Shattering Glass

Chapter 9

Victor's enthusiasm for helping Yuri settle into his new bed rest routine was tempered only by his schedule; when his third alarm went off, reminding him that he had literally ten minutes until his class at the rink started and he had to leave, he dilly dallied for another five before being all but pushed out of the door.

It wasn't that Yuri wasn't grateful for Victor's help, just that, well, he was tired. A bone-deep sort of exhaustion that promised not to fade for a long time to come. And social activity, especially with the ever-bubbly, vivacious Victor, only worsened his fatigue.

"Are you sure that you don't want me to stay?" Victor asked, yet again, as he hovered nervously between Yuri's bedside and the door. "I'm sure Liliana wouldn't mind subbing for my class-- I'd be more than happy to keep you company a while longer."

Yuri shook his head. Victor had appeared promptly at nine that morning, declaring that all of his studio classes were covered and he was free to spend the day helping Yuri adjust to his new routine; to be his 'man servant', as he called it. Yuri had hesitated to bring up the fact that he was far from alone, as Otabek would now be working from home to take care of Yuri (a decision that had been made without his consultation), only due to the fact that Victor had been so hostile toward any mention of him in recent months: Yuri would much prefer several hours in Victor's company to several hours in Victor's company while the latter man repeatedly bashed his husband.

"Liliana deserves a break," Yuri said diplomatically, making an effort that another version of himself never would have to ensure that it wasn't obvious that he wanted Victor to leave. "She's the interim teacher for all of my classes before Lilia can take over; I'm sure she doesn't need any more sub work."

Victor looked conflicted, logic dictating that Yuri was, indeed, correct, but his personal desire to stay and wait on his hand and swollen foot putting up a formidable argument. He had opened his mouth, either to tentatively agree or to feebly contradict, it was really anyone's guess, when a figure appeared in the doorway.

Otabek blinked when both heads swiveled toward him. "Sorry to disturb," he glanced at Victor before they both, oddly enough, looked away, "but, Yuri, I was wondering if you were hungry? The doctor said it would be best to establish the schedule immediately, and this is around the time you would have your lunch break at the studio, right?"

Yuri glanced at his laptop, resting on the small lap desk that had been discarded following Victor's arrival. Was it really two o'clock? Yuri bit back a sigh; no wonder he was so tired-- he would normally have eaten almost an hour ago.

"Yeah," Yuri said, and the baby kicked in agreement. Yuri set a hand on the roundest part of his abdomen and stroked it softly. "It is. I'll start on it in a minute." He glanced at Victor, hoping that he'd take the hint and see himself out. Instead, though, Victor looked slightly alarmed, glancing from Yuri to Otabek.

"But you're on bedrest," he said, "you're not supposed to be cooking-- can't Otabek do that?" He looked challengingly to the man in question, eyes narrowing into their practiced glare, before something strange flickered across his face, and his expression changed to uneasy civility. Yuri blinked.

"Modified bed rest," Otabek explained, addressing Victor's comment. "There are set times to rest and lie down-- as long as we follow the schedule, it's fine." Didn't mean he liked it.

Victor nodded slowly. "If you say so," he said, before glancing at Yuri, "are you sure that you don't want me to stay? I could do lunch for you, so you can stay in bed."

"It's fine," Yuri said as he adjusted his position, lying on his left side on the maternity pillow, to get up. "You need to get to the rink. Didn't you say that Sasha had had a breakthrough with his triple Loop?"