Yuri opened his eyes slowly, the room was silent and dimly lit by the table lamp sitting on the night stand. He turned his attention to his left where he found Victor asleep in the chair beside him, his head resting in his hand.

A chill traveled through Yuri's body, he pulled the blanket close, waiting for it to pass. He thought of Victor, how warm he felt with the older man's arms wrapped around him. The soft sound of Victor's heart as he was held close, never wanting to be let go. He sighed contentedly, momentarily losing himself in the memories.

He sat up in bed, feeling a wave of dizziness pass over him, and remained still, hoping it would pass quickly and reached over to the night stand for the glass of water. The room temperature liquid seemed only to irritate his throat, but he was determined to let Victor sleep.

Oh Victor, I'm sorry. We almost made it, didn't we, and I had to mess it up for both of us. You had so much faith in me and I let you down. I know you said it's not as important to you, but I feel so guilty. You worked really hard for this. Yuri thought to himself. And sleeping like tht can't be comfortable, have you been doing that this whole time?

Yuri felt the dizziness return and soon began to cough, waking Victor.

"Yuri." He said gently, reaching out to stroke the young skater's hair. "are you feeling okay, you should be resting."

"I was, I just woke up and I needed a drink, but everything's fine." Victor frowned, allowing his hand to rest on Yuri's forehead.

"Your fever seems to be getting worse, and you've slept all day." Yuri pulled away slowly.

"It's evening, sometimes fevers do that." He refused to look into Victor's eyes.

"Yuri-" the older man sighed.

"You didn't have to sleep in the chair, your bed's just-"

"I wanted you to see that I'm still here when you opened your eyes. When you first felt sick, you thought I left you because I stepped out of the room. Your fever was high, I couldn't-I will never leave you, you know that don't you?"

"y-yeah, it must've been my fever. I've-"

"I want you to lie back down and try to sleep. I made an appointment for you for the day after tomorrow. It was the best I could do."

"You didn't have to do that, I appreciate it but-"

"Rest. I'll get you some cold water, It's better for you than the glass that's been sitting out." Before Yuri could reply, Victor had picked up the glass and was out of sight. Yuri leaned back against the pillows. He didn't deserve Victor's love, who was he to ever think someone like Victor could settle for someone like him?

I don't know you could love me so much, after all this. I'll make it up to you, I promise. I don't know what I'd do without you. Victor soon reappeared, carrying a glass of ice water and a damp cloth.

"this should help your throat." the older man allowed Yuri to sit up and he watched as the young skater sipped slowly. At first. The liquid stung Yuri's throat, causing him to pause before continuing. When he had finished, Victor placed the glass back on the table, smling.

"Good, you haven't had much water today, it's very important that you drink as much as you can to stay hydrated. If you're feeling any better later, I'll bring you some soup." He helped Yuri settle back into bed, putting the cloth on his forehead. The cool sensation on his heated skin felt soothing to Yuri.

"Thank you, I don't know what I'd do without you Victor." Yuri said weakly.

"You'll never have to worry about that. I'm not going anywhere. Lie still now and try to go back to sleep." Yuri needed no further encouragement, he closed his eyes and was soon sleeping peacefully.

When Yuri woke some time later, he found Victor beside him watching television. He could hear the familiar soft melody and quiet commentary. He sat up silently, careful to avoid the attention.

Yurio moved gracefully across the ice. He moved easily into his jump. Yuri had to admit he was improving. He noticed hi glass was now filled with ice water.

"I wanted to make sure you had something cold to drink when you woke up, I've been keeping the water fresh for you." Victor said turning to look at Yuri. "How do you feel?" He softly pressed his hand to Yuri's forehead.

"I feel okay." Yuri said quietly.

"Are you sure?" Yuri nodded.

"Good. Can you eat today?"

"I'm sorry Victor, I don't think I can, my throat-"

"You haven't eaten in days, I'm worried about you." Victor frowned.

"You don't have to be, you don't feel like eating when you're sick do you?"

"No. But I know that I have to do it anyway, to keep my strength up"

"But Victor-"Yuri protested.

"I don't want you getting sicker, I don't expect you to eat much, I can bring you some yogurt or something, just as long as you're eating something. Please try...for me?" Victor took Yuri's hand, kissing it softly. Yuri blushed slightly. There wasn't anything in the world he wouldn't do for Victor, all the older man would ever have to do would be to look at Yuri wih his stunning blue eyes and the younger man's heart would melt instantly.

"I can't really promise, but I'll try. Can I wait for a while, I'm just not feeling up to it."

"Don't wait too long, you might not get to it at all if you put it off. I need you to get better, it breaks my heart to see you in pain."Yuri allowed Victor to lean him back onto the pillows slowly.

"Don't worry, I'll be fine, how can I not be, I have you."

"That's right, you do." Yuri looked away.

'Victor, can I ask you something?"

'Anything you want."

"You're so incredible, you could be with anyone, you could've been-how can someone like you love someone like me?"'

"It's not hard to fall in love with someone so beautiful and kindhearted, you're graceful, and you filled my heart with so much love and happiness just to be near you. Why would you ask me that?"

"I just don't want you to feel like you've had to settle for someone that can't always give you-"

"All you need to give me right now is a promise, promise me that you'll stop being so hard on yourself and realize that you give me everything I need because you're here. Is this about the Grand prix again?"

"Well- I know you've worked so hard to get us there and you took time off, only to end up taking care of me in here and watching the results on TV. You've-"

"Yuri, listen to me very carefully," Victor said tightening his grip on Yuri's hand, using his other to stroke his hair.

"I'm here because I want to be, you're not a burden to me or a chore or whatever else your guilt is telling you. We'll be there next time, together. Just rest and focus on being better." Victor paused, reaching for the remote to the televison and turned it off.

"That doesn't matter to me," He explained. "You do. I tell you this a million times, please believe me when I tell you that with or without the gold, I love you. Now don't worry about it anymore." Yuri nodded.

" I'll go get you something to eat, I want you to try."

"I will." Yuri promised, Victor leaned down to kiss his head before disappearing from view. A sudden coughing fit forced him back. He reached for the water, wincing as the cool liquid stung his throat.

"Yuri, are you alright?" Victor had returned, carrying a small container and a spoon. He lowered himself onto the edge of the bed.

"I don't know if I can do it." The ill man said quietly.

"Of course you can, just take a minute." Victor encouraged, oopening the yogurt and beginning to stir it. Yuri leaned back against the wall behind him.

"All right Yuri, I want you to try this, it's strawberry banana, you love that kind."Victor raised the spoon to Yuri's lips.

"Remember why you're doing this, I need you to stay strong for me."

"You don't have to feed me, I can-"

"I know, I said I'd take care of you didn't I?" Yuri allowed Victor to place the object in his mouth.

The smooth texture didn't hurt as much as he thought it would. Perhaps it was simply because Yuri found himself lost in Victor's eyes, the blue pools that reflected their deep love for Yuri.