Otabek stayed at his place once he realized that Yuri was back in Saint Petersburg. He would have to walk past their apartment building to go to Abram's and thought it was better not to just run into him that way. He did not sleep the night before, knowing Yuri would be back at the rink the next day. He stayed up all night watching TV, cleaning the apartment and going through social media. He saw that JJ had come with Yuri as well. Their latest update really tore at him. They were on the plane and Yuri was kissing JJ's cheek. JJ had his stupid "JJ" fingers up as well. How the hell Yuri dealt with that was beyond him.

Abram wanted to stay over that night, but he told him that he had things he needed to do. Abram even pouted, but he held his ground. They did have dinner, and afterwards he sent Abram home. He couldn't have him stay over when he knew Yuri was so close.

Morning came and Otabek was still in the living room, wide awake. He knew that he would look like hell today as he had been pacing his apartment all night. He decided to make coffee and wait til was time for the gym. He was on his third cup when he heard the knock at the door. Abram had arrived earlier than usual.

Opening the door he saw Abram standing there, bagels in hand, smiling and wearing his hoodie. He had forgotten that Abram had borrowed it.

"Good morning sunshine! I left early and got us bagels. They had the asiago ones you love so I got that and the smear you like too." Otabek took the bag as Abram leaned in and kissed him. In the kitchen, Abram got some coffee and they sat at the kitchen table with their bagels.

"So we are doing weights and yoga today?" Abram asked, trying to get conversation going. Otabek nodded. He did not have much of an appetite and picked at his bagel. "Beka, did you even sleep last night?"

"Little bit," Otabek lied.

"Beka, don't lie to me… You look like you did not sleep at all. See! I knew I should have stayed over or had you just come over." Abram got up, going behind Beka and hugging him. "We could just stay here if you want to try and sleep some…"

Otabek shook his head. "No, you need to work on your squats and yoga. Don't worry, I'll be ok."

"At least eat your breakfast. You have barely touched it." Abram was pouting again as he went to refill Beka's coffee.

The rest of the morning went slowly. Otabek really thought that time had started going backwards at one point. They did their gym routines, did the yoga class (he almost fell asleep in the mediation part) but now it was time to go to the rink. Otabek felt like he could throw up at any minute. When they walked to the rink, Otabek did not hear a word that Abram was saying. Abram was talking the entire way there, and all Otabek was doing was looking for Yuri.

Once they got to the rink, Otabek saw him. He was inside and stretching with JJ. Victor and Yuuri were off to the side lacing their skates up. Otabek stopped breathing for a moment. Yuri decided looked over and they locked eyes. Those green eyes stared hard at him.

Yuri had cut his hair. Yuri had cut all of his fucking hair. It was hanging a bit in his face, but he could tell that it was all gone. His throat tightened up and his eyes watered. Yuri had his hood up in his pictures or a cap on, so you couldn't tell that his hair was gone. Otabek was frozen to the ground. He could not tear his eyes away. A tear slipped out his eye. Not that Yuri looked bad, he just could not believe that he had actually cut it.

It was like the final nail in the coffin for Otabek. Abram had hooked his arm in his and was pulling him towards the locker room. Otabek shook his arm off and remembered to breath. He started walking over to where Yuri and JJ were. Yuri started to stand up, as did JJ. JJ smiled when Otabek reached them. Abram was right behind him.

"Oh my! JJ? Hello! It is so good to meet you! You are one of my idols!" Abram was gushing and shaking JJ's hand.

Otabek and Yuri were still staring hard at one another. It was really awkward silence. They all stood there a good minute before Yuri finally looked away.

"You cut your hair." Otabek finally found his voice, though it was cracking.

Yuri nodded and ran his fingers through what he had left of his hair. "Yeah, something… different." He looked down.

"Yura… can we… talk?"

Yuri looked up. "There is nothing to say."

"I think that there is a lot we need to say."

Yuri peered over next to Otabek. "Nice hoodie Abram." Then he walked over to JJ, wrapping an arm around him. "No Otabek, I don't have anything to say to you."

"Beka, he doesn't want to talk… c'mon... let's go warm up." Abram went to pull at his arm, but Otabek brushed him off.

"Yeah Otabek, why don't you listen to your boy-toy over there. Go get ready." Yuri's voice was harsh.

"I just want five minutes, Yura."

"Don't fucking call me that." Yuri was glaring at him now, holding onto JJ harder. Otabek just wanted to rip them two apart.

"Just give me five minutes. Please."

Yuri looked up to JJ, who nodded back at him. "Fucking fine. But your boy-toy stays behind… and away from JJ." Yuri spit out at Abram. Abram stood there, his eyes wide in shock from that statement.

"Abram, I'll meet you in the rink. Go start warming up, please." Abram just stood there, still taken aback. "Please Abram," Otabek said in a softer tone.

Abram stormed off. Yuri unwrapped himself from JJ and started walking towards the doors. Otabek followed him outside. Once outside, Otabek had no idea what to say. He just stared at Yuri. Yuri stared right back.

"Well… you wanted to talk… so talk."

"Yura… I missed you." Otabek was looking right at him when he said it. There was so much he wanted to say but that was all he could manage to get out. He wanted to hug him, he wanted to kiss him, he wanted to take him home and fuck him through the mattress. He shoved his hands in his jacket pockets.

"By the looks of your boy-toy, I doubt it." Yuri was still glaring at him hard.

"Yura… can we please forget about Abram for one minute?"

"So, have you fucked him yet?"

Otabek did not know what to say. Yuri always hated Abram, and before Yuri had left he never would have considered anything with him. "What about you and JJ?"

"What about me and JJ? And yes, I have." Yuri was purposely being cruel and Otabek knew it. He felt his eyes watering again. Otabek was shaking his head. How did it get to this? They were so perfect for each other and now this. They could barely talk.

"I still love you Yura…"

"NO!" Yuri jumped in his face, yelling. "NO, DAMMIT OTABEK! NO!" Otabek was taken aback by his outburst. "YOU HAVE NO RIGHT! NONE AT ALL!" He pushed Otabek and he stumbled, but kept his hands in his pockets.

He stood there, just staring at Yuri and wishing that he could express exactly how he was feeling, but nothing was coming out. Yuri was mad and he was yelling now. This was not going how he wanted. This was his best friend, the only person he truly cared about, and yet he was just standing there like an idiot.

"Otabek, no. This is not fair at all. I mean seriously, you look like hell…. Are you still drinking?"

Otabek shook his head. Every time he did not call him 'Beka' it was like a stab through his heart. "No, no I haven't drank. I just couldn't sleep last night, knowing I would see you today. We have never gone this long without speaking."

"You think I don't know this? You think this is easy for me? You been running around town with Abram the minute I left!"

"YES! You left me!" Otabek finally found his voice.

"Yes I did! Only because you had checked out a long time ago! You left me months ago!" Yuri was yelling again. "All you did was drink! You coached Abram and forgot about me! You say you love me… but you sure as hell have a weird way of showing it!"

"I know I was wrong... Yura, I know this. I am sorry... I cannot change what I've done, only what I am doing."

"It is too little too late!" Yuri had been yelling so loud that JJ, Victor, Yuuri and Abram had all come to the doors to look at them outside. Yuri was pacing and mad. His face was red and he kept running his hand through his hair. "You don't have the right to do this Otabek! NO RIGHT! I knew I shouldn't have come back!" Yuri looked up and saw everyone staring at them through the doors. "What the hell do you all want?" Yuri turned and started jogging down through the parking lot and out onto the street. When JJ came out of the door and went to go after him, Otabek grabbed his arm.

JJ spun around and glared at him. "Haven't you done enough?"

"Take care of him, JJ." Otabek watched JJ run after Yuri.

He could not stand there any longer and look at Otabek. He was just too fucking perfect- looking. Even with the underneath of his eyes a purplish color from not sleeping, it always suited him. His hair was tied back, and he was wearing a simple black track pants and his jacket. Yuri might have been more calm if he had not seen Abram wearing Otabek's favorite hoodie. He had seen the pictures where Abram was posing in the hoodie, or cooking Otabek dinner... so he already knew. Standing there with Otabek so close, his eyes pleading with him, he just couldn't. He knew everyone was staring at them as he had gotten to yelling, so he left. About two blocks away he stopped to catch his breath. He heard someone coming up behind him; he did not want to turn around, scared it was Otabek.

He felt arms wrap around him and knew by the height of the person that it was JJ. "You ok kitten?"

Yuri shook his head. JJ hugged him tighter. "Victor and Yuuri said they would get your stuff; let's go back to the apartment, ok?" Yuri nodded and let JJ lead him back.

Once they got back to the apartment, Yuri went back to his room and started throwing things around. JJ stood in the doorway as he watched him make a wreck of his closet. Yuri was beyond mad and he needed to tear something up, destroy it. He went and ran his hand over his dresser, knocking everything over. He opened the drawers and started throwing out clothes. It just wasn't enough. He felt strong arms wrap around him, holding him close. This was when he broke down. His knees were buckling, and JJ held him tightly in his arms then moved over to the bed. JJ cradled him as he cried. Yuri's body was shaking between him being mad and total heartbreak.

JJ did not say anything, just held him. Yuri could take comfort in knowing that he could break down and JJ was still there. When he lifted his head from JJ's shoulder, he saw it was wet.

"Oh JJ, I'm sorry." He was wiping his face with his shirt.

"Don't be. We knew that this was not going to go well."

"I did not think I would react this hard to it, though."

"Kitten, whatever you need to do, I'm here ok?" Yuri nodded his head. "Now, let's clean up this mess you have made in here." JJ laughed as he looked around the room. Yuri looked up, saw the disaster of his room and groaned.

"No, let's get out of here."

JJ gave him a look. "What did you have in mind?"

"Anywhere but here or near that damn rink!" He took JJ's hand and they left the apartment. They went to closest bus stop and hopped on. JJ had no clue where they were going, but he sat silently next to Yuri and held his hand. The bus ride was a good 30 minutes and Yuri leaned up against JJ, just looking out the window.

They finally got to wherever Yuri was taking them. Climbing out the bus, he grabbed JJ's hand and they started walking down a gravel path. Once they cleared through the trees, a beach appeared. It was chilly, but the seagulls were flying about and the water sounded calming.

"Ever since I went to Haisetsu that time, I like to come out here to think." There was a picnic table out and Yuri sat on top of it with his feet on the bench. JJ sat up next to him, still being quiet. "JJ, shit man, I'm sorry. I know this has to be awkward as hell for you…" Yuri put his head in his hands, leaning over. JJ rubbed his back.

"Kitten, look, I knew what I was getting into coming back here with you. Plus, we said we were just taking this day by day. Though I just might make you listen to my band's music to make it up to me."

Yuri groaned as JJ chuckled.

Yuri sat up, looking at JJ. "How did this happen, JJ? If you had told me a month ago I would break up with Otabek… move back in with Victor and Yuuri… go to Switzerland… ski and snowboard…" He looked right at JJ, "Hook up with the biggest narcissistic asshole I've ever met in my life… I would have called you crazy and probably punched you…" JJ chuckled and pulled Yuri into his side.

"You know kitten, if someone told me I'd be here with you at the beach right now, I probably would have laughed. Hell, who am I kidding, I am laughing!"

Sighing deeply, Yuri relaxed into JJ's side. "That was a lot harder than I thought it was going to be." JJ wrapped his arm around Yuri, pressing him to him.

"I know it was kitten, I know. You two were tight for so long. You can't just turn it off. But… we will have to go back to the rink, we will have figure out what to do."

"I swear JJ… if I see that damn Abram… that smug look on his face… I'll kick him with my skates on. Every time I see him I want to commit murder. I blame him for all this… then today… he was wearing Otabek's favorite hoodie… the one I used too…" Yuri's voice started to crack. He decided to jump up and take JJ's hand, pulling him up as well. "Let's go walk the beach, ok? Always helps to clear my mind. Then we will head back in a bit."

"Seriously Beka! It has been a month! You said you would be here by now…" Yuri was pouting in the video call. Otabek hated seeing that scrunched face pouting. He had told Yuri that he was moving to Saint Petersburg, and kept getting delayed.

"Yura, I know… I know, I'm sorry. I am trying to get everything ready so that I can get there. It is not as easy as I thought it would be…" He really did feel bad. They had been dating for a few months and Otabek was retiring, saying he would move closer to Yuri. He was waiting on his apartment to be ready because they were redoing the building; he would most likely have to stay with Yuri for a bit. He was scared as well. Sure he had traveled rinks around, but this was a different kind of move. He was moving for someone else this time.

He had also met up with a kid that he was going to coach. A UK skater who was up-and-coming looking to make his senior debut. Otabek saw that his jumps were flawless, but he needed a lot of artist work. That he could do. Him and Yuri had talked about it a lot. Yuri wanted to bring Otabek onto his team, but he needed to do his own thing right now. Not that he wouldn't love to coach Yuri, but he felt he would be falling under Victor's wing in doing that. He would not allow Yuri to leave Victor, as people would die to have Victor and Yuuri on their team. He would never allow Yuri to do that. Yuri needed the best, and he had the best.

Yuri was giving him his best pout. It tore at Otabek. If he had known that he would be gone this long, he would have at least arranged a trip out to see him or have him come visit. "Soon Yura, I promise, by week's end I will be there." He was also meeting with his new student there as he was moving closer so they could work together.

"Oh, right! Isn't Abraham going to be here Saturday?"

"Abram and yes. I've already met with him, I think he will be a good fit. Maybe save my knee a bit. He is extremely sloppy on the artistic side of things. It worked for him in the juniors, but not for the seniors."

"Yeah, you can do a million quads, but you need more to it. Oh Beka, I can't wait! I am so excited that you found someone to coach and will be here! Everything is going to be perfect! " Yuri was smiling now.

"By week's end' Yura."

"Week's End. Good night Beka." They disconnected the video chat and Yuri laid out on the bed. He could not believe that he would soon have Otabek so close to him all of the time. He could not believe that he had someone as sexy as Otabek as his friend and lover. He couldn't help but always want to smile lately… when no-one was around, that is. He would still taunt and torment Victor and Yuuri for everything he could. Victor said that if he went bald, it was Yuri's fault. Yuri made that his goal. He curled into the black hoodie that Otabek had left for Yuri last time he was there. It was his favorite hoodie. Yuri refused to wash it, and he would put it on and then go to bed. He loved smelling that hoodie as he went to sleep.