Guys, I forgot how much I love writing. I wish I could write more during the school year because this is honestly so relaxing to me. Plug in some music and write for 16 hours straight man. Is it too late change my major from premed to journalism? Probably… I'll just go back to my suffering through Orgo, Physics, and Anatomy (Yeah, my summer's rough. Rip me.)

Fandom: Yuri! On Ice

Pairing: Viktuuri

Rating: K+

Disclaimer: I don't own anything

Warnings: Self-doubt, Fluff, Viktor's not an idiot for once

The Way You Say "I Love You"

Ch 29: Slowly, The Words Dripping From Your Tongue Like Honey

Yuuri knew Viktor loved him. He showed him, and the whole world, that much during the Cup of China. That kiss clearly told everyone how much he loved Yuuri.

If that was the case, how come his chest ached so much?

They had matching rings. They were basically engaged, but still. The doubt filled Yuuri like a dark spiral. After all, he was the one who drunkenly told Viktor to coach him, and he was the one who made his theme love, and he was the one who gave Viktor the rings, and he was the one who moved in with Viktor...what if Viktor was just going along with it this entire time? What if he just didn't want to hurt Yuuri's feelings?

He felt his stomach drop. Was this just another huge misunderstanding? Was he imagining Viktor's feelings this entire time? The thought killed him.

Of course, his skating suffered because of it. Of course, Viktor noticed. Of course, Viktor couldn't just ignore him. Why did things never work out in Yuuri's favor?

"Yuuri? What's on your mind? You never mess up your jumps that badly unless something's wrong," Viktor said with a careful smile as he looked across the bar table at Yuuri. He felt the blush creeping up his neck as he looked down at the carrot he was chopping.

"N-Nothing. Sorry, I'll do better," he mumbled as his knife continued to slice the vegetable. Viktor didn't push him. He knew that usually the best way to get information out of Yuuri was patience. He'll talk when he's ready. Viktor just hoped he'd be ready soon, his choreography was still rough around the edges and they needed to get it in shape soon.

Viktor chatted aimlessly during dinner, filling in conversation for when Yuuri went quiet. Yuuri washed the dishes even though it was Viktor's turn to do it, so he thanked him and went to shower. The hot steam melting away his worries.

He was towel drying his hair when he stepped in the bedroom seeing Yuuri sitting on their shared bed. Viktor smiled at him carefully. Yuuri looked at him before staring at his hands in his lap again. He sat there silently as Viktor changed into pajamas and sat on the bed facing Yuuri, loosely wrapping an arm and a leg around his back and side.

"If something is bothering you, you know that I'm always here for you, Yuuri," Viktor gently offered as he nuzzled into Yuuri's neck. He felt him tense up before relaxing into his touch.

"I…" Yuuri mumbled before stopping himself. "I'm sorry."

That surprised Viktor. It certainly wasn't what he was expecting him to say, but he hid behind his composure, not wanting to startle Yuuri into submission again.

"For what exactly?" he carefully said with even words. Getting Yuuri to open up was like a dance around broken glass. Don't startle him. Don't push him. Don't laugh. Be patient. Speak slowly and carefully. All these silent rules Viktor has slowly been learning swirled around his head as he coaxed the information out of his fiancé.

"For making you go along with me," he almost whispered. It sounded like he was holding back tears. "I know I've put you in an awkward position and I just wanted to apologize and let you know I'll start searching for an apartment and start making payments for your coaching fee and-" the words tumbled out of his mouth so fast that Viktor could barely follow it before he cut him off.

"Yuuri. Yuuri, what on Earth are you talking about? Awkward position? Moving out? I don't want you moving out. I'm the one who asked you to move in with me in the first place," Viktor ran a hand through his bangs. "I guess I never asked if you were okay with that. I kind of just assumed you wouldn't mind, but if you're unhappy I..can help you find another place." He forced the words out. He didn't want to lose Yuuri, but if he wasn't happy living together then he'd just have to wait until he was ready. Their relationship was moving pretty fast and he understood if Yuuri wanted to slow things down...but that doesn't mean it still didn't sting a bit.

"What? No! I'm really happy! I love being here with you," Yuuri's shocked face was adorable.

"Then why are you moving out?" Viktor was completely lost. More so than usual.

"Because...I kind of forced you into this whole thing without thinking about how you felt. With the coaching and the rings and then moving in together…" Yuuri twiddled with his fingers as a sad smile plastered itself on his face. He was trying to be brave and not cry. Viktor couldn't help himself. He laughed.

"You? Forced me? Oh Yuuri, you're so silly sometimes," Viktor said with a smile as he hugged the shocked man burying his face in his neck. "Don't forget, I'm the one who made you skate about my own sexual frustrations and kissed you on live television."

"But...then why haven't…" Yuuri's voice trailed off into an incoherent mumble.

"What was that?" Viktor said picking up his face to smile at a very red Yuuri.

"Why haven't you...told me you loved me," Yuuri immediately buried his face in his hands. He can't believe he just said that outloud.

Viktor stared at him in shock. So that's what this was all about? He gave a gentle smile as he pulled Yuuri's wrists to the side so he could look him in the eyes.

"I wanted to wait for you to say it, since I know it's a cultural thing to not say your love and to show it instead. I didn't want to push you into it or make you feel uncomfortable if I was telling you, but trust me when I say I have wanted to tell you just how much I loved you from the first moment I came to Hasetsu," Viktor smiled as Yuuri's blush travelled down his neck and his eyes grew wide. "Listen to me carefully Yuuri."

And he did. He watched every word drip from his tongue, slow and sweet just like honey. His heart melted as the words finally left his lover's lips. And his kiss afterwards has never been sweeter.

"I love you with all my heart, Yuuri."