In Sickness

Part 2

 A chill traveled through Yuri's body. Victor had propped him up on as many pillows as he could find and made sure to have an extra blanket on hand just in case. The older man sat on the edge of the bed, facing Yuri, who at the moment, waited impatiently for the thermometer to finish. 

Yuri allowed his head to fall to the side, causing the wave of dizziness to increase. He groaned softly. 

"Just a little longer, Yuri." Victor soothed.  "I know you hate this, but trust me, it's better that we know. I got you a doctor's appointment for the day after tomorrow. The faster you see the doctor, the faster you can get better." When at last the device beeped, Victor, removed it from Yuri's mouth, examining it carefully.

"I don't like this fever." He sighed. "It looks like you're getting worse. I'm worried." Yuri shifted uncomfortably in bed, turning his head to cough into his sleeve. 

"I'm fine. Fevers get worse in the evening. It's not that bad." Victor glared at him pointedly.

"Really?" He challenged. "Earlier, I walked out of the room to get you some water. I came back and you were upset because you thought I left you. That wouldn't have happened if your fever wasn't so high. I was thinking about taking you to the emergency room. Even after I came in, you were so confused and it hurt me to see you like that. That  doesn't sound fine to me."

"I'm okay.  You don't have to-"

"If the next word that comes out of you is 'worry'-" Victor began sternly. 

"But-"

"Just rest. You'll need it. Can you take some water?"Yuri nodded, attempting to push himself up, but finding the task exhausting. Victor frowned and offered the glass of water. 

Yuri sipped the cool water slowly. When he had finished, he thanked Victor, watching him set the object back on the bedside table. The older man proceeded to place a cool compress on Yuri's forehead. 

"You're too good to me. I'm sorry-" Yuri said weakly.  

"Do you think you're ready to try eating? I can get you some chicken soup."Victor offered.

"No." The older man sighed. 

"You'll have to try sooner or later. You'll need your strength.  If you change your mind, just let me know." Yuri gave a short nod.

"I appreciate that, but I think I'm more tired than anything." The young man coughed harshly into his sleeve. "I hate being sick." He sniffled. Victor stood from his chair, taking hold of Yuri's blanket and pulling it up around the skater's chest. He leaned down, softly kissing Yuri's head.

"I know you do. No one likes it, Yuri. But I do need you to get better. I love you." Yuri smiled feebly up at him.

"Love you too."

"Do you need me to fix your pillows?" the Russian man offered.

"They're fine." 

"Then rest and get better quick."The ill man needed no further encouragement. His eyes closed of their own accord and he drifted off into a much-needed sleep.

Yuri woke sometime later to find Victor still at his side. He lay still, noticing the older man's attention was on the television. He watched Yurio glide gracefully across the ice in silence. He knew his fever had spiked again, feeling his face heating up. He forced himself to sit up, swaying unsteadily in bed as he reached out of the glass of water on the bedside table. His vision was blurred as he raised the glass to his lips. He coughed, catching the older man's attention. 

When Yuri finished, Victor took the glass, setting it back on the table. He lowered himself onto the edge of the bed.

"How are you feeling?" He asked quietly, helping Yuri lean back. 

"About the same, I guess."The younger man replied weakly. "Victor?"

"What is it?" Yuri looked away from him.

"I'm sorry you're not there."He said sincerely. "I know you wanted to be. I'm sorry I let you down. I stopped you from skating, and I couldn't even finish the season with this stupid-" Victor softly kissed Yuri's forehead.

"Yuri, you're more important to me. We talked about this. There will be other opportunities, but I only have one of you. You're sick, it happens."Victor soothed.

"Right in the middle of-"

"Yes. In fact, I had to start a year later than I wanted to because I was sick, and just like you, I thought I could do it anyway.  About three days before we were supposed to leave, I was practicing my jumps. I didn't tell anyone I was sick. I had a high fever and all the spinning and Jumping was making me feel worse. By the third one, I was coming back down, and I suddenly got dizzy. I fell and almost hit my head on the ice. I was so disoriented, and the fever was so bad, I just laid there for a while. I ended up in the hospital. I don't want to see that happen to you. Don't push yourself right now, just let me take care of you. That's your only concern."Yuri looked at him in shock.

"What happened?" He asked worriedly. Victor chuckled warmly.

"Well, I'm here talking to you, so obviously I lived."

"Yeah, I mean, what was it? It sounds terrible."

"It was. But don't you worry about that, it was years ago. I want you to have some soup. Can you try that...for me?"

"I-just a little."Victor brushed back a strand of dark hair from Yuri's pale face, before standing up and exiting the room. The ill man's attention was back on the tv. Phichit moved into his jump, landing flawlessly on the ice, picking up speed in an attempt to land a triple toe loop. Yuri groaned in frustration. He and Victor should be there with their friends. He closed his eyes briefly, trying to ignore the heat rising within him. 

A few moments later, he felt the edge of the bed sink and Victor's soft, cool hand against his cheek.

"Yuri, I need you to stay awake a little longer." Yuri opened his eyes, attempting to force himself into a sitting position. 

"If you can't eat much, don't worry about it." Victor dipped the spoon into the bowl, then offered it to Yuri.

"You don't have to-"

"Hush. Just relax and eat. I'll take care of everything else."

"But-"

"Just let me take care of you."Yuri allowed Victor to continue. He rested quietly against the stack of pillows. After only a couple of spoonfuls, Yuri could take no more. Victor placed a cool compress on Yuri's head. 

"My poor, beautiful Yuri," Victor said softly. "I love you so much." Yuri smiled faintly.

"Love you too.." Unable to fight the fatigue, despite just waking up, Yuri allowed his eyes to close once again. Falling asleep almost instantly.  Victor frowned, waiting for a moment before taking the bowl back to the kitchen. He decided to make himself some coffee, he knew he wouldn't be sleeping that night. Yuri needed him, and he had to make sure he was there, no matter what.