Left Behind

Chapter 9

Viktor stepped carefully into the bedroom, a chill going through him at the sight of Yuuri who was staring blankly at the sheets. "Yuuri?" Viktor called again and slowly made his way to the bed.

"Are you hungry?" He asked, but was met with silence. "Yuuri... how about a bath? I started one for you." Yuuri did not reply and Viktor sighed. "Alright Yuuri, we'll have to do this the hard way." Viktor took his hands and placed them under Yuuri's arms, lifting him slowly and maneuvering him forward, out of the bed, and onto his feet.

His eyes were still unresponsive as he was steadied on his feet. Viktor practically carried him out of the bedroom and down to the edge of the living room; walking behind the couch and towards a door that sat near the back of the room.

The door was already open which made it easy for Viktor to drag Yuuri into the bathroom. The tub almost three fourths of the way full with slightly steaming water. Viktor turned the knobs and sat Yuuri down onto the toilet after putting the lid down.

Viktor looked over Yuuri for a second contemplating his next move before shrugging considering he had no choice what with Yuuri being practically lifeless. Viktor leant down and grabbed the ends of Yuuri's shirt and tugged it up, blushing when the shirt exposed his chest. He lifted one arm and pushed it out of the sleeve hole then repeated with the other successfully freeing Yuuri's arms from the t-shirt he was in. He pulled the shirt over his head and threw it too the side.

He reached for the waistband of Yuuri's sweatpants and felt his face heat up even more. Sure in the past they had shared some intimate times, but after so long it suddenly felt embarrassing. He tugged lightly at the pants, trying to work up some courage; the boy needed a bath after all.

He took a deep breath and brought his other hand under Yuuri to lift him. He pulled the pants down to his ankles and tried to ignore the fact that Yuuri wasn't wearing underwear. He helped each foot out of the pants and then stood up looking away. He took a deep breath then lifted Yuuri from under his arms again, practically dropping him into the tub as he slid him in.

"Alright Yuuri you can't spill water out of the tub like you can in Japan. This bathroom doesn't have a drain so be careful." Viktor softly said and left the bathroom, leaving the door open so he could easily check on him and eventually help him wash up.

Viktor sat on the couch and felt his face heat up again. Aside from the messy, greasy hair and body odor, Yuuri had looked much better than when he had first arrived at his apartment even though it had only been a few days . He was still very skinny and pale, but he looked a little healthier from the food he had been given while here; Irina had told him that all Yuuri had been eating was the occasional cup ramen back at the resort.

Hopefully he'll be feeling better enough to talk soon. Viktor heard a sudden loud splash and shot up from the couch. When he entered the bathroom again he didn't notice Yuuri in the tub till he was standing over it. Viktor pulled Yuuri out from under the water, which had been the reason behind the loud splash.

He let out a sigh of relief then a small chuckle. "You got the floor wet. Oh well, I'll clean it up after I clean you." Viktor spoke gently and went to get a wash cloth. As Viktor stepped out of the bathroom he could have sworn he heard Yuuri mumble something.

"... Sorry..."

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Viktor sat across from Yuuri, who was slightly hunched over in his chair. Viktor decided not to talk, savoring the presence of the boy in front of him. Glancing at the digital clock that was on his electric stove, he noticed that it was almost noon.

Was Yuuri hungry? He thought and tapped his finger lightly on the table's wooden surface before standing. "How about we eat something?" Viktor suggested and was met with silence; it's not like he was expecting him to answer anyway.

"I'll... I'll just get something anyway." He stuttered. Seeing Yuuri in this state really messed with Viktor. Guilt crept through him every time he thought of Yuuri in that resort for seven years, living off little food and the company of empty halls and silent rooms.

Viktor walked to the fridge and pulled out some sandwiches that he had brought home with him from his previous outing with Yuri; He didn't like cooking that much so it was a habit of his to stop by a store to bring home pre-made food.

He unwrapped the clear plastic from around one of the sandwiches and placed it on a plate he had pulled out from the cabinet next to the fridge. He brought the plate over to the table and set it down in front of Yuuri; The expressionless boy barely seemed to notice.

Viktor placed his own plate down after repeating his previous actions and sat down. He took a bite and glanced over at Yuuri. He swallowed his bite and placed the sandwich back onto his plate. "Yuuri... Can you please at least take one bite?" Viktor almost pleaded as he attempted to make eye contact with him.

After a few seconds of quiet Viktor sighed and picked up his sandwich, taking another bite while looking down at the table. Movement north of his vision caught his attention and he raised his head to see that Yuuri had brought his hand up to the plate. The dark haired boy lightly placed his hand on the sandwich and began to lift it. He took a small bite, but it was enough to make Viktor breathe out the small breath he hadn't even realized he'd taken.

Viktor continued to eat as he watched Yuuri nibble his way slowly through the sandwich. Viktor had long finished his food when Yuuri finally took his last bite. Viktor stared at him for a long time, not even trying to start a conversation, just tried to enjoy the sight of his loved one sitting before him.

"Would you like to rest?" Viktor asked and Yuuri's head dipped forward a little; Viktor decided that meant yes. He stood and grabbed both their plates, putting them in the sink to clean later, and then gathered Yuuri up in his arms to help him to the bedroom.

They stumbled a bit on their way, but made it to the door, which was hard for Viktor to open what with Yuuri being propped up with both his arms. He ended up using his foot to push the door open and successfully was able to get Yuuri into the room and into the bed.

He tucked Yuuri into the sheets, but he seemed to just lay there; his eyes staring at nothing. "Sleep Yuuri." Viktor spoke in a hushed tone, hesitating, then leaning down and placing a light kiss on Yuuri's forehead. When he pulled back his eyes widened in shock as tears streamed down Yuuri's emotionless face.

"Viktor..." The sound of Yuuri's quiet voice ripped Viktors heart in two. Viktor put his head down on the bed and squeezed his eyes shut. He would not cry; he didn't deserve too. He heard soft, slow breaths that indicated that Yuuri had fallen asleep, but Viktor didn't lift his head. He couldn't.

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Viktor had been so lost in thought that he hadn't noticed his cousin stroll into the kitchen, a grocery bag hanging off her arm. "Hey, you okay?" jolted back to reality, he looked around wildly for a second to find the source, calming when he saw Irina standing in front of him.

"Irina..."

"Hey. I told you I would check on you guys. So any progress?" She asked while placing the bag of groceries onto the counter; beginning to remove them from the bag.

"Yeah uh. He took a bath. Ate a sandwich." Viktor said, his voice so soft that Irina could barely hear him. Irina left the groceries half taken out of the bag and went to Viktor's side.

"Viktor? Seriously are you okay?" She asked, concern laced throughout her voice. Viktor looked down at the table then back up Irina.

"I think so." He said, once again his voice was soft.

"Viktor talk to me. Please." Irina couldn't see Viktor like this. Viktor let out a laugh as tears started to roll down his face.

"I shouldn't have brought him here... but then again... I shouldn't have left him in the first place." Viktor's voice felt forced as he seemed to be trying his best to stop crying. Irina wrapped her arms around him and he finally gave up. Viktors sniffles were the only sound that filled the room for a long time. Irina didn't say a word; she just let him cry.