Everything Is Not What It Seems
By: Alyssa Brandon

Chapter Three

Victor POV:

We had just gotten to the rink and Yuri was already on the ice, just gliding around. He was smiling too, I loved his smile. It was beautiful, HE was beautiful. His dark hair, his brown eyes that most of the time were hidden behind blue rimmed glasses. But without them his eyes shined and shimmered. When he's on the ice he's mesmerizing. I was getting my skates on when I watched him skate into position for a jump. I watched him closely, knowing exactly what he was going to try to do. Attempt my Quad Flip again, but with both his arms raised, for higher difficulty. He wanted to hang out with Phichit and everyone else, but I didn't want him to. I don't want anyone taking him away from me. I love him, he's mine. We're getting married soon, hopefully this year after the Grand Prix. If he wins a gold medal, sure I'm gonna marry him anyway, I just want him to be even more determined to win, that makes it better for him. He works harder, which is good. Practicing is best when you're a figure skater.

I watched as he jumped, his footing was perfect! Had both arms raised up toward the sky, clasping his fingers together. He spun, four times in the air before he landed. His free leg perfect, not to stiff or loose. His form was beautiful! I didn't think he'd make it, I also told him I didn't want him to even attempt it, he could hurt his self! He never listens to me! I finished tying up my skates as everyone in the rink including other skaters and public skaters from the city were staring at him in awe and amazement. I couldn't get to Yuri fast enough, Yurio had skated to him first. But I didn't care, I quickly skated over to him and said, "I thought I told you not to do that? You could have hurt yourself?" "But Victor you promised if I made the move I could hang out with the others for the day", He said back, shyly fiddling with his fingers in the process. I bit my lip but Yakov called out for me asking to talk to me in the locker rooms alone. Sighing I nodded and patted Yuri's shoulder before stepping off the ice and putting my blade guards on. I left with Yakov to the locker room.

"Vitya, we need to talk about how you've been acting toward Katsuki lately", He said immidetely after we both were in the locker room and I had shut the door. Blinking I said, "What do you mean? I've been acting the same way as I've always been". I didn't understand what he meant, I've been acting the way I usually am. "Don't give me that Vitya. You scared that man to the point he called for Yuri to come and get him. What we both came into when we walked into that apartment, was not you Victor! It was you being way to possessive of him! And, then you force Yuri back home and take advantage of him! You may not be hurting him physically, but emotionally Vitya!" I paused him before he could say anything else and walked out of the locker room. How does he know anything about Yuri and I's relations at home? Is Yuri telling people things? I slammed the locker doors open and yelled out to Yuri that we're going home. I watched him jump and quickly skate off the ice toward me. "Is everything alright". He had asked me, but I just growled out a fine.

While out at the car I was putting Yuri and mine's bag's in the car, Yuri got a call. It was from Yuko I could tell. Yuri made a quick excuse as to why we were leaving the rink already. Good boy. I climbed in waiting for him too as well. After he got in I drove off at record speed. We got home after a while and after Makkachin got his lick kisses in for both Yuri and I, I poured us some wine. "V-Victor" He said almost a whimper, "W-Will you tell me what Yakov said to you". Oh, so he's gonna play dumb with me? Okay, lets play. "Yuri, did you tell Yakov some things about me that weren't very pleasant", I said as nicely as I could. "No, of course not", he replied, he sounded defensive. That liar! Then how would Yakov know about anything regarding you coming back to the apartment! "Liar!" I screamed, I didn't mean to scream though. I slammed my wine glass down on the coffee table, this too, I didn't mean to. I was just so mad. I saw him jump and I heard him squeal almost dropping his wine glass as well. He kept saying he wasn't lying, he swears he never talked to Yakov about us. Such a liar!

I told him to stop lying, because Yakov told me I was being possessive of Yuri. I towered over him watching him whimper shrinking into his self, his arms and hands moving up as if to protect his self. He kept begging me, yelling at me that he wasn't lying, but if he wasn't lying why would he be sounding defensive. I growled again, loudly, and he squealed jumping off the couch dropping his wine glass now all over the white carpet, the couch, coffee table and each other. I back him up into a wall and screamed at him, only an inch from his face. If He doesn't learn to obey me sooner or later, this just how it has to be. "I hate liars Yuri! So how about you just stop talking if all it's going to be is lies!" I screamed directly into his face. He whimpered shaking and he started crying. So pathetic! He needs to grow up! I swung my hand back, my palm open. I bit my lip and lowered my hand clenching both my hands into fists. I walked away leaving him to whimper and cry like the pathetic man he is. But of course, I do love him. I really do, after watching him skate my routine a year or so ago I fell in love, wait… No!

I fell in love when we were at the banquet, after the grand prix 2 years ago. He was drunk out of his mine and he asked me to be his coach. I fell in love, and I promised myself, that I won't lose what I love again. I laid in my bed where Makkachin was laying. I started petting Makkachin, but he whined and jumped off the bed his tail tucked between his legs. I reached for him again to let him know it was just me, but he barked, loudly at me and ran off to the living room. I assume to Yuri, you can hear Yuri's sobs from the bed room. Sighing I laid on my back my arm over my eyes as Yuri cried, loudly. Suddenly it was muffled. Yuri must be holding Makkachin or a pillow or something in front of his face. Am I taking this too far? I don't mean to make him cry, I really don't. I hate seeing him cry, yes, it is pathetic, but he doesn't deserve to cry.

I first let his tears and sobbing go down until I couldn't hear anything, that took almost an hour and a half. Gosh, he cries a lot, I don't want to hear anymore of that from him. It pains me. I stood up and walked out to the living room and saw he was still in the same spot that I had left him in, Makkachin was in his lap, curled up. His tail swiping softly against Yuri's pants as Yuri pet him softly behind the ears. Yuri's whole face was basically red from his tears, his eyes were red and puffy as well. His cheeks were drenched from the tears as well, I also heard small short hiccups coming from him. Most likely, from crying too much. "Yuri", I said, as softly as I can. I watched him jump and squeal, Makkachin stood up standing between Yuri and I, growling at me his hunches raised, ready to pounce if need be. I walked closer and Makkachin barked at me, again. "Yuri, I'm sorry okay, please." I said to him waiting for a response, of course, I didn't get any, just the growling and barking from Makkachin and small whimpers from Yuri.

"Shh M-Makkachin, it's alright. Calm down", I heard Yuri say quietly pulling Makkachin softly by his collar back into his lap. Makkachin settled back down but she kept watching me, of course. I started to talk but Yuri beat me to it, in the softest voice that I've ever heard from him, let alone a man. "I-I'm sorry Victor. I-I guess I did tell him. I-I told Y-Yurio, wh-who could have t-told him his self". I watched as he scratched Makkachin's ears lightly whimpering slightly. Sighing I nodded and stepped closer earning some growling from Makkachin. "Makkachin", Yuri said, softly but sternly. Makkachin settled back down again his paws on Yuri's thighs along with his head. "It's okay Yuri, Maybe I went to far. I won't hit you okay, please." I said softly opening my arms for him.

I saw so much hesitation in his movements as he slowly looks at me. I smiled softly at him moving my arms forward for him. He let out a choked sob and basically jumped into my arms gripping my shirt tightly. "I'm sorry Victor, please I'm sorry", He kept saying over and over again. "Shh It's okay Yuri, it's okay. I forgive you, I love you so much Yuri", I said to him running my fingers through his hair as he began crying again on my shirt. "Please stop crying, let's relax for today alright", I said to him and he nodded through his tears trying to stop. I stood him up and took him to the bathroom, maybe a long soak in the bath will soothe his nerves.

Yuri POV:

Victor didn't mean it, Victor didn't mean it. I'm so glad he didn't hit me, I don't know what I would have done if he did. Run? Hide? Call Yurio again? I don't know, all I know is that I'm seriously terrified of Victor. He says he's sorry and that he won't do it again, I hope he won't. I really hope he won't hurt me. I really do love him, I love him a lot. I've admired him all my childhood and into adult hood. Or is admire different from love? I don't know but I've decided to call it love. After the fight, or more like screaming from Victor he took me to the bathroom and sat me on the toilet. He started making a small bath making sure the water was at the right temperature. "Here Yuri, a hot bath should help soothe your nerves", Victor said suddenly, and I jumped slightly.

He blinked at me then hugged me tightly kissing my head and said, "Want me to step out so you can undress and get in the water"? I only nodded slightly. He nodded back at me and stepped out shutting the door quietly. I slowly stood up and laid my glasses on the kitchen sink. I slowly began to undress just letting my clothes pile up on the floor instead of putting them in the clothes basket. I stepped into the tub and sighed contently. The water felt so nice. I lent my head back against the porcelain and closed my eyes, letting the hot water seep through my pores, cleaning them out.

A soft knock, then a quiet, "Can I come in?" A shy, "Yes", from me and the door opens slowly as Victor walks in and grabs a small stool sitting next to the tub looking at me. "Yuri, I know I promised you that you could go and hang out with the others, but I just can't let that happen", He said, with no emotion at all. What? What does he mean? "Victor? No, you promised me, please don't break your promise", I whimpered out lifting my head from the tubs edge. "I can't, not when you've gone and told people what has been going on in my house", He said back, sternly his blue eyes shining with… what is it? Possession? Anger? I shrugged to myself, I don't care anymore. He can't do this to me! I'm a person too!

I shook my head manically and said, "No, Victor, I am a person too, you can't stop me from doing things like this. I'm going to hang out with them". I think I angered him because he then shouted at me, "Shut up Yuri! You do as I say, or you will never see the light of day again!" I jumped and shrank into the hot water my nose just above the water line. I mumbled a sorry into the water and I saw Victor sigh and he said carefully, "I'm sorry Yuri, I didn't mean to shout. I just don't you leaving me okay. I love you too much". I blinked and looked at him, his blue eyes now dull with sadness and heartbreak. He thinks I'm going to leave him? Oh no, please Victor. "I will never leave you Victor", I said softly sitting up. He just looked away and I frowned heavily.

I almost jumped out of the water as I hugged him tightly against me. "Please Victor, I won't leave. I promise you, I love you and only you", I said against his ear. He hugged me back, tightly and whispered a small thank you to me. I smiled softly at him pulled back slowly so I can get back into the water without sloshing it around and making a big mess on the floor. "Would like help washing anything?" He said softly, almost as cheerfully as he usually is. I nodded and replied, "Sure, can you help me wash my hair?" He nodded, and I turned so my back was to him as he reached for the shampoo bottle. I waited for his hands to come in contact with my head and hair. When it did, he was very carefully, not pulling my hair or scratching my scalp.

It was very soothing and calming, it was comforting. I leant into his touch sighing contently again as he chuckled lightly. "You're beautiful Yuri, always have been, always will be", He whispered into my hair. I shuddered slightly and blushed as bright as fire. Once he finished with the shampoo he carefully washed it out being careful to avoid the shampoo going into my eyes. Next, he put in the conditioner, lathering it into my scalp softly and carefully. I was beginning to get tired, so I asked if he could hurry up, so we can lay in bed. The only response he gave me was a soft grunt and he finished up rinsing the conditioner out. He helped me climb out of the tub and dried me off. He walked me out to our bed room and pulled me some underwear and pajama's out.

I got dressed then laid in bed next to Makkachin who got closer to me after knowing I got into the bed. I moved my hand out to pet him softly hearing an excited yip from him at my touch. I giggled slightly and cuddled close to the fluffy poodle. There was another dip in the bed indicating that Victor had climbed in as well. Makkachin growled a bit and I kissed his cute wet nose. "It's okay Makkachin, it's just Victor. He won't hurt me or you, it's okay", I said to Makkachin watching as the brown furred dog settled down his head on my lap. I got closer to Victor my head on his chest just as my phone rang.

Now? We are just trying to relax, I think sighing and watch as Victor turns the TV on in the bed room. I turned over grabbing my phone laying my head back on Victor's chest seeing it was Phichit with another video chat request. I answered with a soft, "Hey Phichit, how is everything at the rink"? "Everything is fine Yuri, but are you okay? Why did you and Victor suddenly leave? He seemed so angry and out of character earlier", Phichit asked a multitude of questions. Of course, he'd want to know, but I can't make up the same excuse I made for Yuko. He saw what was going on, he saw how angry Victor had gotten. I bit my lip but before I could reply back Victor answered for me, "Everything is fine Phichit, don't worry about him". I moved my camera up, so it showed me and Victor in the frame. My head on Victor's chest as he talked.

"I don't want to hear anything from you Nikiforov", Phichit said almost maniacally. I gasped, oh no, Victor's going to get mad! "Phichit! Please, he's right, everything is fine alright. Please don't talk to him like that", I intervened quickly. Phichit, change the subject to anything please, I begged silently. I watched Phichit watch us for a minute then he said, "Aww, you're laying on Victor's chest! How cute!" Sighing I silently thanked him and then blushed at his words hiding my face in Victor's chest. "Victor chuckled his arm around me as Phichit laughed and said, "Well, I just wanted to check on you, see you tomorrow at the rink", He said then hung up. I sighed dropping my phone onto the bed cuddling closer to Victor.

~Small Time Skip~

Yuri POV:

We had watched a couple movies then switched over to just digital. We watched a few episodes of a drama that Victor thought was funny. Of course, he had to put the subtitles on since I'm still in the process of learning Russian. He thought it was funny I thought it was a bit upsetting. I looked toward the time and saw it was 12:30, lunch time. Maybe I can make us some lunch, pork-cutlet bowls maybe? I looked up to Victor, my head still on his chest and Makkachin asleep on my lap. "Victor, it's about lunch time. Do you want me to cook something?" I said to him softly and he looked down at me and replied, "Sure Yuri. What are you thinking of making?"

"Pork-cutlet Bowl if that's okay with you and if we have the ingredients for it", I said sitting up slightly waking Makkachin in the process who yipped, barked and whined slightly stretching, his butt and tail lifting high, stretching his back out. He nodded, and I smiled at him and climbed off the bed going to the kitchen to see if we have the ingredients for Pork-cutlet Bowl. I looked through the cabinets and the fridge. We need pork, chicken, rice, katsu, tonkatsu, egg, bowl, and curry. I only found chicken, rice, katsu, and egg and plenty of bowels. We didn't have all the ingredients, maybe Victor wouldn't mind me going to the store to get the rest. I walked back to the bedroom and asked quietly, "Victor? We have some ingredients; do you think we could go to the supermarket to get the rest?" I watched he made a thinking face then said, "Alright, but you'll need me to help decipher what food is what because it's written in Russian". I nodded and started getting ready as Victor started getting ready.

I grabbed a piece of paper and put a list of the ingredients we need.
1. Pork
2. Curry

Only three things, maybe we could get some milk and water, it looked like we were almost out of both, so I added those to the list. Since tonkatsu is just pork coated in bread crumbs in fried I'll just get extra pork. We had lots of bread so I don't need to get that.
3. Milk
4. Water.

I put the list in my pocket and grabbed my coat from the coat hanger near the door and put my shoes on as Victor walked out to me, Makkachin trotting lightly beside him. "Let's bring Makkachin, he could go for a walk. We've been in the house for hours", he said smiling softly. I nodded and grabbed my wallet and phone and we headed out to the store. Victor locked the apartment up as I held Makkachin's leash and we were off, walking in Russia's bitter cold atmosphere. I shivered a bit, but I was slowly getting used to the cold. During the 10-minute walk to the supermarket Makkachin had went number one. I gave the leash to Victor as we got to the supermarket and I grabbed a cart. I decided to first get some milk and the water, so we walked to the milk aisle.

I grabbed a jug of 1% (Skim) milk and put in the cart and asked Victor where the water was. He smiled and lead us to the water. Us, being Makkachin and I; I was surprised they let a dog as big as Makkachin in the store, we aren't allowed to bring any pets into stores in Japan. Victor handed me Makkachin's leash as we put a 32 count of Dasani in the cart. "Alright Victor, this is where I need your Russian tongue to help me get the right pork", I told him as he took the leash back and he lead us to the frozen meat aisle to look for the pork. I bent over to the small median thing with chicken, burger, pork and more types of meat. Victor bent over with me holding onto Makkachin's leash and the cart. He pointed to two typed of pork. "This is one is lean, and healthier pork", Victor said pointing to a skinnier and lighter looking pack of meat then pointed to a fatter, heavier pack of meat and said, "This is a fatter and less healthier pork". I nodded and looked over how the leaner pork looked.

I grabbed a pack that had a lot of meat in it, but it was lean type and I set it in the cart. I bent back over it to look at more pork and said, "One ingredient is pork but covered in bread crumbed and fried Victor, so I'll just get a little bit more. Sure, I can never cook it like my mom, but it's worth a try". I picked up another pack laid that in the cart as well. "Is this it Yuri?" He asked, and I shake my head. "The last thing we need is curry", I said to him then asked him if he knew where the curry would be, and he shook his head then walked up to a man working in the store and spoke in Russian, most likely asking where the curry would be. I waited for Victor to come back leaning softly onto the cart.

Victor walked back and lead me to a different frozen foods aisle and pointed to a lean bag of curry, and another type of curry. I looked them over and decided to get the lean bag. Victor and I went to the register and sadly because I'm from Japan I don't have the right currency dollars that Russia uses, so Victor had to pay. He assures me it's alright, but I still don't like it, I should pay for it, I mean it's things that I need to make lunch for us both. After everything was bagged we put the cart back where it goes, and I held onto Makkachin's leash in one hand holding some bags and the water, Victor was carrying on his shoulder while he held the last bag.

~Back at the apartment~

Victor POV:

Yuri says he can't cook like his mom, but he's wrong, his Pork-Cutlet bowl was delicious! I had a few extra servings of it too. He's doing the dishes while I help him by rinsing and drying them. After we're done Yuri leaves to the living room quickly and I hear him dialing someone. Who's he calling? I peek at him behind the kitchen door just as he puts the phone to his ear, I assume that he's waiting for who ever to pick up. Suddenly he said, "Hey mama, how is everyone?" Oh, he was just calling Mrs. Katsuki. Ii couldn't hear her side of the line, but I of course, could hear Yuri's. "I'm alright mama, just a little homesick to be honest. I miss you all." He said but then there was a pause and he said, "Yes, even Minako and the triplets". He giggled softly, probably at something she had said then his giggles just stopped, almost as if he saw something that froze him. "H-Hey mama, do you think I could home for a bit", He said quietly, almost too quietly. I barely herd him.

Go home? Why does he want to go home? Does he miss his family that much? "Th-there's something wrong with Victor mama. He's been more clingy and obsessive over me lately. And..and…" He trailed off I assume again, thinking about if he should say something to her. I waited and waited, it seemed like years until he finally spoke, below a whisper. I had to crane my neck to hear him, "Mama, I'm scared. V-Victor almost hit me". My eyes widened, why the hell was he telling her this? It isn't like she can do anything about it, she's all the way in Japan and we are all the way here in Russia. Even so, I'm not doing anything wrong, I'm doing all this because I love him and I'm afraid he'll leave me. I can't help my anxiety and my fears coursing through me. "HE WHAT!" I heard from the phone, it wasn't Mrs. Katsuki's, I've never heard her remotely yell at Yuri or anyone for that matter. "M-Minako? You're at the hot spring too?" Yuri said quietly, I watched him figit with the hem of his shirt. "Of course I am! Now, do I have to come down to Russia! What is he doing to you?!" I heard Minako, I guess, from the phone again.

Shit! I forgot she was like some big famous ballerina in Japan, basically like Lilia, Yuri's choreographer for his free skate last year. She would be able to afford a plane ticket to Russia. "N-Nothing yet Minako, please, stop yelling. You know how much it makes my anxiety rise up", He said, his voice shaky. So, yelling in general scares him. I better work on that. There was no response, so I guess she listened and lowered her voice. "Minako, you really don't have to come to Russia, Phichit showed up and I'm really probably just over reacting. I'm just a little home sick is all", He said into the phone. I was getting real tired of this conversation, so I yelled at to Yuri and said, "Hey, Yuri, let's take Makkachin out." I watched him freeze up then say, "I gotta go okay, talk to you guys later. And, mama, please get back to me on me coming back to Hasetsu to see you all". After a second he hung up and said, "Coming Victor".

I stood in the kitchen door way as he made his way over here, his head down. "Why did you tell your mother what's going on? Everything is fine here Yuri, and you know that. You know I love you and I will never hurt nor want to you ever. I was just angry, and I've never been good with controlling my anger." I said softly to him wrapping him in a stern but soft hug. I felt his stiffen up a bit but give into the hug, hugging me back; wrapping his arms tightly around my waist. "I-I'm sorry Victor, I-I was probably just over reacting again. You know how my anxiety is", He said simply his face in the crook of my neck and collar bone. Smiling softly, I kissed the top of his full head of hair kindly and told him to get dressed so that we can take Makkachin for a walk, or at least just outside to use the bathroom.

Yuri and I were at a dog park letting Makkachin run loose for a bit and play around with the other dogs there as well. Yuri had his head leaning against my shoulder, shivering, well his whole body was shivering. How is he not used to Russia's freezing temperatures yet, he's been here for a little over a year now. Maybe he's just one of those people who's always cold no matter what. I wrapped an arm around him rubbing his biceps, trying to get at least a little bit of warmth in him if I could. "I love you Yuri", I said into his ear as he grabbed my free hand squeezing my fingers tightly. "I-I love you too Victor". "Why'd you stutter?" I said, almost defensively, but I caught myself. "It's cold Victor, sorry my vocal chords are freezing", He said, and I could hear a hint of sass in him. I chuckled softly and said a quick sorry then stood up, with Yuri clinging to me for warmth and called for Makkachin.

He came bounding towards us and I bent down to put his leash back on the collar. We walked back home, and the moment Yuri walked into the apartment he asked if we could turn the heating up a little. I laughed softly and nodded kissing his head. He immediately went to the thermostat in the hallway and turned it up a notch or too. I let Makkachin off the leash who hopped up on the couch laying down. Tired from running around for an hour or so. Yuri came back taking his coat off and sat on the couch with Makkachin who looked up, yipped then laid his head on Yuri's lap. Yuri smiled and scratched behind Makka's ear's. I sat next to Yuri and turned the TV on my arms going over Yuri's shoulders and his head leant on my shoulder. The perfect family picture! I was just happy to have Yuri and Makka in my life. I kissed Yuri's head then focused on the TV.