after he had hastily shut down the chat that he realized that the voice was NOT Yuuri's voice.
He bashed his face with the nearest cushion on the sofa in embarrassment, ( he would have used the table, but what if it left some permanent injury on his face? Too risky! ).
How didn't he not realize the difference between Yuuri and Phichit's voice. Victor ( he was sure it was Phichit's ) voice.? Shouldn't something as basic as the voice of the person he liked supposed to be ingrained in his mind? He was a shame to people with crushes everywhere!
He's always making a fool of himself in front of Yuuri, it's surprising the man stilleven talks to him at this point. There is always the choice of living alone in a mansion with an army of puppies though, since his plan of living together in a seaside cottage with kids and dogs is becoming more and more improbable.
The thought reminded him of the thing that started it all. The damn proposal. Out of all people, he could not believe that his comrade Phichit tragically betrayed him in this way, really surprising!
He wondered though, what was Yuuri going to say? It did sound suspiciously like a confession… With all the blushing, stuttering, and nervousness ( itvwas so adorable that Viktor could have killed himself ). But that couldn't be right?
It was probably something that he did which really bothered Yuuri, but he was too sweet and polite to say so. Why was he so horrible? If only he had better social skills than 'fake it till you make it', he wouldn't have to trouble Yuuri so much.
He was too confused and troubled, he needed advice.
"Viktor if you're going to scream I am hanging up."
"Stay on you meanie, there is no screaming this time."
Chris knew something was wrong from Viktor's strangely subdued tone. Oh, don't be mistaken, the man was still trying to sound his usual ridiculously cheerful self, but Christophe has known him for YEARS. He understood Viktor well enough to tell when something was bothering his best friend.
"So do I have to listen to half an hour of you being all flowers and rainbows without getting to the problem or are you going to tell me directly?"
There was sigh on the other end. "You know me too well Chris!"
"Yeah what a surprise, after all it's not like I am your best friend or anything."
"Okay so it's about Yuuri. Basically I fucked up."
"You fucked him up or...I am betting on you said something without thinking that hurt Yuuri and now you need advice on how to deal with cute but upset Japanese men?"
"Ooooh nice guess! But it's actually said cute Japanese is nervous around me for some reason and was about to tell me something but shit happened and I closed the chat and I DON'T KNOW WHAT I DID!"
Christophe couldn't help but laugh. God help these two idiots. He could guess what exactly Yuuri wanted to tell Viktor.
"Tell me what happened."
After half an hour of listening to ramble on about the incident, Chris had to stop Viktor. The man just went ON AND ON ABOUT THE SAME THING.
*That's enoug– Viktor! Viktor I said shut up for a minute. Yes yes, I get what happened. Yes I also know Yuuri is cute. Now shut up and listen. You need to talk to Yuuri. Now. I know you and I also know him well enough to tell that he would be fretting too, so clear this up as soon as you can to prevent this from blowing up."
"...that's pretty good advice. And no innuendos!? Chris you're scaring are you and what have you done t–"
Chris hung up.
Yuuri was getting his hair styled when he heard his phone ring, startling him.
He looked up at his stylist, a very nice woman with hair that reminded him of a rainbow. "Um, could I be excused?"
She smiled at him. "Of course Yuuri dear! I am nearly done anyway, just come back for a quick fix up after the call."
He thanked her and picked up his phone, nearly having a heart attack when he saw it was Viktor. Why was he calling him now? Oh god he was totally going to say how much of a creep he was what should he do!? Best to just get the conversation done with.
"Hello?"
"Yuuri! I am sorry if I am bothering you, but I need to talk to you urgently!"
"A–ah it's fine Viktor! You're never a bother!"
There was an audible sigh of relief from the other end. "That's good. I wanted to apologize for leaving the chat so quickly, that was stupid of me! I just panicked and didn't realize that it was not you who spoke and...forgive me?"
Yuuri smiled as he felt the tenseness leave his body. "Of course I forgive you! Anyone would have done the same if they heard a random proposal!"
"Ah, Yuuri...what were you going to say though? Before you were interrupted."
Well shit. He was not prepared for this now! What should he say? Should be just blurt it out? But even if he was just confessing to be rejected, shouldn't he do it properly, at least? Viktor deserved that much, even if it was from someone like him.
But then what would he say now? Make up something? But...when would he say it then!? He didn't know when he would see the man next, what's with their busy schedules…
"Yuuri?" Viktor prompted.
Yuuri took a deep breath, trying to calm himself.
"A–ah, sorry for spacing out Viktor–"
"Yuuri, you don't have to say it if you don't want to." His voice was immeasurably gentle. Yuuri felt like throwing himself off a cliff.
"But…"
"Is it important?"
Yuuri hummed in accordance.
"Is it something that needs to be said face to face?"
This suspiciously sounded like Viktor knew exactly what he was going to say, but that wasn't possible, was it? It was probably just him being kind.
"I think so, but–"
"Yuuri, you are aware that after the World's it's the end of the figure skating season, yes?"
Huh? What was Viktor getting at?
"Yes."
"And you'll be in Detroit then too?"
"Unless an emergency comes up in Japan or I have to fly somewhere for my job, yes."
"I will come for a visit."
"EHHH!?"