IC Continuations

[fourlevels]

Comments

[nextlevel]

[ He curls in close then. Leaning his chin against Viktor's shoulder. ]

You're really feeling terrible ...

[fourlevels]

[ He settles his own arm atop Yuuri's when he curls in, pressing back against him. ]

I was okay with the hangover part of it, but the nightmare ... nightmare made it worse.

[nextlevel]

... Were you thinking about that mugger again?

[fourlevels]

... Not at first.

[nextlevel]

What did you dream about, then?

[fourlevels]

Ah ... Things that used to plague me before. It's not important anymore.

[nextlevel]

Tell me about it anyway?

[fourlevels]

[ He's quiet for several moments, but then he turns, facing Yuuri instead. His expression is a bit closed off, so different from how he normally is with Yuuri. ]

It had to do with ... expectations. That others had of me. That I had for myself.

[nextlevel]

About starting over every year?

[fourlevels]

[ Slow nod. ]

And what it took for me to do that. What it took away from me.

[nextlevel]

You never got to keep an identity, huh.

[fourlevels]

Other than Viktor Nikiforov, the living legend, Russia's star and hero? That persona was really the only solid thing from season to season.

[ His voice is still a bit weak, still unsettled from the dream and hangover, eyes drooping from tiredness and headach. Would he be talking about this is he was feeling okay? ]

[nextlevel]

[ Yuuri assumes no, anyway. ]

... That's a lot to live up to.

[fourlevels]

More surprises to make, more of myself to give away ...

[ He curls into Yuuri, pressing his face against his collarbone. His voice is growing softer as well as muffled. ]

The shackle around my neck dragging me under the bright and dazzling waters. That was my nightmare.

[nextlevel]

[ He leans in, then, keeping his touch gentle. ]

You don't have to do that any more.

[fourlevels]

[ He lets out a soft sigh against Yuuri's skin, and his whole body relaxes with it, leaning more heavily against Yuuri. ]

You'll keep me from being dragged down?

[nextlevel]

You know I will. I'll be ... well, not an anchor, I guess. The opposite.

[fourlevels]

A buoy?

[nextlevel]

That doesn't seem very romantic. How about a lighthouse?

[fourlevels]

[ A quiet, tired chuckle. ]

I don't know, you could be one of those child floating vests.

[nextlevel]

That's even worse, Viktor.

[fourlevels]

I think it's cute.

[nextlevel]

Me with my arms around your neck, holding you up?

[fourlevels]

That can be romantic, right?

[nextlevel]

I guess ... but it sounds more like I'm choking you.