Word Count: 762

It feels good to be back on the ice, especially with Victor. I'm not sure how long Otabek plans on staying in Russia, presumably for Yurio, but I'm here almost indefinitely. Russia is a cold, unfamiliar country, but the ice is like home. As if to punctuate the thought, Victor skates up to me from behind.

"You look very tense, Yuuri," he frowns.

"I can't imagine why," I chuckle, coming to a tired halt at the closest corner I can reach.

"I mean it when I say don't push yourself too hard," Victor steadies me on my skates with the reassuring clasp of his hand to my shoulder.

My stomach distracts me, painfully churning in knots probably from hunger pangs, due to my lack of substantial meals yesterday. I want to protest and actually get some practicing in, though. I stand a little taller and give Victor my best face.

"A short practice," I compromise. "One run through of the new routine."

He retracts his hand from my shoulder and slowly brings it to his own thoughtful face. I almost melt under the intensity of his worried blue gaze. A churning ocean of emotions stirs in the depths of his irises, stripping me of all previous confidence. But he bequeathes the decision to me.

"If that would make you happy, Yuura," he concedes.

I'm not even halfway through the routine when Yurio and Otabek return, pirozhkis in hand. Jealousy echoes around the empty cavity in my stomach. A well-timed jump allows me to turn away from them and refocus on skating. Even as distracted and sore as I am, the ice does its job on me. When I finally exit the rink, I feel invigorated somehow. Victor jumps on me first, clearly forgetting my fragility.

"You get better every time," he bubbles. "You've made so much improvement since I first came to you, Yuuri— I can't believe you're doing quads with ease now!"

I can't help but blush at the praise.

"Victor," I hug myself into his shoulder to hide my face. "You're embarrassing me."

"Get a room!" Yurio shouts, moody as ever.

*****

Maybe we didn't follow Yurio's orders at that exact moment, but after a longer day of practice than originally bargained for, and Victor taking me out for dinner to make up for the overexertion, Victor and I were more than ready to return home and sleep together. Er... "sleep together," anyway.

The moment the door closes behind us, Makkachin comes running, jumping on us eagerly. We notice, of course, but we're just a little busy, lips locked and bodies still hungry for each other. We break mostly for air but Victor does pat Makkachin's head and greet him fondly. I move to do the same, but Victor's flushed stare catches my attention. His face is dusted by the blush of strong desire.

"You're turned on," I observe as he pulls me back up to dutifully resume kissing.

"That's an understatement," Victor groans, his hands roaming passionately downward to intimate regions. He bites his lip and releases a throaty groan.

"Why don't you take me to bed?" I implore breathlessly, the command thinly disguised as a question. "Let's get out of the foyer."

He sweeps me up in one clean motion, Makkachin following us excitedly up the stairs. I hug myself to Victor's chest. Caught up listening to the quick and heavy beat of his heart, I absentmindedly begin unbuttoning the collar of Victor's shirt while he carries me. He chuckles.

"Can't wait till the bedroom?" he teases.

"Mm, absolutely not," I respond playfully, unbuttoning one more to prove my point.

I can't reach any others in this position, but he sets me down in order to open the door anyway. Makkachin runs in first and occupies the bed.

"Makkachin," I laugh, "you might want to move, pal."

Victor sets me down and leaves an arm's distance from my side for the first time since dinner ended, only to playfully evict Makkachin and turn on the fireplace. The atmosphere transforms almost immediately. And then suddenly I find myself in Victor's arms again, about to be deposited in bed.

I catch the blue firelight crackling in Victor's eyes. I don't know if I've ever seen him so ready for sex, perhaps I broke down the last barrier between us and a monstrously passionate sexual relationship yesterday night. Merciful Creator, he is gorgeous when he's lusting. And even though I thought I was satisfied, the hunger flickering in his eyes is rather contagious, I will admit.