The Morning After [Victuri] ✔️

Sweet as Honey

It was all I could do to keep myself in that chair next to Phichit, all the while knowing that he was right there and Victor was right at the front of the class. One glance at the wrong time and he would see Jake's hungry eyes as he stared at me as if I were a slab of meat served up on a plater especially for him. The only thing I could do was ignore it and wait for the class to be over.

I stared up at the clock, counting as each tick ran through my head and seconds turned into minutes and minutes felt like hours. Until eventually the bell rang and I was free, free to escape those honey sweet eyes before they entrapped me once again.

Though, as I rushed to pack my books up eager to hurry out, Victor caught my eye from across the classroom. His lips twitched upwards into a small smile and I knew he was luring me to stay. I did want to stay. 

So instead of racing ahead of Jake as planned, I pretended to drop some books, slowing down the process. It seemed like a good idea at the time, no suspicion would be on me as to why I was last out of class. But in hindsight, I could feel eyes on me as I bent over to retrieve them, and not just Victor's.

Suddenly, a figure appeared next to me, crouching down to pick up my french textbook.

"You know, you really should be more careful Yuri. Someday you'll injure yourself if you don't watch what you're doing." 

A shiver ran up my spine as I stood back up, the french book being placed carefully back on my desk by slight fingers.

"Thanks Jake," I mumbled trying to keep my distance from him as I noticed the rest of the room practically empty. Phichit along with everyone else must have already gone to their next class.

"I was wondering if you wouldn't mind showing me where my next class is?" He said, a sweet deceptive smile on his lips as he rested his chin on the heel of his hand. "I'm new here and all. I don't really know my way around, or anyone for that matter. Apart from you."

I glanced up at Victor, catching his eye again as he stacked papers. "I have a free next, but was kind of hoping to get some help with my french from Mr Nikiforov." 

I picked the textbook up from the table, carefully sliding it out from beneath Jake's elbow and hugging it to my chest as I picked up my rucksack, slinging it hastily over my shoulder. 

"Couldn't you show me first?" He asked, a hand placed on my shoulder as if we were old friends.

I wanted to escape this situation more than anything. I wanted to escape to the comfort of Victor's warm embrace but the hand on my shoulder remained and it was as if I was sixteen again.

"What do you have next?" I grumbled, earning a smirk from Jake as he pulled out his schedule.

"Psychology." He read and I didn't say another word before pulling my shoulder out from under his grip and starting to lead him out of the classroom in a brisk walk. Psychology wasn't that far away and the faster I got us there the quicker this encounter could be over and I could go back to the french room, but of course, I should have known that Jake would want more than just for me to lead him to his next class. And as his voice rang from beside me I internally groaned.

"So Yuri, how have you been?" 

"I've been fine...busy with school and that. You?"

I thought about listening as he replied but I quickly became distracted by other things. Things that were more important to me than anything Jake could have to say, like thoughts of the chaste kiss Victor had given me at lunch.

"...So, are you seeing anyone these days?" He asked smugly, snapping me out of my thoughts with the bluntness of his question.

It caught me off guard and I stuttered about trying to think of what I might say. Phichit obviously knew I was in a relationship with Victor, though, I don't think he knew he was Mr Nikiforov. From what I could tell, I doubted he'd met him as Chris' friend and just knew him as a name. Did that warrant me telling Jake anything though?

"I might be," I mumbled, having finally decided it'd be best if he didn't know.

"Oh Yuri, the same tease as ever I see," He grinned, taking the time to wrap one of his arms around my shoulders. I flinched at the gesture, immediately tearing myself away and drawing back into the hallway we had just come from. I didn't know how to act around him. He may still think I'm the same as I've ever been but I'm not and he's changed a lot in two years too.

His actions were never this flippant, every move he used to make had a purpose and most of them weren't formed with the best intentions. Something was wrong with this picture, this Jake. Something had changed, I couldn't tell if it was good or bad.

He looked at me with confused eyes, running up and down my figure which was stopped dead a few meters behind him. My heartbeat was going a million miles an hour and I could feel the pounding in my ears. I couldn't move, I was glued to the spot.

"Is something wrong?"

I could hear it, the deception in his voice, couldn't I? Just as it's always been there, it's still there now. That fucking sweet as honey deception, intended to draw you in, intended to make you trust him.

"No...nothing, we're here is all - first door on the right," I murmured - I couldn't fall for it.

Without even checking to make sure he had heard me I rushed off, french book clutched tight to my chest as I hurried back to the classroom where Victor was waiting. However, as soon as I saw him leaned against his desk, perfectly fitted shirt showing off his muscular build it was all forgotten. My bag and book were dropped onto a nearby desk, followed shortly by me walking towards Victor and wrapping my arms snug around him. I buried my face into his shoulder, taking long breaths of vanilla and focusing on him, only him.

His hand moved up to my head, running through my raven hair, soft and comforting.

"Everything ok?" He questioned, leaning back in the hug to catch a glimpse of my face.

"Yeah, just missed you." I smiled, letting him go. Although as he returned the smile I felt heat spread across my face, blushing madly.

"You know, we haven't yet discussed what your mother said about the move to Japan. After the conversation I had with her, I assume it went well?"

It did, it meant I could stay here, with you...But I was too preoccupied with the small strands of silver falling in front of an ice so beautiful you couldn't compare it to the most brilliant of crystals to realise that I had in fact not replied.

"Does this answer your question for you?" I inquired, brushing his hair out of the way and taking his face between my hands. 

It was no longer something I was debating in my head, I was falling for him and fast. The last thing that mattered to me - that probably should have mattered to me - was him being my teacher. Because he wasn't just my teacher anymore, he was just mine. 

 And pulling him close into a sweet kiss that was better than the sweetest honey, was the last few feet before hitting the ground.

But looking back, if I had checked; if I had cared to close the door; if I hadn't been too preoccupied to feel eyes on me, burning into me as I often did. Perhaps I could have gone on not caring. Nothing mattering apart from that Victor was just mine and that maybe we had both fallen.

At that moment, all I could comprehend were soft, sweet lips and the arms I wanted wrapped around my waist.

Not the deceptive, sweet honey lurking in the shadows.

A.N. I'm sorry for the long wait. I can't make any promises as to when the next chapter will be up but I will write them when I have time. Exams start soon and finish around July so please bear with me and updates being slow until they're over.

Thank you, love you all xx