Chapter 7

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Waking up to sheets wrapped around him, Viktor slowly sat up in bed and stretched. How long did he sleep for? Slowly getting his feet over the bed he took his time leaving the bedroom and seeing where his fiancée was. Finding him in the kitchen talking to his mother while they both worked on food, he put his arms around Yuri's waist and kissed his cheek. Seeing him smile and blush he heard him mumble something before asking.

"How are you feeling?"

"I'm good. That nap was nice. Our bed is so soft."

"Hope you are hungry. Dinner will be ready in about an hour."

"I am ready to eat real cooking." Kissing his cheek again he felt Yuri turn in his arms and look at him with a deep red in his face.

"My mother is right next to me. Do you have to do that?" At the Russian, Viktor smiled and kissed Yuri's lips this time.

"I'll stop I promise. I just missed you."

"I missed you to. Go relax in the living room, we can snuggle on the couch when I am done."

Doing as he was told he had Makkachin follow him to the living room and turned on the tv. He really was tired of laying around from being in the hospital for so long but he was tired even after his nap. Hearing his stomach growl he realized just how hungry he was. Looking over the back of the couch he saw Yuri still at the stove. Getting back up he took his time walking back to the kitchen.

"I thought I told you to rest?"

"I'm hungry."

"Dinner is cooking Viktor. Please be patient."

"I am. I just came to see if we have something to nibble on."

"Here." Looking over his shoulder from the cabinet he saw Yuri holding an apple out towards him. Wasn't really what he was looking for but considering he had no idea what they had right now it would probably have to do.

"Doctor wants you to really watch what you eat." With Yuri's comment, he could tell he read the look on his face. Not wanting to worry his love any longer, Viktor took the piece of fruit and went back to the couch.

Just finishing up he heard Yuri come over with his mother. Sliding over with Makkachin to give his love room they sat together before he felt Yuri rest his head on him. Wanting to make sure Yuri's mother didn't feel out of place Viktor was going to make sure she had room to sit with them when she sat down on the loveseat. Though, had they always had that chair there? Asking Yuri about it he saw him shake his head.

"I bought it the other week. We had a lot of company coming and going and I saw the place up the room had one that matched this one pretty closely for a great deal. Is that okay?"

"I don't mind what you do. This is your place too. And I probably would have done the same thing." Pulling Yuri closer to snuggle him better he made himself wince which caused Yuri to pull away.

"Are you okay? Do you need something?"

"N…no I'm okay. Sorry. I brought you too close to my incision. My breast bone isn't ready to be snuggled against yet."

"Please be careful. The doctor warned you to take it slow."

"I am I promise. Just really miss holding you." He was telling Yuri the truth too. He really missed cuddling with him and holding him. Not having him in his arms was depressing.

"Give it a little while. Once you start to heal better you will be able to do all those things again."

"I know…I know." Still, it didn't solve the problem now. At least he was home, he was alive and home with the man he loved.

Sitting, watching TV they talked more than watched knowing Yuri's mother wouldn't understand a thing. It was nice to catch up while he took it easy. Hearing Makkachin move in front of him to bark, Viktor figured he needed to go out. Looking over at his fiancée he waited for him to lift his head off his shoulder so he could slip his shoes on.

"Stay here Viktor. I'll do it."

"But,"

"No. You just got home and you really need to rest." Well this sucked. So, he went from being trapped in a hospital bed to being trapped in their apartment. This wasn't what he wanted at all. Not going to fight Yuri over it he let him go

"It's nothing personal dear. Yuri is just cares about you and wants to make sure you take care of yourself."

"I know I just feel bad. I don't like being waited on."

"When Yuri was injured you did the same thing to him." Seeing her joke about it Viktor thought back to the other year when Yuri was hurt. He was so worried about Yuri making his back worse he hardly let him leave the bed. Was this his payback for that? Yuri had to stay in bed though or else he could damage his back. He didn't have to stay in bed he was just exhausted right now which could be from just getting out of the hospital.

Once Yuri was home with Makkachin the table was set and soon after they sat down all together to eat. Viktor had no idea what it was but it smelled delicious.

"The doctor wants you to cut back on the sodium intake so I did some research and found this. It sounded good."

"I'm sure it's fine love. Thank you for doing all of this."

"Well. I know you have to take care of yourself but that doesn't mean I can't make you a good 'welcome home' meal."

Taking Yuri's hand and giving it a gentle squeeze Viktor smiled and said, "You truly spoil me." Taking a bit Viktor noticed it tasted fine. Maybe because he was so hungry for real food but it wasn't lacking any flavor. He could do this salt free diet no problem.

"Oh Viktor. Here." Hearing Yuri come over to the couch after dinner, Viktor looked up only to be handed something. Given medication he stopped and stared at his love.

"Doctor said your blood pressure is high and to take twice a day remember?"

"Yea but,"

"Just swallow the pills." Watching Yuri walk away he looked down at the array of pills he was handed. This couldn't all be for his blood pressure. Maybe one was his pain medication. He couldn't remember what else was wrong with him but he knew the doctor was giving him something for when the pain really became intense. Thankfully, he hadn't had that happen yet. He was just sore most times. Popping the pills in his mouth he swallowed them with the water he was given and went back to scratching Makkachin while they cuddled on the couch. He did feel bad that Yuri wouldn't even let him do the dishes but he was feeling another nap coming on. Being home was beyond calming for him. He couldn't stay completely inactive though, if he did nothing all day he would get fat. His goal was to get better so they could pick a new date for the wedding he didn't need to try to drop forty pounds for it. Yawning, he laid down on the couch and shut his eyes.

Waking up to Yuri's voice he saw him kneeing in front of the couch.

"Hey love."

"Why not sleep in the bed if you're that tired?"

"I just wanted a power nap."

"Viktor, you've slept for over an hour. Go to bed."

"No." Rolling over he put his back to Yuri only to stop and wince making him roll back over.

"Are you okay?"

Sitting up, Viktor nodded and gently rubbed his chest. He couldn't touch it too hard or he would just make the pain worse.

"Can you help me shower? I want to take a real shower before I go to sleep."

"Sure. Just remember the doctor said,"

"Not a super hot shower. I know I know." He could already tell he was going to get tired of "the doctor said" rather quickly. Getting up slowly he felt his body was stiff from not moving. This was why they wanted him to think about physical therapy in a few weeks once he started to heal better, so he could gain back the last motion from being bed ridden for so long. Taking his time to the bathroom he sat on the toilet trying to get his sweats off. Normally he would do it standing but he didn't think his body would handle that very well right now. Just getting them off he got a towel around his waist before taking his shirt off. Getting it off as the bathroom door opened he saw Yuri in the mirror. Both were looking at the bandages covering his heart. How ugly. Both broke focus on the healing scar to go back to the task at hand.

"I'm surprised you aren't just naked in here. When have you ever worn a towel before the shower?" At Yuri's teasing Viktor just smirked and made his way to the tub to get the shower running.

"We have company I am trying to be polite." Really, he didn't know. Perhaps it was because he felt so unattractive right now. He felt littered with marks from all the wires and tubes he had attached to him at one point.

With Yuri's help he got in the shower safely and just let the water wash over him for a minute. Hearing Yuri sit next to the shower he wished he could say something to him. He just had no words for this. He felt bad everything came down to this. With the water soaking his hair he ran his fingers through it and thought how he felt so uncertain over his future. All he wanted to do was take care of Yuri forever but now he didn't feel so certain over it. He wasn't all that worried about money for he had a good bit before the Olympics but he knew it wasn't going to last them forever. Shampooing his hair, he let the suds move through each strand, happy they could finally be properly cleaned. Washing it out a few minutes later he stopped and moved the shower curtain just a bit to get his head through.

"Yuri?"

"Hmmm? Need something?"

"I just…I need to apologize for everything. And to ask. Will you still love me if I can't provide for you the way I planned?"

"Viktor. I…of course I will. But, you shouldn't have had to ask that in the first place." Seeing Yuri get up he was kissed for a moment before pulling away knowing he was getting Yuri all wet. Having the shower curtain pulled back to expose him more Viktor felt vulnerable in more ways than one.

"I just. Nothing will be the way I planned anymore and I don't want to drag you down with me. Providing for you has always been my goal and while I am not panicked about our money I know we have no income. Even once in Japan I can't start working until I become a legal citizen." In fact, they had already started on that paperwork months ago so by the time they got married everything would be set for when they moved back to Japan. But, he was uncertain it would be accepted, or that he would find something that would support Yuri the way he deserved.

"I can work though so if we need something I can do it. Why are you so worried about our money situation?"

"I'm not. I just. You mean a lot to me Yuri and after your accident I know you can't do a whole lot without risk of hurting yourself. I figured that once I retired and we moved back to Japan I would work either with your parents or at Ice Castle, or both, just to have some sort of income, some spending money and that way you wouldn't have to worry about it."

"Viktor. I am not some upper-class snob that doesn't know the words hard work. I get I must take it easy but if I have to get my hands dirty I will. And if we find staying in Hasetsu wasn't giving us enough employment options I am not against moving to the city. But. These are things you shouldn't be worrying about right now. You need to focus on getting better." Watching Yuri come into the shower with him he felt the man he loved put his arms around him and gently rest his head against him. "Your only concern right now is to make sure this never stops beating again. Understand?" Yuri said pointing to his heart.

Smiling down at his fiancée, Viktor kissed the top of his now soaking wet head. "I love you Yuri. I love you isn't even a strong enough word."

A little later both came out of the shower. Yuri was now soaking wet though they both needed a moment like the one they shared. They didn't do anything sexual, he wasn't allowed to right now anyway. But, to just have Yuri close, let them be together, sort things out and know that their love was true, Viktor felt better about where they were. He was always focused on getting better but Yuri was such a rock for him. How did he ever think he could survive without love?

Saying goodnight to Yuri's mother, after insisting tomorrow they get her a bed to sleep on, Viktor went into their room for the night. Sitting on their bed petting Makkachin, who refused to let him go far, he wished Christophe and Phichit luck on their programs for World's. And to thank them for being out here while he was in surgery and recovery. He understood why they couldn't stay and see him once he was in a normal room but he appreciated the sediment. He really did have the greatest people around him. Texting Yurio and wishing him luck he didn't expect to hear from him until after the competition. He knew from experience that unless it was Yakov or his grandfather, Yurio didn't care to respond.

Hearing the bedroom door open Viktor saw Yuri come in the room and smile at him when their eyes met.

"I'm surprised you aren't asleep yet. You were so tired before your shower."

"I wanted to wait for you. It's been so long since I had the chance to cuddle you I didn't want to miss it." Watching Yuri come to the bed and slide under the covers, Viktor waited until he was comfortable before putting his arms around him and laying down with him.

"I am so glad you are home."

"Me too. I really missed being with you." Kissing Yuri's neck, they shut their eyes for the night.

Waking up drenched in sweat Viktor sat up and got the covers off of him. Why was he so hot? And why did he feel like his heart was racing? Hearing Makkachin stir he put his finger to his lips to have him stay quiet. He didn't want to wake Yuri. He had worried him enough he didn't want to scare him anymore. Just waiting to see if it passed he got up to sit in the living room. Just opening the bedroom door, he stopped remembering Yuri's mother was sleeping on the couch. Closing the door again he carefully walked back to the bed. His heart racing scared him more than the fact that he was sweating so badly. Trying to think of what to do he sat on the edge of the bed and tried to focus on his breathing. He wasn't going to panic. He was going to sit here and calm down. If he wasn't feeling better in an hour than he would wake Yuri.

Feeling the bed shift Viktor looked behind him and his eyes twitched as the bed lamp went on, on Yuri's side of the bed.

"Viktor? Are you okay?"

"Yea. Sorry did I wake you?" Watching him slide closer he felt him touch him only to pull back.

"You are sweating."

"Yea. I got really hot under the covers and it woke me up. Go back to bed." Feeling his heart still pounding he wondered what was happening. He was fine at the hospital. And dinner wasn't bad at all so why was his heart still racing? And his chest was sore from healing. Maybe that was why? Could it have been from the healing process that he was feeling like this.

"Viktor. Talk to me. What is wrong?" Knowing his love was smarter than this Viktor tried to think of a way to handle this. He really didn't want to scare Yuri anymore.

"I am fine Yuri. It's just…I woke up to my heart racing."

"Did you have a nightmare?"

"Not that I am aware."

"How long has this been going on?"

Looking over at their alarm clock Viktor looked back at Yuri and said, "a half hour now."

"And you didn't think to wake me up? No. Getting mad at your stupidity won't help you. Want me to call someone?"

"All the doctor offices are closed and I really don't want to go back to the hospital over nothing."

"Your heart racing isn't nothing."

Watching Yuri pick up his cell phone and call someone he was only half listening to his call. Hearing him get off the phone he felt him get out of bed.

"Get shoes on. We are going to a twenty-four-hour store to check your blood pressure."

"I don't think we have any around here."

"Then I guess we are going to the ER." Knowing he wasn't going to get out of this he slowly stood up and looked for his shoes.

"I am going to tell my mother what is going on. I'm leaving the door open." Carefully going back to the bed he looked at Makkachin who was sitting up watching him.

"I am not going to fight with him. He is worried about me. I just feel bad." Getting a kiss from his fuzzy companion he finished getting his shoes on.

"My mom is going to stay here and take care of Makkachin. With any luck you won't be admitted, just monitored." Nodding, Viktor really hoped so. He really didn't want to get admitted again, he just got home.

Calling for a taxi he heard it ring and ring, why were they closed? He used this company all the time when he had late night flights. Telling Yuri he couldn't get an answer he was told the one thing he didn't want to hear. "Call for an ambulance." It seemed like such a waste. He was basically fine, so he was sweating and his heart was racing he felt fine. Doing as he was told he called and explained his symptoms. Knowing someone would be here shortly he went in the kitchen with Yuri to wait.

"Maybe they can help you here so you won't have to go to the hospital at all. That would be good for you."

"Yea."

"Please Viktor. You need to take care of yourself and that includes getting looked at when not feeling well."

"I know." Taking Yuri's hand he kissed it as a way of thanks for being here with him and being a voice of reason.

With a knock on the door, Yuri went to get it and let the EMT's in. Meeting them, Viktor told them what the issue was and watched as they put a cuff on him to monitor his blood pressure. Not looking at it and trying to breath he heard them say something about checking the other arm. How bad was it the first time then?

"Mr. Nikiforov your blood pressure is at one-forty-one over ninety-two."

"And that is bad?"

"That is very high. How long have you feeling this?"

"Forty-five minutes now." Hearing one of them speak into their radio, Viktor knew that wasn't good. Great. Just what he didn't want to do, go back to the hospital.

With Yuri in tow they went into the ambulance and he was already being hooked up to medication. He had told them back at the house what he was taking and when he took it so they were going to pass it to the overnight ER doctor.

Getting to the ER, Viktor got settled as he was hooked up to monitors again. At least this time there weren't as many. Being told they were going to monitor him for right now and if it wasn't low by the morning they would admit him. Seeing Yuri come into the little closed off section that was his, he watched him sit down and take his hand.

"I am really sorry I worried you."

"I am just glad they think it might be a temporary thing. I know you don't want to be stuck here again." Getting a kiss on his hand Viktor smiled at the one he loved.

"Can you cuddle me while we wait? I don't want us both not sleeping." Tugging on their hands Yuri smiled and joined him in the little bed. It wasn't the most comfortable thing in the world but it was better than nothing. And he got to stick to his goal of holding him while they slept.

"Love you, Yuri."

"Love you too, Viktor."