#so Viktor would rationally not give him the chance

[beartes22]

I love how Timetraveler!Viktor has a cord with several runes in him. He is ready to try the experiment 738926482972 times if necessarily, changing the rune variable each time to see if using one specific rune was the key to save everyone, and probably taking notes, the absolute loser of a scientist, nvm that what made him stop was Jayce saying ‘but bro, I love you in spite of the atrocities’

In all timelines, in all possibilities, only you… can show me this

[cherrybomb107]

Now that I know that the “writers room” for this season functionally didn’t exist, everything makes perfect sense now! So here are some things I would change if I had the chance

1. We’d have three seasons. Two seasons is just an awkward length for me in general, so 3 just seems like a sweet spot

2. We cut the soundtrack in half. We have 23 songs as of right now, so let’s have no more than 11-13 max. That’s not crazy for 9 episodes

3. Speaking of the soundtrack, there’d be more Black artists. Syd, Little Simz, Tyler the Creator, FKA Twigs, Yseult, JID, Akintoye, Brandy, Doechii etc all would’ve fit the vibe.

4. Last one about the music, I promise. It’d be quieter. I feel like the music was louder than the dialogue at some points, and it completely took me outta the scenes

5. Onscreen development! “Oh but they don’t have to spell everything out for us!” Cool! But wanting to SEE characters meaningfully interact does not fit the definition of “spoon feeding” or “spelling things out” in my book.

6. There would have been more foreshadowing that Maddie was a spy. It was obvious, but it also wasn’t set up properly.

7. Ekko wouldn’t have been sidelined for an entire act. His relationship with Vi would be present. Best believe I would give him the chance to cuss Vi and Caitlyn out for what they did as enforcers

8. Speaking of that, Vi would have wrestled with the decision to become one. Notice I said “decision” because it should’ve been her choice. Caitlyn had no right to guilt trip her and then strong arm her into becoming one

9. Vi would have fought with Caitlyn over her wanting to use The Gray. The Vi I know and love would not go so hard in rationalizing the use of it

10. Caitlyn would’ve gotten meaningfully redeemed. In order to do that tho, we would have to show the true weight of using The Gray and enforcing martial law in Zaun. Caitlyn would be forced to confront the harm she caused with her own eyes, and actually be genuine remorseful

11. Let Jinx be unhinged! I love my baby regardless, but I do agree she was defanged a bit this season. Let her kill more enforcers and act up in front of Isha before realizing where she is and what she’s doing. Let Jinx want to be better and then develop into the kooky version of herself she is in season two

12. Isha would be more than a plot device for Jinx’s story. Let Isha live on and be happy with Jinx. Killing her was just for shock value.

13. Part of the reason why I think Isha should live is so she gets to grow up in a better Zaun. A free Zaun. She deserves better. They all do.

14. The au episode would’ve been way different, cause it doesn’t makes sense for centuries of oppression to just magically go away all of a sudden because one kid(and a Zaunite kid at that) died.

15. More scenes of Sevika guiding Jinx in how to rally the troops and get ready to fight for their freedom

16. Ekko and Jinx reconciling because although there’s no shortage of bad blood between them, there is love buried deep in there somewhere too. Let Jinx be the main freedom fighter and have Ekko back her up today, so he and the Firelights can focus on community building and organizing tomorrow.

17. Jinx’s rocket should’ve killed more people. All the Councilors(sorry Shoola but you too girl) except Mel, Jayce, and Viktor should’ve died. Viktor and Jayce should’ve been in critical condition but Mel would’ve been fine.

18. Heimerdinger and Ekko’s relationship would be fundamentally different. He should NOT be cozying up with that little furball whose inaction is directly responsible for the current conditions in Zaun

That’s all that comes to mind for now, but yeah. It would’ve been a completely different story. What could’ve been for real 😭😭😭

[leth-writes]

yandere arcane x reader from the undercity

SUMMARY: yandere arcane x undercity reader

WARNINGS: 18+ as always on my blog, though the work is safe for work. Typical yandere shenanigans.

mild spoilers for season two in Caitlyn’s part, but I think I managed to avoid season two spoilers in every other part.

MASTERLIST: https://www.tumblr.com/leth-writes/757800060720496640/requests-open?source=share 

Requests are open!

SILCO

Silco’s job is made a whole lot easier by you being a citizen of Zaun. He’s able to pretty effectively track you around the undercity without much effort, hell, he might even sick Sevika on you just to follow you around and take notes, who knows.

He’s really obsessive about making sure you’re safe. Before you’ve met, he’s got someone on you constantly, taking notes and giving him a detailed list of everything you do. He also manages to bug your apartment. He likes watching you just putter around, it helps put him at ease.

I think he’d have an easier time rationalizing his affection for a darling from the undercity; his whole goal is to make the undercity sovereign, and if you share those goals, he’ll give you a little more wiggle room. You still won’t be able to leave The Last Drop, like at all, but you’ll definitely get a bit more space than he would normally allow a darling to have.

Since you’re so familiar with the undercity, collaring and tagging you is a necessity for him. He can’t have you running away, so he gets Singed to embed a fucking tracker. You won’t even feel a thing, it happens before you even gain consciousness that first day.

Spends a lot of time breaking you down so you never try to run away; everyone knows how important you are to him, and that puts a target on your back.

VI or JINX

She doesn’t really care all that much. It’s a bit easier to get her to open up, but beyond that, I think she just sees the undercity as like the baseline, she doesn’t even consider that she would end up with someone from the topside.

SEVIKA

Makes her job a hell of a lot easier. You already know her reputation, you’re never gonna disobey her. Don’t even think about it.

Makes sure you stay on the premises of The Last Drop, keeps you cooped up most of the time. SHe’s worried you’ll run away if she takes you out, though she keeps you entertained by buying you trinkets and takeout. You’re just amazed to see stuff from the topside, you’ve never been, and it’s easy to keep you busy.

You’re like a kid, staring at the snow globe she buys you. She genuinely thinks you haven’t moved all day.

VIKTOR

Also makes his job easier. As a person from the Undercity, you understand his backstory in a way someone like Jayce never would. 

It also makes it easier to keep you isolated. You do face discrimination as an undercity person when you’re topside, which keeps you running into his arms. He knows you could beat him up, it wouldn’t be hard, but you would have no way to get back home, and your quality of life has shot way up anyways.

Your relationship is actually probably the healthiest out of everyone on this list, just by virtue of him feeling free to take you around town, though he does use the discrimination to subtly remind you not to leave him. You might not even notice you’ve technically been kidnapped, he’s so subtle.

CAITLYN

Season one Caitlyn doesn’t mind all that much.

Season two Caitlyn treats you like a fucking pet. She acts like you’re… lower than her. She loves you so, so much, but she definitely doesn’t trust you the way she would trust someone from Piltover. You’re never leaving the house, and you’ll never return home. She plans on cleaning the place out, anyways, so it’s not safe for you down there.

She probably keeps you on sedatives. She views you as slightly dangerous, so she isn’t willing to take that chance.

You’re a lot more pliant when you can’t tell up from down, and she’s free to just cuddle with you without a worry in the world.

[conduitandconjurer]

Interesting analysis. I disagree though. I think he did, he is a human (hah) after all . He can be a super empathetic person and still have moments of jealousy, childish hatred especially in face of daily torture. He can rationalize and explain to himself that it wasn't vik's fault and he did but i do think that it was an EFFORT on his part.thats what makes me like him more . That he made efforts to be empathetic despite his self survival kicking in and telling him to not give a fuck about anyone due to his trauma . If he were just that born pureTM that would make him boring to me .

Oh totally! No, I think that's totally reasonable to glean from what we've seen. I should have been clearer. Klaus obviously has to make efforts to "forgive" people he envies, as that's human nature. I would even say that some of his kindness toward dad, Sparrow!Ben, Lila, and sibs in Season 3 (particularly following "bus ball" and That Moment in the White Buffalo Room) is proof that he's trying to overcompensate with a "fawn response" for hidden feelings of weariness, sadness, and rage. Look at this graaaaaph [Nickelback meme]--Klaus is the green one:

What I meant in my original response was that it might be easier for him to forgive Viktor than the other siblings, because of his combination of: 1) egregious abuse partially mirroring Viktor's (I'm sure they share claustrophobia and fear of darkness because they both were made to spend a long time inside tight enclosed dark spaces--be it a mausoleum or a reinforced room in a basement; they're also both regularly underestimated and end up being THE most potentially powerful, destructive siblings in the og set of seven, which is why Reg was so eager to understand and control their gifts) and 2) perhaps less noble, his propensity for passive and avoidant reactions to confrontation--which, combined with his "sweetness," as Viktor in the comics/book, and one of the costume designers, put it, makes him uniquely nonjudgmental.

I still credit Klaus fully with an amazing ability to see the good in everyone, even people who do not deserve second third, tenth, chances with him (like Reg). But I agree that the effort to forgive is plausible, and makes him more interesting (because it makes him more real).

Your original question (at least how I read it) was "do you think Klaus would hate or resent Viktor for appearing not to have powers?" and my answer to that specific phrasing was that it was unimaginable. If the question was meant to be "Do you think Klaus would automatically forgive Viktor no matter what, or would hold some resentment that he'd ultimately control?", then I understand your disagreement entirely.

In fact, incidentally, I feel that the concept of humanly obtainable "purity" is vastly overrated: an effective way IRL for very bad people (such as Christian Nationalists/Fascists in the USA right now) to justify passing judgment on marginalized populations, with a very narrow doctrine of what "purity" is.

[oldrockformations]

Physically disabled fan here and I have so many thoughts about the ending and Viktor’s whole arc in general!!!

A large part of Viktor’s character is his own feelings of inadequacy. A good portion of those feelings stem from him being a Zaunite, but a ton of it also stems from his disability. We see it in his flashback, when he avoids other kids his age. We see it in the way he lets Jayce be the figurehead for Hextech, when he refuses to go on stage despite Jayce wanting him there. And he has a valid reason to feel this way—he is unwelcome in Piltover. Jayce and Heimerdinger seem to be the only people who don’t treat him like absolute shit, not to mention Piltover’s lack of accessibility (note the emphasis on Salo’s wheelchair going down stairs). So it’s no wonder Viktor harbors a lot of internalized ableism. It’s what the world has shown him he should feel.

And this internalized ableism, as well as the ableism he experiences externally, is what causes him to push himself so hard. He wants to help people, and he feels he hasn’t done enough. He needs to prove himself. So when he realizes he’s dying, he abandons his own morals in favor of extending his life (note his reaction to Rio as a kid, vs him saying he understands now as he is the one dying) and continuing his work. But when he uses the hexcore to try to cure his terminal illness, the first thing it changes is his leg. All of this shows early on that Viktor is willing to cross lines in order to fix what he considers “weakness.”

Now this whole time, Jayce has always viewed Viktor as his complete equal. The reason Jayce and Viktor work so well together is they provide new perspectives for each other. Jayce is a dreamer, and Viktor shows him reality. But when Jayce gets too caught up in politics and forgets his own privilege (the whole “I’m from the undercity” scene) Viktor feels betrayed. Jayce has abandoned him, and he throws himself into his work, becoming even more reckless and resulting in the death of Sky. And at this point, Viktor is overcome with guilt and believes he is unlovable, to the point that he is suicidal.

I’ve seen a lot of folks saying that Viktor’s arc in season 2 was wildly out of character, or that the writing was ableist, but I think they’re missing the point. At the start of season 2, Viktor is still mentally at rock bottom. I don’t think his change from “I am wracked with guilt because I acted recklessly during an emotional crisis and got someone killed” to “emotions are a flaw and I need to rid myself of them” is that far of a leap considering the circumstances. Especially once you factor in the hexcore messing with his head and using a manifestation of his guilt (Sky) to manipulate him. Viktor has always wanted to help people, and when you combine that with his internalized ableism, it makes sense that he would turn to “fixing” people’s disabilities if given the chance. He genuinely believes he is helping people like he always wanted, and he’s receiving the validation and respect he craves.

So when Jayce “kills” him, effectively killing everyone Viktor has “healed,” he is once again faced with overwhelming guilt and, not knowing how to handle that, he sinks further into the mindset of the Machine Herald. He avoids taking accountability by letting the arcane take control and he justifies his actions with this Glorious Evolution.

So when Jayce, a man Viktor still loves despite everything, looks him in the eye and tells him that he is beautiful, disabilities and all, Viktor doesn’t know how to rationalize that. It doesn’t fit into his current worldview. At this point, Viktor knows that Jayce has a bad leg, he’s fought him. And Jayce is still here saying that it does not make him weak. Ableism and self hatred are ingrained so deeply within Viktor that being told he is worthy of love shatters his mask, literally and figuratively. We see his face again, and he gives up his facade of being this emotionless herald.

Jayce’s message was cheesy as hell, but it was less so about actual disability, and more so about the mindset that is drilled into you when you are disabled. I think it’s impactful to me at least because Jayce chooses to say this instead of fighting. By all accounts he should be trying to kill Viktor, but he risks everything to tell Viktor how much he loves him. That he always has and that there is nothing that could change it. It didn’t come off like a motivational poster like that type of shit usually does, it sounded like an expression of devotion.

That’s my take anyway sorry for writing a whole ass essay lmao. I am very normal about Viktor arcane and I am tired of seeing his character arc being misinterpreted!! Big win for gay people and a massive L for ableism

i’d really like to hear some disabled fans’ takes on the ending of arcane season 2!

because however cute jayce’s sentiment is, when he said:

«but you were never broken, there is beauty in imperfections»

my first instinct was:

«yeah, easy to say when you haven’t experienced being sick and in pain literally your whole life your body failing you in countless ways…»

but that’s only from absorbing stuff my disabled friends have said (i’m able bodied), so if any disabled folks in the fandom wanna weigh in, i’d love to hear your thoughts and takes!

[n1c3c0ck]

some katari stuff because im thinking about Her

also heres a random pic of her that i took last night

- pre-heist, katari is a merc living with her output, lily, in their shared apartment in night city. she's best friends with jackie after having met him a year prior, and good friends with misty and viktor vektor. katari is also an exotic that wears the horns and tail of a dragon (her implants were designed by lily)

- best friends with johnny. johnny calls katari out for doing dumb shit, katari calls johnny out when hes being an ass. affectionately calls him her brain tumor that could

at first, katari fucking hated johnny. after she met with takemura in playing for time, she told johnny to take a long walk off a short cliff. she took these words back later.

- wears an eyepatch sometimes post heist. when viktor was digging around in katari’s head after takemura saved her, he had to do some surgical work around her right eye that left a scar. katari’s pretty self conscious about it atm so she either wears an eyepatch or her shades

speaking of takemura, katari is thankful that he saved her life but she does not trust him at all

- other friends include rogue, panam (partners in crime), judy (also partners in crime), kerry, river, and dum dum

- in love with lily. also used to work at their club after quitting her job at clouds

katari does inform lily that they have johnny silverhand's engram in their head. lily hates this. they have a conversation and katari admits that she regrets doing the heist with jackie in the first place, not only because he died, but because she would soon follow because of decisions she herself made.

- she permanently fucked up her back when she was a teenager. she worked her ass off for months to pay back her ripper for her new spine.

also permanently fucked up the joints in both of her hands as a teenager. again, also had to work her ass off to pay her ripper back for new finger joints.

- katari loves dragons. so much so that she replaced her optics and installed holographic, interchangeable horns and a tail on her body.

her optics arent entirely cosmetic. theyre also infrared and have different levels of zoom.

- always contemplating replacing her arms entirely. shes worried her body might reject it. a week after viktor & takemura save her life, she says “fuck it” and replaces them both.

- at the end of the game, katari is fully ready to give her body to johnny. at that point, she has accepted that the only solution to the relic problem involves one of them going back to her body - katari rationalizes that she has a very short time to live if she goes back to her body, while johnny has the rest of his life. katari would rather give johnny a second chance at life than struggle to hold on to her own. lily is angry af after this happens, and tells johnny to leave night city or they will kill him [lily took a page from rogue's book on this one].

before the end of the game, katari visits lily at their club and gives them a heartfelt goodbye. katari tells them shes "solving the relic issue once and for all." lily is understandably angry.

[adenei]

Finding My Way To You - Ch. 10

ao3 || ffn

A Step Further

Ron gently set Hermione down, and she broke the kiss long enough to shed the wet towel that was still wrapped around her body. Hermione sat back on the bed and reached out, bunching Ron’s shirt in her hands as she pulled him on top of her. His lips found hers again as he felt her hands move from his chest to around his neck and into his hair. Merlin, he could get used to feeling her fingers intertwine with the locks of his hair.

Hermione didn’t hesitate when she quickly moved her tongue into his mouth. The more comfortable they became with each other, the braver each got. She grazed her teeth across Ron’s bottom lip and bit down gently as she grabbed his shirt and pulled it upwards. Ron had to shift himself slightly as he helped her take his shirt off, but he feared there was ultimately no hiding what she did to him in the thin cloth of the swimsuit he still wore.

Her arms wrapped around his now bare back as she pulled him closer to her, the bare skin of their torsos now barely touching. Ron felt himself groan into her mouth at the connection. He felt her hands hesitantly explore the expanse of his back as he found his own hand trailed down to her hip, pulling her even closer to him, no longer caring if she felt how she made him feel as he was completely intoxicated by the feel of her.

As they continued to snog, Ron couldn’t help his own hand beginning to explore her body. He was caught between the raging hormones that fueled his desire to feel every inch of her soft skin, while the tiny, rational part that was left of his brain was sounding the alarm of not moving too quickly. His hand moved above her hip and grazed her stomach. He stopped when the tips of his fingers reached the edge of the bikini top.

He pulled away from her lips briefly. “Can I?” he asked. He didn’t want to assume she’d be okay with this.

Hermione bit her lip and averted his gaze. “I- I do want you to, but...”

Ron pulled away slightly more to get a better read on her body language. “Hermione, if you’re not ready, I’m fine with that-”

“I am ready! I just…”

He didn’t quite understand, and that worried him. He could normally read her well, but he couldn’t place this worry. “What is it?” he asked her gently. “Please tell me.”

“It’s barmy. I shouldn’t even let it bother me,” she said, still avoiding those blue eyes that both made her heart melt and would get her to tell him anything if she wasn’t too careful.

“But it is bothering you, and until you give me a straight answer, I’ll respect it as a no,” Ron said firmly as he pulled his hand away from where it was resting on her stomach and sat up. 

Hermione covered her face in her hands as she let out an audible sigh. She already missed the warmth of his hand and body near hers, and regretted even sort of bringing it up. She knew she wouldn’t get him close like that until she told him, though. “I don’t want you to be disappointed.” 

Her voice sounded muffled through her hands, but Ron heard her insecurities loud and clear. This was about Lavender. Would that part of his life ever not come back to bite him in the arse?

“Hermione,” Ron started. He was trying to find the words to say to ease her worries. “There’s no comparison.”

He watched as her hands left her face and he gave him a strained look and a distressing cry left her lips.

“No! I didn’t mean it like- ugh, Hermione! She doesn’t compare to you! She never did and she never will. Merlin, I shouldn’t be telling you this-”

“Then don’t. Ron, do you know how many nights I had to listen to her brag about what you’d done in empty classrooms when they thought I was asleep? I think Parvati started to feel bad because eventually she  seemed less and less interested after a while.”

“What? Hermione, I didn’t know. If I’d have known-”

Hermione shook her head as she cut him off. “You don’t have to lie. We were fighting so badly, you wouldn’t have defended me to her. It’s bad enough I had to hear about your romantic Valentine’s evening where you, and I quote, ‘sealed the deal’ with her.”

“Wait, what?” Ron was staring at her blankly as his head was whirring with a thousand thoughts. “She didn’t say that we- that we- Merlin, Hermione, I never had sex with her!” It wasn’t often that his face and neck became flushed in addition to his ears, but he was beet red from what looked like anger right now.

“Y-You didn’t?”

“Bloody hell, no! I avoided her the entire day! Not that I’m proud of it, but I didn’t get her anything, and she kept pestering me in class about disappearing to an abandoned classroom to celebrate that night. I lied about having rounds and hid in the kitchens to get some schoolwork done.”

Hermione let out a mixture between a laugh and a cry in what seemed like relief. “I can’t believe I let her get to me. No wonder Parvati was trying to get her to shut up! She knew she was just doing it to get to me. And to think I cried myself to sleep for a week after hearing that.” She finally sat up on the bed.

“You didn’t…” Ron’s guilt expanded at her admission.

She nodded. “And that was after I’d made my New Year’s Resolution to get over you. Six weeks later, and I’d clearly failed.”

“I’m sorry,” Ron told her.

“You don’t have to apologize for her actions, Ron,” Hermione said.

“No, but I’m apologizing for my own. I never should have used her to get back at you.”

“Get back at me?”

“Er, yeah…” Ron wasn’t expecting to bring that up at all, but it slipped out. Though he supposed it was going to come up eventually.

“Ron, I’m going to need you to explain, please.”

“Right. Er, remember when I got mad at you and didn’t speak to you?”

“How could I forget? Are you finally going to tell me what I did?”

He winced at the memory that was long since shoved into the back of his brain. “Ginny and I got in a row. A bad one. Bloody hell, if Dean and Harry weren’t there, it probably would have turned violent…”

“Ron…”

“Er, yeah, anyways, we caught her and Dean snogging behind the tapestry to one of the shortcuts. I was already in a right foul mood from practice and that just set me over the edge. I may or may not have gone all overprotective brother on her, and she may or may not have called me out on being the only one who hadn’t snogged anyone.”

Hermione eyed him carefully. “What do you mean?” She was almost afraid to ask.

“She so bluntly threw it in my face that Harry had snogged Cho and you’d snogged Viktor so I needed to get over her snogging Dean.”

Ron held his breath as he watched Hermione’s reaction. She was taking a bit longer to process his words and that was making him nervous. “That still doesn’t explain why you shut me out for a whole week.”

He couldn’t tell if she was playing dumb just to hear him say it, or if she really didn’t know. “I got really angry over it. Harry seemed like he knew what Ginny was talking about. I’m not proud of it. Not after everything had been going really well between us. I was mad that you never told me, and jealous that I- well, admitting that will just make me a bloody prat.” Ron shook his head.

“Say it.”

“Why?” He looked at her nervously. Where was the crazed look he was expecting to see in her eyes? She simply raised her eyebrows, but didn’t elaborate. “ Fine, I was hurt that I wasn’t your first kiss. Are you happy now?” Ron rolled his eyes slightly.

An odd smile crept on Hermione’s lips, and Ron was preparing for the worst now. “You know, it’s a shame you didn’t just ask me about it.”

He waited for her to continue and when she didn’t, he said, “Okay, two things. Do you really think my sixteen year old self would have walked right up to you and asked if you’d snogged Viktor? And why are you smiling about this. You’re scaring me a bit.”

“I’m smiling because I’m finally relieved to know that none of this was my fault. And you really can be such an idiot.”

“Why?”

“Because if you’d have bothered to ask me, you would have learned that Ginny exaggerated.” 

There it was. That triumphant look she’d get when she’d solved a particularly hard riddle, or when she’d outsmarted a teacher. It was also the same look she had after she’d punched Malfoy in the nose third year. “What?”

“Your sister was lying. Viktor kissed me, yes. I won’t deny that. A few times, actually, but it was always chaste, and it never deepened into anything more. I tried to like it because he was sweet and genuine, but there was no spark. And he respected that when I told him I wasn’t interested in him like that. Unbeknownst to me, but my heart already belonged to a certain red-headed git whether I wanted it to or not.”

“So, was Viktor ever actually your boyfriend?” Ron asked, completely astounded.

“No, you prat!” Hermione threw a pillow at his face. “He wanted to be, but I declined. I was waiting for you! And instead of going to Slughorn’s party together where I’d hoped that maybe something could happen between us that night, I had to wait another year and a half for anything to happen because of your pig headedness!”

Ron was expecting her to be furious, and yet after she’d finished explaining her side of the story, she broke into a fit of laughter. It was contagious and he couldn’t help but laugh with her. When they’d settled a bit, he said. “Sounds about right for us, taking forever to sort things out.”

Hermione nodded. “Maybe it was supposed to happen this way.”

“That sure would make it easier to forget all the lost time we could have had together,” Ron agreed.

“But that’s what makes it our story, isn’t it?” Hermione asked.

“Yeah, and now we have our entire lives ahead of us,” Ron said. 

He felt his heart speed up and his stomach flutter at the thought of spending the rest of his life with her. His eyes sought hers, and Ron hoped she knew how serious he was about that statement. There was no way he was going to waste this chance he had with her.

“We do,” Hermione said breathlessly as she locked eyes with him. 

It only took one glance down to his lips from her before he leaned in and kissed her hard. They both fell against the pillows, settling on their sides as they quickly found the rhythm they’d left off with before. As Ron moved his hand to a more comfortable position, Hermione pulled herself away briefly.

“How far did you really go with her? I’m sorry I’m bringing this back up. I don’t really want to know, but I need to know,” she tried to explain.

Ron nodded slowly. He understood what she was saying, and he’d want to know the same if he were in her position. “There was...touching, but it never went further than that, I swear. She tried to go down on me once, shortly after Valentine’s Day, but I didn’t let her. I couldn’t. Once the initial lust of the relationship had died off, I realized pretty quickly that she wasn’t what I wanted. Or she wasn’t who I wanted it with. After that, I spent half the time imagining she was you when we’d snog and my eyes were closed. Not that it even comes close to this. Merlin, Hermione, you have no idea what you do to me. No matter what you’re thinking, you have to know that what I had with her will never come close to how this feels.”

He waited for Hermione to process his words as he searched her face. When she finally took a breath, she whispered a quiet, “okay,” indicating that she believed him. Ron never took his eyes off her as he waited for her to make the next move. She leaned in to capture his lips with her own, and he felt her hand find his. Where he expected her to simply intertwine her fingers with his own, he was surprised to find her guiding his hand up her body, and settling over her breast. 

He looked down as she pulled her own hand away and let it rest on his hip as she pulled back slightly and whispered, “You can go under if you want.”

“Are you sure?” He couldn’t help but ask. He didn’t want to mess this up. She nodded against him as he saw her look up and met her eyes with his own.

Ron kissed her gently then, as he adjusted his hand to make it more comfortable. It took a while to overcome the awkwardness of feeling each other in an intimate way, but once they passed the initial unease, they spent the rest of the afternoon getting to know each other on a deeper physical level. For the first time, Ron understood that intimacy didn’t mean sex. Far from it. He would be perfectly happy spending any alone time like this so long as it meant he had Hermione in his arms. 

A/N: Don’t hate me too much y’all, I did promise this was going to be a slowburn, after all.

[breaniebree]

ASC 224 Sneak Peek

[Excerpt]

Hermione looked up from her book when her mum’s shadow filled the doorway of the living room.  “Hi, Mum.”

Jean came around to brush Hermione’s bushy hair out of her face and kiss her cheek.  “Are you hungry?  Would you like some soup for lunch?”

“Sure,” Hermione told her.

Jean kissed her cheek again.  “You’re finally looking more like yourself.  What did Harry have to say?”

“He wants me to come by this afternoon.  He said that Zee will come by to pick me up after work.”

Jean nodded.  “And is Ron still coming over?”

Hermione smiled at her.  “Yes.”

“So, when were you going to tell us, Hermione?”

Hermione’s brow furrowed.  “Tell you what?”

Jean only gave her a pointed look.  “That you and Ron are dating.”

Hermione’s eyes widened.  “What?”  

“I’m not blind, you know.  I see the way that he looks at you.  Your father noticed it as well, in the hospital especially.  That young man never left your side.  I thought after everything with Viktor you would have told us when you started seriously dating again.  I know Cormac wasn’t exactly promising, but Ron’s a lovely young man, dear.”

“Mum, Ron and I aren’t dating.  We’re just friends.”

Jean’s eyebrow rose questioningly.  “Really?”

“Mum, he’s not my boyfriend.  I would have told you.”

Jean stared at her.  “This is not something that I ever thought I would say to my teenage daughter, but you’re almost seventeen… I can cut the tension between the two of you with a knife.”

Hermione blushed.  “Mum!”

“Well, it’s true!  Why aren’t you dating him?  You used to fancy him once upon a time.”

“Mum, that was… it was nothing, just a passing thought or two when I was fourteen!”

Jean smiled at her.  “At thirteen you told me that his hair reminded you of an open flame.  You became rather poetic about it.”

Hermione buried her face in her hands.  “We’re not having this conversation!  Look, Ron and I… we kissed and it was… we’re friends, Mum!  We can’t be more than that!”

“You kissed again?”

Hermione snuck a look at her mother between her fingers.  “They were flukes.”

“They?  He kissed you again after you found that bath?”

Hermione sighed.  She had forgotten that she had told her mum about discovering the bath and how she and Ron had…  “Okay, look… they just happened and they didn’t mean anything.  Mum, he’s my best friend.  I spend more time with him than anyone and what if something happened and it didn’t work out?  I can’t lose him.”

Jean moved to sit on the sofa next to her daughter, putting her arm around her shoulders.  “I know you loved Viktor, darling.  First loves are always strong and fierce and they go one of two ways: Nothing ever compares to them and you stay together forever, or you remember them as a fierce fire that burned strong, but wasn’t what you were meant to have.  My first love was John.  Everyone thought that we would end up together.  Jean and John, John and Jean, our names rolled off as one so seamlessly.  I was fifteen when I met him, he was seventeen; sixteen when I…”  She blushed as she trailed off and Hermione’s mouth opened.

“Mum!”

Jean chuckled.  “Hermione, I loved him more than I can say.  He was everything to me and I loved him so much that being apart from him hurt me.  But then… his father, a staunch military man, wanted his son to join the army when he turned eighteen, and he did.  We fought over it.  I didn’t want him to leave, but in the end he went.  He was sent with forces to Dhofar as part of the British SAS to bolster the counterinsurgency campaign.  When he came home, I was happy to see him, but it wasn’t the same.  By the time I started university, he was deep into the British military.  We were different people and we broke up at the end of my first year.  I was nineteen.  He came back again later and apologized, but as much as I loved him, I wasn’t in love with him anymore, not like I was when I was fifteen.  We didn’t have enough in common.  He told me that he felt the same.  Two months later, I met your father.”

“Ron is nothing like Viktor, Mum.  Viktor was kind and sweet and I loved him, but… I think it would have been the same for me.  That love would have fizzled out in the end.  We didn’t have enough in common.”

“And Ron?”

Hermione smiled at his name.  “He’s kind and generous and… he keeps track of my monthlies.”  She explained to Jean how he had known she needed chocolate and his suggestion of the warming charm.  “He’s always doing little things to take care of me.  If I’m in the library too long, he comes in with some fruit or a sandwich and just puts them near me.  He has a brilliant mind for strategy and he thinks so logically, which makes him incredible at chess.  He’s the one who helped me invent the coins we made.  He’s powerful and when he masters a spell, he’s set, but he’s lazy about homework and learning it.  I always have to pester him or he’d never do it.”

“He cares about you, taking care of you like that.”

“He’s my best friend, Mum,” she repeated.  “And when he kisses me, my whole body feels like it’s going to explode, and I forget to think.  When Viktor kissed me, I remember thinking it was lovely and I liked it and I liked how he did that with his hands or moved his lips in that way and when Ron kisses me… my brain shuts off.  I can’t think.  I can’t rationalize it.”

“Hermione, your biggest fault is that you rationalize too much.  If Ron stops you from rationalizing because all you can do is feel, that’s a good thing.”

Hermione stared at her mother.  “Each time he kisses me, it seems more intense than the time before.  He says that we need to talk about it, that it means something and I… I keep pushing it off.  I told him they were flukes and that they can’t happen again.”

Jean squeezed her daughter closer to her.  “That would be that adorable rational brain of yours trying to make sense of it.  He’s your best friend and you’re worried that if you start a romantic relationship with him, you’ll lose that.  Him being your best friend is part of the reason why I think you should give him a chance.  You know each other’s faults as well as each other’s good qualities.  If you really don’t want to date him, that’s different, but if you’re just pushing him away because you’re scared, that’s not the strong young woman that I’ve raised.”

Hermione bit her lip as she looked at Jean.  “His hair really is like fire.  It’s ginger and lovely, but there’s so many shades in it: Auburn, gold, red… when the light touches it sometimes, I can’t help but stare at it.”

“He’s handsome.”

“He has large hands and he’s so tall.  He’s covered in freckles and sometimes when we’re studying… I catch myself counting them.”

Jean smiled at that.  “Hermione, that sounds like someone who is slightly more than smitten.”

She blushed and looked down at her hands.  “And he has the most beautiful blue eyes, like sapphires, and when he kissed me, afterwards… I felt like the heat in them could pierce through me.  He makes me feel things, Mum, things that I’ve never felt before and it scares me.”

Jean kissed her daughter’s cheek.  “I think that the two of you need to talk and you need to admit to him that you were wrong.  That these kisses you’ve shared are not a fluke, but that they mean something.”

“I can’t tell him that I was wrong!”

Jean chuckled.  “Hermione, every strong woman admits when she’s made a mistake.  Owning up to them is part of what makes you that strong, fierce woman.  You need to talk to him.”

Hermione bit her lip.  “I’m not ready yet.”

Jean kissed her cheek again before she stood up.  “That’s okay, too.  But don’t wait too long or you’ll have missed your chance.”

Hermione watched her mother head into the kitchen to make her some soup as she thought about her mother’s words.  She didn’t want to miss her chance, but she wasn’t sure she was ready for her chance either.  Harry needed her right now.  Her friends needed her.  Sirius’ death meant more than just the loss of a father.  The war was happening and they needed to prepare.  She needed to focus on that, not on her emotional crazed feelings.

But she couldn’t help but remember how Ron had pulled her into his lap on the sofa in the common room.  How her arse had fit in those large hands, the feel of his lips on hers, how she’d been alarmed by the heat that pooled between her legs.  Even now at just the mere memory of it, she crossed her legs and opened her book back up.

No, she needed more time.  Rationalizing was what she needed to do.  Maybe she could write up a pros and cons list, that could help her make a decision?  

Con: He was annoying and quick tempered.  

Pro: She could count on him.

Con: He was always complaining about schoolwork. 

Pro: When he kissed her, she felt the world drop away.

Con: He was always eating and intentionally chewing with his mouth open until she commented on it.

Con: If something happened between her and Ron and it didn’t work out, she could lose Ginny too, which would mean Harry…

Pro: The feel of Ron’s hands on her arse.

Pro: She wanted those hands on more than her arse.

Pro: Watching him on his broomstick made her wonder how he gripped his own, er, broomstick.

Heat flushed through her and she stood up, squashing her thoughts.  Clearly this list wasn’t a good idea.  She’d see if her mother needed help in the kitchen.  That was clearly the safer decision.

[lordofdestructionm]

No need to feel self-conscious. Vikdecai fans like myself are so feral and hungry for content they are just thrilled to get it XD

The trope is actually even better with Vikdecai shipping because Mordecai having a thing for Viktor is obvious to anyone paying close attention (MitziKnowsWhatsUp) except for himself. He is so repressed and buttoned up and keen to rationalize away any uncomfortable feelings that either some event or someone would probably have to smack him in the face with the fact before self-realization hits

Even then there would be an existential crisis with a lot of denial, maybe even internalized homophobia. Even if he got over those he would still be convinced that these feelings for his best (only) and 100% straight friend were foolish and had no chance of being reciprocated so he must try to conceal it and prevent Viktor from catching on. He probably assumes Viktor would react negatively which would ruin one of the few personal relationships he cares about.

As you say even if in some parallel reality where they got together Viktor would 100% be the more relaxed one about the relationship. Not PDA or anything but it would cause him a lot less anxiety.

For Mordecai this would be the first time he has expierienced this sort of intimacy with someone and would not know how to conduct himself even when its just the two of them and would be even more careful to not give any hint to anyone else that his dynamic with the big guy has changed at all.

Sorry you triggered my brain rot

really love the trope when a guy is so visibly in love with an oblivious guy, and once they got together the role is reversed

[otabangbang]

The Sliding Tiger: Part Two

Read Part 1 HERE This part is mostly dialogue, as we learn about the stranger Otabek has found...

"Call the local emergency number. He's probably a missing person who needs medical help."

"Maybe." Yuuri's words made sense and Otabek knew in any other situation, that was exactly what he should do. It didn't mean he wanted to.

"No maybe about it, Otabek. You found a passed out man in a bunch of bushes with no idea how long he's been there. Medical attention is important at least!" Yuuri's soft voice carried alarm in it and it unnerved Otabek. He didn't hear that an awful lot since Yuuri and Viktor had moved in with each other.

"What made you think he's a missing person, anyway? He could have wandered off from some friends here and gotten lost. Maybe then proceeded to trip and hit his head." And lose all his clothes...

"Something about it seems really weird," came Yuuri's swift reply. "I-I'm not sure what aside from him being naked, exactly, but the way you describe everything, it doesn't sound like a place someone just wanders from their group."

Otabek shrugged despite the fact Yuuri could not see anything he did. He rubbed his forehead, the phone clutched tightly in his other hand. He was leaning against the car, having managed to awkwardly lay the man down in the back. He couldn't be happier he was driving a hatchback, though he still had to move some equipment around. "Perhaps you're right. I don't really know. Yuuri, not to ignore your advice, but I'm going to attempt to give him some time to wake up before I call anyone."

"Otabek..." Caution came through in his voice then. "You don't know what kind of person he might be."

That irritated Otabek. It irritated him more than it rationally should and he was well aware of it. He didn't know who the man was, but he was sure, he was fully sure that he wasn't a bad person. "Yup. I know."

"I'm not trying to be a jerk about this. If you'd called Viktor he'd probably even be worse."

"I realize that." Otabek let out a sigh. "I understand, Yuuri. I'll be careful, alright?" he assured him. "I don't want to be too hasty, perhaps he was hidden away for good reason too."

"That could be. I trust your judgement Otabek...listen, just let me know how it goes after he wakes up, okay?" Yuuri sounded tired then.

"Of course. I'll text or call," Otabek told him. "Alright, I'm going to deal with rearranging the car. Thanks, Yuuri." With that, their call was over and Otabek was again alone with an unconsious man.

How would he wake him up? He didn't have smelling salts. He also had no desire to dump water all over him and the car, and he wasn't going to wake him up with alarm due to loud noises. Perhaps he could shake him? But what if he awoke suddenly and violently? There wasn't much to do except wait it out, and Otabek did happen to be pretty patient. He continued to lean on his car, eventually turning it on to play some soft music and break up the silence since there continued to be no one immediately around him.

He hadn't thought it would be enough to wake up his passenger, but about ten minutes into the music he managed to hear a small moan in between songs. Immediately he shoved his phone in his pocket and whipped around from the side of the car to look in the back, the trunk door raised since he put him in there. The man was laying there still with Otabek's jacket over his hips but his eyes were open - only about halfway, but they were open, and he turned his head.

"Hey," Otabek said, standing at the edge of the trunk and not knowing what the hell else he should do. The man didn't really react, still slowly waking up. Otabek cleared his throat and tried again. "HEY."

Suddenly the blonde's head snapped up and his eyes were wide, looking at Otabek. "The fuck are you!?" he asked and his hands, which had been limp at his side, suddenly dug into the floor of the car and his legs kicked to try and move back. "The fuck - where am I!?"

"Safe safe!" Otabek cried urgently. He didn't know what else to say and was close to grunting random words like a big ape. "You're safe!"

"Safe!?"

"SAFE! Yes! I found you laying in the brush and brought you here to be somewhere safe!" Otabek replied as the other was trying to scoot himself up against one of Otabek's cases of equipment.

"You...found me?" The sense of urgency dropped but a tiny bit to give way to curiousity. "I don't believe you!"

Otabek didn't know how to respond; clearly the man hadn't meant to be found, or hadn't expected to wind up in a situation where he would be. "It's true! I went for a walk and I found you laying there. I didn't know what to do except bring you back here. Look, what's your name?"

The blonde's captivating eyes narrowed. "Why should I tell you? Why am I naked?" That last question had an accusing tone to it.

"I have no idea why you're naked, alright? I put my jacket on you because of that. I'm Otabek Altin." Maybe if he introduced himself it would move things along. He hoped anyway.

"This is your jacket?"

"Uh-huh. Sorry if it's not very soft."

The other man continued to stare at him. Otabek was painfully aware that he was being judged, that a decision was being made. He could only hope the decision would be for Otabek to help him. If the stranger rejected his help and left, it felt like it would tear him apart and he didn't even know his name.

He knew his smell and he knew his eyes. He knew he'd be dumb to ignore that.

Then suddenly, the hard stare dropped. The man sighed. "No, it's fine. I'm Yuri," he said, and it suddenly felt like they knew each other.

But they didn't. "Cool." Otabek had to scramble on what to say next. "Uh! I have clothes if you want to wear them. They're a little big but-"

"Well yea, they're better than being fucking naked!" Yuri snapped and the tiny bit of softness that Otabek thought he felt an inkling of was gone.

"Right, right," Otabek muttered and pulled his suitcase from where he'd moved it on the backseat. When he had it arranged, he opened it to search for clothes. He didn't want to choose something that would make Yuri think he was trying to say something about him. "Uh so you don't know how you got here?"

"No!"

"Where are you from?" he asked as he selected a pair of jeans and a black belt with silver studded stars to help the smaller man keep them on.

For a moment there was silence. Then Yuri answered. "Uh, St. Petersburg, sort of. But I got moved around and now I'm in Spain."

"Spain? You're...pretty far from home."

"I...wait, where the hell am I?"

"Lake Galichskoye..." Otabek was growing more concerned by Yuri's confusion. He found a short sleeve shirt featuring a lime green guitar with wings and picked up that. The last thing was to choose underwear and unfortunately the ones that would fit Yuri best had a bear eating honey on the ass. He stepped back with the pile of clothes. "...In Russia."

Suddenly Yuri's head popped up over the seat, his eyes wide and gaze on Otabek. "No fucking way! I'm back in Russia? After all these years?"

Otabek blinked and then handed over the clothes, Yuri reaching eagerly past the seat for them. "I-I guess. How long were you in Spain?" "Ummmm...I guess I moved there around eleven or twelve. I don't...I don't really remember."

Moving around could be blurry in memory and Otabek nodded. "I see." Meanwhile, his heart had started to beat against his chest. At the training camp, the boy with the eyes and the lavender smell had been ten or so. The boy he never saw again - well that sounded like the age he may have moved away.

"And fuck I hated it! Fuck!" Yuri sort of vanished as he shrank back behind the seat to put on clothes. Otabek was focusing on the area outside the car, thinking as Yuri kept on. "Grandpa must have done something....shit! I don't know what the hell happened but....ah..." He trailed off and Otabek could hear him shifting around.

"Is this somewhere he would have brought you?" Otabek asked, knowing he had to piece things together.

"Maybe." Otabek heard more shuffling. "But...whenever we went to lakes, they were frozen. He would take me ice skating."

His heart almost stopped. "Skating?"

"Yea, what, there something weird about that? I was damn good at it! I think I could dance too, but...well again, things get kind of blurry. I used to wonder if I hit my head."

"Nothing weird! I-I like skating," Otabek said, turning around quickly. He wasn't going to get into the fact that he was kind of world famous. "I just didn't expect it I guess."

Yuri was crawling out of the back of the car by then, his clothes baggy on Yuri's thin frame. Otabek wasn't really big, just more muscular. "Uh-huh." He was kind of cute as he stared down at himself and then looked back up at Otabek. He looked like he wanted to say something but was hesitant for a moment. "...So what now?"

"I don't know." They silently regarded each other, Otabek and the strange person he'd found. "I have no idea where you came from. You want to call your Grandpa?"

Yuri nodded, suddenly paused, and frowned. "Fuck."

"What?"

"I don't know his number. His name is Nikolai but..." Yuri furrowed his brow in thought. "I don't- I can't remember his last name. It's not the same as mine."

"What is your last name?"

Yuri looked right back at him, his eyes wide and lost looking, but still not lacking the drive he knew was there. "Plisetsky."

He knew he had to know that name. Had to! But if Otabek couldn't place it, perhaps Viktor could. Skating, Russian from St. Petersburg, there was at least a small shot. "Okay. I'm going to text one of my friends in St. Petersburg and see if he might be able to dig something up."

"Pfft." Yuri rolled his eyes. "You know how many people live in that city? He's not going to know who I am just because I once lived in the same city, that's stupid."

Otabek chose not to mention who exactly Viktor was as he took out his phone. He wasn't sure it was really the time to mention Viktor's incredible fame, if only because he would have to then get to his own. "Better chance than me, I'm originally from Kazakhstan," he answered as he typed to Viktor: 'The name Plisetsky sound familiar?'

"Huh." Yuri shrugged. "Anyway, now what?"

"I don't know. What do you want to do?"

"Why were you here anyway?"

"Oh." Otabek sighed. "I'm on a trip across country, with at least a week left ahead of me." It pained him to say the next thing, but he had to. "I'm really only at the start of this trip, but if you need to go to St. Petersburg, I'll take you."

"Wow, what a hero you are. That's dumb, just get me to an airport and I'll fly back."

"With what money?" Otabek asked, an eyebrow raised. Not that he inspected Yuri's naked body, but he sure didn't see anywhere to keep a wallet.

Yuri's face transformed into the very portrait of confusion. "Oh. Uhhhh..."

"Look...Antropovo is about an hour away. We can go there and check into a hotel while you figure stuff out. How about that?" Otabek asked, hoping like hell Yuri would say yes. Aside from not knowing what else to do, he wanted to keep Yuri close as he tried to understand what the hell was happening to himself.

Yuri kept giving him that confused look, until he sighed and nodded. "Yea, okay. I guess so. If I can talk to Grandpa he can get me home and you can continue your trip."

Otabek nodded. He would still volunteer to take Yuri back, though. Missing the gig would be difficult, but if he had to do it to understand why he'd felt weird for such a long time, then he would cope with it. "Alright. Let me load some of this back into the car properly, and we'll get going."

"Okay." Yuri stepped over to the back and reached in, withdrawing the jacket Otabek had laid over him, holding it out. "Here...thank you, by the way."

Otabek didn't know what to really say so he just nodded as he took it and put it back on even if he wasn't cold. Then he joined Yuri at the back of the car to start rearranging things back the way they should be. His stomach growled. "Are you feeling up to eating? I'm pretty hungry."

"Not much of an appetite, but maybe I should try to eat anyway," Yuri told him. His hands were out to help, but he was mostly watching Otabek. "What is all this stuff, anyway?"

"Oh. Equipment for the gig I'm on my way to...I'm a DJ," he told him, a light blush in his cheeks. It felt weird to bring it up to Yuri for some reason.

"You're a DJ!?" Yuri asked, and loudly. It was nearly a yell. "That is so cool!" That WAS a yell.

"Oh ah-" Otabek didn't know how to react, but he laughed a little awkwardly. "Yea, it kind of is."

"There's no 'kind of', that shit's awesome!" Yuri was grinning as Otabek looked up to him. "You better play some good music on the drive!"

Otabek smiled despite himself. He was relieved that Yuri had come around since intially waking up. Hopefully, he could keep his mood up. "I will. I won't let you down, Yuri." And he meant that.

[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 ♡

[hexmachinations]

chrysanthemum :   how does your muse express romantic love ?  how do they feel about love as a concept ?  

Viktor in League of Legends universe would consider love as a distraction, especially in his field of work. He would not describe his dedication to technology and constant improvement as love for his nation and the people – absolutely not. Instead, he’d say this is a necessity to aid in survival of human species in the horrid conditions.

If he were to fall in love, and say he’d be past the attempts to try and suppress, ignore and actually come to terms with the brain chemistry that refuses to fall in line and obey his demands, he’d prove to be extremely loyal to the said person. His loyalty would remain even if he’d get rejected and in a sense, he’d reason that this is good: rejection would allow Viktor to move on, to use this information to establish another foothold and be in control. There’s a high chance that he’d never even confess to these emotions – not to himself nor the subject of his admiration, but he’d let it fuel him nonetheless (should he, for some reason, decide to not work against it and find a ‘cure’ for the condition).

He is an inventor and his undivided loyalty would be accompanied by attention. Viktor would start paying more attention to the detail, try to read out what needs they might have, use his connections if need be. He has resources and thus his love language would possibly rest in gift giving, even if the said gifts might not necessarily include accessories or beautiful clothes.

He would give them respect, listen to them.

Love as a concept is odd but at the same time so simply explained. The way it behaves (like amphetamine) can be addicting and this is what he fears the most: the absolute loss of rational thought and dependence on such organic needs when he has worked so hard to ascend beyond such limits.

Arcane Viktor would be awkward at first. He is no stranger to love, or at least the concept of it, but this realization would be followed by the manifestation of doubt.

His romantic love would be expressed first via shy attempts to gather attention, and at the same time he would be extremely attentive to the object of his desires.

Viktor’s expression of love would come in a form of attention, loyalty, desire to be there for the person and understand them in any way he can. He is new to this, but he’s willing to learn and, most importantly, he’s willing to give this person time – which is scarce as is due to his marriage to work and research.

Though his resources might be scarce, he would take pleasure in handing out gifts – most crafted by Viktor.

Albeit a little shy (at least in the beginning), he might indulge in something as scandalous as brushing fingers across the person’s hand (obviously in order to reach for something) or patting their shoulder. In some cases - a hug, even.

[kazliin]

Missing You - A Rivals Ficlet

To tide everyone over until I get the chance to write the final chapter of obs&bh, here’s some future Rivals!Viktuuri. For @minatu who wanted to see the story behind number 4 of this top ten. This is set a few months after umfb&mha ends, when they are officially together but in a long distance relationship due to still living apart.

Living in different countries was hard.

They had both known it would be, when they had first made the decision. But considering the circumstances they had both agreed that it was the right thing to do, for the moment at least. Yuuri knew that he would move to St Petersburg in a heartbeat for Viktor and that Viktor would do the same for him and Detroit but after everything that had happened, they both knew that jumping straight into living together was a bad plan. They had mutually agreed to take it slow for now. Take time to relearn each other all over again and figure out how to actually be in a proper relationship together before taking the next big, and hopefully permanent, step.

So far, it had been working out well. Much as Yuuri couldn’t wait for the day when they would move in together for good and he could wake up to Viktor’s familiar face every morning, there still wasn’t a day that went by when they weren’t in contact as it was. Every morning he woke up to Viktor’s bright good morning text, often accompanied by a picture. Sometimes of himself, sometimes of Makkachin, sometimes of both.

As soon as Yuuri was fully awake he would text back and after that the stream of messages between them was constant, broken only when Celestino confiscated his phone on the rink or Yakov did the same to Viktor. Finally, when they were both home from practice, Yuuri would set up his laptop and wait until Viktor appeared on the screen, beaming and usually already excitedly halfway through a sentence by the time the call connected.

They would keep the connection open for as long as they could, sometimes cooking or eating while still talking and sometimes with Yuuri watching as Viktor curled up in bed with Makkachin by his side and the screen next to his face. Viktor would often stay awake far later than he should considering his training schedule just to talk for longer but eventually, tiredness would overtake him and they would say their goodnights before Viktor fell asleep.

And on most day, Yuuri could convince himself that it was enough.

But there were times, more and more frequent the more time passed, that he still missed Viktor desperately, even when the other man’s face was on the screen in front of him and his voice was ringing clearly in Yuuri’s ears. He missed being able to touch Viktor, to hold him and never let him go. Missed just being in his presence. Seeing his face on a screen was never the same.

Visits between them were frequent too, as frequent as their hectic schedules would allow. Being a wold renown athlete had its perks and one of those perks was not feeling too guilty about the price tag that came with regular tickets to St Petersburg to see Viktor whenever time allowed. Holidays, weekends, whenever they could get.

But they both lead busy lives and sometimes time just wasn’t available. They both trained hard and constantly under the guidance of their respective coaches and much as Yuuri wished he could see Viktor every day, during especially busy periods, sometimes visits were much fewer and further between than either of them would like.

Yuuri knew rationally that it was just how things had to be at the moment. They had made the right choice by not rushing things and they had already begun discussing the future and making plans so he knew it would hardly be forever. But that didn’t stop the ache in his chest every time he woke up in an empty bed, craving Viktor’s warmth.

The longer the periods of time spent apart, the greater the ache became. Which was why he was currently curled up in front of his laptop with Viktor’s face on the screen and a pain in his chest even as he forced his own face into a smile.

Viktor was talking animatedly in front of him, gesturing enthusiastically as he recounted stories of the Russian team’s latest misadventure. Yuuri tried his best to smile and pay attention, he was always interested in what Viktor had to say and hearing about Viktor’s day never got old. But seeing Viktor on the screen, so near and yet so far away, was beginning to hurt when it had been so long since he had seen that same sight in person.

It had been almost a month since they had last been together, the longest they had ever been separated since that fateful day in Barcelona. Usually their visits would come much closer together, a month apart was unusual, but this time circumstances had kept them separated for far longer this time. Usually Yuuri would be able to handle it fine but each day without Viktor now seemed to stretch out into an eternity and he couldn’t help the creeping sadness that only grew the longer they were forced to be apart.

“Yuuri, are you alright? You’ve been very quiet lately. Is there something wrong?” Viktor asked from the screen and Yuuri jolted out of his thoughts, hurriedly smiling back at Viktor and hoping that the smile reached his eyes. Viktor had become very perceptive at picking up on Yuuri’s moods and he should have known the other man would notice his distraction.

“Sorry, I just had a long day,” he replied, hoping to brush the whole thing off. Objectively, it wasn’t like they had been apart for that long after all. Before they were officially together they had used to go months and months without seeing each other and with no contact between them. Admitting how desperately he missed Viktor now after not even a full month of separation might come off as far too clingy, especially with how frequently they talked as it was. Phichit had once commented that he was pretty sure that Yuuri talked more to Viktor on a daily basis than he did with anyone actually living in the same continent as he did.

“Working hard?” Viktor grinned, giving Yuuri a pointed look.

“Did you really think I’m going to slack off and let you beat me?” Yuuri shot back and watched as Viktor’s eyes lit up at the challenge.

“I’m thrilled to see you try solnyshko,” he replied, his tone full of teasing as Yuuri grinned back at him and this time his smile was genuine.

“Are you alright though Yuuri? Really?” Viktor asked again, his tone slipping from teasing to serious as he looked at Yuuri intently, eyes searching. Yuuri should have known he wasn’t getting off so easily. After they had promised to talk things out to avoid repeating any mistakes of the past he was far more open with Viktor than before but he still sometimes found it hard to voice some of his worries out loud. But they were working on it and when Viktor asked it somehow that made it a lot easier to talk than bringing it up on his own.

“I just…miss you, that’s all,” he confessed and watched as Viktor’s face softened.

“I miss you too,” Viktor told him, voice suddenly mournful. “It’s been too long since you were last in my arms. But we’ll see each other soon, I promise.”

“I know,” Yuuri replied and he meant it. As soon as their schedules were less hectic and they could grab some precious few free days, he would be on the first flight to St Petersburg or Viktor would be on the first one to Detroit. But until then he would have to wait and content himself with what he had.

“I just wish you were here,” he added, feeling his face fall a little even as he spoke and Viktor nodded in agreement. As a celebrity and an athlete, Viktor’s time was always in demand and it put a serious limit on how often they could take breaks to simply be together, just as Yuuri’s own life and career did the same.

Viktor opened his mouth again, looking like he was going to reply but he cut himself off with an unexpected yawn, trying to hide it behind his hand and failing. He was still dressed in his day clothes, sitting stretched out on his couch rather than in bed, but Yuuri knew the time difference well enough to know that Viktor probably should have been asleep hours ago. It was selfish, keeping him up any longer just because Yuuri wanted to talk.

“You should sleep,” he pointed out and Viktor glanced down at his phone, eyes widening a little when he saw the time.

“I should,” he agreed reluctantly. “Yakov nearly had a fit the last time I fell asleep in practice.”

The picture on the screen jolted wildly as Viktor picked up his laptop, carrying it from his seat in the main room into the bedroom and setting it down on the bedside table. Yuuri watched as Viktor pulled the shirt he had been wearing over his head, reaching down to unbuckle his belt before looking up again at the camera slyly, taking in the way Yuuri’s eyes were still fixed on him.

“Seeing anything you like?” he asked with a grin and Yuuri rolled his eyes, far too used to Viktor’s flirting by now to bother to answer. Viktor already knew what the reply would be after all.

“Go to sleep,” he prompted again instead as Viktor pouted, pulling off the last of his clothes and clambering into bed. When they were together, Viktor was the early bird and Yuuri was the night owl, Viktor often having to cajole him into sleeping at a reasonable time and ply him with coffee in the mornings to tempt him out of bed. But when they were apart, their time zones pushed them in the opposite direction and Viktor had been sacrificing more and more sleep to stay up late and talk, forcing Yuuri to take on the role of responsible adult to try and get him to stick to a normal sleep schedule.

“Yuuri, you wound me,” Viktor replied, putting on his best puppy dog expression. It was ruined when he yawned again, the shadows under his eyes standing out even more when lit up solely from the brightness of the laptop screen.

“Goodnight Viktor,” Yuuri said with a small smile, trying to hide the sadness that rose within him as he brought the conversation to a close. With a mix of their busy schedules and time zones, no matter how much they talked, it still never felt like they had enough time.

“Goodnight Yuuri,” Viktor replied fondly, then continued with a small frown. “You’re sure you’re alright though?”

“I’m fine,” Yuuri tried to dismiss the question with a smile. “I’ll talk to you in the morning.”

With that he cut the connection, watching as the screen faded to black. As soon as Viktor’s face was gone he could feel his own fall, the smile he had been trying to wear the whole conversation dropping now that he was alone.

It was fine, he hadn’t been lying. Feeling a little down over the distance between them was hardly something he needed to worry Viktor about more than he already had. It was normal after all and this wasn’t the first time he had missed Viktor’s presence. But even he could admit that this time it was worse than any times before, something that had been creeping up on him slowly for weeks until it was all he could think about.

And on top of the lingering sadness, more than anything he wished that it wasn’t like this, that he wasn’t so inconvenient for Viktor. That he didn’t live so far away, that being with him didn’t require so much effort and time spent apart. Viktor had reassured him hundreds of times that having Yuuri was worth all that and so much more but sometimes Yuuri still found it hard to believe him. He sometimes wondered if Viktor every regretted having a boyfriend who he mainly talked to through a screen, who had a schedule so busy that it kept them apart for weeks at a time, who he had to spend thousands of rubles on for flights every time he wanted them to be together.

Everything would change once they moved in together, something that they were counting down to in months and not years. But they had separate lives in separate countries and there were so many things to consider and sort out before that could happen for good. And until that happened, their relationship took so much extra work for being long distance and sometimes when he was at his worst, Yuuri thought that it was unfair of him, to make Viktor go through that  when he had already been through so much.

They were thoughts he had voiced out loud to Viktor once before and Viktor had been quick to counteract them, to reassure Yuuri that it was nothing like that and never would be. But the longer than usual separation between them had allowed those same thoughts to creep back in again, along with the ever growing ache of being kept so far apart.

As the hours dragged on, the lingering sadness refused to leave his mind. Instead it only grew and even sleep didn’t seem to wash it away. When Yuuri woke up the next morning he was still feeling off balance and unhappy. It wasn’t a clear cut, simple emotion, more like a dull persistent ache, unspecific but very present all the same. He had felt it before during other periods when they were apart but this time it felt worse and he couldn’t seem to shake the low mood that hung over him throughout the rest of the day.

Even Viktor’s cheery good morning text that he woke up to didn’t do much to counteract the feeling. Somehow the text on the screen seemed far too insubstantial, too far from what he really wanted. He wanted to see Viktor, to hold him, to reassure himself that Viktor loved him and it was all real and would remain so. He knew that the worries he had were baseless, knew and trusted in Viktor’s love more than anything, but that did nothing to banish them away. The longer they spent apart, the more he was reminded of how they used to be, brief, fleeting encounters with no promise of a future, no matter how much they had both secretly wanted it. It wasn’t a pleasant memory.

Phichit picked up on his low mood immediately, trying to cheer Yuuri up throughout the day as they practiced. The familiar comfort of his friend took Yuuri’s mind off Viktor for a little while but when he returned back to their shared apartment the ache returned. As the hours ticked on he retreated more and more into his thoughts, mood getting lower and lower even as he unsuccessfully tried to snap himself out of it.

Eventually, he called Viktor. For all his worries about appearing desperate and clingy, he knew logically that Viktor would never begrudge him wanting to talk through the irrational fears his mind conjured and his struggles with the separation. Viktor had confided his own fears and troubles in Yuuri after all and Yuuri knew that the only way to put an end to the downward turn of his thoughts would be to talk about it to the other man.

Viktor picked up on the second ring and the minute Yuuri heard his voice he felt his throat tighten. It was stupid, he scolded himself. He had spoken to Viktor only yesterday, he shouldn’t be getting emotional over hearing the way his voice curled around Yuuri’s name, the fondness in the tone and how hearing it again suddenly felt like a weight being lifted off his shoulders.

“Yuuri?” Viktor asked, a question in his voice.

“Hey Viktor,” Yuuri replied and he heard his voice crack unexpectedly on the words. Suddenly all the emotions that had been building and building within him for weeks were rising up within him, spilling over into his voice and the irrational tears that were building up in his eyes.

“Yuuri, are you alright?” Viktor asked, sounding concerned and Yuuri nodded, furiously wiping at his eyes. It wasn’t something he should be crying over, not even close, but suddenly all the sadness he had been bottling up over the month apart had broken free and there was precious little he could do about it.

“Sorry,” he said automatically, sensing Viktor’s worry from the other end of the line. “I just…can I talk to you about something?”

“Of course,” Viktor replied, sounding surprised at the need for the question. “You know that you can tell me anything. Tell me what’s wrong.”

“I really miss you,” Yuuri choked out, swallowing heavily and trying to force himself into composure again. “I’m sorry, I know I said it last night and it’s stupid because we’ll see each other again soon but I just…I just…”

“Yuuri,” Viktor’s voice was soothing, familiar and comforting with every syllable. “Open the door.”

“The…what?” Yuuri asked, churning emotions suddenly replaced with nothing but confusion. “What door?”

“Your front door, open it,” Viktor told him and Yuuri got up, making his way over to the door, not quite daring to hope as he swung it open.

Viktor was standing on the other side. There were dark circles under his eyes and his face had the pale, washed out look of someone who had just spent far too many hours on a plane but he was still the most beautiful thing that Yuuri had ever seen. There was a bouquet of roses in his hand but Yuuri barely registered them. Instead he grabbed Viktor and hauled him into a crushing hug, feeling Viktor’s arms wrap around him too as he buried his face into Yuuri’s hair.

“What are you doing here?” Yuuri asked, face still pressed into Viktor’s shoulder and savouring the feeling of the other man in his arms.

“I missed you too,” Viktor replied, tightening his hold on Yuuri as he spoke. “You’ve been sounding sad recently and after what you said last night…I had to come and see you. I wanted to make you smile again.”

Yuuri pulled back, feeling his heart swell with love even as the worry rose within him.

“But your press conference? Your training?” he began but Viktor cut him off with a smile, hand coming up to cup Yuuri’s cheek.

“I cancelled the conference,” he said. “And Yakov will understand if I take a few extra days off. You’re more important than it all.”  

“Viktor…” Yuuri began and then stopped, unable to put what he wanted to say into words. Viktor had suddenly put his life on hold, dropped everything and flown halfway around the world, simply because he had known Yuuri was upset and missing him. To Viktor, he was worth that, just as Viktor was worth all it and so much more to Yuuri.

Instead of finishing his sentence he pulled Viktor down into a kiss, tightening his arms around the other man as Viktor melted into the touch. Kissing Viktor felt so good, it always did, but this time if felt especially perfect. Perfect because it was Viktor and he was here and he was Yuuri’s and Yuuri loved him so much and knew in his heart just how equally those feelings were returned.

“Oh, hey Viktor,” Came a voice from behind them and they jumped apart, startled by the unexpected interruption. Phichit was grinning mischievously from behind them, having clearly just walked out of his room and been surprised by the unexpected scene in the doorway. Yuuri flushed red with embarrassment but Viktor just gave a jaunty wave, one arm still curled around Yuuri, keeping him close.

“Hi Phichit,” he smiled. The two of them might have gotten off to a slightly rocky start, Phichit had been less than happy with Viktor for a long time and Viktor had been wary of Phichit, unsure of where he stood in the other man’s eyes. But that had dissipated quickly over bonding moments involving food, alcohol and embarrassing stories about Yuuri and now they were fast approaching becoming friends.

“I thought you weren’t going to be able to make it over here for a couple more weeks?” Phichit asked, sounding far too casual for Yuuri’s liking. It usually spelled trouble.

“I rearranged a few things,” Viktor shrugged. “I hope you don’t mind. I know you weren’t expecting guests.”

“Of course I don’t,” Phichit said breezily, then winked conspiratorially at Viktor which only made Yuuri groan and blush deeper. “Just let me know if you need me to turn my music up loud tonight. I wouldn’t want to get in the way of your reunion.”

“Phichit,” Yuuri hissed but Viktor just laughed in response, shooting Phichit a grin and pulling Yuuri away from the door, leading him over towards his bedroom.

“Have fun,” Phichit called from behind them and Yuuri shot him a death glare before Viktor swung the door shut and flopped down onto Yuuri’s bed.

He was still smiling but there was also exhaustion in his frame as he set the flowers he was still carrying down on the bedside table and kicked off his shoes, yawning as he did so. Yuuri crawled up to join him, pressing another kiss to Viktor’s mouth, chaste and gentle, enjoying the feeling again now that they were alone.

“You look tired,” he murmured, leaning back just enough to look take in Viktor’s expression. “Did you really fly straight here?”

“The first flight I could book,” Viktor confirmed. “I think the jetlag might be catching up to me though.”

As he said it he yawned again and Yuuri smiled fondly.

“Let’s go to bed then,” he suggested, getting up off the bed to search in his drawers for his sleep clothes as Viktor nodded and began to unbutton his shirt. It was late enough to be a reasonable time to go to sleep and after a long flight he wasn’t going to keep Viktor awake any longer, no matter what Phichit was implying. There would be plenty of time in the morning after all.

By the time he was dressed in his sleep clothes, Viktor had already stripped down to nothing and was making himself comfortable in the centre of Yuuri’s bed, shifting a little and trying to find the best spot. When they had first begun their relationship, Yuuri had worried that Viktor would be offended by his preference for sleeping in clothes unless there had been reason to take them off beforehand, especially when Viktor seemed to prefer to sleep naked regardless of the situation. But that fear, like all of his early worries, had been completely unfounded.

“You know, you should really get a bigger bed,” Viktor complained as Yuuri climbed in next to him, staring mournfully at the lack of space left to them. It wasn’t the first time Viktor had complained about the size of Yuuri’s modest bed and Yuuri was sure it wouldn’t be the last. It was true that his bed was far smaller than the ones that Viktor was used to but Yuuri hadn’t seen any pressing need to change it.

“But if I got a bigger bed, what excuse would we have to do this?” he pointed out, shifting as close to Viktor as he could get so they were both practically lying on top of one another without an inch of space between them. Viktor arms came up automatically to wrap around him and he nuzzled his face into Yuuri’s neck, complaints forgotten.

“I love you, is that not excuse enough,” Viktor said, pressing a kiss to the skin of Yuuri’s neck and Yuuri blushed, still not quite over hearing Viktor say the words out loud, or so casually. It had been months since they had first been spoken, the day that they had come together again after a painful nine months apart, but hearing it still hadn’t gotten old. Yuuri was sure it never would.

“I’m so glad you’re here,” he told Viktor, looking down to gaze at the other man and hearing the awe in his own voice. He still had no idea what he had done to ever deserve what he now had but he wouldn’t give it up for the world.

“There’s nowhere I’d rather be,” Viktor replied, voice completely sincere.

Things weren’t perfect but then again, they never would be. They both led lives filled with stress and pressure and expectation. They were still working some things out between them, learning each other and how not to repeat the mistakes of their past. They lived apart and the distance was hard, no matter how well they made their relationship work despite it and no matter how soon their living arrangements might change. But they had each other. There was nothing that Yuuri wanted in the world more than that.

“Goodnight Viktor,” he said, leaning down to press a final kiss against Viktor’s lips and feeling as Viktor smiled into his mouth as he returned it. The words felt so much better than the night before, accompanied by the warm press of Viktor’s body and the knowledge that Viktor would be there to wake up to come the morning.

“Goodnight Yuuri,” Viktor replied, still smiling.

The next morning, Yuuri awoke to the smell of freshly cooking bacon, the scent filtering into his brain before he was even fully awake. His stomach let out a demanding grumble and he sat up, rubbing the sleep from his eyes and looking around for the source of the enticing smell. The door to his bedroom sat ajar and he wandered through into the kitchen, still trying to banish the vestiges of sleep from his eyes.

Viktor was standing at the stove, one hand resting lightly on the handle of a frying pan as he flipped the sizzling pieces of bacon within. Thankfully, he had chosen to put some clothes on that morning, probably out of respect for Phichit who had complained before about seeing far more of Viktor than he ever needed to. Unfortunately, or fortunately, Yuuri wasn’t quite sure, Viktor’s choice in clothes still left very little to the imagination.

The tight black boxers he was wearing were his own but the shirt was one of Yuuri’s, the old Detroit skating club logo fading on the front of the well-worn fabric. While they were a similar size, Viktor still had a few centimetres on Yuuri in height and his shoulders were a little broader, allowing the shirt to ride up and expose the skin of his stomach and causing it to stretch tight across the upper half of Viktor’s torso.

At the sound of Yuuri’s approach Viktor turned, face breaking out into a sunny smile when he saw who it was.

“Good morning,” he said brightly, continuing to flip the bacon as he beamed.

“Good morning,” Yuuri replied automatically, feeling his heart flutter in his chest at the sight.

“That’s my shirt,” he added, mouth feeling a little dry and Viktor’s expression turned pleased as he looked down at himself.

 “I borrowed.” Viktor said, a playful smile playing on his lips as he did so. “You don’t mind do you?”

Viktor’s expression was one of a man who knew for sure that Yuuri didn’t but Yuuri wasn’t going to give in that easily.

“And if I do?” he asked, cocking an eyebrow and watching as Viktor’s expression switched instantly from playful to sly as he recognised Yuuri’s tone of voice. “Would you take it off?”

“No, but you can take it off for me,” Viktor sugggested, tone suddenly heavy with implication and he grinned as Yuuri took a step towards him, sliding his fingers under the fabric of the shirt and trailing them across Viktor’s skin.

“If I distract you, you’ll burn the breakfast,” Yuuri pointed out but it was more for show than anything else. They had both been too tired the night before but there was nothing stopping them now. Confidently he took a step closer, running his fingers across smooth skin and backing Viktor up against the kitchen counter.

“We can always make more,” Viktor grinned, hands already sliding around Yuuri’s waist as he bent down expectantly, pressing a light kiss to Yuuri’s mouth and then surrendering completely when Yuuri pulled him in to a much deeper kiss.

The breakfast ended up burning. Neither of them cared.

[shannie-writes]

It’s a Date

Happy Holidays! This is my Secret Santa gift to @kiku-ohonhonda for Notice Me Senpai. I hope you enjoy it!

You can also find this on my AO3 here.

“Class is dismissed. Don’t forget your homework over the weekend. Katsuo, that means you. Pages 147 through 151. Due Monday.”

Kyouya’s students filed out in a chattering rush, pairing up as they picked up their bags and discussed where they wanted to visit now that classes were through for the day. The café seemed to be a popular spot these days. Kyouya knew he would be down there as well, getting something extra-caffeinated to keep him alive through the night of grading ahead of him, but another electric throb of pain behind his right eye had him changing his mind.

“Meds, meds,” he chanted to himself, throwing the desk drawers open and rifling through the odd papers and handful of pens, his mood growing darker as his search came up empty.  A knock on the door had him wincing and looking up to see Hideki stepping into the room.

“Kyouya-sensei, can you help me fill out some of this paperwork for when Viktor-sensei…” Hideki eyed Kyouya over and grimaced. “You look like death warmed over, is something wrong?”

“Migraine,” he said, pressing a couple fingers to his brow in a poor attempt to ease the pain.

“I think the infirmary is open, they usually have something for headaches there. I go and get some for myself on occasion.” Hideki gestured his thumb behind him. “You want me to get some for you?”

Kyouya stood and made his way towards Hideki, patting him on the shoulder as he passed. “I’ll get it myself, thank you.” He didn’t want to shock Hideki with how much he would likely need before it would take effect, his body not taking the medication as well as it used to after near daily use from the years of stress through college and teaching. “I’ll help you with that paperwork when I get back.”

“It can wait until Monday. No rush.”

Kyouya waited for Hideki to follow him out of the room before he closed the door behind them both, splitting off in the other direction towards the infirmary. He counted his blessings that the small office wasn’t too far away, counting each step closer to his relief.

Testing the handle, he released a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding, happy the door hadn’t been locked once the students had vacated the building for the weekend. The slight creak of the hinges had him wincing again, beelining for the cabinets above the small sink. Trying to keep his search as quiet as possible, he lifted bottle after bottle, reading the labels and putting them back in place, becoming more agitated with each incorrect medication.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

The soft voice behind him was nearly inaudible, but the shock of being found by someone unfamiliar had Kyouya spinning around, knocking a few bottles out of the cabinet and into the sink in his speed to move his hands to his sides to appear as though he wasn’t doing anything suspicious, his heart beating in his chest in time to the headache throbbing against his skull. The clattering behind him stopped after a moment as the bottles settled in the sink, a silence building between Kyouya and the man in front of him.

The man was slightly shorter than Kyouya, but stood properly with his shoulders back. His hair was slightly pink in color, leading Kyouya to wonder if it was dyed, but knew that this was against school rules for staff, which this man had to have been with his long white coat and stethoscope laying around his neck. Kyouya cleared his throat and decided to be as polite as he could manage, looking the man in the eyes. They seemed to smile at him through his glasses, the frame a nearly identical color of soft brown. Kyouya had opened his mouth to apologize and explain the situation, only to find that his throat had dried out, leaving him breathless as though he had been punched in the gut, a familiar sensation from his youth, yet the situation was vastly different.

A small smile touched the man’s face as he witnessed Kyouya’s struggle. “It’s nice to finally meet you, Kyouya. I apologize I hadn’t had a chance to introduce myself to you since I started working this week. I’ve been trying to get this place organized and have been watching over a rather high number of students escaping classes to sleep.” His laugh was light, washing over Kyouya and instantly putting him in a better mood. He held his hand out between them, offering to shake. “Please, call me Haruka.”

Kyouya raised a hand to meet Haruka’s, willing his trembling fingers to not give away how flustered he was. “Nice to meet you as well, Haruka. I would introduce myself in return, but you seem to already know who I am.”

“Mm, I’ve seen you here and there before.” Haruka dropped Kyouya’s grip and took a step closer.

Kyouya closed his eyes, the closeness of their bodies throwing images in his head that he had never entertained for...anyone, really. He caught a whiff of sandalwood--Haruka’s aftershave? Cologne?--before the sound of the cabinet closing behind him brought him back to his senses. Slowly opening his eyes, he found the doctor holding a bottle in front of him so he could read the label. The migraine medication.

“Is this what you were looking for? I saw you touching your forehead.”

“You certainly seem to know me well.” Kyouya took the bottle, being careful not to brush his fingers against Haruka’s.

“You flatter me. I have several years of practice under my belt, I only see the signs presented to me. Please feel free to take the whole bottle if you would like, I was planning on making an order on Monday. Adding another bottle to the list is no issue.”

Kyouya sighed in relief. “Thank you, Haruka. Seriously, this is a lifesaver.”

“Of course. Now, I need to lock up for the weekend, if you don’t mind. I’ll be here on any of the school days if you need me for anything further.”

Kyouya nodded stiffly and slid sideways until he was no longer trapped between the counter and the doctor, giving the man a final glance behind him before stepping into the hallway. He twisted the cap off the bottle and swallowed several of the pills dry as he walked back to his classroom to gather up his things.

There was something about Haruka that left him reeling. Something about him was oddly familiar to Kyouya, though he was sure this was the first time they had met. He had heard stories like this before, of reincarnation and soulmates. People who knew each other through time or were destined to meet. In fact, he would swear that he had witnessed such things with some of his own students...

He clipped his briefcase shut with a sense of finality, standing at the desk and taking a solid breath to get his thoughts back in line. It was nonsense. Maybe he had seen Haruka in passing, through school or around town. He didn’t go out much, but it was more likely that he had seen him in a crowd than it would be destiny they would meet. Haruka had even said he had seen him before today. He was a rational man. Such things didn’t exist.

Adjusting his tie around his neck, he scoffed at himself and picked up his briefcase, beginning the trek out to his car.

Nonsense.

---

The bottle of medication he had been given lasted a concerningly short time and the raised eyebrow from Haruka when he asked for more was enough to shame Kyouya into confessing how much he took at a time. After explaining why he needed it so often, Haruka smiled and told him if he felt the aura coming on around his free period to come by the infirmary instead of brooding at his desk. He told Kyouya that he could always have a cot in the corner available to him, so he could curtain himself in where it would have less light to bother his eyes.

Kyouya had thanked him but didn’t want to bother Haruka if he was busy, so he didn’t take him up on the offer until a few weeks later. It was the best experience he had had and was quickly able to push the migraine back in time for his next class with minimal medication and no sound but Haruka writing on paperwork and occasional footsteps around the room.

The next time he went, Haruka welcomed him with a smile, gesturing towards the corner of the room. This time, there was a sleeping mask waiting for him as well, which Kyouya pulled over his eyes with a sigh of relief.

A knock on the door a short while later brought Kyouya out of his calming thoughts and the whispers of Haruka and an unfamiliar student made him curious. Slipping the mask off his head and peeking around the curtain he saw Haruka talking to the barista from the café, who set a carrying case on his desk, giving the doctor a shy smile as she took her payment and pulled a pair of to-go cups from the case. With a nod to Haruka in response to his whispers, she left the room with the empty case and shut the door quietly behind her.

Haruka turned to the cot Kyouya was in and grinned as he met his peeping gaze, gesturing the second cup towards him. Kyouya could tell that he was pink in the cheeks at being caught so easily. He swung his legs over the side and shoved the curtain to the side as soon as he composed himself, joining Haruka at his desk.

“I hope black is fine?” Haruka said, setting the cup in front of him and taking a sip of his own.

“Yes,” Kyouya picked up the cup and took a deep breath of the steam escaping the lid. “I don’t like my coffee sweet. Thank you.”

“Not a problem. The café girl has really picked up on her technique since last month, it’s really quite good.”

“I haven’t made it down there lately, I usually pop over to the pot in the teacher’s lounge if I’m desperate enough.”

“How about you tell me next time so I can get you something other than the cheap swill they have in there? The café has decent prices, less than going to some coffee shop every day.”

“Coffee is coffee.”

“Tell me that in five minutes when you’re finished,” Haruka said with a laugh, the sound shooting adrenaline through Kyouya’s veins in a pleasant way. He wanted to be the one to make Haruka laugh like that every day.

Tipping back the cup to hide the renewed blush on his face, Kyouya gulped down half his coffee, wiping the remaining moisture from his lips with the pad of his thumb. Haruka watched the movement closely before shaking himself off, looking up and giving Kyouya a smile that took him off guard.

“Well?”

“I’m no gourmet, but it was definitely better than the coffee from the lounge.”

“That’s good. I’ll get some for us tomorrow as well then.”

“Tomorrow?”

“Yes, I would like to get to know you better.” Haruka smirked and added, “Gossip about the other faculty and students among other things.”

Kyouya felt a small smile touch his lips in return. “I have some pretty juicy gossip, I suppose.”

Haruka laughed again. “Same time tomorrow then. You need to go before your free period ends.”

Kyouya stood and clutched the cup of coffee to his chest. His heart was racing and he wasn’t sure if it was due to the happiness Haruka was exuding or the caffeine kicking in. Perhaps both.

“Thank you again for the coffee. I will see you then.”

“It’s a date.”

---

“I had no idea that you came to Ikemen as well,” Kyouya exclaimed, setting his mug on the café table. “You would have been one or two years ahead of me? That would explain why you looked somewhat familiar to me when we first met.”

Haruka swallowed the bite of cake he had been savoring, catching the barista’s eye and giving her a thumbs up. “A year older, yes. That’s also how I knew you before. You had quite the reputation back then.”

Kyouya nearly choked on his own spit, holding back the coughing by will alone. “Yes, well. Things were very different then.”

“They really were, weren’t they?”

“Why is it that I had never met you though? I ended up knowing the majority of the other students in the school through one way or another.”

“I was very quiet through school, I don’t think many people would remember me, to be honest. I assisted the librarian when I wasn’t in class. I think she would have died if you had ever stepped foot among the bookshelves,” he chuckled.

“Yes, I did tend to study more on how to throw a punch than anything actually productive.”

“What made you decide to become a teacher? I was definitely surprised to see how much of a change you’ve made in the last ten years.”

“Long story short, there was a third year teacher here who made it his goal to get me to care about myself. He succeeded, somehow. It helped that my good friend Viktor--he’s also a teacher here, actually--he sided with him as well, pushing me away from the negative influences that would have killed me eventually. It also made me realize that there are hundreds of other students out there like me that deserve to have someone look out for them and help them get back on their feet. I don’t know if teaching is necessarily the best way to go about it, math was the only thing I was ever really good at. He was no longer teaching by the time I received tenure here, but I will always look up to him as my idol.”

Haruka looked Kyouya over, as though reading something between the lines. Eventually he said, “That’s really amazing, Kyouya. Thank you for sharing with me.”

Kyouya cleared his throat and took a sip of his coffee. “You’re the one who asked, of course I would tell you.”

Haruka grinned and looked at his watch. “Ah, it’s about that time.” He gestured to the barista and handed her a bill when she beelined over, taking the offered cash to the register to get Haruka his change.

Kyouya stood and pushed the chair up to the table, glad that Haruka didn’t react any differently to his emotional answer. “This time tomorrow?”

“It’s a date.”

---

“Viktor, I have a question for you.”

“If this is about the paperwork Hideki brought up to me today, I will make sure to get that done by the end of tomorrow.”

“Do it by the end of the school day today, or I swear I will--that wasn’t my question, don’t you walk away from me yet.”

“Oh? Is it school related?”

“No.”

“Oooh, do tell. Do you finally have a crush? Is it that pretty little café girl?”

“For the love of--Viktor, don’t flutter your eyes like that, it’s absolutely disgusting. And creepy.”

“So it is the café girl.”

“No. Viktor just listen--okay, you know what? Never mind.”

“Wait, Kyou-chan, I was just teasing. What’s your question?”

“Have you ever...Have you ever met somebody for the first time and felt instantly that you had known them for a very long time?”

“I can’t say that I have myself, but I have met plenty of people that have expressed their relationships along those lines before.”

“How did they describe it?”

“Hmm. A lot of them called each other their soulmates, someone who they had been destined to end up with and be together.”

“How did it end up for them?”

“I don’t think there was a single pair that seemed to be unhappy with each other, if that’s what you’re asking.”

“I’ve been thinking of telling...this person...how I feel.”

“Who--I mean, what are you going to tell them?”

“That they calm me. They are the first thing on my mind when I wake and the last thing I think of before I fall asleep. Their smile is all I need to energize myself for the day. I want to spend the rest of my life with them. I can’t think straight when we’re together. I want to take care of them like they take care of me. I...I think I love them.”

“You know, I’m sure that Haruka would love that.”

“Eh! What? H-How did you know?”

“It would take an idiot to not see how you two look at each other.”

“You mean, he thinks the same for me too?”

“Yeah, I’m pretty sure. Not in as many words as you so eloquently put, but yes.”

“Do you think the students know?”

“I think they have their minds on plenty of other things. And what does it matter? You two were made for each other, really.”

“Viktor, I think this is the most honest you have been with me since I’ve met you.”

“There’s a first for everything. Don’t expect it to last. Now, go find your doctor and I’ll go find Hideki or something.”

“Thank you, Viktor.”

“It’s what best friends do.”

---

Kyouya, Haruka, and Viktor were making their way back to school after taking Haruka out to lunch to the bistro down the street. It was close enough that they didn’t feel the need to take a car, but Kyouya was starting to regret it as the winter air chilled his lungs. Wrapping his scarf tighter around his neck, he caught the last part of the conversation Viktor was holding with Haruka as they made their way across school grounds to the main building.

“Bali is especially wonderful this time of year. I’ve already reached out to my uncle about it and he says it should be fine but will get back to me.”

Temper boiling, Kyouya said, “Are you serious? You’ve already had a fifth leave this year alone, I may have to stake you  if you leave Hideki in a lurch again. You do realize that when he has issues they become my issues.”

“My goodness, don’t get your panties in a bunch. Hideki is a good kid, he knows how to take care of things on his own much better than he did at the beginning of the year.”

They entered the building and began their walk to the infirmary, intending on walking Haruka back to his room.

“That’s due to the fact that he’s had to survive on his own for the majority of the school year and has had me helping him. I swear, if you don’t give the boy at least a month to catch up with his college classwork--”

Haruka placed his hand on the doorknob, looking back at the bickering pair with a smile as he opened the door. “Now now, Kyouya. I’m sure Viktor had a good reason for taking his fifth leave of absence this year.”

“Surprise!” A chorus of voices from inside the room startled Haruka and he froze in the doorframe, a small exclamation of excitement as the students inside began to sing Happy Birthday for him. Viktor placed a hand on his shoulder and pushed him inside so he and Kyouya were no longer standing in the hallway, gesturing him towards the café girl as she held up a lit cake for him to make his birthday wish.

After Haruka blowed the candles out, Viktor started the congratulations. “Haruka! Happy birthday! Thanks for always letting me use the infirmary supply whenever I have emergency situations regarding my...um…” his voice fell to a whisper that only the other two could hear. “Medical condition. Yep, yep. That’s it.” Bringing himself back to a normal volume, he continued, “You’ve been a great help to me. I don’t know what I would do if you weren’t around to pry a certain someone off of me whenever he goes berserk.” He laughed nervously as Kyouya gave him a sharp look. “You’re a real lifesaver, doctor!”

Still upset about their previous conversation, Kyouya jabbed Viktor in the ribs with his elbow as discreetly as possible. Clearing his throat to cover Viktor’s moan, Kyouya took over. “Happy Birthday, Haru. Thank you for always welcoming me here and taking care of me. I--” He cleared his throat again, feeling the blush rise up on his face. “I can’t believe I’m saying this in front of all these students, but--You’ve truly become an important part of my life here in the school. I don’t know what I would do without your care and your company. Your presence keeps me quite calm and sane. My only regret is that I didn’t try to get to know you sooner. If only I had tried to be friends with you in high school, I would have known you a bit better.” His voice dropped as he finished, “But then again, we have all the time in the world for that now, don’t we?”

Haruka grinned and brushed his hand against Kyouya’s, a second of contact that shot electric shocks up Kyouya’s arm and down his spine, warming his whole body under his coat.

“Yes, we do.”

It’s a date.

[viktornikifororv]

FIC RECS FOR THE SOUL

Hey you guys! (ﾉ´ヮ´)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧ I’ve thought of making a part two for my first ficrec and here it is! Anyways, I hope you enjoy this as much as I’ve enjoyed making this ficlist. Have a great time reading all these! Gives you more of a chance to fall in love with Victuuri even more! ╰(✿´⌣`✿)╯♡ As always, read the tags before reading because some might have some triggers, also, don’t forget to leave a kudos for the authors!

---

Dog People by stillmadaboutpetra

Yuuri thinks his life is progressing nicely. Good job. Nice apartment. Boyfriend? Nevermind: cheating ex boyfriend

His blackout drunken antics attract the young Olympic-gold level skater, Victor Nikiforov, who's fled from skating in the middle of the season after fainting on the ice.

It all sounds very serendipitous but Yuuri wants nothing to do with men. Victor, desperate and running from his problems, promises that instead of a man, he'll be Yuuri's "pet" if that means he can stay with Yuuri for a little, citing that he has nowhere else to turn. Yuuri's concerned that this shameless man who is willing to sacrifice his dignity so readily will get himself in trouble, so he accepts the offer with second-hand embarrassment.

This gambit lasts for all of two days before Yuuri finds himself teaching an ice skater how to dance off his blades, and Victor starts finding new reasons to stay in Japan.

Panta Rhei by Kashoku

This was a mistake. Viktor needed to somehow pry Yuuri off of him and leave the room immediately. Viktor was drunk, and Yuuri was so far beyond gone that there wasn’t even a word for it. But the alpha in Viktor was having an incredibly difficult time resisting the pungent scent of cherry blossoms and ocean that filled his nose. Viktor snapped.

They had been reckless.

Five Times Katsuki Yuuri Misses and "I love you" (and one time he doesn't)  by preciousbunnynoiz

Sometimes an I love you is missed by the person it's directed at and Yuuri is hardly the most observant of people.

Fiance Tag by kissyuuri (weesynthpixie)

Yuuri knows they were celebrating....something. But he can't remember what. All he knows is that he was drunk and that he's going to kill Phichit because chances are Phichit started all of this. And there might have been some video recording?

of course it's not like in the movies by luni

Yuuri didn't know what he expected when having sex with Viktor Nikiforov stopped being a teenage fantasy and turned into reality.

One thing is for sure: it's not like in the movies.

An Aviator's Heart by Kagami_Sorako

Teenager Yuuri always thought his future would be on the ice. But it changed when one day he finds a dragon egg. Curious he brings it home and soon the dragon hatches and Yuuri finds himself inexplicably drawn to him. After Aoba and him are found out, they have to enter the Dragon Air Force and Yuuri has to proof himself to the other dragon captains, the Air Corps and the whole military, all the while having to care for a way too curious and intelligent dragon.

Eight years later Yuuri is a highly decorated officer and war hero and meets his long lasting Figure Skating Idol Viktor Nikiforov. After a lot of problems and confusion, Viktor and Yuuri grow closer. Everything could be perfect ... if it weren't for an overly possessive and jealous dragon who is not at all pleased at the idea of sharing his beloved captain and aviator with an insolent and ungrateful Figure Skater.

Well This Sucks by mayelisa

Over the past few hundred years, Victor Nikiforov has perfected the art of luring women (and the occasional man) into his arms for an evening of passion and blood lust. But when he targets an unsuspecting college student, he quickly finds out that his antiquated techniques won't cut it in the modern world and he needs to rethink things.

Nothing Holding Me Back by smolyuuri

They've come back from a mission that almost costed Victor's life. Yuuri is frustrated at Victor for allowing that to happen and gives him a reason to always stay safe.

moonrise by fan_nerd

Prince Katsuki and Crown Prince Nikiforov have been dancing around each other for many seasons. After several moonlit meetings, they finally decide to formalize a union.

all that glitters by fan_nerd

Victor keeps looking at his coach's lips. He puts a hand to his chest in utter frustration. Yuuri is just so, so unfairly handsome, and this fact is slowly killing him.

Yuuri turns to him, pushing up his glasses and quirking an eyebrow at his Russian student. "What's wrong?"

I love you desperately, he thinks.

Aloud, Victor says, "Oh, nothing."

fawning by fan_nerd

Victor is sloppy drunk. Yuri Plisetsky snaps pictures of the silver-haired man unbuttoning his jacket.

"You see that guy?" Victor slurs, hiccuping around a fresh mouthful of champagne. "That's...that's the best guy in the world. Do you - mmm - do you think he would say yes if I asked him to dance?" After a pause, he belts out the GPF gold medalist's name.

Yuuri turns with a tipsy smile.

The Japanese man is so handsome, and Victor, who's currently wasted, is so screwed.

cover story by fan_nerd

Yuuri stares down at the person standing in the doorway. The stranger hisses, "Who do you think you are, anyways?"

Quickly, before he can really think about it, Yuuri responds, "I'm Victor's boyfriend."

It's a lie, but the words feel good in his mouth, and for some reason, he doesn't want to take them back.

Paperback by tachyarrhythmia

For Yuuri, managing a quaint, little bookstore in a far-off corner of a small town is everything he could have asked for. He earns well, the folks are not that much interesting, the coffee here is great, he has nice friends and he's got an endless pile of books.

It's enough to make him stay, despite the desolate and boring atmosphere; that is until the Newcomer comes along.

Healthy Impropriety by mtothedestiel

Victor is the wealthy master of the Nikiforov estate. At a society party he's swept off his feet by the mysterious, suave, and very drunk Katsuki Yuuri.

 Victor aims to declare his love and secure Mr. Katsuki's hand in marriage, but first he has to find him! 

Years of Dreams Just Can't be Wrong by bisexualnikiforov

buddy it's the yuri!!! on ice anastasia au that no one asked for but i'm writing anyway

ebony & ivory by wbtrashking (fan_nerd)

Yuuri jumps when someone hurries into the elevator, apologizing profusely.

The apartment complex is full of eccentrics, seeing as it's only a few miles from the artistic center of town. It isn't the first time that the concert pianist has run into someone who's late for work, fussing with their hair, or adjusting the lapels of a suit. Yuuri taps out a rhythm to fill the silence, something original.

When he sees the silver-haired man pull out a notebook, he recognizes the handwriting. Notes had been slipped under his door in that loopy script for weeks now.

This handsome man is his upstairs neighbor.

starstruck by shizuoh

"Hold my son for a moment," says the Viktor Nikiforov, live in the flesh, sweaty and panting.

"Wha—" Yuuri can't even begin to comprehend what's going on before Viktor is gone, and there's a child in his arms.

(in which yuuri is a simple barista, viktor is a famous movie star, and yuri is an 8 year old kid stuck in the middle of it.)

Dear Mama by Ferrero13

In which Victor writes letters to his mother, who is fifty percent of his rationality and self-control.

Love by Ghost Hunting by FullmetalKarneval13

When Viktor gets into a slump, he meets the beautiful Yuuri at a bed and breakfast while on vacation.

(Basically a ghost hunting AU where ghosts love Viktor, and possessing Yuuri)

Intermission by thepurpleeyedone

Drabble series set between episodes as a kind of intermission. (Hence, the name.) The first one is set between episode 6 and episode 7. Yuri has just put on his first perfect performance, and understandably, he’s a little worn out and stressed. Victor, being the world’s greatest coach, rises to the occasion by providing him with some... distractions.

In the Cold of the Night by impolitecanadian

AU in which Yuuri never skated and instead is a small town cop with no idea who Victor Nikiforov, THE Victor Nikiforov, is until he arrests him for public intoxication. Meanwhile Victor is enamoured, and absolutely plastered.

Like a Fairytale by lucycamui

In which Prince Victor gets swept off his feet at a royal banquet and will go to any length to find his 'Cinderella' Yuuri. (And Phichit is the fairy godmother who has no idea what he's doing).

“The crown prince of the Nikiforov kingdom, infatuated with a mystery pastry chef he’s only just met. This is exactly the kind of scandalous love story my life has been missing… So, what’s he look like? What exactly is Prince Victor’s type?”

“…Sweet.”

“Well, he does make pastries."

Moving to New York by moya_lyubov

Artist Yuuri Katsuki lives in New York with his Best Friend Phichit. After a drunken night out that Yuuri has no memory of, he starts to Paint the most Beautiful man he has ever dreamed of. Only to realize that not only has he met this man, he has danced and laughed the night away with him.

Billionaire Victor Nikiforov, has made a living in the hotel business, owning the best hotels all around the world. His next one: New York. Where he and his Best Friend/Business Partner Chris meet a Charming, Flirtatious and Mysterious man on a night out to celebrate the deal.

a Song for Your Heart by KenmaNyan (NarryEm)

It’s not an exaggeration when Yuuri says that he has had his eyes on Viktor ever since the singer debuted with a heartbreaking ballad that broke records at the tender age of 15. Now, with Yuuri at the ripe old age of 23 and Viktor, 27, they meet as talent and manager.

A Week Is Enough by BeautyButterBae

Yuuri asks Victor to become his boyfriend for a week.

Victor agrees.

constellations of me and you by theargonaut

He can’t look away from Viktor, even when he turns and catches him staring. Truth be told, he can never look away from Viktor. Not even in the beginning; surely, not in any dimension or attic of spacetime, could Katsuki Yuuri have ever looked away from Viktor Nikiforov. And when Viktor looks back at him, smiling, it’s all that matters to him.

rekindling by fan_nerd

Victor stands on Yuuri's doorstep in the pouring rain with a bouquet of flowers. It's the middle of the night. The tall man is out of breath, soaking wet, and his eyes are red.

Yuuri sighs, letting his ex-boyfriend in like the sympathetic fool that Victor knows he is. "What are you doing here?"

He hurries to catch his breath and reply, but his mouth is dry.

Victor doesn't exactly have an answer to that question.

When the Sun Met the Moon by Birdieee

There are two kingdoms in the land. The first is the realm of the sun. It is a place of prosperity and growth, of peace and light. It is the realm of all things bright and beautiful. The second, less desirable kingdom, is the realm of the moon. It is a place of shadows and shrouded velvet, of secrets and hidden truths. The rulers of the two kingdoms are as distant as the stars themselves, yet the invisible thread of fate binds them together. What happens when the sun and the moon fall in love?

Gotta Like, Like Those Humans by Shermanshire

"I am going to like, like a human!" Were the exact words that Yuuri had said as a child. They were also the exact words Yurri kept with him for more than a decade later as a loveless vampire. After thinking his words were nothing more than fantasy Yuuri happens to meet the Russian figure skater Viktor Nikiforov. Now Yuuri has become a thirsty vampire whom's human crush maybe even thirstier.

matched by bigspoonnoya

Viktor Nikiforov considers himself an excellent matchmaker, but there's one love life he can't seem to get right: his own.

ascent by kevystel

Viktor learns that a full week without Yuuri showing up at Yakov’s, all scraped-wire voice and double shot of whatever you have that helps people think, I have a paper to write and I haven’t slept since Saturday, please Viktor! is a good week for Yuuri. A very good week.

(magical coffeeshop dancer au)

sing, sweet nightingale by vityuu (nanahoney)

Once upon a time is how fairytales start.

Once upon a time would Yuuri’s sister say when he was tucked into bed, balancing a thick book on her knees.

Once upon a time would Victor’s mother say, with his father leaning against her, watching her with soft warmth; a fire one could touch without getting burned.

Once upon a time is how their story started, too.

Once upon a time, there was a boy who breathed life into Victor’s battered heart, surrounded with champagne and flickers of flame in his eyes.

Once upon a time, there was a man who took Yuuri’s breath away, even in the dark.

Once upon a time was different for them both.

But it brought them both exactly where they needed to be.

Tremble by krazyanimegirl

"I'm Yuuri." Though his stutter was gone his blush wasn't, which annoyed Viktor to no end. He extended his hand, which Satarou took far too quickly and shook far too long. Now there was definitely a weird feeling bubbling up in his stomach; but it wasn't pain...it was something that just made Viktor want to wrap his hands around Satarou's neck and pull his- and pull Yuuri away from him. Because the sight of someone else touching Yuuri, holding him- made Viktor tremble.

It was the unmistakable emotion of jealousy.

Our bodies won't be the only things battling for dominance by hinatella

Victor is very confused, and, unsurprisingly, very gay.

I’ve got a raging [redacted] and the cause is the sound of your laughter by hinatella

Yuuri is trying to cope with the fact that he has to work with an ex-villain, and here’s a list of ways not to do that.

I can be your devil or your angel, baby by hinatella

Yuuri Katsuki didn’t ask for any of this, and he’s starting to question all of his life choices that lead up to this cursed moment.

Cool Patrol by PandorasBox (AdriannaRhode)

“Well the way I see it, there are two options,” said Phichit, “We can buy booze at the grocery store and go back to someone’s hotel, or we can find a bar and have a few drinks there.”

Yuuri, who had been hovering at the back of the group, seemed to perk up at the idea of drinks.

“Why not both?”

(A companion piece to "The Yuri Katsuki Support Group")

The Yuri Katsuki Support Group by PandorasBox (AdriannaRhode)

yuri katsudon: UNLESS I AM VERY MUCH MISTAKEN yuri katsudon: WHICH IS NOT OUT OF THE QUESTION AT THIS POINT yuri katsudon: VICTOR NIKIFOROV IS ALSEEP ON MY FLOOR

(aka The Entire First Season of Yuri!!! On Ice as told by The Great Figure Skating Group Chat)

The Devil Wears Gucci by Multiple_Universes

Christophe Giacometti watched the new interviewee walk out of Victor’s office. Everything about him was wrong from the clothes and the haircut to his general attitude and walk. At the same time there was something naïve about him and Chris was prepared to bet that he’d just graduated from college. “Who is that sad little person?” he asked Victor. “Are we doing a before and after piece I don’t know about?”

good morning, you by forev

He looks into the mirror, and almost faints. Almost straight up passes the fuck out. Because there, staring back at him, is Victor mother-effing Nikiforov. He feels like he might die.

-

or; there can never be enough bodyswap fics, so here's another

Put the Cameras away! by JackalopeQueen

Viktor didn’t like this he didn’t like this one bit. But this was his mate’s decision after all and whatever his beautiful mate wanted he got.

Long Night by thicctor-nikiforov (trashbambi)

Viktor made his way back to his bed after a midnight trip to the bathroom, he was stopped in the hall outside his room by the sound of a faint moan floating through the closed door to Yuuri’s. His thin brows furrowed and he moved closer to the door, thinking Yuuri might be in pain from overworking himself during practice that day.

vanity plate by KatsukiYuurisTrophyHusband (spookyfoot)

Victor turns, frowns at the license plate, and murmurs,“maybe I went too subtle.”

But he rallies and looks at Yuuri, so smug that Yuuri wants to kiss it off his face, “and you said," Victor affects a voice that sounds like Yuuri’s second cousin who’s eaten too many chili peppers, “‘Vitya, you’ve never been subtle in your life.’”

Yuuri crosses his arms in front of his chest, unimpressed, “there’s subtle and then there’s incomprehensibly cryptic.”

Victor is undeterred, “Yurio will get it. He uses Instagram.”

//

“What the fuck does that say?” Yurio growls.

Victor pouts, "does no one appreciate genius anymore?"

“No one appreciates you, there’s a difference.” ______________

Or: No one understands Victor's new license plate.

with a love this deep by lazulisong for kevystel

There's two types of dates Victor and Yuri go on in St. Petersburg. Yuri likes them both.

you're like heaven to touch by lazulisong

"Is this because I let you watch American movies as a child," says Yakov flatly. "The ones where the popular boy gives his coat to the pretty girl?"

Victor puts up both eyebrows in a delicately mocking gesture that was unbearable when he was a fey creature of sixteen and makes Yakov yearn to clip him around the ears now, when he's twenty-eight. "'Let' me?" he says.

in any place you'll allow by lazulisong for dadvans

Yuri's in preheat and Victor is going crazy. More crazy.

made from love by alykapedia

"Then just stop trying to make a baby when you have sex!"

Yurio finally screams, a month after Yuuri's third heat off contraceptives and the pregnancy test comes out negative.

"Maybe the baby's having performance anxiety with all the pressure you idiots are putting on it! Just have sex like you normally do and maybe you can finally get knocked up!"

(Or: In which a certain percentage of baby acquisitions are not at all accidental.)

Of Drunken Viktors and Lost Umbrellas by annabeth for shadesofhades

Yuuri and a drunk Viktor walking under the same umbrella in the rain.

Toe the Line by forochel

Yuuri wears a dress, steps on Viktor, gets done just right.

*

The other, however, Yuuri has free — eyes still locked with Viktor’s, he shifts his weight, lifts his free foot. Lets the punched out gasp Viktor relinquishes go straight to the pooling heat in his groin and low in his spine, when he sets his foot delicately to the bulge stretching the fine silk of Viktor’s dress pants.

Cold by JoeyChanSan

Despite having been living in Hasetsu with Yuuri for several months already, it wasn't the first time the russian skater found himself staring outside the window of his bedroom comparing his native country’s weather to Japan's.

The Boy and the Knight by Yuripaws

Ser Viktor Nikiforov would never notice a lowly squire like Yuuri Katsuki.

Knight/Medieval AU

Alternately Titled: I Don't Know What I'm Doing But I Sure Do Enjoy Game Of Thrones

Quite The Exquisite Creature by wildenessat221b

Lord Feltsman's gatherings were always despairingly dull.

Well... Mostly.

What Friends Are For by Trickster_Angel

Yuuri and Phichit don't normally swear. But college life makes the word ‘fuck’ just so fucking relevant. Not to mention, it's hard to be a normal college student when you're a world class figure skater with an obvious crush that all your friends know about and make fun of you for. That just makes it twice as fucking fun. Seven times Yuuri and Phichit made each other swear plus two times they made others swear.

256 Allan Hall by Lukesnotpunk

“So how did Georgi meet this girl?” Yuuri found himself asking. Victor immediately groaned, and Yuuri felt bad for asking. “They literally met on move in day, and she lives on the first floor! They’re acting like they’re so in love that they have to spend every moment together, and it has to be in our room because her roommate is ‘evil’ but come on, man. Calm down,” Victor complained, wildly gesturing with his hands to show his annoyance. Yuuri laughed at the way that Victor was completely over exaggerating his movements, and Victor smiled at him. Yuuri had to push thoughts of how beautiful Victor was from his mind again, though it seemed at this point to be a losing battle.

Or, Phichit and Yuuri live down the hall from Victor and Georgi, and Georgi keeps kicking out Victor to "hang out" with his new girlfriend. And maybe Yuuri thinks Victor is pretty cute, but he isn't going to tell him or anything, no, that would make things weird. Right?

Beautiful by ipona

Yuuri Katsuki lives in the same apartment building as The Most Beautiful Man in the World, but somehow he only manages to run into him when he's a complete mess.

AU where they're not ice skaters, basically just a story of Yuuri and Viktor falling in love.

La Rambla Beneath the Moon by themaelstromwrites

"Viktor gapes in wonder at the sight of his fiancé moving without inhibition, not out of inebriated unrestraint but as though caught up in the passion of the art. Yuuri is creating music with his body in a way Viktor could never have imagined. He steps forward, past the line of onlookers, starstruck by the raw emotion of this performance as it spontaneously becomes. Yuuri glimpses him, and lights up with the most radiant smile Viktor has ever seen, and Yuuri pulls him into the center of the circle before drawing back and bidding that he chase --"

Or, what happens in Barcelona the night of the Grand Prix Final.

You Set My Heart on Fire by whelvenwings

Everyone has a soulmate. And everyone sees any marks on their soulmate's skin appear on their own body; it starts with the first marks, drawn on by the midwife at birth. Not everyone is lucky enough to have a soulmate who replies, but Yuuri does, and he knows that he should feel fortunate - however, when he's trying to make a living as a small-time painter, and his soulmate is the famous artist, Viktor Nikiforov... well, it seems slightly less than fortunate. Yuuri can't help but feel self-conscious. So self-conscious, in fact, that he's never even shown Viktor his face, never let Viktor hear his voice. The only way that they've spoken is through ink, writing message after message to each other on their skin - but that's all about to change. 

The Song Inside of Me by cutthroatpixie

After years of playing and composing, Viktor ends up halfway around the world in search of inspiration. Perhaps the missing piece he needs isn’t too far from where he ends up.

Maybe Baby. by IllyasJames

Yuuri always gets a few extra pounds in the off season and since he knows Victor don't really mind he's less conscious about it. Still there are days Victor sees Yuuri rub his hand over his stomach as if he's not happy with it. He just never thought the reason could be what it is.

This is not a A/B/O story, this is canon continued.

Phallus by rosesandmoredance for all_those_big_ass_trees

Based on a true story friends. Viktor is an extra millionaire and loves art. He loves to show off his art. And uh, Mayor Feltsman is not impressed.

of paperback novels and several loud screeching noises by katsusin

Yuuri Katsuki: lonely bookstore owner

Victor Nikiforov: lonely author.

Phichit Chulanont: everybody's favorite meddling best friend.

Setting Sun by LittleLostStar

Canon-divergent AU. Just before he skates at the Hot Springs On Ice, Yuuri receives a photo of his drunken GPF banquet antics; consumed with humiliation over a night he can’t remember, he loses the competition. Victor goes back to Russia with Yurio, and Yakov comes to train Yuuri in Japan. One night, frustrated and miserable, Yuuri posts some personally relevant song lyrics on Instagram—and wakes up the next morning to find that Victor has posted lyrics that seem to be a reply.

With the world watching their every move, Victor and Yuuri begin trading lyrics in a secret conversation; from playful rivalry to intense seduction, through Savage Garden and San Fermin, their virtual affair unfolds, hidden in plain sight. But the Grand Prix approaches, bringing with it newfound opportunities for Yuuri’s career, and his new life hinges on two things: winning the gold, and staying away from Victor.

i feel we're close enough (i wanna lock in your love) by JMonCheri

Viktor is having an existential crisis.

So what does he do? He makes three promises:

1.) To never let his superhero life get in the way of his personal one

2.) To try and get him and Yuuri together, even if Viktor's balls turn nonexistent whenever he tries to tell Yuuri that he likes him

3.) To never let his guard down around his rival superhero, Eros

Surprise surprise, Viktor breaks all three of them.

A Lifetime to Perfect by BrinThePuffling

Yuuri dreamed of meeting his soulmate for as long as he could remember. Imagined a grand romantic fairytale. Life, he learns, is rarely like dreams.

No Sound Sweeter Than Your Laughter by BrinThePuffling

Meeting your soulmate was supposed to be effortless. Soulmarks made it easier than ever to find the one (or ones) you were destined to be with. If only soulmarks could do anything to prevent misunderstandings.

The Two Mr. Nikiforovs by bratinella

Secrets are normal in Viktor’s opinion. Yuuri shares his sentiments. Everyone has secrets they keep from others and he knows even Yuuri has some just as Viktor has. He is very grateful to have trust and understanding between them and Viktor allows his husband to maintain his privacy just as Yuuri gives Viktor his own.

Which lies in the problem.

A Sudden Drop by preciousbunnynoiz

Even with couples who communicate well accidents can occur.

Basically Victor and Yuri fuck up and Yuri ends up dealing with subdrop

Mentions of smut but this is mostly exploring the side of BDSM that involves communicating with your partner away from sexual situations. Especially when things go wrong.

Beg For It by softpureboy

Yuuri has a sinful daddy kink and likes to torture Victor.

Soothing the Savage Beast by preciousbunnynoiz

Victor is in a foul mood and being an asshole to everyone. Yuuri isn't upset so much as concerned until he figures out why. So he take Victor home to burn off some tension. 

be the hitch in your breath by alykapedia

The smart and responsible thing to do is to shake his head and say no. Send out a few messages to let people know that Viktor’s in his rut and they won’t be making it to practice any time soon, make sure they have supplies to last a week or so, and maybe ask Yurio to come over and get Makkachin.

But Yuuri does none of that because he's kind of an idiot when it comes to Viktor.

Apartment by c000kiesandcream

Suddenly, his eyes darted sideways, and they latched onto Yuuri’s. He smiled, softly, and raised his voice slightly to introduce himself.

And Yuuri could not muster the courage to say a single word.

Stimulating Conversation by threerings

Yuuri is determined to get to the bottom of why Victor keeps flirting with him. This leads to a conversation. With alcohol.

“Besides,” said Victor. “Maybe if I get you drunk I can learn some of your secrets.” Yuuri coughed as he swallowed. “My secrets?”

 “Yes. The secrets of the mysterious Katsuki Yuuri, enigma of the figure skating world.” Yuuri nearly choked again at that.

He laughed and shook his head. “You don’t need to make fun of me.”

 “What? You are an enigma.”

 “Sure.”

 “I’m not joking,” Victor assured. “No one really knows what to make of you, Yuuri. You’re so quiet most of the time and then other times...” Yuuri just looked at the other man as he trailed off. He shook his head and reached to pour them both more sake.

Seemingly Purrfect by IllyasJames

Some people snore, some people talk in their sleep, some people reenact fight scenes, and apparently some people can purr, when they are asleep. This leaves the one awake wondering if they should pet them or not. At least that is what Victor would love to do if not for the fact Yuuri is snuggled way tighter than is good for his mood, and he's scared he might wake him.

Michigan Weather (Isn't so Bad) by esutonia

“Good morning, I’m Victor Nikiforov, here with your daily forecast. It’s shaping up to be a chilly day of yet another volatile week, let’s take a look at our satellite radar. Hamburg at 14, Ann Arbor at 16, Essex at 10—”

His voice (oh God, even his voice sounds like an angel’s) worms its way into Yuuri’s head, and he wonders what his regular voice sounds like, what it’d sound like in the—

“You’re thirsty for the weatherman, aren’t you?” Phichit waggles his eyebrows suggestively. “I don’t suppose I deserve a thank you?”

Komorebi by cosmiceleste

They're in each others arms when Yuuri looks up at Viktor and smiles, nuzzling closer to his chest and asking himself how he became so lucky to be with him.

Viktor asks himself the same thing.

Baby Blue Prince by Daughter of Vayu (aquaregia)

When Viktor Nikiforov met Yuuri, he didn't know that cute guy with awful baby blue tie was actually a real life prince. The one with titles and such.

The Modern Royalty AU with Yuuri as Prince Cinnamon Roll.

All Eyes on Me by Kizuna_Auri

Yuuri, under the username of Eros, is a size queen omega who most certainly does not have an obsession with fellow camboy and legendary silver-haired alpha Aria. Just like Phichit is not the most meddlesome roommate known to man.

over and over by Ceta

Hours later - Victor belatedly remembered that there was such a thing as time zones when he woke up to his phone vibrating by his ear - Yuuri sent back Hello（〃・ω・〃）

Victor read the text, stared, then buried his face into one of the couch pillows for all of four seconds before he fumbled with his phone and texted back.

Or; Victor meets Yuuri in a bathroom. They hit it off from there.

not gold like in your dreams by ebenroot

“Victor, you could have let some psychopath into your apartment.”

“Oh come on, he’s not a psychopath,” Victor chides. Christophe makes a gesture with his hand that says ‘are you seriously this naïve or are you drunk at work again?’.

“Victor, you don’t know that. You don’t know anything about him. Whose name am I going to give to the police or face I’m going to describe to the sketch artist when they find your body chopped up like Hannibal Lecter’s side dish?”

--

in which Victor and Yuuri are roommates and Yuuri has a secret

Red by Maiden_of_the_Moon

Dressed in little more than black gossamer, Eros had poised himself inside of his dressing room’s doorframe with a tube of lipstick between his painted fingers, the makeup’s ruddy tip already conformed to his lower lip. It was like watching the Cheshire reappear, one swipe of his smile at a time. He purred, Do you think, Mister Nikiforov, that if I tried very hard, I could make you redder than Russian Red’s namesake?

Sleep Deprivation by domokunrainbowkinz

Yuuri is very sleep deprived and his filter disappears. The silver-haired stranger with a cute dog finds it endearing.

Offer Me That Deathless Death by marihy

Yuuri was just trying to be a gentleman by walking the red-haired woman home.

He hadn't meant to get whisked away by the top members of the Russian Mafia, he definitely hadn't meant to get two of the most powerful men in the world trying to kill him, and he definitely definitely hadn't meant to seduce the pakhan.

But now that he's in this mess, he's going to fight to the finish.

something so wholesome about you by crossroadswrite

It was supposed to be his year. He was supposed to-

Celestino stops talking and squeezes his shoulder. Yuuri looks up at him, opens his mouth to say something when someone says his name.

He freezes, holds his breath for a full second against the painfully familiar voice, not daring to hope. Then, very slowly, he turns towards the source, eyes going wide with disbelieve.

“Mari?”

(Or: in which Vicchan lives, Yuuri doesn't quite fail and doesn't quite get drunk, but manages to accidentally woo Victor Nikiforov anyway.)

For Future Reference by dia_dove

Anon asked:request: victor taking pictures/recording Yuri during their sexy time so that he can have them when he's away.

When Life Gives You Lemons, Add Sugar by shereadsthestars

What could possibly be worse than getting stuck with a roommate you weren't expecting?

Discovering that roommate is none other than Viktor f*cking Nikiforov.

To Boldly Go by xylophones

“Yuuri!” Viktor calls. “I’ve come to rescue you!” Yuuri stares at him blankly. He gestures to the various unconscious space pirates with his recently discharged phaser. “Oh, Captain,” he deadpans. “Save me.”

Or:

A year in the life of badass science officer Yuuri Katsuki, Captain Viktor “Team Mom” Nikiforov, and simultaneously the best crew and worst crew in Starfleet history.

(No prior Star Trek knowledge needed! It’s a loose AU!)

My Name On Your Lips by feelslikefire

Yuuri Katsuki has been betrothed to the High King's son, Victor, since he was just a child; furthermore, as an omega, he's forbidden from practicing magic in combat. For years, he's been able to put off the former because the Prince was traveling abroad, and gotten around the latter by practicing with his mentor in secret.

Now Victor Nikiforov has finally returned home, and Yuuri is being summoned to the capital for their wedding. He needs a plan to put off marriage long enough to find a way to break the betrothal, while keeping his practicing from being discovered.

If only the Prince didn't have other ideas.

The Return of the Little Piggy by JMonCheri

Everybody had their regrets in college.

For the students, it was making fun of Katsuki Yuuri.

For Yuuri, it was letting himself become too stupid.

For Viktor, it was not doing anything.

_-_

Once there was a boy named Katsuki Yuuri, who was shy, loved to make clothes, had adorable smiles and was fatter than the usual average human being. Unfortunately for him, apparently being chubby wasn't all that accepted in the norm back then. After numerous accounts of bullying, Katsuki Yuuri disappears for good.

Now years later, there is now a man only known as Y.K. Fashion tyrant, multimillionaire, professional cold-stare giver... and is trying his ultimate best to run away from his dark past, until a certain silver haired CEO of a certain rival company who went to the same certain college he went to back then decides to flat out entangle their fates together. Do both of them have anything to say for it? Sadly, no. No they don't.

will you go to prom with me? by thishasbeencary

Viktor's promposal for Yuuri had to be perfect. He knew Yuuri, though, and he knew that it couldn't be extravagantly over the top, but it also couldn't be a stereotype he pulled off of Google. It was harder than he expected it to be. Also known as: Five ways Viktor considered promposing to Yuuri and one way he didn't.

Private Show by moimiles

Chris had dragged Victor to an insane amount of strip clubs over the years, but that didn't mean Victor expected to fall in love with a stripper.

Leather and Lazy Mornings by kiaronna

“Hey,” says Yuri Plisetsky, “you do realize that guy you’re throwing your tack box at doesn’t work here, right?”

“What do you mean?” Viktor questions. “He always grooms Makkachin for me, if Yakov demands I do something else and I don’t have time.”

“Your horses are smarter than both of you put together.”

Where Viktor is the reigning champion of English showmanship, but mostly just has a crush on the cute guy he always sees around the stables.

Baby, I’m Preying on You Tonight by cuttlemefish

Yuuri and Phichit registered and named the pet shop when they were drunk. They didn’t exactly expect it to become the most popular pet shop in Seattle. (It was only supposed to be a front to fund Phichit’s (undercover) animal rescue missions.) Enter Viktor Nikiforov, the man with the pink Cadillac and the giant brown poodle (that's stolen Yuuri's heart), and Yuuri might have lost his mind, because apparently he keeps flirting with a client – and he never even notices.

across our skin by thishasbeencary

When you're born, you have the first words your soulmate says to you on your arm. When they say them to you, they turn red and you get another set of words that change your relationship with your soulmate. Viktor's first set is in Japanese and he doesn't understand, but the second is "Be my coach, Viktor".

He has the second set for 10 years before he finally hears them.

anarchy for sale! t-shirts only ten dollars by KatsukiYuurisTrophyHusband (spookyfoot)

Because the universe is somehow both cruel and indifferent, Yuuri sees Victor again two days later in the lobby of his ballet studio. He’s just finished his advanced pointe workshop. His hair is plastered to his forehead with sweat, he's painted with a full body flush, and he's wearing a shirt Phichit custom ordered that says “Tastier Than Katsudon” in screaming neon orange.

“Hi Yuuri!” Victor’s beaming and blocking his only exit. ____________

A falling-in-love story told through questionable t-shirts.

Reasons Yuuri Katsuki Doesn't Get Paid Enough by SkeletonKey

1. Having to yell at kids for skating like idiots 2. Explaining to parents of said kids why they were kicked off the ice 3. The horrifying smell of Phichit's feet 4. Victor Nikiforov almost decapitating a 12 year old

In which Yuuri works as an Ice Guard with Phichit, and Victor is the stupidly attractive figure skater who tries to practice flying camels in the middle of crowded public sessions.

Welcome to Detroit Dental and Orthodontics by stanzas

Victor stops the car, turns off the engine, and Yuri rolls out the car with the attitude of every slightly inconvenienced teenager. Yuri flips his shades up, stares in disbelief at the sign in front of the well-manicured lawn squished between two old barber shops: DETROIT DENTAL AND ORTHODONTICS.

“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me,” he says.

Or: Victor has a crush on his favorite shy, attractive dentist, and Yuri suffers.

Hurricane by yintsunami

"Yuuri was a hurricane: beautiful and destructive. He swept Viktor (and arguably half the skating world) off their feet and destroyed the ball room in the process. Reuniting with Yuuri had been… confusing. He was that anxious person once again. He was still beautiful, but less like a hurricane. He was timid comparatively.

Submissive.

Viktor had been very very wrong in that regard."

The Game Has Only Just Begun by Seito

"Yuuri~! I'm home!"

Silence.

Victor blinked, before his blood grew cold. The box of chocolates fell out of his hands. He reached for phone, hitting speed dial.

There pinned to the wall was piece of Yuuri's favorite jacket held in place by a knife. The gleam of moonlight reflected off the golden ring, Yuuri's engagement ring tied to the end of the fabric. Cut into the wall, letters jagged and crooked, a note: 'We have your fiancée, Agent King.'

-.-.-

Or the Spy!AU no one asked for

Blue Roses and Golden Apples by RedxLipstick

After a whirlwind night Victor is sure he's found his mate in one Yuuri Katsuki. But Yuuri doesn't remember any of this? Worse still-how can Victor control his every alpha instinct screaming at him to claim his omega?

This story covers Victor and Yuuri meeting at the GPF banquet through the canon timeline, and beyond!

Cup of Tea by IllyasJames

The photographer sets the Danseur up for a blind date with one of his models.

Yuuri loves Phichit, really he does. It's just that he rather just not be personal around people. So dates are just not his cup of things. Crushes, now those he can do. He kinda has had several. And if all of them in one way or another resemble his first one, just means he has a type.

Proper Checkups and Physicals by PrussianVenom

Viktor makes good on his promise to "treat" Yuuri to a personal "nurse"

Stay by pensversusswords

Of all the ways the night could have ended, Yuuri would have never guessed that he would be in Prince Viktor's bed with his royal highness asleep in his arms.

Whatever You Want by TreacherousGnome

Viktor had kissed him for all the world to see, but Yuuri can't even work up the nerve to talk about it afterwards. He can't put into words how badly he wants more; he can barely admit it to himself. It's a good thing Viktor knows *just* how to build up his confidence.

Third time's a charm by halesiias

When Victor falls in love, he falls faster than poor Alice down her rabbit hole, and this time without a miracle cake to solve all his issues.

What is, and what could be by kaizuka

A look into first meetings and second chances. Nothing will ever happen if you don't at least try, starting off with a simple "hi".

Espresso by withoutwingsx

Prompt- You kicked two guys out for being rude but turns out they were a couple and now everyone including your crush thinks you're homophobic but you're actually 100% homosexual aka Yuuri was not dealing with this shit today.

look into your eyes [and the sky's the limit] by aeriamamaduck

Yuuri found himself ignoring the television, hyper-aware of his hand finding its way to the top of Victor’s thigh. He gave a slight press into the hard muscle, slowly making his way to Victor’s knee in a light stroke.

A long-fingered hand gracefully covered his, smooth and playful as they interlocked. “Oh right! It’s our day off tomorrow, isn’t it?”

He said it like it was a huge surprise. “Don’t act like you weren’t thinking about it,” Yuuri muttered, face reddening deeper even as his gut grew warm with anticipation, and his cheek still pressed against Victor’s shoulder.

an ever-fixed mark by TrumpetGeek

Yuuri is absolutely gorgeous. Viktor could write poems about the soft pink that paints his cheeks and nose. He could pen lyrics about the slope of Yuuri’s smile and the way he bites his lip to try to keep the laughter inside. The sparkle in Yuuri’s eyes would be enough to give hope to even the most lovelorn soul. The warmth of Yuuri’s body pressed against his and the bubbling heat of the feelings he induces in Viktor would be more than enough protection from even the harshest of Russian winters.

Yuuri laughs again and ducks his head, embarrassed, and Viktor covers his mouth with his hand because he thinks he may have said some of that out loud. Oops.

Wishin' and Hopin' by darlingholocene

"I know as well as you do that you’re a big romantic at heart, or you wouldn’t be the most requested wedding planner in New York City. Maybe it’s time you give the City a chance”.

--

Or, the one where Victor organizes weddings for a living but has never been in love, Katsuki Yuuri is a very stressed best man of honor, Chris wants Victor to pull a Jennifer Lopez and Yurio would very much like to be excluded from this narrative.

Unconventional by so_shhy

After freezing up in front of his idol at a comic con panel, Yuuri decides that he needs an awful lot of alcohol to get over the embarrassment. It is a decision he will regret.

The fandom AU I can’t believe I wrote, featuring movie star!Victor Nikiforov and fanfic author!Yuuri Katsuki.

Sonnet 116 by violetlolitapop

“Canst thou, o cruel! Say I love thee not,” Victor says with a deep, resigned sigh. “Do I not think on thee, when I forgot am of myself, all tyrant, for thy sake?”

“You are one of the biggest pushovers for this boy I have ever seen,” Mila comments from her seat next to him without even looking up from her clipboard.

Or:

In which the principal actor of the Shakespearean Cabaret theater troupe is ridiculously head-over-heels in love with their oblivious new cast member and everyone schemes to make his life hell.

Once You Go Greek by Defiant-Dreams (baterina_1234)

1) Go for what you want.

2) Make use of what you have.

3) Everyone in Alpha Kappa Omega is an asshole.

And then he meets Yuuri Katsuki. The more he gets to know Yuuri, the more Viktor finds that he's no longer sure what he wants anymore and that might make him lose the best thing he's ever had.

Or:

A fraternity fic wherein Yuuri and Viktor are in rival frats, but they fall in love anyway.

Past Present and Future by Inu_Sensei

Viktor picked up the twins and looked at the woman, “You look beautiful as ever” he said without thinking.

“T-thank you” she looked down… uhm… can I get my kids back?”

“You share the kids you know” Yakov panting behind her, “Stubbornness from their father and your stamina, not a good mix” said Yakov.

Turmoil. by IllyasJames

From all the things this was the last thing either Yuuri or Victor ever thought they'd argue about. They just can't seem to get to a good middle ground on it unsettling all the other Russian skaters with their bickering.

But honestly, until the Russians find out what it was about they have some opinions of their own.

Confessions Behind these Bruises by Gayson

The leader of the Russian Mafia could be described in many ways. Of course to the public's eye, Viktor Nikiforov was nothing short of perfection. Tall, rich, powerful, charming, and unbelievably handsome. He knew this fact very well, using this to his advantage at getting anybody he wanted whenever he wanted.

That is until Yuuri Katsuki caused him to fall flat on his butt and make him rethink everything he's ever known.

Introducing the mafia AU nobody asked for about how a cocky self reliant bachelor falls incredibly in love with the adorable sassy dancing protégée of Lilia- Yuuri Katsuki.

Out of the Sea by SophiaFrederica

“Someone needs to make sure that you don’t go lusting after him too hard and accidentally enchant him with your beautiful voice and get him drowned. The royal family of Russia has no heir at the moment, so it would definitely drive the country into a chaos, and then it would be no use trying to make an alliance with them.”

“Phichit!”

aka The Little Mermaid AU no one asked for. This one is based on the Disney version, because anyone who has read the original fairy tale knows it doesn't end happily.

Just Hold On (We're Going Home) by kiaronna

Where Yuuri remembers the banquet, Viktor forgets, and Yakov Feltsman has his own plans. “I’ve been made aware of your recent break with Celestino Cialdini, and would like to offer you a trial period where you train under me, in St. Petersburg. There are only three conditions: you will board with another one of my students, you will take ballet with Madame Baranovskaya, and you will help me coach Yuri Plisetsky, who refuses to listen to my criticisms of his spins.” Yakov nods at this point, leans forwards and looks Yuuri in the eye. “I will charge no coaching fees.” With a deal like that, even if it means he has to face Viktor again, Yuuri has no choice but to agree.

#Katsudamn by lucycamui

Victor surprises Yuuri with a trip to an adult store and gets a little more than he bargained for. Or maybe that was the plan all along.

“The colors match our Stammi Vicino costumes!” Victor’s eyes positively sparkled. Meanwhile, his hands held two packaged, decently-sized, ribbed, purple and blue vibrators. With gold rings around the hilts, presumably where they would untwist to replace the batteries.

“You knew this wasn’t a toy store,” Yuuri accused flatly.

“Well, technically, it is a toy store.”

The Rules For Lovers by ADreamingSongbird

Prince Yuuri Katsuki has a duty to his country, above all else (his desires, his dreams, and his happiness included), and he knows this alliance will help to ensure the safety of his people. That’s the only reason he accepts Prince Nikiforov’s hand in marriage. The pleasant surprise, of course, is the part where they fall in love along the way. The unpleasant one, well…

That’s a long story.

How Long Does It Take To Fall In Love? by orangelapin

Yuri Katsuki never wanted to meet his idol. He couldn't imagine Prince Victor ever caring about a lowly college student. Yuri's also pretty sure he'd screw up everything if he ever met Prince Victor and he'd like to save himself the embarrassment. Unfortunately for Yuri, he's going to lose his dignity and his shirt in very short order after meeting the prince.

Aftermath by IllyasJames

Getting drunk at an after-party at work did not look like a bad thing at first. Yuuri had hoped it would have gotten him to talk to some of his co-workers as normally he's too shy. He should have known that getting drunk at an after-party would get him into trouble. There was no way he could have seen this train wreck coming though.

See You Next by rougeandtonic

Yuuri realizes that he'll sabotage Victor's career if he asks him to coach and compete at the same time. This leads to a standoff of ultimatums over who will skate and who won't.

A standoff that ends with Victor in St Petersburg and Yuuri half a world away.

Or,

In which Yuuri needs to learn to listen and Victor needs to learn to speak.

A Fateful Encounter by BuryTheCastle

Yuuri wasn't that short. If anything, he was an average height. No, it was the grocery store's fault. With the store so understaffed and the shelves so poorly stocked, how can anyone reach anything? At least, Yuuri can say something good came out of his ordeal. After all, he had quite a fateful encounter.

to keep you warm by karasunotsubasa

How do you love someone who you can't touch? Simple – with a force of burning fire, enough to melt your heart.

- or the fic where Victor is the Witch of the North and Yuuri is the principal apprentice of the Rising Sun and they can't be around each other without someone getting hurt (it's Victor, it's always Victor)

So this is it for now, I guess? I still have a whole bunch more and I’ll update this I promise! I hope you enjoy this and have a nice day! x

[alwaysaprilia]

Captain Swan AU Prompt Series No. 5 (D)

No.1: Alphabet City

No.2: Of Singing and Streaking

No.3: Lie to Me (I’ll lie to you, too)

No.4: Like Toy Soldiers

No. 5 (A): We’re Going Down Swinging Part 1

No. 5 (B): We’re Going Down Swinging Part 2

No. 6: Bend, and Don’t Break

No. 7 (A): Speak Now Part 1

No. 7 (B): Speak Now Part 2

No. 5 ( C ) We’re Going Down Swinging Part 3

No. 4: Like Toy Soldiers Part 2

No. 8 (A) It’s Always Been You (And You Should Know That)

No. 9: The Art of Remembering

No. 10 For Your Consideration

No. 8 (B) It’s Always Been you (And You Should Know That)

We’re Going Down Swinging- Part 4

Present day

Something has shifted at camp, and it takes no special powers to see it. As the summer gets hotter, the anger and tension between Killian and Emma cools. It starts slowly, and simply-

 (-working together to square away the boats and ropes after sailing lessons, rather than leaving their fellow counselor with all the work in a bid to get as much distance between them as possible. Though silence still reigns between them, it's an easier one, more peaceful, a sharp contrast to the tense, suffocating version from the beginning of camp.

 -Killian saving a grilled cheese from the breakfast rush because Will and Viktor are bottomless pits and Emma, also a bottomless pit, always gets hangry and irritable if she doesn't have a mid-morning snack. He says it's to keep her from annoying him. She says nothing except rumble her thanks as she eats, smiling sheepishly at him between giant bites when he is no longer looking.

 -Emma stopping by his afternoon water-skiing lesson, and dropping off a freshly chilled water bottle because he's always been terrible about drinking enough, along with a tube of sunscreen, because he's even worse at that. She says it’s to keep him from bitching and moaning about his sunburn during the campfire at night. He says nothing, save smirk and toast to her retreating back as she stalks away. 

 -they arrive at meals together sometimes, and then more times, until they arrive together more often than not. They still do not sit by each other, but no one misses how the distance between them at the table gets smaller and smaller each time, and how conversation, previously avoided like the plague, slowly starts to trickle through-)

 -before progressing to a point that Ruby, observing Emma and Killian chivying their band of trouble makers into some semblance of order, working in tandem, never missing a beat, words, smiles and laughter flowing easily between them, comments on how it was almost like a blast to the past, a scene right out of high school. She's quickly shushed by Elsa, as if calling attention to the two might upset the delicate balance they have managed to strike, and perhaps such care is warranted. For all the improvement between Emma and Killian, the past and whatever happened between them is still soundly ignored, with all the characteristic determination that is both their hallmarks. 

 Mary Margaret sighs and murmurs that it can't be healthy, while David silently nods his agreement. Regina rolls her eyes and reiterates for maybe the thousandth time that it's high time the two grew up and got over whatever high school drama drove a wedge between them. Robin simply shakes his head at that statement, because he knows as well as she does that asking Emma and Killian to get over each other is akin to asking someone to move an ocean. Viktor and Will simply up the stakes in their betting pool, because they know the truth as well as everyone else does-something big is going to happen soon. Whether it's good or bad, that, no one can tell, but they all know it's coming, as sure as the sun rose and the moon waned.

 ...No one mentions the looming end of their time at camp.

********

 When things come to a head, it happens in the most cliched way ever- a good deed that did, in fact, not go unpunished, an old injury aggravated, ending with Killian and Emma alone in an empty cabin, with the latter forcing the former to take his shirt off, spurring events that should have happened long ago to finally take place-but that's a little further ahead. 

 At present, it's Games Day, when the campers complete for glory in their own mini-version of the Olympics, and they are at the last event.  

 Killian is stationed at the climbing frame obstacle, near the top, ready to give a helping hand to the kids who need it. Grace is almost over, has one hand gripping the edge and is bringing her other up to join it-when she slips. Screams echo around the course, but Killian throws himself over the edge, and manages to snatch the falling girl’s wrist. Emma, near the bottom on the other side, feels her heart leap into her throat. She’s climbed the frame and is by Killian’s side in under a minute, reaching over for Grace’s other arm. Together, they pull the crying girl safely over the edge and guide her down the other side and to the first aid tent, where the diagnosis is thankfully a case of mild shock, a lightly sprained wrist, and nothing more.

  The campers are taken into town for a movie night and a sleepover in the town's museum, a chance for the junior camp counselors to have a break and enjoy some time among company solely over the age of 18. In between roasting smores and grilling hot dogs, wrapped in warm and familiar conversation with the other girls, Emma notices that Killian barely moves his left arm, and constantly rubs at his left shoulder. It’s the same one that Brennan Jones had dislocated when Killian was 11, was frequently abused in high school during his time claiming football team glory, and she knows it’s given him trouble constantly since. The day’s events had probably set off the old ache, a suspicion confirmed when she hears him wave off David’s concerns with a smile that doesn’t quite hide that he’s in pain. Her eyes narrow immediately, and it’s not long after that that she disappears from the bonfire, intent on locating something she needs to put that particular situation to rest.

 It never occurred to her that an entirely different problem would rear its ugly head.

 ********

 Later, Killian walked to his cabin alone, and noted how strange it was to see the building so quiet, so still, with the campers away in town. The ache in his shoulder had escalated into a fierce throb, so much so that even the mystery of where Emma disappeared to so early could no longer hold his attention, and he'd decided to retire.  Across the small clearing was the Bad Blood girl’s cabin, and from its windows blazed out a cheerful light, which at least answered that particular question, and he stared in its direction, motionless, a direct contrast to how his thoughts swirled. It was of little surprise when they settled on what appeared to be the topic he simply had no power to keep away from, no matter how many years had passed: Emma Swan. 

  Even now, when things between them were better than they had been all summer, her presence was hardly soothing when he was in the best of moods. She got under his skin just as easily when she wasn’t trying to as she did when she was, and he'd lost count of the number of times he'd had to hold himself back from slinging his arm around her shoulder or engulfing her in a hug or other decidedly less innocent gestures that he didn’t want to think about. 

  It was a problem that had only grown the more time they’d spent in peace. Though the rational side of him knew it wasn’t Emma's fault at all, this electric awareness he'd always had of her, right now, with his shoulder a constant nagging pain only adding to his frustrations, the most likely thing that would result from seeing her would be an argument. The best thing for everyone would be for him to withdraw and tend to his injury in private. It would give him time to gain a little more control over his impulses-or make the attempt at least. Semi-convinced, he turned towards his own cabin, and ignored the sentiment that he would rather have been going the opposite way. He frowned as he realized that when it came to his former best friend, it seemed like he was doomed to never be able to do what he truly wanted to, and for the life of him, he couldn't work out exactly whose fault that was. 

  Further musings were interrupted when he entered the single room, for several things happened at once. He sighed in relief at the glorious, beautiful, silence, and then jumped about a foot in the air when his bedside lamp switched on without his input, flooding the space with light. Once his eyes had adjusted and his heart had resettled into its normal position, he swore long and viciously, partly from shock, but mostly because Emma was there, on a chair next to his bed, (-of course she was), rendering all his best intentions moot, as always. He was only halfway through a list of all her most annoying qualities when apparently fed up of his tirade, the subject of his ire got to her feet, and walked right up to where he still stood and ranted. Her expression was schooled to project boredom, but the light that always preceded trouble when they were younger flickered in and out of her gaze. 

  "I'll make you a deal," Cutting across him like he hadn't been speaking, she crossed her arms over her chest. "I'll own up to all of my apparent shortcomings, in front of our friends and do all your chores for the next two days, plus my own-if you give me a high five with your left hand, right now. If you can't...you'll have to do as I say for an entire half hour, no arguments. What do you say, Jones?"

  She uncrossed her arms, and one eyebrow lifted in challenge in unison with her right palm. Killian glared darkly and at least ten seconds ticked by before he attempted her dare, an endeavor that was a total failure, just like the maddening girl had known it would be. Unexpectedly, Emma didn't smirk in triumph, nor did she gloat. Instead, what looked suspiciously like concern flashed through the familiar green of her eyes, and those she rolled magnificently as she dropped her waiting hand.

  "Christ. Would you stop being so ridiculous? Get on the bed, already."

  She might as well have announced that she was secretly the princess of an enchanted wonderland and the savior of entire realms. His mouth dropped, and although he wanted to deny it, the choked sound that had been far too loud had definitely come from him. He mouthed soundlessly for several long moments, while Emma pursed her lips to keep from laughing, before she finally took pity on him and pulled the small bottle of lavender essential oil from her back pocket, waving it under his nose. It was a flashback, Ingrid's method of choice to relieve aches and pains, a preference passed on to Emma, and a reminder of so many times she had kneaded out his sore muscles after a game. Before he could think about it much more, he nodded, turned and walked to his bed, facing slightly away from her to hide cheeks that had flamed crimson.

  Emma's amusement didn't last too long, especially once she noticed that Killian would be unable to deal with his shirt by himself. It was hardly the first time she had taken off a man’s clothes, but she couldn't explain the hesitation before she moved to him, the way her fingers trembled as she reached for the hem he’d managed to drag halfway up his torso, or the tingle that raced through her at the contact with his skin. Her reactions made no sense, and so Emma fell back on habits she'd mastered...ignoring the hell out of them.

  Killian jumped at the feel of fingers brushing along his back, too absorbed in the struggle with his t-shirt to have heard her approach. He spun around in time to see a flash of embarrassment and uncertainty dance on her face before a businesslike mask fell over it all. 

  "It'll be easier if I help." Her defensive words barely had time to register, similar to how he barely had time to protest, because while it might be easier for her, for him it would be torture, but Emma was too quick. In the next instant she'd pulled the soft cotton up his body, off his head and for the second time in less than ten minutes, he stood there gaping stupidly while she seemed completely above it all.

 Running through his mind was all the thousands of ways he had imagined this moment playing out, (-how her shirt would quickly follow his, how he'd thumb off the button on her jeans or tug the skirt off her waist, how there would be laughter and heat and sweet anticipation, how he would savor every glorious moment until his body finally covered hers, how she would hold him near, so close they would be unable to tell where she stopped and he began-)  and he cut off the dangerous line of thought with effort, focused instead on the irony of how different reality was. Had he been a little less distracted, he could have taken comfort in the fact that Emma was as discomfited as he, and was quite unable to pry her eyes from his chest. As it was, the best he could do was cough awkwardly, turn away from her even more, and toe off his shoes. 

 "Uh..Thanks. So-how do you want me?"

 This time, it was Emma who made the strangled sound, quickly squelched, and she ignored the funny look he sent her way, settling down on his bed. 

 "Just-sit upright in front of me. Facing away," 

 Her tone, pitched a little higher than usual, was Killian's first clue that perhaps he wasn't the only one having difficulties, but he hid his small grin, and did as requested. Emma stared at the expanse of his broad back before her, and allowed opportunity for the more sensible side of her to take over, because seriously what the hell was she thinking? Killian was quite capable of doing this himself, she really should just leave him the bottle and beat a hasty retreat to her own cabin before she did something even more stupid than say, take his shirt off, but it seemed like she'd lost control of her body. Instead of standing up and fleeing, she'd uncapped the bottle instead, and was now shaking a substantial amount of the oil into her palm. 

 Somewhere, her sensible side was groaning in defeat. Somewhere else, the devil in her was cackling with glee.

 For his part, Killian shifted impatiently, and silently debated the wisdom of the situation, an internal discussion that grew more and more unruly as time went on and still Emma made no move. He had halfway convinced himself to speak up and call the whole thing off when she finally put her hands on him. If he jumped slightly at the contact or breathed in sharp, neither of them mentioned it. 

 Emma started off gently, her touch so uncertain and fleeting that Killian's earlier reservations came roaring back, but then her grip changed, the pressure increased, and the groan of relief that escaped before he could stop it was borderline indecent. It was the ice breaker they needed-Emma laughed out loud this time, and at the bright and happy sound Killian relaxed instantly.

 "Keep it together, Jones. Think of the children."

 Killian's eyes fluttered shut at the respite her massage was bringing and shook his head. 

 "Even if the children were here, it's their fault I'm in this mess in the first place, so I think they'll understand, Swan." The words were grumbled, but there was no real ire behind them, and both of them knew it, with the exchange fading into small smiles. 

 They spent the next several minutes in companionable silence, and the mood was light and easy, as if they had somehow carved for themselves a pocket of time and space away from the rest of the world. She changed the pressure of her touch according to the shift and play of his muscles, the way his breathing deepened and went shallow, the tiny encouraging nods he gave her. Despite the rather uncomfortable start to his current situation, Killian felt at ease for the first time that day, the ache in his shoulder diminishing under her touch. 

 "Do you remember the weeping willow at the edge of park, the one we used to spend hours playing on?" His voice was a low, relaxed murmur, and although typically, a trip down their shared memory lane would make her hackles rise, Emma smiled at the question instead, her voice as equally soft as his.

 "Of course. Like I could forget the tree you almost fell to your death from?" 

 The wry comment made him laugh and he gamely endured her light reprimand to keep still. "You're being dramatic," he accused her, feeling even more of his muscles go lax. "I wasn't even ten feet off the ground, and I managed to catch myself, thank you very much."

 Emma rolled her eyes at his smugness, before she continued to knead at his skin. 

 "Barely, Jones. Right, turn around, I'm done with this side."

 In hindsight, she probably should have given that request a little more thought, because when Killian readily complied, she found she was much, much too close to his naked chest. More than that, she was not even a little prepared to have him watching as her gaze jumped wildly from the slope of his shoulders to the dusting of dark hair on his chest to the column of his throat in a desperate bid to find some safe place to look. 

 Get it together, Emma!

 The voice sounded eerily like Lily, come to drag her out to gym again, and she allowed herself one deep, breath and a quick prayer to whoever was listening as she started to massage his shoulder once more. Emma kept a laser focus on the front of his shoulder this time, intent on a particularly tight knot, and hoped he hadn't noticed her freeze.

 "What...what made you bring that up?"

 Unfortunately for her, Killian had noticed her falter. Fortunately, however, he was far too occupied with going through a similar reaction himself to make any comment on it, completely distracted with the realization that she was closer to him than she had been in years. The waltz they had shared called for proper distance, one that certainly didn't exist between them now, as he sat Indian style, and she in turn had her feet neatly folded under her thighs, her knees almost touching his shins. He could see every freckle on her face, could smell her sunscreen, sweat and traces of something floral that combined was altogether too alluring. He'd narrowly avoided the temptation to stare right into her eyes only by being focused on the tendrils of hair that had strayed from her bun and lay against her neck. The next few moments were spent fighting the itch to twine them back to join their fellows before he realized she had even spoken. 

 "Jones?"

 "What? Oh. Right. I just realized that I must have been a really shrimpy kid then, because I pulled my shoulder that time too, and the pain wasn't this bad." Amusement curved his lips upward, and he told himself he felt nothing when he saw the matching grin steal across Emma's lips too. "So either Grace weighs more now at age 10 then I did at age 12, or-my pain tolerance levels have dropped."

 Emma's grin shifted to a smirk and she shook her head. "When we were 12, I was about a foot taller than you, so it is definitely the former. Don't you remember all those school pictures when you had to be always been in the front? And how Ms. Wells would always try to cast you as an elf?"

 Apparently she remembered well enough for the both of them, and Killian shot her a flat look as the unpleasant memory resurfaced. It held only momentarily, because she'd started to giggle and he couldn't help but laugh with her instead. In the next moment, she got a little more aggressive in her efforts and he winced in response, with Emma immediately pausing in concern.

 "Sorry. Was that too much?"

 "No-it was good." He motioned for her to keep going. "Don't stop."

 Emma studied him, as if confirming he wasn't only displaying a brave front and then she shrugged and did as instructed. Killian took the opportunity to study her in turn, with no danger of being trapped by her eyes.

 "You're probably right,"

 "I'm right about a lot of things." The smart response was delivered with a flick of her gaze to his, her voice filled with amusement. "What are you talking about this time?"

 "That I was just...small for my age back then. I probably have the same tolerance for pain, and maybe even more now." The moon could be seen, full and bright outside his window, and for the first time, Killian looked away from Emma. "If there's one thing I've learned so far, it's that I've been built to endure a lot of it."

 It was the offhand way he said the words that got to her. His tone had still been lighthearted, and he'd obviously not meant to start any serious discussion, but Emma's hands faltered in their rhythmic motion, and then slowed until they had stopped altogether. Killian, curious at the interruption, shifted to look at her and found that she was already watching him. 

 Emma sat stiff, because even if she hadn't been able to see the truth of his statement in his expression, she still would have known that he was right-she had been there after all, through most of it, until the day she hadn't. She could not apologize, even now, even when she acutely felt their temporary reprieve collapsing under the weight of the past. She still could not bring herself to say the words 'I'm sorry I left", not when they would be a lie. Instead, she smiled sadly, breaking their stare and moving her hand to the middle of his chest. 

 He pulled in a breath at the contact, and forgot to let it out again. Or maybe it was her who ceased to breathe. Regardless, neither of them moved nor spoke until she tapped once.

 "Not surprised." Blue clashed with green, and Emma's smile was small, but genuine as she continued. "You always did have a strong heart."

 Killian's breath caught at the butterfly touch and his heart stuttered to a stop at her words, because for once, there were no walls up between them, no cutting remarks meant to incense and offend to keep the other away. Although some part of him whispered a distant warning, the rest of him roared louder. He had realized this for the opportunity it was, the one he should have had years ago. So he could react in only one way as she made to lift away her hand-by reaching up with one of his own to trap it in place instead.

 Emma tensed, gaze flitting from her hand wrapped in his, still held closely to his chest, to his eyes. They glittered with too many things to properly decipher and the look in their depths instantly put her on alert. Still, after valiant effort, she managed to keep her voice calm and collected, not at all betraying the furious hammering of her heart.

 "I-kinda need that. Will you let go?"

 "I will." It sounded like a promise, although it did nothing to make her feel better, and his next words only intensified the dread that crept through her. "If we can talk about one thing."

 Emma's heart continued its unsteady pound. Despite the fact that her sensible side was screaming bloody murder, advising her to snatch back her hand and get the hell out, now, the words were out before she could stop herself. 

 "What thing?"

 Inwardly, she cursed, for she had always been a touch too daring, too curious for her own good, and something told her that this time she would not escape unscathed.

 "The last night I saw you." 

 Killian watched as she froze, and with the confirmation of her worst suspicions, Emma recognized the sticky feeling that welled up in her as panic. If there was anything in the world she wanted to talk about less than that night, nothing came to mind and she shook her head immediately.

 “No. I…I don’t want to talk about that. It’s…it was such a long time ago, and-I don't know about you, Jones, but I'm actually enjoying the fact that we can go two hours without trying to rip each other's head off now." The attempt at humor was accompanied by a smile that felt strained, even to her, and matched her tone exactly. "Can’t we just let it be?”

  Killian searched her face, deliberating, and for a brief, glorious, moment it looked like he had granted the reprieve...except he hadn't.

 "I can't. It's been eating me up inside for years and I can't...I can't do it anymore."

 In his last six words was the pain from the three years that had gone by, from the wounds dealt by her departure, left to fester, fed by regret and pain. He spoke quietly, but still Emma flinched like a thunder clap had echoed through the room. 

 "Please let's not do this." 

 "Do you know what it was like, those first few weeks?" Her whispered plea fell on deaf ears as he asked his question, eyes haunted, desolate, and she couldn't look away. "We had no idea- I had no idea where you were, if you were safe-I had no idea what had happened to you. Did you hate me that much at the end, Emma, that you couldn't even let me know you were alive?"

 It was the height of irony that she would have given much over the summer to have him look at her with anything but contempt and irritation, and now that he was, now that she could see the depths of hurt and sadness she had left him with, she wished he would go back to pretending she didn't exist. Her shoulders slumped, her gaze dropped to the bed between them, and when he sensed that she wouldn't leave the moment he let go, Killian did just that. 

 "No, of course I didn't hate you." Her exhale was shaky, and she met his gaze for only a brief moment before she looked away again. “I could never-that's not it, that's not why I left,"

  "Then why?" Killian tried to keep his voice calm, but it was akin to trying to hold back the tides. "Christ, we'd been together practically our whole lives, Swan, we were best friends, we were family, and you just left without saying a word-"

  She laughed, low and incredulous, and he swallowed hard at the sound, unable to continue, especially when she started to speak.

  "I didn't say a word? I remember it quite a bit differently, Jones, I remember saying a lot actually, and maybe it was too much, because at the end of it...what else was there to say? The last night I saw you, I just about ripped my heart out of my chest and gave it to you on a silver platter and...you said you didn't want it." 

 Emma glanced up, a brittle little smile on her face, and shrugged as if that night hadn't torn her world apart, like it hadn't sent her into a tailspin that had taken years to recover from, if she ever had at all. Her voice shook as she continued and she forced herself to ignore that particular bit of self-reflection.  

 "You said you didn't want me."

 Killian recoiled as if she had snapped a whip at him, but now, Emma was victim to an unstoppable flow of words and she could do nothing to bar the tide. 

 "If there was anything that summer taught me, it was that I was barely strong enough to function when I didn't have you at my side, so sticking around and watching you fall in love with someone else? After I'd spent years wishing and hoping it would be me, waiting for you to see me like that-even if I didn't know that's what I had been doing, I-I couldn't-I needed to leave. I needed to show myself I could still stand on my own, that I could still be alone...that I could be without you. Because by then-I didn't have a choice, did I?"

 It was fascinating, the play of emotions across his face as she had spoken, cycling from regret to hurt and sadness then stopping at anger that had his eyes blazing and hard. She couldn't look away. 

 "So then you decided to leave, did you, and in all your hurry to be alone and prove something, you never once thought about what that meant for me? It never once occurred to you that you were leaving me alone too?"

 "You had Milah-" Her emphatic statement was cut off by his outburst, frustration clear in every word.

 "Milah wasn't you, Emma! She wasn't there when my father was beating my mother and I to a pulp and I was too bloody scared to tell anyone about it! She wasn't there each time that bastard got cleaned up and came back and then left despite all promises not to! She wasn't there the time my brother went missing and I almost went out of my mind! She wasn't there for the most fucked up parts of my life, but you were, you were the one to help pick up all the pieces and get my shit back together, you were the one who told me I could be more than just the boy from the wrong side of town, you were there. You were always there." He was tired and defeated at the end of it, his words quiet, the look on his face damning. "Until you weren't."

 The accusation hung like a blade between them and Emma shook her head, a weak denial against the words they both knew to be true.

 "Don't do that, don't you dare-" Her eyes burned but the glaze of tears didn't fall, she would not let them. "Do you think it was easy for me? Do you think I enjoyed it? I left everything and everyone I had ever known, and -"

 "You didn't need to go at all!" Killian interrupted hotly, his blankets curled into his fists at his side. "You could have stayed, you could have talked to me-"

 "Like you talked to me that night you mean?" It was Emma's turn to flare up, her face carved into tense lines, jaw locked and eyes blazing. "When you couldn’t even-fine. You want to talk so badly, Killian? Then let's talk. Tell me why. Explain to me why you couldn't love me like I love you. Talk to me now, like you couldn't talk to me back then."

 It was as if they had been transported back in time to that terrible night years ago. The empty parking lot and her faithful car had been replaced by an empty log cabin and a bed but Killian hadn't changed, he was still looking at her with that strange mixture of emotions that rippled past too quickly for her to understand, with the silence and regret building, the air growing thick. Now, just like then, his expression was softening, and she knew, she knew he was going to reach for her and that could not happen, she wouldn't be able to think if he touched her. Emma jerked away, as unable to withstand it at present as she'd been in the past, especially once she realized her fatal slip...

 ...explain to me why you couldn't love me like I love you. 

 Self-preservation kicked in, and the urge to flee grew stronger, because some things, it seemed, would never change. Killian Jones was still her kryptonite, somehow capable of making her forget promises she'd made to herself, effortlessly breaching her carefully constructed walls. She needed to leave, she needed time to process, to recover from the fact that she might just have revealed her greatest secret- 

 Emma mustered her strength, and retreated behind the thinnest veneer of calm she'd ever made in her life. She placed the bottle carefully between them and then stood, slipping her feet into her flip flops.

 "Right. That's what I thought. Keep it, I'd apply once more before you sleep. I'll see you around."

 She held herself together quite admirably in her opinion, despite the fact that she was all but running for the door. She had it halfway open before a hand reached out from behind her and pushed it closed, and Emma gasped, then spun round. Killian was right behind her, and at least now, there was no mistaking the emotion in his eyes-it was anger, fierce and unyielding. Effectively cornered, there was only one option left: attack.

 "What the hell do you think you're doing Jones?"

 "No more running, Swan." His left hand lifted to join its counterpart on the door, caging her in and Emma would have cautioned his use of it, especially at the slight spasm of pain that passed over his face, but she was too irritated now.

 "Excuse me?"

 "You heard me. No more running. You went all the way to the other side of the country three years ago, where will you go now? Alaska? Indonesia?" He shook his head and took another step closer. "I'm not taking that chance, not this time. You wanted to know about that last night? You wanted to hear my side of it? Then you're going to have to stay and listen."

 Emma was ready to tell him to go to hell. There was a withering reply on the tip of her tongue, one that would have told him in no uncertain terms where to stick it, but then the belligerent set of his jaw relaxed, and his whole frame sagged. The blue eyes that had been filled with angry fire just seconds before were now soft and pleading. He looked much more like the scared and exhausted version who would turn up after each night Brennan Jones had been particularly drunk than the snarky and sarcastic one she'd been butting heads with all summer. 

 She didn't move as he dropped his left arm. She didn't breathe when he took her hand captive again, and twined his fingers loosely through hers, his touch gentle and unsure, as if trying to hold the wind. 

  "Emma, please. Please don't go. Don't leave. Not again." 

 At that point, it didn't matter that for most of summer, they had barely had a conversation that didn't involve sniping, sarcastic tones and cold words. In the middle of their first real conversation in years, he had lost all his pride, and wasn't above begging.

 "Killian-"

 "What if I told you-what if I told you that you were right that night? What if I lied?" Killian swallowed, and watched as the implications of what he was saying registered. He watched her eyes widen, filling first with confusion, and then spark with suspicion. "What if I told you that I felt the same way? That I always-"

 "Stop it, just stop!" This time when she snatched her hand away, he let her, even as he silently hoped she wouldn't walk away. "What is this, you feel sorry for me, so you're telling me what I wanted to hear back then? Is this supposed to be a joke?"

 "No, Swan, it's not. Just, listen, please, if you listen to me now, I promise I will never bring it up again,"

 The words were almost a mirror image of the ones she'd said to him that fateful last night. She was trapped in a vicious cycle of deja vu. Her mind was screaming at her to run, as fast and as far as she could, but it was the tiny whisper from her bruised and battered heart, telling her that they had already done that once, for all the good it had brought, that won out. 

 Emma crossed her arms, as if pulling up an armor to protect herself from whatever would happen next. Killian read her actions as acquiescence and immediately backed off, the hand that had held back the door shifting to the nape of his neck instead. Strange that he'd thought about this moment many times over the last few years, but when it finally arrived, he found himself no better prepared than the night of their very last fight.

 "Jones-"

 Killian raised a hand, a signal that begged for one more moment to gather himself. Emma huffed and then settled more comfortably against the door, waiting, but quite reluctantly. It could not be clearer that his time was limited, and so, Killian fell back into old habits: he leapt before he looked, and started to speak before he was even sure what he was going to say…

  **********

 Interlude

 - he is five years old, and his mother is crying. She's been doing so for a while now, ever since his father shoved her and then stormed out of their little house, a cloud of bad temper and the smell of liquor following in his wake. He doesn't know what to do. He's not the best at telling time yet, but he knows his big brother gets home only when the shorter hand of the clock is pointed to the seven, and it's still between the 5 and 6. He is on his own, his mother is crying and he wants her to stop, because it hurts to see her so sad. 

 His hands shake as he pours a glass of water, tiny hands clumsy and unaccustomed to handling the pitcher, but he manages and spills only a little. He has to call twice before she finally looks up at him and his glass, blinking through the tears. Her hand is as shaky as his when she accepts his offering, and she drinks and places the glass carefully to the side before opening her arms out for him. Her embrace is familiar and comforting and he shuts his eyes as she starts to hum. It's not the normal, sweet melody he's used to, but she's stopped crying, at least, and the tightness in his chest eases somewhat. 

 He pulls back a little to stare her in the face. She is beautiful his mother, and even more so, when she's not crying. He tells her the former, leaves off the latter. She smiles and thanks him, and then holds him close to her once more. Exhausted from all the tears, her last murmur before she sleeps is that he is so much like his father. He is sure (-he hopes) she means that they look alike, and not that they both make her cry, but the chill in his heart returns, because he is only 5, and he realizes his father is not a good man.

  -he is 15. School is out for the day, the weather is gorgeous, a golden afternoon laced with a cool ocean breeze, the sky blue and blazing and dotted with puffy clouds, and best of all, his best friend is laughing gaily by his side. Emma's arms swing freely, for he carries her books and his, all the better to facilitate her wild gestures as she speaks. In her hair, its stem twined through the haphazard braid she'd fixed above her ear in the morning, is a bright yellow buttercup he'd presented to her with a flourish, cheerful and bright against the gold of her tresses.

 She is describing the mayhem that the ongoing war between Regina and her half-sister Zelena for control of Storybrooke High's cheer leading squad has wrought, and though he could care less about the Mills sisters battle for dominance, he does care a lot about how much it entertains Emma. If their squabbles mean the Swan girl will spend the rest of high school laughing and amused, then he hopes Regina and Zelena will never find a truce, for his and Emma's lives had never been ones filled with constant laughter. A knobby elbow jabs into his ribs just then, and he snaps back to the present in time to see his companion pull a ridiculous face at him, punishment for his perceived lack of attention. He can't help but laugh as well and amend his previous thought: their lives had never been filled with constant laughter-save for when they are together. 

 They round the corner that brings both their houses into sight, and as his eyes fall upon the white car parked in the driveway of his home, his smile freezes. It dies completely when the driver's side door opens, and a familiar person steps out. There can be no question that Brennan Jones is his father, for he had passed nearly everything of his looks to his youngest son, except for his eyes. Those, Killian owed to his mother, and they are the only part of his reflection that doesn’t make his skin crawl. Regrets about resemblance are the last thing on his mind at the moment, for today, his father appears sure footed, and swinging off one of his arms is a grocery bag full of food with flowers peeking out the top- all signs that point to this being Brennan Jones' Sober Version, the one that was in some ways, the most dangerous one of all. This version constantly raised Anne Jones’ hopes only to dash them mercilessly when he inevitably disappeared, and the Raging Drunk that was his usual persona came back. 

 Emma notices that something is wrong immediately; of course she does, for she knows him better than anyone. Her eyes narrow the moment they land on his father, and he can tell from the way she stops and glances behind them that she is calculating how far they have come from the corner, and whether they will still be able to retreat without drawing attention. He knows from her set jaw that she has deemed it too far, just as he knows from her expression, an equal mix of determination and concern, what she will suggest next. It will be some complaint about homework, and how she will absolutely not be able to accomplish anything without him, so please could he come home with her and help her out? There might even be dinner in it for him. She picks history to whine about, slowing her steps to a reluctant plodding, and it's all very transparent but Killian is weak and he is tired of seeing that hopeful light bloom in his mother’s eyes only for it to disappear when his father disappoints her as he always does.

 So he agrees, and stops short of actually drawing level with his house, where Brennan, having spotted them, now waits. He sends Emma on with a promise to be there as soon as he tells his mother where he is going to be, and when Emma departs, he squares his shoulders, approaches and gives his greetings. Brennan doesn't acknowledge him at first. His father's eyes track Emma's movements with interest, and immediately, his own hackles rise. His best friend is lovely, and only growing more so still, but if his father even thinks of going there...he calms down fractionally when Brennan meets his gaze and he sees only honest curiosity in their depths. He answers the questions in short order: yes, that is Emma Swan. Yes, she's still his best friend, and yes, she's grown quite tall. 

 Killian's skin itches at how the look in his father's eyes has turned speculative, and especially at how he grins knowingly when he asks if the buttercup was from him. He doesn't wait for the response before he claps his son genially on the shoulder and turns to head into their house. The Jones men seem to favor flowers when wooing women, he says, and it's heartening to see that like father like son still very much applies to them. The words lodge an ice pick in his heart because he is 15, and he wants to be nothing like his father.

  -he is 17, and he's had just a little too much to drink. Storybrooke High's football team has ended their season the conference champs, victory delivered on David's and his shoulders, and they are sure to be co-captains when their last year of high school begins. For now though, thoughts of the future are far from his mind. At present, he is more concerned with why the bloody key hole keeps jumping from place to place and why there are suddenly four of them, when the door to the house opens and Killian falls in a heap at his older brother's feet. He groans, for the key hole is not the only thing that has multiplied, and his older brother's disapproving face dances around him in fours.  

 Liam sighs at him, he thinks, he can't exactly tell, because he's telling him about the ridiculous game he'd just played, and won, aching shoulder be damned. He remembers at the last moment that Liam had been at the game, made a special trip from Boston just to see this last one, and they had already celebrated, just the family, a little earlier on in the night, so he hardly needed the play by play, but it's worth re-telling he thinks. 

 By the time he's done, Liam has helped up into his room, telling him to keep it down, for their mother's bedroom isn't too far away. He has regained enough of his facilities to apologize for being a pain, he'd not meant to drink so much, but Emma had been at the party and they'd been challenged to defend their beer pong crown. Swan never backed down from a challenge, and therefore, neither did he, hence his staggering home at this hour. Liam smiles, he thinks, and merely helps him out of his varsity jacket and his shoes, before tucking him in like he's six bloody years old and Killian secretly loves it. 

 Not that he'd ever tell. 

 Before Liam leaves, he hovers at the door, and Killian manages to inquire what he's forgotten. His brother says nothing for a long time, and then only shakes his head and tells him that this little episode aside, he's extremely proud of Killian, because despite his worries, he's shaping up to be quite the young man. It's a nice thought, strong enough to overpower the fleeting question of what Liam was worried over, and Killian falls asleep with a happy glow that has nothing to do with alcohol. When he wakes the next day, he is still 17, with a hangover as fierce as his headache, and as he empties the contents of his stomach into the toilet, he realizes what had worried his brother so: the realization that at 17, he might be more similar to his father than he had thought. 

  TBC.