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It hasn't been quite an hour since he finished skating, since the last note of his surprise of an exhibition program rang throughout the crowded rink. The adrenaline of it all is still coursing through the blond as he makes his way out of the locker room. Of course, part of that reason might be the fact that after he made his way off the ice he was immediately caught by Yakov and Lilia with a volley of questions about what was that they just saw.

Yuri mostly manages to escape unscathed. He did what he wanted pushed his own boundaries, and there isn't an ounce of regret in him for it. The fact that the screams and cheers of the crowd were nearly deafening, well, that had helped too, of course.

The little Russian skater has thrown his usual hoodie over his very unusual costume, taken down his hair and ditched his skates -- which are tucked into the backpack he has slung over one shoulder. He has, however, completely forgotten about taking off the dark eye makeup (not something he usually has to consider) in his haste. After all, he's in a hurry.

He hasn't seen Otabek since the two of them made their way off the ice, and he hopes the other skater hasn't already left. Of course, if he has, that just means Yuri will go harass him at his hotel room. There are worse ideas. But luckily he catches sight of the familiar face, the beginnings of a smile coming over his own features as he beelines his way down the hallway to where the other stands.

"Otabek!" He raises a hand and jogs to catch up to him. "You're still here." It's getting late, but it's clear from the energetic buzz in his posture, the bounce in his step, the fire in blue-green eyes that Yuri is in no way tired, is wired after everything.

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It never crosses Otabek's mind to leave. He expects to have to wait a while for Yuri to deal with some form of dressing down about changing his program so last minute without telling Yakov and Lilia. He hopes he doesn't get in too much trouble for it. The program was great. Really great. It just shows how talented Yuri really is. Otabek knew it years ago, but it's still nice to be proven right in putting his admiration into Yuri.

So, he waits. Doesn't really give much of a response to anyone who questions him on the performance. It's not his story to tell, he's just a minor player in this one. He's proud of what was put together, but doesn't want any of the spotlight for it. If anyone wants to know more, they can ask Yuri about it. A quick glance at social media, and there's already buzzing over it. He's absently scrolling through Instagram when he hears footsteps running toward him and looks up.

Before he even realizes it's happening, he's smiling so gently in return. The phone is stuffed into his pocket, then he lifts his hand to wave a greeting. He's really happy. It's a different kind of happiness, but he likes it even if he doesn't fully understand it. As Yuri gets closer, something doesn't seem quite right. Closer inspection shows it's just the make up. One side of Otabek's mouth quirks a little higher as he exhales a laugh. He says nothing about it, just hums in agreement that, yes he's still here. He's not going anywhere.

"Were they mad?"

"Super pissed off, yeah," Yuri confirms with a note of pride he can't quite keep out of his voice. It's exciting in a way, what he did tonight, what Otabek helped him do. He's skated routines Yakov choreographed, he's skated Victor's vision of Agape, Lilia's admittedly stunning creation, but tonight he went all in on something that was his in a way nothing else has been before. The fact that Otabek had agreed to be a part of it is important too, in a way that Yuri is still trying to pin a name to. The thoughts are complicated though, and for now he just grins a smug and satisfied little smirk of an expression.

"Yakov more than Lilia, I guess. I think she kinda got the aesthetic." And Yakov had just been confused and cranky. Well. Isn't the first time and won't be the last.

Yuri's expression softens though, in a way it does around precious few people as he comes to a stop beside the other skater, looking up at him. "Thanks, by the way. For going along with it and helping." A pause and a teasing addition of, "And murdering me."

Before the Grand Prix, Otabek never imagined things would be going this smoothly. Honestly? It almost feels a little too good to be true. He's been spending so many years off and on thinking about Yuri and trying to decide what kind of attention he wanted. He's younger, but Yuri's always had a particular grace that Otabek can't reach. Not to diminish his own talents -- he wouldn't be a skater, wouldn't be where he is now if he wasn't graceful -- but, there's just something more to Yuri. It makes him mesmerizing to watch. For a while, he wondered if it was rivalry. Anyone can see how riled Yuri gets when it comes to Viktor, and that drives him to prove himself. But, he's too placid for that. Mostly. He has a rival in JJ, anyway, and doesn't need it with Yuri.

Then, he wondered if it was something more friendly he was seeking. Otabek wouldn't claim many of his peers as friends. Not that he despises them (majority of them), but they're all so...extra that he just sort of fades into the background. Which, is fine. He doesn't mind. He also doesn't think he's projecting when he sees that similarity in Yuri. So, logically he thinks that friendship is what he wants. Finally coming clean and knowing he has a true friend in Yuri feels good. Like, this is a natural evolution of everything. They can support each other and have someone to rely on that isn't family or a coach.

He stops when the other does, looking down at him with a slightly upraised brow. His expression smooths into something a little softer and warmer than usual. To anyone who may catch a glance, it would seem unusual since he tends to keep his expression neutral more often than not. There's an exception with Yuri.

"You're welcome. It was fun."

He'd never say it, and he'll take it to his grave, but for a quick second he wonders what it would've been like if they'd done a routine together together. Stupid. When he shakes that thought out of his head, he realizes his hand is curled slightly around Yuri's arm. Oops. He gives a small squeeze before dropping his arm back to his side.

"Thanks for asking me."

That's the strangest thing about it; it's been such a short time since they really met -- actually met, found each other on the same level, not just in near-passing -- and Otabek has already slid into a place that fits into Yuri's life, like Yuri had always been missing something, someone, just there, but never knew it until the other came along.

He should probably be grateful for that much, shouldn't he? That would be the smart, mature thing to do, Yuri figures. But he can't shake the notion that there's something more there, lingering beneath the surface, some little thread of tension that he knows he shouldn't pull at for fear of unraveling everything. But he's never been good at not doing things he shouldn't, and he wants to pull at it. Wants to see. Wants to know.

The hand at his arm stills his voice entirely, hell it even has his breath catching though it's a silent reaction, one that he hopes goes unnoticed. And there's a million things that Yuri should do: let the moment pass, tell Otabek that he's got nothing to thank him for that Yuri is the one who is lucky to have had him there with him.

What he does though, is reach out (he wants to blame reflex, but it can't take all the blame) as that hand falls away to catch up the other skater's fingers with his own. The minute he does his head jerks to look off in the other direction, hide the blush that wants to rise in his face, that he can already feel the heat of. "Tch. It wouldn't have felt right without you anyway."

There is some kind of tension pulled taught between them. Otabek attributes it to his own bluntness butting up against Yuri's. Or, even spilling such a silly, embarrassing secret to him and outright asking to be friends. Who does that? He tries not to think too deeply on it, because he does get embarrassed. Though, not too much since things seemed to have worked out really well. Better than he ever expected.

Yet, that tension pulls tighter as Yuri grabs his hand. It surprises him when it happens, and he almost makes the mistake of pulling away out of reflex. Just his fingers twitch, but he relaxes enough to let this happen. In a large picture sense, this probably means nothing. People do this sort of thing all the time with friends. But, his heart must not have gotten the memo. It skips a beat, then thuds hard as if to make up for the flutter. Heat creeps up the back of his neck. He needs to chill. It's fine. This isn't anything weird.

He swallows and his throat is abnormally dry. First, he glances at their hands then to Yuri. Is he blushing? He can't really tell and tells himself it's just the light.

"Are you hungry?" he winds up blurting out before he can change course. It's not a smooth change of subject but he had no clue what to say to that. All he knows is he's not really ready to let this go yet.

If Otabek's hand had pulled away, something in Yuri would have been heartbroken in a way the blond has never felt before -- a risk he hadn't considered before he acted. But that is the story of Yuri's life. Act, then if there's time later, think about it. Maybe.

But since that hand doesn't move away, the blond is instead, well, confused. He was the one who acted to begin with, who reached for Otabek's hand, and now he has it, and he's not sure what it means. He knows, he really truly knows and is even beginning to admit to himself, what he wants it to mean. But he doesn't know what it actually does mean.

Is Otabek humoring him, somehow, the younger skater and his whims?

Still there's something hopeful in Yuri's eyes as he sneaks a glance back at Otabek now, definitely blushing, and grateful for the subject change. And he's quick to agree. "Yeah. Really hungry." Anything, any reason to not go their separate ways just yet.

It's a little funny. And, later Otabek might admit that to himself. Less than an hour ago, Yuri's fingers were literally in his mouth. Now, he's getting a weird and swoopy feeling in his stomach. His heart is acting strange. All because he's holding Yuri's hand. This almost feels a little backwards. He knows they can't stand here all night like blushing idiots, but he finds it a little hard to move. Everything feels soupy warm, like that fever dream sort of haze. Maybe that's all it is. He's getting sick.

Except, when Yuri looks at him and Otabek sees the blush...something inside him clicks a little closer to the truth of the feeling. He's still avoiding it. Sidestepping it like a pro. But, it's lingering there bright enough that he can't completely ignore it.

He averts his eyes and winds up getting distracted by how it looks. He feels a little hopeless. But, also a little hopeful. It's the weirdest feeling. He nods in agreement before he gets lost inside his own thoughts.

"Ok. There's some places around here..." he trails off a little, realizing he started walking toward the exit while still holding on. He doesn't want to call attention to it, so he ignores it. Acts like he was thinking about what's actually around. "A bunch of cafes and tapas, anyway. Is that good?"

This is so much harder than ice skating. Skating is simple. Well, most of skating is simple. The technical aspects are all form and execution and attack and hours upon days upon years of practice. Simple, compared to trying to untangle the knot that forms in his stomach when he realizes that they're still holding hands.

Admittedly, the emotional connection in his routines is more of a challenge; it's why that idiot Victor made him stand under a freezing waterfall back in Japan. Tch. But... this? This is even trickier than that.

Yuri's gaze drops to look at their hands, following along with Otabek, not sure where they're going and not sure he cares. "That's great, yeah. Let's find a cafe. I'm starving."

That much is true; he's been too keyed up all day about his exhibition skate to tend to such bothersome things as eating, so now that it's over, he's definitely hungry. Or should be. Except there's still a funny, fluttery feeling in his stomach like a flock of butterflies has taken up residence, and they're restless. "Hey. Otabek?"

Complex algebra is easy compared to this. This is actually making Otabek feel like a walking disaster. It feels like he'd sooner figure out how to build a rocket to the moon before he was able to figure out exactly what's going on here. Which, is why he keeps telling himself that the less time he spends thinking about it the better it will be for both of them. Avoidance works sometimes. When it comes to thinks like complex emotions and feelings, avoidance is basically a lifesaver. Figuring out and compartmentalizing everything he's feeling about Yuri right now is going to take time and truth that he doesn't have and doesn't know that he wants to face yet. Ignorance will remain bliss.

Or, at least it was supposed to be that way. When Yuri says his name like that, it takes every fiber of Otabek's being to not actually stop in his tracks and look guilty as anything. Not that he has anything to feel guilty for, because he hasn't done anything. But, that's the first thing that comes into his mind. Like a big flashing neon sign. He glances over at the other.

"Yeah?" he says it as blandly as he can. Which...is pretty bland, all things considered. But, still, his heart swoops down to his stomach as he waits for whatever's coming.

Otabek isn't the only one who feels like a complete disaster at the moment. Yuri has no idea what he's doing at all. And part of him is downright terrified. What if he says or does something wrong, says something that chases Otabek away, makes the other skater not want anything to do with him anymore?

Yuri looks up at him, uncertainty in his expression, which is rare. When is Yuri ever uncertain about anything? Confidence is one thing the blond has never lacked.

And here's Otabek who, for all that Yuri can tell, is cool and collected as he ever is. "We're friends, right?" It's not a good start. Where is he going with this? He likely has a plan, but whether or not it's a good one remains to be seen.

Oh, no. He doesn't like that look on Yuri's face. What does it mean? Has he done something wrong? Probably. He's been so weird since they first spoke. It wouldn't shock him if Yuri told him to hit the road. He'd hate it, and want to fix it somehow. But, he'd probably just wind up making it worse.

Otabek's entire body feels like a heartbeat. He feels a flush work through him on the inside and hopes on everything that it doesn't ever show up on the outside. Why is he like this? Why does everything suddenly feel like the biggest deal with Yuri? What does that question even mean? He's more anxious right in this second than he was taking the ice. It isn't fair that Yuri has totally unnerved him.

He tries to wet his lips, but his mouth is so dry. Yuri must've realized they're still holding hands. That's such a dumb thing to even think -- of course Yuri knows. He's not stupid.

"Yeah?" he parrots himself. What an idiot. Say something else! "I...mean, I thought so." Ok, that's...not good. But, better? "Why?"

Friendship is stressful.

"I think so too!" Yuri is quick to add because the way Otabek answers at first makes him want to be clear about agreeing. And well, okay. First step. Good. Maybe good. Yuri doesn't know. Part of him is ready to abandon this idiotic idea in his head and flee in the other direction, before Otabek realizes what a disaster he is, realizes how selfish he's being when he has this friendship and can't stop thinking about more, somehow.

But he's already started the ball rolling, and retreat isn't his style. Yuri Plisetsky Fight or Flight reflex is permanently stuck in the fight position.

"I'm glad. That we're friends, I mean. ...that sounds stupid, right?" Maybe he'll just go crawl under the blankets in his hotel and never come out again that seems like a good idea right now. "But it's just important. You're important. To me. And I don't wanna wreck it. But..."

That's not a good place for a but, probably. He should be better at this.

Ok, so. That's not as dire as he thought? Things might not be so far off track. Otabek relaxes a little after that. This is fine. It is! ...It isn't, but Otabek doesn't really know what's actually wrong. Is he overthinking this? Probably. He needs to really just calm down. This isn't like him. This has him feeling so much out of his depth, though. But, Yuri said they're friends so they're friends.

Unconsciously, his hand tightens against Yuri's for a quick second. He doesn't even realize it happens. It's likely that later when he's alone back in his hotel room, he's not going to remember anything about this because he's acting like an idiot and embarrassing himself.

Before he can stop it from happening, he almost looks a little stricken when that 'but' comes. But? But what? What does that mean? Honestly, he doesn't even want to ask. He will. Of course he will, but he doesn't want to.

"But, what?"

"...shit. This sounds ridiculous."

Yuri scowls at himself now, glancing down and away because what the hell is he doing? He wants to kick something. Maybe himself. But all right. What the hell. He's already started this, he can't just drop it and pretend he hasn't said something.

Damn it.

A deep breath and Yuri looks back up at Otabek and there is something like a glare on his face, but it's not aimed at the other skater. At all. It's at himself, and he seems to realize that and his expression softens. Or maybe that's just what happens naturally because it's Otabek.

"But... is that all? I mean... are we?"

This is, by and large, one of the most emotionally taxing conversations he's been in. He's had a few in his life by this point, but this is whiplash all over the place. It's not something he's really used to, living la vida plácida as he does doesn't really give him much opportunity to experience these ups and downs. he doesn't know how other people actually do this.

It sort of feels like a huge weight is crushing him, yet also being lifted off. At the same time? It's so weird to feel exposed and relieved at once. Yuri feels something, too. Either he feels the same thing Otabek does, or he's recognizing how weird and out of line he's being and wants him to knock it off. Though, Otabek is pretty sure that if that was the case, he would've gotten a knee to the groin, yelled at, and left to rot on the floor. That's not happening, so it must be good. Right?

"I..." he trails off, looking first to the floor then to the side. He exhales a slow breath. "I don't know."

It's honest, because that's just how Otabek is. No holding back. He could throw the question back at Yuri, but that doesn't seem fair. He's obviously asking because he doesn't know, either. At least, he doesn't think he's wrong in assuming that.

"Do you want to find out?"

Oh Otabek is absolutely right about Yuri. If the blond were displeased with any of this, nothing would stop him from demonstrating that with his usual ferocity. Yuri isn't shy about those sorts of reactions.

This though, this is important, too important for overreacting and not thinking it through. Yuri knows that. And besides, how do you overreact when the feeling you have is a racing heartbeat and a tightness in his stomach.

They're still holding hands. They're still holding hands, and Yuri somehow doesn't want to let go. The blond nods at the question, a determined little flicker in blue-green eyes. "Yeah. I do."

He wants to know. He thinks it'll drive him crazy not knowing. And very deliberately he slips his hand from Otabek's, but only so he can turn it and lace their fingers together.

Even though Yuri answers in the affirmative, when he pulls his hand away Otabek assumes the worst. A false panic, though. Yuri doesn't go far. Their hands fit better together this way. It settles something in his heavily beating heart. Not much, because he's still out of his depth here. But, enough to make a bit of a difference. A little smile twitches at the corner of his mouth. This is good.

He nods as he gives a murmur of agreement. He wants to find out, too. This has the possibility of wearing off, but maybe not. It might grow into something big and exciting. Time can only tell that.

Hand situation settled for now, he heads outside with a little more confidence. If he doesn't think too much on it, he can get through this. There's a cafe not far from here, so once they're outside he turns that way. It runs the risk of fans lingering or bumping into other skaters because it's so close, but Otabek finds he doesn't really mind that much. He'd rather waste less time finding a place to go, so he can have more time spent easily with Yuri. It's an easy thing to lapse into silence for Otabek, and he does now. It doesn't feel uncomfortable to him, so he doesn't mind it.

He also doesn't have extremely thirsty fans like Yuri does. So, he doesn't suspect that they might be lurking around out here either.

Okay. So they're holding hands. Otabek seems like he's asking the same sort of questions that Yuri has been asking, about what they are and what they could be, together. The blond exhales a sigh of relief as they make their way outside, at the rush of cool air over him -- over his face that is feeling hot still, from the blush that just won't fade.

He's letting Otabek lead on, trusting the other skater to get them wherever it is that they're going. Hell, that's the thing isn't it? Yuri trusts Otabek, in general, entirely. It's rare for the blond, and precious.

Yuri hasn't been thinking about anyone else -- not the other skaters, not his fans, but as they make it outside, eventually there will come the sound of shrieking.

"...shit."

Yuri curses under his breath, and he glances down at their joined hands and... tucking himself all the closer, though he looks up at Otabek as if curious if the other will want to put some distance between them, currently, in public, with an undeniable flurry of instagram ready mobiles.

Maybe he should've thought ahead that this might happen. He's rescued Yuri once from them -- that spread all over the internet within minutes of it happening. It isn't like he doesn't know their voraciousness. But, he's been too caught up inside of his own head about whatever this is that's happening with Yuri that it doesn't even register. Not until he hears Yuri curse under his breath.

He tenses for a second, not sure how to handle it. Before he can even finish wondering if Yuri's going to drop him like a hot potato in front of everyone, the blond's moving closer and...doesn't let go. That says something more to him than any words could. Fans are an important part of this career. Otabek doesn't think otherwise and is thankful for them. But, he has a finite time with Yuri before they have to leave Spain for their respective countries. He's not going to give that up. He looks over to Yuri, and tips his head in the direction they need to go. Let them take pictures, he doesn't care. Might even look for them later.

He grips Yuri's hand a little tighter. "Follow me," is all the warning he gives before he takes off running. It won't stop them from chasing, but they'll be safer inside a cafe than out.

Fans are important, of course, but they could also be a bit horrifying to face as a crowd. Yuri has gotten used to lying low after competitions, or slipping out an unexpected exit -- though even that isn't foolproof. The first time Otabek rescued him is proof enough of that.

But as important as they are, and as inevitable as it is that this will end up all over social media, Yuri doesn't want to pull away, doesn't want to take the chance of dropping and shattering this new, uncertain, delicate thing between them before they figure it out.

The blond looks up when Otabek speaks, a startled squawk of a sound when he finds himself pulled into a run. Ah. They're really going to run for it? Yuri's expression breaks into a grin and he can't contain a laugh as he glances back over his shoulder. All right. He's up for a run, if he's running with Otabek.

There's no doubt that within seconds, something is going to hit the internet. He can hear the click of the shutters as they fly by. It's not anything to deter him from this. He dodges through the clusters of fans, trying to keep Yuri protected more than himself. Not that he needs protection or anything, but keeping him safe isn't a crime. He steals a glance at Yuri and can't help smiling a little when he sees that grin, hears that laugh.

Otabek doesn't know the city well enough to duck and weave through side streets to lose their tail of screaming girls. He feels a little bad for other pedestrians who're just out minding their own business. Not bad enough to stop, but...you know. Sooner rather than later, a cafe blooms in his sights. He nearly skids past the door, his momentum too strong for such a sudden stop. They must make some scene tumbling into the eatery, red faced and breathing heavily.

He gestures toward a booth in the back that's free, then heads in that direction. When they get there, he takes the side facing the door. Purposely. It won't deter the boldest of fans, but it should work for the rest. He'd rather see them coming first. It's not his job to bodyguard Yuri, but this is also Otabek's time. He doesn't want it interrupted. Looking up, he sees a row of faces pressed against the front window.

"They're...really determined."

Yuri realizes as he takes his seat, that Otabek has positioned himself towards the door. The other skater is looking out for him, isn't he? The blond isn't really used to that, or to the rush of warmth it has blossoming out from the center of his chest, radiating straight through him.

Slouching down on his side of the booth, looking across the table at Otabek. The question draws a sigh from him, and Yuri nods, glancing back over his shoulder towards the window. "That's a nice way of putting it. I guess they mean well, and all, but it can be a pain."

He slouches further in his seat. "Like now." He reaches a leg out until his foot taps into Otabek's lightly, then again and again. Playful even as he adds, sulkily, "When I wanted to just spend time with you."

At first, he thinks that tap against his foot was just a mistake. But, it happens a couple more times to be too obvious that it isn't. He doesn't move away, though.

There are perks to having fans. As much as a skater does this sort of thing for themselves, hearing those screams from the crowd really helps. Even someone like Otabek with all his silence and seriousness understands the importance of them. And, he's sure there's going to be some backlash for not letting up after they left the arena. People did travel to get here. It feels a little unfair that he's stealing more of Yuri's time away from them. Almost. He doesn't feel guilty enough about it to give this up, though.

After a few long seconds of silence, Otabek looks to Yuri again. "Do you want to go to the banquet with me?"

It might seem out of the blue, but it's really not. They're just 'friends' and can do this kind of thing. They're both going anyway!! So, why not just go together?

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