Victor and Hiroko waited nervously, the each took hold of Yuri's hands.
"Yuri, baby." Hiroko called softly. "I talked to your father and sister this morning, they said to tell you they love you so much. Yuuko sends her love. I promised to call when you open your eyes. Can you do that for me?" She patted the back of Yuri's hand softly.
"Come back, Yuri. Open your beautiful eyes and let us know you're all right. " Victor pleaded. A light knock reached their ears.
"Good afternoon, Mrs. Katsuki,Victor." The doctor greeted. "I was hoping we could take a few minutes to go over a few things." The man stood at the foot of Yuri's bed, in his hands, he carried a clipboard and the injured skater's chart.
"The x-rays of Yuri's chest came back and it looks like there's a slight improvement. I'd like to give him a few days and see if we can start taking him off the ventilator. The sooner we get him off the better, prolonged use could lead to pneumonia and a number of other complications. In his condition, it's something we definitely want to avoid."
"And if he can't?" Victor asked softly,afraid of the answer.
"Then he'll go back on and we'll go from there. Hopefully his lungs are capable of taking over or at least starting to take the lead from the machine. To be clear,I don't plan on taking him off completely all at once. It's a process of sorts. Yuri does seem to have some strength in him."
"Of course he does,I told you he's stronger than he gets credit for."
"Yes, it seems so. Victor, it might do you some good to get a little fresh air and some sleep." The doctor suggested.
"I'm fine here. I'd like him to see that I'm here when he wakes up." The doctor nodded.
"That's understandable, but part of being there for Yuri is taking care of yourself too."
"I know, I've already heard about it." Victor snapped. Hiroko reached over,lightly touching Victor's arm.
"Yuri would tell you to look after yourself too,Victor. You're an important part of his life. If you're not well, it could lead to-" Hiroko was forced to end her sentence as Yuri's monitors began beeping erratically.
"I need you both to step outside." The doctor said quickly, moving closer to Yuri, he began calling out for assistance.
"Yuri!" Victor cried in shock. Hiroko began to sob as she was led from the room.
"What's happening to him?" Victor asked frantically as the doctor attempted to escort him from the room and the team of nurses rushed in.
"You need to give us space to work." The doctor insisted, pushing him into the hall.
"You said he improved,what would make him do that?" Victor didn't receive an answer,he could only watch helplessly from the hall.
He listened to the group that surrounded the younger man only briefly before standing in the doorway.
"Don't do this to me,Yuri Katsuki!" He shouted. "You taught me many things, but don't show me what it's like to live without you, I need you, your family needs you. You come back to us. Tears formed in his own eyes and his body began to tremble. He wrapped his arms around Hiroko who grabbed onto his tightly.
" come on, Yuri. I love you more than life,but I can't live if you don't. " Victor pleaded.
After what felt like a lifetime to both Victor and Hiroko, the room became quiet and the nurses stepped out.
"Victor, Hiroko, please join me in here." The doctor called out. Hiroko took in a breath as Victor led her slowly back inside.
Both were relieved to see Yuri lying there still attached to the machine, his chest rose and fell as the oxygen was forced into his lungs.
"He's-"
"He's here." The doctor said. "I was a bit worried. His blood pressure dropped suddenly that affected his heartbeat. We'll have to do some imaging tests, like I said, internal bleeding can be unpredictable."
"I thought it stopped after the surgery." Hiroko pointed out.
"That's where the imaging tests come in. If we missed anything-"
"Can you make my son better?" The doctor sighed.
"Hiroko, can you come to my office?" Mrs. Katsuki nodded, wiping away the tears.
"Victor, can you be with him?"
"Of course, will you be all right?" She forced a smile.
"I'll be fine, Yuri needs you." She said, following the man from the room,leaving Victor alone with his beloved Yuri. He drew in a shuttered breath and lowered himself onto the edge of the bed.
"Yuri, you really scared us you know. I-I love you so much." He leaned down gently resting his head on Yuri's chest. He listened to the soft beating of the skater's heart.
"Just keep breathing, Yuri. For your family, and mostly for me. I can't tell you enough how important you are to me. I want to hold you in my arms again,to hear you laugh,see you smile. Victor closed his eyes.
Victor's eyes snapped open a moment later as he felt something lightly touch his hand. He smiled faintly. Yuri's finger now rested on his hand.
" Yuri?" He called softly, he noticed the subtle movements again. "That's it,Yuri. Can you open your eyes now?" Victor waited but received no response.
"All right, I'm not going to push you, but you have to promise to never scare me like that again, okay?" He kissed Yuri's forehead lightly as the younger man once again became still.