Viktor was disappointed to find the bed already empty the next morning despite his own 5am wake up call. Rehearsals were early so they'd have enough time to rest before the first show that night. He'd wanted to talk to Yuuri about the previous night, but it looked like Yuuri was not willing - or maybe not ready. There had been breakfast already brought in on the table with a handwritten note from Yuuri beneath a vase of fresh flowers.
Viktor -
I am sure you have so many questions, and I wish I could be there to answer them, but duty calls. I promise that I will be there for your show tonight. I look forward to seeing you skate. I know it'll be the highlight of my day.
Love,
Yuuri
While Viktor was more than excited to perform for Yuuri this evening, part of him couldn't help but wonder if Yuuri had purposely avoided him that morning. Well, there was no point in wondering, as he would likely never know for sure. Besides, Yuuri couldn't run from him forever. Well...scratch that. He definitely could. Would he?
Not having much of an appetite, Viktor left most of the breakfast untouched, instead feeding Makkachin and Vicchan pieces of the meal. When it was time for him to leave, he didn't even have to open the door for Seung Gil to suddenly be walking through with leashes in hand to take the dogs to the downstairs pet hotel. The omega didn't say a word to Viktor otherwise until they were in the car and Viktor tried to start conversation.
"Don't ask me a thing," Seung Gil quickly cut in. "I'll tell you nothing."
Geez, Viktor had only said good morning. Ok, well, his intent had been to ask about Yuuri, but damn, was he projecting that badly?
"It's just...not my place," Seung Gil added, attempting to make his tone softer than it had been before.
Viktor sighed, accepting that answer at least. "I'm ok, though, aren't I? After you were so worried about me going after him?"
Seung Gil's hands tightened on the steering wheel and the hardness returned. "Listen to me, alpha, and listen well. You were fucking lucky Oyabun didn't hurt you, ok? And next time I tell you to stay away, you better fucking do it. Until Oyabun chooses to disclose to you certain things you need to trust me when it comes to his well being."
"Why should I trust you when you so clearly don't trust me?" Viktor threw back.
"I will never trust an alpha, especially not with Oyabun," he scoffed. "Unfortunately, I would die for him, do anything he asked of me, and right now that means watching out for you. It's not Oyabun I'm trying to protect when I say to stay away in situations like last night - it's you. I'd rather not have to dump your body in a river. Yakuza like to keep a low profile, and you are anything but. Another reason I so vehemently dislike this situation."
For once in his life, Viktor was left speechless by that. Dump his body in a river?! Honestly? Who even says things like that? Was...he serious? Wait. No, he was not going to be intimidated like this. He was an alpha, dammit, even if often didn't act like one. "I can take care of myself, but thank you for your concern."
"I think it's adorable you think that," Seung Gil muttered before placing the vehicle in park. "We're here, You're Highness."
"Yes, so I see," Viktor smiled brightly as he opened the door. "Oh, and I believe the word you were looking for was Majesty. I am King of the ice, after all." He promptly shut the door behind him before giving the omega a chance to counter. It took a good thirty seconds before he realized how absolutely dumb and idiotic and reckless it was for him to say that. Seung Gil was Yakuza! He could literally kill him and dump his body in the river! Idiot! Dumb, stupid, idiot! Yakov was right! His ignorance and recklessness was going to get him killed! Worse - murdered!
"-are you alright?"
Viktor blinked. Oh. Right. The rink. Skaters. Chris. Chris! "Ah, yes, sorry, in my own little world."
Chris huffed with a smile. "Aren't you always? I was asking you if Yuuri was alright?"
"He's fine, just an overnight bug, I think," Viktor said, the lie slipping off his tongue easily. "He'll be at the show tonight."
"Oh, good! I would hate for it to have been something serious. It was good to catch up, even if it was cut short. Though, it's so crazy to see him now. He's changed so much."
Viktor hummed. He hadn't known Yuuri in his younger years, so he couldn't speak from experience, but he'd heard from enough people and enough sources to know that, yes, Yuuri had changed. It was the ever elusive 'why' that was still hanging in the air. "It's nice to see such a successful omega, especially coming from Japan. Like Russia, they aren't exactly known for their forward thinking."
"Which is why Switzerland is truly the greatest country in all the land," Chris smirked. "Forever neutral in all things, equality included. On a serious note, though, I really do hate to imagine what it must have been like for him or any other omega in a country still so behind. I was privileged in that regard, and I know it. If Yuuri hadn't been talented in sport, how would things have been?"
How indeed? Maybe being omega is ultimately what happened to him in the end. It was a thought Viktor hadn't originally taken into consideration. Maybe he'd been under so much pressure to start a family and be a 'good omega' he'd caved? No...that couldn't be it. If that had been the case then he would be married with children, not a Yakuza boss going against every omega stereotype there was.
Fuck stereotypes. He'd let Yuuri dominate the fuck out of him all day long.
"I'm losing you again."
Viktor snapped his legs shut and groaned internally. Dammit. Yuuri had him by the balls and he wasn't even mad about it. He really hoped Yuuri didn't hide from him tonight. "Sorry," he murmured as he finished putting on his skates.
"Since you seem to be lost in a Yuuri-filled dreamland, any chance you think he'd be into a threesome?" Chris asked with a wiggle of his eyebrows.
"No," Viktor growled, surprising himself and making him flinch after his response. "Chris, I'm sorry, I didn't-,"
Chris was laughing, full on. "Wow, mon ami , you are far more gone than I thought. I don't think I've ever heard you growl like that. I will be best man at the inevitable wedding, no?"
Wedding...did Yakuza have weddings? Was such a thing even possible? Viktor thought about it. In fact, he thought about it so much it made him fall and step out the majority of his jumps during practice. The other skaters kept coming up and asking if he was sick or hurt while Chris laughed knowingly in the background.
"All teasing aside," Chris started as they threw their bags over their shoulder and headed out, deciding to grab a small bite at a nearby cafe, "Have you ever….well...wondered why you might have fallen so hard so fast?"
"How do you mean?" Viktor asked. He hadn't really thought much about the why, just knew that he had fallen and had to have Yuuri at any cost.
Chris tapped at his lip a second before answering. "Well, maybe it's all the Hallmark movies Markus makes me sit and watch, or his romance novels, but I would say this whole thing between you and Yuuri almost sounds like…," he paused, like whatever he was about to say was something absolutely insane and crazy, "True Mates?"
Oh. That. Yes, Viktor had thought a lot about that. "I never pegged you the type to believe in such a thing."
"I don't," Chris agreed. "Or rather, I didn't. Now I'm not so sure? The teasing was fun of course when you first told me about all of this, but the growling from you earlier - while amusing as it was and still is for me - did have me starting to wonder. You also can't seem to stop thinking about him for two seconds."
"Are you trying to tell me Markus has never growled at someone who made a go at you?" Viktor countered defensively, "Or had days you couldn't stop thinking about him?"
"No," Chris responded point blank. "Markus has never growled at anyone ever."
Letting out a huff powerful enough to send his bangs flying, Viktor slowed to a halt. "I have thought Yuuri and I were True Mates from the second I saw him at the banquet at World's. Yuuri thinks it, too. It was horrible the two months we were apart, almost painful. Somedays I feel like I would die if we couldn't be together."
Chris sucked in a breath through his nose. "Wow. That's dramatic, even for you. But, as crazy as this all is, I'm happy for you Viktor. I'm happy for Yuuri. You deserve someone, and Yuuri is a good person from what I know of him."
From what he knew, sure, but would Chris still say the same if he knew the truth? Still, maybe Chris was right. Maybe they deserved this. Both of them. "Thank you. It means a lot to me to have your support."
Chris hummed and continued walking. "Sounds like I better win my gold this season, then. Doesn't look like I might have another year worth of chances." He winked.
"To be honest, I wasn't going to compete this season."
Viktor found himself being shoved to a halt as Chris stepped in front of him on the sidewalk. "Weren't going to compete?! In an Olympic season?! Good God, Viktor, why?!"
With a huff, Viktor pushed Chris aside to keep walking. "I was tired, I guess? And uninspired. I couldn't see the point on going on if it was like that."
"So what changed? Wait, don't answer that. I know the answer - Yuuri."
Viktor smiled at that. "Yes. He inspired me to skate again."
"Well, I suppose I should send him a Thank You card," Chris mused. "I would have never forgiven you if you had retired before the Olympics, you know. Neither would your fans."
Would Yuuri have felt the same, Viktor wondered? Would he have been disappointed if Viktor had given up before the Olympics? Heartbroken? He was a fan, after all. However, now Viktor had a greater task than just competing. He had to win gold at all costs so he could win Yuuri. "I don't really care about gold any more, Chris. I'm just trying to find the two L's: life and love."
"Finding him isn't the problem, apparently, it's just keeping him," Chris winked. "Ah, well, if you need any suggestions I'm here."
"Suggestions for what?" Viktor questioned as he opened the door to the cafe they finally made it to.
"Dates. Gifts. Romance in general. I'd say sex, but it appears you have that handled just fine if you're already knotting."
"Chris!" Viktor hissed under his breath, ears going bright red. "Please, we are in public, my friend."
Chris could only laugh with a full set of lungs.
/*/
Viktor never got really got nervous before stepping out onto the ice. Not since his Junior years, anyway. Now, though, he could feel his heart beating he was so nervous. This wasn't even a competition, but it felt like one - maybe worse. Yuuri was watching. He was watching one of two programs Viktor had made in his honor. What would he think? Would he like it? Hate it? Feel indifferent? The latter two were terrible prospects.
It didn't help that Viktor had quickly become disinterested in the costume he'd had done and had already commissioned a new one. He'd gone dark and billowy with chains around the lower part and sleeves. It was representation of how trapped Viktor had felt until meeting Yuuri, but it didn't show the light Yuuri had brought since they'd met. There were few crystals, and that desperately needed a change, for when Yuuri did smile - even rarely - it was the sun that would blind Viktor. Oh well. It didn't really matter, right? Very few skaters already had their finished costumes by this point, anyway, and he could add it to the list of surprises for the season.
Viktor hadn't bothered trying to locate Yuuri in the earlier group performances. How could he? The lights were off and there were thousands of people in the stadium. It was statistically impossible to find him. On the other hand, Viktor just wanted the peace of mind of his presence. Not that he thought Yuuri wasn't there, but...well. There might have been the smallest of doubts. Maybe something had called Yuuri away. Some important Yakuza duty.
Despite all the doubt coursing through his veins, Viktor managed to push it down as he stepped out for his solo. Yuuri or not, there were still thousands of his fans waiting to see him put on a perfect performance. Despite the slight stiffness at the beginning, the thought he did well. For a first time performing the program in front of people, at least. It would have to be much better to win gold.
The rest of the show passed in a blur with his mind completely focused on getting to see Yuuri. It would likely be several hours after the show, and the more he thought about it the more it weighed his heart down and he felt himself pining. Again. It hadn't even been 24 hours yet and he was already missing the omega something fierce.
Already thinking he wouldn't see Yuuri for a few hours yet, it was to his great surprise that Yuuri was waiting backstage in a perfectly pressed suit holding a bouquet of roses and wearing the tie Viktor had gifted. Best of all, he was smiling. Blatantly ignoring Chris' whistle, Viktor darted towards Yuuri despite still being in his skates.
"You came!" Viktor beamed, accepting the proffered bouquet.
"Of course I did," Yuuri smiled before reading Viktor's face and frowning. "You thought I wouldn't?"
Quickly shaking his head, he tried to backtrack. "Not on purpose, just...work sometimes calls, right?"
Yuuri responded with a curt nod of understanding. "Sometimes, but not tonight. I would not allow it."
Not caring that there was an audience, Viktor leaned in and gave Yuuri a kiss. It was a risk, knowing that a photo of this could end up on Instagram in a few minutes, but he was just too excited. "Well? What did you think?"
"It was perfect. You were perfect," Yuuri responded, flushed pink from the kiss.
It wasn't perfect, hardly so, but Viktor preened at the praise from his mate. Sorry - future mate.
"I know you still have things to do. I'll wait for you back at the hotel," Yuuri promised. "Are you hungry?"
"Ravenous," Viktor responded, certainly having worked up an appetite, for food and other things, after the show.
Nodding, Yuuri put his hands in his pockets in a nervous showing. "Ok. I'll have something brought up then. See you soon."
"Of course," Viktor smiled, sadly watching as Yuuri walked away.
"Vik-tor," his name was sung and whistles echoed around him as he regrouped with the rest of the skaters.
"Viktor! I didn't know you were dating!" Sara, one of the twins commented with hearts in her eyes. "Who is he?! How did you meet? Tell us everything!"
"Sara, don't pry!" Her brother, Michele, hissed.
Great, here it came. Regrets. "Ah, please, it's still very new and I'd appreciate the privacy." Please don't post this to Instagram and Twitter for the love of god.
Sara, at least did suddenly look very regretful of her questions. "Oh, I'm sorry! Of course! But, if I must say, I think it's exciting to see you with someone!"
"I agree," Chris cooed. "The greatest bachelor in all the land off the market. But, seriously, all of you, no Instagram or Twitter posts or I will personally find you! The skating community is not TMZ. Once Viktor goes public, then all is fair."
Thank you, Chris. Would he ever go public with Yuuri, though? Likely not. At least, not willingly. While Viktor didn't want anything getting out yet, the thought that they may never be truly out was a little disappointing. Eventually, he did want the world to know how much he loved Yuuri. "I appreciate discretion, thank you."
The conversation easily shifted to other things, like funny mistakes that occurred during the show or entertaining things they heard and seen from fans. Viktor wasn't paying much attention, too focused on getting out of his skates and costume so he could get to Yuuri. It was already late and in the morning they'd be moving on to the next city and the next venue. Even though Yuuri had promised to follow, Viktor felt the need to still cherish every second he could.
Seung Gil had taken Yuuri back to the hotel so Viktor was left with a cab, but that was preferred, to be honest. He didn't need anymore glares or threats of murder. The smell of food filled his nostrils before he even reached their door, eagerly sliding the card into the slot and stepping inside. Yuuri was waiting for him in the most casual set of clothes Viktor had seen him in since their meeting sitting at the table typing away at a laptop. The smile that greeted him was everything.
"That was quick," Yuuri said, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose with a single finger.
Viktor beamed as he leaned down to kiss him. "I wanted to get back to you as soon as possible."
"Do you want to shower before we eat?" Yuuri asked, closing his laptop and setting it aside.
"If I do that then the food will get cold," Viktor winked, setting down his bags to greet both poodles. Makkachin and Vicchan had already grown so attached. If anything, Yuuri would have to stay with him because of their dogs. Wouldn't want to break their hearts, now would they?
They conversed about the show while they ate, Yuuri discussing his favorite and least favorite performances and Viktor doing the same. Viktor was always nothing but nice to the skaters in public, but it was nice to actually tell someone his true feelings about some of them for once. Putting on a fake face 100% of the time was exhausting.
Food trays left empty and discarded outside their door they removed their clothes and stepped into the shower together. It was wet kisses, tender touches, and lazy cuddles beneath the warm spray. Viktor loved washing Yuuri's hair. The omega melted beneath his touch and it was intimate in a way sex could never be.
Both dressed in a pair of sweats and Yuuri in an old oversized shirt they settled in on the bed with the dogs at their feet. This was domestic bliss, Viktor thought. The only thing missing was it being an actual house - their house - with maybe a yard. Houses in Russia were extremely rare, most housing being nothing more than apartments, but Japan had yards, right? They could just live here.
"I'm sure you still have questions," Yuuri eventually started, the moment gone. "About last night."
"Yes," Viktor confessed, "But I assumed it would be something you would not want to discuss."
"Viktor...when we first met I told you that sometimes I become someone else," Yuuri began, untangling himself from Viktor's hold to sit up on the bed. "I meant that. It wasn't some sort of exaggeration of my emotions. After the accident my mind...split. Sort of." He paused, brows furrowed in deep thought. "Ah...that's not quite right, either, to be honest, but it's the best I can say for now."
Viktor already had a million and one questions, but he kept his lips tightly sealed and waited for Yuuri to go on. How can one's mind split? That was figurative, right? Or did his brain physically split somehow? Was that possible? Probably not, but Viktor was extremely ignorant about those sorts of things. Science was not his forte. Clearly.
"When this other part of me takes over I get unpredictable and...violent. I could seriously hurt you." He swallowed visibly. " They could hurt you. So, please, in the future, if Seung Gil asks you to stay away, I need you to trust him."
Reaching for Yuuri's hand, Viktor took it tightly and looked Yuuri straight in the eyes. Viktor knew what this was. Of course! How hadn't he figured it out before? Yuuri was Bipolar! Not a big deal at all, but certainly something the Yakuza would frown upon, so it made sense why he and Seung Gil would be so forcefully in trying to hide it. Maybe Yuuri was also embarrassed? Which, of course, was silly! "You won't hurt me. Ever. Neither will this...other side of you. Didn't you see it? The moment I came to you, it was you again. I brought you back."
Yuuri's hand squeezed his tightly as he cast his eyes down. A pregnant pause filled the room and Viktor started to worry. Clearly, the omega was trying to figure out what to say, and it seemed like he couldn't come to an agreement with himself as he eventually sighed and smiled a smile Viktor knew was false. "I suppose you did bring me back. This time."
This time.
Leaning forward, Viktor reached out his free hand and lifted Yuuri's chin. "Every time." Bipolar wasn't an unmanageable illness as far as Viktor knew. This was fine. They would be fine!
The fake smile turned into some mangled version of a frown and smile in one as Yuuri closed his eyes and leaned in all the way against Viktor's chest. The alpha accepted him freely, arms wrapping around him tightly. "Thank you, Viktor...for being here."
"I thought that was my line," Viktor smiled into Yuuri's dark hair.
"Not if you knew what I knew," Yuuri countered. "I want to tell you, Viktor. I do. I'm just afraid that if you know you'll go. That's why I have to wait. Please wait…"
Wait. Of course he'd wait. Yuuri had asked him to wait since the first day they met, and he continued to do so. He'd wait for eternity at this point. "Of course, solnyshko. As long as you'll have me, I will wait."
Satisfied with that answer, Yuuri settled back down resting his head against Viktor's bare chest and curling up against him. The placement of the omega's head was towards his naval and the heat of his breath blew right on Viktor's crotch. As hard as he tried, Viktor couldn't stop himself from slowly growing hard. Yuuri noticed.
"Do you need some help with that?" He chuckled, shifting to look up at Viktor.
Viktor tilted his head. "If you're offering?"
Yuuri moved lower on the bed and straddled Viktor's legs before bending down and blowing purposefully on the clothed member making the alpha shudder. "I am."
Lifting his hips in invitation Viktor watched as Yuuri pulled down his sweats and his cock sprung free in excitement. Yuuri settled in between Viktor's parted legs with his fingers on the soft flesh of the alpha's thighs. With his hot tongue Yuuri licked a stripe from the bottom of Viktor's balls to the tip of his cock. Letting out a heavy sigh Viktor let his eyes flutter close and his hips rock up. Yuuri's mouth had all sorts of moans and cries leaving his lips with ever suck and kiss. His almost embarrassingly quick orgasm left him feeling like complete jelly, but relaxed jelly. Viktor was out before Yuuri had come back from the bathroom to clean him up.
When Viktor finally started to stir awake it was to the sound of a heated argument spoken in a language he didn't understand. One voice was clearly Yuuri's and the other he suspected was Seung Gil though it was hard to tell with as little as they had spoken to one another. Carefully cracking open an eye Viktor took a glance. It was indeed Yuuri and Seung Gil, but what caught his curiosity was that Seung Gil looked to be the one in charge angrily hovering over a seated Yuuri. Despite his own raised voice, Yuuri looked rather calm. Perhaps irritated more than anything.
Closing his eye again Viktor attempted to roll over loudly and act like he was about to wake up in hopes it might cease their arguments. Makkachin apparently wanted to help, for the moment he started to move she pounced excitedly on him forcing him to open both eyes in surprise. "Makka! That was rude!"
It did the trick, however, as Yuuri and Seung Gil's argument came to a halt. Yuuri said something short and quick, which Viktor figured was some sort of dismissal as Seung Gil moved to leave. A deliberate glare was given in Viktor's direction before the Korean omega left. Ah. So the argument was probably about him.
"Good Morning," Yuuri smiled, standing and moving to the edge of the bed to sit next to Viktor. Vicchan promptly moved to his lap. "I apologize if we woke you."
"Is everything alright?" Viktor asked as he sat up in bed and wrapped his arms around Makkachin who was begging for attention now that he was fully awake.
"Just a disagreement," Yuuri answered, not divulging any details.
Viktor frowned. "It was about me, wasn't it? Why would you let a subordinate talk to you like that, though? Aren't you in charge?"
Clearly caught, Yuuri let out a puff of air and smiled softly. "I may be in charge, but a good leader will always lend an ear to his subordinates even when he doesn't like what they have to say. And yes, it was about you. Needless to say, I did not like what he had to say, though I listened anyway."
"Hmm," Viktor frowned before giving Makkachin a kiss on the nose. "Is it just because I'm an alpha?"
"That's a reason, but it's not the reason," Yuuri responded. "Enough about him. We have a few hours yet before we need to be on the road."
Smiling, Viktor leaned forward. "Is that so? What do you suggest we do with that time?"
Yuuri's smile turned coy and he batted his lashes behind the thick lenses of his glasses. "I could think of a few things."
"You might ruin your suit, though," Viktor pointed out.
"As long as it was worth it, I don't think I'd mind."
Reaching out with an eager hand, Viktor grabbed at Yuuri's tie and brought the omega in for a heated kiss as they fell back against the mattress. It was completely unfair that Viktor was completely naked and Yuuri fully clothed, but the alpha was also completely turned on by it. In the end, the suit stayed on, and Viktor made sure to ruin it thoroughly. No amount of dry cleaning would ever get the cum and slick stains out of the material. They saved the tie, at least. Thank god.
Yuuri had claimed it was worth it, although had said next time it would be Viktor's suit that would be ruined.
Viktor eagerly looked forward to that.
/*/
They moved from city to city and show to show, and Viktor's energy quickly dwindled. He really was getting old. The quality of his performances started to fade which really got under his skin. Sure, it wasn't a competition, so it didn't really matter, but he still hated disappointing fans who expected the best of him every night. The lack of energy also meant he and Yuuri didn't spend much time with each other outside of bed, and it wasn't the fun kind of being in bed. Viktor was ready for the tour to just be over.
"Just two more performances and then we get two weeks to ourselves," Yuuri encouraged.
"Good, because I miss my Yuuri," Viktor whined, nuzzling his cheek against the omega's in the backseat of the SUV. The last two shows were both in Fukuoka and they were on their way to their final hotel of the stay.
All the places they had stayed had been luxurious and only the finest money could buy. They had also been mostly in the heart of whatever city they had been in. This time, however, Viktor noticed they were saying mostly on the outskirts as they drove. More trees than buildings passed by Viktor's window, now. When they finally came to a stop it was outside a large but very traditional building.
Viktor blinked curiously. "Are we trying something different? Not that I mind, it looks like there is a lot more room for the dogs."
"There will be plenty of space," Yuuri smiled, stepping out of the SUV and letting Vicchan down without even putting on the leash. The poodle started running around excitedly. "Welcome to my home, Viktor."
