Victor sipped from his glass while he waited for the soup to get warm. Yuri was slowly improving.
It had been almost a week since Yuri's appointment and Makkachin remained at his side, sleeping between the ill skater and Victor. When the soup was finished, Victor placed it on a tray with a glass of ice water and carried it into the bedroom where his beloved Yuri slept, curled up in his blanket. He found Makkachin lying sideways on the bed his head resting protectively on Yuri's arm.
"Good boy Makkachin, keep watch on our Yuri. It's important to make sure he's taken care of." Victor put the tray on the bedside table and rubbed the dog's head in greeting.
"He needs his medicine now, we have to tell it's time to wake up." Victor whispered. Makkachin wagged his tail, carefully standing up and lowering his head, licking Yuri's cheek gently.
"Yuri," Victor called lovingly. "I need you to take your medicine." Yuri opened his eyes just as Makkachin nuzzled his head against his cheek, giving one more kiss.
"Hey, Makkachin." He greeted. The poodle, satisfied that he had completed his job, laid back down, exposing his belly to Yuri, who began rubbing it instantly.
"Good morning beautiful." Victor pressed his lips to Yuri's forehead.
"Morning, Victor." Yuri coughed into his sleeve.
" how are you feeling?"
"Better, thanks to you two."
"Good. I'm glad to hear that. I'd like to check your temperature, then if you feel well enough later, after you take your medicine and rest a little more, I want you to come sit with me in the living room. You must be tired of staring at the bedroom." Yuri reached up, placing his palm on Victor's cheek, stroking it with his thumb. The older man leaned into it, then took hold of it, pressing his lips to the back of Yuri's hand.
"I really hope you're better soon."
"of course I'll be better soon. I'm probably-"
"As happy as it would make me to have you back on your feet,I -" Victor paused choosing his words carefully.
"What is it, Victor?"
"You know how important you are to me, don't you Yuri?"
"Yeah. What's-"
"You're my everything, the one person I can't live without. I take care of you because I never want to lose you."
"You won't, I'm still here with you." Yuri said, confused by the sudden change in Victor's tone.
The older man sighed, climbing into bed beside Yuri, holding out his arms. Yuri moved to allow Victor to hold him as he had before. The silver haired man pulled him close, stroking his hair lovingly.
"Is something wrong?" Yuri asked.
"No. There's something I've been wanting to ask you for a long time. I wanted to wait for the perfect time and things just seemed to keep coming up. Holding you like this, so close to me... I feel like I'm holding a rare treasure. You make me happy and since you have been sick in bed, I realize that I enjoy being able to take care of you. I always want you with me. When I have you in my arms, I don't want to let go."
"Then don't." Yuri said softly.
"Yuri?"
"Hm?"
"Can I keep you...always?" Yuri smiled, snuggling into Victor.
"Always and forever."
"In sickness and in health... I will love you with all my heart, Yuri."
"Every day of my life?"
"No, Yuri much longer than that. Until forever ends. I have one more thing to ask."
"Go ahead." Yuri encouraged.
"How would you feel about leaving the single skating competition and moving to pairs?" Yuri raised his head.
" oh Victor, I don't think we should do that, you've seen me out there, I mess up my own program I can't do that to you. " Yuri sat up, turning to cough.
"Your movement on the ice is captivating. You're beautiful. Think about it, I love showing you off ." Victor handed Yuri the medicine and the water. When Yuri had taken his pills, Victor took hold of the soup.
"Can you try to eat this for me?" He asked lifting the spoon to Yuri's lips.
"You really don't have to-"
"I want to. We've been through this." Victor said. It had taken a while but this time Yuri managed to eat half of the soup, before lying down to take a nap.
It was midday when Victor made his way to the kitchen for something to drink.
He poured himself a glass of wine, smiling to himself. He allowed his thoughts to wander back to Yuri. He hoped to start their planning as soon as Yuri was well and already had some ideas about the day. He envisioned his Yuri dressed in a white suit meeting him in the center of a skating rink decorated with red roses, perhaps he could arrange it so that the ceremony could be preformed just before the competition began, making their first dance even more special. Best of all, Yuri would smile, genuinely happy as they shared the moment together with Makkachin close by.
"Victor?" Yuri called, pulling the older man out of his daydream. The dark haired skater was still wrapped in the blanket. Victor set his glass on the counter.
"Are you sure you're ready to be out of bed, I don't want you overexerting yourself."
"I'm fine. Just a little cold."
"I think i can fix that." Victor pulled him close, allowing Yuri to rest his head against his chest.
Yuri sighed contentedly, closing his eyes. A soft hand was now gently rubbing his back.
"Is this better?" Yuri nodded.
"Much better." Victor nuzzled him gently. Yuri stayed in Victor's arms for several minutes. When he finally pulled away, he wrapped the blanket tighter around his body. Victor softly pressed his lips to Yuri's forehead.
"Your fever is coming down " The older man said with a smile.
"It's been almost a week, it should be by now." Yuri lowered himself onto a chair. He soon felt hands on his shoulders.
"You still look tired. You should lie down a little longer."
"I'd like to start moving around more. I've been in bed for days." Yuri said.
"You don't have to be, why don't you come sit on the couch with me?" Yuri nodded allowing Victor to guide him into the living room. The older man lowered himself onto the couch, his back resting against the arm. He gently pulled Yuri down so that his head was resting on his chest and began running his fingers through Yuri's dark hair.
Yuri sighed contentedly. Wrapping the blanket tight around himself. Victor's arms were suddenly embracing him.
"Don't worry. I'll keep you warm." The soft voice whispered in Yuri's ear.
"I know you will, you're amazing, Victor."
"If that's true, it's only because of you, my precious Yuri. You make me a better person, I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you." Victor nuzzled Yuri lovingly.
"Could you always love me this much?"
"What are you so afraid of, you keep asking me that."
"What if one day I get all that weight I most back and-"
" Yuri, nothing could ever make me stop loving you. I love you unconditionally. I could never say to you I love you as long as or until. You're my whole world Yuri. I don't want you thinking any differently. You have to let go of that fear " Yuri knew in his heart that Victor meant what he said, but it would take time for the uncertainty to leave his mind.
"I'm sorry, Victor. I just worry one day you'll look at me and-"
"I can see everything I could possibly want, is right here in my arms. All that I am now, and will be, will be because I have you. We'll build a beautiful life together. I'll make sure you have everything you could ever want. All I want in return is to have you with me, giving me the chance to spend forever with you. Anyway, there's a good chance you'll have to deal with me not having hair, if you can get passed that-" Yuri chuckled. Victor smiled, he loved Yuri's laugh.
The older man kissed Yuri's cheek lovingly.
"We'll have a wonderful life. When you're all better, there's a few things I want to talk to you about, for now, let's just relax together" Victor suggested, Yuri agreed. There was no better place than in Victor's arms and that is where he intended to stay.