Consultations

11:15 AM

Yuri's hands were shaking a little.

Not because he was in trouble.

He stared at the papers. "According to the results…"

It was because who his patient was in his new residency in Saint Petersburg.

The ageless doctor didn't want to even do the job interview, but Phichit convinced him it would get them out of the castle-hotel they've been holed up in for a few weeks now, away from Victor in some respect so he caved.

'Not like I could go anywhere else if I wanted.'

In truth, he hadn't transformed into a bat in eighty years so it would take near blood gorging to at this point get his ability back. Even if he was able to get onto another plane, Yuri had to admit the silver Russian would find him again anyway, at least be hell bent.

"Dr. D'ros?"

He shook his head to concentrate. "S-Sorry…um, my apologies, but you are in need of a heart surgery, Dr. Yakov Feltsman."

An elderly, balding, gentleman of short stature sighed as he nodded. "Thank you for confirming."

"May I ask why did you want these tests? You seem to have known this was a problem." Yuri held up two X-rays and pinned them in place on the wall-mounted light box. "You also have spots in your lungs."

The old man shrugged. "I was careless in my youth while thinking I had all the time in the world. I suppose I was hoping younger minds with fresh eyes could help me."

Yuri looked over his shoulder. "I follow your work, sir. You're brilliant."

The patient gave a small smile. "Thank you, but the government hardly funds progress without putting up a fight, Dr. D'ros. I wish I had a few more years."

The surgeon took a step to stand sideways. "Yuri is fine, sir."

Dr. Feltsman shook his head. "We both earned our degrees, both earned our respect."

Yuri gave a nod. "Thank you."

The gentleman leaned back in his chair. "Now please, tell me what you would do to treat me. I'm curious."

Yuri turned around fully and put his hands in his deep, white pockets. "Honestly, sir? I'd live your life to the fullest."

The patient threw his head back. "Ha! That's actually refreshing. I've been told transplants, quit smoking, the works."

Yuri smiled, but only in response to the man's reaction. "I'm sorry…but you only have a matter of months. Bed rest will give you longer."

"It's quite all right." Yakov slowly stood up and checked the time. "Whelp. I'm due for a bite. Have a good one, young man."

Yuri bowed out of habit. "Have a good one, sir."

The old man halted at the door and cocked an eyebrow. "Chinese?"

Yuri shook his head. "Japanese. Although I lived in America for years."

"Hmm…I was wondering where I could place your accent. Your Russian is quite good."

"Well I have…cousins who are from here."

'Crap…such a bad lie.' Yuri thought.

"Is that so? Well then I'll be off, doctor," the old man put on his cap. "Again have a good one."

"Y-Yes, thank you, you too."

Yuri sighed as he fell into a chair after the door shut. "Good grief..."

He sat there for a few moments before he eyed the clock, noticing it was time for lunch.

11:30 AM.

"Working your magic I see, commemorating our first day?" Yuri asked dryly.

"Well unlike in New York we have a much easier access," Phichit whispered, sitting down across from Yuri in the break room.

Lunch? "Tomato soup." There in the small room, adjacent to the blood bank facility of the clinic, the two had some peace and privacy.

Tic…Tic…Tic…

"You're awfully quiet, by the way…"

Yuri set down his spoon. "Sorry, a lot on my mind. I still can't believe Mila had set this up so fast."

His friend shrugged. "Yeah well, you kept yourself holed up in our room for weeks so I bet it does seem rushed."

Brown eyes saddened. "True…"

Phichit waved a dismissive hand. "Look, like I've said, at least we can get out of the castle -er- hotel. Otabek and Yurio will pick us up after our shift, okay?"

Yuri took a sip of the diluted and seasoned Type O in the bowl. "Still, I don't get how we got work visas. Or the job, honestly. We kind of came from out of nowhere."

Phichit leaned in, resting his left arm on the table. "Well if you weren't so busy moping and asked-"

"Enough salt, Chulanont," Yuri interrupted with a quip, narrowing his eyes.

"Fine." Phichit took a quick sip. "Thing is, the gang here in Russia have maintained their human ties, with their descendants."

Yuri knitted his brow and nodded. "I suppose that makes sense as to why they have the castle still…wait. When did you learn of this? What kind of ties allows them to run blood banks, ship us here in Russia without paperwork?"

Phichit leaned back and folded his arms. "Recently. We are still all friends whether you two want to make amends or not and they insisted I know where they stood these days. As for what kind of ties, you have multiple degrees, Yuri, spare a moment and think. This is Russia and your ex-fiancé has been able to pull all kinds of stunts. I love you, but come on."

"B-But…just how long has he…?"

Yuri's mind raced to recall if the Russian had told him a thing, but he couldn't wrap his head around it at all. It just didn't make sense.

'Was I going to ever know?' Yuri wondered. 'Before our vows?'

"The mafia is a means to lay low," Phichit whispered, confirming just in case Yuri didn't get it yet. "Besides, to keep off the books is kind of our kind's shtick after all, and our side wasn't exactly clean from the law either so-"

Yuri gave him a warning stare.

"Ahem…anyway…" Phichit looked away as his ears reddened. "By the way…speaking of laying…" he muttered.

Yuri cocked an eyebrow. "What is it now?"

"I…uh…saw you escort a woman a few nights ago." Chulanont admitted with a sigh. "In the hotel of all places."

Yuri folded his arms. "Hmph, my blood was feeling hot, all right? I'm still a bachelor as much the rest of world hates to admit it. That said, I still have needs."

"Were you hot or are you just upset? What if he saw you?"

"What are you Michele now? Judging my every move?" Yuri snapped. "To be a pakhan I'm sure he has killed and you're getting on my case to live as we do?" He took his last sip.

Phichit frowned. "Low even for you. You know I miss those three terribly."

Yuri swallowed and wiped his mouth with a napkin. "Well if it still stings…" He popped in a few dinner mints after having swished his mouth clean with a long drink of water.

'Then you should relate to how I feel.'

The modern clock on the wall ticked as they sat in silence, waiting for their lunch break to be over.

Phichit strummed the table. "Listen…have you even...you know, considered talking to him?"

Yuri sighed. "I understand you miss Christophe. I have too, over an over, but..."

Phichit placed his hand over his friend's. "I know you've been hurt, but your job is to close the wounds, right? Maybe it's time to close your own?"

"B-But you've seen him, he...doesn't even feel the same. I'm surprised he's even…" Yuri lowered his eyes, "…considering..."

Chulanont nodded as he retracted his hand. "Well if you 'have needs' so do us all."

Yuri's shoulders fell. "Jeez, stick a hot poker in me why don't you?"

"Keeping it honest. I've been by your side since you were eighty and have heard it all." Phichit rested his elbows on the table, resting his cheek on his right palm. "Don't think I forgot your complaints when you found out he was unhealthily abstaining year after year."

Yuri wrapped his arms around his stomach as he grimaced.

Much like Victor, Phichit could read Yuri like an open book and softened his expression with a sigh. "Listen, I'm not trying to take his side. I'm just tired of being the buffer when I know you can be strong. I know what he did was brutal…but-"

Yuri gave him a pained look. "What would you have me do?"

Phichit sat up. "Honestly? Since he won't let you leave without a fight? I'd either kill him or choose him."

It was no use beating around the bush.

"I don't know whether to cry or punch you for suggesting either of those," Yuri's voice broke as he rubbed his arms warily, looking away to the side. "I feel…" he couldn't form a word in how off he felt. But he was certain he was unwell for sure.

Gray eyes widened slightly before a look of concern graced Phichit's features. "Yuri…are you sick?"

The Japanese shook his head. "No, but, close? Maybe…?"

Tic…tic…tic…

"You loved him deeply once." Phichit reminded, packing away their dishes in a large lunchbox. "Maybe this 'unknown' feeling is that?"

"Phichi~t…" Yuri dropped his head forward. "Not -sniff- funny."

His friend came around wrapped his arms around Yuri's shoulders. "I'm here. As always. Just do yourself a favor, after so long, and open up a little? Please?"

Yuri broke down a little, wishing he could take the rest of the day off.

11:30 AM

"It would be their lunchtime right about now," Victor figured as he glanced at his Rolex, sitting at his desk chair.

Christophe looked over from his seat on the sofa after setting down his coffee mug on the table. "That's true. Do you think Yurio will remember to pick them up at five?"

"Worried they'd disappear, my friend?" Victor asked.

"Hmph, its been awhile since you've called me that, but no, if anyone should be its you."

Victor pushed a stack of files together into a neat pile. "Heh, I'm hurt, you've always been special to me, Christophe. Through it all, even if you didn't have to…" his shoulders fell a little, "any of you…"

The tall blonde rose up to walk over. "Now who's hurting who? Family sticks together. I keep telling you this."

Blue eyes looked up. Cold yet vulnerable. More vulnerable than Chris had seen in for a long time.

"You're shaking…" Chris muttered as he reached out to place his large hand over his pale one.

Nikiforov held his bottom lip as he glanced down. "I don't think I can last much longer…"

Green eyes saddened in empathy. "Vitya…before it was fine, but…are you sure?"

The pakhan shuddered as he lowered his head. Though rumored to be cold and unforgiving, he was now breaking like late season ice, a sight which killed Chris a little inside.

"He…I saw him…with another…" Victor couldn't finish.

Chris swallowed hard.

Silver brows furrowed. "Now who's shaking? What's wrong?"

The blonde froze. And then straightened out his tie. "Ahem, nothing…"

Victor smirked. "Liar. It hurt, but don't fault him, okay?" With both hands he took Chris' hand into his own before he looked up again. "Thank you for staying close, my knight and friend. I don't say that enough, heh."

"Family and loyalty are the only reasons I need to stay close. The Nikiforov family has protected me so I will do so in kind," green eyes softened a little, "so stop crying."

Victor chuckled despite the sudden tears. "So cold," he sniffed.

He scratched the back of his head with his free hand. "Heh, says you…I'll, uh…see you later then."

4:00PM

"Oi! Are you sure having him back is a good idea?"

"What's it to you?" Georgi asked, stuffing his hands into the pockets of his brown jacket.

Pale green eyes rolled. "Oh, I don't know, they hadn't talked much yet and its been close to a month?" Yurio scuffed the ground with his sneakers. "I'm just saying, given our recent problems, why are we adding one more?" He asked back as he and the gang, minus Victor and Chris, headed towards the boat yard.

"Demanding as usual," Mila flipped her curled hair off her shoulder. "Look. I'll explain later. We have a job to do."

"Hgnn!" The youngest growled with his famed quick temper. "Why can't we just let them move on? He's been distracted and we need him to focus!"

Georgi halted, turned around and grabbed the still considered late teen in their standards by his shirt collar. "Listen. Punk. Mila said she'd explain later so she'll explain your cousin's motives later. Got it?"

Yurio gritted his teeth. "Let. Go." He threatened. "It's been hell enough. Ever wonder what might happen if he doesn't choose to stay after awhile? You can't make him fall in love again, you know."

The lanky, brunet man frowned as he took back his hands. "Why you…"

Otabek stepped in between them. "Stop."

"Yeah… we are gonna wish we were there an hour ago."

The men turned towards Mila in confusion.

"Look," she pointed.

A busted up warehouse laid before them in the distance. Their warehouse. Someone had set it aflame.

"Shit. He isn't going to like this one bit," Georgi cursed. "Who keeps doing this?"

The four rushed over towards the property. All contents were destroyed.

"I thought you fuckin' tightened security!" Yurio shouted.

Georgi kicked the dirt. "I did! I don't see any dead bodies, so they were either drowned or spooked off."

"Before you two get your panties in a bunch," Mila shouted as she came back over, "here, I found this."

"A patch of brocade?" Yurio remarked incredulously. "So what?"

"Who comes to a warehouse in fine cloth?" The redhead shot back. "Someone who means business, most likely a competitor." She checked her watch. "Now you and Beka got to go. And you better not give them any hard time."

Yurio clicked his tongue and turned to leave. "Yeah, yeah. I better get an extra Type A for this."

9:30 PM

He tugged at his black knit turtleneck. "I can't believe I'm doing this…" Yuri muttered as he meandered down the hall.

'Just talk to him Phichit says. Just put water under the bridge already says Chris. Forgive and let go. What the hell is everybody's problem?'

"…What's my problem?" Yuri asked himself, halting once again, for the twentieth time in the hallway, trying to convince himself this wasn't what he should be doing.

'No, I must.' He moved forward. 'I can't stay holed up forever. You're not spineless. He's…'

"He's..." Yuri halted again.

'He's V…V~ic…'

His stomach flipped and flopped nervously. He felt a pit in his stomach, similar to what he felt at work over lunch break.

"He's only him," Yuri coached himself, stepping forward again. "I have to set this straight. Make it clear we can't be toget-"

Yuri froze before the thick double doors with grand vases filled with blue and white roses on either side of the frame. These doors which led to the office he bolted out of a few weeks ago. Yuri shook his head, scrambling to hold onto his resolve, and walked in.

"I need to speak with y-!"

Two bodies. Dead on the floor.

Two bodies. Horny on top of the cleared desk. Paying no mind someone had come in as their backs were facing him.

A second ago it didn't matter.

A second later, it meant the world.

Tic, tok, tic…

Yuri felt his brain had stopped working. He felt it had to be rebooted as he stood there, dumbfounded, while those in a lewd act didn't even notice the click the doors had made when he absentmindedly shut them slowly behind him.

"Ah. Ngn~"

Yuri didn't know if he should gag or cry when he heard his voice. He strangely felt cheated on but also felt was going to hurl, upset with himself, that he shouldn't care his ex had moved on or whom he was with.

Without thinking Yuri quickly sniffed to stifle the urge to gasp or sob, only to wish he hadn't.

'Oh no…' The stressed doctor clapped a hand over his mouth and nose.

A sweet and tangy smell had wafted his way, dispelling the nausea, and he felt his eyes begin to dilate.

Yuri turned towards the door. 'N-No…I got…'

No thanks to his sour mood since lunch he had missed dinner.

But his feet remained rooted to the ground. He felt his mouth dry out as every fiber of his being either screamed at him to run out of that room while others were convinced he needed to be satisfied and insisted he stay put.

'Get out…' He licked his lips, begging his feet to move. '…of here…'

But he couldn't stop looking at the bodies left in a heap on the floor, and the puncture wounds where blood still dripped down the sides of their necks.

"Agn~" Yuri groaned as held his head, pinching his eyes shut. 'N-No! This isn't-!'

"Ahem."

Golden eyes flashed opened and looked up to meet two pairs of the same color.

Naked at half-mast, Victor had come over with a cup in his hand when he saw Yuri struggling. He kept his distance, however, and remained a few strides away from the door by the couches.

If the smell of fresh blood wasn't enough a slap in a face to make Yuri dizzy with want already, the clear scent of sex and seeing the vision of sexual appeal that was Victor's sculpted body shoved Yuri closer to the edge as his whole body shuddered, recalling the memories and sensations of a far more intimate time.

Slowly Yuri lowered his hands, sliding them down the sides of his face while his lips remained parted, revealing the tips of his fangs. He felt warm and his throat was dry and ached.

Naked save for an unbuttoned dress shirt, Chris came into Yuri's view, wrapping his arms around Victor from behind before resting his chin on his shoulder. "Oh ho? What a face…"

Yuri frowned, but words had already left him.

"Here," said Victor, offering the cup to Yuri.

'Anything to keep him here,' Victor told himself. 'I can't believe he is…and to see me like this….'

But a pakhan had no room, or time, for shame. None of this. Of where they were and what had been, in Victor's mind none of this was how it was supposed to go, but it was far too late.

"Here, take it," Nikiforov repeated evenly, unjudging yet close to imploring himself.

Though not enough to puncture, Yuri dragged his fangs over his bottom lip.

"Take it," Victor whispered. 'Keep your eyes on me…please…'

Tic…

High off the smell of the freshest blood Yuri hadn't in decades, he came forward while keeping his eyes locked onto Victor's. The time to flee had run out.

To Nikiforov, the clock's ticking seemed to vanish from his hearing when Yuri finally took a step. Exactly when, seconds, and years, Time seemed to no longer apply within that room.

Between a mix of gingerly accepting and twitching traces left over from a need to hold back within his fingers, Yuri took the cup and raised it to his lips.

After the first swallow, Yuri's modern-day rationale drowned into the taste and feel of it running down his throat and into his core. 'Oh…Fuck yes…' Yuri admitted to himself. 'Twenty minutes old or so, but damn…'

Not preserved, half frozen, months old, nor animal. Honest to goodness life source was bliss.

Yuri eventually lowered the cup, pushed back his hair back with his right hand, and sighed in content.

"Taste good?" Victor asked carefully.

Yuri set the newly emptied cup down on a small glass table next to the sofa armrest before looking up into Victor's primal eyes with his own.

Victor swallowed hard as a smirk slowly fell across Yuri's lips.

'Hello…' Yuri thought.

The scent of sex still lingered in the air and more enticing to address.

Soon that smirk grew into a sly smile. '…Gorgeous.'

Chris, almost slipped a whistle when Yuri started to come even closer towards them. 'Vitya, no wonder you have it bad…' But he didn't want to ruin this chance. 'Mila is totally going to kill me but if I leave Yuri might flee and you would totally blame me, Victor.'

The blonde knew he was stuck to see where this would go.

'Not that I wouldn't mind…' he thought pervasively, almost chuckling, '…but I'd rather their pain be gone,' but resigned to hit the doors when the moment was right.

'This is you…' Victor thought as he felt an urge grow and twist around in his chest. Those final steps forward, to see the look Yuri was giving him up close after so long, Victor wanted to embrace him desperately. 'Yuri Katsuki.'

The black haired beauty stopped merely breath or two away from Victor's lips, on his toes he looked to be studying for a weakness in Victor's face.

"How was it?" Victor asked again lowly, unware Chris had stepped aside, letting him go.

Katsuki broke out into another smile. While lowering back down he sighed as if the taste was enjoyed yesteryear and he was reflecting on it. "Delicious, Vic-" His voice hitched; the golden haze dissolved within rapid blinks spurred on by a sharp panic.

His name. Like a spell, it was broken.

Tic, tok, tic…

Thus Time had returned and the pain it can bring.

-Thank you for reading! Please no spoilers! :D

Chris and Phichit tie for Best Wingman. Fact. XD