[Otabek's POV]

I took the week off to take care of Yuri. He was asleep for most of the time, only getting up to eat or check that I was still there. He interacted with me less and less as he got better. I fear that once he isn't sick anymore he will remember how angry he was but despite him not being as affectionate as the first day, he still seems to want me around so maybe things will get better.

Yuri carries his tea steadily and sits across from me on the dining table. "Hey, Otabek...Listen," He says, keeping his eyes down on his mug. "Thanks for taking care of me and stuff."

"It's no problem, really." I reply. "I would do anything for you Yuri."

I can feel my face heat up. What am I saying? My own voice plays in my head,

"I love you..."

I've thought about nothing else since that night, itching for Yuri to bring it up. But he was asleep, he probably doesn't even know what I said. He told me I was his unconditional love, even if he was acting strange from the virus, it's gotta mean something. Maybe I'm moving this too fast.

"Say, Yuri..." I look up anxiously. "Do you remember anything?"

"What do you mean?" Yuri asks.

"Anything from when you were sick. Like, I don't know, stuff you said." I answer vaguely.

"No...?" Panic strikes in Yuri's eyes. "Why, did I do something embarrassing?"

I shudder, my face turning red. "No, no, no. Just wondering."

Yuri raises his eyebrow in suspicion.

"Okay, I wanted to make sure you appreciated my piroshky. I put in a lot of effort to cook for you is all. You're not allowed to just forget about it." I half-lie.

Yuri blushes and looks down at his lap. "I—I remember...They were good."

I was startled that Yuri actually remembered my piroshky, let alone thought they were good, but I tried to hide my surprise and act as though I was pleased with his answer.

.

[Yuri's POV]

I feel really awkward. For an entire week Otabek has been taking care of me, despite everything I have done. He hasn't brought up our fight or demanded any explanation from me. He is faithful and caring, a far better friend than I have been. What do I say to him? What can I say? How can I explain my feelings when I myself don't even understand them? How could I possibly express how sorry I am into words?

I promise I will make it up to him once I'm in better condition.

"You should have seen your face drooling over my piroshky." Otabek jokes to break the silence.

"What?" I start to get flustered and defensive. "H-Hey you said I didn't do anything embarrassing!"

"Now that I think about it, I really wish I had taken pictures of you when you were sick." Otabek laughs.

"What so you can add to your screensaver?" I retaliate.

I clap my hand over my mouth at the realisation of what I had just said. Oh no, oh god. This is humiliating.

Otabek turns bright red, opening and closing his mouth in shock.

Oh lord please say something. Anything.

"You—How—" Otabek drags his hands down his face in embarrassment. "You knew about that?"

I grin awkwardly. "Hehe...Yeah I ah, I saw it."

"How long ago?" Otabek asks painfully.

"A while...like the first night you spent here." I answer.

Otabek looks as though he has something caught in this throat. Then all of a suddenly he starts blurting words out frantically. "Well, it's just—I didn't mean anything by it you see—It-it was a keepsake of our first sleepover." Otabek's eyes shift around the room, looking anywhere but directly at me. "I wanted to remember that night in the hotel because it was really fun...and you just looked so adorable." His cheeks and ears turn pink. "I-I mean—"

I interrupt Otabek with a burst of laughter. "Pfft—ahaHAHA!"

Otabek hangs his head in shame. "I'm sorry."

"It's okay." I chuckle as I wipe a tear from my eye. I stop and smile at him. "It was a nice memory."

Otabek tries his best to smile but I can tell he is still utterly humiliated.

This is what I miss. This feeling bubbling up inside me, I never want to be without it again.