Victor's Pov

As the taxi drove along the smooth road,I couldn't focus on anything; not the countryside that passed us by, not Yuri's attempt at trying to steer my attention to something else, not even my own sweaty palms. The only thing that lingered on my mind was Chris.

I knew that it was wrong to dismiss what Yuri was trying to tell me,but there was such a great pain in my chest, I didn't know what else to do. I tried to divert my attention to a memory to help,  and I thought of the first time I kissed Yuri.

*Flashback*

It was right after his performance during the Grand Prix Final Cup of China-- Short Program. Overlooking the minor mistakes he had made, Yuri still managed to keep the audience  amazed the whole time.

 By the time he was done,I could tell that he was proud of what he had just done,and I was proud to have witnessed it. After bowing for his audience and the judges, Yuri looked at me for my reaction. Meeting his eyes, I was just so proud of him, more than I've ever been since I first began training him.

 Without even thinking about it, my legs started moving, then they started running. Looking across from me, Yuri matched my pace on his skates. As soon as I had made it to the platform, I threw my arms around Yuri and kissed him, hurling us backward onto the ice. I was so overwhelmed right then. 

All I could think was, 'we just did that together, I helped him do that.' Looking into his eyes, I saw so much promise. I knew this was just the beginning for him.

*End of Flashback*

Closing my eyes, I felt something soft and moist press against them. Opening my eyes, I looked around me. Did I fall asleep?

"Victor, we're here."

Sure enough, he was right. I groggily climbed out of the taxi, paid the driver his fare and watched him drive off as Yuri made his way to the elevator.

"Victor?"

Dragging my feet in weariness, I followed Yuri as he got into the elevator and pressed a button that would take us to the fourth floor. I don't recall exactly when I leaned against the back of the wall, but I had definitely fallen asleep again because Yuri quickly caught me before I cracked my head open on the floor of the elevator.

"Victor? Are you alright?" Yuri asked me, sounding very worried as he let me slide down to the  floor.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I'm just really tired. Must be the jetlag, I guess," I explained to him as Yuri sat down beside me.

"I get it. I can't imagine what you're feeling right now. I wish...." Yuri drifted off.

"Yuri, you being here already means so much. I'm already a hot mess in my situation; I would be a disaster if you weren't here with me. I'm sorry If I haven't made that evident to you. You see, Chris is so close to me. 

We're too different people, but our suffering is the same. Nonetheless, that doesn't mean I haven't seen the little things you do for me. I do," I confided in him, holding his face in my hand.

*Ding*

The elevator sounded as the the double doors opened. Collecting our bags, we got back to our feet and kept our eyes peeled for #32, which was Chris's apartment number. Walking for quite a distance, I was about to tell Yuri that he pressed the wrong button and that I didn't appreciate being made to walk so much, when he called my name, motioning for me to hurry up.

When I had caught up to him, I realized that he had found Chris's apartment. Knocking twice, I wondered what Chris would look like. Would he have deep circles around his eyes? Would he have lost weight because he stopped eating regularly? Chris was a strong person, but when grief hits someone like this, they're capable of anything.

As the door brushed over the light beige carpet, I felt Chris before I saw him as his long arms wrapped around me. I instinctively dropped my bags to embrace him thoroughly.

It felt so good to hold him, it's been so long, I just wished it had been under better circumstances. Standing like that for a short while, I could feel his heartbeat against my chest.

Before, it had thrashed against my chest. But now, it had slowed down a little. I knew it was only a matter of time before it picked up again, but for now, it was comforting for both of us. Sensing a shuffle around Chris and I, my eyes glanced around us to see Yuri carrying our belongings inside the apartment.

Kissing Chris's cheek, I brushed back his long, blonde hair with one hand, keeping my other secured around his back.

"Chris, why don't we go inside?"

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