[Otabek's POV]

I look around anxiously as I trail behind Yuri. How did it end up like this?

A young woman sighs as she cuddles the arm of the man beside her. "I'm so glad to be moving in with you."

I avert my gaze elsewhere.

"I want the bed to be perfect; we're going to be spending a lot of time in it..." A boy whispers to his partner.

I cringe in embarrassment as I try to look away from the sight, but...but...

There are young couples everywhere!

"Hurry up Otabek," Yuri waves his wand to beckon me to follow him. "The bedroom section is over here."

My cheeks flush pink as I pick up my pace to walk by Yuri's side. Shopping for furniture together...almost like a married couple.

"Oi Otabek! Stop spacing out." Yuri snaps his fingers in front of my face.

"S-Sorry." I stutter.

"Are you okay?" Yuri questions. "Your face looks a little red..."

"I'm fine!" I answer quickly before clearing my throat and speaking a little softer, "I-I'm good..."

"Okay..." Yuri says slowly. He gestures for me to follow him again before turning the corner. "Come on then, this way. You want your own bed don't you?"

I remain quiet, thinking it best not to answer that question honestly.

"What's your favourite colour anyway?" Yuri asks as he studies various quilts.

"I don't know...in terms of fashion and aesthetic I prefer monochrome like black or grey, but I guess blue is alright too; white is nice but it gets dirty too easily..." I answer.

"You're awfully indecisive, aren't you?" Yuri responds.

"Well what's yours?" I inquire.

"We're shopping for you." Yuri reminds me as he continues to observe the variety of bedsheets.

"But I like learning about you far more than talking about myself." I justify. Upon hearing the words come out of my mouth, my cheeks flush in embarrassment. "Er, well, I mean—"

"In that case..." Yuri says. He turns away from the shelves of blankets and strikes a bold pose, clenching his fist with passion. "My favorite color is gold!"

"Pf—haha!" My tension melts away after seeing the seriousness in Yuri's eyes when declaring his favourite color, and I begin to laugh. I suddenly lose focus of all the people around us as I get lost in this innocent moment with Yuri. He always gets so hyped when he talks about the things he likes, it's adorable. Why wouldn't I love listening to him?

"What?" Yuri frowns defensively.

"I don't think gold counts as a color," I finish my last chuckles and focus intently on Yuri, smiling down at him with admiration. "...but it suits you. I expect the soldier Yuri Plisetsky to settle for nothing less."

Yuri seems taken back by my words. His expression relaxes, his cheeks turning a little pink. "Oh..." Yuri shakes loose of his daze and returns to his usual self. "Yeah, well, obviously!" He says proudly.

Yuri turns his focus back on the stacks of bedsheets, pillows and other bedroom accessories, tapping his chin in concentration. Most of the colors look the same to me but apparently there have to be a million different shades of everything. My brain is growing tired of straining to grasp things like the difference between 'mitten purple' and 'lollipop purple', and what the heck is 'kazoo purple'?!!

"How about we take a look at the actual beds before deciding on the decorations." I suggest.

"Good idea." Yuri replies, quickly abandoning the two white blankets he was trying to compare.

Yuri and I continue down the aisle towards the display section. Rows and rows of beds fill the space, accompanied by assortments of lamps and bedside tables.

"Woah!" Yuri gasps in wonderment. His face lights up as he belly-flops onto a gigantic bed. "It's so fluffy!" Yuri rolls over and snuggles up into the pillows. "Otabek you have to buy this one."

Just then, someone clears their throat from behind us.

"Ehem—"

The voice comes from a judgmental looking employee with short, brown hair.

"Excuse me but this is the display section," The woman says. She looks at me sternly as if I was the one responsible for Yuri's actions. "Please keep off the beds and furniture."

"Yes ma'am." I answer.

Yuri frowns and rolls off the bed grumpily. Once the woman turns to leave, he makes an ugly face to her back.

"She's just doing her job." I reason, trying to sound responsible.

"Is it her job to stop me from doing this?" Yuri mocks as he jumps onto the bed.

"Yes." I answer. "Now get down before she comes back."

Yuri ignores me and begins jumping up and down on the mattress. "This bed really is the best! You have to get it."

"Stop that, we're going to get in trouble." I implore.

"Why don't you come up here and make me." Yuri replies.

I look around hesitantly, worried that the employees will get mad. Out of nowhere, a fat pillow flies into the back of my head. I turn around to face Yuri, who was still jumping on the mattress as he laughed at me.

"Alright you're asking for it." I pick up the pillow Yuri had thrown and peg it at him.

Yuri springs up from the mattress and leaps onto another bed to escape my attack. "Come get me!" He calls as he leaps from bed to bed.

The smile on my face slowly fades as Yuri hurdles further away from me. My heart skips a beat each time his feet leave a mattress. I hold my breath in anxious anticipation with each leap he takes. A sudden fear washes over me; this isn't the best place to be messing around, what if he were to fall?

"Yuri please get down!" I plead as I chase after him.

"You need to loosen up Otabek. What happened to the guy that would run across table tops for me?" Yuri says.

I struggle to find words as I run after Yuri. "But that—that was..."

That was before his very existence meant everything to me...

Yuri laughs and hops over to the bed nearest to me. "Out of breath already?"

"Please, I don't want you to get hurt." I stress.

But Yuri had already sprung off the mattress. "I'm just having some fu—woah!"

The bed sheets slip under Yuri's foot as he jumps, sending him flying head first.

"Yuri!" I shout as I dive forward.

I shield Yuri with my body as we go crashing into the bedside furniture. My back slams into a small set of drawers, knocking it over. All the accessories on top go topping onto the ground, a lamp bulb smashing beside me. Even as we lay there, I don't dare let go of Yuri.

"O-Otabek..."

I tighten my grip around Yuri.

"Otabek, it's okay. I'm okay." Yuri says as he slowly sits up.

I take a deep breath and relax my tensed muscles.

"I'm so sorry, are you ok—"

I interrupt Yuri with a strong flick on his forehead. "Idiot."

"Ouch...I was just having fun." Yuri pouts and rubs his forehead.

"Geez." I sigh and pull Yuri into a hug. "I'm just glad you're okay..." I whisper softly.

.

[Yuri's POV]

I allow myself to melt into Otabek's tender embrace.

I know he is older than I am, but Otabek is definitely acting more mature since I first met him. Is it just because he cares about me? Almost like a big brother I guess...it's no wonder he makes me feel so safe.

I snuggle into the warmth of his chest.

We have certainly grown close since last year's Grand Prix...

My heart thumps earnestly, making my chest ache. Heat rushes to my cheeks. What is this?

My thoughts are interrupted by a familiar scornful cough. "Ehem."

I quickly pull away from Otabek in surprise. The same hag from before is towering over us, crossing her arms judgmentally.

"We'll let ourselves out." Otabek says awkwardly.

He gets off the ground hastily, pulling me up by the hand as well.

"I told you we would get in trouble." Otabek whispers as we hurry to the door.

I roll my eyes stubbornly. "Honestly. It's no wonder she has so many wrinkles, pulling that sour face all the time."

"That's a horrible thing to say!" Otabek replies, even though it made him laugh.

I find myself laughing along with Otabek. Even if he seems more mature now, I know I can always have fun with him.