The sun was finally rising, and it cast long shadows across the rooms. It looked to Yuuri like the darkness was reaching out with a million fingers, slowly losing its grip on the earth as the sun's heavenly light banished it away, at least until nightfall.

Yuuri watched Viktor closely, studying his face. He appeared so resigned and melancholy, and Yuuri understood why. The same brothel where Viktor had briefly lived had served as their best bet at finding Christophe. But now they were back at square one, with no evidence as to where he was. It was like he'd vanished without a trace.

Together, they entered Viktor's room and collapsed on the couch, both still wearing their cloaks and boots, drained even though it was still morning. Suddenly feeling a wave of emotion, Yuuri teared up. He wanted to help Viktor and save his friend, but he was failing. Suddenly Viktor was gently and tentatively wrapping his slender arms around him and pressing his cheek against Yuuri's head.

Yuuri rested there in his comforting arms, eyes closed. His mind went to those poor fairies trapped in the brothel with no hope of escape. They were suffering and in pain…. And not only the ones at that brothel, but most fairies across the country, across the world even.

"I want to save them all," Yuuri disclosed, voice wavering. He felt Viktor's embrace tighten. "But… it's impossible." Even if he spent all he had, he wouldn't be able to buy all of the fairies, nevertheless house and care for all of them. And even if he saved every single one from that brothel, there were hundreds more in slavery.

Yuuri pressed his face into Viktor's chest, enjoying his warmth. Poor Viktor. The trip had been hard on him too, probably far more difficult, but here he was feeling sorry at his own patheticness.

"Are you alright?" Yuuri asked, already knowing the truth.

"No," Viktor said after a period of silence. He took in a shaky breath, Yuuri swaying with the movement. "I was reminded of my place."

Yuuri stiffened, poised to refute. He knew too painfully that Viktor often saw himself as lesser, not worthy.

"I was reminded of just how lucky I am. To have you."

Yuuri's heart skipped a beat.

"Me too," he said, a bit breathless. So eloquent. "I mean, I am too. Lucky to have you." His cheeks burned. Viktor's breath ruffled his hair.

With one hand still securely wrapped around Yuuri's waist, Viktor fumbled with the buttons on his cloak. Missing a finger wasn't making it any easier. Quicky, Yuuri leaned back and unfastened the cloak for him. Viktor pulled off the heavy garment and carefully leaned to drape it over the arm of the sofa, still holding Yuuri close.

Yuuri noticed that his hair was slipping from the large bun that it was in (his hair was too silky to hold certain styles for too long). With a practiced hand, Viktor pulled out his flowery white kanzashi pins and shook his head so that his hair could tumble down around him.

With a sigh, Yuuri rested his head on Viktor's lap. The organdy and lace fabric felt cool and smooth against his cheek, and Viktor lightly moved his hand to his back. Yuuri lifted his gaze to meet Viktor's eyes, which seemed luminous in their unhuman, ethereal was like deep pools of clear water. Viktor's bow lips moved into a smile that crinkled those eyes. Viktor leaned over him and his hair slid down around Yuuri like silk curtains.

Viktor ran his fingers through Yuuri's own hair with the softness of stroking a kitten or a baby bird. Quietly, he began to hum. Yuuri wondered if it was a fairy song from his childhood. The melody was a bit forlorn-feeling, but sounded like something one would sing to a child to help them fall asleep.

Yuuri imagined Viktor as a sweet, innocent toddler with chubby limbs and tiny wings. The mental picture made him smile.

"What are you thinking about, Yuuri?" Viktor asked, pressing a finger to his lips.

"Oh, nothing," Yuuri said, embarrassment blooming inside of him.

"Yuuuri."

"You, as a little child," he admitted.

Viktor's soft laugh rang out like golden bells. It was so pure and full of life, and maybe it was just because what they had just done had been emotionally exhausting, but Yuuri felt like he could cry at that sound. This was where he belonged. Here, with Viktor beside him. Hot tears welled up in his eyes as the feeling overtook him. God, why was he so emotional?

Viktor cooed to him softly, tracing his hand over his back and carding his fingers through his hair.

"My Yuuri."

Yuuri's heart tripped over its own feet and the teardrops overflowed. He sniffed quietly, trying (in vain) not to draw attention to himself.

"Yuuri?" Viktor asked. He withdrew his hands. "Did I do something wrong?"

"No!" Yuuri sobbed, hiding his face in Viktor's skirts. "I just-" He wasn't quite sure how to articulate what he was feeling. He couldn't meet Viktor's eyes, but he sat up and took Viktor's hands before holding them close to his heart. 'I love you,' Yuuri thought in that moment, heart pounding and vision blurry.

That phrase thrilled him, terrified him, made him simultaneously want to both flee and never let go. He had never known love like this before. Yes, love. His mind quickly tried to recant the mental declaration, but his heart knew it to be true. This was the culmination of months of pining away, not having a label for what he was feeling.

Viktor delicately laced his fingers into Yuuri's. Yuuri stared at them, scarcely believing that this wasn't a dream. Was it a dream? But no, when he blinked, Viktor was still there. Viktor made a humming sound in his throat, and the sudden sound made Yuuri fearful that he was about to shy away or say something devastating.

"Your hands are so warm," Viktor said.

"Oh, I'm sorry."

Viktor untangled their fingers and pulled Yuuri's hands up to rest on his pale cheeks, holding them there.

"Like my own personal hearth." They stayed there for a while, until Yuuri's arms began to feel stiff (it didn't matter). How easy it would be to lean up and kiss him. It would only be a moment, but it could permanently alter the course of their relationship for better or worse. Yuuri's heart did a somersault at the notion, but he didn't act on his impulse. Instead, he took his hands from Viktor's cheeks. Hurt and confusion flashed over Viktor's face for an instant before he suppressed it and assumed a placid expression.

"May I brush your hair?" Yuuri asked shyly, and the light entered Viktor's features again as he beamed.

"Yes, yes please." Viktor bounced up and hurried off to find his brush. His skirts swirled around him as he walked. Once he fetched the silver brush, he hopped onto his bed and smiled at Yuuri expectantly. Yuuri stood and joined him on the large bed. Viktor kneeled neatly, folded his wings, and tossed his hair behind him. The canopy scarves framed Yuuri's vision, tinging his world in pink.

Viktor gave Yuuri the brush and they began their cherished routine. There was always something so therapeutic about playing with Viktor's hair, as if every brushstroke smoothed out a worry in Yuuri's heart. If only it was a permanent remedy.

"Yuuri?" Viktor asked.

"Oh, yes?" Yuuri replied, diverting his attention from solely the hair spilling all around them both.

"We should stay in today. We've been going out quite a bit." He paused. "Of course I want to find Chris, but we need to rest, too." His tone was serious, and he looked back at Yuuri for approval.

"Of course."

Viktor looked as if he was thinking, and turned back to face forward again. His hair made a pleasing sound against his back as he did so. Yuuri was proud of Viktor for being assertive with his suggestion. It was a huge improvement from how Viktor used to be.

"We can cook and read together?" Yuuri supplied. The waterfall of argent hair shifted forward slightly as Viktor nodded. Yuuri abandoned the comb and buried his hands into Viktor's abundant locks. He gathered up handfuls of it and watched it slip smoothly from his fingers, glowing in the morning light. So gorgeous. As Viktor was becoming more healthy, he could see it manifested in his hair as well.

A bit reluctantly, Yuuri scooted forward on his knees and moved his fingers over Viktor's scalp to pull any stray strands out of his face. Viktor leaned back and made a purring sound. Tenderly, Yuuri parted the shining hair into three bunches and began weaving a basic braid. He would like to do a more complicated one, but he wasn't yet confident enough in his abilities. Several times, he had to reposition himself farther back as the length of the braid grew.

When he reached the end at last, he stopped. He'd forgotten to grab something to tie it with. As if he'd read his mind, Viktor offered a white ribbon, holding it over his shoulder. Yuuri took it and wrapped it around the thick rope of hair before tying a secure bow. The finished plait was as thick as Yuuri's forearm, maybe even thicker.

Without the heavy hair covering them, Viktor lifted his wings. Not thinking, Yuuri reached out and brushed his fingertips against one of them. He saw Viktor tense up and quickly jerked his hand back.

"I'm so sorry, I didn't mean-"

"It's alright."

Yuuri wished that he could see Viktor's face.

"Go ahead," Viktor continued. Yuuri was about to, but then remembered something that he'd heard before and hesitated.

"Won't it hurt you and keep you from flying if I touch them?"

Viktor laughed, and Yuuri blushed.

"It's alright as long as you're gentle. I think human parents tell that to their children to keep them from being too rough and injuring butterflies. But even if you happened to dislodge a scale, I would be fine."

Yuuri's lips were parted, hands clutching the fabric of his pants as he worried. Would it truly be alright with Viktor, or was he just letting him because he felt obligated? Viktor looked back at him, and his eyes were so trusting.

Inch by inch, Yuuri outstretched his hand. The ends of his fingers lightly made contact with the glittering surface of Viktor's left wing. It was surprisingly soft, almost feathery. It also felt fragile, and Yuuri was terrified of accidentally ripping it somehow. He traced his fingers over a vein and felt Viktor's pulse. He couldn't even fathom how anybody could cut them off of a fairy. They were alive. It would be like severing a limb, gouging out eyes-

Viktor fluttered his wings slightly, startling Yuuri and making him yank his hand away with wide eyes. Viktor must have felt Yuuri's touch vanish because he looked back again. Yuuri's face flushed, and Viktor laughed. He turned over onto his belly and lazily opened and closed his wings. His thick braid snaked between his wings like a river of silver with turquoise flowers on its banks.

Viktor stretched out his long arms and legs.

"Aaa," he said as he did so. He looked up at Yuuri with those dazzling eyes.

"Would you like to learn some letters?" Yuuri asked.

Viktor placed his hand on his knee.

"Teach me, Yuuri."

Yuuri dipped his head and smiled.