Chapter 7: The Car

Victor was stunned he ignored his dropped phone and knelt down next to Yuuri.

"What did you just say" Victor asked, his eyes wide.

Placing one hand on Seva's back, he set the other one on Yuuri's shoulder. He was sure he could not have heard what he thought he had. Sharing a look with his husband, he finally calmed down enough to function.

"Seva," Victor said questioningly.

He had a ton of questions, but a look from Yuuri had him silently dealing with the rush of thoughts going through his mind.

"Try not to push him too much, Victor," Yuuri said, once he could regain his own composure, "I know you mean well, but he's been through a lot."

"Right," Victor agreed, "I was just very surprised to hear him call you that."

"M-me too," Yuuri replied, giving Victor a gentle smile.

As soon as Seva's death grip relaxed Yuuri gently moved the boy back so he could look at him.

"You calling me Daddy makes me very happy and I want, no, I need to know if that is really what you want to call me. If it is, then I will happily accept the title."

Yuuri smiled as Seva hugged him. He looked up at Victor who had stood up mouthing the only word that came to his mind and that was "Wow!"

Seva wiped his tears away with the sleeve of his pajamas and gave Yuuri a little smile along with a nod. He looked out the window at the dark starry sky. He tried to fight the yawn that came but found that he couldn't. Still, he did not want to sleep. There were two things that still haunted him. First was the worry that his new parents would go away while he slept. The second thing was the horrible nightmares. They were always with him and that made him very scared. Finally, his head nodded as sleep tried to claim him.

"It's ok to sleep Seva," Victor assured him, "Yuuri and I will be right here when you wake up, and if we aren't, we won't be far."

Victor smiled down at the little boy. He was thrilled Seva had spoken, even if it was one word said in fear.

But, he had to wonder, if Yuuri is Daddy, then what will I be to Seva? But that is something that we can deal with later.

"We need to celebrate you talking, for sure," Victor said, hiding the little bit of worry that nagged at him, "But first I think all good boys should get some sleep."

Victor brushed Seva's hair from his eyes and the boy gave him a sleepy smile.

Yuuri and Victor smiled back at him.

"How about we lie down?" Yuuri asked Seva.

Soon the two were settled in bed.

"Aren't you gonna sleep too Victor" Yuuri asked, looking to his husband.

"I will, but first I'm going to the hot spring. I have some things that need thinking about. Is that okay, Seva? Will you be okay with Yuuri?" Victor asked, picking up his phone from the floor.

He plugged it in waiting for his husband and son's answer.

Seva was already asleep, hugging Yuuri's neck, so Yuuri was left to answer.

"Go. We will be fine," he said, smiling up at Victor.

After Victor left, he kissed Seva's hair, joining their son in sleep.

"Wow," Victor sighed, sinking down into the water.

He had a plan for the next day and given what had happened, now he just had to do it. He also knew he still had to call the Russian police, but, for the moment, he just wanted to relax and plan for the next day. Victor had his eyes closed and they only opened when he felt someone else enter the spring. He smiled at Yuuri's dad and invited him in. The two men talked quietly as they relaxed.

The next morning, Yuuri woke up to find himself in Victor's arms with Seva in his own. He could tell the little boy was awake but trying to be quiet and still, so he would not wake his sleeping parents.

"Good morning Seva," he said, then he whispered, "Should we wake Victor?"

He smiled as the boy slipped from his arms and silently moved around the bed until he was next to Victor.

Seva suddenly lost his footing and crashed to the floor, causing a loud thump which woke Victor with a start.

"Oh hello my little one," Victor said, peeking down at the startled, but unhurt boy and giving him a smile.

He sat up, stretching.

"You know, last night I had a great idea. I think we should go out as a family to have your favorite food. Do you think you can tell Daddy and me what that is?"

Victor was all smiles. Last night had not been the time to try and get Seva to say more, but now just might be the perfect time. He noticed Yuuri sitting up and looking at him.

"My little one, you are safe with us. You know that right?"

Victor was beaming as he sat on the edge of the bed with Yuuri, Seva facing them both.

The little boy's huge, soft brown eyes got even bigger, if that was possible. But this time, it was from joy, not fear.

"Yes Papa," he mumbled, chewing on his lip as he shuffled his feet staring down at them and suddenly feeling shy.

He gasped as Victor practically squealed, jumping to his feet, picking Seva up and spinning him. When the spinning stopped, he found himself held between Victor and Yuuri. He had not felt this safe in a long time, not since before his father had died.

"I like ice cream best," came his little voice.

"That is not proper food for breakfast," Yuuri said, cutting off his husband, who looked more than ready to spoil the boy with the indulgence anyway, "But I know a very good ice cream shop we can go to after we get some real food into us. I also think it might be time to get you some more clothes. Would you like that, Seva?"

Yuuri smiled when Seva nodded.

"Are you done talking for now. It is ok if you are taking your time," he assured the boy.

Both men laughed when Seva gave a shy little nod with a smile on his face.

"That's a great idea," Victor agreed.

The little family left the bed and dressed, then they headed to the dining room where Hiroko and Toshiya were waiting with a large breakfast. Minako had dropped by as well, and was quickly invited to join them. Victor and Yuuri were glad to see Seva digging in and savoring his food after only picking at it and hardly eating much before. When they were done eating, Victor led Yuuri and Seva outside.

"Okay, today is a day off from skating and ballet, so let's get this celebration going."

Victor was excited he got to spend some of his considerable wealth on something so worthy. He didn't like to show off, but this was a happy day. Suddenly, he noticed Seva staring at Minako and he had an idea.

"Seva, would you like to invite Minako to go with us?" he asked, getting a shy nod in reply, "Okay"

Victor took the boy by the hand and led him over to the woman.

"Minako, we are going shopping and for ice cream. Seva would like to know if you would like to come with us."

Victor was all smiles.

Minako blinked in surprise.

"Shouldn't this really be family time?" she asked, but when Seva looked ready to cry, she acted quickly, kneeling down so she was level with the little boy, "You are a wonderful little boy. Seva. Not only are you a natural skater and dancer, you are kind as well as cute as can be. You remind me so much of Yuuri when he was little."

Minako paused when she heard Seva mumbled something like the word Daddy. she blinked again, sharing a look with Seva's parents.

"On second thought I would love to come," she smiled, seeing the boy beam in a way that reminded her instantly of Victor.

The small group of four left the hot spring and walked through the quiet streets, passing a number of townspeople, who called out greetings to them. Victor and Yuuri exchanged happy glances as Seva didn't speak, but silently mouthed the Japanese greeting he heard everyone shouting.

They reached the shopping district and Minako put her hands on her hips and looked around.

"Well, if we're looking for clothes, that shop over there is good, and there's a shoe shop that I really like too."

They ended up walking down the row of stores, stopping here and there. Minako and Victor chattered happily, picking things out together for the boy to try on, and Yuuri helped Seva in the dressing room. At each shop, Victor made several purchases, then he arranged for the new things to be sent to the hot spring.

Finally, it was time to go for ice cream. Seva took hold of Yuuri's handas the two started to cross the street fallowing Victor and Minako. Suddenly, tires squealed as a car hurtled towards the father and son, completely out of control.

"SEVA" Yuuri shouted, pushing the boy towards Victor and Minako, away from the cars path.

But the act of getting Seva to safety left him a wide open target for the big black car. The car hit him sending him flying onto the hood, crashing into the windshield hard enough to crack the glass, and over the car he so he landed hard on the ground behind it.

"DADDY" Seva screamed running to where Yuuri had landed, "Not again! Someone hurt another Daddy," he cried, the words broken up by hard sobs.

Seva reached out to shake Yuuri, who was out cold and was bleeding from cuts on his head.

Before anyone in the small crowd that had gathered could react the car tires screeched again and the driver fled the scene.

Victor was at his son's side in an instant.

"No Seva, we can't move him."

He took the boy into his arms as Minako called for an ambulance.

"I'm going to do what I can to help him without moving him," Victor explained to the boy, "Seva, you must stay with Minako. Do you understand?"

"Okay," the boy answered, wiping his eyes as he accepted Minako's hand.

Victor moved to Yuuri's side and knelt beside him.

"Victor," Minako said warningly.

"He's breathing," Victor said, reaching down to check for a pulse, "and his heart is beating."

"Don't…"

"I know," he assured his worried friend, "I'm only making sure that he can breathe okay."

Victor petted Yuuri's hair with shaky hands.

"You're going to be all right," he whispered as tears welled up in his eyes, "Help is coming. Be strong, Yuuri. Seva needs you. I need you."

Within moments, the sound of an ambulance rose up in the distance, and an emergency rescue team arrived. Two medics swiftly moved to join Victor at Yuuri's side.

"What happened?" the first medic asked quickly.

"He was hit by a car that left after," Victor reported, "H-he was thrown over the top and f-fell. I made sure he could breathe, and that his heart was beating."

"You did fine," the second medic assured him.

The man paused, his eyes going wide as he recognized the two men.

"Victor?" he said in a worried voice, "and this is Yuuri Katsuki?"

"Yes," Victor affirmed, "Please help him! Yuuri has to be all right!"

"We'll do our best," the medic said reassuringly, "I promise he will have the best of care. Now, why don't you go and wait with Minako while we prepare him to be transported?"

His heart still in his throat and his emotions barely contained, he returned to Minako and knelt, holding Seva against him.

"Yuuri will be all right," he promised, "I know these men. They are good people, very good medics. They got to him quickly. Seva…"

"He'll d-die!" Seva sobbed.

Victor and Minako exchanged helpless glances.

"No," Minako said firmly, "They are going to help him. You and Victor and I just need to be strong for him. We are going to stay right here, and then Victor will go to the hospital in the truck with them and I will take you over, myself. In fact, why don't we get on our way over?"

Seva gave her a doubtful look, but Victor nodded his approval.

"Go with Minako to the hospital. Yuuri and I will be there soon."

Several hours later, the three sat in a private waiting room of the hospital. Seva was curled up in a chair next to Minako asleep. Victor was pacing back and forth. Suddenly, a doctor appeared. Victor's jaw clenched and he paled.

"Yuuri?" he asked anxiously.

"Mr. Nikiforov, your husband was very lucky. He must have tremendous reflexes to suffer an incident like this without a single broken bone to be found. The was some head trauma, but all the scans came back good. We will need to monitor him through the night. We will know more when he wakes up. There is no reason I can see why he won't wake soon. The three of you can go sit with him, but you will need to call for someone the instant he wakes up."

"Yes, of course Doctor."

Barely able to comprehend anymore, Victor heard someone assure him that the police had taken to searching for the man in the car. He watched Minako pick up Seva and the three headed down the hallway, to Yuuri's room. The sight of the love of his life in a hospital bed broke his heart, and he felt tears leaking down his cheeks.

I need to call the Russian authorities, but now is not the time.

Still, Seva's words rang in Victor's ears.

Another Daddy.

Anton's death had definitely not been an accident.

"Minako can you stay here? I need to call Yakov," Victor said, getting a nod in response.

Meanwhile, the man in the black car was on the phone.

"Seems like the kid definitely saw what I did to Anton," he said with certainty.

"Watch them. Let me know as soon as Yuuri Katsuki has recovered" came the voice from the other end of the call, "We'll need to be ready."