Chapter 28

                                    

                                          
I stare at his princely features and feel my heartbeat excel. He's flawless. How could I not have realized how in love I was before? Was I really that blind?
                          
I gently wrap my hand around his, making sure to be subtle enough not to awaken him. I lightly run my thumb over the top of his hand and bite my lip, sighing lightly. 
                          
I want him.
                          
But I can't. I could never ask him for such a thing until he genuinely asks me. 
                          
I just can't do that to him. 
                          
I feel my hands start to tremble as I stare at the steam radiating off of his bare skin from the hot spring we were still sitting in. I close my eyes and lean against the wall, sighing while still gently caressing his hand. 
                          
"Mmm," Viktor hums, waking up from his slumber. I open my eyes to see a groggy look on his face but a soft smile playing at his lips. "Yay, it's Yuri." He says. I giggle at his tired, childish tone and lock my fingers in his. 
                          
"Hello there." I respond, still chuckling.
                          
"Hey, gorgeous." He whispers, his voice faint. I blush at his compliment and his smile grows wider. "You look so cute when you blush."
                          
My face grows redder and I scoff playfully. "As do you."
                          
"We should probably get out." He says, yawning and stretching out his arms, our hands still interlocked. 
                          
"Yeah." I say. A dark blush crosses my face when he stands up, completely exposing him. I try not to let my eyes explore his body as I stand up, clearing my throat. "L-let's go." I stutter. Viktor laughs and I groan. 
                          
We both walk out of the hot spring, hand in hand and pick up our towels. I wrap mine around my waist again and he does the same, us then walking into the building to change. 
                          
We both get our clothes on and reconnect our hands, then walking into the house and laying down on the couch. I huddle close to his chest and sigh happily from his warmth. 
                          
"Yuri.." 
                          
I close my eyes slowly and wrap my arms around his waist. 
                          
"Yes?" I respond, whispering. 
                          
"I'm sorry."
                          
My eyes flash open at his sudden apology and I scrunch my eyebrows together, looking up at him. "What? Why?" I ask.
                          
"That we can't do anything.. I'm sorry. I want to do all kinds of things to and with you, Yuri. I really do. But of course.. we can't. I'm such a screw up." 
                          
I start gently cooing sweet words to him under my breath and take his cheek in my hand. "No, no, no. No, Viktor." I whisper. "It's not your fault. It's not, Viktor. I'm okay with waiting, baby."
                          
"But-"
                          
"Listen, sweetheart, it's not your fault." I say, both of us blushing a little at the name. "Really, it's not. I told you I'd wait, didn't I?" 
                          
"Y-yes, but Yuri, I don't know how long waiting is. I just don't want to wait forever, because I want to do things with you, but I'm scared. Like, really scared." He says, closing his eyes. I gently caress his cheek with my thumb and feel him lean into the touch. 
                          
"Viktor." I say, surprised at how calm my voice is when in reality my heart is almost beating out of my chest. I smile softly at the beautiful man in front of me and his eyes widen when I lean in and kiss his forehead. I pull back and stare into his eyes, the gentle smile still playing at my lips. "I'll wait. Really, I mean it. Please don't doubt yourself. Just tell me when you're ready." 
                          
He lowers his eyelids a little at my comment but exhales a breath. "Okay, love." He says. 
                          
I smile and close my eyes, resting my chin on the top of his head. "I love you either way, Viktor."
                          
"Thank God." He laughs. I laugh gently but keep my chin rested where it is. 
                          
"We are skating tomorrow, Viktor." I laugh. He sighs and I feel his breath lingering on my neck, sending a shiver down my spine. 
                          
"I want to hang out." He says, hugging my stomach and kissing my chest. I blush and my heartbeat grows faster, even though I try to calm it. He sighs happily and rests his cheek on my heart. 
                          
"I have to practice, Viktor. The next competition is in a month and I've almost got the routine memorized."
                          
"I know, I know." He says. 
                          
It stays silent for a couple minutes until Viktor says something. 
                          
"I hope you never do this with anyone else." 
                          
My heartbeat quickens and a blush covers my cheeks. "Wh-what do you mean?" I ask.
                          
"I hope I never have to watch somebody else call you theirs." 
                          
My eyes widen and by now my heart feels like its going to jump out of my chest. 
                          
"Damn, your heart is beating really fast." He says, laughing as his cheek stays rested on my chest. I groan a little but nervously laugh. 
                          
"Th-then don't say stuff like that."
                          
"It's alright, I like this." He responds. He leaves a kiss where my heart is and then rests his cheek back on it. I blush harder and gently clear my throat. 
                          
"I-I hope I never have to be called someone else's, as well." 
                          
I see him smile and he grabs my hand, interlocking our fingers. I seal my lips shut and lightly smile when he places my hand over his heart, for me to feel his erratic heartbeat. 
                          
"Now look what you've done, Yuri."
                          
I laugh at his comment and clutch onto his hand tighter. 
                          
"Well I'm very sorry, my prince."