"Viktor, would you like some fruit slices? I think that you're ready for fresh fruit now, instead of applesauce."
Viktor looked up from where he was arranging clay pots in a row on the windowsill.
"Yes," he replied, beaming. Yuuri returned the smile and left the room. Viktor turned his attention back to the pots. A bag of soil laid open next to them. Carefully, he scooped up dirt with his hands and transported it to the pot. He repeated this a few more times, until the pot was three-quarters of the way full, then filled the other four.
Next, Viktor picked up one of the seed packets, the one with the detailed illustration of marigolds on it. He flipped it over to look at the back. Although he couldn't read and was unable to decipher the text, thankfully there were picture diagrams. He was sure to follow the instructions to the best of his ability, sowing the marigold seeds about an inch apart from each other like how the drawing depicted.
Viktor supposed that he could just ask Yuuri for help with what the packages said, but he didn't want to expose his own illiteracy. Meticulously, he planted seeds in each pot. There were still quite a bit remaining in each packet, so he folded the tops of them over for later use.
When he was all finished, Viktor rested his chin on his hand and smiled contentedly at the pots. He imagined what his flowers would look like when they were in full bloom, vivid petals unfurled. But then his smile abruptly fell as memory fragments from long ago, like a pieces of broken china that had been swept under a dresser and found once more, replayed in his head.
He could still picture the feeling of the soil under his bare feet, moist and rich. Light had shone through the green leaves above him, wind making them gently brush against each other. It had sounded like they were having secret, whispering conversations with one another as if they were gossipping. For whatever reason, he very clearly remembered that detail.
Viktor's mother had been there too, smiling down at him. Her face was now a mere blur in his mind. The years since they'd parted had faded her visage from his consciousness. Sometimes he would dream of her, and see her image clearly. But when he woke up… he always forgot again.
Side by side, his mother showed him how to plant seeds and nurture them. She taught him how to focus his magic to give them encouragement so that would grow faster and stronger. He wondered if he could still do it… It had been so long since he'd been with living plants.
Viktor closed his eyes and concentrated, fingertips pressed into the dirt. He reached out with his energy to the tiny seeds and pictured them growing roots and sprouting. He motivated them to open up and embrace the world. When he lifted his eyelids, he was greeted by tiny green stems poking out of the dark earth.
Viktor's heart swelled with happiness. It had been ages since he'd used magic in such an unrestrained way; it was highly taboo and his old master liked to punish him for it. That didn't deter him, however. He still used soothing magic when Chris had been injured.
As his thoughts shifted to Chris, Viktor's elation dwindled like a dying candle flame. He missed his dear friend terribly. He'd never been bold enough to ask Yuuri if he could visit, even though he desperately needed Chris' companionship. Whenever something had happened to one of them, they were there to comfort each other. They'd cuddle together, sharing warmth and telling stories from their homelands.
In the few days that had passed since Viktor was threatened by Seamus, he'd been even more jumpy and skittish than usual. He imagined every noise that creaked in the darkness of the night to be an intruder, intent on stealing his parts to sell. He would lie there on his bed, alone, with the blankets covering his whole body as he hid. Even though it wasn't cold, he would shiver.
Viktor longed for Chris to be there with him. He could always ask Yuuri to hold him and make him feel safe, but… he didn't wanted to cause him any trouble. Besides, it would be very improper of him to make such a request.
Sighing, Viktor moved onto the next pot and focused on the tiny pieces of life within the shells of the seeds. Just as he was finishing coaxing the seeds in the last pot up, he heard Yuuri re-enter. He turned around to see Yuuri holding a plate that was bearing slices of various fruits. Yuuri placed it on a side-table and smiled at Viktor. His face was flushed, and he seemed so cheerful.
Viktor's heart skipped a beat, and he smiled back.