#paluumin

“This isn’t like you at all,” Christophe says, shaking his head. “You know how many hearts you’ve broken at the counter of Yakov’s store? You’ve got quite a reputation now, and I’m the one who’s supposed to be the disastrous flirt or something.”

“You flirt with everyone because it’s a game to you,” Viktor points out. “You have Masumi at the end of the day anyway. I’m -- this is my heart on the line here, Chris.”

“Ask if he’d like to get a honeysuckle with you,” Christophe suggests, clapping him on the back. “The worst he could do is say no.”

“That’s the worst thing ever,” Viktor moans, thudding his head against the bark. “Just let me sit here and pretend I have a chance instead of confirming that I don’t.”

Christophe rolls his eyes at that, and pushes off from the tree, stomping into the Hollow. Viktor watches, slightly horrified, as the gnome skirts past other fairies and elves until he finally reaches the ring where the sky-dancer has just finished another beautiful set and is tucking away his gossamer scarves. Christophe steps up, converses with the pixie who is doing the dancer’s music, and then the dancer himself shows up with his beautiful face quirked in concern.

Viktor’s out of his perch in a second, flying into the Hollow and pulling up right before the ring. “I’m so sorry about my friend,” he blusters, grabbing Christophe by the arm. “I told him this was a bad idea, but he insisted --”

“Strawberry guy, right?” says the pixie, pointing at him. “I know you, you work the counter at the apothecary across the Hollow! Nice to meet you!”

“Yeah, Yakov and Lilia’s spells are the best, except now they’ve taken it to the Unseelie Court in their divorce proceedings and it’s all a big mess.” Viktor waves a hand. “I’m just -- I’m gonna collect my friend. Sorry he was being a bother.”

“He wasn’t,” says the sky-dancer. He’s put on a pair of spectacles now, his cheeks bright pink. “He mentioned you liked my dancing.”

“You’re amazing,” says Viktor before his brain can stop him. His face feels like it’s on fire, and all he wants to do is get back to the shop before this gets any more embarrassing. “I’ve loved sky-dancers since I was a kid and I did a little of it myself but then I had to work and you’re amazing, really. I’m not usually like this. I swear.”

“Well, I really like your potions,” says the sky-dancer, his blush deepening. “The calming one you make really helps my nerves. So thank you for that.”

“Looks like you could take one of those yourself,” Christophe mutters. Viktor elbows him, tugging him back a little. 

“Want to grab lunch sometime?” he blurts out. The sky-dancer smiles and nods.

“I’ll do it if you tell me your name,” he says.

“But then it’d only be fair for you to tell me yours,” Viktor rejoins, painfully aware that onlookers are treating them like a fireball match. 

“Yuuri,” offers the sky dancer, along with his hand. Viktor takes it. How could this be so easy? Surely there’s gotta be a catch somewhere. 

“Viktor,” he says. “How about next Thursday at noon?”