#I feel like yuuko could have served the same purpose since they were already friends

[fuckyourtriangles]

I'm halfway through Parasyte and I can't decide if I'm having a good time or not.

[shuturquibble]

Finding You Chapter 1: receiving

Fandom: Hibike! Euphonium/Sound! Euphonium Pairings: Kumiko/Reina; Natsuki/Yuuko; implied Asuka/Kaori/Haruka; Nozomi/Mizore; Hazuki/Shuuichi Summary:  Two years have passed since Reina left after their second-year. Two years have passed and Kumiko is now a freshman in college. Two years have passed and she receives a letter from Reina. Two years have passed but something Kumiko thought she lost is making its way to her. Words: 3.8k+ Links: FF link is here! AO3 is here!

hi friends. another kumirei story, but this time, it's multi-chap! and i actually finished! it's a miracle! i actually completed the story a while back, and intended to post it as a big oneshot, but i thought it would be better to post in chapters. the main story is roughly four chapters long, and i'm considering about creating an extra chapter. this has been, to say the least, a very personal project of mine in more ways than one. all the relationships portrayed in this story isn't necessarily what i ship, but they all serve a purpose in telling the story. i hope that you guys enjoy. 

i also recc reading it on AO3 because the formatting of the story is much easier there.

Kumiko never got much in the mail.

 Well, no, that wasn’t entirely true. Kumiko did get mail (she wasn’t that much of a recluse), but mail, more often than not, disappointed her. Whenever she went down to her PO box as part of her morning routine, her mailbox would hold bills, bills, the newspaper if it was Sunday, a sheet of coupons if she was lucky, and even more bills. Checking her mail was always a dreary start to her day (although, Kumiko had to admit, she did get giddy whenever she saw the coupons because who wouldn’t want a buy-one-get-one-free meal?), and it was certainly not one of the most eventful aspects of her life.

 If anything, checking the mail reminded her of the struggles of young adulthood, and that never failed to get Kumiko down.

  Kumiko stifled a yawn as she trudged down the stairs of her apartment complex, clad in her pajamas and rabbit slippers. She tasted the inside of her mouth, scrunching her nose at the rancid flavor; maybe she should have brushed her teeth before going down.

 But then again, no one would be down except for the landlady on a Saturday morning.

 Kumiko grunted as she pushed through the stairwell entrance, the door creaking with protest. The smell of lemon-scented cleaner and sunlight greeted her. She squinted as the door slammed shut behind her, trying to get used to the sudden change of scenery.

 “Kumiko-chan?”

 An elderly woman poked her head out the counter that overlooked the entire lobby (which wasn’t much in the first place). The chains of her glasses rattled, and the sound made Kumiko smile.

 “Mornin’, Gram,” Kumiko greeted.

 The wrinkles on Gram’s face made way for a smile. “Aren’t you on break for college? Why are you up so early?”

 Kumiko gave a one-shouldered shrug as she shuffled her way over to the PO lockers next to the counter. “It’s a habit now, I guess,” she said, fishing for her keys in her pajama pocket.

 Gram chuckled. “Well, it’s a good thing you’re here so early. Here”—Kumiko looked back at Gram and saw that she was holding out Tupperware full of food—”for you.”

 “Thanks,” Kumiko said with a crooked smile as she took it.

 It was still warm.

 “You take care of yourself, hm?” Gram said.

 “I will.”

 Gram’s laughter filled the air as her head disappeared from view. Kumiko’s smile, on the other hand, stayed where it was, even when she struggled to open her mailbox.

 Kumiko never knew her grandparents, maternal and paternal. Gram was the closest thing she ever had to one, and, quite frankly, Kumiko loved her with all her heart. Though their conversations were mostly short-lived, Kumiko always felt at-ease whenever she was around Gram.

 “Oh crap.” Kumiko watched as her mailbox vomited its contents on the floor, envelopes and sheets of coupons scattering everywhere. She sighed and rested her food inside her locker, bending down to scoop her mail in a haphazard pile she tucked under her armpit.

 As she stood up to take the Tupperware and shut the locker, she noticed her food rested on a lilac-colored envelope.

 Kumiko’s heart lurched in her chest.

 The color purple made her uneasy because it reminded her of high school.

 And high school reminded Kumiko of her.

 A chill went down Kumiko’s spine as she gathered her food and the envelope. Sparing the front of it a quick glance, she noticed that there was no return address, and the only thing decorating the envelope was her name and PO box address in flawless cursive.

 Kumiko couldn’t deny how clammy her hands were getting as she tucked the letter with the rest of the mail. She had to wipe them on her pajamas when she stuffed her mailbox keys into her pocket.

  You’re stupid for getting antsy over a letter, a part of her jeered. It’s words on paper. It’s like the other things that you get in the mail. What’s so special about this one? The possibility that it might be from her?

 Kumiko didn’t know the answer to her own question as she flung the door open.

 -X-

 The heat her living room was suffocating.

 Even with the miniature fan blowing at her face on full blast, Kumiko felt sweat rolling down the back of her neck. It was almost eleven now, and on a normal day, Kumiko would have been in the bathroom enjoying a blood-chilling shower.

 Instead, she was staring at the purple envelope like an idiot.

 Kumiko didn’t know what she was expecting. It’s an envelope, said Logic, and it’s going to sit there like all the other envelopes beside you. It isn’t going to grow a mouth and start screeching at you.

 She took a breath and decided to listen to Logic for once. With a gentle hand, she grabbed the envelope and swept a finger under the flap to break the seal. She took the letter out of its purple case gingerly, and unfolded it as if it were text from a time long forgotten.

  Kumiko,

  You probably won’t be expecting this letter. But, knowing you, you probably don’t receive many letters in the first place (and no, bills don’t count).

  I would start out by saying that it’s been a long time, but that’s something that the both of us know. There’s no need to be redundant when it comes to correspondence; there’s only so much space on a piece of paper.

  I’m writing to you now because I want you to know that I’m back from my time abroad so that I can finish my studies here. You would think that homesickness would go away after two years of being in a foreign country, but there was always something pulling me back here.

  You can find my mailing address below.

  Reina.

 Kumiko’s lungs froze once she reached the end of the letter.

 She had a gut feeling that this letter was from her.

 She knew it

 She expected it.

 She anticipated it.

 Why couldn't she believe it?

 Kumiko found herself scanning the letter over and over again. Each time she did, the stitches she sutured on her heart began to snap with every word. She had to put the letter down, lest her wounds reopened.

 She sunk into her couch and sighed.

 She mused that if Reina had sent this letter a year earlier, Past Kumiko would have been over the moon sobbing her eyes off with snot dribbling down her nose. She would have been so happy, touched, and relieved.

 Present Kumiko’s, on the other hand, didn’t know what to feel. She didn’t know if she was happy, touched, or relieved. Hell, she didn’t even know if she felt anything positive toward this turn of events.

  She honestly has the audacity to send you a letter after all this time? It’s been nearly two years, Anger fumed.

  But why a letter of all things? Confusion asked.

  At you least know she’s doing well, Optimism whispered. It could be a chance to find some answers….

 Frustrated at her thoughts, Kumiko got up from her coach with a sigh.

  Maybe a cold shower would cool you down, Logic suggested.

 For the second time, Kumiko agreed with Logic and shuffled to the bathroom.

 -X-

  Call Transcript

  Asuka Tanaka → Kumiko Oumae

  12:33 PM

  AT: Hello? Oumae-chan?

  KO: [voice sounds far away] Guh—ah! [rustling is heard, and her voice is clearer] Hi, I’m here.

  AT: Did I startle you? [laughs]

  KO: More like scared the living shit out of me because my phone rang on full-blast right next to my ear. Think my soul’s on the floor with the rest of my stuff.

  AT: Well, that’s not good. Sorry about that.

  KO: [scoffs] No you’re not.

  AT: It’s the thought that counts.

  KO: So…why’d you call?

  AT: What do you mean why did I call? It’s time for our monthly talk, Oumae-chan!

  KO: That time already?

  AT: Indeed! Shall I start?

  KO: If you want. [rustling is heard once again, and her speech sounds muffled] Crap, the pen’s under the desk...

  AT: Mm…what haven’t I told you yet?

  KO: [muffled] A lot.

  AT: [with light sarcasm] How specific.

  KO: Well…has school ended for you, yet?

  AT: While ago. About…two weeks ago, I think?

  KO: [still muffled] Really? Same here.

  AT: But Kaori’s on her last week this week. Since her university started late and all.

  KO: [rustling] That kind of—[a loud bang is heard] OW, FUCK!

  AT: [laughs raucously] A-are you—[sharp inhale]—o-okay?

  KO: [groans] Never better. [rustling once more, and then her voice is clearer] Glad to see you haven’t changed since the last time we’ve spoke.

  AT: Why would I ever?

  KO: Good point. Are you still working on majoring in music?

  AT: [in English] Of course!

  KO: You’re doing…instrumental performance, right?

  AT: Indeed! Although, I did consider instrumental conducting.

  KO: You?

  AT: Hm? What’s with that tone?

  KO: Well, it’s just surprising, you know. Seeing you lead a band isn’t really the first thing that comes to mind.

  AT: Why’s that? In case you’ve forgotten, I was drum major during your first year.

  KO: Well, I don’t know. I think it’s because whenever I think of band director, I think of Taki-sensei, you know? Someone serious, full of tough love and secrets, but always has good intentions, you know?

  AT: [chuckles]

  KO: W-what?

  AT: It’s funny how you remember a lot about high school.

  KO: Is that…bad?

  AT: No, not at all. It means you’re observant. [chuckles] I don’t even remember half the things that happened during those three years.

  KO: [laughs nervously] Well, a lot of things worth remembering happened during high school….

 [A door opening and closing in the background is heard]

  AT: Welcome back!

  ???: [very faint] Who’s that?

  AT: Oumae-chan.

  ???: Oh! Tell her I said hi. It’s been a while.

  AT: Kaori says hi.

  KO: Hi, Kaori-senpai.

  AT: She says hi.

  KN: [sounds closer] I know, Asuka, you have her on speaker.

  AT: Just making sure. [laughs] How was class?

  KN: Same thing as usual. Boring. Tiring.

  KO: What’re you studying, Kaori-senpai?

  KN: Business management. I want to open my own café one day.

  KO: I can see that happening. I’ll be sure to stop by once you open it.

  KN: [laughs] Thanks. Hey, Asuka?

  AT: Hm?

  KN: Is Haruka here?

  AT: In the room. She has the PM shift for the shop today, so she’s probably resting.

  KN: Oh okay. I’ll leave you two with your “monthly talk.” [laughter]

 [Shuffling is heard, and in the distance, another door is heard opening and closing.]

  AT: Okay, you’re off speaker now.

  KO: Did you always have me on speaker?

  AT: Only when Kaori was inside. [chuckle]

  KO: …Why?

  AT: Why not?

  KO: [sighs] I’m not going to continue with this line of questioning.

  AT: [laugh] Anyways, what’s new with you?

  KO: Eh, you know….

  AT: No, I don’t.

  KO: Well, er, school ended.

  AT: You already told me that.

  KO: Oh. Right.

  AT: Did…something happen?

  KO: Well, yeah. But it’s not anything bad…I think.

  AT: You think?

  KO: Well, I got a letter.

  AT: [laughter] How old-fashioned.

  KO: And it’s from Reina.

 [Silence]

  AT: Now I can see how that’s a problem.

  KO: Glad we’re on the same page. [laughs half-heartedly]

  AT: So…what’re you going to do? Reply to her?

  KO: That’s what I’ve been trying to do for the past…hour and a half.

  AT: Knowing you, you probably haven’t made any progress.

  KO: Went through an entire packet of stationary. Still nothing.

  AT: [whistles] Those poor trees.

  KO: [laughs] That’s what you’re worried about?

  AT: Trees are very important for the environment, Oumae-chan.

  KO: Okay, you got me there.

  AT: So…. [pause] How are you feeling? About all this?

  KO: Honestly? I don’t know what to feel.

  AT: I’m listening.

  KO: It’s just—God, I don’t know—so complicated. Like, why now? Like, I understand why now because she just came back from studying abroad, but, like, why now? You know? She just disappeared without a trace, even after all that shit that happened between us in high school, she just had the audacity to just go up and leave and—[sniffles] G-God, it just hurt, Asuka. It hurt so much….

  AT: [softly] I bet it did.

  KO: L-like, I know she wants to pursue music and she’s so stubbornly set on being special, whatever the hell that means. But she could have said something, you know? [strained laughter] It’s kind of ironic, you know. I always told her that if I ever left her side, that would give her the right to kill me. But I don’t think it ever crossed my mind what I would do if she ever left me.

  AT: [still quiet] I’m sorry, Kumiko.

  KO: [quietly] She never said goodbye. She didn’t break our relationship off. She left a note and she was gone. Like the wind.

  AT: [in her regular volume] Maybe she didn’t know how to break up.

  KO: Maybe.

  AT: Or maybe she thought that when she came back, everything would be normal again between the both of you.

  KO: [sighs] Maybe.

  AT: Or maybe she was abducted by aliens.

  KO: Okay, now you’re just pulling shit out of your ass. [weak laughter]

  AT: Anything for my precious protégé.

  KO: Gee, thanks.

 [Pause]

  AT: Say, Kumiko?

  KO: Mm?

  AT: I—mm—Sorry. For not being a bigger help. Haruka and Kaori are better at this than I am. [chuckles]

  KO: It’s okay. You listening to me is more than enough.

  AT: ‘m glad about that.

  KO: Me too.

  AT: We’ll talk later then, hm?

  KO: Yeah. Later.

  AT: Take care of yourself, Kumiko.

  KO: You too, senpai.

  Call End

  1:26 PM

 Kumiko sighed and set her phone facedown on her desk.

 Despite how liberating venting to Asuka was, Kumiko suddenly felt very sluggish and drained.

 Maybe taking a nap would ease her for a bit. She could worry about the letter later.

 With another sigh, Kumiko wiped away a stray tear that rested on her cheek. She raised herself from her chair, and shuffled her way over to her unmade bed. She collapsed on the mattress and took a deep breath.

 The moment she closed her eyes, she was out like a light.

 -X-

 lights are blinding

you always knew that

but you also knew that

her radiance was

something greater

 she was brighter

than the town lights

on a dark evening

she was brighter

than the sun

on a summer’s afternoon

she was brighter

than your alarm

on an early morning

 her brilliance showed

in the smallest of gestures

like whenever she

brushed back her hair or

spoke to you or

played her trumpet

 like the sun

you thought

she would stay

but

the sun always sets at night

and there will be a time when

it won’t rise

 it was cloudy the morning she left

and the only thing that

brilliant girl left was

a purple note with the words

“i’m leaving today, i love you”

 the hole she left in your heart was

bigger than a black hole

and whenever you walk by

the old rendezvous you remember

that the brilliant girl is

no

longer

there

 -X-

 Kumiko woke with a start when she heard her phone vibrating against her desk.

 Groaning, she rolled off her bed, clumsily landing on her feet. She shuffled her way over to her phone, and picked it up.

 A reminder for her to go buy groceries at 5:30 PM was printed on the lock screen of her phone.

 Kumiko sighed as she rubbed the sleep out of one eye. Almost a three-hour nap and she still felt tired.

 Her eyes hovered over to the blank stationery sitting on her desk, and opted to ignore the pile of crumpled papers next to it.

  Work on it later, a voice told her, it’ll still be there tonight.

 Without saying a word, Kumiko threw on a nearby hoodie, grabbed her wallet, and walked out her room.

 As she shut the door behind her, Kumiko wondered if Reina was just as bright as she remembered.

 -X-

 “Kumiko?”

 Kumiko stopped in her tracks before she exited the grocery store. Turning her head, she saw a familiar face—and horrible-looking pants.

 “Natsuki-senpai,” Kumiko said with a growing smile. She noticed how Natsuki’s hair now curled under her chin in a messy bob. Kumiko thought it suited her. “When did you come back from Tokyo?”

 “Got back a couple of days ago.” Natsuki said as she walked alongside Kumiko out the store.

 “How’s college?”

 Natsuki shrugged and shoved her hands into her pants. “Well, it’s school. So boring. Tiring.”

 A sense of déjà vu hit Kumiko. “Seems to be a popular thought.”

 “Well, ain’t much you can say about it.” Natsuki laughed. “Honestly, I’ve been thinking about dropping out.”

 Kumiko widened her eyes. “Really?”

 Natsuki nodded. “School just isn’t for me. Even back in high school, the only thing that really kept me in was band. Everything else about school isn’t my forte—music pun intended.”

 Kumiko cracked a smile at the quip. Natsuki’s down-to-earth sense of humor was something she missed.

 “Say, do you still play?” Natsuki suddenly asked, kicking the pebbles that dared to stand in her way.

 Kumiko blinked. “U-uh, what? Euph?”

 “No.” Natsuki rolled her eyes. “Duh, euph. What else? Trumpet?”

 Kumiko forced out a laugh to mask the sound of another stitch on her heart snapping. Natsuki’s comment was too soon. “O-oh r-right. Yeah, I still play. Once or twice a week, running through several scales, long tones. Sometimes I even go through an old song or learn a new one if I really feel like it.”

 “Wow,” Natsuki began with a chuckle, “you’re still pretty dedicated, huh?”

 “You can say that.”

 “I honestly think that the last time I’ve touched an instrument was…when I last visited Yuuko in Osaka about two months ago? She said I sounded like a rusty motor.”

 Kumiko raised an eyebrow. “You visit Yuuko-senpai?”

 “A-ah, yeah, well”—Natsuki turned into a bashful shade of red as she scratched the back of her neck—”we’re kind of…dating?”

 Kumiko felt a burning sensation under her gut. “Really? Since when?”

 “Mm…last month was our first year anniversary. We got together sometime after we graduated. It’s a pretty long story.” Natsuki laughed again. “Looking back on it, it’s kind of funny. We used to hate each other’s guts back when we first met. Now, we’re together. We’ve come a long way since high school.”

 Kumiko found herself wishing that she could relate.

 The embers in her gut combusted into a flame.

 “Does…this change who I am to you?”

 Kumiko blinked, and she turned to Natsuki. “What? No, of course not.”

 The tension in Natsuki’s eyes melted as she laughed. “Oh, good. You looked upset, so I thought it was because I was dating, you know, another girl. Haven’t told my parents yet, so I’m still on edge about the whole thing.”

  She’s not entirely wrong, something whispered in her ear, about her dating another girl. Because that should have been—

 Kumiko mentally slapped herself.

 “No, don’t worry about it. I mean, I’m kind of in the same boat.” Kumiko chuckled.

 “You gay?” It felt more like a statement than a question.

 “Yeah.”

 “Explains why you always ignored Tsukamoto’s advances. Or, ‘advances’.” Natsuki curled her fingers into air quotes and laughed. “That guy was kinda pathetic. Made me almost feel sorry for him.”

 Kumiko gave a one-shouldered shrug. “I’m sure he found someone by now.”

 Their conversation died once they stopped at a corner. Natsuki pointed across the street. “My place’s thattaway.”

 “Mine’s the opposite way,” Kumiko said, pointing with her thumb.

 “Looks this is where we part.”

 “Seems like it.”

 “Don’t be a stranger, okay?” Natsuki grinned and tapped Kumiko’s shoulder with her fist. “I know you still have my number. Don’t be afraid to call.”

 Kumiko smiled and nodded. “Got it.”

 “Natsuki!”

 The both of them looked in the direction of the voice, and across the street, Kumiko saw the faint figure of a woman, wearing a comically-large ribbon in her hair, waving.

 The flame in Kumiko’s gut grew, and she suddenly recognized the sensation.

 Jealousy.

 Natsuki waved back. “I’ll be there!” She cried out. She turned to Kumiko and gave a salute. “See you ‘round, kid.”

 Kumiko lamely waved back, watching as Natsuki jogged across the street once she was prompted to do so.

 Kumiko ignored the bitter taste in her mouth as she turned around.

  That should have been you and her, Jealousy jeered. You wish you had that, didn’t you?

 “Shut up,” Kumiko mumbled under her breath.

 Jealousy said nothing else, but the flame still burned her gut.

 -X-

 Kumiko sighed, running a hand through her hair, and read over the letter she finally finished. It was certainly not the best response, Kumiko thought, but an answer was better than none.

  Hi, Reina.

  If I’m being honest, I have no idea how to write a letter. It took me much longer than it should have to write this.

  But here goes, I guess.

  It’s been two years since you left, and well, a lot has happened since then. I don’t know if you’re interested (because you were never into that sort of thing in high school), but I need something to talk about to fill the space on the page.

  I’m in college now. I moved out of Uji, but I’m still a two-hour train ride away. I wanted to get out and see new faces, but I still see some familiar ones once in awhile, like Natsuki-senpai (her family moved after she graduated and it just so happened to be in the same town as me, so I see her around when she’s not in Tokyo for college).

  Midori-chan moved to England for college. Hazuki-chan is still in Uji, I think. It’s been awhile since I last called those two. I don’t know where Shuuichi went. He’s somewhere.

  You know, I’m surprised that you moved back to Uji. I always had the feeling that you didn’t want to come back to a town like that. Something like that.

  Anyways, welcome back. Tell me something new.

  Kumiko

 Stifling a yawn, Kumiko folded the letter into thirds and tucked it into a nearby envelope. She scribbled Reina’s address in the middle and her own address in the corner. After she sealed the envelope, she made her way to her bed and collapsed.

  Is it safe to talk to her after two years? Fear asked as Kumiko crawled under the sheets. What if she leaves you again? For good? How would that feel? You know how heart-broken you were when she left.

 The thought chilled Kumiko.

  She came back for a reason, Logic piqued. She said that in her letter.

 Pessimism scoffed. Probably not for you.

 Logic couldn’t think of a rebuttal.

  Well, whatever the reason, Optimism began, all that matters is that she’s back.

  But for how long? Fear asked.

 A chill went down Kumiko’s spine, and she burrowed herself in her sheets, despite the heat.

 No one answered Fear.

[rainbowravioli]

I'm not sure if you've noticed this but the scene with Yuuri and Yuuko, and when Yuuri states that so much as changed since he's been gone makes much more sense when you think about how Yuuri left at around the age 17/18 to go to college and start his skating career. Meaning Yuuri would have been away at college when Yuuko and Takeshi became a couple, and had kids. Yuuko would have been 21 at the time she had the triplets since she is 25 now, and the triplets are 6. (1/3)

While Yuuri was away at college, Yuuko and Takeshi would have gotten married. Yuuri probably didn’t have the confidence to confess his crush on Yuuko, he probably just left it until he came back from finishing college. It doesn’t seem like Yuuri would have gone to Japan that much due to college/skating competitions. Yuuko states that they’ve changed a lot since he last saw them. Meaning before he confessed, he may have forgotten that she had children since he didn’t (2/3) really keep in touch with her, shown by when he surprises her at the ice rink (idk i interpreted it like that but I could be wrong). Meaning that while Yuuri was away at college, Yuuko and Takeshi would have gotten married. Yuuri probably didn’t have the confidence to confess his crush on Yuuko, and so he probably just left it until he came back from finishing college. (3/3) I still have a bit more to write sorry. It doesn’t really seem like Yuuri kept in touch much with them or his family while he was away, judging by how Yuuri kept thinking about how he was often stating he was doing everything himself. it wasn’t really until Viktor he noticed all the support he had from friends and family. Also he was quite surprised about Yuuko’s children (but that could have been because he hasn’t seen them in ages, and realised how grown up they were - although I think it also served Yuuri a reminder that (½) Yuuko was already married etc, but I could be wrong. (2/2)

Well, some of this gets into speculation/headcanon territory, in which I’m fine with any interpretation of those 5 years Yuuri didn’t go home since we really don’t know much.

That said, by the time Yuuri left Hasetsu the triplets were already born, since he left 5 years ago and the girls are 6. So he was probably there for Yuko’s wedding as well, he wasn’t away for college. Must have been a really rough time for Yuuri. That means the last time Yuuri saw Yuko she was already married and a mother, and her girls were all one year old. The way he greets Yuko at the rink in episode 1, especially with calling her “Yuko-san” instead of “Yu-chan” at first and how he says she is “still” cute, tells me that he didn’t really keep in touch with her for those 5 years. That said, he probably kept in touch with Minako, and possibly Takeshi.

It’s canon that Yuuri never returned to Hasetsu during those five years he lived in Detroit, but Yuuri had to have returned to Japan to compete in Nationals and any other skating competition taking place there. Says a lot about Yuuri that even while staying in the same country as his family and friends he purposely neglected to return home and chose to just focus on skating. However, canon tells us that Minako does her best to go to Yuuri’s competitions to support him. She can’t make all of them, but she tries. She was probably there for him every year at Nationals at least. In episode 5, Takeshi also goes along with Minako to support Yuuri, so it’s not too far-fetched to assume he could have watched Yuuri compete at Nationals sometimes as well (Yuko having to stay home with the kids).

Back to the aftermath of the Stammi Vicino scene.

Yuuri starting to vocalize his feelings for Yuko could have been him getting too caught up in the moment. Expressing his feelings through skating Stammi Vicino only, without expressing them outloud, is a very Yuuri thing to do. But so is letting his emotions lead him to act impulsively and unlike how he originally planned. So it could be he didn’t originally meant to confess out loud but felt in the moment that it was right. Then the triplets show up to give him the biggest reality check.

Speaking of the triplets. I know they are children and all, but they act really familiar towards Yuuri, like he’s just an old family friend they’re used to seeing every so often. And you know, they were probably raised to feel that way.

They are big skating fans in general, but they are Yuuri fans in particular. Yuko and Takeshi must have accompanied Yuuri’s career very closely and shared it with their daughters. They must have always referred to Yuuri as a friend and told them about him (pretty sure that “You never had a girlfriend?” comment came from Takeshi mentioning that). I find that really sweet and it works so well as part of how Yuuri was surrounded by love and support all along, he just didn’t realize it. Just…Yuko and Takeshi raising their girls to like and grow attached to not just Yuuri the skater but Yuuri the person.

[buurrikatsuki]

I NEED A VICTURI WEDDING!!!!! I don't care what you do I just need their wedding! (Though if I could ask for something Yuuri could have a little to much champagne again and there could be another dance off)

(So sorry about the wait! Christmas and New Years has been insanely busy. But I should be a lot better at getting these done sooner starting next week! So keep them coming! I hope you enjoy this one!

“I don’t know if I’m ready for this. Why did I think I was ready for this and could do this?”

Yuuri was shaking in panic as Minako and Yuuko flitted around him, trying to put some finishing touches on his tuxedo and hair.

“Shut up Yuuri. You’ve been dreaming of this day for years. Ever since you first saw Victor skate. Right Yuuko?”

Yuuko laughed as Yuuri turned bright red.

“Admit it Yuuri. You would never back out of your own wedding to Victor Nikiforov. Remember when you were fourteen and made me officiate a pretend-”

Yuuri cut Yuuko off quickly, but the damage was already done as Minako started howling with laughter.

“You guys aren’t making me feel any better you know. And if either of you bring up that story during the reception, I’m going to die of embarrassment, and then come back to haunt you.”

Yuuri was still shaking a little, incredibly weak in the knee as Minako forced him into standing up straight instead of slouching like he had been doing.

“Relax. You and Victor love each other. You’re getting married. I’m sure he’s just as nervous about this as you are.”

Yuuri snorted and pushed his glasses up a little on his nose.

“Right. Victor, nervous? The only time I’ve seen him truly nervous was when Makkachin almost died and when Yurio broke his arm last year.” That had been a time and a half. They’d been at the rink when Yuri fell hard and Victor had refused to leave his side at the hospital until they assured him that he was fine, other than the broken arm. Yuri had been pretty unhappy until the cast came off though.

“He may not look it, but Victor is freaking out on the inside. He just doesn’t like to show you because I think he thinks he has to be the strong one or something. Or has to be the one that will be there when you inevitably panic.”

Yuuri could feel himself turning red again as Minako straightened the flower that was pinned to his chest.

“Now. It’s about that time. Go out there and get married, you lucky shit.” Minako and Yuuko stood back and appraised Yuuri, who had to deflect a hand reaching out to take his glasses off (“I want to see my future husband thanks,”) and jumped when he felt an arm loop through his.

“Oh Yuuri. I’m so happy for you.” His mother patted him on the arm she had taken and started pulling him out of the room he had been getting ready in. Yuuri couldn’t help but smile even though his heart was racing at the thought that he was about to get married.

Of course they were getting married in Hasetsu. Victor had refused any other place, not that Yuuri had complained. His parents had insisted on them having it at the Inn, which was also not met with many complaints, other than Yuuri not wanting to inconvenience them, particularly since they wouldn’t really be paying for much since his parents owned it. In general, the wedding was small (if they didn’t count the numerous reporters who hadn’t been allowed in that wanted to cover the wedding), just their friends and Yuuri’s family.

They were almost to the door that would lead to everyone, and Yuuri had to stop for a moment to try and catch his breath. The panic was taking even more hold as his mother tugged at his arm again. It was now or never (and obviously Yuuri would never pick never when it came to Victor).

The doors opened and they were greeted with the sight of more people that Yuuri remembered inviting (even though it was still the same amount as it had always been) and he froze up entirely.

“Yuuri, come on. Victor is waiting for you,” his mother whispered and tugged one last time.

Victor. Right. Focus on Victor. Yuuri’s eyes flicked up to where his soon to be husband was waiting, smiling wide, looking happier than Yuuri had possibly ever seen him. Just seeing the smile on his face made Yuuri feel lighter, quirk his own lips into a smile that grew as he started walking with his mother down the centre of the chairs with all eyes on them. Including Victor’s. Their eyes didn’t break contact the entire way, except when Yuuri leaned in to kiss his mother on the cheek before she went and took her seat.

This was a good choice. The best choice. The panic had melted away as Victor took his hands and the wedding started.

It was only the beginning of the rest of their lives and Yuuri couldn’t have asked to be happier.

***

The wedding itself was a success and went off with only a minor hitch of Makkachin the ring bearer getting distracted and using one of the decorative bouquets as a toy for a good five minutes before Mari and Yuri managed to wrangle him down the aisle, bouquet still in mouth.

Other than that, everything had gone smoothly, at least until the reception. Of course alcohol was going to be served, and Yuuri had told himself he would just have a glass of champagne for the toast, but people kept handing him glass after glass and he couldn’t just say no without being rude, right?

At least he wasn’t the only one, because Victor was a little tipsy after a certain point as well, though he could hold his alcohol better than Yuuri could ever hope to. A thought had crossed his mind that people were doing this on purpose because they knew exactly what happened when either he or Victor got drunk, but there was just no way he could say no when everyone was congratulating him, and they’d come all this way to be a part of the wedding.

“Vi-Victor, did I ever tell you about the t-time that I got fake married to my biggest poster of you when I was fourteen? Yu-Yuuko helped and it was a beautiful ceremony. Not more beautiful than this one obviously.”

There was a lot of laughter from around them but Yuuri was too drunk to care at that point. He and Victor were dancing and losing articles of clothing at an almost alarming rate. Victor twirled him before looking mock upset.

“Well I hope you divorced it, otherwise we’ll have a scandal on our hands. I can’t be with a man who lost half of his belongings in a legal battle with a poster of me.”

Yuuri snorted loudly with laughter before dipping Victor, whose bowtie fell onto the floor in the act, and gave him a small kiss on the mouth.

“Are you jealous that I was in a long and healthy relationship with you before I met you? Because that’s what it sounds like, Mr. Nikiforov.”

“Oh, no, not at all, Mr. Nikiforov-Katsuki. I’m just wondering how many half poster children you have running around.”

The laughter of everyone else who was listening in was lost on them as they laughed at each other.

Their wild dance continued until the song changed to something slower, so they were able to catch their breath and sway in place together.

“You know, I really love you Victor.”

“And I really love you too, my beautiful Yuuri.”

Yuuri couldn’t help but smile wide and nestle his face into Victor’s neck while they danced.

After a minute or so, Victor huffed in laughter.

“Looks like Chris has decided to make the bar his personal strip club.”

Yuuri perked up immediately and twisted around to see, a wicked grin spreading across his face.

“Well, it would be a shame to let him have all the fun.”

Victor laughed as Yuuri pulled him over while stripping out of more of his clothes. This was the beginning of an absolutely beautiful life.