Chapter Text
These days Yuuri feels exhausted all the time. In the morning, his eyes feel heavy as if there’s a tiny person seated on each of his eyelids, and his feet drag, feeling like there’s weights attached to them. The weights always seem to loosen though when he sees Victor humming in the kitchen over a pan of fried eggs, or when Makkachin pads over to lick his hand. His favorite part of every day though is when he gets to collapse into bed next to Victor. He loves dancing, but he shares just as much love for Victor (and probably more).
Today, the sun is out and the sky is clear blue. Sunlight reflects off freshly fallen snow, temporarily blinding Yuuri as he heads out for morning practice. He pulls his scarf tighter and shoves his hands in his pockets. Although the sun is out, it’s cold. Frigid wind blows against his face as he waits for the train, and he wills his eyes not to water. Quiet Christmas music plays over the loudspeakers, and Yuuri’s reminded that Victor’s birthday is soon. After his company’s Christmas showing of The Nutcracker on the 23rd, they have the next few days off, so Yuuri’s excited to spend Victor’s birthday with him. Yuuri didn’t audition for a lead role, but he’s still in rehearsals almost all day. He’s barely seen Victor outside of their morning and night routines. Loud dinging brings him out of his thoughts as the light rail pulls into the station, and then he’s off to another long day of rehearsals.
The final show goes wonderfully, and the after party is just as fun. Yuuri invites Victor, of course, and they spend the night chatting with Yuuri’s cast mates and dancing together. They eventually stumble home, rosy-cheeked and tipsy, and wandering hands leisurely pull each other apart before sleep overcomes them.
***
“Vitya,” Yuuri softly calls as he opens their bedroom door. Today, he woke up earlier than his boyfriend for once. He wanted to surprise him with breakfast in bed as Victor so often does for him.
Victor mumbles something, but doesn’t wake up. Smiling, Yuuri sets the tray down and sits beside Victor. He gently shakes him. “Vitya,” he calls again.
“Yuuri?” Victor says, slowly opening his eyes.
“Hi,” Yuuri says once Victor looks a little more awake. “I made you breakfast.”
His eyes light up at Yuuri’s words, and he sits up. “Really? Thank you.”
“Mhm, happy birthday,” Yuuri says, handing the tray over to Victor.
Victor happily eats the food and shares some with Yuuri.
While handing Yuuri another banana slice, he asks, “Do you have more surprises for me?”
Yuuri takes the fruit, and eats it. When he finishes chewing, he says, “You’ll have to see.”
Yuuri’s biggest surprise isn’t happening until later tonight, so he has many activities planned for throughout the day to keep them busy. He wants Victor’s birthday to be as special as Yuuri’s was so he tried to plan things he knows Victor would enjoy.
They start with watching cheesy romance movies that Victor equally loves for their charm and loathes for their exaggerations. They cuddle together on the couch with hot cocoa and take turns teasing the cast members, or complimenting the elements they enjoy. Often they end up distracted, kissing each other instead of watching the movie.
In the afternoon, they go for a walk around the park with Makkachin. It’s a little warmer today so they spend more time walking around the park, and letting Makkachin play to her heart’s content. Victor’s smiling the whole time, his hand warm in Yuuri’s, and he’s almost sure he planned this day right.
At one point, Makkachin kicks snow up at them, inspiring Yuuri to bend down and scoop up some snow. He rounds it into a ball and then tosses it at Victor’s back. Gasping, Victor turns to look at Yuuri in shock.
“Yuuri!” he exclaims.
Pretending Yuuri doesn’t know what happened, he shrugs. “What?”
“I —” Victor starts, but then shakes his head and bends to scoop up snow.
Immediately, Yuuri begins running away, swooping low to grab more snow. It’s not long before he feels cold hit his back and he laughs. He turns and tosses his new snowball at Victor, who’s already bending to collect more snow. Makkachin barks and circles them, trying to join in the fun. The snowball fight continues for what feels like forever, the sun slowly descending to the west. Finally, Yuuri collapses into the snow, and flaps his arms and legs.
“I’m exhausted,” he sighs.
With a huff, Victor joins him. “Me too.”
Yuuri turns to look at Victor who’s already gazing at him, cheeks rosy-red and eyes bright.
“Are you having fun?” he asks.
Victor nods. “Yes. Completely.”
They lay together in the snow for a few minutes before finally getting up and going back home, Makkachin beside them.
For dinner, Yuuri cooks Victor’s favorite pirozhki and a vegetable soup. Victor’s eyes light up when he bites into his pirozhki and tastes the meat and cheese inside.
“I may have remembered you mentioning it one time in an interview,” Yuuri says when Victor doesn’t ask.
“Amazing!” Victor replies, his smile brighter than the sun when it’s reflected off snow.
Yuuri feels his heart warm and he nudges more food towards Victor. “Enjoy.”
After the dishes are washed and put away, Yuuri pulls Victor back towards the door. “I have one more surprise,” he says while handing Victor his coat.
“Oh?” Victor says, putting the jacket on.
Yuuri smiles, and grabs Victor’s car keys. “I’ll be borrowing these.”
Yuuri drives them to Nicollet Mall, parking on a street nearby. He leads Victor down the well-lit avenue, different colored lights lining the street. There’s some trees setup with ornaments and their own lights as well. It’s mostly empty except for a few other couples walking hand-in-hand down the street.
Once they’re underneath a canopy of blue lights strung from one building to the next, Yuuri stops them. Smiling, he grabs a small box from his coat pocket. He raises Victor’s hand and slowly pulls one glove off.
Looking up at Victor, he says, “I wanted today to be as special as my birthday. I couldn’t figure out what gift to give you until I saw these.” He opens the box to reveal matching silver bands. He hears Victor softly gasp as he pulls one out. “Vitya, I love you, and I don’t know if we’ll be together forever, but I want to celebrate what we have right now. No matter what happens at the showcase, I want us to remember this, so please accept this gift.” He slides the ring onto Victor’s finger.
“Yuuri…” he breathes.
Yuuri can feel his cheeks warming as he hands the box containing the remaining ring to Victor. “I want to promise myself too.”
Nodding, Victor takes the box, and then Yuuri’s hand. He slides a glove off and adds the ring to his fourth finger.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better day. Let’s do our best at the showcase, and make the most of our time together. I love you, Yuuri.”
When Victor begins pulling away, Yuuri reaches forward to intertwine their hands and admire the matching rings. They twinkle in the light and Yuuri smiles. This was the perfect gift.
“I’m going to kiss you now,” Yuuri says, and leans forward to connect their lips. The kiss is slow but warm and Yuuri’s glad to share this moment with Victor.
After they pull away there’s clapping and Yuuri turns to see the other people have gathered around them.
“Congrats on your engagement!” someone shouts. Yuuri feels his cheeks flame. Oh no…
Panicked, he turns to Victor. “Vitya, I didn’t mean —”
“Thank you! They’re more like promise rings, but I think I can persuade him,” he says with a wink.
The woman laughs and turns to her partner. “Why wasn’t our engagement this cute?”
Feeling like things have gotten far enough out of control, Yuuri tugs Victor out of the crowd and back towards the car.
“Vitya, I hope you didn’t misunderstand,” Yuuri says as they approach the car.
Victor shakes his head. “I don’t think I did. These are like promise rings, no? And I will persuade you.”
With that, Victor steps into the car, leaving Yuuri speechless on the sidewalk. Convince him?
Later, once they’re home and in bed, Victor rolls over and pulls Yuuri close.
“I won’t push anything you’re not ready for. We’ll go our own pace, okay? I hope I didn’t scare you earlier.”
“No, it’s okay. I didn’t mind,” Yuuri answers.
Victor kisses the top of Yuuri’s head. “Good. Thank you for the amazing birthday.”
“It was my pleasure,” Yuuri replies, and then they drift off to sleep.