I love this place....but damn—

The wind outside howled, howled like there was no tomorrow. Along with it twirled tiny fractals of ice, falling in harmony with the beat of nature. They danced in the spotlight of the moon like ballerinas, each gifted with their own style of grace and beauty, swirling with each other like partners dancing the tango of the night. In the stage that was the darkness, more and more showered down upon the chilled ground of St. Petersburg, joining the never ending pile of their brethren, coating everything in sight with their white splendor. Occasionally a larger clump of said fractals would slice through this patterned fall, riling the dancers up like a school of fish scrambling as a shark cut through through their group. Then the entire pattern would be broken, the tango dancers suddenly ballerinas and the ballerinas suddenly tango dancers. This change in atmosphere only brought a plummet of unfathomable chill  along with it, sending a city-wide shiver slicing though the buildings and skyscrapers. This wind slipped through the cracks of every door and window in sight, squeezing through every seal you could imagine, no matter how tight or well built it was. This evil wind coated the skin of every living being in its reach, raising hairs everywhere. Most people had built up a tolerance to this mini army, and were practically immune to its attacks. However, for the occasional foreigner who had the displeasure of witnessing this infamous cold in person, well, let's just all agree that the descriptions in books and shows did it no justice.

And if said foreigner was trying to sleep propped up on the arm of on a couch in nothing but a hoodie and sweatpants because he'd fallen asleep waiting for his fiancé to return from a late night meeting... well to say that he was going through hell was way an understatement. Yes the couch itself was soft...and sure this hoodie that smelled like said fiancé brought a comforting smell to him...but with the heater broken and this being the coldest night he had yet to experience in Russia, well, he was unprepared for this bone-chilling air. This icy atmosphere only caused his muscles to tense and shake more violently than what should have been normal for any human being. He pulled his knees closer to his chest in a feeble attempt to conserve any ounce of heat he had to spare, listening to the wind as it cried outside. His eyes screamed to close, as if they were being seduced by the bleak darkness of the room but he fought to keep open in a weak determination to get a chance to see his fiancé before he was whisked away into land of fantasies. He moved his eyes from the bleak gray of his hoodies to the neon numbers of the alarm clock on the shelf in the corner of the room.

1:24 am.

Or was that 12:24? His vision was so blurred he couldn't seem to make out the first numbers. They melted together into a mush, halos of green color filling his vision in an agonizing kaleidoscope of spiraling colors. Feeling slightly sickened at the sight, he removed his sight from the clock and turned his head to stare at the door instead. Though his thoughts had become a web of nonsensical letters in this numbing cold, one thought remained prevalent: I can't wait for Victor to get home.

The wind outside screamed once more, prompting the temperature to drop yet a few more degrees in the room. Teeth clenched, his sank further into the sea of fabric piled up against the corner of the back and seat cushion. The move was wasted energy, as he felt no difference what so ever but slight discomfort. The new fabric the small sliver of bare back came into contact with felt like ice to his skin, sending a plethora of chilled bolts throughout his blood. His eyes closed as he tried to adjust to this new cold, his breath speeding up painfully. Very suddenly, his head felt scarily heavily. It began to bob down, only to jerk back upwards as he became aware of his actions, only to lose that awareness once again and begin to lose consciousness as well. This cycle continued for quite some time, the only thing stringing the man to the line of consciousness being a small through he refused to let go.

"No...I want to wait for Victor..." Forcing his eyes open, he turned his gaze to the door leading to the bedroom, tracing the doorframe. Just past that thin rectangular piece of wood sat a piece of heaven, beckoning him with its wooden frame and cloud-like mattress. It called to him with an alluring tone, promising warmth with gifts of blankets and pillows. Had he had any energy left within his muscles, he surely would have stumbled over to the room like a drunken zombie and embraced the awaiting warmth, would have curled up under the fur blanket he knew Victor kept under the bed and allowed himself to be lured into the pleasure that was sleep, with Victor's scent planting a smile on his face.

But his mind... it held that luxury just out of reach from him. It withheld from the indulgence that would be warmth....

Because if warmth as a luxury, then being awake for Victor's embrace would be absolute heaven.

Speaking of which....

His ears, which had been focused on the wind outside, picked up footsteps increasing in volume just on the other side of the wall, approaching the doorway. The familiar sound he immediately recognized, along with the faint beeping of the card reader rejecting the room key. The sound of Victor's cursing began to fade away. Though he didn't have the energy to do it, his eyes mentally widened. Oh no...he recognized this feeling.

"Not now...not when he's right there!" His eyes, which had been dropped half closed, suddenly began to weigh tons, so much so that keeping the open was impossible. No matter how much he fought to see the light from the hallway stream into the room from the doorway, obscured by Victor's dark shadow, his mind simply wouldn't allow it, and his lids slipped closed. Along with this came another feeling...

Wait...have I always been this cold? A stream of hellish air rushed into the already frigid room, seeping through every crack in the fabric it could find, through every strand and fiber, breaking through the barrier of warmth that he'd managed to build up, though it had never been that thick to begin with. A shift in the darkness below his eyelids told him that light had streamed into the room, answering the question of where the new chill had come from. Though his eyes had closed and remained closed, his mind just couldn't seem to reach the line that meant unconsciousness, not yet. And it wasn't the concept of being awake for Victor that was holding it back.

He could just barely hear Victor's low muttering over the loud clattering of his teeth. This fact alone drove him insane to no end; if he wouldn't be able to see Victor, he at least wanted to hear him. Though he couldn't hear his talking, he could certainly recognize certain noises, like the sound of a bag dropping to the ground or the light rustling of a coat being hung on the coat rack. Head beginning to throb, he removed his focus from trying to decipher each little sound and instead focused on the footsteps and where in the room they were being made. He listened to how heavy they were, how loud they sounded, how quickly they sounded and how much they squeaked. Why these sounds fascinated him so much at that moment he did not know. What he did know...was that Victor was getting closer to him, as had become evident by his slowing pace and lighter steps.

"Now...open...." All the energy that had been concentrated on the deciphering of sounds now coursed through his eye lids, oiling the frozen gears that held them closed, pushing against them in sheer determination to get them to just open. Though his attention had been pulled by the difficulty that was awakening his physical form, he could just...feel the moment when Victor spotted him, pinpointed the exact second the Russian's vision had fallen on the man. It was just a feeling, a paper-thin coating of extra warmth, a light presence on his skin, that told him this, but this enough was enough to fuel his determination even more.

"...Yuuri?" The sound entered his ears, stopping all efforts in their tracks. His voice was nothing short of melodious, a sweet ecstasy to the ears that had been so focused on mundane tasks, and it lit something inside. A spark, just a small explosion of warmth. Normally, this would be totally meaningless, without effect, dull and done in a second. It was the place where it happened that made it....oh so much more than that. This little fire had struck straight in the core of Yuuri's heart, which in this death-bringing chill, had rendered his limbs completely immobilized. Now having a source of warmth, a reason to try, a goal to reach, it beat harder and quicker than it had even dared to go in this frozen limbo.

And there was something else. Something new. A warmth against his cheek. This feeling was a familiar one, though at the time he was in no position to remember just what it was nor what it meant. It was a gentle touch, soft like silk against his shivering cheek, and it brought with it an explosion of relief. He suddenly felt drawn to this warmth, yearning to get closer to it, to feel it more. His head lulled to the side, hoping to catch more of this feeling. He instead found comfort.

Victor had placed his hand on Yuuri's cheek, to which he'd responded to by rolling his head into the open palm. By this point that much Yuuri's brain had become aware of. The second presence of warmth, this one moving up and down said cheek, was identified as his thumb stroking the chilled surface. This motion added to the determination that had been pulsing before and allowed him just enough energy to open his eyes. Through his eyelashes he could just barely spot Victor's sil...sorry, PLATINUM hair dusted with flakes of snow in the now shining light of the lamp behind the couch. Though his vision wasn't the most crisp, he was just able to make out his fiancé's expression.

Though they were bordered by ugly purple bags and dark circles, his eyes seemed to be sparkling as he looked into Yuuri's half open ones. His mouth, which had been pulled into a tired frown, was now tugged upwards into a soft smile. His cheeks and nose were dusted with a faint rose, one that he couldn't have deciphered as from the cold or as blushing even if he'd tried. Victor'd stood, well, crouched there next to the couch for minutes? Or was it seconds. Time in that moment had no meaning. The only thing keeping Yuuri's eyes from slipping closed again were the captivating blue seas that were Victor's. Their icy blue tone called to him, made him feel warm, at home, safe. Unknowingly, a smile had slipped onto the Japanese man's shivering face as well.

"...Vitya..." The name had meant to come out as the full version but this had slipped out instead in a nearly-incoherent mumble. This grabbed Victor's attention, snapping him out of the enamored trance he'd fallen into. The man blinked once, taking in what exactly he was doing and who he was, before returning his hazy gaze to Yuuri's shivering body. His smile widened.

"Hello there, my sleeping beauty~" He spoke just barely above a whisper, his voice nearly purring in the process. "Just what are you doing here? I imagine the bed would be a lot more comfortable." His attempt at some comedy worked, bringing a more prominent smile upon the half-asleep man's face.

"Waiting..." That's all he managed to mumble before a second wave of needle-like chills pricked at his skin, causing a reaction comprised of shivering and scooting just a centimeter closer to where Victor was. This didn't go unnoticed, and said man's smile fell from its place. His eyes travelled from the couch to the door that led to the bedroom, calculating the distance.

"No...my arms are too tired to carry him..." He pursed his lips, deep in thought. Just what could he do? One answer popped into his mind, and before he could even think about it, it had already been set into motion. Reluctantly, he drew his hand away from Yuuri's cheek, watching as a frown appeared on his face. The expression almost looked comical to him, and he let out a small chuckle, standing up in his place as quietly as possible.

"Vityaaaa~" The call almost went unnoticed, and were it not for the small break the wind outside had taken, it probably would have been lost to the sounds of the outside. "Where are you going..." The smile appeared back onto Victors face as he looked back down at the man.

"I'm just going to go grab something, don't worry my little katsudon." He tweaked his voice so it slid out smoothly in a reassuring tone. It seemed to work as he saw Yuuri's eyes slip closed once more. Slowly, as not to wake him up once more, he removed the blue framed glasses before they fell and placed them on the coffee table, before disappearing through the bedroom door.

"I....It's still cold...." Though the encounter had been one of warmth, it had yet to slow his violent shivering. Now with Victor's presence gone, the little warmth his touch had brought with it disappeared in an instant, leaving the man to fight this chill on his own. He had been gripping the inside of his hoodie the entirety of this time, and now his hold on the fabric had finally been released to instead wrap his arms around his frame. "S-stupid Victor...what exactly could be taking so long in the bedroom..." His wandering mind offered him an answer, one that he wished to refuse as soon as the thought had come across his mind. Had he... gone to bed? The thought alone seemed to multiply the effects of the chill. Forcing his eyes open once more, he raised his vision in a feeble attempt to spot the frame that led to the bedroom, only to be slightly taken aback at the absolute blurriness of his field of sight. What had been a slightly obscured sight before was now a field of undistinguishable colors and lights, all of which made but the slightest sense to him. The only shape he could make out was the small valley of fabric from his sweatpants. Everything else was a clouded mess. Seeing no use in keeping his eyes open any longer, he let them slide closed and focused instead on his uneven breathing, hoping to slow his heart in a hope to ease the burning of his lungs. His head lulled to the side once more as a sudden languor washed upon him. The world which he had built up in his mind began to melt away, lulled by the sweet calling of escape from the coldness of the world.

But something held him back. Something held the key just out of his reach and trapped him in the world of consciousness. With a annoyed sigh, he returned to his thoughts. Sleep was so close yet so far....something was holding him away but he just couldn't grasp what exactly it was.

As soon as his mind had discovered just what this problem was, it was resolved with a soft whoosh. An immediate wave of sweet relief washed through every crevice, overtaking the coldness that had kept him from his slumber and bringing with it the gift of a familiar scent. The smell of cinnamon and vodka. A soft presence stroked his cheek, to which he responded by pressing his face against it.

"Is that better?" Yuuri took a deep breath, inhaling the familiar scent. Along with it was mixed another smell, one he recognized the well. Shifting in his position and feeling as a warmth shifted with him only confirmed his suspicion. Victor had draped the fur blanket he knew Yuuri loved so much over his shaking body, tucking the loose edges and corners into the crevices of the couch.

"Mmmnnn..." He breathed contentedly, a smile appearing on his face. "Vitya~" He could hear the soft rustling of fabric and a small pop of joints as Victor knelt down to look at his fiancé.

A smile mirroring Yuuri's slid onto the Russian's face as he watched his flushed face sink deeper into the sea of fur and fabric. The thought that he'd stayed awake waiting for him, at this hour nonetheless, it tugged at his heartstrings, caused a rush of warmth to rush through his blood. At that point, he just wanted to hold the man, engulf him in his arms and never let go. This yearning controlled his next actions: he stood up, leaned over, and pressed his lips to Yuuri's forehead. He held the contact for an unspecified length, just listening to his slow deep breathing. This sound had a soporific effect on him, and he could feel his eyelids growing heavy. Reluctantly pulling away, he ran his fingers through a strand of black hair, and murmured,

"Good night, my love." Flashing a final smile, he turned and began walking towards the bedroom.

"Mmmm....wait...." Something slipped into his open hand, stopping him in his tracks. A small gasp escaping his parted lips, he turned to see just what that thing was. It was Yuuri's hand, holding it back. Said man was looking up at him, having sat up where he had once laid. His eyes were sparkling, brimming with a question. He bit his lip, before asking, "Stay with me?"

"...silly Yuuri we both wouldn't fit on the couch." He chuckled, stroking his icy fingers. "Besides I..."

"Please?" The word was just over a whisper, soft and pleading. The sweet tone struck him directly. He looked down at the man, examining his expression. He bit the inside of his mouth. He had just been thinking about how much he'd yearned to hug him, and that feeling still lingered. And he did look....so lonely there on the couch...

"Of course." Smiling warmly, he turned around completely and walked over to the couch. "Scooch over..." Lifting up the blanket, Yuuri shifted over so he was laying down, his back against the back cushions and head resting on the throw pillow he had previously been sitting on. Victor sat down and swung his legs under the cover, before scooching closer and draping his arm across his chest. Immediately, the raven haired man buried his face into Victor's shirt, arms wrapping around him and inhaling his scent. This was a type of warmth that couldn't come from any covering or blanket, not even from the warmth of a fire. This was the warmth that could only come from the arms of a lover. Victors arm was cradling the head, his hand stroking the black locks, petting the man. This soft repeating pattern felt was almost hypnotic to him, adding weight to his eyelids that just couldn't be ignored. They began to droop closed.

"It's a bit cramped, isn't it?" Yuuri's hold around Victor's chest tightened at the words, as if begging him not to leave. The Russian noticed this, and chuckled softly, burying his nose into the hair and inhaling his scent. "Don't worry, I'm not going anywhere."

"Mmmmmm..." This answer appealed to him, and he allowed himself to sink further into the softness of the blanket. This engulfed him in a bath of softness and warmth, the chills of the night nearly completely gone now. He felt a soft presence on the top of his head, along with the faint sound of kisses being planted. "I missed you tonight~"

"As did I." His long legs intertwined with Yuuri's, the soft sweatpants rubbing up against his legs. Pursing his lips, he stroked the pants with his feet. Ahh so he saw how it was. "Yuuri?"

"Hmm?"

"Are you wearing my sweatpants?" Under his hold he could feel the man tense up. This gave him his absolute certainty in his answer. "My hoodie too? I knew it...."

"It's comfy." He murmured, snuggling deeper into the fabric. "And it smells like you..."

"...I could say the same about this as well." What? Lids stinging at this point, he opened his eyes to look at what exactly Victor was wearing. He had on a navy blue t-shirt and gray shorts. His navy blue t-shirt and gray shorts.

"Cheeky...but how does that even fit you?"

"Good question..."  The room fell silent, the only sounds being their synchronized breathing and the howling of the wind. Though the silence would have been daunting in any other circumstances, here it just made them feel... at peace. Nobody dared to break it, and there was no need to. The warmth of their arms was enough. This silence continued for an unspecified amount of time, though it not once felt like a long amount. Even the night seemed to quiet down and watch the couple, lowering the wind as not to disturb the two. This, right here, was perfect.

"Good night, my love."

"Night Vitya~"

And just like that, both Victor and Yuuri had fallen into the sweet ecstasy of sleep.

~~~

DAMN I said I was gonna write some fluff but I didn't expect it to be this cheesy.

Worst of all I got a bit too into this story. Got in trouble at school writing this. I don't know what about this made me excited to write, it just did.

Man I'm so single.

Anyways yeah I mentioned that more fluff chapters are to come, and that still stands, but they will be mixed in with some angst chapters because I have so many ideas hehe.

Words: Around 3650.