Viktor's phone buzzed for the hundredth time, but he couldn't be bothered to get up and check the notifications. No doubt they were just congratulations on his most recent gallery showing. Usually, praise boosted his confidence and made him full of giddy joy, but now… he just felt empty inside, and no amount of compliments and meaningless words could fill the void. Only one thing could, and that was Yuuri. Sweet Yuuri, whose smile lit up his world a thousand times more than any commendation could.
Viktor was lying on his bed, arms spread out like a starfish as he looked up at the ceiling. Even more apathetic than his usual as of late, he didn't feel like doing anything. When he heard the doorbell ring, he nearly had a heart attack. Perhaps it was a package? But he didn't recall ordering anything… His phone vibrated angrily again from where it sat on the bedside table. Back creaking, he raised himself and grabbed it before stepping into his slippers and pulling the door open.
Again, the doorbell chimed loudly, and Viktor quickened his pace.
"I'm coming!" he called as he crossed the hardwood living room. Makkachin was by the front door, staring at it curiously with his tail swaying back and forth. With a pleasant facade, the silver-haired man opened the door. "Hello-" He blinked, and registered that Chris was standing there. His outer layer of false happiness collapsed.
"I'm here! Could you help me get my suitcase up?"
"Oh," Viktor replied, dazed, and helped to maneuver the bulky, floral-print case up the steps and into the house. Chris stepped inside and pushed the door closed behind him. "Umm.." Viktor rubbed his chin as he watched his friend remove his boots and bend down to pet Makkachin. "Not to be rude, but what are you doing here?" he queried, smiling to mask his confusion. The other man looked up at him, a mildly amused expression on his face.
"I told you I was coming, remember?" Viktor could not remember.
"Ah, yes, of course," he assured anyway. Chris smirked.
"You forgot, didn't you?" he asked good-naturedly. Viktor chuckled quietly.
"Guilty as charged," he admitted. The Swiss man took in a deep breath as his gaze travelled over the room.
"It's been a long time since I've been here," he mused nostalgically.
"Yes… We were much younger back then," Viktor observed bittersweetly. Chris stood back up straight and laughed, full of vibrancy.
"We're still young! Our lives aren't even half over!"
"Ha." Viktor ran a hand through the hair that was beginning to show signs of thinning. "It doesn't always feel that way," he responded ruefully, dry humor creeping into his tone.
Chris playfully rolled his eyes and changed the subject.
"Where will I be staying?" Viktor tapped his chin as he pondered this.
"The spare room upstairs is available, or a suppose you could share my room."
"Your boyfriend won't mind?" His friend winked cheekily.
"Yuuri's not really my boyfriend," he explained as he turned to walk towards his bedroom. Chris trailed behind, and asked,
"Fiancée then?" as they rounded the corner.
"Not exactly that either." The ache that had been lingering in Viktor's chest for weeks twisted like a knife. What had Yuuri considered their relationship as?
"Well, what then?" He swallowed before he answered.
"He… He left me." He tried to utter the words with a bit of levity and nonchalance, but found it impossible.
"Ah, that's a shame. You seem to put so much love into your paintings of him. You know, it's odd for you to get so broken up over someone."
Viktor didn't say anything, just pushed his bedroom door open. Chris dragged his suitcase to to the left side of the bed and laid it down.
"Is that why you haven't been communicating with anyone?"
"I'm sure I don't know what you're talking about," Viktor lied innocently and blatantly. His friend scoffed.
"Oh please. You haven't talked to anyone in a month, and you've only been posting art on Instagram."
Viktor had a somber smile etched on his features.
"Nobody genuinely cares. It's all superficial."
"On the contrary, there's lots of people that care. Me, for example. It's no wonder you didn't know I was coming, you probably haven't been reading your texts."
"I just haven't felt like talking to anyone lately.."
"Oh, Viktor." Chris sighed. He laid back on the bed with his arms folded behind his head, eyes closed.
"I'm going down to the beach, do you want to come?" Viktor invited cheerfully.
"Ah, no thanks. I'm really tired from the trip." Chris yawned, emphasizing his point.
"I'll see you later, then." Viktor left and closed the door softly. Makkachin was waiting for him, eagerly wagging his tail. "You ready to go?" he asked fondly, and ruffled the fur on his head. The poodle raced over to the door in anticipation, practically jumping up and down. His owner pulled on his Aldo shoes and tied the laces rapidly, then put on his double-breasted coat and buttoned it up. As he stepped outside, he wrapped a striped scarf around his neck.
Viktor was wandering down the path when he suddenly came to a halt. Why was he doing this? What is Yuuri never came back? He shook his head and continued walking. No. He would see the merman that he'd fallen in love with again, he was sure if it. He just needed to keep a positive attitude and be patient, and eventually Yuuri would come to visit him.
When Viktor exited the cover of the trees and stepped onto the beach, the sea was relatively calm. The sun peeking out from behind a cloud hinted that spring was just around the corner. He padded through the sand, Makkachin at his heels. Not really in a hurry, he looked at the ground as he made his way to the water, looking at the things that the tide had deposited on its journey out. Smooth stones, sand dollars, varnish clams with bright purple interiors, small fragments of shell and glass, and small tide pools hosted tiny little silver fish that darted about. There was so much diversity in marine life.
Viktor reached the beginning of the rocky area and careful began maneuvering over and around the barnacle and limpet-encrusted boulders. He told Makkachin to stay back, away from the slippery, precariously balanced stones. The dog obliged but whined softly, not wanting to leave his master's side. Viktor tediously navigated the terrain, testing his footing before putting weight on it so that he wouldn't fall. If he fell, he would not be able to get back up, and it would be hours before Chris would come to look for him.
Soon, Viktor got to where the waves began gently lapping at the rocks. When he'd parted ways with Yuuri, the tide had been in, but today it was out, and still retreating back. He looked out at the water, the surface sparkling from the sun's light reflecting off of it. 'Beautiful,' he thought. He was glad that he lived by the ocean. Ever since he was little, he'd always been fascinated by the sea and the life that it held.
Now, however, a twinge of sadness came with seeing the foam-crested waves. Somewhere out there, fathoms below the surface, was Yuuri. Viktor wanted so desperately to see him again, even just for a second. He leaned against a larger rock for support and waited for a long while, the crashing crescendo of breakers slapping against the shore filling the silence.
Suddenly, out of the corner of his eye, Viktor saw something red flash in the sunlight, and heard an irregular splash. He whipped his head around, but couldn't spot anything unusual.
"Yuuri?" he shouted hopefully over the sound of the sea, a huge grin on his face. But nothing happened, and his heart stopped beating excitedly and sank. Of course it wasn't Yuuri. It had been foolish to think it was the merman. He must have imagined it. Feeling lower than ever he smiled melancholily and began to trudge back.
Back on the sand, Makkachin was busy terrorizing the local seagulls, although he thought it was a game. When he spotted Viktor, he abandoned the birds and trotted over, tail wagging.
"Let's go back." Sensing his master's distress, the dog stayed very close all the way home.
(Climax of the story really soon! :D )