#and then i decided i want to draw yura so i was like 'unfortunately for everybody i will be drawing somebody far worse'

[77ngiez]

yura i drew while on call with my beloved

[sashimi-time]

Completed Romance Manga/Manhwa/Manhua Recommendations (2)

I had more to recommend, and I couldn't add anymore pictures to the other post, so here's part 2! Let me know what you think! And your suggestions, if you have 'em!

Ghost Wife (135 chapters; Webtoon)

Plot (AL): He’s a dark, uber-powerful god-level demon…who’s also really helpful around the house. Welcome to the unique world of Ghost Wife, where an average high school girl can go to sleep with normal teenage problems, only to wake up and find herself married to an over-protective demon with a creepy smile and an appetite for live cats.

Notes: I actually read this a long time ago now, but I do remember enjoying it a lot. I would wait for the next chapter very eagerly. It's cute, and I think it has a good balance between romance and horror, you know? Though, it's not really horror horror, if you get what I mean. I guess it's more creepy than scary?

Miss Abbott and the Doctor (173 chapters; Webtoon)

Plot (AP): Doctor Andreas Marino loves his quiet life, filled with work and simple amusements, and when the strange Miss Abbott arrives in his town he decides he doesn't like her at all. Unfortunately she's funny and quirky, has an uncommon past, and seems to enjoy getting him in trouble.

Notes: Holy shiz, this one is absolutely. freaking. adorable. I highly recommend. All the characters are interesting and entertaining. Plus, I think the art is really cute. I loved reading about Andreas and Cati and all the shenanigans they get caught up in. If you're looking for something light and sweet and funny, then I swear, this is for you!

Light and Shadow (103 chapters; Lezhin and Tappytoon)

Plot (AP): It’s a rude insult when lowly and headstrong servant Edna comes to marry Duke Eli, instead of the noble daughter he expected. But the ambitious maid hides an even bigger secret behind her obvious ruse – one that could change the kingdom’s very history. Can the two find freedom, redemption – and love – without drawing their swords on each other? Based on the hit novels.

Notes: It's really good! I think the story is amazing and the art is great. Definitely something you should read at least once if you haven't yet!

Daytime Star (Webtoon; 72 + 5 Side Stories)

Plot: A struggling, no-name actress of seven years, Yura Hwang. She barely lands a minor role in a movie that’s bound to be a success. A celebrity’s celebrity, Seunghyeon Kang, keeps running into Yura, who always seems to be shedding tears every time he comes across her. As these two reunite in the new movie, “Time,” will Yura finally seize the moment to make her name known? And will Seunghyeon figure out why he can’t get Yura out of his mind? Only time will tell.

Notes: So, ohmygosh. To be honest, the first thing that caught my attention with this manhwa is the art. I MEAN, HAVE YOU TAKEN A LOOK AT IT? IT'S PERFECTION.

And then I started reading it. And let me tell, I fell in love. I was hooked from the beginning until the very end. Yura is such an amazing female lead! I loved every bit about her. Also, raise all the ramance flags for our boi Seunghyeon, who made me swoon so much it was insane. Yura and Seunghyeon forver, my friends! Three cheers for this couple with their very healthy relationship!

Other than that, all the other characters are super adorable and lovable as well! You can't hate anyone in this! Except, of course, for the shitty ex. Of course, I also have to give my praise to both Jingyeong and Gwangsu, the managers of our two superstars. I loved the relationship each had with Yura and Seunghyeon. It was very fun to read about!

So if you want to read something light, heartwarming, and swoon-worthy with 101% amazing art, this one is for you~

Three Lifetimes (Tapas; 82 Chapters)

Plot: Juju fell in love with Jin Lei, the God of War, at first glance. The problem is, he doesn't seem to know she exists.

Determined to sweep him off his feet, she accompanies him down to the mortal realm as he takes on three trials to attain greater divinity. However, in those three lifetimes that are given to them, will she be able to make him love her back?

Notes: To be honest, I don't know. Lols. HOWEVER, I'm sure I loved it. The drawing of some of the sceneries is pure art, and the characters are absolutely adorable! Story wise…hmm. It was a really short read (for me, I binged it in a day lol). Some parts (for me) felt a bit rushed? But in a way that's okay? Like, it works? I do love the story between Jin Lei and Juju tho. They're really adorable in all three lifetimes, even if the third one made me cry so many tears at 1 AM. HAHAHA. I guess I would have loved it if there were more scenes of the two of them as deities, ya know? It's based on a novel, so I think I'll try reading that! But overall, if you want a cute, romantic read, you can try this one out! The romance is pretty straight forward, so there aren't any love triangle issues and misunderstandings to get annoyed about. Hehe. If you've read this before, please let me know your thoughts!

Marry My Husband (58 Chapters + 10 Side Stories; LINE Webtoon)

Plot: When Jiwon, a 37-year-old cancer patient, walks in on her husband and best friend, she realizes her whole life has been a lie. What’s worse, she dies a tragic death at the hands of her husband. Would things have been different if she had made different choices? Fortunately for Jiwon, she is given the chance to rewrite her fate when she is reincarnated as her younger self. This time, she vows to live a happy life. But first comes revenge. Her plan? To marry off her now former best friend to her lying, cheating husband.

Note: You know, I never get tired of reincarnation or regression stories. Plus points if there is face slapping involved and revenge! Things this manhwa provides! I absolutely loved reading this. I got hooked straight away! I remember eagerly awaiting each newly translated chapter in Webtoon and staying up late just to binge it lol. If it's not obvious yet, I loved the story. Jiwon is a total queen once she regresses, and I absolutely enjoyed reading her plan for her revenge on her so-called best friend. You got to hand it to the author though, for creating such an interesting antagonist with Sumin! Like, damn. Her mind works in interesting ways, and as much as she pissed the hell out of me, it was very fun to read her thought process and reactions. Minhwan is just an asshole. There's not much to say… I liked Ji-Hyuk. Maybe I'm just a sucker for male leads like him. Lol. But he's a total green flag! I enjoyed reading about him and how he did his best to help and support Jiwon. It was also very entertaining to see him try to win her over. And then the twists! Like, damn. To be honest, the twist surprised the hell out of me. It was new, and damn, it made me cry a lot of tears??? HAHAHA I enjoyed reading until the end. Though I have to say that some of the side stories bored me haha. Anyway, I loved the story and the characters, and I am most definitely excited to watch the drama adaptation once it's complete! Highly recommend that you try reading this!

ALSO, I JUST FOUND OUT THIS WAS A NOVEL ADAPTATION?? WUT

Saving My Sweetheart (129 Chapter + Side Stories Ongoing; Tapas)

Plot: Despite being the daughter of the Holy Empire’s most revered divine leader, Leticia is rumored to be a ruthless, bloodthirsty tyrant. The thing is…none of the rumors are true! After years of living as her vindictive mother’s scapegoat, Leticia is ultimately cursed to die if she doesn’t kill her beloved husband, King Ditrian, with her own two hands. But when the clock miraculously resets to mere days before their wedding, she gets a second chance to save not only Ditrian, but his entire kingdom. This time, will the world recognize the real Leticia before it’s too late, or is history doomed to repeat itself?

Note: I absolutely loved the plot for Saving My Sweetheart! It's not your typical reincarnation/revenge plot. Ditrian and Leticia are such a perfect couple. It was super fun watching them both grow and overcome all the obstacles that came their way. Also, I love all the side characters in this! They all had their distinct personality, flaws, and quirks, which makes you love them all the more. Plus, I have to say that the antagonists in it were written exceptionally well, too! I really dislike them. :D They did a good job being antagonists. Lol. All I can say is (as if I haven't said enough), this is something everyone should try reading at least once! It won't disappoint! (The art is hella cute, too, so that's a huuuuuge bonus!)

[plotmaster]

Aria: Stammi Vicino, Non Te Ne Andare (5/9)

An update has happened!

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4

Questa storia che senso non ha / This story that makes no sense 

The strains of a violin fill the air of the mansion.

Yuuri sits in rapt attention as Victor’s fingers, splayed on the bow, draw back and forth in measured strokes on the instrument, while a humming melody from his mouth at the same time. It’s short — only just over a minute long, but the song itself is...

Wistful. Yuuri’s heart aches as he watches Victor’s body mirror the draw of his bow, the calculated press of strings, cutting a lonesome figure in the Lavender Room. The sun pours in behind him, casting him in a deep silhouette of a violinist in the middle of his performance, the music resonating so deeply that Yuuri feels like it is a song that he has heard for the past six hundred years.

It’s only just a little over a minute long in this incomplete state that Victor has insisted on showing Yuuri. Victor mouths words as he plays the violin tucked under his chin, his eyes lost in refining the timing of his bow. Yuuri can’t make out the lyrics, but Victor’s expression is so vulnerable that he almost doesn’t want to know.

Between the creaks of wood in Victor’s fingers and his expression and the melody winding through the room, Yuuri feels strangely pleased, but also somewhat discomfited. The song is for him, composed about him. It’s beautiful and original and unique - yet the way Victor plays it is like he’s putting his whole being on display for Yuuri to see, explicitly for Yuuri to hear. It’s the equivalent of Victor baring his heart to Yuuri without a second thought, without Yuuri’s prompting, and that sort of closeness makes something in Yuuri’s own heart twist.

“So what do you think?” Victor asks, pausing his playing. He rests his violin on the table, puts his bow next to it, rubbing his knuckles. Part of Yuuri wants to reach out to him and ask him if he can help soothe the ache, but he grabs the thought and tamps it down behind a benign smile.

“I thought it was beautiful,” Yuuri says.

“It’s not complete, unfortunately, but perhaps over the duration of my stay I will be able to finish it.” Victor’s angle is obvious, his eyes pleading.

Yuuri hums in mock contemplation, though he’d already decided last night what his response to any gift Victor could offer would be. The song is beautiful, and Yuuri wants to hear it in full completion someday. “I don’t know...”

“Not even after what happened last night?” Victor smiles, mouth heart-shaped and eyes closed.

Unbidden, a blush rises on Yuuri’s cheeks. He averts his eyes. “I would have said yes to anything you had offered me,” he deflects. “And not because of what happened last night. I find your company...” he closed his eyes, searching for the right word, “I enjoy your company. I wish for you to stay until you wish to leave.”  

Victor taps his finger to his lips, a gesture that Yuuri knew as one of deep thought. “What if I never wish to leave?” he asks, cocking his hip.

At those words, any pleasant mood that Yuuri has because of the music (because of Victor ) twists into a thin knife and lodges itself right under his heart. He smiles a practiced smile, and turns away, gripping the arms of his chair slightly. “We’ll see about that,” Yuuri says. He stands up. “Thank you Victor, for the song. It is lovely, but it’s high time that I call Yurochka for a late lunch.”

He stalks out of the room with his muscles tight, mind still reeling at Victor’s careless words. Never want to leave? He scoffs to himself. Impossible.

Everyone leaves.

An immortal and a man who wants to stay with him forever? That kind of story makes no sense.

 “That could have gone better,” Victor says to Makkachin. He glances at the door that Yuuri had left through, remembering how quickly the man had shut down. He crouches down to tug Makkachin closer; the poodle whines and licks his nose. “I didn’t think he would react like that .”

Especially after last night; Victor remembers the softness of Yuuri’s lips under his own, the way his eyes had looked, darkened with pleasure, his voice gasping Victor’s name without any composure. They hadn’t done anything other than kiss and grind against each other. Yuuri had been the one to stop first, pressing feather-light kisses on Victor’s shoulder and soothing him with his voice until their arousals had calmed. “No more.” Yuuri’s whisper still haunts Victor’s mind. “This is wonderful, but please — no more.”

That had been that.

Victor gives Makkachin several more indulgent scratches before putting his violin away. Outside the sun shines, but snow falls gently, winter having finally arrived to the region with all her being.

He looks out the window. From here, he can see a fair portion of the estate, including the copse of graves and a frozen-over pond. He squints at the figure there, the bright yellow hair tipping him off that Yuuri’s son is the one out there, skating on the ice in idle circles, cutting patterns into the pond. Victor remembers the acid green of the youth’s eyes yesterday, Yuuri’s sudden reticence after allowing him to stay and makes a decision.

He rummages through his luggage for his own pair of skates, and heads out.

 “May I join you?” a voice breaks Yuri from his reverie, and he instinctively scowls at the person at the edge of the pond.

“We don’t have extra skates,” Yuri snaps, ignoring the silver-haired man and focusing on the ice.

“I have my own.”

“Hah?” Yuri looks up and can’t help but be surprised as the man steps onto the ice, skating shoes laced up. He’s balanced and moves with an assured grace. “What kind of traveler carries skating shoes around?” Yuri asks doubtfully.

The man does a complicated-looking turn. “The kind that’s been around everywhere!” he says. “They’re dreadfully useful for travelling around the North, you know?”

“You skate to places?” Yuri can’t believe his ears.

He shrugs. “Safer and faster than walking across frozen bodies of water. I really don’t see why not to.”

“You-” Yuri bites his tongue to silence himself, and skates to the other end of the pond. You’re crazy, he wants to say, but at the same time he doesn’t want to interact with the stranger at all. He’d woken up to violin music, and he knows that Papa would have accepted that as a gift — even though its intangible, worthless. What good is music that only exists in memories?

Even if the stranger is staying, that doesn’t mean Yuri has to like him. He carefully doesn’t look in that direction, focusing on the feeling of the ice under his blades, the singing of metal and frozen water. He’ll ignore the guest until he leaves if he has to.

Unfortunately, it doesn't seem like the odd man himself has gotten the memo that Yuri wants absolutely nothing to do with him. "Is there anything I can do for you?" he asks, skating near Yuri.

"You can go away," Yuri snaps, unable to hold his tongue out of vitriol. To his credit, the guy doesn't balk.

"Is there anything I can do that would endear myself to you, Yuri?" he clarifies. "I'm definitely not leaving."

"Ha?" A spray of ice goes through the air as Yuri scrapes his blades and skids to a stop. "What are you talking about, weirdo?"

There's no change in expression. "I'm going to be staying here," he says, "I'd like to get along with you, Yuri."

Yuri can't help his sneer. "What's it to you?" he demands. "Just ignore me, and I'll ignore you, and we can go on with no problem, got that? No need to worry about endearing yourself to me or any of that shit." He makes to skate away, but-

"I want to get along with you," Victor says quietly, his eyes serious. "If at least because I am to be staying here a while, and this is your home."

"You only care about Papa," Yuri spits. "Don't worry, I don't want you to care about me."

Victor frowns. Yuri can't tell why. "True, I'm here because of your father, but he cares about you very much. I... I have strong feelings for him, but they pale in comparison to what he has for you, so I want to get along with you. Besides, I've done nothing wrong. Why do you hate me so much?"

Yuri bristles immediately. "Nothing wrong?" he snarls, digging his toe pick into the ice, "You being here is wrong."

"Why?" Vi- the weirdo is still calm. Then, an annoying smile crawls over his face. “Oh, are you scared that I’m stealing Yuuri away from you, Yuri?” There’s barely a pause before he continues, “Yuri, Yuuri, your names sound too similar. Should I call you something different? Yura? Yuriy? Oh, what about Yurio-”

Yuri lunges, for him, hands going for the throat - “ Shut up!”

— But Victor dodges, laughing merrily. “That’s not a happy face!”

“What is wrong with you?!” Yuri screeches, fury unbridled now, chasing the man around the pond, his blades shrieking with his anger. “Do you not know when to shut up, old man? I hate people like you!” He manages to snag Victor’s jacket and yank. The smack of Victor’s back against the ice is deeply satisfying.

Victor’s laugh falls off his face, and that is satisfying as well. “People like me, Yura?” he asks, “What do people like me do?”

Yuri senses the tension shift to something he can’t put his finger on. But Victor’s face is serious, strangely so, and if Yuri was in leopard form right now he’d have his hackles raised. Something about Victor feels wrong, all his instincts scream it. “People like you waltz in and make merry with Papa, but then you leave and Papa gets sad every time and I’m the one that sees it! He doesn’t tell me but I see it!” he crouches down to jab a finger in the weirdo’s face. “All of you are pieces of shit- don’t deserve to stay.”

He gets up and heads for the edge of the pond, intent on going back indoors now that he’s made his damn point. “I’m not like them,” the weirdo calls.

“Bullshit!” Yuri shoots back.

There’s a hand on his shoulder, and he smacks it away, but weirdo isn’t offended. “Is there any way I can prove it?” weirdo says, and there’s... something earnest in his voice.

Yuri would love to chase him away from the house, make him regret ever starting Papa on the road to sadness again, but... weirdo is to first in a long time to approach him like this. Ever. Most guests don’t know how to interact with Yuri, avoid him or just see him as an extension of Papa, and that’s always chafed down any respect he has for those that visit. But here wei- Victor is, asking for his opinion. “No,” Yuri answers with finality. He turns to look at Victor. “Nothing you can do to prove it. Only time will tell.”

Victor remains serious. “Nothing at all?”

Yuri... hesitates, looks at his home where Papa is waiting for him. Them? “You can answer some questions,” Yuri decides to say. He glances at Victor. “I don’t trust you to not break Papa’s heart. But if you want me to tolerate you, answer me.” He narrows his eyes, cat-slit thin, “I’ll know if you lie or not.”

Unlike many before him, Victor doesn’t laugh. “Instincts from shifting with a leopardskin so long, right?” his head is tilted slightly to the side. “Okay. Ask away, Yura!”

Yuri bristles at the nickname, but doesn’t let it stall him. “How did you hear about Papa in the first place?”

“Metzrin town.” Victor smiles wryly, “They kept telling me not to come here, and I’ve always been terrible at following orders.”

Yuri scoffs. “They’re all fools,” he mutters, “So, why do you care so much?”

Victor blinks. “What?”

“You heard me,” Yuri snaps, regaining his vitriol. “I’ve seen how you are with Papa. You want to get close to him — you asked to see his inner library. You read his journals. No one reads Papa’s journals.”

“How did you know that?”

“Papa told me that you were in the inner library, and I checked for myself later. Journals weren’t dusty anymore.”

A pause. “I think Yuuri and I are quite alike,” Victor says. “I just want to get to know him better. Is that such a crime?”

There was something off about that line. “You’re hiding something,” Yuri growls, and his hand twitches to grab Victor’s collar to interrogate him. “I don’t like that.”

Victor shrugs. “Let me keep my secrets.” His voice is curt.

Yuri can’t help the way his mouth twists into a snarl, a growl coming out from deep in his chest. “You said ask away, don’t take your words back now!”

“Fine. You can have one more question,” Victor bites out the words, tight-lipped.

“How old are you, and where are you from?” Yuri had of heard neither from Papa. “Papa says you’ve traveled all around the continent, but you’re way too young for that.”

Victor stares at him, blue eyes as companionable as sharp icicles in freezing winter. He smiles. It’s not a kind smile. “That’s two questions.”

Yuri’s ears prick at footsteps approaching. Judging from Victor’s face though, he hasn’t noticed. “Two basic questions. Is there a reason why you can’t say?”

“I’m from...” Victor falls silent for a moment. “... Arus.”

“Yurochka? Victor?” a voice interrupts. Yuri doesn’t bother turning around. “What’s going on?”

“Yuuri!” Victor cries, seriousness turning to excitement in an instant and throws himself at Papa. Yuri draws back to watch, trying to keep the ball of resentment in his chest from lashing out. They land in the snow with an whumpf, Victor laughing and Papa’s expression of stunned shock turning into laughter as well.

“What on earth was that for?” Papa laughs as Victor gets up and pulls him to his feet.

Victor just grins, brushing snow off of himself. “I was just happy to see you!”

Something rises up in the back of Yuri’s mind, watching them like this. Victor is... lively around Papa. Inordinately joyous. And Papa... reciprocates the joy, and touches, in kind. It’s bizarre, unlike any other guest — for Papa to become this open with someone would take at least three months. “Papa, is it lunchtime?” Yuri cuts in on their laughter, snagging his father’s sleeve and looking up beseechingly.

“It is.” Papa’s laughter fades. “I... is everything alright, though?” he looks between him and Victor nervously, and Yuri lets his wariness abate further.

“Everything’s fine,” he says before Victor can say anything. “Let’s go in.”

Papa smiles at him. “I’m glad to hear that, Yurochka,” and his voice is so painfully happy that Yuri for a second, regrets attacking Victor the night before. Papa starts walking back first, saying something about how hopefully the food wouldn’t be cold yet, but Yuri lingers to walk in line with Victor.

“... When you make Papa sad, I’ll make you regret it,” Yuri says, not looking at the man.

“Shouldn’t that be an ‘if’, not a when?”

“Don’t give yourself too much credit.”

In the many years that he’s lived with Papa, Yuri knows that no one stays forever. Leaving is an inevitability, even for himself. Yuri will leave Papa through death, though. Everyone else may walk away, from Yuuri Katsuki, but Yuri will never.

So for now, he’ll let Victor into their home. “You make Papa laugh,” Yuri mutters. “So I guess you’re not too bad.”

“Did you say something?”

“Nothing.”

(That lunch is the first meal that all three of them eat together. Somehow, it’s not as awkward as most first meals go, so Yuri counts it as a win.)

 The dynamic amongst the three of them is one that is hard to stabilize. But it does stabilize, over time.

Yuuri and Yuri are father and son. For several years, Yuuri has raised Yuri, watched him sprout through puberty, taken care of him when ill, fed and clothed and done all the things he remembers his own mother doing for himself over six hundred years ago. Usually, they are easy around each other; interactions laced with eight years of familiarity.

However, the occurrence of Victor’s presence throws them off, because now they must calculate for a third presence during the day. But Victor is gracious, doesn’t try to carve himself a space between them. He fits himself next to Yuuri instead, because Yuri would sooner scratch Victor’s eyes out than sit next to him on the couch. And that’s okay, because —

Yuri and Victor are... friends is too amicable of a word for them. But Victor is kind to Yuri, doesn’t brush him off whenever Yuri tells him that he’s a disaster in the kitchen, or that he reeks and needs to take a bath; “-it’s a miracle that Papa can stand your smell.” Smiles indulgently at Yuri’s hisses and spitfire tongue, jabs back at him in kind — never backs down from a verbal spar, and acquiesces that Yuri knows more about Yuuri than Victor does.

Victor knows that Yuri distrusts him, and doesn’t try to annoyingly ingratiate himself to Yuri. He’s straightforward through his secrets. In turn, Yuri keeps his hostility away; he watches, still, but he will let Victor have his secrets. His instincts tell him that Victor is strange, still, but as long as those secrets don’t harm Papa, then they can stay secret.

Victor and Yuuri are guest and host.

Guest and host, Yuuri tells himself, even when Victor is a comfortable weight on his side, Yuuri’s head in the crook of Victor’s neck, listening to Victor’s smooth voice detailing his time in the Nocturne Treesea while Yuri plays with cats as a leopard.

Guest and host, Yuuri insists in his mind every morning when Victor greets him with a welcoming hug. Victor’s hugs are lovely, the breadth of his shoulders wide enough that all of his hugs make Yuuri feel like he fits in his arms. They’re warm and freely given and Yuuri’s immortal heart beats just the slightest bit faster; Yuuri’s arms snake around Victor’s waist in kind. Letting go makes a part of Yuuri’s heart ache for some strange reason.

(He doesn’t think too much about it.) (He tries to, anyway.)

Guest and host. Yuuri hangs onto the words like a lifeline as Yurochka yells in response to one of Victor’s jabs, all of them eating dinner. Victor’s clothes are casual and uncoordinated unlike the first days of his stay, while Yuri isn’t caring that Victor is laughing at him or the mashed potatoes on his mouth. (Victor passes a napkin to Yurochka the same time Yuuri does, and when they look at each other oh, Yuuri’s heart stutters.)

Few guests care about Yurochka like that; they dismiss him because of his harsh voice and his coarse reception, or they attempt to coddle him. But Victor treats him like the young man he is growing into, follows Yuuri’s cues, and sometimes, it feels like they’re a family. Yuuri and Yuri together alone have been family, but the addition of Victor makes it feel... a little more whole.

A little less lonely.

 A month into Victor’s stay, Yuuko comes by with Axel, Lutz, and Loop while her husband stays back to take care of the inn. “Yuuri!” she greets him with a hug on the front steps of the estate, her daughters swarming Yuri with hugs as well. Victor watches curiously from the doorway.

“Hello, Yuuko,” Yuuri returns the greeting, and the hug, and his eyes are unmistakably fond. “How are you doing?”

“Oh, same as usual, you know.” She breaks away from the hug upon glimpsing Victor. “Is that your new guest?”

“Oh, yes!” He ushers everyone inside, as the evening air is bitingly chill. “This is Victor.”

Victor bows, “It’s-”

He’s on the ground in seconds, cheek smarting from Yuuko’s blow. “We know each other,” Yuuko says frostily over Yuuri’s shock. “I told you about Yuuri, but not so that you could come and pester him, traveller!”

“I suppose I had that coming,” Victor says, clutching his face. “It’s nice to see you again, Mrs. Nishigori.”

“Why’d you punch him?” Yuri, Axel, Lutz, and Loop ask, voices chiming together.

Yuuri kneels down to help him. “Yuuko, please don’t assault Victor. What did he do?”

Yuuko crosses her arms and looks at Victor. Even though she is shorter, her irritation makes it feel like she’s looking down at him rather than up. “... You better not have been making any trouble for Yuuri,” she says finally. She marches towards the kitchen. “So, what will we have for dinner?”

Dinner is... a variety of dishes, cooked by Yuuko and Yuuri. Victor listens most of the time, to Yuuko updating Yuuri on life in Metzrin and the triplets regaling Yuri with funny things they’ve seen. “He’s like really fat, Yura!” Loop cries, spreading her arms out. “Really fat! He’s got a bunch of people with him too, a proper entourage.”

“What’s nobility like that doing all the way in Metzrin?” Yuri wonders. They have no clue.

Yuuko and her children leave later in the night, when the stars are already up, astride four of Yuuri’s horses and two dogs accompanying them for safety, so they can return faster.

“What is Yuuko to you?” Victor asks, later. They’re cleaning up the aftermath of the dinner, and he had insisted on helping.

(Yuri quietly appreciates that Victor lifts his weight, unlike many other guests.)

Yuuri hums a little. “... A niece?” he says the word, but it doesn’t sound quite right, so he frowns. “She’s like family, but not very close.”

“Not a friend?”

He laughs. “She’s too young for that, Victor. I’ve known her since she was a child.”

It’s a strange thought, that Yuuri views Yuuko and Yuri almost equally in terms of their age compared to his, and him knowing them for so long. “Are the triplets grandchildren, then?” Victor asks.

“Sounds about right.”

They work in silence, and have shifted to the kitchen to wash dishes by the time Victor opens his mouth again. “What do you want me to be you, Yuuri?” His sleeves are rolled up and he’s elbow-deep in soapsuds, but that’s not enough to stop him from asking it.

Yuuri stares at him like he’s spoken some foreign tongue. “What do you mean?”

“A father figure? A brother?”

He laughs a little at both. “You’re much too young to be either, even if your hair is grey.”

Victor takes a moment to pretend to be offended, putting a wet hand to his chest. “It’s silver, Yuuri!” Yuuri just giggles, and Victor can’t help but smile at the sound. “A friend? Or do you just want me to be your guest?”

Yuuri’s laughter tapers off, and he makes a discontented sound. “I...”

“A lover?” Victor keeps his voice even, suggests it as if he were offering a cup of tea. Yuuri pauses. “I’ll try my best then.”

“What? No!” Yuuri exclaims, and a flower of some kind of hope wilts in Victor’s chest. Water splashes a little as Yuuri jerks around to look at him. “You... you don’t have to be anything like that to me, Victor,” he cries. “Just... be yourself.”

“Be myself?” Victor echoes.

Yuuri nods furiously. (And oh, the flower of hope blooms again because there is no noble composure here, no Immortal Lord Yuuri Katsuki. It’s just Yuuri.) “I... if you were any of the other things, I-” his voice breaks off a little, and his face softens, voice quietens, “I just want you as you are. As long as you’ll stay here.”

“... I can do that,” Victor murmurs.

On a whim, he leans forward to brush his lips against Yuuri’s forehead. Yuuri stills, staring at him wide-eyed, but says nothing.

When they part that night, it is with another forehead-kiss, and Yuuri’s very faint, “Good night, Victor.”

 read the rest on ao3 (some error occurred and I couldn’t add the second half to this post, sorry)

[runespoor7]

YOI Hogwarts Sorting

For several characters I mention alternates. 

I also try to focus on the qualities exhibited by characters rather than decide they don’t fit in a House for lacking certain qualities, and some of there aren’t set in stone either.

Yuuri Katsuki: Gryffindor (or Slytherin)

Gryffindor because home boy has anxiety and puts himself again and again through both the competition and his own brazen claims of love/victory. He is very good at doing or saying outrageous stuff while being semi-terrified, and then being mortified, but he does it over and over and over again. It’s one of the things that most define him in the series, how he pushes forward and through his fear. And we learn that mostly, he’s felt like he’s done it alone, for years. He knows intellectually his family and friends support him, but he’s not able to draw strength from that knowledge (unlike JJ); even in the series, thoughts of others don’t really inspire him, his strength comes not from a sense of community, but from himself and from his refusal to give in to what he considers weakness. That’s a pretty damn Gryffindor set of attitudes to me.

Slytherin works for me because I am delighted in playing up Yuuri’s thirst for recognition, surpassing Viktor Living Legend Nikiforov, and gold medals. Yuuri hates hates hates losing. Yuuri puts “victory at the GPF” on his list of Personal Goals for last season, according to the JSF site. Yuuri’s competitive and self-centered (consider: his disregard for Minami; and I wonder at his distance from Sara Crispino, for instance, and his general non-involvement with skaters close to his age like Michele and Christophe. I’d have thought he’d at least have some comments about them and their skating, but nope. Yuuri pays attention to Phichit and Yuri’s skating and that is that). Also Yuuri’s smirking certitude that Yuri’s underestimating him tingle my Slytherin sense just a bit.

Yuuri’s on-ice attitude of “hate me, I dare you” and high goals get him Gryffindor or Slytherin, I don’t care that his anxiety wants him to be low-key.

 Viktor Nikiforov: Ravenclaw

Viktor values surprises, both surprising others and being surprised himself. He’s consistently delighted when Yuuri stuns him with his skating. He likes breaking the routine, trying new foods, visiting tourist traps, witnessing new things. Curiosity pushes him forward. He wants to be challenged, but more because it’s interesting than to get better: Otabek’s skating for instance catches his attention not because it’s better but because it’s fresh and thus interesting.

It makes him sound a very “ooooh, shiny!” kind of Ravenclaw, but I feel like his being a choreographer also deserves a mention. Even his choice to coach Yuuri. Viktor’s a visionary, an explorer. Curiosity, again.

 Yuri Plisetsky: Hufflepuff

Yura would absolutely make an excellent Gryffindor (he is fierce, loud, and reckless) and would probably sign up for Slytherin in a hot second (“if that’s what it takes for me to win, I’m yours body and soul”), but Hufflepuff fits him and his theme to a T.

Yuri’s thing is Agape.

One of the ways this translates is loyalty. Yuri’s the one putting efforts into dragging Viktor back to Russia, the one staying in touch with Yuuko, seeing his family whenever he can – and financially supporting them according to supplementary material. Twice he’s shown encouraging people. I also salute his tsundere dedication to making Viktor and Yuuri’s lives a living hell over what he judges are unworthy decisions or reactions. Yuri wants the people he looks up to to be as good as they can be.

His competitiveness with Yuuri makes his new found hard work a bit complicated to gauge, but I find it telling he starts to work hard over Yuuri and not over someone he genuinely dislikes like JJ.

Please put my furious child in Hufflepuff, Hufflepuff should get more spiky-cred than it’s given.

 Phichit Chulanont: Hufflepuff

Look I’m just not going to spend paragraphs arguing how the guy’s who the series shows as 1)community-oriented, and 2)a Best Friend, would be the Triwizard champion for Hufflepuff.

 Christophe Giacometti: tentatively Slytherin, but I’m not married to that and could see him a fine member of each House, ask me again in a week and I’ll probably like something else better.

An overabundance of choice even worse than Yuri P.

I could actually spend the rest of the afternoon babbling about Chris, but that’s too long and would rely on a half-ton of headcanon/fanon, so.

When I think of Slytherin for Christophe, I think of his anger in his GPF FS when Viktor cheered him on. How dare you, Viktor. Christophe wanted to defeat you. I think of his being 25 and never having won international gold. I think of his deflecting – oh, without Viktor, he’s not really into it – and his staying in the competition anyway. I think he’s good at being discreet.

…but I could see him in Hufflepuff, too, for his role mirroring Phichit as a best friend, for his smile sliding into melancholy at getting in fifth. For not letting his friendship with Viktor be warped by resentment.

He’s certainly smart – and I think, liking being smart – enough for Ravenclaw, flamboyant enough for Gryffindor.

 Otabek Altin: Slytherin

His inspirational monologue boils down to “be as you as you can be; the best you you can be,” with a side of “never satisfied.” What we know of his backstory doesn’t exactly hurt: that boy has made a lot of choices at a very young age to get where he is. He has made a lot of sacrifices. He has thrown himself away to be reborn better. Otabek is all about the price, and patiently working toward his goal. He’s good at bidding his time: see his friendship with Yuri. He is a master of theatrics. (Look. No-one performs a dashing rescue on a motorbike before doing a dramatic reveal of backstory with a perfectly-designed compliment on the eyes of the person one’s speaking with, in a gloriously scenic vista in front of a motherfucking sunset without being extremely talented at theatrics.) Last year, he looked so disappointed with his bronze at Worlds.

I could see a case for Gryffindor, but from where I stand, he’s such a perfect image for a deeply heroic Slytherin it seems a shame not to put him there. 

 JJ Leroy: Gryffindor

On paper, he has attributes I do often associate with Slytherin in others.

In practice, he’s so Gryffindor it hurts.

 Georgi Popovich: …I just don’t know; so much of Georgi is wrapped up in his thing with Anya. He could arguably fit pretty much anywhere.

I have to admit to a bias. Georgi’s attitude toward his ex makes me so uneasy I very much want to avoid putting him in Hufflepuff, because I don’t want to conflate his issues re:women with loyalty. What Georgi shows about Anya isn’t loyalty, it’s obsession and a refusal to see her as a person. He constantly thinks of her as the object of his affections. Emphasis on “object”.

Based on the rich, meticulous narrative structure of both his programs, I’m considering Ravenclaw. Georgi clearly put a lot of personal thoughts in these programs, the story he’s telling is very detailed, well-researched (see the Sleeping Beauty inspiration), and extremely expressive.

Aside from that, I’m left with Georgi’s age: he’s as old as Viktor, always second best to him even nationally, and hasn’t retired – in fact retirement doesn’t even cross his mind. And Yakov thinking that of all his skaters, Georgi is the most receptive.

I don’t know what to make of that, and I’m not married to Georgi being in Ravenclaw, but I do think it’s an idea.

 Michele Crispino: Gryffindor (?)

I feel like Gryffindor would tragically be a good fit. Anyone so caught up on their own narrative of being chivalrous and wanting to protect their sister forever would do well in Gryffindor; the very deliberately heroic imagery of his SP influences me some.

However, Hufflepuff might be a good fit too, much for the same reasons.

 Sara Crispino: Slytherin or Gryffindor

So, Sara’s unafraid of striking out on her own. She’s willing to sacrifice things and she’s willing to be ruthless to get what she wants/needs, see her “breaking up” with Michele right before his FS. She wants things and she goes after them, whether it’s Michele respecting her individuality, Seung-Gil, or interactions with Yuuri. She’s also the one skater able to pull off a specific combination (that I have momentarily forgotten) until Michele homages it, and when talking to him she’s very direct about wanting to reach the GPF.

 Emil Nikola: Hufflepuff

Wants everyone to get along, mellow, takes very well the fact that he’s not going to finish his FS cleanly in his inner monologue.

Precious sunshine.

 Seung Gil Lee: Slytherin

“I want the gold,” his theme for the season shouts at the top of its lungs. “I want it all.”

Then we have the fact that he specifically requested to skate a mambo. Unfortunately, Seung Gil doesn’t elaborate at any point why he chooses anything he did, so I’m left speculating: is it a new approach for him? If so, what is the reason behind the change? Does he want to surprise the judges, for better scores? To be more rounded up as a skater? Is he interested at all in that music and his will to “explore masculine sex appeal” yaddayadda or is he merely taking the approach of imitating Chris, who’s consistently ranked second behind Viktor with that style (so it’s repeatable, unlike Viktor’s own approach)? Depending on these, I guess I might see him in Ravenclaw if we’re getting desperate for Ravenclaws.

 Guang Hong: Hufflepuff (alternate: Gryffindor)

With the caveat I think he’s an actual cutie-pie, etc, and reserve to right to change my mind when I’ve done more thinking about him.

Hufflepuff feels a bit of a cop-out, simply because he’s so moe innocent and young and adorable. I like the idea of Gryffindor, for the riffing on the tone of his FS and his epic fictional taking-the-bullet for Leo.

 Leo de la Iglesia: Ravenclaw

An 18-year-old doing his own choreography piques my interest.

 Mila Babicheva: not a goddamn clue

I have zero idea what Mila’s inner life looks like. She teases Yuri and she’s clearly fond of him, she’s friendly with Sara (if not a friend), and she’s often used as audience reaction (whether it’s cackling/being D: about Georgi, wishing Viktor had been there for Yuuri to skate his FS well at the Rostelecom cup, or noticing Otabek). She likes fun.

But I have no clue about her motivations or her fears or her goals, so. Be free, little headcanons.

 Minami Kenjirou: cutest little Gryffinpuff

Hush, that’s totally a House.