chinese whispers ➵ viktuuri

1. cold and confessions.

1.

Winters in Beijing are undeniably scenic. Christmas was one of Yuuri's favourite time of year. Although it was only November, the Chinese city was already prepared. In every direction, lights twinkled in the darkness. Small, colourful bulbs strung in strict coils around trees, reflecting light onto the few people walking down below. There was nowhere else Yuuri would rather be at this time of year. Despite this, there was a downside. The climate was quite juxtaposed in comparison to the temperate climate that the Japanese skater was used to. In the skating season, the peak temperature barely scraped double figures, much to Yuuri's dismay. As he walked with Viktor, he leaned closer into Viktor's side, hoping the closeness from the Russian would provide him with more body warmth. To the Japanese man's relief, he found that Viktor was very warm. Yuuri was slightly jealous of his coach's natural warmth. He wished that he himself was used to cold conditions, especially since skating season is in the winter, and the countries he visits are mostly colder than Japan.

At least I have Viktor to keep me warm, Yuuri thought to himself. He smiled and closed his eyes as he nuzzled his head into Viktor's shoulder, tickling his coach's exposed neck with his cold nose.

"Yuuri!" The Russian giggled, letting go of his boyfriend's hand so that it dropped to the floor, though he quickly snaked his arm around Yuuri's waist in one swift movement, smiling at him with his eyebrow raised, almost questioningly.

"You're warm," he mumbled in reply, half smiling, though a trace of a frown slightly visible. Yuuri lazily gazed up at his human radiator, forcing himself to smile more. "You're better adapted to the cold!" The Japanese quickly defended, clearly taking offence.

"I like this weather," Viktor chirped, with a grin plastered to his pale face. "It reminds me of home."

For a few weeks, Viktor and Yuuri had been privately dating, keeping their relationship a complete secret. However, it was no secret between the two men that kissing behind closed doors was frustrating for them both. It was Yuuri's idea to leave their relationship unspoken, though the agreement was mutual. But as the couple walked down the street, away from their hotel, very close and intimate, it seemed like it was quite the opposite, and events which took place earlier in the day suggested that too, leaving Yuuri a little agitated.

A small smile played at the corners of Viktor's mouth, producing a wide grin. He locked his blue eyes onto Yuuri's brown. Viktor pressed his lips to his boyfriend's forehead, shaking his head minimally in dismissal.

"Yuuri, what's wrong?"

Yuuri tore his gaze away from Viktor, instead looking into the street ahead.

"Nothing." Yuuri forced himself to smile, but it didn't convince Viktor at all.

"I know that something is wrong," Viktor slowly traced his forefinger along Yuuri's side as an attempt to soothe him. "You're upset?"
Viktor paused, expecting a response.

"Or anxious?" He prompted, concern in his voice. Viktor looked down at Yuuri, who seemed completely vacant. He stared at the floor, deep in thought.

Yuuri lifted his head from Viktor's shoulder, revealing creased eyebrows, and a frown on his face. Viktor stopped walking.

"I was expecting you to hug me," he confessed, with a sigh. Yuuri bit his lip, staring into Viktor's unblinking eyes quizzically, searching for any sign of upset. Of course, Yuuri didn't have an issue with kissing Viktor. They'd kissed many times before. The thing that was upsetting him the most, was that they would now have to announce their relationship and he didn't think that he was ready, but he didn't want to upset Viktor.