Yuuri had a proposition for Viktor, but he wasn't quite sure how to ask it. He bit his lip as he pulled Viktor's hair out from under the juban draped over his broad shoulders. Viktor had told him the other day that he loved the old kimonos kept in a chest in the storage room, and that he wanted Yuuri to help him put them on. These were no cheap garments like from the House of Ill Fame, and Viktor expressed his desire to give them the respect they deserved.
It was rather intimate, helping somebody put on a kimono. (Not as much as brushing hair, in Yuuri's opinion, but it was up there.) Yuuri still averted his eyes when Viktor was shirtless. Now that they were a couple, seeing his bare torso made him feel even more bashful than before. He hoped that, in time, he would grow more accustomed to it.
Yuuri carefully tied the juban closed. He handed the kimono to Viktor, then carefully guided his soft wings through the holes that he had lovingly measured and hemmed in the former half of the day. Viktor had asked if it was really alright to do, and Yuuri assured him that the kimono was made to be worn, and it was better to be using it with alterations than not at all.
Yuuri swallowed dryly.
"I've been thinking..."
"About what, Yuuri?" Viktor asked, eyes twinkling.
"Ah, well…" Yuuri didn't know why he was so nervous to talk about this. He fell silent.
"Yuuuuri~" Viktor nudged.
"Sorry," Yuuri laughed softly. "I was just thinking, what if I started working at the bookstore again?" Without giving Viktor a chance to reply, he rushed on. "Not in a managerial position, just as a regular employee. I could help with purchases and stocking and the like." He scratched his cheek, then helped Viktor tie a string around his middle. He adjusted the kimono to the right length. Because Viktor was so tall, the kimono barely needed to be folded at the waist.
"I don't know, it's probably a bad idea," Yuuri babbled. Viktor didn't speak, as if pondering. Yuuri slid his hands into the slits on the sides of the kimono to make sure that everything was even and flat, a shiver running through his body as his fingers lightly brushed against Viktor's hips. Once the kimono was smoothed down, Yuuri tied another cord to make sure that it stayed in place. Yuuri stepped back to examine his work. He was out of practice, but it turned out pretty well. He was growing concerned that Viktor hadn't responded yet.
"Don't worry about it-" he began, but was cut off.
"I think it's a splendid idea."
Yuuri's heart tripped in excitement.
"R-really?"
Viktor turned his head, eyes bright.
"It would be a good opportunity, I think." He took Yuuri's hand and laced their fingers together. He stood there, in his obi-less kimono. "I'm so happy that you are considering it. It's a big step for you."
Yuuri averted his eyes, a little embarrassed.
"Thank you."
Viktor's ocean eyes were so soft when Yuuri met them again. Yuuri looked down shyly, and quickly pecked his cheek. Viktor touched the spot gently.
"My Yuuri…"
Yuuri blushed, and busied himself with the obi.
"Can you lift your arms, please?" he asked. Viktor obliged, and Yuuri placed one end of the obi over his shoulder. His fingers lingered longer than they probably should have, and his gaze was snagged for a moment on Viktor's rosy lips. Viktor held his hair up, and Yuuri guided his other hand to hold the obi in place. Their bare skin-to-skin contact sent thrilling jolts to Yuuri's feeble heart.
He pulled the obi around the back of Viktor's slim waist, winding it around him. Yuuri flipped down the piece over Viktor's shoulder, and then expertly tied a complicated obi knot. He pulled the bow to Viktor's back, and adjusted everything until he was satisfied. It rested there, between Viktor's open wings. Viktor let go of his hair, and it tumbled down in a silver cascade. Yuuri couldn't help but briefly grasp a piece of it to feel the softness in his hand. When he turned to find the obiage and obijime, Viktor suddenly asked,
"What if I worked there too?"
Yuuri's fingers hovered over the chest for a moment, before he picked up the items and faced Viktor again. He would be lying if he said that he hadn't fantasized about the two of them working side-by-side, casually flirting across the bookstore. He had merely forgotten to mention the possibility.
"I think that-" Yuuri looped the obiage around Viktor's waist, tied it, and neatly tucked it in. "I think that would be very nice."
"Really?" Viktor looked over his shoulder, eyes glistening. Yuuri nodded. He imagined Viktor flitting from shelf to shelf, books in his arms.
"It would be good reading practice?" he suggested, then began knotting the obijime cord.
Viktor smiled and put a finger on his lips, then looked up at the ceiling. Yuuri saw his face fall slightly, almost imperceptibly. He immediately guessed what he was thinking. "It will be alright! I would be with you the entire time," he comforted right away, being well-acquainted with that anxious feeling Viktor must be experiencing. "Besides, I know the staff. They are kind people." 'If not a little too extraverted for me to handle sometimes,' Yuuri added in his head. "You being a fairy wouldn't be a problem."
Viktor's lips were pressed together, hesitant.
"Are you certain, Yuuri?"
Yuuri exhaled. Helping Viktor feel more confident about the situation was helping himself as well.
"I know," he said. Viktor's eyes were full of trust. "And if anybody gives you trouble, they'll have to answer to me!" Yuuri declared.
"Oo, so scary~" Viktor teased, and squeezed Yuuri's bicep. Yuuri's face colored self-consciously. Flustered, he returned to the chest. He took out a neatly-folded han-eri that had probably resided there for a decade. He stood in front of Viktor and positioned the han-eri around his neck. He could feel the blazing intensity of Viktor's eyes as he watched him. Yuuri focused on his task, his body hot and his head not entirely thinking straight. He pinned the han-eri in place and smoothed out the fabric on Viktor's chest.
Standing so close, the mustiness of the old clothing mixed with Viktor's floral scent was slightly dizzying. Without realizing it, he had left his hands there on Viktor's pectorals for an inappropriate amount of time.
"Ah, sorry!" He pulled his hands away like he'd touched a hot iron. Viktor snatched his wrists with a mischievous look. His long fingers were slightly cold against the backs of Yuuri's hands. He placed Yuuri's hands so that they were cupping his cheeks, then tilted his head.
"Yuuri~" he cooed. Yuuri's heart skipped a beat.
"Y-yes?" he managed to get out.
"Kiss me?" Viktor's angelic face had a perfectly devilish expression, and his grip tightened a bit. 'This fairy!' Viktor had him cornered, and he knew it. He closed his eyes sweetly and pursed his lips. Yuuri frowned, staring at the face cupped between his palms, then exhaled. "You always get your way," he grumbled half-jokingly. He got on his tiptoes and leaned in, then-
"What is that suppo-" Viktor said innocently, continuing the banter. He was interrupted by Yuuri kissing (attempting to kiss) him, but instead his lips made contact with Viktor's teeth and their noses bashed together.
Two sets of eyes flew open, and they stared at each other, inches apart. Viktor burst into laughter, and Yuuri covered his smarting nose.
"Aaaaa!" he groaned, his eyes tearing up. Viktor was near tears himself. From laughing.
"Do you need me to- do you need me to-" He coughed, trying to gain composure. "Heal you?" he asked stoically.
"I'm fine," Yuuri deadpanned.
Viktor nodded, but his eyes were still mirthful.
"Close your eyes again," Yuuri instructed, and held the sides of Viktor's head. Viktor obeyed. "And don't start talking this time!"
Viktor's shoulders shook as he tried to contain his laughter. Yuuri leaned up again, but aimed better the second try. He tilted his head and made certain that he was positioned correctly before he went in. He kissed Viktor shyly, softly. The type of kiss that is born from a newly budded, inexperienced love. It was just as nice and electric as the first time, and Yuuri wondered if he could ever grow tired of it, if the novelty would fade away.
They parted with a quiet sound, and Yuuri tucked a lock of hair behind Viktor's pointed ear. Viktor grinned, then pulled Yuuri into a hug. Yuuri rested his cheek against Viktor's collarbone, content. He soaked up Viktor's affection like a flower in the spring sun.
When they separated, Viktor stepped back and lifted his arms. The long furisode sleeves fell elegantly, and he slowly turned around so that Yuuri could see from all angles. The fabric was a thick wool blend in a lush, forest-green color. Incredibly detailed embroidery of spiraling foliage covered it in a blueish-green shade. The obi, a lovely swirled mahogany, stood out against the cream obiage. The palette was strikingly complimentary. The completed outfit evoked images of an ancient, mystical wood.
Viktor's hair was completely down, covering up the bow in the back. It rippled as he moved, like he was wearing a cape of the finest silk over his ensemble. Viktor fluttered over to the box of pins lying on the bed, and sifted through them. Yuuri soon was by his side, peering into the box. A reddish-brown, wooden comb with flowers and leaves carved into it caught his eye. Viktor must have been thinking the same thing, because he held it up to admire it in the light from the window.
He pressed it into Yuuri's hand, and Yuuri gently guided it into the left side of Viktor's hair, near the crown of his head. It stayed in place for a moment, but drooped a few centimeters under the sheer weight of Viktor's hair. Viktor traced his fingertips over the grooves in the design, and left it be. His eyes crinkled into happy crescents as he smiled.
Yuuri's heart felt like a deep well, its surface rippling. This was a kind of love that he had never felt for anybody else, and never would again. Viktor took Yuuri's fingers lightly and pulled him over to the full-length mirror. He twirled side to side to see himself from every angle. The fairy was certainly developing a vain streak, and really, who could blame him? As much as he had gone through thus far, he deserved to feel beautiful.
Yuuri stared at himself in the mirror. Next to Viktor's powerful radiance, he looked like a ghost. He wasn't jealous, of course, but he got a sickly, heavy feeling in his stomach. It was like he had swallowed lead. 'Inadequacy,' he decided, as he stood slightly behind Viktor. Viktor was so vibrant, so vivacious…
Viktor stopped admiring himself; he must have seen Yuuri's face. His eyebrows pinched together in concern, and he tugged Yuuri in front of him. He placed a hand on his shoulder, and the two of them made eye contact in the reflection. Viktor's touch grounded him. He could clearly see the pure affection and admiration shining in his eyes.
Yuuri searched the mirror, trying to see what Viktor saw in him. He couldn't, but… He admitted to himself that looking back at him was somebody that was trying to be better, someone that had changed and grown. That was still changing and growing. He was becoming the person that he wanted to be, even if the road was long and difficult.
Yuuri relaxed his shoulders and sighed, and Viktor pressed his cheek against Yuuri's head. He encircled him in his arms, rocked him back and forth. And no words needed to be said.