A little note before you read: Hospital emergency codes vary depending on which country you live in. Therefore, here are the ones I will be using and what they mean in this case, and what region it is used in this context in.

Blue: Medical emergency (Australia)

White: Violence/Aggression (Canada)

Rapid Response Team: Medical team needed at bedside (United States)

There will probably be more coming, depending on where this story leads me. I will update this section as they appear.

"Please don't leave me here," Yuri pled with his mother, who only gave him a small, heartbroken smile in return. Her heart ached for her son, for how pitiful he looked in this new, unfamiliar place. It was hard for her to leave him all alone, especially after twenty-three years with him to greet every day. Twenty-three years with the skater with the world's biggest glass heart, so easily shattered in the face of defeat, so easy to excite. Even now as he stood there she felt she could reach out and touch the cracks in his heart, feel the individual fissures that formed with each of her words and his own.

"Don't worry, dear, you'll have fun," the small woman reassured, pulling her son into a light, chaste embrace. "You'll get to meet new people here, the counselors will help you deal with your anxiety, and soon enough you won't want to leave. You'll see." The words were more for herself than they were for Yuri, but he accepted them all the same. He pulled back only once, feeling the familiar sting of tears building up behind his eyes.

"Promise me you'll visit?" he asked dejectedly upon seeing this was not a joke or a bad dream. This was about as real as it could get, and he hated it.

"Of course I will."

Yuri's chocolate eyes watered as he moved in for another, final hug, never wanting to let go until he could leave this new, terrifying place. He just wanted to go home, soak in the hot springs, eat hot katsudon...anything but this. Why did he even need to be in a mental hospital? He was fine. Just a little anxiety was all that was wrong with him. He wasn't the only one who had this problem, so why did those people get to enjoy their lives while he had to be sent here into this all-too-white building full of strangers that could attack him at any time? That was always how it was for the new guy, adult or otherwise.

Yuri was pried away from his mother when a stranger in a white lab coat approached the pair, prompting him to hesitantly look up at the kind, middle-aged face. Too many sharp angles was the first thing that came to mind when he eyed the contours of his jawline, the way his cheekbones jutted out just enough, his chin a bit sharper than the average, eyebrows curved in an almost angry gesture. His sleek brunette hair was tied in a ponytail and draped over his shoulder, sort of like a dragon's tail. Couldn't they have sent someone with a softer face to greet them?

Hiroko Katsuki gave her son a pat on the shoulder upon feeling him shrink back into her silently. "He won't hurt you, dear, don't worry. He's just going to show you to your room, that's all." She handed him off to the man in white, who extended his hand in greeting and offered him a surprisingly genuine smile.

"You don't have to fear me, Yuri. My name is Celestino. It's nice to have you here with us today."

The raven-haired man shakily took the elder's hand without saying a word. His heart was hammering so fast and so hard that he was sure Celestino could feel it through his hand. He knew his anxiety would get the better of him soon and hoped he could find a way out of sight soon. Everything around him slowly blurred into a sloppy mess of colors and his eyes surely glazed over as though he were about to pass out entirely. It was hard to stay standing, hard to even look at the man who had his hand in a steel grip. In reality the grip was quite gentle, but his mind had a tendency to exaggerate.

Hiroko whispered something into Celestino's ear after one quick glance at him, and Yuri's prayers were finally answered as his hand was let go of and the man declared "Why don't we show you to your room then?" Yuri's eyes darted back to his mother, who was already starting to take her leave as if she wanted to get away as soon as possible, away from her disgusting son. He vaguely heard her say something about seeing him next week, but he was not in the mindset to pay attention.

"I want to go home," he heard himself complain, not going unnoticed by the other who flashed him a persuasive grin.

"You'll have fun here, trust me. This may not be home, but we want to make it feel like it is to you, so if there's anything you need just tell us and we'll see to it that you're taken care of, okay?"

Celestino beckoned him along and he hesitantly followed, and as he did so he could feel the floor caving under his weight, waiting to swallow him whole. The hallway stretched on forever, and with no end in sight he silently wondered if this was the end for him, facing death in a whitewashed palace of strange faces and his own rising panic threatening to strangle him.

In his stupor he had managed to ram right into his guide and fall against the wall in a weak attempt to catch himself. Celestino grabbed his wrist before he could collapse to the floor.

"Are you feeling alright? You look a bit pale."

Yuri nodded a little too quickly and straightened himself up as if to prove a point. The door they stood in front of was plain white, just like the rest of this God-forsaken place, with the exception of a brown plaque rimmed in gold and bearing the name "Katsuki" in large gold print. It was a little unsettling that they had already had a nameplate made for his door; how long had they known he was coming? Or better yet, how long had he not known about this?

"Well then," he continued as if nothing had happened, "this is going to be your room. If you'll step inside..." He pushed open the door to reveal a large room with pale beige walls and a hardwood floor, a nice change from the white of the rest of the building. A bed was made by the great window that filtered in sunlight through the glass, rose-print cream curtains drawn back and resting on hooks on either side. The bed itself was freshly made with pristine white sheets, two fluffed-up pillows, and a thick brown blanket spread over the top. A nightstand bearing a lamp and an alarm clock sat at its side, and a wardrobe by the door. A small bathroom complete with a bath was set next to said wardrobe. The overall sight of the room settled his nerves just a little.

"Once you get accustomed to your new room, please join the rest of us just down the hall in the main room." Celestino shut the door behind him as he exited, leaving poor Yuri to himself to wander and take in the sight. He could feel the anxiety building up in his chest again, clawing its way up his throat and threatening to spill forth. The room was too different from his own; he just wanted to go home!

He forced himself to look away from the window through which he had been staring to the outside world, the busy setting on the other side of the glass not doing anything to help him. He searched through the wardrobe at the selection of clothing he was given, all of which a solid pale color. He sighed and selected a cyan sweater and black sweatpants, padding into the small bathroom (after asking for the door to be unlocked, of course). A hot shower should help, he concluded as the steaming spray of water shot from the shower head. He stripped and stepped in, letting the hot liquid run down his body and relax his tensed muscles.

But this was too different from the onsen; the natural landscape of the hot springs and soft colors as well as the steam rising from the hot water always soothed him when even skating could not. Now there was just a cramped bathroom with a small bath and harsh white reflecting off every surface. There was nothing natural about this. It was just too polygonal.

He couldn't stay in the shower under the now-scalding liquid. He had to get out of there, and fast. He could feel the panic building in his system and knew that the last thing he wanted was for a stranger to have to help him through an anxiety attack while he was soaked and naked.

The last thing he wanted was for a stranger to help him through an anxiety attack at all, actually.

He all but slammed the handle down to shut the water off and tripped over his own feet to get himself out of that cramped space, disregarding the forgotten clothing. He collapsed on the soft mattress thereafter and barely concealed a scream into the pillow. His hands scrabbled for purchase against something, anything, that would ground him. All they could find was his hair, which was harshly pulled at as small sobs and whimpers wracked his body. The familiar nausea bubbled within his stomach and spilled into the nearest trash can, him having thankfully enough wherewithal to grab hold of it before the vomit reached his throat.

His breath stuttered as the last of it found its way out, either a sigh of relief or the preparation of a round of dry heaving. The latter was correct.

Someone was coming. Footsteps growing louder and closer. Stopping right outside his door. He couldn't let anyone see him like this!

But there was nothing he could do as a soft knock sounded. He stopped breathing for a full second, a feat on its own, as Celestino's voice rang through the barrier.

"Yuri, it's been an hour. When will you come and join us?"

Celestino swore he heard a tiny whimper on the other side, followed by the sound of retching that he knew he heard. He quickly rushed in without a second to think about what he was doing, and found Yuri curled up on the bed, stark-naked, dripping wet, turned away from him and shaking. Hoarse coughs racked his body as more dry heaving ensued, and at that moment Celestino knew exactly what was going on. Yuri clutched onto his hair and pulled roughly, leaving a few strands abandoned on the mattress. Just as much so as he felt in that moment.

Celestino knew just from looking at him that someone with his physical appearance would be of no help. He cursed himself inwardly for that and rushed out for help. He had not often dealt with panic attacks, and this one was among the worst he had seen thus far. He raced through the halls, desperate to get to his target before Yuri hurt himself in some way.

He reached his destination in record time and the look on his face said everything to the other, who silently nodded and rushed to the Katsuki room after him.

Yuri's blurred vision was blinded completely by a bright mop of silver less than a minute after Celestino had left his room. He gasped as the stranger leaned so close to his face, in his personal space, and struggled to back away from them. Of course that didn't work since it only brought him closer to the person who he discerned was male. The stranger's scent flooded his senses, a sweet strawberry aroma that may as well have had a color because it was so strong. At the moment, there were no words, only the comforting presence of the stranger that lulled his breathing back to a normal pace steadily. The stranger stroked his back almost lovingly as the last of the attack passed. Yuri glanced up at him with bloodshot, watery eyes, a few stray tears still flooding his cheeks. He gripped the man's violet shirt in tight fists still, belatedly aware of the wet spot front and center on his chest.

"Are you alright?" His thick accent caressed his ears gently and held his heart tightly. He somehow forced his head to nod once, earning a gentle smile. "Good. Do you know what caused it?"

"I don't want to be here," Yuri whined in answer. He curled in on himself again. "I want to go home!" Another round of sobbing began as he desperately turned away from him, arms secure around his knees, lying on the bed with his back to the stranger, who clicked his tongue in thought and slight frustration.

"It's okay, Yuri. We're here for you. We can be your family here," he tried, a hand finding its way to his shoulder. Yuri tensed under his touch and at his words before shaking his head vigorously.

"I want to go home..."

He didn't know if he should have been grateful or concerned that Yuri did not have the energy to go into another panic attack. It seemed his body was fighting to do so, but it just couldn't, so instead he was just left to cry somewhat silently.

"You're going to be okay, Yuri. I'm here for you. I always will be."

It took several heartbeats, too many, but he finally earned a tiny nod from Yuri, and he turned his head towards him.

"Really?"

"Of course." he affirmed. But Yuri was still skeptical.

"...Really?"

"Yes."

Yuri sniffled silently, his brain still comprehending just what this person was saying, but then once the words finally sank in he gave a halfhearted smile. It's not that he didn't appreciate it, but he was just not in the mindset to do so.

"If you want, I'll leave you alone," the stranger offered, and Yuri nodded gratefully.

"Thank you."

...

His heart could have stopped altogether when he reached the main room where everyone was gathered and was greeted by a young man bearing silver hair over his left eye. His deep azure eyes were so soft and kind, creamy pale skin to accent them further. But Yuri could have had another attack right then and there at the sight of him. Standing right in front of him was the same man who had just helped him through his panic while he was helpless in his room. Said man had been so patient and caring, and in return for that Yuri could only give him unbridled terror.

"Hello, Yuri. Are you feeling better now?"

"W-What?" he stuttered, completely confused; was this person another patient? Was he a staff member? Who was he? And why was he talking to him of all people?

The person extended his hand towards the small circle of patients, all varying in age, some chatting away and others sitting silently. A few of them just stared.

"Come and sit down; we're all waiting for you."

"Nani? Naze?" Yuri slipped into his native tongue for a split second, realizing it immediately after. Thankfully, the man seemed not to notice lest he die of embarrassment at his own failure to speak English. He gently reached for Yuri's hand and took it in his own, guiding him kindly to his spot. Yuri followed only because he couldn't separate his arm from the rest of his body on command. The man and he both sat down in the circle, the former at the head. This was not a good sign.

"Now that we're all here, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Viktor Nikiforov, your counselor here. I would love to know each and every one of you, so why don't we all introduce ourselves and tell everyone why you are here. We'll start with you." He pointed to the person to his left, who started with "Yeah, hi. I'm Jean-Jacques Leroy, and people say I'm a narcissist, whatever that means."

It seemed that was all he really wanted to say, because his mouth was tightly shut after that. Viktor nodded approvingly, as if grateful he had said that much without bragging about himself, and then moved on with a gesture towards some blond kid, hair covering his right eye similar to how Viktor's hair covered his left. He seemed not to have noticed at first, lost in his own world, until someone next to him, a silent boy of layered black hair and stoic face, lightly elbowed him.

"Hah? Oh, right. I'm Yuri, and my grandpa says I have anger issues." He paused, shifting in his spot on the floor, before adding "Don't think for a second I have problems, got it? I'm perfectly normal!"

"Alright then, Yuri. How about the next one?"

The black-haired boy just shook his head and made some gesture with his hands that nobody could understand. Yuri-the first one-stared in silent adoration as Viktor seemed to understand what he was signaling.

"This is Otabek Altin," he started, focusing. "He is selectively mute, meaning he cannot speak in stressful environments."

Otabek nodded and stared down at his hands, looking stoic as ever but Yuri could see the regret in his eyes, even downturned as he was.

There were a few more after that: a Thai boy named Phichit with ADHD, a Russian redhead named Mila who apparently had an issue of clinginess, and some others who Yuri sort of drowned out. He was ready to turn into his own head and abandon the real world when he felt a harsh elbow to his side.

"Huh?" Yuri squeaked, snapping back to attention. He didn't see who hit him, but he had a feeling from intuition that it was the Russian Yuri.

"I asked if you could introduce yourself," Viktor repeated, eyes on him expectantly. But he didn't want to go. He never wanted to go. But the persistence of the one who called himself Viktor somehow prompted his voice to return to him after the moment of panic.

"I-I'm Yuri Katsuki...and...and I have an anxiety d-disorder. O-Or more like a...a panic disorder. I overthink things...a lot...and one thing leads to another and I panic." He rushed the last part and fell silent after that, wanting nothing more than the safety of his room. Even if that room were only slightly less whitewashed than the rest of the building, he would at least be alone.

"Hi, Yuri!" the Thai boy from earlier yelled across the circle, startling Yuri. He slapped his hand over his chest as his heart raced; yes, he did overthink things. He also overreacted.

"Phichit, it's not polite to yell," Viktor lightly scolded, as if talking to a child. Then, his attention back to Yuri, "Are you feeling alright?"

He may have nodded a little too quickly, because Viktor just shook his head in disagreement. But he did not dwell on the topic, offering to say instead "It was great to meet all of you, although with two Yuris it might get a little bit confusing. How about we call you...let's see...how about Yurio?" he pointed to the blond teen, who scoffed not-too-subtly, a little red in the face.

"That's not my name!"

Yuri was afraid of the blond's anger, but he was also glad that it was him who had gotten the nickname rather than himself. He did not want a name other than his own; it would just confuse him.

Viktor seemed proud of the new name and went on with it, declaring "Don't be mad, Yurio, it's a cute name!"

This got Yuri to smile a little, despite himself.

"Hey! What are you smiling at, asshole?" Yurio's harsh, grating tone carried across the room and slapped him in the face. Yuri promptly shrank in on himself, but not soon enough to avoid the other's fist in the jaw. He fell backwards, hitting the floor and having the air forced from his lungs as Yurio pounced like the tiger he was, everyone else watching in either awe or amusement or fear. Viktor, seeing all this happening, stepped in and pried the livid teen off of Yuri.

"Yurio, is that any way to act?" he chastised, an accusing finger pointed in his direction as he knelt down in front of him, who was sitting cross-legged and aloof. "Now apologize to Yuri and let's put this behind us, hm?"

"I'm not apologizing to that shithead," he declared proudly, arms folded over his chest. Viktor hummed in disappointment.

"Come on, that's what this place is for. We're here to make friends and get along."

"Whatever." He got up and stalked away from the two idiots, namely the raven who stared with wide, watery eyes at the retreating body. Yuri looked hopelessly at the silver-haired man next to him, who could see the fear in his countenance and therefore drew him into a tight embrace.

"It's okay, Yuri, it's over now. He won't bother you anymore," he soothed, feeling the smaller one shiver slightly in his arms. Yuri shook his head in disagreement.

"Vikutoru, I'm not supposed to be here," he sobbed softly, then felt his face smush into Viktor's shoulder as the hug tightened.

"That's not true. You have every right to be here, just like all of us."

But Yuri was not having it. He would not stay in the same room as that other boy. Voice muffled by the shoulder covering it, he mumbled "I want...to go back to my room."

"Are you sure you don't want to try making any friends?"

Yuri nodded twice, and Viktor released him from the embrace.

"Alright. Go and get some rest. I will come get you in a few hours for dinner, okay?"

"...Okay," he hesitated, not wanting to disappoint Viktor any more but also not wanting to be around anyone for dinner. He stood slowly and walked out of the room, not sparing a glance back at the older man for fear of meeting a sad face. Viktor should not be sad; he should be happy that Yuri was leaving, that he was no longer embarrassing him or himself in front of everyone else. That he was no longer going to get in any fights for the rest of the day.

In his room, he went immediately to the mirror in his small bathroom to check his face for any damage. Sure enough, there was a large, purpling bruise on his jaw, and the start of a black left eye from one of the other various lesser blows inflicted on him in the struggle. He winced as he brought his fingers up to gingerly touch it, then opted to splash some cold water on his face to ease the pain a little bit. Curling up under the soft chestnut blanket, he dozed off, forgetting about the pain of the world (and his face) in favor of his anxiety-free dreams.

...

After giving a stern talking to to Yurio, Viktor was satisfied to let the matter rest. As much as he also wanted Yuri in on the conversation, he had promised him the few hours respite in his room without distraction, so he had to simply settle the issue with Yurio alone and hope with everything he had that the blond boy would heed his words. It was not likely, he knew, and that was why Yurio was here in the first place, but he knew from years of experience that eventually there would be a breakthrough. And he could not wait for that revelation.

Yuri was quite an enigma, to say the least. A small man with a panic disorder, he could make for the best friend or worst enemy. He hoped to bring the former out of him. He wondered if that could be achieved by letting him stay in his room for such a long time. It was not healthy to be so antisocial, but with Yuri, would it be different? Would this sort of time away from everyone be a benefit?

This was a question Viktor asked himself regarding every patient. He always tried to consider the possibilities, based on the little nuggets of information and personality he could get from their interactions. In Yuri's case, he decided in the end that a little time away from people would do him some good, but eventually he had to start socializing. He could tell that if it were up to the boy, he would stay holed up in his room until it was time to go home. And Viktor couldn't have that.

But for the time being, he just had to be patient. And breathe.

He still had other patients to take care of.

...

It was actually Celestino who came to check up on Yuri. He learned by then that his snakelike appearance does nothing to help his nerves, but if Viktor was not going to get him out of his room then he would. Stopping in front of the Katsuki-nameplated door, he brought his hand up and gently rapped against the wood three times, hoping to get a response other than dry heaving like the last time. This time, he was given a groggy groan and a shift of sheets.

"Yuri, rise and shine! It's time for dinner." Celestino called through the barrier. It took a moment, but Yuri eventually seemed to process the information and called back "One moment." Then there was another, louder shift of the blankets, followed by footsteps. Then everything went quiet for a moment before the door opened to reveal a slightly-disheveled Yuri. His clothes were wrinkled, his hair still mussed up from sleep, he stood expectantly in front of the dragon of a doctor. Celestino gave him a once over and noticed with shock the bruises on his face.

"Whoa, did you hit your face on something?" he asked, genuinely concerned despite his choice of words, and moved to lightly touch his face. Yuri, seeing the hand approach, shied away from the contact.

"I'm fine," he responded curtly to the man, who withdrew with an almost hurt expression.

"If you say so." No, he wasn't at all convinced, but he would not press him for details at the moment. He was sure Yuri was hungry and refused to keep the patient from having his dinner. "This way is the cafeteria."

"C-Cafeteria?" Yuri stuttered, feet firmly planting themselves in the floor at the doorway. "I thought I was eating alone..."

"Um...no, everyone eats together." Confused, Celestino grabbed the other's hand and tried to pull him along, but Yuri was adamant about staying in place.

"I-I can't go," he protested weakly, looking to his feet in shame. "I'm gonna have another panic attack, I just know it..."

"You don't know that until it happens. And we're here to help you with your anxiety. Will you trust me? Will you trust Viktor?" Celestino grabbed Yuri's small hands in his large ones, holding them tight so Yuri knew he was serious. At the mention of his counselor's name, Yuri perked up slightly; he loathed the idea of sitting in a small room crowded with so many other people (about a hundred or so to be exact), but he was a little more willing to go if it meant he would be close to Viktor.

It was the thought of Viktor that made him decide what he was going to do, as well as the deep rumbling of his stomach crying to be filled. He nodded and pulled his hands away, earning a genuinely happy smile from the older dragon-snake-man. Hand on his back to lead him along, Celestino gently ushered him through the doorway, finally on their way to dinner.

...

There were actually far more people than he had originally anticipated.

Yuri looked around, eyes wide, pulse gaining speed as he saw at least one-hundred fifty patients all chatting, eating, just being loud in general, in such a relatively small space. The cafeteria itself housed a kitchen area in the back, four large, whitewashed walls, and many circular tables with around ten or so seats each. Just enough for everyone and the staff. His head sank a little lower on his shoulders, until they touched his ears, as if he could reason with himself that if he shrank down small enough nobody would be able to see him, or at least wouldn't take any notice of the shy boy.

However, there were three people who looked over at him as he entered. There was Viktor Nikiforov, of course. Then there was Phichit, that boy who had nearly killed him earlier unintentionally with his energy, and then there was Yurio, the one who nearly killed him earlier intentionally with his fists. The green-eyed kid mentioned last just scowled at him and went back to his food. Phichit excitedly waved to him, calling his name. Viktor stood from the table and walked over to him, his strides long and elegant. His face reflected the joy he felt in that moment upon seeing the face of the young man.

"Yuri, there you are! I thought you'd stay in your room for..." He let the last part die on the tip of his tongue as he took in the sight of the bruises on his otherwise-perfect face. Just as Celestino had done, Viktor lightly touched his cheek, but this time Yuri did not shy away from the contact. He did not ask what happened to him, for he already had a pretty good idea of what transpired, being there to witness it. Yuri shifted his weight nervously from one foot to the other, unsure what to do. Viktor, after an endless moment of studying, let his hands drop with a disappointed shake of his head, before flashing his smile again and taking Yuri's hand in his own. Not for the first time that day, Yuri noted how soft his skin was.

"Come, this way. I saved a seat for you over here. I think a little conversation is overdue."

"A conversation?" Yuri squeaked. He could feel his anxiety kicking in again, his throat drying and refusing to let voice any more words. His breath came a little quicker. He felt like a small child again, huddling nervously close to Viktor. Viktor felt the small hand in his own tighten its grip and saw Yuri start to move in closer as they drew nearer to the small gathering.

"There's nothing to worry about, Yuri. It's only us. Just pretend there is nobody else in the room, okay?"

But that was a little hard to accomplish when the other two aforementioned patients stared at him as he made his hesitant approach. The noise around him now seemed deafening to his sensitive ears. It took everything he had to not clamp his hands over them and run away. There was an almost imperceptible tremble in his body, one that went unnoticed by his leader.

He felt his knees begin to give way underneath him, his steps faltering more and more frequently with each hesitant stride he made. Sitting down at the table did not help anything, either, as all that did was bring him closer to those lethal stares. But he did so in response to Viktor's encouragement and the hand on his shoulder.

"Alright, now that we're all here..." Viktor started the "conversation", although to Yuri it felt like it would be more like an intervention than anything. "We can finally discuss the problems we are facing. Yuri, would you like to start for us?"

But Yuri violently shook his head negative, holding his arms and shrinking in on himself. Yurio scrutinized him harshly, eyes narrowing, while Phichit seemed unable to sit still, rocking back and forth in his seat while his food remained untouched. Looking at the plate, Yuri realized in the back of his mind just how hungry he was. But he couldn't let his guard down around these strangers, or at all for that matter. He couldn't eat.

"Very well. I will start us off." Viktor gestured to Phichit first. "Phichit, your rather...excitable nature has nearly caused Yuri a panic attack back in the circle. Not everyone is as energetic as you, and you need to learn self control. Can you do that?"

Phichit nodded, a little less excited than when he came in.

"Good. As for you, Yurio..." He turned his attention over to the Russian tiger. "You are here because you have an anger disorder and must work it out. Assaulting Yuri does not help with that. Now I want a full apology from you to him."

"Fuck that! Why should I apologize to that shithead?" Yurio pointed an accusing finger at Yuri, who was trying to hide behind Viktor again. "Why should I say sorry to him? He's the one who was making fun of me!"

"Yurio-"

"And stop calling me that dumbass name! My name is Yuri!" He then stood harshly from his seat and carelessly knocked over Yuri's seat on his way out. Viktor's voice hardly left his mouth before the cafeteria doors were slammed shut. Viktor sadly shook his head.

"So much for that... Are you two alright?"

Phichit nodded enthusiastically, as if it would prove a point that he was fine if he seemed much more so than he really was, while Yuri looked wide-eyed at Viktor. The question went unheard by him. Still in shock, his breath hitched as he curled up as tightly as he could into a ball on the floor where he was thrown. The curious looks cast his way did nothing to help, but only made him start to hyperventilate, eyes unfocused and spilling tears onto the cold tile floor.

Viktor knew right away that Yuri was going into a panic attack and mentally cursed himself for getting him into this situation. He quickly turned to Phichit. "Leave us for now," he ordered.

"Okay, see ya later Yuri!" Phichit bellowed and took off to find his friends. Viktor cringed at the volume, but chose to save the issue for later since at the moment there were more pressing matters. Such as making sure Yuri didn't pass out.

"Yuri, can you hear me?" he tried to reach him through the haze that surrounded Yuri's mind. Yuri didn't answer, save for his breath hitching more frequently and a scared, desperate look on his features. Viktor was momentarily confused by the sudden change, until his questions were answered when Yuri began heaving. Vomit painted the floor between them, leaving Yuri in pained tears at the forcefulness. He gasped and shuddered, suddenly cold amidst his panic.

Viktor noticed the shivering and, having nothing else available for him to use, removed his own coat and draped it over Yuri's curled body. Another staff member had seen Yuri panicking and had taken the liberty of bringing a wheelchair over to them. Viktor thanked him and turned Yuri over into a position where he could lift him into the chair. He would leave someone else to clean up the mess later. For the time being, he had to worry about his patient, who was now bent double and holding his knees securely. His trembling frame, raspy respiration, and overall state in general did not ease Viktor's worries in the slightest as he quickly transported him through the hospital to his room.

The door flew open and Viktor hurried inside with Yuri in tow. He made quick work of moving the smaller man onto the mattress. Yuri seemed to notice the change from the cafeteria floor to his bed, because he scrambled for the blanket, trying to find the warmth to no avail. He whimpered as he continued scrabbling for it with uncooperative hands, until Viktor caught on.

"Here, let me help you." He grabbed the sheet and gently spread it over Yuri. The latter greedily grabbed it and wrapped it firmly around himself, effectively hiding himself from his therapist. Viktor slowly lifted the blanket just enough to uncover his face and cooed "There. That's better."

Yuri's words caught in his throat, unable to produce any more speech than a strangled cry. Viktor, knowing he couldn't help get Yuri's breathing back under control in the curled position he was in, worked with deft hands to roll him onto his back and coax his body into spreading out.

Yuri couldn't tell what was going on. He felt himself being flipped over, then felt hands gently massaging his muscles loose so he had no choice but to open up and lie flat on the bed. And then he felt something settle over his nose and mouth as he continued gasping for air. All he could hear was his own shallow breathing and some strange crinkling sound. Now he could only feel one hand, softly stroking his hair, alternating between that and rubbing the sweet spot behind his ear. It was unsettling how the hand knew where to go or how to help, but its gentleness was also quite calming. The crinkling sound lessened as his breath slowed and the attack lifted.

Then, the crinkling stopped. The thing over his face was removed, and when he opened his eyes he saw Viktor sitting with him. He held a small paper bag and wore a relieved smile. His other hand was still stroking his hair.

"Welcome back," whispered his doctor.

"V-V...Viktor, wh...where...?"

Viktor silenced him with a finger to his lips. "There, there, Yuri. You've had a rough day today. Let's just take some deep breaths and relax, okay?" He demonstrated and waited expectantly for Yuri to do the same. Yuri followed his lead. In through the nose, hold for four seconds, out through the mouth. He did this a few more times until his body relaxed into the bed.

"There we go. Better?"

"Y-Yes... I think." He took a few experimental breaths to make sure his lungs were still working and saw that yes, he could breathe. He would survive another day. "Th-Thank you, Viktor."

"Of course, Yuri. That's what I'm here for."

Yuri scooched closer to the man and wrapped his arms around him, allowing himself this moment more of weakness. He breathed in the strawberry scent and let it ground him. He felt his hold slipping with each breath and realized belatedly that he was falling asleep. Viktor laid him back down onto the pillows and covered him up to his chin in the earlier-discarded blanket. With a final pat on the head, he left Yuri in peace.

...

Viktor sat in his small office after his confrontation with Yurio. He had no idea how he was going to get through to the boy that his behavior was unacceptable. He seemed to only hear every other word he said.

Then there was Phichit, whose ADHD kept him bouncing off the walls and causing Yuri constant panic. That one probably only heard every tenth word.

And lastly there was Yuri, the one he paid most attentively to. His mind always seems in the wrong place, and as a result he often withdraws himself from the world and into his own mind. He hears every word Viktor says and twists it into something far worse, and that, Viktor discovered, is one of the main sources of his panic attacks. He needed to find some way to help him.

He pulled up the chart that contained all of Yuri's information on his computer and read through the notes left by the others designated to Yuri. He pursed his lips as he saw that the notes left were not at all good.

Patient Name: Yuri Katsuki

Date of Birth: November 29, 1993

Age: 23

Final Diagnosis: Anxiety, Panic Disorder

Therapist: Dr. Viktor Nikiforov

Counselor: Dr. Celestino Cialdini

Doctor's Notes: Patient Yuri Katsuki was admitted April 24, 2016. He has shown signs of panic disorder and treatment plans are currently in development. Ever since arriving, Katsuki has had a total of two panic attacks, two of which were eased by his current therapist, Dr. Viktor Nikiforov. Katsuki has exhibited a strong desire to be isolated, and prefers not socializing with the other patients or doctors, except Dr. Nikiforov.

Katsuki tends to lose concentration when in stressful situations, often losing himself in his own world.

Common symptoms of Katsuki's panic attacks include: Shortness of breath/hyperventilation, racing heartbeat, hypertension, nausea, vomiting, shaking, muscle tension, inability to speak.

Viktor shook his head as he finished reading the report. He found himself worrying over Yuri's wellbeing in a way he had never worried over any other patient. But then he remembered it had only been one day. It would take a miracle for Yuri to recover that quickly.

So for the moment, he would rest. He had his first official meeting with Yuri scheduled for tomorrow.