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It’s been three days since Yuri’s plane landed in Almaty. Just enough time to conquer his tiredness from the flight and get used to sleeping on Otabek’s pull out couch.
With practice being so brutal even in the current off season, chances to get to visit his best friend in person were few and far between. Skype didn’t do Otabek’s subtle expressions and thick eyebrows and general handsomeness justice.
Yuri has been preoccupied with Otabek’s handsomeness lately. He loved his big hands, and broad shoulders and less than average height. He adored him and found him attractive in ways other than his appearance. The way he ate so politely but never seemed to care that Yuri didn’t. His passion for skating and the love he showed to his family.
Yuri isn’t sure what to make of these developing emotions, but he cannot deny that they brought him pleasure and joy to consider.
Today they had stopped on the way home after a run together at the nearest market. It was fascinating to Yuri to see what foods were offered. Some the same as back home, and others very different and even a few others unidentifiable.
They had already made plans to eat leftovers for dinner, so Yuri is not sure why they have stopped to buy food. When he asks the question, all he gets from Otabek is a mysterious smirk and a promise that he will see soon enough.
”I want to show you how to make my favorite dessert.” Otabek says as they get back to his studio and place their bags on the counter.
“Sure,” Yuri sgrees, trying to not sound pathetically excited. It doesn’t work.
Otabek doesn’t seem to need to consult a recipe. No cookbooks are in sight, as if he has made this dish many times from memory.
”Do you mind chopping up the peanuts?” He asks Yuri.
“No problem,” Yuri says happily. They fall into a easy and peaceful silence until Otabek speaks as he places even scoops of dough onto an old looking cookie sheet.
”Mom used to make these cookies.”
”My mom would ever do that, she didn’t do anything for us” Yuri blurts. Otabek knows from many past discussions between them that Yuri’s mom was lackluster at the very least, but Yuri feels lame and inappropriate to have shared this tidbit in such a pleasant moment.
He spoils so much.
Otabek, however seems to understand.
”We will have to make an effort then to do things like this often. You deserve so much, even if the experiences come late, you should have them.”
This sentiment is warm. So are the cookies when they come out of the oven. They can’t wait for them to cool, eating them as soon as they won’t burn their mouths.
Otabek still has flour on him. Yuri probably does too. The kitchen is a disgrace, but the cookies crumble in his mouth and the peanut crunch is excellent in texture and flavor.
”I really like doing things with you”
Otabek has been his best friend for years, and while Yuri has always felt a closeness to him, this yearning was new.
Otabek takes on a playful expression, and holds out one of the yummy treats for Yuri to bite into, which he does with a laugh.
The moment is so perfect that Yuri wants to put it in his pocket and carry it forever, just in case his yearning does not produce anything between them.
However, judging by Otabek’s continued fond and playful look directed at him, maybe the feeling was shared.
Maybe, just maybe