ice tiger

“Of course I can, it’s just food, I think I can handle that.” He replied with a soft laugh, knowing he hadn’t even considered making Yuri pay, he just wanted to make him feel comfortable, safe. He reached out,grabbing onto Yuri’s hand like he’d done for him so many times.

“You don’t have to worry about it, okay? If you need to stay with us for awhile, or if you nee anything…you just have to ask.”

He squeezed the others hand back, glancing up to look at him with a soft smile. Though he faltered slightly. Viktor. Right...Viktor was there too. It was fine, he told himself. It’s not like he cared...not like it made a difference...

Still, he pushed the thought of Viktor out of his mind, and found himself walking closer to the other. He let his eyes fall to the street infront of then, not letting the others hand go.

“I’m sure we do, if not we can order something for delivery.” He nodded, still looking rather worried as he reached out to tug on the other’s sleeve gently, gesturing down the street. “Here, it’s faster this way, it won’t take quite as long to get there.”

He followed the other silently. He was slowly beginning to enjoy the others company. Yuuri always seemed to be there when he needed it...not to mention he was one of the only people he considered a friend.

“Sorry! I-I didn’t mean to stare!” He replied quickly, not wanting to upset him when he was so obviously hurting already. He jogged to catch back up with him, nodding. “We can go now, maybe we should get you some, ice for that..?”

“Yuri…” He frowned worriedly, nodding after a brief hesitation, realizing he hadn’t actually responded. “Stay as long as you need to, I wouldn’t want you going back home like this.”

“Of course!“ He replied almost immediately, leaning in a little closer to try and puzzle out the other’s expression. “What’s going on?”

“...’ey, piggy.” The young blond sat on the bench, watching the others skating practice. He wasn’t sure if he was really PERMITTED to be here, but he didn’t really care, either.

He had no skates with him. No bag. The intention to skate wasn’t there, he just sat...watching.

Yuuri could tell almost immediately that something he said had bothered the younger boy, although he couldn’t figure out what it was. He’d figured the other was teasing about it being a date, after all he was very aware that the only reason Yuuri was in Russia in the first place was because he had followed Viktor there. He just smiled, tugging his sleeve back down almost on instinct, not wanting the scars so out in the open.

“How about you pick, we usually go where I want to and I feel bad.” He told him. “Besides, I haven’t tried a lot of the places around here still, I’m always at the rink so we usually just get takeout.”

“Trying to comfort you. Trying to show you you don’t have to be scared of me.” the flinch had him sighing and almost pulling his hand away. But the blush had him curious, so he kept it there. “I would never be able to forgive myself if you were scared of me. You mean way too much to me.” even if they rarely got to see each other in person, they still text a lot, and Yuri was one of the most important people in his life, and the most important outside of his family.

“...really?” He perked up slightly, leaning in toward the other. He was curious, his gaze falling to the others lips. His stomach twisted slightly, anxious. Was there something Otabek wanted from him? Was there a reason he was being so...touchy and emotional? It seemed so unlike him...

“I do, but in your home country you aren’t a minor. So you can have anything you want.” he shrugged, he hadn’t been expecting guests in his room, so it was a little messier then he usually liked to present.

He sighed, sitting on the bed at watching Yuri for a moment. “I really am sorry, Yuri. You know I never intend to treat you like a child.” he reached out, touching his hand that way laying on the covers. He made sure to keep it gentle.

At first, he hesitated. He had every intention of getting up to get a beer or something from his fridge. But at the feel of the others touch, he flinched, cheeks blushing brightly.

He frowned a little but nodded, taking out his key and swiping it, opening the door for his friend. He was pretty sure Yuri was scared, but he wasn’t sure what of. Was he scared of him, or of what happened? Both? “Make yourself at home.” he commented.

He did just that. He took his boots off by the door, and stepped into the hotel room. He pulled off his black tank top, throwing it onto the floor and laying himself on the bed. He glanced over to Beka, finding himself guarded and hesitant around him. And he wasn’t sure if it was because of what had happened or...perhaps it was just the sight of the other in general...

...he hadn’t expected to run into his old friend tonight.

He shook his head, looking at Yuri with pained eyes. “Don’t apologize. I just want you to be safe. I’ve been to a lot of these places, and I know how shitty some of the people that go there can be. I know you really don’t need protecting but I can’t help it, you know? Its who I am. The Hero, the Protector.” he sighed. “I just hope I didn’t scare you. That’s the last thing I want is to be the one you’re afraid of.”

He could barely stand the silence even as he was normally quiet. He almost wished he hadn’t done what he’d done. He didn’t want Yuri to be scared of him at all. He was supposed to be his best friend, the one person he could trust with anything.

“They’ll get over it. I was only a guest anyways.” he stepped into the elevator, shoulders slumping a little, in a way that could very much remind someone that he was only 5′6. He felt very small right now, insignificant.