Unexpected ▪ Yuri On Ice

The First Two Weeks

VN

I haven't spoken to him.

But I will. Eventually.

"What music do you think he likes?" My cheek sinks into the heel of my hand as I watch Yuuri across the lunch hall; open black and blue hoodie, one earbud in as he taps and slides at his phone, lost in his own world even though he's surrounded by his team mates.

The question wasn't meant for any one on my own table in particular but I must say I'm suprised when the deepest voice at the table responds;

"Off my head I'd say... Panic at the disco, Melanie Martinez, Halsey, Beyoncé, ACDC, J pop and K pop?" Chris frowns at Otabek and I'm stuck between frowning and dancing around a campfire because about half of that list correlates with mine.

"What? I sit next to him in Physics" Otabek shrugs, getting back to his half eaten baked potato.

"Look at that, you're made for eachother" Chris teases, waving his fork in a broad gesture.

"Aren't we just" a smile pulls at my lips as I my eyes fall back on him. He now seems to be explaining something to the person sitting opposite him. To my suprise that person is Yura.

"Plisetsky certanly warmed to Yuuri quickly" Chris teasing tone isn't accepted in that instance.

"Of course, he's a natural magnet" That couldn't be more true when he plucks a carrot stick from his tray and props it between his teeth like it's a cegarette, rolling it slightly from side to side with the movements of his jaw as he nods to whatever Yura is saying back.

It's then that I notice we've been in lunch for half an hour and Yuuri's tray looks so untouched he could probably return it.

When I look up from it to him his eyes are already on mine, gaze loud and heavy from those intense brown eyes. At a loss for what to do, I throw a smile and thumbs up that say 'you can do it!'. It's strange, although I stare at Yuuri practically every lunch time we rarely ever make eye contact across the busy room. Maybe some chemistry is shifting in my favour, maybe he really does like me, he's fallen for my charm at long last.

Yuuri picks up his phone and I can't say I don't feel a little hurt by his utter lack of reply. Until my phone buzzes in my jeans.

Yuuri 💝
I can't do it

I frown at my phone then at him. He doesn't see me, busy staring at his phone.

Me
You can't eat?

Yuuri 💝
It's not the same. You're not here.

My heart flops about in my chest at the words. My goal is to make Yuuri comfortable eating around anyone but it's warming, knowing he needs me, confides in me.

Me
Hold on

Without a word to anyone, I abandon my seat and head for the bar, snatching two baguette sandwiches and walking over to the gymnastics table with them under my arm. Yuuri only sees me when I'm already close enough to hear Yura complaining about god knows what and he looks like an adorable deer caught in headlights.

Pichit notices me right after and puts down his phone, completely forgetting it's existence and staring.

"Hi there" with a wide smile and a small wave I adress the group. They all go copletely silent as I circle the table and stop behind Yuuri, putting my hands on his shoulders in a way that isn't too intimate or imposing. He stiffens a little, then relaxes, twisting his neck uncomfortably to look up at me with those rich brown eyes.