"Here goes nothing..." Viktor sighs and does one last check in the rearview mirror in the car he's sitting in. Mila's car, that is. They've decided that Viktor and Yuuri should have a chauffeur for the night, so they don't have to worry about getting everywhere on time.
"Viktor, you look fine. Everything will be perfect." Mila pats his shoulder from the driver's seat. "You don't have to worry so much."
"I can't help it. One little mistake will cost everyone big time. It's also Yuuri's first date, so I really don't want to mess this up." Viktor takes one last check before deeming himself ready. "I'll be out in a minute, so start the car as soon as I get out." When Mila nods in understanding, Viktor hops out of the car and as casually as possible makes his way into the hospital.
Per usual, he gets signed in at the front desk and heads down the corridor to the right where Yuuri awaits. Viktor dropped off a gift for him two days ago with a new suit inside a carefully packaged box and had been hoping since that it would fit nicely. Sure enough, when he enters the viewing room where Yuuri is staying, his jaw drops at the sight before him. Yuuri is fidgeting on his bed with the sleeves of his suit jacket and checking that it's sitting right on his shoulders. Viktor had been conservative with his choice for Yuuri, a black three piece suit, white gloves, and a dark satin blue tie. He can tell it's a little roomy in some areas, but otherwise Viktor can't help but gawk at the man of his affections. Yuuri had also slicked his hair back, and when he looked up to find Viktor standing there, a few strands of his raven hair came loose in front of his eyes.
"Wow. You look... wow." Viktor could feel his cheeks beginning to burn red as he continues to stare, but he can't help it. Yuuri looks absolutely stunning. Viktor applauds himself for this brilliant idea. His own matching ensemble with a satin pink tie pales in comparison, he thinks.
"I could say the same about you." Yuuri's cheeks are also stained pink, and the color adds to the effect the suit has on Viktor. "Um... Viktor?"
Viktor is only sort of snapped out of his reverie as Yuuri averts his eyes to his newly polished dress shoes. "Yes, Yuuri?" The words come out more breathy than he intended, but oh god Yuuri in a suit...
"W-Why are we dressed up so nice if you're only visiting?"
Oh right. They have plans. Oops. Viktor is awake now from the dream Yuuri has presented him with and grins knowingly at him. "Why, my dear Yuuri, you're going to find out very soon. Now if you'd kindly remove the wires you probably just reattached to yourself to get in that, I would love nothing more than for you to step out of the room you've been confined in."
"W-What?!" Yuuri snaps his head up, and he looks bewildered beyond belief. "I-I can't just leave! I'll get you sick as well as everyone in this hospital!"
"It looks like I'm coming in to get you instead." Viktor can hear Yuuri's words of resistance but ignores those words as he walks back the way he came from and opens the door leading to the inside of Yuuri's room. "There you are."
"V-Viktor! This is crazy! Don't come any closer, Viktor!" Yuuri is backing himself up to where the glass is while Viktor proceeds to inch closer. "Viktor, I don't want you infected, too! Please stop!" Yuuri has his eyes closed with his head turned and his hands up in defense as if that's going to ward Viktor away.
"Yuuri, open your eyes." Viktor leaves an inch of room between them.
Yuuri slowly opens his left eye and squeaks in surprise at how close Viktor has become.
"You aren't going to hurt me. I know that because what you have is only contagious if I touch you." Viktor pulls out a set of black gloves from his pocket and rolls them over his hands. "With these, I should still be able to hold your hand. We both have a set on after all." Viktor lifts his left hand up to Yuuri, who eyes it cautiously before meeting Viktor's gaze.
"W-Wait, but I need a face mask first." As if trying to prevent breathing on Viktor, Yuuri keeps his head turned to the side. "Can I...?" He points to the side table next to his bed.
"Of course." Viktor gives him more space, so he can get what he needs to. Viktor hadn't even thought of it, but he feels dumb for not. Probably should've made sure Yuuri had one on first before entering the room. Oh well. Too late to go back now. When Yuuri is done putting on one of the white medical masks, he strolls over to Viktor hesitantly.
"O-Okay... we can go now."
Viktor reaches his hand out again, only instead of eyeing it this time, Yuuri slowly puts his own in it. Viktor elatedly wraps his fingers around Yuuri's hand and leads the way out of the room.
"Viktor, is this even okay? Did the hospital say I could leave?"
"Nope! But I've got everything covered! Trust me." Viktor winks and brings a finger to his lips to hush Yuuri.
Yuuri's cheeks grow redder as Viktor checks the hallway for any incoming staff. "We're clear." He pulls on Yuuri's hand and drags him to the end of the corridor and moves them down one last one on their right. Viktor checks every hallway before they turn down it, and soon enough they exit through one of the backdoors of the hospital. Viktor stops and lets go of Yuuri's hand, so he can properly see the state he's in. For the most part, he can tell that Yuuri is okay, out of breath and wheezing definitely, but he's okay.
"Please... no more... running..." Yuuri barely manages to get the words out before leaning his hands against his knees.
"I promise there won't be any more running. Except to get to the car from every point." Viktor grins and takes his hand again when he's upright and breathing better. "We have a lot to get to today, so we can't dilly dally for even one second." Viktor leads them to a small black car parked along the sidewalk and opens the backdoor for Yuuri. "After you."
Yuuri shakes his head and enters the car. Viktor shuts the door when Yuuri is safely seated and jogs over to the opposite side, popping in himself. "Yuuri, meet Mila. Mila, meet Yuuri."
Mila turns around from the driver's seat and smiles at Yuuri. "It's nice to meet you, Yuuri. I'm one of Viktor's friends, and your first chauffeur for the day."
"It's nice to meet you too, Mila." Yuuri smiles back and looks over at Viktor, who has claimed Yuuri's right hand into one of his own again.
"First stop is Percorso. For your caution and Viktor's obsession of having you to himself, he's rented out an entire room just for you two. The journey should take about fifteen minutes, so sit back and relax for just a bit." Mila turns back around and begins their trip.
Viktor meets Yuuri's eyes that are now blown wide at him. "Hi. How are you?"
"You did what?" Yuuri's voice is making that squeaking sound again, and Viktor finds that he enjoys hearing it.
"Don't worry. It was much cheaper than I thought it would be anyway."
"How much does 'cheaper' mean?"
"I don't want you thinking about that at all. Understood? I want today to just be about us." Viktor leans in close to Yuuri and plants a feather-light kiss on the area of his cheek that the mask covers. It's not what he really wants, but it's close enough to make him happy. Any closer, and they'd both be in trouble.
Yuuri is silent for the rest of the car ride, but his eyes speak volumes. He holds Viktor's hand tighter as he stares out the window, glancing at every building and person that passes by in the window. Viktor revels in the moment, simply watching him. It isn't until the car parks that he breaks away from Yuuri. Viktor gets out and opens Yuuri's door for him, giddier than ever as Yuuri stares at the building before them. They're back to holding hands as Viktor leads him up the steps and into the main foyer. Viktor has him stay back as he handles the check-in. Moments later, a waiter leads them into the main room and once again, Yuuri stops walking to just stare in shock at everything. Viktor chuckles and waves the waiter away to leave them be.
"So?"
"This is incredible... Viktor, I..."
"Shh, no more words." Viktor tugs on his hand and twists them around the other tables. He ushers Yuuri to sit down at a bench that wraps around the small, secluded corner it's in. There's a window that reaches from the back of the bench to the ceiling right in the center, bathing the table in light. Viktor can hear Yuuri take a deep breath before almost collapsing into the plush bench. Viktor slides in next to him, back to admiring the way Yuuri drinks everything in.
"This is... all of this is just... I'll never be able to thank you enough. I love you, Viktor." Yuuri can't stop glancing around the room until finally he looks at Viktor, who's a smiling and giddy mess as he has been since he first saw Yuuri.
"I love you too, Yuuri. I always will. Just seeing you as happy as you are right now is enough. I want to show you as much as I can in one day before you have to go back. I want to make it as memorable as possible."
"It already is, Viktor. I can't believe-" Yuuri shakes his head, still smiling brightly.
"-I kidnapped you and brought you here? I'm impressed I even managed to get this far." Viktor laughs, which has Yuuri giggling as well.
A waiter comes over, and Viktor answers him in his native tongue. The two go back and forth before the waiter leaves with their wine glasses. Viktor turns to Yuuri to find him confused. "He just asked about drinks. Oh, and is there anything in particular you'd like to eat tonight? The menu is in Russian, but I can help translate it for you of course."
"Uhh..." Yuuri bites his lip as he picks up the menu, his eyes wide as he looks at the numbers attached to each dish.
"Need help?"
"I'm going to if I keep looking at these numbers. Viktor, this is insane! I can't ask you to pay for any of this!"
"Ah, but you don't have to ask. The bill is getting sent to me directly, so you won't even see what the total cost looks like!" Viktor all-too-proudly puffs his chest out with both hands on his hips.
"You are..."
"Some people prefer the word 'extra'."
"I can see why."
.
. . .
.
Dinner passes by in a blur, which is disappointing to Viktor. Their conversations range from Yuuri's favorite childhood memories to an unspoken drinking game. Viktor ends up winning it, guessing what Yuuri's drinking to as soon as he starts. It's the only time Viktor will be able to see Yuuri's lips until they get back to the hospital, and that thought alone is distracting enough. It's so distracting that Yuuri calls him out on it plenty of times throughout their meal. Checking the watch on his wrist, he knows that Mila is waiting outside to bring them to destination #2. It takes him a minute and several text messages before he begrudgingly stands up to leave with Yuuri. As they get in the car, Mila waits for them to be settled before speaking.
"How was dinner, boys?" Mila smirks at them before handing Viktor the tickets for the next stop and turning around to start the drive.
"It was way too much, but I loved every second of it." Yuuri looks at Viktor fondly, and Viktor feels like he could become mush at any second. Yuuri Katsuki will be the death of him.
"That's good to hear! The day isn't over yet! Your next stop will be the Mariinsky Theatre to see Tchaikovsky's production of Swan Lake for seven o'clock. The drive will only be a short eight minutes."
Viktor's glad he chose that because Yuuri almost starts bouncing in his seat, coughing into his arm as he does so. It takes him a minute to calm down before he can speak properly. "Really?!" More coughing ensues.
"Absolutely! After you told me about your many years of ballet, I knew that you'd enjoy this." Well, he guessed. He just so happened to guess correctly. Viktor remembers how a few days ago he almost had a stroke trying to decide on what they should see. After flipping a coin and having others help pick, he stuck with Swan Lake. It was, after all, a love story as well. He really wanted to hit himself when he realized how easy the decision should have been.
"I love Swan Lake! I'm guilty for having it play in the ice rink and ballet studio nonstop." Yuuri laughs, which brings on another coughing fit, but Yuuri hardly seems bothered by it.
"That sounds like something you would do." Viktor laughs a little as well and catches Mila's eye in the rearview mirror. He can't make out her expression, so instead he pretends it never happened, pushing it to the back of his mind for now. Today is about Yuuri and nothing else.
Just as Mila had said, the drive is very short. She drops them off at the theatre before speeding off to who-knows-where while they see the production. She does have three hours before she even has to pick them up.
As they make their way into the theatre, Viktor catches an usher's attention and has them lead the duo to where their seats are. After helping Yuuri up a few flights of stairs, they're led down an open hallway with many people. Yuuri starts fidgeting in Viktor's grip, and Viktor can tell the people are making him nervous. He has, after all, not been surrounded by so many people in five years. The only time Viktor remembers him being near so many people was when Yuuri got very sick... He's determined not to let the thought ruin today and squeezes Yuuri's hand reassuringly. Yuuri peeks at him and a smile tugs at the corner of his mouth, but his nervousness is still there. Within due time, the usher leads them through a doorway to the Belle-Etage seating closest to the stage below them and once they enter, he bows and makes his escape. Yuuri's hand goes limp, which freaks Viktor out momentarily until he sees that Yuuri is just frozen with amazement like he was at the restaurant.
"You scared me, Yuuri." Viktor leans in to whisper in Yuuri's ear as he leads him to the seat at the very end. The other spectators who are already sitting down in that same section send glances in their direction but look away in disinterest as soon as they do.
"Did I? Because with all these surprises of yours, I might have a heart attack."
Viktor chuckles lowly and helps Yuuri sit down, soon taking the seat to his left after. "I'll have to keep my eyes on you then. I don't want this night to end prematurely after all." Yuuri blushes, and Viktor vows to make that color appear as often as he can.
After a bit more of conversation, the lights dim and the conductor of the orchestra takes a bow. The play begins, and at first, Viktor is entranced by both the music and the dancers. Then his attention is diverted to Yuuri to see him leaning forward with eyes wide and calculating as he watches the performers. After every little segment, he tries to restrain himself from clapping, and Viktor silently laughs to himself. Every little twitch Yuuri makes in his seat is adorable, and at some point, Viktor starts counting them. His own trance is interrupted when the lights go up, and Yuuri excitedly starts talking to him. He's too zoned out to realize what he's saying, but in tune enough to see the enthusiasm in his every breath.
"What did you think?"
"What?" Viktor's eyes turn apologetic as soon as the words leave his mouth. The guilt is most likely clear on his face.
"You weren't paying attention, were you?" Yuuri seems disappointed, which makes Viktor regret not trying to focus even more.
"What if..." He leans in closer to Yuuri, "I said I was rather distracted by the handsome man sitting next to me?"
The dark blush is apparent on Yuuri's face again. "I can't imagine what he looks like if the great Viktor Nikiforov is interested."
"Mm... he's gorgeous. The suit he's wearing clings so perfectly to his figure, too. However will I last through the remaining hour of this play?" Viktor takes one of Yuuri's gloved hands in both of his and begins tracing the back of it.
"He really sounds like something."
"You have no idea." The face mask Yuuri's wearing is very irritating to Viktor now. He wishes he could just take it off, and close the space between them. It's a very bad idea, but he can't help the thought from crossing his mind, especially not with Yuuri so close to him. The space is so thin.
Before Viktor can make any bad decisions, the lights flash to signal the end of the intermission. Begrudgingly, he gives Yuuri a smile before leaning back in his seat. Viktor thinks he sees disappoint flash in Yuuri's eyes, but it's so brief. Yuuri follows his lead and sits back as well, sparing glances at Viktor as the night goes on.
.
. . .
.
Despite what happened earlier, Yuuri is still elated as he talks about the play and all that happened on the way to the car. Viktor notices right away that Mila is no longer their driver when they get into the vehicle.
"Georgi?"
Yuuri halts his talking to see where Viktor is looking. When he sees the new person in charge of their transportation, his expression becomes one of confusion.
Georgi turns around from the driver's seat and smiles at the duo. "I'll be taking over for Mila from this point on. I'm Georgi Popovich, a fellow co-worker of Viktor's. It's great to finally meet you, Yuuri. Viktor has told me so much." Viktor rolls his eyes but is smiling nonetheless. Of course Georgi would trade with Mila just to meet Yuuri for himself.
"Nice to meet you too, Georgi." Yuuri smiles awkwardly, and Viktor laughs nervously, giving his hand a squeeze.
Viktor whispers near Yuuri's ear, "I may have bragged about you a lot."
Yuuri says nothing but the pink tint to his cheeks is enough.
"The last event of this evening that Viktor has chosen is actually his personal favorite: St. Petersburg's shorelines at sunset."
Viktor grins at Yuuri, who smiles back in return. It doesn't take long before they make it out to the boardwalk, Georgi dropping them off at the beginning of it. Viktor waves goodbye to him before guiding Yuuri down the boardwalk. It takes a few minutes for Viktor to lead them where he wants before settling down at the end of it. They've shed their shoes, socks, blazers, and after a lot of convincing, Yuuri's medical mask behind where they're now sitting at the edge of the boardwalk.
"Yuuri..." All too quickly, Yuuri snaps his head to Viktor. Viktor's at a loss for words as he stares back, so instead he looks away. "Did you enjoy tonight?" It's not what he meant to say, but for whatever reason, he's become too nervous.
"Yes. I can't thank you enough for what you've done for me, Viktor. Today has been incredible and so much more than I ever would've thought I could experience again."
Viktor grins and gazes back at Yuuri, who's face is basked in the soft orange and pink glow of the sky. Yuuri is looking over the water, eyes sliding shut as his hair floats along the breeze coming off the water. It's the most ethereal he's ever seen Yuuri look, and he finds himself unable to look away.
"Viktor?" Yuuri is back to looking at him, and wow, Viktor must look like an idiot just staring at him.
Viktor opens his mouth to say something, or honestly anything, but is left with his mouth hanging open. He hasn't realized he started leaning in until Yuuri's eyes have widened considerably as he settles a gloved hand on Viktor's chest. Viktor looks down at the hand then back up at Yuuri.
"I... I'm sorry." Yet Viktor doesn't move an inch. The apology is empty, not holding the meaning it should.
Yuuri is still silent as he continues to stare wide-eyed at Viktor and shakes his head gently.
"I understand if you don't... you know..." Viktor doesn't have to say the words because he knows Yuuri understands.
"I-It's not that I don't..." Yuuri seems to be fighting an internal battle with himself as he stares at Viktor's eyes then his lips and back to his eyes.
"Yuuri... What if I told you I don't care what the repercussions are?" How that made Yuuri start crying, he'll never know.
Tears begin to slip past his eyes as he redirects his attention to the water, the gloved hand still on Viktor's chest. "I don't think you understand what you're saying..."
How could he not? He's been ready to stay with Yuuri since he first said it.
"I love you, Viktor, but I'm not willing to sacrifice you for my own selfish reasons. That's too much to ask of you."
Viktor sits back and takes a deep breath. "If that's your final decision..."
"It is." Yuuri twists his body, so he's facing Viktor straight-on.
"Okay." The corners of Viktor's lips turn up in a sad sort of smile. "Then I just have one request."
Yuuri scrunches his eyebrows in confusion.
"You have to let me stay with you through everything regardless of what happens."
Yuuri's smile is just as pained as Viktor's. "If that's what you want, then I agree."
"It's decided then." Viktor stands up and holds a hand out for Yuuri, who takes it and stands up as well. "One selfish request for another."
.
. . .
.
Georgi is beyond confused when he picks them up and Yuuri is crying because he's laughing so hard in Viktor's arms. Viktor winks at him as Georgi gets out of the driver's seat to open the door for them. Viktor's laughing as well as he carefully settles Yuuri into the seat of the car and shuts the door. Georgi keeps eyeing him, especially as they both get in the car themselves, and Viktor and Yuuri keep laughing. It's only stopped when Yuuri starts coughing harshly. Viktor takes him into his arms and rubs soothing circles along his back as Georgi starts driving.
"Sorry about that, Georgi. You must've been waiting." Viktor is grinning ear-to-ear as he catches Georgi's eyes in the rearview mirror.
Georgi shakes his head as he looks back at them fondly. "No need to be sorry. I completely understand what love can do to someone."
Honestly, Viktor is pretty sure Georgi is living his love life through him, and Viktor would be lying if he said it didn't weird him out. Because it does.
"Alright, Yuuri. It's time to bring you back. Viktor, Mila said that was your responsibility."
Viktor gives him a thumbs up as Yuuri nestles in closer to him, already half-asleep. "Got it."
The car ride back to the hospital is silent save for Yuuri's light snores. By the time they arrive, Viktor lifts Yuuri into his arms and quietly opens the car door. He kicks it shut and walks slowly to the backdoor they left through. Viktor navigates them through the same twist of corridors and eventually the room Yuuri stays in. When Viktor lies him down on his bed, that's when Yuuri finally stirs from his nap.
"Viktor...?" Dazedly, Yuuri sits up in his bed and rubs at his eyes. "Where are we...?"
"We're back at the hospital. Here, let me help you get more comfortable."
"Mmm..." Yuuri lies back down on the bed and lets Viktor take the bulk of his outer layers off without much protest. "Thank you..."
Viktor chuckles as he brushes the bangs out of Yuuri's eyes with a gloved hand. "You're welcome, moya lyubov. Rest well. You've had a long day."
The nurse Viktor is friends with steps in the room and nods to Viktor before getting to work on Yuuri. Viktor watches from against the wall next to the door as she reattaches wires to a very sleepy Yuuri. He laughs to himself when Yuuri tries to tell her no but doesn't put up a fight about it at all. When she's done, she ushers Viktor outside of the room and gives him a thorough look-over to make sure he hasn't been infected. He gives her his thanks when she deems he's okay and leaves with one last parting look at Yuuri.
.
. . .
.
He hops into the passenger seat next to Georgi, clearly spent from the day's activities.
"Exhausted?"
"Is it that obvious?" He lulls his head to face Georgi. "You can just take me back to my place. I'll tell everyone about today at work tomorrow."
"Understood."
Georgi doesn't try to start up a conversation again, not with Viktor practically falling asleep where he's sitting. Getting up to his flat is an issue as well, but he manages after a while. As soon as he enters the flat, Viktor collapses to the ground in a tired lump.
"So how was it?" Chris is sitting on the armrest of the couch, peering at Viktor with an amused expression. "You look like you've had enough fun to last a lifetime. Or at least a week."
"Lifetime." Viktor presses his palms against the floor and forces himself to stand. "Definitely a lifetime. I wouldn't mind doing it again, though. He was so happy. I'd die to see him smile like that more."
Chris laughs as Viktor almost crashes into the wall trying to take his blazer off. "You might if you don't get to bed soon. You look worse than the day after we went drinking. Only we were out a lot longer. It's only..." he briefly glances at the silver watch on his left hand, "eleven o'clock."
"It's only eleven?" Viktor groans as he moves to sit down at his kitchen island. "I thought it was later than that. Maybe it's a good thing it isn't though. I would've been yelled at for keeping Yuuri out so late."
"Not that you would've cared."
"You've got me there."
They share a laugh as Chris pulls out a bottle of Viktor's more expensive drinks.
"None for me, Chris. Feel free to drink as much as you want, though."
"What happened to the living-carefree-Viktor?" Chris pulls out a small glass and pours himself some of the liquor.
"He found someone that makes him happier than drinking all his problems away. Which reminds me, if you want any of those bottles, just tell me which, and I'll ship them out to you. I don't really need any of those anymore, unless Yuuri comes here then maybe I'll keep a few."
"If Yuuri comes here? Isn't he living at that hospital until they figure out whatever it is he has?"
Viktor shrugs and leans his head against his arm, which is propped up on the counter. "I took him out all day today. I don't see how he couldn't come here. I wonder if I could get him to live with me and pay a doctor to visit and check him out here..."
Chris shakes his head and downs almost half the glass he's holding. "Viktor, there's only a certain distance you can keep pulling the string before it snaps."
"Chris, I'm too tired for analogies."
"You can only do so much before something goes wrong. You had him out for a day, and that alone was probably a strain on him. You expect him to be able to live here without any problems?"
"I never said that..." Viktor frowns as he sits upright. "Even if I did, I'm sure it could work out."
"You're tired. Go to sleep, Viktor." Chris chugs the rest of his drink and starts to pour more into his glass.
"Give me a glass."
Chris eyes him suspiciously before pulling out another glass for Viktor and filling it halfway, setting it down in front of the Russian. Viktor takes the drink and sloshes it around in the glass before downing all of it, holding out the empty cup towards Chris.
"How come everything I do is a problem? I tell people I want to become a model, and they say it'll never last. I become famous, and everyone says I'm going to lose who I am. I make a few friends, and then they say I've become too good for everyone else. I start dating and drinking a few times, and they say I'm on my way downhill. I start declining offers because nothing feels right anymore, and they say I'm back to being too great for everyone and everything. I finally fall in love, and everyone, including my friends, says it's reckless and stupid. Why do I try anymore, Chris? Huh?"
Chris sets the bottle out of reach of Viktor and leans back on the counter in front of the kitchen sink. "What happened to not needing to drink your problems away?"
"I don't understand, Chris. Help me understand." Viktor's tone is desperate as he lies his head down on the countertop. "How am I supposed to handle this sort of thing?"
Chris sighs and takes a sip from his drink. "You're on your own there. We're all at a loss of what to do. Trust me, we've all talked it over plenty of times as well."
Viktor lifts his head to look at his friend and groans exasperatedly. "You're telling me not to make things worse, but you have no idea what worse even means? You're impossible." Viktor knows it's just himself being impossible, but everyone telling him no is starting to get on his nerves. He's in love. He's trying to be with the one he loves. Why is it so ridiculous that he would want that?
"I know what worse means when you say it. I'm sure everyone's said this enough to you, but I'm going to be blunt and cut the crap. Yuuri is dying. You know that, I know that, we all do. I get you want to see him as much as possible, but it just can't happen. You're lucky you got away with what happened today. As your best friend, I'm trying to prevent you from being too impulsive. You have a habit of being exactly that at the worst time."
"Good then maybe it's a sign Yuuri and I should be together." Viktor is upright on the stool now, glaring at his friend.
"I'm not telling you to break up with him. I never said that, Vitya." Chris takes another sip and stands to really look at his friend. "I'm telling you to handle this situation like an adult would, not like a horny teenager who plans to elope in Vegas."
"Not a bad idea."
"Viktor."
"I'm kidding."
"Are you?" Chris raises an eyebrow at him.
"I care about him enough to not want something as cheap as that." Viktor crosses his arms over his chest. "And I am handling this like an adult."
"Alright, Viktor. I'll believe it when I see it." Chris takes another sip from his drink.
"Good. On that note, I'm going to bed. I have work in the morning like a responsible, normal adult does. Spokoynoy nochi." Chris lifts his drink in acknowledgement as Viktor stands up and stalks off to his bedroom.
"Bonne nuit."
.
. . .
.
"Care to explain why I woke up this morning to a million messages asking for you? I've got the printout for the magazine too if you don't explain everything." Yakov is sitting at his desk holding up a magazine with the headline 'Russian Male Model Viktor Nikiforov Has A Hot Date?!' emblazoned along the top in bright pink and gold lettering. A photo of Viktor and Yuuri in the restaurant from yesterday is blown up on the front cover. Although it looks to be taken from a distance, Viktor's hair is too recognizable to miss.
"Uhh... Someone took a photo of me out for lunch with Georgi?" Viktor is sitting in front of Yakov's desk wearing a guilty smile. Even without Viktor looking like a liar to begin with, Yakov would be able to see straight through him anyway.
Yakov grunts and opens the magazine, reading directly from it. "'Viktor Nikiforov was spotted with an unknown male walking into Percorso hand-in-hand together. According to an insider, Viktor rented out the entire room just for themselves. When asked if it could've just been two friends hanging out, they claimed that Viktor couldn't keep his eyes, or his hands for that matter, off the mysterious figure. Could Viktor Nikiforov be off the market for good?' I told you not to start drama after the last time, and what do you do? This!" Yakov is red in the face as he continues to yell at a sheepish Viktor.
"Oops?" Viktor laughs nervously as he shrugs. Yakov is definitely going to kill him.
"Explain." Yakov throws down the magazine in front of him, crossing his arms along his chest.
Where does he even begin? "So I'm dating him." That works.
"Full explanation, Vitya. This is by far not a joke."
"But this is a really funny story. You'll love it. You see, I was-"
"You know I won't, but go on."
"I was visiting the hospital, and I heard about this new patient. I was curious, so I decided to visit him."
"Vitya-"
"I had a lot of fun visiting him, so I visited him again the next week. I even met his sister, who is really nice by the way. Which reminds me, I have to ask Yuuri how he knows me. Anyway! So then-"
"Vitya-"
"-I kept visiting him and realized 'Wow, I think I actually like him!'. Three weeks later after visiting him again and again, I decided I love him and told him when I was able to visit him again. He said he loves me back, so we're together now! Chris calls him my boyfriend, but I don't think-"
"Vitya!" Viktor can see thatYakov practically has a vein popping out of his forehead as he slams a hand down on the desk. "Are you telling me you're dating someone who lives in a hospital?"
"Well, currently he is. They're working on a cure for what he has right now, so once he's all set, I think I'm going to ask him to move in with me. Unless he wants to go back to his family, then I'll completely understand. Maybe I'll live with him instead, and we-"
"Vitya, there isn't even a cure for him?!"
Viktor flinches at Yakov's yelling and sinks lower in his seat. "Nyet..."
Yakov lies back in his seat and rubs at his forehead. "How were you even out with him? Do I want to know?"
"That's another funny story. Everyone helped me organize a day where the two of us could have a real date. That's where the photo came from actually."
"I might kill him this time." Yakov mutters under his breath as he looks at the grin Viktor is currently wearing. "I don't want to hear anymore of this. You better have an idea on how to handle this, though. Hire someone to write cue cards for you or something. I will cut you from this agency if you say something stupid to anyone. You hear me?"
Viktor salutes him. "Got it."
"Get out before I have an aneurysm." Yakov points to the door, and within seconds, Viktor is gone from his office.
Mila is leaning against the wall to the left of the office, snickering at the exchange she overheard as Viktor shuts the door behind himself. "You might want to tell Yuuri he made the cover of a magazine with you, along with articles written on every gossip website by now."
Viktor groans as he starts walking down the corridor with Mila trailing behind him. "I thought we were careful. I know people at that restaurant, so I thought we'd be fine. I guess I forgot about the possibility of paparazzi following me. Yuuri is going to kill me when he finds out, if he hasn't seen it already."
"You know, you could use this to your advantage if you're smart about it."
Mila's words have Viktor pausing in his tracks, turning around to look at her curiously. "What do you mean?"
"Just imagine it. You're being interviewed, and they ask about Yuuri. You tell them the sob story about Yuuri and how sick he is, that there's no known cure. Next thing you know, GoFundMe and KickStarter pages are made to raise awareness as well as bring in funds for him and his family. More and more scientists jump on board to help, and before you know it, you two will be on your honeymoon together kissing on a beach as the sun sets under the horizon."
Viktor grabs her shoulders with wide eyes. "Mila, you're brilliant."
"You have to talk to Yuuri and Yakov about that, though. I don't know if either will be happy at the idea of you two going public."
"You're still brilliant. Why didn't I think of that?" Viktor lets go of Mila and pulls out his phone, sending a text to Yuuri while marching back to Yakov's office. "Thank you, Mila!" He yells over his shoulder as he knocks on Yakov's door for the second time that day.
.
. . .
.
"So... what do you think?" Viktor is on the edge of his seat with his hands in his lap as he looks over at Yuuri excitedly.
Yuuri bites his bottom lip, unsure of what to say at Viktor's proposal. "I don't know, Viktor. It seems... overwhelming..."
"I completely understand if you don't want to do it. That's fine with me. I thought I'd talk to you about it before accepting the TV interview." Viktor sits back in his seat. He's a little disappointed he can't tell the world how amazing Yuuri is, but he'll survive. He can still tell his friends that over and over and...
"Let's do it."
Wait... what?
"What?"
"I'm saying you should call them and say we'll be there."
Viktor stares blankly at Yuuri, who is fidgeting on his hospital bed. "Really?"
"If you want to, then I think it'll be okay..." Yuuri averts his gaze before closing his eyes then opening them to look at Viktor confidently.
Viktor leans forward in his seat again, skeptical about Yuuri's response. "You do realize that'll mean you'll probably get bugged by paparazzi and other magazines and papers trying to get information out of you, right? There's always the chance they'll have to switch you from this hospital to another one." Then it dawns on him. What if they move Yuuri to a hospital or facility across the world? What happens then?
Yuuri takes his confidence and builds on it, smiling now. "I'm ready for it. It may actually bring attention to other people's conditions and problems as well. If I can help in any way possible, then I can put up with it. Besides, I have you around to help. We'll get through it together, right?"
Yuuri's smile is infectious because now Viktor wears one. "Of course, Yuuri. I'm always here for you no matter what."
"Then go accept that offer."
Viktor takes a deep breath and takes out his phone from his pocket. "Are you sure?" He looks back at Yuuri for confirmation, and when he gets a nod in response, he calls the company that asked for the interview. The conversation doesn't long, since Viktor doesn't want it to, but he tells the coordinator of the show that he'll be there with Yuuri along with all the precautions they'll have to take. Yuuri seems lost until he hears his name, that being the only word he can understand since the call is in Russian. When Viktor gets off the phone, he lets out the breath he didn't realize he was holding. "It's done. We have to be there at eight a.m. in two days. Is that alright?"
Yuuri thinks for a moment before answering. "That should be fine. Do I need to get permission from the hospital staff or are we doing what we did the other night?"
"Sneaking out. If we asked to have them let you out, they'd flip out." Viktor chuckles. "I'll come get you an hour beforehand."
"I'll be waiting then."
"You should wear the suit I gave you again."
"I planned on it already." Yuuri grins before his cough comes back in full spurts.
Viktor darts to the window with a panicked expression until Yuuri is settled down again. "Maybe this isn't a good idea... I told them to have medical personnel on standby, but what if it's not enough?"
"Viktor..." Yuuri pauses to catch his breath, "it'll work out. We can't back out now. I'll ask for extra doses of what they normally give me or take what I can just in case. Don't worry."
"Alright, Yuuri. Together?"
"Together."
.
. . .
.
"Ready?"
"No. Are you?"
"Yes, or at least I think so." Yuuri gets comfortable as he clicks the seat belt to the passenger seat in place. "I'm ready."
Viktor pulls the steering wheel into a death grip as he pulls out of the hospital's backlot, muttering to himself. "At least one of us is." It's seven in the morning, right at the time he told Yuuri he'd pick him up. Yuuri and Viktor are wearing exactly what they wore the day of their date around St. Petersburg, gloves, mask, and all. Viktor takes one hand off the wheel and places it on Yuuri's thigh to remind himself exactly why he's doing this. Yuuri's blush does a great job of that, too.
After flashing his ID to the guards, they're let in passed the iron gates. He can hear Yuuri's breath hitch as they're then led to the studio door the interview will be set in. Viktor parks the car, only moving his hand to grip Yuuri's own. Viktor's uncertainty dissipates little by little as he sits there with Yuuri, until he's okay enough to get out of the car. He wants to carry Yuuri like he did that night but knows it wouldn't be appropriate, instead opting for holding his hand the whole time.
Viktor doesn't even let go of him when he's dragged off to the makeup wing of the studio. Yuuri seems uncomfortable, and he's really close to backing out as the discomfort stays on his face. Whispered words are his only reassurance to stick with this. It's odd, he thinks, that he's more nervous than Yuuri. Viktor has had plenty of close-ups, interviews, and has been on countless TV shows and networks, but this. This has to do with Yuuri. With the one he loves. So many people will be staring at Yuuri, trying to pry words from him that he won't want to say.
After his makeup is done, they're brought to meet with the directors and the talk show host. Viktor explains to them in his native language that Yuuri doesn't speak a lick of Russian, and soon enough they're chatting in English, everyone's common tongue. They go over what's going to happen and when Yuuri will join Viktor up on the stage. All the small details are worked out and soon enough, everyone is in place and a sign that says 'On Air' lights up in bright red.
"We're on in three..."
Viktor glances at Yuuri worriedly for the hundredth time today.
"Two..."
Yuuri smiles in reassurance once more.
"One..."
Viktor takes a deep breath and puts on his best smile for the cameras.
"We're live!"
.
. . .
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Chapter Notes:
Moya lyubov - my love; Russian
Spokoynoy nochi - Goodnight; Russian
Bonne nuit - Goodnight; French
Nyet - No; Russian
Quick shoutout to the three people who noticed and mentioned in reviews that I've titled the chapters using lyrics from Death of A Bachelor: Pizzanna, CloCloPuff, and Liz. Thank you to everyone who reviewed on this story as well! I appreciate all the support and comments!