Spice [NaNoWriMo 2023 Winner]

A Terre

Victor and Yuuri said their goodbyes before heading home. Georgie was admiring his gold medal in the airport, barely scraping by Chris by a couple points. Chris would be heading for the next compassion and then meeting them in Barcelona. Yuuri promised to be there too, but he really wanted to go home and get settled for a couple days before facing the media all over again. Yuuri was planning to go to an interview with a trusted friend who worked in the media and clear everything up.

"He knows more about this than you, Victor, trust him," Yakov said on the plane, Georgie already sleeping in the window seat.

"I know, but I can't stop worrying," Victor said and leaned back in his seat. He had downgraded his seat so he could sit with his friends, poor Makkachin crammed under his feet.

"You'll be fine," Yakov said again, "Look after yourself and everything else will be okay."

"If you say so," Victor muttered and yawned, leaning back against his seat and nodding off. The flight was short but everyone was exhausted, they all snapped awake when they landed, shaking off the sleep as they marched into the airport. Lilia was there to meet them, pulling Georgie in for a tight congratulatory hug and then taking Victor into her arms. She said much the same as Yakov did, that everything would be fine and they didn't need to worry about the rumors.

"We didn't do anything wrong, but now we're big news, someone trampled on poor Makka trying to get our picture," Victor said and Makkachin huffed, barely affected.

"We'll keep you safe," Lilia said, "Besides, Russia is more interested in Yuri and Georgie right now."

"How is Yura?" Victor asked, offering his arms to his old teacher, escorting her outside and to Yakov's old car.

"Excited," Lilia said "And he wants you there for the finals."

"Of course," Victor said and tilted his head as Lilia shook hers.

"He wants you in that Kiss and Cry, Victor, he wants you in that moment," Lilia explained and Victor's heart bounced into his throat as he looked back at Yakov. The old man was nodding at him as they approached the vehicle.

"He knows what you did for him, Victya," Yakov said, "He wants to thank you in the only way he knows how."

"I'm honoured," Victor said breathlessly, climbing into the back seat with Georgie, "You looked amazing out there, by the way, loved the new makeup."

"I have you to thank," Georgie winked and leaned back against the seats, "But for now, I think I just want to go home and nap."

"I know what you mean," Victor yawned, "At least no one is hungover this time around."

"Yuuri knows better than to send me up on the plane like that," Victor snickered. Yuuri had treated everyone to Dinner after the medals were presented, Georgie's gold had been a shock but they celebrated him proudly. Chris had even come and taken dozens of pictures with the Russian and the two of them bonded as Chris's boyfriend tried to keep him in line. They ate, drank and cut themselves off before they were too sick to fly. Chris and Georgie parted ways with playful threats of breaking legs before the finals and they headed to their beds. Yuuri and Victor spent their last night curled up together, warm pajamas and piles of blankets, just breathing each other's air. The dogs had found space to settle and it had been one of the best night's sleep Victor had had in a long time.

Victor had wanted to wake up like that forever but he needed to go home and he knew that. Sitting in the car he thought about Yuuri and how they could make it work long term. Would one of them move? What would happen to Yura if they did, or what would happen to Yuuri's work? There were a thousand questions and no answers that Victor could come too.