Chapter 9
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Tossing and turning in bed, Viktor gave up trying to sleep and sat up. Looking at the book he had stopped reading just before to nap he took a long exhale. This sucked, he was so bored. He wanted to get out and do things, anything, but all that ended up happening was he napped or woke up hurting. He was supposed to see the physical therapist and get that started but he hurt too much to want to keep the appointment. Hearing the bedroom door open he felt Yuri come over to the bed and sit next to him.
"I told you to get up and dressed an hour ago."
"Why? I have nothing to do today. Let me sleep."
"No. I have something for you but you have to get up and dressed. So, get up and get dressed."
Groaning, Viktor saw Yuri watching him with a cross look on his face. Maybe he should stop being a pain. Yuri was being good to him. Getting up, he slowly went to his closet and pulled out a clean pair of sweats and a simple tee, it was a little chilly, so he might as well grab a light jacket. Taking his time getting dressed he heard Yuri tell him to come to the living room when he was done and not to take all day. Putting on what he took out he made sure he didn't have horrible bedhead and left the bedroom.
"What did you want to show me Yuri, I am dress…" Stopping in the living room he saw Christophe jump up from the couch.
"Victor! My friend!" Getting a careful hug from his old friend Viktor was taken aback by why he was here. Christophe had text him the other day and he said nothing back to him. "I am so glad you are home from the hospital and looking better."
"Still healing but it is good to be home." Watching as Christophe was careful to touch his chest Viktor had them move to the couch to get comfortable.
"So, what made you decide to come all the way out here?"
"Well with World's over I had some time off and really wanted to see how you were doing. I felt bad I couldn't stay longer."
"I get why you couldn't and I would have felt bad if you did."
"Viktor. Do you mind if I ran out really quickly to get a few things for dinner?" At Yuri's words, Viktor saw him standing next to the couch.
"Go. I keep telling you to do what you have to. I'll be fine." Giving his fiancée a kiss, he saw him grab his things and leave. Knowing it was just them in the apartment as Yuri's mother left the other week knowing he was on the mend. Though, she had promised to come back if they needed her help with things. He had appreciated all the love and support her presence brought but he felt bad she had dropped everything to fly out here.
"Are you really doing okay?" At Chris's question Viktor turned his attention back on his friend and nodded.
"Yea. I mean I am healing as I am supposed to. I have a checkup next week and the pain has been intense at times but I haven't had another issue."
"That is good to hear but that isn't what I meant. Right before I planned to come out here I was talking to Yuri and he told me you were really down. Now, I had wanted to visit anyway once the season ended but, everything okay with you?"
"Yea. I just…I don't know. I'm bored and trying to figure out what comes next for me."
"Did you guys pick a new date for the wedding?"
"No. Yuri won't let me discuss that with him until I am really back on my feet. I am supposed to do physical therapy, but I had to cancel from the healing pain. Walking a treadmill when your chest feels like it is on fire really isn't all that appealing."
"I get that. Do you still feel really weak?"
"Sadly, yes. I mean. I can walk from the bedroom to the kitchen and not feel like I need a nap after but anything semi physical is rough. Opening jars I can't do, I tried sweeping the other day and my arms didn't want to. You know me. I am fit and not some push over. After this though I don't feel like myself at all."
"I'm sure once you start physical therapy you'll feel better."
"Yea. Maybe."
"What does Yakov think?"
"I don't know. I haven't talked to him. After him and Yurio got back from World's they text me about coming over and I told them no." He would have told Christophe no as well if he had the chance. He didn't want anyone to see him like this. He just wanted to stay curled up in bed.
"I could see why Yuri was worried about you. You really are down."
"Yea. I guess I am. How long are you staying?"
"I figured a few days. You can't just mope around forever."
"Yea. You're right."
"So, why shut us out? I'm your friend. We have seen each other both plastered and in ways we never hoped got out. This isn't anything to hide from."
Laying back on the couch Viktor took a deep breath and tried to get his thoughts to make sense. "I just. I hate being this way. I don't want anyone to see me like this. My whole future is up in the air right now. I don't know what Yuri and I are going to do. I just. I feel like a sham of a man. All I wanted was to take care of Yuri and now…now I don't see how."
"I'm sure once you get better you'll figure everything out."
"I really think Yuri should go back to Japan for right now. All he does is cater to me and he needs to be taking care of himself. He still hasn't told the JSF he is retiring or anything and they are going to start asking. If he retires though he can't live here because he isn't a citizen."
"So then go back to Japan with him."
"I can't. My documents aren't completed yet to make me a Japanese citizen."
"Okay. Then have him apply for dual citizenship here. Talk to Yakov maybe he can help you guys."
"I was thinking maybe it would just be better for him to go back alone. He needs someone better in his life."
"We both know Yuri won't leave you here. And he will fight you if he hears you say that."
"Yea…maybe…maybe I want him to though."
"You do hear yourself, right? You don't want that. Viktor, you are depressed but the last thing you want is to be alone here and to tell Yuri to move on. He cares about you a lot."
"I know. But. I am holding him back and I don't see how our future will work." Viktor shifted himself on the couch and tried to get his mind to think of another way. He was so torn on everything anymore. He just needed answers that he couldn't get.
Growing tired a bit later he knew Christophe was talking to Yuri when he got back before he fell asleep on the couch. His mind was swirling with all these thoughts and ideas on what to do and how to continue. He never would have imagined things would have turned out this way. When he woke up he felt even more exhausted than he did before. Maybe he should tell Yuri what was going on, not now though. Once they had their place to themselves he would.
"Here Viktor." Hearing his name Viktor looked up from the couch to see Yuri holding his pain pills. He kept telling him he didn't have to, but he insisted. He really didn't mind getting up to take them before he went to bed for the night. Cuddling with Yuri for a bit longer they talked with Christophe before they all turned in. Climbing into bed, he got comfortable before Yuri joined him with Makkachin at the foot.
"I hope Christophe being here didn't upset you. I hoped that the surprise visit would cheer you up."
"I appreciate the thought Yuri."
"I just. I love you and I worry. I don't want you to be defeated by this." Looking over at his fiancée Viktor felt his heart sink knowing he was just hurting him more by how he was acting.
"I love you Yuri and I'm glad that this whole thing hasn't made you turn away."
"Never. I know you don't want to hear this but when I was at my lowest you were there for me and now it's my turn. I know things haven't gone the way we planned but just note, there is no place else I would rather be." Getting a kiss from the man he loved Viktor felt his cheeks blush.
"Hey Yuri. Can I tell you something?" Looking at the other he saw into his lover's eyes and stopped. Those wide, loving eyes made his heart flutter, and he couldn't say a word. Reaching over he kissed him back.
It felt strange to get out of the apartment for something more than a doctor's appointment, but Christophe insisted they go for a short walk. He swore the fresh air would do him good and the exercise would help. They didn't go far at all. There was a park two blocks from the apartment and they sat on a bench there for about an hour. It was still quite cold out today and the last thing Viktor wanted was to get sick.
"Can you promise me you will try to see your physical therapist? I get you haven't felt up to it but doing nothing won't help your energy and might be making the pain worse."
"You sound like Yuri. He asks me everyday to make the appointment. I could try I guess. I have had other things on my mind though so I just haven't felt like it. I am going to tell you something and you can't tell Yuri."
"Is it bad?"
"Bad enough. The other week I was contacted by Russia about Yuri's visa. He is only allowed to live here because he is listed as being coached by me here. It's up for renewal and they want documentation that he is in fact training under me given the circumstances and they know he hasn't competed this past season. They want to make sure he plans too. He needs doctors to sign off on the fact that he is coming back next season. Which, the doctor's won't do. I could ask Yakov to coach Yuri while I recover but again, Yuri isn't competing anymore."
"Is that why you were thinking about sending Yuri home?"
"It was part of the reason. I'd rather send Yuri home then have them come to our home and force him out."
"When does he have to the documentation taken care of?"
"The end of the month. The renewal takes a few months but if the paperwork is started then they will extend his allowance until it's approved or denied."
"Why didn't it last the full year? You guys haven't been in Russia that long."
"That I couldn't tell you. When I called them about it I was just told he needs to have the paperwork started. I'm not well enough to fly to Japan and I know he won't willing just go back. I need to talk to him about it, but I don't want to worry him anymore than I already have. Ugh. I need a vacation."
"Yeah, you really need to tell him Russia is trying to force him out."
Coming back to their apartment, Viktor stopped in the doorway as he checked over the mail. Christophe was behind him waiting to go inside as Yuri played with Makkachin in the living room.
"What are you looking at?" Ignoring Yuri for a moment Viktor walked over to his desk and pulled out his account documents and tried to figure things out.
"The hospital in South Korea sent me a bill." Showing Yuri, the paperwork he saw his eyes go wide.
"Is this what you have to pay?!"
"I will call my insurance company and find out. I mean I know I didn't have a lot of coverage overseas but for what I pay for insurance it should have paid for more." Viktor really hoped they could work something out because with how high the bill was he would be paying it for years.
"Let me know how I can help." Getting a temple kiss from Yuri, Viktor nodded and took a deep breath has he looked for the phone number. Seeing Yuri out of the corner of his eye he dealt with the automated calling system before finally getting a real person. Giving all the needed information, he was finally able to ask what he wanted.
"What can I help you with today Mister Nikiforov?"
"Yes. I was wondering about my bill. Did you cover nothing from South Korea? I had a big medical emergency over there and barely survived. And I thought when I bought the policy I got so I was covered when I traveled. I am a traveling figure skating. And have been doing this long enough to know not having carries risks."
"Give me one second Mister Nikiforov and I will pull up your coverage and see what you have."
Waiting a moment, he looked at Yuri and smiled back at him. He really didn't want a twenty-five-thousand-ruble bill to follow him to Japan.
"Mister Nikiforov?"
"Yes?"
"Okay. So according to this the plan you have no longer covers overseas illness. You have Gold but would have needed the Platinum package to have coverage.
Thinking back, Viktor tried to remember if he was told about the change when he bought it. He was always careful when purchasing insurance because he knew they could trick you and he wanted specific coverage.
"And that means you won't cover anything?"
"Well sir, you don't have any coverage for out of Russia."
He had his answer than. He could talk to her for hours and would get nowhere. Insurance companies were never willing to work with you when it came to paying out. Hanging up he knew his blood pressure was probably super high right now. Putting his head on his desk he tried to figure things out. He wanted to pay off this bill, but he didn't have that kind of money. If he was still competing he probably could but then again, he wouldn't have this bill.
"Here, Viktor." Lifting his head, he saw Yuri standing next to him holding out a hot cup of tea for him. When did he do that?
"Thanks, love." Sitting up he took the cup from him and let a simple sip touch his lips.
"They say they wouldn't cover it?"
"I didn't have traveler's insurance."
"That doesn't make sense."
"I said that too."
"We will figure it out. So long as I have you we can handle the bills."
There was that upbeat attitude his love had again. He truly loved that spirit.
"I guess I can handle paying this for years to come so long as I have you." Touching Yuri's cheek, they shared a smile before he leaned in for a kiss. His heart was truly beating for the other, this he knew with every fiber of his being. When they pulled away Viktor took his fiancée's hand and gave his ring a kiss. "I would like to talk about a new date for wedding."
"You need to heal."
"I need something to give me a push. I have you sure, but I need that extra edge to get me out of bed." Looking over Yuri's shoulder he saw Christophe smile and nod in agreement with what he wanted. Chris had seen and they all knew it, Yuri was right, he was depressed from everything that had happened. He needed something to give him hope for the future.
"Fine. Fine. Start therapy and we will." Well, it was a start. Making that deal with Yuri he was glad to feel something was going right. This gave him a reason to get him going and out of bed. He felt so trapped in this apartment it was suffocating him. Tonight, he would tell Yuri everything.
Watching as Yuri's face paled Viktor knew he wasn't happy to hear this news. Though, being told there was a good chance you were going to be deported wasn't the best news.
"We only have a week to get my paperwork started."
"I don't want you to go back on the ice when we both know you aren't ready."
"And you aren't able to fly to Japan and I am not leaving you here. Why can't we talk to Yakov? Ask him to be my coach for right now. I am not up to competing speed, but I can be on the ice. Please stop thinking the world is ending. Together we will make it all work out. I love you, don't forget that."
"I love you too. And, I will try my best to be good. Tomorrow I will call for therapy and Yakov."
"And your hospital bill we will deal with a little at a time. No worrying about paying it all at once, okay?"
"Okay." Sharing a kiss, Viktor smiled at his love before kissing him again. He truly meant the world to him. He let this illness own his life long enough. It was time to take it back and pick up where he left off with Yuri.