#Viktor saw him and immediately said “yeah I’d fuck him”

[starschu]

Viktor, using a follower’s form to hide in the rafters of the Council Chamber, waiting for Jayce: I will simply reason with him—convince him that he belongs by my side. If he refuses, I will have to make the…unfortunate but necessary sacrifice of killing him. A waste of potential, yes, but it must be done. However, no matter the outcome, I shall remain composed. I will not let emotion cloud my judgment. I have evolved past such rudimentary limitations. I-

*cue Jayce walking in looking like THIS*

Viktor: …change of plans 🥴

*insert THE most homoerotic fight scene in history*

(I’ve spent an abnormal amount of time thinking about this scene if you can’t tell 😳)

[miadearden]

Arcane Season 2 Act 2 thoughts!

I think there’s something to say about this show’s willingness to kill off kids that every time Isha was on screen in this act I was saying “is it now? Is this where they’re going to kill her? I know this kid is getting offed at some point the only question is when”

That said, I do like the death they chose for her - how it ties back to Powder use of the hextech gems all the way back in 103. Lot of parallels in general between Isha and Power, and it was pretty clear Jinx (and Vi) saw that.

While we’re mentioning Jinx and Vi - holy shit episode 5. Not that we have the last three episodes yet, but ep05 is definitely my favourite of the season so far, if not my favourite of the entire show. Jinx immediately going to Vi when she finds out about Vander, the parallels between their conflict and the conflict between Silco and Vander.

Also the bit of history we get of Silco, Vander and Felicia, Vi and Powder’s mum, being this trio of friends who were all envisioning a better life and wanting it specifically for these two little girls. Just adds that bit of extra tragedy to Felicia’s death, Vander and Silco’s rift, and everything that happened after.

And then we get Vi at the end of the episode trusting Jinx’s conviction that Warwick is Vander and because of that they’re able to reach that bit of consciousness left in him together. Yeah episode 5 had me feeling all the feels.

I don’t have too much to say about the other storylines lmao I’m mostly still thinking about Jinx and Vi but hey I’ll try.

Confirmation that Mel has magic! And somehow it ties to the black rose which is interesting. I liked that the rose was trying to use her brother’s image to get her to figure out her powers (paralleled nicely to the sibling theme with Jinx and Vi too) and that Mel realised that. Not much else happening there, no doubt it’s going to come into play more in the last act with the things that will be happening there.

I think the ball was dropped a bit on Caitlyn in this act? Like we see her push back a bit against Ambessa in the starts of the act, but generally she felt pretty passive up until ep06 when she decided to team back up with Vi. I might have to rewatch these three eps again (and closer to the last three eps) to get a better idea, but yeah generally I think Cait fell a bit flat.

Not much to say on Jayce, as I’m sure we’re going to learn what happened with him at the start of ep07 (and Ekko and Heimerdinger too - THERE WAS NO EKKO THIS ACT I’M SAD) - however it was very funny in our watch party as we were all screaming JAYCE NO YOU’RE GONNA FUCK EVERYTHING UP during his actions in ep06. And well, yeah lmao

All of Viktor’s cult members screaming in unison and bluescreening when Jayce killed him was fucking haunting.

I was getting kinda worried partway through this act that we’re doing to much that we’re not really going to be able to wrap up properly. I’m still a little concerned, however with the way the last episode ended I think we’ve cleared a few things off the board that will make the final act tidier.

Predictions - I think the Piltover v Zaun is going to be put into an uneasy truce at this point, as the main conflict will now be fending off Ambessa and the Noxians. Secondary conflict - whatever Jayce found out about hextech and the arcane. Also now that Jayce is back on the map and in the same area as Ambessa, its possible she’ll finally get her hands on the scientist she wants to make hextech work for her, so that’s how those two plots will converge.

I think for the most part, the Vander subplot will be classed as over now, and probably most of the Viktor subplot too (though I’d say there might be a few more effects on that part). And we’ll get a lot more Mel and Black Rose stuff going on as it relates to Ambessa. I wanna hope we’ll get a lot more Ekko too? (he’s in the opening twice, I wanna believe he’ll have a big part) Though at this stage, apart from him also going on the hextech trip with Jayce and possibly learning what Jayce did, I don’t see where too much more of him will fit in.

As for Jinx and Vi, I wouldn’t be surprised if Isha’s death and Vander’s going beyond the point of being saved might put a rift back between Jinx and Vi. Particularly with Vi reconnecting with Caitlyn and likely wanting to help her against the Noxians too. I wanna hope that won’t be the case, but I don’t really expect this show to be a happy ending type show.

Anyway, yeah! I think that’s all the thoughts I have. Until next time!

[mediocres-writing-blog]

Mortal Kombat: Enenra's Shadow.

Chapter 2: Viktor's bad day

Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. One of the largest and most populated cities in the Balkan peninsula. It is home to many people of various traditions and religions. It is also the home of our humble protagonist, who is heading home with a friend as we speak. 

VIKTOR: I’m telling you, Made In Heaven couldn’t beat Gold Experience Requiem even if Pucci tried.

(???): How? Pucci could literally speedblitz Giorno in seventy different ways.

VIKTOR: Well yeah, but GER can always undo anything that Made In Heaven does anyways. As if it never even happened. It’s literally invincible..

His friend sighed in disappointment, putting his hands in his pockets.

(???): If I wasn’t any better I’d hit you right now. Alright, I gotta go. See ya.

VIKTOR: Ciao.

Viktor would then receive a call from his mother. He picked up and spoke in Bosnian.

VIKTOR: <Hello?>

VIKTOR’S MOM (over phone): <Son, where are you?>

VIKTOR: <Oh, hey mom. There was another tip at school and everyone went home. So my friend and I went to get a coffee. I’ll be home in 30-45 minutes.>

VIK’S MOM: <Okay. See you.>

VIKTOR: <See you.>

He hangs up and sits on a trolley. After getting off to his stop, he walks by an ally, eyeing a group of street thugs. He looks away instantly, and as he does one of them yells out to him.

THUG LEADER: <Hey, fag! Over here.>

VIKTOR: (Oh my god…)

He sighed, as he turned around slowly, facing the armed man.

VIKTOR: Yeah?

The man took a baseball and put it on his shoulder.

THUG LEADER: <Give us your money.>

Viktor sighed, giving them ten marks. 

VIKTOR: <That’s all I got. Please, I don’t want any trouble.>

The thug pocketed the money, making Viktor flinch with his grin. Viktor walked off, with his hands in his pockets and an angry facial expression.

VIKTOR: (Son of a bitch… You’ll get yours, I swear.)

Enenra noticed this, and immediately took notice of the pink-haired boy. They slithered to Viktor, attaching to him without him noticing. The thugs slowly followed Viktor, who didn’t notice, because he had headphones on, listening to folk music. 30 minutes later, as Viktor approached his building, he noticed the thugs behind him.

VIKTOR: (Oh shit, oh fuck, oh crap)

He thought to himself, trying to unlock the door faster, but was kicked into it by one of them. He grunted in pain, falling on the ground.

THUG LEADER: <You think you can mess with me, you shit? 10 FUCKING MARKS?!>

He said, kicking Viktor in the chest.

VIKTOR (weakly): Please… Stop…

The thug, grinning, kept kicking the boy more. Viktor then spoke, even louder.

VIKTOR: I… Said… STOP!!

He shouted, and a burst of dark gray spikes shot out of Viktor’s body, knocking some thugs on the ground and penetrating the leader’s leg. He screamed out in pain, and Viktor got up, and Enenra emerged from Viktor’s body, surrounding his body with his own goopy body. He grabbed the thug from the floor before he could crawl away. Enenra held him up to his own height, opening his mouth, with smoke coming out of his mouth as he spoke.

ENENRA: I now know you’ll never hurt his boy again. Would you like to know how I know?

THUG (quietly): <No, please, I'm begging you.>

ENENRA: You’ll never hurt anyone again in your life, for it's over now.

The demon spoke, taking a big bite out of his head, chewing it and swallowing it in a matter of seconds. Enenra looked at the other thugs, who saw it all and are sitting around in pure horror. 

ENENRA: Any of you want what he got?

The other thugs ran off, and police sirens were heard in the distance. Enenra heard them and hid away in Viktor, who looked at the headless body and ran away in pure and utter fear. He fell and broke his leg under a bridge while running. As police sirens went by, Viktor realized his leg was already healed. Enenra slithered out from Viktor’s shoulder, and the two looked at each other.

ENENRA: Well, That's something I didn’t know I could do.

VIKTOR: What the fuck are you?

ENENRA: I am Enenra. I am… well, was, would be the correct term… I was a demon from the Netherrealm.

VIKTOR: What the shit are you talking about? What’s a nether realm? Hell you mean demon? I have so many questions–

Enenra would then use one of his appendages to slap Viktor.

VIKTOR: Did you just slap me?

ENENRA: You technically slapped yourself.

VIKTOR: This shit can’t be real… Did I accidentally take Jovan’s brownies? Gotta be it.

ENENRA: You aren’t high. If you were, you wouldn’t have been under a bridge.

Viktor hyperventilated, with his hand on his heart and neck. He heard buzzing from his jacket. It was his mom again, to which he hesitantly answer.

VIKTOR: <Hey mom.>

VIK’S MOM: <Son , where are you? The police are under our building. Did something happen?>

Viktor looked at Enenra, who looked back at him with a shrug.

VIKTOR: <Well, I guess. There was some fight and I didn’t want to be a part of it so I ran off. I’ll be home in a 5, 10 minutes tops.>

VIK’S MOM: <Okay. I love you son. Come back safely.>

VIKTOR: <Understood. I love you too, mom.>

He hung up and put the phone back in his jacket. 

VIKTOR: If you could put us back on the road?

Enenra snapped back, having spaced out.

ENENRA: Oh, sorry, I spaced after listening to you and your mother’s dialogue. 

Enenra would pull them back up and they headed off home. The police were at the scene, interrogating the bodies. Viktor would take a deep breath and speak to an officer.

VIKTOR: <Good evening, sir.>

The officer grabbed his shoulder and pulled him back.

OFFICER: <Slow down, boy! This is a crime scene, you can’t just walk in.>

VIKTOR: <But this is my building. I have to get home, my mom will be furious.>

The cop smiled, letting the kid through to the door.

VIKTOR: <Thank you.>

OFFICER: <Stay safe and out of trouble.>

Viktor unlocked the door, went inside and headed to his apartment. At the door, awaited his mother, who gave him a warm hug, and a kiss on the forehead.

VIK’S MOM: <Where have you been? Are you hurt? You’re so pale.> VIKTOR: <I’m okay, mom, don’t panic.>

Viktor would take off his jacket and backpack, heading off to his room and locking his door. As soon as he laid in bed, Enenra’s chilling voice was in his ear.

ENENRA: That’s your mother, right?

Viktor would gasp, falling off the bed in the process.

VIKTOR: You’re in my head now??

ENENRA: Stop dodging the question. That’s your mother, is that correct?

VIKTOR: Well, yes. Why? 

ENENRA: You seem to like her a lot.

VIKTOR: I would rather have my arm ripped off than let anyone hurt her.

Enenra slithered out, showing his face to the boy.

ENENRA: I respect that. Also, I’m going to use your body to commit countless atrocities across the realms.

VIKTOR: What? No!

ENENRA: That is why I chose you as my host in the first place. That and you don’t seem to have a lot of friends.

Viktor spent a second, processing that insult.

VIKTOR: Rude. But fair. Unfortunately, I still have to go to school. So while you live in my body, you will have to abide by my rules, got it?

Enenra frowned. His sharp teeth growling.

VIKTOR: Are we clear?

ENENRA (annoyed): Crystal…

VIKTOR: Good. Goodnight.

He said, before changing clothes and dozing off to bed. Viktor’s mother stood behind the door, hearing him speak in English. With a sad and worried look on her face, she walked off before turning the lights off.

[be11atrixthestrange]

The Wedding

Another peek at Completely Mental Chapter 10... which I just posted!

From the book...

They were all laughing so much that none of them noticed the latecomer, a dark-haired young man with a large, curved nose and thick black eyebrows, until he held out his invitation to Ron and said, with his eyes on Hermione, “You look vunderful.”

“Viktor!” she shrieked, and dropped her small beaded bag, which made a loud thump quite disproportionate to its size. As she scrambled, blushing, to pick it up, she said “I didn’t know you were – goodness – it’s lovely to see – how are you?”

Ron’s ears had turned bright red again. After glancing at Krum’s invitation as if he did not believe a word of it, he said, much too loudly, “how come you’re here?”

“Fleur invited me,” said Krum, eyebrows raised.

————————————

"Come and dance," [Ron] added abruptly to Hermione.

She looked taken aback, but pleased too, and got up. They vanished together into the growing throng on the dance floor.

"Ah, they are together now?" asked Krum, momentarily distracted.

"Er-- sort of," said Harry.”

————————————

-The Wedding-

“Why is he here?” groaned Ron.

“Like he said,” reminded Harry impatiently. “Fleur invited him—“

“Yeah I know,” Ron snapped. “I didn’t like the way he was looking at Hermione though. You don’t think he’ll ask her to dance, do you?”

Harry glanced over at Krum, who was currently engaging Hermione in conversation. He smiled at her, his eyes focused on hers like she was the only girl in the room. Hermione, however, looked quite distracted.

“He might,” answered Harry honestly. “She’d rather dance with you though. I can tell.”

“Better not be another Yule Ball,” said Ron, watching Krum and Hermione enviously.

“Then don’t let it be,” said Harry, clapping Ron on the shoulder. “Let’s find our seats, the wedding is about to start.”

Ron and Harry waded through a crowd of guests until they found three available seats next to each other. There were more options elsewhere, and Harry wondered if Ron had picked these particular seats because there were only three openings, not more. As soon as they sat down, Ron scanned the crowd until he spotted Hermione, and breathed a sigh of relief that she was approaching them— alone.

Hermione sat down next to Ron, who slipped an arm around her shoulder possessively. She smiled and her cheeks turned pink as she leaned contentedly into Ron’s shoulder.

Harry spotted Krum eyeing them from across the aisle and smirked. Ron must have seen him too, because he looked quite smug.

————————————

“You know what I just realized?” asked Ron, with a mouth full of food. Luckily for him, Hermione was distracted by Ginny and didn’t notice his dinner nearly spilling out of his mouth.

“What?”

“I’ve never danced with anyone.”

“You haven’t?” Harry thought back to the Yule Ball, where he and Ron had sat sulking while their dates ran off with other people. Luckily, they’d both grown up and matured since then.

As if to prove that point, Ron reached for a napkin and wiped a dribble of gravy from his chin. He sent a curious look over to Hermione, who was still focused on her conversation.

“Never,” he continued once Hermione proved distracted. “I reckon it’s a weird thing to have never done. Don’t you?”

“Maybe, but we didn’t get many opportunities at school. She’ll understand.”

Ron shrugged. “I guess… what if I’m rubbish?”

“I doubt she’ll care,” said Harry.

“I bet Krum is a good dancer. It seemed so at the Yule Ball.”

Ron fidgeted in his seat, and Harry could tell he was very nervous about it. He resisted the urge to smirk. “Just make sure you ask her before he does,” he said, and he immediately knew it was the wrong thing to say by the way Ron’s ears deepened in their crimson shade.

“Fuck,” said Ron. “Why am I so nervous?”

Because you’re in love with her, thought Harry.

“I wasn’t even this nervous when Lavender tossed me off,” he continued and Harry nearly choked on his drink.

“I’d recommend you start by asking for a dance,” said Harry.

“Shut up,” laughed Ron. He looked thoughtfully at Hermione before he added, “I’ll ask her as soon as the dancing starts. It won’t matter if I’m rubbish.”

Harry smiled at his friend. Confidence looked good on him. Attaboy, he thought.

————————————

“Come and dance?” mocked Harry when he spotted Ron at the bar.

Ron’s face flushed. “Sounded better in my head, but it worked ok.”

“Sure did,” said Harry. “How’s it going?”

“Pretty good. I am a rubbish dancer though. Keep stepping on her feet,” he said shrugging.

“Yet, she keeps dancing with you.”

Ron beamed. “Yet, she does.” His gaze went to Hermione on the dance floor, and he looked relieved when he saw her dancing with Ginny and Luna. “Did erm—Krum see us at all?”

“He did,” said Harry, smiling to himself. “He actually asked if you two are together.”

“Did he?” Ron looked quite pleased with himself. “What did you say?”

“I said you’re sort of together. I hope that’s ok...”

Ron nodded, mulling over Harry’s response. “Wish you would have said that we are.”

Harry raised his eyebrows. “Did I miss something? Did a conversation happen while you were dancing?” He squinted at Ron who was quietly blushing. “A kiss?”

“No, no, nothing like that. I’d just like Krum to think so,” he said. “But I can live with “sort of” though. For now, at least.”

“Right,” said Harry. “For now.”

With a butterbeer in each hand, Ron smiled and turned on his heel to return to Hermione, his best friend, for now.

[jennsmischievousmind]

Fucks not Found

I need a Backdoor

Ch1 Ghosts | Ch2 Florence | Ch3 A Matter of Seconds | Ch4 I need a Backdoor | Ch5 Die Hard | Ch6 White Flag | Ch7 Haunt the Living | Ch8 One, but not done [end]

“Why is Wally wearing a straw hat?” Five asked entering the Haunted House followed by the big dog, you immediately looked at One;

“It’s hot out there!” he shrugged

“It’s a desert, One!” she took the hat away from the dog, flinging it on the other side of the room “It’s nonsense.”

“That’s not nice.” He started sweet talking to Wally, petting his belly, it was definitely embarrassing to watch, until Two cleared her throat.

The lawyer’s phone had gave you Rovach’s Four generals – hacking their previous transmissions you intercepted calls and mails, one in particular was your next move, they were going to meet Viktor, a notorious arms dealer in..

“Las Vegas has more facial recognition software than any place on Earth.”

“They actually employ the best hackers, White Hats, in case someone tries to break in their security system. I’m good but they’re like 10 of them and they’re better, trained and all”

“I should have got one of those.” One said out loud, you silently flicked him off.

Three was loving this already “Oh, I know what I’m gonna be.”

“Choose your disguises wisely.” One insisted

Four grinned at Two and Three “So we’ll just hang out in a Las Vegas Suite, while you do the dirty work?”

And Four was right, One had booked a Suite in one of the best Hotel Vegas had. You were enjoying the suite pool overlooking the green penthouse, where Five was on the treadmill facing the desert view. One was putting his stupid disguise on; you had laughed so hard when Three came out of the 3rd bathroom looking like a very bad wax sculpture. Thank god One didn’t saw them before they took off or he’ll had abort the mission.

“Care if I join? ” you recognized Four’s British accent, he removed his shirt, before you could say anything, thank god he was not stark naked, yet you were already drooling.

“If we get caught, I swear to god I’ll drown you in this very pool” you look above the edge, watching Five running.

“You worry too much.“ He seized your waist sliding your body to his, water splashing between your bodies as he pressed you against him, you gasped. “One left, Five has the talkie just in case, and she’s gone for a long run on that bloody engine.” He lifted an eyebrow waiting ..., slowly leaning in and biting his lower lip was your answer. Who knew an infinity pool could overflow so much ..

 Spread on the bed in nothing but knickers and crop tee, cracking the last bit of program you needed, you felt the bed dipped behind you. Four sprawled next to you, his warm hand brushing your thigh until it rested on your hip. One and Three were out there, trying to access Viktor’s personal data. The comm link was on speaker on your laptop,

“Do you think she gets off hacking stuff?” you rolled your eyes at Three’s question, he still didn’t get how the “communication link” work.

“I don’t wanna know! One said in total disgust. That brain of yours is a mystery to me.”

“Ok, cracked it. And Three? You’ve ruined my climax!”

Four almost spit his water, trying to contain his laughter.

“Coglione” you muttered, Four regained his composure rolling on his chest.

One sighed “Thanks Eight, now I have an image planted deep inside my brain.” 

“Bet it’s in black&white, old man.” you mute your end of the comm link, and One cut the line.

You look at Four on your left, he was resting his head on his arms, resting his eyes. Your ring finger gently brushed the scar on his left eyebrow to his temple. “You know we have a saying for that” 

“Hm?”

“Did it happened when One found you?”

“Not sure we can talk about that..” a flash of hesitation crossed his feature

You look at him jaded “Yeah like what we’ve done so far is totally allowed by One..”

“It’s not the same.” he kissed your wrist

“Okay” you shrugged kissing the scar on his temple, 

“I fell … well someone could have saved me, but didn’t and I fell .. from at least 5 floors”

“Holy shit! Ooh wait ..someone ..the backstabbing girlfriend?”

he just nodded pursing his lips “Girlfriend ptsd, just my luck!”

He pushed you on your back, capturing your lips with his.

“Hey, I’ve got you, you know that.” You sounded serious all of sudden

It took a second to sink in “Same here!” 

 Back in the desert for at least 2 days, Four insisted on doing some parkour training, teaching you some new moves, Five joined while Two watched from afar over her sunglasses.

“Should I be scared or confident?” you asked totally not reassured about the jump you were going to take. Four scoffed “Confident 100%, what kind of question is that?!”

Five was as hesitant as you “I can do a lot but that’s scary, I don’t want to break my teeth.”

You nodded her way then looked down to Four “I’d rather keep mine too.”

“Come on!” he clapped his hands from the ground,

“We ain’t Wally, stop doing that!”

“Why are the chiquitas on the plane’s wing?” Three asked Two

“Why do you think. Training.” She answered unbothered, Three shrugged going back in the Haunted House.

“You’ll have to come down,” Four kicked the ladder down

“ ¡Cabrón!” Five stomped her foot making the wing wobble slightly, you quickly grabbed her arm for stability.

“Please don’t do that! you panicked a bit, let’s jump and kick his ass, okay?” you proposed. She smiled, taking your hand.

 1 of the general Two and Three killed in Las Vegas, gave you where Murat was “imprisoned”. Ni Hai Tower, in Hong Kong. Never been there, could be cool you thought. On the way to the private jet you were talking to One “Just be real careful coz this shit is pretty fragile, one crack on the screen and we’re doomed!” when Seven’s voice boomed from few meters behind.

“Hey, One, you ever plan on calling me Six?”

One glanced at you very subtly before shouting back, “No.”

“Okay.” Seven chuckled

Since he joined he kept asking about being Six, One refused to tell him who was Six, it was playing on your nerves. Since Four told him your brother was the one who died, couldn’t he do the math from there! But again, you were Eight so the all number thing was a bit fucked up.

“Why can’t we tell him?” you asked him

“It won’t change anything.”

“He’d stop asking!” you argued, playing with the cross around your neck, you look back catching Four’s soft gaze.

Fifth chapter - Die Hard 

A/N: don’t forget to double tap if you liked it. 🙏

[sinkingorswimming]

consider: the mildly canon divergent au where phichit tapped viktor first :3c

OH I’LL CONSIDER IT and then write it, hell yeah.

There was a moment in Beijing at the hot pot place Yuuri should have given more consideration to in retrospect. 

Upon Phichit’s arrival, Yuuri set out to introduce them. “Phichit, this is Victor Nikiforov.”

“Nice to see you again, Phichit,” Victor said with a smile, though not his usual we just met and I’m being nice smile. It was more comfortable, more familiar.

“Same to you, Victor!” Phichit said with a grin. “Makkchin looks great when I see your photos!”

“Oh she’s wonderful,” Victor gushes. “My baby girl.”

“I’m glad, that last video on your story when you left to come here was so sweet,” Phichit adds.

“Ah! Thank you!” Victor beams. “I like your progress on your quads, though if I can suggest when you begin the jumps to—”

This went on for a while, and Yuuri didn’t really get why they knew so much about each other independent of him, but figure skating is a small world, and Phichit had a qualifier with Victor before Sochi. Maybe that was it.

He forgot almost immediately when Ciao Ciao arrived and nearly died thanks to a shellfish allergy, then Victor was naked and Guang Hong looked like he was gonna cry, and well…that’s that.

Then the Beijing Banquet happens and champagne is had. Victor kissed Yuuri in front of God and all of mankind, and he feels pretty good about things between them now, like maybe when they get back to Hasetsu they can spend a couple hours at the owl cafe and then hold hands walking through the park.

Chris stands beside him with a cocktail the same color as the sequins on Guang Hong’s pink and black costume. He sips it like an old pro and gives Yuuri a smile. “We’ll probably be reunited in Barcelona, schazi.”

Yuuri hates counting his chickens before they hatch. Still, with Victor he feels invincible sometimes. “Maybe.” He clinks his glass against the hot pink martini, and the two of them watch across the room as Phichit and Victor chat about something at the buffet.

Chris’s eyes are a little overly focused on Phichit, especially below his waist at the vent in his suit jacket. Chris is an ass man, always has been an ass man, a fact with which Yuuri is…he’ll leave it at well-acquainted. “Sensational,” Chris says.

“That was out loud,” Yuuri reminds him as he loses himself in the light shining through Victor’s eyes as he picks up an obscenely large slice of beef wellington. Victor still loves the novelty of being able to just eat whatever, and there’s likely no end in sight.

“I inentionally said it out loud,” Chris replies with a sip. “Art should always be vocally appreciated in its own time.”

Yuuri doesn’t have much to say to that. Victor and Phichit rejoin them at the table animatedly chattering about something Yuuri has no passing familiarity with. 

Music, he realizes. They’re discussing an album. 

“I think next season, maybe ‘Non, je ne regrette rien’ for my free skate,” Phichit declares. “Though…that may be a better retirement fit. What do you think Victor?”

“I think Edith Piaf is an any time choice for skating,” Victor says as he takes a moment to stroke Yuuri’s hand under the table. Then he cuts his meat and takes a bite. “Though, the sentiment of the song — you’re right, that’d be more appropriate for your final competitive bow.” He looks at Yuuri. “If I came back tomorrow, perhaps I’d use ‘La vie, l’amour’.”

“Life and love,” Chris intones with a silent toast before giving Phichit a smile. Phichit smiles back with a twinkle in his eye. 

As those weird American test questions go, Chris Giacometti is to Phichit Chulanont what Victor Nikiforov is to Katsuki Yuuri. Which is why he’s never told Phichit about the time spent with Chris. He doesn’t want to make him feel like he’s been given Yuuri’s leftovers.

(Yuuri is grossed out by the expression ‘sloppy seconds’ because people are not that weird loose meat American sandwich thing he’ll go to his deathbed not admitting he loves eating, thanks.)

Phichit runs a finger across the rim of his whiskey tumbler. “You like Edith Piaf, Chris?”

“I would be a dishonor on all native French speakers if I said no,” Chris replies. 

“How do you feel about Serge Gainsbourg?” Phichit continues. It’s obvious flirting, his voice kind of low and warm compared to a minute ago. 

Yuuri gives Victor a smile, letting Chris and Phichit hopefully connect. “I can get gold next month,” Yuuri promises.

Victor smiles like Yuuri’s all he sees. “I don’t doubt it.”

A server comes and before anyone can speak, Phichit orders Yuuri more champagne and…somehow he knows Victor’s preferences for Kir Royales. “Chris?” Phichit asks.

“Another of these theme drinks,” Chris says with a point at the pink liquor.

“Two of those,” Phichit adds. He finishes his whiskey. 

“Thanks, Phichit,” Victor says.

Yuuri looks at his best friend. “How’d you know that?”

“Hm?” Phichit asks. 

“That Victor likes Kir Royales,” Yuuri clarifies.

Victor gives Phichit a lengthy look, like he’s deciding how to let him answer. Phichit shrugs and smiles. “We had Skate Canada last year together as our assignments. He saw my gala piece to ‘Defying Gravity’ and we…hung out.”

Victor coughs and is suddenly really into his beef.

Chris’s brows furrow. “Hung out?”

Phichit seems to realize something and he uncharacteristically clams up. “I mean we…had dinner. In a well-lit public place with witnesses.”

Victor sighs. He rubs his face for a moment. He gives Phichit a look. “No, we didn’t unless by ‘well-lit public place with witnesses,’ Phichit means the bedroom part of my suite and room service.”

Chris raises an eyebrow now. Like to the atmosphere.

Yuuri swallows. “So you…just hung out watching musicals.”

“We…Netflix and Chilled,” Phichit says. His smile is a bit sheepish.

“I know what that means,” Chris remarks. He sounds…unamused. He still wears a smile but it’s definitely lacking any warmth or real happiness.

Narrowing his eyes, Yuuri zooms in on Phichit. “You made it with Victor? A year ago? And never said anything?”

“I…didn’t say anything either,” Victor points out. “But I wasn’t aware you were the friend Phichit mentioned until now.”

Yuuri stares at Victor. “The what?”

“I mentioned you when we…” Phichit coughs. “I mean you know, I just…in the afterglow said my good friend was a lifelong fan.”

Yuuri throws his glasses on the table like he’s in a soap opera. “Every time with Chris I spared your dignity after by leaving you out of things! What the hell, Phichit?”

Victor’s eyes are huge as he stares at Yuuri like some kind of scared barn animal.

Chris covers his mouth with his right hand, his cheeks turning bright pink like his dragon fruit cocktails.

Phichit’s perfectly threaded eyebrows rise into his hairline. The sharp wings of his eyeliner stab through Yuuri like broken glass. “Perhaps I should seek a specialist when I return to Thailand, but did you just say ‘every time with Chris I left you out of things’, Yuuri?”

The server brings their drinks. Yuuri chugs his, Victor’s, and Chris’s in turn. The alcohol fails him — this situation is still happening against his fondest wishes. “I mean…okay…look—”

Chris clears his throat, and then gives Phichit a reproachful smile. “We never listened to Gainsbourg, if it makes you feel better, ma pêche. That I only save for someone special, provided my chances have not been ah…thoroughly shattered.”

Phichit gives Chris a look like he’s Anubis at the gates of the afterlife. He must deem Chris’s heart lighter than the feather, because he simply sips his whiskey with a, “We’ll see.” He then turns his ire onto Yuuri. “You however — “

“You have negative room to talk!” Yuuri retorts. “Sleeping with Victor a year ago, before I ever got to meet him — “

“Not my fault you never acted like an adult and introduced yourself!” Phichit replies. “Also you know…it’s like I loosened the mayo jar for you, in a way.”

“Wow that is definitely a metaphor,” Victor says with an awkward laugh.

Yuuri puts his glasses back on after cleaning off some stray beurre blanc sauce. “Well. Since we’re all loosening jars apparently, consider the times I banged Chris that for you. We’re even.” He grabs Victor by the back collar of his bespoke, expensive-as-shit blazer, and without any further preamble, yanks him away. “Thanks for loosening the jar!”

Sometime later, because the field where Yuuri grows his fucks has become barren, he lies in a tangle of soiled (as in “no a $20 won’t work for the housekeeping tip, my parents own an inn, trust me”) sheets, with a really satisfied and borderline dazed Victor next to him, Yuuri thinks to grab his phone to double-check their flight time. 

“Yuuurrriiiii,” Victor croons. “That was —”

“If you’re going to tell me anything about Phichit and his…prowess, I will shut you up again the way I did when we first got back here,” Yuuri warns.

“…That’s not a threat, Yuuri,” Victor points out. “It’s incentive.”

Yuuri looks at the photo Phichit texted him of Chris sleeping on his stomach with bruises and nail scratches down his back. Phichit has framed his own face just so like he did the Instgram post of Victor and Yuuri from a few days ago, only instead of the shocked expression he’s got his finger to his lips like he’s shushing Yuuri.

There’s only one short sentence with it: Thanks for loosening the jar.

Yuuri smiles. You too, he replies.

[ofviktor]

victuuri 58. “I’d die for you. Of course, I’d haunt you in the afterlife but really, it’s the thought that counts.” thanks

Read on AO3!

This was such a bad idea. Why the hell did he let Viktor talk him into breaking into the haunted frat house on Baker Street? Everyone knew it only brought bad luck and sleepless nights for the rest of the semester. 

Oh right. Yuuri knows why. 

It’s because he’s ridiculously in love with the man and has been for two years now. Which apparently means he’s utterly incapable of rational thought until it’s too late. 

His grip tightens on the flashlight as he watches Viktor peer around a corner. Yuuri knows there aren’t any actual ghosts haunting this house, but that doesn’t take away from the fact it’s still dark and creepy and for all they know some bum is living in the attic ready to attack them for —

“Yuuri!” 

Viktor’s voice startles him from his racing thoughts and his flashlight falls to the rotting hardwood floor with a loud thud. He cringes as the sound echoes through the house, freezing in his place until Viktor’s hand finds his shoulder and squeezes it gently. “Sorry,” Viktor says, sheepish. “I thought I saw something.” 

He shoots Viktor a glare. “So…you shout my name to….what?” 

“Okay…when you put it that way it doesn’t seem like a smart thing to do but I don’t think what I saw was bad exactly.” 

Yuuri can only stare at Viktor in disbelief. How…how is he so blasé about this whole experience? Once again, Yuuri finds himself completely baffled by Viktor Nikiforov, the quarterback legend at their university, who is somehow both every jock stereotype and completely different. 

All Yuuri can do is shake his head. 

Viktor pouts. “Don’t give me that look.”

Yuuri shoots Viktor a small glare when he finally remembers to reach down and pick up his flashlight. He pokes Viktor’s side with it until he turns and creeps back towards his spot at the end of the hallway. This time Yuuri stays close behind, practically gluing himself to Viktor’s back as he tries to get a look as well. 

“You know,” he whispers into Viktor’s ear when the eerie silence becomes too much. “This is not something I thought we’d ever do when we got assigned as lab partners in Chem our first semester.”

That pulls laughter from Viktor and Yuuri can’t help the smile that blooms across his lips when he hears it. 

“Me either,” Viktor whispers back, or well he tries to at least but largely fails. It’s both exasperating and adorable. “Back then I used to imagine our dates would be more like a cheesy romance movie but this one’s definitely—” 

Two things happen almost simultaneously: Yuuri’s mind shortcircuits when Viktor says the word date in reference to them and the window behind them explodes in a rain of glass and wood. 

By the time Yuuri’s come back to himself, he realizes that he’s hardly covered in glass which doesn’t make any sense but it takes only a second more for him to notice Viktor’s arms around him. 

Protectively. Because the idiot actually managed to pull Yuuri into his arms and spin them so he took the brunt of the small explosion. 

“What the hell, Viktor!” he whisper-yells as he untangles himself from Viktor’s grip. Once he’s free he spins around and immediately starts to check the idiot for any injuries. 

Viktor doesn’t say anything until Yuuri’s done and satisfied he won’t need to rush them to the nearest hospital. “I don’t understand why you’re mad.” 

Yuuri jolts, actually fucking jolts in a weird combination of anger, concern, affection, and disbelief. “Don’t…understand?” he repeats because that seems to be all he’s able to do right now.  

He watches Viktor’s face morph with deeper confusion and it does nothing to dislodge Yuuri of his own tangled emotions. “Yeah.” 

“I…I’m not mad. Well, I kinda am but mostly because I don’t want you getting hurt because of me and what you did was like something out of those ridiculous action movies you make me watch—”

“Hey! You like those movies too, don’t even try to deny it.” 

Yuuri rolls his eyes at the interruption. “That’s not the point, Viktor. You could have gotten seriously hurt.” 

Viktor shrugs. “I didn’t though,” he says and Yuuri doesn’t get the chance to yell at him some more before he continues with, “Honestly, Yuuri, I’d die for you. Of course, I’d haunt you in the afterlife but really, it’s the thought that counts.” 

The words startle Yuuri, again, and he takes a deep breath to center himself. He lets his hands slip down to Viktor’s and there’s absolutely no hesitation from Viktor when he laces their fingers together. 

It’s at that exact moment that he remembers what Viktor said before the window incident. 

“Viktor,” he manages to say and flinches when his voice cracks. “Is this a date?” 

The confusion creeps back across Viktor’s face and Yuuri’s heart races in his chest. Oh god, he shouldn’t have asked now he’s gone and made things awkward and Viktor won’t want to be friends anymore and —

“Uh, yes?” 

And it’s the way Viktor says it, all innocent confusion that even he couldn’t fake on his worst days. “We’re….dating?” 

Viktor immediately lets go of one of his hands and reaches up to brush back some of Yuuri’s hair from his forehead. “We’ve been dating for months, Yuuri. Did you hit your head? I was so sure I moved you out of the way fast enough.” 

Months? 

“Maybe you just need some fresh air, c’mon let’s go back outside.” Viktor tugs at his hand and Yuuri mindlessly follows in his state of shock, unable to do much more than stare agape at the back of Viktor’s head. 

Months. They’ve been dating for months and somehow Yuuri missed the memo. 

How does someone not realize they’re in a relationship? Okay maybe that’s jumping ahead because dating and being boyfriends are two different things but the Viktor he’s come to know is wholly incapable of anything casual so that must mean they’re —

“You feel any better?” 

Viktor’s voice yanks him from his thoughts and he belatedly realizes they’re standing a couple houses away already. He blinks, almost owlishly, and turns to look at Viktor. “I didn’t know,” he blurts, completely frantic now. “I didn’t know we were dating. I’m so sorry.” 

Silence. 

“You…didn’t know?” 

He shakes his head, dropping his gaze to the cracks in the busted sidewalk beneath their feet. Shame and embarrassment burn through his veins and he’s sure any second now Viktor will walk away and delete his number from his phone. 

And Yuuri is so sure this is what will happen that Viktor’s laughter throws him off axis, leaves him floundering for sturdy footing. 

“Oh, Yuuri,” Viktor says fondly and steps forward, his free hand reaching up again but this time he cups Yuuri’s cheek. “I’m the one who’s sorry. I should have known better than to ask you out after you’ve had four shots of tequila. I was just so happy when you said yes.” 

Despite the fact he’s still incredibly embarrassed, Yuuri can’t help but look back up at Viktor and what he finds makes his heart skip a beat (or several). Oh. Oh. The soft look in Viktor’s eyes makes so much more sense now. 

Shaking his head, he takes a step closer and squeezes Viktor’s hand to anchor himself in reality. “When was our first date?” 

Viktor’s smile turns heart-shaped and Yuuri loves him incandescently. 

“The homecoming bonfire,” he says and the moment Yuuri’s memory of that night resurfaces he can’t believe how much of an idiot he was and has been since then. 

He groans, closing his eyes as he leans forward to rest his forehead against Viktor’s shoulder. “I’m such an idiot.” 

Viktor chuckles and Yuuri shivers when Viktor’s lips brush against his ear. “But my idiot. That is if you want to be.” 

And it’s only because Yuuri has known Viktor for so long now that he hears the undercurrent of insecurity and hesitation in those last few words. Pulling away enough to look Viktor in the eyes, he shoots the other man an incredulous look. “Of course I do,” he states firmly. “I’ve been in love with you since you walked into Chem.” 

Now it seems it’s Viktor’s turn to merely blink, and Yuuri’s about to backtrack when Viktor presses their lips together. Yuuri’s eyes widen but he quickly melts when Viktor gently deepens the kiss by tilting his head just right so their noses don’t bump into each other. 

Yuuri isn’t sure how long they stand there kissing but he determines it’s not long enough by the time Viktor pulls away. Now it seems it’s his turn to pout. “I can’t wait to tell our grandkids one day that you realized we were dating in a haunted frat house.” 

His mouth drops open in mock offense and he shoves Viktor’s shoulder gently but doesn’t make any move to step out of his arms. “One heart attack a day Viktor Nikiforov,” he teases, lips quirking up into a small smirk. “Ask me tomorrow about our grandkids.” 

And when Viktor throws his head back in laughter, Yuuri thinks: I’m going to marry you one day.

writing prompts | my yoi fic tag | ko-fi ♡

[buriacampaign]

College AU - Revisited

Chapter 1: See You Again

Rose pursed her lips, straining her ears. She could swear her brother was walking down the stairs. She had been waiting for a few hours for him to finally come down. She had spotted the mail almost instantly. She clapped her hands together, making her way into the hall. Finally. She noticed him standing and staring at the kitchen table and she grinned when she saw the birthday present she had given him earlier glinting on his wrist. Rose leaned forward to grab the letters from her brother’s hands, grinning at him and opening the mail.

“This a gross invasion of my privacy, you know,” he told her, opening the box of cereal beside him. He dug his hands into the box, pulling out a handful and shoving it into his mouth. Rose stuck out her tongue and smiled, flicking through his stuff.

“Ooh, a check from Grandma. I get half of this!” Rose said, her voice filled with excitement. Andrew rolled his eyes, staring at his sister in disdain as she rifled through his birthday cards

“I can’t open this one,” she said, passing it to him with a sly smile. Andrew furrowed his eyebrows.

“Why not?” he asked, taking the letter from her. Rose stared at him, her hands clasped together in anticipation. Andrew opened the letter, his eyes locking immediately on the letterhead. His hands froze and he glanced at his sister who nudged him.

“Open it!” she demanded. Andrew pursed his lips, pulling the letter from the envelope and grinning when he saw the glaring words. Congratulations, we are happy to inform you that you have been accepted. He cleared his throat and glanced at Rose who arched her eyebrow.

“Well?” she asked. He ran a hand through his hair.

“I got in!” he said, his voice filled with disbelief. Rose let out a squeal and jumped into his arms.

“Oh my God! This is amazing! We need to tell mom and dad! Come on!” Rose exclaimed, pulling him up the stairs into the living room. They both stopped in their tracks, glancing around the room at the decorations.

A mixture of Happy birthday and Congratulations Son. They glanced at Abe who was smirking at them both, a massive cake in his hand.

“Congratulations Andrew,” he said brightly. Andrew sighed; they had read his mail. Andrew shook his head and glanced at his mother.

“Does anyone respect my privacy in this house?” he asked. Janine laughed and shook her head.

“With your father on the scene? Not a chance my boy. Happy birthday and congratulations. I canny believe my baby is finally going to uni,” Janine said, wiping her eyes. Andrew rolled his eyes, leaning down to peck his mum’s cheek.

“Love you, ma,” he said softly. He glanced at his family and smiled.

“I better go phone Dimitri!” he said, grinning and running to get his mobile. He grinned when it was already ringing.

“Did you get in? Yes? Fuck yes!” he shouted. Janine scowled, clouting her son over the back of the head.

“Watch your fuckin’ language!” she snapped. Andrew rolled his eyes.

“Alright maw,” he muttered, to another forceful slap. Abe sniggered and glanced at his son.

“Did he get a place?” he asked. Andrew nodded enthusiastically. Abe smiled, wrapping his arm around Janine who shook her head.

“Our wains are growing up,” she said, wiping another tear from her eye. Abe smiled at her, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

“That they are,” he said softly. Andrew turned to face his parents.

“Can Dimitri come over?” he asked, covering the speaker on the phone. Abe and Janine shared a look before shrugging and nodding their approval.

“Sweet. They said it’s cool. I’ll come pick you up in about twenty minutes? Yeah, I’ll see you soon!” Andrew said, hanging up the phone. Rose grabbed her jacket and grabbed the car keys from the table. Andrew shook his head.

“No way. Not on your life,” he snapped, pointing his finger at Rose’s face. Rose groaned and stamped her foot.

“You promised you’d take me for McDonald's,” she whined. Andrew gave his sister a dark look.

“Can you act your age?” he muttered, shoving past her. Rose grabbed her brother’s arm and blinked at him innocently.

“So, I should totally call up Jesse? I’m sure he’d love to take me out,” she said, smirking at her brother. Andrew sighed and glanced at his sister in disdain.

“You are a brat,” he muttered, swiping the keys from her hands. Rose arched an eyebrow and waited. Andrew groaned.

“Hurry up then,” he muttered, shoving her. Rose smirked and shoved him back before climbing into the car beside him. They rode in silence for most of the journey. Andrew seemed to be fighting the urge to say something. Eventually, He glanced at her and then focused on the road in front of him.

“You wouldn’t seriously go out with Jesse, would you? The guys a total asshole,” he commented. Rose smirked and glanced at her older brother.

“He’s so hot though,” she said, wiggling her eyebrows at him. Andrew rolled his eyes, pulling into the space outside of Dimitri’s flat.

“Can you not?” he said, his face filled with disgust. Rose smirked and shook her head.

“You said that I should act my age,” she said snottily. Andrew pulled a face and turned away from her. The car door opened, and Dimitri jumped into the back, shoving a present in Andrew’s face.

“Happy birthday,” he said, grinning at Andrew. Andrew glanced at the present and turned to face Dimitri.

“You didn’t have to get me anything…” he said softly, he knew how much Dimitri struggled. Dimitri laughed and shoved him, muttering something under his breath. Andrew opened the gift, letting out a gasp before turning to face Dimitri. Rose stared at her brother and his best friend in disdain.

“God, you two are so weird,” she said, plucking the game from her brother’s hands and staring at the cover.

“It’s supposed to be the best game this console has ever seen. Thank you so much, Dimitri. I love it,” he said, smirking at his best friend. Dimitri smiled wide.

“I may have an ulterior motive of wanting to play it myself,” he admitted. Rose rolled her eyes and turned to stare at him.

“Let me guess, a game where you get to be a cowboy?” she mocked. Andrew sniggered and glanced at his sister in amusement.

“Not quite, the main character is from Texas though,” he pointed out. Rose pursed her lips and shook her head.

“You two are so weird,” she repeated. She nudged her brother and let out a heavy sigh.

“I am hungry,” she said pointedly. Dimitri scoffed and ruffled her hair.

“When are you not?” he asked. Rose let out a huff and crossed her arms over her chest. 

x-x-x

Rose leaned over Dimitri, swiping the remote from his right hand before leaning back in her chair. Dimitri sighed, glancing at Andrew.

“Can you control her?” he asked. Andrew snorted and shook his head.

“Not even my mum can control that little shit,” he said, giving his sister a pointed look. Rose smirked and flipped her hair over her shoulder.

“My favourite show is on,” she said smugly. Dimitri groaned, staring at the TV.

“You watch this shit?” he asked. Rose pursed her lips and gestured at Chad Michael Murray.

“He’s beautiful,” she said pointedly. Dimitri snorted and pulled a novel out of his back pocket. Rose smirked triumphantly when she realised he wasn’t going to argue with her.

“So, when are you two going to celebrate?” she asked. Dimitri and Andrew scoffed and glanced at her.

“As soon as you get your ass off of the couch and let us on the PlayStation,” Andrew muttered, kicking at her. Rose rolled her eyes.

“God, you two are pathetic. I’m going to phone Lissa. Enjoy your party,” she said, ruffling their hair as she walked past. Andrew smirked, watching as his sister left the room.

“Finally,” Andrew muttered. He grabbed his controllers and pursed his lips.

“So, what to play, what to play,” he muttered, scanning his shelves before holding up one of the few coop games.

“Will this do?” he asked, putting it in the console. Dimitri nodded and cleared his throat.

“I can’t believe we are going to be at uni together,” he said, grinning at his best friend. Andrew laughed and nodded.

“God, I know. It’s going to be amazing,” he said leaning back against the couch with his hands behind his head. Dimitri smiled and nodded.

“It should be. I’ve started looking for jobs,” Dimitri said, picking at the thread of his jeans. Andrew pursed his lips and cleared his throat.

“Any luck?” he asked, scanning his best friends face. Dimitri shook his head and shrugged.

“We’ve got a few months before we start. I’ll figure something out,” he said, staring ahead and gesturing at the game. Andrew frowned, watching him out of the corner of his eyes. He knew how desperately Dimitri wanted to move out of his father’s place. Dimitri’s parents had a horrendous divorce when they were in the third grade. They never really discussed what happened. All Andrew knew was that Dimitri’s dad had won the custody battle. Perks of working in the law enforcement.

“I could ask my dad about jobs,” Andrew said, gnawing on his lip. Dimitri shook his head and forced a smile.

“You know my dad won’t let me get a job until school is finished,” he said, glancing at his feet. He shook his head and gestured at the screen.

“Are we going to play or not?” he asked, grinning when Andrew shoved him.

“You’re going down, Belikov,” he said, shaking his head.

x-x-x

Rose sighed, resting her head on Lissa’s stomach.

“Do you think Andrew will move out? To the dorms I mean,” she asked, glancing up at her best friend. Lissa absentmindedly played with a strand of Rose’s hair and shrugged.

“You never know. I know I’d love to do it. My uncle Viktor is great but…” she trailed off and Rose let out a laugh.

“But sharing a room with Natalie drives you insane?” she guessed. Lissa groaned and covered her face with her hands.

“I’m a horrible person, I know,” she moaned. Rose snorted and sat up.

“Please,” she muttered, sitting up. Lissa smiled and picked at a thread on the duvet cover.

“Did you see the new guy today?” she asked. Rose groaned and shook her head.

“Don’t even go there! Liss, I heard that his parents are total junkies,” Rose said, pulling a face. Lissa ran her tongue over her lower lip and gave Rose a disapproving glance.

“That is not his fault,” she said. Rose sighed.

“I know, I know. But he is supposed to be bad news. I mean he showed up to school on a motorbike. He smokes. You can’t honestly tell me that that is attractive to you,” she muttered. Lissa laughed and swatted Rose with a pillow.

“Please. At least he is actually our age!” she said pointedly, glancing at Rose’s phone. Rose looked down, spotting a text from Jesse. She smirked and glanced at Lissa.

“There’s a party tomorrow night that he wants me to come to,” Rose said, smirking at her best friend. Lissa shook her head.

“I can’t! You know I can’t. Plus, aren’t you grounded?” she asked. Rose shook her head.

“That was a complete misunderstanding besides my parents aren’t home this weekend, and Andrew is working…are you sure you can’t come?” Rose asked.  Lissa sighed and gave Rose a look. Rose held up her hands in defeat.

“Fine, fine. Come on, let’s put on a horror. What do you think? Vampire or Zombie?” Rose asked. Lissa pulled a face and stared at her best friend.

“You know how I feel about the V word,” she said, shaking her head. Rose smirked and shook her head.

“I honestly don’t know how Blade scarred you so much,” she muttered. Lissa pursed her lips and glowered at her best friend.

“Coming from the girl that still won’t watch Coraline,” she retorted. “Just put on a film.” Rose smirked, flicking through her DVD collection before holding up one. Lissa groaned, covering her face with her hands.

“Rose!” she moaned. Rose ignored her, throwing the DVD into the player and turning to smirk at her best friend before flopping down on the bed beside her.

x-x-x

Rose lounged against the pillar at the front of the house.  She pursed her lips, waiting for someone to open the door. She smirked when the door opened and glanced at Paul expectantly. Paul shook his head and gestured for her to head back home.

“Not a chance, Hathaway. Your brother will murder me,” he said, putting his hand over the doorway to block her entrance. Rose scoffed and crossed her arms over her chest.

“That just begs the question; which of us are you more afraid of?” she challenged, narrowing her eyes at him. Paul opened his mouth to protest when someone appeared at his side.

“Come on, Paul. Let the lady in. She’s my guest,” Jesse said, giving her the once over. Paul held up his hands in defeat and walked away.

“Your funeral,” he muttered, holding up his hands in defeat. Jesse scoffed and gestured for Rose to enter the room.

“Want a drink?” he asked, gesturing into the kitchen. Rose nodded, following him and saying hi to the people she knew. She noticed a few stares from some of Andrew’s friends and she even heard a few Isn’t she like sixteen? and What is Jesse thinking? She pursed her lips and squared her shoulders, focusing on Jesse.

“Make it a double?” she asked. He laughed and gestured to the cupboard in the corner.

“Help yourself,” he said, leaning back against the breakfast bar behind him. “I’m surprised you came, you know. Thought you’d be too scared to face your brother,” he commented, swishing his beer around in his cup before glancing at Rose. She scoffed, turning to face him, taking a large sip of her drink.

“Andrew is working tonight, so we have nothing to worry about,” she said, resting her hand on his chest. Jesse smirked, glancing down at her.

“Hmm, I wonder what we could get up to in that time,” he whispered. Rose shuddered slightly, her skin beginning to goosebump. She ran her tongue over her lower lip, smirking when Jesse followed the movement. She felt him take a step forward and she exhaled, her heart racing. He was going to kiss her. She could feel it. His eyes kept falling to her lips.

“Jesse, come on man. Stop flirting. We need you to set up the music in the pool house,” Ralph moaned, appearing at the door. Rose sighed, glancing at Ralph in distain. He was Jesse’s best friend…and happened to be a complete and utter asshole. Jesse gave Rose an apologetic smile and gestured after Ralph and saying he would be back in a few minutes. Rose nodded, making her way into the main hall. She spotted a few of the girls from the year above and made her way over to them. Small talk. She would have to make small talk. This was why she wanted Lissa to come with her.

“Hey guys, how are you both?” she asked, smiling at Jade and Amber.

“Hey Rose, was that Jesse we saw you talking with?” Amber asked, wiggling her eyebrows at Rose. Jade sighed and shook her head.

“That boy is so nice to look at,” She commented, tilting her head to the side and staring out the window to the pool house where Jesse was talking animatedly to his friends. Rose laughed and shrugged.

“Yeah. He invited me,” she said nonchalantly. Jade sighed and glanced at Rose.

“You are so lucky,” she muttered. Rose laughed and shook her head.

“Yeah…as you can see he has left me to my own devices,” she muttered. Amber laughed and shook her head.

“Well, at least you have us. Fancy a little game?” she asked, gesturing at the beer pong table. She smirked at Rose. Rose gnawed on her lower lip before staring at the girls.

“A quick game,” she said, holding up her finger threateningly.

Of course. Their quick game had ended far later than Rose had planned and somehow the second round had involved glasses filled with vodka and coke rather than beer. Thankfully, Rose had been a better shot than the girls, so she hadn’t consumed nearly as much alcohol. She let out a gasp when an arm wrapped around her waist.

“Having fun without me?” Jesse drawled, his voice causing a tremor to run down her back. She bit her lower lip, glancing at him.

“I had to find some way to occupy myself,” she purred, resting her hand on his chest. Jesse raised an eyebrow and tugged her towards him.

“Is that so?” he asked, his eyes falling to her lips. Rose ran her tongue over her lower lip, glancing up at him from under her eyelashes. Jesse tugged her hands, pulling her towards him.

“You’ll be the death of me, Hathaway,” he said, giving her an appreciative once over. Rose smirked, gesturing towards the stairs.

“Let’s get out of here,” she murmured. Jesse glanced down at her, turning to glance around the room before following her into Paul’s father’s study. Jesse sat down on the couch, waiting for Rose to take a place. She flopped down next to him and nudged him with her elbow.

“I notice that I am the only person here from my age group. What’s that about?” she teased. Jesse shrugged.

“People your age tend to be annoying,” he said pointedly. Rose gave him a disapproving look and he held up his hand in mock surrender. He smiled, flashing his teeth at her. “I said tend to be. Plus, you are a lot hotter than the other girls your age…or any age.”  

“Glad I make the cut,” Rose said softly, her hand resting on his chest. Jesse turned slightly, his hand sliding up her legs, a heat filling his eyes. Rose wrapped her arms around his neck and his testosterone seemed to kick in, her was kissing her eagerly, pushing her back against the couch. Rose let out a small moan, arching her back as he dug his teeth into a soft spot on her neck. She didn’t protest when Jesse tugged off her shirt, leaving her in a lacy black bra. Jesse tugged her legs slightly, pulling her down the couch towards him. His lips traveled down to the same spot on her neck again and Rose arched up against him, letting out a moan with the jolt of friction between them. Jesse paused, scanning her face. Rose shook her head and met his eyes.

“No,” she warned. Jesse’s mouth returned to the spot on her neck and he ground his hips against her, smirking against her skin when she let out a shaky breath.

“You want to, I can tell,” he whispered. Rose sat up on her elbows and stared at him.

“I’m not having sex,” she said pointedly. Jesse paused, thinking about it before deciding not to push it.

“Okay,” he agreed before returning to kissing her. The kisses were heavy, and Rose had to admit that it felt amazing. She moved up her hands to tangle in his hair. They sprang apart when the door opened, and Rose sighed heavily.

“Can’t you see the room is occupied?” she snapped, glancing up. Only, she wished she hadn’t…and she had the feeling that Jesse was wishing the same thing. In the blink of an eye, Dimitri had crossed the room, lifting Jesse up by his t-shirt, almost holding him off the ground.

“What the fuck do you think you are doing?” he snarled. Jesse grit his teeth, grabbing Dimitri’s hand in attempt to loosen his grip, it only seemed to make him grip harder.

“What does it look like I’m doing?” Jesse retorted. Wrong response. Entirely wrong response. Dimitri ran his tongue over his front teeth, glancing behind Jesse to where Rose was sitting on the couch.

“It looks to me like you are inviting underage girls to your parties so that you can get them drunk and then try to sleep with them,” Dimitri said, his face filled with disgust. Jesse scoffed, and Dimitri’s grip tightened on his shirt, lifting him almost completely off the ground.

“If I even so much as see you looking at her again I will make sure her brother finds out about this. We will come after you, and it will hurt. A lot,” he snapped, thumping Jesse against the wall behind him and putting pressure on his throat, as if to make a point. He dropped Jesse and the other boy scrambled away, muttering that Dimitri was a psycho. Then Dimitri’s gaze turned on Rose and she shrunk back slightly under his angry, disapproving gaze. Then it changed, the look he was giving her. If Rose hadn’t known better, she would have assumed that he was checking her out. His eyes seemed to be giving her the once over, studying her. It took Rose a few seconds under his gaze to realize that she was in nothing but a bra and jeans. She wasn’t stupid. She knew that she looked damn good in the bra she was wearing…and part of her wondered if he knew it too.

“See something you like?” she asked, crossing her arms over her chest. Dimitri’s jaw clenched, and he threw his jacket at her.

“Cover yourself up,” he hissed. Rose glanced around for her t-shirt before realizing that it was nowhere to be seen, and she was not rummaging around on the floor. That would only make things so much worse. She begrudgingly put on Dimitri’s jacket and crossed her arms over her chest.

“How did you even find me? Did Andrew have you following me?” she hissed. Dimitri rolled his eyes and glanced at her.

“Funnily enough Rose. Our lives do not revolve completely around you. I was here with a friend,” he said. It was around that moment that said friend appeared in the doorway and Rose caught sight of her. Rose clenched her jaw and nodded.

“Excellent. Well, thank you for ruining my night. I’ll keep the jacket,” she muttered, heading for the door. Dimitri grabbed her arm and looked down at her.

“Where do you think you’re going?” he asked. Rose gestured with her hands and Dimitri shook his head.

“Not a chance. You’re supposed to be at home so that is where I am taking you,” he said, pulling her arm. Rose tugged her arm out of his grip and narrowed her eyes.

“Like hell you are. I am not leaving here with you,” she snapped. Dimitri gave her a dark look and shrugged.

“We can do this the easy way or the hard way,” he commented. Rose scoffed, turning to walk away from him. Dimitri grabbed the sleeves of his jacket before picking Rose up and throwing her over his shoulder in a fireman’s lift. He glanced at the girl in the doorway and sighed.

“I’m sorry. I’ve got to get her home,” he said apologetically. The girl smiled and shook her head.

“Don’t worry about it,” she said, smiling at him. Rose let out a shriek.

“Put me down!” she demanded. Dimitri ignored her, heading out the doorway to his pick up truck. He opened the door, shoving Rose inside before climbing in and starting the engine. Rose pulled at the door handle and realized very quickly what he had done.

“Child locks, Dimitri. Really?” she snapped. Dimitri shrugged and stared at the road in front of them.

“If you are going to behave like a child, I am going to treat you like one,” he muttered. Rose shook her head and slumped back in the seat. “I can’t believe you let yourself get into a situation like that with Jesse of all people,” Dimitri muttered, disgust lacing his words.

“It’s not that big of a deal,” she muttered. Dimitri shook his head and glanced at her out of the corner of his eyes.

“It is. Guys like Jesse love to brag about conquests like you.” He said pointedly.

Rose pursed her lips. “So?”

“So?” He looked disgusted and Rose had to admit the look he was giving her made her want to shrink away. “Don’t you have any self-respect? You made yourself look cheap.”

Rose scoffed and shook her head. “Oh, spare me the lecture. So, it’s perfectly fine for you and Andrew to sleep around but when I do it I’m a slut?” she snapped. Dimitri shook his head, running a hand through his hair as he pulled into her driveway.

“That is not what I’m saying, and you know it! You’re sixteen. He’s eighteen!” he snapped, slamming his hand down on the steering wheel. Rose flinched, and Dimitri froze, catching her movement in the corner of his eyes.

“Look, I’m sorry, Rose. I know that you think that your brother and I are assholes, but we’re just trying to look out for you. Guys like Jesse, they are only after one thing and they aren’t going to stick around once they get it. You should wait…find someone you care about…more importantly someone who cares about you,” Dimitri said softly. Rose shook her head and gestured for him to open the car door. He obliged, opening it.

As Rose stepped out, she found her legs couldn’t hold her. Dimitri scooped her up. “You’ve got to be kidding me,” he hissed smelling the vodka. “How much did you drink?”

“I really don’t think that’s any of your business,” she said pointedly, avoiding eye contact.

He rolled his eyes and picked her up gently, carrying her into the house. By the time he made it to her room, she’d passed out. Sighing heavily, he tucked her into bed. He couldn’t leave now. What if she got sick? Or…god forbid…had alcohol poisoning?

He wandered into his best friend’s room, letting out a groan…now was the hard part: tell Andrew or not? With all the commotion Rose made leaving it would be hard not to. But would would he say? I didn’t know how to react to seeing your sister in her bra, so I heavily implied she was a slut? He groaned, hitting his head off the door frame a few times. Why couldn’t she have just stayed home?

Shaking off the weight of that decision for now, he glanced up at the shelf of games and picked an old favorite, one he and Andrew hadn’t played in years. Popping it into the console, he allowed himself to get lost in the game, far away from Rose’s poor decisions and his own inapt reactions to them.

[itbeajen]

Agape [4] | Yuri Plisetsky | Witch!AU

"What happened earlier?" Chris asked Otabek once they were in the safety of the inn. Otabek sighed, "Not entirely sure either. Everything that happened didn't feel real?" "Well, it's magic, that's to be expected," Yuri huffed, he glanced at his older friend and Otabek sends him a soft smile, "I'm fine. Trust me." "We do, it's just... next time you lose sight of her, don't make contact," Chris added and then slumped into his chair, "We all know that each of us are very capable, but with our current circumstances, we can't afford to face off against a witch on our own. And.. I didn't think Soleil would be the White Witch." "I'm not certain about that part," Otabek lied. With his neutral expression, no one was capable of telling what was going through his head and Yuri asked, "What do you mean?" "She wasn't there, at all," he continued fabricating a story that could hopefully lead Chris off your tail temporarily. But even he didn't know what you were trying to do. He sighed and there was a knock on your door. "Who is it?" Chris asked as he approached the door. "Uhm, Chris? It's me... Soleil," your voice was soft, and it sounded weak. He glances at the other three who immediately move to the other side of the room where you couldn't see them. But you already knew they were there, you can practically sense them. It doesn't help that Yuri has always stood out to witches. "Hello, cu- you're dripping wet," he noticed and you sighed and gave him a curt nod. You're about to speak, but a shiver causes your entire body to tremor slightly, forcing you to pause, before you asked, "H-Have you seen Vince?" "N-No, I haven't."

Still dressed in only your slate blue dress, you were cold to the touch and it was clear that you were visibly shaken. Spell enchantments and enhancements or not, I'm still freezing cold. If I had stayed at that blasted cave any longer I may have actually froze to death. You shivered and give him a small nod, "Okay, uhm, do you by any chance have my coat then?" Chris frowned and then he muttered, "Oh." Your eyes widened and you asked, "Wait, you don't?" Chris shakes his head, and he notices that you shiver. Do... I let her in.. or do I not? I can't just let her stand here and... But what if she's the witch? Wait, witch or not, we need her alive. Chris opened the door, surprising the others inside and he said, "Here, come in, you need to warm up." You hesitate, and he sends you a soft smile, "We won't do anything to you." Your glance was full of caution and Chris sighed, "Look, you can't afford to get sick, or Vince will be upset." You pouted and then gratefully nod your head. Your arms were wrapped around your body as you tried to keep whatever warmth you had left in you. Otabek makes eye contact with you and without realizing it he asked, "What happened to you?" What the hell Beka?! Why would you do this to me while knowing what I was doing? You internally panicked as you scrambled on the spot for an excuse. You give him a sad smile and muttered, "I realized I left my inn keys in my coat... so I was looking around for it, only to remember I gave it to Chris." "It's snowing out there. A snowstorm. How dumb are you?" Yuri scoffed, his outburst surprising not just you, but the others in the room. You narrowed your eyes, "Well excuse me, the keys to my room in this inn are in there and the landlord is already asleep, what the hell do you expect me to do?" Yuri's eyes widened when you snapped back at him, in fact everyone did. Chris especially, you were never known to raise your voice. It was always gentle and kind, even soothing to listen to at some times, and Yuri narrowed his eyes, "Oh? Looks like the doll isn't just a doll." Chris swears on the past three years he's been here he's never seen you this upset. If looks could kill, Yuri probably would have been killed couple times over. Instead of retorting, you glance over at Chris, then at the gap in the door. Yeah, it's not worth getting myself riled up over this stupid fool. Dumb Yuratchka, you idiotic, stupid, moron. "Tch," your eyes narrowed, deep violet piercing through the aquamarine orbs of the blonde, "And I guess you are as inconsiderate as you look." "Why you-" Yuri stood up, approaching you in anger, only to be held back by Otabek. You sighed, but the anger in your eyes doesn't dissipate, "I should have known that people like you who only lust for power are blind to everyone else around them. Whatever, I don't have time for you. Excuse me for intruding." You immediately made your way towards the door, and Chris stops you, "Wait! What are you doing? It's snowing and-" "I'd rather die in a snowstorm than deal with the blonde pile of salt over there," you spat out in annoyance. You pushed Chris' arm out of the way and he tries to block you with his other arm, but you swiftly maneuver around him and open the door. With a swift slam, the door shuts and Chris glares at Yuri. "Yuri Plisetsky." "Fuck."

"And what made you think that was a smart idea?" he teased as he gently wrapped you in another blanket. "It wasn't," you muttered as you sneezed again. The General laughed and he smiled, "Honestly Zaika, you must be more careful with yourself. Especially around the Black Coats. I don't care if one of them is your Hunter, you know it's not safe for you." You pout and he sighs, "Zaika." "I know, dedushka," you responded hastily. An apologetic smile is on your lips right after snapping back, and he waves it off, ignoring your sudden snappy retort. You sighed in content as he hands you a cup of hot tea. Just the aroma alone was enough to bring life to you and you melt into the pool of blankets before the fire place. He takes a seat beside you on his rocking chair and he asked, "How are you and Vitya? I haven't seen you two in a while." "Hey, you saw me just two days ago. Besides, it's strange if I come into a smithy every day," you rolled your eyes and muttered, "Stupid gender stereotypes." The General laughed and he asked, "And Ela? How is that little pup?" "Ela's the pack leader now. It's as you expected, I was his master, just like how my grandmother was his mother's master," you responded. The fond tone and hints of love in your voice did not go by unnoticed and he asked, "Tell me, did you finish deciphering the runes?" "Yes." "Is it what I predicted?" "Yes," you lied. You couldn't bear to tell anyone the truth. Especially not Viktor or the General. I'm sorry. He hummed and he muttered, "Is that so... So the only answer is for you and your Hunter to enter the seal and destroy him from there?" You stiffly nodded. And he sighed, "Your hunter knows nothing about you though. Am I correct?" Again another stiff nod and you admitted, "You know, it hurts." He raises an eyebrow although you can't see it. You lower the tea cup into your lap, staring into the pool of liquid as the flames of fire reflected upon it flickered to and fro, dancing with each ripple in the small cup. He waits in silence, and your next words comes out in a choked sob. "It hurts... that I-" you sucked in a deep breath in order to hold back the heart wrenching sob that threatened to bubble up, "that I.. had to block him." "Oh Zaika..." He gently gets off the chair, reaching out for you and pulling you into his arms. You may not be his true granddaughter, but since that day he found you on that tragic night, he's never wanted anything more than to protect you. Your eyes reflected nothing but sorrow and anguish that night. Even though your lips were quivering and your small frame was trembling from fear and adrenaline, you had remained strong, and silent, throughout the entire ordeal. "I hate it," you muttered, your sobs slowly dying out as you tried your best to control your emotions. "I hate not being able to talk to him normally. I hate that he doesn't remember me. I hate it..." your voice dies out and he can still feel you shaking. "Zaika," he softly whispered your name, "It's okay. Everything will work out well." No it won't. You closed your eyes as you felt the darkness welcome you into gentle slumber. Nothing has ever been okay. Not since that day.

"So- Vince?" Chris opened the door in a hurry, hoping it was you. But instead of long silver hair, it was matted down silver hair, and Viktor frantically asked, "Have you seen her?!" "Soleil was just here," Chris responded, Viktor grabbed onto his shoulders, "Where is she now!?" "Not here," Yuuri responded from inside the room. Fear, hurt, confusion; those emotions swam in the deep violet irises of the silver haired male and he muttered, "No, where could she have gone?" "She lost her coat with the keys and-" "I know," Viktor cut them off. Otabek glances down, her heels and coat were both in his other hand that wasn't gripping Chris' shoulder. Viktor makes eye contact with Otabek, but there's no emotions shown. No anger, no frustration, and the latter can't help but look away from the lifeless orbs. "I should have watched over her properly, I was too distracted..." Viktor's voice was nothing but a whisper, and he gives Chris a small nod of the head, "Sorry for intruding." "Wait, Vince!" But Viktor doesn't stop as he slowly drags himself from the room. Chris slowly closes the door and glares at Yuri. "If you hadn't provoked her," Chris muttered and Yuri rolled his eyes, "What do you want me to do then?" "Go find her." "Are you-" "Go. Find. Her." "And you expect me to find her?" "Yes." Chris glared at the youngest in the room, and with a huff, Yuri throws on a jacket and his Witch Hunter coat. He slips his gun into its holster on his belt and Chris eyed it. "You should probably check the smithy for that gun." "Why?" Yuri pulls it back out, inspecting the muzzle and he muttered, "It was fine when I left the headquarters." "The air around here is different, your bullets won't be as effective." Chris glances about and he muttered, "Now that I think about it, I don't know what weapons you guys use." "Katsudon and I use guns, Otabek uses daggers, and his fists," Yuri explained, and Otabek muttered, "You use your fists too." Chris hums and he said, "Okay, you and Yuuri both head over to the smithy then. He doesn't close until later tonight." Yuri blanched, and muttered, "You wanted me to go find her." "Find her after he equips you with new bullets, if you run into anything dangerous, I'd rather you guys be prepared than not. Now go, shoo."

"Tch, what a fucking pain," Yuri muttered as he stomped through the snow. The sudden blizzard has subsided, but its damage is done. The entire town was snow white, and each breath they exhaled caused puffs and swirls of air to drift upwards. Yuri's gaze followed his own breath and the older male sighed, "But Yuri-" "I know," he averts his gaze from him. Yuuri's frown lightens and he can see the tinge of red on the younger male's cheeks and he chuckled, "It was the first time seeing you so playful though." "Hah?! Me? Playful?! What are you on Katsudon?!" "Oh, nothing, just thought you and her were pretty chummy," Yuuri teased, "Especially during the dance, you guys got along-" "Please, you and Vince were practically making love while dancing," Yuri retorted with a wave of the hand. He hears his companion cough and stutter, struggling to find an excuse and Yuri shook his head. Stupid Katsudon. "Ah, we're here," Yuri commented as he knocked on the door. A faint grumble of come in is heard and they enter. The smithy wasn't filled with dust, nor did it smell of smoke, but instead it looked like a cozy cabin. They looked around, admiring the various swords and axes, and even some rifles and guns that were displayed throughout the entire room. "Hmm, new Witch Hunters? What are you, long or close?" "Long," Yuri responded and he placed his gun on the counter. The General picks it up, inspecting it and he muttered, "A golden muzzle, rare, and... ho, this is enchanted." "Enchanted?" Yuri asked with a slight tilt of the head. The General nodded and gestured for him to come closer. The General pulls out another glass, holding it over the gun and he points at the runes that suddenly appeared on the gun. "Those are enchantments, not ones that were obtained illegally like most Witch Hunter weapons are, but these were imbued onto the gun by an actual Witch. Where'd you get this child?" Yuri scratches the back of his head and a slight frown on his lips, "I'm not sure. I've had it since I was a kid." The General's eyes widened and he asked, "Would you answer an old man's question?" "D-Depends," Yuri stuttered, not knowing why. The sudden aura and air in the room felt like it was freezing and suffocating him, but he knew that wasn't true. He knows the room was warm with the fireplace that crackled with life and the General asked, "Were you a survivor from that tragic night, sixteen years ago, in the Nameless Town?" Yuuri's eyes widened, and the blonde froze. He barely manages to nod and the General pulls away from the counter, leaning back on his chair, and he muttered, "I see. Perhaps it is fate then." "Well, I can equip you guys with new bullets," the General sighs as he pulls out a slick black case. No point in saying anything unnecessary if he doesn't realize what he is himself. The General kept one eye on Yuri the entire time. The blonde was casually inspecting his gun, turning it over and over again in his hand as he tried to see if there was any way he could figure out its origin. The General regains their attention when he places two boxes on the counter and slides them over, one for each hunter. His gaze falls on both of them as he notices only Yuuri actually inspects the bullet. The young blonde barely manages to shake his thoughts away when the door slams open. "Dedushka! Have you seen sestrichka?!" Viktor asked. He was out of breath and the General widened his eyes, "She just left." "She just left?!" Viktor practically screeched. The two Witch Hunters exchanged looks when suddenly the snow storm outside picked up again and shut the door closed. The General's eyes widened and then narrowed. I see, so even his minions are starting to make a move. "Find shelter, now," the General commanded, not at the Witch Hunters, but at Viktor. Viktor looked at him with wide eyes before he felt it, the rising magic levels in the air. He scrambled into the house and he muttered, "Let me help." "No, you have other things to worry about, such as your sister. If zaika..." "Where did she go anyways?!" Yuuri asked in a slightly panicked tone. The General frowned, "I'm not sure. She was asleep when I last checked on her, and when I came to open the door to let you guys in, she was gone from the couch." "So she disappeared," Yuri shook his head in disdain, but a shiver runs down his spine at the howling of wind and magic intensity. He glances at his partner and smirked, "Looks like this place isn't as quiet as we thought it was, Yuuri." Yuuri's eyes widened at the way the blonde said his name and he smiled in return, his eyes filled with determination and confidence, "Yeah, looks like it's not." "Are you two going to go?" the General asked, hints of concern in his voice. Yuuri nods and muttered, "We can't let them hurt the townspeople." "Be careful," the General sighed as he watched the two males leave the room. He shook his head as he runs a hand through his already white hair and muttered, "It's always in the winter."

"Yuri! Were you able to find her?" Chris asked as they met up at the Square. The blonde cursed, "No." Shit, I forgot I had to actually find her. "Yu. Ri." Chris emphasized each syllable and growled, "Atlin, go with Plisetsky to find Soleil. If she's truly the White Witch, she's probably heading out towards Lake Lithi." "How do you know that?" Otabek asked. Chris doesn't reply, but the former notices that he avoided eye contact and frowns. "Beka, let's go." Otabek nods before sprinting after Yuri. Yuuri looks at Chris and asked, "Do we have a plan?" "Yes, we hold them off as long as we can."

Mistress, you're insane. Ela commented and you glared at the pup and you muttered, "Cute, but vicious aren't you?" Of course, he flicked his tail back and forth and asked, Are you sure you want to check it again? "Yes, I woke up in cold sweat earlier, but I really do think something's going to happen soon," you muttered as you pulled your thin cardigan closer and murmured another enchantment. The runes momentarily glowed a silvery blue on your skin before seeping into it, and you immediately felt warmer. I can warm you up for you, don't expend your magic on that, Ela scolded. You nodded, withdrawing your enchantment as Ela replaced it with his. The runes glowed a bright navy blue and you sighed in relief, "Your enchantment is definitely warmer." I'm a wolf... he looked at you as though it was obvious, and continued, We're always warm. You rolled your eyes as you made your way through the forest slower this time. The snow storm picked up and you muttered, "Okay, something's definitely here." Ela made a series of short howls, and immediately the animals in the forest were awake. They chattered softly among themselves and Ela growled, Cultists. "You have to be kidding me," you muttered and you asked, "Ela, do you mind?" Not at all, permission granted? He reconfirmed and you nodded. With a miniature, yet brilliant display of light, Ela transforms into a larger wolf. His arctic blue eyes reflected yours, and he lowered himself so you could hop on. Hold on tight.

"No signs of life," Yuri muttered as he glanced around. His eyes narrowed, "But the magic intensity is much stronger here." His voice lowered to a whisper and Otabek walked closer, "We can't afford to be separated." Yuri nodded and he grumbled, "That lake is giving me bad vibes. Is that Lake Lithi?" Otabek nodded, and suddenly there was another howling of wind. The two withstood their ground, but just as the snow and wind died out, the spike of magic intensity almost caused them to lose their balance. "Wha-" "Soleil?" Yuri muttered. It certainly looked like you, but upon closer look, Yuri muttered, "No, that's not her." "Yura?" Otabek watched in horror as his best friend quickly aimed his gun and shot a series of bullets. Each one appeared to hit their target, until he sees Yuri dodge and shouts, "Beka, don't stay in the clearing!" The sound of a little girl giggling is heard and in a slightly distorted voice, she asked, "Don't leave, play with me." As she took several steps towards Yuri and Otabek, the latter's eyes widened, "No, that is Soleil." Yuri's eyes widened and he muttered, "Well then, looks like we found our target." "Won't you.. play with me? Yuri Plisetsky," she smiled, revealing nothing but a dark abyss. Her head jerked and twitched until it finally faced the other hunter, and the giggles were heard again, "Otabek Atlin?"

[yuriplisetskysglove]

YOI Child AU ! First OS ~

Ok seriously, you guys deserve to know how the Child AU happened. So, @rilya-dewilder and myself were kinda angry (understatement) with all the hate in the Otayuri tag lately (aaannnd we both ship Otayuri like hell. Seriously. That ship will be the death of me and I love it more than my life. Moving on ~) so we got an idea to troll em. Annnnd thus, this OS was born. But it ended up being too good of an OS to actually let antis read it (ok no seriously, I don’t know if it’s actually good since I’ve only had one person read it, and although I’d never doubt Riri’s tastes in fanfcition, I’m worried about the quality of my own work lmao) Anyway, I hope you’ll enjoy reading it, sorry if there are grammar or spelling mistakes (and feel free to tell me if you spot any !) !! And while tumblr isn’t really a fanfiction platform (well... isn’t supposed to be lmao) I’d be really glad if you could provide me with some constructive criticism to help me improve >W< OS under the cut !

A/N: Steven is Mystery Man’s name (I’ve seen people calling him that so I just kinda went with it lol)

Such a nice and sunny winter afternoon rarely came in St Petersburg. What was even more rare was that both Viktor and Yuuri had managed to get a day off.

The latter was peacefully taking a nap on one of the couches, Makkachin laying at his feet. He had been pushing himself too hard lately, given that plenty of old ladies in town needed help with their grumpy cats and other ill puppies. Moreover, he had been taking in wandering pets that their owners had lost or abandonned, and currently was dedicating himself to finding them new homes. That’s why Viktor didn’t dare waking him up, choosing instead to enjoy some time with the children. Ever since Ekaterina and Dmitri had been made part of the family, Viktor’s daily life had become both a mess and an everlasting party, full of the ‘L words’; namely, ‘Love', and ‘Life'. If it was hard for him to manage his job as an assistant coach, it was even harder to deal with Yakov’s frequent angry rantings about the drama queen team he was training that season. And Viktor being their second coach did nothing to ease him. The living legend of Russia chuckled, suddenly remembering Yuri’s face upon learning he was to choreograph his free skate.

‘Why are you laughing, Daddy ?’ Ekaterina asked when she heard him.

They were watching Anastasia, a movie they all loved. Dmitri often would joke that the male lead had been named after him; while Ekaterina would tell him to shut it and watch the movie. They were eight and eleven, respectively, and thankfully none of them had begun their rebellious phase, although Dmitri had taken a bit of a sharp tongue from Mila.

‘Just wondering whether Guang Hong is mad at Yuri for getting gold again or not.’

‘He wouldn’t’, Dmitri objected. ‘They're friends. Also, Guang Hong is a good sport, unlike some people…’

‘Are you implying that Uncle Yura isn’t a good sport ?!’

They exchanged a very serious look. And then, Dmitri snorted, and started laughing uncontrollably. His loud laugh woke Yuuri up.

‘Dmitri…? Oh, I thought you were screaming because of something…’

‘Don't mind him, Papa’, quickly said Ekaterina. ‘He's just being dumb and rude towards Uncle Yura.’

She went near the couch, kissed her father, and then went back to watching her movie. Yuuri yawned, then shot a look at his phone.

‘Ah, speak of the devil. I got a text from Yurio.’

‘What's he saying ?’ Dmitri asked eagerly.

‘His plane has just landed ! He’s exhausted, though, so I don’t know if we should invite him for dinner…?’

‘Of course we should !’ the young girl said, tugging at Yuuri’s t-shirt. ‘I bet he missed your katsudon ! Also, it’s been a while since we’ve last seen him.’

‘It’s barely been a week.’

‘That's too long !’

Smiling, Viktor ruffled his daughter’s platinum blonde hair. She pouted, muttering something along the lines of ‘stop treating me like a baby !’.

‘She's right, though. A week might be nothing for old geezers like you but…’

‘What did you just call us ?!’ Viktor screamed before throwing himself at his husband. ‘Yuuri, did you hear that ?! He called us, old geezers. Old geezers ! We’re barely in our mid-late-something-thirties, Yuuri ! Are we really that old ?! And who taught him that, anyway ?!’

‘I'm guessing it’d be Yurio’, the ex-skater sighed.

‘Old geezers !’

‘At least, it’s better than… What was it, last time ?’

‘Out-of-date dinosaurs. Something like that. Yuuri am I old ? … Am I getting even more white hair ?! Is it getting thinner ?!’

‘Daddy, your hair is silver’, Ekaterina muttered.

She was more than used to her father being all dramatic about getting older. She, for one, couldn’t wait until she was old enough to compete in the senior ice-skating category. While Dmitri had given up on the sport, being more fond of reading or learning how to play the guitar, she loved ice-skating and was aiming to win at least six World Cups, to beat Viktor’s record, even though she wouldn’t compete in the same category.

‘Ah, I got another text.’

‘Are you not going to pay attention to me, Yuuri ?’

‘I'm paying attention to you every night, Vitya.’

‘... Smooth.’

The children exchanged a puzzled look. The adults were so very weird sometimes… All they knew was that they were doing ‘nasty adult stuff’. And they honestly didn’t want to know what that was.

‘He says that he’s gonna go home first to get rid of his stuff and hug every single cat he owns. And then he’ll come. Says he missed you two as well !’

‘How sweet of him. A few years back, he’d have gone with ‘who needs some dumb katsudon anyway. Still coming though, ain’t gonna let you waste your money over some rubbish.’’

Ekaterina’s eyes widened. Her Papa was the best cook in the entire world, she was sure of it.

‘Would Uncle Yura really say that ?’

‘Haven't you seen the photos ? He used to be such a drama queen - and, according to Dad, a tsundere.’

‘Dmitri, how do you even know what a tsundere is ?’ Yuuri sighed.

‘Went on a website called ‘tumblr'. There’s a fan page - well, over ten thousands, really - for the ‘Ice-Skating Prodigy Family’. Which apparently is made of the three of you. Ekaterina isn’t there, though.’

‘That’s because I’m still a junior competitor !’

‘Dmitri, don’t go on tumblr ever again, please.’

‘Why ? I mean, the fan page is pretty cool. There’s a lot of pictures of y’all. Like that one time you two skated together at the 2016 GPF Exhibition Gala. Pretty sure you wouldn’t fit in your costumes anymore !’

‘Dmitri, that was unnecessarily mean, and offensive, and rude.’

The boy rolled his eyes, and both men couldn’t help but do the same. He was taking a lot after Yuri. Feeling like getting in an argument would ruin the mood, Viktor paused the movie and turned to both the children, and his husband.

‘He'll want to eat katsudon and pirozhki, knowing him. Maybe we should make him some.’

‘Daddy, please don’t put a single toe in the kitchen’, Ekaterina begged. ‘Last time, when we tried to bake a cake for Uncle Otabek’s birthday, you managed to turn it green. Green, Daddy.’

‘That was -’

‘Definitely not an accident’, Dmitri smirked. ‘It's when you actually cook something edible that it is.’

‘Hey ! I’m not that bad, and -’

‘Also, both Yurio and Otabek got sick for two whole days after that. If I remember well, Yurio tried to kick you in the face with his skates when he got better.’

This shut Viktor down. He pouted, slowly went back to sitting on the couch, and tightly hugged Makkachin while pretending to cry.

‘Do you hear that Makkachin. This family hates me. This family hates me, Makkachin. What have I ever done to deserve that.

‘Vitya, I swear to… Ugh. Nevermind. We’re going to make that katsudon and those pirozhki.’

‘Yuuri is so cruel to me Makkachin. He hates me.’

The black-haired man rolled his eyes again, then went into the kitchen without his husband noticing his smirk. I’ll hug him later.

The two children listened carefully to Yuuri’s instructions, and even though there were some… flour battles when making the pirozhki, everything went rather smoothly. They had barely been done cleaning the kitchen that they heard the bell ringing, and Viktor went to get the door. He had stopped sulking, at least it seemed he did, because when he saw Yuri, he immediately shot him his heart-shaped smile and gave him a tight hug.

‘Viktor, stop, I’m suffocating and besides this is embarrassing, also -’

‘Uncle Yura !’

Ekaterina ran to hug the blonde, mercilessly pushing her father out of the way before she crashed onto the young man’s torso, crushing his bones in an even tighter hug.

‘Ekaterina, I can’t fucking breathe’, he muttered. His skinny built had never been much for bone-crushing hugs, especially the Katsuki-Nikiforov daughter’s.

‘No swearing, Yurio !’ Yuuri claimed before hugging him as well.

‘Yeah, yeah. Beka said he’d be coming later, he wanted to finish washing his bike before that. Is that okay ?’

They went inside, and Yuri had a bit of a hard time dealing with an over-excited Makkachin - the dog really did like him, and even though Yuri was definitely more of a cat person, he actually had nothing against him and even played with him a little.

‘Where's Dmitri ?’ he asked after Viktor had managed to calm Makkachin down.

As soon as he asked, the brown-haired boy came dashing from the corridor.

‘Papa !’

He threw himself onto the blonde’s back, and the latter, unused to having unexpected weight being thrown at him, fell down on his knees as his son started tickling him.

‘Dmitri - fuck, Dmitri stop it I - I said, stop it, ugh, stop, my sides hurt !’

The boy obeyed, albeit reluctantly, and offered his father his brightest smile.

‘Where's Dad ?’

‘He'll be late. How’re you, lil’ monster ?’

‘Hey. I’m more of a gremlin, really. And I’m great ! Uncle Vitya lent me a few cool books, you should totally read ‘em Papa.’

‘Uh, tell that to Beka. Y’know I’m not that much of a book person.’

‘Liar, I saw Romeo and Juliet on your bedside table just last week.’

‘When have you become such a ninja ?’

‘Oi ! Dmitri, don’t keep Uncle Yura all for yourself, that’s unfair !’

The two children started bickering, and all three adults exchanged a knowing look. They had always been like this.

‘So, Uncle Yura, what does Beijing look like ?’

‘I sent your dads a few pics already, y’know. It’s pretty cool, I guess, just a bit… crowded. But Guang Hong and Leo took us to some restaurant and even though I still can’t use fu… frea… um… chopsticks, we had some good time.’

‘And then ?’

‘And then what ?’

‘Dad said he wanted to take you on his bike and drive around the city. Said it’d be romantic.’

Yuri almost instantly went red. Despite him being twenty-six already, he still was embarrassed by Otabek’s not-so-well-hidden idea of romance, and his face showed it quite well. Viktor and Yuuri smirked at the ice kitty of Russia, who, fortunately, didn’t see them. Otherwise, he’d probably have punched them both.

Just as he was mumbling something like ‘Otabek you’re such a dumbass why did I even marry you’, the bell rang again, and this time, Dmitri went to open the door. As soon as he recognized his father’s black coat, he hugged him tight, and Otabek smiled gently before stroking his head. He closed the door behind him, then went to meet the little committee.

‘Sorry for being late. I really wanted to get this done.’

‘No problem, Otabek’, Yuuri smiled. ‘Actually, Yurio’s been here for just a few minutes, you know.’

They started chatting, mostly evaluating the chances of Yuri winning this season’s GPF - even though he had won gold for both qualifying events, he was to compete against some new skaters, who were inexperienced indeed, but extremely talented. Besides, Yuri had already proven that experience in the Senior bracket didn’t actually matter as long as the skaters worked hard and took full advantage of their talents - which had granted him a gold medal for his Senior Debut.

‘Hey, Dmitri, given that both your dads made it to the GPF this year, who will you be rooting for ?’ Ekaterina asked.

‘Dunno. Both, I guess ? At least if I’m in both fanclubs, I’m guaranteed to be satisfied.’

He smiled at his parents, and they chuckled, smiled, and Otabek fist-bumped him.

‘I hope Guang Hong and Leo make it, too.’

‘Yurio, is JJ really going to be singing for the opening event ?’

‘Uh… I didn’t ask him and I really hope he’s not ‘cause I seriously won’t have the time and fucking patience to deal with him…’

‘Come on, you two are friends now. And that dress he wore for your wedding was fabulous.’ Viktor winked at the children, who didn’t know of that story. After all, Ekaterina had been part of the family for eight years only, while Dmitri hadn’t spent more than five years with his foster family.

‘I still have the pictures Phichit took ! They must be in some photo album, I’ll show you later’, Yuuri smiled.

‘Mr. Katsuki, I don’t think it’s a good idea.’

‘You know, Otabek, you can call us Yuuri and Viktor. I mean, we’ve been Mr. Katsuki and Mr. Nikiforov for years now. I know, I know, you think it’s disrespectful but, really… Nevermind. Why is it a bad idea ?’

Otabek shook his head.

‘Mr. Giacometti is featured in a few of them.’

Silence fell upon the room, and Ekaterina broke it first.

‘As in, Christophe Giacometti ? Daddy’s best friend ? Uncle Chris ?’

‘Himself', Yuri groaned. ‘Why did he even have to come… He spent the entire afternoon getting drunk off his ass with Emil and Michele… Not to mention Georgi giving Minami some makeup advice… And Mila and Sara flirting… Ugh… Seriously, the only guy who stayed chill until the end was Seung-Gil.’

‘Leo went wild on the dancefloor, and both Yuris had a dance-off with him’, Viktor smirked.’

‘Leo did ? I thought he was cooler than that…’

‘What's that s’posed to mean, Dmitri ?!’

‘But Uncle Chris is so sweet !’ Ekaterina said. ‘Last time, he brought us Swiss chocolate for the Easter holidays !’

‘Yeah well now he’s calmed down, especially with Steven tempering him. But seriously… I’ve seen things at the GPF Gala that I’d rather not remember.’

‘Like what, Papa ?’

‘I said I didn’t wanna remember that.’

When the clock hit nine in the evening, they suddenly realized they had completely forgotten about the katsudon and pirozhki, and both Yuris went extremely pale, fearing for their beloved dishes’ lives. Turns out they actually weren’t half bad at all, and they ended up staying up quite a while talking about different things - although Yuri fell asleep halfway, his head laying on Otabek’s shoulder while the latter was starting to get tired as well. After all, he also had had an exhausting trip from Beijing to St Petersburg, and he moreover had to wash his bike and prevent their four cats from running away.

Seeing how tired both of them were, and having a hard time dealing with Dmitri and Ekaterina’s over-cheerfulness, Viktor and Yuuri let the Altin-Plisetsky couple sleep in a spare room. When they were done making sure that everything was comfortable enough for them, they went back to the living room, and found their sweet daughter, fast asleep on the couch.

‘Awww, Yuuri, an angel has dozed off on our couch. Should we wake her up ?’

‘No, let her be… Let’s just bring her a cover and that cat plushie Yurio gave her, she loves it.’

‘That reminds me… Where has Dmitri gone ?’

They went back in the kitchen, but the boy was nowhere to be seen. Viktor quickly checked in Yuri and Otabek’s room, but he wasn’t there either. They kept searching for a few minutes, until they heard someone sneezing, only to find a wide-awake Dmitri on the balcony.

‘You're going to catch a cold, Dmitri’, Yuuri said as he gently took his hand to lead him back inside.

But the boy didn’t move an inch, and kept looking at the scenery that spread before his magnificent blue eyes. The ever-so-cheerful St Petersburg was drowned in its own silence, beautiful and intimidating. They could see some lights coming out of other houses, where other people lived other lives. Both adults stared at the boy.

‘Is it bad that I’m different from everyone in the family ?’ he finally said in a quiet, shy voice.

‘Are you ?’ Yuuri asked. ‘Different, I mean.’

The boy seemed to regret his words at first, and it looked like he wasn’t going to try and answer Yuuri’s question. Instead, he went back inside to grab Otabek’s giant coat, put it on like some kind of oversized costume, and sat down on one of the balcony chairs. His gaze fell upon the peaceful city again, as he started talking in a voice that didn’t quite sound like his.

‘Ice-skating isn’t my thing. Sure, it can be cool. Sometimes. Mila said that I would grow to like it. But it’s not the same ‘like' as you two or Ekaterina or my parents’ ‘like'. It’s not even a hobby.’

‘Does that make you feel… Apart from us ?’ Viktor muttered.

‘Kinda. I mean, I won’t force myself to like it just because the people I love do. But I don’t like being left out either. Papa and Dad spend so much time abroad because of it. And yeah, I know they come back as often as possible ‘cause they wanna see me, and all of us really, but… It’s not the same…’

‘If this is what worries you, Dmitri, know that they love you. Deeply’, Viktor smiled.

‘It's not. I know they do. I guess I just missed them quite a bit and I really want to spend more time with them. I know what it’s gonna be. One of them will get gold at the GPF, and then they’ll go for the Europeans, the Four Continents and the Worlds, and then they’ll come back, only to go away again…’

‘Geez, aren’t you too small to worry about these ?’

All three turned around, and met a pair of tired, green eyes. Yuri was leaning against the door, staring at his son.

‘Papa ! I… I thought you were asleep…!’

‘I was. But Beka snores like a freaking grizzly. Shouldn’t have given him any booze.’

He sat down, his torso and bare arms inside the living room while his legs laid on the balcony.

‘I’m sorry’, he said. ‘I'm sorry we don’t get to spend as much time with you as we’d all like.’

‘... I didn’t really want you to apologize, y’know ? It’s not really your fault if you like skating that much.’

‘This one is our last season.’

Yuuri couldn’t help but let out a faint exclamation, but he was quick to cover his mouth, afraid he might wake Ekaterina up. Viktor simply frowned, and then sighed.

‘I knew there had to be a reason for you to be this invested this year.’

‘We’re not gonna stay competitive forever. Besides, we’ve been talking a lot about you, lil’ monster. Viktor and the piglet aren’t always gonna be taking care of you when it’s our job.’

‘You can’t ! You… That’s your passion ! You’ve loved it since you were three !’ Dmitri yelled. ‘Don't give up just because I’m an attention whore and -’

‘Language, kid. And trust me, if you were an attention whore, I’d have punched you long ago so don’t go around saying that.’

‘Then, Yurio, what… What are you going to do ?’ Yuuri asked.

‘Dunno. I’ve been asked to work as a model but to be honest, it’d be a pain in the ass. Beka thinks he’s gonna start in the music industry, though.’

‘Are Uncle Yura and Uncle Otabek retiring…?’ asked Ekaterina’s soft voice from the couch.

She was looking at them with bright grey eyes, her hair falling before her face as she slowly stood up and went to sit next to Yuri.

‘Yeah. We are.’

‘We'll never get to see you skate again ?’

‘Not during a competition.’

‘But… You’ll keep loving it, right ? Like Papa and Daddy do ?’

‘Course we will.’

He patted her head, and yawned. She looked like she was about to cry, but she didn’t and simply went to hug Yuuri.

‘Yuri', Viktor said. ‘If none of you win gold this year, or beat your records, I’m keeping Dmitri here and you’re not taking him back ever again.’

‘What ?!’ both Yuri and Dmitri screamed.

‘That's so fucked up, old man ! Who d’you think you are ?! Also are you serious ?! I knew you were stupid but this is some JJ-level bullshit, have you even heard what you -’

‘Yura ? Why are you and Mr. Nikiforov arguing… Again...?’

Otabek had just entered the room, still sleepy.

‘Beka ! Tell the old man that he can’t keep our son all to himself even if none of us win gold !’

‘... What ?’

‘That’s his way of encouraging you’, Yuuri sighed. ‘Well, as long as none of you ask him to marry you if you win gold…’

‘Not happening, the guy’s way too old for me, you can keep him.’

‘Yuri, that was rude !’

‘But I don’t wanna keep living with Grandpa and Gramps, though.’

‘Why would you call my Papa and Daddy ‘Grandpa and Gramps’ ?!’

‘Well, remember that website I talked about earlier ? Tumblr ? People say that Papa is Viktor and Yuuri’s son. So, technically, they’re my grandparents.’

‘... Does that mean Uncle Yura is… Big Brother Yura ?’

‘That also means Dmitri is your nephew’, Otabek said bluntly.

‘Which is fucked up. Also, I’m not their son for fuck’s sake ! Could they stop with this bullshit for even a fucking minute ?!’

‘Yurio, I’ve been trying not to pay attention to it but please don’t swear that much in front of the children’, Yuuri begged.

‘Yeah, Papa, listen to Grandpa Yuuri !’

‘Wait, I get to be Gramps ?! But… But I wanted to be Grandpa !’

‘Dude, you have your priorities set straight.’

‘I'm pretty sure he’s not.’

Silence followed Otabek’s declaration as he stared extremely seriously at everyone in the room. Yuri ended up facepalming, stood up and pulled his ear.

‘Who the fuck are you and what have you done with my bad-puns-free-Beka.’

‘I'm Drunk Beka.’

‘Fuck.’

Then, Otabek collapsed in his husband’s arms, who winced before putting him down on the ground.

‘Wow, now that’s a side of Dad I didn’t know’, Dmitri smirked before taking a picture.

‘Don't even try blackmailing him, kid.’

‘Aww, Yuuri, our son is so protective of his boyfriend !’

‘Viktor, shut your fucking mouth ! He’s not my boyfriend, he’s my husband. And. I. Am. Not. Your. Son.’

Viktor was going to reply, when Ekaterina sneezed. Everyone agreed to go back inside. They hadn’t even realized how cold it was. They spent another few hours talking and playing some board games while Otabek was still asleep on the fluffy carpet; Ekaterina and Dmitri then went with Yuuri to take all covers and pillows off the beds and out of the closets, and gathered them all on the floor. Everyone fell asleep together, Yuri hugging Dmitri and Ekaterina being comfy between her two fathers.

Needless to say, the following week, they were all tied up to their beds with a nasty cold, and Yakov came running to scold every single one of them, even the two children who knew that the man was much, much kinder than he’d ever let people think.

AAAnnnnnd done !!! I hope you liked it, and especially Dmitri and Ekaterina >W< Sorry it ended up way angstier than expected - I do that, sometimes. Truth is, I love writing angst so... Beware of your feels 8D Anyway

[yoi-secret-valentines2017]

From: @danisnotonfire

To: @bracari-iris

Yuri Plisetsky was so done with everything. Since the last Grand Prix Final, things have only gone worse and worse. Yuuri and Viktor were more gross then ever before, and Yakov and his grandfather Nikolai where still insisting on him living with them. To make things worse the piggy and Viktor had no problem with it all, and so come Yuri found himself living in the spare room of Viktor Nikiforovs apartment, complaining to his best friend via skype about how annoying they were.

“…and they just can’t stop making heart eyes and being all cozy and stuff. I thought I’d have to throw up during breakfast this morning”, Yuri ended his rant. Otabek just sat on his bed in silence, smiling a little at him.

“You have to see the bright side, at least they care about you”, the older boy replied. Yuri scoffed, looking at the pixelated screen. The conversation was stopped by Otabeks sister barging into the room.

“We’re eating dinner. If you aren’t downstairs in 5 minutes I will eat all of your food”, and like that she was out of the room again. Yuri smiled a little. He had only ever met Anitya on Skype, but he didn’t hate her, which already meant a lot coming from him.

“I better go”, Otabek said.

“Have fun”, Yuri replied and the line went dead. They never said goodbye. Yuri felt like it made things to emotional.

Yuri turned onto his back, spreading all limbs, as his cat climbed next to him and fell asleep cuddled against his side. Living with Yuuri and Viktor wasn’t half as bad as he always made it seem. It was, at first. For the first six/seven months he lived there. When he saw the two of them kissing, and couldn’t place the feeling he felt. But now that he had managed to place it, things were easier. It took his a while to figure out that he was jealous. Jealous, because they got to do that. They got to hold each other and kiss and cuddle and see each other ever day. And he wanted that as well. He wanted to wake up with Otabek next to him, spend late nights watching movies and eating popcorn. He wanted to be able to fall into Otabeks arms after practice and rent about what Yakov and Lilia did today, or how grossly cute Viktor and Yuuri were at the rink. He wanted to be with Otabek as well.

“Yuri”, a voice asked from outside the room.

“Huh”, he replied, sitting up a little, careful not to wake his cat.

“Are you okay? You seemed a little off all day”, Yuuri said, standing in his now open door.

“I’m fine”, Yuri snapped back.

“No you’re not. Clearly something is bothering you, and not just today”, Yuuri replied.

“I’m good”, he said again. Yuuri stepped into the room, closing the door behind him and sitting down on the bed.

“It’s Otabek, isn’t it?”

Yuri froze. His eyes went wide and he needed a moment to realize that Yuuri really said that. “What?! No! That’s so stupid, piggy”, he exclaimed, voice harsher then intended. How was Yuuri able to see through him so easily, when he still had problems understanding it himself? Was it that obvious to everyone? Did Otabek now it?

“That’s actually not quiet different from me and Viktor”, Yuuri said. “At the beginning when i started to like him it was like that as well for me”

“Didn’t you start to like him when you were like 12?”, Yuri grumbled. He would never admit it, but maybe it was good Yuuri was talking to him.

“No, well yeah, but seriously liking him. That was only a little more then one and a half years ago”, Yuuri said. “It took me forever to understand what I was feeling. And I tried to rush myself into finding out. Don’t do that. You’re young and you should take your time figuring out how things are for you. What he means to you”

“I’m not in love”, Yuri started, eyes fixed on the wall opposite of the bed. Yuuri next to him was staring at the same wall. “That’s the one thing I know for sure. It’s not that strong. I only know him for what? Nine, maybe ten months, I’m not in love. But about everything else I’m not sure”

Yuuri smiled at him. “Good. Just don’t think about it to much. Otabek is a nice guy, if you like him, that’s not bad”

‘Yes it is’, Yuri wanted to say. ‘Caring about people is bad’ but he just kept quiet.

The door flew open and Viktor stood in the room, three cartons pizza in hand. “Oh sorry, am I interrupting something?”

“Aren’t you always?”, Yuri replied.

“It’s fine”, Yuuri replied. “If you even need advice, just talk to me”, he turned to Yuri, who was still staring at the wall. His jaw was clenched and hands balled to fists.

“Oh, Yurio, do you want Pizza?”, Viktor asked. Yuuri wondered where his soon-to-be-husband took all the energy from after a long day of practicing jumps.

Yuri didn’t reply but followed them into the living room. They watched the News during Dinner, sitting in silence. From time to time Yuri let out an annoyed huff at what the news person was saying, or Yuuri asked for another piece of pizza. Some times Viktor sighted at something, or Yuri made a sarcastic comment. That was how Dinner was usually for them.

That evening, Yuuri and Viktor were laying in bed, Yuuri asked Viktor how long it took him to fall in love with Yuuri.

“Why?”

“Yuri likes Otabek. Or I think so. He says he only knows Otabek for less then a year, so he can’t be in love yet”, Yuuri explained, his hands playing with strains of Viktors silver hair. “But I don’t think time is a factor here. Shouldn’t it be more about how much you trust someone?”

“I think it is. Remember the banquet when you were drunk?”, Viktor asked. He knew that technically Yuuri didn’t remember.

“Mhm”, Yuuri hummed.

“Well the night wasn’t over after what we told you in Barcelona”, Viktor said. Yuuri looked at him shocked and Viktor went on: “Chris liked the idea of getting me drunk as well. And you know what happens when I’m drunk. I only remember parts, but I do know that drunk me fell in love with you all the way back then. When I dragged you out of the room, into the elevator to my hotel room. And you kissed me as soon as the elevator doors closed. My heart broke, when you didn’t want to stay the night”

Yuuri looked at him in shock: “You… I… we… back then…” Viktor nodded in reply, kissing Yuuris forehead.

“That was when drunk me fell in love with you. And I fell in love with you not much after I came to Hasetsu. Probably back when we were sitting at the beach talking about your past…”, Viktor told him. “and when you said Eros was Pork Cutlet Bowls to you, I was fucking screaming. Because images of the banquet were haunting me, and I then realized that you probably didn’t care as much about them. I got pretty wasted that night. And I was so hoping you’d beat Yuri in the skate off, because as much as I wanted to coach you, I also wanted to spend time with you. And you were all hesitant and acting like you were scared of me”

“I was. I idolized you for years. I named my dog after you. My room was full with posters with you on them. You were my hero growing up, and then all of the sudden you were naked in the onsen and I was completely shocked. And before I knew what was happening everything was going so far. And suddenly Yuri was there. And I was so scared you’d go back to Russia. It would have been the end for my career as well as my self esteem. And I don’t even know what was going on all these months and then i bought the ring and we were at the church, and you suddenly had one as well and before I knew it we were engaged. I - I just love you so much, Viktor, you have no idea”, Yuuri replied kissing the older man. Viktor kissed back immediately.

“I love you too, Yuuri”, Viktor replied, pushing a few strains of hair from Yuuris face behind his ear. He loved him just as much. And he always would.

•••••

A few months later, Viktor and Yuuri being married by now, they were all sitting in the living room planning Yuris birthday. He was about to turn seventeen, and Viktor insisted on throwing a giant party. Yuuri wasn’t as invested in it, but didn’t mind. Yuri on the other end was only agreeing, because Otabek was coming over as well, and Otabek being in St Petersburg with him was worth having the old man throw a party.

“Okay, so who else should we invite?”, Viktor asked.

“Well, who is on the list so far?”, Yuuri replied.

“Well, Otabek for sure, the Russian team, so you, me, Georgi, and Mila. Milas girlfriend Sara, her brother Michele and Micheles boyfriend Emil. Chris, obviously. Phichit and Seung Gil, as well as Leo and Guang Hong. And Minami. We should also invite JJ and Isabella!”, Viktor said smiling.

Yuri jumped up screaming: “If you just think about inviting him I will punch kick you to the moon and keep your dog”

Viktor gasped, and Yuuri quickly said: “Okay, so he’s out. You’re visiting your grandfather a week after with Otabek, right? So we don’t need to invite him. Also, I think he would feel out of place. What about Chris’ boyfriend?”

Yuri just huffed, not caring who would be there besides Otabek. Sure, he was on friendly terms with people like Guang Hong (honestly how could you not like him?) or that Minami kid, but he didn’t much care about the rest. He didn’t dislike any of them, except from JJ. He was often annoyed by all of them, but he didn’t dislike them. He had a few short conversations with Leo at the wedding back in November, and a few silent conversations with Seung Gil, mostly containing annoyed looks and rolling their eyes at whatever was going on. After that he went off with Otabek, standing in a corner away from the rest.

He didn’t know much about Sara, Michele and Emil. Everything he knew about them was things he picked up from Milas endless pining, and after they started dating her gushing over her girlfriend. But they didn’t seem to be awful people.

When he was honest, JJ wasn’t an awful person either. He was just not the type of person Yuri liked to surround himself with. Full off himself and only caring about him and his fiance. he acted always so nice to everyone and then called him stuff like ‘Kitten’ or ‘Lady’. Things like that made him want to hit the Canadian in the face. Hard. And he probably would have by now, if it wasn’t for his best friend keeping him out of trouble.

“Whatever. Invite who you want, besides JJ. I’ll go to my room”, Yuri hissed, standing up and walking through the room to his room. He slammed the door behind him and pulled out his laptop. He put on a playlist and opened skype. Two new messages from Otabek.

Do you have time later today?

i wanna talk again before I fly over tomorrow

He smiled and quickly replied. Should the old man and his piggy invite who they wanted, he would spend his time with Otabek anyway. Maybe talk to Guang Hong or Minami a little. He didn’t quiet remember how his friendship with Guang Hong or Minami started. He properly met Guang Hong at this years Grand Prix. Otabek already knew him, because not even Otabek could turn down Guang Hong. And as much as Yuri hated that word, he did consider Guang Hong a friend by now.

He hated the word friend, because friendship meant caring, and caring about someone meant weakness. Except from Otabek. His friendship with Otabek made him stronger, made him a better person. It was confusing for him at first, but now he got used to it. When he would be really honest with himself, he cared about more people then just Otabek and his grandfather. He cared about that stupid hag Mila, and maybe even Georgi, he cared about Guang Hong, and for a short time now even Minami. But worst of all, he started caring about Viktor and Yuuri. Something he thought he could and would never do.

He didn’t hate living with them anymore. Sure they would be grossly cute in public and shove their relationship down everyones throat. Sure Viktor could be an annoying bastard, and sure sometimes Yuuri was overreacting, but all in all he cared. He cared about them as if they were his second family, which was everything but okay for him, because he didn’t want to need other people, but they made him happy and stronger, and he would never admit any of that to anyone.

[crippledboyfriend]

This is the longest fanfic I’ve ever done, but the words just kept coming. All I wanted to write was Yuri having a panic attack, and 12.5k came out.

High Tensions and Higher Fevers

“I don’t know what Lilia allows, but when you want to stay over here, you clean up after yourself,” Yuri told Yurio simply as he wiped up the counter. “Stop arguing.”

“I’m not arguing! I just don’t understand how that couch doesn’t look clean to you!”

“It’s covered in crumbs,” said Yuri. “Most of the clean-up to this apartment doesn’t need to be due to you. I think you’re old enough to take some responsibility.”

“I’m also old enough that you should think it’s weird to tell me how to act,” Yurio made a rude face.

“Ah-” Yuri looked up, noticing something about Yurio’s eyes seemed off. There was some tired pinkness underneath his pretty eyes with a bit of malaise to go alongside it.

“You’re not feeling well,” pointed out Yuri as Viktor came into the room, a bit nervous since it sounded like they were fighting. Viktor’s eyes widened in surprise, wondering if the Russian child was actually falling ill or if his fiance was just worrying.

“So what if I’m getting sick?” asked Yurio. “I don’t have to complain about it!” Despite saying this, Yuri noted that he was doing that cute, frustrated, pouty lip thing he does.

Viktor rushed up behind Yurio, clasping his hand over his forehead. Yurio looked up behind him.

“Huh? Viktor?”

“Yurio, you ARE warm!” Viktor started hugging Yurio now. “What’s wrong? Why don’t you feel well?”

“My head hurts, so stop screeching at me,” Yurio pulled away weakly, but wasn’t freed from the hug. He lightly sat his hands down over Viktor’s arms.

“And my nose has been running. So that’s gross,” Yurio admitted, but not without rolling his eyes.

Yuri reached in to feel the teenager’s cheek with the back of his hand.

“Why don’t you get out of that cute little outfit and get comfortable?” suggested Viktor, letting Yurio go. “You should be resting.”

“I was trying to rest,” Yurio grumbled. “And it’s not cute.”

“Ah, right, it’s cool!” Viktor’s face lit up, and Yurio only got more embarrassed, groaning,

“Viktor!” he made a breathy noise, adding, “You’re such an old hag.”

“Yuri, you should’ve seen him a year or so before our big night at the banquet,” Viktor rambled, ignoring Yurio. “He started trying to dress himself in the most hideous edgy rags. Nothing matched! There were rips on everything and just the stupid slogans! I told him that if he has to be punk or…or…Yurio, that’s what you are, right?”

“I’m nothing! I just wear what I like! God!” Yurio sniffled, hurrying over to the tissue box.

“Anyways,” Viktor smiled as he babbled to Yuri while the sick boy went to blow his nose. “I told him, if you want to dress punk, you at least have to let me put together your outfits. There are plenty of things I can figure out if he finds something good as the main piece! I got the vibe quick enough, you know? And Yakov didn’t even NOTICE that Yurio looked different, but Mila, Georgi and I were all horrified! Georgi was the most bothered by the atrocity. It reminded him of when he first got the freedom to pick out his own clothes!”

“Viktor! Shut the fuck up!”

“What, you looked like a homeless little runaway back then! It was so ridiculous. Could you seriously expect me not to tell that story?” taking out his phone, Viktor added, “Yuri, look, I have photos.”

“Viktor! Oh my god!” Yurio shouted.

“Alright, alright,” Viktor laughed. “Just lay down already. You shouldn’t be exerting yourself.”

Viktor walked with Yurio back to the couch, lifting up the plate of mostly untouched pancakes on the footrest before the fluffy cat eyeing them could get to the food.

“Are you going to finish these?” he asked.

“No, I’m not hungry,”

Viktor picked up Yurio’s fork and took a bite.

“Viktor! There are germs! Are you kidding me?!?” his fiance exclaimed. “You’re going to get sick!”

“But you don’t mind, da?” Viktor shrugged off the concept as if it were nothing.

Yuri glared at his fiance, blushing.  

“Poor boy felt so bad he was just going to leave it to go to waste,” mentioned Viktor, knowing for certain that even though Yurio thought his previous comment was a little odd, he had no idea why it made Yuri react the way it did.

~~

Yuri heard several sneezes throughout the day, but now that it was the late afternoon, Yuri had noticed a significant increase, and they were from Viktor. It didn’t seem like it could just be his allergies anymore.

Yuri walked to their bedroom to ask Viktor about his cold, and upon opening the door, he saw that Viktor was cuddling Yurio. They were watching a show together with Makkachin at their feet, and Yurio had pulled his hair into a ponytail. Makkachin wagged her tail upon seeing Yuri, knocking it into one of the dirty tissues that was left on the bed.

Yurio seemed to be nervous for a second, but he didn’t move away from the snuggle.

Yuri couldn’t believe it. The Russian punk was actually LETTING Viktor be affectionate with him. Yuri let out a tiny gasp.

Immediately noting the sick boy’s discomfort with his reaction, Viktor softly informed Yuri,

“He’s quite ill, da?”

“H-he is,” Yuri nodded. “But are you coming down with it, too?”

“Unfortunately,” Viktor smiled weakly. “But it will be more than alright.”

“I-I guess you two got it from the same place…” Yuri looked off to the side, for a bit, regaining his composure before looking at the little one.

“Yurio, do you still have the same symptoms as earlier or has anything new started to bother you?”

Noticing eyes on him, Yurio asked,

“Sorry, were you talking to me?”

Yuri got a bit worried. His ears were probably just stuffy, but what if he was completely out of it from the fever? It was true that he wasn’t acting himself. Once his temperature tipped over 99, he started being…good.

“Do your ears hurt?” asked Yuri.

“No,”

“What’s his temperature?” asked Yuri, folding his arms and looking at Viktor.

“I have a fever of 101.3,” said Yurio. His face was a bit red.

“I took his temp just half an hour ago,” Viktor nodded as Yurio blew his nose.

“Sweetie, that sounded awful,” Yuri commented, touching his own chest.

Yurio flushed a bit at the cute name and the comment on how wet his runny nose sounded. He looked at the TV, not wanting to meet the other Yuri’s eyes.

Yuri knew he probably shouldn’t have called him something that adorable, but it felt natural when he was acting that…sweet. He felt both of his Russian boys’ foreheads.

“What about you Viktor? Have you been monitoring your own temperature?” Yuri asked, a bit worried.

“I do check my temp, but I’d rather you took care of it,” Viktor gave Yuri a loving look with a sassy pout.

Yuri blushed and picked up the thermometer.

“You’d want me to take care of everything, wouldn’t you?”

“Yes, Yuri,” Viktor cooed. “Of course you should. I’m sick, after all.”

“Yeah,” Yuri blushed.

“After how hard I try to keep you two healthy…” Yuri trailed off as Viktor moved from Yurio and lifted his top.

“I’ve just been a bit sickly lately, Yuri,” Viktor tried to explain, not remotely thinking that any colds he’s caught could be his fault.

Yuri stuck the thermometer under Viktor’s arm, trapping it in with the warmth. He then sat down on the bed and kissed Viktor’s forehead.

Yurio just tried to ignore them, uncomfortable.

“You two have such bad habits with sneezing and germs, though,” pointed out Yuri, pulling up a cute document on his phone. It was a spreadsheet with a sparkly background and adorable stickers of medical paraphernalia. It tracked time up against columns with categories like Temperature, Medicine Given and Notes. Yuri downloaded this a while ago, always wanting to use it for someone someday. Of course he’d pictured using it for Viktor, but he didn’t really think it would happen.

He didn’t think that he’d need it to help take care of Yurio, either, but the thing was useful for keeping track of when to give medicine.

Makkachin reached slowly towards Yurio’s kitty’s tail, so Yuri quickly touched the dog to get her attention. She sat up in full alert, looking at Yuri with her head cocked.

“Does my health really bother you that much?” asked Viktor. “I don’t think it’s that bad of a thing.”

“I want you to feel better,” Yuri touched Viktor’s chest.

Yuri thought that Viktor had some, dumb, disgusting habits that probably just came from being European, and that’s likely how they arrived at this situation, but he did find all of it very cute. He just wished that the kid didn’t get sick, too, is all, and while he could certainly make the best of Viktor catching a cold, he thought that Viktor dealt with much more pain than either of them wanted.

~~

Yuri went to the bedroom to pick up the takeout that he went out to get at Yurio’s request, just happy to see the boys eating. Viktor and Yuri decided that it would be fine to let him eat in their bed.

“You both look sleepy,” Yuri mentioned, gently putting the back of his hand to Viktor’s forehead as he sneezed.

“Oh, bless you,” Yuri pulled out a tissue from the box for his fiance.

“Ugh, thank you, Yuri,” Viktor smiled weakly in a stuffy voice. His hair was a mess. The pretty grey strands looked thinner than usual.

“How are both of you two’s ears?” asked Yuri, trying again to feel for Viktor’s temperature. He spread his fingers out underneath his fiance’s bangs.

“Mine feel normal,” Viktor promised. “It’s my head and nose that are being problematic.”

Yurio’s nose twitched as he answered,

“I’m fine,”

Yuri stopped examining Viktor and moved to the other side of the bed.

Cold, Viktor cuddled into Yurio.

“It’s seemed like you’ve had trouble hearing, though,” Yuri said nervously, sitting down next to the younger boy. He cupped his cheeks.

“Oh, god,” Yuri retracted, a bit startled. “Viktor, he’s burning up. Do you think he has an ear infection?”

“A sinus infection, probably, but I really do think that his ears are alright like he said,”

“I still want to take a look…” Yuri insisted as he took the plates. “I’ll be right back. I was worried so I just picked up a cheap otoscope at the drug store while I was out.”

“Is he serious?” Yurio looked up at Viktor, scrunching up his nose. It was obvious to Viktor that Yurio’s sinuses hurt just as much as his did.

“He’s just nervous,” Viktor said gently, cupping Yurio’s cheek as Yuri left to but the plates in the sink. “You might as well let him make sure that’s not the problem since he’s already gone to the trouble of shopping for you, even if you don’t have an earache.”

Yurio groaned.

“It feels like your temp is higher,” Viktor observed.

“I think I’ll need you to sit up,” Yuri instructed as he came back in the room, motioning the boy to rise with his index finger.

Yurio sat up slowly, holding his head. He was dizzy and absolutely exhausted.

Noticing Yurio’s miserable reluctance to the procedure, Viktor sat up and pulled Yurio into his lap, only getting a small noise of confused protest in response. Viktor quickly shushed the boy and gently turned his head into his chest, making him lean into him.

“I’m not a baby,” Yurio’s accent was hard to understand when he was as stuffed up as he was. “You don’t need to be this worried.”

Viktor clung to Yurio, brushing back his blonde hair and holding it down to his head so his ear was exposed.

“Of course we’re worried when you’re this unhappy,” cooed Viktor as Yuri stuck the scope in Yurio’s ear. He then took it out and Yurio turned his head without being asked, letting Yuri brush his damp hair back and examine his other ear.

“Hmm…” Yuri started to get nervous. “Hold on, let me google this and compare pictures on my phone…”

As Yuri started typing, Yurio complained,

“Ugh, the food’s not settling well…”

Viktor quickly turned his head and caught a sneeze in his hand. He then grabbed the poodle shaped tissue box, and as he blew his nose, Yurio also grabbed a tissue.

Yuri took another peek at Yurio’s ear.

“Well, maybe you are alright. It just seemed like your ears were stuffy to me,”

“I said they’re not,” Yurio pouted as he got back on the pillow.

Yuri looked at Viktor nervously. He was used to swearing and back talk, but this mostly good behaviour mixed with some pathetic whines wasn’t normal.

Viktor touched Yurio’s shoulder.

“What can we do to make you more comfortable?” Viktor asked.

“I don’t know,” Yurio sniffled.

Yuri put away the examining tool now that he was done giving Yurio a checkup and climbed into bed on Viktor’s side, snuggling him.

Neither of the Russians seemed to be able to focus on the television too much, and Yuri couldn’t, either. He was too lost looking at Viktor. The man just didn’t look like he did when he first saw him on TV more than 10 years ago. Up this close, he could see the start of crow’s feet by Viktor’s eyes, and although it was significantly worsened by his cold, his eyes generally looked a bit tired. Yuri was so glad to be here to watch Viktor age as opposed to losing him as he fades out of stardom, no longer seeing him on TV or at competitions anymore, even if Yuri would’ve continued to stalk him on social media.

Yurio’s breathing changed, catching Yuri’s attention. The Russian Fairy let out a cute little whine, catching Viktor’s attention.

“I’m falling asleep…” he mumbled.

“You are, Yurochka,” Viktor said softly. “Would you like me to turn off the television?”

Yurio considered the offer to sleep through the night in the older skater’s bed with them.

“Mmm, no,” he mumbled, struggling to sit up. “I’ll go sleep on the couch.”

Slowly, the three made their way out to the couch, Yuri bringing the thermometer with him.

Viktor simply sat down on the couch with Yurio, confusing him a bit, but Yurio was so dazed that nearly everything was unexpected today. Yurio let Viktor pull him into his lap, holding him princess style. He kissed Yurio’s cheek.

“We’ll just take your temp real quick, da? Then you can sleep and we won’t bother you,”

Yurio nodded and mumbled something sleepily. He lifted his arms as Yuri helped him out of his shirt. The boy could barely keep his eyes open.

Yuri turned on the thermometer and placed it in Yurio’s hairless armpit.

Viktor snuggled into Yurio, almost rocking him with his gentle motions in attempt to comfort the feverish child before he fell asleep.

Yuri was a bit surprised and almost requested that Viktor hold him still so they can get an accurate reading, but he didn’t. Yurio seemed to need the affection.

As badly as Yuri wanted to have sex with Viktor, part of him wasn’t sure it was right to have Yurio sleep out on the couch. He looked like he needed more attention than that.

“Are you sure that you’re alright to sleep out here tonight?” asked Yuri. “It’s no bother if you want to share the bed with Viktor.”

“I want to sleep on my own,” Yurio murmured. “Viktor snores too much.”

Yuri couldn’t help but smile, confident now with such an honest answer that Yurio actually did want to be on the couch.

Viktor’s nose was running. Yuri quickly went to get a tissue for his fiance’s itchy nose.

“Thanks,” Viktor took the tissue graciously so he could blow his nose, and Yuri used the excuse of him being up and standing to take the tissue back from him and throw it away.

Viktor removed the fussing thermometer and read it, his eyebrows furrowing.

“Yuri, do you think this is accurate?” he asked, passing the thermometer to his fiance.

Yurio looked a little confused.

“Is it bad?” he asked.

Yuri felt Yurio’s neck and forehead.

“It might really be 102.6…” Yuri said nervously, his eyes darting back and forth between the Russians.

Viktor carefully studied Yurio, trying to evaluate his condition, and Yuri added the boy’s temperature to his notes with the time. He made a little noise and quickly minimized the app when he thought he saw Viktor notice the screen. Yuri was still a bit embarrassed by his interest to be able to advertise to Viktor that he keeps a cute little record whenever he’s come down with a cold. Yuri hoped that Viktor hadn’t noticed. It was a bit weird that he found it this way. He was absolutely not thinking of it sexually towards Yurio at all, even if he was using the adorable document for him, too. It was only because it was convenient and a good way for him to help look after the Russian Punk. He was sure Viktor would believe him on that, though. ANYONE would if they noticed how much more detailed his notes on Viktor were.

Viktor looked deep in Yurio’s eyes, unsure on what exactly was the right thing a parent should do.

“Maybe I should double check,” Viktor suggested uneasily.

“Viktor, no, don’t make me,” Yurio shook his head and sniffled, looking absolutely miserable. “Please just let me sleep and see how I feel in the morning.”

“Shoosh,” Viktor kissed Yurio’s forehead lovingly and spoke softly into his ear. “I never want to put you through anything you aren’t alright with, precious kitten.”

Viktor pulled away and looked back into Yurio’s tired, sick eyes.

“Just be sure to let me know if you want to go to the hospital,”

Yurio nodded.

“Goodnight, Yurochka,” Viktor kissed Yurio’s hair.

“Goodnight,” Yurio sniffled.

“Get me if you want medicine or start feeling worse, or if you just can’t sleep,” instructed Yuri, stroking the blonde’s cheek.

He sniffled again in response and grabbed a tissue.

“Where’s my cat?” asked Yurio.

“I’ll go find her,” promised Yuri, looking around. He found her on a shelf and reached up, scooping her up under her arms. The cat meowed as Yuri brought her to his chest and carried her to Yurio.

The sick boy smiled upon hearing the meow, and Viktor covered him up with a few blankets.

Yuri carefully sat the cat down on Yuri’s chest, not wanting her to accidentally scratch him. She walked in a few small circles before curling up, purring.

“Sleep well,” Yuri said softly, swiping up the thermometer before taking Viktor’s hand and walking back to their room.

Viktor stopped in the doorway, turning back to look at Yurio. He looked like he was having a bit of trouble breathing, but he also seemed as if he would at least be asleep any minute now, no longer bothered so much by his symptoms.

Yuri stopped to watch over the boy with Viktor for a few seconds before turning off all of the lights and closing them both into a locked bedroom.

“Viktor, I’m worried,” sighed Yuri, touching his lovers’ chest.

“I am, too,” Viktor took Yuri’s hands.

“You know, you make a really attentive parent,” Yuri blushed, guiding Viktor back to bed. “It’s very impressive. And attractive.”

“Oh?” Viktor raised his eyebrows and laid down on his side, facing Yuri. He ran his thumb over the top of Yuri’s hand.

“You went above and beyond, too, you know,” Viktor pointed out.

“No, I didn’t,” Yuri blushed and looked away. “I’m just impressed that I haven’t cried. I want him back to his normal, sassy self. It’s cute when you get this calm and it alerts me that you’re not feeling well, but I suck at this whole taking-care-of-a-sick-kid thing. I don’t know how to comfort him.”

“You brought the kitten his kitten, which he COMPLETELY depends on and would be a mess with out, AND you went to the trouble of picking up medical equipment since you were stressed with very little to back up your worry about him having an ear infection. I’m amazed that you were even able to buy the device. You usually make me handle purchasing things like tissues, condoms, and antihistamines so it surprises me that you were able to get it,”

“Well, it’s a lot easier when it’s for the kid,” Yuri blushed. “I wasn’t really thinking of it like that. If it was for you, yeah, I’d probably be pretty embarrassed, but I just wanted to make sure your kid didn’t have another problem that I could potentially help with…also, I might have felt a little better about how spacey he’s been if I knew it wasn’t the fever and was that he just couldn’t hear me…maybe…I don’t know…maybe that would’ve been worse…” Yuri sighed.

“His temperature is too high, though,” pointed out Yuri. “We’re responsible for him. We need to bring his fever down, but we’re doing the opposite of reducing it.”

“His body’s trying to fight it off pretty hard,” Viktor reasoned, grabbing Yuri’s hand and bringing it to his stomach. “This is an awful flu! It hurts. My head and muscles were bad enough, but now my stomach is aching.”

“Aww,” Yuri smiled as Viktor pouted. He grabbed Yuri’s hand and brought it to his stomach.

“It hurts, Yuri,”

Yuri kissed Viktor’s forehead.

“I know. I’m trying to help you get over this as quick as possible,”

“So, let me see that cute thing you had on your phone. What is it?” Viktor’s face lit up as Yuri’s reddened.

“The..?”

“The cute sick thing!”

“Oh…well,” Yuri fumbled on his phone. “I was just keeping notes on how you two were doing,”

“Wow! How do you read such little kanji on your phone screen?” Viktor squinted at the phone as he mispronounced his Japanese. “I guess you can zoom, but that’s so tiny! How do even type those things?” Viktor started looking through Yuri’s files even though he couldn’t read them. Opening up a packed spreadsheet, Viktor grinned and pointed to himself.

“Is that about me? It’s about me, isn’t it?”

“Yeah,” Yuri smiled.

“Oh my gosh, you write down every time you check my vitals,” Viktor beamed, feeling very well cared for. “I don’t remember you taking this temp, tho. I thought that was when I napped? I think you have the time wrong.”

“Uh, no…” said Yuri. “I came in and took your temperature while the two of you were asleep.”

“Such dedication!” Viktor brought his hand to his face in surprise, and then he pointed at the phone screen “What’s that part about?”

“That’s just notes,”

“Well, what’s that note?”

“Ah-h…” Yuri considered not reading what he wrote, but even though he was blushing, he went ahead and told his fiance the intimate words. “Lots of really wet, adorable sneezes. 3 got on me. Viktor’s stunningly pale.”

“And what’s in this column?”

“Oh, I use that one for Yurio a lot, too. It’s what kind of medicine I give you two so I can know when to give you more,”

“We’re so lucky you know so much about colds to help make us feel better. We get the best care from you,” Viktor kissed Yuri’s neck, and Yuri laughed.

“Viktor,” Yuri touched his fiance’s neck, “I love you.”

“I love you, too,” Viktor sniffled as Yuri’s hand stiffened up, going back to carefully feel the lymph nodes on Viktor’s neck.

“Viktor,” Yuri sat up. “It’s swollen. Let me feel the other side.”

Viktor sat up, a bit confused at the interruption, letting Yuri touch his neck.

“It’s probably just a normal reaction from this bug…I’ll have to check Yurio’s lymph nodes, too, when he wakes up…”

“What would we do without doctor Yuri~” Viktor buried his face in Yuri’s neck as Yuri blushed. He ran his hand down Yuri’s chest and pressed down on his crotch.

“Ooh~” Viktor excitedly started to unzip Yuri’s pants, only to have to pause, his breath hitching.

Yuri held onto Viktor’s back, his own heart pounding as Viktor sneezed into his neck and let out a wet sniffle.

Yuri felt like he was melting into Viktor through the bliss of it all. He yanked down the fabric around Viktor’s hips and pushed Viktor onto the bed. He was just so WARM. Yuri aggressively kissed Viktor, trying to let out some stress. If anything, at least he could assure that Viktor slept well tonight.

~~

Yuri woke up completely stuffy. Viktor was hanging on him, asleep with his mouth gaping open. Gently, Yuri wiped his fiance’s nose.

Viktor moved a little bit, but he didn’t wake up.

Yuri took a deep breath. He knew he was going to get sick, but he thought it would be in a few days. They must’ve all caught this from the same place.

Trying to wake up, Yuri squinted at his phone with one eye open, even though he had the brightness turned all the way down. He looked through Instagram, seeing a post from last night of a selfie of Viktor and Yurio. Yurio was flipping the bird, but definitely posing for the photo. Viktor titled it,

“We’re sick :(“

Yuri took a screenshot and tried to see if he could attach it to his spreadsheet for Viktor, using the tool like a damn scrapbook. He wondered if the person who made the document created it for the same reasons Yuri used it.

Yuri could hear footsteps coming from the kitchen. He wanted to lie around with Viktor some more, but it was more important that he saw to Yurio’s needs right now, preferably without waking his fiance. If Yurio wanted medicine, he might knock on their door. That’s what Yuri tried to get across that he expected, although Yurio seemed the type to try to be independent over waking them or risking walking in on them.

Yuri didn’t bother with a shirt before going to check on the teenager. He shivered as he walked out into the living room. He often found the apartment chilly, but this was rather extreme.

“Hey, Yurio. How are you feeling?”

“I’m not convinced that I didn’t die in my sleep,” Yurio said in a pathetic, stuffed up voice as he poured cat food into the bowl. The fluffy kitty at his feet excitedly stuck her face in the bowl as soon as he started to dump the container.

“Well, I can get some pills to help you manage. Can I talk you into eating something with them?”

“No way in hell,” said Yurio, pressing a tissue to his runny nose.

Yuri felt Yurio’s neck, wondering if his glands were swelling like Viktor’s. He realized he should probably check his own, too, but fortunately, it didn’t seem like it was a problem for the blonde.

“I’m not sure feeling my temperature will work when you’re catching it,” Yurio raised an eyebrow.

“Oh, you noticed?”

“Yeah,” Yurio nodded.

They heard a huge sneezing fit from the other room.

“That probably woke him up,” commented Yurio.

“Yeah, 3 is the most he can sleep through,” said Yuri, moving on his feet nervously and blushing. “I’ll be back with your meds in a minute. I’m going to go check on him.”

Yurio sipped on a glass of water, disinterested.

Yuri turned on the fireplace before slowly opening the door to Viktor’s bedroom, not wanting to wake him up if he was still asleep.

“Yuri, you missed it,” Viktor sniffled, holding a tissue to his face.

“Yeah, I did,” Yuri laughed, sitting down on the edge of the bed. “Yurio is up and walking around, but he’s not feeling too good. How are you doing?”

“I need medicine,” said Viktor before going through a second tissue. “You look like you do, too.”

“Yeah, but I’m not in much pain yet. I just feel off,” said Yuri. “So don’t worry about me too much. I can still take care of both of you.”

“Well, I think we’re all dying for some relief so it’s time to take both of my Yuri’s temperatures,” suggested Viktor. “Then we can sort out pills.”

~~

Viktor seemed to have a bit of fun waiting on Yuri whenever he wasn’t TOO dizzy himself. He heated up his fiance some soup, happy to make him something, even if it was minimal effort.

Yuri had a few sips, but it felt so hard in his stomach that he didn’t want more, even though Viktor was going to the trouble to take care of him. He wondered if his fiance was starting to get into enjoying caretaking when he has a cold like he does for Viktor.

“Eat up, little piglet,” ordered Yurio.

“Don’t tell me that,” laughed Yuri. “You’re one to talk,”

“I usually don’t eat much,”

“Well, I can’t do much more than this for now,” Yuri smiled weakly.

“Huh, pork cutlet bowl? You really won’t eat? You can eat the whole bowl,” Yurio scoffed.

“I wouldn’t recommend that on your belly right now, though,” said Viktor, swooping in and reaching over Yuri to touch his stomach. He pressed his cheek up against Yuri’s.

“Only eat what you feel like. I just want you to eat some so you’ll feel a little better, and it looks like that’s exactly what you did,” said Viktor. “Sometimes I go without eating and don’t even realize it. It can be frustrating when I remember that food could help and not much seems to change, but it’s so lovely when I eat just a little and suddenly have more than enough energy back to get me through the day,”

Despite telling Yuri he could stop, Viktor took the spoon from Yuri’s hand and held some broth to his fiance’s lips.

“Want just a little more?” he asked. He was so close to Yuri that he could feel the heat from Viktor’s face.

Yuri opened his mouth and let Viktor feed him.

~~

“Yuri~” Viktor moaned, lying in bed on his stomach. “I need a massage.”

“Ah, okay,“ Yuri got to Viktor’s side and put his hands on his hot skin, squeezing his bare back with his strong hands.

Viktor wished that Yuri would beg for things like he did. Yuri didn’t like to verbalize his needs, so Viktor had to decipher what his fiance would like with the added fog of cold medicine making things more difficult.

Yuri could feel Viktor tense up under his hands. He paused and just enjoyed the feeling as Viktor sneezed.

“Mmm…” Viktor whined and sniffled, grabbing a partially used tissue that he left on the bed and pushing it to his pink nose.

Yuri was so sleepy that he was getting lost in thought, just enjoying sharing a cold with Viktor. Suddenly, the fever brought back his anxiety even stronger than usual.

Viktor’s child was miserably ill in the other room and they weren’t doing anything about it.

Of course, that was the opposite of true, they’d been giving him plenty of attention and monitoring how he was doing, but at the moment, yes, he was alone. And suffering from a temperature of 102.7 that wouldn’t come down even WITH Yuri bringing out alternating doses of Tylenol and Advil every few hours so this wouldn’t become an emergency situation. Yurio hadn’t eaten in 16 hours, his nose was rubbed red and his stomach HURT.

Viktor said that Yurio didn’t bitch about pain much. This had to be awful to make him act like that. Yuri’s stomach was only starting to bother him, but Viktor was whining incessantly.

“Thank you, Yuri,” Viktor pulled away from Yuri’s massage. “It’s almost noon.”

“Oh, god. Yurio’s going to be due for another temperature check,” Yuri stood up a little too quickly, grabbing the bed for support.

“Yuri, don’t move that fast,” Viktor looked worried.

Yuri took a deep breath.

“Sorry. I just felt like I was in a rush,”

“There’s no rule that we need to take his temp every hour,” explained Viktor, holding Yuri’s hands. “It just seemed like a smart plan since he’s feeling so awful this morning. I don’t want anything bad to happen to him.”

“If his temperature does get higher, what could we even do?” asked Yuri, upset.

“Ask family for advice and if it comes down to it, rush him to a hospital,” Viktor said calmly, stating the facts.

“My mom said we were doing everything right,” Yuri whimpered.

“Hey, hey, don’t get so worked up, alright?” Viktor nervously rushed to Yuri, stroking his hair. “Let me go check on him. You calm down and drink some tea.”

“Okay,” Yuri sniffled and grabbed a tissue, nodding frantically.

“Maybe a bath would help. I’ll suggest it to him,” Viktor told Yuri.

“I don’t know, maybe,” said Yuri. “It can’t be too cold, though.”

“It won’t be. Just some room temperature water to clean him up,”

“Alright,” said Yuri letting a small sneeze into a tissue. He doubled up layers of blankets by folding over what was already on the bed.

Viktor walked into the living room and pulled one of the blankets off of the sweaty little punk.

“That’s probably a bit too much warmth, da?” Viktor raised an eyebrow.

“I’m freezing,”

“I know,” sniffled Viktor. “Let me see how high your fever is. It should break any moment now.”

“Either that or give me brain damage,” bitched Yurio, taking off his sweater. “Viktor, everything aches.”

“For me, too,” Viktor agreed, turning on the thermometer and sticking it under Yurio’s arm. Yurio folded his arm over his stomach and continued to whine,

“Why did I have to get to sick? I’d understand if it was just you, but I keep my body in top physical form,”

“It happens to everyone,” Viktor shrugged off the idea.

Yurio was completely used to getting his temperature taken now and wouldn’t even protest. Viktor actually preferred getting shoved away when he came at Yurio with the thermometer. This was weird. He didn’t even have to ask the kid to undress.

“I wish you weren’t sick,” Viktor ran his fingers through Yurio’s messy hair. “I’d make you better this second if I could. Perhaps we could try a little bath and see if that brings your temperature down.”

“I’ll do anything,” Yurio’s eyes went wide as he sighed.

“Is your fiance getting worse?” asked Yurio.

“A bit,” said Viktor, slightly surprised that the Russian punk was concerned. “But I offered to check on you. He started to get up to take your temp himself.”

“Ah,” sniffled Yurio. “He’s been kind.”

“He cares about you, too,” Viktor noticed Yuri’s cup sitting out. “Is that the same glass you’ve been on since the start of the day?”

“I don’t know, probably,”

“You need to drink more water,” Viktor spoke sternly.

“Stop nagging me,” mumbled Yurio. “I feel like shit.”

The thermometer started to go off, so Viktor took it.

“Well, it hasn’t changed…” the older man announced.

“Big surprise,”

“I’ll start a bath,” offered Viktor.

He got the tub filled about halfway before coming back for Yurio.

“Yurio? It’s ready,”

Yurio stood up slowly; dragging his feet as he dizzily made his way into the bathroom and stripped. He uneasily climbed into the bath.

“I miss the hot springs,” said Yurio.

“Those were nice, weren’t they?” smiled Viktor. “We’ll take you back with us to Japan sometime off season.”

“Thanks,” Yurio sniffled.

Viktor slowly sat down on the tile floor and picked up a washcloth.

Yuri gave him a slightly surprised looked when he started to wash his face for him, but he didn’t object. He relaxed, enjoying having Viktor massage his sore muscles with the cloth.

Viktor turned his head away to sneeze.

After he got the sweat off of the child he moved on to his hair. All of this movement while sitting on the hard floor was really getting to his back, but Viktor knew that in all honesty it would probably hurt his body to do this for Yurio even if he wasn’t also running a temperature.

Viktor stretched a bit before rinsing Yurio’s hair.

As Viktor started to wash under Yurio’s arms for him, the frail boy shivered.

“Let’s get out now,” suggested Viktor, grabbing the edge of the tub. He was lightheaded and his feet felt heavy. He took a few small steps as he tried to get his body to cooperate. He reached for the sink and used it as leverage.

Yurio, noticing the struggle, started to stand up and softly said,

“Thanks,”

“Of course, Yurochka,” Viktor smiled at the gratefulness and reached for Yurio’s hand to help him out of the bath. Viktor was willing to help Yurio get dressed, but he hoped that he’d start to do it on his own. Viktor put his hand on his waist and shifted his weight uncomfortably, trying to gently stretch.

Yurio started to slip into a fresh pair of briefs, and Viktor sighed. It would be so much more painful for him if Yurio couldn’t take care of himself as they made their way back to the couch.

“Do you feel any better?” asked Viktor.

“It’s nice to be clean,” said Yurio. “But I feel like I got hit by a truck.”

“Poor baby,” Viktor cooed, and Yurio didn’t even try to hit him for that comment.

“Let me know if I can do anything else,” said Viktor as he covered the skater with a light blanket, stroked the cat and went back to his bedroom.

The cat let out a little trill at him, as if she was thanking him for helping her look after her human.

“Yuri,” Viktor said softly, touching his aching back. “I’m dying. Next bath, I need you to take care of it. I didn’t realize how hard it would be to sit on the floor for that long.”

“If Yurio’s comfortable with that, of course!” Yuri nodded, tending to Viktor’s back. He kissed Viktor’s shoulder blades as he massaged the lower half.

“So selfless of you,” Yuri sniffled.

“I know, da?” said Viktor as he grabbed a tissue. “But it didn’t even seem to help much! His temperature’s been steady all morning…”

“Fuck,”

“Yuri, what language!” Viktor teased. “What would your mother say if she heard you say that~”

“I’m sorry, I’m just stressed,” Yuri shivered.

“Don’t be, that was cute in your voice,” said Viktor slowly toppling over onto his stomach. “I’m so dizzy, Yuri. I feel helpless.”

“It’s alright if you’re helpless,” Yuri sniffled. “I can look after you. Always.”

Viktor grabbed a tissue and blew his nose, letting out a small gasp.

Yuri had expected a bit of protest and a reminder to take care of himself, too, but Viktor was too miserable and feverish to even think about common polite conversation.

“Wow, helping Yurio bathe really wasn’t good for you,” Yuri made a face as he squeezed at Viktor’s skin. “Vitya, you’re so tense.”

“Yuri,” Viktor sounded annoyed. “Don’t call me that.”

“Huh?” asked Yuri. “But it’s cute.”

“It’s what Yakov calls me. And sometimes Lilia. Not my soon-to-be husband,”

“Oh, I guess you’re right. I can see how that could be a bit weird,”

“Very weird,” explained Viktor. “Gross, even.”

“Sorry,” Yuri giggled.

Viktor let out a little noise of complaint.

“You okay?” Yuri lightened up the pressure he was putting on Viktor’s back.

“Sorry, you’re not hurting me or anything, I just…can’t even communicate properly,” Viktor winced, rambling. “I was thinking of how weird I feel and just got uncomfortable and was whining for some reason. I don’t know why this is making me cause so many problems. I wish I was able to help you and Yurio right now, but I really don’t feel up to it…This is horrible…Ugh, whatever. I’m so incapable of anything right now that I feel like a little kid, anyways.”

Viktor’s last sentence sounded drunk almost as he started to fall asleep tugging on Makkachin.

“Viktor…” Yuri couldn’t believe how his fiance was acting.

The dog licked her masters’ face, just barely waking him up. Viktor hovered in and out of consciousness.

Yuri continued working on Viktor’s muscles, concerned that if he kept speaking he’d wake Viktor up more, and the man really needed some rest.

Viktor moaned a bit and then reached out, tugging at Yuri’s sleeve.

Yuri immediately stopped massaging Viktor and made a breathy sniffle as he wondered what his fiance was going to say.

“Yuri, do you think that Yurio wanted to stay in here again today? I love just cuddling with you but having him in here like we kept him yesterday afternoon might make it easier to watch how he’s doing again,” Viktor sounded upset at his perceived misjudgment. “I didn’t even to ask if he wanted to hang out in here. Where’s my head? God, my head hurts~”

Yuri gave Viktor a kiss on the lips. He tried to pretend that he didn’t notice that Viktor has just been smooched by the dog since it slipped his mind until his lips touched Viktor’s.

Viktor yawned and then sniffled, falling into a restless sleep again. He hadn’t thought of any of Yuri’s awkward worries at all.

While Yuri agreed that it was easier to know how Yurio is feeling when being in the same room as him, he knew that the boy didn’t need any more stress as he gets better, so he did NOT need to lay around watching Viktor act like this. Yuri hoped that Viktor wasn’t too ridiculous while he gave him a bath. This was such bad timing for Yurio to want to stay with them. The kid would often get annoyed with Lilia and Yakov and run off to Viktor’s to cool down. It was bratty to just leave after pissing people off, but it kept things from getting worse and Yuri and Viktor really did enjoy having Yurio around.

Viktor started snoring, so Yuri gently covered him with a blanket. If Viktor didn’t need him, he should be helping Yurio. He needed to get that boy to eat. Yuri tried to think up ideas of things they had that would be easy on his empty stomach, but nothing seemed possible. As Yuri stood to leave the bedroom, it occurred to him that he was way too dizzy to be able to make food. Yuri sat down up against the door slowly, start to have trouble breathing. His nose wasn’t helping, but there weren’t any tissues nearby.

Makkachin got out of bed and walked over to the human curiously.

Yuri tried to get a hold of himself and take deep breaths, but he kept going back into the same nervous pattern. Anxiously scratching at his arms, he tried to come up with a solution to keep them all ALIVE. He was worthless. He was the least sick of them all and he couldn’t do anything. Yurio had a higher fever than both of them, and Viktor was sore and dazed. Yuri thought that reasonably that made their health his responsibility. Why was Yurio’s fever so high? He’s a healthy kid! Where did Yuri fuck up? Yuri was crying now, and his nose kept running. He needed a tissue, but he was too dizzy to stand. Breathing heavily, Yuri continued to worry and blame himself. Viktor was behaving strangely because he let him get so sick, and he couldn’t even provide food for them! Plus, with Viktor stiffer than usual, Yuri couldn’t help but dwell on one of his major worries, why was Viktor always so sore to begin with? He didn’t used to have so much trouble moving, but it’s just so OBVIOUS to Yuri that he’s struggling now when he watches his fiance try to help him with part of his eros routine.

Yurio seemed USED to understanding Viktor’s intentions when he gives him a vague idea of his vision by having Yurio follow along with him on the ice. Yurio can guess and make the grand gestures Viktor doesn’t at this point.

Viktor just does flashy moves that cover up that he either doesn’t make shoulder extensions anymore or has to do them very, very slowly, and this bothers Yuri to no end.

“Yuri?” Viktor started to wake up. “Yuri, where are you?”

“Vi-viktor,” Yuri took a quick breath, covering his running nose with his hand.

Viktor sat up quickly, worried.

“Yuri, are you hurt?” he asked, rushing to Yuri’s side and helping lift him up under his arms. “What happened?”

It took Yuri a minute before he was able to speak. He took a tissue from Viktor.

“I fucked up,”

“What happened, love?” Viktor looked in Yuri’s eyes. This was so confusing. Viktor had no idea what was going on.

“I can’t take care of you two,” Yuri cried. “You’re both doing horrible and there’s NOTHING I can do!”

“Shoosh, Yuri. You’ve been doing wonderful. Maybe you should get some rest yourself now, da?” Viktor pleaded, hoping he was doing the right thing. He sneezed as Yuri hiccupped and tried to speak.

“Viktor, I’m nothing without you,” Yuri buried his head in Viktor’s neck, clinging to him.

Viktor didn’t know what to do but rub Yuri’s back.

“I’m useless. I’m not here when you need me. We’ll all end up dead,”

“Yuri, that’s ridiculous,” said Viktor, having trouble believing that he even heard his fiance correctly. “Why are you so worried?”

“I can’t live without you,” said Yuri. “But I worry about you all the time. I really do want you to be healthy, I really, really do.”

“Things will be fine soon,”

“They won’t,” Yuri sniffled. “I see how you hold yourself now. I’m worried that there’s something wrong with you.”

“Yuri, no, don’t think about that. We’ve looked into what we can for now and as far as we know, things will be alright if I just take it easy like I have been. What set you off to get you so hung up over this, Yuri? What did I do?”

“You two are so sick,” Yuri hiccupped, pulling away to grab a tissue and blow his nose. “It worries me. Honestly, you’re going to starve at this rate. I can’t even make food.”

Viktor could hardly keep up with this conversation. His fiance’s anxiety was bringing it everywhere.

“Yuri, we’re not going to starve. I can just order food. Would you like that? Are you hungry?” Viktor asked, hoping this might change the subject.

“No, but Yurio needs to eat,” Yuri gasped through his tears.

“So we’ll make him eat,” Viktor insisted.

“It’s not that easy!”

“Yuri, I can make him eat,” Viktor promised. “Trust me.”

“I do trust you, Viktor, we’re all just so ill and-“

“And nothing. Maybe taking care of Yurio is a bit too much for us when we all don’t feel well. I’ll call Yakov,”

“We can’t get through life like this!” Yuri looked in Viktor’s eyes, not crying as hard anymore. “How will we ever be able to take care of a baby if we can’t handle this on our own?”

“A baby?”

“Don’t act like that! You’re freaking me out. I know you want kids, too,”

“Yuri, I’m not trying to freak you out. Believe me. My thoughts are just a bit scrambled right now from the fever. I just think that maybe you’re getting ahead of yourself. You’re worrying about things that we don’t have to deal with until we’re ready,”

Yuri took a few quick breaths as his lover wiped away a few of his tears with his thumb.

“Yuri, I don’t want you getting out of this bed for a few hours, understand? I’m worried about you. You’re acting crazy,”

“I am, aren’t I?” Yuri blew his nose as Viktor pet his hair.

“Yes. Please rest,” Viktor smiled.

“Oh, god. I bet you’re right. I probably do need to be on meds. You two don’t need to be dealing with this when you’re sick. What if Yurio heard me? God, I must’ve made things so weird for him,”

“While getting some help should certainly be on your mind, this isn’t your fault. It’s probably just your anxiety mixed with the fever,” Viktor started to lift Yuri’s shirt. “I bet the thermometer will have a reasonable explanation. Just lean back and let me take your temp.”

“A-alright,” Yuri obediently rested back on the pillow, noticing how badly he was shaking.

Makkachin cuddled up with Yuri, so he found a distraction in running his fingers through her fur.

“I’m sorry I’m so fucked up,” said Yuri. “This isn’t how it should be. I want to be taking care of you.”

“Sometimes you also need attention, my dear,” Viktor said as he took Yuri’s temperature.

Yuri looked around the room. Everything was starting to feel normal again. He was home. He was safe. He wasn’t going to just phase through the floor.

Yuri looked down at the climbing number on the thermometer, and Viktor kissed his forehead.

Yuri didn’t know what to say. He was honestly embarrassed.

“I’m sorry,” he said as the thermometer went off.

As Viktor removed the thermometer, damp with sweat, he nodded.

“Yes, this makes sense,” he stated. “100.9. Of course you don’t feel yourself.”

“Both of you still have bigger fevers,” Yuri weakly mentioned, only to be shushed and given a kiss on the lips.

“Relax. I’ll go make Yurio pick something he wants to eat and have Yakov get it and bring it over,”

“Okay,” Yuri took a deep breath. “I love you.”

“I love you, too,”

“You’ll be right back?” Yuri asked nervously.

“I promise,”

~~

Yakov answered the phone, figuring that it was time to bring Yurio back home.

“Yakov, I need you to come over. Me and my Yuri’s are sick,” Viktor sniffled. “We need help bringing Yurochka’s fever down. It’s 102.7.”

“What?!?” Yakov yelled, making Viktor wince and pull the phone away from his face.

“We’re not sure what to do. Can you pick up Japanese food on your way over? He’s willing to eat some rice, and I’m sure something like home will feel good to Yuri. I can text you an order,”

“For the love of god, Viktor,” Yakov grumbled. “Ask for help before it gets this bad. How sick are you?”

“Not as ill, but-“ Viktor cut himself off with a sneeze.

“Alright, alright,” said Yakov. “Don’t strain yourself. I’ll figure it out soon enough when I get there. Is there any medicine I should pick up on my way over?”

“No, we’re set,” said Viktor, sniffling. “Just too dizzy to cook.”

Yakov heard Yuri sneeze in the background.

“I’ll see you soon,” Yakov promised as Viktor comfortingly played with Yuri’s hair.

“Thank you so much. We owe you,”

Yakov hung up and looked for his ex-wife.

“Lilia?” he hollered.

“What is it?”

“I’ll be out for a while. Viktor needs help with the snotty little brat,”

“Honestly, he’s enough of a problem that THEY are calling for help?” Lilia touched her temple. “Those two sit back and laugh about the tantrums they let him throw with a few drinks!”

“I can’t speak to how he’s behaving, but they were calling because he has a high fever,”

“How high?” asked Lilia, her expression immediately changing.

“102.7,”

“Poor dear,” Lilia touched her chest. “Why don’t you just bring him home?”

“They’re all ill,” Yakov grumbled. “Might as well stay and make sure Viktor eats, too. You know he’s like a child.”

Lilia cocked her head, wondering what they should do.

“Let me know if I can help,” said Lilia. “We both know that it’s likely you’ll need me with him that ill,”

Yakov nodded and put on his hat.

~~

Yuri answered the door with a finger to his lips, softly saying,

“Viktor’s asleep,”

“Alright,” Yakov nodded, looking over towards the pale boy on the couch.

Yuri walked with Yakov over to Yurio, sitting down on the floor. The sick Japanese boy leaned his head into the arm of the couch.

“He’s due for ibuprofen in 45 minutes,” Yuri sniffled. “Aside from that, I’m not really sure what to do for him.”

“Hey, Yakov,” Yurio said simply.

Yakov felt Yurio’s forehead, messing up his hair.

“How are you feeling, Yurochka?”

“Awful,” Yurio sniffled. “My head and stomach hurt. I can’t even move.”

“Are you hot or cold?”

“Hot right now,”

“I’ll make a cool compress for your head,” Yakov promised, gently patting Yurio’s arm.

Yuri followed Yakov to the sink, whispering,

“I really don’t know what to do,”

“Is there anything else you can tell me about what’s wrong with him?” Yakov asked as he sat down the takeout. He sounded calm, but definitely concerned.

“He’s…well, this cold is making ALL of us act weird. I just have no clue what I should be doing…” Yuri worried.

“You need to stop fretting and go lie down. I’m here so you can get better, too,” Yakov said sternly.

“Right,” said Yuri, starting to pull the takeout containers out of the plastic bag.

“Stop messing with that,” Yakov slapped Yuri’s hand away. “You don’t need to touch everything. Get in bed. I’ll bring you food soon.”

Yuri looked at Yakov, a bit unsure of if it was okay to rest and let him do all the work. He made a small noise and nodded when he decided to obey.

Yakov sighed. Viktor was probably doing just as horrible as those two.

Yuri got back in bed with Viktor, leaving the door cracked. He listened outside carefully, wondering what Yakov was doing for Yurio that he should know how to do by now, but is still clueless, nevertheless.

When Yakov entered with a plate of food, he came quietly, focused on Viktor.

“Thanks,” Yuri whispered.

Yakov ignored him, feeling Viktor’s forehead for a good 10 seconds before fixing an out of place strand of sweaty hair and touching Viktor’s arm.

~~

Yakov peeked in at the two in their bedroom, and Yuri immediately got out of bed, bringing his plate. He had only picked at his meal. He slipped outside, shutting the door behind him.

“He ate,” said Yakov, seeming a bit relieved.

“Thank god,” Yuri relaxed. “I heard you two yell a bit so I was worried.”

“Well, I had to shout him into the idea. Sorry about that,” grumbled Yakov. “But, in the end, he ate more than I expected.”

“Can I do anything?”

“No,” said Yakov. “I’ll let you know if anything changes with Yuri.”

Yuri noticed that while Yakov was checking on Viktor, he wasn’t paying much attention to him outside of being another caretaker to give information to. Yuri was thankful for this, though. It would be really uncomfortable if Yakov DID check on him.

Yuri didn’t think Yakov was even aware he was still in the room when suddenly Yakov said,

“It’s interesting, isn’t it? How calm Yurochka is?”

“I don’t like it,” said Yuri.

“Neither do I. But it does beat how Viktor acted when he was younger. He couldn’t quit bitching when he’d catch something. Rude boy got frustrated over everything,”

Yuri smiled a little bit.

“Now, go get back in bed. You’re not helping anybody. You’re just being difficult; hurting yourself and making more work for me,”

“Sorry,” Yuri blushed, grabbing a tissue as he went back to the bedroom.

Viktor was sitting up when Yuri came in the room, blowing his nose.

“Yuri,” Viktor moaned. “I feel like I didn’t sleep at all.”

“Well, it was only an hour long nap,” explained Yuri as he cuddled into bed with his fiance and Makkachin. “Yakov brought food. Want me to make you a plate?”

Viktor made some cute indesicive noises before deciding,

“Alright. I should probably try to eat,”

Yuri kissed Viktor’s forehead and went back out.

“Yuri,” Yakov groaned. “I told you to lie down. Stop running around the apartment.”

“Ah-Viktor’s up,” Yuri got a bit nervous upon being scolded. “I was just going to bring him some food.”

“I’ll take care of it,” Yakov waved Yuri away.

“Uh, um-okay, sir,” Yuri looked down at his feet to avoid eye contact before hurrying back to bed.

“Apparently I’m supposed to be lying down, and Yakov can make you a plate,” Yuri blushed, slowly sitting down next to Viktor.

Viktor laughed and held Yuri’s hand.

“I guess you aren’t exactly well enough to look after me, despite your wishes,”

“Yeah,” Yuri blushed even more.

“We’ll make up for it. After Yurio goes back to Yakov’s, we can take a weekend for me to play sick, da?”

“Viktor, Viktor,” Yuri blushed as he threw his arms around his fiance’s neck. “Yakov will be in here any moment. I’d die of embarrassment if he overheard you talking about such an intimate thing!”

Viktor chuckled and pet Yuri’s hair. He liked watching Yuri squirm, especially over something he knew wouldn’t actually end with the punishment of social stigma that Yuri feared.

Yuri jumped off of Viktor as Yakov opened the door. He was completely red, but Yakov didn’t care about what Viktor did with his fiance remotely.

“Vitya, eat this,” Yakov instructed. “You don’t look well.”

“I’m not FEELING well,” Viktor complained, diving in to hug Yakov when he got close enough to try to hand over the plate of heated up food. “Yakov, feel my forehead. This is just dreadful,”

As Yakov touched Viktor’s skin, Yuri felt a pang of jealousy. He was honestly a bit annoyed. Yeah, sure, Viktor had already been used to turning to Yakov for comfort since before they ever met, but Yuri FEEDS off of that shit and Viktor knows that Yuri can’t get enough, even with Viktor indulging him by occasionally feigning illness in the bedroom. The fact that he was seeking relief from someone else seemed rude.

“You have a bad fever, Vitya,” said Yakov, pushing the plate towards Viktor again.

“Thank you,” Viktor sniffled as he took the food. “I’m so glad you came over to help. How’s Yurio?”

“I think he feels a bit less sluggish with the food in him. Seems to have settled his stomach a bit, too,”

“Lovely,” Viktor smiled as Yakov went on his way to get back to the boy. He shut the door behind him.

“Viktor…” Yuri trailed off.

“Hm?”

“Excuse me, but, every single time you seek pity, I want to be the one that gives it to you,”

~~

Eating did not give Viktor energy like it did for Yurio. It simply put him right back to sleep. Yuri went out to the living room to check on the Russian Fairy.

“What do you need, Yuri?” grumbled Yakov.

“I just wanted to check on him while Viktor napped,” said Yuri, sitting on the edge of the couch and petting Yurio’s cat.

“I feel just a little bit better,” said Yurio. “I’m not going to die anymore, at least.”

“His temperature went down 2 tenths of a degree,”

“Oh, thank god,” Yuri gasped, relieved. “How did you do it?”

“What do you mean?” asked Yakov, the expression on his face almost mocking that Yuri thought he had done something out of the ordinary to help the boy.

“I, uh, never mind,” Yuri looked down, trying to get up the courage to ask about Viktor. “So, do you think you could tell me what makes Viktor feel better when HE’S sick?”

Yuri started to blush as he added,

“And I mean everything, like every little detail. Even if you don’t think it’s important, I want to know,”

Yakov leaned back, giving a slight smile. He was only thinking,

“He really is in love. They’re both truly in love,” but his expression made Yuri turn redder. Trying to save himself and honestly only making things worse, Yuri barely spit out,

“T-tell me stories about when Viktor’s felt ill,”

“Well, you might have already noticed this, but always buy more tissues than you think he’ll need,” said Yakov, trying to think. “And he’ll feel better if you help him try to stay pretty. He likes to be clean and shower after the fever makes him sweat, and when his hair was longer, at least, he liked having it kept brushed. You could try to help with things like that. He’s kind of a handful, though.”

“He must’ve been really needy when he was younger,”

“You have no idea,” grumbled Yakov. “As a teenager, he would cling to anyone who didn’t tell him to quit his complaining. He was always receptive to care, though, even if it was necessary to be a bit invasive. He’ll undress, he’ll let you take his temperature, he’ll hold out his wrist to give some blood…just as long as you comfort him and let him yap and take photos. For the most part, Viktor can be cuddled well again.”

Yuri was still blushing a bit, but it was easy to mistake it for a feverish flush. He listened intently, wondering what else he could learn.

“Well, you should get back to bed,” said Yakov. “Viktor might need you.”

“Right, thanks,” Yuri nearly tripped over himself as he stood up, inciting a breathy mocking noise from Yurio. He headed back to the bedroom, shutting the door carefully.

Viktor looked miserable. Yuri couldn’t focus on anything but the noises that were coming out of him. He was full of sniffles, sleepy whines and laboured breathing.

Yuri started to get nervous as Viktor’s breathing suddenly got worse, but then he woke up, his nose running as he coughed a few times. Yuri rubbed Viktor’s back and brought a tissue to his nose.

Viktor made a small noise as he took the tissue and used it.

“When did I fall asleep?” asked Viktor, running his fingers through his hair. His voice was congested.

“Not too long ago,” sniffled Yuri. “I’m not sure if this means you should try to sleep through the night soon, or if you’ll be up spare little naps until the morning.”

“I think I could go to bed soon,” said Viktor, leaning into Yuri. “That would probably be a lot easier for you, anyways.”

“Don’t worry about what’s easier for me,” Yuri frowned. “I’m just worried about you.”

Viktor pressed his forehead up against Yuri’s cheek, sighing.

“Viktor…” Yuri felt Viktor’s neck. “You’re hot. Let me undress you.”

Viktor made a pathetic noise as he sniffled and let Yuri strip him.

“I’m going to take your temperature and get you something fresh to change into,” Yuri promised, kissing Viktor’s nose.

~~

“How are the sick boys?” Lilia asked Yakov in a text. “Exhausting both physically and emotionally, I assume? The high fevers are probably causing multiple kinds of taxing thoughts.” As Yakov was about to reply, the young boy brushing his cat ordered,

“I want more tylenol. My head hurts,”

“It’s not soon enough,” snapped Yakov.

“It’s not that bad to take an extra one,” Yurio argued.

“I said you have to be satisfied with what I already gave you!”

“Yakov,” Yuri interrupted, looking at the older man with teary eyes. “It’s Viktor’s temperature. It’s, like, 102.9.”

Yakov’s mouth gaped open, only making Yuri more worried and sniffly.

“Damn,” said Yurio.

“Okay, why are you horrified?” Yuri started to ramble. “I’m the one that acts like that. You’ve just acted normal worried about Yurio, but you’ve still been in complete control.”

“Yuri,” Yakov squinted. “Are you sure that’s accurate?”

“I-I got an accurate reading, yes,” Yuri blushed and looked off to the side.

“That’s way too high,” Yakov grumbled.

“Yurio was almost that sick all day, though, and he was fine, so Viktor will be okay, though, right?”

“It’s not that things probably won’t be just fine like they usually are,” Yakov tried to explain. “It’s just that as normal as it is to fret over children, I’ve known that Yurochka is a healthy, active teenager and he’ll go back to the way he was before soon enough, even though we came close to a visit to the emergency room. Vitya’s body is already worn down from years of injuries and getting sick only becomes harder for him. We should think about bringing him to the emergency room. He could use to be on a drip. He might have gotten some sort of infection from all of this.”

“He wants to sleep, though,” said Yuri, getting scared. He’d been worried about this for a while; Yakov wasn’t supposed to get worried about it, too!

“He needs to!” agreed Yakov. “But if he gets any warmer, you have to do something about it.”

“Oh, god, like..?”

“Just come to me if his temperature’s changes at all,” said Yakov, giving up on the idea that Yuri would ever be able to make a decision on his own.

“Okay. Good night.” Yuri shuffled off, worried.

He opened the door to find Viktor in bed, touching his face with a pained expression.

“Viktor,” Yuri squeaked, grabbing out a tissue and helping his fiance.

“I feel ill…” Viktor said softly, whimpering a little bit as he shivered.

“Sleep through it,” Yuri begged. He exchanged 3 quick kisses with Viktor as he climbed into bed. Yuri moved down Viktor’s neck, kissing him all over as he got comfortable.

Yuri kissed Viktor’s back and spooned him. His fiance’s breathing started to slow into its regular sleeping pattern.

Yuri was anxious, but somehow the insomnia that usually came with that didn’t come for him. His own fever roughly sent him to sleep.

~~

Yuri peeled away from Viktor, covered in sweat. His hand anxiously shot up to feel his lover’s forehead as he got his bearings as to what time it was. Morning already, and he hadn’t been up to check Viktor’s body temperature at all…

Viktor didn’t feel like he did last night, but Yuri was a bit unsure if he could trust his sense of heat. He was pretty sure his own fever had broken, but part of him still had to worry that he didn’t know what he was doing when it came to Viktor’s health.

Yuri headed out to the kitchen for some water, getting a bit surprised to find Yakov asleep in a chair. Selfishly, he hadn’t really thought about where he’d sleep at all, but it WAS Viktor who insisted he stay over, not him.

Yakov started to wake up as Yuri got water from the fridge.

“You look better,” Yakov’s voice was low and quiet.

“I feel much better. I think our fevers broke. I-uh, haven’t checked yet, though,” Yuri blushed a little. He was planning on waiting until Viktor woke up to even check his own because temperature taking was such a romantic activity to him that he didn’t want to miss out on the full experience they could have before both of their temperatures go back to normal.

“His colour looks better, too,” pointed out Yuri, looking over at Yurio.

“It might be wise to wake Viktor up and give him fever reducer,” mentioned Yakov. “He’ll be able to get back to sleep after you tend to his temperature. It would be good to get a number on that,”

“But what if he can’t get back to sleep?”

“He’ll be able to get back sleep,” Yakov sounded like it would be ridiculous to suggest otherwise. “He’s been falling asleep without trying nonstop, has he not?”

“You’re right,” Yuri smiled weakly and went back to Viktor.

“Honey,” Yuri touched Viktor’s shoulder. “Yakov wants me to take your temperature,”

Yuri started to pull Viktor’s shirt up and off as Viktor slowly moved and sniffled.

“Mm, Yuri…I feel a bit better…”

“Me too, Viktor. I think I’m completely better. I’m so excited to be able to be your nurse again,” Yuri smiled.

“Don’t push yourself, Yuri,” Viktor looked in Yuri’s eyes and frowned as Yuri pushed the thermometer into his fiance’s armpit. Viktor closed his arm tightly on the device.

“Yakov is here,” Viktor pointed out. “You don’t have to do everything,”

Yuri took off his own shirt and climbed over Viktor, kissing his forehead.

“I won’t overdo it,” Yuri promised. “I love you.”

Yuri kissed Viktor again.

“I love you, too,” sniffled Viktor.

Yuri pushed a tissue to Viktor’s nose as the thermometer went off.

“Ah-“ Yuri pulled the thermometer out and read it.

“Oh, thank god,” Yuri rolled over, kissing Viktor’s cheek and hugging him. Viktor returned the affections with a smooch on the lips.

“It’s 101,” said Yuri. “That’s better. I can enjoy you being hot and not worry too much with it like that.”

“What’s your temp?” asked Viktor, stroking Yuri’s face.

“I’m not 100% sure yet,” admitted Yuri.

Viktor sleepily reset the thermometer and gently placed it under Yuri’s arm before cuddling into him, holding his fiance’s arm down tight around the thermometer.

Viktor started to fall asleep.

“Ah, sweetheart. Please stay up for a minute so I can get you medicine,” said Yuri.

“Medicine would be wonderful,” Viktor yawned, slowly pulling out the shared thermometer as it went off.

“Ah, Yuri. That’s much better,” Viktor smiled, kissing his fiance’s forehead.

Yuri sat up and took out some cold medicine for Viktor, letting him swallow it with a sip of Yuri’s glass of water he brought back from the kitchen.

Viktor sleepily mumbled something in Russian and closed his eyes, settling back into the pillow.

Makkachin crawled over to him and got on his chest.

Viktor put his arms around the dog as Yuri gave him a kiss on the forehead. He was thankful to be able to point out to Yakov that it’s natural for temperature to raise at night so he thinks that Viktor had actually been ok, but since he’s at 101 now he didn’t think that Viktor’s fever has actually broken yet.

~~

Yuri felt Yurio’s forehead. Everyone was out in the living room now, and the blonde felt almost normal. Yuri wasn’t even feeling symptoms anymore, but the others had still been sniffling and Viktor was in pain.

“I think I’ll head back to Lilia’s in an hour or so if you don’t need me,” Yakov told Viktor, immediately grabbing Yuri’s attention.

“What?” asked Yuri.

“I’ll head out later today,” said Yakov, assuming Yuri just needed him to repeat himself. “Yuri, do you want to pack up and come with?”

“I don’t care,” said Yurio.

“Then let’s both go home. Allow Viktor to recover on his own without you to worry about,”

“Wait, wait,” Yuri made a nervous noise. “Shouldn’t you both stay here for another day or so?”

“I don’t see why they’d need to,” said Viktor.

Yuri’s heart beat quickly. He was starting to feel confident in his ability to look after Viktor again, but as always, a slight change in routine was completely shattering his sense of boldness. He stood up and walked over to them.

“They both still have runny noses, and I don’t think Viktor’s fever has actually broken. His temp might jump up before he gets better,”

“Well, Yurochka’s temperature HAS broken and I think Viktor’s can handle himself,” said Yakov.

Yuri gave Yakov an unconvinced look.

“Eh, you can at least force him to take care of himself,” shrugged Yakov.

“We’ll be just fine,” said Viktor, adding in a sing-song voice, “~on our own~”

“I want updates about Yurio, at least,” said Yuri, worrying even though he genuinely thought that the boy was better off with Yakov and Lilia, anyways.

“I want to know your temperature in the evening and at bed time,”

“I don’t need anyone to take my temperature anymore,” Yurio rolled his eyes and folded his arms.

Viktor and Yakov both looked at each other and smiled. Yurio WAS better.

“I don’t want to worry you, but I really should head back. Lilia’s starting to feel under the weather,” explained Yakov, sarcastically adding, “I sure am looking forward to dealing with that.”

“On second thought, I’ll stay with Viktor,” said Yurio.

“No, you should really go home and leave them. This can be part of your punishment,”

“Aren’t we passed that, though?” argued Yurio. “I’ve suffered enough.”

“No, especially not since you haven’t been home for Lilia to see that your behaviour has actually improved,”

“And his sweetness might be gone not that he doesn’t have a fever hindering his adolescent rebellion,” teased Viktor.

Ignoring him, Yurio told his cat,

“Don’t let her hog you just ‘cause she’s sick. Seriously! You’re my cat, I don’t know why you like her so damn much,”

“It’s because Lilia gives her lots of attention,” smiled Yakov. “She quite likes her grandkitten,”

“Ugh, don’t call her that,” scoffed Yurio, petting the fluffy animal.

Yuri wanted to find some way to just ask Yakov to stay so he didn’t have to go through the embarrassment of begging him to come back, but he couldn’t find a way to suggest it without just forcing the idea on him. Yakov clearly wanted to leave.

Yuri wondered if maybe he could act like a functioning human and not worry so much that he has to control everyone. After a few seconds of deliberation, it was clear what he had to do.

“Yakov, I want you to stay,”

“Yuri, he spent the night here and everyone’s better. Let him go. We can always call him if we need anything,” Viktor reasoned, unsure of why Yuri was so nervous to see them leave.

“Viktor, I’m not okay with that,” Yuri felt the pitch of his voice go up and blushed. He was humiliated with how pathetic he was acting, but he just couldn’t stop. Everyone was staring at him.

“I’m getting the thermometer,” said Viktor.

“I’m not sick anymore,” Yuri blushed harder.

“Yuri, you look unwell,” said Yakov, a bit uncomfortable. “Listen to your fiance.”

“I just…I…” Yuri tried to explain. “Oh, forget it.”

Yuri noticed the Russian punk giving him a side-eye look like he was completely insane.

Viktor came back in the room and pulled out a chair for Yuri, trying to guide him into it.

“Viktor, I-“

“Sit,” Viktor urged, feeling Yuri’s face all over. He was being so pushy that Yuri sat just to appease them and get the embarrassing situation over with faster.

“It’s okay, sweet angel,” Viktor flipped his hand over and continued to feel Yuri’s face. Yuri was so shaky and nervous. He stared at Viktor wide-eyed, glancing around the room at Yakov and Yurio’s reactions as Viktor continued to coo,

“Relax and let me take care of you,” With the hand holding the thermometer, Viktor reached underneath Yuri’s blue sweatshirt.

Yuri was ashamed to get his temperature publically taken. Viktor pushed the fabric of his fiance’s sweatshirt out and away from his skin before clicking the button on the thermometer on and forcing the tip under his arm.

“Viktor, this feels a bit inappropriate,” Yuri looked towards the floor. He knew Viktor was acting in a completely innocent and vanilla way, but it just felt so sensual.

Viktor’s eyes widened.

“Oh! Well dear, you’re safe and don’t actually need the privacy, but I understand what you mean,” Viktor raised his eyebrows and smiled weakly as he took the thermometer back out and removed his warm hand from Yuri’s skin. He gazed into his soon-to-be husband’s eyes and suggested,

“I can retake your temp. In bed,” Viktor raised his eyebrows again.

Suddenly, Yuri sneezed. He thought he wasn’t doing that anymore. This wasn’t helping his case that he wasn’t actually sick, but he was partially wishing that he never argued against that to begin with. He didn’t want Yakov to know it was actually his anxiety causing this.

“Aww, you have such an AWFUL cold. Poor thing,” Viktor put his arm around Yuri as he guided him back to bed.

“Viktor, you’re making it worse!” whispered Yuri. “I don’t need my temperature taken! I’m much better!”

“Hush little piglet and listen to what I say,” Viktor said at a normal volume. Yuri blushed harder.

“It’s better if you listen to me when you’re sick da?” Viktor pretentiously smiled and pressed his finger to Yuri’s lips, fully getting across the concept that he didn’t want any more backtalk.