[Otabek's POV]

Yuri's not home today. As soon as he saw me in the morning he rushed out the door yelling something about a waterfall. I feel kind of...empty. I guess I have just gotten so used to being around him that it feels as though something is missing.

I sigh and check my phone out of boredom. When my screensaver lights up, I feel livelier. Geez, just seeing a picture of him is enough to brighten my mood. It's pathetic. I stare hopelessly at the photo of Yuri curled up on his hotel coach. He really is adorable, though I would never say it out loud in the fear that he would rip my tongue out. Yuri still doesn't know what happened that night, he thinks I crashed in his bed. But the image of him cuddled up to me is always haunting my mind. Ever since I feel so fuzzy inside, like his warmth never left me.

Love is in everything around us.

Maybe love exists in our friendship. Maybe that's why I feel so lost without Yuri, because he is my reason to skate. He has been running ahead of me this whole time, showing me my path. I need him...

I groan in humiliation and clasp my hands over my face. This is ridiculous. My coach was right; I sound just like Victor! I need a distraction.

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*Time Skip :D*

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[Still Otabek's POV]

Training is in ten minutes, I guess Yuri isn't coming home.

I sigh in disappointment as I look down at the piroshky I had prepared for his return. Even my distraction for thinking of him was thinking of him. I spent the whole day pondering ways I could impress him or make him happy; even if it meant cooking. I can't cook! What am I doing? There is flour everywhere! Yuri won't appreciate this at all. This stupid love thing isn't making me stronger, it's totally exhausting!

I grab the closest thing to me and peg it at the wall in frustration. Unfortunately, it happened to be an egg.

Yolk sputters all over the kitchen walls. Great.

After a long and painful groan, I decide to just forget it. I need to get to training. I quickly rip off my apron and shove the only two successful piroshkis in a paper bag.

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*Insert cool Otabek running to practice montage here*

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As soon as I walk through the doors, I scan the room for Yuri.

I spot him by the edge of the rink and call out, "Yuri!"

He gives me no more than a glance before quickly skating off onto the ice. Well, that's the soldier I know. I guess I shouldn't disturb him during practice. I loiter glumly over to the nearest bench to change my shoes.

"What's this?" Mila approaches me and picks up the brown paper bag.

I reach out and snatch it from her. "Nothing, just snacks."

Mila looks startled by my outburst. "Sorry..."

I shouldn't have ripped the bag out of her hands so rudely. I don't know what came over me—it's just—I made them for Yuri. Besides, they aren't very good...

"Sorry, it's okay. I just...like my food." I stammer awkwardly.

If I'm embarrassed of Mila seeing them, I don't know how I'm going to give the piroshky to Yuri. Why do these stupid piroshkis mean so much to me anyway? They probably taste terrible.

Mila giggles. "Okay then."

Mila's a pretty nice girl. I give her a timid smile and tuck the piroshkis away in my sports bag.

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[Yuri's POV]

I don't know why, but since last night I feel really vulnerable whenever I'm around Otabek. My heart beats so fast it makes me feel sick. I don't like that feeling of weakness, it's embarrassing.

Mila starts laughing like an idiot from behind me. I turn around to see her and Otabek sitting together talking about something humorous I suppose.

"Tch." I turn my head away and start practicing my flips, but their laughter seems to grow louder and louder.

My hands curl up into fists, itching to hit something. A wave of emotions swirls within me— insecurity, sorrow, anger. Is this what they call jealousy? Suddenly I feel extremely protective over Otabek, yet at the same time I feel so helpless. This is pissing me off. They, are pissing me off.

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[Otabek's POV]

Training was painful. Yuri couldn't even look at me. I just want to see his smiling face...

At least Mila was comforting, but her company is not the same.

Finally, it is over. Yuri is headed for the door in a rush, I chase after him and call out.

"Wait!" I grab Yuri by the hand and spin him around. He shudders, his face stiffening. I panic and quickly let go. "Sorry, did I hurt you?"

"No." Yuri answers, his face turning bright red.

"What's wrong then? Are you angry?" I ask, his sudden discoloration startling me.

"No." Yuri repeats.

"Sick?" I prompt.

"No!" Yuri pulls his hoodie further over his head to hide his face.

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[Yuri's POV]

I can't bear to look at Otabek. My heart is pounding and my face, burning. It seems to get worse each time I see him; with just a touch of his hand he managed to leave me defenseless. I'm so flustered it's hard to breathe. I need to escape.

Mila then decides to interrupt. Great, just the person I wanted to see.

"Hey guys, wonna hang out or something?" She asks. "Georgi's got a date and frankly I don't wonna third wheel with Victor and Yuuri."

Otabek gives me an awkward glance. "Yuri?"

"No thanks. You guys go on ahead." I say sourly.

Otabek is taken back by my tone; he stares silently in disbelief. I didn't want to say that, but I can't stop myself. Vicious envy clouds my mind, the words just fire from my mouth without command.

"In fact, I think you should stay with Mila tonight." I continue.

My face is expressionless but that was the most painful thing I've ever had to say. Otabek looks confused but most of all, hurt. I want so badly to comfort him; it's tearing my heart a part to see him look so distressed.

I turn away coldly and leave the building. Once I am outside, all my emotions catch up to me and explode in my chest. Tears sting the back of my eyes. I turn the corner and run. I run as fast as I can. Away. Away from here. Away from everything.