"I'll show you where the books are that we need."
Viktor swallowed and followed Yuuri. As they passed by the round check-out counter, Yuuri stared firmly at his feet and hunched his shoulders. He pulled down the brim of his pageboy cap and sped up. With curiousity, VIktor pondered why he didn't seem to want the cashier to see his face. Yuuri was fidgety and overly anxious-looking, reminding Viktor of his behavior before they had gotten to know each other better.
Yuuri appeared to know where to go, which came as a relief to Viktor. The signs loomed above him with their menacing, undecipherable letters. Yuuri walked down a row of the store. He squinted and leaned forward to scan over the spines of the books before pulling out several thin volumes. He carefully handed them to Viktor, making sure that he had them in his hands before letting go, then turned back to the shelf to hunt for more books.
Viktor held the stack of small books and flipped through to look at the covers inquisitively. They seemed to be intended for human school children, which was appropriate for his literacy level. They felt so nice and new in his grasp. He felt too dirty to touch them.
He waited while Yuuri pored over the books and popped behind the corner onto the next row. Viktor wanted to help, but he thought he'd be more of a hindrance. He hummed an old fairy tune. He remembered many fairy songs, probably from repeating them so often… He couldn't be sure if his memories of the melodies had changed over time or not.
This shifted his thoughts back to Christophe, as often occured, and suddenly the books felt as heavy as lead in his hands.
He heard a shuffling noise behind him, and turned to look over his shoulder. He saw a boy peeking from around the corner. His eyes widened, and he let out an "eep" noise before disappearing from view. 'So strange.'
Yuuri came into sight again.
"Here are some more," Yuuri said with pink cheeks. "May I see those?"
Viktor gave the books in his arms to Yuuri, who laid them out on a nearby, small table.
"What do you think about this one?" he asked, pointing to a book that had a drawing of a little girl holding a cat on the front. Viktor's lip quirked slightly in amusement. All he knew about the books was gathered from the covers; he didn't know which ones would be most helpful.
Yuuri quickly added, "I used a similar one when I was little and first learning to read. There's stages as you progress."
Viktor nodded with a smile. "Yes, then. Sounds excellent."
"And then we can get this workbook too." It had boxes and lines inside as Yuuri flipped through it, presumably for writing letters and words in. A bubble of excitement rose inside of Viktor. This was real. He was actually going to learn how to read and write.
"This should be good for now," Yuuri said, seeming to be thinking out loud. Viktor nodded again, and Yuuri moved to put the books they hadn't chosen away.
"Would you like some recipe books, Viktor? Since I'll be teaching you to cook and all…" He smiled, a tad sheepishly. He picked up the books they had selected.
Viktor shook his head. He didn't want Yuuri to spend any more money than he already was on him.
"You have the recipes in here, right?" Viktor asked, pointing at his own head and tilting it to the side.
"I suppose I do." Yuuri flushed slightly. They walked together in the direction of the cash register, but there was a seed of guilt in Viktor's stomach that Yuuri was carrying his bags for him. Even though he was steadily improving, it was still hard to ask for things. He swallowed.
"May I carry them?" he ventured. Yuuri blinked.
"Oh, yes, of course!" he stammered, and gave the books to Viktor. Viktor took care not to drop them.
"Thank you," he replied softly. Viktor stared down at the swirling pattern on the red carpet as they walked. It was almost mesmerizing as he crossed over it. They were approaching the counter, and Viktor shifted his eyes down to Yuuri beside him.
Yuuri had once again pulled the brim of his hat further over his face so that it was more obscured. Yet again, Viktor wondered who or what Yuuri was hiding from. It was kind of funny to watch him, with his nervous shifty glances and hunched shoulders. He was as fidgety as a squirrel.
They reached the short queue of people waiting to make purchases. Viktor tilted his head as he looked at magazines on a nearby rack. Most featured story installments, from what Viktor could discern. To think the soon he'd be able to read! It was nearly an unfathomable concept. Just half a year ago, the idea never would have even crossed his mind. Now, it was becoming a reality. All thanks to Yuuri.
They reached the cashier, who smiled friendily.
"Hello!" he greeted. He had dark, slanted eyes and dimples when he smiled. HIs slicked-back hair was neatly parted. His paleness made his rosy cheeks stand out. He was attractive, but not in the same way that Yuuri was. He didn't come close to Yuuri's beauty in Viktor's opinion, but he figured absentmindedly that he was biased.
Viktor placed the stack of books onto the counter.
"How has your day been?" the cashier asked as his fingers clacked on the register keys.
"O-Oh, it's been fine," Yuuri mumbled, keeping his eyes down. Was he intentionally making his voice sound different? It was so odd. Sure, Yuuri became anxious in certain situations, but never in this way. Maybe this was one of his ex-lovers or something of the sort? A childhood bully being re-encountered?
As the cashier reached out to take the last book and enter its price into the cash register, he suddenly blinked. He leaned in closer to Yuuri, who stepped back. Viktor saw panic flash over his face.
"Katsuki-san?" the cashier questioned.
"Um…"
The man beamed. "It is you!"
Yuuri looked like he wanted to run. Tentatively, Viktor moved closer so that their shoulders were brushing. With any luck it would offer a modicum of comfort.
"We haven't seen you in so long! How have you been?"
Yuuri gulped.
"Well… Slowly doing better, I think," he replied with a nervous laugh. He was clearly uncomfortable.
"Good, good." The man studied him with his near-black eyes. "Well, what are you doing paying for these books? You can just take them."
"No, no," Yuuri quickly interjected. "That wouldn't be right. I mean, I don't mind paying. I want to."
"It really isn't necessary."
"I want to," Yuuri insisted. The boy that Viktor had seen spying on him earlier scampered up.
"Our new shipment of…" he trailed off when he saw Yuuri. "Katsuki-san?" he squeaked. Yuuri sighed, defeated.
"Yes."
"Ah! It's so amazing to see you in the flesh! I just recently started working here," he babbled excitedly. His black hair stuck up every which way, and Viktor noticed that his canines were pointier than most human's. His skin was tanned and he appeared to also be Asian. "My name is Kenjirou Minami. But please, call me Minami-kun!"
"Oh, um…" Yuuri stuttered, frazzled. "I am Katsuki Yuuri." He stiffly bowed in greetings, and Minami did the same. His deep bow nearly caused him to bang his head on the corner of the counter. He didn't appear to notice. Yuuri turned to Viktor. His eyes read "help me."
"And this is…"
"I'm Viktor." Viktor gave the best fake smile he could muster. Minami gave a small nod before reverting his attention fully back to Yuuri. Viktor wondered if his behavior was due to him being a fairy (probably not, because he still had his hood on and it covered his ears) or because he only cared about Yuuri. It was the second one, Viktor decided.
"Ah, Katsuki-san, it's just so great to meet you in person! I've heard so much about you! Your picture is in the backroom," he gushed.
Yuuri gave an awkward half-smile, clearly unsure how to react. He quickly dug out his wallet and shoved bills onto the counter. Viktor noticed that his hands were shaking. The cashier counted out the change and handed it to Yuuri.
"I hope that everything was up to your standards."
Yuuri appeared anxious to leave, eyes yearning for the door.
"Yes, yes. Of course."
The cashier wrapped the books in brown paper with swift, precise, and practiced motions before tying a string around the package. Viktor took it into his arms, and Yuuri bowed rapidly in farewell.
"Goodbye, Katsuki-san!" Minami called.
"Thank you for visiting!" the dark-eyed man echoed.
"Goodbye," Yuuri said, giving a limp wave.
Looking at the ground, Yuuri left the shop in quick strides. Viktor followed behind, finger on his lips as he watched Yuuri. Once they were half a block away, Yuuri slowed his pace (it hadn't been difficult for Viktor to keep up, since his legs were so long). Yuuri gave a long, heavy sigh of relief, and his shoulders sagged. Silence weighed on the two of them.
"Yuuri," Viktor said, a bit flatly. He drew out the "uu." He wanted to know what had just happened.
"I'm sorry," Yuuri began softly.