Chapter Four

Yurio's eyes opened wide as he looked around the room, his breathing was quick, there was a tinge of panic in the breaths. "A nightmare," he whispered to himself, trying to get his breathing under control, "A stupid fucking nightmare," he repeated shaking his head and pushing his hair out of his eyes.

Yurio looked at his phone and sighed, putting it away and looking around the room, seeing Viktor with his head settled on Yuuri's bed, fast asleep. Not that he could blame him, it was the early hours of the morning according to his phone. On the bed was Yuuri, the only free hand clasped tightly in Viktor's. IV's and tubes were all around him, monitoring his condition, giving him medication that he needed. Yurio couldn't help the shiver that travelled up his spine as he looked to his rival... and friend.

Yurio stood up slowly and walked over to the bed, he looked down at Viktor and shook his head. "Stupid old man," he murmured quietly. He didn't want to wake him up since he knew that it would be a while before they would be able to sleep normally.

Yuuri lay sleeping on the bed and Yurio couldn't help but wince as he saw some bruising peeking through the bandages on his chest. They'd had to operate on him, and Yurio couldn't help the twinge of fear and worry in his mind, "Stupid, why, why did you carry on?" he asked, knowing there wouldn't be an answer. But deep down, Yurio knew the answer, "You should have left it, maybe you wouldn't have been so bad if you had... I don't know," he said, tears in his eyes again.

Yurio closed his eyes, he opened them as the images from that room came to his mind. "No, don't," he whispered to himself, eyes opening. He looked at his hands, they were held out in front of him, shaking. He clenched them into fists and hid them behind him.

"You all right?" came a concerned voice from beside him.

Yurio jumped as he looked down, seeing the sleepy eyes of Viktor observing him, "I'm fine," he said gruffly, trying to play off his own fear as nothing.

Viktor shook his head, "Yura," he said softly, letting go of Yuuri's hand and standing up, "I know that you're not fine," he added as he wrapped his arms around him.

"I'm fine," he insisted. He tried to push the man away from him, he didn't want to give into what he was feeling, even though the tears were quickly forming in his eyes.

"Yura, stop," Viktor commanded, and with that, all the fight left Yurio and he leant into the embrace, wrapping his own arms around Viktor, "I know you're still scared, but he is right there, and he is going to be just fine."

"I know, but..." he shuddered, pushing the guilt that he was feeling away, tears running down his face.

The two stopped and looked to the bed as soon as they heard a small groan and the sounds of a body moving on a bed. Yuuri's free hand went towards the IV in his other. Viktor let go of Yurio and over to the bed.

"Leave it Yuuri, you need it at the moment," Viktor said softly.

"Don't be stupid Katsudon," Yurio said, trying to gather his usual attitude, wiping the tears from his face and sniffing a little as he calmed his emotions.

"Wha...?" Yuuri opened blurry eyes and looked at the two figures standing nearby.

"It's okay Yuuri, don't think too much, just rest," Viktor said, running his fingers through Yuuri's hair, trying to calm the panic that he could see in Yuuri's eyes.

"Why?" Yuuri puzzled as he realised he was in a hospital room.

"Don't worry about that for now, just rest and let's get you feeling better," Viktor said, trying his best to distract Yuuri from his thoughts.

Yuuri's eyes started to go wide as he remembered what had happened to him. "They, they were there, and Yurio, Otabek, they okay... they okay?" he asked, beginning to struggle to sit up, ignoring the pain that his body was sending to his brain.

"Katsudon, lay down," Yurio commanded as he went and moved Viktor out of the way and push him back down on the bed, "Otabek and I are just fine. Nothing happened to us. It was all on you. You were the one that was hurt, not us," he rushed out, eyes wide and still a tinge of fear in them as he looked at his friend.

Yuuri stopped struggling and lay down, reaching out a hand he was met by Yurio's, "You all right?" he asked, his voice shaking with exhaustion and panic.

Yurio's eyes softened, "Yeah. We're fine. It is you that we have to worry about. you... you shouldn't have gone on the ice," he said, shaking his head.

"I did..." he frowned, not able to remember much past the attack and Yurio and Otabek coming into the room.

"Yes, you collapsed in the kiss and Cry, " Viktor said softly as he stood behind Yurio, an arm around the teen.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I... I didn't mean," Yuuri apologised as he looked between the two Russians.

"You only have to be sorry about going out onto the ice. you.. you didn't ask to be attacked," Yurio said, his own voice taking on a wobble, "you could... you could have..." he said, shaking his head.

Yuuri could see the worry in the blue-green eyes and the lingering fear. There was a puffiness around his eyes as well and knew the young skater had been crying. He pulled as much as he could on the hand he was holding and Yurio toppled towards the bed. "come here," he said, as Yurio stopped himself from falling with a little help from Viktor.

"No, you're hurt, badly," Yurio said, trying to stand up straight.

"I don't care," Yuuri said, his voice still weak.

Yurio leaned down a little closer to Yuuri and jumped a little when he felt arms go around him. They were shaking with the effort, but at that moment he didn't care. He couldn't help it as he began to cry once more, "I'm sorry, should have been faster, should have realised you were taking too long," he mumbled as he let himself rest on the side of the bed.

"Not your fault," Yuuri said softly. He held the teen for a while longer, a hand slowly rubbing up and down the young skaters back, hoping to get him to relax.

"Okay, let Yurio go, he is fine," Viktor said as he could tell by Yurio's almost restless movements that he had enough of the comforting hug.

Yurio was let go and got up, his eyes were red and puffy but he appeared calmer now that he had talked with Yuuri. "We should get the doctor in to make sure he's fine," he huffed as he walked over to the back of the room.

"Yes, good idea," Viktor said as he went out of the room and hunted down a doctor.

Yurio and Viktor were sent out of the room as Yuuri was checked over, "Why couldn't they do that with us there?" Yurio huffed, glaring at the door, wanting to get back to the older skater.

"Just the way some hospitals are," Viktor soothed, feeling happier now that Yuuri was awake.

"You can come back in now," The doctor said as she opened the door and let the two inside.

"Everything all right?" Viktor asked as he looked to the exhausted Yuuri.

"Yes, he is fine at the moment. If he continues healing like this then he will be able to leave in a week if all goes well. Though it will take a good six weeks before he will be fully healed. An abdominal injury that Mr Katsuki has will take time to heal. If all goes well, six weeks healing time," she said and then turned to Yuuri, "You had some abdominal bleeding, so you need to be careful bending for a while. Remain lying down for a bit, and then we shall slowly ease you into sitting later on. Let your injuries have time to settle. You also have bruised ribs, with two of them being fractured, they will take between three and six weeks. Your bruising will heal over time as well, I believe that, if things go well, you will be fully healed in approximately six weeks."

"What about skating when... when can I get back to the ice, I have competitions that I need to do," he said thinking of the Nationals and then 4CC's.

"Yuuri, they don't matter, what matters is that you get better," Viktor said as he walked over to the bed.

"but we've worked hard to..." Yuuri was cut off when Viktor placed a finger on his lips.

"No Yuuri, you are going to rest, get better and then we will see about getting you back in shape for the next competition," Viktor reassured him. "I have no doubt that they will be fine with having you in 4CC's if you are well enough the month before, and Worlds, since you did just get silver at the Grand Prix," he said, a little smile on his face, hoping that his words would be able to reassure him.

"Yeah, even injured enough to require an operation, idiot katsudon," Yurio muttered from where he was standing near the door.

"I... Really..." Yuuri puzzled, eyes wide. How had he been able to manage that? He had no idea.

"You beat the old man's record as well, just goes to show that he wasn't putting his all into skating if you could beat it with being injured," Yurio said as he sent a glare to Viktor.

"Yuuri is just that good," Viktor gushed a wide smile on his face, "Now, let's get you to rest and heal. I know the others will want to come back again later to see you. They are all worried."

"I'll message Otabek and tell him that Yuuri woke up, he'll be able to tell the others what is going on," Yurio said as he escaped the room.

"You should get him back to the hotel, he doesn't look good," Yuuri said as he looked to Viktor, ignoring the doctor in the room.

"Before anything else, I would like to add that the police would like to speak with Mr Katsuki as soon as he is able to. At the moment he looks well enough and awake enough to answer some of the questions. I will be in the room with you, just in case things get out of hand. But I doubt it will be like that," she said, stopping them from talking for a moment.

"Ah yes, they will need to come by," Viktor nodded, understanding.

"Oh, police?" Yuuri frowned, a hint of confusion in his voice.

"Yes, they were informed of what happened. Yurio and Otabek have already spoken to them. We only found out what had happened when you collapse, and we informed the authorities of them," Viktor explained with a nodded as he looked to Yuuri, "Yuuri, were you going to tell me what happened?"

"I... Yes... I think," Yuuri said quietly, "I know that I didn't want to tell you when it first happened. But that was because I needed to skate. I had to, I couldn't let you down," he murmured softly, looking away.

"Oh Yuuri, you were hurt. I know you would never have let me down by telling me such," Viktor said softly, not noticing as the doctor left the room.

"But it felt like it would be like that. I know Yurio told me that I shouldn't. But he let me, and Otabek was against it as well. I needed to go out on that ice and show... and show that I could still do it, no matter what," he rushed out, hoping that viktor would be able to understand what he was trying to say.

"Okay," Viktor said, "Let it go, we'll talk more about that when you are better," he said leaning down and kissing Yuuri, "I'm glad you're all right," he sighed, moving back, smiling at the younger man.

Yuuri smiled back, "same, I... love you Viktor," he said softly.

"Love you too," Viktor returned the sentiment as the door to the room opened again.

"I told Otabek and he said he'll tell the others in a bit. Since they are just getting ready for breakfast," Yurio said, and then rolled his eyes as he looked to the two being so lovey-dovey to each other, "Minor in the room," he reminded them as they kissed once more. Even though he couldn't help the slight upturn of his lips at the couple.

"That's good, I hope everyone else is all right," Yuuri said as there was a knock on the door.

Yurio went over to it and opened it, "Ah," he said as he saw the nurse.

"I've come to make sure that you can sit up a little, we're going to be doing this slowly. If the one that you will be staying with can watch, it would be better," he said as he walked over to the bed and held the remote in one hand and slowly began to ease Yuuri into an almost sitting position. Changing the angle of the top of the bed, "Make sure to press on the site of the incision a little, it helps with the pain believe it or not," he smiled as he saw the grey-haired man watching him intently.

"Okay," Viktor nodded as the nurse began to go over what he had done and how he should do it if Yuuri wanted to sit up or lay down at any time.

The nurse left them alone and Yurio walked over to the bed, "You okay?" he asked, his voice softer than Yuuri had ever heard it.

"I'm okay, tired, and in a little pain," he answered honestly.

"I should..." Viktor was about to say something when there was another knock on the door. Viktor went over and opened it this time, "Hello?" he said as he saw the two officers that had interviewed Yurio the day before.

"We were told that Mr Katsuki was awake?" one of them asked as he stepped into the room. The other following and the doctor from earlier rushing over to make sure everything remained calm.

"Due to his injuries, I would ask that you keep this short. He does need his rest," the doctor informed them as she looked at the two officers, repeating herself in Spanish to make sure the message got through to them both.

"Of course, we don't want to cause any undue stress," the officer said as he turned to Yuuri, "This is only going to be a short interview Mt Katsuki, I will be recording it to make sure that we have everything we need."

"That's fine," Yuuri said tiredly, leaning back into the pillows that were behind him.

"Okay," he said, and started the recorder, saying the necessary things in Spanish and repeating them quickly in English, "Mr Katsuki, in your own words can you tell us what happened?" he asked.

Yuuri gave a small nod, "I... I forgot my water bottle. Left it in a room earlier on. So I went back to get it. Told Yurio that I would be back soon, as I passed him in the hallway outside the skater's entrance to the rink," Yuuri frowned, trying to recall everything, "Sorry, things are a little blurry to me at that point," he apologised for taking so long in answering.

"I know sir, that is why I just want to know what you can remember," he said, his voice was prompting him to carry on, but not pushing him too much to do so.

"Sorry," he said again as he started, "I walked into the room, saw my bottle and went to grab it. The... the door closed behind me. I felt a hand grab my arms on both sides. I tried to get away but they hit me on the back of the head. I felt so dizzy when they did that. I don't know which one it was. They moved me around and I could tell that there were three of them. One of them had a badge I think, but I can't really see without my glasses, so it might have been a VIP pass or something. But there was something that was hanging around one of their necks. the main one in front of me started to say something, then another one did. But it was Spanish, sorry but I don't know what they said," he stopped for a moment.

"Did they say anything in English at any time?" the officer asked.

Yuuri nodded, wincing at the movement a little, "Yeah, one of the said that... I won't be able to understand them. so they started talking English then. Telling me that I'm a faggot, a homo, things like that. I told them to let me go and to get lost. At that point, they had only hit me on the head. But then the one in front of me started speaking again, but I couldn't understand it, he kicked me in the stomach, again and again. It... it hurt so much, and I couldn't get away I couldn't stop it, I.. I wasn't..." he stopped, shaking as he looked around the room.

"Yuuri," VIktor said as he took hold of his hand, "It's all right, you're safe now," he murmured softly into his ear.

Yuuri gave a small nod, "Sorry," he apologised again, "He was kicking me, one of them let me go to stop him. I tried to get away but one of them punched me in the chest and I went down. The main one was now next to me and another had taken over to trying to hit me, they took turned and then Yurio and Otabek came in and everything is going fuzzy. I know they were there, they stopped and I think they ran off. Yurio and Otabek were with me until I was able to go and get ready for my turn on the ice," he finished, closing his eyes. He felt drained after saying all that. "I don't really remember much at the end, from when Otabek and Yurio came into the room," he murmured, as opened his eyes slowly and looked to the two officers.

"Okay, we'll leave you be now, we can see that you are tired," the officer said as he stopped the recording. "I understand that as soon as you are able to, you will be going back home to Hasetsu Japan?" he asked for clarification.

"Yes we will, won't be for at least a week, maybe a few more days, I shall make sure you have all the details to be able to contact us when we are back home," Viktor said.

"Thank you," The officer said with a smile, "Get better soon and I'm sorry that this happened to you in our beautiful city."

"But they don't make up the majority of the city, they are only a minority. And your city is beautiful and I got to see a lot of it," Yuuri said softly as he opened his eyes and looked to them, glancing to the ring on his finger.

"That's good to know," he said as he and his fellow officer walked out of the room.

"Okay, I suggest that you rest while you can," the doctor advised him, "Sleep is best for you at the moment. And you will find that you tire out easily for the next couple of weeks as well," she added.

Yuuri nodded, "I already feel like I could go back to sleep," he smiled softly.

"Then I suggest you do so," she chuckled lightly as she patted the bed and then walked out of the room, stopping at the door, "I suggest while he sleeps that you go and have something to eat as well. I would call a friend or two to get you something clean to wear and a shower. There is a small shower attached to the room, so you can use that for now," she said. She could tell that the two in the room didn't want to leave Yuuri at all.

"Glad that's over with," Yurio said, shaking a little as he had listened to Yuuri's account of what had happened.

"Yurio," Yuuri exclaimed quietly, eyes going wide as he realised that the teen had been in the room with them.

"Yeah?" he asked, trying to keep his attitude to as normal as he could get it. He didn't want to let viktor or Yuuri know that he was shaken by what he had heard. He could picture the attack in his mind easily and have already gone through a nightmare of being unable to help Yuuri.

"You shouldn't have had to listen to that, you're still a teenager, you don't need to hear horrible things like that," Yuuri said, worry in his voice.

"I'm fine Katsudon," Yurio huffed, "Why don't you get a little sleep while you can. I know the others will be around as soon as they can get up and finish having breakfast."

Yuuri smiled and nodded, "Don't lay me down, no point. Should be fine like this if I can sleep."

"All right," Viktor said, a soft smile on his face as he took hold of Yuuri's hand and gently ran his fingers through Yuuri's hair.

Yuuri smiled, letting his eyes close. The smile remained on his face as he slowly went to sleep. Viktor placed a kiss on Yuuri's forehead, "Glad you are going to be fine," he said, tears in his eyes as he let himself feel all the fear, worry and panic that had been building since Yuuri had collapsed in front of him.

Yurio walked over to him, "We should do as the doctor said and see about getting something to eat. I'm hungry," he said as he looked around the room, wincing a little as his stomach gave a soft growl.

"Okay, let's go and see what we can find," he said, "Or we could call the others to tell them to bring clothes and something to eat as well?" he suggested, a grin on his face, though it didn't quite reach his eyes.

"I think we should call them and get them to bring something for us, who knows what the food is like here," Yurio complained, though Viktor could tell there was no real bite behind it.

Viktor nodded his head as he walked out of the room, giving Yuuri another glance before leaving. He didn't want to leave him alone, but he knew that Yuuri wasn't going to be able to eat for a couple of days and he didn't want to make him uncomfortable by eating in front of him.

Yurio sighed as he pulled out his phone, walking past Viktor, "Beka," Yurio smiled slightly when the phone was answered, "Yuuri's gone back to sleep. the old man and I are wanting something to eat, think you could bring us something good?"

"Sure, won't take me long to finish. I'll head over before the others so you can eat before Phichit and Chris descend on you," he said, a hint of amusement in his voice.

"Yeah, Phichit is Yuuri's best friend," he sighed, "Oh and see if you can get some clothes for Viktor and I. We need to shower and change. They are all right with us using the shower attached to Yuuri's room," he added quietly.

"Sure, I'll get a few things," he promised.

"Thanks, Beka," Yurio smiled, "I'll see you when you get here," he added.

"Will do," Otabek replied, a hint of a smile in his voice, "Bye."

Yurio smiled as he ended the call and put his phone away. "Otabek will try and get here sooner than the others so we can shower and change while they are here. We don't want to leave Yuuri alone for too long."

"Is he going to bring breakfast for us?" Viktor asked, hoping that he would be, he didn't want to chance the cafeteria food, he had heard things about food in hospitals and didn't want to put it to the test.

"Yeah, he is. Want to wait for him with me?" he asked as he headed to the entrance.

Viktor nodded and followed Yurio to the entrance of the hospital. It didn't take long for Otabek to arrive, handing over the food he had brought for them. The two filled him in about Yuuri as they ate in the cold December air. Rushing through it all so they could quickly return to Yuuri side, Otabek following behind them.